US3726396A

US3726396A - Method and apparatus to form shrink wrapped coil package

Info

Publication number: US3726396A
Application number: US00114424A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Birkner
Original assignee: ADHESIVES M CO
Current assignee: ADHESIVES M CO
Priority date: 1971-02-11
Filing date: 1971-02-11
Publication date: 1973-04-10
Anticipated expiration: 1990-04-10

Abstract

This method of packaging rolls made from convolutions of a paper strip carried on a center core includes applying end caps to opposite sides of the roll of paper convolutions, applying a cover sheet around the periphery of the roll, which sheet is made from a heat shrink plastic material, and then shrinking the cover sheet into tight engagement with the end caps and the roll of paper convolutions to form a compact, tightly enclosed shipping and transport unit. Novel ribbed end caps are provided to aid in stacking rolls on top of each other.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 1 3,726,396 Birkner 1 Apr. 10, 1973 [54] METHOD AND APPARATUS TO FORM 3,399,761 9/1968 Hayashi ..206/46 Y SHRINK WRAPPED COIL PACKAGE 3,057,472 96 3,261,460 7/1966 [75] Inventor Wuhan B' Kent Ohio 3 362 57s 1/1968 Fotos ..220 97 F [73] Assignee: Morgan Adhesives Company, Stow,

Ohio Primary Examiner-William T. Dixson, Jr. 22 Filed: Feb. 11, 1971 Ammey oldhm Oldham [21] Appl. No.: 114,424 [57] ABSTRACT v This method of packaging rolls made from convolu- [52] US. Cl ..206/52 R, 53/30, 206/65 S, tions of a paper strip carried on a center core includes 220/97 229/1310 12 applying end caps to opposite sides of the roll of paper [51 Int. Cl ..B65d 21/02, B65d 85/67 convolutions, applying a cover sheet around the Field of Search 52 46 Y, periphery of the roll, which sheet is made from a heat 206/46 2, 59 59 R, 65 S; 229/1612; shrink plastic material, and then shrinking the cover 220/97 R 97 R; 53/30 sheet into tight engagement with the end caps and the 1 roll of paper convolutions to form a compact, tightly [56] References cued enclosed shipping and transport unit. Novel ribbed UNITED STATES PATENTS endhcaphs are provided to aid in stacking rolls on top of eac 0 er 3,070,257 12/1962 Bojanowski ..220/97 R 1,954,848 4/1934 Scott ..206/59 F 4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED 3,726,396

l I lu l" INVENTOR WILLIAM A. BIRK N ER OLDHAM a OLDHAM 22b FIG' 4 ATTORNEYS METHOD AND APPARATUS TO FORM SHRINK WRAPPED COIL PACKAGE This invention relates to the packaging of rolls usually formed from laminated paper strips carried on a center core.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION I-Ieretofore relatively large numbers of rolls of laminated paper strips have been made and shipped to another location for use in any of a number of finishing operations. It has been a problem in the past to ship these rolls from the initial manufacturer to the next fabricator or end user of the paper comprising the convolutions of paper strip carried on a center hub or core. I-Ieretofore, various efforts have been made to safeguard the convolutions of the paper strip in transit but even with heavy cardboard end discs on the rolls of paper strip, and other cover materials being placed thereover, frequently these rolls of paper strip have been damaged or scuffed, particularly at the corners of the roll or other peripheral portions thereof whereby some of the outermost convolutions of the paper strip have been damaged and must be discarded.

The present invention has particular reference to the packaging and transport of convolutions of a laminated paper strip made for use in forming labels and other similar action and wherein the laminated paper strip usually is made from a top sheet of paper, a central layer of a pressure sensitive adhesive, and a backing paper layer or strip which has a low adhesion release coating on the surface thereof adjacent the adhesive layer whereby the laminate is not tightly bonded together in the various layers thereof. Thus in transit, in some instances, the paper strip convolutions may tend to slide in relation to each other, or the outer convolutions may be damaged.

The invention is particularly adapted for use with rolls of laminated paper material carrying a pressure sensitive adhesive thereon and where strips of paper, for example, approximately 8 to 12 inches wide, may be built up into a convolution of paper or a paper roll approximately, for example, 20 to 30 inches in diameter.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved method of packaging rolls formed from convolutions of a paper strip or a laminated paper strip and wherebv the rolls can be formed into a compact, sturdy, damage resistant article for shipping, storage and transport action.

Another object of the invention is to provide a relatively easily practiced, inexpensive method for forming protected packing or shipping containers and units for rolls of paper strip material and to provide novel, sturdy packaging means.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel end caps for packaging rolls of paper strip and to lock adjacent packaged rolls together when stacked by special end caps in the package.

, The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will be made more apparent as the specification proceeds.

