Abstract: An apparatus for picking up, stacking and bundling lumber, that comprises: a drive means, a conveyor assembly having a receiving bin and a conveyor, a stacking assembly operatively connected to the conveyor assembly, and having an unscrambling hopper, a row conveyor, a stacking bin and a bundling assembly a discharge platform, and a grapple assembly that picks up lumber pieces from the ground and deposits them into the receiving bin, and that also picks up bundles of lumber produced by the stacking assembly, for movement to a secondary location. The apparatus can be used on a variety of different terrains, including inclines and declines and can pick up lumber from a wide radius around the apparatus and from a number of ground conditions including rocky, muddy and wet ground.

Abstract: Pallet roping and wrapping machines having a plurality of spools of stretch film supported on a single spool and guides that form ropes of stretch film without cutting. Specific implementations of guides include guides formed or rings and rollers. Positions of guides may be adjustable.

Abstract: A banding system for piled products with a machine frame, a band feed mechanism disposed on the machine frame for feeding band material from a supply roll, means for forming a loop with said band material around the products to be banded, welding means to close said loop, and cutting means for cutting said band material, said means for forming the loop comprising transporting means for transporting the band material around the product to be banded and vacuum means connected to the transporting means. Said means for forming the loop are movable with respect to machine frame between an operating position where the means for forming the loop are in contact with the band feed mechanism to perform the banding operation and an open position where the means for forming the loop are displaced away from the band feed mechanism to create an opening therebetween allowing a transfer of products to be banded between the band feed mechanism and the means for forming the loop.

Abstract: An apparatus for strapping a packaged item using at least two strapping elements, which can be placed crosswise on the packaged item. A transport unit moves the packaged item into a strapping position a guide device for the strapping elements. The guide device arranges the strapping elements around the packaged item and defines intersecting areas of movement for the strapping elements. A binding device inserts and/or tensions the strapping elements and connects overlapping areas of the strapping elements. In order to permit the strapping of a greater number applications, a connection mechanism is provided to connect the strapping elements in the immediate environment of a crossover location of the strapping elements and/or at the crossover location of the strapping elements. It is also possible to effect the connection using a single sealing stamp.

Abstract: A tape binding device includes a loop forming mechanism for forming a loop for winding a material to be bound at an end of a tape. A supplying mechanism supplies a tape from a tape roll to the loop forming mechanism. The supplying mechanism includes a conveying roller and a conveying belt. The conveying belt includes a region in a curved shape along a predetermined region on a peripheral surface of the conveying roller. The tape is conveyed while being sandwiched between the conveying roller and the conveying belt.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for making a band-driven package or a band-drive component for a package, and machines for performing the methods. One method comprises feeding first and second flexible webs in a feed direction, one web being fed each side of a substrate such that the webs are in mutual face-to-face disposition ahead of and behind the substrate with respect to the feed direction; joining the face-to-face webs at a first join ahead of the substrate and at a second join behind the substrate, the joins bounding web portions that together encircle the substrate between the joins; and dividing the joined web portions from the remainder of the webs such that the joined web portions together define a band that encircles the substrate, to be slid around the substrate in use of the package.

Abstract: Self-propelled machine for wrapping stacked loads with protective film which unwinds from a reel, comprising an elevator system (2) for vertical movement of reel (11), and a mobile supporting carriage (4) said machine, according to the invention, it comprises:—two driving wheels (40, 41) arranged on the same axis, each driven by its own independent motor (42, 43); and—an automatic guidance system (5) with a contact device (50) adapted to follow a contact surface (32) of the stacked load (31) and to detect its distance from the machine, and a servocontrol (51) which is responsive to the distance detected by said contact device (50), adapted to control said driving motors of the machine in such a way that the machine contact surface (32).

Abstract: A banding system for piled products with a machine frame (8), a band feed mechanism (6) disposed on the machine frame for feeding band material (2) from a supply roll (1), means for forming a loop (7) with said band material (2) around the products to be banded, welding means (14, 15) to close said loop, and cutting means (17) for cutting said band material, said means for forming the loop comprising transporting means (111, 13) for transporting the band material (2) around the product to be banded and vacuum means (19, 19?, 24) connected to the transporting means.

