Method and installation for producing a product grouping pack with integrated handle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for obtaining a product grouping pack (2) with heat-shrinkable packaging having a reinforcing strip (3) for forming a handle. The method consists of: - unrolling a width (4) of heat-shrinkable film towards a shrink wrapper into which the products (2) to be packaged are conveyed; - cutting a strip (3) from the width (4) with a width between 30 and 90 mm, then overlapping the cut strip (3) in the center of the remaining portion of the width (4) to form a width (4) equipped with a reinforcing strip (3); - packaging the products (2) with the width (4) equipped with the reinforcing strip (3) and shrinking the assembly to form the grouping pack. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Method and installation for producing a product grouping pack with an integrated handle. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of heat-shrinkable packaging, in particular used to make grouping packs, for example, of bottles sold in lots.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to a method, an installation and a roll of heat-shrink film for making such a grouping pack incorporating a handle to facilitate its transport. Previous art

[0003] It is known from the prior art an installation for the production of a grouping pack of products comprising a shrink wrapper, that is to say a machine designed to group several products, such as bottles, into a single pack using a heat-shrinkable plastic film.

[0004] To facilitate handling of the resulting bundled pack, it is also known to create handles on the packs. These handles can be formed directly into the plastic film during the packaging process or added as attached elements.

[0005] For example, before packaging, the film can be pre-cut or perforated to form a handle. This method is not optimal because the strength of such a handle is questionable.

[0006] Alternatively, specific machines can be used to apply prefabricated handles made of reinforced plastic or flexible composite to the film, before or after the shrinking process. These handles can be glued, welded, or mechanically attached to the film.

[0007] This type of attached handle can offer sufficient strength, but its integration is complex and costly. Furthermore, the materials usually used to form such handles must be recycled separately from the shrink film; when it is possible to recycle them (hot melt adhesives, etc.). Description of the invention

[0008] One of the aims of the invention is therefore to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by proposing a method, an installation and a roll of heat-shrinkable film, for example in polyethylene, for the production of a grouping pack incorporating a handle to facilitate its transport, the strength of which is optimal, and the complexity and manufacturing costs are reduced.

[0009] To this end, a remarkable process has been developed, which consists of: - to unroll a width of heat-shrink film towards a shrink wrapper inside which the products to be packaged are conveyed; - to cut a strip from the width of between 30 and 90 mm, preferably between 50 and 70 mm, then to superimpose the cut strip in the center of the remaining part of the width, above or below, in order to form a width equipped with a reinforcing strip; - to pack the products with the width equipped with the reinforcement band and to shrink the whole thing to form the grouping pack.

[0010] In this way, the present invention makes it possible to produce a grouping pack of products, in particular wrapped in heat-shrink film, with a directly integrated reinforcement band allowing subsequent gripping of the pack by an end user, without requiring the addition of an added handle.

[0011] The process according to the invention is therefore simple, inexpensive, and uses less material. Furthermore, the recyclability of the packaging is improved because the handle is made directly from the packaging film itself.

[0012] Preferably, the process includes a step of electrically charging the width and / or the cut strip before superimposing the strip on the remaining width to promote keeping said strip in the center of the width.

[0013] To facilitate subsequent access to the handle formed by the reinforcing strip, the method preferably includes a step of creating lines of weakness, in particular with perforations or pre-cuts. These weakenings are created on the film width in an area located on the top of the grouping pack and on either side of the reinforcing strip.

[0014] In this way, when transporting the grouping pack, the end user can easily break the weakening lines to access the reinforcement band acting as a handle to lift the pack.

[0015] Advantageously, a film shrinkage limiting coating is applied to the film, centered on the weakening lines.

[0016] The installation according to the invention, which notably allows the implementation of the aforementioned process, comprises a shrink wrapper, well known to those skilled in the art. This shrink wrapper implicitly includes a conveyor for moving the products to be wrapped within said shrink wrapper, a device for wrapping the film around the products, a shrink tunnel, etc.

[0017] The installation also includes means for unwinding a roll of heat-shrink film, means for cutting an end strip in the width of the heat-shrink film, and means for returning the cut strip to overlap the central part of the remaining width.

[0018] This installation makes it possible to implement the aforementioned process in a simple and inexpensive way, with the aim of obtaining a product grouping pack incorporating a reinforcing strip acting as a handle.

[0019] According to a particular simple and economical embodiment, the return means are at least two successive return bars inclined at 45° with respect to the remaining width.

