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.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to automated material handling machines, and more particularly to a banding machine for applying elastic bands onto elongated objects.

2. Brief Description of the Related Art

Numerous objects in agriculture or industry are combined in bundles and banded using elastic bands for shipping. In various applications the objects such as, for example, broccoli or asparagus are best hold together having a vertical orientation by one worker while another worker applies an elastic band onto the hold objects at a certain distance to one end of the objects depending on the length of the same. Typically, a bottom portion of the objects is then cut off in another processing step following the banding process in order to facilitate packaging and shipping.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,257,934 issued to Swift et al. teaches a banding machine comprising a mechanism for cutting elastic bands from a tubular elastic band stock, which are then disposed on fingers in a gravity assisted fashion for stretching the elastic band and disposing the same onto the objects. The teachings of Swift et al. combine the production of the elastic bands—by cutting the same from the tubular elastic band stock—using a relatively simple mechanism with the mechanism for banding the objects in a single machine.

It is desirable to provide a banding machine which produces elastic bands from a tubular elastic band stock and enables provision of the elastic bands and cutting of the objects while the objects are held in a same position.

It is also desirable to provide a banding machine which disposes the elastic bands onto the fingers in a gravity assisted fashion where the objects are banded while being held having a vertical orientation for banding in order to facilitate handling of the same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a banding machine which produces elastic bands from a tubular elastic band stock and enables provision of the elastic bands and cutting of the objects while the objects are held in a same position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a banding machine which disposes the elastic bands onto the fingers in a gravity assisted fashion where the objects are banded while being held having a vertical orientation for banding in order to facilitate handling of the same.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a horizontal banding machine. The horizontal banding machine comprises an elastic band supply mechanism for providing an elastic band in a gravity assisted fashion. Below the elastic band supply mechanism at least two band holding devices are disposed 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 moves the band holding devices between a first position for receiving the elastic band and a second position for disengaging the elastic band. A moving mechanism has 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. 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.

The advantage of the present invention is that it provides a banding machine which produces elastic bands from a tubular elastic band stock and enables provision of the elastic bands and cutting of the objects while the objects are held in a same position.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a banding machine which disposes the elastic bands onto the fingers in a gravity assisted fashion while the objects are held having a vertical orientation for banding in order to facilitate handling of the same.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view from one side of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view from top of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention with the moving plate in a disengaging position;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are a perspective views of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention illustrating the mechanism for moving the moving plate;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are top views of the moving plate of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention with the band holding devices in a band disengaging position and in a band receiving position, respectively;

FIGS. 3C and 3D are perspective views of the band holding device of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of the cutting mechanism of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention at different stages of operation;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of the band holding devices of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention with the moving plate in a receiving position;

FIG. 5D is a front view of the elastic band supply mechanism of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention; and,

FIG. 5E is a perspective views of the band holding devices of the horizontal banding machine of one embodiment of the present invention with the band holding devices in a band disengaging position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described.

Referring to FIGS. 1A to 5E, a horizontal banding machine 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is provided. The horizontal banding machine 100 produces elastic bands from a tubular elastic band stock, disposes an elastic band onto a plurality of objects, and cuts an end portion off the objects while the objects are held in a same position having a substantially vertical orientation.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1C, the horizontal banding machine 100 comprises a frame structure 1 having in an upper portion mounted thereto an elastic band supply mechanism 3 for providing an elastic band in a gravity assisted fashion. The elastic band supply mechanism 3 receives tubing 5 made of elastic material such as, for example, rubber, but is not limited thereto, from a storage container 7 via tubing roller 2 for guiding the tubing 5 between the storage container 7 and tubing feeder 4. For example, the tubing 5 is moved a predetermined length and hold using a combination of moving gripper fingers and holding gripper fingers. An elastic band is then produced by cutting a portion of the tubing having the predetermined length using a cutter assembly. It is noted, that a mechanism for moving and cutting the tubing is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,257,934 issued to Swift et al. After cutting, the elastic band is dropped onto band holders. An example process of the elastic band production process is described herein below with reference to FIG. 5D. The gripper fingers and the cutter assembly are, for example, piston driven which are operated in a pneumatic or hydraulic fashion. Alternatively, the elastic band supply mechanism 5 comprises a mechanism for feeding elastic bands from a stock of a plurality of elastic bands.

Disposed below the elastic band supply mechanism 3 is an elastic band deployment mechanism. The elastic band deployment mechanism comprises at least two band holding devices 18, an actuator 19 coupled to the band holding devices 18, and a moving mechanism 11 having the band holding devices 18 and the actuator 19 mounted thereto. The band holding devices 18 receive the elastic band from the elastic band supply mechanism 3, for example, by being dropped onto respective band holders 122 after cutting; stretch the elastic band 13 for providing a band opening 15 surrounded by the elastic band 13 for accommodating a plurality of objects for banding therein; and disengage the elastic band 13 from the band holders 122 for deploying the elastic band 13 onto the plurality of objects. The actuator 19 moves the band holding devices 18 between a first position for receiving the elastic band 13 and a second position for disengaging the elastic band 13. The moving mechanism 11 moves the band holding devices 18 substantially horizontally from a band receiving position—the elastic band 13 is disposed in a receiving plane oriented substantially horizontal—to a band disengaging position—the elastic band 13 is disposed in a disengaging plane oriented substantially horizontal. FIGS. 1A and 1B both illustrate the band holding devices 18 in the band receiving position—indicated by dashed lines—and the band disengaging position.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the moving mechanism 11 linearly moves the band holding devices 18 between the band receiving position and the band disengaging position. Alternatively, the band holding devices 18 are rotated around a pivot mounted to the frame structure 1, or by a combination of linear and rotational movement. Further alternatively, the band holding devices 18 are additionally moved vertically such that the receiving plane and the disengaging plane are oriented substantially horizontal but are disposed at different vertical levels.

In the band disengaging position the band holding devices 18, the actuator 19 and the moving mechanism 11 are disposed outside a handling space 21 approximately determined by projecting the band opening 15 along a straight line 17 through the band opening 15 and oriented substantially perpendicular to a plane of the band opening 15. Provision of the handling space 21 enables deployment of a cutting mechanism 160 comprising, for example, a cutting blade 162, which is movable in a plane located at a predetermined distance to the band holding devices 18 and, for example, oriented substantially parallel to the band opening 15 for cutting the plurality of objects at a predetermined distance to the elastic band 13. The cutting mechanism 160 is mounted to the moving mechanism 11. Alternatively, the cutting mechanism 160 is mounted to the frame structure 1. Optionally, the cutting mechanism 160 comprises an adjustment mechanism for variably placing the cutting blade 162 along a substantially vertical direction for varying the distance between the cutting blade 162 and the band holding devices 18, as illustrated in FIG. 1A. The cutting blade 162 is provided, for example, in the form of a straight cutting edge, a toothed cutting edge or a circular saw.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the moving mechanism 11, preferably, comprises a moving plate 52 which is horizontally movable mounted to the frame 1 such that the moving plate 52 is oriented substantially horizontal in the band receiving position and in the band disengaging position. The horizontal movement is provided along a substantially straight line using, for example, guide rails 50 mounted to the frame structure 1 interacting with respective guides—such as, for example, gliding surfaces or rollers—of the moving plate 52 enabling, for example, gliding or rolling movement therebetween. The horizontal movement of the moving plate 52 is actuated using, for example, one of an off-the-shelf hydraulic and pneumatic piston drive 54, as illustrated in FIG. 2B. Alternatively, a gear drive such as, for example, a toothed wheel interacting with a toothed rack or a chain drive is employed.

