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US 7,395,645 B2Granted
Apparatus for heat-shrinking film onto an open-topped container
AssigneeGreen-Line Products, Inc.
InventorsScott I. Biba, Robert J. Aloisi, Christopher L. Jones, Robert A. Hamersma, Douglas E. Seals, William J. Bakker, Noel A. Williams
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for heat-shrinking a film onto an open-topped container is provided, including at least one reflective cup having a reflective interior surface, and at least one radiant energy source. The reflective cup and the radiant energy source may be rotationally mounted. The interior surface of the reflective cup has at least an elliptical portion and a parabolic portion.
Claims100
A system for heat-shrinking a film onto an open-topped container including:
- at least one reflector having a reflective interior surface;
- at least one radiant energy source, the at least one reflector and the at least one radiant energy source being rotationally mounted, to allow the at least one reflector to rotate around a central axis while simultaneously directing radiant energy from the at least one radiant energy source toward the central axis;
- and
- means for focusing radiant energy on one or more selected subregions of a portion of the film covering the open top of the container to create a selected weakened zone for receiving a straw.
1 more element
A system for heat shrinking a film onto an open-topped container including:
- at least one reflector having a reflective interior surface;
- at least one radiant energy source, the at least one reflector and the at least one radiant energy source being rotationally mounted, to allow the at least one reflector to rotate around a central axis while simultaneously directing radiant energy from the at least one radiant energy source toward the central axis;
- a film brake and tension controller including:
- a substantially U-shaped mechanical arm having a first end and a second end, the second end forming a cross bar and a force applying means;
- and
- a guide bar, the guide bar being in communication with the cross bar, the guide bar being at least slightly V-shaped.
3 more elements
A system for heat shrinking a film onto an open-topped container including:
- at least one reflector having a reflective interior surface;
- at least one radiant energy source, the at least one reflector and the at least one radiant energy source being rotationally mounted, to allow the at least one reflector to rotate around a central axis while simultaneously directing radiant energy from the at least one radiant energy source toward the central axis;
- and
- a film brake and tension controller including:
- a substantially U-shaped mechanical arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the mechanical arm having pivot ends;
- and,
- the second end forming a cross bar;
- and
- a force applying means.
6 more elements
A system for heat shrinking a film onto an open-topped container including:
- at least one reflector having a reflective interior surface;
- at least one radiant energy source, the at least one reflector and the at least one radiant energy source being rotationally mounted, to allow the at least one reflector to rotate around a central axis while simultaneously directing radiant energy from the at least one radiant energy source toward the central axis;
- and
- a perforation assembly including a solenoid, a pivotally mounted perforation arm, and a perforation blade, the solenoid being capable of displacing the perforation arm.
1 more element
A system for heat-shrinking a film onto an open-topped container including:
- a modular rotational assembly, the modular rotational assembly including at least one reflector having a reflective interior surface, and at least one radiant energy source,
- wherein the at least one reflector and the at least one radiant energy source are rotationally mounted to allow the at least one reflector to rotate around a central axis while simultaneously directing radiant energy from the at least one radiant energy source toward the central axis, and
- a stationarily mounted straw-hole lamp assembly and a plate having a radiant energy passing region configured to (1) impinge a spot of radiant energy on a region of the film imprinted with an energy absorbing substance such that a round thin area surrounded by a strengthening annulus is defined in the film, the round thin area being configured to be ruptured by and receive a drinking straw and (2) blocking other regions of the film from receiving radiant energy.
A system for heat shrinking a film onto an open-topped container including:
- a modular rotational assembly, at least one reflector having a reflective interior surface, and at least one radiant energy source,
- wherein the at least one reflector and the at least one radiant energy source are rotationally mounted to allow the at least one reflector to rotate around a central axis while simultaneously directing radiant energy from the at least one radiant energy source toward the central axis, the modular rotational assembly including:
- at least two locking posts and a driver including at least two detents capable of receiving the at least two locking posts.
A system for heat-shrinking a film onto an open-topped container including:
- at least one reflector having a reflective interior surface;
- wherein the at least one reflector is mounted to allow the at least one reflector to rotate around a central axis while simultaneously allowing the reflective interior surface to face the central axis;
- a drink marking system including:
- a radiant energy source configured to direct radiant energy toward a portion of the film spanning an open top of the container;
- a plate having predefined radiant energy passing regions and predefined radiant energy blocking regions such that regions of the film which receive the radiant energy passing through the predefined radiant enemy passing regions shrink differentially relative to regions of the film blocked from receiving radiant energy by the predefined radiant energy blocking regions, the predefined radiant energy passing regions and the predefined radiant energy blocking regions being configured such that the differential shrinking of the film provides an indication of the contents of the container.
2 more elements
A heat shrinking system for heat shrinking a film onto an open-topped container including:
- at least one reflector having a reflective interior surface;
- at least one radiant energy source, the at least one reflector and the at least one radiant energy source being rotationally mounted, to allow the at least one reflector to rotate around a central axis while simultaneously directing radiant energy from the at least one radiant energy source toward the central axis;
- and
- a web cutter including:
- at least one wheel assembly, wherein the wheel assembly includes a wheel housing and at least two wheel members;
- and
- at least one cutting member disposed between the at least two wheel members,
- wherein the at least one wheel assembly has a first position wherein the at least one cutting member does not extend below the at least two wheel members and a second position wherein the at least one cutting member extends below the at least two wheel members.
5 more elements
A heat shrinking system comprising:
- at least one reflector having a reflective interior surface;
- at least one radiant energy source, the at least one reflector and the at least one radiant energy source being rotationally mounted, to allow the at least one reflector to rotate around a central axis while simultaneously directing radiant energy from the at least one radiant energy source toward the central axis;
- and
- a web cutter including:
- a modular rotational assembly, wherein the modular 10 rotational assembly includes an upper plate having at least one receiving hole, at least one wheel assembly, wherein the at least one wheel assembly includes a wheel housing and at least two wheel members, and at least one cutting member disposed between the at least two wheel members,
- wherein the at least one wheel assembly has a first position wherein the at least one cutting member does not extend below the at least two wheel members and a second position wherein the at least one cutting member extends below the at least two wheel members.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.