EP0249534A1 - Method and apparatus for packaging a palletized load in a film of heat-shrinkable plastic material - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Method for packaging a palletized load (1, 2) in a cover (3) of heat-shrinkable plastic material, comprising a first phase in which the palletized load (1, 2) is placed on a support table (4) ; a second phase in which the open cover (3) is fitted in position around and over the palletized load (1, 2) ; and a third phase in which the cover (3) thus placed over the palletized load (1, 2) is heated for the purpose of effecting its heat-shrinkage, in which method the air contained in the cover (3) is exhausted at least during a part of the third (heating) phase, characterized in that, before the air is exhausted, air exhaustion means (20) are placed between the palletized load (1, 2) and the cover (3), particularly in a lateral clearance (19), and said air exhaustion means (20) are removed after the exhaustion of the air, in such a manner as to exhaust mainly the air contained in the lateral clearance.

Description

The invention relates to a method and an installation for packaging a palletized load in a heat-shrinkable plastic cover.

Methods and installations are already known for packaging a palletized load in a shrinkable plastic cover.

In a first embodiment (document FR 2199498), the palletized load is placed on a table (first phase), then the open cover is put on to place it around and on the palletized load (second phase) and, finally, it is heated the cover thus placed on the palletized load in order to carry out its heat-shrinking (third phase). During and between the phases of fitting the cover and heating, the palletized load remains stationary both horizontally and vertically, the installation being a single station and a movable support table only horizontally for the supply and evacuation of the load . The installation comprises a horizontal frame, the opening of which corresponds to the size of the palletized load, slidably mounted in the vertical direction and driven to slide by drive means such as motorized endless chains. Fingers carried by the frame allow the fitting of the cover during the downward movement of the frame. Simultaneously, the frame may include, integrated, heating means making it possible to heat shrink the cover when the frame is mounted. Pressurized air supply means can be associated with the frame to produce an air mattress between the frame and the cover.

In a second embodiment (document EP 77508), we performs the packaging in the same general three-phase sequence (placing the load on the table, placing the cover, heating). However, during the phase of fitting the cover, the palletized load is moved vertically and, between this second phase and the third heating phase, the palletized load is moved horizontally, the installation being at two stations corresponding respectively, the first, in the second phase and, the second, in the third phase. The installation also comprises, at the first station, a lifting table. Air suction means are placed, at the first station, under the lifting table and have the sole function of participating in the positioning of the cover on the palletized load during the second phase of positioning. To ensure the subjugation of the cover to the palletized load, in the lower part, a cover is used whose height is greater than that of the palletized load so that the lower free end part of the cover initially falls and protrudes under the pallet is later folded horizontally on its lower horizontal face. To this end, the installation comprises, at the first station, folding means such as pivoting arms and, at the second station, separate retaining means. To allow the suction of air, the lifting table is openwork and the pallet allows the passage of air.

In a third embodiment (document US 3807126), the packaging is carried out according to the same general sequences with three phases (process) and two stations (installations). The cover, as in the second embodiment, initially protrudes under the pallet. A lifting table is provided at the second heating station. The second heating station mainly comprises a fixed heating enclosure and means for circulating hot air in the enclosure and around the palletized load. The air causes the cover to be applied under the pallet and simultaneously heat shrink it.

In a fourth embodiment (document FR 1558889), the packaging is produced by completely separating the operations for fitting the cover and heating for the retraction. The heating is carried out by means of a frame provided with radiant heat emitters mounted vertically sliding. Gripping means actuated by springs are associated with the support table to maintain the lower free outer part of the cover during heating.

In a fifth embodiment (document FR 2480236), the aim is to fix the cover under the load or the pallet. For this purpose, the cover protrudes under the load or the pallet. Then the vacuum is evacuated in the cover by means of a fan placed under the load or the pallet. To this end, the pallet rests on a platform, being moved apart to allow the cover to be folded down. The platform has openings for the passage of suction air. The heating means consist of a heating mat.

