NL1037178C2 - WRAP. - Google Patents

Description

Wrap 5 The present invention relates to a device according to the preamble parts of claims 1, 10, and 15.

The automatic formation of stacks and towers of products on a pallet is described in detail in WO2007133079. The stabilization of such loads, loads, stacks, or towers, has also been described extensively, for example in a brochure, "Pallet stabilization", Topa Packaging BV, 2001. This brochure explains how pallets have been stabilized for years. Stabilization is understood to mean, inter alia, wrapping the load, which also includes wrapping the pallet in the same treatment. With this method it is essentially achieved that the relationship in the load, usually referred to as a stack or tower, is retained. In particular during transport, by road, by ship, or by air, unexpected movements may occur due to certain movements. Further explained are, inter alia, the use of anti-slip sheets, stretch bands, and megastics, as well as combinations of such methods.

Furthermore, since two years the method explained in Figure 1 has been applied. Products can be stacked on a pallet 1 with a loading surface or pallet supporting surface 2. These products are stacked in layers, for example as described in WO2007133079. These layers are generally composed according to well-chosen patterns. The intention is to increase the stability of such a tower. Intermediate sheets can be used for this purpose, both to better distribute the pressure and to reduce unevenness in and between the layers. The stacks or towers can protrude slightly on one or more sides from the pallet bearing surface 2. According to this method, after automatic formation of the stack or tower, a wrapper 3, sometimes also called sleeve, of rigid material, in this case cardboard, around the stack arranged by lowering it over the pile. For reasons of simplicity, no products, for example stacked egg cartons, are shown in Figure 1.

1037178 2

Figure 1 furthermore indicates that the wrapper protrudes over the pallet supporting surface 2 on at least one side and rests on the pallet supporting surface 2 on two further opposite sides. Such a wrapper 3 is generally made of cardboard.

There are also many possibilities for such cardboard, from a single layer to several superimposed layers with corrugated cardboard in between, or even other combinations, depending on the desired strength. Forming and folding the wrapper to the desired shape makes use of score lines in a known manner. When said corrugated cardboard is used, also when used as an intermediate layer, the corrugated profile 10 itself can easily be used as crease line. In Figure 1, the wrapper 3 is everywhere the same height, with no recesses on top or bottom. There are just as many variants there, in particular recesses both at the top edge, bottom edge and in the surface parts themselves, usually for reasons of presentation and advertising.

With regard to the pallets, it should be noted that they are generally constructed from pallet parts, more in particular from a frame of shelves and support pieces. In addition to many others, the types "euro pallet" and "düsseldorfer" are often used. For these types, the above-mentioned pallet bearing surface 2 can be seen as a deck of deck boards with a further construction underneath. For example with the 'düsseldorfer' this construction consists of seven parallel planks with some space in between, three supporting boards across at the two sides and in the middle, with three times two support pieces in the form of brackets at those sides, with each pair again supported on three floorboards that run parallel to the first-mentioned deckboards, and furthermore with three support pieces in the form of blocks halfway through the floorboards and thereby supporting the corresponding support boards. Experts in this field of technology will know that many differences in dimensions can occur. A direct consequence will be that the wrappers are also preferably manufactured with suitable dimensions for large-scale use of a specific pallet type. It is further noted that in the further description of the device according to the present invention, a pallet provided with roller guide, often referred to as "dolly", will also be considered a pallet.

3

Such a wrap or cover appears to be satisfactory as protection and support. For example, in the case of stacks formed up to the highest edge of the wrapper 3, such a stack, and also slightly depressed the wrapper 3, provides excellent support for further stacking, i.e. stacking a further pallet 1 on the shown one.

This is for example the case with stacks of egg cartons, for example of the type 2x3, 2x5, or the like. The carrying capacity or supporting capacity of this combination of wrap and egg cartons exceeds expectations.

