EP1541471A1 - Dispositif de cerclage - Google Patents

Dispositif de cerclage Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1541471A1
EP1541471A1 EP05002855A EP05002855A EP1541471A1 EP 1541471 A1 EP1541471 A1 EP 1541471A1 EP 05002855 A EP05002855 A EP 05002855A EP 05002855 A EP05002855 A EP 05002855A EP 1541471 A1 EP1541471 A1 EP 1541471A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
strapping
strap
feed
guide
head
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP05002855A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Timothy B. Pearson
Ronald W. Gurak
Jonathan Lopez
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Illinois Tool Works Inc
Original Assignee
Illinois Tool Works Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US09/966,191 external-priority patent/US6575086B2/en
Application filed by Illinois Tool Works Inc filed Critical Illinois Tool Works Inc
Publication of EP1541471A1 publication Critical patent/EP1541471A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B13/00—Bundling articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B13/00—Bundling articles
    • B65B13/02—Applying and securing binding material around articles or groups of articles, e.g. using strings, wires, strips, bands or tapes
    • B65B13/04—Applying and securing binding material around articles or groups of articles, e.g. using strings, wires, strips, bands or tapes with means for guiding the binding material around the articles prior to severing from supply
    • B65B13/06—Stationary ducts or channels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B13/00—Bundling articles
    • B65B13/18—Details of, or auxiliary devices used in, bundling machines or bundling tools
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B59/00—Arrangements to enable machines to handle articles of different sizes, to produce packages of different sizes, to vary the contents of packages, to handle different types of packaging material, or to give access for cleaning or maintenance purposes
    • B65B59/04—Machines constructed with readily-detachable units or assemblies, e.g. to facilitate maintenance

Definitions

  • Strapping machines are in widespread use for securing straps around loads.
  • One type is a manually operated hand tool that can be used, for example, around a job site.
  • Another type of strapper is a stationary arrangement in which the strapper is fabricated as part of an overall apparatus.
  • the strapping head and drive mechanisms are typically mounted within a frame.
  • a chute is likewise mounted to the frame, through which the strapping material is fed.
  • the strapping head is mounted at about a work surface, and the chute is positioned above the work surface and above the strapping head.
  • Strap material is fed to the strapping head by a set of feed and take-up wheels.
  • the strapping material is fed, by the feed wheels past the strapping head, around the chute and back to the strapping head.
  • the free end of the strapping material is then grasped, such as by a first part of a gripping arrangement.
  • the strap is then retracted by the take-up wheels and tensioned around the load.
  • the tensioned strap is then gripped by a second part of the gripping arrangement.
  • a cutter in the strapping head then cuts the tensioned strap (from the source or supply) and the strapping head forms a seal in the strapping material, sealing the strapping material to itself around the bundled load.
  • Strapping operations are typically secondary operations in that these operations are used for bundling or securing individual items into a single, large load.
  • the straps themselves are not of commercial concern to the end user; rather, it is the bundled items that are of concern. As such, it is important to be able to strap and move the items quickly and in a cost effective manner.
  • One such improvement includes an auto re-feed arrangement, such as that disclosed in US-A-5,640,899.
  • an auto re-feed arrangement such as that disclosed in US-A-5,640,899.
  • the misfed strap is cut and ejected from the machine.
  • Fresh strapping material is then automatically re-fed by the feed wheels through the strapping head and around the load. It has been found that such an arrangement saves considerable time and labor vis-à-vis removing the misfed or snapped strap and refeeding strap material into the strapper.
  • One drawback to the known re-feed arrangements is that they require separate feed and take-up wheels. That is, a pair of wheels (generally one driven and one idle) is required to feed the strapping material through the strapping head and the chute. A second, separate set of wheels (again, one driven and one idle) is required to take-up or retract the strap in order to tension the strap around the load. While these automatic re-feed arrangements have been found to save considerable time and labor, the requisite two pairs of wheels introduce additional maintenance concerns as well as timing arrangements with respect to the overall operation of the machine.
  • the guides of known strappers that is those portions of the strapper along which the strap material is guided while it is fed around the strap path tend to clog with debris from the strapping material. This debris can either be residue from the plastic strapping material itself, or debris that is carried by the strapping material into the machine.
  • these guides have very small clearances between the guides themselves and between the guides and the active (driven or idle, rotating) machine components. As a result, it is necessary, at times, to shut down the machine, open the guide paths and clear these guide paths of debris.
  • Known machines typically require disassembly of those portions of the machine which, again, requires significant labor and time.
  • strappers are known to occasionally jam, in which strap material may get caught at about the active machine components or between the active and stationary machine components.
  • the guide paths require disassembly necessitating time and labor.
  • a strapping machine that utilizes modular components, specifically for the drive and sealing functions.
  • such modular components are readily removed and installed in machines to minimize the "down time" of such machines.
  • such modular components are readily installed and removed, with minimal or no tools.
  • the guide pathway and covering therefor are formed as integral units further minimizing disassembly to clear these paths. In such a strapper, an auto re-feed arrangement is desirable without the use of separate feed and take-up wheels.
  • the invention resides in a strapping head for use in a strapping machine of the type for positioning a strapping material around an associated load and sealing the strapping material to itself around the load, the strapping machine including a frame, a chute defining a strap path mounted to the frame, a feed assembly configured to feed the strapping material therethrough, the strapping head comprising:
  • the feed assembly is configured to feed the strapping material from a source to the guide.
  • the guide is mounted to the frame independent of the feed assembly and the strapping head.
  • the guide is configured to receive the strapping material from the feed assembly and to provide a path for the strapping material toward the strapping head.
  • the strapping head includes a body and provides a conveyance path for the strapping material to the chute.
  • the strapping head 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 strapping head includes an anvil movably mounted to the body and forming a part of the second conveyance path.
  • the anvil is movable between a first conveying position in which the anvil is pivoted away from the body to enlarge the second conveyance path and a second sealing position in which the anvil is pivoted toward the body to narrow the second conveyance path.
  • the anvil can be pivotally movable toward and away from the body.
  • the anvil is biased toward the body.
  • strapping head includes a side plate pivotally mounted to the body.
  • the anvil is fixedly mounted to the side plate.
  • the strapping head can include a cam for moving the anvil between the first conveying position and the second sealing position. The cam cooperates with the side plate to pivot the anvil.
  • the present strapping machine further contemplates an embodiment in which a controller controls the operation of the strapping machine.
  • the controller is operably connected to the feed assembly.
  • 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, preferably paddles, that cooperate with one another.
  • the paddles are 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.
  • the sensor is operably connected to the controller and when the sensor senses the absence of strapping material at the strapping head, a control signal is generated to initiate operation of the feed assembly in a refeed mode.
  • the senor is mounted to the strapping head at about a strap exit path of the strapping material from the strapping head.
  • the paddles pivot about a common pivot pin. The strapping material engages the first paddle to pivot the paddles between the first and second positions.
  • the sensor can include a proximity sensor cooperating with the first and second paddles.
  • the second paddle is positioned between the proximity sensor and the first paddle being.
  • the first paddle is biased toward the proximity sensor and the second paddle is biased away from the first paddle.
  • First and second biasing elements bias the first paddle toward the proximity sensor and the second paddle away from the first paddle, respectively.
  • the second paddle operably contacts the proximity sensor during the feed mode and the take-up mode, and the second paddle is operably separated from the proximity sensor during a refeed mode.
  • a preferred strapping head includes 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 within the body. The surfaces define a substantially constant width path through the second conveyance path.
  • An entryway precedes the second conveyance path.
  • the entryway has a larger path width than the conveyance path width.
  • a gripper is disposed at a terminal end of the conveyance path.
  • the strapping machine further contemplates an easy access transfer guide mounted to the frame between the feed assembly and the strapping head,
  • the transfer guide includes a fixed portion and a cover portion.
  • the fixed portion is fixedly mounted to the frame independent of the feed assembly and the strapping head.
  • the transfer guide is configured to receive the strapping material from the feed assembly and to provide a path for the strapping material toward the strapping head.
  • the cover portion overlies the fixed portion along a plane that is substantially parallel to the a plane defined by a longitudinal axis and a width of the strapping material.
  • the cover portion is pivotally mounted to the fixed portion by hinges and is retained in place covering the fixed portion by at least one, and preferably multiple mechanical fasteners.
  • the mechanical fasteners are knurled to permit tool-less loosening.
  • fasteners include a hinge-supported portion, so that when the fasteners are loosened from the cover portion (e.g., pivoted away from the cover portion) the hinge-supported portions retain the fasteners mounted to the fixed portion.
  • the strapping machine can further include an easy access feed guide for covering at least a portion of the feed assembly.
