US20190077528A1 - Device and method for applying gripping handles on packaging films and a shrinkwrapper having such a device and arranged for effecting such a method - Google Patents
Device and method for applying gripping handles on packaging films and a shrinkwrapper having such a device and arranged for effecting such a method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20190077528A1 US20190077528A1 US16/124,756 US201816124756A US2019077528A1 US 20190077528 A1 US20190077528 A1 US 20190077528A1 US 201816124756 A US201816124756 A US 201816124756A US 2019077528 A1 US2019077528 A1 US 2019077528A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- supplied
- packaging film
- gripping handle
- application roller
- feeding
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Classifications
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- 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
- B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
- B65B61/14—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for incorporating, or forming and incorporating, handles or suspension means in packages
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- 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
- B65B11/50—Enclosing articles, or quantities of material, by disposing contents between two sheets, e.g. pocketed sheets, and securing their opposed free margins
- B65B11/52—Enclosing articles, or quantities of material, by disposing contents between two sheets, e.g. pocketed sheets, and securing their opposed free margins one sheet being rendered plastic, e.g. by heating, and forced by fluid pressure, e.g. vacuum, into engagement with the other sheet and contents, e.g. skin-, blister-, or bubble- packaging
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D71/06—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers
- B65D71/08—Wrappers shrunk by heat or under tension, e.g. stretch films or films tensioned by compressed articles
- B65D71/10—Wrappers shrunk by heat or under tension, e.g. stretch films or films tensioned by compressed articles and provided with inserts
-
- 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
- B65B11/06—Wrapping articles, or quantities of material, by conveying wrapper and contents in common defined paths
- B65B11/08—Wrapping articles, or quantities of material, by conveying wrapper and contents in common defined paths in a single straight path
- B65B11/10—Wrapping articles, or quantities of material, by conveying wrapper and contents in common defined paths in a single straight path to fold the wrappers in tubular form about contents
-
- 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
- B65B21/00—Packaging or unpacking of bottles
- B65B21/24—Enclosing bottles in wrappers
-
- 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
- B65B41/00—Supplying or feeding container-forming sheets or wrapping material
- B65B41/12—Feeding webs from rolls
- B65B41/16—Feeding webs from rolls by rollers
-
- 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
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00432—Handles or suspending means
- B65D2571/00438—Holes
- B65D2571/0045—Holes for hands
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00432—Handles or suspending means
- B65D2571/00456—Handles or suspending means integral with the wrapper
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00432—Handles or suspending means
- B65D2571/00493—Handles or suspending means attached to the wrapper
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00648—Elements used to form the wrapper
- B65D2571/00672—Films
- B65D2571/00679—Shrink films
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00808—Inserts
- B65D2571/00814—Inserts for reinforcing
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an application device for applying gripping handles on packaging films, preferably heat shrinkable, that are being supplied on shrinkwrappers for making bundles of food containers, in particular cans, tins, bottles, flasks and/or the like.
- the present invention also relates to an application method for applying gripping handles on packaging films, preferably heat shrinkable, that are being supplied on shrinkwrappers for making bundles of food containers and/or the like.
- An abject of the present invention is also a shrinkwrapper for making bundles of food containers, such as cans, tins, bottles, flasks and/or the like, provided with such device and adapted to carry out such method.
- the present invention may be used to the industrial field of machines and devices for packaging cans, tins, bottles, flasks and/or the like, containers for products of any type, in particular food products.
- packaging the aforementioned containers generally is performed by means of shrinkwrappers that group together and wrap, with appropriate heat-shrinkable packaging films supplied in the form of a continuous web, a predetermined number of containers.
- the wrapping of the aforementioned sets of containers causes the formation of the so-called bundles that facilitate the transport and/or storage thereof.
- the aforesaid bundles are provided with suitable gripping handles that may be applied to the packaging films both later and before the formation thereof.
- the operation of applying the gripping handles to the packaging films normally is performed by means of respective application devices that are mounted on the shrinkwrappers.
- Such application devices usually comprise a movable application head that is provided with a respective idle application roller, that is to say free to rotate around its central axis without driving by any motor members, that operates directly in contact with the packaging films being supplied during the application of the gripping handles.
