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).
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Patent number: 7234394Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 3, 2006Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Inventors: Lemuel J. Bell, Jr., Ronald W. Gurak
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Patent number: 6990894Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 16, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.Inventors: Joseph E. Lininger, Jonathan Lopez, Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak
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Publication number: 20040250695Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2003Publication date: December 16, 2004Applicant: IIIinois Tool Works, Inc.Inventors: Joseph E. Lininger, Jonathan Lopez, Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak
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Patent number: 6755123Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 10, 2002Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Illinois Tool WorksInventors: Russell M. Flaum, Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak, Jonathan Lopez
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Patent number: 6745677Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 28, 2001Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.Inventors: Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak, Jonathan Lopez
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Patent number: 6651550Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 10, 2002Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.Inventors: Russell M. Flaum, Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak, Jonathan Lopez
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Patent number: 6629398Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 28, 2001Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.Inventors: Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak, Kevin A. Bruzzesi
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Patent number: 6584892Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 28, 2001Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.Inventors: Russell M. Flaum, Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak, Jonathan Lopez
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Patent number: 6575086Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 28, 2001Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.Inventors: Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak, Jonathan Lopez
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Publication number: 20030079618Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2002Publication date: May 1, 2003Inventors: Russell M. Flaum, Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak, Jonathan Lopez
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Publication number: 20030079617Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2002Publication date: May 1, 2003Inventors: Russell M. Flaum, Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak, Jonathan Lopez
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Publication number: 20030010226Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2001Publication date: January 16, 2003Inventors: Russell M Flaum, Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak, Jonathan Lopez
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Publication number: 20030009995Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2001Publication date: January 16, 2003Inventors: Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak, Kevin A. Bruzzesi
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Publication number: 20030010225Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2001Publication date: January 16, 2003Inventors: Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak, Jonathan Lopez
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Publication number: 20030010224Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2001Publication date: January 16, 2003Inventors: Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak, Jonathan Lopez
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Patent number: 5333438Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 6, 1992Date of Patent: August 2, 1994Assignee: Signode CorporationInventors: 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
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Patent number: 4482421Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 2, 1982Date of Patent: November 13, 1984Assignee: Signode CorporationInventor: Ronald W. Gurak
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Patent number: 4446784Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 2, 1982Date of Patent: May 8, 1984Assignee: Signode CorporationInventors: Ronald W. Gurak, Eduardo P. Diploma
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Patent number: 4393763Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 8, 1981Date of Patent: July 19, 1983Assignee: Signode CorporationInventors: L. Peter Sauer, Ronald W. Gurak