EP2489597B1 - Device and method for producing strapped containers and regulation and/or control method for a strapping device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for producing containers with the features of claim 1 and a corresponding method having the features of independent method claim 7. Furthermore, the invention relates to a regulation and / or control method for a strapping device having the features of claim 15.

For the processing, compilation, grouping and packaging of articles such as beverage containers, there are different types of packaging, for example, the summary of articles or containers to portable, relatively handy packaging units. For this purpose, various ways are known to combine individual articles into larger containers. For example, beverage containers are usually combined and packaged by means of shrink films into containers of four, six or more containers. The production of containers is usually unavoidable because they represent the most common variant of sales units for beverage containers or bottles made of PET plastic. The containers are partially recombined for transport and / or put together in layers and palletized.

In the production of known types of packaging specific manufacturing steps are required in order to process the shrink films commonly used can. These manufacturing steps require a relatively high energy input. In addition, the film used causes costs for production, for the provision, for handling and for later disposal, since it is no longer needed after the sale. The machine equipment for providing the so-called. Film wrapping modules and other handling stations causes high investment costs. Finally, the provision of the so-called. Shrink tunnel, in which the beaten to the container foil is shrunk by Heißluftbeaufschlagung around the container requires a relatively high capital investment.

A variant in which it is basically possible to dispense with the use of shrink films are so-called strapping packages. Here, the containers are summarized by means of so-called. Umreifungsbänder to a container and connected to each other. In continuous or intermittent strapping machines containers, articles or bottles are grouped into formations and then strapped with the aid of Umreifungsaggregaten with a band or with multiple bands. Typical formations may be, for example, 1x2 arrays (two tanks in series), 2x2 arrays (four square tanks or diamond formation), 3x2, 4x3 or, in principle, also variable nxm arrays. When using such strapping but stability problem may arise, since the container may not be stable in position due to the ambiguous assignment of the container to each other. To reduce the displacement of the containers i.d.R. certain biasing forces of strapping required.

However, problems can also be caused by the fact that with flexible articles and containers such as plastic bottles, such as those used in the beverage industry, the internal pressure in the containers may vary. Many beverage containers are filled with carbon dioxide, nitrogen or other gases or substances during bottling. Depending on the prevailing temperatures during filling, on the outside or ambient temperature, on the solution concentration of the gas or carbon dioxide, on the passage of time since filling and possibly on numerous other parameters such as, for example, the hall temperature, the temperature of the liquid to be filled, the season, etc., can change the internal pressure of the container to be strapped. However, since the strapping parameters and the straining forces applied during strapping are to be set to a certain value, too much or too little bias may occur. If the preload is too high, the containers may be damaged, but if the preload is too low, the holding stability will be impaired. Whether or not the selected pre-tensioning pre-tensioning is properly adjusted can essentially only be verified by sampling and checking samples, which, however, produces rejects during container and package production. The machine parameters of the strapping machine must be adjusted by an operator and reset.

The DE 20 2006 000 215 U1 discloses a container comprising goods and a packaging material stretched around the goods. The packaging material has a shape of a continuous strip of packaging material which also has two ends forming an overlapping area. The packaging material strip is stretched around the goods, creating an overlap area of the two ends. The packaging material sections formed thereby are adhesively secured around the goods at the expense of a cohesive force. For this purpose, it is proposed that on an outer surface of a free end of the strip-shaped packaging material, an adhesive strip is attached to form the free end of the packaging material self-adhesive. In this embodiment of a container, the containers can move in their formation and remain unstable in the container.

From the DE 1 457 489 A Furthermore, a container with several bottles is known, which are held together in the form of a package by means of endless belts. A handle allows carrying the package. Another bundle arrangement is in the US 57 75 486 A disclosed. Rows of three or six bottles or cans are each fixed with top-side attachments made of cardboard and combined by means of strapping bands into larger containers.

A strapping machine for strapping objects with an object height-dependent Rückspanneinrichtung is in the DE 197 22 066 A1 disclosed. The back tensioning device ensures that the strapping band is tensioned around the object. A non-contact sensor scans the height of the object to be strapped, so that a control device coupled thereto can vary the back tension as a function of the detected object height.

The primary object of the present invention is seen to provide an improved apparatus and a corresponding method for producing strapped containers from one, but in particular from at least two combined with a strapping articles or containers in which damage due to excessive container bias or instabilities due to insufficient Preload can be avoided. In particular, a device and a corresponding method are to be made available in which an optimized Umreifungsspannkraft even with changing ambient and Article parameters can be ensured without this being associated with increased scrap formation. Furthermore, a control and / or control method for a strapping device is to be provided, which enables an optimized clamping force control for the strapping.

These objects of the invention are achieved with the objects of the independent claims. Features of advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the respective dependent claims. To achieve one of the stated goals the invention proposes a device for producing a container with the features of independent claim 1. To achieve one of the stated objects, the invention proposes a device for producing a container comprising at least one article, comprising at least one device for strapping the at least one article with at least one horizontally and / or vertically and / or crosswise around an outside of the / Article (s) laid and / or tensioned band or strip-like strapping and means for generating a definable clamping force of the strapping. The device according to the invention is characterized by a device for detecting properties of the article (s), which is coupled to the device for generating the definable clamping force of the strapping and / or operatively connected. This coupling or operative connection is to be understood in particular as controlling and / or regulating technology. For example, the device for detecting the article properties may include, for example, sensor or measuring devices, as exemplified below in various embodiments.

However, the device for capturing article properties may also be understood as an input terminal for manually entering article parameters and / or article properties. In addition, the device may, for example, by a bar code or other code reader, an optical sensor o. The like. Be formed, which can serve to initialize the belt tension control or the means for generating the defined clamping force. Such manual or machine-assisted initialization can, for example, be used expediently when different articles to be strapped can each be assigned different but essentially already known mechanical properties. It is, for example, conceivable that an article color, a beverage color, a container form, etc. each provide an input value for initializing the device for generating the clamping force, wherein the respective control data may preferably be stored in a database.

The device according to the invention may be equipped with means for fixing ends of the strapping. However, it can also comprise a device for forming at least one loop at least at one point of the strapping to be connected or already connected. Such a loop can, for example, the improved handling of the strapping, especially when separating the Strapping serve, since the loop can prevent a whip-like loosening of the strapping when cutting or loosening a defined separation point.

