Band sealer with adjustable width

Abstract

The curved guide (18) of a band sealer with adjustable band width and the corresponding insert (20) allow the curved guide (18) to be adapted to bands of different widths (19a, b, c). The curved guide (18) mounted on the band sealer has a band guide surface (181) which is limited on a first side (1811) and is not limited on a second side (1812). The insert (20) has a limiting surface (201) which, in the assembled state, intersects with the continuation of the band guide surface (181). The limiting surface (201) is chosen in such a way that, in the assembled state, the distance between the first side (1811) of the band guide surface (181) and the limiting surface (201) is adapted to the width of the desired band. The limiting surface (201) of the insert limits the band guide surface on the second side. In addition to this adaptable curved guide, the band sealer preferably also comprises an adaptable band drive with an at least partially exchangeable band channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sealing machine that can use tapes of different widths, an insert for adapting a bending guide of such sealing machine to different bandwidths, and a bending guide compatible with the insert. Existing technology

[0002] Tape sealing machines are used to package and mark objects, such as food packaging. They place a flexible tape, typically made of printable plastic or paper, around the object, tighten it, seal it, and separate it from the tape supply roll. Sealing is usually done by gluing or welding; ultrasonic welding and thermal welding are particularly suitable sealing methods.

[0003] Strapping machines have a similar effect: using these machines, significantly stiffer and thicker straps are placed around and connected to objects. Their primary purpose is to bundle objects for storage and transport. Strapping is not designed for decorative purposes, but for stability. Strapping is typically narrower, thicker, and less flexible than the strapping used in sealing machines. Furthermore, the strapping is pulled tighter and sealed in a particularly stable manner.

[0004] The sealing machine of this invention should be particularly capable of processing tapes with a thickness of less than 300 μm.

[0005] Strapping machines should be able to operate quickly and handle potentially the thinnest widths of tape. Thin, wide tape provides ample space for labels, protects objects during strapping, and minimizes packaging weight. However, the exact dimensions—the width and thickness of the tape—depend on the object being strapped and the required tape design. Thin, wide, and flexible tape can easily slip into gaps and get stuck in the guides during processing, causing tape blockage.

[0006] In particular, the present invention relates to a curved sealing machine: so that during tightening, the tape is guided around the object in a curved guide before contacting the surface of the object.

[0007] To avoid requiring multiple machines to handle tapes of varying widths, various attempts have been made to adapt sealing machines to different tape widths: DE10026197A1 discloses a strapping machine with a tape stop in the sealing mechanism area that can be adjusted according to the tape width. US4502911 uses a channel in the drive area of ​​the strapping machine, the width of which can be adjusted by screws. However, both of these techniques are only suitable for relatively stiff strapping tapes: the tape used in the sealing machine bends and gets stuck in the gap with the channel, such as the one proposed in US4502911, when pushed laterally by the tape guide to a predetermined position.

[0008] For sealing machines, DE202017004069U1 recommends replacing the bending guide to enable the use of different tapes. A video at https: / / youtu.be / JqqfP-kqeKk showcases the machine "ProbandV1000," demonstrating how additional compatibility was achieved by replacing the guide coil.

[0009] Using these known solutions, strapping machines may be adaptable, but solutions for sealing machines are unsatisfactory because they must operate more slowly to avoid errors, jamming, and tape blockage. When tightening and retracting the tape, the Proband V1000's guide coil is located behind the drive unit, so it cannot interfere with the tape's movement within that unit. Replaceable bending guides are also bulky and a costly component to manufacture.

[0010] The tapes used for edge sealing are wide and thin. As a result, they easily adhere to the inside of the guide channel. Due to their flexibility, they quickly fold under increased local friction, which presses the tape more intensely against the tape channel and further increases friction. The folds overlap until the tape jams and the tape channel becomes blocked. Similarly, lateral interference in the gaps between the tape channels also increases friction.

[0011] Therefore, even small deviations from the optimal tape path can be amplified, and the thinner, more flexible, and faster the tape, the more severe this problem becomes. Summary of the Invention

[0012] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a sealing machine and accessories that allow the sealing machine to adapt to different tapes while operating reliably with a high cycle rate. Adaptability will be achieved with the help of compact and easily manufactured parts.

[0013] According to the present invention, the bending guide of the adjustable bandwidth sealing machine allows for the adaptation of tapes of different widths. The bending guide, mounted on the sealing machine, has a tape guiding surface. The tape guiding surface is restricted on a first side and unrestricted on a second side. By inserting an insert, the bending guide can adapt to tapes of different widths. The arcuate guide mounted on the sealing machine has a clear opening and external dimensions.

[0014] An insert that allows the bending guide to adapt to tapes of different widths has a clear opening that is greater than or equal to the clear opening of the bending guide mounted on the sealing machine. The insert has a limiting surface that, when installed, intersects with an extension of the tape guide surface. The limiting surface is selected such that, in the assembled state, the distance between the first side of the tape guide surface and the limiting surface is suitable for the desired tape width.

[0015] Compared to a full curved guide, an insert is easier to manufacture and more compact. Because the clear opening of the insert is greater than or equal to that of the curved guide, the size of the object to be strapped is not affected by the insert. The insert replaces the constraint typically provided on the second side of the strap guide surface. By restricting the strap guide surface only on one of its long sides, a wider strap can extend beyond the strap guide surface and is thus guided by a strap guide surface that is narrower than the strap itself.

[0016] Surprisingly, a second-side restriction achieved through the limiting surface of the insert or a restriction achieved through the cover can also reliably insert and retain a belt much wider than the belt guide surface. This is especially true when the belt is pressed against the belt guide surface by negative pressure.

[0017] However, if the band tends to twist or slip into the gap between the second side of the band guide surface and the insert during insertion, the insert can be designed in a stepped manner: in this embodiment, the insert extends the band guide surface in the region between the second side of the band guide surface and the limiting surface to fill the gap.

[0018] If the distance between the first side of the guide surface and the limiting surface is only slightly greater than the width of the belt, it is preferably matched to the desired width. This distance is preferably equal to the width of the belt channel in the belt drive of the corresponding belt. Therefore, the spacing is preferably 1 to 1.05 times the bandwidth.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the insert comprises a set of at least two components. The insert has an arc shape and preferably has an opening in at least one straight portion. The outer dimension of the arc is less than or equal to the outer dimension of the curved guide of the belt. The outer dimension of each individual component is less than the net opening of the curved guide.

[0020] This embodiment allows for particularly compact storage of the insert and also allows for insertion from the inside. Therefore, the guide surface can be surrounded by a cover, maintaining its mounting even during insert assembly. This cover can be closed outwards. The guide surface is thus well protected, without needing to consider its suitability in a sealing machine environment. The arc interruption of the insert on the straight segment creates gaps between the insert components during assembly and disassembly without affecting the insert's movement. Preferably, the opening comprises less than 20% of the segment length.

[0021] In another embodiment, the insert consists of a single component that is pushed against the guide surface from below, above, or side. If inserted from above or side, the cover preferably has a corresponding gap. If the insert is pushed in from below, there is preferably a corresponding opening on the surface.

[0022] An insert consisting of one or more components can also be brought directly from the rear to the guide surface and installed there. This type of installation is particularly suitable for embodiments without a cover, where the cover is formed by the insert in the rear wall region, or where the cover is removed to install the insert.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the insert comprises exactly four parts. Each part forms one corner of a generally rectangular arc.

[0024] This embodiment combines convenient assembly, in which the user hardly needs to consider which direction to insert the component into the cover to reliably guide the strap: in fact, the strap especially depends on the corners of the limiting surfaces that are properly aligned and arranged.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, each component of the insert is provided with a first half of the fastening system.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the bending guide for each component of the insert is provided with a second half of the fastening system.

[0027] In particular, the fastening system allows the insert to be attached to and removed from the bending guide without the use of tools.

[0028] The fastening system ensures that the insert and the guide surface maintain the required distance from each other during operation, and that there is no function-related movement. Tool-free fastening allows for convenient and quick adjustments to the sealing machine, even in tool-less locations.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the fastening system is a latching system. Preferably, the first half of the latching system includes a blind hole equipped with a resilient thrust member. The corresponding second half of the latching system includes a pin mounted on a curved guide with a corresponding groove. The first and second halves of the latching system can cooperate with each other.

[0030] Preferably, the second half of the latching system particularly includes a pin having a groove mounted on the curved guide. The corresponding first half of the latching system includes a blind hole formed in a component of the insert and is provided with a resilient thrust member. The first and second halves of the latching system can cooperate with each other.

[0031] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the latching system enables anti-torsional fastening. For this purpose, the front portion of the latching system includes two or more blind holes equipped with resilient thrust members, while the rear portion includes two or more pins, each pin having a groove, which are linearly independent of each other in their respective directions of extension. Alternatively, the blind holes equipped with resilient thrust members are formed in a region of the insert that is not strictly rotationally symmetrical about the direction of expansion of the blind holes, and the grooved pins are attached to the bending guide in a complementary shape region that is also not strictly rotationally symmetrical about the direction of expansion of the pins. These complementary shape regions on the bending guide and the pin components can interact to prevent rotation.

[0032] The pin and blind hole allow for a stable connection that is virtually secure even under vibration, but can be easily released by the user with pressure or traction. The user can feel the locking action, confirming that it is tightened. If the insert uses only a single pin / blind hole combination, the insert may rotate around the bolt under adverse conditions. To prevent this and ensure precise band guidance, a second pin / blind hole combination can be used, or the fastening area can be designed to prevent rotation around the pin through a form fit. In a narrow sense, a rotationally symmetric area is a body of rotation about the pin axis or about the expansion direction of the blind hole. A region that is not strictly rotationally symmetric about the expansion direction of the blind hole is, for example, the cross-section of a square pyramid.

