US20100107563A1 - Horizontal banding machine - Google Patents
Horizontal banding machine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20100107563A1 US20100107563A1 US12/290,736 US29073608A US2010107563A1 US 20100107563 A1 US20100107563 A1 US 20100107563A1 US 29073608 A US29073608 A US 29073608A US 2010107563 A1 US2010107563 A1 US 2010107563A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- band
- elastic band
- banding machine
- moving plate
- holding devices
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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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
- B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
- B65B25/02—Packaging agricultural or horticultural products
- B65B25/04—Packaging fruit or vegetables
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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
- B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
- B65B9/10—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs
- B65B9/13—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the preformed tubular webs being supplied in a flattened state
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.
- 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.
- 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 and cutting of the objects while the objects are held in a same position.
- 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 where the objects are banded while being held having a vertical orientation for banding in order to facilitate handling of the same.
- a horizontal 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 the 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 moving 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 receiving plane oriented substantially horizontal, to a band disengaging position, where the elastic band is disposed in a disengaging plane oriented substantially horizontal.
- the band holding devices, the actuator, and the moving 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 and cutting of the objects while the objects are held in a same position.
- 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 objects are held having a vertical orientation for banding in order to facilitate handling of the same.
- FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view from one side of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view from top of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention with the moving plate in a disengaging position;
- FIGS. 2A and 2B are a perspective views of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention illustrating the mechanism for moving the moving plate;
- FIGS. 3A and 3B are top views of the moving plate of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention with the band holding devices in a band disengaging position and in a band receiving position, respectively;
- FIGS. 3C and 3D are perspective views of the band holding device of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of the cutting mechanism of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention at different stages of operation;
- FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of the band holding devices of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention with the moving plate in a receiving position;
- FIG. 5D is a front view of the elastic band supply mechanism of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 5E is a perspective views of the band holding devices of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention with the band holding devices in a band disengaging position.
- a horizontal banding machine 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is provided.
- the horizontal banding machine 100 produces elastic bands from a tubular elastic band stock, disposes an elastic band onto a plurality of objects, and cuts an end portion off the objects while the objects are held in a same position having a substantially vertical orientation.
- the horizontal 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 hold 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 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 band holding devices 18 , an actuator 19 coupled to the band holding devices 18 , and a moving 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 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 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 moving mechanism 11 moves the band holding devices 18 substantially horizontally from a band receiving position—the elastic band 13 is disposed in a receiving plane oriented substantially horizontal—to a band disengaging position—the elastic band 13 is disposed in a disengaging plane oriented substantially horizontal.
- FIGS. 1A and 1B both illustrate the band holding devices 18 in the band receiving position—indicated by dashed lines—and the band disengaging position.
- the moving mechanism 11 linearly moves the band holding devices 18 between the band receiving position and the band disengaging position.
- the band holding devices 18 are rotated around a pivot mounted to the frame structure 1 , or by a combination of linear and rotational movement.
- the band holding devices 18 are additionally moved vertically such that the receiving plane and the disengaging plane are oriented substantially horizontal but are disposed at different vertical levels.
- the band holding devices 18 , the actuator 19 and the moving 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 .
- Provision of the handling space 21 enables deployment of a cutting mechanism 160 comprising, for example, a cutting blade 162 , which is movable in a plane located at a predetermined distance to the band holding devices 18 and, for example, oriented substantially parallel to the band opening 15 for cutting the plurality of objects at a predetermined distance to the elastic band 13 .
- the cutting mechanism 160 is mounted to the moving mechanism 11 .
- the cutting mechanism 160 is mounted to the frame structure 1 .
- the cutting mechanism 160 comprises an adjustment mechanism for variably placing the cutting blade 162 along a substantially vertical direction for varying the distance between the cutting blade 162 and the band holding devices 18 , as illustrated in FIG. 1A .
- the cutting blade 162 is provided, for example, in the form of a straight cutting edge, a toothed cutting edge or a circular saw.