Preferably, the means for detecting characteristics of the article (s) is preceded by the means for strapping the article (s) with regard to signal processing. Of course, the two units can also be structurally integrated or combined in a common control circuit. Nevertheless, it makes sense initially to measure the article properties in any meaningful way, to capture or manually and / or automatically input before a control signal and / or control signal for the strapping device and in particular for the device for generating the clamping force for the strapping is generated.

The container to be strapped by means of the device according to the invention comprises at least one article, but is usually formed by at least two initially only juxtaposed or grouped articles which are firmly connected to each other by means of a strapping. Thus, the device according to the invention can be a device for wrapping or strapping the article or the at least two articles with at least one horizontally and / or vertically and / or diagonally or crosswise around an outside of the article laid and / or tensioned, band or strip-like, closed and / or strapping connected at their ends. Furthermore, a device for fixing overlapping or abutting ends of the strapping and / or for forming a loop may be provided at at least one point of a closed strapping. A suitable device or machine equipment ensures the production or application of a definable tape tension or clamping force when looping the article and / or when fixing the strapping. This clamping force or band tension can in principle also be referred to as part of an externally applied pretension of the strapping. Such Umreifungsvorspannung or tape tension is indispensable for the mechanical cohesion of such bundle arrangements, otherwise the articles are not held together with the desired stability. If the pretension or belt tension is too low, the individual articles in the container tend to slip or even fall out. On the other hand, if the strapping tension or belt tension is too high, there is the risk of excessive deformation or constriction of the articles, which can lead to their damage. The defined belt tension must Therefore, in the manufacture of the container and thus in the fixation of the tape ends of the strapping or in the fixation of the loop (with strapping band closed) are applied.

According to the present invention, the Umreifungsvorspannung or belt tension or clamping force of the fixed or fixed strapping is variably adjustable. The invention additionally comprises a corresponding method for producing containers comprising at least one article which comprises at least one band-shaped or strip-like strapping laid horizontally and / or vertically and / or around an outside of the article (s) be formed and / or held together. The container manufacturing method according to the invention is essentially characterized in that a clamping force of the strapping is variably controlled and / or regulated individually as a function of the properties of the articles. The tensioning force of the strapping can be variably controlled and / or regulated in particular taking into account detected mechanical article properties, in particular of strength and / or level and / or internal pressure-related article parameters. Furthermore, it can be provided that after the generation of the required Umreifungsspannkraft the ends of the strapping are connected to each other, for example. By welding and / or gluing. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that, after the generation of the clamping force, the ends of the strapping are connected together to form a loop. In the container production and -reifreifungsverfahren invention certain properties of the / the article (s) are detected and forwarded the corresponding signals to the device for generating the definable clamping force of the strapping, for example. As controlled variables or control signals. The coupling of the detection of the article properties or the corresponding signal data connection required for this purpose is to be understood in particular as controlling and / or regulating technology. Thus, the device for detecting the article properties, for example, sensor or measuring devices according to one of the inventive embodiments have. However, the detection of article properties can, for example, also be done manually by entering article parameters and / or article properties. In addition, the article properties with the help of barcodes, machine-readable codes on the article packaging and / or container shell surfaces o. The like Signal processing are transmitted, which is used for initialization of the belt tension control or the means for generating the defined clamping force. Such manual or machine-assisted initialization can, for example, be used expediently if different, but essentially already known mechanical properties can be assigned to articles to be strapped, as has already been explained above.

A variant of the method according to the invention is for the production of containers, which are formed from at least one, but in particular from two or more articles or containers to be joined together, with at least one horizontally and / or vertically and / or diagonally or crosswise around an outside the article or container being held together by strapping, band or strip-like, closed and / or strapped together at their ends, the overlapping or abutting ends of the strapping being biased and fixed together and / or the closed strapping forming at least one loop biased at one point or the strapping is provided with a belt tension. Both in the device according to the invention and in the method according to the invention can optionally be provided that the clamping force or belt tension of the fixed or fixed strapping is controlled or adjusted under consideration of detected mechanical article properties or article parameters such as their strength. In particular, the clamping force, Umreifungsvorspannung or belt tension under consideration of strength and / or level and / or internal pressure-related Article parameters can be variably adjusted or controlled.

Such containers, the production and processing of which is the subject of the present invention, normally comprise at least two interconnected PET containers or other articles or containers held together with at least one banded or strip-like, closed strapping around an outside of the PET containers become. Optionally, a handle attached to the containers and / or strapping may span an upper side of the container. The carrying handle may, for example, on outer circumferential surfaces of two opposite, adjacent or adjacent be arranged fixed PET containers. A common feature of such containers, each comprising at least two, preferably four, possibly also five, six, seven or more interconnected PET containers, is the horizontally stretched around an outer side of the PET container, band- or strip-like strapping, with the the containers of the container are held together. These strappings are preferably placed around the PET containers during an uninterrupted conveying process and then fixed. During the application of the strapping, the PET containers are normally not stopped or delayed because the strapping can be applied around them in a continuous process during the uninterrupted delivery of the PET containers. An inner side of the strapping, which adjoins the outer sides of the PET containers, may optionally be firmly fixed to a contact point with one of the PET containers. Thus, the strapping can be fixed to the contact point in particular by means of a material connection in the form of at least one welded joint. Such a connection makes it impossible to move the PET containers in the container so that a defined packing arrangement is maintained. Optionally, however, this fixation can also be omitted, so that a displacement of the container in the manner described above, in particular after the application of the loop-like carrying handle is still possible. It is also useful to make the fixation after the determination of the final arrangement of the container in the container and after the application and proper placement of the handle, so that the selected arrangement is reliably maintained.

Since the internal pressure in plastic bottles, PET containers o. The like., Which were filled with drinks or other liquids, may vary, also varies the strapping to be selected optimal tape tension. Since, in particular, beverages are charged with carbon dioxide, nitrogen or other gases during filling, the internal pressure in the container may vary with varying filling temperature, outside temperature, the degree of dissolution of the carbon dioxide in the beverage, the time since filling, and other boundary conditions without these fluctuations could be calculated exactly by considering the boundary conditions. By means of the present invention, for example, too low a container internal pressure can be taken into account when applying the strapping, which can reliably prevent damage to the containers as a result of excessively high return forces of the strapping band.

