EP3157824A2 - Procédé de conditionnement - Google Patents

Procédé de conditionnement

Info

Publication number
EP3157824A2
EP3157824A2 EP15832860.9A EP15832860A EP3157824A2 EP 3157824 A2 EP3157824 A2 EP 3157824A2 EP 15832860 A EP15832860 A EP 15832860A EP 3157824 A2 EP3157824 A2 EP 3157824A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cavity
flexible
container
elongate element
leading end
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Withdrawn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
EP15832860.9A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Thomas Wiid
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Solvidt Pty Ltd
Original Assignee
Solvidt Pty Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Solvidt Pty Ltd filed Critical Solvidt Pty Ltd
Publication of EP3157824A2 publication Critical patent/EP3157824A2/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
    • B65B25/24—Packaging annular articles, e.g. tyres
    • 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
    • B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
    • B65B43/26—Opening or distending bags; Opening, erecting, or setting-up boxes, cartons, or carton blanks
    • B65B43/267—Opening of bags interconnected in a web
    • 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
    • B65B29/00—Packaging of materials presenting special problems
    • 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
    • B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
    • B65B43/26—Opening or distending bags; Opening, erecting, or setting-up boxes, cartons, or carton blanks
    • B65B43/34—Opening or distending bags; Opening, erecting, or setting-up boxes, cartons, or carton blanks by internal pressure
    • B65B43/36—Opening or distending bags; Opening, erecting, or setting-up boxes, cartons, or carton blanks by internal pressure applied pneumatically
    • 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
    • B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
    • B65B51/10—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof
    • B65B51/26—Devices specially adapted for producing transverse or longitudinal seams in webs or tubes
    • 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
    • B65B63/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on articles or materials to be packaged
    • B65B63/04—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on articles or materials to be packaged for folding or winding articles, e.g. gloves or stockings
    • 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
    • B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
    • B65B9/10—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs
    • B65B9/13—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the preformed tubular webs being supplied in a flattened state
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H49/00—Unwinding or paying-out filamentary material; Supporting, storing or transporting packages from which filamentary material is to be withdrawn or paid-out
    • B65H49/02—Methods or apparatus in which packages do not rotate
    • B65H49/04—Package-supporting devices
    • B65H49/06—Package-supporting devices for a single operative package
    • B65H49/08—Package-supporting devices for a single operative package enclosing the package
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H54/00—Winding, coiling, or depositing filamentary material
    • B65H54/76—Depositing materials in cans or receptacles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H55/00—Wound packages of filamentary material
    • B65H55/04—Wound packages of filamentary material characterised by method of winding
    • 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
    • B65B27/00—Bundling particular articles presenting special problems using string, wire, or narrow tape or band; Baling fibrous material, e.g. peat, not otherwise provided for
    • B65B27/06—Bundling coils of wire or like annular objects
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/02—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for annular articles
    • B65D85/04—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for annular articles for coils of wire, rope or hose
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
    • B65H2701/30—Handled filamentary material
    • B65H2701/35—Ropes, lines
    • B65H2701/354—Cutting lines, e.g. for grass cutting

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to the packaging of a flexible elongate element.
  • flexible elongate element includes a flexible or semi-fiexibie wire. strand, yarn, monofilament, cord, cable, tubing and pipe or any similar product, or combination thereof.
  • a packaging technique which allows for direct dispensing of the flexible elongate element, from the package, according to requirement.
  • the packaging material which is used adds no value to the packaged product, and the cost of the packaging material is an expense to be borne by the consumer.
  • the packaging material is of a bulky nature the cost of transport and storage of the packaged product is increased and, at a retail outlet, additional demands are placed on display space.
  • a monofilament line used for example, in a grass cutter, may be wound, initially, into the form of a coif which is then secured by an operator, using one or more fasteners, such as a cable tie or the like. Thereafter the coil is placed inside a plastic bag which is sealed.
  • the plastic bag Upon use. the plastic bag is opened and the fastener or fasteners on the coil are released. The coil windings are then no longer restrained and the line can become tangled, due to the resilience of the material from which the line is made, or as a result of handling or due to other factors, and the tangled coil would then be difficult to handle.
  • US6109005 discloses the use of a sealed plastic container which has an internal cavity
  • the container has an aperture formed into a backing sheet.
  • a monofilament line is wound into a coil, in the container, by winding the line through the aperture to create a packaged product, with a desired length of line, which is hefd in coiled form fay the package and not by a secondary means such as an adhesive tape.
  • a benefit of this technique is that the line can be removed from the packaging by pulling on an exposed loose end of the monofilament, through the aperture in the backing sheet.
  • the packaging material which is required is still relatively expensive.
  • the making of the packaging material calls for multiple steps, namely the forming of a container with a cavity, the production of a backing sheet with an aperture, the bonding of the cavity container to the backing sheet to provide a closed, preformed container with an aperture, and the dispensing of the monofilament line into the container.
  • a disadvantage which can arise during use is that a loose end of the line may become located inside the cavity in which event it can be difficult to recover the loose end without breaking the container.
  • the present invention is concerned with a packaging method which, in broad terms, is intended to address, at least partially, the various drawbacks which have been identified by the applicant as being associated with prior art techniques.
  • one objective of the invention is to provide a simplified packaging method which is user-friendly and cost effective and which can be implemented using a minimal amount of packaging material. This reduces the weight and size of a packaged product, helps to combat transport and storage costs, and reduces the demand for an increased allocation of shelf space at a retail outlet.
  • Another objective is to provide a packaging method which does not require the use of two separately formed components which are bonded or otherwise secured to each other.
  • a further objective is allow for the packaging of a flexible elongate element into a container which does not have a preformed aperture for the element and which allows for the element to be dispensed with ease, for use, with a reduced likelihood that a loose end of the element can inadvertently be located inside the container, an event which normally means that the element can on!y be recovered with some difficulty, from the inside of the container.
  • the invention provides a method of packaging a flexible elongate element which has a leading end, the method including the steps of providing a container which has a wall of flexible sheet material, which at least partly encloses a cavity of variable size, the wall including an inner surface which faces the cavity and an opposing outer surface, establishing a pressure differential between at least part of the inner surface and at least part of the outer surface thereby to tension at least a part of the flexible sheet material, directing said leading end into contact with a location on the tensioned part of the flexible sheet material thereby to form a hole at the location, in the wail, feeding said end through the hole into the cavity, restraining movement of the leading end, and farming a coil of the elongate flexible element inside the cavity by continuing to feed the flexible elongate element into the cavity.
  • the flexible elongate element may be of the kind referred to hereinbefore i.e. a flexible or semi-flexible wire, strand, yarn, monofilament, cord, cable, tube, pipe or any similar product or combination thereof.
  • the flexible element should have a reasonable degree of stiffness so that sufficient force can be applied to it, in an axial direction, to penetrate the flexible sheet material and form the hole in the wall.
  • the flexible elongate element should have a degree of resilience or a memory which causes the element to be coiled inside the cavity when the leading end is restrained against movement . The leading end may be restrained against movement while inside, or outside, the cavity.
  • the flexible sheet materia! is preferably an appropriate plastics material.
  • the container may be pre-formed
  • the container is one of a plurality of similar containers which are formed in succession from an elongate tubular member which is made from a plastics material.
  • the member may be transported past a forming and sealing station which forms the member continuously into a plurality of containers in succession with each container being of a predetermined size.
  • Each container may be formed with at least one aperture which, when and as required, allows for a gas, eg. air to flow through the aperture, into or out of the cavity (of variable size) which is defined by the container i.e. which is enclosed by the flexible sheet material which makes up the container.
  • a gas eg. air
  • the container is preferably provided in a deflated form.
  • the container in deflated form, may be positioned in contact with, or may subsequently be brought into contact with, at least one suitable support.
  • the support may contact the container from one side, or the support, or multiple supports, may wholly or partially enclose the container.
  • the container defines a cavity of variable size. When the container is deflated the size of the cavity is effectively zero. However, as indicated, by creating a differential pressure between an inner surface of the flexible sheet material and an outer surface of the flexible sheet material the size of the container may be increased.
  • the pressure differential can be established in different ways. Use may be made of a gas, e.g. air. to inflate the cavity so that the size of the cavity is thereby enlarged.
  • the flexible elongate element may be drawn from a coil or reel as required or, alternatively, directly from equipment which is used to manufacture or process the element.
  • the leading end of the elongate flexible element may be directed onto the wail of the container by applying sufficient force, to the element, in an axial direction of the element to allow the leading end to puncture the flexible sheet materia) and enter the cavity.
  • the leading end of the element may be allowed to move inside the cavity until the leading end comes into contact with an appropriate location on the inner surface of the sheet material, or with a part of the sheet material which is backed by a suitable formation on a support.
  • the leading end may be allowed to penetrate the sheet material again, and to exit the cavity, whereafter further movement of the leading end is restrained.
  • the net effect is such that movement of the leading end inside or outside the cavity, as the case may be, is restricted and is effectively stopped.
  • Movement of the flexible element into the cavity is however continued by continuously applying force to the element in its axial direction. Such movement can only take place if the element can bend, inside the cavity.
  • the element should have sufficient stiffness so that it can be directed into the cavity, it should also have a memory which allows it to take up a coiled form, automatically, as an additional quantity of the material is moved into the cavity.
  • the leading end of the element may be brought to a stop, inside the cavity, immediately before coiling of the element inside the container commences.
  • the leading end may for example contact an inner surface of the flexible sheet material or a surface against which the flexible sheet material abuts.
  • the coiling effect can however be initiated in a different way.
  • the speed at which the leading end moves is reduced. This can be due to a fricttonal effect, as a resuit of an initial coiling action, or the (ike.
  • the speed at which the flexible element is fed into the cavity inside the container is generally substantially constant due to the use of suitable handling equipment of a mechanised nature.
  • the flexible element is fed into the cavity at a speed which is greater than the speed at which the leading end of the element can move (even if the leading end has not been stopped) and the additional materia! coming into the cavity can only be accommodated if the material takes up a coiled form inside the cavity.
  • an appropriate support can be used to secure the sheet material while the puncturing process takes place.
  • the support can be shaped, permanently or temporarily, so that the flexible elongate element is guided in a specific direction as it enters the cavity.
  • the flexible sheet material can be in the form of one or more layers of plastic, elastomers, metal, metallised film, paper, carton, textiles, textile fabrics, or any suitable combination thereof.
  • the packaging material i.e. the sheet material
  • the packaging can be formed from a static or anti-static material, a natural or synthetic material, or from a combination thereof.
  • the packaging can be biodegradable or compostable. The packaging material must however be such that the chosen flexible elongate element can puncture the material and enter the cavity, in the manner which has been described.
  • Use may be made of a guide, e.g. a tubular member, through which the flexible elongate element passes, to direct the leading end into contact with the flexible sheet material thereby to ensure that the leading end punctures the sheet material at the location.
  • a guide e.g. a tubular member, through which the flexible elongate element passes, to direct the leading end into contact with the flexible sheet material thereby to ensure that the leading end punctures the sheet material at the location.
  • Use may be made of a cutting mechanism to sever the flexible elongate element once a predetermined length thereof has been fed into the cavity. This may produce a trailing end of the elongate element which is positioned outside the cavity. This is desirable for it allows a user to grip the trailing end, when required, so that a length of the flexible element can be withdrawn from the cavity for use.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic representation of apparatus used to implement the method of the invention
  • FIGS 2A to 2F schematically illustrate successive steps in carrying out the method of the invention.
  • FIGS 3, 4 and 5 depict possible modifications to the inventive process.
  • Figure 6 is a perspective view of a reusable holder or housing which can be used with a product produced by the method of the invention
  • Figures 7A and 7B show how a flexible element can be dispensed from packaging in which it is contained.
  • Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a diagrammatic representation of apparatus 10 used to implement a method according to one form of the invention.
  • the apparatus embodies three workstations 12, 14 and 16 respectively which are used to process the product 20 which is to be packaged, and packaging material 22.
  • the packaging material in this embodiment, includes a coil 24 of an elongate flexible tubular member 26, mounted for rotation about an axis 28.
  • the tubular member 26 is made from flexible sheet material of any suitable kind, as referred to hereinbefore.
  • the tubular member, in coil form, is defiated i.e. essentially pressed flat with opposing sections 30 and 32 respectively.
  • the workstation 12 includes components 12A and 12B respectively which are movable together, under the control of a suitable control mechanism 34, at regular intervals, in order to seal the sections 30 and 32 together.
  • sealed portions 36 are formed at regular intervals along the length of the tubular member as it is unwound from the coil 24.
  • opposed small apertures 38 and 40 are formed through the sections 30 and 32. This is done in any convenient way for example using a small punch or a heated element.
  • the controi mechanism 34 also acts on a roller system 42 which is adjacent the third workstation 16 and which functions to draw the tubular member 26 from the coil 24 at a controlled and continuous rate.
  • the second workstation 14 includes a base support 46 and a cover support 48 which opposes the base support.
  • the supports 46 and 48 have a space 50 between them and also define a mouth 52 to the space.
  • a source 54 of a compressed gas e.g. air is connected to the workstation 14 via a tube 56.
  • a valve 58 which is optionally used, is positioned in the tube and can be opened or closed by means of a suitable signal sent from the control mechanism 34.
  • the cover support 48 includes an elongate entry structure 60 which forms a guide 62 of generally tubular shape.
  • the product 20 is held in a suitable form adjacent the workstation 14.
  • the product may for example be provided in coiled form, contained on the reel, in a suitable housing, or the like.
  • the product is directly supplied from equipment (not shown) used to manufacture or process the product.
  • the product comprises a flexible elongate element 64 generally of the kind described hereinbefore.
  • the element 64 is directed by means of a suitable feed structure 66, e.g. a plurality of rollers, into a bore 68 of the guide 62.
  • the third workstation 16. which is positioned downstream of an exit port 70 from the space 50 contains a cutting device 72 to which product, emerging from the workstation 14, is presented. Another cutting device 76 is positioned at an entry to the guide 62. The cutting devices are controlled by the control mechanisms 34.
  • Figures 2A to 2F schematically illustrate various stages of the production of a packaged product during operation of the apparatus 10
  • control mechanism 34 which is a PLC, a microprocessor or the like.
  • the invention is not limited in this respect.
  • each container includes an opposed pair of apertures 38 and 40 - see Figure 2A.
  • the aperture 40 of the given container 80A is brought into register with an exit port 84 from the tube 56.
  • the base support 46 and the cover support 48 may be moved towards each other so that they closely surround the container 80A which is still in s deflated form and which is in the space 50. This however is not essential. If the valve 58 is used this is opened by means of a signal from the controller 34, Compressed air from the source 54 then flows through the exit port 84 into the space 50. Most of the air flows through the aperture 40 into a cavity 88 of the container 80A. Prior to this taking place the size of the cavity 88, defined by the flexible sheet material., is effectively zero as the container is deflated.
  • the feed structure 66 is activated, as required by the control mechanism 34. to direct the flexible elongate element 64 through the guide 62. A leading end 90 of the flexible elongate element is thereby brought into contact with an outer surface 92 of the container 80A In accordance with parameters which have been discussed hereinbefore sufficient force is applied to the flexible elongate element 64, in its axial direction 96, to allow the leading end 90 to penetrate the sheet material and so form a hole 98 in a wall of the container 80A, see Figure 20.
  • the axially directed force (in the direction 96) is applied continuously to the flexible elongate element.
  • the leading end 90 strikes an inner surface 100 of the container 80A ( Figure 2D) and is deflected to one side ( Figure 2E).
  • the leading end then impinges on an area 102 of the inner surface which is curved and which effectively restrains further movement of the leading end inside the cavity 88.
  • movement of the leading end may m this manner be halted, this is not necessarily a prerequisite for coiling of the element to take place.
  • the speed of movement of the leading end although not halted, may be slowed in relation to the speed at which the flexible element is being fed into the cavity inside the container.
  • the speed of the feed is constant due to the use cf appropriate handling equipment.
  • the material which is being fed through the hole 98 can therefore only be accommodated inside the container if coiling of the element takes place - a process which occurs naturally due to the characteristics of the material from which the element is made and due to the confining effect of the container.
  • the supply of compressed air to the aperture 40 is maintained to ensure that the cavity 88 remains enlarged to its maximum size.
  • the leading end 90 is not capable of again penetrating the flexible sheet material which makes up the container 80A and, consequently, as feeding of the element continues, the element is formed into a coil 104 with a plurality of overlapping windings 106, as is shown in Figure 2F.
  • the length of the flexible elongate element which is fed into the cavity 88 is monitored by the feed structure 66 and when a predetermined length has been coifed into the cavity the device 76 is operated to sever the flexible elongate element.
  • the roller system 42 is operated by the control mechanism 34 and the container 80A emerges from the workstation 14 with a coiled length of the flexible elongate element inside the container. A trailing end 108 of the element protrudes from the hole 98.
  • the cutting device 72 is operated and the container 80A is severed from the upstream flow of containers and falls into a receptacle, not shown, for further processing and distribution, as may be required.
  • the deflated container In order to inflate the deflated container use is made of the compressed air source 54 white the deflated container is positioned at the workstation 14.
  • the compressed air source 54 is replaced by a vacuum device which draws air through the tube 56 when the respective container, in deflated form, is positioned in the space 50.
  • a volume 112 between the outer surface 92 of the container and an opposing inner surface of the cover support 48 is thereby partly evacuated and a reduced vacuum prevails in this volume.
  • a portion of the section 32 of the deflated tubular member is drawn towards the guide structure 60, The pressure prevailing inside the cavity 88 of the container 80A is also reduced and, as a consequences, air flows through the aperture 38 into the cavity 88.
  • the cavity 88 Due to the pressure differential which is thereby established the cavity 88 is increased to some extent in size. A portion of section 32 is tensioned to some extent by the pressure differential and, in a manner similar to what has been described, the feed structure 66 is actuated to drive the leading end 90 of the flexible elongate element through a location on the wall section 32. Thereafter a coiling process which is similar to what has been described in connection with Figures 2A to 2F follows and a coiled product is formed inside the cavity 88.
  • positive air pressure is used to enlarge the cavity.
  • negative air pressure exerted on one outer side of the cavity 88 is used in a controlled manner to cause the cavity to be enlarged.
  • the apparatus 10 shown in Figure 1 provides for a continuous production process. This is not necessarily the case though.
  • a flexible elongate element is to be packaged inside a container which is relatively large then the container may. with benefit, be separately formed, or it may be separated from a number of similar containers.
  • a suitable container may be a discrete component which is placed, using a suitable material handling system, into an appropriate workstation which is equivalent to the workstation 14.
  • the cavity size of the container is enlarged so that at least part of the sheet material which defines the container is tensioned and.
  • the use of the cover support 48 is hot essential. It is preferred though to make use of a guide to direct the leading end of the flexible elongate element to a predetermined location on the container. Similarly, if the container has significant strength when inflated, the use of the base support 46 is also not essential. With this type of arrangement the container which is to serve as the packaging device is preferably inflated with positive air pressure as opposed to using a vacuum source to produce a reduced pressure region around the container.
  • Figure 3 illustrates a possible modification to the arrangement shown in Figure 1. in this instance a reinforcing structure 120, e.g. in the form of a small washer, with a central aperture 122 is used.
  • the cavity 88 is inflated, much in the manner described, using a compressed air source at the workstation 14.
  • the leading end 90 of the flexible elongate element is directed through the aperture 122 into contact with the flexible sheet material which is surrounded by the washer.
  • the washer acts to brace the sheet material which is internally pressurised. The leading end is therefore able to puncture the sheet material with relative ease and then become coiled inside the cavity.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a base support 46 which has a planar or flat form.
  • Figure 4 shows that the base support, designated 46A, can have a deflecting surface 124 which is positioned opposite a hc!e 98 formed by the leading end 90 of the flexible elongate element.
  • the deflecting surface 124 urges the leading end to one side and along a specific path.
  • the base support can be formed with an aperture 126 which is at a location at which the leading end would normally be restrained against further movement.
  • a short length of the flexible elongate element then protrudes from the container.
  • the leading end then strikes a portion 128 of the base support which is shaped, temporarily or permanently, for the purpose, and which inhibits further movement of the flexible elongate element which then coils inside the cavity, in the manner described.
  • the end result in this case, is a packaged product wherein opposed ends of the element, held in coiled form in the container, protrude at different locations from the container,
  • Figure 5 illustrates an example of the invention in which only the base support 46 is employed and the cover support 48, shown in Figure 1. is not used.
  • the container when inflated, bears directly against an exit 62A from the guide 62 which acts much in the manner of the reinforcing structure 120 shown in Figure 3.
  • a portion of the wall section 32 at the exit from the guide 62 is stressed (tensioned) and the leading end 90 of the elongate element is then able to penetrate the wait of the flexible sheet material with relative ease.
  • a flexible element can be packaged in a flexible container with ease and with minimal operator input.
  • the packaging medium is smaller and more compact than most arrangements which are conventionally used.
  • the quantity of packaging material which is used is also reduced.
  • the packaging material is also normally of reduced weight compared to prior art arrangements. Retail or display space requirements are accordingly reduced.
  • the housing 130 may include a hinged ltd 132 which is attached to a casing 134. A protruding iead of the elongate element is passed through a dispensing aperture 136.
  • Use of the housing 130 is of course optional. Nonetheless the housing may be used to facilitate the dispensing of an elongate element, e.g. a monofilament line, under conditions which allow for measuring of a dispensed length, or to facilitate cutting of a dispensed length from the remainder of the coiled line held inside the housing.
  • the leading end 90 of the elongate element can be allowed to protrude from the container 80.
  • This arrangement allows the elongate element to be dispensed from the container 80 by pulling the end 90 in the direction of an arrow 134 i.e. to one side of the coil (see Figure 7A).
  • Figure 7B however illustrates an arrangement in which the trailing end 108, which protrudes from the container, is used for dispensing in that the trailing end is pulled from the container 80 in a direction 136 which is at a right angle to the direction 134 (in the illustrations).

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Packaging Of Special Articles (AREA)
  • Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé d'enroulement d'un élément allongé flexible à l'intérieur d'un contenant constitué d'un matériau en feuille souple, au moins une partie du matériau en feuille étant tendue par l'établissement d'un différentiel de pression entre une surface intérieure et une surface extérieure du matériau en feuille et l'élément allongé souple étant passé dans un trou dans le matériau en feuille tendu formé par une extrémité avant de l'élément souple selon une configuration enroulée à l'intérieur du contenant.
EP15832860.9A 2014-06-17 2015-06-17 Procédé de conditionnement Withdrawn EP3157824A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA201404406 2014-06-17
PCT/ZA2015/000043 WO2016044863A2 (fr) 2014-06-17 2015-06-17 Procédé de conditionnement

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3157824A2 true EP3157824A2 (fr) 2017-04-26

Family

ID=55315794

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP15832860.9A Withdrawn EP3157824A2 (fr) 2014-06-17 2015-06-17 Procédé de conditionnement

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20170121043A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP3157824A2 (fr)
WO (1) WO2016044863A2 (fr)
ZA (1) ZA201700252B (fr)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10934128B2 (en) * 2017-04-12 2021-03-02 Suncoast Post Tension, Ltd. Automated coiling system for post-tension tendon
CN110745318B (zh) * 2019-10-22 2021-03-30 深圳市北诚自动化设备有限公司 软质导管单圈缠绕方法
CN114933051B (zh) * 2022-06-08 2023-08-25 安徽国登管业科技有限公司 一种pe管道的在线盘卷打包装置

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US3167895A (en) * 1958-06-03 1965-02-02 Kendall & Co Method of filling suture package
US4019636A (en) * 1975-11-03 1977-04-26 Belden Corporation Strand package and carton therefor
SE446717B (sv) * 1980-05-21 1986-10-06 Skaltek Ab Forfarande for astadkommande av en spolstomme
FR2562048B1 (fr) * 1984-03-30 1986-11-28 Rougemont Manufacture Rouleau de fil metallique a enroulement a diametre variable conditionne sur un presentoir et son procede d'obtention
US4693365A (en) * 1985-04-15 1987-09-15 Corella Arthur P Package, instrumentation, system and method for packaging flaccid items, filaments and the like
US5359831A (en) * 1989-08-01 1994-11-01 United States Surgical Corporation Molded suture retainer
US5086914A (en) * 1990-05-14 1992-02-11 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. Suture package
FR2703030B1 (fr) * 1993-03-26 1996-02-16 Supervox Ind Sa Conditionnement pour fil, cable ou analogue.
US5794776A (en) * 1996-01-22 1998-08-18 Corella; Arthur P. Instrumentation, system, method and package for packaging flaccid filaments
US6016911A (en) * 1999-02-19 2000-01-25 Chen; Hua-Mei Package for a reel of wire
US6109005A (en) * 1999-08-13 2000-08-29 Robert L. Phillips Method of packaging a coiled trimmer line
US6594972B1 (en) * 2001-06-28 2003-07-22 Robert Phillips String trimmer line package and method of filling
US8794438B2 (en) * 2012-04-27 2014-08-05 Reelex Packaging Solutions, Inc. Assembly with shrink bag container having non-shrunk integral handle
US20140069060A1 (en) * 2012-09-12 2014-03-13 Windak Inc. System and method for coiling and sealing an elongate flexible component

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Title
None *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ZA201700252B (en) 2018-08-29
US20170121043A1 (en) 2017-05-04
WO2016044863A3 (fr) 2016-05-06
WO2016044863A9 (fr) 2016-07-14
WO2016044863A2 (fr) 2016-03-24

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