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 package strapping tool of the fluid pressure operating type embodying tensioning means for tightening a loop of strapping around a package and joining means for securing together overlapped portions of the loop. The tensioning means and the joining means are operated by hydraulic or pneumatic means wherein the initiation of the joining operation is controlled through a time delay device the timing cycle of which is started by the application of fluid pressure to the tensioning means. The time delay device is preferably of a pneumatic or hydraulic type which uses for its own operation the fluid which is suppled under pressure to operate the tool. The time delay device is preferably adjustable whereby the cycle of the tool may be varied dependent upon circumstances and the timing cycle may be started by the supply of fluid pressure to the tensioning means.

Abstract: A package strapping machine for strapping a package to a pallet, which pallet is usually constructed from lumber and is of standard shape or configuration. The pallet comprises generally a supporting platform for the package with longitudinally parallel extending stringers secured to the underside of the supporting platform. The strapping machine is provided with a strapping station where the package is tied to the pallet and is so constructed that a strap is carried beneath the stringers and through a strap ring including an arch around the package if the pallet is facing in one direction, because a pallet position sensing means, such as a ray of light which is provided at one side of the pallet, cannot pass through the solid stringers to a photo-sensitive device located at the other side of the pallet. However, if the pallet is turned 90.degree. so that the voids between the stringers which extend completely through the pallet structure are positioned 90.degree.

Abstract: An apparatus for tying loosely-defined soft packages is described. A means for gathering or firming the loosely-defined package is fixed to a frame to which is also fixed a means for holding the gathered packages. A tying means, mounted on the frame, is actuated by a sensing means designed such that the tying means is actuated at the same relative position for each package tied.

Abstract: An agricultural baler has a device for picking up stalk-type and blade-type vegetation. The picked up vegetation is inserted into a precompacting chamber wherein it is subjected to initial compacting. The degree of compaction is sensed and, when it reaches a preselected magnitude, the precompacted body of vegetation is expelled from the precompacting chamber into a main compacting chamber. The precompacted bodies are of identical or substantially identical size and density.

Abstract: A baling machine for making large rectangular bales of straw or hay has a bale chamber with an entry opening at one end. Material is fed under compression to the entry opening to fill the chamber. So that the bale is formed of consolidated columns of material a guide is located adjacent the entry opening and can be moved in and out of the chamber after each column is formed.Pivoting of the guide pushes completed columns along the chamber to make way for incoming material.

Abstract: The knotting mechanism of a crop baler has a spring-loaded arm normally pulled down to a lowered position by the binding twine during operation of the knotter. However, if the knotter accidentally fails to tie a knot or the twine otherwise slips loose, the resulting slack will allow the arm to swing upwardly, and this motion may be used to trigger a switch for setting off an alarm or to raise a signal flag, either of which would indicate that the knotter needs attention.

Abstract: A bundle tying machine which operates with a conveyor chain that carries longitudinally spaced pairs of bundle holding plates through a curvilinear loading section and unloading section and a straight bundle tying section with means mounting the plates for relative movement and with means responsive to the presence of bundles between the plates for freeing the bundle tying mechanism to effect tying of the bundle in the tying section and including means for varying the tension on the twine at various stages during operation of the machine, and multiple needles for simultaneously tying the bundle with a plurality of twines in a single path.

Abstract: A method of binding round bales by a rope guiding arm in a bale press which has a chamber and presses the bales while rotating them, the method comprises the steps of advancing the rope guiding arm from a rest position into a starting position before termination of the pressing step, inserting an initial portion of the rope into the pressure chamber of the press during the advancing step for engagement by and anchoring in the bale, thereafter returning the rope guiding arm back to the rest position thereof over a period of time which is longer than the time required for performing the advancing step so that the rope is withdrawn from the arm by the rotating bale and becomes convoluted about the same, and severing the rope when or shortly before the rope guiding arm reaches the rest position.

Abstract: Compression apparatus including a press framework defining a compression region for housing material such as straw to be compressed, one or more compression elements such as two opposed arrays of compression teeth for compressing material by movement along the compression region, and a drive mechanism for moving the compression teeth in a cycle of movement. The cycle includes the compression teeth entering into the compression region, moving along the compression region along a substantially rectilinear path to compress material in the compression region, and returning to the position occupied at the beginning of the cycle, the compression teeth being at least partially removed from the compression region during the return movement.

