Machine and method for applying tubular shrink sleeve material to object

Abstract

To provide a machine for applying a tubular film to an object.SOLUTION: There is provided a machine for applying a tubular film to an object, comprising: a mandrel about which a tubular film is passed; a perforation assembly for forming a perforation line across a width of the tubular film prior to the tubular film moving onto the mandrel; and a sleeve ejection arrangement associated with the mandrel to separate the tubular film along the perforation line to create a tubular sleeve that is ejected off of the mandrel and onto an object. The perforation assembly includes a perforation unit mounted for movement across the width the tubular film, and the perforation unit is rotated to apply the perforation line on the tubular film when the perforation unit moves across the width of the tubular film.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001]

[0001] This application generally relates to a machine for attaching a tubular shrink sleeve material to an object such as a container, and more particularly to a system and method for scoring a tubular film to define individual shrink sleeves before attaching the shrink sleeve to the object.

Background Art

[0002]

[0002] Tubular shrink sleeve applicators generally utilize a mandrel that is moved so as to be covered by a tubular shrink film prior to application and that expands the film into a sleeve shape. In a first type of such machines, the film is cut by a knife assembly while on the mandrel to form the sleeve. In a second type of such machines, while the film is flat, a score line is applied to the tubular film before it is moved onto the mandrel, and individual sleeves are formed by being severed along the score line.

[0003]

[0003] It would be desirable and advantageous to provide a system and method that improves the score perforation technique of the second type of machine.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004]

[0004] In one aspect, a machine for attaching a tubular film to an object includes a mandrel around which the tubular film is passed, a perforation assembly for forming a perforation line across the width of the tubular film before the tubular film moves onto the mandrel, and a sleeve discharge structure associated with the mandrel for separating the tubular film along the perforation line to produce a tubular sleeve that is discharged from the mandrel onto the object. The perforation assembly includes a perforation unit mounted to move across the width of the tubular film, and the perforation unit includes a perforation blade that is rotated on the tubular film to apply the perforation line as the perforation unit moves across the width of the tubular film.

[0005]

[0005] In another aspect, a machine for attaching a tubular film to an object includes a path along which the tubular film passes toward a sleeve discharge position disposed above a conveyor for conveying the object, a perforation assembly for forming a perforation line across the width of the tubular film, and an associated sleeve discharge structure disposed near the sleeve discharge position for separating the tubular film along the perforation line to produce a tubular sleeve that is discharged onto the object moving along the conveyor. The perforation assembly includes a perforation blade that is rotated on the tubular film to apply the perforation line.

[0006]

[0006] In another aspect, a method is provided for forming a perforation line across the width of a tubular film moving within a machine for attaching a tubular film sleeve to an object, the method including utilizing a perforation unit that includes a perforation blade, and moving the perforation unit across the width of the tubular film while engaging the tubular film such that the perforation blade is rotated on the tubular film to apply the perforation line as the perforation blade moves across the width of the tubular film.

[0007]

[0007] Details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

[0008] It is a perspective schematic view of a tubular shrink sleeve mounting machine.

Figure 2

[0009] It is a perspective view of the perforation area of this machine.

Figure 3

Figure 3A

[0010] It is a perspective view of the perforation area, showing where the perforation assembly is being sequentially assembled.

Figure 3B

Figure 3C

Figure 3D

Figure 4

[0011] It is a perspective view of the blade cassette.

Figure 5A

[0012] It is a diagram showing an exemplary sleeve separation sequence.

Figure 5B

Figure 5C

Figure 5D

Figure 6A

[0013] It is a diagram showing an exemplary sequence of movement of the perforation unit.

Figure 6B

Figure 7

[0014] It is a diagram of an exemplary perforation line across the width of the tubular film.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009]

[0015] Referring to FIGS. 1 - 3, FIGS. 3A - 3D, and FIG. 4, an exemplary tubular shrink sleeve applicator and parts thereof are schematically shown. The apparatus includes a roll or other supply form of tubular film 12 that is fed to a turret mandrel 14 which may be a single part or a plurality of assembled parts. The top of the turret mandrel 14 is shaped to expand the tubular film from a flat state to an inflated state as the tubular film descends around the mandrel 14. A set of film drive rollers 16 has an associated drive unit 16a (e.g., a motor) and is driven (as shown by arrow 18) to control the supply of the film downward along the mandrel (as shown by arrow 19) toward a sleeve discharge roller 20 having an associated drive unit 20a (e.g., a motor). In this case, each roller 20 is on the opposite side of the mandrel 14.

[0010]

[0016] An object transport mechanism 22 passes under the mandrel and here transports an object 24 in the form of a container in the transport direction 26, and the tubular film sleeve is removed from the mandrel and moves over the container or other object passing thereunder. Heat can then be applied downstream to shrink the film.

