Patent GB-834795-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for automatically binding packages with binding material
IPC: B65B13/22
Filed: 1956-02-08
Abstract: 834,795. Bundling machines. ERAPA. Feb. 8, 1956 [Feb. 21, 1955], No. 3997/56. Class 94(1). [Also in Groups XXII and XXX] A machine for binding packages comprises feed means IIIA for the binding material, a guide IX for forming the material into a loop about the package, a trip 56 stopping the feed means as the loop is completed, a gripper 20b for holding the leading end of the material, a tensioning means IIIB for pulling the loop about the package, a final tensioning means II for tightening the loop about the package, clamping means VIII for holding the loop at the final tension, securing means VII for joining the ends of the loop, and cutting means VI for severing the loop from the rest of the material. Strip from a reel (not shown) runs between rollers 54, between jaws 41a, 41b of the final tensioning means, between the rollers 3, 4 of the feeding means IIIA and tensioning means IIIB, along channel 31b, over a roller 30, along channel 31a, between welding electrodes 16, 17 of the securing means, over the gripper 26 of the clamping means along a channel 31c, around the guide, along a channel 31d, over the gripper 20b, and between the electrodes, the leading end of the strip resting on the strip in the channel 31c above the gripper 26 to form the loop. A package P is placed on the machine table within the loop and a starter switch actuated to start motor M1 and energize electro-magnet M2 which actuates the gripper 20b and moves a clutch to revolve rollers 3, 4 of the tensioning means IIIB to pull the loop about the package. The gripper 20b is operated by reciprocation of a member 22 on a bar 28d to free a linkage 21a . . . 21d causing the free end of the lever 21a to raise the gripper. As the strip in the channels 31a, 31b is straightened by the tension, the roller 30 is depressed to close a switch 34 de-energizing the electromagnet M2 to stop the initial tensioning, and energizing an electro-magnet M3, Fig. 2, to operate a clutch 35 to drive a shaft 37 from the motor M. A cam 38 on the shaft moves a bar 39 to the right causing the jaws 41a, 41b of tensioning means II to grip and apply the final tension to the strip. The jaw 41a, Fig. 8, is slidable on a track 42 and has links 41c supporting the jaw 41b, the bar 39 being pressed by a spring load roller 40 to engage a notch 44 in the jaw 41b. At the end of the final tensioning the jaws close a switch 45 to keep the electromagnet M3 energized, and the tension of the strip operates a trip 53 to open a switch in the circuit of the magnet M1. As final tension is reached the bar 39 deflects lever 28b and the bar 28d to free the end of a bell crank 27b in a linkage 27a . . . 27c to permit arm 27d to move gripper 26 to grip the ends of the strip passing round the package. A second cam 46 on the shaft 37 then raises the free end of a lever 47a. 47b to raise electrodes 16 to press the ends of the strip against the electrode 17, a cam on the shaft 37 switching on the current to weld the strip. Upward movement of the lever 47a, 47b raises a push rod 19 to operate cutters 18, 18a of the severing means and sever the band from the strip in the channel 31a. After the strip has been cut, the cam 46 lowers the free end of the lever 47a, 47b, the lever engaging the members 21c, 27b to open the grippers 20b, 26. The cam 38 permits spring 39a to return bar 39 opening the switch 45 to de-energize the magnet M3 and declutch shaft 37. As the package is removed from the table a trip 53 closes the switch in the circuit of the magnet M1 ensuring that the machine is stopped until package is removed. The magnet M1 moves clutches so that the rollers of the feed means IIIA feed strip from the reel to form a loop, the strip being retained in the guide by magnets 57 or suction means. As the loop is completed the trip 56 operates a switch 56b to de-energize the magnet M1 to stop feed of the strip, and closes a switch in the circuit of the magnet M2 so that actuation of the starter switch starts the next cycle of operations. The channel 31d may be provided with an automatically operated cover which opens when the strip reaches the trip 56. An arrangement for applying two bands to a package is shown in Fig. 15A and includes conveyers on either side of the guide ring 55. The package is moved by the conveyers until it touches a contact 63 or interrupts a beam controlling a photoelectric cell 60B which cause the conveyers to stop whilst the machine applies the first band. After the band is applied the conveyers restart and are stopped as the package releases a contact 63a or clears the beam controlling a photo-electric cell 60a so that the second band may be applied. When the second band is applied the machine stops and the conveyers start to remove the package. Specifications 834,796 and 834,797 are referred to.