Furthermore, a packaging process is known (document US 3429095) of a palletized load in a cover having the main characteristic of being impermeable to air but not of being heat-shrinkable. In this process, the cover is placed around and on the palletized load, the lower free end part falling from the cover is subjected to the pallet, in a manner that is substantially sealed by means of a link, the vacuum is created in the cover and in particular in the load itself from a valve located in the middle of a vertical lateral face of the load, the valve is closed in a leaktight manner and, finally, the cover thus set is strapped. This process is therefore very different from those covered by the three embodiments described, by the nature of the cover used (not heat-shrinkable), by the objective filled by the cover (air barrier but not creation of cohesion forces of the palletized load), by the operational phases (imperative necessity of a final phase of strapping).

We also know (document FR2082861) the retraction of a cover covering a load, by means of a vertically movable oven so that: first, the cover is removed from the load and then applied to it, during heating.

Finally, we know (document FR2090893) a load without a pallet which comprises a cover and, in combination, a format placed on a removable pallet (that is to say separate from the load after packaging). The cover and the format are retracted and secured by passage of the palletized load in an oven.

The last two documents (FR 2082861 and 2090893) do not pose and do not resolve, on the contrary, the problem of securing the cover to the load or the pallet.

The invention aims to solve the problem of very tight securing of the cover to the load, in the case of a process of the type three operational phases of placing on a table, placing the cover on a palletized load, heating the cover . More specifically, the invention aims to solve the problem of securing the lower free end part of the cover to the pallet. Indeed, in the second, third and fifth embodiments described, this subjugation requires the implementation of a lifting table or sufficiently high and the use of a sufficient cover height. In the second embodiment, the securing requires, in addition, the presence of folding means and retaining means. In the third embodiment, the securing also requires the use of a sufficient cover height and, moreover, a complex adjustment of the flow of hot air and its speed along its path, deflection means appropriate air flow, support means capable of letting air pass. In the fourth embodiment, this securing requires spring gripping means and has the result that the lower free end of the cover is not retracted.

In the case of technology combining the establishment of a cover and strapping, securing requires on the one hand a special pallet with peripheral groove and, on the other hand, a step of setting up an appropriate link so that the packaging produced is heterogeneous.

The second and fifth embodiments necessarily imply the use of an openwork table and a pallet capable of allowing the passage of air, these conditions being essential.

To this end, the invention first proposes a method for packaging a palletized load in a shrinkable plastic cover which comprises a first phase, in which the palletized load is placed on a support; a second phase in which the open cover is put on to place it around and on the palletized load and a third phase in which the load thus placed on the palletized load is heated in order to carry out its heat-shrinking, process in which the air is sucked located in the cover at least during the third heating phase, characterized in that before the air suction, between the palletized load and the cover, in particular in a lateral clearance of the air suction means and these air suction means are removed after suction, so as to mainly suck the air in the lateral clearance. The invention then proposes an installation which comprises a support table, means for threading the cover to place it around and on the palletized load, means for heating the cover thus placed on the palletized load in order to carry out its heat shrinking and air suction means placed substantially outside, at the lateral periphery and in the vicinity of the support table.

The invention makes it possible to achieve very close securing of the cover to the palletized load and mainly of the lower free end edge of the cover to the pallet. It makes it possible to dispense with the use of a lifting table as a compulsory body, both for the establishment of the cover only for heating. It authorizes the use of an airtight pallet or the presence between the pallet and the load of a format made of an airtight material. It makes it possible to dispense, as a compulsory condition, with a cover protruding under the pallet. It makes it possible to dispense with additional folding and retaining means (second embodiment) or gripping means (fourth embodiment). All these advantages are obtained at the same time as, on the one hand, a better securing of the cover to its lower free external part and on the other hand a narrower application of the cover on the load itself which is particularly useful in the case of irregularly shaped loads or with protrusions. Consequently, it makes it possible to obtain a better quality packaging, in particular with regard to cohesion.

The invention is applicable, in particular, in the case of a packaging method of the type mentioned above which comprises an initial stage in which air is blown into a cover to avoid the presence of creases.

• Les figures 1 à 6 sont six vues schématiques en élévation illustrant les étapes successives du procédé selon l'invention.
• La figure 7 est une vue partielle de la figure 1, à plus grande, échelle schématique et en élévation.

The invention will be clearly understood, thanks to the description which follows with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• Figures 1 to 6 are six schematic elevational views illustrating the successive steps of the method according to the invention.
• Figure 7 is a partial view of Figure 1, on a larger scale, schematic scale and in elevation.

