US3264796A

US3264796A - Bag and band stretcher

Info

Publication number: US3264796A
Application number: US263340A
Authority: US
Inventors: Roman M Tomczak; Michael J Myles
Original assignee: Union Carbide Corp
Current assignee: Union Carbide Corp
Priority date: 1963-03-06
Filing date: 1963-03-06
Publication date: 1966-08-09
Anticipated expiration: 1983-08-09

Description

g- 9, 1956 R. M. ToMczAK ETAL 3,264,796

BAG AND BAND STRETCHER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 6, 1963 g- 9, 1966 R. M. TOMCZAK ETAL 3,264,796

BAG AND BAND STRETCHER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 6, 1965 FIG.3

' 'wyyi fze 9, 1966 R. M. TOMCZAK ETAL 3,264,796

BAG AND BAND STRETGHER Filed March 6, 1963 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 9, 1966 R. M. ToMczAK ETAL 3,264,796

' BAG AND BAND STRETCHER Filed March 6, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS.

RDMAN M. TOMCZAK dMfiAEL JIMILES BY 1 v.

ATTO EY United States Patent 3,264,796 BAG AND BAND STRETCHER Roman M. Tomczak, Willow Springs, and Michael J. Myles, Downers Grove, Ill., assignors to Union Carbide Corporation, a corporation of New York Filed Mar. 6, 1963, Ser. No. 263,340 16 Claims. (Cl. 53-261) This invention relates to the art of packaging items in bags, bands or sleeves of flexible film. More particularly this invention relates to an apparatus which is portable, rugged, and simple to adjust, safe and easily operable to package within flexible film bags or sleeves, a wide variety of items of similar or varying shapes.

Many tood items such as meat food products, -fo-wl, poultry or fish, in the whole, sliced or cut up state, have been packaged in flexible film bags. The packaging by handing with bands or sleeves of flexible film, of fruit items such as loose or hands of bananas; and produce items such as celery, asparagus and the like, is a relatively new art and requires an economical, easily operable device to open the flexible band or sleeve for ready insertion of the item therein and easy removal of the enveloped item from the stretching passage.

It is becoming increasingly important economically, to

package produce such as onions, carrots, lettuce, etc. in

the fields where it is grown, by using field Ihands stationed on mobile rigs wherein the produce is picked, cleaned, bunched and banded. Exemplar of fruit packaging, it is desirable to collect stalks of bananas at plantation stations where hands or clumps of bananas are selectively Out from the stalks, cleaned, and by the apparatus of this invention, packaged into flexible film sleeves. Also, a plurality of single pieces of banana fruit may be assembled into a compact bunch within the 'walls of a jig of predetermined size and contour, and in combination with the apparatus of this invention, transferredinto an overwrap sleeve of stretched elastic film. Thus, normally unsaleablc single bananas, can be upgraded into an attractive, saleable packaged item.

Such produce field and plantation packaging operations are conducted under conditions where labor is cheap and unskilled and where power sources such as compressed air or electricity are not readily available. Preferably such operations require a simple, rugged band or sleeve stretcher that may be operated manually and is readily portable for mounting and dismounting at primitive work stations.

Prior art apparatus for stretching flexible bags or sleeves used power means such as pneumatic or hydraulically activated pressure cylinders, or motor-operated gear and rack motions that served to advance and re-. turn interchangeable projecting fingers comprising a stretching passage. Consequently, for the safety of operators manipulating the bags and food items onto and from the stretching passage, it was necessary that the return power stroke contracting the stretching passage, be accomplished by means wherein the machine operator could not be harmed. Safety required that prior art apparatus have relatively complicated spring release or pressure relief means controlling the return stroke. Operation of such machines required accessory pressure regulating and contnol means and a regular program of lubrication and maintenance.

It is an object of this invention to provide a packaging apparatus that is portable, safe and simple to operate and adjust.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a packaging apparatus for enveloping unit items or groups of items in flexible film bags, bands or sleeves, that permits readily opening the bag about a finger-formed 3,264,796 Patented August 9, 1966 passage, inserting the items in the passage, contracting the passage and concomitantly removing the items and enveloping film (from the passage.

Another object of this invention is to provide a portable, foot-operated stretching apparatus for opening the Walls of elastic film bags, bands or sleeves; having means to expand a passage comprised of parallel mounted interchangeable fingers, means to limit the passage expansion to a predetermined perimeter and means to contract the passage at a predetermined constant force.

Other and additional objects will become apparent from the following description ofthe invention taken together with the accompanying drawings.

This invention enables an operator to readily sheath on to a contracted finger-formed passage a flexible film bag or sleeve of a perimeter smaller than that of an item or items to be packaged; then to open by expanding the passage and sleeve to a predetermined larger perimeter to readily insert the items therein; and concomitantly contract the passage and remove the items and enveloping film overwrap from the fingers.

The invention is particularly adapted to flexible film bag, band or sleeve packaging of items where power means such as compressed air or electricity is unavailable and labor is not costly. A wide variety of items such as meat foods, produce, fruits and the like may be readily inserted in elastic film bags by the apparatus of this invention, to yield packaged articles wherein the items are tightly grasped by and snugly conformed with the bags walls.

