Binding device for binding a bundle of stems together

Abstract

The invention concerns a binding device for binding together a bundle of stems, for example a bundle of flower stems from a bouquet, together with a further product. To this end, the binding device comprises a binding table with a support surface for carrying the bundle of stems, a binding mechanism for binding a binding agent, such as an elastic band, around the bundle of stems and the further product, and means of displacement to move the bundle of stems along a binding trajectory from a first position with the bundle of stems against the binding agent to a second position in which the binding agent is wrapped around the bundle of stems.Furthermore, the binding device comprises transport means for transporting the final product to a processing position against the underside of the bundle of stems in the binding path, whereby the transport means and displacement means are coordinated in such a way that the final product and the bundle of stems arrive at the processing position at least virtually simultaneously.

Description

P 137837NLOO Title: Binding device for binding together a bundle of stems The invention relates to a binding device for the binding together a bundle of stems, for example a bundle of flower stems of a bouquet, together with another product, for example a bag with flower food. In the automated processing of flowers into flower bunches such a binding device is used to each flower bunch during to be able to tie the flower stems together directly and fully automatically provided with the desired additional product such as a food sachet or label. Well-known binding systems are generally based on a binding table with a bearing surface for supporting a bundle of stems and provided of means of transport for the at least virtually uninterrupted moving the bundle stealing over at least part of the bearing surface of the binding table of a feed side where the bundle stems are fed to a discharge side where the bundle of stems with further product is disposed of in the bundled form. Transport equipment, such as conveyor belts, is provided for the supply of steal the further product to the bundle on the bearing surface of the binding table, and a binding mechanism ensures the binding of a binding agent, such as an elastic band or string, around the bundle of stems and the rest product to a tied form of the bundle of stems and the further product available. An important problem with such binding devices is that although this in principle allows for large numbers of flower bouquets in a short time can be processed, the relatively complex interaction between the various moving parts of means of transport, transport equipment and binding mechanism often malfunction in practice results in a binding no longer proceeding correctly or at all no longer takes place. It is therefore a goal to provide a binding device that addresses this problem. To this end, a binding device is provided for in a first aspect herein. for binding a bundle of stems, for example a bundle flower stems from a bouquet, together with another product, for example a bag of flower food, comprising a binding table with a support surface for carrying the bundle of stems upon it, a binding mechanism for binding a binding agent, such as an elastic band, to steal the bundle and the further product to form a tied-together shape of to steal the bundle and obtain the rest of the product, means of transport for at least virtually uninterrupted movement steal from the bundle over at least part of the bearing surface of the binding table at a feed side where the bundle of stems is fed. to a discharge side where the bundle of stems with further product into the bundled form is discharged, whereby the means of transport are designed to move the bundle of stems along a binding path from a first position with the bundle of stems against the binder towards a second position in which the binding agent is wrapped around the bundle of stems, and means of transport for transporting the further product from a supply up to a processing position at least virtually against a bottom of the bundle of stems in the binding process for processing of the further product with the binder against the bundle of stems, whereby the means of transport transport the further product from the supply along a transport route in which the further product moves from under the bearing surface up to the processing position, and where the means of transport and means of movement are coordinated with each other to to move the further product in the transport path in a transport direction at least virtually identical to a direction of movement of the bundle stems in the binding process and to the further product in the to move the transport route at a transport speed adjusted to a displacement speed of the bundle stems in the binding path such that the remaining product and the bundle steal at least almost simultaneously arrive at the processing position. Important for correct binding, for example a sufficiently tight binding to prevent falling apart the bundle steals from each other and / or in relation to the rest of the product, is that the bundle of stems with further product at the time of application of the binder stable together, preferably against each other, are positioned. A possible realization of this is the at the time of the tying together temporarily not moving the bundle stealing and the further product. At least a virtually uninterrupted movement of the bundle Stealing is not an issue in this case, resulting in a delay in a continuous process of producing bundled bundles of stems with further product. A more continuous process with at least virtually continuous movement of the bundle of steals in combination with a Separate transport of the further product is more desirable due to the time saving, but this can quickly lead to indefinite or uncontrolled relative speed and / or positioning differences between the bundle stems and the further product, which poses a risk of non-binding or incorrect binding of the bundle of stems with additional product at the time of application around them of the binder increased. The coordination of the direction and speed of the further product with the direction and speed of the bundle steals prior to binding together in the binding device provided herein however, ensures correct binding of the bundle and the further product because this results in no or exclusively controlled relative speed differences and positioning differences between the beam and the further product exists at the time of binding. As a result, is not only a quality of the end product, the bound form of bundle stems and further product, guaranteed, but is the binding device suitable for a continuous process without delays and the binding device is also much less prone to malfunctions and malfunctions prove to be non-existent or minimal to act. Optionally, the alignment of the direction entails that the bundle steal and the further product in the binding process, at least virtually in be moved in the same direction, for example, at least