(19) |
![](https://data.epo.org/publication-server/img/EPO_BL_WORD.jpg) |
|
(11) |
EP 0 323 761 B1 |
(12) |
EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
(45) |
Mention of the grant of the patent: |
|
10.03.1993 Bulletin 1993/10 |
(22) |
Date of filing: 30.12.1988 |
|
(51) |
International Patent Classification (IPC)5: B65D 85/66 |
|
(54) |
Package containing a reel of sheet material
Verpackung für eine Rolle bahnförmigen Materials
Emballage pour rouleau de matériau en feuille
|
(84) |
Designated Contracting States: |
|
BE DE ES FR GB IT |
(30) |
Priority: |
05.01.1988 GB 8800091
|
(43) |
Date of publication of application: |
|
12.07.1989 Bulletin 1989/28 |
(73) |
Proprietor: The Wiggins Teape Group Limited |
|
Basingstoke
Hampshire RG21 2EE (GB) |
|
(72) |
Inventor: |
|
- Nerincx, Christian
Waterloo (BE)
|
(74) |
Representative: Bridge-Butler, Alan James et al |
|
G.F. Redfern & Co.
Redfern House
149/151 Tarring Road Worthing,
West Sussex BN11 4HE Worthing,
West Sussex BN11 4HE (GB) |
(56) |
References cited: :
EP-A- 0 242 454 BE-A- 547 038 FR-A- 2 615 833
|
EP-A- 0 276 174 FR-A- 835 858 US-A- 3 217 875
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
|
[0001] This invention relates to a package containing a reel of sheet material, for example,
paper or plastics material.
[0002] The handling of large reels of sheet paper causes difficulties because they are very
easily damaged in transit. It is known to wrap reels of paper with a winding of a
plastics material, for example stretch film, but although this protects the paper
from the elements it provides little protection against damage if the reel is struck
by another object, for example another reel of paper located close to it. It is therefore
usually necessary to provide an additional outer covering of, for example, thick or
reinforced cardboard or paper to provide the necessary protection. One way of facilitating
the transport of such heavy reels of paper is to locate them on a pallet so that they
can be lifted by a fork lift truck or similar handling device.
[0003] Such reels of paper are formed with an axially extended opening at their centre to
receive a mandrel or core spindle comprising, for example, part of the unwind stand
of a printing machine. This opening may conveniently be utilised to locate a wooden
spigot. This enables a number of reels to be stacked one above the other on the pallet
with the spigot extending through the central openings in the reels to maintain them
in alignment. It is also possible to locate the reel on the pallet by providing a
suitably positioned socket to receive one end of the spigot in the pallet itself.
[0004] Damage is often caused to reels of this kind if they are placed side by side, for
example on a delivery truck, and especially if reels of different axial lengths are
placed alongside each other. If a reel tips against the upper edge of an adjacent
reel of shorter length, the shorter reel is liable to damage the longer reel. The
present invention is intended to provide an economic and simplified form of packaging
for a reel of sheet material, for example paper, which will also reduce the possibility
of accidental damage.
[0005] EP-A-O 242 454, which forms the basis for the pre-characterising portion of claim
1, shows a carrier for packaging, shipping and transporting coiled, heavyweight products.
The package described refers to a coil of, for example, tin, steel aluminium or paper,
which is placed on a two part circular carrier 3 which is of slightly greater diameter
than the coil of material. The upper end of the coil of material is protected by a
cover of substantially the same diameter as the coil of material. Straps are passed
around the carrier top cover and coil to hold the packaging and coil together. Because
the top cover is of substantially the same diameter as the reel of packaged material
it provides little protection if the reel topples over during transit and strikes
the side of another reel. Moreover, the top cover itself can easily damage the package
material or the contents of the coil itself if such toppling occurs and the top cover
strikes a reel alongside it. Although the straps which hold the packaging together
are spaced away from the coil at its lower end due to the larger diameter of the carrier,
the straps at the upper end where they engage the top cover are in contact with or
closely adjacent the coil so that in the event of toppling occurring they again provide
little or no defence against the upper edge of an adjacent coil striking the coiled
material.
[0006] According to the present invention a package containing a reel of sheet material
comprises a pallet, a reel of sheet material with its axis substantially vertical
and the lower end of which rests on said pallet, a top cover having a plan form substantially
the same as the pallet and located on the upper end of the reel, and a number of straps
extending between said pallet and the top cover to hold the pallet and the cover firmly
in place against the ends of the reel, characterised in that the diameter of the reel
is less than the maximum transverse dimension across the pallet and the top cover,
and said top cover is made from honeycomb board.
[0007] Preferably the straps are spaced away from the reel to form a cage around it.
[0008] If desired said reel can be replaced by two or more co-axial reels the lower end
of the lowermost reel resting on said pallet and the top cover being located on the
upper end of the uppermost reel.
