GB2441991A

GB2441991A - Orientating articles in a package

Info

Publication number: GB2441991A
Application number: GB0618405A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eric Boukredine; Jean-Yves Daniel
Original assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems LLC
Current assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems LLC
Priority date: 2006-09-19
Filing date: 2006-09-19
Publication date: 2008-03-26
Also published as: GB0618405D0; CN101522544A; WO2008036754A2; EP2091839A2; CN101522544B; WO2008036754A3

Abstract

The orientation of labelling graphics and/or surface decoration L provided on each article B (such as a bottle) held within a package 60 is checked and automatically corrected so that the graphics/decoration are uniformly arranged to face outwardly of a display window area of the package. The initial orientation of label L is sensed and checked against the desired position, and automatically corrected if necessary by manipulation means acting to rotate the article B. The package may be a carton made from a blank.

Description

1 2441991 Package, Method of Packaging and Apparatus Therefor

Background of the Invention

The invention relates to a method for packaging articles, packaging, packaged articles and apparatus for packaging. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a method of checking and correcting the alignment of labeling graphics on articles disposed within a package, apparatus therefore and the packages thereby produced.

Currently packages in which articles can be displayed, more usually premium articles such as bottles of wine or champagne are packaged by hand. The overall appearance of the packaged wine or champagne bottles is important for stand-out and marketing.

Therefore it is desirable to ensure that the packaged bottles are each correctly orientated so that printed labels affixed to the bottles, each face the front of the package in a uniform manner, thus presenting the articles in a visually appealing way.

Currently these packages are assembled by hand and the job of ensuring correct **S.

alignment of the labels falls to the person assembling the package and/or in some circumstances a quality control person. The hand assembly method is time consuming * 20 and labour intensive. Whilst packaging machines for automating the packaging of groups of articles into cartons are well known, it is desirable to provide a packaging machine which can produce a loaded package wherein the articles are correctly * aligned for maximum aesthetic effect.

The present invention seeks to avoid or at least mitigate these and other problems of the prior art by providing a method, apparatus and package wherein the labeling graphics of the articles contained within the package are aligned.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect, the invention provides a method of manufacturing package ri which an article is provided with an outer wrapping having a display window, the method comprising determining the position of each article held within the package relative to the display window by checking the orientation of the or each article through access means provided by the outer wrapping, relative to a predetermined orientation of the article and automatically manipulating said article, if desired, to correct the orientation of the article thereby providing a package wherein an article held within the package is disposed in a predetermined position relative to the display window.

Preferably, where in the predetermined position the articles are disposed such that they are each arranged to face uniformly outwardly from a display window of the package.

Optionally wherein the position of each article is determined by reading labeling graphics and/or surface decoration of the or each article.

According to a second aspect the invention provides apparatus for ensuring correct alignment of articles held within a package having a display window, the apparatus comprising a reading element for determining the orientation of each article held within the package, a checking means for checking the orientation of the article relative to a predetermined orientation and manipulating means structured and arranged such that in response to the checking, the manipulating means, if desired, automatically manipulates each of said articles to alter the orientation of the articles such that they S...

are disposed in a predetermined position relative to the display window. * * * S. *

* 20 Preferably in the predetermined position the articles are disposed such that they are * each arranged to face uniformly outwardly from a display window of the package. S...

* :*. Optionally wherein the position of each article is determined by reading means, reading labeling graphics and/or surface decoration of the or each article. -According to a third aspect, the invention provides a package for holding articles having labeling graphics, the articles being positionable within the package such that a portion of each article is visible through a display window of the package, the package comprising means by which orientation of each article can be determined for checking relative to a predetermined orientation of the article and comprising manipulating means for enabling the or each article when held within the package, automatically to be manipulated, if desired, such that the or each article is held within the package in a predetermined position relative to the display window.

Preferably one or more apertures formed in a panel opposed the display window, said one or more apertures for receiving the manipulating means by which the or each article can be manipulated.

Optionally one or more apertures are formed in a panel opposed the display window, said one or more apertures providing means by which the orientation of each article can be determined.

Alternatively one or more apertures are formed in a panel opposed the display window, a rear-stabilising element being receivable in said one or more apertures for stabilizing an adjacent article during manipulation.

According to a further aspect, the invention provides a carton for packaging articles having labeling graphics, the carton having a display window through which articles are displayable and the carton having means for enabling co-operation of the carton with apparatus automatically for checking and correcting the alignment of the labeling graphics. * *. * * * S...

.. Brief Description of the Drawings

: An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example *: 20 only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: S..

