Method and apparatus for packaging wire fence clips
AssigneeBlue Sky Manufacturing, LLC
InventorsTimothy R. Lawson, Thomas M. Askew, Billy Ray Lawson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method for packaging wire fence clips first collects and aligns fence clips into a series of batches that each incorporate a selected quantity of clips. Each batch of clips is fed through a packaging station where first and second flexible adhesive substrates are affixed to opposite sides of the batch, and successive batches are separated to form compact and easy to carry bundles of the selected quantity of clips. A label applicator supplies adhesive labels to one of the flexible substrates.
Claims12
A method for packaging wire fence clips in compact, safe, easy to handle bundles comprising:
- collecting and aligning fence clips into a series of batches that each incorporate a selected quantity of clips;
- feeding each batch of clips through a taping station;
- supplying first and second flexible adhesive substrates to said taping station;
- affixing said first and second substrates to top and bottom sides of the batch as it passes through the taping station to secure the clips of a batch together to form a bundle;
- and
- separating successive bundles, whereby compact and easy to carry bundles each having a selected quantity of clips is formed.
Apparatus for producing bundles of fencing clips, comprising:
- an alignment track having upper and lower parallel spaced planar rail segments defining a path for receiving and orienting fencing clips to be packaged in a bundle, said fencing clips having central body portions that are slidably insertable between said upper and lower segments of said track with their free ends projecting laterally away from the track on opposite sides of the track;
- a movable stop pin in said path to engage and collect a batch of a selected quantity of said fencing clips;
- a taping station at a terminal end of said alignment track, said taping station including upper and lower pressure rollers defining a nip aligned with said alignment track path;
- upper and lower upper and lower supply rolls respectively located above and below said alignment track;
- upper and lower strips of a flexible adhesive-bearing substrate supplied along corresponding supply paths from respective upper and lower supply rolls to engage said upper and lower pressure rollers, respectively, at said nip;
- and
- a stop pin release for feeding a batch of said fencing clips into said nip between said upper and lower substrate strips to cause said pressure rollers to adhesively affix said substrate strips to upper and lower sides of said batch of fencing clips to form a bundle of fencing clips exiting from said taping station.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.