Device and method for guiding a strap around packaged goods

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for guiding a strap (37) around packaged goods (2), wherein the strap (37) has a front loose end (38) and a rear loose end (39). The device has a strap guiding means (5) for guiding the strap (37) and a conveyor device (7) for extending and retracting the strap guiding means (5) from a starting position to at least a connection position. The strap guiding means (5) can be extended from the starting position below the packaged goods (2) up to a deflecting point (120). The device (1) is designed such that the strap guiding means (27) carries out at least one additional upwards extending movement at the deflecting point (120) up to a height which is higher than the height of the packaged goods (2). The front end (5a) of the strap guiding means (5) is provided with a securing device (40) to which an end section (38a) of the front end (38) of the strap (37) can be releasably secured in the connection position. The securing device (40) draws the front end (38) of the strap (37) below the package goods (2) by means of a retracting movement of the strap guiding means (4).

Description

[0001] Device and method for guiding a tape around Packqut

[0002] This application claims priority from German patent application No. 10 2023 116 597.6, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] The invention relates to a device for guiding a band around packaged goods according to claim 1.

[0004] The invention further relates to a method for guiding a band around packaged goods according to claim 23.

[0005] Packaged goods, in particular items to be transported or stored, for example in the form of parcels, are generally fastened to pallets with a packaging tape, which is referred to below as strapping tape, in order to ensure safe and damage-free transport or appropriate storage of the items in order to package them ready for dispatch.

[0006] When strapping goods on pallets, especially piece goods, with strapping bands, it is necessary to pass the strapping band through a gap between the goods and the floor on which the goods and the associated pallet are standing. Since strapping bands generally have a rope-like behavior, i.e., they are not rigid, passing them through is often problematic, especially with longer pallets. Accordingly, with larger goods, such as parcels or piece goods, strapping is only possible with the aid of tools.

[0007] A device for guiding a strapping band around packaged goods is known from EP 1 053 941 B1. Furthermore, with regard to other known devices, reference is made to

[0008] DE 10 2012 217 805 A1 , DE 103 15 530 A1 , DE 10 2010 029 992 A1 and EP 3 877 267 B1.

[0009] EP 1 053 941 B1 describes a device for strapping or bundling a palletized load, comprising a strap guide and at least one clamping device arranged at the front end of the strap guide for clamping an initial section of the strap. The strap guide is designed as a rigid chain, to whose front end a guide carriage is detachably attached. The carriage guides the rigid chain and the strapping band attached to it along the floor beneath the pallet. The carriage can compensate for minor unevenness in the ground, such as the crossbeams of the pallets.

[0010] To prevent the user from having to laboriously pick up the strapping band from the floor, the carriage has a deflection unit for the rigid chain.

[0011] The carriage is designed to be detachable from the rigid chain and, together with the chain, travels a distance along the floor predetermined by a length-limiting band. In a predetermined position (deflection point), the carriage is held back by the length-limiting band and separated from the rigid chain, which continues to extend in a feed movement. The rigid chain is deflected by the deflection unit of the carriage, preferably by approximately 90 degrees, and in this way moved almost vertically upwards. Tipping over of the belt guide, which is designed as a chain, is prevented by the fact that the chain is designed as a rigid chain and can therefore only tip towards the object to be packaged. Tipping towards the object to be packaged is prevented by the strapping band being arranged within the chain in such a way that it keeps the rigid chain under tension during the extension movement.

[0012] After the user has taken over the strapping band or after the strapping process has been completed, the rigid chain can be retracted again, whereby it takes the extended carriage with it during its retraction movement and is connected to it in the carrying movement.

[0013] The device known from the prior art has proven itself in practice and enables packaged goods, in particular packaged goods arranged on pallets, to be strapped easily and quickly, almost regardless of the height of the packaged goods, without the operator having to bend down.

[0014] The device for strapping a palletised load known from EP 1 053 941 B1 is robust, reliable and easy to operate, which proves to be particularly important for the user in daily use.

[0015] The above-described mobile device for strapping according to EP 1 053 941 B1 and also the further development of this device according to EP 3 877 267 B1, which enables a higher strapping speed and optimizes the determination of the deflection point, have proven to be particularly suitable for strapping the packaged goods, preferably lying on a pallet, with a strapping band or a packaging band and thus achieving simple and efficient load securing.

[0016] The strapping bands or packaging bands used for strapping are not reusable and are usually made of plastic. The strapping bands or packaging bands are unwound from a supply roll when the band guide is extended. After the band guide has guided the strapping band around the packaged goods as described above, the front end of the strapping band is clamped to a section of the strapping band that is still connected to the supply of strapping band on the supply roll and then preferably welded. Behind the weld point, the strapping band is cut off so that the connection to the supply of strapping band on the supply roll is severed. The resulting exposed new front end of the strapping band can then be used for another strapping process.The aforementioned devices known from the prior art have proven to be very advantageous, in particular to enable mobile strapping of packaged goods.

[0017] Fully automatic, stationary strapping systems are also known from the state of the art. The strapping system typically has a channel surrounding the packaged goods, with the strapping band being fed from the supply roll through the channel and then fully automatically tensioned, sealed, and cut.

[0018] It has been shown that, in addition to the aforementioned devices for strapping packaged goods with a strapping or packaging band, there is also a need to secure packaged goods, in particular packaged goods on a pallet, with a reusable or multi-use band, for example in order to transport packaged goods or objects within a company. For this purpose, bands with a defined length, i.e. two loose ends, are used, i.e. bands that do not come "endless" from a supply roll. Such bands are also referred to below as straps. A front end of the strap is passed through by hand underneath the packaged goods, usually through a gap provided by a pallet between the floor and the packaged goods. At the other end of the pallet, the passed through front end of the strap is then picked up, placed over the packaged goods orto return the front end of the strap to the side of the pallet from which it was passed underneath the pallet. The front end of the strap is then tensioned to the rear end of the strap, often using a ratchet, strap tensioner, turnbuckle, buckle, or hook-and-loop fastener, preferably in conjunction with a metal loop at the rear end of the strap.

[0019] The advantage of this solution is that a reusable or multi-use strap (hereinafter referred to collectively as reusable strap) can be used. The strap can be released again, for example, using a ratchet mechanism, a turnbuckle, a buckle, or a hook-and-loop fastener, once the pallet or packaged goods have reached their destination or securing is no longer necessary. This eliminates the packaging waste typically generated when packaged goods are strapped with strapping from a supply roll.

[0020] The disadvantage is that the process of strapping the packaged goods using a reusable strap is time-consuming and laborious and places a strain on the operator's back in the long run.

[0021] The known mobile strapping devices or fully automatic strapping systems or the known processes for unwinding strapping from a supply roll and guiding it around the packaged goods are not suitable for reusable straps that have two loose ends, i.e., where the second end is also loose and that have a reusable locking mechanism with which the loose ends of the strap can be connected. Due to the higher weight and dimensions of the strap, these straps are not suitable for guiding around the packaged goods with the known mobile strapping devices or fully automatic strapping systems, where the strap is shot through a channel.

[0022] The present invention is based on the object of creating a device, in particular a mobile device, for guiding a belt around packaged goods, which largely reduces the manual activities of the operator.

[0023] The present invention is further based on the object of creating a method for guiding a belt around packaged goods which largely reduces the manual activities of the operator.

[0024] According to the invention, this object is achieved with regard to the device by the features of claim 1 and with regard to the method by the features of claim 23.

[0025] Within the scope of the invention, it was recognized that the devices and methods known from the prior art for mobile strapping of packaged goods with a strapping band or a packaging band can also be used to guide a band around packaged goods which are not a strapping band or packaging band that can only be used once, if the previous process which was intended for strapping is reversed or if the device or the method is modified for this purpose.

[0026] The device according to the invention for guiding a strap around packaged goods, wherein the strap has a front loose end and a rear loose end, has a strap guide for guiding the strap and a conveyor device for extending and retracting the strap guide from a starting position to at least one connecting position. The strap guide can be extended from the starting position underneath the packaged goods to a deflection point. The device is designed such that the strap guide performs at least one further upward extension movement at the deflection point to a height that is greater than the height of the packaged goods. A fastening device is provided at a front end of the strap guide, to which an end section of the front end of the strap can be releasably secured in the connecting position.The fastening device pulls the front end of the strap through a retracting movement of the strap guide underneath the packaged goods.

[0027] Because the device according to the invention has a fastening device to which an end section of the front end of the strap can be releasably secured in the connecting position, the strap guide means, when retracted by means of the conveyor device or when the strap guide means performs a retraction movement, can entrain the front end of the strap and thereby guide it around the packaged goods or at least pull it through underneath the packaged goods. The fastening device is designed or configured to fasten a strap and pull it along during the retraction movement of the strap guide means, in particular to pull it through underneath the packaged goods.

[0028] The fastening device is preferably provided in addition to a clamping device for a strapping band, so that the device is also suitable for guiding a strapping band around the packaged goods or for strapping the same in a known manner by an extension movement of the band guide means.

[0029] It has been shown that with the devices known from EP 1 053 941 B1 and in particular EP 3 877 267 B1, a belt having two loose ends can be guided around the packaged goods by guiding the belt around the packaged goods not during the conveyor device's extension, but rather during the retraction or retraction movement of the belt guide means. For this purpose, the respective device is provided with a fastening device to which the belt can be secured in the connecting position.

[0030] The device according to the invention is particularly suitable for guiding a belt around packaged goods which are arranged on a pallet, but the device according to the invention is not limited to this; it is sufficient if there is a gap underneath the packaged goods which allows the belt guiding means and thus also the belt to be passed through.

