EP0246659A1 - Appareil et procédé d'enveloppement à préétirage en plusieurs étapes - Google Patents

Appareil et procédé d'enveloppement à préétirage en plusieurs étapes Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0246659A1
EP0246659A1 EP87107489A EP87107489A EP0246659A1 EP 0246659 A1 EP0246659 A1 EP 0246659A1 EP 87107489 A EP87107489 A EP 87107489A EP 87107489 A EP87107489 A EP 87107489A EP 0246659 A1 EP0246659 A1 EP 0246659A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
stretch
film
rollers
roller
prestretching
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP87107489A
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German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Henry Rosenthal
Howard E. Kronhaus
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Mima Inc
Original Assignee
Mima Inc
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mima Inc filed Critical Mima Inc
Publication of EP0246659A1 publication Critical patent/EP0246659A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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
    • B65B11/00—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material
    • B65B11/04—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material the articles being rotated
    • B65B11/045—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material the articles being rotated by rotating platforms supporting the articles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to packaging and more particularly to an apparatus and method for making unitary packages which hold a plurality of components, each package being wrapped by a stretchable web material.
  • Case packing or boxing is a common method for shipping multiple component or unit products.
  • One of the earliest methods for shipping such articles was to place the multiple component or unit products in a corrugated box or to wrap them with wrapping paper (i.e. kraft paper), the ends of the wrapping paper being secured by glue or tape.
  • wrapping paper i.e. kraft paper
  • Another way to unitize such articles was to secure them to a pallet through the use of metal or plastic strapping.
  • a sleeve or covering of heat-shrinkable film was placed around the products and then shrunk to form a unitized package.
  • a further development in this field relates to the use of a stretchable film material instead of a heat shrinkable material.
  • the components are placed on a substrate, slip sheet, support or pallet and a continuous stretchable film web of the same size as the load is wrapped around the components and pallet to form the unitized package.
  • the film is stretched by the use of braking or otherwise retarding the feed roll of stretchable web material.
  • the stretchable webs which have been so utilized are most often made from plastics such as nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride (PVC), polybutylene, or any copolymers or blends of these materials.
  • spiral stretch-wrapping machinery Such devices are well known; they operate by restrictively feeding a relatively narrow film from a roll and wrapping it around a load in a spiral configuration. A carriage lifts the film roll adjacent to the surface of the load to deposit a first spiral overwrap around the load and then descends to deposit, another spiral overwrap in the opposite direction. Also, a plurality of spiral wrapped film layers can be used. It is also known to wind tapes spirally in a manner such that they do not overlap each other, so as to provide suitable space therebetween when "breathability" is required. The spirally wound tapes intersect one another at a suitable angle, depending upon the application intended.
  • the elasticity of the plastic web holds the products under greater tension than either the shrink or paper wraps, particularly with products which settle when packaged.
  • the effectiveness of stretched plastic film in holding a load together is a function of the elastic recovery forces being placed on the load and the ultimate strength of the total layered film wrap. These two functions are determined by the modulus of the film and its ultimate strength after application.
  • the ultimate containment force is achieved in these methods by maximizing elongation of these films to a point just below where breakage or rupture would occur.
  • the stretch films used in these methods are stretched much less than about 200% in field applications (typically on the order of about 50-125%), because of irregularities in the film braking system, which depends upon the direct or indirect application of friction forces to restrict the roller upon which a supply of film is positioned.
  • the prior art wrapping devices suffer from a further limitation with respect to cost per unit load for film unitization.
  • friction brake devices do not normally maintain a consistent force, and are subject to variation due to their physical construction and their sensitivity to speed change caused by the passage of corners of the load, or the resultant sudden speed up and slow speed down of film unwind.
  • a typical 40 ⁇ ⁇ 48 ⁇ rectangular pallet load will incur a surface speed change of more than about 40% with each quarter turn by reason of the change in effective radius.
  • higher turntable speeds produce additional forces, which can also change with roll consumption and its resultant weight change.
  • Stretchable films of polyethylene, polyvinylchloride and various copolymers all are stretchable.
  • the stretch rate has a significant effect on the ability of the film to elongate. This phenomenon of stretch rate versus amount of elongation is evident in most deformable materials.
  • Commercially available stretch films are manufactured with specific low density and linear low density properties. These resins and manufacturing process conditions are designed to produce tough, stretchable, thin gauge films which can be used in conjunction with any commercial stretch wrapping equipment.
  • Stretch Wrap Material A material used for overwrapping which, when applied under tension, elongates and through elastic recovery, conforms to the item(s) packaged.
  • Elongation Increase in length expressed as a percentage of original length.
  • Elastic Recovery The change in elongation upon release of the applied tension.
  • Conventional Braking A mode of stretch wrap machinery operation in which stretch wrap material elongation is achieved by relative load motion and supply roll tension.
  • Prestretch A method of elongating stretch wrap material prior to its application to the load.
  • Powered Prestretch A conventional mode of stretch wrap machinery operation in which stretch wrap material elongation is achieved through the use of two mechanically-­interconnected powered rollers, such as by individually motorized rollers.
  • Upstream This refers to a direction toward the film supply, i.e., opposite the direction of movement of the film.
  • Downstream This refers to a direction toward the load to be wrapped, i.e., in the same direction as the movement of the film.
  • a loaded pallet is placed on the turntable.
