Patent ID: 7322163
Filing Date: 2008-01-29
Classification: A22C,B65B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for enclosing a product in a covering material the apparatus comprising: a) a product feed and covering system configured to apply the covering material over the product; b) a clipper mechanism defining a slot and disposed downstream of the product feed and covering system along a flow path of the covering material, the clipper mechanism being configured to receive the covering material in the slot and to secure a clip to the covering material received in the slot, the clipper mechanism being rotatable relative to the flow path between a first position, wherein the clipper head is distal from the flow path, and a second position, wherein the clipper head is proximate the flow path; and c) a tensioning system including a tensioning mechanism configured to draw a portion of the covering material along the flow path while the covering material is received in the clipper mechanism to introduce a tensioning load to the covering material while the covering material is received in the clipper mechanism; d) wherein the apparatus is operative to rotate the clipper mechanism relative to the flow path onto the covering material to collect and receive the covering material in the slot, to thereafter operate the tensioning mechanism to draw a portion of the covering material along the flow path to introduce a tensioning load to the covering material while the covering material is received in the slot, and to thereafter operate the clipper mechanism to apply a clip to the covering material while the covering material is received in the slot.