EP2051909B1 - Tape strapping machine - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for strapping an article by means of a flat tape includes least one tape guide frame having a flat tape guide passage, and a tape drive for feeding the tape into the tape guide passage, wherein arranged at the tape guide frame is an opening device which opens a narrow side of the tape guide passage, and a method of strapping an article with such an apparatus. The opening device may include at least one cover element which is movably secured to the tape guide frame and which is movable from a closed position in which it covers the narrow side of the tape guide passage into an open position in which it opens the narrow side of the tape guide passage. In that way a fresh tape loop can be introduced into the tape guide passage before the welding operation is concluded.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a device according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method according to the preamble of claim 6, which is intended for strapping objects with a strapping and from the DE 33 46 598 A1 are known.

State of the art

Such devices are used for strapping articles such as newspaper stacks, parcels or the like. The articles are usually transported on a conveyor in the tape guide frame, so that they protrude through the plane of the tape guide frame. A flat strapping tape is fed to the tape guide channel in the tape guide frame by means of the tape drive. Subsequently, the tape guide frame opens, whereby the formed belt loop is released in the radially inward direction and surrounds the object to be strapped. The strap loop is then pulled together until tight around the object to be strapped. In this state, the formed belt loop is separated from the tape supply, and the two ends of the belt loop are pressed against each other and connected together. The connection of the loop ends is usually done by welding.

The publication DE 601 08 476 T2 describes such a strapping machine in which the opening device for the tape guide frame opens a narrow side of the tape guide channel. The tape guide channel is - as can be seen in the drawing figures 10 to 12 of this document - received in a frame-like, arcuate element which has a substantially C-shaped cross section and includes the tape guide channel. The C-shaped element seen in cross-section is pressed with the two free ends of the mutually parallel legs against a so-called sheet plate. The sheet plate forms a stationary part of the tape guide frame. The C-shaped elements with the

Tape guide channel can be pulled away from the sheet plate in the direction of its two parallel legs. As the C-shaped members are withdrawn from the stationary sheet plate, the channel between the two legs of the C-shaped members parallel to each other is opened. The belt loop remains in the vicinity of the sheet plate and is exposed on its inner side in the radial direction. It can then be pulled radially inwards around the object to be strapped.

The disadvantage of this embodiment is that the tape is in shooting in the tape guide channel and when releasing, clamping and closing in the same plane. The closure device with which the ends of the belt loop are closed, therefore hinders the Einschuß a length of the strap portion in the tape guide frame to form a new belt loop. Consequently, the strapping process, including the closing of the strap loop, is completed completely before a new strap loop is inserted into the strap guide frame.

The publication WO 2004/002829 discloses a strapping machine with a laterally opening strap guide channel. In this device, however, the tape guide channel does not extend in a tape guide frame, but on both sides starting from the closing area, groove-shaped in the bearing surface of the strapping device. As a result, the plane of the loop formation is pivoted by 90 degrees to the level of strapping, extensive measures for tape guidance due to the connection of the belt loop or to avoid the connection of the belt loop are required.

The publication DE 21 55 367 discloses a strapping method in which the formed strap loop is tensioned and severed, simultaneously forming a new loop. Here, however, the tape guide is inadequate, especially at high tape speeds, since the tape guide channel is considerably wider than the strapping tape. The tape guide channel is open, with its opening in the middle of its width and facing the center of the tape guide channel.

The publication DE 33 46 598 A1 discloses a strapping method and a strapping apparatus which start simultaneously with the tape feed to form a new loop and fix the previously formed tape loop. In other words, even before the completion of the closing of a tensioned belt loop, tape is again fed from a supply of tape to form a belt loop to the tape guide channel. To make this possible, the entire tape guide frame is pivotally mounted on the frame of the strapping machine with the tape drive and can be struck with an open narrow side against a stop. In this case, the band located in the tape guide frame behind tape is engaged by barbs. When swinging back the tape guide frame from the stop in the Einfädelungsstellung the tape is pulled through the barbs from the open narrow side of the tape guide frame out. When pivoting the tape guide frame together with the tape drive large masses must be moved.

