US3801246A - Apparatus for shrinking a wrapping around a transport unit by means of radiant energy - Google Patents

Apparatus for shrinking a wrapping around a transport unit by means of radiant energy Download PDF

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Publication number
US3801246A
US3801246A US00283997A US3801246DA US3801246A US 3801246 A US3801246 A US 3801246A US 00283997 A US00283997 A US 00283997A US 3801246D A US3801246D A US 3801246DA US 3801246 A US3801246 A US 3801246A
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unit
transport unit
emitter
relative movement
emitter unit
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US00283997A
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English (en)
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O Gustavsson
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Individual
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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
    • 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

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT In an apparatus for shrinking wrappings of heatshrinkable sheet plastic surrounding transport units by subjecting the wrapped units to directional radiant energy from emitters, the emitters are turnably and movably mounted and actuated to more or less accurately follow the contour of said unit at some distance therefrom so as to irradiate all portions of the unit wrapping more unifonnly.
  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for shrinking a wrapping of heat-shrinkable sheet plastic that surrounds a transport unit, for example a pile of goods, by subjecting said wrapping to radiant energy emitted from at least one emitter unit adapted for directional irradiation, and comprising means for effecting a relative movement between the wrapped transport unit and the emitter unit in a predetermined direction, the emitter unit being arranged to irradiate successive surface portions or-zones of the shrinkable wrapping of the transport unit during successive stages of said relative movement.
  • the transport unit was moved relative to the radiator unit, or the latter relative to the transport unit, along a fixed and straight path only, whereby a satisfactory shrinking effect was obtained only at those sides of the transport units which were extending in the main direction of the relative movement.
  • the emitter units could be directed obliquely in order to more effectively irradiate also an end surface of the transport unit, the results of such measures were never entirely satisfactory.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of the kind referred to hereinbefore, in which the emitter unit or units are capable of effectively irradiating not only those sides of the transport unit which are parallel with the main direction of the relative movement, but also the front and rear sides or end surfaces thereof as seen in the direction of movement.
  • the invention is based on the idea that the emitter unit or units have to be made movable in such a manner that the directional radiant energy emitted therefrom will be more or less automatically directed towards different sides or surfaces of the transport unit as the position of the transport unit in relation to the emitter unit or units is changed during their relative movement.
  • the apparatus is characterized in that the emitter unit is turnable about at least one pivot axis that is at least approximately at right angles to the direction of the relative movement, and that the emitter unit is arranged tobe turned about said axis in response to the change in mutual position occuring between the transport unit and the emitter unit during said relative movement.
  • the emitter unit preferably has, in a manner known per se, an elongate shape, the longitudinal direction of which is at least approximately parallel with the pivot axis.
  • the emitter unit is turnable from a'first position, in which its radiant energy for its main part is hitting that portion of the wrapping which is on the front side of the transport unit as calculated in the direction of relative movement, via a second position, in which its radiant energy is hitting the wrapping of the transport unit in a direction that is substantially normal to the direction of relative movement, and into a third position, in which its radiant energy for its main part is hitting that portion of the wrapping which is on the rear side of the transport unit as calculated in the direction of relative movement, whereupon the emitter unit is returnable to said first position for treating the wrapping of a next transport unit.
  • each emitter unit is suitably turnable against the action of spring means tending to return the same to a predetermined initial position.
  • each emitter unit is tumable about two spaced but mutually parallel pivot axes, those axes suitably being spaced in the direction of said relative movement.
  • the one pivot axis may substantially coincide with a centre axis of the emitter unit.
  • the turning of the emitter unit may be accomplished by the aid of actuating means connected thereto and comprising wheels or arms, which directly engage with the transport unit proper during the relative movement,but it is also possible to place the transport unit on a carrier which in its turn actuates and changes the position and direction of the emitter unit or units.
