Package making – Methods – Applying a partial cover
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-07
2001-01-30
Johnson, Linda (Department: 3721)
Package making
Methods
Applying a partial cover
C053S447000, C053S588000, C053S540000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06178720
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the formation of stable stacks of intrinsically unstable objects as mutually superimposed layers in contact with each other, and intended for direct display in a sales outlet.
Currently it is known to form stacks of objects for location, as such, in sales outlets (typically large sales centers) so that the customer can take the objects directly from the stack.
The stack is originally wrapped with a complete covering of plastic sheet which binds the objects together during transport and handling of the stack. The outer covering is removed by personnel of the sales center when the stack has been positioned at the point of display, and in such a manner that the objects are free to be removed from the stack by the customer.
Many objects are intrinsically unstable, i.e., they are either yieldable or, although of sufficient rigidity, have a geometrical shape such as not to allow the formation of stable stacks consisting of layers placed one on another in mutual contact.
In these cases it is usual to place each layer in a tray of sufficiently rigid cardboard, which forms both a base for the objects and vertical wall which retains them along the lateral surface of the layer. The layers hence rest one on another with the trays therebetween.
Besides being costly in themselves, these trays also require the intervention of the sales center personnel for their removal as the layers of objects gradually become consumed. Moreover, such trays involve a disposal cost as refuse.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a method, an apparatus or plant and a type of stack, which overcome the above drawbacks.
The method of the present invention comprises the following operations, in sequence and repeated for an indeterminate number of cycles:
depositing objects to form an individual stack layer extending in a substantially horizontal plane,
then wrapping the layer just formed with a band extending endlessly about the lateral surface of the layer, said band being of relatively yieldable and hand-tearable plastic film having a width not greater than the height of the individual layer,
then, to form a further layer of the stack, depositing objects onto and in contact with the preceding layer as soon as this has been bound by said endless band or while the wrapping thereof is taking place.
According to a preferred embodiment, particularly when the objects are particularly yieldable, at the vertical corners of the layer of objects there are positioned vertical rods about which the band is wrapped, after which said rods are extracted vertically from the band, to leave this extending around the layer of objects.
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patent: 5203671 (1993-04-01), Cawley et al.
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patent: 5566530 (1996-10-01), Johnstone et al.
patent: 5797246 (1998-08-01), Martin-Cocher et al.
patent: 2600973 (1988-01-01), None
patent: 1000956 (1997-01-01), None
Gruppo Elettric 80 Bieffe S.r.l.
Johnson Linda
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