FR2699149A1 - Packaging with thermo-shrink film wrapping and easy-open strip - Google Patents

Abstract

The packaging consists of a thermo-shrink plastic film layer which is wrapped round the contents to form a sleeve with openings (EX1,EX2) at its two ends, and an easy-open strip (BA) which is basically flat and rectangular in shape and made from a thermo-shrink material which is substantially thicker than the film layer. The film wrapping layer is pref. of polyethylene, polypropylene or PVC with a thickness of between 20 and 200 micron, while the easy-open strip can be of the same material and some ten times thicker. The easy-open strip is placed along one side of the contents, and the wrapping layer placed over it and in contact with it so that the two become fused together when heat is applied, making it easy to open the packaging by pulling on a projecting end of the strip.

Description

Easy opening heat shrinkable film packaging / overwrapping device, method for manufacturing such a device and machine enabling such a method to be implemented
The invention relates to packaging / overwrapping with plastic shrink film.

It finds an application in particular in the packaging and overpacking of batches of one or more objects for subsequent handling, distribution or marketing of said batches.

Heat shrinkable packaging / overwrapping is already known.

Generally, the heat-shrinkable film is made of plastic, of predetermined width and of chosen length.

It can be applied around the lot to be wrapped / overwrapped so as to constitute an open sleeve with two diametrically opposite ends, and intended to be heat-shrunk after constitution.

Such a package / overpack has the disadvantage of being difficult to open manually, especially when it is thick.

In published Patent Application No. 2 640 951, a solution is proposed to facilitate the opening of this kind of packaging / overwrapping.

This solution consists in providing in the film at least one zone of greater fragility than the rest of the film and which results from the execution on said film of at least one seam line, with one or more threads.

This solution has drawbacks, in particular the seam lines which require sophisticated means which are difficult to implement.

The present invention provides a solution to these drawbacks.

It relates to a packaging / overpacking device of the type described above.

According to a general definition of the invention, the means making it possible to facilitate the opening of the sleeve comprise at least - a strip of generally flat rectangular shape, of selected width and length and made of a heat-shrinkable material having a thickness substantially greater than that of the film, the strip being juxtaposed on a predetermined side of the batch before applying the film around the batch with at least one end of the strip projecting from said film while the face of the film applied in contact with the strip is likely to thermally merge with the strip by application of heat; which allows the heat-shrunk sleeve to be easily torn along the strip by pulling on the free end of said strip.

Indeed, the face of the film applied in contact with the strip, is less resistant after heat shrinking than said strip insofar as it is less thick.

In practice, the material constituting the film and the material constituting the strip are substantially identical.

In practice, the film is polyethylene, polypropylene or even polyvinyl chloride with a thickness of between 20 and 200 micrometers.

For its part, the material constituting the strip is for example polyethylene, polypropylene or polyvinyl chloride with a thickness greater than that of the film in a ratio of the order of 10.

The invention also relates to a method for facilitating the opening of a packaging / overwrapping with heat-shrinkable plastic film for batch of one or more objects.

According to an important characteristic of the process, a strip is juxtaposed on a predetermined side of the batch before the film is applied around the batch, with at least one end of the strip projecting from said film, the strip being of generally flat rectangular shape , of selected length and width and made of a heat-shrinkable material having a thickness substantially greater than that of said film, and the face of the film applied in thermal contact with the strip is thermally fused with said strip by application of heat.

In practice, the strip is unwound from a reel, the strip is cut to the chosen length, and the strip thus cut is juxtaposed on a predetermined side of the batch before the film is placed around said batch.

The invention also relates to a machine for wrapping / overwrapping a batch of one or more objects comprising a conventional wrapping machine with or without welding.

According to an important characteristic of the invention, the machine further comprises - means suitable for containing a strip of generally flat rectangular shape, of selected length and width and made of a heat-shrinkable material having a thickness substantially greater than that of said film. - means suitable for pulling said strip from the reel to the chosen length - means suitable for cutting said strip thus drawn to the chosen length - guide means suitable for juxtaposing the strip thus cut before a batch placing the film around said batch, and with at least one end of the strip projecting from said film.

Furthermore, the machine further comprises barcode scrambling means disposed at the outlet of the heat application means and suitable for scrambling the barcodes of each object of the batch thus packed / overwrapped.
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the light of the detailed description below and the appended drawings in which - FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an easy-opening packaging / overpacking device according to the invention; - Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, but after opening of the packaging ;; - Figure 3 is a view similar to those of Figures 1 and 2, but with the film partially removed - Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a seamless wrapping machine with means for juxtaposing a strip according to the invention - Figures 5A to 5E schematically illustrate the path of the film and the strip of heat-shrinkable material - Figure 6 is schematic sectional view of a wrapping machine with welding before the batch is pushed into the film barrier according to the invention - Figure 7 is a view similar to that of Figure 6 with the juxtaposition of the strip taking place after the push of the batch and before cutting the barrier of the film according to the invention - Figure 8 is a view similar to that of Figure 7 after cutting the barrier of the film according to the invention - Figure 9 is a schematic view of the tape juxtaposition means according to the invention; and - Figure 10 is a sectional view illustrating the strip juxtaposition means according to the invention.