- the moving mechanism 11 preferably, comprises a moving plate 52 which is horizontally movable mounted to the frame 1 such that the moving plate 52 is oriented substantially horizontal in the band receiving position and in the band disengaging position.
- the horizontal movement is provided along a substantially straight line using, for example, guide rails 50 mounted to the frame structure 1 interacting with respective guides—such as, for example, gliding surfaces or rollers—of the moving plate 52 enabling, for example, gliding or rolling movement therebetween.
- the horizontal movement of the moving plate 52 is actuated using, for example, one of an off-the-shelf hydraulic and pneumatic piston drive 54 , as illustrated in FIG. 2B .
- a gear drive such as, for example, a toothed wheel interacting with a toothed rack or a chain drive is employed.
- the moving plate 52 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 moving plate 52 is made of a material other than aluminum such as, for example, stainless steel or composite material.
- the moving plate 52 comprises a moving plate opening 10 which is sufficiently large for accommodating the band opening 15 therein.
- the actuator 19 comprises four swing arms 96 .
- Each swing arm 96 has at a first end portion the band holding device 18 mounted thereto, is rotatably mounted to the moving plate 52 via swing arm rotation pin 12 , and coupled to a piston drive 92 via piston clevis attach bolt 103 at a second opposite end.
- the piston drive 92 is actuated, for example, in a pneumatic or hydraulic fashion, and provides linear motion to the piston clevis attach bolt 103 resulting in a 10 rotational movement of the swing arm 96 about the swing arm rotation pin 12 .
- the swing arms 96 are, preferably, designed such that the first end portion, the second end portion, and the pivot accommodating the swing arm rotation pin 12 form a triangle.
- Movement of the piston drive 92 causes the swing arm 96 to rotate about the swing arm rotation pins 12 for 15 moving the band holding devices 18 towards the center of the opening 10 for receiving the elastic band—as illustrated in FIG. 3 B—or opposite for stretching and deploying the elastic band—as illustrated in FIG. 3A .
- the swing arms 96 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 are made of a material other than aluminum such as, for example, stainless steel or composite material.
- the swing arms 96 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.
- swing arms 96 are 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.
- an electric drive is employed for rotating the swing arms 96 , for example, by replacing the piston drives 92 with toothed gear drives comprising a driven toothed wheel interacting with a toothed surface disposed on a respective section of the swing arms 96 .
- the swing arms 96 are actuated using a combined drive, for example, a gear mechanism comprising a ring structure surrounding the moving plate opening 10 and interacting with each of the swing arms 96 , which is driven using, for example, a single piston drive.
- a combined drive for example, a gear mechanism comprising a ring structure surrounding the moving plate opening 10 and interacting with each of the swing arms 96 , which is driven using, for example, a single piston drive.
- 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 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 and pointing approximately towards a center of the moving plate opening 10 .
- 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 therethrough.
- 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 first portion of the band holder 122 in proximity to the second portion 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 as illustrated in FIG. 3C .
- the band holder piston rod 120 is retracted causing the stationary push off pin 126 to push 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 relative thereto.
- a cutting mechanism is mounted to the bottom surface of the moving plate 11 , as illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B .
- the cutting mechanism comprises a cutting blade 162 which is mounted to a first end portion of cutting swing arm 164 .
- the cutting swing arm 164 is rotatable mounted to the moving plate 52 via cutting swing arm rotation pin 166 , and coupled to a cutting piston drive 168 via piston clevis attach bolt 170 at a second opposite end.
- the cutting piston drive 168 is actuated, for example, in a pneumatic or hydraulic fashion, and provides linear motion to the piston clevis attach bolt 170 resulting in a rotational movement of the cutting swing arm 164 about the cutting swing arm rotation pin 166 .