- a plurality of gripping handles to be applied to the respective packaging films being supplied is suitably provided with the application roller, they too in the form of continuous web.
- the application device In order to provide the application roller with an adequate abutment surface during the fixing of the gripping handles on the packaging films, the application device provides a suitable abutment mechanism that adequately supports the packaging films being supplied.
- the abutment mechanism opposes the pressure that the application roller exerts on the respective gripping handle and packaging film, thus allowing the adhesion of the adhesive ends of the gripping handle under pressure and therefore, the application of the latter.
- the Applicant has noted that the known devices and methods for applying the gripping handles, such as shrinkwrappers that mount such devices and implement such methods, apply the gripping handles on the corresponding packaging films, causing the latter to move forward at the same feeding velocity as the packaging films. Thereby, each gripping handle applied develops longitudinally on the respective packaging film according to the same longitudinal measurement. The gripping handle then is tensioned on the respective packaging film without having any loose area.
- the known devices and methods for applying the gripping handles such as shrinkwrappers that mount such devices and implement such methods, apply the gripping handles on the corresponding packaging films, causing the latter to move forward at the same feeding velocity as the packaging films.
- each gripping handle applied develops longitudinally on the respective packaging film according to the same longitudinal measurement.
- the gripping handle then is tensioned on the respective packaging film without having any loose area.
- This application method allows obtaining gripping handles whose non-adhesive gripping portion touches the respective packaging film.
- the packaging film retracts, adhering as much as possible to the respective containers.
- the shrunk packaging film forms, between one bottle and the other, a wide concavity, while the gripping portion of the respective gripping handle substantially remains horizontally tensioned between the caps of such bottles.
- the concavity of the shrunk packaging film defines the gripping space or slot to be used to manually grip the bundle.
- the application of the gripping handles according to that disclosed above does not allow defining a sufficient gripping space or slot to allow adequately gripping the bundle because the space between the gripping handle and the packaging film is rather small.
- the above-specified object substantially is achieved by a device and a method for applying gripping handles on packaging films, preferably heat shrinkable, being supplied on shrinkwrappers for making bundles of containers, such as cans, tins, bottles and/or the like, and also a shrinkwrapper provided with such application device and/or adapted to carry out such method, as expressed and described in the following claims.
- FIG. 1 is a general perspective view off a shrinkwrapper on which there is mounted an application device for gripping handles on packaging films, according to the present invention
- FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the shrinkwrapper of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a front schematic view of the application device mounted on the shrinkwrapper of FIGS. 1 and 2 ;
- FIG. 4 is a rear schematic view of the application device of FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of a bundle of containers that can be obtained by means of the device and the application method, and also the shrinkwrapper, according to the present invention
- FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the bundle of FIG. 5 .
- number 1 indicates an application device as a whole, for gripping handles M on packaging films P being supplied on respective shrinkwrappers 2 to make bundles of food containers C, in particular cans, tins, bottles, flasks and/or the like, according to the present invention.
- the application device 1 is mounted on a shrinkwrapper 2 for making and packaging bundles F ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) of food containers C, such as for example cans, tins, bottles, flasks and/or the like, according to the present invention.
- a shrinkwrapper 2 for making and packaging bundles F ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) of food containers C, such as for example cans, tins, bottles, flasks and/or the like, according to the present invention.
- the shrinkwrapper 2 comprises a supplying station 3 provided with one or more reels 4 for supplying a continuous web 5 ( FIG. 3 ) preferably made of heat-shrinkable plastic material, on which there is provided a series of packaging films P, each intended to form a respective bundle F.
- a joining station. 6 is provided close to and downstream of the supplying station 3 , in which there is operatively arranged the above-mentioned application device 1 of the gripping handles M to the packaging films P being supplied.
- a carrier station 7 that sends the continuous web 5 and by consequent the packaging films P made therefrom by means of corresponding cutting operations, provided with the respective gripping handles M, towards a coupling station 8 preferably arranged on a different level, is operatively provided close to the joining station 6 and downstream thereof.
- each packaging film P, previously cut from the continuous web 5 in the carrier station is wound around a respective set of containers C that come from a respective supplying station 9 .
- each packaging film P previously wound around a respective set of containers C, is heated to be deformed and shrunk on the containers C themselves, thus forming the respective bundle F.
