EP3137381B1 - Method for bending strips around objects and corresponding machines - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a method for transferring a band around at least one object in which the at least one object is surrounded by a band, wherein the band is arranged in the form of an object band loop around the at least one object such that at least two band portions overlap and, wherein in a region in which the at least two band portions are overlapped, a reaction plate is interposed between the at least one object and the band and the at least two overlapping band portions are pressed against the reaction plate for connection.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for introducing a counter-pressure plate between a belt and an object, which is located on a conveying plane and a machine that uses this device and can perform the inventive method.

State of the art

If objects or objects are enclosed or bundled with a band in packaging technology, one speaks in particular of banding or strapping. The band typically consists of paper or plastic in banding and is guided in special banding machines around the objects to be banded and joined together, e.g. by welding. If, during banding, the band is laid in the conveying direction of the objects or objects to be banded, this is called longitudinal banding.

Analogous, but with stronger bands and greater stresses strapping is performed. If, during strapping, the band is placed in the conveying direction of the objects or objects to be strapped around it, this is called longitudinal strapping.

Both banding and strapping are techniques for transferring ribbons around objects. The term "relocating tapes around objects" is to be understood as meaning that one or more tapes are placed around and connected to one or more objects. The word "Umlegen" makes no indication of the band tension, but designates only the location of the band or bands with respect to the object or objects.

When strapping the bands are often referred to as tires or straps. Throughout this text, the word "ribbon" is to be understood, unless otherwise indicated, as including bands that can be used for banding as well as straps that can be used for strapping.

The documents WO 92/15486 . G 94 18 542.5 U1 and DE 39 29 710 C2 (Mosca ) describe longitudinal banding machines and corresponding methods: The beginning of the tape is held by a rear holding device below the conveying plane and extends from there to a tape guide above the conveying plane. An object which moves along a conveying direction on the conveying plane, ejects this band, so that the band is finally on three sides of the object. The tape guide then guides the tape under the conveyance plane behind the object.

While the object is still moving, a platen is inserted between the belt and the object, and the belt is then pressed against the counter-pressure plate with a front holding device and thus held fast. The beginning of the tape is released from the rear holder and pressed by a Bandanfangshaltevorrichtung at a rear position against the platen. When the tape guide now holds the tape below the conveyor plane, it is caught by a loop puller and looped into the region between the front and the tape top holding device. The rear holder engages in the loop and holds the band in the lower part.

Another holding device, which is a clamp here, consisting of the rear holding device and a second clamping part, holds the upper part of the loop firmly. The loop is cut open and pulled straight through the loop puller. The beginning of the tape and the end of the tape are now one above the other and are welded together. The counter-pressure plate generates the necessary back pressure. In one embodiment, the loop is not cut open but welded as a loop.

Also the EP 0 401 554 A1 (Büttner ) describes a longitudinal banding method. While the tape is placed around the object in a very similar process as in the aforementioned documents, the tape control differs in the mounting area. In the EP 0 401 554 A1 a gripper takes on a central role. This moves much more often and must cover longer distances than the holding devices in the aforementioned documents. The gripper has to turn around itself again and again to prevent the belt from wrapping around the gripper.

In all known methods, a counter-pressure plate is used. This plate must be movable and brought between the band and the object and removed from there. The removal is rather unproblematic, since the band is already welded at the time and together with the tension has a certain stability. A collision of tape and counter-pressure plate during insertion, however, is to be avoided. A loosely strained band can twist or fall out of the lead at one Contact with the counterpressure plate in this process step. A tighter band risks being damaged or destroyed.

In the cited documents, the counter-pressure plate is inserted at a moment in which there is a distance between the object and the belt and that when the gripper and the rear holding device are far behind and deep below the object. The band, which is pulled along by the tape to be transferred, preferably to be banded and / or the object to be strapped, thus runs from the front lower edge of the object or from the front edge of an opening in the conveyor table obliquely down to the gripper or the rear holding device. This creates a space with a triangular cross-section between the band and the object. This can be used to insert the plate.

As has been shown in the context of the present invention, however, this method becomes problematic, for example, in the case of relatively short objects. Namely, the counterpressure plate should come to lie completely below the band to be wrapped with the band, preferably the object to be banded and / or the object to be strapped. The initial position of gripper or rear fixture is provided by the machine and typically, to keep the paths short, horizontal near the rear end of the platen. If the front edge of an object in the position in which the object just barely covers the counterpressure plate is only slightly above the future position of the front edge of the counterpressure plate, the clearance is very limited and, depending on the thickness of the counterpressure plate, too small. There is thus the danger that the counter-pressure plate shifts the tape during insertion or even damaged.

But even if the machine is used only for sufficiently large objects, a space with triangular cross-section for the insertion of a plate with rectangular cross-section is rather unfavorable. Namely, no other holding devices, joining device or other components may be in this free space. Since the triangular cross-section must be quite large compared to the rectangular cross-section required in principle, individual components have to travel much longer distances than is fundamentally necessary, and the machine may have to be dimensioned larger than actually necessary.

In particular, with very thin bands there is also the risk that they twist at low band tensions about their longitudinal axis.

There is therefore still a need for improved methods for transferring tapes around objects, preferably for banding and / or strapping, and corresponding machines, preferably strapping and / or strapping machines.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a method of the technical field mentioned above and a device that allow a quick transfer of one or more bands to different objects with different bands and tape tensions.

The solution of the problem is defined by the features of claim 1. According to the invention, in a method for moving a band around at least one object, the at least one object is surrounded by a band. In this case, the band is arranged in the form of an object strap loop around the at least one object in such a way that at least two strap sections are brought to overlap and connected. In a region in which the at least two band portions are overlapped, a counter-pressure plate is inserted between the at least one object and the band. The at least two overlapping band sections are pressed against the counterpressure plate for connection. The method is characterized in that prior to the introduction of the counter-pressure plate, the tape is guided and / or positioned by a tape guide device, so that a defined space for introducing the counter-pressure plate is created.

By the tape guide device, the tape can be guided specifically in the area of the counter-pressure plate. This can create a defined space for introducing the counter-pressure plate. Such a space may, for example, have a rectangular cross-section. Clearances with substantially triangular cross-sections, as present in the prior art, can be avoided accordingly. By creating a defined free space holding devices and / or joining devices and / or other components of the machine are placed closer to the position of the introduced counter pressure plate. The paths of moving parts can be optimized, thereby increasing precision and / or speed.

If a tape guiding device is used, even if the position and the geometrical shape of the object to be banded, preferably to be banded and / or strapped, are not known exactly, the band can still be accurately and safely wrapped around the tape Object to be laid. According to the invention, it suffices e.g. determine whether the tape has contact with the tape guide device and in which position the tape guide device is to decide on the timing for inserting the counter-pressure plate. Without a tape guide device, however, the exact position of the object and the shape of its front would be decisive for the course of the tape below the conveying plane and thus also for the time to insert the counter-pressure plate.

It is much easier to time the position of the tape guide with the movement of the platen than the position of the object with the movement of the platen. Tape guiding device and counter-pressure plate are part of the same machine and regardless of the objects to be wrapped from the belt, preferably the objects to be strapped and / or strapped. On the other hand, it is desirable to make as few demands as possible on the objects to be banded, preferably to be banded and / or strapped, in order to be able to use the machine, preferably a banding machine and / or a strapping machine, for a large variety of objects. If the position and shape of a plurality of different objects are to be detected, sensors and evaluation mechanisms are required which complicate the device and the method.

It is preferably a longitudinal banding method and / or a longitudinal strapping method. In this case, in particular, the band is at least partially guided in the conveying direction of the object around this. In particular, an object band loop around the object is formed at least partially by a movement of the object in a conveying direction.

The conveying direction corresponds to the direction in which the object to be transferred from the belt, preferably the object to be strapped and / or the object to be strapped, moves.

A plane on which the object to be transferred from the belt moves, preferably the object to be strapped or to be strapped, is referred to as the conveying plane.

The specification of the conveying direction makes it possible to define orientations: an arrow which points in the conveying direction should in the present case be understood as pointing from the rear to the front. If one imagines this arrow as a number beam, which defines a coordinate axis in the positive direction, then a first point, which lies before a second point, has a higher value of this coordinate. In other words, the term "front" is thus to be understood as an area which lies in front of a region located further back in relation to the conveying direction. Conversely, the term "rear" is to be understood as an area which, with regard to the conveying direction, lies behind a further forward region.

In a longitudinal strapping method and / or longitudinal strapping method, the object is typically moved against the belt loosely stretched in the region between the conveying plane and a belt guide above the conveying plane. The tape protrudes, for example, through an opening in the conveyor plane. The tape is everted during the movement of the object and lies partially around this. Thus, an object strap loop is formed. The surfaces of the object in the wrapping area remain open, whose (local) normal vectors point against the direction of movement.

The wrapping area is to describe the volume of space in which the band can move during the wrapping of the object. The depth of this volume is equal to the width of the band. The wrapping area lies in the space such that the object strap loop or the undisturbed stretched strap section lies completely in it. The undisturbed tensioned band section forms a boundary of the wrapping area. From there it spreads in the conveying direction. The top and bottom of the wrapping area are therefore at the height of the upper and lower Limitation of undisturbed tensioned tape section. Towards the front the wrapping area should not be limited.

In principle, however, it is also possible to use a strip guiding device according to the invention in a loop banding method, another strapping method and / or another banding method.

The tape guiding device is preferably movable, in particular so that it can move in the conveying direction and / or transversely to the conveying direction. Preferably, the tape guide device is movable both in the conveying direction and transversely to the conveying direction.

This has the advantage that the tape guide device can detect the tape targeted and move in a predefined position and / or can align. During the process steps in which the tape guiding device is not needed, it can be moved to a waiting position. As a result, space for other components is created, which allows a more compact design of the machine, preferably the banding machine and / or the strapping machine. This in turn allows shorter paths and faster work cycles.

In a preferred solution for the longitudinal strapping or strapping process, the tape guide device starts at a position that is above or behind a lower grip point. The lower grip point is the place where the tape is held below the object. There is no band in this place for most of the process. A risk of collision is therefore excluded. The tape is moved through the object in the conveying direction. In order to establish contact between the belt and the belt guiding device, the belt guiding device should also move in the conveying direction. Such a movement also achieves a clearance in which the boundaries "underside of the object" and "band" are substantially parallel to each other over a longer distance.

In a looping process (for banding or strapping), a possible starting point is inside the loop, which is the band loop into which an object is placed. The movement of the tape guide device could then, for example down or diagonally from top to bottom and from the point of attachment of the loop to the edge of the platen further away from that point in the horizontal direction.

In further banding and strapping processes, suitable starting points and directions of movement can also be found.

In all cases, it is advantageous if the tape guide device can continue to move even when in contact with the tape. This allows the belt to be moved to a new position. For example, the tape guide device may travel to a location that is at the same height as the lower grip point. In the horizontal, this location is on the other side of the platen and / or the position of the platen when it is between tape and object. Thus, a trouble-free introduction of the counter-pressure plate can be made possible.

Another way to bring tape and tape guiding device in contact, for example, is that the tape is selectively brought into contact with the tape guide device while the tape guide device does not move or stand still. This could e.g. take place by a hook, by an air pressure pulse, by changing the belt tension, by changing the position of the point where a part of the belt is held, etc. It is also possible that both the belt and the belt guiding device are moved around to establish contact.

In a preferred variant, the tape guiding device is a tape guiding hook.