  • the film is attached to the load.
  • the turntable rotates, thus pulling the film from the supply roll.
  • stretch wrapping units rotate around the stationary pallet load.
  • a braking method restricts the rotation of the film supply roll causing tension between the rotating load and the supply roll. This tension stretches the film.
  • Non-powered mechanical prestretching equipment is similar to conventional equipment, except that the film is threaded through a prestretch device.
  • the prestretch device may consist of two interconnected but non-powered rollers as, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,302,920.
  • the upstream roller rotates at a slower speed than the downstream roller. Assuming no slippage between the film and the rollers, the relationship between these two speeds determines the percentage of stretch.
  • Properly selected material and roller design creates a strong dynamic frictional force between the rollers and the stretch film which prevents the film from slipping.
  • Powered prestretch equipment is similar to mechanical prestretch equipment except that the power devices have one or more motors powering the prestretch rollers. These motors, through an appropriate connection, drive the rollers different speeds to elongate the film above its yield point and deliver prestretched film to the load.
  • This feature is disclosed, for example, in French Patent No. 2,281,275 to Thimon. Alternately, it is possible to achieve the same result by powering a downstream roller while braking or mechanically restricting an upstream roller.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,418,510 discloses a very similar, if not identical, concept wherein two rollers, mechanically connected and powered by a single motor, are used to stretch the film above its yield point. Again, the different speeds of these rollers cause the film to elongate beyond its yield point. As the film travels between the downstream powered roller and the relatively rotating load, its speed is reduced. The reduction in speed is such as to decrease the force applied to the load through "non-elastic strain recovery.” The foregoing is disclosed as being particularly advantageous for protecting unstable or crushable loads.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,467 discloses a tensioner assembly which prestretches a film web in three stages.
  • the first stage of stretch occurs between the retarded feedstock roll and the upstream prestretch roller.
  • the second stage of stretch occurs between the upstream and downstream rollers, while the third stage of stretch occurs between the downstream roller and the pallet load; the web is maintained under tension at all times by a resiliently braced dancer roller.
  • the degree of stretch in the first and third stages in this system is relatively low compared to the degree of stretch between the two rollers and thus, does not appear to provide an appreciable advantage over the schemes of French patent No. 2,281,275 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,418,510, which use two rollers under power rotating at different speeds.
  • the present invention provides a novel method, and apparatus for prestretching plastic web or film material in mutiple stages. Preferably, at least three stages are used: two or more of these stages occurring between pairs of powered stretch rollers. This allows the film to be prestretched to an optimum value without breaking or rupturing.
  • the invention relates to a method for wrapping one or a plurality of components to form a wrapped unitary package which comprises positioning a load comprising one or a plurality of components onto support means, providing a supply of stretchable material, providing a plurality of powered stretch rollers between the supply and the load, prestretching the material to a predetermined value in multiple stages comprising first, second and last prestretching stages, and wrapping the prestretched material around the one or plurality of componets on the support means.
  • the prestretching stages can occur between the supply and a first roller, between a pair or stretch rollers, or between a stretch roller and the load. Preferably, at least two prestretch stages occur between two pairs of stretch rollers. Also, idler rollers can be provided to guide the material between the supply and the load.
  • this method is applicable to any type of stretch wrapping equipment, including those in which the load is rotated or moved and the supply and/or prestretching equipment is stationary; the supply and/or prestretching equipment is moved or rotated while the load is stationary; or combinations thereof.
  • One aspect of the invention relates to a method for wrapping a plurality of units or components to form a unitary package which comprises positioning a load including one or a plurality of components onto support means, positioning a roll of stretchable material adjacent a roller assembly comprising at least three rollers adapted to stretch the material according to predetermined values; prestretching the stretchable material to a predetermined value above its yield point in multiple stages through the roller assembly, and wrapping the prestretched material around the one or plurality of components on the support means.
  • a method for wrapping one or a plurality of components to form a wrapped unitary package comprises supporting a load comprising one or a plurality of components; providing a supply of stretchable material; directing the stretchable material to three or more rollers adapted to stretch the material according to predetermined values; prestretching the material between the supply roll and a first stretch roller; further prestretching the stretchable material to a predetermined value above its yield point between a second pair of stretch rollers, and wrapping the further prestretched material around the one or plurality of components to form wrapped unitary package.
  • These methods may also include automatically threading the stretchable material between the rollers, initially prestretching the material between the material supply and a first stretch roller, or additionally prestretching the material between the stretch roller immediately upstream from the load and the load.
  • Prestretching of the material is achieved by driving each downstream roller of any pair of stretch rollers at a faster speed than the upstream roller. Also, by maintaining the distance between the rollers of each pair of stretch rollers sufficiently close to each other, the reduction of widthwise dimension of the wrapping material is minimized during the prestretching steps.
  • An alternate method comprises supporting a load comprising one or a plurality of components providing a supply roll of stretchable material, directing the stretchable material to three or more rollers adapted to stretch the material according to predetermined stretch values, prestretching the material to a predetermined value between the supply roll and a first stretch roller, further prestretching the material to a predetermined value between one or more pairs of stretch rollers, and wrapping the further prestretched material around the one or plurality of components to form a wrapped unitary package.
  • the invention also relates to an improvement in a method for wrapping a load comprising one or a plurality of units or components with a stretchable wrapping material.
