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).

Abstract: A packaging device includes a film fitting mechanism, a film shrinking mechanism and a controller. The film fitting mechanism fits a tubular heat shrinkage film over a film cylinder and moves the film a distance along the cylinder and cuts a length of the film off. The length of the film is then conveyed to the film shrinking mechanism. The film shrinking mechanism is arranged next to the film fitting mechanism and includes a base for supporting an article to be packed with the film that is cut by the film fitting mechanism and heating units for supplying high temperature air flows to the film thereby making the film shrink and tightly wrap over the article. The controller controls and coordinates the operations between the film fitting mechanism and the film shrinking mechanism.

Abstract: A protective cover for use on one or more saw blades. The cover is formed from a heat shrinking material that is shrunk on the saw blade(s) to provide a thin close fitting cover that protects teeth on the saw blade(s). A tag can be attached to the cover and/or saw blade(s). The tag has a security device that is spaced from the saw blade(s) to prevent interference. The tag can be used to hang the saw blade(s) from a display device. An insert card having indicia thereon can be positioned on the saw blade(s) to convey information.

Abstract: To retain the virginity of cylindrical articles packed in a cylindrical article package, the present invention provides a package of a novel structure and a fabrication method for the same. More specifically, the present specification discloses a package wherein a film has a slit at least either one of an upper end face and a lower end face of the package in a portion thereof corresponding to a boundary between the adjacent cylindrical articles, and more specifically, a package wherein the film has a slit along the boundary between the adjacent cylindrical articles, and is curved in such a manner as to conform to the outer circumferential surfaces of the cylindrical articles located adjacent to the boundary.

Abstract: The invention provides a diameter reducing system for reducing the diameter of a flexible container as the container is filled. The system includes a shrinking device to shrink the container at the fill level as the container is filled with a plurality of particles. The shrinking device can include a heater to direct heat at the fill level. The container can be a bag formed from heat shrinkable material. Shrinking of the container at the fill level as the container fills promotes supporting engagement between particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and to a machine for heat-shrinking sleeves made from a film of heat-shrink plastics material and engaged individually on articles such as bottles. In accordance with the invention, the machine comprises a fixed structure, an article support arranged to move along a vertical central axis between a low position in which articles can be put into place or removed, and a high position in which an article is fully received in a pre-heater chamber surmounting a shrinkage chamber, together with a controller governing parameters of temperature, support travel speed, and time, during the operating sequences of the method. This enables ordinary consumers themselves to cause sleeves to be shrunk onto bottles.

Abstract: A method of wrapping an object with wrapping material includes the steps of wrapping a first wrapping film around the object during a first portion of a wrapping cycle; and simultaneously wrapping the first wrapping film and a second wrapping film around the object during a second portion of the wrapping cycle. The simultaneous wrapping includes bringing the second wrapping film into contact with the first wrapping film thereby causing the second wrapping film to adhere to the first wrapping film, wrapping the object with the adhered first and second wrapping films, and severing the second wrapping film, with a severing device, after a predetermined length of the second wrapping film has been wrapped onto the object.

Abstract: A shrink tunnel assembly for wrapping an article with polymeric shrink film includes a shrink tunnel having a heating zone, and conveyor means for carrying an article to the heating zone and away from it. While in the heating zone, polymeric shrink film covering an article avoids contacting any solid surface, thereby protecting the article from marring and destruction.

Abstract: Methods for bundling together groups of two or more articles for selectively obscuring individual identification codes on the articles and related assemblies are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a composite film sleeve partially of a clear or transparent film and partially of a colored, opaque, or patterned film. The composite sleeve is then placed over a group of two or more articles slated for bundling and shrunken, if necessary. As a result, any advertising indicia or product information can be viewed by an observer, but the individual identification codes are obscured. Alternative methods of obscuring individual identification codes on groups of articles in a bundle while allowing for the visualization of the advertising indicia or product information thereon are also disclosed.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus has hot air supply mechanisms disposed in association with light-shielding shrinkable films wound on a rolled photosensitive material sheet, for ejecting hot air locally to the light-shielding shrinkable films, and a drive mechanism for relatively rotating the hot air supply mechanisms along an outer circumferential surface of the rolled photosensitive material sheet.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for shrinking a heat-shrink foil wrapped in particular about a palleted object stack. in order to improve on such an apparatus so that shrinking of the foil part projectingg past upper and/or lower face is pmproved and produces an optimal fold-free shrinkage, an apparatus for shrining a heat-shrink foil wrapped in particular about a palleted object stack comprises at least one shrink device movable vertically up and down on a frame to heat and shrink the heat-shrink foil, the heat-shrink foil projecting past the upper and/or lower edge of the object stack to form an upper and/or lower shrink formation, the apparatus further comprising at least one nozzle connected to a compressed air source and aimed centrally above and/or below the object stack and generally vertically directed thereat, each nozzle having outlet openings that extend at an angle not coinciding with the flow direction inside the nozzle and that are in an annular array.

