WO2000013972A1

WO2000013972A1 - Method and machine for packing cylindrical cans, and resulting multipack

Info

Publication number: WO2000013972A1
Application number: PCT/IT1999/000271
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lorenzo Francesconi
Original assignee: Lorenzo Francesconi
Priority date: 1998-09-02
Filing date: 1999-08-24
Publication date: 2000-03-16
Also published as: AU5387499A

Abstract

Separate sets (G) of two or more cans (L) arranged side by side are wrapped in a web of heat-shrink film (1) fed to the feedline at the same speed of advance as the sets (G) of cans; said web (1) is deformed and wrapped around said sets (G) of cans and cut and joined in the spaces between successive sets of advancing cans; and the individual sets (G) of cans wrapped in the pieces of web are treated to bring about thermal shrinkage of the film of the pieces of the web about the individual sets of cans so that it clings to the cans in order to stabilize the resulting pack.

Description

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR PACKING CYLINDRICAL CANS, AND RESULΗNG MULTIPACK

DESCRIPTION The invention relates to a method and machine for packing cans or 5 other containers that are at least partly cylindrical and especially single-use containers for drinks or the like, by using a synthetic, preferably heat-shrink film or equivalent. The invention also relates to packs produced in this way.

One object of the invention is to pack together a set of cans (or equivalent) in such a way as to facilitate their sale and handling. Another 10 object is to pack the cans (or equivalent) in sterile conditions at least around the aperture which is made at the time of consumption. Yet another object is to introduce a cheap, space-saving and ecologically acceptable form of packaging.

These and other objects and advantages will be made apparent in 15 the text that follows.

In the packing method according to the invention: on at least one feedline of cans, the cans are arranged side by side with their axes parallel in separate groups, each formed by at least two cans; a web of synthetic, preferably shrinkable film (or equivalent) is fed to said feedline at the same

20 speed of advance as the sets of cans; said web is deformed and wrapped around said sets of cans; and said web wrapped around the sets of cans is cut and joined in the spaces between successive sets of advancing cans. The individual sets of cans wrapped in the pieces of web are preferably treated to bring about shrinkage of the film of the pieces of the web about the individual

25 sets of cans so that it clings to the cans in order to stabilize the resulting pack.

The longitudinal edges of the web of film deformed to wrap the sets of cans are superimposed and joined longitudinally before being cut and joined in the spaces between the successive sets of cans. Said longitudinal join may be effected in various ways, depending on the nature of the film

30 material, examples being ionization welding (e.g. in the case of polyolefin films), or with a solvent, or in some other suitable way. The adjacent cans of the individual sets may be positioned with their axes at right angles to or longitudinally with respect to the direction of advance in the feedline, and the cutting and joining of the web take place at right angles to the direction of advance. For example, in the first case the cans may be arranged with their respective axes perpendicular to the web of film, and in practice vertical.

The cans may be fed along at least two feedlines, in which case the sets of cans of the at least two feedlines are preferably aligned transversely; an advancing film is cut longitudinally to form the webs of film for the individual feedlines or reels of film already cut to size and appropriately arranged may be used; and the webs, thus arranged side by side and deformed to wrap the sets of cans of the two or more feedlines, may be cut and joined in the spaces between successive sets of cans by a single cutting and joining machine, or the like. The pack of cans (or other equivalent containers), especially cylindrical or at least partly cylindrical, and especially single-use cans, consists according to the invention of a plurality of said cans (or equivalent) arranged side by side and in line, and wrapped in a film, which is preferably shrunk and in particular thermally shrunk, which keeps them in contact until torn open for the cans to be used.

Each set of cans of said pack is preferably wrapped in the film, which consists of a piece of weblike material whose superimposed longitudinal edges extend transversely and in an intermediate position with respect to the width of the sets of cans (or equivalent); and the piece of weblike material is welded at its ends. Said longitudinal edges are joined to each other by various systems, depending on the nature of the heat-shrink film.

The machine according to the invention for packing cans or other containers, especially cylindrical and especially single-use containers, for drinks or the like, by using a synthetic, preferably shrinkable and especially heat-shrink or equivalent film, is of the type that comprises at least one feedline of cans or equivalent containers, means for feeding a web of film, means for deforming the web and wrapping it around the cans, means for cutting and joining the web and means for treating the web in order to bring about shrinkage of the film. According to the invention, said machine includes feed means for arranging the cans (or equivalent) side by side and adjacent with their axes parallel and means for forming and separating sets of at least two cans (or equivalent); the wrapping means are arranged to wrap the various successive sets longitudinally; and the cutting and joining means are activated in the spaces between the successive advancing sets.

The present machine also comprises means for joining together the longitudinal edges of the web of film, which are overlapped.

The abovementioned feed means preferably arrange the cans (or equivalent) with their axes longitudinally or at right angles to the direction of advance in the feedline. In the second case the cans may be fed in a vertical position, the way they come from the filling and closing machine. The machine may comprise at least two adjacent feedlines with respective means for positioning the cans (or equivalent) in transverse or longitudinal positions and in separate sets, in which case a wide film may be used, with means to cut the film in order to form from this the individual webs of film for the respective lines, or separate reels of web may be provided for the individual feedlines.

