Patent Grant
9205964
This application claims the priority of European Patent Application No. 10180327.8, filed Sep. 27, 2010. The contents of the prior application are incorporated herein by reference
The present invention relates to a method for packaging a pack commodity, in particular a commodity stack constituted by a plurality of commodity pieces. Further, the invention relates to a package for a pack commodity.
Although the present invention can be applied in connection with a very great variety of commodities and goods to be packaged, the present invention and the set of problems on which it is based are explained more fully in the following on the basis of the packaging of a commodity stack in the form of a set of metal sheets constituted by individual sheet-metal plates stacked over one another.
When a stack of sheet-metal plates laid on one another is transported from the manufacturer or dealer to a purchaser, or if it is necessary for the stack to be stored beforehand, it is desirable for the metal sheets that are stacked on one another to be protected against dirt and, in particular, moisture during transport or storage, in order that the goods reach the customer in a state of perfect quality. In the case of metal sheets, it is necessary, in particular, to prevent the sheets from starting to corrode. In the case of galvanized steel sheets or items, it is sought, for example, to prevent unsightly white rust from forming on their surfaces. To prevent the ingress of dirt and moisture, the set of metal sheets can be enclosed by an air-tight packaging cover, in order to prevent moist air masses from being admitted from the storage or transport environment.
A method for tight packaging of a commodity stack on a pallet has been described in DE 35 21 416 A1. In the case of this method, a shrink hood drawn over the commodity stack is shrunk progressively in the vertical direction through the use of hot gas. Finally, the shrink hood is welded tightly to a film that is present between the commodity stack and the pallet and that projects over the edge of the pallet.
Such already known methods for the packaging of commodities have the disadvantage, however, that the completed package is difficult to open manually, and requires a tool, for example a knife or the like. This is precisely the case even if the pack commodity is metal sheets having possibly sharp edges and corners, and the use of a somewhat stronger and more tear-resistant packaging material, for instance a thicker film, therefore appears expedient.
The object of the present invention therefore consists in disclosing a method that enables a pack commodity to be packaged in such a way that the pack commodity, on the one hand, is protected against the ingress of dirt and moisture and, on the other hand, the package can be easily opened by hand without a tool. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a corresponding package for a pack commodity.
This object is achieved by a method for packaging a pack commodity including providing a support element, for supporting the pack commodity, placing a first packaging material sheet onto the support element and disposing the pack commodity on the first packaging material sheet such that a portion of the first packaging material sheet comes to lie between the support element and the pack commodity, and the first packaging material sheet protrudes over the pack commodity. The method also includes placing a second packaging material sheet onto an upper side of the pack commodity such that the second packaging material sheet protrudes over the pack commodity, and in some regions joining the first packaging material sheet to the second packaging material sheet. The first packaging material sheet and the second packaging material sheet are adhesively joined in a respective, predetermined first region, along a first portion of a periphery of the support element, such that they can be separated for opening the package. The first packaging material sheet and the second packaging material sheet are joined in a respective, predetermined second region, along a second portion of the periphery of the support element, in such a way that the first packaging material sheet and the second packaging material sheet cannot be separated from one another in the second region without destroying the package.
The object is further achieved by a package for a pack commodity having a support element for supporting the pack commodity and a first packaging material sheet and a second packaging material sheet joined to one another in some regions. The first packaging material sheet and the second packaging material sheet are adhesively joined in a respective, predetermined first region, along a first portion of a periphery of the support element, such that they can be separated for opening the package. The first packaging material sheet and the second packaging material sheet are joined in a respective, predetermined second region, along a second portion of the periphery of the support element, in such a way that the first packaging material sheet and the second packaging material sheet cannot be separated from one another in the second region without destroying the package.
There is accordingly proposed a method for packaging a pack commodity, in particular a commodity stack constituted by a plurality of commodity pieces, which method comprises the following steps:
In the joining in some regions, the first packaging material sheet and the second packaging material sheet are adhesively joined in a respective, predetermined first region, along a first portion of a periphery of the support element, such that they can be separated and, in particular, can be re-joined. Further, the first packaging material sheet and the second packaging material sheet are joined in a respective, predetermined second region, along a second portion of the periphery of the support element, in such a way that the first packaging material sheet and the second packaging material sheet cannot be separated from one another in the second region without destroying the package.