In FIG. 1, an overpack bearing the reference SR envelops a lot LT of six articles such as container boxes, identified in B1 to B6, grouped together and arranged to form a substantially parallelepipedic assembly.

 This is an example of an embodiment. The invention applies to other packages / overpacks of objects of different shapes such as bottles, boxes etc.

SR packaging / overwrapping is made from a heat shrinkable film FT of plastic material, applied around the lot LT to be wrapped / overwrapped so as to constitute an open sleeve with two diametrically opposite ends EX1, EX2, and intended to be heat shrunk after incorporation.

In FIG. 1, the sleeve is formed, heat-shrunk and open at the ends EX1 and EX2.

According to the invention, to facilitate the opening of the sleeve, there is provided a strip BA of generally flat rectangular shape, of selected width and length and made of a heat-shrinkable material having a thickness substantially greater than that of the film SR. This strip BA is juxtaposed on a predetermined side of the batch LT before the application of the film SR, with at least one end EXB projecting with respect to said film SR at one of the ends EX1, EX2 of the sleeve.

Very advantageously, the face of the film SR applied in contact with the strip BA is capable of thermally fusing with the strip by application of heat, which allows the heat-shrunk sleeve to be easily torn along the strip by pulling on the free end EXB of said strip (Figure 2).

Thus, for opening the packaging, it suffices to pull on the end EXB of the strip to easily tear said film along the strip BA.

To facilitate gripping the end of the EXB strip, provision may be made to associate it with a label (not shown) or any other similar means.

In FIG. 3, part of the film SR is removed from the batch after being torn along the strip BA.

Of course, the BA strip can protrude from the film
SR at each end EX1 and EX2 of the sleeve.

For the establishment of this strip which makes it easier to open according to the invention, the invention provides for associating with a conventional wrapping machine, means allowing the strip to be produced and its juxtaposition before the application of the movie.

Two types of shrink wrapping machines are currently known.

The first type is the so-called seamless wrapping machine (Figure 4). This wrapping machine includes a spool
BB1 around which a heat shrink film is wrapped
FT having a predetermined width.

Transport means MT1 make it possible to transport the film
FT to a PB wrapping station. These means MT1 consist for example of a closed circuit belt driven by rollers.

AM supply means are provided to bring the batch
LT to be overwrapped at the wrapping station. Lot LT is made up of objects stored and grouped together in the form of a substantially parallelepipedic assembly, for example.

The supply means AM transport the lot LT to the wrapping station PB using an upstream conveyor CAM.

The wrapping station PB comprises means of transport formed by a section TR.

A downstream conveyor CAV is provided for evacuating the overpacked batch from the wrapping station to heat application means CHA to heat shrink the film thus placed around the batch.

Arranged upstream of the wrapping station PB, and located under the substantially horizontal plane P defined by the upper part of the section TR, provision is made for introducing (not shown) the FT film previously cut to the size required for the batch. to bandage.

The introduction means is capable of introducing the film FT at the distance E formed between the upstream conveyor CAM and the section TR.

During the passage of the LT batch from the upstream conveyor to the section TR, one end of the EFT film is placed under the LT batch, and the end of the EFT film is placed between the underside FILT of the batch and the plane P (FIG. 5A ).

A means of gripping PR which after total commitment of the batch
LT on the section TR grasps the film FT from below (FIG. 5B) and, passing through the spacing E between the upstream conveyor CAM and the section TR, moves it upwards behind said batch, then downstream passing above the batch (Figure 5C), to then bring the still free end of the film
FEFT in front of the batch at a level at least slightly lower than that defined by the plane P (FIG. 5D), thus completing a trajectory T in which the section TR generally supporting the batch LT is registered.

The lot LT is therefore surrounded by the FT film, the length of which is intended to be sufficient for the partial covering of the ends of said EFT and FEFT film.

In accordance with FIG. 5E, a means of moving the batch from the section TR towards the downstream conveyor CAV displaces the batch so that at first the external face of the film presses on the rear edge of the downstream conveyor CAV, then by progression of the batch, the end of the FEFT film which is still free slides under the lower end of the batch.

According to the invention, an auxiliary coil BB2 is provided around which is wound a strip BA of generally flat rectangular shape made of a heat-shrinkable plastic material.

The coil BB2 is supported by a frame (not shown) arranged near the wrapping station.

The strip BA has a predetermined width. Very advantageously, it has a thickness substantially greater than that of the FT film.

According to the invention, the strip BA, cut to a chosen length, is juxtaposed on a predetermined side LLT of the batch
LT before applying the FT film around the batch with at least one end EXB of the strip projecting from said film.

The means making it possible to juxtapose the strip in this way include, for example, guide means MT2 suitable for bringing the strip, cut to the chosen length, close to one side LLT of the lot LT so that the strip BA thus cut s extends longitudinally along said LLT side with an EXB end projecting from the film.

More specifically, the strip BA is placed near the LLT side of the lot LT before the gripping means PR grips the film FT from below (FIG. 5A).

So once the BA strip is juxtaposed on one side
LLT of the batch, the gripping means PR moves the film FT upwards, behind said batch, then completes the trajectory T mentioned above.

While the trajectory T is being completed, the strip BA remains pressed against the predetermined side LLT of the batch, the strip being sandwiched between the film and the batch.

Once overwrapped, the batch is sent to the heat application means CHA to heat shrink the film.

According to the invention, the face of the film applied in contact with the strip then thermally fuses with said strip.

The machine is said to be seamless because the film is self-sealed during its passage through the CHA shrink tunnel arranged at the outlet of the wrapping station.

It should be noted that the juxtaposition of the strip, before the film is placed around the batch, is an operation which is carried out without difficulty before the wrapping operation proper and whose implementation requires simple means and easy to use.

The other type of wrapping machine is said to be welded (Figures 6 to 10).

This kind of machine comprises two identical cylindrical coils BO1 and BO2 around which a film FT1 and FT2 are wound respectively. The height of said coils extends on a horizontal plane with the coil BO1 surmounting the coil BO2.

First guide means MG1 based on rollers convey the film FT1 downwards, while second guide means MG2 convey the film FT2 upwards until it joins the film FT1.

The two films are linked, at a point SOU1, to each other by means of heat welding means (not shown).

The films FT1 and FT2 thus form a barrier BAR that is substantially stretched and extending in a vertical plane.

The LT overpack, consisting of stored and grouped objects, is brought by a TP conveyor belt next to the barrier
BAR on a horizontal plane inserted between the coils BOl and B02.

A pusher member driven by a pneumatic cylinder VER1 pushes in a substantially horizontal direction the batch to be overwrapped in the barrier BAR (FIG. 6).

In FIG. 7, the pusher member VER1 has returned to its initial position while the batch, in response to the thrust, is engaged in the barrier so that the films FT1 and FT2 in contact with said batch conform to the shape of the lot until partially wrapped.

In FIG. 8, welding means (not shown), such as a guillotine with translation in the vertical plane, weld the films FT1 and FT2 at a predetermined point SOU2 so that the batch LT is completely enveloped by the film heat shrink.

For example, the guillotine comprises at its free end a cutting part and a heating part arranged close to the cutting part.

The heating part ensures the fusion of the FT2 and FT1 films, while the cutting part ensures the separation of the FT2 and FT1 films at the welding point SOU2.

According to the invention, provision is made to incorporate, into such a wrapping machine with welding, means suitable for containing a strip of heat-shrinkable material BA of the type described above and to juxtapose such a strip near the batch. to overwrap.

For example (FIG. 9), the container means of the strip comprise a cylindrical coil BO3 around which a strip BA is wound in the form of a roll.

The coil BO3 is fixed on a chassis ASS mounted on the horizontal plane intermediate between the coil BOl and the coil BO2 (Figure 10).

The BA strip is unwound using a transfer member driven by a VER2 cylinder. The transfer member comprises for example PT clamps actuated by the cylinder VER2 and suitable for gripping the end of the band EXBA.

These PT clamps are movable in translation along a horizontal plane to unwind the strip to the chosen length.

DEC cutting means, for example hot, cut the strip to the length thus determined.

Once cut, the strip is juxtaposed near the batch to be overwrapped.

For example, the means for feeding or juxtaposing the strip comprise suction cups VT suitable for gripping the strip cut to the chosen length, and movable in rotation relative to a horizontal axis AXH to transport the strip close to the batch and to release the strip thus transported at a chosen time of the packaging / overpacking of the batch.

Advantageously, the VT suction cups are driven by a jack
VER3 which actuates a support in the form of an arm at the end of which the suction cups VT are arranged to bring the strip
BA near the lot.

In FIG. 10, in strong lines, the feed or juxtaposition member VT of the strip is shown in the strip gripping position, while in dashed lines, the feed member VT is shown in the position in which the strip is close to the batch to be overwrapped.

According to one embodiment of the invention, it is after the push of the batch LT by the cylinder VER1, and before the fusion of the films FT1 and FT2, that the supply means VT release the strip
BA so that it takes place near the lot, on the side not wrapped by the FT1 and FT2 films.

Once released and placed near the batch, the welding means MSOU weld the films FT2 and FT1 as described with reference to FIG. 8, so that the strip BA is sandwiched between the batch and the films thus welded.

According to another embodiment of the invention, it is before the lot LT is pushed by the jack VER1, that the supply means VT release the strip BA so that it takes place near the lot, on the side that will enter the BAR barrier.

In FIG. 8, a batch LT has been shown entirely enveloped by the films FT1 and FT2, and a strip BA placed as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 with one end projecting from the films.

It should be noted that the means for supplying or juxtaposing the strip described above can also be applied in a seamless wrapping machine as described in reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

Very advantageously, the material constituting the film and the material constituting the strip are substantially identical.

For example, the film is polyethylene, polypropylene or polyvinyl chloride with a thickness of between 20 and 200 micrometers.

As regards the material constituting the strip, it is for example polyethylene, polypropylene or polyvinyl chloride with a thickness greater than that of the film in a ratio of the order of 10.

When the articles to be overwrapped have individual bar codes, it may be advantageous, especially when said objects are arranged and grouped to form a batch, that this batch also has a bar code for all of the articles thus formed.

Most often, the batch thus formed therefore includes a bar code associated with said assembly. Unfortunately, when reading it is difficult to dissociate the bar codes associated with each article and that associated with the set. This results in reading errors when the batch passes in front of the scanners.

The Applicant has posed the problem of remedying these reading errors.

Thus, according to the invention, there are further provided, at the outlet of the shrinking tunnels, means suitable for scrambling the bar code associated with each article.

The scrambling means comprise for example coding means which ink the bar codes after shrinkage of the overwrap film.

Advantageously, when the batch is installed on the downstream conveyor, the batch itself drives the coding means which deposit, for example, two black rectangles on a few bars of the code of each article, which prevents any reading of the latter.

For example, the coding means include a drum and a cold ink transfer ink head.

Claims (9)

Claims 1. Packaging / overwrapping device for a batch of one or more objects comprising - a heat-shrinkable film (FT) of plastic material of predetermined width and chosen length, capable of being applied around the batch (LT) to be wrapped / overwrapped so as to constitute a sleeve open at two ends (EX1, EX2) diametrically opposite, and intended to be heat-shrunk after constitution; and - means for facilitating the opening of the sleeve, characterized in that the means for facilitating the opening of the sleeve thus formed comprise at least one strip (BA) of generally rectangular flat shape, of selected width and length and consisting of '' a heat-shrinkable material having a thickness substantially greater than that of said film - the strip (BA) being juxtaposed on a predetermined side of the batch (LT), before the application of the film (FT) around said batch, with at least one end ( EXB) of the strip projecting from said film, while the face of the film applied in contact with the strip is liable to thermally merge with the strip by application of heat - which makes it possible to easily tear the heat-shrunk sleeve along the strip by pulling on the free end of said strip. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the material constituting the film and the material constituting the strip are substantially identical. 3. Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the film is polyethylene, polypropylene or polyvinyl chloride with a thickness between 20 and 200 micrometers. 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the material constituting the strip is polyethylene, polypropylene or polyvinyl chloride with a thickness greater than that of the film in a ratio of the order of 10. 5. Method for facilitating the opening of a packaging / overwrap with a heat-shrinkable plastic film for a batch of one or more objects, characterized in that a strip (BA) is juxtaposed on a predetermined side of the batch, before applying the film around the batch, with at least one end (EXB) of the strip projecting from said film, the strip being of generally flat rectangular shape, of selected length and width and made of a heat-shrinkable material having a thickness substantially greater than that of said film, and the surface of the film applied in contact with the strip with the strip is thermally fused by application of heat. 6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the tape is unwound from a reel, it is cut to the chosen length, and the tape thus cut is juxtaposed on a predetermined side of the batch before the film is placed around said lot. 7. Machine for wrapping / overwrapping a batch of one or more objects, comprising a wrapping machine with or without welding, characterized in that it also comprises - means (BB2, B03) capable of containing a strip (BA) of generally rectangular flat shape, of selected length and width and made of a heat-shrinkable material having a thickness substantially greater than that of the packaging film - means suitable for pulling said strip of container means to the chosen length; - means suitable for cutting said strip thus drawn to the chosen length; and - guide means (MT2, VT) suitable for juxtaposing the strip on a predetermined side of the batch the strip thus cut, with at least one end of the strip projecting from said batch. 8. Machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the strip guiding means comprise - means suitable for gripping the strip cut to the chosen length; and - mobile transport means with rotation associated with the gripping means and suitable for transporting the strip close to the batch and for releasing the strip thus transported, at a predetermined time of packaging / overpacking the batch. 9. Machine according to claim 7, characterized in that it further comprises barcode scrambling means arranged at the outlet of the heat shrink means and suitable for scrambling the barcodes of each object of the batch thus packaged / overwrapped.