[0031] The connection position at which a front section of the strap can be or is secured to the fastening device can be located at the end of the upward extension movement. However, it can also be provided, preferably as described below, that the strap guide means is extended even further after the upward extension movement, in particular in order to bring the front end of the strap guide means and thus the fastening device closer to the side of the pallet or the packaged goods from which the strap guide means was extended in the starting position or on which the operator is located. This makes it easier to attach the end section of the front end of the strap to the fastening device and further improves the guiding of the strap around the packaged goods.

[0032] The connecting position is preferably located at the end of the extension movement of the band guide means or at the end of the extension movement of the band guide means which is intended to guide the band around the specific packaged goods.

[0033] The device according to the invention is preferably designed as a mobile device such that the device is mobile or movable, in particular movable relative to the packaged goods, preferably in that the device has rollers or other means for movement. The device preferably has a housing which accommodates at least the conveyor device for extending and retracting the belt guide means. The housing is preferably designed such that it completely accommodates or at least largely accommodates the belt guide means in the starting position. The device preferably has a control device which is preferably attached to the housing. The control device preferably has an operating unit and / or a screen, in particular a touchscreen.

[0034] It is advantageous if the housing is equipped with wheels so that the device is mobile and can be moved.

[0035] The strap that wraps around the packaged goods can be provided independently of the device. However, the strap can also be part of the device.

[0036] The feature that the band has a front loose end and a rear loose end does not mean that the rear loose end is actually free; it is sufficient within the scope of the invention if the rear loose end does not adhere anywhere or is not connected to another band section, ie the band has two ends, in contrast to the fact that classic strapping bands for strapping packaged goods are unrolled from a supply roll and thus only one front loose end is present.

[0037] The device according to the invention preferably has a device for measuring distance, for example a laser rangefinder or a laser that projects a line onto the floor so that the device can be positioned at a defined distance from the packaged goods.

[0038] The device according to the invention preferably comprises a magazine, a compartment or a storage, which is preferably connected to a housing of the device, such that a plurality of tapes can be stored in the magazine.

[0039] The belt guide of the device according to the invention is preferably designed as a rigid belt guide, in particular as a rigid chain, as described in EP 1 053 941 B1 or EP 3 877 267 B1. However, the belt guide can also be designed differently. The belt guide is preferably designed such that it can only tilt toward the packaged goods, as described in EP 1 053 941 B1 or EP 3 877 267 B1.

[0040] The extension of the belt guide means to a deflection point is preferably achieved as described in EP 1 053 941 B1 or EP 3 877 267 B1. The deflection point is preferably set by a length-limiting belt or another length-limiting device, e.g., a length-limiting chain. However, it is also possible for the deflection point to be defined with the aid of a motor brake or other electronic means. In the device according to the invention, the deflection point can preferably be set in accordance with the dimensions of the packaged goods or the pallet beneath which the belt is to be guided. Various possibilities for this are known from the prior art.

[0041] According to the invention, it can be provided that the band guide means, after the upward extension movement, carries out a further extension movement above the packaged goods in the direction of that side of the packaged goods on which the band guide means is in the starting position.

[0042] It has proven advantageous if the extension movement also includes an extension movement above the packaged goods in the direction of that side of the packaged goods on which the strap guide means is in the start position. This makes it easier to secure the end section of the front end of the strap to the fastening device formed at the front end of the strap guide means. In particular, it can be provided that the connecting position in which the end section of the front end of the strap is secured to the fastening device is located above the packaged goods at the end of the extension movement of the strap guide means, in particular in a position in which the front end of the strap guide means has completely passed over the packaged goods and is again on that side of the packaged goods on which the strap guide means is in the start position.

[0043] Within the scope of the invention, the extension movement of the strap guide means from the starting position below the packaged goods to the deflection point can be referred to as an extension movement in a first direction. The extension movement of the front end of the strap guide means after the upward extension movement above the packaged goods in the direction of the side of the packaged goods on which the strap guide means is in the starting position can be referred to as an extension movement opposite to the first direction.

[0044] According to the invention, it can further be provided that the band guide means executes a further downward extension movement after the band guide means has moved over the packaged goods above the packaged goods.

[0045] Particularly with tall packaged goods, it has proven advantageous if the strap guide performs a further downward extension movement after it has moved over the packaged goods above the packaged goods. This allows the operator to easily and effortlessly reach the fastening device at the front end of the strap guide to releasably secure the end section of the front end of the strap.

[0046] According to the invention, it can further be provided that the strap guide means, after the front end of the strap has been pulled through beneath the packaged goods by a retracting movement of the strap guide means, executes an upward extending movement in order to lift the fastening device and the end section of the strap attached thereto. It has proven particularly advantageous if the strap guide means executes an upward extending movement after the front end of the strap has been pulled through beneath the packaged goods. In principle, the operator could, after the front end of the strap has been pulled through beneath the packaged goods, remove the front end of the strap from the strap guide means, in particular in order to connect the front end of the strap to the rear end of the strap and thus secure the packaged goods. However, this will generally require the operator to bend down.To prevent bending over, it has proven advantageous for the strap guide to execute an upward extension movement, similar to the deflection point, so that the front end of the strap is guided towards the operator, preferably without the operator having to bend down. The strap guide thus executes an upward extension movement between the packaged goods and the device or a housing of the device. This can be electronically controlled or integrated into the process. After the strap guide has executed an upward extension movement and the operator has grasped the front end of the strap or released it from the fastening device, the strap guide can be retracted again and, in particular, assume the starting position.

[0047] The front end of the belt can also be lifted in another way if necessary, for example with the aid of a bracket, a gripping device or the like.

[0048] It is advantageous if a belt holder is provided and the belt can be arranged on the belt holder in such a way that the belt can be pulled out during the retraction movement of the belt guide means.

[0049] It has been found to be advantageous if the device according to the invention has a band holder, preferably such that a band can be arranged on it.

[0050] It is advantageous if the tape holder is designed to unwind a tape in the form of a tape roll.

[0051] It is advantageous if the band has a length which preferably corresponds at least approximately to the length necessary for the band to be guided completely around the packaged goods and which makes it possible to connect the two ends of the band to one another. This can preferably be achieved by the band having a length of 3 meters, 4 meters, 5 meters, 6 meters, 7 meters, 8 meters, 9 meters or 10 meters. The bands preferably have a length between 3 and 8 meters, in particular between 4 and 7 meters. The band is preferably in the form of a roll of band. The device preferably has a plurality of bands with different lengths.

[0052] It has been shown that tape rolls are particularly suitable for the device according to the invention or as part of the device according to the invention. According to the invention, the fastening device can be formed integrally or permanently connected to the tape guide means, or detachably connected to it.

[0053] It has proven suitable if the fastening device is formed integrally with the strap guide or the front end of the strap guide. It has also proven advantageous if the fastening device can be firmly connected to the strap guide. For this purpose, an additional connecting element can also be provided, which establishes a connection between the front end of the strap guide and the fastening device, for example, also enables an articulated connection.

[0054] According to the invention, it can also be provided that the fastening device is detachably connected to the strap guide. This advantageously makes it possible to use the device according to the invention both for guiding a reusable strap around packaged goods and for conventional strapping using a strapping or packaging strap.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment of the belt guide means as a rigid chain, the fastening device can be part of the rigid chain or be permanently connected to it. However, it is also possible for the fastening device to be detachably connected to the rigid chain.

[0056] According to the invention, it can further be provided that the fastening device is designed for a non-positive and / or positive connection to the end section of the front end of the band.

[0057] It has proven particularly suitable if the fastening device can be connected to the end section of the front end of the strap in a force-locking and / or form-locking manner, i.e., if the fastening device and / or the end section of the strap are designed to enable a force-locking and / or form-locking connection. In particular, a purely force-locking, a purely form-locking, or a combination of a force-locking and form-locking connection is possible.

[0058] Preferably, the connection is designed to be easy for the operator to release, particularly when the strap is completely wrapped around the packaged goods. Preferably, however, the connection is designed to be sufficiently stable to absorb or withstand the tensile forces when the strap is wrapped around the packaged goods, so that the connection cannot loosen automatically when the strap is wrapped around the packaged goods. It can be advantageous if the connection is designed so that it loosens automatically when defined tensile forces are reached, particularly to prevent malfunctions.

[0059] The fastening device and the end section of the front strap are preferably designed to establish a corresponding connection. In particular, it can be provided that the fastening device and the end section of the front end of the strap have specific configurations, for example, with mechanical and / or magnetic coding, so that only straps with the appropriate features can be connected to the fastening device.

[0060] In general, the fastening device serves to receive the strap, in particular the end section of the front end of the strap, preferably directly the end of the strap, or to fasten it in such a way that the strap can be pulled over the packaged goods when the strap guide means is retracted.

[0061] According to the invention, it can further be provided that the fastening device and the end section of the front end of the band have mutually complementary first and second connecting members, preferably for forming a non-positive and / or positive connection.

[0062] The connecting links preferably have coordinated positive and negative shapes.

[0063] It has proven particularly suitable if both the fastening device and the end section of the front end of the strap have complementary connecting links. The connecting links can also have a magnetic or mechanical coding.

[0064] Mechanical coding can be achieved, for example, by having the connecting links with special geometric contours, such as a recess with a specific, preferably non-symmetrical shape into which a correspondingly designed projection is inserted. This ensures that only two specifically designed connecting links can be connected to each other.

[0065] Magnetic coding can be achieved, for example, by having each connecting link comprise a plurality of magnets. In this case, a magnet from one connecting link forms a magnetic pair with an oppositely oriented magnet from the other connecting link, meaning that a north pole is opposite a south pole, and the magnets of the magnetic pair therefore attract each other accordingly.

[0066] Preferably, each connecting link has differently oriented magnets, so that a connection to one connecting link is only possible if the other connecting link has correspondingly complementarily oriented magnets. For example, the first connecting link can have two magnets, with one magnet oriented such that the north pole is part of the contact surface and one magnet oriented such that a south pole is part of the contact surface (preferably, a third or fourth or further corresponding magnets are also provided). This ensures that only a connecting link, in which the magnets are arranged correspondingly and oriented complementarily with respect to magnetization, can be reliably connected.