[0009] Advantageously, the pallet is of rectangular and preferably of square plan form.
[0010] Due to the properties of the honeycomb board the top cover provides sufficient protection
for the upper end of the reel spaced away from the pallet and is rigid enough to support
the straps which extend across the top cover and the pallet. These straps act effectively
as a cage which prevents the cylindrical surface of the reel from being struck, for
example should the top cover of another reel fall against it. Moreover, due to the
preferred rectangular or square configuration of the pallet, the reels will be stacked
for transport side by side, so that should one reel topple the straight side of its
top cover will tend to fall against the straps on the adjacent reel and not against
the adjacent reel itself.
[0011] The honeycomb material used in the top cover is sufficiently resistant to bowing
when the straps are applied under tension that a flat surface is maintained which
enables the packages to be stacked one upon another without becoming unstable.
[0012] Preferably the straps extend between the outer edges of the pallet and the top cover,
thus providing protection for a maximum included volume.
[0013] At least two straps can be provided on each side, and in a preferred construction
the straps extend through the pallet and over the top cover, thus not only providing
the desired protection but also acting to hold the pallet and top cover in place.
[0014] A spigot may be included which extends axially through the reel or coaxial reels
and the lower end of which is located in a socket in the pallet.
[0015] The upper end of the spigot, spaced away from the pallet, can be arranged to project
through an opening in the top cover so that it can engage an opening in a pallet forming
part of a superimposed package. Thus, packages can be stacked one above the other
with the spigot acting to keep the upper pallet of the upper package centrally in
register with the top cover of the lower package.
[0016] Typically the top cover is between 30 and 50 millimetres thick and in a preferred
arrangement is 40 millimetres thick.
[0017] The package may for example be used with a reel wrapped with stretch film and sheet
foam which are sufficient to prevent damage by the elements and minor impact damage.
Optionally, the stretch film and sheet foam may be interleaved.
[0018] The invention can be performed in many ways but one embodiment will now be described
by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a package according to the invention and including
a reel of paper,
Figure 2 is a plan view of the package shown in Figure 1,
Figure 3 is a plan view, partly cut away, of a component of the package of Figures
1 and 2, and
Figure 4 is a view on the line IV-IV of Figure 3.
[0019] As shown in the drawings the package is for a reel of paper which is indicated by
reference numeral 1 and which has been previously wrapped with interleaved stretch
film and sheet foam for example by the process described and claimed in European Patent
Application No. 88301778.2 (Publication No. 0 276 174). The reel is wound around a
core tube (not shown) to provide an axially extending opening 2 in which a wooden
control spigot 3 is located. The ends 4 and 5 of the spigot project from the ends
6 and 7 of the reel.
[0020] The reel is located on a pallet 8 of well known type and which is provided with upper
battens 9, lower battens 10 and spacers 11. The openings 12 between the battens and
spacers 11 allow the insertion of the tines of a fork lift truck so that the pallet
and its contents can be lifted.
[0021] In plan view the pallet is substantially square, as will be seen from Figure 2, and
its transverse dimensions across its widths are greater than the diameter of the reel
1.
[0022] A top cover 14 is located on the upper end of the reel 1 and is provided with an
opening 15 to allow the spigot 3 to protrude through and project beyond its upper
surface. This top cover 14 is made from honeycomb board material and is typically
between 30 and 50 millimetres thick, preferably about 40 millimetres thick. Honeycomb
board comprises an inner matrix of honeycomb configuration formed from corrugated
strips of cardboard glued together to form cells having their axes perpendicular to
the plane of the board. The cellular structure is sandwiched between the two layers
of flat cardboard glued thereto. This type of material is light in weight but has
a high resistance to flexure out of its planar configuration and is described below
in more detail with reference to Figures 3 and 4.
[0023] The top cover 14 is of substantially the same dimensions as the pallet 8 and is located
in register with it.
[0024] In order to hold the top cover reel and pallet together, in a unitary package straps
16 are provided. These straps 16 extend completely around the top cover and through
the pallet. As will be seen from Figure 2, four straps are located on the package,
thus providing two straps 16 extending over the top cover and through the pallet on
each side so as to effectively form a cage around the reel. The straps can be made
from any convenient material which can be tensioned without stretching, but plastic
strapping is preferred. This material consists of flat webbing reinforced thermoplastics
strip, the ends of which can be fastened together by staples, a clamping member or
heat fusion. A tightening device is usually provided which can be manually operated
to pull the two ends of the strap tightly into engagement. Straps and tensioning devices
of this type are well known for use in packaging applications.
[0025] When the reel 1 is placed on the pallet 8 the end 5 of the spigot 3 is received in
a socket 18 in the pallet. This socket is blind and has a closed end 19. Beneath the
socket 18 is an axially aligned second socket 20 which can receive the end 4 of the
spigot 3 when one package is stacked above another.
[0026] In normal transit the packages will be stacked side by side and if desired one upon
the other. If one package topples towards another its upper edge will be prevented
from hitting the reel in the adjacent package by the straps 16 of the adjacent package.
[0027] In certain applications the spigot 3 may be unnecessary or alternatively it may be
arranged to only project from one end of the reel. With the latter arrangement the
spigot locates in the socket 18 in the pallet but the opening 15 in the top cover
14 is omitted.
[0028] Although the invention has been described with regard to a method of packaging paper
reels it can also be applied to packaging reels of other material, for example an
easily damaged plastics material. It will also be appreciated that more than two straps
16 can be provided on each side depending upon the amount of protection sought or
the circumstances of handling.
[0029] Turning now to Figures 3 and 4, these show the structural characteristics of the
honeycomb top cover 14. As seen at the cut away portion in Figure 3, the core of the
board from which the cover is formed comprises a series of corrugated strips of card
21, glued together at contiguous faces 22 to form cells 23 having axes perpendicular
to the faces of the board.
[0030] The cell structure thus formed is faced at each end with sheets 24 of the cardboard
glued thereto.
[0031] It will be appreciated that any board may be used having a cellular internal structure
with walls formed perpendicularly to the facing sheets. The cells need not, for example,
be hexagonal or have common walls.
[0032] If desired two or more reels can be carried in each package by arranging them coaxially
with the lower end of the lowermost reel resting on the pallet and the top cover being
located on the upper end of the uppermost reel. A single spigot can be provided which
extends through the reels, the lower end of the spigot again being engaged in the
pallet and, if required, the upper end can project through the top cover in the manner
described with regard to Figures 1 and 2.
1. A package containing a reel of sheet material the package comprising a pallet (8),
a reel of sheet material (1) with its axis substantially vertical and the lower end
of which rests on said pallet (8), a top cover (14) having a plan form substantially
the same as the pallet (8) and located on the upper end of the reel (1), and a number
of straps (16) extending between said pallet (8) and the top cover (14) to hold the
pallet (8) and the cover (14) firmly in place against the ends of the reel (1), characterised
in that the diameter of the reel (1) is less than the maximum transverse dimension
across the pallet (8) and the top cover (14), and said top cover (14) is made from
honeycomb board.
2. A package as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that said straps (16) are spaced
away from the reel (1) to form a cage around it.
3. A package as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 characterised in that said reel (1)
is replaced by two or more co-axial reels (1) the lower end (7) of the lowermost reel
(1) resting on said pallet (8) and the top cover (14) being located on the upper end
(6) of the uppermost reel (1).
4. A package as claimed in claim 1 claim 2 or claim 3 characterised in that said pallet
(8) is of rectangular plan form.
5. A package as claimed in claim 4 characterised in that said pallet (8) is of square
plan form.
6. A package as claimed in claims 1 to 5 characterised in that at least two straps
(16) are provided on each side.
7. A package as claimed in claims 1 to 6 characterised in that said straps (16) extend
through the pallet and over the top end cover.
8. A package as claimed in any one of the preceding claims characterised by including
a spigot (3) which extends axially through the reel (1) or co-axial reels (1) and
the lower end (5) of which is located in a socket (18) in the pallet (1).
9. A package as claimed in claim 8 characterised in that the upper end (4) of said
spigot (3) spaced away from the pallet (8) projects through an opening (15) in the
top cover (14).
10. A package as claimed in any one of the preceding claims characterised in that
said top cover (14) is between 30 and 50 millimetres thick.
11. A package as claimed in claim 10 characterised in that said top cover is 40 millimetres
thick.
12. A package as claimed in any one of the preceding claims characterised in that
the reel (1) is wrapped with stretch film and sheet foam.
13. A package as claimed in claim 12 characterised in that the stretch film and sheet
foam are interleaved.
1. Verpackung, beinhaltend eine Rolle bahnförmigen Materials, umfassend eine Palette
(8), eine Rolle bahnförmigen Materials (1) mit einer im wesentlichen vertikalen Achse,
deren unteres Ende auf der Palette (8) aufliegt, eine obere Abdeckung (14), die auf
dem oberen Ende der Rolle (1) angeordnet ist und eine ebene Grundform aufweist, welche
im wesentlichen der der Palette (8) entspricht, und eine Anzahl von Riemen (16), welche
sich zwischen der Palette (8) und der oberen Abdeckung (14) erstrecken, um die Palette
(8) und die Abdeckung (14) gegen die Enden der Rolle (1) zu fixieren, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß der Durchmesser der Rolle (1) geringer ist als die maximale transversale Ausdehnung
der Palette (1) und der oberen Abdeckung (14) und die obere Abdeckung (14) aus einer
Tafel in Wabenbauweise gefertigt ist.