Further provided according to the invention is a package for a pack commodity, in particular a commodity stack constituted by a plurality of commodity pieces, which package is produced, in particular, by means of the method according to the invention. The package has a support element, in particular a pallet, for supporting the pack commodity. Further, the package has a first packaging material sheet and a second packaging material sheet, the first and the second packaging material sheet being joined to one another in some regions. Whereas the first packaging material sheet and the second packaging material sheet are adhesively joined in a respective, predetermined first region, along a first portion of a periphery of the support element, such that they can be separated and, in particular, can be re-joined, the first packaging material sheet and the second packaging material sheet are additionally joined in a respective, predetermined second region, along a second portion of the periphery of the support element, in such a way that the first and the second packaging material sheet cannot be separated from one another in the second region without destroying the package.
The idea of the present invention consists in joining the first and the second packaging material sheet to one another in a different way along two different portions of the periphery of the support element. Whereas the two packaging material sheets are adhesively and separably joined to one another, along the first portion of the periphery, in the first region, the join along the second portion is effected in such a way that the two packaging material sheets can only be separated again from one another by destroying the package of the pack commodity. Because of the separable adhesive join along the first portion, on the one hand a tight join of the packaging material sheets is achieved there, on the other hand the regions of the two packaging material sheets that adhere to one another can be manually parted from one another for the purpose of opening the package along the first portion. The other type of join of the first and second packaging material sheets, along the second portion of the periphery of the support element, is instrumental in preventing the two packaging material sheets from parting completely from one another in an impractical manner as the package is opened. In particular, the forces required for separating the first packaging material sheet from the second packaging material sheet, along the second portion, are substantially greater than those necessary for parting the two packaging material sheets in the first region, along the first portion.
Further, the joining of the first and the second packaging material sheet in the first region can be effected, in particular, in such a way that the packaging material sheets can be re-joined in the first region, for example by re-adhesion. This is likewise advantageous since, if the pack commodity is a commodity stack, it is easy to remove only a proportion of the packaged commodity from the package. For continued storage of the rest of the commodity to be removed at a later point in time, the package can be re-closed rapidly and easily, in a manner that is secure against corrosion. Moreover, advantageously, it also becomes possible to inspect the stored or transported pack commodity, and subsequently to re-close the package in a manner that is secure against corrosion. This is advantageous even if the pack commodity, for example, is not a commodity stack, but a single piece such as, for instance, a machine.
Advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention are disclosed by the further dependent claims considered in combination with the appended figures of the drawing.
In an embodiment of the invention, the respective first region is marginal regions of the first and second packaging material sheet. Equally, in this embodiment, the respective second region is likewise marginal regions of the first and second packaging material sheet. As a result, advantageously, packing material can be saved, and economic packaging of the pack commodity can be achieved.
In the case of a further embodiment of the invention, a part of the first packaging material sheet that projects over the pack commodity is folded away from the support element towards side surfaces of the pack commodity. In particular, in the case of this embodiment, in the joining of the first packaging material sheet to the second packaging material sheet, an underside of the first packaging material sheet is brought into overlapping contact, in the first and the second region, with an underside of the second packaging material sheet. As a result, for example, a more attractive appearance of the packaged pack commodity can be achieved.
In the case of another embodiment of the invention, a part of the first packaging material sheet that projects over the pack commodity is folded away from the pack commodity towards side surfaces of the support element. In particular, in the case of this embodiment, in the joining of the first packaging material sheet to the second packaging material sheet, an upper side of the first packaging material sheet is brought into overlapping contact, in the first region and the second region, with an underside of the second packaging material sheet. It is thereby possible to prevent, for example, water from penetrating between the first packaging material sheet and the support element, which can be advantageous precisely in the case of a support element made of wood.
According to an improvement of the method according to the invention and of the package according to the invention, the first packaging material sheet is additionally joined, along the second portion of the periphery of the support element, to the side surfaces of the support element. As an alternative to this, in the case of this development the first packaging material sheet and the second packaging material sheet are additionally joined, along the second portion of the periphery of the support element, to the side surfaces of the support element. Consequently, opening of the package and removal of individual commodity pieces proves to be even more simple and practical, since, in the case of this embodiment, the first and the second packaging material sheet cannot be parted from the support element in the second portion. Orderly opening and, if appropriate, also orderly re-closing is thus achieved, without the packaging material sheets slipping out of place or becoming disordered. Opening and, if appropriate, closing of the package can then be performed easily by one person, even in the case of relatively large pack pieces.