[0067] According to the invention, it can further be provided that the first connecting members are designed as projections, pins or elevations and the second connecting members are designed as holes, recesses or cutouts complementary thereto.

[0068] Such a design, possibly in combination with magnets, has proven to be particularly suitable.

[0069] In particular, it can also be provided that the fastening device and correspondingly the end section of the front end of the band each have a plurality of connecting links, for example two or more than two first connecting links and correspondingly two or more than two second connecting links are provided, for example two projections and complementary thereto two holes, two recesses or two cutouts.

[0070] Furthermore, it is possible for the fastening device or the end section of the front end of the band to have several differently designed connecting links, i.e., for example, the fastening device to have one or more connecting links designed as projections and one or more connecting links designed as recesses. The end section of the front end of the band can be designed accordingly in a complementary manner, resulting in mechanical coding. Alternatively or additionally, the use of magnets is also possible.

[0071] According to the invention, it can further be provided that the first and second connecting members form a hook and loop connection with one another, wherein preferably the first connecting member has barbs and the second connecting member has loops.

[0072] Such a design has proven to be particularly suitable.

[0073] In principle, the connecting links can be designed to form a hook-and-loop fastener, to be clipped together, to be magnetically connected using magnets, to have or form snap fasteners, or to enable a clamp connection, whereby both the end section of the strap can be clamped into the fastening device and vice versa. Furthermore, the first and second connecting links can be designed to be spring tensioners or to enable a corresponding connection.

[0074] Combinations of the aforementioned connection options are also possible. According to the invention, it can further be provided that the end section of the front end of the band and an end section of the rear end of the band are designed in such a way that they can be releasably closed to one another, preferably resealable to one another multiple times.

[0075] It has proven particularly suitable if the end sections of the strap can be releasably connected or closed to one another, so that the end section of the front end of the strap, after it has been guided around the packaged goods, can be closed or connected to the end section of the rear end of the strap. The end sections of the strap are preferably designed such that the strap can be used multiple times, i.e., that the connection between the end sections can be opened and closed multiple times. This is in contrast to conventional strapping or packaging straps, which only allow a single connection and are usually welded together for this purpose.

[0076] According to the invention, it can further be provided that the band is a textile band and / or a belt band and / or the band is reusable.

[0077] The design of the band as a belt strap, preferably made of a textile material and preferably such that the band can be used multiple times or is reusable, has proven particularly suitable. The length of the band is preferably at least 3 meters, more preferably at least 4 meters. The length of the band is preferably at most 12 meters, more preferably at most 10 meters, even more preferably at most 8 meters, and most preferably at most 7 meters. Bands with a length of 3 meters, preferably 4 meters to 10 meters, and preferably up to 7 meters, have proven particularly suitable for use together with the device or as part of the device.

[0078] It has proven particularly suitable if a first number of bands has a specific length between 3 and 12 meters, and a second number of bands is 20 cm to 100 cm, preferably 50 cm to 100 cm, in particular 100 cm longer or shorter than the first number of bands. A third number of bands, if additionally provided, can then differ accordingly from the second number of bands. The same applies to a fourth number of bands, which can differ accordingly from the third number of bands, etc.It has proven particularly advantageous if a first number of straps have a length of 4 meters, a second number of straps have a length of 5 meters, a third number of straps have a length of 6 meters and a fourth number of straps have a length of 7 meters, whereby further strap types can be provided which have lengths in the range from 3 to 12 meters, for example 3 meters, 4 meters, 5 meters, 6 meters, 7 meters, 8 meters, 9 meters, 10 meters, 11 meters and 12 meters. Preferably, the straps with different lengths each have different colors, for example a strap with a length of 5 meters is green and a strap with a length of 6 meters is blue, so that the operator can quickly and easily select a strap with a suitable length depending on the size of the packaged goods.Preferably, a display of the device shows which tape (length and / or color) should be used for the specific packaged goods.

[0079] According to the invention, it can be provided that the device has a control device with which the length of the packaged goods to be strapped can be set or detected, for example a length of 4 meters, and the control device or the software then suggests a band with a suitable length, in particular a band with a suitable color, which represents the suitable length.

[0080] A hook-and-loop fastener may be particularly suitable for connecting the end sections of the straps, especially if the hook-and-loop fastener extends over a suitable length of the end sections, preferably such that the end sections can be connected to one another with an overlap over a length of at least 20 cm. It is also possible for only one end section, preferably the front end section, to have a hook-and-loop fastener, and for the other end section to have a loop, e.g., a metal loop, through which the end section provided with the hook-and-loop fastener can be passed and, after passing through, deflected and thus connected to itself using the hook-and-loop fastener.

[0081] The bands, preferably when they are belt bands made of a textile material, preferably have a width of at least 10 mm, preferably at least 20 mm, more preferably at least 30 mm, even more preferably at least 40 mm, in particular at least 50 mm. The width of the bands is preferably at most 150 mm, preferably at most 120 mm, in particular at most 100 mm and more preferably at most 80 mm. Widths in a range from 30 mm to 80 mm have proven to be particularly suitable. The thickness of the bands is preferably at least 1 mm, more preferably at least 1.2 mm, even more preferably at least 1.4 mm, particularly preferably at least 1.8 mm, very particularly preferably at least 2.0 mm, even more preferably at least 2.2 mm, in particular at least 2.5 mm, preferably at least 2.9 mm.

[0082] As described above, the bands of a set of bands have different lengths, but preferably the same width and the same thickness.

[0083] According to the invention, a magazine for receiving a plurality of tapes, preferably in the form of tape rolls, can also be provided.

[0084] The magazine is preferably connected to a housing of the device or formed on the housing of the device. The magazine is preferably detachably or releasably connected to the housing or the device. The magazine is preferably lockable or lockable, so that unauthorized removal of the tapes, in particular the tape rolls, is prevented. The magazine can have mandrels or rods onto which the tapes, preferably tape rolls, preferably sorted by length or color, can be attached. The device can be provided with multiple magazines, preferably removable magazines.

[0085] According to the invention, it can further be provided that a device for winding up already used tapes is provided, wherein the device has a receptacle for hanging the rear loose end of the tape and a drive for winding up the tape.

[0086] It has proven particularly suitable if the device has a device for winding up previously used tapes, so that the tapes can be wound up or rolled up for reuse. The device for winding up previously used tapes can have a receptacle for hooking in the loose rear end of the tape and a drive for winding up the tape. The winding device can be designed as a separate device. The power supply can be via a battery or a cable. It can be provided that a housing of the device is designed such that the winding device can be supplied with power via a cable or a cable connection which is formed in the housing. The housing can also be designed such that the battery can be charged in the housing.Furthermore, the housing can be designed in such a way that it has a holder for attaching the winding device to the housing when it is not needed or needs to be charged.

[0087] The winding device can also be permanently installed on a housing of the device.

[0088] The winding device can comprise an electric motor with a housing. A button for actuation can also be provided, preferably with a deadman's switch for safety reasons. The winding device can also be designed such that the tape is wound up via a rotary movement of the drive. The winding device can also be designed such that the direction of rotation of the drive motor is predetermined.

[0089] The device for winding up and the tape holder for unwinding can be realized in one component or can be designed as a component which is suitable for both winding up and unwinding the tape.

[0090] According to the invention, it can further be provided that stabilizing members are provided which stabilize the band guide means at least in sections in such a way that a tilting movement of the band guide means in the direction of the packaged goods is at least slowed down and / or inhibited.

[0091] It has proven particularly suitable to provide stabilizing members which prevent the strap guide means, particularly when designed as a rigid chain as described in EP 3 877 267 B1 and EP 1 053 941 B1, from tipping unbraked towards the packaged goods. In the known mobile strapping devices, it is provided and also desired that in particular the front section of the strap guide means can execute a tilting movement towards the packaged goods (as already described above). This tilting movement is dampened by the strapping band carried along when the strap guide means is extended. Since no strapping band is carried along in the device according to the invention, stabilization by the strapping band is omitted.In principle, it would be possible to carry the strapping band along for this reason and then rewind it onto a supply roll when the band guide is retracted. However, it has proven advantageous if the band guide, in particular the links of a rigid chain, are stabilized in some other way so that a tilting movement of the band guide, in particular of the front end of the band guide, towards the packaged goods is at least slowed and / or inhibited. For this purpose, fiberglass or carbon fiber rods can preferably be used to stiffen the band guide or the rigid chain. It is also possible to clip spring elements, at least in sections, between individual links of the band guide, in particular the chain links of the rigid chain.The spring elements can preferably be made of plastic in such a way that the individual links of the band guide, in particular the individual chain links of a rigid chain, are stabilized. It is also conceivable for the stabilizing links to be designed as rubber bands. This also makes it possible to at least slow down and / or inhibit a tilting movement of the band guide in the direction of the packaged goods. It should be noted that at the deflection point or when the upward extension movement ends and is to transition into a horizontal movement, a tilting of the front end of the band guide in the direction of the packaged goods is desired. The stabilizing links are only intended to slow down and / or inhibit the tilting movement in the direction of the packaged goods.

[0092] The stabilizing links serve to stiffen the tape guide or to increase its rigidity.

[0093] The springs or the plastic springs can preferably be clipped between individual links of the band guide means, in particular between individual links of the back-stiff chain, so that in each case one link of the band guide means or one link of the chain is stiffened to the next link, wherein it may be sufficient if some of the links of the band guide means or of the back-stiff chain are connected to one another in this way.

