# US 2013/0276409 A1 · Process and Apparatus for Increasing Stacking Strength of Film Wrapped Articles > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0276409 A1 - Document ID: US20130276409A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/453,931 - Filed: 2012-04-23 - Published: 2013-10-24 - Earliest claimed: 2012-04-23 - Inventors: Alain Cerf - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130276409A1 ## CPC - B65B 49/00: Devices for folding or bending wrappers around contents - B65B 11/004: {in blanks, e.g. sheets precut and creased for folding } - B65B 11/58: Applying two or more wrappers, e.g. in succession - B65B 13/181: {applying edge protecting members during bundling} - B65B 49/08: Reciprocating or oscillating folders - B65B 49/16: Pneumatic means, e.g. air jets - B65D 75/004: {with auxiliary packaging elements, e.g. protective pads or frames, trays} - B65B 11/00: Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material (bundling articles by applying narrow strips or bands of flexible material B65B13/00) - B65B 49/14: Folders forming part of, or attached to, conveyors for partially-wrapped articles - B65B 53/02: by heat - B65B 2220/16: Packaging contents into primary and secondary packaging - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES ## Abstract The objective of the invention is to provide an alternative way of wrapping a product with cardboard at faster speed and maintain stacking strength. This accomplished by bending two strips of cardboard into the shape of a U channel where the sides of the U form an angle smaller than 90 degrees. The sides of the U channel cardboard will be open by a guide that will allow each U channel cardboard piece to slide around each end of the product without requiring glue to hold the U Channel in position. By maintaining an angle of less than 90 degrees the U channel cardboard acts like a spring clamp around the product and maintains its position on the conveyor belt while the product is film wrapped and the film is heat shrunk. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A process for providing packing strength to a product moving on a conveyor prior to film wrapping and heat shrinking the product comprising, moving a product on a conveyor, providing a material that will increase the stacking strength of the product, bending the material into a U channel where each side of the channel is at an angle of less than 90 degrees, separating the sides of the U channel to accommodate the sides of the product, pushing the U channel with the separated sides onto the product to provide stacking strength, film wrapping the product with the U channel, and heat shrinking the film. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A process according to claim 1 wherein two U channels having separated sides are provided and each U channel is pushed onto the product from opposite ends. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A process according to claim 2 including selecting the length of the sides of the channel so that an opening is formed whereby a user can see the product. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) A process according to claim 2 where in a guide is used to separate the sides of the channel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) A process according to claim 2 wherein the material is corrugated cardboard. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A process according to claim 1 where in an air cylinder pushes the U channel onto the product. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) A process according to claim 2 wherein the U Channel material is moving in synchronization with the movement of the product on the conveyor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) A process according to claim 2 including stopping the conveyor so that the U channel can be pushed onto the product. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) A process according to claim 2 including pushing each side of the channel against the product ### Claim 10 An apparatus for providing packing strength to a product moving on a conveyor prior to film wrapping and heat shrinking the product comprising, means for moving a product on a conveyor, means for providing a material that will increase the stacking strength of the product, means for bending the material into a U channel where each side of the channel is at an angle of less than 90 degrees, means for separating the sides of the U channel to accommodate the sides of the product, means for pushing the U channel with the separated sides onto the product to provide stacking strength, means for film wrapping the product with the U channel, and means for heat shrinking the film. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the means for pushing pushes two U channels having separated sides where each U channel is pushed onto the product from opposite ends. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the length of the sides of the channel has an opening whereby a user can see the product. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein tithe means for separating is a guide that separate the sides of the channel. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the material is a corrugated cardboard. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) An apparatus according to claim 9 where in an air cylinder pushes the U channel onto the product. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) An apparatus according to claim 9 including means for moving the U Channel material in synchronization with the movement of the product on the conveyor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 9) An apparatus according to claim 9 including means for stopping the conveyor so that the U channel can be pushed onto the product. ### Claim 18 (depends on 9) An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the means for bending the material into a U channel where each side of the channel is at an angle of less than 90 degrees includes means for increasing the angle greater than 90 degrees so that the channel can be pushed against the product.