As is known, such stacks are often transported by road by freight transport, and also in containers. The displacement of such pallets after loading and wrapping is often carried out by fork-lift trucks, because these are suitable for picking up such pallets with their spoons. However, it has been found that such a winding 3 fails in such a movement and transport. More in particular, it appears that picking up and depositing the pallets is often carried out while the pallets have not yet taken an end position, either on the spoons or on a ground surface, in a hall or in a container. Due to the slowness of the stack, or also of the layers relative to each other, sliding movements occur whereby the stack starts to tilt or tilt. The winding 3 appears to offer insufficient rigidity and support with such tilting, whereby the stack of wraps can even fall over.

In order to offer the above-mentioned simple and advantageous construction sufficient rigidity also in such transport, the device according to the present invention is characterized in that the wrapper comprises at least one fastening lip with which the wrapper is fixed with correspondingly one pallet part, said fastening lip extending from the lower edge mentioned.

Such an improved wrapper is a very advantageous solution compared to those mentioned, for example, in the brochure mentioned above. Furthermore, the rigidity of the material provides a high dimensional stability of the entire load, namely the pallet with loading and with wrapping, so that loss of space during placing and stacking is limited to a minimum.

4

According to further exemplary embodiments, the device according to the invention has the feature; that the wrapper comprises two securing lips extending from the lower edge from two substantially opposite circumferential parts, said securing lips being fixed with two opposite pallet parts correspondingly.

This embodiment has the great advantage that firmness is offered in two directions. When picking up and depositing the pallet, it is therefore not necessary to take into account a front or rear side.

In yet other exemplary embodiments, the device according to the invention has the feature; that said pallet parts comprise pieces of the loading surface; that said pallet parts comprise support pieces; That the securing lips with folding parts grip the support pieces clampingly; that such a fastening lip comprises at least - a bridge with two bridge sides that extends substantially perpendicularly from the winding, and - at least a single support flap that extends substantially perpendicularly from the bridge from one of the bridge sides; said support flap extends with at least a single side substantially parallel to the lower edge of the wrapper; that the support flap extends slightly broadening from the bridge side; and that the support flap extends somewhat narrowly from the bridge side.

Such wrappers, in particular the fastening lips thereof, form an inexpensive solution and are very easy to use and use. Instead of boxes with a bottom, this even saves material. This solution is also suitable for further automation.

5

In a further embodiment of this invention, a method is understood, more in particular a method for arranging as a package a wrap of stiff material on a loadable pallet, wherein the pallet is loadable with a load having substantially the shape of a tower and wherein the pallet comprises pallet parts, such as for instance a loading surface on support pieces, wherein the wrapper connects substantially around the tower, wherein the wrapper extends from a lower edge at the height of the loading surface over a well-chosen height, and wherein the wrapper comprises at least one includes a fastening tab with which the wrapper is fixed with one pallet part accordingly, said fastening tab extending from the lower edge, the method successively comprising, - patterning the wrapper, - the formed wrapper substantially centered above and with its lower edge positioning at the height of the loading surface, and - folding and clamping the fastening slip against a corresponding pallet part.

This method is particularly simple, efficient, and inexpensive, and is suitable for both manual and machine application. With few resources, such a method can be integrated into a system. The benefits that can be achieved with this when handling and processing loaded or loaded pallets are great.

Further exemplary embodiments of the method according to the invention are characterized in that; That the positioning is carried out after the pallet has been loaded; that the positioning is performed for loading the pallet; that positioning, and subsequently folding and clamping, are performed manually; and that positioning, and subsequently folding and clamping, are carried out by machine.

N.

6

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, a system is provided for applying a wrapper of rigid material to a loadable pallet, wherein the pallet is loadable with a load having substantially the shape of a tower and wherein the pallet comprises pallet parts , such as, for example, a loading surface on support pieces, wherein the winding substantially connects around the tower, wherein the winding extends from a lower edge at the height of the loading surface over a well-chosen height, and wherein the winding comprises at least one fixing lip with which the winding is fixed with correspondingly a pallet part, wherein said fixing lip extends from the lower edge, and wherein the system comprises at least - a folding unit that can be positioned in the immediate vicinity of a pallet part, wherein the folding unit comprises at least a single pusher around at least a part of clamping said fixation lip with said pallet part, e n 15 - a control for controlling the pusher after being energized by a placement signal.