The invention relates to a method and an installation for packaging a load 1 carried by a pallet 2 in a heat-shrinkable plastic cover 3.

The method comprises in a manner known per se a first step, not shown, in which the palletized load 1,2 is placed on a support table 4; a second step, no shown, in which the cover 3 is threaded open to place it around on the palletized load 1,2; and a third step in which the cover 3 thus placed on the palletized load 1,2 is heated in order to heat shrink it, using heating means 5.

According to the invention, the palletized load 1, 2 can be placed directly on the support table 4 without the need to be removed from it.

According to the invention, the air in the cover 3 is sucked in at least during part of the third heating phase, so as to combine the effects of the heating and the air suction in order to ensure a tight cover of the cover 3 and the palletized load 1.2.

The load 1 has a generally parallelepiped shape comprising a lower horizontal face 6, an upper horizontal face 7 and four lateral vertical faces 8. The invention applies to all palletized loads capable of being packaged in a shrink-wrapped plastic cover by using heating means. It applies more especially in the case where a format 9 also in the form of a film of heat-shrinkable plastic material is interposed between the load 1 proper, in particular its lower horizontal face 6, and the pallet 2. It also applies more particularly in the case of a load to be packed with a cover applied narrowly to the load, the latter may have an irregular shape.

The pallet 2 can be of any suitable type, in particular made of wood and comprising two horizontal panels respectively upper 10 and lower 11 associated by blocks forming a spacer 12 defining the thickness of the pallet 2 and the vertical lateral faces 13 of the pallet 2. The panels 10, 11 can be full.

The cover 3 is made in particular from a sheath continuous tubular folded flat, which is then unfolded to be opened then cut and welded transversely. The cover 3 comprises a roof 14 as well as vertical lateral faces 15, limited opposite the roof 14, by a free edge 16 defining the opening 17 of the cover 3. In the following text, conventionally called area of the vertical lateral faces adjoining the free edge 16, free end portion 18. In general, the plastic material constituting the cover has a certain air impermeability.

The table 4 is normally placed horizontally, the free end portion 18 of the cover 3 being placed downwards and in the immediate vicinity of the table 4, in particular at the level of the lateral faces of the pallet 2 without projecting substantially below the lower plane of pallet 2 or above the upper plane of table 4. In general, the invention applies to the case of a cover 3 not specially adapted for hanging, originally under load 1, respectively under pallet 2 .

Before its heat-shrinking, the cover 3 has a certain lateral play 19 with the load 1, in particular its vertical faces 8, to allow the establishment of the cover 3 on the load 1 (Figure 1). After heat shrinking, the cover 3 is applied to the load 1, the lateral clearance 19 having disappeared (FIG. 6). The invention allows the presence of the initial lateral clearance 19 which facilitates the positioning of the cover 3 on the load, without hampering its retraction and especially its securing.

The air mainly between the palletized load 1, 2 and the cover 3 is sucked in, namely in the lateral clearance 19. For this purpose, before the air suction, place between the palletized load 1,2 and the cover 3 - that is to say in the lateral clearance 19 - of the air suction means 20. The air suction means 20 are removed after suction.

In the preferential case, targeted by the invention, where a format 9 is provided, the method comprises a preliminary phase, not shown, during which the pallet 2 is placed, in particular its upper horizontal panel 10, and between the pallet 2 and the load 1, in particular its lower horizontal face 6, a format 9 whose outer edges 21 fall onto the lateral faces 13 of the pallet 2 (FIG. 1). The material constituting the format is generally the same as that constituting the cover 3.

The dimensions of the format 9, relative to those of the pallet 2, are such that the outer edges 21 are at the same maximum as that of the table 4 and, preferably, slightly above it. The dimensions of the cover 3 relative to those of the palletized load 1,2, in particular the height, are such that the free edges 16 of the cover 3 are located at the maximum at the same level as that of the table 4 and preferably at- above it, facing the outer edges 21 (Figure 1). Thus, before the heating phase, the lower free end portion 18 of the cover 3 is applied to the falling outer edges 21 of the format 9. As a result of the air intake and heating, the lower free end portion 18 and / or the falling edges 21 are heat-shrunk and secured together, while remaining in line with the lateral faces of the pallet 1, in particular without passing beneath it after shrinking.

