Machinery for strapping with a strap of paper material and use of a relative strap of paper material

Abstract

The invention consists of a specific machinery capable of strapping objects through the use of a strap of paper material and specific clip.

Description

Scope of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of automatic machines for strapping objects in general, in particular for example pallets, cases and boxes.

[0002] In particular, the field of the invention relates to an innovative strapping machine which enables the use of straps also of materials different from traditional plastic material, thereby also obtaining optimization in terms of environmental impact.Brief outline of the known art

[0003] The operation of strapping is an operation which consists in wrapping an object with a strip or tape or cable in general (named strap in general) which is clamped around the object. Objects of any type may be strapped, among which, for example, a pallet with a load placed on the pallet, for example to stabilize firmly the load on the pallet. Objects such as piles of products may also be strapped to clamp them together for transport.

[0004] Strapping of plastic material in all its possible forms and derivations of use practically predominates the technical field of strapping.

[0005] A plastic strap is essentially constituted by a tape of plastic material which is produced to be wound on a storing reel. Then the reel is installed on a specific automatic machine and is unrolled with an automatic system which pushes the strap into a conduit which passes around the object to be strapped.

[0006] The plastic strap is easily usable both on automatic, semiautomatic machines and on portable manual, electric equipment or simply with lever-operated clamping.

[0007] The strap of plastic material is found both in small packages for civil use and storage use (cardboard boxes for manual movement from a warehouse to another one), and for industrial use for packaging of medium and big packages of material or of cases and boxes.

[0008] In its most extreme applications, it is also used for transport of heavy materials and packaging of machineries and equipment.

[0009] The strap of plastic material has many advantages in its daily use.

[0010] For example, an advantage is that it may be readily managed by automatic packaging machines.

[0011] These machines, well-known since long a time by now, have a conduit used to wind the strap and which then houses the strap. This channel is generally with a square or rectangular section. It is made by three fixed walls and a movable wall maintained in position by a spring preloading.

[0012] Pushed by a simple pulley system, the strap travels all the perimeter part of the machinery simply with a thrust inside the conduit.

[0013] When the strap head has travelled all the perimeter circuit, it overlaps its "end" and the tensioning mechanism starts through a change in the travel direction of the pushing pulleys and the exceeding part is tensioned. The conduit with the sprung wall buckles under traction of the strap and lets the movable wall open. The strap begins to be tensioned (controlled by the opposite traction of the pulleys) and it is brought to the maximum desired traction to then have the two overlapping portions of strap heat-sealed by using a simple system with electrical resistance.

[0014] Thanks to this solution, the machines currently in use are simple and cheap, ensuring that this solution is well-established.

[0015] More in particular, the technology of use of the plastic strap is the outcome of more than fifty years on the market and is also the outcome of many passages of technical improvements which have followed through the years. This process brought to the creation of tens of producers of machines and plants which propose solutions worldwide from the simple machine with the value of a few hundred euros up to production plants with high productivity and wide list of accessories and functionalities.

[0016] Besides having such a shape as to be readily "pushed" into a conduit of irregular shapes (and therefore it may be readily managed in the path at 360 degrees), the plastic strap has also a high storing ratio on the storage reel, it does not leave empty spaces and it may be readily overlapped layer after layer.

[0017] Moreover, the plastic strap, even it is kept wrapped on its support for months, when it is unwrapped, it has no unevenness and it has memorized its preliminary wrapped shape only in a small and insignificant part, that is the one closer to the reel core. This end part has a small residual bending which however does not represent any issue for the automatic strapping machine.

[0018] Not least, the strap of plastic material has a great advantage when the two hems must be joined. In fact, a simple and cheap thermal welding (resistance with electrical pulse) is sufficient to join two straps in a reliable and safe way. Moreover, no added consumption material is provided because clips or metallic staples or other accessories must not be used to join two hems of the strap.

[0019] However, this solution, although being characterized by many advantages, is not exempt from technical inconveniences.

[0020] In particular, it is clear that the packaging mechanism based on the use of plastic material has a strong environmental impact, above all in the light of current laws on the use of "disposable" plastic materials.

[0021] Disposing plastic straps after use has many issues and management costs.

[0022] The strap of plastic material, just because of its advantages linked to its "metal strap" shape (that is, with very reduced and thin section), is rigid in its transversal section but very flexible in its longitudinal section, thus having many management issues when it is removed from the product for which it has been used.

[0023] In fact, the plastic strap tends to create "clouds" of uneven material, very hard to be compacted, and above all, they get stuck everywhere while being moved.

[0024] In conclusion, the management after use, besides being an environmental issue is also an operational issue of logistic management.Summary of the invention

[0025] Therefore, the aim of the present invention is to provide an automatic strapping machine, the use of this machine and an operational strapping method, in particular a method which operates through this machine, which resolves the aforesaid technical disadvantages at least partially.

[0026] In particular, the aim of the present invention is to provide an innovative automatic strapping machine, a relative operational method and use, which enables to strap by using a strap not necessarily made of plastic but also of other materials different from plastic and eco-compatible, such as a paper material.

[0027] These and other aims are achieved with the machinery (or machine or whatever) for strapping a product in general, according to claim 1.