Abstract: A tape applying device includes a plate, front and rear swinging arms pivoted on the plate, a pressing wheel pivoted on each of the swinging arms to make an adhesive tape stick on a box, a connecting rod pivoted to both the front and the rear swing arms, a cutting mechanism interposed between the front and the rear swinging arms to sever the adhesive tape, a first restoring extension spring joined to the connecting rod, and a second restoring extension spring joined to the rear swinging arm; the front swinging arm is co-movable with the rear swinging arm and the connecting rod, and it has no extension spring directly connected thereto therefore the front pressing wheel won't produce such a reacting force as to cause a box to cave in when the box is moved rapidly onto the front pressing wheel for the adhesive tape to stick thereon.

Abstract: An automatic system for the delivery and distribution of articles in groups comprises a store of articles, a unit for the collection and delivery of articles from the store and a controller associated with the collection and delivery unit in order to control the selective collection of articles from the store and their output as sets of articles logically grouped together. The system further comprises a grouping device which receives the sets of articles logically grouped together as inputs and outputs corresponding packs, groups or bundles of articles physically connected to one another by a restraining loop or strip.

Abstract: A strapping machine is provided to feed a strap around a load, position, tension and seal the strap around the load. The strapping machine includes a surface to support the load in the strapping machine; a strap chute to carry a strap around the load and release the strap from the strap chute; a motor assembly to convey the strap around the strap chute, retract the strap material around the load, and tension the strap around the load; and an adjustable speed drive capable of receiving a first reference signal and a second reference signal, and configured to actuate the motor assembly to apply a first amount of torque to the strap when receiving the first reference signal and to apply a second amount of torque to the strap when receiving the second reference signal.

Abstract: The invention concerns an improved retainer system allowing reliably strapping a package while incurring only minimized wear. This problem is solved by using an additional retainer device (17) placed in front of the inner side of the strap guide frame (11) and comprising an elastic, longitudinally stretched element (18, 19) and a mating support (30), said element and mating support being made of a low-wear material relative to the strap and being mutually parallel and parallel to the strap outlet aperture (23). The elastic element and the mating support subtend thereby a gap to pull the strap consecutively through it.

Abstract: The device tensions and closes strapping bands for packaging and suchlike. It has a band channel open longitudinally on one side in the longitudinal direction of the strapping band, a band tensioning device acting in the area of the band channel and a closing device which joins the band ends lying on top of each other in a tensioned state in the band channel. In order to ensure that correct tensioning rate, band tension, welding time, holding time and/or other band closing parameters in each case, the device is provided with a sensor device recording the width of the strapping band and a processing and adjusting unit interacting therewith, with which the band closing parameters are automatically adjusted as a function of the band width.

Abstract: A strapping machine includes a frame, a vertically movable upper carriage, a strap chute including an upper leg mounted to the movable upper carriage, a pair of spaced apart compression plates mounted to the movable upper carriage for vertically compressing the load and a pair of side squaring elements movable toward and away from one another configured figured for horizontal movement to contact the sides of the load. The side squaring elements are disposed between the compression plates. The machine is controlled by a control system such that following a first strapping cycle and prior to a second strapping cycle the control system generates a signal to raise the compression plates from the load about 3 inches and a to move the side squaring elements away from the load about 3 inches. The machine includes a corner pad applicator assemblies for applying a corner pad at each of the upper corners of the load prior to positioning, tensioning and sealing the strapping material to itself about the load.

Abstract: A strap joint rotating assembly is for use with a strapping machine. The strapping machine has a feed head for feeding the strapping material into the strapping machine, a strap chute through which the strapping material is passed and a sealing head to seal overlapping courses of the strapping material to one another to define a strap loop having a seal and defining a strap loop plane. The strap joint rotating assembly includes a driven wheel having an axis of rotation generally perpendicular to the strap loop plane and a pinch wheel that has an axis of rotation and is carried on a wheel block. The wheel block pivots to move the pinch wheel into and out of the strap loop plane. The pinch wheel, when in the strap loop plane, has its axis of rotation parallel to the axis of rotation of the driven wheel. The pinch wheel is further movable toward the driven wheel to pinch the strap between the driven wheel and the pinch wheel. The driven wheel is driven to rotate the strap loop around the load.

