DESCRIPTION The invention relates to a method and machine for packing cans or other containers that are at least partly cylindrical and especially single-use containers for drinks or the like, by using a synthetic, preferably heat-shrink film or equivalent. The invention also relates to packs produced in this way.

One object of the invention is to pack together a set of cans (or equivalent) in such a way as to facilitate their sale and handling. Another object is to pack the cans (or equivalent) in sterile conditions at least around the aperture which is made at the time of consumption. Yet another object is to introduce a cheap, space-saving and ecologically acceptable form of packaging.

These and other objects and advantages will be made apparent in the text that follows.

In the packing method according to the invention: on at least one feedline of cans, the cans are arranged side by side with their axes parallel in separate groups, each formed by at least two cans; a web of synthetic, preferably shrinkable film (or equivalent) is fed to said feediine at the same speed of advance as the sets of cans; said web is deformed and wrapped around said sets of cans; and said web wrapped around the sets of cans is cut and joined in the spaces between successive sets of advancing cans. The individual sets of cans wrapped in the pieces of web are preferably treated to bring about shrinkage of the film of the pieces of the web about the individual sets of cans so that it clings to the cans in order to stabilize the resulting pack.

The longitudinal edges of the web of film deformed to wrap the sets of cans are superimposed and joined longitudinally before being cut and joined in the spaces between the successive sets of cans. Said longitudinal join may be effected in various ways, depending on the nature of the film material, examples being ionization welding (e. g. in the case of polyolefin films), or with a solvent, or in some other suitable way.

The adjacent cans of the individual sets may be positioned with their axes at right angles to or longitudinally with respect to the direction of advance in the feedline, and the cutting and joining of the web take place at right angles to the direction of advance. For example, in the first case the cans may be arranged with their respective axes perpendicular to the web of film, and in practice vertical.

The cans may be fed along at least two feedlines, in which case the sets of cans of the at least two feedlines are preferably aligned transversely; an advancing film is cut longitudinally to form the webs of film for the individual feedlines or reels of film already cut to size and appropriately arranged may be used; and the webs, thus arranged side by side and deformed to wrap the sets of cans of the two or more feedlines, may be cut and joined in the spaces between successive sets of cans by a single cutting and joining machine, or the like.

The pack of cans (or other equivalent containers), especially cylindrical or at least partly cylindrical, and especially single-use cans, consists according to the invention of a plurality of said cans (or equivalent) arranged side by side and in line, and wrapped in a film, which is preferably shrunk and in particular thermally shrunk, which keeps them in contact until torn open for the cans to be used.

Each set of cans of said pack is preferably wrapped in the film, which consists of a piece of weblike material whose superimposed longitudinal edges extend transversely and in an intermediate position with respect to the width of the sets of cans (or equivalent); and the piece of weblike material is welded at its ends. Said longitudinal edges are joined to each other by various systems, depending on the nature of the heat-shrink film.

The machine according to the invention for packing cans or other containers, especially cylindrical and especially single-use containers, for drinks or the like, by using a synthetic, preferably shrinkable and especially heat-shrink or equivalent film, is of the type that comprises at least one feedline of cans or equivalent containers, means for feeding a web of film,

means for deforming the web and wrapping it around the cans, means for cutting and joining the web and means for treating the web in order to bring about shrinkage of the film. According to the invention, said machine includes feed means for arranging the cans (or equivalent) side by side and adjacent with their axes parallel and means for forming and separating sets of at least two cans (or equivalent); the wrapping means are arranged to wrap the various successive sets longitudinally; and the cutting and joining means are activated in the spaces between the successive advancing sets.

The present machine also comprises means for joining together the longitudinal edges of the web of film, which are overlapped.

The abovementioned feed means preferably arrange the cans (or equivalent) with their axes longitudinally or at right angles to the direction of advance in the feedline. In the second case the cans may be fed in a vertical position, the way they come from the filling and closing machine.

The machine may comprise at least two adjacent feedlines with respective means for positioning the cans (or equivalent) in transverse or longitudinal positions and in separate sets, in which case a wide film may be used, with means to cut the film in order to form from this the individual webs of film for the respective lines, or separate reels of web may be provided for the individual feedlines.

A clearer understanding of the invention will be gained from the description and the attached drawing, the latter showing a practical, non-restrictive example of the invention. In. the drawing: Figs. 1 and 2 show a plan view and a view in longitudinal section, both highly schematic, of a machine for producing packs according to the invention; Figs. 3 and 4 show a cross section and a perspective view of the multiple pack in question; Figs. 5 and 6 show a plan view and a view in longitudinal section, both highly schematic, of another machine for the production of packs according to the invention; Figs. 7 and 8 show a cross section and a perspective view of the

multiple pack in question; Figs. 9 through 12 show, in the same order, views similar to the previous views of a machine for the production of packs according to the invention and the associated arrangement of the cans; Figs. 13 and 14 show a plan view of yet another machine, and the pack which it produces; and Figs. 15 and 16 show yet other packs that can be produced in accordance with the invention.

