FR3090591A1 - Bundling packaging device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for packaging by bundling of products, comprising an oven (1) with a conveyor (2) and comprising an enclosure defined by at least one section (100) with a heating means (5), said conveyor ( 2) passing through at least said one section (100), characterized in that each heating means (5) comprises a first heating block (6), a first circuit - (60) connecting said first heating block (6) and opening into the interior of said section (100) and first means (61) for circulating a first flow of heated air to said first circuit (60); a second heating block (8), a second circuit (80) connecting said second heating block (8) and opening at said conveyor (2) and a second means (81) for circulating a second flow d air to said second circuit (80). The invention also relates to a method of implementing such a packaging device. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 2

Description

Description

Title of the invention: Bundling packaging device and method

The present invention enters the field of product packaging within a production line and processing of said products.

Such products can be, without limitation, containers, such as bottles, cans, cardboard bricks, or even such containers individually or grouped within boxes, cases, cartons or bundles.

In a known manner, within an industrial line, the products can receive several different successive treatments, ranging from the manufacture of the container by a plastic injection or stretch-blow molding operation, notably passing through the filling. , closing with a cap and labeling the products individually. Until the packaging in batches of several grouped products,

In addition, each batch is formed by grouping, staggered or not, of several products according to a matrix arrangement, generally of generally rectangular or square parallelepiped shape. In addition, each batch can be held lower by means of a support forming a bottom, for example a cardboard tray.

Once the products have been grouped into batches, each batch can be coated, in particular covered with a film in order to keep the products together and to facilitate the handling of such a batch.

The invention relates to packaging by bundling of several products grouped in batches.

Bundling products consists of grouping them into batches and then coating each batch of products with a sheet of a film of heat-shrinkable material. A coated batch then undergoes a heating step so that the sheet comes to match the overall external shape of the batch. In short, the film sheet shrinks under the effect of heat to apply a shrinkage ensuring the maintenance of the products grouped in batch.

The grouping in batches, the coating and the heating are carried out by means of a dedicated device of shrinkwrapping type, through several successive stations.

[0009] Further on, the heating of a coated batch is carried out by passing through an oven, of the tunnel oven type. Each batch of products is transported on the upper face of one or more conveyors, from the inlet to the outlet of said oven.

The same oven can comprise several distinct sections, abutted one after the other, each conferring dedicated heating parameters. Each section generally includes its own heating means.

As such, a heating means allows a circulation of a flow of hot air towards the interior of a section of the furnace. To do this, a heating means comprises a single heating block having the function of heating the air passing through it. A heating means also comprises a single means for circulating the air heated by said heating block, in the form of a single stream of heated air. At the outlet, this flow of heated air is sent to a dividing and opening circuit, on the one hand, inside the enclosure of a section and, on the other hand, at the level of the conveyor of this same section. This division of the flow leaving the heating block is generally carried out through a distributor, making it possible to open or close the circulation to the enclosure and / or the conveyor.

The hot air sent to the enclosure makes it possible to heat the exterior of the coated batch and to effect a contraction of the film sheet so that a constriction comes to apply in contact with the products, by deforming the sheet so that it comes to marry part of the contours. The hot air sent to the conveyor makes it possible to heat the underside and the lower edges of the batches transported on the conveyor, essentially targeting the part of the film sheet situated under the batch of products, with a view in particular to sealing the ends. of the coating sheet which, at the time of the prior coating, are superimposed and pressed against one another under the weight of the products of the batch.

One problem lies in the fact that the wrapping operation must allow, on the one hand, the application of the shrinkage so that the sheet includes the batch by marrying its outer walls and maintain each batch of products and, on the other hand, the welding of the ends of the film, in order to obtain a suitably maintained pack below. Consequently, a first drawback of the existing devices emerges: the circulation of a single flow of air heated to a single temperature by the same heating block, does not make it possible to modify the thermal conditions adapted to the contraction of the sheet and the application of necking and welding. As a result, one of these parts of the film is inevitably heated more to the detriment of the other.

In addition, the closure to stop, or even possibly decrease through a valve system, the air flow sent to the enclosure or the conveyor, directly impacts the air flow sent respectively to the conveyor or the enclosure.

In summary, the adjustments can only relate to the modification of a single temperature for the different locations of a section, or else to the adjustment of the overall flow of the entire circuit, or even of the air flows of each pipeline after distribution which impacts the rest of the circuit.

