Method for achieving stabilizing ventilated coverings for palletised loads and relevant equipment

Abstract

Method and relevant equipment for achieving stabilising ventilated coverings for palletised loads (P) with plastic film; the method comprising a first phase, or step, where the plastic film is applied to the load (P) to achieve a stabilising covering, and a following phase, or step, where the stabilising covering is perforated, making a plurality of holes to aerate the load (P) The equipment for carrying forth the method comprises at least one mobile supporting structure ( 33 ), that alternately approaches, and moves away, from the palletised load (P), and which has a plurality of perforating punches ( 4 ), each one making a hole in said covering of the palletised load (P).

1 ) A method for achieving stabilising ventilated coverings for palletised loads (P), with plastic film, comprising a first step wherein a plastic film is applied to the load (P) to achieve a stabilising covering, and a second step of perforating the stabilising cover to form a plurality of holes to aerate the load.  
   
   
       2 ) The method according to  claim 1 , further including the step of applying a heat source to the area around each aeration hole to locally soften the stabilising covering.  
   
   
       3 ) The method according to  claim 1 , wherein, in the first step, the stabilising covering is applied by wrapping a plastic film around the palletised load (P) several times, and wherein the step of applying a heat source to the area around each aeration hole is maintained until adjacent layers of plastic film are bonded together.  
   
   
       4 ) Equipment to make aeration holes in the stabilising covering with plastic film of palletised loads (P), characterized by the fact it comprises 
 at least one mobile supporting structure ( 33 ), that alternately approaches and moves away from the palletised load (P), and which has    a plurality of perforating punches ( 4 ), each one making a hole in said covering of the palletised load (P).    
   
   
       5 ) Equipment according to  claim 4 , characterized by the fact that the supporting structure comprises a side ( 33 ), from one face of which said perforating punches ( 4 ) protrude.  
   
   
       6 ) Equipment according to  claim 4 , characterized by the fact that each perforating punch ( 4 ) consists of a heatable head ( 40 ), that softens the stabilising covering locally making a hole in it.  
   
   
       7 ) Equipment according to  claim 6 , characterized by the fact that, when a perforating punch ( 4 ) is facing a portion of the stabilising covering formed by several overlapping layers of plastic film, the heat of the heatable head ( 40 ) seals locally said layers together.  
   
   
       8 ) Equipment according to  claim 4 , characterized by the fact that the supporting structure ( 33 ) comprises at least one straight row of perforating punches ( 4 ).  
   
   
       9 ) Equipment according to  claim 8 , characterized by the fact that the supporting structure ( 33 ) comprises a plurality of straight and parallel rows of perforating punches ( 4 ).  
   
   
       10 ) Equipment according to  claim 4 , characterized by the fact that the perforating punches ( 4 ) are fixed to the supporting structure through securing means ( 38 ,  39 ,  41 ) so their position can be varied on the supporting structure ( 33 ).  
   
   
       11 ) Equipment according to  claim 4 , characterized by the fact that the supporting structure ( 33 ) oscillates on a rotational axis (C) substantially orthogonal to the direction of movement (B), of the supporting structure ( 33 ).  
   
   
       12 ) Equipment according to  claim 11 , characterized by the fact that said rotational axis (C) is a horizontal axis.  
   
   
       13 ) Equipment according to  claim 11 , characterized by the fact that the supporting structure ( 33 ) comprises at least a pair of stop elements ( 5 ) which go against the palletised load.  
   
   
       14 ) Equipment according to  claim 13 , characterized by the fact that said stop elements ( 5 ) are positioned on sides opposite said rotational axis (C).  
   
   
       15 ) Equipment according to  claim 4 , characterized by the fact that it comprises means ( 52 ) for stopping the supporting structure ( 33 ) when the latter, as it approaches the palletised load (P), reaches a set distance from the palletised load (P).  
   
   
       16 ) Equipment according to  claim 15 , characterized by the fact that said stopping means include at least one proximity sensor ( 52 ) integral with the supporting structure ( 33 ) and which, as it touches the palletised load (P), causes the supporting structure ( 33 ) to stop.  
   
   
       17 ) Equipment according to  claim 4 , characterized by the fact that it comprises feeding means ( 2 ) which move forward the palletised load in a direction (A) substantially orthogonal to the direction of movement (B) of the supporting structure ( 33 ), and which stop the palletised load in at least one suitable position with the respect to the perforating punches ( 4 ).  
   
   
       18 ) Equipment according to  claim 4 , characterized by the fact that the supporting structure is connected to a sliding frame ( 31 ), mounted on a fixed base ( 30 ) and is operated by a jack ( 32 ).  
   
   
       19 ) Equipment according to  claim 4 , characterized by the fact that it comprises two supporting structures ( 33 ) positioned on sides opposite the palletised load.