PACKAGE WRAPPING REMOVAL SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME
A package wrapping removal system and method of operation for removing a wrapping from a product has a first cutter that cuts the wrapping along a first side face of the wrapped product as the product moves along a first transport. A second transport of the system then receives the wrapped product from the first transport. As the wrapped product moves along the second transport, the first cutter and an opposing second cutter cut the wrapping along respective flanking side faces of the product. A vacuum device integrated into the second transport then removes the wrapping as one piece as the unwrapped product continues to move downstream.
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The instant application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 60/761,116, filed on Jan. 23, 2006, and 60/777,834, filed on Mar. 1, 2006.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to a package wrapping removal system and more particularly to a system for removing shrink wrap from a package.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONPackages and products are known to be wrapped with any of a wide variety of materials including different forms of paper and various plastics. The wrapping material used is generally dictated by the needs of the package or product. The wrapping may serve to simply protect the surface of a product or to support and hold multiple items together as a single package.
One such example of multiple items being held together at least in-part by a wrapping is a plurality of beverage bottles or cans. For instance, the manufacturer of a beverage may ship and/or sell their product in an allotment of twenty-four plastic bottles (i.e. a case). The bottles may be supported in a relatively inexpensive cardboard tray. For improved stacking and transportation of the cases, the bottles along with the tray are typically wrapped in a known shrink wrap material. The shrinking process of the wrap material causes the wrapping to hold tightly against the bottles and trays, thereby generally forming a structurally stable parallelepipedical body.
At times it is desirable to remove the shrink wrap and repackage the product, such as when creating multi-packs of various flavors of the product. Unfortunately, the benefits of the shrink wrap or other wrappings that contribute to structural integrity of a single body having multiple components may also create difficulties in the removal of the wrapping from the product.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA package wrapping removal system and method of operation for removing wrapping from a work product has a first cutter that cuts a wrapping along a first side face of a the work product as the product moves along a first transport. A second transport of the system is orientated downstream of the first transport. When the product moves along the second transport, the first cutter and an opposing second cutter cut the wrapping along respective flanking side faces of the product.
Objects, features and advantages of the present invention include a highly efficient, quick and reliable means to remove a wrapping from a work product utilizing a system that is relatively inexpensive, robust, reliable and easily integrated into existing manufacturing plants.
These and other objects, features and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings in which:
Referring to
Referring to
Although the product 24 may be of any wide variety of shapes, it is preferably cubical and generally square. For illustration purposes, the side faces 33, 35, 37, 39 are broken down as first side face 33, second side face 35, third side face 37 and fourth side face 39. The first side face 33 is generally the leading side face (i.e. where the wrapping 22 is first cut) and is flanked at respective opposite ends by the second and fourth side faces 35, 39.
More specific to the wrapping removal system 20, the system has a first transport 34 that extends along a first centerline 36 and a second transport 38 that extends along a second centerline 40. The transports 34, 38 preferably lie in a common imaginary plane and intersect at a junction 42 so that the first centerline 36 is substantially perpendicular to the second centerline 40. During operation, the wrapped product 24 travels along the first transport 34 in a direction co-extending with the first centerline 36, then the wrapped product 24 changes direction at the junction 42 and travels along the second centerline 40 (i.e. into the page with respect to
The first transport 34 has a substantially horizontal surface 44 upon which the wrapped product 24 slides or moves and a raised side or elongated stop face 46 that extends longitudinally along and projects laterally upward from the horizontal surface 44. The stop face is substantially parallel to the centerline 36 and is spaced laterally from the centerline 36 by a first distance 48. Similarly, the second transport 38 has a horizontal surface 50 that generally forms contiguously into the horizontal surface 44 of the first transport 38 at the junction 42. The system includes a conveyor 12 which has a first run 14 and a second run 16. Either one or both of the transports 34, 38 may be a belt conveyor or could be formed by a series or rollers or the like. The first transport 34 generally extends the length of the system 20 and the second transport 38 extends from the first transport 34 at about a ninety degree angle.
