Abstract:
Apparatus and method for applying to a carton an endless band so that the band encircles the carton said band being of the type formed by securing a strip of material into a loop and thereby creating a join, the apparatus comprising, means to hold the band in a particular orientation, means to convey the band along a feed path in such a way that said join is maintained in a controlled orientation, means to lower the band on to the carton to be engaged about the midriff of the carton during continuous forward movement.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    (Not applicable)  
         [0002]    This is a continuation of international application No. PCT/US99/29714, filed Dec. 14, 1999, which is pending at the time of filing hereof, and which international application claims priority based upon United Kingdom patent application Ser. No. 9827731.2, filed Dec. 17, 1998, now abandoned. 
     
    
     
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT  
         [0003]    (Not applicable)  
         TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    This invention relates to a machine and method of applying an endless band to an article, in particular a carton, such that the band encircles the article and provides a handle means by which the article can be carried.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The invention is particularly, although not exclusively, useful in conjunction with a carton of the type described in EP A 0 244 047 and apparatus according to the invention may be installed in a packaging system.  
           [0006]    It has been found that endless bands applied to cartons of the type in our aforesaid EP A 0 244 047 to provide a carrying strap can be vulnerable to breakage if the join which connects together opposite ends of a strip of e.g. plastics material to form the band is broken. This can most readily occur if the join in the band is disposed along that part of the band which is intended to be grasped, where the band may be subject to twisting and other treatment leading to the join being put into a shear.  
           [0007]    Likewise the join is susceptible to breakage if it is disposed at a corner of a package where shear forces tending to tear apart the overlapping material of the join is more likely to occur. It has been found that the incidence of breakage can be significantly reduced if the join of such a band is disposed at a location where shear forces on the join are less likely to occur. This is the case when the join is positioned along a carton side wall intermediate the ends of the carton.  
           [0008]    To this end, the invention seeks to avoid the random application of such endless bands e.g. cartons but applies such bands so that the position of the end join is controlled and predictable.  
           [0009]    It is envisaged that the invention may have applicability in situations other than those in which the endless band is required to provide a carrying handle but in which shear forces acting so as to diminish the integrity of the join in the band are present.  
           [0010]    A further problem associated with known packaging machines is that they require a sizeable floor area. The present invention seeks to mitigate these problems by using a bi-directional conveying system for the carton and straps.  
           [0011]    EP 0 042 277 illustrates a machine for forming and applying carrying straps to cartons and includes means for strip measuring means for supplying a strip of pre-determined length from a supply of strip material. The strip is rotated to form a loop and the ends of the strip are secured together for form an endless strap. Thereafter the strap is attached to grouped articles. One example of measuring means is a disc and to change the required length of strip it is necessary to change the disc and to make other adjustments to the machine. This results in a period of machine “downtime” which is an expensive delay in a bottling plant. Such a delay may even result in downtime for the entire bottling line, not just the packaging machine, if problems arise during the changeover period.  
           [0012]    Advantageously, the present invention seeks to provide a machine which is capable of switching from one carton type or size with minimal downtime.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0013]    The present invention and its preferred embodiments seek to overcome or at least mitigate the problems of the prior art.  
           [0014]    One aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for applying to a carton an endless band so that the band encircles the carton said band being of the type formed by securing a strip of material into a loop and thereby creating a join, the apparatus comprising, means to hold the band in a particular orientation, means to convey the band along a feed path in such a way that the join is maintained in a controlled orientation, means to lower the band on to the carton to be engaged about the midriff of the carton during continuous forward movement. The conveying means comprise means to maintain the orientation of the band during conveyance and a plurality of lugs mounted to an endless chain which lugs are moveable to alter the configuration of the band during conveyance to conform substantially to the shape of the carton. Preferably, means are provided to shrink fit the band in order to secure it about the article.  
           [0015]    According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention there may further comprise means to hold the band in a controlled orientation during and immediately after formation of the band from a loop, which holding means releases the band as it is conveyed by the conveying means.  
