Single station covering and fastening system

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for forming and fastening a decorative cover about a flower pot, the flower pot having an outer peripheral surface and an open upper end, comprising: 
 a platform having a support surface formed thereon and an opening extending through the support surface, the support surface adapted to support at least portions of a sheet of material in a position generally over the opening, the opening sized to receive the flower pot and at least one sheet of material such that upon movement of the flower pot and the sheet of material into the opening of the platform, the sheet of material is formed into a decorative cover extending about at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot; and    means for automatically applying a fastener about a portion of the outer surface of the decorative cover and for automatically tying the fastener to secure the fastener about the decorative cover and about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot such that the open upper end of the flower pot remains substantially uncovered.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the fastener is selected from a group consisting of elastic or non-elastic string, wire, thread, elastic, ribbon, wire and tape.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising means for automatically removing the covered flower pot from the opening of the platform.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the means for applying the fastener is positioned above the platform.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the means for applying the fastener is positioned below the platform.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising means for automatically elevating the covered flower pot to a position at least partially above the platform for facilitating the removal of the covered flower pot from the platform.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for forming and fastening a decorative cover about a flower pot, the flower pot having an outer peripheral surface and an open upper end, comprising: 
 a platform having a support surface formed thereon and an opening extending through the support surface, the support surface adapted to support at least portions of a sheet of material in a position generally over the opening, the opening sized to receive at least a lower portion of the flower pot and at least one sheet of material such that upon movement of the flower pot and the sheet of material into the opening of the platform, the sheet of material is formed into a decorative cover extending about at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot while the open upper end of the flower pot remains substantially uncovered; and    means for automatically applying a fastener about the decorative cover and for automatically tying the fastener to secure the decorative cover about the flower pot.