Disclosure of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and a method which allow a greater operating speed.

This object is achieved with respect to the device by the features of claim 1.

The claim 1 relates to a device for strapping an article by means of a flat strip, with at least one tape guide frame having a flat tape guide channel, and with a tape drive for the supply of the tape in the tape guide channel, wherein on the tape guide frame a Opening device is arranged, which opens a narrow side of the tape guide channel.

The opening device comprises at least one cover element, which is movably mounted on the tape guide frame and is movable from a closed position, in which it covers the narrow side of the tape guide channel, in an open position in which it releases the narrow side of the tape guide channel.

Consequently, unlike the prior art, a C-shaped element is not moved with the tape guide channel itself. The tape guide channel is fixed according to the invention. On the band guide channel, a movable cover member is arranged, which releases the narrow side of the band guide channel in an open position. The fixed band guide channel can thus be opened on a narrow side without being displaced.

This device requires that the formed belt loop emerges laterally from the belt guide channel. It is thus displaced in a plane which lies laterally of the plane of the band guide channel. During the subsequent handling of the belt loop, i. when tensioning the belt loop and when closing the belt loop with a closure unit, strip material can be injected into the tape guide channel again in a tape guide frame according to the invention before the closing process in which the loop ends are joined together, is completed. The inventive design of the tape guide frame results in the inventive device is a very effective way to shorten the processing time for the loop formation and the strapping of the object.

In a practical embodiment, the cover member is slidably attached to the tape guide frame. Alternatively, the cover may be pivotally mounted on the tape guide frame.

The tape guide frame may in practice comprise a plurality of legs, wherein on each leg of the tape guide frame at least one Cover is attached. In this case, an opening drive can be provided which drives all cover elements synchronously.

On the tape guide frame at least one ejector is arranged, which presses the loop formed in the tape guide channel through the open narrow side of the tape guide channel when the opening device is in the open position. During the shooting of the tape, the ejector is pulled out of the tape guide channel. After opening the narrow side of the tape guide channel, the ejector is pressed from the side opposite the open side into the tape guide channel, thereby pushing the tape loop out of the plane of the tape guide channel out into a second plane parallel thereto. In this second level, the loop is pulled together and stretched around the object to be strapped.

The tape drive is movable from a first position, in which the tape is fed to the tape guide channel, to a second position in which the loop formed is tensioned around the item. After separating the loop from the article, the tape drive can be moved back to the first position to feed a new loop of tape to the tape guide channel before the previously formed loop is closed. If the clamping and locking plane is only a few millimeters from the plane of the tape guide channel, it may be sufficient that the tape drive is pivotable.

Alternatively, the tape drive can be displaced. In this case, the belt loop can be moved laterally from the tape guide frame into a strapping plane in which the object to be strapped already lies. In this way, longitudinal strapping can be realized in which an object is strapped in the direction of the conveyor with a belt loop.

As mentioned, the device according to the invention in practice has a closure unit for connecting the ends of the belt loop. The Locking unit is formed in a practical embodiment as a welding device.

The object is achieved with respect to a method according to the invention by the features of patent claim 6.

In this case, the cover can be moved or pivoted on the tape guide frame. If the cover frame comprises a plurality of cover elements, an opening drive can drive all these cover elements synchronously.