[0094] According to the invention, a guide carriage can be provided which can be extended together with the band guide means below the packaged goods up to a deflection point, wherein an adjustment device is provided in order to set a desired extension length of the guide carriage up to the deflection point, wherein the guide carriage has a deflection unit which can deflect the band guide means at the deflection point.

[0095] The design of the device according to the invention with a guide carriage and an adjustment device has proven to be particularly suitable. A particularly advantageous implementation of a guide carriage and / or an adjustment device is disclosed in EP 3 877 267 B1. The present invention also relates to a belt for a device according to one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the belt has a front loose end and a rear loose end, wherein the front loose end of the belt, which is exposed when the belt is wound up, has an end portion, wherein the fastening device provided at the front end of the belt guide means and the end portion of the front end of the belt have mutually complementary first and second connecting members for forming a non-positive and / or positive connection.

[0096] It has been shown that such a band is particularly suitable for the device according to the invention or as part of the device according to the invention or for use within the scope of the device according to the invention.

[0097] Preferably, the tape is formed as a roll before unwinding. However, the tape can also be looped or otherwise formed.

[0098] It is advantageous if the band is a textile band and / or the band is a belt band and / or the band has a turnbuckle and / or the band has a belt buckle and / or the band is reusable and / or the end section of the front end of the band and an end section of the rear end of the band are designed in such a way that they can be releasably closed with one another, preferably can be reclosed with one another multiple times and / or the first connecting links are designed as projections, pins or elevations and the second connecting links are designed as complementary holes, cutouts or recesses and / or the first and second connecting links form a hook and loop connection with one another, wherein preferably the first connecting link has barbs and the second connecting link has loops.

[0099] With regard to further advantageous embodiments of the band, reference is made to the further explanations regarding the band in the context of the device according to the invention.

[0100] The present invention also relates to a set of straps for a device according to one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the set of straps comprises at least a first number of straps with a first length and a second number of straps with a second length, wherein the straps each have a front loose end and a rear loose end, wherein in each case the front loose end of the straps, which is exposed in the wound-up state of the strap, has an end section, wherein the fastening device provided at the front end of the strap guide means and the end section of the front end of the strap have mutually complementary first and second connecting members for forming a non-positive and / or positive connection.

[0101] Such a set of bands has proven particularly suitable for the device according to the invention. The set of bands can also be part of the device according to the invention or be used for it. The bands of the set of bands are preferably designed as band rolls before unwinding.

[0102] It is advantageous if the bands of the first number have a different color than the bands of the second number. If bands of a third number, a fourth number, etc. are provided, these also preferably have different colors, so that the color of the bands indicates the length of the bands.

[0103] With regard to further advantageous embodiments of the bands, reference is made to the above and following explanations of the band.

[0104] The invention further relates to a device for winding up tapes for a device according to one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the device has a receptacle for the rear loose end of the tape and a drive for winding up the tape.

[0105] Such a device has proven to be particularly suitable for (re)winding tapes, in particular previously used tapes that were used in the device. The device can also be part of the device or used accordingly in the device. The device can be a separate device. However, the device can also be permanently connected to the housing of the device according to the invention or be permanently installed. The device preferably has an electric motor with a housing and a button for actuation, preferably with a dead man's switch for safety reasons. The device is preferably designed such that the tape is wound up via a rotary movement of the drive. The direction of rotation of the drive motor is preferably predetermined.The device is preferably battery-operated, but a cable connection can also be provided to ensure the power supply. A cable connection to the device according to the invention or to the housing of the device according to the invention is preferably provided. If the device has a battery, the device according to the invention or the housing of the device according to the invention can furthermore have a charging station for the battery such that the removed battery can be inserted or the device as a whole can be plugged into the charging station.

[0106] The holder for the rear loose end can be designed in such a way that the rear loose end of the strap can be hooked in or can be hooked in.

[0107] It can further be provided that the device according to the invention or a housing of the device according to the invention has a holder suitable for accommodating the winding device. The present invention also relates to a magazine for accommodating a plurality of tapes, preferably in the form of tape rolls, for a device according to one of claims 1 to 16.

[0108] It has proven advantageous if the tapes, particularly in the form of tape rolls, are accommodated in a magazine that can preferably be detachably connected to a housing or the device. For advantageous embodiments, reference is made to the above and following explanations regarding the magazine.

[0109] The present invention also relates to a method for guiding a strap around packaged goods, wherein the strap has a front loose end and a rear loose end.According to the invention, it is provided that a band guide means for guiding the band is extended by means of a conveyor device from a starting position at least to a connecting position, after which the band guide means is guided from the starting position underneath the packaged goods and extended to a deflection point, after which the band guide means is deflected at the deflection point in such a way that it carries out an upwardly directed extending movement to a height which is higher than the height of the packaged goods, after which, when the band guide means has been extended to the connecting position, an end section of the front end of the band is releasably secured to a front end of the band guide means, after which the band guide means is subsequently retracted again by means of the conveyor device in such a way that the front end of the band is pulled through underneath the packaged goods by the retraction movement of the band guide means.

[0110] The method according to the invention allows straps, in particular reusable straps, in particular belt straps, with a defined length or two loose ends to be guided around the packaged goods in a particularly advantageous manner. After the strap guide means has been extended in such a way that it is guided from the starting position underneath the packaged goods and deflected upwards at the deflection point in such a way that the strap guide means executes an upward extension movement to a height that is greater than the height of the packaged goods, an end section of the front end of the strap can be releasably secured to a front end of the strap guide means when the strap guide means has reached the connecting position. The strap guide means is then retracted again with the aid of the conveyor device in such a way that the front end of the strap is pulled underneath the packaged goods by the retraction movement of the strap guide means.The strap is thus automatically guided around the packaged goods, making the operator's work considerably easier. After the front end of the strap has been pulled through beneath the packaged goods by the retracting movement of the strap guide, an operator can grasp the front end or receive it from the strap guide.

[0111] In a particularly simple embodiment of the invention, the connecting position can be located at the end of the upward extension movement of the strap guide. This avoids the operator having to bend down to guide the strap under the packaged goods. In this case, however, the operator must move from the side of the packaged goods or pallet where the starting position of the strap guide is located to the front end of the strap guide in order to then secure the end section of the front end of the strap there.

[0112] It is advantageous if, after the upward extension movement, the belt guide means carries out a further extension movement above the packaged goods in the direction of the side of the packaged goods on which the belt guide means is in the starting position.

[0113] Such a further movement of the strap guide above the packaged goods moves the front end of the strap guide closer to the operator, who is typically located on the side of the packaged goods where the strap guide is in the starting position. The operator can thus relatively easily connect the end section of the front end of the strap to the front end of the strap guide. The connecting position is thus at the point reached by the strap guide after the further extension movement above the packaged goods ends.

[0114] It should be noted that the belt guide means could, if necessary, be extended further forward after the belt has been fixed or that it would in principle be possible to extend the belt guide means even further forward.

[0115] It may also be advantageous if the belt guide means, after the belt guide means has moved over the packaged goods above the packaged goods, carries out a further downward extension movement.

[0116] A further downward extension movement may be advantageous so that the operator, especially when the packaged goods are particularly high, does not have to stretch to reach the front end of the strap guide means in order to hook the end section of the front end of the strap there. When the strap guide means performs a further downward extension movement as described above, the connecting position is preferably located at the end of this further downward extension movement.

[0117] According to the invention, it can further be provided that the band guide means, after the front end of the band has been pulled through below the packaged goods by a retraction movement of the band guide means, carries out an upward extension movement.

[0118] It has proven particularly advantageous if, after the front end of the band has been pulled through beneath the packaged goods, whereby the front end of the band guide means has also been pulled through beneath the packaged goods, the band guide means executes an upward extension movement so that the front end of the band guide means moves upwards and thus the front end of the band, which is secured there, is also moved upwards. The operator can thus reach the front end of the band, preferably without bending down. The front end of the band guide means is thus moved upwards between a housing of the device according to the invention and the packaged goods.

[0119] According to the invention, it can further be provided that the end section of the front end of the band, after the front end of the band has been pulled through below the packaged goods, is detachably connected to an end section of the rear end of the band.

[0120] A design of the strap such that the two end sections of the strap can be connected to one another, preferably in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner, in particular using a hook-and-loop fastener, has proven particularly suitable. The force-fitting and / or form-fitting connecting elements, in particular the hook-and-loop fastener, are preferably formed over a defined length, preferably of at least 20 cm, over the length of at least one of the end sections, so that the length of the strap varies accordingly and the packaged goods to be secured can be lashed down accordingly.

[0121] It is advantageous if the tape is provided as a tape roll, whereby the tape is unrolled during the retraction movement of the tape guide means.

[0122] In the context of the invention, the term band is to be understood as meaning that it can also be a reusable cord or a reusable chain.

[0123] The strap, in particular the webbing, can be a hook-and-loop fastener. The strap is particularly a reusable strap, for example, a strap used to secure cargo in trucks.

[0124] The strap can preferably be designed in such a way that it can be tightened with a Velcro fastener in order to secure the packaged goods.

[0125] The connection between the band and the fastening device or the front end of the band guide means can also be made by clamping.

[0126] According to the invention, it can be provided that, based on the length by which the band guide means is extended to the connecting position, a control device determines or suggests a band or the length of the band whose front end is fixed to the band guide means.

[0127] It has proven particularly advantageous if a control device, based on how far the tape guide means is or will be extended, determines or suggests a specific tape or a specific tape type, in particular with a specific length, which is then used to connect to the front end of the tape guide means. This ensures that the tape which is or is to be guided around the packaged goods has a suitable length. It can be advantageous if, as an alternative or in addition to specifying a length that the tape should have, the control device suggests or displays a color of the tape, especially if there is a set of tapes in which each tape of a color has a specific length. The operator can therefore simply select a suitable tape based on the color.

[0128] According to the invention, it can be provided that the device is designed accordingly for selecting or determining a band.