According to the present invention a flexible film bag or sleeve whose normal unstretched perimeter is smaller than the perimeter of the item(s) to be overwrapped is elastically, circumferentially stretched along its length by a manually expandable stretching passage to a larger perimeter than that of the item(s). The film sleeve is maintained in such circumferentially stretched state while the items are inserted therein in a preferred posit-ion, whereupon the stretching force is released and the stretching passage is retracted to release the sleeve, and permit the sleeve-overwrapped items to be removed from the partially contracted passage.

The stretching passage is comprised of interchangeable extended fingers, horizontally mounted on a fixed bead pedestal and a slide post of the apparatus of this invention. The finger means comprising the lower portions of the stretching passage are fastened onto sockets formed as extensions of the base portions of the head pedestal and slide post. The finger means comprising the upper portion of the stretching passage are preset to a predetermined vertical dimension by pin fastening the fingers into clamping brackets slidably adjustable on upright tongue portions extended from the bases of the head pedestal and slide post.

The slide post is slidably mounted on a horizontal, rigid strut member that has terminal portions adaptedto fasten and rigidly connect the head pedestal to a surface mounted tail pedestal. The slide post is moved along the strut member distally from the head pedestal by means of a foot-operated treadle, cable and pulley arrangement. The foot treadle is fastened to an adjustable length connecting rod that is secured to one end of a flexible rope or cable arranged to depend from a grooved pulley sheave mounted adjacent the front surface of the head pedestal. The other end of the cable is passed about a sheave mounted in the tail pedestal and secured to the slide post. The means by which the cable is rigged about supplementary grooved sheaves mounted on the head pedestal, tail pedestal and slide post, may by appropriate choice, be varied to provide a pulley tackle arrangement of a one-to-one, or a one-totwo, or a one-to-three power to stretching force ratio, to

thereby obtain a bag stretching force equalto or greater than the power on the foot treadle.-

An additional feature of the apparatus isthe means for 1 providing a desired ratio of distal horizontal-movement of the stretchingfingers on the slide' post, to the vertical foot treadle movement. Preselected ratios of one-to-one, one-to-two, one-to-three'or more of thezrope and sheave means are readily accommodated on the apparatus elements to provide equivalent mechanical advantagein stretching force.

When the slide post is moved distally from theheadpede'stal, the perimeter of the finger-formedpassage: is, expanded. The distal motion of the slide post is arrested .1

for maximum travel at a predetermined expanded position by its abutment with anend bumper of an adjustable stop rod mounted on the tail pedestal.

A constant-force coil spring fastened on to the; head pedestal has its free end secured to the slideipost. Tension:

is exertedbetween the head pedestalzand the slide post by the connecting constant-force spring, urging the slide post to return, thereby contracting .theqfinger-formed passage to its fully retracted (proximal) position when .the treadle pressure is-released. Thus another important feature of .the invention is the means providing a predetermined uniform contracting force to return .the slide postto the head pedestal, at a rate that is safe for the operator..

A -more complete understanding of the present invention, its mode of operation and its advantages maybe gathered by the accompanying drawings showing. construction details of a typical apparatus embodying this invention and wherein:

FIGURE I is a perspective of one embodiment of an apparatus of the invention shown in partly expanded v,con-. dition with a flexible film'sleeve in place on the stretching fingers (the sleeve and fingers are. shown in .dotted lines).

FIGURE 2 is'a top plan view of the apparatus showing the slideblock in sleeve expanded position with a flexible FIGURE 4 is a partial fragmentary sectional view taken along line 44 of FIGUREsZ.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view takenalong line ,55

of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken along line. 6-6 of FIGURE 4. 7

FIGURE 7 is a sectional View taken along line 7 7 of numerals designate like parts, there is shown a preferred i embodiment of the apparatusin a partly expanded position with. a phantom showing of a finger-formed.stretching. passage and a film sleeve partly stretched thereon. The

apparatus has a head pedestal generally designated as 4 that isrigidly connected to a tail pedestal generally designatedas6 by a rigid strut member comprised of a pair of

slide rods

10, 10.

Slide rods-10, 10: are adapted to slidably mount a slide postgenerally designated ass8, and concomitantly conjoin head pedestal 4 and tail pedestal 6 in spaced, rigid, surface, I

mounting alignmentthereby providing a portable'selfcontained stretching device that may be readily mounted by bolting or clamping on to indiscriminate work surfaces.-

Slide post -8 is adapted to slide to and from head I 4 pedestal 4 on slide: rods 10, being distally arrested by abutment with 'an adjustable stop 92 fastened in tail pedestal 6;

A foot treadle assembly generally designated as 12 is secured toone end=of. .a rope :52 depending from-head pedestal 14 and ledgabout agrooved' sheaves in a tackle arrangement later described, adapted to translate a vertical force applied by an operators foot on treadleassernblyi 12 to a horizontal force urging slideipost 8 along. slide rods- 10,:107 distally from head pedestal 4. Upon removal of the vertical force, slide post'8 isreturned to head pedestal 4 by constant-force spring means later described.

