Patent ID: 7662249
Filing Date: 2010-02-16
Classification: B29C,F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for jacketing a product comprising: providing a product having generally cylindrical outer surface, a circumference, a length, and a feature visible on the generally cylindrical outer surface with which a sheet of jacketing material must be properly aligned for jacketing the product with the sheet of jacketing material; providing a sheet of jacketing material having a width substantially equal to or greater than the circumference of the product and a length substantially equal to the length of the product; using a laser beam to determine when the feature visible on the generally cylindrical outer surface of the product is properly aligned in a jacketing operation for the sheet of jacketing material to be properly aligned and located relative to the feature when the sheet of jacketing material is applied and bonded to the generally cylindrical outer surface of the product; and applying and bonding the sheet of jacketing material to the product by locating the sheet of jacketing material on first and second belt means for conforming the sheet of jacketing material to and pressing the sheet of jacketing material against the generally cylindrical outer surface of the product and locating the product on the sheet of jacketing material; the first and second belt means each having a width substantially equal to or greater than the length of the generally cylindrical outer surface of the product and a length substantially equal to or greater than one half of the circumference of the product; and wrapping the first and second belt means part of the way around the generally cylindrical surface of the product while maintaining the product stationary to conform the sheet of jacketing material to and press the sheet of jacketing material against the generally cylindrical outer surface of the product so that the sheet of jacketing material is bonded to the generally cylindrical outer surface of the product.