STRAPPING DEVICE WITH AN ULTRASONIC WELDING DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a strapping device for strapping packaged goods with a strapping band, said strapping device being provided with a connecting device (5) designed as an ultrasonic welding device (9) in order to form a closure. The ultrasonic welding device (9) is provided with a sonotrode device (13) to which ultrasound generated by an ultrasound converter (10) can be transmitted, and the sonotrode device (13) has a contact surface (21, 24) in a provided region which contacts the strapping band. The contact surface is designed to contact a surface of the strapping band, and the sonotrode device (13) is designed to produce ultrasonic vibrations by means of the contact surface. The aim of the invention is to allow a more compact design for such strapping devices. This is achieved in that the contact surface (21, 24) of the sonotrode (11) is aligned at an angle which deviates from a right angle relative to the provided vibration direction of the sonotrode (11).

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. A strapping device comprising: a tensioning device configured to tension strap around a load; an ultrasonic welding device configured to ultrasonically weld two overlapping portions of the strap to one another, the ultrasonic welding device comprising: an ultrasound converter arranged on a longitudinal axis and configured to generate and transmit ultrasonic vibrations; and a sonotrode arranged on the longitudinal axis and configured to receive the ultrasonic vibrations from the ultrasound converter, wherein the sonotrode comprises a contact surface and is movable from a non-use position in which the contact surface is positioned to not contact the strap to a use position in which the contact surface is positioned to contact one of the overlapping portions of the strap and to transmit the ultrasonic vibrations to that one of the overlapping portions of the strap, wherein the contact surface is oriented at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis, wherein the angle differs from 90 degrees; and a cutting device configured to cut the strap from a strap supply to form a tensioned loop of strap around the load.

14. The strapping device of claim 13, wherein the angle is between 5 and 15 degrees.

15. The strapping device of claim 13, wherein the angle is no greater than 80 degrees.

16. The strapping device of claim 15, wherein the angle is at least 30 degrees.

17. The strapping device of claim 13, wherein the sonotrode comprises a second contact surface, and wherein the sonotrode is configured to be re-oriented such that, when the sonotrode is in the use position, the second contact surface is positioned to contact the one of the overlapping portions of the strap and the contact surface is positioned to not contact the strap.

18. The strapping device of claim 17, wherein the contact surface and the second contact surface are symmetrical about a plane that includes the longitudinal axis.

19. The strapping device of claim 13, wherein at least part of the contact surface is nonplanar.

20. The strapping device of claim 19, wherein a first portion of the contact surface is a first distance from a longitudinal axis of the overlapping portions of the strap and a second portion of the contact surface is a second distance shorter than the first distance from the longitudinal axis of the overlapping portions of the strap.

21. The strapping device of claim 19, wherein the nonplanar part of the contact surface is curved.

22. The strapping device of claim 21, wherein the curved part of the contact surface curves away from a longitudinal axis of the overlapping portions of the strap when the strap is received in the ultrasonic welding device.

23. The strapping device of claim 19, wherein the contact surface comprises knurling.

24. The strapping device of claim 13, further comprising an actuator configured to: (1) move the sonotrode from the non-use position to the use position to enable the ultrasonic welding device to ultrasonically weld the two overlapping portions of the strap to one another; and (2) move the cutting device to cut the strap.

25. The strapping device of claim 24, further comprising a cam shaft, wherein the actuator is operably connected to the cam shaft to rotate the cam shaft to cause the sonotrode to move from the non-use position to the use position and to cause the cutting device to move to cut the strap.

26. The strapping device of claim 13, wherein the longitudinal axis is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the overlapping portions of the strap.

27. The strapping device of claim 13, wherein the longitudinal axis corresponds to a direction of propagation of the ultrasonic vibrations from the ultrasound converter to the sonotrode.

