Binder Tighteners And Joiners Patents (Class 100/29)
  • Patent number: 7007596
    Abstract: A bale press for lose material, especially for paper with a filling space for material that is to be added loose, a press ram, which can be moved through the filling space into the inlet of a pressing channel or some other baling space, and several knotters for tying material, which are disposed next to one another at the inlet of the pressing channel, in which in each case two opposite strands of a tape loop of the binding material, encircling the bale, are brought together at the front, knotted together and cut after the knot, the associated knotter receiving one of the two strands with a supplying arm through openings in the press ram is equipped for the extreme requirements of industrial high performance presses, especially channel bale presses, in such a manner that the openings in the press ram form channels which are adapted to the movement profile of the supplying arms and, at a front surface of the press ram, are open in outlet slots for the tying material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Paal GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Telscher
  • Patent number: 6990894
    Abstract: A reentry gate assembly is for use with a strapping machine of the type having a feed assembly, a chute and a strapping head. The reentry gate assembly directs returning strapping material into the strapping head and releases the strapping material therefrom to prevent the strap from becoming caught as it is pulled from the chute. The reentry gate assembly includes a body having a strap path surface and first and second pivotable gates movable between a closed position in which the gates overly the strap path surface and define a strap pathway, and an open position in which the gates are pivoted away from the strap path surface. A link operably connects the first and second gates. When strapping material present in the strap pathway with the gates closed is urged outwardly of the strap pathway, contact of the strapping material with either the first or second gate moves the link to open the other of the first or second gate, so that both gates open together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Lininger, Jonathan Lopez, Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak
  • Patent number: 6990895
    Abstract: An improved side seal strapping machine is configured to feed a strapping material around a load, position, tension and seal the strapping material around the load. The machine is configured for strapping relatively incompressible, debris laden loads. The machine includes a frame having a biased, movable carriage mounted to a side thereof, a modular sealing head mounted to the carriage and a modular feed head mounted to the carriage. A strap chute is mounted to the frame. The chute has a movable bottom chute section and a movable lower head-side section adjacent the sealing head. The movable lower head-side chute section is movable with the carriage, and the movable lower head-side chute section and the bottom section are hingedly connected to one another for cooperative movement. A passive debris ejection system includes openings formed in the bottom chute section and openings formed at junctures of the bottom chute section and sections adjacent thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Powers
  • Patent number: 6981353
    Abstract: A strapping machine feed system for automatically detecting a strap error or fault, thereby stopping strap retraction or take-up, and refeeding the strap into the strapping head following the error or fault. The feed system includes a pair of tensioning wheels disposed along a strap path proximal a strap supply, and a pair of feed wheels, defining a nip therebetween, disposed along the strap path proximal the strapping head. A feed wheel drive and a tensioning wheel drive are respectively connected to the feed wheels and the tensioning wheels. A sensor disposed along the strap path generates a signal to the feed wheel drive and tensioning wheel drive, indicating movement or lack of movement along the strap path, thus causing the feed wheels or tensioning wheels to rotate in both a forward and reverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Haberstroh, Timothy B. Pearson, Lawrence G. Sickels
  • Patent number: 6976422
    Abstract: A clearing and reloading assembly is configured for use with a strapping machine of the type having an infeed arrangement at about a strap material inlet to the machine, a feed assembly and a chute, the strapping machine defining a strap material holding region between the infeed arrangement and the feed assembly. The strapping machine is configured to receive first and second courses of associated strap material, position, tension and seal the strap material around a load. The clearing and reloading assembly includes a body, a driven wheel and a bearing element opposite of the driven wheel. The bearing element and the driven wheel define a strap path therebetween. A strap cutter is disposed for movement into and out of the strap path. A first peripheral portion of the driven wheel is configured to define a gap between the first portion and the bearing element such that the strap material can slip therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Haberstroh, Timothy B. Pearson, John A. Rometty
  • Patent number: 6968779
