Apparatus for protecting product packages with wrapping material and method
An automated apparatus for angular-shaped packages uses a folding device with press and holder means to streamline wrapping, ensuring secure fastening and preventing material tearing, addressing inefficiencies in manual protection methods.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- US · United States
- Patent Type
- Applications(United States)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ORFER SERVICES OY FI
- Filing Date
- 2024-01-05
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-30
AI Technical Summary
The protection of angular-shaped product packages during transport is inefficient and labor-intensive, often requiring manual work that is slow and cumbersome, especially when dealing with weather conditions.
An apparatus and method utilizing a folding device with folding means, press parts, and holder means to automate the wrapping process, ensuring neat seams and secure fastening of wrapping material around angular-shaped packages, reducing the need for manual labor.
The solution provides faster, higher-capacity packaging with improved quality by ensuring wrapping material is not loose or creased, preventing tearing during transport and eliminating the need for heavy manual work.
Smart Images
Figure US20260217400A1-D00000_ABST
Abstract
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Various example embodiments relate generally to an apparatus for protecting product packages with wrapping material. Some example embodiments relate to protecting angular-shaped product packages with wrapping material.
[0002] The protection of large product packages for transport and against weather conditions is in general done mostly by manual work. The installing being heavy and slow, the product package protection process may be further developed.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The object of the invention is to develop a new apparatus for protecting angular-shaped product packages with wrapping material, and a corresponding method, which are characterized by what is stated in the independent claims. Some preferred embodiments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.
[0004] Example embodiments of the proposed solution provide a new protection method and apparatus by which a better packing quality is achieved by means of a neater seam. In addition, the method is quick, whereby capacity is increased and heavy manual work is no longer needed for the protection of packages.
[0005] A first solution comprises an apparatus for protecting angular-shaped product packages with wrapping material. The product package is for example a wood product package. The apparatus may comprise at least one folding device that may comprise at least one folding means and at least one press part; and at least one holder means, which apparatus may be arranged to press, by means of the at least one press part, wrapping material extending over the edges of an upper surface of the product package down to a distance of a turning angle from at least one side of the product package; hold, by means of the at least one holder means, the wrapping material folded from above to the at least one side of the product package and keep it at a distance of the turning angle from the at least one side of the product package; fold, by means of the at least one folding means, wrapping material extending over the side edges of an end of the product package against the at least one side of the product package and return the at least one folding means back to the initial position; and press down the wrapping material extending over the upper surface of the product package, by the at least one press part, over the wrapping material folded by means of the at least one folding means.
[0006] According to an example embodiment of the first solution, the solution may comprise an apparatus for protecting angular-shaped product packages with wrapping material. The apparatus may comprise at least one folding device that may comprise at least two folding means and at least two press parts; and at least two holder means, which apparatus may be arranged to press, by means of the at least two press parts, wrapping material extending over the edges of an upper surface of the product package down to a distance of a turning angle from a first and a second side of the product package; hold, by means of the at least two holder means, the wrapping material folded from above to the sides of the product package and keep it at a distance of the turning angle from the first and the second side of the product package; fold, by means of the at least two folding means, wrapping material extending over the side edges of an end of the product package against the first and the second side of the product package and return the at least two folding means back to the initial position; and press down the wrapping material extending over the upper surface of the product package, by the at least two press parts, over the wrapping materials folded by means of the at least two folding means.
[0007] According to an example embodiment of the first solution, the folding device may comprise a folding part. The folding part may comprise at least one of the following: auxiliary frame, folding means, holder means, press part, fastening means, locking device and / or actuator. The folding device may further comprise a robot that may be configured to move the folding part. The robot may be an articulated boom robot or a manipulator. By means of the apparatus, neat and accurate folding fitting the corners of the package may be enabled. Thus, no wrapping material will be left loose, whereby it is not able to be torn during transport for example due to an air flow. In addition, on the side of the package the wrapping material may be pressed down in a controlled manner, which leads to better quality because the wrapping material is not creased at any stage. The apparatus may also be scaled according to the capacity of the production facility. In case one folding device and two holder means are provided, they may be used such that the front end of the package is folded first, and the rear end of the product package is folded when the package has moved forward on the conveyor apparatus and the folding device has turned by 180°. For a higher capacity requirement, at both ends of the product package there may be one or two folding devices and two holder means, whereby both ends of the product package may be folded by their respective devices. The product package may also move during folding. The folding part and a holder means of an auxiliary tool may move with the product package during folding, which speeds up the product package lead time. Robots may handle the folding, holding, lowering down and fastening of the wrapping material automatically, whereby heavy manual work is not needed at all.
[0008] According to an example embodiment of the first solution, the apparatus may further comprise at least one fastening means that may be configured to fasten the wrapping materials folded to the at least one side of the product package to each other or to the package. By means of the at least one fastening means, the corner folds may be fastened neatly, whereby they are not able to be torn during transport. The packaging materials may also be fastened to each other, whereby the surface of the package is not damaged.
[0009] According to an example embodiment of the first solution, the apparatus may further comprise at least one auxiliary tool, wherein the at least one auxiliary tool may comprise at least one holder means. Separate auxiliary tools may enable the wrapping material to be held from the lower surface of the wrapping material.
[0010] According to an example embodiment of the first solution, the auxiliary tool may comprise at least one holder means and a robot. The robot may be an articulated boom robot or a manipulator.
[0011] According to an example embodiment of the first solution, the auxiliary tool may be arranged to hold, by means of the holder means, the wrapping material folded from above to the side of the product package at a distance of the turning angle from the side of the product package; and hold the wrapping material between the holder means and the press part. The holder means may hold the wrapping material up, whereby the folding means may fold excess packaging material present at the end of the package under the edge of the wrapping material moved downwards from above. In addition, the wrapping material may be kept between the holder means and the press part, whereby it is not able to drop down and be creased, enabling a neat folded edge. The wrapping material may be fastened non-slidably between the holder means and the press part when the product package moves forward during folding. This way the wrapping material stays securely in its place between the holder means and the press part, whereby it may be for example pulled and / or straightened, if necessary, by means of the holder means and the press part.
[0012] According to an example embodiment of the first solution, the at least one auxiliary tool may be arranged to be pulled away from under the wrapping material when the at least one folding means has returned back to its initial position; and may be arranged to be lifted up to support the wrapping material from the at least one side as the product package moves forward. The auxiliary tool may hold the wrapping material from below. In addition, it may also press the wrapping material against the side when the auxiliary tool has been lifted to a vertical position.
[0013] According to an example embodiment of the first solution, the press part may comprise at least one holder means. The holder means may be disposed on the lower surface of the press part, whereby separate auxiliary tools are not needed for holding the wrapping material and keeping it in place at a distance of the turning angle from the side of the package. The holder means of the press part may further be used for straightening the wrapping material.
[0014] According to an example embodiment of the first solution, the apparatus may comprise a holder means of the auxiliary tool and a holder means of the press part. In this case, the holder means of the auxiliary tool may be used for holding the wrapping material and the holder means of the press part may be used for holding the wrapping material and / or for straightening the wrapping material.
[0015] According to an example embodiment of the first solution, the holder means may be a suction plate which may be arranged to hold the wrapping material and keep it at a distance of the turning angle from the side of the package, to pull and / or straighten the wrapping material. The suction plate may suck the upper surface of the wrapping material against the press part, whereby it stays up without other support. In addition, by means of the suction plate the wrapping material may be straightened, if necessary.
[0016] According to an example embodiment of the first solution, the apparatus may further comprise a spreading and cutting device for spreading the wrapping material over the product package and for cutting it. By means of the spreading and cutting device the wrapping material may be lowered down close to the conveyor base. In addition, a force-controlled pulling device may be used to ensure that the wrapping material is provided accurately at the right point.
[0017] According to an example embodiment of the first solution, the apparatus may further comprise a conveyor base or an automated guided vehicle system for moving the product package. The conveyor base or the automated guided vehicle system may facilitate the movement of the package.
[0018] According to an example embodiment of the first solution, the folding tool may further comprise at least one auxiliary frame adjustable according to the width of the product package and / or at least one locking device for locking the wrapping material to the surface of the package. The locking device may press the wrapping material at the front and / or the back part against the surface of the package for the time of folding, such that it is not able to slide during folding. The adjustable auxiliary frame may enable the packaging of product packages of different widths. By means of the locking device the wrapping material may be locked or pressed to the surface of the package by different methods.
[0019] According to an example embodiment of the first solution, the folding means may be configured to turn about its own vertical axis and / or horizontal axis; and / or the press part may be configured to turn about its own vertical axis and / or horizontal axis. The folding means and / or the press part turning in different directions may provide different folding, holding and fastening positions for the wrapping material. Also, the folding device and / or the auxiliary tool may be configured to turn about their own vertical axis.
[0020] According to an example embodiment of the first solution, the apparatus may comprise at least one wrapping material holder device for holding the wrapping material at a distance of the turning angle from a first and / or a second side of the product package. There may be a separate holder device disposed at different points on the sides of the package and it may hold the wrapping material up, if necessary. There may be one or more of the holder devices on one or both sides of the package. The holder device may comprise at least one press part that may comprise at least one holder means. One or more holder devices may be disposed at a frame structure located above the package. The holder means may be a suction plate that may grip the upper surface of the packaging material and hold it up or straighten the packaging material. The at least one press part may be moved in different positions, for example from a horizontal position down to the sides of the package. The press part may thus move for example to a distance of the turning angle α from the first and the second side of the product package. The turning angle α may be for example 0°-90°.
[0021] According to an example embodiment of the first solution, at least one of the following comprises an articulated boom robot or a manipulator: folding device, auxiliary tool and / or wrapping material holder device.
[0022] According to an example embodiment of the first solution, the folding device, the auxiliary tool and / or the wrapping material holder device may comprise an articulated boom robot or a manipulator. Different robots or systems may be used depending on the capacity requirements or application alternatives.
[0023] According to an example embodiment of the first solution, the folding device, the auxiliary tool and / or the wrapping material holder device may further comprise at least one of the following for enabling the movements of the folding device, the auxiliary tool and / or the wrapping material holder device: electrically operated actuator and / or pneumatically operated actuator. Different actuators may be used for moving the folding device, the auxiliary tool and / or the wrapping material holder device.
[0024] According to an example embodiment of the first solution, the apparatus may comprise at least one folding device, which at least one folding device may comprise one or two folding means. If the apparatus comprises two folding means, both sides of the front and / or the back end of the product package may be wrapped by one folding device. This kind of a folding device may be best suited for wrapping narrower product packages. In case the folding device comprises one folding means, both sides of the front and the back end of the product package may have to be wrapped by their respective folding devices. This may enable the wrapping of both narrow and wide product packages.
[0025] According to an example embodiment of the first solution, the apparatus may comprise at least one folding device, which at least one folding device may comprise two folding means that may be configured to wrap both sides of the front end of the product package or of the back end of the product package at the same time. The folding device comprising two folding means may wrap the sides of both the front end and the back end, because the folding device may be turned by 180°.
[0026] According to an example embodiment of the first solution, the apparatus may comprise four folding devices, of which each folding device may comprise one folding means that may be configured to wrap one side of the front end of the product package or of the back end of the product package. As a folding device having only one folding means may not be turned from the front end to the back end, separate apparatuses may have to be used at the front and the back end for each side. In case high wrapping capacity is required and the product packages are wide, using four different folding devices may speed up the wrapping.
[0027] A second solution comprises a method for protecting angular-shaped product packages with wrapping material by means of an apparatus. The apparatus may comprise at least one folding device that may comprise at least one folding means and at least one press part; and at least one holder means, in which method wrapping material extending over the edges of an upper surface of the product package may be pressed, by means of the at least one press part, down to a distance of a turning angle from at least one side of the product package; the wrapping material folded from above to the at least one side of the product package may be held, by means of the at least one holder means, and kept at a distance of the turning angle from the at least one side of the product package; wrapping material extending over the side edges of an end of the product package may be folded, by means of the at least one folding means, against the at least one side of the product package and the at least one folding means may be returned back to the initial position; and the wrapping material extending over the upper surface of the product package may be pressed down, by the at least one press part, over the wrapping material folded by means of the at least one folding means. By means of the apparatus, neat and accurate folding for the package fitting the corners of the package may be enabled. On the sides of the package, the wrapping material may also be pressed down in a controlled manner, which leads to a better quality because the paper is not creased at any stage. In addition, the apparatus may be scaled according to the capacity of the production facility. The product package may also move continuously during folding of the wrapping material, which speeds up the product package lead time. Robots may handle the folding, holding, lowering down and fastening of the wrapping material automatically, whereby heavy manual work is not needed at all.
[0028] According to an example embodiment of the second solution, the method may comprise protecting angular-shaped product packages with wrapping material by means of an apparatus. The apparatus may comprise at least one folding device comprising at least two folding means and at least two press parts; and at least two holder means, in which method wrapping material extending over the edges of an upper surface of the product package may be pressed, by means of the at least two press parts, down to a distance of a turning angle from a first and a second side of the product package; the wrapping material folded from above to the sides of the product package may be held, by means of the at least two holder means, and kept at a distance of the turning angle from the first and the second side of the product package; wrapping material extending over the side edges of an end of the product package may be folded, by means of the at least two folding means, against the first and the second side of the product package and the at least two folding means may be returned back to the initial position; and the wrapping material extending over the upper surface of the product package may be pressed down, by the at least two press parts, over the wrapping materials folded by means of the at least two folding means.
[0029] According to an example embodiment of the second solution, the at least one folding apparatus and the at least one holder means may move, during folding, simultaneously with the product package to be protected. The wrapping material of the package may be folded at the same time as the package moves forward, which may streamline and speed up the packaging.
[0030] According to an example embodiment of the second solution, the apparatus may further comprise at least one fastening means that may fasten the packaging materials folded to the at least one side of the product package to each other or to the package.
[0031] According to an example embodiment of the second solution, the apparatus may further comprise at least one auxiliary tool, wherein each of the at least one auxiliary tool may comprise at least one holder means.
[0032] According to an example embodiment of the second solution, the auxiliary tool may hold, by means of the holder means, the wrapping material folded from above to the side of the product package at a distance of the turning angle from the side of the product package; and hold the wrapping material between the holder means and the press part.