[0033] In one embodiment, each component of the insert has a handle recess.

[0034] This provides an intuitive guide for assembling and disassembling the insert: it indicates the orientation of the insert relative to the curved guide when the user holds the handle recess in their hand.

[0035] Using a recessed handle also has the advantage over a protruding handle, namely that the insert can have a plate-like design, and the components of one or more inserts can be stacked particularly easily and stored in a space-saving manner.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the bending guide includes a cover. The cover surrounds the guide surface and a volume for receiving the insert.

[0037] The cover protects the guide surface from environmental influences and impacts. Simultaneously, the cover can serve as a support structure for the guide surface and / or for positioning inserts. For example, for positioning, the cover can have a notch or track-like structure into which a portion of the insert is inserted. If the cover serves both as a support structure for the guide surface and as a positioning insert, the insert can be positioned with high precision relative to the guide surface.

[0038] In another embodiment, the guide surface is self-supporting and used without a cap. In this embodiment, the insert is specifically mounted directly onto the guide surface or the worktable of the sealing machine.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment of the bending guide, the distance between the first and second sides of the guide surface is adapted to the width of the narrowest band. The insert can be mounted relative to the guide surface such that the distance between the limiting surface and the first side of the guide surface is adapted to the width of a particular desired band. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the distance between the inner wall of the cover and the first side of the guide surface is adapted to the width of the widest band.

[0040] The belt guide surface provides particularly good support and guidance for the belt in the bending guide. Therefore, for reliable guidance, it is advantageous to place the largest possible proportion of the belt on the belt guide surface. However, reliable belt guidance is also facilitated by the restraints on both sides that accommodate the belt width. These two requirements are optimally combined by selecting a belt guide surface that is as wide as the narrowest belt that the sealing machine is adapted to. Using a cap as the restraining surface for the widest strip also has the advantage of not needing to reserve a usable insert for the widest strip.

[0041] According to the present invention, an adjustable-bandwidth sealing machine suitable for binding objects with different straps includes an adjustable strap driver and an adjustable-bandwidth bending guide.

[0042] A belt driver includes a belt channel and at least one drive roller. The drive roller is adapted to drive different belts within the belt channel region. The belt channels are at least partially interchangeable and can be selected to accommodate the width of one of the different belts. Therefore, the belt driver is designed to accommodate different belts.

[0043] Due to the interchangeability of this part, the tape channel is preferably also suitable for tapes of different thicknesses, thus making the sealing tape machine suitable for using tapes of different widths and thicknesses, and preferably thinner than 300μm as binding material.

[0044] This invention therefore guides the belt in the belt channel, and thus at the point where it is accelerated. Since virtually every section of the belt is positioned correctly on its own, guidance errors elsewhere, such as those in curved guidance, can be absorbed and compensated for by the preceding and following sections of the belt: the error does not increase, but is reduced. Furthermore, preferably, the belt channel adapts not only to the width of the belt but also to its thickness. This prevents the belt from wrinkling: the belt has no space to do so.

[0045] Therefore, by adapting the width of the belt channel to the belt thickness, the adaptation of the belt drive is achieved, and by adapting the belt drive, the adaptation of the sealing machine is also achieved.

[0046] The belt channel is preferably designed such that its outer side is substantially the same across all adapting variables, and only the cavity of the belt running inside it adapts to the corresponding belt. The inner cross-section of the cavity is preferably slightly larger than the cross-section of the belt it is intended for, so that the belt is reliably guided without excessive friction against the channel walls.

[0047] For the purposes of this application, interchangeability refers to interchangeability with the user of the machine (i.e., a layperson). In particular, the necessary operations should be able to be performed without or with only a few common tools (e.g., a single socket wrench), and the parts and connection points should be easily accessible and gripped.

[0048] Preferably, the drive roller remains installed and in its operating position while at least partially replacing the belt channel.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment of the sealing machine, the external dimensions of the belt driver and the position of the first longitudinal side of the belt channel relative to the belt driver do not change when adapting to different widths. Adaptation of the belt driver to different widths is achieved by adjusting the position of the second longitudinal side of the belt channel relative to the belt driver. In a particularly preferred embodiment, adaptation of the belt driver to different belt thicknesses is achieved by adjusting the height of the channel cover relative to the belt driver.

[0050] Therefore, in the tape driver according to this embodiment, the first edges of all tapes extend along the first longitudinal side of the tape channel. In the sealing machine, the tape channel of the tape driver guides the tape onto the tape guiding surface of the bending guide. In this embodiment, the tape guiding surface is restricted only on the first side, while the restriction on the second side can be adjusted by an insert. The tape channel and the first side of the tape guiding surface thus provide guiding surfaces for all tapes, regardless of their width, and it is not necessary to change the positioning of the tape driver and the tape guiding surface relative to each other during adjustment. Tapes of any width are guided as much as possible by the good guidance provided by the tape guiding surface for their respective tapes. Therefore, the sealing machine according to this embodiment is particularly reliable and easy to adjust.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment of the sealing machine, the channel sides and top of the channel are provided by side components. All side components in this embodiment are replaceable, while the bottom component remains installed in the sealing machine. The bottom component is equipped with at least one notch and two edge steps extending parallel to the longitudinal axis along the entire length of the channel. The distance between the opposite edges of the at least one notch and one of the edge steps adapts to the width of the narrower band, and the distance between the opposite edges of the two edge steps adapts to the width of the widest band. Preferably, each band has a front component and a rear component, the portions of which forming the channel sidewalls can engage the corresponding notch and associated edge step of the bottom component. The bottom component and side components thus complement each other to form a band channel with an internal cross-section having a width and height suitable for one of the different bands and preferably a band thickness.

[0052] In this preferred embodiment, the adaptation of the channel is thus achieved simply by replacing one or more side components. All side components are positioned relative to the bottom component via edge steps. Because the channel sidewall forming portions of the side components contact the bottom component below the channel bottom, the guided tape is not caught between the bottom and side components and is therefore guided particularly reliably.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment, the drive roller and / or its counter-pressure roller have multiple contact areas. During the belt insertion operation, two distances should be equal. One distance is the distance between the first edge of the belt and the first outer edge of the support area closest to that first edge and resting on the belt. The other distance is the distance between the second edge of the belt and the second outer edge of one of the support areas closest to that second edge and resting on the belt.

[0054] In a particularly preferred embodiment, these distances are the same for all expected band widths.

[0055] In the simplest form of this drive roller, the first support region thus has the width of the narrowest strip minus twice the width of the gap region. This first support region is located at the center of the narrowest strip, separated from the channel sidewall on the first side by the width of the gap region. The second support region's extension and position are determined by the second largest width of one of the adjustable strips: the second outer edge of the second support region is the width of the gap region away from the second edge of the strip. The first outer edge of the second support region is larger than the width of the gap with the second outer edge of the first support region, thus not contacting the narrowest strip. Therefore, in operation, both the first and second support regions rest against the strip with the second largest width. On the first side of the first support region, in this operating state, a free region is reserved, the width of which corresponds to the width of the free region on the second side of the second support region, whereby the strip does not contact the support regions. The other support regions can be similarly sized and positioned.

[0056] The drive rollers constructed in this way drive belts of different widths evenly and thus allow for particularly reliable operation of the sealing machine.

[0057] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the encoder wheel is offset to one side of the channel in such a way that it rests on the narrowest belt across its entire width during operation.

[0058] Because the encoder wheel is designed to minimize its impact on belt movement and is used solely for length measurement, a symmetrical arrangement is not necessary. However, for reliable measurements, full contact with belts of all widths is advantageous. Therefore, an offset arrangement allows for reliable measurements of all belt widths using only one encoder wheel in a fixed position.

[0059] The tape sealing machine according to the invention adapts itself to a tape of desired width, including adapting the tape drive and adapting the bending guide to the desired tape width. Specifically, the tape drive is adapted to the desired tape width by at least partially replacing the tape channel. The bending guide is adapted to the desired tape width by inserting an inserter.

[0060] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the user therefore only needs the corresponding side part with the channel and the corresponding insert to quickly adapt the machine to the required width of the belt without tools.

[0061] In one embodiment, the belt channel has notches through which the drive roller can act on the belt guided within the belt channel.

[0062] Specifically, the input drive roller is located at the entrance of the belt channel and can act on the belt.

[0063] Particularly preferably, the counter-pressure roller is associated with both the drive roller and the input drive roller. In this way, the belt can be clamped between the drive roller and its associated counter-pressure roller, and between the input drive roller and its associated counter-pressure roller, and accelerated and / or decelerated by the driving of the rollers.

[0064] Preferably, the belt driver is equipped with an encoder that measures the length of the belt placed around the object. The encoder detects the movement of the encoder wheel to determine the length of the belt that has been popped out and / or retracted. For this purpose, the encoder determines the number of revolutions of the encoder wheel with a known diameter. Since the belt should not slip over the measuring wheel but should actually be moved, it is preferable that the encoder wheel is assigned a counter-pressure wheel. This reduces slippage and associated measurement errors. Preferably, the belt channel has notches for the encoder wheel and, if necessary, for the counter-pressure wheel. Preferably, the encoder wheel is positioned between the input drive roller and the drive roller.

[0065] If the drive roller drives the belt within the belt channel, it is easier to place the belt on the drive roller: once it enters the channel, it is also correctly positioned relative to the driver. Furthermore, belt guidance is highly precise and unaffected by direction: whether during ejection or retraction and tightening, the belt is guided before and after the application point on the drive roller.