The tape drive can be pivoted or moved between the two positions.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1

eine schematische Vorderansicht einer Umreifungsmaschine,

Fig. 2

eine schaubildliche Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Umreifungsmaschine, bei der dem Bandführungsrahmen ein Umreifungsband zugeführt wird,

Fig. 3

eine schaubildliche Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Umreifungsmaschine, bei der eine fertige Bandschlaufe zur Umreifungsebene hin verschoben ist,

Fig. 4

eine Vorderansicht des geschlossenen Bandführungsrahmens,

Fig. 5

eine Vorderansicht des offenen Bandführungsrahmens,

Fig. 6

eine Rückansicht des Bandführungsrahmens,

Fig. 7

eine Prinzipskizze des Bandführungsrahmens in geschlossener Position im Querschnitt,

Fig. 8

eine der Figur 7 entsprechende Darstellung des Bandführungsrahmens in geöffneter Position,

Fig. 9

eine schaubildliche Darstellung des Haltemittels mit darin gehaltener Bandschlaufe,

Fig. 10

eine Seitenansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung mit schwenkbarem Bandantrieb in der Ausgangsstellung und

Fig. 11

eine der Fig. 10 entsprechende Darstellung mit verschwenktem Bandantrieb.

Practical embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show in:

Fig. 1

a schematic front view of a strapping machine,

Fig. 2

1 is a perspective view of a strapping machine according to the invention, in which a strap is supplied to the tape guide frame,

Fig. 3

a perspective view of a strapping machine according to the invention, in which a finished belt loop is shifted to the strapping,

Fig. 4

a front view of the closed tape guide frame,

Fig. 5

a front view of the open tape guide frame,

Fig. 6

a rear view of the tape guide frame,

Fig. 7

a schematic diagram of the tape guide frame in the closed position in cross section,

Fig. 8

one of the FIG. 7 corresponding representation of the tape guide frame in the open position,

Fig. 9

a perspective view of the holding means with held therein strap loop,

Fig. 10

a side view of another embodiment of the invention with pivotable belt drive in the starting position and

Fig. 11

one of the Fig. 10 corresponding representation with pivoted belt drive.

Embodiment (s) of the invention

The in the Fig. 1 illustrated strapping machine 1 is used for strapping objects 7 with a belt 2, which is withdrawn by a retractor 4 from a supply roll 3 and a tape magazine 5 is supplied. From there, the tape is fed by means of a belt conveyor 6 through a clamping device 8 through a tape guide channel in a tape guide frame 9, so that the tape forms a loop. The tape is then withdrawn by the drive of the belt conveyor 6, so that the belt loop fits snugly against the object 7. Now, the tensioning device 8 is activated, so that the belt loop is pulled around the object 7 with a predetermined high clamping force. The belt conveyor 6 and the tensioning device 8 together form the belt drive. They can also be combined to form a drive device.

Then the tensioned loop is cut from the supply of tape. The loop beginning is connected to the loop end by means of a closure unit 10. The closure unit 10 is in practice, for example, a welding device, which welded together the two ends of the formed packing loop. The closure unit 10 welds the film-like plastic material of which the strapping band consists. The conveyor for the item 7 is in Fig. 1 not shown.

The Fig. 2 and 3 The strapping machine 1 comprises a frame 11. The frame 11 is usually provided with panels or covers. On the frame 11 of the tape guide frame 9 is arranged. The tape guide frame 9 is located in a vertical plane laterally of a conveyor 12. The conveyor is for reasons of clarity only in Fig. 3 shown. The conveyor 12 comprises a conveyor belt 13, which is moved by a conveyor motor 14 in the drawn on the conveyor belt 13 conveying direction. In addition to the illustrated conveyor belt 13, a second corresponding conveyor belt is arranged, which in the drawing For clarity in Fig. 3 not shown. Between the two conveyor belts runs a gap which is penetrated by the belt loop during the strapping of the article 7.

Below the plane of the conveyor 12, a drive motor 15 is arranged for the belt 15, the belt conveyor 6 (see Fig. 1 ) assigned. The drive motor 15 is arranged on a carriage 22 which is displaceable transversely to the conveying direction. The carriage 22 is located in the Fig. 2 in a position where the drive roller disposed on the drive shaft of the drive motor 15 is in the plane of the strapping frame 9. The drive motor 15 leads the tape guide frame 9 to a portion of the belt 2, which forms a closed loop in the tape guide channel. The two ends of the closed loop are gripped by a holding means below the tape guide frame 9, which will be described later in detail. During the supply of the tape 2 in the tape guide frame 9 cover 16 covers the tape guide channel 9 formed in the tape guide channel.

