Abstract: A packaging machine (10) for continuously packaging articles (B) comprising a first conveyor line (23), a second conveyor line (22a, 22b, 22c) and a transfer mechanism (26a, 26b) which transfers articles (B) from the first conveyor line to the second conveyor line into a primary or intermediate carton (C) or transfers primary or intermediate cartons (C) from a second conveyor line to the articles (B) and a second transfer mechanism which transfers packaged articles (B) in said primary or intermediate cartons (C) from the first conveyor line to the second conveyor line to be packaged in secondary or final cartons (T) or transfers articles (B) from the first conveyor to the second conveyor to be packaged directly in the secondary or final cartons (T) or which second transfer mechanism is adapted for reorientation of articles (B) or packaged articles (B) in said primary or intermediate cartons (C) or which second transfer mechanism is idle allowing primary or intermediate cartons to pass for further processing.

Abstract: A method for furnishing containers with labels by transferring a label to a container that rotates about an axis thereof with a circumferential container-velocity includes using a label transfer element while the container rotates with a first circumferential container-velocity, and rolling and brushing the label onto the container as the container rotates with a second circumferential container-velocity. During brushing, the second circumferential container-velocity momentarily exceeds the first circumferential container-velocity.

Abstract: A packaging machine for packs of containers including a horizontal conveying means for the containers grouped as packs, a means for supplying flat paperboard sheets at the bottom side of the containers, wherein the containers are transported in a standing manner on the paperboard sheet, a means for folding upward front and back, in the transport direction, edge portions of the paperboard sheet, each of which extends beyond the footprint of the pack, at least two opposing lateral guide elements for folding upward lateral edges of the paperboard sheet extending laterally beyond the footprint of the grouped containers, wherein at least portions of the guide elements exert a defined pressing force on the upward-folded edges of the paperboard sheet and the side faces of the pack, and an adhesive is provided with edge portions of the lateral edges overlapping with front and/or back edges of the paperboard sheet.

Abstract: A trolley apparatus for dispensing plastic stretch wrap film from a roll suitable for wrapping a pallet of stacked loose goods, characterized by a transportable frame structure having wheels or castors to provide support and mobility, the frame having a means of adjusting the height of the roll, the frame is provided with a guide roller positioned for use as a fulcrum point for generating tension in the stretch wrap film, and, a cutter for detaching the stretch wrap film at the completion of the operation, the end of the stretch wrap film being retained for next use.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping a stack of objects vertical side faces and a horizontal top face has a unit for wrapping a film wrapper around the stack such that respective sections of the wrapper extend upward from each of the side faces. A first welder welds ends the film wrapper together at one of the side faces of the stack. A fold-over device folding the film sections over onto the top face of the stack. A second welder welds the folded-over film sections together on the top face of the stack.

Abstract: An apparatus for at least partially folding outer packaging includes a conveyor that transports the outer packaging, a first folder, a second folder, and a set of one or more rotating folders that are part of the second folder. The first folders swivel on the conveyor and fold a front side segment of the outer package that adjoins its base segment and connecting segments that are hinged relative to the base segment. The second folders are above the conveyor device and are configured to fold connecting segments that are hinged relative to the base segment of the outer package. The second folders act on the front side segment of the outer package in a direction oriented against an effective direction of the first folding device around a fold line running in the particular connecting segments.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping an object with a film has a film-feed head having a drive for pulling the film from a supply and feeding it in a feed direction through the head toward an object to be wrapped with the film and a pull-down device downstream in the direction from the head for drawing the film around the object. A blower directs a stream of air in the feed head parallel and immediately adjacent to the film and in the feed direction so as to entrain the film in the direction.

Abstract: A ribbon routing assembly for routing a single length of ribbon around and securing the ribbon to an object. The ribbon has a first end and a second end. The ribbon routing assembly includes a body with a void. The body includes a first leg configured for securing to the first end of the ribbon and a second leg configured for securing to the second end of the ribbon. The void includes a routing edge that defines a first acute angle relative to the first leg and a second acute angle relative to the second leg. The first and second acute angles are approximately forty-five degrees. The body has a first surface and a second surface that define a thickness therebetween, the first leg defines a first length and the second leg defines a second length. A lid is configured for mounting to the body in a mounted configuration.

