Applied By Guiding Band End About Contents Patents (Class 53/589)
  • Patent number: 6568317
    Abstract: A tensioning unit for a strapping machine serves for tensioning and sealing a band guided around an item to be strapped. It has a tensioning head and housing. The tensioning head includes a tensioning device and clamping and sealing subassembly. Toward the end of a tensioning operation, the head can be displaced relative to the housing in a band-running direction, counter to tensioning direction. Also provided in the housing is a band guide arranged downstream of the clamping and sealing member, in the band-running direction, subdivided into front and rear band-guide parts. In this case, only the front band-guide part can be displaced, together with the tensioning head, relative to the housing, whereas the rear band-guide is moved transversely to the band-running direction by the front band-guide part, which is moved in the band-running direction B, counter to a spring force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Fischer
  • Patent number: 6560947
    Abstract: A strap detector is used with an automatic strapping machine. The strap detector includes a strap detector mounting bracket mounted to the automatic strapping machine, and a pivot block attached to the mounting bracket. The pivot block has an aperture formed therein. A shaft is positioned in the pivot block aperture, and a finger is mounted to a free end of the shaft. A guide block is positioned along the shaft and spaced from the free end, and a sensor is operatively coupled to the detector mounting bracket proximal the guide block. The finger is engaged by sealed strapping material and, when the strapping material is properly sealed, movement of the strapping head away from the articles moves the guide block into a position to change a state of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Calvin E. Kasel
  • Publication number: 20030084651
    Abstract: A device to automatically seal the legs of quartered poultry, continuously and automatically, especially a device to seal both legs of the body of the fowl, or any of the legs, whether separated or not, of the latter based on a tape or strip of laminar plastic or laminar metal material supplied continuously and intermittently by a roll that supplies the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Ricardo Roberto Yaconisi, Ricardo Koisser
  • Publication number: 20030084646
    Abstract: A leading end of packaging material is attached to a retainer to hold the leading end of the packaging material as the retainer moves toward the load. The retainer is positioned adjacent the load and packaging material is dispensed from a packaging material dispenser, and relative rotation is provided between the dispenser and a load to wrap packaging material around the load. The packaging material is released from the retainer in response to force applied to the retainer to withdraw it from the wrapped load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: Lantech Management Corp. and Lantech Holding Corp. d/b/a Lantech, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, David Eldridge, Christopher Sandfort
  • Patent number: 6553746
    Abstract: A device for changing reels of film on machines for wrapping products comprises a unit for substituting a finished reel with a new reel, the unit being mobile between a non-operating position in which it is distanced from an operating zone of a ring-shaped structure, and an operating position, in which it is close to the operating zone and to a wrapping unit; the unit comprises first means for detaching and picking up the finished reel from a support shaft, a magazine zone for at least one new or replacement reel which can be stably attached to the support shaft, second means for picking up the free end of film from the replacement reel and mobile along a path covering a preset film path, to allow film positioning close to a product to be wrapped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Aetna Group, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mauro Cereā€²
  • Patent number: 6546852
    Abstract: A method for packaging skeins shaped as a circular ring of a flexible element of elongated shape, in particular a cable or a hose, wherein the turns are held unitarily to each other, comprises the following phases: sustaining the skein in overhang towards a binding station holding it by the clamping of opposite planar faces of the skein effected in correspondence with at least a first portion of the skein; binding the skein in correspondence with at least its second, free, portion which projects from the first held portion; rotating the skein around its own axis of symmetry by a predetermined angle with respect to the position of the skein in the previous binding phase; and binding the skein again in correspondence with its own rotated position. The invention further relates to a machine that realizes the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: SICA S.p.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Mazzoni, Marco Mazzanti
  • Patent number: 6546696
