EP3507207B1 - Package of insulating products and process for manufacturing such a package - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the packaging of compressible insulating products, in particular with a view to their transport or their storage. More specifically, the invention relates to a package comprising compressible insulating products which are provided in the unitary state in the form of rolls or of substantially parallelepipedal batches of panels. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a package, and to a palletized assembly comprising such packages.

Fibrous insulation products, such as glass wool or other mineral wool felts, are low density products that occupy a large volume. In order to facilitate their transport and storage, it is desirable to limit the size of these products and to produce palletizable loads. For this purpose, the insulating products in the unit state are conventionally packaged in a compressed state, being coated with a protective envelope generally made of kraft paper or plastic, the insulating products then being assembled in the form of rows and then positioned on pallets.

A constraint for packaging is that the deformations generated during compression of the insulating product must not degrade its capacity to recover thickness on deconditioning, the insulating qualities of the product being dependent on this recovery in thickness. Another constraint is the need to protect the insulating product from the external environment, in particular when it comprises a binder sensitive to the effects of humidity. However, the protective envelope making it possible to maintain the product in the roll state, or to bring together a series of panels in a batch, does not generally cover the entire external surface of the product and is therefore not sufficient to ensure complete protection against humidity.

EP0220980A1 describes a package in which a module is formed by juxtaposing several insulating products in a row, and wrapping the row using a film sealed on itself. Several modules are then superimposed on a pallet and the whole is assembled by wrapping. One disadvantage of this type of packaging is that, even if the rolls or the batches of panels are protected by the wrapping film, they are however no longer protected, in particular at their ends, once the palletized assembly has been opened or damaged. There is then a risk of water infiltration into the insulating product, which can lead to a degradation of its insulating properties. Other packaging is known by WO2004103821 and US2013067861 .

It is these drawbacks that the invention more particularly intends to remedy by proposing a packet of compressible insulating products making it possible to preserve the quality of the insulating products, in particular in terms of thickness recovery.

• une rangée de produits isolants disposés les uns à côté des autres, successivement selon une première direction perpendiculaire aux axes longitudinaux des produits isolants, les produits isolants de la rangée ayant leurs axes longitudinaux parallèles entre eux,
• un premier film qui enveloppe chaque produit isolant de la rangée dans un état comprimé du produit isolant, en couvrant la surface périphérique du produit isolant,
• un deuxième film qui enveloppe la rangée de produits isolants, en couvrant une partie de la surface périphérique des produits isolants de la rangée,

les modules de l'empilement étant superposés selon une deuxième direction perpendiculaire aux axes longitudinaux des produits isolants et à la première direction de chaque module, l'empilement comportant deux faces d'extrémité formées par les extrémités des produits isolants et des faces principales et faces transversales qui sont perpendiculaires aux faces d'extrémité,
caractérisé en ce que le paquet comprend une housse qui enveloppe l'empilement de modules superposés, en couvrant cinq faces de l'empilement incluant les deux faces d'extrémité et au moins la périphérie de la sixième face de l'empilement.To this end, the invention relates to a packet of compressible insulating products, each insulating product having a longitudinal axis, a peripheral surface and first and second ends, the pack comprising a stack of at least two superimposed modules, where each module includes:

• a row of insulating products arranged one beside the other, successively in a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the insulating products, the insulating products of the row having their longitudinal axes parallel to each other,
• a first film which envelops each insulating product of the row in a compressed state of the insulating product, covering the peripheral surface of the insulating product,
• a second film which envelops the row of insulating products, covering part of the peripheral surface of the insulating products of the row,

the modules of the stack being superimposed in a second direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the insulating products and to the first direction of each module, the stack comprising two end faces formed by the ends of the insulating products and the main faces and faces transverse which are perpendicular to the end faces,
characterized in that the pack comprises a cover which envelops the stack of superimposed modules, covering five faces of the stack including the two end faces and at least the periphery of the sixth face of the stack.

According to one characteristic, each module of a package according to the invention comprises a single row of insulating products arranged one beside the other, successively in the first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the insulating products, the insulating products of the single row having their longitudinal axes parallel to each other. The second film then envelops the single row of insulation products, covering part of the peripheral surface of the insulation products in the row.

Throughout this application, the term “cover” when it is used alone should by default be understood as designating a cover which envelops a stack of modules. When reference is made to a cover of a palletized assembly, which is distinct from a cover which surrounds a stack of modules, it is systematically specified that this is an “external cover”.