Such a hook preferably has a shape that resembles a L. In other words, the tape guide device is advantageously an L-shaped tape guide hook. In this case, the short leg is preferably at least as long as the band is wide. Over the long leg, typically at the end, the hook is guided. This guidance is done by a suitable mechanism, for example by means of suitable cams, guide elements and a motor or by, for example, a hydraulic or pneumatic control, by means of electromagnets or cables or other methods for carrying out a controlled movement.

It may also be that the length of the legs is reversed or the legs are the same length. The choice of length depends on the width of the belt, the drive and the construction of the machine.

Likewise, the legs do not have to be at right angles to each other. This can also serve to make the structure of the machine more flexible and also a lateral slipping of the band can be difficult.

Instead of a straight leg, which comes into contact with the tape, this may also be curved or bent at the end. Even such measures can prevent slipping.

The end of the thigh contacting the band may be rounded or specially smoothed. The latter can either be done directly by the material processing or by a coating. Such a coating may be comparatively thick or very thin. Such treatment can reduce the risk that the band will be damaged by contact with the hook.

The hook may be wholly or partially coated to either allow the tape to slide better and / or to prevent it from slipping sideways.

The hook may be grounded to prevent electrostatic charging of the belt and hook.

Of course, it can be dispensed with a movement of the hook. In this case, one leg serves to attach the hook at the desired location.

The hook can be used both in the Längssbanderolierverfahren or Längsumreifungsverfahren and in another banding and / or Umreifungsverfahren such as a loop method as a tape guide device.

Instead of a hook, in principle, only a straight or curved pin can be used. The tape guiding device can also be another component of the machine, which is arranged at the desired position and around which the tape can be laid.

In a preferred variant, a cohesive and / or positive connection is established when connecting the overlapping band sections, in particular with the aid of a joining device.

Typical cohesive bonding methods are, for example, welding, gluing and / or fusing. A positive connection of two bands can come about, inter alia, by suitable embossing, punching and / or folding or, for example, knots. In the welding process, in particular ultrasonic welding is preferred.

The joining device performs the desired connection method, wherein the counter-pressure plate can hold the necessary back pressure. A joining device may, for example, be a welding head, in particular an ultrasonic welding head. However, it may also be Heizlamellen, which are pushed between the bands and a stamp that presses the heated bands against the counter-pressure plate. For example, adhesive can be applied by the joining device. The bands can then be pressed against the counter-pressure plate, for example, with a punch for joining.

The joining device may also include an embossing tool, for example a punching tool. In this case, the joining device can, for example, fold or knot.

The joining device is chosen so that it can perform the desired method, in particular by using the counter-pressure plate. The counter-pressure plate is planar in an advantageous embodiment. This is not mandatory. In particular, the configuration of the counter-pressure plate is adapted to the respective connection method.

The connection method can basically be chosen independently of the selected banding or strapping method. It can also be chosen independently of the specific embodiment of the tape guide device. Therefore, in principle, all combinations are possible.

Preferably, a cohesive connection is produced, in particular by a welding process, preferably by an ultrasonic welding process

Frequently, the bands used in banding machines and / or strapping machines are made of plastic or coated paper. Welding processes result in stable bonds and do not require movement of the bands. Therefore, they can be well integrated into the machine, such as a banding and / or strapping machine. Welding based on heat often requires special tapes or coatings. Ultrasonic welding allows a wider choice of materials. It also has the advantage that hardly any heat, exhaust gases or dust arise.

Bonded joints often take longer to fully load. On the other hand, the appearance of the bands is hardly affected.

When fused, the heat that is applied to the tapes must be precisely metered so as not to destroy them.

When gluing and fusing the joining device needs access to the space between the bands. This can make the mechanics more complicated.

Positive connections have the advantage that they can often be produced almost purely mechanically and quickly (for example embossing and punching).

Form and cohesive methods can often be combined.

The connection method is advantageously matched to the material of the band.

In a preferred variant, a belt tension is controlled by a belt tensioner during the entire process.

The strap tensioner is in particular a device through which the strap passes. Preferably, it is located between a tape source, such as a supply reel and the conveying plane. In particular, the tape tensioner is disposed between the tape source and an area at which the tape, coming from the tape source, for the first time has the opportunity to come in contact with the object.

The belt tensioner can perform the task of controlling the belt tension in various ways: According to a first embodiment, the belt tensioner comprises at least two elements between which the belt passes and wherein at least one of the elements is displaceable relative to the other element. A first element may be, for example, a jaw, a roller or a pin. The first element is characterized in particular by the fact that the tape can be pressed non-destructively and that it can be moved relative to the second element, which can be shaped quite differently than the first element, such that a moving between the two elements band is slowed down in his movement. In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the elements is a roller which rotates at a certain speed or in which the rotational speed can not exceed or fall short of certain minimum and / or maximum values. In particular, a special motor can be used to generate the desired speed and / or control thereof. Another possibility is that the movement of another engine of the machine shared and appropriately deflected and implemented. Instead of a rotating roller may be a jaw or a pin or other element, which can move in the band extension direction. The pressure between the two elements can be so high in this embodiment that the static friction of the band on the at least one roller is greater than the sliding friction. The tape is therefore transported in a controlled manner via the rotation of the roll or a tape movement is controlled by the roll.

The pressure between the elements may be generated, for example, by a spring, by magnetic forces, by a pneumatic or hydraulic device, by the weight of one of the elements, or by other types of power transmission. It is also possible in principle that a distance between the two elements is fixed.

The adhesive and / or sliding friction properties between the elements or the contact surfaces of the elements and the tape can be suitably influenced by coatings or surface structuring.

In a preferred embodiment, the belt tension is changed during the process. Preferably, the tape tension is set lower during a first contact of the tape with the object than during the period in which the at least two tape portions are made to overlap.

In a method for transferring a band around one or more objects (preferably a banding method and / or a strapping method), in particular if the object is sensitive, it may be advantageous that the band is only slightly tensioned at the time of initial contact with the object. This results in only small forces on the contact points of the object. In many cases, however, a higher belt tension is desired for the actual transfer process (preferably banding or strapping), e.g. to securely and firmly enclose the object. By means of a belt tension which can be changed during the process, both requirements can be met: The belt tension can be low at the time of initial contact and can be increased before connecting the belt. At the time of increased belt tension, the contact surface between the object and the belt may already be considerably larger than at the time of initial contact, so that the object is not damaged by the higher belt tension at a later time. A similar change in tape tension can also prevent an object moving from a stack of things projecting differently in the direction of conveyance from shifting or shifting smaller than would be the case without changing the tape tension. But it is also possible that the band tension is initially large and then reduced. For example, an edge or side of the object may be intentionally violated, for example to prevent a comparatively loose band from slipping off the object.

Depending on the design of the belt tensioner, the belt tension can be changed by various mechanisms: In a belt tensioner which uses sliding friction, ie in which the belt passes between two elements essentially resting with respect to the belt, the belt tension is changed by a change in pressure between the belt tensioners controlled by both elements. But it could also be the surface properties of Band and / or one and / or both elements. This is done, for example, by applying a lubricant or inserting intermediate layers.

In a belt tensioner which uses the stiction and therefore movable parts such. a rotating roller, the belt tension may preferably be made by changing the moving speed of the moving parts. If a motor is used to drive and / or control, for example, its speed can be adjusted.

But it is also possible that a belt tensioner, which uses the static friction, the pressure between the elements and / or their surface texture and / or the surface of the belt changes so that there is also a sliding of the belt between the elements.

In a preferred variant, the belt tension is controlled by a control unit, in particular by electrical signals.

The control of the belt tension via a control unit has the advantage of user-friendliness and safety. In particular, during operation, which is particularly desirable for a change in the belt tension during the process, the user should not for safety reasons directly on a component of a machine that is not explicitly intended to handle it.

However, it is quite conceivable that the belt tensioner is mounted and / or executed so that it is also directly and without control at any time adjustable so that the belt tension is changed.

Electrical signals have the advantage that they can be generated and transmitted well and one has a relatively large freedom in the choice of the transmission path. This is less straightforward, for example, with cables which would also enable signal transmission. Wireless signal transmission using electromagnetic waves requires special receivers on the belt tensioner. By contrast, with the aid of a suitable electrical signal, it is possible to use a motor or a brake which influences or controls the movement of an element or the pressure between the elements. direct control. Even a pump, valves and other controls of a pneumatic or hydraulic mechanism can be electrically influenced. The pressure change between the elements can be adjusted directly by means of suitable cables in many pressure generating methods. An advantage of electrical signals, however, is that they can be relatively easily and in the usual form today form of programmable control units or change.

For a regulation of the belt tension, it is of interest not only to regulate the belt tension but also to measure it in a preferred variant. Suitable sensors may be incorporated directly into the belt tensioner and for example measure how much one or more of the elements are pulled from the belt in the belt direction or what the torque of the belt is on e.g. is a role. Together with the known sliding and / or static friction properties between the measured element and the belt, a force and thus the belt tension can be determined therefrom. One or more comparable sensors could also be attached (additionally or alternatively) to the lower attachment point. It is also possible to selectively deflect the tape at one location (e.g., along the tape guide described later and behind the tape tensioner) by means of a movable but spring-loaded test rod coupled to a sensor and detect the movement or deflection of that test rod. The measuring systems proposed here are only examples and not exhaustive. In principle, all belt tension measuring methods are possible.

If the belt tension is controlled by at least one electrically controlled pulley, the torque caused by the belt tension may show itself in current and / or voltage signals.

By comparing planned power to used brake or motor power, the belt tension can be measured. Such a measurement has the advantage that the actual sensors (for example a voltmeter and / or ammeter) can be integrated in the control unit and no separate data line is required.

• Festhalten eines Bandanfanges in der hinteren Haltevorrichtung unterhalb der Förderebene;
• Spannen eines Bandes zwischen der hinteren Haltevorrichtung, die den Bandanfang hält und der, in einer Ebene über den Objekten befindlichen, absenkbaren Bandführung;
• Bewegen in Förderrichtung eines Teiles des Bandes durch ein Objekt, welches sich auf der Förderebene in Förderrichtung bewegt und das Band damit ausstülpt;
• Platzieren eines weiteren Abschnitts des Bandes unterhalb der Förderebene durch die Bandführung;
• Formen des Bandes zu einer Schlaufe, welche sich unterhalb der Förderebene befindet, in Förderrichtung geschlossen ist und von der Bandführung ausgeht, insbesondere mit Hilfe des Schlaufenziehers.

A preferred method for transferring a tape around one or more objects comprises a method of bringing the object tape loop around the object and which comprises one or more of the following steps (the complete method steps are also referred to below as the "method for laying an object strap loop"):

• Retaining a strip beginning in the rear holding device below the conveying plane;
• Tensioning a band between the rear holding device that holds the band leader and the lowerable band guide located in a plane above the objects;
• Moving in the conveying direction of a part of the belt by an object which moves in the conveying direction on the conveying plane and thus evades the tape;
• Placing a further portion of the tape below the conveyor plane through the tape guide;
• Forming the band to a loop, which is located below the conveying plane, is closed in the conveying direction and starts from the tape guide, in particular by means of the loop puller.

The rear holding device here represents the lower holding point. The rear holding device defines, inter alia, the position of the lower end of the free-tensioned belt before it comes to be transferred from the band, preferably to be banded and / or the object to be strapped into contact.