           [0016]    A second aspect of the invention provides a method of applying an endless band to a carton so that the band encircles the carton, the band being of the type formed by securing a strip of material into a loop and thereby creating a join, the method comprising the steps of conveying the band along a feed path in such a way that the join is maintained in a controlled orientation, altering the configuration of the band during conveyance so that it is better adapted for application to the carton, lowering the band onto the carton to be engaged about the midriff of the carton. Preferably, the band may be applied to the article as a loose fit, temporarily supported about the midriff of the article and thereafter shrink fitted in place to provide the secure fit.  
           [0017]    A third aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for forming an endless strap from a supply of strip material, the machine comprising intermittently operable strip measuring means for supplying a strip of predetermined length from the supply of strip material, strip looping means for receiving the strip from the strip measuring means and for gripping the strip near the leading end thereof, and motive means for rotating the strip looping means in a direction to form a loop such that the length of the strip overlaps the leading end thereof, securing means for attaching the lead end of the strip with the length together to form an endless strap and means for severing the strip at a trailing end thereof from the supply of strip material, wherein there further comprises measuring means for controlling the supply of strip material. The measuring means comprises a disc and follower roller powered by drive means controlled by a controller so that the disc is rotated to provide the desired linear length of strip material. Preferably, the strip looping means may comprise a pair ofjaws. More preferably, the jaws may be biased closed and are opened by a motor.  
           [0018]    According to an optional feature of this third aspect of the invention the supply of strip material may be formed of a plastics material and wherein the overlapped ends of the strip are secured together by sonic welding means to form an endless strap. Optionally, there may further comprise an ejector element for discharging a finished strap from the support.  
           [0019]    According to another optional feature of this third aspect of the invention there may further comprise synchronous conveyor means arranged to receive a finished strap and to convey it to a point of use.  
           [0020]    A fourth aspect of the invention provides a controller for controlling the operation of apparatus comprising the steps of:  
           [0021]    a) introducing the lead end of the strap material to strap gripping means;  
           [0022]    b) engage the gripping means to grip the lead end of the strap;  
           [0023]    c) supplying a measured length of strip material;  
           [0024]    d) rotate the gripping means through 360° to form a loop of strap material;  
           [0025]    e) secure the lead end of the strip to the length of strap for form an endless strap;  
           [0026]    f) sever the strip at the trailing end;  
           [0027]    g) bringing a second gripping means into engagement with the endless strap and engage the loop; and  
           [0028]    h) release the first gripping means and eject the endless strap to be moved forward by the second gripping means.  
           [0029]    According to an optional feature of the fourth aspect of the invention, instruction to deliver the measured length of strap may be read from a pre-entered computer programme.  
           [0030]    According to another optional feature of the fourth aspect of the invention, the instruction to deliver the measured length of strap may be manually entered into the control means.  
           [0031]    According to another optional feature of the fourth aspect of the invention, the speed and supply of straps may be alterable as required depending on the size or type of cartons in the packaging machine.  
           [0032]    A fifth aspect of the invention provides apparatus for facilitating conversion of a continuous infeed supply of strip material to a intermittent outfeed supply comprising a first drive means to transfer a continuous supply of strip material into a holding compartment and second drive means for intermittently supplying a strip of pre-determined length from the supply of strip material in the holding compartment to an endless strap forming station. The first and second drive means are controlled by controller, to control the speed of the first and second drive means to maintain a surplus of supply in the holding compartment. Preferably, a reduction in the surplus material may be sensed using an individual sensor and transmitted to the controller to increase or decrease the speed of the first drive means.  
           [0033]    A sixth aspect of the invention provides a packaging machine for forming and applying carrying straps to cartons, the machine comprising a strip material infeed, apparatus for facilitating conversion of the continuous infeed supply to an intermittent outfeed supply, apparatus for forming an endless strap and apparatus for applying the endless band to a carton.  
           [0034]    According to an optional feature of the sixth aspect of the invention the controller may comprise a central processor, manual input means, and separate means controlled by central processor for synchronising the band conveying means, the band orientation means during continuous forward movement of the band.  
           [0035]    The packaging machine can be used for synchronising the band conveyor means and the carton conveyor.  
