Abstract: A method is disclosed for rapidly filling an inflatable dunnage bag with entrained ambient air to a predetermined maximum stabilized pressure level. A dunnage bag is provided with a housing defining a chamber extending from an opening on the exterior of the bag to an opening in the interior of the bag. In the preferred form of the method, a supply of pressurized gas or air is brought adjacent to the housing in the dunnage bag and is located relative to the housing and in alignment with the chamber to permit flow of ambient air into the chamber. One or more jets of high pressure gas or air are discharged into the chamber substantially parallel to, and spaced from, the walls of the chamber, whereby, ambient air is entrained through the chamber to the interior of the bag until an equilibrium is reached where the mass flow rate of the air entering the bag equals the mass flow rate of the air flowing back out of the bag in response to the internal pressure.

Abstract: A metal strap segment adapted for forming a first loop about material to be tied and for forming a sealless strap connection between overlapping strap ends of the segment is provided with an integral smaller strap segment adapted for forming a second smaller loop and for forming a sealless strap connection between overlapping strap ends of the smaller segment when the smaller segment is severed from the larger segment. The severed ends of the remaining portion of the larger strap segment are also adapted for being reconnectable and forming a sealless strap connection therebetween.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming, tensioning and sealing a strap loop about a package and then severing the sealed loop from the trailing length of strap. A length of strap is fed in one direction and the strap free end is guided or moved to form a small primary strap loop with the strap free end overlapping a portion of the loop. The strap free end is then restrained while the standing part of the loop is continued to be fed to expand the loop to a larger predetermined diameter. The expanded loop and/or package is then moved so that the package is encircled by the loop, after which the loop is tensioned tight about the package. A joint connection or seal is next made in the loop and the trailing length of strap is severed from the loop.

Abstract: A strapping tool for tensioning and shearing strap has a tensioning wheel, a ratchet wheel means associated with the tensioning wheel, and a pawl adapted to engage the ratchet wheel means when the tensioning wheel is rotated in a direction opposite to the tensioning direction. When the pawl is engaged, the ratchet wheel drives a single stroke cut-off mechanism. A latch means is provided to place the pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel. A pawl positioning means connects the latch means and the pawl, and releases the pawl from engagement with the ratchet wheel means as a cut-off stroke is executed. The strapping tool is further provided with a cutting block which has a chamfer along the cutting edge of the block so that the edge of the cut strap is bent downwardly upon being cut, and wear on the cutting edge is minimized as the strap is tensioned.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for tensioning of a formed strap loop about a package and joining of the overlapping portions of the loop in a manner that improves the residual tension of the loop. The strap loop, in the region of the overlap, is twisted so that the sides of the strap in that region are displaced from the package surface and so that one of the edges of that region remains adjacent the package surface whereby the tensioned loop can be joined by friction fusion, formation of interlocking slits, or application of an independent seal without having to insert an anvil or bearing member between the package and the loop and thus increasing the residual tension. After the strap is restrained in the region where the strap free end overlaps a portion of the formed strap loop to prevent relative movement between the free end and overlapped portion, the package is encircled by the loop so that the strap is twisted in the balance of the loop relative to the restrained region.

Abstract: An inflatable dunnage bag having a relatively thin-film, flexible, gastight bladder is provided with a fill valve device extending from the exterior of the bag to the interior of the bladder. The fill valve device includes a hollow housing which is mounted on one end by means of a flange to the outer surface of one wall of the bladder. Within the housing there is an orifice and a plug member which is spring-biased in sealing engagement against the orifice. The plug member extends beyond the end of the housing and into the bladder. A flange on the end of the plug member in the bladder is substantially parallel to, and spaced away from, the mounting flange/bladder wall interface to provide a separation of the bladder walls, to deflect the filling gas to prevent impingement upon the bladder wall opposite the housing, and to provide an anti-blowout stop thereby preventing the plug member from being blown out of engagement with the valve housing when the bag is subjected to high compressive loads.

Abstract: An electronic control system for a marking machine having a moving marking member carrying a plurality of marking symbols in which the marking member is stopped and displaced to mark a workpiece with a selected one of the symbols at a marking location, the control system including means for generating pulses in synchronism with movement of the symbols past the marking location, a register responsive to the pulses for producing outputs corresponding to the symbols, means to select one of the outputs corresponding to a selected symbol, and means responsive to the selected output for effecting stopping and displacement of the marking member to mark the workpiece. The control system is operable to insure marking with a selected symbol and to preclude inadvertent opertion of the marking machine until the control system is reset after each marking cycle.