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for binding a bundle using an elongate flat strap having a heat sensitive adhesive thereon. The apparatus includes mechanism for driving the strap in a loop around the bundle, a gripper for gripping an end of the strap, mechanism for drawing the strap taut about the bundle, and heated press elements for clamping adjacent overlapping portions of the strap together to reactivate adhesive in the strap to bond the overlapping sections together. A cutter severs remainder portions of the strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Cranston Diversified Industries
    Inventors: Albert E. Cranston, III, Bobbie Don Peacock
  • Publication number: 20030066271
    Abstract: An automatic wrapper machine tape supporter includes a base member, an inverted U-shaped wrapping tape guide, a reversing device, a drive device and a cam. The base member is mounted in the wrapper machine and a frame mounted upright on the base member. The inverted U-shaped wrapping tape guide is mounted in the frame. The reversing device is mounted on one side of the wrapping tape guide. The drive device is mounted under the frame and connected to the reversing device. The cam is rotatably mounted on the base member and driven by a motor to drive the drive device for horizontally pulling out the wrapping tape guide so that the tape is released from the wrapping tape guide and is wrapped on an object. The reversing device can make the wrapping tape guide moved back to an original position for next wrapping action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventor: Chien-Fa Lai
  • Patent number: 6536195
    Abstract: A strapping machine for positioning a strap material around an associated load and tensioning the strap material around the load includes a frame for supporting the load, a chute positioned on the frame for receiving the strap material and orienting the strap material around the load, a strap supply and a strapping head for extracting the strap from the supply, feeding the strap through the chute around the load, passing the strap from the chute around the load, retracting and tensioning the strap. The strapping head includes feed rollers and retraction rollers for feeding and retracting the strap and a winder for tensioning the strap around the load. The winder is positioned between the feed and retraction rollers and the strap supply. The winder includes a rotating head portion having a stationary element and a pivotal element. The stationary and pivotal elements each define an outer surface around which the strap material is wound and a slot therebetween for receiving the strap material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Haberstroh, Robert J. Kobiella, Timothy B. Pearson, Mark B. Renz
  • Patent number: 6532722
    Abstract: A strapping head for a strapping machine of the type having a feed assembly and a chute that is configured to position, tension and seal strapping material around a load, includes a body and an anvil mounted to and movable relative to the body. A sealing member is disposed in the anvil for oscillating movement. A drive is operably connected to the sealing member and movable relative to the body to provide oscillating movement to the sealing member. First and second courses of strapping material overlie one another adjacent the sealing member, and oscillation of the sealing member effects a seal of the first and second courses of strapping material to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works
    Inventors: David B. Gerhart, Wayne J. Thas, Timothy B. Pearson
  • Patent number: 6530194
    Abstract: It is an object to provide a banding packing machine capable of easily processing a right presser member, a left presser member and a middle presser member, reducing the number of parts and readily carrying out attachment with high precision. A drum portion of at least a middle presser member (24) provided in a central part in a right presser member (22), a left presser member (23) and the middle presser member (24) has a sectional shape of an almost track including a pair of circular arc portions (26a, 26d) opposed to each other and a pair of straight portions (26c, 26d) opposed to each other, and one of ends of each of drum portions (27, 28) in the right presser member (22) and the left presser member (23) which are opposed to the straight portions (26c, 26d) of the middle presser member (24) is formed rectilinearly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Strapack Corporation
    Inventors: Tokio Shibazaki, Tadashi Meguro, Yosikatsu Aizawa, Kenichi Enda
  • Patent number: 6526731
    Abstract: A forage compactor for compressing forage or crop into bales of increased crop density for transportation. A crop feed area feeds crop to a conveyor where it is moved to a scale area for proper bale weight. An indexer severs the crop while moving it from the scale area to the compression chamber. The crop is compressed and moved to a strapping chamber where straps are applied to the compressed crop. The bound bale is manipulated as desired at the product handling area downstream from the strapping chamber. The crop is provided with substantially constant stress during compression and moisture sensors in the strapping chamber sense the moisture content of the severed crop within the bale to be bound. The weight of the crop within the compression area may be reduced to reduce machine overloading. Keyway plungers provide reduced side loading on the main ram used for crop compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: HWD Holdings Ltd.
