AU706307B2 - Method to access carrying handle on bundle wrapped prepackaged items - Google Patents

Method to access carrying handle on bundle wrapped prepackaged items Download PDF

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Publication number
AU706307B2
AU706307B2 AU18955/97A AU1895597A AU706307B2 AU 706307 B2 AU706307 B2 AU 706307B2 AU 18955/97 A AU18955/97 A AU 18955/97A AU 1895597 A AU1895597 A AU 1895597A AU 706307 B2 AU706307 B2 AU 706307B2
Authority
AU
Australia
Prior art keywords
heat
access
thermoplastic film
containers
hot
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
AU18955/97A
Other versions
AU1895597A (en
Inventor
A.C. Williams Jr.
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Cryovac LLC
Original Assignee
Cryovac LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US07/971,372 external-priority patent/US5329747A/en
Application filed by Cryovac LLC filed Critical Cryovac LLC
Publication of AU1895597A publication Critical patent/AU1895597A/en
Assigned to CRYOVAC, INC. reassignment CRYOVAC, INC. Alteration of Name(s) of Applicant(s) under S113 Assignors: W.R. GRACE & CO.-CONN.
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of AU706307B2 publication Critical patent/AU706307B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D71/06—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers
    • B65D71/08—Wrappers shrunk by heat or under tension, e.g. stretch films or films tensioned by compressed articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
    • B65B61/005—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for removing material by cutting
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S220/00—Receptacles
    • Y10S220/906—Beverage can, i.e. beer, soda

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION i. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a packaging method utilizing heat-shrinkable thermoplastic film for bundling a plurality of prepackaged containers which allows access to a carrying means on the prepackaging. The packaging method forms a means of bundling a plurality of containers which have been prepackaged into units. Further, the heat-shrinkable thermoplastic film forms a protective shielding for the prepackaged containers so bundled.
2. Description of the Related Art It is now common practice to bundle several prepackaged sets of product containing containers into a single package for transportation, storage and sale.
Furthermore, there is the need to bundle containers having unique shapes which do not lend themselves to efficient bundling in paper and pasteboard. The packaging device of the present invention is adaptable for use with containers having a variety of shapes. Further, this packaging device can be used with any prepackaged container shape and size, and where the containers are fragile, the bundling film is readily adapted to provide protective shielding for the containers.
The older packaging practice of using paper or pasteboard packaging devices has the disadvantage that these paper and pasteboard devices are bulky, expensive and require complicated machinery. Further, these paper and pasteboard devices are subject to disintegration when exposed to high humidity areas or water. The use of plastic bundling devices overcomes these disadvantages.
Additionally, the present invention provides protection against abrasion dirt and damage to the bundled containers.
P:\OPER\AXD\1898328.SPE- 1/3/99 -2- A method of covering a container, such as a dish or cup, containing a bulk food item is disclosed in U.S. Patent 2,976,655 issued to Dreyfus et al. A method of packaging individual items in a tube of shrinkable film is disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,131,810 issued to Dreyfus. Packaging a plurality of individual items in a tube of shrinkable film is disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,187,477 and 3,334,737 both issued to Dreyfus. A method of packaging a plurality of individual items in a shrinkable film envelope is disclosed in U.S.
Patent 3,215,266 issued to Dreyfus. However, none of these disclosures teach a method or device for bundling a plurality of prepackaged items into a single unit. Furthermore, none of these teachings disclose how to provide a means to access the carrying means of the individual packages or containers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Advantageously, the invention provides a bundling device for packaging a plurality of prepackaged containers which includes a means of accessing the carrying means of the S 15 prepackaging without impairing the integrity of the bundling device.
The invention also advantageously provides a bundling device which provides o shielding for the bundled items from foreign objects.
~Further, the invention advantageously provides a bundling device useful for transporting a plurality of prepackaged items.
Still further the present invention advantageously provides a bundling device which provides visual access to the contents of the bundle without having to remove or destroy the S•integrity of the bundling device.
The present invention still further advantageously provides a bundling device which S• resists tear propagation of the bundling device around the carrying means access area.
Accordingly, one form of the present invention relates to a method of bundling a plurality of packages having one or more containers therein and providing for access to a carrying means comprising: placing a plurality of packages having one or more containers therein and having a carrying means, in a desired position; surrounding said plurality of packages with a heat-shrinkable thermoplastic film; shrinking said heat-shrinkable thermoplastic film around said plurality of packages using a heat shrinking means; and P:\OPER\AXD\1898328.2ND 15/4/99 -3providing access to the carrying means through the heat-shrinkable film using a hot tool cutting means; characterised in that the hot tool cutting means simultaneously cuts an access hole and provides a weld around the periphery of said access hole thereby substantially eliminating tear propagation in the heat-shrinkable thermoplastic film, the access hole being of a size sufficient to permit hand access therethrough.
Another form of the present invention relates to a method of bundling a plurality of packages having one or more containers therein and providing for access to a carrying means comprising; placing a plurality of packages having one or more containers therein and having a carrying means, in a desired position; surrounding said plurality of packages with a heatshrinkable thermoplastic film; providing access to the carrying means through the heatshrinkable film using a hot tool cutting means; and shrinking said heat-shrinkable thermoplastic film around said plurality of packages using a heat shrinking means; characterized in that the hot tool cutting means simultaneously cuts an access hole and provides a weld around the periphery of said access hole thereby substantially eliminating tear propagation in the heat-shrinkable thermoplastic film, the access hole being of a size sufficient S" to permit hand access therethrough.
°Yet another form of the invention relates to a packaging device comprising a heat- ":-..shrinkable thermoplastic film, heat shrunk around a plurality of prepackaged containers and having a carrying means access means comprising a hole cut into said heat-shrinkable thermoplastic film using a hot tool means and having a weld around the periphery of said access means to substantially eliminate tear propagation, the access means being of a size oo": .sufficient to permit hand access therethrough.
~Preferred forms of the invention, as well as other embodiments, objects, features and advantages of this invention, will be apparent from the following detailed description, and 25 illustrative embodiments thereof, which are to be read in connection with the accompanying :0 drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 0FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred form of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION iTe present invention will be better understood fr:m :he specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings Ln which like reference numerals refer to like parts.
Referring now to FIG. 1. there is shown a bundled set of prepackaged containers 10, comprising two packages 11 having six cor.tainers 12 in each package 11. bundled in heat-shrinkable thermoplastic film 13 having a carrying means access hole 14. with welded edge 15. allowing access to carrying means 16 of packages 11.
S. In practice the packaged containers to be bundled are positioned as desired and a heat-shrinkable film is placed around the positioned packages and heat shrunk as is well understood in the art. A carrying handle access hole is then produced using a hot cutting means and is located to allow access to the carring means provided on the container packages or on the containers themselves. Alternatively, the carrying handle access hole may be cut before the film is heat shrunk around the packaged containers. The heat-shrinkable film may be in the form of bags. tubes or sheets and is applied and shrunk using methods well known and understood In the art.
In the present invention, a plurality of prepackaged objects are bundled using a hear-shrinkable. thermoplastic film as the sole bundling material.
These heat-shrinkable materials may be mono-axially oriented or biaxially oriented, and further may be either mono-layer material or multi-laver material. Suitable heat-shrinkable polymeric film materials, as are well known to those skilled in the art. including, but are not limited to. such materials as heat shrinkable polyolefins. polypropylene, polyvinyl compounds, e.g..
polyvinyl chloride and sarans, polyesters, polyethylene terephthalate.
A
preferred suitable material is a bi-axially oriented heat shr-nkable thermoplastic film.
The carrying means access hole may be cut using a hot wire. a hot bar or a hot knife cutting means well known by those skilled in the art. This piercing hot knife, hot wire or hot bar is utilized at a temperature exceeding the film's melting point and pierces the film making the access hole. The hot tool cutting means creates a welded edge along the opening which will substantially P:\OPER\AXD\1898328.SPE 1/3/99 eliminate the development of film tears and disruption of the package integrity which can occur by cutting with a sharp cutting means without heat.
Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers or steps.
Although the illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.
a* 0 *0 *00 0.
9 0 0 0 P:\OPER\AXD\189832.2ND 15/4/99 -6- THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. A method of bundling a plurality of packages having one or more containers therein and providing for access to a carrying means comprising: a) placing a plurality of packages having one or more containers therein and having a carrying means, in a desired position; b) surrounding said plurality of packages with a heat-shrinkable thermoplastic film; c) shrinking said heat shrinkable thermoplastic film around said plurality of packages using a heat shrinking means; and d) providing access to the carrying means through the heat-shrinkable film using a hot tool cutting means; wherein the hot tool cutting means simultaneously cuts an access hole and provides a weld around the periphery of said access hole thereby substantially eliminating tear propagation in the heat-shrinkable thermoplastic film, said access hole being of a size sufficient to permit hand access therethrough.
2. A method as claimed in Claim 1 wherein, said step d) is performed before said step c).
3. A method as claimed in Claim 1 wherein, said heat-shrinkable thermoplastic film is a mono-axially oriented film.
A method as claimed in Claim 1 wherein, said heat-shrinkable thermoplastic film is 25 a biaxially oriented film.
A method as claimed in Claim 1 wherein, said heat-shrinkable thermoplastic film is a mono-layer film.
6. A method as claimed in Claim 1 wherein, said heat-shrinkable thermoplastic film is a multi-layer film.
a multi-layer film.

Claims (7)

  1. 7. A method as claimed in Claim 1 wherein, said heat-shrinkable thermoplastic film, is selected from the group consisting of heat shrinkable polyolefins, polyvinyl compounds, polyesters, and combinations thereof.
  2. 8. A method as claimed in Claim 1 wherein, said hot tool means is a hot knife apparatus.
  3. 9. A method as claimed in Claim 1 wherein, said hot tool means is a hot wire apparatus. A method as claimed in Claim 1 wherein, said hot tool means is a hot bar apparatus.
  4. 11. A method of bundling a plurality of packages, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.
  5. 12. The product of the process of any one of claims 1 to 11.
  6. 13. A packaging device comprising a heat-shrinkable thermoplastic film, heat shrunk around a plurality of prepackaged containers and having a carrying means access means comprising a hole cut into said heat-shrinkable thermoplastic film using a hot tool means and having a weld around the periphery of said access means to 20 substantially eliminate tear propagation, said access means being of a size sufficient to permit hand access therethrough.
  7. 14. A packaging device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings. i" DATED this FIFTEENTH of APRIL, 1999 Crovo.- TN by DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys for the Applicants A t" ABSTRACT This invention relates to a packaging method and device utilizing heat- shrinkable thermoplastic film for bundling a plurality of prepackaged containers which allows for access to a carrying means on the prepackaging. The packaging method and device forms a means of bundling a plurality of containers which have been prepackaged into units. Further, the heat- shrinkable thermoplastic film device forms a protective shielding for the prepackaged containers so bundled. S.* 0 **0 0 *oo
AU18955/97A 1992-11-04 1997-04-17 Method to access carrying handle on bundle wrapped prepackaged items Ceased AU706307B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US971372 1992-11-04
US07/971,372 US5329747A (en) 1992-11-04 1992-11-04 Method to access carrying handle on bundle wrapped prepackaged items
AU49140/93A AU4914093A (en) 1992-11-04 1993-10-21 Method to access carrying handle on bundle wrapped prepackaged items

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
AU49140/93A Division AU4914093A (en) 1992-11-04 1993-10-21 Method to access carrying handle on bundle wrapped prepackaged items

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
AU1895597A AU1895597A (en) 1997-06-19
AU706307B2 true AU706307B2 (en) 1999-06-17

Family

ID=25628536

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
AU18955/97A Ceased AU706307B2 (en) 1992-11-04 1997-04-17 Method to access carrying handle on bundle wrapped prepackaged items

Country Status (1)

Country Link
AU (1) AU706307B2 (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3353326A (en) * 1965-02-01 1967-11-21 Reynolds Metals Co Method of making a carrying case for bottles or the like
US3400810A (en) * 1966-09-28 1968-09-10 Alexander G. Makowski Package and packaging method
US3675767A (en) * 1970-05-15 1972-07-11 Grace W R & Co Sleeve wrapped package with a base

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3353326A (en) * 1965-02-01 1967-11-21 Reynolds Metals Co Method of making a carrying case for bottles or the like
US3400810A (en) * 1966-09-28 1968-09-10 Alexander G. Makowski Package and packaging method
US3675767A (en) * 1970-05-15 1972-07-11 Grace W R & Co Sleeve wrapped package with a base

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU1895597A (en) 1997-06-19

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