Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1322846
The present invention generally relates to a cover
forming apparatus and method for forming a sheet of material about
an object to produce a cover for the object and, more
particularly, to a cover forming apparatus and method for
producing a cover for a flower pot type of object.
Summarv of the Invention
The invention provides a method for forming a sheet of
material about a pot-like ob~ect having an upper end, a lower end,
and an outer perlpheral surface, to produce a decorative cover
extendlng generally about the outer peripheral surface of the
object, said me~hod comprlsing the ~teps o~, providing a shee~ of
material; and pressing portions of the ~heet of material against
the outer peripheral surface of the ob~ect and adhesively
connectlng the shee~ of material to the outer peripheral surface
of the object with the ~heet of material extending generally about
the outer perlpheral surface o~ the objeat.
The present invention in another aspect pxovides a cover
forming apparatus for forming a ~heet of material about a pot-like
object having an upper end, a lower end and an outer peripheral
surface to produce a cover extending generally about the outer
peripheral surface of the object, comprising5 a cover former
having an object opening formed through a portion thereof adapted
to receive a portion of the object, the object opening being
shaped generally in ~he ~hape of the outer peripheral surface of
the object, the cover former having portions forming contactors,
the contactors being engagable with portions of the shee~ of
material and adapted for pressing the engaged portions of the
.
~228~
~heet of ma~erial agalns~ the outer peripheral surface o~ the
objact when the object and the sheet of material are passed
khrough the object opening.
~rief Description of the Drawlngs
Flgure 1 is a plan view of a cover former which is
con~truated in accordance with the pre~ent invent.ion.
~J
: . . ` ,: : ~:
;
.
13~28~6
Figure 2 is a slde elevational, partial sectional view
of a cover forming apparatus ~hich includes the cover former of
Figure 1 connecte.~ to a cover ~orming s~lpport assembly an~
showing a sheet o~ mat~rial and a f:lower pot (object) in a
position for ~orming the sheet o material about the Elower pot
(objec~) to pro~luce a decoLative ~lo~/er ~ot cover.
Figure 3 is a vie~ similaL to Figure 2, but showing the
flower pot (object) and the sheet of material disposed in a
portion o the cover forming apparatus during the use of the
cover forming apparatus.
Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of a flower pot
(object) with a decorative cover disposed thereahout formed
utilizing the cover forming apparatus shown in Figures 1 2, and
3.
lS Figure 5 is a plan view of a modified cover forming
apparatus.
Figure 6 is a side elevational, partial sectional view
showing the modifled cover forming apparatus of Figure 5 in a
position for forming a sheet of material about a flower pot
(object).
Figure 7 is a plan view, partial sectional view of
another modified cover forming apparatus.
Figure B is a plan view, partial sectional view of yet
another modified cover forming apparatus.
Figure 9 is a plan view of a modified cover forming
apparatus.
:~
--3--
: - , ` . ` , ~ , ;
::
:
` ~3228ll6
Figure lO is a side elevational, partially sectional
view showing the modi~ie~ cover forming apparatus of Figure 9 and
showing a sheet of material and a flower pot (object) in a
positi~n for formin~3 the sheet o~ ~aterial about the flo~ler pot
(object).
Figul-e ll is a vie~ similar to Figure ln, hut xhowing
the Elower ~ot (o~)ject) ,Ind the sheet o~ material dispose~l in a
portion of the cover Eormlng appclratus during the use o~ the
cover ~orming apparatus~
Brief Description of the Preerred Embodiment
. . . _ .
In the florist and nursery industries, it is common to
cover flower pots containing potted plants with sheets of
material made of foil, paper, plastic films, and the like.
Flower pot covers not only decorate the potted plant, but also
serve several useful purposes. For example, covers made of
waterproof materials such as plastics and foil prevent leakage
from the bottom of the pot. Also, light reElective materials
insulate the soil within the pot against temperature increases
from overexposure to sunlight. Pot covers also serve to protect
the soil and, to some extent, the foliage, from cold air drafts
and sudden temperature changes. Further, pot covers may serve as
padding during shipment (especially useful with fragile clay
pots) and as a means for carrying the pots.
The cover forming apparatus of the present invention is
useful at all levels of the florist and nursery industry. The
--4--
: , . :
:: :
:
- ~ . . ; . :
l ~322g~
apparat~s may be used by retail florists to apply the cover at
the time of sale to the ultimate consumer. By maintaining an
inventory of several types of cover materials, the retail ~lorist
can select the choice of cover material, accordi~g to each
custome~'s individ-lal choice.
The t~holesa]ers arld gro~ers also will find the present
inventioll usef-ul ~o~ wra~ping potted plailts durinq storage and
shipment to supermarkets, variety stores and other retail outlets.
With regard to use of the present invention by t~holesalers and
growers, it should be noted that the apparatus of the present
invention easily may be adapted for use for mass production with
other devices in a pac.~aging line, such as conveyors, turntables,
holding and ~eeding jigs and cartoning equipment.
Shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 is a cover forming apparatus
10 which is constructed in accordance with the present invention.
The cover forming apparatus 10 is constructed and adapted to form
a sheet of material 12 about an object 14 to produce a cover 15
(shown in Figure 4) for the object 14. A sheet of material 12
and the object 14 in the form of a flower pot are shown in
Figures 2, 3, and 4 and a decorative cover 15 produced utilizing
the cover forming apparatus 10 is shown in Figure 4 operatively
associated with the flower pot (object) 14.
In one pieferred embodiment, the cover forming apparatuS
10 provides a relatively non-complex structure which may be
utilized to form the decorative cover 15 in a relatively simple,
economical and efficient manner. When utilized in this manner, a
--5--
' ' `' " " '
" ' ~ ' ' ' ''
` ~
' ~ ~
` '
'
13228~
plurality of sheets o~ material 12, or a roll of material from
which sheets can be cut, may be stored a~ the point o~ use and
the decorative cover 15 may be ~ormed one at a tlme upon request.
Thls eliminates the need to sto~e l~cge number~ o~ p~e-formed
decorative covers IS which are more dlfEicult to st.ore and occupy
more space than clo sheet:s or rolls of material. This provides an
ecollol~ic advant.age as ~ell, as pre-Eorllled decoratlve covers are
more expensive c~ue to labor costs.
The sheet of materlal 12 contemplated by the present
invention is constructed, or is of a construction, such that the
sheet of material 12 is formable about the object 14 to produce
the decorative cover 15 for the ob~ect 14. Materials suitable
for use with the apparatus of the present invention include
foils, such as aluminum foil, plastic films, cellophanes, papers
(waxed and unwaxed) and laminations of combinations of these.
In one embodiment, portions of the sheet of material 12
are brought into contacting engagement with the object 14 by the
cover forming apparatus 10 and the sheet of material 12 is of a
construction such that the portions of the sheet of material 12
so brought into contact with the object 14 are adhered to the
object 14, thereby forming a decorative cover 15 having portions
thereof adhesively connected to the object 1~.
In one other embodiment, the sheet of material 12 is
formable into shapes and the sheet of material 12 substantiallY
is settable (has sufficient strength to stand upright on its own)
so the sheet of material 12 substantially retains the shape so
--6--
... . . ...
, .. , . . ~ .
. , : . , . - .
....
~3228~
formed and, in this embodiment, portions of the sheet of material
12 may o~ may not be adhesivel~ connected to portions of the
object l~ depending on the clesires of a particular user, the
cover Eorming a~paratlls lO ~lulctioninq to set the s~eet: o~
material 12 in a predetermined orm About the object 1~l. It
shoukl be noted that the ~or:mable and settabLe materials
contemplated by tht? preserlt invelltion are described as being
substantially settable since such materials can be deformed from
the formed shape or, in other words, such materials are not
permanently set in a particular form.
The sheet of material 12 of the type contemplated by the
present invention, where portions of the sheet of material 12
are adhesively connected co the object 14 when the sheet of
material 12 is formed into the decorative cover 15, preferably is
selected from the group of materials consisting of plastic films,
foils, papers, ce~lophanes and combinations thereof. In this
instance, one side of the sheet of material 12 is coated with a
pressure sensitive adhesive of a type adapted to adhesively
connect portions of the sheet of material 12 to the object 14
when such portions of the sheet of material 12 are brought into
contact with the object 14 under sufficient pressure to effect
the adhesive connection at room temperatures.
In an alternate embodiment, the adhesive may be of the
type adapted to effect the adhesive connection when brought into
contact with the object 14 at elevated temperatures, the cover
forming apparatus 10 including means for applying heat (not
--7--
.
.
~, ' ,' :. ~ ' '
., : , .
':
. :: : .
'
~322~
shown) and press~lre to the portions of the sheet of material 12
to be adhesively connecte(l to the object in this last-mentioned
instance. In other embodiments, the adhesive may be applied to
the ob~ect 1~ or to the shee~ o~ mat~?ri~ nd the ohject 1~.
In still other embodl~ rlts, the adhesive is applied only to
jo~tions o~ the 3h~et ol material 1~ or the object 1~.
