Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B11/00—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material
  • B65B11/04—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material the articles being rotated
  • B65B11/045—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material the articles being rotated by rotating platforms supporting the articles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B11/00—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material
  • B65B11/58—Applying two or more wrappers, e.g. in succession
  • B65B11/585—Applying two or more wrappers, e.g. in succession to stacked articles, e.g. pallettised loads

Definitions

• This invention refers to a process and a system for wrapping palletised loads.
• the palletised loads consist of one or more goods distributed in a more or less orderly manner on a pallet so it can be moved and transported in a practical and easy way.
• the palletised loads are normally covered with a stabilising wrap that immobilises the loads on the pallet so they can then be transported without any risk of falling or tipping over.
• Wrapping is normally done by means of either automatic or semi automatic wrapping stations, which use one or more machines, intended to move a wrapping head which supports the reel of plastic film.
• the moving machine is normally composed of a jointed robot arm that, to wind the covering film around the load to wrap, operates the wrapping head with a lifting and rotating motion around the palletised load which, on the contrary, substantially remains still.
• the moving machine works by moving the wrapping head vertically, simultaneously winding the covering film around the palletised load that turns on a rotating platform.
• the reel is mounted on the wrapping head in a rotating way around its own axis and, while wrapping, is kept substantially vertical and parallel to the lateral sides of the load to wrap.
• the plastic film which unwinds from the reel therefore, has two opposing longitudinal edges, one top and one bottom, which extend crosswise to the axis of the reel.
• the wrapping head has particular means to roll up, fold and wrap the bottom longitudinal edge on itself as the plastic film is dispensed. Due to the effect of rolling up, the bottom longitudinal edge gets thicker, becoming a particularly strong reinforcement border that can be wound around the pallet without breaking.
• Such wrapping stations make it possible to wrap palletised loads of different shapes and sizes.
• the size of traditional pallets is such that both forks of a forklift truck can be inserted either through the long side or the short side of the pallet. Whatever direction the forks are inserted, therefore, the load is lifted with both forks in stable and safe conditions.
• the loads, demi-pallets and auxiliary pallet, thus assembled, are then wrapped together.
• the auxiliary pallet has the purpose of allowing the movement and transport of the two demi-pallets up to the point of delivery where the two loads resting on the demi-pallets can be separated from each other.
• auxiliary pallet The necessity to place the demi-pallets and relative loads on top of an auxiliary pallet, furthermore, means that particular types of additional equipment have to be used to lift the demi-pallets and position the auxiliary pallet under them.
• additional equipment constitutes a supplementary cost in terms of installation, maintenance and overall system management.
• a particular wrapping process is known where two palletised loads are placed side by side so the two demi-pallets they are put on are placed side by side, and then the plastic film is wrapped around the palletised loads, tightening the reinforcement border of the covering sheet which is folded over itself around the demi-pallets.
• the reinforcement border in effect, not only allows the stabilising wrap to adhere to the pallets but also makes the demi-pallets integral with each other so they can be transported without using the auxiliary pallet.
• two consecutive wrapping stations are normally used, each with a rotating platform and a machine to move the reel of plastic film.
• One wrapping station is for winding single palletised loads, while the other is for wrapping two palletised loads, one against the other.
• the wrapping system becomes particularly complex and costly, both in terms of installation expenses and in terms of the high ranning, labour and maintenance costs.
• the above mentioned wrapping process can be done with just one station, with just one rotating platform and with just one reel moving machine.
• the wrapping station works as follows: a first palletised load is wrapped on the rotating platform and then temporarily transferred to an adjacent parking roller unit; a second palletised load is placed on the rotating platform and then wrapped; the first and second palletised loads, both wrapped individually, are then put side by side on the rotating platform and wrapped together.
• the main aim of this invention is to provide a process and a system for wrapping palletised loads that allow to wrap the demi-pallets and the loads on top of them in a practical, easy, quick and functional way and, at the same time, to reduce the overall transportation costs significantly both in terms of less pallets used and in terms of less money spent on installation, maintenance and management of the wrapping station.
• Another object of this invention is to provide a process and a system for wrapping palletised loads that allow to overcome the mentioned drawbacks of the known technique as part of a simple, rational, easy, effective use and low cost solution.
• this system for wrapping palletised loads characterised by the fact that it comprises at least a first rotating platform suitable for receiving in succession at least a first palletised load and at least a second palletised load to wrap, at least a second rotating platform suitable for receiving simultaneously said first and second palletised loads, and a movement machine for moving a covering sheet suitable for cooperating with said first rotating platform to wrap in succession said first and said second palletised loads with a first stabilising wrap and for cooperating with said second rotating platform to wrap together said first and said second palletised loads with a second stabilising wrap in a double wrapping configuration where said first and second palletised loads are substantially side by side and together on top of said second rotating platform.
• figure 1 is a plan view of the system according to the invention
• figure 2 is a side raised, schematic and partial view of the system according to the invention
• figures from 3 to 6 show, in a sequence of plan views, the operation of the system according to the invention.
• the system 1 comprises a first rotating platform 2 and a second rotating platform 3.
• the first rotating platform 2 is suitable for receiving in succession a first palletised load 4 and a second palletised load 5 to wrap and make them turn around a vertical axis.
• one palletised load 4, 5 is made to turn at a time.
