EP3877267B1 - Apparatus and method for strapping packaged goods - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for strapping packaged goods with at least one strap, comprising a strap guide for guiding the strap, a conveyor device for extending and retracting the strap guide, a guide carriage which, together with the strap guide, can be extended a set extension length up to a deflection point , a length limiting strap that is connected to the guide carriage and can be pulled out with the guide carriage, and an adjustment device to set the target extension length of the guide carriage up to the deflection point, the guide carriage having a deflection unit that is able to deflect the strap guide means at the deflection point.

The invention also relates to a method for strapping packaged goods with at least one strap, according to which the strap is fixed to a strap guide, after which the strap guide is extended by a conveyor device, after which a guide carriage detachably connected to the strap guide is extended together with the strap guide to a deflection point is, after which a fixed to the guide carriage length limiting strap is pulled out with the guide carriage, after which the target extension length of the guide carriage is set up to the deflection point by the extendable length of the length limiting strap is adjusted.

A generic device is from EP 1 053 941 B1 famous. Furthermore, with regard to other known devices on the DE 10 2012 217 805 A1 , the DE 103 15 530 A1 and the DE 10 2010 029 992 A1 referred. DE 299 08 906 U1 also discloses a device according to the preamble of claim 1.

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

When strapping packaged goods standing on pallets, in particular piece goods, with strapping, it is necessary to pass the strapping through a gap between the packaged goods and the floor on which the packaged goods and the associated pallet are standing. Since the strapping usually behaves like a rope, i. H. are not rigid, it is often difficult to feed them through, especially with longer pallets. Accordingly, in the case of larger packaged goods, for example packages or piece goods, strapping is only possible with tools.

From the prior art is therefore, as in the EP 1 053 941 B1 described, a device for strapping or bundling a palletized load is 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 initial portion of the strap. The tape guide means is designed as a back-rigid chain, at the front end of which a guide carriage is releasably attached. The carriage guides the rigid-backed chain and attached strap 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 strap that has been passed through from the ground, the carriage has a deflection unit for the rigid-backed chain.

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 strap.

In a predetermined position (deflection point), the carriage is held back by the length-limiting belt and separated from the back-rigid chain, which continues to advance in a feed movement. The back-rigid chain is preferably deflected by about 90 degrees by the deflection unit of the carriage and in this way is moved upwards approximately vertically. The belt guide designed as a chain is prevented from tipping over in that the chain is designed as a rigid-backed chain and could therefore only tip in the direction of the object to be packaged. Tilting in the direction of the object to be packaged is prevented in that the strapping is arranged within the chain in such a way that it keeps the rigid-backed chain under tension during the extension movement. Only by briefly interrupting the extension movement is this tension released and the rigid chain tilts down onto the item to be packaged as desired due to its own weight and, after the extension movement is continued, it can now move in an approximately horizontal path on the top of the item to be packaged in the direction of the users are supplied.

After the user has taken over the strapping band or after completion of the strapping process, the rigid-backed chain can be retracted again, taking the extended carriage back 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 enables packaged goods, in particular packaged goods arranged on pallets, to be strapped easily and quickly almost independently of the height of the packaged goods, without the operator having to bend down.

The ones from the EP 1 053 941 B1 known device for strapping a palletized load is robust, trouble-free and easy to use, which proves to be particularly important for the user for daily use.

One of the important features of the strapping device known from the prior art is the length limiting strap already mentioned above. A front end of the length limiting strap 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 strap and thus the guide carriage can be extended. This allows the deflection point to be defined. This is generally selected in such a way that the guide carriage can be passed under the packaged goods and the guide carriage moves out again under the pallet on the side facing away from the entry side. When the deflection point or a target extension length is reached, the sliver guide means is then deflected by the deflection unit, in particular aligned upwards vertically to the ground.

According to the EP 1 053 941 B1 It is provided that the extendable length of the length limiting strap is limited by a stop formed at the end of the length limiting strap and an adjustable counter stop, preferably a pin or 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 strap. Depending on where the pin is inserted in the housing of the device, the length that the length limiting strap can extend is changed. In the prior art, a grid dimension of 20 cm is provided for this. In practice, a smaller grid dimension is not readily achievable since, due to the type of construction, a pin cannot be inserted everywhere in the displacement path of the limit stop of the length limiting strap.