I~ shouLd be llo~e(1 that various types of adhesives may
be used. Suitable adhesives include those that adhere only to
similarly coated surfaces or to sur~aces coated with a substance
rece~tive to acceptance o~ the bond. In one embodiment, the sheet
of material 12 is coated witll a self-sticking adhesive. In this
instance, the sheet of material 12 is formed into a shape-sustain-
~ ing decorative cover 15 by the adherence o~ the inner surfaces of
; the folds created during use of the cover forming apparatus. A
cover formed in this manner easily could be removed from theflower pot (ob~ect) 14 without losing its shape. Although
contact adhesives are particularly desirable, other types of
adhesives also may be used. For example, adhesive may be
applied, such as by spraying, brushing and the like, to the sheet
of material 12, or to the object 14, or to both, immediately
prior to use of the apparatus 10.
The sheet of material 12 of the type contemplated by the
present invention, which is formable in predetermined shapes and
which is substantially settable so the formed sheet of material
12 substantially retains the shape so formed ~o form the
decorative cover 15, preferably is a material selected from the
--8
: ~, . ~ , , , . - , ;. : , ,: - ,
: I -. - :.: : :. `
:: : . ~ ' ~
:: : ', ~, : :` ':
' '
- 1~2~8~
group oE materials consisting of aluminum foil, waxed paper,
foil, plastic film, and combinations thereof. ~s mentioned
be~ore, in one embodiment, this formable sheet of material 12
inclucles a coatin~ o~ a pressure sensitive adhesive a~plied to
one side o~ the sheet o~ material 12 and, in this ins~ance, the
~ortlons o~ the sheet oE ma~erial 12 which are brouyht into
con~ac~ with ~he objecl~ l by the cover forming apparatus 10 are
aclhesively connec~ed to the ohject 1~. As mentioned beEore, the
adhesive may be of the type adapted to effect the adhesive
connection at room temperatures or at elevated temperatures
whichever may be desirable in a particular application.
Various types or constructions of sheets of material 12
are suitable for forming decorative covers 15 of the type
contemplat.ed hy the present invention are well known in the art
and various adhesives suitable for use with such sheets of
material 12 in the manner described before also are well known in
the art.
The cover forming apparatus 10 includes a cover former
16 which, in one preferred embodiment as shown in Figures 1, 2
and 3, is constructed of a strip of material connected end-to-end
to form a continuous strip of material having a generally
circular shapeO The strip of material is relatively thin having
a thic~ness 17 (shown in Figure 1) and the strip of material has
a relatively small width 19 (shown in Figure 2).
The cover former 16 or strip of material has a plurality
of circumferentially spaced apart contactors 18 formed thereon
_g_
-
, ::- . - . :.
, ~
.. , ~ ' ' ` :
132~
(only two of the contactors 1~ being designated in the drawings
by reference nume~al). The contactors 18 are positioned, shaped
and adapted to contact the sheet of material 12 and to bring the
contacted portions o~ the sheet o~ material 12 into engagement
~ith the object 1~, each contactor 18 applylng a pressure to
~ress the contacted portions Oe tlle sheeL~ of material 12 into
pressing engacjer~ t with wi~h o~ject 1~ during tne ~orming of the
decorative cover 15.
As shown more clearl.y in Figure 1, the cover former 16
more particularly includes a plurality of circumferentially
spaced apart arc-shaped portions 20 with each arc-shaped portion
20 having an outermost end 22 (only two of the arc-shaped
portions 20 and only two of the outermost ends 22 being
designated by reference numerals in the drawings). The portions
o each arc-shaped portion 20 generally near the outermost end 22
cooperate to form the contactors 18, the contactors 18 being the
portions of the arc-shaped portions 20 which contactingly engage
and press portions o~ the sheet of material 12 against the object
14 during the forming of the decorative cover 15.
A plurality of circumferentially spaced apart recessed
areas 24 are formed in the cover former 16 (only two of the
recessed areas 24 are designated by reference numerals in the
drawings). Each recessed area 24 is disposed generally between
two adjacent arc-shaped portions 20 or contactors 18 and each
recessed area 24 is shaped and adapted to accommodate a portion
of the sheet of material 12 during the forming of the decorative
,
- .
, ~ ~ : . : , ,
..
. . . ~ . . .
- ~322~4~
cover 15, the portions of the sheet of rnaterial 12 disposed in
the recessed areas 24 being spaced a distance away from the
object 1~ durin~ the forming of the deco~ative cover 15 for
reasons to be made more apparent below.
The outermost ends 22 o~ the arc-shaped ~rtLons ~0
cooperate to define a ~enerally ci~cularly shapecl object opening
~6 (sho~n in Figule 1) ~ormed throuc3h a central por~ion of the
cover Eormer 16. 'rhe object opening 26 is shaped and adapted to
receive ~he sheet of material 12 operativel~ associated with the
object 14 during the forming of the decorative cover 15, the
object o~ening 26 being shown in dashed-iines in Figure 1 for the
purpose of illustrating the object opening 26 and the positioning
of the outer end 22 portions. The outermost end 22 portions are
positioned and adapted to engage the sheet of material 12 and
press the sheet of material 12 into contact and against the
object 14 as the object 14 and the sheet of material 12 are
passed through the object opening 26 during the forming of the
decorative cover 15.
