GB2314063A - Packaging method and mechanism for like articles, such as nails - Google Patents

Abstract

A packaging mechanism comprises at least one article feed 10 which delivers like articles such as nails to a packaging point, and at least two packaging strips 14, 16 which are interwoven between successive articles to bind the articles together into a bandoleer. The packaging strips may be cotton threads held on reels which reciprocate on linear slides. In the preferred embodiment there are two article feeds 10, 12 with vibratory bowls which deliver the articles in opposite orientations to a pair of pick up arms attached to an oscillating rotating member which transfers the articles onto the cotton threads, and is adjustable to accommodate articles of different sizes. The mechanism may further comprise a gluing station 18 to adhere the strips to the articles, and a coiling wheel (not shown) for winding up the bandoleer.

Description

PACKAGING SYSTEM The present invention relates to a packaging system for a plurality of articles to be packaged together.

At the present time, many products are packaged into containers or bags according to a quantity deemed suitable. This involves various machine set ups to accommodate for the different packaging requirements. This packaging is often undertaken by a party other than the manufacturer or the retailer. This all adds to the cost to the consumer. Other disadvantages include that when the bags or containers get knocked over, spillage occurs which could then lead to a multitude of problems. The consumer is restricted in the quantity available for purchase. He or she may be forced into purchasing a quantity larger than required. Another major disadvantage is that, in most cases, the containers or bags are polymer based, resulting in an non-environmentally friendly product.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved packaging system.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of packaging like articles together into a length of articles comprising the steps of providing the articles in succession to a packaging point; providing two or more packaging strips at the packaging point; passing the strips over each article passing through the packaging point such that the strips become interleaved.

between the articles to bind the articles to one another.

The packaging strips may be threads in the case where the articles are nails, screws or similar elongate articles of relatively low weight.

The method preferably includes the step of providing a glue layer at each or at least one strip; for providing additional bonding of the articles in the package.

For the case where the articles are nails, screws or similar, or of other nonuniform longitudinal configuration, the method preferably includes the step of arranging adjacent articles for the package in opposite orientations.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a packaging mechanism including at least one article feed mechanism for feeding articles successively to a packaging point; two or more packaging strips and an interleaying mechanism operative to pass each strip over each article passing through the packaging point such that the strips become interleaved between the articles to bind the articles to one another.

The preferred solution packages the components in a bandoleer and therefore removes the problem of differing packaging machine set ups. The bandoleer could be produced by the manufacturer and bypass the intermediate packaging company and thus reduce the costs to the customer. The items are retained in the bandoleer and the problem of spillage is removed. When retailed, the bandoleer could be placed in the retail outlet and the customer would have the opportunity to purchase the exact quantity required. The product is also environmentally friendly.

The advantages of packaging with plastics can be matched by the design. The preferred method uses cotton and glue. Cotton is grown from a plant and is therefore a renewable energy source. The glue is also environmentally friendly.

To package nails using the preferred method, the machine would not require excessive power to operate it and the weight added to the bandoleer would be minimal, which would therefore result in the production and distrutionicosts being equal if not lower, than the costs for producing plastic packaging.

Manufacturers will not gain extra work by trying to make this product comply with the EC regulations because cotton and glue are both environmentally friendly. This will also help to give an environmental image to the consumer.

The cost of purchasing the machine should be less than a conventional vacuum forming machine. The machine should be more economical to run due to low cotton and glue costs. These last two points should make the end cost to the consumer lower.

The consumer has more freedom to purchase the exact amount of nails required, without having to purchase different size boxes. Since one bandoleer will suit all quantities required (up to the length of a complete bandoleer), there will not be a need for different size containers to be used, which in turn, should reduce operating costs and operating time. For example, one vacuum forming machine would need to be reset (e.g. replace moulds) for 0.5 Kg boxes, for 1 Kg boxes, and again for 2 Kg boxes etc. With a bandoleer the machine could just be set up and left until the cotton or glue needed replacing. This would decrease set-up times immensely.

An embodiment of the present invention is described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of packaging system; and Figure 2 is a flow chart of the preferred packaging process.

Construction industry nails are utilized in this example. The nails are currently manufactured singularly and sold loose to the packaging company. This packaging company then packages the nails and sells them to DIY retailers in smaller quantities.

The preferred packaging system is shown schematically in Fig. 1. The method of operation is then described along with a flow diagram (Fig. 2) to assist in the understanding of the technique.

The nails are loaded into two vibratory bowl feeders 10, 12 which orientate and deliver the nails in opposite orientations. Two adjustable arms are set 1200 apart. These arms can accommodate any size nail by simply adjusting the distance between the retaining shield and the arm. These arms rotate simultaneously, picking one nail from a chute while placing one from the other chute in position and then rotating back.

This method involves weaving the nails using a cotton thread. A nail is dropped into a loop in the cotton and the cotton reels 14, 16 then change places, producing two crosses, one at the head of the nail, the other at the tip. The weight of the nails forces the cotton to slowly unwind from the reels. Lower down the bandoleer, a glue nozzle 18 is applying glue to the cotton thread. This ensures that when the bandoleer is broken, the nails will not come loose. At the bottom of the bandoleer a roller winds up the completed bandoleer ready for secondary packaging (this roller is not shown in Fig. 1).

A colour code could be used for every different type of nail. For each type of nail a different colour cotton could be used. By examining a chart the nails could be identified and a description of their use could be given, the amount of nails per Kg could also be stated along with the price. Provided this was standardized throughout the industry, the situation would be simplified for manufacturers, retailers and consumers alike because inevitably, the nails would be referred to by their colour.

Modifications to the design could include the use of different combinations of threads and glues. The amount of loops in the threads could also be changed.

The use of the bandoleer packaging technique could be adapted to allow any components which are basically long and thin in shape, to be packaged. Other applications could, for example, include the packaging of screws, bolts, pens, pencils, cotton buds, lollipop sticks and so on. It would probably be advantageous to package anything of this basic shape into a bandoleer as opposed to a polymer bag with a cardboard header stapled over the opening. The system could even package items such as knifes, forks, spoons, toothbrushes and the like.

Claims (11)

1. A method of packaging like articles together into a length of articles comprising the steps of providing the articles in succession to a packaging point; providing two or more packaging strips at the packaging point; passing the strips over each article passing through the packaging point such that the strips become interleaved between the articles to bind the articles to one another.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein for elongate articles of relatively low weight, the packaging strips are threads

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, including the step of providing a glue layer at each or at least one strip; for providing additional bonding of the articles in the package.

4. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, including the step of arranging adjacent articles for the package in opposite orientations.

5. A packaging mechanism including at least one article feed mechanism for feeding articles successively to a packaging point; two or more packaging strips and an interleaving mechanism operative to pass each strip over each article passing through the packaging point such that the strips become interleaved between the articles to bind the articles to one another.

6. A packaging mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the article fee mechanism includes first and second article collection means operable to collect fed articles and to transfer the articles to the packaging point.

7. A packaging mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the article collection means are disposed on a rotating member.

8. A packaging mechanism according to claim 6 or 7, wherein each article collection means is adjustable to accommodate articles of different sizes.

9. A packaging mechanism according to any one of claims 5 to 8, including a glue station operable to apply glue between the packing strips and the articles.

10. A method of packaging articles together substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

11. A packaging mechanism substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.