  • This improvement comprises prestretching the stretchable material to a predetermined value above its yield point in multiple stages.
  • Each of these stages preferably comprises prestretching the stretchable material between a pair of stretch rollers.
  • the multiple prestretching stages comprises at least three stretch rollers driven at different speeds according to a predetermined ratio.
  • the multiple stages may include a first stage wherein the stretchable material is prestretched above its yield point between a material supply and a first stretch roller, and one or more second stages wherein the prestretched material is further prestretched between a pair of stretch rollers.
  • the stretchable material may be additionally prestretched between the stretch roller immediately upstream from the load and the load.
  • Another aspect of the invention relates to an apparatus for wrapping one or a plurality of components to form a unitary package
  • support means for holding one or a plurality of components
  • means adjacent to the support means for dispensing stretchable material means for prestretching the stretchable material to a predetermined value above its yield point in multiple stages, and means for wrapping the prestretched material around the one or plurality of components on the support means.
  • the prestretching means may be a series of at least three stretch rollers, each prestretching stage occurring between a pair of stretch rollers.
  • the relative speed between the rollers of any pair of stretch rollers is controlled by gear, pulley or other suitable means.
  • the relative speed between the two fastest rotating pair of stretch rollers is controlled and adjusted by gear means and the relative speed between the slowest rotating pair of stretch rollers is controlled and adjusted by pulley means.
  • the relative speed of the fastest rotating pair of stretch rollers to be controlled and adjusted by pulley means and the relative speed between the slowest rotating pair of stretch rollers to be controlled and adjusted by gear means.
  • the stretch roller having the greatest peripheral surface velocity is most advantageously driven by motor means.
  • each stretch roller can be driven by motor means, with each motor means mechanically or electrically connected to the others.
  • means for automatically threading the stretchable material through the stretch rollers can be provided.
  • a powered roller assembly for prestretching stretchable material comprising at least three stretch rollers driven at different speeds according to a predetermined ratio such that the material becomes elongated to a predetermined value above its yield point in multiple stages, each prestretching stage occurring between a pair of stretch rollers. It is possible to control the relative speed between any pair of stretch rollers by gear means or pulley means as described above, or by driving each stretch roller by motor means.
  • the stretch rollers may be sufficiently close to each other to reduce the length of the film in engagement therebetween, thereby limiting the reduction of widthwise dimension of the film during prestretching. This distance should be sufficient to prevent contact of the rollers up to about 1/4 inch, measured tangentially from the outer surfaces of the rollers along the axes of the roller shafts.
  • the present invention relates to a novel method and apparatus for prestretching a stretchable material, such as plastic film, to a predetermined value above the yield point of the film in multiple prestretch stages, at least two of which occur between pairs of stretch rollers in a powered roller assembly having at least three stretch rollers. Additional prestretch stages can be utilized to distribute the total amount of stretching to a plurality of smaller prestretching amounts.
  • This apparatus is useful with any type of wrapping apparatus, including the rotating turntable, roll wrapping, spiral wrapping, full web (or full film width) wrapping, pass-through, overhead, and ring wrapping types.
  • the apparatus can also be used to prestretch film for bundling relatively small loads. For illustration purposes, the methods and apparatus of the invention are described for use with a rotating turntable stretch wrapping apparatus.
  • FIG. 1 An overall view of the improved wrapping method as practiced on the apparatus of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1.
  • the apparatus 10 includes an upright frame 12 and base 14. Means for rotation, which is illustrated in FIG. 1 as a turntable 16, is mounted on base 14.
  • Conventional support means such as pallet 18 is positioned upon the turntable 16, and a plurality of units or components 20 to be wrapped are stacked on this pallet.
  • a roll 24 of stretchable plastic film 22 is, located adjacent the turntable 16.
  • the film supply is indicated as being of standard width (i.e. between about 20 and 30"), however, the invention is operable with any size (width) film provided that the appropriate increase in size of the stretch rollers and roller driving means are utilized.
  • the film 22 is prestretched between the film supply 24 and a first stretch roller before being further prestretched through a roller assembly 26 in at least two stages and attached to the plurality of components 20 to facilitate wrapping.
  • the powered roller assembly 26 also includes first programmable controller means 28 for setting the speeds of different rollers at predetermined values. This may be a computer or a mechanical device. Also, the powered roller assembly 26 includes a second programmable controller means 30 which is capable of varying the height of the plastic film and rollers in a vertical direction so as to completely wrap the entire plurality of components 20 on pallet 18.
  • tension can be provided on the film by the use of a core brake 48 on the film supply 24. It is preferable to set the core brake at a sufficiently high level such that the film 22 is prestretched to a predetermined value between the film supply 24 and the first stretch roller 34. It is possible, if desired, to prestretch the film 22 above its yield point at this location, that is, before the film proceeds to the powered roller assembly 26 for further prestretching before contacting and wrapping the load.
  • FIG. 2 there is also illustrated a top view of the roll 24 of stretchable plastic film and the powered roller assembly 26.
  • the leading edge of the film 22 passes around guide roller 32 and thereafter around stretch rollers 34, 36 and 38.
  • the prestretched film passes around dancer roller 40 and exit guide roller 42 before being attached to the load to be wrapped.
  • a prestretching stage of the film occurs between rollers 34 and 36 and, according to a preferred embodiment, the film is not prestretched above its yield point in this stage.
