U.S. patent application number 14/888012 was filed with the patent office on 2016-05-19 for mobile strapping device having a handle.
The applicant listed for this patent is ORGAPACK GMBH. Invention is credited to Pascal Amacker.
Application Number | 20160137323 14/888012 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52014649 |
Filed Date | 2016-05-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160137323 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Amacker; Pascal |
May 19, 2016 |
MOBILE STRAPPING DEVICE HAVING A HANDLE
Abstract
Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a
mobile strapping device for wrapping material to be packed with a
strap, the device comprising: a tensioning unit for applying a
strap tension to a loop of a strap, a welding unit for producing a
welded connection on two superimposed regions of the strap loop, a
housing with a front housing region formed as a cover for the
tensioning unit and a rear housing region for receiving a
rechargeable energy store, and a handle arranged between the front
and the rear housing regions for holding the strapping device. To
achieve improved ergonomic properties for the strapping device, as
viewed in relation to a plan view onto the strapping device and in
relation to a provided longitudinal direction of the course of the
strap running through the strapping device, the profile of the
handle is nonparallel to the strap.
Inventors: |
Amacker; Pascal; (Kuttingen,
CH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ORGAPACK GMBH |
Dietikom |
|
CH |
|
|
Family ID: |
52014649 |
Appl. No.: |
14/888012 |
Filed: |
May 5, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
May 5, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CH2014/000057 |
371 Date: |
December 29, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
100/29 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 13/18 20130101;
B65B 13/322 20130101; B65B 13/025 20130101; B25F 5/02 20130101;
B65B 13/187 20130101; B65B 13/32 20130101; B65B 13/22 20130101;
B65B 13/327 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65B 13/02 20060101
B65B013/02; B65B 13/32 20060101 B65B013/32; B65B 13/18 20060101
B65B013/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 5, 2013 |
CH |
910/13 |
May 5, 2013 |
CH |
911/13 |
Sep 24, 2013 |
CH |
1629/13 |
Sep 24, 2013 |
CH |
1630/13 |
Mar 24, 2014 |
CH |
443/14 |
Claims
1-16. (canceled)
17. A mobile strapping apparatus comprising: a tensioning device
configured to apply a band tension to a loop of a strapping band; a
welding device configured to produce a welded connection on two
regions of the loop of the strapping band situated one atop the
other; an energy supply configured to provide drive energy for
motor-imparted drive movements of the strapping apparatus; and a
housing having: (1) a front housing region in which at least part
of the tensioning device is disposed; (2) a rear housing region in
which at least part of the energy supply is disposed; and (3) a
handle extending between the front and the rear housing regions,
wherein with respect to a plan view of the strapping apparatus, at
least part of the handle is not parallel to an intended
longitudinal direction of the profile of the strapping band through
the strapping apparatus.
18. The mobile strapping apparatus of claim 17, wherein, with
respect to the plan view of the strapping apparatus, a line
extending from a point of a first transition region of the handle
into the front housing region to a point of a second transition
region of the handle into the rear housing region is not parallel
with respect to the intended longitudinal direction of the profile
of the strapping band through the strapping apparatus.
19. The mobile strapping apparatus of claim 17, wherein, with
respect to the plan view of the strapping apparatus, a centerline
of the handle forms an acute angle with the intended longitudinal
direction of the profile of the strapping band through the
strapping apparatus.
20. The mobile strapping apparatus of claim 19, wherein the angle
lies in an angle range from about 3 degrees to about 89
degrees.
21. The mobile strapping apparatus of claim 20, wherein the angle
lies in an angle range from about 7 degrees to about 70
degrees.
22. The mobile strapping apparatus of claim 21, wherein the angle
lies in an angle range from about 10 degrees to about 40
degrees.
23. The mobile strapping apparatus of claim 17, wherein, with
respect to the plan view of the strapping apparatus, the tensioning
device is located at a front end of the handle and a receptacle for
the energy supply is located at a rear end of the handle, wherein
the receptacle is offset relative to the tensioning device.
24. The mobile strapping apparatus of claim 17, which includes a
display device supported by the rear housing region of the
housing.
25. The mobile strapping apparatus of claim 24, wherein the display
device is disposed on an external surface of the housing such that
the display device is visible in the plan view of the strapping
apparatus.
26. The mobile strapping apparatus of claim 24, which includes
positionally-fixed operating elements separate from the display
device.
27. The mobile strapping apparatus claim 24, wherein the display
device includes a touchscreen.
28. The mobile strapping apparatus of claim 27, wherein the display
device is equipped with, a graphical user interface sable to select
from two operating modes via touch.
29. The mobile strapping apparatus of claim 17, wherein the
tensioning device includes a rocker actuable by a pushbutton.
30. The mobile strapping apparatus of claim 29, wherein the
pushbutton extends from a top side of the housing.
Description
[0001] This application is a national stage entry of
PCT/CH2014/000057, filed on May 5, 2014, which claims priority to
and the benefit of Switzerland Patent Application Nos.: (1) 443/14,
filed on Mar. 24, 2014; (2) 1630/13, filed on Sep. 24, 2013; (3)
1629/13, filed on Sep. 24, 2014; (4) 911/13, filed on May 5, 2013;
and (5) 910/13, filed on May 5, 2013, the entire contents of each
of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] The invention relates to a mobile strapping apparatus for
strapping articles for packing with a strapping band, which
strapping apparatus has a tensioning device for applying a band
tension to a loop of a strapping band, and has a welding device for
producing a welded connection, in particular a friction-welded or
vibration-welded connection, on two regions, situated one above the
other, of the loop of the strapping band, has energy supply means
of the strapping apparatus, for example a chargeable energy store
for storing electrical energy, wherein the energy, such as
electrical energy, is provided at least inter alia as drive energy
for motor-imparted drive movements of the strapping apparatus, and
a housing with a front cover part for the tensioning device, and a
rear housing part, which is preferably provided for accommodating
the energy store, and a handle for holding the strapping apparatus,
which handle is arranged between the front housing part and the
rear housing part.
[0003] Strapping apparatuses of said type have a tensioning device
by means of which an adequately high band tension can be applied to
a band loop that has been placed around the respective article for
packing. By means, preferably, of a clamping device of the
strapping apparatus, it is then possible for the band loop to be
fixed to the article for packing for the subsequent connecting
process. In the case of generic strapping apparatuses, the
connecting process is performed by way of a vibration welding
device, in particular by way of a friction welding device. Here,
pressure is exerted on the band by means of a friction shoe which
moves in oscillating fashion in the region of two ends of the band
loop. The pressure and the heat generated by the oscillating
movement of sections of the two band sections causes the band,
which generally has plastic, to locally melt for a short period of
time. This gives rise to a permanent connection, which can be
released again at most with high force, between the two band
layers.
[0004] Generic strapping apparatuses are provided for mobile use,
wherein the appliances are intended to be carried by a user to the
respective usage location and, there, should generally not be
dependent on the use of externally supplied energy. In the case of
known strapping appliances, the energy required for the intended
use of such strapping appliances for tensioning a strapping band
around articles for packing of any type and for producing a
fastening is generally provided by an electric battery or by
compressed air. By means of said energy, the band tension
introduced into the band by means of the tensioning device is
generated, and a fastening is produced on the strapping band.
Generic strapping apparatuses, and thus also strapping apparatuses
according to the invention, are furthermore provided for connecting
only weldable plastics bands to one another.
[0005] In the case of mobile appliances, a low weight is of
particular importance in order that the user of the strapping
apparatus is subjected to the least possible physical burden when
using the apparatus. Likewise, for ergonomic reasons, the most
uniform possible distribution of the weight over the entire
strapping apparatus should be provided, in particular in order to
avoid a concentration of the weight in the head region of the
strapping apparatus. Such a concentration leads to adverse handling
characteristics of the apparatus. Furthermore, the most ergonomic
possible and user-friendly handling of the strapping appliance is
always sought. In particular, the possibility of incorrect
operation and malfunctions should be as low as possible, and
information regarding the operating state should be visible to the
user of the strapping appliance.
[0006] To meet these requirements, it has hitherto been
substantially conventional to equip mobile strapping appliances
with a handle by which the strapping appliance can be carried and
in particular operated during strapping processes. Here,
embodiments are conventional in which the handle is arranged
between a front and a rear end of the strapping appliance, wherein,
at the front end, there is or are situated at least one or more
functional units of the strapping appliance, such as a tensioning
device for imparting a band tension, a fastening device for
connecting the band ends, and a severing device for severing the
strap from a band supply. Here, in the region of the other end of
the handle, at the rear end of the strapping appliance, there is
situated a receptacle for a battery. Even though, with this
embodiment of mobile strapping appliances, it is already possible
to achieve good handling characteristics and the appliances have a
balanced weight distribution, they cannot be fully satisfactory in
particular with regard to ergonomic aspects.
[0007] It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a
generic strapping appliance which has improved ergonomic
characteristics.
[0008] In the case of a strapping appliance of the type mentioned
in the introduction, said object is achieved in that, with respect
to a plan view of the strapping apparatus and with respect to an
intended longitudinal direction of the profile of the band through
the strapping apparatus, the profile of the handle is non-parallel
with respect to the band. In the case of this orientation obliquely
with respect to the profile of the strapping band, the handle may
in particular have a rectilinear form or else a curved/bent
form.
[0009] In the context of the invention, a handle may be understood
to mean at least that part of the housing of the strapping
apparatus which a user can grip using one hand in order to thereby
hold and handle the strapping apparatus during the intended use
thereof. In an alternative wording, the present invention can also
be seen in the fact that the handle has at least two points which
are arranged spaced apart from one another and which, with respect
to a plan view of the strapping apparatus, have different spacings
to the intended setpoint position of a centerline of the strapping
band provided in each case for being processed by way of the
strapping apparatus. In particular, the at least two points should
be provided on the handle such that a front point of said points
has a relatively small spacing, and a rear point has a larger
spacing than the front point, to the centerline of the strapping
band. Here, the setpoint position of the strapping band is
generally defined by the orientation of the tensioning wheel and,
if appropriate, also by the position of the connecting device in
relation to the tensioning wheel. The strapping band should in this
case generally be arranged such that--again with respect to a plan
view of the strapping apparatus--in the region of the tensioning
wheel, the centerline of the strapping band runs parallel to the
centerline of the circumference of the tensioning wheel.
Furthermore, normally, the strapping band should both be arranged
below the tensioning wheel and run with the same band section
through the connecting device.
[0010] Generic, previously known strapping apparatuses always have
a handle which is oriented parallel to an intended band profile of
the strapping band in the region of the strapping appliance. During
the band strapping process, the mobile strapping apparatus is, at
least at times, held and handled by way of said handle. It has
hitherto been the case in generic strapping apparatuses that--at
least with respect to a plan view--a parallel arrangement of the
handle has been selected. A rectilinear profile of the handle
parallel to the band profile constitutes the shortest connection
between the front and the rear housing region, for which reason
said previously known design of a handle is obvious, this
presumably being the reason it has been selected up until now. Such
a parallel arrangement of the handle has presumably also been
provided up until now because one could have assumed that the
handle can be utilized as an orientation aid for the orientation of
the strapping band to be placed in. As has been found in the
context of the invention but not noticed previously, this is, in
particular in the case of continuous usage of such strapping
apparatuses, a major reason for premature symptoms of fatigue of
the operator of the mobile strapping apparatus. In this context,
the invention provides an improvement by virtue of the handle being
oriented non-parallel, and with a non-0.degree. angle, with respect
to the intended band profile of the strapping band in particular in
the region of the tensioning device and of the fastening device.
