Machines and methods for applying tubular shrink sleeve material to an object

Abstract

This invention discloses a machine and method for applying a tubular shrink sleeve material to an object. The machine for applying the tubular membrane to the object includes: a mandrel around which the tubular membrane passes; a punching assembly for forming punch lines across the width of the tubular membrane before the tubular membrane moves onto the mandrel; and a sleeve discharge device associated with the mandrel to separate the tubular membrane along the punch lines to create a tubular sleeve discharged from the mandrel onto the object. The punching assembly includes a punching unit mounted for movement along the width of the tubular membrane, the punching unit including a punching blade rotating on the tubular membrane to apply the punch lines as the punching unit moves along the width of the tubular membrane.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application generally relates to machines for applying tubular shrink sleeve material to an object (such as a container), and more specifically, to systems and methods for defining shrink sleeves by perforating a tubular membrane prior to applying the shrink sleeve to the object. Background Technology

[0002] Tubular shrink sleeve application equipment typically uses a mandrel on which a tubular shrink film moves to expand the film into a sleeve shape before application. In a first type of such machine, the film is cut on the mandrel by a cutter assembly to form sleeves. In a second type of such machine, perforation lines are applied to the tubular film while it is laid flat and before it moves to the mandrel, and individual sleeves are formed by separating along the perforation lines.

[0003] It is desirable and advantageous to provide a system and method for improving the second type of machine drilling technology. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In one aspect, a machine for applying a tubular membrane to an object includes a mandrel around which the tubular membrane passes; a punching assembly for forming punch lines across the width of the tubular membrane before it moves to the mandrel; and a sleeve discharge device associated with the mandrel for separating the tubular membrane along the punch lines to create a tubular sleeve, which is discharged from the mandrel and applied to the object. The punching assembly includes a punching unit mounted to move across the width of the tubular membrane, the punching unit including a punching blade rotating on the tubular membrane, the punching blade applying punch lines to the tubular membrane as the punching unit moves across the width of the tubular membrane.

[0005] In another aspect, a machine for applying a tubular membrane to an object includes a path along which the tubular membrane is conveyed toward a sleeve discharge position located above a conveyor for conveying the object; a perforation assembly for forming perforation lines across the width of the tubular membrane; and a sleeve discharge device located near the sleeve discharge position for separating the tubular membrane along the perforation lines to create a tubular sleeve that is discharged onto an object moving along the conveyor. The perforation assembly includes a perforating blade rotating on the tubular membrane for applying the perforation lines.

[0006] In another aspect, a method is provided for forming perforated lines across the width of a tubular membrane traveling within a machine for applying a tubular membrane sleeve to an object, wherein the method includes: using a perforating unit including a perforating blade; and moving the perforating unit across the width of the tubular membrane while the perforating blade engages with the tubular membrane, such that the perforating blade rotates on the tubular membrane to apply perforated lines as the perforating unit moves across the width of the tubular membrane.

[0007] Details of one or more embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features, objects, and advantages will become apparent from the description, drawings, and claims. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the tubular shrink sleeve application machine;

[0009] Figure 2 and Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the machine's punching area;

[0010] Figures 3A-3D This is a perspective view showing the step-by-step construction of the punched assembly, depicting the punched area.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the blade box;

[0012] Figures 5A-5D An example sequence of sleeve separation is shown;

[0013] Figures 6A-6B This shows an example sequence of the movement of the punching unit;

[0014] Figure 7 Example perforation lines are shown across the width of the tubular membrane. Detailed Implementation

[0015] See Figure 1-3 Figures 3A-3D and 4 schematically illustrate an exemplary tubular shrink sleeve application device and its components. The device includes a roll or other supply source of a tubular membrane 12, which is fed onto a tool mandrel 14, which may be a single component or multiple assembled components. The top of the tool mandrel 14 is designed to allow the tubular membrane to expand from its flat orientation to an extended orientation as it moves downwards around the mandrel 14. A set of membrane drive rollers 16, each with an associated drive unit 16a (e.g., a motor), is driven (as indicated by arrow 18) to control the feeding of the membrane downwards along the mandrel toward a sleeve discharge roller 20, each with an associated drive unit 20a (e.g., a motor), located on opposite sides of the diameter of the mandrel 14.