The strip of material forming the cover former 16 is
constructed of a resilient material with relatively high
elasticity and, particularly, the contactors 18 of the cover
former 16 are resilient, the contactors 18 per se each
coopera~ing to impart a resilient contacting action. Thus, the
contactors 18 are constructed and adapted so the outermost end 22
portions or, more particularly, the contactors 18 resiliently
~.
11 :
",, - -- . . . ~ ..................... -. . . ......... ~ .
: . . . . .
~3228~
contact the sheet of material 12 and press the sheet o m~terial
12 against the object 14 during the forming of the decorative
cover 15 the contactors 18 having the ability to be deormed to
some extent as the object 14 is passed throu~h tile object openina
26 for accommodating an object 1~1 having a varying diameter and
for resilientl.~ applying a Eorce to forcibly bring the sheet of
material ].2 int:o contact ~ith t:he objecl: 1~1 and yet resil.ientl~
return substantially ~o ~he same shape aEter the object 1~ has
been removed Eron~ the object opening 26.
It should be noted that the cover former 16 could be
constructed of a plurality oE circumferentially spaced apart
arc-shaped portions 20 connected to a cover forming support
assembly 28 (shown in Figures 2 and 3), if desired in a
particular application. In this embodiment, the cover former 16
is not constructed of a continuous strip of material; however,
each o the recessed areas 24 still are disposed between adjacent
pairs of contactors 18.
The cover forming apparatus 10 includes the cover
forming support assembly 28 tshown in Figures 1 and 2). The
cover forming support assembly 28 may be constructed of two
spaced apart elements forming an opening 29 therebetween or the
cover forming support assembly 28 may be formed of a single,
unitar~ element with the opening 29 formed through a portion
thereof.
The cover former 16 is disposed ia the opening 29 in the
cover forming support assembly 28 with the object opening 26 in
.... ~ . . ~ ................ . ~ .
~' ` ~ - '
.. . .
: . ~, .: .
~3228~
the cover former 16 being ali~ned ~ith the opening 29 in the
cover forming support assembly ~, the opening 29 being shaped
and adapted to accommodate the sheet of material 12 operatively
associated with the ohject l4 durin~ tlle forming o~ the
decorative cover lS. The cover Eormin~ support assembly 28
inclu~es a support surface 31 clnd the cover Eormer 16 is disposed
generally adjacent the support sur~ace 31. The cover Eorming
SUppoLt assembly 28 supports the cover ~ormer 16 in a position
wherein the object opening 26 is disposed in a substantially
horizontal plane.
As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the object 14 more
particularly is a flower pot having an outer peripheral surface
30, an upper end 32 and a lower end 34, a rim 36 portion being
formed at the upper end 32 portion. The diameter of the flower
pot object 14 is larger at the upper end 32 portion generally
below the rim 36, as compared to the smaller diameter of the
flower pot object 14 generally at the lower end 34, thereby
forming a generally frusto-conically shaped object 14. The
central portion of the flower pot object 14 is opened for
accommodating soil and a portion of a plant in a well known
manner.
In one preferred form the sheet of material 12 generally
has a square shape. J~owever, it is to be understood that various -
shapes of sheets of material may be employedO For example,
attractive covers may be formed using round and scalloped shaped
13
' . : ':, :' . '; ' : ' '
,
: ' ;
~3228~L~
sheets. Further, the shape of the outer borders of the sheet of
material 12 may be altere(~ be~ore or after the cover is Eormed.
The sheet o~ materlal 12 initially is disposed generally
over the object opening ~6 wi~h the ob~ect open1ng 26 being
positioned generally under a cen~ral portion o the sheet of
ma~erial :1.2, the sheet o~ màterial 12 b~ing supporte;l in this
pOSitiOIl gcllerall~ Oll the suoport surface 31 of the cover Eorming
support asselnbly 23 with the cover former 16 also cooperating to
support the sheet of material 12. With the sheet of material 12
in this position (shown in Figure 2), the flower pot object 14 is
positioned generall~v above the sheet of material 12 and generally
over the object opening 26 in the cover former 16, the lower end
34 of the flower pot object 15 being disposed generally near and
above the sheet of material 12.
The flower pot object 14 manually is moved in a downward
direction 38 to a position wherein the lower end 34 of the flower
pot object 14 engages the sheet of material 12 and then the
flower pot object 14 further is moved in the downward direction
38 through the object opening 26, the flower pot object 14
pushing the sheet of material 12 through the object opening 26 as
the flower pot object 14 is moved in the downward direction 38
through the object opening 26 (the flower pot object 14 with the
sheet of material 12 being shown in Figure 3 particularly
disposed through the object opening 26 in the cover former 16).
