Movable system for placing and fastening an envelope about an article.

摘要

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 apparatus comprises a platform (130) having at least one opening (142) sized to allow passage therethrough of an article. A conveyable cover forming assembly (146) is supported on a conveying assembly (154). A sheet of material can be supported in a position generally over the opening. The article can be pushed into the cover forming assembly, causing the sheet to be formed into a cover about the article. The apparatus also comprises a tying device (170) 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. The apparatus may further comprise a sheet feeder, a pick and place apparatus, and an apparatus for automatically removing the covered article from the opening of the conveyable cover forming assembly. <IMAGE>