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
• • 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
  • B65B49/00—Devices for folding or bending wrappers around contents
  • B65B49/16—Pneumatic means, e.g. air jets
• • 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
  • B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
  • B65B61/20—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for adding cards, coupons or other inserts to package contents
  • B65B61/22—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for adding cards, coupons or other inserts to package contents for placing protecting sheets, plugs, or wads over contents, e.g. cotton-wool in bottles of pills

Definitions

• This invention fits into the field of wrapping machines for wrapping palletised loads, in particular by means of extensible film.
• said wrapping machines comprise, in combination or integrated therein, a sheet-laying apparatus for laying a cover sheet on the palletised load, in a position above the load.
• the known wrapping machines can be of various types, for example with rotating arm and fixed palletised load or with fixed arm and rotating palletised load, or of another type.
• the wrapping machines generally use extensible-type film to protect all or part of the vertical surface of the load.
• these wrapping machines are combined with apparatuses that apply cover sheets on the top of the palletized loads to be wrapped, so as to preserve them from external agents such as water or dust that could otherwise deposit and/or penetrate inside.
• the film is wrapped around the load in different ways, and also the cover sheet can consequently be applied at different moments.
• Said apparatuses that apply cover sheets can be integrated into the wrapping machine, or be autonomous and generally inserted before the load wrapping station.
• the load reaches the wrapping position inside the wrapping machine and a pressor device is positioned on the top of the same load, keeping the cover sheet in the correct position during the wrapping.
• a wrapping head which supports a film reel suitable for wrapping the load sideways, is placed next to the load itself; the relative rotation between the wrapping head and the load causes the film, suitably pre-stretched, to be wrapped around the load as desired.
• a pressor device is often present, i.e. an element with a flat surface adapted to rest on the upper surface of the pallet and to exert a pressure that prevents the pallet from tilting and the product from falling while being wrapped.
• Said pressor device is rotatable around a vertical rotation axis and rotates integrally with the pallet; it is generally driven into rotation by contact with the rotating pallet itself.
• the presence of the pressor device is important to ensure the reliability of the wrapping.
• the upper cover sheet-laying apparatus may comprise a portal structure or an anthropomorphic robot, capable of being placed over the palletized load, along the advancement line of said load through the machine.
• a known anti-dust type wrapping mode involves firstly, the application of the cover film on the top of the palletised load, and then the wrapping of the film on the side surface of the entire load, in particular starting from the top and then descending towards the base.
• an anti-water wrapping mode involves wrapping the film from the base of the load to then rise up to the top, and subsequently the cover film can be applied.
• the film that laterally surrounds the load must be applied in such a way as to block the upper cover sheet firmly in place to prevent the penetration of external agents.
• a required cycle that guarantees excellent load insulation involves wrapping the film on the side surface of the entire load up to the top, then involves inserting the cover film on the top and then performing a subsequent wrapping of the film on the side surface to retain the side edge of the cover film.
• Removing the pressor device may affect the stability of the load and the positioning of the top cover film.
• the pressor device can be repositioned to rest on the upper surface of the pallet and exert the pressure necessary to ensure the stability of the pallet during its rotation.
• the technical problem underlying the present invention is to make available to the art a wrapping machine and related method for wrapping the palletised load that is structurally and functionally designed to overcome one or more of the limitations set forth above with reference to the aforementioned prior art.
• a main object of the invention is to make available a wrapping machine and related method which involves performing a wrapping cycle that ensures excellent load insulation, with a reliable operating cycle that does not involve any risk of the load falling.
• a further object of the invention is also to make available to the art a wrapping machine and related method which involves performing a wrapping cycle, with cover film management, at a high production rate.
• the present invention makes available a wrapping machine for wrapping a palletised load comprising, a wrapping apparatus configured to support and unwind a reel of protective wrapping material in particular an extensible film to be wrapped around a side surface of the palletised load
• the wrapping machine further comprises a cover sheet positioning device.
• said cover sheet is adapted to cover an upper surface of the palletised load and comprises side portions which, once positioned on the upper surface, protrude from said upper surface and fold downwards near the side surface, in particular along fold lines at the edges of said upper surface.
