Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140369729 | Heat Transfer System for a Fuser Assembly - A fuser assembly for an electrophotographic imaging device which transfers heat from overheated portions of the fuser assembly to portions having lesser temperatures. The fuser assembly includes a heating member; a backup roll disposed proximate to the heating member so as to form a fuser nip therewith, wherein rotation of the backup roll causes the heating member to rotate; and a first roll in contact with one of the backup roll and the heating member such that rotation of the one of the backup roll and the heating member rotates the first roll, the first roll including a heat pipe disposed therein. | 12-18-2014 |
20140369730 | Heat Transfer System for a Fuser Assembly - A fuser assembly for an imaging device which transfers heat from overheated portions of the fuser assembly to portions having lesser temperatures. The fuser assembly includes a heating member; a backup roll disposed proximate to the heating member so as to form a fuser nip therewith; a heat transfer device in contact with the backup roll such that rotation of the backup roll rotates the heat transfer device, the heat transfer device transfers heat from one location to another location on the backup roll; and a positioning mechanism for moving the heat transfer device between a first position in which the heat transfer device is engaged with and contacts the one of the backup roll and the heating member and a second position in which the heat transfer device is disengaged and spaced apart therefrom, the positioning mechanism to pivots the heat transfer device about a pivot axis when moving between the first and second positions. | 12-18-2014 |
20140376980 | Externally Heated Fuser Assembly for Variable Sized Media - A fuser assembly for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a rotatable fusing member forming a fusing nip with a backup member. A heating lamp is positioned to heat the fusing member. A first reflector is positioned around a circumferential portion of the fusing member and positioned to direct light from the heating lamp onto the fusing member. The first reflector covers a first section of an axial length of the fusing member and does not cover a second section of the axial length of the fusing member. A second reflector is movable between a first position covering at least a portion of the second section of the axial length of the fusing member and a second position uncovering at least a portion of the second section of the axial length of the fusing member. | 12-25-2014 |
20150063836 | Fuser Member Conditioning Systems and Methods - Disclosed is a method of conditioning a fusing member having a top-release layer. The method includes heating the top-release layer to at least the melting temperature of the top-release layer while rotating the fusing member and while no pressure member engages the top-release layer, and cooling the top-release layer to less than the melting temperature of the top-release layer while rotating the fusing member. Other methods and devices are disclosed. | 03-05-2015 |
20150063857 | Heat Transfer System for a Fuser Assembly - A fuser assembly for an electrophotographic imaging device which removes excess heat from overheated portions of the fuser assembly and includes a heating member; a backup roll disposed proximate to the heating member so as to form a fuser nip therewith; and a heat exchange roll in contact with the backup roll such that rotation of the backup roll rotates the heat exchange roll, the heat exchange roll having an air passage for moving cooling air from one end to an opposite end of the heat exchange roll so as to provide cooling to the fuser assembly. | 03-05-2015 |
20150185672 | Backup Belt Assembly for a Fusing System - A backup belt assembly includes an endless belt, at least a pair of nip forming rollers contacting an inner surface of the endless belt and positioned relative to the fuser roller to provide pressure to a section of an outer surface of the fuser roller adjacent the endless belt so as to form an elongated fusing nip along the section. A first roller of the pair of nip forming rollers engages the fuser roller via the endless belt at an entrance of the elongated fusing nip, while a second roller of the pair of nip forming rollers engages the fuser roller via the endless belt at an exit of the elongated fusing nip. The first roller provides a lower amount of pressure to the fuser roller relative to the pressure provided by the second roller. A supporting roller may be disposed within the endless belt near the entrance of the elongated fusing nip for providing acceptable media entry geometry. | 07-02-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120097147 | EXTENSION RACK ASSEMBLY FOR CONSUMER APPLIANCE AND CONSUMER APPLIANCE INCORPORATING SAME - An extension rack assembly is mountable within and removable from a consumer appliance side walls. The extension rack assembly is movable between an overlapped position and an extended position. A mechanism is provided for automatically securing the extension rack assembly in the consumer appliance when the extension rack assembly within the side walls is moved from the overlapped position to the extended position and for allowing removal of the extension rack assembly when the extension rack is maintained in the overlapped position and slid from the side walls. The extension rack assembly may also or alternatively be configured to receive a rack in a first orientation having a first height within the consumer appliance and in a second orientation having a second height within the consumer appliance | 04-26-2012 |
20120145696 | OVEN APPLIANCE CLEANING SYSTEM USING HEAT AND STEAM CYCLE - A system for cleaning the interior surface of an oven appliance using heat and steam cycles is provided. More particularly, the present invention uses a heat cycle to break down water insoluble food residues into soluble materials that are then cleaned by a steam cycle. Following the steam cycle, the remaining food residues can be removed from the interior surface of the oven appliance. | 06-14-2012 |
20130099646 | VARIABLE HEIGHT SLIDE-OUT RACK FOR APPLIANCE - An apparatus includes a shelf and a support structure for supporting the shelf, the support structure including rotation features that cause the shelf to rotationally pivot from a first height position to a second height position in response to a user-provided force. | 04-25-2013 |
20130255655 | OVEN WITH AMBIENT AIR COOLING - An oven is described having an interior space defined by a plurality of side walls, a duct, and a blower. The duct is in fluid communication with a ventilation aperture in at least one of the side walls and a supply of ambient air external to the oven cavity. The blower is in fluid communication with the duct and forces the supply of ambient air into the oven cavity via the ventilation aperture. | 10-03-2013 |
20130284161 | OVEN APPLIANCE WITH FEATURES FOR SELECTING CONVECTION AIR FLOW DIRECTION - An oven appliance is provided. The oven appliance includes a cabinet with a cooking chamber for receipt of food for cooking. The oven appliance also includes features for selectively generating a flow of heated air within the chamber in a first direction or a second direction. Selecting the direction of heated air within the chamber can improve cooking of food items therein. | 10-31-2013 |
20130291854 | CONVECTION OVEN USING RACK SUPPORT DUCTS FOR AIR FLOW - An oven appliance is provided that uses the space behind oven rack supports formed in the side walls of the cooking chamber to provide for convection air flow. Slots or openings are provided along the supports for the flow of air into the cooking chamber. Additional features may be provided to further assist in directing the convection air flow. Such distribution of the convection air can provide for a more uniform flow of the heated, convection air while also conserving the space available in the oven for the cooking chamber. | 11-07-2013 |
20130308678 | OVEN AIR SAMPLING SYSTEM - A system for the sampling of oven air is described. A duct or channel is provided with air delivered from the interior of the oven cooking chamber. One or more sensors, including one or more temperature sensors, can be placed within the air sampling channel for the purpose of measuring characteristics of the oven cavity's air. The inlet of the air sampling channel can be positioned along a location at or near the vertical center of the oven where e.g., a food being cooked may be located so that the sampled air more accurately reflects the characteristics of the air in the vicinity of the food being cooked. | 11-21-2013 |
20140151362 | METHOD FOR PREHEATING AN OVEN APPLIANCE - An oven appliance and a method for preheating the same are provided. The oven appliance includes a broil heating element, a bake heating element, and a convection heating assembly with a convection heating element or a fan or both. The method includes initiating a preheat cycle having a first phase and a second phase. During the second phase of the preheat cycle, a power output of the convection heating element is reduced or an angular velocity of the fan is decreased or both. | 06-05-2014 |
20160102868 | OVEN APPLIANCE AND A METHOD FOR OPERATING AN OVEN APPLIANCE - An oven appliance with one or more features for notifying a user of the oven appliance that the cooking chamber is heavily loaded is provided. Further, a method for operating an oven appliance to notify a user of the oven appliance that the cooking chamber is heavily loaded is provided. | 04-14-2016 |