In the context of the invention, the insulating products can be rolls. As a variant, the insulating products can be batches of several panels assembled beforehand, for example by means of a heat-shrinkable film, these batches having a substantially parallelepipedal shape and having a footprint similar to that of the rollers. In the following, reference is often made to rollers, it being understood that the invention is not limited to this particular case.

In the context of the invention, the stack of modules, which corresponds to a stage of modules in a palletized assembly, is completely covered by the combination of the second film and the cover. Thus, thanks to the invention, packets of insulating products are obtained, intended to form all or part of a stage in a palletized assembly, which are watertight. The stack of modules is enclosed within a package, formed by the combination of the second film and the cover, which covers all of the faces of the stack of modules.

The invention makes it possible to produce very simply palletized assemblies of rolls or panels, by superimposing several packages in accordance with the invention each corresponding to a stage of the palletized load, while ensuring that the insulating products in each package are protected from moisture or other external contaminants even when opened or damage to the external protection of the palletized assembly, which may be a wrapping film or a stretch or shrink cover. This is particularly advantageous when the insulating products comprise a binder which is sensitive to humidity, such as a bio-sourced binder, in particular based on saccharides, sugars and / or sugar alcohols. Such palletized assemblies can be stored outside, without further precaution, without risk of deterioration of the quality of the insulating products and in particular without problem of thickness recovery. Advantageously, it is possible to subdivide the palletized loads obtained according to the invention into series of watertight packages, which is practical in particular during unpacking operations.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the second film forms, around the row of insulating products, a sleeve with an axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of the insulating products. More precisely, the row of insulating products has two main faces and two transverse faces perpendicular to the ends of the insulating products, and the second film envelops the row of insulating products, extending over the main faces and the transverse faces of the row.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the second film envelops the row of insulating products in a compressed state of the insulating products against each other in the first direction. This compression in the first direction, which comes in addition to the compression of each insulating product provided by the first film, helps to limit the size of the packages of insulating products in accordance with the invention.

According to an advantageous aspect, the first film and the second film are plastic films having relatively low extension properties. In particular, each of the first film and the second film preferably exhibits a stress at 10% elongation greater than 15 MPa, preferably greater than 17 MPa or 20 MPa, in the direction of extrusion and in the direction transverse to the direction of extrusion. The stress can be measured according to the ISO 527/3 standard, on standard film samples. According to this standard, the elongation of the film is measured for an increasing tensile force applied to the film (measured in MPa) and a standardized speed. The compression of each insulating product and the compression of each row of insulating products can thus be obtained and maintained, respectively, by a first single film and by a second single film. Preferably, the first film and the second film are made of high density polyethylene (HDPE, or HDPE in English for high density polyethylene).

According to one characteristic of the invention, the cover has a main axis of deployment which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the insulating products.

Preferably, the cover envelops the stack of superimposed modules by covering five faces of the stack, including the two end faces, and by covering only a peripheral part of the sixth face of the stack. In other words, the cover then has an opening at the level of the sixth face of the stack.

In an advantageous embodiment, the cover has an opening at the level of a main face of the stack perpendicular to the second direction. This is the preferred arrangement when the cover has an opening, because the edge of the cover delimiting the opening is then located on the periphery of one face of the stack where the second film of one of the modules end of the stack creates a continuous flat surface, which ensures a continuous overlap between the cover and the second film. Preferably, in this embodiment, the edge of the cover and the second film present on this main face of the stack are not linked together, which makes the method of manufacturing the package in accordance with the invention particularly simple. , fast and economical, while having a high protection in particular against the infiltration of water inside the package thanks to the continuous overlap of the cover and the second film. According to one variant, the edge of the cover and the second film present on this main face of the stack can be linked together, for example by gluing or by welding.

In a less preferred embodiment, when the cover has an opening, the opening of the cover may be located at a transverse face of the stack perpendicular to the first direction. This is the only other possible option when the cover has an opening, because in the framework of the invention the cover necessarily covers the two end faces of the stack. This arrangement is less advantageous than the previous one, because the edge of the cover delimiting the opening is then located on the periphery of a face of the stack which is formed by curved peripheral sides of the various modules of the stack, which are covered by several separate second films, which does not guarantee a continuous overlap between the cover and the second films. It is then more difficult to seal the package.

