GB2080239A - Method of and apparatus for banding nested articles package produced thereby - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of packaging a plurality of nested articles, e.g. flower pots (3), comprises applying a band (5), e.g. of heat-shrinkable plastics material, around adjacent exposed portions (4) of the nested articles to secure the articles together without covering the mouth (6) of the uppermost article. Such a package may be nested together with other similar packages or with individual articles. Heat shrink apparatus is disclosed comprising a conveyor (11) having rotatable goods carriers (12), upon which nested articles with a bond therearound can be placed, and a heating tunnel (15) in which are mounted heater assemblies (16) that are adjustable for position and air flows. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Packaging of nested articles This invention relates to packaging and is especially appiicable to packaging of a plurality of articles nested one within another.

Traditionally flower pots have been sold singly at the retail level but usually customers require several pots of a given size, and counting out the correct number of pots can be a tedious and timeconsuming operation in addition to which errors can easily be made. There is therefore a need for a method of packaging flower pots in units of conve nient numbers such as tens or dozens. However, this presents difficulties in that the method of packaging must ensure that individual pots cannot be readily removed prior to sale and if the pots are enclosed in a box or similar container storage space is greatly increased since traditionally flower pots are stored by nesting them one within another.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a means of packaging by which the above disadvantages can be obviated or mitigated.

The invention provides a method of packaging a plurality of inter-nested articles as a unit, comprising applying a band of packaging material around adjacent exposed portions of the nested articles to secure the articles together as a unit without covering the mouth of the uppermost article, whereby the packaged unit may be nested together with other similar units or with individual articles.

Preferably, the band of material is a heatshrinkable plastics material which remains in a shrunken condition after heating and is of a width slightlygreaterthan the heightofthe adjacent exposed portions of the nested articles whereby, following shrinkage, the opposite edges of the band extend over the upper and lower edges of the exposed portions whereby to prevent detachment of articles from the unit without damaging or destroying the packaging.

As applied to the packaging of nested flower pots or similar containers, the band is applied around the exposed nested rims of the articles and extends across the upper edge of the rim of the uppermost container and the lower edge of the rim of the lowermost container, whereby to secure the nested rims and hence the containers together as a unit.

Application of the band may be effected in any desired manner, but for best results heat should preferably be uniformly applied around the periphery of the band to effect shrinkage. For this purpose the stack or bung of articles round which the band has been placed may be rotated relative to a suitable heat source or heat may be applied by a heater of circular or other closed ring form with respect to which the stack or bung of containers surrounded by the packaging band is relatively movable.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammmatic drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-section through a stack of nested containers secured together to form a unitary package according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the stack of containers shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of one form of apparatus for use in packaging containers according to the invention; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig.

3; and Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the apparatus.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a series of five plastic flower pots 3 of tapered cross-section and having outwardly projecting peripheral rims 4, the pots being nested together to form a unit such that the rims 4 are all disposed at the upper region of the unit and adjacent to one another. The pots are secured together as a unit by a heat shrunk wrapping band 5 of polyvinylchloride (PVC) which is applied around the rims 4 of the pots to secure them together. The band 5 is initially placed loosely around the rims 4 where it is retained by friction or by a suitable jig and heat is then applied causing the band to shrink and conform to the shape of the region it surrounds as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

The height of the band is selected relative to the height of the nested rims 4 such that it projects slightly above the upper edge of the upper rim and below the lower edge of the lower rim. Following shrinking these regions of the band extend across the upper and lower rims respectively, as shown at 5A and 5B in Fig. 1, thereby preventing upward or downward removal of pots from the stack and rendering the packaged unit relatively tamper-proof.

It will be noted that because the packaging takes the form of a band extending around the rims of the pots it does not extend across the mouth 6 of the uppermost pot. In this way, it is possible to nest the packaged unit together with other similar units or with individaul pots and hence the packaging technique does not interfere with the normal means of storage and transport of the pots, nor require any additional storage space.

