DE102016108696A1 - Method of strapping objects, resealable container and fastener - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for strapping objects (12) in which a strapping band (14) made of plastic is stretched around the object (12) as a loop and the ends of the loop are welded together. The object of the invention is to provide a method which simplifies the handling of a container after cutting the strapping. The object is achieved in that the loop is cut open and the cut ends (16) of the loop are connected to each other again by means of a connecting element (18).

Description

The invention relates to a method for strapping objects, in which a strap made of plastic is stretched around the object as a loop and the ends of the loop are welded together. Furthermore, the invention relates to a container in which a loop is stretched from a strapping around an object. The invention also relates to a connecting element for a belt loop.

Strapping tapes have been tried and tested devices for holding objects, such as parcels or filled transport crates, for decades. However, the term "object" also encompasses a bundle of several individual objects such as stacks of magazines or a plurality of combined elongated objects such as tubes or strips. For this purpose, tensioned loops made of plastic tape are placed around the objects, and overlapping ends of the loops are welded. It may happen that after the strapping has been released, the articles must be transported further, in particular if a complaint is made to the strapped object. For many recipients of the product, there is no possibility to stretch a new strapping around the object, as this required strapping machines are expensive and expensive. The objects are usually enclosed with adhesive tape for further transport, so that the objects are often not held together securely or properly.

For connecting overlapping areas of non-welded tapes, prior art fasteners are known which have two slots through which two tape sections can be passed. Each band section is held within a slot as in a cable tie.

From the publication GB 2468493 A For example, a cable tie attachment system is known which includes a housing having two slots for receiving one end of the cable tie at a time. The tape can be inserted with one end in the first slot and with the other end in the second slot. By ratcheting in the respective slots, the ends are secured against being pulled out.

From the publication US 3,757,164 A is a belt (cable tie) with a head element known with which a loop of the belt can be detected and released again. For this purpose, the head element is rotated. The head member has teeth in a slot at the top and bottom, each cooperating with teeth at one end of the band.

From the publication US 4,665,588 A a Rüchalteelement with two adjacent openings is known, through which one end of a band can be performed similar to a cable tie. The ends are secured by means of tooth-shaped pawls, which engage in corresponding grooves on the belt, against pulling out.

Similar devices are from the document US 6,047,448 A and the publication WO 2005/037673 A1 known.

The object of the invention is to provide a method for strapping objects, a suitably strapped container and a connecting element available, which simplifies the handling of a container after cutting the strapping.

The object is achieved by the entirety of the features of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are described in connection with the dependent claims.

A known method for machine strapping objects is further developed in that the loop is cut open and the cut ends of the loop are connected to each other again by means of a connecting element.

For example, if the strapped object is a packaging carton, the receiver may cut open the strapping band to check the contents. This can be done easily and quickly with a conventional cutting means such as a pair of scissors or a knife. In order to close the loop again and tighten the loop firmly around the object, the cut ends can be easily connected to each other by a connecting element provided for this purpose. Under cut ends are understood here the free ends of the cut loop. Since the loop spanned the strapped article prior to slicing, the ends of the slit loop do not overlap. A connection by means of the known from the prior art fasteners is not possible because in these fasteners, the two band portions are set substantially at the same position. In order to reclose a cut-open loop of the band, the connecting element must be designed in such a way that cut ends which do not overlap can be connected to one another.

For connecting one cut end of the loop to the other cut end of the loop, the connecting element may be two spaced apart having mutually arranged slots each having a blocking element. To reconnect the cut ends of the loop, each cut end can be pushed through each slot and secured there by the locking element against retraction. Since the slots are spaced apart, each cut end can be pulled through the slot by half of that distance.

In practice, the slots may be formed in two spaced-apart heads on the connector. Between the heads extends in practice a connecting web on which the heads are arranged, in particular the heads are integrally formed on the connecting web. The connecting bridge defines the distance between the slots. The cut ends can therefore be connected to each other without overlapping. Preferably, the connecting web between the two heads has a length of more than 4 cm, in particular more than 7 cm. The slots for receiving the cut ends of the loop may extend in practice transversely to the longitudinal direction of the connecting element.

In particular, the connecting web is designed such that the cut ends of the loop are so long after passing through the slot that they can be grasped and tensioned by a person by hand, so that the loop with the connecting element is clamped tightly around the object.

