Abstract: A method of controlling the temperature in a tunnel open at both ends and along which objects are displaced by conveyor means, the tunnel including heating or cooling means disposed along its two side walls between which the conveyed objects pass. According to the invention, the temperature is sensed in a particular zone of the tunnel in which a predetermined temperature is desired, and in organizing transverse displacement of the heating or cooling means (104) is organized in a direction essentially perpendicular to the direction in which the objects (103) are conveyed by means of a servo-control system causing the heating or cooling means to be displaced automatically mutually towards each other or away from each other whenever the sensed temperature differs from the predetermined temperature, thereby having the effect of permanently ensuring a constant temperature environment for the objects concerned in the above-mentioned zone of the tunnel.

Abstract: The invention relates to controlling the temperature in a tunnel (1) including heating or cooling means (4) disposed along its side walls and means (5) for blowing in a gaseous fluid at a given temperature along a direction essentially perpendicular to the direction which objects are conveyed along the tunnel. The temperature is detected in the zone of the tunnel into which the gaseous fluid is blown, and the blower means (5) are displaced in a direction essentially parallel to the direction in which the objects (3) are conveyed by means of a servo-control system for ensuring that the blower means move automatically when the sensed temperature differs from a predetermined temperature, thereby permanently providing a constant temperature environment for the, or each, object in said zone of the tunnel. The invention is particularly applicable to shrinking heat shrink sleeves onto flasks for decorative and/or protective purposes, and also to cooling down receptacles made of glass.

Abstract: The apparatus for placing decorative or protective sleeves of heat-shrinkable plastic over objects which do not easily stand upright. The machine comprises a device to place sleeves vertically over intermediate pins, of suitable diameter, fastened to an endless chain. The pins are brought into horizontal position during the returning of the chain around a wheel inclined at 45.degree., to circulate in alignment with objects received individually in housings provided on a second endless chain driven at the same linear speed as the first. A cam mechanism is then started to transfer the sleeves of the pins to the objects with which they are aligned.

Abstract: An apparatus for fitting and centering a sheath such as a thermoplastic sleeve about an object comprises a vertically floating mandrel about which the sheath is fed downwardly toward the object which is to be sheathed. The mandrel is provided with a hollow passage in its lower portion to receive a normally vertically movable member, the vertically movable member carrying at its normally lower end a mold member adapted to engage the head of the object which is to be sheathed, so as to guide and center the transfer of the sheath to the object. The mandrel is provided with a recess opening inwardly from its exterior periphery and into communication with the hollow passage providing a first element lying in the recess and connected to the vertically movable member, so that movement imparted to the first element and causes movement of the vertically movable member, a second element, a drive means located exteriorly of the mandrel for driving the second element.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatic cutting at a programmed rate of heat shrinkable plastic sheaths into sections or sleeves suitable for being placed and then heat-shrunk around containers. The apparatus includes means for feeding the plastic sheath in flat and then transporting it under predetermined tension conditions, and at least one vertical assembly for cutting the sheath and supplying the resulting sections or sleeves. The assembly includes four stages or stations positioned around a hollow mandrel on which the continuous sheath is engaged. The stations are constituted respectively by (1) means for eliminating the fold lines or the like from the flat sheath; (2) means for cutting the sheath; (3) staged means at the same time making it possible to keep the mandrel in vertical position and automatically regulating the height and rate of the cutting; and (4) means for guiding and ejecting the sleeves downward from the mandrel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for automatic, rhythmic wrapping of heat-shrinkable sleeves around containers, from a hopper where the sleeves are stacked flat to a device for continuous shrinking of these sleeves.The machine comprises in particular: means for extracting the sleeves one by one from the hopper, causing them to open very slightly; means for opening each sleeve substantially into a semicircle, then conveying it to a vertical plane above a conveyor for the containers to be wrapped; means enabling the sleeve to receive its final circular form, then to be placed gradually around the container to be wrapped.Application to wrapping sections of preprinted or decorated shrinkable plastic sections of sheathing and bracelets around various containers such as bottles, food and aerosol cans, etc.

Abstract: An apparatus for shrinking heat-shrinkable sleeves around containers or the like includes at least two diffuser housings mounted respectively adjacent side edges of a conveyor on which containers or other objects having a sleeve thereon are to pass. A cap which defines a tunnel is positioned between the two diffuser housings over the conveyor. Each diffuser housing is provided with a longitudinally extending slot presenting directional discontinuity at its two end portions. The two end portions of each slot may be horizontal, while the control portion of each slot is sloped in a vertical direction and extends from one end portion of the slot to the other. Provision is made to feed hot air through the slots into a tunnel so as to contact the films on the containers or objects moved by the conveyor.