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
  • 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
  • B65B9/135—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 for palletised loads
• • 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
• • 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
  • B65B53/00—Shrinking wrappers, containers, or container covers during or after packaging
  • B65B53/02—Shrinking wrappers, containers, or container covers during or after packaging by heat
  • B65B53/06—Shrinking wrappers, containers, or container covers during or after packaging by heat supplied by gases, e.g. hot-air jets
  • B65B53/066—Mobile frames, hoods, posts or the like
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B11/00—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material
  • B65B11/02—Wrapping articles or quantities of material, without changing their position during the wrapping operation, e.g. in moulds with hinged folders
  • B65B11/025—Wrapping articles or quantities of material, without changing their position during the wrapping operation, e.g. in moulds with hinged folders by webs revolving around stationary articles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B11/00—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material
  • B65B11/04—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material the articles being rotated
  • B65B11/045—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material the articles being rotated by rotating platforms supporting the articles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B11/00—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material
  • B65B11/58—Applying two or more wrappers, e.g. in succession
  • B65B11/585—Applying two or more wrappers, e.g. in succession to stacked articles, e.g. pallettised loads

Definitions

• the invention relates to a process of foaming and heat sealing and to a device for foaming and heat sealing capable of implementing such a method.
• a load such as a package or pallet is transported from its manufacturing site to a distribution area. During this transport, the load must be protected against dust and possibly moisture.
• the recovery processes necessarily include a first step of forming a first set of ascending spirals from the bottom of the load to the top of the load before depositing the cap .
• the configuration of the first set of turns ensures a tiling that prevents the infiltration of water.
• FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 there is a method of covering a load 1 on a support 2.
• the method comprises the installation of a cover 3 on the load 1 and then the fixing of the cover 3 with the load 1 and more particularly the attachment to a pallet 2 which supports the load 1.
• the height of the cover 3 is configured to cover the entire height of the load 1 and the pallet 2.
• a retraction step of the cover 3 by heating is used simultaneously with the installation of the cover under the pallet.
• the retraction step illustrated in Figure 2 allows to fix the cover 3 with the pallet 2 using the transverse retraction of the cover 3.
• the lateral retraction prevents a rise of the cover 3 during the handling steps.
• the lateral retraction step is generally associated with a longitudinal retraction which applies a stress between the pallet 2 and the load 1.
• the lower edge of the pallet provides the mechanical connection of the cover with the load 1.
• the bottom of the cover 3 closes or obstructs access to the handling holes of the pallet 2.
• the material forming the cover 3 is not a very strong material so that it is always possible to achieve one or more orifices to facilitate the handling of the pallet 2.
• this practice is prohibited because the formation of openings by forcing on the cover 3 can cause deterioration of the cover 3 or tear.
• the handling port is not controlled, there is a significant risk of the pallet 2 get stuck with the handling equipment. In this case, the load 1 can be damaged. It is also possible to damage pallet storage means in a warehouse during attempts to separate the pallet 2 with the handling equipment. In many warehouses, this type of hooding is prohibited.
• FIGS. 3 and 4 there is also a method of covering which comprises the installation of a cover 3 on the load 1 and then the heat-sealing of the load 1 to an attachment point 4 which is formed by a ground sheet.
• the load 1 is disposed on a pallet 2 and the floor mat separates the load 1 and the pallet 2. In this configuration, the floor mat ensures the attachment of the cover 3 with the load 1 during the heat-sealing step.
• This operation is faster than wrapping the side walls of the load and is better accepted in the warehouse.
• the cost of the floor mat and the stress of setting up the floor mat are not negligible and represent obstacles to the generalization of this solution.
• this embodiment is almost exclusively reserved for areas where the sealing of the load vis-à-vis the outside is mandatory.
• the document JP S57-8634 provides another solution to the drawbacks illustrated in relation to FIGS. 1 and 2.
• the length of the cover may be insufficient so that it is no longer possible to fix the cover on the underside of the pallet. It is proposed to use a reinforcing tape that prevents misalignment between the pallet and the load. This configuration ensures that the end of the cover comes into contact with the lower edge of the pallet. The mechanical support of the cover is provided by the lower edge of the pallet.
• An object of the invention is to provide a method of foaming and heat sealing which is quick to implement and / or which is more economical than the methods of the prior art to form a shell integral with the load and / or support .
• the process of foaming and heat sealing is remarkable in that it comprises:
• the method is remarkable in that the attachment zone is formed by at least one plastic film ring under stress around the support and / or the load before heat sealing.
• the plastic film ring is formed by at least one turn.
• the plastic film ring comprises at least one flat strip.
• the plastic film ring has at least one strand intended to come into direct contact with the cover.
• the attachment zone comprises only one or two turns formed by a strand of plastic film.
• the plastic film ring is formed around the support.
• the support is a pallet comprising a floor surmounting at least two pallet pads, the plastic film film ring being formed around the floor.
• the attachment zone comprises a plurality of turns formed by a strip of plastic film, the consecutive turns overlapping.
• the cover is stretched during the heat sealing step. It is still possible to provide that the attachment zone is formed after contacting the load with the support and before threading the cover.
• the attachment zone is formed before bringing the load into contact with the support.
• Another object of the invention is a foaming and heat sealing device which is more effective than prior art devices in forming a watertight envelope.
• the device for foaming and heat sealing is remarkable in that it comprises: a wrapping device configured to deliver a plastic film forming at least one turn around a load or a support carrying the load, the at least one turn forming a fixing zone,
• heat-sealing means configured to heat-seal the cover to the attachment zone
• a control circuit configured to control the actuation of the heat sealing means after threading the cover so that the cover is facing the fixing area during heat sealing.
• FIGS. 1 and 2 show, schematically, two steps of a first foaming process according to the prior art
• FIGS. 3 and 4 show, schematically, two steps of a second foaming process according to the prior art
• the method of covering a load is more precisely a process of covering and heat sealing.
• the method comprises a first step of providing a load 1 disposed on a support 2.
• the load 1 can have any shape.
• the load 1 may have a square, rectangular or circular section.
• the load 1 is disposed on a support 2 which is advantageously a pallet, but it is possible to use another type of support 2.
• the support 2 can have any shape.
• the horizontal section of the load 1 has the same shape as the horizontal section of the support 2 which facilitates the maintenance of the load 1.
• the bottom of the cover 3 faces the support 2.
• the cover 3 is installed by threading it down so that a portion of the cover comes in front of a fastening zone 4.
• a heat-sealing step is then performed so as to heat-seal the cover 3 with the contact area. 4.
• the heat seal will create a mechanical connection between the cover 3 and the fixing zone 4.
• the heat-sealing is achieved by heating the cover 3 and the fixing point 4.
• the attachment zone 4 was formed by a floor mat that had to be installed before the load 1, which made the manufacturing process more complex and more expensive.
• the inventors have observed that it is particularly advantageous to use at least one ring of a plastic film to form the fixing zone 4.
• the ring completely surrounds the load 1 and / or the support 2 in a cutting plane which is preferably a horizontal sectional plane.
• the ring is under stress so that it clamps the load 1 and / or the support 2 to limit or even prevent vertical movement of the ring and the cover 3 when a vertical stress is applied to the cover 3.
• the ring exerts a stress on the side walls of the load and / or support 2. It is particularly advantageous to use a stretch film in order to have better management of the clamping force. Indeed, during tightening, it is possible to use a portion of the elastic memory of the film which compensates for temperature deformations. JP S57-8634 does not propose to control the shrinkage of the cover or the attachment of the cover to the side walls of the load and / or the pallet because the cover is fixed under the lower edge of the pallet.
• the plastic film used to form the ring may be a shrinkable plastic film, that is to say a film whose length and / or width decreases when heated. It is also possible to provide that the plastic film is made in a stretch film, that is to say a film can be deformed plastically by traction. According to the configurations, the stretch film can be stretched before use to form the ring.
• the ring may be formed of any suitable plastic material, for example, a heat-shrinkable material or a stretchable material.
• the clamping force applied to the ring is between 0.2daN and 2daN.
• a clamping force of between 2daN and 10daN is dependent on the material forming the pallet or the load, the material forming the plastic film and the retraction force of the cover to contain.
• the intensity of the clamping force can be determined by making a ring around a support and pulling on this ring, for example with a dynamometer. When the ring has been moved from the 100mm support, the associated force is measured.