It should be noted in this context that the term used in the present context of the belt tension, Umreifungsspannung or Umreifungsvorspannung is basically to be regarded as a resultant tension or as an effective belt tension, enter into the at least two counteracting force components. Thus, on the one hand the strapping is applied during its application to the container with a certain clamping force, which is indispensable for secure cohesion of the individual items. On the other hand, the more or less yielding and compressed by the strapping article exert a restoring force or return force on the strapping, which counteracts the previously applied clamping force. The resulting force from these force components gives the effective belt tension of the finished container. However, if according to the independent claims of the "clamping force" is mentioned, it is not necessarily meant the resulting strapping, but primarily by the strapping head or the device for strapping and / or for generating the clamping force or Rückspannkraft for the Strapping actually applied during the strapping and fixing process (eg. By welding the overlapping ends of the strapping band) applied clamping force. After the strapping is applied, this clamping force counteracts the restoring force of the slightly deformed articles or containers and, in sum, forms the resulting strapping tension.

For example, the optional weld joint may be made by an ultrasonic weld joint or a laser weld joint or other suitable bonding technique. In the case of thermoplastics or thermoplastics, the material must be melted or at least softened by supplying heat at the desired welding point, in order to allow a material connection at the contact point to be welded. Thus, in ultrasonic welding, the plastics are connected by means of mechanical vibrations. The main feature of this method is that the heat required for welding between the components is created by molecular and boundary surface friction in the components.

The strapping is usually by at least one tensioned around the outer sides of the at least one article of the container or to the outer sides of the two or more PET containers and then under defined belt tension on his Ends connected flat band formed. With this strapped, strip or band-shaped strapping, the articles, piece goods or PET containers are combined into a container and held so that they can be safely transported. The indispensable bias or belt tension of the strap is adjusted by the present invention. Of course, two or more parallel bands can form the strapping. The strapping is thus produced by one, two or more similar or different bands of plastic or a composite material, wherein the bands are glued together at their ends overlapping or bumping together, welded, clamped, knotted or otherwise connected. An advantageous embodiment may be formed by a welding of the overlapping ends of the strapping. In addition, it is conceivable that the ends are welded by means of a welding point to at least one PET container of the container, so that the PET containers are secured in their formation during transport. The container of the container can thus not be moved into different formations, such as. From a longitudinal formation in a diagonal formation. In a container in which the PET containers are arranged in a diagonal formation, it would also be possible for a first fixing point to be attached to a central PET container and a second fixing point to a diagonally opposite PET container. With this variant, the container could not move in a longitudinal formation, since the strapping is fixed to the PET containers by means of a welding point and thus does not allow a displacement path of the container. The strapping should preferably be fastened with at least one fixing point to the PET container assembled into a container. With two fixation points, it may be that these are attached to the opposite PET containers.

The PET containers which are held together to form a container optionally have annular recesses extending in each case and / or recesses extending in the horizontal direction for receiving and / or fixing the strapping. With such a recess, an additional fixation of the strapping can be formed, since the strapping applied are thus fixed in their horizontal position. Furthermore, the PET containers held together to form a container each have a container neck below an upper-side opening, on which a further strapping for fixing the PET containers can be attached. Each of these mentioned Umreifungsvarianten may optionally be additionally provided with at least one spot weld on at least one PET container of the container or be provided during the manufacture of the container, so that the mutual displacement of the container can be prevented against each other. Particularly advantageously, a recyclable material can be used as strapping and / or as a carrying handle, which, for example, can consist of a single-grade thermoplastic. Possibly. It is also possible to use a biodegradable material, optionally also as a composite material with thermoplastic material and / or with a fiber reinforcement. Other advantages of the invention over known variants of the prior art include, inter alia, that the strapping and the carrying handles are cheaper to produce than a film and also to be processed. There is no shrink tunnel required, whereby a high energy saving and a reduction of investment costs are possible.

As already mentioned above, the belt tension of the applied strapping is variably adjustable taking into account mechanical strength properties of the articles, level and / or internal pressure-related article parameters or the like. The strapping may be formed by one, two or more similar or different bands of plastic or a composite material, the bands being glued, welded, clamped, knotted or otherwise connected at their ends, each overlapping or bumping together, and wherein the at least two Articles are formed by liquid containers, in particular by beverage containers made of plastic such as PET.

If in the present context of mechanical strength values or strength parameters or generally of article parameters is mentioned, so are meant primarily physical parameters, in particular the pressure prevailing in the container or PET container internal pressure, for example, from a detected deformation of the article can be derived because bulge in a container in the pressure over the side walls convex to the outside, whereas they bulge concavely inward at a prevailing in the container vacuum. Because of the typically used thin container walls, these bulges or bulges can be detected during the ongoing strapping process, so that they can be used as measured quantities for deriving the internal pressure of the container. However, it is also possible to directly control the internal pressure prevailing in the container to capture. Thus, the device may have an optical measuring device for detecting or deriving the pressure prevailing in the articles or containers internal pressure. Such an optical measuring device may, for example, be provided for detecting a gas concentration of the gas space above the filling level, ie the area immediately below a container or bottle closure. Thus, for example, a concentration of a carbon dioxide content or a nitrogen content can be measured, from which the internal pressure prevailing in the container can be calculated directly. Optionally, the optical measuring device can also be used to detect a deformation or bulge or concavity of at least one side wall.

Alternatively or additionally, this deformation or buckling or bulging of at least one side wall of the container or article can also be detected by means of a mechanical measuring device with which the device according to the invention can be equipped. Thus, such a mechanical measuring device may comprise at least one push-button or pick-up, which detects a correlation between a concavity of at least one side wall of the article and the force to be applied therefor. Thus, by means of a suitable mechanical arrangement, a defined lateral force can be introduced into the lateral surface of a container and the resulting deformation path can be measured. From the measured deformation due to the initiation of the defined lateral force, the required preload forces or belt tension forces for the container maturation can be calculated. With such an arrangement, the absolute deformation resistances are measured, in which several factors are effective, such as. The container stiffness, the container internal pressure and the displacement back pressure of the liquid in the container. The application of the lateral force and the measurement of the deformation can be done, for example. Via a laterally deliverable probe that correspond in width to a strapping band and preferably can be adjusted in height so that is measured as accurately as possible in the position in which placed the band becomes. Such a button, for example, be rolling on the container surface area, grinding or punctually acting as a clocked ram. Possibly. It may be useful to use a button with a driven conveyor, so as not to restrain the container too much by the measuring and scanning.

