Patent ID: 6572521
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: D04D,Y10S

Abstract:
A machine for making bows of curled ribbon; comprising:a ribbon guide, said ribbon guide receiving ribbon and separating said ribbon from other ribbon strands; a ribbon tensioning station, said ribbon tensioning station applying tension to said ribbon and comprises a pivotable lever, said pivotable lever exerting pressure upon said ribbon as said ribbon passes said pivotable lever; and a pressure adjustment, said pressure adjustment coupled to said pivotable lever and controlling pressure upon said ribbon by said pivotable lever; a ribbon curling station, said ribbon curling station curling said ribbon; a ribbon pulling station, said ribbon pulling station pulling said ribbon through said ribbon tensioning station and said ribbon curling station; a hang tag feeder, said hang tag feeder feeding hang tags in a consistent manner, said hang tags for attachment to said ribbon; a ribbon gathering station, said ribbon gathering station gathering together strands of ribbon, including said ribbon; a hang tag attachment station, said hang tag attachment station receiving hang tags from said hang tag feeder and attaching said hang tags to said gathered strands of ribbon; a ribbon exit drive, said ribbon exit drive impelling said ribbon away from said hang tag attachment station; and a curl bow cutter, said curl bow cutter severing said ribbon between pairs of attached hang tags; whereby ribbon is fed into the curl bow machine at a first end, hang tags are fed into the curl bow machine at an intermediate station, and curl bows are delivered at a terminal end of the curl bow machine, and wherein said pivotable lever further comprises: a spring, said spring contained within said pivotable lever; and a ball, said ball held within said pivotable lever, said spring urging said ball away from said pivotable lever; whereby said ribbon engages said ball with said ball tending to hold said ribbon in place, said spring allowing said ribbon to work against said ball resiliently while said ribbon is held in tension by said pivotable lever.