Abstract: A tensioning device for a packaging tape, which is slung around a stack of goods in a packaging station and of which the free end is held there, has a driving plate drivable by a motor around an axis of rotation with a bearing surface for the tape. Clamping elements each having a clamping surface are associated with the driving plate. At least one guiding element is provided for the clamping elements, by means of which, in a closing area smaller than the surrounding angle of the tape around the bearing surface, the clamping elements can be brought into a position, in which the tape is non-positively held between the clamping surfaces and the bearing surface.

Abstract: Strap binding apparatus is disclosed as including a traction wheel (2T) and a back-up wheel (2B) wherein the traction wheel (2T) is rotatably mounted upon an axis (t) which is fixed within a binding head framework, while the back-up wheel (2B) is rotatably mounted upon an axis (b) which is eccentrically disposed, by means of an eccentric shaft (10), with respect to a base axis (X) through means of an eccentric distance (x). A support plate (9) is pivotably mounted within the binding head framework about the axis (t) and is biased in its pivotable movement by means of a spring (8) interposed between the support plate (9) and the binding head framework.

Abstract: A strap binding machine for binding articles includes a traction operating wheel and a back-up operating wheel rotatable in opposite directions so as to achieve forward advancement and rearward retraction of the binding strap whereby feeding, retraction, and high-torque tightening of the binding strap is accomplished with respect to an article to be bound. The back-up wheel is mounted upon an eccentric shaft which is, in turn, mounted upon a connecting link by means of a lever, attached to the eccentric shaft, and a pin engaged within an arcuate slot defined within the lever. The connecting link is attached at one end thereof to a supporting plate upon which is mounted the traction wheel wherein the supporting plate is spring-biased so as to be pivotable in a counterclockwise direction, and the other end of the connecting link is attached to a pneumatic piston-cylinder mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a band feeding and tightening apparatus within a strapping machine wherein an external force tending to cause jamming by means of friction and the like in feeding the band pivotably rotates a chute guide constituting part of a band passage, whereby the rear end portion of the chute guide is pushed upwardly and the band which is loosened by means of a length corresponding to the height of the pushed-up portion of the chute guide is retained within the band passage, so that the external force is momentarily released and the band is smoothly fed to the outside of the main body by means of a continuously rotating feed roller and an upper roller without causing jamming and distortion of the band.The feed roller is driven by means of a series motor and the band is fed at a high rate of speed and a low torque, and then restored so as to perform a primary tightening operation, and finally closely tightened around an article to be strapped at a low rate of speed and a high torque.

Abstract: A thermoplastic tape is wrapped around a package and is tightened by the disclosed strapping or banding apparatus. The ends of the plastic tape can be welded together by a combined strapping and sealing apparatus or even with a separate sealing apparatus. The strapping apparatus includes a positioning system which ensures that a slotted wheel intended for tightening the plastic tape, once the operating cycle is complete, always assumes an optimum position for the re-insertion of the plastic tape. The use of the strapping apparatus is thereby substantially facilitated, since the operator normally does not have any hands free to adjust the slotted wheel that would otherwise be necessary for tape insertion.

Abstract: A strapping machine applies an article around a band. The band is advanced around an arch guide by forward-rotation rollers and is retracted or restored by reverse-rotation rollers. The reverse-rotation rollers comprise a reverse-rotation drive roller and a reverse-rotation touch roller which define a nip in which the band is gripped. The touch roller is displaced downwardly toward the drive roller by a cam which displaces an arm. The arm pulls downwardly upon a coil spring which is operably connected to the touch roller. A manual adjustment is provided which enables the amount of displacement of the touch roller to be easily adjusted. The cam may include projections of different radial dimension to exert different amounts of force on the band as the cam rotates.

Abstract: A strapping machine for applying a band around an article comprises motor-driven rollers for advancing and retracting the band, and a band handling mechanism for fusing and cutting the band. The various band moving and handling operations are performed by cams mounted on a motor driven cam shaft. The rotation of the cam shaft is controlled by a sensor-actuating disk which rotates with the cam shaft. A photosensor is disposed at a fixed sensing position adjacent the disk. The disk includes circumferentially spaced light admitting slits which sequentially actuate the photosensor as the cam shaft rotates. The photosensor actuates a timer in an electronic control circuit for controlling rotation of the cam shaft.