[0033] According to an example embodiment of the second solution, the auxiliary tool may be pulled away from under the wrapping material when the at least one folding means has returned back to its initial position; and the auxiliary tool may be lifted up to support the wrapping material from the side as the product package moves forward.
[0034] According to an example embodiment of the second solution, the press part may comprise at least one holder means.
[0035] According to an example embodiment of the second solution, the holder means of the press plate may be a suction plate which may hold the wrapping material and keep it at a distance of the turning angle from the side of the package and / or straighten the wrapping material.
[0036] According to an example embodiment of the second solution, the apparatus may further comprise a spreading and cutting device, in which method the wrapping material is spread over the product package and cut.
[0037] According to an example embodiment of the second solution, the folding means may be turned about its own vertical axis and / or horizontal axis; and / or the press part may be turned about its own vertical axis and / or horizontal axis.
[0038] According to an example embodiment of the second solution, the apparatus may comprise at least one wrapping material holder device by which the wrapping material may be held at a distance of the turning angle from a first and / or a second side of the product package.DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0039] The invention will now be described in more detail, in connection with preferred embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
[0040] FIG. 1 schematically shows one apparatus for protecting angular-shaped product packages with wrapping material according to an example embodiment;
[0041] FIG. 2 schematically shows the apparatus of FIG. 1 in a different position according to an example embodiment;
[0042] FIG. 3 schematically shows the location of wrapping material between a press part and a holder means according to an example embodiment; and
[0043] FIG. 4 schematically shows one method for protecting angular-shaped product packages with wrapping material according to an example embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0044] The detailed description of the invention given below with reference to the examples of the figures discloses various implementations of the invention. However, the invention is not limited to these examples only, but the implementations of the invention may vary within the scope of the claims.
[0045] A solution according to one example embodiment comprises an apparatus for protecting angular-shaped product packages with wrapping material. The apparatus may comprise at least one folding device that may comprise at least one folding means and at least one press part. In addition, the apparatus may comprise at least one holder means. The apparatus may be arranged to press wrapping material extending over the edges of an upper surface of the product package down to a distance of a turning angle from a first and / or a second side of the product package. In addition, the apparatus may be arranged to hold the wrapping material folded from above to the at least one side of the product package and keep it at a distance of the turning angle from the first and / or the second side of the product package, fold wrapping material extending over at least one side edge of an end of the product package against the first and / or the second side of the product package and return the at least one folding means back to the initial position, and press down the wrapping material extending over the upper surface of the product package.
[0046] The angular-shaped product package may be for example cubic or rectangular. The product package may be a wood product package. These kinds of product packages are for example sawn timber and / or plywood bundles. The package may be protected at least from all four upper sides. In some special cases the so-called rear end may be left without folding.
[0047] According to one example embodiment, the wrapping material is plastic, paper, cardboard, paper mix made of renewable material or paper coated with different materials, e.g. an adhesive surface on at least part of the lower surface.
[0048] The folded wrapping material over the package may be fastened either in connection with folding or later. The fastening means may comprise at least one of the following: stapler-nailer, glue gun, thermal element and / or seamer.
[0049] Articulated boom robots may be utilized or manipulator technology may be used in the apparatus.
[0050] The apparatus may be scaled according to the capacity requirement of the production facility. There may be provided only one apparatus, by which the front end of the package is folded first, and the rear end of the package is folded as the package is moving forward on the conveyor apparatus. For a higher capacity requirement there may be two apparatuses, whereby both ends of the package may be folded simultaneously. According to one example embodiment, the apparatus comprises at least one folding device that may comprise at least two folding means, at least two press parts and at least two holder means.
[0051] According to one example embodiment, the apparatus comprises at least four folding devices, each comprising one folding means. There may be two folding devices at the front end and two at the back end. The front end of the package may be folded by two folding devices and the rear end of the package is folded by two folding devises. Thereby both ends of the package may be simultaneously folded. Each folding device may comprise one folding means, at least one press part and at least one holder means.
[0052] FIG. 1 schematically shows one apparatus 1 for protecting angular-shaped product packages 2 with wrapping material 3 according to an example embodiment. The example of FIG. 2 schematically shows the apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 with a folding device 5 ready to fold the packaging material 3.
[0053] In the embodiment of FIG. 1 the apparatus 1 is in an initial position in which a press part 6 and a holder means 7 are disposed up in a horizontal position at the sides of the package and the folding means 5 are located up in front of the package 2. In the embodiment of FIG. 2 the apparatus 1 is ready for folding the wrapping material 3, whereby the press parts 6 and the holder means 7 are at a distance of a turning angle α from a first and a second side 10, 11 of the product package 2 and the folding means 5 are in an initial position. In FIG. 1 the wrapping material rolls may be installed above the apparatus 1, from where the wrapping material 3 may be easily pulled over the product package 2 for wrapping.