Referring to FIGS. 3A to 3D a preferred embodiment of the moving plate 52, the band holding devices 18, and the actuator 19 according to the invention is provided. The moving plate 52 is made, for example, from an aluminum plate having a predetermined thickness to provide sufficient support and stiffness using standard computer controlled processes of cutting, milling and drilling. Optionally, the moving plate 52 is made of a material other than aluminum such as, for example, stainless steel or composite material. The moving plate 52 comprises a moving plate opening 10 which is sufficiently large for accommodating the band opening 15 therein. As shown in FIG. 3A, the actuator 19 comprises four swing arms 96. Each swing arm 96 has at a first end portion the band holding device 18 mounted thereto, is rotatably mounted to the moving plate 52 via swing arm rotation pin 12, and coupled to a piston drive 92 via piston clevis attach bolt 103 at a second opposite end. The piston drive 92 is actuated, for example, in a pneumatic or hydraulic fashion, and provides linear motion to the piston clevis attach bolt 103 resulting in a 10 rotational movement of the swing arm 96 about the swing arm rotation pin 12. To enable a compact arrangement of the swing arms 96 and the piston drives 92 on the moving plate 11, the swing arms 96 are, preferably, designed such that the first end portion, the second end portion, and the pivot accommodating the swing arm rotation pin 12 form a triangle. Movement of the piston drive 92 causes the swing arm 96 to rotate about the swing arm rotation pins 12 for 15 moving the band holding devices 18 towards the center of the opening 10 for receiving the elastic band—as illustrated in FIG. 3B—or opposite for stretching and deploying the elastic band—as illustrated in FIG. 3A.

The swing arms 96 are made, for example, from aluminum plates having a predetermined thickness to provide sufficient support and stiffness using standard computer controlled processes of cutting, milling and drilling. Optionally, the swing arms 96 are made of a material other than aluminum such as, for example, stainless steel or composite material. The swing arms 96 are designed in dependence upon the number of swing arms employed and a given maximum size of the band opening 15 using standard gear engineering technology.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, four swing arms 96 are equally disposed around the opening 10, but the embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto. Depending on the shape of the band holders 122 and the size and shape of a desired band opening 15, different numbers—two or more—of swing arms 96 are employed.

Alternatively, an electric drive is employed for rotating the swing arms 96, for example, by replacing the piston drives 92 with toothed gear drives comprising a driven toothed wheel interacting with a toothed surface disposed on a respective section of the swing arms 96.

Further alternatively, the swing arms 96 are actuated using a combined drive, for example, a gear mechanism comprising a ring structure surrounding the moving plate opening 10 and interacting with each of the swing arms 96, which is driven using, for example, a single piston drive.

Referring to FIGS. 3C and 3D, a preferred embodiment of the band holding devices 18 according to the invention is provided. The band holder 122 is mounted to band holder piston rod 120 of band holder piston drive 124. The band holder piston drive 124 provides linear movement to the band holder 122. The band holder piston drive 124 is implemented, for example, using an off-the-shelf pneumatic or hydraulic compact piston drive. The band holder 122 comprises a first portion mounted to the band holder piston rod 120. The first portion of the band holder 122 is oriented substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the band holder piston rod 120 and pointing approximately towards a center of the moving plate opening 10. A second portion is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the band holder piston rod 120. The band holder 122 comprises slightly rounded edges 128 where in contact with the elastic band 13, as well as a push off clearance groove 130 for accommodating a portion of push off pin 126 therein. The first portion of the band holder 122 comprises an opening for enabling movement of the push off pin 126 therethrough. The push off pin 126—for example, a stainless steel pin—is welded to push off mount 125, which is mounted to the band holder piston drive 124. The elastic band 13 is dropped onto the first portion of the band holder 122 in proximity to the second portion and during stretching the elastic band is in contact with the second portion of the band holder 122. During receipt and stretching, the band holder piston rod 120 is disposed in an extended position such that the push off pin 126 is placed outside the second portion of the band holder 122 as illustrated in FIG. 3C. During deployment of the elastic band the band holder piston rod 120 is retracted causing the stationary push off pin 126 to push the elastic band off the second portion of the band holder 122. The slightly rounded edges 128 are provided to prevent cutting of the elastic band during stretching and deployment.

Optionally, the second portion of the band holder 122 is widened such that a sufficiently large band opening 15 is provided when using only two band holding devices 18.

