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.

Abstract: Apparatus for hooping packing units that includes a working table (1), on which a packing unit (3) can be placed during hooping, and a band application frame (5), disposed so as to be fixed and eccentric and running obliquely to the working surface of the working table (1), for applying a band loop (9) from a band section of a hooping band. At least one band-feeding element (14; 15; 19; 19′) is disposed on the band application frame. The band-feeding element traverses the band loop roughly into the middle of the working table for subsequently hooping the packing unit in the direction of conveyance (4).

Abstract: A round baler has a bale chamber surrounded by bale forming means running over stationary and moveable rollers. Some moveable rollers are carried by arms which are located outside opposite side walls of the bale chamber. This enables a bale to be formed within the spacing between the side walls and to be ejected by raising the arms carrying moveable rollers to open the bale chamber.

Abstract: A baler for the production of parallelepiped or slab-shaped bales is provided with a baling chamber whose cross section can be easily repositioned in height by servo motors that operate to adjust one part of the baling chamber relative to an overlapping second part. Corresponding adjustments can be made to the position of a driver for the baling piston, which itself is constructed to include separate telescoping parts. In addition, the needle assembly is provided with needle carrying arms that are mounted for movement with the movable part of the baling chamber.

Abstract: A baler includes a baling chamber configured for forming parallelepiped bales. The baling chamber has a top wall that is adjustable toward and away from a bottom wall of the chamber. The top wall is provided with a plurality of transversely spaced, parallel slots extending lengthwise of the chamber. A baling piston is mounted for movement within the baling chamber and includes an upper part which is defined by a plurality of transversely spaced ribs that are respectively received in the slots in the top wall and accommodate the movement of the latter during adjustment.

Abstract: A roll baler including circumferentially rotatable conveyor elements limiting a compression space therebetween, and a device for wrapping up a roll bale, which is formed in the compression space, with a section of a sheath web, the wrapping-up device including a pivotable start-up element for pressing the sheath web, against a surface of one of the rotatable conveyor elements, a separation element for cutting the sheath web off after the wrapping-up process ends and pivotable between cutting and non-cutting positions, and a common pivot axle for supporting the start-up element and separation element for pivotal movement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a round baler (1) for agricultural stalk material, which is arranged, in combination with a wrapper (3) for wrapping a round bale (42a) in film, on at least one running gear, a sloping plane in the form of a chute device (20) for the finished round bale (42a) being provided between the round baler (1) and the wrapper (3). To ensure that the round bale (42a) is transferred reliably and as quickly as possible to the wrapper (3) by simple means and without the expenditure of a large amount of force, it is proposed according to the invention that the chute device (20) be adjustable. Due to a steeper position of the chute device (20), the round bale (42a) rolls quickly out of the swivel zone (43) of the round baler (1), such that the rear housing (10) may be closed just as quickly as with round balers (1) operating alone.

Abstract: A tape support for an automatic wrapper includes a main frame and an internal frame. The internal frame is keyed onto the main frame and has four corners. A corner block is keyed to each corner of the main frame. A guide blade assembly is pivotally keyed onto two vertical sides of the main frame, and an adjustment assembly is keyed onto two vertical sides of the main frame. The corner block has three sides. One is concave, and the others form a right angle. The guide blades face each other and wrap around the internal frame. The arms of the adjustment assembly face each other and wrap around the blade assembly. A brush is mounted on the free ends of the adjustment assembly to guide the tape to the middle by its retaining force when the tape passes through the brush.

Abstract: Cotton receiving structure includes a receptacle supported on a wheeled frame and a floor conveyor moving cotton towards an upright set of fingered rotors which feed the cotton into an upright hopper. The fed cotton is directed into a baler mounted on the frame for forming and wrapping. The compact wrapped bale is discharged from the baler and loaded onto a transport device using conventional bale handling equipment such as a tractor-mounted loader. The baler can be mounted directly on the frame with the receptacle and the hopper for movement as a unit to the desired field location for receiving cotton from the harvester basket. In an alternate embodiment, the baler can be a separate unit towed behind or towed independently of the frame and the receiver and hopper.