  • Another prestretching stage occurs between rollers 36 and 38 and the remaining degree of prestretching to the desired amount can be provided there. Additional prestretching can be accomplished through the use of additional pairs of stretch rollers.
  • the prestretched film can be further prestretched between the last stretch roller 38 and the load.
  • FIG. 2 also illustrates an automatic threading mechanism which is used to initially introduce the film around the stretch rollers.
  • This safety mechanism avoids the danger of an operator catching his fingers between the rollers, and provides a much faster method for threading the film.
  • This assembly is in the form of two guide plates 44, 46, which fit into notches in the stretch rollers 34, 36, 38 such that the film may only pass in one direction, thus wrapping itself around the stretch rollers.
  • the film supply 24 is advanced to supply a leading edge of film. After being directed around guide roller 32, the film is bunched up and then inserted between roller 34 and guide plate 44 at position A.
  • the roller assembly 26 is then powered for a short period of time, and the rotation of the stretch rollers causes the film to be drawn between the rollers and the guide plates, thus rapidly and automatically threading the film around the rollers.
  • the leading edge of film exits the roller assembly 26 at point B, and is directed around dancer roller 40 and exit guide roller 42 before being attached to the load.
  • the stretch rollers are engaged to prestretch the film to the desired amount before wrapping the plurality of components on the support means.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates the relationship between the guide plates and the notches in the rollers, as well as the orientation and position of the film after being threaded around the rollers.
  • This figure also shows one way of attaching guide plate 46 to the frame of the roller assembly housing.
  • other means of attachment such as welding or the like can also be used to place the guide plates 44, 46 in the appropriate positions.
  • Prestretching of the film in the powered roller assembly 26 is accomplished by rotating the downstream roller of each pair of stretch rollers at a faster speed than the upstream roller.
  • roller 38 is rotated at a faster speed than roller 36 and roller 36 is rotated at a faster speed than roller 34.
  • the degree of prestretch of the film is distributed over three stages: e.g., between the film supply 24 and the first stretch roller 34; between rollers 34 and 36; and between rollers 36 to 38 to provide a total of 300% for these three prestretching stages.
  • the purpose of stretching the plastic film material in multiple stages is to allow sufficient time for the molecular structure of the film to establish its new orientation after undergoing the initial prestretch.
  • This time which is also referred to as a relaxation period or recovery, enables the film to provide improved resistance to breaking, rupturing, or tearing for the same degree of stretch that is provided in a one stage or single step prestretching system, thus increasing the strength per pound per square inch of film.
  • roller 38 is driven or powered directly by a motor/gear reducer assembly 60.
  • gear 62 mounted on the shaft of roller 38, engages gear 64 mounted on the shaft of roller 36. Therefore, the speed of rotation of roller 38 is fixed by motor/gear reducer assembly 60, whereas the relative speed between rollers 36 and 38 is determined by the ratio of gears 62 and 64.
  • roller 38 is driven twice as fast as roller 36.
  • gear ratio between rollers 36 and 38 any of a wide variety of speed ratios between these rollers can be obtained.
  • Roller 36 also has a second gear 66 mounted on its shaft. This gear 66 engages gear 68 of a idler shaft 70 which is not connected to any stretch roller. As roller 36 rotates, gear 66 engages gear 68 and transmits rotational forces to shaft 70. Also located on shaft 70 is pulley 72. Pulley 72, through belt 76, engages pulley 74 which is mounted on the shaft of roller 34. Since pulleys 70 and 74 are variable speed, some degree of operational control between the speeds of rollers 36 and 34 can be provided due to the variability of the pulley speeds. FIG. 5 shows pulley 72 in a relatively slow speed position with pulley 74 in a high speed position. FIG. 6, however, shows the reverse, i.e.
  • pulley 74 is in the low speed position and pulley 70 is in a high speed position. Since the distance between the shafts of the pulleys is fixed, the variable speed feature of the pulleys is important to maintain belt 76 in proper tension and contact with the pulleys 70, 74 so as to maintain the transmission of rotational force from roller 36 to roller 34. It is also possible to include a control 78 to allow the operator to change the relative speeds of the pulleys 70, 74. This control, which can be manually or automatically operated, adjusts the spring loading on pulley 74. Such loading changes the speed of pulley 70, which rotates in response to the speed of pulley 74 transmitted by belt 76.
  • rollers 34 and 36 can be changed. It is most preferable to rotate roller 36 appropriately twice as fast as roller 34.
  • Those skilled in the art can best determine the relative speeds between rollers 34, 36 and 38 to obtain the appropriate amount of prestretching, as well as to determine the desired number of stages of powered stretch rollers, to achieve the overall amount of prestretching of the film before wrapping the load.
  • the control of motor/gear reducer assembly 60 by the action of dancer roller 40 increases or decreases the speed of the motor/gear reducer assembly 60.
  • the position of the dancer roller 40 is governed by the film demand.
  • the multiple stage prestretch system of the present invention reduces the effective rate of stretch on the film compared to conventional single stage prestretching at identical percentages of elongation.
  • the use of multiple prestretch stages produces higher levels of stretch. Since the multi-­stage prestretch system of the invention also slows the rate of stretch, a higher effective percentage of stretch can be achieved compared to a single prestretch stage system.