  • the feed guide includes a cover for covering at least a portion of the feed assembly and an arcuate guide wall transverse to. the cover.
  • the guide portion is generally parallel to the strapping material as is traverses through the guide.
  • the guide wall is spaced from a periphery of one of the feed wheels at about an entry of the strapping material into the feed guide and converges toward a periphery of the one of the feed wheels as the guide wall approaches the nip of the feed wheels.
  • the cover portion is removably mounted to the fixed portion by mechanical fasteners.
  • the fasteners are knurled to permit tool-less loosening.
  • hinge-supported fasteners are used to mount the cover to the feed guide. This permits the cover portion to be readily removed for quick cleaning.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an improved modular strapping machine in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the strapping machine being illustrated with the strapping head partially removed from the frame, and a portion of the frame missing at about the feeding assembly, for clarity of illustration;
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the strapping machine function, illustrating the strap being fed around a load
  • FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the modular strapping machine feed assembly and strapping head removed from the frame for clarity of illustration;
  • FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the feed assembly and the frame portion in which it is mounted;
  • FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the strapping head showing the anvil pivoted outwardly during the feed and retraction modes of operation;
  • FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the strapping head anvil showing the anvil pivoted inwardly as during the sealing (welding) operation of the strapping head;
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a strap sensor embodying the principles of the present invention, the sensor being shown when in strapping machine is operating in the refeed mode;
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the sensor when the strapping machine is operating in the retraction mode
  • FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the sensor when the strapping machine is in the strapping mode.
  • FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the sensor
  • FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the gripper and portions of the gripper path through the strapping head
  • FIG. 12 is a side view of the gripper of FIG. 11.
  • FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the gripper of FIGS 11 and 12.
  • the strapper 10 includes a frame 12 having a work surface or top 14 mounted thereto.
  • the frame 12 defines a chute or strap path 16 about which the strap S is conveyed during a strapping operation.
  • a strap supply P provides the strap material S for the strapper 10.
  • the strap S is fed from the supply P into the strapper 10 by a feed arrangement 18.
  • the strap S is conveyed by the feed arrangement 18, through a strapping head 20 into the chute 16.
  • the strap material S traverses through the chute 16, and returns to the strapping head 20.
  • the free end (that is the first fed end of the strap S) is, upon return to the strapping head 20, gripped by a first gripping portion 22a of a gripper 22 in the strapping head 20.
  • the feed mechanism 18 then reverses to provide tension in the strap S.
  • the strap S is gripped by a second portion 22b of the gripper 22.
  • the strap S is then cut to separate the strap S from the source P.
  • the strap S is then welded or otherwise sealed onto itself.
  • the load L is then removed from inside the chute 16 region or strap path and a new load is positioned therein for strapping.
  • the present strapper 10 includes a modular arrangement in which the feed assembly 18 and strapping head 20 are removably mounted to the frame 12. That is, the feed arrangement 18, which includes generally a motor 24, and a pair of feed wheels 26,28, is mounted to a base 30 that is in turn mounted to the frame 12. Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown an exemplary feed assembly 18 illustrating the motor 24, a driven wheel 26 and an idler wheel 28. The idler wheel 28 is mounted for free rotation with the driven wheel 26 when the strap material S is between the driven wheel 26 and the idler wheel 28 and the motor 24 is actuated.
  • the feed assembly 18 and frame 12 include portions of a cooperating aligning and mounting assembly 32.
  • the frame 12 includes a 34 nesting member configured as a transverse beam element.
  • the feed assembly 18 includes a complementary, cooperating receiving member 36 that aligns with the transverse beam 34.
  • the receiving member 36 is formed as a generally channel shaped aligning head 38 having a pair of slots or rounded notches 40 formed therein complementary to the beam 34.
  • the feed assembly 18 is positioned in the frame 12 such that the notches 40 are fitted onto the beam 34. This aligns the feed assembly 18 in the frame 12.
  • the aligning and mounting assembly 32 includes a clamp 44.
  • the clamp 44 can be formed, for example, as a handle 46 that is mounted to a threaded stud 48.
  • the frame 12 can include a base portion 50 having a notch 52 formed therein.
  • the notch 52 has an enlarged or V-shaped opening 54 to readily permit aligning the stud 48 in the notch 52.
  • the handle 46 is then rotated to clamp the feed assembly 18 securely in place on the frame 12.