Abstract: A strapping machine having a strap accumulator box with an easy access panel is provided. The strapping machine includes a lever that allows for the quick opening of the easy access panel and the quick clearing of the strapping machine of strap debris and jams. The strapping machine of the present invention further includes a lever for quick release of the access panel. The access panel is spring biased in a first closed position and, upon the clearing of strap debris and jams, the access panel is returned to its first closed position.

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.

Abstract: A strapping machine is provided with a restriction device that helps prevent strapping material, remaining after a break in the material, from being drawn, by gravity or inertia, into the strapping machine slap box. The restriction device also assists in the orderly movement of strapping material through the strapping machine, by being adjustable, by either strap tension or weight, to widen or restrict the strap path as needed.

Abstract: A defective-portion marking method and defective-portion marking apparatus which can put a mark all around a long body (1), ensure easy removal of the mark, and eliminate the need for securely joining both ends of a line-like elastic body (2′) into a ring shape. A long elastic body (2) supplied from an elastic-body feeding mechanism (6) is held by a pair of pinchers (51), and as the pinchers are turned by a rotary mechanism (52), the long elastic body is wound on a holder (3). Then, the contact pin (41) of an entwining mechanism (4) moves forward to entwine the long elastic body, which is cut to the line-like elastic body by a cutter (516) provided on one of the pinchers. The contact pin moves further to free the line-like elastic body from the holder so that the line-like elastic body is wound around the long body at a defective portion or in a vicinity thereof due to its own elasticity.

Abstract: A machine and method for applying reinforcing strapping to bulk boxes. The machine includes a plurality of strapping head assemblies arranged in series, with each adapted to apply a strap in encircling relationship to a box at a predetermined location on the box. As the box advances through successive strapping head assemblies, straps are applied in predetermined spaced relationship on the box, until the desired number of straps have been applied. The number, spacing and tension of the straps may be quickly and easily adjusted. In an embodiment of the invention, the strapping head assemblies are arranged in pairs in individual modules. A recovery strapping head assembly is provided just prior to exit from the machine to apply any strapping missed by a preceding strapping head assembly.

Abstract: After a tape is caused to travel in a direction parallel to a front surface of a machine frame to expand a loop, the loop is tightened, to bind a material to be bound. A door which is opened or closed by rotating around an axis of rotation is provided on a side surface of the machine frame. A tape roll is contained in a containing space formed between a reverse surface of the door and a plate opposite thereto, and is held in a holding member. When a binding machine is used upon opening the door, a center line of the tape roll is perpendicular to the direction in which the tape travels, thereby making smooth travel of the tape possible. When the binding machine is not used, the door is closed by rotating around the axis of rotation, to enter a state where it is along the side surface of the machine frame.

Abstract: A device for compressing stacks of branches or twigs pruned from trees or shrubs into compact bundles includes a winch having an elongated tubular shaft terminated at one end thereof by a hand crank, and rotatably supported by a pair of longitudinally spaced apart support structures disposed transversely to the winch shaft. Each support structure has a base plate having a lower surface adapted to abut a stack of prunings, and a bearing support structure protruding upwards from the base plate for rotatably supporting the winch shaft. An aperture through the base plate disposed radially rearwards from the winch shaft receives a tensioning rope wound around the winch shaft. The opposite end of each tensioning rope encircles a pruning stack, and is attached at longitudinally spaced apart locations to an anchor rod.

Abstract: An agricultural baler comprises a baling chamber and pick-up device for collecting crop material from a field and feeding it to conveyor mechanism which transports it into the baling chamber. A plunger reciprocates therein for compressing the crop material to a package and a tying mechanism encircles the package with one or more strands of tying material, thereby forming a completed bale. The baler comprises bale discharge device disposed at the outlet of the baling chamber, the bale discharge device being movable between an extended position for receiving the completed bale and depositing it onto the field and a retracted position for reducing the overall length of the baler. In the retracted position, a rear portion of the bale discharge device is rested on a support on top of the baling chamber. The discharge device are held in their retracted position by the rear portion itself.

Abstract: A feeding device for a strapping machine comprises a feed guide mounted to a frame to receive a nylon strap from a feed coil. The feed guide comprises a housing having a triangular cross-section and an apertured transition member mounted therein which receives the strap feed and directs the strap onto a flat exit portion of the frame. The exit portion includes a pivotal cam lock which engages the flat strap to prevent recoil thereof. The feed guide includes a predetermined internal taper which directs the strap onto a flat portion of the frame despite the angle of the incoming feed strap thereby eliminating problems with shredding of the strap which occur in the strapping head.

