FR2625971A1 - AUTOMATIC PACKING MACHINE OF ANY ARTICLES AND PACKAGING MADE THEREBY WITH THE MACHINE - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine of this invention essentially comprises conveyors (1) for transporting objects (2) to be packaged, two systems (3, 7) for feeding film located, respectively, on each side of the plane of the conveyors (1) and delivering two opaque films (4, 8), between which the object (2) to be packaged is placed, means (11, 12) for welding and cutting the films, a system (14) for feeding a third transparent film (15) fixed to the opaque film (4) and defining therewith a space capable of containing a document (D) delivered by conveyors (20) and a chute (21) arranged between the film-feed systems (3, 14).

Description

The present invention essentially relates to a packaging machine

  automatic of any articles. It also aims a packaging made using this machine. We already know packaging machines

  Automatic film articles made of synthetic material.

  These machines generally comprise a conveyor for transporting the articles to be packaged, two systems with film feeding reels located respectively on either side of the plane of the conveyor and delivering two films between which is interposed the article to be packaged, after which the two films are welded and then cut by appropriate means to finally constitute a package ready for shipment. The address of the recipient of such a package must obviously appear on it. This address can of course be written on a label stuck on the packaging or contained in a transparent pouch fixed on said packaging by stapling or gluing, for example. But this is, as we understand it, tedious operations and expensive in terms of manpower. In addition, a label or document attached to a package as indicated above remains very

  vulnerable during transport and handling.

  The question arises when it is a question of dispatching parcels counter reimbursement, that is to say parcels comprising not only the address of the addressee, but also shutters attached by lines of perforation to the label bearing address and which must be detached from the label by post offices prior to delivery. In this case, it is imperative that the label bearing the address is always attached to the packaging of the package until delivery, and that the flaps attached to this label can be easily detached from it, provided that The label-address and shutter assembly must not be damaged during transport and handling of the package. The package of the package should therefore bear an address that is visibly affixed to that package, and that all the elements or parts attached to that address are easily accessible and detachable while being included in the package so that, when transport and handling the package he

  there is no risk of deterioration of the whole.

  The present invention achieves this goal by proposing an improved automatic packaging machine and allowing the manufacture of packages

  meeting the requirements above.

  For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a machine for automatic packaging of any articles under plastic film, and of the type comprising at least one transport conveyor for the articles to be packaged, two film supply systems located respectively on both sides of the plane of the conveyor and delivering two films between which is placed the article to be packaged, and welding and cutting means of the two films after welding, characterized by a third film feed system delivering a third film superimposed and fixed by welding to one of the other two, and defining with this other film a space capable of containing at least one object such as for example a document, issued by means arranged at least in part between said third film feeding system and one of the other two film feeding systems. According to another characteristic of this machine, the delivery means of the object or document are constituted by a chute interposed between the third film feeding system and one of the two other feeding systems, while at least a conveyor is provided for conveying the object into said chute. It will be specified here that at the third film feeding system, there are associated means for gluing the third film, preferably following a

or several bands.

  This machine also comprises means for perforation along at least one line, the third film. According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the aforementioned chute internally comprises at least one stop or the like ensuring the correct orientation of the object or document so that the gluing reshaped on the third film fixes a determined part

of this object or document.

  The invention also relates to a package containing any article and comprising two plastic films welded at their periphery to enclose the article, this package being characterized in that it comprises, in addition to the two aforementioned and opaque films, a third transparent film welded by its periphery to the other two and having on its inner face at least one strip of sticky material capable of holding an object, such as a document, interposed between the third film and one of the other two films. According to another characteristic of this package, the third transparent film comprises at least one line of perforations allowing access to the

2625S971

  document to detach at least part of this document from its remaining part which remains

  packing by the tape of sticky material.

  It is understandable that the entire document remains well protected by the packaging, and one of the parts of the document remains fixed there, while another part of this document remains easily accessible and

  can therefore be easily detached from the fixed part.