  • FIG. 12 is a schematic which illustrates the changes in speeds at the corners of a typical load for the wrapping arrangement of the invention.
  • the present invention provides stretch between the supply and the first upstream stretch roller and/or between the last downstream stretch roller and the load so as to distribute the prestretch over additional stages. Stretching between the last downstream stretch roller and the load is sometimes referred to as poststretching. After the film is stretched to the desired amount in the appropriate number of stages, it is then wrapped around the load.
  • Elastic recovery is a "rubber-band" effect that enables stretch wrap materials to encapsulate the load. Prestretching, which enables a film to reach higher percentages of stretch, however, also reduces the elastic properties of the film.
  • a single step, very high degree prestretching step orients a stretch film, causing the film to become brittle and have reduced elastic recovery. This brittleness is a result of the molecules being oriented i.e., becoming arranged to form chemically bonded chains of molecules which increases the tensile strength in the direction of orientation. Slower stretch rates will allow the molecules to reorient, therefore reducing this brittleness.
  • prestretch with lower stretch rates are obtained which, in turn, reduces the resultant brittleness of the film.
  • the multi-stage stretch system will also allow higher levels of stretch while reducing the associated loss of elastic recovery.
  • FIG. 3 shows the physical interconnection of the gears and pulleys on the top of the roller assembly 26.
  • This figure also illustrates the movement of the position of the dancer roller 40.
  • This dancer roller 40 is biased by spring 41 to hold lever arm 43 against switch 82 to maintain the speed of motor 60 at a minimum value.
  • the degree of spring biasing can be easily varied by adjustment screw 45.
  • screw 45 can be used to adjust the tension on the dancer roller 40, with the greater the tension on the dancer roller providing greater tension on the film.
  • the position of dancer roller 40 can vary in slot 80, which allows movement of the roller due to differences or changes in demand of the film.
  • the movement of the axis of the dancer roller 40 in this slot also actuates multiple position switch 82, to increase the speed of the motor 60.
  • the demand at which the prestretched film is wrapped around the load varies depending upon the size and shape of the load. As mentioned above, when the load is square or rectangular, the film wrapping demand at the corners of the load is much greater than that of the sides.
  • the spring biased dancer roller 40 moves to one side of the slot, thus actuating the switch which accelerates the speed of the motor and prestretching rollers. As the motor accelerates, the supply of prestretched film is increased. The supply of prestretched film attempts to increase to "catch-up" to the increased wrapping speed encountered on the sides of the load.
  • a counter wheel 50 is,provided.
  • This wheel is mounted on an arm 52, connected to pivot point 54, which enables the counter wheel to contact the outer diameter of the film supply 24 as that diameter decreases during operation of the wrapping apparatus.
  • the counter wheel includes a preloaded spring 55 which maintains forces on the wheel 50 to provide tension against the film supply 24.
  • This mechanism is designed to provide two functions: it lessens brake tension as the size (diameter) of the film supply diminishes and acts as a dispensed film footage counter.
  • a counter mechanism 56 for counting the number of revolutions of the counter wheel is also provided.
  • a potentiometer 53 supplies the values needed for the setting of the core brake as the supply roll 24 diminishes to ensure even tension as the film enters the prestretch mechanism 26.
  • the counter wheel 50 is made of the same diameter as the stretch roller 38.
  • Roller 38 is also provided with a counter mechanism 58, which is identical to the counter mechanism 56 of wheel 50, to count the revolutions of roller 38. This information is used in conjunction with the information from counting mechanism 56 to measure the amount of elongation or prestretch of the film.
  • FIG. 7 there is illustrated a detail of the counting wheel 50 to illustrate how contact of wheel 50 on film supply 24 is achieved through the use of spring 55. While those skilled in the art can devise alternate ways of arranging this mechanism, the design shown has been found to be particularly advantageous for maintaining contact while the film supply diminishes.
  • FIGS. 8, 10 and 11 show an alternate embodiment for the connection of the gears and pulleys of the stretch rollers for maintaining the relative speeds between these rollers.
  • An alternate mechanism for the dancer roller motor speed control is shown in FIG. 8 and detailed in FIG. 9. This mechanism is similar to that disclosed in FIG. 3, and it can be used in the same manner to control the speed of the motor as well as the tension of the film.
  • roller 38 is again powered directly by motor/gear reducer assembly 60. As roller 38 rotates, gear 62, which is mounted on roller 38, engages gear 64 which is mounted on roller 36. Thus, the rotation of roller 38 causes roller 36 to rotate. Depending upon the ratio of gears 50 and 48, the relative speed of rollers 38 and 36 can be controlled.
  • roller 38 rotates about twice as fast as roller 36.
  • pulley 90 located on the shaft of roller 36, is also caused to rotate.
  • Pulley 90 causes idler shaft 96 to rotate by engaging pulley 94 with belt 92.
  • Shaft 96 also includes gear 98.
  • Gear 98 engages gear 100 on the shaft of roller 34, so as to rotate roller 34.
  • FIG. 10 shows the pulleys in position for one speed, while FIG. 11 illustrates an adjustment for increasing the speed of pulley 94.
  • gears 98 and 100 contribute to the control of the relative speed of rollers 36 and 34.