In addition, the use of a single heating block and the circulation of a single heated air flow, which is then distributed, imposes conditions that are difficult to control, a complexity of the circuits implemented for compensate for this re-partition, with superfluous valve systems, requiring additional maintenance, costly in time and financially, makes

The invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art by proposing a packaging device by bundling allowing to completely dissociate the heating to be applied inside the enclosure of a section of the oven. and at the level of the conveyor. Such a dissociation makes it possible to precisely and independently control the temperature to be applied for the application of the necking and the temperature to be applied for the welding. It also makes it possible to independently modify the circulation of each heated air flow, ensuring conditions specific to the application of the necking and to the welding.

To do this, such a wrapping packaging device comprises an oven provided with at least one conveyor and comprising an enclosure defined by at least one section with a heating means, said conveyor passing through at least said one section.

Such a device is characterized in that each heating means comprises at least:

a first heating block, a first circuit connecting said first heating block and opening out inside said section and a first means for circulating a first flow of air heated by said first heating block towards said first circuit;

- A second heating block, a second circuit connecting said second heating block and opening at said conveyor and a second means for circulating a second flow of air heated by said second heating block to said second circuit.

According to additional, non-limiting characteristics, such a conditioning device can include each heating means can include means for independent adjustment of said first block and said second heating block.

Each heating means may include means for independent control of said first and said second circulation means.

Said device may comprise another section with another heating means comprising another heating block, another circuit connecting said other heating block and opening out inside said other section and another circulation means another air flow heated by said other heating block to said other circuit, and the device can then be characterized in that said second circuit opens at said section and said other section.

The invention also relates to a method of implementing the packaging device.

Such a method is characterized in that at least, independently:

- One feeds an enclosure of the at least one section of said oven by said first air flow; and

- Feeding said conveyor by said second air flow.

Additionally, without limitation, the temperatures of said first block and second heating block can be independently adjusted.

We can independently control the flow rates of said first and second circulation means.

Therefore, the heating means of a section of an oven of a wrapping packaging device according to the invention, allows to independently manage the circulation of several separate air flows, towards the interior of the enclosure and towards the floor at the level of the conveyor. In particular towards the conveyor, it is then possible to have a dedicated temperature to obtain a better weld under the load / batch. In addition to the enclosure, it is possible to modify the air flow rate, in order to improve the smoothing of the constrained sheet.

The invention therefore offers the possibility of having different temperatures and flow rates for different operations of contraction of the sheet, application of the shrinkage and the weld, to be carried out simultaneously.

The invention also considerably simplifies the necessary components, in particular by eliminating a distributor with complex management of its air flow rates.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description which follows of nonlimiting embodiments of the invention, with reference to the appended figure:

[Fig.l] schematically shows a simplified view in transverse vertical section of an oven section of an embodiment of the packaging device by bundling; and

[Fig.2] schematically shows a simplified view in longitudinal vertical section of an oven with two sections according to another embodiment of said device, showing in particular the same heating dedicated to the conveyor at said two sections.

The present invention relates to the packaging of products.

Such products can be, without limitation, containers, such as bottles, cans, cardboard bricks, or even such containers individually or grouped within boxes, cases, cartons or bundles.

The invention particularly relates to packaging by bundling of said products. As mentioned above, the bundling comprises several stages of treatment of the products, namely in particular the regrouping of several products in batches, followed by a coating of each batch by means of a sheet of a film of heat-shrinkable material, then of a step of heating each coated batch in order to ensure, on the one hand, the contraction of the sheet and the application of the necking around the batch and, on the other hand, to ensure the welding of said sheet under said batch of products. Finally, a cooling step freezes the coating before it is handled and transported, in particular by palletization.

To this end, the invention relates to a packaging device by bundling of products, commonly called "shrinkwrapper".

The invention mainly comes into play in the product heating step, previously grouped in batches.

To do this, such a device comprises an oven 1. Said oven 1 constitutes a processing station for the packaging device by bundling, coming to cooperate with other stations, as upstream at least one station for grouping products into batches, at least one supply station, for cutting and injecting plastic film sheets for the coating of each batch of products, and downstream at least one cooling station.

In order to operate the movement of the products, within the device, but especially through said oven 1, the latter is provided with at least one conveyor 2. Preferably, several conveyors extend along the device , through and between the different stations. However, the oven 1 includes at least its own conveyor 2.

