Tubular banding applicator and method

An apparatus for applying a tubular band from a supply of flat tubular material to a container, comprising:

• a flat film feed path along which tubular material in flat condition travels;
• a cutter positioned for cutting tubular material traveling along the feed path;
• a former positioned for opening the tubular material, the former having a film passage with an inlet side and an outlet side, wherein the flat film feed path enters the film passage and a cut segment of tubular material is opened within the film passage to create an opened tubular band;
• and
• a pusher for pushing the opened tubular band out of the outlet side of the former for application onto a container, wherein the pusher includes a film engaging portion that is aligned with and movable into and out of the film passage while the film passage of the former remains in alignment with the flat film feed path at all times during tubular band production and application, wherein the film engaging portion is offset from the flat film feed path so as to prevent interference with flat tubular film entering the film passage.

An apparatus for producing tubular bands from a supply of flat tubular material, comprising:

• a film feed path along which tubular material in flat condition travels;
• a cutter positioned for cutting tubular material traveling along the feed path;
• a stationary former positioned for opening the tubular material, the stationary former having a film passage with an inlet side and an outlet side, wherein the film feed path enters the film passage and a cut segment of tubular material is opened within the film passage to create an opened tubular band;
• and
• a pusher for pushing the opened tubular band out of the outlet side of the stationary former, wherein the pusher includes a film engaging portion that is movable into and out of the film passage while the film passage of the stationary former remains in alignment with the film feed path at all times during tubular band production and application, wherein the film engaging portion is offset from the film feed path so as to prevent interference with flat tubular film entering the film passage.