2. Verpackung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß sich die Riemen (16) im
Abstand von der Rolle (1) befinden und einen Käfig um diese bilden.
3. Verpackung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Rolle (1) durch
zwei oder mehr koaxiale Rollen (1) ersetzt ist, wobei das untere Ende (7) der untersten
Rolle (1) auf der Palette (8) aufliegt und die obere Abdekkung (14) auf dem oberen
Ende (6) der obersten Rolle (1) aufliegt.
4. Verpackung nach einem der Ansprüche 1, 2 oder 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die
Palette (8) eine rechteckige, ebene Grundform aufweist.
5. Verpackung nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Palette (8) eine quadratische,
ebene Grundform aufweist.
6. Verpackung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß sich an
jeder Seite mindestens zwei Riemen (16) befinden.
7. Verpackung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Riemen
(16) durch die Palette und über die obere Abdeckung verlaufen.
8. Verpackung nach einem der voranstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
sie einen Zapfen (3) beinhaltet, welcher axial durch die Spule (1) oder die koaxial
angeordneten Spulen (1) verläuft, wobei dessen unteres Ende (5) in einem Sockel (18)
in der Palette (8) positioniert ist.
9. Verpackung nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das obere, im Abstand von
der Palette (8) stehende Ende (4) des Zapfens (3) durch eine Öffnung (15) in der oberen
Abdeckung (14) ragt.
10. Verpackung nach einem der voranstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
die obere Abdeckung (14) zwischen 30 und 50 Millimeter dick ist.
11. Verpackung nach Anspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die obere Abdeckung 40
Millimeter dick ist.
12. Verpackung nach einem der voranstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
die Rolle (1) in Streckfolie und geschäumtes Material eingewickelt ist.
13. Verpackung nach Anspruch 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Streckfolie und das
geschäumte Material überlappend angeordnet sein.
1. Emballage contenant un rouleau de matériau en feuille, cet emballage comprenant
une palette (8), un rouleau de matériau en feuille (1) dont l'axe est sensiblement
vertical et dont l'extrémité inférieure repose sur ladite palette (8), un couvercle
supérieur (14) ayant une forme en plan qui est sensiblement la même que celle de la
palette (8) et qui est situé à l'extrémité supérieure du rouleau (1), un certain nombre
de sangles (16) s'étendant entre ladite palette (8) et le couvercle supérieur (14)
pour maintenir la palette (8) et le couvercle (14) fermement en place contre les extrémités
du rouleau (1), caractérisé en ce que le diamètre du rouleau (1) est inférieur à la
dimension transversale maximale de la palette (8) et du couvercle supérieur (14) et
ledit couvercle supérieur est réalisé au moyen d'une plaque en nid d'abeilles.
2. Emballage selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdites sangles (16)
sont espacées du rouleau (1) pour former une cage autour de ce dernier.
3. Emballage selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que ledit rouleau (1)
est remplacé par deux ou plusieurs rouleaux coaxiaux (1), l'extrémité inférieure (7)
du rouleau le plus bas (1) reposant contre ladite palette (8) et le couvercle supérieur
(14) étant placé sur l'extrémité supérieure (6) du rouleau le plus haut (1).
4. Emballage selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que ladite palette
(8) a une forme rectangulaire en plan.
5. Emballage selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que la palette (8) a une
forme en plan qui est carrée.
6. Emballage selon l'une des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que deux sangles
(16) au moins sont prévues de chaque côté.
7. Emballage selon l'une des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé en ce que lesdites
sangles (16) s'étendent à travers la palette et par dessus le couvercle d'extrémité
supérieur.
8. Emballage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en
ce qu'il comprend un tourillon (3) s'étendant axialement dans le rouleau (1) ou les
rouleaux coaxiaux (1) et dont l'extrémité inférieuré (5) est placée dans un logement
(18) de la palette (8).
9. Emballage selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que l'extrémité supérieure
(4) dudit tourillon (3) qui est espacée de la palette (8) fait saillie par une ouverture
(15) du couvercle supérieur (14).
10. Emballage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en
ce que ledit couvercle supérieur (14) a une épaisseur comprise entre 30 et 50 mm.
11. Emballage selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce que le couvercle supérieur
a une épaisseur de 40 mm.
12. Emballage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en
ce que le rouleau (1) est enveloppé dans un film étirable et une mousse en feuille.
13. Emballage selon la revendication 12, caractérisé en ce que le film étirable et
la mousse en feuille sont imbriqués l'un dans l'autre.
![](https://data.epo.org/publication-server/image?imagePath=1993/10/DOC/EPNWB1/EP88312446NWB1/imgf0001)
![](https://data.epo.org/publication-server/image?imagePath=1993/10/DOC/EPNWB1/EP88312446NWB1/imgf0002)