Method for packaging articles using pre-perforated heat shrink film

1. A method for packaging articles using pre-perforated heat-shrink film, comprising:

(a) creating a line of perforations in a sheet of heat-shrink film;

(b) wrapping the sheet of heat-shrink film around parallel groups of articles spaced apart from one another;

(c) enclosing the parallel groups of articles in the sheet of heat-shrink film with the line of perforations between the parallel groups of articles, thereby forming a continuous sleeve of film with first and second open ends with the line of perforations being spaced from and intermediate the first and second open ends;

(d) conveying the enclosed parallel groups of articles in a conveying direction in an orientation such that the first and second open ends of the sleeve of film are substantially transverse to the conveying direction and the line of perforations is parallel to the conveying direction; and

(e) applying heat energy to the conveying enclosed parallel groups of articles to weaken the continuous sleeve of film at the line of perforations, the sleeve then pinching off at the line of perforations and becoming shrunk against the articles.

2. A method for packaging articles using pre-perforated heat-shrink film, comprising:

(a) creating a line of perforations in a sheet of heat-shrink film;

(b) wrapping the sheet of heat-shrink film around parallel groups of articles spaced apart from one another;

(c) enclosing the parallel groups of articles in the sheet of heat-shrink film with the line of perforations between the parallel groups of articles, thereby forming a continuous sleeve of film with first and second open ends;

(d) slitting the heat-shrink film proximate the bottom of the groups of articles;

(e) conveying the enclosed parallel groups of articles in a conveying direction in an orientation; and

(f) applying heat energy to the conveying enclosed parallel groups of articles to weaken the continuous sleeve of film at the line of perforations, the sleeve then pinching off at the line of perforations and becoming shrunk against the articles.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein slitting the film is performed with a slitting knife.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the slitting knife is a razor blade.

5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising extending the slitting knife against the film using an actuator.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the actuator is an air cylinder.

7. The method of claim 2 wherein conveying comprises conveying the enclosed parallel groups such that the first and second open ends of the sleeve of film are substantially transverse to the conveying direction.

8. A method for packaging articles using pre-perforated heat-shrink film, comprising:

(a) creating a line of perforations in a sheet of heat-shrink film;

(b) wrapping the sheet of heat-shrink film around parallel groups of articles spaced apart from one another;

(c) enclosing the parallel groups of articles in the sheet of heat-shrink film with the line of perforations between the parallel groups of articles, thereby forming a continuous sleeve of film with first and second open ends;

(d) conveying the enclosed parallel groups of articles in a conveying direction in an orientation; and

(e) applying heat energy to the conveying enclosed parallel groups of articles to weaken the continuous sleeve of film at the line of perforations, the sleeve then pinching off at the line of perforations and becoming shrunk against the articles, wherein creating a line of perforations in a sheet of heat-shrink film comprises moving the sheet of heat-shrink film in a direction of motion of the film, and rotating a wheel having a plurality of teeth about the circumference of the wheel, the teeth engaging the heat shrink film substantially parallel to the direction of motion of the film.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the teeth are pointed to pierce the film and then slice as they penetrate further.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of dull portions between certain of the plurality of teeth, the dull portions preventing the film from being cut.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the dull portions further comprise notches between adjacent teeth.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the number of teeth is sixty and the notches are made between adjacent teeth at intervals corresponding to a factor of sixty.

13. The method of claim 8 , further comprising cut-outs in the wheel to reduce inertia and to act as finger grips.

14. The method of claim 8 , further comprising storing the wheel is substantially the size of a compact disc, allowing the wheel to be stored in a compact disc case.

15. The method of claim 8 , wherein the wheel is mounted on a removable spindle pin.

16. The method of claim 8 , wherein the film is slit along the same path as the rotating wheel.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the knife can be moved out of engagement with the film.

18. The method of claim 8 , wherein motion of the film successively engaging the teeth causes the wheel to rotate.

19. The method of claim 8 , wherein the rotating wheel can be moved out of engagement with the film.

20. The method of claim 8 wherein conveying comprises conveying the enclosed parallel groups such that the first and second open ends of the sleeve of film are substantially transverse to the conveying direction.