[0066] The input drive roller offers several advantages. Firstly, it facilitates belt threading: if the belt rests against the easily accessible input drive roller, it is pushed precisely and evenly into the channel. The user does not need to manually push the belt further in. Secondly, using two drive rollers—the drive roller and the input drive roller—prevents belt blockage, as the belt is always pushed between them from one side and pulled out from the other. Since the drive roller and the input drive roller are preferably synchronized, belt partially stuck in the belt channel is quickly re-tensioned. Finally, in this way, force transmission is also distributed over a larger area of ​​the belt. Because the belt must be accelerated and decelerated again to achieve a large number of cycles, distributed force transmission protects the belt and, if necessary, its printing.

[0067] The use of counter-pressure rollers also helps protect the belt and improve power transmission: without this, the belt would be pressed against the channel wall and pulled through by the drive rollers. Furthermore, the elastic coating on the counter-pressure rollers can compensate for fluctuations in belt thickness and reduce belt slippage.

[0068] To ensure proper clamping of the drive rollers, as well as the input drive rollers and counter-pressure rollers (if applicable), regardless of the strip thickness, the counter-pressure rollers can be, for example, spring-mounted or equipped with a resilient running surface, for example, those made of rubber. With such a solution, the machine user does not need to make any adjustments to the rollers and their bearings. However, in another embodiment, the counter-pressure rollers are also replaceable. They can then be attached to a replaceable section of the belt channel or replaced independently of the replaceable section of the belt channel, and are adapted in diameter to the strip thickness. Furthermore, the running surface and the material of the strip can be selected to be mutually compatible, minimizing belt slippage on the one hand, and not affecting the strip material and its printing on the other.

[0069] In a preferred embodiment, the channel has a generally rectangular inner cross-section. The inner cross-section preferably has a width corresponding to the width of the band and preferably less than the sum of a width tolerance of 5% of the band width. This width is determined by the channel sidewalls. The inner cross-section preferably has a height corresponding to the thickness of the band and preferably greater than 0.2 mm and less than 10 times the band thickness in height tolerance. This height is determined by the bottom and top of the channel. In this embodiment, the channel sidewalls are uninterrupted along their height.

[0070] The height and width of the channel should allow the belt to be guided safely without rubbing against the channel walls.

[0071] The preferred sealing strip has a width between 25 mm and 100 mm and a thickness between 50 and 250 μm.

[0072] For these bands, it has been found that the band channel width is less than 5% of the corresponding bandwidth, but it is particularly preferred to be about 1 mm wider than the band width.

[0073] Similarly, it has been found that the belt can be guided particularly well if the height of the space in the belt channel is about 0.2 mm greater than the belt thickness. However, if the belt channel is about 10 times higher than the belt thickness, the reliability decreases.

[0074] To prevent the belt from getting stuck on the channel sidewalls or in the gaps, the channel sidewalls are continuous along their height. Therefore, there are no gaps extending in the belt travel direction. On the other hand, in the area of ​​the drive roller or counter-pressure roller, the channel sidewalls may very well, and preferably do not extend to the entire height of the channel, or may even be completely absent. Due to this shortening or absence of the channel sidewalls, wide drive rollers or wide counter-pressure rollers can also be used to drive narrower belts.

[0075] One possibility for creating uninterrupted channel sidewalls in height is to manufacture the channel as a single workpiece.

[0076] In a preferred sealing machine, the channel sidewalls and, preferably, the channel top are formed by one or more side members. The channel bottom is formed by a bottom member. In this case, all side members rest on the bottom member below the channel base plate.

[0077] In another preferred embodiment, the channel sidewalls and preferably the channel bottom are implemented by one or more side members, and a top plate member implements the channel top plate. All side members are adjacent to the top plate member above the channel top plate.

[0078] In another embodiment, the channel sidewalls are implemented by side members, the channel bottom plate is implemented by a bottom member, the channel top plate is implemented by a channel member, and the side members are located above the channel top plate of the top plate member and below the channel floor of the bottom member.

[0079] The belt channel must be manufactured with great precision. A multi-part shape simplifies this. To still achieve uninterrupted channel sidewalls, these walls are attached above and / or below the inner cross-section of the belt channel. For the guided belt, the attachment areas of the side components are therefore inaccessible, and the risk of the belt getting stuck is reduced.

[0080] In one embodiment, the sealing machine includes a housing with a belt insertion opening. A belt drive is arranged within the housing. In operation, the belt is preferably guided from a supply roller or belt reservoir through the belt insertion opening to the belt drive located inside the housing. At least a portion of the belt channel in this embodiment can be replaced by pulling it out through the belt insertion opening and returning it to its operating position.

[0081] Therefore, this embodiment utilizes existing openings in the housing to allow for interchangeability. Consequently, the user has minimal contact with the machine's internal workings, reducing the likelihood of misoperation and increasing user comfort.

[0082] In one embodiment, all actions required to adjust the belt drive can be performed from one side or through the belt insertion opening. In this embodiment, the drive roller and (if applicable) the input drive roller, as well as the drivers of the drive roller and the input drive roller, maintain their operating positions during adjustment. Preferably, the counter-pressure roller of the drive roller is coupled to the drive roller and thus driven synchronously. However, the counter-pressure roller of the input drive roller and / or the counter-pressure wheel of the encoder, which may be present, preferably operate together. Particularly preferably, the coupling of the drive roller and its counter-pressure roller is achieved by gears mounted on the shafts of the drive roller and its counter-pressure roller.

[0083] The advantage of this embodiment is that the driven adjustment is easy to perform and the user does not have to change his position or reach deep into the machine.

[0084] If both the drive roller and the counter-pressure roller are driven synchronously, the belt acceleration will be particularly smooth and precise. Since the belt channel preferably extends in front of and behind the drive roller and preferably mates with the belt on both sides of the drive roller, the drive roller and / or its counter-pressure roller pose an obstacle to interchangeability. A simple and reliable solution is to remove the counter-pressure roller from its operating position for replacement, for example, by removing, lifting, or moving it. A simple method to engage the counter-pressure roller and drive roller in the operating position without tools and adjustments is to equip the two rollers with gears that mesh in the operating position. In this way, the motor can directly drive the drive roller, and if necessary, drive the input drive roller, which in turn can drive its counter-pressure roller. Therefore, all rollers directly driven by the motor can be arranged on one side of the belt channel and remain permanently installed there and connected to the motor during replacement.

[0085] In a preferred embodiment, only a portion of the tape channels are replaceable. Tape drivers that achieve adaptability by replacing only a portion of the tape channels are hereinafter referred to as first-type tape drivers.

[0086] In a preferred embodiment of the first type of channel, the channel sidewalls and channel top are implemented by side components. In this embodiment, all side components are interchangeable, while the bottom component implementing the channel bottom remains installed in the sealing machine.

[0087] In this embodiment, the relative positions of the bottom component and the drive roller are unaffected by adjustments. Users are virtually immune to error, making the first type of belt drive particularly reliable. Furthermore, compared to conventional belt drives, the first type of belt drive requires almost no additional space in the machine. Therefore, those skilled in the art can retrofit existing machines with the first type of belt drive by replacing conventional belt drives.

[0088] In one embodiment of the first type of belt channel, the belt channel is formed by exactly one front component, one rear component, and one bottom component. In this case, the front component completes the belt channel in front of the drive roller in the belt feed direction, while the rear component completes the belt channel behind the drive roller.

[0089] The two-part design of the side components is particularly useful when the counter-pressure roller is assigned to the drive roller: this allows the rear side component to be pushed from behind to the point where the drive roller and the counter-pressure roller are closest to each other, and the front side component to be pushed from the front. Therefore, it is not absolutely necessary to remove the roller. However, if the counter-pressure roller is removed before being pushed in, replacement can be simplified. Since the counter-pressure roller can be simply mounted on its shaft, it can be easily disassembled and replaced. Preferably, the counter-pressure roller is fixed to its shaft to prevent it from slipping. However, this fixing can be designed to be tool-free or releaseable with a simple socket wrench, for example, in the form of a screw with a widened head or as a latching system.

[0090] In one embodiment of the first type of belt channel, the bottom component is provided with multiple pairs of notches. These notches are arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the channel and extend parallel to the longitudinal axis along the entire length of the channel. The opposing edges of each pair of notches are spaced apart by a distance adapting to the width of a corresponding one of the different belts. In this embodiment, each belt has a front side component and a rear side component. Portions of the side components forming the channel sidewalls can engage with corresponding pairs of notches of the bottom component, such that the bottom component, front side component, and rear side component complement each other to form a belt channel with an internal cross-section of width and height adapting to the width and thickness of one of the different belts.

[0091] Therefore, the notches serve two functions: firstly, they ensure that the side components rest against the bottom component below the bottom of the channel; secondly, they guide the side components, thus achieving the necessary precise positioning in a simple manner. If a pair of notches is located at the first and second edges of the bottom component, then this pair of notches represents edge steps.

[0092] In one embodiment of the first type with a channel, the front component is provided with a counter-pressure roller relative to the input drive roller, and preferably with a counter-pressure roller relative to the encoder wheel.

[0093] The encoder is preferably arranged between the input drive roller and the drive roller. Therefore, the channel preferably, and particularly in the region of the front component, also has recesses for the encoder wheel and the counter-pressure roller.

[0094] If the first type of belt channel allows for the simple pushing or placing of the side components without moving or disassembling other parts of the sealing machine, it can be used particularly well. Therefore, directly mounting the passive drive wheel and roller in the appropriate position on the side components is a simple solution. This also has the advantage that the diameters of the counter-pressure roller and counter-pressure roller relative to the input drive roller can be selected to match the desired belt thickness and belt material (if required).

