Abstract: A method for making decorated battery casings wherein a thin walled plastic tubing such as of heat shrinkable material is cut to size, placed on a support member such as a mandrel, and is then decorated with a metallic foil decorative material by hot stamping. A transparent protective film coating is then placed thereon and the tube is heat crimped at one end. The casing is placed upon a cell or battery and heat crimped at the other end to complete the battery or cell encasing procedure. The procedure is particularly efficacious in providing metallic decorated plastic battery casings.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of applying a preformed conical heat-shrinkable plastic label to a container is disclosed to provide a tamper resistant cover, the label being applied by a transfer arm and head that rapidly supplies labels to the containers with a woodpecker-like action. There is also disclosed the novel container and cover therefore, the conical label being efficiently applied to the container and easily heat shrunk thereon.

Abstract: A bottle-sealing machine for placing capsules of thermoshrinkable plastic material on the necks of bottles. The capsules are automatically cut from a continuous coil of a plastic tube, the capsules are placed over the necks of the bottles and the capsules are subsequently subjected to a heat treatment which causes the plastic material to adapt to the irregularities of the necks of the bottles.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a means for conveying a container or bottle from a first to a second location wherein a plastic tube feeding mechanism feeds a tubular flat folded heat-shrinkable strip above the conveying means and cuts the same into labels through a knife action where the labels are retrieved by a plurality of vacuum heads secured to a pair of transversely rotating wheels for depositing the labels over the container or bottle. The vacuum applied to the plurality of vacuum heads is controlled by a pair of manifolds secured to the wheels which are driven in synchronism with the means for conveying the containers or bottles. Two sources of vacuum are supplied to feed the pair of manifolds and, thus, supply a vacuum in alternate fashion to the two wheels.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for orienting the seam of a cylindrical sleeve label or conical label, the label being of a heat shrinkable plastic material and being formed of a length of the plastic with an overlie to form a seam, means for holding a stacked column of labels, means for rotating the labels including rollers, aligning means for aligning the seam of each label at the bottom of the stack, the aligning means including aligned wire fingers that contact the seam and stop the rotation of the label container, each label being adapted for application over the top of a container to form a sleeve label thereon.

Abstract: Apparatus for bunching, trimming and banding vegetables and the like comprising a plurality of arms (20) each having fixed thereto an upstanding finger (32) means (22) supporting the arms for movement in a common plane toward and away from a common area, an actuator (28) for moving the arms in unison and a top plate (16) forming a center opening (18) centered about the common area whereby the arms can be moved to the center, an elastic band (34) placed over the upstanding fingers, the arms actuated away from the common area and a bunch of vegetables inserted so that movement of the arms back toward the common area will allow the elastic band to hold the bunch. A truncated cone shaped hollow guide (37) positioned beneath the arms will guide the vegetables together for bunching.

Abstract: A semi-automatic, poly-sleeve labeler has a banding station to which containers are conveyed, there being a roll supply of flat, tubular, poly-sleeve labels above the station. A fixed, upstanding, flat, holder and an inclined, spring-biased, pivoted, flat, holder are mounted at a predetermined distance above the level of the conveyor path to support an open band. The operator tears off a band, places it over the holders, presses a pedal which causes a piston head to lift the container at the station, up through the holders for frictional engagement within the band. The banded container is removed and the parts return for the next cycle. A gear rack and pinion mechanism advances the bands individually and successively over a spreader to a tear-off location at about eye level. The spreader includes oppositely disposed concave recesses in each of which one of the oppositely disposed feed rolls is seated.

Abstract: A device for preparing a bunch of produce for shipment, display and sale by placing a rubber band on the produce and cutting the stalks of said bunch of produce to a predetermined length. The device includes an upper plate member, a lower plate member, and a vertically movable intermediate plate member. Centrally located stalk receiving holes are provided in the plate members of sufficient diameter for receiving a stalk portion of a bunch of produce. A plurality of movable pins are carried by the intermediate plate member and extend vertically through respective holes of the upper plate member for receiving a stretched rubber band. Upon depressing a foot pedal, the rubber band is released around the stalk portion of a bunch of produce. A cutting assembly which has a horizontally adjustable positioning block is used for severing the stalk portion of the bunch of produce to a predetermined length.