Abstract: A strapping apparatus advances a band around an object to be strapped and then retracts and tightens the band against the object. Retraction of the band is performed by a driven roller. A touch roller is displaceable toward the driven roller to press the band thereagainst. The outer periphery of the driven roller comprises a flexible high friction material, and a circumferentially extending low friction material embedded in the high friction material and normally projecting radially outwardly therebeyond. When the band travels against the low-friction material it encounters little resistance. When the touch roller pushes the band against the driven roller, the low-friction material is pushed radially inwardly, enabling the band to contact and be driven by the high-friction material.

Abstract: In a machine for twist tying a bundle of product, the tie ribbon is fed, for looping about the product to a twist head, by a feed roller. The leading end of the tie ribbon is then clamped to the twist head by a first gripper and, rearward of the feed roller, by a staking clamp and the feed roller is allowed to free wheel. The tie ribbon in the path between the feed roller and the staking clamp is then displaced laterally out of the path. The tension in the tie ribbon around the bundle is controlled by regulating the force applied in displacing the tie ribbon. While the tie ribbon is being tightened on the bundle, tie ribbon needed for looping about the next bundle is placed in an accumulator.

Abstract: A feed and tensioning apparatus for wire strapping material includes a pair of wheels each having a smooth surfaced peripheral groove for contact with the wire. One of the wheels is rotatively mounted on an axis displaced from its central axis at an angle within the range of 5.degree. to 40.degree. on the exit side of the wheel with respect to the direction of travel of the wire during tensioning.

Abstract: An arrangement for bundling elongated flexible elements includes a support which includes a hopper-shaped receptacle for supporting a plurality of the elments to be bundled with substantially the same orientation, and a base arranged underneath the receptacle. An elongated torque member is mounted in the base for rotation about an axis and it can be rotated by a hand crank mounted on the torque member for joint rotation therewith. At least one elongated flexible bundling member is provided, and it has two end portions with effective lengths that are at least sufficient for the end portions jointly to surround the plurality of the elements to be bundled, and a central portion interconnecting the end portions and connected to the torque member for becoming wound around the torque member during the rotation thereof with attendant simultaneous reduction in the effective lengths of the end portions.

Abstract: The band movement drive of a machine for the automatic hooping of a package with a hooping band has a main band drive and a secondary band drive. During band advance, the hooping band is guided by the main band drive at a first, higher speed in a band channel for enveloping the package up to its entry in a joining station, followed by a switching over to band retraction, which takes place at the same higher speed. The secondary band drive is driven at a higher speed than the main band drive, so that a band reserve is formed beween the two band drives. When the hooping band is loosely applied to the package, switching over takes place to a second, lower speed, at which the band reserve is retracted. The hooping band is then tensioned with the tension set on the main band drive and then in the joining station the band and band end are joined together and the band is separated from the band supply.

Abstract: A device for applying a wrapping tape (14) around an object (2), comprising a substantially closed trough (6) surrounding a support (1) for the object (2) to be wrapped, said trough (6) being adapted for guiding the tape (14) to be wrapped which is driven through said trough (6) by means of an air flow, clamping means (9) for temporarily retaining the free tape end (21), said trough (6) being adapted to be opened thereafter for releasing said tape (14), means (26; 25; 30) for tightening said tape (14) around said object (2) and returning it towards a buffer storage (19), means (19; 24) for attaching said tape end (21) to the opposite tape part and cutting loose the latter, means (22; 26) for refilling said storage (19) to the maximally required tape length, and control means for controlling said sequence of operations.

Abstract: A band feeding and tightening apparatus for a band strapping machine comprises a main shaft rotatably placed at a lateral position of a serial connection of a motor and a reduction gear device; a high speed revolution transmitting means to transmit a rotational force at the high speed side of the reduction gear device to the main shaft; a low speed revolution transmitting means to transmit a rotational force at the low speed side of the reduction gear to the main shaft through an electromagnetic clutch; a stationary shaft placed in parallel to the main shaft, the stationary shaft rotatably supporting a feed roller and a power transmitting means to transmit a rotational force of the high speed revolution transmitting mean to the feed roller through a friction clutch; and the return roller mounted on the main shaft through a one-way clutch.