[0095] In the first type of channel embodiment, the front component can be pushed in and pulled out through the belt inlet opening, while the rear component is particularly preferably equipped with a laterally protruding handle by which it can be removed from the bottom component and rearranged laterally to the longitudinal direction of the operating belt channel.

[0096] This makes it particularly convenient to replace side components, reducing the risk of misoperation.

[0097] Preferably, the first type of grooved side component can be secured to the bottom component by a clip that can be removed and attached without tools.

[0098] Although the side components are housed in notches and / or the edge steps of the bottom component to prevent lateral slippage, in this simplest form, the side components are not secured to prevent displacement and lifting in the longitudinal direction of the channel. If there are neither anti-pressure rollers nor anti-pressure pads on the side components, the forces acting on them are quite small. However, securing them helps improve the reliability of the sealing machine. This securing can be achieved using preferred clamps. If both the side and bottom components are equipped with notches or other designs for receiving U-shaped clamps, securing can be achieved particularly reliably by sliding on such clamps. The clamps can also prevent slippage using spring pins or hand-tightening screws.

[0099] Preferably, there are exactly three clamps. The first clamp engages between the input drive roller and the encoder wheel, the second clamps between the encoder wheel and the drive roller, and the third is located on the other side of the drive roller.

[0100] The third clamp in this embodiment is the only clamp for fixing the rear side component.

[0101] In this embodiment, the first and second clamps are located in front of and behind the encoder wheel, allowing the counter-pressure wheel to press the belt against the encoder wheel with the desired pressure.

[0102] In this way, optimal fixation can be achieved with as few simple-shaped clamps as possible to achieve the correct function, thus reducing manufacturing costs and making replacement easy.

[0103] In another embodiment of the sealing machine, the tape channel is replaceable as a whole.

[0104] The type of belt driver that achieves compatibility by simply replacing the entire belt channel is referred to below as the second type of belt driver.

[0105] Because the aisle is not assembled by the user but is a pre-assembled unit, it can be manufactured with greater precision. Furthermore, replacement can be further simplified.

[0106] In a preferred embodiment of the second type of belt drive, the belt channel is formed integrally. The bottom component of the belt channel has a plurality of parallel recesses in the regions of the drive roller and the input drive roller. Preferably, the bottom component has another recess for the encoding wheel.

[0107] In this embodiment, the surfaces of the drive roller and the input drive roller are configured such that, in the operating state, a portion of the surface protrudes through a recess in the bottom member and can contact the belt guided in the belt channel. Preferably, the counter-pressure roller has a substantially unstructured surface.

[0108] A unibody design here refers to a design where the manufacturer provides the components as a single unit and does not intend for the user to disassemble them. However, it may very well be made of different materials and assembled from different parts during its manufacturing process.

[0109] Since the belt channel is replaced as a whole, it is preferable to have a certain degree of inherent stability. To achieve this and also to allow for the largest possible contact between the drive roller or input drive roller and the belt, the use of numerous recesses is particularly suitable. To ensure that the action of the roller is not obstructed by the web separating the recesses from each other, the running surface of the roller itself is preferably structured. On the other hand, it is a good idea to use large recesses at the top of the channel that correspond to the width of the counter-pressure roller: in practical use, it has proven unnecessary to further increase stability, and the size of the recesses simplifies belt insertion and belt channel maintenance.

[0110] In one embodiment, both the bottom and top components are provided with a plurality of parallel recesses located in the region of the drive roller and its counter-pressure roller, and preferably in the region of the input drive roller and its counter-pressure roller. Therefore, the drive roller and its counter-pressure roller, and preferably the input drive roller and its counter-pressure roller, are constructed as such.

[0111] In another embodiment, the top member of the belt channel has multiple recesses and the counter-pressure roller is structured, while the bottom member has only a single wide recess through which the unstructured drive roller can act on the belt.

[0112] The structured roller is in particular composed of multiple parallel grooves extending circumferentially, the width of which is only slightly larger than the web that separates the recessed portion in the bottom or cover component. The plane spanned by one of the grooves is preferably perpendicular to the axis of the roller.

[0113] In a preferred embodiment, the structure of the drive rollers and / or their counter-pressure rollers is determined by support regions suitable for different bandwidths. An exception to the bottom components is also correspondingly chosen in this preferred embodiment.

[0114] In a preferred embodiment of the second type of belt drive, the drive roller, as well as the counter-pressure roller of the input drive roller (if applicable) and the counter-pressure roller of the encoder wheel, are mounted on a lever mechanism. The lever mechanism allows the counter-pressure roller and counter-pressure roller to be slightly raised, and if necessary, the counter-pressure roller allows the belt channel to be pulled out or pushed in, preferably through the belt insertion opening.

[0115] In the second type of belt drive, the entire belt channel is replaceable, and a cage fixed in the machine helps hold the belt channel in the operating position. The belt channel is then inserted into such a cage during replacement. This cage should preferably ensure that the belt channel is correctly positioned relative to the drive roller in the operating position. Furthermore, the cage also supports the input drive roller and encoder wheel. This cage represents a quasi-interface between the active components of the belt drive, equipped with a motor and sensors and thus connected to the power supply and control system, and the replaceable, preferably passive components.

[0116] The drive roller accelerates and brakes the belt by pressing it against resistance. This is preferably a counter-pressure roller, but it can also be the wall of the belt channel.

[0117] If the counter-pressure roller and possibly the counter-pressure wheel are connected to the belt channel, or if the belt channel itself is used as the counter-pressure surface, the cage should preferably press the belt channel onto the drive roller so that it can perform this counter-pressure function.

[0118] Alternatively, the cage can also hold the counter-pressure roller and counter-pressure wheel (if needed), and the belt channel can be used solely for guiding the belt. Since the belt channel is higher than the belt thickness, and therefore also higher than the distance between the counter-pressure roller and the drive roller in operation, the distance between the rollers can preferably be increased to accommodate the insertion of the belt channel. A preferred lever mechanism allows the counter-pressure roller to be easily lifted with only one hand, and the counter-pressure wheel can also be easily lifted if needed. This allows the user to push in or pull out the belt channel with their second hand.

[0119] In a particularly preferred embodiment, if the lever mechanism is preloaded, the counter-pressure roller and counter-pressure wheel (if applicable) can press against the drive roller, input drive roller (if applicable), and encoder wheel with the required force when the lever is not activated. Therefore, this part of the drive automatically adjusts the belt thickness.

[0120] In a preferred embodiment of the second type with a driver, the belt channel is secured in its operating position with a clamp that can be disassembled and connected without tools.

[0121] Particularly preferably, it is secured with a single clamp.

[0122] Using a single clamp, preferably U-shaped and pushed directly behind the cage into the tape channel, and secured there with screws or preload pins, prevents the tape channel from sliding out of the sealing machine in the direction opposite to the tape feed direction. Gravity is typically used to prevent excessive sliding. However, the tape channel can also preferably be equipped with a stop that prevents it from being pushed in too far by contacting the cage.

[0123] In a preferred embodiment, the lever mechanism of the cage has a pin that engages in a corresponding recess at the edge of the belt channel and secures the belt channel in this way to prevent slippage.

[0124] In a preferred embodiment, the first type of belt drive is provided with a lever mechanism that raises the pressure surface or counter-pressure roller and the counter-pressure wheel relative to the bottom component (if needed), and allows one or more side components to be inserted, and then the side components are fixed relative to the bottom component.

[0125] In a preferred embodiment of the second type of belt drive, one of its channel sidewalls, channel top, and channel bottom are substantially interrupted in the region of the drive roller, so that the belt channel can be inserted laterally into the cage.

[0126] Further advantageous embodiments and combinations of features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. Attached Figure Description

[0127] The accompanying drawings, used to explain the embodiments, show:

[0128] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a sealing machine

[0129] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of structure with driver

[0130] Figure 3 Front view of a curved guide with a four-part insert.

[0131] Figure 4a: A cross-sectional view of a curved guide with two latching systems in the second half, viewed perpendicular to the guide surface.

[0132] Figure 4b :according to Figure 4a The bending guide is also inserted into the widest tape that the sealing machine can accommodate.

[0133] Figure 4c :according to Figure 4a The bending guide, which also includes multiple inserts, allows the sealing machine to adapt to the medium-width tape, which is also shown.

[0134] Figure 4d :according to Figure 4a The bending guide also uses a multi-part insert to allow the sealing machine to adapt to the narrowest tape, which is also shown.

[0135] Figure 5a b: According to the component insertion during the insertion of the insert. Figure 3 The bending guide.

[0136] Figure 6 Detailed view of the latch connection.

[0137] Figure 7 : A belt drive roller with a supporting surface and its position on the widest and narrowest belts.

[0138] Figure 8 : A first type of belt drive for a sealing machine, wherein the position of the first longitudinal side of the belt channel is the same for all belt widths.

[0139] Figure 9a b, c: According to Figure 8 The first type of side component with driver for narrow band

[0140] Figure 10a b, c: According to Figure 8 The first type of side component with driver for broadband shown

[0141] Figure 11a b: According to Figure 8 The first type of bottom component with drive

[0142] Figure 12a b: According to Figure 8 The first type of band-driven band channel cross-section for narrowband and broadband applications.

[0143] Figure 13 Type 1 with driver

[0144] Figure 14a b, c: According to Figure 13The first type of side component with driver for narrow band

[0145] Figure 15a b, c: According to Figure 13 The first type of side component with driver for broadband

[0146] Figure 16a b: According to Figure 13 The first type of bottom component with drive

[0147] Figure 17a b: According to Figure 13 The first type of cross-section of a band channel with a driver for narrowband and broadband applications.