Abstract: Methods and machines are provided for forming a five-sided carton of packages of smoking articles. A piece of film material is applied to a plurality of packages of smoking articles such that five sides of the plurality of packages are at least partially covered by the film material, but the sixth side remains uncovered. The film material is applied such that the group of packages is sufficiently tightly bound so that none of the packages may slip free from the carton. The sixth side of the plurality of packages in the carton remains exposed so that tax stamps may be easily applied. The film of material may be applied so that a gap is formed relative to the sixth side.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking sheet material that may include a trim section and a stacking section, the stacking section being downstream the trim section for receiving the blanks of sheet material, forming bundles each having a plurality of blanks, and transferring the bundles downstream. The apparatus may further include a plurality of longitudinal positioning systems for independently longitudinally positioning a plurality of components in at least one of upstream or downstream directions so as to create an operator access space. In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include an incline conveyor section downstream the trim section and upstream the stacking section, and the trim section may have a takeaway conveyor for conveying the plurality of blanks of sheet material to the incline conveyor. In certain embodiments, the plurality of longitudinal positioning systems can individually longitudinally position at least two of the takeaway conveyor, the incline conveyor, or the stacking apparatus.

Abstract: A protective wrapping system for an object is disclosed that is comprised of a flexible, hardened material for wrapping around the object, a flexible magnetic strip adhered to either end that enables the system to adhere to ferromagnetic materials, and a series of holes that are placed through the material and the magnetic strips to protect it from scrapes and puncture damages when being moved.

Abstract: A substrate made of a material such as cardboard has characteristics sufficient to visually indicate an occurrence of damage when scraped or punctured to identify damage. The substrate has a flat shape with top and bottom elongated edges and a plurality of breaks along at least the top elongated edge to facilitate bending at a substantially ninety degree angle and be wrapped around a payload carried on a reel at an inner corner where an outside surface of the payload and an inside surface of a flange of the reel meet. The substrate can have a perforated fold parallel to the elongated direction substantially perpendicular to the breaks. The substrate is secured to a reel by stapling, taping or plastic shrink wrapping. A visual warning message can be placed on the substrate to aid forklift drivers.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for wrapping a stack (12, 13) of superposed sheets, brochures and/or folders with a wrapping sheet (15). The stack (13) is travelling in a first direction (4) on a first conveyor (2) defining a conveying path. A supply of wrapping sheets (14) is placed in line with the first conveyor (2). At the downstream end of the first conveyor (2) a rotating waver wheel (10) is arranged. This waver wheel pulls a top sheet (15) from the supply of wrapping sheets (14) and turns the wrapping sheet (15). Downstream of the first conveyor (2) a second conveyor (3) is provided defining a gap (5) between the first and second conveyors in which the wrapping sheet is inserted. As the stack (13) engages the wrapping sheet (15), the rotating waver wheel (10) folds the sheet around the stack.

Abstract: A flexible carrier for carrying a plurality of containers includes a flexible sheet and a plurality of container receiving apertures formed in the flexible sheet together with a system and method of application including an applicating machine for applying the flexible carrier to a plurality of containers provided from an infeed includes a jaw assembly that reciprocates to apply a generally continuous string of carrier stock onto a quantity of containers.

Abstract: A cash recycler or other currency handling device includes modules for automatically strapping a plurality of bills together and bagging the strapped bills for transport. A user may determine a number of bills to be bundled in a stack or unit. Once the predetermined threshold is met, the bills will be automatically transferred to a strapping area where the bills will be strapped together for storage or transport. Additionally or alternatively, the bills may be strapped together as they enter a cartridge, such as an overflow cartridge. The strapped bills may be transferred to a bagging module where the stacks of bills will be automatically bagged, each bag including a predetermined number of stacks of bills. The bags will then be transferred to storage for transport.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for applying a flexible, expandable sleeving over an elongated structure includes a first area for receiving the member and an elongated hollow conduit that receives the elongated structure within a hollow interior space thereof. The expandable sleeving is compressed and bunched and held in compression along an outer surface of the conduit. The apparatus also includes a second area that includes a pair of rollers that are disposed about one end of the conduit and are configured so that they contact the sleeving as it is paid out onto an outside of the elongated structure and prevent the compressed sleeving from suddenly releasing its stored energy and self-ejecting off of the conduit as the sleeving and bundle are mated and are moved away from the rollers.

Abstract: The invention is related to the field of transportation of automobile tires. The method for packaging tires and device are characterized in that the smaller diameter tire is compressed predominantly in one plane being perpendicular to the diameter thereof and being arranged at an angle to the plane of the larger diameter tire followed by a controllable feeding of the smaller diameter tire into the interior space of the larger diameter tire with synchronous change in the trajectory of motion.