As the sheet of material 12 and the flower pot object 14 are
moved in the downward direction 38 through ~he object opening 26,
.. . -:
,
':
1322~
the outermost ends 22 of the arc-shapecl portions 20 (the
contactors 18) contact the sheet o~ material 12 and press the
sheet of material 12 against the outer peripheral surface 30
while simultaneousl~ portlons of the sheet of material 12 are
disposed wit)lin and passed tllrough the recessed areas 24, the
portions o~ the sheet o~ material 12 dispose~ within the recessed
areas 24 being sp~ce~ a distance frorn the outer peripheral
surface 30 o ~he ~lower pot object 12 so that these portions of
the sheet of material 12 are not brought into contacting
engagement with the outer peripheral surface 30 o the flower pot
object 12 as the sheet of material 12 and the flower pot object
14 are passed in the downward direction 38 through the object
opening 26 during the forming of the decorative cover 15. The
sheet of material 12 along with the flower pot object 14 are
passed in the do~nward direction 38 through the object opening 26
in the cover for~er 16 until the rim 36, or the upper end 32 of
the object is at about the same level as the upper end of the
cover former 16. In objects having rims, the rim 36 may serve to
limit the movement of the flower pot object 14 in the downward
direction 38 through the object opening 26. In those instances
where the flower pot object 14 either does not include a rim 36, .
or where the rim does not limit the downward movement of the
flower pot object 14, the object 14 is moved in the downward
direction 38 until the upper end 32 of the flower pot object 14
is disposed generally near the cover former 1~6.
.", .. . . . . . .
:-~
~: , . - : :
- , . .
;.. - :' - - ' .,.,, ~ ,.
., " :~
'
~322~
Ne~t the flower pot object 14 with the forined sheet o~
material 12 is re!~oved from the cover ~or~er 16. The flower rot
object 1~l with the ~ormed sheet o~ material 12 may be removed
manually by withdrawing the covered object by moVin~J it in an
5 ~pwarc] dlrection lO bac~ out through the upper end of the object
openlng 26 in the cover ~ormer :16. ~lternatively, the covered
object may be pus!led completely throug~l the object opening 26 ancl
removed Erorn tlle bottom o the cover former 16.
With respect to the sheet of material 12 which is
adapted to be adhesively connected to the flower pot object 14,
the contactors 18 press portions of the sheet of material 12 into
contact with the flower pot object 14 as the flower pot object 14
and the sheet o~ material 12 are passed through the object
opening 26, thereby causing those portions of the sheet of
material 12 to ~e adhesively connected to the outer peripheral
surface 30 of the flower pot object 14, while the portions of the
sheet of material 12 which are disposed in the recessed areas 24
as the sheet of material 12 and the flower pot object 14 are
spaced a distance from the outer peripheral surface 30 o the
flower pot object 14 and thus not adhesively connected to the
outer peripheral surface 30 of the flower pot object 14. As
shown in Figure 4, the decorative cover 15, which is formed in
this mannert includes portions 42 of the sheet of material 12
which are adhesively connected to the flower pot object 14 and
such adhered portions 42 extend axially up the outer peripheral
surface 30 and generally between the upper and the lower ends 32
16
:
:~. . . .. :
, ,~ . .
:'' ,. ' : ,
~3228~6
and 34, the adhesive connection terminating immediately below the
rim 36 of the flower pot object 1~. The portions of the sheet oE
material 12 which were disposed wi~hin the recessed areas 24 as
the sheet o material 12 and the 10wer pot object 1~ were ~asse~l
througll the object o~ening 2~ in the cover ~ormer ].6, e~tend
outwardly from the outer peripheral sllrace 30 o~ the Elower pot
object 1~ and e~tel~(l ln an a~ial direcl:ioll generall~ between the
upper and the lo~ler ends of the flower pot object 14 forming
decorative arcs of mater.ial 44, such arcs of material 44
ln extending upwardly and outwardly from the upper end 32 of the -
flower pot object 14. The adhered portions 42 and the arcs of
material 44 each are shaped circumferentially about the outer
peripheral surface 30 of the flower pot object 14 with an adhered
portion 42 being disposed generally between adjacent pairs of
arcs of material 44. In the embodiment of the decorative cover
15 shown in Figure 4, the sheet of material 12 is sized large
enough so the decorative aover 15 includes portions extending
generally upwardly and outwardly from the upper end 32 of the -
flower pot object 14 and circumferentially about the flower pot
object 15, such portions presenting a somewhat irregular pattern
since the original shape of the sheet of material 12 is square.
