Device and method for packaging in block form a sheathed hot-melt adhesive product
A method for packaging in block form a sheathed hot-melt adhesive product comprises the steps: (a) of continuously supplying a sheathed hot-melt adhesive product, (b) of immersing the sheathed hot-melt adhesive product in a liquid refrigerant, (c) of pressing the sheathed adhesive product at a portion thereof, (d) of ultrasonically welding the sheathed adhesive product at the pressed portion; and (e) of cutting the sheathed adhesive product into a block at the pressed portion. A block of sheathed hot-melt adhesive product and an installation for packaging a sheathed hot-melt adhesive product are also provided.
1. A method for packaging in block form a sheathed hot-melt adhesive product comprising the steps:
(a) of continuously supplying a sheathed hot-melt adhesive product;
(b) of immersing the sheathed hot-melt adhesive product in a liquid refrigerant;
(c) of pressing the sheathed adhesive product at a portion thereof;
(d) of ultrasonically welding the sheathed adhesive product at the pressed portion; and
(e) of cutting the sheathed adhesive product into a block at the pressed portion.
2. The packaging method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the pressing step, the ultrasonic welding step and the cutting step are carried out at the same work station.
3. The packaging method as claimed in claim 2 , in which the pressing and welding steps use a sonotrode.
4. The packaging method as claimed in claim 3 , in which the cutting step uses a knife in sliding contact with an anvil.
5. The packaging method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the cutting step is concomitant with the ultrasonic welding step.
6. The packaging method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the immersion step (b) is a step of immersion of the adhesive product in refrigerated water.
7. The packaging method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the sheathed adhesive product is cut in step (c) into a block with a length substantially equal to 120 or 330 mm.
8. The packaging method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the sheathed adhesive product supplied in step (a) comprises a nonadhesive sheath.
9. The packaging method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a step of sheathing a hot-melt adhesive, prior to step (a).
10. The packaging method as claimed in claim 9 , in which the prior sheathing step is a step of coextruding the hot-melt adhesive with the sheath.
11. The packaging method as claimed in claim 9 , in which the prior sheathing step is a step of pumping the hot-melt adhesive into the sheath.
12. A method for packaging in block form a sheathed hot-melt adhesive product comprising the steps:
(f) of continuously supplying a sheathed hot-melt adhesive product;
(g) of immersing the sheathed hot-melt adhesive product in a liquid refrigerant;
(h) of pressing the sheathed adhesive product at a portion thereof;
(i) of ultrasonically welding the sheathed adhesive product at the pressed portion, the welding and pressing steps using a sonotrode; and
(j) of cutting the sheathed adhesive product into a block at the pressed portion, the cutting step being carried out at the same work station as the welding step and being concomitant with it.