Abstract: A banding system for piled products with a machine frame, a band feed mechanism disposed on the machine frame for feeding band material from a supply roll, means for forming a loop with said band material around the products to be banded, welding means to close said loop, and cutting means for cutting said band material, said means for forming the loop comprising transporting means for transporting the band material around the product to be banded and vacuum means connected to the transporting means. Said means for forming the loop are movable with respect to machine frame between an operating position where the means for forming the loop are in contact with the band feed mechanism to perform the banding operation and an open position where the means for forming the loop are displaced away from the band feed mechanism to create an opening therebetween allowing a transfer of products to be banded between the band feed mechanism and the means for forming the loop.

Abstract: An automatic device and method for multi-layer stacking on a support with objects to be stacked in a predetermined spatial arrangement includes a control for determining a particular order and particular spatial positions of the objects to be stacked on the support, at least two conveying systems operable to transport the objects in the particular order, and at least two handling devices that take respective objects from a respective conveying system and displace the respective objects to the articular spatial positions, thereby forming a stack of the objects on the support.

Abstract: A film wrapping machine comprises a pair of diametrically opposed film roll mounting and dispensing carriage assemblies, mounted upon a rotary ring member, for simultaneously dispensing wrapping film. A vertically movable frame member, upon which the rotary ring member is rotatably mounted, is effectively moved at a speed of ascent or descent that is approximately twice the speed as that of a vertically movable frame member incorporated within a conventional film wrapping machine so as to permit the dual film roll mounting and dispensing carriage assemblies to dispense the wrapping or packaging film within a time frame that is approximately twice as fast as that of the conventional film wrapping machine and yet in a slightly overlapped mode as desired for packaging purposes.

Abstract: On a packing machine, packets of cigarettes, selected from different alternative packets of cigarettes of at least a first and second type, are produced by transferring groups of cigarettes relative to the selected type of packet from a forming path to a first packing path, along which an inner sheet of packing material is folded about each group of cigarettes, and then to a second packing path, along which at least a collar is folded about each group of cigarettes and on top of the inner sheet of packing material; each group of cigarettes is then transfer red, depending on the type of packet selected, to a third packing path, along which folding of a first outer blank about each group of cigarettes is completed to form a packet of cigarettes of the first type, or to a fourth packing path, along which folding of a second outer blank about each group of cigarettes is completed to form a packet of cigarettes of the second type.

Abstract: A floral sleeve and method of using the floral sleeve to cover a pot. The floral sleeve may have an inwardly folded bottom gusset for forming a bottom in the sleeve which is concealed by the lower sidewall of the sleeve when the sleeve is opened and the pot is disposed therein. The sleeve may have a detachable upper portion for enclosing a floral grouping disposed within the pot, in particular a central upper support element.

Abstract: A wrapper for wrapping a flower pot and/or floral grouping. The wrapper is constructed of a sheet of material having an extension attached to a portion of the sheet of material. Preferably the extension has a lace pattern thereon. When the wrapper is formed about a flower pot to form a decorative cover, upper edges of the sheet of material and extension cooperate to form a skirt portion preferably having at least two separate edges providing a “two-sheet” effect in the decorative cover. The wrapper may have extensions on opposing ends of the sheet of material and may having one or more additional overlapping extensions.

Abstract: Device for packaging products having a head and a stick, such as lollipops (P), in wraps, includes a frame having first supply elements (2) for supplying the products, second elements (4) for supplying a web (5) of wrapping material, elements (101) for cutting a wrap from the web, a wrapping station having a driven series of elements for retaining the products and circulating in a first direction about a horizontal shaft, and a drum (50) driven in the same direction having elements for enveloping the product heads with a wrap and elements for securing the wrap on the products, the wrapping station including a supply station and a discharge station, the second supply elements being positioned for supplying the web of wrapping material according to a path that is tangential to the drum, in a direction running along with the drum rotation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for forming a top film sheet from a film web wound on a roll and for setting it onto an object to be packaged. In the method, the end of the film web is gripped over the entire width of the film web to pull it over the object to be packaged. In addition, the film web is gripped before and after the pulling action at a point located at a distance from the cutting line such that, after the cutting has been performed, there remains hanging freely downwards a length of film web that can be gripped for the aforesaid pulling action. In the pulling device (14) performing the pulling of the film web (3), the motion of the pulling jaws (15, 16) between a closed position and an opened position is substantially horizontal. The pulling jaws (15, 16) have been arranged to grip the end of the film web over the entire width of the web.

Abstract: A process for covering a rigid, penetrable core article with covering material and automatically tucking the material into a surface of the article with an automatically reciprocating plunger.

Abstract: Device for packaging products having a head and a stick, such as lollipops (P), in wraps, includes a frame having first supply elements (2) for supplying the products, second elements (4) for supplying a web (5) of wrapping material, elements (101) for cutting a wrap from the web, a wrapping station having a driven series of elements for retaining the products and circulating in a first direction about a horizontal shaft, and a drum (50) driven in the same direction having elements for enveloping the product heads with a wrap and elements for securing the wrap on the products, the wrapping station including a supply station and a discharge station, the second supply elements being positioned for supplying the web of wrapping material according to a path that is tangential to the drum, in a direction running along with the drum rotation.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system are provided for packaging a group of articles into a container formed from a carton blank. The method includes associating a carton blank with a group of articles. The carton blank has at least one open portion and a plurality of bendable flaps. A vertically oriented channel is provided having at least one deflector assembly. The associated carton blank and group are moved vertically in the channel. The movement results in the bending of at least one of the flaps by the deflector assembly such that the carton blank is at least partially assembled around the group. A plow assembly is also provided for the apparatus for packaging a group of articles in a container formed from a carton blank.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a decorative pleated cover about an outer peripheral surface of a flower pot. The apparatus includes a frame assembly, a platform adjustably connected to the frame assembly, a pleating assembly supported on the platform and a banding assembly also connected to the platform. The banding assembly is disposed about the pleating assembly and supports at least one band so that upon forming a decorative pleated cover about the flower pot with the pleating assembly, the decorative pleated cover so formed is secured about the flower pot with a band while the flower pot having the decorative pleated cover formed thereabout is supported within the pleating assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for automatically covering an article with covering material and automatically tucking the material into a surface of the article.

Abstract: A strapping device (1) for strapping an object (14) with a strapping tape (5). The strapping device (1) includes a guide (3) for guiding a strapping tape (5), which serves for the purpose of forming a loop of strapping tape (5) in a waiting position. The formation of the loop takes place independently of the position of the object to be strapped (14). The strapping device (1) furthermore comprises a device for moving the loop (4). This device serves to position the loop of strapping tape (5) formed by the guide (3) from the waiting position into a stacking position around an object (14) to be strapped, after this object has been positioned on a work surface (2).

Abstract: Abstract: The method according to the present invention and the device (1) used to implement said method for wrapping or enveloping a galosh which is also named as an overshoe, around a footwear, have been developed in order to avoid the bacteria, microbes, dust, mud and other dirt particles that may be found on the soles of the footwear, from being carried into and the areas with hygienic requirements. With said device (1), the sole and the side walls (side vamps) of the footwear are wrapped with a film (21) by a method, wherein warm air is blown at a suitable flow rate towards said sole and side vamps of the footwear, which causes said film (21) to shrink and cover said solve and side vamps of the footwear by wrapping them up when it comes into contact wit the film.

Abstract: An applicator apparatus is provided which applies a protective cover to a product such as a stack of flat sheets of building material. A platform supports the product in a predetermined orientation. Adjacent the platform is a frame which supports a cover manipulator. The cover manipulator is mounted on a transport on the frame and operates to grasp a protective cover from a cover magazine. The transport mechanism is operable to move the cover manipulator from a position adjacent the cover magazine to a second position adjacent the platform. The applicator then presses the cover against the product in a predetermined orientation and a fastening mechanism secures the cover to the product. Typically, the cover is a flat sheet of cardboard or similar protective material. The material has scored or relieved portions which permit its top and ends to be folded over the end of the product to which it is applied.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for securing a decorative cover about a flower pot. The apparatus includes a frame assembly, an extension member having a cover support assembly, and a plurality of legs. The frame assembly includes a body member having an opening. The opening is sized and configured to permit passage of the flower pot through the opening. The extension member extends in an upwardly direction from the body member. The cover support assembly is connected to the extension member for supporting a decorative cover comprising at least one sleeve or sheet of material. The plurality of legs extend from and are spatially disposed about the body member such that the legs cooperate to support at least one band. As the flower pot moves through the opening in the body member, at least one of the bands is removed from the plurality of legs and moved about the decorative cover disposed about the flower pot.

Abstract: A stretch wrap device for wrapping a raised pallet with stretch wrap. The stretch wrap device includes a carriage assembly, a frame assembly and a lever assembly. The frame assembly is securely attached to a top surface of the carriage assembly and extends upwardly therefrom. The lever assembly moves a roll of the stretch wrap around a raised pallet. The lever assembly is rotatably coupled to the frame assembly. The stretch wrap is positioned on the lever assembly such that the stretch wrap may be wound about the pallet along an axis orientated generally parallel to a plane of a bottom surface of the pallet.

Abstract: A device for introducing an gas bag into a pot-shaped receiving container with an insertion opening for insertion of the gas bag and an installation opening at the bottom for the arrangement of an inflator is provided. The device comprises a tubular housing having a cross-section adapted to the insertion opening of the receiving container, and an axially reciprocating ram arranged in the housing and serving for introducing the gas bag into the receiving container. Further, a method for folding a gas bag is provided, wherein the gas bag is introduced into a tubular housing, wherein a body is introduced into the gas bag as a dummy for an inflator intended to be mounted later, and wherein the gas bag is folded around the body.

Abstract: A wrapping machine is disclosed, for wrapping an article. The machine is designed for wrapping five surfaces of the article except the bottom thereof. The machine has detectors for determining the length of the front surface and the back surface of the article in order to provide a web piece having an adequate size for wrapping the article. The machine may have blowers for folding the web piece and providing a clean and net wrapped article. A method for wrapping an article is also provided.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making compact packages for spreadable products involving flights mounted on a conveyor chain having tiny cam operated pivoting clamps which open to precut cards fed in by a card feeder. The pivoting clamps on the flights are opened by cam pressure and pick the cards on the fly as they travel. After passing the end of the cam they close down on the card. The cards are then, after passing over rails with spring resistance members, transported through a unique rotary scoring and bending assembly, which simultaneously scores and bends up longitudinal side flanges to create a channel shaped member from the flat paperboard card.

Abstract: A wrapping machine is disclosed, for wrapping an article. The machine is designed for wrapping five surfaces of the article except the bottom thereof. The machine has detectors for determining the length of the front surface and the back surface of the article in order to provide a web piece having an adequate size for wrapping the article. The machine may have blowers for folding the web piece and providing a clean and net wrapped article. A method for wrapping an article is also provided.

Abstract: A wrapped mass of material. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a cold-flowable material such as a hot-melt adhesive wrapped in a liner such that the liner is easily removed from the material. The present invention also provides a method and apparatus for wrapping the material with the liner. The wrapped mass of material comprises a flexible liner and a mass of material including a peripheral surface. The liner includes an inside surface, an outside surface opposite the inside surface, a first edge, and a second edge opposite the first edge. The inside surface of the liner is at least partially wrapped around the peripheral surface of the mass of material forming a wrapped mass of material. The wrapped mass of material is spirally wound about itself.

Abstract: A device to manipulate hosiery comprises a swift-tack apparatus joined to a j-hook magazine which selectively attaches a swift tack to a hosiery stack with or without a j-hook. The hosiery stack is then selectively inverted by a pair of rotatable clamps. The hosiery stack is then selectively rotated to a desired orientation by a turntable. The hosiery stack is then stacked with other hosiery stacks by means of a drop arrangement onto a lift plate. The combined stacks are then selectively attached one to the other by a second swift-tack apparatus. The above manipulations are effectuated preferably by pneumatic power and a plurality of pusher plates and lift plates.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a cover about an article and for automatically fastening the cover to the article, and optionally for automatically placing a label on the covered article. The article may be an article such as a potted plant and the cover may be a decorative cover. The invention satisfies the need for a means for rapidly covering and fastening the cover about an article with a minimal amount of manual effort and in a location having a limited amount of available space. The apparatus comprises a platform having at least one opening sized to receive the article. The apparatus comprises a tying device for automatically applying a band or fastener about a portion of the outer surface of the covered article for fastening the cover about the article after the sheet is formed into a cover about the article.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for obtaining a strip of photosensitive material totally enveloped in a light-tight way. The device comprises a light-tight box provided with two openings which allow the strip to pass therethrough; a cutting member for cutting the strip at a distance D from its end; a connecting member for solidly connecting in a light-tight way and without contact between them, the strip of length D and the rest of the strip coming from the reel using a light-tight material applied to both faces of each strip; and a linking member for linking up the material present on one face and the material present on the other face between the two strips.