20160102869 | OVEN APPLIANCE AND A METHOD FOR OPERATING AN OVEN APPLIANCE - An oven appliance with one or more features for minimizing the time to preheat the cooking chamber and balancing the heat distribution within the cooking chamber of the oven appliance is provided. Features for minimizing the acoustic noise of the oven appliance are also provided. Further, a method for operating an oven appliance to minimize the preheat time and balance the heat distribution within the cooking chamber of the oven appliance while minimizing acoustic noise is provided. | 04-14-2016 |
20160116171 | OVEN AIRFLOW CONTROL - An oven appliance is provided with one or more features for modifying the airflow within the cooking chamber of the oven appliance to help overcome a change in the heating environment of the cooking chamber after a door of the oven is opened and closed. Further, a method for operating an oven appliance is provided. The method includes features for modifying the airflow within the cooking chamber of the oven appliance to help overcome a change in the heating environment of the cooking chamber after a door of the oven is opened and closed. | 04-28-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110071696 | LOAD SHEDDING SYSTEM FOR AN ELECTROMECHANICALLY CONTROLLED OVEN - A system for reducing peak power usage in a cooking appliance having an oven cavity therein is provided. The system includes at least one power consuming unit with at least two separately controllable elements, a user adjustable electromechanical switching device for controlling energization of the at least one power consuming unit, a control configured to receive and process a utility state signal indicative of the current state of an associated utility; and an element switching device responsive to the control and configured to selectively enable and disable energization of one of the elements in response to the utility state signal. | 03-24-2011 |
20110108016 | BURNER FOR COOKING APPLIANCES - A gas burner for a cooking appliance having a base portion and a side wall extending from the base portion. A cap is disposed on the side wall. The cap includes a substantially conical interior surface facing the base portion. The substantially conical interior surface is configured to substantially eliminate creation of turbulent flow eddies in a gaseous fuel mixture passing through the gas burner. | 05-12-2011 |
20110148390 | APPLIANCE HAVING A USER GRACE PERIOD FOR REINITIATING OPERATING WHEN IN DEMAND RESPONSE ENERGY MODE - An energy consuming device comprises a power consuming feature/function and a controller operatively connected to the power consuming feature/function. The controller is configured to operate the device including the power consuming feature/function in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode during an associated off-peak demand period of an associated energy supplying utility and an energy savings mode during an associated peak demand period of the associated energy supplying utility. The controller is configured to provide a user a grace period during the associated peak demand period to allow the user to change the operating mode of the power consuming feature/function from the energy savings mode to another operating mode including the normal operating mode thereby allowing additional use of the power consuming feature/function during the associated peak demand period. | 06-23-2011 |
20120125316 | VENTILATION SYSTEM FOR A RANGE HOOD WITH EXHAUST AND RECIRCULATION OPTIONS - A ventilation system for a range hood of a kitchen area is provided. More particularly, a kitchen ventilation system is provided that has both exhaust and recirculation options that are provided by internally contained features for directing the flow of air. The system can be installed as a modular unit as part of a new or existing range hood. | 05-24-2012 |
20120305544 | INDUCTION COOKTOP COOLING KIT - An induction cooktop appliance includes a housing having an air intake opening and an air exhaust opening, the air intake opening and the air exhaust opening defining an air cooling circulation path, an induction cooktop disposed on top of the housing, electronics for the induction cooktop disposed within the housing, and a vent tube having a first end and a second end, the vent tube being disposed in the cooling air circulation path and configured to segregate air entering the air intake opening from air exiting the air exhaust opening. | 12-06-2012 |
