Method and a system for wrapping objects and use of the method

Abstract

The invention involves a method and a system and use of the method for wrapping one or more objects ( 6 ) in stretch film, said film ( 1 ) comprising a tube-like section, the diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the object or objects to be wrapped, said film comprising a first end ( 2 ) and a second opposite end ( 4 ), wherein the film is opened at its first end and provided with a number of folds transversally of its longitudinal axis, following which the film is expanded diametrically. Novel aspects comprise that the object or objects are supported and advanced essentially horizontally or under a flat angle in relation to the horizontal into the expanded film from the first free end thereof towards the second end of the film, which other end is closed, following which the film is pulled around the object or objects the folds of the film being unfolded, until the entire object or objects is/are introduced into the film, following which the first end of the film is closed by joining for complete enclosure of the object or objects in the film. Hereby, compared to the prior art, it is accomplished that the object or objects is/are enclosed on all sides and hence completely.

1 . A method of wrapping one or more objects ( 6 ) in stretch film, which film ( 1 ) comprises a tube-like section, the diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the object or objects ( 6 ) to be wrapped, which film ( 1 ) comprises a first end ( 2 ) and a second opposite and closed end ( 4 ), wherein the film ( 1 ) is opened at its first end ( 2 ) and provided with a number of folds transversally of its longitudinal axis, following which the film ( 1 ) is expanded diametrically, wherein the object or objects ( 6 ) is/are conveyed by roller paths and/or conveyor belts ( 12 ,  14 ), essentially horizontally or under a flat angle in relation to the horizontal, into the expanded film ( 2 ) from its first end ( 2 ) towards the second end ( 4 ) of the film, following which the film ( 1 ) is pulled around the object or objects ( 6 ) as the folds of the film are unfolded, until the entire object or objects ( 6 ) have been introduced into the film ( 1 ), following which the first end ( 2 ) of the film is closed by joining for complete enclosure of the object or objects in the film, characterized in that the film ( 1 ) is, during advancement of the object or objects ( 6 ) in the film, arranged at a space between the first ( 12 ) and the second ( 14 ) roller paths and/or conveyor belts, and wherein the object or objects are conveyed from the first ( 12 ) to the second ( 14 ) roller paths and/or conveyor belts.  
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the object or objects ( 6 ) are arranged on the first roller paths and/or conveyor belts ( 12 ) and seized by seizing means, following which the object or objects are introduced into the film ( 1 ) and arranged on the other roller paths and/or conveyor belts ( 14 ), following which the object or objects are let go.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the first roller paths and/or conveyor belts ( 12 ) is displaceable or comprises a displaceable section ( 15 ), wherein the first roller paths and/or conveyor belts ( 12 ) or section ( 15 ) is displaced and introduced into the expanded film ( 1 ) for further supporting the object or the objects ( 6 ) during movement from the first ( 12 ) to the second ( 14 ) roller paths and/or conveyor belts.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the film ( 1 ) is tensioned for tightening when being pulled around the object or objects ( 6 ).  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the tensioning imparts a permanent increase in length to the film ( 1 ).  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the section ( 15 ) comprises roller paths and/or conveyor belts.  
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the joining is accomplished by welding.  
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the object or objects ( 6 ) are arranged on a carrier means such as a pallet.  
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the film ( 1 ) is dispensed from a storage unit ( 8 ), from where it is cut to a suitable length and closed at its second end ( 4 ) by joining prior to folding.  
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 9 , characterized in that the film ( 1 ) on the storage unit ( 8 ) is provided with longitudinally extending folds that reduce the width of the film.  
   
   
       11 . A system of exercising the method according  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the objects ( 6 ) are wrapped in stretch film, said film ( 1 ) comprising a tube-like section, the diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the object or objects ( 6 ) to be wrapped, which film ( 1 ) comprises a first end ( 2 ) and an opposite and closed end ( 4 ), wherein the system comprises means for opening ( 22 ) the film at its first end and means for moving ( 20 ,  22 ) the film across a hollow stretching unit ( 10 ) and providing the film with a number of folds transversally of its longitudinal axis, said stretching unit ( 10 ) comprising means for expanding the film diametrically and means for forming holding-back means ( 20 ) while the film is being released, wherein the system comprises roller paths and/or conveyor belts ( 12 ,  14 ) for conveying, essentially horizontally or under a flat angle in relation to the horizontal, the object or objects ( 6 ) through the stretching unit ( 10 ) with the film ( 1 ) in expanded state for pulling the film ( 1 ) around the object or objects ( 6 ) and completely introducing it or them into the film ( 1 ), and means for closing and joining ( 16 ) the first end ( 2 ) of the film for complete enclosure of the object or objects ( 6 ) in the film characterized in that said roller paths and/or conveyor belts ( 12 ,  14 ) comprise a first ( 12 ) and a second ( 14 ) roller paths and/or conveyor belts, wherein the film ( 1 ), during the conveying of the object or objects ( 6 ) in the film, is arranged at a space between said first and a second roller paths and/or conveyor belts ( 12 ,  14 ), and wherein the object or objects are conveyed from the first ( 12 ) to the second ( 14 ) support.  
   
   
       12 . A system according to  claim 11 , characterized in that the first support ( 12 ) is displaceable or comprises a displaceable section ( 15 ), wherein the first support ( 12 ) or section ( 15 ) is displaced and introduced into the expanded film ( 1 ) for further supporting the object or the objects ( 6 ) during the conveying from the first ( 12 ) to the second support ( 14 ).  
   
   
       13 . A system according to  claim 11 , characterized in that said displaceable section ( 15 ) comprises roller paths and/or conveyor belts.  
   
   
       14 . A system according to  claim 11 , characterized in that the system comprises means for dispensing film from a storage unit ( 8 ).  
   
   
       15 . A system according to  claim 11 , characterized in that the system comprises means for welding ( 16 ) and means for cutting off ( 18 ) the film, said means being displaceable and arranged after the stretching unit ( 10 ).  
   
   
       16 . A system according to  claim 11 , characterized in that the stretching unit ( 10 ) comprises operated rollers ( 20 ) for winding of film ( 1 ), said rollers forming holding-back means when film is pulled around the object or objects ( 6 ).  
   
   
       17 . A system according to  claim 16 , characterized in that the rollers ( 20 ) comprise means for measuring angulation, including encoders.  
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said objects ( 6 ) are essentially flat and elongate, and wherein the object or objects ( 6 ) are wrapped with the longitudinal axis situated in parallel with an axis extending between the first end and the second end ( 2 ,  4 ) of the film.  
   
   
       19 . The system according to  claim 11  wherein said objects ( 6 ) are essentially flat and elongate, and wherein the object or objects ( 6 ) are wrapped with the longitudinal axis situated in parallel with an axis extending between the first end and the second end ( 2 ,  4 ) of the film.