EP1066202B1 - Removable element for protecting a product projecting part and method for producing such element - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a protective element removable from a projecting part of a product such than a tap fitted to a bottle or more generally a containing such as defined in the preamble to the first claim; and a method of making such an element.

It is known to protect the protruding parts products like tanks or drums like that is described in document EP 0 334 697 of the applicant.

These protective elements, although very interesting, only suitable for large series. But he there are many forms of such protruding parts by example of beer keg valves, and the number relatively reduced of each type of product does not justify a automatic installation equipment.

It is also known according to the document DE 2 804 851A a bottle cap formed from a film of shrink plastic. According to this document, we wrap a piece of film that is previously provided with a strip tear reaching the edge of the piece of film, which does not could be done with a sleeve. We are therefore obliged to resort to an unusual process of making a sleeve to from a piece of film.

The sleeve obtained is preformed with a symmetrical shape in rotation since it is intended to style a collar bottle without unusual shape, i.e. a neck of symmetrical bottle in rotation.

Such a sleeve could not be preformed according to a non-symmetrical shape corresponding to a strong deformation local due to the extra thickness formed by the overlap sealed edges at the film and reinforcement formed by bonding the strip tear.

According to document FR 2 593 472, there is known a screw cap consisting of a preformed sleeve with a corrugated length intended to be pressed by heat shrinking on the threaded part of a bottle neck. This year part ribbed, preformed, has a symmetrical circular shape. Its deformation regular device aims to allow a regular shrinking of the sleeve on the screw thread so as not to locally weaken the plug which must become screwable, i.e. it must be able to unscrew then to screw up several times without destruction.

It is therefore not envisaged to integrate a band tearing from such a sleeve because this tear strip would be useless and contrary to the desired goal, that is to say the unscrewing rather than destroying the sleeve to open the bottle.

The present invention aims to create an element protection and a method of manufacturing such an element that can easily adapt to a very particular of parts or protruding parts, and the final positioning (but removable) is by heat shrinking.

To this end, the invention relates to an element of protection characterized according to the characterizing part of the first claim.

This protective element, preformed on the mandrel corresponding to the large dimensions and the silhouette of the projecting part intended to be protected, is simply made from a mandrel having externally the largest forms of the product with a section which, glo balement, is the largest at the base and the smallest at the Mountain peak.

This sleeve-shaped element, preformed, with a tuck-in edge, is very easily positioned on the part projecting. Thanks to the shape of its section, in case the part protruding to protect does not present a form of revolution over its entire height, the preformed element is positioned perfectly and stays in place while we heat shrink this preformed element to shrink it completely on the projecting part.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the sleeve is preformed to the general shape of the part in projection. To facilitate removal of the protective element when using the product, it is beneficial that the sleeve has a rupture line on at least one part of its length or height. This breaking line facilitates the initiation of rupture. A piece of the sleeve can stay on the protruding part as a witness. he can for example, a manufacturing indication or more usually an indication of origin.

In this case the longitudinal breaking line, starting from the folded edge, is extended by a peripheral line separating the sleeve into two parts, one, removable, the other, intended to remain on the product.

The invention also relates to a method of making of such a removable protective element, this method being characterized according to the characterizing part of the process claim.

• la figure 1 est une vue en coupe schématique d'un mandrin pour la fabrication d'un manchon préformé destiné à entourer une valve de bouteille à gaz,
• la figure 2 montre le mandrin de préformage sur lequel a été placé un morceau de manchon encore cylindrique,
• la figure 3 montre un élément de protection amovible, préformé sur le mandrin,
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective d'un élément de protection selon l'invention,
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective d'une variante de réalisation de l'élément de protection de la figure 4,
• la figure 6 est un schéma montrant la mise en place d'un élément de protection sur une valve de bouteille à gaz,
• la figure 7 montre la position de l'élément de protection avant sa thermorétraction,
• la figure 8 montre la thermorétraction de l'élément de protection sur la partie en saillie (valve),
• la figure 9 est une vue en perspective de la valve protégée par l'élément de protection,
• la figure 10 montre une chaíne de fabrication de manchons préformés à partir d'une gaine de matériau rétractable,