A first or corner cutter 52 is located generally at the junction 42 or corner formed at the intersection of the first and second transports 34, 38. The first cutter 52 extends at least partially into the first and second transports 34, 38 to cut the wrapping 22 from the wrapped product 24 along two side faces of the wrapped product 24 as the wrapped product moves along both the first and second transports 34, 38. A second cutter 54 is mounted to the second transport 38 and is orientated at an opposite end of the junction 42 substantially diametrically opposed to the corner cutter 52 with respect to the second centerline 40. The second cutter 54 extends at least partially into the second transport 38 for cutting the wrapping 22 from the wrapped product 24 along the third side face 37 of the wrapped product 24. As best shown in
To improve cutting efficiency and reliability, and to help maintain the square orientation of the wrapped product 24 when sliding upon the first transport 34, a third cutter 62 is located adjacent to and outward from the first cutter 52 with respect to the second centerline 40 and in parallel with the first cutter 52. The third cutter 62 is between the first cutter 52 and a leading end 64 of the stop 46 (see
As best shown in
Referring again to
Referring to
The wrapped product 24 is then transported down the second transport 38 while the shrink wrap 22 along second and fourth side faces 35, 39 of the product 24 are simultaneously melted, i.e., cut, by the heated cutters 54, 68 on one side and the heated cutters 52, 66 on the other side. The second and fourth side faces 35, 39 flank the first side face 33 such that the cut 71 of the wrapping 22 now extends across the three connected side faces 33, 35, 39 of the prepackaged wrapped product 24.
The prepackaged product 24 continues down the second transport 38 and the vacuum retains the wrapping or shrink wrap 22 at the apertures 26 (see
Referring to
Preferably, the disc 170 is heated by an electric heating element 76. The heating element 76 is located in a blind bore 78 orientated concentrically in the disc 170. The discs 170 preferably do not rotate but are mounted releasably to respective arms 80 of each cutter 152, 154, 162, 166, 168. Because the discs 170 do not rotate, the resultant increase in friction as the apex 174 slides across the wrapping 122 assists in the cutting. As the continuous apex 174 wears, the discs 170 can be loosened and rotated with respect to the arms 80 thereby exposing an unwarned portion of the apex 174. Alternatively, the disc 170 may be mounted rotatably to the arm 80 and about a rotation axis 72 orientated substantially perpendicular to the transports 134, 138. Although in this embodiment the disc 170 produces less friction for efficient cutting, it is less likely to snag upon the wrapped product 124 when cutting and will evenly wear around the entire circumference of the apex 174.
Preferably, the disc 170 is supported releasably by the radially extending arm 80 and various bushings and or washers 82 for reliable operation. The arm 80 is supported adjustably by a stationary support member 84 of each cutter 152, 154, 162, 166, 168. Preferably, a portion of the arm 80 extends into a channel 86 in the support member 84. Also located in the channel 86 and generally between an end 88 of the arm 80 and stop pins 90 of the member 84 is a compression spring 92. Spring 92, in conjunction with an adjustment knob 94, provides the ability to adjust the extension of the discs 170 into and out of the respective transports 134, 138 dependent upon the size of the wrapped product 124.
Referring to
While the forms of the invention herein disclosed constitute a presently preferred embodiment, many others are possible. It is not intended herein to mention all the possible equivalent forms or ramification of the invention. It is understood that terms used herein are merely descriptive, rather than limiting, and that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A package wrapping removal system for removing wrapping from a wrapped product comprising:
- a first transport for moving said wrapped product along a first centerline;
- a second transport for moving said wrapped product along a second centerline traversing said first centerline with said first and second transports defining a corner;
- a first cutter disposed at said corner and extending at least partially into said first and second transports for cutting said wrapping from said wrapped product along first and second side faces of said wrapped product; and
- a second cutter mounted to said second transport on an opposing side from said first cutter and extending at least partially into said second transport for cutting said wrapping from said wrapped product along a third side face of said wrapped product.