- the swing arm 164 is designed such that the first end portion, the second end portion, and the pivot accommodating the cutting swing arm rotation pin 166 form a triangle. Movement of the cutting piston drive 168 causes the cutting swing arm 164 to rotate about the cutting swing arm rotation pin 166 for rotationally moving the cutting blade 162 across the moving plate opening 10 , as illustrated in FIG. 4B . Rapid movement of the cutting blade 162 , actuated by the cutting piston drive 168 , enables cutting of the objects while being held in place by a worker due to inertia of the objects.
- a guide such as, for example, a guide ring structure 172 surrounding the moving plate opening 10 is mounted to the bottom surface of the moving plate 52 at a predetermined distance thereto.
- a holding mechanism is provided for abutting the objects during the cutting process.
- FIG. 5A illustrates the banding machine 100 after deployment of the elastic band.
- 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, as illustrated in FIG. 5B .
- the moving plate 52 is then moved horizontally to the elastic band receiving position below the band supply mechanism 3 , as illustrated in FIG. 5C and the band holder piston rod 120 is then moved in an extended position as illustrated in FIG. 3C .
- the rubber tubing 5 is moved a predetermined length using moving gripper fingers 150 and then held using, for example, a stopper piston 152 having a rubber or plastic end that pushes the rubber tubing against the inside wall of the tube 4 to temporarily prevent movement of the rubber tubing 5 , for example, to prevent the rubber tubing 5 from being pulled back into the storage container.
- a stopper piston 152 having a rubber or plastic end that pushes the rubber tubing against the inside wall of the tube 4 to temporarily prevent movement of the rubber tubing 5 , for example, to prevent the rubber tubing 5 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. 5D .
- the moving plate 52 After receipt of the elastic band, the moving plate 52 is horizontally moved into the band disengaging 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. 5E .
- the cutting blade 162 After deployment of the elastic band, for example, as described herein above with reference to FIGS. 3C and 3D , the cutting blade 162 is rotationally moved for cutting the objects and the moving plate 52 is then in the position as illustrated in FIG. 5A .
- FIGS. 5A to 5E 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 horizontal movement of the moving plate 52 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 or may be 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.
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Abstract
A horizontal 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, and 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.
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 various applications the objects such as, for example, broccoli or asparagus are best hold together having a vertical 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. Typically, a bottom portion of the objects is then cut off in another processing step following the banding process in order to facilitate packaging and shipping.
- 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.
- 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 and cutting of the objects while the objects are held in a same position.
- It is also desirable to provide a banding machine which disposes the elastic bands onto the fingers in a gravity assisted fashion where the objects are banded while being held having a vertical 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 and cutting of the objects while the objects are held in a same position.
- 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 where the objects are banded while being held having a vertical orientation for banding in order to facilitate handling of the same.
- According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a horizontal banding machine. The horizontal 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 the 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 moving 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 receiving plane oriented substantially horizontal, to a band disengaging position, where the elastic band is disposed in a disengaging plane oriented substantially horizontal. In the disengaging position the band holding devices, the actuator, and the moving 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 and cutting of the objects while the objects are held in a same position.