Alternatively, the band holder 122 is fixedly mounted while the push off pin 126 is movable relative thereto.

In a preferred embodiment a cutting mechanism is mounted to the bottom surface of the moving plate 11, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The cutting mechanism comprises a cutting blade 162 which is mounted to a first end portion of cutting swing arm 164. The cutting swing arm 164 is rotatable mounted to the moving plate 52 via cutting swing arm rotation pin 166, and coupled to a cutting piston drive 168 via piston clevis attach bolt 170 at a second opposite end. The cutting piston drive 168 is actuated, for example, in a pneumatic or hydraulic fashion, and provides linear motion to the piston clevis attach bolt 170 resulting in a rotational movement of the cutting swing arm 164 about the cutting swing arm rotation pin 166. To enable a compact arrangement of the cutting swing arm 164 and the cutting piston drives 168 on the moving plate 52, the swing arm 164 is designed such that the first end portion, the second end portion, and the pivot accommodating the cutting swing arm rotation pin 166 form a triangle. Movement of the cutting piston drive 168 causes the cutting swing arm 164 to rotate about the cutting swing arm rotation pin 166 for rotationally moving the cutting blade 162 across the moving plate opening 10, as illustrated in FIG. 4B. Rapid movement of the cutting blade 162, actuated by the cutting piston drive 168, enables cutting of the objects while being held in place by a worker due to inertia of the objects. To ensure movement of the cutting blade 162 in a plane oriented substantially parallel to the moving plate 52, a guide such as, for example, a guide ring structure 172 surrounding the moving plate opening 10 is mounted to the bottom surface of the moving plate 52 at a predetermined distance thereto. Optionally, a holding mechanism is provided for abutting the objects during the cutting process.

Referring to FIGS. 5A to 5E, operation of the preferred embodiment of the horizontal banding machine 100 according to the invention is described herein below. FIG. 5A illustrates the banding machine 100 after deployment of the elastic band. The band holding devices 18—still in the deployment position—are then moved to the band receiving position with the second portion of the band holders 122 being disposed in close proximity to each other, as illustrated in FIG. 5B. The moving plate 52 is then moved horizontally to the elastic band receiving position below the band supply mechanism 3, as illustrated in FIG. 5C and the band holder piston rod 120 is then moved in an extended position as illustrated in FIG. 3C.

The rubber tubing 5 is moved a predetermined length using moving gripper fingers 150 and then held using, for example, a stopper piston 152 having a rubber or plastic end that pushes the rubber tubing against the inside wall of the tube 4 to temporarily prevent movement of the rubber tubing 5, for example, to prevent the rubber tubing 5 from being pulled back into the storage container. Using cutter assembly 154 a portion of the tubing 5 having the predetermined length is then cut off producing the elastic band 13, which is then dropped onto the band holders 122, as illustrated in FIG. 5D.

After receipt of the elastic band, the moving plate 52 is horizontally moved into the band disengaging position while the band holding devices 18 are moved outward to the elastic band deployment position providing a sufficiently large band opening 15 for banding, as illustrated in FIG. 5E. After deployment of the elastic band, for example, as described herein above with reference to FIGS. 3C and 3D, the cutting blade 162 is rotationally moved for cutting the objects and the moving plate 52 is then in the position as illustrated in FIG. 5A.

The FIGS. 5A to 5E illustrate a sequence of snapshots of the operation of the banding machine 100. The various movements of the components are, for example, combined such that the horizontal movement of the moving plate 52 and the movement of the band holding devices 18 are executed in a simultaneous fashion. Alternatively, the various movements are executed successively. As described herein above, the various movements are or may be actuated using pneumatic, hydraulic, electric and/or electro-pneumatic drives, which are controlled using a control system made of standard off-the-shelf components for controlling the pneumatic (or hydraulic, electric and/or electro-pneumatic ) action in combination with a processor.

The present invention has been described herein with regard to preferred embodiments. However, it will be obvious to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described herein.

Claims

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.