Abstract: Overlapping ends of metal strap, or the like, are aligned and connected without the aid of an overlying supplemental seal or fastener by means of an array of longitudinally spaced joints which form a one-way interlocking relationship. The joints comprise juxtaposed protuberances formed by slits in the strap ends, integral with the overlapping strap segments, which override each other as the interlocking relationship is formed. Protuberances at each end of the array on one of the strap ends are angled laterally in opposite directions and have a greater width than that of the remaining protuberances which, upon shifting of the joined overlapping lengths of metal strap relative to each other in a direction tending to disengage the joints, wedge in the corresponding slits of the other strap to provide a stop preventing disengagement.

Abstract: An automatic strapping apparatus is disclosed which forms a small primary loop from strap; expands the primary loop to a larger predetermined diameter loop which can be placed about a package to be strapped; and tensions, friction fuses, and severs the strap. The small primary strap loop is formed by feeding a free end of a length of strap into a circular cup through a slot in the cup sidewall so that the free end is guided by the inner periphery of the cup to form a loop with the strap free end overlapping a portion of the loop. The cup is moveable from an upper position around the formed primary loop to a position out of contact with, and below, the loop. A cylindrical gripper is provided inside the loop and a smooth-surfaced anvil is provided on the exterior of the loop for engaging the overlapped portion of the loop therebetween so that the strap free end is restrained by the gripper while the overlapped portion of the loop can be continued to be fed to expand the loop to a larger predetermined diameter.

Abstract: An automatic strapping machine is disclosed wherein strap is fed at a high rate of speed about a package so as to form a loop which is then tensioned and sealed. The loop is formed so that the leading end of the strap is overlapped by a trailing end of the strap and the resulting overlapped strap portions are joined together so as to form a seal which is not susceptible to snagging. The distal end of the overlapping strap end portion is urged against and is moved back and forth relative to an underlying strap portion in tension at a high rate of speed so as to generate heat therebetween and to form a friction-fused joint. During joint formation the strap loop about the package is in tension, but the strap end portion overlapping the loop is relaxed, i.e., not in tension.

Abstract: Overlapping lengths of metal strap, or the like, are aligned and connected without the aid of an overlying supplemental seal or fastener by means of an array of longitudinally spaced joints which form a one-way interlocking relationship. The joints comprise juxtaposed protuberances formed by slits in the strap ends, integral with the overlapping strap segments, which override each other as the interlocking relationship is formed. A protuberance at an end of the array on one of the strap ends has a laterally extending projection which, upon shifting of the joined overlapping lengths of metal strap relative to each other in a direction tending to disengage the joints, wedges in the corresponding slit of the other strap to provide a stop preventing disengagement.

Abstract: A strapping tool for tensioning and shearing strap has a tensioning wheel, a ratchet wheel means associated with the tensioning wheel, and a pawl adapted to engage the ratchet wheel means when the tensioning wheel is rotated in a direction opposite to the tensioning direction. When the pawl is engaged, the ratchet wheel drives a single stroke cut-off mechanism. A latch means is provided to place the pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel. A pawl positioning means connects the latch means and the pawl, and releases the pawl from engagement with the ratchet wheel means as a cut-off stroke is executed. The strapping tool is further provided with a cutting block which has a chamfer along the cutting edge of the block so that the edge of the cut strap is bent downwardly upon being cut, and wear on the cutting edge is minimized as the strap is tensioned.

Abstract: Overlapping ends of metal strap, or the like, are aligned and connected without the aid of an overlying supplemental seal or fastener by means of an array of longitudinally spaced joints which form a one-way interlocking relationship. The joints comprise juxtaposed protuberances formed by slits in the strap ends, integral with the overlapping strap segments, which override each other as the interlocking relationship is formed. A protuberance in the array on one of the strap ends is formed to additionally function as an integral anti-disengagement stop. This protuberance has an upturned corner forming a protruding tongue which, upon shifting of the joined overlapping lengths of metal strap relative to each other in a direction tending to disengage the joints, abuts a portion of the protuberance in a corresponding slit of the other strap to provide a stop preventing disengagement.

