US20100089005A1 - Vertical banding machine - Google Patents
Vertical banding machine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20100089005A1 US20100089005A1 US12/287,583 US28758308A US2010089005A1 US 20100089005 A1 US20100089005 A1 US 20100089005A1 US 28758308 A US28758308 A US 28758308A US 2010089005 A1 US2010089005 A1 US 2010089005A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- band
- elastic band
- elastic
- holding devices
- banding machine
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B13/00—Bundling articles
- B65B13/02—Applying and securing binding material around articles or groups of articles, e.g. using strings, wires, strips, bands or tapes
- B65B13/022—Applying preformed bands of continuous-ring form, e.g. elastic
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B27/00—Bundling particular articles presenting special problems using string, wire, or narrow tape or band; Baling fibrous material, e.g. peat, not otherwise provided for
- B65B27/10—Bundling rods, sticks, or like elongated objects
Definitions
- the present invention relates to automated material handling machines, and more particularly to a banding machine for applying elastic bands onto elongated objects.
- U.S. Pat. No. 7,257,934 issued to Swift et al. teaches a banding machine comprising a mechanism for cutting elastic bands from a tubular elastic band stock, which are then disposed on fingers in a gravity assisted fashion for stretching the elastic band and disposing the same onto the objects.
- one object of the present invention is to provide a banding machine which produces elastic bands from a tubular elastic band stock and enables provision of the elastic bands for banding of elongated objects.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a banding machine which disposes the elastic bands onto the fingers in a gravity assisted fashion while the elongated objects are held having a horizontal orientation for banding in order to facilitate handling of the same.
- a vertical banding machine comprising an elastic band supply mechanism for providing an elastic band in a gravity assisted fashion.
- Below the elastic band supply mechanism at least two band holding devices are disposed for: receiving the elastic band from the elastic band supply mechanism; stretching the elastic band for providing a band opening surrounded by the elastic band for accommodating a plurality of objects for banding therein; and, disengaging the elastic band from the holding devices for deploying the elastic band onto one or a plurality of objects.
- An actuator coupled to the band holding devices moves the band holding devices between a first position for receiving the elastic band and a second position for disengaging the elastic band.
- a flip mechanism has the band holding devices and the actuator mounted thereto for moving the band holding devices from a band receiving position, where the elastic band is disposed in a plane oriented substantially horizontal, to a band disengaging position, where the elastic band is disposed in a plane oriented substantially vertical.
- the band holding devices, the actuator, and the flip mechanism are disposed outside a handling space determined by projecting the band opening along a straight line through the band opening and oriented substantially perpendicular thereto.
- the advantage of the present invention is that it provides a banding machine which produces elastic bands from a tubular elastic band stock and enables provision of the elastic bands for banding of elongated objects.
- a further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a banding machine which disposes the elastic bands onto the fingers in a gravity assisted fashion while the elongated objects are held having a horizontal orientation for banding in order to facilitate handling of the same.
- FIG. 1A is a front view of the banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view from one side of the banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the front of the banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2A is a top view of the flip plate of the banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2B is a bottom view of the flip plate of the banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIGS. 2C and 2D are perspective views of the band holding device of the banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIGS. 3A to 3C are perspective views of the front of the banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention at different stages of operation;
- FIG. 3D is a front view of the elastic band supply mechanism of the banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIGS. 3E and 3F are perspective views of the front of the banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention at different stages of operation.
- a vertical banding machine 100 which produces elastic bands from a tubular elastic band stock and enables provision of the elastic bands for banding of elongated objects having a horizontal orientation.
- the vertical banding machine 100 comprises a frame structure 1 having in an upper portion mounted thereto an elastic band supply mechanism 3 for providing an elastic band in a gravity assisted fashion.
- the elastic band supply mechanism 3 receives tubing 5 made of elastic material such as, for example, rubber, but is not limited thereto, from a storage container 7 via tubing roller 2 for guiding the tubing 5 between the storage container 7 and tubing feeder 4 .
- the tubing 5 is moved a predetermined length and held using a combination of moving gripper fingers and holding gripper fingers.
- An elastic band is then produced by cutting a portion of the tubing having the predetermined length using a cutter assembly. It is noted, that a mechanism for moving and cutting the tubing is disclosed in U.S. Pat.
- the gripper fingers and the cutter assembly are, for example, piston driven which are operated in a pneumatic or hydraulic or electric or electro-pneumatic fashion.
- the elastic band supply mechanism 5 comprises a mechanism for feeding elastic bands from a stock of a plurality of elastic bands.
- the elastic band deployment mechanism comprises at least two and preferably four band holding devices 18 , an actuator 19 coupled to the band holding devices 18 , and a flip mechanism 11 having the band holding devices 18 and the actuator 19 mounted thereto.