[0129] For further advantageous embodiments of the method, reference is made analogously to the description of the device according to the invention.

[0130] The present invention also relates to a computer program product with program code means for carrying out a method according to one of claims 23 to 29 when the program is executed on a control device of a device for guiding a belt around packaged goods according to one of claims 1 to 16.

[0131] Advantageous further developments and refinements arise from the dependent claims and the following explanations.

[0132] Features that have already been described in connection with one of the subject matters of the present invention, namely the device according to the invention, the method according to the invention, the tape according to the invention, the set of tapes according to the invention, the device for winding tapes according to the invention, and the computer program product according to the invention, can also be advantageously implemented for the other subject matters of the invention. Furthermore, advantages that have already been mentioned in connection with one of the subject matters of the present invention can also be understood to apply to the other subject matters of the invention.

[0133] The figures each show preferred embodiments in which individual features of the present invention are illustrated in combination with one another. The features of one embodiment can also be implemented independently of the other features of the same embodiment and can accordingly be combined by a person skilled in the art with features of other embodiments to form further useful combinations.

[0134] It shows:

[0135] Figure 1 shows a strapping device as known from the prior art;

[0136] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a section through a strapping device known from the prior art, in a normal position of the guide carriage before reaching a deflection point; Figure 3 shows a strapping device as known from the prior art, in a further sectional view, in a normal position of the guide carriage before reaching the deflection point;

[0137] Figure 4 is a view according to Figure 3, wherein the guide carriage has reached the deflection point and a deflection unit of the guide carriage has been deflected upwards by approximately 90 degrees;

[0138] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a device according to the invention, wherein the tape guide means is in a starting position which, in this embodiment, corresponds to a position completely retracted into a housing of the device according to the invention;

[0139] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the device according to the invention and a packaged item, wherein a front end of the tape guide means is extended from a housing of the device, but is not yet passed under the packaged item;

[0140] Figure 7 is a representation according to Figure 6, wherein a front end of the band guide means is extended beneath the packaged goods to a deflection point and deflected there;

[0141] Figure 8 is a view according to Figure 7, wherein a front end of the band guide means, after the upward extension movement, has executed a further extension movement above the packaged goods in the direction of that side of the packaged goods on which the band guide means is in the starting position;

[0142] Figure 9 is a representation according to Figure 8, wherein the front end of the band guide means is extended above the packaged goods to that side of the packaged goods on which the band guide means is in the starting position;

[0143] Figure 10 is a view according to Figure 9, wherein an end portion of the front end of the band is fixed to a front end of the band guide means, in particular a fastening device arranged there;

[0144] Figure 11 is a representation according to Figure 10, wherein the front end of the band is pulled through beneath the packaged goods by a retracting movement of the band guide means, wherein the front end of the band guide means or the front end of the band is located between the packaged goods and a housing of the device;

[0145] Figure 12 is a view according to Figure 11, wherein the belt guide means has executed an upwardly directed extension movement in order to transport the front end of the belt upwards between the packaged goods and a housing of the device; and Figure 13 is a view according to Figure 12, wherein the end sections of the belt are connected to one another and the belt guide means is in an initial position, which essentially corresponds to the starting position or can be regarded as the starting position.

[0146] Figures 1 to 4 show known mobile strapping devices T from the prior art, which, when modified or operated accordingly and, in particular, without a strapping band, are suitable as a basis or for the device according to the invention or for carrying out the method according to the invention. The operation of such a strapping device T is described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Reference is also made to EP 3 877 267 B1 and EP 1 053 941 B1.

[0147] It should be noted that the design of the device 1 according to the invention is not limited to devices T as described in Figures 1 to 4 or in EP 3 877 267 B1 or EP 1 053 941 B1. The device according to the invention and the method according to the invention can also be implemented in other structural ways. However, the embodiments according to EP 3 877 267 B1 or EP 1 053 941 B1 or according to Figures 1 to 4 are particularly suitable.

[0148] In principle, it is advantageous if the device 1 according to the invention is designed as a mobile device, although the invention is not limited to this. Mobility can preferably be achieved by providing the device 1 with rollers or wheels, which, however, do not need to be driven.

[0149] It should be noted that devices T of the type described in EP 3 877 267 B1 or EP 1 053 941 B1 or as shown in Figures 1 to 4 are particularly suitable for implementing the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention. Therefore, the features described below according to Figures 1 to 4 or according to EP 3 877 267 B1 or EP 1 053 941 B1 are to be understood such that they can preferably be part of the device 1 according to the invention, although it is not necessary that all features are implemented. For an advantageous embodiment, it may be sufficient if individual features or combinations of individual features from EP 3 877 267 B1 or EP 1 053 941 B1 or according to Figures 1 to 4 are implemented within the framework of the device 1 according to the invention and the method according to the invention.

[0150] Identical features of the embodiments of the figures are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0151] Figure 1 shows a device T for strapping packaged goods 2, in particular parcels or objects. As can be seen in Figure 1, the packaged goods 2 can, for example, be placed on pallets 3 or similar and can be connected to the pallet 3 using a strapping band 4 for transport or storage.

[0152] A strapping band 4 is not necessary within the scope of the device 1 according to the invention, as shown in principle in Figures 5 to 13. However, a strapping band 4 could, if necessary, be carried along during extension to stabilize the band guide means 5 (e.g., a rigid chain) described in more detail below, and could be wound back onto a supply roll (not shown) during retraction.

[0153] Furthermore, the presence of a strapping band 4 can be suitable so that the device 1 ' for strapping packaged goods 2 can be used both for strapping packaged goods 2 using a strapping band 4 and as a device 1 according to the invention or for carrying out the method according to the invention.

[0154] In the following, the device T and its functional principle are therefore also described with reference to the strapping band 4.

[0155] The device T in Figure 1 comprises a strap guide 5 for guiding the strapping band 4, which is designed, in particular, as a guide chain 5. However, the exemplary embodiment is not limited to this. The strap guide 5 is also referred to below as a guide chain; it should be noted that both terms are to be considered synonymous within the scope of the disclosure. The strap guide 5 can, in particular, be a rigid chain.

[0156] The guide chain 5 preferably has a plurality of links 6 which are connected to one another, for example via bolts not designated in more detail.

[0157] The guide chain 5 or its links 6 is or are preferably made of plastic.

[0158] A conveyor device 7 is provided for extending and retracting the guide chain 5. In the exemplary embodiment, the guide device 7 engages with the guide chain 5 in order to extend and retract it from a housing 8 of the device 1. It should be noted that the conveyor device 7 can also extend the belt guide means 5 in other ways.

[0159] A supply roll (not shown) for the strapping band 4 can be secured to the housing 8. The strapping band 4 can preferably be secured to a front end of the guide chain 5 so that the strapping band 4 can be extended with the guide chain 5.

[0160] For extending and retracting the belt guide means 5, the conveyor device 7 preferably has a gear 9, the teeth of which engage with the guide chain 5 or the links 6. It can be provided that the gear 9 engages with its teeth with transverse webs of the links 6, which extend transversely to the extension movement of the guide chain 5.

[0161] Alternatively, the gear wheel 9 or the conveyor device 7 can also operate the guide chain 5 in another way in order to retract and extend it.

[0162] The conveyor device 7 can be driven manually or, as preferably provided in the embodiments according to Figures 1 to 13, by an electric motor 10. The electric motor 10 is indicated by dashed lines in Figures 3 and 4.

[0163] The retraction and extension movement of the guide chain 5 can be generated by the electric motor 10 or a hand crank.

[0164] As can be seen from Figures 1 to 4, the device 1' has a guide carriage 11, which preferably has a deflection unit 12 and a thrust part 13. In Figure 1 (and also in Figure 4), the guide carriage 11 is extended to a desired extension length or to a deflection point 120.

[0165] The guide carriage 11 is shown in Figure 1 (and Figure 4) in its deflection position, in which the deflection unit 12 is pivoted approximately 90 degrees relative to its normal position about a pivot axis 14 or a pin. The pivot axis 14 forms the pivot point for the pivoting movement of the deflection unit 12 and is arranged transversely to the retraction direction (arrow marked with reference numeral 15) and the extension direction (arrow marked with reference numeral 16). The pivot axis 14 forms a positive and rotatable connection between the deflection unit 12 of the guide carriage 11 and its thrust part 13.

[0166] The guide chain 5 is deflected by the deflection unit 12 in such a way that it is deflected upwards starting from the floor on which the device 1 stands, as shown in Figure 1 and also in Figure 4.

[0167] The design of the guide carriage 11, in particular with the deflection unit 12 and / or with the thrust part 13, as shown in Figure 1, has proven suitable. However, for the basic functionality of the present invention, a different type of deflection of the guide chain 5 at the deflection point 120 can also be provided.

[0168] In the exemplary embodiment, the guide carriage 11 is extended together with the guide chain 5 to the desired extension length up to the deflection point 120, and the guide chain 5 is deflected accordingly by the deflection unit 12 at the deflection point 120. The guide carriage 11 is extended by the guide chain 5, which is driven accordingly by the conveyor device 7. The guide carriage 11 and the guide chain 5 are guided underneath the packaged goods 2, in the exemplary embodiment below a support level of the pallet 3.

[0169] In the exemplary embodiment, the desired extension length is dimensioned such that the deflection point 120 is located at a point where the guide carriage 11 exits again below the pallet 3. This is illustrated accordingly in Figure 1.

[0170] In the embodiments according to Figures 1 to 4, a clamping device 17 is arranged at a front end of the guide chain 5, with which the strapping band 4 is fixed to the guide chain 5 before the strapping process begins. The clamping device 17 can, for example, be designed as a self-clamping eccentric bolt, which is rotatably mounted via a bolt 18. Furthermore, the guide chain 5 can have a release cam 19 firmly connected to this end, as well as an elongated hole 20 arranged in the guide chain 5. The release cam 19 and the elongated hole 20 serve to detachably connect the guide carriage 11 to the guide chain 5.