In another embodiment, the cover has no opening and covers all six sides of the stack. In this embodiment, the cover can be placed on the stack of modules in a hooding device allowing, after the cover has been deployed around the stack, to seal the material of the cover on itself. , in particular by welding, facing the sixth face of the stack.

Preferably, the cover is a stretchable cover, formed from a sheath of stretchable plastic film, for example of low density polyethylene (LDPE, or LDPE for low density polyethylene). The use of a stretch film sheath makes it possible to ensure good stability and good sealing of the package of insulating products. Advantageously, unlike a heat-shrinkable film, the placement of a stretch sleeve does not require a heat source, because it suffices to mechanically stretch the plastic film material in the transverse direction beforehand before wrapping the film. stacking of modules. After placing the stretched cover on the stack of modules, the tightening of the material of the stretch film occurs naturally by elasticity, which firmly holds the cover around the stack of modules.

According to a variant, in a less preferred embodiment, the cover may be a shrinkable cover, formed from a sheath of heat-shrinkable plastic film, for example of heat-shrinkable polyethylene.

According to one aspect of the invention, the second film is a plastic film having a higher tensile strength than that of the plastic film constituting the cover. For example, the second film can be made of high polyethylene density (HDPE), while the plastic film constituting the cover is low density polyethylene (LDPE).

In the context of the invention, each row advantageously comprises a number of insulating products between 2 and 10.

Another object of the invention is a palletized assembly comprising a pallet, at least two packets of compressible insulating products as described above which are superimposed one on the other and on the pallet with the longitudinal axes of the insulating products. perpendicular to the pallet, and means for holding the packages on the pallet.

In one embodiment, the means for maintaining the packages on the pallet comprise an external cover. According to a preferred variant, the outer cover is a stretchable cover, formed by stretching at the periphery of the packages with a sheath of stretchable plastic film, for example a sheath of low density polyethylene (LDPE). According to a less preferred variant, the outer cover is a retractable cover, formed by retraction at the periphery of the packages of a sheath of heat-shrinkable plastic film, for example a sheath of heat-shrinkable polyethylene.

In another embodiment, the means for holding the packages on the pallet comprise a film wrapped around the periphery of the packages, for example a polyethylene film 20 to 30 microns thick having a mechanical stretching capacity greater than 200 %, in particular of the order of 250%. Conventionally, a cap is also provided on top of the load formed by the bundles, for example of a relatively thick polyethylene film, at least 75 microns thick.

• on enveloppe chaque produit isolant à l'aide d'un premier film qui couvre la surface périphérique du produit isolant et qui maintient le produit isolant dans un état comprimé ;
• on forme une rangée de produits isolants en disposant plusieurs produits isolants munis du premier film les uns à côté des autres, successivement selon une première direction perpendiculaire aux axes longitudinaux des produits isolants, les produits isolants de la rangée ayant leurs axes longitudinaux parallèles entre eux ;
• on forme un module en enveloppant la rangée de produits isolants à l'aide d'un deuxième film, qui couvre une partie de la surface périphérique des produits isolants de la rangée et qui maintient les produits isolants de la rangée les uns à côté des autres selon la première direction ;
• on forme un empilement de modules en superposant au moins deux modules selon une direction perpendiculaire aux axes longitudinaux des produits isolants et à la première direction de chaque module ;
• on forme le paquet en enveloppant l'empilement de modules à l'aide d'une housse qui couvre au moins cinq faces de l'empilement incluant les deux faces d'extrémité de l'empilement formées par les extrémités des produits isolants.

Another object of the invention is a method of manufacturing a package comprising compressible insulating products, each insulating product having a longitudinal axis, a peripheral surface and first and second ends, the method comprising steps in which:

• each insulating product is wrapped with a first film which covers the peripheral surface of the insulating product and which maintains the insulating product in a compressed state;
• a row of insulating products is formed by placing several insulating products provided with the first film next to each other, successively in a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the insulating products, the insulating products of the row having their longitudinal axes parallel to each other;
• a module is formed by wrapping the row of insulating products with a second film, which covers part of the peripheral surface of the insulating products of the row and which keeps the insulating products of the row next to each other according to the first direction;
• a stack of modules is formed by superimposing at least two modules in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the insulating products and to the first direction of each module;
• the package is formed by enveloping the stack of modules with the aid of a cover which covers at least five faces of the stack including the two end faces of the stack formed by the ends of the insulating products.