  • FIG. 1 shows an apparatus according to the invention for shrinking a sheet plastic wrapping surrounding a transport unit that is assumed to consist of a collection of goods piled on a loading pallet, the apparatus being seen from above and with its components in those positions which they occupy approximately at the very moment when the emitter units of the apparatus are energized to start emitting radiant energy during a subsequent cycle of operation.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates in a partially simplified manner the apparatus still seen from above but with its components in those positions which they occupy when the transport unit has been moved closer up to the emitter units and started to cause said units to perform an outwardly swinging movement.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates in a similar manner a still further and later stage in the shrinking operation, in which the emitter units pass along the longitudinal sides of the transport unit in order to successively shrink the sheet plastic wrapping thereon.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates in the same simplified manner as FIGS. 2 and 3, how the emitter units at the end of the shrinking operation are brought to irradiate the rear side of the transport unit.
  • FIG. finally shows a side view of the apparatus with a related belt conceyor as well as the transport unit indicated by dash-and-dot lines.
  • FIG. 5 In the drawing (FIGS. 1 and 5)1designates a stand or frame structure included in the apparatus and straddling a belt conveyor 2 which is only diagrammatically indicated in FIG. 5. Resting on the conveyor 2, the running speed of which is variable or the movement of which can at least be stopped when required, transport units 3 are advanced through the stand 1 in succession but with certain interspaces'. In the drawing merely one such transport unit is shown and although this one is only diagrammatically illustrated it may be assumed that it consists of a loading pallet 4 on which rests a pile 5 of arbitrary goods, said pile being surrounded by a wrapping 60f sheet plastic being shrinkable by heating. The large arrow on the transport unit 3 in FIGS. 1-4 indicates the direction of movement thereof through the apparatus. I
  • each frame structure 7 On each side of the path followed by the transport unit 3 through the apparatus there is pivoted in the stand '1 a gate-like frame structure 7 that isswingable relative to the stand about a vertical axis 8 against the action of a spring 9 tending to keep the gate-like frame structure 7 in a predetermined initial position defined by an abutment 10.
  • the arrangement including the two gate-like frame structures 7 is entirely symmetrical and each frame structure carries, at its outer, free end or marginal an emitter unit 11 which is-of elongate shape in the vertical direction.
  • the emitter unit is in its turn rotatable-relative to the frame structure 7 about a vertical axis 12 which substantially coincides with a centre axis through the emitter unit and is defined by pivot pins at the upper and lower ends of the same.
  • the lower one of those latterpivot pins is extended and serves as apin shaft for a freely rotatable, horizontally orientated wheel 13.
  • the loading pallet 4 when the transport unit is passing by, and this in such a manner that the gate-like frame structures 7 are then forced to swing outwardly and away from each other.
  • This requires that the wheels 13 must have a diameter that is accomodated to the size and shape of the transport unit or, more specifically, of the loading pallet.
  • the emitter units 11 will partake in the swinging movement of the gate-like frame structures 7 about the vertical axes 8 but their aiming relative to the respective frame structure is not changed so far.
  • each emitter unit 11 there is rigidly connected an actuating arm 14 which with its free, suitably ball-shaped end projects a small distance beyond the circumference of the relatedwheel 13 and which is also adapted to be actuated by the passing transport unit 3 or, in the case illustrated, by the loading pallet 4.
  • the transport unit during its passage through the apparatus firstly causes the gate-like frame structures 7 to swing outwards from each other by actuating the wheels 13. Then, when the foremost end of the transport unit has reached a position approximately at a crossing plane through the pivot axes 12 of the two emitter units 11, it will also actuate the arms 14 and thus bring about a r 4 v step-wise turning of the emitter units relative to the frame structure.
  • the initial position of the arms 14 and thus of the emitter units 11 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 are determined by the one side of abutments l5, and the emitter units together with the arms 14 tend to return to this initial position under the actuation of spring means, not shown.
  • the abutment 15 for each emitter unit 11 is mounted on an arm 16 that is attached to the related gate-like frame structure 7 and has at its outer end an electromagnetically releasable pawl 17.
  • This pawl is adapted to engage and retain a projection 18 on the emitter unit 1 1 when the latter has been turned approximately 270 about the axis 12 and, hence, has come into contact with the opposite side of the abutment 15.
  • the detailed construction of the emitter units can be varied within wide limits depending on the type of radiation source or sources used therein.
  • the primary source of energy for the emitters may be electrical current, e.g. from an electric supply'network, or suitable fuel, e.g. in agaseous form, the energy contents of which is converted into radiant energy of any suitable wavelength, for example within the infrared range of radiation or of any other spectral composition that is capable of producing a heating of the shrinkable sheet plastic forming the wrapping 6.