In the case of a further improvement, the first packaging material sheet is additionally joined, along the first portion of the periphery of the support element, to the side surfaces of the support element. This measure enables the package to be subsequently opened more easily by manually separating the first packaging material sheet from the second packaging material sheet, since it is not necessary to hold on to the first packaging material sheet with the hand.
According to a development of the invention, the first packaging material sheet, for the purpose of joining to the side surfaces of the support element, is stitched, by means of a blunt arbor, to the side surfaces of the support element, or is attached by means of staples. Alternatively, the first and the second packaging material sheet, for the purpose of joining to the side surfaces of the support element, are jointly stitched to the side surfaces of the support element by means of a blunt arbor or attached by means of staples and thereby joined to one another along the second portion of the periphery of the support element. This development makes it possible to achieve a rational and, at the same time, reliable fastening to the side surfaces of the support element. However, other types of attaching or stitching are also possible.
According to a further development, the first packaging material sheet and the second packaging material sheet are joined to one another by welding along the second portion of the periphery of the support element. The welding enables a particularly good tightness of the join to be achieved in the second region.
In an embodiment of the invention, for the purpose of adhesive joining along the first portion, a double-sided adhesive tape is applied, in the respective first region, to the first packaging material sheet or to the second packaging material sheet. As a result, the joining in the first region can be realized in a cost-effective manner. Further, the use of double-sided adhesive tape allows a locally very flexible choice of the position and extent of the first region, which can be advantageous precisely if pack commodities or commodity stacks of very different sizes, for example stacks of metal sheets cut to different sizes, are to be packaged in succession. The double-sided adhesive tape can be stuck on directly on site as required during the packaging operation. Furthermore, the quantity of double-sided adhesive tape that is stuck on can be varied, in order to adjust the force to be applied in order to separate the join.
In another embodiment of the invention, the first packaging material sheet and/or the second packaging material sheet, for the purpose of adhesive joining along the first portion of the periphery of the support element, are coated with an adhesive, at least in the respective first region. It is thereby possible to dispense with a separate adhesive tape. If only a part of a respective surface of the first and/or second packaging material sheet is coated with adhesive, in particular in the respective first region, it also becomes possible, moreover, to prevent one or both of the packaging material sheets from adhering to the pack commodity, for instance the metal sheets, and to remove pack commodity. This development also reliably prevents traces of adhesive from remaining on the pack commodity after removal from the package. Alternatively, in the case of this development, the first and the second packaging material sheet can also be provided with different coatings, which are realized in such a way that an adhesive action is achieved only when these two coatings come into mutual contact.
In the case of a yet further embodiment, the first packaging material sheet and/or the second packaging material sheet, for the purpose of adhesive joining along the first portion of the periphery of the support element, are realized so as to be self-adhesive, at least in the respective first region. This can be achieved, in particular, through an appropriate choice of material for the respective packaging material sheet. For example, a packaging material sheet or both packaging material sheets can be realized as an electrostatically charged film or as a film that, without an adhesive coating, already has favourable adhesion properties. In this way, it is possible to dispense with adhesive tapes and adhesive coatings. The method can therefore be performed in a particularly simple manner and a join of particularly good tightness can be achieved.
According to an improvement of the invention, the first and the second packaging material sheet that overlap in some regions are pressed, in the first region, against one another and against the side surfaces of the support element or against the side surfaces of the pack commodity, in order to promote the adhesive join. This pressing can be effected, for example, by means of a rotating roller guided along the respective side surface, by a likewise moving, rotating round brush, or also by a flat brush that sweeps along the first portion of the periphery of the support element, over the upper side of the second packaging material sheet. It can thereby be ensured that the packaging material sheets adhere cleanly to one another in the first region, as a result of which, in turn, the tightness of the join along the first portion of the periphery of the support element can be improved.
In the case of a development of the invention, the first packaging material sheet and the second packaging material sheet, by being joined along the first portion and along the second portion, are joined to one another substantially along the entire periphery of the support element. A tight closure along the entire periphery of the support element can be realized as a result.
In one embodiment, vertically extending folds that are produced at corners of the pack commodity and that are formed there by surplus material of the first and the second packaging material sheet are laid flatly against the pack commodity and/or the support element, and fastened to the outside of the second packaging material sheet. This fastening can be effected, for example, by applying an adhesive to the fold before it is placed on, by sticking a double-sided adhesive tape onto the fold before the latter is placed on, or by sticking a single-sided adhesive tape over the edge of the fold. As a result, the folds do not project at the corners, do not get in the way during storage, and cannot flutter during transport.