    Inventors: Douglas Andrew Hunter, Richard Wayne Littlewood
  • Patent number: 6516592
    Abstract: An apparatus, in particular an apparatus which can be manually operated and transported, being provided for the purpose of strapping and/or bundling pallets and articles with at least one base plate, with a band-leading device and with at least one clamping device arranged at the front end of the band-leading device. A guiding device, in which the band-leading device is guided, is provided on the base plate. A carriage, which has a deflecting unit, is releasably attached to the front end of the band-leading device. On the carriage there is fastened a length-limiting band, which can be fixed in a number of regions of the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: ErgoPack Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Kimmerle
  • Patent number: 6513303
    Abstract: A stack of bank notes with substantially parallelepiped shape and a defined stacking axis is formed by a forming machine and fed by a gripper to a banding unit equipped with a part which receives and grips each stack, which operates in conjunction with a banding machine for the application of a pair of first retaining bands, each wrapped around the stack at its opposite ends and at least one second retaining band which is wrapped around the stack in such a way that it is in contact with two transversal surfaces and two lateral surfaces, so that portions of the first bands and second band overlap one another on each of the two opposite transversal surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Currency Systems International, Inc.
    Inventor: Armando Neri
  • Publication number: 20030019191
    Abstract: A strap detector is used with an automatic strapping machine. The strap detector includes a strap detector mounting bracket mounted to the automatic strapping machine, and a pivot block attached to the mounting bracket. The pivot block has an aperture formed therein. A shaft is positioned in the pivot block aperture, and a finger is mounted to a free end of the shaft. A guide block is positioned along the shaft and spaced from the free end, and a sensor is operatively coupled to the detector mounting bracket proximal the guide block. The finger is engaged by sealed strapping material and, when the strapping material is properly sealed, movement of the strapping head away from the articles moves the guide block into a position to change a state of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventor: Calvin E. Kasel
  • Publication number: 20030014950
    Abstract: A strapping head for a strapping machine of the type having a feed assembly and a chute that is configured to position, tension and seal strapping material around a load, includes a body and an anvil mounted to and movable relative to the body. A sealing member is disposed in the anvil for oscillating movement. A drive is operably connected to the sealing member and movable relative to the body to provide oscillating movement to the sealing member. First and second courses of strapping material overlie one another adjacent the sealing member, and oscillation of the sealing member effects a seal of the first and second courses of strapping material to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: Dave B. Gerhart, Wayne Thas, Tim Pearson
  • Publication number: 20030009995
    Abstract: A strapping machine for positioning a strapping material around an associated load and sealing the strapping material to itself around the load, includes a frame, a feed assembly mounted to the frame for feeding, retracting and automatically refeeding the strapping material, a guide configured to receive the strapping material from the feed assembly, and a strapping head configured to receive the strapping material from the feed assembly via the guide and to position the strapping material around the load and seal the strapping material to itself around the load. The feed assembly includes one and only one pair of reversible feed elements and a drive. The machine includes a controller operably connected to the drive. The one and only one pair of reversible feed elements are configured to automatically feed, retract and refeed the strapping material upon an appropriate signal from the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak, Kevin A. Bruzzesi
  • Publication number: 20030010223
    Abstract: A strapping machine for positioning a strapping material around an associated load and sealing the strapping material to itself around the load includes a frame, a chute defining a strap path that is mounted to the frame, and a feed assembly mounted to the frame. The feed assembly is configured to operate in a feed mode to feed the strapping material and to operate in a take-up mode to retract the strapping material. A strapping head is configured to seal the strapping material to itself. A controller is operably connected to the feed assembly and controls the operation of the strapping machine. A sensor is disposed to sense the presence and absence of strapping material at the strapping head. The sensor includes first and second movable elements cooperating with one another and movable between a first position in which the sensor senses the presence of strapping material and a second position in which the sensor senses the absence of strapping material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventor: Jonathan Lopez
  • Publication number: 20030010226
