(19)
(11) EP 0 422 949 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
31.07.1991 Bulletin 1991/31

(43) Date of publication A2:
17.04.1991 Bulletin 1991/16

(21) Application number: 90311184.7

(22) Date of filing: 12.10.1990
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)5: B65B 15/04
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH DE FR GB IT LI LU NL SE

(30) Priority: 13.10.1989 US 421257

(71) Applicant: SANFORD REDMOND INC.
Bronx New York 10454 (US)

(72) Inventor:
  • Redmond, Sanford
    Stamford, Connecticut 06903 (US)

(74) Representative: Charlton, Peter John et al
Elkington and Fife Prospect House 8 Pembroke Road
Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1XR
Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1XR (GB)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) Method and apparatus for collating automatically produced packages or other production units


    (57) A collator and collating method employs a continuous or intermittently driven thin web member (3) for collating a plurality of articles (1) supplied from an automatic production machine or the like. The web is preferably coated on one side with an adhesive which removably adheres to the articles being collated, permitting the articles to be secured in any desired collated pattern during handling and shipping while allowing easy removal after shipment. The web may be cut into desired lengths with the collated articles adhered thereto for stacking one on top of another during shipment or storage. In alternate embodiments, openings or pockets are formed in the web, which may or may not also be adhesively coated, for locating the collated articles in desired patterns.







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