  • a discharge area 56 of the feed assembly 18 (as illustrated in FIG. 3) is properly aligned with a strap guide (the transfer guide 58) or strap guide for transport of the strapping material S to the strapping head 20.
  • the strapping head 20 is mounted to the frame 12 in a similar manner.
  • the strapping head 20 and the frame 12 include portions of a cooperating aligning and clamping assembly 60.
  • the frame 12 includes an upper base or shelf 62 having a transverse, forward lip 64.
  • the lip 64 has an opening 66 therein for receiving the strapping head 20.
  • the opening 66 is formed by a pair of walls 68a,b having aligning slots or notches 70 formed therein.
  • the strapping head 20 includes an aligning or nesting member 72 that, when the head 20 is moved forwardly in the frame 12, resides in the aligning slots 70.
  • the aligning member 72 is formed as a beam or like member, and the aligning slots 70 in the walls 68a,b receive the beam 72.
  • a rear end 74 of the shelf 62 includes a notched opening 76 having an enlarged or V-shaped entrance 78.
  • the strapping head 20 includes a clamp 80 such as the exemplary threaded stud 82, and a handle 84 for threading the stud 82.
  • the handle 84 is rotated to clamp the strapping head 20 in place on the frame 12.
  • the modular, tool-less arrangement permits readily changing out either the strapping head 20 or the feed assembly 18.
  • that portion of the strapper 10 can be removed and a spare inserted in its place.
  • the operational "down-time" of the machine 10 is minimized. That is, the strapping head 20 or feed assembly 18 can be removed and a spare installed in, perhaps less than a minute. That portion of the strapper 10 requiring maintenance or repair (e.g., the feed assembly 18 or strapping head 20) can then be removed and taken away, for example, to a maintenance shop, where the necessary work can be carried out, away from the strapping machine 10 and other operations.
  • Another advantage provided by the present strapper 10 is that it establishes a distance between the feed assembly 18 and the strapping head 20.
  • Those skilled in the art will recognized that, at times, strapping material becomes jammed or are misfed into the strapper 10. When this occurs, it is most desirable to have a strapper 10 having an auto eject and re-feed arrangement. In such an arrangement, the misfed strap is automatically ejected from the strapper and the strap feed is automatically restarted to place the strapper 10 back into operation. Thus, operator time and attention is minimized by automatically ejecting the misfed strap and automatically refeeding from the strap supply.
  • An exemplary auto refeed arrangement is illustrated in the aforementioned US-A-5,640,899.
  • One drawback to known auto refeed arrangements is that there must be a sufficient distance between the feed wheels and the strapping head to prevent the strap material from being ejected beyond the feed wheels (by the take-up or tension wheels). This is of particular concern in that the machines operate at relatively high speeds and the detecting instruments and control system have certain reaction time constraints. That is, because the strap is conveyed so quickly through the machine, after a misfeed is detected, the strap can be ejected from the machine by the take-up wheels beyond the feed wheels, thus defeating the auto-refeed function. In other words, if there is insufficient distance between the strapping head (which is the location of the misfeed detector) and the feed wheels, the take-up wheels will eject the strap beyond the feed wheels. As such, there will not be fresh strap material to be fed through the feed wheels to the strapping head.
  • the present arrangement provides the necessary distance between a strap misfeed detector 86 (mounted on the strapping head 20) and the feed wheels 26, 28. As such, only a single set of wheels (e.g., the pair of wheels 26, 28) is required for both the feed and retraction functions. In this manner, when a misfeed is detected, the feed wheels reverse to eject the misfed strap from the strapping head 20. When the jammed or misfed strap is cleared, there is sufficient distance between the detector 86 and the feed wheels 26, 28 for the feed wheels 26, 28 to be stopped (from the reverse direction) and returned to the forward feeding direction.
  • the strap detector 86 assembly cooperates with the feed assembly 18, that is the feed wheels 26, 28, to stop forward movement of the strap material S when a misfeed is detected, reverse the wheels 26, 28 to eject misfed strap, and subsequently reinitiate forward movement (refeed) of the strap material S after the misfed strap is ejected.
  • the misfeed detector 86 is mounted at about the top 88 of the strapping head 20 and includes a proximity sensor 90 and first and second biased elements 92,94, respectively.
  • the biased elements 92,94 are first and second paddles that are biasedly mounted to a base 96 at a detecting end of the proximity sensor 90.
  • the paddles 92, 94 are hingedly or pivotally mounted to the base 96 by a common pivot pin 98.