    Abstract: A strapping machine for positioning a strapping material around an associated load and sealing the strapping material to itself around the load, includes a modular strapping head and a modular feed assembly. The strapping head and feed assembly are readily installed on and removed from the strapping machine without tools. The Strapping machine includes a frame, a chute mounted to the frame and defining a strap path, the feed assembly mounted to the frame by a first aligning and mounting assembly, the strapping head assembly mounted to the frame by a second aligning and mounting assembly independent of the first mounting assembly, and a guide mounted to the frame adjacent the feed assembly. Both the feed assembly and the strapping head are independently removable from the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Russell M Flaum, Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak, Jonathan Lopez
  • Publication number: 20030010225
    Abstract: A strapping machine for positioning a strapping material around an associated load and sealing the strapping material to itself around the load includes a frame, a chute mounted to the frame for conveying the strapping material around the load, a feed assembly mounted to the frame for feeding the strapping material, a guide configured to transfer the strapping material from the feed assembly and a strapping head. The head is configured to receive the strapping material from the feed assembly via the guide during a feed mode. The strapping head includes a body and defines a first conveyance path for the strapping material from the guide to the chute, and a second conveyance path to receive a free end of the strapping material to seal the strapping material to itself. The second conveyance path is defined by a plurality of surfaces in the body that define a substantially constant width path through the second conveyance path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak, Jonathan Lopez
  • Publication number: 20030010224
    Abstract: A strapping machine for positioning a strapping material around an associated load and sealing the strapping material to itself around the load includes a frame, a chute mounted to the frame, a feed assembly mounted to the frame a guide mounted to the frame adjacent the feed assembly and a strapping head mounted to the frame independent of the feed assembly and the guide. The feed assembly is configured to feed the strapping material therethrough. The guide receives the strapping material from the feed assembly and provides a path for the strapping material toward the strapping head. The strapping head includes a body and provides a first conveyance path for the strapping material from the guide to the chute. The head includes a second conveyance path to receive a free end of the strapping material to seal the strapping material to itself. The strapping head has an anvil pivotally mounted to the body that forms a part of the second conveyance path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Timothy B. Pearson, Ronald W. Gurak, Jonathan Lopez
  • Patent number: 6502373
    Abstract: An insulation strapping machine comprises a vertically reciprocable platen and horizontally reciprocable opposed pairs of compressors which are able to have their relative positions adjustably controlled such that the platen and compressors cooperate together so as to form or define a variably sized package cavity within which the variously different or different sized articles, packages, or materials to be strapped can be disposed for properly achieving a strapping or packaging operation. A vertically movable package stop is incorporated within the package cavity conveyor system so as to predeterminedly longitudinally center articles, packages, or materials of various different length dimensions within the package cavity, and each one of the package compressors can develop 10,000 pounds of compressive force so as to achieve a predetermined amount of compression with respect to certain insulation materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Allison Dudley Tipton, Rainer Ropers, James Roberts
  • Publication number: 20030000182
    Abstract: Apparatus to tighten opposed ends of a wraparound carton around an article in a stream of articles of variable size during continuous forward movement, the apparatus comprising one or more panel engaging elements to engage one end panel of the carton, a guide assembly to guide the engaged end panel into overlapping relationship with the opposed end panel held by the apparatus, and tightening device for tightening the carton panels around the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Pascal Portrait, Pascal Martini
  • Patent number: 6499525
    Abstract: A tape support for an automatic wrapper includes a main frame and an internal frame. The internal frame is keyed onto the main frame and has four corners. A corner block is keyed to each corner of the main frame. A guide blade assembly is pivotally keyed onto two vertical sides of the main frame, and an adjustment assembly is keyed onto two vertical sides of the main frame. The corner block has three sides. One is concave, and the others form a right angle. The guide blades face each other and wrap around the internal frame. The arms of the adjustment assembly face each other and wrap around the blade assembly. A brush is mounted on the free ends of the adjustment assembly to guide the tape to the middle by its retaining force when the tape passes through the brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventor: Chien-Fa Lai
  • Patent number: 6499281
    Abstract: A deflecting subassembly 10 for the guided deflection of a band 12 consisting, in particular, of plastic may be provided, in particular, for a strapping machine 16 comprising a strapping subassembly 14, for the purpose of deflecting the band 12 in a region located between a band store 18 and the strapping subassembly 14. The deflecting subassembly comprises a deflecting roller 20, a band-inlet channel 22, which is arranged upstream of the deflecting roller 20, a band-outlet channel 24, which is arranged downstream of the deflecting roller 20, it being possible for the band-inlet channel 22 and the band-outlet channel 24 to be adjusted relative to one another, and an outer, flexible directing member 26 which bridges the interspace between the band-inlet and band-outlet channels 22 and 24, respectively, and is located opposite the outer circumference of the inner deflecting roller 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Fischer