Attention now is particularly directed to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 shows two packaged units of the invention and indicates how two or more of these packaged paper rolls may be stacked on top of each other when the rolls are lying upon their sides;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section through a pair of the packaged paper rolls of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section showing an interlock between adjacent edge or end caps on the packaged paper rolls to show the interlock therebetween;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3 to show the interlock in another direction from that of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross section through a roll of paper strip material showing the enclosure or cover layer in the process of being applied thereto, and before heat shrink action; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary section taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5 to show the covering step in the process of forming the packaged article in accordance with the teachings of the invention.

When referring to corresponding members shown in the drawings and referred to in the specification, corresponding numerals are used to facilitate comparison therebetween.

IN VENTIVE SUBJECT MATTER In the method of the invention, a pair of plastic end caps or discs are provided for snug engagement with opposed side portions of a roll formed from an elongate paper strip carried in convolutions on a center core, and a heat shrink plastic film or sheet is wound around the periphery of the paper roll and end cap assembly after which the assembly is heated to shrink the plastic film into tight engagement with the periphery of the paper roll and the end caps to form a compact sturdy unit for transport purposes and wherein the peripheral portions of the roll are protected against ready damage during storage or transit.

. Attention now is particularly directed to the details of the structure shown in the drawings, and a roll 10 is indicated, which roll 10 is made from a plurality of convolutions of a paper strip, or from a laminated paper strip of the type as described hereinbefore. This roll may be of any convenient size, but usually is of relatively small axial length in relation to the diameter of the roll 10. This roll it) usually is formed from a tubular core or hub 12, which can be made from a cardboard material, metal, or a wooden tube, as desired, but

usually the cardboard core is sufficient for carrying the paper strip convolutions thereon. The core 12 has a plurality of convolutions of an elongate paper strip 14 wound thereon in a conventional manner. This strip 14 may be of any type, such as the paper laminate referred to hereinbefore wherein the various convolutions of the paper strip or laminate do not have great resistance to axially distorting forces applied to the various individual convolutions formed from the strip 14 on the core 12.

As a feature in forming the ultimate packaged article, a pair of end caps 16 and 18 are applied to opposite side portions of the roll 10, and these end caps or discs usually have edge flanges 20 thereon to engage with the periphery of the paper roll 10, usually snugly, and provide a reenforcing action for the roll 10 as hereinafter described. The end caps 16 and 18 usually are formed from plastic materials, as by a molding action, and they may be made from any desired material, such as polyethylene resins, and equivalent moldable plastics, to provide a flexible damage resistant member that can be secured around the convolutions of the strip 14. Usually these end caps 16 and 18 each have a plurality of substantially radially extending ribs 22 formed thereon. Preferably these ribs 22 are of wedge shape in contour and progressively increase in width as they extend radially further from the center of the roll 10, as shown in the drawings. Furthermore, the spacing between the ribs 22, circumferentially of the end cap, is substantially equal or exactly equal to the width of one of the individual ribs at that area of the end cap whereby when a pair of end caps on adjacent rolls packaged in accordance with the invention are placed on their sides and positioned on top of each other, the ribs 22 on the adjacent rolls will interlock with each other. This prevents any twisting of the adjacent rolls or radial movement therebetween. Rolls a and 10b are shown in FIG. 1 as finished packaged articles made in accordance with the invention and indicating how the ribs 22a and 22b on these adjacent end caps can interlock with each other for storage or shipment action. The ribs are usually wider at their bases than at their axially outer surfaces.

In order to form a complete package of the invention, a heat shrinkable plastic film or layer, such as one made from a sheet 24 is wound circumferentially around the periphery of one of the rolls 10 and with the cover sheet 24 being of such length as to overlap circumferentially of the roll 10. Furthermore, the cover sheet 24 is of a width so as to protrude a short distance from each lateral margin of one of the rolls 10, as indicated in FIG. 5.

In order to aid in centering the end caps 16 and 18 on the roll 10, preferably the end caps each have an axially inwardly extending section 26, to engage opposite ends of the core 12v and aid in retaining the assembly together while a final package is being produced and to aid in positioning the rolls for use after shipment, if desired.

After the assembly indicated in FIG. 5 has been provided, then the entire assembly can be placed upon a pallet or similar member and be moved into or through a heat shrink oven, or heat can be otherwise applied to the cover sheet 24 whereby the cover sheet will heat shrink both in a radial and in an axial direction so that the edge portions of the sheet 24 indicated at 24a and 24b will be pulled radially inwardly and will tightly engage peripheral portions of the end caps 16 and 18. Also, the cover sheet 24 has sections that are circumferentially overlapped in the assembly and these portions will likewise be at least partially bonded to each other by the heat shrink action so that the end caps 16 and 18 are drawn tightly into engagement with side portions of the roll 10 and a very sturdy, damage resistant, compact unit or packaged article has been provided for shipping and storage purposes.

The cover sheet 24 can be made from any known material, such as a polyethylene or other equivalent heat shrink film. This film can be of any suitable thickness with naturally the strength and damage resistant characteristics of the final package being improved by a thicker film or layer being used to form the cover sheet 24. The heat shrink action can be provided, for example, with conventional polyethylene heat shrink film thereon, at a heat shrink temperature of about 400 F and when exposed to such temperature for approximately 55 seconds. However, more or less heat shrink time is required in some instances.

Usually in forming the end caps 26, a flat panel or non-ribbed area 28 is provided thereon and this area 28 may be used for receiving a label indicated at 30 .to identify the material provided in the package. An embossed line 32 is formed on the edge or end caps at the label receiving area and the label may abut thereon. The flattened area 28 is only of a limited circumferential extend and does not reduce the interlocking action provided from the ribs on two of the rolls 10a and 10b, for example, when stacked on top of each other.

FIG. 4 of the drawings shows how the ribs 22a on one of the end caps can engage with the corresponding ribs 22b provided on the adjacent end cap on a second completed roll or unit provided by the invention.

It will be seen that the end caps 16 and 18 can be made in a number of conventional diameters and that the rolls 10 of convolutions of a paper laminate or similar material can be rolled or deposited upon the core 12 to form a substantially equal diameter in the paper roll, as provided for sale and transport, to

facilitate snug engagement of the flanges 20 with the roll.

By the present invention, improved stacking and storage action is possible for the rolls, and damage to the peripheral portions of the rolls can be avoided.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that a novel and improved method of providing a compact unitary article for shipment of rolls of a paper strip is provided and that the objects of the invention have been achieved.

The end caps 16 and 18 are thicker than the adhesive coated laminated paper strip 14and are made of any tough but slightly resilient material to provide a damage resistant side cover for the package of the invention.

While one complete embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein, it will be appreciated that modification of this particular embodiment of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A packaged convoluted roll of paper carried on a core member and including a pair of end caps engaging opposite sides of said roll, said end caps extending radially of said roll and having edge flanges engaging the periphery of said roll,

a cover sheet made from a heat shrink plastic material tightly engaging the periphery of said roll, the edge flanges of said end caps and radially extending edge portions of said end caps to form a tightly packaged unit from said paper convolutions, end

caps and cover sheet,

said core member being tubular, said end caps hav ing protruding sections engaging opposed ends of said core member, and

said end caps having a plurality of radially extending ribs thereon of a size so that a plurality of said rolls can be stacked on their sides on top of one another and interlock with said ribs on adjacent rolls to stav bilize the stacked rolls.

2. A package as in claim 1 where said ribs are formed over a major circumferential area of the end caps and length thereof, and having edge flanges engaging the peripheral flanges of said roll,

applying a cover sheet made from a heat shrink plastic material to the periphery of said roll to cover said roll and forming said cover sheet so that it extends axially a short distance beyond said roll on each side thereof, and

heating said cover sheet to shrink it onto said end caps and said roll to form a tightly packaged unit from said paper convolutions, end caps and cover sheet, engaging radially extending edge portions of said end caps by said cover sheet by the heat shrink action. v

a a: 1: a: a: n:

Claims

1. A packaged convoluted roll of paper carried on a core member and including a pair of end caps engaging opposite sides of said roll, said end caps extending radially of said roll and having edge flanges engaging the periphery of said roll, a cover sheet made from a heat shrink plastic material tightly engaging the periphery of said roll, the edge flanges of said end caps and radially extending edge portions of said end caps to form a tightly packaged unit from said paper convolutions, end caps and cover sheet, said core member being tubular, said end caps having protruding sections engaging opposed ends of said core member, and said end caps having a plurality of radially extending ribs thereon of a size so that a plurality of said rolls can be stacked on their sides on top of one another and interlock with said ribs on adjacent rolls to stabilize the stacked rolls.

2. A package as in claim 1 where said ribs are formed over a major circumferential area of the end caps and at least one of said end caps has a flat non-ribbed label receiving area formed therein.

3. A package as in claim 2 where embossed line means are provided at one margin of said label receiving area.

4. A method of packaging convoluted rolls of paper and the like carried on a core member and including the steps of providing edge flanges on a said roll, applying end caps to opposite sides of said roll, said end caps extending radially of said roll the full length thereof, and having edge flanges engaging the peripheral flanges of said roll, applying a cover sheet made from a heat shrink plastic material to the periphery of said roll to cover said roll and forming said cover sheet so that it extends axially a short distance beyond said roll on each side thereof, and heating said cover sheet to shrink it onto said end caps and said roll to form a tightly packaged unit from said paper convolutions, end caps and cover sheet, engaging radially extending edge portions of said end caps by said cover sheet by the heat shrink action.