- 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 objects are held having a vertical 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:
-
FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view from one side of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view from top of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention with the moving plate in a disengaging position; -
FIGS. 2A and 2B are a perspective views of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention illustrating the mechanism for moving the moving plate; -
FIGS. 3A and 3B are top views of the moving plate of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention with the band holding devices in a band disengaging position and in a band receiving position, respectively; -
FIGS. 3C and 3D are perspective views of the band holding device of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention; -
FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of the cutting mechanism of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention at different stages of operation; -
FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of the band holding devices of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention with the moving plate in a receiving position; -
FIG. 5D is a front view of the elastic band supply mechanism of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention; and, -
FIG. 5E is a perspective views of the band holding devices of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention with the band holding devices in a band disengaging position. - 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 5E , ahorizontal banding machine 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is provided. Thehorizontal banding machine 100 produces elastic bands from a tubular elastic band stock, disposes an elastic band onto a plurality of objects, and cuts an end portion off the objects while the objects are held in a same position having a substantially vertical orientation. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 1A to 1C , thehorizontal 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 andtubing feeder 4. For example, thetubing 5 is moved a predetermined length and hold 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. 5D . The gripper fingers and the cutter assembly are, for example, piston driven which are operated in a pneumatic or hydraulic fashion. Alternatively, the elasticband supply mechanism 5 comprises a mechanism for feeding elastic bands from a stock of a plurality of elastic bands. - Disposed below the elastic
band supply mechanism 3 is an elastic band deployment mechanism. The elastic band deployment mechanism comprises at least twoband holding devices 18, anactuator 19 coupled to theband holding devices 18, and a movingmechanism 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 a plurality of objects for banding therein; and disengage theelastic band 13 from theband holders 122 for deploying theelastic band 13 onto the 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. The movingmechanism 11 moves theband holding devices 18 substantially horizontally from a band receiving position—theelastic band 13 is disposed in a receiving plane oriented substantially horizontal—to a band disengaging position—theelastic band 13 is disposed in a disengaging plane oriented substantially horizontal.FIGS. 1A and 1B both illustrate theband holding devices 18 in the band receiving position—indicated by dashed lines—and the band disengaging position. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 1A and 1B , the movingmechanism 11 linearly moves theband holding devices 18 between the band receiving position and the band disengaging position. Alternatively, theband holding devices 18 are rotated around a pivot mounted to theframe structure 1, or by a combination of linear and rotational movement. Further alternatively, theband holding devices 18 are additionally moved vertically such that the receiving plane and the disengaging plane are oriented substantially horizontal but are disposed at different vertical levels. - In the band disengaging position the
band holding devices 18, theactuator 19 and the movingmechanism 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 acutting mechanism 160 comprising, for example, acutting blade 162, which is movable in a plane located at a predetermined distance to theband holding devices 18 and, for example, oriented substantially parallel to theband opening 15 for cutting the plurality of objects at a predetermined distance to theelastic band 13. Thecutting mechanism 160 is mounted to the movingmechanism 11. Alternatively, thecutting mechanism 160 is mounted to theframe structure 1. Optionally, thecutting mechanism 160 comprises an adjustment mechanism for variably placing thecutting blade 162 along a substantially vertical direction for varying the distance between thecutting blade 162 and theband holding devices 18, as illustrated inFIG. 1A . Thecutting blade 162 is provided, for example, in the form of a straight cutting edge, a toothed cutting edge or a circular saw. - As illustrated in
FIG. 2A , the movingmechanism 11, preferably, comprises a movingplate 52 which is horizontally movable mounted to theframe 1 such that the movingplate 52 is oriented substantially horizontal in the band receiving position and in the band disengaging position. The horizontal movement is provided along a substantially straight line using, for example,guide rails 50 mounted to theframe structure 1 interacting with respective guides—such as, for example, gliding surfaces or rollers—of the movingplate 52 enabling, for example, gliding or rolling movement therebetween. The horizontal movement of the movingplate 52 is actuated using, for example, one of an off-the-shelf hydraulic andpneumatic piston drive 54, as illustrated inFIG. 2B . Alternatively, a gear drive such as, for example, a toothed wheel interacting with a toothed rack or a chain drive is employed. - Referring to