• the plastic film turn is advantageously carried out by wrapping which is a well-known and controlled technique which makes it possible to form at least one turn which circles the load 1 and / or the support 2 in order to define the fastening zone 4.
• wrapping it is possible to easily define the tension applied to the turn or multiple turns so as to easily adapt to the constraints of manufacture, heat sealing and handling.
• the attachment zone 4 is formed by a turn or by a plurality of turns.
• the consecutive turns cover at least partially to improve the mechanical strength of the heat seal.
• the fixing zone 4 comprises less than ten turns in order not to form a too wide or too large fixing zone and not to penalize the duration of the production process with a step of forming the fixing zone 4 too much. long.
• the fastening zone 4 comprises only one or two turns because it allows to achieve a fastening zone 4 with good mechanical strength to the load 1 and a reduced duration of implementation.
• the turns of the fixing zone 4 may be for example flat strips or strands.
• strand means that the coil is formed by several plastic films which are entangled to form a strand.
• the strand may be formed of a single plastic film which is laterally narrowed to form a solid or substantially solid cylinder having the general shape of a strand or tube.
• the strand can be formed by a flat plastic film which is folded or twisted into a three-dimensional element.
• the strip represents a substantially two-dimensional plastic film, that is to say with a width and a length much greater than the thickness of the film. The thickness is preferably less than 1 mm.
• the band is deformed to adapt to the topography of the load 1 or the support 2.
• attachment zone 4 it is possible to form the attachment zone 4 by means of one or more strands or by means of one or more flat strips. It is also possible to form the attachment zone 4 by means of one or more strands associated with one or more flat strips.
• the production of one or more strands is illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10, 1 1 and
• fixing zone comprising one or more strands, it is meant that the strand or strands form at least one continuous ring of pleated film, that is to say a complete turn of pleated film around the load and / or the pallet .
• This configuration makes it possible to better manage the stress in the film and thus better manage the retraction of the cover.
• the film is deposited directly pleated or entangled on the side walls of the load and / or the pallet.
• the fastening strip is deposited in the form of a flat strip which is deposited on abutments to prevent direct contact between the fastening strip and the side wall of the pallet. In this way, it is not possible to effectively manage the stress in the fastening strip because the stress decreases after removal of the stops and too much stress can not be applied under penalty of seeing the fastening strip deteriorate during the welding of the folds.
• a fastening zone 4 comprising at least one complete turn formed by a strand, that is to say a ring of pleated film makes it possible to create a fastening zone 4 under stress which ensures the mechanical fixing between the cover 3 and the side wall of the load 1 and / or the support 2 after the heating step applied to obtain the retraction of the cover 3 and without the retraction of the cover 3 moves the fixing zone 4 too much towards the top of charge 1. It has been observed that the use of a fastening zone 4 formed by only one or more flat strips of plastic film results in the deformation of the fastening zone and / or the cover 3 causing the appearance of tears.
• the material forming the cover 3 reacts with the material forming the attachment zone 4 so as to create a mechanical connection. It has been observed that the mechanical attachment seems to be of better quality when the turn of the fastening zone 4 which comes into direct contact with the cover 3 is formed by a strand.
• the attachment zone 4 comprises at least one strand which comes into direct contact with the cover 3 during the heat-sealing step.
• the inventors believe that the surplus of material to be heated for the strand is compensated for by its static configuration throughout the heat sealing. Thus, even if the strand rises less quickly in temperature, it is easier to ensure continuous contact between the cover 3 and the strand.
• JP S57-8634 proposes to use a flat strip of thermoplastic film and not a strand because it is taught to cover the pallet and the bottom of the load with the same film to avoid the misalignment between these two elements and avoid using very long covers.
• the document provides no information on the stress applied in the reinforcing strip because it is expected that the reinforcing strip and the cover rest on the lower edge of the pallet to prevent too much shrinkage of the cover.
• the reinforcing tape is not stressed because it is uniquely configured to prevent misalignment between the load and the pallet.
• the reinforcing strip is not intended to provide the mechanical connection between the side walls of the load and / or the pallet with the cover.
• the cover bears on the lower edge of the pallet during the shrinkage of the cover which requires having a cover that goes below the pallet.