Abstract: An improved strapping machine has a barrier for stopping travel of the strap at a precise location, a sensor which is activated by contact of the strap with the barrier so as to terminate operation of the strap feed means and a guide means for preventing buckling of the strap within the sealing assembly portion of the machine. In another aspect of the invention the clamping device has a first gripper located in fixed position during feeding and clamping, and a second gripper which is pivotable from a guide position to a clamping position. In a preferred form, one end of the second gripper bar serves as a shear anvil which co-acts with the blade to sever the strap. The shear anvil is adjustable so that the gap between the blade and anvil may be regulated to compensate for wear.

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 compactor-strapper comprising spaced forward and rearward fixed jaws, forward and rearward moveable jaws, hingedly attached independent actuators for said forward and rearward jaws, said jaws having removeable and replaceable insert members providing cavities forming a work reception chamber, and a strapping machine having a strap applying portion arranged around a strapping space defined by said cavities and between said forward and rearward jaws, and pneumatic circuitry with automatic cycling, controlling said jaws, said strapper, and a bundle ejector, resultant from a single manual control motion.

Abstract: A combination jam-clearing and torque sensing traction wheel assembly and strap feed stopping mechanism is disclosed for use in a strapping machine which feeds strap in a chute about an article to form a loop and subsequently tensions the loop tightly about the article. The strap is fed into the chute by a rotating traction wheel which is driven through a torque sensing assembly comprising a driven plate, a spring-biased driver plate, and drive motor. Feeding of the strap is intermittently stopped and started as the driver plate is forced out of engagement with the driven plate when the torque increases beyond a predetermined amount in response to increased strap feed resistance resulting from an obstruction in the chute. In one embodiment, the strap feed stopping mechanism includes a permanent strap end abutment member located just past the strap overlap region in the strapping machine.

Abstract: A horizontal baler comprising a compactor chamber with a compaction end and a discharge end. A bale of material is formed in the compaction end of the chamber as loose material is deposited in the chamber and compressed by a plunger which is reciprocally driven in the chamber by a motor. A first bale is formed in the chamber and tied with wire. The first bale is urged toward the discharge end of the chamber by compression of more material in the chamber to form a second bale. The end of the first bale forms an end wall in the chamber against which loose material is compressed to form another bale. The improvement comprises a plate which is urged into frictional contact with the first bale when the first bale is adjacent the discharge end of the chamber to limit further movement of the first bale in the chamber. More material is compressed by the plunger into the second bale until the density of the second bale has reached a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A binding apparatus for tying horizontally around palletized loads is disclosed. The binding apparatus comprises a tie machine which is mounted on a base horizontally moveable on the base so as to advance or retract the tie machine depending upon dimensions of the palletized loads to be tied. The base is vertically adjustable depending upon the height of the palletized loads to be tied.

Abstract: Bales of hay and the like which were bundled or baled in the field are recompressed to about one-half their original length by using a high-pressure ram on the bales after their wires have been cut and removed, over-compressing the bales and then after relaxing the over-compression, restrapping the recompacted bale through a set of strap guides which are automatically adjusted in the direction of the press stroke to guide the strap around the recompacted bale regardless of the amount of over-compression of the bale.

Abstract: An automatic clutch lock out and clutch release mechanism for package tying machines of the type utilizing handles or foot pedals to initiate a machine cycle. The automatic clutch lock out mechanism includes a cam gear rotatably mounted atop the forked clutch lever and a wedge-shaped release rack lever controllably operated by the tying machine's foot pedal or handle and which both meshes with the cam gear and slidably engages the associated cam follower lever, the combination of the two effecting gradual, quiet, and smooth engagement of the machine's clutch at the beginning of a tying cycle and further providing a safe and inexpensive clutch lock out that eliminates unreliable electrical components.