Preferably, the cover 3 is heated by successive zones, in particular in the form of horizontal rings from bottom to top, that is to say from the opening 17 to the roof 14. This heating by successive zones is carried out when the lower free end portion 18 and the drooping edges 21 are secured, so as to avoid a rise in the free edge 16 of the cover and, thus, ensure, by heat shrinking the cover 3, vertical cohesion forces on the palletized load 1.2.

According to a possible variant of the invention, the palletized load 1,2 is permanently supported vertically stationary. According to another possible variant, the palletized load is raised vertically during the third heating phase. This last variant is more specifically applicable when the outer edges 21 of the format 9 and the free end 18 of the cover 3 protrude under the table 4, in particular its lower wall 11. According to a possible variant of the invention, the palletized load 1,2 is permanently supported horizontally, either stationary or non-stationary under palletized load 1, 2 which can be moved horizontally. In the first case, (stationary horizontal hold) the process applies to a single station machine. The second case applies more specifically to a machine with two separate stations (installation of the sheath and heating).

Preferably, the air suction means 20 are put in place between the second phase (fitting the sheath) and the third phase (heating). For example, air aspiration is started at the latest at the start of the third heating phase and in particular at the start, or shortly before the start, of the third phase.

The air intake is terminated at the latest at the end of the third heating phase and, in particular, at the end or shortly before the end of the third phase.

According to a possible variant, the air is drawn in continuously. According to another possible variant, the air is sucked discontinuously, in particular during a first initial step with a view to ensuring the application of the extreme free part 18 of the cover 3 on the pallet 2, respectively on the edges outside 21 of format 9 and, in one or more subsequent steps, in order to avoid the formation of pockets of expansion air between the palletized load 1,2 and the cover 3 (as a result of the expansion of the tune 19).

According to a possible variant, the air is drawn in constantly. According to another possible variant, the air is sucked in a variable manner, in particular in a decreasing manner as the heating phase progresses, and this as a function of the residual volume of air being in the set 19 . To place the air suction means 20 between the palletized load 1,2 and the cover 3, the cover 3 - in particular its part - is moved transversely (that is to say horizontally and perpendicular to a vertical face 8) extreme liber 18 - of the palletized load 1,2 to make between them a passage 22 open to the outside and one makes penetrate from the outside, then slide longitudinally - in particular vertically and ascendingly - in the passage 22 the means d air intake 20 and more particularly a suction nozzle 23. The passage 22 therefore results from a transverse widening of the clearance 11, the opening of which is the opening 17.

To move the cover 3 transversely from the palletized load 1,2, it is possible to suction the cover 3 from the outside and towards the outside. Other methods can however be envisaged.

Preferably, the air suction means 20 are placed at least substantially on a vertical median line of a lateral face 8. In addition, the suction means 20 can be placed on several contiguous faces 8 and / or opposite and in particular on the four lateral faces 8. The air suction means 20 are placed, in any event, so as to produce effective suction throughout the set 19.

According to a possible variant, the air suction means 20, in particular the nozzle 23, are fixed during the suction. According to another possible variant, the air suction means 20, in particular the nozzle 23, are movable during the suction, for example with vertical sliding so as to be placed in or near the zone in which the air intake is desired, this area generally being close to the heating area.

According to a possible variant, the air suction means 20 are removed immediately, or almost immediately, after the end of the suction. For example, the air suction means 20 are removed by longitudinal sliding of the nozzle. 23 in the passage 22. And, immediately or almost immediately after the removal of the air suction means, the cover 3 is heated laterally in the area of the suction means 20 (FIG. 6).

The invention also relates to an installation for implementing the method which comprises a support table 4 for the palletized load 1,2; means for threading the cover 3 open to place it around and on the palletized load 1,2, not shown; heating means 5 of the cover thus placed on the palletized load 1,2 in order to heat shrink it; and air suction means 20 which are placed substantially outside, at the lateral periphery and in the vicinity of the support table 4 (FIG. 3).

The air suction means 20 are located in the vicinity of the heating means 5, that is to say at the station of the installation comprising the heating means 5 so that the heating means 5 and the means d suction 20 can operate at least partially and simultaneously and thus combine their effects.