In addition to securing the pots together, the packaging band may, advantageously bear advertising matter or information regarding the pots, such as their sizes and the number of pots contained in the stack. The packaging band may be opaque or transparent or could contain both opaque and transparent areas respectively designed to carry descriptive or advertising material and to enable the rims of the pots to be viewed so that prospective purchasers can identify the nature of the articles and can count them if required. Referring to Figs. 3 to 5 there is shown one form of apparatus for the continuous packaging of flower pots. The apparatus comprises a frame 10 on which is supported an endless conveyor 1 1 carrying a series of rotatably mounted carriers 12.Each of the carriers has a universal fixing attachment to accommodate variable size jigs suited to different sizes of pot. The conveyor 11 is driven by a motor 13 through a variable speed gear mechanism 14. The upper rim of the conveyor moves through a heating tunnel 15 mounted at the upper region of the frame 10 and carries articles supported on the carriers 12 past a series of heaters 16. On entering the tunnel hub portions 1 2A of the carriers are frictionally engaged by a drive band 17 which causes rotation of the carriers and the articles supported thereon during their passage through the tunnel. The band 17 is driven by a separate drive motor 18 through a variable speed and reverse gear mechanism 19 and is maintained in contact with the hub portions 12A of the carriers 12 by spring-urged jockey pulleys 17A, Fig. 4.

A bank of three heater assemblies 16 is mounted at each side of the tunnel 15. Each heater incorporates a fishtail nozzle 20 which is rotatable through 3600 to vary the flow of heated air emitted. The heaters are mounted on individual pillars 21 and are vertically adjustable by means of screw adjusters 22 and horizontally adjustable towards and away from the carriers 12 on slides 23. In this way the heaters may be moved to different positions to produce the desired heating effect and to adapt the apparatus for packaging articles of different sizes. The temperatures of the heaters may be controlled by individual controls 24 on each unit to ensure the appropriate degree of shrinking of the packaging bands and to prevent damage to the pots and bands due to excessive heating.

In use of the apparatus stacks consisting of a desired number of pots, say 6, 10 or 12, are made up by hand and a pre-formed sleeve is loosely positioned around the rim of each stack using a mandril guide. The stacks are then manually loaded on to the moving carriers 12 in inverted positions as the carriers pass the operator and are carried through the tunnel 15 where the packaging bands are heat shrunk round the rims as previously described to secure the pots together. During movement through the tunnel the carriers 12 are rotated by engagement with the band 17 and the combined forward and rotary movement ofthe pots through the heated tunnel ensures uniform shrinkage of the packaging band and secure packaging of the pots.

By virtue of the arrangement described there is provided a simple means of securing plant pots or similar nesting containers together in units of convenient numbers which cannot be readily separated without damaging or destroying the packaging. It will be appreciated that the technique may be readily applied to containers of a wide variety of different shapes and sizes and can be used to form units consisting of different numbers of articles. For example, in the case of plant pots, those sizes most commonly purchased in larger quantities could be packaged in units often or a dozen whereas those commonly purchased in smaller quantities could be packaged in fives or half dozens.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example, application of heat to the packaging band to shrink wrap it around the rims of the pots may be effected in any convenient manner. As an alternative to the arrangement described the heaters may be of circular or other closed loop form and the bungs of pots may be moved through the heater or the heater moved past the pots. Moreover while reference has been made herein principally to the packaging of flower pots, the invention could be applied to the packaging of other articles which require to be secured together as a unit without interfering with stacking or nesting capabilities. The packaging band could also be applied by means otherthan heat shrinking, although this is preferred, and where heat shrinking is utilised, plastics materials other than PVC may be used and the manner of applying heat and the temperatures utilised may be altered dependant on requirements.

Claims (10)

1. A method of packaging a plurality of internested articles as a unit, comprising applying a band of packaging material around adjacent exposed portions of the nested articles to secure the articles together as a unit without covering the mouth of the uppermost article, whereby the packaged unit may be nested together with other similar units or with individual articles.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the band of material is a heat-shrinkable plastics material which remains in a shrunken condition after heating and is of a width slightly greaterthan the height of the adjacent exposed portions of the nested articles whereby, following shrinkage, the opposite edges of the band extend over the upper and lower edges of the exposed portions whereby to prevent detachment of articles from the unit without damaging or destroying the packaging.