[0011]

[0017] The stitch perforation assembly 30 is disposed upstream of the mandrel 14 to form the stitch line 12a across the width W12 of the tubular film. Here, the stitch perforation assembly includes a stitch perforation unit 32 mounted to move across the width of the tubular film. The stitch perforation unit includes a disc-shaped stitch perforation blade 32a that is rotated on the tubular film to apply the stitch line as the stitch perforation unit 32 moves across the width of the tubular film. A spring-loaded plate member 34 that operates as an anvil for the blade is disposed on one side of the path of the tubular film along one surface of the flattened tubular film. The stitch perforation unit 32 is disposed on the other side of the path of the tubular film such that as the stitch perforation unit moves across the width of the tubular film, the stitch perforation blade 32a presses against the tubular film 12 and the plate member 34, causing rotation of the stitch perforation blade 32a. Thus, the plate member 34 is always biased against the stitch perforation blade 32a, and the interaction between the stitch perforation blade 32a and the plate member 34 mainly causes rotation of the stitch perforation blade 32a. With this configuration, the stitch perforation blade 32a can be mounted in a freewheel manner on or within the stitch perforation unit 32 so as to freely rotate about the axis 33. In an alternative configuration, the stitch perforation unit 32 may be spring-biased toward the plate member 34, in which case the plate member 34 may be fixed or may also be spring-biased.

[0012]

[0018] Here, the plate member 34 is disposed within a guide block 36 having a through-passage (such as the upper groove 35) running in the vertical direction through which the tubular film 12 passes. The guide block is formed by a rear plate 36a having a recess 36b, in which a rubber strip 36c is disposed to bias the plate member 34 thereon. The front plate 36d of the guide block is fixed to the rear plate 36a and includes a side groove 38 facing the perforation unit 32. The perforation blade 32a extends through the side groove 38 and engages with the tubular film 12 and the plate member 34. The plate member 34 is biased toward the side groove 38 by a rubber material acting as a spring member. The perforation blade 32a includes an outer peripheral perforation blade defined by a series of outer peripheral teeth 32a1 that sequentially engage with the tubular film 12 to perforate the tubular film and apply a perforation line. To enable the tubular film to be fed through the guide block 36, after the perforation blade 32a moves across the width of the tubular film to form each perforation line, it moves beyond the side edge 12b of the tubular film 12, and as a result, the perforation blade 32a does not interfere with the advancing tubular film.

[0013]

[0019] In an embodiment, to maintain a desired spacing between the perforation unit 32 and the guide block 36 and / or the vertical position between the perforation blade 32a and the side groove 38, the perforation unit 32 may ride on a bearing rail 37. Alternatively, the perforation unit may be supported and move within a slot (for example, a guide pin or bearing or other protrusion at the bottom of the housing of the perforation unit 32 extends into and is supported and moves along an upward groove).

[0014]

[0020] Here, the stitch perforation unit 32 includes a lower carriage portion 32b that is connected to the belt and rides on the bearing rail 37, and an upper blade cassette 32c in which the blade is disposed. The upper blade cassette 32c is removably attached to the carriage portion 32b by a pair of opposing pivot latching clamps 39 pivotally attached to the carriage portion 32b. The latching clamp 39 engages on / in a latching concave feature 41 provided on the upper side surface of the blade cassette 32c and holds the blade cassette in a fixed position during use. By pivoting the latching clamp 39 away from the side surface of the blade cassette, the blade cassette can be easily replaced when necessary without the need to use tools. The chamfered feature 43 at the corner of the cassette side guides the latching portion of the latching clamp back into engagement with the concave feature 41 when the cassette is fixed to the carriage portion 32b.

[0015]

[0021] Figures 5A - 5D show an exemplary sequence of severance of the sleeve along the stitch line and discharge of such a sleeve (which may occur, for example, based on the detection position of a container or other object moving under the mandrel). Figures 5A - 5D show an exemplary sequence of movement of the stitch perforation unit for generating the stitch line in the tubular film 12 (a movement from right to left as between the position of FIG. 6A and the position of FIG. 6B by driving the belt 42 in a first direction). The next stitch line of the tubular film is formed by moving the stitch perforation unit in the opposite direction (for example, moving from left to right with respect to the figures of FIGS. 6A - 6B by driving the belt 42 in a second direction opposite to the first direction).