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a blank of a carton for packaging bottles; *..: Fig. 2A is a front and side view of a carton formed from the blank of figure 1 and packaged with three wine bottles; Fig. 2B is a rear and side view of the carton formed from the blank of figure 1: Fig. 3A is a front view of a package wherein the labeling graphics of bottles disposed within the package are non-uniformly orientated; and Fig. 3B is a front view of a package wherein the labeling graphics of bottles disposed within the package are uniformly orientated.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Referring to the drawings, and in particular Figure 1 thereof, there is shown a blank 10 for forming a package 60 such as that shown in the other figures 2A -3B. The blank 10 comprises a series of hinged main panels for forming top 18, 20, front 22, 24, 26,28, rear 16, 14 and base 30,12 walls of the package when assembled (See figures 2A and 26). The main panels are hinged together in series along fold lines 32. 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46 & 48. The exemplary package shown is of the wrap around type.

The blank comprises a handle (H) by which the loaded package 60 can be lifted and carried (see figure 2B), the handle (H) is structured such that it oveilaps with a void created between adjacent bottle necks so that when the carton is lifted there is space for fingers to be received within the carton to facilitate lifting.

The blank also comprises three bottle base apertures 54 and three bottle neck apertures 52 which are provided each for receiving the base or neck respectively of one of three bottles (B) when the blank is assembled and loaded (See figures 2A - 3B). Additionally the blank 10 comprises guiding apertures 58 which facilitate the manipulation, guiding and transport of the blank and/or assembled package during production of the blank and/or package. The blank 10 also comprises a series of three apertures 56, each disposed in a rear panel 14 of the carton such that when the blank *. is assembled into a carton and loaded with bottles each aperture 56 provides access to S...

a portion of an adjacent bottle. a... S...

.. : Turning now to the assembly of a package from the blank 10, it is envisaged that the *-20 construction of the article carrier can be formed by a series of sequential folding and gluing operations in a straight line machine, so that the blank 10 is not required to be a..' rotated or inverted to complete its construction. The folding process is not limited to that described below and may be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements.

Firstly neck portions of bottles (B) are threaded through the base apertures 54 and into neck apertures 52. Glue is applied to the unprinted side of panel 24 of the front panel 22, 24, 26, 28 and then the top 18, 20 and rear panel 16, 14 are folded about fold lines 40, 38 & 36 to bring the rear panel 16 into contact with the unprinted side of panel 24 for adhesion thereto. The base panel 12 adjoining the rear panel 14 is folded and the carton manipulated so that the two base panels 12, 30 are connected together and the package of carton and bottles B fully assembled as shown in Figures 2A and 2B.

The completed package 60 has a concavely shaped front panel disposed in part behind the bottles B with top and bottom tubular structures securing the bottles within the carton 60 such that a display window is formed between the top and base of the carton 60. The configuration of the front panels 22, 24, 26 may be adjusted by moving the location of the adhesion of the front and rear panels. This adjustability can be used to alter the cross-sectional shape of the top tubular structure i.e. by lowering the adhesion point such that front panel 24 is bonded to rear panel 14 a square shaped top tubular structure defined by top panels 20, 18 and rear panel 16 can be defined.

Once assembled the orientation of each of the bottles (B) contained in package 60 is checked and if necessary altered, so that each of the bottles (B) has a front label or labeling graphics (L) facing uniformly outwardly of the package 60.

Figure 3A illustrates a completely formed package 60 wherein the labels (L) are randomly orientated after loading and assembly. The alignment of the graphic labeling (L) is then corrected by the method to be herein described such that the completed package has bottles (B) each with front facing uniformly aligned graphic labeling (L), as shown in Figure 38. * *. * * S S..

*. In the embodiment described the articles (B) are provided with both front (L) and rear S...

labels (R). The following method is equally applicable to articles other than bottles S...

: having either one or more directly affixed labels and/or wrapping and/or other graphics *: 20 printed directly to the article/bottle. The purpose of the graphic labeling is to provide stand-out to the consumer, for aesthetic and marketing appeal and for advertising and branding purposes and as such has a correct orientation. The following method sets * ** out how the randomly orientated bottles (B) of Figure 3A are uniformly aligned to produce the package of Figure 3B.

The assembled package 60 with randomly orientated graphic labeling (L) is moved into an apparatus (not shown) comprising a conveyer for moving the package 60 in front of a sensor which reads' the label. By reading it is meant any form of interpretation of the graphic labeling for example, colour and/or character recognition of the matter printed on the label, detection of the outline of the label and other automated means for registering the current location of the labeling graphics.

The sensed and registered location of the graphic labeling is checked against a desired correct position. In this example a central axis (C) of the affixed label (L) is to be disposed in line with the notional line (N) running between the centre of the neck aperture 52 and the centre of the base aperture 54, as shown in Figure 3B. This desired orientation or correct orientation of the graphic labeling is known or predetermined by a control means coupled to the sensor which can calculate the number of degrees the bottle needs to be rotated in order for the central axis (C) of the label (L) to fall on the notional line (N).

