WO2004016507A1

WO2004016507A1 - Device for tensioning a banding strip of a package or the like

Info

Publication number: WO2004016507A1
Application number: PCT/FR2003/002145
Authority: WO
Inventors: René DESIRE; Michèle DESIRE
Original assignee: Desire Rene; Desire Michele
Priority date: 2002-08-01
Filing date: 2003-07-09
Publication date: 2004-02-26
Also published as: FR2843093A1; FR2843093B1; AU2003264704A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for tensioning a banding strip (B) of a package (1) or the like. The inventive device comprises a body (4) provided with a tension lever (26) which is pivotally connected thereto. Said tension lever is embodied in such a way that it is enable to draw, with the aid of a tension lever (25), means for pressing the end (B2) of the strip against an anvil (9) which is connected to the body (4) and for tensioning said end of strip, and means (33, 38) for blocking the other end (B1) of the strip connected to said body (4). Said means for pressing and drawing the end (B2) of the strip is provided with a track system (10 to 13) which is pressed against the strip with the aid of the lever (26) by means of a device comprising a ratchet wheel, pawls and means for guiding and tilting said lever.

Description

DEVICE FOR TENSIONING A STRAPPING TAPE OF A

PACKAGE OR THE LIKE

The present invention relates to a device for tensioning a strapping band of a package or the like, with a view to securing the superimposed ends of said band while it is in appropriate tension. Various devices are known ensuring such a function.

The principle of these devices consists in exerting a tensile force on the strapping band, which is a band made of synthetic plastic, textile, polyester or metallic. After tensioning, the two ends of the link thus stretched are sealed with known bonding techniques such as metal seals called retaining caps, seals or punctures, or by thermal or vibration welding techniques, or any other system capable of ensuring a mechanical connection.

The known devices are not fully satisfactory, in particular because they do not make it possible to ensure an optimal tension adapted to the characteristics of the strapping band used and without damage to the latter.

The present invention specifically aims to overcome these drawbacks.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for tensioning a strapping band of a package or the like, comprising a body on which is articulated a tensioning lever capable of driving through a ratchet means capable of pressing one end of said strip against an anvil secured to the body and to tension said end of the strip and means for blocking the other end of the strip, secured to said body, characterized in that said means capable of pressing and driving said end of strip consists of: - at least two wheels arranged in tandem, kinematically linked and arranged with a constant center distance at the end of two levers articulated in the manner of a parallelogram on said body of the device,

- a ratchet wheel secured to the axle of one of the tandem wheels, - a first ratchet said to drive the ratchet wheel, secured to said tensioning lever, - an axle for guiding said lever secured to the body of the device and able to circulate in an arcuate opening centered on the axis of the ratchet wheel and formed in the lever, - a second pawl said to hold the ratchet wheel, carried by a plate articulated on said guide axis, - an adjustable stop for actuating said plate, mounted on said tensioning lever, and

- means for moving said anvil away from said tandem wheels, said lever being capable, in a forward stroke, of driving said wheels in tandem by pressing them against said anvil so as to tension said end of the strip, and in the return stroke of successively releasing said locking means from the other end of the strip, detaching the retaining pawl from the ratchet wheel so as to make the axis of said ratchet wheel floating, and finally lifting said wheels in tandem, thereby releasing the strip portion under said wheels. Advantageously, the tandem wheels are linked together by a caterpillar type device provided with pads, in particular metallic, suitable for the nature of the band to be strapped. Such a device makes it possible, by virtue of the substantial increase in the contact surface between the track and the portion of the strip to be tensioned, to increase the tensile force exerted on the strip without damaging the latter and therefore optimally adapt the tension of the belt to the nature of the latter.

Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the description which follows of a preferred embodiment of the device of the invention, description given by way of example only and with reference to the appended drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a device according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is a sectional view along line II-II of the device of Figure 1;

- Figure 3 is a sectional view along the line III-III of the device of Figure 1;

- Figure 4 is a sectional view along line I V-IV of the device of Figure 1;

- Figure 5 is a sectional view along line V-V of the device of Figure 1; - Figure 6 is a sectional view along line VI-VI of the device of Figure 5;

- Figure 7 is a top view of the device of Figure 1;

- Figure 8 is a sectional view of the device of Figure 1 along line VIII-VIII of Figure 3; FIG. 9 is a view similar to that of FIG. 8 showing the tensioning lever at the end of the tightening stroke, and

- Figures 1 0 to 1 4 illustrate different positions of the disengagement return stroke of the device.

In Figure 1, there is shown schematically in 1 a package to be strapped using a strapping band forming a loop B with a first end B1 on which is pressed a second end B2 on which must be exerted a setting tension for example for crimping in S of the two overlapping parts of the strip, using an appropriate device symbolized at 2, distinct from the tensioning device, object of the present invention, and generally designated by the reference numeral 3. The device 3 comprises a body 4 shaped at one end in a handle 4a.

The body consists of two parallel plates, at a distance, respectively 5 and 6 (Figures 2 to 4) joined in the lower part by a spacer 7 extended laterally to the body 4 by a flat plate 8 carrying a pad 9 forming an anvil on which is susceptible to be pressed the end B2 of the strip to be tensioned, the other end B1 being placed under the plate 8 of the device.

