U.S. patent application number 13/394439 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-14 for device for arranging a sleeve-like foil envelope around an object as well as a spreading element for use in such a device.
This patent application is currently assigned to FUJI SEAL EUROPE B.V.. The applicant listed for this patent is Imre Hadfy-Kovacs, Lucas Van Rijsewijk. Invention is credited to Imre Hadfy-Kovacs, Wilhelmus Johannes Franciscus Hoeben, Lucas Van Rijsewijk.
Application Number | 20130061559 13/394439 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42097337 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130061559 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Van Rijsewijk; Lucas ; et
al. |
March 14, 2013 |
DEVICE FOR ARRANGING A SLEEVE-LIKE FOIL ENVELOPE AROUND AN OBJECT
AS WELL AS A SPREADING ELEMENT FOR USE IN SUCH A DEVICE
Abstract
A device for arranging a sleeve-like foil envelope around an
object, including supply means for supplying said sleeve-like foil
envelope around at least one spreading element in a horizontal
orientation, as well as discharge means for discharging the
sleeve-like foil envelope from the device and arranging it around
the object, wherein said spreading element has an inlet side
configured as a flat element portion, an outlet side and a
transition area located between said inlet side and said outlet
side, and wherein said spreading element widens towards the
transition area in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the
flat element portion, whilst the spreading element has an at least
substantially constant circumference at least in the direction from
the inlet side to the transition area.
Inventors: |
Van Rijsewijk; Lucas;
(Deurne, NL) ; Hoeben; Wilhelmus Johannes Franciscus;
(Deurne, NL) ; Hadfy-Kovacs; Imre; (Deurne,
NL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Van Rijsewijk; Lucas
Hadfy-Kovacs; Imre |
Deurne
Deurne |
|
NL
NL |
|
|
Assignee: |
FUJI SEAL EUROPE B.V.
Deurne
NL
|
Family ID: |
42097337 |
Appl. No.: |
13/394439 |
Filed: |
September 14, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
September 14, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/NL10/50590 |
371 Date: |
July 20, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/381.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 9/14 20130101; B29C
63/423 20130101; B65C 3/065 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/381.5 |
International
Class: |
B65B 43/00 20060101
B65B043/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 14, 2009 |
NL |
1037282 |
Claims
1. A device for arranging a sleeve-like foil envelope around an
object, comprising supply means for supplying said sleeve-like foil
envelope around at least one spreading element in a horizontal
orientation, as well as discharge means for discharging the
sleeve-like foil envelope from the device and arranging it around
the object, wherein said spreading element has an inlet side
configured as a flat element portion, an outlet side and a
transition area located between said inlet side and said outlet
side, and wherein said spreading element widens towards the
transition area in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the
flat element portion, whilst the spreading element has an at least
substantially constant circumference at least in the direction from
the inlet side to the transition area, characterised in that the
spreading element has an at least substantially constant
circumference, at least in the direction from the inlet side to the
outlet side, such that the foil material being carried over the
spreading element will cover substantially the same distance on all
sides of the spreading element upon being converted from a flat
foil sleeve to an open foil sleeve.
2. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the
spreading element can be supported on the discharge means, which
discharge means are located in the plane of the flat element part,
the spreading element being provided with a first set of opposite
first guide rollers at the location of the transition area, which
first guide rollers can be supported on a drivable first drive
roller that forms part of the discharge means.
3. A device according to claim 2, characterised in that the guide
rollers are so disposed in the transition area that the foil
exhibits a single curvature in the region of the rollers, so that
the occurrence of material stresses in the foil material is
minimized.
4. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the
spreading element can be freely suspended in the device.
5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterised in that said first set of opposite first guide
rollers consists of two guide rollers.
6. A device according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterised in that the spreading element is provided with a
second set of opposite second guide rollers near its outlet side,
which second guide rollers can be supported on one of the drivable
second drive rollers that form part of the discharge means.
7. A device according to claim 6, characterised in that said second
set of opposite second guide rollers consists of two guide
rollers.
8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterised in that the guide rollers are accommodated in
recesses provided in the spreading element.
9. A device according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterised in that at least the first drive rollers are at least
partially provided with a contact surface that has a lower
coefficient of friction than the guide rollers.
10. A device according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterised in that said first and/or said second guide rollers
function as pressure rollers for smoothing any creases formed in
the foil material.
11. A device according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterised in that the discharge means are provided with
orientation means for orienting the spreading element in the
device.
12. A device according to claim 11, characterised in that said
orientation means comprise at least one ridge formed on the first
drive rollers, which ridge engages in the first guide rollers.
13. A device according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterised in that the element portion has a cylindrical, an
oval or a polygonal shape.
14. A spreading element according to one or more of the preceding
claims.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a device for arranging a
sleeve-like foil envelope around an object, comprising supply means
for supplying said sleeve-like foil envelope around at least one
spreading element in a horizontal orientation, as well as discharge
means for discharging the sleeve-like foil envelope from the device
and arranging it around the object, wherein said spreading element
has an inlet side configured as a flat element portion, an outlet
side and a transition area located between said inlet side and said
outlet side, and wherein said spreading element widens towards the
transition area in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the
flat element portion, whilst the spreading element has an at least
substantially constant circumference at least in the direction from
the inlet side to the transition area.
[0002] The invention also relates to a spreading element for use in
such a device.
[0003] Such a device is disclosed in, for example, European patent
application no. 0763498. In said device, the foil envelope has been
pre-produced in the form of a continuous strip, which is wound on a
supply reel and which is to be cut to the correct length by means
of a device as described in the introductory paragraph. The
individual flat sleeve-like foil envelopes must subsequently be
opened by means of a spreading element and be arranged around an
object, such as a bottle or a container, with some oversize.
[0004] The foil material used therewith is made of a so-called
shrink material, which shrinks as a result of heat being applied
and which forms with a close fit to the shape of the bottle or
container around which the sleeve-like envelope has been
arranged.
[0005] A drawback of the known device is that it is only suitable
for use with thick or stiff foil materials in order to thus realise
a high handling rate. When thinner or more flexible foil materials
are used, the handling rate must be reduced in order to prevent
undesirable jamming of the device. Said jamming of the device is
caused by friction and creasing phenomena, among other factors,
which manifest themselves more strongly when thin foils are being
handled.
[0006] It has furthermore been found that the foil material becomes
distorted when the flat strip of foil material is being supplied
around the spreading element, which may result in undesirable
material stresses in the material, which may lead to damage and/or
rupture. Furthermore, the foil material cannot be adequately
arranged around the product in that case and, on the other hand,
the distortions in the material may lead to blocking and standstill
of the device.
[0007] The object of the invention is to obviate these drawbacks,
and in order to accomplish that object the device is characterised
in that the spreading element has an at least substantially
constant circumference, at least in the direction from the inlet
side to the outlet side, such that the foil material being carried
over the spreading element will cover substantially the same
distance on all sides of the spreading element upon being converted
from a flat foil sleeve to an open foil sleeve.
[0008] In this way an effective deformation of the foil material is
realised, so that said foil material is converted from the flat
orientation in which it is introduced into the device to an open
orientation, and that with a minimum extent of distortion, such as
creases.
[0009] More in particular, all kinds of stress concentrations in
the foil material are minimized, making it possible to use even
thinner foils and realise higher throughput rates.
[0010] In a specific embodiment of the invention, the spreading
element can be supported on the discharge means, which discharge
means are located in the plane of the flat element part, the
spreading element being provided with a first set of opposite first
guide rollers at the location of the transition area, which first
guide rollers can be supported on a drivable first drive roller
that forms part of the discharge means.
[0011] More specifically, the spreading element can be freely
suspended in the device. This enables easy re-setting of the device
for another type or sort of foil material and a corresponding
spreading element. As a result of the suspended position, the
crease formed upon deformation of the foil material into a sleeve
may be smoothed out, so that the sleeve will have a rounder shape,
making it easier to arrange the sleeve over the product.
[0012] More specifically, the spreading element can be supported on
the discharge means, wherein the spreading element is in particular
provided with a first set of opposite first guide rollers at the
location of the transition area, which first guide rollers can be
supported on one of the drivable first drive rollers that form part
of the discharge means.
[0013] Said set of opposite first guide rollers may consist of two
guide rollers.
[0014] In one embodiment, the spreading element is provided with a
second set of opposite second guide rollers near its outlet side,
which second guide rollers can be supported on one of the drivable
second drive rollers that form part of the discharge means.
[0015] Said second set of opposite second guide rollers may consist
of two guide rollers.
[0016] All pairs of rollers consisting of a driven roller and a
guide roller are in continuous contact with the driving gear,
making it possible to realise high rates of movement or
accelerations of the foil material through the device without
subjecting the foil to inertia forces. Furthermore, this makes it
possible for the foil material to be automatically fed into the
device, so that re-setting the device can take place more
efficiently, since it is no longer necessary in that case to guide
the foil material manually between and past the various
rollers.
[0017] Since the guide rollers may be accommodated in recesses
provided in the spreading element, small overall dimensions can be
realised, whilst exchanging the spreading element in the device can
take place in a quick and efficient manner.
[0018] In order to prevent material stresses in the foil material
resulting from possible differences in speed between the drive
rollers and the guide rollers, at least the first drive rollers are
according to the invention at least partially provided with a
contact surface that has a lower coefficient of friction than the
guide rollers. Said contact surface may be made of plastic
material, for example.
[0019] Furthermore, the discharge means may be provided with
orientation means for orienting the spreading element in the
device, in particular perpendicularly to the device. This makes it
possible to realise a correct fixation and orientation of the
spreading element in the device, whilst also the exchanging
operation can be carried out quickly and without additional
adjusting operations being required.
[0020] Said orientation means may comprise at least one ridge
formed on the first drive rollers, which ridge engages in the first
guide rollers.
[0021] The foil exhibits a single curved plane near the driven
pairs of rollers, so that the occurrence of stresses in the foil
will be minimal.
[0022] According to another embodiment, the element portion has a
cylindrical, an oval or a polygonal shape.
[0023] The invention will now be explained in more detail with
reference to a drawing, in which:
[0024] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a device according to the
prior art;
[0025] FIGS. 2a and 2b are views of an embodiment of a spreading
device according to the invention;
[0026] FIGS. 3a and 3b are views showing another aspect of a
spreading element according to the invention.
[0027] For a better understanding of the invention, like parts will
be indicated by identical numerals in the description of the
figures below.
[0028] In FIG. 1, numeral 10 indicates a device according to the
prior art. The device 10 comprises supply means or conveying means
12 built up of two drivable rollers, between which a continuous
strip of foil material 1 can be passed. The continuous strip of
foil material 1 is wound on a supply reel 11 and is introduced into
the device via a tensioning mechanism 13. The tensioning mechanism
13 comprises an arm 13a, which is pivotally connected to the
device. The pivot arm 13a has several rollers 13b, over which the
continuous strip of sleeve-like foil material 1 is passed. The
strip of sleeve-like foil material 1 is also passed over
additional, fixedly disposed rollers 13c. In this way it is
possible on the one hand to realise a certain amount of stock in
the continuous strip of sleeve-like foil material being unwound
from the real 11, but above all it is possible to set up a certain
tension therein.
[0029] The supply means 12 carry the continuous strip of
sleeve-like foil material 1 past cutting means 14 for cutting the
foil material 1 through at certain intervals so as to obtain
individual sleeve-like foil envelopes 1'. All kinds of embodiments
of the cutting means 14 are possible, which embodiments can be
assumed to be known to those of average skill in the art. A
spreading element 19 is provided at the location of the cutting
means 14 and the discharge side of the device 10, which element
functions to open the obtained individual flat sleeve-like foil
envelopes 1' for arranging the open sleeve-like foil envelope
around a container 2.
[0030] As is clearly shown in FIG. 1, the spreading element 19 is
widened at least in the plane perpendicular to the plane of the
flat continuous strip of foil material 1. Thus, the individual flat
sleeve-like foil envelopes . . . -1'.sub.-1-1'.sub.0-1'.sub.+1- . .
. are opened, so that they can be readily arranged around a
container . . . -2'.sub.1-2'.sub.0-2'.sub.+1- . . . . The
containers . . . -2'.sub.-1-2'.sub.0-2'.sub.+1- . . . are moved by
conveying means, which are assumed to be known per se, which
conveying means 21 comprise a carrier 21a, on which several
containers (bottles, jars or cans) are present, which containers
are conveyed to the device 10.
[0031] Each individual flat sleeve-like foil envelope . . .
-1'.sub.-1-1'.sub.0-1'.sub.+1- . . . is opened by the spreading
element 19 and cut loose from the strip of foil material 1 by the
cutting means 14, whereupon the thus opened sleeve-like foil
envelope can be easily arranged over a container . . .