nearly parallel together. It is, for example, possible to the means of transport and the displacement means in the binding trajectory parallel to each other let it run. Optionally, adjusting the speed entails that the bundle stems and the further product in the binding process at an equal speed have. However, it is also possible that the alignment actually implies that the bundle stems and the further product in the binding process an uneven have speed to compensate for a possible distance and / or time difference for reaching the processing position between the bundle stems and the rest of the product. For example, the binding device can be designed to achieve a slightly higher speed for the further product in the binding process to give rather than steal the bundle. The binding mechanism of the binding device is configured optionally. to a first part of the binder, which is at least almost perpendicular to the bearing surface of the binding table extends between a first end of the first part of the binder below the load-bearing surface and a opposite further end of the first part of the binder above the bearing surface, to be positioned in the binding path between the inlet side and outlet side of the binding table and to a further part of the binder extending from the first end of the first part to the to wrap the bundle of stems around and tie it to the opposite side further end of the first part including the bundle of stems in the bound form. The binding mechanism may, for example, be provided of a part that prior to a binding together at least the first tensions part of the binder and provides a further part with a knotting organ that, prior to binding, the further part of the binding agent can wrap around the bundle of stems by rotation through a opening in the surface of the support table around the further part of to tie the binder to the first part of the binder. The means of transport, the means of movement and the The binding mechanisms of the binding device can optionally be interchangeable. adapted and set up for wrapping and knotting the second part of the binder when positioning the bundle of stems in the binding process and a positioning of the further product in the processing position. In one aspect of this, the means of transport of the binding device a support surface for supporting the further product. The means of transport can, for example, a include a movable holder with a flat support surface, such as a plate body or container-shaped body, for a sachet of food or a flat to receive a label on it. The support surface can vary in size. correspond to a dimension of the further product. The further product can therefore, for example, fit the barrel surface of the means of transport are received. Alternatively, the support surface can in terms of dimensions relative to the rest of the product are overdimensioned. The support surface can, for example, be configured to easily and reliably extract a further product from the supply can receive, whereby a correct delivery of the further product consists the supply is less critical. Optionally, the transport equipment is fitted with the binding device. of fixing agents for fixing the further product on the support surface. The fixation devices may, for example, have one or more adhesives and / or clamping agents, including the fixation agents are designed for reliable attachment of the further product on the support surface during transport of the further product with the means of transport It should be clear that the further product that with the binding device at the bundle where stems are tied together can vary depending on a preference. In this way, the further product can be larger or smaller. sachets with more or less food are adapted for the specific bundle of flower stems. The rest of the product can also be, for example, a larger or be a smaller label, such as an information label with more or less information regarding the bundle of stems. Because the dimensions of different further products may therefore differ, it is desirable that the binding device can accommodate this. To that end, the binding device is in a further aspect characterized herein by the fact that the fixation agents are adjustable are between a first stand for holding the further product that has a first dimension and at least a second position for holding of an alternative further product that has a second dimension otherwise than the first dimension. Optionally, the fixation devices of the binding device include a boundary erected relative to the support surface that is provided for a further product released from the supply onto the support surface or alternatively, to keep the product on the support surface. The boundary may be formed by a raised edge on the support surface where the raised edge has a height designed to withstand concern that the further product or alternative further product upon provision thereof from the supply or during a transport of the means of transport moves away from the support surface. The raised edge can move all around from the support surface extending on one or more sides of the support surface extending. Instead of a raised edge integral connected to the support surface, the boundary can also be a body encompass completely separate from the support surface, for example a separate offense against which the further product may object and whereby the further product in any case with its center of gravity on the support surface supports In particular, the support surface extends in an manner to the supply-boundary position of the means of transport from a supply side near the supply up to an opposite boundary side near the boundary, where the boundary is adjustable with respect to the support surface is provided to a distance between the boundary and the to vary the supply. The adjustability of the limiter can, for example, involve a displacement of the boundary, such as a shift thereof, to maintain a greater or smaller distance from the supply. As a result, a further product received on the support surface may more or less freedom of movement between the supply and the boundary become offered, and / or the means of transport can accommodate for in dimensions larger and smaller further products respectively and alternatives further products. As indicated above, the one described herein is binding device particularly reliable in binding bundles of stems with further product. In the event of a variation in the size of the further product, it may however prevent the binder not around a center of the further product is wrapped, although this is preferred for a desired positioning of the further product against the bundle of stems. That means the further product is preferably independent of its size always bound in such a way with a bundle of stems that one in relation to the binder protruding part of the rest of the product on both sides is at least virtually equal to that of the binder. To this end, the binding device is in a further aspect characterized herein by the boundary and the supply are provided to be movable relative to the support surface to vary the