[0054] According to one example embodiment, the apparatus 1 comprises at least one folding device 4 comprising at least two folding means 5 and at least two press parts 6. The folding device 4 may further comprise at least two holder means 7, 16. The apparatus may be configured to press, by means of the at least two press parts 6, wrapping material 3 extending over the edges of an upper surface 9 of the product package 2 from its upper surface down to a distance of a turning angle α from the first and the second side 10, 11 of the product package. In addition, the apparatus may be configured to hold, by means of the at least two holder means 7, 16, the wrapping material 3 folded from above to the sides of the product package 2 and keep it at a distance of the turning angle α from the first and the second side 10, 11 of the product package 2. The apparatus may be configured to fold, by means of the at least two folding means 5, wrapping material 3 extending over the side edges of an end 12 of the product package against the first and the second side 10, 11 of the product package and return the at least two folding means 5 back to the initial position, and press down the wrapping material 3 extending over the upper surface 9 of the product package, by the at least two press parts 6, over the wrapping materials 3 folded by means of the at least two folding means 5.
[0055] According to one example embodiment, the apparatus 1 comprises at least one folding device 4 comprising at least one folding means 5 and at least one press part 6. The folding device 4 may further comprise at least one holder means 7, 16. The apparatus may be configured to press, by means of the at least one press part 6, wrapping material 3 extending over the edges of an upper surface 9 of the product package 2 from its upper surface down to a distance of a turning angle α from a first and / or a second side 10, 11 of the product package 2. In addition, the apparatus may be configured to hold, by means of the at least one holder means 7, 16, the wrapping material 3 folded from above to the sides of the product package 2 and keep it at a distance of the turning angle α from the first and / or the second side 10, 11 of the product package 2. The apparatus may be configured to fold, by means of the at least one folding means 5, wrapping material 3 extending over the side edges of an end 12 of the product package 2 against the first and / or the second side 10, 11 of the product package 2 and return the at least one folding means 5 back to the initial position, and press down the wrapping material 3 extending over the upper surface 9 of the product package 2, by the at least one press part 6, over the wrapping materials 3 folded by means of the at least one folding means 5.
[0056] According to one example embodiment, the apparatus 1 comprises at least one folding device comprising, contrary to FIGS. 1 and 2, one folding means 5 and one press part 6. The folding device may further comprise one holder means 7, 16.
[0057] According to one example embodiment, the apparatus 1 comprises four folding devices. Two folding devices may be disposed at the front end of the product package 2 and two at the back end of the product package 2. Each of these four folding devices may comprise, contrary to FIGS. 1 and 2, only one folding means 5. This means that the folding means 5 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 may be divided into two parts. Thereby the front end of the package 2 may be folded by two separate folding devices and the back end of the package 2 may be folded by two separate folding devices. Otherwise, folding of the product package 2 is carried out in a similar way. Thus, both ends of the product package 2 may be folded simultaneously. In addition, a folding device 5 provided at each corner may enable the product packages 2 of different widths to be wrapped. The apparatus 1 may comprise four folding devices. Each folding device may comprise one folding means 5, at least one press part 6 and at least one holder means. 7, 16
[0058] According to one example embodiment, the folding means 5 may move at a folding angle β that may be for example 0°-90°. Preferably, the folding angle β may be 45° in an initial position. The folding angle β may be 90° when the folding means 5 is pressing the wrapping material 3 to the side 10, 11 of the product package 2. According to one example embodiment, when the folding means 5 is being lowered down, the folding means may be disposed to the initial position. Thereby the folding angle β may be for example 45°. In the example of FIG. 1 the folding means 5 has been lowered down from above to the initial position at a folding angle β that is 45°. In the example of FIG. 2 the folding means 5 has been lowered down from above to a folding angle β that is 90°, whereat the folding is carried out.
[0059] According to one example embodiment, the folding device 4 may comprise a folding part 21. The folding part 21 may comprise at least one of the following: folding means 5, press part 6, holder means 16, auxiliary frame 14, fastening means 8, locking means 15 and / or actuator. The folding device 4 may further comprise a robot 22 that may be configured to move the folding part 21. The robot 22 may be an articulated boom robot or a manipulator. The folding part 21 may turn about its axis.
[0060] In addition, the folding apparatus 4 may comprise at least one auxiliary frame 14 adjustable according to the width of the package 2 and / or at least one locking device 15 for locking the wrapping material 3 to the surface of the package 2. The folding means 5 and the press part 6 may be fastened to the auxiliary frame 14.
[0061] According to one example embodiment, the folding means 5 and / or the press part 6 may be configured to turn about their respective vertical axis and / or horizontal axis. This may provide different folding, holding and fastening positions for the wrapping material 3.
[0062] According to one example embodiment, the folding device 4 may comprise at least one actuator 18. The actuator 18 may be at least one of the following: electrically operated actuator and / or pneumatically operated actuator for enabling the movements of the folding device 4. The locking device 15 may be for example a pneumatically operated actuator.
[0063] According to one example embodiment, the apparatus 1 further comprises at least one auxiliary tool 13 that comprises at least one holder means 7. By means of the auxiliary tool 13, the wrapping material 3 may be held from the lower surface by means of the holder means 7.
[0064] According to one example embodiment, the auxiliary tool 13 may comprise at least one holder means 7 and a robot 22. The robot 22 may be an articulated boom robot or a manipulator.
[0065] According to one example embodiment, the auxiliary tool 13 may be arranged to hold, by means of the holder means 7, the wrapping material 3 folded from above to the side 10, 11 of the product package 2 at a distance of the turning angle α from the side 10, 11 of the product package. In addition, the holder means 7 may keep and hold the wrapping material 3 between the holder means 7 and the press part 6. The wrapping material 3 may be disposed non-slidably between the holder means 7 and the press part 6.
[0066] According to one example embodiment, the auxiliary tool 13 may be pulled away from under the wrapping material 3 when the folding means 5 has returned back to its initial position. The at least one holder means 7 of the auxiliary tool 13 may be pulled away from under the wrapping material. The at least one holder means 7 may also be lifted up to support the wrapping material 3 from the side 10, 11 of the package 2 as the product package 2 moves forward.
[0067] The turning angle α may be preferably 0°-90°. As seen in FIG. 1, the press part lies horizontally, whereby the turning angle α is 90°. FIG. 2 illustrates a situation where the folding means 5 is folding the wrapping material 3 at the end under the wrapping materials disposed on the sides 10, 11. In the folding situation the turning angle α is preferably 20°. After folding, when the folding means 5 has been pulled out, the holder means 7 is pulled out from under the wrapping materials 3 disposed on the side 10, 11 for example when the turning angle α is 200. After this, the press part 6 may be lowered down to a turning angle of 0° and may press the angled wrapping materials 3 against each other. Thereby also the fastening means 8 may, if necessary, fasten the wrapping material 3 against each other or against the package 2. However, fastening may also be carried out later after folding at a suitable time. The fastening may be carried out for example when the bands are fastened over the package 2.
[0068] According to one example embodiment, the press part 6 comprises at least one holder means 16. The holder means 16 may be disposed on the lower surface of the press part 6. The holder means 16 may be a suction plate 19 which may be arranged to hold the wrapping material 3 from its upper surface and keep it at a distance of the turning angle α from the side 10, 11 of the package 2. The holder means 16 of the press part 6 may further be used for pulling and / or straightening the wrapping material 3.
[0069] According to one example embodiment, the apparatus comprises at least one holder means 7 of the auxiliary tool 13 and at least one holder means 16 of the press part 6. The holder means 7 of the auxiliary tool 13 may be used for holding the wrapping material from below and the holder means 7 of the press part 6 may be used for holding, straightening and / or pulling the wrapping material 3.
[0070] According to one example embodiment, the apparatus comprises at least one folding device 4 comprising at least one holder means 16 of at least one press part 6. This differs from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, because the auxiliary tool 13 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is in this case not needed at all. The holder means 16 of the press part 6 may be used for holding the wrapping material 3 from above the wrapping material 3. In addition, it may be used for straightening and / or pulling the wrapping material 3.
[0071] According to one example embodiment, the apparatus 1 comprises a spreading and cutting device for spreading the wrapping material 3 over the product package 2 and for cutting it. For the sake of clarity, the spreading and cutting device has not been shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. According to one example embodiment, the apparatus 1 comprises a conveyor base 17 or an automated guided vehicle system for moving the product package 2.
[0072] According to one example embodiment, the folding device 4, the holder device and / or the auxiliary tool 13 of the apparatus 1 comprises a robot 22. The robot 22 may be for example an articulated boom robot or a manipulator.
[0073] According to one example embodiment, the apparatus 1 comprises at least one separate wrapping material holder device for holding the wrapping material 3 at a distance of the turning angle α from the first and / or the second side 10 of the product package 2. The separate holder device may be disposed at different points on the side 10, 12 of the package 2 There may be one or more of the holder devices on both sides 10, 11 of the package 2. The holder device may comprise at least one press part 6 that may comprise at least one holder means 16. The holder means 16 may be a suction plate 19 that may grip the surface of the packaging material 3 and hold it up, pull and / or straighten the packaging material 3. One or more holder devices may be disposed at a frame structure located above the package. The at least one press part 6 may be moved in different positions, for example from a horizontal position down to the sides 10, 11 of the package 2. The press part 6 may thus move for example to a distance of the turning angle α from the first or the second side of the product package 2. The turning angle α may be for example 0°-90°.
[0074] The example of FIG. 3 schematically shows the location of the wrapping material 3 between the press part 6 and the holder means 7. Thus, the wrapping material may be held up while the sides are folded. The wrapping material 3 may be disposed non-slidably between the press part 6 and the holder means 7.
[0075] According to one example embodiment, the protection of the package 2 with the wrapping material 3 may be started by the spreading and cutting device lowering down the wrapping material 3 close to the conveyor base 17. In addition, a force-controlled pulling device may be used to ensure the wrapping material 3 accurately at the right point. The product package 2 to be wrapped may travel along the conveyor base 17 or on board an automated guided vehicle to the wrapping station. When the package 2 contacts the surface of the wrapping material 3, the at least one folding device 4 may come into contact with the package 2 from the opposite side. The wrapping material 3 may be locked or pressed to the end 12 of the package 2 by means of the at least one locking device 15. The package 2 and the folding device 4 may move forward simultaneously during the folding. The auxiliary tools 13 may be brought to support the wrapping material 3 lowered down from both sides 10, 11 of the package 2 from the corner of the product package and from the folding point, preventing the wrapping material from falling down to the sides, which allows the folding means 5 to be operated. The folding means 5 may push the wrapping material 3 to the sides 10, 11 of the package. At the same time, the auxiliary tool 13 and the press parts of the folding device 4 may be lowered downwards to support the folding operation. The press parts 6 may be plate-type press plates. The cooperation of the at least one folding device 4 and the at least one auxiliary tool 13 may be continued as far as possible to ensure good and the most accurate folding fitting the corners of the package. After folding, the auxiliary tool 13 may be pulled away from between the wrapping material 3. The holder means 7 of the auxiliary tool 13 may also be lifted up to support the wrapping material from the side 10, 11 of the package 2 while the package 2 is moving forward. After this, the folding means 5 may be turned away. The at least one folding device 4 may also operate without the auxiliary tool 13, whereby the holder means 16 of the press parts 6 handle the holding of the packaging material 3.
[0076] In an example embodiment in which the wrapping material 3 is to be locked at this stage, it is carried out next. Thus, the fastening means 8 fastened to the press part 6 may fasten the wrapping material 3 against the package 2 or against each other.
[0077] Without locking or after locking, the package 2 may be driven forward according to the length of the package 2 and the folding of a back end 20 may be carried out in the same way as the folding of the front end 12.
[0078] According to one example embodiment, folding is carried out by means of the at least one folding device 4 and the at least one auxiliary tool 13, or by means of the at least one folding device 4. In case folding is carried out by means of one folding device 4 and at least two auxiliary tools 13 or alternatively by means of one folding device 4, they / it may be turned by 180° at the back end 20.
[0079] According to one example embodiment, the apparatus 1 comprises, at both ends of the package 2, one or two folding devices 4 and at least two auxiliary tools 13, or, at both ends, one or two folding devices 4. In case the auxiliary tools 13 are not used, the holder means 16 of the press part 6 may be used instead for holding the packaging material 3.
[0080] According to one example embodiment, the folding device 4 and / or auxiliary tool may turn by 0°-360° about its axis.
[0081] The example of FIG. 4 schematically shows one method for protecting angular-shaped product packages 2 with wrapping material 3 by means of an apparatus 1, the apparatus 1 comprising at least one folding device 4 comprising at least one folding means 5 and at least one press part 6. In addition, the apparatus may comprise at least one holder means 7, 16.
[0082] In step 400, in accordance with the method, wrapping material 3 extending over the edges of an upper surface of the product package 2 may be pressed, by means of the at least one press part 6, down to a distance of a turning angle α from a first and a second side 10, 11 of the product package 2.
[0083] In step 410, in accordance with the method, the wrapping material 3 folded from above to the sides of the product package 2 may be held, by means of the at least two holder means 7, 16, and kept at a distance of the turning angle α from at least one side 10, 11 of the product package 2.
[0084] In step 420, in accordance with the method, wrapping material 3 extending over the side edges of an end 12, 20 of the product package 2 may be folded, by means of the at least one folding means 5, against the at least one side 10, 11 of the product package 2 and the at least one folding means 5 may be returned back to the initial position.
[0085] In step 430, in accordance with the method, the wrapping material 3 extending over the upper surface 9 of the product package may be pressed down, by the at least one press part 6, over the wrapping material 3 folded by means of the at least one folding means 5.
[0086] Other features of the method follow directly, for example, from the functions and parameters of the apparatus 1 and its systems, as described in the accompanying claims and in the entire specification, and are therefore not repeated herein. Various modifications of the methods may also be applied as described in connection with various example embodiments.
[0087] All ranges or device values provided herein may be expanded or changed without losing the intended effect. Further, any embodiment may be combined with another embodiment, unless explicitly disallowed.
[0088] Although the subject matter has been described using language specific to structural features and / or operations, it will be understood that the subject matter defined in the accompanying claims is not necessarily limited to the above-described special features or operations. Rather, the above-described special features and operations are given as an example of implementing the claims, and other corresponding features and operations are intended to fall within the scope of the claims.
[0089] It will be understood that the benefits described above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments. The embodiments are not limited to those that solve any or all of the stated problems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits. It will also be understood that a reference to “a device or an assembly” may refer to one or more of these devices or assemblies.
[0090] The steps or operations of the methods described herein may be carried out in any suitable order or simultaneously, if necessary. Further, individual steps may be removed from any method without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein. The features of any embodiment described above may be combined with features of any other embodiment as described to form further embodiments without losing the intended effect.
[0091] It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that with the advancement of technology, the basic idea of the invention may be implemented in many different ways. The above description, examples and information provide a description of the structure and use of the example embodiments. Although various embodiments have been described above on a specific level or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, persons skilled in the art can make numerous modifications to the presented embodiments without departing from the scope of application of this disclosure. Thus, the invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above, but may vary within the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. -18. (canceled)19. An apparatus for protecting angular-shaped product packages with wrapping material, the apparatus comprisingat least one folding device comprising at least one folding means and at least one press part; andat least one holder means, which apparatus is arranged topress, by means of the at least one press part, wrapping material extending over the edges of an upper surface of the product package down to a distance of a turning angle from at least one side of the product package;hold, by means of the at least one holder means, the wrapping material folded from above to the at least one side of the product package and keep it at a distance of the turning angle from the at least one side of the product package;fold, by means of the at least one folding means, wrapping material extending over at least one side edge of an end of the product package against the at least one side of the product package and return the at least one folding means back to the initial position; andpress down the wrapping material extending over the upper surface of the product package, by the at least one press part, over the wrapping material folded by means of the at least one folding means.
20. The apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising at least one fastening means configured to fasten the wrapping materials folded to the at least one side of the product package to each other or to the product package.
21. The apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising at least one auxiliary tool, wherein the at least one auxiliary tool comprises at least one holder means.
22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the auxiliary tool is arranged to hold, by means of the holder means, the wrapping material folded from above to the side of the product package at a distance of the turning angle from the side of the product package; andhold the wrapping material between the holder means and the press part.
23. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the at least one auxiliary tool is arrangedwhen the at least one folding means has returned back to its initial position; andto be lifted up to support the wrapping material from the at least one side as the product package moves forward.
24. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the press part comprises at least one holder means.
25. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the holder means is a suction plate which is arranged to hold the wrapping material and keep it at a distance of the turning angle from the side of the package, to pull and / or straighten the wrapping material.
26. The apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a spreading and cutting device for spreading the wrapping material over the product package and for cutting it.
27. The apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a conveyor base or an automated guided vehicle system for moving the product package.
28. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the folding tool further comprises at least one auxiliary frame adjustable according to the width of the product package and / or at least one locking device for locking the wrapping material to the surface of the product package.
29. The apparatus according to claim 19, whereinthe folding means is configured to turn about its own vertical axis and / or horizontal axis; and / orthe press part is configured to turn about its own vertical axis and / or horizontal axis.
30. The apparatus according to claim 19, which comprises at least one wrapping material holder device for holding the wrapping material at a distance of the turning angle from a first and / or a second side of the product package.
31. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein at least one of the following comprises an articulated boom robot or a manipulator: folding device, auxiliary tool and / or wrapping material holder device.
32. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the folding device, the auxiliary tool and / or the wrapping material holder device further comprises at least one of the following for enabling the movements of the folding device, the auxiliary tool and / or the wrapping material holder device: electrically operated actuator and / or pneumatically operated actuator.
33. The apparatus according to claim 19, which comprises at least one folding device, the at least one folding device comprising one or two folding means.
34. The apparatus according to claim 19, which comprises at least one folding device, the at least one folding device comprising two folding means configured to wrap both sides of the front end of the product package and / or of the back end of the product package.
35. The apparatus according to claim 19, which comprises at least four folding devices, each folding device comprising one folding means configured to wrap one side of the front end of the product package or of the back end of the product package.
36. A method for protecting angular-shaped product packages with wrapping material by means of an apparatus, the apparatus comprisingat least one folding device comprising at least one folding means and at least one press part; andat least one holder means, in which methodwrapping material extending over the edges of an upper surface of the product package is pressed, by means of the at least one press part, down to a distance of a turning angle from at least one side of the product package;the wrapping material folded from above to the at least one side of the product package is held, by means of the at least one holder means, and kept at a distance of the turning angle from the at least one side of the product package;wrapping material extending over at least one side edge of an end of the product package is folded, by means of the at least one folding means, against the at least one side of the product package and the at least one folding means is returned back to the initial position; andthe wrapping material extending over the upper surface of the product package is pressed down, by the at least one press part, over the wrapping material folded by means of the at least one folding means.