At the tape guide, at the position in a plane above the object, is the position of the upper end of the free-tensioned tape. The rear retainer holds the strap locally so that the retained part can not slip through or over the retainer. In contrast, the tape guide is preferably designed to control the course of the tape but not to fix the tape locally. The tape can and should therefore move in or around the tape guide in this embodiment, for example, when the tape is tensioned with some force by the movement of the object or by the movement of the tape guide or by a movement of the machine. Tape guide and belt tensioner can be a component with which the course of the Bandes and the band tension can be controlled in the same place. For example, the tape guide may simply be a pin, a roller, a surface that may be curved. Over such a tape guide, the tape is placed and either it can slide over it or it is movably supported by the rotation of the roller or the movement of pin or surface. Such a pin, surface or roller may be surrounded by devices which prevent the belt from slipping off, such as side bars in the form of short bars or surfaces. It is advantageous if the friction between tape and tape guide is kept small if the tape tensioner is not part of the tape guide. In this case, otherwise the tape tension produced by the tape guide would have to be taken into account in the tension regulation of the tape, which makes setting the tape tension somewhat more difficult. In addition, the smallest possible belt tension is increased by the friction between belt and belt guide.

The rear holder is typically a clamp. So it consists of two jaws that can be pressed together. The band to be held can be clamped in between. The jaws are so selected and the pressure determined so that the tape can not be pulled between the jaws even with the highest, occurring in the process tape tension. In a preferred variant, the band is not damaged by the pinching. Since it is the beginning of the tape and this is in the finished product near the junction, damage to the tape would be less noticeable at the site than elsewhere. It is therefore conceivable that the tape is held by the rear holder also with a method which damages the tape. For example, it could be one or more needles that are stung by the tape.

If an object moves in the conveying plane towards the belt tensioned between the rear holding device and the belt guide in the upper position, then it will touch it at a certain point in time. By continuing the movement and the ability of the tape to move through the tape guide, the tape is increasingly everted. The term "move through the tape guide" is also intended to include the sliding of a tape over a dedicated surface of a tape guide.

However, the object can not be completely enclosed by the band, since there are always places in physical objects whose local normal vector at least partially points against the direction of movement of the object and these locations also occur in each development area. At these points can be brought by the movement of the object and the evasion of the tape alone no band. This is achieved with the help of the tape guide, which presses the tape behind the object below the conveying plane. The necessary mobility she gets preferred by a movable arm on which it is stored.

For example, in another embodiment, the tape guide may also include suitable rails and a mating carriage on the tape guide, or the tape guide could be attached to a type of pole that can be raised or lowered.

To close the last piece of object tape loop, the tape must be brought from the lowered tape guide under the object where the rear holder is with the beginning of the tape. This is done with the help of the loop puller. In a simple case, the loop puller is an L-shaped hook or pin. For both variants, there should then be an intervention point in the tape guide. The pin or hook is placed at this point of engagement between the tape guide and the tape. In a preferred variant, the tape guide is designed so that the tape is held above and below the point of engagement in the vicinity of the tape guide. This can for example be done via two suitable pins or a housing in which is only an opening to the point of engagement. However, the tape can also be held, for example, with negative pressure in or on the tape guide. The loop puller is now at least partially brought into the point of engagement and thus between tape and tape guide.

According to another possible embodiment, the loop puller comprises a device which sucks the band under negative pressure.

If the loop puller is now moved in the conveying direction, it moves the strip with it and thus creates a loop that starts and ends in the tape guide.

In a preferred method, the tape tension is controlled to take a first value while no object touches the tape, a second value while the tape is being moved by the object, and a third value as the tape guide pushes or moves the tape down.

In a further preferred method, the second value of the belt tension is not greater than the third one.

Furthermore, it is possible that the first, second and third values are not constant in time but continuously merge into one another.

This allows the above-described choice of an end band tension with simultaneous edge protection of the object or the deliberate and intentional shaping of the edge of the object by the band. The first value is the stress that the front edge of the object can withstand or with which the front edge is to be processed. The second value should be chosen among other things with reference to the transport mechanism of the objects. Too high a belt tension would slow down the object, stop it or even push it back in the opposite direction to the transport direction. When lowering the tape guide, however, the object is already majority surrounded by the band. The forces are distributed more evenly over the surfaces touched by the belt, and since a certain length of belt is needed, a belt tension can be built up without the need of a mechanism which retracts the belt. Due to the fact that the band already surrounds the object by a majority, there is less risk that the object or parts thereof will be moved unintentionally at this time.

A sudden or sudden adjustment of the belt tension can under certain circumstances lead to unintentional damage, in spite of actually suitable values for the belt tension, or the belt sticks or gets stuck locally. The tape may be stuck or imposed under a smaller tape tension, which could change in a sudden change to a larger tape tension but. As a result, there may be too much band in the object strap loop at one time. Even with sudden transitions, the timing with the movement of the object is difficult. Slow and steady transitions between different tape tensions can help to avoid such problems.

In a preferred variant, the objects are detected by a sensor, in particular a light barrier, before they touch the tape.

In particular, in this case, the extension of the object in the conveying direction and its arrival time at the band is determined from a signal of the light barrier and a known speed of the object in a conveying direction.

As mentioned above, the tape guide lowers behind the object. Moreover, it may be, e.g. When the tape tension is changed, it may be useful to know when an object is in contact with the tape. Although this time can be determined in various ways, e.g. by observing how much tape is needed for a given tape tension. Another variant is that the object and its position is measured at an earlier point in time and then, from this time on, it is only moved in a known manner.

The object size, which is of primary interest here, is the extent in the conveying direction. For example, this can be detected relatively easily with a light barrier through which the object moves at a known speed. In a preferred embodiment, the speed is constant, as this makes the evaluation easier and more robust. The speed can also change. However, the speed should be known essentially at any time during the measurement for a meaningful evaluation. If the object also moves at a known speed after leaving the photocell, the distance between the photocell and the clamped band is known, and if the time at which the object begins to block the photocell is determined, the arrival time at the band can also be determined.

Similar evaluation methods can also be applied to other sensors that can detect the presence of an object: for example, a test probe could be used to determine the weight or electrical properties such as conductivity or permittivity.

Other evaluation methods and measurements capture the object as a whole. For a length determination then no time recording or time interval detection is necessary. In order to predict the time of the tape contact, however, a time recording and a known speed curve are also necessary here. Possible measurements of this category are, for example, imaging techniques such as the use and evaluation of a camera that is sensitive in a suitable wavelength range.

In a preferred embodiment, a controller regulates the processing speed of the method steps and, if appropriate, the control unit for the belt tension. The regulation takes place in particular as a function of the measurements of the extent in the conveying direction and / or the determination of the arrival time at the band. It is also possible that the regulation of the flow rate is based on information from a memory in the controller or from external data storage and / or further measurements.

Here, a distinction is made between the controller, which regulates the speed of the process steps, and the control unit, which regulates the belt tension. In a preferred variant but both regulatory tasks in a component, a general control, made. This facilitated the synchronization of possible tape tension changes and method steps.

In one possible method step, for example, the tape guide lowers after the passage of the object. In particular, the information is required when the object has passed the location where the tape guide passes through the conveyor plane. This information can be calculated, for example, from the arrival time at the belt and the extension of the object in the conveying direction. The information can be measured or stored in an internal memory or in an external data memory. Another possibility is to place a sensor near the location where the tape guide passes through the conveyor plane, which can detect the end of the object.

Preferably also measured data and / or stored data are used for the controlled change of the belt tension. In addition to the measurement of the extent of the object In the conveying direction, the controller, the general controller or the control unit may be designed, for example, to use information about the exact shape of the object and force limits to specific locations to properly regulate process speed and / or belt tension.

• Festhalten eines Bandanfanges in der hinteren Haltevorrichtung unterhalb der Förderebene;
• Bewegen eines Teiles des Bandes in Förderrichtung durch ein Objekt, welches sich auf der Förderebene in Förderrichtung bewegt;
• Das Führen und/oder Positionieren des Bandes durch die Bandführungsvorrichtung, so dass ein definierter Freiraum zum Einbringen der Gegendruckplatte geschaffen wird und
• das Einbringen der Gegendruckplatte unterhalb der Förderebene in den durch die Bandführungsvorrichtung geschaffenen Freiraum zwischen dem Band und dem Objekt.

The method for transferring a tape around one or more objects in a preferred embodiment comprises one or more of the following method steps (the complete method steps are also referred to as "method for introducing the counter-pressure plate"):

• Retaining a strip beginning in the rear holding device below the conveying plane;
• Moving a part of the belt in the conveying direction through an object which moves in the conveying direction on the conveying plane;
• The guiding and / or positioning of the tape by the tape guide device, so that a defined space for introducing the counter-pressure plate is provided and
• the introduction of the counter-pressure plate below the conveying plane in the space created by the tape guide device between the tape and the object.

The counter-pressure plate is inserted in a preferred variant from the side or substantially transversely to the conveying direction. The clearance for this is created by the tape guiding device. The counter-pressure plate is preferably made in one piece. But it is also possible to realize a counter-pressure plate of two or more parts. These can then be pushed together from the same side or from different sides.

• Festhalten eines Bandanfanges in der hinteren Haltevorrichtung unterhalb der Förderebene;
• Bewegen eines Teiles des Bandes in Förderrichtung durch ein Objekt, welches sich auf der Förderebene in Förderrichtung bewegt;
• Platzieren eines weiteren Teiles des Bandes unterhalb der Förderebene durch die Bandführung;
• Festhalten des Bandes an einer vorderen Stelle durch eine vordere Haltevorrichtung;
• Freigeben des Bandanfanges durch die hintere Haltevorrichtung, insbesondere zeitlich nach den vorgenannten Verfahrensschritten.

The method for moving a tape around one or more objects comprises, in a preferred variant, one or more of the following steps (all method steps are also referred to herein as "method for overlapping tape sections"):

• Retaining a strip beginning in the rear holding device below the conveying plane;
• Moving a part of the belt in the conveying direction through an object which moves in the conveying direction on the conveying plane;
• Placing a further portion of the tape below the conveyor plane through the tape guide;
• Retaining the band at a front location by a front holder;
• Releasing the beginning of the tape by the rear holding device, in particular in time after the aforementioned method steps.

A method for overlapping band sections additionally comprises the step of forming a loop in the conveying direction starting from the band guide, in particular by means of a loop puller (100), wherein the loop expands to overlap with the beginning of the band.

A second method for overlapping band sections additionally comprises the steps of bringing the band into a loop located below the conveying plane, closed in the conveying direction and starting from the band guide by means of the loop puller and holding the band in the region of an upper part of the band Loop through another holding device. Subsequently, the severing of the band in the region of the loop and the spreading of the now open loop, in particular by the loop puller, wherein the loop before cutting is so large and a division point is chosen so that the band overlaps with the beginning of the tape.

The first part of these two procedures has already been discussed above. Among other things, the new step is that the tape is held in a forward position by a front fixture. At the front, the tape is brought by the movement of the object and / or the tape guide device. The front holding device is intended to hold the band so that it can not slip through this device under stresses up to the maximum occurring band tension in the tape transfer process to be performed, which is preferably a banding and / or strapping process. In a preferred embodiment, the tape is not damaged by the holding. Thus, in one embodiment, the front fixture is a clamp. This clamp comprises two jaws which are suitably shaped and can be compressed with sufficient force to hold the band to the maximum belt tension. One of the two jaws can also be part of the counterpressure plate. The second jaw may also be part of a surface of another component of the machine.

