U.S. patent number 3,884,935 [Application Number 05/303,762] was granted by the patent office on 1975-05-20 for shrink-film package.
Invention is credited to Henry Knox Burns, III.
United States Patent |
3,884,935 |
Burns, III |
May 20, 1975 |
Shrink-film package
Abstract
An improved generally cube-shaped package made up of a plurality
of rows of plural individual sub-packages of the articles being
packaged and which package is overall embraced and stabilized by a
heat-shrunk plastic film material. The improved package resides
essentially in embodying initially formed smaller separate
sub-packages of predetermined and usually like-multiples of the
aligned multiple unit articles which have been wrapped by a
heat-shrunk film essentially on all sides except perhaps their
supported surface, thereby consolidating and partially stabilizing
the unit articles therein. A plurality of the separate
shrink-fit-wrapped sub-packages are disposed closely adjacent one
another to constitute a given size layer or tier, upon which are
superposed predetermined plural other rows or tiers, and often upon
on in conjunction with suitable auxiliary lower level stabilizing
members, which are wrapped so at least part of the auxiliary
stabilizing members and all of the superposed plural tiers of the
sub-packages are embraced within an overall enveloping heat-shrunk
shroud of the film. An alternate form of the package comprises
either vertical tiers or horizontal rows of the articles which have
heat-shrunk-fit wrappings essentially around the full tier or full
layer, rather than individual rows comprising a given layer, and
which plural tier and/or layers are collectively wrapped in an
essentially overall enveloping heat-shrunk shroud. The novel
completed package is suitable for various articles but more
particularly provides a stabilized, heat-shrunk wrapped package for
heavy unit articles, such as of masonry bricks and similar articles
whose individual tolerances collectively adversely effect stable
stacking and packaging in tiers without the use of tie straps.
Inventors: |
Burns, III; Henry Knox (Macon,
GA) |
Family
ID: |
23173575 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/303,762 |
Filed: |
November 6, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/322; 206/497;
206/597; 206/595 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
71/0096 (20130101); B65B 53/063 (20130101); B65D
2571/00018 (20130101); B65D 2571/00067 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
71/00 (20060101); B65B 53/00 (20060101); B65B
53/06 (20060101); B65d 065/16 (); B65d 019/22 ();
B65d 071/00 (); B65d 085/46 (); B65d 085/62 () |
Field of
Search: |
;206/655,45.33,65R,497,322,386 ;229/DIG.12 ;214/1.5R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Dixson, Jr.; William T.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Becker; John E.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A heat-shrunk film-wrapped rigid, generally cube-shaped unitary
package of masonry brick articles and having substantial
3-dimensional size, said brick articles being of parallelpiped
prismatic form and having a pair of major planar opposed surfaces
for stacking said bricks and having inherent tolerance variations
which contribute collectively to the unstable stacking of bricks in
substantial height, superimposed layer-relation when uniformly
oriented, said brick package comprising;
a. a predetermined plurality of generally uniform masonry brick
articles oriented in like manner and disposed in abutting uniform
alignment collectively having corresponding sides coplanarly
aligned, and covered and held together to collectively constitute a
sub-package by an overlaying film of heat-shrunk flexible material
having film edge portions overlaying opposite end sides of endmost
brick articles of said sub-package;
b. a predetermined plurality of said heat-shrunk-wrapped
sub-packages disposed in adjacent contiguous and generally coplanar
relation to constitute at least one tier or layer of said package;
and
c. said tier of sub-packages having at least one layer of
heat-shrunk material outwardly overlaying and essentially tightly
embracing all of said heat-shrunk film-wrapped sub-packages so as
to hold them in rigid assembly capable of being lifted from
beneath, supported and transported as a unitary package.