- the band holding devices 18 receive the elastic band from the elastic band supply mechanism 3 , for example, by being dropped onto respective band holders 122 after cutting; stretch the elastic band 13 for providing a band opening 15 surrounded by the elastic band 13 for accommodating one or a plurality of objects for banding therein; and disengage the elastic band 13 from the band holders 122 for deploying the elastic band 13 onto the one or plurality of objects.
- the actuator 19 moves the band holding devices 18 between a first position for receiving the elastic band 13 and a second position for disengaging the elastic band 13 .
- the flip mechanism 11 moves the band holding devices 18 from a band receiving position—the elastic band 13 opening being disposed in a plane oriented substantially horizontal—to a band disengaging position—the elastic band 13 opening being disposed in a plane oriented substantially vertical.
- FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate the band holding devices 18 in the band disengaging position. In the band disengaging position the band holding devices 18 , the actuator 19 and the flip mechanism 11 are disposed outside a handling space 21 approximately determined by projecting the band opening 15 along a straight line 17 through the band opening 15 and oriented substantially perpendicular to a plane of the band opening 15 .
- the flip mechanism 11 comprises a flip plate 40 which is rotationally movably mounted to the frame 1 such that the flip plate 40 is oriented substantially horizontal in the band receiving position and is oriented substantially vertical in the band disengaging position.
- the rotational movement is provided on one side of the flip plate 40 , for example, using a pneumatically (hydraulicly or electrically or electro-pneumatically) driven 90 degree rotary actuator 24 , which is available as a standard off-the-shelf unit, while the opposite side of the flip plate 40 is freely rotationally movably mounted using, for example, a rotation pin accommodated in rotation block 8 made of, for example, a type of industrial plastic such as Acetron®.
- an electric drive is employed for providing the rotational movement.
- the rotary actuator 24 and the rotation block 8 are vertically movably mounted to the frame 1 using, for example, guide rails and a gear drive such as a toothed wheel interacting with a toothed rack or one of a hydraulic, pneumatic or electro-pneumatic piston, enabling vertical movement of the flip plate 40 between the band receiving position and the band disengaging position.
- a gear drive such as a toothed wheel interacting with a toothed rack or one of a hydraulic, pneumatic or electro-pneumatic piston, enabling vertical movement of the flip plate 40 between the band receiving position and the band disengaging position.
- the vertical movement of the flip plate 40 is omitted by enabling sufficient vertical movement, for example, of the band holders 122 leaving sufficient distance between the flip plate 40 to the elastic band supply mechanism 3 for enabling rotation of the flip plate 40 .
- the flip plate 40 is made, for example, from an aluminum plate having a predetermined thickness to provide sufficient support and stiffness using standard computer controlled processes of cutting, milling and drilling.
- the flip plate 40 is made of a material other than aluminum such as, for example, stainless steel or composite material.
- the flip plate 40 comprises a flip plate opening 10 which is sufficiently large for accommodating the band opening 15 therein.
- the actuator 19 preferably comprises four swing arms 96 .
- Each swing arm 96 has at a first end portion the band holding device 18 mounted thereto and is rotatably mounted to the flip plate 40 at a second opposite end portion via swing arm rotation pin 12 .
- Swing arm slot 14 is a curved cam like slot disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion of the swing arm 96 .
- the swing arm slot 14 interacts with swing arm guide pin 16 , which is mounted to rotation ring 101 and freely movable accommodated in the swing arm slot 14 .
- the rotation ring 101 is mounted to the flip plate 40 via four rotation ring mounting pins 102 , which are affixed to the flip plate 40 and freely movable accommodated in rotation ring slots 104 .
- a rotation piston 92 is coupled to the rotation ring 101 via rotation piston clevis attachment bolt 103 to transmit linear motion of the piston 92 into rotational motion of the rotation ring 101 .
- the rotation piston 92 is driven, for example, in a pneumatic or hydraulic or electro-pneumatic fashion. Movement of the rotation piston 92 causes the rotation ring 101 to rotate, which in turn causes the swing arm guide pins 16 to move in the respective swing arm slots 14 causing the swing arms 96 to rotate about the swing arm rotation pins 12 for moving the band holding devices 18 towards the center of the opening 10 for receiving the elastic band or opposite for stretching and deploying the elastic band. As illustrated in FIG.
- the rotation ring slots 104 are curved such that, in concert with the rotation ring mounting pins 102 , a rotating movement of the rotation ring 101 is enabled. Furthermore, the rotation ring slots 104 have a predetermined length such that movement of the band holding devices 18 between the first position for receiving the elastic band and the second position for disengaging the elastic band is enabled.
- the rotational movement of the rotation ring 101 and consequently the movement of the band holding devices 18 —is reduced by inserting a stop pin 105 into a predisposed threaded insertion opening in the flip plate 40 and accommodated in the respective rotation ring slot 104 , thus limiting the stretching of the elastic band 13 and the corresponding elastic band opening 15 .
