William M Lancaster

US Patent:

5140798, Aug 25, 1992

Filed:

Aug 19, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/747309

Inventors:

William G. Lancaster - Louisville KY

Assignee:

Lantech, Inc. - Louisville KY

International Classification:

B65B 1104

US Classification:

53397

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for wrapping the top and sides of a load. A web dispenser dispenses and stretches web on the direction in which it is dispensed. The load is rotated relative to the web dispenser as web is wrapped onto the load. The web dispenser is positioned in an orientation generally parallel to the sides of the load for wrapping the sides of the load, and is changed to an orientation generally parallel to the top of the load for covering the top of the load. A web supply may change orientation along with the web dispenser or may be fixed relative to the web dispenser in an orientation generally parallel to the sides of the load. When the web supply is fixed, an accumulator is provided for accumulating web. The accumulator dispenses web when the web dispenser is changing orientation and when the web dispenser is in the orientation generally parallel to the top of the load. The web supply does not provide web when the web dispenser is changing orientation or when the web dispenser is in the orientation generally parallel to the top of the load.

US Patent:

47126868, Dec 15, 1987

Filed:

Dec 11, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/215250

Inventors:

Patrick R. Lancaster - Anchorage KY
William G. Lancaster - Louisville KY

Assignee:

Lantech, Inc. - Louisville KY

International Classification:

B65D 1938

US Classification:

206597

Abstract:

A process and apparatus for pre-stretching a plastic film material above its yield point in a roller assembly comprising at least two rollers connected for rotation at different speeds during a load wrapping operation. The downstream roller is at least partially driven by the film web connected to a turntable while the upstream roller rotates at a predetermined speed slower than that of the downstream roller to induce film elongation between the rollers. The force on the film between the roller assembly and the load is reduced by a powered constant torque device connected to the rollers to bring the force to the load down to a level permitting the film elongation between the roller assembly and the load to be equal to (balanced) or less than the elongation incurred between the rollers. The force from the torque device required to bring elongation on the load in balance with the elongation between the rollers will be equal to the difference between the force required to elongate the film between closely spaced rollers and the force required to hold the elongation after the film leaves the rollers corrected for the mechanical advantage and friction of the pre-stretch device. Since the film has been stretched above its yield point, the relieving of stress from the film between the rollers and the load allows the film to retain a high degree of pre-stretch elongation.

US Patent:

46760482, Jun 30, 1987

Filed:

May 20, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/867006

Inventors:

Patrick R. Lancaster - Louisville KY
William G. Lancaster - Louisville KY

Assignee:

Lantech, Inc. - Louisville KY

International Classification:

B65B 1304

US Classification:

53399

Abstract:

A rotatable film wrapping apparatus for wrapping a load on a conveyor with an overwrap of stretched plastic film web, having a ring-mounted film web pre-stretch mechanism which stretches and dispenses film at a varying speed controlled independently of variations in film tension and speed between the pre-stretch mechanism and the load, and a supply speed control mechanism which varies the supply speed of web from the pre-stretch mechanism as the ring rotates. The supply speed control mechanism is configured as a predetermined model of the load to minimize variation in film elongation and containment as successive load edges intercept film web during wrapping, thereby locking in these characteristics at predetermined levels for film web wrapped across the load side which ends at the edge. The pre-stretch mechanism comprises a downstream roller across which the film is drawn at a speed which varies, an upstream roller engaging the film and linked by gears to the downstream roller so that the upstream roller rotates at a fixed fraction of the downstream roller speed to stretch film between the rollers, and a power pulley or roller which extends to one side of the pre-stretch mechanism and engages the supply speed control mechanism to accelerate and decelerate the upstream and downstream rollers. Because the supply speed control mechanism drives the pre-stretch mechanism independently of the moving film web, tension reductions in the web caused by holes at web imperfections do not slow or stop the pre-stretch mechanism, so that holes move to the load without expansion and web destruction.

US Patent:

40502201, Sep 27, 1977

Filed:

Apr 15, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/568269

Inventors:

William G. Lancaster - Louisville KY
Patrick R. Lancaster - Louisville KY

International Classification:

B65B 1312

US Classification:

53198R

Abstract:

The invention comprises a novel apparatus and process for making unitary packages from a continuous wrapping process. In the apparatus a series of loads, each containing a plurality of cartons are fed into a wrapper apparatus and covered by a spiral stretched film to form a unitary continuous packaged bundle. The bundle proceeds on to a cutting area where the loads are severed into individual packages which are carried off to a stacking or processing station. The apparatus utilizes wrapping guide rails which receive the loads so that the wrapping ring mechanism continuously wraps each load and its supporting guide rails with the wrapping being pulled off the guide rails to contact against each load forming a spiral wrapped bundle encapsulating the loads. The spiral bundle is carried to a cutting station which severs each individual load from the spiral bundle.

