APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STRAPPING PACKAGED GOODS

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for strapping packaged goods (2) with at least one strapping band (4), comprising a band guiding means (5) for guiding the strapping band (4), a conveying device (7) for extending and retracting the band guiding means (5), a guide carriage (11) which can be extended together with the band guiding means (5) by a target extension length as far as a diversion point, a length limiting band (21) which is connected to the guide carriage (11) and can be extended with the guide carriage (11), and an adjusting device (24) for adjusting the target extension length of the guide carriage (11) to the diversion point. The guide carriage (11) has a deflection unit (12) which can divert the band guiding means (5) at the diversion point. According to the invention, the adjusting device (24) is designed to determine an actual extension length of the guide carriage (11) and, according to a target extension length of the guide carriage (11), to control a fixing device (28) which stops the extension movement of the length limiting band (21).

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for strapping packaged goods (2) with at least one strapping band (4), comprising a band guiding means (5) for guiding the strapping band (4), a conveying installation (7) for deploying and retracting the band guiding means (5), a guide carriage (11) which conjointly with the band guiding means (5) by a nominal deployment length is deployable up to a deflection point, a length-limitation band (21) which is connected to the guide carriage (11) and extractable by the guide carriage (11), and an adjustment installation (24) for adjusting the nominal deployment length of the guide carriage (11) up to the deflection point, wherein the guide carriage (11) has a deflection unit (12) which is capable of deflecting the band guiding means (5) at the deflection point, characterized in that the adjustment installation (24) is specified for determining an actual deployment length of the guide carriage (11) and, as a function of the nominal deployment length of the guide carriage (11), for controlling a fixing installation (28) which stops the extraction movement of the length-limitation band (21).

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the conveying installation (7) comprises an electric motor (10), and the adjustment installation (24) determines the actual deployment length of the guide carriage (11) electronically by means of the revolutions of the electric motor (10).

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the electric motor (10) comprises an incremental encoder (29).

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the adjustment installation (24) is specified for actuating the conveying installation (7), upon switching on and/or if required, in such a manner that the conveying installation (7) repositions the guide carriage (11) to a reference position.

5. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the fixing installation (28), for fixing the length-limitation band (21), is configured for acting in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner on the length-limitation band (21).

6. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the length-limitation band (21) has detent elements (30) disposed in succession in the longitudinal direction of the length-limitation band (21).

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the detent elements (30) are disposed at a regular pitch at least along one portion of the length-limitation band (21).

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the detent elements (30) are configured as recesses in the length-limitation band (21) and/or as protrusions.

9. The apparatus as claimed in one of claim 6, 7 or 8, characterized in that the fixing installation (28) has an actuating unit (31) which, for limiting the extraction movement of the length-limitation band (21), brings a fixing element (32) to engage in a form-fitting manner with one of the detent elements (30) of the length-limitation band (21).

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the fixing element (32) interacts with a damping element (36) so as to stop in a damped manner an extraction movement of the length-limitation band (21).

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the adjustment installation (24) is specified for detecting the position of the fixing element (32) and/or of the actuating unit (31).

12. The apparatus as claimed in one of claim 9, 10 or 11, characterized in that the fixing element (32) and/or the actuating unit (31) are/is configured in such a manner that the fixing element (32) in the non-energized state of the actuating unit (31) is locked to one of the detent elements (30) by a spring force.

13. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the actuating unit (31) is configured as a lifting magnet, and/or the fixing element (32) is configured as a latch.

14. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the band guiding means (5) is configured as a guide chain, and the conveying installation (7) has at least one gear wheel (9) which for retracting and deploying the guide chain (5) engages in the guide chain (5),

15. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a control installation (37) is provided, said control installation (37) being specified for actuating the conveying installation (7) in such a manner that the deployment speed of the band guiding means (5) in a last portion of the nominal deployment length of the guide carriage (11) prior to reaching the deflection point is reduced in comparison to a deployment speed prior to the last portion of the nominal deployment length and/or that the deployment speed of the band guiding means (5) upon reaching the deflection point is increased in comparison to the deployment speed of the band guiding means (5) in the last portion of the nominal deployment length of the guide carriage (11) prior to reaching the deflection point.