[0028] This machinery comprises: A frame (3, 3b, 4, 5) ; Means (20) for feeding and / or tensioning a tape; Means for arranging the tape along a winding path of the product; According to the invention, now: Said means for arranging the tape along a winding path comprise at least one pair of grasping pliers (50) which is movable along the winding path.

[0029] Advantageously, said grasping pliers (50) are in any case configured to grasp, in use, a free end of a tape in such a way as to pull the tape along said winding path.

[0030] In this way, the tape is moved along the winding path.

[0031] The tape being pulled by the grasping pliers by a free end thereof may be readily moved without being conglomerated or grabbed, also in the event of highly flexible tape like a paper tape.

[0032] In addition, advantageously, the means for arranging the tape along the winding path further comprise support elements (for example in the form of rollers).

[0033] They are advantageously arranged to form supports for the tape by supporting it when it has been passed to surround the product.

[0034] For example, at least four support elements may indeed be provided to define a quadrilateral.

[0035] In all cases, the support elements are a support point to any change in direction of the tape.

[0036] In other words, they support the tape to define the passage path and together they represent a point of change in direction of the path.

[0037] A number of these support elements necessary to define the winding path may be arranged and therefore as a function of the shape of the winding path, for example one, two or more than two, for example four in case of quadrilaterals.

[0038] For example, four support elements placed to form a quadrilateral.

[0039] The tape is passed leaning against them thus being supported by them exactly like a tape which passes to surround four nails on a wall in such a way that the tape remains arranged to form a quadrilateral on the wall.

[0040] Therefore, one or more of said support elements may represent a support angle and a bending, that is a compelled change in direction of the tape in addition to a support which, in this way, may be stretched out to surround the product.

[0041] The conformation of the support element with the shape of a roller is the preferred one, given that the tape lies around it by rotating by 90°degrees, thereby allowing a change in angular direction and allowing stretching out the tape to surround a quadrilateral.

[0042] Other supports in general not necessarily in the form of roller would be possible anyway.

[0043] In addition, said rollers or support elements in general are movable between a position which intercepts said winding path and a position outside the winding path, for example being shiftable.

[0044] For example, these rollers may be shiftable according to an entry / exit direction from the containment plane of the frame (3, 3b, 4, 5).

[0045] In this way, they may be arranged in the winding path to ensure that the tape is correctly laid to surround the product (see for example figure 12 in which they surround the tape) and then they may be removed in succession according to a certain sequence in such a way as to be able to pull contextually the excess of tape and bring it into contact with the product (see the sequence of figures 3-7) which is then clamped.

[0046] Thus, said means to feed and / or tension a tape are configured not only to feed the tape from the mother reel but also to recover any excess of tape when said rollers are brought to the outer position or anyway pulled back outside to release the tape leaning against them.

[0047] In this way, all the aforementioned technical inconveniences are solved.

[0048] In particular, this machinery allows in a simple way strapping of products with very flexible tapes (straps), moving the tape in a correct way despite its high flexibility.

[0049] Advantageously, the pliers (50) may be movable in and / or along a sliding guide.

[0050] In this case, advantageously, said sliding guide may retrace the winding path.

[0051] Advantageously the frame may allow obtaining the sliding guide, which therefore travels the frame.

[0052] Advantageously, therefore, the grasping pliers may be moved along said sliding guide.

[0053] Advantageously, in all configurations of invention, just in case of use of non-weldable tapes such as paper tapes, advantageously, the machinery may further comprise a section designated to application and closure of a clip adapted, in use, to lock the two ends of the tape.

[0054] The use of non-weldable tapes, such as straps of paper or of paper material in general, requires indeed locking the strap with a method alternative to welding, that is the use of a clamping clip.

[0055] Therefore, this type of machinery not only allows application and use of very flexible non-rigid tapes but also allows use of tapes of non-weldable material such as paper material.

[0056] A paper tape cannot be moved easily along a guide conduit because, after few centimeters of path in which it is pushed, it tends to "pile up" thus forming clouds of product.

[0057] The system with "movable pliers" (that is, the grasping pliers or "hand" or whatever which moves along its winding path as described above) resolves this issue because it grasps the free end of tape and "pulls" it by moving it along the winding path, that is pulling the tape along the path. This solution with "traction" and not with "push" like in the known art also allows great management of the memory effect of the paper cord. In fact, the latter, after some days when it remains on the storage support (usually a reel with rounded central core) has a high memory effect. When it is unwound from the reel, it has a "residual screw" which is increasingly more present as soon as the reel bottom approaches, in which the radius of curvature is small. This "variable" memory effect causes many issues in determining the dynamics of movement of the cord. The proposed solution with pliers which pull the free end solves the issue.

[0058] The section designated to application of the clip allows firm joint ofthe two ends of tape (or tape in other words) together by fixing them together and therefore also allowing use, as mentioned, of tapes of eco-compatible and non-weldable materials, such as paper tape.

[0059] Advantageously, at least one sliding guide which follows the winding path may be comprised.

[0060] In this case, advantageously, said grasping pliers (50) may be movable, for example shiftable, along said sliding guide.

[0061] Advantageously, an exchange system (41, 42, 43, 44) may be provided for moving and / or transferring the grasping pliers (50) along / from a segment along / to a subsequent segment of the winding path.

[0062] Substantially, the exchange system may move the grasping pliers along the path thus allowing transfer of the same grasping pliers from a segment to another segment of the path when there is a change in direction.

[0063] Advantageously, said exchange system may comprise for example one or more carriages (41, 42, 43, 44) as a function of the number of segments to be followed, for example four segments if the path is a quadrilateral, therefore with four segments placed each other with a certain angle, for example of 90°degrees.

[0064] In particular, advantageously, there may be a first carriage (42) movable along an upper cross-piece (5), a second carriage (43) movable along a first vertical upright (4), a third carriage movable along a lower transversal rod (3b) parallel to said upper cross-piece (5) and a fourth carriage (41) movable along a second vertical upright (4) parallel to said first vertical upright (4).

[0065] Advantageously, the upper cross-piece (5) may be movable.

[0066] In particular, it may be shiftable along said first and second vertical uprights (4) in such a way as to be able to move close and / or away to / from the lower transversal rod (3b) .

[0067] In all configurations, advantageously, said frame is in form of quadrilateral, for example rectangle or square.

[0068] Therefore, two uprights 4 are provided which stand from the ground spaced from each other and connected transversally by an upper transversal rod 3 and a lower transversal rod (3b).

[0069] The frame is a fixed structure which forms the support for the grasping pliers which therefore move along the winding path generated by said frame.

[0070] Therefore, the movable upper cross-piece (5) is parallel to the upper transversal rod (3) and to the lower transversal rod (3b) and may be shifted along the two uprights in such a way as to be able to move close and / or away to / from the lower transversal rod (3b).

[0071] Advantageously, at least one couple of support elements, in particular those at said upper cross-piece, being movable integrally with said upper cross-piece (5).

[0072] Therefore, the winding path is obtained by moving the grasping pliers 50 along a guide obtained along the quadrilateral of the frame, thus surrounding the product to be strapped.

[0073] In particular, advantageously, the at least one pair of grasping pliers is moved through the exchange system formed by said four carriages.

[0074] More in particular, advantageously, said grasping pliers (50) are configured to be constrained to said carriages in such a way that shifting the carriages determines transport of the pliers along the winding path.

[0075] Advantageously, said grasping pliers (50) are floating, in particular rotatable around a vertical axis Z thereof.

[0076] In this way the tape may be well guided along the winding path.

[0077] Advantageously, therefore, a controller which controls shifting in succession of said support elements (31, 32, 33, 34) once the tape has been passed along the winding path may be provided to surround the support elements.

[0078] In this way, the tape may be recovered to get into contact with the product under processing.

[0079] Advantageously, the controller may be programmed to command activation of the means (20) for feeding and / or tensioning a tape by shifting the support elements in order to recover the excess of tape and / or to command the movement of said support elements.

[0080] In this way, the tape around the product is tensioned well.

[0081] Advantageously, the controller may command the movement of the carriages relative to the exchange system by synchronizing their motion with the rotation of the floating pliers during the changes in direction.

[0082] Advantageously, said means (20) for feeding and / or tensioning a tape comprise a pair of counter-rotating pulleys (21, 22).

[0083] The application section of the clip may comprise a loading part of the clip and an actuator which provides its closure, for example by acting through pressure, to constrain the two portions of tape to each other.

[0084] Therefore, in all configurations, the winding path is a quadrilateral and wherein four support elements placed at the angles of said quadrilateral are provided.

[0085] The object of the invention is also the use of a machinery according to one or more of the features indicated above for strapping a product through a tape.

[0086] Advantageously, the tape may be a tape of non-weldable material, for example a paper material.

[0087] The object of the present invention is also a method for strapping a product with a tape.

[0088] Advantageously, the method may provide the step of passing the tape around a plurality of support elements (31, 32, 33, 34) arranged to define a path which surrounds the product to be strapped, for example four support elements to form a quadrilateral.

[0089] Said support elements are further movable in such a way as to provide a subsequent step of removing the support elements once the tape has been passed and the recovery of the excess of tape after removal of said support elements, in such a way that the tape gets into contact with the product (100) surrounding it by contact with a certain degree of tension.

[0090] Advantageously, the used tape may be of non-weldable material, for example a paper material.

[0091] Advantageously, in this case of non-weldable material, the method may further provide the step of applying a clip which clamps two portions of said tape together thus completing strapping.

[0092] In this way, non-weldable tapes may be used, among which also paper tape.

[0093] The method may obviously be performed with the machinery described above.

[0094] The method may advantageously provide the step of lowering the upper cross-piece (5) together with the couple of support elements placed at the latter in order to compact the product with a recovery of the excess of tape.

[0095] Advantageously the step of removing in succession all support elements follows with the recovery of the excess of tape to surround the tape in contact with the product and the application of the clip.

[0096] Advantageously the step of cutting the tape from the mother reel follows.Brief description of the drawings

[0097] Additional features and the advantages of the present machinery, according to the invention, its relative use and operational method, will become more apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, given only by way of non-exhaustive example, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows, in a simplified overall view, the machine object of the invention; The subsequent figures from 2 to 3 show some working steps to clarify the subsequent structural part; Figures from 4 to 7 describe the strapping steps in which the used tape, preferably a paper tape, as mentioned, wraps a product; Figures 8A and 8B show the clip used to fix the two ends of the tape together; Figure 9 shows the two ends of tape inserted into the clip still open as per figure 8A, to then close it as per figure 8B; Figure 10 shows cutting of the tape on the part still connected to the mother reel through a blade 500, when the clip has been closed, in order to complete operation; Figure 11 shows a support element 32 in the form of a roller which may be activated according to the double direction of arrow applied to the support element 32 in order to move it between a position in which it intercepts the winding path, to support the strap hanging over the product to be strapped, and a position outside the winding path to enable recovery of the tape to tension it in contact with the product to be strapped; Figures from 12 to 19 better show the kinematic motion which moves the floating grasping pliers which pull the thread to surround the product to be strapped during the whole strapping step. Description of some preferred embodiments

[0098] Therefore, the present invention concerns a machine which is capable of strapping automatically an object in general thus also allowing the use of very flexible straps, for example straps of non-weldable material such as straps in the form of a tape of mainly paper material, in particular a paper tape.

[0099] As it will be evident from the remaining description, the solution allowed solving the relevant technical issue of how to guide a tape of non-rigid material into a channel of the machine, in particular the channel which forms the winding path.

[0100] In particular, the strap which is used according to the invention is a paper strap or of paper material in general which, obviously, is hardly movable inside a guide conduit, given that, already after few centimeters of path when it has been pushed, it tends to pile up if it has not been pulled sufficiently.

[0101] On the contrary, the strap of plastic without this issue was used in the known art due to its stiffness and therefore it could be "pushed".

[0102] The machine described below solved these and other technical issues, as better described below, allowing the use of straps of paper material.

[0103] Therefore, figure 1 shows an overall outline of the machine.

[0104] Figure 1 shows with number 100 an object in general to be strapped, for example a pallet with objects on it or a box or, for example, a series of products stacked on each other, such as sheets, etc.

[0105] Specifically, but not limiting, the representation of figures shows a series of stacked sheets.

[0106] As already indicated in known art, products which are and may be strapped, also according to the present invention, are all those which are currently and usually subject to strapping processes without any limitation.

[0107] The object 10 rests on a moving platform 200 through which the object 100 is moved forward to bring it under the machine 1 subject of the invention, in order to perform strapping.

[0108] As per known art, the platform 200 forms a support plane for the object 100, which support plane may be movable to determine forward motion of the object.

[0109] In a solution, for example, it may be provided with or constituted of a series of rotatable rollers whose rotation determines forward motion of the product.

[0110] The rollers may be motorized such that their rotation determines forward motion of the product or they may be idle.

[0111] Alternatively, forward motion may be performed through a movable belt, i.e. the support plane may be constituted by a movable belt.

[0112] A further variation which may possibly be combined with the solutions above may provide a pusher which may be combined with rollers if they are idle for example.

[0113] In all aforementioned cases, the modalities of forward motion of the object are known art per se and for this reason they are not described in further detail here. The person skilled in the art will use the solution (s)he believes more functional for the purposes.

[0114] As shown in figure 1, the machine has a frame, which frame comprises at least one upper transversal rod 3, at least two uprights 4 and on the ground a lower transversal rod parallel to the upper one 3.

[0115] Therefore, as a whole, the frame structure preferably forms a quadrilateral, for example a rectangle or square, with the product which may then transit below an arc with the shape of an upside-down U formed by the two uprights 4 and by the upper transversal rod 3.

[0116] The uprights 4 connect with the ground surface and protrude from the ground. The transversal rod 3 connects to the end of the two uprights 4 on the side opposite to the one connected to the ground.

[0117] The lower transversal rod 3b connects with the uprights 4 in the portion protruding from the ground and this transversal rod passes in a specific channel through the platform 200 in such a way that the platform maintains its planarity for sliding of the product (see for example figure 1).

[0118] In this way, as a whole, the frame forms, as mentioned, a sort of quadrilateral thereby with the product 100 which transits, in use, below an arc with the shape of an upside-down U.

[0119] As indeed shown schematically in figure 1, the frame with the shape of arc stands above the platform 200 such that the object (or product or whatever) 100 transits below the arc and stops under it in such a way that the machinery may perform the strapping operation as described below.

[0120] Therefore, the frame as better described below, works as structural support for the components described below.

[0121] Still as shown in the outline of figure 1, there is an upper movable cross-piece 5. This cross-piece is placed below the upper transversal rod 3.

[0122] As schematically indicated by the double direction of arrow, the upper cross-piece 5 may slide with respect to the two uprights 4. Thus, the upper cross-piece 5 may lower to contact the product 100, for example also in order to compact it and to maintain it pressed during the whole strapping step (see the case of product in the form of pile).

[0123] Therefore, guides obtained along at least part of the longitudinal length of the two uprights 4 are present and into which the two ends of the upper cross-piece 5 are inserted, therefore the upper cross-piece 5 may slide along said two uprights 4 between a lowered position and a raised position according to the double direction of arrow of figure 1.

[0124] A specific motorization, for example an electric motorization, commands the motion of said upper cross-piece 5.

[0125] Therefore, the sequence of figure 2 and 3 shows the upper cross-piece 5 which, for example, is lowered to contact the product 100 to compact it during the whole strapping step.

[0126] In this way, the pressing value of the product may also be adjusted thus enabling strapping with a "packing" value of the desired product.

[0127] Therefore, by describing the invention in greater constructive detail, figures from 1 to 3 show a traction / feeding unit 20.

[0128] The traction / feeding unit may comprise at least a couple of pulleys (21, 22) whose rotation controls recovery and / or tensioning of the tape, for example a paper tape.

[0129] With reference to figure 2, a first pulley 21 and a second pulley 22 are provided.

[0130] The two pulleys are counter-rotating together, meaning that if one rotates in clockwise direction, the other rotates in counter-clockwise direction and vice versa, thereby determining forward motion of the tape in a direction and in the opposite direction depending on their rotation.

[0131] In this way, substantially, the paper tape 300 is fed by a mother reel not shown in figure for the sake of simplicity. An end of the tape coming from the mother reel is fed by said two pulleys and whose rotation may determine a forward motion in a direction of the paper tape or a forward motion in the opposite direction.

[0132] Substantially, the counter-rotation of the two described pulleys (21, 22) feeds or anyway facilitates feeding of the tape towards the system which wraps said tape around the products and described below, thereby feeding the tape inside the frame, that is feeding it to the winding path.

[0133] An opposite counter rotation, as explained below, determines tensioning of the tape around the product just with the purpose of carrying out the real strapping operation, thereby recovering the tape to take it out of the frame, that is recovering it from the winding path.

[0134] A control system is capable of controlling rotation of said pulleys (21, 22) both for the feeding step and for the tensioning one.

[0135] The control system, for example a controller, is capable of managing movement of the parts described below which allow performance of strapping.

[0136] In particular, still as described below, the control system is capable of commanding an inversion of rotation of the pulleys themselves in order to perform traction of the tape around the product 100 (or object 100 or whatever) once the tape has been passed to wrap the product.

[0137] As explained, the control system controls and coordinates the exchange system with carriages which moves the pliers and the rotation of the pliers.

[0138] Therefore, in a first initial step, the tape is fed by a mother reel through said two pulleys (21, 22) and then it is passed to surround the product in the position of figure 2, that is with the upper cross-piece 5 placed above spaced with respect to the product.

[0139] To perform this operation, in the meantime four support elements (31, 32, 33, 34) are provided, for example with the shape of rollers (31, 32, 33, 34), which create a path for the paper tape and better described immediately below.

[0140] These support elements, for example the rollers (31, 32, 33, 34), may be shifted in such a way as to be able to be brought to the position of figure 1 or 2 in which they are inside the plane of the frame thereby defining a passage frame for the tape which surrounds and contains the product 100 present on the platform 200. Once the tape has been passed to surround the product 100, these support elements are shifted in an outer position or anyway outside the plane containing the frame (substantially they are pulled out) to cause the tape (at this point loose) recovery through rotation of the pulleys 20 which tension it around the product 100.

[0141] More in particular, with reference to figure 11, an example of support element 32 is shown. The description here is valid for all angular elements present.

[0142] The support element forms an angular element around which the tape passes which may then be subject to a deviation of path, generally a deviation of 90° degrees in such a way that the four support elements arranged in the space inside the plane containing the frame form a quadrilateral.

[0143] In the preferred embodiment, the support element has the shape of a roller given that the roller, since it is circular, perfectly allows a change in direction of the tape of 90° degrees with the tape which partially surrounds the circular perimeter of the roller.

[0144] The roller, or anyway the support element in general is connected to an actuator (32') (see figure 11) which may have a shifting motion, in particular extraction / retraction of a stem thereof to which said roller 32 is connected.

[0145] In this way, said roller 32 may be shifted according to the double direction of arrow of figure 11, thereby being able to pass from a position inside the frame area to an outer position, as mentioned above.

[0146] The operation of passage of the tape to surround the support elements occurs in combination trough a system with movable pliers and a system of synchronized exchange.

[0147] With reference to figure 2 (which shows the tape already passed to surround the product with the tape supported by the support elements), one recalls that the passage occurs by pulling the free end of the tape with the grasping pliers. The tape passes through said first pulley 21 and second pulley 22 and obviously with the tape still connected to the mother reel and fed by the mother reel.

[0148] Therefore, a sliding and rotatable hand (that is the floating grasping pliers 50) takes the free end of the tape and pulls it by its end by making it pass to surround the four rollers (31, 32, 33, 34) thus obtaining the configuration of figure 2.

[0149] In this way, the new innovative system actually actuates a traction on the free head of the tape by pulling it and guiding it to surround the four rollers, thus the tape forming a sort of frame which surrounds the product 100. This solution resolves the technical issue of forward motion of the paper tape given that, since it is pulled by the head, it may readily be guided without being rolled on itself.

[0150] By describing the invention in greater detail, figures from 12 to 19 show the adopted technical solution.

[0151] As indicated in figure 12, an exchange system (42, 43, 44, 45) is provided to transfer the grasping pliers 50 from a segment to a subsequent segment of the winding path.

[0152] In fact, as already introduced above, the winding path is obtained as guide preferably integrated into the part of frame constituted by the two uprights 4 and by the lower transversal rod 3b, besides being obtained in the movable cross-piece 5.

[0153] Therefore, the winding path develops following the four segments constituted by the upper movable cross-piece 5, by the two uprights 4 and by the lower transversal rod 3b which define a quadrilateral.

[0154] Therefore, the exchange system moves the pliers along these four segments with the task of transferring the pliers 50 from a segment to the subsequent segment, thereby allowing the pliers to pass the cable to surround the support elements (31, 32, 33, 34) which work as deviation angles.

[0155] Therefore, the exchange system, described below, serves to move along and transfer the grasping pliers from a segment to the subsequent segment, so that the grasping pliers can move along each segment passing from a segment to the other segment.

[0156] Therefore, more in particular, the exchange system comprises four sliding carriages and in particular:

[0157] A first carriages 42 which slides along the upper cross-piece 5 in a specific longitudinal guide obtained along said upper cross-piece.

[0158] Therefore, the first carriage 42 may move along the upper cross-piece 5 from right to left and / or vice versa from left to right.

[0159] Then there is a second carriage 43 which, in the same way, slides along the upright 4 in a specific longitudinal guide obtained along said upright 4.

[0160] Therefore, the second carriage 43 may move along the upright 4 from top to bottom and / or vice versa from bottom to top.

[0161] The same is for the fourth carriage 41 arranged on the other upright 4 parallel to the previous one.

[0162] Also the fourth carriage 41 slides along the upright 4 in a specific longitudinal guide obtained along said upright 4.

[0163] Therefore, the fourth carriage 41 may move along the upright 4 from top to bottom and / or vice versa from bottom to top.

[0164] Finally, the third carriage 44 is present which slides on the lower transversal rod 3b at the base of the structure in such a way as to pass below or through the platform 200 which supports the product.

[0165] This third carriage 44 moves as well from left to right and / or vice versa along a specific guide obtained in the lower transversal rod and therefore actually parallel to the guide relative to the upper cross-piece.

[0166] Shifting these carriages (41, 42, 43, 44) along their specific guides integrated into the rods in which they are obtained is necessary to transport the grasping pliers which grasp and pull the end of tape (or cable or whatever) fed by a mother reel through the first and second pulleys (21, 22). The grasping pliers, which are described immediately below, are also indicated as "floating hand" given that they may rotate around at least an axis of rotation thereof and therefore may have one or more degrees of freedom.

[0167] The movement of carriages may occur through, for example, suitable motorization which moves belts (not shown in figure for the sake of simplicity), for example in a closed loop, to which these carriages are connected which are sliding in this way along their sliding guides.

[0168] More in particular, figure 13 shows a floating hand 50 or grasping pliers 50, or whatever, which grasped the free end 301 of the paper cable 300. The hand shown in figure 13 is engaged with the carriage 42 which is moved along its guide thereby dragging the hand 50. The first carriage 42 shifts according to the arrow direction of figure 13 thus moving the grasping pliers 50 (or hand or whatever) which grasp the free end 301 of the cable. Thus, the cable passes on the first roller 31 of figure 2 and is moved towards the second roller 32, that is it is moved to pass from the position A of figure 2 to the position B still of figure 2. Substantially, the first carriage 42 moves towards the second carriage 43, which is in position at the upper right angle of the frame (see figure 14 or position B with reference to figure 2) ready to receive the floating hand and drag it downwards along the upright 4.

[0169] In fact, the second carriage 43 is slidingly mounted along the upright 4.

[0170] Therefore, moving to figure 14, the first carriage 42 may be seen, which after being moved along its guide along the cross-piece 5, arrives from the position A to the position B of figure 2. The second carriage 43 is identical to the first one but it is placed rotated of 90°degrees in such a way that its opening into which the hand is housed faces the movement direction of the hand, that is the direction A-B.

[0171] As indeed shown in figure 13, said carriages are U-shaped elements such that they create a seat into which the grasping pliers are inserted which are then shifted to the angular position (A, B, C, D).

[0172] Two carriages are always sliding in such a way as to be overlapping each other when one reaches the waiting position from the other (therefore, typically in the angular crossing point of the frame structure) allowing the exchange, for example because they are rotated of 90°degrees as mentioned.

[0173] When the hand (or grasping pliers or whatever) has reached the angular position (A, B, C, D), it is housed in the seat of the carriage placed in position thereby occurring the exchange.

[0174] Once the exchange has been performed, the hand may rotate into said seat (the hand is indeed floating thereby having at least the part constituting the pliers which is rotatable with respect to a remaining part of structure of the hand itself). In this way, the grasping pliers may continue their path along the different direction thus continuing to pull the cable which is then passed around the support elements.

[0175] Therefore, figure 14 shows the first carriage 42 which is brought into its position behind the second carriage 43 at the crossing point B (therefore, they are not on the same plane given that, if they were on the same plane, the exchange would be more difficult to achieve). The second carriage 43 is overlapping the first carriage and therefore it has its opening facing the motion direction (A-B) of the first carriage in such a way as to receive, as shown in figure 14, the hand when it reaches the position B of figure 14 or figure 2.

[0176] Once the hand has been received, the second carriage 43 shifts downwards along the upright 4 to bring the hand below to the crossing point C.

[0177] Therefore, every time a change in direction of the hand occurs, it rotates (actually it is floating as mentioned above) in such a way as to be able to pull better the cable and pass it around the support elements.

[0178] Substantially, as mentioned, the floating pliers have at least two movable teeth which form the grasping part of the cable and these teeth, in addition to open and close like scissors to grasp the cable end, are mounted on a rotatable structure to be able to rotate around a vertical axis Z thereof.

[0179] The sequence of figures 15 and 16 show a rotation of the hand around the axis Z until it is brought to the rotated configuration of figure 17, in order to shift in the segment B-C.

[0180] Once the bottom has been reached, that is the angular point C, a further exchange occurs between the second carriage 43 with the third carriage 44 which transports the cable from the angle C to the angle D and from here up from the point D to the point A along the upright 4 through the fourth carriage 41, with the same described modalities, that is exchange between the third carriage with the fourth carriage 41 which brings the floating hand 50 which rotates and is brought upwards thus completing the turn.

[0181] In this way, the cable is passed to surround the product around the four rollers (31, 32, 33, 34) which form, together with the cable, a frame which surrounds the product 100.

[0182] Once the free end 301 of the cable 300 has reached the position A, a new shifting occurs in the direction A-B, with the modalities already described, in order to have a portion of tape overlapping each other on the product, where the clip will be applied to close it, as indicated in figure 9, this position is more or less indicated in figure 2 with the letter M.

[0183] Shifting serves to overlap two portions of tape (the free end pulled with the remaining part of tape still connected to the mother reel) and this end shifting stops more or less at the section M of application of the clip.

[0184] Therefore, once the step described above has been completed, the situation of the cable, for example of paper, which actually surrounds the product and actually with the tape standing on the rollers and therefore supported by the rollers (31, 32, 33, 34), is frozen.

[0185] Now the tape must be wrapped around the product in contact with it to tighten it.

[0186] As per figure 3, a step of lowering the upper cross-piece 5 follows until touching and possibly pressing the product. In this way, the height of the product may be reduced and it is kept like this after strapping.

[0187] During this lowering step, the upper cross-piece 5 is pushed and kept on the product and at the same time the step of recovering the tape occurs.

[0188] In particular, the first pulley 21 and the second pulley 22 are driven into rotation and therefore they rotate in such a way as to recover the excess of tape (see the direction of arrow relative to the recovery of tape) which is created because of lowering of the upper cross-piece 5.

[0189] Obviously, at least the rollers 31 and 32 are mounted in such a way as to be able to translate integrally with the cross-piece 5 as it is evident in the sequence of figures 2 and 3, besides having the motion according to the double direction of arrow of figure 11.

[0190] It follows that the system which moves and supports said rollers is slidingly mounted in such a way as to move integrally with the upper cross-piece 5.

[0191] The strapping process is then carried out through removal, in succession, of the rollers (31, 32, 33, 34) which are shifted in such a way as to release the tape. It is to be remembered indeed that the rollers may be shifted along their longitudinal axis thanks to actuators to which they are connected. At the same time, the first pulley and the second pulley (21, 22) are activated to recover the excess of tape.

[0192] The sequence of figures from 4 to 7 shows this step.

[0193] In particular, following the sequence of figure 3 and figure 4, the removal of the roller 31 with the tape which is placed in an oblique position thanks to the recovery of the pulleys 21, 22 is shown.

[0194] Obviously, every time a roller (31, 32, 33, 34) is shifted outside the containment plane of the frame, to abandon its position in which it supports the tape, the tape remains loose and therefore the rotation of the first and second pulley (21, 22) occurs in order to recover the excess of tape and to create the correct tensioning.

[0195] Therefore, more in particular, the sequence of images from figure 4 to figure 7 shows the operation introduced above.

[0196] As it may be seen in figure 4, the roller 31 has been removed, that is it is controlled in such a way as to move (in particular, it is shifted) outside the position in which it supports the tape. At the same time, the first and the second pulleys (21, 22) are driven into rotation for recovering the tape which then assumes the conformation of figure 4 with an oblique portion of tape and the rest of tape supported by the remaining rollers 32, 33 and 34.

[0197] The figure 5 shows the subsequent step in which the roller 34 is shifted from its position with contextual recovery of the excess tape. It follows that the oblique segment is now a segment which is fully leaning on the side of the product 100 to surround it through contact.

[0198] The subsequent figure 6 shows then removal of the roller 33 thus obtaining a further oblique segment 302 which is then brought near the product 100, thus completing strapping, through removal of the roller 34 as per figure 7 and still pulling the tape with the counter-rotation of the first pulley 21 and second pulley 22.

[0199] At this point, the product 100 is fully wrapped, pressed and with the tape having the correct tensioning thanks to the pull of pulleys 21 and 22.

[0200] At this point, strapping may be completed by fixing together the overlapping portion of the tape (see figure 9), cutting it through a specific extractable or movable blade and its lock in the point M through application of the clip.