Such a conveyor 2 includes a structure and materials capable of withstanding mechanical and especially thermal stresses. Said conveyor 2 can be of the endless belt type, equipped with a chain or a belt essentially of metallic materials, in particular of the metallic lattice type, or heat-resistant plastics. The batches of products are moved to the upper face of the conveyor 2.

The oven 1 can be of any type, but preferably of the tunnel type. It includes an inlet 3 supplied with products by at least one coating station located upstream and an outlet 4, supplying batches of products with at least one cooling station located downstream. Consequently, one or more conveyor 2 make it possible to convey the products from the inlet 3 to the outlet 4, by making them pass through the interior of said oven 1, along a path or strand going.

Generally, the path or empty return strand of the conveyor 2 takes place outside the oven 1, preferably under or in the lower part of said oven 1. The device may include related means dedicated to cooling the path or return strand conveyor 2, in particular with a view to limiting its thermal inertia.

The oven 1 comprises at least one section 100. Preferably, an oven 1 comprises several sections 100, 101, abutted one after the other, ensuring continuity of the interior volume of said oven 1. The sections 100, 101 are generally aligned, forming a longitudinal enclosure of said oven 1.

As mentioned above, the at least one conveyor 2 extending through the furnace 1, it logically extends along the sections 100, 101 which constitute it. In particular, said conveyor 2 passes through at least one section 100, 101.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, said oven 1 comprises a first section 100 extending from the inlet 3, followed by a second section 101, abutting and extending from said first section 100 until exit 4.

Each section 100.101 determines a heating zone with specific parameters, corresponding to different stages of heating each batch.

To do this, each section 100,101 comprises a heating means 5. each heating means 5 allows to heat and send to the interior of the oven 1 a flow of heated air.

Advantageously, the invention provides for improving the heating by dissociating the flows of heated air for the treatments dedicated, on the one hand, to the contraction of the sheet and the application of the constriction and, on the other hand , at welding.

To do this, first of all, each heating means 5 comprises at least a first heating block 6. Such a first block 6 ensures the heating of the air which passes through it, by dedicated means, in particular by means of a gas burner, of electric heating resistances.

Each heating means 5 comprises a first circuit 60 connecting said first heating block 6 and opening out inside said section 100,101. The first circuit 60 therefore forms one or more conduits inside which a first flow of heated air circulates from said first block 6 until it is expelled inside the furnace 1, in particular inside the section 100 or 101 provided with said heating means 5. The expulsion inside the enclosure can be carried out by nozzles, in particular in the form of ramps 7. As visible in FIG. 1, the ramps 7 are positioned with the air expulsion openings towards the center of the oven 1. The ramps 7 are positioned spaced apart, providing a passage for the batches between two ramps 7.

Each heating means 5 also comprises a first means for circulating 61 of the first flow of air heated by said first heating block 6 to said first circuit 60. Such circulating means 61 may include means adapted, ensuring ventilation to move the heated air, in particular through the first block 6, as one or more fans.

Thus, the first heating block 6, its first circulation means 61 and its first circuit 60 provide heating towards the interior of the enclosure with a view essentially to effect the contraction of the sheet and the application of the constriction.

On the other hand, in order to ensure welding, each heating means 5 comprises a second heating block 8. This second block 8 can be of the same type as the first block 6 or with components of different types. The second block 8 is distinct from the first block 6, so that it is possible to independently change the temperature of one or the other.

Each heating means 5 also includes a second circuit 80 connecting said second heating block 8 and opening at said conveyor 2. This second circuit comprises one or more pipes extending from second block 8 and opening at conveyor 2, preferably under the outward strand of said conveyor 2. At the outlet, the air thus expelled can follow a floor under the outward strand of conveyor 2, crossing the surface of the latter, in particular provided perforated or through, as in the case of 'a trellis. The second circuit 80 is distinct from the first circuit 60, with totally independent pipes and conduits, not opening with each other, so that the air heated by the first block 6 does not meet the air heated by the second block 8 during its circulation, until the moment of emerging into the enclosure and at the level of the conveyor 2.

Each heating means 5 further comprises a second means 81 for circulating a second flow of air heated by said second heating block 8 to said second circuit 80. Such a second means 81 for circulating can include suitable means, providing ventilation to move the heated air, in particular through the second block 8, such as one or more fans. The second circulation means 81 is distinct from the first circulation means 61, making it possible to independently manage the first and second air flows heated by the first block 6 and the second block 8. It is thus possible to vary separately the flows of the first flow opening into the enclosure, in particular via the ramps 7, and of the second flow opening at the level of said conveyor 2.

