Abstract: A strapping system and method for automatically applying strapping to at least one associated object, such as a roll of coiled material having a void. The system includes a first end effector (E1) and second end effector (E2), each end effector (E1,E2) mountable to a robotic arm (A1,A2) and including at least a portion of a chute, the end effectors (E1,E2) movable relative to each other when mounted to a robotic arm (A1,A2) such that the chute portions of each end effector can be selectively brought together in a plurality of orientations to define a generally continuous chute loop (CH) through which a strapping material can be advanced to surround the at least one associated object located at least partially within the chute loop.

Abstract: A conveying system is disclosed. The conveying system may have a first conveying apparatus that conveys a first article to a first location. The conveying system may also have a second conveying apparatus that conveys a second article to a second location. The conveying system may have a frame, a chute connected to the frame, and a third conveying apparatus. The chute may convey the first article received from the first conveying apparatus to a discharge location. The third conveying apparatus, disposed below the chute, may convey the second article received from the second conveying apparatus to the discharge location. The chute may be movable relative to the to the third conveying apparatus, such that the first or second article may be selectively conveyed to the discharge location via the chute or third conveying apparatus, depending on the position of the chute relative to the third conveying apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine (8) for processing and/or packaging objects, said machine having an essentially horizontal conveying section (10) for conveying articles, packages, and/or packaging units, which conveying section (10) comprises a first horizontal conveying device (14) with at least one conveying means (15) for a first operating mode, which horizontal conveying device (14) can be replaced by a further horizontal conveying device (24) with at least one second conveying means (25) that is different from the first conveying means (15) in order to establish at least one further operating mode.

Abstract: A strapping apparatus for strapping articles with a strapping band includes a base plate having a base surface for arranging on an article, a tensioning device for applying a band tension to the strapping band, the tensioning device having an actuable tensioning tool which can be brought into and out of contact with the band and a sealing device to permanently connect two band layers to each other. The sealing device includes a counter-holder surface for bearing against one side of the band and a sealing head for bearing against another side of the band while a seal is produced, and a clamp for clamping the band in the strapping apparatus. The strapping apparatus also produces a twist of the band in a band section adjoining the sealing device during production of the seal with respect to a longitudinal direction of the band.

Abstract: A robot binding apparatus for coil packaging includes: a grip unit that grips a band used for packaging a coil; a grip robot that supports the grip unit, rotates the grip unit seizing the band at the periphery of the coil to make the band wound on the coil, and moves the band to a fastening position; a head unit that provides the band to the grip unit and fastens the band at the band fastening position; and a head robot that supports the head unit and moves the head unit to the band fastening position.

Abstract: A head unit for coil packaging is disclosed to transfer and fasten band for fixing a packaging material to a coil. The head unit for coil packaging, including: a band transfer unit that transfers a front end of a band supplied for coil packaging to a position at which a robot for winding the band to a coil can grip the front end of the band, and transfers the front end of the band such that it overlaps with the band as the robot provides the front end of the band wound on the coil; and a band fastening unit that fastens the front end of the band to the band.

Abstract: A shuttle change system for use in a wrapping apparatus for wrapping an associated item is disclosed. The wrapping apparatus includes a shuttle that moves along the inner periphery of a track dispensing a wrapping material. The shuttle change system includes a carrier and a pair of track sections mounted to the carrier. The track sections are spaced from one another and parallel to one another, each adapted to support a shuttle. The carrier is moveable vertically, longitudinally and laterally to align either of the pair of tracks with the cantilevered base portion of the track. One of the tracks is adapted to receive a shuttle to be replaced and the other of the tracks is adapted to store a replacement shuttle for movement onto the track. The carrier is movable away from the track to permit the openable track portion to open and close without interference.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for bundling or strapping objects, in particular steel coils, wherein a binding tape made of a composite material comprising continuous fibers and a thermoplastic material and having a width of from 10 to 50 mm and a thickness of from 100 to 300 ?m is placed around the object, in particular the steel coil, thereby forming overlapping ends of the binding tape, and in the region of the overlapping ends heat is applied to the ends of the binding tape lying one on top of the other, in such a way that the thermoplastic material softens, and pressure is subsequently exerted over the surface area of the softened region in such a way that the ends of the binding tape are pressed against each other; the invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method and to a binding tape for this.