Opposite and above the anvil 9 is arranged a mechanism for tensioning the strip portion B2 placed on the anvil 9, consisting of two tandem tracks 1 0 and 1 1, aligned opposite the axis of the strip part B2.

The wheels 1 0, 1 1 are studded wheels engaged with a chain 1 2 externally carrying pads 1 3, for example metallic.

The wheels 10, 1 1 are keyed onto shafts, respectively 1 4, 1 5, the ends of which rotate in two independent yokes 1 6 and 1 7 respectively, articulated at their other end on axes 1 8, 1 9 fixed, integral body 4.

The yokes 1 6, 1 7 form a system articulated around the axes 1 8, 1 9, of the parallelogram type. In FIG. 6 is shown at 21 a sole for adjusting the tension of the chain 1 2.

The distance between the wheels 10, 1 1 is kept constant, by a device for connecting the axes of the wheels shown at 21 'in FIG. 5.

The drive of the track 1 2, 1 3 is effected by the driving wheel 1 0, the wheel 1 1 being idle. To this end, the shaft 1 4 of the wheel 1 0 is extended in the interval between plates 5, 6 by a square 22 (Figures 3 and 8) on which is fixed a ratchet wheel 23 disposed in said interval. Part of the square 22 extends through a passage 24 provided in the plate 5 (Figure 3) and sufficient to allow said square 22 a certain angular movement relative to the axis of rotation 1 8 of the yoke 1 6 The ratchet wheel 23 is capable of being rotated in the direction allowing the track 1 2, 1 3 to exert a traction on the strip portion B2 in order to tension it, by a so-called drive pawl 25 , secured to a lever 26 for tensioning.

The lever 26 extends partly in the interval between the plates 5 and 6 and carries an arcuate opening 27 centered on the axis of the ratchet wheel 23.

The light 27 is crossed by the part of the axis 1 8 located between the plates 5 and 6.

The ratchet wheel 23 is also engaged with another so-called retaining pawl 28, integral with a plate 29 also articulated on the axis 1 8 and resiliently recalled by a leaf spring 30. The plate 29 is provided with a finger 31 for pivoting control under the action of an adjustable stop 32 secured to lever 26 (FIG. 8).

On the end of the strip B1 side, the device is provided with a conventional strip locking means comprising a shaft 33 parallel to the axes 1 8, 1 9 and extending at the same time (FIG. 2) in the interval between plates 5, 6 and outside, track side system 1 2, 1 3.

In the interval between plates 5, 6, a control lever 34 is pinned on the shaft 33 and carries a loose roller 35 at its free end.

Outside said interval the shaft 33 is secured to a second lever 36 at the end of which is mounted, articulated, a shoe 37 responsible for blocking the part B1 against a second anvil 38 fixed on a second plate 39 separated from the first plate 8 by a notch 40 allowing the lateral engagement of the two strip parts B1, B2.

FIG. 1 illustrates the starting position, the parts of bands B1, B2 being engaged one, B1, under the plate 8 and above the anvil 38 and the other, B2, between the anvil 9 and the track 1 2, 1 3 and above the assembly lever 36 - shaft 33, this part B2 being attached to the wound part of the strapping band.

The lever 34 is in the high position for blocking the part B1 and the lever 26 is in the low position for starting to press the track 1 2, 1 3 against the part B2.

During the raising of the lever 26, called the forward stroke, the tensioning of the part B2 will be carried out, that is to say the tightening of the band B around the package 1.

Indeed, during the raising of the lever 26, the pawl 25 drives the ratchet wheel 23 which drives in the direction of the arrow 41 (FIG. 1) the track 1 2, 1 3.

The action on the lever 26 presses the track towards the anvil 9 at the same time as it creates a traction on the strip B2, the movement of approach between the caterpillar and the anvil being authorized by the passage 24 giving a certain clearance to the shaft 1 4 which can thus pivot around the axis 1 8.

The greater the pressure exerted on the lever 26, the more both the pressure exerted by the track on the strip B2 and the traction exerted on the latter will be strong. At the end of raising the lever 26 (Figure 9) corresponding to the end of the clamping stroke the light 27 has moved for example to the maximum and the axis 1 8 is at one end of said light.

The lever is lowered and begins its return stroke. Up to the position illustrated in FIG. 1 1 of the lever 26, the part B2 is still under the tensile force of the track 1 2, 1 3, the ratchet wheel 23 being blocked by the pawl 28 and it is then possible perform, if necessary, an additional tightening of the loop B by raising the lever 26 again to stress the track again for additional traction.

If, on the contrary, it is not desired to make an additional tightening, from the position of FIG. 1 1, the lowering of the lever 26 is continued until the final position of FIG. 1 4 corresponding to the disengagement position or device extraction. Of course, before approaching this second phase of the return stroke of the lever 26, the two parts B1, B2, for example, must be joined together by crimping.

From the downward position of Figure 1 1, the lever 26 makes contact with the roller 35 of the locking lever 34 which will raise the lever 36 (Figure 1 2 and following) and thus release the part B1.

As can be seen in Figure 1 2, at this time the axis 1 8 has almost arrived at the other end of the light 27 and the stop 32 is supported on the pivot finger 31 of the plate 29. This pivoting causes (figure 1 3) the escape of the retaining pawl 28 of the ratchet wheel 23.

Finally, in the final lowering part (FIG. 14) of the lever 26, the latter, by pressing a projecting spout 26a against a stop 42 secured to the body 4, rocks by slightly raising the wheel 23 (arrow of the Figure 1 4) and the track 1 2, 1 3, thus freeing the part B2, so that the device can be removed laterally, the parts B1, B2 remaining in place.

This lifting movement of the track is allowed thanks to the "floating" mounting of the assembly 14-22 on the body 4 as has been said above.

The position of Figure 1 4 is of course that of setting up the device on another package to be strapped.

This position corresponds to a relative arrangement of the lever 26 and the handle 4a facilitating the taking with one hand in the position of Figure 1 4 of the device and its manipulation.

The tilting of the lever 26 in the final position of Figure 1 4 is limited by the axis 1 8 which is then at the bottom of the light 27.

The embodiment shown and described is a manual device that is easily transportable and manipulable by virtue of the fixed handle constituted by the extension 4a of the body 4 and the movable handle constituted by the lever 26 terminated by a ball. It is obvious that the device could be produced in the form of a sub-assembly equipping an automatic machine for strapping packages or the like. The width of the track 1 2, 1 3 can be adapted to the width of the bands to be strapped.

The anvils 9, 38, as well as the parts 1 3, 37 can be of any material and of any kind and configuration adapted to the type of band to be strapped.

The chain 1 2 can be replaced by a notched plastic belt for example, or any other type of belt, depending on the applications envisaged.

The two wheels 1 0, 1 1 can be constituted by two metallic wheels, full, striated on the surface or fitted with pins, the kinematic connection of which is no longer ensured by a track or the like but by a drive of one of the wheels by the other by pinioning, a means being provided to prevent the lifting of the portion of belt driven between the two wheels. Furthermore, the two tandem wheels 1 0, 1 1 may possibly be doubled by a second pair of tandem wheels, driven in a similar manner, in particular in the case of a large width of the band to be strapped, said second pair being arranged symmetrically. to the first relative to the plane of the part of the strip B2 which is thus driven and tensioned on its two faces.

Claims

REV ENDI CAT IONS

1. Device for tensioning a strapping band (B) of a package (1) or the like, comprising a body (4) on which is articulated a tensioning lever (26) capable of causing by by means of a pawl (25) means able to press one of the ends (B2) of said strip against an anvil (9) secured to the body (4) and to tension said end of strip and means (33 to 38) for blocking the other end (B1) of the strip, integral with said body, characterized in that said means capable of pressing and driving said end of strip (B2) consists of:

-at least two wheels (10,11) arranged in tandem, kinematically linked and arranged with a constant center distance at the end of two levers (16,17) articulated in the manner of a parallelogram on said body (4) of the device, -a ratchet wheel (23) integral with the axis (14) of one (10) of the tandem wheels, -a first pawl (25) said to drive the wheel to ratchet (23), integral with said tensioning lever (26), -an axis (18) for guiding said lever (26) integral with the body (4) of the device and able to circulate in an arcuate light (27) centered on the axis (14,22) of the ratchet wheel (23) and formed in the lever (26), - a second pawl (28) said retaining the ratchet wheel, carried by a plate ( 29) articulated on said guide pin (18), -an adjustable stop (32) for actuating said plate (29), mounted on said tensioning lever (26), and -means (26a, 42) moving said anvil (9) away from said tan wheels dem (10,11), said lever (26) being capable, in a forward stroke, of driving said wheels in tandem (10,11) by pressing them against said anvil (9) so as to tension said end ( B2) of tape, and in the return stroke, from successively releasing said locking means (33 to 38) from the other end of the strip (B1), detaching the retaining pawl (28) from the ratchet wheel (23) so as to make floating the axis (14,22) of said ratchet wheel, and finally lifting said wheels in tandem (1 0, 1 1), thus freeing the strip part (B2) under said wheels.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said tandem wheels (1 0, 1 1) are kinematically linked by a track or the like (1 2, 1 3).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the track consists of a chain (1 2) carrying pads (1 3) in particular metal.

4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said tandem wheels (1 0, 1 1) are kinematically linked by pinioning, means being provided to press against said anvil (9) said strip part (B2) between the two wheels (1 0, 1 1).

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said means for locking the end of the strip (B1) consist of a first lever (34) controlling a second lever (36) carrying a shoe (37) cooperating with an anvil (38), said first lever (34). being actuated by said tensioning lever (26).

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said means for moving said anvil (9) away from said tandem wheels (10, 1 1) consist of a stopper (42) integral with the body (4) of the device and cooperating with a projection (26a) of said tensioning lever (26) so, by tilting the latter around said stop, to lift said wheels in tandem.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is constituted in the form of a manual device, said body (4) comprising a handle-shaped part (4a) and said setting lever in tension (26) also being shaped as a handle.