FIGS. 3A to 3D a preferred embodiment of the movingplate 52, theband holding devices 18, and theactuator 19 according to the invention is provided. The movingplate 52 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, the movingplate 52 is made of a material other than aluminum such as, for example, stainless steel or composite material. The movingplate 52 comprises a moving plate opening 10 which is sufficiently large for accommodating theband opening 15 therein. As shown inFIG. 3A , theactuator 19 comprises fourswing arms 96. Eachswing arm 96 has at a first end portion theband holding device 18 mounted thereto, is rotatably mounted to the movingplate 52 via swingarm rotation pin 12, and coupled to apiston drive 92 via piston clevis attachbolt 103 at a second opposite end. Thepiston drive 92 is actuated, for example, in a pneumatic or hydraulic fashion, and provides linear motion to the piston clevis attachbolt 103 resulting in a 10 rotational movement of theswing arm 96 about the swingarm rotation pin 12. To enable a compact arrangement of theswing arms 96 and the piston drives 92 on the movingplate 11, theswing arms 96 are, preferably, designed such that the first end portion, the second end portion, and the pivot accommodating the swingarm rotation pin 12 form a triangle. Movement of thepiston drive 92 causes theswing arm 96 to rotate about the swing arm rotation pins 12 for 15 moving theband holding devices 18 towards the center of theopening 10 for receiving the elastic band—as illustrated in FIG. 3B—or opposite for stretching and deploying the elastic band—as illustrated inFIG. 3A . - The
swing arms 96 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 are made of a material other than aluminum such as, for example, stainless steel or composite material. Theswing arms 96 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. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 3A and 3B , fourswing arms 96 are 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. - Alternatively, an electric drive is employed for rotating the
swing arms 96, for example, by replacing the piston drives 92 with toothed gear drives comprising a driven toothed wheel interacting with a toothed surface disposed on a respective section of theswing arms 96. - Further alternatively, the
swing arms 96 are actuated using a combined drive, for example, a gear mechanism comprising a ring structure surrounding the movingplate opening 10 and interacting with each of theswing arms 96, which is driven using, for example, a single piston drive. - Referring to
FIGS. 3C and 3D , 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 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 and pointing approximately towards a center of the movingplate opening 10. 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 therethrough. 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 first portion of theband holder 122 in proximity to the second portion and 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 as illustrated inFIG. 3C . During deployment of the elastic band the bandholder piston rod 120 is retracted causing the stationary push offpin 126 to push 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 relative thereto. - In a preferred embodiment a cutting mechanism is mounted to the bottom surface of the moving
plate 11, as illustrated inFIGS. 4A and 4B . The cutting mechanism comprises acutting blade 162 which is mounted to a first end portion of cuttingswing arm 164. The cuttingswing arm 164 is rotatable mounted to the movingplate 52 via cutting swingarm rotation pin 166, and coupled to acutting piston drive 168 via piston clevis attachbolt 170 at a second opposite end. Thecutting piston drive 168 is actuated, for example, in a pneumatic or hydraulic fashion, and provides linear motion to the piston clevis attachbolt 170 resulting in a rotational movement of the cuttingswing arm 164 about the cutting swingarm rotation pin 166. To enable a compact arrangement of the cuttingswing arm 164 and the cutting piston drives 168 on the movingplate 52, theswing arm 164 is designed such that the first end portion, the second end portion, and the pivot accommodating the cutting swingarm rotation pin 166 form a triangle. Movement of thecutting piston drive 168 causes thecutting swing arm 164 to rotate about the cutting swingarm rotation pin 166 for rotationally moving thecutting blade 162 across the moving plate opening 10, as illustrated inFIG. 4B . Rapid movement of thecutting blade 162, actuated by thecutting piston drive 168, enables cutting of the objects while being held in place by a worker due to inertia of the objects. To ensure movement of thecutting blade 162 in a plane oriented substantially parallel to the movingplate 52, a guide such as, for example, aguide ring structure 172 surrounding the moving plate opening 10 is mounted to the bottom surface of the movingplate 52 at a predetermined distance thereto. Optionally, a holding mechanism is provided for abutting the objects during the cutting process. - Referring to