Such an arrangement provides a cost-effective measurement variant that can be used easily in several parallel conveyor lanes. It is advantageous that the deformation of the container is measured at a defined introduced force, but not the internal pressure itself, so that the inherent rigidity of the container is taken into account. The optical properties as well as the general material properties are not important in this measurement method. Although this measurement variant does not work without contact, it is still relatively less susceptible to contamination.

As peculiarities of this mechanical measuring arrangement are mentioned that the measuring device or the scanner must be readjusted to any changed container format, but this can also be done automatically if necessary. Since it is not a non-contact system, braking effects may occur which lead to delays in container transport. To avoid these undesirable effects, it may be useful to provide the measuring system with driven rollers or a rotating, driven traction means such as a drive belt o. The like., To prevent the containers are retained too strong, thereby jamming and / or a backwater could be triggered. Since the effective resistance to deformation of the containers is measured at one point and not the actual internal pressure, the measurement method is not equally suitable for all container shapes and geometries. The suitability for strongly contoured and / or beaded or constricted containers with non-circular cross-sections may need to be determined by experiment. While the indentation of the containers must take place by mechanical means, the evaluation of the deflection itself can be carried out without contact, for example by means of optical, inductive and / or capacitive methods. During the evaluation, it should be noted that conclusions about the actual internal pressure can only be drawn with the aid of comparative measurements on non-gassed containers.

In a further advantageous embodiment variant of the device according to the invention, at least one of the detected article parameters is derived from a detected belt tension during the looping and / or immediately before a fixation of the belt ends. Thus, the device may be associated with a suitable measuring device, which is able to measure the band tension during the strapping process and preferably immediately before the fixation or adjust during the fixation of the band ends and adjust so that the optimum for the respective container conditions band bias is made.

Particularly advantageously, the at least one detected article parameter can be used as a control variable for a belt tension control, so that the belt tension during operation even with fluctuating article parameters, i. at each different internal pressures in the containers, can be adjusted. Such a belt tension control has the particular advantage that the detection of the belt tension can not be retroactive, which u.U. would be associated with broke at too high or too low belt tension. Rather, the band tension can already be adapted during the strapping process and adjusted individually to the respective requirement of the strapped pack.

As mentioned, in the method according to the invention for the production of containers, the band tension of the strapping to be fixed or fixed can be variably controlled taking into account detected mechanical article properties, in particular level and / or internal pressure-related article parameters, wherein preferably at least one of the detected article parameters is detected or measured deformation of the article or container and / or from its detected internal pressure is derived. Thus, the internal pressure prevailing in the article or container and / or deformation or buckling or bulging of at least one side wall of the article or container can be detected or derived by means of an optical measuring device. Also, in an advantageous variant of the method, a gas concentration in a section within the article or container, in particular above a filling level with liquid, can be measured and used to derive an article or container internal pressure.

Alternatively, deformation or buckling or bulging of at least one side wall of the container can be detected by means of a mechanical measuring device. In addition, it is possible to derive at least one of the detected article parameters from a detected belt tension during the looping and / or immediately before a fixation of the belt ends. In this way, the at least one detected article parameter can advantageously be processed as a controlled variable for a belt tension control.

It should be mentioned at this point that the present invention with all its aspects is in principle applicable to such containers, in which only a single article, for example. A piece of cardboard o. The like., Is provided with a strapping, as it is, for example Shipping items, shipping boxes o. The like. May be the case. Such a carton may, for example, be wrapped and stabilized with a strapping band or with a plurality of parallel and / or cross strapping straps. These straps can be horizontal, vertical and / or diagonal or crossed. Basically, similar effects can occur in such containers as mentioned above, since even there too strained too tight or too loose strapping can be unfavorable. The present invention is expressly intended to extend to those types of packaging in which only a piece goods, articles or containers is strapped. It is therefore defined that the two or more articles or containers mentioned in the description and claims can in principle also be replaced by a single article or container, without the essential idea of the invention being in any way affected, influenced or impaired.

Finally, the present invention contains the general aspect of a regulation and / or control method for a strapping device, in particular for controlling the straining force and / or the straining force of the strapping device. In this method, detected properties of articles are used as the controlled variable of the clamping force and / or the return force. In particular, in the control and / or control method according to the invention, the signals of a detection device for detecting properties of the articles to be strapped for producing a manipulated variable of the strapping device can be processed. With the regulation and / or control method according to the invention for the strapping device, for example, a strapping head can be controlled in an advantageous manner, which can be part of a packaging system for packaging goods, containers with strapped articles, container containers or the like. Although the strapping heads currently used for this purpose can be adjusted by manual intervention or corresponding data entry in some of their processing parameters, there has hitherto been no delay in processing variable measurement data which, for example, allow conclusions to be drawn as to the deformation and elasticity properties of containers, so that a corresponding change the clamping forces at Applying the strapping could provide improved processing and product quality. The regulation or control on the basis of the determined, delivered and / or measured article properties eliminates this disadvantage of the known systems and provides the possibility of generating an optimized belt tension of the strapping at any time. As mentioned, optionally the article properties can be detected by sensor or measurement values. However, the article properties can also be processed in other ways, for example with the aid of an input terminal for the manual input of article parameters and / or article properties. In addition, for example, initialization values for a belt tension control can also be generated with the aid of bar code or other code readers, optical sensors or the like. Such manual or machine-assisted initialization can, for example, be used expediently when different articles to be strapped can each be assigned different but essentially already known mechanical properties. It is, for example, conceivable that an article color, a beverage color, a container form, etc. each provide an input value for initializing the device for generating the clamping force, wherein the respective control data may preferably be stored in a database.