[0016] The object conveying mechanism 22 passes beneath the mandrel and conveys the object 24 (in the form of a container here) in conveying direction 26, causing the tubular membrane sleeve to move from the mandrel onto the container or other object it passes over. The membrane can then be shrunk using downstream heat application.

[0017] A punching assembly 30 is provided upstream of the mandrel 14 for forming punch lines 12a across the width W12 of the tubular membrane. Here, the punching assembly includes a punching unit 32 mounted and movable in the width direction of the tubular membrane. The punching unit includes a disc-shaped punching blade 32a that rotates on the tubular membrane to apply punch lines as the punching unit 32 moves across the width of the tubular membrane. A spring-loaded plate 34, acting as an anvil for the blade, is located on one side of the tubular membrane path, positioned along one side of the flattened tubular membrane, while the punching unit 32 is located on the other side of the tubular membrane path. This arrangement causes the punching blade 32a to press against the tubular membrane 12 and the plate 34, resulting in rotation of the punching blade 32a as the punching unit moves across the width of the tubular membrane. Therefore, the plate 34 is always pressed against the punching blade 32a, and the interaction between the punching blade 32a and the plate 34 primarily causes the rotation of the punching blade 32a. This configuration allows the punching blade 32a to be rotatably mounted on or inside the punching unit 32, so as to rotate freely about the axis 33. In another arrangement, the punching unit 32 may be spring-biased toward the plate 34, in which case the plate 34 may be fixed or also spring-biased.

[0018] Here, plate 34 is located within guide block 36, which has a vertically penetrating channel (through upper slot 35) through which tubular membrane 12 extends. The guide block is formed by a rear plate 36a having a groove 36b in which rubber strip material 36c is placed to bias plate 34, which covers the strip material 36c. Front plate 36d of the guide block is fixed to the rear plate 36a and includes a side slot 38 facing the punching unit 32. Punching blade 32a extends into and passes through the side slot 38 to engage the tubular membrane 12 and plate 34. Plate 34 is biased toward the side slot 38 by the rubber material, which acts as a spring material. Punching blade 32a includes a peripheral punching edge defined by a series of peripheral teeth 32a1 that sequentially engage with the tubular membrane 12 to punch the tubular membrane and apply a punch line. In order to allow the tubular membrane to be fed through the guide block 36, the punching blade 32a moves beyond the lateral edge 12b of the tubular membrane 12 after moving across the width of the tubular membrane to form each punch line, so that the punching blade 32a does not interfere with the tubular membrane during its forward movement.

[0019] In practice, to maintain the desired spacing between the punching unit 32 and the guide block 36 and / or the vertical alignment between the punching blade 32a and the side groove 38, the punching unit 32 can slide on the support rail 37. Alternatively, the punching unit can slide within the groove (e.g., a guide pin or support portion or other protrusion at the bottom of the housing of the punching unit 32 extends into the upward-facing groove and slides along it).

[0020] Here, the punching unit 32 includes a lower carriage portion 32b, which is connected to the belt and slides on the support rail 37, and an upper blade holder 32c in which the blades are located. The upper blade holder 32c is detachably connected to the carriage portion 32b by a pair of opposing rotating clips 39, which are rotatably mounted on the carriage portion 32b. The clips 39 engage with or are engaged with a locking recess feature 41 on the upper side of the blade holder 32c to hold the blade holder in place during use. Rotating the clips 39 away from the side of the blade holder allows for easy replacement of the blade holder when needed, without the use of tools. The chamfered feature 43 on the side of the holder guides the locking portion of the clips to re-engage with the recess feature 41 when the holder is secured to the carriage portion 32b.