20130233295 | RANGE HOOD APPLIANCE WITH COMBINATION RECIRCULATION AND EXTERIOR VENTING OPTIONS - A range hood is provided that allows the user to select between venting to the exterior of a kitchen space versus recirculating air that is drawn over e.g., a cook top. Features are provided whereby the user can readily switch between such options for gas flow. A filter can also be provided whereby the user can readily select between different filter media depending upon the mode of gas flow selected. | 09-12-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090022902 | RADIATION CURED COATINGS FOR IMAGE FORMING DEVICE COMPONENTS - The present disclosure relates to the use of radiation cured coatings that may be used in a device within an image forming apparatus. The coating composition may include a reactive oligomer capable of radiation curing having a number average molecular weight (Mn) of greater than 1500. A reactive diluent may then be combined with the reactive oligomer, which diluent is also capable of radiation curing and which has a Mn of less than or equal to 1500. The reactive diluent may be present at a level of less than fifty percent by weight of the coating composition. The coating composition may be present at a solids level of 90-100%. | 01-22-2009 |
20090169273 | Doctor Blade Surface Energy Modification - The present disclosure relates to a surface energy reduction material in the form of a topcoat or additive to a coating that may be applied to a toner regulating member such as a doctor blade which may reduce toner build-up about a nip region, pre-nip region, and/or post-nip region. The surface energy reduction material may be include any material having a surface energy of less than or equal to 35 dynes/cm, for example, between 15-30 dynes/cm, including all values and ranges therein. The surface energy reducing materials may include any material that provides a 25% or more reduction of the surface energy of the doctor blade compared to an untreated doctor blade, for example, greater than or equal to 50% reduction or greater than or equal to 75% reduction, including all values and ranges therein. | 07-02-2009 |
20090181236 | Toner Release Coating - The present disclosure relates to a toner release coating that may be applied to a toner regulating member such as a doctor blade which may reduce toner adhesion at a doctoring pre-nip location. The toner release coating may be formed from lubricating particulate and a polymeric binder resin. | 07-16-2009 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080289664 | Modular drip pan and component mounting assembly for a dishwasher - A dishwasher for receiving and cleansing soiled kitchenware includes a tub defining a washing chamber, a movable door for selectively exposing the washing chamber, and a modular, slidably mounted drip pan and component mounting assembly or base member positioned below the tub. One or more of a plurality of wash system components, including a wash pump, an inlet valve and a drain valve, is mounted to the modular base member. The modular base member includes connection points for household utilities, a peripheral lip or rim so as to contain any liquid that may fall from the dishwasher tub and a float and cut-off system that serves to terminate operation of the dishwasher upon detecting a water leak. In addition, the modular base member may also contain a system for heating washing fluid to a desired temperature, along with related control components. | 11-27-2008 |
20080290770 | Composite Tub Body For A Dishwasher - A dishwasher tub includes a main body having opposing side walls that are interconnected by a rear wall, all formed from a multi-layered composite material. A cap member is joined atop the opposing side and rear walls, a base member is joined to lower edge portions of the opposing side walls and rear wall, and a frontal halo member is mounted between the cap and base member to define an overall washing chamber having a front opening. Preferably, the multi-layered composite material includes an inner stainless layer, a rigid layer and an outer protective layer, such as a layer of stainless steel, a rigid polyester mat, and a protective layer of hard plastic or aluminum foil. The outer layer also preferably serves as a shipping container for the dishwasher, enabling components of the dishwasher to be transported to a designated location for final assembly. | 11-27-2008 |
20100024851 | Insulation Element For An Electrical Appliance Such As A Dishwasher - An insulation element is provided for installation in a gap of thickness G provided between two objects. The insulation element includes a body made from a thermoplastic polymer material. The body has a first face, a second face and a thickness defined between the first and second faces. The body is characterized by a semi permanently pre-installation thickness T | 02-04-2010 |
20120298154 | ACOUSTICALLY INSULATED MACHINE - Acoustically insulated machines have an internal source of noise and an insulation member. The insulation member may include a plurality of porous, sound absorbing layers and a plurality of dense or facing layers attached to faces of the sound absorbing layers. The dense or facing layers each have a density that is greater than the densities of the sound absorbing layers. The insulation member may be oriented such that one of the dense or facing layers faces toward the internal source of noise. The insulation member may be configured such that most of the low frequency sound energy generated by the internal source of noise is not reflected back into the machine. That is, the dense or facing layer may be configured to allow a majority of low frequency sound energy from the internal source of noise to pass into the insulation member. | 11-29-2012 |
