A device (1) for grouping and combining articles (5) into packages with different package sizes is disclosed. The device comprises a dividing unit (3), by which groups (6a, 6b, 6c) can be formed from moving articles (5). Further, it consists of a cutting station (18) for cutting to length flat thermoplastic packaging material (20) from a supply roll, a workstation (40) for applying the cut-to-length flat thermoplastic packaging material (20) onto the groups (6a, 6b, 6c) of articles, and a shrinking tunnel (50), in order to produce the packages. The dividing unit (3) and the cutting station (18) are operatively connected to one another by a control unit (S), which has information relating to a layer to be produced from the packages.

Holes in the film can be formed after film wrapping the bundle. Slits are formed in the heat shrink film prior to film wrapping the bundle. While the bundle moves through a heat shrink tunnel on a conveyor, the slits can be opened by increasing the shrinkage of the film surrounding the slit. This can be accomplished by directing high speed jets of hot air on the slits. Although slits are preferred the hot air can be used on any opening to increase the size of the opening.

A plastic film sealing and packaging device includes a chassis, a conveyance device for conveying articles-to-be-packaged, at least one pair of plastic film conveyance trays, at least one plastic film sealing mechanism and at least one heat-shrinking device. The conveyance device extends through front and rear ends of the chassis. The plastic film conveyance trays are set at two sides of the chassis to supply strap-like packaging plastic films. The plastic film sealing mechanism is arranged behind the plastic film conveyance trays to have packaging plastic films supplied from the plastic film conveyance trays sealed and combined as a combined film that is set horizontally set so that the articles-to-be-packaged conveyed by the conveyance device are allowed to contact the packaging plastic film to have the packaging plastic film wrapping around a closure site of the article-to-be-packaged. The package plastic film is then sealed by the plastic film sealing mechanism.

A plastic film sealing and packaging device includes a chassis, a conveyance device for conveying articles-to-be-packaged, at least one pair of plastic film conveyance trays, at least one plastic film sealing mechanism and at least one heat-shrinking device. The conveyance device extends through front and rear ends of the chassis. The plastic film conveyance trays are set at two sides of the chassis to supply strap-like packaging plastic films. The plastic film sealing mechanism is arranged behind the plastic film conveyance trays to have packaging plastic films supplied from the plastic film conveyance trays sealed and combined as a combined film that is set horizontally set so that the articles-to-be-packaged conveyed by the conveyance device are allowed to contact the packaging plastic film to have the packaging plastic film wrapping around a closure site of the article-to-be-packaged. The package plastic film is then sealed by the plastic film sealing mechanism.

A shrink wrapping apparatus, and associated process, includes a housing (turbine) having a wall forming a passage dimensioned to receive the associated container assembly and associated sleeve. The passage has an inlet and an outlet spaced therefrom. A steam/hot air path communicates with the passage to provide steam from an associated steam source to at least a portion of the passage in order to shrink wrap the associated sleeve on the associated container assembly as the container assembly and sleeve move through the passage. The apparatus also includes a stop member for engaging the associated container assembly and holding in the passage for a predetermined amount of time.

A shrink wrapping apparatus, and associated process, includes a housing (turbine) having a wall forming a passage dimensioned to receive the associated container assembly and associated sleeve. The passage has an inlet and an outlet spaced therefrom. A steam/hot air path communicates with the passage to provide steam from an associated steam source to at least a portion of the passage in order to shrink wrap the associated sleeve on the associated container assembly as the container assembly and sleeve move through the passage. The apparatus also includes a stop member for engaging the associated container assembly and holding in the passage for a predetermined amount of time.

One embodiment is a shrink labeler for use to shrink a shrink label onto a bottle including: a containment wall having a gas/steam inlet; and a showerhead container capable of holding the bottle in close proximity to orifices disposed therein and having an aperture through which the bottle may be introduced thereinto; wherein the gas/steam inlet is coupled to a plenum disposed between the containment wall and the showerhead container.

A shrink tunnel for shrinking shrink films on packages includes a transport path that passes through the treatment chamber. Arrays on opposite sides thereof have nozzles for dispensing hot gas. Each array has an associated guide plate and a lifting device for adjusting the guide plate. Adjusting the guide plates covers up certain nozzles, thus controlling the flow of air on the packages.

Heat shrink wrap product packaging oven or tunnel apparatus and processing methods are provided which incorporate or utilize airfoils in conjunction with hot air-providing side walls to desirably control impact of hot air onto a product wrapped with a tube of heat shrink wrap film and being conveyed on a conveyor thereby. In such heat shrink wrap product packaging apparatus and methods, such airfoils can be movable, e.g., rotatably moveable, relative to the side walls to vertically alter an air impact point onto the product.

Heat shrink wrap product packaging oven or tunnel apparatus and processing methods are provided which incorporate or utilize airfoils in conjunction with hot air-providing side walls to desirably control impact of hot air onto a product wrapped with a tube of heat shrink wrap film and being conveyed on a conveyor thereby. In such heat shrink wrap product packaging apparatus and methods, such airfoils can be movable, e.g., rotatably moveable, relative to the side walls to vertically alter an air impact point onto the product.