EP2730515B1 - Shrink packaging and device and method for producing the same - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a shrink wrap, an apparatus for producing a shrink wrap and a method for producing a shrink wrap according to the features of the preambles of claims 1, 7 and 11.

For packaging articles or article compilations, these are often wrapped with a so-called shrink film. Food items such as poultry, fresh red meat and cheese, as well as industrial and retail goods that are not food, are packaged by various methods using heat shrink films. Heat shrink films may be uniaxial or biaxially oriented depending on the manufacturing process and must have a variety of film properties.

For example, shrink-wrap packages are also used to package articles such as a plurality of containers or bottles. In particular, the shrink film is beaten into transport about the article or article assembly by means of a wrapping device and then shrunk around the article or article assembly by supplying hot shrink agent. Often one uses for this purpose polyethylene films or films of a comparatively suitable plastic material. These shrink films are usually provided as continuous material on rolls.

The shrinkage properties of the films used are usually the same in each area. When heat is applied, the shrinkage behavior of the film should therefore be equally pronounced in all areas of the outer packaging. However, the shrinkage behavior of the film is also influenced by the articles to be packaged. For example, if the articles are bottles filled with drinks, the bottle contents will affect the shrinkage behavior of the shrink film. For this reason, it is advantageous if adjacent areas of the shrink film have different properties. For example, it is advantageous if the area of the neck of the bottle exhibits a different shrinking behavior than the area which bears against the jacket surface of the bottles and is cooled by the bottle or its contents. Furthermore, the area of the shrink film which adjoins a jacket surface without cooling content must again have different shrinkage properties. For example, consider one Compilation of six bottles, the envelope of which has a bottom surface or standing surface, an upper side and four side surfaces. In the region of the side surfaces of the shrink film is at least partially already when wrapping on the outer surface of the bottles. In these areas, the film shrinks only slightly. In contrast, there are large areas on the top of the enclosure, which do not form contact surfaces with the bottles. In these areas, the shrink film is not cooled by the bottle contents but at least shrinks substantially according to its shrinkage properties.

Furthermore, for example, areas can be problematic in which the film does not rest against the bottle before shrinking, for example, the area of the upper neck of the bottle. This critical neck area is located between the area of the bottle cap and the upper shell area of the bottle with an increased cross-sectional diameter, but especially between the closure edge and the bottle. In the area of the bottle stopper, the shrink wrap is directed over one edge and can not equalize with the trailing edge area of the shrink wrap during shrinkage, i. e.g. Tighten material. When shrinking initially shrinkage is introduced in particular laterally in the film overlap, so that the film eye forms and further increased due to the shrinkage properties of the shrink film. This leads to a heavy stress on the shrink film in the area of the deflection in the bottle cap. As a result, the area of the shrink film, which is blocked by the closure edge, strongly stressed to train. The shrink film is working hard under the edge in the region of the film eye, therefore, the shrinkage forces prevail in this area. The shrink film on the edge is pulled against the locally prevailing shrinkage force and thus thinner. If this effect is large enough at a point of large or sharp deflection, this leads to the shrinking film becoming thinner and thinner. This can cause the shrink film to rupture in the area of the closure by the draw as the shrink film expands more and more and can not contract according to its properties. In extreme cases, this leads to failure of the shrink film up to the formation of holes in this area.

In the upper shell region, the shrink film on the front-side side surfaces is at least largely firmly against the articles even before shrinking. As described above, due to oppositely directed tensile forces in this upper cladding region, the shrink film generally shrinks to a lesser extent than would match its properties. Instead, shrinking forces educated. When a shrink film reaches its shrinkage initiation temperature, the bonds between the molecular dressings stretched in the blown extrusion are degraded. The molecular assemblies try to regain their original position and extent in the material. If this movement is blocked, it is only necessary to build up the so-called heat shrinkage forces. These are necessary to give the package its stability.

In the neck area, where the shrink film is not applied to the bottle, it shrinks according to their properties. In these transition areas, it can thus easily come to tearing the packaging.

Due to the container or bottle geometry, the film is currently subjected in different areas (film eye, face, area of the cap of the bottle, etc.) differently with temperature in order to adjust the shrinkage properties in these areas targeted. However, this is not possible or only with enormous design effort and thus enormous cost in some areas, since the areas are sometimes very close to each other.

Alternatively describes EP0314086 A2 a shrink wrap made of plastic material that shrinks when exposed to heat. This has at least one opening for slipping over the goods to be packaged. In the region adjoining the opening or in at least one of the regions adjoining the openings, the shrink wrap is formed in multiple layers, whereby this region is additionally reinforced.

A generic shrink wrap is from the US 4779731 known. A generic device is from the EP-A-2495178 known.

The aim of the present invention is therefore to produce a shrink wrap having an improved visual appearance. Another object of the invention may provide to improve the stability of the shrink wrap at least partially.

The above object is achieved by a shrink packaging, a device and a method comprising the features in claims 1, and 11. Further advantageous embodiments are described by the respective subclaims.

It is known that the printing of shrink films hinders or reduces their shrinkage behavior. In particular, the production-related weaker transverse shrinkage is partially reduced by 50%. For this reason, care is taken in the selection of the binders and pigments that this effect is avoided as far as possible. The goal of film manufacturers is to minimize the effect of printing on the shrink film.