Abstract: An automated container production line for automatically removing, orienting, filling, sealing and providing a label and applying a straw to the outside of the labeled container is provided which utilizes a novel orienting conveyor for receiving unoriented containers from a supply bin and orienting the containers for a plurality of novel short production lines having a positioning screw conveyor which intermittently starts and stops the advancement of the containers as groups of containers in which various groups of containers are simultaneously filled, sealed, inspected and then subsequently transported to a sleeving device for adding labels, a heat shrink tunnel for fastening the sleeve to the container and then to a novel straw applicator for subsequently attaching a straw to the outside of the container.

Abstract: An automatic high-speed wrapping system for wrapping packages in heat sealable thermoplastic film includes a film delivery unit wherein the film is dispensed and wrapped around the packages at a high rate of speed as the packages travel through the system. The packages travel continuously in a straight line through the system and are delivered at the input end of the system by a feed conveyor into a wrapping station where the packages are surrounded by the film, thence to the side sealing mechanism which forms a seal while severing the salvage from the packages, then into an end sealing mechanism where both ends of the packages are sealed and the film web connecting succeeding packages is severed. The film is delivered to the wrapping station in two plies and subsequently inverted for wrapping around the products. The positions of the wrapping station and film delivery units are adjustable to efficiently accommodate a variety of product heights while providing proper film delivery geometry.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of strong/tight packaging an object in order to prepare it for shipping. Initially, a substrate is applied to an object to create a smooth surface adapted to receive a sprayable plastic thereon. Then, the sprayable plastic is sprayed onto the substrate and the object to encapsulate the object.

Abstract: A radiant energy device for shrinking a thin film onto an open top of a container, the radiant energy device comprising: a source of power, to provide power to the radiant energy device; a plurality of fixed energy-emitting units, each of the units when energized being configured to emit radiant energy towards the shrinking film on said open top of the container; and a switching means, operatively connected between the source of power and each of the energy-emitting units, to independently activate at least two groups of the energy-emitting units; wherein, a first group of the energy-emitting units partially shrinks the thin film onto the container, and a second group finishes the shrinking.

Abstract: A tunnel for shrink wrapping at least one product includes a housing having an interior space with a top, a bottom, an entrance and an exit. A conveyor belt passes through the interior space from the entrance to the exit. The conveyor belt is substantially unobstructed on upper and lower sides and includes an opened configuration allowing substantial air flow therethrough at relatively low velocity. Heaters and air movers are located above and below the conveyor belt to uniformly heat products contained in shrink film and moving along the conveyor belt. The shrink tunnel further includes an adjustable riser member to allow a transverse section of the conveyor belt to be selectively adjusted in height from outside the housing.

Abstract: A transport unit comprises a package (3) enclosed by a casing (2), said package (3) comprising a stack (5) of insulation panels (6) which is carried by supporting elements (4). The supporting elements (4) and the insulation panels (6) are made of a material usable for insulation purposes. The transport unit is characterised in that the casing (2) enclosing the package (3) comprises a first hood (7) and a second hood (8). The hoods (7, 8) are arranged on the package (3) respectively from a first side (9) and an opposite second side (10) thereof and are joined together in a portion (11) along which the hoods (7, 8) overlap. The present invention further relates to a method of manufacturing such a transport unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping articles comprising a clamp for pulling a film, a first conveyor for moving an article to a second conveyor, a second conveyor, an opening between the first and second conveyor to allow the clamp to pull the film through the opening. A shear located below the first and second conveyors. Feeding an end of the film to the clamp and seizing the end of the film by the clamp below the conveyors. Pulling the film by moving the clamp with the seized end of the film through the opening to a position above the conveyors that would allow the film to wrap the article with an overlap. Cutting the film with the shear after the clamp reached in the position above the conveyors. Wrapping the article by moving the clamp with the seized film from the position above the conveyors through the opening to a second position below the conveyors and releasing the seized film, and overlapping the cut end and the released end of the film wherein the overlap is between the conveyor and bottom of the article.