- the bundles F outlet from the heating station are conveyed (by known means not depicted) towards an accumulation and storage station (it also not illustrated).
- the application device 1 of the joining station 6 described above comprises at least one application head 10 provided with at least one application roller 11 of a plurality of gripping handles M, supplied in the form of a continuous web 12 by means of a series of return elements 13 and similar drive mechanisms operatively associated with the application head 10 .
- the application device 1 of the joining station 6 comprises at least one abutment mechanism 14 for operatively supporting the packaging films P supplied in the form of a continuous web 5 in the above-described shrinkwrapper 2 .
- the application roller 11 of the application head 10 and the abutment mechanism 14 are relatively movable between a non-operating condition, in which they are spaced apart and the packaging films P being supplied move forward on the abutment mechanism 14 , and an operating condition ( FIG. 3 ), in which the application roller 11 is arranged at the abutment mechanism 14 , against a respective packaging film P in order to apply on the latter a respective gripping handle M of the continuous web 12 .
- the application roller 11 of the application head 10 is movable away from and towards, between the non-operating condition and the operating condition, to apply a respective gripping handle M on each packaging film P being supplied.
- the abutment mechanism 14 comprises at least a support web 15 , preferably of greater width than the width of the packaging films being supplied, having a feeding surface 16 that at least partially faces the application head 10 for feeding the packaging films P being supplied on the shrinkwrapper 2 .
- the feeding surface 16 of the support web 15 provides an abutment for the application roller 11 of the application head 10 , in the operating condition.
- the application roller 11 is capable of applying a respective gripping handle M on each packaging film P being supplied.
- the application roller 11 of the application head 10 advantageously is motorized and is independently controllable with respect to the feeding of the packaging films P being supplied and supported by the abutment mechanism 14 between the latter and the application roller itself.
- the application head 10 comprises at least a motor 11 a or a similar actuator operatively connected to the application roller 11 for controlling the angular velocity w of the latter and modifying such angular velocity w according to a preset program.
- the motor 11 a or the similar actuator is operatively connected to the application roller 11 by means of at least two driving pulleys 11 b and at least one moving belt 11 c which partially surrounds such driving pulleys 11 b.
- the motor 11 a or the similar actuator is directly connected to the application roller 11 without interposing intermediate driving members.
- the motor 11 a or the similar actuator is of the electric type.
- motors and similar actuators of the pneumatic type are not excluded and may be used.
- the motor 11 a or the similar actuator comprises a servo-motor or a three-phase motor or a brushless motor.
- the application device 1 advantageously is provided with a control unit (not depicted in the accompanying figures), preferably electronic and programmable, operatively connected to the motor 11 a or similar actuator to rotationally actuate the application roller 11 .
- a control unit not depicted in the accompanying figures
- the control unit is arranged and programmed for modifying, for each packaging film P being supplied, the angular velocity w of the application roller 11 so as to determine, for at least a settable and programmable time interval T, a feeding of the gripping handle M being supplied that is faster than the feeding of the respective packaging film P being supplied.
- the control unit is arranged for:
- each gripping handle N being supplied moves forward at substantially the same feeding velocity VaP of the respective packaging film P being supplied and supported by the abutment mechanism 14 ;
- the present invention also relates to an application method for gripping handles M on packaging films P in the form of a continuous web 5 being supplied on a shrinkwrapper 2 .
- the method first comprises providing the aforesaid application head 10 , then providing the abutment mechanism 14 , which is to be operatively placed at the application head 10 to support the packaging films P being supplied during feeding.
- the gripping handles M are supplied to the application head 10 , while the packaging films P are guided towards the abutment mechanism 14 .
- the packaging films P move forward between the application head and the abutment mechanism 14 , at the application head 10 .
- a respective gripping handle M When each packaging film P is at the application head 10 , a respective gripping handle M, provided with corresponding adhesive joining ends E, is applied thereon by means of a pressure exerted by the application head 10 by means of a corresponding application roller 11 .
- the packaging films P are supported by the support mechanism along the whole path travelled by the continuous web 5 at the application head 10 .
- the feeding surface 16 of the continuous web 15 defines an abutment that interacts with the application roller 11 of the application head 10 to ensure the optimal engagement of the adhesive joining ends F of the gripping handles M being applied to the respective packaging films P.