Abstract: A method for making decorated battery casings wherein a thin walled heat shrinkable plastic tubing is cut to size, placed on a support member such as a mandrel, heat shrunk, decorated with decorative materials and protective coatings thereon and crimped at one end. The casing is then removed from the mandrel, placed upon a cell or battery and crimped at the other end to complete the battery or cell encasing procedure. The procedure is particularly efficacious in providing metallic decorated plastic battery casings.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying tubular labels to containers comprised of structure defining a labeling station, a container directing unit for directing a succession of containers to the labeling station, a label feeding unit for positioning individual labels at a predetermined position with respect to the labeling station, label applying mechanism including a label engaging device cyclically movable along a path of travel for removing a label from the feeding unit and assembling the label about a container at the labeling station, and a drive unit for imparting harmonic motion to the label engaging device.

Abstract: A novel process for packaging goods within stretch-type plastic films. The process comprises the steps of preforming the package elements so that on-line sealing and long cooling cycles are not necessary during rapid packaging procedures when the film is extended under high stress. The required extension is achieved by the use of film-band spreading means which have low friction surfaces thereby minimizing any local stress on the expanding package material.

Abstract: A plastic carrier sheet is attached to containers by passing the sheet, via openings therein, onto funnel members whose large-diameter portions are engaged with the peripheral edge of the containers, passing onto the funnel members, from the small-diameter portions to the large-diameter portions thereof, sleeve members each containing an opening having an edge diameter smaller than the largest diameter of the funnel members and having an edge which is expandable, whereby the sleeve members push the edges of the openings of the carrier sheet toward the large-diameter portions of the funnel members to expand the openings and enable the circumferential portions to ride over and past the peripheral edges of the corresponding containers.

Abstract: A banding machine for continuously forming and applying the bands on articles comprises means for arranging rows of the articles, means for receiving the articles at the front end of the arranging means and transferring the articles to a band receiving position, means for supplying at least one tubular member to be fabricated into a band, and fabricating and positioning means to continuously fabricate bands from the respective tubular member and secure the bands around the articles retained at the band receiving position by the receiving and transferring means.

Abstract: A banding apparatus for automatically selecting successive bands from a source of bands and placing them on individual containers on an adjacent conveyor includes a finger gripping apparatus having a plurality of fingers moveable radially inwardly for insertion into the band and moveable radially outwardly for expanding into gripping engagement with the band and includes a chain drive for the gripping apparatus to a position for placing the band on the container carried on an adjacent conveyer.

Abstract: This invention relates to method and apparatus for producing a composite container having a body label or tubular sleeve mounted temporarily thereon adapted to be shrunken into final surface covering position. The tubular sleeve is preformed of thin flexible plastic material and flat-folded until ready for use when it is fully opened and arcuately conveyed in axial registry with a container therebeneath. The sleeve preform of heat-shrinkable plastic material is telescopically assembled onto the container while the latter is conveyed through a coincidental arcuate path. The container preferably consists of a one or two-component lightweight hollow plastic container with the tubular preform made slightly larger in diameter to surround a body portion of the container.

Abstract: In an apparatus for expanding a sheet carrier and fitting it onto containers which comprises a funnel member possessing a radially contractable leading end, a sleeve member for accommodating the aforementioned funnel member, a radially contracting member interposed between the aforementioned funnel member and sleeve member and an axial member disposed within the funnel member and possessing a expanded leading portion, the open end of the funnel member is radially contracted by the forward movement of the contracting member and admitted, in conjunction with the expanded portion of the axial member, into the opening of the sheet carrier and, thereafter, the open end of the funnel member is allowed to resume its original shape.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for multipackaging bottle-like containers as they are continuously moved through the apparatus. Continuously moving jaw stations incorporating opposing pairs of upstanding shell-like stretching members coact to continuously highly stretch a tube of thermoplastic material and release the stretching force after the plurality of bottles to be packaged are placed within the perimeter of the stretched tube.