In practice, the blocking element may have the form of a cutting edge projecting into the slot, which penetrates into the material of the strapping band when the cutting end is retracted. The cutting edge is designed in particular like a tooth, so that it is aligned in the insertion direction of the cut end obliquely to the insertion direction and the strapping belt slides on the locking element. Upon retraction of the strapping band opposite to the insertion direction, the cutting edge penetrates into the strapping band and locks it. The cutting edge can be made of steel. With such a blocking element loops can be re-sealed from conventional plastic strapping without an adaptation of the surface of the strapping to the locking element would be required. Of course, two cutting edges may protrude into the slot, which penetrate into the top and in the bottom of the strapping.

Alternatively or in addition to notches may be formed in the surface of the strap, which cooperate with the blocking element. In the case of a cutting edge as a blocking element, the notches cause the cutting edge to penetrate when the strapping band is pulled back against the direction of insertion.

The blocking element can also have the shape of a latching body, wherein the latching body can be made in one piece with the connecting element made of plastic. The strapping band may have transverse notches or grooves into which the detent body penetrates upon retraction of the strapping band. A latching body may be formed as a tooth-shaped projection or as a plurality of tooth-shaped projections which penetrate into the notches or grooves of the strapping.

The invention also relates to a strapped with a loop of strapping container, wherein on or in the container, a connecting element for connecting two cut ends after cutting the loop is arranged. A recipient of the container can simply remove the connecting element from the container and tighten the loop again by means of the connecting element around the container for resealing and for further transport of the container.

If the strapped object is a package, then the fastener may be received in the package. This represents a simple and inexpensive way of providing a connecting element.

Furthermore, the connecting element may be attached to the loop. In particular, the connecting element can be fastened to the loop during the strapping process. For example, the strapping band may protrude through a receiving opening of the connecting element. The connecting element can also be glued to the loop or attached thereto by a clamping device.

The attachment of the connecting element to the strapping element is releasably form, so that the connecting element can be removed after cutting the loop of the strapping band and can be used to connect the cut ends.

The invention also relates to a connecting element with two mutually spaced slots each having a locking element, wherein a cut end of a strapping band is pushed through each slot, which is secured there by the locking element against retraction. Such a connecting element can be inexpensively, in particular made of plastic and provides an easy way to connect two cut ends together.

Further practical embodiments and advantages of the invention are described below Described in conjunction with the drawings. Show it:

1 a strapped container in a perspective view from the front,

2 a connecting element in a side view,

3 the connection element 2 in a bottom view,

4 a first variant of a head of the connecting element in longitudinal section, and

5 a second variant of a head of the connecting element in longitudinal section.

In 1 is a strapped container 10 shown. The strapped object 12 is in the present case a packaging box. A strapping band 14 is machined around the object in a known manner 12 cocked and its ends are welded together. Strapping machines for producing such a tensioned strap loop from strapping tape go, for example, from the publications EP 1 243 509 B1 . EP 0 893 346 B1 . WO 2015/135996 A1 the applicant.

When the belt loop is cut open, it has been necessary to close the article to close it 12 eg with tape to wrap. As can be seen in the drawings, it is proposed here, the strapping 14 by a novel connection element 18 to reuse after cutting. The cut strapping 14 is used as a loop around the item 12 guided. The cut ends 16 be through the connecting element 18 stuck, which the cut ends 16 connects and closes the loop again.

The strapping band 14 and the connecting element 18 are in this case made of plastic.

In the 2 and 3 is the connecting element 18 shown isolated. The connecting element 18 has two spaced heads 20 on, which are formed similar to the heads of a cable tie and by a connecting web 22 are connected. The connecting bridge 22 is present 10 cm long. In the minds 20 is each a slot 24 educated.

The cut ends 16 of the strapping band 14 can for closing the loop by a slot 24 be stuck and tightened. Here is the connecting bridge 22 formed so long that the cut ends 16 after insertion into the respective slot 24 can be manually grabbed and stretched.

To the cut ends 16 against a retraction opposite to the insertion direction E (see. 4 and 5 ) and to ensure that the loop is tight around the object 12 remains tense, are in the mind 20 each locking elements arranged. The locking elements protrude into the slot 24 who is in the respective head 20 is trained, into it.

In 4 is a first variant of a head 20 shown schematically with blocking element. The cut end 16 of the strapping band 14 is in the insertion direction E in the slot 24 pushed. The blocking element is as in the slot 24 protruding cutting edge 26 educated. One side of the cutting edge 26 is inclined to the insertion direction E, so that the strapping 14 at the cutting edge 26 slips off and through the slot 24 can be pulled. Upon retraction opposite to the insertion direction E, the cutting edge cuts 26 in the strapping band 14 in and prevents the cut end 16 positive locking on retraction. This head 20 of the connecting element can be made of metal, for example. But it is also possible to form the cutting edge in a direction perpendicular to the insertion metal sheet in that a tab of the sheet is bent in the insertion direction to the rear. The sheet can then be inserted into a plastic head, preferably by being overmolded with the plastic material of the head.