The suction means 20 comprise for example motor means 24 having a generally fixed position, in particular laterally next to the support table 4 and nozzle means 23 mounted in a movable manner, in particular essentially by longitudinal sliding between, on the one hand , an active working position (Figures 3, 4 and 5) where they are placed outside, at the lateral periphery, slightly above and near the support table 4 and in particular between the palletized load 1,2 and the cover 3, so as to allow the suction of air are between them and, on the other hand, an inactive rest position (FIGS. 1, 2, and 6) where they are moved away from the active working position, including the support table 4.

The heating means 5 are, for example, constituted by a horizontal frame, the opening of which corresponds to the size of the palletized load 1,2, mounted sliding in the direction vertical and slidingly driven by drive means such as motorized endless chains.

The means for threading the cover 3 comprise, for example, fingers for gripping the cover 3 carried by the movable horizontal frame of the heating means 5, the installation then being at a single position for fitting the cover and heating . However, the installation may include two separate posts, the first for fitting the cover and the second for heating.

In the preferred embodiment mentioned above, the installation also includes means for positioning on the pallet 2 and between it and the load 1 of format 9 (not shown). These means are located upstream of the means for threading the cover 3 onto the load 1.

Preferably, the support table 4 is fixed in the vertical direction. It can be full, that is to say it is not specially designed to allow the passage of air through. It may be low, that is to say not be specially designed to allow the housing, beneath it, of suction means or elevation means or to allow the sheath to protrude below.

The installation further comprises means 25 for gripping the cover 3 - in particular by suction - movable in transverse direction, placed in the vicinity of the means of the nozzle 23 in the active working position and capable of producing between the pallet load 1,2 and the cover 3 has a passage 22 for installing and removing the air suction means 20.

The installation finally comprises localized heating means 26 of the cover 3 placed in the vicinity of the nozzle means 23 in the active working position and capable of performing the heat shrinkage of the cover at the location of the nozzle means 23.

The nozzle means 23 preferably have a shape general elongated and flattened. The installation may include nozzle means 23 on at least two contiguous and / or adjacent sides of the support table 4.

Finally, the invention relates to a packaging for a palletized load 1,2 comprising a cover 3 made of heat-shrinkable plastic placed around and on the palletized load 1,2 which is obtained by the method described above. This packaging may comprise, between the pallet 2 and the load 1, a format 9 also made of heat-shrinkable plastic, the outer edges 21 of which are rigidly and sealingly associated with the lower free end portion 18 of the cover 3, by heat-sealing.

Claims (21)

