Strapping apparatus having a tensioning device

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a strapping apparatus for strapping articles to be packaged with a strapping band. The strapping apparatus includes a band detection device configured to indicate that the band is in a non-positionally correct and/or a positionally correct position, depending on the embodiment.

Claims

1. A strapping tool comprising: a tensioning device comprising a tensioning wheel rotatable to tension a loop of strapping band; a connecting device actuatable to connect two regions of the loop of strapping band together; a housing at least partially enclosing the tensioning device and the connecting device, the housing defining a window; and a band-detection device comprising a contact portion and a signaling portion, wherein the signaling portion comprises a marking, wherein the band-detection device is movable between a first position and a second position to move the marking relative to the window of the housing, wherein the band-detection device is positioned such that: when the strapping band is in a non-positionally correct position, the contact portion of the band-detection device contacts an upper surface of the strapping band and the band-detection device is in the first position, and when the strapping band is in a positionally correct position, the contact portion of the band-detection device does not contact the upper surface of the strapping band and the band-detection device is in the second position.

2. The strapping tool of claim 1, wherein the marking is viewable through the window of the housing when the band-detection device is in the first position and not viewable through the window of the housing when the band-detection device is in the second position.

3. The strapping tool of claim 1, wherein the band-detection device is pivotable between the first and second positions.

4. The strapping tool of claim 3, wherein the contact portion partially defines a band channel that defines the positionally correct position of the strapping band.

5. The strapping tool of claim 4, wherein the band channel extends longitudinally through the tensioning device and the connecting device, and wherein the contact portion is positioned to define a lateral extent of the band channel.

6. The strapping tool of claim 1, wherein the tensioning device is positioned at a front end of the housing, the connecting device is positioned rearward of the tensioning device, and the contact portion of the band-detection device is positioned rearward of the connecting device.

7. The strapping tool of claim 6, further comprising a base plate supporting the tensioning device and the connecting device, wherein the contact portion of the band-detection device engages the base plate when the band-detection device is in the second position.

8. The strapping tool of claim 1, wherein the signaling portion of the band-detection device is laterally offset from the contact portion of the band-detection device.

9. The strapping tool of claim 8, wherein the contact and signaling portions of the band-detection device extend in different directions.

10. The strapping tool of claim 1, further comprising a base plate, wherein the band-detection device further comprises a lever portion pivotably mounted to the base plate so the band-detection device is pivotable between the first and second positions.

11. The strapping tool of claim 10, wherein the contact portion of the band-detection device extends toward the base plate and the signaling portion of the band-detection device extends away from the base plate.

12. The strapping tool of claim 11, wherein the contact portion of the band-detection device engages the base plate when the band-detection device is in the second position.

13. The strapping tool of claim 12, wherein the marking is viewable through the window of the housing when the band-detection device is in the first position and not viewable through the window of the housing when the band-detection device is in the second position.

14. The strapping tool of claim 13, wherein the tensioning device is positioned at a front end of the housing, the connecting device is positioned rearward of the tensioning device, and the contact portion of the band-detection device is positioned rearward of the connecting device.

15. The strapping tool of claim 14, wherein the contact portion partially defines a band channel that defines the positionally correct position of the strapping band.

16. The strapping tool of claim 15, wherein the band channel extends longitudinally through the tensioning device and the connecting device, and wherein the contact portion is positioned to define a lateral extent of the band channel.

17. The strapping tool of claim 10, wherein the base plate comprises a carrier, wherein the lever portion of the band-detection device is pivotably mounted to the carrier.

18. The strapping tool of claim 17, wherein the band-detection device further comprises a connecting portion transverse to the lever portion and extending between the contact portion and the signaling portion, wherein the band-detection device is pivotably mounted to the base plate at a first end of the lever portion, and wherein the contact portion is connected to a second free end of the lever portion that is opposite the first end of the lever portion.

19. The strapping tool of claim 18, wherein the marking is viewable through the window of the housing when the band-detection device is in the first position and not viewable through the window of the housing when the band-detection device is in the second position.

20. The strapping tool of claim 19, wherein a pivot axis of the band-detection device is transverse to a band channel that defines the positionally correct position of the strapping band.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

(1) The present disclosure is explained in more detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments illustrated purely schematically in the figures, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of an example strapping appliance according to the present disclosure, which is provided with a band detection mechanism and in which a hand lever, for preparing the strapping appliance for the introduction and extraction of a strapping band, is located in an intermediate position;

(3) FIG. 2 shows the strapping appliance according to the present disclosure in FIG. 1 with a strapping band inserted in a non-positionally correct manner and a housing partially removed in the region of a tensioning device and a closure device of the strapping appliance, as a result of which the band detection mechanism is discernible;

(4) FIG. 3 shows the strapping appliance in FIG. 1 with the hand lever in an upper end position in which, by way of the hand lever, the strapping appliance is prepared for the removal and introduction of the strapping band;

(5) FIG. 4 shows the strapping appliance in FIG. 1 in a state of the band detection mechanism that the latter takes up with a strapping band inserted in a positionally correct manner and in which the hand lever is located in a lower end position;

(6) FIG. 5 shows the band detection mechanism of the strapping appliance in FIGS. 2 and 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) The strapping appliance 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 is mentioned only by way of example for the present disclosure. The description of the specific configuration of the features of the strapping appliance 1 according to the present disclosure that is explained below serves merely for the understanding of the present disclosure and does not represent any limitation to embodiments of the present disclosure which would necessarily have to have the following features.

(8) The manually actuated strapping appliance 1 according to the present disclosure that is illustrated here by way of example has a housing 2 which surrounds, inter alia, the mechanism of the strapping appliance and on which a handle 3 for handling the appliance is formed. The strapping appliance is furthermore provided with a base plate 4, the underside of which is provided for arrangement on an item to be packaged. All of the functional units of the strapping appliance 1 are fastened to the base plate 4 and to the carrier (not illustrated in more detail) of the strapping appliance, said carrier being connected to the base plate 4.

(9) With the strapping appliance 1, a loop (not illustrated in more detail in FIG. 1) of a plastic band B, made for example of polypropylene (PP) or polyester (PET), which has previously been placed around the item to be packaged, can be tensioned by way of a tensioning device 6 of the strapping appliance. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, it is also possible for bands made of other materials, in particular of other plastics or other metal materials, to be processed, wherein, in these embodiments, the particular strapping appliance can be adapted to the band material provided in each case. The tensioning device 6 of the strapping appliance shown here has a tensioning wheel 7, a tensioning mandrel or other tensioning element, covered by the housing 2 in FIG. 1, of the tensioning device 6, with which the band B can be captured for a tensioning operation. The tensioning wheel 7 cooperates with a tensioning plate 8 such that the strapping band is able to be clamped between the tensioning wheel 7 and the tensioning plate 8 in order to tighten the strapping band loop, in particular while the tensioning wheel 7 is being driven in rotation, and during this movement, by engagement in the strapping band and retraction thereof, places the latter against the article to be packaged in each case and provides the band of the band loop with band tension.

(10) In the exemplary embodiment, the tensioning plate 8 is arranged on a pivotable rocker 9, which can be pivoted about a rocker pivot axis. By way of a pivoting movement of the rocker 9 about the rocker pivot axis, the tensioning plate 8 can be transferred from an end position at a distance from the tensioning wheel 7 to a second end position in which the tensioning plate 8 is pressed against the tensioning wheel 7. By way of a corresponding motor-driven or manually driven movement in the opposite direction of rotation about the rocker pivot axis, the tensioning plate 8 can be moved away from the tensioning wheel 7 and pivoted back into its starting position, with the result that the band located between the tensioning wheel 7 and the tensioning plate is released for removal. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, it is also possible for the tensioning wheel 7 to be arranged on the movable, in particular pivotable, rocker 9 and for the tensioning plate 8 to be arranged in a fixed position.

(11) When the shown embodiment of a tensioning apparatus is in use, provision is made for two layers of the strapping band to be located between the tensioning wheel 7 and the tensioning plate 8 and to be pressed against the tensioning plate 8 by the tensioning wheel 7 or against the tensioning wheel 7 by the tensioning plate. By rotation of the tensioning wheel 7, it is then possible for the band loop to be provided with a band tension which is high enough for packaging purposes.

(12) Subsequently, welding of the two layers can take place, in a manner known per se, by way of the friction welding and separating device 12 of the strapping appliance at a point of the band loop at which two layers of the band are located one on top of the other. As a result, the band loop can be permanently closed. In various exemplary embodiment shown, the friction welding and separating device 12 is arranged behind the tensioning device in the direction of the provided tensioning direction, i.e. the direction in which the band is retracted by the tensioning device 6. In the exemplary embodiment, the friction welding and separating device 12 is additionally arranged at a distance from the tensioning device 6. In various exemplary embodiment shown here, the friction welding and separating device 12 can be driven by the same only one motor of the strapping appliance, with which all other motor-driven movements are also carried out. For this purpose, a freewheel (not illustrated in more detail) is provided in a manner known per se in the transmission direction from the motor to the points at which the motorized drive movement is used for band processing, said freewheel having the effect that the drive movement is transmitted in the drive direction of rotation, provided in each case for this purpose, to the corresponding functional unit of the strapping appliance 1, and no transmission takes place in the other drive direction of rotation, provided in each case for this purpose, of the motor. Solutions for such single-motor arrangements are previously known for example from the applicant's strapping appliance OR-T 250.

(13) The friction welding device 12 is provided with a welding shoe 14 (not illustrated in more detail) which is transferred, by way of a transfer device 13, from a rest position at a distance from the band into a welding position in which the welding shoe 14 is pressed against the band. The welding shoe 14, which is pressed against the strapping band by mechanical pressure in the process, and the simultaneously performed oscillating movement of the welding shoe 14 with a predetermined frequency, cause the two layers of the strapping band to melt. The locally plasticized or molten regions of the band B flow into one another and, after the band B has cooled, a connection between the two band layers is then formed. If necessary, it is then possible for the band loop to be separated from a supply roll of the band by way of a cutting element (not illustrated in more detail) of the friction welding and separating device 12 of the strapping appliance 1.

(14) The rotary drive of the tensioning wheel 7 about its tensioning axis, the infeed of the friction welding device 12 by way of the transfer device 13, and also the use of the friction welding device 12 per se, and the actuation of the separating device, take place using only one common electric motor, which provides a drive movement for each of these components of the strapping appliance. For the power supply of the motor, an exchangeable battery 15, which is removable and exchangeable in particular for charging purposes, and which serves for storing electrical energy, is arranged on the strapping appliance. Other external auxiliary energy, such as compressed air or further electricity, for example, may be supplied, but this does not take place in the case of the strapping appliance according to FIGS. 1 and 2. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, however, it is also possible for other forms of energy, in particular compressed air, rather than electrical energy, to be utilized as drive energy. Likewise, in other embodiments of the present disclosure, it is also possible for a plurality of motors for driving the functional units to be provided.

(15) In order to create, between the tensioning wheel 7 and the tensioning plate 8, a gap for releasing a band located therein and for the removal thereof and the introduction of a new band or band portion, a hand lever 10 is actuated. The starting position of the hand lever, namely a lower end position, is illustrated in FIG. 4. In this position, the tensioning plate 8 and the tensioning wheel 7 clamp a band inserted into the strapping appliance between one another. In order to create a sufficiently large gap between the tensioning wheel 7 and the tensioning plate for the removal of the band B, the hand lever 10 is pulled manually in the direction of the handle 3 into its upper end position (FIG. 3). As a result, the tensioning plate 8 arranged on a rocker pivots away from the tensioning wheel 7. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, it is also possible for the tensioning wheel 7 to be articulated in a pivotable manner via the hand lever 10. FIG. 3 shows the state of the hand lever 10 pivoted out of its neutral position (see FIG. 4), in which the maximum distance between the tensioning wheel 7 and the tensioning plate 8 for band extraction and introduction is created. After the (new) band has been inserted, the hand lever 10 spring-preloaded in this position is released again, with the result that the rocker with the tensioning plate 8 is pivoted back against the tensioning wheel and as a result the band is clamped. The infeed of the tensioning plate 8 or of the tensioning wheel 7 in the direction of the respectively other element of the tensioning device likewise takes place via manual actuation of the hand lever 10. Ideally, after being released, the hand lever 10 takes up the starting position shown in FIG. 4 again, in which the band B has been inserted in a positionally correct manner and clamped.

(16) The mobile portable strapping appliance 1 of the example embodiment illustrated in the figures has three different operating modes. The first mode is an automatic mode in which a complete strapping operation is triggered only by actuating a button 18 or some other switch element. In this automatic mode, after triggering, first of all a tensioning operation by way of the tensioning device 6 and, directly thereafter, a connection between the two band layers of the band loop are formed. Likewise automatically, the band of the loop is separated from the band supply by way of a separating device.

(17) A second mode is a semi-automatic mode. This too, like the automatic mode, can be set by selection by way for example of a button, a switch or a control panel 16. In this case, the tensioning operation and the creation of a connection are each initiated one after the other by the operator. The tensioning operation is maintained for as long as the operator actuates the button 18 or other operating element provided for maintaining the tensioning operation. However, the tensioning operation is maintained at the longest until a preset maximum band tension has been achieved. When the set maximum band tension is achieved, the tensioning operation is ended and the strapping appliance switches automatically into the connecting mode and carries out the connecting operation. As soon as a button or other operating element provided for triggering the connecting operation is actuated, the connecting device is initiated. The separation of the band from the supply can take place together with the creation of the connection. If the operator of the strapping appliance were to decide to stop the tensioning operation before the set maximum tensile stress or tensioning force has been achieved, for example because of the observation that a further increase in the band tension will result in damage to the article to be packaged, he can end the tensioning operation by releasing the actuating element 18 in the semi-automatic mode. By way of a subsequent actuation of an actuating element appropriate for the connecting device, the connecting device can then be triggered. In this case, both to trigger the tensioning operation and to trigger the connecting operation, it is thus in each case necessary for the operator to actuate a switch, or a button or some other actuating element.

(18) Finally, a third operating mode is possible, namely a manual mode, which is likewise selectable and settable. In this case, the tensioning operation and the creation of the connection each have to be triggered separately from one another via one or more actuating elements 18. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the tensioning device 6 is able to be triggered by way of the actuating element 18 and is maintained for as long as the actuating element 18 is actuated. Just as in the semi-automatic mode, it is also possible here for the tensioning operation to be interrupted and to be continued by actuation of the button 18 until the set band tension to be achieved has also actually been achieved. As soon as the set band tension has been achieved, the controller turns off the tensioning device. The connecting device is preferably initiated by actuation of a further button. Following initiation, the connecting operation is then carried out in full, without a further actuation of an actuating element being necessary for this purpose.

(19) As is illustrated in FIG. 2, the strapping appliance has a bearing shaft 19 arranged—with regard to the provided centerline 24—between the tensioning wheel and the friction welding and separating device 12. A band detection mechanism 20 is arranged in a pivotable manner on the bearing shaft 19. In the example exemplary embodiment, the band detection mechanism 20 is configured as a mechanical band detection mechanism, namely as a lever-like band detection mechanism. The band detection mechanism 20 is pushed by way of one of its ends 20a onto the bearing shaft 19. The bearing shaft 19 is arranged on a carrier of the strapping appliance and in this case projects between the tensioning wheel 7 and the welding shoe 14 via the provided intended position for the strapping band B in the strapping appliance. The band detection mechanism 20 provided here has a first lever-like portion 21, which extends approximately parallel to and at a distance from the provided centerline 24. Located on an underside, facing the strapping band, of the first lever-like portion 21, in the region of the other end thereof, is a hammer-head-like contact lug 23, which protrudes in the direction of the strapping band. A tip of the hammer-head-like contact lug 23 is intended to be in contact with the top side of a strapping band B introduced into the strapping appliance in a non-positionally correct manner.

(20) In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, a side face 23a of the contact lug 23 additionally serves as a band guide for a strapping band inserted in a positionally correct manner into the strapping appliance (see FIG. 4). The band detection mechanism 20 forms, together with the base plate 4 and a boundary surface 4b located opposite the contact lug 23, a kind of band channel, the width of which corresponds at least substantially to the width of the strapping band B. A longitudinal direction of this band channel in this case defines an intended orientation for the strapping band B while the band strapping is being carried out.

(21) A second lever-like portion 25 adjoins likewise in the region of the free end 20b of the lever-like portion 21. The second lever-like portion 25 is integrally connected to the first lever-like portion 21 and encloses an obtuse angle therewith. The second lever-like portion 25 is provided with a kink, such that the second lever-like portion itself has two segments 25a, 25b, which likewise in turn enclose an acute angle with one another. That segment 25b of the second lever-like portion 25 that is provided with the free end is provided on its outer side 27 with a marking 26. The outer side 27 can be understood here as meaning that side of the second portion 25 that faces away from an axis of rotation 28 formed by the bearing shaft 19. This marking 26 can be for example a surface region with a color contrasting with the color of the surface of the second portion 25, in particular a region of this type with a particular geometric shape. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the marking 26 is a red rectangle, which has been applied to a black background of the second portion 25. Of course, any other visually perceptible difference between two colored or contrasting regions can also serve as marking. Instead of the display of a marking or of a contrast difference, provision can likewise alternatively be made for a visually perceptible signal to be output by way of a light-emitting mechanism, for example an LED or some other light source. This can take place in each case in order to signal a positionally correct band arrangement or a non-positionally correct band arrangement to a user of the band strapping appliance. Provision can likewise be made, as a further alternative, for a visually perceptible signal to be output in each case by the strapping appliance both in the event of a positionally correct arrangement of the band in the strapping appliance and in the event of a non-positionally correct arrangement, although these should preferably be different signals.

