Sleeve Film Wrapping a Pack of Containers

Abstract

This invention provides a film wrapped pack of containers that allows a container to be removed while maintaining the remaining containers together. This can be accomplished by providing a sleeve wrapped pack of containers with two perforated lines registered on the top of the film before film wrapping. By peeling off the top part of the perforated film, the containers are exposed, allowing for the removal of a container while maintaining the integrity of the film

1 . An apparatus for forming a film wrapped sleeve pack of containers comprising
 means for orienting a predetermined number of containers on a moving conveyor so that the containers can be pushed together to form a pack,   means for forming perforations in the film that rests on the top of the pack so that a part of the film can be peeled off while maintaining the integrity of the pack,   means for film wrapped the pack by forming a sleeve around the pack,   means for sealing the pack after being film wrapped, and   means for heat shrinking the film,   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  includes means for orienting includes means for positioning the containers lying on their side so that the largest length of the container is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the conveyor. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the means for positioning includes a star wheel. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the means for orienting the containers on the conveyor includes means for vertically positioning the containers using an upender star wheel that lifts one end of the container and turns the container on another side. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  includes collating the containers on the conveyor 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 5  when the conveyor pushes the collated containers onto a dead plate to form a pack. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 6  include means for pushing the pack from the dead plate into a film. 
     
     
         8 . A process for forming a film wrapped sleeve pack of containers comprising,
 on a conveyor a predetermined number of containers oriented on the conveyor so that the containers can be pushed together to form a pack,   forming perforations in parts of the film that rests on the top of the pack so that a part of the film can be peeled off while maintaining the integrity of the pack,   film wrapping a sleeve around the pack,   sealing the pack after being film wrapped, and   heat shrinking the film wrapped pack.   
     
     
         9 . A process according to  claim 8  includes positioning the container on the conveyor so the largest length of the containers is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the conveyor. 
     
     
         10 . A processs according to  claim 9  wherein a star wheel positions the containers. 
     
     
         11 . A process according to  claim 8  wherein upender star wheel vertically positions the containers by lifting one end of the containers and turning the can on another side. 
     
     
         12 . An process according to  claim 8  includes collating the containers on the conveyor 
     
     
         13 . A process according to  claim 12  where the conveyor pushes the collated containers onto a dead plate to form a pack. 
     
     
         14 . An process according to  claim 13  including pushing the pack from the dead plate into a film. 
     
     
         15 . A process for forming a film wrapped sleeve pack of containers comprising,
 forming perforations in the film for allowing a part of the film to be peeled from the top of the pack while maintaining the integrity of the pack,   film wrapping a sleeve around the pack,   sealing the film, and   heat shrinking the film.   
     
     
         16 . A process according to  claim 15  wherein the containers are oriented by vertically positioning the containers on the conveyor so that the containers can be pushed together to form a pack. 
     
     
         17 . A process according to  claim 1  where the conveyor pushes collated containers onto a dead plate to form a pack. 
     
     
         18 . A process according to  claim 17  including pushing the pack from the dead plate into a film