With respect to the sheet of material 12 which is
adapted to be formed and substantially settable in the formed
. shape, the decorative cover l5 formed utilizing the cover forming
apparatus 10 also will appear:in the form shown in Figure 4,
except the adhered portions 42 are not adhesively connected to
I7
~: . . : , -. . : -
,
- , . . : .,
..
:: , .: :.~ , .
.
13228~S
th~ outer peripheral surface 30 o~ the 1Ower pot object 14, such
portions ~2 being merely disposed generally adjacent the outer
peripheral surface 30 of the ~lower pot object 14 when the
decorative cover 15 is disposed about tne flower pot object 14.
Even wLth res~ect ~o the sh~et of material 12 which is formable
and substantially settable, the portions ~2 will be adhesivel~
connected to the outer periphe~al surf.ace 30 of the flower pot
o~)ject 14 when olle side o~ such sheet of ~aterial 12 is coated
with a contact adhesive in the manner described before, which may
be desirable in some applications.
As the flower pot object 14 with the sheet of material
12 are passed downwardly through the object opening 26 in the
cover former 16, the outer peripheral surface 30 of the flower
pot object 14 presses against the outermost ends 22 of the
arc-shaped portions 20, thereby tending to deform or flatten such
arc-shaped portions 20, alt~ough not actually flattening such
arc-shaped portions 20. As the larger diameter portions of the
flower pot object 14 pass through the object opening 26 in the
cover former 16 such flattening of the arc-shaped portions ~
20 increases, thereby tending to further de~orm such arc-shaped -
portions. As mentioned before, the contactors 18 (the portions
of the arc-shaped portions 20 which contactingly engage the sheet
of material 12 and the flower pot object 14) are resilient, so
the arc-shaped portions 20 return to their original shape when
the flower pot object 14 is removed from the object opening 26 in
the cover former.
18
"' ~ ` ` , " : ::
~2~6
It should be noted that the edges of the contactors 1~
preferably are s~ooth so that the contactors 18 will not tear the
sheet of material 12 as the sheet o~ material 12 along with the
object 14 are p~ssed through tne object opening 26 in the cover
former 16. In one form, the strip of material comprisinq the
cover Eormer lG, mcly be coated ~1tll a ma~erial for decreasing the
resistance betweell tlle contac:tors 18 and the sheet of material 12
to prevent the tearing of the sheet Oe material 12 during the
forming o the decorative cover 15. -
10Embodiment of Figures 5 and 6
Shown in Figures 5 and 6 is a modified cover former 16a
which includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart
modified contactors 18a.
Each o~ the contactors 18a, more particularly, comprises
a roller 50 which is journally connected to a roller support
assembly 52. Each roller support assembly 52 is constructed and
. adapted to rotatingly support one o the rollers 50 so.that each
; roller rollingly engages the sheet of material 12 and presses the
sheet of material 12 against the object 14 during the forming o~
the decorative cover 15. Each roller support assembly 52
journally or rotatingly supports the roller 50 connected thereto
and each roller support assembly 52 has one portion connected to
the cover forming support assembly 28, each roller support
assembly 52 supporting the roller 50 connected there~o so that an
outermost end 56 of each of the rollers 50 forms the object
~ opening 26a through the cover former 16a with the spaces between
:' :
19
.
- ,
.
. . . ~ ,
.
~ : : , : .
'.
~ 322~6
each of the circumEerentially spaced rollers 50 formlng recessed
areas similar to the recessed areas 24 described in detail before
in connection with the cover former 16 shown in Figures 1, 2 and
3.
In one form, as sho~n in Figures 5 and 6, each roller
su~?port assembl~ 52 more partic-l.l.arl.~ inclucles a pair o~ spaced
apart arms 58 an~l 6~ ith one o~ the rollers 50 being rotatingly
or journally connected to one end Oe each of the arms 58 and 60,
the roller 50 being rotatingly sup2orte~ generally between the
arms 58 and 60. The end of the arm 58r opposite the end
connected to the roller 50 is telescopingly connected to a tube
portion 62 and a spring 64 is disposed within the tube 62, the
spring 64 engaging one end oE the arm 58 and one end of the tube
portion 62 for biasing the arm 58 in a direction genèrally toward
the object opening 26a. The end of the arm 60, opposite the end
connected to the roller 50 is telescopingly connected to a tube
66 and a spring 68 is disposed within the tube.portion 66r the
spring 68 engaging one end of the arm 60 and one end of the tube
portion 66 for biasing the arm 60 in a direction generally toward
the object opening 26a. Thus, the springs 64 and 68 cooperate to
bias the roller toward the object opening 26a while permitting
the roller 50 to be moved in a direction generally away from the
object opening 26a toward the cover ~orming support assembly 28
during the forming of the decorative cover 15. Each of the tubes
62 and 66 cooperate with the respective arms s8:and 60 to limit
the movement of the arms 58 and 60 in ~he direction toward the
. .