  • Patent number: 6484476
    Abstract: A lower part 14L of a band way 14, which is incorporated in an arch unit 12, is separated from the other parts of the band way 14. A drive (air cylinder) 35 supports the lower part 14L, allowing the same to move between a substantially horizontal initial position and an inclined position. A band 13 is released from the band way 14 when a packing operation starts. Thereafter, the lower part 14L is moved from the initial position to the inclined position and compressed air is applied to the guide surface 14a of the lower part 14L, thereby removing foreign matter from the band way 14. This sequence of removing foreign matter is performed in, for example, each cycle of packing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Strapack Corporation
    Inventors: Keisho Yamamoto, Eiji Kobayashi, Osatomi Kawai
  • Patent number: 6478065
    Abstract: A strap path guide cover, comprising part of the outer housing cover of a strapping machine, is pivotally mounted such that it may be rotated away from the housing of the strapping machine to expose a strap path. The cover defines parts of numerous elements of the strap path created through the head of the strapping machine. The cover defines a number of openings for cooperatively engaging corresponding alignment pins extending from the head, such that alignment of the cover, and thus the strap path, is made accurately and easily. The cover may be rotated down for cleaning of jams and debris from the strap path, and may be rotated to a first position, aligning the strap path, for a rapid return to use. The present invention further defines an upper strap path guide cover which also pivotally opens to allow for cleaning of the upper path and pivotally closes in alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Haberstroh, Darryl M. Devine
  • Patent number: 6474041
    Abstract: A method for packaging objects by the use of heat-shrink material, in which there is wrapped in the manner of a sleeve around the objects, a sheet of heat-shrink material, heated to a temperature which is at least equivalent to the “defrosting” temperature of the material, a front portion and a rear portion of the sheet being disposed overlapping one another, in which the two portions are welded to one another, and in which the object-sheet assembly obtained is allowed to cool until the sheet shrinks onto the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Baumer S.R.L.
    Inventor: Mario Gambetti
  • Patent number: 6470655
    Abstract: A packaging line for periodicals, magazines and similar printed products comprises at least four of the following functional components a first strapping device for the longitudinal or cross-strapping of the stack of products arriving from a compensating stacker or the like, a top sheet feeder, a film wrapping device for wrapping the stack of products with a packaging film and for welding the packaging film on two opposing sides of the stack of products, a second strapping device for the longitudinal strapping of the stack of products, a welding device for welding the sides of the packaging film which have remained unwelded in the film wrapping device, and a third strapping device for cross-strapping the stack of products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: SMB Schwede Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Roland Schwede
  • Patent number: 6467243
    Abstract: A strapping machine includes a machine body with a package-strapping space. A strap is fed to the package-strapping space. A spring-loaded swing arm is pivoted to the machine body, and is associated with a rotating shaft via a cam unit such that rotation of the shaft results in turning of the swing arm relative to the machine body. An electrically operated clamp unit is mounted movably on the swing arm, and is movable relative to a strap passage in the swing arm. A delay circuit is electrically coupled to a detecting device and the clamp unit. When the detecting device detects a first position of the swing arm, the delay circuit will actuate the clamp unit to move from a releasing position to a clamping position after a preset delay time. When the detecting device detects a second position of the swing arm, the clamp unit is immediately actuated to move from the clamping position to the releasing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Inventors: Chi-Jan Su, Chin-Chang Liu
  • Patent number: 6463721
    Abstract: A strapping machine includes a machine body which defines a package-strapping space with a strap guide path. A package support plate is disposed above the strap guide path, and has opposite left and right sides which extend in a direction transverse to the strap guide path. A strap is fed to encircle the left and right sides of the package support plate. A swing arm is mounted pivotally to the machine body, and is turnable away from the machine body for strap tightening operation. A clamp unit is mounted movably on the swing arm. A swing lever is mounted swingeably underneath the package support plate adjacent to one of the left and right sides in such a manner that one end of the swing lever passes over the strap guide path, and that the other end of the swing lever is urged to abut against a micro switch which is electrically coupled to a driving unit for driving the clamp unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Inventors: Chi-Jan Su, Chin-Chang Liu
  • Patent number: 6463847
    Abstract: A hoop-casing device comprising means for stretching a strip and for friction welding two overlapping ribbon parts between two welding cheeks (2,3). Each means is assigned a motor, a switch (4,5) for control by a control circuit, and a cam (6,7) to actuate said switch. Both cams (6,7) are pivotally mounted on a corresponding shaft part (10,32) around a common axis of rotation in an adjustable relative rotating position. One of the welding cheeks (2) can be orthogonally adjusted in relation to the axis of rotation (8) by means of a cam gear. The cam gear has a cam disk which can rotate along with one of the cams (6) around an axis (8) in addition to a telescopic tappet which is functionally arranged between the cam disk and the welding cheek (2). The telescopic tappet can be telescopically inserted and extended in an orthogonal position relative to the axis of rotation (8) and is spring loaded in relation to its extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Fromm Holding AG
    Inventor: Manfred Rauch
  • Patent number: 6463848
    Abstract: A strapping machine for positioning a strap material around an associated load and tensioning the strap material around the load includes a frame for supporting the load, a chute positioned on the frame for receiving the strap material and orienting the strap material around the load, a strap supply and a strapping head for extracting the strap from the supply, feeding the strap through the chute around the load, passing the strap from the chute around the load, retracting and tensioning the strap. The strapping head includes feed rollers and retraction rollers for feeding and retracting the strap and a winder for tensioning the strap around the load. The winder is positioned between the feed and retraction rollers and the strap supply. The winder includes a rotating head portion having a stationary element and a pivotal element. The stationary and pivotal elements each define an outer surface around which the strap material is wound and a slot therebetween for receiving the strap material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Haberstroh, Robert J. Kobiella, Timothy B. Pearson, Mark B. Renz
  • Patent number: 6463714
    Abstract: An integrated large round baler and wrapping device has a baling chamber defined by separate upper and lower housing sections, which meet at a substantially horizontal plane. The upper housing section is mounted for being elevated and guided vertically relative to the lower housing section such that a gap of substantially equal height is formed between the bottom of the upper housing section and the horizontal plane. A bale wrapping arrangement is provided for wrapping, with plastic foil or sheet or the like, the entire surface a bale located the baling chamber when the upper housing section is elevated. The lower housing section includes a bale-supporting roller section which is mounted for downward movement so as to discharge a wrapped bale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Jean Viaud
  • Publication number: 20020144489
    Abstract: An arch type strapping machine suitable for a quick strapping operation and having a long service life is presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Applicant: NICHIRO KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Hoshino
  • Publication number: 20020134252
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for applying flexible straps around objects include a feed and tension unit a feed drive wheel and a feed pinch wheel, a primary tension drive wheel and a primary tension pinch wheel, and a secondary tension drive wheel and a secondary tension pinch wheel, wherein at least one of the pinch wheels is controllably biased against the respective drive wheel by a solenoid that is controlled in two stages: a first stage that provides a full feed or tensioning force and a second stage that provides a reduced feed or tensioning force by altering the pulse width modulation of the solenoid. In another embodiment, the three sets of wheels of the feed and tension unit are configured to provide a simplified “V-shaped” strap path that reduces bending of the strap, thereby reducing friction and consequent feeding difficulties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: Enterprises International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Helland, Rich Ballou, Marla Greenlund, Don Smith
  • Publication number: 20020116900
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for binding a bundle using an elongate flat strap having a heat sensitive adhesive thereon. The apparatus includes mechanism for driving the strap in a loop around the bundle, a gripper for gripping an end of the strap, mechanism for drawing the strap taut about the bundle, and heated press elements for clamping adjacent overlapping portions of the strap together to reactivate adhesive in the strap to bond the overlapping sections together. A cutter severs remainder portions of the strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Applicant: Cranston Diversified Industries
    Inventors: Albert E. Cranston, Bobbie Don Peacock
  • Publication number: 20020112456
    Abstract: The strapping installation is configured to strap items with bands, in particular to strap pulp bales with paper bands. An assembly conveys the tensioning bands around the items to be strapped, and the bands are then tensioned and connected to form a closed ring. The conveying assembly is form by a drawing configuration, such as a belt or the like, which encloses the respective item and is designed with a carry-along element for a band. The drawing configuration is assigned a drive with which the carry-along element, together with the forward end of the tensioning band can be moved around the item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Klaus Bartelmuss, Heinz Bartelmuss