Abstract: A welding head for a strap binding machine includes a strap guide element that can be moved into and out of a strap guide path, a welding device that can be moved into and out of the strap guide path and that is for fusing strap segments of overlapping strap ends that are to be welded, and a pressing device for pressing the fused strap segments against a pressure part, the strap guide element and the welding device being pivotably borne and both being directly or indirectly motion-coupled to the longitudinally movable pressing device such that they can be moved into and out of the strap guide path depending on the movement of the pressing device.

Abstract: A quick access guide with an integrated strap chute opening device for a strapping machine is disclosed in which the strap chute separating device has a frame and a strap chute mounted to the frame. The strap chute includes at least one fixed wall cooperating with at least one movable wall. In a first position, the walls are closed and define a strap path through the strap chute and in a second position, the movable wall moves to separate and open the strap path. A handle rotates to open the chute using a cam. A guide arm is also rotated by rotation of the handle to allow access to the strap path.

Abstract: A strapping machine feeds strapping material around a load, positions, tensions and seals the material around the load. The machine includes a work surface, a portion of which is upwardly pivotal. A conveyor mounted within the work surface has a friction belt drive. The conveyor roller closest to the strap chute has a middle portion that has a smaller diameter than the end portions. The middle portions are fitted together to rotate as a unitary element. A load compression assembly is mounted at the strap chute. A side squaring assembly aligns the load in the direction transverse to the load direction. A strap guide extends between a pre-feed assembly and the feed assembly and includes a fixed portion and a movable portion forming a guide path that is opened to access the guide path. An interlocked enclosure is mounted to the machine frame below the work surface to access the sealing head and the feed assembly.

Abstract: A strap feeding and withdrawing structure for a packing machine includes a driving member and a strapping member pivotally assembled on a main body of a conveying device and respectively driven by an electromagnetic switch unit and a pull member to carry out strap feeding, strap withdrawing and strap strapping work. The separable strap feeding and withdrawing structure of this invention can be disassembled quickly, facilitating maintenance and removal of disorder. In addition, the strapping member is disposed thereon with a strap withdrawal detecting member able to accurately control data of strap withdrawing and tightness of strapping.

Abstract: A floating strapping head is for use in a strapping machine of the type for positioning, tensioning and sealing a strapping material to itself around a load. The strapping machine has a frame and a strap chute. The floating strapping head includes a tensioning module, a separate sealing module and a drive assembly operably connected to the tensioning module and the sealing module. The head includes a guide along which the tensioning and sealing modules move laterally, together and toward and away from one another. When tension is drawn in the strapping material with an end of the strapping material gripped by the sealing head and an opposite portion of the strapping material gripped by the tensioning module, the drive is actuated to move the tensioning and sealing modules away from one another. The tensioning and sealing modules float, moving along the guide, as one, to equalize the tension in the strapping material on either side of the strapping head.

Abstract: An automatic band conveying device includes a band transmitting device employed to pass a band into a band rail, and a pressing rail device composed of an electromagnetic valve, a connecting rod and a pressing plate. As the electromagnetic valve is electrified, it can generate magnetic force to enable a movable member pivotally formed on its top to be moved, so that the connecting rod can be driven by the movable member to push a pressing side of the pressing plate to press on the band rail. Thus the automatic band conveying device is simply structured and easy to operate.

Abstract: A common bundling tape (T) to be used for bundling bank notes of different denominations is held in a tape reel (14). A printing mechanism (21) is disposed on a tape feed passage (20) to print the bundling tape (T) with a mark indicating the denomination of bank notes. The printing mechanism (21) prints a mark indicating the denomination of bank notes of a bank note stack (P) on the substantially whole part of the outermost layer of the bundling tape bundling the bank notes when the bundling tape is fed. After winding the printed bundling tape (T) round the bank note stack (P), a tape carrying system (17) is reversed to take up a slack in the bundling tape (T) wound round the bank note stack (P) and tighten the bundling tape (T). Subsequently, a tape cutter (10) cuts off the bundling tape (T) not used for bundling the bank note stack (P) and heat-bonding member (13) heat-bonds together superposed leading and trailing end parts of the bundling tape (T) bundling the bank note stack (P).