[0016]

[0022] A control system including a controller 100 is configured to selectively reciprocate a stitch perforation unit 32 across the width of a tubular film in a first direction and a second opposite direction such that stitch lines are alternately formed in the tubular film while the stitch perforation unit 32 moves in the first direction and the second direction. As used herein, the term "controller" is intended to broadly encompass any circuit (e.g., solid state, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), electronic circuit, combinatorial logic circuit, field programmable gate array (FPGA)) that performs a control function of a device or a control function of any component thereof, a processor(s) (e.g., shared, dedicated, or group of processors, including hardware or software that executes code), software, firmware, and / or other components, or some or all combinations of the foregoing.

[0017]

[0023] In one embodiment of such a control system, a tubular film supply system that can include rollers 16 and / or additional rollers along the film path is provided with a drive device 40 (e.g., a motor) for moving the perforating unit 32 (e.g., via a drive device 40 that moves a continuous belt 42 to which the perforating unit 32 is attached). The controller 100 operates the film supply system to (i) supply the tubular film by a length corresponding to a set length for the tubular sleeve and then stop the film supply, (ii) after the film supply stops, operate the drive device 40 so that the perforating unit moves across the width of the film in a first direction (e.g., from right to left in the drawing) to generate a first perforation line in the tubular film, (iii) after generating the first perforation line, supply the tubular film by a length corresponding to the set length and then stop the film supply unit, and (iv) after the film supply stops, operate the drive device so that the perforating unit moves across the width of the film in a second direction (e.g., from left to right in the drawing) to generate a second perforation line in the tubular film.

[0018]

[0024] Between each of steps (i) and (iii) above, (e.g., like the sequence of FIGS. 4A - 4D), the leading end of the tubular film is aligned with roller 20 and supplied, whereby a tubular sleeve is produced in which the leading end of the film is separated along the leading perforation line 12a and dropped onto a passing container or other object.

[0019]

[0025] In one embodiment of steps (ii) and (iv) above, the controller may wait until the supply of the film stops and then activate the drive device 40 to move the perforation unit 32. In another embodiment of steps (ii) and (iv) above, since the perforation blade 32a is initially laterally displaced from the tubular film, the drive device 40 can be activated to move the perforation unit 32 slightly before the film supply stops, and the timing is adjusted so that the film supply stops when or just before the perforation blade 32a contacts the tubular film.

[0020]

[0026] The above sequence is repeated such that the sleeve is separated from the tubular film 12 along the perforation line and discharged onto the moving object. In this regard, the drive device 20a for the roller 20 may, in one embodiment, be operated continuously, in which case the leading end of the tubular film 12 advances and descends into the region of the roller 20, whereby the roller engages the leading end of the tubular film. The roller 20 is operated at a speed higher than the supply speed of the roller 16, so that the roller 20 engages the film and pulls the leading end of the tubular film with sufficient force to cut the tubular film along the leading perforation line 12a, creating individual tubular sleeves that are discharged onto the passing object. In other embodiments, the controller 100 may be configured to selectively operate the drive device 20a to rotate the discharge roller 20 as needed.

[0021]

[0027] FIG. 6 shows an exemplary shape of the perforation line 12a across the width of the tubular film, which, here, runs in a direction substantially perpendicular to the side edge 12b of the tubular film 12. Each through groove or cut 12c constituting the perforation line is of an elongated shape, and a uniform spacing is provided between the cuts or grooves 12c. However, in other variations, the shape can be changed (e.g., circular or oval or square cuts or openings), and the spacing therebetween can be changed. Further, a perforation line that is not substantially perpendicular to the side edge of the tubular film may also be implemented in a particular situation for a particular object (e.g., by orienting the moving direction of the guide block 36 of the perforation unit 32 at an angle inclined from perpendicular to the moving direction of the tubular film passing through the guide block 36).

[0022]

[0028] The foregoing description is intended merely to illustrate and exemplify and is not intended to be taken as limiting, and it should be clearly understood that other changes and modifications are possible.

Claims

1. 1. A machine for applying a tubular film to an object, comprising: a mandrel around which the tubular film is threaded; a perforation assembly for forming a line of perforations across the width of the tubular film before it moves to the mandrel; a sleeve ejection arrangement associated with the mandrel for severing the tubular film along the perforation line to produce a tubular sleeve that is ejected from the mandrel onto an object; Equipped with the perforation assembly comprises a perforation unit mounted for movement across the width of the tubular film, the perforation unit including a perforation blade that is rotated on the tubular film to apply the perforation lines as the perforation unit moves across the width of the tubular film.

2. 2. The machine of claim 1, wherein the perforation assembly further comprises a plate member disposed on a first side of the path of the tubular film, and the perforation unit disposed on a second side of the path of the tubular film such that as the perforation unit moves across the width of the tubular film, the perforation blade presses against the tubular film and the plate member, causing rotation of the perforation blade.

