AU2009202095A1

AU2009202095A1 - Device and method for packaging of flat objects

Info

Publication number: AU2009202095A1
Application number: AU2009202095A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ernst Moeckli
Original assignee: Ferag AG
Current assignee: Ferag AG
Priority date: 2008-05-28
Filing date: 2009-05-27
Publication date: 2009-12-17
Also published as: CA2666961A1; EP2128029A1; US20090293432A1

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant(s): FERAG AG Invention Title: Device and method for packaging of flat objects The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: P81058.AU PatStFIlng AppUcation 2009-5-27.doc (M) - 2 DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PACKAGING OF FLAT OBJECTS The invention relates to a device and a method for s packaging of flat objects, in particular of flat, bendable printed products, according to the generic term of the corresponding independent claims. STATE OF THE ART Devices for packaging of flat objects, in particular e.g. 10 newspapers, magazines, etc., into a plastic sheet or film are generally known, e.g. from EP 1 751 005. With film wrapped printed products such as magazines manufactured in this manner, the problem arises of supplementary products enclosed with the magazine sliding around inside the film is such that their position is not defined. If such film wrappedobjects are stacked they may slip in relation to one another such that the stack becomes unstable and difficult to handle. EP 0 397 580 shows a handling device for bottles, which 20 arrive in the device partly wrapped with shrink film. Grippers for holding the transported bottles are provided, which are designed for pivoting the bottles into a horizontal position. For this purpose the bottles must be stiff and they cannot be gripped in the region in which 25 they are covered by the shrink film. The pivoting of the bottle into the horizontal position is necessary in order for the bottle to be heated regularly and longitudinally when entering a heating channel for shrinking on the N:\Melbourne\Case \Patent\81000-81999\PL1058.AU\Spec8\GHSPECII.P81058AU.doc 27/05/09 -3 shrink film. DE 26 10 051 also discloses a handling device for bottles, which are partly wrapped with a shrink film. A specially shaped nozzle installation effects a selective shrinking 5 of a shrink film in a first region, such that the shrink film, when transported further, is fixed for complete shrinking on. In both DE 26 10 051 and EP 0 397 580 the bottle is not completely wrapped by the shrink film, because on the one io hand this contradicts the function of the shrink film with relation to the bottle, and in particular the shrink film covering the bottle's opening would seal the bottle there, which is not permissible. EP 01718 198 shows a packaging device for manufacture of a 15 shrink film wrapping and with subsequent shrinking but without the transporting of objects by means of grippers. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is thus the object of the invention to create a device and a method for packaging of flat objects of the named 20 kind, which removes the above named disadvantages. A further object is to create a method for packaging of flat, bendable objects, which does not deform the flat objects. N:J\Melbourne\Case.\Patent\81000-81999\P1058.AU\Specie\GHSPECII.P1058AU.doc 2/05/09 This object is achieved by a device and a method for packaging of flat objects with the characteristics of the corresponding independent claims. The method for packaging of flat objects, in particular of 5 flat, bendable printed products, comprises the following steps: " completely wrapping successive flat objects with a film wrapping by means of a film wrapping unit; 10 N gripping completely wrapped flat objects (for which purpose they are individualised, or separated) each with a gripper of a first conveying device; " transporting the wrapped flat objects by means is of the first conveying device to a shrinking unit, wherein the shrinking unit is spatially separated from the film wrapping unit; " shrinking the film wrappings onto the flat objects by means of the shrinking unit. 20 The flat objects are thus are (indirectly) gripped through the wrapping. The device for packaging of flat objects correspondingly 25 comprises: a film wrapping unit for wrapping of succeeding flat objects with a film wrapping; a first conveying device for gripping the completely wrapped flat objects each with a gripper and for transporting the completely wrapped flat objects to a shrinking unit, wherein the 30 shrinking unit is spatially separated from the film wrapping