R'efer'now to, FIGURES 2 and :3. A'flexible filmsleeve 13iis shown expanded 'on azpassage 15 formed by a set of four stretchingfingers secured on the apparatus of the. invention. i. A lower finger 14and averticallyr adjustablei upper finger 16 are secured to the: movable slide 'post 8.' A lower finger 14'- and vertically-adjustable upper finger 16i aresecured to the fixed head pedestal 4. A flexible film'sleeve 13is sheathed onto the stretching passage 15 in itszretracted position when slide post 8 {is returned to head pedestal 4. The slide =post 8 is moved horizontally, distally by foot treadle 12 motion to expand thefinger-x, for-med stretching passage 15 and thereby sleeve :13, perw mitting the: :items to be packaged tobe placed in'the passagewand concomitantly as. the; foot treadle? force, :is; released to remove the film overwrapped items.

Refer'additionally to FIGURES. .4 and 7. The apparatus head jpedestal;4 is a metal casting that is provided 1 with a flat bottom mounting surface 18 and a pair of par-tallel.shoulder bracketslti extended from its base portion. The shoulder brackets 20 form a socket-with aligned holes '21. that cooperate to pin secure therein a mounting tongue block 116integral with fixedqlower. stretching finger 14 f as shown .in FIGURE 3. v.Theghead pedestal has .exa 1 tended-from its base a vertically upright projecting tongue POI'tiOIlQZEhEtVlIlg parallel. slide surfaces 23 for mount ing bracket 104' shown' in FIGURE 8; Acored'horizom. i

talpassage '24 is positioned in the baseof :thehead pedestal for. mountingtherein, asalaterndescribed, a grooved wire' rope sheave, a constant-force: coil spring, and passing therethrough' flexible wire ;,rope' means.- The head.pedestal 4 has in its base portion"symmetrically,.widely spaced about its center line, horizontal parallel bores 26 :and 26 adapted to rigidlysecure, therein one-end (head end) of a rigid strut :comprised of parallel=spaced= slide rods10 and 107 secured thereto through .base surface 18 thread-i ably by set screws'28.

Refer additionally'to FIGURESIZ and 5. The appa-- ratus tail pedestal 6118 a meta l casting that is provided witha flat bottom" mounting surface32janda cored her-- iz'ontal passage 34 for mounting thereima grooved wire; rope sheave means later described Tail pedestal. 6 has in its base portion,'symmetrically, widely spaced about its center line; horizontal parallel zbores36 and 36'! of the same centerato-center distance asabores26 and 26 in head pedestal 4 and adapted to rigidly secure therein the other end (tail end) of a rigidstrutcomprised of

slide rods

10 and 10 secured thereto through base surfacefilthreadably by set: screws 38. An elongate stop rod 92 is slideably mountedlin ftailpedestal 6 tpar alleljto slide. rods 10 t and 10', and. is provided with a pluralityiof aligned spacedv dimples 94 thatcooperate with detent plunger 98.- Detent plunger 98 :has a knob 100 and a coil spring: 102 arranged to engage and-maintain plunger98' in contact with a dim plei 94 7 thereby permitting ,easy adjustment of stop rod 92 at one of a plurality of predetermined positions; The motion of slide post 8 :toward tail pedestal 6 is' arrested at a predetermined positiomby engagement of base 41 (FIGURES:2,'3) with; cushion=-96=on theiend of stop 10"; the slide .posts motion concomitantly comprises the framing means securing head pedestal 4 and tail pedestal 6, and provides bearing surfaces for slide post 8 that resist the bending stresses remotely eccentrically applied on the apparatus by forces expanding passage 15 and d-istending the walls of film sleeve 13.

Refer additionally to FIGURE 6. The apparatus slide post 8 is a metal casting that is provided with an extended base portion 41. Slide post 8 has as an extension of its base portion 41 a pair of parallel shoulder brackets 46 forming a socket with aligned holes 47 that cooperate to pin secure therein a mounting tongue block 116 integral with moveable lower stretching finger 14 as shown in FIGURE 3. Base portion 41 also has extended therefrom a vertically upright projecting tongue portion 48 having parallel slide surfaces 49 similar to head pedestal tongue 22, for mounting upper stretching finger bracket 104; and in the base has a machined horizontal passage 43 for mounting therein as later described, a grooved wire rope sheave. symmetrically, widely spaced about the base 41 centerline, are parallel bores 42 and 42' into the ends of which are secured as by press-fitting, slide rod bushing 44 and 44'. The parallel bores 42, 42' are of the same center-to-center distance as

bores

26, 26 of head pedestal 4 shown in FIGURE 7, and bores 36, 36' of tail pedestal 6 shown in FIGURE 5.

Bushings

44, 44 may be bronze, sintered powdered metal, plastic, ball race, or the like bearing means which provide a minimum of friction to sliding and binding on the struts slide surfaces under remotely, eccentrically applied stretching forces.

Refer now to FIGURES 8 and 9 that illustrate in exploded perspective, the means for adjustably mounting a typical upper stretching finger 16 onto slide surfaces 49 of tongue 48 integral with slide post 8, and a typical upper finger 16 onto slide surf-aces 23 of tongue 22 integral with head pedestal 4. Bracket 104 has a groove 106 to slidably engage

slide surfaces

49 or 23 and has oppositely extending, a pair of parallel shoulder brackets 108 that form a socket with aligned holes 110. Holes 110 cooperate to secure therein by pin 118, a bored mounting tongue block 112 that is integrally welded to typical left hand stretching finger 16, or to typical right hand stretching finger 16. A knurled thumb screw 114 is threadably mounted in the wall of bracket 184 to secure bracket 104 on an edge wall of tongue 48 at a predetermined position defining one of the upper limits of the stretching passage. A similar bracket 104 is used to secure right hand stretching finger 16 to a predetermined position on tongue portion 22 of head pedestal 4.

Refer to FIGURE 10 wherein is shown a typical lower left hand stretching finger 14 with a bored mounting tongue block 116 integrally welded thereto. The mounting block of finger 14 is secured in the socket formed by brackets 46 of slide post 8, by inserting pin 118through aligned holes 47 and the bore of the mounting block. Similarly, typical lower right stretching finger 14' is secured into the socket formed by brackets 20 of head pedestal 4.

Refer now to FIGURES l and 4 wherein is shown at head pedestal 4 a flexible rope 52 such as -inch diameter 7 strand by 7 wire, stainless steel wire rope, vertically depending from a sheave 68 mounted to protrude from the front surface of passage 24. A first end of rope 52 is affixed to wire rope fitting 74 and thereby secured to rod 76. The lower end of rod 76 is affixed as by welding to adjustment block 80 that is bored in parallel alignment with rod 76, to slidably receive lower extension rod 78. Rod 78 is aflixed by a hooked end fastening to a foot treadle 84. Adjustment block 80 has threadably mounted therein a thumb screw 82, to adjustably engage and secure rod 78 and attached treadle 84 thereto at a preferred vertical position such as about 10 to 15 inches above the floor.

The second end of wire rope 52 is fastened to tail pedestal 6 by wire rope fitting clevis 54. Clevis 54 is rotatably mounted in passage 34, in common with grooved tail pedestal sheave 56, on shouldered shaft 60 that is threadably secured in tail pedestal 6. From clevis 54, rope 52 is passed into slide post passage 43 and about grooved sheave 62. Sheave 62 is rotatably mounted in passage 43 on shouldered shaft 63 that is threadably secured in the base 41 of slide post 8. From sheave 62, rope 52 is returned to tail pedestal 6 and passed about sheave 56 and thence through slide post passage 43 to and through head pedestal passage 24 to grooved sheave 68;. Sheave 68 is rotatably mounted protruding from the front face of passage 24, on shouldered shaft 69 that is threadably secured in the base portion of head pedestal 4. Rope 52 is passed about sheave 68 to connect its first end vertically with foot treadle assembly 12.

Rope 52 is maintained in the groove of tail pedestal sheave 56 by curved surface guard 58 appropriately extended from the passage rearwardly and fastened to the rear wall of tail pedestal 6. Rope 52 is maintained in the groove of slide post pulley 62 'by a curved surface guard 64. Guard 64 and free end 72 of constant-force tension spring means later described are fastened in pre-assembly, centrally on to spacer plate 66. In final assembly, on slide post 8, spacer plate 66 that is adapted to span passage 43, is end secured to base 41 by suitable screw fastenings not shown. Spacer plate 66 has a lipped extension 67 that serves as a stop to abut the rear surface of head pedestal 4 when slide post 8 is returned proximally to the head pedestal, thereby arresting slide post 8 and spacing the stretching

fingers

16, 16 apart in their retracted position.

A constant-force tension coil spring 78 is rotatably centrally mounted in the rear end of head pedestal passage 24. In one embodiment a commercial constant-force spring of stainless steel, A-inch outside diameter by inch wide, is used in the apparatus to provide a six-pound force constantly throughout the length of its uncoiling or coiling. The free end 72 of coil spring 70 is centrally fastened to spacer plate 66 secured to base 41 of slide post 8, and is tensioned to urge slide post 8 proximally toward head pedestal 4 with a constant force of six pounds until arrested by stop 67.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 4, the sheaves and rope are rigged on the apparatus pedestals 4 and 6, and the slide post 8, in a tackle arrangement that provides a one-to-two mechanical advantage for the manually applied stretching force. For example, when a force such as about ten pounds is vertically supplied by the operator onto foot treadle assembly 12, a stretching force of about twenty pounds is provided between the

moveable stretching fingers

14, 16 and stationary stretching fingers 14', 16 to stretch flexible film sleeve 13 to a predetermined perimeter.