Here, said relationship between the band profile and the profile of
a longitudinal orientation of the handle is to be understood with
respect to a plan view of the strapping appliance, in which the
strapping appliance is situated in the processing position in which
the strapping appliance is arranged with the underside of its base
plate on a level surface. By means of this orientation of the
handle, it is possible for the strapping appliance, during the use
thereof for the strapping of articles for packing, to be held by
the user in such a way that, by contrast to before, the user no
longer has to bend the wrist of the hand that is holding the
strapping apparatus, or at least does not have to bend said wrist
to such a great degree. Rather, owing to the changed profile of the
handle, the user can hold and operate the mobile strapping
apparatus with less expenditure of force. In this way, the user
experiences less fatigue, and, with unchanged concentration and
attention, is capable of performing a greater number of strapping
operations. This also increases working safety, and helps to
prevent workplace accidents.
[0011] An advantage that likewise results from the design of the
housing according to the invention consists in the possibility of
easier insertion of the strapping band into, and removal of the
strapping band from, the strapping apparatus. The oblique profile
of the handle that preferably results, with respect to a plan view
of the strapping apparatus and of the strapping band in the
strapping apparatus, yields an offset between the rear region,
adjoining the handle, of the housing, in relation to the front
housing region. In this way, it is possible in a simple
manner--again with respect to the plan view--to provide a spacing,
in particular an adequately large spacing, between the rear region
of the housing and the strapping band. By contrast to previously
known solutions, the invention thus makes it possible for the
housing of the strapping apparatus to be designed such that the
rear housing region does not pose an obstruction to the handling of
the strapping band
[0012] Preferred strapping apparatuses according to the invention
may have a front housing region and a rear housing region which are
connected to one another by way of a central housing region. In
particular, the tensioning wheel of the tensioning device may be
arranged in the front housing region. It is also preferable for
there to be provided in the front housing region a vibration
element which, by way of a vibration movement, introduces energy
into the band in order to generate a fastening by way of local
melting of the band on the two band layers thereof. The rear
housing region may in particular be provided for accommodating a
battery or some other energy supply. In other embodiments, it is
also possible for constituent parts of the mobile strapping
apparatus other than those specified above to be arranged in the
front and rear housing regions. The front and the rear housing
regions should be connected to one another by way of the central
housing region, and have the handle arranged between the front and
rear housing regions. The connection between the front and rear
housing regions may be realized by way of the handle and/or by way
of some other section of the central housing region. The handle,
which is oriented obliquely with respect to the band profile, may
also be connected only to the front housing region, only to the
rear housing region or else only to the central housing region.
[0013] The orientation of the handle according to the invention may
also, with respect to a plan view of the strapping apparatus, be
defined by the resulting different spacings of the two ends of the
handle, which is elongate in a longitudinal direction, from the
intended profile of the strapping band. Said profile of the
strapping band may be reflected by a straight line. With respect to
a plan view of the strapping apparatus, a straight connecting line
of the two ends of the handle may be oriented non-parallel with
respect to the straight line of the band profile, for example with
respect to the centerline of the strapping band. If one of the ends
is connected to the front or rear housing part, the respective end
of the handle can be assumed to be a point of a transition region
of the handle into the respective housing region to which the
handle is connected, or into the surface of said respective housing
region. Said one or more points used for defining the straight
connecting line should, in a respective width of the handle as seen
in a plan view, lie in the center of the width of the handle.
[0014] If the ends of the handle have different spacings to the
straight line of the band, an at least regionally oblique profile
of the handle is present, in the case of which the straight
connecting line from a point of a transition region of the handle
into the front housing region to a point of a transition region of
the handle into the rear housing region runs non-parallel with
respect to the straight line which is defined by the intended band
profile through the strapping appliance. A centerline of the
handle, at least one section of the centerline, should preferably
enclose an acute angle with the intended longitudinal direction of
the profile of the band through the strapping appliance. The angle
by which the handle is oriented with respect to the straight line
of the band may be selected from an angle range of 3.degree. to
89.degree., preferably 5.degree. to 70.degree., and particularly
preferably from an angle range of 6.degree. to 40.degree.. All
individual angle values that lie in the stated ranges should be
regarded as being explicitly disclosed. An explicit statement of
said values at this juncture will be omitted, merely in order to
avoid an unnecessarily extensive list of angle values. Here, the
angle should be oriented such that it opens toward the rear housing
region, that is to say the rear end of the handle preferably has a
greater spacing to the straight line of the band than the front end
of the handle.
[0015] Particular advantages can be attained with preferred
embodiments according to the invention in which at least one
display means is arranged on the rear housing region. The display
means is thus expediently situated behind the handle with respect
to a longitudinal extent of the strapping apparatus. Owing to the
obliquity of the profile of the handle, the display means is in the
field of view of the user even during the use of the mobile
strapping apparatus, and is not concealed by the user's arm. The
user can thus read off information from the display means even
during the strapping processes, whereby a further improvement in
the ergonomics of the strapping apparatus can be attained.
[0016] In a further preferred embodiment according to the
invention, the display means may comprise a touchscreen. The
touchscreen may extend over a certain area and display different
items of information on said area. It may also display different
items of information alternately on the same area regions, for
example in selectable different display levels. With the
touchscreen, it may furthermore be provided that it displays
actuable operation elements that can be selected by touching the
touchscreen. It may also be possible for said operating elements to
be displayed and selected in different logical operation levels.
For this purpose, the touch screen may be equipped with a GUI
(graphical user interface). In the context of the invention, a
touchscreen may therefore be understood to mean an input and
display device, in the case of which, by touching a predeterminable
area region of said device, inputs can be made which either
generate inputs for the control of the strapping apparatus and/or
trigger functions of the strapping apparatus. The inputs may be
made in particular by way of a touch action using a finger.
[0017] According to a further aspect of the invention, which also
has independent significance, the mobile strapping apparatus, may
be equipped with a structural unit which comprises the display and
operating device and the controller, at least parts thereof, of the
strapping apparatus. The structural unit may preferably be equipped
with all of the electronics of the strapping apparatus. Since a
structural unit of said type can be preassembled, the installation
of the display and operating device and of the controller into the
strapping apparatus is possible particularly easily and quickly. A
further significant advantage arises from the fact that, in the
event of a defect, the defective structural unit can be exchanged
for a new structural unit quickly and with little effort. Since the
structural unit is preferably arranged in the rear housing region,
the strapping apparatus mechanism which is arranged preferably in
the front housing region does not pose an obstruction even during
such maintenance processes.
