Steam shrink wrap sleeve with printed label for container and associated method
OwnerKenneth Anthony Loritzinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A shrink wrapping apparatus, and associated process, includes a housing (turbine) having a wall forming a passage dimensioned to receive the associated container assembly and associated sleeve. The passage has an inlet and an outlet spaced therefrom. A steam/hot air path communicates with the passage to provide steam from an associated steam source to at least a portion of the passage in order to shrink wrap the associated sleeve on the associated container assembly as the container assembly and sleeve move through the passage. The apparatus also includes a stop member for engaging the associated container assembly and holding in the passage for a predetermined amount of time.
Claims10
A method of shrink wrapping sleeves on a container assembly that includes a cap and container, the method comprising:
- providing a housing having a wall forming a passage dimensioned to receive the container assembly and sleeve, the passage having an inlet and an outlet spaced therefrom;
- orienting the housing wherein the housing inlet is located vertically above the housing outlet;
- introducing the container assembly into the housing inlet such that the container assembly drops by gravity through the passage to the housing outlet;
- and
- providing steam and/or hot air to a path that communicates with at least a portion of the passage in order to shrink wrap the sleeve on the container assembly as the container assembly proceeds from the housing inlet toward the housing outlet;
- providing a stop member for engaging the container assembly and holding the container assembly in the passage for a period of time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.