Abstract: An apparatus for strapping a packaged item using at least two strapping elements, which can be placed crosswise on the packaged item. A transport unit moves the packaged item into a strapping position a guide device for the strapping elements. The guide device arranges the strapping elements around the packaged item and and defines intersecting areas of movement for the strapping elements. A binding device inserts and/or tensions the strapping elements and connects overlapping areas of the strapping elements. In order to permit the strapping of a greater number applications, a connection mechanism is provided to connect the strapping elements in the immediate environment of a crossover location of the strapping elements and/or at the crossover location of the strapping elements. It is also possible to effect the connection using a single sealing stamp.

Abstract: A dual mode strapper for strapping an article with a strap-forming mechanism is capable of selectively operating in a first mode to pre-form an endless pre-formed strap of a predetermined length at least slightly greater than an initial perimeter of the article to be strapped, and in a second mode to apply strapping material directly to the article to be strapped and thereafter form the strapping material into an endless directly applied strap around the article. The strapper may also include a pre-formed strap holding area adjacent the strap-forming mechanism that extends at least partially around an opening in which the article is received. When the strapper is operating in the first mode, the pre-formed strap holding area receives the pre-formed strap and maintains it in spaced-apart relation from the article before dispensing it from the holding area onto the article to be strapped.

Abstract: An apparatus for picking, conveying, stacking and bundling lumber pieces from the ground for example for removing stacked support lumber during laying of a pipe line comprises a tracked vehicle to which is attached a frame carrying a transport conveyer along the side of the vehicle forwardly and downwardly toward the ground. At the forward picking end is provided a picker roller for lifting the lumber pieces from the ground. On one side of the picker roller is provided a drive conveyer which is generally vertical and operable in forward and reverse direction to orient the pieces. On the side opposite to the drive conveyers provided a vertical blade with a rearwardly inclined inner portion which blade can pivot inwardly to push the lumber pieces toward the drive conveyer and to enclose and squeeze the pieces to a position inward of the side of the conveyer.

Abstract: Device for strapping, especially for longitudinally strapping packaged material with strapping, comprising a strap roll, from which the strapping, which is to be processed, is pulled with formation of a strap storage system for a subsequent strapping process. A movable strap carrier is provided for pulling off the strapping and can be moved from a first position into a second position, taking along the strapping, while the strapping is arrested at a place, downstream from the strap carrier with the aid of holding means.

Abstract: A method for processing envelopes including the steps of providing a plurality of generally aligned envelopes and compressing the plurality of envelopes together. The method further includes the step of placing a band around the compressed envelopes such that the band retains the plurality of envelopes in a state of compression.

Abstract: A strapping machine feeds strapping material around a load, positions, tensions and seals the material around the load. The machine includes a work surface, a portion of which is upwardly pivotal. A conveyor mounted within the work surface has a friction belt drive. The conveyor roller closest to the strap chute has a middle portion that has a smaller diameter than the end portions. The middle portions are fitted together to rotate as a unitary element. A load compression assembly is mounted at the strap chute. A side squaring assembly aligns the load in the direction transverse to the load direction. A strap guide extends between a pre-feed assembly and the feed assembly and includes a fixed portion and a movable portion forming a guide path that is opened to access the guide path. An interlocked enclosure is mounted to the machine frame below the work surface to access the sealing head and the feed assembly.

Abstract: A strapping machine feeds strapping material around a load, positions, tensions and seals the material around the load. The machine includes a work surface, a portion of which is upwardly pivotal. A conveyor mounted within the work surface has a friction belt drive. The conveyor roller closest to the strap chute has a middle portion that has a smaller diameter than the end portions. The middle portions are fitted together to rotate as a unitary element. A load compression assembly is mounted at the strap chute. A side squaring assembly aligns the load in the direction transverse to the load direction. A strap guide extends between a pre-feed assembly and the feed assembly and includes a fixed portion and a movable portion forming a guide path that is opened to access the guide path. An interlocked enclosure is mounted to the machine frame below the work surface to access the sealing head and the feed assembly.

