Wrapped material, and method and apparatus for wrapping and unwrapping such material

US5848696A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company · US

Inventors

• Dennis L. Christ · Scandia, US
• Timothy D. Bredahl · Cottage Grove, US
• Michael A. Giefer · Woodbury, US
• Robert D. Hamann · Eagan, US
• Donald R. Peacock · Windom, US
• Timothy J. Walker · Farmington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 25, 1996
• Grant date: Dec 15, 1998
• Expiry date: Nov 25, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65B9/067
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An elongate mass of material wrapped by a liner in which the liner is wrapped around the material with the liner inside surface facing the peripheral surface of the material, with first and second regions of the liner extending away from the material with the liner inside surface of the first region in unbonded contact with the liner inside surface of the second region so as to enclose the material with said liner. The material and the center region of the liner together form a core of the wrapped mass of material, and the first and second liner regions together form a tab of the wrapped mass of material. The wrapped mass of material includes a first portion and a second portion and is arranged such that the core of a second portion applies sufficient force to the tab of a first portion so as to maintain the mass of material enveloped by the liner at the first portion. Also presented are methods and apparatus for wrapping and unwrapping such material. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a cold-flowable material such as a hot-melt pressure sensitive adhesive wrapped in a liner such that the liner is easily removed from the material.