(22) As is illustrated in FIG. 2, the position of the bearing shaft 19 and the length of the first lever-like portion 21 of the band detection mechanism 20 are coordinated with the position of the closure device, in particular the position of the welding shoe 14, such that the contact lug 23 is arranged behind the closure device—with regard to the band retraction direction 29.

(23) If no strapping band B has been inserted into the strapping appliance, or if a band B has been inserted such that it is not located beneath the hammer-head-like contact lug 23 in the region of the band detection mechanism, the tip of the contact lug 23 rests on a slope 4a of the base plate 4 or is located therebehind, without being in contact with the base plate 4 and with the strapping band B arranged in a positionally correct manner. It is only with a side face that the contact lug 23 can be in contact with the side edge, facing in the removal direction, of the strapping band B. Therefore, in this exemplary embodiment, the band detection mechanism 20 has not only the function of detecting a positionally correct arrangement, but also the function of an orientation aid in order to arrange the strapping band in the positionally correct position and to hold it in this position for the duration of strapping creation.

(24) If, however, a strapping band B has not been inserted into the strapping appliance 1 in a positionally correct manner, i.e. not in a manner corresponding to an intended orientation, the tip of the contact lug 23 rests on the strapping band B. Since the strapping band inserted in a non-positionally correct manner is arranged at a distance from the base plate 4, other rotational positions of the band detection mechanism 20 with regard to the axis of rotation 28, determined by the bearing shaft 19, of the band detection mechanism 20 arise for the band detection mechanism arranged on the band, depending on the particular band thickness, compared with the situation in which the band detection mechanism does not rest on the band B. As a consequence, the marking 26 of the band detection mechanism 20 is also located in different rotational positions with regard to the axis of rotation 28 of the first lever-like portion 21.

(25) As is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, inter alia that region of the strapping appliance that is arranged in front of the handle 3 is covered by the housing 2 and enclosed thereby. In the exemplary embodiment, the housing 2 is formed from two assembled housing shells 2a, 2b, wherein one housing shell 2a forms substantially a left-hand half of the housing 2 and the other housing shell 2b forms substantially a right-hand half of the housing 2, in each case as seen with regard to a longitudinal direction of the strapping appliance 1. As is likewise illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the housing half 2a covering the tensioning wheel 7 has a window 30. This window 30 can be either an open cutout in the housing 2 or a transparent part of the housing 2, for example a transparent plastics part. The window 30 is located immediately in a region within which the second lever-like portion 25 with the marking 26 present thereon executes its pivoting movement about the axis of rotation 28. The window 30 is in this case arranged at a point which, with regard to a rotational position of the marking 26, corresponds to the particular position that the marking 26 takes up when the strapping band B is located beneath the hammer-head-like contact lug 23, or the contact lug 23 is located on the strapping band B. The strapping band B which is located in a non-positionally correct position as a result, as is the case in FIGS. 1 and 2, has, on account of its non-positionally correct position, lifted the contact lug 23 from its original position on the base plate 4 and as a result rotated the band detection mechanism 20 about the axis of rotation 28. The marking 26, which is initially not arranged opposite the window 30, has been moved, by the pivoting movement of the band detection mechanism 20, into a position in which the marking 26 is now located directly opposite the window 30. The marking 26, the color of which differs from the rest of the color of the second portion 25 of the band detection mechanism 20 and preferably also from the color of the housing shell 2a (at least in the region of the window 30), has consequently been moved directly behind the window 30 on the inner side of the housing 2.

(26) In the situation in FIG. 4, in which the band is located in the positionally correct position to the side of and next to the contact lug 23, i.e. between the boundary surface 4b of the base plate 4 and the contact lug 23, the marking 26 is now not arranged behind the window on account of the movement that has taken place through a particular smaller rotation angle, and is thus not perceptible and discernible in the window from the outside. The positionally correct presence of a strapping band B on or in the strapping appliance is thus signaled in a visually perceptible manner to an operator or user in that the marking 26 does not appear in the window 30. The operator can thus distinguish between a non-positionally correct and a positionally correct arrangement of a strapping band B in the strapping appliance on account of (visually) perceptible different signaling on the strapping appliance.

(27) In order to be able to achieve reliable detection of a strapping band B inserted in a non-positionally correct manner with only one contact lug 23 based on contact with the strapping band, or with a suitable other contact element, it is advantageous for the contact lug 23 to be arranged in substantially one line behind the tensioning wheel 7 and behind the closure device, in this case behind the welding shoe 14. Since, with regard to a non-positionally correct orientation, an obliquely oriented band has a particularly large lateral deflection in a region behind the closure device, this region is particular suitable for distinguishing an incorrect orientation from an orientation in accordance with the intended state, and for detecting this.