Abstract: A strapping machine feeds strapping material around a load, positions, tensions and seals the material around the load. The machine includes a work surface, a portion of which is upwardly pivotal. A conveyor mounted within the work surface has a friction belt drive. The conveyor roller closest to the strap chute has a middle portion that has a smaller diameter than the end portions. The middle portions are fitted together to rotate as a unitary element. A load compression assembly is mounted at the strap chute. A side squaring assembly aligns the load in the direction transverse to the load direction. A strap guide extends between a pre-feed assembly and the feed assembly and includes a fixed portion and a movable portion forming a guide path that is opened to access the guide path. An interlocked enclosure is mounted to the machine frame below the work surface to access the sealing head and the feed assembly.

Abstract: A strapping machine feeds strapping material around a load, positions, tensions and seals the material around the load. The machine includes a work surface, a portion of which is upwardly pivotal. A conveyor mounted within the work surface has a friction belt drive. The conveyor roller closest to the strap chute has a middle portion that has a smaller diameter than the end portions. The middle portions are fitted together to rotate as a unitary element. A load compression assembly is mounted at the strap chute. A side squaring assembly aligns the load in the direction transverse to the load direction. A strap guide extends between a pre-feed assembly and the feed assembly and includes a fixed portion and a movable portion forming a guide path that is opened to access the guide path. An interlocked enclosure is mounted to the machine frame below the work surface to access the sealing head and the feed assembly.

Abstract: A refeed system for use in a strapping machine for feeding a strapping material around a load, positioning, tensioning and sealing the strapping material around the load. The refeed system refeeds strapping material into feed elements. The refeed system includes a driven, rotatable boost wheel having a first diameter when in a stationary mode and a second, larger diameter when in a second, rotating mode and an idler element opposite of the boost wheel. When the boost wheel is in the stationary mode, a first gap is defined between the boost wheel and the idler element to permit the free conveyance of strap through the gap and when the boost wheel is in the second rotating mode a strap, positioned in the gap is engaged by the boost wheel and is conveyed through the gap.

Abstract: A package pacer is configured for use with an automatic strapping machine having a strap chute through which strap material is fed and from which strap material is tensioned onto a package. The strapping machine has an in-feed conveyor defining a plane and is configured to automatically move a package into a packaging region bounded by the chute. The pacer includes a frame that is mountable to the strapping machine. A plurality of rollers are mounted to the frame in a stationary plane about coplanar with the in-feed conveyor plane. The rollers extend forwardly of the strapping machine and permit conveyance of the package therealong and onto the in-feed conveyor. A pacing element is movable between a stop position in which the pacer element is out of the in-feed conveyor plane and interferes with movement of the package onto the in-feed conveyor and a feed position in which the pacing element resides about coplanar with the planar stationary rollers and the in-feed conveyor.

Abstract: A strapping machine feeds strapping material around a load, positions, tensions and seals the material around the load. The machine includes a work surface, a portion of which is upwardly pivotal. A conveyor mounted within the work surface has a friction belt drive. The conveyor roller closest to the strap chute has a middle portion that has a smaller diameter than the end portions. The middle portions are fitted together to rotate as a unitary element. A load compression assembly is mounted at the strap chute. A side squaring assembly aligns the load in the direction transverse to the load direction. A strap guide extends between a pre-feed assembly and the feed assembly and includes a fixed portion and a movable portion forming a guide path that is opened to access the guide path. An interlocked enclosure is mounted to the machine frame below the work surface to access the sealing head and the feed assembly.

Abstract: An automatic strap chute opening system for use in a strapping machine of the type having an openable, pivotable work surface for supporting a load to be strapped, and a strap chute defining a strap path through which the strapping material is passed. The chute is disposed in part below the surface and is openable to release the strapping material from the chute during the strapping operation. The chute opening system includes a torsional element operably connected to the strap chute for opening and closing the chute and an actuator operably connected to the torsional element. The coordinated movement of the actuator and torsional element corresponds with the opening or closing of the work surface.