Abstract: A label positioner is provided to finally position tubular labels which have been partially applied to cylindrical containers by conventional label application machines. Incomplete application which may result from tight fitting tubular labels such as heat shrinkable sleeves, is corrected by a pair of rollers mounted parallel above a conveyor which carries the containers from the label application machine. The rollers are mounted horizontally and spaced apart to tangentailly contact the containers conveyed therebetween. The rollers have soft outer surfaces, and when the rollers are driven in opposite rotational directions, they apply a light brushing stroke which slides the labels to the bottom of the containers.

Abstract: A bundling device for rods having a hollow mandrel through which the rods are passed and which mandrel has prongs that are provided with steps. The steps carry elastic rings which are removed from the prongs onto the rods by a stripper. The stripper consists of a tubular member that surrounds the prongs and which has protrusions for engaging the rings and stepwise moving the rings along and off the steps of the mandrel as relative movement is created between the stripper and the prongs.

Abstract: A method and machine for fitting a sleeve seal of a collapsed form over a container, wherein the sleeve seal supplied is opened halfway by suction cups disposed to a base plate, and then are opened fully by separating the distance between opening members inserted therein, which are mounted movably up and down to the base plate, until the sleeve seal is somewhat tensioned, wherein the sleeve seal is formed in the cylindrical form just above a container to be fitted by closing the distance between the opening members while the sleeve seal is held by the suction cups, wherein the container is inserted into the sleeve seal opened by a lift supporting the container, wherein the opening members are pulled out of the sleeve seal, and wherein the container fitted in the sleeve seal is transferred to a next step.

Abstract: A plastic sleeve is fabricated by: winding a blank of plastic film around a hollow cylindrical mandrel having a groove of arcuate cross section extending in the mandrel axial direction along the mandrel outer surface and having numerous through holes through its wall including the concave surface of the groove, the blank ends being overlapped; applying a vacuum through the holes to the inner surface of the blank thereby to draw it by suction tightly against the mandrel outer surface; heat sealing the overlapped ends of the blank thereby to form a sleeve; and vitiating the vacuum and applying pressure above atmospheric to the inner surface of the sleeve thereby to facilitate the succeeding step of stripping the sleeve from the mandrel and fitting it on a glass bottle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing a composite container having a body label or tubular sleeve mounted thereon adapted to be shrunken onto exterior surface areas of a cylindrical container. The tubular sleeve is preformed of thin flexible thermoplastic material and may be flat-folded until ready for use when it is fully opened and conveyed in axial registry with the container inverted therebeneath. The sleeve preform of heat-shrinkable plastic material is telescopically assembled onto the inverted container while the latter is conveyed through a coincidental aligned path. The container preferably consists of a hollow glass or plastic container held invertedly by its neck portion with the tubular preform made slightly larger in diameter to surround the body and neck portions of the container. The tubular sleeve preform is held fully opened and is then transported downwardly in telescopic relation when in axial alignment with the inverted container.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method and apparatus for forming a tubular sleeve of a shrinkable cellular polymeric material from a predecorated web. Predecorated neck labels are formed from a web having a pair of cross-dimension score lines in precise location to facilitate flat folding. The neck labels preformed from the web are adapted to overlying the neck and closure of a bottle, for example, to provide a tamper-proof feature. Such labels are formed from a web by cutting a presized blank having, if desired, a partial-depth slit along the longitudinal dimension to provide a parting line, winding the blank on a mandrel while successively forming the score lines in precise location, and then overlapping the ends and seaming the same to make a tubular sleeve having precisely-formed sides adapted to uniform flat-folding. The sleeves are stripped from the forming mandrel, flat-folded and packed into tightly-nested stacks for subsequent use.

Abstract: A semi-automatic machine for applying sleeve labels to the exterior of flexible walled containers in which individual labels are manually loaded into gripper means which hold and maintain the label in open condition while an unlabeled container is inserted into the label. Throughout the labeling operation the container and the label are at all times positively controlled and held by container clamps and/or the label grippers to insure consistent label application.

Abstract: This invention relates to method and apparatus for producing a composite container having a tubular sleeve mounted precisely thereon adapted to be shrunken into final surface covering position. The tubular sleeve is preformed of relatively-flexible thin material and flat-folded until ready for use when it is opened and conveyed into axial registry with the container. The sleeve preform of heat-shrinkable plastic material is telescopically assembled onto the container and the container is then firmly retained at an upper region. A reciprocatable apertured head contacts the preform while so retained and further telescopes the preform at least partially over the container. With the reciprocatable apertured head then stationarily maintained, the container is elevated so that the apertured head further lowers the preform into finally-aligned position on the container where it is adapted to subsequent heat-shrinking in place in permanent conforming arrangement.

Abstract: A machine for fitting a sleeve seal to a container or other object without twisting of the sleeve seal and tearing or crumpling of a label on the container by the sleeve seal, which is attained by providing flexible guide members arranged on a streamline-form mandrel, a recess on the bottom of the mandrel, into which the container over which the sleeve seal is to be fitted can be received, and a feed member which is pivoted away from at operating position to disengage position.

Abstract: A package including a container protector which is made of an elastic film tube, the circumference of which is smaller than that of the part of a container over which it is fitted. A method and machine for fitting the protector are also described.

Abstract: This invention relates to method and apparatus for producing a composite container having a neck label or tubular sleeve mounted temporarily thereon adapted to be shrunken into final surface covering position. The tubular sleeve is preformed of relatively-stiff material and flat-folded until ready for use when it is partially opened and conveyed into axial registry with a container therebeneath. The sleeve preform of heat-shrinkable plastic material is telescopically assembled onto the container while the latter is firmly retained at an upper region. The retention device for the container serves to both fully open the sleeve preform and align the preform and container into axial arrangement. A reciprocatable head contacts the preform while so retained and telescopes the preform at least partially over the container.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a device for inserting a plastic bail band on a parenteral solution bottle equipped, adjacent its bottom edge, with a band-receiving recess; the device consists of a hollow cylindrically shaped member on top of which is placed the band and in the side wall of which is formed a series of radially displaceable fingers; a bottle-receiving plunger is slidingly mounted within the cylindrical member effecting, when actuated, radial displacement of the fingers; the opening of the fingers is calculated so that the fingers never touch the bottle as the band is slid along the bottle into the band-receiving recess.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for folding and banding skeins of yarn is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a conveyor-like transport assembly which moves unfolded skeins of yarn from a loading station to a folding and banding station. The folding station comprises a plurality of co-operating claws, pneumatically controlled, which fold the skein in half and push it through the center of a hollow tubular support member which has positioned around its outer surface a pre-formed paper band. Subsequent to the introduction of the folded skein into the tubular member a doffing mechanism simultaneously removes the folded skein and the pre-formed band from the tubular member, resulting in the band being positioned around the central portion of the folded skein. The apparatus also comprises means for wrapping and sealing band forming slips around the tubular member prior to the introduction of the skein into the tubular member.

Abstract: A device on a skein winding machine for applying bands onto band flaps arranged on a movable carrier, in which a band lifter provided with a suction nozzle is arranged to remove a band from a magazine under the effect of suction at the suction nozzle and place the band on the band flaps, the band lifter being connected to a slide which presses the lifted band onto the band flaps during continued movement of the band lifter.

Abstract: A straight line transport, positively controlled banding apparatus and method. According to the method of the present invention, transport of a band is in a straight line from a starting position adjacent a mandrel, onto the mandrel band receiving end, along the mandrel to the mandrel delivery end, and directly off of the mandrel onto an article to be banded, and is positively controlled throughout the entire transport step of the process. According to a preferred embodiment of the banding apparatus, the apparatus comprises a tube opener, drive rollers for feeding and creasing a tube of banding material, a mandrel having a receiving end tapered to a knife-like edge, fingers for transporting a band along the mandrel, and means operable in synchronism with the fingers for holding the mandrel. In operation, the tube opener is inserted into the end of a tube and the tube end fed through the drive rollers which results in a partially open tube creased at ninety degree intervals around the tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for placing a band on a ball of yarn or the like, wherein the band may be placed on the ball by means of two band carriers displaceable with respect to the ball.