  • Publication number: 20020100259
    Abstract: A strapping machine for positioning a strap material around an associated load and tensioning the strap material around the load includes a frame for supporting the load, a chute positioned on the frame for receiving the strap material and orienting the strap material around the load, a strap supply and a strapping head for extracting the strap from the supply, feeding the strap through the chute around the load, passing the strap from the chute around the load, retracting and tensioning the strap. The strapping head includes feed rollers and retraction rollers for feeding and retracting the strap and a winder for tensioning the strap around the load. The winder is positioned between the feed and retraction rollers and the strap supply. The winder includes a rotating head portion having a stationary element and a pivotal element. The stationary and pivotal elements each define an outer surface around which the strap material is wound and a slot therebetween for receiving the strap material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: James A. Haberstroh, Robert J. Kobiella, Timothy B. Pearson, Mark B. Renz
  • Patent number: 6418838
    Abstract: A strapping machine having a strap accumulator box with an easy access panel is provided. The strapping machine includes a lever that allows for the quick opening of the easy access panel and the quick clearing of the strapping machine of strap debris and jams. The strapping machine of the present invention further includes a lever for quick release of the access panel. The access panel is spring biased in a first closed position and, upon the clearing of strap debris and jams, the access panel is returned to its first closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works
    Inventors: Allan J. Bobren, Darryl M. Devine
  • Patent number: 6415712
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for applying flexible straps around objects including a feed and tension unit, a feed drive wheel and a feed pinch wheel, a primary tension drive wheel and a primary tension pinch wheel, and a secondary tension drive wheel and a secondary tension pinch wheel, wherein at least one of the pinch wheels is controllably biased against the respective drive wheel by a solenoid that is controlled in two stages: a first stage that provides a full feed or tensioning force and a second stage that provides a reduced feed or tensioning force by altering the pulse width modulation of the solenoid. In another embodiment, the three sets of wheels of the feed and tension unit are configured to provide a simplified “V-shaped” strap path that reduces bending of the strap, thereby reducing friction and consequent feeding difficulties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Enterprises International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Helland, Rich Ballou, Marla Greenlund, Don Smith
  • Publication number: 20020083689
    Abstract: The invention is related to a strapping device (1) for the strapping of an object (14) with a strapping tape (5). The strapping device (1) comprises a means of guidance (3) for guiding a strapping tape (5), which serves for the purpose of forming a loop of strapping tape (5) in a waiting position. The formation of the loop takes place independently of the position of the object to be strapped (14). The strapping device (1) furthermore comprises a means for movement of the loop (4). This means serves for positioning the loop of strapping tape (5) formed by the means of guidance (3) from the waiting position into a stacking position around an object (14) to be strapped, after this object has been positioned on a work surface (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Erwin Muller
  • Publication number: 20020073651
    Abstract: For the sequential strapping of stacks of printed products (3) with a strapping tape (27), the stacks are conveyed to a strapping position pressed together between two presser arms (8.1 and 8.2.) and there strapped in a pressed together condition, in that a loop of the strapping tape (27) positioned around the stack (3) is tightened, locked and cut-off from a supply roll. In doing so, the tape loop is applied in the zone of the face sides of the stack outside the presser arms (8.1 and 8.2.) and aligned to slot-shaped apertures (19.1, 19.2) in the presser arms (8.1 and 8.2.) in such a manner, that the strapping tape (27), when it is being tightened, is moved through the apertures (19.1, 19.2) and comes to lie directly on the face sides of the stack. The strapping illustrated is advantageous in particular to strap stacks (3), which have either been previously - or are being simultaneously enveloped with a an enveloping material (25), whereby the envelope is applied around the stack (3) and the presser arms (8.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventor: Erwin Muller
  • Publication number: 20020069613
    Abstract: A banding fixture including a body having a horizontal opening therein, a carriage movable into and out of the horizontal opening, a recess in the carriage, the carriage with the recess therein movable into the horizontal opening with an upper surface on the carriage in underlying near contiguous relationship to an undersurface of a plate on the body, and a workpiece-receiving slot in the body above the horizontal opening. A method of banding a workpiece including the steps of placing a band into spaced slots having sides, pressing a workpiece overlying a central portion of the band which is not in the slots into a recess in a member, and moving the member relative to a surface so that the ends of the band which extend beyond the workpiece are pressed together in overlapping relationship as the member passes in contiguous relationship to the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventor: Alfred J. Panneri
