Banner making machine
AssigneeE.L. Hatton Sales Co.
InventorsRichard J. Hatton, John William Puleo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A machine for applying support members to opposing sides of opposing edges of a sheet material includes a support tab applicator assembly that applies a first portion of a support tab along a longitudinal edge of a first side of the sheet material, a support tab finisher assembly that applies a second portion of the support tab disposed opposite the first portion to a second side of the sheet material disposed opposite the first side, and a hole punch assembly that cuts a hole through the sheet material. The machine also may include a strengthening film applicator assembly that applies a strengthening film along a longitudinal length of the first side of the sheet material and/or across the support tab.
Claims25
A machine for applying support tabs to a sheet material, the machine comprising:
- a support tab applicator assembly that engages a first side of a sheet material along a longitudinal length of the sheet material to apply a first portion of a support tab thereto, the support tab being configured to receive a suspension member;
- a support tab finisher assembly that engages a second side of the sheet material along the longitudinal length to apply a second portion of the support tab thereto opposite the first portion of the support tab;
- and
- a hole punch assembly that cuts a hole through the sheet material, the hole for receiving the suspension member.
A machine for applying tab supports to a sheet material, the machine comprising:
- a support tab dispenser that dispenses support tabs and a support tab application actuator that applies the support tabs to a first side of the sheet material;
- an actuator assembly disposed downstream of the support tab dispenser and support tab application actuator that applies each respective support tab to a second side of the sheet material disposed opposite the first side, wherein the actuator assembly includes a first actuator that pushes the second portion of each respective support tab into a nonplanar position relative to the sheet material, and a second actuator that pushes the second portion of the support tab from the nonplanar position to a position applied to the second side of the sheet material where the first portion is arranged substantially parallel the second portion;
- and
- a hole punch disposed downstream of the actuator assembly that punches a hole through a portion of the sheet material enclosed by each respective support tab, thereby creating holes for receiving suspension members for suspending the sheet material.
A method of applying support tabs to a sheet material, the method comprising the steps of:
- actuating an actuator to apply first portions of support tabs to a first side of the sheet material along a longitudinal length of the sheet material, each support tab for receiving a suspension member;
- actuating a second actuator to fold a second portion of each respective support tab under the sheet material;
- applying the second portion of each respective support tab to a second side of the sheet material disposed opposite the first side;
- and
- actuating a punch to cut holes through a portion of the sheet material disposed between respective first and second portions of the support tabs, the holes for receiving suspension members for suspending the sheet material.
A machine for applying strengthening materials to a sheet material, the machine comprising:
- a strengthening film applicator assembly that engages the sheet material to apply a strengthening film along the longitudinal length of the sheet material and/or across the support tab, wherein the strengthening film applicator assembly includes oppositely disposed members that engage the strengthening film prior to application of the film to the sheet material and that disengage the strengthening film during application of the film to the sheet material;
- and
- a hole punch assembly that punches a hole through the sheet material and the strengthening film to create holes for receiving suspension members for suspending the sheet material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.