2. A heat-shrunk film-wrapped rigid, generally cube-shaped unitary
package of masonry brick articles and having substantial
3-dimensional size, said brick articles being of parallelpiped
prismatic form and having a pair of major planar opposed surfaces
for stacking said bricks and having inherent tolerance variations
which contribute collectively to the unstable stacking of bricks in
substantial height, superimposed layer-relation when uniformly
oriented, said brick package comprising;
a. a predetermined plurality of generally uniform masonry brick
articles oriented in like manner and disposed in abutting uniform
alignment collectively having corresponding sides coplanarly
aligned, and covered and held together to collectively constitute a
sub-package by an overlaying film of heat-shrunk flexible material
having film edge portions overlaying opposite end sides of endmost
bricks articles of said sub-package;
b. a predetermined plurality of said heat-shrunk-wrapped
sub-packages disposed in adjacent contiguous and generally coplanar
relation to constitute at least one tier or layer of said package;
and
c. a predetermined plurality of said tiers or layers of
sub-packages oriented in like manner and disposed in adjacent
contiguous relation with said brick articles having corresponding
minor planar side surfaces coplanarly aligned vertically so as to
collectively form said generally cube-shaped package of brick
articles; and
d. said tiers or layers of sub-packages having at least one layer
of flexible heat-shrunk material outwardly overlaying and fused at
least in part to some exposed portions of said film of heat-shrunk
material overlaying and holding said plural masonry brick articles
in sub-package form, said outwardly overlaying layer of heat-shrunk
material essentially tightly embracing said plural tiers or layers
collectively to hold them in rigid assembly capable of being lifted
from beneath, supported and transported as a unitary package.
3. A package as defined in claim 2 wherein each of said
sub-packages of paragraph (a) includes portions of the film of said
heat-shrunk material interposed between said abutting brick
articles to better protect the adjacent sides thereof.
4. A package as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said plurality
of tiers or layers have a major planar side and opposite ends, and
said tiers or layers each are respectively covered with
intermediately applied layers of the heat-shrunk film so as to
overlay said major planar side and said opposite ends.
5. A package as defined in claim 3 wherein said package further
includes auxiliary supporting, stabilizing and protective means in
conjunction with at least a first and a second layer of
sub-packages as operatively assembled.
6. A package as defined in claim 5 wherein said outwardly disposed
layer of heat-shrunk material also tightly embraces a sufficient
part of said auxiliary means so as to effect a rigid and
stabilizing assembly therewith.
7. A heat-shrunk film-wrapped rigid, generally cube-shaped unitary
package of substantial 3-dimensional size, said package
comprising
a. a predetermined plurality of generally uniform size unit
articles disposed in abutting uniform alignment collectively having
corresponding sides coplanarly aligned, and covered and held
together to collectively constitute a sub-package by an overlaying
film of heat-shrunk flexible material having film edge portions
overlaying opposite end sides of endmost unit articles of said
sub-package;
b. said sub-package of paragraph (a) includes portions of the film
of material interposed between said abutting unit articles to
better protect continuously adjacent sides thereof;
c. a predetermined plurality of said heat-shrunk-wrapped
sub-packages disposed in adjacent contiguous and generally coplanar
relation to constitute at least one tier or layer of said package;
and
d. said tier of sub-packages having at least one layer of
heat-shrunk material outwardly overlaying and essentially tightly
embracing all of said heat-shrunk film-wrapped sub-packages so as
to hold them in rigid assembly as a unitary package.
8. A package as defined in claim 7 which further includes a
plurality of said layers disposed in superimposed stacked relation,
said plurality of layers being collectively essentially fully
embraced by said outwardly overlaying layer of heat-shrunk
material.
9. A package as defined in claim 8, wherein each of said plurality
of layers have a major planar side and opposite ends, and said
layers each are respectively covered with intermediately applied
layers of the heat-shrunk film so as to overlay said major planar
side and said opposite ends.
10. A package as defined in claim 7 wherein said sub-packages as
constituted by the plural unit articles are of generally
rectangular parallelepiped prismatic form and have a major upper
and lower planar surface and four angularly disposed minor planar
surfaces interconnecting one another and said major planar
surfaces, said four minor planar surfaces including a pair of
opposite ends of the aligned unit articles which comprise a
sub-package, and wherein the heat-shrunk flexible material
embracing the articles of said sub-packages fully overlays at least
one of said major planar surfaces and at least partially overlays a
portion of at least said opposite end minor planar surfaces
thereof.