- the swing arms 96 and the rotation ring 101 are made, for example, from aluminum plates having a predetermined thickness to provide sufficient support and stiffness using standard computer controlled processes of cutting, milling and drilling.
- the swing arms 96 and the rotation ring 101 are made of a material other than aluminum such as, for example, stainless steel or composite material.
- the swing arm slots 14 and the rotation ring slots 104 are designed in dependence upon the number of swing arms employed and a given maximum size of the band opening 15 using standard gear engineering technology.
- the rotation ring 101 is mounted to the flip plate 40 via the rotation ring mounting pins 102 , for example, by disposing a pair of washers having an outside diameter larger than a width of the rotation ring slots 104 on each of the rotation ring mounting pins 102 such that one washer is disposed on each side of the rotation ring 101 and hold in place using a nut interacting with a threaded end portion of the rotation ring mounting pins 102 .
- the rotation ring mounting pins 102 are, for example, steel bolts having threaded two end portions, one threaded end portion for interfacing the nut and the other end portion for interfacing a threaded bore disposed in the flip plate 40 . As illustrated in FIG.
- guide bushing 106 made, for example, of a low friction plastic material, is disposed surrounding the swing arm guide pins 16 where accommodated in the respective swing arm slots 14 for providing a roller movement between the swing arm slots 14 and the swing arm guide pins 16 , thus reducing wear.
- swing arms 96 are preferably equally disposed around the opening 10 , but the embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto. Depending on the shape of the band holders 122 and the size and shape of a desired band opening 15 , different numbers—two or more—of swing arms 96 are employed. Furthermore, other than four rotation ring mounting pins 102 are employed.
- an electric drive is employed for rotating the rotation ring 101 , for example, by replacing the rotation piston 92 with a toothed gear drive comprising a driven toothed wheel interacting with a toothed surface disposed on a respective section of the rotation ring 101 .
- each swing arm 96 is actuated using a separate drive, for example, by rotatable mounting the swing arm 96 to the flip plate 40 at a predetermined location between the first end portion and the second end portion and coupling a piston drive to the second end portion.
- the band holder 122 is mounted to band holder piston rod 120 of band holder piston drive 124 .
- the band holder piston drive 124 provides linear movement to the band holder 122 .
- the band holder piston drive 124 is implemented, for example, using an off-the-shelf pneumatic or hydraulic or electro-pneumatic compact piston drive.
- the band holder 122 comprises a first portion mounted to the band holder piston rod 120 .
- the first portion of the band holder 122 is oriented substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the band holder piston rod 120 .
- a second portion is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the band holder piston rod 120 .
- the band holder 122 comprises slightly rounded edges 128 where in contact with the elastic band 13 , as well as a push off clearance groove 130 for accommodating a portion of push off pin 126 therein.
- the first portion of the band holder 122 comprises an opening for enabling movement of the push off pin 126 there through.
- the push off pin 126 for example, a stainless steel pin—is welded to push off mount 125 , which is mounted to the band holder piston drive 124 .
- the elastic band 13 is dropped onto the band holder 122 and during stretching the elastic band is in contact with the second portion of the band holder 122 .
- the band holder piston rod 120 is disposed in an extended position such that the push off pin 126 is placed outside the second portion of the band holder 122 .
- the band holder piston rod 120 is retracted causing the push off pin 126 to move into the push off clearance groove 130 , therefore, pushing the elastic band off the second portion of the band holder 122 .
- the slightly rounded edges 128 are provided to prevent cutting of the elastic band during stretching and deployment.
- the second portion of the band holder 122 is widened such that a sufficiently large band opening 15 is provided when using only two band holding devices 18 .
- the band holder 122 is fixedly mounted while the push off pin 126 is movable.
- FIG. 3A illustrates the banding machine 100 after deployment of the elastic band and rotation of the flip plate 40 into a horizontal oriented position.
- Stopper 42 made of, for example, a rubber material abuts the flip plate 40 after the 90 degree rotation and provides a cushioned stop thereto.
- the band holding devices 18 still in the deployment position—are then moved to the band receiving position with the second portion of the band holders 122 being disposed in close proximity to each other, and the band holder piston rod 120 being disposed in an extended position, as illustrated in FIG. 3B .
- the flip plate 40 is then moved vertically towards the elastic band supply mechanism 3 for receiving the elastic band there from.
- the tubing 5 is moved a predetermined length using moving gripper fingers 150 and then hold using holding gripper fingers 152 for preventing the tubing from any movement, for example, from being pulled back into the storage container.
- cutter assembly 154 a portion of the tubing 5 having the predetermined length is then cut off producing the elastic band 13 , which is then dropped onto the band holders 122 , as illustrated in FIG. 3D .
- the flip plate 40 is lowered while the band holding devices 18 are moved outward for stretching the elastic band, as illustrated in FIG. 3E .