A further disadvantage of the solution known from the prior art is that the stop formed on the length-limiting strap strikes the pin at the selected, highest possible extension speed, and the device is mechanically stressed as a result.

In the prior art, it is important to weigh up the speed at which the conveyor device extends the belt guide means and thus the guide carriage. In order to be able to present a fast strapping process, a high exit speed is desirable. However, this leads to a hard impact and a risk that the device will be 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, to the deflection unit of the guide carriage being deflected abruptly or hard. Like in the EP 1 053 941 B1 described, 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 to a pushing part of the guide part, if the tape guide means extends further, but the movement of the guide carriage is stopped.

In order to dampen the impact that occurs when the guide carriage is stopped, it is conceivable to dampen the stop of the length limiting strap and/or the pin. It is also conceivable that that too

To dampen the gear which drives the belt guide means in order to reduce a load on the transmission of the conveyor during the impact.

These measures make it possible to achieve higher extension speeds, although it would be desirable to further increase the speed and reduce the load on the device when the deflection point is reached.

The present invention is based on the object of further improving the strapping devices known from the prior art, in particular in order to achieve the highest possible speed during strapping and the lowest 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 realize the highest possible speed during strapping with at the same time low stress 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

Method solved by claim 16. A computer program product results from claim 17.

The device according to the invention for strapping packaged goods with at least one strap has a strap guide for guiding the strap, a conveyor device for extending and retracting the strap guide, a guide carriage which can be extended together with the strap guide by a set extension length up to a deflection point, a length limiting tape connected to the guide carriage and extendable with the guide carriage, and an adjustment device in order to adjust the target extension length of the guide carriage up to the deflection point. The guide carriage has a deflection unit which is able to deflect the sliver 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 carriage and to control a fixing device depending on the target extension length of the guide carriage, which stops the extension movement of the length limiting strap.

Various advantages result from the fact that the setting device determines an actual extended length of the guide carriage according to the invention.

Determining the actual extended length of the guide carriage makes it possible to use a fixing device which is controlled by the setting device in such a way that the length limiting belt is stopped when the guide carriage has reached the target extended length or the deflection point. In the prior art, the stop is connected to the end of the restraining strap with the adjustable pin, both the function of determining the extension length ("adjustment device") and the function of stopping the extension movement of the length limiting strap ("fixing device"). The fact that the functions can now be separated, ie that a target extension length is set and an actual extension length is determined by the setting device, while the fixing device takes over the stopping of the extension movement, both devices can be optimally designed to take over the respective task .

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

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 sliver guide means. After it is known from the determination of 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 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 sliver guide means can also be increased after the deflection point has been reached or when the deflection unit has deflected the sliver guide means.

This measure allows the strapping process to be accelerated considerably and at the same time to ensure that the device is less heavily or only slightly loaded when it reaches the deflection point—because of the then reduced extension speed of the strap guide means. This also reduces the previously annoying noise. Advantageously, this can also mean that damping of the gear wheel, which preferably drives the belt guide means, can be omitted. As a result, the gear wheel can be manufactured more easily on the one hand and, on the other hand, the engagement of the gear wheel in the belt guide means can be more exact or more precise due to the omission of the damping.

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 sliver guide means in a last section of the target extension length of the guide carriage before reaching the deflection point is compared with an extension speed before the last section of the target - Extension length is reduced and/or that the extension speed of the sliver guide means after reaching the deflection point is increased compared to the extension speed of the sliver guide means in the last section of the target 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 uses the data of the adjustment device, in particular the actual extension length, has proven itself in a special way.

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 extended length of the length limiting strap and from this to determine the actual extended length of the guide carriage. Furthermore, it is also possible to directly or indirectly measure the extended length of the sliver guide means and then to determine the actual extended length of the guide carriage from this.

As a further alternative, the actual extended 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 adjustment device determines the actual extended length of the guide carriage electronically based on the revolutions of the electric motor.

A determination of the actual extended length of the guide carriage by detecting 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.

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

According to the invention, the adjusting device can be set up in such a way that it compares the actual extension length, which was preferably detected 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 as required in such a way that the conveyor device moves the guide carriage to a reference position.

The fact that the setting device controls the conveyor device after switching on and/or if necessary in such a way that the conveyor device moves the guide carriage to a reference position can be easily ensured that the measurement of the actual extension length of the guide carriage is error-free. According to the invention, it can be provided that the setting device controls the conveyor device in such a way that the guide carriage is first moved back or retracted to a stop and then moved out 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 a stationary manner on the device according to the invention or a housing of the device according to the invention and the length limiting strap or a device connected to the length limiting strap, which is considered part of the length limiting strap in this respect, has appropriately designed stop elements, in which then engages the fixing device as required, according to the specifications of the desired extension length and the determined actual extension length.

It is advantageous if the fixing device is designed to act on the length limiting band in a form-fitting and/or non-positive manner in order to fix the length limiting band.

A configuration of the fixing device in such a way that it acts on the length-limiting strap in a form-fitting and/or non-positive manner in order to stop the pull-out movement of the length-limiting strap has proven to be particularly suitable.

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

Such a configuration has proven to be particularly suitable, in particular for making the fixing device stationary on the device or the housing and yet being able to set different target extension lengths of the guide carriage in a simple manner.

According to the invention, it can also be provided that the stop elements are arranged at least along a section of the length-limiting strap in a regular grid dimension.

It has been shown that it is advantageous if the stop elements are arranged in a regular grid. A grid size 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 here. Preferably, the target extension length can be entered via a corresponding control panel, with the adjustable target extension lengths being particularly preferably specified in the control panel.

It can be advantageous if the setting device is set up in such a way that it controls the fixing device, in particular if this is intended to act in a form-fitting manner on the length-limiting strap or the stop elements of the length-limiting strap, before the guide carriage has reached the desired 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 limiting strap with which the form-fitting connection is to be established.

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

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

The design of the stop elements as recesses and/or as projections in the length-limiting strap has proven to be particularly suitable. It is particularly advantageous for the recesses in the length-limiting band to be in the form of oblong holes or rectangular recesses. It can be provided in particular that the cutouts have a rectangular shape in which the two longer sides of the rectangle extend in the longitudinal direction of the length limiting strap, so that the main axis of the rectangular cutouts extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the length limiting strap, which means that the fixing device is particularly advantageous Way can engage in the recesses.

The length-limiting strap can preferably be designed as a plastic strap.

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

Such an embodiment has proven to be particularly suitable for reliably ensuring that the pull-out movement of the length-limiting strap 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 moves in the displacement path, d. H. the pull-out path of the selected stop element of the length limiting strap.

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

As an alternative or in addition to the control device being controlled on the basis of the data from the setting device in such a way that the extension speed of the sliver guide means is reduced when the deflection point is reached, it can be advantageous to design the fixing element to be damped, so that the forces that occur or the Impact, which results from the engagement of the fixing element in the stop elements, is dampened or reduced.

Provision can be made in a particularly advantageous manner for the damping element to be designed as a spring or as an elastic damping element, for example as a rubber element. The damping element can rest against a front side of the fixing element that is at the front in the extension direction of the strap guide means, so that the fixing element is damped when it is subjected to a corresponding force in the extension direction by the stop element of the length limiting strap, in which the fixing element engages.

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

Since the setting device detects the position of the fixing element and/or the position of the setting unit, the user can determine in an advantageous manner whether the length limiting strap and thus also the guide carriage is locked or freely movable. Preferably, the setting device also detects an (undefined) position of the fixing element and/or the setting unit, which is between the unlocked and the locked position, in particular when the setting unit, controlled by the setting device, wants to fix the length limiting strap with the fixing element, but Length limiting tape is not yet in a position in which the fixing element can engage in a stop element, such as a recess.

Provision is preferably made for the fixing element to be prestressed in the direction of the length limiting strap. This configuration is particularly suitable if the stop elements are designed as recesses in the length-limiting strap. In this case, the fixing element can then particularly advantageously penetrate into the recesses. If the adjusting device already feeds the fixing element in the direction of the length limiting strap or its stop element before the stop element of the length limiting strap is positioned accordingly, the fixing element can move in a direction away from the length limiting strap due to the pretension by the Length-limiting band are pushed back or run along the length-limiting band rubbing until the corresponding stop element is in position, so that the fixing element can penetrate into the recess, supported by the pretension.

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 in the de-energized state.

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

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

It has proven 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.

The damping element can preferably also be arranged in the receptacle, which interacts with the fixing element in such a way that an extension movement of the length limiting strap 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 strap, in particular a recess.

As already described, the fixing element is preferably prestressed in the direction of the length-limiting strap by means of a resilient configuration or an elastic element. Such a configuration 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-limiting strap.

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

It is advantageous if the sliver guide means is designed as a guide chain and the conveying device has at least one gear wheel which engages in the guide chain for moving the guide chain in and out.

An embodiment of the belt guide means as a guide chain, in particular as a guide chain with a stiff back, has proven particularly effective. For this, the description of the EP 1 053 941 B1 referred. The preferably provided toothed wheel, which engages in the guide chain for moving the guide chain in and out, is preferably designed without damping elements. In principle, however, damping elements can be provided. The toothed wheel is preferably designed in such a way that it engages in the guide chain with as little tolerance as possible in order to enable the guide chain to be extended and retracted with as little play as possible. The guide chain can preferably comprise bolts or transverse webs which run transversely to the feed direction and in which the toothed wheel engages accordingly.

The method according to the invention for strapping packaged goods with at least one strapping provides that the strapping is fixed to a strap guide, after which the strap guide is extended by a conveyor, after which a guide carriage detachably connected to the strap guide is guided under the packaged goods together with the strap guide and up to is extended to a deflection point, after which a length-limiting strap fixed to 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 strap.

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

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. As already described, the knowledge of the actual extension length also allows the extension speed of the strap guide means to be advantageously controlled in order to achieve a high strapping speed on the one hand and to be able to reduce the mechanical load at the deflection point on the other.

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 already associated with the device according to the invention were mentioned, are also understood based on the method according to the invention - and vice versa.

The invention also relates to a computer program product with program code means for carrying out the method according to the invention when the program is executed on a control device of a device according to claim 1 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 independently of the other features of the same exemplary embodiment and can accordingly be combined by a person skilled in the art to form further meaningful combinations with features of other exemplary embodiments.

Figur 1

eine Vorrichtung zum Umreifen, wie sie aus dem Stand der Technik bekannt ist;

Figur 2

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Schnitts durch die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung zum Umreifen von Packgut in einer Normalstellung des Führungsschlittens vor dem Erreichen eines Umlenkpunkts;

Figur 3

eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung zum Umreifen in einer weiteren Schnittdarstellung in einer Normalstellung vor dem Erreichen des Umlenkpunkts;

Figur 4

eine Darstellung nach Figur 3, wobei der Führungsschlitten den Umlenkpunkt erreicht hat und eine Umlenkeinheit des Führungsschlittens um ca. 90 Grad nach oben ausgelenkt ist;

Figur 5

eine Draufsicht auf Längenbegrenzungsband in einer möglichen Ausführungsform;

Figur 6

eine mögliche Ausgestaltung eines Fixierelements einer Fixiereinrichtung zum Stoppen der Auszugsbewegung des Längenbegrenzungsbands; und

Figur 7

eine mögliche Ausgestaltung einer Fixiereinrichtung zum Stoppen der Auszugsbewegung eines Längenauszugsbandes in einer Ausgestaltung mit einem Hubmagneten und einem Riegel.

It shows:

figure 1

a device for strapping, as is known from the prior art;

figure 2

a perspective view of a section through the inventive device for strapping packaged goods in a normal position of the guide carriage before reaching a deflection point;

figure 3

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

figure 4

a representation after figure 3 , wherein the guide carriage has reached the deflection point and a deflection unit of the guide carriage is deflected upwards by approximately 90 degrees;

figure 5

a plan view of length limiting tape in a possible embodiment;

figure 6

a possible configuration of a fixing element of a fixing device for stopping the pull-out movement of the length-limiting strap; and

figure 7

a possible configuration of a fixing device for stopping the extension movement of a length extension tape in a configuration with a lifting magnet and a bolt.

In the figure 1 a strapping device known from the prior art is shown. A general mode of operation of such a device for strapping is described below on the basis of this figure 1 described. For this is also on the EP 1 053 941 B1 referred.

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

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

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

Like in the figure 1 As can be seen, the packaged goods 2 can stand, for example, on pallets 3 or the like and be connected to the pallet 3 with the aid of a strap 4 for transport or storage. The device 1 of figure 1 has a strap guide means 5 for guiding the strap 4, which 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 large number of links 6 which are connected to one another, for example by means of bolts which are not described in any more detail.

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

A conveyor device 7 is provided for extending and retracting the guide chain 5 . In the exemplary 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 band 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 conveying device 7 preferably has a gear wheel 9 which engages in the guide chain 5 or the links 6 with its teeth. It can be provided that the toothed wheel 9 engages in transverse webs of the links 6 which run transversely to the extension movement of the guide chain 5 .

Alternatively, the gearwheel 9 or the conveying device 7 can also operate the guide chain 5 in some other way in order to move it in and out.

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

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

How out figure 1 As can be seen, the device has a guide carriage 11 which preferably has a deflection unit 12 and a pushing part 13 . The guide carriage 11 is in figure 1 (and also in figure 4 ) extended up to a set extension length or up to a deflection point.

The carriage 11 is in the figure 1 (and in figure 4 ) is shown 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 pivot point for the pivoting movement of the deflection unit 12 and is arranged transversely to the direction of retraction movement (arrow marked with reference number 15) and to the direction of extension movement (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 carriage 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 is standing, it is deflected upwards, as is shown in FIG figure 1 and also in figure 4 is shown.

The design of the guide carriage 11, in particular with the deflection unit 12 and/or with the pushing part 13, as is shown in figure 1 is shown, has been found to be suitable. However, another 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 up to the deflection point and the guide chain 5 is correspondingly deflected by the deflection unit 12 at the deflection point.

The guide carriage 11 is thereby extended by the guide chain 5, which is driven accordingly via the conveyor 7. The guide carriage 11 and the guide chain 5 are carried out under the packaged goods 2, in the exemplary embodiment also under the pallet 3.

In the exemplary embodiment, the desired extension length is dimensioned in such a way that the deflection point is located at a point at which the guide carriage 11 exits below the pallet 3 again. this is in figure 1 shown accordingly.

In the exemplary embodiment, a clamping device 17 is arranged at a front end of the guide chain 5, with which the strap 4 is fixed to the guide chain 5 before the start of the strapping process. The clamping device 17 can be designed, for example, as a self-clamping eccentric bolt, which is rotatably mounted via a bolt 18 . In addition, the guide chain 5 can have a release cam 19 firmly connected thereto at this end, as well as a slot 20 arranged in the guide chain 5 . The release cam 19 and the slot 20 serve to detachably connect the guide carriage 11 to the guide chain 5.

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

Next is in the figure 1 a length limiting band 21 is shown, which is preferably attached at one end to the push part 13 of the guide carriage 11 and can be fixed 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. With the help of the end stop 22 and an in figure 1 movable counter-stop 23 can be - with the in figure 1 device 1 of the prior art shown - set the distance that can be covered by the guide carriage 11 .

In the device 1 according to the invention, as in the Figures 2 to 7 is shown, a length limiting tape 21 is also provided. The device 1 according to the invention, such as those in the Figures 2 to 7 is shown, however, discloses an adjustment of the length limiting tape 21, which is different from the illustration in FIG figure 1 deviates. This is subsequently based on the Figures 2 to 7 shown in more detail.

It should be noted that also according to the Figures 2 to 7 it can optionally be provided that the length-limiting strap has an end stop 22, in particular so that it is avoided that the length-limiting strap 21 is 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 extraction is avoided. However, the counter-stop 23 is then preferably no longer movable, but fixed, preferably to the housing 8 , in particular to a plate of the housing 8 . This is in the Figures 3 and 4 shown in principle.

In the embodiments according to Figures 1 to 7 it is provided that the length limiting strap 21 is connected to the guide carriage 11 and can be pulled out with the guide carriage 11 . Deviating from figure 1 however, is in the Figures 2 to 7 an adjustment device 24 is provided in order to adjust the desired extension length of the guide carriage 11 up to the deflection point. The functioning of the adjustment device 24 and its design is explained in more detail below with reference to FIG Figures 2 to 7 shown.

First, again based on the figure 1 , A basic functional principle of the device according to the invention are presented.

However, it should be pointed out again that the explanation based on figure 1 only serves to illustrate a functional principle of the device 1 according to the invention, which has proven to be suitable, but the realization of the solution according to the invention is not limited to the figure 1 shown specific configuration limited.

All in the figure 1 The features shown are to be regarded as optional.

How out figure 1 As can be seen, 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 labeled).

The coupled forward extension movement 16 of the guide chain 5 with the connected guide carriage 11 takes place according to the in figure 1 illustrated embodiment until the guide carriage 11 is stopped in its position, for example with the help of the length limiting belt 21, ie the end stop 22 strikes the movable counter-stop 23. 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 to the guide chain 5 at this point in time, continue to be conveyed with the aid of the gear wheel 9 in the direction of the extension movement 16, as a result of which the deflection unit 12 is deflected by approximately 90 degrees compared to the previous position, until this is present at a stop 13a attached to the pushing part 13. In the normal position of the deflection unit 12 (in which it has not yet been pivoted through 90 degrees), a bearing block 27 prevents a locking pin (not shown) connected to the guide carriage 11 from jumping out of the slot 20 by striking the end face of the locking pin the support block 27 is present. By pivoting the deflection unit 12, this locking pin is released with the aid of the lever 26, as a result of which the connection between the deflection unit 12 and the guide chain 5 with a rigid back is released. At the same time, the locking pin or lever that has jumped out locks the deflection unit 12 in its essentially vertical position.

The configuration described above is also detailed in FIG EP 1 053 941 B1 shown, which is hereby incorporated by reference. The aforementioned configuration is optional within the scope of the present invention, but can be advantageous.

After passing through the deflection unit 12 , the strap guide means designed as a guide chain 5 is conveyed upwards along a side wall of the packaged goods 2 to be packaged essentially perpendicularly to the floor. A tipping over of the guide chain 5 away from the packaged goods 2 to be packaged is prevented by their rigid back design. Furthermore, the strapping band 4, which is preferably guided on the back of the guide chain 5, keeps the latter under pretension, so that a tipping over to the packaged goods 2 to be packaged is also prevented. However, the tension of the strapping band 4 can 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 beyond the top edge of the packaged goods 2 to be packaged. From there, the guide chain 5 is conveyed back towards the device 1 on the packaged goods 2 to be packaged. The aforesaid sequence of movements has proven to be advantageous, but is optional for realizing the present invention.

In this way, the user can now grab the strap 4 practically without having to move. Preferably by holding the strap 4, the clamping device 17 is released when the guide chain 5 is retracted. The guide chain 5 can be conveyed back into the device, with the deflection unit 12 being released again during the return movement (arrow 15) with the aid of the release cam 19 and the lever 26 is connected 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-backed guide chain 5, whereby the locking pin located at the other end of the lever 26 is pushed through the slot 20 of the guide chain 5 again and the desired coupling is achieved. Finally, the guide chain 5 takes the newly 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 the patent application EP 1 053 941 B1 can be found to which express reference is hereby made.

It should be pointed out again that the figure 1 The configuration shown, 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 which, however, can turn out to be advantageous.

The present invention now differs from the prior art in that the target extension length of the guide carriage 11 can be adjusted by means of the adjustment device 24 and the adjustment device 24 is set up to an actual extension length of the guide carriage 11, preferably continuously while the guide carriage 11 is extended is to be determined and, depending on the target extension length, a fixing device 28 is controlled by the adjusting device 24, which stops the extension movement of the length limiting strap 21. This is in the Figures 2 to 7 shown accordingly. Deviating from the representation according to the figure 1 the variable extended length of the length limiting strap 21 is no longer set by the end stop 22 and the counter stop 23 that can be variably fastened to the housing 8, but by the setting device 24 or the correspondingly controlled fixing device 28, which will be explained in more detail below.

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

The setting device 24 is preferably set up in such a way that the conveyor device 7 can be activated after it has been switched on and/or if required in such a way that the conveyor device 7 moves the guide carriage 11 to a reference position. It is preferably provided that the conveying 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 guide carriage 11, ie that the guide carriage 11 is slightly extended from the maximum retracted position 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 length limiting strap 21 in a positive and/or non-positive 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 strap 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 exemplary in the figure 5 shown. The stop elements 30 preferably extend at least along a section of the length limiting strap 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 A stopping of the length limiting tape 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 oblong holes, in the length-limiting strap 21 . Alternatively, it can also be provided that the stop elements 30 are designed as projections in order to create a positive connection with a correspondingly designed element of the fixing device 28 .

In the embodiment, as in particular from the Figures 3 , 4 , 6 and 7 As can be seen, provision is made for the fixing device 28 to have an actuating unit 31 which, in order to limit the extension movement of the length-limiting strap 21, positively engages a fixing element 32 with one of the stop elements, designed as recesses 30, of the length-limiting strap 21 ( figure 5 ) brings.

In the exemplary embodiment, the actuating device 31 is designed as a lifting magnet and the fixing element 32 as a bolt. The bolt 32 is arranged in a receptacle 33, which can be designed in the manner of a flat housing. The receptacle 33 is preferably fixed via a rotatable mounting axle 34 to a fixed part of the housing 8, preferably between two fixed plates of the housing 8. 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 lifting magnet 31 can act accordingly. This is in the Figures 6 and 7 shown 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 be brought into engagement with one of the recesses 30 of the length limiting band 21 if necessary. The control of the solenoid 31 or the Fixing device 28 takes place on the basis of the data from 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 dampen the pull-out movement of the length-limiting strap 21 to a stop. The damping element 36 is in figure 6 shown dashed. The dampening element 36 causes the latch 32, when loaded with a force in the direction of the dampening element 36 resulting from the latch 32 being brought into engagement with the recess 30, to dampen the length limiting strap 21 not abruptly by the damping element 36, due to the resulting possible evasive movement of the bolt 32 stops. The damping element 36 can be a spring, for example, but is 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, when the lifting magnet 31 is de-energized, the bolt 32 can be actuated by a spring force (not shown) with one of the recesses 30 of the length limiting tape 21 locked as soon as a recess 30 is in a corresponding position with the latch 32. This ensures that the guide carriage 11 cannot be moved as desired when the lifting magnet 31 is de-energized, but is fixed, at the latest when the guide carriage 11 is displaced in such a way that one of the recesses 30 of the length limiting band 21 is in a position corresponding to the bolt 32 is brought. The guide carriage 11 can thus be displaced by the grid dimension at most when the lifting magnet 31 is de-energized.

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

In a way that is not shown in more detail, it is preferably provided in the exemplary embodiment that the bolt 32 is prestressed in the direction of the length limiting strap 21 by a spring force. It is preferably provided in the exemplary embodiment that the adjustment device 24 causes the fixing device 28 to bring the bolt 32 into position accordingly shortly before it reaches the recess 30 into which the bolt 32 is to move. In order to avoid high friction between the latch 32 and the length limiting band 21 when no recess 30 is in position, it can therefore be advantageous for the latch 32 to move backwards, ie away from the length limiting band 21, against the force of a spring can. The spring force also ensures that the locking bar 32 penetrates into the recess 30 in a particularly reliable manner.

In the embodiment according to Figures 2 to 7 it is provided that the conveyor device 7 is controlled by a control device 37, which receives the corresponding data from the setting device 24, in such a way that the extension speed of the guide chain 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. This makes it possible for the guide carriage 11 to be extended comparatively quickly and for the speed of the guide carriage 11 to be reduced, preferably significantly, only shortly before the deflection point is reached. It is preferably also provided that the extension speed of the guide chain 5 after the deflection point has been reached, i.e. when the deflection unit 12 has deflected the guide chain 5, is increased 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 the deflection point is reached is. 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 any more detail, in which several target extension lengths are preset and can be selected by the user. The display preferably also shows whether the length limiting belt 21 or the guide carriage 11 is locked, unlocked or undefined.

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

In the Figures 3 and 4 An adjustment device 24 and a control device 37 which interact with the electric motor 10 or the incremental encoder 29 and the fixing device 28 are only shown as an example.

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

A particularly advantageous method in order to Figures 2 to 7 to control the device shown results from claim 16.

Claims (17)

1. 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 installation (7) for deploying and retracting the band guiding means (5), a guide carriage (11) which conjointly with the band guiding means (5) by a nominal deployment length is deployable up to a deflection point, a length-limitation band (21) which is connected to the guide carriage (11) and extractable by the guide carriage (11), and an adjustment installation (24) for adjusting the nominal deployment length of the guide carriage (11) up to the deflection point, wherein the guide carriage (11) has a deflection unit (12) which is capable of deflecting the band guiding means (5) at the deflection point,
   characterized in that
   the adjustment installation (24) is specified for determining an actual deployment length of the guide carriage (11) and, as a function of the nominal deployment length of the guide carriage (11), for controlling a fixing installation (28) which stops the extraction movement of the length-limitation band (21).
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the conveying installation (7) comprises an electric motor (10), and the adjustment installation (24) determines the actual deployment length of the guide carriage (11) electronically by means of the revolutions of the electric motor (10).
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2,
   characterized in that
   the electric motor (10) comprises an incremental encoder (29).
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3,
   characterized in that
   the adjustment installation (24) is specified for actuating the conveying installation (7), upon switching on and/or if required, in such a manner that the conveying installation (7) repositions the guide carriage (11) to a reference position.
5. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4,
   characterized in that
   the fixing installation (28), for fixing the length-limitation band (21), is configured for acting in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner on the length-limitation band (21).
6. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5,
   characterized in that
   the length-limitation band (21) has detent elements (30) disposed in succession in the longitudinal direction of the length-limitation band (21).
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6,
   characterized in that
   the detent elements (30) are disposed at a regular pitch at least along one portion of the length-limitation band (21).
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 or 7,
   characterized in that
   the detent elements (30) are configured as recesses in the length-limitation band (21) and/or as protrusions.
9. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 6, 7 or 8,
   characterized in that
   the fixing installation (28) has an actuating unit (31) which, for limiting the extraction movement of the length-limitation band (21), brings a fixing element (32) to engage in a form-fitting manner with one of the detent elements (30) of the length-limitation band (21).
10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9,
    characterized in that
    the fixing element (32) interacts with a damping element (36) so as to stop in a damped manner an extraction movement of the length-limitation band (21).
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 or 10,
    characterized in that
    the adjustment installation (24) is specified for detecting the position of the fixing element (32) and/or of the actuating unit (31).
12. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 9, 10 or 11,
    characterized in that
    the fixing element (32) and/or the actuating unit (31) are configured in such a manner that the fixing element (32) in the non-energized state of the actuating unit (31) is locked to one of the detent elements (30) by a spring force.
13. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 9 to 12,
    characterized in that
    the actuating unit (31) is configured as a lifting magnet, and/or the fixing element (32) is configured as a latch.
14. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 13,
    characterized in that
    the band guiding means (5) is configured as a guide chain, and the conveying installation (7) has at least one gear wheel (9) which for retracting and deploying the guide chain (5) engages in the guide chain (5).
15. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 14,
    characterized in that
    a control installation (37) is provided, said control installation (37) being specified for actuating the conveying installation (7) in such a manner that the deployment speed of the band guiding means (5) in a last portion of the nominal deployment length of the guide carriage (11) prior to reaching the deflection point is reduced in comparison to a deployment speed prior to the last portion of the nominal deployment length and/or that the deployment speed of the band guiding means (5) upon reaching the deflection point is increased in comparison to the deployment speed of the band guiding means (5) in the last portion of the nominal deployment length of the guide carriage (11) prior to reaching the deflection point.
16. A method for strapping packaged goods (2) with at least one strapping band (4), wherein the strapping band (4) is established on a band guiding means (5), whereafter the band guiding means (5) is deployed by a conveying installation (7), whereafter a guide carriage (11), releasably connected to the band guiding means (5), conjointly with the band guiding means (5) is guided below the packaged goods (2) and deployed up to a deflection point, whereafter a length-limitation band (21) established on the guide carriage (11) is extracted by the guide carriage (11), whereafter a nominal deployment length of the guide carriage (11) up to the deflection point is adjusted in that the extractable length of the length-limitation band (21) is adjusted,
    characterized in that
    an actual deployment length of the guide carriage (11) is determined during the deployment of the guide carriage (11), whereafter the extraction movement of the length-limitation band (21) is stopped upon reaching the nominal deployment length of the guide carriage (11), whereafter a deployment speed of the band guiding means (5) in a last portion of the nominal deployment length of the guide carriage (11) prior to reaching the deflection point is reduced in comparison to a deployment speed prior to reaching the last portion of the nominal deployment length, and/or that the deployment speed of the band guiding means (5) upon reaching the deflection point is increased in comparison to the deployment speed of the band guiding means (5) in the last portion of the nominal deployment length of the guide carriage (11).
17. A computer program product having program code means for carrying out a method as claimed in claim 16 when the program is executed on a control installation (37) of an apparatus (1) for strapping packaged goods (2) as claimed in claim 1.

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