Banding device

Abstract

A device for applying a non-elastic plastic band securely around an article of commerce and its associated packaging includes a substantially automated feed mechanism for extracting the band from a continuous film at a modifiable length and tension. The feed mechanism includes a pair of arcuate guides that assist in directing the band through a first hole in the packaging, across the article, and through a second hole in the packaging so the ends of the band are disposed on the same side of the packaging. A sensor uses machine readable features within the film to detect film positioning within the device. A clamping device retains the ends of the band together in an overlapping relationship. The trailing end of the band is separated from the remainder of the continuous film by a severing mechanism. Thereafter, the ends of the band are then permanently bonded together by a thermal bonding mechanism, thereby securing the band in its closed loop configuration around the article and its packaging.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for securing together first and second objects with a band derived from a continuous plastic film, the band having first and second ends, the device comprising:
 (a) a feed mechanism for extracting the band from the continuous plastic film and at least partially directing the band around the first and second objects;   (b) a sensor that detects machine-readable features incorporated into the plastic film at defined intervals which are not detectable by the human eye;   (c) a clamping mechanism for retaining the first and second ends of the band together in an overlapping relationship;   (d) a tensioning mechanism for controlling loop tension in the band around the first and second objects;   (e) a severing mechanism to release the band from the continuous plastic film; and   (f) a bonding mechanism for bonding the first and second ends together to secure the band in a closed loop configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a housing which includes a plurality of panels that together define an interior cavity dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the feed mechanism, at least a portion of the sensor, at least a portion of the clamping mechanism, at least a portion of the tensioning mechanism, at least a portion of the severing mechanism and at least a portion of the bonding mechanism. 
     
     
         3 . The device as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the feed mechanism includes a pair of opposing film guides that assist in directing the band around the first and second objects and each of the pair of opposing film guides is generally arcuate in shape. 
     
     
         4 . The device as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the pair of opposing film guides are adapted to fittingly penetrate through corresponding holes formed in one of the first or second objects. 
     
     
         5 . The device as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the pair of opposing film guides protrude through a slot defined in one of the plurality of panels in the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The device as claimed in  claim 5  wherein one of the pair of opposing film guides is fixed in place and the other of the opposing film guides is adapted to be displaced within the slot. 
     
     
         7 . The device as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the feed mechanism comprises a plurality of rollers that advance the band along a specified path. 
     
     
         8 . The device as claimed in  claim 7  wherein at least one of the plurality of rollers is motor-driven. 
     
     
         9 . The device as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the feed mechanism extracts a continuous, defined length of film. 
     
     
         10 . The device as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the feed mechanism includes a tensioning mode to control loop tension in the plastic film at a defined setting. 
     
     
         11 . The device as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the tension of the band is adjustable through an external control provided in one of the plurality of panels in the housing. 
     
     
         12 . The device as claimed in  claim 2  includes a sensor adapted to detect machine readable features in the continuous plastic film which may not be detectable to the human eye. 
     
     
         13 . The device as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the clamping mechanism includes a movable backing anvil and a movable clamp head that selectively abut against opposing surfaces of the band in order to retain the band in a closed loop configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The device as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the bonding mechanism includes a movable heat stake head that is adapted to thermally bond together the first and second ends of the band. 
     
     
         15 . The device as claimed in  claim 2  further comprising a severing mechanism for separating the band from the continuous plastic film. 
     
     
         16 . The device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the continuous plastic film is embedded with covert identifiers that are not detectable by the human eye aid in operation of the device. 
     
     
         17 . A method for securing together first and second objects with a band derived from a continuous plastic film, the band having first and second ends, at least one of the first and second objects having a pair of holes, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) extracting the band from the continuous plastic film and at least partially directing the band through the pair of holes and around the first and second objects;   (b) sensing and retaining the first end of the band in an overlapping relationship;   (c) tensioning the band around the first and second objects; and   (d) bonding the first and second ends together to secure the band in a closed loop configuration.   
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 17  further comprising the step of severing the band from the continuous plastic film. 
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 17  wherein, in the extracting step, the band is extracted from the continuous plastic film at a modifiable length. 
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 17  wherein, in the tensioning step, the band is tensioned along the continuous plastic film at a modifiable tension.