[0021] Figures 5A-5D An exemplary sequence is shown to separate and discharge the sleeve along the punch line (e.g., it may be triggered based on the detected position of a container or other object moving below the mandrel). Figures 5A-5D An exemplary sequence of punching unit movement is shown (from...) Figure 6A and 6B The positions between them, from right to left, are driven by the drive belt 42 along the first direction to create perforation lines on the tubular membrane 12. The next perforation line in the tubular membrane will be created by moving the perforation unit in the opposite direction (e.g., relative to the direction of the first direction). Figures 6A-6B The view is formed from left to right by driving the belt 42 in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0022] The control system, including controller 100, is configured to selectively move the perforation unit 32 back and forth along a first direction and an opposite second direction across the width of the tubular membrane, such that perforation lines are alternately formed in the tubular membrane as the movement proceeds along the first and second directions. The term "controller" as used herein is intended to broadly encompass any circuitry (e.g., solid-state circuitry, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), electronic circuitry, combinational logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)), processor (e.g., shared, dedicated, or group-specific – including hardware or software executing code), software, firmware, and / or other components, or some or all of the foregoing, to perform control functions of the device or any component thereof.

[0023] In one implementation of this control system, a tubular film feeding system is provided, which may include rollers 16 and / or additional rollers along the film path, and a drive device 40 for moving the perforation unit 32 (e.g., moving a continuous belt 42 connected to the perforation unit 32 via the drive device 40). The controller 100 is configured to: (i) operate the film feeding system to feed the tubular film to a predetermined length for the tubular sleeve, and then stop the film feeding; (ii) operate the drive device 40 such that, after the film feeding stops, the perforation unit moves along a first direction (e.g., from right to left in the figure) across the width of the film to create a first perforation line on the tubular film; (iii) after creating the first perforation line, operate the film feeding unit to feed the tubular film to a predetermined length, and then stop the film feeding; (iv) after the film feeding stops, operate the drive device such that the perforation unit moves along a second direction (e.g., from left to right in the figure) across the width of the film to create a second perforation line on the tubular film.

[0024] During steps (i) and (iii) above, the tip of the tubular membrane is fed to a position aligned with roller 20, which causes the tip of the membrane to separate along the pre-perforation line 12a, forming a tubular sleeve that is discharged onto a container or other object it passes over (e.g., according to...). Figures 5A-5D (in order).

[0025] In one implementation of steps (ii) and (iv) above, the controller may wait until the membrane feed stops before activating the drive device 40 to move the perforating unit 32. In another implementation of steps (ii) and (iv) above, since the perforating blade 32a is initially deviated laterally from the tubular membrane, the drive device 40 may be activated to move the perforating unit 32 shortly before the membrane feed stops, with the timing coordinated so that the membrane feed stops when or before the perforating blade 32a contacts the tubular membrane.

[0026] The above sequence is repeated as the sleeve separates from the tubular membrane 12 along the perforation line and is discharged onto a moving object. In this regard, the drive device 20a of the roller 20 can be operated continuously in one embodiment, in which case the leading edge of the tubular membrane 12 is advanced downward into the region of the roller 20, causing the roller to engage with the leading edge of the tubular membrane. The roller 20 operates at a faster speed than the feed speed of the roller 16, such that the engagement of the roller 20 on the membrane pulls the leading edge of the tubular membrane with sufficient force, causing the tubular membrane to separate along the front perforation line 12a to form a separate tubular sleeve, which is discharged onto the passing object. In other embodiments, the controller 100 can be configured to selectively operate the drive device 20a to rotate the discharge roller 20 as needed.

[0027] Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a perforation line 12a that spans the width of the tubular membrane and extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the side edge 12b of the tubular membrane 12. Each through-slot or cut 12c constituting the perforation line is elongated and provides uniform spacing between the cuts or slots 12c. However, in other variations, the shape may vary (e.g., circular, elliptical, or square cuts or openings), and the spacing between them may also vary. Furthermore, in some cases, for certain objects, the perforation line may not be substantially perpendicular to the side edge of the tubular membrane (e.g., by setting the running direction of the guide block 36 of the perforation unit 32 at an angle such that the running direction of the guide block 36 is not perpendicular to the direction of movement of the tubular membrane through the guide block 36).