28. A method for strapping a load, the method comprising: tensioning a strap around a load; moving a contact surface of a sonotrode arranged on a longitudinal axis into contact with one of two overlapping layers of the strap, wherein the contact surface is oriented at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis, wherein the angle differs from 90 degrees; activating an ultrasound converter arranged on the longitudinal axis to generate and transmit ultrasonic vibrations to the sonotrode, which transmits those ultrasonic vibrations to the overlapping layers of the strap via the contact surface to ultrasonically weld the overlapping layers of the strap together; and cutting the strap from a strap supply to form a tensioned loop of strap around the load.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein at least part of the contact surface is non-planar.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein at least part of the contact surface is curved.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein at least part of the contact surface curves away from a longitudinal axis of the overlapping portions of the strap such that a first portion of the contact surface is a first distance from the longitudinal axis of the overlapping portions of the strap and a second portion of the contact surface is a second distance shorter than the first distance from the longitudinal axis of the overlapping portions of the strap.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the contact surface comprises knurling.

Description

[0017] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments which are illustrated purely schematically in the figures, in which:

[0018] FIG. 1 shows a strapping apparatus according to the invention which is provided with an ultrasonic welding apparatus according to the invention;

[0019] FIG. 2 shows a component of the strapping apparatus from FIG. 1 with the ultrasonic welding apparatus according to the invention;

[0020] FIG. 3 shows a sonotrode device according to the invention fitted into an assembly of the strapping apparatus in a perspective illustration with an ultrasound converter and a sonotrode attached thereto;

[0021] FIG. 4 shows a separate illustration of the sonotrode device from FIG. 3;

[0022] FIG. 5 shows the sonotrode of the sonotrode device from FIG. 4 in a side view;

[0023] FIG. 6 shows the sonotrode from FIG. 4 in a front view;

[0024] FIG. 7 shows the assembly with the sonotrode device in an open position which it takes up when not in use;

[0025] FIG. 8 shows the sonotrode device from FIG. 7 in a closed position which it takes up during use for forming a closure;

[0026] FIG. 9 shows a partial illustration of a longitudinal section through the closure device with the sonotrode;

[0027] FIG. 10 shows a sectional illustration through the closure device along a control shaft.

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a strapping apparatus 1 which is provided with a controller, a supply device 3 for storing and for providing a strapping band, and with a tensioning and closure device 5 (connecting device). Plastics strapping bands which can contain in particular polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as materials are provided as strapping bands. The tensioning and closure device 5 serves, inter alia, for generating an advancement movement and for generating a retraction movement of the strapping band. In addition, the tensioning device serves for applying a band tension to a band loop, and the closure device for producing a closure on the strapping band. In addition, the strapping apparatus has a band guide 6 with which the band can be placed mechanically and automatically on a predetermined path in the manner of a loop about a packaged article (not shown in the illustration of FIG. 1). For this purpose, the packaged article is arranged on a horizontally oriented table top (likewise not shown in FIG. 1) of the strapping apparatus in a manner such that the band guide surrounds the packaged article. In the exemplary embodiment, a lower horizontally running limb of the band guide 6 runs below the packaged article in the region of the table top. In addition, a welding and clamping unit 16 for the band is integrated in the tensioning and closure device 5 and is used to clamp the band and to produce a closure between two band layers. Except for the differences discussed below regarding previously known tensioning and closure devices, this exemplary embodiment of a tensioning and closure device 5 according to the invention involves components of strapping apparatuses that are known per se.

