Strapping machine for strapping an article with a weldable plastic strap

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a strapping machine for strapping an article. The strapping machine includes a machine framework, a machine table for accommodating the article during the strapping operation, a feed device for transporting the article onto the machine table in a conveying direction, a strapping device, which is assigned to the machine table and is intended for strapping the article with the plastic strap, a removal device for transporting the strapped article away from the machine table in the conveying direction, and an ejecting device arranged in the region of the machine table and intended for ejecting an article directly from the strapping device in a direction transverse to the conveying direction.

1 . A strapping machine comprising:
 a machine framework;   a feed device configured to move an article in a conveying direction;   a machine table adjacent the feed device and supported by the machine framework, the machine table comprising an ejecting device configured to receive the article from the feed device and to move the article in either the conveying direction or a second direction transverse to the conveying direction;   a strapping device configured to strap the article on the machine table;   a first removal device adjacent the machine table and configured to receive the article from the ejecting device when the ejecting device moves the article in the conveying direction; and   a second removal device adjacent the machine table and configured to receive the article from the ejecting device when the ejecting device moves the article in the second direction.   
     
     
         2 . The strapping machine of  claim 1 , wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the conveying direction. 
     
     
         3 . The strapping machine of  claim 1 , wherein the ejecting device is integrated in the machine table. 
     
     
         4 . The strapping machine of  claim 2 , wherein the ejecting device comprises a ball-grid conveyor belt that forms the surface of the machine table. 
     
     
         5 . The strapping machine of  claim 1 , wherein the strapping device is a longitudinal strapping device. 
     
     
         6 . The strapping machine of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second removal devices comprises a roller conveyor. 
     
     
         7 . The strapping machine of  claim 6 , wherein the second removal device comprises a ball-grid conveyor belt. 
     
     
         8 . The strapping machine of  claim 7 , wherein the second removal device further comprises a roller conveyor. 
     
     
         9 . The strapping machine of  claim 1 , wherein the feed device comprises a conveyor belt. 
     
     
         10 . A method of operating a strapping machine, the method comprising:
 moving, via a feed device, an article in a conveying direction onto a machine table;   if the article on the machine table is not defective, moving, via an ejecting device of the machine table, the article in the conveying direction to a first removal device;   if the article on the machine table is defective, moving, via the ejecting device of the machine table, the article in a second direction transverse to the conveying direction to a second removal device; and   strapping the article via a strapping device if the article is not defective.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the conveying direction. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising moving, via the second removal device, the article in the conveying direction.