• Fig. 1 zeigt eine perspektivische Darstellung eines mit einem Umreifungsband zusammengehaltenen Gebindes mit sechs Getränkebehältern.
• Fig. 2 zeigt eine Draufsicht auf eine Förder- und Verpackungsanlage mit Umreifungsstationen zur Herstellung von Gebinden.
• Fig. 3 zeigt eine schematische Darstellung einer ersten Variante eines Regelkreises zur Erfassung eines Behälterinnendrucks und zur Anpassung einer Umreifungsvorspannung.
• Fig. 4 zeigt eine schematische Darstellung einer zweiten Variante eines Regelkreises zur Erfassung eines Behälterinnendrucks und zur Anpassung einer Umreifungsvorspannung.
• Fig. 5 zeigt eine erste Variante einer mechanischen Messanordnung zur Erfassung einer Behältersteifigkeit.
• Fig. 6 zeigt eine zweite Variante einer mechanischen Messanordnung zur Erfassung der Behältersteifigkeit.
• Fig. 7 zeigt eine dritte Variante einer mechanischen Messanordnung zur Erfassung der Behältersteifigkeit.
• Fig. 8 zeigt eine vierte Variante einer mechanischen Messanordnung zur Erfassung der Behältersteifigkeit.
• Fig. 9 zeigt eine fünfte Variante einer mechanischen Messanordnung zur Erfassung der Behältersteifigkeit.
• Fig. 10 zeigt eine schematische Darstellung einer dritten Variante eines Regelkreises zur Erfassung eines Behälterinnendrucks und zur Anpassung einer Umreifungsvorspannung.
• Fig. 11 zeigt eine weitere Regelungsanordnung zur Steuerung einer Umreifungsvorrichtung in schematischer Darstellung.
• Fig. 12 zeigt eine Ausführungsvariante eines Umreifungsbandes für ein Gebinde gemäß Fig. 1.

In the following, embodiments of the invention and their advantages with reference to the accompanying figures will be explained in more detail. The proportions of the individual elements to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the actual size ratios, since some shapes are simplified and other shapes are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for better illustration.

• Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a held together with a strapping container with six beverage containers.
• Fig. 2 shows a plan view of a conveying and packaging system with strapping stations for the production of containers.
• Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a first variant of a control circuit for detecting a container internal pressure and for adjusting a Umreifungsvorspannung.
• Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a second variant of a control circuit for detecting a container internal pressure and for adjusting a Umreifungsvorspannung.
• Fig. 5 shows a first variant of a mechanical measuring arrangement for detecting a container stiffness.
• Fig. 6 shows a second variant of a mechanical measuring arrangement for detecting the container stiffness.
• Fig. 7 shows a third variant of a mechanical measuring arrangement for detecting the container stiffness.
• Fig. 8 shows a fourth variant of a mechanical measuring arrangement for detecting the container stiffness.
• Fig. 9 shows a fifth variant of a mechanical measuring arrangement for detecting the container stiffness.
• Fig. 10 shows a schematic representation of a third variant of a control circuit for detecting a container internal pressure and for adjusting a Umreifungsvorspannung.
• Fig. 11 shows a further control arrangement for controlling a strapping device in a schematic representation.
• Fig. 12 shows a variant of a strapping for a container according to Fig. 1 ,

The same or equivalent elements of the invention are described in the following FIGS. 1 to 12 each used the same reference numerals. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference symbols are shown in the individual figures, which are required for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of how the device or method of the invention may be configured and are not an exhaustive limitation.

The schematic perspective view of Fig. 1 illustrates a possible embodiment of a Umreifungsgebindeanordnung, consisting of six individual beverage containers 10 made of relatively thin-walled PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or other suitable plastic, which are held together by means of a horizontally extending strapping 12 in a 2x3 formation and fixed to each other, so that a container 14 is formed is. In the embodiment shown, it can be seen that the containers 10 are shifted in the diagonal direction against each other, whereby a so-called. Diagonal arrangement is formed, which is due to the contact points between the containers 10 is somewhat more stable than a rectangular arrangement.

Since the container 10 due to their material properties, the typically used thin-walled PET plastic, the container geometries as well as due to possibly varying levels and varying internal pressures after filling and closing have a certain compliance, the strap 12 must be applied with a defined tape tension and on his overlapping ends are fixed, otherwise there is a risk that the container assembly is too loose and the container 10 could move against each other and / or tilt. On the other hand, the Umreifungsvorspannung or tape tension of the strap 12 must not be too strong, otherwise the resilient container 10 could be pressed too strong and may even be damaged. Since the resiliency of the container walls occurring in operation depends on many parameters, with the internal pressure of the container having the greatest influence on the mechanical properties of the containers 10, the present invention provides for the measurement and adaptation of the strapping bias or belt tension to the changing and possibly during the running Operation changing container parameters.

The overlapping ends 16 of the strapping band 12 may be glued or mechanically joined together. Normally, however, the overlapping ends 16 are welded together so that a firm connection is given. For example, the weld joint 18 normally preferred to other joining methods can be made by ultrasonic welding or laser welding or other suitable bonding technique. When using thermoplastics or thermoplastic materials as strip material is at the intended weld the material by feeding melted or at least softened by heat and / or strong pressure to allow a cohesive connection at the contact point to be welded. Thus, in ultrasonic welding, the plastics are connected by means of mechanical vibrations. The main feature of this method is that the heat required for welding between the components is created by molecular and boundary surface friction in the components.

The strapping 12 itself is formed by at least one flat band connected to the outer sides of the PET containers 10 and then connected at its ends 16 under defined and adjustable belt tension according to the present invention. With this strained, strip or band-shaped strapping 12, the PET containers 10 are combined and held to the container 14, so that they can be transported safely. The defined outer contour of the container 14 also allows the stacking and palletizing of a plurality of such containers 14. The indispensable for the cohesion and shaping of the container 14 band tension of the strap 12 can be measured by means of the present invention and adapted to the changing requirements. Of course, two or more different parallel height bands forming the strapping 12. The strapping 12 is thus produced by one, two or more similar or different bands of plastic or a composite material, wherein the bands are glued together at their ends 16 each overlapping or bumping together, welded, clamped, knotted or otherwise connected.

The to the in Fig. 1 shown container 14 combined PET containers 10 each have constrictions 20 in the upper third of their lateral surfaces. With such constrictions 20 an additional fixation of the strap 12 is formed, since the applied straps 12 are thus fixed in its horizontal position. Furthermore, the PET containers 10 held together to form the container 14 each have a container neck 22 below an upper-side opening 24, on which optionally a further strapping (not shown) for fixing the PET container 10 can be attached. On the strap 12 and / or on the container lateral surfaces an optional carrying handle 26 is further attached from flexible material, with which the container 14 can be held and carried. When stacking several containers 14, the carrying handle 26 is pressed between the containers 10, so that it does not project beyond the container 14. Only for transporting the flexible carrying handle 26 is raised.