    Abstract: Systems and methods for threading and feeding a length of wire into a wire-tying track, for withdrawing at least some of the wire from the wire-tying track to tension the wire around one or more objects, and for extracting waste wire from the system. The object of the invention herein being a feed and tension mechanism comprising a feed and tension wheel, an accumulator disk, a primary nip mechanism for frictionally engaging the wire at the contact region between the primary nip and the feed and tension wheel, a drive system having two independently operable motors, and wire guiding devices for directing and routing the wire through the feed and tension mechanism. The present invention may further comprise a supplementary nip mechanism to facilitate the threading of the wire into the mechanism, a wire stripping mechanism for extracting any waste wire from the mechanism, and a series of wire sensing devices in communication with a control system to sequence and control the operational cycles of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Enterprises International, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Doyle, Andrew D. Hall, Darrell D. Robinson, Scott E. McNeal, Donald A. Smith
  • Patent number: 6966255
    Abstract: A lock-out assembly for a strapping tool prevents inadvertent actuation of the tool sealer cycle prior to completion of the tensioning cycle. The tool includes a pneumatic module having tensioning cycle and sealer cycle valves mounted therein. The valves are actuated by overlying levers. The lock-out assembly includes an arm operably mounted to the pneumatic module having a first engaging portion for engaging the tensioning valve lever and a second blocking portion for blocking the sealer valve lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventor: David E. Crittenden
  • Patent number: 6962108
    Abstract: A strap-guiding device for a strapping packaging apparatus includes a main body provided with a tightening device, a cutting device and a strap-compressing device. A nose-tip shaped base having a lower and an upper propping member is secured on the front wall of the main body, having a strap-inserting groove formed between the upper and the lower propping member. During packaging, a packaging strap has one end inserted through the strap-inserting groove of the nose-tip shaped base and passing through the cutting device and the tightening device, having the other end compressed and fixed by the strap-compressing device, and the nose-tip shaped base has its front end closely pushing against an article to make the packaging strap pulled and moved steadily and smoothly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Inventor: Hsiu-Man Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 6962109
    Abstract: A strapping machine configured to feed a strapping material around a load, position, tension and seal the strapping material around the load, includes a chute opening system to open a lower portion of the strap chute upon upwardly pivoting a portion of the work surface. Such a machine includes a machine frame, a work surface for supporting the load in the strapping machine, at least a portion of which is upwardly pivotal. A strap chute carries the strapping material around the load and releases the strapping material from the strap chute. The strap chute defines a strap path along the chute. The chute is movable between an operating position in which the strapping material is conveyed along the chute and a release position in which the strap chute is moved longitudinally to release the strapping material from the chute for positioning around the load. A weld head seals the strapping material onto itself. At least a portion of the weld head is disposed along the strap path below the work surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan J. Bobren, Joseph E. Lininger
  • Patent number: 6957678
    Abstract: The device according to the invention for tensioning and sealing of strapping bands has a band abutment (24) for the inner band edges (27) of the band ends (20, 21) to be welded together, which is provided with a band width adjustment device (28) according to the invention, with the help of which the band abutment adjusts the band abutment transversely to the longitudinal direction of the strapping band in the housing and that the device can be adjusted to strapping having with different widths without any reconstruction measures (see FIG. 3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Cyklop GmbH
    Inventors: Detlef Scholl, Christian Spohr, Peter Nober
  • Patent number: 6957835
    Abstract: A knotter arrangement for a large rectangular or square baler includes a plurality of knotter assemblies mounted on a knotter drive shaft. Each knotter assembly includes a knotter drive gear mounted for rotation with, and axial movement along, the knotter drive shaft, and a knotter frame having a sleeve clamped loosely on a hub of an associated knotter drive gear. According to a first embodiment, a pair of jackbolts are screwed into one end of the hub of one knotter drive gear, with the heads of the pair of jackbolts engaging an end of the hub of an adjacent knotter drive gears. In second and third embodiments, for use with knotter drive gears having small diameter hubs, the jackbolts are respectively mounted in either an end face of a spacer mounted on the shaft between adjacent knotter assemblies, or in an end face of a sleeve of the mounting frame that surrounds an elongate section of the drive gear hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: David Vincent Rotole
  • Patent number: 6955119
    Abstract: A strapping machine configured to feed a strapping material around a load, position, tension and seal the strapping material around the load, includes hinged, readily removable in-feed and out-feed work surfaces with integral conveyors. The strapping machine includes a machine frame, the in-feed and out-feed work surfaces mounted to the frame and a strap chute mounted to the frame for carrying the strap around the load and for releasing the strap material from the strap chute. A feed assembly and a weld head are disposed below the work surfaces. The in-feed and out-feed surfaces are on opposite sides of the strap chute and are separated from one another by a lower portion of the chute. Integral conveyors for in-feeding the load into the strapping machine and for out-feeding the load from the strapping machine are formed in the work surfaces. The work surfaces are hingedly mounted for pivoting upwardly and outwardly for maintenance of the machine and for removing the surfaces and conveyors from the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan J. Bobren, Christopher S. Krohn, Timothy B. Pearson
  • Patent number: 6951088
    Abstract: A banding machine and method for banding bundles of material using a thermal and moisture activated adhesive baleband. In one embodiment the banding machine includes a sealing station that guides and tightens the baleband around a bale such that a portion of the baleband is overlapped. The sealing station also connects or seals the overlapped end portions of the band after tightening the band about a bale and cuts the band as overlapped end portions are connected. The overlapped end portions are adhesively connected or sealed using a steam or hot water applicator mechanism and associated actuator controller for applying pressurized steam or hot water to the overlapped end portions of the baleband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Inventor: Peter A. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 6951170
    Abstract: A strapping machine configured to feed a strapping material around a load, position, tension and seal the strapping material around the load, the strapping machine including a strap chute for carrying the strap around the load and for releasing the strap material from the strap chute. The strap chute defines a longitudinal axis transverse to the chute. The strap chute is formed having a chute frame and an inner wall defining a track for conveying the strap through the strap chute. The inner wall is movable relative to the chute frame, parallel to the longitudinal axis between an operating position and a release position to release the strap from the strap chute. A drive assembly is operably connected to the inner wall for moving the inner wall between the operating and release positions. The drive assembly includes driven elements mounted to the inner wall for longitudinal movement therewith. The driven elements constrain movement of the inner wall in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Lininger, James A. Haberstroh
  • Patent number: 6935227
    Abstract: A gripper assembly for a strapping head for a strapping machine includes a body having a generally rectangular cross-section and defining a cavity therein having an end wall. The body has a gripping pad on an exterior portion thereof. The body further includes pin openings in opposing walls. A single spring stack is disposed in the cavity. An end of the spring stack abuts the inner end wall of the body. A follower block is positioned in the cavity. The follower block has a base and a roller support portion. The roller support portion has pin openings therein. A roller is positioned in the roller support portion. The roller has a passage therethrough. A retaining pin is disposed through the body pin openings, the follower block pin openings and the roller passage. The retaining pin is disposed to maintain the follower block within the body cavity with the roller secured thereto and to maintain the spring stack captured within the body cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Lopez, Timothy B. Pearson, David B. Gerhart
  • Patent number: 6926258
    Abstract: A strap tension retaining device is configured for a use with a bulk unit secured by a strap under tension. Such a bulk unit load has a corner and defines a bulk unit perimeter. The strap tension retaining device includes a fixed base element, fixed relative to the bulk unit load, a floating element movable relative to the fixed base element, a biasing element mounted between the floating element and the fixed base element and a guide element mounting the floating element to the fixed base element to guide movement of the floating element relative to the fixed base element. The strap tension retaining device is positioned at about the corner of the bulk unit load with the strap positioned around the bulk unit perimeter of the bulk unit load, over the strap tension retaining device floating element. When the strap is tensioned a force is exerted by the strap on the floating element to force the biasing element against the bias direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Sowa, Michael Kaufman, Lawrence Promise, Mark Hughes
  • Patent number: 6926045
    Abstract: In order to prevent an uncut part from being formed in a band portion protruding from a head portion of a binding band, the binding device of the invention has a tightening function of tightening bound articles around which the binding band is wound, and a cutting away function of, after the bound articles are tightened, cutting away an extra part of the band portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Tyton Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadahiro Miyazaki, Kiyoshi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 6923113
    Abstract: A strapping machine for positioning a strap material around an associated load, tensioning the strap material and sealing the strap material to itself around the load, the strapping machine includes a strap path formed from opposing, movable elements. The machine includes a frame, a slack box, and a first portion of a strap path from the slack box. The first portion of the strap path is formed by a pair of opposing path forming elements moveable toward and away from each other between an open path position and a closed path position. The path forming elements further define a path entrance and a path exit, The closed path position defines the first portion of the strap path. A strapping head is mounted to the frame and is configured to convey the strap material in a first direction to position the strap material around the load and to convey the strap material in a second direction to tension the strap material around the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan J. Bobren, Timothy B. Pearson
  • Patent number: 6912950
    Abstract: A strapping machine for positioning a strap material around an associated load, tensioning the strap material and sealing the strap material to itself around the load has an improved strap chute release system. Such a machine includes a frame, a strapping head mounted to the frame including at least a pair of wheels for feeding strap material and for retracting strap material and configured to seal a first course of strap material onto an overlying second course of strap material, and a strap chute mounted to the frame and configured for receiving the strap material from the strapping head and positioning the strap material around the load. The strap chute is configured to release the strap therefrom as the strap material is pulled to the load. The strap chute has an inner wall and a transverse wall defining a strap track from which the strap material is released. The inner wall is moveable away from the transverse wall for releasing the strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Darryl M. Devine, Christopher S. Krohn
  • Patent number: 6904684
    Abstract: A strapping packaging device includes a compressing device, a cutting device, a strap-rolling device and a strap-pressing device. The eccentric cam of the compressing device is actuated to rotate by an operating rod, and the eccentric cam presses down a slide base together with a press block to compress on the strap-clamping member of a packaging strap. The strapping packaging device can not only precisely compress on the strap-clamping member, but also cut off the packaging strap easily at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Inventor: Hsiu-Man Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 6904841
    Abstract: A strapping machine configured to feed a strapping material around a load, position, tension and seal the strapping material around the load, includes a work surface table height adjusting assembly. Such a strapping machine has a machine frame, a work surface for supporting a load mounted to the frame a strap chute for carrying the strap around the load, a feed assembly for feeding and retracting strap and a weld head for sealing the strap to itself. The machine frame is mounted to leg assemblies by first and second height adjustment assemblies. Each height adjustment assembly is configured to raise and lower a portion of the work surface relative to a fixed portion of the leg assemblies. The assemblies each include a pair of adjusting rods lying along a respective side of the frame, at adjacent corners of the work surface. The adjusting rods operably connect the work surface and the leg assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan J. Bobren, Russell M. Flaum, Timothy B. Pearson
  • Patent number: 6877420
    Abstract: A method and control system for a strapping machine restarts the strapping machine at a point of interruption of the strapping machine cycle. The system and method determines the presence of a foreign object proximal the strapping machine during the strapping cycle, interrupts the strapping cycle upon determining the presence of the foreign object proximal the strapping machine during the strapping cycle, determines a point of interruption of the strapping cycle and restarts the strapping cycle at the point of interruption through the use of retained program timers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence G. Sickels
  • Patent number: 6877421
    Abstract: A binding device for binding pulp bales with wire drawn from a wire magazine is disclosed including a feed for feeding and tightening the wire, a guide for guiding the wire around the bale during forward feeding thereof, a processor for cutting the tightened wire and twisting together the ends thereof, and a take-up unit for taking up the slack loop of wire arising from the tightening of the wire. A spring-loaded device adjacent to the feed means dampens the jerk which occurs when the slack loop of wire runs out and wire begins to be drawn from the magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Fahredin Rexhaj
  • Patent number: 6871584
    Abstract: A self-cleaning limit switch is for use in a strapping machine of the type configured to convey strapping material around a load, receive first and second courses of the strapping material, position, tension and seal the strapping material around a load. The strapping machine includes a strapping head having internal and external limit switch channels formed therein. The limit switch includes a sliding element having internal and external sliding portions rigidly connected to one another. The internal sliding portion is positioned in the strapping head internal limit switch channel and the external portion is positioned in the strapping head external limit switch channel. The internal and external sliding portions include an inclined surface at a rearward end thereof and upstanding walls at a forward end thereof. The internal sliding portion has a lip for engaging the second course of strapping material. The external sliding portion includes a position indicating element thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy B. Pearson
  • Patent number: 6857252
    Abstract: A strap path access guide is configured for use in a strapping machine of the type having a feed assembly a chute and a strapping head disposed between the feed assembly and the chute. The strapping machine is configured to receive first and second courses of associated strap material, position, tension and seal the strap material around a load. The strap path access guide is disposed along the feed assembly between a pair of tensioning wheels and the strapping head. The strap path access guide includes a fixed lower guide portion extending between the tensioning wheels and the strapping head. The fixed lower guide portion defines a lower surface of the strap path. A pivotable upper guide portion is pivotable about a pivot that is spaced from and rearwardly beyond the tensioning wheels. The upper guide portion is pivotable between a closed position in which the upper and lower guide portions cooperate with one another to define the strap path and an open position in which the strap path is fully accessible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Haberstroh, Timothy B. Pearson
  • Patent number: 6837155
    Abstract: A bale binding machine utilizes controlled pins to guide the path of a wire (or strap) around a bale such that strength-reducing bending is not introduced to the wire. The bale binding machine binds bales of fibrous bulk materials such as cotton and nylon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Barton Wade Daniel, Gerald Lee Johnson, Samuel E. Jones, Harold Campbell Lummus, Jr., Craig Van Millett, Timothy Charles Stamps, Ray Whittinghill
  • Patent number: 6829877
    Abstract: The invention is a baling machine with an articulated guide track disposed in three operationally distinct sections. One section of the articulated guide track, representing approximately one-half of the track perimeter, is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the large section completes a guide track perimeter. In the second position, the large section pivots away from tying heads of the baling machine to permit ejection of the bale from the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Barton Wade Daniel, Gerald Lee Johnson, Samuel E. Jones, Harold Campbell Lummus, Jr., Craig Val Millett, Timothy Charles Stamps, Ray Whittinghill
  • Publication number: 20040244607
    Abstract: A twist tie feed device is provided for twisting together the ends of a tie ribbon which encircles a product including a base plate. A twist head assembly can be mounted on a base plate and receives a first end of a tie ribbon which encircles the product and a second end of the encircling tie ribbon and will rotate about itself to twist the tie ribbon about the product. Positive drive wheels and idler working in conjuction feed the ribbon in one of a first direction towards the twist head assembly and a second direction away from the twist head assembly. The positive drive wheels can contact the ribbon at one side and the idler can contact the ribbon on the other side to apply a positive drive force to the drive the ribbon as it passes between the drive wheels and idler. The ribbon can be fed in the second direction away from the twist head assembly, thereby tightening the ribbon about the product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: John C. Corbin, Dimitrios Manoussakis
  • Publication number: 20040237808
    Abstract: A gripper assembly for a strapping head for a strapping machine includes a body having a generally rectangular cross-section and defining a cavity therein having an end wall. The body has a gripping pad on an exterior portion thereof. The body further includes pin openings in opposing walls. A single spring stack is disposed in the cavity. An end of the spring stack abuts the inner end wall of the body. A follower block is positioned in the cavity. The follower block has a base and a roller support portion. The roller support portion has pin openings therein. A roller is positioned in the roller support portion. The roller has a passage therethrough. A retaining pin is disposed through the body pin openings, the follower block pin openings and the roller passage. The retaining pin is disposed to maintain the follower block within the body cavity with the roller secured thereto and to maintain the spring stack captured within the body cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Lopez, Timothy B. Pearson, David B. Gerhart
  • Patent number: 6817159