           [0036]    According to another optional feature of the sixth aspect of the invention the control means may control a first motor which drives the endless carton conveyor and a second motor which drives the band conveyor means. 
       
    
    
       [0037]    Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a machine according to one aspect of the invention from a viewpoint wherein the upstream end of the machine is positioned to the right;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the machine shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the strap conveying system.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the machine shown in FIG. 1 from a viewpoint where the downstream end of the machine is positioned to the left;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the progress of the strap and carton as it moves progressively downstream in the machine shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the strap infeed station of the machine shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0043]    [0043]FIGS. 6 a,    6   b  and  6   c  are perspective views of the strap forming station of the machine shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0044]    [0044]FIGS. 7 a,    7   b,    7   c,    7   d,    7   e  and  7   f  are views showing the construction of the strap in the machine of FIG. 1;  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of the software of a monitoring system for monitoring and rejecting badly welded straps and/or badly positioned straps in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a control system for controlling the drive means for forming a loop of strap material;  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a control system of a control means in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0048]    [0048]FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a machine  10  for forming and applying carrying straps, which machine includes apparatus for forming an endless strap from a supply of strip material and apparatus  12  for applying an endless band  9  to an article, for example a carton  8 , so that the band encircles the carton. The machine further comprises means to secure the band or strap to the midriff of a carton. It will be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2 that the material  6  is fed into the machine in one direction “X”, the band or endless strap is constructed and then the direction of the flow of endless straps is reversed to enable cartons moving in an opposite direction “Y” to be engaged with the strap shown in FIG. 3. Thus, the infeed and outfeed ends of the machine are adjacent. It is apparent from the drawings that this configuration results in a machine that uses less floor area in a bottling plant, often an important commercial consideration in the machine selection.  
         [0049]    Turning to the construction of the upstream end of the machine, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, there is included a supply of strip material  6  from source  16 , for example a roll, which in this embodiment is mounted onto a shaft  17  secured to the frame  19  of the machine. Optionally, a roller  80  to tension the strip material is included shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. The strip material  6  is fed between a disc  84  and follower roll  82  which is biased by suitable means known in the art to grip the strip  6 . The disc is driven by suitable drive means, for example a servo motor  88 , and is rotated continuously to feed the strip into the machine. In some embodiments the strip material  6  is fed into a storage area  18  prior to feeding it into the machine.  
         [0050]    The storage area  18  is illustrated, in more detail, in FIG. 5 whereby a surplus amount is held within a strip holding compartment  89  surrounded by a support frame to ensure a continuous supply. The strip is drawn from the holding compartment in an intermittent manner as a desired length of strip material is pushed by suitable drive means  93 ,  100  into the endless strap forming station  12 . Advantageously, the holding compartment facilitates a continuous in flow of strip material to be converted to an intermittent supply, thereby making it easier and quicker to transfer the material supply from one source to another with minimum downtime. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment disc  84  is continuously driven by drive means  88 , whereas drive means  100  intermittently drives disc  93 . Furthermore, the holding compartment includes sensor means to adjust in flows and the supply of material described below. An alternative configuration is illustrated in FIG. 6 whereby the infeed drive means  192  and strap forming drive means  93  are synchronised—the strap forming drive means pushing the strip into the station  12  and the infeed drive means  192  pulling the strip directly from the supply  16 .  
         [0051]    Suitable control means is provided to control the drive means driving the disc  84  and the drive means  100  driving the disc  93  for pushing the strap into station  22 , so as to coordinate the rate of material supply into the compartment with the desired length of strip material leaving the compartment by adjusting the relative velocities of each drive means  88 ,  100 . For example, an increase in the desired length of strap material in station  12  will result in control means causing drive means  100  to increase the velocity of the disc  93  to supply a longer length of material or reduce the time between the intermittent drive of disc  93 . It will be appreciated that the intermittent nature of the second drive means  100  requires the velocity profile of second drive means to be greater for shorter time periods compared with the velocity profile of the continuous flow drive means so that the flow of the strap material does not increase too much or for supply to be reduced too much to the holding compartment.  