unit; wherein the shrinking unit is designed for N:\Melboure\Cases\Patenc\81000-B1999\P81058 AU\SpecIe\GMSPECII.P81058AU.doc 27/05/09 - 5 shrinking the film wrappings onto the flat objects. Thus it becomes possible to spatially separate the film wrapping unit from the shrinking unit, due to which again s a more flexible design of the system becomes possible. For example the distance between the film wrapping unit and the shrinking unit is at least 2 meters or at least 10 meters. Furthermore it also becomes possible to subsequently equip an installation with a shrinking unit 10 by integrating it into a consisting transport line. When shrinking the film wrappings onto the flat objects either the flat objects are held and transported by means of the grippers of the first conveying device, preferably 15 in a vertically hanging position, or they are handed over to a second conveying device before the shrinking of the film wrappings. While shrinking the film wrappings the flat objects are transported by means of the second conveying device. Thus it is possible to adapt the second 20 conveying device to constructional conditions of the shrinking unit and/or to prevent a detrimental strain on the first conveying device caused by the shrinking unit. Preferably after shrinking the flat objects are 25 transferred back from the second conveying device to the first conveying device. The transferring of the flat objects from the first to the second conveying device is preferably laid out such that it may be switched on and off. Thus it is possible to lead only individual chosen 30 flat objects into the shrinking unit and not to subject the remaining flat objects to shrinking. With an increasing individualisation of printed products this makes it possible to individually respond to the necessity N:\Melbourne\Ca/e/\Patent\81000-81999\P01059.AU\Speco\GHSPECII.P81058AU.do 27/05/09 - 6 of a shrinking depending on the number or the size of the object and of supplements. In a preferred embodiment of the invention an excess size s of the not yet shrunken film wrappings and the parameters of the shrinking (in particular time and temperature) are matched such that the film wrapping after shrinking is free of tensile stress, i.e. that a tensile stress in the film wrapping is substantially zero. Thus it is prevented io that a flexible printed product is contracted by the tensile stress of the film wrapping and is bent or crimped. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the conveying is device runs in at least one section between the film wrapping unit and the shrinking unit on a course above head height and/or is fastened to a ceiling of a building. The conveying device thus runs at least 2 to 3 meters above ground level. Thus the conveying device is 20 arrangeable such that it does not collide with other units or passages. Preferably the shrinking unit is hereby also arranged above head height and/or on a ceiling of a building. Thus an even more space-saving design of the installation is made possible. 25 In an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention the shrinking unit is arranged below head height and the first conveying device or a second conveying device conveys the flat objects from the height above head height 30 to the height below head height. Thus the accessibility of the shrinking unit is improved, though more space is required. N:\Melboure\Caoe\Patent\81000-81999\PB1OS5.AU\Specis\GHSPECI1.P8105AU.doc 27/05/09 -7 Further preferred embodiments emanate from the dependent claims. Hereby the characteristics of the method claims and those of the device claims may be correspondingly combined. 5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the following the object of the invention is explained in more detail on the basis of preferred embodiment 10 examples, which are shown in the enclosed drawings. Hereby, in a schematic manner: Figure 1 shows an overview of a device according to the invention; Figures 2 and 3 show further variants for feeding a 15 shrinking unit; and Figures 4a and 4b show an object wrapped in film before and after shrinking. The reference numerals in the drawings and their 20 denotations are summarized in the list of reference numerals. In the figures identical parts are basically denoted with identical reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 shows an overview of a device according to the 25 invention. A film wrapping unit 1 is installed for wrapping a sequence of flat objects 5. These are subsequently completely wrapped by a film wrapping 6, transported by grippers 4 of a first conveying device 2 to N:\Melborne\Case.\Patent\81000-81999\P61058 AU\Spece\GHSPECI1.P81058AU.doc 27/05/09 - 8 a shrinking unit 3 and through the shrinking unit 3. The shrinking unit 3 heats the film wrapping for shrinking, e.g. by means of thermal radiation or by means 5 of heated air, which is heated by means of electric energy or gas or oil and blown onto the wrapped flat objects 5. In Figure 1 the shrinking unit 3 is shown arranged above head height. Figure 2 shows a further variant for feeding 10 a shrinking unit 3, in which the shrinking unit 3 is mounted at ground level and the first conveying device 2 is lead from a course above head height back down to the height of the shrinking unit 3. is In Figures 1 and 2 the first conveying device transports the flat objects 5 with the grippers 4 through the region of the shrinking unit 3. Hereby the shrinking unit 3 is preferably designed to heat the flat objects 5 and the film wrapping 6 to a lesser degree in the region of the 20 grippers 4 than in other regions of the flat objects 5 or the film wrapping 6. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the shrinking unit 3 itself comprises additional gripping means or 25 retainers 4' (shown diagrammatically and in broken lines). These are arranged and activated for intermittent holding and transporting of the flat objects 5. The additional retainers 4' hold and transport the flat objects 5 for a determined length of time in a transport section of the 30 shrinking unit 3 synchronously with the grippers 4. The additional retainers 4' e.g. hold the objects 5 from one or from both sides or from above, but next to the gripper 4. The gripper 4 of the conveying device 2 temporarily N:\Melbourne\CaPeO\Ptent\81000-81999\PS105B.AU\Specio\GHSPECII.P81058AU.doc 27/05/09 -9 releases the flat objects 5 within this length of time. Thus it is possible to better expose the sections of film 6 held and covered by the grippers 4 to the heat of shrinking unit 3 and to shrink them. 5 Figure 3 shows a second variant for feeding a shrinking unit. In this variant a second conveying device 7 is arranged for transporting of the flat objects 5 through the region of the shrinking unit 3. A transfer device 9 is io arranged for transferring the flat objects 5 from the first conveying device 2 to the second conveying device 7 and a pick-up device 10 for taking up the flat objects 5 onto the first conveying device 2 from the second conveying device 7. The second conveying device 7 thus 15 forms a bypass 8 or detour from the first conveying device 2 through the shrinking unit 3. The second conveying device e.g. comprises a conveying belt 11 for transport of the flat objects through the shrinking unit. 20 In a preferred embodiment of the invention the conveying belt 11 is followed by a further conveying means, in particular a further conveying belt 11', which transports the flat objects 5 further. In addition a switchable diverting device may be provided, which, selectively 25 guides the stream of conveyed objects 5 back to the conveying device 2 or leaves them on the further conveying belt 11'. Preferably the transfer device 9 may be switched on and 30 off, wherein when the transfer is switched on the flat objects 5 are transferred to the second conveying device 7 and when the transfer is switched off the flat objects 5 are transported onward by the first conveying device 2. N:\Melboure\Cases\Patent\B1000-81999\P81058.AU\Specis\CHSPECII.P81058AU.do 27/05/09 - 10 The switching on and off of the transfer device 9 is coupled to a coordinated, i.e. delayed in correspondence to the transport speed, switching on and off of the grabbing device 10. 5 Figures 4a and 4b show a film wrapped object 5 held by a gripper 4 before and after shrinking. In Figure 4a the film 6 lies relatively loosely around the object 5. In Figure 4b the film 6 is shrunk onto the object 5 and lies io tightly around it, preferably with little tension, such that a bendable object 5 is not bent by the tension of the film 6. In the claims which follow and in the preceding is description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but 20 not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute 25 an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. REFERENCE NUMERALS 30 1 film wrapping unit 2 conveying device 3 shrinking unit 4 gripper N:MloreCssPtn\10-19\P 5.USei\HPCIP15A~o 27/05/09 - 11 4' additional retainers 5 flat object 6 film 7 second conveying device 5 8 bypass 9 transfer device 10 pick-up device 11 conveying belt 11' second conveying belt 10 N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\81000-81999\PS1058.AU\Specis\GHSPECII.P8IOS5AU.doc 27/05/09