distance between the boundary and the supply, whereby the The boundary and the supply are interconnected in the event of a displacement of one of the boundary and the supply a corresponding displacement in the opposite direction in the other of the boundary and the supply to realize. The feed can be part of the binding device or a separate layout. In both cases, the means of transport of the binding device a position in which the support surface at one end of the supply borders to a further product from the supply on the to receive support surface. The supply can, for example, be an end include to which the further product is released, such as the end of two conveyor belts placed opposite each other vertically between which the further product is transported clamped to the means of transport of the binding device. The end can be displaced relative to the support surface, for example by the relocation of the supply and / or relocation of the means of transport. In this case, the supply is at least functionally and optionally mechanically coupled. at the boundary such that a displacement thereof a direct corresponding but opposite-direction displacement of the realizes a boundary with respect to the support surface. Although a distance between the end of the supply and the boundary therewith is varied, for example to be able to accommodate for in The size of various further products remains a relative positioning. from the end of the feed to a center of the support surface and equal from the boundary to the center of the support surface. In other words, the boundary and the end of the supply diverge uniformly. but in the opposite direction of the center of the support surface in the event of a displacement of the boundary and / or the end of the supply away of the support surface and vice versa approach uniformly but in opposite direction the center of the support surface at a displacement of the boundary and / or the end of the supply to the adds support surface. This results in being able to receive the further product on the support surface between the feed and boundary with a center of the further product above a center of the support surface independent of a dimension of the rest of the product. The further product or alternative further product with different The dimensions can therefore be brought to the processing position. with a center thereof aligned with the bundle of stems, so that the binder always around the center of the further product or alternative The further product is wrapped. To displace the bundle of stems over the support surface not to obstruct up against the binder, the binding device is based on a supply of the further product below the bearing surface whereby the means of transport transport the further product to the processing position at the load-bearing surface. In this case, the transport means of the binding device optionally configured for a rotational movement around a rotation axis from the feed of the further product to the processing position. The rotational movement is, in terms of space occupation and parts usage an efficient way to the further product from a preferably relatively low relative to the bearing surface of the to receive the supply applied to the lashing table on the means of transport and to transport along the transport route to the processing position to the load-bearing surface. A further aspect of this is the binding table of the binding device. provided with a through-opening in the bearing surface for the passage of the further product from below the load-bearing surface to the processing position. Optionally, the binding table of the binding device is included. equipped with an adjustable seal for the feed-through opening, which adjustable seal is adjustable between the pass-through opening sealing position for moving the bundle of stems over the bearing surface of the binding table and a pass-through opening releasing position for transferring the further product to the processing position. The adjustable seal forms a physical separation between the transport route along which the further product is transported and the binding path along which the bundle of stems is moved, so that a premature contact between the bundle of stems and the further product is avoided and only able to make contact for the first time in the processing position. Furthermore, the adjustable seal assists in the imposing the correct direction on the rest of the product just before arrival thereof in the processing position. For example, upon release of the further product of the means of transport just before arriving in the processing position can an unexpected upward movement of the further product be at least largely excluded by the seal to make the further product instead a predominantly horizontal to give a direction of movement that corresponds to a direction of supply steal from the bundle. The further product is thereby correctly in the processing position brought under the bundle of stems instead of at an angle steal against or next to the bundle. The adjustable sealing of the binding device is optional. designed for adjustment of the sealing position in the releasing stand due to a pushing force of the remaining product during a transport of the further product through the means of transport. The seal can therefore be have a relatively simple execution, requiring no further complex and / or expensive means are required to adjust the seal. The adjustable A seal is, for example, a rotary valve that, by means of a simple rotation axis is connected to the binding table whereby a rotation of The flap around the axis of rotation is actuated by the intrinsic thrust of the transporting further product. A timing of opening and closing of The seal is automatically adjusted to a penetration of the further product. In a further aspect herein, the binding device is equipped with processor resources for tuning and configuring the means of transport, the means of movement and the binding mechanism for the at least partial automation of binding a bundle of stems with further product. The binding device can, for example, be configured for semi-automatic or fully automatic processing of bundles of stems and further products into a bound form. Although herein various If variations are conceivable, using programming is an option. where one or more predetermined properties of the bundle steal and / or the further product and / or the alternative further product becomes used to coordinate the means of transport, the means of displacement and the binding mechanism to be arranged thereon. The processing resources of the binding device are optional. designed to adapt the means of transport depending on a size and / or shape of the further product supplied for the Automated binding of a bundle of stems with additional product. For example, the adjustment of a limit and / or an end of the supply can be automatically regulated depending on the certain dimension of the further product. The processing aids of the binding device are optional. connected to a programmable memory for data storage with with regard to at least one of