• the second rotating platform 3 is suitable for receiving simultaneously the first and the second palletised loads 4, 5 and to make them turn simultaneously around a vertical axis.
• the first and the second palletised loads 4, 5 are composed of, respectively, a first load to wrap 4a and a second load to wrap 5a placed, respectively, on top of a first pallet 4b and on top of a second pallet 5b.
• the pallets 4b and 5b consist of two demi-pallets of standardized shapes and dimensions.
• a movement machine 6 for moving a dispensing reel 7 of a covering sheet 8.
• the movement machine 6 is suitable for cooperating with the first rotating platform 2 to wrap in succession the first and the second palletised loads 4, 5 with a first stabilising wrap.
• the movement machine 6 is also suitable for cooperating with the second rotating platform 3 to wrap together the first and the second palletised loads 4, 5 with a second stabilising wrap in a double wrapping configuration where the first and the second palletised loads 4, 5 are substantially side by side and together on top of the second rotating platform 3.
• the movement machine 6 comprises an articulated arm 9, the free end of which has a working head 10 that supports the dispensing reel 7.
• the articulated arm 9 is hinged according to a vertical axis to a fixed base 11 5 so as to be able to rotate around said axis to bring the dispensing reel 7 close to the first rotating platform 2 or, alternatively, to the second rotating platform 3.
• presser elements 12, 13 suitable for lowering and pressing the palletised loads 4, 5 which are on the first rotating platform 2 or on the second rotating platform 3 respectively so as to keep them stable during wrapping.
• the presser elements 12, 13, in detail, are mounted on corresponding supporting columns 14, 15 and operable sliding in a vertical direction so as to come into contact with the top of the palletised loads 4, 5.
• the system 1 also comprises a forward movement line 16 of the palletised loads 4, 5 along which the first and the second rotating platforms 2, 3 are arranged.
• the second rotating platform 3 is arranged downstream from the first rotating platform 2 in the direction of movement of the palletised loads 4, 5 along the forward movement line 16.
• This forward movement line is composed of, e.g., a set of transfer means of the palletised loads 4, 5 suitable for placing the first palletised load 4 on top of the first rotating platform 2, for moving the first palletised load 4 away from the first rotating platform 2, for placing the second palletised load 5 on top of the first rotating platform 2, for moving the second palletised load 5 away from the first rotating platform 2, for positioning the palletised loads 4, 5 in the double wrapping configuration on the second rotating platform 3 and, lastly, for moving the palletised loads 4, 5 away from the second rotating platform 3.
• a set of transfer means of the palletised loads 4, 5 suitable for placing the first palletised load 4 on top of the first rotating platform 2, for moving the first palletised load 4 away from the first rotating platform 2, for placing the second palletised load 5 on top of the first rotating platform 2, for moving the second palletised load 5 away from the first rotating platform 2, for positioning the palletised loads 4, 5 in the double wrapping configuration on the second rotating platform 3 and, lastly, for moving the palletised loads 4, 5 away from the second rotating platform 3.
• the transfer means 16 comprise: a conveyor belt 17 mounted on a fixed supporting frame arranged immediately upstream of the first rotating platform 2; a first motorised roller unit 18 mounted on the first rotating platform 2; a first roller conveyor 19 mounted on a fixed supporting frame interposed between the first rotating platform 2 and the second rotating platform 3; a second motorised roller unit 20 mounted on the second rotating platform 3; a second roller conveyor 21 mounted on a fixed supporting frame arranged immediately downstream from the second rotating platform 3.
• a labelling machine 22 suitable for labelling the palletised loads 4, 5.
• This labelling machine is arranged in proximity of the first roller conveyor 19 and is suitable for affixing one or more labels on the first stabilising wraps of the palletised loads 4, 5 coming from the first rotating platform 2.
• the wrapping of the palletised loads 4, 5 inside the system 1 is done by means of the process according to the invention which consists of the following phases:
• the process according to the invention also contemplates an additional phase that consists of joining the pallet 4b of the first palletised load 4 and the pallet 5b of the second palletised load 5 together in the double wrapping configuration.
• this phase of joining occurs simultaneously with the wrapping together phase of the first and second palletised loads 4, 5 (figure 6).
• the joining phase consists of folding the bottom longitudinal edge of the covering sheet 8 over on itself with the aid of a wheel 23 so as to form a reinforcement border 24 and wrapping once or more times the covering sheet 8 around the first and the second palletised loads 4, 5 in the double wrapping configuration, tightening the reinforcement border 24 around the pallets 4b, 5b of the first and of the second palletised loads 4, 5 to form one or more holding coils of the pallets.
• All the coils tightened around the pallets 4b, 5b make the pallets 4b, 5b practically integral with each other and confer to the palletised loads 4, 5 the stability and the stiffness necessary to be transported without being placed on top of an auxiliary pallet (figure 2).
• the number of coils tightened around the pallets 4b, 5b corresponds to the number of wrappings of the covering sheet 8 around the base of the loads to wrap 4a, 5a and can vary according to load type.
• the joining phase is different and consists of, e.g., an intermediate station placed in between the first and the second platforms 2, 3 and suitable for lifting the palletised loads 4, 5 and for placing them on top of an auxiliary pallet of a bigger size.
• the phase of wrapping together the first and the second palletised loads 4, 5 on the second rotating platform 3 does not necessitate the application of a set of coils to hold the pallets 4b, 5b and consists of winding the covering sheet 8 around the auxiliary pallet.
• the palletised loads 4, 5 to wrap together on the second rotating platform 3 are only two.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
• Pallets (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=39673430

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Families Citing this family (4)

Family Cites Families (2)

• 2007
  • 2007-04-27 IT IT000145A patent/ITMO20070145A1/it unknown
• 2008
  • 2008-03-31 EP EP08737364A patent/EP2150465B1/fr active Active
  • 2008-03-31 DE DE602008005298T patent/DE602008005298D1/de active Active
  • 2008-03-31 ES ES08737364T patent/ES2360911T3/es active Active
  • 2008-03-31 WO PCT/IB2008/000765 patent/WO2008132566A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2008-03-31 AT AT08737364T patent/ATE500139T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events