[0028] It should be clearly understood that the above description is for illustrative and illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting; other changes and modifications are possible.

Claims

1. A machine for applying a tubular film to an object, the machine comprising: a mandrel around which the tubular film is passed; a perforating assembly positioned to form a perforation line across the width of the tubular film while the tubular film is in a flat orientation, before the tubular film is moved onto the mandrel; a control system configured to selectively move the perforating unit back and forth across the width of the tubular film in a first direction and an opposite second direction, such that perforation lines are alternately formed in the tubular film while moving in the first and second directions; a sleeve ejection device configured with at least one roller to engage and pull a leading end of the tubular film, causing the leading end to separate from the tubular film along the perforation line to form a tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve being ejected from the mandrel onto the object by rotation of the roller, wherein the perforating assembly comprises the perforating unit mounted to move across the width of the tubular film, the perforating unit comprising a perforating blade mounted to rotate about an axis, wherein the perforating blade comprises a peripheral edge that rotates on and contacts the tubular film in the direction of the width of the tubular film, and the peripheral edge perforates the tubular film to apply the perforation line as the perforating blade and its axis of rotation move across the width of the tubular film, wherein the tubular film is moved onto the mandrel along a downward path, the perforating unit is positioned along the downward path and above the mandrel.

2. The machine of claim 1, wherein, The perforating assembly further comprises a plate positioned on a first side of the downward path of the tubular film in the flat orientation, wherein the perforating unit is positioned on a second side of the downward path, and the peripheral edge presses the tubular film against the plate as the perforating blade rotates on and contacts the tubular film.

3. The machine of claim 2, wherein, The plate is positioned within a guide block through which the tubular film in the flat orientation extends, wherein the guide block comprises a wall having a side slot facing the perforating unit, and the peripheral edge of the perforating blade extends through the side slot to press the tubular film against the plate.

4. The machine of claim 2, wherein, The plate is biased towards the perforating blade by a plate of a covering material that urges the plate towards the perforating blade.

5. The machine of claim 1, wherein, The peripheral edge of the perforating blade comprises a series of peripheral teeth that in turn engage the tubular film to perforate the tubular film to form the perforation line.

6. The machine of claim 1, wherein, At least a portion of the peripheral edge of the perforating blade moves beyond an edge of the tubular film after moving across the width of the tubular film.

7. The machine of claim 1, further comprising: a tubular film feed unit; a drive device for moving the perforating unit; the control system comprises a controller configured to (i) operate the film feed unit to feed the tubular film by a length corresponding to a set length for the tubular sleeve, and then stop the film feed; (ii) operate the drive device such that after the film feed is stopped, the perforating unit moves across the width of the tubular film in the first direction to form a first perforation line in the tubular film; (iii) after forming the first perforation line, operate the tubular film feed unit to feed the tubular film by a length corresponding to the set length, and then stop the film feed; (iv) operate the drive device such that after the film feed is stopped, the perforating unit moves across the width of the tubular film in the second direction to form a second perforation line in the tubular film.

8. The machine of claim 1, wherein, The at least one roller rotates on the tubular film on the mandrel to separate the leading end of the tubular film along the line of perforations.

9. The machine of claim 1, wherein, The perforating unit is configured to move in a direction across the width of the tubular film such that the formed line of perforations extends substantially perpendicular to the side edges of the tubular film.

10. The machine of claim 1, wherein, The perforating unit comprises a carrier portion and a blade cartridge portion, the blade cartridge portion carrying the perforating blades and being releasably connected to the carrier portion for replacement of the blade cartridge.

11. The machine of claim 10, wherein, The carrier portion carries at least one locking clamp movable between a retaining position for retaining the blade cartridge portion on the carrier portion and a release position enabling removal of the blade cartridge portion from the carrier portion.

Images