Multi-layer wrap

• US 8,080,304 B2
• Filed: 02/06/2006
• Issued: 12/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Western Plastics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Western Plastics, Inc.
• Inventors: Clarke, Thomas F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Watkins, III, William P
• Application Number:
  US11/348,521
• Publication Number:
  US 20070178278A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,143 Days
• Field of Search: 428/137, 428/906, 242/160.4, 242/170, 242/520
• US Class Current: 428/137
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2250/242 All polymers belonging to those covered by group B32B27/32
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/752 Corrosion inhibitor
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2553/00 Packaging equipment or accessories not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/32 comprising polyolefins comprising vinyl (co)polymers or acrylic (co)polymers B32B27/30
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/22 of spaced pieces not used
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/266 characterised by an apertured layer, the apertures going through the whole thickness of the layer, e.g. expanded metal, perforated layer, slit layer regular cells B32B3/12
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/30 characterised by a layer formed with recesses or projections, e.g. hollows, grooves, protuberances, ribs apertured layer B32B3/266; layer with cavities or internal voids B32B3/26
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 65/406 with at least one layer provided with a relief other than corrugations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/906 Roll or coil
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24058 including grain, strips, or filamentary elements in respective layers or components in angular relation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24314 Slit or elongated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24322 Composite web or sheet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24802 Discontinuous or differential coating, impregnation or bond [e.g., artwork, printing, retouched photograph, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31938 Polymer of monoethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon

Abstract

A stretchable multi-layer wrap is provided. The wrap comprises a first film, which comprises an inside cling surface, a second film, which comprises an inside cling surface. The second film inside cling surface engages the first film inside cling surface. The wrap also comprises a plurality of longitudinal ribs that are co-aligned with a longitudinal axis of the wrap. The ribs are disposed between the engaged cling surfaces and spaced so as not to cause disengagement of the cling surfaces.

Claims

1. A stretchable multi-layer wrap for wrapping a metal coil, said wrap comprising:

a first film having an inside cling surface;

a second film having an inside cling surface;

a plurality of ribs between the first film and the second film, the ribs including longitudinal ribs co-aligned with a longitudinal axis of the films and transverse ribs extending between and interconnecting the longitudinal ribs;

the first film, second film and ribs defining a wrap that is stretchable sufficient to wrap a metal coil;

the ribs having stretching properties that limit stretching of the wrap to enable unitisation of the metal coil to reduce its susceptibility to environmental conditions; and

the ribs being spaced apart to allow the inside cling surfaces of the first and second films to sufficiently engage to resist disengagement of the cling surfaces when the wrap is wrapped around the metal coil.

2. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 1, wherein the first and second films are pre-stretched films and further stretching of the wrap is limited by the stretching properties of the ribs.

3. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 1, wherein the wrap further comprises:

a third film comprising a cling surface and the second film further comprises an outside cling surface, opposite the inside cling surface, the third film cling surface clingingly engaging the second film outside cling surface; and

,

a fourth film comprising a cling surface and the first film further comprises an outside cling surface, opposite the inside cling surface, the fourth film cling surface clingingly engaging the first film outside cling surface.

4. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 3, wherein the third film further comprises a rust inhibiting agent.

5. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 4, wherein the rust inhibiting agent is applied to a surface opposite the third film cling surface.

6. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 4, wherein the rust inhibiting agent is integrally formed with the third film.

7. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 6, wherein the rust inhibiting agent comprises a vapour corrosion inhibitor.

8. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 1, wherein the first and second films are similarly composed.

9. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 8, wherein the films comprise a low density polymer.

10. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 9, wherein the low density polymer comprises a low density polyethylene.

11. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 1, wherein each respective longitudinal rib comprises an interwoven plurality of rib tapes.

12. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 11, wherein each respective transverse rib comprises a rib tape.

13. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 12, wherein the rib tapes comprise one of a low density polymer, a high density polymer and combinations thereof.

14. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 13, wherein the high density polymer is a high density polyethylene.

15. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claims 1 and 2, wherein the wrap further comprises vents arranged on the wrap so as to permit venting of a wrapped item.

16. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 15, wherein the vents comprise one of slits, holes and combinations thereof.

17. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claims 3 and 4, wherein the wrap further comprises a label layer positioned between the first and fourth films, the label layer comprising indicia indicating one of use information for the multiplayer wrap, branding information for an item to be wrapped, location information for an item to be wrapped and combinations thereof.

18. The stretchable multi-layer wrap of claim 1 wherein the ribs are made of interwoven plastic material.

19. The stretchable multi-layer wrap of claim 1 wherein the ribs are rib tapes.

20. The stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 19, wherein the rib tapes comprise one of a low density polymer, a high density polymer and combinations thereof.

21. The stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 20 wherein the high density polymer is a high density polyethylene.

22. The stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 1 wherein the films are arranged so as to effect cling surface laminar engagement of the films.

23. The stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 1 wherein the metal coil is selected from a group of coils made from steel and aluminum.

24. A metal coil wrapped in a stretchable multi-layer wrap, said wrap comprising:

a first film having an inside cling surface;

a second film having an inside cling surface;

a plurality of ribs between the first film and the second film, the ribs including longitudinal ribs co-aligned with a longitudinal axis of the films and transverse ribs extending between and interconnecting the longitudinal ribs

the wrap being stretchable sufficient to wrap the feedstock material;

the ribs having stretching properties that limit stretching of the wrap to enable unitisation of the feedstock material to reduce its susceptibility to environmental conditions; and

the ribs being spaced apart to allow the inside cling surfaces of the first and second films to sufficiently engage to resist disengagement of the cling surfaces when the wrap is wrapped around the feedstock material.

25. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 24, wherein the first and second films are pre-stretched films and further stretching of the wrap is limited by the stretching properties of the ribs.

26. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 24, wherein the wrap further comprises:

a third film comprising a cling surface and the second film further comprises an outside cling surface, opposite the inside cling surface, the third film cling surface clingingly engaging the second film outside cling surface; and

,

a fourth film comprising a cling surface and the first film further comprises an outside cling surface, opposite the inside cling surface, the fourth film cling surface clingingly engaging the first film outside cling surface.

27. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 26, wherein the third film further comprises a rust inhibiting agent.

28. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 27, wherein the rust inhibiting agent is applied to a surface opposite the third film cling surface.

29. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 27, wherein the rust inhibiting agent is integrally formed with the third film.

30. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 29, wherein the rust inhibiting agent comprises a vapour corrosion inhibitor.

31. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 24, wherein the first and second films are similarly composed.

32. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 31, wherein the films comprise a low density polymer.

33. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 32, wherein the low density polymer comprises a low density polyethylene.

34. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 24, wherein each respective longitudinal rib comprises an interwoven plurality of rib tapes.

35. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 34, wherein each respective transverse rib comprises a rib tape.

36. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 35, wherein the rib tapes comprise one of a low density polymer, a high density polymer and combinations thereof.

37. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 36, wherein the high density polymer is a high density polyethylene.

38. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claims 24 and 25, wherein the wrap further comprises vents arranged on the wrap so as to permit venting of a wrapped item.

39. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 38, wherein the vents comprise one of slits, holes and combinations thereof.

40. A stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claims 26 and 28, wherein the wrap further comprises a label layer positioned between the first and fourth films, the label layer comprising indicia indicating one of use information for the multiplayer wrap, branding information for an item to be wrapped, location information for an item to be wrapped and combinations thereof.

41. The stretchable multi-layer wrap of claim 24 wherein the ribs are made of interwoven plastic material.

42. The stretchable multi-layer wrap of claim 24 wherein the ribs are rib tapes.

43. The stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 42, wherein the rib tapes comprise one of a low density polymer, a high density polymer and combinations thereof.

44. The stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 43 wherein the high density polymer is a high density polyethylene.

45. The stretchable multi-layer wrap according to claim 24 wherein the films are arranged so as to effect cling surface laminar engagement of the films.

46. A method of minimizing susceptibility of environmental conditions to metal coils, said method comprising:

wrapping the metal coil with a stretchable multi-layer wrap, said wrap having;

a first film having an inside cling surface;

a second film having an inside cling surface;

a plurality of ribs between the first film and the second film, the ribs including longitudinal ribs co-aligned with a longitudinal axis of the films and transverse ribs extending between and interconnecting the longitudinal ribs;

the wrap being stretchable sufficient to wrap the metal coil;

the ribs having stretching properties that limit stretching of the wrap to enable unitisation of the metal coil to reduce its susceptibility to environmental conditions; and

the ribs being spaced apart to allow the inside cling surfaces of the first and second films to sufficiently engage to resist disengagement of the cling surfaces when the wrap is wrapped around the metal coil.

47. The method of claim 46 wherein said stretchable multi-layer wrap is made by the method comprising:

passing the first cling film, the ribs and the second cling film through a roller that applies pressure therebetween sufficient to cause a clinging engagement of the films.

48. The method of claim 46, wherein the first and second films are pre-stretched films and further stretching of the wrap is limited by the stretching properties of the ribs.

49. The method of claim 46, wherein the wrap further comprises:

a third film comprising a cling surface and the second film further comprises an outside cling surface, opposite the inside cling surface, the third film cling surface clingingly engaging the second film outside cling surface; and

,

a fourth film comprising a cling surface and the first film further comprises an outside cling surface, opposite the inside cling surface, the fourth film cling surface clingingly engaging the first film outside cling surface.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the third film further comprises a rust inhibiting agent.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the rust inhibiting agent is applied to a surface opposite the third film cling surface.

52. The method of claim 50, wherein the rust inhibiting agent is integrally formed with the third film.

53. The method of claim 51, wherein the rust inhibiting agent comprises a vapour corrosion inhibitor.

54. The method of claim 46, wherein the first and second films are similarly composed.

55. The method of claim 46, wherein the films comprise a low density polymer.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein the low density polymer comprises a low density polyethylene.

57. The method of claim 46, wherein each respective longitudinal rib comprises an interwoven plurality of rib tapes.

58. The method of claim 46, wherein each respective transverse rib comprises a rib tape.

59. The method of claim 57, wherein the rib tapes comprise one of a low density polymer, a high density polymer and combinations thereof.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein the high density polymer is a high density polyethylene.

61. The method of claim 46, wherein the wrap further comprises vents arranged on the wrap so as to permit venting of the metal coil.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the vents comprise one of slits, holes and combinations thereof.

63. The method of claims 49 and 50, wherein the wrap further comprises a label layer positioned between the first and fourth films, the label layer comprising indicia indicating one of use information for the multiplayer wrap, branding information for an item to be wrapped, location information for an item to be wrapped and combinations thereof.

64. The method of claim 47 wherein the ribs are made of interwoven plastic material.

65. The method of claim 47 wherein the ribs are rib tapes.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein the rib tapes comprise one of a low density polymer, a high density polymer and combinations thereof.

67. The method of claim 66 wherein the high density polymer is a high density polyethylene.

68. The method of claim 47 wherein the films are arranged so as to effect cling surface laminar engagement of the films.