Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and methods for producing shrink wrap packaging

US5771662A · kind A · utility

19Cited by
35References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 28, 1996
Grant dateJun 30, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 28, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65B61/02
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus (10) is disclosed including a web of film (20) extending between first and second pairs of pinch rollers (12-15) and onto a vacuum table (18). A rotary cutter (46) positioned before the first pair of pinch rollers (12, 13) includes laterally extending and spaced knives (52) for creating cuts (54, 58) in the film (20) which expand into vent openings (54') positioned over the sides (68) of the product (72) when the film (20) is wrapped around and shrunk upon the product (72). A further rotary cutter (30) positioned between the pairs of pinch rollers (12-15) includes a cut-off knife (36) and first and second blades (44). The cut-off knife (36) creates a cut (60) in the film (20) to form a single sheet of film (20) and includes notches (38) in its cutting edge to form tie strips (62) connecting the single sheet to the web of film (20). The tie strips (62) are broken after the cut (60) leaves the second pair of pinch rollers (14, 15) since the speed of the film (20) on the vacuum table (18) is greater than the peripheral speed of the first pair of pinch rollers (12, 13) at their abutment. The blades (44) cut perforations (56) in the film (20) which extend between the bullse…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.