In another embodiment contemplated in this invention, the sheaves and rope are rigged on the apparatus in a tackle arrangement to provide a one-to-one ratio between the applied force on foot threadle 84 and the stretching force on the moveable fingers. In such an arrangement, the second end of rope 52 is secured to slide post 8 and passed about first grooved sheave 56 in tail pedestal 6, and returned through slide post passage 43 to and through head pedestal passage 24 and about second grooved sheave 68 to connect the ropes first end vertically with foot treadle assembly 12.

In FIGURE 11, another embodiment of this invention is illustrated wherein, the sheaves and rope are rigged on the apparatus in a tackle arrangement to provide a one-tothree ratio between the applied force on foot treadle 84 (FIGURE 1) and the stretching force on the moveable fingers. In the tackle arrangement shown in FIGURE 11, the second end of rope 52 is secured to slide post 8 and passed to and about first grooved sheave 56 in tail pedestal 6, then returned to and about second grooved sheave 62 in slide post 8, then returned to and about a third grooved sheave 56a independently rotatable and commonly mounted with first'sheave 56 :on shaft 60 in tail pedestal 6,.then returned through slide post passage;43. to and through head pedestal passage 24' to and about fourth grooved sheave 68 to connect the ropes first end vertically with foot treadle assembly 12 (FIGURE 1).

The strut members that secure the apparatus pedestals, and slide post preferably are the parallel'cylindrical members and 10 described supra, howevenother means to accomplish their purpose can be used. For example, a

single member or a plurality of members of similar or differing shapes may be used. It is obvious that the shape 85 and length to conform to the bulkedshape of the items'tov be packaged.

The following is an :illustrative example of, a method of packaging pieces of banana fruittinto a durable sleeveand disposition of the members comprising the struts can be varied provided that the required features of the ap--:

paratus functions are met; such as a strut or struts, or a prop or props of a cross-section and spacing to'provide adequate rigidity to resist torsional andbending stresses and maintain the head pedestal and tail pedestal in spaced alignment; and to provide bearing surfaces that permit the slide postto be readily moveable and positioned for expanding the finger-formed passage. and-concomitantly re-- sist the reaction of the stretching forces imposed on the stretching fingers by the action of opening a flexible! film bag.

The preferred embodiment provides an adjustable stop rod-92 in tail pedestal6 to abut slide post 8. A prede-- termined adjustment of rod 92 when using bags of elastic or shrinkable films, limits the slide post motion and thereby the perimeter of the. expanded finger-formed passage- 15, to a dimension slightly larger than the perimeter of the items to be packaged. If such limitation on passage 15 expansion is not provided, the operator may through inattention or negligence expandthe sleeve 13 to a greater perimeter than desired and split the sleeve. Also, without the use of an abuting stop as a gauge, passage 15 may,

through operator fatigue, not be expanded. sufllciently initially/to insert the items therein. However, to arrest slide post 8 motion when using su-bstantiallyinelastim sleeves, or sleeves and items of varying size, it may; be desirable to use the apparatus without stop rod.92for stop means other than a treadle force sufficient to fully open the sleeve.

In another embodiment contemplated in this invention, slide post 8 motion may also be limited to provide a desired passage 15 perimeter by adjusting the height of treadle 84 so that it is limited in its downward movement by abutting with the floor or a block of proper height.

For portability and ease of operation, it is preferred .to.

use a constant-force tension spring 70 to urge the slide post 8 toward head pedestal 4 and thereby return the finger-formed passage to contracted position. However, any force means that provides safe operation of the C011. tracting finger-formed passage may be used. For example, a counterbalance such as a Weight of about4 to: 8 Y

pounds can be rope fastened to the slide post 8; led

througha supplementary sheave in the head pedestal 4 v to depend therefrom insidea tubular guard member.

In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 3,.the projecting passage 15 is formed of four block-mounted mating 1 fingers. The stationary fingers: 14', 16comprise a stationary stretching platen mounted on head pedestal .4. The

moveable fingers

14, 16 comprise a moveable stretch:

ing platen mounted on slide post 8. When the slide post 8 is moved distally from head pedestal 4, the moveable and stationary stretching .platens cooperate to open. a flexible bag sheathed thereon.

In another embodiment contemplated in this invention,

thestationary and moveable stretching platens may each be made as a block-mounted unit platen comprised of edges and a mounting block. In yet another embodiment contemplated, the stretching platens may be comprised a metal plate of a width slightly greater than the height of the items to be packaged and having :curved side of mating curved fingers; of similar or dissimilar radii .75

' overwrapped bunch;using the. preferred embodiment 'of the apparatus of this invention. Six single bananas are,

assembled curved side down, vinto a compact. bunch of two-layers von a jig having a curvilinear bottom surface of about 3-inch radiusand 4 /2-inch width and having eccentrically attached thereto verticalrsidelwalls ofw'about Ahinch widthIand 4-inch height.

Stretching

fingers

14, 16"and 14', 16' that are typically made of 16 gauge stainless steelplate, l-inch radius=by.

