Horizontal banding machine

Abstract

A horizontal banding machine comprising, an elastic band supply mechanism for providing an elastic band in a gravity assisted fashion; at least two band holding devices for, receiving the elastic band from the elastic band supply mechanism, stretching the elastic band for providing a band opening surrounded by the elastic band for accommodating a plurality of objects for banding therein; and, disengaging the elastic band from the holding devices for deploying the elastic band onto the plurality of objects, and an actuator coupled to the band holding devices for moving the band holding devices between a first position for receiving the elastic band and a second position for disengaging the elastic band.

1 . A horizontal banding machine comprising:
 an elastic band supply mechanism for providing an elastic band in a gravity assisted fashion;   at least two band holding devices for:   receiving the elastic band from the elastic band supply mechanism;   stretching the elastic band for providing a band opening surrounded by the elastic band for accommodating a plurality of objects for banding therein; and,   disengaging the elastic band from the holding devices for deploying the elastic band onto the plurality of objects;   an actuator coupled to the band holding devices for moving the band holding devices between a first position for receiving the elastic band and a second position for disengaging the elastic band; and,   a moving mechanism having the band holding devices and the actuator mounted thereto for moving the band holding devices from a band receiving position, where the elastic band is disposed in a receiving plane oriented substantially horizontal, to a band disengaging position, where the elastic band is disposed in a disengaging plane oriented substantially horizontal, wherein in the disengaging position the band holding devices, the actuator, and the moving mechanism are disposed outside a handling space determined by projecting the band opening along a straight line through the band opening and oriented substantially perpendicular thereto.   
   
   
       2 . A horizontal banding machine as defined in  claim 1  wherein the moving mechanism comprises a moving plate having the band holding devices and the actuator mounted thereto, the moving plate comprising a moving plate opening which is sufficiently large for accommodating the band opening therein. 
   
   
       3 . A horizontal banding machine as defined in  claim 2  wherein the moving plate is linearly movable mounted to a frame such that the moving plate is oriented substantially horizontal in the band receiving position and in the band disengaging position. 
   
   
       4 . A horizontal banding machine as defined in  claim 3  wherein the moving plate is linearly movable mounted to the frame such that the moving plate is substantially horizontally movable between the band receiving position and the band disengaging position. 
   
   
       5 . A horizontal banding machine as defined in  claim 2  wherein the actuator comprises at least two swing arms, each swing arm having a band holding device mounted thereto at a first end portion and being rotatable mounted to the moving plate. 
   
   
       6 . A horizontal banding machine as defined in  claim 5  wherein each swing arm is coupled to a piston actuator at a second opposite end portion and rotatable mounted to the moving plate at a pivot disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion. 
   
   
       7 . A horizontal banding machine as defined in  claim 1  wherein each of the band holding devices comprises:
 a band holder for holding the elastic band;   a push member for disengaging the elastic band from the band holder; and,   a push actuator mounted to one of the band holder and the push member for providing relative movement between the band holder and the push member.   
   
   
       8 . A horizontal banding machine as defined in  claim 1  wherein the elastic band supply mechanism comprises:
 a first gripper for holding a tubing made of elastic band material;   a second gripper for moving the tubing a predetermined length; and,   a cutter for cutting a portion of the tubing having the predetermined length, the predetermined portion forming the elastic band.   
   
   
       9 . A horizontal banding machine as defined in  claim 8  wherein the elastic band supply mechanism comprises a tubular guide and a tubing roller for guiding the tubing from a supply container to the first gripper. 
   
   
       10 . A horizontal banding machine as defined in  claim 3  comprising a cutting mechanism for cutting the plurality of objects at a predetermined distance to the elastic band. 
   
   
       11 . A horizontal banding machine as defined in  claim 10  wherein the cutting mechanism comprises a cutting blade movable mounted to the moving plate such that the cutting blade is movable in a plane located at the predetermined distance to the elastic band and oriented substantially parallel to the band opening. 
   
   
       12 . A horizontal banding machine as defined in  claim 11  where in the cutting mechanism comprises a swing arm having the cutting blade mounted thereto at a first end portion, the swing arm being coupled to a piston actuator at a second opposite end portion and rotatable mounted to the moving plate at a pivot disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion.