Apparatus and Process for Preventing Printed Film Distortion during Heat Shrinking

Abstract

This invention is directed preventing or reducing the print distortion in a heat shrink tunnel. This problem was be solved by isolating the printed area on the film from the hot air in a heat tunnel. The isolation reduces the shrinkage of the printed area so that the print distortion is minimized

1 . An apparatus for reducing or eliminating print distortion of a product wrapped with printed heat shrink film in a heat shrink tunnel comprising
 means for heat shrinking a printed film wrapped around a product moving on a conveyor,   means for isolating a printed area of the film from the heat to prevent or reduce the heated shrinkage of the print area.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein means for isolating includes a moving belt that covers the print area. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 2  having means for moving the belt at about the same speed as the product on the conveyor thereby allowing the belt to rest on the product. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus for reducing or eliminating print distortion of a product wrapped with printed heat shrink film in a heat shrink tunnel comprising
 means for heat shrinking a printed film wrapped around a product moving on a conveyor through the heat shrink tunnel, and   means for isolating a printed area of the film from the heat during heat shrinking to prevent or reduce the heated shrinkage of the print area by moving a belt at about the same speed as the product moving on the conveyor.   
     
     
         5 . A process for reducing or eliminating print distortion of a product wrapped with printed heat shrink film in a heat shrink tunnel comprising
 heat shrinking a printed film wrapped around a product moving on a conveyor through the heat shrink tunnel, and   isolating a printed area of the film from the heat to prevent or reduce the heated shrinkage of the print area.   
     
     
         6 . A process according  claim 5  including a belt moving at about the same speed as the product moving on the conveyor for isolating a printed area of the film from the heat during heat shrinking. 
     
     
         7 . A process according  claim 6  wherein the belt rests on the product thereby covering the print area. 
     
     
         8 . A product produced by the process of  claim 5   
     
     
         9 . A process according to  claim 5  wherein the heat shrink film forms a band around the product.