Claims

1. A method for the packaging of flat objects, in 5 particular flat, bendable printed products, the method comprising the following steps: " completely wrapping successive flat objects with a film wrapping by means of a film wrapping unit; 10 § gripping the completely wrapped flat objects with one respective gripper of a first conveying device; " transporting the wrapped flat objects by means of the first conveying device to a shrinking 15 unit, wherein the shrinking unit is spatially separated from the film wrapping unit; " shrinking the film wrappings onto the flat objects by means of the shrinking unit. 20

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein when shrinking the film wrappings onto the flat objects the flat objects are held and transported by the grippers, preferably in a vertically hanging position. 25

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein before shrinking the film wrappings the flat objects are transferred to a second conveying device and when shrinking the film wrappings the flat objects are transported by means of the second conveying device. 30

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein after shrinking the flat objects are transferred to the first conveying device by means of the second conveying R:\Melboure\Case.\PatenL\81000-81999\P8105S.AU\Specie\GHSPECII.P81058AU.doc 27/05/09 - 13 device.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the transfer of the flat objects from the first conveying device may s be switched on and off selectively, wherein, when the transfer is switched on the flat objects are transferred to the second conveying device and after shrinking again transferred to the first conveying device, and when the transfer switched off the flat 10 objects are transported onward by the first conveying device.

6. The method according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the second conveying device comprises a conveying belt 15 for transporting the flat objects through the shrinking unit.

7. The method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an excess of the not-shrunk film wrapping and 20 the parameters of the shrinking are matched to each other such that a tensile stress in the film wrapping is substantially zero after shrinking.

8. A device for the packaging of flat objects, in 25 particular flat, bendable printed products, comprising " a film wrapping unit for complete wrapping of a sequence of flat objects with a film wrapping; " a first conveying device for gripping completely wrapped flat objects each with a gripper and for 30 transporting the completely wrapped. flat objects to a shrinking unit, wherein the shrinking unit is spatially separated from the film wrapping unit; " wherein the shrinking unit is designed for shrinking N:\Melbourne\CaOe@\Patent\81000-81999\P*.058. AU\Speci.\GHSPECII P81058AU.doc 27/05/09 - 14 of the film wrappings onto the flat objects.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the conveying device in at least one section between the film wrapping 5 unit and shrinking unit runs on a course above head height and/or is fastened to a ceiling in a building.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the shrinking unit is arranged above head height and/or on a io ceiling of a building.

11. The device according to claim 9, wherein the shrinking unit is arranged below head height and the first conveying device or a second conveying device is conveys the flat objects from above head height to below head height.

12. The device according to one of claims 8 to 11, in which the first conveying device transports the flat 20 objects with the grippers through the region of the shrinking unit.

13. The device according to one of claims 8 to 11, comprising a second conveying device for transporting 25 the flat objects through the region of the shrinking unit.

14. The device according to claim 13, comprising a transferring device, which preferably can be switched on 30 and off, for transferring the flat objects from the first conveying device to the second conveying device and a pick-up device for picking up of the flat objects by means of the first conveying device from the second N:\Melboure\Cases\Patent\81000-81999\281058.AU\Specle\GHSPECII.P81058AU.doc 27/05/09 - 15 conveying device.

15. The device according to one of claims 8 to 14, wherein the shrinking unit for shrinking the film 5 wrapping is heated, in particular by means of thermal radiation or by means of air heated by electric energy or gas or oil.

16. The device according to claim 15 in dependency of io claim 12, wherein the shrinking unit is designed to heat the flat objects and the film wrapping in the region of the gripper to a lesser degree than in other regions of the flat objects and the film wrapping respectively. 15

17. A shrinking unit for use in a device according to at least one of the claims 8 to 16, comprising a section of a conveying device for transporting of flat objects by retaining them in grippers and means for heating these transported objects in the region of the shrinking unit. 20

18. The shrinking unit according to claim 17, comprising additional retainers for intermittent holding of the flat objects in a transport section in the shrinking unit, during an intermittent release of the flat objects 25 by the grippers.

19. A method or a device for the packaging of flat objects, or a shrinking unit for use in such a device, substantially as herein described with reference to the 30 accompanying drawings. N+ Melboure\Cases\Patent\81000-61999\P8105B.AU\Specaa\GHSPEC11.PBIO5SAU.doc 27/05/09