Abstract: A machine for applying tubular film to objects includes a mandrel about which a tubular film is passed, a perforation assembly for forming a perforation line across a width of the tubular film prior to the tubular film moving onto the mandrel, and a sleeve ejection arrangement associated with the mandrel to separate the tubular film along the perforation line to create a tubular sleeve that is ejected off of the mandrel and onto an object. The perforation assembly includes a perforation unit mounted for movement across the width the tubular film, the perforation unit including a perforation blade that is rotated over the tubular film, to apply the perforation line, as the perforation unit moves across the width of the tubular film.

Abstract: A towel according to the present invention that has an integrated bottle opener.

Abstract: An apparatus for shrinking film onto products moving along a conveyance path includes an elongated steam chamber shaped to form a shrink tunnel through which the conveyance path extends, wherein tunnel side surface portions of the elongated steam chamber bound the path at least in tunnel regions above a plane of the conveyance path and the tunnel side surface portions are heated by steam within the elongated steam chamber and the tunnel side surface portions thereby radiate heat into the shrink tunnel. At least one steam header is positioned within the shrink tunnel and extending along at least part of a length of the shrink tunnel, the steam header including a plurality of steam ejection orifices for ejecting steam into the shrink tunnel. At least one steam flow path feeds steam from an output of the elongated steam chamber to an input of the at least one steam header.

Abstract: A machine for applying a tubular band to a container moving in a feed direction includes a mandrel assembly about which tubular film is passed. The mandrel assembly is configured to eject tubular bands in an angular direction or orientation that is partly against the feed direction.

Abstract: A machine for applying a tubular band to a container moving in a feed direction includes a mandrel assembly about which tubular film is passed. The mandrel assembly is configured to eject tubular bands in an angular direction or orientation that is partly against the feed direction.

Abstract: A method of applying a tamper evident band involves: moving a container in a feed direction below and past a mandrel assembly that includes a lower end with a band guide structure; utilizing the mandrel assembly to form a tamper evident band; ejecting the tamper evident band downward from the mandrel assembly toward the container before the container is completely under the mandrel assembly causing a leading side of the tamper evident band to move over a leading side of a cap and neck section of the container while a trailing side of the tamper evident band is above a trailing side of the cap and neck section of the container; and as the container continues to move past the mandrel assembly, the band guide structure pushes the trailing side of the tamper evident band over the trailing side of the cap and neck section of the container.

Abstract: A method of applying a tamper evident band involves: moving a container in a feed direction below and past a mandrel assembly that includes a lower end with a band guide structure; utilizing the mandrel assembly to form a tamper evident band; ejecting the tamper evident band downward from the mandrel assembly toward the container before the container is completely under the mandrel assembly causing a leading side of the tamper evident band to move over a leading side of a cap and neck section of the container while a trailing side of the tamper evident band is above a trailing side of the cap and neck section of the container; and as the container continues to move past the mandrel assembly, the band guide structure pushes the trailing side of the tamper evident band over the trailing side of the cap and neck section of the container.

Abstract: A machine for applying tubular film to products includes a film feed path along which a supply of continuous tubular film is fed, and a sleeve eject station at which the film tubing is cut into sleeves that are ejected onto products passing the sleeve eject station. At least one sensor is positioned along the film feed path upstream of the sleeve eject station for detecting a splice in tubular film traveling along the film feed path. A controller is configured for controlling the machine such that, upon detection of a splice in the tubular film, a defective sleeve that includes the splice thereon is ejected into a gap between successive products so as to prevent application of the defective sleeve to any product.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a tubular band from a supply of flat tubular material to a container includes a flat film feed path and a cutter positioned for cutting tubular material traveling along the feed path. A former is positioned downstream of the cutter for opening the tubular material and includes a film passage with an inlet side and an outlet side. The flat film feed path enters the film passage and a cut segment of tubular material is opened within the film passage to create an opened tubular band. A pusher pushes the opened tubular band out of the outlet side of the former for container application. The pusher includes a film engaging portion that is aligned with and movable into and out of the film passage. The film engaging portion is offset from the flat film feed path to prevent interference with flat tubular film entering the passage.

Abstract: A machine for applying tubular film to products includes a film feed path along which a supply of continuous tubular film is fed, and a sleeve eject station at which the film tubing is cut into sleeves that are ejected onto products passing the sleeve eject station. At least one sensor is positioned along the film feed path upstream of the sleeve eject station for detecting a splice in tubular film traveling along the film feed path. A controller is configured for controlling the machine such that, upon detection of a splice in the tubular film, a defective sleeve that includes the splice thereon is ejected into a gap between successive products so as to prevent application of the defective sleeve to any product.