Abstract: A tunnel for shrink wrapping at least one product includes a housing having an interior space with a top, a bottom, an entrance and an exit. A conveyor belt passes through the interior space from the entrance to the exit. The conveyor belt is substantially unobstructed on upper and lower sides and includes an opened configuration allowing substantial air flow therethrough at relatively low velocity. Heaters and air movers are located above and below the conveyor belt to uniformly heat products contained in shrink film and moving along the conveyor belt. The shrink tunnel further includes an adjustable riser member to allow a transverse section of the conveyor belt to be selectively adjusted in height from outside the housing.

Abstract: Folded film (10) used to create a lap seal using an L sealer (50) includes a first film (12) folded substantially in a form of a “J” and a second film (14) overlapping at least a portion (16) of the first film. The first film and the second film are coupled together (19) in at least a portion of an overlapping area.

Abstract: A package with improved clarity and a thinner lidstock includes a product support member having a cavity formed therein; a product disposed in the cavity; and an oriented, heat shrinkable lidstock film disposed over the product, and sealed to the product support member. A method of packaging a product includes the steps of providing a product support member having a cavity formed therein, and a flange around the perimeter of the member; placing the product in the cavity formed by the product support member; placing an oriented, heat shrinkable film over the product; sealing the oriented, heat shrinkable film to the flange of the product support member; and cutting at least some of the oriented heat shrinkable film extending beyond the perimeter of the product support member. The lidstock film optionally can be peeled apart after the package has been made, for example to peel an oxygen impermeable portion from a permeable substrate.

Abstract: An automatic high-speed wrapping system for wrapping packages in heat sealable thermoplastic film includes a film delivery unit wherein the film is dispensed and wrapped around the packages at a high rate of speed as the packages travel through the system. The packages travel continuously in a straight line through the system and are delivered at the input end of the system by a feed conveyor into a wrapping station where the packages are surrounded by the film, thence to the side sealing mechanism which forms a seal while severing the salvage from the packages, then into an end sealing mechanism where both ends of the packages are sealed and the film web connecting succeeding packages is severed. The film is delivered to the wrapping station in two plies and subsequently inverted for wrapping around the products. The positions of the wrapping station and film delivery units are adjustable to efficiently accommodate a variety of product heights while providing proper film delivery geometry.

Abstract: Control system and apparatus for controlling power consumption of a heat chamber such as a shrink tunnel. The system and apparatus of the present invention is modification to conventional systems, and takes advantage of the inherent equipment usage model in a packaging process. When the shrink wrap sealer has been idle for a predetermined duration, control circuitry in the shrink tunnel forces the tunnel to enter an energy savings mode.

Abstract: A method of wrapping an object with a heat-shrinkable material. A sheet of the heat-shrinkable material is heated to its frosting temperature and then fitted around the object like a sleeve so that leading and trailing ends of the sheet overlap and are welded together. The object and the sleeve are allowed to cool to shrink the sleeve onto the object.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wrapping device for welding a stretch film to a tray, and particularly a wrapping device that can provide a good appearance after the wrapping, and can suppress disadvantages in a transporting operation. A wrapping device 1 covers a top opening of a tray T with a stretch film Fm, welds the stretch film to the tray T, and thermally cuts it. The wrapping device 1 includes a stretch mechanism 9, a control portion and a film winding portion 53. The stretch mechanism 9 stretches the stretch film Fm. The control portion controls the stretch mechanism 9 to stretch the stretch film Fm at least before welding the stretch film Fm to the tray T. The film winding portion 53 winds up the stretch film Fm after the thermal cutting.

Abstract: A packaging machine using a heat-shrinkable film comprises a frame (14, 16) for peripheral sealing of a film (19) segment and a tunnel (21) disposed alongside the frame, in which means (27) for air circulation is arranged, which air is heated by electrical heating elements (28) for shrinkage of the sealed film which is introduced into the tunnel. The machine comprises means (34) for detecting a condition associable with the presence in the machine of a product wrapped in a film to be shrunk. This detecting means (34) upon detection of said condition produces a signal (33) for temporary actuation of the hot-air circulation means (27).

