Patents by Inventor Ronald W. Gurak

Ronald W. Gurak has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7234394
    Abstract: A chute corner assembly with a spring loaded chute liner for use in a strapping machine comprises a recess for receiving an end of an adjacent chute liner, a chute liner spring plate for engaging the end of the chute liner, a spring for biasing the chute liner away from the chute corner assembly and towards an opposite chute corner. The chute corner assembly of the present invention is used connection with a chute liner to eliminate the gap between the corner assembly and the chute liner, and to simultaneously dynamically eliminate any gap between the chute liner and the opposite chute corner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Inventors: Lemuel J. Bell, Jr., Ronald W. Gurak
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20040250695
    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: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: IIIinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Lininger, Jonathan Lopez, Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak
  • 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: 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
  • Patent number: 6629398
    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 feed assembly mounted to the frame for feeding, retracting and automatically refeeding the strapping material, a guide configured to receive the strapping material from the feed assembly, and a strapping head configured to receive the strapping material from the feed assembly via the guide and to position the strapping material around the load and seal the strapping material to itself around the load. The feed assembly includes one and only one pair of reversible feed elements and a drive. The machine includes a controller operably connected to the drive. The one and only one pair of reversible feed elements are configured to automatically feed, retract and refeed the strapping material upon an appropriate signal from the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak, Kevin A. Bruzzesi
  • Patent number: 6584892
    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: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell M. Flaum, Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak, Jonathan Lopez
  • Patent number: 6575086
    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, a feed assembly mounted to the frame a guide mounted to the frame adjacent the feed assembly and a strapping head mounted to the frame independent of the feed assembly and the guide. The feed assembly is configured to feed the strapping material therethrough. The guide receives the strapping material from the feed assembly and provides a path for the strapping material toward the strapping head. The strapping head includes a body and provides a first conveyance path for the strapping material from the guide to the chute. The head includes a second conveyance path to receive a free end of the strapping material to seal the strapping material to itself. The strapping head has an anvil pivotally mounted to the body that forms a part of the second conveyance path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak, Jonathan Lopez
  • Publication number: 20030079618
    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: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Russell M. Flaum, Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak, Jonathan Lopez
  • Publication number: 20030079617
    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: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Russell M. Flaum, Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak, Jonathan Lopez
  • Publication number: 20030010226
    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: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Russell M Flaum, Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak, Jonathan Lopez
  • Publication number: 20030009995
    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 feed assembly mounted to the frame for feeding, retracting and automatically refeeding the strapping material, a guide configured to receive the strapping material from the feed assembly, and a strapping head configured to receive the strapping material from the feed assembly via the guide and to position the strapping material around the load and seal the strapping material to itself around the load. The feed assembly includes one and only one pair of reversible feed elements and a drive. The machine includes a controller operably connected to the drive. The one and only one pair of reversible feed elements are configured to automatically feed, retract and refeed the strapping material upon an appropriate signal from the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak, Kevin A. Bruzzesi
  • Publication number: 20030010225
    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: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak, Jonathan Lopez
  • Publication number: 20030010224
    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, a feed assembly mounted to the frame a guide mounted to the frame adjacent the feed assembly and a strapping head mounted to the frame independent of the feed assembly and the guide. The feed assembly is configured to feed the strapping material therethrough. The guide receives the strapping material from the feed assembly and provides a path for the strapping material toward the strapping head. The strapping head includes a body and provides a first conveyance path for the strapping material from the guide to the chute. The head includes a second conveyance path to receive a free end of the strapping material to seal the strapping material to itself. The strapping head has an anvil pivotally mounted to the body that forms a part of the second conveyance path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak, Jonathan Lopez
  • Patent number: 5333438
    Abstract: An improved power strapping machine comprising a strapping device and a soft touch package compression device. The strapping device includes plurality of coils for supplying strapping to a guide apparatus. A chute apparatus for routing strapping around an article or package to be strapped is connected to the guide apparatus. The machine includes sensors and a control circuit adapted to operate the machine continuously without the need to stop production, since when one coil is out of strapping or a misfeed occurs, the machine will automatically load another coil of strapping and continue strapping packages. The soft touch package compression device uses pneumatic-drive chain drive systems for moving soft belts up and down. The soft belts compress the package so that the strapping device can place a tight strap around the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Signode Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald W. Gurak, Allan J. Bobren, Frank A. Clochon, Janusz Figiel, Kenneth W. Lesner, Timothy B. Pearson, Kendall K. Raczek, Mark B. Renz, Allen D. Sordyl
  • Patent number: 4482421
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for securing a thermoplastic strap around a package by compressing the overlapping strap end portions together and moving one of the overlapping end portions in a transverse direction relative to the other at a very high frequency and small amplitude to melt and fuse the interface region therebetween. The transducer used to produce the ultrasonic vibrations is supported solely at its nodal point where it is vibration free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1984
    Assignee: Signode Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald W. Gurak
  • Patent number: 4446784
    Abstract: A chain strap wrapping and guide assembly including a plurality of crown-shaped rollers that are guided by V-shaped guides. The chain is driven by a motor operated sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1984
    Assignee: Signode Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald W. Gurak, Eduardo P. Diploma
  • Patent number: 4393763
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for forming a loop of flexible binding about objects positioned seriatim in an object receiving station. The apparatus includes a chain loop driven around the object receiving station. While a previously bound first object is in the receiving station, the chain is driven in one direction to move carrier rollers on the chain so as to pull the trailing portion of a binding through a major portion of the locus of a closed path around the receiving station while the lead end of the binding is held adjacent the receiving station. Spaced portions of the binding are guided from the interior of the path around the receiving station to maintain the binding in the configuration spaced outwardly of the receiving station. Subsequently, the first bound object is removed from the receiving station and a second object is positioned therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1983
    Assignee: Signode Corporation
    Inventors: L. Peter Sauer, Ronald W. Gurak