[0029] The tensioning and closure device 5 which is arranged together with the band guide 6 on a framework 8 and is illustrated separately and partially in FIG. 2 has a band driving device which is likewise known per se and is not illustrated specifically in the figures. The latter can be provided in particular with one or more roller pairs and possibly with further individual deflecting rollers. The band is arranged between roller pairs of the rollers and, by drive of at least one roller, is acted upon with an advancement, retraction or tensioning movement. With the advancement movement, the band is pushed at high speed through the band guide 6, which is self-contained, and therefore, at the end of the advancement movement, the band forms a band loop and is arranged in two layers in the region of the band end. After the band end has been clamped by means of a band clamp (again not illustrated), the band of the band loop is retracted by means of rollers of the tensioning and closure device in a direction opposed to the advancement direction. By this means, the band passes out of the channel of the band guide 6 and is placed against the packaged article arranged in the strapping apparatus 1. For this purpose, the channel can be provided, for example, with movable flaps by means of which the band channel can be opened. Subsequently, the attached band is provided with increased band tension by means of a further retraction movement applied by rollers, as a result of which the band lies tautly against the packaged article. Operations of this type are basically known in multiple and various ways from the prior art and are therefore not discussed in more detail.

[0030] FIGS. 2 to 10 illustrate the closure device or parts thereof which have an ultrasonic welding device 9 for producing a closure between two band layers of the strapping band. Said ultrasonic welding device is provided with an ultrasound converter 10 which is provided for carrying out vibrations with frequencies in the ultrasound range, namely of 20 kHz to 100 kHz. In particular frequencies from a range of 20 kHz to 40 kHz are preferred here. In the exemplary embodiment, the ultrasound converter can be particularly preferably operated with a frequency from a range of 32 kHz to 38 kHz, in particular with a frequency of 35 kHz. In conjunction with the present invention, the ultrasound converter 10 can be an ultrasound converter which is known from the prior art and is suitable for producing welded connections on plastics bands, and therefore said ultrasound converter is likewise not discussed below in more detail. The same applies to the electronic device with which the ultrasound converter 10 is operated. A sonotrode device 13 to which the ultrasound converter 10 transmits the vibrations generated by it can be connected to the ultrasound converter 10. Unlike the situation in the exemplary embodiment illustrated, in other exemplary embodiments according to the invention a booster can be provided between the ultrasound converter 10 and the sonotrode 11, with which booster the size of the amplitude of the ultrasonic vibration can be changed, in particular enlarged. A booster is therefore a sound-amplitude transformer for changing the vibration amplitude of the ultrasonic vibration. The ultrasound converter 10 and the sonotrode 11 and also the booster connected inbetween, if present, are customarily substantially arranged one behind another and along a longitudinal axis 12 which corresponds to the vibration direction and/or propagation direction of the ultrasonic vibration.

[0031] As can be gathered in particular from FIGS. 3, 7 and 8, the sonotrode device 13 which is provided with the sonotrode 11 and the ultrasound converter 10 is arranged on a holder 14 which holds the ultrasound converter 10, the sonotrode device 13 and in particular the sonotrode thereof in one or more defined positions, in particular a predefined position, with respect to the band course which is provided for the strapping band in the region of the sonotrode device. The sonotrode 11 and the longitudinal axis 12, which is defined by the vibration direction, of the sonotrode device 13 are inclined, at least in a use position of the sonotrode, in relation to the band surface opposite the sonotrode, i.e. in an orientation differing from an orthogonal and from a parallel arrangement. In the preferred exemplary embodiment illustrated, the longitudinal axis 12 of the sonotrode 11 is located firstly in a plane which is oriented perpendicularly to the band longitudinal axis 15. Secondly, the longitudinal axis 12 is located outside a plane formed by the surface, which is close to the sonotrode, of the band, which is arranged in two layers at this point. The longitudinal axis 12 of the sonotrode is therefore located in a plane oriented perpendicularly to the band longitudinal axis 15 and encloses an angle with the plane of the band surface. In other embodiments, the longitudinal axis 12 of the sonotrode can also be arranged outside the plane oriented perpendicularly to the band surface. In such embodiments according to the invention, the longitudinal axis 12 also has an inclination in relation to the plane which is perpendicular to the band surface. In the exemplary embodiment, the angle is approx. 30. It is preferably selected from a range of 10 to 80.