A clearer understanding of the invention will be gained from the description and the attached drawing, the latter showing a practical, non-restrictive example of the invention. In the drawing:

Figs. 1 and 2 show a plan view and a view in longitudinal section, both highly schematic, of a machine for producing packs according to the invention;

Figs. 3 and 4 show a cross section and a perspective view of the multiple pack in question;

Figs. 5 and 6 show a plan view and a view in longitudinal section, both highly schematic, of another machine for the production of packs according to the invention;

Figs. 7 and 8 show a cross section and a perspective view of the multiple pack in question;

Figs. 9 through 12 show, in the same order, views similar to the previous views of a machine for the production of packs according to the invention and the associated arrangement of the cans; Figs. 13 and 14 show a plan view of yet another machine, and the pack which it produces; and

Figs. 15 and 16 show yet other packs that can be produced in accordance with the invention.

In Figs. 1 and 2, reference 1 indicates a web of heat-shrink film fed in the direction of arrows f1 to provide the material for two feedlines A and B of sets of cans for packing. The cans L in each feedline are fed with their axes at right angles to the direction of advance and in each feedline are separated into sets G, which in this example each consist of four cans. As the web 1 and cans or sets of cans advance simultaneously, the web 1 is cut longitudinally by a mechanism briefly marked at 5, to produce two webs which are to be used to pack the sets G of cans L of the two adjacent feedlines A and B. The two webs thus produced are deformed - by known means - as they advance in such a way that the two longitudinal edges 1A of each of the two webs are folded over the cans L which lie horizontally and transversely, side by side to form the various sets G. The deformation of the webs takes place in the area indicated by the arrow f2 and the two superimposed longitudinal edges 1A of each web are stuck together by a join SL - by ionization welding, by adhesive bonding with a solvent or in some other suitable way - by a suitable unit 7 of a type known per se. Next, on each of the two feedlines, the separate individual sets G of cans wrapped in the films are separated by transverse cutting and joining ST of the respective webs in which the cans are longitudinally wrapped, by known machines, or even by a single known machine marked 9, 9A. Thus, downstream of the machine 9, 9A, each set G of cans L is wrapped in a closed film C. The individual sets wrapped in the film are passed through a heating tunnel 12 where the heat-shrink film of the packs C is made to undergo thermal shrinkage to cause it to cling tightly around the cans of each set and so stabilize the pack C by immobilizing the cans L against each other, the cans being closed by the presence of the longitudinal join SL and by the transverse joins ST formed by the joining and cutting machine 9, 9A.

The cans are protected hygienically by the envelope of the pack C, can be sold in sets, and are easily taken out for use by tearing the envelope of the pack. The factory process is economical; handling is easy and it is even possible to save other forms of packaging for accumulation or stowage.

In the cases described below, identical parts or parts fulfilling the same function are given the same numbers as those used previously. Referring to Figs. 5, 6 and 9, 10, reference 1 denotes a web of heat-shrink film fed in the direction of the arrows f1 to produce the materials for two feedlines

A and B of sets of cans to be packed. In each feedline the cans L are fed:

- in the case of Figs. 5 and 6, with their axes at right angles to the direction of advance and perpendicular to the surface of the web 1 (in practice, vertical), side by side in two rows in sets G of six cans; or, in a variant, in sets of four cans;

- in the case of Figs. 9 and 10, with their axes parallel to the direction of advance of the web, side by side in two rows in sets G of four cans.

As the web 1 and sets of cans advance simultaneously, the web 1 is cut longitudinally by a mechanism briefly marked at 5, to produce two webs which are to be used to pack the sets G of cans L of the two adjacent feedlines A and B. The two webs thus produced are deformed - by known means - as they advance in such a way that the two longitudinal edges 1 A of each of the two webs are folded over the cans L lying side by side to form the various sets G. The deformation of the webs takes place in the area indicated by the arrow f2 and the two superimposed longitudinal edges 1 A of each web are stuck together by a join SL - by ionization welding, by adhesive bonding with a solvent or in some other suitable way - by a suitable unit 7 of a type known per se. Next, on each of the two feedlines, the separate individual sets G of cans wrapped in the films are separated by transverse cutting and joining

ST of the respective webs in which the cans are wrapped, by known machines, or even by a single known machine marked 9, 9A. Thus, downstream of the machine 9, 9A, each set G of cans L is wrapped in a closed film C.

The individual sets wrapped in the film are passed through a heating tunnel 12 where the heat-shrink film of the packs C is made to undergo thermal shrinkage to cause it to cling tightly around the cans of each set and so stabilize the pack C by immobilizing the cans L against each other. The packs (see Figs. 7, 8; 11 , 12) are therefore closed by the presence of the longitudinal join SL and by the transverse joins ST formed by the joining and cutting machine 9, 9A. Likewise in the version shown in Figs. 13 and 14, the same reference numbers have been given to identical parts or parts fulfilling the same function. The only differences compared with the versions described previously are the following:

Only one line is provided, rather than two adjacent lines, so that only one web 1 of film is supplied; and the cans L are arranged in sets G of four cans side by side with their axes oriented in the direction of advance f1.

