US 6,601,880 B2 · Method and apparatus for making a knot with flexible material wrapped around an article

Abstract

The method and apparatus are for making a knot with first and second rope-shaped end portions of flexible material wrapped around an article. The method comprises steps of (a) guiding the end portions along a predetermined path; (b) (i) nipping the first end portion at a first point of the predetermined path, (ii) nipping the second end portion at a second point of the predetermined path, and (iii) nipping the second end portion at a third point of the predetermined path; (c) cutting the second end portion between the second and third points to obtain a free end thereof; (d) moving the end portions to obtain a loop; (e) releasing the first end portion from the guiding of step (a) to obtain a free end thereof; and (f) inserting the free ends into the loop to form and tighten the knot.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A method of making a knot with first and second rope-shaped end portions of flexible material wrapped around an article, comprising steps of:

(a) guiding the end portions along a predetermined path;
(b) (i) nipping the first end portion at a first point of the predetermined path, (ii) nipping the second end portion at a second point of the predetermined path, and (iii) nipping the second end portion at a third point of the predetermined path;
(c) cutting the second end portion between the second and third points to obtain a free end thereof;
(d) moving the end portions to obtain a loop;
(e) releasing the first end portion from the guiding of step (a) to obtain a free end thereof;
and
(f) inserting the free ends into the loop to form and tighten the knot.

4 more elements

An apparatus for making a knot with first and second rope-shaped end portions of flexible material wrapped around an article, comprising:

a controllable holder for holding a free end of the first end portion;
controllable guides for guiding the end portions along a predetermined path;
first controllable nippers for nipping the first end portion at a first point of the predetermined path;
second controllable nippers for nipping the second end portion at a second point of the predetermined path;
third controllable nippers for nipping the second end portion at a third point of the predetermined path;
a controllable cutter for cutting the second end portion between the second and third points to obtain a free end thereof;
first controllable moving means for moving the end portions to obtain a loop;
and
second controllable moving means for moving the free ends into the loop to form and tighten the knot.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for making a knot with flexible material wrapped around an article

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for making a knot with flexible material wrapped around an article

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16