Strapping device with a combined tensioning-and-welding assembly

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a strapping device with a combined tensioning-and-welding assembly. The tensioning-and-welding assembly includes a tensioning-and-welding wheel that is: (1) rotatable about a tensioning-and-welding-wheel rotational axis to tension strap around a load; and (2) longitudinally movable along the about a tensioning-and-welding-wheel rotational axis to seal two overlapping portions of the strap together. WO

1 . A strapping device comprising:
 a tensioning plate;   a tensioning-and-welding wheel that is:
 rotatable relative to the tensioning plate; and 
 longitudinally movable relative to the tensioning plate between a tensioning longitudinal position and an actuating longitudinal position; and 
   at least one motor operably connected to the tensioning-and-welding wheel to rotate the tensioning-and-welding wheel and to longitudinally move the tensioning-and-welding wheel.   
     
     
         2 . The strapping device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one motor comprises a single motor operably connected to the tensioning-and-welding wheel to rotate the tensioning-and-welding wheel and to longitudinally move the tensioning-and-welding wheel. 
     
     
         3 . The strapping device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one motor comprises a first motor operably connected to the tensioning-and-welding wheel to rotate the tensioning-and-welding wheel and a second motor operably connected to the tensioning-and-welding wheel to longitudinally move the tensioning-and-welding wheel. 
     
     
         4 . The strapping device of  claim 1 , further comprising a welding actuator, wherein the at least one motor is operably connected to the welding actuator to drive the welding actuator to cause longitudinal movement of the tensioning-and-welding wheel. 
     
     
         5 . The strapping device of  claim 4 , further comprising a rotatable mount to which the tensioning-and-welding wheel is mounted such that the tensioning-and-welding wheel is fixed in rotation with the mount and longitudinally movable relative to the mount. 
     
     
         6 . The strapping device of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one motor is operably connected to the mount to rotate the mount and the tensioning-and-welding wheel mounted to the mount. 
     
     
         7 . The strapping device of  claim 6 , wherein the mount comprises a shaft on which the tensioning-and-welding wheel is mounted, the shaft comprising one or more supports fixing the tensioning-and-welding wheel in rotation with the shaft while enabling the tensioning-and-welding wheel to longitudinally move relative to the shaft. 
     
     
         8 . The strapping device of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more supports comprise one or more rolling elements. 
     
     
         9 . The strapping device of  claim 5 , wherein the welding actuator is mounted to the mount such that the welding actuator is rotatable relative to the mount. 
     
     
         10 . The strapping device of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a spacer between the tensioning-and-welding wheel and the welding actuator; and   a tensioning-and-welding-wheel biasing element biasing the tensioning-and-welding wheel toward the welding actuator such that the tensioning-and-welding wheel forces the spacer into engagement with an actuating surface of the welding actuator.   
     
     
         11 . The strapping device of  claim 10 , wherein the mount comprises a flange defining a bore therethrough, wherein the spacer is received in the bore. 
     
     
         12 . The strapping device of  claim 10 , wherein the actuating surface has an undulating profile comprising alternating peaks and valleys. 
     
     
         13 . The strapping device of  claim 12 , wherein the tensioning-and-welding wheel is in the tensioning longitudinal position when the spacer engages one of the valleys of the actuating surface and is in the actuating longitudinal position when the spacer engages one of the peaks of the actuating surface. 
     
     
         14 . The strapping device of  claim 13 , wherein a complete rotation of the welding actuator causes tensioning-and-welding wheel to oscillate between the tensioning longitudinal position and the actuating longitudinal position. 
     
     
         15 . The strapping device of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a first transmission-gear assembly operably connecting the at least one motor to the tensioning-and-welding wheel to rotate the tensioning-and-welding wheel; and   a second transmission-gear assembly operably connecting the at least one motor to the wending actuator to drive the welding actuator to cause longitudinal movement of the tensioning-and-welding wheel.   
     
     
         16 . A method of strapping a load with a strapping device, the method comprising:
 rotating a tensioning-and-welding wheel relative to a tensioning plate to tension strap around the load; and   longitudinally moving the tensioning-and-welding wheel relative to the tensioning plate between a tensioning longitudinal position and an actuating longitudinal position to seal two overlapping portions of the strap to one another.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising rotating the tensioning-and-welding wheel and longitudinally moving the tensioning-and-welding wheel via a single motor. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising driving a welding actuator to cause the tensioning-and-welding wheel to move longitudinally between the tensioning and actuating longitudinal positions. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising rotating the welding actuator to cause the tensioning-and-welding wheel to move longitudinally between the tensioning and actuating longitudinal positions.