According to an embodiment, after the first packaging material sheet and the second packaging material sheet have been joined, the pack commodity is enclosed on all sides and, in particular, in an airtight and moisture-tight manner. This is particularly advantageous for protecting the pack commodity against the ingress of moisture and dirt.
In the case of an advantageous improvement of the invention, a moisture-binding substance and/or a corrosion-inhibiting chemical that is volatile at a storage temperature of the pack commodity is introduced between the pack commodity and the first packaging material sheet and/or between the pack commodity and the second packaging material sheet. As an alternative to this, in the case of this improvement the first and/or the second packaging material sheet is provided, at least portionally, on a surface facing towards the pack commodity, with such a substance and/or such a chemical, or contain the same. Moisture-binding substances within the package are advantageous, particularly if the pack commodity is closed in an air-tight manner against the external atmosphere, since they make it possible for an atmosphere that is as dry as possible to be maintained within the package. Even if the air mass enclosed with the pack commodity, for example the set of metal sheets, is cooled down by low external temperatures, for example in the case of lorry transport in winter, it is possible to prevent condensation moisture from settling on the pack commodity when the temperature drops below the dew point. Corrosion-inhibiting chemicals, for example so-called VCIs (volatile corrosion inhibitors), by releasing gas during the period of transport and/or storage, enable a protective, corrosion-inhibiting atmosphere to be built up and maintained for a long period between the packaging material sheets and, for example, the packaged metal sheets.
In the case of an embodiment of the invention, the first and/or the second packaging material sheet is/are realized with a plastic film. The plastic film can be, in particular, weldable. Plastic films offer good protection against moisture and also dust, and allow tight joins to be produced.
In the case of an alternative embodiment, the first and/or the second packaging material sheet can also be realized with a paper, in particular a plastic-coated and/or fibre-reinforced paper. Moreover, it can be expedient to select different materials for the first and the second packaging material sheet.
In the case of an embodiment of the invention, the support element is realized as a transport pallet made of wood, plastic or metal. This allows easy handling of the packaged pack commodity, for example by means of a shop truck. In particular, it can also be a pallet having standardized dimensions, which can prove advantageous in transport and storage of the pack commodity.
The above embodiments and developments can be combined with one another in a discretionary manner, insofar as appropriate. Further possible embodiments, developments and implementations of the invention also include combinations, not mentioned explicitly, of features of the invention that have been described previously or are described in the following with regard to exemplary embodiments. In particular, in this connection, one skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the present invention.
The present invention is explained more fully in the following with reference to the exemplary embodiments disclosed in the schematic figures of the drawing.
Of the figures:
In the figures of the drawing, elements and features that are the same or have the same function are denoted by the same references, unless stated to the contrary.
After that, the first packaging material sheet 3 is joined, in some regions, to the second packaging material sheet 6. This joining is effected along two portions 11, 12, of a periphery of the support element 2, in
The joining of the first packaging material sheet 3 to the second packaging material sheet 6 is effected, along the first portion 11, in a respective, predetermined region 14 of the first packaging material sheet 3 and of the second packaging material sheet 6 that is identified by stippling in
In the respective second region 15, on the other hand, the first packaging material sheet 3 and the second packaging material sheet 6 are joined to one another along the second portion 12 of the periphery of the support element 2 in such a way that the first and the second packaging material sheets can only be separated again from one another in the second region 15 by destroying the package. In particular, the join in the second region 15 is realized in such a way that the forces to be applied for separating the first packaging material sheet 3 from the second packaging material sheet 6 along the second portion 12 are substantially greater than those forces required for separating the two packaging material sheets from one another in the first region 14.
For the purpose of opening the package of the pack commodity 1 packaged according to the first exemplary embodiment of the invention, the two packaging material sheets 3 and 6 are therefore pulled apart by hand, if possible along the entire first portion 11, in the region 14 as a result of which the adhesive join separates there. If the extent of the first and the second portion 11 and 12, respectively, has been appropriately selected, for example in the manner indicated in
The pack commodity 1 packaged in accordance with the method according to the first exemplary embodiment of the invention is represented in a cross-sectional view in
In
Preferably, the packaging material sheet 3 projects over the pack commodity 1 in the region of all side surfaces 13a-d. Likewise, the packaging material sheet 6 is preferably placed on in such a way that the pack commodity 1 is completely covered in its peripheral direction. In this way, after the first packaging material sheet 3 has been joined to the second packaging material sheet 6, the pack commodity 1 can be enclosed on all sides and, in particular, in an airtight, dust-tight and moisture-tight manner.