Abstract: The method of the present invention for handling scrap tires, includes a step of providing a compacting apparatus to a scrap tire generator, such as a tire retailer. Before compacting the tires, the tire can be marked with a unique identifier assigned to every tire generator. By marking the scrap tires with a unique identifier, the scrap tires can be tracked on their way to the final destination. The compacting apparatus provides volume reduction of the scrap tires individually into a form that can have a reduction of at least fifty percent of original cubic volume. The tires can be pinched to maintain the compacted tire in the compacted form and prevent the compacted tire from regaining its original shape. The compacted scrap tires can be accumulated inside a tire collection enclosure, such as a trailer or dumpster. The collected tires can be transported with much more weight efficient loads of the tires to a transfer station, a recycling facility, or an end user.

Abstract: An apparatus for binding a transportable wire core including a binding table comprised of sections in spaced relation sufficient to allow passage between them of a binding wire, and a collapsible carrying spool having base members being in spaced relation sufficient to allow passage between them of a binding wires. The spool is positionable on the table such that the base members of the spool and the sections of the table are aligned in operative cooperation. Guide tracks have first sections attached to the table and in operative alignment between the spool base members and the table sections. Guide track second sections are translatable between a removed position that allows a wire core on a spool to be positioned on the binding tables and an engaged position that operatively engages the binding wire guide track first sections. The second guide track sections operatively align between the sections of the table and the base members of the spool.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a packaging apparatus that supplies the packaging material by the packing material supply means provided independently of the mobile body that moves along the annular guide body. In order to achieve the object, the packaging apparatus of the present invention comprises a mobile body for leading a packaging material, an annular guide body for guiding said mobile body along said annular guide body, mobile body drive means for moving the mobile body along the annular guide body, and packaging material supply means disposed outside said annular guide body.

Abstract: The closure device is intended to hold the free end of an elongated element on a winding collected on a winding station during the operations of making ligatures on this winding. The device includes a support, capable of being set in rotation about a shaft coaxial with the winding, and two means of actuating bent arms, pressing portions of which are capable of clamping the last layer of the winding. This device makes it possible to automate the finishing operations of the winding. Furthermore it makes it possible to aid in discharging the finished winding from the winding station.

Abstract: A device to remove coils of rolled stock from a corresponding coiling machine located downstream of a rolling train is disclosed. The coiling machine includes a mandrel mounted to be rotatable around an axis of rotation. The device includes a coil remover and an actuator. The coil remover is associated with the coiling machine and is movable in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation between a first inactive position, in which the device to remove coils is arranged outside the space occupied by the coiling machine, and a first working position, in which the coil remover cooperates with the coil of rolled stock formed by the coiling machine. The actuator is suitable to move the coil remover between the first inactive position and the first working position and vice versa.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bundling layered material comprises an anvil for receiving multiple units of bundled material, and a plurality of blades for compressing a tying material onto the bundled material. An apparatus of the invention is illustrated for use in a specific method of simultaneously stapling the end wire of a plurality of tire beads.

Abstract: A coil handling system, and a method of operating the same, comprises an indexer assembly having a pair of rotatable spindles mounted thereon for supporting a coil of material upon which binding straps are to be placed at predetermined circumferential positions by a strap binding assembly when the rotatable spindles index the coil of material to the predetermined circumferential positions.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for making pipes made of a plurality of axially juxtaposed discarded vehicle tires wherein several batches of vehicle tires are sequentially compressed against one-another for forming long pipes of discarded tires. In one aspect of the apparatus of the present invention, there is provided a telescopic mandrel having a first and second spaced apart compactor plates mounted thereon for compacting a batch of vehicle tires therebetween. A plurality of grabbing jaws mounted on the telescopic mandrel at an intermediate position between the compactor plates grabs and retains the batch of tires in a compressed mode against the second compactor plate, while the telescopic mandrel is extended for loading a second or subsequent batch of vehicle tires thereon. In another aspect of the invention, there is provided several spacer strips on the telescopic mandrel for holding vehicle tires of the same rim size in alignment with the telescopic mandrel.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for dividing wire coils into two wire coils of equal weight or any different weights. A non-bound, loose wire coil is placed on a double screw rod on which two screws of reverse directions of thread are facing in opposite directions at the central turning point of the rod, and the screw rod is rotated to have the screws caused movement of the parts of the wire coil thereon in splitting directions so as to divide the wire coil into two parts at the turning point. The two coil parts thus formed are separated by cutting wire and separately bound to form two wire coils.

Abstract: In a machine for strapping a sheet metal coil, two rollers support such a coil with its axis extending transversely. A carriage mounted upon a fixed base is longitudinally movable toward and away from the rollers. A strapping head cradle mounted upon the carriage is movable with the carriage and is pivotable about a transverse axis. Two strap-guiding arms mounted upon the cradle, extend forwardly, and are movable with the cradle, pivotable with the cradle, and pivotable on the cradle between a closed position defining a closed path for a strap and an opened position enabling the strap-guiding arms to clear the supported coil when the cradle is moved with the carriage. A coil-sensing arm extending over the strap-guiding arms is mounted upon the carriage, movable with the carriage, and pivotable about a transverse axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for batch compression of tires has a support frame for supporting and aligning a plurality of tires in a generally axially aligned position. A mechanism for securing the plurality of tires is provided, as well as a ram member for axially compressing the tires which includes a protrusion for engaging a central orifice of each of the tires for guarding against misalignment of the tires. Also set forth is a method for batch pyrolysis of tires comprising the steps of first baling a plurality of tires together in a compressed cylinder having an orifice extending through the central portion. Next, the compressed cylinder is placed in a pyrolysis oven such that the heat can circulate through the central orifice and about the compressed cylinder. Thereafter, the material is batch pyrolized to produce useful by-products and retain a greater portion of the char material.

Abstract: A machine for compacting a row of tires in side-by-side relationship comprises a support housing containing a dual action hydraulic cylinder. A first compactor plate, contacting a first tire of the row is mounted on the support housing. An extended piston rod carrying a suitably dimensioned sleeve forms a probe that passes out of the support housing, through the first compactor plate and extends through the uncompacted row of tires, defining an external segment of the probe which varies in length as the piston is extended and retracted. A second compactor plate, mountable on the probe, contacts the last tire of the row. Thus the row of tires is compacted between the first compactor plate and the second compactor plate when the probe is retracted and the external segment is shortened. The probe is fully retractable through the first compactor plate to easily release the compacted row of tires therefrom.

Abstract: A machine for compacting a row of vehicle tires is provided in which the tires are compressed between a fixed and a movable compactor plate with the movable plate being actuated by an hydraulic cylinder. A safety mandrel is inserted through the center of the tires and locked in engagement with the movable compactor plate so that the tires to be compacted cannot be misaligned or ejected from the machine during the compaction process. Four tie wires are provided for each bundle which are fed through slots and wire guides through the center of the tires and hooked about the outside to hold the tires in the compressed condition after the hydraulic pressure is released. The length of the compressed bundle is set by adjusting the position of the compacting cylinder relative to the fixed compactor plate. Movable cylinder support means are provided to prevent misalignment of the cylinder and piston rod at the extreme limits of the extended stroke of the system.

Abstract: A tire compacting machine has a pair of compactor plates mounted on hydraulic cylinders formed around the tie bars of the frame to move the compactor plates from the ends of the machine toward the center of the machine to compact therebetween a number of tires positioned about a mandrel hinged to one of the compactor plates. The tires are positioned in the machine about the mandrel and are captured between the compactor plates about the mandrel as the plates are moved together to compress the tires into a dense compacted uniform cross section bundle for efficient storage, handling and/or disposal. The machine can compact a wide range of numbers of tires from a few to twenty or so and the degree of compaction can be varied to suit the application, i.e., usable tires compacted slightly, unusable tires tightly compacted. The mandrel is pivotally mounted on one compactor plate and slidably received in an aperture in the other compactor plate so that tires are completely contained during the compaction cycle.

Abstract: A machine for compacting a row of vehicle tires is provided in which the tires are compressed between a fixed and a movable compactor plate with the movable plate being actuated by an hydraulic cylinder. A safety mandrel is inserted through the center of the tires and locked in engagement with the movable compactor plate so that the tires to be compacted cannot be misaligned or ejected from the machine during the compaction process. Four tie wires are provided for each bundle which are fed through slots and wire guides through the center of the tires and hooked about the outside to hold the tires in the compressed condition after the hydraulic pressure is released. The length of the compressed bundle is set by adjusting the position of the compacting cylinder relative to the fixed compactor plate. Movable cylinder support means are provided to prevent misalignment of the cylinder and piston rod at the extreme limits of the extended stroke of the system.

Abstract: A binding device is provided for placing a flexible bond (F) around an article to be bound. The binding device includes guide members (10, 11) for bringing two opposed end lengths of the flexible bond to cross over each other, and a head (32) placed at the rear of the guide members for twisting the end lengths. The head includes a gripper (32a) mounted on the end of a rotary body (33). A threaded portion (41) of the body (33) of the twisting head (32) is threadedly engaged in a nut (42) integral with the frame. A coupling member (44) surrounds a portion of the body (33) such that the body (33) is slidingly mounted in the coupling member (44). Rotation of the coupling member achieves the rotational driving of the body of the twisting head and simultaneously permits a continuous axially advancement of the body of the twisting head due to the threaded engagement of the body with the nut.

Abstract: A device for compacting used tires has a rigid base member, a pair of columns rising from the base member, a top beam joining the uppermost extremities of the columns, and a movable engagement member adapted to slide upon the columns. A shaft vertically penetrates the top beam and is pivotally attached to the engagement member. In use, tires are stacked upon the base member, and the shaft, which is essentially a piston component emergent from a pressurized fluid chamber, is caused to force the engagement member downwardly. At the downwardmost point of travel of the engagement member, the tires are tied to form a bale. Retaining assemblies adjustably positioned upon the columns permit tires to be accumulated in multiple pressings prior to baling.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied as a device for bundling annular articles. This device utilizes a tape bundling machine which bundles articles with an adhesive bundling tape. A pressing table which pinches a top end of the tape is made detachable from a receiprocable slide shaft. Upon retraction of the slide shaft, the pressing table is detached from the slide shaft and is transferred to a side of a base stand. A bundle of articles is discharged through a gap formed between the slide shaft and the pressing table.

Abstract: A tire baler for baling tires having tire alignment walls located about the perimeter of the tire baling compartment which can be displaced radially outwardly to accommodate radial expansion of the stack of tires when the tires are compressed to form a bale. Pressure pads are adjustably mounted on the compression head so as to be movable radially with respect to the compression axis to maintain compression contact with tires of different diameters.

Abstract: A generally O-shaped track extends through the central axial opening of a cylindrical object along the ends of a cylindrical object and along its outer cylindrical surface. A trolley moves along the track and carries a roll of strip wrapping material. As the trolley travels along the track and the strip material is paid off the roll, it is wrapped around the interior surface of the central opening, the ends of the cylindrical object, and its outer cylindrical surface as the cylindrical object itself is rotated about its axis. This produces successive, overlapping laps of strip material such that the entire cylindrical object is covered. Means are provided for maintaining the tension of strip material substantially constant as the trolley travels around the track.

Abstract: A machine for tying a coil of wire with ties comprises a substantially flat support having at least one cutout, wherein the coil and the flat support are movable with respect to each other to place a portion of the coil into the cutout. A clamp is provided in the region between the closed end of the cutout and the adjacent end face of the coil for gripping one end of the tie at a fixed point. A tie guide rotatably mounted on the flat support defines a path about the cutout and carries an element for gripping a point of the tie adjacent the fixed point so that during rotation of the tie guide the tie is wound about the portion of the coil in the cutout. A cutter arranged in the region between the closed end of the cutout and the end face of the coil serves to cut the tie after being wound about the portion of the coil, whereafter the ends of the tie are twisted by twisting elements.

Abstract: An automotive tire bundling machine having a support framework or base which supports a pair of vertically spaced tire support members. A stack of tires are placed between the tire support members against guide rods on one of the tire support members. The other tire support member is moveable toward and away from the one tire support member for compressing the stack of tires. A strap feeding means position a strap about the peripheral edges of the stack of tires and is cooperative with a strap clinching device to tension the strap, secure the strap and cut off the excess strap material. The stack of tires is rotatable with the tire support members to facilitate the placement of additional straps about the stack of tires.

Abstract: Discarded rubber automotive tires are processed into bales for disposal and use as landfill, fish habitats and other purposes by compressing a stack of such tires endwise into a compact annular bale and then securing the bale with ties at circumferentially spaced locations thereon. Preferably during compression of the stack, it is slit lengthwise from end to end at multiple circumferential locations between the wires. The resulting slits extend inwardly from the outer toward the inner periphery of the bale but terminate short of the inner tire bead and rim to permit the escape of air and water from the annular interior spaces of the tires and yet maintain the integrity of the bale. The compressed, tied and slit baled product is particularly useful in forming artificial reefs in bodies of water for use as fish habitats because of its lack of buoyancy and resulting ease and accuracy of placement.

Abstract: Apparatus for wrapping tape around the end of a stator coil. The apparatus advances tape from a spool to a position near the coil end, where it is clamped by clamping members and cut, and a section of the tape adjacent the leading end is pressed against one side of the coil end. The trailing end of the tape is then pushed around the opposite side of the coil end where it is received by the clamping members. The trailing end is moved by the clamping members toward the leading end to draw the trailing end tightly around the coil and press it to the leading end.

Abstract: Discarded rubber automotive tires are processed into bales for disposal and use as landfill, fish habitats and other purposes by compressing a stack of such tires endwise into a compact annular bale and then securing the bale with ties at circumferentially spaced locations thereon. Preferably during compression of the stack, it is slit lengthwise from end to end at multiple circumferential locations between the wires. The resulting slits extend inwardly from the outer toward the inner periphery of the bale but terminate short of the inner tire bead and rim to permit the escape of air and water from the annular interior spaces of the tires and yet maintain the integrity of the bale. The compressed, tied and slit baled product is particularly useful in forming artifical reefs in bodies of water for use as fish habitats because of its lack of buoyancy and resulting ease and accuracy of placement.

Abstract: A machine for compacting and tying coils comprises a compacting unit mounted for movement in the direction of a tying unit, which itself includes a supply of tying wire. The tying wire is supplied to wire guide channels adapted to close around the compacting coil in order to make ties. The tying unit also has twisting heads for tying two ends of each tie after the corresponding wire has been pulled. Each guide channel is associated with at least two retractable rollers disposed on the movable compacting unit adjacent its support surface bearing against the coil and on each side of the latter, for the purpose of supporting the tying wire while it is being pulled.

Abstract: A machine for compressing and wrapping a coil of wire material is provided which includes a press for compressing the wire coil and wrapping means for wrapping the compressed wire coil with binding wire. The press includes first and second press means movable relative to each other with the first press means including pressing surfaces and the second press means including a pressing plate wherein the pressing plate cooperates with the pressing surfaces for compressing the wire coil. The first press means further includes wrapping means for wrapping the compressed wire coil with a binding wire and includes a substantially horizontal mandrel for receiving the wire coil and four press arms concentrically arranged about the mandrel and being relatively movable therewith to enclose the wire coil. Each of the press arms includes the pressing surfaces and first guide bars for guiding the binding wire.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for use in a rolling mill in compacting an upstanding cylindrical product coil. The apparatus includes a compacting station having a base platen divided into laterally spaced sections and an overlying vertically movable upper platen. A transport mechanism is employed to carry a coil laterally from a receiving station into the compacting station at an operative position between the platens. The transport mechanism includes a mandrel extending axially through the coil and an elevator head which is held by the mandrel in a raised position supporting the coil bottom at a level above the base platen. Thereafter, a lowering of the upper platen is accompanied by a corresponding gradual axial retraction of the mandrel and a lowering of the elevator head to the level of the base platen. This results in an axial compaction of the coil between the platens while the mandrel continues to provide internal support for the coil.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the art of coiling elongated flexible material, and specifically to a system which includes a method and apparatus for continuously and repetitively forming, at one time, one or more discrete of descrete lengths of elongated flexible material from a source of material greater in length than any discrete length, each of said coils being tied off individually preparatory to discharge from the system.

Abstract: An automobile tire stacking and strapping machine embodying a stacking station where a predetermined number of tires are upstacked by successive application thereof to the bottom of a stack undergoing erection, and the completed stack is transferred bodily to a strapping station and deposited therein. At the strapping station, lengths of strapping material are passed endwise through the eye of the stack, brought around the outer side thereof in overlapping relationship to provide closed loops, the loops tensioned and the loop overlaps sealed together, the excess strapping severed from the loops, and the thus strapped stack pushed from the machine to a discharge area. The strapping operation is conducted on each stack at the strapping station while a preceding stack of tires is undergoing erection at the stacking station.