As such, each heating means 5 may include means for independent adjustment of said first 6 block and said second 8 heating block.

Similarly, each heating means 5 comprises means for independent control of said first means 61 and said second means 81 of circulation.

Each of the adjustment and control means are specific to each block 6.8 for a heating means 5 of a section 100.101. They can in particular be controlled by computer, from a terminal or a control console, through a dedicated software interface and executed on said terminal or console.

According to a particular embodiment, as visible in FIG. 2, the oven comprises another section 101. In sum, the oven comprises a first section 100 and a second section 101. Said second section 101 includes another means of heating 9 comprising another heating block 90, another circuit 91 connecting said other heating block 90 and opening out inside said other section 101. The other heating means 9 also includes another means 92 for circulating another flow of air heated by said other heating block 90 to said other first circuit 91. In sum, it is another set dedicated to the other section 101, similar to the first set dedicated to the section 100 and comprising the first block 6, the first circuit 60 and the first circulation means 61. This other assembly therefore makes it possible to adapt the heating, temperature and flow conditions at the level of the other section 101.

Advantageously, in this embodiment, said second circuit 80 opens at said section 100 and said other section 101. In other words, the second flow of heated air supplies the section simultaneously and in a dependent manner. 100 and the other section 101. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the temperature and control the air flow of the second flow so that it is identical for the entire conveyor 2, along said section 100 and other section. 101.

The invention also relates to a method of implementing the packaging device described above.

Advantageously, during this implementation, at least, independently, on the one hand, the enclosure of the at least one section 100 of said furnace 1 is supplied with said first air flow, while, on the other hand, said conveyor 2 is supplied by said second air flow.

Further, the temperatures of said first block 6 and second block 8 of heating can be independently adjusted.

In addition, one can independently control the flow rates of said first means 61 and second means 81 of circulation.

According to the embodiment with another section 101, it is also possible to independently adjust the temperatures of said first block 6 and other 90 block, as well as to separately control the flow rates of said first 61 and other 92 means of circulation . The conditions affecting the enclosure of the section 100 and the enclosure of the other section 101 are managed separately, even if said conditions interfere with each other at the junction of the section 100 and the other section 101.

Separately, it is then possible to feed the entire floor and the conveyor 2 of the section 100 and the other section 101, by a single second block 8, with its second circuit 80 and its second means 81 of circulation. Thus, the heating conditions applied to the conveyor 2 and to the batches it transports can be made homogeneous.

The invention allows to choose and vary the conditions, temperatures and flow rates, for each section 100,101, for the enclosure of each of them and distinctly for the conveyor 2, to ensure, adequate conditions, on the one hand, for the contraction of the sheet and the application of the necking and, on the other hand, for the welding.

Claims (1)

Claims [Claim 1] Device for packaging by bundling of products, comprising an oven (1) provided with at least one conveyor (2) and comprising an enclosure defined by at least one section (100) with a heating means (5), said conveyor (2 ) passing through at least said one section (100), characterized in that each heating means (5) comprises at least: - a first heating block (6), a first circuit - (60) connecting said first heating block (6) and opening out inside said section (100) and a first means (61) for circulating d 'a first flow of air heated by said first heating block (6) to said first circuit (60); - a second heating block (8), a second circuit (80) connecting said second heating block (8) and opening at said conveyor (2) and a second means (81) for circulating a second flow air heated by said second heating block (8) to said second circuit (80). [Claim 2] Packaging device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each heating means (5) comprises means for independent adjustment of said first block (6) and said second heating block (8). [Claim 3] Packaging device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each heating means (5) comprises means for independent control of said first means (61) and said second means (81) for circulation. [Claim 4] Packaging device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising another section (101) with another heating means (9) comprising another heating block (90), another circuit (91) connecting said other block (90 ) heating and opening into said other section (101) and another means (92) for circulating another flow of air heated by said other heating block (9) to said other circuit ( 91); characterized in that said second circuit (91) opens at said section (100) and said other section (101). [Claim 5] Method for implementing the packaging device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at minus, independently: - an enclosure of the at least one section (100) of said oven is supplied (1) by said first air flow; and - Feeding said conveyor (2) by said second air flow. [Claim 6] Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the temperatures of said first heating block (6) and second heating block (8) are independently adjusted. [Claim 7] Method according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the flow rates of said first means (61) and second means (81) for circulation are independently controlled. 1/1