  But other advantages and features of

  the invention will appear better in the description

  Detailed description which follows and refers to the accompanying drawings, given solely by way of example, and in which: - Figure 1 is a schematic and elevational view of a machine according to the principles of the invention; FIG. 2 is a plan view from above of the machine, along the arrow II of FIG. 1, and showing only the conveyor for conveying the document and the chute associated with this conveyor, this chute being seen along the arrow A of Figure 1; and - Figure 3 is a plan view and from above

  of the packaging made with this machine.

  The machine shown in FIG. 1 essentially comprises two conveyors 1 with an endless conveyor belt for articles 2 to be packaged, a first film feed system 3 situated above the plane of the conveyors 1 and delivering a first film 4 to from a coil 5 mounted on an axis 6, and a second film feeding system 7 located below the plane of the conveyors 1 and delivering a second film 8 from

  a coil 9 rotating on an axis 10.

  Article 2, as understood, is thus interposed between the two films 4 and 8 which are subsequently welded and cut at their downstream end as materialized by the arrows 11, and laterally welded as schematically shown at 12, so as to obtain a

package ready for shipment.

  The films 4 and 8 consist of strips of plastic material, such as polyethylene, guided by rollers 13, as is well known, as are well known means described above and which are not known.

  therefore require no further explanation.

  According to the invention, the machine comprises a third film supply system 14 delivering a third transparent film 15 which will be superposed and fixed by welding to one of the other two films 4, 8 which

  are opaque and contain Article 2.

  The feed system 14 comprises a spool 16 rotating on an axis 17 and on which is

wound the third film 15.

  To this system 14 is associated a means for gluing the film 15 in one or more strips, this means being shown schematically at 18 and can

  for example, to deliver a permanent adhesive material.

  It has been shown diagrammatically in 19 a perforation system of the film 15, associated with the coil 16, this system being able for example constituted by a roller or the like provided with teeth capable of perforating the third

  film 15 following a line of successive incisions.

  The first film 4 and the third film 15 define a space likely to contain a relatively flat object, such as for example a document D which

  will be routed between these two films.

  This routing, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, is effected by two upper conveyors 20 which end in a chute 21 arranged between the two film feeding systems 3 and 14 and opening at 22 into space. between the two films 4 and

15.

  As best seen in Figure 2, the chute 21 comprises a stop 23 defining a narrowing 24 ensuring the correct orientation of the object or document D, as will be described later about the operation. FIG. 1 shows schematically a cell 25 capable of detecting the arrival of articles 2, and a cell 26 capable of detecting the arrival of document D, this cell also being able to be used to control the cutting of the film and a Generally,

  ensure the safe operation of the machine.

  It is therefore understood that the machine described above allows the automatic production of a package, visible in Figure 3, this package comprising two opaque films 4 and 8 enclosing the article 2, and a transparent film 15 welded to the film 4 and defining with it a space containing a document D which is set by

collage on the film 15.

  But, for the sake of a better understanding, the operation of this machine will be briefly described below. The document D is placed on the upper conveyor 20, as can be clearly seen in FIG. 1. This document, as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, consists of a part 30 bearing the recipient's address and intended to to be attached to the package, while at this portion 30 are attached detachable flaps 31 through perforation lines, such as 32. The flaps shown schematically at 31 may constitute a single flap or several flaps forming the part against -funding of a document D provided by the postal services. The shutter or shutters 31 give the document D a certain length and can

  be folded over to loading on the upper conveyor 20.

  Article 2 (possibly with advertising materials and gifts) is loaded onto the conveyor

lower 1.

  The document D and the article 2 are transported by the conveyors 20 and 1 and are conveyed respectively in the trough 21 and in the space between

the two opaque films 4 and 8.

  As can be seen in FIG. 2, the document D made in the chute rotates a quarter of a turn in such a way as to achieve a correct orientation of the document in order to allow the gluing of the part 30 of the

  document bearing the address of the recipient of the parcel.

  This orientation of the document ensuring its correct positioning before gluing is necessary because the loading of the document on the conveyor 20 can not be done precisely and that the various parts constituting it and its folding do not allow a precise orientation of the during transportation by

conveyors 20.

  As previously stated, the transparent film 15 delivered by the spool 16 is continuously glued on the underside to include one or more lines of permanent adhesive, as has been shown at 33 in FIG. the transparent film 15 will comprise, thanks to the means 19, a continuous line of

  perforations visible at 34 in FIG.

  Thus, the packaging of the document D properly oriented at the outlet 22 of the trough 21, as well as the packaging of the article 2 between the two opaque films 4 and 8 will be made from the point 35 visible in the figure 1, to finally make the preparation of the package

  visible in Figure 3, after welding and cutting.

  8. It appears clearly in FIG. 3 that the part 30 of the document D correctly oriented by the trough 21 is glued to the package by the adhesive strip or bands 33, which of course allows the retaining of the shutter (s) 31 to Part 30. On the other hand, when the package reaches the post office of the recipient, it will be possible to easily tear the transparent film 15 through the perforation line 34 to access the flaps 31 and detach them from the part 30 of the document D , which part 30 bears the address of the addressee and must

  remain attached to the packaging until delivery.

  Thus, according to the invention, an automatic machine has been produced which makes it possible to produce packages of arbitrary articles at a high rate, these packages comprising, without any manual intervention being necessary, all the desired facilities allowing

  the treatment of the package without damaging it.

  Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and illustrated which has not

been given as an example.

  Thus, a presser can be provided at the output of the machine to ensure that the transparent film 15 is brought into contact with the opaque lower film 4 and with the addressing portion 30 of the document D. Similarly, the material of sizing used and the detachable portion 31

  of the document D can be arbitrary.

  This means that the invention includes all the technical equivalents of the means described and their combinations if they are carried out according to its spirit.

Claims (7)

  1. Machine for automatic packaging of any articles under plastic film, and of the type comprising at least one conveyor (1) for transporting articles (2) to be packaged, two systems (3,7) for feeding film respectively located on either side of the plane of the conveyor and delivering two films (4, 8) between which is placed the article (2) to be packaged, and means (11, 12) for welding and cutting the two films after welding, characterized by a third film feeding system (-14) delivering a third film (15) superposed and fixed by welding to one (4) of the two others, and defining with this other film a space likely to contain at least one object, such as for example a document (D), delivered by means arranged at least in part between said third film supply system (14) and one (3) of the two systems aforementioned film feed.   2. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the object of the delivery means are constituted by a chute (21) interposed between the third system (14) for feeding film and one (3) of the two other systems (3, 7) for feeding. while at least one conveyor (20) is provided   for conveying the object (D) into said chute.   3. Machine according to revendicatibn 1 or 2, characterized in that the third system (14) for feeding film, are associated means (18) for sizing the third film (15) preferably following one or more strips (33).   4. Machine according to one of claims 1 to   3, characterized by perforation means (19)   following at least one line (34) of the third film (15).   5. Machine according to one of claims 2 to   4, characterized in that the trough (21) internally comprises at least one stop or the like (23) ensuring the correct orientation of the object or document (D) so that the gluing made on the third film (15) ) fixes a specific part of that object or document.   6. Packaging containing any article and made using a machine according to one of the   Claims 1 to 5, this package being of the type   comprising two films of synthetic material welded at their periphery to enclose the article and being characterized in that it comprises, in addition to the two aforementioned and opaque films (4, 8), a third transparent film (15) welded by its periphery on the other two and having on its internal face at least one band of sticky material (33) capable of holding an object, such as a document (D) interposed between the third film   (15) and one (4) of the other two films (4, 8).   7. Package according to claim 6, characterized in that the third transparent film (15) comprises at least one perforation line (34) allowing access to the aforementioned document for detaching at least a portion (31) of this document from its remaining part (30) which remains retained on the packaging by the tape of sticky material (33).