US Patent:

42559189, Mar 17, 1981

Filed:

Oct 11, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/083610

Inventors:

Patrick R. Lancaster - Louisville KY
William G. Lancaster - Louisville KY

Assignee:

Lantech Inc. - Louisville KY

International Classification:

B65B 1104

US Classification:

53556

Abstract:

The present invention comprises a wrapping apparatus having a frame, a reciprocally driven carriage moveably mounted on the frame, the carriage being adapted to hold a rotatable roll of stretchable film material and a film width varying mechanism. A driven rotatable turntable adapted to support a load is positioned adjacent to the frame, and the leading edge of the film material is held adjacent the load. A brake is connected to the film roll to restrict movement of the web of material from the roll and the film width varying mechanism is mounted in the material path so that the film web travels through a pivotable "C" shaped assembly of the film width varying mechanism which when pivoted by spring action reduces the film web width, so that the film material is stretched and reduced in width as it leaves the roll. The carriage is driven along the frame in one direction to provide a wrap for a load and returns in an opposite direction while continuing to wrap the load, at which time the material web is severed from the material roll dispenser.

US Patent:

47123540, Dec 15, 1987

Filed:

Sep 4, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/903896

Inventors:

Patrick R. Lancaster - Louisville KY
William G. Lancaster - Louisville KY

Assignee:

Lantech, Inc. - Louisville KY

International Classification:

B65B 1312

US Classification:

53399

Abstract:

A novel apparatus and process for high speed continuous film web wrapping of uniform loads, in which a first wrap is applied in a first direction transverse to the path of the moving load and a second wrap is applied in a second direction opposite the first direction. This dual wrap nullifies the disabling effects of helical wrap bias when a single wrap is applied at high speed to a moving load, and produces a longitudinal containment force after film web recovery over time on leading and trailing ends of the load. In the apparatus two wrapping stations are provided together with a wrapping conveyor assembly which carries the film web wrapped around the load and conveyor through the two stations. Each station includes a dispensing ring on which a film roll and an elongation mechanism are mounted, a drive motor to rotate the ring and means to drive the elongation mechanism to draw film web from the roll and stretch the same beyond its yield point at ambient temperature on its path from the roll to the load and conveyor. The regulation of elongation in the elongation mechanism and the regulation of film supply speed from the elongation mechanism are independent of film demand speed at the load.

US Patent:

45533741, Nov 19, 1985

Filed:

Jan 3, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/454974

Inventors:

William G. Lancaster - Louisville KY
Patrick R. Lancaster - Louisville KY

International Classification:

B65B 1312

US Classification:

53465

Abstract:

A stretch wrapping apparatus and process for wrapping and sealing random-sized loads, in which the load is surrounded with a plurality of tube forming support members which extend along the length of the load. A conveyor directly beneath the load supports the load and preferably incorporates at least one upper and one lower endless belt, rotating so that the upper surface of the upper belt and the lower surface of the lower belt are both carried in the same downstream direction at the same speed. The tube forming support members converge to the load with skids which do not support the load, and preferably have endless conveyor belts with an outer surface circulating in the same downstream direction and at the same speed as the lower dual conveyor. A stretched film web is wrapped around the tube forming support members, conveyor, and load by a film dispenser, wrapping the load as well as space in front of and behind the load. The film web wrapped around the load, tube forming support members, and conveyor resumes its memory position against the load when the ends of the tube forming support members and conveyor are encountered.

US Patent:

53158091, May 31, 1994

Filed:

Sep 11, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/943235

Inventors:

Yoram Gordon - Louisville KY
John Fain - Louisville KY
William F. Davis - Louisville KY
William G. Lancaster - Louisville KY

Assignee:

Lantech, Inc. - Louisville KY

International Classification:

B65B 1304

US Classification:

53399

Abstract:

A stretch wrapping machine includes a web dispenser and a rotatable support for providing relative rotation between the web dispenser and load to wrap a web of packaging material around the load. Cooperating engagement members are selectively and positively engageable with each other throughout the rotation of the rotatable support for stopping the rotation of the rotatable support when the engagement members are positively engaged and for permitting rotation of the rotatable support when the engagement members are disengaged. One of the engagement members is mounted on a rotatable support and the other is mounted on a fixed support. An actuator selectively engages engagement members. One engagement member preferably includes at least two stop units spaced at a distance less than the distance between the engageable formations of the other engagement member. A shock absorber is connected to one of the engagement members for decelerating the rotatable support when stopping the rotation of the rotatable support when the engagement members are engaged.