[0020] Preferably, the installation includes means for electrically charging the strip and / or the central part of the remaining width, positioned upstream of the return means. These means are, for example, electrostatic induction.

[0021] The invention also relates to a heat-shrink film reel adapted for use in the aforementioned installation. The reel is notable in that it comprises at least one end strip with a width of between 30 and 90 mm, preferably between 50 and 70 mm, coated with an anti-slip layer between the end strip and the film. The anti-slip layer is, for example, in the form of a varnish that is coated onto the film to obtain a coefficient of friction greater than 0.5.

[0022] Preferably, the film comprises pairs of weakening lines, for example perforations or pre-cuts, made along and in the center of the uncoated portion of the width, and at regular intervals separated by a distance corresponding to the length of film required for a bundling operation. The lines of a pair are spaced apart from each other and in width by a distance at least equal to the width of the coated strip. These weakening lines are intended to be broken to allow access to the handle after obtaining the bundle pack.

[0023] Advantageously, the film includes a coating limiting the shrinkage of the film, centered on the lines of embrittlement, and over a width of between 15 and 30 mm, so as to prevent shrinkage during passage through the shrink tunnel.

[0024] According to a particular embodiment, the coated strip is printed with a pattern repeated at regular intervals separated by a distance corresponding to the length of film required for a bundling operation, in order to be able to visually identify the handle on the resulting grouping pack. Brief description of the drawings

[0025] Other advantages and features will become clearer from the following description, given by way of non-limiting example of the invention, based on the accompanying drawings in which:

[0026] [Fig-1] is a schematic side view of an installation for obtaining a pack of grouping of products according to the present invention.

[0027] [Fig. 2] schematically illustrates the cutting module for the end strip intended to serve as a handle, and for returning said cut strip. Detailed description of the invention

[0028] With reference to figures 1 and 2, the invention relates to a method and an installation (1) allowing, in a conventional shrink-wrapping process of a heat-shrink film around a grouping of products (2), to cut an end strip (3) in the width (4) of the film, then to transfer it to the central part of the remaining width (5) of film before the product is wrapped by the shrink-wrapping machine (6), in order to form a directly integrated handle.

[0029] In a known manner, the products (2) to be packaged, for example bottles, are first conveyed to the shrink wrapper (6) via a conveyor (7). A guidance system aligns and correctly positions the bottles according to the desired pack configuration (for example, 2x3 for six bottles).

[0030] In a known manner, one or more rolls (8) of heat-shrinkable plastic film are installed on the machine. The film is unwound conventionally by means of known unwinding means and is cut transversely to the dimension required to wrap the pre-formed group of bottles.

[0031] According to the invention, and before the film is introduced into the shrink wrapper (6), the strip (3) is cut, for example, using cutting means (9), such as a blade, positioned, for example, at a return roller for the heat-shrink film. The width of the cut strip (3) is between 30 and 90 mm, preferably between 50 mm and 70 mm, for example 60 mm.

[0032] With reference to [Fig.2], the cut strip (3) is then folded once at 90° in one direction towards the inside, then a second time at 90° in the opposite direction to overlap in the center the remaining width (5).

[0033] This step is carried out for example by two successive return bars (10) inclined at 45° with respect to the direction of scrolling of the width (4).

[0034] In order to limit the movement of the strip (3) on the remaining width (5), the installation preferably incorporates means (11) for electrically charging the strip (3) and / or the central part of the remaining width (5), positioned upstream of the return means (10) in order to press said strip (3) against the remaining width (5) and ensure its retention until the film retraction operation.

[0035] The remaining width (5) and superimposed strip (3) assembly is then introduced into the shrink wrapper (6) where it is used to pack the group of products (2) in a conventional manner.

[0036] Once the pack is wrapped in the film fitted with the reinforcing strip (3), it is conveyed into a heated shrink tunnel (12). The heat causes the film to shrink, tightening around the bottles and forming a compact and stable pack.

[0037] At the exit of the tunnel, the pack is often subjected to a flow of cold air, for example by fans (13) to accelerate the stabilization of the retracted film and ensure the cohesion of the pack.

[0038] The pack of bottles thus formed is then evacuated from the shrink wrapper (6) by the conveyor (7), ready for the next stage of packaging or distribution.

[0039] The superimposed band (3) provides a reinforcement that can be used as a handling handle, directly integrated.

[0040] The invention uses the packaging film itself to create the handle, thereby reducing waste and additional material costs. Only one roll of heat-shrink film is needed. The handle created in this way is aesthetically integrated into the package, thus providing a uniform and neat appearance.