Abstract: A device for compressing stacks of branches or twigs pruned from trees or shrubs into compact bundles includes a winch having an elongated tubular shaft terminated at one end thereof by a hand crank, and rotatably supported by a pair of longitudinally spaced apart support structures disposed transversely to the winch shaft. Each support structure has a base plate having a lower surface adapted to abut a stack of prunings, and a bearing support structure protruding upwards from the base plate for rotatably supporting the winch shaft. An aperture through the base plate disposed radially rearwards from the winch shaft receives a tensioning rope wound around the winch shaft. The opposite end of each tensioning rope encircles a pruning stack, and is attached at longitudinally spaced apart locations to an anchor rod.

Abstract: A method for binding bundled objects, in particular pieces of cable is disclosed. A first end of a binding material is used to encircle the bundled objects and is then passed through an opening located on a second end of the binding material. A pulling force is then applied to the binding material thereby tightly securing the bundled objects. The binding material is then bent forming a folded edge and passed through a second opening. Finally, the first end is pressed against a portion of the binding material wrapped around the bundled objects, thus producing a static friction and securing the bundled objects.

Abstract: An arrangement for tying an article, in particular a cable harness, comprises a tough elastic tape with a closure (12) arranged at the end of an elongated tape tongue and a tying tool. Arranged at the front of the tool body (1) are wrapping tongs (2, 3) that can be opened and closed and through which the tape can be guided around the article to be tied. Located in the tool body is a tape guide channel (10) opening inside the wrapping tongs and having an advancing member for advancing the tape with the tape tongue forward, the channel being adjoined in the wrapping tongs by a tape guide groove (20, 21). Arranged at the mouth of the tape guide channel (10) is a closure holder for holding the closure (12) and a spring rocker (15) for pressing the tape tongue being advanced on to a surface (11) of the tape guide channel (10). According to the invention, the spring rocker (15) has a front face (24) that participates in forming the closure holder (11, 18, 24).

Abstract: A branch or other similar article bundler including a central rod, a skid at its forward end and a handle assembly at its proximal end. The handle assembly has a forward molded hand grip coaxial with the rod and a rear twine spool for dispensing twine around a guide in the skid and the guided twine is cleated back on the handle assembly. The bundler with twine looped through the skid guide and cleated back to the handle assembly is slid under the branch pile, the twine end is then uncleated and wrapped forwardly around the branches and tied off adjacent the forward skid guide.

Abstract: A tying device is provided for mounting on a baling press for tying a plurality of wires having preformed interlocking ends around a bale formed in the press. The device includes a center plate mounted above the press chamber in which the bale is formed and a pair of wire bend assemblies pivotally mounted on opposite sides of the center plate. The wire closer assembly is mounted on the press ram below the bale and provides the floor of the baling chamber. The wire bend assemblies pivot from a fully raised to a fully lowered position to bend the preformed interlocking ends of the wires around the bale and to insert the interlocking ends into the wire closer assembly where the interlocking ends terminate in loops oriented in a vertical plane. The wire bend assemblies include guide rollers for guiding the interlocking ends of the wire into the wire closer assembly while the press ram is in its last few inches of travel to compress the bale.

Abstract: A tying device is provided for mounting on a down-packer type baling press in which cotton is boxed for baling at a loading side of a substantially horizontal rotating turntable, the tying device for tying a plurality of wires having pre-formed interlocking ends around a bale formed in the press. The device includes a base plate provided as the floor of the press chamber in which the bale is formed and a pair of wire bend assemblies pivotally mounted on opposite sides of the base plate. A wire closer assembly is mounted on the press ram above the bale and provides the top surface of the baling chamber. The wire bend assemblies pivot from a first fully retracted to a second partially extended load position and to a fully extended position so as to bend the pre-formed interlocking ends of the wires around the bale and to insert the interlocking ends into the wire closers where the interlocking ends are joined together to form a knot.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for feeding, bundling and transporting a stream of sheets, such as printed sheets in signature form. A vertical stacking machine stacks a stream of signatures and then clamps, compresses and straps the signatures into a bundle for transportation and delivery. The machine has a pair of improved bar clamps for preventing sheet drift during compression and strapping. The clamps attach each bar to a driving mechanism in a cantilevered fashion. Each bar is only attached to the driving mechanism at the top and/or the center portion of the bar. The opposite, bottom end of each bar is free of attachment to the driving mechanism. As a result, a critical obstruction is removed.

Abstract: A plurality of wires W are caused to hang downward substantially in U-shape, such that the ends of wires W to be bound together are closely fixed. The end portions of a plurality of fixed wires W are positioned in the vertical direction by straightener 16 and holder 17 and automatically bound with tape by tape winder 18. The binding position can be determined in the vertical direction, thereby obviating the need to lay wires W over their entire lengths in the conveying direction of the production line. As a result, the distance to lay wires W can be shortened by the hanging amount of wires W, thereby considerably reducing the space required for the installation of the wire binding apparatus.

Abstract: In a strapping machine comprising a fixed wall and a movable chute, a mechanism is provided for stripping the strap from the chute. The chute has two sections defining a gap straddled by a bracket connecting the sections. A lever is mounted pivotally on the bracket so as to extend through the gap. A pin in fixed relation to the fixed wall extends through an elongate slot in the lever. The lever is arranged to pivot toward an inoperative position as the chute is moved toward the closed position and to pivot away from the inoperative position and to strip a strap from the space between the flanges of the chute as the chute is moved away from the closed position.

Abstract: This invention is directed to bundling and banding machine that forms and bands bundles of firewood into the shape of a stable wood pile that can be easily removed from the machine, transported as a banded bundle and when deposited at its final destination and the bands are removed it will stand as a stable wood pile, with a minimum of distortion or need of restacking.

Abstract: A diamond-mesh polyethylene sponge is obtained from a number of netting tubes stretched over supports, joined and bound together at the center and then released from the supports.

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: This invention pertains to a tying mechanism applying twisting and winding of the two strands of the string or twine forming a closed loop around a bale or a package, until an overlapping and self-locking multiple-stranded configuration is achieved.

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 machine forms pairs of elongated articles, bundles the pairs, and then stacks the bundles. A receiver and inverter function together to hold one of the articles in place and then invert a second article onto the first article to form an article pair. A number of the article pairs, typically about five pairs, are stacked on a vertical lift that controllably moves downwardly as additional pairs are added. An optical sensor senses the position of the top of the topmost pair, and controls the position of the lift so that the measured top is at a preselected position that permits yet another pair to be added to the bundle. After the bundle is formed, it is pushed onto a conveyor where a cradle turns the bundle sideways through 90 degrees. At an intermediate point of the conveyor, a retractable holding stop halts the movement of the bundle to permit a banding machine to band the bundle together with one or more straps.

Abstract: A newspaper bundler comprises a rigid frame assembly (FIGS. 1 and 2) for enabling newspapers to be easily stacked into a pile (12). The frame includes a U-shaped crosswise holder (14) whose upstanding opposing side arms are made of sheet metal or plastic channels (22). A stack of paper bundling straps (26) is positioned on the crosswise portion. The channels each have a pocket for holding fan-folded end portions (30) of the stack of paper straps. One end portion of each strap is coated with adhesive (32) so when the end portions of a strap are pulled from their pockets, they can be attached together around the pile of papers to securely bundle them so that they can be carried easily with one hand (FIG. 5). The entire bundle is recyclable at a paper mill. In lieu of sheet metal side channels with pockets, the side pockets can be formed of tubular members (FIG. 6) bent and shaped to form pockets for the fan-folded ends of the straps.

Abstract: A leaf baler including a compression chamber, a feed chamber, and a hydraulic ram being longitudinally aligned and mounted on a portable frame. The compression chamber includes an end wall and top and bottom walls that include pairs of communicating slots for receiving a flexible line, such as baling twine. A foot member is attached to the end of the hydraulic ram and is disposed to selectively extend through the open end of the compression chamber. The foot member also includes a pair of slots that communicate with the slots of the top and bottom walls when the foot member extends into the compression chamber. A needle including both a top and bottom notched eye is selectively received into the end wall slots and foot member slots to train and guide a pair of twine strings around a compressed bale to secure it before releasing it fromt he compression chamber.

Abstract: A strapping machine arranged to compress a load along a vertical axis, as well as along a longitudinal, horizontal axis, and to confine the load along a transverse, horizontal axis, before strapping the load. A platen is arranged for vertical movement toward and away from a roller table. Load-end formers are arranged, in pairs for relative movement toward and away from each other along a longitudinal, horizontal axis, and for relative movement along the platen, in engagement with the platen at least after the platen has been lowered partially. Load-confining doors are pivotable between closed positions, in which such doors confine opposite sides of the loads, along a transverse, horizontal axis, and opened positions. Strapping heads and coacting strap chutes are carried by the platen.

Abstract: An automatic strapping machine applies a band around object. Application of the band is achieved by retracting a band from a U-shaped arch surrounding the object. A slidable guide bar unit is mounted on the arch for movement toward and away from the object. The guide bar unit includes a guide passage which receives and guides the band as the band travels toward the object.

Abstract: A cable bundle is lifted off the nail board for presentation to a binding or lashing tool. The lifting is accomplished by a claw which has two claw members, one is spring biased and initially slightly lifts the bundle off the nail board. The other claw member is driven by a motor to first come into engagement with the other claw and then to further lift the bundle. The lifting and presenting claw mechanism and a binding and lashing mechanism are both carried by a robot arm closely spaced to each other for cooperation. Both devices can be operated in response to a computer program control. Due to the lifting and presenting of the bundle, the binding can be performed automatically without the need for any spacers between the nail board and the conductor bundle.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming bales. The baler (10) which performs the method includes a bale chamber (16) having a forward inlet end. Mounted forwardly of the bale chamber are conveying means (26) which may include a crop pickup (76). Feeding means (28) are disposed between the conveying means and the inlet end of the bale chamber, the feeding means simultaneously engaging opposed surfaces of a rearwardly conveyed mat of crop material while alternately feeding opposed surfaces of the mat in a rearward direction to a location adjacent the inlet end of the bale chamber. Moving means (46) are provided to move the fed mat of crop material back and forth across the inlet end of the bale chamber to form successive layers of folded crop material within the bale chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method according to the invention for determining respective deviations in the total number of signatures in each of a plurality of individual successive stacks from a given number of signatures having a ram for compressing the stacks of the signatures, a linear differential voltage transducer for measuring the relative heights of signature stacks by measuring distance that the ram travels, control apparatus comprised primarily of a programmable controller for processing the output of the transducer and optical detection means for monitoring the stack top for a sheet indicating that the stack has an odd count and disabling the control apparatus for indicating deviations in stack count. Additionally, a strapper which includes the apparatus for determining the count deviations adapted to monitor the position of a belt drive.

Abstract: During the process of binding a bale of crop material with binding twine in a crop baler, malfunction of the knotter is checked once upon completion of the binding sequence for one bale, and then a second time after the twine has been prepared by the knotter for formation of the next bale. The monitoring system is particularly appropriate for a double knotting mechanism in which each knotter operates through two complete operating cycles during each actuation thereof, a first cycle to complete a knot associated with the just finished bale, and a second cycle to complete a knot in two separate strands of twine to prepare the same for the next successive bale.

Abstract: A stacking station for positioning between the output of machinery for forming folded cartons, and a strapping machine for applying a strap about the stack of the folded cartons to form a bundle. The stacking station includes an upstream conveyor receiving the cartons from the machinery with the upstream conveyor having an input end disposed at substantially the same level as the output of the machinery, and an output end which is vertically adjustable. The station further includes an intermediate conveyor for moving stacks of cartons toward the strapping machine and having a receiving end aligned to receive cartons from the upstream conveyor with the receiving end being disposed at a lower level than the output end of the upstream conveyor. The station also includes a gate associated with the intermediate conveyor and defining with the intermediate conveyor a pocket for forming a stack of the cartons. The gate is positioned to define the downstream end of the pocket.

Abstract: A brush bundling system including an elongated vertical frame; and at least one long strap fastened at one end to the frame and adapted to be extended along the ground a long distance behind the frame to enable a large volume of cut brush to be piled thereon. A tensioning arrangement is mounted on the frame and adapted to be fastened to the free end of said strap for pulling said strap around said volume of cut brush to compress said brush into a tight bundle, whereupon said compressed bundle may be strapped with a steel strap or other strapping or tying material to retain the bundle in its compressed state.

Abstract: Tubing typically produced by an extruder is advanced to coiling apparatus and is cut to predetermined lengths. The automated apparatus includes a plurality of spindles arranged at spaced intervals about a turret, which is indexed to position each spindle to: receive, clamp and coil the last cut length of tubing; advance the coiled length of tubing to a taping station, where the spindle so advanced is rotated for application of tape at diametrically opposed locations, and advance the spindle to an ejection location, where the spindle ejects the taped coil of tubing. The taper advances a pressure-sensitive tape strip, strips a protective strip from the tape and applies the tape to the applicator surfaces of a jaw assembly which swing together causing the tape to envelope the coiled tubing and presses the ends of the pressure-sensitive tape strip together to complete the taping function. The jaws of the jaw assembly are then separated, and the jaw assembly is withdrawn from the coiled tubing.

Abstract: The wood baler of the present invention comprises a rectangular frame adapted to receive a plurality of split pieces of wood. A pressure member is movably mounted to the frame so as to move toward and away from one of the end frame members. Hydraulic cylinders are connected to the pressure member for causing it to move toward the opposite frame member, thereby compressing the wood so that it can be bound together in a bale. One of the upper or lower frame members is movable from a first position to a second position which increases the distance between the upper and lower frame members. This permits release of the bale after it has been secured together.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method and apparatus for collecting and tying logs into bundles. The apparatus comprises: (a) elongated means suitable for extending under the tier of logs floating on the body of water; (b) means connected to means (a) for lifting means (a) and rolling the logs thereby lifted into a bundle of logs; (c) means associated with means (a) for strapping the circumference of the bundle of logs to hold them in bundle shape; and (d) means connected to means (a) for carrying and transporting means (a), (b) and (c) in combination.

Abstract: A machine for wrapping a band around a stack of flat articles. A band guiding assembly and a clamp assembly are at a banding station. An end portion of a strip of banding material is advanced from the band guiding assembly to the clamp assembly, and a clamp mounted on the clamp assembly closes an end portion of the strip of banding material. The clamp assembly is separated from the band guiding assembly to provide an exposed section of the strip of banding material. The stack is advanced against the exposed section of the strip of banding material to draw the banding material around three sides of the stack. The section of the strip of banding material at the stack is cut to provide a second end portion for overlapping the first mentioned end portion. Glue is deposited on one of the end portions in position for overlapping by the other end portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for bundling short lengths of cylindrical items, such as firewood, the apparatus being formed of a frame for resting on the earth, with a semi-circular bottom rack rotatably supported by the frame about its horizontal axis and normally retained in an upper open position, a semi-circular top rack of the same internal dimensions removably attachable to the bottom rack to form, when the two parts are attached, a circular area in which firewood may be stacked and retained so that a band may be secured around the stacked wood, after which the semi-circular top rack may be removed, and means for rotating the bottom rack about its horizontal axis so that the banded cylindrical bundle of firewood can be removed from the rack.

Abstract: A wire tying fixture for use with a pair of wires having individual loops adapted to intertie when overlapped and subsequently tensioned, the fixture having an open-ended, downwardly slotted longitudinal channel adapted to receive the wires thrust loop-first from its opposite ends, a notched false bottom disposed beneath a tying station in the channel and pivotally mounted for movement between a closed position, into which the bottom is resiliently urged to support the wires in the channel with the notch holding one of the loops to facilitate thrusting of the other loop into overlapping relation, and a retracted position to release the intertied wires and having a leaf spring mounted at the tying station presenting resilient camming surface which engages the loops and urges them toward one side of the channel into intertying engagement over the false bottom.

Abstract: A binding machine having a base and a binding arm pivoted to the base, for tightly binding articles to be inserted between the base and the binding arm with an adhesive tape which is fed from a tape reel to a tip portion of the binding arm, by swinging down the binding arm toward the base.