In Figs. 1 and 2, reference 1 indicates a web of heat-shrink film fed in the direction of arrows f1 to provide the material for two feedlines A and B of sets of cans for packing. The cans L in each feedline are fed with their axes at right angles to the direction of advance and in each feedline are separated into sets G, which in this example each consist of four cans. As the web 1 and cans or sets of cans advance simultaneously, the web 1 is cut longitudinally by a mechanism briefly marked at 5, to produce two webs which are to be used to pack the sets G of cans L of the two adjacent feedlines A and B. The two webs thus produced are deformed-by known means-as they advance in such a way that the two longitudinal edges 1A of each of the two webs are folded over the cans L which lie horizontally and transversely, side by side to form the various sets G. The deformation of the webs takes place in the area indicated by the arrow f2 and the two superimposed longitudinal edges 1A of each web are stuck together by a join SL-by ionization welding, by adhesive bonding with a solvent or in some other suitable way-by a suitable unit 7 of a type known per se. Next, on each of the two feedlines, the separate individual sets G of cans wrapped in the films are separated by transverse cutting and joining ST of the respective webs in which the cans are longitudinally wrapped, by known machines, or even by a single known machine marked 9, 9A. Thus, downstream of the machine 9,9A, each set G of cans L is wrapped in a closed film C.

The individual sets wrapped in the film are passed through a heating tunnel 12 where the heat-shrink film of the packs C is made to undergo thermal shrinkage to cause it to cling tightly around the cans of each

set and so stabilize the pack C by immobilizing the cans L against each other, the cans being closed by the presence of the longitudinal join SL and by the transverse joins ST formed by the joining and cutting machine 9,9A.

The cans are protected hygienically by the envelope of the pack C, can be sold in sets, and are easily taken out for use by tearing the envelope of the pack. The factory process is economical; handling is easy and it is even possible to save other forms of packaging for accumulation or stowage.

In the cases described below, identical parts or parts fulfilling the same function are given the same numbers as those used previously.

Referring to Figs. 5,6 and 9,10, reference 1 denotes a web of heat-shrink film fed in the direction of the arrows f1 to produce the materials for two feedlines A and B of sets of cans to be packed. In each feedline the cans L are fed: -in the case of Figs. 5 and 6, with their axes at right angles to the direction of advance and perpendicular to the surface of the web 1 (in practice, vertical), side by side in two rows in sets G of six cans; or, in a variant, in sets of four cans; -in the case of Figs. 9 and 10, with their axes parallel to the direction of advance of the web, side by side in two rows in sets G of four cans.

As the web 1 and sets of cans advance simultaneously, the web 1 is cut longitudinally by a mechanism briefly marked at 5, to produce two webs which are to be used to pack the sets G of cans L of the two adjacent feedlines A and B. The two webs thus produced are deformed-by known means-as they advance in such a way that the two longitudinal edges 1 A of each of the two webs are folded over the cans L lying side by side to form the various sets G. The deformation of the webs takes place in the area indicated by the arrow f2 and the two superimposed longitudinal edges 1 A of each web are stuck together by a join SL-by ionization welding, by adhesive bonding with a solvent or in some other suitable way-by a suitable unit 7 of a type known per se. Next, on each of the two feedlines, the separate individual sets G of cans wrapped in the films are separated by transverse cutting and joining ST of the respective webs in which the cans are wrapped, by known machines, or even by a single known machine marked 9,9A. Thus,

downstream of the machine 9,9A, each set G of cans L is wrapped in a closed film C.

The individual sets wrapped in the film are passed through a heating tunnel 12 where the heat-shrink film of the packs C is made to undergo thermal shrinkage to cause it to cling tightly around the cans of each set and so stabilize the pack C by immobilizing the cans L against each other.

The packs (see Figs. 7,8; 11,12) are therefore closed by the presence of the longitudinal join SL and by the transverse joins ST formed by the joining and cutting machine 9,9A.

Likewise in the version shown in Figs. 13 and 14, the same reference numbers have been given to identical parts or parts fulfilling the same function. The only differences compared with the versions described previously are the following: Only one line is provided, rather than two adjacent lines, so that only one web 1 of film is supplie; and the cans L are arranged in sets G of four cans side by side with their axes oriented in the direction of advance f1.

Also, the overlap SL of the longitudinal lips, and their join line may be in the center or, as in the drawing, may lie over one of the intermediate cans L of the set G.

In the various solutions, the heating tunnel 12 may be replace by a unit which treats the film to cause it to shrink.

Figs. 15 and 16 show packs of at least four cans arranged not in the same plane but with their axes lying in two parallel geometrical planes.

The cans are protected hygienically by the envelope of the pack C, can be sold in sets, and are easily taken out for use by tearing the envelope of the pack. The factory process is economical; handling is easy and it is even possible to save other forms of packaging for accumulation or stowage.

In the version shown in Figs. 5 through 8, the machine may be directly next to the machine for filling and closing the individual cans, the cans being kept vertical.

It will be understood that the drawing shows only an example

purely as a practical demonstration of the invention, it being possible for the invention to be varied in its shapes and arrangement without necessarily departing from the scope of the concept on which the invention is based. The presence of any reference numbers in the appended claims is to facilitate the reading of the claims with reference to the description and drawing, and does not limit the scope of protection represented by the claims.