1. Method for packaging a palletized load (1, 2) in a cover (3) made of heat-shrinkable plastic which comprises a first phase in which the palletized load (1, 2) is placed on a support table (4 ); a second phase in which the cover (3) is threaded open to place it around and on the palletized load (1, 2); and a third phase in which the cover (3) thus placed on the palletized load (1, 2) is heated in order to carry out its heat-shrinking, process in which the air in the cover (3) is drawn, characterized by the fact that the air in the cover (3) is sucked in at least during part of the third heating phase, characterized in that before the air suction is placed between the palletized load (1, 2) and the cover (3) in particular in a lateral clearance (19) of the air suction means (20) and these air suction means (20) are removed after suction, so as to mainly suck the air in the side play. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a prior phase during which is placed on the pallet (2) and between the pallet (2) and the load (1) a format of film of heat-shrinkable plastic (9) whose outer edges (21) fall on the lateral faces (13) of the pallet (2), so that as a result of the air intake, the cover (3), of a sufficient height, is applied to the falling edges (21) of the format (9) and that as a result of heating the cover (3) and the falling edges (21) of the format are heat shrunk and secured. 3. Method according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the cover is heated (3) by zones successive and from bottom to top, with the function of preventing the free edge (16) of the cover (3) from rising. 4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cover (3) is placed on the palletized load (1, 2) so that the lower free edge (16) of the cover is located at least substantially at the same lower level or above the lower pallet level (2). 5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the air suction means (20) are put in place between the second and the third phase; and / or the aspiration of air is started at the latest at the start of the third heating phase and in particular the air aspiration is started at the start or shortly before the start of the third heating phase; and / or the air aspiration is terminated at the latest at the end of the third heating phase and in particular the air aspiration is terminated at the end or shortly before the end of the third heating phase. 6. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the air is sucked either continuously; either discontinuously in particular during a first initial step with a view to ensuring the application of the lower free end portion falling from the cover (18) on the pallet (3), respectively on the falling outer edges (21) of the format (9) and during one or more subsequent steps in order to avoid the formation of pockets of expansion air between the palletized load and the cover. 7. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the air is sucked is constantly; or in a variable manner, in particular in a decreasing manner as the heating phase progresses. 8. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the fact that to place the air suction means (20) between the palletized load (1, 2) and the cover (3), the cover (3) -notably its part, is spread transversely drop free end lower (18) - of the palletized load (1, 2) to create between them a passage (22) open to the outside and the suction means are penetrated from the outside and then slide longitudinally in the passage air (20) -in particular a suction nozzle (23). 9. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the air suction means (20) are placed on several contiguous lateral faces and / or facing the palletized load (1, 2). 10. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that during the air suction, the air suction means (20) - in particular their suction nozzle (23) - are be fixed; either mobile - especially sliding - in order to be placed in or near the area in which the air intake is desired. 11. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the air suction means (20) are removed immediately or almost immediately after the end of the suction, by sliding in the passage (22). 12. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that immediately or almost immediately after the removal of the air suction means (20) the cover (3) is heated laterally in the area suction means (20). 13. Installation for packaging a palletized load in a heat-shrinkable plastic cover which comprises: a support table (4) for the palletized load (1, 2); means for threading the open cover (3) to place it around and on the palletized load (1, 2); heating means (5) of the cover (3) thus placed on the load palletized (1, 2) in order to carry out its heat-shrinking; and air suction means (20), characterized in that the air suction means (20) are placed substantially outside, at the lateral periphery and in the vicinity of the support table (4 ). 14. Installation according to claim 13, characterized in that the suction means (20) comprise on the one hand motor means (24) having a fixed position in particular laterally next to the support table (4) and on the other hand, means forming a nozzle (23) mounted in a movable manner, in particular essentially by longitudinal sliding between on the one hand an active working position where they are placed outside, at the lateral periphery, slightly above and close to the support table, in particular between the palletized load (1, 2) and the cover (3), so as to mainly allow the suction of air located between the palletized load (1, 2) and the cover (3) and , on the other hand, an inactive rest position or they are moved away from the active working position, in particular towards the outside of the support table (4). 15. Installation according to any one of claims 13 and 14, characterized in that the heating means (5) consist of a horizontal frame whose opening corresponds to the size of the palletized load (1, 2) , mounted sliding in the vertical direction and slidingly driven by drive means such as motorized endless chains; and / or the means for threading the cover comprise fingers for gripping the cover (3) carried by the movable horizontal frame, the installation being at a single position for fitting the cover and heating. 16. Installation according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the support table (4) is fixed in the vertical direction and / or full and / or low. 17. Installation according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that it further comprises positioning means; place on the pallet (2) and between the pallet (2) and the load (1) of a format (9) of heat-shrinkable plastic, located upstream of the means for threading the cover (3) on the load (1). 18. Installation according to any one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that it further comprises gripping means (25) of the cover (3) -notably by suction-mobile in transverse direction placed in the vicinity of nozzle means (23) in the active working position and capable of producing between the palletized load (1, 2) and the cover (3) a passage (22) open to the outside allowing the suction means to be put in place air (20). 19. Installation according to any one of claims 13 to 18, characterized in that it further comprises heating means (26) located in the cover (3) placed in the vicinity of the nozzle means (23) in position active working and able to heat shrink the cover (3) at the location of the nozzle means (23). 20. Installation according to any one of claims 13 to 19, characterized in that the nozzle means (23) have a generally elongated and flattened shape and / or that it comprises nozzle means (23) on at least two contiguous and / or adjacent sides of the table (4). 21. Packaging for palletized load (1, 2) comprising a cover (3) of heat-shrinkable plastic placed around and on the load, characterized in that it is obtained by the process according to any one of claims 1 to 12 ; that it comprises between the pallet (2) and the load (1) a format (9) of heat-shrinkable plastic material whose drooping outer edges (21) on the lateral faces (13) of the pallet (2) are rigidly associated and sealingly to the lower free external part (18) falling from the cover (3) by heat sealing; and / or that the lower free end part (18) and / or the drooping edges (21) remain in line with the lateral faces (13) of the pallet (2), in particular without passing under it, after retraction.

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