Abstract: A strapping machine feeds strapping material around a load, positions, tensions and seals the material around the load. The machine includes a work surface, a portion of which is upwardly pivotal. A conveyor mounted within the work surface has a friction belt drive. The conveyor roller closest to the strap chute has a middle portion that has a smaller diameter than the end portions. The portions are fitted together to rotate as a unitary element. A load compression assembly is mounted at the strap chute. A side squaring assembly aligns the load in the direction transverse to the load direction. A strap guide extends between a pre-feed assembly and the feed assembly and includes a fixed portion and a movable portion forming a guide path that is opened to access the guide path. An interlocked enclosure is mounted to the machine frame below the work surface to access the sealing head and the feed assembly.

Abstract: An asymmetrical chute system is for use in a strapping machine of the type for feeding a strapping material around a load, positioning, tensioning and sealing the strapping material around the load. The strapping machine has a feed head, a strap chute defining a strap path through which the strapping material is passed and a sealing head. The chute system includes a base, a stationary guard having an inclined wall extending, at least in part, over the strap path and a movable guard. The movable guard is movable relative to the base and the stationary guard into and out of engagement with the stationary guard inclined wall to open and close the strap path. When the movable guard is open, the inclined wall extends over the strap path so as to form a blind portion intersecting a line normal to the strap path.

Abstract: A device and method for changing the orientation of an object. One such device includes a twist neck that is used in strapping machines. The twist neck includes an ingress portion, which includes an ingress opening formed therein, and a middle portion. The middle portion includes a pathway formed therein. The pathway has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially similar to the cross-sectional shape of a strap that is used in the strapping machine. A strap is urged into the ingress opening in a first orientation and into the pathway, which itself is in a second orientation. When the strap exits the egress opening, it will be in the second orientation. A user can manipulate the orientation of the associated strap by changing the orientation of the pathway.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming stacks of flat workpieces and for banding or banderoling the stacks includes a stacking station, a banding or banderoling station, and an endless conveyor for cyclically conveying stacking shafts provided to the endless conveyor. A respective first band guide is formed on a respective one of the stacking shafts and a second band guide is disposed in the banding station. The second band guide together with the respective first band guide form an at least approximately intrinsically closed guide path.

Abstract: A band packing machine includes a body, a transmission unit, a forward-reverse unit and a tension unit. The transmission unit has a rotatable forward-reverse tension cam and a tension cam. The forward-reverse unit includes a forward-reverse motor, a forward-reverse active wheel and a forward-reverse link unit to which a forward-reverse passive wheel is connected. The tension link unit is connected to the tension passive wheel. By controlling the tension cam, the tension passive wheel and the tension active wheel clamp or loosen the bands. The tension unit and the forward-reverse unit are activated by the link units which are activated by cams so that the response time is short. The packing machine is compact and occupies less space in horizontal direction.

Abstract: A strapping apparatus includes a conveyor for moving the pack to a strapping station containing, a strap guide duct and a tautening and sealing head. The strap guide duct is mounted laterally offset from the direction of conveyance and being curved and twisted toward this conveyance direction in order to subtend a clear inside space for the pack which thereby can be moved unhampered into and out of the strapping station. A guidance element is associated with the strap guide duct to center the strap being released from the strap guide duct on the pack in the strap in the strapping station. The strap guide duct includes corner deflection elements, duct segments which guide the strap always at its outwardly facing side in merely supporting manner, strap twisting segments inserted between the corner deflection elements and guide ducts and imparting a twist to the strap about its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Binding apparatus for binding wire around pulp bales are disclosed including a wire magazine, a wire feeder for feeding and stretching the wire, a guide for guiding the wire from the feeder around the pulp bale, a wire cutter and twister for cutting the wire and twisting together the wire ends and a take-up unit for taking up a loop in the wire obtained upon stretching of the wire around the pulp bale, the take-up unit including a take-up space having a pair of walls separated by a distance adapted to accept the wire but insufficient to accept a double strand of the wire, and the short sides of the take-up space separated by a distance adapted to accept a loop of the wire without being folded and the take-up space at one of the short sides including a wire guide space wider than the wire and formed by grooves in at least one of the walls.

Abstract: The invention relates to a strapper for bank notes and a bank note processing apparatus having such a strapper. Especially reliable and fast strapping is possible if a guide for forming a strap loop around a bank-note bundle to be strapped that is brought into an inside area surrounded by the guide has elements for holding the strap only in its lateral edge areas when it is inserted into the guide, and when the strap is pulled it can be pulled together tightly out of the guide into the inside area around the bank-note bundle located therein.

