EP3877267A1

EP3877267A1 - Apparatus and method for strapping packaged goods

Info

Publication number: EP3877267A1
Application number: EP19748785.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andreas Kimmerle
Original assignee: Ergopack Deutschland GmbH
Current assignee: Ergopack Deutschland GmbH
Priority date: 2019-07-22
Filing date: 2019-07-29
Publication date: 2021-09-15
Anticipated expiration: 2039-07-29
Also published as: CA3144127C; DK3877267T3; PL3877267T3; JP2022543969A; CA3144127A1; PT3877267T; WO2021013365A1; JP7323650B2; SI3877267T1; LT3877267T; DE102019119702A1; EP3877267B1; ES2918179T3; US20220348366A1; KR20220034126A; HUE059402T2

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for strapping packaged goods (2) with at least one strapping band (4), comprising a band guiding means (5) for guiding the strapping band (4), a conveying device (7) for extending and retracting the band guiding means (5), a guide carriage (11) which can be extended together with the band guiding means (5) by a target extension length as far as a diversion point, a length limiting band (21) which is connected to the guide carriage (11) and can be extended with the guide carriage (11), and an adjusting device (24) for adjusting the target extension length of the guide carriage (11) to the diversion point. The guide carriage (11) has a deflection unit (12) which can divert the band guiding means (5) at the diversion point. According to the invention, the adjusting device (24) is designed to determine an actual extension length of the guide carriage (11) and, according to a target extension length of the guide carriage (11), to control a fixing device (28) which stops the extension movement of the length limiting band (21).

Description

Device and method for wrapping packaged goods

The invention relates to a device for strapping packaged goods with at least one strapping band, comprising a band guide means for guiding the strapping band, a conveyor device for extending and retracting the band guiding means, a guide carriage which, together with the band guiding means, has a target extension length up to a deflection point can be extended, a length limiting band connected to the guide carriage and extendable with the guide carriage, and an adjusting device to adjust the target extension length of the guide carriage to the deflection point, the guide carriage having a deflection unit which is able to deflect the tape guide means at the deflection point.

The invention also relates to a method for wrapping packaged goods with at least one strapping band, after which the strapping band is fixed to a band guide means, after which the band guide means is extended by a conveyor, after which a guide carriage connected to the band guide means releasably together with the band guide means up to a deflection point is extended, after which a fixed to the guide carriage length limiting tape is pulled out with the guide carriage, after which the target extension length of the guide carriage is set to the deflection point by adjusting the extendable length of the length limiting tape.

A device of this type is known from EP 1 053 941 B1. Furthermore, reference is made to DE 10 2012 217 805 A1, DE 103 15 530 A1 and DE 10 2010 029 992 A1 with regard to further known devices.

Packaged goods, in particular objects to be transported or stored, for example in the form of packages, are generally fastened to pallets with a packaging tape, which is hereinafter referred to as strapping, to ensure safe and damage-free transport or appropriate storage of the objects.

When strapping goods standing on pallets, in particular piece goods, with Umreifungsbän countries, it is necessary to pass the strap through a gap between the goods and the floor on which the goods and the associated pallet are. Since the straps usually have a rope-like behavior, i. H. are not stiff, it is often problematic to guide them through, especially with longer pallets. Accordingly, in the case of larger packaged goods, for example in the case of packages or piece goods, riding around is only possible with aids.

From the prior art, as described in EP 1 053 941 B1, a device for maturing or bundling a palletized load is therefore known, which has a tape guide means and at least one clamping device arranged at the front end of the tape guide means for clamping a Has nes initial portion of the strap. The tape guide means is designed as a rigid back chain, at the front end of which a guide carriage is detachably attached. The Schlit th leads the rigid back chain and the attached strapping along the floor under the pallet. The carriage can compensate for minor unevenness in the ground, such as the crossbars of the pallets.

So that the user does not have to laboriously pick up the strapping that is passed through from the floor, the carriage has a deflection unit for the chain with a stiff back.

The carriage is designed to be detachable from the rigid-backed chain and, together with the chain, covers a distance along the floor that is predetermined by a length limiting band.

In a predetermined position (deflection point) the carriage is held back by the length limiting band and separated from the chain with a rigid back, which continues to extend in a feed movement. The rigid-backed chain is preferably deflected by about 90 degrees by the deflection unit of the carriage and in this way moved approximately vertically upwards. Overturning of the tape guide, which is designed as a chain, is prevented by the fact that the chain is designed as a rigid-backed chain and could therefore only tilt in the direction of the object to be packaged. Tilting in the direction of the item to be packaged is prevented in that the strapping band is arranged within the chain in such a way that it keeps the rigid-backed chain under tension during the extension movement. This tension is only released by a brief interruption of the extension movement and the rigid back chain tilts as desired due to its own weight on the object to be packaged and, after continuing the extension movement, it can now move in an approximately horizontal path on the top of the object to be packaged in the direction fed to the user who.

After the user has taken over the strapping or after completing the strapping process, the rigid-backed chain can be retracted again, taking the extended slide with it during its retraction movement and being connected to it in the entrainment movement.

The device known from the prior art has proven itself in practice and makes it possible to ride around packaged goods, in particular packaged goods arranged on pallets, almost independently of the height of the packaged goods, easily and quickly, without the operator having to bend down.

The device known from EP 1 053 941 B1 for strapping a palletized load is robust, not susceptible to failure and easy to use, which proves to be particularly essential for the user in daily use. One of the important features of the device for strapping known from the prior art is the length limiting tape already mentioned above. A front end of the length limit tape is fixed to the guide carriage and is thus pulled out with the guide carriage. By means of an adjustment device, the user can set how far the length limiting band and thus the guide carriage can be extended. This allows the deflection point to be defined. This is generally chosen such that the guide carriage can be passed under the packaged goods and the guide carriage extends again under the pallet on the side facing away from the entry side. When the deflection point or a desired extension length is reached, the tape guide means is then deflected by the deflection unit, in particular aligned vertically upwards to the floor.