• the use of a fastening zone 4 formed by one or more turns and advantageously by wrapping makes it possible to precisely install the fastening zone 4 on the support 2 and / or on the load 1. There is no longer, as in the prior art, the complete covering of the side walls of the support 2 in order to fix under the support 2.
• the attachment zone is formed by a plurality of film turns whose stress varies between the turns. It is preferable to provide that the last turn in contact with the cover 3 (advantageously a strand) is less constrained than one or more turns located between the last turn and the load or the pallet. In this configuration, it has been observed that it is easier to make a fixing zone 4 having a significant constraint to fix the cover 3 to the load 1 or to the pallet 2 while reducing the probability of seeing the last turn deteriorate when attached to the cover 3. It has been observed that the more the coil is stressed and the more it deteriorates during heating. The deterioration may result in tearing of the coil or a significant lengthening which reduces the initial stress.
• a fastening zone 4 which has a plurality of turns arranged one on the other.
• the annealing applied to fix the cover 3 with the fixing zone 4 is preferably configured so as to obtain the heat-sealing of the last turn which is in contact with the cover 3 and the welding / bonding of the last turn with the front-end. last turn.
• the materials forming the last turn and the cover 3 merge so that it is difficult to discern an interface between these two layers after annealing.
• the annealing is configured to avoid melting all the turns, in other words the annealing is configured so that at least one coil remains below its melting temperature.
• the annealing step is carried out in several successive passes of the heating in order to reduce the number of calories supplied to the fixing zone 4 per passage and to avoid melting all the turns.
• it is proposed to press the cover 3 and the attachment zone 4 during annealing to improve the mechanical connection between the cover 3 and the support 2 or the load 1.
• the heating of the fixing zone 4 can be achieved by any known means.
• the support 2 is a pallet
• the floor is formed by a substantially horizontal board that overcomes the pads of the pallet, for example at least two pads of the pallet.
• the floor and the skids define the handling holes of the pallet.
• the plastic film does not hang. This configuration reduces the risk of unwanted clashes of the pallet with a handling machine.
• the vertical dimensions of the ring can be adapted to the dimensions of the pallet to avoid any undesired recovery of the handling holes.
• the plastic film does not cover the handling holes of the pallet. In case of recovery of the openings of the pallet, this overlap is partial and only on the upper part of the pallet which reduces the risk of attachment with the handling equipment. It is particularly advantageous to provide that the height of the cover 3 is configured so as not to obstruct the support handling orifices. 2, here from the palette. It is also advantageous to provide that the cover 3 is a heat-shrinkable cover. In this way, during the heat-sealing step or in a step to follow, it is possible to have the retraction of the lower part of the cover 3 which is under the mechanical connection with the attachment zone 4, which allows to reduce the closing rate of the handling ports and the risk of jamming with the handling equipment.
• the fastening zone 4 is formed only on the support 2, that is to say that the turn or the turns face only the support in the plane of the turn.
• the fixing zone 4 is devoid of contact with the load 1.
• the fixing zone 4 is formed only on the load 1, that is to say that the turn or the turns face only the load 1 in the plane of the turn.
• the fixing zone 4 is devoid of contact with the support 2.
• the fixing zone 4 it is possible to make the fixing zone 4 partly on the support 2 and partly on the load 1.
• a single attachment zone 4 is made.
• several attachment zones 4 are made.
• One or more heat sealing steps can be carried out in order to fix the cover 3 to the multiple fixing zones 4.
• the cover 3 is stretched.
• the tension can be applied by pulling the cover 3 down.
• the attachment zone 4 is formed on the support 2 and / or on the load 1 after the support 2 and the load 1 have been brought into contact.
• the support 2 and the load 1 are provided and the ring forming the attachment zone 4 is installed.
• the fixing zone 4 is advantageously made before depositing the cover 3 as this greatly facilitates the realization of the fixing zone 4.
• the fastening zone 4 is formed on the support 2 before adding the load 1 thereto. It is then possible to prepare in advance the fixing zones 4 on the supports 2 and then to use them to fix the cover 3 to the support 2.
• the cover 3 can be configured not to come opposite the support 2.
• the method comprises a step of vertical retraction of the cover 3.
• the shrinkage of the cover can be performed before the heat-sealing step or after the heat-sealing step.