         [0052]    In the event that the second drive means  93 ,  100  draws too much material from the holding compartment, the amount of strap material  6  contained within the compartment will be reduced. Suitable sensoring means, for example arm  86 , is supplied to detect when too little material is in the holding compartment  89 . The arm  86  is rotatable about a pivot and is biased in a downward direction. A shortage of material within the holding compartment will cause the material  6  to abut the arm  86  and to move it in an upward direction which causes a signal to be transmitted to the control means. The control means then adjusts the velocity of the disc  84  to increase the amount of strap material supplied to the holding compartment  89 . A surplus of material in the compartment  89  will be detected by a user and manual input adjustments can be made via the control means. Preferably, the strip of material  6  passes through two additional pairs of rollers  90 ,  92  to rotate the strap from a horizontal plane to a vertical plane ready to be received by the strap forming station  12  shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0053]    The strap forming station  12  is described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. The supply of strip material is fed between measuring means, for example a disc  93  and follower roller  95  which is biased by means known in the art. In this embodiment, the disc  93  is driven by an intermittent drive means  100  for example a servo motor to rotate the disc  93  through a certain number of revolutions. Thus, a different length of strip is measured for each incremental movement of the disc. Drive means  100  is controlled by suitable control means so that the disc is rotated to provide the desired linear length of strip material passing between the points of the peripheral contact between the pressure roller  95  and the measuring means. Advantageously, the disc  93  is not required to be interchanged because the control means can determine the desired length at any point in the rotation of the measuring disc  93 .  
         [0054]    The endless strap is formed by strip looping means generally designated by reference numeral  20 . The formation of the strip is best shown in FIGS. 7 a  through to  7   f . In this embodiment, the strip looping means  20  comprises suitable gripping means  94  for example a pincer or pair of jaws secured to a rotatable shaft  96  and driven by suitable drive means for example, a servo motor  98 . In this embodiment, the beginning of the cycle, the jaws of the pincer are opened to receive a leading end of the strap and the pincer is then closed shown in FIG. 7 b . Suitable drive means, for example, a brushless type motor  114  is provided to permit the pincer to open and close. Thereafter, the pincer  94  is rotated in a cycle of 360° by drive means  98  and, at the same time drive means  100  pushes the desired length of strap  6  beyond the pincer shown in FIG. 77 c . The length of strap is preferably guided by suitable guide means, for example a fixed guide  130  as shown in FIG. 7 d  to create a loop.  
         [0055]    Once the pincer has completed the 360° cycle, shown in FIG. 7 e , the end of the strip is brought into face contacting relationship with the length of strip and is connected thereto by suitable securing means  104 .  
         [0056]    In this embodiment, the strip material is, preferably, formed from plastics material so that a sonic welding device can be used as the securing device to weld the end of the strap to the desired length in a known manner. It will be appreciated that other types of strip material, for example fibrous tape can be used without departing from the scope of invention.  
         [0057]    The securing means is moved into and out of position of operation by suitable drive means for example brushless type motor  108 . Thereafter the strap is cut by suitable cutting means, which in this embodiment is a cutter  110  moved into and out of the position of use by suitable drive means  112  which in this embodiment is a brushless type motor. It will be seen from FIG. 7 f  the strap is formed with the welding device juxtaposed the pincer to provide a known position on the strap  9  for the securing point.  
         [0058]    The operation of forming a loop is controlled by suitable control means and FIG. 9 illustrates one preferred embodiment of the flow diagram for controlling the loop forming drive means. Reference to pincer includes other known gripping means for purposes of this drawing and the accompanying specification.  
         [0059]    The discs and rollers of the present invention are provided with high friction material along the strap contact edges, commonly rubber or other suitable plastics material.  
