WO2014096907A1

WO2014096907A1 - Apparatus for strapping packages

Info

Publication number: WO2014096907A1
Application number: PCT/IB2012/057570
Authority: WO
Inventors: Torsten Oehm; Wilhelm Huvermann
Original assignee: Itw Packaging Systems Group Gmbh
Priority date: 2012-12-20
Filing date: 2012-12-20
Publication date: 2014-06-26

Abstract

An apparatus (10) for strapping packages with a strapping means (35), in particular with a thermoplastic band, is illustrated and described, comprising a strapping means channel which comprises a plurality of channel sections (15, 16), surrounds the package in the manner of a frame and feeds the strapping means to a closure member, and comprising a covering device which closes a channel opening facing the package and is expandable in order to be able to pull the strapping means out of the channel when stretching said strapping means around the package, and comprising a movable channel section (22, 25) which is movable relative to the remaining sections into an open position in order to introduce the package into the apparatus and into a closed position in order to strap the package, and comprising a holder (18, 19, 20) which receives the movable channel section in the open position, wherein the movable channel section consists of individual channel segments (22, 25) which are arranged pivotably on one another and form a pivot axis in the mutual arrangement region.

Description

APPARATUS FOR STRAPPING PACKAGES

The invention relates to an apparatus for strapping packages with a strapping means, in particular with a thermoplastic band, comprising a strapping means channel which comprises a plurality of channel sections, surrounds the package in the manner of a frame and feeds the strapping means to a closure member, and comprising a covering device which closes a channel opening facing the package and is expandable in order to be able to pull the strapping means out of the channel when stretching said strapping means around the package, and comprising a movable channel section which is movable relative to the remaining sections into an open position in order to introduce the package into the apparatus and into a closed position in order to strap the package, and comprising a holder which receives the movable channel section in the open position. Apparatuses of the type in question are well-known from the prior art, which is not supported by references. These firstly involve apparatuses for strapping packages mounted on pallets. In such apparatuses, the channel guiding the strapping means around the package is designed approximately in the manner of a frame. The lower horizontal channel section with respect to the erecting surface of the apparatus is of movable configuration. Said movable channel section is customarily referred to as a bayonet.

In order to introduce a pallet provided with packages into the frame-like strapping means channel, the bayonet is moved into an open position while retaining its horizontal position. The pallet is then inserted into the open frame. During the movement in a closed position, the bayonet is introduced into a space below the pallet base. During the subsequent strapping operation, the strapping means is guided around the package and the pallet such that the package is held on the pallet by the strapping means . After the strapping operation, the bayonet is moved again into an open position, wherein the strapping means channel is opened and releases the strapping means. In this type of apparatus, at least the strapping operation, the "shooting in" of the strapping means and the guidance thereof to a closure apparatus, proceeds automatically. As a rule, the stretching and closure operation is also carried out automatically such that - apart from the initiation - a fully automatic strapping of the package is carried out.

Apparatuses which are, in principle, of identical construction and are intended for strapping rolled up sheet-metal webs, what are referred to as coils, are known from the prior art which is likewise not supported by references. However, said apparatuses are generally provided with a channel limb which is configured to be movable vertically with respect to the erecting surface of the apparatus and is also referred to again here as a bayonet. The latter is moved into the open position. A coil is then positioned in the frame region. When the frame is closed, the bayonet is guided through a central opening in the coil, what is referred to as an eye. The strapping operation is initiated, the strapping means is moved through the channel to a closure apparatus, and is stretched and closed. The coil is removable after the strapping means channel is reopened.

A joint feature of both apparatuses is that the movable channel section can be moved only in the direction of its longitudinal extent. Accordingly, a space into which the bayonet can be moved during the opening of the strapping means channel has to be provided next to or above the apparatus .

Since the strapping means channel which is configured in the manner of a frame substantially determines the width of the apparatus, the space which is to be reserved for the opening movement approximately corresponds to the width of the apparatus. A multiplicity of strapping apparatuses for palletized goods having an overall width of approximately four meters exist in practice, and therefore a movement path of up to four meters is required in addition to said width in the horizontal direction for the bayonet. In the case of similarly configured strapping apparatuses for "coils", a corresponding movement path has to be provided in the vertical direction. Accordingly, corresponding structural demands are imposed on hangars in which apparatuses of this type are erected. Said structural demands cause not inconsiderable additional costs in the restructuring of corresponding buildings. Existing premises frequently have to be converted in a costly manner for the use of the above- described apparatuses. For example, in hangars which are too narrow, openings frequently have to be provided in the outer walls in order to ensure the movement path of the bayonet .