In the FIG. 3 are opposite the FIG. 2 the upper cover 16 upwards and the side cover 16 shifted towards the center of the frame. In this opening, the tape guide channel 17 is opened and the tape 2 can escape from the tape guide channel 17.

The Fig. 7 and 8th schematically show the two different states of the band guide channel 17, namely the closed state in Fig. 7 and the open state in Fig. 8 , The tape guide frame 9 is shown here cut. The tape guide frame 9 has an inner tape guide channel 17 which is open to the end face 18 of the tape guide frame 9, which faces the Umreifungsebene. In the closed state ( Fig. 7 ), the open side of the tape guide channel 17 is covered by said cover member 16. In this position, the tape 2 is fed to the channel 17 to form a closed loop of tape therein.

Subsequently, the cover 16 is moved so that the strapping plane facing side 18 of the band guide channel 17th is opened (see Fig. 8 ). Now the tape 2 can emerge from the tape guide channel 17 on the side 18. At one or more positions of the tape guide channel 17 ejector 19 may be provided, which are pressed into the opening of the tape guide channel 17 in this (see Fig. 8 ) while pushing out the tape 2 from the tape guide channel 17.

In particular Fig. 3 shows, adjoins the tape guide frame 9 on the side facing the strapping plane on an upper bracket 20, which forms a guide means for the formed in the tape guide channel 17 belt loop. Laterally and below the conveyor 12, two guide rods 21 are arranged, which form further guide means for the formed belt loop.

The Fig. 3 shows a substantially the Fig. 2 corresponding representation of the strapping machine, wherein the drive motor 15 is moved to a lying below the conveyor 12 position. Simultaneously with the drive motor 15, the holding means described below is moved into the area below the conveyor 12, which holds the belt loop and moves along the guide means 20,21. The entrained loop of the band 2 is in Fig. 3 shown in dashed lines and is located in the Umreifungsebene at the end of the guide means 20,21. When the belt loop contracts, it slips over the ends of the guide means 20, 21 and can be tensioned around the object 7.

The drive motor 15 is arranged together with the holding means on a carriage 22, which is transverse to the conveying direction of the conveyor 12 from a portion below the tape guide frame 9 in a portion below the Umreifungsebene displaced. On the carriage 22, a tensioning motor 23 is further arranged, which drives the tensioning device for tensioning the belt 2.

When moving the carriage 22 into its end position below the strapping plane, the belt 2 slips - as mentioned - from the guide means 20 and 21 and can be spanned around the object 7 by the drive motor 15 or the tensioning motor 23. Subsequently, the ends of the tensioned around the article 7 belt loop in the closure unit 10 below the article 7 are welded. During this welding, the holding means with the carriage 22 back into the in Fig. 2 shown position to be moved below the tape guide frame 9. It can be done during welding, a new tape shot in the tape guide frame 9, so that in the tape guide channel a new belt loop is formed before the article 7 from the in the Fig. 2 and 3 shown Umreifungsposition is transported away.

The identical arrangement can be provided in mirror image on the other side of the strapping plane (not shown). In this case, a second slide of the in the Fig. 2 and 3 right side into the strapping plane. This second carriage can supply belt straps with a strapping plane offset by a certain distance from the first strapping plane. Thus, the object 7 can be supplied with two mutually parallel belt loops. Alternatively, both carriages are movable in the same strapping plane so that a first loop is transported from the left tape guide frame to the strapping plane and a second loop from the right tape guide frame.

The Fig. 4 shows the tape magazine 5 with arranged above tape guide frame 9 in front view with closed tape guide channel. In this embodiment, all the cover members 16 are moved to open the tape guide channel to the outside. It can be seen that the tape guide frame 9 has four mutually perpendicular legs. Each lateral leg and the upper leg is provided with a cover 16 each. At the lower leg of the tape guide frame 9 there are two cover members 16, between which the shutter unit 10 is located. The cover elements 16 are in Fig. 4 moved to the inside of the tape guide frame 9 out. In this position, they hide the tape guide channel so that a tape loop can be inserted into the tape guide channel.