16. A method for strapping packaged goods (2) with at least one strapping band (4), whereby the strapping band (4) is established on a band guiding means (5); whereby the band guiding means (5) is deployed by a conveying installation (7); whereby a guide carriage (11), releasably connected to the band guiding means (5), conjointly with the band guiding means (5) is guided below the packaged goods (2) and deployed up to a deflection point; whereby a length-limitation band (21) established on the guide carriage (11) is extracted by the guide carriage (11); whereby a nominal deployment length of the guide carriage (11) up to the deflection point is adjusted in that the extractable length of the length-limitation band (21) is adjusted, characterized in that an actual deployment length of the guide carriage (11) is determined during the deployment of the guide carriage (11); whereby the extraction movement of the length-limitation band (21) is stopped upon reaching the nominal deployment length of the guide carriage (11); whereby a deployment speed of the band guiding means (5) in a last portion of the nominal deployment length of the guide carriage (11) prior to reaching the deflection point is reduced in comparison to a deployment speed prior to reaching the last portion of the nominal deployment length, and/or that the deployment speed of the band guiding means (5) upon reaching the deflection point is increased in comparison to the deployment speed of the band guiding means (5) in the last portion of the nominal deployment length of the guide carriage (11).

17. A control installation (37) for controlling the deployment speed in a method as claimed in claim 16.

18. A computer program product having program code means for carrying out a method as claimed in claim 16 when the program is executed on a control installation (37) of an apparatus (1) for strapping packaged goods (2).

Description

[0083] In the figures: [0084] FIG. 1 shows an apparatus for strapping, as is known from the prior art; [0085] FIG. 2 shows a perspective illustration of a section through the apparatus according to the invention for strapping packaged goods, in a normal position of the guide carriage prior to reaching a deflection point; [0086] FIG. 3 shows an apparatus according to the invention for strapping in a further sectional illustration, in a normal position prior to reaching the deflection point; [0087] FIG. 4 shows an illustration as per FIG. 3, wherein the guide carriage has reached the deflection point and a deflection unit of the guide carriage is deflected upward by approx. 90 degrees; [0088] FIG. 5 shows a plan view of a length-limitation band in one potential embodiment; [0089] FIG. 6 shows a potential design embodiment of a fixing element of a fixing installation for stopping the extraction movement of the length-limitation band; and [0090] FIG. 7 shows a potential design embodiment of a fixing installation for stopping the extraction movement of a length-extraction band in a design embodiment having a lifting magnet and a latch.

[0091] An apparatus for strapping, known from the prior art, is shown in FIG. 1. A general functional mode of such an apparatus for strapping will be described hereunder by means of this FIG. 1. Reference to this end is also made to EP 1 053 941 B1.

[0092] FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show an apparatus according to the invention for strapping, an adjustment installation and a fixing installation by way of which the apparatus for strapping known from the prior art is further improved being provided in particular in said apparatus according to the invention. Potential advantageous design embodiments of a length-limitation band, or of the fixing installation, are shown in FIGS. 5 to 7.

[0093] Identical features of the embodiments of FIG. 1 (prior art) and of FIGS. 2 to 7 are provided with the same reference signs.

[0094] FIG. 1 shows an apparatus 1 for strapping packaged goods 2, in particular parcels or items.

[0095] As can be seen in FIG. 1, the packaged goods 2 can be placed for example on pallets 3 or similar, and for transportation or for storage be connected to the pallet 3 with the aid of a strapping band 4. The apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 has a band guiding means 5 for guiding the strapping band 4, said band guiding means 5 being in particular configured as a guide chain 5. The band guiding means 5 is preferably configured as a guide chain but the exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0096] The guide chain 5 preferably has a multiplicity of links 6 which are connected to one another, for example by way of pins not referred to in more detail.

[0097] The guide chain 5, or the links 6 thereof, is/are preferably configured from plastics material.

[0098] Provided is a conveying installation 7 for deploying and retracting the guide chain 5. It is provided in the exemplary embodiment here that the guiding installation 7 engages in the guide chain 5 in order for the latter to be deployed from a housing 8 of the apparatus 1 or retracted into said housing 8.

[0099] A supply roll (not illustrated) for the strapping band 4 can also be established on the housing 8 here. The strapping band 4 can preferably be established on a front end of the guide chain 5 such that the strapping band 4 can be deployed by the guide chain 5.

[0100] The conveying installation 7, for retracting and deploying the band guiding means 5, preferably has a gear wheel 9 which by way of the teeth thereof engages in the guide chain 5, or the links 6. It can be provided here that the gear wheel 9 by way of the teeth thereof engages in transverse webs of the links 6 that run transversely to the deployment movement of the guide chain 5.

[0101] Alternatively, the gear wheel 9, or the conveying installation 7, can also operate the guide chain 5 in another manner in order for the latter to be retracted and deployed.

[0102] The conveying installation 7 can be driven by hand or, as is preferably provided in the exemplary embodiments as per FIGS. 2 to 7, by an electric motor 10. The electric motor 10 is indicated by dashed lines in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0103] The retraction and deployment movement of the guide chain 5 can be generated by the electric motor 10, or by a crank.

[0104] As can be seen from FIG. 1, the apparatus has a guide carriage 11 which preferably has a deflection unit 12 and a thrust part 13. The guide carriage 11 in FIG. 1 (and also in FIG. 4) is deployed up to a nominal deployment length, or up to a deflection point.

[0105] The guide carriage 11 in FIG. 1 (and in FIG. 4) is illustrated in the deflection position thereof in which the deflection unit 12 in relation to the normal position thereof is pivoted by approximately 90 degrees about the pivot axle 14, or a pin. The pivot axle 14 forms the pivot point for the pivoting movement of the deflection unit 12 and to this end is disposed transversely to the direction of the retraction movement (arrow identified by the reference sign 15) and to the direction of the deployment movement (arrow identified by the reference sign 16). The pivot axle 14 forms a form-fitting and rotatable connection between the deflection unit 12 of the guide carriage 11 and the thrust part 13 of the latter.

[0106] The guide chain 5 by the deflection unit 12 is deflected in such a manner that said guide chain 5, proceeding from the floor on which the apparatus 1 is placed, is deflected upward, as is illustrated in FIG. 1 and also in FIG. 4.

[0107] The configuration of the guide carriage 11, in particular having the deflection unit 12 and/or having the thrust part 13, as is illustrated in FIG. 1, has proven suitable. However, in terms of the fundamental functional mode of the present invention any other type of deflection of the guide chain 5 at the deflection point can also be provided.

[0108] In the exemplary embodiment it is provided that the guide carriage 11, conjointly with the guide chain 5, by the nominal deployment length is deployed up to the deflection point and the guide chain 5 at the deflection point is correspondingly deflected by the deflection unit 12.

[0109] The guide carriage 11 here is deployed by the guide chain 5 which is correspondingly driven by way of the conveying installation 7. The guide carriage 11 and the guide chain 5 here are guided below the packaged goods 2, in the exemplary embodiment also below the pallet 3.

[0110] The nominal deployment length in the exemplary embodiment is sized in such a manner that the deflection point is situated at a location where the guide carriage 11 exits from below the pallet 3 again. This is correspondingly illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0111] A clamping installation 17 by way of which the strapping band 4 is fixed to the guide chain 5 prior to the beginning of the strapping procedure is disposed on a front end of the guide chain 5 in the exemplary embodiment. The clamping installation 17 can be embodied as a self-clamping eccentric pin, for example, the latter being rotatably mounted by way of a pin 18. Moreover, the guide chain 5 on this end can have a release cam 19 fixedly connected to said guide chain 5, as well as a slot 20 disposed in the guide chain 5. The release cam 19 and the slot 20 serve for releasably connecting the guide carriage 11 to the guide chain 5.

[0112] It is to be pointed out that the manner of fastening the strapping band 4, or the clamping installation 17, and also the manner of connecting the guide carriage 11 to the guide chain 5, represents only one of a plurality of potential design embodiments, the exemplary embodiment, or the invention, not being limited thereto. Nevertheless, the design embodiment described above and hereunder has proven particularly advantageous.

[0113] Furthermore shown in FIG. 1 is a length-limitation band 21 which by one end is preferably fastened to the thrust part 13 of the guide carriage 11 and by another end, by way of a terminal detent 22 fastened to the length-limitation band 21, is able to be fixed to the apparatus 1, or to a fixed part of the housing 8. The distance able to be travelled by the guide carriage 11 in the apparatus 1 of the prior art illustrated in FIG. 1 can be adjusted with the aid of the terminal detent 22 and a counter detent 23 that is movable in FIG. 1.

[0114] Likewise provided in the apparatus 1 according to the invention, as is illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 7, is a length-limitation band 21. The apparatus 1 according to the invention, as is illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 7, however discloses an adjustment of the length-limitation band 21 that deviates from the illustration in FIG. 1. This will be illustrated in more detail hereunder by means of FIGS. 2 to 7,

[0115] It is to be pointed out that it can optionally be provided also according to FIGS. 2 to 7 that the length-limitation band possesses a terminal detent 22, it being avoided by the latter in particular that the length-limitation band 21 is completely extracted from the apparatus 1, or in the housing 8. A counter detent 23 which interacts with the terminal detent 22 in such a manner that a complete extraction is avoided can then also be provided in this context. The counter detent 23 in this instance is however preferably no longer movably connected, but fixedly connected, preferably to the housing 8, in particular to a plate of the housing 8. This is schematically illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0116] In the exemplary embodiments as per FIGS. 1 to 7 it is provided that the length-limitation band 21 is connected to the guide carriage 11 and is able to be extracted by the guide carriage 11. Deviating from FIG. 1, an adjustment installation 24 for adjusting the nominal deployment length of the guide carriage 11 up to the deflection point is however provided in FIGS. 2 to 7. The functional mode of the adjustment installation 24 and the design embodiment of the latter will be illustrated in more detail hereunder by means of FIGS. 2 to 7.

[0117] First, a fundamental functional principle of the apparatus according to the invention is to be set forth again by means of FIG. 1.

[0118] However, it is to be once again pointed out that the explanation by means of FIG. 1 serves only for illustrating a functional principle of the apparatus 1 according to the invention, the latter having been proven suitable; the implementation of the solution according to the invention is however not limited to the specific design embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0119] To this extent, all features illustrated in FIG. 1 are to be considered optional.

[0120] As can be seen from FIG. 1, the guide chain 5 by way of a special locking mechanism 25 can be releasably connected to the guide carriage 11 as follows.

[0121] The locking mechanism 25 has a rotatably mounted lever 26, the latter being rotatably mounted by way of a pin (not provided with a reference sign).

[0122] The coupled, forward-directed, deployment movement 16 of the guide chain 5 by the connected guide carriage 11 according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 takes place until the guide carriage 11, for example with the aid of the length-limitation band 21, is stopped in its position, i.e. the terminal detent 22 impacts the movable counter detent 23. The distance travelled by the guide carriage 11 here can be variably adjusted by way of the terminal detent 22.

[0123] The guide chain 5, and the deflection unit 12 of the guide carriage 11 that at this point in time is locked to the guide chain 5, with the aid of the gear wheel 9 however continue to be conveyed in the direction of the deployment movement 16, as a result of which the deflection unit 12 in relation to the previous position is deflected by approximately 90 degrees until said deflection unit 12 bears on a detent 13a attached to the thrust part 13. In the normal position of the deflection unit 12 (in which the latter has not yet been pivoted by 90 degrees) a support block 27 prevents a locking pin (not illustrated) connected to the guide carriage 11 from popping out of the slot 20 in that said locking pin on the end face of the latter bears on the support block 27. By pivoting the deflection unit 12, this locking pin is released with the aid of the lever 26, as a result of which the connection between the deflection unit 12 and the rigid-spine guide chain 5 is released. At the same time, the locking pin that has popped out, or the lever, locks the deflection unit 12 in the substantially vertical position of the latter.

[0124] The previously described design embodiment is also illustrated in detail in EP 1 053 941 B1, reference thereto being made herewith. The aforementioned design embodiment is optional in the context of the present invention but may be advantageous.