[0032] For contact against the band surface close to the sonotrode, in certain embodiments the sonotrode 11 can be provided with a first level contact surface 21 which can have a knurling or toothing in order to ensure a slip-proof contact pressure of the contact surface 21 with the or against the band surface. The knurling or toothing can be provided independently of the geometrical shape of the respective contact surface. On account of the previously discussed inclination of the longitudinal axis 12 of the sonotrode device, the contact surface 21 of the sonotrode also encloses an angle with the longitudinal axis 12 of the sonotrode device 13. The contact surface 21 can have a substantially level surface at least in sections, which is provided during the formation of the closure for abutting in a flat, and therefore an at least substantially parallel manner, against a portion of the surface of the layer of the strapping band close to the sonotrode. If the respective contact surface 21 also has portions other than planar portions, in conjunction with the present invention the planar portion of the contact surface can preferably be used for defining the angle enclosed with the longitudinal axis 12.

[0033] The sonotrode 11 can be supplied here in particular by a driven movement to the band 16 and pressed against the latter such that firstly the contact surface 21 lies against the outer surface 17a of the band layer 17 close to the sonotrode. Secondly, the two inner surfaces 17b, 18b of the two band layers 17, 18 arranged one above the other therefore also lie against each other, and the sonotrode-remote band layer lies with its outer surface against a counterholder 22 of the sonotrode device. With said driven movement, a transfer of the sonotrode can therefore lead from a predetermined non-use position to a likewise predetermined use position of the sonotrode 11. By means of a likewise driven movement in the reverse direction, after the end of the use of the sonotrode for forming the closure, said sonotrode can be vice versa reset again from the use position into its non-use position. As can be seen in FIG. 10, the driven movements of the sonotrode 11 can be produced by means of a motor-driven control shaft 44 with which movements of other components of the strapping apparatus are also produced in the exemplary embodiment. A control disk 45 is arranged on the control shaft 44 and is in contact with a cam of the sonotrode device and, on the basis of the contour of the control disk 45, moves the sonotrode device.

[0034] In the region of the free end of the sonotrode 11 which is illustrated in FIG. 4, is the releasable part of the sonotrode device and, in the illustration of FIG. 8, is shown in a use position, apart from the previously described first contact surface 21 a second contact surface 24 is also formed. In principle, it is not absolutely necessary for the second or further contact surfaces 24 to coincide with respect to their geometrical shape and size with the first contact surface. However, in the exemplary embodiment of the figures, the second contact surface 24 is identical with regard to its size, the geometrical shape and the knurling which is present to the first contact surface 21. In addition, the second contact surface 24 is arranged in a mirror-inverted manner with respect to the longitudinal axis 12 of the sonotrode 11. By this means, identical use conditions arise during the respective use of the two contact surfaces 21, 24 of the same sonotrode. One of the contact surfaces 21 is therefore arranged on the one side of the longitudinal axis 12 and the other of the contact surfaces 24 is arranged on the other side of the longitudinal axis 12. The two contact surfaces 21, 24 which are inclined at the same angle in relation to the longitudinal axis 12 run together in a common longitudinal edge 25. The free end 26 of the sonotrode therefore has a conical shape or a wedge shape in the region of the two contact surfaces 21, 24.

[0035] The sonotrode 11 is held and mounted on the ultrasound converter 10 in an exchangeable and fastenable manner, for example by means of a screw connection between the sonotrode 11 and the converter 10. The mounting is provided in such a manner that the sonotrode 11 can be fastened releasably in two positions which are rotated by 180 with respect to the longitudinal axis 12 of the sonotrode device 13 and with respect to the holder 14. By this means, each of the two contact surfaces 21, 24 can be brought into, and arranged in, their use position in which the respective contact surface 21, 24 is provided for producing a closure and is used during each formation of strapping. As soon as the first contact surface 21 which is located in the use position on the sonotrode device is intended to be exchanged, in particular due to advanced wear of the first contact surface 21, the sonotrode 11 can be arranged in a position, which is rotated by 180 about the longitudinal axis, with respect to the previous position and orientation and with respect to the holder 14. In said relative position of the sonotrode 11 with respect to the holder 14, the second contact surface 24 is then in the same use position as contact surface 21 previously and can now be used instead of the first contact surface 21 for producing ultrasound-welded closures between the band layers. Only one of the two contact surfaces 21, 24 is therefore in each case located on the sonotrode device in the use position, wherein the use positions of the two contact surfaces 21, 24 are identical.