    Abstract: The distal end of a band remains held after a band-holding step. A band-tightening step is performed by operating a manual tightening switch, thereby driving a drive motor and hence rotating a drive roller under manual control. A band-sealing step and a band-feeding step are automatically and sequentially performed after a tightening stop switch is operated, generating a manual-tightening end signal. It is desirable to use a mode-changing switch for switching an operating mode of the apparatus between an automatic mode and a manual mode. The manual tightening switch and the tightening step are effective in the manual mode and are ineffective in the automatic mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Strapack Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori Sakaki, Tsutomu Tagomori
  • Publication number: 20040216623
    Abstract: A clamping jaw assembly and cutter assembly employed in machinery used to manufacture nails, screws, rivets, and similar objects starting with wire material. The invention includes a groove design having a smooth wave that reduces the wear rate of the groove improving the life expectancy of the hard material clamping jaw insert. A clamping jaw assembly and cutting assembly that are both easily accessible for permitting quick replacement and/or indexing of the carbide-clamping inserts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Joe L. Hurst, Michael P. Kimmel
  • Publication number: 20040211327
    Abstract: A machine for bundling tree branches and other yard waste comprising a frame having at least two cradling arms of various configurations, and a crushing arm pivotally attached to the frame for pressing down the branches or yard waste. A preferred embodiment includes a binding or crushing arm comprised of rigid or flexible material and can be manipulated about the pivot point in a manner, which crushes or compacts and facilitates bundling of the waste. A preferred embodiment includes the flexible material is comprised of high tensile strength polymer or natural fibers such as natural or manmade rope. An alternative embodiment includes wheels attached to the frame bottom to facilitate movement of the machine and/or a twine holder for tying the waste. A preferred embodiment teaches the use of binding or crushing arm(s) or bungee cords to manipulate the waste to facilitate bundling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Bock
  • Publication number: 20040206251
    Abstract: A pneumatic strapping tool for tensioning a strap around a load, adhering the strap onto itself, and cutting a feed end of the strap includes a piston, a weld motor operably connected to the piston and a vibrating weld element operably connected to the piston for contacting the strap and adhering the strap onto itself. A tensioning motor is configured for unidirectional rotation. A feed wheel is operably connected to the tensioning motor by a drive assembly to tension the strap prior to adhering the strap onto itself. A transmission cooperates with the drive assembly and is switchable between a first state in which the transmission engages the drive assembly to permit only one-way rotation of the drive assembly and a second state in which the transmission permits two-way rotation of the drive assembly. The strapping tool includes a self-contained pneumatic module that is removably mounted to a cylinder housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works
    Inventor: Robert J. Nix
  • Patent number: 6782807
    Abstract: A twine tensioner includes upper and lower ribbed rollers biased together so as to enlarge a length of twine passing between them so as to cause a predetermined tension to be required for advancing the length of twine through the rollers. The upper roller is mounted for movement relative to the lower roller and is guided such that, as it moves away from the lower roller, the twine tension first increases and then does not undergo any appreciable increase or spike as a knot in the length of twine through the nip of the rollers. The tensioner is constructed such that the upper roller may be easily manually moved away from the lower roller so as to permit twine to be threaded through the tensioner without requiring any additional tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: David Vincent Rotole
  • Publication number: 20040140384
    Abstract: The present Invention is an apparatus for applying high tension to strap in an automatic strapping machine. A rotatable frame has a first and a second position. Two driving wheels are mounted on the frame. In the first position of the rotatable frame, strap passes freely through a gap between the two driving wheels to allow feeding of the strap around an object and take-up of excess strap. In the second position of the rotatable frame the strap frictionally engages the periphery of the two driving wheels. Rotation of the two driving wheels when the rotatable frame is in the second position places high tension on the strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventor: George F. Goodley
  • Publication number: 20040134360
    Abstract: A twine tensioner includes upper and lower ribbed rollers biased together so as to engage a length of twine passing between them so as to cause a predetermined tension to be required for advancing the length of twine through the rollers. The upper roller is mounted for movement relative to the lower roller and is guided such that, as it moves away from the lower roller, the twine tension first increases and then does not undergo any appreciable increase or spike as a knot in the length of twine passes through the nip of the rollers. The tensioner is constructed such that the upper roller may be easily manually moved away from the lower roller so as to permit twine to be threaded through the tensioner without requiring any additional tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: Deere & Company, a Delaware Corporation
    Inventor: David Vincent Rotole
  • Patent number: 6755123
    Abstract: A strapping machine for positioning a strapping material around an associated load and sealing the strapping material to itself around the load, includes a modular strapping head and a modular feed assembly. The strapping head and feed assembly are readily installed on and removed from the strapping machine without tools. The Strapping machine includes a frame, a chute mounted to the frame and defining a strap path, the feed assembly mounted to the frame by a first aligning and mounting assembly, the strapping head assembly mounted to the frame by a second aligning and mounting assembly independent of the first mounting assembly, and a guide mounted to the frame adjacent the feed assembly. Both the feed assembly and the strapping head are independently removable from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works
    Inventors: Russell M. Flaum, Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak, Jonathan Lopez
  • Patent number: 6745677
    Abstract: A strapping machine for positioning a strapping material around an associated load and sealing the strapping material to itself around the load includes a frame, a chute mounted to the frame for conveying the strapping material around the load, a feed assembly mounted to the frame for feeding the strapping material, a guide configured to transfer the strapping material from the feed assembly and a strapping head. The head is configured to receive the strapping material from the feed assembly via the guide during a feed mode. The strapping head includes a body and defines a first conveyance path for the strapping material from the guide to the chute, and a second conveyance path to receive a free end of the strapping material to seal the strapping material to itself. The second conveyance path is defined by a plurality of surfaces in the body that define a substantially constant width path through the second conveyance path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak, Jonathan Lopez
  • Patent number: 6742323
    Abstract: A strapping apparatus for securing a tape around a package has a housing, a support roll rotatable on the housing, a tube shaft pivotal on the housing adjacent the support roll about a tube-shaft axis, and a drive shaft rotatable in the tube shaft about a drive-shaft axis parallel to and offset from the tube-shaft axis. A first drive roll on the drive shaft carries a friction layer bearing axially offset from the drive-shaft axis on the housing. A first drive connected to the drive shaft rotates same and the first drive roll in a clamping direction and thereby oppositely rotates the tube shaft about the tube-shaft axis into an end position and also can rotate the drive shaft and the first drive roll in an opposite freeing direction to thereby oppositely rotate the tube shaft about the tube-shaft axis into another end position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Titan Umreifungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Apel, Reinhard Naydowski, Thomas Schäfer
  • Patent number: 6725766
    Abstract: A drive arrangement for controlling the tying function of a large rectangular baler includes a knotter drive shaft having a drive member mounted on it for free rotation. A one-way clutch is connected between the drive member and the drive shaft for rotating the drive shaft only when the drive member is rotated in a first direction. The drive member has an elongate flexible element associated therewith and is driven in the first direction by retraction of an extensible and retractable hydraulic motor having its rod end coupled to one end of the flexible element, the other end of the flexible element being coupled to a spring that stores energy only when the hydraulic motor is retracted. At the end of the tying function, the hydraulic motor is extended to its beginning position, the loaded spring then taking up the slack in the flexible element and the one-way clutch then free-wheeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Lee Murrey, Paul David Parker, David Vincent Rotole, Eric Ryan Lang, Darin Ledru Roth, Joseph Eugene Story
  • Patent number: 6715408
    Abstract: Strapping head, comprising three wheels for driving the strap, i.e. an insertion wheel, a recovery wheel and a tensioning wheel, as well as a pressure roller associated with each of the drive wheels, and elements for activating and deactivating the driving of the wheels. According to the invention, the tensioning wheel (6) is made to rotate by a movement cam (7), through an angle of rotation “a” corresponding to an arc with a length equal to the maximum tensioning travelling distance of the strap, and the strap is driven by the tensioning wheel (6) in co-operation with a pressure roller (6a) which is displaceable so as to bear with pressure against the strap and the tensioning roller (6), with a predetermined delay with respect to the start of the tensioning roller (6). A single actuating motor operates a single drive belt (C) for driving all the moving parts of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: MACPRO S.a.s. di Alberto Galli & C.
    Inventor: Gian Luigi Rossi
  • Patent number: 6708606
    Abstract: A winder for a strapping machine that positions a strap material around a load and tensions the strap material around the load includes a rotating head portion having a stationary element and a pivotal element. The elements each define an outer surface around which the strap material is wound and a slot therebetween for receiving the strap material. The elements each include a gripping portion at about respective ends opposingly facing one another. The pivotal element pivots between an open position in which the gripping portions are spaced from one another and a closed position in which the gripping portions cooperate with one another to engage and secure the strap material. The winder includes a pivot assist assembly to urge the winder to the closed position. A strapping machine and a strapping head are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Lemuel J. Bell, Jr., Timothy B. Pearson
  • Patent number: 6701831
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Samuel E. Jones, Craig V. Millett
  • Patent number: 6688085
    Abstract: A packaging machine includes a machine body having two side plates fixed in parallel on one side of its bottom base. The side plates are bored with a plurality of through holes preset in number at the locations where a cutting device, a clamping device and a band-pressing device are assembled. Each through hole is fitted with a padding sleeve which is wrapped inside the machine body and formed in shape together when the machine body is made integral by means of plastic injection molding, possible to be mass-produced, needless to be additionally drilled with holes for other components, lightening its whole weight and economizing producing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Hsiu-Man Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 6684761
    Abstract: A strapping packaging device includes a compressing device, a cutting device, a strap-rolling device and a strap-pressing device. The eccentric cam of the compressing device is actuated to rotate by an operating rod, and the eccentric cam presses down a slide base together with a press block to compress on the strap-clamping member of a packaging strap. The strapping packaging device can not only precisely compress on the strap-clamping member, but also cut off the packaging strap easily at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Hsiu-Man Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 6662713
    Abstract: An apparatus to be appended to a rotary printing press for binding successive stacks of printings with a thermally fusible paper band. Included is a band looper for loosely looping the band around a load on a platform. After having been tightened against the load, the band has its lapping parts heated by a band heater into a fused joint and is cut off from its continuous supply. A heater control circuit is provided for causing the band heater to be normally energized for a preassigned period of time at regular intervals during the operation of the apparatus, keeping the heater heated to a temperature necessary for melting the thermoplastic overlay of the paper band. After the heater has heated the band on each load, the heater control circuit causes the heater to be energized for a longer period of time which is enough to compensate for a temperature drop due to the heating of the band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho
    Inventors: Mitsuru Kawabata, Katsuhisa Sekimoto, Masahiro Morikawa, Toshikazu Tomo
  • Publication number: 20030226454
    Abstract: A strapping packaging device includes a compressing device, a cutting device, a strap-rolling device and a strap-pressing device. The eccentric cam of the compressing device is actuated to rotate by an operating rod, and the eccentric cam presses down a slide base together with a press block to compress on the strap-clamping member of a packaging strap. The strapping packaging device can not only precisely compress on the strap-clamping member, but also cut off the packaging strap easily at the same time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventor: Hsiu-Man Yu Chen
  • Publication number: 20030226455
    Abstract: The invention relates to a strapper for bank notes and a bank note processing apparatus having such a strapper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Peter Dopfer, Frank Hofmann, Peter Osterberger
  • Publication number: 20030221566
    Abstract: A strapping apparatus for securing a tape around a package has a housing, a support roll rotatable on the housing, a tube shaft pivotal on the housing adjacent the support roll about a tube-shaft axis, and a drive shaft rotatable in the tube shaft about a drive-shaft axis parallel to and offset from the tube-shaft axis. A first drive roll on the drive shaft carries a friction layer bearing axially offset from the drive-shaft axis on the housing. A first drive connected to the drive shaft rotates same and the first drive roll in a clamping direction and thereby oppositely rotates the tube shaft about the tube-shaft axis into an position and also can rotate the drive shaft and the first drive roll in an opposite freeing direction to thereby oppositely rotate the tube shaft about the tube-shaft axis into another end position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: TITAN Umreifungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Apel, Reinhard Naydowski, Thomas Schafer
  • Patent number: 6651550
    Abstract: A strapping machine for positioning a strapping material around an associated load and sealing the strapping material to itself around the load, includes a modular strapping head and a modular feed assembly. The strapping head and feed assembly are readily installed on and removed from the strapping machine without tools. The Strapping machine includes a frame, a chute mounted to the frame and defining a strap path, the feed assembly mounted to the frame by a first aligning and mounting assembly, the strapping head assembly mounted to the frame by a second aligning and mounting assembly independent of the first mounting assembly, and a guide mounted to the frame adjacent the feed assembly. Both the feed assembly and the strapping head are independently removable from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell M. Flaum, Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak, Jonathan Lopez