A method and a package according to a third exemplary embodiment are elucidated in
A fifth exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
According to a variant that combines features of the fourth and the fifth exemplary embodiment of the invention, it can furthermore also be advantageous for only the first packaging material sheet 3 to be stitched or attached by means of staples, along the portion 12, to the support element 2, for instance to the side surface 13a and parts of the side surfaces 13b and 13d. The second packaging material sheet 6 can then be tightly welded, in the second region 15, along the portion 12, preferably in a continuous length, to the second region 15 of the first packaging material sheet 3, in particular by the action of heat.
It is to be noted, with reference to
Further, it can also be advantageous for the first packaging material sheet 3 to be additionally joined, along the first portion 11 of the periphery of the support element 2, to the side surface, for example the side surface 13c, of the support element 2. This is preferably effected before the adhesive join is produced between the first and the second packaging material sheet 3 and 6, respectively.
As additionally shown by
In the case of the exemplary embodiments shown, the support element 2 is preferably realized as a transport pallet made of wood, plastic or metal, this having proved to be advantageous for easy handling of the packaged pack commodity. As shown by
The joining of the packaging material sheets 3′ and 6′ in a respective, predetermined first region 14′, along a first portion of the periphery of the support element 2′, and in a respective, predetermined second region 15′, as indicated by the details A″ and B″ in
In the case of all exemplary embodiments described above, it is also possible for the first packaging material sheet 3, 3′ or the second packaging material sheet 6, 6′ or both to be provided, in their entirety or partially, with an insulating and/or cushioning action. Thus, for example, an air-cushion film, preferably having a substantially smooth surface, can be used for one or both packaging material sheets 3, 3′, 6, 6′.
Moreover, there can be advantages in introducing a moisture-binding substance, for example a silica gel or similar, between the pack commodity 1 and the first packaging material sheet 3, 3′ and/or the second packaging material sheet 6, 6′. This can be useful in the case of a pack commodity 1, 1′ that is sensitive to moisture, or hygroscopic, but has also proved to be advantageous if the pack commodity 1, 1′, such as, for instance, a sheet-metal stack, tends to corrode under the action of moisture. Instead of a moisture-binding substance, a volatile, corrosion-inhibiting chemical (also called volatile corrosion inhibitor, or VCI) can be introduced. This can be achieved in that the first packaging material sheet 3, 3′, on its upper side 17, 17′ that faces towards the pack commodity 1, 1′, and/or the second packaging material sheet 6, 6′, on its underside 18, 18′, is provided, at least portionally, with a moisture-binding substance and/or with a volatile, corrosion-inhibiting chemical. Through the release of gas by the corrosion-inhibiting chemical, a protective atmosphere that surrounds the pack commodity 1, 1′ can be produced within the package. Alternatively, for this purpose, the package for the pack commodity 1, 1′ produced according to the exemplary embodiments of the invention explained above can also be filled with a suitable protective gas before the joining of the packaging material sheet 3, 3′, 6, 6′ is completed.
In addition, in the case of all aforementioned exemplary embodiments, within the first portion 11a control seal, for example a self-adhesive tear-off strip—not shown in the figures—can be stuck over the join point of the packaging material sheets 3, 3′, 6, 6′, which control seal tears apart as the package is opened. This can prevent unauthorized removal of commodity pieces 1a, 1a′ from remaining undiscovered.
Although the invention has been described above on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto, but can be modified in a multiplicity of ways without departure from the subject of the present invention.
In particular, the present invention is not limited to support elements in the form of rectangular pallets or to right parallelepiped pack commodities and commodity stacks. Rather, pack commodities of other shapes can also be packaged, on rectangular or otherwise shaped support elements or bases, by means of the method according to the invention.
Moreover, it is also conceivable not only to provide a first and a second portion of the periphery of the support element, but it can also be expedient, for example, for two first and two second portions to be disposed alternately, the join of the packaging material sheets along the first and second portions being performed as described above.
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| 10180327 | Sep 2010 | EP | regional |
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| 20120241343 A1 | Sep 2012 | US |