-2'.sub.-1-2'.sub.0-2'.sub.+1- . . . that is ready and waiting. The
containers . . . -2'.sub.-1-2'.sub.0-2'.sub.+1- . . . with the
opened sleeve-like foil envelopes . . .
-1'.sub.+1-1'.sub.0-1'.sub.+1- . . . arranged thereover can now be
discharged from the device 10 via the carrier 21a and be subjected
to a heat treatment elsewhere, so that the sleeve-like foil
envelope . . . -1'.sub.-1-1'.sub.0-1'.sub.+1- . . . will shrink and
form a close-fitting envelope around the container.
[0032] To assist in the discharge of the individual foil envelope .
. . -1'.sub.-1-1'.sub.0-1'.sub.+1- . . . surrounding the container
. . . -2'.sub.-1-2'.sub.0-2'.sub.+1- . . . , discharge means 20 may
be provided, which are incorporated in the device at the location
of the spreading element 19. Said discharge means may comprise one
or more drivable rollers 20a, which are supported on the stationary
rollers 20b and which discharge the sleeve-like foil material 1'
extending therebetween from the device 10 at an accelerated rate,
with the individual, opened foil envelope . . .
-1'.sub.-1-1'.sub.0-1'.sub.+1- . . . "slipping" over a container .
. . -2'.sub.-1-2'.sub.0-2'.sub.+1- . . . , as it were.
[0033] When a sleeve-like foil envelope 1' is to be arranged around
a container 2, the foil envelope needs to be placed in an open
position by the spreading element 19 so as to make it possible to
arrange the envelope quickly and easily over the container 2.
[0034] FIGS. 2a and 2b show embodiments of a spreading element or
mandrel 190 according to the invention.
[0035] The spreading element 190 comprises a flat element portion
190a, which is configured as a flat plate having edges 193. The
flat element portion 190a functions as an inlet side for the
sleeve-like foil envelopes 1, which are supplied to the device in a
flat orientation.
[0036] To open the individual flat sleeve-like foil envelope 1' so
as to make it possible to arrange the open sleeve-like foil element
around a container 2, the spreading element 190 must open the flat
foil envelope 1' placed over the flat element portion 190a. It is
desirable in that regard for the foil material to be deformed
without stress concentrations in the foil material leading to
distortions or tears, which would result in jamming and/or
standstill of the device.
[0037] As FIG. 2a clearly shows, the spreading element 190
comprises a transition area 194, in which the spreading element 190
widens from the flat element portion 190a towards the transition
area 194 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the flat
element portion (and consequently also of the flat sleeve-like foil
envelope). This is clearly shown in FIG. 2b by means of reference
numerals 196, which clearly indicate the widening of the flat
element portion 190a towards the transition area 194.
[0038] More specifically, the flat element portion 190a is so
constructed that it narrows towards the transition area 194, seen
in the plane of the flat element portion. This is illustrated by
means of the flange edges 193 in FIGS. 2a and 2b, which flange
edges have a curved but inwardly extending construction.
[0039] Accordingly, the spreading element is constructed so that it
has a substantially constant circumference, at least in the
direction from the inlet side (or the flat element portion 190a)
towards the transition area 194, more in particular a substantially
constant circumference towards the outlet side.
[0040] This configuration of the flat element portion 190a makes it
possible to realise an efficient deformation of the flat
sleeve-like foil element to an open sleeve-like foil element, which
can be arranged around a product 2, without any disadvantageous
material stresses occurring.
[0041] As is clearly shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the spreading
element 190 has a cylindrical shape near the outlet side 190b, in
which connection it is noted that the external dimension of the
spreading element 190 at the location where the open sleeve-like
foil element 1' is arranged around the product 2.sub.0 is larger
than the dimension of the spreading element 190 at the transition
area 194, which is represented as being square. The spreading
element 190 may also have a different shape, however, such as an
oval shape or a polygonal shape, such as a square, a rectangular or
a multiangular shape.
[0042] The spreading element 190 is to that end provided with two
recesses 195a-195b at the location of the transition area, which
recesses are formed by material removed from the spreading element,
the functionality of which recesses will be discussed yet
hereinafter.