the dimensions of the rest of the product, shape of the final product, and dimensions of the bundle of stems. It is noted that although the binding device is particularly herein indicated and described by means of a binding device stealing from a bundle with a further product, it will be clear that the invention extends in principle to a binding device that possibly allows loose elements to be bound by wrapping the elements with a binding agent regardless of the type or kind of the elements. Furthermore, it is noted that the technical described herein measures can also be applied in a beneficial manner in themselves in a binding device with a different configuration, i.e. the individual Technical measures can be taken out of context if desired. be applied isolated and alone, and if desired with one or more of the above-mentioned measures are combined. The invention will be further explained by means of a execution example shown in a drawing. In the drawing shows: Figure 1A,1B a schematic side view of a cross-section of a Example of implementation of a binding device according to an aspect herein; It is noted that the figures are merely representations of a preferred form of execution of the invention, and that this given be by way of a non-limiting example of implementation. In particular some parts and dimensions may to a greater or lesser extent due to the clarity has been exaggerated. As shown in Figure 1, a binding device comprises 1 for the binding together of a bundle stealing 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E together with a furthermore products 3A, 3B, 3C in a first aspect herein a binding table with a bearing surface (not shown) for supporting the bundle of stems. The binding device also includes a binding mechanism 10 for binding. of a binding agent 11, such as an elastic band, to the bundle stems and the further product to a tied form of the bundle stems and the further product available. The binding mechanism 10, for example, is a binder with a rotating needle 12 which is designed to the binding agent 1 1 around to strike the bundle of stems and with a knotter head to strike after striking the binding agent to tie a knot in the binding agent for the bundle of stems mutual attachment of stealing the bundle. Means of movement 4, such as a continuous use of the binding device conveyor belt, are provided parallel to and laterally of the bearing surface of the binding table for the at least virtually uninterrupted moving the bundle stealing over at least part of the bearing surface of the binding table of a feed side where the bundle stems are fed to a discharge side where the bundle of stems with further product is disposed of in the bundled form. The means of transport 4, for example, carry a first part of the bundle stems where a second part of the bundle stems that protrudes laterally of the means of transport is moved over the load-bearing surface of the binding table. As shown in Figure 1A, are used with the means of displacement of the binding device 1 continuous consecutive bundles handles 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E over the support surface of the binding table moved in the direction of the shown arrow. In doing so, the means of transport designed to move the bundle of stems along a binding path 5 to move from a first position with the bundle of stems against the binder to a second position in which the binder around the bundle stealing is wrapped. A first bundle stealing 2A is thereby from the supplied from the supply side, while a second bundle of stems 2B just before the The binding path is being moved. A third bundle of stems 2C is located in the first position of the binding path 5 and makes contact with the binder 1 1 which is tensioned by needle 12. A further product 3A is located whereby parallel to the bundle stems 2C still below the bearing surface of the binding table. A fourth bundle of 2D stems has been moved beyond the binding device 10 and the binding path 5 and is already bound together with the further product 3B that is for that purpose through an opening in the bearing surface fed. A fifth bundle of stems 2E has been moved to the discharge side of the bearing surface for discharge from the binding device of the bundle of stems 2E in bonded form with further product 3C. As shown in Figure 1B shows the bundles of stems 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E relative to figure 1A moved slightly downstream in the direction of the shown arrow. Hereby, the bundle of stems 2C has been moved in the binding process to a processing position where the bundle of stems 2C is tied together with furthermore product 3A through the binding mechanism 10. The binding device 1 has for that purpose, further means of transport for transporting the remainder product 3A, 3B, 3C from a feed to the processing position at least almost against the underside of the bundle of stems in the binding path for processing of the further product with the binder against the bundle steal. The means of transport transport the product further from the supply along a transport route in which the further product moves from below the load-bearing surface up to the processing position. In this regard, the means of transport and means of movement coordinated with each other to the to move further product in the transport path in a transport direction at least virtually identical to a direction of displacement of the bundle steal in the binding process, indicated by the arrow shown, and for the further product to move in the transport path at a transport speed adjusted to a displacement speed of the bundle stems in the binding path such that that the further product and the bundle steal at least almost simultaneously arrive at processing positions 2C and 8A. This alignment of the direction and speed of the further product with the direction and speed stealing from the bundle prior to tying together ensures a correct binding together of the bundle and the rest of the product because as a result no relative speed differences and positioning differences between the The bundle and the final product exist at the time of binding. As a result, not only the quality of the end product, the bound form of bundle stems and further product, guaranteed, but the binding device is also much less prone to malfunctions and prove malfunctions hardly or not at all occur. It should be clear that the binding device described herein for example is suitable for the automated binding of bundles of stems with a further product, and in particular find an application for the binding together a bundle of flower stems in a bouquet together with a further product such as a food sachet or label with information regarding the flowers in the bouquet. The binding device is generally capable of a binding agent to wrap a product or bundle of products and can be used as be applied in such a way in any desired application. The invention herein is therefore by no means limited to the options and examples discussed here, but is possible in many variations within the scope of the invention as set out in the following conclusions.

