Patent ID: 6158199
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
Apparatus for heat shrinking an envelope of heat shrinkable film into close conformity to an article enclosed within the film envelope comprising:means for providing hot air around said envelope of heat shrinkable film while air within said film envelope expands and insulates said film from said article as said film shrinks;means for conveying said article through said hot air providing means;means for controlling the size and shape of said film envelope, as said film envelope enclosing said article travels through said hot air on said conveying means, to manipulate said film from touching said article and slowing the exhaust of said air within said film envelope prior to said film shrinking around said article; andsaid film envelope controlling means comprises an assembly positioned within said apparatus a fixed predetermined distance away from said article, said assembly forming a fixed boundary to which said film envelope expands and is restricted, causing said air within said film envelope to be directed to areas around said article to keep said film from touching said article until said film shrinks.