[0201] For this purpose, a lock 400 with deformable clip, well outlined in figures 8A and 8B, is used.

[0202] The clip, for example of metallic, plastic or any deformable material, serves for locking the two ends of the tape into the position M of figure 2, which, since it is made of paper and non-plastic material, cannot be welded.

[0203] The clip comprises lateral wings, preferably four lateral wings (401, 402, 403, 404), which are foldable on the plane 405 of the clip in order to trap and lock the two ends of the tape by clamping them together. Figure 8A shows indeed the condition with the four lateral wings radially stretched out towards the outside of the plane 405 of the clip while figure 8B shows the condition in which the lateral wings are closed on the plane 405 in the position in which they lock the tape in use.

[0204] Therefore, figure 9 shows the clip 400 which is brought into position (position M in figure 2) through specific actuator (for example, by arranging it in position through a specific charger) in such a way that the two ends of the tape are contained on its plane 405 inside the space delimited by the lateral wings.

[0205] At this point, through a specific actuator, the wings are folded in the configuration of figure 8B thereby trapping the tape into the clip.

[0206] Once locking with the clip has been completed, a blade 500 completes cutting on the side of the tape which is still connected to the mother reel thereby completing the strapping operation and ensuring that the product is ready to move forward to another station.

[0207] Therefore, the described machinery is capable of strapping products continuously according to a continuous production cycle, thus enabling to use tapes or cables or whatever which are also non-weldable together, such as indeed tapes or cables of paper or paper material in general which allows the maximum reduction of negative environmental impact.

Claims

1. A machinery for strapping a product (100) in general, the machinery comprising: - A frame (3, 3b, 4); - Means (20) for feeding and / or tensioning a tape (300) ; - Means for arranging said tape along a winding path of the product (100); - Characterized by the fact that: - Said means for arranging the tape along a winding path comprise at least one pair of grasping pliers (50) which is movable along the winding path, said grasping pliers (50) being configured to grasp, in use, an end (301) of a tape (300) in such a way as to pull the tape along said winding path, said means for arranging the tape along a winding path further comprising one or more support elements (31, 32, 33, 34) adapted in use to support the tape at its passage in the winding path, said support elements being movable at least between a position which intercepts said winding path for supporting the tape and a position outside the winding path in which they release the tape and wherein said means (20) for feeding and / or tensioning a tape are configured at least to recover the excess of tape when said support elements (31, 32, 33, 34) are brought to said position outside the winding path.

2. The machinery, according to claim 1, comprising a section (M) designated to the application and closure of a clip (400) adapted, in use, to clamp together two portions of tape.

3. The machinery, according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one sliding guide which follows the winding path is comprised.

4. The machinery, according to claim 3, wherein said at least one pair of grasping pliers (50) is movable along said sliding guide.

5. The machinery, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein an exchange system (41, 42, 43, 44) is provided for moving the grasping pliers along the winding path and / or transferring the grasping pliers from a segment to a subsequent segment of the winding path.

6. The machinery, according to claim 5, wherein said exchange system comprises four carriages (41, 42, 43, 44) and of which a first carriage (42) movable along an upper cross-piece (5), a second carriage (43) movable along a first vertical upright (4), a third carriage movable along a lower transversal rod (3b) parallel to said upper cross-piece (5) and a fourth carriage (41) movable along a second vertical upright (4) parallel to said first vertical upright (4).

7. The machinery, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein the winding path is a quadrilateral and wherein four support elements placed at the angles of said quadrilateral are provided.

8. The machinery, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein the upper cross-piece (5) is movable, thus being shiftable along said first and second vertical upright (4) in such a way as to be capable of moving close to and / or away from the lower transversal rod (3b), at least one couple of support elements being movable integrally with said upper cross-piece (5) .

9. The machinery, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said grasping pliers (50) are configured to be constrained to said carriages in such a way that shifting the carriages determines transport of the pliers along the winding path.

10. The machinery, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said grasping pliers (50) are floating, for example rotatable around the axis Z.

11. The machinery, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein a controller is provided which controls at least shifting in succession of said support elements (31, 32, 33, 34) once the tape has passed along the winding path, the controller being programmed to command activation of the means (20) for feeding and / or tensioning a tape by shifting the support elements in order to recover the excess of tape and the movement of the exchange system and / or the movement of the upper cross-piece.

12. The machinery, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said means (20) for feeding and / or tensioning a tape comprise a pair of counter-rotating pulleys (21, 22).

13. The use of a machinery according to one or more of the previous claims for strapping a product through a tape.

14. The use, according to claim 13, wherein the tape is a tape of non-weldable material, for example a paper material.

15. A method for strapping a product with a tape, the method providing the step of passing the tape around a plurality of support elements (31, 32, 33, 34) arranged to define a passage path of the tape which surrounds the product to be strapped, said support elements being movable in such a way as to provide a subsequent step of removing the support elements and the recovery of the excess of tape after removal of said support elements, in such a way that the tape gets into contact with the product (100) surrounding it with a certain degree of tension; Preferably the method provides the use of a tape of non-weldable material, for example a paper material, and the step of applying a clip which clamps two portions of said tape together thus completing strapping.

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