Also, the overlap SL of the longitudinal lips, and their join line may be in the center or, as in the drawing, may lie over one of the intermediate cans L of the set G.

In the various solutions, the heating tunnel 12 may be replaced by a unit which treats the film to cause it to shrink.

Figs. 15 and 16 show packs of at least four cans arranged not in the same plane but with their axes lying in two parallel geometrical planes. The cans are protected hygienically by the envelope of the pack C, can be sold in sets, and are easily taken out for use by tearing the envelope of the pack. The factory process is economical; handling is easy and it is even possible to save other forms of packaging for accumulation or stowage.

In the version shown in Figs. 5 through 8, the machine may be directly next to the machine for filling and closing the individual cans, the cans being kept vertical.

It will be understood that the drawing shows only an example purely as a practical demonstration of the invention, it being possible for the invention to be varied in its shapes and arrangement without necessarily departing from the scope of the concept on which the invention is based. The presence of any reference numbers in the appended claims is to facilitate the reading of the claims with reference to the description and drawing, and does not limit the scope of protection represented by the claims.

Claims

1. Method of packing cans or other containers, especially cylindrical or at least partly cylindrical containers, and especially single-use containers, for drinks or the like, by using heat-shrink or equivalent film, characterized in that: on at least one feedline of cans (L) the cans are arranged all with the same orientation and side by side with their axes parallel, in sets (G), separated from each other and each composed of at least two cans; a web (1) of thin shrinkable film (or equivalent) is fed to said feedline (A and/or B) at the same speed of advance as the sets (G) of cans; said web (1) is deformed and wrapped around said sets (G) of cans; and said web wrapped around the sets of cans is joined and cut in the spaces between successive sets (G) of advancing cans.

2. Method as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the individual sets (G) of cans wrapped in the pieces of web are treated to bring about shrinkage of the film of the pieces of the web about the individual sets of cans so that it clings to the cans in order to stabilize the resulting pack.

3. Method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the longitudinal edges (1A) of the web of film deformed to wrap the sets of cans are superimposed and joined longitudinally before being cut and joined in the spaces between the successive sets of cans.

4. Method as claimed in claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterized in that in the sets (G) of adjacent cans, the cans are arranged with their axes parallel to the direction of advance of the web in the feedline.

5. Method as claimed in claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterized in that in the sets (G) of adjacent cans, the cans are arranged with their axes at right angles to the direction of advance in the feedline.

6. Method as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the cans are arranged with their axes perpendicular to the web and in practice vertical.

7. Method as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cans are arranged with their axes lying in two parallel geometrical planes.

8. Method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cutting and joining of the web take place at right angles to the direction of advance.

9. Method as claimed in at least claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cans are fed along at least two feedlines (A, B).

10. Method as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that: the sets of cans of the two or more feedlines are transversely aligned; an advancing film is longitudinally cut to form the webs of film for the individual feedlines; and the webs, thus arranged side by side and deformed, to wrap the sets of cans of the two or more feedlines are cut and joined in the spaces between successive sets of cans by a single cutting and joining machine.

11. A pack of cans or other equivalent containers, for the most part cylindrical or at least partly cylindrical, and especially single-use containers, characterized in that a plurality of said cans (or equivalent), arranged side by side, are wrapped in a film that keeps them in contact until torn open for use.

12. Pack as claimed in claim 11 , characterized in that the film is heat-shrunk and consists of a piece of weblike material whose superimposed longitudinal edges extend over the sets of cans in an intermediate position with respect to their dimensions; the piece of weblike material being welded at the ends.

13. Pack as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that said longitudinal edges are at least partly joined to each other.

14. Machine for packing cans or other containers, at least partly cylindrical and especially single-use containers, for drinks or the like, by using synthetic film - especially shrinkable or heat-shrink or equivalent film - comprising at least one feedline of cans or equivalent containers, feed means for a web of shrinkable film, means for cutting and joining the web and means for treating the web to bring about shrinkage of the film, the machine being characterized in that: feed means are provided for arranging the cans or equivalent side by side and adjacent with their axes parallel and means for forming and separating sets of at least two cans (or equivalent); the wrapping means are arranged to wrap the various successive sets longitudinally; and the cutting and joining means are activated in the spaces between the successive advancing sets.

15. Machine as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that it comprises means for joining together the longitudinal edges of the web of film, which overlap.

16. Machine as claimed in at least claim 14, characterized in that said feed means arrange the cans (or equivalent) with their axes at right angles to the direction of advance in the feedlines.

17. Machine as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that the cans are arranged with their axes approximately vertical.

18. Machine as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that said feed means arrange the cans (or equivalent) with their axes longitudinally relative to the direction of advance of the feedlines.

19. Machine as claimed in at least claim 14, characterized in that the feed means arrange the cans with their axes lying in two parallel geometric planes.

20. Machine as claimed in at least claim 14, characterized in that it comprises at least two adjacent feedlines with respective means for positioning the cans (or equivalent) in separate sets.

21. Machine as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that it comprises feed means and means for cutting a film longitudinally, in order to form from this the individual webs of film for the respective lines.