The present invention will be described below in more detail with the aid of the appended drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a mandrel for manufacturing a preformed sleeve intended to surround a gas cylinder valve,
• FIG. 2 shows the preforming mandrel on which a piece of sleeve which is still cylindrical has been placed,
• FIG. 3 shows a removable protective element, preformed on the mandrel,
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a protective element according to the invention,
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the protective element of FIG. 4,
• FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the installation of a protective element on a gas cylinder valve,
• FIG. 7 shows the position of the protective element before it is shrunk,
• FIG. 8 shows the heat shrinkage of the protective element on the projecting part (valve),
• FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the valve protected by the protective element,
• FIG. 10 shows a chain for manufacturing preformed sleeves from a sheath of shrinkable material,

The invention will be described below first in its application to the protection of a cylinder valve at gas.

Such a valve 1 is shown in FIG. 1. We write around this valve (or at least the part who should receive protection; upper part of the valve) an envelope surface to form a mandrel.

In fact, the mandrel 2 is produced to form a undercut mold, from its base 3. For this, the section of the mandrel 2 is the largest at its end lower 21. This section remains constant over a certain part of its height 22 then it decreases to form a shoulder 23 and end in a part cylindrical 24 of small cross section relative to the large cross section of the chuck on the base side 3. This large section near base 21 is necessary to absorb by example the connection 25 of the pipe which comes laterally in projection. For this reason, the mandrel 2 does not have a shape cylindrical circular but has a part box-shaped 25 projecting from the side, from the base 21.

The valve to be protected 1 fits completely into the shape of this mandrel 2 while respecting the necessities of a demoulding by undercut; in other words, and like already indicated, the "horizontal" section of the mandrel 2 cannot that decrease by going up towards the cylindrical part 24 (or remain constant over a certain part of its length). This mandrel used to preform an initially cylindrical sleeve as shown in a first step in Figure 2.

For this we cut a retractable sleeve, by example in polyvinyl chloride PVC or any other material retractable 102, and it is placed on the mandrel 2. The sleeve 4 has an external dimension markedly greater than that of the mandrel 2. We could choose a sleeve blank 3 of smaller section.

This sleeve 4 simply rests by its end lower 41 on the base 3.

Then we heat shrink the sleeve 4 for him match the shape of the mandrel 2. The result of this heat shrinkage appears in Figure 3. This sleeve 4 is then applied firmly against the outer surface of the mandrel 2, the cylindrical part 24, high, has an opening 421A at the edge 422A of the sleeve 4. In addition, the sleeve has taken a rounded shape with a recessed edge curved inward, matching the shape of template 2 and from his shoulder 23.

On the other hand, at its other end, and on a part of the height 423A, the horizontal section of the draft remains practically constant.

Finally, on the middle part, from the base, the preformed sleeve has lateral deformation 423A corresponding to the box part 25 of the mandrel 2. Finally, it ends with a large base 424A.

Figure 3 shows the sleeve 4 in the free position and the pre-shrunk sleeve 4A or preformed sleeve.

After cooling (for example by blowing fresh air) the preformed sleeve 4A can be removed from the mold pulling up, thanks to the tapered shape, oriented as indicated.

The preformed sleeve 4A is then obtained. in Figure 4. This preformed sleeve 4A has, in addition to the details described above, also a tear strip 44A as well as a logo 45A and a mark 46A, if applicable supplemented by a date or indication of a place of manufacture.

The tear strip 44A extends over the entire height and the inner edge of the sleeve.

The variant in Figure 5 stands out only of that of Figure 2 in that the tear strip 44B does not descend to the large base but stops at a dotted line 47B which separates the preformed sleeve 4B into a part removable upper 4'B and a lower part 4 "B intended to remain as a witness on the object to be protected, after removing the upper 4'B to be able to use the projecting part. This 4 "B control strip may consist of a logo with an indication of manufacture.

Figures 6 to 9 show the placement of the preformed sleeve 4A on a product 1 and the result obtained.

According to FIG. 6, the preformed sleeve is placed 4A on product 1 after interposition of a plate of covering 5 which covers the handle 12 of the valve 1. This figure also shows the placement of the valve in the cap 13 of a reservoir 14 for example of a bottle gas.

The installation of this preformed sleeve 4A and the plate 5 appears clearly as indicated by arrows in Figure 6.

