Manufacturing container or tube from paper; or other manufacturi – Bending – Pulling over an edge
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-18
2001-07-17
Kim, Eugene L. (Department: 3721)
Manufacturing container or tube from paper; or other manufacturi
Bending
Pulling over an edge
C493S460000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06261216
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to a ribbon curling and shredding device, and particularly to a device suitable for curling and for shredding polypropylene ribbon at a rapid rate and for mass production.
Hand-held ribbon curling and shredding devices are known and are used for curling the ends of polypropylene ribbon ties. Typically such ribbon is used for tying up a gift parcel and, after making the final knot, the free ends of the ribbon are curled. Such curling makes an attractive flower like addition and has the advantage of hiding the ribbon knot.
In use the devices imposes a permanent shear stress on one side of the ribbon, the amount of stress determining whether the curls are loose or tight.
A disadvantage of prior devices is that if the user is inexperienced or makes a mistake, the ribbon may be imprecisely curled or accidentally stressed on both sides. This often results in having to tie the parcel again in order to obtain two fresh ends with which to apply the curling device.
Optionally such curling devices may include one or more shredding blades which slice the ribbon lengthwise. The shredding blades increase the number of curly ends and are usually applied to the ribbon after it has been drawn across a curling edge.
To overcome the aforementioned problems the present invention provides means for curling and/or shredding continuous lengths of polypropylene ribbon, the treated ribbon being pulled tight for wrapping and tying parcels and the free ends automatically adopting a curled form without any additional operation. Alternatively, plain uncurled ribbon could be used to tie a parcel, and curled ribbon be tucked under the knot to provide an attractive feature which hides the knot; two or more colours may be used.
According to the invention there is provided a ribbon curling device comprising in sequence means for delivering a supply of unstressed curlable ribbon, curling means for said ribbon, and drive means for drawing said ribbon across said curling means. Preferably the device includes shredding means downstream of said curling means.
Such a device is capable of curling and shredding ribbon at rates which are suitable for mass production. Curled and shredded ribbon produced in this way may be used in individual strands for parcel tying and the like, or used in place of shredded tissue as a stuffing material for boxes or bags. A mass of curled and shredded ribbon may also be used for rapid balloon decoration, thereby avoiding the rather tedious curling and shredding of individual ribbon strands.
Alternatively the device may be used as a table top attachment in shops to provide a readily supply of curled and shredded ribbon.
Preferably said drive means comprises a train of wheels, the wheels imposing a tractive effort on said ribbon. In a preferred embodiment the train comprises three wheels, the ribbon being guided between said first and second wheels, around said second wheel and between said second and third wheels. In this preferred embodiment said second wheel is driven by a motor, and said first and third wheels are idlers. Alternatively the tractive device may comprise adjacent belts or wheels in pressing contact and between which the ribbon is squeezed.
The drive means are typically driven by electric motor so that in a shop installation the assistant may produce the required amount of curled ribbon, with or without shredding, at the touch of a button. Such drive means may be driven in response to a coin-operated device or other money payment system.
The device may include drive wheels having adjacent tracks for different ribbon colours and selectively engageable by clutch means to a tractive device such as an electric motor.
The size of the curling and shredding device is determined by the volume and speed of ribbon to be curled and shredded. It is envisaged that an in-store device might measure for example 400 mm×150 mm×150 mm. Larger machines for continuous mass production of curled and shredded ribbon are also envisaged.
Preferably the device includes means to vary the approach angle of said ribbon to a blade constituting said curling means. Typically an abutment may be provided to guide the ribbon to the curling blade; the abutment must be radiused in order to prevent undue stressing of the ribbon. Alternatively a roller may be provided. The abutment is preferably adjustable in order that the approach angle may be varied to suit the quality of ribbon used and the desired degree of curl tightness.
In an alternative embodiment the device includes drag means for ensuring a substantially constant drag force on ribbon approaching the curling blade. In one embodiment the ribbon is squeezed between two members acting as a ribbon brake. Where a guide roller is provided, drag may be by way of a roller brake. In another embodiment the drag force may be generated by a fixed surface over which the ribbon rubs; in this case it may be necessary to vary the position of the drag surface to compensate for the varying departure angle of the ribbon as the spool unwinds. It is essential that such drag means are sufficiently radiused to avoid any curling stress being imparted to the ribbon; thus the path from the drag means to the curling edge should be generally straight and unobstructed. Sharp edges, other than at the curling edge, should be avoided at all costs if a consistent curl is to be produced.
Where the approach angle is less than about 20°, and depending on ribbon quality, no drag means are necessary; sufficient drag is generated by the approach angle, and the apparatus may include drag free guide means to vary the approach angle accordingly. Drag may alternatively be provided by a ribbon reel brake.
The unstressed ribbon may be mounted on a spool, or may comprise a ball, or may be supplied directly from ribbon making apparatus.
Preferably the device further includes blade means to separate said ribbon from said drive means. The blade means may include a stripping edge or air blowing means.
In a preferred embodiment the device may include shredding means downstream of said curling means and operable to shred said ribbon lengthwise. Means may be provided to move said shredding means into and out of operative contact with said ribbon. Means may further be provided to move said shredding means intermittently into contact with said ribbon thereby to produce lengths of shredded ribbon connected by webs of unshredded ribbon.
Where the device includes three wheels, the shredding means may be located between the second and third wheels.
In an alternative embodiment said shredding means may be between the curling means and drive means. Preferably the device includes an arcuate ribbon guide downstream of said curling means and for guiding said ribbon to said drive means, said shredding means being upstanding from said guide on the convex surface thereof. The convex surface of the ribbon guide is preferably in the opposite direction to that in which the ribbon tends to curl on exit from the curling blade, and will tend to press the shredding means against the ribbon as it curves around the guide.
The use of an arcuate guide between the curling means and the drive wheels also results in the ribbon approaching the drive wheels at other than the shortest distance between the curling arm and drive wheels. Such a guide may thus advantageously be used to increase the contact area between the ribbon and the first drive wheel.
The device may alternatively include guide apparatus to guide the ribbon from said second wheel to said shredding means; the guide apparatus may comprise a support extending transversely to the ribbon, or a wheel. Such apparatus is useful in preventing the ribbon wandering and thus ensuring shredded strips of consistent width.
In a further embodiment the drive means may have shredding blades mounted directly thereon for continuous or intermittent but continual shredding.
In the preferred embodiment the ribbon is driven by being squeezed between adjacent wheels of the train; the outermost wheels of the train may be flanged to guide the ribbon therebet
Group One Limited
Kim Eugene L.
LandOfFree
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