[0125] The band guiding means embodied as the guide chain 5 upon passing through the deflection unit 12 in a substantially perpendicular manner in relation to the floor continues to be conveyed upward along a lateral wall of the packaged goods 2 to be packed. Tilting of the guide chain 5 away from the packaged goods 2 to be packed is suppressed as a result of the embodiment of said guide chain 5 with a rigid spine.

[0126] Furthermore, the strapping band 4 preferably guided on the spine of the guide chain 5 keeps the latter pretensioned such that tilting toward the packaged goods 2 to be packed is also prevented. The tension of the strapping band 4 can however be released, for example as a result of a brief interruption of the deployment movement, so that the guide chain 5, when the latter protrudes to a certain extent beyond the upper edge of the packaged goods 2 to be packed, can then be folded onto the parcel 2 as desired. From there, the guide chain 5 on the packaged goods 2 to be packed is conveyed back in the direction toward the apparatus 1. The aforementioned motion sequence has proven advantageous but is optional in order for the present invention to be implemented.

[0127] In this way, the user, without having to move in practical terms, can now grip the strapping band 4. The clamping installation 17 is released when the guide chain 5 runs back, this preferably as a result of firmly holding the strapping band 4. The guide chain 5 can be conveyed back into the apparatus again, wherein the deflection unit 12 in the return movement (arrow 15) with the aid of the release cam 19 and the lever 26 is again connected to the free end of the guide chain 5. The locking mechanism of the deflection unit 12 is simultaneously released such that the latter can be pivoted back to the normal position thereof again. To this end, the release cam 19 pushes the front bent end of the lever 26 away from the rigid-spine guide chain 5, as a result of which the locking pin situated at the other end of the lever 26 is simultaneously inserted back through the slot 20 of the guide chain 5 again and the desired coupling is achieved. Finally, the guide chain 5 entrains the re-coupled guide carriage 11 back into the apparatus 1.

[0128] Further details pertaining to the functional principle of the apparatus from the prior art can be derived from patent application EP 1 053 941 B1, reference being explicitly made thereto herewith.

[0129] It is to be pointed out once again that the design embodiment illustrated in the context of FIG. 1, in particular also in terms of the locking mechanism 25 and of the design embodiment having the pin 18, or the release cam 19, and the slot 20 are optional designs which may however prove advantageous.

[0130] The present invention henceforth differs from the prior art in that the nominal deployment length of the guide carriage 11 is adjustable by means of the adjustment installation 24, and the adjustment installation 24 is specified for determining an actual deployment length of the guide carriage 11, preferably continuously while the guide carriage 11 is deployed, and a fixing installation 28 which stops the extraction movement of the length-limitation band 21 is controlled by the adjustment installation 24 as a function of the nominal deployment length. This is correspondingly illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 7. Deviating from the illustration according to FIG. 1, the variable deployment length of the length-limitation band 21 is thus no longer adjusted by the terminal detent 22 and the counter detent 23, the latter being able to be fastened in a variable manner on the housing 8, but by the adjustment installation 24, or the correspondingly controlled fixing installation 28, this being illustrated in more detail hereunder.

[0131] In the exemplary embodiment as per FIGS. 2 to 7 it is preferably provided that the conveying installation 7 comprises the electric motor 10 which, preferably by way of the illustrated gear wheel 9, retracts and deploys the guide chain 5. The adjustment installation 24 here is specified in such a manner that the latter by means of the data of the electric motor 10, in particular by means of the revolutions of the electric motor 10, electronically determines the actual deployment length of the guide carriage 11, wherein the adjustment installation 24 here also determines partial revolutions of the electric motor 10.

[0132] The electric motor 10 in the exemplary embodiment has an incremental encoder 27 with the aid of which the revolutions of the electric motor 10, or the angular position and thus the actual deployment length of the guide carriage 11, are/is preferably determined by means of the deployment length of the guide chain 5.

[0133] The adjustment installation 24 is preferably specified in such a manner that the conveying installation 7, upon switching on and/or if required, can be actuated in such a manner that the conveying installation 7 repositions the guide carriage 11 to a reference position. It is preferably provided here that the conveying installation 7 retracts the guide carriage 11 into the apparatus 1, or the housing 8, up to a detent. The maximum retracted position here can represent the reference position. However, it is preferable for the reference position to deviate from the maximum retracted position of the guide carriage 11, i.e. that the guide carriage 11 from the maximum retracted position is deployed again somewhat in the direction of the arrow 16, and the correspondingly approached position in this instance is the reference position. The incremental encoder 29 can then be calibrated by means of the reference position, for example.

[0134] It is provided in the exemplary embodiment that the fixing installation 28 is configured for fixing the length-limitation band 21 in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner (for example by clamping jaws), or for correspondingly acting on said length-limitation band 21.

[0135] A form-fitting connection between the fixing installation 28 and the length-limitation band 21 is illustrated in the exemplary embodiment. To this end, the length-limitation band 21 has detent elements 30 which are disposed in succession in the longitudinal direction of the length-limitation band 21.

[0136] The detent elements 30 are illustrated in an exemplary manner in FIG. 5. The detent elements 30 preferably extend at least along one portion of the length-limitation band 21. The detent elements 30 preferably extend at a regular pitch along the portion such that the fixing or stopping of the length-limitation band 21 can take place at a regular pitch of preferably 5 to 15 cm, particularly preferably of 10 cm.

[0137] In the exemplary embodiment it is provided that the detent elements 30 are configured as recesses, in particular in the form of slots, in the length-limitation band 21. Alternatively, it can also be provided that the detent elements 30 are configured as protrusions so as to establish a form-fitting connection with a correspondingly designed element of the fixing installation 28.

[0138] As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 3, 4, 6 and 7, it is provided in the exemplary embodiment that the fixing installation 28 has an actuating unit 31 which for delimiting the extraction movement of the length-limitation band 21 brings a fixing element 32 to engage in a form-fitting manner with one of the detent elements of the length-limitation band 21 (FIG. 5), said detent elements being configured as recesses 30.

[0139] The actuating installation 31 in the exemplary embodiment is configured as a lifting magnet, and the fixing element 32 is configured as a latch. The latch 32 here is disposed in a receptacle 33 which can be configured in the manner of a flat housing. The receptacle 33, preferably by way of a rotatable fastening axle 34, is established on a fixed part of the housing 8, preferably between two fixed plates of the housing 8. The receptacle 33 here is pivotable about the fastening axle 34 when the lifting magnet 31 is correspondingly operated.

[0140] The receptacle 33 further has a collar 35 on which the lifting magnet 31 can engage in a corresponding manner. This is correspondingly illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. The lifting magnet 31 can thus pivot, in particular lift and lower, the receptacle 33, and thus also the latch 32, about the fastening axle 34 such that the latch 32 if required can be brought to engage with one of the recesses 30 of the length-limitation band 21. The controlling of the lifting magnet 31, or of the fixing installation 28, here takes place by means of the data of the adjustment installation 34, in particular by means of the determined actual deployment length of the guide carriage 11 and of the envisaged nominal deployment length of the guide carriage 11.

[0141] It is preferably provided in the exemplary embodiment that the fixing element, in particular the latch 32, interacts with a damping element 36 so as to stop in a damped manner the extraction movement of the length-limitation band 21. The damping element 36 is illustrated by dashed lines in FIG. 6. The damping element 36 has the effect that the latch 32, when the latter is impinged with a force in the direction toward the damping element 36—this being the result of the latch 32 being brought to engage with the recess 30—as a result of the damping element 36 stops the length-limitation band 21 not in an abrupt manner but rather in a damped manner, this being by virtue of the evasive movement of the latch 32 made possible by said damping element 36. The damping element 36 can be a spring, for example, but preferably an elastic element, for example a rubber element, or a correspondingly suitable elastomer.

[0142] The latch 32, or the receptacle 33 in which the latch 32 is disposed, and/or the lifting magnet 31 are/is preferably configured in such a manner that the latch 32 in the non-energized state of the lifting magnet 31 as a result of a spring force (not illustrated) locks with one of the recesses 30 of the length-limitation band 21 as soon as one recess 30 is in a position that communicates with the latch 32. It is ensured as a result that the guide carriage 11 in the non-energized state of the lifting magnet 31 is not able to be moved in an arbitrary manner but is fixed, at the latest when the guide carriage 11 is displaced in such a manner that one of the recesses 30 of the length-limitation band 21 is brought into a position that communicates with the latch 32. In the non-energized state of the lifting magnet 31 the guide carriage 11 can thus be displaced at most by the dimension of the pitch.

[0143] It is illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 that the actuating installation 37 has a bore 35a, or an arbitrary fastening point, on which a movable element 31a of the lifting magnet 31 can engage in order for the receptacle 33 to be moved.

[0144] It is preferably provided in a manner not illustrated in more detail in the exemplary embodiment that the latch 32 by a spring force is pretensioned in the direction toward the length-limitation band 21. It is preferably provided in the exemplary embodiment that the adjustment installation 24 initiates the fixing installation 28 to correspondingly move the latch 32 in position already just prior to reaching the recess 30 into which the latch 32 is to move. In order to avoid a lot of friction between the latch 32 and the length-limitation band 21 while there is still no recess 30 in position, it can therefore be advantageous for the latch 32, counter to the force of a spring, to be able to yield toward the rear, i.e. away from the length-limitation band 21. It is also achieved as a result of the spring force that the latch 32 penetrates the recess 30 in a particularly reliable manner.

[0145] In the exemplary embodiment as per FIGS. 2 to 7 it is provided that the conveying installation 7 by a control installation 37, the latter to this end obtaining corresponding data from the adjustment installation 24, is actuated in such a manner that the deployment speed of the guide chain 5 in a last portion of the nominal deployment length of the guide carriage 11 prior to reaching the deflection point is reduced in comparison to a deployment speed prior to the last portion of the nominal deployment length. As a result it is possible for the guide carriage 11 to be able to be deployed in a comparatively rapid manner and for the speed of the guide carriage 11 to be reduced, preferably significantly, only if possible just prior to reaching the deflection point. It is preferably furthermore provided that the deployment speed of the guide chain 5 upon reaching the deflection point, i.e. when the deflection unit 12 has deflected the guide chain 5, is increased in comparison to the deployment speed of the guide chain 5 in the last portion of the nominal deployment length of the guide carriage 11 prior to reaching the deflection point. It has been demonstrated that a high deployment speed of the guide chain 5, in particular after the deflection point, can noticeably reduce the entire duration of the strapping procedure.

[0146] It can be provided that the adjustment installation 24 is configured as part of the control installation 37. The apparatus 1 according to the invention preferably has a display, not illustrated in more detail, in which a plurality of nominal deployment lengths are preset and can be selected by the user. It is furthermore preferably indicated in the display whether the length-limitation band 21, or the guide carriage 11, is locked, unlocked or in an undefined state.

[0147] A length-limitation band 21 is illustrated in an exemplary manner in FIG. 5, wherein a terminal detent 22 is also optionally provided so that the length-limitation band 21 preferably cannot be completely extracted from the apparatus 1, or from the housing 8. Fastening points 38 which serve for establishing the length-limitation band 21 on the guide carriage 11 are furthermore illustrated on that end of the length-limitation band 21 that faces away from the terminal detent 22 in FIG. 5.

[0148] An adjustment installation 24 and a control installation 37 which interact with the electric motor 10, or the incremental encoder 29, as well as the fixing installation 28 are illustrated in only an exemplary manner in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0149] A skid part 39 at the front end of the guide carriage 11 is illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, the end portion of said skid part 39 pointing away from the floor so that the guide carriage 11 can compensate for any minor unevenness of the floor, such as the transverse timbers of the pallet, in a particularly simple manner. The skid part 39 can in principle also be designed in such a manner that said skid part 39 has an upward-pointing end portion at both ends so that any unevenness can be compensated for in both directions of movement of the guide carriage 11 (retraction movement 15 and deployment movement 16).

[0150] A particularly advantageous method for controlling the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 7 is derived from claim 16.