EP3566957B1 - Umreifungsmaschine und verfahren zur sicherung eines metallreifenteils in einer schleife um eines oder mehrere objekte - Google Patents

Umreifungsmaschine und verfahren zur sicherung eines metallreifenteils in einer schleife um eines oder mehrere objekte Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP3566957B1
EP3566957B1 EP18171768.7A EP18171768A EP3566957B1 EP 3566957 B1 EP3566957 B1 EP 3566957B1 EP 18171768 A EP18171768 A EP 18171768A EP 3566957 B1 EP3566957 B1 EP 3566957B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
strap
support member
pressing element
recess
strapping
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP18171768.7A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3566957A1 (de
Inventor
Erik Danielsson
Peter MÅRSTEDT
Ulf SJÖSTRÖM
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sund Birsta AB
Original Assignee
Sund Birsta AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sund Birsta AB filed Critical Sund Birsta AB
Priority to EP18171768.7A priority Critical patent/EP3566957B1/de
Priority to TW108113454A priority patent/TW201946839A/zh
Priority to JP2020561904A priority patent/JP2021523066A/ja
Priority to US17/051,907 priority patent/US20210237917A1/en
Priority to CN201980031404.8A priority patent/CN112105560B/zh
Priority to PCT/EP2019/061920 priority patent/WO2019215282A1/en
Publication of EP3566957A1 publication Critical patent/EP3566957A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3566957B1 publication Critical patent/EP3566957B1/de
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B13/00—Bundling articles
    • B65B13/18—Details of, or auxiliary devices used in, bundling machines or bundling tools
    • B65B13/24—Securing ends of binding material
    • B65B13/32—Securing ends of binding material by welding, soldering, or heat-sealing; by applying adhesive
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B13/00—Bundling articles
    • B65B13/02—Applying and securing binding material around articles or groups of articles, e.g. using strings, wires, strips, bands or tapes
    • B65B13/04—Applying and securing binding material around articles or groups of articles, e.g. using strings, wires, strips, bands or tapes with means for guiding the binding material around the articles prior to severing from supply
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B13/00—Bundling articles
    • B65B13/18—Details of, or auxiliary devices used in, bundling machines or bundling tools
    • B65B13/22—Means for controlling tension of binding means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B13/00—Bundling articles
    • B65B13/18—Details of, or auxiliary devices used in, bundling machines or bundling tools
    • B65B13/24—Securing ends of binding material
    • B65B13/32—Securing ends of binding material by welding, soldering, or heat-sealing; by applying adhesive
    • B65B13/325—Ultrasonic welding