Such a system is of great advantage in further automating the packaging of large quantities of products. Not only can operators be deployed for other activities, but also the continuity and progress of the work are thus largely ensured. Furthermore, a considerable saving in costs will be broken.

In further exemplary embodiments, the system according to the invention has the feature; that a guide is provided for guiding a pallet along the pusher with the wrapper thereon; that a guide is included for guiding the pusher along the pallet with the wrapper thereon; that a gate is included wherein the pallet with the wrap thereon is passed through the gate and along at least one single pusher, the gate comprising a guide for said pusher; and 7 that the system comprises at least one single robot with which at least one single pusher is moved and positioned.

With reference to the foregoing, dimensions must be used for the wrappers and for the pallets that match each other: - the pallet must pay attention to the pallet loading surface, the pallet loading circumference, and the different height dimensions; - at the towers or stacks, patterns must be chosen which are as close as possible to such an outline and surface; and the wrappers according to the invention can only be used successfully if their circumference substantially corresponds to that of the tower, and the mounting lips have a height that matches the height of the loading surface above the ground and have a width which folds and folds around the support pieces.

More in particular, exemplary embodiments will be described below without precise dimensions. In the light of the foregoing it will be clear to any person skilled in the art that these dimensions will strongly depend on the specific application.

Further details of the invention will be described with reference to a drawing, in which

Figure 1 shows schematically in a view obliquely above a pallet with a known wrapper; Figure 2 shows diagrammatically in an oblique top view of a first exemplary embodiment of a wrapper according to the invention arranged on a pallet; Figure 3 shows diagrammatically in an oblique top view of a second exemplary embodiment of a wrapper according to the invention arranged on a pallet; Figure 4 schematically shows a perpendicular view of a first exemplary embodiment of a fastening lip of the wrapper according to the invention; and Figure 5 shows diagrammatically a perpendicular view of a second exemplary embodiment of a fastening lip of the wrapper according to the invention.

In the different Figures, the same parts or parts are numbered the same. It is further noted that in figures 1, 2 and 3, for reasons of simplicity, no products capable of assembling the stack or tower have been drawn.

8

Figure 1 shows a known wrapper 3 as already described above. This is placed on a pallet 1 with a loading surface 2. The wrapper is generally made of sturdy cardboard. Such a wrapper 3 is usually folded and formed in advance from a blank. The wrapper 3 can be placed on the loading surface 2 prior to loading from the pallet 1, or can also be slid around the tower or stack formed after loading. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, the wrapper 3 sits tightly around a stack and has a circumference or a base circumference which is approximately equal to the pallet loading circumference, i.e. the surface of the loading surface 2. It is noted that in this area of the technique also a folded wrapper that only needs to be unfolded receives the designation plano.

Figure 2 shows a similar view to Figure 1, from a direction obliquely above. Further details of this pallet 1 correspond to those mentioned above for the "düsseldorfer" type. Thus, three floorboards 5 are provided with three support pieces 4 on each floorboard, namely a pair of brackets on each floorboard 15 and a block in the middle. In this Figure 2 a first exemplary embodiment of the wrapper 3 according to the invention is shown, wherein the wrapper 3 comprises securing lips 10 on the corners. The lip 10 around support piece 4 at the rear is not shown in this view. The attachment lips 10 extend from a lower edge 15. This lower edge 15 extends approximately at the level of the aforementioned loading surface 2. Further details of such attachment lips 10 will be explained with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

In Figure 3, in a same view as in Figures 1 and 2, a second exemplary embodiment of a wrapper 3 is shown. Here too, one of the two mounting lips 10 is shown. These lips are located in the middle and are now folded around the support pieces 4 which are located on the sides in the middle of the pallet 1. Not shown is the lip 10 which is symmetrically located with respect to the one shown, namely at the rear in this view. Furthermore, it is indicated how this wrapper 3 rests on the loading surface 2 on the left and right-hand side in this Figure.

9

Figure 4 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a mounting lip 10 according to the invention. As can be seen, the wrapper 3 is positioned on or next to the pallet 1 with the lower edge of the wrapper at the level of the loading surface 2. The pallet parts, as far as directly visible in this view, for example the lower edge of the loading surface 2 and parts of the loading surface 2 support piece 4, namely the floorboard 5, are indicated by embossed contour lines. The other pallet parts are indicated by dotted lines. As already indicated in Figures 2 and 3, such a lip 10 connects to the lower edge 15, of which a bridge or bridge part 11 extends. In general, the bridge part 11 will extend perpendicularly from this lower edge 15 of the wrapper and will generally point downwards when the wrapper 3 is arranged around the stack. This bridge 11 has two bridge sides 12 a, b from which a flap 13 extends on each side according to this exemplary embodiment. Such a flap 13 has a bottom side 14 a and a top side 14 b. This top side 14b runs substantially parallel to the aforementioned bottom edge 15. Such a bridge 11 will have approximately the width of a support piece 4, for example a bracket or a block as in the case of a pallet 1 of the "düsseldorfer" type.

When placing the wrapper 3, the lip 10 is placed against a previously mentioned support piece 4, and the lower edge 15 runs approximately flush with the underside of the loading surface 2. The said bridge sides 12 a, b are indicated by dotted lines and function as crease lines. These are arranged in advance or can be formed on site by the material used. Because such a support piece is often a bracket or block, the flap 13 is folded along the crease lines 12 a, b around the support piece.

In addition to the above folds and folds, the tops of the flaps 13 will often clamp with friction against the underside of the loading surface 2. In this way a firm fixation is obtained both by folding around support piece 4 and also by frictional clamping against the loading surface. 2, or more in particular parts thereof such as the aforementioned boards. It has been found that even with rough transport such a fixation does not allow movement in the stack on the pallet 1.

10

Figure 5 shows in the same manner as in Figure 4 a second exemplary embodiment of a fastening tab 10 according to the present invention. In this Figure 5 it will be recognized that the lower edge 15 of the wrapper ends up higher than the lower edge 5 of the loading surface 2. This will entail that the flaps 13 have to be folded around this lower edge. In order to achieve a better clamping, the flaps 13 are shaped such that they are slightly widened from the bridge sides 12a, b, acting as crease lines during folding, with tops 14c.

It is pointed out clearly that the Figures above show the exemplary embodiments described in detail. It has already been stated in the introduction that there are many types of pallets made of all different materials and each with different dimensions. It is precisely because of this that many variants will be selected and applied in the wrappers and in the mounting lips. Mention may be made, for example, of the wrapper according to Figure 2, which comprises fastening lips 10 which are folded and clamped around support pieces 4 at the corners of the pallet 1. Many combinations can be used in this way.

In yet another embodiment, the flaps can narrow or narrow, instead of widening, so as to simplify the clamping itself.

This clamping can be performed manually but also by machine. With 20 "manually" one can imagine that a foot movement of an operator, after placing the wrapper, is already sufficient to clamp such a flap.

It will be clear to anyone skilled in the art that in the case of machine clamping, several systems will be integrated in which the application and clamping of the wrapper will be integrated.

In a first exemplary embodiment, a pallet with a wrapper, for example over a rail, is passed along at least a single pusher or pusher unit which folds, pushes and so clamps the flaps in the right direction. Multiple pushers can be used. As a variant, the pusher itself can also be guided with a rail.

In another exemplary embodiment, a gate is provided with guide for at least a single pusher or pusher unit, so that flaps can be folded on all sides when the pallet is passed through the gate.

11

In yet another exemplary embodiment, a robot is used that can guide at least a single pusher or pusher unit to the correct position to fold the flaps.

In the exemplary embodiment described above, a control can be used in which the pusher is energized after receiving a placement signal. Such a placement signal can be generated after detection by a sensor or camera, for example when passing a lip 10, or a part thereof, such as the bridge or the flap. Stopping the passing pallet will usually precede this activation. It will be clear to any person skilled in the art that there are very many known possibilities for such a control.

It is further noted that the system may comprise further units as case erectors for unfolding the wrappers, as well as conveyors and positioning units for such wrappers. The control of such a system with associated sensors and possible camera systems therefor are not described in detail but are generally known to those skilled in the art.

It will be clear to anyone skilled in the art that minor changes to the concept according to the invention are understood to fall within the scope of the claims.

1037178

Claims (19)

Device for packaging a pallet with a pallet loading surface and a pallet loading circumference, wherein the pallet comprises pallet parts, such as for instance a loading surface on support pieces, - wherein the pallet can be loaded with a tower of products wherein the tower comprises a specific height and a base circumference and a ground surface which substantially corresponds to the pallet loading surface and to the pallet loading circumference, and - wherein the package comprises at least one wrapper of rigid material, the wrapper comprising a peripheral line substantially corresponding to the pallet loading circumference and at least partially from a lower edge from the loading surface extends over at least a part of the pallet loading circumference from the loading surface to substantially the said height, characterized in that the wrapper comprises at least one fastening lip with which the wrapper is fixed with correspondingly one pallet part, said fastening lip extending from said lower edge. 20 2. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the wrapper comprises two fastening lips which extend from the lower edge from two substantially opposite circumferential parts, said fastening lips being fixed with correspondingly two opposite pallet parts. Device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said pallet parts comprise pieces of the loading surface. Device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said pallet parts comprise support pieces. 1037178 Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the securing lips with folding parts engage the support pieces clampingly. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that such a fastening lip comprises at least - a bridge with two bridge sides which extends substantially perpendicularly from the wrapper, and - at least a single supporting flap extending from one of the bridge sides extends substantially perpendicularly from the bridge. Device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that said support flap extends with at least a single side substantially parallel to the lower edge of the wrapper. 15 Device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the support flap extends slightly widening from the bridge side. 9. Device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the support flap extends somewhat narrowing from the bridge side. 10. Method for arranging a package of a stiff material on a loadable pallet as a package, wherein the pallet is loadable with a load having substantially the shape of a tower and wherein the pallet comprises pallet parts, such as for example a loading surface on support pieces, wherein the wrapper connects substantially around the tower, the wrapper extending from a lower edge at the level of the loading surface over a well-chosen height, and wherein the wrapper comprises at least one fastening lip with which the wrapper is fixed with one pallet part accordingly, said fastening lip extending from the lower edge, the method successively comprising, - patterning the wrapper, - positioning the formed wrapper substantially centered above and with its lower edge at the level of the loading surface, and 15. folding and clamping the fastening slip against a corresponding pallet part. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the positioning is carried out after the pallet has been loaded. 12. Method as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the positioning is carried out for loading the pallet. 13. Method as claimed in claim 10, 11 or 12, characterized in that the positioning, and subsequently folding and clamping, are carried out manually. Method according to claim 10, 11 or 12, characterized in that the positioning, and subsequently folding and clamping, are carried out by machine. 30 15. System for applying a wrap of rigid material to a loadable pallet, wherein the pallet is loadable with a load having substantially the shape of a tower and wherein the pallet comprises pallet parts, such as for example a loading surface on support pieces, the winding substantially connecting around the tower, the winding extending from a lower edge at the level of the loading surface over a well-chosen height, and wherein the winding comprises at least one securing lip with which the winding is fixed with a pallet part, mounting lip extending from the lower edge, and wherein the system comprises at least - a folding unit which is positionable in the immediate vicinity of a pallet part, wherein the folding unit comprises at least a single pusher for clampingly fixing at least a part of said fixing lip with the said pallet part, and - a control for controlling the pusher after ver compliance by a placement signal. A system according to claim 15, characterized in that a guide is provided for guiding a pallet with the wrapper thereon along the pusher. 17. System as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that a guide is provided for guiding the pusher along the pallet with the wrapper thereon. 18. System as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that a port is included wherein the pallet with the wrap thereon is passed through the port and along at least one single pusher, the port comprising a guide for said pusher. A system according to claim 15, characterized in that the system comprises at least one single robot with which at least one single pusher is moved and positioned. 5 103 717§