FIGS. 5A to 5E , operation of the preferred embodiment of thehorizontal banding machine 100 according to the invention is described herein below.FIG. 5A illustrates the bandingmachine 100 after deployment of the elastic band. 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, as illustrated inFIG. 5B . The movingplate 52 is then moved horizontally to the elastic band receiving position below theband supply mechanism 3, as illustrated inFIG. 5C and the bandholder piston rod 120 is then moved in an extended position as illustrated inFIG. 3C . - The
rubber tubing 5 is moved a predetermined length using movinggripper fingers 150 and then held using, for example, astopper piston 152 having a rubber or plastic end that pushes the rubber tubing against the inside wall of thetube 4 to temporarily prevent movement of therubber tubing 5, for example, to prevent therubber tubing 5 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. 5D . - After receipt of the elastic band, the moving
plate 52 is horizontally moved into the band disengaging 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. 5E . After deployment of the elastic band, for example, as described herein above with reference toFIGS. 3C and 3D , thecutting blade 162 is rotationally moved for cutting the objects and the movingplate 52 is then in the position as illustrated inFIG. 5A . - The
FIGS. 5A to 5E 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 horizontal movement of the movingplate 52 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 or may be 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 (12)
1. A horizontal 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 moving 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 receiving plane oriented substantially horizontal, to a band disengaging position, where the elastic band is disposed in a disengaging plane oriented substantially horizontal, wherein in the disengaging position the band holding devices, the actuator, and the moving 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 horizontal banding machine as defined in claim 1 wherein the moving mechanism comprises a moving plate having the band holding devices and the actuator mounted thereto, the moving plate comprising a moving plate opening which is sufficiently large for accommodating the band opening therein.
3. A horizontal banding machine as defined in claim 2 wherein the moving plate is linearly movable mounted to a frame such that the moving plate is oriented substantially horizontal in the band receiving position and in the band disengaging position.
4. A horizontal banding machine as defined in claim 3 wherein the moving plate is linearly movable mounted to the frame such that the moving plate is substantially horizontally movable between the band receiving position and the band disengaging position.
5. A horizontal 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 moving plate.
6. A horizontal banding machine as defined in claim 5 wherein each swing arm is coupled to a piston actuator at a second opposite end portion and rotatable mounted to the moving plate at a pivot disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion.
7. A horizontal 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.
8. A horizontal 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.
9. A horizontal banding machine as defined in claim 8 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.
10. A horizontal banding machine as defined in claim 3 comprising a cutting mechanism for cutting the plurality of objects at a predetermined distance to the elastic band.
11. A horizontal banding machine as defined in claim 10 wherein the cutting mechanism comprises a cutting blade movable mounted to the moving plate such that the cutting blade is movable in a plane located at the predetermined distance to the elastic band and oriented substantially parallel to the band opening.
12. A horizontal banding machine as defined in claim 11 where in the cutting mechanism comprises a swing arm having the cutting blade mounted thereto at a first end portion, the swing arm being coupled to a piston actuator at a second opposite end portion and rotatable mounted to the moving plate at a pivot disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/290,736 US20100107563A1 (en) | 2008-11-03 | 2008-11-03 | Horizontal banding machine |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/290,736 US20100107563A1 (en) | 2008-11-03 | 2008-11-03 | Horizontal banding machine |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20100107563A1 true US20100107563A1 (en) | 2010-05-06 |
Family
ID=42129758
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/290,736 Abandoned US20100107563A1 (en) | 2008-11-03 | 2008-11-03 | Horizontal banding machine |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20100107563A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10322829B2 (en) * | 2014-11-03 | 2019-06-18 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Device, method and packaging machine for processing a packaging container |
CN111498164A (en) * | 2020-05-08 | 2020-08-07 | 王建刚 | Data line binding apparatus |
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
- 2008-11-03 US US12/290,736 patent/US20100107563A1/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 (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10322829B2 (en) * | 2014-11-03 | 2019-06-18 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Device, method and packaging machine for processing a packaging container |
US11305900B2 (en) | 2018-04-10 | 2022-04-19 | Alliance Rubber Company | Banding machine |
CN111498164A (en) * | 2020-05-08 | 2020-08-07 | 王建刚 | Data line binding apparatus |
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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:022613/0360 Effective date: 20090421 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |