Container Group Wrapping With Pre-Shrink Edge Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging methods using web materials like shrink film or paper webs often result in creases, distortions, and illegible printed motifs on containers due to the shrinking process, especially when using printed foils, leading to perceived quality defects.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that applies adhesive to the web material before wrapping, fixing it to the container's end faces, minimizing distortion and creases by ensuring the web material is securely bonded before shrinking, using a device with an adhesive application system integrated into the folding and wrapping process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If shrink film is used to wrap and shrink containers, then the containers are held firmly together, but the film creates creases, distortions, and illegible printed motifs on the container surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding forceVSAvoidsurface quality
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The web material is pre-folded along its longitudinal edges before wrapping, creating predetermined fold lines that guide the material during the shrinking process. This preliminary folding action prevents random crease formation and maintains surface quality while still achieving secure container binding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The web material is divided into multiple longitudinal sections with individual fold lines, allowing each section to be independently managed during shrinking. This segmentation prevents continuous distortion across the entire surface and maintains printed motif legibility by creating controlled, localized folding patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If web material is tensioned and taut during wrapping, then the package structure is stabilized, but the web material on front and back surfaces becomes distorted and creased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackage structureVSAvoidweb material surface
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The web material is pre-folded along longitudinal edges before the wrapping and shrinking processes. This preliminary folding creates structural stability through defined crease lines while preventing surface distortion during tensioning, as the folds are already established in controlled positions rather than forming randomly under tension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Area of stationary object

If excess film is present on the sides during shrinking, then complete coverage is achieved, but the film adheres to end faces creating shrink eyes and wrinkles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidsurface smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The web material is pre-folded along its longitudinal edges to create predetermined fold lines before wrapping. During shrinking, these pre-formed folds guide the excess film to adhere along the longitudinal edges rather than creating random shrink eyes on the end faces, maintaining surface smoothness while achieving complete coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The folding and shrinking process is designed to concentrate excess film adherence at specific longitudinal locations rather than distributing it randomly across all surfaces. This localizes the adhesion effect to controlled areas, preventing wrinkle formation on critical surface areas while maintaining overall coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Prevents distortion of the web material during shrinking, maintains the integrity of printed motifs, and reduces wrinkling, creating a smooth, high-quality package appearance with minimal film usage.

Implementation Method 1

an adhesive application device arranged in the region of the transport path which is designed to apply adhesive to the inside of the web blank and in the region of the longitudinal side edges of the film blank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

In the case of shrink film, the film is then shrinked so that the containers are held firmly together by the web material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal contraction: Thermal Contraction

Data Source

PatentEP3880561B1Device and method for wrapping container groups
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 KHS GMBH
  • EP3880561B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3880561B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3880561B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

The invention relates to a device and a method for producing packaging wrapped with a web material, comprising a packaging transport device which transports the packaging through a folding and/or wrapping device, wherein the folding and/or wrapping device comprises a wrapping element, which is guided about the packaging transport device, for receiving the web material and for wrapping the packaging with the film, and a cutting station is provided which is designed to cut the web material and comprises a transport device for transporting and supplying web blanks to the packaging transport device. An adhesive application device is to be arranged in the region of the transport device, said adhesive application device being designed to apply adhesive to the inner face of the web blank and in the region of the longitudinal lateral edges of the web blank in order to adhere the longitudinal lateral edges of the web blank to the end faces of the packaging prior to shrinking the web blank.