PACKAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PACKAGING OBJECTS

Abstract

There is provided a system for packaging objects on a conveyor using a tubular plastic film. More specifically, the invention provides a system, wherein the tubular plastic film can be wrapped around the objects in a horizontal manner.

Claims

1. A system for packaging objects with a tubular plastic film, said system comprises: a gripping unit having a plurality of horizontally oriented gripping aims for holding the tubular plastic film and for releasing it onto an object; a first conveyor for supporting the object and transporting it toward the gripping unit in an axis parallel with the gripping arms so that the object is delivered between the gripping arms; a second conveyor for supporting the object and transporting it away from the gripping unit, said second conveyor placed next to the gripping unit, which during packaging is placed between the first and second conveyors; elements adapted for cooperating with each other for temporarily holding the film, said elements enclosing a cutting device and a welding device, said elements positioned at the end of the first conveyor; and a control unit.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the elements adapted for cooperating with each other for holding the film comprise a set of reciprocating elements that can be forced together in order to press against the outer surface of the film, while the cutting device and welding device, which is placed between the set of reciprocating elements, cuts and welds the film thereby generating two closed ends.

3. System The system according to claim, wherein an additional welding device is adopted between the elements adapted for cooperating with each other for holding the film, said welding device and said additional welding device flanking the cutting device.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is programmed to execute the following steps: loading the gripping unit with tubular plastic film; ensuring that the gripping unit is placed between the first and second conveyors, whereby the gripping arms are positioned axially with the conveyors; activating the first conveyor to transport the object toward the gripping unit, wherein the object moves along and in between the gripping arms; activating the gripping unit to release film from the gripping arms onto the object while the object moves towards the second conveyor; activating the set of reciprocating elements thereby forcing them to press against the outer surface of the film, while the cutting device and welding device, which is placed between the set of reciprocating elements, cuts and welds the film thereby generating a closed end in the film covering the object; and moving the object with closed ends to the second conveyor to transport the packaged object away from the gripping unit.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the gripping unit is loadable with tubular plastic film for packaging at least 3 objects.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the gripping unit is movable.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the gripping unit is movable, such as on a track, between a station for loading the gripping unit and the space between the first and second conveyors, where packaging of the object is performed.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is configured to accommodate a long object by consecutively releasing two tubular film segments along the object, said segments overlapping each other along the length of the object.

9. A method for packaging objects tubular film with the system of claim 1, said method comprises the steps of: loading the gripping unit with tubular plastic film; directing the gripping unit to be placed between the first and second conveyors, whereby the gripping aims are positioned axially with the conveyors; activating the first conveyor to transport the object toward the gripping unit, wherein the object moves along and in between the gripping arms; activating the gripping unit to release film from the gripping arms onto the object while the object moves towards the second conveyor; activating the set of reciprocating elements thereby forcing them together in order to press against the outer surface of the film, while the cutting device and welding device, which is placed between the set of reciprocating elements, cuts and welds the film thereby generating one or two closed ends; and moving the object with closed ends to the second conveyor to transport the packaged object away from the gripping unit.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the gripping unit is configured to accommodate a long object by consecutively releasing two tubular film segments along the object, said segments overlapping each other along the length of the object.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the overlapping segments are held in place by gluing or by a band, such as a strip.

12. An apparatus for holding a tubular film while said film is being welded an cut, said apparatus comprising elements adapted for cooperating with each other for temporarily holding the film, said elements enclosing a cutting device and a welding device.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the elements adapted for cooperating with each other for holding the film comprise a set of reciprocating elements that can be forced together in order to press against the outer surface of the film, while the cutting device and welding device, which is placed between the set of reciprocating elements, cuts and welds the film thereby generating two closed ends.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the apparatus comprises an additional welding device placed between the elements adapted for cooperating with each other for holding the film, said welding device and said additional welding device flanking the cutting device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of the elements adapted for cooperating with each other for temporarily holding the film, said elements enclosing a cutting device and a welding device.

[0040] FIG. 2 shows the packing of long objects.

[0041] FIG. 3 shows a prior art example of a system for packaging objects with a tubular plastic film.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] Identical components are given the same designations in the text which follows and are provided with the same reference signs in the drawings.

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of the elements (10) adapted for cooperating with each other for temporarily holding the film (11), said elements (10) enclosing a cutting device (12) and a welding device (13). The steps carried out by the present invention includes the loading of the gripping unit (2) with tubular plastic film (11); directing the gripping unit (2) to be placed between the first (5) and second (6) conveyors, whereby the gripping arms (3) are positioned axially with the conveyors (5, 6); activating the first conveyor (5) to transport the object (7) toward the gripping unit (2), wherein the object (7) moves along and in between the gripping arms (3); activating the gripping unit (2) to release film (11) from the gripping arms (3) onto the object (7) while the object (7) moves towards the second conveyor (6); activating the set of reciprocating elements (10) thereby forcing them together in order to press against the outer surface of the film (11), while the cutting device (12) and welding device (13), which is placed between the set of reciprocating elements (10), cuts and welds the film (11) thereby generating one or two closed ends; and moving the object (7) with closed ends to the second conveyor (6) to transport the packaged object (7) away from the gripping unit (2).

[0044] FIG. 2 shows the packing of long objects. According to the invention it is achieved by configuring the gripping unit to accommodate a long object (7) by consecutively releasing two tubular film (11) segments along the object (7). Importantly these segments overlap with each other along the length of the object (7) and may be held in place by gluing or by a band, such as a strip.

[0045] FIG. 3 shows a prior art system (1), which is also applicable for performing the present invention. The system includes a movable packaging frame (2) having four horizontally oriented gripping arms (3) for holding and stretching tubular (stretchable) film (11). A rail system is used for moving the packaging frame from film storage and dispensing means (4) to the area between the first (5) and second (6) conveyors. In the shown embodiment two packaging frames and two film storage and dispensing means are provided; in such a configuration one of the packaging frames may be gathering stretch foil while the other is ungathering stretch foil onto the object to packaged. Each gripping arm is equipped with opposing and activated rollers which can be brought into contact with the film, whereby activation of the rollers enable the film to be gathered onto and ungathered from the gripping arms. The gripping arms are independently and laterally movable to achieve stretching of the film. There is shown a first conveyor for supporting the object and transporting it toward the packaging frame so that the object is delivered between the gripping arms. This first conveyor transports the object perpendicular to the packaging frame and in an axis parallel with the gripping arms.

[0046] The second conveyor, which is placed next to the packaging frame, supports the object and transports it away from the packaging frame.