3. A method according to claim 2 applied to the packaging of nested flower pots or similar containers having outwardly projecting rims at their upper ends, wherein the band is applied around the exposed nested rims of the articles and extends across the upper edge of the rim of the uppermost container and the lower edge of the rim of the lowermost container, whereby to secure the nested rims and hence the containers together as a unit.

4. A method according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the nested articles are rotated during heat shrinking of the packaging band.

5. A method according to any of claims 2 to 4 wherein the articles are supported on a carrier in an inverted position to retain the band in position during heating.

6. A method according to any of claims 2 to 5 wherein the band comprises heat-shrinkable polyvinylchloride.

7. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the band is wholly or partly transparent.

8. A method of packaging a plurality of internested articles substantially as hereinbefore described.

9. A package of inter-nested articles produced by the method according to any preceding claim.

10. A package of inter-nested articles of tapering cross-section having outwardly projecting peripheral rims in which the articles are secured together by a band of packaging material extending around the nested rims and projecting across the upper edge of the rim of the upper most container and the lower edge of the rim of the lowermost con tainerwithout covering the mouth of the uppermost container whereby to secure the nested rims and hence the containers together as a unit while permitting the packaged unit to be nested together with other similar units or with individual articles.

10. Apparatus for packaging a plurality ofinter- of inter- nested articles comprising means for applying a band of packaging material around adjacent exposed portions of the nested articles to secure the articles together as a unit without covering the mouth of the uppermost article, whereby the packaged unit may be nested together with other similar units or with individual articles.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said means is operative to heat-shrink a band of plastics material around the adjacent exposed portions of the nested articles.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said means for heat-shrinking comprises a heating unit, a carrier for the nested articles, means for moving the carrier through the heating unit and means for rotating the carrier during such movement.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said means for moving the carrier through the heating unit comprises an endless conveyor on which the carrier is rotatably supported and said means for rotating the carrier comprises a friction drive adapted to engage with and rotate the carrier as said conveyor enters the heating unit.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein a plurality of carriers are rotatably supported on said conveyor and said friction drive comprises an endless belt adapted to act on and rotate a plurality of said carriers simultaneously.

15. Apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 14 wherein the or each said carrier comprises a platform provided with a fitment to accommodate variable size jigs suited to different sizes of article and having a depending collar engageable by said endless belt to effect rotation of the carrier.

16. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 15 wherein a plurality of heaters are provided which may be adjusted verticaily and horizontally relative to said carrier.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said heaters are provided with rotatable air outlets to vary the flow of heated air emitted.

18. Apparatus for packaging a plurality of internested articles substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 3 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

19. A package of inter-nested articles produced using the apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 18.

20. Apackageofinter-nested articles of tapering cross-section having outwardly projecting peripheral rims in which the articles are secured together by a band of packaging material extending around the nested rims and projecting across the upper edge of the rim of the uppermost container and the lower edge of the rim of the lowermost con tainerwithout covering the mouth of the uppermost container, whereby to secure the nested rims and hence the containers together as a unit while permitting the packaged unit to be nested together with other similar units or with individual articles.

21. A package according to claim 20 wherein the band of packaging material is composed of a heatshrinkable plastics material.

22. A package according to claim 21 wherein the plastics material comprises heat-shrinkable polyvinylchloride.

23. A package according to any of claims 20 to 22 wherein the band is wholly or partly transparent.

24. A package according to any of claims 20 to 23 wherein the nested articles are plant pots.

25. A package of inter-nested articles substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

26. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.

Application No.8120312 Superseded claim 20 Claims 10 to 19 deleted and claims 20 to 26 renumbered as claims 10 to 16 with corresponding amendment of appendencies.