The top view of Fig. 2 schematically shows a part of a conveyor and packaging system 28 for container 10, which are transported with two parallel conveyors 30 in the transport direction 32 to a strapping station 34 and processed there into containers 14. The containers 10 are conveyed on each of the two parallel conveyors 30 in each case in three rows arranged next to one another, before they are grouped in a grouping station 36 in each case into package formations 38 of 3 × 2 containers 10. These container formations 38 are in the region of the strapping station 34 each with strapping 12 (see. Fig. 1 ), whereby the container 14 corresponding to the shape Fig. 1 obtained before they leave after the Umreifungsstation 34 on other conveyor belts 40 to further packing and / or palletizing stations (not shown) are transported.

The internal pressure prevailing in the containers 10 can already be detected in the region of the conveying devices 30 by means of suitable optical measuring devices 42, so that in the region of the strapping station 34 the strapping bias or belt tension can be adapted to the measured internal container pressure when attaching the strapping bands 12. It is also conceivable that the mechanical measuring device is already arranged in the region of the conveyor. In particular, a laser measuring device for detecting a CO ₂ or N ₂ content within the container 10, in particular in the region above the liquid level, can be used as optical measuring device 42. In this way, the necessary belt tension can be calculated by means of a control and evaluation device 44 and a return force of closing units of the strapping heads 46 can be adjusted, whereby the belt tension can be regulated in the desired and required manner.

Optionally or additionally, the internal pressure prevailing in the containers 10 in the region of the strapping station 34 can be detected by means of suitable mechanical measuring devices 48, after which the strapping bias or belt tension can be adapted to the measured or derived internal container pressure when attaching the strapping bands 12. Based on the container deformations measured with the mechanical measuring devices 48, the necessary belt tension calculated by means of the control and evaluation 44 and the Rückspannkraft the closing units of Umreifungsköpfe 46 are adjusted. Particularly advantageously, the measurement can be carried out with the optical measuring devices 42 and / or with the mechanical measuring devices 48, the signal evaluation in the unit 44 and the control of the strapping heads 46 during operation of the conveyor and packaging system 28, whereby the belt tension permanently adapted and to that the restoring forces of the container 14 forming container 10 influencing parameters can be adjusted. The strapping force and the belt back tension can thus be adapted permanently and in real time to the measured or derived from the measured values of the optical measuring device 42 and / or the mechanical measuring device 48 container strength, whereby a closed loop (see. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 ) is formed to control the belt tension in consideration of changing with the controlled belt tension input variable of the container strength.

An in Fig. 2 not shown further variant may provide, in addition to the measuring devices 42 and / or 48 or instead of these measuring devices 42 and / or 48 to carry out a permanent measurement of Umreifungsvorspannung during the strapping and / or fixing process in the Umreifungsköpfe 46 in order in this way at a To be able to reduce these to high measured tape tension or to be able to increase this to a meaningful value at too low a tape tension. The measurement of the belt tension during operation can, for example, via suitable voltage sensors, force sensors, strain gauges (not shown here) o. The like.

The schematic block diagram of Fig. 3 shows a variant of the control circuit 50 for adjusting the belt tension of the strapping during operation of the conveyor and packaging system 28 by appropriate control of the strapping 46 of the strapping 34 during the application and fixing of the strapping 12 around the container 14. It is in accordance with the in Fig. 3 shown first variant of the container internal pressure of the containers 14 to be processed PET container 10 by means of the optical measuring device 42 detected. Their output signals 52 are supplied to the control and evaluation device 44, which supplies a control signal 54 to a Rückspanneinrichtung 56 in the region of the Umreifungskopfes 46 to the bias of the strapping 12 for Ensuring and adapting a belt tension adapted to the measured internal pressure of the container.

As already mentioned, the optical detection device 42 can optionally measure a gas concentration within the container 10 or a variable associated with the deformation, for example a voltage profile in one of the container walls, a reflection behavior which changes with an inward or outward curvature of the container lateral surfaces another physical effect.

The schematic block diagram of Fig. 4 shows an alternative variant of the control circuit 50 for adjusting the belt tension of the strapping during operation of the conveyor and packaging system 28 by appropriate control of the strapping 46 of the strapping 34 during the application and fixing of the strapping 12. It is in accordance with the in Fig. 4 shown second variant, the deformation behavior of the container 10 and thus indirectly their internal pressure detected by the mechanical measuring device 48. Their output signals 53 are supplied to the control and evaluation device 44, which supplies a control signal 54 to the back tensioning device 56 in the region of the strapping head 46 in order to regulate and adapt the band tension of the strapping bands 12. The mechanical detection device 48 may, for example, according to one of the following in the following FIGS. 5 to 9 Variants be constructed. In addition, however, numerous other measuring arrangements are conceivable which can provide meaningful measured values for the mechanical article properties and / or for the effective band tension of the strapping bands 12.

The schematic representations of FIGS. 5 to 9 show by way of example different variants of mechanical measuring devices 48, with each of which the deformation behavior of the container 10 can be measured and thus closed to the internal pressure of the container. This is illustrated in the schematic side view of Fig. 5 an arrangement and a method for one-sided deformation of a plastic container filled with liquid 10, which is pressed with a height-adjustable probe element 58 on its lateral surface 60 and perpendicular to the lateral surface 60 and the container longitudinal axis, wherein the resulting from a defined Eindrückkraft of the probe element deformation or deformation depth 62 is detected and measured to derive the mechanical deformation properties of the container 10 and / or the container internal pressure. Of the Container 10 is supported on the opposite side of the sensing element 58 against a rigid support wall 64. The feeler element 58 has a height adjustment 66 for adaptation to different container contours and / or container sizes, with which the feeler element 58 can be adjusted in height parallel to the container longitudinal axis.

From the measured container deformation or deformation depth 62, a calculation of the necessary clamping forces for the container maturation can take place. The arrangement shown captures the absolute resistance to deformation, which corresponds to a sum of the container rigidity, the container internal pressure and the displacement back pressure of the liquid present in the container 10. The feed movement of the probe element perpendicular to the container jacket surface 60 can take place in different ways, as shown by way of example in FIGS FIGS. 7 to 9 is shown. In principle, however, other than the positioning movements shown there are possible. Also, the occurring forces that provide a connection between deformation 62 and the necessary Eindrückkräfte and thus a value for the container stiffness can be measured in different ways. Thus, inductive, optical, capacitive or mechanical measuring methods can be used.