Abstract: A fuselage of an aircraft or other portion of a motive craft is sealed with a heat shrinkable film section. After the film section is emplaced, a double-sided adhesive strip or adhesive transfer is wrapped therearound. Then, adjoining sections of film are adhered to the tape or adhesive to form an overlap. When heat is applied to the film an airtight seal is formed. The adhesive film may be used to adhere together adjacent other sections of heat shrinkable sheets assembled in similar overlapping fashion. The heat shrinkable material may be pre-formed to loosely conform to the sections of the craft to which it is to be adhered. A plurality of such loosely conformable sections can be pre-packaged in a kit form having the adhesive medium disposed at the outer or free edges thereof. The heat shrinkable material may be a multi-layered material having a shrinkable first layer and a cushioning second layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping articles comprising; a clamp for pulling a film, a first conveyor for moving an article to a second conveyor, a second conveyor, an opening between the first and second conveyor sufficient to allow a clamp to pull a film through the opening a shear located below the first and second conveyors, means for feeding an end of the film to said clamp, means for seizing the end of the film by the clamp below the conveyors, means for pulling the film by moving the clamp with the seized end of the film through the opening to a position above the conveyors that would allow the film to wrap an article with an overlap, means for cutting the film with the shear after the clamp as reached said position, means for wrapping the article by moving the clamp with the seized film from said position through said opening to a second position below the conveyors and releasing said seized film, and means for overlapping the cut end and released end of the film wherein the overlap is between the conveyor and

Abstract: Packaging materials, in particular, film and products which comprise (a) a substrate and (b) an energy sensitive indicia-former. The film has at least one heat sensitive indicia-former on at least part of the film. The film comprises a thin film substrate which is substantially transparent to radiant energy. Associated with at least part of the film substrate is an absorbent material which is sufficiently opaque to radiant energy to absorb said radiant energy and convert the radiant energy into heat energy. The indicia-former undergoes conversion from a first visual condition to a second visual condition upon exposure to heat energy from the absorbent material. The film is used preferably as a shrink wrap of the open top of drink containers and to identify the contents of the container.

Abstract: The invention provides a packaging film comprising a heat-shrinkable, heat-sealable polyester shrink film. The film comprises a homopolymer or copolymer of polyethylene terephthalate, preferably coated with a solvent-based, heat-seal coating, e.g., an amorphous copolyester. The film may be metallized and/or laminated to other films, e.g., ionomer films.

Abstract: A heat-shrinking film packaging machine includes a conveyor for transporting an article to be packaged through a heating device to have a heat-shrinking film surrounding the article heated and shrunk and thus tightly packaging the article. The heating device includes a hot air flow control device including two air supply devices located on opposite sides of the conveyor to define a channel through which the article is transported. Each air supply device has a surface in which an array of openings is defined and arranged in rows and columns for supplying hot air toward the article. A blocking bar is movably mounted to the surface of each air supply device and associated with each row of the openings. The blocking bar is movable with respect to the openings to selectively and partially block the openings for controlling hot air flow through the openings.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for packaging combinations of complementary items are disclosed. A combined package according to the invention includes a first container containing a first item and a second container containing a second item that complements the first item. A packaging material at least partially surrounds both the first and second containers, thus holding the first and second containers in mutual abutment. The containers can be shaped and positioned relative to one another such that the combined package has an overall shape that is generally rectanguloidal and suitable for palletization. Apparatus and methods for manufacturing such combined packages are also disclosed.

Abstract: A thermoshrinking tunnel oven for making thermoshrinking plastic material film packages comprises a bottom plate and a top plate having openings for allowing thermoshrinking hot air to pass therethrough, the cross-sections of the openings being controlled by perforated sliders which are independently slidably mounted on the plates. With respect to conventional tunnel ovens, the inventive tunnel oven and method have the advantage that they provide thermoshrinking material packages of even aspect and devoid of unevennesses.

