Patent ID: 6223505
Filing Date: 2001-05-01
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
A machine for wrapping drinking straws with a waterproof plastic film, said machine comprising drive means for continuously advancing a narrow thin film strip from a supply means to a wrapper loading and forming means, tension means to maintain a continuous tension on the said film drawn from said supply means, said wrapper loading and forming means having a trough former for folding said advancing film strip into a film trough, insert means for positioning spaced-apart drinking straws into said film trough of said advancing film strip for engagement and conveyance of said drinking straws by said film trough, straw dispensing means for supplying pre-oriented drinking straws to said insert means, sealing means and severing means for heat sealing said film trough about individual ones of said drinking straws and severing said film trough between adjacent ends of said drinking straws to form individually wrapped drinking straws, said trough former having a geometric forming plate defining a tapered bottom wall having an inlet end and progressively merging opposed upright side walls merging to a narrow rear trough section, and film drawing means spaced from said rear trough section for pulling said film through said trough former form a flat condition adjacent said inlet end to a progressively folded trough condition toward said narrow rear trough section.