Banding device

Abstract

A device for applying a non-elastic plastic band securely around an article of commerce and its associated packaging includes a substantially automated feed mechanism for extracting the band from a continuous film at a modifiable length and tension. The feed mechanism includes a pair of arcuate guides that assist in directing the band through a first hole in the packaging, across the article, and through a second hole in the packaging so the ends of the band are disposed on the same side of the packaging. A sensor uses machine readable features within the film to detect film positioning within the device. A clamping device retains the ends of the band together in an overlapping relationship. The trailing end of the band is separated from the remainder of the continuous film by a severing mechanism. Thereafter, the ends of the band are then permanently bonded together by a thermal bonding mechanism, thereby securing the band in its closed loop configuration around the article and its packaging.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 154395 filed Apr. 29, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to the retail industry and, more particularly, to devices for securing an article of commerce to its respective packaging.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]In the retail industry, an article of commerce is commonly secured to packaging in order to, inter alia, protect the article during transport, minimize the risk of article theft or tampering, and display the article at the point-of-sale. Packaging used in the retail industry is often constructed out of a thick, paper-based material, such as paperboard, chipboard, cardboard or the like. Various techniques are known in the art for securing an article of commerce to a paper-based packaging material.[0004]For instance, plastic fasteners are often used t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a band that has low elongation properties, making it less susceptible to tampering. The band is clear and visually unobtrusive. The banding device applies the band to the article and its corresponding packaging in a simple and automated fashion. The device has a limited number of parts, is easy to use and is inexpensive to manufacture.

Problems solved by technology

As a result, the elasticity of plastic fasteners can compromise article security.

Most notably, an unscrupulous consumer can stretch the fastener to the extent necessary that the article can be separated from its associated packaging.

Although useful and reliable in securing an article of commerce to its packaging, the use of cable ties in packaging applications has been found to suffer from a notable drawback.

As can be appreciated, the aforementioned manual steps render the overall packaging process time-consuming, labor-intensive, and expensive to implement, which is highly undesirable.

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