- the support web 15 is actuated to move according to the same feeding direction as the packaging films P being supplied to drag and/or accompany the latter through the application head 10 .
- each gripping handle M in particular of the adhesive joining ends E of the latter, on the respective packaging film P during feeding preferably is performed by controlling the application roller 11 of the application head 10 independently with respect to the feeding of the packaging film P being supplied and supported by the abutment mechanism between the latter and the application roller 11 itself.
- each gripping handle M on the respective packaging film P is carried out by controlling the angular velocity w of the application roller 11 and modifying the same according to a preset program.
- modifying the angular velocity w of the application roller 11 for each packaging film P being supplied is performed by increasing the angular velocity w of the application roller 11 and thus causing, for at least a settable and programmable time interval T, a feeding of the gripping handle M being supplied that is faster than the feeding of the respective packaging film P being supplied.
- step of modifying the angular velocity w of the application roller 11 is performed for each packaging film P being supplied according to the following steps:
- each gripping handle M being supplied moves forward at substantially the same feeding velocity VaP of the respective packaging film P being supplied and supported by the abutment mechanism 14 , whereby one of the adhesive ends E adheres to the respective packaging film P being supplied;
- the application device and the method described above like the above-mentioned shrinkwrapper 2 , resolve the problems encountered in the known technique and achieve important advantages.
- the presence of the application roller which angular velocity is variable and controllable in relation to contingent needs allows, for a settable time interval, an increased feeding of the gripping handle with respect to the one of the respective packaging film, thus accordingly defining between the latter a space sufficient to insert the fingers and/or the hand of a consumer.
- the provision of the application roller to modify its angular velocity in light of the commands it is imparted with not only allows making loops suitable for manual gripping on the bundles being produced, but it allows to make wider or narrower loops according to the type of bundle to be made, and also to the contingent needs.
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- Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to an application device for applying gripping handles on packaging films, preferably heat shrinkable, that are being supplied on shrinkwrappers for making bundles of food containers, in particular cans, tins, bottles, flasks and/or the like.
- The present invention also relates to an application method for applying gripping handles on packaging films, preferably heat shrinkable, that are being supplied on shrinkwrappers for making bundles of food containers and/or the like.
- An abject of the present invention is also a shrinkwrapper for making bundles of food containers, such as cans, tins, bottles, flasks and/or the like, provided with such device and adapted to carry out such method.
- The present invention may be used to the industrial field of machines and devices for packaging cans, tins, bottles, flasks and/or the like, containers for products of any type, in particular food products.
- As is known, packaging the aforementioned containers generally is performed by means of shrinkwrappers that group together and wrap, with appropriate heat-shrinkable packaging films supplied in the form of a continuous web, a predetermined number of containers.
- The wrapping of the aforementioned sets of containers causes the formation of the so-called bundles that facilitate the transport and/or storage thereof.
- Normally, the aforesaid bundles are provided with suitable gripping handles that may be applied to the packaging films both later and before the formation thereof.
- In order to speed up the packaging methods, it is common practice to apply the gripping handles directly on the packaging films before applying the wrapping of the containers to be packaged.
- The operation of applying the gripping handles to the packaging films normally is performed by means of respective application devices that are mounted on the shrinkwrappers. Such application devices usually comprise a movable application head that is provided with a respective idle application roller, that is to say free to rotate around its central axis without driving by any motor members, that operates directly in contact with the packaging films being supplied during the application of the gripping handles.
- A plurality of gripping handles to be applied to the respective packaging films being supplied is suitably provided with the application roller, they too in the form of continuous web.
- In order to provide the application roller with an adequate abutment surface during the fixing of the gripping handles on the packaging films, the application device provides a suitable abutment mechanism that adequately supports the packaging films being supplied.
- In detail, the abutment mechanism opposes the pressure that the application roller exerts on the respective gripping handle and packaging film, thus allowing the adhesion of the adhesive ends of the gripping handle under pressure and therefore, the application of the latter.
- Although the current techniques for applying the gripping handles to the packaging films used to make the aforesaid bundles allow reasonable joining therebetween, the Applicant has noted that they are nonetheless not without certain drawbacks and may be improved under various aspects, mainly in relation to the gripping space or slot defined between the packaging film and the relative gripping portion of the gripping handle, once heat shrinking is complete.
