Method and device for banding a stack of wide, flat products

Abstract

For banding a stack of wide, flat products, a strap is completely wound around the stack. Before the strap is tensioned, at least two stops are positioned on or near to the stack, which limit the tensioning movement of the strap and to which the strap is applied in the tensioned condition. The stops and the banded stack are subsequently separated from each other. The stops are repositioned relative to each other after fixture of the strap and before separation from the stack. A device for performing the method has a tensioning unit using at least two stops to limit the tensioning movement of a strap and to which the strap can be applied in the tensioned condition. The stops can be repositioned relative to each other.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method for banding a stack of wide, flat products with a strap, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) winding the strap completely around the stack;   b) positioning at least two stops on or near the stack to limit a tensioning movement of the strap;   c) exerting, following steps a) and b), a tensile force on the strap, thereby tensioning the strap in an inward direction onto the stack;   d) fixing the strap following step c);   e) repositioning the stops relative to each other following step d); and   f) removing the stops from the stack following step e).   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein both stops are repositioned. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stops are moved away from each other. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stops are moved toward each other. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein after fixture of the strap, the stops are repositioned relative to each other in such a way that the strap is locally overextended and plastically deformed. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stops are positioned in edge regions of the stack on opposite sides thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the stops are each disposed flush with one side edge of the stack before the strap is tensioned. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, before withdrawal of the stack, the stops are repositioned relative to each other in such a way that the strap exerts no or much reduced force on the stops. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stack is pulled from the stops after fixture of the strap. 
     
     
         10 . A device for banding a stack of wide, flat products with a strap, the device comprising:
 a tensioning unit, said tensioning unit structured to wind the strap completely around the stack, to tension the strap inwardly onto the stack and to fix the strap;   two stops, which limit a tensioning movement of the strap and onto which the strap can be applied in a tensioned condition; and   a mechanism for repositioning the stops relative to each other.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein a distance between the stops can be enlarged and/or reduced. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the stops are constituted by plate-like or rod-like fingers. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the stack can be placed onto the stops. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the stops can be placed onto the stack from above.