The presentation of the Fig. 6 shows a further mechanical measuring arrangement with two oppositely arranged sensing elements 58 which are pressed in the opposite direction in the container lateral surface 60 and thereby normally lead to approximately symmetrical deformations 62 on both sides. However, a non-symmetrical indentation of the two sensing elements 58 is normally no problem for the evaluation, since from the different restoring forces in the downstream evaluation unit, an average value can be formed, which provides the desired information on container rigidity.

Also at the in Fig. 6 As shown measuring arrangement, the two sensing elements 58 are expediently adjustable in height (height adjustment 66), so that different sized and / or differently shaped container 10 can be processed. The sensing elements 58 according to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 can either be rolling on the container 10, grinding or clocked rams and thus selectively acting executed.

The top view of Fig. 7 shows a variant with sliding feeler elements 58 which are each movably mounted about pivot axes 68, so that they are deflected when passing through a container 10 in the transport direction 32 to the outside, this deflection takes place against a defined deformation force 70 for introducing the desired container deformation 62. Optionally, suitable rolling elements (not shown), such as, for example, small rollers or the like, may be arranged on the flanks of the pivoting feeler elements contacting the container wall, in order to avoid damage or grinding marks on the containers. In addition, the containers 10 are thereby delayed less than is the case with rigid feeler elements 58.

The top view of Fig. 8 shows a third variant of the mechanical detection device with rolling feeler elements 58, each having in support arms 72 rotatably mounted rollers 74 which can roll on the lateral surfaces 60 of the container 10. The cantilever arms 72 are each movably mounted about pivot axes 68, so that they are deflected together with the rolling rollers 74 when passing through a container 10 in the transport direction 32 to the outside, this deflection takes place against the defined deformation force 70 for introducing the desired container deformation 62.

The top view of Fig. 9 Finally, shows a further variant with rolling scanning elements 58, which are each formed by pairs of rollers 76 with thereon rotating Tastbändern 78. The pairs of rollers 76 with the touching strips 78 rolling on both sides on the lateral surfaces 60 of the containers 10 can be counter-directed to one another with a defined deformation force 70 in the direction of the container 10, wherein they are deflected outwards when passing through a container 10 in the transport direction 32.

In principle, with the arrangements shown, it is also possible to process and scan non-cylindrical containers 10 and / or those having tapering or widening diameters, since the feeler elements 58 are adjustable in height and, on the other hand, can adapt to the contour of the container, depending on the configuration. Possibly. Depending on the container shape, a different weighting of the measured values in the evaluation unit makes sense in order to obtain correct statements about the actual container rigidity. The meaningfulness of the recorded measured values can be evaluated by different test series, so that with the described or similar processes can largely process all conceivable shapes and contours of deformable containers.

The schematic block diagram of Fig. 10 shows a further alternative variant of a control circuit 50 for adjusting the belt tension of the strapping during operation of the conveyor and packaging system 28 by appropriate control of the strapping 46 of the strapping 34 during the application and fixing of the strapping 12. It is in accordance with the in Fig. 10 shown third variant of the control circuit 50, not the deformation behavior of the container 10 is measured, but the tension of the strapping 12 during its application to the container 14, which is generally referred to as a measurement of the belt tension or as a belt tension measurement or as a belt tension measuring device 80. This measurement can be done, for example, by means of suitably mounted load cells, optionally also by means of optical methods for detecting a belt tension by detecting the material expansion. Since the internal pressure of the container 10 can also be detected indirectly in this way, the measuring method is equally suitable for optimizing the belt tension of the container 14. The output signals 82 of the belt tension measuring device 80 are supplied to the control and evaluation device 44, which supplies a control signal 54 the return tensioning device 56 in the region of the strapping head 46 supplies in order to regulate and adapt the pretensioning of the strapping bands 12. The peculiarity of this measurement method is that the tape tension takes place immediately during the application of the strapping 12 on the container 14, so that the adjustment of the biasing force must be done in a very short time. The controller 50 must therefore have relatively short reaction and control times, so that the desired exact adaptation of the Umreifungsvorspannung can be ensured to the respective requirements.

The Fig. 11 Finally, shows a further control arrangement for controlling a strapping device in a schematic representation. The control circuit 50 shown there again serves to adapt the clamping force of the strapping during operation of a strapping head 46, which, for example, may be part of the conveying and packaging system 28 shown. The clamping force is varied by appropriate control of the strapping heads 46 of the strapping station 34 during application and fixation of the strapping bands 12. In this case, according to the in Fig. 11 shown fourth variant of the control circuit 50 generally used or already known properties of the article or container 10 used as a controlled variable of the clamping force and / or the Rückspannkraft. In the illustrated variant of the control circuit 50, the article properties 84 are not determined by sensor values, but processed in another way, for example. With the help of an input terminal 86 for manual or machine-based input of article parameters and / or article properties 84. In addition, the required data can also determined with the aid of bar code or other code readers, optical sensors o. The like. And the input terminal 86 are provided for the formation of initialization values for a belt tension control. Such manual or machine-assisted initialization can, for example, be used expediently when different containers to be strapped 10 and / or articles can each be assigned different but essentially already known mechanical properties. It is, for example, conceivable that a container color, a beverage color, a container form, etc. each provide an input value for initializing the device for generating the clamping force, wherein the respective control data may preferably be stored in a database 88. The outputs 90 of the mentioned device for detecting the article characteristics 84 are supplied to the control and evaluation 44, which supplies a control signal 54 to the Rückspanneinrichtung 56 in the region of the Umreifungskopfes 46 to regulate the bias of the strapping 12 and adjust.

The perspective view of Fig. 12 shows a variant of a strapping for a container according to Fig. 1 , Shown is a strapping 12 with a discharge loop 92 and a so-called. Compensator, which serves to reduce bias voltages or clamping forces when removing the strapping 12 from the containers 10 during separation of the container 14. This relief loop 92 or relief flap or compensator is usually formed by a pad 94 instead of the in Fig. 1 shown single weld joint 18 a total of two connection points 96 and 98, where the respective abutting and overlapping strip ends are connected together, in particular by welding. These two connection points 96 and 98 of the two overlapping ends of the strapping band 12 are preferably designed such that the Strapping 12 between the two spaced connection points 96 and 98, which may be formed in particular by welding, not flush, but that one side is slightly too long. In this way, the loop 92 is formed, in which the two superimposed portions of the strapping 12 slightly stand out from each other. If the strapping band 12 is released by pulling off a protruding end 100, the first weld or connection point 96 is first broken at this protruding end 100. As a result, the strapping band 12, which is under defined pretensioning, initially relaxes by a small amount, which is made available by the compensator or the relief loop 92. Only then is the now loosened strapping 12 completely opened and removed by breaking up the second weld 98. Since the strapping 12 are applied according to the present invention under a defined bias, their removal is often associated with a sudden relaxation, which is perceived by many users as uncomfortable, especially since the strap 12 may possibly also whip-like from the container 14 by its sudden relaxation , This is due to the illustrated variant of the discharge loop 92 (compensator) accordingly Fig. 12 reliably prevented.