[0036] As is illustrated in the longitudinal sectional illustration of FIGS. 7 and 8, the sonotrode 11 has, in the region of its end side opposite the ultrasound converter 10, a blind hole-like recess 28 which is arranged symmetrically with respect to the sonotrode longitudinal axis 12. The ultrasound converter 10 can be provided on its end side 10a opposite the sonotrode 11 with a pin 29, the cross section of which is congruent to recess 28 of the sonotrode 11 in such a manner that the pin 29 can be accommodated in a precisely fitting and play-free manner in the recess 28. A releasable connection between the sonotrode 11 and the ultrasound converter 10 can be achieved, for example, by the already mentioned threaded connection between said two elements. Other types of connection are also possible.

[0037] In an alternative embodiment to the threaded connection between the sonotrode 11 and the ultrasound converter 10, the cross-sectional shapes of the recess 28 and of the pin 29 can be selected here in such a manner that the pin 29 can only be arranged in the two positions offset by 180 with respect to each other in the recess 28. By means of a bayonet-like closure (not illustrated specifically), the sonotrode 11 and the ultrasound converter 10 can be fastened releasably to each other by the sonotrode 11 and the ultrasound converter 10 being fixed in a form-fitting manner on each other in particular in the direction of the longitudinal axis 12. In the two relative positions, the ultrasound and the vibration thereof is therefore transmitted in the same manner from the ultrasound converter to the sonotrode and, in the latter, to the respective contact surface 21, 24.

[0038] At least one, preferably each, of the contact surfaces 21, 24 can be provided in the band running direction with a curvature 32, as is shown in FIG. 9. The curvature 32 can be provided in particular in such a manner that, as seen in the band running direction, at at least one of the outer sides or at longitudinal edges 33, 34 of the contact surface 21, 24 that are oriented transversely with respect to the band running direction, the distance of the contact surface 21, 24, which is located in the use position, from the strapping band is greater than along or in the region of the center of the contact surface. The curvature 32 preferably runsas seen in the band running or band longitudinal directionover the entire cross section of the respective contact surface 21, 24, wherein the contact surface 21, 24 has the smallest distance from a mating surface of the counterholder 22 at least approximately in the region of the center, between the front and rear longitudinal edge 33, 34 of the respective contact surface 21, 24, as seen in the band running direction.

[0039] In the illustrated preferred exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9, the curvature can extend over an angular range of 4 to 20. The curvature which can have, for example, a radius from a range of 5 mm to 80 mm, preferably merges continuously into a flat portion of the respective contact surface 21, 24. This transitionas seen with respect to a direction parallel to the band running directioncan lie, for example, approximately in the center of the length of the contact surface 21, 24. The flat portion of the contact surfaces 21, 24 here can lie opposite the end region of the band of the band layer against which the contact surface 21, 24 lies during production of a closure. The portion of the contact surface 21, 24 which is provided with the curvature can preferably be arranged upstream of the flat portion of the contact surface, as seen in the direction of the band end of the directly opposite band portion.