An elastic, :seamless, pl-asticized polyvinyl. chohide film sleeve 13of, 5 /2-inch flat width'by .S-inch length, is

sheathed onto the ,contracted finger-formed passage-15f of the apparatus. The passage and sleeve are expanded i within the. elastic limits of -the film;as.theoperator de-.

presses foot treadle 84.

When the flexible sleeve is5expanded, the bananas are manually transported. as a compact:bunch and inserted T into the out-board end of sleeve 13 with their stalk ends. last, .and thestretching force-on foot treadle 84 isidimin:

ished, tension of coil spring-70 thereby urges slidei post 8 to return and sleeve 13 ,is released from the'fingers permitting the operator to concomitantly removethe bananas and enveloping sleeve.

promote ripening. of the fruit. Inthe finger-retracted position afresh sleeve of flexible film is sheathed .onto

thefinger formed passage and the cycle is repeated. As.

the bananas shrink from n'pe ning, 1116;61381110-816676 shrinks thereabout to maintain the durability of :the package- The bag, band or sleeve overwraps can be formed from The. invention; however, is not: restricted to overwraps made from seamless tubing but is seamless tubing.

equallyapplicable .to overwraps made from film having a longitudinal seamobtained ,by overlapping the films marginal edges, as well as overwraps made by sealing the edges of two superimposed film layers.

Bag or sleeve .oveiwraps made of films that are non-- elastic, ,elastic or heat-shrinkable;:as well as paper, metallic foils,.and net structures, unsupported and supported. films, can be opened by the apparatus of .thisinvention:

to readily insert thereinthe items to be packaged.

Examplessof filmsthat can be' used, are: plasticized.

polyvinyl chloride. films; synthetic rubber-films; cellulosic film; polyolefin films such as polyethylene and polypro pylene, and the like;:and also heat-shrinkable film wherein the product is'loosely enveloped therein :and in-a subsequent step :is subjected to heat thereby to shrink the film snugly about the product items.-

Since it is obviousthat various changes. andmodifica tions may be made in the above description Without departing from the nature ,or spirit thereof, this invention 7 tis not restricted thereto except as set; forth in the :-ap-' pended claims.

Whatis claimed is: V 1. Ina portable packaging apparatus having stretching platens forming a projecting passage for opening flattened flexible, film tubing, .the combination rOf:

(a) a head pedestal, apassaged base portion -in-said head pedestal, means in said base portion forsecuring one end .of a strut, and means 'on'said head,

pedestal for mountingastretching platen;

(b) a tail pedestal, a passaged base portion in said The elastic film sleeve shrinksdown about. the bananas leaving open ends to i 9 tail pedestal, and means in said base portion for securing one end of a strut;

(c) a rigid strut member secured to the head pedestal and to the tail pedestal, said strut member having a bearing surface intermediate said pedestals;

(d) a slide post moveably secured to and adapted to move on the strut member bearing surface, said slide post having a passaged base portion, and means on said slide post for mounting a stretching platen;

(e) a treadle and cooperating cable and pulley means to move the slide post on the strut bearing surface to and from the head pedestal.

2. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein the strut member is comprised of an elongated stiff prop rigidly terminally secured to said head pedestal and to said tail pedestal, said prop having a plurality of bearing surfaces; and wherein said slide post is moveably secured to and adapted to moveably engage an intermediate portion of the length of said prop bearing surfaces.

3. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein the strut member is comprised of a plurality of parallel substantially stifi elongated props having end portions rigidly secured to said head pedestal and to said tail pedestal, said props each having at least one bearing surface; and said slide post is moveably secured to and adapted to moveably engage an intermediate portion of the length of each of said props bearing surfaces.

4. The apparatus in claim *1 wherein the strut is comprised of two parallel substantially stiff elongated props having terminal portions rigidly secured to the head pedestal and to the tail pedestal, said props each having at least two bearing surfaces; and said slide post is moveably secured to and adapted to moveably engage an intermediate portion of the length of each of said props bearing surfaces.

5. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein the strut member is comprised of a plurality of elongated cylindrical props having terminal-portions rigidly secured in parallel relationship to said head pedestal and to said tail pedestal; and said slide post is moveably secured to and adapted to moveably engage an intermediate portion of the length of said props bearing surfaces.

6. In a portable packaging apparatus having stretching platens forming a projecting passage for opening flattened flexible film tubing, the combination of:

(a) a head pedestal having a mounting surface, a passaged base portion in said head pedestal, said base portion being adapted to rigidly secure therein one end of a strut, and a tongue adapted to mount a stretching platen;

(b) a tail pedestal having a mounting surface, a passaged base portion in said tail pedestal, said base portion being adapted to rigidly secure therein one end of a strut;

(c) a rigid strut member rigidly terminally secured to the head pedestal and to the tail pedestal, said strut member having a bearing surface intermediate said pedestals;

(d) a slide post having a passaged base portion and a tongue adapted to mount a stretching platen, said base portion being slidably secured to and adapted to move on said strut bearing surface;

(e) a treadle and cooperating cable and pulley means remotely applied to urge said slide post to move on said strut member bearing surface distally from the head pedestal;

(f) means to arrest the movement of the slide post at a predetermined position on said strut member bearing surface;

g) tension means to urge the slide post toward the head pedestal;

(h) stretching platen mounting means adapted to adjustably secure a stretching platen to said head pedestal tongue and to secure a stretching platen to said slide post tongue.