         [0060]    Before the first gripping means  94  releases the endless band and it is ejected from the loop forming station, a second gripping means mounted on an endless chain  28  enters the loop and engages the endless strap. The second gripping means, for example pincer  27  is opened and closed by suitable drive means, for example a pneumatic cylinder controlled by suitable control means and illustrated in FIG. 2. The looped strap is engaged by the pincer  27  and it is then closed to retain it. Once the pincer has moved a certain distance by the conveyor  28  and selected by control means, the position of the securing point or weld is a known distance from the second pincer  27 , so that it can be correctly positioned on the carton at the preferred location, described below. It is envisaged that a larger looped strap  9  would necessitate the second pincer  27  being moved further along the conveyor before being closed, to ensure the strap  9  is properly engaged with the pincer  27 ; the position being controlled by suitable control means described below.  
         [0061]    As the strap  9  is moved along the conveyor by the pincer it is preferably held laterally to give it an elongate form, shown in FIG. 4.  
         [0062]    Thereafter, the gripping means  94  of the loop forming station  20  is opened and an ejector  110  displaced from its rest position by drive means pushes the loop in an upward direction to eject it from the loop forming station.  
         [0063]    As the strap is moved along the conveyor it is transferred to an overhead plunger unit  22 . The unit comprises a plurality of plunger devices  30 , shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and  3 , each of which is of similar form and is carried by an upper and lower endless chain and sprocket sets  36  powered by suitable drive means for example one or more servo motors (not shown). Thus, the plunger devices are caused to move continuously around the unit in a cyclical reciprocating manner. In the preferred embodiment, the frame  34  commences the strap pick up by being lowered so that the lugs are placed within the loop, shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0064]    The plunger device  30  comprises suitable strap receiving and gripping means, for example pincers or more preferably a plurality of lugs  32  mounted to a frame  34 . The strap engaging means is driven in this embodiment, by pneumatic cylinders whereby the lugs  32  are moveable outwardly in direction Z as illustrated in FIG. 4. In use, the lugs are placed within the loop  9  and are moved outwardly to engage the strap and to deform the loop  9  so that it conforms substantially to the shape of the carton to which it is to be applied. In this embodiment, four lugs are provided to shape the endless band in a rectangular form. The lugs  32  continue to be moved outwardly and away from each other until there is no more slack in the loop. At that point the second gripping means  27  mounted on the endless conveyor  28  is opened to release the strap and the frame  34  is caused to move away from the conveyor.  
         [0065]    It will be seen from FIGS. 1, 2 and  3  that during movement around the unit, the frame is caused to be reciprocally moved by means of a cam track  50  disposed between the chain and sprocket sets and engaged by a roller follower (not shown) carried by the arms of the frame  34 .  
         [0066]    Once the strap is fully engaged by the lugs  32  and it has been released by the second gripping means  27 , the frame is caused to be raised by the cam track  50  and follower and is moved to the carton loading station  14 , shown in FIG. 3 where the endless band  9  is caused to be lowered by the cam track  50  and roller follower. Thus, the strap and lugs are lowered around the carton  8  which is moved forward in a continuous manner described below, with the lugs being lowered at each end of the carton. Once the strap  9  is positioned at the desired location in the carton the lugs  32  are moved inwardly by the drive means, or are returned to their rest position by suitable known biaising means to be released from the strap  9 . The carton and strap continue to move downstream the lugs  32  are raised out of engagement with the carton and strap as the frame  34  is caused to be moved upwards by the cam track  50  and follower. The aforementioned application process is desirable, because the strap is applied to the carton in a positive and controlled manner, thereby minimising the chance of the strap being applied incorrectly or to the wrong location. Furthermore, the position of the securing point or weld is in a position throughout the forming an application process known so it can be positioned at a particular preferred location and not, for example along the handle part of the strap. In this embodiment, the weld would preferably be positioned along a side wall of the carton.  
         [0067]    As the carton moves downstream the plunger unit  22  is raised and returns to the strap forming station  20 . The carton  8  and strap  9  continue downstream and pass through a plurality of air dryers: the temperature of the air dryers is regulated by a user, so that the strap is shrunk around the pack. Optionally, one or more sensors (not shown) is provided to check the positioning of the strap on the pack so that it is in the correct position. Thus the cartons are secured to complete the packaging operation.  