20140230497 | ACOUSTICALLY INSULATED MACHINE - A home appliance, such as a clothes washing machine, has a source of noise and an acoustic insulator. The source of noise moves between a first position and a second position during operation of the appliance. The acoustic insulator has a movable portion that moves with the source of noise between the first position and the second position during operation of the appliance and an interface that remains substantially stationary as the source of noise moves between the first and second positions. | 08-21-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110185682 | Product Packaging that Remains with the Product and Functions as Acoustical and/or Thermal Insulation - A shipping capsule for an electrical appliance comprises a blanket of insulating material and a layer of stretch wrap. Together these materials function as a durable shipping container eliminating the need for a corrugated cardboard outer carton currently in use. The invention further includes a method of reducing shipping costs and shipping waste associated with shipping an electrical appliance. The method includes the steps of covering at least a portion of the electrical appliance with insulation material that will remain with the electrical appliance after installation and providing a layer of stretch wrap over the insulation material whereby the combination of insulation material and stretch wrap form a shipping capsule. | 08-04-2011 |
20110186473 | Shipping Capsule Incorporating Blanket and Method - In accordance with embodiments of the present invention described herein, a shipping capsule is provided comprising a lattice blanket that is expandable and contractible so as to allow size adjustability and a covering layer. In one particularly embodiment, the lattice blanket forms an expandable and contractible sleeve that is received around a product being shipped in the shipping capsule and the covering layer is a polymer film such as stretch wrap. Methods of shipping and packaging a product are also disclosed. | 08-04-2011 |
20130174435 | NONWOVEN MATERIAL AND DRYER WITH NONWOVEN MATERIAL - A non-woven fabric includes flame retardant fibers and binding fibers mixed with the flame retardant fibers. The binding fibers set a thickness of the fabric. Application of a flame to the fabric causes the binding fibers to degrade and the flame retardant fibers to expand such that the thickness of the fabric increases, for example by a factor of two or more. The non-woven fabric can be used in a wide variety of different applications. For example, the non-woven fabric may be used to make seals of a drier, heat shields, fire barriers, and/or vents. | 07-11-2013 |
20130266787 | NONWOVEN MATERIAL AND DRYER WITH NONWOVEN MATERIAL - A non-woven fabric includes flame retardant fibers and binding fibers mixed with the flame retardant fibers. The binding fibers set a thickness of the fabric. Application of a flame to the fabric causes the binding fibers to degrade and the flame retardant fibers to expand such that the thickness of the fabric increases, for example by a factor of two or more. The non-woven fabric can be used in a wide variety of different applications. For example, the non-woven fabric may be used to make seals of a drier, heat shields, fire barriers, and/or vents. | 10-10-2013 |
20150250375 | DISHWASHER INSULATION BLANKET - A dishwasher insulation blanket includes a sound absorbing layer, a sound reflecting layer; and a heat activated adhesive layer on a first side of the sound reflecting layer. The heat activated adhesive layer is configured to be activated by heat that emanates from a dishwasher during normal operation of the dishwasher. | 09-10-2015 |
20150368852 | VIBRATION DAMPING SYSTEM - Clothes driers include a cabinet, a rotatable drum mounted inside the cabinet, and one or more vibration dumpers mounted to the rotatable drum. The vibration dampers may be mounted inside the drum, between baffles and the drum. The vibration dampers may be attached to the rotatable drum, such that a largest dimension of the vibration dampers extends in a direction of length of the rotatable drum. The vibration dumpers may be configured to shift acoustic energy generated at the front of the drum toward the rear of the drum. | 12-24-2015 |