11. A package as defined in claim 7 wherein said outer overlaying
layer of heat-shrunk material is heat fused at least in part to
part of said portions of the heat-shrunk film wrappings of said
sub-packages which overlay said end sides of endmost articles.
12. A package as defined in claim 7 wherein said package further
includes auxiliary supporting, stabilizing and protective means in
conjunction with at least a first and a second layer of
sub-packages as operatively assembled.
13. A package as defined in claim 12 wherein said outwardly
disposed layer of heat-shrunk material also tightly embraces a
sufficient part of said auxiliary means so as to effect a rigid and
stabilized assembly therewith.
14. A package as defined in claim 12 wherein said auxiliary
supporting means includes metallic wire mesh-like material in
cradle support of a first layer of articles beneath and in
association with a directly superposed layer of said articles.
15. A package as defined in claim 14, further including auxiliary
board or panel means in association with at least opposite ends of
said wire mesh material and disposed thereabove and beneath at
least a portion of said superposed layer of articles.
16. A package as defined in claim 14 further embodying recess areas
collectively formed by said auxiliary supporting and stabilizing
means and part of said wrapped articles to facilitate transporting
of said wrapped package by conventional fork-lift-truck means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an improved method for
shrinkwrapping or packaging and consolidating individual articles,
and more particularly articles such as masonry bricks and like
units used in the construction industry, and also relates to the
finished heat-shrunk-wrapped package resulting from use of this
method, said package providing fully acceptable rigidity and
stability thereof as well as greater overall protectability of the
articles at a considerably reduced expense.
Palletized shrinkwrapping is a system which has recently evolved
whereby various synthetic resinous types of flexible film material,
such as polyvinylchloride or polyethylene film, is heat shrunk to
the contours of the load and also usually to its supporting pallet.
An apparent advantage of this is that it usually assures sufficient
stability of the load without need of strapping or cardboard
shrouds and the like.
Pallet shrinkwrapping has only been introduced into the brick
industry in more recent years, and heretofore, as far as is known
to applicant-inventor, has been confined to providing a loose sheet
type shroud or an open bag of the heat shrinkable film around a
fully interlocked stack or usually wire-strapped palletized
grouping of bricks and subjecting same to the necessary heat to
effect the final shrink wrapping of the cube-shaped load of bricks.
Reference may be made to a related article appearing in volume No.
6, Spring/Summer Issue of 1970 of the British Ceramic Review
Magazine, which article is entitled `Shrinkwrapping of Bricks` and
is found on page 28 and 29 thereof. However, the system described
therein utilizes only a covering shroud for the complete assembly.
Said assembly embodies a novel inexpensive wire mesh pallet in lieu
of heavier and more costly wood pallets, and upon which the bricks
are stacked in an interlocking manner, such that they neither the
pallet or bricks are capable of being readily broken down into unit
packs as contemplated in a preferred embodiment of the subject
application. It is acknowledged that other and varied industrial
products have long been packaged by utilizing heat-shrunk wrapping,
and that various patents heretofore issued directed to film wrapped
packages and the method of making them. Among these prior art
patents are included U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,458,036; 3,529,717;
3,589,510; 3,662,512 and 3,695,426. None of these prior art patents
relate to the applicant's improved method summarized in the
foregoing Abstract of the Disclosure and in the following.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention represents an important advancement
particularly in the brick packaging art, but which also is
universally useable and applicable to other articles grouped in
small or large packages. The invention is directed to the improved
completed package as well as to the method of making the same.
Rather than merely peripherally wrapping the overall grouped stacks
of individual articles, applicant's improved method comprises
forming preferably a generally cube-shaped assembled load made up
of a plurality of tiers of plural sub-groups of the individual
articles, such as bricks, wherein they are initially formed into a
plurality of separate smaller or sub-packages of closely grouped
multiple articles by initially wrapping the sub-groups in a heat
shrinkable material in a predetermined and usually like-multiples
of the article, subjecting them to heat to shrinkfit the wrapping
essentially around at least all except possibly the supported sides
of the grouped bricks, then laying or accumulating the separate
sub-packages closely adjacent one another to constitute a given
size layer or tier, subsequently stacking and maintaining the
smaller sub-packages in a predetermined number of plural superposed
tiers with the aid of a jig means, including stacking them in
conjunction with and upon suitable auxiliary course stabilizing
means, subsequently wrapping the thus supported plural tiers of the
sub-packages in an overall enveloping heat-shrinkable shroud of the
film, and then subjecting the assembled stack or wrapped articles
to heat to shrink-fit the outer wrapping and to further compactly
consolidate the respective sub-groupings as well as the complete
assembly thereof.
Accordingly, the principal objectives of the present invention are
to provide both an improved compact and better protected package,
and a novel method of making the package in a competitively
economical manner.
Another object is to provide an improved packaging of brick-like
articles by providing individual covers of heat shrinkable film
over every sub-group of a predetermined number of the closely
aligned articles, accumulating the sub-groups into superposed units
which are preferably generally cube shape, maintaining the close
grouping thereof while subsequently enveloping the entire cube with
a larger film or shroud and then subjecting the completely covered
assembly of sub-groups to the prerequisite heat to shrinkfit the
film therearound as a unitary assembly. Additionally, the bricks
comprising the sub-groups may be protected from one another by
inserting a fold of the film material at least part way down
between the adjacent bricks before closing their ranks and
heat-shrinking the film.
A further object is to provide a lighter weight non-palletized
packaged cube of the articles in accordance with the preceding
objectives by embodying therewith auxiliary course-stabilizing
means which are preferably specially formed wire mesh or a
generally flexible reinforced web strip material, and further in
conjunction with the usual veneer boards.
These and other objectives and advantages will become more apparent
from a reading of the following detailed description of preferred
embodiments, taken in conjunction with the illustrative drawing
figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top plan view depicting illustrative schematic stations
and apparatus utilized on conducting the improved method
thereof;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view from above of a sub-group or
sub-package of eleven aligned articles with a sheet of heat shrink
material loosely overlaying same before being subjected to
heat;
FIG. 3 is a similar view of the same sub-group of articles after
the heat shrink material has been shrunkfit therearound;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view from above of the multiliered assembly
of sub-package before one form of the outer shrink film has been
shrunkfit therearound;
FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the FIG. 4 form as seen from
below, but of the completed package after the outer wrapping has
been shrunkfit therearound;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4 but on a reduced
scale and of another preferably bag form of the outer shrink film
loosely enveloping the assembly from below;
FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the form of FIG. 5 showing the bag
type cover in its shrunkfit form over the assembled sub-packaged
articles and depicting a finished assembled package;
FIG. 6 is an exploded, perspective view of a relatively flexible
wire and veneer board course-stabilizing means;
FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the auxiliary wire before
formation and which may be specially fabricated and distributed in
roll form;
FIG. 6B is a perspective view of a flexible reenforced paper of
fabric strip which may be used in lieu of the wire form of FIG.
6A;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view from above of an interjoined or
integrally made assembly of the wire sub-units of FIG. 6 to make
one full cradle to support a lower reduced number layer of the
bricks articles in conjunction with a cubed assembly;
FIG. 8 is a perspective semi-schematic view showing a method of the
assembly and film bagging in conjunction with a suitable jig
support means for receiving and forming both the fabric, paper or
the wire type auxiliary supporting members and the lowermost course
of brick;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged transverse cross-section taken through an
assembly of the apparatus of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view depicting a modification of
heat-shrink-wrapping individual layers comprised of plural rows of
the multiple articles, either with or without preliminarily heat
shrink wrapping sub-grouped rows thereof.