[0043] More in particular, the spreading element 190 can be freely
suspended in the device, being supported on the discharged means
12, as is clearly shown in FIG. 2a. Reference numeral 12 indicates
a first set of two opposite first drive rollers, which are fixedly
connected to an immovable structure or to the frame structure of
the device. The spreading element 190 can be positioned between the
drive rollers 12 and will be supported on the two drive rollers at
the location of the transition area 194.
[0044] Positioning the spreading element 190 can be done quickly
and expertly partially as a result of the presence of the recesses
195a-195b, which thus provide a clearance that makes it possible to
place or position the spreading element 190 according to the
invention between the drive rollers 12.
[0045] In order to realise an efficient support of the spreading
element 190 against the drive rollers 12 in the device, the
spreading element 190 is provided with a first set of two opposite
guide rollers 191a-191b, which first guide rollers 191a-191b are
each supported on one of the drivable first drive rollers 12
forming part of the discharge means.
[0046] Each guide roller 191a-191b is to that end disposed in slots
197a-197b. In order to obtain an adequate orientation of the
spreading element 190 in the device, the spreading element is
provided with a second set of two opposite second guide rollers
192a-192b near its outlet side, which second guide rollers are
likewise disposed in slots or recesses 198a-198b in the spreading
element. The second guide rollers 192a-192b are supported on
drivable second drive/pressure rollers.
[0047] In order to prevent material stresses in the foil material,
which stresses may occur as a result of differences in speed
between the drive rollers 12 and the guide rollers 191a-191b, at
least the first drive rollers 12 are in part provided with a
contact surface that has a lower coefficient of friction than the
guide rollers 191a-191b. The contact surface may consist of a
plastic material, for example.
[0048] Because several drive rollers are in contact with the
spreading element, which drive rollers are furthermore all driven
rollers, the foil envelope can be automatically introduced into the
device, so that the device can be automatically prepared or
reset.
[0049] Although this is not shown in the figures, the drive rollers
may be provided with orientation means for precisely orienting and
fixing the spreading element 190 in the correct orientation of the
device. The orientation means may to that end form part of the
discharge means and, for example, comprise a ridge 12a formed on
the first drive rollers 12, which ridge 12a engages in a groove
(not shown) formed in the circumferential surface of the first
guide rollers 191a-191b. This makes it possible to realise a
correct fixation and orientation of the spreading element 190 in
the device, whilst also the exchanging of the spreading element 190
can be carried out quickly and without any additional adjustments,
and thus without unnecessary loss of time.
[0050] It will be understood that, using the spreading element as
described above, it is possible to handle thinner foil materials at
an even higher operating rate, resulting in an increased capacity
regarding the number of products to be processed per unit time.
[0051] As a result of the effective construction of the spreading
element, conversion of the flat foil material from a flat
orientation into an open sleeve-like foil element, which can be
arranged around a product (such as a shampoo bottle), can take
place without unnecessary distortions or damage.
[0052] Since the spreading element has a substantially constant
diameter at least up to the transition area, the sleeve like foil
material is converted from the flat orientation in which it is
supplied into an open shape in an even manner and with a minimum of
material stresses, making it possible to arrange it around an
object. The conversion of the flat foil material into an open
sleeve-like foil element over the spreading element with a minimum
of material stresses or distortions is illustrated in the side
views of FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), in which references X and Y are two
imaginary lines extending along the outer circumference of the
spreading element.
[0053] The imaginary line X is located in the plane formed by the
flat element portion 190a (see FIGS. 2a and 2b) and is located
between the imaginary points A-A'. The imaginary point A is located
at the side edge of the flat element portion 190a, whilst the
imaginary point A' is located at the outlet side of the spreading
element. The imaginary line X extends along the spreading element
in the plane of the flat element portion and along or through the
recess 195a or 195b. The imaginary line Y extends in a straight
line between the points B and B' on the other side of the spreading
element. The imaginary point B is located at the upper side of the
element portion, near the flat element portion 190a, whilst the
imaginary point B' is located on the outlet side of the spreading
element.
[0054] The spreading element is constructed so that the imaginary
lines X and Y have the same length. This means that the foil
material being carried over the spreading element will cover
substantially the same distance on all sides of the spreading
element while being converted from a flat foil sleeve into an open
foil sleeve. This specific construction of the spreading element
results in a minimum of material stresses in the foil material, so
that standstill of the device is prevented as much as possible.
* * * * *