20160101303 | NONWOVEN MATERIAL AND DRYER WITH NONWOVEN MATERIAL - A non-woven fabric includes flame retardant fibers and binding material mixed with the flame retardant fibers. The binding material sets a thickness of the fabric. Application of a flame to the fabric causes the binding material to degrade and the flame retardant fibers to expand to prevent a flame from passing through a hole in a wall of an appliance, a building, or an appliance and/or to protect wiring of an appliance, a building, or an appliance. | 04-14-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090235617 | WRAPPING APPARATUS HAVING TOP LOADING AND THREADING FILM DISPENSER - A film dispenser is provided, including an open top roll carriage having a base plate on which a film dispensing assembly, including an upstream roller and a downstream roller, may be mounted. A film path for film traveling through the film-dispensing assembly may be at least partially defined by a surface of the upstream roller and a surface of the downstream roller. The film path may be accessible via the open top of the roll carriage. The film dispenser may also include a drive assembly for the upstream roller and the downstream roller mounted below the base plate. | 09-24-2009 |
20100239403 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING BY PALLET TRUCK - An apparatus for transferring a load between a pallet truck and a load wrapping surface may include an angled ramp surface configured to support at least a portion of the pallet truck. The apparatus may also include an angled conveyor surface extending alongside at least a portion of the angled ramp surface. The angled conveyor surface may be configured to convey the load between the load wrapping surface and the angled ramp surface. | 09-23-2010 |
20100313525 | WRAPPING APPARATUS HAVING TOP LOADING AND THREADING DISPENSER - A packaging material dispenser may include a roll carriage having an upper portion and a lower portion, and a base plate separating the upper portion from the lower portion. The packaging material dispenser may also include a packaging material dispensing assembly mounted on an upper surface of the base plate and defining at least a portion of a packaging material path. A first portion of the packaging material path may extend behind the packaging material dispensing assembly. The upper portion of the roll carriage may include an opening defining a packaging material path access area positioned to provide access to a top of the packaging material path. The packaging material dispenser may also include a packaging material dispensing assembly drive mechanism extending below the base plate. | 12-16-2010 |
20110131927 | DEMAND BASED WRAPPING - A control system for a wrapping apparatus may include a packaging material dispenser configured to dispense packaging material for wrapping a load. The control system may also include at least one sensor assembly configured to generate a signal based on instantaneous demand for packaging material at the load. The control system may further include a controller configured to control operation of the packaging material dispenser based at least in part on the signal. | 06-09-2011 |
20110179752 | DEMAND THROTTLE METHODS AND APPARATUSES - An apparatus for wrapping a load with packaging material may include a packaging material dispenser for dispensing packaging material. The apparatus may also include a relative rotation assembly for providing relative rotation between the load and the packaging material dispenser. The apparatus may further include a mechanical connection operatively coupling the packaging material dispenser to the relative rotation assembly. The relative rotation assembly may be configured to drive the packaging material dispenser through the mechanical connection. The apparatus may further include a force exerting mechanism operatively coupled to the mechanical connection. The apparatus may further include a sensing element configured sense a characteristic of dispensed packaging material. The sensing element may be operatively coupled to the mechanical connection. The force exerting mechanism and the sensing element may be configured to control the mechanical connection to maintain a selected ratio of packaging material dispensed to demand for packaging material at the load for at least a portion of a wrap cycle. | 07-28-2011 |
20130076753 | Machine Generated Wrap Data - A method of determining and displaying wrapping data generated by a wrapping machine during wrapping of a load with a packaging material comprises determining forces exerted on a load by the packaging material during wrapping of the load, and displaying a graph of the forces exerted on the load during wrapping of the load with a display device, the graph including an axis indicative of the face of the load and one or more indicators along the axis indicative of the forces exerted on the load and the height of each force on the load. At least some of the indicators of the graph of the forces are displayed in a first color if above a predetermined value and are displayed in a second color if below a predetermined value. | 03-28-2013 |
