TIGHTENING ARRANGEMENT FOR PAPERBOARD WRAP AND TIGHTENING SECTION FOR APPARATUS FOR APPLYING A WRAP AROUND A PLURALITY OF ARTICLES

Abstract: There is provided a tightening arrangement in a paperboard wrap for articles such a bottles (11). In the region of the side/base junction there is provided a number of hinge panels (25) which remain hingedly connected to the wrap. The hinge panels (25) are folded out of alignment with a wrap such that a first part (26) lies in use against the adjacent base panel below a heel part (16) of one of the bottles (11). The hinge connection of the hinge panels (25) provides a firm area for engagement by the substantially straight, continuous edge provided by a series of engaging members (52) mounted on an endless chain.

Description: TIGHTENING ARRANGEMENT FOR PAPERBOARD WRAP AND TIGHTENING SECTION FOR APPARATUS FOR APPLYING A WRAP AROUND A PLURALITY OF ARTICLES The invention relates to paperboard wraps for retaining a number of articles. According to one aspect ofthe present invention there is provided a paperboard wrap comprising two panels hingedly connected together along a fold line and at least one tightening arrangement, each comprising a first cut being made in one panel which first cut has two ends which are both located at a hinge line to define a first part and a second cut being made in the second panel which second cut has two ends which are both located at the hinge line to define a tab part which is integrally formed with the first part to constitute a hinge panel, at least one of the ends of the second cut being disposed generally between the two ends of the first cut, whereby in use the hinge panel is pivotted about the hinge line and the parts of the hinge line between adjacent ends of the cuts provide surfaces for engagement with a tightening edge of a packing machine. Preferably both ends of the second cut are disposed between the ends of the first cut and also the hinge line does not extend across the hinge panel. With preferred embodiments the wrap comprises a sleeve for retaining a plurality of articles as a multipack. Conveniently said one panel is a side wall of said sleeve and the other side wall of the sleeve is also constituted by a panel similar to said one panel. Each side wall may comprise a main side panel and a sub-panel adjacent the second panel. Generally, said second panel is a base wall of said sleeve and another base wall of the sleeve is also constituted by a panel similar to said second panel. A further preferred feature is that each pair of first and second cuts constitutes an article retaining seat in use. A further feature of such an arrangement is that when the hinge panel is rotated about said hinge line, the first part lies against the associated base wall and constitutes a seat for an article. Preferably each article is associated with a hinge panel, the first cut of which is generally C-shaped and the second cut is angled inwardly from both ends and joined with a straight central section which is generally parallel to the hinge line. The first part of the hinge panel need not extend to the first cut in chosen locations such as that part remote from the two ends of the cut. The two base panels may be connected together using adhesive or interlocking panels or other means. In some embodiments the hinge line is an extension of said fold line whereas in other embodiments the hinge line is substantially parallel to but spaced from the fold line, with the ends of the first cut extending into the second panel. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a tightening section for apparatus for applying a paperboard wrap around a plurality of articles, said tightening section comprising an endless drive member having at least one straight line section and having a multitude of elements which project outwardly from the drive member the elements being such that a number of said elements form a substantially straight edge in said straight line section which edge is substantially parallel to the path of articles through the tightening section and to the path of the drive member in said straight line section. Preferably, said substantially straight edge is substantially continuous. Said elements may be in the form of plates attached to the drive member and also the drive member is in the form of an endless chain comprising links each having two pivot points by which the link is connected to a further pair of links. In a preferred arrangement each plate is pivotally attached to two successive pivot points provided by adjacent links, all pivot points of the links being coupled to a plate. Conveniently the chain is constrained for guided movement within guide members at least in certain areas of its endless path. j - A further preferred feature is that upstream of the straight line section is a second straight line section which is angled relative to the first straight line section, whereby in use the projecting elements begin to engage respective formations on the paperboard wrap as the wrap passes said second straight line. According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided, in combination, a pair of said tightening sections spaced apart one on each side of the article path, said straight line sections being located directly opposite each other. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail. The description makes reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a blank incoφorating an embodiment of the present invention, together with an enlarged detail, Figure 2 is a perspective view of a paperboard wrapping apparatus, Figure 3 is a sectional view through tightening apparatus operating on the figure 1 blank, Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of the figure 3 apparatus, Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of a part of the blank folding process, Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of part of the assembled blank with two bottles removed, and showing part of the tightening apparatus on one side, Figure 7 shows an alternative blank according to the present invention, together with an enlarged detail. Figure 8 is a sectional view through tightening apparatus operating on the figure 7 blank, Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view similar to figure 6 of part ofthe assembled figure 7 blank with two bottles removed, Figure 10 is a plan view of part of a prior art tightening section, and Figure 1 1 is a plan view of part of a tightening section according to the present invention, and Figure 12 is a perspective view of a rotating disc used in the tightening section. Figures 1 to 6 show a paperboard blank 10 for forming into a wrap around six bottles 11 arranged in two rows of three. The blank 10 has a top panel 12 hingedly connected to two angled side panels 13 which in turn are hingedly connected to two main side panels 14. At the lower ends of the side panels 14 are lower side panels 15 for receiving heel portions 16 of the bottles 1 1. Hingedly connected to the lower side panels 15 are base panels 17 which incoφorate formations 18 which interlock to close the blank 10 around the six bottles 1 1. The blank 10 also has top openings 19 for receiving the tops 20 of the bottles 1 1 and finger holes 21 in the top panel 12 to enable the pack to be easily carried. With the type of blank shown, and indeed many other types of blank, the blank has to be tightened around the articles being held before and during the securing together of the ends of the blank by interlocking formations or other suitable means such as adhesive. In the heel receiving areas of the blank 10, heel receiving apertures are provided. Each heel receiving aperture is formed primarily by two cuts 22, 23. The first cut 22 is generally arcuate, starting and finishing on the hinge line between the lower side panel 15 and its associated base panel 17. The second cut 23 also starts and finishes on the hinge line between the lower side panel 15 and its base panel 17, but within the ends of the first cut. The two cuts 22, 23 define, with the hinge portions 24 between the ends of the cuts a hinge panel 25 having a first part 26 defined by the first cut 22 and a tab part 27 adjacent the second cut 23. The hinge between the lower side panel 15 and its base panel 17 does not extend across the hinge panel 25. It will be appreciated that six such hinge panels 25 are provided on the blank 10 but the number will vary depending on the intended number and arrangement ofthe articles. When applying the blank 10 around the bottles 1 1, much existing equipment can be used as illustrated in figure 2 which shows a product metering section 100, a magazine 101 for a number of blanks 10, a pick device 10 102 for picking a blank from the magazine 101 and placing it on the next group of articles which are bottles 103 in this illustrated arrangement. The side panels 14 are then swept down towards the sides of the bottles. The blanks are then folded around the cans and are then tightened and secured in the 1 5 tightening section 104. At present a typical tightening section would be pitched and comprise a number of small fingers 71 mounted in groups at regular spaced intervals on a pair of oppositely disposed, side running chains 72. A part of 20 such a tightening section is shown in figure 10. These fingers engage in small cut outs in the side panels of the blanks adjacent the base panels. The relationship between the fingers and the cut outs is critical and requires accurate setting. If a different product is to be used on the packing machine it p t - is quite often the case that the positions of the fingers needs to be changed. This is very time consuming and results in increased costs and reduced production. Just prior to the tightening section ofthe present arrangement, there is a rotating disc 70 provided on each side of the apparatus. One of these discs 30 70 is visible in figure 2 and is mounted for rotation in a generally horizontal plane about central axis 72. Each disc 70 has a number of lugs 71 which engage the successive first parts 26 of the hinge panels 25 and move them inwardly whilst the tab parts 27 move outwardly thereby to cooperate with the 35 tightening section 104. The discs may be coated with a suitable friction reducing material and the form of the lugs may vary depending on the form of the hinge panels 25. In the present arrangement the tightening section includes a pair of oppositely disposed, endless chains 50 which approach the bottles 1 1 in an angled section 60 as they pass along a conveyor in direction 51 , the chains 0 continuing in a straight section 61. Attached to the chains 50 are carton engaging members 52 in the form of substantially flat plates. Each pair of adjacent links 53 of the chain 50 have attached to them, in a pivotal fashion on the pivots of the links, an engaging member 52. Each member 52 has a 1 5 straight active edge 54 which remains generally parallel to the direction of movement of the chain 50 as it passes adjacent the conveyor in straight section 61 . The chains 50 are retained in guides 55 which ensure the accurate passage of the chains 50 in the angled and straight sections 60, 61 alongside the 0 conveyor. When the chains are travelling in straight lines, as illustrated in figure 1 1 , it will be seen that the edges 54 provide a combined active edge which is substantially straight and continuous in that it is broken only by small gaps. In practise, these gaps can be negligible if the engaging members 52 are p r - dimensioned accurately. The generally continuous nature of the active edges 54 of the engaging members 52 enables such equipment to be used on unpitched packaging lines as well as pitched ones. In use the blank 10 is placed by the pick device 102 over the bottles 30 1 1 as they move along the conveyor. Guide means fold down the side panels 13, 14 and also guide inwardly the lower side panels 15 and the base panels 17. The rotating discs 70 push the first part 26 of the hinge panels 25 inwardly and this enables the first parts 26 to be folded under the bottles 1 1 and the 35 tightening section 104 to cooperate with the tab part 27 of the hinge panel 25. The blank is then guided such that the hinge portions 24 are engaged by the active edges 54 of the carton engaging members 52. This position is shown clearly in figure 3. As the bottles and blank move further along the conveyor, the blank is tightened around the bottles because the distance between the opposite active edges 54 reduces due to the angled sections 60. Whilst in the straight section 61 the active edges 54 press tightly against the fold line 24 on the lower side 10 panel 15 until the base panels 17 are secured together. The tightening process in this arrangement can be particularly strong because the active edges 54 operate on a section of the blank which is effectively of double thickness during the tightening process. This double thickness is a result of the first part 1 5 26 ofthe hinge panel 25 lying against the base panel 17. When the blank 10 is secured around the bottles 1 1 it will be appreciated that the first parts 26 of the hinge panel 25 also result in a double layer of board for cushioning the bottoms of the bottles. Normally the outer 0 side of the bottle bottoms will rest on a single thickness of paperboard. In addition the tab parts 27 can protect the exposed bottle bottom from accidental damage. A better view of the base area of the finished wrap is clearly shown in figure 6. p e r It is not, however, necessary that the first part 26 of the hinge panel 25 extends all the way to the first cut 22. The first part 26 could in fact be truncated so that in the initial blank 10 an aperture is already visible. It is, however, essential that some of the first part 26 remains, especially in the area adjacent the hinge portions 24. 30 In figures 7 to 9 there is shown an alternative blank 1 10 and its application to six bottles 1 1. Parts of the blank 1 10 which are similar to the blank 10 have been given similar numbers prefixed with an additional 1. The principal difference between the two blanks 10, 1 10 is that in blank 10 the 35 hinge portions 24 about which the hinge panel rotates coincide with the fold between the lower side panel 15 and its associated base panel 17. In blank 1 10 this is not the case, with the hinge portions 124 being parallel to the fold lines between the lower side panels 1 15 and the associated base panels 1 17, but being located in the base panels 1 17 themselves. The principal reason for this is the desire to minimise size changing requirements in the tightening section 104 of a wrapping apparatus. The spacing of the hinge portions 124 relative to the base fold lines can be varied 1 0 dependent on the container diameter and its heel profile which may result in a variety of angles of the lower side panels 15, 1 15 relative to the base panels and side panels. The action of the tightening mechanism 104 on a blank 1 10 having 1 5 a spacing between the hinges is almost identical as for the coinciding folds except that the plate-like carton engaging members 52 have portions adjacent the active edges 54 which are located directly below the base panels 1 17 in the straight section 61. This, coupled with other portions adjacent the active edges 20 54 being located directly above the tab parts 127 improves the location o the active edge against the hinge portions 124 during tightening. It will be appreciated that the principle described above can be applied to any blank for wrapping a plurality of articles, such as bottles or p t - cans, in a great variety of arrays such as single or double row. Also, the base panels may be secured together by interlocking formations, adhesive or any other suitable method. Although the carton engaging members 52 are shown attached to chains 50, other suitable transport means are possible. Also the size and profile of the members 52 may alter depending on the profile of the 30 product being wrapped. In other embodiments the angled section 60 could in fact be slightly curved. 35

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A paperboard wrap comprising two panels hingedly connected together along a fold line and at least one tightening arrangement, each comprising a first cut being made in one panel which first cut has two ends which are both located at a hinge line to define a first part and a second cut being made in the second panel which second cut has two ends which are both located at the hinge line to define a tab part which is integrally formed with the first part to constitute a hinge panel, at least one of the ends of the second cut being disposed generally between the two ends of the first cut, whereby in use the hinge panel is pivotted about the hinge line and the parts of the hinge line between adjacent ends of the cuts provide surfaces for engagement with a tightening edge of a packing machine. 2. A paperboard wrap as claimed in claim 1 wherein both ends of the second cut are disposed between the ends of the first cut and also the hinge line does not extend across the hinge panel. 3. A paperboard wrap as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the wrap comprises a sleeve for retaining a plurality of articles as a multipack. 4. A paperboard wrap as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said one panel is a side wall of said sleeve and the other side wall of the sleeve is also constituted by a panel similar to said one panel. 5. A paperboard wrap as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein each side wall comprises a main side panel and a sub-panel adjacent the second panel. 6. A paperboard wrap as claimed in claim 5 wherein said second panel is a base wall of said sleeve and another base wall of the sleeve is also constituted by a panel similar to said second panel. 7 A paperboard wrap as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein each pair of first and second cuts constitutes an article retaining seat in use. 8. A paperboard wrap as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein when the hinge panel is rotated about said hinge line, the first part lies against the associated base wall and constitutes a seat for an article 9 A paperboard wrap as claimed in claim 8 wherein each article is associated with a hinge panel, the first cut of which is generally C- shaped and the second cut is angled inwardly from both ends and joined with a straight central section which is generally parallel to the hinge line 10 A paperboard wrap as claimed in claim 9 wherein the first part of the hinge panel need not extend to the first cut in chosen locations such as that part remote from the two ends of the cut 1 1 A paperboard wrap as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the two base panels are connected together using adhesive or interlocking panels or other means 12 A paperboard wrap as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 1 1 wherein the hinge line is an extension of said fold line 13. A paperboard wrap as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 1 1 wherein the hinge line is substantially parallel to but spaced from the fold line, with the ends of the first cut extending into the second panel. 14. A tightening section for apparatus for applying a paperboard wrap around a plurality of articles, said tightening section comprising an endless drive member having at least one straight line section and having a multitude of elements which project outwardly from the drive member the elements being such that a number of said elements form a substantially straight edge in said straight line section which edge is r- substantially parallel to the path of articles through the tightening section and to the path of the drive member in said straight line section. 15. A tightening section as claimed in claim 14 wherein said substantially straight edge is substantially continuous. 0 16. A tightening section as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15 wherein said elements are in the form of plates attached to the drive member. 5 17. A tightening section as claimed in claim 16 wherein the drive member is in the form of an endless chain comprising links each having two pivot points by which the link is connected to a further pair of links. 0 18. A tightening section as claimed in claim 17 wherein each plate is pivotally attached to two successive pivot points provided by adjacent links, all pivot points of the links being coupled to a plate. 5 19. A tightening section as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 18 wherein the chain is constrained for guided movement within guide members at least in certain areas of its endless path. 20. A tightening section as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 19 wherein upstream of the straight line section is a second straight line section which is angled relative to the first straight line section, whereby in use the projecting elements begin to engage respective formations on the paperboard wrap as the wrap passes along said second straight line section. 21. In combination a pair of tightening sections as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 20 spaced apart one on each side of the article path, said straight line sections being located directly opposite each other.

Inventors: MUELLER ROLF, MUELLER, ROLF
Applicants: MUELLER ROLF, RIVERWOOD INT CORP, RIVERWOOD INT LTD, MUELLER, ROLF, RIVERWOOD INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, RIVERWOOD INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Application year: 1997
Main classification: B65D71
IPC codes: B65B11, B65D71