Abstract: A shrink tunnel assembly for wrapping an article with polymeric shrink film includes a shrink tunnel having a heating zone, and conveyor means for carrying an article to the heating zone and away from it. While in the heating zone, polymeric shrink film covering an article avoids contacting any solid surface, thereby protecting the article from marring and destruction.

Abstract: Packaging materials, in particular, film and products that are marked with an energy sensitive indicia-former. The film has at least one heat sensitive indicia-former on at least part of the film. The film comprises a thin film substrate which is substantially transparent to radiant energy. Associated with at least part of the film substrate is an absorbent material which is sufficiently opaque to radiant energy to absorb said radiant energy and convert the radiant energy into heat energy. The indicia-former undergoes conversion from a first visual condition to a second visual condition upon exposure to heat energy from the absorbent material. The film is used preferably as a shrink wrap of the open top of drink containers and to identify the contents of the container.

Abstract: A method of finishing an enclosure formed from sheet metal includes the step of providing a tube formed from a film of a heat shrink polymer. The enclosure is inserted into the tube. Heat is applied to shrink the tube about the enclosure. Another method of finishing the enclosure includes the step of providing a sheet of a heat shrink polymer. The sheet is wrapped about the enclosure. The wrapped sheet may be affixed to the enclosure mechanically, chemically, or some combination thereof. Heat is applied to shrink wrap the sheet about the enclosure. In various embodiments the heat shrink polymer comprises at least one of the following polymers: irradiated low density polyethylene (LDPE), polyolefin, poly-ethylene terephthalate (PET), poly-vinyl chloride (PVC), and fluoropolymers such as poly-tetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), poly-vinylidene di-fluoride (PVDF), fluoroethylenepropylene (FEP), and perfluoroalkoxy (PFA).

Abstract: A system for automatically packaging photosensitive rolls includes a flanged member installing device for selecting flanged members corresponding to a photosensitive roll and automatically installing the flanged members respectively on opposite ends of the photosensitive roll, a tape member applying device for automatically applying a joint tape to an end of the photosensitive roll, a packaging sheet working device for automatically processing light-shielding leaders to dimensions corresponding to the photosensitive roll, an applying mechanism for automatically applying the processed light-shielding leaders to the photosensitive roll, and a packaging sheet takeup device for automatically winding the light-shielding leaders around the photosensitive roll.

Abstract: This invention consist of the application of ionomers with high acid comonomer content and neutralisea with specific metal ions as sealant layers for multilayer for fresh meat packaging with improved meat juice or purge retention and a process to archieve this. It has been found that for this application a copolymer of ethylene and an &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated C3-C8 carboxylic acid, preferably 1-30% by weight, preferably acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, that is partly neutralized with at least one metal ion is most suitable. The copolymer may further contain an acrylate, and may be processed by e.g. extruding or casting a sheet or blowing a film.

Abstract: A protective cover for use on one or more saw blades. The cover is formed from a heat shrinking material that is shrunk on the saw blade(s) to provide a thin close fitting cover that protects teeth on the saw blade(s). A tag can be attached to the cover and/or saw blade(s). The tag has a security device that is spaced from the saw blade(s) to prevent interference. The tag can be used to hang the saw blade(s) from a display device. An insert card having indicia thereon can be positioned on the saw blade(s) to convey information.

Abstract: A package cover for packaging a lens-fitted photo film unit includes two side sheets covering two side faces of the lens-fitted photo film unit and an outer sheet covering front, rear, top and bottom faces thereof. The outer sheet is provided with edge portions formed of a plastic sheet which has heat-shrinkable property. After the side sheets are adhered to the lens-fitted photo film unit, the outer sheet is wrapped around it. The edge portions are shrunken by blowing a hot air thereon and fixedly stuck to edges of the side sheets.

Abstract: A method of covering a pot with a plant cover, the plant cover at least comprising a base portion, and optionally having a skirt or a detachable upper portion. The plant cover has a heat shrinkable bonding material which can be heat shrink to secure to plant cover about the pot.

Abstract: An air blowing tool includes a connecting pipe (1) and an air blowing head (2). The air blowing head includes an inner wall (22) and an outer wall (21). An annular passage (24) is defined between the inner and outer walls. The inner wall encloses and defines a heating space (23) for accommodating a package (3) to be heated. An annular outlet (221) is defined in the inner wall. The annular outlet communicates with the annular passage and with the heating space.