• the wrapping machine further comprises a pressor device to retain the cover sheet on the upper surface of the palletised load.
• the pressor device exerts a force on the upper surface of the palletised load in the vertical direction.
• the wrapping machine is configured to perform the wrapping by rotating said palletised load around its axis of symmetry.
• the wrapping machine further comprises lifting means to lift the side portions of the cover sheet moving them away from the side surface of the palletised load.
• said lifting means are positioned at one or more sides of the palletised load.
• said lifting means are positioned at each of the side portions of the cover sheet.
• the lifting means make each of the side portions of the cover sheet rotate around the fold lines.
• the lifting means bring said side portions into a substantially horizontal position.
• the lifting means comprise blowing elements, preferably powered by compressed air, adapted to emit an air blow.
• the blowing elements are positioned below the side portions of the cover sheet.
• the blowing elements are positioned near a base of the palletised load so as to emit an upward air blow.
• the blowing elements are positioned below movement means.
• the pressor device comprises a support body adapted to rest on the upper surface.
• the support body is planar.
• the support body comprises abutment means that extend so as to protrude from the upper surface of the palletised load when the pressor device is in operating position.
• the support body has a dimension greater than the upper surface, so that when the pressor device is in the operating position, a perimeter portion thereof protruding from the upper surface defines abutment means.
• the support body has dimensions smaller than or equal to the upper surface.
• the abutment means are movable between a retracted position and an extended position.
• the support body comprises retaining means to retain the side portions of the cover sheet in a substantially horizontal position.
• the retaining means are positioned at and below the abutment means to retain the side portions interposed between them.
• the retaining means are movable between an operating position in which they retain the side portions of the cover sheet in a substantially horizontal position and a non-operating position in which they release them.
• the wrapping machine comprises lowering means for folding the side portions downwards near the side surface, in particular along fold lines at edges.
• the lowering means are installed on the support body.
• the lowering means comprise second blowing elements, preferably powered by compressed air, adapted to emit an air blow.
• the present invention also makes available a method which involves wrapping a palletised load by means of a protective wrapping material, in particular an extensible film for wrapping a side surface, and by means of a cover sheet for covering an upper surface of the palletised load comprising side portions which protrude from said upper surface and which fold downwards near the side surface, in particular along fold lines at edges of said upper surface.
• a protective wrapping material in particular an extensible film for wrapping a side surface
• a cover sheet for covering an upper surface of the palletised load comprising side portions which protrude from said upper surface and which fold downwards near the side surface, in particular along fold lines at edges of said upper surface.
• the method involves pressing the upper surface of the palletised load with a support body.
• said method involves performing a wrapping that comprises a first wrapping cycle to wrap part or all of the side surface, up to near the upper surface without encompassing the side portions of the cover sheet, and a second wrapping cycle that involves wrapping the side surface so that the protective wrapping material covers the side portions of the cover sheet.
• said method involves not detaching the support body from the upper surface of the palletised load while performing the entire wrapping process.
• Preferably said method involves performing the wrapping of the palletised load, according to the steps of positioning the cover sheet on the upper surface of the palletised load.
• said method involves positioning the pressor device with a support body at the upper surface to retain the cover sheet and press it onto the palletised load.
• Preferably said method involves lifting the side portions of the cover sheet and retaining them in a substantially horizontal position.
• said method involves performing a first wrapping cycle, which involves wrapping part or all of the side surface, in particular so that the protective wrapping material covers the upper side area of the palletised load, right up to the upper surface.
• said method involves, without moving the support body, releasing said side portions of the cover sheet so that they fold downwards near the side surface.
• said method involves performing a second wrapping cycle that involves wrapping the side surface so that the protective wrapping material covers the side portions of the cover sheet.
• Preferably said method involves lifting the support body from the upper surface and evacuating the palletised load.
• said method involves lifting the side portions of the cover sheet by blowing air from below towards said side portions.
• said method involves releasing and folding the side portions downwards near the side surface, particularly along fold lines at edges by blowing air from above towards said side portions.
• said method involves performing the first and/or second wrapping cycle by rotating the palletised load.
• a machine 100 for wrapping a palletised load 500 is represented.
• the palletized load 500 also referred to as pallet, generally comprises a support pallet 501 on which a plurality of products are stacked.
