Strapping device having a pivotable rocker

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2025074637-A1
Application number	US-202418950991-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 18, 2024
Priority date	Sep 24, 2012
Publication date	Mar 6, 2025
Grant date	—

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a mobile strapping device for strapping packaged products using a loop of wrapping strap. The strapping device includes a tensioning device for applying tension to the strap and a connecting device for connecting two overlapping portions of the strap. The tensioning device includes a rotatable tensioning wheel and a tensioning plate. The tensioning wheel is supported by a rocker that is pivotable to change a distance separating the tensioning wheel and the tensioning plate. The mobile strapping device includes a motor that is operably connectable to the rocker or the tensioning wheel such that the motor causes pivoting of the rocker or rotation of the tensioning wheel when operating in a first direction of rotation. In various embodiments, gearing, including a plurality of planetary gear sets, is used to operatively connect the motor to the rocker and the tensioning wheel.

First claim

The invention is claimed as follows:

1 . A strapping device comprising:
a base; a tensioning wheel rotatable about a tensioning axis; a tensioning plate; a rocker movable between a first rocker position and a second rocker position to change a distance between the tensioning wheel and the tensioning plate, wherein the distance is a first distance when the rocker is in the first rocker position and a second distance when the rocker is in the second rocker position, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance; and a motor configured to cause the rocker to move from the first rocker position to the second rocker position without driving the tensioning wheel to rotate about the tensioning axis.

2 . The strapping device of claim 1 , further comprising an input device actuatable to activate the motor to cause the rocker to move from the first rocker position to the second rocker position.

3 . The strapping device of claim 2 , further comprising a spring biasing the rocker to the first rocker position.

4 . The strapping device of claim 3 , wherein the rocker is pivotable between the first rocker position and the second rocker position.

5 . The strapping device of claim 4 , wherein the rocker is pivotably mounted to the base so a torque is applied to the rocker during a tensioning process that causes the tensioning wheel to exert a force on the tensioning plate.

6 . The strapping device of claim 1 , wherein the motor is further configured to drive the tensioning wheel to rotate about the tensioning axis without causing the rocker to move from the first rocker position to the second rocker position.

7 . The strapping device of claim 6 , further comprising a lifting element, wherein the motor is further configured to drive the lifting element to rotate to cause the rocker to move from the first rocker position to the second rocker position.

8 . The strapping device of claim 7 , wherein the motor is further configured to drive the tensioning wheel to rotate about the tensioning axis without driving the lifting element to rotate.

9 . The strapping device of claim 8 , wherein the lifting element comprises a cam.

10 . The strapping device of claim 9 , wherein the cam is positioned on an outer surface of a ring gear.

11 . The strapping device of claim 9 , wherein the cam is rotatable about the tensioning axis.

12 . The strapping device of claim 8 , wherein the motor comprises a drive shaft, the strapping device further comprising:
a gearing comprising a first gear component and a second gear component; a first clamping element movable from a disengaged position in which the first clamping element does not prevent the first gear component from rotating to an engaged position in which the first clamping element prevents the first gear component from rotating; a second clamping element movable from a disengaged position in which the second clamping element does not prevent the second gear component from rotating to an engaged position in which the second clamping element prevents the second gear component from rotating, wherein the gearing is in a first state when the first gear component is rotatable and the second clamping element prevents the second gear component from rotating and is in a second state when the first clamping element prevents the first gear component from rotating and the second gear component is rotatable, wherein when the gearing is in the first state, the gearing operably connects the drive shaft to the tensioning wheel so rotation of the drive shaft in a first rotational direction drives the tensioning wheel to rotate about the tensioning axis, wherein when the gearing is in the second state, the gearing operably connects the drive shaft to the rocker so rotation of the drive shaft in the first rotational direction causes the rocker to move from the first rocker position to the second rocker position.

13 . The strapping device of claim 1 , further comprising a shaft rotatable about a shaft axis that is different from the tensioning axis, wherein the motor is configured to drive the shaft to rotate about the shaft axis to cause the rocker to move from the first rocker position to the second rocker position.

14 . The strapping device of claim 13 , further comprising a cam, wherein the shaft is operably connected to the cam such that rotation of the shaft about the shaft axis causes the shaft to drive the cam in rotation.

15 . The strapping device of claim 14 , wherein the cam is positioned such that rotation of the cam causes the cam to exert a force on the rocker to force the rocker to move from the first rocker position to the second rocker position.

16 . The strapping device of claim 15 , wherein the shaft axis is parallel to the tensioning axis and further from the tensioning plate than the tensioning axis.

17 . The strapping device of claim 15 , further comprising:
a planet carrier comprising the cam and external toothing; and a spur gear fixed in rotation with the shaft and drivingly engaged with the external toothing of the planet carrier.

18 . The strapping device of claim 17 , wherein the planet carrier is rotatable about the tensioning axis.

19 . The strapping device of claim 17 , wherein the rocker supports the tensioning plate.

20 . The strapping device of claim 1 , wherein the motor is further configured to drive the tensioning wheel to rotate about the tensioning axis without driving the shaft to rotate to cause the rocker to move from the first rocker position to the second rocker position.

Assignees

• Signode Ind Group Llc

Inventors

• Finzo Flavio
• Neeser Mirco
• Takidis Dimitrios

Classifications

• B65B13/02

  Applying and securing binding material around articles or groups of articles, e.g. using strings, wires, strips, bands or tapes · CPC title

• B65B13/322

  Friction welding · CPC title

• B65B13/025

  Hand-held tools · CPC title

• B65B13/32

  by welding, soldering, or heat-sealing; by applying adhesive · CPC title

• B65B13/187

  Motor means · CPC title