At a certain point in time, the band is held in particular at two places at the same time: the beginning of the strip is held, for example, by the rear holding device and a piece of tape at a front position by a front holding device. The front and rear brackets need not be at the same height. In the horizontal but lies the front holding device in front of the rear holding device ("front" and "rear" are defined with respect to the conveying direction). As soon as the front holding device holds the tape securely, the beginning of the tape can be released from the rear holding device. The time between the two events is variable, not the order.

In the first of the two possible methods of overlapping band sections, the loop puller (eg, in the manner discussed above) draws a loop that is long enough (measured in the direction of conveyance) for the end of the loop to be in front of the rear holder and below Counterpressure plate comes to rest. The beginning of the tape can either be kept in the rear holding device at this time or be released from it already. If the latter is the case, then the beginning of the tape is down, but the loop can be so large that it also overlaps with this drooping tape beginning.

"Overlapping the bands" is to be understood here as meaning that when one looks at a band surface of one of the bands, it at least partially hides the other band. In the case of overlapping with a loop, therefore, a lower region of the loop overlaps the upper region of the loop and both loop regions overlap with the band, in particular the beginning of the band, which lies above the loop.

The two overlapping band sections are the beginning of the band and the band loop in the first of the two possible methods.

In the second of the two possible methods of overlapping band sections, a loop is also produced by means of the loop puller (e.g., in the manner mentioned above). Another holding device is used to hold the upper part of the loop. The further holding device is of the requirements and possibilities, for example, substantially the same as the front holding device. But she now holds the upper part of the loop at a point which lies in the conveying direction behind the front holding device. In a preferred embodiment, at the latest after the further holding device holds the upper part of the loop, the beginning of the strip is released from the rear holding device. The rear holding device now stops nothing and can hold in a preferred embodiment, the lower part of the loop. Once this is done, the loop is preferably separated directly in front of the rear fixture or elsewhere on the lower part of the loop. If the rear holder does not hold any part of the lower loop, the loop can be separated at any allowable point. Described below is how the length of the loop and the separation point should be chosen for an acceptable solution.

The rear holding device and the further holding device can also have a component or component which, for example, has jaws of clamps on two sides. The further holding device can use a part of the counter-pressure plate as a second jaw. In this way it turns out that in one possible embodiment the further clamp consists of a part of the counter-pressure plate and a first clamp piece and the rear clamp consists of the first clamp piece and a second clamp piece. The first clamp piece has two jaws lying on opposite sides. The first and second clamp pieces can be moved together or separately. This makes it possible to release the other terminal without loosening the rear terminal and vice versa, or to keep both terminals closed or open at the same time.

The separation of the tape can be done with one or more suitable knives or scissors. The separation can also be effected by a heating wire. In principle, two very effective clamps can be used and the band clamped until it breaks. It is also possible to perforate the tape with needles until it is severed or ruptures under the smallest load. Other separation methods are not excluded.

The loop puller is typically still at the apex of the loop at this time or when the tape is being severed. After the tape is held in place (e.g., upper portion of the loop) at at least one location (e.g., through the further clip) and separated, in a preferred embodiment the loop moves so that the newly severed tape end moves in the direction of conveyance. Alternatively or additionally, another component can spread the now open loop. Depending on the strip material, it is also possible to dispense with active spreading, e.g. when the tape assumes an appropriate position by itself.

The spreading of the open loop by the further movement of the loop puller is preferably to be understood such that the tape is painted or pressed against the counter-pressure plate. So it is a smoothing along the counter-pressure plate. Thus, in this preferred embodiment, the open loop is directly on the tape. When connecting both, therefore, no uncontrolled clearance can remain and the size of the resulting band is therefore known or defined exactly.

The loop which the loop puller has produced prior to slicing is particularly so large and the point of separation is specifically chosen so that the strip length extends from the further holding device at least until before the beginning of the strip. At least part of the overlap area is below the counterpressure plate. The band end preferably extends beyond the counterpressure plate in the conveying direction.

In the second of the two possible methods, the band portions which are overlapped are the band beginning and the band end.

In a preferred variant of the method of overlapping band portions, the method additionally comprises a step of placing and holding the band leader by a band leader in a location above a loop created by the loop puller.

In a further preferred embodiment, the location above the loop is the underside of the counter-pressure plate.

In a further preferred embodiment, the ribbon start holding device is a ribbon start clamp.

If the beginning of the tape is released from the rear holding device without further measures, the tape hangs starting from the front holding device arcuately downwards. The stiffness of the band determines how tight the bow is, in which the band bends and thus also the position of the beginning of the band which now represents the lowest point. This situation is particularly not optimal when working with different bands. Namely, as described above, the positioning and the size of the loop pulled by the loop puller depend on the position of the strip beginning. With changing bands, however, this position is initially unknown and can only be detected automatically with difficulty, without the use of additional sensors. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, there is a ribbon leader that shortly after the ribbon has released the ribbon holds it and holds it in a known position or at a desired position until after the bands have been joined. Since the beginning of the tape is preferably to lie above the upper part of the loop, but in particular even below the counter-pressure plate, the Bandanfangshaltevorrichtung positioned the beginning of the tape with advantage in such a place. While the position of the loop is variable to some extent, the height of the bottom surface of the platen is usually well defined. It is therefore advantageous to place the beginning of the strip as directly as possible in a region on the underside of the counter-pressure plate.

Preferably, the tape leader is a tape leader that can pinch the tape. Advantage is one of the jaws this terminal formed as part of the counter-pressure plate. But it is also possible that both terminals are independent components, which only take over the terminal function. Furthermore, it is possible for one or both of the clamps to be components which, in addition to the clamping function, still perform at least one further function. Since there is hardly any belt tension on the belt in this clamp, the requirements for the holding force are significantly lower than for the front, rear or further holding device.

Instead of or in addition to a clamp, therefore, e.g. be operated with vacuum as the sole or additional holding means. It may also be sufficient to have a support surface, such as a support surface. to use a pen or a table on which the beginning of the tape can partially rest. To avoid slipping of the strip beginning, the support surface may be coated and / or structured.

1. a) die vorstehend als Verfahren zum Einbringen der Gegendruckplatte bezeichneten Verfahrensschritte
2. b) die vorstehend als Verfahren zur Überlappung von Bandabschnitten bezeichneten Verfahrensschritte und
3. c) das Verbinden der Bandabschnitte mit der Fügevorrichtung im Bereich der Überlappung.

In a preferred embodiment, the method for transferring a band around at least one object comprises the following method steps [the steps a) -c) are referred to below as the "method for connecting the band"]:

1. a) the method steps described above as a method for introducing the counter-pressure plate
2. b) the process steps referred to above as the method for overlapping strip sections; and
3. c) connecting the band sections with the joining device in the region of the overlap.

All three process steps a), b) and c) or processes have already been explained above.

Preferably, the method for transferring a band around at least one object is a banding and / or strapping method, in particular a banding method.

If the counterpressure plate is introduced before process step b), then the counterpressure plate for process step b) can be used. This can simplify the construction of the front, the further and the tape start holding device, as explained above.

The joining requires overlapping band sections. This requirement can be met by method step b) in an advantageous manner.

1. a) die vorstehend als Verfahren zum Legen einer Objektbandschlaufe bezeichneten Verfahrensschritte
2. b) die vorstehend als Verfahren zum Einbringen der Gegendruckplatte bezeichneten Verfahrensschritte
3. c) die vorstehend als Verfahren zum Verbinden des Bandes bezeichneten Verfahrensschritte, wobei bevorzugt auch die Verfahrensschritte des Verfahrens zur Überlappung von Bandabschnitten genutzt werden, bei denen die Schlaufe aufgetrennt wird und
4. d) das Festhalten des Bandes im Bereich eines unteren Teils der Schlaufe durch die hintere Haltevorrichtung, nachdem der Schlaufenzieher eine Schlaufe gebildet hat, und bevor das Band im Bereich der Schlaufe, vorzugsweise kurz vor der hinteren Haltevorrichtung, durchtrennt wird und
5. e) das Entfernen der Gegendruckplatte aus dem Bereich zwischen Band und Objekt nachdem das Band mit sich selbst verbunden wurde.

In a preferred embodiment, the method for transferring a band around at least one object comprises the following method steps [the steps a) -c) are referred to below as the "method for connecting the band"]:

1. a) the method steps described above as a method for laying an object strap loop
2. b) the process steps referred to above as the method for introducing the counterpressure plate
3. c) the process steps referred to above as the method for connecting the strip, wherein preferably also the method steps of the method for overlapping strip sections are used, in which the loop is separated and
4. d) holding the tape in the region of a lower part of the loop through the rear holding device, after the loop pulls a loop has formed, and before the band in the region of the loop, preferably just before the rear holder, is severed and
5. e) removal of the platen from the area between tape and object after the tape has been bonded to itself.

Preferably, the method for transferring a band around at least one object is a banding and / or strapping method, in particular a banding method.

It is the goal of laying a band around at least one object, preferably banding and / or strapping, to put an object band loop around an object. A counter-pressure plate facilitates the process c) as explained above. In the variant of c) with a split loop, one has the advantage that only two and not three band layers have to be connected. In addition, loops on the outside of staple goods, and such are many banded or strapped objects, a risk of snagging dar. This can be prevented by the separation of the loop. In addition, the tape consumption may decrease if the separation happens at an appropriate location. The holding of the tape in the region of the lower part of the loop by the rear holding device before the separation of the tape causes the machine is back in the starting position after completion of the process and the next object of a band folded, preferably strapped and / or strapped , can be. Without holding the new beginning of the tape would be lost and would have to be returned by hand or by other means only to the starting position in the rear holding device. If the tape was held behind the separation point by another holding device, the position of the new beginning of the tape would be known, but to perform the same procedure a second time, the holding device would have to be changed. Therefore, the use of the rear holder for this purpose is advantageous.

The removal of the counter-pressure plate from the area between the tape and the object after the connection of the tape with itself, now releases the tape-wrapped, ie, for example, banded and / or strapped object. The counter-pressure plate is preferably simply pulled out to the side, where "to the side" means that the main component of the movement is perpendicular to the vertical and perpendicular to the conveying direction. Turning around a vertical axis outside of the band covered area is also possible. The movement of the counter-pressure plate is preferably carried out so that the counter-pressure plate ends at the place where it was at the beginning of the Umlegeverfahrens, preferably the banding and / or strapping process. This is especially outside the surrounding area. It may be necessary to first disengage the front and / or the further and / or the ribbon start holding device. Is the counterpressure plate not a component of one or several holding devices, so this can be solved before the holding devices and the three mentioned holding devices only then. The rear holder should remain closed as it holds the new beginning of the tape.

After all these steps, the object is now surrounded by a band, preferably strapped and / or strapped, free for transport and, even though the band guide has moved back into the plane above the objects, all components at the positions where they for the Moving a tape around the next object should be the same procedure. The procedure can be repeated.

It is quite possible, with the same machine a banding and strapping to perform sequentially. The method described here is the same. In this case, a controller or a user may be able to change the band and / or change the band tension control to the desired values before repeating the method. Further adjustments can also be made.

It should be noted that the chronological order of the different method steps can be varied within certain limits. As a result, for example, the methods "laying of an object strap loop" and "introduction of the counter-pressure plate" can overlap in time.

1. A: Das Festhalten eines Bandanfanges in der hinteren Haltevorrichtung unterhalb der Förderebene.
2. B: Das Spannen eines Bandes zwischen der hinteren Haltevorrichtung, die den Bandanfang hält und der in einer Ebene über den Objekten befindlichen, absenkbaren Bandführung.
3. C: Das in Förderrichtung Bewegen eines Teiles des Bandes durch ein Objekt, welches sich auf der Förderebene in Förderrichtung bewegt und das Band damit ausstülpt.
4. D: Das Platzieren eines weiteren Teiles des Bandes unterhalb der Förderebene durch die Bandführung.
5. E: Das Führen und/oder Positionieren des Bandes durch die Bandführungsvorrichtung, so dass ein definierter Freiraum zum Einbringen der Gegendruckplatte geschaffen wird.
6. F: Das Einbringen der Gegendruckplatte unterhalb der Förderebene in den durch die Bandführungsvorrichtung geschaffenen Freiraum zwischen dem Band und dem Objekt.
7. G: Das Festhalten des Bandes an einer vorderen Stelle durch eine vordere Haltevorrichtung.
8. H: Das Freigeben des Bandanfanges durch die hintere Haltevorrichtung.
9. I: Das Platzieren und Festhalten des Bandanfanges an einem Ort, welcher oberhalb einer Schlaufe, die vom Schlaufenzieher erzeugt wird, liegt, durch eine Bandanfangshaltevorrichtung.
10. J: Das Bringen des Bandes in eine Schlaufe, welche sich unterhalb der Förderebene befindet, in Förderrichtung geschlossen ist und von der Bandführung ausgeht mit Hilfe des Schlaufenziehers.
11. K: Das von der Bandführung ausgehende und in Förderrichtung erfolgende Bilden einer Schlaufe mit einem Schlaufenzieher (100), die sich soweit ausdehnt, dass sie mit dem Bandanfang überlappt.
12. L: Das Festhalten des Bandes im Bereich eines oberen Teils der Schlaufe durch eine weitere Haltevorrichtung.
13. M: Das Festhalten des Bandes im Bereich eines unteren Teils der Schlaufe durch die hintere Haltevorrichtung, nachdem der Schlaufenzieher eine Schlaufe gebildet hat und bevor das Band im Bereich der Schlaufe, vorzugsweise kurz vor der hinteren Haltevorrichtung, durchtrennt wird.
14. N: Das Durchtrennen des Bandes im Bereich der Schlaufe.
15. O: Das Ausbreiten der jetzt offenen Schlaufe durch den Schlaufenzieher, wobei die Schlaufe vor dem Durchtrennen so gross war und ein Teilungspunkt so gewählt wurde, dass das Band mit dem Bandanfang überlappt.
16. P: Das Verbinden der Bandabschnitte mit der Fügevorrichtung in dem Bereich der Überlappung.
17. Q: Das Entfernen der Gegendruckplatte aus dem Bereich zwischen Band und Objekt nachdem das Band mit sich selbst verbunden ist.

In order to illustrate possible combinations, the different steps are summarized here again and provided with a marking (A to Q):

1. A: The retention of a strip beginning in the rear holding device below the conveying plane.
2. B: The tensioning of a band between the rear holding device which holds the beginning of the tape and the lowerable tape guide located in a plane above the objects.
3. C: The moving in the conveying direction of a part of the tape by an object which moves on the conveying plane in the conveying direction and the tape everting with it.
4. D: Placing another part of the belt below the conveyor plane through the belt guide.
5. E: The guiding and / or positioning of the tape by the tape guide device, so that a defined space for introducing the counter-pressure plate is created.
6. F: The introduction of the counter-pressure plate below the conveying plane in the space created by the tape guide device between the tape and the object.
7. G: Holding the band at a front position by a front holder.
8. H: Releasing the beginning of the tape through the rear holder.
9. I: Placing and holding the tape leader at a location above a loop created by the loop puller, through a leader holder.
10. J: Bringing the tape into a loop which is below the conveying plane, is closed in the conveying direction and extends from the tape guide by means of the loop puller.
11. K: The outgoing from the tape guide and in the conveying direction forming a loop with a loop puller (100), which expands to the extent that it overlaps with the beginning of the tape.
12. L: Holding the band in the region of an upper part of the loop by another holding device.
13. M: The holding of the band in the region of a lower part of the loop by the rear holding device, after the loop puller has formed a loop and before the band is cut in the region of the loop, preferably just in front of the rear holding device.
14. N: The cutting of the band in the area of the loop.
15. O: The spreading of the now open loop through the loop puller, wherein the loop before the cutting was so large and a division point was chosen so that the band overlaps with the beginning of the tape.
16. P: The joining of the band sections with the joining device in the region of the overlap.
17. Q: Removing the platen from the area between the tape and the object after the tape is connected to itself.

• Der Schritt B wird nach dem Schritt M und vor den Schritten C und E durchgeführt.
• Der Schritt C wird nach dem Schritt B und vor Schritt D durchgeführt.
• Der Schritt D wird nach dem Schritt C und vor entweder dem Schritt J oder dem

In this case, individual or all of the following conditions are particularly advantageously observed:

• Step B is performed after step M and before steps C and E.
• Step C is performed after step B and before step D.
• The step D is after the step C and before either the step J or

• Der Schritt E wird nach dem Schritt B und vor dem Schritt F durchgeführt.
• Der Schritt F wird nach dem Schritt E und nach dem Schritt C und vor dem Schritt B, bevorzugt vor mindestens einem der Schritte G und L durchgeführt.
• Der Schritt G wird nach dem Schritt C durchgeführt; wird G aber vor F durchgeführt, so muss die vordere Haltevorrichtung derart gestaltet sein, dass die Gegendruckplatte kein Teil von ihr ist. Der Schritt G wird vor dem Schritt H durchgeführt.
• Der Schritt H wird nach dem Schritt G und vor dem Schritt I durchgeführt; Wenn I nicht durchgeführt wird, wird Schritt H vor dem Schritt M durchgeführt.
• Der Schritt I ist optional und kann, wenn er durchgeführt wird, nachdem Schritt H und vor einem der Schritte J oder K durchgeführt.
• Es kann entweder Schritt J oder Schritt K durchgeführt werden, beides nach Schritt D und vor dem Schritt L, wenn er durchgeführt wird und vor dem Schritt M.
• Schritt L kann nach dem Schritt J oder K durchgeführt werden. Wurde Schritt F noch nicht durchgeführt, so muss die weitere Haltevorrichtung ohne Gegendruckplatte funktionieren. Wurde Schritt K durchgeführt, kann auf Schritt L auch verzichtet werden. Schritt L wird vor Schritt N durchgeführt, wenn er durchgeführt wird.
• Schritt M wird nach den Schritten J oder K und nach Schritt H und vor Schritt N durchgeführt.
• Schritt N wird nach dem Schritt M und vor dem Schritt C durchgeführt.
• Schritt O ist optional und wird, wenn er durchgeführt wird, nach dem Schritt N und vor dem Schritt P durchgeführt.
• Schritt P wird nach den Schritten J oder K und nach dem Schritt F und vor dem Schritt

Step K performed.

• Step E is performed after step B and before step F.
• The step F is performed after the step E and after the step C and before the step B, preferably before at least one of the steps G and L.
• The step G is performed after the step C; but if G is performed before F, the front fixture must be designed so that the counter-pressure plate is not part of it. The step G is performed before the step H.
• Step H is performed after step G and before step I; If I is not performed, step H is performed before step M.
• Step I is optional and, if performed, may be performed after step H and before either step J or K.
• Either step J or step K may be performed, both after step D and before step L, if performed and before step M.
• Step L may be performed after step J or K. If step F has not yet been carried out, then the further holding device without counterpressure plate must function. If step K has been carried out, step L can also be dispensed with. Step L is performed before step N when it is performed.
• Step M is performed after steps J or K and after step H and before step N.
• Step N is performed after step M and before step C.
• Step O is optional and, if performed, is performed after step N and before step P.
• Step P becomes after steps J or K and after step F and before the step

• Schritt Q wird nach dem Schritt P und vor dem Schritt C durchgeführt.
• Die Schritte E und F können nur nacheinander, aber gleichzeitig mit den Schritten C und/oder D durchgeführt werden.
• Die Schritte H und I können nur nacheinander, aber gleichzeitig mit Schritt J oder K durchgeführt werden.
• Je nach Bandverlauf und Konstruktion der Bandführung kann entweder der Schritt L oder der Schritt M zusammen mit Schritt J oder K durchgeführt werden.

Q performed.

• Step Q is performed after step P and before step C.
• Steps E and F can only be performed sequentially, but simultaneously with steps C and / or D.
• Steps H and I can only be performed sequentially, but simultaneously with step J or K.
• Depending on the course of the tape and the design of the tape guide, either step L or step M may be performed together with step J or K.

This allows an efficient and continuous transfer of tapes around objects, e.g. a banding and / or strapping realize.

In a discontinuous process or in a machine that solves certain individual tasks such as recording the beginning of the tape differently, it is possible that some of these conditions may be chosen differently. These possibilities were discussed above.

The method for introducing the counter-pressure plate is advantageously carried out by a special device for introducing a counter-pressure plate between a belt and a conveying plane in a machine, preferably a banding and / or strapping machine.

1. a) Eine hintere Haltevorrichtung welche einen Bandanfang halten kann und
2. b) eine Förderebene mit einer Öffnung welche sich oberhalb der hinteren Haltevorrichtung befindet und auf welcher ein Objekt in eine Förderrichtung bewegt werden kann, wobei bei dieser Bewegung des Objektes ein Band, dessen Anfang von der hinteren Haltevorrichtung gehalten wird und welches durch eine Öffnung in die Förderebene ragt, in Förderrichtung durch die Öffnung in der Förderebene gezogen wird, wobei
3. c) eine Bandführungsvorrichtung vorliegt die das Band unterhalb der Förderebene positioniert und/oder führt, so dass ein Freiraum geschaffen wird, um die Gegendruckplatte zwischen Band und Förderebene einzubringen.

A further aspect of the present invention therefore relates to a device for introducing a counter-pressure plate between a belt and a conveying plane in a machine, in particular a machine for transferring a belt around an object. This is in particular part of a device for banding objects, a Banding machine, a device for strapping objects or a strapping machine. The device for introducing a counter-pressure plate comprises:

1. a) A rear holding device which can hold a strip beginning and
2. b) a conveying plane having an opening which is located above the rear holding device and on which an object can be moved in a conveying direction, wherein in this movement of the object, a band whose beginning is held by the rear holding device and which through an opening in the Conveying plane protrudes, is pulled in the conveying direction through the opening in the conveying plane, wherein
3. c) a tape guide device is present which positions the belt below the conveyor plane and / or leads, so that a free space is created to bring the counter-pressure plate between the belt and conveyor plane.

The word "realized" is used here in the context of planes having the following meaning: A realized plane is a part of a plane in which a physical plane lies. For example, a smooth, non-curved table surface realizes the plane that can be defined by the table surface, meaning the plane spanned by linearly independent vectors lying on the table surface.

Most components of the device have already been described in connection with the method. Here is now of an opening in the conveyor plane the speech. As previously mentioned, the conveyor plane is the plane in which the undersides of the objects move. Typically, it is realized by a table or conveyor or a mixture of both. But it is also possible that the objects are held and guided on the sides. In such a case, there is no component that realizes a continuous conveying plane. Thus, even if there is a table, a conveyor belt, a guide rail or the like, the conveying plane may protrude beyond the edges of this realization of the plane. The conveying level is therefore to be understood in certain areas at most in the sense of a mathematical construct.

In contrast, the opening in the conveying plane is in any case of a physical nature: an opening is present at those points where the conveying plane is not realized. At the Example in which the objects are held and guided only on the sides, there is an opening in the conveying plane between the sides. A distance between two tables or conveyor belts, which realize the conveying plane, is therefore an opening in the conveying plane. A single table edge can also be an edge of an opening and a hole in a table or conveyor belt as well.

The opening is in particular transversely to the conveying direction everywhere at least as wide as the band. Preferably, the opening in the region of the tape guide is at least as wide as the tape guide transversely to the conveying direction. Thus, the tape guide can move the tape through the opening below the conveying plane.

A length of the opening in the conveying direction is in particular at least as large as the sum of the thickness of the strip, the width of the counter-pressure plate in the conveying direction and the thickness of the strip guide transversely to the conveying direction.

Width and thickness of the tape guide here only refer to the part of the tape guide device at any time below the conveyor level. Depending on how the tape guide is brought under the conveying plane, it is not the thickness and width of the tape guide itself, but the thickness and width of the volume that the tape guide ever occupies during the entire process in the conveyor plane. If the conveying plane is realized by an object, it must be noted that this has a certain thickness and parts of the tape guide must also pass through this area.

1. a) Eine Vorrichtung zum Einbringen einer Gegendruckplatte wie vorstehend beschrieben;
2. b) eine absenkbare Bandführung welche sich in einer Ebene über den Objekten befinden kann und welche sich unterhalb einer Förderebene befinden kann und in beiden Positionen das Band führen kann und in einer Anfangsposition das Band zwischen sich in der Ebene über den Objekten und der hinteren Haltevorrichtung spannt;
3. c) eine Gegendruckplatte, die unterhalb der Förderebene zwischen das Band und die Unterseite des Objekts gebracht und wieder entfernt werden kann;
4. d) eine vordere Haltevorrichtung, die das Band an einer Stelle vor der hinteren Haltevorrichtung fixieren kann;
5. e) einen Schlaufenzieher (100), der das Band von der Bandführung, in der Position unterhalb der Förderebene, ausgehend in Förderrichtung zu einer Schlaufe ziehen kann;
6. f) eine Trennvorrichtung die das Band, bevorzugt direkt hinter der der hinteren Haltevorrichtung, teilen kann und
7. g) eine Fügevorrichtung die das Band in einem Überlappungsbereich mit sich selbst verbinden kann.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a device or machine for transferring tapes around an object, preferably a banding machine and / or a strapping machine, comprising the following parts:

1. a) A device for introducing a counter-pressure plate as described above;
2. b) a lowerable tape guide which may be located in a plane above the objects and which may be below a conveying plane and in both positions guide the tape and in an initial position the tape spans between in the plane above the objects and the rear fixture ;
3. c) a counter-pressure plate, which can be brought below the conveyor plane between the belt and the bottom of the object and removed again;
4. d) a front holding device that can fix the tape at a location in front of the rear holding device;
5. e) a loop puller (100) capable of pulling the tape from the tape guide, in the position below the conveying plane, to a loop in the conveying direction;
6. f) a separating device which can divide the band, preferably directly behind that of the rear holding device, and
7. g) a joining device which can connect the tape to itself in an overlapping area.

The components of the device have already been explained in connection with the method, as well as their modifications and advantages. Since these are the same components, this information must be understood as well as the device.

The device for transferring bands around objects, preferably for banding and / or strapping, preferably comprises a further holding device, which can hold the band in the region of an upper part of the loop.

The other holder device and its alternatives and advantages were also discussed for the method. This information applies analogously to the device

The device for transferring bands around objects, preferably for banding and / or strapping, preferably further comprises a ribbon start holding device which can place the ribbon back after it has been released by the back holding device, in particular by bringing the ribbon leading to the counter-pressure plate by the ribbon top holding device becomes. Preferably, the tape start holding device is a tape start clamp.

The tape leader and its alternatives and advantages have been discussed above for the method. This information applies analogously to the device

The device for transferring bands around objects, preferably for banding and / or strapping, preferably further comprises a loop puller which, in the case of an open loop, can spread it so that there are only two band plies in the overlapping area, in particular that only two band plies between Joining device and counter pressure plate are located.

By an open or split loop is meant a band assembly having substantially the shape of a loop. This means that the band starts from one place and spreads in one direction. At a second location, the apex of the loop, the direction of propagation of the band changes continuously so that the band eventually leads to a third location near the starting point. This is a loop. An open or split loop is now characterized by the fact that the band is interrupted at one point of the loop.

A tape ply is a tape overlying or underlying, two tape plies are two overlapping tapes, three tape plies are three overlapping tapes, and x tape plies are x overlapping tapes, where x is a positive natural number greater than one.

The joining device of the device for transferring bands around objects, preferably for banding and / or strapping, is preferably a welding head, in particular an ultrasonic welding head.

The pros and cons and modifications of different joining methods were discussed above for the method. A welding head is the device used for a welding process. The arguments and alternative embodiments described for the method apply analogously.

The tape guiding device of the device for transferring tapes around objects, preferably for banding and / or strapping, is preferably a tape guiding hook.

The tape guide hook and its alternatives and advantages have been discussed above for the method. This information applies analogously to the device

The tape guiding device of the device for transferring tapes around objects, preferably for banding and / or strapping, can preferably be brought between the belt and the conveying plane and move in the conveying direction.

The possibilities of moving the tape guide hook, alternatives and advantages have been discussed above for the method. This information applies analogously to the device

The conveying plane of the device for transferring bands around objects, preferably for banding and / or strapping, is preferably defined by a conveyor table.

How a table can define a plane has been explained above. Defining the conveying plane by means of a conveyor table has the advantage that the objects can simply be pushed over the table during the process. Many other transport methods require adaptation to the object, which is difficult to realize for different objects in an unknown order or non-standardized objects. In addition, a table allows moving objects that are stacks of loose objects. Such are often banded and / or strapped. It is therefore advantageous if the device is suitable for such objects. An alternative to a table with similar properties is e.g. one or more conveyor belts or transport rails.

The space for inserting the counter-pressure plate in the device for transferring bands around objects, preferably for banding and / or strapping, is preferably partially bounded by the band. This runs from the rear holding device to the tape guide device and from there to the object and / or an edge of the opening in the conveying plane.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a belt tensioner that can regulate belt tension. Preferably, the band tensioner is electrically controlled. In addition, the belt tensioner may preferably change the belt tension during operation.

The belt tensioner is in particular part of the device for transferring belts around objects, preferably for banding and / or strapping.

Preferably, the band tensioner further comprises a device for detecting the band tension.

The belt tensioner and its control options, the modifications, alternatives and advantages have been discussed above for the process. This information applies analogously to the device.

The possible change during operation should also allow the changes during the transfer of a tape around a single object or a single object group. This change should preferably also be made possible with banding and / or strapping methods.

The device for transferring bands around objects, preferably for banding and / or strapping, preferably further comprises a control unit. This control unit is preferably designed so that it also controls the belt tensioner.

The control unit and the belt tensioner-controller interaction, the modifications, alternatives, and advantages have been discussed above for the method. This information applies analogously to the device.

Preferably, the device for transferring bands around objects, preferably for banding and / or strapping, further comprises a device for detecting the band tension. In particular, the band tensioner can be designed such that it can also measure this in addition to the adjustment of the belt tension.

Possible measuring methods and locations for recording the belt tension were described in the procedure. The possibilities of using the belt tensioner for this purpose were also explained there.

Preferably, the device for transferring bands around objects, preferably for banding and / or strapping, comprises at least one sensor with which the position and / or the extent of an object in the conveying direction can be determined, in particular this sensor comprises a light barrier.

Possible measuring methods and locations for acquiring object information were described in the procedure.

Preferably, the device for transferring bands around objects, preferably for banding and / or strapping, comprises a controller which can control and synchronize the flow rate of the different method steps.

For a running production, a fast transfer of tapes, in particular a rapid banding and / or strapping, may be advantageous. For test purposes, however, rather a slow process. It may also be advantageous to synchronize the transfer of tapes around objects, in particular the banding and / or strapping, with processes taking place before or afterwards in a production chain. Some steps may be slower or faster with special tapes or special products than in other situations. With the help of the control, the devices can be adapted to the respective needs.

In a further embodiment, the device comprises a plurality, preferably 2, supply spools for belts. The supply spools serve to receive and provide the tape before the actual banding process. The supply reels are preferably matched to one another by a supply reel control in such a way that in each case one supply reel can be exchanged while reels are being unwound from another supply reel.

In particular, the tuning by the supply reel control allows a connection from one end of a reel to a reel end from another reel. In the case of welding, a tape end with a beginning, end and beginning of the tape preferably overlap to a length of less than 1 cm. In particular, the overlap area is less than or equal to 0.7 cm long.

In a further embodiment, the device comprises a connecting device with which a band end of a band on a first supply reel can be connected to a beginning of a band on a second supply reel.

The connecting device is preferably a welding device, in particular an ultrasonic welding device.

The device comprises in a further embodiment, in particular a tape storage. This allows the banding process to continue for a period of time, unrestrained or slowed, without the belt moving on the other side of the belt storage due to the banding process. This decoupling allows, in particular, the connection of one end of a coil with a beginning of the strip from another coil, without delaying the banding process. The tape storage is controlled by a tape storage controller. This can be used to empty the tape storage controlled and in particular at another time to fill again controlled. One embodiment of a tape storage is a tape guide over at least three pulleys, of which at least one is displaceable relative to the other two. The shift (for example, by a motor) changes the length of the track the belt passes through: as the distance increases, the reservoir becomes full, the distance decreases, and the reservoir is emptied.

A band tensioner or tension regulation may be integrated in the band memory or stored before or after it. Preferably, the tape tensioner is upstream of the tape storage, since so the tape runs with a well-defined tension through the tape storage. However, even a tape storage controller can at least partially take over tape tensioner functions and regulate the tape tension within a certain range. The apparatus may include more than one band tensioner, such as one that generates and / or controls the tension in the banding process on the object and a second that creates and / or controls the tension of the band on the track through the apparatus.

In another embodiment, the tape storage controller and the supply spool controller are matched or identical. The tape storage controller or the supply reel controller may be part of the control of the apparatus and / or synchronized or otherwise tuned to each other. In a further embodiment, the connecting device and the supply reel or tape storage control are coordinated such that in the welding of a tape end with a beginning of the tape, these overlap to less than 1 cm in length, in particular less than or equal to 0.7 cm in length.

Tapes are often provided on supply spools. The possibility of integrating several supply reel in the device, allows an uninterrupted work, as always a supply reel can be replaced while from another supply reel, the tape is unwound. Connecting band end of the band of one coil and band beginning of the band of another coil reduces material consumption and speeds up work, since the band does not need to be re-inserted into the device after changing the bobbin, but instead the band of one coil is almost seamless the band of the next coil goes over and is passed by this through the device. Without joining, it can happen that a comparatively long end piece of a band can not be used for banding because it is either too short to completely enclose the object or can no longer be adequately controlled. However, if the connection between the beginning of the tape and the end of the tape is dispensed with, it can be prevented that an object with a band having a connection point is surrounded.

The transition between the two bands of different coils is all the more inconspicuous and the more material-saving the shorter the overlapping area. The overlap area is that distance (measured in longitudinal extent of the bands) in which the two bands overlap. The connection should still be resilient. For this purpose, for example, connection methods such as welding or gluing or a positive connection or another known type of connection of bands are suitable. Welding can be the preferred ultrasonic welding or local heat. The connection method is preferably the same as that used in the joining apparatus, since the connection is substantially the same as that produced by the joining apparatus.

The welding preferably takes place before the band has reached the band guiding device or the lowerable band guide or the joining device and thus preferably in the vicinity of the supply spools. (The distance here is to be measured along the distance that the band goes through in operation.)

In a further embodiment, the device comprises a printer unit for printing the tape before or during the banding or strapping process.

The printer unit is preferably a thermal transfer printer.

The printer unit is preferably mounted in the tape running direction after a tape storage and in particular freely accessible. "Freely accessible" means, in particular, that no tools have to be used to access the printer unit.

In another embodiment, apart from the printer unit, the device may remain in its operating state while access for maintenance to the printer unit exists.

A printer unit makes it possible to print the banderoles precisely and individually tailored to the object. A thermal transfer printer, for example, allows the application of a bar code or a matrix code. Alternatively, the bands can be printed before being introduced into the tape storage. However, an individual printing requires a very precise adjustment and a very precise knowledge of the objects and their order (if this plays a role, the objects thus differ from each other).

Alternatives to thermal transfer printing include, for example, ink jet printing, laser printing, line printing, dot matrix printing, thermal sublimation printing, direct thermal printing or laser marking. The choice of printing method depends on the one hand on the required resolution and quality of the printed image and on the other on the material and the dimensions and the type of tape. So z. As a laser inscription damage a thin tape so strong that it is no longer usable. For very coarse belts with an irregular surface, however, laser marking may be appropriate, while thermal transfer printing might provide less good results.

The printer unit is preferably mounted in a readily accessible manner since almost all printing methods include a consumable such as ink or toner. A refill of this consumable, as well as work such. Cleaning printheads should be quick and easy. Since any manipulation of a device can lead to damage, it is advantageous to mount the printer unit so that the maintenance of the printer unit and the refilling of their consumables can be done without parts of the rest of the device must be disassembled or misplaced. Preferably, a printer unit can also be exchanged or extended by another printer unit without having to make any significant changes to the other device. Thus, with a device simply multiple printing methods can be applied.

In a further embodiment, at least one of the drives used is realized by at least one servomotor. Preferably, at least one of the servomotors can be controlled remotely.

Preferably, the at least one servomotor that drives the belt or belt may also be used as a wear-free brake.

The servomotor allows precise control over its position and / or speed and / or acceleration. Since servomotors are controllable, the control of the device can be used to precisely adjust position and / or speed and / or acceleration and z. B. to the tape used to adapt to the object to be converted or process status. So it is conceivable, for example, that the process runs a little slower, while one end of a coil is connected to the beginning of the tape another coil and possibly also the tape tension is slightly reduced while the connection point is still within the device.

The precise control is not necessarily the same everywhere. It is conceivable, for example, to regulate only the belt tension or only the belt speed or only the object compression with a servomotor, but otherwise to use other drives. Of course, solutions that make do without servomotors are also conceivable: Controllable stepper motors are, for example, a possibility or motors that are themselves not very controllable, but are used selectively or exert only certain forces with clutches and brakes, are other examples. Even with other mechanical means, process steps can be synchronized and exercise targeted forces.

One possible application of a servomotor is given during acceleration and deceleration of the belt. Since both the acceleration and braking processes can be designed so that the belt does not slip significantly over a high friction surface, the belt will not be abraded. This will not damage the tape or any printed image on it. Also, this type of brake consumes no brake pads and is therefore low maintenance.

In a further embodiment, the device comprises at least one sensor. This may preferably measure the pressure on the packages and / or the tension on the belt and / or the presence of supply rolls and / or the quality of the printing and / or another property of the device, the package and / or the belt. The sensor data can preferably be read out by remote access.

Sensors allow control and control of the method and apparatus. If the device has an electronic control, it is possible that it automatically integrates sensor data and adapts the control signals in such a way that the process runs optimally. If the device has no electronic control, the sensor data for adjusting the device, e.g. be used by a technician.

Sensors in conjunction with an electronic control allow the device to set itself up, at least over a certain range, with respect to the monitored and controllable parameters. This may allow, for example, a quick and spontaneous change of objects or types of tapes without the need for prior precise alignment of the device.

If sensor data can be read out remotely, the device can be controlled from a remote location and, even if the controller and / or the motors can be controlled remotely, can also be controlled remotely. This can be the Increase productivity and job security and / or also help to integrate the banding process optimally in an existing chain of production steps.

Typical objects for banding are packages with different contents or stacks. Typically, paperboards such as e.g. folded packaging cartons or papers such as e.g. Newspapers or catalogs. But they can also be completely different objects: cans, packaging of any kind, food, medicines, cables, letters, textiles, dry ice containers, etc. All these objects can be banded individually or in stacks. Of course, the objects can also be directly behind each other and so be banded as a stack. The height of the stack is limited by the highest position of the tape guide. The width of the stack is limited on one side if necessary, in that the tape guide must be mounted somewhere.

Mostly stable objects such as packaging boxes, cables, cans or building materials such as stones, tiles and / or wood products are strapped. Similarly, newspapers and / or mixed products strapped, sometimes together with a pallet. The arrangement options of the objects are the same as in banding.

It is possible to use two machines according to the invention, preferably banding and / or strapping machines, simultaneously on the same object, so that two parallel bands can be placed around the object. It is also possible to combine a Längsbanderolier- and / or Längsumreifungsmaschine and a Quererbänderolier- and / or Querumreifungsmaschine even if there the different mechanics must be carefully matched.

The choice of the tape is directed not only optical and aesthetic aspects but also according to the connection method used.

Typical bands for banding methods are between 10 and 100 mm wide and can be up to 50 μm thin. In the present case, preference is given to using belts having a width of 1-150 mm, in particular 5-100 mm or 8-50 mm. A thickness of In particular, tapes measure 50 μm-2 mm, in particular 100 μm-1 mm or 150 μm-500 μm.

Typical bands for strapping are between 5 and 30 mm wide and have a standardized thickness which is preferably between 0.1 and 1 mm and more preferably between 0.25 and 0.6 mm.

They are typically plastic belts or paper belts. The plastic bands are made in particular of polymer material, preferably polypropylene (PP). Other plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are also possible. Plastic tapes and paper can be printed and / or coated. A coating may allow the application of an unsuitable material in a particular bonding process. For example, coated paper can be ultrasonically welded.

From the following detailed description and the totality of the claims, further advantageous embodiments and feature combinations of the invention result.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1

Ausgangssituation des Banderolierverfahrens als Beispiel eines Umlegeverfahrens eines Bandes um ein Objekt

Fig. 2

Ausstülpen des Bandes durch ein Objekt

Fig. 3

Einbringen der Gegendruckplatte

Fig. 4

Freigeben des Bandanfanges

Fig. 5

Anfangsposition des Schlaufenziehers

Fig. 6

Fixieren und Auftrennen der Schlaufe

Fig. 7

Ausstreichen des Schlaufe

Fig. 8

Verbinden

Fig. 9

Freigabe und Abtransport des Objektes

Fig. 10

Mögliche Ruhepositionen unterschiedlicher Bauteile

The drawings used to explain the embodiment show:

Fig. 1

Initial situation of the banding process as an example of a Umlegeverfahrens a tape around an object

Fig. 2

Dump the tape through an object

Fig. 3

Introducing the counterpressure plate

Fig. 4

Releasing the beginning of the tape

Fig. 5

Initial position of the loop puller

Fig. 6

Fix and split the loop

Fig. 7

Smooth out the loop

Fig. 8

Connect

Fig. 9

Release and removal of the object

Fig. 10

Possible rest positions of different components

Basically, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.

Ways to carry out the invention

FIG. 1 shows the starting situation of an inventive banding process as an example of a Umlegeverfahrens a tape around an object. The method can be carried out analogously as Umreifungsverfahren. An object 6, for example a stack of paper or a cardboard stack, moves on a conveying plane 1. A strip 3 is held in a rear holding device 2, which lies below the conveying plane 1. From there it runs to a point in a plane above the object, in which case a belt tensioner 5 is installed. A tape guide 4 is in this example without tape contact, in the horizontal direction between the tape tensioner 5 and the rear holder 2 and at a similar height as the belt tensioner 5. In another embodiment, a contact between the tape guide 4 and the band 3 in this situation. If so, the tape guide 4 can hold the tape in the plane above the object 6. It is also possible that, instead of the belt tensioner 5, a deflection roller or another component which can hold the belt in the plane above the object 6 is used. The tape comes from a tape source, not shown, which is preferably a supply roll. From there, the tape is passed over the belt tensioner 5, possibly via the tape guide 4 to the rear holding device 2. In between pulleys and other components can be used to guide and treat the tape in the desired manner. It could also be printed, for example.

The belt tensioner generates or maintains a belt tension which is lower than that which the closed, finished belt loop, when banding this is the band, finally should have (nominal tension).

The FIG. 2 shows the situation at a time shortly after the situation in FIG. 1 , The object 6 has reached the tensioned between the rear holding device 2 and 5 band tensioner band and everted by its movement in the conveying direction. A tape guiding device 7 has been brought into the belt plane and also moves in the conveying direction. Since the object 6 in the horizontal at the position of the tape guide 4 is over, now lowers the tape guide. 4

FIG. 3 shows the result of these movements. It is the situation at a time after the ones in FIG. 2 is shown. The tape guide 4 has now pressed the tape 3 behind the object 6 under the conveying plane 1 or out. The band guiding device 7 has guided the band below the conveying plane 1 such that a free space 17 has formed between the band 3 and the conveying plane 1 or the object 6. In this space now the counter pressure plate 9 has been introduced. After this is done, the tape guide device 7 can be removed again. For this purpose, the front holding device 8 moves upward to clamp the band 3 between itself and the counter-pressure plate 9.

While the tape guide 4 presses the tape below the conveying plane 1, the tape tension is regulated by the tape tensioner 5 to the target voltage or even to a higher voltage.

The situation at a later date is in FIG. 4 shown. The band 3 is held by the front holder 8. Therefore, the rear holder 2 could release the tape. The two jaws of the rear holding device 2 divide into an upper jaw 2b and a lower jaw 2a. A Bandanfangshaltevorrichtung 10 moves upward, thereby leading the now free beginning of tape in the direction counterpressure plate. 9

In FIG. 5 the tape 3 is now pressed by the Bandanfangshaltevorrichtung 10 and the front holder 8 to the platen 9. The so fixed band section is but only the beginning of the band. Another band part runs over or through the band guide 4. In a suitable section of the band guide 4, a loop puller 11 is introduced there is now between the band guide 4 and band 3. He moves in the conveying direction while pulling the band 3. The belt tension is held by the belt tensioner 5 at the high value of the target tension or slightly higher.

FIG. 6 shows the resulting from the movement of the loop puller 11 loop. The upper jaw 2b of the rear holder is inserted into the loop and moves upwards. The lower jaw 2a of the rear holder also moves upward. The band 3 is now clamped twice in the region of the loop: once at a position on the upper side of the loop between the counter-pressure plate 9 and the upper jaw 2b. This is the further holding device. A second time, the band 3 is clamped in the region of the lower side of the loop between the upper jaw 2b and the lower jaw 2a. This is the rear holder. A separator 12, which may be a knife, for example, cuts the tape just before the rear holder. ("Front" and "rear" are to be understood with regard to the conveying direction).

The following steps are in FIG. 7 shown. After the loop has been opened by the severing of the band 3, the loop puller 11 moves further in the conveying direction and thereby deletes the loop. A joining device 13 is guided in the region of the counter-pressure plate 9 to the belt 3. In this area, the band 3 overlaps now. The tape guide 4 can now be raised again and return to the position in a plane above the object 6. Now the tape tension of the belt tensioner 5 is reduced again.

In FIG. 8 the connection between the overlapping band sections has just been made by the joining device 13. The band 3 no longer needs to be held against the counterpressure plate 9 and therefore the front holding device 8, the strip top holding device 10 and the rear holding device 2 are released, both jaws 2a and 2b pressed against one another and holding the new strip beginning, away from the counterpressure plate 9 and thus solves the further holding device. The counterpressure plate 9 can subsequently also be removed.

FIG. 9 shows the result: The object 6 with folded tape, when banding the banded object is removed. Here, this also happens in the conveying direction. The mechanism for transferring a tape around an object (eg, a banding or strapping mechanism) is in the same configuration as in FIG FIG. 1 , Another object 6 'moves in the conveying direction to the tensioned belt 3 and the method can start from the beginning.

FIG. 10 shows possible rest positions of the components, which get in the course of the process in the band level and are removed from it. The term "rest position" is understood here as the position in which the components fulfill their primary task or not. Of course, other components can make such movements. It concerns with FIG. 10 to a sketch of the supervision on the conveying plane 1. The conveying plane 1 and all components shown are shown transparently. Only their contours are shown.

The conveying plane 1 has an opening 14 and this has a front edge 15. The conveying direction 16, which defines the direction for "front" and "rear" is shown by an arrow. On the right side of the opening 14, the counter-pressure plate 9 is in its rest position. Below the counter-pressure plate 9 are parts of the different holding devices: The front holder 8, the upper jaw of the rear holder 2b and the Bandanfangshaltevorrichtung 10th

During the process, all these components are never in the rest position at the same time. The upper jaw of the rear holding device 2b is driven into the rest position in a situation in which at least the front holding device 8 and the counterpressure plate 9 are used. At the time when the counter-pressure plate 9 is removed, the upper jaw of the rear holder 2b is already in use again to hold the next beginning of the tape.

On the left side of the opening, the tape guide device 7 and the loop puller 11 are shown as hooks in the embodiment. These can be brought by a pivoting movement in the belt plane and then pushed or pulled in the conveying direction.

Of course, it does not matter which of the components is arranged on which side of the opening. Also, the sizes of the objects and their circumstances have been chosen for illustration purposes only. It is only to be noted that the various holding devices are suitably arranged so that the counter-pressure plate can serve as a counterpart of a clamp if this solution is desired.

However, the above-described method and the apparatuses shown are only to be understood as an illustrative example, which can be modified as desired in the context of the present invention.

Thus, it is possible, for example, that the tape guiding device 7 initially guides the tape 3 further in the conveying direction than the object 6 and the object 6 only at a later point in time FIG. 3 reached shown position.

The tape guide 4 can already occupy a lower position at an earlier time. However, it should not collide with object 6. The tape guiding device 7 can be removed before or after the pressing of the front holding device 8.

The front holding device 8 does not necessarily have to use the counterpressure plate 9 as the second clamping jaw, but could have a separate second jaw.

On the Bandanfangshaltevorrichtung 10 can also be dispensed with. In this case, the path along which the loop puller 11 moves may be suitably adjusted.

The tape guide 11 may be designed so that the loop begins and ends at her. For this purpose, the band 3 can be held on the band guide 4 with a suitable device. Alternatively, the loop may begin at the tape guide 4 and terminate at the corner of the object 6, the edge of the platen 9, or the edge of the tape top retainer 10. It is the preferred solution that the corner of the object 6 limits the loop, as the band 3 so tight against the object 6.

In the embodiment shown, the further holding device is formed by the upper jaw 2 b of the rear holding device and the counter-pressure plate 9. The others But holding device can also consist of two own jaws or a jaw and the counter-pressure plate. 9

The placement of the band tensioner 5 is also variable. A pulley may hold the tape over the object at the location shown here. But it is also possible that the tape 3 is guided through the tape guide 4, that the tape guide 4 can hold the band 3 up without further aids. The strap tensioner could then be placed anywhere between the strap source and the strap guide 4. Also, the band tensioner can be integrated into the band source, in which he controls, for example, the rotation of a supply roll.

The inventive device for introducing a counter-pressure plate is in FIG. 3 shown. In FIG. 4 Then it is clear how the tape guide device 7 fulfills its task of enabling the introduction of a counter-pressure plate 9. The band tensioner 5 and the band guide 4 are no more than the band 3 or the object 6 parts of this device.

Claims (15)

1. A method for bending a strip (3) around at least one object (6),
   wherein the method is a longitudinal banding method and/or a longitudinal strapping method, in which the object strip loop is formed around the object at least partially by a movement of the object in a conveyance direction,
   and
   in which the at least one object is encircled by a strip, wherein the strip is arranged in the form of an object strip loop around the at least one object in such a manner that at least two strip sections are made to overlap and are connected, wherein, in an area in which the at least two strip sections are made to overlap, a counter-pressure plate (9) is introduced between the at least one object and the strip, and the at least two overlapping strip sections are pressed for connecting against the counter-pressure plate,
   characterized in that,
   before the introduction of the counter-pressure plate, the strip is guided and/or positioned by a strip guide device (7) so that a defined free space (17) is created for the introduction of the counter-pressure plate (9).
2. The method for bending a strip around at least one object according to Claim 1, characterized in that a substance-to-substance bonding connection is established, in particular by a welding method, preferably by an ultrasound welding method.
3. The method for bending a strip around at least one object according to any one of Claims 1 to 2, in which the object strip loop is brought around the object by a method which comprises the steps of:

   a) holding a strip beginning in a rear holding device (8) under the conveyance plane (1)

   b) stretching a strip between the rear holding device which holds the strip beginning, and a lowerable strip guide located in a plane above the objects,

   c) moving a portion of the strip in the conveyance direction by means of the object which moves on the conveyance plane in the conveyance direction and thus turns the strip outward

   d) placing an additional section of the strip under the conveyance plane by means of the strip guide, and

   e) forming the strip into a loop, which is located under the conveyance plane, is closed in the conveyance direction and starts from the strip guide, in particular with the aid of a loop puller (11).
4. The method for bending a strip around at least one object according to Claim 3, in which the introduction of the counter-pressure plate comprises the following steps:

   a) holding a strip beginning in a rear holding device under the conveyance plane

   b) moving a portion of the strip in the conveyance direction by means of an object which moves on the conveyance plane in the conveyance direction

   c) guiding and/or positioning the strip by means of the strip guide device so that a defined free space for the introduction of the counter-pressure plate is created, and

   d) introducing the counter-pressure plate under the conveyance plane in the free space created by the strip guide device between the strip and the object.
5. The method for bending a strip around at least one object according to any one of Claims 3-4, in which the following steps are carried out for the overlapping of the strip sections:

   a) holding a strip beginning in the rear holding device under the conveyance plane

   b) moving a portion of the strip in the conveyance direction by means of an object which moves on the conveyance plane in the conveyance direction

   c) placing an additional portion of the strip under the conveyance plane by means of the strip guide

   d) holding the strip at a front position by means of a front holding device

   e) releasing the strip beginning by the rear holding device, in particular temporally after the above-mentioned process steps

   f) introducing the strip into a loop which is located under the conveyance plane, is closed in the conveyance direction and starts from the strip guide, with the aid of the loop puller

   g) holding the strip in the area of an upper portion of the loop by means of an additional holding device

   h) cutting the strip in the area of the loop, and

   i) spreading the now-open loop in particular by the loop puller, wherein, before the cutting, the loop was sufficiently large and a cutting point was selected in such a manner that the strip overlaps the strip beginning.
6. The method for bending a strip around at least one object according to Claim 5, in which the following additional steps are carried out for the overlapping of the strip sections:

   a) placing and holding the strip beginning at a site which is located above a loop created by the loop puller by means of a holding device for the strip beginning.
7. The method for bending a strip around at least one object, in which the connection of the strip comprises the following steps:

   a) introducing the counter-pressure plate according to Claim 4

   b) making the strip sections overlap according to Claim 5, and

   c) connecting the strip sections according to Claim 2 in the area of overlap.
8. A device for introducing a counter-pressure plate between a strip and a conveyance plane in a banding machine and/or strapping machine, in particular in a method according to Claim 4, comprising:

   a) a rear holding device (8) which can hold a strip beginning, and

   b) a conveyance plane (1) with an opening (14), which is located above the rear holding device and on which an object can be moved in a conveyance direction, wherein, during this movement of the object, a strip, the beginning of which is held by the rear holding device and which protrudes through the opening in the conveyance plane, is pulled in the conveyance direction (16) through the opening in the conveyance plane,

   characterized in that

   c) a strip guide device (7) is present, which positions and/or guides the strip under the conveyance plane so that a free space (17) is created for introducing the counter-pressure plate (9) between strip (3) and conveyance plane (1).
9. The device for bending a strip around at least one object, in particular a banding machine and/or strapping machine, comprising the following parts:

   a) a device for introducing a counter-pressure plate according to Claim 8

   b) a lowerable strip guide, which can be located in a plane above the objects and which can be located under a conveyance plane, and which can guide the strip in both positions and which, in a start position, stretches the strip, in the plane above the objects, between itself and the rear holding device

   c) a counter-pressure plate which can be brought under the conveyance plane between the strip and the underside of the object and removed again

   d) a front holding device which can secure the strip at a site in front of the rear holding device

   e) a loop puller (11) which can pull the strip from the strip guide in the position under the conveyor plane, starting in the conveyance direction, to make a loop

   f) a cutting device (12) which can cut the strip, preferably immediately behind the rear holding device, and

   g) a joining device (13) which can connect the strip in an overlapping area to itself.
10. The device for bending a strip around at least one object according to Claim 9,
    characterized in that the device comprises several, preferably 2, supply spools for strips, and
    that, preferably, the supply spools are synchronized with one another by means of a supply spool controller in such a manner that in each case one supply spool can be replaced while strips are reeled off from another supply spool.
11. The device for bending a strip around at least one object according to any one of Claims 9-10, characterized in that it comprises a strip reservoir which enables the banding method to proceed for a certain time unchecked or just slowed down without the strip on the other side of the strip reservoir moving by means of the banding method, wherein the strip reservoir is controlled in particular by a strip reservoir controller.
12. The device for bending a strip around at least one object according to any one of Claims 9-11, characterized in that it comprises a connecting device by means of which a strip end of a strip on a first supply spool can be connected to a strip beginning of a strip on a second supply spool.
13. The device for bending a strip around at least one object according to any one of Claims 9-12, characterized in that the device comprises a printing unit for printing on the strip before and/or during the banding or strapping process,
    wherein the printing unit is preferably a thermotransfer printer.
14. The device for bending a strip around at least one object according to any one of Claims 9-13,
    characterized in that at least one of the drives used is implemented by a servomotor and that preferably the at least one servomotor can be controlled by remote access.
15. The device for bending a strip around at least one object according to any one of Claims 9-14,
    characterized in that the device comprises at least one sensor which preferably can measure the pressure on the packages and/or the traction on the strip and/or the belt and/or the presence of supply rolls and/or the quality of the print and/or another property of the device, of the package and/or of the strip and/or of the belt.

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