The two mentioned connection points 96 and 98 are preferably welds, wherein the first connection point 96 or weld can preferably be loosened and separated with less tensile force than the second connection point 98. In this way, the welding of the contact point 94 can be gradually separated, whereby first the Contact area in the area of the first connection point 96 (on the left in the picture of the Fig. 12 ) is released, whereby the tab 92 is available as a band reservoir for reducing the bias voltage available. Only then, the second connection point 98 is replaced by another train on the pull tab 100, whereby the contact point 94 is completely separated.

Since in the compensator, the protruding end 100 of the strapping 12 forms a peel-off, it may also be advantageous if at least the contact point 96 facing the protruding end 100 has a structured bonding and / or welding point not shown here for influencing and / or facilitating it a detachment process. Thus, the welding or bonding at this contact point 96, for example, a suitable Structuring, interruptions and / or have a suitable shape, which helps to produce a relatively low and largely uniform detachment force for the user. Thus, the contact point 96 may, for example, have a strip-like, parabolic adhesive bond and / or welding, which is separated on detachment from its rounded tip and separated along the two parabolic edges. Other contours are conceivable and useful, for example, a meandering course or a plurality of locally limited and each spaced adhesive dots and / or welds.

The invention has been described with reference to some preferred embodiments. In addition to the mentioned measuring devices and measuring methods, further variants are possible. Thus, the deflection of the container can also be detected without contact, for example by means of optical, inductive or capacitive measuring methods. In addition, further modifications or changes of the invention are conceivable for a person skilled in the art without the scope of protection of the following claims being affected.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Container, PE container

12

Strapping, strapping

14

container

16

Overlapping ends

18

welded joint

20

constriction

22

container neck

24

opening

26

handle

28

Conveying and packaging plant

30

Conveyor

32

transport direction

34

strapping

36

grouping

38

container formation

40

another conveyor belt

42

optical measuring device

44

Control and evaluation device

46

strapping

48

mechanical measuring device

50

Control loop, belt tension control

52

output

53

output

54

control signal

56

Rear clamping device

58

scanning element

60

Lateral surface, container lateral surface

62

Deformation, deformation depth

64

retaining wall

66

height adjustment

68

swivel axis

70

push-in force

72

boom

74

role

76

roller pair

78

active zone

80

Measurement of belt tension, belt tension measurement

82

output

84

Product features

86

input terminal

88

Database

90

output

92

Loop, discharge loop

94

contact point

96

first joint, first weld joint

98

second joint, second weld joint

100

End, pull tab, pull-off handle

Claims (14)

1. Device for manufacturing a pack (14) comprising at least one article, whereby the device comprises at least one strapping device for the application of a strapping (12) around the at least one article, whereby the strapping (12) is ribbon- like or strip- like and whereby the strapping (12) is placed and / or strapped around the outside of the article(s) horizontally and / or vertically and / or cross- wise, whereby the device furthermore comprises a device for generating a definable tensioning force of the strapping (12), and a detection means for the detection of properties of the article(s), the detection means being coupled to and / or being effectively connected to a device for generating a definable tensioning force of the strapping (12), characterized in that the detection means for the detection of properties of the article(s) records article parameters relating to the strength and / or filling level and/ or internal pressure of the article(s).
2. Device according to claim 1, comprising a fixation means for the fixation of the ends (16) of the strapping (12).
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising means for the formation of at least one loop, whereby the looped is formed in at least one section of the connected strapping (12) or in at least one section of the strapping (12) to be connected.
4. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 3, whereby the detection means for the detection of properties of the article(s) is located upstream of the strapping device.
5. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 4, whereby at least one of the recorded article parameters can be derived from a measured deformation of the article or container (10) and / or from a recorded internal pressure of the article or container (10).
6. Method for manufacturing a pack (14) comprising at least one article, with a ribbon- like or strip- like strapping (12) that is placed and / or strapped around the outside of the article(s) horizontally and / or vertically and / or cross- wise, wherein a tensioning force of the strapping (12) is controlled and / or regulated, characterized in that the tensioning force of the strapping (12) is individually and variably controlled and / or regulated, whereby the measured and / or recorded properties of the articles relating to article strength, filling level and / or internal pressure are taken into account.
7. Method according to claim 6, whereby the ends (16) of the strapping (12) are interconnected after the tensioning force of the strapping (12) has been generated.
8. Method according to claim 6 or 7, whereby at least one of the recorded article parameters is derived from a detected deformation (62) of the article or container (10) and / or whereby at least one of the recorded article parameters is derived from a detected internal pressure of the article or container (10).
9. Method according to claim 8, whereby an internal pressure prevailing in the article or container (10) and / or whereby a deformation (62) or a concave or convex curvature of at least one side wall of the article or container (10) is detected or derived via an optical measuring means (42).
10. Method according to claim 9, whereby a gaseous concentration is measured in a section of the article or container (10), especially whereby a gaseous concentration is measured in the gaseous space located above the liquid filing level and whereby the gaseous concentration is used to derive the internal pressure prevailing in the article or container (10).
11. Method according to one of the claims 6 to 10, whereby at least one of the recorded article parameters is derived from a strip tension recorded during wrapping and / or immediately prior to the fixation of the strip ends (16) of the strapping (12).
12. Method according to one of the claims 6 to 11, whereby at least one of the recorded article parameters is used as control variable for a strip tension control (50).
13. Regulation and / or control method for a strapping device for the regulation of the tensioning force and / or back tensioning force of the strapping device, characterized in that recorded properties (84) of the articles to be strapped are used as control variables for the tensioning force and / or back tensioning force, namely recorded mechanical properties of the articles relating to article strength, filling level and / or internal pressure.
14. Regulation and / or control method according to claim 13, whereby the signals and / or values of a detection means for the detection of properties (84) of the article(s) to be strapped are used for the generation of a setting value of the strapping device.

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