Abstract: A strapping tool having a resiliently biased feed wheel and a gripper plug in the base thereof. The feed wheel is movable relative to the gripper plug to permit loading and releasing of overlapping loop strap ends therebetween. The gripper plug has a concave gripping surface and is pivotally mounted in the base of the tensioning tool with the pivotal axis parallel to the axis of the feed wheel, thus permitting rotation of the gripper plug about its pivotal axis under the influence of the force on the overlapped strap ends during the tensioning action by the feed wheel. The interaction between the feed wheel surface and the concave gripping surface of the gripper plug distributes the impressed force therebetween uniformly over the segment of the overlapping strap ends lying between the two surfaces to preclude pinching of the strap.

Abstract: A strap feeding and tensioning machine is disclosed wherein strap is fed at a high rate of speed about a package so as to form a loop which is then tensioned and subsequently can be sealed. The loop is formed so that the leading end of the strap is overlapped by a trailing end of the strap and the resulting overlapped strap portions are joined together by means of an external seal, by friction fusion, or in any other convenient manner. The feeding and tensioning mechanism comprises a rotatable winder drum equipped with a pair of arcuate feed guide means, a feed wheel rotatably mounted on the winder drum, and reversible driving means for the winder drum and the feed wheel.

Abstract: A manual strapping tool for joining overlapping portions of a thermoplastic strap includes a cantilevered spring having fixed and vibratory ends. The fixed end is rigidly anchored to a base member and the vibratory end supports one of a pair of jaws having opposing strap gripping surfaces. The other jaw is fixedly positioned on the base so that the strap gripping surfaces are normally in confronting engagement. An operating handle is pivotally mounted on the base member and swingable from a start position through a strap compressing position and a strap sealing position. In the start position, a lifter cam on the operating handle engages a lift arm causing the arm to raise the vibratory end of the cantilevered spring and to separate the strap gripping surfaces so that overlapping strap portions can be inserted therebetween.

Abstract: A strap tensioning tool having a feed wheel driven through a tensioning assembly by a load-sensing handle. The feed wheel and tensioning assembly are mounted in a frame for pivotally swinging from a first position in which tension can be drawn on a strap loop by the feed wheel to a second position in which tension cannot be drawn by the feed wheel and whereby the strap can be inserted into, or removed from the tool. The load-sensing handle has a drive lever which is rotated to drive the feed wheel by a handle lever pivotally mounted on the drive lever, whereby the feed wheel can be rotated to achieve a certain predetermined strap tension, after which the handle lever overcomes the force of a biasing means between the handle lever and drive lever and moves relative to the drive lever about the pivotal mount until the handle lever contacts fixed stop means preventing further rotation of the handle lever to thus stop the tensioning action.

Abstract: A joint having improved snag resistance and peel strength is formed between overlapping end portions of a thermoplastic strap. The thermoplastic strap is formed into a loop having overlapping inner and outer end portions which are joined to one another by a resolidified thin layer of formerly melted material from each of the overlapping strap end portions. Resolidified material extends completely to an inwardly tapered end of the outer strap end portion to provide the improved joint. A resolidified mass of formerly molten material also is present in front of the tapered end to further protect it against snagging.

Abstract: A strip of nails for use in a rapid-acting driving apparatus which includes a plurality of nails with shanks in a side-by-side closely spaced parallel array. The shanks of each of the nails in the array are secured together by a carrier of a single-component, metal-adherent plastic defining uniform envelopes for opposed sections of the periphery of each nail shank. Within the gaps between the shanks, adjacent envelopes form opposed spaced generally V-shaped folds which act as sites for easy shearing of a nail from the strip. The bond between the plastic and the nail shank is greater than the shear resistance of the carrier material between two adjacent fasteners and greater than the resistance of the workpiece encountered when fastener and carrier material penetrate the same, with the result that all the material that holds the fastener together enters the workpiece.

Abstract: A container cap having flat flanges extending outwardly therefrom is presented on first folding means above a container tube having flanges extending outwardly from the walls thereof. The first folding means are pivoted to raise the cap and to form first fold portions in the cap flanges which are positioned in a pickup cavity. The cap is supported by the free end of each flange on a ledge at the base of the cavity. The container tube is elevated and second folding means fold the first fold portions of the cap flanges into underlying relationship with the container flanges as the container rises, whereby each container flange is substantially encompassed by a U-shaped cap flange. Continued elevation of the container causes the flanges to engage downwardly tapered bearing surfaces which fold the flanges into parallel relationship with the wall of the container tube to interlockingly fold the cap to the container.