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 banding machine for providing a smooth supply of packing band for banding around a package being banded, even to a big-sized arch. The machine has a base housing therein a packing band supplying device. An arch is provided on the machine base having a band running channel on the inside thereof. A band holding means is provided around the whole periphery on the inside of the arch, the band holding means being movable over the channel to form a chamber for the running band and covering the channel as the band advances and uncovering the channel when the band recedes. An auxiliary band feeder is provided midway of the arch and having a driving roll extending inwardly from the arch channel and rotating parallel to the direction of the movement of the band. A press roll is provided on the band holding means which contacts the driving roll when the band holding means advances.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for organizing and arranging bundles, preferably bundles of folded or unfolded corrugated boxes or blanks, into stacks which include a plurality of layers. The apparatus includes a vertical conveyor for supplying bundles to a loading station, at which one or more operators or mechanical arms are located, which function to remove the bundles for the loading station and to position them in a desired pattern on a horizontally movable support to form a layer. After a complete layer is formed, the support is removed from beneath the layer so that the layer of bundles is deposited on a stack-forming device which includes a vertically movable platform which is incrementally actuated downwardly each time another layer is deposited thereon to form the stack. The formed stack is then discharged from the stack-forming device and straps are applied thereto.

Abstract: Pneumatic apparatus for drawing binding strip from a stock roll, winding a length of the strip around a bunch of water cress, severing that length from the strip stock and twisting the ends of the length of strip together to form a tie around the bunch. The apparatus includes a two-armed lever. One of the arms is arcuate and has a profiled end which is adapted to engage the leading end of the length of strip and, as the lever is swung about its fulcrum, to push that leading end around the bundh into a bight in the periphery of an apertured disc. The trailing end of the length of strip is located within the aperture of the disc so that it is held from following the leading end. The disc is rotated to twist the two ends together and the lever is then swung back so that the other arm ejects the bound bunch from the apparatus.

Abstract: A strapping machine for applying a tensioned strap loop horizontally about the girth of an object in which a yoke for lacing a strap about an object and means for tensioning and securing such strap are together adjustable as a unit, first into a desired projected position vertically of the object which is to be strapped, and then into a horizontal projected position in which the strap tensioning and securing means are directly adjacent to such object immediately prior to performing their respective functions.

Abstract: A tying device comprising: a stand for mounting thereon an object to be tied with a tape; a slot for feeding the tying tape; a detector, disposed beyond the forward end of the slot, for detecting the end of the tying tape; a bendable arm having a grip mechanism and pivotally provided on the stand substantially in parallel to the slot, the bendable arm being adapted to be swung upward, so that when the end of the tying tape reaches the detector, the detector produces a signal to actuate the grip mechanism to grip the end of the tying tape and actuate the bendable arm to swing upward so as to bring the end of the tying tape over the object to be tied to the underside of the object and overlap the end on a portion of the tying tape which has been fed thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying objects to be bound to an automatic band-binding means in packing boxes or the like.

Abstract: Each of a series of small groups of cured bricks, each such group to be joined to others to form a completed hack of such bricks, are automatically handled to stabilize the pressure bearing contact surfaces between adjacent vertical and horizontal surfaces of such bricks in the finished hack and are automatically transported, handled and banded to form a stable bound hack, which hack comprises spaced apart voids for engagement by a forklift truck.

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: In a cotton packaging system including a press section, transfer section, strapping section, bagging section and shrink section in longitudinal alignment, a cotton bale is formed by successive compression of overlapping cotton layers and is thereafter tied and bagged. The press section includes a vertically movable lower platen and stationary upper platens each presenting transient compression and conveyor surfaces that are oscillated during bale formation.

Abstract: A device for positioning overlapping ends of a looped band in a working area of an automatic packaging machine. The device includes a first slider on one side of the working area and a second slider on the other side of the working area. A driving mechanism coupled to the slider moves them toward each other up to a predetermined distance corresponding to the width of the band in the working area of the packaging machine.

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.

Abstract: A bale tying mechanism is driven through a clutch that is controlled by a trip mechanism that actuates the clutch when the bale reaches a certain size. The trip mechanism includes a trip arm that swings between a stop position, that is established by an adjustable stop on the trip arm, and an upward, trip position, wherein it causes engagement of the clutch and the actuation of the tying mechanism. The arm drops from its trip position to its stop position after engagement of the clutch and is swung upwardly from the stop position to the trip position for engagement by a wheel that is rotated in response to increasing length of a bale, the wheel disengaging the arm initially after the trip arm causes the actuation of the clutch to permit the arm to drop against the stop. A latching device is provided between the wheel and the stop to prevent the arm from bouncing off the stop until it is engaged by the wheel.