         [0068]    It is envisaged that the packaging operation throughout the machine is controlled by a computer programme which controls the speed of the upper and lower sprocket sets and the throughput of the straps to ensure the straps are aligned with the carton. To change the carton size or shape, a different lug plate is used which can be connected to the machine by means of quick release means known in the art. Thus the machine downtime is minimised.  
         [0069]    Turning to the conveyance of the carton, shown in FIG. 3, the upstream end of the carton conveyor preferably includes carton infeed means  24  which in this embodiment comprises a pair of opposed belt sets  38  the belts are formed from high frictional material for example rubber, and feed the cartons at a controlled rate determined by the control means by a carton conveyor  40 . Thus, cartons are released by the belts  38  one at a time to be indexed with the lower chain strap assembly  42 . The cartons are transferred by a suitable lug chain assembly  42  well known in the art which is controlled by suitable control means to be synchronised with the plunger device  22 . Once the strap has been egaged with the carton it continued to move downstream by endless chains  46 ,  48 .  
         [0070]    The packaging machine of the present invention may further comprise suitable control means for detecting an incorrectly welded strap. FIG. 8 illustrates the block diagram of the programme for detecting bad weld. In the event that a bad weld is detected by a weld sensor in the securing means  104 , the endless strap  9  is transferred to the second gripper  27  by the method outlined above and is conveyed forward by the conveyor  28 . The plunger unit  34  is brought down onto the band but the lugs  27  remain in a closed position for that particular strap  9  so that it is not transferred. As the second gripping means  27  moves forward it is retained in a closed position until the end of the conveyor where the strap  9  is released and deposited outside the machine. There may further comprise suitable control means shown in FIG. 8 for determining the strap position on the carton  8 , as outline above. A conventional sensor, for example a photo electric cell is commonly used. In the event, that the strap  9  is located in the wrong position then the control means causes a divider guide (not shown) to be moved from a rest position to a position of use to move the carton off the outfeed conveyor  48  for recycling.  
         [0071]    The packaging machine incorporates suitable control means described above for controlling the various functions of the machine. FIG. 10 illustrates the preferred control means having a central processor and manual input means through which specific instructions can be programmed and a display which indicates useful information to the machine apparatus. The central processor and the display can display operational information such as the speed of operation of the machine and its compliance with particular safety requirements, in the normal manner. In addition, the central processor and display can also indicate information specific to the present machine, such as the strap feeder, carton feeder, welding device, conveyor means speed, safety features and power. All of this information is provided through sensors shown generally at  200 .  
         [0072]    As discussed above, the control means also controls the positions of the moveable components for example divider guide cylinder for rejecting cartons and air cylinder for second gripping means, as well as the speed of movement of variable speed components. For example, the central processor controls the motors which power the loop feed chain  34 , loop forming station  22 , second gripping means chain  28 , carton conveyors, carton guide belts  24 , loop feed motor  84 .  
         [0073]    The positions and speeds of the devices can be input manually or a specific pre-written programme can be loaded into the central processor for control of the packaging machine. Also for the controlled change over for the machine from one carton type or size to another can be the result of pre-written programme or manual input signal.  
         [0074]    The machine is readily adjustable to accommodate a wide range of carton sizes without undue time being taken to adapt the machine from running one size of carton to running a different size of carton.  
         [0075]    Modifications may be made without departing from the scope of invention. In particular, alternate sensors and alternate means of positioning and moving the strap and/or carton may be utilised without departing from the scope of invention, as claimed in the accompanying claims.  
         [0076]    In addition, while the preferred embodiment described herein is for loading a strap into a fully enclosed carton, it would be recognised that the invention is not limited to cartons for bottle. The invention may be used with machines for packaging cans, paperboard bricks and other containers into cartons. Further, the present invention is able to process cartons comprising numerous configurations of groups of articles covering a wide range of carton size and shape without undue time being spent in adjusting the apparatus.  
         [0077]    It is envisaged that the present invention, and in particular the storage area  18 , the strap forming station and/or strap transfer station can be used in a variety of other packaging machines. Alternatively, these devices can be sold as an individual module to be fitted to new equipment or to existing equipment on a retrofit basis.