- the flip plate 40 After reaching a predetermined vertical position which provides a sufficient distance to the elastic band supply mechanism 3 for rotation, the flip plate 40 is rotated 90 degrees into a vertical oriented position while the band holding devices 18 are moved outward to the elastic band deployment position providing a sufficiently large band opening 15 for banding, as illustrated in FIG. 3F .
- the flip plate 40 After deployment of the elastic band, for example, as described herein above with reference to FIGS. 2C and 2D , the flip plate 40 is rotated 90 degrees into the horizontal position, as illustrated in FIG. 3A .
- FIGS. 3A to 3F illustrate a sequence of snapshots of the operation of the banding machine 100 .
- the various movements of the components are, for example, combined such that the rotation of the flip plate 40 , the vertical movement of the flip plate 40 and the movement of the band holding devices 18 are executed in a simultaneous fashion. Alternatively, the various movements are executed successively.
- the various movements are actuated using pneumatic, hydraulic, electric and/or electro-pneumatic drives, which are controlled using a control system made of standard off-the-shelf components for controlling the pneumatic (or hydraulic, electric and/or electro-pneumatic ) action in combination with a processor.
Abstract
Machine for applying elastic bands onto objects comprising at least two band holding devices for receiving the elastic band from the elastic band supply mechanism; stretching the elastic band for providing a band opening surrounded by the elastic band for accommodating a plurality of objects for banding therein; and, disengaging the elastic band from the holding devices for deploying the elastic band onto the plurality of objects; an actuator coupled to the band holding devices for moving the band holding devices between a first position for receiving the elastic band and a second position for disengaging the elastic band; and, a flip mechanism having the band holding devices and the actuator mounted thereto for moving the band holding devices from a band receiving position, where the elastic band is disposed in a plane oriented substantially horizontal, to a band disengaging position, where the elastic band is disposed in a plane oriented substantially vertical, wherein in the disengaging position the band holding devices, the actuator, and the flip mechanism are disposed outside a handling space determined by projecting the band opening along a straight line through the band opening and oriented substantially perpendicular thereto.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to automated material handling machines, and more particularly to a banding machine for applying elastic bands onto elongated objects.
- 2. Brief Description of the Related Art
- Numerous objects in agriculture or industry are combined in bundles and banded using elastic bands for shipping. In many cases these objects are of elongated nature such as, for example, asparagus, cut flowers, pipes, posts or sticks, to name a few. Typically, these objects are bundled and then hold having a horizontal orientation by one worker while another worker applies an elastic band onto the hold objects at a certain distance to one end of the objects depending on the length of the same. In some instances two elastic bands are applied, placed at different locations along the objects.
- U.S. Pat. No. 7,257,934 issued to Swift et al. teaches a banding machine comprising a mechanism for cutting elastic bands from a tubular elastic band stock, which are then disposed on fingers in a gravity assisted fashion for stretching the elastic band and disposing the same onto the objects.
- The teachings of Swift et al. combine the production of the elastic bands—by cutting the same from the tubular elastic band stock—using a relatively simple mechanism with the mechanism for banding the objects in a single machine. Unfortunately, the finger sub-frame of the banding machine is designed for applying elastic bands on lobster claws or other short objects and does not allow banding of elongated objects.
- It is desirable to provide a banding machine which produces elastic bands from a tubular elastic band stock and enables provision of the elastic bands for banding of elongated objects. It is also desirable to provide a banding machine which disposes the elastic bands onto the fingers in a gravity assisted fashion while the elongated objects are held having a horizontal orientation for banding in order to facilitate handling of the same.
- Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a banding machine which produces elastic bands from a tubular elastic band stock and enables provision of the elastic bands for banding of elongated objects.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a banding machine which disposes the elastic bands onto the fingers in a gravity assisted fashion while the elongated objects are held having a horizontal orientation for banding in order to facilitate handling of the same.
- According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vertical banding machine. The vertical banding machine comprises an elastic band supply mechanism for providing an elastic band in a gravity assisted fashion. Below the elastic band supply mechanism at least two band holding devices are disposed for: receiving the elastic band from the elastic band supply mechanism; stretching the elastic band for providing a band opening surrounded by the elastic band for accommodating a plurality of objects for banding therein; and, disengaging the elastic band from the holding devices for deploying the elastic band onto one or a plurality of objects. An actuator coupled to the band holding devices moves the band holding devices between a first position for receiving the elastic band and a second position for disengaging the elastic band. A flip mechanism has the band holding devices and the actuator mounted thereto for moving the band holding devices from a band receiving position, where the elastic band is disposed in a plane oriented substantially horizontal, to a band disengaging position, where the elastic band is disposed in a plane oriented substantially vertical. In the disengaging position the band holding devices, the actuator, and the flip mechanism are disposed outside a handling space determined by projecting the band opening along a straight line through the band opening and oriented substantially perpendicular thereto.
- The advantage of the present invention is that it provides a banding machine which produces elastic bands from a tubular elastic band stock and enables provision of the elastic bands for banding of elongated objects. A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a banding machine which disposes the elastic bands onto the fingers in a gravity assisted fashion while the elongated objects are held having a horizontal orientation for banding in order to facilitate handling of the same.
- A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
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FIG. 1A is a front view of the banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view from one side of the banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the front of the banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2A is a top view of the flip plate of the banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2B is a bottom view of the flip plate of the banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention; -
FIGS. 2C and 2D are perspective views of the band holding device of the banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention; -
FIGS. 3A to 3C are perspective views of the front of the banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention at different stages of operation; -
FIG. 3D is a front view of the elastic band supply mechanism of the banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention; -
FIGS. 3E and 3F are perspective views of the front of the banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention at different stages of operation. - Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described.
- Referring to
FIGS. 1A to 2D , avertical banding machine 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is provided, which produces elastic bands from a tubular elastic band stock and enables provision of the elastic bands for banding of elongated objects having a horizontal orientation. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 1A to 1C , thevertical banding machine 100 comprises aframe structure 1 having in an upper portion mounted thereto an elasticband supply mechanism 3 for providing an elastic band in a gravity assisted fashion. The elasticband supply mechanism 3 receivestubing 5 made of elastic material such as, for example, rubber, but is not limited thereto, from astorage container 7 viatubing roller 2 for guiding thetubing 5 between thestorage container 7 and tubing feeder 4. For example, thetubing 5 is moved a predetermined length and held using a combination of moving gripper fingers and holding gripper fingers. An elastic band is then produced by cutting a portion of the tubing having the predetermined length using a cutter assembly. It is noted, that a mechanism for moving and cutting the tubing is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,257,934 issued to Swift et al. After cutting, the elastic band is dropped onto band holders. An example process of the elastic band production process is described herein below with reference toFIG. 3D . The gripper fingers and the cutter assembly are, for example, piston driven which are operated in a pneumatic or hydraulic or electric or electro-pneumatic fashion. Alternatively, the elasticband supply mechanism 5 comprises a mechanism for feeding elastic bands from a stock of a plurality of elastic bands. - With reference to
FIG. 1A , disposed below the elasticband supply mechanism 3 is an elastic band deployment mechanism as indicated by dashed lines. The elastic band deployment mechanism comprises at least two and preferably fourband holding devices 18, anactuator 19 coupled to theband holding devices 18, and aflip mechanism 11 having theband holding devices 18 and theactuator 19 mounted thereto. Theband holding devices 18 receive the elastic band from the elasticband supply mechanism 3, for example, by being dropped ontorespective band holders 122 after cutting; stretch theelastic band 13 for providing aband opening 15 surrounded by theelastic band 13 for accommodating one or a plurality of objects for banding therein; and disengage theelastic band 13 from theband holders 122 for deploying theelastic band 13 onto the one or plurality of objects. Theactuator 19 moves theband holding devices 18 between a first position for receiving theelastic band 13 and a second position for disengaging theelastic band 13. Theflip mechanism 11 moves theband holding devices 18 from a band receiving position—theelastic band 13 opening being disposed in a plane oriented substantially horizontal—to a band disengaging position—theelastic band 13 opening being disposed in a plane oriented substantially vertical.FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate theband holding devices 18 in the band disengaging position. In the band disengaging position theband holding devices 18, theactuator 19 and theflip mechanism 11 are disposed outside a handlingspace 21 approximately determined by projecting theband opening 15 along astraight line 17 through theband opening 15 and oriented substantially perpendicular to a plane of theband opening 15. Provision of the handlingspace 21 enables deployment of theelastic band 13 at any location along elongated objects. As illustrated inFIG. 1C , theflip mechanism 11 comprises aflip plate 40 which is rotationally movably mounted to theframe 1 such that theflip plate 40 is oriented substantially horizontal in the band receiving position and is oriented substantially vertical in the band disengaging position. The rotational movement is provided on one side of theflip plate 40, for example, using a pneumatically (hydraulicly or electrically or electro-pneumatically) driven 90degree rotary actuator 24, which is available as a standard off-the-shelf unit, while the opposite side of theflip plate 40 is freely rotationally movably mounted using, for example, a rotation pin accommodated inrotation block 8 made of, for example, a type of industrial plastic such as Acetron®. Alternatively, an electric drive is employed for providing the rotational movement. Therotary actuator 24 and therotation block 8 are vertically movably mounted to theframe 1 using, for example, guide rails and a gear drive such as a toothed wheel interacting with a toothed rack or one of a hydraulic, pneumatic or electro-pneumatic piston, enabling vertical movement of theflip plate 40 between the band receiving position and the band disengaging position. Alternatively, the vertical movement of theflip plate 40 is omitted by enabling sufficient vertical movement, for example, of theband holders 122 leaving sufficient distance between theflip plate 40 to the elasticband supply mechanism 3 for enabling rotation of theflip plate 40. - Referring to
FIGS. 2A to 2D , a preferred embodiment of theflip plate 40, theband holding devices 18, and theactuator 19 according to the invention is provided. Theflip plate 40 is made, for example, from an aluminum plate having a predetermined thickness to provide sufficient support and stiffness using standard computer controlled processes of cutting, milling and drilling. Optionally, theflip plate 40 is made of a material other than aluminum such as, for example, stainless steel or composite material. Theflip plate 40 comprises a flip plate opening 10 which is sufficiently large for accommodating theband opening 15 therein. As shown inFIG. 2A , theactuator 19 preferably comprises fourswing arms 96. Eachswing arm 96 has at a first end portion theband holding device 18 mounted thereto and is rotatably mounted to theflip plate 40 at a second opposite end portion via swingarm rotation pin 12.Swing arm slot 14 is a curved cam like slot disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion of theswing arm 96. Theswing arm slot 14 interacts with swingarm guide pin 16, which is mounted torotation ring 101 and freely movable accommodated in theswing arm slot 14. As illustrated inFIG. 2B , therotation ring 101 is mounted to theflip plate 40 via four rotationring mounting pins 102, which are affixed to theflip plate 40 and freely movable accommodated inrotation ring slots 104. Arotation piston 92 is coupled to therotation ring 101 via rotation pistonclevis attachment bolt 103 to transmit linear motion of thepiston 92 into rotational motion of therotation ring 101. Therotation piston 92 is driven, for example, in a pneumatic or hydraulic or electro-pneumatic fashion. Movement of therotation piston 92 causes therotation ring 101 to rotate, which in turn causes the swing arm guide pins 16 to move in the respectiveswing arm slots 14 causing theswing arms 96 to rotate about the swing arm rotation pins 12 for moving theband holding devices 18 towards the center of theopening 10 for receiving the elastic band or opposite for stretching and deploying the elastic band. As illustrated inFIG. 2B , therotation ring slots 104 are curved such that, in concert with the rotationring mounting pins 102, a rotating movement of therotation ring 101 is enabled. Furthermore, therotation ring slots 104 have a predetermined length such that movement of theband holding devices 18 between the first position for receiving the elastic band and the second position for disengaging the elastic band is enabled. Optionally, the rotational movement of therotation ring 101—and consequently the movement of theband holding devices 18—is reduced by inserting astop pin 105 into a predisposed threaded insertion opening in theflip plate 40 and accommodated in the respectiverotation ring slot 104, thus limiting the stretching of theelastic band 13 and the correspondingelastic band opening 15. Theswing arms 96 and therotation ring 101 are made, for example, from aluminum plates having a predetermined thickness to provide sufficient support and stiffness using standard computer controlled processes of cutting, milling and drilling. Optionally, theswing arms 96 and therotation ring 101 are made of a material other than aluminum such as, for example, stainless steel or composite material. Theswing arm slots 14 and therotation ring slots 104 are designed in dependence upon the number of swing arms employed and a given maximum size of theband opening 15 using standard gear engineering technology. Therotation ring 101 is mounted to theflip plate 40 via the rotationring mounting pins 102, for example, by disposing a pair of washers having an outside diameter larger than a width of therotation ring slots 104 on each of the rotationring mounting pins 102 such that one washer is disposed on each side of therotation ring 101 and hold in place using a nut interacting with a threaded end portion of the rotation ring mounting pins 102. The rotationring mounting pins 102 are, for example, steel bolts having threaded two end portions, one threaded end portion for interfacing the nut and the other end portion for interfacing a threaded bore disposed in theflip plate 40. As illustrated inFIG. 2B , guidebushing 106 made, for example, of a low friction plastic material, is disposed surrounding the swing arm guide pins 16 where accommodated in the respectiveswing arm slots 14 for providing a roller movement between theswing arm slots 14 and the swing arm guide pins 16, thus reducing wear. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 2A and 2B , fourswing arms 96 are preferably equally disposed around theopening 10, but the embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto. Depending on the shape of theband holders 122 and the size and shape of a desiredband opening 15, different numbers—two or more—ofswing arms 96 are employed. Furthermore, other than four rotationring mounting pins 102 are employed. - Alternatively, an electric drive is employed for rotating the
rotation ring 101, for example, by replacing therotation piston 92 with a toothed gear drive comprising a driven toothed wheel interacting with a toothed surface disposed on a respective section of therotation ring 101. - Further alternatively, each
swing arm 96 is actuated using a separate drive, for example, by rotatable mounting theswing arm 96 to theflip plate 40 at a predetermined location between the first end portion and the second end portion and coupling a piston drive to the second end portion. - Referring to
FIGS. 2C and 2D , a preferred embodiment of theband holding devices 18 according to the invention is provided. Theband holder 122 is mounted to bandholder piston rod 120 of bandholder piston drive 124. The bandholder piston drive 124 provides linear movement to theband holder 122. The bandholder piston drive 124 is implemented, for example, using an off-the-shelf pneumatic or hydraulic or electro-pneumatic compact piston drive. Theband holder 122 comprises a first portion mounted to the bandholder piston rod 120. The first portion of theband holder 122 is oriented substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bandholder piston rod 120. A second portion is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bandholder piston rod 120. Theband holder 122 comprises slightly roundededges 128 where in contact with theelastic band 13, as well as a push offclearance groove 130 for accommodating a portion of push offpin 126 therein. The first portion of theband holder 122 comprises an opening for enabling movement of the push offpin 126 there through. The push offpin 126—for example, a stainless steel pin—is welded to push offmount 125, which is mounted to the bandholder piston drive 124. Theelastic band 13 is dropped onto the band holder 122and during stretching the elastic band is in contact with the second portion of theband holder 122. During receipt and stretching, the bandholder piston rod 120 is disposed in an extended position such that the push offpin 126 is placed outside the second portion of theband holder 122. During deployment of the elastic band the bandholder piston rod 120 is retracted causing the push offpin 126 to move into the push offclearance groove 130, therefore, pushing the elastic band off the second portion of theband holder 122. The slightly roundededges 128 are provided to prevent cutting of the elastic band during stretching and deployment. - Optionally, the second portion of the
band holder 122 is widened such that a sufficientlylarge band opening 15 is provided when using only twoband holding devices 18. - Alternatively, the
band holder 122 is fixedly mounted while the push offpin 126 is movable. - Referring to
FIGS. 3A to 3F , operation of the preferred embodiment of theband machine 100 according to the invention is described herein below.FIG. 3A illustrates the bandingmachine 100 after deployment of the elastic band and rotation of theflip plate 40 into a horizontal oriented position.Stopper 42 made of, for example, a rubber material abuts theflip plate 40 after the 90 degree rotation and provides a cushioned stop thereto. Theband holding devices 18—still in the deployment position—are then moved to the band receiving position with the second portion of theband holders 122 being disposed in close proximity to each other, and the bandholder piston rod 120 being disposed in an extended position, as illustrated inFIG. 3B . Theflip plate 40 is then moved vertically towards the elasticband supply mechanism 3 for receiving the elastic band there from. Thetubing 5 is moved a predetermined length using movinggripper fingers 150 and then hold using holdinggripper fingers 152 for preventing the tubing from any movement, for example, from being pulled back into the storage container. Using cutter assembly 154 a portion of thetubing 5 having the predetermined length is then cut off producing theelastic band 13, which is then dropped onto theband holders 122, as illustrated inFIG. 3D . After receipt of the elastic band, theflip plate 40 is lowered while theband holding devices 18 are moved outward for stretching the elastic band, as illustrated inFIG. 3E . After reaching a predetermined vertical position which provides a sufficient distance to the elasticband supply mechanism 3 for rotation, theflip plate 40 is rotated 90 degrees into a vertical oriented position while theband holding devices 18 are moved outward to the elastic band deployment position providing a sufficientlylarge band opening 15 for banding, as illustrated inFIG. 3F . After deployment of the elastic band, for example, as described herein above with reference toFIGS. 2C and 2D , theflip plate 40 is rotated 90 degrees into the horizontal position, as illustrated inFIG. 3A . - The
FIGS. 3A to 3F illustrate a sequence of snapshots of the operation of the bandingmachine 100. The various movements of the components are, for example, combined such that the rotation of theflip plate 40, the vertical movement of theflip plate 40 and the movement of theband holding devices 18 are executed in a simultaneous fashion. Alternatively, the various movements are executed successively. As described herein above, the various movements are actuated using pneumatic, hydraulic, electric and/or electro-pneumatic drives, which are controlled using a control system made of standard off-the-shelf components for controlling the pneumatic (or hydraulic, electric and/or electro-pneumatic ) action in combination with a processor. - The present invention has been described herein with regard to preferred embodiments. However, it will be obvious to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described herein.
Claims (10)
1. A vertical banding machine comprising:
an elastic band supply mechanism for providing an elastic band in a gravity assisted fashion;
at least two band holding devices for:
receiving the elastic band from the elastic band supply mechanism;
stretching the elastic band for providing a band opening surrounded by the elastic band for accommodating a plurality of objects for banding therein; and,
disengaging the elastic band from the holding devices for deploying the elastic band onto the plurality of objects;
an actuator coupled to the band holding devices for moving the band holding devices between a first position for receiving the elastic band and a second position for disengaging the elastic band; and,
a flip mechanism having the band holding devices and the actuator mounted thereto for moving the band holding devices from a band receiving position, where the elastic band is disposed in a plane oriented substantially horizontal, to a band disengaging position, where the elastic band is disposed in a plane oriented substantially vertical, wherein in the disengaging position the band holding devices, the actuator, and the flip mechanism are disposed outside a handling space determined by projecting the band opening along a straight line through the band opening and oriented substantially perpendicular thereto.
2. A vertical banding machine as defined in claim 1 wherein the flip mechanism comprises a flip plate having the band holding devices and the actuator mounted thereto, the flip plate comprising a flip plate opening which is sufficiently large for accommodating the band opening therein.
3. A vertical banding machine as defined in claim 2 wherein the flip plate is rotational movable mounted to a frame such that the flip plate is oriented substantially horizontal in the band receiving position and is oriented substantially vertical in the band disengaging position.
4. A vertical banding machine as defined in claim 3 comprising a 90 degree rotary actuator for providing rotational movement to the flip plate.
5. A vertical banding machine as defined in claim 3 wherein the elastic band supply mechanism is mounted to a top portion of the frame and wherein the flip plate is vertical movable between the band receiving position and the band disengaging position.
6. A vertical banding machine as defined in claim 2 wherein the actuator comprises at least two swing arms, each swing arm having a band holding device mounted thereto at a first end portion and being rotatable mounted to the flip plate at a second opposite end portion.
7. A vertical banding machine as defined in claim 6 wherein the actuator comprises a rotation ring rotational movable mounted to the flip plate having at least two swing arm guide pins mounted thereto, each swing arm guide pin being movable interfaced with a curved swing arm slot disposed in the respective swing arm such that rotational movement of the rotation ring causes movement of the band holding devices between the first position and the second position.
8. A vertical banding machine as defined in claim 1 wherein each of the band holding devices comprises:
a band holder for holding the elastic band;
a push member for disengaging the elastic band from the band holder; and,
a push actuator mounted to one of the band holder and the push member for providing relative movement between the band holder and the push member.
9. A vertical banding machine as defined in claim 1 wherein the elastic band supply mechanism comprises:
a first gripper for holding a tubing made of elastic band material;
a second gripper for moving the tubing a predetermined length; and,
a cutter for cutting a portion of the tubing having the predetermined length, the predetermined portion forming the elastic band.
10. A vertical banding machine as defined in claim 9 wherein the elastic band supply mechanism comprises a tubular guide and a tubing roller for guiding the tubing from a supply container to the first gripper.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/287,583 US20100089005A1 (en) | 2008-10-10 | 2008-10-10 | Vertical banding machine |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/287,583 US20100089005A1 (en) | 2008-10-10 | 2008-10-10 | Vertical banding machine |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20100089005A1 true US20100089005A1 (en) | 2010-04-15 |
Family
ID=42097630
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US12/287,583 Abandoned US20100089005A1 (en) | 2008-10-10 | 2008-10-10 | Vertical banding machine |
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US (1) | US20100089005A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20120097053A1 (en) * | 2010-10-25 | 2012-04-26 | Ben Clements & Sons, Inc. | Banding device |
US20140215968A1 (en) * | 2008-05-28 | 2014-08-07 | Lantech.Com, Llc | Film Clamp And Related Methods And Apparatuses For Wrapping Loads |
CN111833921A (en) * | 2020-07-27 | 2020-10-27 | 李佳佳 | Memory support cooling base for big data machine room |
US11305900B2 (en) * | 2018-04-10 | 2022-04-19 | Alliance Rubber Company | Banding machine |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7257934B2 (en) * | 2004-02-10 | 2007-08-21 | Roland Swift | Banding machine |
-
2008
- 2008-10-10 US US12/287,583 patent/US20100089005A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7257934B2 (en) * | 2004-02-10 | 2007-08-21 | Roland Swift | Banding machine |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20140215968A1 (en) * | 2008-05-28 | 2014-08-07 | Lantech.Com, Llc | Film Clamp And Related Methods And Apparatuses For Wrapping Loads |
US9290285B2 (en) * | 2008-05-28 | 2016-03-22 | Lantech.Com, Llc | Film clamp and related methods and apparatuses for wrapping loads |
US20120097053A1 (en) * | 2010-10-25 | 2012-04-26 | Ben Clements & Sons, Inc. | Banding device |
US8746136B2 (en) * | 2010-10-25 | 2014-06-10 | Ben Clements & Sons, Inc. | Banding device |
US11305900B2 (en) * | 2018-04-10 | 2022-04-19 | Alliance Rubber Company | Banding machine |
CN111833921A (en) * | 2020-07-27 | 2020-10-27 | 李佳佳 | Memory support cooling base for big data machine room |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MORSWIFT MACHINES INC.,CANADA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:SWIFT, ROLAND;FRAIL, BRENDON;REEL/FRAME:022613/0378 Effective date: 20090421 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |