The present invention relates to a device for arranging a band of flexible material, in particular paper or plastic, around at least one product, said device comprising a supply mechanism for supplying band material from a roll, means for forming a loop in an end portion of the band material around a space for receiving the product, means for severing said end portion and welding means for closing the loop, wherein the means for forming the loop comprise conveying means for the band material, which are movable around the space, and suction means connected to the conveying means, wherein the conveying means are accommodated in an arc arranged around the space. Such a device is also known under the name of banding machine .

In existing banding machines, the size of the product to be wrapped in band material is no longer dependent on the flexibility of the material. This makes it possible to arrange a band around larger objects or more objects than was possible so far. However, existing banding machines still have limitations as regards the feeding in and passing through of long products . The object of the invention is to provide a device for arranging a band of flexible material around at least one product, which products can be longer than was the case so far.

In order to achieve that object, the device of the kind described in the introduction is according to the invention characterised in that a part of the arc with part of the conveying means present therein is movable between an open position, in which the product can be placed into the space for receiving the same, and a closed position, in which the band can be arranged in the arc and around the space. In other words, the arc can be opened for placing a part of the product into the space and subsequently be closed for feeding in the band, i.e. filling the entire arc with the band. The band can then be arranged around said part of the product. Finally, the arc is opened again for removing the product in its entirety. The device is in particular configured to arrange the band through a core of the product, in which case the arc part can be inserted through the core in the closed position thereof. The product is a car tyre, for example, and the arc part can be automatically steered or moved through a core of the car tyre.

A preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention, the arc part can be folded in an out to the open position and the closed position, respectively.

In another preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention, the arc part can be retracted and extended to the open position and the closed position, respectively. The arc part can in particular be retracted and extended in a direction perpendicular to a frame for placing the product thereon in the space for receiving the product. Use is preferably made of a guide for extending and retracting the arc part along said guide.

In another preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention, the arc part is electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically driven to move between the open position and the closed position.

It is noted that in a preferred variant the conveying means comprise driven conveyor ropes, which conveyor ropes are connected to a suction side of the suction means. In another preferred variant, the conveying means comprise an endless driven belt conveyor, which belt conveyor comprises openings connected to a suction side of the suction means. The suction means preferably comprise a suction pump or a fan.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to figures illustrated in a drawing, in which:

- Figures 1-7 are perspective views of a preferred variant of a device according to the invention, showing steps of the manner in which a band of flexible material is arranged around a part of a product; and

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a movable part of the arc shown in figures 1 - 7.

Figures 1-7 show a device 1 by means of which band material 2 can be unwound from a supply roll 3 so as to be subsequently fixed around a product 4. The band material 2 is for that purpose pushed up by driven feed rollers and pinch rollers 5 and subsequently comes into contact with driven conveyor ropes 6. The conveyor ropes 6 are accommodated in a gutter-shaped arc 7, in which a sub-atmospheric pressure is generated by a suction pump or fan (not shown) . The conveyor ropes 6 carry the band material 2 being sucked against the conveyor ropes along until the band material 2 extends through the entire arc 7. In that situation a space 8 surrounded by the band material 2 is larger than a product 4 placed therein. The free end of the band material 2 is subsequently clamped, after which the band material 2 is tightened so that the band material 2 fits around the product 4. The band material 2 thus becomes separated from the driven conveyor ropes 6. Finally, the loop thus arranged around the product 4 is closed and severed from the remaining band material 2. The product 4 with the loop fastened around the product can now be removed and the device 1 is ready for a next cycle. Reference is made to Dutch patent publication Nr. 94.00112, in which this process is described in detail. The contents of said publication are considered incorporated herein.

With reference to figures 1 - 7, the arc 7 comprises an arc part or arc closing element 9 which can be extended and retracted in the direction indicated by arrow 10, i.e. in a direction perpendicular to a frame 11, for placing a car tyre 4, for example, thereon in the space 8. The arc closing element 9 with the conveyor ropes 6 accommodated therein is shown in more detail in figure 8. The arc closing element 9 is electrically driven.

After the arc closing element 9 has been lowered, i.e. moved to an open position, the car tyre 4 can be placed on the frame 11 in the space 8 (figure 2) . The arc closing element 9 is then raised to a closed position, in which the arc closing element 9 extends through a core 12 of the car tyre 4 (figures 3 and 4) . Tightening the band material 2 around the car tyre 4 and subsequently severing and welding the band material 2 so as to form a loop takes place in a manner already described in the foregoing (figure 5) . The arc closing element 9 is then lowered to the open position again for removing the car tyre 4 and carrying it off in the direction indicated by arrow 13 (figure 7) . The device is then ready for a next cycle.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown herein, but it also extends to other preferred variants that fall within the scope of the appended claims.