Abstract: A shrink sleeve apparatus is disclosed herein that includes a shrink sleeve applicator, a downstream heat shrink station, and a horizontal conveyor having side-by-side rollers that have a circumscribing outer portion with at least one high traction segment and at least one low traction segment. A method of applying a shrink sleeve to an article is disclosed that includes providing a conveyor having rollers as disclosed herein, positioning the rollers such that low traction segments of the rollers support the article as it passes a shrink sleeve applicator, which applies a shrink sleeve. The high traction segments of the rollers do not interfere with sleeve application. As the conveyor moves the article and sleeve through a downstream heat shrink zone, the rollers are rotated so that the high traction segments contact the article and sleeve to assure rotation of the article and sleeve during heat shrink.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a tubular band from a supply of flat tubular material to a container includes a flat film feed path and a cutter positioned for cutting tubular material traveling along the feed path. A former is positioned downstream of the cutter for opening the tubular material and includes a film passage with an inlet side and an outlet side. The flat film feed path enters the film passage and a cut segment of tubular material is opened within the film passage to create an opened tubular band. A pusher pushes the opened tubular band out of the outlet side of the former for container application. The pusher includes a film engaging portion that is aligned with and movable into and out of the film passage. The film engaging portion is offset from the flat film feed path to prevent interference with flat tubular film entering the passage.

Abstract: A machine for applying tubular film to products includes a mandrel assembly about which tubular film is passed and a film cutter for cutting the tubular film into sleeves sized for application to containers. The mandrel assembly includes a sleeve section located below the film cutter and about which a sleeve length portion of the tubular film extends prior to each film cutting operation of the film cutter to produce a cut sleeve. A sleeve ejection arrangement includes a rotatable ejector wheel disposed along the sleeve section of the mandrel assembly.

Abstract: A shrink sleeve apparatus is disclosed herein that includes a shrink sleeve applicator, a downstream heat shrink station, and a horizontal conveyor having side-by-side rollers that have a circumscribing outer portion with at least one high traction segment and at least one low traction segment. A method of applying a shrink sleeve to an article is disclosed that includes providing a conveyor having rollers as disclosed herein, positioning the rollers such that low traction segments of the rollers support the article as it passes a shrink sleeve applicator, which applies a shrink sleeve. The high traction segments of the rollers do not interfere with sleeve application. As the conveyor moves the article and sleeve through a downstream heat shrink zone, the rollers are rotated so that the high traction segments contact the article and sleeve to assure rotation of the article and sleeve during heat shrink.

Abstract: A method of delivering film to a tubular shrink film applying machine involves the use of one or more containers that may include wheels enabling film transport, where film is unwound from rolls into the containers. A machine for dispensing tubular shrink film from rolls into containers in a controlled manner is also provided.

Abstract: A tubular film cutting arrangement for cutting tubular shrink film into sleeves of suitable length for application to containers includes a support member having a film passage opening therein; a plurality of knife drive pulleys rotatably mounted to the support member and spaced apart around the film passage opening, each knife drive pulley having a knife member mounted thereon for rotation with the knife drive pulley; a plurality of idler rollers rotatably mounted to the support member, each idler roller arranged between two of the knife drive pulleys, wherein a drive belt path is formed between the knife drive pulleys and the idler rollers; and a drive belt extending along the drive belt path such that a first side of the drive belt is in contact with each of the knife drive pulleys and a second side of the drive belt is in contact with each of the idler rollers; wherein the idler rollers are positioned to interact with the second side of the drive belt in order to hold the first side of the drive belt in c

Abstract: A machine for applying tubular film to products includes a mandrel assembly about which tubular film is passed and a film cutter for cutting the tubular film into sleeves sized for application to containers. The mandrel assembly includes a sleeve section located below the film cutter and about which a sleeve length portion of the tubular film extends prior to each film cutting operation of the film cutter to produce a cut sleeve. A sleeve ejection arrangement includes a rotatable ejector wheel disposed along the sleeve section of the mandrel assembly.

Abstract: A tubular film cutting arrangement for cutting tubular shrink film into sleeves of suitable length for application to containers includes a support member having a film passage opening therein; a plurality of knife drive pulleys rotatably mounted to the support member and spaced apart around the film passage opening, each knife drive pulley having a knife member mounted thereon for rotation with the knife drive pulley; a plurality of idler rollers rotatably mounted to the support member, each idler roller arranged between two of the knife drive pulleys, wherein a drive belt path is formed between the knife drive pulleys and the idler rollers; and a drive belt extending along the drive belt path such that a first side of the drive belt is in contact with each of the knife drive pulleys and a second side of the drive belt is in contact with each of the idler rollers; wherein the idler rollers are positioned to interact with the second side of the drive belt in order to hold the first side of the drive belt in c

Abstract: Aa machine for applying tubular film to products includes a mandrel assembly about which tubular film is passed. The mandrel assembly includes a film cutter for cutting the tubular film into lengths sized for application to containers passing below the mandrel assembly. A sleeve ejection arrangement is associated with the mandrel assembly and includes a mechanism that moves linearly while engaging a cut length of film so as to eject the cut length of film from the mandrel assembly and onto a container. The mechanism may be arranged so as to also impart rotation to the cut length of film as it is ejected.