Abstract: A modular strapping machine feeds steel strapping material around a load, tensions the strapping material and welds the strapping material to itself in an end-to-end weld. The modular strapping machine includes a frame, a feed head removably mounted to the frame, a tension head removably mounted to the frame, a sealing head removably mounted to the frame and a strap chute. A strap straightener is mounted between the tension head and the sealing head. A leading end of the steel strapping material is conveyed from the feed head, through the tension head and the sealing head, through the strap chute and back to the sealing head. The sealing head is configured to grip the leading end, grip and sever a trailing end of the strapping material to form a loop end and weld the leading end to the loop end in an end-to-end weld.

Abstract: A modular strapping machine feeds steel strapping material around a load, tensions the strapping material and welds the strapping material to itself in an end-to-end weld. The modular strapping machine includes a frame, a feed head removably mounted to the frame, a tension head removably mounted to the frame, a sealing head removably mounted to the frame and a strap chute. A strap straightener is mounted between the tension head and the sealing head. A leading end of the steel strapping material is conveyed from the feed head, through the tension head and the sealing head, through the strap chute and back to the sealing head. The sealing head is configured to grip the leading end, grip and sever a trailing end of the strapping material to form a loop end and weld the leading end to the loop end in an end-to-end weld.

Abstract: A sealing patch for a polymeric bag includes a carrier, a pressure sensitive adhesive on the carrier and a heat-activated material on the pressure sensitive adhesive. A high-strength polymeric bag is formed from woven tapes and is coated with a polymer material. The sealing patch is positioned on the bag for sealing the bag. A method for sealing a high-strength polymeric bag with a sealing patch and a device for sealing a polymeric bag with a sealing patch are disclosed.

Abstract: A bag for containing a bale of compressed material is a sleeve formed from woven tapes of polymeric material having a sealed end and an open end. The sleeve has a first region where the tapes are woven at a first density and one or more second regions where the tapes are woven at a second density less than the first density. The first region is configured to, when the bale is introduced into the bag, be positioned on at least a portion of a length of the bale.

Abstract: A modular strapping machine feeds steel strapping material around a load, tensions the strapping material and welds the strapping material to itself in an end-to-end weld. The modular strapping machine includes a frame, a feed head removably mounted to the frame, a tension head removably mounted to the frame, a sealing head removably mounted to the frame and a strap chute. A strap straightener is mounted between the tension head and the sealing head. A leading end of the steel strapping material is conveyed from the feed head, through the tension head and the sealing head, through the strap chute and back to the sealing head. The sealing head is configured to grip the leading end, grip and sever a trailing end of the strapping material to form a loop end and weld the leading end to the loop end in an end-to-end weld.

Abstract: A modular strapping machine feeds steel strapping material around a load, tensions the strapping material and welds the strapping material to itself in an end-to-end weld. The modular strapping machine includes a frame, a feed head removably mounted to the frame, a tension head removably mounted to the frame, a sealing head removably mounted to the frame and a strap chute. A strap straightener is mounted between the tension head and the sealing head. A leading end of the steel strapping material is conveyed from the feed head, through the tension head and the sealing head, through the strap chute and back to the sealing head. The sealing head is configured to grip the leading end, grip and sever a trailing end of the strapping material to form a loop end and weld the leading end to the loop end in an end-to-end weld.

Abstract: A method for containing a bale of compressible material includes compressing the bale of compressible material to form a compressed bale having a plurality of grooves in at least one side thereof. The grooves are recessed from an outer surface of the compressed bale. The compressed bale is transferred to a flexible container. The container conforms to a shape of the compressed bale such that at least some portions of the flexible container take the shape of the grooves to define container portions recessed from the outer surface of the compressed bale. A containerized bale made by the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for compressing and containing a bale of compressible material includes a bale box and opposing compression plates, one or both of the compression plates moving toward the other of the compression plates in a compression direction. The bale box includes stationary side walls that define a bale box perimeter around the compression plates. At least two of the stationary side walls have ribs formed therein extending inwardly of the bale box. The ribs extend along the at least two side walls in a direction parallel to the compression direction. The ribs form grooves in a compressed bale in about 50 percent to 70 percent of a surface of the compressed bale in which he grooves are formed.

Abstract: A method for containing a bale of compressible material without straps or wires includes compressing a quantity of compressible material into a bale and introducing the bale of compressed material into a container in the compressed state. The container can be sealed following receipt of the bale. A baler can be used with a press for compressing the material, and a bagging station can facilitate transfer of the bale to the container without straps or wires securing the bale following compression.

Abstract: A method for containing a bale of compressed material without straps or wires in a bag the bale having recessed regions therein, includes receiving the bale of compressed material in a conveyor having a mobile portion and a load carriage. The bag has reinforced regions. The load carriage has multiple tines for supporting the bale of compressed material. The tines engage the bale at at least some of the recessed regions. The bale is transferred into a bagger configured to receive the bale and move the bale from an entrance to a discharge and bagging mandrel. The bale is introduced into the bag such that at least some of the reinforced regions of the bag correspond to the recessed regions of the bale. A reinforced bag for containing a bale of compressed material without straps or wires is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for transferring and containing a bale of compressible material includes a conveyor, a transfer device to transfer the bale of compressible material from the conveyor and a bagger. The bagger includes an entrance, a discharge station and a bag mandrel. The bale is received in the entrance from the transfer device and is discharged from the bagger by the discharge station into a bag positioned on the mandrel. The mandrel has a plurality of walls, at least one of the walls having a crowned profile.

Abstract: A system for compressing and containing a bale of compressible material includes a bale box and opposing compression plates, one or both of the compression plates moving toward the other of the compression plates in a compression direction. The bale box includes stationary side walls that define a bale box perimeter around the compression plates. At least two of the stationary side walls have ribs formed therein extending inwardly of the bale box. The ribs extend along the at least two side walls in a direction parallel to the compression direction. The ribs form grooves in a compressed bale in about 50 percent to 70 percent of a surface of the compressed bale in which he grooves are formed.

Abstract: A method for containing a bale of compressed material without straps or wires in a bag the bale having recessed regions therein, includes receiving the bale of compressed material in a conveyor having a mobile portion and a load carriage. The bag has reinforced regions. The load carriage has multiple tines for supporting the bale of compressed material. The tines engage the bale at at least some of the recessed regions. The bale is transferred into a bagger configured to receive the bale and move the bale from an entrance to a discharge and bagging mandrel. The bale is introduced into the bag such that at least some of the reinforced regions of the bag correspond to the recessed regions of the bale. A reinforced bag for containing a bale of compressed material without straps or wires is also disclosed.

Abstract: A strapping tool for tensioning and securing a strap on or around an object or load includes a motor, a tensioning assembly coupled to the motor, and a weld plate assembly coupled to the motor. The motor is actuated in a first direction to control the tensioning assembly to tension the strap during a tensioning operation and the motor is actuated in a second direction to control the weld plate assembly to weld the strap to itself during a welding operation.

Abstract: A method for containing a bale of compressible material includes compressing the bale of compressible material to form a compressed bale having a plurality of grooves in at least one side thereof. The grooves are recessed from an outer surface of the compressed bale. The compressed bale is transferred to a flexible container. The container conforms to a shape of the compressed bale such that at least some portions of the flexible container take the shape of the grooves to define container portions recessed from the outer surface of the compressed bale. A containerized bale made by the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for containing a bale of compressible material without straps or wires includes compressing a quantity of compressible material into a bale and introducing the bale of compressed material into a container in the compressed state. The container can be sealed following receipt of the bale. A baler can be used with a press for compressing the material, and a bagging station can facilitate transfer of the bale to the container without straps or wires securing the bale following compression.

Abstract: A modular strapping machine feeds steel strapping material around a load, tensions the strapping material and welds the strapping material to itself in an end-to-end weld. The modular strapping machine includes a frame, a feed head removably mounted to the frame, a tension head removably mounted to the frame, a sealing head removably mounted to the frame and a strap chute. A strap straightener is mounted between the tension head and the sealing head. A leading end of the steel strapping material is conveyed from the feed head, through the tension head and the sealing head, through the strap chute and back to the sealing head. The sealing head is configured to grip the leading end, grip and sever a trailing end of the strapping material to form a loop end and weld the leading end to the loop end in an end-to-end weld.

Abstract: A feed head for a strapping machine includes a frame, a feed wheel, a tension wheel, and a feed and take-up motor mounted to the frame and operably connected to the feed wheel. The feed and take-up motor operates in forward and reverse directions to feed strapping material through the strapping machine, and to take up strapping material from the strapping machine. A tension motor is operably connected to the tension wheel and operates in a reverse direction to tension the strapping material around the load. The tension wheel is movable toward and away from the feed wheel and engages the feed wheel during strap tension and disengages from the feed wheel during strap feed. A pivot assembly operably mounts the tension motor and tension wheel to the frame to move the tension wheel toward and into engagement with, and out of engagement with the feed wheel.

Abstract: A strapping tool for tensioning and securing a strap on or around an object or load includes a motor, a tensioning assembly coupled to the motor, and a weld plate assembly coupled to the motor. The motor is actuated in a first direction to control the tensioning assembly to tension the strap during a tensioning operation and the motor is actuated in a second direction to control the weld plate assembly to weld the strap to itself during a welding operation.

Abstract: A feed head for a strapping machine includes a frame, a feed wheel, a tension wheel, and a feed and take-up motor mounted to the frame and operably connected to the feed wheel. The feed and take-up motor operates in forward and reverse directions to feed strapping material through the strapping machine, and to take up strapping material from the strapping machine. A tension motor is operably connected to the tension wheel and operates in a reverse direction to tension the strapping material around the load. The tension wheel is movable toward and away from the feed wheel and engages the feed wheel during strap tension and disengages from the feed wheel during strap feed. A pivot assembly operably mounts the tension motor and tension wheel to the frame to move the tension wheel toward and into engagement with, and out of engagement with the feed wheel.