  • FIGS. 5, 6, 10 and 11 illustrate the adjustable feature of the pulleys. These pulleys are variable in width to provide various effective pulley diameters depending upon whether the pulley halves are adjusted to be closest to each other - i.e. maximum diameter as in FIGS. 5 or 10 or farthest (minimum diameter) as in FIGS. 6 or 11.
  • Pulleys 70 and 90 are spring biased away for maximum diameter from each other and thus when loosening the control 78, the belt automatically pushes the pulley halves apart as shown in FIGS. 6 and 11.
  • This invention also contemplates the use of the motor to directly drive any of the three rollers with the proper interconnecting gears or pulleys to drive the remaining rollers at the predetermined speeds.
  • Other arrangements are, of course, possible but the two embodiments described hereinabove appear to be the most efficient for a system of this type.

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EP87107489A 1986-05-23 1987-05-22 Appareil et procédé d'enveloppement à préétirage en plusieurs étapes Withdrawn EP0246659A1 (fr)

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US86734286A 1986-05-23 1986-05-23
US867342 1986-05-23

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EP0246659A1 true EP0246659A1 (fr) 1987-11-25

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Cited By (31)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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FR2631922A1 (fr) * 1988-05-26 1989-12-01 Rassinoux Sa Dispositif d'emballage de produits par banderolage de film plastique
WO1993024373A1 (fr) * 1992-06-02 1993-12-09 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Systeme distributeur a l'unite pour bande adhesive a decollement par etirement variable
US5311725A (en) * 1992-07-30 1994-05-17 Lantech, Inc. Stretch wrapping with tension control
US5352320A (en) * 1993-04-09 1994-10-04 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Manual tape dispensing apparatus
EP0676332A1 (fr) * 1994-04-07 1995-10-11 Newtec International Procédé optimisé de suremballage et de transport d'une charge palettisée suremballée
US5490642A (en) * 1993-04-09 1996-02-13 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Manual tape dispensing apparatus
US5875616A (en) * 1996-12-02 1999-03-02 Oy M. Haloila, Ab Wrapping machine
US6070393A (en) * 1996-05-06 2000-06-06 Thimon, S.A. Outer wrapping film, a device for prior stretching of the film, and an outer wrapping method
WO2000038990A1 (fr) * 1998-12-23 2000-07-06 Oy El-Ho Ab Pretendeur de film pour unite d'emballage de balles utilise en agriculture
WO2008007189A2 (fr) 2006-07-07 2008-01-17 Aetna Group S.P.A. Machine et procédés d'enveloppement
US20120124944A1 (en) * 2006-02-23 2012-05-24 Lantech.Com, Llc Wrapping Apparatus And Method Including Metered Pre-Stretch Film Delivery Assembly
US20120174533A1 (en) * 2005-04-08 2012-07-12 Lantech.Com, Llc Method and Apparatus For Dispensing An Amount Of Film Relative To Girth
US20170101205A1 (en) * 2014-06-19 2017-04-13 Crawford Packaging Inc. Pallet Wrap Machine Monitor
US9725195B2 (en) 2008-01-07 2017-08-08 Lantech.Com, Llc Electronic control of metered film dispensing in a wrapping apparatus
US9776748B2 (en) 2013-02-13 2017-10-03 Lantech.Com, Llc Containment force-based wrapping
US9908648B2 (en) 2008-01-07 2018-03-06 Lantech.Com, Llc Demand based wrapping
US9932137B2 (en) 2012-10-25 2018-04-03 Lantech.Com, Llc Corner geometry-based wrapping
US9944417B2 (en) 2012-06-08 2018-04-17 Wulftec International Inc. Apparatuses for wrapping a load and supplying film for wrapping a load and associated methods
US10005580B2 (en) 2012-10-25 2018-06-26 Lantech.Com, Llc Rotation angle-based wrapping
US10005581B2 (en) 2012-10-25 2018-06-26 Lantech.Com, Llc Effective circumference-based wrapping
US10053253B2 (en) 2014-10-07 2018-08-21 Lantech.Com, Llc Graphical depiction of wrap profile for load wrapping apparatus
US10227152B2 (en) 2014-01-14 2019-03-12 Lantech.Com, Llc Dynamic adjustment of wrap force parameter responsive to monitored wrap force and/or for film break reduction
FR3092831A1 (fr) * 2019-02-14 2020-08-21 Thimon Dispositif d’etirage d’un film etirable et banderoleuse
US10822126B2 (en) * 2016-04-28 2020-11-03 Lantech.Com, Llc One-way clutch arrangement for stretch wrapping machine
US10934034B2 (en) 2015-09-25 2021-03-02 Lantech.Com, Llc Stretch wrapping machine with automated determination of load stability by subjecting a load to a disturbance
US11208225B2 (en) 2018-08-06 2021-12-28 Lantech.Com, Llc Stretch wrapping machine with curve fit control of dispense rate
US11472580B2 (en) 2003-01-31 2022-10-18 Lantech.Com, Llc Method and apparatus for securing a load to a pallet with a roped film web