• on enveloppe chaque produit isolant à l'aide d'un premier film qui couvre la surface périphérique du produit isolant et qui maintient le produit isolant dans un état comprimé ;
• on forme une rangée de produits isolants en disposant plusieurs produits isolants munis du premier film les uns à côté des autres, successivement selon une première direction perpendiculaire aux axes longitudinaux des produits isolants, les produits isolants de la rangée ayant leurs axes longitudinaux parallèles entre eux ;
• on forme un module en enveloppant la rangée de produits isolants à l'aide d'un deuxième film, qui couvre une partie de la surface périphérique des produits isolants de la rangée et qui maintient les produits isolants de la rangée les uns à côté des autres selon la première direction ;
• on forme un empilement de modules en superposant au moins deux modules selon une direction perpendiculaire aux axes longitudinaux des produits isolants et à la première direction de chaque module ;
• on forme un paquet en enveloppant l'empilement de modules à l'aide d'une housse qui couvre au moins cinq faces de l'empilement incluant les deux faces d'extrémité de l'empilement formées par les extrémités des produits isolants ;
• on superpose au moins deux paquets l'un sur l'autre et sur une palette avec les axes longitudinaux des produits isolants perpendiculaires à la palette ;
• on assemble les paquets et la palette à l'aide de moyens de maintien des paquets sur la palette.

Another object of the invention is a method of manufacturing a palletized assembly comprising compressible insulating products, each insulating product having a longitudinal axis, a peripheral surface and first and second ends, the method comprising steps in which:

• each insulating product is wrapped with a first film which covers the peripheral surface of the insulating product and which maintains the insulating product in a compressed state;
• a row of insulating products is formed by placing several insulating products provided with the first film next to each other, successively in a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the insulating products, the insulating products of the row having their longitudinal axes parallel to each other;
• a module is formed by wrapping the row of insulating products with a second film, which covers part of the peripheral surface of the insulating products of the row and which keeps the insulating products of the row next to each other according to the first direction;
• a stack of modules is formed by superimposing at least two modules in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the insulating products and to the first direction of each module;
• a package is formed by enveloping the stack of modules with the aid of a cover which covers at least five faces of the stack including the two end faces of the stack formed by the ends of the insulating products;
• at least two packages are superposed on top of each other and on a pallet with the longitudinal axes of the insulating products perpendicular to the pallet;
• the packages and the pallet are assembled using means for holding the packages on the pallet.

In the context of a method according to the invention, the row of insulating products can be formed in a stacker. In addition, the wrapping of the row of insulating products using the second film can be achieved by belting so as to form a sleeve with an axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of the insulating products, the second film being deployed around the row. according to the first direction. For the belting of the row of insulating products using the second film, the belt device advantageously comprises means for the relative movement of a strip of film around the row of insulating products.

Furthermore, in the context of a method according to the invention, the wrapping of the stack of modules using the cover is advantageously carried out by stretching a sheath of stretchable plastic film, for example of low polyethylene. density (LDPE), the sheath being deployed around the stack in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the insulating products. Alternatively, in a less preferred embodiment, the wrapping of the stack of modules using the cover can be achieved by shrinking a sheath of heat-shrinkable plastic film.

In one embodiment of the invention, the packages and the pallet are assembled using an outer cover obtained by stretching or retracting a sheath of plastic film, the sheath being deployed around the packages and the pallet. in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axes of the insulating products.

In another embodiment of the invention, the packages and the pallet are assembled by wrapping, using a wrapping film which is deployed around the bundles and the pallet in a wrapping direction parallel to the longitudinal axes. insulation products.

• les figures 1 à 5 sont des vues schématiques en perspective montrant des étapes successives d'un procédé de fabrication d'un paquet de rouleaux conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 6 est une vue schématique en perspective éclatée d'un premier mode de réalisation d'un ensemble palettisé comprenant deux paquets selon l'invention ;
• la figure 7 est une coupe transversale schématique selon le plan VII de la figure 6 ;
• la figure 8 est une vue analogue à la figure 6 pour un deuxième mode de réalisation d'un ensemble palettisé comprenant deux paquets selon l'invention ; et
• la figure 9 est une coupe transversale schématique selon le plan IX de la figure 8.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description of embodiments of a package of insulating products and of a palletized assembly in accordance with the invention, given solely by way of example and made with reference to to the accompanying drawings in which:

• the figures 1 to 5 are schematic perspective views showing successive steps of a process for manufacturing a package of rolls according to the invention;
• the figure 6 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a palletized assembly comprising two packages according to the invention;
• the figure 7 is a schematic cross section on plane VII of the figure 6 ;
• the figure 8 is a view analogous to figure 6 for a second embodiment of a palletized assembly comprising two packages according to the invention; and
• the figure 9 is a schematic cross section along the plane IX of the figure 8 .