In the Fig. 5 the cover members 16 of the tape guide frame 9 are displaced outwards so that they release the tape guide channel 17. It can now exit the belt loop from the tape guide channel and - as in Fig. 5 shown - are pulled around the object to be strapped 7 around.

The Fig. 6 shows the back of the tape guide frame 9, on which three push rods 24 can be seen, which are coupled together and simultaneously move all four cover 16.

The FIG. 9 shows the holding means 25, with which the ends of the band loop formed by the band 2 28 can be grasped and transported from the plane of the band guide frame 9 to the strapping plane. The holding means 25 comprises a first clamp with a clamping arm 26 and an abutment plate 27. The clamping arm 26 is shown in the lying near the tape guide frame position with solid lines in the clamping position in which it is pressed against the abutment plate 27 and clamps the tape end , With dashed lines, the clamping arm 26 is shown in the open position in which it is pivoted away from the abutment plate 27. The clamping arm 26 has a slot extending in the transverse direction of the belt 2, with which at least the free end of the belt is received and pressed against the abutment plate 27. The end of the strap loop 28 connected to the tape supply can be clamped in the same slot of the clamping arm 26 or a second slot parallel thereto. If with the holding means 25, the closure unit is slidable on the carriage 22, the loop end connected to the tape supply can be detected directly from the terminal of the unit. A driver 29 is offset laterally to the clamping arm 26 and ensures that the tape is moved over the entire width of the tape guide frame 9 with the carriage 22. If necessary, a further driver 29 may be provided on the other side of the clamping arm.

The carriage 22 and the components mounted thereon are shown in solid line position near the tape guide frame. The carriage is together with the belt loop 28, the Clamping arm 26 and the driver 29 shown in the position near the strapping plane in dashed lines. The FIG. 9 also shows the drive 30 for moving the carriage 22 from the tape guide frame 9 to the strapping plane

In the Figures 10 and 11 an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown. The belt drive forming the belt conveyor 6 is pivotally formed in this embodiment.

The first pivot position of the tape drive 6 is in the Fig. 10 to recognize. In this position, the tape drive 6 is below the plane of the tape guide frame 9. In this position, the tape guide channel 9 of the tape guide frame 9 tape is fed by the tape drive 6.

When feeding the tape, the cover 16 in the closed position in which they cover the tape guide channel 17 (see. Fig. 4 and Fig. 7 ). Subsequently, the cover 16 are moved to the open position (see. Fig. 5 and Fig. 8 ). In this position, the tape is ejected from the tape guide channel 17 and the tape drive 6 pivots in the second pivot position.

The second pivot position of the tape drive 6 is in the Fig. 11 to recognize. In this position, the tape drive 6 is pivoted by a small angle to the Umreifungsebene out. In a practical embodiment, this angle is 2.6 °. In Fig. 11 the illustrated swivel angle is enlarged for illustrative purposes. In this pivoted position, the belt 2 enters the belt drive 6 below the strapping plane.

The leaked out of the tape guide channel belt loop can now be withdrawn by the tape drive 6 until it is tight around the object to be strapped 7. The connected to the tape supply end of the belt loop is clamped in the sealing unit 10 below the strapping and separated from the tape supply. Subsequently, the ends are welded together by the closure unit 10. During this process, the belt drive can return to the position below the Tape guide frame 9 according to Fig. 10 be panned. The cover 16 were in the meantime in the in Fig. 7 shown moved back position in which they cover the tape guide channel 17. Thus, a new loop of tape can be inserted into the tape guide channel before the welding operation is completed and the object to be strapped 7 is transported out of the strapping plane.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

strapping

2

tape

3

supply roll

4

retractor

5

tape magazine

6

Belt conveyor, belt drive

7

object

8th

jig

9

Strap guide frame

10

sealing unit

11

frame

12

promoter

13

conveyor belt

14

feed motor

15

drive motor

16

cover

17

Chute

18

front

19

ejector

20

Bracket, guide

21

Guide rod, guide means

22

carriage

23

tensioning motor

24

pushrod

25

holding means

26

clamping arm

27

Abutment plate

28

tape loop

29

takeaway

30

carriage drive

Claims (9)

1. Apparatus for strapping an article (7) by means of a flat tape (2), comprising at least one tape guide frame (9) having a flat tape guide passage (17), and a tape drive (6) for feeding the tape (2) into the tape guide passage (17), wherein arranged at the tape guide frame (9) is an opening device which opens a narrow side of the tape guide passage (17), wherein the tape drive (6) is movable from a first position in which the tape (2) is fed to the tape guide passage (17) into a second position in which the loop formed is tightened around the article (7), and wherein prior to the conclusion of the operation of closing the tightened tape loop (28) tape (2) is freshly fed to the tape guide passage (17) from a tape supply (3) to form a tape loop (28), characterized in that the opening device includes at least one cover element (16) which is movably secured to the stationary tape guide frame (9) and which is movable from a closed position in which it covers the narrow side of the tape guide passage (17) into an open position in which it opens the narrow side of the tape guide passage (17), and in that at least one ejector (19) is arranged on the tape guide frame (9), which ejector pushes the tape loop formed in the tape guide passage (17) through the open narrow side out of the tape guide passage (17) when the opening device is in the open position.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that that the tape drive (6) is pivotable or displaceable.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterized in that it comprises at least one of the following features:

   - the cover element (16) is secured to the tape guide frame (9) displaceably transversely relative to the flat tape guide passage (17);

   - the cover element is secured pivotably to the tape guide frame;

   - the tape guide frame (9) includes a plurality of limbs and at least one cover element (16) is secured to each limb of the tape guide frame (9), wherein preferably the apparatus includes an opening drive (24) which synchronously drives all cover elements (16).
4. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it further has a closure assembly (10) for connecting the ends of the tape loop (28) which is tightened around the article.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4 characterized in that the closure assembly (10) is a welding device.
6. A method of strapping an article (7) by means of a tape (2), in which

   - a tape (2) is fed with a tape drive (6) to a tape guide passage (17) of a tape guide frame (9) from a tape supply (3) to form a tape loop (28),

   - a narrow side of the tape guide passage (17) is opened by means of an opening device and the tape (2) issues through the narrow side of the tape guide passage (17),

   - the tape loop (28) is tightened around the article (7),

   - the tightened tape loop (28) is cut away from the tape supply (3),

   - to close the tightened tape loop (28) the ends thereof are joined together,

   - prior to the conclusion of the operation of closing the tightened tape loop (28) tape (2) is freshly fed to the tape guide passage (17) from a tape supply (3) to form a tape loop (28),
   wherein the tape drive (6) is movable from a first position in which the tape (2) is fed to the tape guide passage (17) into a second position in which the loop formed is tightened around the article (7),
   characterized by the following steps:

   - the opening device includes at least one cover element (16) which is movably secured to the tape guide frame (9) and which is movable from a closed position in which it covers the narrow side of the tape guide passage (17) into an open position in which it opens the narrow side of the tape guide passage (17),

   - at least one ejector (19) is arranged on the tape guide frame (9), which ejector pushes the tape loop formed in the tape guide passage (17) through the open narrow side out of the tape guide passage (17) when the opening device is in the open position.
7. A method according to claim 6 characterized in that the cover element (16) is displaced and/or pivoted on the tape guide frame (9).
8. A method according to one of the preceding claims 6 or 7 characterized in that a plurality of cover elements (16) are synchronously driven by an opening drive (24).
9. A method according to claim 6 characterized in that the tape drive (6) is pivoted.

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