  • Patent number: 6401438
    Abstract: An insulation strapping machine comprises a vertically reciprocable platen and horizontally reciprocable opposed pairs of compressors which are able to have their relative positions adjustably controlled such that the platen and compressors cooperate together so as to form or define a variably sized package cavity within which the variously different or different sized articles, packages, or materials to be strapped can be disposed for properly achieving a strapping or packaging operation. A vertically movable package stop is incorporated within the package cavity conveyor system so as to predeterminedly longitudinally center articles, packages, or materials of various different length dimensions within the package cavity, and each one of the package compressors can develop 10,000 pounds of compressive force so as to achieve a predetermined amount of compression with respect to certain insulation materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Allison Dudley Tipton, Rainer Ropers, James Roberts
  • Patent number: 6397566
    Abstract: An insulation strapping machine comprises a vertically reciprocable platen and horizontally reciprocable opposed pairs of compressors which are able to have their relative positions adjustably controlled such that the platen and compressors cooperate together so as to form or define a variably sized package cavity within which the variously different or different sized articles, packages, or materials to be strapped can be disposed for properly achieving a strapping or packaging operation. A vertically movable package stop is incorporated within the package cavity conveyor system so as to predeterminedly longitudinally center articles, packages, or materials of various different length dimensions within the package cavity, and each one of the package compressors can develop 10,000 pounds of compressive force so as to achieve a predetermined amount of compression with respect to certain insulation materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Allison Dudley Tipton, Rainer Ropers, James Roberts
  • Patent number: 6393807
    Abstract: An insulation strapping machine comprises a vertically reciprocable platen and horizontally reciprocable opposed pairs of compressors which are able to have their relative positions adjustably controlled such that the platen and compressors cooperate together so as to form or define a variably sized package cavity within which the variously different or different sized articles, packages, or materials to be strapped can be disposed for properly achieving a strapping or packaging operation. A vertically movable package stop is incorporated within the package cavity conveyor system so as to predeterminedly longitudinally center articles, packages, or materials of various different length dimensions within the package cavity, and each one of the package compressors can develop 10,000 pounds of compressive force so as to achieve a predetermined amount of compression with respect to certain insulation materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Allison Dudley Tipton, Rainer Ropers, James Roberts
  • Patent number: 6367376
    Abstract: A strapping machine is provided with a restriction device that helps prevent strapping material, remaining after a break in the material, from being drawn, by gravity or inertia, into the strapping machine slap box. The restriction device also assists in the orderly movement of strapping material through the strapping machine, by being adjustable, by either strap tension or weight, to widen or restrict the strap path as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Allen J. Bobren
  • Patent number: 6363689
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for tying bundles with baleband made of paper pulp fibers and water-soluble adhesive. The machine is positioned transverse to a conveyor upon which bundles are moved into position for tying. The machine includes a track for guiding the baleband around the bundle, applying water to the forward end of the baleband, clamping the forward end of the bale band, tightening the baleband around the bundle, pressing the forward end against an overlapped portion of the baleband while heating the end of the baleband to seal the ends together, pressing the ends together and cutting the overlapped portion of the baleband and releasing the bundle for unloading from the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Sandar Industries, INC
    Inventors: Peter A. Rodriguez, Thomas B. Middlebrooks
  • Patent number: 6360512
    Abstract: The machine and the method are for fastening a load. The machine comprises a machine frame positioned around a central axis, a delivering carriage including an output delivering device for delivering a flexible material as a rope, first controllable moving device for producing a relative radial movement of the output delivering device with respect to the central axis, a second controllable moving device for producing a relative rotating movement of the rope with respect to the central axis, a third controllable moving device for producing a relative axial movement of rope in a direction parallel to the central axis, and a controller for controlling the relative radial movement by means of the first controllable moving device in view of the size of the load, and the relative rotating and axial movements by means of the second and third controllable moving devices to fasten the load with the rope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Wulftec International Inc.
    Inventors: Yanick Marois, Glen Ditchburn