Patent ID: 6298639
Filing Date: 2001-10-09
Classification: D04D

Abstract:
Apparatus for creating a decorative element with a curled ribbon, comprising:means for supplying at least one strand of ribbon having a flat face;a ribbon drive for advancing the ribbon strand from said supply through the apparatus;a curling tube having circumferential generally cylindrical exterior defining a helical ribbon path around the curling tube exterior, said path having a first and a second part;guide means for directing the ribbon strand along said helical ribbon path with said flat face wrapped around the exterior of the curling tube,means for heating said ribbon strand during passage along said first part of said helical path defined by said curling tube cylindrical exterior and for cooling said ribbon strand during passage along said second part of said helical path defined by said curling tube cylindrical exterior, said heating and cooling of said ribbon while wrapped around said tube imparting to the ribbon a tendency to curl;a tension regulator receiving the ribbon strand discharged from said helical path, said tension regulator having a sensing device responsive to the accumulation of ribbon in said regulator and coupled to said ribbon drive for controlling the actuation of said ribbon drive; anda packaging unit including:means for withdrawing a predetermined length of said strand of ribbon from the tension regulator;means for feeding a placard into said packaging unit;means for attaching a mid-portion of said predetermined length to said placard; anda ribbon cutting means for detaching said predetermined length from the remainder of said ribbon strand in said tension regulator and allowing said ribbon to curl to form a decorative element.