[0148] Figure 18 : Sealing machine with driver of type II

[0149] Figure 19a Type II support with driver

[0150] Figure 19b Type II with driver and channel

[0151] Figure 20a b: Second type of band channel cross section with driver for narrowband and broadband.

[0152] Basically, the same parts are given the same reference numerals in the figure. Specific Implementation

[0153] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a sealing machine 1 with a bending guide 18 is shown, through which a tape 100 is placed around an object 105. The bending guide 18 is mounted on a housing 102. A tape driver 2 is located in the housing 102, by which the tape 100 is injected into the bending guide 18. The tape 100 is ejected to the point of final overlap with itself. The beginning of the tape remains in this overlap area, which is located below the object 105 in the schematic diagram. The tape driver 2 then moves backward, pulling the tape back and tightening it. As it does so, the tape leaves the bending guide 18 and wraps around the object 105. Once the desired length or tension is reached, the tape 100 is attached to itself, for example, by an ultrasonic welding process. The tape 100 is cut, and the tape 100 in the tape driver 2 is re-fed into the bending guide 1004 for use in securing the next object. The tape 100 is removed from the supply roller 101 and guided through the tape insertion opening 103 into the tape driver 2 inside the housing 102.

[0154] The belt drive 2 includes, on one hand, a belt channel 3 that guides the belt 100, and on the other hand, a drive roller 4a that accelerates the belt 100. Typically, the feeding and retraction of the belt 100 are performed with the aid of the same drive roller 4a. However, two rollers may also be used, each of which can be driven in one direction and run freely in the opposite direction.

[0155] Figure 2 A schematic structure of the belt drive 2 is shown. Here, the belt channel 3 consists of two parts: a front section 3b and a rear section 3a. The belt 100 runs in this belt channel 3. A drive roller 4a is disposed between the front section 3b and the rear section 3a of the belt channel 3. In the example shown, the drive roller 4a presses the belt against the counter-pressure roller 4b. The drive roller 4a and the counter-pressure roller 4b each run on a shaft that also carries gears 40a and 40b. The gears 40a and 40b mesh with each other in operation. The drive roller 4a is driven by a motor (not shown). The counter-pressure roller 4b is connected to the drive roller 4a via gears 40a and 40b and is therefore also driven. The belt 100 is sandwiched between the two rollers and can therefore be accelerated. It has proven advantageous to manufacture the drive roller 4a in aluminum and to coat the counter-pressure roller 4b with rubber. In this way, good power transmission to the belt 100 can be achieved, and the machine can be easily maintained.

[0156] To simplify the threading of belt 100 at the start of operation and reduce the risk of belt blockage in belt channel 3, the belt drive may have an input drive roller 5a. This can be driven by the same motor as drive roller 4a. Here, belt 100 is also pressed on by means of counter-pressure roller 5b. The combination of the driven aluminum roller as input drive roller 5a and the rubber-made counter-pressure roller 5b has also proven successful here. Although in principle the counter-pressure roller 5b and input drive roller 5a can be connected, this is not done here.

[0157] To determine the lengths of the belt popping out and retracting, encoder wheel 6a is used in the example shown. For reliable measurement, there should be as little slippage as possible between the belt 100 and encoder wheel 6a. This is achieved by using counter-pressure wheel 6b.

[0158] exist Figure 2 In the example, the belt channel 3 is interrupted in the area of ​​the drive roller 4a and does not begin again until after the input drive roller 5a. For the encoder roller 6a and the counter-pressure roller 6b, the belt channel 3 has recesses in the bottom and top components.

[0159] Figure 3A curved guide 18 with an insert 20 is shown from the front. The insert 20 consists of four parts 202a, 202b, 202c, and 202d. The curved guide 18 includes a cover 182 and a belt guide surface 181. The curved guide 18 is part of a sealing machine that also includes a table 104. During sealing, the goods to be sealed are placed on the table 104, and the belt guide surface 181 guides the belt around the goods. The surface of the table 104 is therefore directly above the belt guide surface 181 and defines a clear opening 180a for the curved guide 18. Otherwise, in the example shown, the cover 182 defines the clear opening 180a.

[0160] The insert 20 is arranged to provide a limiting surface 201 for the guide surface 181. The limiting surface 201 is interrupted by a few short distances in the straight portion to facilitate insertion of the insert.

[0161] Each component 202a, b, c, and d of the insert is provided with a handle recess 203. These handle recesses 203 are located outside the clear opening 180a of the curved guide but inside the clear opening with the guide surface. Therefore, they can be gripped by the user without restricting the size of the goods to be bundled.

[0162] Figure 4a A sectional view shows a curved guide with a second half 302 having two latching systems 30. The viewing direction is perpendicular to the belt guide surface 181. In this view, the belt guide surface 181 appears to extend into an elongated rectangle. The belt guide surface 181 is constrained on a first side 1811, for example, by a plate. This constraint prevents the belt from slipping off the belt guide surface 181 beyond the first side 1811. On the second side 1812, the belt guide surface is unconstrained, thus allowing the belt to hang there.

[0163] The guide surface 181 shown is Figure 3 A portion of the arc shown is continuous above and below, protruding from the image plane. A guide surface 181 is surrounded by a cover 182. The cover 182 opens into the interior of the curved guide 18. Two second halves 302 of the latching system are mounted on the inner surface of the outer side of the cover 182.

[0164] The upper portion of the latching system 302 includes two pins 3021 mounted parallel to each other on the inner surface of the outer side of the cover 182. The two pins 3021 extend vertically from this inner surface. Therefore, in the view shown, they are displayed as circles.

[0165] The lower portion of the latching system 302 includes a pin 3021 mounted on a region 3023 of the curved guide, which is not strictly rotationally symmetrical. In this case, region 3023 is shaped as part of a square pyramid. The pin 3021 has a groove 3022. The pin 3021 extends parallel to the inner surface of the outer surface of the cover 182.

[0166] The second half of the latching system 302 shown here is an example of an anti-rotation fastening system.

[0167] Figure 4b c and d show how bands of different widths 19a, b and c work. Figure 4a It is guided in the curved guide shown.

[0168] Figure 4b The image shows the widest possible tape 19c that can be processed by the sealing machine shown. Tape 19c is shown in shadow but transparent: it is guided at its first edge by a restricted first side 1811 of the tape guide surface and at its second edge by a cap 182 to prevent slippage. The curved guide 18 is similar to... Figure 4a As shown.

[0169] Figure 4c The example shown depicts a band 19b with a medium width. To securely guide the band 19b, a multi-part insert 20 is used in the illustrated example: the upper part 202b uses an upper latching system 30, and the lower part 202a uses a lower latching system 30. Parts 202a and 202b of the insert 20 have steps: a surface continues the band guiding surface 181, and a surface perpendicular to this surface represents the limiting surface 201. The distance between the limiting surface 1811 at the first side 1811 of the band guiding surface and the limiting surface 201 is adapted to the width of the band 19b. Therefore, the band 19b will not slip or kink in any direction.

[0170] Figure 4d The narrowest possible band 19a for use with the illustrated bending guide is shown. To safely guide the band 19b, multiple inserts 20 are also used in the illustrated example: the upper part 202b uses an upper latching system 30, and the lower part 202a uses a lower latching system 30. The parts 202a and 202b of the inserts 20 are essentially plate-shaped and protrude sufficiently into the bending guide to restrict the band guiding surface 181 on its second side 1812, thus forming a restricting surface 201. The distance between the restriction at the first side 1811 of the band guiding surface and the restricting surface 201 is adapted to the width of the band 19a and corresponds exactly to the width of the band guiding surface 181. Therefore, the band 19a will not slip or kink in any direction.

[0171] Figure 5a and 5b It shows that according to Figure 3 How is insert 20 inserted into curved guide 18? Figure 5a In this configuration, two lower parts 202a and 202d are inserted: they are inserted into the cover 182 from the inside and can then slide down along the inner surface of the outer side onto the second half 302 of the latching system 30, thereby being secured to prevent rotation. For this purpose, the two lower parts 202a and 202d are equipped with the first half 301 of the latching system 30 (not visible in this figure). Figure 5a The situation before engagement is shown, so parts 202a and 202d are still above their operating positions, thus limiting the belt guide surface 181 only for a short distance.

[0172] Figure 5b The insertion of upper components 202c and 202a is shown. Component 202c is shown twice in the figure: on one hand, it is already in its operating position and secured to the cover 182 with guides by the upper latching system 30. On the other hand, it is drawn within the clear opening 180a of the curved guide 18: the external dimension 2020b of component 202c of the insert 20 is smaller than the clear opening 180a of the curved guide 18, such that component 202c, and other parts of the insert, can be easily brought from the inside to the inner surface of the outer side of the cover 182 and secured there. In this example, the design of the latching system 30 for securing the upper components 202b and 2020c differs from the latching system of the lower components 202a and 202d: it includes two pins projecting vertically from the inner surface of the outer side of the cover 182, on which the upper components 202b and 2020c are pushed.

[0173] Figure 6 The latching system 30 is shown in detail, according to Figure 3 and 5a In embodiments b, lower components 202a and 202d are secured to the cover 182 by the latching system. The attachment of the cover 182 with guide 18 is cubic in shape and merges at its upper end into region 3023, the shape of which corresponds to the cross-section of a square pyramid. A pin 3021 is mounted on this region 3023. A groove 3022 is provided on the pin 3021. The strictly non-rotationally symmetric region 3023 and the pin 3021 with groove 3022 constitute the second half 302 of the latching system 30. The second half 302 of the latching system 30 is attached to the curved guide 18.

[0174] The corresponding first half 301 of the latching system 30 is formed in the fastening member 202a of the insert 20. It is a blind hole 3011 provided with an elastic thrust member 3012. The blind hole 3011 is formed in region 3013 of the member 20's member 20, and its shape is complementary to region 3023 of the second half 302 of the latching system.

[0175] When the two halves of the latching system 30 are engaged, the tip of the resilient thrust member 3012 rests in the groove 3022, thus preventing relative movement in the expansion directions of the blind hole 3011 and the pin 3012, together with the mutually resting regions 3013 and 3023. The interaction between the blind hole 3011 and the pin 3012 prevents relative translational movement perpendicular to the expansion directions of the blind hole 3011 and the pin 3012. Finally, the complementary shaped portions 3013 and 3023 also prevent relative rotational movement about the expansion directions of the blind hole 3011 and the pin 3012. Therefore, component 202a is securely and non-rotatably fastened by a snap-fit ​​connection without the need for tools to establish or disconnect the connection.

[0176] exist Figure 6 In the diagram, the area that can be used as a component 202a to limit surface 201 is also indicated by a shaded line. Figure 6 The plate-shaped component 202a of the insert 20 is shown, which does not continue the guide surface but only restricts it. In an embodiment where the guide surface continues in component 202a, a step is located in the shaded area, one side of the step continues the guide surface, while the other side restricts the guide surface and thus forms a restrictive surface 201.

[0177] Figure 7 A counter-pressure roller 4b with a drive roller and support surfaces 41a and 41b is shown. A counter-pressure roller 6a with an encoder wheel is also shown. Figure 7 The design and layout are illustrated using the narrowest band 19a and the wider band 19b that the sealing machine can handle as examples. Figure 7 The arrangement shown is preferably used in embodiments where the position of the first edge of the belt is the same relative to the belt drive for all widths of belt. In this case, compared with the following... Figure 13 to 1 Unlike item 7, the belt does not run at the center of the belt drive, but rather along the first side of the belt drive.

[0178] In this embodiment, the encoder wheel and its counter-pressure roller 6a are positioned near the first edge of the belt or the first side of the belt drive, such that they remain in full contact even with the narrowest part of the belt 19a. This means that the encoder wheel and its counter-pressure roller 6a are within the range where they are in full contact with the width of each possible belt, thus providing reliable measurements.

[0179] The belt drive roller should be able to act as symmetrically as possible on each possible belt to ensure uniform and symmetrical insertion. This requirement can be achieved by the belt drive roller and / or the counter-pressure roller 4b of the belt drive roller with support surfaces 41a and 41b. In fact, it has been found that if only the edges of the belt accelerate uniformly, the interruption of contact with the belt drive roller 4a at the center of the belt has almost no effect on the uniformity of insertion. Therefore, the support surface 41a is sized such that the distance 42a between the first edge of the belt and the first side of the first support surface 41a, i.e., the width of the free surface on the first side, is equal to the distance 42b between the second edge of the belt and the second side of the support surface that is closest to the second edge of the belt and travels on the belt, i.e., the width of the free surface on the second side. The support surface closest to the second edge of the belt and extending on the belt is support surface 41a when the belt is narrowest 19a and support surface 41b when the belt is wider 19b.

[0180] Figure 8 A belt channel 3 of a first type of belt driver is shown, in which belts of different widths are guided in such a way that the first edge is located in the same position within the belt driver for all belt widths. Front and rear components 8a and 8b form the top and sidewalls of the channel. The bottom of the channel is formed by a bottom component 7. The belt channel 3 has recesses in the areas of the drive roller and its counter-pressure roller (neither shown), both located in the bottom and top of the channel. At this point, the front component 8a and the rear component 8b are adjacent to each other. The side components 8a and 8b near the drive roller are flattened to guide the belt as far as possible into the space between the two rollers.

[0181] On the front component 8a, the encoder wheel's counter-pressure roller 6b is mounted in a recess in the channel cover. The counter-pressure roller 6b is slightly offset towards the first side so that it rests fully against even the narrowest part of the belt. At the front end of the front component 8a, a counter-pressure roller 5b is also mounted to the input drive roller 5a. The counter-pressure roller 5b is a rubber roller configured to have as many parallel support surfaces as the belt width of the sealing machine. Two support surfaces are shown here, separated by a groove.

[0182] There is a laterally protruding handle 80 on the rear part 8b.

[0183] Side components 8a and 8b are held on bottom component 7 by three clamps 11a, 11b and 11c. The clamps 11a, 11b and 11c are designed in a U-shape and slide laterally into the grooves on the top of side components 8a and 8b and the guides of bottom component 7, and are secured by manually tightenable screws.

[0184] To adapt the first type of belt driver to the width and thickness of the belt, first loosen the fixing screws of clamps 11a, 11b, and 11c and pull the clamps down. The front part 8a can then be pulled forward through the belt insertion opening. At the handle 80, the rear part 8b can then be slightly lifted and pulled out from the side. The side parts 8a and 8b, suitable for the belt, are then inserted in reverse order and secured with the aid of clamps 11a, 11b, and 11c.

[0185] Figure 9a b and c show according to Figure 8 The belt driver is used for the side components of the narrow belt. Figure 9a The front component 8a is shown from below. The counter-pressure roller 5b is mounted at the front end. Adjacent to this is the generally flat bottom side of the side component 8a. The bottom side has a rectangular shape, its width corresponding to the width of the bottom component 7 and its length corresponding to the distance between the input drive roller 5a and the drive roller. The bottom side extends slightly to the left and right of the position where the counter-pressure roller of the drive roller will engage. The front component 8a has a recess in which the counter-pressure roller 6b is mounted.

[0186] The structure of the flat surface on the bottom side is as follows: a first protrusion with a first height extends along the outer long edge. The first height corresponds to the height of the desired inner cross-section with the channel. Adjacent to the first protrusion on the inner side and extending along the entire length is a second protrusion with a second height. This combination of the first and second protrusions interacts with corresponding edge steps (10c1, 10c2).

[0187] Parallel to these second protrusions and extending along the entire length is a third protrusion, which is the second channel sidewall forming portion 9. It also has a second height. The third and second protrusions on the first side of the side member constitute the channel sidewall forming portion 9. The distance between them is equal to the width of the required inner cross-section of the channel. The portion of the bottom flat surface between the two portions 9 forming the channel sidewall forms the channel top plate in the assembled state.

[0188] The second height and width of the protrusion are chosen in such a way that they can engage in the corresponding recess 10d and edge steps 10c1, 10c2 of the bottom part 7, and in particular, in such a way that the first protrusion can rest against the bottom part 7.

[0189] Figure 9b It shows Figure 9aThe rear side member 8b of the front side member 8a is also shown. The bottom side is also shown. This bottom side is also a generally flat surface with first, second, and third protrusions, which correspond in arrangement, height, and width to the front side member 8a. The bottom side of the rear side member 8b is also generally rectangular, with its width corresponding to the width of the bottom member 7 and its length corresponding to the distance between the drive roller and the rear end of the bottom member 7. On the side facing the drive roller, the rear side member 8b extends further in the central region such that when the rear side member 8b and the front side member 8a are arranged in their operating positions on the bottom member 7, a portion of the rear side member 8b is left and right-side-surrounded by a portion of the front side member 8a, and a recess is left between the two side members 8a, 8b, in which the counter-pressure roller can engage with the drive roller.

[0190] Figure 9c It shows crossing according to Figure 9a The cross-section of side component 8, or 9b, shows a first, second, and third downward-pointing protrusion attached to a rectangular basic shape. The first protrusion is on the left and right outer sides and has a first height, which is less than the second height of the second and third protrusions. The second protrusion is arranged directly adjacent to the first protrusion. The third and second protrusions on the first side represent the channel sidewall forming portion 9 of side component 8.

[0191] Figure 10a To c shows according to Figure 8 Side components 8 with drivers for broadband applications. They are similar to... Figure 9a At point c, except for the absence of a third protrusion, the second protrusion represents the channel sidewall forming portion 9 of the side component 8. The opposite sides of the portions 9 forming the channel sidewall are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the required width of the channel's internal cross-section. This width is significantly greater than according to... Figure 9a Regarding the side components of C.

[0192] To match the height of the inner cross-section of the strip channel, the height of the protrusion is selected accordingly. This ensures that the clamps and potentially other fastening elements do not need to be replaced when adapting to the strip thickness. Figure 9c and 10c The basic rectangular shape shown can be adjusted in such a way that the sum of the heights of the first protrusions is the same as the height of the basic shape of all the side components.

[0193] Figure 11a and b showed according to Figure 8 The bottom component 7 with a driver. Figure 11aA top view of the bottom component 7 is shown. The bottom component 7 also has a generally flat rectangular shape. In this embodiment, an input drive roller 5a is mounted at the front end. The encoder wheel and the drive roller also have recesses. The plane of the bottom component 7 is provided with two edge steps 10c1 and 10c2 and a notch 10d extending along its entire length. Edge step 10c1 extends along a first side of the bottom component 7. Edge step 10c1 extends along a second side of the bottom component 7. The distance between the inner side of the edge step 10c1 and the first side of the bottom component 7 to the side facing the notch 10d corresponds to the width of the inner cross-section of the band channel required for a specific bandwidth. Figure 9a -c, the notch 10d can accommodate the third protrusion of the side component, and the edge steps 10c1, 10c2 can accommodate according to Figure 9a The first and second protrusions of the side components of -c and 10a-c.

[0194] Figure 11b It shows crossing according to Figure 11a The cross-section of the bottom part 7 having a notch 10d and two edge steps 10c1 and 10c2.

[0195] Figure 12a and 12b It shows that once used, when according to Figure 9a -c side component 8 for narrowband and according to Figure 10a The cross-section of the belt channel for the side component 8 used for wide bands (-c): Due to the notch 10d and the edge steps 10c1, 10c2 and protrusion 9, the transition between the bottom component and the side component is always below the bottom of the channel. This means that the guided belt will not run along the gap between the two components and will hardly get stuck. The edge steps 10c1, 10c2 and protrusion 9 also correctly align with the belt channel, thus achieving the necessary accuracy on the order of 0.1 mm without measurement and adjustment when changing the side component 8. If needed, more notches and corresponding side components can be designed similarly to the example shown. Adaptation to different belt thicknesses is achieved by appropriately selecting the height of the protrusion.

[0196] Figure 13 A belt channel 3 of a first type of belt driver is shown, in which belts of different widths are guided in a centered manner. Front and rear components 8a and 8b form the top and sidewalls of the channel. The bottom of the channel is formed by a bottom component 7. The belt channel 3 has recesses in the area of ​​the drive roller and its counter-pressure roller, neither of which is shown, and both are located in the bottom and top of the channel. At this point, the front component 8a and the rear component 8b are adjacent to each other. The side components 8a and 8b near the drive roller are flattened to guide the belt as far as possible into the space between the two rollers.

[0197] At the front component 8a, the counter-pressure roller 6b of the encoder wheel is installed in the recess of the channel cover. At the front end of the front component 8a, a counter-pressure roller 5b for the input drive roller 5a is also installed. The counter-pressure roller 5b is a rubber roller configured to have two parallel running surfaces separated by a centrally extending groove.

[0198] A laterally protruding handle 80 is located on the rear part 8b.

[0199] Side components 8a and 8b are held on bottom component 7 by three clamps 11a, 11b and 11c. The clamps 11a, 11b and 11c are designed in a U-shape and slide laterally into the grooves on the top of side components 8a and 8b and the guides of bottom component 7, and are secured by manually tightenable screws.

[0200] To adapt the first type of belt driver to the width and thickness of the belt, first loosen the fixing screws of clamps 11a, 11b, and 11c and pull down the clamps. The front part 8a can then be pulled forward through the belt insertion opening. At the handle 80, the rear part 8b can then be slightly lifted and pulled out from the side. The side parts 8a and 8b, suitable for the belt, are then inserted in reverse order and secured by clamps 11a, 11b, and 11c.

[0201] Figure 14a b and c show according to Figure 13 Side components of the narrowband driver. Figure 14a The front component 8a is shown from below. A counter-pressure roller 5b is mounted at the front end. Adjacent to this is the generally flat bottom side of the side component 8a. The bottom side has a rectangular shape, its width corresponding to the width of the bottom component 7 and its length corresponding to the distance between the input drive roller 5a and the drive roller. The bottom surface extends slightly to the left and right of the position where the counter-pressure roller of the drive roller will engage. The front component 8a has a recess in which the counter-pressure roller 6b is mounted.

[0202] The structure of the flat bottom surface is as follows: a first protrusion with a first height extends along the outer long edge. The first height corresponds to the height of the desired inner cross-section of the channel. Adjacent to the first protrusion on the inner side and extending along the entire length is a second protrusion with a second height. Parallel to these second protrusions and extending along the entire length are third protrusions forming the channel sidewall portion 9. They have a third height. The opposite sides of the portions 9 forming the channel sidewalls are spaced apart by a distance equal to the width of the desired inner cross-section of the channel. The portion of the flat bottom surface between the two portions 9 forming the channel sidewalls forms the channel top plate in the assembled state.

[0203] The second and third protrusions are selected in such a way that they can engage with the corresponding recesses in the bottom part 7, and in particular, in such a way that the first protrusion can rest on the bottom part 7.

[0204] Figure 14b It shows that it belongs to Figure 14a The rear side member 8b of the front side member 8a is also shown. The bottom side is also shown. This bottom side is also a generally flat surface with first, second, and third protrusions, which correspond in arrangement, height, and width to the front side member 8a. The bottom side of the rear side member 8b is also generally rectangular, with its width corresponding to the width of the bottom member 7 and its length corresponding to the distance between the drive roller and the rear end of the bottom member 7. On the side facing the drive roller, the rear side member 8b extends further in the central region such that when the rear side member 8b and the front side member 8a are arranged in their operating positions on the bottom member 7, a portion of the rear side member 8b is left and right-side-surrounded by a portion of the front side member 8a, and a recess is left between the two side members 8a, 8b, in which the counter-pressure roller can engage with the drive roller.

[0205] Figure 14c It shows that by according to Figure 14a The cross-section of side component 8, or one of 14b, shows a first, second, and third downward-pointing protrusion attached to a rectangular basic shape. The first protrusion is on the left and right outer sides and has a first height, which is less than the second and third heights of the second and third protrusions. The second protrusion is arranged directly adjacent to the first protrusion. The third protrusion represents the portion 9 forming the channel sidewall of side component 8.

[0206] Figure 15a To c shows according to Figure 13 Side components 8 with drivers for broadband applications. They are similar to... Figure 4a To c, except for the absence of a third protrusion, but the second protrusion represents portion 9 forming the channel sidewall of side component 8. The opposite sides of portions 9 forming the channel sidewall are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the required width of the channel's internal cross-section. The width is significantly greater than according to... Figure 14a Regarding the side components of C.

[0207] To accommodate the height of the inner cross-section of the channel, the height of the protrusion is selected accordingly. This ensures that the clamps and potentially other fastening components are not replaced when adapting to the thickness of the strip. Figure 14c and 15c The basic rectangular shape shown can be adjusted in such a way that the sum of the heights of the first protrusions is the same as the height of the basic shape of all the side components.

[0208] Figure 16a and b showed according to Figure 13The bottom component 7 with a driver. Figure 16a The image shows a top view of the bottom component 7. The bottom component 7 also has a generally flat rectangular shape. In this embodiment, an input drive roller 5b is mounted at the front end. The encoder wheel and drive roller also have recesses. The plane of the bottom component 7 has two pairs of recesses 10a and 10b, which are arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bottom component 7 and extend along its entire length. The distance between the inner sides of each pair of recesses 10a or 10b corresponds to the width of the inner cross-section of the band channel required for a given bandwidth. A pair of recesses 10b can accommodate... Figure 14a -c The side member of the channel sidewall forms portion 9, and a pair of recesses 10a can accommodate according to Figure 15a -c side component channel sidewall forming part 9.

[0209] Figure 16b It shows crossing according to Figure 16a The cross-section of the bottom component 7 having two pairs of notches 10a and 10b.

[0210] Figure 17a and 17b It shows that once used according to Figure 14a -c side component 8 for narrowband and according to Figure 15a The side component 8 for the wideband (-c) passes through the cross-section of the belt channel: due to the notches and protrusions, the transition between the bottom and side components is always below the bottom of the channel. This means the guided belt will not run along the gaps between the components and will hardly get stuck. The notches and protrusions also correctly align with the belt channel, thus achieving the necessary accuracy on the order of 0.1 mm when changing side components without measurement and adjustment. If needed, more notches and corresponding side components can be designed similarly to the example shown. Adaptation to different belt thicknesses is achieved by appropriately selecting the height of the protrusions.

[0211] Figure 18 This shows a sealing machine with a second type and a driver. (As already shown...) Figure 1 As described, this sealing machine also has a bending guide 18 in which the tape 100 can be guided around an object not shown. Figure 18 A sealing unit 106 is also shown, in which the starting end of the belt is held after the belt is inserted and sealed after the belt 100 has been withdrawn.

[0212] In the case of the second type of belt drive, the entire belt channel is replaced to adapt the sealing machine to the required belt thickness and / or width. To make this possible, the sealing machine shown has a cage 12 that holds the belt channel on one side and the drive roller 4a, its counter-pressure roller 4b, and the input drive roller 5a and its counter-pressure roller 5b on the other. The drive roller 4a and the input drive roller 5a are connected to the motor that drives them via a belt. The drive roller 4a and its counter-pressure roller 4b are connected by gears. The gear 40b of the counter-pressure roller 4b is... Figure 18 As can be seen in the text.

[0213] The two counter-pressure rollers 4b and 5b are movably mounted relative to the drive rollers 4a and 5a via a lever mechanism and can therefore be lifted.

[0214] exist Figure 18 The belt channel is almost invisible because it is largely hidden by the retainer 12. However, a clip 11 is visible, which is attached to the belt channel above the retainer 12 and prevents the belt channel from sliding down through the belt insertion opening 103.

[0215] Figure 19a The cage 12 is shown removed in a top-down oblique view. In this view, the textured drive roller 4a and the counter-pressure roller 4b are visible at the rear end of the cage, while the textured input drive roller 5a and its counter-pressure roller 5b are visible at the front end. A lever is mounted on a shaft between the two counter-pressure rollers. On the same axis, a support for the counter-pressure roller 4b of the drive roller is also supported, so that the lever is raised when it is pressed down from its rest position. When the lever is pressed, the lever itself presses against a shoulder belonging to a rocker arm, the other end of which supports the counter-pressure roller 5b of the input drive roller 5a. Pressing the lever pushes the shoulder downwards, thereby pushing the counter-pressure roller 5b of the input drive roller 5a upwards. Thus, the lever pressure raises both counter-pressure rollers 4b and 5b, creating space for the insertion or withdrawal of the tape channel.