[0171] It should be noted that the manner of fastening the strapping band 4, the design of the clamping device 17, and also the manner in which the guide carriage 11 is connected to the guide chain 5 represent only one of several possible configurations; the exemplary embodiment and the invention are not limited to these. Nevertheless, the configuration described above and below has proven particularly advantageous.

[0172] It should also be noted that the features for fastening the strapping band 4 are not necessary if a strapping band 4 is omitted or if the device 1 according to the invention and the method according to the invention are not additionally used for strapping.

[0173] Furthermore, Figure 1 shows a length-limiting band 21, which is preferably attached at one end to the sliding part 13 of the guide carriage 11 and can be fixed at the other end to the device T or a fixed part of the housing 8 via an end stop 22 attached to the length-limiting band 21. With the aid of the end stop 22 and a counter-stop 23 movable in Figure 1, the distance that can be covered by the guide carriage 11 can be adjusted - in the prior art device T shown in Figure 1.

[0174] In the device 1' according to the prior art, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, a length-limiting belt 21 is also provided. The device T according to the invention, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, however, discloses a more advantageous adjustment of the length-limiting belt 21, which differs from the illustration in Figure 1. This is explained in more detail below with reference to Figures 2 to 4. In the exemplary embodiments according to Figures 1 to 4, the length-limiting belt 21 is connected to the guide carriage 11 and can be extended with the guide carriage 11. In contrast to Figure 1, however, in Figures 2 to 4 an adjustment device 24 is provided in order to set the desired extension length of the guide carriage 11 up to the deflection point 120. The functioning of the adjustment device 24 and its design are explained in more detail below with reference to Figures 2 to 4.

[0175] First, a basic functional principle of the device 1 ' will be explained again with reference to Figure 1 .

[0176] It should be pointed out again that the explanation based on Figure 1 only serves to illustrate a functional principle of the device 1 ', which has proven to be suitable, but the implementation of the solution according to the invention is not limited to the concrete embodiment shown in Figure 1 or to the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 4.

[0177] All features shown in Figures 1 to 4 are therefore to be regarded as optional.

[0178] As can be seen from Figure 1, the guide chain 5 can be detachably connected to the guide carriage 11 via a special locking mechanism 25, as follows.

[0179] The locking mechanism 25 has a rotatably mounted lever 26 which is rotatably mounted via a bolt (not designated).

[0180] According to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the coupled forward extension movement 16 of the guide chain 5 with the connected guide carriage 11 continues until the guide carriage 11 is stopped in its position, for example, by means of the length-limiting band 21, i.e., the end stop 22 strikes the movable counter-stop 23. The distance traveled by the guide carriage 11 can be variably adjusted via the end stop 22.

[0181] However, the guide chain 5 and the deflection unit 12 of the guide carriage 11, which is locked to the guide chain 5 at this time, are further conveyed with the aid of the gear wheel 9 in the direction of the extension movement 16, whereby the deflection unit 12 is deflected by approximately 90 degrees relative to the previous position until it rests against a stop 13a attached to the sliding part 13. In the normal position of the deflection unit 12 (in which it has not yet been pivoted by 90 degrees), a support block 27 prevents a locking pin (not shown) connected to the guide carriage 11 from jumping out of the elongated hole 20 by said locking pin resting against the end face of the locking pin on the support block 27. By pivoting the deflection unit 12, this locking pin is released with the aid of the lever 26, whereby the connection between the deflection unit 12 and the rigid guide chain 5 is released. At the same time, the released locking bolt locks orThe lever holds the deflection unit 12 in its substantially vertical position. The above-described embodiment is also described in detail in EP 1 053 941 B1, to which reference is hereby made.

[0182] The strap guide means, designed as a guide chain 5, is conveyed upwards after passing through the deflection unit 12, essentially perpendicular to the floor, along a side wall of the packaged goods 2 to be packaged. Tipping of the guide chain 5 away from the packaged goods 2 to be packaged is prevented by its rigid back design. Furthermore, the strapping band 4, which is preferably guided along the back of the guide chain 5, keeps it pre-tensioned, thus also preventing tipping towards the packaged goods 2 to be packaged. The tension of the strapping band 4 can, however, be released, for example, by briefly interrupting the extension movement, so that the guide chain 5, when it protrudes a certain amount beyond the upper edge of the packaged goods 2 to be packaged, can be tilted onto the package 2 as desired. From there, the guide chain 5 is conveyed back on the packaged goods 2 to be packaged in the direction of the device 1.The above-mentioned movement sequence has proven to be advantageous, but is optional for the realization of the present invention.

[0183] In this way, the user can now grip the strapping band 4 practically without having to move. Preferably, by holding the strapping band 4, the clamping device 17 is released when the guide chain 5 retracts. The guide chain 5 can be fed back into the device, whereby during the retraction movement (arrow 15) or during retraction, the deflection unit 12 is reconnected to the free end of the guide chain 5 with the help of the release cam 19 and the lever 26. At the same time, the locking of the deflection unit 12 is released so that it can be pivoted back into its normal position. To do this, the release cam 19 pushes the front bent end of the lever 26 away from the rigid guide chain 5, whereby at the same time the locking pin located at the other end of the lever 26 is pushed back through the elongated hole 20 of the guide chain 5 and the desired coupling is achieved.Finally, the guide chain 5 takes the re-coupled guide carriage 11 back into the housing 8 or to the housing 8.

[0184] Further details regarding the functional principle of the prior art device can be found in EP 1 053 941 B1, to which reference is hereby expressly made.

[0185] It should be pointed out again that the design shown in Figure 1, in particular with regard to the locking mechanism 25 and the design with the bolt 18 or the release cam 19 and the elongated hole 20, are optional designs which may, however, prove to be advantageous.

[0186] Figures 2 to 4 differ from Figure 1 in that the target extension length of the guide carriage 11 can be adjusted by means of the adjustment device 24, and the adjustment device 24 is configured to determine an actual extension length of the guide carriage 11, preferably continuously while the guide carriage 11 is being extended. Depending on the target extension length, the adjustment device 24 controls a fixing device 28 which stops the extension movement of the length-limiting band 21. This is shown accordingly in Figures 2 to 4. In contrast to the illustration in Figure 1, the variable extension length of the length-limiting band 21 is no longer adjusted by the end stop 22 and the counter-stop 23 which can be variably attached to the housing 8, but rather by the adjustment device 24 or the correspondingly controlled fixing device 28, which will be explained in more detail below.

[0187] The adjustment device 24 is configured such that it electronically determines the actual extension length of the guide carriage 11 based on the data of the electric motor 10, in particular based on the revolutions of the electric motor 10, wherein the adjustment device 24 also determines partial revolutions of the electric motor 10.

[0188] In the exemplary embodiment, the electric motor 10 has an incremental encoder 29, with the aid of which the revolutions of the electric motor 10 or the angular position and thus the actual extension length of the guide carriage 11 are preferably determined based on the extension length of the guide chain 5.

[0189] The adjustment device 24 is preferably configured such that the conveyor device 7, after being switched on and / or as required, can be controlled such that the conveyor device 7 moves the guide carriage 11 to a reference position. This position can also be referred to as the start position. Preferably, the conveyor device 7 retracts the guide carriage 11 into the housing 8 up to a stop. The maximum retracted position can represent the reference position. However, it is preferable if the reference position deviates from the maximum retracted position of the guide carriage 11, i.e., the guide carriage 11 is extended slightly in the direction of arrow 16 from the maximum retracted position, and the position reached accordingly is then the reference position. The incremental encoder 29, for example, can then become referential based on the reference position.

[0190] In the exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the fixing device 28 is designed to fix the length limiting band 21 in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner (e.g. by means of clamping jaws) or to act on it accordingly.

[0191] The exemplary embodiment depicts a positive connection between the fixing device 28 and the length-limiting band 21. For this purpose, the length-limiting band 21 has stop elements 30 arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the length-limiting band 21. For details, see EP 3 877 267 B1.

[0192] The stop elements 30 preferably extend at least along a portion of the length-limiting band 21. The stop elements 30 preferably extend along the portion in a regular grid, so that the length-limiting band 21 can be fixed or stopped at a regular grid spacing of preferably 5 to 15 cm, particularly preferably 10 cm. This is known from EP 3 877 267 B1.

[0193] In the exemplary embodiment, the stop elements 30 are designed as recesses, in particular in the form of elongated holes, in the length-limiting band 21. Alternatively, the stop elements 30 can also be designed as projections in order to establish a positive connection with a correspondingly designed element of the fixing device 28.

[0194] As can be seen from Figures 3 and 4, the fixing device 28 can have an adjusting unit 31, which, in order to limit the extension movement of the length-limiting band 21, brings a fixing element 32 into positive engagement with one of the stop elements of the length-limiting band 21, designed as recesses 30. For details, reference is again made to EP 3 877 267 B1.

[0195] In the exemplary embodiment, the adjusting device 31 is designed as a lifting magnet, and the fixing element 32 is designed as a latch. The latch 32 is arranged in a receptacle 33, which can be designed in the manner of a flat housing. The receptacle 33 is preferably secured via a rotatable fastening axis 34 to a fixed part of the housing 8, preferably between two fixed plates of the housing 8. The receptacle 33 is pivotable about the fastening axis 34 when the lifting magnet 31 is operated accordingly.

[0196] The receptacle 33 further has a projection 35, which the lifting magnet 31 can engage accordingly. The lifting magnet 31 can thus pivot the receptacle 33 and thus also the latch 32 about the fastening axis 34, in particular raise and lower it, so that the latch 32 can be brought into engagement with one of the recesses 30 of the length-limiting band 21 as needed. The control of the lifting magnet 31 or the fixing device 28 is based on the data of the adjustment device 34, in particular based on the determined actual extension length of the guide carriage 11 and the intended target extension length of the guide carriage 11.