Abstract: A feed roller is usually rotated at a high speed; a return roller is fitted to a return shaft rotated at a low speed through a one-way clutch; a rocker roller driven at a high speed is brought into press-contact with the return roller so that the return roller is rotated at a high speed in accordance with the high speed rotation of the rocker roller thereby performing the primary tightening operation for a band; then, the return roller is engaged with the return shaft by the function of the one-way clutch when the rotational speed of the return roller coincides with that of the return shaft, thereby performing the secondary tightening operation with a strong pulling force. The strapping machine having the above mentioned construction provides noiseless and speedy operations for strapping the band around a package.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in which a predetermined load is placed upon an article prior to securing the article being strapped such as to hold said article together. The apparatus disclosed provides a means for controlling the drive force used to apply pressure to said article before strapping. In the preferred embodiment, an electric motor is mounted on a frame which allows the motor's displacement, relative to the frame of the strapping mechanism caused by the reactional torque of the motor applying force to the article prior to strapping. The measurement of the displacement of the motor relative to the stationary frame is monitored by an electrical apparatus, the output of which is compared to a predetermined value of desired force, thereby switching operation of said motor upon reaching the predetermined force.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding and tensioning strap in a strapping machine is provided. The apparatus includes a rotatable feed wheel and means for rotating the feed wheel, a first pinch roll associated with the feed wheel, and a first strap pressing means for moving the pinch roll between a strap engaging position and a position wherein the strap is not engaged. Also provided is a rotatable take-up wheel and means for rotating the take-up wheel in a direction opposite to the feed wheel rotation. A second pinch roll is provided adjacent the take-up wheel and is movable between a first position for engaging the strap and a second position wherein the strap not engaged. A high tension member is mounted for rotation between the feed wheel and take-up wheel. The high tension member defines a slot for accommodating the strap and defines a strap engaging surface on the periphery of the high tension member at an end of the slot.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating the tension of a strap wound around a package on a package strapping machine. The apparatus has a frame having a package support surface provided with a strap guiding frame into which the package is inserted and into which the strap is fed to form a strap loop around the package, a driving roller rotatably mounted on the frame for bearing against the strap and rotatable in a direction for tensioning the strap to tighten the strap around the inserted package, a press roller movable toward and away from the driving roller for holding the strap in driving engagement against the driving roller or releasing it therefrom, the press roller pressure being adjustable.

Abstract: Support and tensioning apparatus for a strapping band to be tensioned around a package. A band first pressed between a pair of wheels and advanced in a band guide that surrounds but does not contact the package. The band is subsequently retracted with its front end secured in place into a position against the package by reversing the sense in which the pair of wheels rotates, and is then tensioned with a separate tensioning wheel that rotates slowly and at high power. The strapping band is tensioned with a pair of wheels of which one wheel is an idler wheel and the other wheel is a tensioning wheel powered in the tensioning direction by a motor and with its shaft mounted in a pivoting lever in such a way that the wheel presses against the strapping band, which is to some extent looped around it, while the band is being tensioned and rests on the idler wheel, with a force that increases with the tension in the band.

Abstract: A power tool for tensioning hose clamps of the type wherein one end portion of a strap overlies the other end portion and has a laterally extending tip which can break away or bend in response to the application of a pull sufficient to effect satisfactory tensioning of the looped central portion of the strap around a hose or the like. The tool has a barrel with an inlet receiving the one end portion so that the tip can be engaged by the shoulder of an entraining element mounted at the front end of a retractible piston rod. The tensioning element is reciprocable in and relative to a bearing which is reciprocable in the barrel by interposition of friction reducing rolling elements. When the piston rod is retracted, the shoulder of the tensioning element moves against the tip of the one end portion of the strap and exerts a pull upon the tip while moving with the bearing so that the force which is needed to bend or break the tip at least approximates the maximum force that is necessary to retract the piston rod.

Abstract: A device, for feed and tensioning a strapping band about a package in a strapping machine, is disclosed. The machine includes a feed roller which is actuately deflected when the band is placed under tension by a tensioning device. The tensioning device includes a pair of counter rotating v-belts between which the band passes and a pressure device which causes the band to be gripped by the v-belts thus placing it in tension. As the tension on the band increases the pressure exerted by the pressure device is proportionately increased by an angular lever to which the feed roller is connected, which in turn acts on a slidable rod which, through a toggle lever, actuates the pressure device. The machine also includes a sealing and cutting device which is actuated subsequent to the tensioning of the band and which, through a rocker lever, causes the toggle lever to release the pressure on the pressure device prior to the cutting of the rear end of the band.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for feeding and tensioning the strap in strap applying machines, of the type in which the strap (R) is moved forward and fed between a pair of wheels, one being a drawing wheel (1) rotated by motor means and the other being an idly rotating contrast wheel (2) pressed against the first wheel through the strap (R). The drawing wheel (1) is caused to rotate by an epicyclic train, the free element (9) of which is connected by a mechanical drive to the shaft (8) of the contrast wheel (2), while the contrast wheel (2) is mounted idle onto an eccentric pin (7) of said shaft (8). The mechanical drive comprises a movable control element (17) being apt to act elastically on the shaft (8) of the contrast wheel (2) in order to cause the rotation thereof.