EP 1 053 941 B1 provides that the extendable length of the length limiting band is limited by a stop formed at the end of the length limiting band and an adjustable counter-stop, preferably a pin or a clip, which is attached to the housing of the device. The adjustable counter-stop is positioned in such a way that it is in the displacement path of the stop of the length limiting band. Depending on where the pin is inserted into the housing of the device, the length that the length limiting band can extend is changed. In the prior art, a grid size of 20 cm is provided for this purpose. A smaller grid dimension cannot easily be represented in practice, since, due to the design, a pin cannot be inserted everywhere in the displacement path of the stop of the length limiting band.

Another disadvantage of the solution known from the prior art is that the stop formed on the length limiting band strikes the pin with the selected, as high as possible, extension speed and the device is thereby mechanically stressed.

In the prior art, it is important to consider the speed at which the conveyor device extends the tape guide means and thus the guide carriage. In order to be able to perform a fast strapping process, a high extension speed is desirable. However, this leads to a hard impact and a risk of the device being damaged. The extension movement of the guide carriage is terminated correspondingly abruptly at a high extension speed. On the one hand, this leads to corresponding noises and, on the other hand, the deflection unit of the guide carriage is deflected abruptly or hard. As described in EP 1 053 941 B1, the deflection unit is deflected upwards (preferably by 90 degrees) due to a corresponding arrangement of the axis of rotation which connects the deflection unit with a push part of the guide part when the tape guide means extends further, the guide carriage however, it has stopped moving.

In order to dampen the impact that occurs when the guide carriage is stopped, it is conceivable to dampen the impact of the length limiting band and / or the pin. It is also conceivable that that too To dampen the gear wheel which drives the tape guide means in order to reduce a load on the transmission of the conveyor device during the impact.

These measures allow higher extension speeds to be achieved, but it would be desirable to increase the speed further and to reduce the load on the device when the deflection point is reached.

The present invention is based on the object of further improving the devices known from the prior art for strapping, in particular in order to achieve the highest possible speed when strapping and the least possible load on the device.

The present invention is also based on the object of further improving the methods for strapping known from the prior art, in particular in order to be able to achieve the highest possible speed when strapping with a simultaneously low load on the parts of the device.

According to the invention, this object is achieved with regard to the device by claim 1 and with regard to the method by claim 16. An advantageous control device results from claim 17 and a computer program product from claim 18.

The inventive device for strapping packaged goods with at least one strap has a strap guide means for guiding the strap, a conveyor device for extending and retracting the strap guide means, a guide carriage which, together with the Bandführungsmit tel, can be extended to a target length up to a deflection point ver with the guide carriage and extendable with the guide carriage length limiting tape and a setting device to set the target extension length of the guide carriage to the deflection point on.

The guide carriage has a deflection unit which is able to deflect the tape guide means at the deflection point.

According to the invention, the setting device is set up to determine an actual extension length of the guide slide and, depending on the set extension length of the guide slide, control a fixing device which stops the extension movement of the length limiting band.

The fact that the setting device determines an actual extension length of the guide carriage according to the invention results in various advantages.

The determination of the actual extension length of the guide carriage enables a fixing device to be used, which is controlled by the setting device in such a way that the length limiter is stopped when the guide carriage has reached the target extension length or the deflection point. In the prior art, the stop at the end of the length limiting band in connection fertilize with the adjustable pin both the function of defining the extension length ("setting device") and the function of stopping the extension movement of the length limiting band ("fixing device"). The fact that the functions can now be separated, that is, a target extension length is set by the setting device and an actual extension length is determined while the fixing device takes over the stopping of the pull-out movement, both devices can be optimized to perform the respective task take over.

The solution according to the invention also makes it possible, in particular, to form the fixing device at a fixed point on the device or on the housing of the device. It is not necessary for the fixing device to be fixed at different positions on the housing in order to set the desired extension length.

The determination of the actual extension length of the guide carriage by the setting device makes it possible in a particularly advantageous manner to optimize the extension speed of the tape guide means. After it is known by determining the actual extension length of the guide carriage, when the guide carriage reaches the target extension length or the deflection point, the target extension length or before reaching, preferably shortly before reaching, the target extension length or before reaching the target extension point . of the deflection point, the extension speed of the tape guide means can be reduced. In addition or as an alternative to this, the extension speed of the tape guide means can furthermore be increased after the deflection point has been reached or when the deflection unit has deflected the tape guide means.

By this measure, the strapping process can be accelerated considerably and at the same time it can be ensured that the device is less heavily or only slightly stressed when the deflection point is reached - due to the then reduced extension speed of the strap guide means. This also reduces the previously disruptive development of noise. This can advantageously also mean that damping of the gearwheel, which preferably drives the tape guide means, can be dispensed with. As a result, on the one hand, the toothed wheel can be produced more easily and, on the other hand, the engagement of the toothed wheel in the tape guide means can take place more precisely or more precisely because the damping is no longer required.

It is advantageous if a control device is provided which is set up to control the conveyor device in such a way that the extension speed of the tape guide means in a last section of the target extension length of the guide carriage before reaching the deflection point compared to an extension speed before the last section of the The target extension length is reduced and / or that the extension speed of the tape guide means after reaching the deflection point is increased compared to the extension speed of the tape guide means in the last section of the nominal extension length of the guide carriage before reaching the deflection point. Such a control of the extension speed by a control device, which for this purpose preferably accesses the data of the setting device, in particular the actual extension length, has proven particularly useful.

The actual extension length of the guide carriage can be determined by the setting device by means of a direct or indirect measurement. For example, it is possible to measure the extension length of the length limitation band and use this to determine the actual extension length of the guide carriage. Furthermore, it is also possible to measure the extension length of the tape guide means directly or indirectly and then to determine the actual extension length of the guide carriage from this.

As an alternative, the actual extension length of the guide carriage itself can also be determined or measured directly.

It is advantageous if the conveying device comprises an electric motor and the adjusting device electronically determines the actual extension length of the guide carriage on the basis of the revolutions of the electric motor.

A determination of the actual extension length of the guide carriage by recording or measuring the revolutions of the electric motor, which preferably drives the tape guide means in order to extend and retract it, has proven to be particularly suitable. The term "detection or measurement of the revolutions of the electric motor" can also include the detection or measurement of partial revolutions of the electric motor.

It is advantageous if the electric motor includes an incremental encoder.

The determination of the actual extension length of the guide carriage based on the revolutions of the electric motor or the data of the electric motor using an incremental encoder has proven to be particularly suitable.

According to the invention, the setting device can be set up in such a way that it compares the actual extension length, which was preferably acquired via the revolutions of the electric motor, in particular an incremental encoder, with the target extension length and controls the fixing device accordingly.

The setpoint extension length of the guide carriage can preferably be set electronically via a corresponding input field of the setting device, which can be designed as part of the control device. According to the invention it can be provided that the setting device is set up to control the conveyor device after it has been switched on and / or if necessary such that the conveyor device moves the guide carriage to a reference position.

The fact that the setting device controls the conveying device after switching on and / or as required in such a way that the conveying device moves the guide carriage to a reference position can easily ensure that the actual extension length of the guide carriage is measured without errors. According to the invention it can be provided that the setting device controls the conveying device in such a way that the guide carriage is first moved back or retracted as far as a stop and then extended again to a defined reference position.

In this way, an incremental encoder of an electric motor can also be referenced in a simple manner.

It can be provided that the fixing device is fixed in place on the device according to the invention or a housing of the device according to the invention and the length limiting band or a device connected to the length limiting band, which in this regard is considered part of the length limiting band, has appropriately designed stop elements, In which the fixing device then intervenes as required, according to the specifications of the target extension length and the determined actual extension length.

It is advantageous if the fixing device is designed to act positively and / or non-positively on the length limiting band to fix the length limiting band.

A design of the fixing device in such a way that it acts positively and / or non-positively on the length limiting band in order to stop the pull-out movement of the length limiting band has proven to be particularly suitable.

According to the invention it can also be provided that the length limiting band has stop elements arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the length limiting band.

Such a configuration has been found to be particularly suitable, in particular to design the fixation device in a stationary manner on the device or the housing and nevertheless to be able to set different target extension lengths of the guide carriage in a simple manner.

According to the invention it can further be provided that the stop elements are arranged at a regular grid dimension at least along a section of the length limiting band. It has been shown that it is advantageous if the stop elements are arranged in a regular grid. A grid dimension of 2 to 20 cm, preferably 5 to 15 cm, more preferably 10 cm +/- 2 cm and very particularly preferably 10 cm can be selected. The setpoint extension length can preferably be entered via a corresponding control panel, the adjustable setpoint extension lengths being particularly preferably predefined in the control panel.

It can be advantageous if the setting device is set up in such a way that it already controls the fixing device, especially if it is to act positively on the length limiting band or the stop elements of the length limiting band, before the guide carriage has reached the target extension length, in particular in such a way that the fixing device is activated after the stop element has passed the fixing device which precedes the stop element of the length limitation band with which the positive connection is to be established.

This measure ensures that the fixing device, regardless of the selected extension speed, engages positively in the length limiting band or interacts with the selected stop element of the length limiting band.

According to the invention it can also be provided that the stop elements are designed as recesses in the length limiting strip and / or as projections.

The design of the stop elements as recesses and / or as projections in the length limit tape has been found to be particularly suitable. It is particularly advantageous to train the recesses in the length limiting band as elongated holes or as rectangular recesses. In particular, it can be provided that the recesses aufwei sen a rectangular shape in which the two longer sides of the rectangle extend in the longitudinal direction of the length limiting band, so that the main axis of the rectangular recesses extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the length limiting band, whereby the fixing device in can engage in the recesses in a particularly advantageous manner.

The length limiting band can preferably be designed as a plastic band.

It is advantageous if the fixing device has an adjusting unit which, in order to limit the extension movement of the length limiting band, brings a fixing element into positive engagement with one of the stop elements of the length limiting band.

Such a configuration has been found to be particularly suitable for reliably ensuring that the pull-out movement of the length limiting strip is stopped. According to the invention it is preferably provided that the fixing device moves the fixing element in such a way that the fixing element is located in the displacement path, ie the extension path, of the selected stop element of the length limiting band.

It is advantageous if the fixing element interacts with a damping element in order to stop an extension movement of the length limiting band in a damped manner.

Alternatively or in addition to the fact that the control device is controlled on the basis of the data of the setting device in such a way that the extension speed of the tape guide means is reduced when the deflection point is reached, it can be advantageous to design the fixing element in a damped manner so that the forces or the Impact that results from the engagement of the fixing element in theschlagele elements is attenuated or reduced.

In a particularly advantageous manner, it can be provided that the damping element is designed as a spring or as an elastic damping element, for example as a rubber element. The damping element can bear against a front side of the fixation element located at the front in the extension direction of the tape guide means, so that the fixing element is damped when a corresponding force is applied in the extension direction by the stop element of the length limit band in which the fixing element engages.

According to the invention, it can further be provided that the setting device is set up to detect the position of the fixing element and / or the setting unit.

The fact that the setting device detects the position of the fixing element and / or the position of the setting unit makes it possible for the user to advantageously determine whether the length limiting band and thus also the guide carriage are locked or freely movable. The setting device preferably also detects an (undefined) position of the fixing element and / or the setting unit, which is located between the unlocked and the locked position, in particular if the setting unit, controlled by the setting device, wants to fix the length limiting band through the fixing element however, the length limiting band is not yet in a position in which the fixing element can engage in a stop element, for example a recess.

It is preferably provided that the fixing element is tensioned in the direction of the length limiting band. This configuration is particularly suitable if the stop elements are designed as recesses in the length limitation band. In this case, the fixing element can then particularly advantageously penetrate into the cutouts. If the adjusting device already delivers the fixing element in the direction of the length limiting band or its stop element before the stop element of the length limiting band is correspondingly positioned, the fixing element can due to the bias in a direction facing away from the length limiting band through the The length limiting band is pushed back or rubbing along the length limiting band until the corresponding stop element is in position so that the fixation element can penetrate into the recess, supported by the bias.

It is advantageous if the fixing element and / or the actuating unit are designed in such a way that the fixing element is locked to one of the stop elements by a spring force when the actuating unit is de-energized.

Such a configuration ensures that the length limiting band or the guide carriage cannot move freely in the de-energized state.

According to the invention it can further be provided that the actuating unit is designed as a lifting magnet and / or the fixation element is designed as a bolt.

It has been found to be advantageous to design the actuating device as a lifting magnet.

The fixing element can preferably be arranged in a receptacle which is fixed in an articulated or pivotable manner in such a way that the receptacle with the fixing element can be moved by the lifting magnet, for example raised and lowered.

In the receptacle, the damping element can preferably also be arranged, which cooperates with the fixing element in such a way that a pull-out movement of the length limiting band is stopped in a damped manner when the fixing element is brought into positive engagement with one of the stop elements of the length limiting band, in particular a recess.

As already described, the fixing element is preferably pretensioned in the direction of the length limiting band by a resilient configuration or an elastic element. Such a design can be realized in particular by suitable positioning of the fixing element in the receptacle and a spring element or an elastic element which acts on the fixing element on the side facing away from the length limitation band.

It is advantageous if the fixing element is designed as a bolt or as a stop cam. The latch or the stop cam can be damped by a damping element, as described, and further pretensioned in the direction of the length limiting band and preferably arranged in a receptacle.

It is advantageous if the tape guide means is designed as a guide chain and the Fördereinrich device has at least one gearwheel which engages the guide chain to extend and retract the guide chain. An embodiment of the tape guide means as a guide chain, in particular as a rigid back guide chain has proven itself in a special way. For this purpose, reference is made to the description of EP 1 053 941 B1. The preferably provided gear, which engages in the guide chain to extend and retract the guide chain, is preferably designed without damping elements. In principle, however, damping elements can be provided. The gearwheel is preferably designed in such a way that it engages the guide chain with as little tolerance as possible in order to enable the guide chain to move in and out with as little play as possible. The guide chain can preferably comprise bolts or transverse webs running transversely to the feed direction into which the gear wheel engages accordingly.

The method according to the invention for strapping packaged goods with at least one strapping band provides that the strapping band is fixed to a band guide means, after which the band guide means is extended by a conveyor, after which a guide carriage that is releasably connected to the band guide means passes under the packaged goods together with the band guide means leads and is extended to a deflection point, after which a fixed length limit tape on the guide carriage is pulled out with the guide carriage, after which a target extension length of the guide carriage is set up to the deflection point by adjusting the extendable length of the length limiting tape.

According to the invention, it is provided that an actual extension length of the guide carriage is determined during the extension of the guide carriage, after which the extension movement of the length limiting tape is stopped when the target extension length of the guide carriage is reached, after which an extension speed of the tape guide means in a last section of the target extension length of the guide carriage before reaching the deflection point compared to an extension speed before reaching the last section of the target extension length is reduced and / or that the extension speed of the tape guide means after reaching the deflection point compared to the extension speed of the tape guide means in the last section of the target Extension length of the guide carriage is increased.

Because the actual extension length of the guide carriage is determined, the extension movement of the length limiting strap can be stopped in a targeted manner when the target extension length of the guide carriage is reached. By knowing the actual extension length, as already described, the extension speed of the tape guide means can be advantageously controlled in order on the one hand to achieve a high contouring speed and on the other hand to be able to reduce the mechanical load at the deflection point.

Features that have already been described in connection with the device according to the invention can of course also be advantageously implemented for the method according to the invention - and vice versa. Furthermore, advantages that are already in connection with the device according to the invention were mentioned, can also be understood in relation to the method according to the invention - and vice versa.

The invention also relates to a control device for controlling the extension speed in the method according to the invention.

A control device for controlling the extension speed, in particular such that the extension speed of the tape guide means is reduced in a last section of the target extension length of the guide carriage before reaching the deflection point compared to an extension speed before the last section of the target extension length and / or that the Extension speed of the tape guide means after reaching the deflection point is increased compared to the extension speed of the tape guide means in the last section of the target extension length of the guide carriage before reaching the deflection point, is particularly suitable.

The invention further relates to a computer program product with program code means to carry out the method according to the invention when the program is executed on a control device of a device for strapping packaged goods.

The figures each show preferred exemplary embodiments in which individual features of the present invention are shown in combination with one another. The features of an exemplary embodiment can also be implemented separately from the other features of the same exemplary embodiment and can accordingly be combined by a person skilled in the art to form further useful combinations with features of other exemplary embodiments.

It shows:

FIG. 1 shows a device for strapping as is known from the prior art;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective illustration of a section through the device according to the invention for strapping packaged goods in a normal position of the guide carriage before a deflection point is reached;

FIG. 3 shows a device according to the invention for strapping in a further sectional view in a normal position before reaching the deflection point;

FIG. 4 shows an illustration according to FIG. 3, the guide carriage having reached the deflection point and a deflection unit of the guide carriage being deflected upwards by approximately 90 degrees;

FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the length limiting strip in one possible embodiment; Figure 6 shows a possible embodiment of a fixing element

Fixing device for stopping the pull-out movement of the length limiting band; and

FIG. 7 shows a possible embodiment of a fixing device for stopping the pull-out movement of a length pull-out belt in an embodiment with a fly magnet and a latch.

FIG. 1 shows a device for riding around known from the prior art. A general mode of operation of such a device for strapping is described below with reference to FIG. Reference is also made to EP 1 053 941 B1 in this regard.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 show a strapping device according to the invention, in which in particular an adjusting device and a fixing device are provided, by means of which the strapping device known from the prior art is further improved. Possible advantageous designs of a length limiting band or of the fixing device are shown in FIGS. 5 to 7.

The same features of the embodiments of Figure 1 (prior art) and Figures 2 to 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 shows a device 1 for strapping packaged goods 2, in particular packages or objects.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the packaged goods 2 can, for example, stand on pallets 3 or the like and can be connected to the pallet 3 with the aid of a strapping band 4 for transport or storage. The device 1 of FIG. 1 has a band guide means 5 for guiding the strapping band 4, which means is designed in particular as a guide chain 5. The tape guide means 5 is preferably designed as a guide chain, but the embodiment is not limited to this.

The guide chain 5 preferably has a plurality of links 6, which are connected to one another, for example se via unspecified bolts.

The guide chain 5 or its links 6 are preferably made of plastic.

A conveyor device 7 is provided for extending and retracting the guide chain 5. In the embodiment, it is provided that the guide device 7 engages in the guide chain 5 in order to extend or retract it from a housing 8 of the device 1. A supply roll (not shown) for the strapping 4 can also be fixed to the housing 8. The strapping band 4 can preferably be fixed at a front end of the guide chain 5, so that the strapping band 4 can be extended with the guide chain 5.

For moving the belt guide means 5 in and out, the conveyor device 7 preferably has a toothed wheel 9, which engages with its teeth in the guide chain 5 or the links 6. It can be provided that the toothed wheel 9 engages in transverse webs of the links 6, which extend transversely to the extension movement of the guide chain 5.

Alternatively, the gear wheel 9 or the conveyor 7, the guide chain 5 can also be used in other ways in order to retract and extend them.

The conveying device 5 can be driven by hand or, as is preferably provided in the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 2 to 7, by an electric motor 10. The electric motor 10 is indicated by dashed lines in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The retraction and extension movement of the guide chain 5 can be generated by the electric motor 10 or a hand crank.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, the device has a guide carriage 11, which preferably has a deflection unit 12 and a push part 13. The guide carriage 11 is extended in FIG. 1 (and also in FIG. 4) to a desired extension length or to a deflection point.

The guide carriage 11 is shown in FIG. 1 (and in FIG. 4) in its deflection position, in which the deflection unit 12 is pivoted about 90 degrees relative to its normal position about the axis of rotation 14 or a bolt. The axis of rotation 14 forms the fulcrum for the pivoting movement of the deflection unit 12 and is for this purpose arranged transversely to the retraction movement direction (arrow marked with reference number 15) and to the extension movement direction (arrow marked with reference number 16). The axis of rotation 14 forms a form-fitting and rotatable connection between the deflection unit 12 of the guide slide 11 and its push part 13.

The guide chain 5 is deflected by the deflection unit 12 in such a way that, starting from the floor on which the device 1 stands, it is deflected upwards, as shown in FIG. 1 and also in FIG.

The design of the guide carriage 11, in particular with the deflection unit 12 and / or with the push part 13, as shown in FIG. 1, has proven to be suitable. However, a different type of deflection of the guide chain 5 at the deflection point can also be provided for the basic functioning of the present invention. In the exemplary embodiment it is provided that the guide carriage 11 is extended together with the guide chain 5 to the desired extension length to the deflection point and the guide chain 5 is deflected accordingly by the deflection unit 12 at the deflection point.

The guide carriage 11 is extended by the guide chain 5, which is driven accordingly via the conveyor 7 device. The guide carriage 11 and the guide chain 5 are guided through below the packaged goods 2, in the exemplary embodiment also below the pallet 3.

In the exemplary embodiment, the target extension length is dimensioned in such a way that the deflection point is located at a point at which the guide carriage 11 emerges again below the pallet 3. This is shown accordingly in FIG.

In the exemplary embodiment, a clamping device 17 is arranged at a front end of the guide chain 5, with which the strapping 4 is fixed to the guide chain 5 before the start of the Umreifungsvor. The clamping device 17 can be designed, for example, as a self-clamping eccentric bolt which is rotatably supported by a bolt 18. In addition, the guide chain 5 can have a permanently connected release cam 19 and an elongated hole 20 arranged in the guide chain 5 at this end. The release cam 19 and the elongated hole 20 serve to releasably connect the guide carriage 11 to the guide chain 5.

It should be pointed out that the way in which the strapping band 4 or the clamping device 17 is fastened and also the way in which the guide carriage 11 is connected to the guide chain 5 represents only one of several possible configurations; example or the invention is not limited. Nevertheless, the configuration described above and below has proven to be particularly advantageous.

Furthermore, a length limiting band 21 is shown in FIG. 1, which is preferably attached at one end to the pushing part 13 of the guide carriage 11 and at the other end via an end stop 22 attached to the length limiting band 21 to the device 1 or a fixed part of the housing 8 is fixable. With the help of the end stop 22 and a movable counter stop 23 in FIG. 1, the distance that can be covered by the guide carriage 11 can be set - in the prior art device 1 shown in FIG.

In the device 1 according to the invention, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, a length limiting band 21 is also provided. The device 1 according to the invention, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, however, reveals an adjustment of the length limiting band 21 which deviates from the illustration in FIG. This is illustrated in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7. It should be pointed out that, according to FIGS. 2 to 7, it can optionally be provided that the length limiting band has an end stop 22, in particular so that the length limiting band 21 is prevented from being completely pulled out of the device 1 or in the housing 8 . In this context, a counter-stop 23 can then also be provided, which interacts with the end stop 22 in such a way that complete extension is avoided. The counter stop 23 is then preferably no longer movable, but fixed, preferably connected to the housing 8, in particular a plate of the housing 8. This is shown in principle in FIGS. 3 and 4.

In the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 1 to 7, it is provided that the length limiting band 21 is connected to the guide carriage 11 and can be pulled out with the guide carriage 11. In contrast to FIG. 1, however, an adjusting device 24 is provided in FIGS. 2 to 7 in order to adjust the desired extension length of the guide carriage 11 up to the deflection point. The mode of operation of the setting device 24 and its design is shown in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7.

First of all, a basic functional principle of the device according to the invention is to be explained again with reference to FIG.

However, it should be pointed out again that the explanation based on FIG. 1 only serves to illustrate a functional principle of the device 1 according to the invention, which has been shown to be suitable, but the implementation of the solution according to the invention is not specific to the one shown in FIG Design limited.

All the features shown in FIG. 1 are to be regarded as optional in this respect.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, the guide chain 5 can be detachably connected to the guide carriage 11 via a special locking mechanism 25 as follows.

The locking mechanism 25 has a rotatably mounted lever 26 which is rotatably mounted via a bolt (not designated).

The coupled forward extension movement 16 of the guide chain 5 with the connected guide slide 11 takes place according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 until the guide slide 11 is stopped in its position, for example with the aid of the length limiting band 21, ie the end stop 22 on the movable counter-stop 23 strikes. The distance covered by the guide carriage 11 can be variably adjusted via the end stop 22. The guide chain 5 and the deflection unit 12 of the guide carriage 11, which is locked with the guide chain 5 at this point in time, are, however, further promoted with the aid of the gear 9 in the direction of the Ausfahrbe movement 16, whereby the deflection unit 12 is deflected by approximately 90 degrees from the previous position until this is applied to a stop 13a attached to the thrust part 13. In the normal position of the deflection unit 12 (in which it has not yet been pivoted 90 degrees), a support block 27 prevents a locking pin connected to the guide carriage 11 (not shown) from jumping out of the elongated hole 20 by attaching it to the face of the locking pin on the Aufla gerbock 27 is pending. By pivoting the deflection unit 12, this locking pin is released with the aid of the lever 26, whereby the connection between the deflection unit 12 and the rückenstei fen guide chain 5 is released. At the same time, the jumped-out locking pin or the lever locks the deflection unit 12 in its essentially vertical position.

The embodiment described above is also shown in detail in EP 1 053 941 B1, to which reference is hereby made. The aforementioned embodiment is optional within the scope of the present invention, but can be advantageous.

After passing through the deflecting unit 12, the tape guide means embodied as a guide chain 5 is conveyed further upwards along a side wall of the packaged goods 2 to be packaged, essentially perpendicular to the floor. Overturning of the guide chain 5 away from the packaged goods 2 to be packaged is prevented by their rigid back construction. Furthermore, the strapping band 4, which is preferably guided on the back of the guide chain 5, keeps it pretensioned so that it also prevents tipping towards the packaged goods 2 to be packaged. The tension of the strapping band 4 can, however, be released, for example, by briefly interrupting the extension movement so that the guide chain 5 can be tilted onto the package 2 as desired when it protrudes a certain amount over the upper edge of the packaged goods 2 to be packaged. From there, the guide chain 5 is conveyed back on the packaged goods 2 to be packaged in the direction of the device 1. The aforementioned sequence of movements has proven to be advantageous, but is optional for realizing the present invention.

In this way, the user can now grasp the strapping band 4 practically without having to move. When the guide chain 5 is retracted, the clamping device 17 is released, preferably by holding the strapping 4 in place. The guide chain 5 can be fed back into the device, with the reversing movement (arrow 15) the deflection unit 12 being activated with the aid of the release cam 19 and the Lever 26 is reconnected to the free end of the guide chain 5. At the same time, the locking of the deflection unit 12 is released so that it can be pivoted back into its normal position. For this purpose, the release cam 19 pushes the front bent end of the lever 26 away from the rigid back guide chain 5, whereby at the same time the locking pin located at the other end of the lever 26 is pushed through the elongated hole 20 of the guide chain 5 and the desired coupling is achieved. Finally, the guide chain 5 takes the re-coupled guide carriage 11 back into the device 1. Further details regarding the functional principle of the device from the prior art can be found in patent application EP 1 053 941 B1, to which reference is hereby expressly made.

It should again be pointed out that the configuration shown with respect to FIG. 1, in particular also with regard to the locking mechanism 25 and the configuration with the bolt 18 or the release cam 19 and the elongated hole 20, are optional configurations that can, however, prove to be advantageous.

The present invention now differs from the prior art in that the target extension length of the guide carriage 1 1 is adjustable by means of the setting device 24 and the setting device 24 is set up to an actual extension length of the guide carriage 11, preferably continuously during the guide carriage 11 is extended, to be determined and, as a function of the desired extension length, a fixing device 28 is controlled by the setting device 24, which stops the pull-out movement of the length limiting band 21. This is shown accordingly in Figures 2 to 7. In contrast to the illustration according to FIG. 1, the variable extension length of the length limiting band 21 is no longer set by the end stop 22 and the counter-stop 23 that can be variably attached to the housing 8, but by the setting device 24 or the correspondingly controlled fixing device 28, which follows is shown in more detail.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 2 to 7, it is preferably provided that the conveyor device 7 comprises the electric motor 10, which moves the guide chain 5 in and out, preferably via the illustrated gear wheel 9. The setting device 24 is set up in such a way that it determines the actual extension length of the guide carriage 11 electronically based on the data of the electric motor 10, in particular based on the revolutions of the electric motor 10, the setting device 24 also determining partial revolutions of the electric motor 10.

In the exemplary embodiment, the electric motor 10 has an incremental encoder 27, with the aid of which the revolutions of the electric motor 10 or the angular position and thus the actual extension length of the guide carriage 11 is determined based on the extension length of the guide chain 5.

The setting device 24 is preferably set up in such a way that the conveying device 7 can be activated after being switched on and / or if necessary, such that the conveying device 7 moves the guide carriage 11 to a reference position. It is preferably provided here that the conveyor device 7 moves the guide carriage 11 into the device 1 or the housing 8 up to a stop. The maximum retracted position can represent the reference position. However, it is preferable if the reference position deviates from the maximum retracted position of the Füh approximately slide 1 1, ie that the guide slide 11 is extended from the maximum retracted position again somewhat in the direction of arrow 16 and the corresponding position then the Reference position is. The incremental encoder 29, for example, can then be referenced using the reference position.

In the exemplary embodiment it is provided that the fixing device 28 is designed to fix the Längenbe limit band 21 in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner (e.g. by means of clamping jaws) or to act on it accordingly.

In the exemplary embodiment, a form-fitting connection between the fixing device 28 and the length limiting band 21 is shown. For this purpose, the length limiting band 21 has stop elements 30 arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the length limiting band 21.

The stop elements 30 are shown by way of example in FIG. The stop elements 30 preferably extend at least along a section of the length limiting band 21. The stop elements 30 preferably extend along the section in a regular grid, so that in a regular grid dimension of preferably 5 to 15 cm, particularly preferably 10 cm, fixing or stopping of the length limiting band 21 can take place.

In the exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the stop elements 30 are designed as recesses, in particular in the form of elongated holes, in the length limiting band 21. Alternatively, it can also be provided that the stop elements 30 are designed as projections in order to produce a form-fitting connection with a correspondingly designed element of the fixing device 28.

In the exemplary embodiment, as can be seen in particular from FIGS. 3, 4, 6 and 7, it is provided that the fixing device 28 has an actuating unit 31 which, in order to limit the extension movement of the length limiting band 21, positively engages a fixing element 32 with one of the recesses 30 trained stop elements of the length limiting band 21 (Figure 5) brings.

In the exemplary embodiment, the adjusting device 31 is designed as a lifting magnet and the fixing element 32 is designed as a bolt. The bolt 32 is arranged in a receptacle 33, which can be designed in the manner of a flat Ge housing. The receptacle 33 is preferably fixed to a fixed part of the housing 8, preferably between two fixed plates of the housing 8, via a rotatable fastening axis 34. The receptacle 33 can be pivoted about the fastening axis 34 when the lifting magnet 31 is operated accordingly.

The receptacle 33 also has a projection 35, on which the solenoid 31 can accordingly attack. This is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 accordingly. The lifting magnet 31 can thus pivot the receptacle 33 and thus also the bolt 32 about the fastening axis 34, in particular raise and lower it, so that the bolt 32 can, if necessary, be brought into engagement with one of the recesses 30 of the length limiting band 21. The control of the solenoid 31 or the The fixing device 28 takes place on the basis of the data of the setting device 34, in particular on the basis of the determined actual extension length of the guide carriage 11 and the intended target extension length of the guide carriage 11.

In the exemplary embodiment, it is preferably provided that the fixing element, in particular the bolt 32, interacts with a damping element 36 in order to stop the extension movement of the length limiting band 21 in a damped manner. The damping element 36 is shown in dashed lines in FIG. The damping element 36 means that the bolt 32, when it is loaded with a force in the direction of the damping element 36, which results from the bolt 32 being brought into engagement with the recess 30, the length limiting band 21 does not abruptly, but damped by the damping element 36, due to the possible evasive movement of the bolt 32, stops. The damping element 36 can be, for example, a spring, but preferably an elastic element, for example a rubber element or a correspondingly suitable elastomer.

The bolt 32 or the receptacle 33, in which the bolt 32 is arranged, and / or the lifting magnet 31 are preferably designed in such a way that the bolt 32 is connected to one of the recesses 30 by a spring force (not shown) when the lifting magnet 31 is de-energized of the length limiting band 21 is locked as soon as a recess 30 is in a position corresponding to the bolt 32. This ensures that the guide carriage 1 1 in the de-energized state of the lifting magnet 31 cannot be moved at will, but is fixed, at the latest when the guide carriage 1 1 is moved in such a way that one of the recesses 30 of the length limiting band 21 is in one with the Latch 32 is brought into the corresponding position. The guide carriage 11 can thus be moved a maximum of the grid dimension in the currentless state of the solenoid 31.

In FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 it is shown that the actuating device 37 has a bore 35a or any fastening point at which or at which a movable element 31a of the lifting magnet 31 can engage in order to move the receptacle 33.

In a manner not shown in detail, it is preferably provided in the exemplary embodiment that the bolt 32 is pretensioned in the direction of the length limiting strip 21 by a spring force. In the exemplary embodiment, it is preferably provided that the setting device 24 causes the fixing device 28 to move the lock 32 accordingly shortly before it reaches the recess 30 into which the bolt 32 is to move. In order to avoid high friction between the bolt 32 and the Längenbe limit band 21 when there is no recess 30 in position, it can therefore be advantageous that the bar 32 against the force of a spring backwards, ie from the Längenbe limit band 21 away, can dodge. The spring force also ensures that the bolt 32 penetrates into the recess 30 in a particularly reliable manner. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 2 to 7, it is provided that the conveyor device 7 is controlled by a control device 37, which receives corresponding data from the setting device 24 for this purpose, in such a way that the extension speed of the guide chain 5 is in a last section of the target extension length of the Guide carriage 11 is reduced before reaching the deflection point compared to a travel speed from before the last section of the target extension length. As a result, it is possible that the guide carriage 11 can be extended comparatively quickly and the speed of the guide carriage 11 is reduced, preferably significantly, only as shortly as possible before reaching the deflection point. It is also preferably provided that the extension speed of the guide chain 5 after reaching the deflection point, ie when the deflection unit 12 has deflected the guide chain 5, compared to the extension speed of the guide chain 5 in the last section of the target extension length of the guide carriage 11 before reaching the deflection point is increased. It has been shown that in particular a high extension speed of the guide chain 5 after the deflection point can noticeably reduce the entire duration of the strapping process.

It can be provided that the setting device 24 is designed as part of the control device 37. The device 1 according to the invention preferably has a display (not shown in greater detail) in which a plurality of desired extension lengths are preset and can be selected by the user. Preferably, the display also shows whether the length limiting band 21 or the guide carriage 11 is locked, unlocked or undefined.

In FIG. 5, a length limiting band 21 is shown as an example, with an end stop 22 optionally also being provided so that the length limiting band 21 can preferably not be pulled completely out of the device 1 or the housing 8. In FIG. 5, on the end of the length limiting band 21 facing away from the end stop 22, fastening points 38 are also shown, which serve to fix the length limiting band 21 on the guide carriage 11.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, an adjusting device 24 and a control device 37 are shown, which interact with the electric motor 10 or the incremental encoder 29 and the fixing device 28.

In FIGS. 2 to 4, a runner part 39 is shown at the front end of the guide carriage 11, the end portion of which points away from the floor so that the guide carriage 11 can compensate for minor unevenness, such as the pallet transverse timbers, on the floor in a particularly simple manner. The runner part 39 can basically also be designed in such a way that it has an upwardly pointing end section at both ends, so that unevenness can be compensated for in both directions of movement of the guide carriage 11 (retraction movement 15 and extension movement 16).

A particularly advantageous method for controlling the device shown in FIGS. 2 to 7 results from claim 16.

Claims

Patent claims

1. Device (1) for strapping packaged goods (2) with at least one strapping band (4), comprising a band guide means (5) for guiding the strapping band (4), a conveyor device (7) for extending and retracting the band guide means (5 ), a guide carriage (11) which, together with the tape guide means (5), can be extended to a desired extension length up to a deflection point, a length limiting tape (21) connected to the guide carriage (11) and extendable with the guide carriage (11), and an adjusting device (24) in order to set the desired extension length of the guide carriage (11) up to the deflection point, the guide carriage (11) having a deflection unit (12) which is able to deflect the tape guide means (5) at the deflection point,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

the setting device (24) is set up to determine an actual extension length of the guide carriage (11) and, depending on the desired extension length of the guide carriage (11), to control a fixing device (28) which stops the extension movement of the length limiting belt (21) .

2. Device according to claim 1,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

the conveying device (7) comprises an electric motor (10) and the adjusting device (24) electronically determines the actual extension length of the guide carriage (11) based on the revolutions of the electric motor (10).

3. Device according to claim 2,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

the electric motor (10) comprises an incremental encoder (29).

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

the setting device (24) is set up to control the conveying device (7) after it has been switched on and / or if necessary, in such a way that the conveying device (7) moves the guide carriage (11) to a reference position.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

the fixing device (28) is designed to act positively and / or non-positively on the length limiting band (21) to fix the length limiting band (21).

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that

the length limiting band (21) has stop elements (30) arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the length limiting band (21).

7. Apparatus according to claim 6,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

the stop elements (30) are arranged at a regular grid spacing at least along a section of the length limiting band (21).

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

the stop elements (30) are designed as recesses in the length limiting strip (21) and / or as projections.

9. Device according to one of claims 6, 7 or 8,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

the fixing device (28) has an adjusting unit (31) which brings a fixing element (32) into positive engagement with one of the stop elements (30) of the length limiting band (21) to limit the movement of the length limiting band (21).

10. Apparatus according to claim 9,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

the fixing element (32) cooperates with a damping element (36) in order to stop a Auszugbe movement of the length limiting band (21) attenuated.

11. The device according to claim 9 or 10,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

the setting device (24) is set up to detect the position of the fixing element (32) and / or of the setting unit (31).

12. Device according to one of claims 9, 10 or 11,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

the fixing element (32) and / or the actuating unit (31) are designed such that in the currentless

State of the actuating unit (31) the fixing element (32) is locked by a spring force with one of the Anchor elements (30).

13. Device according to one of claims 9 to 12,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

the actuating unit (31) is designed as a lifting magnet and / or the fixing element (32) is designed as a bolt.

14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

the tape guide means (5) is designed as a guide chain and the conveyor (7) has at least one gear wheel (9) which engages in the guide chain (5) to extend and retract the guide chain (5).

15. Device according to one of claims 1 to 14,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

a control device (37) is provided which is set up to control the conveying device (7) in such a way that the extension speed of the tape guide means (5) in a last section of the target extension length of the guide carriage (11) before reaching the deflection point is compared with a Extension speed is reduced before the last section of the target extension length and / or that the extension speed of the tape guide means (5) after reaching the deflection point compared to the extension speed of the tape guide means (5) in the last section of the target extension length of the guide carriage (11) before Reaching the turning point is increased.

16. A method for strapping packaged goods (2) with at least one strapping band (4), after which the strapping band (4) is fixed to a band guide means (5), after which the band guide means (5) is extended by a conveyor (7), after which a guide carriage (11) detachably connected to the tape guide means (5), together with the tape guide means (5), is passed underneath the packaged goods (2) and is extended to a deflection point, after which a length limiting tape (21) attached to the guide carriage (11) is extended with the guide carriage (11), after which a target extension length of the guide carriage (11) is set up to the deflection point by setting the extendable length of the length limiting strap (21),

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

During the extension of the guide carriage (11), an actual extension length of the guide carriage (11) is determined, after which the extension movement of the length limiting tape (21) is stopped when the target extension length of the guide carriage (11) is reached, after which an extension speed of the tape guide means ( 5) in a last section of the target extension length of the guide carriage (11) before reaching the deflection point compared to a Ausfahrgeschwin speed before reaching the last section of the target extension length is reduced and / or that the extension speed of the tape guide means (5) after reaching the The deflection point is compared with the extension speed of the tape guide means (5) in the last section of the target extension length of the guide carriage (11) is increased.

17. Control device (37) for controlling the extension speed in a method according to claim 16.

18. Computer program product with program code means to carry out a method according to claim 16 when the program is executed on a control device (37) of a device (1) for stripping of packaged goods (2).