Claims

1. Binding device for binding together a bundle of stems, for example a bundle of flower stems from a bouquet, together with a further product, for example a sachet of flower food, comprising; - a binding table with a support surface for carrying the steal bundle; - a binding mechanism for binding a binder, such as a elastic, around the bundle of stems and the rest of the product around a tied together to obtain the shape of the bundle of stems and the further product, - means of transport for at least virtually uninterrupted moving the bundle stealing over at least part of the bearing surface of the binding table of a feed side where the bundle stems are fed to a discharge side where the bundle of stems with further product is discharged in the bundled form, whereby the means of transport are designed to move the bundle of stems along a to move the binding path from an initial position with the bundle stems against the binder to a second position in which the binder around the bundle of stems is wrapped; and - means of transport for transporting the further product from a supply up to a processing position at least virtually against a bottom of the bundle of stems in the binding process for processing of the further product with the binder against the bundle of stems, whereby the means of transport transport the further product from the supply along a transport route in which the further product moves from under the bearing surface up to the processing position, and where the means of transport and means of movement are coordinated with each other to to move the further product in the transport path in a transport direction at least virtually identical to a direction of movement of the bundle stems in the binding process and to the further product in the to move the transport route at a transport speed adjusted to a displacement speed of the bundle stems in the binding path such that the remaining product and the bundle steal at least almost simultaneously arrive at the processing position.