US11479378B2 (en) 2019-09-09 2022-10-25 Lantech.Com, Llc Stretch wrapping machine with dispense rate control based on sensed rate of dispensed packaging material and predicted load geometry
US11518557B2 (en) 2019-09-19 2022-12-06 Lantech.Com, Llc Packaging material grading and/or factory profiles
US11597544B2 (en) 2021-01-11 2023-03-07 Rehrig Pacific Company Turntable system
US11667416B2 (en) 2017-09-22 2023-06-06 Lantech.Com, Llc Load wrapping apparatus wrap profiles with controlled wrap cycle interruptions

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EP0096635A2 (fr) * 1982-06-07 1983-12-21 Procter & Gamble European Technical Center Procédé et dispositif de régulation du pré-étirage d'un film de matière plastique, en particulier en vue de l'emballage d'une charge
EP0144266A2 (fr) * 1983-12-01 1985-06-12 EMCO INTERNATIONAL Société dite: Dispositif permettant d'envelopper une charge avec un film de matière plastique étirable

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EP0096635A2 (fr) * 1982-06-07 1983-12-21 Procter & Gamble European Technical Center Procédé et dispositif de régulation du pré-étirage d'un film de matière plastique, en particulier en vue de l'emballage d'une charge
EP0144266A2 (fr) * 1983-12-01 1985-06-12 EMCO INTERNATIONAL Société dite: Dispositif permettant d'envelopper une charge avec un film de matière plastique étirable

Cited By (67)

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FR2631922A1 (fr) * 1988-05-26 1989-12-01 Rassinoux Sa Dispositif d'emballage de produits par banderolage de film plastique
WO1993024373A1 (fr) * 1992-06-02 1993-12-09 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Systeme distributeur a l'unite pour bande adhesive a decollement par etirement variable
US5311725A (en) * 1992-07-30 1994-05-17 Lantech, Inc. Stretch wrapping with tension control
US5352320A (en) * 1993-04-09 1994-10-04 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Manual tape dispensing apparatus
US5490642A (en) * 1993-04-09 1996-02-13 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Manual tape dispensing apparatus
EP0676332A1 (fr) * 1994-04-07 1995-10-11 Newtec International Procédé optimisé de suremballage et de transport d'une charge palettisée suremballée
FR2718414A1 (fr) * 1994-04-07 1995-10-13 Newtec Int Procédé optimisé de suremballage et de transport d'une charge suremballée.
US5634321A (en) * 1994-04-07 1997-06-03 Newtec International Optimized method of applying an outer wrapping, and of transporting a wrapped load
US6170772B1 (en) 1996-05-06 2001-01-09 Thimon, S.A. Outer wrapping film, a device for prior stretching of the film, and an outer wrapping method
US6070393A (en) * 1996-05-06 2000-06-06 Thimon, S.A. Outer wrapping film, a device for prior stretching of the film, and an outer wrapping method
US6170776B1 (en) 1996-05-06 2001-01-09 Thimon, S.A. Outer wrapping film, a device for prior stretching of the film, and an outer wrapping method
US5875616A (en) * 1996-12-02 1999-03-02 Oy M. Haloila, Ab Wrapping machine
WO2000038990A1 (fr) * 1998-12-23 2000-07-06 Oy El-Ho Ab Pretendeur de film pour unite d'emballage de balles utilise en agriculture
US11472580B2 (en) 2003-01-31 2022-10-18 Lantech.Com, Llc Method and apparatus for securing a load to a pallet with a roped film web
US9187193B2 (en) * 2005-04-08 2015-11-17 Lantech.Com, Llc Method and apparatus for dispensing an amount of film relative to girth
US20120174533A1 (en) * 2005-04-08 2012-07-12 Lantech.Com, Llc Method and Apparatus For Dispensing An Amount Of Film Relative To Girth
US20120124944A1 (en) * 2006-02-23 2012-05-24 Lantech.Com, Llc Wrapping Apparatus And Method Including Metered Pre-Stretch Film Delivery Assembly
US8276346B2 (en) * 2006-02-23 2012-10-02 Lantech.Com, Llc Wrapping apparatus and method including metered pre-stretch film delivery assembly
EP2463203A3 (fr) * 2006-07-07 2012-08-01 AETNA GROUP S.p.A. Procédés d'emballage
WO2008007189A3 (fr) * 2006-07-07 2008-05-29 Aetna Group Spa Machine et procédés d'enveloppement
EP2463203A2 (fr) 2006-07-07 2012-06-13 AETNA GROUP S.p.A. Procédés d'emballage
EP2463202A3 (fr) * 2006-07-07 2012-08-01 AETNA GROUP S.p.A. Machine d'emballage
US8250838B2 (en) 2006-07-07 2012-08-28 Aetna Group Spa Wrapping machine
EP2463202A2 (fr) 2006-07-07 2012-06-13 AETNA GROUP S.p.A. Machine d'emballage
US8448412B2 (en) 2006-07-07 2013-05-28 Aetna Group S.P.A Wrapping method
US8079201B2 (en) 2006-07-07 2011-12-20 Aetna Group S.P.A. Wrapping machine and wrapping methods
WO2008007189A2 (fr) 2006-07-07 2008-01-17 Aetna Group S.P.A. Machine et procédés d'enveloppement
US9725195B2 (en) 2008-01-07 2017-08-08 Lantech.Com, Llc Electronic control of metered film dispensing in a wrapping apparatus