On the figure 1 is schematically illustrated a roll 1, formed by winding an insulating strip of compressible fibrous material, such as glass wool or rock wool. This roll has a longitudinal axis X ₁ , a peripheral surface 15 and two ends 12 and 14. Conventionally, during the winding of the roll 1, the fibrous material has undergone compression, with a compression ratio suitable for ensuring both that the bulk of the insulation tape is minimized in the wound state and that the insulation tape regains its thickness and its insulating characteristics in the unwound state. Roll 1 has also been wrapped with a first film 2 which maintains the roll in a compressed state, covering the peripheral surface 15 of the roll. By way of example, the roller 1 has a diameter at the level of its ends 12, 14 of the order of 300 to 600 mm, and each roller has a length parallel to the axis X ₁ of the order of 800 to 1250 mm.

As shown on the figure 2 , a row 3 of rollers is formed by placing several rollers 1 next to each other, successively in a first direction D ₁ perpendicular to the longitudinal axes X ₁ of the rollers, with their axes X ₁ parallel to each other. By way of example, row 3 has a length along the first direction D ₁ of the order of 900 to 3000 mm, which corresponds to a row of three to six rollers depending on the diameter of the rollers. In the example shown, each row 3 comprises four juxtaposed rollers 1 and has a length in the first direction D ₁ of the order of 1600 mm.

To form a module 5, which has a single row 3 of rollers 1, row 3 is wrapped with a second film 4, with application of a compression of the rolls 1 of the row against each other in the direction of arrows C ₁ of the figure 3 , which corresponds to the first direction D ₁ , the compression being maintained by the wrapping with the second film 4. The wrapping with the second film 4 can be carried out in a belt device, for example in which the film 4 is deployed around row 3 in the first direction D ₁ , by relative displacement of a strip of film 4 and of row 3 while applying compression C ₁ in the first direction D ₁ . Advantageously, the second film 4 extends from one end to the other of the rollers 1, covering the main 31, 33 and transverse 36, 38 faces of row 3 and leaving free the ends 12 and 14 of each roll. The compression applied in the direction of the arrows C ₁ is for example of the order of 1.5 tonnes. As visible on the figure 3 , following such compression, the rollers 1 have a cross section of oval shape, the largest axis of which is in the second direction D ₂ perpendicular to the longitudinal axes X ₁ of the rollers and to the first direction D ₁ . By way of example, the module 5 has a length in the first direction D ₁ of the order of 1100 to 1250 mm.

Preferably, the first film 2 and the second film 4 are each formed of a plastic tape which is not very extensible, for example a plastic tape. high density polyethylene (HDPE), so that each film 2 and 4 keeps rolls 1 in the row in their compressed state.

As shown on the figure 4 , several modules 5 are superimposed, in the second direction D ₂ perpendicular to the longitudinal axes X ₁ of the rollers and to the first direction D ₁ of each module, so as to form a stack 6. The stack 6 has two end faces 62, 64, which are formed by the ends 12, 14 of the rollers 1, and the main faces 61, 63 and transverse 66, 68, which are perpendicular to the end faces 62, 64. In the example shown, the stack 6 comprises three modules 5 superimposed in the second direction D ₂ .

A pack 8 of rolls according to the invention is obtained by wrapping the stack 6 of modules with a cover 7, so that the cover 7 covers five faces of the stack 6 including the two end faces 62, 64 and the cover 7 is folded over the periphery of the sixth face of the stack 6, which in the example of the figure 5 is the lower main face 61 of the stack. Thus, an edge 72 of the cover 7 is positioned opposite the lower main face 61 of the stack 6 and covers the periphery of this face 61, while delimiting an opening 71 at the level of this lower main face 61. The opening 71 is centered on an axis Y ₇ perpendicular to the longitudinal axes X ₁ of the rollers 1 of the stack 6.