~32~
object opening 26a or, in other words, to retain the arms 5~ and
60 gener~lly disposed within the respective tubes 62 and 66.
During the forming oE the decorative cover 15 utilizing
the cover former 16a, the sheet o~ material 12 is placed on the
upper support sur~ace 31 o the cover forming support assembly 28
in a mallner like that describecl beEore with respect to the cover
Eormer 16 an(l the flower pot object 1~ then is placed generally
over the object opening 26a with the lower end 34 of the flower
pot object 1~ being disposed generally above the object opening
26a ancl generally above the sheet of materlal 12. In this
position, the flower pot object 14 is moved in the downward
direction 38 to a position wherein the lower end 34 of the flower
pot object 14 engages the portion of the sheet of material 12
disposed generally over the object opening 26a and then the
10wer pot object 14 manually is further moved in the downward
direction 38 thereby moving the sheet of material 12 and the
flower pot object 14 through the object opening 26a in a manner
like that described before with respect to the cover former 16,
the sheet of material 12 and the flower pot object 14 being shown
in Figure 6 partially disposed within the object opening 26a. As
the object 14 along with the sheet of material 12 is moved
through the object opening 26a, each of the rollers 50
contactingly engages the sheet of material 12 and presses the
sheet of material 12 into engagement with the outer peripheral
surface 30 of the flower pot object 14. The flower pot object 14
along with the sheet of material 12 is moved through the object
21
. .
.
,
- 13228~S
opening 26a to a position wherein the rim 36 of the flower pot
object 1~ is disposed generally adjacent t~le cover former 16a
and, in this position, the rollers have operated to press the
sheet of material 12 against the out*r peripheral surEace 30 of
the Elower pot olbject 1L~ gerlerally ~rom the lo~ler end 34 to a
posltion ~ener~lly near the upper ~nd 32 ~rom below the rim 36 of
the ~lower po~ object 1~l in a manner like tha~ descrihe~3 before
with respect to ~he con~actors 18 and the cover former 16. Then,
the ~lower pot object 14 along with the ormed decorative cover
15 is moved in the upward direction 14 to remove the flower pot
object 14 and the decorative cover 15 rom the object opening 26a
of the cover former 16a.
The cover former 16a will function to adhesively connect
portions of the sheet of material 12 to the outer peripheral
surface 30 of the flower pot object 14, or to form the decorative
cover 15 without an adhesive connection between portions of the
sheet of material 12 in the upper peripheral surface 30 of the
flower pot object 14, in the manner described before with respect
to the cover former 16 and the various types of sheets of
material 12 with or without an adhesive.
Embodiment of Figure 7
Shown in Figure 7 is a cover former 16b which is
constructed and will operate similar to the cover formers 16 and
16a described in detail before. The cover former 16b includes a
circularly shaped base 70 which is constructed o~ a relatively
rigid material such as a metal or plastic material, for example,
22
: ~ ~
,, :~.... .
~. :
:
132284~
and which, if desired in a particular application, ma~ also be
resilient in a manner like that described be~ore with respect to
the strip o~ mater;al forming th~ cover former 16 shown in
Figures 1, 2 al)d 3. ~'~ resilient material 7? i.S secured about the
base 70 and ~he resilierlt mat~rial 72 e~tends circum~erentially
about tlle base 70. ~he resilient material 72 has a thickness 74.
The re~siliellt material may be a sponge-like material, for
e~ample, which is relatlvely easily compressed upon engagement.
The thickness 74 of the resilient material 72 is sufficient to
accommodate objects of varrying diameters such as the varrying
diameter of the flower pot ohject 14. The resilient material has
an inner peripheral outermost end 78 which extends circumferen-
tially about the cover former 16 and forms the object opening 26b.
During the operation! the sheet of material 12 is placed
above the object opening 26b and the flower pot object 14 is
placed above the sheet of material. Then the flower pot object
is pushed in the downward direction pushing the sheet of material
12 along with the flower pot object 14 through the object opening
26b in the cover former 16b.
As the sheet of material 12 and the flower pot object 14
are pushed through the object opening 26a, the inner peripheral
outermost end 78 of the resilient material 72 contactingly
engages the ~hee~ of material 12 and presses the sheet of
material 12 against the outer peripheral surface 30 of the flower
pot object 14 to form the sheet of material 12 about the outer
peripheral surface 30 of the flo~er pot object 14 to form a
modified decorative cover (not shown).
23
, , . - .
, ' ~ .