[0041] The process may include a step of creating weakening lines, such as perforations or pre-cuts, on the remaining width (5) of film in an area located on the top of the grouping pack and on either side of the reinforcing strip (3) to facilitate subsequent access to the reinforcing strip (3) as a handle.

[0042] According to different embodiments, these weakening lines can be made upstream during the unwinding of the film, in the shrink wrapper (6), or preferably at the exit of the shrink tunnel.

[0043] Advantageously, a shrinkage-limiting coating is deposited beforehand at the location of these weakening lines to prevent shrinkage during passage through the shrink tunnel. This coating is deposited centered on the weakening lines over a width of 15 to 30 mm. Over this width, the thickness of the coating is progressive to prevent breakage of the film along the coating during its shrinkage.

[0044] The invention also relates to the heat-shrink film reel used in the installation (1). According to the invention, this reel is specifically adapted to the needs of the process.

[0045] The reel includes, for example, an end strip (3) with a width between 30 and 90 mm, preferably between 50 and 70 mm, for example 60 mm, coated with an anti-slip layer to prevent slippage between the end strip (3) and the remaining width (5) of film when the strip (3) is superimposed on the film. It is this coated strip that will be cut to form the handle.

[0046] The film on the reel can directly comprise pairs of weakening lines made along and in the center of the uncoated portion of the width, and at regular intervals separated by a distance corresponding to the film length. necessary for a bundling operation. The lines of a pair are spaced apart from each other, and in the width of the film, by a distance corresponding at least to the width of the coated strip (3).

[0047] At the pairs of weakening lines, a shrinkage-limiting coating is deposited centered on the weakening lines to prevent shrinkage during passage through the shrink tunnel. This coating is deposited over a width of 15 to 30 mm. The thickness of the coating is progressive across this width to prevent film breakage along the coating during shrinkage.

[0048] The coated strip (3) can also be pre-printed with a pattern repeated at regular intervals and separated by a distance corresponding to the length of film required for a bundling operation in order to produce a visual marker for identifying the handle.

[0049] It follows from the above that the invention does indeed provide a method, an installation and a roll of heat-shrink film for the production of a grouping pack incorporating a handle to facilitate its transport, the strength of which is optimal, and the complexity and manufacturing costs of which are reduced.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for obtaining a group pack of products (2) with heat-shrinkable packaging having a reinforcing strip (3) allowing the creation of a handle, characterized in that it consists of: - unrolling a width (4) of heat-shrinkable film towards a shrink wrapper inside which the products (2) to be packaged are conveyed; - cutting a strip (3) of a width between 30 and 90 mm from the width (4), then superimposing the cut strip (3) in the center of the remaining part (5) of the width (4) in order to form a width equipped with a reinforcing strip (3); - packaging the products (2) with the width (4) equipped with the reinforcing strip (3) and shrinking the whole to form the group pack.

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a step of electrically charging the width (4) and / or the strip (3) before superimposing the strip (3) onto the remaining width (5).

3. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a step of creating lines of weakening on the width (4) of film at an area located on the top of the grouping pack and on either side of the reinforcing strip (3) to facilitate subsequent access to the reinforcing strip (3) as a handle.

4. Installation (1) for obtaining a grouping pack of products (2) with heat-shrinkable packaging having a reinforcing strip (3) allowing the making of a handle, characterized in that it comprises: - a shrink wrapper (6); - means for unwinding a roll of heat-shrinkable film; - means for cutting (9) an end strip (3) in the width (4) of the heat-shrinkable film; - means for returning the cut strip (3) in overlap on the central part of the remaining width (5).

5. Installation (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the return means are at least two successive return bars (10) inclined at 45° with respect to the remaining width (5).

6. Installation (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 5, characterized in that it comprises means (11) for electrically charging the strip (3) and / or the central part of the remaining width (5), positioned upstream of the return means (10).

7. Installation (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a heat-shrink film reel comprising at least one end strip (3) of a width between 30 and 90 mm coated with an anti-slip layer.

8. Installation (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the film comprises pairs of weakening lines made along and in the center of the uncoated portion of the width (4), and at regular intervals separated by a distance corresponding to the length of film required for a bundling operation, the lines of a pair being separated from each other and in width by a distance corresponding at least to the width of the coated strip (3).

9. Installation (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that the film comprises a coating limiting the shrinkage of the film, centered on the lines of embrittlement, and over a width of between 15 and 30 mm.

10. Installation (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the coated strip (3) is printed with a pattern repeated at regular intervals separated by a distance corresponding to the length of film required for a bundling operation.

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