Anchor packaging system and method

Abstract

A system for and method of shipping items is provided. The method includes adhering a package to an inner surface of a shipping case, thereby inhibiting movement of the package relative to the shipping case. The method includes wrapping one or more item with a sacrificial layer, such as shrink wrap, stretch wrap, paper, or the like, thereby creating a tight barrier of the package. The system includes one or more conveyor system and one or more adhesive applicator for automating the methods of the present invention. After adhesive is applied to at least one of a first surface of the package and the inner surface of the shipping case, the package is placed into the shipping case and the shipping case is moved to a closed configuration, thereby defining a void surrounding all but the first surface of the package.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for securing a package within a shipping case, the system comprising an adhesive station for applying an adhesive substance to at least one of a surface of the package and an inner surface of the shipping case. 
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a heating station for heating shrink film wrapped around at least one item of the package, the heating station being configured to shrink the shrink film around the at least one item, thereby creating a package having a tight plastic barrier. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the heating station includes a heat tunnel, the heat tunnel being configured to expose the shrink film to a sufficient amount of heat for a sufficient amount of time as the package is moved through the heat tunnel in a predetermined amount of time. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising a first conveyor system for moving the package through the heat tunnel in the predetermined amount of time. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising a wrapping station for wrapping the heat film around the at least one item of the package. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a first conveyor system for moving the package through the adhesive station towards a loading station, the adhesive station including an adhesive applicator for applying adhesive to at least one surface of the package, the adhesive applicator being one of a dabbing applicator, a rolling applicator, and a spraying applicator. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising a second conveyor system for moving the shipping case to the loading station, the adhesive applicator being configured to apply adhesive to a top surface of the package and the loading station being configured to flip the package and to move the top surface of the package into contact with an inner surface of a bottom panel of the shipping case. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a wrapping station for wrapping a sacrificial film around at least one item of the package, the wrapping station being configured to secure the sacrificial film to the at least one item, thereby creating a tight barrier. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive station includes an adhesive applicator that is configured to apply adhesive to at least one inner surface of the shipping case, the adhesive applicator being one of a dabbing applicator, a rolling applicator, and a spraying applicator. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising first and second conveyor systems for moving the package and the shipping case, respectively, towards the loading station, the second conveyor system being configured to move the shipping case to the adhesive station prior to moving the shipping case to the loading station. 
     
     
         11 . A method of securing a package within a shipping case, the method comprising:
 applying adhesive to at least one of a surface of the package and an inner surface of the shipping case; and   positioning the package within the shipping case such that the adhesive secures the package to the inner surface of the shipping case.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 wrapping shrink film around at least one item of the package; and   heating the shrink film, thereby creating a tight plastic barrier.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising moving the package through a heat tunnel, thereby accomplishing the heating step, the moving step being accomplished with a first conveyor system. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first conveyor system moves the package through the heat tunnel in a predetermined amount of time, thereby exposing the shrink film to a sufficient amount of heat for a sufficient amount of time. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the applying step is accomplished by an adhesive applicator, the adhesive applicator being one of a dabbing applicator, a rolling applicator, and a spraying applicator. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising flipping the package and moving a top surface of the package into contact with an inner surface of a bottom panel of the shipping case, wherein the adhesive applicator is configured to apply adhesive to a top surface of the package prior to the package being flipped. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising wrapping a sacrificial film around at least one item of the package and securing the sacrificial film to the at least one item, thereby creating a tight barrier. 
     
     
         18 . A method of shipping a package within a shipping case, the method comprising adhering a first surface of the package to an inner surface of the shipping case such that the package is inhibited from moving relative to the shipping case. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising moving the shipping case to a closed configuration, thereby defining a void surrounding all but the first surface of the package. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 applying adhesive to at least one of the first surface of the package and the inner surface of the shipping case; and   positioning the package within the shipping case such that at least a portion of the adhesive is positioned between at least a portion of the first surface of the package and the inner surface of the shipping case.