[0018] Further preferred refinements of the invention will emerge
from the claims, from the description and from the drawing.
[0019] The invention will be discussed in more detail on the basis
of exemplary embodiments which are illustrated purely schematically
in the figures, in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a side view of one embodiment of a mobile
strapping apparatus.
[0021] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the strapping apparatus from
FIG. 1 with a strapping band placed therein.
[0022] FIG. 3 shows the strapping apparatus with a housing having
been removed.
[0023] FIG. 4 shows the operating and display panel of the
strapping apparatus from FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective illustration of a rear housing
region with a structural unit, provided for installation into the
housing, of the operating and display device.
[0025] FIG. 6 is an illustration as per FIG. 5, with the structural
unit inserted into the housing and with a battery provided for
insertion into the housing.
[0026] FIG. 7 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the apparatus,
shown partially in an exploded illustration, from the illustrations
of FIGS. 10 and 11.
[0027] FIG. 8 is an illustration of the rear region of the second
exemplary embodiment of the strapping apparatus, as shown in FIGS.
10 and 11.
[0028] FIG. 9 is an exploded illustration of major parts of a
possible display and operating device for the illustrated exemplary
embodiments.
[0029] FIG. 10 shows a side view of one embodiment of the mobile
strapping apparatus.
[0030] FIG. 11 shows a plan view of the strapping apparatus from
FIG. 10 with a strapping band placed therein.
[0031] One embodiment of the manually actuatable mobile strapping
appliance 1 (strapping apparatus) shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 has a
housing 2 which surrounds the mechanism of the strapping appliance
and on which there is formed a handle 3 for the handling of the
appliance. The strapping appliance is furthermore equipped with a
base plate 4, on the underside of which there is provided a base
surface 5 for arrangement on an article to be packaged. All of the
functional units of the strapping appliance 1 are fastened on the
base plate 4 and on the carrier (not illustrated in any more
detail) of the strapping appliance, said carrier being connected to
the base plate.
[0032] By means of the strapping appliance 1, a loop (not
illustrated in any more detail in FIG. 1) of a plastic band 10,
composed for example of polypropylene (PP) or polyester (PET),
which loop has, beforehand, been placed around the article to be
packaged, can be tensioned by means of a tensioning device 6 of the
strapping apparatus. For this purpose, the tensioning device 6,
which is provided as a constituent part of the strapping appliance,
has a tensioning wheel 7 as a tensioning tool by means of which the
band 10 can be gripped for a tensioning process. Here, in the
illustrated exemplary embodiment, the tensioning wheel 7 interacts
with a rocker 8 which can, by means of a rocker pushbutton 9, be
pivoted about a rocker pivot axis 8a from an end position with a
spacing to the tensioning wheel into a second end position in which
the rocker 8 bears against the tensioning wheel 7. Here, the band
10 situated between the tensioning wheel 7 and the rocker 8 also
lies against the tensioning wheel 7. By rotation of the tensioning
wheel 7, it is then possible for the band to be pressed against the
tensioning wheel 7 and, by rotation of the tensioning wheel 7, for
a pulling-back movement of the band to be generated, by means of
which the band loop can have imparted to it a high band tension
which is adequate for the purposes of the packaging operation.
[0033] Subsequently, at a point of the band loop at which two
layers of the band 10 lie one above the other, welding of the two
layers can be performed by means of the fastening device, which is
formed as a friction welding device 13 of the strapping appliance.
The band loop can hereby be permanently closed. For this purpose,
the friction welding device 13 is equipped with a welding shoe 11
which, by way of mechanical pressure on the strapping band and a
simultaneous oscillating movement with a predetermined frequency,
causes the two layers of the strapping band 10 to melt. The
plasticized or molten regions of the two band layers flow into one
another and, after the band 10 cools, a connection between the two
band layers then forms during a cooling period. If necessary, the
band loop may then simultaneously be severed from a supply roll
(not illustrated) of the band 10 by means of a severing device 12
of the strapping appliance 1. Subsequently, the strapping appliance
1 can be removed from the article for packing and from the band
strap produced.
[0034] The actuation of the tensioning device 6, the advancement of
the friction welding device 13 by means of a transfer device of the
friction welding device 13, and also the use of the friction
welding device per se, and the actuation of the cutting device, are
performed using only one common electric motor 14, which provides a
respective drive movement for these components. The structural
solution provided for this purpose may correspond to that described
in WO2009/129634 A1, the content of disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference. For the supply of electricity, an
exchangeable battery 15, which can in particular be removed in
order to be charged, is arranged on the strapping appliance. A
supply of other external auxiliary energy, such as for example
compressed air or further electricity, is duly not provided in the
case of the preferred strapping appliance as per FIGS. 1 to 3,
though may be provided in other embodiments of the invention.
[0035] In the present case, the portable, mobile strapping
appliance 1 has an actuation element 16, configured as a press
switch, which is provided for setting the motor in operation and
which will hereinafter be referred to as tensioning pushbutton. For
the actuation element 16, it is possible to set three modes by
means of a mode switch 17 (FIG. 4) which, in this exemplary
embodiment according to the invention, is contained in the
operating and display panel 25. In the first mode, through
subsequent actuation of the actuation element 16, both the
tensioning device 6 and the friction welding device 13 are
triggered in succession and in automated fashion, without further
activities on the part of an operator being necessary. To set the
second mode, the switch 17 is switched into a second switching
mode. The switching state of the switch 17 is, with its settable
modes and likewise the switching state of the actuation element 16,
presented and displayed on the display panel. Then, in the second
possible mode, actuation of the tensioning pushbutton 16 causes
only the tensioning device 6 to be triggered. For the separate
triggering of the friction welding device 13, it is necessary for
the tensioning pushbutton 16 to be actuated by the operator for a
second time. The third mode is a type of semi-automatic mode, in
which the actuation element provided as tensioning pushbutton 16
must be depressed until the tensioning force or tensile stress in
the band, which can be preset in stages, is attained. In this mode,
it is possible to interrupt the tensioning process by releasing the
tensioning pushbutton 16, for example in order for corner
protectors to be fitted, under the strapping band, onto the article
for strapping. The tensioning process can then be resumed by
pressing the tensioning pushbutton 16. Said third mode may be
combined both with a separately triggered friction welding process
and with an automatically following friction welding process. The
electrical supply is ensured by the battery 15, which is in the
form of a lithium-ion battery.
[0036] During the formation of a fastening, after the band has been
placed, in the form of a loop, around the article for packing, is
guided here in a predetermined manner in one layer through the
tensioning device 6 and in two layers through the fastening device.
In other embodiments of the invention, it may also be provided that
the strapping band is arranged in two layers between the tensioning
wheel and the tensioning plate--or some other counter support which
interacts with the tensioning wheel--for the tensioning process.
The intended band tension is imparted by engagement of the
tensioning device 6 into the upper layer, guided through the
tensioning device 6, of the band and by way of a pulling-back
movement of the band. Thereafter, the welding shoe 11 is lowered in
the direction of a counter support surface 22 of the base plate 4.
Depending on the activated operating mode of the strapping
appliance 1, this takes place automatically following the
completion of the tensioning process or as a result of separate
triggering of the friction welding process by actuation of the
pushbutton provided for the purpose. During the friction welding
process, the band remains clamped between the tensioning wheel 7
and the tensioning counter support 23, and is held there during the
formation of a fastening. During this method step of forming the
strapping, the tensioning device has the function of a band clamp
or of a clamping device which, by way of two interacting clamping
elements, clamps the band between them. As a result of the lowering
of the welding shoe 11, the two band layers that have been guided
through the fastening device are pressed against one another and
against the counter support surface 22.
[0037] In the fastening device, the band is arranged in two layers,
wherein the lower band layer lies with its lower band surface
against the inclined counter support surface 22 and is pressed
against the latter. With the upper surface, the lower band layer
lies against the lower surface of the upper band layer. The welding
shoe 11 presses against the upper surface of the upper band layer.
In said position of the band, the friction welding device 13
commences the formation of a fastening by way of the oscillating
movement of the welding shoe 11 transversely with respect to the
longitudinal profile of the band. In this way, the two band layers
bearing against one another are melted. The materials of the band
layers flow into one another and form a cohesive connection during
the subsequent cooling process when the oscillating movement of the
welding shoe has been stopped. Subsequently, the welding shoe 11 is
moved away from the counter support surface 22 and the tensioning
device 6 is removed from the band, whereby the clamping action is
eliminated, and the two band layers are released.
[0038] The strapping appliance according to the invention is
equipped with the operating and display panel 25, which may also be
in the form of a touchscreen. The touchscreen may be a resistive or
capacitive touch-sensitive areal screen (display), wherein other
forms of touchscreen could also be used. In the exemplary
embodiment, the touchscreen has a substantially rectangular display
and operating surface 25a. Such touchscreens are marketed for
example by the company Ad Metro, 1181 Parisien Street, Ottawa,
Ontario, Canada K 1B 4W4, which can be sourced in Germany from the
company Interelectronix e.K., Ottostrasse 1, 85649 Hofolding.
[0039] In other embodiments, the display and operating device may
also have conventional switch pushbuttons or other operating
elements, in particular foil pushbuttons and other pushbuttons in
the case of which the position of the pushbutton is fixedly and
invariantly predefined, and a mechanical change in the switching
state of said switching pushbutton is effected not just by touch
but (also) by pressure. In such alternative embodiments,
information regarding the state of the strapping apparatus may
likewise be performed by way of conventional display devices
without operating elements integrated into the display area, such
as for example by way of LCD or TFT displays.
[0040] Even though the illustrations of FIG. 4 depict a rectangular
touchscreen in the case of which three operating elements 17 to 19
are formed in the region of the lower face side, the same
illustration could also depict an LCD display with three operating
elements 17 to 19 in the form of pushbuttons adjoining the lower
face side of said LCD display outside the display area. It would
self-evidently also be possible for said pushbuttons to be arranged
at some other location, in particular at some other point adjacent
to the display area. It is likewise possible, as in the case of a
touchscreen, for operating elements 17 to 19 to be provided in a
number other than that illustrated, and also with operating
functions that differ from those here. In this case, the LCD
display is smaller than the illustrated touchscreen by the sub-area
25a', in which the in this case positionally invariant pushbuttons
are situated. Furthermore, it would be possible for a touchscreen
to be provided which, aside from purely informative display
elements, also displays all of the operating elements 17 to 19 on
the surface, which serves both as a display and has a touch area,
of the touchscreen and registers an actuation of said operating
elements for the control of the strapping apparatus. The
explanations given below are thus applicable both to the exemplary
embodiment actually illustrated and to an exemplary embodiment with
an LCD display surface or with some other display panel without
operating function, which is then assigned separate operating
elements.
[0041] On the display and operating panel 25a, it is possible for
different items of information and touch-sensitive actuation or
input elements to be displayed alternately or simultaneously. It is
possible for different display and input levels to be provided,
which can be selected and deselected and in which in each case
different items of information and actuation and input elements can
be displayed. The displayed elements may in particular provide
information regarding the state and settings of the strapping
appliance and of its components. As actuation elements, it is
possible in particular for multiple pushbuttons 17 to 19, which can
be triggered by touch, to be displayed. With said pushbuttons, it
is possible to preselect and set the above-described different
modes of manual (MAN), semi-automatic (SEM) and automatic (AUTO) of
the strapping appliance, and parameters of the strapping processes.
Settable and displayed parameters may for example be the tensioning
force, the welding time and the cooling time. The setting may be
performed by adding or subtracting predefined steps of the
respective value by actuating the plus or minus pushbuttons 18, 19,
and by confirming the value to be set by means of the mode switch
17, which in this case functions as a confirmation pushbutton. By
actuation of the mode switch 17, the set value is stored in the
controller in order to be utilized during the subsequent strapping
process. Likewise, the band type used may be displayed and selected
by selecting from a predefined list of band types 26. Furthermore,
present operating states may be displayed, such as for example the
state of discharge 27 of the battery and, during the tensioning
process, by way of a progress bar 28, the tensioning force already
attained as a fraction of the set tensioning force to be
attained.
[0042] The values preset in this way are displayed by the strapping
appliance on the display panel 32 and are utilized during strapping
processes until the parameter values are changed again. The
strapping processes themselves are triggered or started by way of
the tensioning pushbutton 16, as a further actuation element, which
is arranged in an ergonomically expedient manner in the region of
the front end of the handle of the strapping appliance 1. To be
able to place the band into the tensioning device, a rocker
pushbutton 20 is arranged below the tensioning pushbutton 16, which
rocker pushbutton may for example, and preferably, be in the form
of a press button. By pressing the rocker pushbutton 20, the rocker
8 is opened, that is to say the rocker is pivoted with its
tensioning plate 23 away from the tensioning wheel 7, such that a
gap is formed between the tensioning plate 23 and the tensioning
wheel 7. For as long as the rocker pushbutton 20 remains depressed,
the tensioning plate 23 of the rocker is arranged with a spacing to
the tensioning wheel 7, such that the band can be placed into the
tensioning device between the tensioning plate 23 and the
tensioning wheel 7. When the rocker pushbutton 20 is released, the
rocker 8 pivots with the tensioning plate 23 in the direction of
the tensioning wheel 7, whereby the tensioning plate 23 bears
against the underside of the band, and the top side of the band
bears against the tensioning wheel 7.
[0043] If the strapping appliance 1 is held by the handle 3, the
tensioning pushbutton 16 can be actuated using the thumb of the
hand that is holding the handle 3. The rocker pushbutton 20, which
is arranged on the underside of the handle 3, can in this case be
actuated in an ergonomically expedient manner by way of the index
finger, without an adjustment of grip being necessary for this
purpose. In other embodiments according to the invention, the
rocker pushbutton 20 may also be arranged on the top side of the
strapping appliance, in particular in the direct vicinity of the
tensioning pushbutton 16, such that both the tensioning pushbutton
16 and the rocker pushbutton 20 can be actuated using the thumb of
the hand that is gripping the handle 3. Here, the tensioning
pushbutton 16 may be responsible for triggering both the tensioning
process and the welding process, wherein, by setting the
corresponding mode, it may be provided that a single press of the
tensioning pushbutton triggers both the tensioning process and the
subsequent connecting process. By selecting a different operating
mode, it is also possible for only the tensioning process to be
initiated by way of a single press of the tensioning pushbutton. To
carry out the connecting or welding process, it is then necessary
for the tensioning pushbutton to be pressed once again.
[0044] In an alternative embodiment to this, it is also possible
for (only) one combination pushbutton to be provided on the
strapping appliance, in particular in the region of the handle,
which combination pushbutton has two actuation regions, one for the
tensioning and welding, and one for the rocker actuation. In this
case, too, it is optionally possible here for the tensioning and
welding process to be triggered by way of only one actuation, or by
way of mutually separate actuation processes, of one actuation
region. The tensioning process may be triggered by way of a single
actuation, and the connecting process may be triggered by way of a
multiple actuation following the tensioning process, in particular
by way of a double-click. The other actuation region is provided
for the rocker actuation. Such a combination pushbutton may be
situated for example at least approximately at that location on the
strapping appliance at which the tensioning pushbutton 16 is
arranged in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0045] In a further alternative embodiment, it is possible, in
particular in the region of the handle 3, for a dedicated
pushbutton to be provided for each of the three functions. In this
case, to trigger the respective process, it may be provided that
only a single actuation of the respective pushbutton is required in
each case.
[0046] In all embodiments, it is preferable if the pushbuttons
assigned to the tensioning process and to the welding process
trigger electrical switching processes which are supplied to the
controller. By contrast, the actuation of the rocker pushbutton may
preferably be electromechanically transmitted to the rocker and
trigger a pivoting process of the rocker. It is likewise possible
for one or more additional drive elements to be provided which
trigger and perform the pivoting process of the rocker and which
are electrically actuated.
[0047] All refinements of the described operating concepts may also
be of independent significance and constitute independent
inventions.
[0048] As illustrated in particular in FIGS. 5 to 11, the
electronics, which may for example be in the form of an electronics
board, for the control of the strapping appliance may be arranged
below the display and operating device 43, in particular directly
below the display and operating panel 25 and above the battery 15,
said display and operating device being arranged behind the handle
3 as viewed in the longitudinal direction of extent of the
strapping appliance and on the rear housing region 37. In the
exemplary embodiment, power electronics for the electric motor are
also accommodated on the electronics board, and the board can
therefore also be referred to as control/power printed circuit
board 44. As can be seen in the illustrations, it is thus the case
in this exemplary embodiment according to the invention that said
electronics board is situated between the receptacle for the
battery 15 and the display and operating device 43. When the
battery 15 is in the inserted state in its receptacle on the
housing, such as is the case during the use of the strapping
appliance, the control/power printed circuit board 44 is situated
between the display and operating device 43 and the battery 15.
Owing to the arrangement of the display and operating device 43 at
a position close to the controller and close to the battery 15,
less cabling is required in relation to previously known solutions.
If cables are required or at least provided, it is furthermore the
case that shorter cables are required for the cabling of the
strapping appliance. Furthermore, the assembly process is made
easier and quicker by way of this measure.
[0049] Likewise, it is now possible, according to the preferred
refinement of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 11, for the
display and operating device also be in the form of a modular
assembly 29 or structural unit together with the controller and/or
the electronics board provided for the same, which considerably
simplifies the assembly process and any necessary repair work. In a
preferred refinement of the invention, the single electronics
board, or the single control/power printed circuit board 44, may
also, if appropriate, comprise power electronics of the preferably
only one electric motor. Said structural unit 29 may also be of
multi-part form and inserted into a receptacle 46 provided for the
purpose on the rear housing region 37 and detachably fastened to
the housing by means of fewer screws, for example four screws 47.
It is self-evidently also possible for releasable fastening
elements other than screws 47 to be provided, for example clip
elements. In the exemplary embodiment, the control/power printed
circuit board 44 is by means of separate screws 48 It may likewise
be provided that the board or the printed circuit board 44 is
merely placed into the receptacle 46 and fixed in said position
without further fastening means by way of the cover 39 and by way
of the subassembly arranged on the cover 39.
[0050] FIG. 9 shows, in an exploded illustration, that subassembly
of the cover 39 which is a constituent part of the display and
operating device 43. As can be seen here, said subassembly has a
foil 50 of the display, which foil covers a touch glass 51. The
touch glass 51 and the foil 50 are inserted from above into a
recess of the frame-like cover 39. An LCD display 52--or a display
based on a technology other than LCD--is inserted into the cover 39
from below. This is followed, in a downward direction, by a holder
53 and by a foil 54 and by a display printed circuit board 55. A
cover is screwed onto the latter from below. The display printed
circuit board 55 furthermore has, on its underside, a tab 56 which
is oriented substantially vertically with respect to the underside
and which is provided as a contact element for producing electrical
contact to the control/power electronics printed circuit board 44.
The tab 56 is inserted into the control/power electronics printed
circuit board 44 (cf. also FIG. 7) and serves in particular for the
transmission of signals between the display and operating device 43
and the control/power electronics printed circuit board 44.
[0051] An electrical contact for the supply of electricity and for
data transfer between the strapping appliance and the assembly 29
may be provided by way of one or more electrical plug connections
30, 31, 32. In the exemplary embodiment, for this purpose, four
detachable plug connections 30, 31, 32 are provided; in other
embodiments of the invention, a number of electrical plug
connections that differs from this may also be provided. For this
purpose, the housing preferably has, in the region of the board,
plug connectors 30b, 31b, 32b which are detachably connectable to
corresponding plug connector counterparts 30a, 31a, 32a of the
board of the control/power printed circuit board 44. The board or
the structural unit 29 can be pushed by way of its plug connectors
30b, 31b, 32b onto the plug connector counterparts 30a, 31a, 32a
that are fastened to the housing. Here, one of the plug connections
30 serves for the supply of electricity to the motor, and the
second plug connection 32 serves for the transmission of signals
generated by sensors of the motor, in particular by Hall sensors.
The third plug connection 31 is provided for the transmission of
signals from sensors which are situated in the region of the
mechanism of the strapping appliance, in particular in the region
of the tensioning device and/or of the connecting device and of
their respective drive trains. A fourth plug connection may serve
for the transmission of signals of pushbuttons which trigger
particular functions, in particular the tensioning pushbutton 16
and the rocker pushbutton 20. In other preferred embodiments,
signals from different components of the strapping apparatus may
also be transmitted via one or more plug connections.
[0052] Provided on the housing directly below the structural unit
29 is a receptacle 59 for the battery 15, into which receptacle the
battery 15 can be pushed from the rear of the housing and arranged
securely by means of a releasable snap-action connection. Within
the recess 59 there are provided further electrical contacts of the
strapping appliance for the connection of the battery, for example
a contact plate.
[0053] From the contact plate, which is not visible in detail in
the illustration of FIGS. 5 to 11, multiple cables 60 extend to the
underside of the control/power printed circuit board. In this way,
the electronics of the control/power electronics printed circuit
board 44 are supplied with electrical current from the battery 15,
and electrical current for the motor 14, for preparation by way of
the power electronics, is provided, said electrical current passing
via the plug connection 30 to the motor 14. The cables 60 may form
a loop and may be fixed in their position by means of a clamping
piece 61 which is fixedly screwed onto the underside of the
receptacle.
[0054] The housing 2 of the strapping appliances 1 illustrated in
the figures have the front region and the rear region, between
which there is situated a central housing region 38 with a handle
3. In the two preferred exemplary embodiments according to the
invention illustrated here, the front region and the rear region
36, 37 of the housing 2 are connected to one another by way of the
handle 3. In these exemplary embodiments and in other exemplary
embodiments, the housing may have two interconnected shells, and
may preferably be composed of plastics shells of said type. The
parting line or the parting plane at which the two shell halves are
joined to one another and are connected to one another by suitable
fastening means, such as for example screws, may preferably extend
over the entire length of the strapping appliance, and may also run
through the handle 3 over the entire length thereof.
[0055] The front region 36 of the housing 2 surrounds the
tensioning, friction welding and severing device in such a way that
the housing 2 exposes, or does not cover, only those mechanical
components of the strapping appliance which a user should have
access to, in particular parts which are provided for engaging into
the two band layers during the strapping process. On one side of
the front region 36 of the housing 2 there is provided an opening
which can be detachably closed by way of a cover 63 and which can
be utilized for maintenance purposes, for example for the exchange
of wear parts.
[0056] At least in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 10, the
rear region 37 of the housing 2 is, from a highly schematized
perspective, of cuboidal form. The handle 3, by way of its rear
end, adjoins or merges into the top side 37a of the rear region 37
of the housing 2. "Top side" 37a is to be understood to mean the
side which is visible in a plan view when the strapping appliance
is arranged with its base plate 4 on a horizontal plane. The
opening or receptacle 59 in the housing is provided on a rear side
of the rear housing region, the cross section of which opening or
receptacle at least approximately corresponds to the cross section
of a battery 15.
[0057] The handle 3, which is arranged substantially in the region
of the top side of the strapping appliance, merges by way of its
front end 3a into the front region of the housing, in particular
into the top side of the front housing region 36. As seen in the
opposite viewing direction, it is thus the case that the front
housing region 36 merges into the handle 3. The rear end 3b of the
handle 3 merges into the rear region 37 of the housing 2, in
particular into the top side 37a of the rear housing region 37. In
the preferred exemplary embodiment, in each case one half of the
handle 3 belongs to one housing shell, and the other half of the
handle belongs to the other housing shell. The respective half of
the handle is connected in unipartite fashion to, or is integrated
into, the respective housing shell.
[0058] The strapping appliance 1 has, in particular in the region
of the tensioning device 6 and of the fastening or friction welding
device 13, band-guiding means such as are known per se, by which
band guiding means an at least substantially predetermined profile
of the strapping band 10 in the strapping appliance, in particular
of the band section between the tensioning device and the welding
device 13, is realized. Said profile, in particular a centerline
10a, which at least in the plan view is in the form of a straight
line, of a top side of the band 10 will hereinafter be provided as
a reference line and definition aid for the orientation of the
handle 3. In said plan view, said band orientation runs along a
straight line.
[0059] If the transition regions of the handle 3 into the front
housing region 36 and into the rear housing region 37 are connected
to one another by a straight line 40, said straight line 40 runs
non-parallel with respect to the centerline 10a of the band profile
in the strapping appliance 1. Transition regions can be regarded as
being the points at which, in each case, the profile of the
surfaces of the top sides of the front and rear housing regions 36,
37 changes in order to transition here into the handle in each
case. Alternatively, (front and rear) transition regions may also
be understood as meaning the ends of the handle up to which it is
possible for the handle to be entirely or at least partially
gripped using the operating hand. Said transitions may be of
continuous or discontinuous form. The two points 41, 42 of the
transition regions that are utilized for forming the imaginary
straight line 40 may, with respect to a plan view, be situated in
the center of the respective width of the handle 3. With respect to
the straight line 10a arising from the band profile, the two points
41, 42 have different spacings 62, 62 to the straight line 10a, and
are thus offset with respect to one another in the direction of the
band profile. With respect to a plan view of the strapping
appliance, and with respect to the band profile in the strapping
appliance that arises from the arrangement of the band, the
straight lines 10a, 40 run non-parallel with respect to one
another, and enclose a non-0.degree. angle .phi..
[0060] The angle .phi. is furthermore distinguished by the fact
that the straight line 40 that defines it runs, with respect to the
plan view and with respect to the band 10 and its centerline 10a,
on the other side 31 of the centerline 10a in relation to the
insertion side 32 from which the band is inserted into the
strapping appliance. The handle 3 is thus, with respect to the band
10, situated on the other side 31 in relation to the insertion side
32. In the preferred embodiment of the invention in the
illustration of FIGS. 2 and 11, the spacing of the straight line 40
to the centerline of the band increases in the profile of the
handle 3 from the front housing region 36 to the rear housing
region 37.
[0061] In preferred embodiments of the invention, said angle .phi.
may be selected in particular from a range of 3.degree. to
89.degree., particularly preferably from a range of 5.degree. to
70.degree., and more preferably from a range of 7.degree. to
35.degree.. It is the intention here for each individual angle
value from the above-stated angle ranges to be explicitly
disclosed. An explicit listing of each individual angle value is
omitted merely owing to a lack of practicability. As can be seen in
particular in the lower plan-view illustration of FIG. 1, the
obliquely running handle gives rise to an offset of the rear
housing region 37 away from the strapping band 10, such that the
rear housing region 37 does not pose an obstruction during the
placement of the strapping band into the strapping appliance. In
this way, the preparation time for the execution of a strapping
operation is shortened, and the functional reliability of strapping
appliances is improved.
[0062] FIGS. 10 and 11 show the second exemplary embodiment for a
strapping appliance according to the invention and its housing,
which differs from the exemplary embodiment according to the
invention discussed above in particular with regard to the
configuration of the handle. By contrast to the exemplary
embodiment in FIG. 1, the handle 3 in this case is not curved but
has two substantially rectilinear sections 64, 65 of the handle 3,
said sections adjoining one another at an obtuse angle. The front
section of the two sections 64 comprises the front point 41 of the
transition of the handle to the front region 36 of the housing,
whereas the rear section 65 of the handle, said rear section being
arranged behind said front section as viewed in the longitudinal
profile direction of the handle, comprises the rear point 42 of the
transition of the handle 3 into the rear region 37 of the
housing.
[0063] The two substantially rectilinearly oriented sections of the
handle enclose an angle of approximately 160.degree. in the
exemplary embodiment. Here, the orientation of the two sections 64,
65 is such that its centerline 64a, which corresponds to the
longitudinal profile of the front section of the handle, encloses,
with the centerline 10a of the band, the angle .phi. by which the
handle is, with respect to a plan view, at least regionally
inclined with respect to the band. The longitudinal profile of the
rear section 65 itself, that is to say in particular the centerline
65a thereof, is by contrast oriented substantially parallel to the
band section, situated opposite the handle, of the strapping band.
This configuration of the handle 3 gives rise to an ergonomically
expedient enlarged spacing between the strapping band and the
operating hand that is holding the strapping appliance.
TABLE-US-00001 List of reference designations 1 Strapping appliance
2 Housing 3 Handle 3a Front end 3b Rear end 4 Base plate 5 Base
surface 6 Tensioning device 7 Tensioning wheel 8 Rocker 8a Rocker
pivot axis 9 Rocker pushbutton 10 Band 10a Centerline 11 Welding
shoe 12 Severing device 13 Friction welding device 14 Motor 15
Battery 16 Actuation element 17 Mode switch 22 Counter holder
surface 23 Tensioning counter support 25 Operating and display
panel 29 Assembly 30 Plug connection 30a Plug connector counterpart
30b Plug connector 31 Plug connection 31a Plug connector
counterpart 31b Plug connector 32 Plug connection 32a Plug
connector counterpart 32b Plug connector 36 Front region 37 Rear
region 37a Top side 38 Central region 39 Cover 40 Straight line 41
Point 42 Point 43 Display and operating device 44 Control/power
electronics printed circuit board 45 46 Receptacle 47 Screw 48
Screw 50 Foil 51 Touch glass 52 LCD display 53 Holder 54 Foil 55
Display printed circuit board 56 Tab 59 Receptacle 60 Cable 61
Clamping piece 62 Spacing 63 Spacing 64 Front section 65 Rear
section
* * * * *