• the dimensions of said palletised load 500 may vary between various sizes such as 900x600, 800x600, 800x1200, 100x1200, 1420x1120, etc., which are generally the standard dimensions of a support pallet 501.
• said palletised load 500 is wrapped by means of protective packaging material 510.
• Said packaging material can be of different types, preferably an extensible film.
• the extensible film 510 is for example made of polyethylene.
• protective packaging materials 510 such as mesh-formed materials, paper-type materials, etc., may also be used.
• the protective packaging material 510 will also be simply called film 510 without thereby restricting the field of application of the invention.
• a side surface 504 of the palletised load 500 is wrapped by means of said protective packaging material 510.
• Said machine 100 comprises a wrapping apparatus 30 configured to support and unwind a reel 520 of protective wrapping material 510 to be wrapped around the palletised load 500.
• Said machine 100 preferably comprises movement means 10 adapted to support and/or move the palletised load 500 into the wrapping operating position.
• Said wrapping apparatus 30 is configured to cooperate with said movement means 10.
• said support means may provide drive means for advancing the pallet 500 as far as to the wrapping position.
• they can simply be rests for the pallet 500 that can be positioned in the wrapping position by means of external means such as a forklift or a pallet truck or agv.
• said movement means 10 can be, for example, of the roller conveyor or catenary type.
• the type of the movement means 10 generally depends on the conformation of the type of pallet 501, as well as on the type of stacked products and on their stability.
• roller conveyor-type movement means 10 we will often refer to roller conveyor-type movement means 10. It is understood, however, that the same considerations can be developed in relation to movement means 10 of a different type, such as with catenary.
• Known wrapping machines 100 can be of various types, such as with rotating wrapping apparatus 30 and fixed palletised load 500 or with fixed wrapping apparatus 30 and rotating palletised load 500.
• a preferred embodiment provides that said movement means 10 are configured to rotate the palletised load 500.
• said rotation takes place according to a vertical axis X that substantially coincides with the axis of symmetry of the pallet 500 itself except for the positioning and conformation tolerances of said palletised load 500.
• Said wrapping apparatus 30 is further configured to cooperate with said movement means 10.
• the wrapping apparatus 30 allows the unwinding of the reel 520 to transfer the film 510 around the side surface 504 of the load 500.
• the machine 100 comprises blocking means that retain a first flap 511 of said film 510 unwound from the reel 520 so that said first flap 511 moves integral with the pallet 500 during the work cycle of the machine 100.
• Said blocking means can be positioned at the base of the pallet 500, e.g. integrated into the movement means 10.
• they can be positioned at the top of the pallet 500, e.g. integrated into a pressor device 40, which stabilises the palletised load 500 during wrapping.
• said machine 100 comprises a lifting body 31 adapted to support and move a wrapping head 35, as depicted in the figures on which the reel 520 is installed.
• said wrapping head 35 is vertically movable along the lifting body 31.
• the wrapping head 35 is vertically movable during the rotation of the palletised load 500 in order to wrap the palletised load 500 over a part or all of its height.
• Said machine 100 preferably comprises a positioning device 20 of the cover sheet 530.
• Said positioning device 20 is configured to position the cover sheet 530 so as to cover an upper surface 505 of the palletised load 500.
• cover sheet 530 comprises side portions 531 that protrude from said upper surface 505 when positioned.
• said side portions 531 are adapted to fold downwards near the side surface 504, in particular along fold lines 531a at edges 505a of said upper surface 505.
• Preferably said side portions 531 have a height of about 30 cm.
• Said positioning device 20 may be downstream of the wrapping apparatus 30.
• the sheet positioning device 20 can be managed together with the wrapping apparatus 30, or be a completely independent positioning device 20 of the sheet 530.
• the positioning device 20 of the sheet 530 can be centralised and serve one or more wrapping devices 30.
• the sheet positioning device 20 can be integrated into the wrapping apparatus 30 itself.
• the device 20 can be configured in different ways. In fact, it can provide a portal structure, a column structure, or alternatively an anthropomorphic robot structure.
• Said positioning device 20 of the sheet 530 must be able to place itself over the palletized load 500 on which the cover sheet 530 is to be placed.
• Said positioning device 20 of the sheet 530 may further comprise a feed device 53 configured to rotatably support a film reel 530b.
• a plurality of said sheets 530 can be obtained from said reel 530b, by unwinding and cutting the film of the reel 530.
• the cover sheet 530 thus made can be picked up by the positioning device 20 to deposit it on the palletized load 500.
• the positioning device 20 lifts the sheet 530 and brings an edge thereof above the load 500.
• the relative translation between the positioning device 20 and the load 500 causes the sheet 530 to be placed on top of the load 500 to cover the upper surface 505.
• One embodiment, depicted in the figure, provides that the machine 100 comprises a pressor device 40.
• Said pressor device 40 comprises a lifting structure 42 on which a support body 45 is installed to move it in a vertical direction.
• the support body 45 is adapted to rest on the upper surface 505.
• Said support body 45 is preferably planar.
• Said pressor device 40 is generally positioned above the pallet 500 that is to be wrapped.
• Said pressor device 40 is configured to retain the cover sheet 530 on the upper surface 505 of the palletised load 500.
• said pressor device 40 retains the cover sheet 530 by exerting a force/pressure in a vertical direction on the pallet 500.
• Said support body 45 may comprise a deformable lower surface 41 to better adapt to the conformation of the upper surface 505 on which it exerts force/pressure.
• the support body 45 is adapted to remain in contact with the upper surface 505 of the load 500 during the entire wrapping cycle. This ensures maximum winding reliability by reducing the risk of product falls or pallet 500 instability.
• the support body 45 is configured to be rotatable in particular around the axis of symmetry of the palletised load 500 on which it rests.
• the support body 45 follows said rotation by being pulled by friction and contact pressure with the upper surface 505.
• Said pressor device 40 may comprise means to rotate the support body 45 with the correct orientation on the upper surface 505 before resting on it.
• a required wrapping cycle that guarantees optimum load insulation, from external contamination, involves performing at least on the upper portion 500' of the pallet 500 a double wrapping involving:
• this cycle is performed by placing the cover sheet 530 only after performing the first wrapping.
• the first wrapping must not encompass the side portions 531 of the cover sheet 530.
• the cover sheet 530 cannot be inserted either downstream of the wrapping apparatus 30 or before starting the first wrapping, but only between the first and second wrapping, thus interrupting the wrapping cycle. In fact, if this were the case, the side portions 531 of the cover sheet 530 would also be encompassed with the first wrapping.
• said machine 100 comprises lifting means 200, to lift the side portions 531 of the cover sheet 530 moving them away from the side surface 504 of the palletised load 500.
• cover sheet 530 can be inserted downstream of the wrapping apparatus 30 or before starting the first wrapping without causing an interruption between the first and second wrapping.
• the lifting means 200 are positioned at one or more sides of the palletised load 500.
• the lifting means 200 are located at each of the side portions 531 of the cover sheet 530.
• the lifting means 200 are arranged on each side of the pallet 500 so that each one operates on the respective side portion 531 of the cover sheet 530.
• said lifting means 200 rotate each of the side portions 531 of the cover sheet 530 around the respective fold line 531a.
• Preferably said rotation is performed to bring said side portions 531 into a substantially horizontal position.
• a rotation of more than 90° allows the side portions 531 not to interfere with the feed device 53 or with the film reel 530b. Due to the substantially horizontal position reached by the side portions 531 of the cover sheet 530, it is possible to reach, with the first wrapping, the height of the upper surface 505 of the pallet 500 without affecting or encompassing the cover sheet 530.
• the lifting means 200 comprise blowing elements 201, adapted to emit an air blow.
• Said lifting devices 200 are preferably powered by compressed air.
• This solution allows to lift the side portions 531 of the cover sheet 530 without making contact to avoid problems related to grip uncertainty.
• the blowing elements 201 are positioned below the side portions 531 of the cover sheet 530, i.e. in a position which is lower, in a vertical direction, than the area where said side portions 531 overlap with the side surface 504.
• a preferred embodiment provides that the blowing elements 201, are positioned near a base 502 of the palletised load 500.
• the air blow is emitted from the bottom upwards.
• blowing elements 201 are positioned underneath the movement means 10.
• blowing elements 201 are arranged below the movement means 10 and in such a way that they are on each side of the pallet 500 when it is in the wrapping position.
• the blowing elements 201 can be positioned in the space between the rolls.
• the support body 45 may comprise abutment means 41.
• Said abutment means 41 preferably extend so as to protrude from the upper surface 505 of the palletised load 500 when the support body 45 is in the operating position.
• the support body 45 has a dimension greater than the upper surface 505.
• the support body 45 comprises a perimeter portion that protrudes from the upper surface 505 and defines the abutment means 41.
• the support body 45 may be a rectangular plane with an area greater than the upper surface 505.
• the protruding perimeter portion defines a support surface for the side portion 531 which is lifted by the blowing elements 201.
• Said embodiment of the abutment elements 41 is a simple and cost-effective solution.
• the support body 45 has a dimension lower than or equal to the upper surface 505.
• the abutment means 41 may be movable between a retracted position and an extended position.
• abutment means 41 when the abutment means 41 are in the extended position, they define a support for the side portion 531 that is lifted by the blowing elements 201.
• the abutment means 41 can be returned to the retracted position.
• An advantageous variant may provide for the support body 45 to be divided into two parts 45a 45b, of which an outer perimeter part 45a surrounding an inner part 45b.
• said inner part has a dimension lower than the upper surface 505.
• the outer perimeter part 45a can be lifted in relation to the inner part 45b.
• Said outer perimeter part 45a may comprise the perimeter portion, which protrudes from the upper surface 505.
• the outer perimeter portion 45a is lifted with respect to the inner perimeter portion 45b which remains resting on the upper surface 505 of the pallet 500.
• the support body 45 of the pressor device 40 may comprise retaining means, not shown in the figure, to keep the position of the side portions 531 under control when they are lifted.
• Such retaining means are adapted to hold the side portions 531 of the cover sheet 530 in a substantially horizontal position.
• the retaining means are positioned at and below the abutment means 41.
• the side portions 531 are retained in a lifted position while continuing to emit air from the blowing elements 201.
• such retaining means are movable between an operating position in which they retain the side portions 531 in a substantially horizontal position and a non-operating position in which they release them.
• the machine 100 comprises lowering means 202 for folding the side portions 531 downwards near the side surface 504, in particular along fold lines 531a at the edges 505a.
• lowering means 202 are installed on the support body 45.
• the lowering means 202 ensure that the side portions 531 return to the initial position they had before being lifted.
• the lowering means 202 comprise second blowing elements 203, preferably powered by compressed air, adapted to emitting an air blow.
• said method involves performing the wrapping of a palletised load 500 by means of a protective packaging material 510 in particular an extensible film to wrap a side surface 504 and by means of a cover sheet 530 to cover an upper surface 505 of the palletised load 500.
• a protective packaging material 510 in particular an extensible film to wrap a side surface 504 and by means of a cover sheet 530 to cover an upper surface 505 of the palletised load 500.
• cover sheet 530 comprises side portions 531 protruding from said upper surface 505 and folding downwards near the side surface 504, in particular along fold lines 531a at edges 505a of said upper surface 505.
• Said method involves performing the wrapping of the palletised load 500, preferably according to the following steps:
• an advantageous variant may provide that the outer perimeter portion 45a of the support body 45 is lifted relative to the inner portion 45b which remains resting on the upper surface 505 of the pallet 500, in order to continue wrapping the load 500 at the cover sheet 530, even protruding onto the upper surface 505 of the pallet 500.
• An advantageous embodiment of said method involves lifting the side portions 531 of the cover sheet 530 by blowing air from below towards said side portions 531.
• said method may involve releasing and folding the side portions 531 downwards near the side surface 504, in particular along fold lines 531a at edges 505a by blowing air from above towards said side portions 531.
• a preferred embodiment shown in the figure provides that the first and/or second wrapping cycle takes place by rotating the palletised load 500.

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

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Citations (3)

• 2024
  • 2024-03-22 IT IT102024000006478A patent/IT202400006478A1/it unknown
• 2025
  • 2025-03-20 EP EP25165003.2A patent/EP4620846A1/fr active Pending

Patent Citations (3)

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