Abstract: A rough and final pull back tension are applied by moving the strap laterally of its path between a fixed strap end and a releasably anchored strap supply end, with the releasably anchored end being held by spaced pins biased together to obtain the rough tension and a greater final tension.

Abstract: A tool for holding and notching a banding strap being applied to an article includes angularly disposed pivotable arm. A fluid actuating device simultaneously pivots the arms in opposite directions. Each of the arms has jaws to hold the end of the strap by the edges before tension is applied to the strap and cutting edges to notch the strap to prevent strap motion while tensioning is being applied. Each of the arms also includes a fluid actuating device for rotating the notching edges with respect to the holding jaws.

Abstract: A system for applying an implosion protecting band to a CRT has a worktable which is slidable with respect to a stationary base. The CRT rests on supports which properly position and locate the CRT with respect to the worktable. At least one of these supports includes pads which center the CRT on the worktable. A channel-shaped segmented band guide loops the band around the CRT. The stationary part of the tension device is affixed to the stationary base. The band feed mechanism and the tensioning mechanism are moveable with respect to the worktable so that the worktable does not deflect in response to the tension.

Abstract: A mechanism for use in a strapping apparatus including a pair of like rolls which have meshing gears as flanges and which are rotated by a drive means through a clutch system to both feed and tension strap without stopping or reversing the drive means. Strap is laced about and nipped by the rolls and, as the rolls rotate at the same speed and the roll flanges travel with the strap, abrasion along the strap sides and edges is avoided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in which a strap looped about an article is tensioned by applying positive pulling forces to both the leading end and feed portions of such strap loop, after which such strap positions are sealed together. In certain embodiments of the invention, a strapping mechanism is supported on a carriage which is movable toward the article which is to be strapped, after which a strap looped about such article is tensioned by applying pulling forces to the leading end and feed portions thereof.

Abstract: A strapping machine comprises a return roller having a high friction outer peripheral surface and a feed roller having a low friction outer peripheral surface which are contacted with each other under pressure and the return roller is disposed in free condition during the rotation of the feed roller in one direction and when the feeding resistance of the band is increased, the band is slipped on the outer peripheral surface of the feed roller to prevent the feeding of the band and in order to tighten the band around the package, both of the rollers are reversely rotated at a high speed to tighten the band around an object to be packed and then continuously rotated at a low speed to impart high torque to the band for an attainment of further tightening thereof.

Abstract: Strap feeding and tensioning apparatus is provided for use in a strapping machine to feed steel or plastic strapping in a loop around an object to be strapped and tension the strap loop about the object, providing maximum gripping force on the strap and minimum marring thereof. The apparatus includes a motor-driven drive wheel geared to a feed wheel, the drive wheel and feed wheel respectively having circumferential strap-engaging surfaces which cooperate frictionally to grip the strapping therebetween and move the strapping in a tensioning direction in response to rotation of the drive wheel. The axis of rotation of the feed wheel is shiftable about a fixed axis to accommodate movement of the feed wheel toward and away from the drive wheel, tensioning of the associated strap exerting a resultant force on the feed wheel tending to effect movement thereof about the fixed axis in a direction to increase the frictional gripping force exerted on the associated strap by the feed wheel and the drive wheel.

Abstract: In a package strapping machine an improved means for tightening the strap extending from a strap supply about a package to be strapped including feed means, retract means, linearly reciprocating tension means and a secondary gripper in which the tension means is outside of the path of the strap between the feed means and the retract means and in which the tension means reciprocates in a direction approximately normal to the usual path of the strap traveling through the tension means.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided on a strapping machine frame adjacent a strap chute and adjacent a strap end gripping and sealing assembly and has a pivotably mounted strap guide arm and gripper for guiding the strap during feeding in a first, upper position and for gripping the strap when the arm moves downwardly away from the first position. A single, reversible, rotating drive motor is mounted for movement with the guide arm and powers a gear drive assembly which is engaged with the motor and movable therewith for (1) rotating feedwheels to feed the strap to form a loop when the motor is rotating in a first direction, (2) rotating the feedwheels to withdraw the strap to pretension the loop with a first predetermined tension when the motor is rotating in a second direction, and (3) rotating a high tension pinion gear when both (a) the motor is rotating in the second direction and (b) the tension in the strap exceeds the predetermined, first tension.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for binding an article with strap. A strap is encircled about the article to form a loop with the leading end segment of the strap overlapping an adjacent segment of the strap. The leading end is gripped to prevent further feeding and to subsequently restrain it against movement relative to the article while the trailing portion of the strap is retracted to draw the loop tight around the article. While holding the leading end segment of the strap and an adjacent overlapped segment against relative movement and under tension, either (1) a joint is first formed in the overlapping segments and the tension is then gradually released in the trailing portion of the strap to avoid shock loading of the joint and the machine or (2) the tension is first released only in the trailing portion of strap and the joint is then formed with tension in at least the overlapped segment adjacent the strap free end.