2. Binding device within the meaning of claim 1, characterized as such that it The binding mechanism is designed to a first part of the binder, that at least almost perpendicular to the support surface of the binding table extends between a first end of the first part of the binder below the bearing surface and an opposite further end of the first part of the binder above the bearing surface, to be positioned in the binding path between the inlet and outlet sides of the binding table and around a further part of the binder extending from the first end of the first part to wrap around the bundle of stems and tie to the opposite further end of the first part including steal the bundle in the bound form.

3. Binding device within the meaning of claim 2, characterized in that the means of transport, the means of movement and the binding mechanism on are aligned and configured for wrapping and knotting the second part of the binder when positioning the bundle of stems in the binding process and a positioning of the further product in the processing position.

4. Binding device in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, with the characteristic that the means of transport include a support surface for basing the rest of the product on that.

5. Binding device within the meaning of claim 4, characterized in that the means of transport are equipped with fixing devices for securing the remaining product on the support surface.

6. Binding device within the meaning of claim 5, characterized in that the Fixation devices are adjustable between a first position for holding of the further product that has a first dimension and at least a second stand for holding an alternative further product that a The second dimension is different from the first dimension.

7. Binding device within the meaning of claim 6, characterized in that the fixation devices an object raised relative to the support surface include limitation which limitation is provided to a from the supply on the support surface issued further product or alternative further product to keep on the support surface.

8. Binding device within the meaning of claim 7, characterized as such that it support surface in a position adjacent to the supply means of transport extends from a supply side near the supply to on an opposite boundary side near the boundary, and where The boundary adjustable relative to the support surface is provided. to vary the distance between the boundary and the supply.

9. Binding device within the meaning of claim 8, characterized in that the boundary and the supply movable relative to the support surface are designed to vary the distance between the boundary and the inlet, where the boundary and the supply are interconnected to at a displacement of one of the boundary and the supply a corresponding displacement in the opposite direction into the other of the boundary and the to realize supply.

10. Binding device in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, with the characteristic that the means of transport are designed for a rotational movement around a rotation axis from the feed of the further product to the processing position. 1 1. Binding device in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, with the characteristic that the support surface of the binding table is provided with a pass-through opening for the passage of the further product from underneath the bearing surface to the processing position.

12. Binding device within the meaning of claim 1 1, characterized in that the binding table includes an adjustable seal for the feed-through opening which adjustable seal is adjustable between the pass-through opening sealing position for moving the bundle of stems over the bearing surface of the binding table and a pass-through opening releasing position for transferring the further product to the processing position.

13. Binding device within the meaning of claim 12, characterized in that the Adjustable seal includes a rotatable valve.

14. Binding device in accordance with one or more of claims 12 - 13, with the characteristic that the adjustable seal is designed for an adjustment of the sealing position in the releasing position by a pushing force of the further product during transport of the further product by the means of transport 15. Binding device in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, with the characteristic that processor resources are provided for tuning and organizing the means of transport, the means of movement and the binding mechanism for at least partially automating the binding stealing from a bundle with other product.

16. Binding device within the meaning of claims 15, characterized in that the Processor resources are configured to adapt the means of transport in dependence on a dimension and / or shape of the supplied further product for the automated binding of a bundle of stems with further product.

17. Binding device within the meaning of claims 16, characterized in that the processor resources are coupled to a programmable memory for storage of data relating to at least one of a dimension of the further product, shape of the further product, and dimensions of the bundle to steal.

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