Preferably, the cover 7 is a stretchable cover, formed from a sheath of stretchable plastic film, for example of low density polyethylene (LDPE). The wrapping of the stack 6 with the cover 7 is then carried out, in a known manner, in a packaging device with a stretchable cover. On the figure 5 , the vertical direction of the packaging device corresponds to the direction of the Y axis ₇ of the cover 7. In this example, the cover 7 is deployed in the second direction D ₂ around the stack 6.

Conventionally, in the packaging device, the sheath of stretchable plastic film is stored around a spool, being pleated into a bellows or accordion tube shape. The packaging device includes a welding station configured to weld the liner to form a welded seam. After welding, the sheath is cut transversely in a cutting station to produce a cover 7 independent of the coil and closed at its upper part.

The pleated cover 7 is then stretched in a horizontal plane parallel to the weld zone of the upper part of the cover 7, which is the plane perpendicular to the second direction D ₂ , while being positioned above the upper main face 63 of the stack 6. The cover 7 is then unfolded, and deposited on and around the main face 63 and the faces 62, 64, 66, 68 of the stack 6 following a vertical movement from top to bottom according to the second direction D ₂ .

At the end of the hooding operation, the lower end of the cover 7 is folded back under the lower main face 61 of the stack 6, for example using stretching shoes. The cover 7 is then tightened by elasticity, which firmly maintains the cover 7 around the stack 6 of modules. The edge 72 of the cover 7 positioned opposite the lower main face 61 then covers the periphery of this face 61, while delimiting the opening 71.

A package 8 is thus obtained comprising twelve rollers, which is waterproof because the packaging, formed by the combination of the cover 7 and the second film 4 of the end module closest to the opening 71, covers all of the six faces of the stack 6 of modules. The continuous overlap between the cover 7 and the second film 4 at the periphery of the main face 61 of the stack 6, where the second film 4 of the end module creates a flat and closed surface, ensures that it does not there is no entry of water inside the package 8. By way of example, the package 8 has a length parallel to the axes X ₁ of the rollers of the order of 800 to 1250 mm, a length according to the first direction D ₁ of the order of 1100 to 1250 mm, and a length along the second direction D ₂ of the order of 1200 mm. Thus, it is possible to fit two pallets of dimensions 1200 to 1250 mm by 1200 to 1250 mm side by side, supporting stacked packages 8, in a truck having a width of the order of 2400 to 2500 mm. Of course, the dimensions of the rollers 1, the number of rollers 1 and the compression level C ₁ can be adapted so that the dimensions packages 8 correspond to all conventional dimensions of pallets and means of transport.

From packs 8 of rolls in accordance with the invention as described above, it is possible to produce palletized assemblies in a simple manner. Two examples of palletized assemblies are illustrated in the first and second embodiments shown in the figures 6 to 9 .

In the first embodiment shown in figures 6 and 7 , the palletized assembly 16 comprises a pallet 13 and two packages 8 of rollers. The pallet 13 is preferably formed of two wooden trays or gratings spaced apart by spacers defining sufficient space for the introduction of handling machine forks. Advantageously, the lower plate of the pallet 13 allows easy movement on a rolling track and stacking of loads. The two packages 8 are superimposed one on the other and on the pallet 13 in a configuration where the rollers 1 are "standing" on the pallet 13, that is to say with their longitudinal axes X ₁ perpendicular to the line. palette. As clearly visible on the figure 6 , this corresponds to a configuration of each packet 8 rotated by 90 ° with respect to the configuration of the figure 5 . The opening 71 of the cover 7 of each package 8 is then disposed laterally with respect to the palletized assembly 16, each cover 7 then being able to be considered as a "horizontal" cover in the palletized assembly 16.

For maintaining the packages 8 on the pallet 13, the palletized assembly 16 comprises an outer cover 9, which can be considered as a "vertical" cover in the palletized assembly 16. Preferably, the outer cover 9 is a stretchable cover. , formed by stretching a sheath of plastic film around the periphery of the packages 8. The positioning of the outer cover 9 around the packages 8 and the pallet 13 is carried out, in a known manner, in a packaging device with stretchable cover. On the figures 6 and 7 , the vertical direction of the packaging device corresponds to the direction of the main axis Xg of the outer cover 9. In this example, the outer cover 9 is deployed around the packages 8 and the pallet 13 in a direction parallel to the axes longitudinal X ₁ of the rollers.

Advantageously, the device used for placing the "vertical" outer cover 9 around the packages 8 and the pallet 13 can be the same device as that used for placing the "horizontal" covers 7 on the packages. stacks 6. In this case, the installation for manufacturing the palletized assemblies may include means for 90 ° rotation of the packages 8 after the installation of their cover 7 and before their superposition on the pallet 13.

The positioning of the outer cover 9 around the packages 8 and the pallet 13 is done in a manner analogous to that of the cover 7 around the stack 6. Thus, the pleated outer cover 9 is stretched in a parallel horizontal plane. to the weld zone of the upper part of the outer cover, which is the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axes X ₁ of the rollers. The outer cover 9 is then unfolded, and deposited on and around the packages 8 and the pallet 13 following a vertical movement from top to bottom in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axes X ₁ of the rollers. At the end of the hooding operation, the lower end of the outer cover 9 is folded back under the pallet 13. The outer cover 9 is tightened by elasticity, which firmly holds the outer cover 9 around the pad. charged. The outer cover 9 provides protection from bad weather to the palletized assembly 16.

In the second embodiment of a palletized assembly shown in figures 8 and 9 , elements similar to those of the first embodiment bear identical references. The palletized assembly 17 according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the maintenance of the packages 8 on the pallet 13 is not ensured by means of an external cover 9, but by wrapping at the same time. 'Using a film 10 which is deployed around the packages 8 and the pallet 13 with a displacement in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axes X ₁ of the rollers.

The positioning of the wrapping film 10 around the packages 8 and the pallet 13 is carried out, in a known manner, in a wrapping device. On the figures 8 and 9 , the vertical direction of the wrapping device corresponds to the direction of the central axis X ₁₀ of the wrapping. The wrapping device may be, for example, a rotating ring machine, comprising a system for unwinding and stretching the wrapping film 10 and a placing system. place a cap 11 on the top of the load. For example, the wrapping film 10 may be a polyethylene film 20 to 30 microns thick, having a stretch capacity of 250%, and the cover 11 may be based on a relatively polyethylene film. thick, at least 75 microns thick.

The wrapping operations take place in a suitable manner to provide protection against bad weather to the palletized assembly 17. For this purpose, the outermost layer of wrapping film 10 is deployed from bottom to top, from bottom to top. so that the highest positioned layer is always overlapped from above when viewed from the outside, with an arrangement similar to roof tiles, as shown schematically in figure figure 9 . Such an arrangement prevents water from entering inside the palletized assembly 17. In a known manner, the numbers of turns and the percentages of overlap during wrapping are adjusted on a case-by-case basis.

By way of example, a wrapping cycle takes place as follows: when the assembly comprising the packages 8 arranged on the pallet 13 is in place in the wrapping device, a stabilizer plate is lowered to come and block the load formed. by the packages 8, and the wrapping begins at the bottom, with a few turns which trap the pallet 13. From the bottom, the ring is gradually raised, a station being carried out at the junction between the two packages 8 of the charged. When approaching the top of the load, the stabilizer plate is erased, which is possible because the load is self-stabilized by the film 10 already in place. A length of cover film 11 is then unwound, to the desired length above the load, the tray is lowered and the cover is cut. The wrapping then resumes downward over a few turns, so that the cap 11 is surrounded by a few turns of the wrapping film 10, which is finally welded to itself and cut. In order to ensure protection against bad weather, any overlap between the turns of the film 10 which are wrapped down around the cover 11 is avoided as much as possible.

The invention is not limited to the examples described and shown. In particular, the values given in the examples above for the dimensions of the rolls and the packs are purely illustrative, it being understood that the dimensions of the packages according to the invention can be adapted, in particular to be compatible with all dimensions of pallets and means of transport. In addition, the invention has been described on the basis of examples involving rollers as insulating products. As a variant, as mentioned above, the invention is also applicable to other insulating products of elongated shape, such as batches of panels assembled beforehand, having a substantially parallelepipedal shape. Furthermore, the invention can be implemented with materials of the films and covers different from those described above.

Claims (14)

1. A pack (8) of compressible insulation products (1), each insulation product (1) having a longitudinal axis (X₁), a peripheral surface (15) and first and second ends (12, 14),
   the pack (8) comprising a stack (6) of at least two superimposed modules (5), where each module (5) comprises:

   - a row (3) of insulation products (1) positioned next to one another, successively along a first direction (D₁) perpendicular to the longitudinal axes (X₁) of the insulation products, the insulation products (1) of the row (3) having their longitudinal axes (X₁) parallel to one another,

   - a first film (2) which wraps each insulation product (1) of the row (3) in a compressed state of the insulation product, by covering the peripheral surface (15) of the insulation product,

   - a second film (4) which wraps the row (3) of insulation products, by covering some of the peripheral surface (15) of the insulation products of the row (3),

   the modules (5) of the stack (6) being superimposed along a second direction (D₂) perpendicular to the longitudinal axes (X₁) of the insulation products and to the first direction (D₁) of each module, the stack (6) comprising two end faces (62, 64) formed by the ends (12, 14) of the insulation products and main faces (61, 63) and transverse faces (66, 68) that are perpendicular to the end faces (62, 64),
   characterized in that the pack (8) comprises a cover (7) which wraps the stack (6) of superimposed modules (5), by covering five faces (62, 63, 64, 66, 68) of the stack (6) including the two end faces (62, 64) and at least the periphery of the sixth face (61) of the stack (6).
2. The pack as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the stack (6) of modules (5) is completely covered by the combination of the second film (4) and the cover (7).
3. The pack as claimed in either one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second film (4) forms, around the row (3) of insulation products, a sleeve having an axis (X₄) parallel to the longitudinal axes (X₁) of the insulation products.
4. The pack as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (7) has a main axis (Y₇) perpendicular to the longitudinal axes (X₁) of the insulation products.
5. The pack as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cover (7) comprises an opening (71) on a main face (61) of the stack (6) perpendicular to the second direction (D₂).
6. The pack as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cover (7) covers the six faces (61, 62, 63, 64, 66, 68) of the stack (6).
7. The pack as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (7) is a stretchable cover formed from a sheath of stretchable plastic film.
8. The pack as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second film (4) is a plastic film having a tensile strength higher than that of the constituent plastic film of the cover (7).
9. The pack as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second film (4) wraps the row (3) of insulation products in a compressed state (C₁) of the insulation products against one another along the first direction (D₁).
10. A palletized assembly (16; 17) comprising:

    - a pallet (13),

    - at least two packs (8) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which are superimposed on one another and on the pallet (13) with the longitudinal axes (X₁) of the insulation products perpendicular to the pallet (13),

    - means (9; 10, 11) for holding packs (8) on the pallet (13).
11. The palletized assembly as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the holding means comprise an outer cover (9) formed by stretching a sheath of stretchable plastic film at the periphery of the packs (8).
12. The palletized assembly as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the holding means comprise a film (10) stretch-wrapped at the periphery of the packs (8).
13. A process for manufacturing a pack (8) comprising compressible insulation products (1), each insulation product (1) having a longitudinal axis (X₁), a peripheral surface (15) and first and second ends (12, 14), the process comprising steps wherein:

    - each insulation product (1) is wrapped using a first film (2) that covers the peripheral surface (15) of the insulation product and which maintains the insulation product (1) in a compressed state;

    - a row (3) of insulation products is formed by positioning several insulation products (1) provided with the first film (2) next to one another, successively along a first direction (D₁) perpendicular to the longitudinal axes (X₁) of the insulation products, the insulation products (1) of the row (3) having their longitudinal axes (X₁) parallel to one another;

    - a module (5) is formed by wrapping the row (3) of insulation products using a second film (4), which covers some of the peripheral surface (15) of the insulation products of the row (3) and which holds the insulation products (1) of the row (3) next to one another along the first direction (Di);

    - a stack (6) of modules is formed by superimposing at least two modules (5) along a direction (D₂) perpendicular to the longitudinal axes (X₁) of the insulation products and to the first direction (D₁) of each module;

    - the pack (8) is formed by wrapping the stack (6) of modules using a cover (7) which covers at least five faces (62, 63, 64, 66, 68) of the stack (6) including the two end faces (62, 64) of the stack formed by the ends (12, 14) of the insulation products (1).
14. A process for manufacturing a palletized assembly (16; 17) comprising compressible insulation products (1), each insulation product (1) having a longitudinal axis (X₁), a peripheral surface (15) and first and second ends (12, 14), the process comprising steps wherein:

    - at least two packs (8) manufactured according to the process of claim 13 are superimposed on one another and on a pallet (13) with the longitudinal axes (X₁) of the insulation products perpendicular to the pallet (13);

    - the packs (8) and the pallet (13) are assembled using holding means (9; 10, 11).

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