FIG. 11 is an elevational cross-section showing the preliminary
steps in an alternate method of wrapping sub-groups of the brick
articles; and
FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 showing the completed step and
shrunkfit wrapped sub-group or sub-package of bricks.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring in more detail to the drawing figures relative to the
method of packaging, the articles are sequentially fed from a
supply source in the factory by suitable conveyor means initially
to one or more suitable gathering or grouping stations 10, where a
predetermined number such as eleven of the articles, which are
preferably bricks in this instance, are aligned into rectangular
sub-groups or sub-package designated 12 and passed in spaced
intervals along conveying means 14 to the next station 16 where a
layer of the unshrunk film 18 is placed over each passing group of
bricks. The film is of a large enough size and placed as per FIG. 2
so as to overlay the exposed major plane of the sub-groupings and
to fold down a substantial distance on each side of the said
sub-groups. The conveyor means continues to convey the film covered
sub-groups 12 to and preferably through a heated film shrinking
station 20. Station 20 may comprise a heated tunnel type hot-air
chamber or any other suitable heat applying means which will
effectively shrink the film wrapping onto the sub-groupings of
bricks.
The conveyor means are understood to either embody therewith or
pass adjacent to suitable means for maintaining the aligned
sub-groups of the bricks in close contiguous relationship while
passing through and sufficiently beyond the film-shrinking station
during the cooling of the film. It is also understood that the
character of the shrink film is such that upon cooling after
emerging from the heated station 20, it shrinks a substantial
amount thus drawing around and snugly holding each course or
sub-group 12 of the articles or bricks 13 together as shown in FIG.
3. This pre-wrapping of the sub-groupings of the articles,
particularly masonry bricks which are sand faced and rough or
somewhat irregularly sized, snugly holds the bricks together to
keep the outermost end brick from falling off when superposed in
stack form. Previous shrink film methods have omitted this
intermediate step of pre-wrapping sub-groups, and therefore has not
been successful without also wirestrapping the stacked bricks prior
to enveloping in an outer plastic shroud or bag.
Proceeding with the method description, thereafter the
shrinkwrapped sub-groups or sub-package 12 are conveyed to a
suitable stacking station 22 having suitable machinery for aligning
a predetermined number of the sub-groups 12 into a first layer
preferably supported upon suitable jig means 23 (FIG. 8) in
association with auxiliary package stabilizing and protective means
24, better seen in FIGS. 4-8. Each such layer or tier preferably is
made up of five such pre-wrapped sub-groups or sub-packages 12
arranged in coplanar form. A predetermined number of layers or
tiers are then accumulated to stacked in superposed fashion to form
the preferred cube assembly, whereupon they are conveyed to a bag
or shroud applying station 26.
In some installations the bag or shroud may be applied from above
the stacked articles. In other installations it may be preferable
to apply the bag from below such as by the illustrative means for
simultaneously enveloping the articles during the progressive
stacking thereof, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, and to be described
further hereinafter.
The auxiliary package stabilizing and protective means 24 includes
a deformable supporting web, such as a relatively flexible wire
mesh or specially made wire belting 24a (FIG. 6A) or a reenforced
paper or fabric web 24b (FIG. 6B). The wire belting 24a is seen to
comprise preferably two laterally and parallel spaced wire members
25 interconnected in ladder form by transversely disposed parallel
connecting wires 25a. It is understood that the interconnecting
wires 25a may also be of non-parallel or angular disposition. In
use as an auxiliary supporting belt each portion of belting 24a or
24b cradles a lowermost course comprising a reduced number of brick
between offset or folded end portions deformed by the jig means.
The terminal ends of the supporting belt strips subsequently are
held by the enveloping shrink film against end portions of
stabilizing veneer boards 44, to be described in more detail
hereinafter.
In the brick industry the formation of such a cube of bricks often
comprises approximately ten stacked courses of the bricks as layed
upon edge in four or five adjacently aligned rows. However, at
least one of the lower tiers is of a foreshortened or interrupted
different arrangement to facilitate forked-lift-truck pickup of the
heretofore usually strap-packaged load.
There may be different ways of applying a shrinkfit bag or shroud
28 so as to completely envelope the exposed cube assembly of
sub-packages. If it is applied from above, it preferably also
extends down sufficiently to enable the lower edges of the shroud
or bag 28 to be tucked or folded at least partially beneath the
lowermost tier and around a part of the auxiliary stabilizing and
protective means 24 before being conveyed to a second heated,
shrinkfitting station 30.
A more preferred way of applying the shroud 28, which is preferably
in the form of a bag, is by applying it from the bottom of the
forming cube upwardly around it. This can be done by utilizing
machinery which enables the oncoming conveyed brick sub-packages to
be lowered progressively layer by layer after the predetermined
numbers of sub-packages are accumulated into their respective
layers. To this end, the jig means 23 (FIGS. 8 and 9) may comprise
an elevatable horizontal plate 23a with adjustable parallel
upstanding side bars 23b spaced so as to centrally receive the
plurality of rows of a reduced number of the articles or bricks,
for example, such as 7 rather than 11, to comprise the first or
lowermost course of the cube. However, before this first course is
so accumulated, a shroud or bag 28 of the flexible shrink fit
material is placed with the bottom laying upon the jig plate 23a
and supported preferably in an inverted manner over any suitable
support means such as tubular open centered frame 23f. Strips of
the auxiliary supporting web material are then placed across the
upstanding bars 23b, such as schematically shown in FIG. 8,
corresponding to each row of the bricks. Thereafter the several
rows comprising the first course of bricks are aligned thereover
and lowered between or within the confines of spaced bars 23b
whereupon their weight causes the auxiliary web material strips and
also the bag film material to conform thereto. Then the outermost
opposite ends of the web are laid horizontally by suitable manual
or mechanical means (not shown) to receive thereon and also
collectively upon the deposited lower course of bricks, the
auxiliary stabilizing and protective veneer boards 44 corresponding
in number to the number of rows of bricks, and upon which the
subsequent layers of articles are placed.
It is understood the the jig and stacking plate means 23 is
progressively lowered during the building of the cube of bricks,
while simultaneously effecting a progressive shrouding or
enveloping by bag 28 as depicted in enlarged FIG. 9. When the
desired predetermined number of layers have been accumulated to
form the desired cube assembly, the bag top is then folded over to
substantially enclose the so-assembled cube, whereupon it is then
conveyed to said heated station 30. Station 30 may be similar to
that of station 20, and passage of each cube assembly of bricks
therethrough results in the tightly shrunkfit outer wrapping 28
compactly embracing each full assembly as a unitary cube designated
32, such as shown in FIG. 5. It is to be noted that by use of the
individual sub-package shrinkfit wrappers, the outer plastic shroud
or bag walls adhere at least to some substantial extent to a
substantial number of the adjacent side coverings of the individual
sub-groups, thereby further providing a stronger and more
stabilized package. Said cubes 32 are then ready for storage or
shipment to a customer as the case may be.
In order to economize as well as to reduce weight of the packaged
cubes, newer light weight pallet means have been evolved in the
brick industry, including those made up at least partly of heavy
duty welded galvanized wire mesh-like material. Such wire mesh
pallets may be fabricated ecnomically enough to be considered
completely expendable and disposable, and are heat shrunkfit
packaged with the cube. It is understood that such wire mesh
pallets may be made in varying degrees of strength to accomodate
varying sized loads of bricks.
In accordance with the present invention, no such formal pallet
means is required, and only the auxiliary stabilizing and
protective means 24 is utilized. The exemplary means 24 is more
compatible with my improved package and the method of shrinkfit
wrapping of bricks, as shown in the illustrative figures.
The wire mesh belt 24a, comprising part of the means 24, in their
supporting shaped form in FIG. 6, has the elongated dual wires 25
spaced apart a distance less than the length of each brick or
article so that each sub-unit 12 of the bricks is underslung and
supported thereby when in the finished cube. The wire mesh belt
material is initially provided usually in flat condition as per
FIG. 6A, but may be formed in preformed sub-sections 34 preferably
for each row of the articles, such as shown in FIG. 6. The opposite
longitudinal ends of the pallet sub-sections, which are deformed in
the jig mechanism into angularly offset portions 36, include
essentially the vertical sections 38 corresponding generally to the
height of the brick articles, and terminate in oppositely disposed
horizontal wing-sections 40. Preferably each wing portion 40
terminates so as to have one of the cross wires 25a sufficiently
near the outermost extremity so as to be sandwiched between the
veneer board 44 and overlapped by the lower edge of the film shroud
in instances where the film or bag may be applied from above. In
this manner it provides a greater degree of support for each
corresponding row of the lower course of brick in the completed
cube assembly 32. The same general arrangement is contemplated when
using the fabric or reenforced web 24b shown in FIG. 6B.
The relative size of the offset portions 36 of the sub-sections 34
is dimensioned so as to readily receive the lifting fork arms of a
mechanical lift truck normally used in association with the lifting
of the conventional brick cubes and/or wood-slatted pallets on
which masonry and other products are conventionally stored.
The reason for the preferred use of separated individual
sub-sections 34 is to enable the completed cube 32 to be broken
down more readily into complete sub-units of approximately 100 or
so bricks. In the example being used, with the lowermost course row
having seven bricks and each of the nine superposed course rows
comprising wrapped sub-groups of 11 bricks, this sub-unit
corresponding to a conventional strap of bricks would contain 106
bricks, while a five row per course cube assembly would total 530
bricks. It is understood that various proportionately smaller or
larger cubes can be assembled in the same manner.
As an alternative form of package and packaging method, and
depending upon the desired cube size, a plurality of said
sub-sections 34 of the auxiliary wire type are assembled and
preferably either welded in side-by-side relation or otherwise made
in one piece to comprise a wire mesh auxiliary supporting frame 42
such as depicted in FIG. 7. In this embodiment while a given
subunit of the stacked bricks or articles may be manually
disassociated from the remainder of the cube, it is not able to be
done so by the fork lift means, particularly where the vertical
subunit of articles might be alternatively intermediately wrapped
as such before being enclosed in the outer envelope or shroud of
film. It is contemplated that such a sub-unit could be wrapped
either with or without the preliminary film wrappings on the
sub-groups 12. This may be achieved by a handling of the bricks 13
or articles as a sub-unit in a horizontal manner if necessary
during such intermediate wrapping.
As already mentioned hereinabove, the use of veneer boards 44 as
interposed between at least the two lowermost courses of bricks
helps to both stabilize and protect the bricks from possible damage
when lifted by a fork lift or similar mechanical lifting means.
While not considered conventional, it is contemplated that a
further alternative arrangement might be the use of only one large
area type veneer board in place of the several smaller area boards
described hereinabove. The remaining method would be the same, with
the wire strip or fabric web cradling the lowermost course of
bricks or articles beneath said board. One or more such boards
could be interposed respectively between some of the superposed
courses to give added strength and rigidity to this particular cube
arrangement.
A further contemplated embodiment is to assemble a cube of the
articles by forming a predetermined number of the articles into
individual full course which are then heat shrink covered with a
layer of the shrink film, such as depicted in FIG. 10 at 18a,
before the courses are superposed on one another. This may be done
either with or without also preliminary shrinkfit wrapping the
sub-groups 12 with the film. When omitting the preliminary
shrinkfit wrappings of the sub-groups 12, in the case where the
articles are bricks or similar articles which may tend to chip or
crack, it would be preferable to interpose paper or cardboard
sheets between abutting row ends to better protect them. However,
in lieu of the paper or cardboard pieces, portions of the shrink
film may be tucked downwardly as in folds between the abutting row
ends prior to then closely grouping them and effecting the
heat-shrink-wrapping thereof.
More particularly for protectively shrinkfit-wrapping of a glazed
type brick 13a (FIGS. 11 and 12) and the like, it is contemplated
to initially space the bricks in open rank form as per FIG. 11.
Then the heat shrinkable plastic film shroud 18 is tucked
downwardly between the adjacent bricks by any suitable means such
as the selectively elevatable grid bars 50. Thereafter the brikcs
13a are moved together as indicated by the arrows 52 (FIG. 12)
before being subjected to the heat to shrinkfit the film tightly
thereabout in the manner previously described. The depth to which
the film 18 may be inserted between the bricks may vary for
different type brick or preferences to assure the desired or
required degree of protection therebetween. The illustrated manner
of FIGS. 11 and 12 or its equivalent could apply to the
contemplated modification of the preceding paragraph. The end
effect of the foregoing alternate methods would be generally the
same, i.e., the outermost edge bricks of the course would be snugly
held in correct and stabilized position during the stacking of the
various courses while providing better protection for the
individual bricks. An outer shroud or bag would be used to envelope
the completed assembly, as previously described.
Where sufficiently heavy guage film is used to be shrunk fit around
the cubed articles particularly enveloping from the bottom
upwardly, it is contemplated that the wire or fabric web means may
be omitted. However, as a safety precaution it is desirable to
utilize them in each method and resulting package, in the event the
plastic film should become ripped or torn away. Under such latter
circumstances it is apparent that the auxiliary wire or fabric
webbing would still act to contain and support the lower most
course of brick cradled therewithin. This is assured by the
strength of the webbing and the fact that the ends are held against
the veneer boards by the top surface of the fork lift arms during
transporting thereof.
While it may not be necessary in all instances where the shroud is
applied from above to have the outer bag film or shroud extend to
fully undertuck whatever type of auxiliary stabilizing means is
utilized therewith, it is preferable to do so, at least in part in
order to effect a more compact and stabilized packaging according
to this shrinkfit wrapping method.
While nearly every instance of shrinkfit wrapping of bricks or
other heavy articles will preferably include the stacking thereof
upon some suitable auxiliary supporting or formal pallet means,
whether of the wood, cardboard, plastic or wire mesh form, it is
conceivable that for less dense and lighter weight articles, the
stacking means will enable similar cube formation without
necessarily including any of the auxiliary supports or a pallet per
se in the finished wrapped package. It is also understood that
where bag type shrouds are utilized, either the closed bag end
should be provided with an air escape opening or suitable air
exhausting means may be desirable to help evacuate any trapped air
which may tend to accumulate and hinder the heat-shrinkfitting.
The advantages attendant the use of the aforedescribed methods are
apparent and further include the following. Whether mechanized or
manual installations are used, there is considerable saving of
manpower and less skilled labor is required. By utilizing the
sub-units or sub-packages which are initially shrinkfit wrapped,
the bricks are not only maintained in more compact relation, but
they are also suitable protected from adjacent bricks without need
of the interposed paper, wood or light cardboard strips customarily
used for such purposes. Also the preliminary shrinkwrapping of the
sub-packages, and/or intermediate shrinkfit wrapping of layers
thereof, considerably improves the relative stability of the bricks
and keeps the bricks from shifting as much, thereby considerably
reducing potential loss due to chipping and breaking. This method
eliminates the need for the more conventional metallic strapping of
the bricks. Elimination of the metal straps eliminates danger of
rust marks as well as strap breakage, slippage or shifting
resulting in a substantially greater degree of breakage of the
bricks. The shrinkwrap film also keeps the stacks of cubed bricks
cleaner and protected from the elements which affect color and
moisture content. Partial use of a cube of bricks will still enable
the remainder of the bricks to be retained in protectively covered
form until needed. These and other advantages will become apparent
to those familiar with the brick packaging art.
The improved completed package therefore may embody various
generally cube-arranged articles with or without the auxiliary
stabilizing means or a pallet means therewith. Depending upon
relative sizes and weights of the articles being packaged, either
heavier guage film material may be used or plural layers thereof
may be used to reduce the likelihood scuff tearing the film.
It is apparent from the foregoing detailed description and drawings
that improved methods of packaging and the novelly improved
packages resulting therefrom have been evolved which achieve all of
the advantages and objectives set forth in the preamble and
throughout this specification. Other various changes and
alterations may be made by those skilled in the art without
departing from the inventive concept, spirit and scope as defined
in the appended claims.
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