Abstract: A strapping machine and method for applying flexible, heat sealable straps around objects in which the supply coil of strap and the feed rollers for a strap accumulating compartment are driven by a common rotatable drive for synchronous feeding. A strap feeding unit for feeding flexible strap in which a feed and pinch roller extend through opposed slots which intersect a strap carrying groove which totally confines the strap.A strap tensioning mechanism in which rough tensioning and final tensioning are achieved by the movement of a single mechanical plate. A cutting and sealing head in which feeding of a new strap around the object can occur simultaneously with the sealing of the previous strap. A track opening mechanism which is operated by components of the sealing and cutting head.

Abstract: Apparatus for fabricating an implosion-resistant cathode ray tube envelope includes a support member for upholding the envelope and a tightening member movably affixed to the support member and having fixed and rotatable members formed to receive an over-lapping loop of metal strapping therebetween and responsive to activation of the rotatable member to exert a force on and effect movement of one portion of the metal strap in a given direction and exert force on and effect movement of the other portion of the metal strap and the tightening apparatus in a diametrically opposite direction. The metal strapping is positionally located on the envelope by a strap-locating guide.

Abstract: A manual bale-tie joiner tool is adapted to be engageable with the looped ends of the bale-tie wire which has been inserted about a compressed bale of material. Upon the rotational movement of the joiner tool while engaged with the looped ends of the bale tie-wire, the looped ends of the bale-tie wire are interlocked together to retain the bale-tie wire about the compressed bale.

Abstract: A power strapping tool having an anvil and a tensioning wheel adapted to engage with overlapping portions of a strapping looped about a package and extending to a supply. The tensioning wheel is rotatable in a direction as to tension the loop of strapping and maintain such strapping tensioned while overlying portions thereof are connected to each other and then in an opposite direction to relax and flex away from the underlying strapping portion a span of the overlying strapping extending between such wheel and the location of strapping connection to thereby position such flexed, overlying strapping portion for easy severence. In the preferred embodiment, rotation of the tensioning wheel is also relied upon to effect projection of a knife between the overlying flexed and the underlying strapping portions and to then again tension the overlying strapping portion whereby the flexed strapping is urged against the projected knife to thereby sever the applied loop of strapped from its supply.

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 palletized load is placed on a support that is straddled by a strap guide frame or yoke. The strap guide frame mounts strap feed and tensioning mechanism as well as an extendable-retractable lance that is extended and docked in the yoke to guide the strap between the decks of the pallet and back into the tensioning mechanism. Strap feed and lance extension are initiated simultaneously and the strap is fed around the guide frame toward the free end of the lance as the lance is being extended. The machine is shut off automatically by a timer relay if the lance has not docked before the leading end of the strap reaches the dock for the free end of the lance. The lance is extended and retracted by an electric motor drive to a friction drive mechanism. A timer shuts the lance drive motor off before the lance has been fully extended so that the lance coasts into its docked position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for bundling firewood. Relatively large pieces of wood, preferably first split and cut into convenient lengths, are compressed and while compressed have a strap applied therearound after which the applied pressure is released to form a bundle of firewood that is tightly banded. The apparatus includes a base section having a pair of spaced upwardly opening U-shaped members upon which the pieces of firewood are stacked with the end portions of the firewood supported by the U-shaped members. A pressure platen section is mounted above the base section and includes a second pair of U-shaped members that are downwardly directed and aligned with the U-shaped members of the base section so that, as the pressure platen is moved downwardly, the pieces of wood therebetween are compressed. The pressure platen section is moved upwardly and downwardly by a hydraulic ram and about eight tons of pressure is preferably exerted to compress and contour the wood into a cylindrical bundle.