An alternative variant of a head 20 Plastic is in 5 shown. There protrudes a catch body 28 with three tooth-shaped locking lugs 30 in the slot 24 into it. The strapping band 14 points to the locking lugs 30 corresponding parallel notches or grooves 32 on, which extend transversely to the insertion direction E.

Will the cut end 16 in the insertion direction E in the slot 24 led in, so the locking body 28 spring-like bending upwards, also slide the slopes of the locking lugs 30 on the slopes of the grooves 32 from. Will the cut end 16 moves against the insertion direction E, the locking lugs feathers 30 in the grooves 32 and stop in it. Retracting the cut end 16 is positively locked.

The features of the invention disclosed in the present description, in the drawings and in the claims may be essential both individually and in any desired combinations for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments. It can be within the scope of the claims and be varied in accordance with the knowledge of the competent expert.

To a controlled retraction of the cut ends 16 to allow reset elements in the heads 20 be integrated with which the locking elements as required from the slot 24 can be removed.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

 container

12

 object

14

 strapping

16

 cut end

18

 connecting element

20

 head

22

 connecting web

24

 slot

26

 Cutting edge, blocking element

28

 Locking body, blocking element

30

 locking lug

32

 groove

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• GB 2468493 A [0004]
• US 3757164 A [0005]
• US 4665588 A [0006]
• US 6047448 A [0007]
• WO 2005/037673 A1 [0007]
• EP 1243509 B1 [0029]
• EP 0893346 B1 [0029]
• WO 2015/135996 A1 [0029]

Claims (10)

Method of strapping objects ( 12 ), in which a strapping band ( 14 ) made of plastic as a loop around the object ( 12 ) and the ends of the loop are welded together, characterized in that the loop is cut open and the cut ends ( 16 ) of the loop by means of a connecting element ( 18 ) are joined together again. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting element ( 18 ) two spaced apart slots ( 24 ) each with a blocking element ( 26 . 28 ) and that for reconnecting the loop each cut end ( 16 ) through a slot ( 24 ) is pushed and there by the blocking element ( 26 . 28 ) is secured against withdrawal. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that the blocking element takes the form of a slot in ( 24 ) projecting cutting edge ( 26 ), which upon retraction of the cut end ( 16 ) in the material of the strapping band ( 14 ) penetrates. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that the blocking element takes the form of a detent body ( 28 ) and that the strapping band ( 14 ) transverse grooves ( 32 ), in which the latching body ( 28 ) when retracting the strapping band ( 14 ) penetrates. Container in which a strapping band ( 14 ) made of plastic as a loop around an object ( 12 ) and the ends of the loop are welded together, characterized in that on or in the container ( 10 ) a connecting element ( 18 ) for connecting two cut ends ( 16 ) of the strapping band ( 14 ) is arranged after cutting the loop. Container according to claim 5, characterized in that the article ( 12 ) is a packaging in which the connecting element ( 18 ) is recorded. Container according to claim 5, characterized in that the connecting element ( 18 ) is attached to the loop. Container according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the connecting element ( 18 ) has at least one of the following features: • two spaced-apart slots ( 24 ) with a blocking element ( 26 . 28 ), whereby through each slot ( 24 ) a cut end ( 16 ) of the strapping band ( 14 ) is pushed, which there by the blocking element ( 26 . 28 ) is secured against withdrawal; • two heads ( 20 ), in which the slots ( 24 ) are arranged; • one between the two heads ( 20 ) arranged connecting web ( 22 ). Connecting element for reclosing the cut ends ( 16 ) a cut band loop of strapping band ( 14 ), comprising two spaced-apart slots ( 24 ) each with a blocking element ( 26 . 28 ), whereby through each slot ( 24 ) a cut end ( 16 ) of the strapping band ( 14 ) is pushed, which there by the blocking element ( 26 . 28 ) is secured against withdrawal. Connecting element according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises at least one of the following features: • two heads ( 20 ), in which the slots ( 24 ) are arranged; • one between the two heads ( 20 ) arranged connecting web ( 22 ); • the blocking element points into the slot ( 24 ) projecting cutting edge ( 26 ), which when retracting the cut end ( 16 ) in the material of the strapping band ( 14 penetrates); The blocking element has the shape of a detent body ( 28 ) and the strapping band ( 14 ) has transverse grooves ( 32 ), in which the catch body ( 28 ) when retracting the strapping band ( 14 ) penetrates.

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