20130263555 | Method And Apparatus For Loading And Unloading By Pallet Truck - An apparatus for transferring a palletized load between a pallet truck and a load wrapping surface may include a ramp configured to support at least a portion of the pallet truck. The ramp may include at least one fixed portion. The ramp may also include a movable portion configured to move relative to the fixed portion. The movable portion may be configured to support one or more wheel assemblies of the pallet truck, and move the one or more wheel assemblies of the pallet truck relative to the fixed portion. | 10-10-2013 |
20150197360 | Dynamic Adjustment of Wrap Force Parameter Responsive to Monitored Wrap Force and/or For Film Break Reduction - A method, apparatus and program product monitor a wrap force during a wrap cycle to dynamically control the dispense rate of a packaging material dispenser to meet a desired containment force to be applied to a load. A conversion may be performed between wrap force and containment force for the monitored wrap force or a containment force parameter to facilitate the performance of a comparison between the monitored wrap force and a containment force parameter associated with the desired containment force to be applied to the load. A wrap force parameter may also be dynamically adjusted, and in some instances, the dynamic adjustment may be responsive to monitored wrap force, and may be used to meet a load containment force requirement for a load. In other instances, the dynamic adjustment may be responsive to monitored packaging material breaks to reduce the occurrence of packaging material breaks. | 07-16-2015 |
20150353220 | MACHINE GENERATED WRAP DATA - Various methods are provided for determining and displaying wrapping data generated by a wrapping machine during wrapping of a load with a packaging material, e.g., to determine numbers of layers of packaging material applied to a load, a containment force applied to a load, and/or whether a load meets a predetermined minimum required containment force standard for the load. | 12-10-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090293435 | FILM CLAMP AND RELATED METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR WRAPPING LOADS - An apparatus for clamping packaging material may include a packaging material holder. The packaging material holder may include a first jaw, a second jaw, opposing the first jaw, and a jaw opening between the first and second jaws. The jaw opening may be configured to receive a portion of packaging material. The packaging material holder may include an inflatable structure configured to fill at least a portion of the opening. The apparatus also may include a packaging material insertion tool configured to insert the portion of packaging material into the jaw opening for clamping. | 12-03-2009 |
20110146203 | WRAPPING APPARATUS AND METHOD INCLUDING METERED PRE-STRETCH FILM DELIVERY ASSEMBLY - The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for dispensing a predetermined fixed amount of pre-stretched packaging material based upon load girth. A non-rotating ring carries a belt driven by a motor. A packaging material dispenser is mounted on a rotating ring, and the rotating ring may include a pulley that connects to the band, such that the rotating ring is driven by the drive belt. Based upon the girth of the load to be wrapped, an amount of pre-stretched packaging material to be dispensed for at least a portion of a revolution made by the rotating ring is determined. Good wrapping performance in terms of load containment (wrap force) and optimum packaging material use is obtained by dispensing a length of pre-stretched packaging material that is between approximately 90% and approximately 120% of load girth. Once the amount of packaging material to be dispensed per revolution is determined, a ratio of rotating ring drive to final pre-stretch surface speed (i.e., number of pre-stretch roller revolution/rotating ring rotation) can be set and mechanically controlled. Thus, for each revolution of the rotating ring and dispenser, an amount of packaging material is dispensed and wrapped around the load. In an alternative embodiment, the ratio is electronically controlled. | 06-23-2011 |
20120031053 | Method For Securing A Load To A Pallet With A Roped Film Web - An apparatus and method for wrapping a palletized load are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a film dispenser for dispensing a film web, at least one drive down roller configured to engage the width of the film web, and at least one roping mechanism. The at least one roping mechanism may be a cable rolling element configured to roll a portion of the film web into a rolled cable of film. The apparatus may also include an assembly for providing relative rotation between the load and the dispenser to wrap a roped portion of the film web around a base of the load/top portion of a pallet supporting the load. | 02-09-2012 |