Abstract: A cover for a flower pot, the cover comprising a sheet of material sized to substantially surround and encompass the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot and a fastener comprised of elastic or elasticized materials and forming a generally continuous loop, the fastener connectingly held to either the upper surface or the lower surface of the sheet of material. The fastener can be stretched to an extent sufficient to enable the fastener to be disposed about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot and to hold the sheet of material applied thereabout. The invention further comprises a method for wrapping a pot with a covering such as described above, and a preformed pot cover having a fastener connected circumferentially to the interior surface of the pot cover.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping articles, such as bundles of newspapers, on one or three sides is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a conveyor means, a paper guide and dispensing means for conveying a sheet of paper dispensed from a roll into the path of a bundle moving along the conveyor, a wrapping means for covering the bundle with paper on one or three sides, and a reciprocating, double-edged cutting means for cutting the desired length of paper from the roll. The three-way wrap assembly includes a pair of paper support means, preferably C-shaped flexible belts which contact the paper lightly at three points, allowing the paper to maintain a substantially vertical orientation relative to the path of the bundle during the wrapping operation. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes an integrated bundle turner assembly for lifting and turning a bundle 90 degrees relative to its original path of travel.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved implements and methods for dispensing and retrieving protective crop covering materials (PCCM) onto/from rows of crops, particularly vineyard crops, to protect the plants from nuisance birds and weather conditions which cause damage to the crops. Basically, there is disclosed herein a system for layout of PCCM from a bulk roll of PCCM onto crops, a system for retrieving the PCCM from the crops and disposing it or storing said PCCM on reusable spools and a system for layout of the PCCM from the reusable spools.

Abstract: Bottom wrap/three-quarter wrap apparatus having an automatic web feeder for safely advancing a web fed from a supply roll to a main web feeder. The main feed rollers advance one length of the web and a cutter cuts the advanced length, completing one cycle of operation, after which the bottom wrap/three-quarter wrap apparatus is placed under control of a bundle feeder. The main feed roller pair are displaced from one another when the web passes between creasing rollers. When a predetermined length of web has been advanced to the creasing rollers a cutter cylinder moves a blade mounting plate in the cutting direction. A resilient clamping assembly arranged on the mounting plate momentarily clamps the web between the mounting plate and a web guide just prior to severing of the web by the blade, maintaining the web taut during cutting. The cutting blade is rapidly moved back to a position displaced from the web in preparation for a subsequent cutting operation.

Abstract: A cover forming apparatus for forming a flower pot or flower pot cover from a sheet of material by engaging a sheet of material about the outer surface of a mold, die or pot. The cover forming apparatus includes a plurality of pivotable forming members resting in a surface which supports a sheet of material upon which is positioned a flower pot mold or flower pot. When the forming members are pivotally moved from the storage position to an extended position, the forming members cause the sheet of material to be appressed to or engaged with the mold or pot. The article formed in accordance with the present invention may be separable from the mold or pot and usable as a flower pot or flower pot cover or may be more or less securely attached to the pot by adhesive, cohesive, barbs, friction pinches or other securing means thereby forming a decorative cover connected to a flower pot.

Abstract: A process for bundling and/or fixing of articles using an extensible plastic tape having a Young modulus of at least approximately 170 bars but less than 7,000 bars and an extensibility in longitudinal direction of at least approximately 150%, with a recovery of less than 50 percent after extension, at least portions of the length of the plastic tape being free of pressure sensitive adhesive. In the process a) the plastic tape is permanently stretched, the permanently stretched tape is arranged around the articles to be bundled and/or fixated, and the ends of the tape are bound together; or b) the plastic tape is permanently stretched, one of its ends is then fixed, and thereafter the permanently stretched plastic tape is arranged around the articles to be bundled and/or fixated, and the other of its ends is fixed; and/or c) one of the ends of the plastic tape is fixed, the plastic tape is permanently stretched and arranged around the articles to be bundled and/or fixated, and the other of its ends is fixed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a cover about an article and for automatically fastening the cover to the article, and optionally for automatically placing a label on the covered article. The article may be an article such as a potted plant and the cover may be a decorative cover. The invention satisfies the need for a means for rapidly covering and fastening the cover about an article with a minimal amount of manual effort and in a location having a limited amount of available space. The apparatus comprises a platform having at least one opening sized to receive the article. The apparatus comprises a tying device for automatically applying a band or fastener about a portion of the outer surface of the covered article for fastening the cover about the article after the sheet is formed into a cover about the article.