It is the object of the invention to develop an apparatus of the type in question in such a manner that the movement path of the movable channel section does not any longer have a considerable influence on the overall dimensions of the apparatus. The object is achieved by an apparatus having the features of claim 1, in particular having the characterizing features, according to which the movable channel section consists of individual channel segments which are arranged pivotably on one another and form a pivot axis in the mutual arrangement region. The substantial advantage of the invention can be seen in the fact that the articulated strapping means channel is no longer rigid because of its individual links which are arranged pivotably on one another. Accordingly, new possibilities arise for moving the movable channel section into its open position in a space-optimized manner. The movement of the channel section which is articulated according to the invention can thus be deflected in the manner of a caterpillar tread. It is conceivable to hold the articulated channel section in the open position in the manner of a roller to the side of the apparatus or else also to deflect said channel section in an arc and to mount said channel section parallel to an adjacent, immovable channel section. The movement space, which is required for the opening movement of the strapping means channel, for the movable channel section can be reduced in relation to the prior art mentioned at the beginning or arranged in such a manner that said movement space no longer substantially influences the overall dimensions of the apparatus.

The heterogeneous prior art discloses, inter alia, DE 199 16 193 C2 which discloses a strapping apparatus to be actuated manually. Use is made here of what is referred to as a rigid-backed chain in order to guide the strapping means under the baseplate of a pallet and around the package. For this purpose, the strapping means itself is fastened manually to the end of the chain. The chain is then guided, starting from a conveying device, under the pallet base to a deflecting device, is directed vertically along the package in order, upon reaching the upper side of the package, to be deflected again and moved back in the direction of the conveying device. If the strapping means is guided around the package, the free end of the strapping means is fed manually to a closure member. The chain is pulled back, and then the strapping means is stretched around the package and is finally closed.

DE 305 501 22 Al discloses an apparatus for strapping packages arranged on pallets, in which the band channel arranged below the pallet base is segmented. The individual segments can pivot by up to 90 degrees in order to be able to insert pallet runners into the resulting clearances. For the strapping, segments are pivoted back into their starting position and then form a closed channel section below the pallet base. A movable bayonet, as described according to the generic type, is not disclosed there. Furthermore, the apparatus involves an apparatus which is substantially controlled manually.

It is known from DE 1 001 190 9 Al to guide the strapping means under the pallet by means of a spindle drive. Reference is furthermore made to the heterogeneous prior art, DE 298 081 11 Ul, which discloses a similar principle to DE 199 161 93 C2. In order to be able to control a deflection movement of the individual segments of the movable channel section, it is provided that guide links are arranged on at least one pivot axis on opposite sides of channel segments arranged on one another.

In this case, it is provided in particular that the holder for the movable channel section has guide means which, in interaction with the guide links, control the pivoting movement of the individual channel segments. In order to ensure the stretching of the strapping means around the package, it is provided that each channel segment is provided with an expandable covering. In order, during the "shooting in" of the strapping means into the strapping means channel and the resultantly caused rapid movement of the strapping means through the segmented channel section, to ensure neat guidance in the region of the impacts against mutually adjacent channel segments, it is provided that the base of each channel segment in the region of mutually facing end sides is deployed in relation to a movement track of the strapping means in a manner pointing away from the package. It is extremely advantageous if at least one blockade element is provided in the region of mutual arrangement of two channel segments, said blockade element blocking the pivoting movement of the segments when a defined position forming a continuous subsection of the strapping means channel is reached.

Such a blockade element causes the pivoting movement of the individual segments to be blocked upon reaching a segment orientation in which the segments are arranged on a common geometrical section and thus form a self- supporting channel section which is not dependent on further support .

Finally, it is provided that the holder is arranged in a substantially identically oriented manner to one of the channel sections adjacent to the movable channel section, in order to keep the construction space of the apparatus as compact as possible. Further advantages of the invention and a better understanding arise from the description below of an exemplary embodiment, in which: Figure 1 shows an overall view of an illustration by way of example of the apparatus according to the invention,

Figure 2 shows a schematic partial illustration of the apparatus according to figure 1,

Figure 3 shows a side view of a partial illustration of a channel section segmented according to the invention,

Figure 4 shows a top view of the segmented channel section according to figure 3,

Figure 5 shows a vertical section through a channel segment according to the section line A-A in figure 4.

In the drawings, an apparatus according to the invention for strapping packages is provided overall with the reference number 10.

The apparatus 10 first of all comprises a machine frame 11 which, with regard to the erecting surface of the apparatus 10, comprises two vertical supports 12 and a horizontal support 13.

The vertical supports 12 are fastened by the ends thereof which are adjacent to the erecting surface of the apparatus 10 to a machine stand (not denoted specifically) , and are oriented parallel to each other and are spaced apart from each other. The horizontal support 13 connects the vertical supports 12 at the ends thereof which face away from the erecting surface of the apparatus 10. The machine frame first of all holds a vertically movable carriage which bears a shooting-in apparatus for the strapping means, a retraction device and a closure device (all not denoted specifically) .

A strapping means channel is furthermore arranged on the machine frame 12, the strapping means channel first of all comprising two vertical channel sections 15 which are each arranged on one of the vertical supports 12. A first horizontal channel section 16 is integrated in the carriage 14. A second, horizontal and movably designed channel section, as can be found in the prior art, is illustrated by dashed lines in figure 1 and denoted by 17. It is also called a bayonet.

The strapping means channel consisting of the sections 15, 16 and 17 is likewise designed in the manner of a frame. The bayonet 17 is configured to be movable horizontally and in the direction of the longitudinal extent thereof such that it can be brought into an open position, illustrated by dashed lines in figure 1, and into a closed position. The bayonet 17 from the prior art is extended laterally out of the frame into the open position such that the space required for erecting the apparatus 10 is formed not only by the apparatus 10 but also by the horizontal movement path of the bayonet 17.

In the case of the apparatus 10 according to the invention, as illustrated in figure 1, the rigid bayonet 17 to be extended laterally has been dispensed with. Instead, the apparatus 10 according to the invention has a vertical bayonet holder 18 which is arranged substantially parallel to the vertical support 12 and merges via an arc 19 into a horizontally arranged guide stub 20. Figure 3 illustrates a partial view of the channel section segmented according to the invention and provided overall with the reference number 21. According to the invention, said segmented channel section is used instead of the rigid bayonet 17 illustrated by dashed lines in figure 1. Of the segmented channel section 21, four segments which are arranged pivotably on one another and are provided with the reference numbers 22 and 25 are illustrated in the partial view of figure 3. In the mutual arrangement region, there is a geometrical pivot axis GS about which the segments 22/25 are pivotable relative to one another.

The sectional view in figure 5 shows that each segment 22 first of all has two outer side walls 23 which have bores

26 in the region of mutual arrangement of two segments.

The segments 25 have side wall extensions which are referred to as fastening tongues 27 and are likewise provided with bores 26. Screw bolts 24 lie on the geometrical pivot axis GS and form a physical pivot axis.

Furthermore, they fasten two adjacent segments 22/25 to each other.

For this purpose, the bores 26 of the side walls 23 of the segments 22 are arranged in alignment with the bores 26 of fastening tongues 27 of an adjacent segment 25 such that the screw bolts 24 can reach through the bores 26 arranged in alignment with one another. A sleeve 28 engaging around each screw bolt 24 in the region of the bores 26 is used for a bearing which is merely provided with a clearance fit. Finally, each screw bolt 24 holds a guide link 29 in the form of a roller 30.

Between the side walls and a distance therefrom, each segment 22 and 25 has a component which is approximately in the manner of a U profile in cross section and the opening of which faces away from the package and the frame interior formed by the strapping means channel. Advancing elements 31 are arranged in the interior of said component in the manner of a U profile. The specific embodiment involves a driving chain 32 which is guided from the first to the final segment 22/25 of the channel section 21 and is fastened to the segments 22/25 by means of securing pins 33.

The channel base surface on which the strapping means 35 - here in the form of a band - is guided is formed by the rear surface of the limb which forms the base of the component in the manner of a U profile and which faces away from the opening of the component in the manner of a U profile.

Furthermore, two flaps 36 can be seen in the vertical section in the illustration of figure 5, said flaps, in the closed state, each engaging over the strapping means 35 to approximately identical portions.

It can be gathered from the top view of figure 4 that the flaps 36 are held in the closed position via helical springs 37 which are fastened to the side walls 23 by means of screw bolts 38. The opening movement, as illustrated schematically in figure 5 with reference to a flap 36, takes place counter to the spring force of the helical springs 37.

It can furthermore be gathered from figure 4 that the limbs of the flaps 36, which limbs cover the strapping means 35, are placed on edge on their end sides in the direction of the package such that a funnel-shaped insertion opening for the strapping means 35 is produced between the on-edge flap regions and the channel base surface 34. At the same time, it can be gathered from figure 3 that the channel base surfaces 34 are deployed in the region of mutual arrangement of segments 22 and 25 in a manner pointing away from the package and, for their part, thus form an oblique insertion surface for the strapping means 35.

Finally, it can be gathered from figure 3 that the pivotability of the individual segments 22/25 is limited by the interaction of the fastening tongues 27 and the segment base 39 (also see figure 5) . The segment base 39 here constitutes a blockade element which prevents the pivoting movement of a segment 22 relative to the segment 25 as soon as the adjacent segments 22 and 25 have reached a position relative to each other, in which they form a continuous subsection of a strapping means channel .

Finally, reference is made to figure 2 where individual parts of the apparatus 10 according to figure 1 are illustrated, namely the vertical channel sections 15 and the holder 18 for the segmented channel section 21. The bayonet holder 18 has a guide means 40 in the form of a U profile 41 which is drawn over the arc 19 into the guide stub 20. The U profile 41 serves as a track for the rollers 30 of the segments 22/25.

At its end facing the guide stub 20, the vertical channel section 15, which is arranged adjacent to the bayonet holder 18, bears an adaptor piece 42. The adaptor piece 42 transfers the strapping means from the vertical channel section 15, which is adjacent to the holder 18, into the segmented channel section 21. At its end facing the erecting surface of the apparatus 10, the vertical channel section 15, which is arranged remote from the holder 18, bears a connecting shoe 43. The free end of the segmented channel section 21 enters the latter in the closed position. The connecting shoe furthermore transfers the strapping means into the associated vertical channel section 15.

Finally, a driving wheel 44 is also illustrated, said driving wheel engaging in the driving chain 32 of the segmented channel section 21 and - driven by a motor (not illustrated) - serves for the movement of the segmented channel section 21 into the open or closed position.

Function of the apparatus:

A pallet which is provided with packages is inserted into an apparatus 10 in which, according to figure 1, the segmented channel section 21 is in the open position and is therefore within the bayonet holder 18. The segmented channel section 21 is moved into the closed position. In the process, said channel section is guided along below the pallet base. The strapping means 35 is shot into the thus closed strapping means channel and guided to a stretching and closure apparatus. If necessary, the carriage 14 is moved into a position corresponding to the height of the unit consisting of packages and pallet. The strapping means 35 is stretched around the pallet and the packages and closed. The segmented channel section 21 is moved back into the bayonet holder 18 such that said channel section is in the open position. The pallet which is provided with packages is removable.

The special characteristic of the invention is the segmented channel section 21. The pivotable arrangement of the segments 22/25 on one another makes it possible to guide the channel section 21, which serves as the bayonet, in an arcuate manner, during movement into the open position, through the arc 19 of the bayonet holder 18 and, in the exemplary embodiment, to mount said channel section perpendicularly to the erecting surface of the apparatus 10. As a result, even in the open position of the bayonet 21 according to the invention, the apparatus 10 is compact in its constructional form, whereas, in the prior art, there has to be space to the side of the machine in order to accommodate the rigid bayonet which is moved into the open position parallel to the erecting surface of the apparatus 10.

List of designations:

10 Apparatus

11 Machine frame

12 Vertical support

13 Horizontal support

14 Carriage

15 Vertical channel section

16 First horizontal channel section

17 Second horizontal channel section/bayonet

18 Bayonet holder

19 Arc of 18

20 Guide stub

21 Segmented channel section

22 Segment of 21

23 Side wall of 22

24 Screw bolt

25 Segment of 21

26 Bore of 22 and 25

27 Fastening tongues of 25

28 Sleeve

29 Guide link

30 Roller

31 Advancing element

32 Driving chain

33 Securing pin

34 Channel base surface

35 Strapping means

36 Flap

37 Helical spring

38 Screw bolt

39 Segment base

40 Guide means

41 U profile

42 Adaptor piece

43 Connecting shoe

44 Driving wheel Geometrical pivot axis

Claims

1. An apparatus for strapping packages with a strapping means, in particular with a thermoplastic band, comprising a strapping means channel which comprises a plurality of channel sections, surrounds the package in the manner of a frame and feeds the strapping means to a closure member, and comprising a covering device which closes a channel opening facing the package and is expandable in order to be able to pull the strapping means out of the channel when stretching said strapping means around the package, and comprising a movable channel section which is movable relative to the remaining sections into an open position in order to introduce the package into the apparatus and into a closed position in order to strap the package, and comprising a holder which receives the movable channel section in the open position, characterized in that the movable channel section consists of individual channel segments which are arranged pivotably on one another and form a pivot axis in the mutual arrangement region.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that guide links are arranged on at least one pivot axis on opposite sides of channel segments arranged on one another .

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the holder for the movable channel section has guide means which, in interaction with the guide links, control the pivoting movement of the individual channel segments .

4. The apparatus as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each channel segment is provided with an expandable covering.

5. The apparatus as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base of each channel segment in the region of mutually facing end sides is deployed in relation to a movement track of the strapping means in a manner pointing away from the package.

6. The apparatus as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one blockade element is provided in the region of mutual arrangement of two channel segments, said blockade element blocking the pivoting movement of the segments when a defined position forming a continuous subsection of the strapping means channel is reached.

7. The apparatus as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holder is arranged in a substantially identically oriented manner to one of the channel sections adjacent to the movable channel section.