- In particular, the Applicant has noted that the known devices and methods for applying the gripping handles, such as shrinkwrappers that mount such devices and implement such methods, apply the gripping handles on the corresponding packaging films, causing the latter to move forward at the same feeding velocity as the packaging films. Thereby, each gripping handle applied develops longitudinally on the respective packaging film according to the same longitudinal measurement. The gripping handle then is tensioned on the respective packaging film without having any loose area.
- This application method allows obtaining gripping handles whose non-adhesive gripping portion touches the respective packaging film.
- During the heat-shrinking step of the packaging films around the respective sets of containers to be packaged, the packaging film retracts, adhering as much as possible to the respective containers.
- If the containers consist of bottles whose section narrows at the neck, the shrunk packaging film forms, between one bottle and the other, a wide concavity, while the gripping portion of the respective gripping handle substantially remains horizontally tensioned between the caps of such bottles. The concavity of the shrunk packaging film defines the gripping space or slot to be used to manually grip the bundle.
- Contrarily, if the containers to be packaged consist of cans, tins, bottles and/or flasks with a wide neck, or of box-like packages, the application of the gripping handles according to that disclosed above does not allow defining a sufficient gripping space or slot to allow adequately gripping the bundle because the space between the gripping handle and the packaging film is rather small.
- It is the main object of the present invention to propose a device and a method for applying gripping handles on packaging films, preferably heat shrinkable, being supplied on shrinkwrappers for making bundles of containers, in particular cans, tins, bottles and/or the like, and also a shrinkwrapper provided with such application device and/or adapted to carry out such method, capable of resolving the problems encountered in the known technique.
- The above-specified object substantially is achieved by a device and a method for applying gripping handles on packaging films, preferably heat shrinkable, being supplied on shrinkwrappers for making bundles of containers, such as cans, tins, bottles and/or the like, and also a shrinkwrapper provided with such application device and/or adapted to carry out such method, as expressed and described in the following claims.
- There is now provided, by way of example, the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a device and a method for applying gripping handles on packaging films, preferably heat shrinkable, being supplied on shrinkwrappers for making bundles of containers, such as cans, tins, bottles and/or the like, and also of a shrinkwrapper provided with such application device and/or adapted to carry out such method, according to the present invention.
- The description will be made hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided for indicative purposes only and therefore not limiting, wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a general perspective view off a shrinkwrapper on which there is mounted an application device for gripping handles on packaging films, according to the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the shrinkwrapper ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a front schematic view of the application device mounted on the shrinkwrapper ofFIGS. 1 and 2 ; -
FIG. 4 is a rear schematic view of the application device ofFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of a bundle of containers that can be obtained by means of the device and the application method, and also the shrinkwrapper, according to the present invention; -
FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the bundle ofFIG. 5 . - With reference to
FIGS. 1 to 4 ,number 1 indicates an application device as a whole, for gripping handles M on packaging films P being supplied onrespective shrinkwrappers 2 to make bundles of food containers C, in particular cans, tins, bottles, flasks and/or the like, according to the present invention. - As is shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2 , theapplication device 1 is mounted on ashrinkwrapper 2 for making and packaging bundles F (FIGS. 5 and 6 ) of food containers C, such as for example cans, tins, bottles, flasks and/or the like, according to the present invention. - The
shrinkwrapper 2 comprises a supplyingstation 3 provided with one ormore reels 4 for supplying a continuous web 5 (FIG. 3 ) preferably made of heat-shrinkable plastic material, on which there is provided a series of packaging films P, each intended to form a respective bundle F. - A joining station. 6 is provided close to and downstream of the supplying
station 3, in which there is operatively arranged the above-mentionedapplication device 1 of the gripping handles M to the packaging films P being supplied. - A
carrier station 7, that sends the continuous web 5 and by consequent the packaging films P made therefrom by means of corresponding cutting operations, provided with the respective gripping handles M, towards acoupling station 8 preferably arranged on a different level, is operatively provided close to the joiningstation 6 and downstream thereof. - At the
coupling station 8, each packaging film P, previously cut from the continuous web 5 in the carrier station is wound around a respective set of containers C that come from arespective supplying station 9. - There is provided, close to the
coupling station 8 and downstream thereof, a heating station (not depicted in the accompanying drawings) at which each packaging film P, previously wound around a respective set of containers C, is heated to be deformed and shrunk on the containers C themselves, thus forming the respective bundle F. - The bundles F outlet from the heating station are conveyed (by known means not depicted) towards an accumulation and storage station (it also not illustrated).
- As is shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4 , theapplication device 1 of thejoining station 6 described above comprises at least oneapplication head 10 provided with at least oneapplication roller 11 of a plurality of gripping handles M, supplied in the form of acontinuous web 12 by means of a series ofreturn elements 13 and similar drive mechanisms operatively associated with theapplication head 10. - Again with reference to
FIGS. 3 and. 4, theapplication device 1 of thejoining station 6 comprises at least oneabutment mechanism 14 for operatively supporting the packaging films P supplied in the form of a continuous web 5 in the above-describedshrinkwrapper 2. - The
application roller 11 of theapplication head 10 and theabutment mechanism 14 are relatively movable between a non-operating condition, in which they are spaced apart and the packaging films P being supplied move forward on theabutment mechanism 14, and an operating condition (FIG. 3 ), in which theapplication roller 11 is arranged at theabutment mechanism 14, against a respective packaging film P in order to apply on the latter a respective gripping handle M of thecontinuous web 12. - In detail, the
application roller 11 of theapplication head 10 is movable away from and towards, between the non-operating condition and the operating condition, to apply a respective gripping handle M on each packaging film P being supplied. - Advantageously, the
abutment mechanism 14 comprises at least asupport web 15, preferably of greater width than the width of the packaging films being supplied, having afeeding surface 16 that at least partially faces theapplication head 10 for feeding the packaging films P being supplied on theshrinkwrapper 2. - The
feeding surface 16 of thesupport web 15 provides an abutment for theapplication roller 11 of theapplication head 10, in the operating condition. By directly acting against thefeeding surface 16 of thesupport web 15, theapplication roller 11 is capable of applying a respective gripping handle M on each packaging film P being supplied. - In detail, during the application of each gripping handle P on the respective packaging film P, suitable adhesive ends E of the same ensure the permanent engagement thereof.
- With particular reference to the
application roller 11 of theapplication head 10, theapplication roller 11 advantageously is motorized and is independently controllable with respect to the feeding of the packaging films P being supplied and supported by theabutment mechanism 14 between the latter and the application roller itself. - As shown in
FIG. 4 , theapplication head 10 comprises at least amotor 11 a or a similar actuator operatively connected to theapplication roller 11 for controlling the angular velocity w of the latter and modifying such angular velocity w according to a preset program. - Again with reference to
FIG. 4 , themotor 11 a or the similar actuator is operatively connected to theapplication roller 11 by means of at least two driving pulleys 11 b and at least one moving belt 11 c which partially surrounds such driving pulleys 11 b. - Alternatively, it is also possible to provide that the
motor 11 a or the similar actuator is directly connected to theapplication roller 11 without interposing intermediate driving members. - Preferably, the
motor 11 a or the similar actuator is of the electric type. However, motors and similar actuators of the pneumatic type are not excluded and may be used. - Advantageously, the
motor 11 a or the similar actuator comprises a servo-motor or a three-phase motor or a brushless motor. - According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the
application device 1 advantageously is provided with a control unit (not depicted in the accompanying figures), preferably electronic and programmable, operatively connected to themotor 11 a or similar actuator to rotationally actuate theapplication roller 11. - The control unit is arranged and programmed for modifying, for each packaging film P being supplied, the angular velocity w of the
application roller 11 so as to determine, for at least a settable and programmable time interval T, a feeding of the gripping handle M being supplied that is faster than the feeding of the respective packaging film P being supplied. In greater detail again, the control unit is arranged for: - allowing the
application roller 11 to rotate or rotate the latter at a common angular feeding velocity w, wherein each gripping handle N being supplied moves forward at substantially the same feeding velocity VaP of the respective packaging film P being supplied and supported by theabutment mechanism 14; - decreasing the contact force between the gripping handle M and the packaging film P, for example by reducing the pressure in the cylinder 17 (
FIG. 3 ); - increasing the angular velocity w of the
application roller 11 up to a preset limit in such a way as to increase the feeding velocity VaM of each gripping handle M with respect to the feeding velocity VaP of the corresponding packaging film P so that the respective gripping handle M moving forward faster with respect to the corresponding packaging film P, defines, among the latter, a respective loop A (FIG. 5 ) that is useful for manually gripping the bundle F being formed; - reducing the angular velocity w of the
application roller 11 or allowing the natural reduction of such angular velocity w so as to reduce the feeding velocity VaM of each gripping handle M at least until achieving the feeding velocity VaP of the packaging film P; - increasing the contact force between the gripping handle M and the packaging film P, for example by increasing the pressure in the cylinder 17 (
FIG. 3 ), so as to ensure proper adhesion of the adhesive end E of the gripping handle M on the packaging film P. - The present invention also relates to an application method for gripping handles M on packaging films P in the form of a continuous web 5 being supplied on a
shrinkwrapper 2. - The method first comprises providing the
aforesaid application head 10, then providing theabutment mechanism 14, which is to be operatively placed at theapplication head 10 to support the packaging films P being supplied during feeding. - The gripping handles M are supplied to the
application head 10, while the packaging films P are guided towards theabutment mechanism 14. - The packaging films P move forward between the application head and the
abutment mechanism 14, at theapplication head 10. - When each packaging film P is at the
application head 10, a respective gripping handle M, provided with corresponding adhesive joining ends E, is applied thereon by means of a pressure exerted by theapplication head 10 by means of acorresponding application roller 11. - The packaging films P are supported by the support mechanism along the whole path travelled by the continuous web 5 at the
application head 10. - Advantageously, the feeding
surface 16 of thecontinuous web 15 defines an abutment that interacts with theapplication roller 11 of theapplication head 10 to ensure the optimal engagement of the adhesive joining ends F of the gripping handles M being applied to the respective packaging films P. - During the whole application method, the
support web 15 is actuated to move according to the same feeding direction as the packaging films P being supplied to drag and/or accompany the latter through theapplication head 10. - The application of each gripping handle M, in particular of the adhesive joining ends E of the latter, on the respective packaging film P during feeding preferably is performed by controlling the
application roller 11 of theapplication head 10 independently with respect to the feeding of the packaging film P being supplied and supported by the abutment mechanism between the latter and theapplication roller 11 itself. - In detail, the application of each gripping handle M on the respective packaging film P is carried out by controlling the angular velocity w of the
application roller 11 and modifying the same according to a preset program. - In greater detail again, modifying the angular velocity w of the
application roller 11 for each packaging film P being supplied is performed by increasing the angular velocity w of theapplication roller 11 and thus causing, for at least a settable and programmable time interval T, a feeding of the gripping handle M being supplied that is faster than the feeding of the respective packaging film P being supplied. - In even greater detail again, the step of modifying the angular velocity w of the
application roller 11 is performed for each packaging film P being supplied according to the following steps: - allowing the
application roller 11 to rotate or rotate the latter at a common angular feeding velocity w, wherein each gripping handle M being supplied moves forward at substantially the same feeding velocity VaP of the respective packaging film P being supplied and supported by theabutment mechanism 14, whereby one of the adhesive ends E adheres to the respective packaging film P being supplied; - decreasing the contact force between the gripping handle M and the packaging film P;
- increasing the angular velocity w of the
application roller 11 up to a preset limit in such a way as to increase the feeding velocity VaM of each gripping handle M with respect to the feeding velocity VaP of the corresponding packaging film P so as to define a respective loop A between the latter; - reducing the angular velocity w of the
application roller 11 or allowing the natural reduction of such angular velocity w so as to reduce the feeding velocity VaM of each gripping handle M at least until achieving the feeding velocity VaP of the packaging film P; - increasing the contact force between the gripping handle M and the packaging film P so as to ensure proper adhesion of the adhesive end E of the gripping handle M on the respective packaging film P.
- The application device and the method described above, like the above-mentioned
shrinkwrapper 2, resolve the problems encountered in the known technique and achieve important advantages. - In particular, the presence of the application roller which angular velocity is variable and controllable in relation to contingent needs allows, for a settable time interval, an increased feeding of the gripping handle with respect to the one of the respective packaging film, thus accordingly defining between the latter a space sufficient to insert the fingers and/or the hand of a consumer.
- It is also worth noting that the provision of the application roller to modify its angular velocity in light of the commands it is imparted with not only allows making loops suitable for manual gripping on the bundles being produced, but it allows to make wider or narrower loops according to the type of bundle to be made, and also to the contingent needs.
Claims (10)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT102017000101010 | 2017-09-08 | ||
IT102017000101010A IT201700101010A1 (en) | 2017-09-08 | 2017-09-08 | DEVICE AND PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION OF GRIPPING HANDLES ON PACKAGING FILMS AS WELL AS A MACHINE MACHINE EQUIPPED WITH THIS DEVICE AND IT CAN ACTUATE THIS PROCEDURE. |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20190077528A1 true US20190077528A1 (en) | 2019-03-14 |
Family
ID=61006103
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/124,756 Abandoned US20190077528A1 (en) | 2017-09-08 | 2018-09-07 | Device and method for applying gripping handles on packaging films and a shrinkwrapper having such a device and arranged for effecting such a method |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20190077528A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3453628B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN109466832B (en) |
IT (1) | IT201700101010A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3795966A (en) * | 1972-10-26 | 1974-03-12 | Int Paper Co | Automatic handle applying machine |
FR2592857B1 (en) * | 1986-01-10 | 1988-04-29 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | PROCESS FOR MAKING A PACKAGING UNDER THERMAL SHRINK FILM WITH SURFACE CARRYING HANDLE, TAPE AND FILM FOR IMPLEMENTING SAME, AND PACKAGE CARRIED OUT FOLLOWING THIS PROCESS |
IT1222798B (en) * | 1987-10-01 | 1990-09-12 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | PROCEDURE AND EQUIPMENT FOR MILKING A HANDLE A BUNDLE WRAPPED BY A HEAT-SHRINK FILM |
JPH1059418A (en) * | 1996-08-20 | 1998-03-03 | Dainippon Printing Co Ltd | Handle assembly and its attaching method |
JPH11348940A (en) * | 1998-06-12 | 1999-12-21 | Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd | Shrink packaging device and shrink packaging method |
ITBO20040229A1 (en) * | 2004-04-20 | 2004-07-20 | Tmc Spa | METHOD FOR THE DEFINITION OF A HANDLE ON FILM USED FOR THE REALIZATION OF PACKAGES OF ROLLED PRODUCTS |
DE102010049028A1 (en) * | 2010-10-21 | 2012-04-26 | Krones Aktiengesellschaft | Method for attaching a carrying handle and application head for carrying out the method |
DE102011054994A1 (en) * | 2011-11-02 | 2013-05-02 | Krones Aktiengesellschaft | Container with carrying handle, method and apparatus for producing such containers |
ITMI20131525A1 (en) * | 2013-09-16 | 2015-03-17 | Ocme Srl | "DEVICE AND PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION OF GRIPPING HANDLES ON PACKING FILMS AND MACHINE WITH BINDER MADE OF SUCH DEVICE" |
ITMI20131526A1 (en) * | 2013-09-16 | 2015-03-17 | Ocme Srl | FARDEL OF CONTAINERS, IN PARTICULAR BOTTLES, CANS OR SIMILAR AND PROCEDURE FOR THE REALIZATION OF THE SAME |
DK3147226T3 (en) * | 2015-09-23 | 2018-10-15 | Msk Verpackung Syst Gmbh | A method of forming a free space in a shrink wrap package which secures a stack of goods on a pallet, as well as a molding device for realizing the method |
-
2017
- 2017-09-08 IT IT102017000101010A patent/IT201700101010A1/en unknown
-
2018
- 2018-09-07 US US16/124,756 patent/US20190077528A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2018-09-07 EP EP18193208.8A patent/EP3453628B1/en active Active
- 2018-09-10 CN CN201811051176.4A patent/CN109466832B/en active Active
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN109466832A (en) | 2019-03-15 |
EP3453628B1 (en) | 2020-10-28 |
CN109466832B (en) | 2021-12-24 |
IT201700101010A1 (en) | 2019-03-08 |
EP3453628A1 (en) | 2019-03-13 |
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