Figure 7 shows the position in which finds the sleeve preform 4A on valve 1. This sleeve preformed 4A is oriented around the axis thanks to the shape of box 43 which is at the level of the external thread adjustment 15 of valve 1.

After this installation we blow air hot (figure 8; arrows F) to retract the sleeve preformed tightly around the outline of the object 1.

Figure 9 shows the projecting part (valve) provided with such a film permanently retracted.

Figure 10 shows the automation of a chain manufacturing preformed sleeves such as preformed sleeves 4A or 4B.

According to a first step 100, a sheath is unwound 102 of a coil 101. This sheath is made of a heat-shrinkable material, preferably PVC whose characteristics are chosen according to the needs of use, mono-oriented or bi-oriented. This sheath can be preprinted and precut transversely. A barrier of detection 103 detects the position of the reference elements (patterns prints and pre-cut lines) to order the item cutting 200 represented schematically by two blades 201, 202. This gives a sleeve 104 blank first. dish. This blank is deployed transversely to pass in the preforming station 300 in which there are mandrels 302 on bases 303 to receive the blanks of sleeves 104.

The templates 302 fitted with the sleeves 104 pass in a heat shrink chamber 303 in which blows warm air, for example; this enclosure is from preferably a tunnel; heating can also be provided by infrared then, at the outlet of the preforming enclosure, the preformed sleeves 104A are obtained.

104A sleeves can be used directly or be stacked and packed in 401 boxes in a packing station 400 for deferred use or in another installation.

The scrolling of products between the different positions for the operations described above is done by usual means of automatic transport and transfer, not shown in detail.

Claims (5)

1. Removable protective element for a projecting lateral portion of a product, such as the tap of a tank or bottle, which element is in the form of a sleeve (4) which is to be slipped onto the projecting lateral portion in order to be heat-shrunk onto this lateral portion,
   characterised in that

   the initially cylindrical sleeve (4) cut from a shrinkable sheath (102) is preformed to match the general shape of the projecting portion (1) before being slipped onto the projecting portion, the preformed sleeve not having a circular cylindrical shape but having a portion in the form of a box projecting from the side, starting from the base,

   one end (41) of the preformed sleeve (4) and a specific length (423A) thereof, starting from this end (41), have a cross-section slightly larger than the largest cross-section of the projecting portion (1, 15),

   the other end (42) of the preformed sleeve (4) has an inset edge (422A) having a free opening (421A) smaller than the cross-section of the free end of the projecting portion.
2. Removable protective element according to claim 1,
   characterised in that the sleeve (4) is preformed to match the general outline of the projecting portion of the product, with optional positioning bosses.
3. Protective element according to claim 1, characterised in that the sleeve comprises, over at least a portion of its length, a tear-off strip (44A) formed on the sheath.
4. Method for the manufacture of a removable protective element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that
   a mandrel (2) is formed for the projecting lateral portion (1, 15) of the product, which portion is to receive the protective element (4, 4A), giving this mandrel (2) a shape such that its cross-section at its base and over a specific height is slightly larger than the largest cross-section of the projecting lateral portion (1), a centring cylinder element (24) having a cross-section which is much smaller than the remaining cross-section of the mandrel (2) is formed at the upper end of the mandrel in order to form, at the junction of the cylindrical element (24) and the body of the mandrel (2), a peripheral shoulder (23),
   all of the raised portions of the mandrel, corresponding to the shape of the projecting lateral portion, taper starting from the base,
   a sleeve blank (104) having a length at least equal to the length of the mandrel is cut from a shrinkable sheath (102), the sleeve blank (104) is positioned on the mandrel, the sleeve (4) is shrunk onto the mandrel (2) in order to cause it to correspond in shape and to preform the sleeve to a non-cylindrical circular shape with, on its central portion, starting from the base, a lateral deformation in the form of a projecting box, and the sleeve so preformed is removed from the mould.
5. Method for the manufacture of the removable protective elements according to claim 4, characterised in that all of the operations are carried out (101, 102) automatically starting from a roll of pre-printed sheath of shrinkable material, to produce preformed sleeves (104A) which retain a shrinkage capacity and which are stacked by partial or total nesting in order to be packed in packaging (401) for despatch to another site.

Images