3. 3. The machine of claim 2, wherein the plate member is disposed within a guide block through which the tubular film extends, the guide block including a groove facing the perforation unit, and the perforation blade extends through the groove to engage the tubular film and the plate member.

4. 3. The machine of claim 2, wherein at least one of: (i) the plate member is biased towards the perforation unit; or (ii) the perforation unit is biased towards the plate member.

5. 2. The machine of claim 1, wherein said perforation blade includes a series of peripheral teeth which sequentially engage said tubular film to perforate said tubular film and provide said perforation lines.

6. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the perforation blade moves over an edge of the tubular film after moving across the width of the tubular film.

7. 2. The machine of claim 1, further comprising a control system configured to selectively reciprocate the perforation unit across the width of the tubular film in the first direction and the second direction such that alternating perforation lines are formed in the tubular film while moving in the first direction and the opposite second direction.

8. a tubular film supply unit; A drive device for moving the perforation unit; a controller configured to: (i) operate the film supplying unit to supply the tubular film a length corresponding to a set length for a tubular sleeve and then stop film supply; (ii) operate the drive such that, after film supplying has stopped, the perforation punching unit moves across the width of the film in a first direction to create a first perforation line in the tubular film; (iii) operate the film supplying unit to supply the tubular film a length corresponding to the set length after creating the first perforation line and then stop film supply; and (iv) operate the drive such that, after film supplying has stopped, the perforation punching unit moves across the width of the film in a second direction to create a second perforation line in the tubular film; The machine of claim 1 further comprising:

9. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve ejection arrangement comprises at least one roller rotated relative to the tubular film to sever the tubular film along the perforation line.

10. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the perforation unit is configured to move across the width of the tubular film in a direction such that resulting perforation lines run substantially perpendicular to side edges of the tubular film.

11. 2. The machine of claim 1, wherein the perforation unit includes a carriage portion and a blade cassette portion carrying the perforation blade and releasably attached to the carriage portion to allow cassette replacement.

12. 12. The machine of claim 11, wherein the carriage part has at least one latching clamp movable between a holding position for holding the blade cassette part on the carriage part and a release position in which the blade cassette part can be removed from the carriage part.

13. 1. A machine for applying a tubular film to an object, comprising: a path along which the tubular film travels toward a sleeve discharge location disposed above a conveyor for transporting objects; a perforation punch assembly for forming a line of perforations across the width of the tubular film; a sleeve discharge arrangement associated with and positioned proximate the sleeve discharge location for severing the tubular film along the perforation line to produce a tubular sleeve that is discharged onto an object moving along the conveyor; Including, the perforation assembly comprises a perforation blade which is rotated on the tubular film to apply the perforation lines.

14. 14. The machine of claim 13, further comprising a control system configured to selectively reciprocate the perforation blade across the width of the tubular film in the first direction and the second direction such that alternating perforation lines are formed in the tubular film while moving in a first direction and an opposite second direction.

15. 14. The machine of claim 13, wherein the perforation blade is carried in a blade cassette releasably mounted on a carriage portion, the perforation blade being mounted on or within the cassette for rotation about an axis.

16. 14. The machine of claim 13, wherein the perforation assembly further comprises an anvil disposed on a first side of the path of the tubular film, and the perforation blade disposed on a second side of the path of the tubular film such that as the perforation blade moves across the width of the tubular film, the perforation blade presses against the tubular film and the anvil, causing rotation of the perforation blade.

17. 17. The machine of claim 16, wherein at least one of: (i) the anvil is biased toward the perforation blade; or (ii) the perforation blade is biased toward the anvil.

18. 1. A method of forming a perforation line across the width of a tubular film moving through a machine for applying the tubular film sleeve to an object, comprising: Utilizing a perforation unit including a perforation blade; moving the perforation unit across the width of the tubular film while engaging the tubular film such that the perforation blade is rotated on the tubular film to apply perforations as the perforation unit moves across the width of the tubular film; The method includes:

19. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein as the perforation unit moves across the width of the tubular film, the perforation blade presses against the tubular film and a plate member on a rear side of the tubular film causing rotation of the perforation blade.

20. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the plate member is disposed within a guide block through which the tubular film extends, the guide block including a groove facing the perforation unit, and the perforation blade extends through the groove to engage the tubular film and the plate member.

21. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the perforation blade includes a series of peripheral teeth that sequentially engage the tubular film to perforate the tubular film and apply the perforation lines.

22. A method for applying the perforation lines, the perforation punching unit being moved in a first direction, comprising: advancing the tubular film after applying the perforations; after advancing the tubular film, moving the perforation unit across the width of the tubular film in a second direction opposite to the first direction while engaging the tubular film so that the perforation blade is rotated on the tubular film to apply additional perforations as the perforation unit moves across the width of the tubular film; 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

Images