This undesirable property of coatings is used selectively in the context of the present invention. As already described above, due to the geometry of the article composition, for example a container of bottles, the shrink film has to travel different paths in different areas in order to generate a good, uniform shrinkage result. Especially in areas where the shrink wrap contacts the bottles of the container and is cooled by the contents of the container, the shrink wrap should ideally have different shrink properties than where the shrink wrap spans the gap between two bottles without touching them. Another critical area is where the shrink film runs over the caps of the bottles. Here the shrink film is stretched the most by the deflection and possibly additionally burdened by sharp edges, for example crown caps. Again, the shrink film should have other shrinkage properties or a different strength than, for example, at the end faces or on the side surfaces with the so-called film eyes.

The invention thus relates to a shrink wrap for packaging an article or article composition, in particular for the packaging of bottles. The shrink wrap has a shell formed from shrink wrap. The shrink wrap is wrapped around itself around the article or article assembly so that a film overlap is formed in the bottom region of the shrink wrap. The respective end regions are firmly connected or welded together by the shrinkage. The shrink wrap according to the invention has at least partially, preferably in mechanically stressed areas, increased stability. For this purpose, the invention proposes the use of a shrink film, which has at least partially a coating. Preferably, the coating is applied in each case to a region of the shrink film that corresponds to a region with increased mechanical stress of the shrink wrap or is adjacent to a region with increased mechanical stress. Additionally or alternatively, such a coating may also be used to coat areas of the shrink wrap corresponding to areas of shrink wrap where the shrinkage behavior of the shrink wrap due to contact with the article being packaged deviates from the original shrink properties of the shrink wrap. This makes it possible to target To define areas of the shrink film, which have a different, especially a reduced shrinkage behavior. Thus, a targeted shrinkage behavior of the shrink wrap is possible, in particular known vulnerabilities of such a shrink wrap can be avoided. When passing through a shrinking process, for example in a shrink tunnel or the like, the shrink film is shrunk onto the article or the article composition, wherein the shrink film in the region of the coating shrinks less so that the result of the shrinkage process can be influenced by correct positioning of the coating can. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the shrinkage is inhibited in so-called "warm" areas without contact with the cooling contents of the articles by applying the coating. As a result, similar or identical shrinkage properties of the shrink wrap can be set via the so-called "cold" areas with contact to the cooling content of the articles and over the "warm" areas. For example, on the front side, ie in the area of the full-surface side surfaces, a logo can be printed on the films, which extends over "cold" and "warm" areas. By an additional coating of partial areas of the logo, the shrinkage properties can be locally changed in this area or the shrinkage can be prevented in the entire logo area, so that this is not distorted when shrinking the film.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the coating can be used selectively in order to achieve a particularly uniform and wrinkle-free shrinkage result. Particularly in the area of the end faces, the shrinking forces cause the shrink film to press between the articles. Especially these large areas are often printed for promotional purposes and should be formed preferably wrinkle-free for aesthetic reasons.

According to the invention, the shrink film is coated with a non-visible varnish. Instead of a lacquer, a resin or another coating with comparable properties can also be used.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the coating, for example the coating which is not visible or at least largely invisible, acts in a shrinkage-inhibiting manner in the corresponding coating area. If the partially coated shrink film is now subjected to shrinkage agent, it does not shrink or only slightly shrink in the coated area. As a coating, for example, paints are suitable, due to their Resistance to a shrink force of about 500 to 2000mN / cm ² resist, whereby the shrinkage force or the shrinkage of the shrink film can be locally influenced. In particular, the shrink film can be reinforced at particularly stressed areas of a container.

According to the invention, areas with perforations for facilitated opening of the shrink wrap are at least partially coated.

The following areas of shrink wrapping are subjected to increased mechanical stresses during the shrinking process or after the shrinking process, so that reinforcement of the shrink wrapping in these or adjacent areas is advantageous: neck area of bottles, i. the area of shrink wrap between an upper closure of a shrink wrapped article and an upper region of a shell side surface of the wrapped article; Area of the upper closure of the article, in the shrink wrap of the shrink wrap u.U. guided around sharp edges; Area of the so-called foil eye of the shrink wrap; Areas of the top of the shrink wrap between two articles; Printed image on the side surfaces without foil eye; Areas of the bottom side of the shrink wrap, especially for articles with star-shaped contact surfaces, areas where a carrying handle to be attached, etc. By a coating of areas with perforation targeted enlargement and / or degeneration of the holes of the perforation can be prevented during the shrinking process.

According to an alternative embodiment, a lacquer is used for the coating, which does not change the shrinkage behavior of the shrink film during shrinkage, but hardens upon activation. This strengthens the shrink film in this area. Such a varnish is used, for example, to coat the shrink film at least in a region corresponding to an area of increased mechanical stress of the shrink wrap after the shrinking operation. After the shrinking process has ended, the lacquer is activated by activation, for example by irradiation with UV or the like. - Hardened and thus reinforced the corresponding area of shrink wrapping. This type of coating is useful, for example, for areas where a carrying handle is to be attached. Also, the above-mentioned perforation are according to the invention simply reinforced in this way, without hindering easy separation of the perforation.

A further aspect of the invention provides that a reduced shrinkage behavior of the shrink film in the corresponding area can be set by the coating in a targeted manner. In particular, the paint is at least partially in shape a regular pattern is applied to the shrink film, whereby the shrinkage rate of the shrink film in the region is reduced to a defined extent and / or whereby the shrinkage of the shrink film in at least one shrinkage direction in the region is reduced to a defined extent. Even with a paint coating that would inhibit the shrinkage of the shrink film in the coated area by 100%, the shrinkage rate between zero and the maximum possible shrinkage rate of the shrink film can be set by the printing of patterns even with a paint coating. By a directed coating, the direction of the path of the shrink film during the shrinking process can be selectively influenced.

In order to produce a shrink wrap according to the invention, conventional packaging devices can be used, which are suitable for wrapping articles or article compositions with a shrink film and shrinking these onto the article or article composition. In this case, a pre-fabricated by the manufacturer shrink film is used, which already has the at least one desired regional coating. For example, a prefabricated shrink film is used with a coating with a non-visible lacquer. The shrink film is conventionally provided on a roll and cut to length in the desired film length during the packaging process. The roll material must therefore have the corresponding coatings at regular intervals, each corresponding to a length of film section. In this case, when a product is changed, the roll usually also needs to be replaced with the prefabricated shrink film, since a new shrink wrap usually has other weak points in another article composition. Or the respective weak points of the shrink wrap are due to the other bottle or container geometry at each other points of the film section length.

For this reason, the invention further provides an apparatus for producing a shrink wrapping comprising at least one article or article compilation. The article or the pre-grouped article assembly are transported on a horizontal conveyor to a shrinking station. Before the article or the article compilation run into the shrinking station, they are wrapped in a film wrapping device with shrink film, in particular they are wrapped in a film blank of defined length. According to the invention provided that the film transport and -zuführeinrichtung is associated with a coating device, can be applied by the at least partially a coating with a non-visible paint on the shrink film. In particular, the coating device is a printing device with which the paint is printed on the shrink film. In order to assist the drying of the coating, the coating device and / or the film transport and supply device may be assigned a drying unit for drying the coating.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a control unit and the coating device is controlled by the control unit. For example, the coating applied to the shrink film by the coating device can be controlled and / or changed via the control unit.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the correct positioning of the coated shrink-film regions with respect to the article or article composition is monitored and / or that the shrinkage result is monitored. For this purpose, the film wrapping device may comprise at least one first sensory detection unit and / or the shrinking station may comprise at least one second sensory detection unit. The respectively determined data are transmitted to the control unit. This compares the measured actual values with nominal values and optionally adjusts the pattern to coated areas by controlling the coating device. As a result, product control and product optimization in the current packaging operation is possible, whereby the number of defective products and thus the proportion of inadequate goods can be reduced.

With the coating device, the coated subregions can each be printed as full-surface coatings on the shrink film. Furthermore, the printing of so-called coating patterns is possible, for example, coated mini partial areas with uncoated mini partial areas are applied alternately in a regular pattern on the coating area.

The invention further relates to a method for producing a shrink wrap for an article or article composition in which the shrink wrap is at least partially reinforced. In this case, the regions of the shrink wrapping to be reinforced are added in accordance with a predetermined one packaging article or determined according to a predetermined article composition. Subsequently, the coating is applied to the corresponding area of the shrink film. The coating is, for example, a non-visible lacquer which preferably counteracts the shrinkage of the shrink film and thus at least partially reduces the shrinkage path. Preferably, the paint can completely prevent shrinkage of the shrink film in the coated area. The shrink wrap around the article or article assembly is then wrapped in itself and shrunk around the article or article composition. The respective end portions of the shrink film are firmly connected. The shrink film does not shrink in the at least one coated area or only to a reduced extent, so that the shrink wrap is reinforced in this area. Alternatively, the varnish does not affect the shrinking of the shrink film but is activated after shrinking and then hardens. The activation is, for example, by irradiation with UV or the like. possible and also leads to the fact that the shrink wrap is reinforced in the corresponding area.

As already described, the correct positioning of the coated regions of the shrink film with respect to the articles and / or the shrinkage result of the shrink packaging can be monitored by sensors. Optionally, the positioning of the coating during operation can be corrected or adjusted. The invention thus relates to a shrink wrap, a device for producing a shrink wrap and method for producing a shrink wrap, wherein the properties of the shrink wrap can be adjusted locally by a coating. This ensures an improved enclosure of the envelope surface predetermined by the articles to be packaged. By the local influence of the shrinkage behavior, the appearance of the shrink wrap can thus be optimized and in particular wrinkling in the region of the side surfaces with film eye and / or the end faces can be avoided. The coating provides a substantial improvement to the shrink wrap since, with a shrink wrap having homogeneous properties, not any contour, i. not every article can be enclosed without wrinkles.

Furthermore, increased stability of the shrink wrap can be generated by the coating in mechanically stressed areas.

The coating is intended, in particular, to have different heating time or possible final temperature at cooled and uncooled regions of the articles, i. in areas with or without contact with the contents of the bottles. That Areas that can heat up quickly and unhindered are "obstructed" by the coating as it shrinks. Areas where high stresses occur during shrinkage will cause the film to fail during or after the shrinking process. Such areas are reinforced by the coating according to the invention. Areas that are not heavily stressed during the shrinking process, but during the subsequent handling of the finished packaging unit, are also advantageously reinforced with such a coating.

• Figur 1 zeigt verschiedene Ansichten einer Schrumpfverpackung mit möglichen Schwachstellen gemäß dem Stand der Technik.
• Figur 2 zeigt Gebinde aus unterschiedlichen Flaschen gemäß dem Stand der Technik.
• Figur 3 zeigt Gebinde, die jeweils eine unterschiedliche Anzahl an Flaschen umfassen gemäß dem Stand der Technik.
• Figur 4 zeigt Schrumpfverpackungen mit unterschiedlichen erfindungsgemäßen Beschichtungen.
• Figuren 5 und 6 zeigen weitere Ausführungsformen von Schrumpfverpackungen mit unterschiedlichen erfindungsgemäßen Beschichtungen.
• Figur 7 zeigt eine Vorrichtung zum Herstellen einer erfindungsgemäßen Schrumpfverpackung.
• Figur 8 zeigt eine Vorrichtung zum Herstellen einer erfindungsgemäßen Schrumpfverpackung mit einer Steuerungseinheit.
• Figur 9 zeigt das Aufbringen von so genannten Beschichtungsmustern.

In the following, embodiments of the invention and their advantages with reference to the accompanying figures will be explained in more detail. The proportions of the individual elements to one another do not always correspond to the actual size ratios, since some shapes are simplified and other shapes are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for better illustration.

• FIG. 1 shows various views of a shrink wrap with potential vulnerabilities according to the prior art.
• FIG. 2 shows containers from different bottles according to the prior art.
• FIG. 3 shows containers, each comprising a different number of bottles according to the prior art.
• FIG. 4 shows shrink packaging with different coatings according to the invention.
• Figures 5 and 6 show further embodiments of shrink packaging with different coatings according to the invention.
• FIG. 7 shows a device for producing a shrink wrap according to the invention.
• FIG. 8 shows a device for producing a shrink wrap according to the invention with a control unit.
• FIG. 9 shows the application of so-called coating patterns.

For identical or equivalent elements of the invention, identical reference numerals are used. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference symbols are shown in the individual figures, which are required for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of how the device or method of the invention may be configured and are not an exhaustive limitation.

FIG. 1 shows various views of a shrink wrap 1 with possible vulnerabilities according to the prior art. The shrink wrap 1 is formed by wrapping the shrink film 2 around an assembly 100 of four bottles 3 ( Figure 1A ). In particular, in this case two opposing side surfaces 4 of the bottle assembly 100 are completely covered with shrink film 2 and referred to as end surfaces 4 *. The other two side surfaces have a so-called film overlap 5. Subsequently, by supplying heat, the shrink film 2 is shrunk onto the bottles 3, whereby a compact shrink packaging unit 1 is formed. At the side surfaces with the film overlap 5, the so-called film eye 6 forms during shrinking (FIG. Figure 1C). FIG. 1D The shrinkage packaging unit 1 is from above. Particular weaknesses of the shrinkage package 1 are a first region 20 in the neck region 12 of the bottles 3 between the bottle closure 10 and an upper lateral surface region 14, in which the bottles 3 have an elevated bottle cross section (cf. Fig. 1B ). Furthermore, the mechanical stress of the shrink wrap 1 in the region 21 of the deflection of the shrink film 2 on the bottle closure 10 may be increased. Another weak point is the region 22 on the top 7 of the shrink wrap 1 between two bottles 3 (see. Fig. 1C ). The same applies to the area 24 on the bottom side 8 or floor space. In particular, in bottles 3 with a star-shaped bottom 16, the shrink film 2 tends to completely adapt to the shape of the bottle when shrinking. Furthermore, the shrinkage behavior of the shrink film 2 means that it also at least largely adapts to the bottle shape in the region of the side surfaces 4, whereby slightly undesired folds 9 are formed.

FIG. 2 shows containers, in particular shrink packaging 1 b, 1 * from different bottles 3, 3 * in an identical 'compilation according to the prior art. The figures make it clear that with different geometries of the bottles 3, 3 *, the shrink film 2 must cover different paths s1 and s2 or s1 * and s2 * during the shrinking process. FIG. 3 shows containers according to the state of Technique, in particular shrink packaging 1,1b, each comprising a different number of bottles 3. In particular, the in FIG. 1 shown shrink wrap 1 a compilation of four bottles 3, while the shrink wrap 1b six bottles 3 or even nine bottles 3 includes. In general, a container can summarize any number of bottles. As a rule, between two and forty bottles are combined. Conventionally, the height of the bottles is between 100mm to 500mm at a volume of between 0.1L (liters) to 5.0L (liters). Here it becomes clear that the way the shrink film 2 has to travel during the shrinking process also depends on the number of assembled articles. In particular, this also affects the size of the resulting film eye 6 and 6b.

FIG. 4 shows various embodiments of a shrink wrap 30 with different coating areas. In particular, the shrink film 2 is at least partially coated with a non-visible or at least largely visible coating 40. FIG. 4A shows for comparison once again the prior art accordingly FIG. 1B , According to the in FIG. 4B In the shrink wrap 30b, at least one region 20 of the shrink wrap 2 is provided with a lacquer coating 40 which is located in the shrink wrap 30b between an upper closure 10 of a shrink wrap 2 enveloped bottle 3 and an upper region of a shell side face 14 of the enveloped bottle 3 equivalent. This serves in particular to avoid contact points between the shrink film 2 and the bottle neck 12. This upper portion 20 is usually above the level of the bottle 3. Especially with thin plastic bottles, it may therefore happen that the hot shrink film 2 during the shrinking process the bottleneck 12 and thereby touching the bottle material in this area. If the bottles 3 consist of a thin-walled plastic material, for example PET, and are filled with a carbonated beverage, the material in this region becomes softer and the internal pressure of the gassed bottle contents presses the bottle wall in the area of the bottle neck 12 outwards as a bulge.

FIG. 4C shows a coating according to the invention of a region 21, in which the shrink film 2 is guided or deflected around the closure 10 in the region of the upper closure 10 of a shrink-wrapped film 2 bottle 3. The shrink film 2 in the region of the closure 10 is strongly stressed by the initial formation of the film eye 23 to train. In particular, the shrink film 2 in the region of the closure during shrinkage can not with the behind the Level the sealing edge of the shrinking film 2, ie tighten the material. The shrink film 2 is pulled at the closure edge against the locally prevailing shrinkage force and thus thinner. In order to prevent the shrink film 2 in the region of the closure 10 from being torn by the tensile force Z, it may be advantageous to coat the shrink film 2 in this region 21 or adjacent thereto. The shrinkage path of the shrink film 2 in the region 21 is reduced by the varnish 40, so that the shrink film 2 is tensioned to a lesser extent in this region 21 of the shrink packaging 30c. At the same time, the coating has a reinforcing effect and reduces the flow of the film from region 21 into the adjacent regions, in particular in the direction of the film eye 23. Because the risk of stretching of the shrink film due to tensile forces Z and thus the risk of formation of cracks is minimized, In this case, one also speaks of a reinforcement of the shrink film 2.

In particular, in small containers of, for example, only 2x2 bottles 3, the shrink film 2 expresses due to the shrinking forces on the end faces 4 between the bottles 3 (see. FIG. 1D ). Likewise, formed on the top 7 of such a 2x2 container a recess between the bottles. In this area 22, high shrinkage forces arise because the shrink film 2 is fixed only in the region of the closures 10 of the bottles 3. At the edge to the closure 12, however, the shrink film 2 is stretched. This has already been described in detail in connection with the prior art. Figure 4D shows a coating of a region 22 on the upper side 7 of the shrink wrap 30d. The region 22 extends in particular between the empty spaces, which arise because the bottles 3 in the region of their closures 10 have a substantially smaller cross section Q10 (cf. Fig. 4C ) as, for example, in an upper region 14 of the lateral surface. The cross section in an upper region 14 of the lateral surface is denoted by Q14 (cf. Fig. 4C ). When shrinking arise in this area 22 traditionally wells. This is partly desirable because the wells also stabilize the container. However, too great a depression must be avoided, since then the bottles 3 of the container can be pushed apart again. By a targeted coating of these regions 22 of the shrink film 2 with a varnish 40, thus the emergence of a so-called recess of the shrink wrap 30d between the Bottles 3 on the top of the container 7 to a desired extent or at least largely limited.

Often, shrink wrapping at least on the side surfaces 4 without foil eye on a defined print image. Especially in the composition of largely cylindrical bottles 3, these side surfaces of the shrink wrap are not flat, so that it would be difficult to print them after the packaging process. As such, preprinted shrink films are generally used to make printed shrink wrap. As mentioned above, care is taken when printing the shrink film 2 that the effect of the pressure on the shrinkage behavior of the shrink film 2 is as low as possible. However, it is generally unavoidable that distortion of the printed image will occur during the shrinking process due to the geometry of the bottles 3 and the container assembly. An in Figure 4E illustrated, at least partially coating the shrink film 2 in the region of the side surfaces of the shrink wrap 30e, in particular with a non-visible or largely invisible paint 40, the shrink film 2 in this area imposes a defined, modified shrinkage behavior can thus help deformation and wrinkling on Print image or wrinkling of the shrink wrap 30e per se in the area of the side surfaces 4 to reduce or avoid.

FIG. 4F shows a coating of a shrink film 2 of a container, which comprises a plurality of bottles 3, wherein the substantially cylindrical bottles have 3 star-shaped support surfaces 16. The coating with a lacquer 40 is in this case arranged in the region 24 of the bottom surface 8 of the shrink wrap 30f. The shrinkage of an uncoated shrink film 2 is largely prevented in the region of the star-shaped contact surfaces 16, while in the intermediate regions a shrinkage of the shrink film 2 according to their properties is possible. This leads to a partially increased stress on the shrink film 2 and can lead to unwanted hole formation on the bottom side 8 of the shrink wrap 30f. According to an illustrated embodiment, it is provided that the at least one region 24 of the shrink film 2 coated with lacquer 40 at least partially corresponds to a region of the bottom surface 8 of the shrink wrap 30f. In particular, it is provided that the at least one region 24 of the shrink film 2 coated with lacquer 40 at least partially corresponds to a region of the bottom surface 8 of the shrink wrap 30f between two bottles 3 of the shrink-wrapped composition or where the at least one area 24 of the shrink film coated with lacquer 40 at least partially corresponds to a region of the bottom surface 8 of the shrink wrap 30f between two contact surfaces of at least one bottle 3.

Frequently, shrink packaging units have a carrying handle which is intended to facilitate the transport of the shrink packaging unit to the user. This consists for example of a band made of plastic, a suitable composite material, etc., which is attached to the shrink packaging unit. For example, the carrying handle is connected at least two places with the shrink wrap, in particular glued or welded. The areas 25 to which the carrying handle is attached are subjected to high mechanical stress when lifting the shrink wrapping unit on the carrying handle. The shrink wrap is usually made of a material that is thinner than the material used for the carrying handle. For example, a 40μm PE shrink film is used while the handle is 80μm PET. This involves the risk that when lifting the shrink wrap on the carrying handle, the shrink film in the region of the connection between the shrink wrap and carrying handle breaks and thus the entire shrink wrap is damaged. Particularly at risk here is the transition area between the area. in which the carrying handle is connected to the shrink wrap and the directly adjacent areas. Preferably, the directly adjacent region are also coated with a lacquer 40 to protect the transitional edge between shrink wrap and shrink wrap handle assembly. According to the in FIG. 4G illustrated embodiment of a shrink wrap 30g, the shrink film 2 is at least partially coated in a region 25 with a lacquer 40, which corresponds to the region of the shrink wrap 30g, to which a carrying handle is attached. As a result, the load capacity of the shrink wrap 30g is increased in this area 25 and reduces the risk of tearing out of the handle.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the shrink film 2 has at least one prefabricated or introduced during the packaging process perforation 26. Such a perforation 26 can serve, for example, to remove individual articles more easily from the shrink-wrapping unit. The problem here is that such perforations 26 are deformed during the shrinking process and thus weakened. In particular, an undesired widening of the perforation 26 may occur. In the extreme case, this leads to the shrink-wrapping unit already opening prematurely and unintentionally. An in FIG. 4H shown coating the shrink film 2 in the range of desired perforations 26 with a paint 40 can thus protect these intended film weaknesses. It can be provided that the coating is first applied and then the perforation 26 is introduced. Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable that an already existing perforation 26 is provided with a coating.

The in the FIGS. 4B to 4D shown different coated with paint 40 areas 4, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25 and 26 can be combined with each other, in order to achieve an optimal shrinkage result. FIG. 5B shows a shrink wrap 31, in which the entire in FIG. 4 The possibilities of area-wise coating have been combined.

As in the Figures 6B and 6C illustrated, may alternatively or additionally be provided with a coating of paint 40, which affects the shrinkage behavior in the region of the so-called film eye 23. In a film wrapping module, the incoming composition of bottles 3 are arranged on a first film end of a film section of the shrink film 2 which has already been cut to length or has to be cut to length in the process of wrapping. Subsequently, the film section is turned over to the grouped bottles 3 on itself, so that results in an overlap of the ends of the shrink film 2 on the bottom surface of the folded container. The parallel longitudinal sides of this film section over on two sides over the group of bottles as a so-called film projection on and form during shrinking the so-called film eye 23 of the shrink wrap (see also FIGS. 1A and 1C , in particular reference numerals 5 and 6). According to the in FIG. 6B In the embodiment shown, the edge regions of the longitudinal sides of the shrink film section are at least partially coated with a varnish 40 in order to specifically regulate the reduction of the shrinkage in the film overhang or in the area of the end surfaces of the package and thus the size of the resulting film eye 23 *. According to FIG. 6C the coating is chosen so that in addition the position of the film eye 23 * is affected.

FIG. 6C additionally shows a coating 40 in a region 23 * which forms the upper edge of the film eye 23. This improves the stability of the shrink wrap in the upper region 23x of the film eye when lifting the shrink wrap. The coating can be applied as a pattern and directly influence the shrinkage behavior in this area 23x of the shrink film 2. Alternatively, the coating can be UV-curing and only then irradiated in a rear region of the shrinking device by a UV device and thus cured. Alternatively, the UV coating in the area 23x can only be cured after the shrinking process. In this case, the finished container passes through a UV device following the shrinking device, so that the coating cures in the region 23x and results in the desired increased stability in the upper region 23x of the film eye 23.

FIG. 7 shows a device 50 for producing a shrink wrap 30, 31 according to the invention according to the FIGS. 4B to 4H . 5B and 6B , The article or the pre-grouped article compilation 100 are transported on a horizontal conveyor 52 in the transport direction (TR) to a shrinking station 54. Before the article assembly 100 enters the shrinking station 54, they are wrapped in a film wrapping device 56 with shrink film 2, in particular, they are thereby wrapped in a film blank of defined length. The film wrapping device 56 comprises a film feed device 58 for conveying the shrink film 2. These may be already cut to length film sections. Alternatively, the film feeder 56 may be associated with a cutter 59. The shrink film 2 is taken for example from an endless supply 2 * and cut by the cutting device 59 in the required length. According to the invention, it is provided that the film transporting and feeding device 58 is assigned a coating device 60, by means of which a coating with a non-visible or at least largely non-visible lacquer can be applied to the shrink film 2 at least in regions. In particular, the coating device 60 is a printing device with which the paint is printed on the shrink film 2.

Before the at least partially coated shrink film 2b can be processed in the film wrapping device 56, the applied coating must dry. This happens automatically, for example, due to the distance to be traveled within the device 50. Alternatively, it can be provided that the coating device 60 or the film transport and supply device 58 is assigned a drying unit 62. For example, the coating may be a lacquer which dries quickly under UV or IR light. In this case, the coating device 60 would be associated with a drying unit 52 having a UV or an IR irradiation unit. Alternatively, an air stream or similar. be provided, which supports the drying process. This is particularly necessary to prevent the packaging process from being delayed by the coating process.

According to the in FIG. 8 As shown, the device 50 comprises a control unit 70 and the coating device 60 is controlled by the control unit 70. For example, the coating applied by the coating device 60 to the shrink film 2 can be controlled and / or changed via the control unit 70. At a product change For example, the new desired coating area can be entered into the control unit 70. The control unit 70 then controls the coating device 60 accordingly. Alternatively, various product parameters and / or known weak points of the new shrink wrap to be created can be entered into the control unit 70. The control unit 70 then determines the required coating area and controls the coating device 60 accordingly.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the correct positioning of the shrink-film regions to be coated in relation to the article assembly 100 is monitored. For this purpose, the film wrapping device 56 may comprise at least one first sensory detection unit 72, which detects the positioning of the coated shrink film regions. These may be, for example, image-processing sensors. Furthermore, sensors can be used which detect certain physical parameters of the coating (for example refractive index, reflective or absorbing properties etc.). The sensory data are transmitted to the control unit 70. This compares the measured actual values with desired values which are either stored in the control unit 70 or calculated by the respective shrinkage package 30 to be produced. In the case of a deviation of the actual coating pattern from the desired coating pattern, this is adjusted by controlling the coating device 60. Accordingly, product control and product optimization in the current packaging operation is possible. As a result, the number of defective products and thus the proportion of inadequate goods can be reduced.

Alternatively or additionally, the shrinking station 54 may be assigned at least one second sensory detection unit 73, which records the shrinkage result of the shrink wrap 30 and transmits the data to the control unit 70. For example, can be determined by the second sensory detection unit 73, whether the shrink wrap 30 weak points and / or unwanted holes. The sensory data are transmitted to the control unit 70. This compares the measured actual values with desired values which are either stored in the control unit 70 or calculated by the respective shrinkage package 30 to be produced. In the case of a deviation of the actual shrink wrap from the desired shrink wrap, the coating pattern is adjusted by controlling the coating device 60. Also in this embodiment, product control and product optimization is ongoing Packaging operation possible, whereby the number of defective products and thus the proportion of inadequate goods can be reduced.

FIG. 9 shows the application of so-called coating patterns. In the area of a full surface coating with a lacquer 40 - see. Fig. 9A - Can be reduced up to 100% of the shrinkage force of the shrink film. On the other hand, if the paint is applied in a regular pattern 41 in which coated mini partial areas 42 alternate with uncoated mini partial areas 43 (see, in particular, enlargement of FIG FIG. 9D ), it is possible to achieve a partial reduction in the shrinkage force in the correspondingly coated area and to reduce the shrinkage rate of the shrink film in the coated area to a defined extent. By the printing of patterns 41, even with a coating with a lacquer 40, the same with uniform surface application Figure 9A would inhibit the shrinkage of the shrink film in the coated area to 100%, set a shrinkage rate between zero and the maximum shrinkage rate of the shrink film.

Furthermore, the direction of the path of the shrink film during the shrinking process can be influenced in a targeted manner by a directed coating pattern. For example, according to FIG. 9B and FIG. 9C provided a regular pattern 41 b, 41 c of coated longitudinal strips 42 _L and uncoated transverse strips 42 _L applied to the shrink film so that the transverse shrinkage is largely reduced, while the longitudinal shrinkage is largely unaffected. Alternatively, the pattern can serve to reduce the longitudinal shrinkage largely and to leave the transverse shrinkage largely unaffected. The use of coating pattern 41 can also be used as a smooth transition to uncoated normal areas. In particular, it can be provided that a central portion of the coated area is coated over its entire surface with lacquer, while in the edge areas a coating in the form of a regular pattern is provided. For example, a pattern may be formed by a plurality of adjacent coated and uncoated minibars. The size of the respective coated and uncoated mini-sections, in particular their size ratio to each other determine the shrinkage rates of the respective film area. The higher the size fraction of uncoated mini- sections, the higher the respective shrinkage rate. By way of example, it can be provided that a flowing transition is provided starting from a central, fully coated partial region, by providing a regular pattern of coated and uncoated mini-regions the size of uncoated mini sections increases towards the outside. Coating patterns can be used, for example, to prevent wrinkling on the shrink wrap, for example in the area of the side surfaces and / or the film eyes. For example, the run-off zones of the coating can be provided with "dot patterns" which ensure a smooth transition of the shrinkage rate. Specifically, when the coating 40 serves to reinforce the shrink film 2 in areas, stresses occurring in a shrink wrap may well be dissipated to other areas through the use of coating patterns.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it is conceivable for a person skilled in the art that modifications or changes of the invention can be made.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 1 *, 1b

Shrink packaging / container / shrink packaging unit

2

shrink film

2 *

endless source

3, 3 *

bottle

4, 4 *

Side surface, face

5

Folienüberlapp

6

foil eye

7

top

8th

floor area

9

Wrinkles / Wrinkles

10

bottle Cap

12

Bottleneck / neck area

14

Lateral surface / lateral surface area

16

star-shaped ground

20

Area of shrink wrapping around the neck of the bottle

21

Area of shrink wrapping in the area of the deflection around the bottle cap

22

Shrink wrapping area between closures of adjacent bottles on the top of the shrink wrap

23, 23 *

foil eye

23x

Upper area of the film eye

24

floor area

25

Mounting area for a carrying handle

26

perforation

30,30a-30h

shrink packaging

31

shrink packaging

40

Coating / lacquer

41

coating patterns

42

coated mini section

43

uncoated mini section

50

contraption

52

Horizontal conveyor direction

54

shrinking station

56

Film wrapping device

58

Film transport and feeding device

59

cutter

60

coater

62

drying unit

70

control unit

72

first sensor

73

second sensor

100

Article Compilation

s1, s2, s1 *, s2 *

contracting path

TR

transport direction

Q

cross-section

Z

traction

Claims (12)

1. A shrink wrap package (1, 30, 31) for packaging an article (3) or a set of articles (100), in particular for packaging bottles, which shrink wrap package is formed of a cover of shrink film (2), wherein the shrink film (2) is folded over onto itself around the article (3) or around the set of articles (100) such that the shrink film (2) is arranged to overlap in the bottom section (23) of the shrink wrap package (1, 30, 31) and its respective end sections are firmly connected to each other by way of the shrinking, characterised in that the shrink film (2) is at least area-wise coated with a non-visible varnish, wherein the at least one coated area of the shrink film (2) in each case corresponds to at least one area of increased mechanical stress on the shrink wrap package (1, 30, 31), wherein the shrink wrap package (1, 30, 31) at least area-wise has a perforation (26), and wherein the at least one coated area of the shrink film (2) at least partially comprises the perforation (26).
2. The shrink wrap package (1, 30, 31) as recited in claim 1 wherein a further coated area of the shrink film (2) at least partially corresponds to an area (20) of the shrink wrap package (1, 30, 31) between a top cap (10) of an article (3) covered in shrink film (2) and an upper area of a lateral shell surface (14) of the covered article (3), and/or wherein a further coated area (21) of the shrink film (2) at least partially corresponds to an area of the shrink wrap package (1, 30, 31) in the area of the top cap (10) of an article, which is (3) covered in shrink film (2).
3. The shrink wrap package (1, 30, 31) as recited in claim 1 wherein the shrink film (2) has two parallel longitudinal sides, which form a film overlap (5) of the shrink wrap package (1, 30, 31) after folding over the shrink film (2) around the article (3) or, as the case may be, around the set of articles (100), and wherein a further coated area of the shrink film (2) is at least partially arranged in the area of the longitudinal sides of the shrink film (2).
4. The shrink wrap package (1, 30, 31) as recited in claim 1 wherein a further coated area of the shrink film (2) at least partially corresponds to an area (22) of the top side (7) of the shrink wrap package (1, 30, 31) between two articles (3) of a set of articles (100), which is covered in shrink film (2), and/or wherein a further coated area of the shrink film (2) at least partially corresponds to an area of the lateral faces (4) of the shrink wrap package (1, 30, 31), which lateral faces (4) are completely covered in shrink film (2), and/or wherein a further coated area of the shrink film (2) at least partially corresponds to an area (24) of the base surface (8) of the shrink wrap package (1, 30, 31), in particular, wherein a further coated area of the shrink film (2) at least partially corresponds to an area of the base surface (8) of the shrink wrap package (1, 30, 31) between two articles (3) of a set of articles (100), which is covered in shrink film (2), and/or wherein a further coated area of the shrink film (2) at least partially corresponds to an area of the base surface (8) of the shrink wrap package (1, 30, 31) between two contact surfaces of at least one article (3).
5. The shrink wrap package (1, 30, 31) as recited in claim 1 wherein a further coated area of the shrink film (2) at least partially corresponds to an area (25) of the shrink wrap package (1, 30, 31) where a carrying handle can be mounted to the shrink wrap package (1, 30, 31).
6. The shrink wrap package (1, 30, 31) as recited in claim 1 wherein the coating is applied to the shrink film (2), at least in certain areas, in the form of a regular pattern (41), whereby the shrinking rate of the shrink film (2) is reduced in a specified extent in that area, and/or whereby the shrinking of the shrink film (2) is reduced in a specified extent in at least one shrinking direction in that area.
7. An apparatus for producing a shrink wrap package (1, 30, 31) of at least one article (3) or a shrink wrap package (1, 30, 31) assembling a set of articles (100), wherein the articles (3) or the sets of articles (100) to be covered in shrink film (2) are transported to a shrinking station (54) on a horizontal conveying device and are wrapped in transport direction (TR) by means of a film wrapping apparatus (56) into a length of film of a specified length, wherein the film wrapping apparatus (56) comprises a film transporting and film feeding device (58) for conveying the lengths of film, characterised in that the film transporting and film feeding device (58) is assigned a coating device (60) by means of which a coating of a non-visible varnish (40) can be applied, in particular, printed, at least area-wise, onto the shrink film (2).
8. The apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein the coating device (60) is coupled with the control unit (70), wherein the positioning of the coating on the shrink film (2) is adjustable, and/or wherein a drying unit for drying the coating is assigned to the coating device (60) and/or to the film transporting and film feeding device (58).
9. The apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein the film wrapping apparatus (56) comprises at least one first sensory detecting unit (72), which determines the positioning of the coated areas of shrink film in relation to the article (3) or, as the case may be, to the set of articles (100), and wherein the first sensory detecting unit (72) is coupled with the control unit (70) and transmits the determined data to the control unit (70).
10. The apparatus as recited in claim 8 or 9 wherein the shrinking station (54) comprises at least one second sensory detecting unit (73), which detects the shrinking result, and wherein the second sensory detecting unit (73) is coupled with the control unit (70) and transmits the determined data to the control unit (70).
11. The method for producing a shrink wrap package (1, 30, 31) for an article (3) or for a set of articles (100), in which method the shrink wrap package (1, 30, 31) is reinforced at least area-wise, wherein

    • at least one area of the shrink wrap package (1, 30, 31), which area is to be reinforced, is determined corresponding to a specified article (3) to be packaged or, as the case may be, corresponding to a specified set of articles (100);

    • a coating in the form of a non-visible varnish (40) is applied to the at least one determined area of the shrink film (2);

    • the shrink film (2) is folded over onto itself around the article (3) or around the set of articles (100);

    • the shrink film (2) is shrunk onto and around the article (3) or onto and around the set of articles (100), wherein the respective end sections are firmly connected with each other; and

    • wherein the shrink film (2) in the at least one coated area does not shrink or shrinks only to a reduced extent such that the shrink wrap package (1, 30, 31) is reinforced in this area; or

    • wherein the coating of varnish (40) of the shrink wrap package (1, 30, 31) is activated and hardened after the shrinking such that the shrink wrap package (1, 30, 31) is reinforced in this area.
12. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein the positioning of the coating and/or the shrinking result of the shrink wrap package (1, 30, 31) is sensor-monitored and the positioning of the coating is corrected, if required.

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