US 12,420,971 B2
Liner folder apparatus
Michael Lalonde, Barrie (CA); and Zac Cutt, Barrie (CA)
Assigned to INNOVATIVE AUTOMATION INC., Barrie (CA)
Appl. No. 18/560,439
Filed by INNOVATIVE AUTOMATION INC., Barrie (CA)
PCT Filed May 11, 2022, PCT No. PCT/CA2022/050744
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Nov. 13, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/236417, PCT Pub. Date Nov. 17, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/187,721, filed on May 12, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0253841 A1, Aug. 1, 2024
Int. Cl. B65B 51/06 (2006.01); B65H 45/08 (2006.01)
CPC B65B 51/06 (2013.01) [B65H 45/08 (2013.01); B65H 2701/377 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A folding apparatus for a liner associated with a tape material, wherein the liner comprises a first overhang portion, a central portion carrying the tape material, and a second overhang portion, the apparatus comprising:
an entry port defined at one end of the apparatus, wherein the central portion carrying the tape material, the first overhang portion and the second overhang portion is received by the entry port in a substantially flat configuration;
an exit port defined at another end of the apparatus; and
a channel defined between the entry port and the exit port, wherein the channel comprises walls engageable by a first edge of the first overhang portion and a second edge of the second overhang portion to progressively cause the first edge of the first overhang portion and the second edge of the second overhang portion to angle towards each other as the tape material with the liner progress towards the exit port until the first overhang portion and the second overhang portion are folded over the tape material.