[0197] In the exemplary embodiment, it is preferably provided that the fixing element, in particular the latch 32, cooperates with a damping element (not shown) in order to stop the extension movement of the length-limiting band 21 in a damped manner.

[0198] In the embodiment according to Figures 2 to 4, it is provided that the conveyor device 7 is controlled by a control device 36, which receives corresponding data from the setting device 24, in such a way that the extension speed of the guide chain 5 in a last section of the target extension length of the guide carriage 11 before reaching the deflection point is reduced compared to an extension speed before the last section of the target extension length. This makes it possible for the guide carriage 11 to be extended comparatively quickly and only as shortly as possible before reaching the deflection point 120 is the speed of the guide carriage 11 reduced, preferably significantly. It is further preferably provided that the extension speed of the guide chain 5 after reaching the deflection point 120, iewhen the deflection unit 12 has deflected the guide chain 5, the extension speed of the guide chain 5 is increased compared to the extension speed of the guide chain 5 in the last section of the target extension length of the guide carriage 11 before reaching the deflection point 120. It has been shown that, in particular, a high extension speed of the guide chain 5 after the deflection point 120 can noticeably reduce the overall duration of the strapping process.

[0199] It can be provided that the adjustment device 24 is formed as part of the control device 36. Preferably, the device T according to the invention has a display (not shown in detail) in which several desired extension lengths are preset and can be selected by the user.

[0200] It should be noted that the devices 1', as shown in Figures 1 to 4, may also have a brake chain instead of a length limiting belt 21 or another configuration which limits the extension movement of the guide carriage 11, preferably controlled by the control device 36.

[0201] The device 1 according to the invention, which can make use of features of the device T, will now be described with reference to Figures 5 to 13.

[0202] The device 1 according to the invention for guiding a belt 37 around packaged goods 2 comprises a belt guide 5 for guiding the belt 37 and a conveyor device 7 for extending and retracting the belt guide 5 from a starting position to at least one connecting position. The belt 37 has a front loose end 38 and a rear loose end 39.

[0203] The starting position can, in particular, be a position in which the tape guide means 5 is fully retracted into the housing 8. However, the starting position can also be a position in which the tape guide means 5 is extended slightly out of the housing 8, for example, as shown in Figure 6. The starting position can, in particular, also be a reference position, as described above.

[0204] According to the invention, the belt guide means 5 is extendable from the starting position below the packaged goods 2 up to the deflection point 120. The device 1 is configured such that the belt guide means 5 executes at least one further upward extension movement at the deflection point 120 to a height that is greater than the height of the packaged goods 2.

[0205] The upward extension movement is shown in principle in Figure 7.

[0206] Figure 8 already shows the completion of the upward extension movement and a subsequent (optional) further extension movement above the packaged goods 2 in the direction of the side of the packaged goods 2 where the strap guide means 5 is in the starting position. The device 1 according to the invention or the housing 8 of the device 1 according to the invention is typically located on this side of the packaged goods 2.

[0207] Figure 9 shows the completion of the extension movement above the packaged goods 2 in the exemplary embodiment. This could optionally be followed by a further downward extension movement of the strap guide 5 such that the strap guide 5 is lowered so that an operator can reach it more easily. Such a solution is suitable when the packaged goods 2 are particularly high, making it difficult for the operator to reach the front end 5a of the strap guide 5. This is not shown in the exemplary embodiment.

[0208] At a front end 5a of the band guide means 5, a fastening device 40 is provided, to which an end portion 38a of the front loose end 38 of the band 37 can be secured in the connected position. In the embodiment according to Figures 5 to 7, the connected position is shown in Figure 9. The principle of securing an end portion 38a of the front end 38 of the band 37 is shown in Figure 10.

[0209] However, the connecting position could also be located at a different location, preferably at a position between the end of the upward extension movement and the position shown in Figure 9. If a downward extension movement is provided, so that the band guide means 5 or the front end 5a is lowered, the connecting position can also be located at the end of the downward extension movement.

[0210] According to the invention, after the end section 38 is secured to the fastening device 40, the fastening device 40 pulls the front end 38 of the band 37 through beneath the packaged goods 2 by means of a retracting movement of the band guide means 5. This is illustrated in Figure 11. The front end 5a of the band guide means 5 is located between a housing 8 of the device 1 according to the invention and the packaged goods 2 after it has been retracted beneath the packaged goods 2.

[0211] In the exemplary embodiment, the device 1 according to the invention is preferably designed such that the band guide means 5, after the front end 38 of the band 37 has been pulled through below the packaged goods 2 by a retraction movement of the band guide means 5, executes an upward extension movement.

[0212] This is shown in Figure 12.

[0213] As can be seen from Figures 5 to 13, the device 1 according to the invention has a belt holder 41. The belt 37 is arranged on the belt holder 41 such that the belt 37 can be extended during the retraction movement of the belt guide 5. The belt holder 41 is designed to unwind a belt 37 designed as a belt roll. The fastening device 40 can be formed integrally or fixedly connected to the belt guide 5, or can be detachably connected to it. The fastening device 40 can be a head piece of the belt guide 5.

[0214] The fastening device 40 can be designed for a force-fitting and / or form-fitting connection to the end portion 38a of the front end 38 of the band 37.

[0215] The fastening device 40 and the end section 38a of the front end 38 of the band 37 can have mutually complementary first and second connecting members 42, 43. The first and second connecting members 42, 43 can be designed to form a non-positive and / or positive connection. The first and second connecting members 42, 43 can be designed as projections, pins, elevations, holes, recesses, or cutouts such that the first connecting member 42 is complementary to the second connecting member 43. The fastening device 40 and the end section 38 of the front end 38 of the band 37 can each have a plurality of connecting members 42, 43, in particular to achieve mechanical coding or, using magnets with different polarities, also magnetic coding.

[0216] In the exemplary embodiment, the first and second connecting links 42, 43 form a hook-and-loop connection, with the first connecting link 42 having barbs and the second connecting link 43 having loops. In the exemplary embodiment, the first connecting link 42 is formed on the fastening device 40 and the second connecting link 43 is formed on the end section 38a of the band 37; however, this is also possible in reverse.

[0217] In the exemplary embodiment, the end section 38a of the front end 38 of the band 37 and an end section 39a of the rear end 39 of the band 37 are designed such that they can be releasably closed or connected to one another. In the exemplary embodiment, the end sections 38a, 39a can be closed or reproducibly reclosed to one another multiple times.

[0218] It can be provided that preferably the rear end section 39a or the rear end 39 of the band 37 has a loop, preferably a metal loop, through which the front end 38 or the end section 38a can be pulled or looped, so that the end section 38a can be guided back along the band 37 and fastened to the band 37 at a suitable point, preferably by a hook-and-loop connection. Such solutions are known from the prior art for belt straps. The fastening can be carried out in various ways. Figure 13 only symbolically shows that the end sections 38a, 39a are (releasably) closed to one another. In the exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the band 37 is a textile band. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the band 37 is a belt strap and that the band 37 is reusable.The band 37 preferably has a length of 4 to 7 meters and a thickness of at least 1 mm, preferably 2 mm to 8 mm, more preferably 4 mm to 6 mm. The width of the band 37 can preferably be 20 mm to 170 mm, more preferably 20 mm to 100 mm, in particular 30 mm to 80 mm.

[0219] The device 1 according to the invention preferably comprises a set of bands 37, with at least a first number of bands 37 having a first length and a second number of bands 37 having a second length, wherein the bands 37 of the first number preferably have a different color than the bands 37 of the second number.

[0220] The bands 37 preferably each have a front loose end 38 and a rear loose end 39; the bands 37 are preferably designed as a band roll before unwinding. The front loose end 38 of the band 37, which is exposed when the band 37 is wound up, has an end section 38a. The fastening device 40 provided at the front end 5a of the band guide means 5 and the end section 38a of the front end 38 of the band 37 have mutually complementary first and second connecting links 42, 43, as already described. The bands 37, in particular also the bands 37 of the set, are preferably designed as already described above.

[0221] The embodiment also serves as a disclosure for a band 37 and a set of bands 37 that may be part of the device 1 or are intended for use with the device 1.

[0222] The device 1 according to the invention shown in the exemplary embodiment further comprises a device 44 for winding up previously used belts 37. The device 44 has a receptacle for suspending the rear, loose end 39 of the belt 37 and a drive for winding up the belt 37. This is shown in principle in Figure 5 (without the drive). In the exemplary embodiment, the device 44 is connected to the housing 8 or is an integral part of the device 1 according to the invention. However, the device 44 could also be designed as a separate device. In a manner not shown in more detail, the device 44 can have an electric motor with a housing and a button for actuation, preferably with a dead man's switch for safety reasons. The belt 37 is wound up via a rotary movement of the drive in a preferably predetermined direction of rotation of the drive motor.

[0223] In the exemplary embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, it is preferably also provided that a magazine 46 or a receptacle or a compartment or a warehouse for storing tapes 37 in the form of tape rolls is provided on the housing 8. This can be achieved, for example, by the tapes, optionally sorted by length or color, being placed on mandrels or rods 47. The rods 47 are shown in dashed lines in Figure 5. In the exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the device 1 according to the invention is mobile; for this purpose, rollers 48 are provided. Furthermore, handles 49 are provided to facilitate handling of the device 1.

[0224] In a manner not shown in more detail, it is preferably also provided in the exemplary embodiment that the device 1 according to the invention enables a distance measurement, preferably with the aid of a laser, so that a defined distance between the housing 8 and the packaged goods 2 can be set.

