Packaging Apparatus and Processes

Abstract

Systems and processes for packaging a product. In one implementation a process involves transporting the product in a first direction, printing information on a film by use of a first printer prior to the film being applied to the product, the film having a width that is less than a width of the product and shrinkable only in a longitudinal direction. In one implementation the film is then applied to the product to produce at least a partial film sleeve around at least a first portion of the product as the product is advanced in the first direction. In one implementation heat is then conveyed to at least a section of the film applied to the product to cause the film to shrink in the longitudinal direction.

1 . A system for packaging a product comprising:
 a conveyor that transports the product in a first direction,   a first reel comprising a first film, the first film having a width that is less than a width of the product and shrinkable only in a longitudinal direction,   a first printer adapted to print information on the first film prior to the first film being applied to the product,   a first apparatus adapted to apply the first film onto the product to produce at least a partial film sleeve around at least a first portion of the product as the product is advanced in the first direction; and   a first heater adapted to convey heat to at least a section of the first film applied to the product to cause the first film to shrink in the longitudinal direction.   
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a structure adapted to support the first film in relationship to the printer. 
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second printer adapted to print information on the first film prior to the film being applied to the product. 
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second heater adapted to convey heat to at least the first section and/or a second section of the first film applied to the product, the first heater comprising an infrared heater and the second heater comprising a convection heater. 
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 4 , wherein the first heater is disposed in a first chamber and the second heater is disposed in a second chamber subsequent the first chamber. 
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first film is substantially transparent. 
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first film is a plastic PET-G film. 
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second reel with a second film. 
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 8 , wherein the second film has a width that is less than a width of the product. 
     
     
         10 . A system according to  claim 9 , wherein the second film is shrinkable only in a longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         11 . A system according to  claim 9 , further comprising a second apparatus adapted to apply the second film onto the product to produce at least a partial second film sleeve around at least a second portion of the product as the product is advanced in the first direction. 
     
     
         12 . A system according to  claim 11 , wherein the first reel is located on a first side of the conveyor and the second reel is located on a second side of the conveyor opposite the first side, the first apparatus and second apparatus adapted to apply the first and second films, respectively, so that a segment of the first film is joined with a segment of the second film. 
     
     
         13 . A system according to  claim 11 , wherein the first film and the second film are identical. 
     
     
         14 . A system according to  claim 8 , wherein the second film is not shrinkable. 
     
     
         15 . A process for packaging a product comprising:
 transporting the product in a first direction, printing first information on a first film by use of a first printer prior to the first film being applied to the product,   applying the first film onto the product to produce at least a partial film sleeve around at least a first portion of the product as the product is advanced in the first direction, the first film having a width that is less than a width of the product and shrinkable only in a longitudinal direction; and   conveying heat by use of a first heater to at least a section of the first film applied to the product to cause the first film to shrink in the longitudinal direction.   
     
     
         16 . A process according to  claim 15 , further comprising conveying heat to at least a section of the first film applied to the product using a second heater. 
     
     
         17 . A process according to  claim 16 , wherein the first heater is an infrared heater and the second heater is a convection heater. 
     
     
         18 . A process according to  claim 15 , further comprising applying a second film onto the product to produce at least a partial film sleeve around at least a second portion of the product as the product is advanced in the first direction. 
     
     
         19 . A process according to  claim 18 , wherein the second film has a width that is less than a width of the product. 
     
     
         20 . A process according to  claim 19 , wherein the second film shrinkable. 
     
     
         21 . A process according to  claim 19 , wherein the second film is shrinkable only in a longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         22 . A process according to  claim 18 , wherein at least a segment of the first film is joined with at least a segment of the second film. 
     
     
         23 . A process according to  claim 20 , further comprising conveying heat to the second film to cause it to shrink. 
     
     
         24 . A process according to  claim 21 , further comprising conveying heat to the second film to cause it to shrink in the longitudinal direction.