The apparatus is provided with a manipulation element (or series thereof) which is coupled to the reading sensor such that the manipulation element can carry out the manipulation i.e. rotation of the bottles to adjust the position of the bottle by a required movement i.e. the number of degrees rotation required in order to align the central axis (C) of the label (L) with the notional line (N). In this way each bottle in a package is oriented correctly regarding the display of the graphic labeling of the bottle.

It can be appreciated that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, for example, the size and shape of the panels may be adjusted to accommodate articles of differing size or shape. In another :.. embodiment, the articles do not have labels affixed thereto but may have graphics **SS.

printed thereon. It is envisaged that only one or more bottles may be contained in the carton and that bottles may be substituted for any other kind of article without * .1* departing from the scope of the present invention.

In one embodiment the label is read by a laser based sensor disposed in front of the front panel 22, 24, 26, 28 of the package 60 and the manipulation element is also * ** disposed in front of the package 60 and aligned to contact the or each bottle (B) at a location below the graphic labeling (L) to ensure that the manipulation element does not damage the graphic labeling (L). In this embodiment the aperture 56 is provided to receive a rearside conveyor which stabilises the bottle during rotatory manipulation. In an alternative embodiment there is no rearside conveyor and the aperture 56 is used to provide access to the bottles (B) for reading the graphic labeling by the sensor. In yet a further alternative embodiment, the aperture 56 is provided to receive the article manipulation element.

It will be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as "top", "bottom", front", "back", "end", "side", "inner", "outer", "upper" and "lower" do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another. Any reference to hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only; indeed it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more of the following, a score line, a frangible line or a fold line without departing from the scope of the invention. * ** * * S *5** *S.. S 5 *.** * S* *S * S.. *SS * . S... S. S * * . S.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a package in which an article is provided with an outer wrapping having a display window, the method comprising determining the position of each article held within the package relative to the display window by checking the orientation of the or each article through access means provided by the outer wrapping, relative to a predetermined orientation of the article and automatically manipulating said article, if desired, to correct the orientation of the article thereby providing a package wherein an article held within the package is disposed in a predetermined position relative to the display window.

2. A method according to claim 1 where in the predetermined position the articles are disposed such that they are each arranged to face uniformly outwardly from a display window of the package. * .* * I * II..

*.

3. A method according to either of claims 1 or 2 wherein the position of each *1sI article is determined by reading labeling graphics and/or surface decoration of *ISI : the or each article.

4. Apparatus for ensuring correct alignment of articles held within a package having a display window, the apparatus comprising a reading element for * determining the orientation of each article held within the package, a checking means for checking the orientation of the article relative to a predetermined orientation and manipulating means structured and arranged such that in response to the checking, the manipulating means, if desired, automatically manipulates each of said articles to alter the orientation of the articles such that they are disposed in a predetermined position relative to the display window.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 where in the predetermined position the articles are disposed such that they are each arranged to face uniformly outwardly from a display window of the package.

6. An apparatus according to either of claims 4 or 5 wherein the position of each article is determined by reading means, reading labeling graphics and/or surface decoration of the or each article.

7. A package for holding articles having labeling graphics, the articles being positionable within the package such that a portion of each article is visible through a display window of the package, the package comprising means by which orientation of each article can be determined for checking relative to a predetermined orientation of the article and comprising manipulating means for enabling the or each article when held within the package, automatically to be manipulated, if desired, such that the or each article is held within the package in a predetermined position relative to the display window.

8. A package according to claim 7 comprising one or more apertures formed in a panel opposed the display window, said one or more apertures for receiving the manipulating means by which the or each article can be manipulated.

9. A package according to claim 7 comprising one or more apertures formed in a :, :* panel opposed the display window, said one or more apertures providing *.. means by which the orientation of each article can be determined. I...

:

10. A package according to claim 7 comprising one or more apertures formed in a panel opposed the display window, a rear- stabilising element being receivable in said one or more apertures for stabilizing an adjacent article during * S S...

manipulation.. 5 * S. * .*

11. A carton for packaging articles having labeling graphics, the carton having a display window through which articles are displayable and the carton having means for enabling co-operation of the carton with apparatus automatically for checking and correcting the alignment of the labeling graphics.

12. A blank for forming a package for use in the method of claim 1.

13. A package displaying articles, the formed by the method according to claim 1.

14. A method of packaging articles substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. Apparatus for aligning packaged articles substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. * .. * . . as.. **I. * I **s a... * S a S. I S.. S. * . I'.. S. * S* S.