7. In a packing apparatus adapted for mounting stretching fingers, the combination of:

(a) a head pedestal having a mounting surface in a base portion, a horizontal passage in said base portion, a rotatable sheave and a constant-tension member secured in said passage, said base portion adapted to rigidly secure therein a strut member, and means to secure stretching fingers on said head pedestal;

(b) a tail pedestal having a mounting surface in a base portion, a horizontal passage in said base portion, a rotatable sheave secured in said passage, said base portion adapted to rigidly secure therein a strut member, a bore in said base portion, and secured in said bore a stop rod projecting from the proximal wall of said tail pedestal;

(c) a rigid strut member having parallel bearing surfaces and terminal portions rigidly secured to said head pedestal and to said tail pedestal, said strut member spacing said pedestals apart;

((1) a slide post having a base portion with a horizontal passage, a rotatable sheave secured in said passage, one end of said constant-tension member secured in said passage, said base portion being moveably secured on said struts bearing surfaces, and means to secure stretching fingers on said head pedestal.

(e) a treadle secured to .a first terminus of a rope depending from said head pedestal sheave, the ropes second terminus secured to said slide post base por tion, the ropes intermediate length being led through and about said head pedestal sheave and tail pedestal sheave.

8. In a packaging apparatus having stretching fingers forming a projecting passage for opening flattened flexible film tubing, the combination of:

(a) a head pedestal having a mounting surface in a base portion, a horizontal passage in said base portion, a rotatable sheave and a constant-tension member secured in said passage, said base portion. adapted to rigidly secure therein a strut member, a socket mounted on said base portion, said socket adapted to secure a first stretching finger and an extended tongue portion adapted to secure a second stretching finger;

(c) a rigid strut member having parallel bearing surfaces and terminal portions rigidly secured to said head pedestal and to said tail pedestal, said strut member spacing said pedestals apart;.

(d) a slide post having a base portion with a horizontal passage, a rotatable sheave secured in said passage, one end of said constant-tension member secured in-said passage, said base portion being movably secured on said struts bearing surfaces, a socket mounted on said base portion, said socket adapted to secure a third stretching finger and an extended tongue portion adapted to secure a fourth stretching finger;

(e) a treadle secured to a first terminus of a rope depending from said head pedestal sheave, the ropes second terminus secured to said slide post base portion, the ropes intermediate length being led through and about said head pedestal sheave and tail pedestal sheave.

9. The apparatus in claim 8 wherein the strut member is comprised of an elongated stiff prop rigidly terminally secured to said head pedestal and tosaid tail pedestal, said prop having a plurality of bearing surfaces; and wherein said slide post is moveably secured to and adapted .to moveably engage an intermediateportion of the length of said prop bearing surfaces.

The apparatus in claim 8 wherein the strut memher is comprised of a plurality of parallelsubstantially said props bearing surfaces.

11. The apparatus in claim 8 wherein the strut is comprised of two parallel substantially stifi elongated props having terminal portions rigidly secured to the head pede'st tal and to the tail pedestal, said props each having'at least two bearing sur-faces;-and said slide post is moveably secured to and adapted to moveably engage an iintermediate portion of the length of eachof said ing surfaces.

12. The apparatus in claim 8 wherein the strut member .is comprised of a plurality of elongated cylindrical props having terminal portions rigidly secured in parallel props-bearrelationship to said head pedestal and to said tail pedestal;

and said slide post is moveably securedjto and adapted to moveably engage anintermediate portion of the length of said props bearing surfaces.

13. In a packaging apparatus having stretching fingers forming a projecting passage for opening flattened flexible film tubing, the combination of:

(a) a head pedestal having a base portion withi a flat bottom surface, a horizontal passage-in said base portion having mounted thereina rotatable sheave and a constant-tension spring member, said base portion adapted to rigidly secure therein arigid strut member, a socket projecting from said base portion, said socket adapted to secure a first stretching finger and an extended upright tongue portion adapted to secure a secondstretching finger; (-b) a tail pedestal having a base portion with a flat bottom surface, a horizontal passage in said base portionhaving rotatably mounted therein a sheave,

said base portion adapted to rigidlyjsecure therein a rigid strut member, and a bore spacedfromisaidpassage, and secured in said bore a stop rod project-3 ing from the proximal wall of said tail pedestal; (c) a rigid strut member having parallelbearing surfaces and terminal portions rigidly secured-to: said:

head pedestal and to saidtail pedestalspacing said pedestals apart in bottom surface alignment; ((1) a slide post having a base portion witha horizontal passage having rotatablymounted therein a sheave. and secured therein one end of-said spring member,

said base portion being moveably secured on said struts bearing surfaces, a socket projecting from said base portion, said socket adapted to secure a third stretchingfinger and an extended upright tongue por-. tion adapted to secure a fourth stretching finger; (e) a treadle secured to. a first terminus of a rope depending from said head pedestal sheave, ,saidropes second terminus secured to said slide post base portion, the ropes intermediate length being led through and about said head pedestal sheave and tail pedestal sheave.

14. In a packaging apparatus ahaving demountable (a) a head pedestal having a base portion With aflat bottom surface, a horizontal passage in said base;

portion having rotatably secured in said passage a sheave, and spaced fromsaid sheave rotatably, se-.

cured in said passage a constant-tension coil spring,

said base portion adapted to rigidly secure therein a' terminal part of a rigid strut member, a socket proing block and an extended .upright tongue portion adapted to a'djustablysecure asecond stretching, finger mounting bracket;

(b) a tail pedestal having a base portion'with a flat bottom'surface, a horizontal passageinisaid base portioni-having rotatablyf securedin said passage a sheave, said base portion adapted to rigidly ecure therein a terminal partiof'a rigid strut member," and a;bore spacedfrom said passage, said bore having means toslidably adjustably secure therein a stop rod projecting from the proximal wall of saidtail pedestal; 1

(c) a rigid strut member comprised of tWo elongated rods having cylindrical bearing surfaces, said rods having terminal ,portion-srigidly secured. to said head pedestal, and to said tail pedestal, isaid' rods spaced in parallel relationship and spacing said pedestals apart in bottom surface alignment; 7 p

((1) a slide post having abase portion With'a horizontal passage having rotatably secured in said passage a sheave and spaced from said'sheave one end of said coil spring secured in'said passage, said base portion being moveably secured ,onsaid struts bearing surfaces, a socket'adapted to demountably secure a third stretching finger mounting block and an-extended uprighttongue-porti'on adapted to adjustably secure a fourth stretching fingenmounting bracket;

(e) a treadle secured to a first terminus of a rope depending from said head. pedestal sheave, said ropes second terminus secured to'said slide post base portion, the ropes intermediatelengthbing led through and about'said head pedestalsheave and tail pedestal sheaveywhereby tension in the rope urges the sliderpost distally. from the head 'pedestalalong the struts bearing surfaces; (f) grooved brackets adapted to secure stretching finger mounting blocks thereto and adjustablysecured to said tongue portions of said head pedestal and ofsaid slide post. 15., Theaapparatus in claim 14Mwherein theatreadle is secured to a first terminus ofa ropedepending from said 2 head pedestal sheave,said ropes'second terminus secured a to said vtail pedestal base portion, the ropes intermediate length being ledthrough and about said sheave mounted in' said head. pedestal, 'IhBDCfizhOl'lZOIlIElllY through said slide post passage to and about said' sheave-mountedin said tail pedestal passage, thence returned to and about,

first terminus of a rope depending from said head pedestal.

sheave, said ropes second terminus secured to said slide post base portion, the ropes intermediate: length being led through and about said sheave mounted insaid head pedestal, thence horizontally through said slide-postpasr sage to and about said first sheave monnted'in said tail pedestal, thence returned to. and: about said sheave mounted in said slide .post, thence returned to and about said second sheave mounted in said tail pedestals References Cited by therExamin'er UNIT ED; STATES PATENTS 2,884,328: 4/1959 I Johnson 53-'261 X FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner. P. H. POHL, Assistant Examiner.

"7/1957 i Smith 269- 244 X I

Claims

1. IN A PORTABLE PACKAGING APPARATUS HAVING STRETCHING PLATENS FORMING A PROJECTING PASSAGE FOR OPENING FLATTENED FLEXIBLE FILM TUBING, THE COMBINATION OF: (A) A HEAD PEDESTAL, A PASSAGED BASE PORTION IN SAID HEAD PEDESTAL, MEANS IN SAID BASE PORTION FOR SECURING ONE END OF A STRUT, AND MEANS ON SAID HEAD PEDESTAL FOR MOUNTING A STRETCHING PLATEN; (B) A TAIL PEDESTAL, A PASSAGED BASE PORTION IN SAID TAIL PEDESTAL, AND MEANS IN SAID BASE PORTION FOR SECURING ONE END OF A STRUT; (C) A RIGID STRUT MEMBER SECURED TO THE HEAD PEDESTAL AND TO THE TAIL PEDESTAL, SAID STRUT MEMBER HAVING A BEARING SURFACE INTERMEDIATE SAID PEDESTALS; (D) A SLIDE POST MOVEABLY SECURED TO AND ADAPTED TO MOVE ON THE STRUT MEMBER BEARING SURFACE, SAID SLIDE POST HAVING A PASSAGED BASE PORTION, AND MEANS ON SAID SLIDE POST FOR MOUNTING A STRETCHING PLATEN; (E) A TREADLE AND COOPERATING CABLE AND PULLEY MEANS TO MOVE THE SLIDE POST ON THE STRUT BEARING SURFACE TO AND FROM THE HEAD PEDESTAL.