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a strapping machine according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • the invention also relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 9 for securing a piece of metal strap in a loop around one or more objects.
  • WO 2017/129679 A1 discloses a strapping machine where a welding device is used for forming a welded joint between overlapping sections of a metal strap to thereby secure the metal strap in a loop around an object or a bundle of objects.
  • This known strapping machine comprises a gripping device for gripping and locking a first strap section at the leading end of the strap after the application of a piece of the strap in a loop around the object/bundle and before the strap is retracted in order to draw it tightly around the object/bundle, wherein the gripping device is configured to grip the strap at an area that will form part of the final strap loop on the object/bundle and that will be subjected to tensile stress when the strap loop has been released from the strapping machine.
  • This is the normal gripping position for a gripping device of a strapping machine to be used for strapping an object or a bundle of objects with a strap of metallic material.
  • the object of the present invention is to achieve a new and favourable strapping machine of the above-mentioned type.
  • the strapping machine of the present invention comprises:
  • the strapping unit comprises a pressing element, which has a shape adapted to the shape of the recess in the support member so as to allow the pressing element to be received in this recess.
  • the strapping unit further comprises an actuating device which is configured to move the pressing element and the support member in relation to each other between a first mutual position, in which the pressing element is positioned at a distance from the recess in the support member, and a second mutual position, in which the pressing element is received in said recess, wherein the pressing element and the support member are configured to form a permanent bulge on the first strap section at a position between the leading end of said strap piece and said welded joint by a press forming action between the pressing element and the support member when the pressing element and the support member are moved in relation to each other by the actuating device from said first mutual position to said second mutual position with a part of the first strap section received in the space between the pressing element and the support member.
  • the permanent bulge formed on the first strap section will together with the pressing element and the recess in the support member, and as long as the pressing element and the support member are made to remain in the above-mentioned second mutual position, ensure that the first strap section is locked to the strapping unit with a positive locking effect and thereby prevented from slipping in the longitudinal direction of the strap when the feeding device retracts the strap and draws it tightly against the object or bundle of objects to be strapped.
  • the leading end of the strap is locked to the strapping unit in an efficient and reliable manner.
  • the bulge formed on the first strap section will be located between the leading end of the strap and the welded joint between the first and second strap sections, i.e.
  • the weakening deformation caused by the pressing element and the support member on the strap piece at the area of the bulge will not have any negative effect on the strength of the loop formed by the strap piece, in contrast to the previously mentioned normal case when the strap is gripped and subjected to a weakening deformation on the opposite side of the welded joint, i.e. on a part of the strap piece that will be subjected to tensile stress when the strap piece has been released from the strapping unit.
  • the weakening deformation on the strap piece caused by the gripping of the first strap section will have a negative effect on the strength of the loop formed by the strap piece.
  • the bulge formed on the strap piece by the pressing element will be pressed against an outer surface on the object/bundle and act as a spacer between the object/bundle and the loop formed by the strap piece.
  • the bulge will contribute to an increased tensional force in the loop and thereby an improved strapping effect.
  • the gap formed between the loop and the outer surface of the object/bundle by the bulge will also facilitate a cutting of the loop in connection with a later destrapping operation when the metal strap is to be removed from the object/bundle.
  • the invention also relates to a method having the features defined in claim 9.
  • the strapping machine 1 comprises:
  • the guide track 2 may for instance have the form of a rail with a longitudinal opening facing said object receiving space 4.
  • the strap may also be feed in a loop around the object or objects to be strapped without using any guide track. This may be accomplished by feeding the strap through a bending device that is configured to bend the strap in such a manner that it will move in free space, without contact with any guide track or the similar, in an essentially circular path around the object or objects 10 to be strapped, wherein a funnel-shaped guiding element may be arranged at the end of said path in order to catch the leading end of the strap and guide it into the strapping unit.
  • the object or objects 10 to be strapped may be positioned in the object receiving space 4 before, during or after the feeding of the strap 3 in a loop around this space 4.
  • the slackening of the strap 3 when the strap is retracted by the feeding device 5 may be taken up or avoided by rotating the supply coil 6 in a reversed direction.
  • the feeding device 5 comprises two rotatable feed rollers 5a, 5b, which are located opposite each other and configured to be in contact with opposite sides of a part of the strap 3 received in the nip between the feed rollers. At least one of the feed rollers 5a, 5b is rotatably driven by an actuator (not shown) in the form of a reversible drive motor in order to move the strap 3 in its longitudinal direction.
  • the drive motor is preferably an electric motor, but it could as an alternative be a hydraulic or pneumatic motor.
  • the feeding device 5 may also comprise any other suitable type of actuator for feeding and retracting the strap 3.
  • the strapping unit 20 comprises a welding device 21 (see Fig 2a ) for forming a welded joint 8 (see Figs 2h and 2i ) between a first strap section 7a at a leading end of a piece 3a of metal strap arranged in a loop around one or more objects 10 to be strapped and an overlapping second strap section 7b at a trailing end of said strap piece 3a to thereby secure this strap piece 3a in a loop around said one or more objects 10.
  • the welding device 21 is configured to form the welded joint 8 as a lap joint with the second strap section 7b overlapping the first strap section 7a.
  • the welding device 21 may be any suitable type of welding device.
  • the welding device 21 is a laser welding device provided with a laser welding head 22, wherein said welded joint 8 between the first and second strap sections 7a, 7b is formed by means of a laser beam 23 (see Fig 2g ) emitted from the laser welding head.
  • the welding device 21 comprises means of conventional type for directing and focusing the emitted laser beam 23 onto a desired target area.
  • the strapping unit 20 further comprises a support member 24 for supporting said overlapping first and second strap sections 7a, 7b during the formation of the welded joint 8.
  • the support member 24 is configured to be located between the first strap section 7a and an outer surface of the object or objects 10 to be strapped during the formation of the welded joint 8.
  • a recess 25 is provided in an upper support surface 26 on the support member 24.
  • the welded joint 8 has an elliptical shape, as seen in a planar view.
  • the welded joint 8 between the overlapping binding element sections 7a, 7b may of course also have any other suitable configuration.
  • the strapping unit 20 also comprises a pressing element 27, which has a shape adapted to the shape of the recess 25 in the support member 24 so as to allow the pressing element 27 to be received in this recess 25.
  • the pressing element 27 has an upper surface 28 which is flush or at least essentially flush with the upper support surface 26 on the support member 24 when the pressing element 27 is received in the recess 25 in the support member, as illustrated in Fig 2a .
  • An actuating device 29 (very schematically illustrated in Fig 1 ) included in the strapping unit 20 is configured to move the pressing element 27 and the support member 24 in relation to each other between a first mutual position (see Figs 2c , 2d and 3 ), in which the pressing element 27 is located outside and at a distance from the recess 25 in the support member 24, and a second mutual position (see Figs 2a , 2b , 2e-2h and 4 ), in which the pressing element 27 is received in said recess 25.
  • the pressing element 27 and the support member 24 are configured to form a permanent bulge 30 (see Figs 2e-2i , 4, 5 and 9 ) on the first strap section 7a by a press forming action between the pressing element 27 and the support member 24 when the pressing element 27 and the support member 24 are moved in relation to each other by the actuating device 29 from said first mutual position to said second mutual position with a part of the first strap section 7a received in the space between the pressing element 27 and the support member 24, wherein this bulge 30 is formed at a position between the leading end 12 of said strap piece 3a and the welded joint 8 to be formed by the welding device 21.
  • the actuating device 29 is configured to achieve said relative movement between the pressing element 27 and the support member 24 by moving the pressing element 27 in relation to the support member 24.
  • the pressing element 27 is moved downwards towards the support member 24 in order to achieve the movement from the first mutual position to the second mutual position and upwards away from the support member 24 in order to achieve the movement from the second mutual position to the first mutual position, wherein the support member 24 remains in a fixed position during the movements of the pressing element 27.
  • the actuating device 29 may be configured to achieve said relative movement between the pressing element 27 and the support member 24 by moving the support member 24 in relation to the pressing element 27 or by moving the pressing element 27 as well as the support member 24 in relation to each other.
  • the pressing element 27 is also moveable horizontally by means of the actuating device 29 in order to allow the pressing element to be moved laterally out of the bulge 30 when the first and second strap sections 7a, 7b have been secured to each other by the welding device 21 and the strap loop 11 thereby formed is to be released from the strapping unit 20.
  • the pressing element 27 is formed as a single-part element and moveable out of the bulge 30 by a displacement in a horizontal direction.
  • the pressing element 27 is divided into two parts, which are located opposite each other and moveable out of the bulge 30 by being displaced laterally in opposite directions away from each other.
  • the support member 24 may comprise first and second support jaws located opposite each other in the manner shown in WO 2017/129679 A1 , wherein the support jaws are moveable in relation to each other between an advanced supporting position, in which the support jaws form a support for the first strap section 7a, and a retracted releasing position, in which the support jaws are retracted from each other in order to allow the first and second strap sections 7a, 7b, after having been joined to each other, to pass through a gap between the support jaws.
  • Each support jaw may be fixed to a pivot arm, which in its turn is pivotally mounted to a housing 36 of the strapping unit 20. Thus, in this case, the support jaws are pivotable between the supporting and releasing positions.
  • the support jaws could be linearly moveable between the supporting and releasing positions.
  • the support jaws are moveable between the supporting and releasing positions by means of the actuating device 29.
  • the support member 24 is formed as a single-part member and moveable between the supporting and releasing positions by a displacement in a horizontal direction.
  • the actuating device 29 may be electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically driven and may comprise one or more electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically driven actuators.
  • the strapping unit 20 illustrated in Figs 2a-2i comprises a squeezing device 34 for squeezing the second strap section 7b against the first strap section 7a with the second strap section 7b overlapping the first strap section 7a, wherein the squeezing device 34 is configured to keep the second strap section 7b squeezed against the first strap section 7a during the moment when the welded joint 8 between the first and second strap sections 7a, 7b is formed by the welding device 21.
  • the squeezing device 34 comprises a squeezing member 35 which is configured to co-operate with the support member 24 and which is moveably mounted to the housing 36 of the strapping unit 20.
  • the first and second strap sections 7a, 7b are receivable in a space between the squeezing member 35 and the support member 24 and the squeezing member 35 is moveable in relation to the support member 24 between a retracted first position (see Figs 2a-2f , 2i and 3 ), in which the squeezing member 35 is retracted from the support member 24, and an advanced second position (see Figs 2g , 2h and 4 ), in which the squeezing member 35 is pressed against the support member 24 in order to squeeze together the first and second strap sections 7a, 7b.
  • the squeezing member 35 is provided with a passage 37, through which a laser beam 23 from the laser welding head 22 of the welding device 21 may be directed towards an area on the second strap section 7b, in order to form the welded joint 8 between the first and second strap sections 7a, 7b, when the squeezing member 23 is in said second position and keeps the first and second strap sections 7a, 7b squeezed together between the squeezing member 35 and the support member 24.
  • the squeezing member 35 is moveable between said first and second positions by means of an actuator (not shown), which may be electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically driven.
  • the actuator is with advantage a hydraulic cylinder.
  • the support member 24, the pressing element 27 and the squeezing device 34 may of course also have any other suitable design in addition to the designs illustrated in Figs 2a-2i .
  • the strapping machine 1 further comprises an electronic control device 60 (very schematically illustrated in Fig 1 ) for controlling the operation of the strapping machine.
  • the electronic control device 60 is connected to the welding device 21 and configured to control the welding device to direct and focus the laser beam 23 of the welding device onto a desired part of the strap 3.
  • the electronic control device 60 is also connected to the feeding device 5, the actuating device 29 and the actuator of the squeezing device 34 and configured to control the operation thereof.
  • the electronic control device 60 is configured to control the feeding device 5 to stop the feeding of the strap 3 when the leading end 12 of the strap during its second passage over the support member 24 has passed over the recess 25 in the support member from a first end 25a (see Fig 3 ) of the recess to an opposite second end 25b thereof and has reached a final position beyond said second end 25b of the recess.
  • the pressing element 27 and the support member 24 are thereafter moved in relation to each other, by a vertical movement downwards of the pressing element 27 and/or a vertical movement upwards of the support member 24, until the pressing element 27 has been received in the recess 25 and a permanent bulge 30 has been formed on the first strap section 7a.
  • the strap 3 is thereafter retracted in order to draw it tightly around one or more objects 10 positioned in the object receiving space 4 of the strapping unit 20, wherein a part 15 (see Fig 4 ) of the second strap section 7b is pressed, under the effect of the tensional force in the strap 3, towards the upper support surface 26 on the support member 24 and tightly against a part 16 of the first strap section 7a located between said second end 25b of the recess 25 in the support member and the leading end 12 of the strap. Said part 16 of the first strap section 7a is hereby clamped between the support member 24 and the second strap section 7b during the tightening of the strap 3.
  • the distance D between the above-mentioned first and second ends 25a, 25b of the recess 25 is at least 10 mm, preferably at least 15 mm.
  • the recess 25 has a depth d of at least 5 mm, preferably at least 6 mm.
  • the recess 25 and the pressing element 27 have a cross-sectional shape in the form of an isosceles trapezoid, as seen in a vertical plane.
  • the recess 25 and the pressing element 27 may also have any other suitable cross-sectional shape.
  • the electronic control device 60 may be configured to control the welding device 21 to direct a laser beam 23 (see Fig 2h ) onto an area 14 (see Figs 7, 10 and 12 ) extending across the strap 3 at the trailing end of the second strap section 7b, i.e. at the end of the second strap section 7b facing the feeding device 5, in order to reduce the tensile strength of the strap 3 at the trailing end of the second strap section 7b, wherein electronic control device 60 is configured to control the feeding device 5 to retract the strap 3 in order to subject said area 14 to tensile stress and thereby cause the strap to be broken off at the trailing end of the second strap section 7b.
  • the strap loop 11 arranged around the object or objects 10 to be strapped is released from the remaining part 3b of the strap.
  • the electronic control device 60 may be configured to control the welding device 21 to cut off the strap 3 at the trailing end of the second strap section 7b by means of a laser beam 23 which cuts across the strap 3 in the entire thickness thereof, to thereby release the part 3a of the strap fed in a loop around said space 4 from the remaining part 3b of the strap.
  • the laser welding head 22 may comprise one or more computer-controlled scanning mirrors for controlling the direction and movement of the laser beam 23 emitted from the laser welding head. As an alternative, the direction and movement of the laser beam 23 may be controlled by computer-controlled movements of the entire laser welding head 22.
  • the laser welding head 22 is provided with a focusing lens 38, through which the laser beam 23 leaves the laser welding head.
  • the welding device 21 further comprises a laser source 39 (see Fig 2a ) for generating the laser power required for producing the laser beam 23 used for forming the welded joint 8 between the first and second strap sections 7a, 7b and for releasing the strap loop 11 from the remaining part 3b of the strap.
  • the laser source 39 can be of any type commonly used for welding.
  • the laser source 39 is connected to the laser welding head 22 via an optical fibre cable 40, which is configured to guide the laser power generated by the laser source 39 to the laser welding head 22.
  • the optical fibre cable 40 is in a conventional manner connected to the laser welding head 22 by means of an optical connector 41 comprising focusing optics.
  • the focal point of the laser beam 23 emitted from the laser welding head 22 may be adjusted by computer-controlled movements of one or more optical members included in the focusing optics of the optical connector 41.
  • the electronic control device 60 may be configured to control the welding device 21 to reduce the tensile strength of the strap 3 at the trailing end of the second strap section 7b by heating the above-mentioned area 14 at the trailing end of the second strap section 7b under the effect of said laser beam 23 and without cutting or penetrating into the strap 3.
  • the welding device 21 is made to sweep the laser beam 23 over the area 14 (schematically illustrated with dotted lines in Fig 7 ), which extends between the longitudinal edges 17a, 17b of the strap 3.
  • the focal point of the laser beam 23 is adjusted, for instance by means of the above-mentioned focusing optics of the optical connector 41, in such a manner that the laser beam is out of focus when hitting the area 14 at the trailing end of the second strap section 7b.
  • the feeding device 5 is operated to pull the strap 3 backwards with such a force that the strap 3, under the effect of the tensile stress produced in the strap between the feeding device 5 and the second strap section 7b, is broken off at the heated area 14.
  • the electronic control device 60 may be configured to control the welding device 21 to reduce the tensile strength of the strap 3 at the trailing end of the second strap section 7b by forming one or more depressions 18, 18' (see Figs 10-13 ) across the strap 3 at the trailing end of the second strap section 7b under the effect of the laser beam 23 so as to thereby provide a break line 19 across the strap 3 at the trailing end of the second strap section 7b.
  • the laser beam 23 is made to cut into the strap 3, but without cutting through it.
  • the depressions 18, 18' may for instance have a depth corresponding to approximately half the thickness of the strap 3.
  • the laser beam 23 is preferably prevented from reaching any of the longitudinal edges 17a, 17b of the strap 3 when forming the depressions 18, 18'.
  • the break line 19 may be formed by several shorter depressions 18 arranged in line with each other across the strap 3 at the trailing end of the second strap section 7b, as illustrated in Figs 10 and 11 , or by one longer depression 18' extending across the strap 3 at the trailing end of the second strap section 7b, as illustrated in Figs 12 and 13 .
  • the feeding device 5 is operated to pull the strap 3 backwards with such a force that the strap 3, under the effect of the tensile stress produced in the strap between the feeding device 5 and the second strap section 7b, is broken off at the break line 19.
  • the electronic control device 60 may be implemented by one single electronic control unit or by two or more mutually cooperating electronic control units.
  • a motor of the feeding device 5 is operated in a first direction in order to feed the strap 3 forwards from the supply coil 6, through the strapping unit 20, in a loop around the object receiving space 4 of the strapping machine 1 and then back into the strapping unit 20.
  • the leading end 12 of the strap is first moved over the support member 24 and the pressing element 27, thereafter in a loop around the object receiving space 4 and then into a space between the pressing element 27 and the recess 25 in the support surface 26 on the support member 24, wherein the feeding of the strap 3 is stopped when the leading end 12 of the strap has passed over said recess 25 from the first end 25a thereof to the opposite second end 25b thereof and has reached a final position beyond the second end 25b of the recess.
  • the squeezing member 35 is in its retracted first position.
  • the pressing element 27 is positioned in the recess 25 in the support member 24 before the initial feeding of the leading end 12 of the strap through the strapping unit 20 and maintained in the recess 25 until the leading end 12 of the strap has passed over the upper surface 28 of pressing element 27 and the upper support surface 26 on the support member 24, as illustrated in Figs 2a and 2b .
  • the upper surface 28 of pressing element 27 is flush or at least essentially flush with the upper support surface 26 on the support member 24 when the leading end 12 of the strap is fed through the strapping unit 20 before being fed around the object receiving space 4.
  • the actuating device 29 thereafter effects a relative movement between the pressing element 27 and the support member 24 in order to cause the pressing element 27 to be positioned at a distance from the recess 25 in the support member 24, wherein the strap 3 is lifted by the pressing element 27 from the upper support surface 26 on the support member 24, as illustrated in Fig 2c .
  • the leading end 12 of the strap 3 will leave the guide track 2 and pass through the gap between the pressing element 27 and the support member 24 (see Fig 2d ), whereupon the leading end 12 of the strap 3 actuates a stop member (not shown) and the motor of the feeding device 5 is stopped.
  • the actuating device 29 thereafter effects a relative movement between the pressing element 27 and the support member 24 in order to cause the pressing element 27 to be received in the recess 25 (see Fig 2e ) and thereby form a permanent bulge 30 on the first strap section 7a by a press forming action between the pressing element 27 and the support member 24.
  • the motor of the feeding device 5 is reversed in order to pull the strap 3 backwards and thereby tighten the strap 3 around the objects 10 received in the object receiving space 4, as illustrated in Fig 2f .
  • the strapping unit 20 and the guide track 2 are moveable in relation to the objects 10 and configured to move towards the objects 10 when the strap 3 is tightened around the objects.
  • a part 15 of the second strap section 7b is pressed, under the effect of the tensional force in the strap 3, towards the upper support surface 26 on the support member 24 and tightly against a part 16 of the first strap section 7a located between the second end 25b of the recess 25 in the support member and the leading end 12 of the strap, whereby this part 16 of the first strap section 7a is clamped between the support member 24 and the second strap section 7b, as illustrated in Fig 4 .
  • the second strap section 7b comes into contact with the upper surface 28 of the pressing element 27 and thereby prevents the pressing element 27 from moving vertically out of the recess 25 in the support member 24.
  • the pressing element 27 will remain in the recess 25 during the tightening of the strap 3 without requiring that the pressing element 27 and the support member 24 are pressed against each other under the effect of the actuating device 29.
  • the motor of the feeding device 5 is stopped and the squeezing member 35 is moved to its advanced second position in order to squeeze together the first and second strap sections 7a, 7b between the squeezing member 35 and the support member 24 (see Fig 2g ).
  • the welding device 21 is then operated to focus a laser beam 23 onto the mutually overlapping strap sections 7a, 7b in order to form a welded joint 8 between the strap sections 7a, 7b.
  • the strap 3 is thereby secured in a loop around the objects 10.
  • the welding device 21 is operated to direct a laser beam 23 onto an area 14 across the strap 3 at the trailing end of the second strap section 7b in order to reduce the tensile strength of the strap 3 at the trailing end of the second strap section 7b, as illustrated in Fig 2h .
  • the part of the strap extending between the squeezing member 35 and the feeding device 5 is with advantage held in a slacked state during the moment when the laser beam 23 is directed onto said area 14.
  • the feeding device 5 is configured to retract the strap 3 in order to subject said area 14 to tensile stress and thereby cause the strap to be broken off at the trailing end of the second strap section 7b.
  • the squeezing member 35 is returned to its retracted first position and the pressing element 27 and support member 24 are removed from the bulge 30 on the first strap section 7a in order to release the strap loop 11 from the strapping unit 20.
  • the bulge 30 will come into contact with the objects 10 and will thereby act as a spacer between the objects 10 and the strap loop 11, as illustrated in Figs 2i and 5 .
  • the intended welding area on the first and second strap sections 7a, 7b is with advantage preheated by means of a laser beam emitted from the laser welding head 22 of the welding device 21 before the formation of the welded joint 8.
  • the welding area is preferably preheated to such a temperature that possible layers of paint and/or wax on the first and second strap sections 7a, 7b are removed by vaporization at the intended welding area.
  • the pre-heating temperature is preferably also so adapted that the metallic material of the first and second strap sections 7a, 7b is subjected to metallurgical changes which result in improved welding conditions.
  • the welding area on the first and second strap sections 7a, 7b is with advantage also postheated by means of a laser beam emitted from the laser welding head 22 of the welding device 21 after the formation of the welded joint 8, wherein the post-heating temperature is so adapted that the metallic material of the first and second strap sections 7a, 7b is subjected to metallurgical changes which influence the strength of the welded joint 8 in a favourable manner.
  • the focal point of the laser beam is adjusted, for instance by means of the above-mentioned focusing optics of the optical connector 41, in such a manner that the laser beam is out of focus when hitting the second strap section 7b during the pre-heating step and the post-heating step.
  • the pre-heating and post-heating laser beam is directed onto an outer surface of the second strap section 7b, wherein heat energy is transmitted from the second strap section 7b to the first strap section 7a by thermal conduction.
  • the strapping machine according to the present invention may for instance be design for co-operation with a compacting machine in order to strap a coil of wire compacted by the compacting machine.
  • several strapping units are mounted to the compacting machine and used simultaneously in order to apply strap loops at different positions around the compacted coil of wire, wherein each strap loop extends along the inside of the coil through a central axial opening therein and along the outside of the coil.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Laser Beam Processing (AREA)
  • Clamps And Clips (AREA)

Claims (15)

  1. Umreifungsmaschine zum Befestigen eines Stücks (3a) eines Metallbands in einer Schleife (11) um ein oder mehrere Objekte, wobei die Umreifungsmaschine (1) umfasst:
    - eine Umreifungseinheit (20), versehen mit:
    • einer Schweißvorrichtung (21) zur Bildung einer Schweißverbindung (8) zwischen einem ersten Bandabschnitt (7a) an einem vorderen Ende eines Stücks (3a) des Metallbands, das in einer Schleife um ein oder mehrere zu umreifende Objekte (10) angeordnet ist, und einem überlappenden zweiten Bandabschnitt (7b) an einem hinteren Ende des genannten Bandstücks (3a), um dadurch dieses Bandstück (3a) in einer Schleife um das genannte eine oder die genannten mehreren Objekte (10) zu befestigen, und
    • einem Trägerelement (24) zum Tragen des überlappenden ersten und zweiten Bandabschnitts (7a, 7b) während der Bildung der Schweißverbindung (8); und
    - eine Zufuhrvorrichtung (5) zum Zuführen des Bands (3) durch die Umreifungseinheit (20), in einer Schleife um einen Objektaufnahmeraum (4), der dafür ausgelegt ist, um ein oder mehrere zu umreifende Objekte (10) aufzunehmen, und dann zurück in die Umreifungseinheit (20) und anschließend zum Zurückziehen des Bands (3), um es fest um das eine oder die mehreren Objekte (10) zu ziehen, das oder die in dem Objektaufnahmeraum (4) aufgenommen ist oder sind;
    dadurch gekennzeichnet:
    - dass eine Vertiefung (25) in einer oberen Trägerfläche (26) auf dem Trägerelement (24) bereitgestellt ist;
    - dass die Umreifungseinheit (20) ein Presselement (27) umfasst, das eine Form aufweist, die an die Form der Vertiefung (25) in dem Trägerelement (24) angepasst ist, um so zu gestatten, dass das Presselement (27) in dieser Vertiefung (25) aufgenommen wird; und
    - dass die Umreifungseinheit (20) eine Betätigungsvorrichtung (29) umfasst, die dafür ausgelegt ist, um das Presselement (27) und das Trägerelement (24) in Bezug aufeinander zwischen einer ersten gegenseitigen Position, in der das Presselement (27) in einer Distanz von der Vertiefung (25) in dem Trägerelement (24) positioniert ist, und einer zweiten gegenseitigen Position, in der das Presselement (27) in der genannten Vertiefung (25) aufgenommen ist, zu bewegen, wobei das Presselement (27) und das Trägerelement (24) dafür ausgelegt sind, um eine permanente Wölbung (30) auf dem ersten Bandabschnitt (7a) in einer Position zwischen dem vorderen Ende (12) des genannten Bandstücks (3a) und der genannten Schweißverbindung (8) durch eine Pressformwirkung zwischen dem Presselement (27) und dem Trägerelement (24) zu bilden, wenn das Presselement (27) und das Trägerelement (24) in Bezug aufeinander von der Betätigungsvorrichtung (29) aus der genannten ersten gegenseitigen Position in die genannte zweite gegenseitige Position bewegt werden, wobei ein Teil des ersten Bandabschnitts (7a) in dem Raum zwischen dem Presselement (27) und dem Trägerelement (24) aufgenommen wird.
  2. Umreifungsmaschine nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Presselement (27) eine obere Fläche (28) aufweist, die bündig oder mindestens im Wesentlichen bündig ist mit der oberen Trägerfläche (26) auf dem Trägerelement (24), wenn das Presselement (27) in der genannten Vertiefung (25) aufgenommen ist.
  3. Umreifungsmaschine nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Betätigungsvorrichtung (29) dafür ausgelegt ist, um die genannte relative Bewegung zwischen dem Presselement (27) und dem Trägerelement (24) durch Bewegen des Presselements (27) in Bezug auf das Trägerelement (24) zu erzielen.
  4. Umreifungsmaschine nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Betätigungsvorrichtung (29) dafür ausgelegt ist, um die genannte relative Bewegung zwischen dem Presselement (27) und dem Trägerelement (24) durch Bewegen des Trägerelements (24) in Bezug auf das Presselement (27) zu erzielen.
  5. Umreifungsmaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Vertiefung (25) eine Tiefe (d) von mindestens 5 mm aufweist, vorzugsweise mindestens 6 mm.
  6. Umreifungsmaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Umreifungsmaschine (1) eine Zusammendrückvorrichtung (34) zum Zusammendrücken des zweiten Bandabschnitts (7b) gegen den ersten Bandabschnitt (7a) umfasst, wobei die Zusammendrückvorrichtung (34) dafür ausgelegt ist, um den zweiten Bandabschnitt (7b) gegen den ersten Bandabschnitt (7a) während des Moments zusammengedrückt zu halten, wenn die Schweißverbindung (8) zwischen dem ersten und zweiten Bandabschnitt (7a, 7b) von der Schweißvorrichtung (21) gebildet wird.
  7. Umreifungsmaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Schweißvorrichtung (21) eine Laserschweißvorrichtung ist.
  8. Umreifungsmaschine nach Anspruch 7, in Kombination mit Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet:
    - dass die Zusammendrückvorrichtung (34) ein Zusammendrückelement (35) umfasst, das dafür ausgelegt ist, um mit dem Trägerelement (24) zusammenzuwirken, wobei der erste und zweite Bandabschnitt (7a, 7b) in einem Raum zwischen dem Zusammendrückelement (35) und dem Trägerelement (24) aufgenommen werden können, und wobei das Zusammendrückelement (35) in Bezug auf das Trägerelement (24) zwischen einer zurückgezogenen ersten Position, in der das Zusammendrückelement (35) von dem Trägerelement (24) zurückgezogen ist, und einer vorgeschobenen zweiten Position, in der das Zusammendrückelement (35) gegen das Trägerelement (24) gepresst wird, bewegbar ist, um den ersten und zweiten Bandabschnitt (7a, 7b) zusammenzudrücken; und
    - dass das Zusammendrückelement (35) mit einem Durchgang (37) versehen ist, durch den ein Laserstrahl (23) von einem Laserschweißkopf (22) der Laserschweißvorrichtung (21) auf einen Bereich auf dem zweiten Bandabschnitt (7b) gerichtet werden kann, wenn sich das Zusammendrückelement (35) in der genannten zweiten Position befindet und den ersten und zweiten Bandabschnitt (7a, 7b) zusammengedrückt zwischen dem Zusammendrückelement (35) und dem Trägerelement (24) hält.
  9. Verfahren zum Befestigen eines Stücks (3a) eines Metallbands in einer Schleife (11) um ein oder mehrere Objekte, wobei das Verfahren die Schritte umfasst:
    - Zuführen des Bands (3) durch eine Umreifungseinheit (20) einer Umreifungsmaschine (1) und in einer Schleife um einen Objektaufnahmeraum (4) der Umreifungsmaschine, wobei das vordere Ende (12) des Bands zuerst über ein Trägerelement (24) und ein Presselement (27) der Umreifungseinheit (20) zugeführt wird, danach in einer Schleife um den genannten Objektaufnahmeraum (4) und dann in einen Raum zwischen dem Presselement (27) und einer Vertiefung (25) in einer oberen Trägerfläche (26) auf dem Trägerelement (24), wobei die Zufuhr des Bands gestoppt wird, wenn das vordere Ende (12) des Bands die genannte Vertiefung (25) von einem ersten Ende (25a) davon zu einem gegenüberliegenden zweiten Ende (25b) davon passiert hat und eine Endposition jenseits des genannten zweiten Endes (25b) der Vertiefung erreicht hat;
    - Pressen eines Teils eines ersten Bandabschnitts (7a) am vorderen Ende des Bands (3) in die Vertiefung (25) in dem Trägerelement (24) durch Durchführen einer relativen Bewegung zwischen dem Presselement (27) und dem Trägerelement (24) und dadurch Bewirken, dass das Presselement (27) in der genannten Vertiefung (25) aufgenommen wird, und eine permanente Wölbung (30) auf dem ersten Bandabschnitt (7a) durch eine Pressformwirkung zwischen dem Presselement (27) und dem Trägerelement (24) gebildet wird;
    - Zurückziehen des Bands (3), um es fest um ein oder mehrere Objekte (10) zu ziehen, die in dem genannten Objektaufnahmeraum (4) positioniert sind, wobei ein Teil (15) eines zweiten Bandabschnitts (7b) am hinteren Ende des Stücks (3a) des Bands, das in einer Schleife um den Objektaufnahmeraum (4) zugeführt wird, gepresst wird, unter der Wirkung der Zugkraft in dem Band (3), zu der oberen Trägerfläche (26) auf dem Trägerelement (24) und fest gegen einen Teil (16) des ersten Bandabschnitts (7a), der zwischen dem genannten zweiten Ende (25b) der Vertiefung (25) in dem Trägerelement und dem vorderen Ende (12) des Bands angeordnet ist, um dadurch diesen Teil (16) des ersten Bandabschnitts (7a) zwischen dem Trägerelement (24) und dem zweiten Bandabschnitt (7b) festzuklemmen; und
    - Bilden, mit einer Schweißvorrichtung (21), die in der Umreifungseinheit (20) enthalten ist, einer Schweißverbindung (8) zwischen dem genannten ersten und zweiten Bandabschnitt (7a, 7b), um dadurch das genannten Bandstück (3a) in einer Schleife (11) um das genannte eine oder die genannten mehreren Objekte zu befestigen.
  10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die relative Bewegung zwischen dem Presselement (27) und dem Trägerelement (24) durch Bewegen des Presselements (27) zum Trägerelement (24) bewirkt wird.
  11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die relative Bewegung zwischen dem Presselement (27) und dem Trägerelement (24) durch Bewegen des Trägerelements (24) zum Presselement (27) bewirkt wird.
  12. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet:
    - dass das Presselement (27) in der Vertiefung (25) in dem Trägerelement (24) vor dem anfänglichen Zuführen des vorderen Endes (12) des Bands durch die Umreifungseinheit (20) positioniert wird und in dieser Vertiefung (25) gehalten wird, bis das vordere Ende (12) des Bands das Presselement (27) und die obere Trägerfläche (26) auf dem Trägerelement (24) passiert hat; und
    - dass eine relative Bewegung zwischen dem Presselement (27) und dem Trägerelement (24) danach durchgeführt wird, um zu bewirken, dass das Presselement (27) in einer Distanz von der Vertiefung (25) in dem Trägerelement (24) positioniert wird, um dadurch das Band (3) von der oberen Trägerfläche (26) auf dem Trägerelement (24) abzuheben und zu gestatten, dass das vordere Ende (12) des Bands in den Raum zwischen dem Presselement (27) und der oberen Trägerfläche (26) auf dem Trägerelement (24) gelangt, wenn das vordere Ende des Bands zur Umreifungseinheit (20) zurückkehrt, nachdem es um den Objektaufnahmeraum (4) gelaufen ist.
  13. Verfahren nach Anspruch 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die letztgenannte relative Bewegung zwischen dem Presselement (27) und dem Trägerelement (24) durch Bewegen des Presselements (27) von dem Trägerelement (24) weg durchgeführt wird.
  14. Verfahren nach Anspruch 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die letztgenannte relative Bewegung zwischen dem Presselement (27) und dem Trägerelement (24) durch Bewegen des Trägerelements (24) von dem Presselement (27) weg durchgeführt wird.
  15. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 14, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Distanz (D) zwischen dem ersten Ende (25a) der Vertiefung (25) und dem zweiten Ende (25b) der Vertiefung (25) mindestens 10 mm beträgt, vorzugsweise mindestens 15 mm.
EP18171768.7A 2018-05-11 2018-05-11 Umreifungsmaschine und verfahren zur sicherung eines metallreifenteils in einer schleife um eines oder mehrere objekte Active EP3566957B1 (de)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP18171768.7A EP3566957B1 (de) 2018-05-11 2018-05-11 Umreifungsmaschine und verfahren zur sicherung eines metallreifenteils in einer schleife um eines oder mehrere objekte
TW108113454A TW201946839A (zh) 2018-05-11 2019-04-17 捆紮機及用於以環繞一個或多個物品一圈來固定一段金屬帶的方法
JP2020561904A JP2021523066A (ja) 2018-05-11 2019-05-09 １つまたは複数の対象物の周りを、金属バンド片でループ状に固定するための、バンド掛け機及び方法
US17/051,907 US20210237917A1 (en) 2018-05-11 2019-05-09 Strapping machine and method for securing a piece of metal strap in a loop around one or more objects
CN201980031404.8A CN112105560B (zh) 2018-05-11 2019-05-09 捆扎机及以环绕一个或多个物品一圈来固定金属带的方法
PCT/EP2019/061920 WO2019215282A1 (en) 2018-05-11 2019-05-09 Strapping machine and method for securing a piece of metal strap in a loop around one or more objects

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP18171768.7A EP3566957B1 (de) 2018-05-11 2018-05-11 Umreifungsmaschine und verfahren zur sicherung eines metallreifenteils in einer schleife um eines oder mehrere objekte

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3566957A1 EP3566957A1 (de) 2019-11-13
EP3566957B1 true EP3566957B1 (de) 2020-11-04

Family

ID=62152417

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP18171768.7A Active EP3566957B1 (de) 2018-05-11 2018-05-11 Umreifungsmaschine und verfahren zur sicherung eines metallreifenteils in einer schleife um eines oder mehrere objekte

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US20210237917A1 (de)
EP (1) EP3566957B1 (de)
JP (1) JP2021523066A (de)
CN (1) CN112105560B (de)
TW (1) TW201946839A (de)
WO (1) WO2019215282A1 (de)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN113838601B (zh) * 2021-10-25 2023-09-26 安徽国信电缆科技股份有限公司 一种耐高低温及耐酸碱腐蚀的超柔太阳能光伏电缆

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS492320B1 (de) * 1970-09-28 1974-01-19
BE790601A (fr) * 1971-11-15 1973-02-15 Fmc Corp Appareil a cercler les colis au moyen d'un ruban thermosoudable
JPH0310830A (ja) * 1989-05-25 1991-01-18 Akzo Nv ループ形成装置
CA1318365C (en) * 1989-08-21 1993-05-25 Kouichi Kusakabe Bonding method of binding strap end portions by spot-welding
JP2857281B2 (ja) * 1992-07-10 1999-02-17 ストラパック株式会社 梱包機におけるバンド装填装置
US6543341B2 (en) * 2001-07-12 2003-04-08 Illinois Tool Works, Inc. Strapping machine with strapping head sensor
JP4112318B2 (ja) * 2002-09-02 2008-07-02 ストラパック株式会社 自動バンド掛け梱包機
US6857252B2 (en) * 2003-06-20 2005-02-22 Illinois Tool Works, Inc. Strapping machine with strap path access guide
JP2005145506A (ja) * 2003-11-14 2005-06-09 Kanto Seiki Kk 梱包機のバンド端溶着機構
TWI706896B (zh) 2016-01-29 2020-10-11 瑞典商 瑞典森德斯有限公司 用於將捆紮元件的一部分固定在一圍繞一或多個物件的環圈中之捆紮機與方法

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2019215282A1 (en) 2019-11-14
CN112105560A (zh) 2020-12-18
TW201946839A (zh) 2019-12-16
US20210237917A1 (en) 2021-08-05
EP3566957A1 (de) 2019-11-13
CN112105560B (zh) 2022-08-02
JP2021523066A (ja) 2021-09-02

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US11332270B2 (en) Binding machine and method for securing a part of a binding element in a loop around one or more objects
US20200030910A1 (en) Binding machine and method for securing a part of a binding element in a loop around one or more objects
US11643232B2 (en) Binding machine and method for testing the strength of a joint formed on a closed loop of an elongated binding element
EP3566957B1 (de) Umreifungsmaschine und verfahren zur sicherung eines metallreifenteils in einer schleife um eines oder mehrere objekte
US11065822B2 (en) Binding machine and method for securing a part of a binding element in a loop around one or more objects
EP3584031A1 (de) Umreifungsmaschine und verfahren zum befestigen eines beschichteten metallbandstücks in einer schlaufe um ein oder mehrere objekte
US20110180196A1 (en) System And Method For Making Tapered Looped Suture
EP2855043B1 (de) System und verfahren zur herstellung einer verjüngten schlaufennaht
KR101503363B1 (ko) 이동형 가열유닛을 갖는 원형톱용 팁 용접장치 및 이를 이용한 팁 용접방법

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20200320

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20200727

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1330535

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20201115

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602018009300

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20201104

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 1330535

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20201104

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210204

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210205

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201104

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210304

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201104

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210204

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201104

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210304

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201104

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201104

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201104

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201104

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG9D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201104

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201104

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201104

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201104

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201104

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201104

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201104

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602018009300

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201104

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20210805

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201104

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201104

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201104

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210531

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210531

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210511

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201104

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20210531

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210511

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210304

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210531

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210531

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20220511

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20220511

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201104

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Effective date: 20230529

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20180511

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20230524

Year of fee payment: 6

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20230524

Year of fee payment: 6

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201104

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201104