Abstract: A wrapping packaging machine (10) for the wrapping of an object (11), comprising a track (20) having the shape of a closed loop. The track carries a wrapping film (42) feed device (40) placed in conjunction with an elongated body (30), such as a flexible band or chain. The object is moved by a drive (21) provided in conjunction with the track, by using friction or a toothing (32). The track is openable, allowing one track half (20a) to be moved or turned aside to permit a change of the flexible body and the plastic film band roll (41).

Abstract: A laterally displaceable guide track for a bale binding apparatus includes a carriage with a guide track portion mounted on it with a hinge. The guide track portion has an engaged position and a disengaged position. The engaged position is aligned with at least one other guide track portion to define a bale loop plane, and the disengaged position is out of the bale loop plane. The mount allows the guide track portion to be moved between the engaged position and the disengaged position. The disengaged position allows the carriage to be withdrawn from a baling station for ejection of a finished bale.

Abstract: A strapping machine configured to position a strap material around an associated load when in a feed mode and to tension the strap material and seal the strap material to itself around the load when in a tensioning mode includes an improved winder assembly. The machine includes a flame, a strap material supply and a strapping head. A strap path is defined from the strap material supply to the strapping head. The strapping head includes a feed element for conveying the strap material during the feed mode in a first direction around the load and for conveying the strap material in a second, opposite direction to tension the strap material around the load. The strapping head includes a rotating winder for tensioning the material around the load. The winder has a peripheral strap path and a central strap path.

Abstract: A flexible strap guide for an overhead strapper having a feed head for feeding the strapping material from a supply to a strapping head being mounted to a movable platen. The guide includes an elongated flexible spine formed from a plurality of hinged elements. Each of the elements is hingedly connected to and independently movable relative to each adjacent element. The elements define a central channel therein defined by a contiguous inner periphery. A hollow tubular element is positioned within the flexible spine and is flexible with the spine. The tubular element defines a pathway for movement of the strapping material therethrough between feed head and the strapping head. The guide is flexible at points between the feed head and the strapping head and is configured to permit movement of the strapping head upward and downward and to retain the hollow tubular element in an unobstructed condition as the strapping head moves upward and downward.

Abstract: In a bulk material bate binder, the bulk material bale binder having a stand adjacent a baling station and being installed to bind bales compressed by an up press having a moving lower platen, the lower platen having insertion slots for guide tracks, a guide track removal and insertion apparatus including a guide track removal frame, the frame being hingedly mounted on the stand such that the guide track removal frame may rotate to and from an engaged position and a removed position; a guide track mount, pivotably mounted on the guide track removal frame, the guide track mount having an insertion position and a retracted position; a guide track section attached to the guide track mount, the guide track section having an insertion portion; and a linkage, the linkage having a first end and a second end, the first end being operatively engaged with the stand and the second end being operatively engaged with the guide track mount, such that during insertion and removal of the insertion portion of the guide track,

Abstract: A reinforced bulk bin, and methods for making same, wherein a collapsible bulk bin, preferably fabricated from paper, paperboard and/or corrugated paperboard, is provided with a reinforcing plastic sleeve, which is placed on the bin while in its collapsed configuration. When in place, and prior to the bin being deployed, the sleeve is under tension. When the bin is deployed, the sleeve exerts restraining force, distributed over the surfaces of the side walls of the bin. The sleeve may be positioned on the collapsed bin either manually or mechanically.

Abstract: A strapping installation, which serves in particular for longitudinally strapping stacks of printed products such as newspapers or periodicals with a strap (6), includes a strapping position with a bearing surface (2) and a device for positioning the objects to be strapped (1) in the strapping position and a device for discharging the strapped objects. The strapping position includes a fastening region (3), situated below the bearing surface (2) and equipped for feeding the strap (6) into a loop channel (4), securing one end of the strap loop (7), retracting the strap (6) from the loop channel (4), and fastening and severing a completed strapping. The installation also includes a loop guide (10), which is stationary during strapping, which rises from the bearing surface (2) inside of the loop channel (4) and beside the strapping position, and which arches across or towards the strapping position.