US9908648B2 (en) 2008-01-07 2018-03-06 Lantech.Com, Llc Demand based wrapping
US10654598B2 (en) 2012-06-08 2020-05-19 Wulftec International Inc. Apparatuses for wrapping a load and supplying film for wrapping a load and associated methods
US10220970B2 (en) 2012-06-08 2019-03-05 Wulftec International Inc. Apparatuses for wrapping a load and supplying film for wrapping a load and associated methods
US9944417B2 (en) 2012-06-08 2018-04-17 Wulftec International Inc. Apparatuses for wrapping a load and supplying film for wrapping a load and associated methods
US10005580B2 (en) 2012-10-25 2018-06-26 Lantech.Com, Llc Rotation angle-based wrapping
US10005581B2 (en) 2012-10-25 2018-06-26 Lantech.Com, Llc Effective circumference-based wrapping
US11174056B2 (en) 2012-10-25 2021-11-16 Lantech.Com, Llc Load wrapping apparatus with controlled interventions
US9932137B2 (en) 2012-10-25 2018-04-03 Lantech.Com, Llc Corner geometry-based wrapping
US11111045B2 (en) 2012-10-25 2021-09-07 Lantech.Com, Llc Dynamic rotation angle-based wrapping
US11111046B2 (en) 2012-10-25 2021-09-07 Lantech.Com, Llc Load wrapping apparatus with rotational data shift
US11104464B2 (en) 2012-10-25 2021-08-31 Lantech.Com, Llc Rotation angle-based wrapping of loads with varying dimensions
US10717554B2 (en) 2013-02-13 2020-07-21 Lantech.Com, Llc Containment force-based wrapping
US10239645B2 (en) 2013-02-13 2019-03-26 Lantech.Com, Llc Packaging material profiling for containment force-based wrapping
US11407538B2 (en) 2013-02-13 2022-08-09 Lantech.Com, Llc Packaging material profiling for containment force-based wrapping
US11912445B2 (en) 2013-02-13 2024-02-27 Lantech.Com, Llc Containment force-based wrapping
US11518558B2 (en) 2013-02-13 2022-12-06 Lantech.Com, Llc Containment force-based wrapping
US9776748B2 (en) 2013-02-13 2017-10-03 Lantech.Com, Llc Containment force-based wrapping
US11597554B2 (en) 2014-01-14 2023-03-07 Lantech.Com, Llc Dynamic adjustment of wrap force parameter responsive to monitored wrap force and/or for film break reduction
US11685567B2 (en) 2014-01-14 2023-06-27 Lantech.Com, Llc Dynamic adjustment of wrap force parameter responsive to monitored wrap force and/or for film break reduction
US10227152B2 (en) 2014-01-14 2019-03-12 Lantech.Com, Llc Dynamic adjustment of wrap force parameter responsive to monitored wrap force and/or for film break reduction
US10384822B2 (en) * 2014-06-19 2019-08-20 Crawford Packaging Inc. Pallet wrap machine monitor
US20170101205A1 (en) * 2014-06-19 2017-04-13 Crawford Packaging Inc. Pallet Wrap Machine Monitor
US10926906B2 (en) 2014-10-07 2021-02-23 Lantech.Com, Llc Load stability-based wrapping
US10435191B2 (en) 2014-10-07 2019-10-08 Lantech.Com, Llc Projecting containment force for load wrapping apparatus
US10053253B2 (en) 2014-10-07 2018-08-21 Lantech.Com, Llc Graphical depiction of wrap profile for load wrapping apparatus
US10934034B2 (en) 2015-09-25 2021-03-02 Lantech.Com, Llc Stretch wrapping machine with automated determination of load stability by subjecting a load to a disturbance
US11505343B2 (en) 2015-09-25 2022-11-22 Lantech.Com, Llc Stretch wrapping machine with automated determination of load stability by subjecting a load to a disturbance
US11731793B2 (en) 2015-09-25 2023-08-22 Lantech.Com, Llc Stretch wrapping machine with automatic load profiling
US11034470B2 (en) 2015-09-25 2021-06-15 Lantech.Com, Llc Stretch wrapping machine with automatic load profiling
US10899485B2 (en) 2016-04-28 2021-01-26 Lantech.Com, Llc Automatic roll change for stretch wrapping machine
US11401063B2 (en) 2016-04-28 2022-08-02 Lantech.Com, Llc Automatic roll change for stretch wrapping machine
US10822126B2 (en) * 2016-04-28 2020-11-03 Lantech.Com, Llc One-way clutch arrangement for stretch wrapping machine
US11667416B2 (en) 2017-09-22 2023-06-06 Lantech.Com, Llc Load wrapping apparatus wrap profiles with controlled wrap cycle interruptions
US11208225B2 (en) 2018-08-06 2021-12-28 Lantech.Com, Llc Stretch wrapping machine with curve fit control of dispense rate
FR3092831A1 (fr) * 2019-02-14 2020-08-21 Thimon Dispositif d’etirage d’un film etirable et banderoleuse
US11479378B2 (en) 2019-09-09 2022-10-25 Lantech.Com, Llc Stretch wrapping machine with dispense rate control based on sensed rate of dispensed packaging material and predicted load geometry
US11518557B2 (en) 2019-09-19 2022-12-06 Lantech.Com, Llc Packaging material grading and/or factory profiles
US12103719B2 (en) 2019-09-19 2024-10-01 Lantech.Com, Llc Packaging material grading and/or factory profiles
US11597544B2 (en) 2021-01-11 2023-03-07 Rehrig Pacific Company Turntable system

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