초록 ▼

An apparatus and method for forming a cover about an article and for automatically fastening the cover to the article, and optionally for automatically placing a label on the covered article. The article may be an article such as a potted plant and the cover may be a decorative cover. The invention

An apparatus and method for forming a cover about an article and for automatically fastening the cover to the article, and optionally for automatically placing a label on the covered article. The article may be an article such as a potted plant and the cover may be a decorative cover. The invention satisfies the need for a means for rapidly covering and fastening the cover about an article with a minimal amount of manual effort and in a location having a limited amount of available space. The apparatus comprises a platform having at least one opening sized to receive the article. The apparatus comprises a tying device for automatically applying a band or fastener about a portion of the outer surface of the covered article for fastening the cover about the article after the sheet is formed into a cover about the article.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for fastening a cover about a pot means containing a botanical item, comprising: providing a platform having a support surface formed thereon and an opening extending through the support surface, the opening sized to receive a cover forming means and having a cover forming means disposed th

A method for fastening a cover about a pot means containing a botanical item, comprising: providing a platform having a support surface formed thereon and an opening extending through the support surface, the opening sized to receive a cover forming means and having a cover forming means disposed therein, the cover forming means having contacting portions and sized to receive a pot means having an upper end, a lower end, and an outer peripheral surface; providing a sheet of material having an inner surface, an outer surface and a peripheral edge; placing the sheet of material in a cover forming position over the opening and on the support surface wherein the sheet of material, in the cover forming position, is positioned over the cover forming means; providing the pot means; positioning the pot means in a position over the sheet of material and in a position wherein the lower end of the pot means is disposed generally above and near the portion of the sheet of material which is above the cover forming means; covering the pot means by moving the pot means in a direction which causes the lower end of the pot means to engage a portion of the sheet of material, the pot means and portions of the sheet of material passing through the cover forming means causing the sheet of material to contact or nearly contact both the outer peripheral surface of the pot means and the contacting portions of the cover forming means as the pot means is moved wherein the sheet is formed about the outer peripheral surface of the pot means to form a cover about the pot means, the cover having the inner surface facing the outer peripheral surface of the pot means and further having a portion extending a distance from the upper end of the pot means thereby leaving an uncovered area over the upper end of the pot means; automatically applying a fastener about a portion of the outer surface of the cover of the pot means; and removing the covered pot means from the platform.