:
228~
Where the sheet of material 12 has been fully coated
with adhesive, the modified decorative cover formed by the cot~er
former 16b ~ill be like the decorative cover 15, e~cept the
modified decorative cover will not include arcs o~ material and
recessed areas like those described before Wit}l resL~ect to the
decorative cover l5 since che cover ~ormer 16b does not include
arc-s~aped por~ions an-l recess area~s like tlle arc-shaped portions
and the recess are~s 21 of the cover former 16. On the other
hand, a cover havinc3 such arc-shaped portions and recessed areas
may be formed using this embodiment o the present invention by
only partially coating the sheet of material 12 with adhesive.
The entire inner peripheral outermost end surface 76
which extends circumferentially about the cover former 16b forms
the contactors 18b which, in this instance, constitute a
continuous circularly shaped contacting surface.
The cover former 16b may be utilized to adhesively
connect a portion of the sheet of material 12 to the outer
peripheral surface 30 of the flower pot object 14 or the cover
former 16b may be utili~ed to form the sheet of material 12 about
the outer peripheral surface 30 of the flower pot object 14 in a
manner like that described before with respect to the cover
formers 16 and 16a.
Embodiment of Figure 8
Shown in Figure 8 is another modified cover ormer 16c.
The modified cover former 16c includes a base 80 which is shaped
exactly like the strip of material forming the cover former 16
24
. . , . -:
. , .
.
: . , ~
' : .
'
13~2~
(sho~n in Figures l, 2 and 3). A resilient material 82 is
disposed about and extends circumferentially about the base 80,
the resilient material 82 having a thickness 8~.
The cover ~ormer 16c will operate to form a decorative
cover ~hich substantially is the same as the decorative cover 15.
Durillg the formillg oE the decorative cover 15 utilizing
the cover ~ormer 16c, th~a por~ions of the resilient material 82
on the base 80 forming the contactors 18c will engage and press
portions of the sheet of material 12 against the outer peripheral
surEace 30 of the flower pot object 14 in a manner exactly like
that descrihed before with respect to the contactors 18 on the
cover former 16 (shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3), except as the
contactor 18c portions of the resilient material 82 engage the
sheet of material and the flower pot object 1~, the contactor 18c
portions of the resilient material 82 will compress in a manner
like that described before with respect to the resilient material
72 on the base 70 ~shown in Figure 7). Thus, the base 80 does
not have to be constructed of a resilient material in a manner
like that described before with respect to the cover former 16.
Emhodiment of Figures 9, 10 ànd 11
Shown in Figures 9j 10 and 11 is a modified cover former
I6d which includes a plurality o~ circumferentially spaced apart
modified contac~ors 18d. More particularly, each of the
contactors 18d comprises a bar 90 rotatably connected to a bar
support assembly 92. ~ach bar support assembly 92 is constructed
and adapted to rotatingly support one of the bars 90 so that each
,, : : ~
-
- ~ . .. .. . : , ~ .
,. , ::
,
: ~ :
: ,
- 13~2~
bar slidingly enqages the sheet of material 12 and presses the
sheet of material 12 a~ainst the object 14 during the forming of
the decorative cover 15.
Eacll bar support assembly 92 rotatingly supports the bar
90 connected the~eto and has one portion connected to the cover
~orming support asselllbly 2n. The bar support assemblies 92 are
connected to the cover Eormlllg support assembly 28 so that the
outerrnost ends 9~ oE the bars 90 ~orm the object opening 26d
through the cover former 16d. Accordingly, the spaces between
the bars 90 form recessed areas ~similar to the recessed areas 24
described above in connection with the cover former 16 shown in
Figures 1, 2 and 3.
As shown in Figures 9, 10 and 11, each bar support
assembly 92 comprises a pair of spaced apart arms 96 and 98
supporting a spindle 100 therebetween on which the bar 90 is
rotatably mounted. Thus, when pressure in a downward direction
102 is applied to the outermost end 94 of the bar 90, the bar
rotates, or pivots, in a direction such that the longitudinal
axis of the bar 90 approaches perpendicularity with the
longitudinal axis of the arms 96 and 98.
During the forming of the decorative cover lS utilizing
the cover former 16d, the sheet of material 12 is placed on the
upper support surface 31 of the cover forming support assembly
28, as described above in connection with the cover former 16.
The object 14 next is placed over the object opening 26d, also as
desc~ibed above. When the object 14 is moved in a downward
26
:: ' ,, '~ ' ' ~ '-
228~
direction 102, each of the rotating bars 90 slidably engages the
sheet o material 12 and presses the sheet of material 12 against
the outer peripheral surface 30 of the object l~. In other
respects, the embodiment oE Fi~ures 9, lO and ll functions
S similarly to the other embodiments of the present invention,
described in de~a.il above.
Changes may be made in the various parts, elements
alld assemblies described herein without departing from the
spirit and scope oE the invention as deEined in the
following claims.
:27
- . .
,, : ~
, . i. - ~ ,
-::