Abstract: A system and method of assembling photofinishing components, retail components and general components is designed to assemble the components into an order group. The order group can be, for example, a stack of the photofinishing components, retail components or general components. The system of the present invention is adapted to receive a customer order, provide an order identification with the order and control the dispensing of the components onto a conveying system. In the system of the present invention, the sequence for dispensing the components onto the conveying system is dictated by the layout of product dispensers along the conveying system and the control of the dispensers based on the customer order. With the system of the present invention it is possible to assemble, for example, 35 mm and APS finished film negatives, prints, digital media products and promotional literature into a single package that is suitable for return to a retailer for subsequent delivery or retrieval by a customer.

Abstract: A package of a strip of material is formed by slitting or perforating a web to separate the web into side by side strips and fan folding the web to form a plurality of side by side stacks of the strips. The strip of each stack is spliced to the strip of the next stack to form a continuous strip through the package which can be unfolded for supply continuously to an end use machine. The package while compressed is wrapped by a packaging material which includes a bottom header plate and heat shrink bag wrapped around the package and under a bottom header plate and heat sealed to a bottom surface of the bottom header plate. The spliced connecting portions are held attached to the end plane of the package by a series of spaced tie members formed of spare strip material each of which extends across the end plane and has opposed ends of the tie member tucked between two of the strip portions of respective ones of the outermost stacks.

Abstract: An air blowing tool includes a connecting pipe (1) and an air blowing head (2). The air blowing head includes an inner wall (22), and an outer wall (21). An annular passage (24) is defined between the inner and outer walls. The inner wall encloses and defines a heating space (23) for accommodating a package (3) to be heated. A plurality of evenly distributed outlets (221) is defined in the inner wall. Each outlet is defined at an acute angle relative to the annular passage.

Abstract: A film cutter comprising an entry plate and a guard plate capable of receiving a film therebetween, wherein the guard plate is in communication with a housing plate having a lower surface and an upper surface, and wherein the housing plate lower surface has a retaining groove capable of retaining a cutting belt. The housing plate upper surface has pushing member grooves capable of receiving pushing members, the pushing member grooves having ramps. The film cutter further includes a cutting belt having cutting members, wherein the cutting belt is retained in the retaining groove, and wherein the cutting members do not extend past the guard plate when the film cutter is in a non-activated state.

Abstract: An automated container production line for automatically removing, orienting, filling, sealing and providing a label and applying a straw to the outside of the labeled container is provided which utilizes a novel orienting conveyor for receiving unoriented containers from a supply bin and orienting the containers for a plurality of novel short production lines having a positioning screw conveyor which intermittently starts and stops the advancement of the containers as groups of containers in which various groups of containers are simultaneously filled, sealed, inspected and then subsequently transported to a sleeving device for adding labels, a heat shrink tunnel for fastening the sleeve to the container and then to a novel straw applicator for subsequently attaching a straw to the outside of the container.

Abstract: Sterilant monitoring assembly includes an external housing defining an inlet and an outlet, and an internal flow path extending therethrough. An internal housing is located within the external housing and substantially surrounded by the internal flow path. The internal housing defines an interior sensor chamber therein, and includes a valve arrangement to join the interior sensor chamber selectively in fluid communication with the internal flow path. Preferably, the valve arrangement of the internal housing is defined by a base portion and a cover portion moveable relative to each other between an open position and a closed position. In one embodiment, the cover portion has an open end section configured for sealing engagement with an opposing surface of the base portion when moved axially to the closed position. In another preferred embodiment, the base portion and cover portion include mating peripheral walls.

Abstract: A reflective hood system for heat-shrinking a film onto an open-topped container includes a reflective hood having a reflective surface, a radiant energy source, and a reflective shield, wherein the reflective shield is located at or near an opening in the reflective hood, and wherein the reflective shield has at least one optical aperture, an optical aperture including an optical surface having areas of higher and lower reflective capability. The reflective hood assembly may further include a reflective shield having two or more optical apertures.

Abstract: A method of wrapping an object with a heat-shrinkable material. A sheet of the heat-shrinkable material is heated to its frosting temperature and then fitted around the object like a sleeve so that leading and trailing ends of the sheet overlap and are welded together. The object and the sleeve are allowed to cool to shrink the sleeve onto the object.