US 4,281,502 AGranted

Clean pack carrier

OwnerLorne Bonkowskiinventor

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Abstract

The disclosed cover, carrier and package for one or more articles, is formed from a sheet of material which is stretchable when softened but relatively rigid otherwise. In a preferred apparatus and process, such a sheet is positioned over the top of the object to be covered and the portion of the sheet directly over the object is softened. A downward force is applied to the unsoftened, still relatively rigid portion of the sheet so as to force it down and around the top of the object. This causes the softened portion of the sheet to be stretched over the top and down the side of the object, conforming closely to it and thus providing a tight seal. By covering multiple articles a carrier may be formed. Methods for controlling the thickness of different parts of the carrier are described. In addition, a carrier may be applied to both the top and bottom of an array of articles in order to form a rigid carton or case.

Claims5

Dependent claims

A method of forming a carrier for at least one article, said at least one article having a top surface and a sidewall surface comprising the steps of:

positioning a sheet of material which is stretchable when softened but otherwise relatively rigid adjacent the top surfaces of said at least one article;
softening only the portion of said sheet corresponding to said top surface, leaving a non-softened portion of said sheet around said softened portion;
forcing the non-softened portion of said sheet around said sidewall surface sufficiently to cause the softened portion of the sheet to stretch and conform about said top surface and a portion of said sidewall surface of said at least one article thereby forming a closely fitting carrier;
said sheet being made of a thermosensitive plastic, said sheet being positioned adjacent said top surface;
said softening step including a step of heating a portion of said sheet which is to be located adjacent said top surface;
said softening step further including the step of positioning an insulating plate over said sheet prior to said heating step, said insulating plate including an opening corresponding to each said top surface that exposes said portion of said sheet that comprises an area slightly larger than said top surface, and heating each said portion of the sheet which is exposed through an opening in said insulating plate;
and
said forcing step including the step of moving said insulating plate towards and about each said top surface, thereby forcing the unheated portion of said sheet about said sidewall surface and drawing the heated and softened portion of the sheet about said top and sidewall surfaces to cover said top surface and grip said sidewall, the plate being moved sufficiently about said sidewall that the sheet firmly grips said sidewall to securely lock it to the sheet.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.