[0225] In the exemplary embodiment, stabilizing elements are preferably provided which stabilize the band guide means 5 at least in sections in such a way that a tilting movement of the band guide means 5 in the direction of the packaged goods 2 is at least slowed down and / or inhibited. The stabilizing elements are not shown in the exemplary embodiment. These can be glass fiber or carbon fiber rods, springs, plastic parts, in particular for clipping in, which have resilient properties, flexible bands or other elastic elements. It is preferably provided that elastic elements are clipped in between links 6 of the band guide means 5, in particular links 6 of the chain, in particular of the back-stiff chain, or that glass fiber rods or carbon fiber rods are pushed through along a defined length, with which the stiffness of the band guide means 5 is changed.It may be sufficient if elastic elements are inserted between some of the links.

[0226] The embodiment also serves to disclose a device 44 for winding bands 37 as part of the device 1 according to the invention or for use with the device 1.

[0227] The band 37 can preferably be a hook and loop fastener or a velcro fastener.

[0228] The present exemplary embodiment also serves to disclose a method according to the invention for guiding a belt 37 around packaged goods 2, wherein the belt 37 has a front loose end 38 and a rear loose end 39. Within the scope of the method according to the invention, a belt guide 5 for guiding the belt 37 is extended by means of a conveyor device 7 from a starting position at least to a connecting position. The belt guide 5 is guided from the starting position below the packaged goods 2 and extended to a deflection point 120. Subsequently, the belt guide 5 is deflected at the deflection point 120 such that it executes an upward extension movement to a height that is higher than the height of the packaged goods 2, after which, when the belt guide 5 is extended to the connecting position, an end section 38a of the front end 38 of the belt 37 is releasably secured to a front end 5a of the belt guide 5.Subsequently, the band guide means 5 is retracted again by means of the conveyor device 7 such that the front end 38 of the band 37 is pulled through beneath the packaged goods 2 by the retraction movement of the band guide means 5. Regarding further advantageous method steps, reference is made to the above description.

[0229] The present embodiment also serves to disclose a computer program product with program code means for carrying out the method according to the invention when the program is executed on the control device 36 of the device 1 according to the invention for guiding a belt 37 around packaged goods 2.

Claims

P a t e n t a n s p r ü c h e 1. Device (1) for guiding a band (37) around packaged goods (2), wherein the band (37) has a front loose end (38) and a rear loose end (39), comprising a band guide means (5) for guiding the band (37) and a conveyor device (7) for extending and retracting the band guide means (5) from a starting position to at least one connecting position, wherein the band guide means (5) is extendable from the starting position underneath the packaged goods (2) through to a deflection point (120), and wherein the device (1) is designed such that the band guide means (27) at the deflection point (120) carries out at least one further upwardly directed extension movement up to a height which is higher than the height of the packaged goods (2), wherein at a front end (5a) of the band guide means (5) a fastening device (40) is provided, to which in the connecting position an end section (38a) of the front end (38) of the band (37) can be releasably fixed,wherein the fastening device (40) pulls the front end (38) of the band (37) through a retracting movement of the band guide means (4) below the packaged goods (2).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the band guide means (5) after the upward extension movement carries out a further extension movement above the packaged goods (2) in the direction of that side of the packaged goods (2) on which the band guide means (5) is in the starting position.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the band guide means (5), after the band guide means (5) has moved above the packaged goods (2) over the packaged goods (2), carries out a further downward extension movement.

4. Device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the band guide means (5), after the front end (38) of the band (37) has been pulled through below the packaged goods (2) by a retracting movement of the band guide means (5), carries out an upward extending movement in order to lift the fastening device (40) and the end section (38a) of the band (37) fastened thereto.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a belt holder (41) is provided and the belt (37) can be arranged on the belt holder (41) in such a way that the belt (37) can be pulled out during the retraction movement of the belt guide means (5).

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the tape holder (41) is designed to unwind a tape (37) designed as a tape roll.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the fastening device (40) is formed integrally or firmly connected to the band guide means (5) or is detachably connected thereto.

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the fastening device (40) is designed for non-positive and / or positive connection to the end section (38a) of the front end (38) of the band (37).

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the fastening device (40) and the end section (38a) of the front end (38) of the band (37) have mutually complementary first and second connecting members (42, 43), preferably for forming a non-positive and / or positive connection.

10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the end section (38a) of the front end (38) of the band (37) and an end section (39a) of the rear end (39) of the band (37) are designed in such a way that they can be releasably closed to one another, preferably resealable to one another several times.

11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the band (37) is a textile band and / or a belt band and / or the band (37) is reusable.

12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the device (1) has a set of bands (37), with at least a first number of bands (37) with a first length and a second number of bands (37) with a second length, wherein preferably the bands (37) of the first number have a different color than the bands (37) of the second number.

13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a magazine is provided for receiving a plurality of tapes (37), preferably in the form of tape rolls.

14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that a device (44) for winding up already used bands (37) is provided, wherein the device (44) has a receptacle (45) for hanging in the rear loose end (39) of the band (37) and a drive for winding up the band (37).

15. Device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that Stabilizing members are provided which stabilize the band guide means (5) at least in sections such that a tilting movement of the band guide means (5) in the direction of the packaged goods (2) is at least slowed down and / or inhibited.

16. Device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that a guide carriage (11) is provided which can be extended together with the band guide means (5) below the packaged goods (2) up to a deflection point (120), wherein an adjusting device (24) is provided in order to set a desired extension length of the guide carriage (11) up to the deflection point (120), wherein the guide carriage (11) has a deflection unit (12) which can deflect the band guide means (5) at the deflection point (120).

17. A band for a device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the band (37) has a front loose end (38) and a rear loose end (39), wherein the front loose end (38) of the band (37), which is exposed in the wound-up state of the band (37), has an end section (38a), wherein the fastening device (40) provided at the front end (5a) of the band guide means (5) and the end section (38a) of the front end (38) of the band (37) have mutually complementary first and second connecting members (42, 43) for forming a non-positive and / or positive connection.

18. A band for a device according to claim 17, characterized in that the band (37) is a textile band and / or the band (37) is a belt band and / or the band (37) has a turnbuckle and / or the band (37) has a belt lock and / or the band (37) is reusable and / or the end section (38a) of the front end (38) of the band (37) and an end section (39a) of the rear end (39) of the band (37) are designed in such a way that they can be releasably closed with one another, preferably can be reclosed with one another several times and / or the first connecting members (42) are designed as projections, pins or elevations and the second connecting members (43) are designed as complementary holes, recesses or cutouts and / or the first and second connecting members (42, 43) form a hook-and-loop connection with one another, wherein preferably the first connecting member (42) has barbs and the second connecting member (43) has loops.

19. Set of bands (37) for a device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the set of bands (37) comprises at least a first number of bands (37) with a first length and a second number of bands (37) with a second length, wherein the bands (37) each have a front loose end (38) and a rear loose end (39), wherein the front loose end (38) of the bands (37), which is exposed when the band (37) is wound up, has an end section (38a), wherein the fastening device (40) provided at the front end (5a) of the band guide means (5) and the end section (38a) of the front end (38) of the band (37) have mutually complementary first and second connecting members (42, 43) for forming a non-positive and / or positive connection.

20. Set of bands (37) for a device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the bands (37) of the first number have a different color than the bands (37) of the second number.

21. Device (44) for winding up bands (37) for a device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the device (44) has a receptacle (45) for the rear loose end (39) of the band (37) and a drive for winding up the band (37).

22. Magazine (46) for receiving a plurality of tapes (37) for a device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 16.

23. Method for guiding a band (37) around packaged goods (2), wherein the band (37) has a front loose end (38) and a rear loose end (39), after which a band guide means (5) for guiding the band (37) is extended by means of a conveyor device (7) from a starting position at least to a connecting position, after which the band guide means (5) is guided from the starting position below the packaged goods (2) and is extended to a deflection point (120), after which the band guide means (5) is deflected at the deflection point (120) in such a way that it executes an upwardly directed extension movement to a height which is higher than the height of the packaged goods (2), after which, when the band guide means (5) is extended to the connecting position, an end section (38a) of the front end (38) of the band (37) is detachably fastened to a front end (5a) of the band guide means (5). is determined,after which the band guide means (5) is subsequently retracted by means of the conveyor device (7) in such a way that the front end (38) of the band (37) is pulled through beneath the packaged goods (2) by the retraction movement of the band guide means (5).

24. Method according to claim 23, characterized in that the band guide means (5) after the upward extension movement carries out a further extension movement above the packaged goods (2) in the direction of that side of the packaged goods (2) on which the band guide means (5) is in the starting position.

25. Method according to claim 24, characterized in that the band guide means (5), after the band guide means (5) has moved above the packaged goods (2) over the packaged goods (2), carries out a further downward extension movement.

26. Method according to one of claims 23 to 25, characterized in that the band guide means (5), after the front end (38) of the band (37) has been pulled through below the packaged goods (2) by a retracting movement of the band guide means (5), carries out an upward extending movement.

27. Method according to one of claims 23 to 26, characterized in that the band (37) is provided as a band roll, wherein the band (37) is unrolled during the retraction movement of the band guide means (5).

28. Method according to one of claims 23 to 27, characterized in that the end section (38a) of the front end (38) of the band (37), after the front end (38) of the band (37) has been pulled through below the packaged goods (2), is detachably connected to an end section (39a) of the rear end (39) of the band (37).

29. Method according to one of claims 23 to 28, characterized in that on the basis of the length by which the band guide means (5) is extended to the connecting position, a control device (36) determines or suggests a band (37) or the length of the band (37), the front end (38) of which is fixed to the band guide means (5).

30. Computer program product with program code means for carrying out a method according to one of claims 23 to 29 when the program is executed on a control device (36) of a device (1) for guiding a belt around packaged goods (2) according to one of claims 1 to 16.

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