Strapping device having position determination of the package and method for arranging an edge protection element

Abstract

The invention describes, and illustrates, a strapping apparatus for strapping packages using a strapping means, having a packaging table, on which the package is guided through the apparatus, having vertical supports, which are arranged laterally in relation to the packaging table and on which a press plate can be displaced vertically, having an arrangement device for arranging an edge-protection means, it being possible for the arrangement device to be displaced horizontally on the press plate along a movement path, and having a controller, which moves the arrangement device into an arrangement position for arranging the edge-protection means on the package, wherein a means for sensing the position of the package is arranged in an entry region of the strapping apparatus, and the position-sensing means senses an entry position of the package during the entry movement thereof.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A strapping machine comprising:
 a frame at least partially defining an entryway;   a packing table at least partially within the frame;   a press plate movable toward and away from the packaging table;   an arrangement device configured to hold an edge protector and movable relative to the packing table between a starting position and an arrangement position;   a sensor configured to sense entry of a load into the entryway; and   a controller configured to control the arrangement device to move from the starting position to the arrangement position responsive to the sensor sensing entry of the load into the entryway.   
     
     
         9 . The strapping machine of  claim 8 , wherein the sensor is supported by the frame. 
     
     
         10 . The strapping machine of  claim 9 , wherein the frame comprises multiple vertical supports and the sensor is arranged on one of the vertical supports. 
     
     
         11 . The strapping machine of  claim 8 , wherein the press plate is movable in a first direction toward and away from the packaging table and the arrangement device is movable in a second direction from the starting position to the arrangement position, wherein the second direction is transverse to the first direction. 
     
     
         12 . The strapping machine of  claim 11 , wherein the sensor is configured to sense entry of the load moving in a third direction into the entryway, wherein the third direction is transverse to the first and second directions. 
     
     
         13 . The strapping machine of  claim 8 , wherein the arrangement device is mounted to the press plate and movable relative to the press plate between the starting position and the arrangement position. 
     
     
         14 . The strapping machine of  claim 8 , wherein the controller is configured to, responsive to the sensor sensing entry of the load into the entryway, control the arrangement device to move from the starting position to the arrangement position so the arrangement device arrives at the arrangement position no later than arrival of the load to a strapping position on the packing table at which the load is to-be-strapped. 
     
     
         15 . The strapping machine of  claim 8 , wherein the sensor is configured to sense a distance between the sensor and the load. 
     
     
         16 . The strapping machine of  claim 15 , wherein the controller is configured to determine the arrangement position based on the sensed distance between the sensor and the load. 
     
     
         17 . The strapping machine of  claim 16 , wherein the controller is configured to determine a strapping position on the packing table at which the load is to-be-strapped based on the sensed distance between the sensor and the load, wherein the controller is further configured to determine the arrangement position based on the strapping position. 
     
     
         18 . The strapping machine of  claim 8 , wherein the arrangement device comprises a distance counter configured to determine a displacement distance of the arrangement device from the starting position. 
     
     
         19 . A method of operating a strapping machine to position an edge protector on a corner of a load, the method comprising:
 sensing, by a sensor, entry of the load into an entryway of the strapping machine;   responsive to the sensor sensing entry of the load into the entryway, moving an arrangement device relative to the load from a starting position to an arrangement position as the arrangement device carries an edge protector; and   after the load reaches a strapping position on a packing table, positioning the edge protector on the corner of the load.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising moving the arrangement device relative to the load from the starting position to the arrangement position so the arrangement device arrives at the arrangement position no later than arrival of the load to the strapping position. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein sensing entry of the load into the entryway comprises sensing a distance between the sensor and the load. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising determining, by a controller, the arrangement position based on the sensed distance between the sensor and the load. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 determining, by the controller, the strapping position based on the sensed distance between the sensor and the load; and   determining, by the controller, the arrangement position based on the strapping position.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising controlling, by the controller, the arrangement device to move relative to the load from the starting position to the arrangement position responsive to the sensor sensing entry of the load into the entryway. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising determining, by a distance counter of the arrangement device, a displacement distance of the arrangement device from the starting position. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising moving a press plate into contact with a top surface of the load to hold the edge protector in position on the corner of the load. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising, after moving the press plate into contact with the top surface of the load, tensioning a loop of strap around the load to retain the edge protector on the corner of the load.