Patent ID: 7506492
Filing Date: 2009-03-24
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
1. A banding system for piled products, such as securities, banknotes, checks and other similar documents comprising: a machine frame, a band feed mechanism disposed on said machine frame for feeding band material from a supply roll, means for forming a loop with said band material around the products to be banded, welding means to close said loop and cutting means for cutting said band material, said means for forming the loop comprising transporting means for transporting the band material around the product to be banded and vacuum means connected to the transporting means for pressing the band material against the transporting means, wherein said means for forming the loop are movable with respect to the machine frame between an operating position where said means for forming the loop are in contact with said band feed mechanism to perform the banding operation and an open position where said means for forming the loop are displaced away from the band feed mechanism to create an opening therebetween allowing a transfer of products to be banded between the band feed mechanism and the means for forming the loop; wherein said vacuum means include a vacuum channel, the vacuum channel including a first channel portion located in said machine frame and a second channel portion located inside said means for forming the loop and which connects to the first channel portion during the banding operation and means for generating vacuum into said vacuum channel in order to press said band material against said transporting means during transport of the band material around said products; and wherein said means for forming the loop are constructed as a part substantially having an inverted U-shape and wherein the second channel portion located in said means for forming the loop is open on an inside area of the U-shaped part, where the band material is transported, and at one extremity of the U-shaped part which connects, during the banding operation, with a corresponding open extremity of the first channel portion located in said machine frame.