[0040] By this means, during the use for the formation of a closure, at least one of the longitudinal edges 33, 34 is at the greatest distance from a mating surface of the counterholder 22. By means of this arrangement, at least one of the end-side longitudinal edges 33, 34 mentioned is also at a distance from the surface of the band during the formation of the closure while butting at a designated pressure against the strapping band, while at least one other region of the contact surface 21, 24, preferably at least one central region of the contact surface 21, 24 and/or a flat surface region of the contact surface 21, 24 adjoining the curvature lies against the surface of the band and therefore has a distance of zero. By this means, the advantage can be obtained that a gentle transition between closure and band loop is achieved, said transition leading to a higher load-bearing capacity of the closure.

[0041] In other embodiments, the at least one contact surface 21, 24 can also have a different geometrical shape. The contact surface can have, for example, a different shape of curvature than a radius, for example an elliptical shape or a curvature which can be described by a different mathematical function or can be designed as a free surface shape. Similarly, the angular range over which the curvature or a portion of the curvature of the contact surface 21, 24 extends can assume any value which can be realized.

[0042] The strapping apparatus 1 also preferably has a separating device 37 which severs the band loop from a band roller of the supply device 3 in an automated manner. The separating device 37 can be fastened to the closure device 5 with a movable, in particular pivotable, holder 14. The holder 14, by means of the movements provided therefor, can transfer the contact surface 21, 24 arranged in each case in the use position on the sonotrode device into the closure formation position and into the inoperative position. A blade 38 or a different separating element can be arranged on the holder 14 and carries out said driven movements of the holder. In addition, the separating element can be acted upon with a further driven movement which the separating element carries out relative to the holder 14 of the sonotrode device and which is used as a separating movement. In order to manage with as small a number of components as possible, the same drive and the same control element as for the carrier of the sonotrode device can preferably be used. In the exemplary embodiment, this can be a central driving motor 40 and the same control disk 41 which is arranged on a control shaft 42 on which further control disks are located with which further components of the strapping apparatus are moved and the use times thereof are determined.

[0043] During the separating operation, the separating element interacts with a mating separating element which is preferably fixed, i.e. immovable, at least during the separating operation and is likewise preferably designed as a blade. The separating element and the mating separating element interact in the manner of scissors and cut the band at the end of a strapping operation close to the closure in a region between the closure and the band supply. By means of the driven movement of the separating element, despite the arrangement on the carrier of the sonotrode device and despite the joint control operation of the movement of the carrier, the time of the separating operation can thereby be varied relative to the time of reaching the closure position of the contact surface. This can take place, for example, by varying the length of the path of the separating element until the cutting operation occurs or by varying a possible transmission ratio of the movement transmitted to the separating element by the control roller. The separating element can be loaded by means of a spring element in order to produce a resetting force. The spring element can be tensioned by the driven movement of the separating element during the separating operation, wherein relaxation of the spring element after the separating operation has taken place can lead to a resetting movement of the separating element into its starting position on the carrier.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0044] 1 Strapping apparatus

[0045] 3 Supply device

[0046] 5 Tensioning and closure device

[0047] 6 Band guide

[0048] 8 Framework

[0049] 9 Ultrasonic welding device

[0050] 10 Ultrasound converter

[0051] 10a End side

[0052] 11 Sonotrode

[0053] 12 Longitudinal axis

[0054] 13 Sonotrode device

[0055] 14 Holder

[0056] 15 Band longitudinal axis

[0057] 16 Band

[0058] 17 Band layer close to the sonotrode

[0059] 17a Surface

[0060] 17b Inner surface

[0061] 18 Band layer

[0062] 18b Inner surface

[0063] 21 Contact surface

[0064] 22 Counterholder

[0065] 24 Second contact surface

[0066] 25 Longitudinal edge

[0067] 26 Free end

[0068] 28 Recess

[0069] 29 Pin

[0070] 32 Curvature

[0071] 33 Longitudinal edge

[0072] 34 Longitudinal edge

[0073] 37 Separating device

[0074] 38 Blade

[0075] 40 Motor

[0076] 41 Control disk

[0077] 42 Control shaft

[0078] 44 Control shaft

[0079] 45 Control disk

[0080] Angle