2. The package wrapping removal system set forth in claim 1 wherein said first side face is flanked by said second and third side faces of said wrapped product and a fourth side face of said wrapped product is orientated opposite said first side face.
3. The package wrapping removal system set forth in claim 3 wherein said first cutter is constructed and arranged to cut said wrapping along said first side face when said wrapped product is moved along said first transport.
4. The package wrapping removal system set forth in claim 3 wherein said first cutter is constructed and arranged to cut said wrapping along said second side face and said second cutter is constructed and arranged to cut said wrapping along said third side face when said wrapped product is moved along said second transport.
5. The package wrapping removal system set forth in claim 1 further comprising a third cutter located adjacent to and outward from said first cutter with respect to said second centerline and in parallel with said first cutter along said first centerline.
6. The package wrapping removal system set forth in claim 5 further comprising:
- a fourth cutter located adjacent to and radially outward from said first cutter with respect to said first centerline and in parallel with said first cutter along said second centerline; and
- a fifth cutter located adjacent to and outward from said second cutter with respect to said first centerline and in parallel with said second cutter along said second centerline.
7. The package wrapping removal system set forth in claim 6 wherein said first, second, third, fourth and fifth cutters are heated and said wrapping is heat sensitive.
8. The package wrapping removal system set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second cutters are heated and said wrapping is heat sensitive.
9. The package wrapping removal system set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second cutters each have a rotational axis and a cutting disc rotatable about said rotational axis.
10. The package wrapping removal system set forth in claim 2 wherein said cutters do not engage said wrapping at said fourth side face such that said wrapping at said fourth side face is not cut.
11. The package wrapping removal system set forth in claim 1 further comprising at least one vacuum aperture in said second transport for engaging said wrapping at a bottom of said wrapped product.
12. The package wrapping removal system set forth in claim 11 further comprising a vacuum collector located above said second transport for collecting said wrapping after said wrapping is cut along said first, second, and third side faces.
13. A package wrapping removal system for removing wrapping from a wrapped product comprising:
- at least one transport for moving said wrapped product;
- a plurality of cutters located along said at least one transport for cutting said wrapping only along three of four side faces of said wrapped product;
- at least one vacuum aperture in said at least one transport for engaging said wrapping at a bottom of said wrapped product; and
- a vacuum collector spaced above said at least one vacuum aperture for collecting said cut wrapping as one piece as said wrapped product moves along said at least one transport.
14. A method of removing wrapping from a wrapped product with the wrapped product having a first side face and opposing second and third side faces flanking the first side face utilizing first and second cutters, the method comprising the steps of:
- moving said wrapped product along a first direction and against said first cutter for cutting said wrapping along said first side face of said wrapped product;
- positioning said wrapped product between said first cutter and said second cutter;
- moving said wrapped product along a second direction and between said first and second cutters for cutting said wrapping along said opposite second and third side faces of said wrapped product.
15. The method set forth in claim 14 further comprising the steps of:
- positioning said wrapping located at a bottom of said wrapped product directly over at least one vacuum aperture; and
- pushing said wrapped product away from said at least one vacuum aperture as said wrapping remains with said at least one vacuum aperture.
16. The method set forth in claim 15 further comprising the step of vacuuming said wrapping as one piece into a vacuum collector.
17. The method set forth in claim 14 further comprising the step of heating said first and second cutters prior to cutting.
18. The method set forth in claim 14 further comprising the step of rotating a cutting disc of said respective cutters directly against said wrapping as said wrapping is cut.
19. The method set forth in claim 14 further comprising the step of compressing a spring of said respective cutters against said wrapped product and during cutting.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 23, 2007
Publication Date: Jul 26, 2007
Applicant: ADCOR INDUSTRIES, INC. (Baltimore, MD)
Inventor: Michael J. Brown (Baltimore, MD)
Application Number: 11/625,988
International Classification: B65B 43/00 (20060101);