[0216] The cage can also support the encoder wheel and its counter-pressure wheel. Preferably, the counter-pressure wheel is also attached to the lever mechanism in such a way that it is lifted by the pressure of the lever to allow the belt channel to be pushed in or pulled out.

[0217] The two drive rollers 4a and 5a are each composed of three parallel grooves, resulting in four roller-like portions on the running surfaces of the drive rollers 4a and 5a. The drive rollers 4a and 5a are preferably made of aluminum. The counter-pressure rollers 4b and 5b are preferably rubber rollers and are unstructured. Their running surfaces are smooth.

[0218] Figure 19bA narrow belt channel 13 is shown. The bottom of the channel is largely continuous, the sidewalls have a substantially identical design along the entire length, the top of the channel is closed at the rear, and there is a wide recess extending along the entire length of the front. In the region defining the front counter-pressure rollers, the recess of the channel cover is as wide as the running surfaces of the counter-pressure rollers 4b and 5b. The bottom of the channel has multiple recesses. There are four recesses 14 in the drive roller region and four recesses 15 in the input drive roller region. The recesses 14 in the drive roller region are parallel to each other and separated from each other only by narrow webs. The arrangement and width of the webs correspond to the grooves in the drive rollers. The same applies to the recesses 15 in the input drive roller region. A single recess between the drive roller region and the input drive roller region is used for the contact between the belt and the encoder wheel.

[0219] Figure 20a and 20b Each shows a cross-sectional view of the front and rear sections with channel 13. Figure 20a Channel 13 is suitable for comparison Figure 20b Channel 13 is a narrower band. The two channels shown are suitable for bands of the same thickness.

[0220] The common feature of the front and rear portions in both figures is the bottom component 7: it is formed of plates, with recesses along the outer edges of each plate. The width of these recesses is determined by the width of the corresponding band with appropriate channels: the distance between the inner edges of the recesses corresponds to the desired width. The side component 8 is inserted into these recesses, and the width of its bottom corresponds to the width of the recesses in the bottom component 7.

[0221] At the rear, the side member 8 is a strip with a rectangular cross-section, the height of which corresponds to the sum of the desired height of the inner cross-section of the strip channel, the depth of the recess in the bottom member 7, and the top plate member 17. The top plate member 17 is also implemented by a plate having a recess along its outer edge, similar to the bottom member 7.

[0222] At the front, the side components 8 have a slightly different shape: their cross-section is at a 90° angle, and their first leg is the same width as the recess in the bottom component 7. These first legs insert into the recess in the bottom component 7. The opposite free sides of the first legs form the channel sidewalls. The second legs lie on a plane. Their sides facing the channel floor form the channel top plate at the front.

[0223] In the example shown, the tape channel consists of several parts, but these have been assembled by the manufacturer and are not provided for user disassembly. Therefore, we are dealing with a one-piece sealing tape channel.

[0224] To adapt the tape for a sealing machine with a second-type tape driver, first release and pull down clamp 11. Then press down the lever and pull out the tape channel 3 through the tape insertion opening. Then push the adapted tape channel 3 into the retainer through the tape insertion opening while holding the clamping lever in place. When the new tape channel 3 is in the operating position, secure it there with clamp 11.

[0225] Sealing tape typically has a width between 25 and 100 mm and a thickness of 50-250 micrometers. The required internal width, i.e., the channel width, is 26 mm for a 25 mm tape and, for example, 101 mm for a 100 mm tape. For example, the internal height, i.e., the channel height, of a 50 μm thick tape can be 0.3 mm, and the internal height, i.e., the channel height, of a 210 μm thick tape can be 0.5 mm.

[0226] In summary, the encoder wheel and input drive roller can also be omitted. Furthermore, the belt channel according to Figure 9 can also be designed in several parts. For example, different side components can be mounted on the same bottom component, thereby changing the height of the inner cross-section of the belt channel. Similarly, according to... Figure 13 The belt channel can be inserted into a cage similar to that in Figure 19. The lever system shown in Figure 19 can then be simplified because the counter-pressure roller of the input drive roller is supported by the belt channel instead of the cage.

[0227] As an alternative to multiple inserts, insert 20 may also consist of only a single component. Furthermore, if the belt guide surface is self-supporting, a cover may not be necessary. The belt can be secured to the belt guide surface in several ways: for example, the belt guide surface can create a vacuum and slightly pull the belt in, or the belt guide surface can be the bottom of the channel, whose cover is removed when appropriate.

Claims

1. An insert (20) for a bending guide (18) of an adjustable bandwidth sealing machine, the sealing machine being capable of adjusting the bending guide (18) to accommodate tapes of different required widths (19a, b, c), the bending guide (18) mounted on the sealing machine having a clear opening (180a) and an external dimension (180b), and including a tape guiding surface (181) restricted on a first side (1811) and unrestricted on a second side (1812), wherein: a) The clear opening (200a) of the insert (20) is greater than or equal to the clear opening (180a) of the bending guide (18), and in the assembled state, it is aligned with the clear opening (180a) of the bending guide (18), and b) wherein the insert (20) has a limiting surface (201) that, in the assembled state, intersects with a continuation of the guide surface (181). c) and wherein the limiting surface (201) is selected such that, in the assembled state, the distance between the first side (1811) of the guide surface (181) and the limiting surface (201) is adapted to the desired width.

2. The insert (20) according to claim 1, wherein a) The insert (20) consists of a set of at least two parts (202a, b, c, d), and b) The insert (20) has an arched shape. i) Its external dimension (200b) is less than or equal to the external dimension (180b) of the bending guide (18), and c) wherein the external dimension (2020b) of each individual component (202a, b, c, d) is smaller than the net opening (180a) of the curved guide (18).

3. The insert (20) according to claim 2, wherein the arched shape has an opening in at least one straight portion.

4. The insert (20) according to claim 2, wherein, The insert (20) consists of four parts (202a, b, c, d), each part forming a roughly rectangular arc corner.

5. The insert (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein Each component (202a, b, c, d) of the insert (20) is equipped with a first half of the fastening system.

6. The insert (20) according to claim 5, wherein the fastening system is a latching system (30).

7. The insert (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, Each component (202a, b, c, d) of the insert is provided with a handle recess (203).

8. A bending guide (18) for an adjustable bandwidth sealing machine, the sealing machine enabling the bending guide (18) to adapt to tapes of different widths (19a, b, c), wherein the bending guide (18) mounted on the sealing machine has an adjustable bandwidth tape guiding surface (181), the tape guiding surface (181) being restricted on a first side (1811) and unrestricted on a second side (1812), so that the bending guide (18) can be adapted to tapes (19a, b, c) of different widths by inserting an insert (20) according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. The bending guide (18) according to claim 8, comprising a cover (182) surrounding the guide surface (181) and a volume for receiving the insert (20).

10. The bending guide (18) according to claim 8, wherein a) The distance between the first and second sides of the guide surfaces (1811, 1812) is adapted to the width of the narrowest band (19a), and b) wherein the insert (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 may be mounted relative to the band guide surface (181) such that the distance between the limiting surface (201) and the first side (1811) of the band guide surface is adapted to the width of the respective desired band (19a, b).

11. The bending guide according to claim 8, wherein each component (202a, b, c, d) of the insert (20) is equipped with a second half of the fastening system.

12. The bending guide according to claim 11, wherein the fastening system is a latching system (30).

13. A compatible sealing machine with a driver, suitable for bundling objects with different types of tape. in, The belt driver includes a belt channel and at least one drive roller, and The drive roller is adapted to drive the different belts in the belt channel region. The channels are at least partially interchangeable and can be selected to fit the width. Therefore, the belt driver is designed to adapt to the different belts. The sealing machine further includes a bending guide according to any one of claims 8-12.

14. The sealing machine according to claim 13, wherein a) The external dimensions of the device with driver will not change due to the need to adapt to different widths of tape. b) The position of the first longitudinal side of the belt channel relative to the belt driver will not change when adapting to belts of different widths. c) The belt driver adapts to belts of different widths by adjusting the position of the second longitudinal side of the belt channel relative to the belt driver.

15. The sealing machine according to claim 14, wherein, The channel sides and channel cover are achieved by side components, and a) All side components are replaceable, while the bottom components remain installed in the sealing machine.

16. The sealing machine according to claim 15, The bottom component (7) is provided with at least one notch (10d) and two edge steps (10c1, 10c2) that extend parallel to the longitudinal axis over the entire length of the channel. in, The distance between the opposite edges of the at least one notch (10d) and one of the edge steps (10c1) is adapted to the width of the narrower band (19a), and the distance between the opposite edges of the two edge steps (10c1, 10c2) is adapted to the width of the widest band (19c). Furthermore, for each of the aforementioned bands, there are front and rear components (8a, 8b), the portion (9) forming the channel sidewall of which can engage in the corresponding notch (10d) and associated edge step (10c1) of the bottom component (7). The bottom component, front component, and rear component complement each other to form a belt channel with an internal cross-section, the width and height of which are adapted to the width and thickness of one of the different belts.

17. The sealing machine according to claim 13, wherein b) The drive roller (4a) and / or its counter-pressure roller (4b) have a plurality of support regions (41a, b) arranged in the following manner: i) Each expected width of the band during the insertion operation ii) The distance (42a) between the first edge of the strip and the first outer edge of one of the support regions (41a, b) closest to the first edge and resting on the strip. equal iii) The distance (42b) between the second edge of the band and the second outer edge of one of the support regions (41a, b) closest to the second edge and resting on the band.

18. Adapting the sealing machine according to claim 13 to a tape of a required width, comprising the following steps: a) Adapt the belt driver to the required belt width, and b) By inserting the insert (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the bending guide is adapted to the width of the desired band.

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