• the retraction of the cover 3 reduces the height of the cover 3 and thus apply a pressure between the support 2 and the load 1 by means of the cover 3 which bears on the support 2 via the attachment zone 4.
• the retraction of the cover 3 can be performed after the fixing of the cover 3 with the fixing zone 4.
• the cover 3 can be tensioned during heat sealing to improve the mechanical strength of the binding between the
• a partial retraction of the cover 3 can be performed before sealing the cover 3 with the attachment zone 4 and a partial retraction is performed after sealing the cover 3 with the attachment zone 4. Again, it is advantageous to tighten the cover 3 before the heat sealing step, but it is also possible not to stretch the cover 3.
• the retraction is advantageously carried out by heating the cover 3 with heating means. This configuration allows the same heating means to be used for retraction and heat sealing.
• Inflation and aspiration are advantageously performed by the same ventilation device.
• the ventilation device ensures either the inflation of the cover 3 or the suction of the air. If the support 2 is not waterproof, it is not necessary to use the suction of the air unless the load 1 hinders the evacuation of air.
• the power of the cover 3 can be achieved by means of a plurality of clamps.
• the same clamps are used to thread the cover 3 around the load 1 and to put the cover 3 under tension.
• Retraction and heat sealing can be achieved by any suitable heating means.
• the heating means is in the form of a frame which surrounds the cover 3 and which moves vertically to heat the entire height of the cover 3.
• the heating means advantageously sends hot air towards the cover 3 to achieve retraction and heat sealing, but other techniques can be envisaged such as for example the emission of infrared radiation.
• the cover 3 is advantageously a polyethylene house. It is advantageous to make the fastening zone 4 made of polyethylene or any other material capable of providing mechanical fastening with the polyethylene.
• the cover 3 and the fixing zone 4 are made in materials suitable for heat sealing. In one embodiment, the materials are the same between the cover 3 and the attachment zone 4. Good results have been obtained by using a stretch film to form the ring and a heat-shrinkable film to form the cover.
• a heat-shrinkable film to form the ring of the fixing zone 4. If the fixing zone 4 is in the form of a ring before its installation, a first heating step causes the retraction which fixes the ring to load 1 and / or support 2.
• the film is not heat-shrinkable, for example in stretchable plastic material, it is advantageous to use a fastening zone 4 in the form of a strand to limit the rise in temperature in the fastening zone and thus limit the mechanical deformation of the stress fixation zone.
• the heat-shrinkable material is thicker than a stretch film and it sticks less well on itself or other turns of shrink material.
• the use of a stretch film to form the ring gives good results because this film was expected to disintegrate when heated.
• the stretch film is a film less thick than the shrink film which makes it more sensitive to an increase in temperature and especially during the heat sealing phase.
• weld the plastic stretch film to finish a wrapping process it should be noted that the welding step is very localized and is performed by means of a hot part that presses the film to weld and press the film against the palette.
• the use of a strand is particularly advantageous because it limits the rise in temperature by limiting the outer surface of the pastic film relative to its volume. The heating conditions are less restrictive.
• the plastic film is a stretch film used in the form of a flat film
• a thick film for example an unstretched film or a slightly stretched film, for example with an absolute drawing ratio. less than 100% so as to maintain a consistent thickness and activate the film by stretching to improve its tackiness.
• the thickness of the stretchable film forming the turns is greater than 15 ⁇ and preferably 20 ⁇ .
• Pallet means a rigid horizontal platform of minimum height compatible with handling by means of pallet trucks and / or forklifts or other appropriate equipment.
• the pallet is used as a support for collecting, stacking, storing, handling or transporting goods and loads.
• the pallet is equipped with paddle pads which are spaced from each other to define handling orifices.
• the attachment zone 4 is located above the openings of the pallet and / or covers only partially the different lateral faces of the pallet.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Pallets (AREA)
• Package Closures (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (3)

Family

ID=60080991

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Family Cites Families (4)

• 2017
  • 2017-07-24 FR FR1756994A patent/FR3069232B1/fr active Active
• 2018
  • 2018-07-24 WO PCT/FR2018/051896 patent/WO2019020930A1/fr unknown
  • 2018-07-24 EP EP18773529.5A patent/EP3658465B1/de active Active

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events