  • suitable fuel e.g. in agaseous form, the energy contents of which is converted into radiant energy of any suitable wavelength, for example within the infrared range of radiation or of any other spectral composition that is capable of producing a heating of the shrinkable sheet plastic forming the wrapping 6.
  • the radiant energy from the emitter units 11 in the apparatus described will at the beginning of a shrinking process be directed towards that portion of the shrinkable wrapping 6 which is on the front side of the passing transport unit 3. Thereafter, the wrapping portions covering the longitudinal sides of the transport unit will be irradiated, and finally the radiant energy will be directed towards the rear side of the transport unit, whereby a satisfactory shrinking of all wrapping portions of the transport unit will be assured, if this wrapping is substantially in the form of a sleeve open at its top.
  • the wrapping instead takes the shape of a cap with an upper portion covering the top of the transport unit, which is frequently the case, it may be suitable to supplement the apparatus with an additional emitter unit which is arranged to irradiate said top or upper wrapping portion.
  • this third emitter unit may be tumably mounted about a horizontal axis relative to a horizontally extending, gate-like and swingable frame structure similar to one of the vertically extending frame structures 7 described hereinbefore and this in such a manner that the third framevstructure will pass above the transport unit..0n the other hand, if the transport unit has a very small height, it may be sufficient to use only one single overhead arrangement of such a kind for carrying out the entire shrinking process.
  • the transport units may, of course, be moved along a predetermined path in relation to a stationary transport unit.
  • the path of relative movement does not necessarily need to be rectilinear or horizontal but may, for instance, be curved and/or vertical. Also other modifications of the apparatus shown and described are feasible within the scope of the following claims.
  • An apparatus substantially as shown and described hereinbefore and operating with an input power to the emitter units of 10 kW pro meter emitter length (vertically) has in practical testsbeen found capable of accomplishing effective and satisfactory shrinking at a speed of movement of the belt conveyor of 6 meters pro minut, which is, in fact, a rather surprising capacity and gives an idea of the rather small losses therein.
  • a reduction of the belt speed makes possible a reduction also of the input power.
  • this may be achieved by momentarily interrupting the advancing movement of the transport unit at the one hand at that moment, when the forward end of the transport unit just engages the wheels 13, and on the other hand at the moment, when the transport unit has just passed said wheels, i.e. is in the position shown in dash-and-dot lines in'FlG. 4.
  • An apparatus for shrinking a wrapping of heatshrinkable sheet plastic that surrounds a transport unit comprising at least one directional emitter unit operative to emit radiant energy towards the wrapped transport unit and means for effecting a relative movement between said wrapped unit and the emitter unit in a predetermined direction so as to cause said emitter unit to irradiate successive surface portions of the shrinkable wrapping during successive stages of said relative movement, said emitter unit being turnable about at least one pivot axis that is approximately at right angles to the direction of said relative movement, and means being provided to turn said emitter unit about said axis in response to the change in mutual position occurring between the transport unit and said emitter unit during said relative movement.
  • said emitter unit has an elongate shape, the longitudinal axis of which is at least approximately parallel with said pivot axis.
  • said emitter unit is turnable from a first position, in which its radiant energy for its main part is hitting that portion of the wrapping which is on the front side of the transport unit as calculated in the direction of relative movement, via a second position, in which its radiant energy is hitting the wrapping of the transport unit in a direction that is substantially normal to the direction of relative movement, and into a third position, in which its radiant energy for its main part is hitting that portion of the wrapping which is on the rear side of the transport unit as calculated in the direction of relative movement, said emitter unit being returnable from said third position to said first position.
  • said means for turning said emitter unit comprises an actuatingarm connected thereto and projecting into the path of the transport unit in order to be actuated upon by the latter during said relative movement.
  • said swingable frame structure comprises a wheel that is adapted to be actuated upon by the transport unit during said relative movement in order to thereby change the position of said emitter unit relative to the transport unit by causing said frame structure to swing about said first axis.
  • said means for effecting said relative movement comprises a driven conveyor for moving the transport unit relative to said emitter unit along a substantially rectilinear path.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Branching, Merging, And Special Transfer Between Conveyors (AREA)
US00283997A 1971-09-09 1972-08-28 Apparatus for shrinking a wrapping around a transport unit by means of radiant energy Expired - Lifetime US3801246A (en)