20120102881 | Bladder Clamp And Related Methods And Apparatus For Wrapping Loads - A clamp assembly may include a first jaw member which may have a selectively inflatable bladder. In addition, the clamp assembly may further include a second jaw member which may have a belt. The first jaw member and the second jaw member may be configured to clamp material between the selectively inflatable bladder and the belt. | 05-03-2012 |
20120124944 | Wrapping Apparatus And Method Including Metered Pre-Stretch Film Delivery Assembly - A method and apparatus for dispensing a predetermined fixed amount of pre-stretched packaging material based upon load girth is disclosed. A non-rotating ring carries a belt driven by a motor. A packaging material dispenser is mounted on a rotating ring, and the rotating ring may include a pulley that connects to the band, such that the rotating ring is driven by the drive belt. Based upon the girth of the load to be wrapped, an amount of pre-stretched packaging material to be dispensed for at least a portion of a revolution made by the rotating ring is determined. Good wrapping performance in terms of load containment (wrap force) and optimum packaging material use is obtained by dispensing a length of pre-stretched packaging material that is between approximately 90% and approximately 120% of load girth. Once the amount of packaging material to be dispensed per revolution is determined, a ratio of rotating ring drive to final pre-stretch surface speed (i.e., number of pre-stretch roller revolution/rotating ring rotation) can be set and mechanically controlled. Thus, for each revolution of the rotating ring and dispenser, an amount of packaging material is dispensed and wrapped around the load. In an alternative embodiment, the ratio is electronically controlled. | 05-24-2012 |
20140116006 | ROTATION ANGLE-BASED WRAPPING - A wrapping apparatus and method utilize a corner rotation angle-based wrap control that controls the rate at which packaging material is dispensed based on the rotational position of one or more corners of the load during relative rotation established between the load and a packaging material dispenser. The locations of one or more corners on a load may be sensed or otherwise calculated, and when combined with a sensed or calculated rotational position of the load relative to a packaging material dispenser, the locations of the corners relative to the packaging material dispenser may be determined and utilized to control the dispense rate of the packaging material dispenser, e.g., by determining which corner is currently driving an effective consumption rate of the load and/or determining when to apply a controlled intervention to the load. | 05-01-2014 |
20140116007 | EFFECTIVE CIRCUMFERENCE-BASED WRAPPING - A wrapping apparatus and method utilize an effective circumference-based wrap speed model that dynamically controls the rate at which packaging material is dispensed based on an effective circumference of a load during relative rotation established between the load and a packaging material dispenser. The effective circumference of a load may be indicative of an effective consumption rate of the load, and may refer to a dimension or size of a tangent circle that is substantially centered at the center of rotation of the load and substantially tangent to a line substantially extending between a first point proximate to where the packaging material exits the dispenser and a second point proximate to where the packaging material engages the load. The effective circumference of the load dynamically changes throughout the relative rotation of the load, and by controlling the dispense rate based at least in part on this dimension, fluctuations in tension in the packaging material may be reduced, often enabling containment force to be increased while reducing the risk of breakage in the packaging material. | 05-01-2014 |
20140116008 | CORNER GEOMETRY-BASED WRAPPING - A wrapping apparatus and method utilize a corner geometry-based wrap control that controls the rate at which packaging material is dispensed at least in part based on the geometrical relationship between one or more corners of a load and a packaging material dispenser. | 05-01-2014 |
20140215968 | Film Clamp And Related Methods And Apparatuses For Wrapping Loads - An apparatus for clamping packaging material may include a packaging material holder. The packaging material holder may include a first jaw, a second jaw, opposing the first jaw, and a jaw opening between the first and second jaws. The jaw opening may be configured to receive a portion of packaging material. The packaging material holder may include an inflatable structure configured to fill at least a portion of the opening. The apparatus also may include a packaging material insertion tool configured to insert the portion of packaging material into the jaw opening for clamping. | 08-07-2014 |