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SE11430/71A SE355778B (member.php) 1971-09-09 1971-09-09

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BE (1) BE788493A (member.php)
CA (1) CA964983A (member.php)
DE (1) DE2242359A1 (member.php)
DK (1) DK127375B (member.php)
FI (1) FI51075C (member.php)
FR (1) FR2152171A5 (member.php)
GB (1) GB1331600A (member.php)
NL (1) NL7212200A (member.php)
NO (1) NO130054B (member.php)
SE (1) SE355778B (member.php)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3930606A (en) * 1974-05-20 1976-01-06 Rca Corporation Method and apparatus for securing wires to connector terminals
US4322593A (en) * 1978-11-24 1982-03-30 Hitachi, Ltd. Apparatus for pre-heating resin tablet
US4480984A (en) * 1983-09-09 1984-11-06 Owens-Illinois, Inc. Apparatus for heat-shrinking thermoplastic sleeves about glass containers
US5249410A (en) * 1992-04-27 1993-10-05 Bakker William J Device for heat shrinking film onto an open-topped container
US5778145A (en) * 1996-03-27 1998-07-07 De Nichilo; Giorgio Thermoforming apparatus with pivotable heating panel portions for emergency moving thereof
US5993942A (en) * 1992-04-27 1999-11-30 Bakker; William J. Packaging film for forming packages

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3137965A1 (de) * 1981-09-24 1983-03-31 Dentz Palettenverpackung GmbH Verpackungsmaschinen und Gerätebau, 7012 Fellbach-Oeffingen Verfahren und vorrichtung zum schrumpfen von verpackungs-folien
FR2588527A1 (fr) * 1985-10-11 1987-04-17 Machado Manuel Systeme de thermoretraction d'enveloppe plastique sur une charge palettisee.

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3930606A (en) * 1974-05-20 1976-01-06 Rca Corporation Method and apparatus for securing wires to connector terminals
US4322593A (en) * 1978-11-24 1982-03-30 Hitachi, Ltd. Apparatus for pre-heating resin tablet
US4480984A (en) * 1983-09-09 1984-11-06 Owens-Illinois, Inc. Apparatus for heat-shrinking thermoplastic sleeves about glass containers
US5249410A (en) * 1992-04-27 1993-10-05 Bakker William J Device for heat shrinking film onto an open-topped container
US5511360A (en) * 1992-04-27 1996-04-30 William J. Bakker Container for receiving head shrinking film and method for forming a spill-resistant cover therefor
US5993942A (en) * 1992-04-27 1999-11-30 Bakker; William J. Packaging film for forming packages
US6291037B1 (en) 1992-04-27 2001-09-18 William J. Bakker Packaging film for forming packages
US5778145A (en) * 1996-03-27 1998-07-07 De Nichilo; Giorgio Thermoforming apparatus with pivotable heating panel portions for emergency moving thereof

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FI51075B (member.php) 1976-06-30
DE2242359A1 (de) 1973-03-15
GB1331600A (en) 1973-09-26
SE355778B (member.php) 1973-05-07
FI51075C (fi) 1976-10-11
FR2152171A5 (member.php) 1973-04-20
NO130054B (member.php) 1974-07-01
NL7212200A (member.php) 1973-03-13
DK127375B (da) 1973-10-29
BE788493A (fr) 1973-01-02
CA964983A (en) 1975-03-25

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