  • the paddles 92,94 are mounted such that the second paddle 94 is positioned between the first paddle 92 and the base 96.
  • a biasing element 100 such the exemplary first spring biases the first paddle 92 away from the base 96 and the proximity sensor 90.
  • a second biasing element 102 such as the exemplary second spring biases the second paddle 94 away from the first paddle 92. In this manner, in order to maintain the second paddle 94 in contact with the proximity sensor 90, a force must be exerted on the paddles 92, 94 against the force of the first spring 100.
  • the paddles 92,94 are positioned to lie across the strap path as indicated at 104, e.g., on the top of the strapping head path, when there is no force exerted against the first spring 100. Conversely, when a strap S is in the strap path 104, and the paddles 92,94 are in the feed position (as seen in FIG. 9), first paddle 92 is urged against its spring 100 force, toward the proximity sensor 90.
  • the second paddle 94 is operably connected to the first paddle 92 such that any force exerted on the first paddle 92 urges the second paddle 94 into contact with the proximity sensor 90.
  • the second paddle 94 is biased away from the first paddle 92, the spring force of the first spring 100 is greater than the spring force of the second spring 102. As such, the first paddle 92 forces the second paddle 94, against the spring force of the second spring 102, into contact with the proximity sensor 90.
  • the paddles 92,94 are shown in the refeed position, in which the strap S is fully full missing from the strapping head path 104.
  • the first paddle 92 fully "drops" to rest on the top 88 of the strapping head 20, as urged by the force of the first spring 100.
  • a hinge stop 106 on the first paddle 92 at the hinge region 108 contacts a flat 110 on the second paddle 94 at the hinge region 108, thus preventing further separation of the paddles 92,94 from one another.
  • This dual paddle 92,94 arrangement provides for continued contact of the second paddle 94 with the proximity sensor 90 when the strapper 10 is in the feed mode, and the take-up or retraction mode.
  • the first paddle 92 may move away from the second paddle 94, however, it will not move so far as to permit the second paddle 94 to disengage from or lose contact with the proximity sensor 90.
  • the first paddle 92 when there is a misfeed of strap 5, when the seal or weld fails, or when the strap S breaks, the first paddle 92 will move fully away from the proximity sensor 90, allowing the second paddle 94 to break contact with the sensor 90.
  • the strapper S When the detector 86 detects a misfed strap S (i.e., when the second paddle 94 breaks contact with the sensor 90), the strapper S may be controlled such that the strapper 10 automatically operates in an ejection mode, in which any strap S remaining within the strapping head 20 is ejected therefrom. Following ejection, the auto refeed sequence can start in which strap material S is automatically refed by the feed wheels 26,28 up to the strapping head 20. Detector arrangements other than that illustrated will be recognized by those skilled in the art.
  • the present strapper 10 includes multiple easy access guides 58,114.
  • these guides 58,114 provide ready access to the strap path in order to, for example, clean debris and/or clogs from the path.
  • the guides 58,114 are formed as part of removable sections of the strapper 10. That is, while in known strappers, doors provide access to a fixed guide, the present guides 58,114 are formed as part of the removable portions of the machine 10.
  • a feed guide 114 is formed as part of the removable section covering the feed wheels 26,28.
  • the feed guide 114 includes a curved or arcuate guide portion 116 (shown in phantom lines) that extends from an entryway 118 below the feed wheel motor or drive 24 to about a nip 120 of the wheels 26, 28. At the entryway 118, the guide portion 116 is spaced from a periphery of the driven wheel 26. Traversing along the arc of the guide 114 toward the nip 120, the guide portion 116 approaches the periphery of the driven wheel 26. Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the strapping material S enters the feed guide 114, traversing below the feed drive 24. The strapping material S is guided by the guide portion 116 into the nip 120 for feeding to the strapping head 120.
  • the guide 114 is retained in place on the feed assembly 20 (covering at least a portion of the feed wheels 26,28) by a plurality of threaded fasteners 122, illustrative of which are the three fasteners shown.
  • the fasteners 122 are preferably knurled to permit installation and removal without the use of tools, e.g., by hand.
  • the fasteners 122 can be supported on hinged or pivoting supports 124 that, once loosened, permit pivoting the fasteners 122 away from the guide 114 to permit removal. In this manner, the fasteners 122 are maintained affixed to the feed assembly 18, thus preventing inadvertently misplacing the fasteners 122.
  • the guide 114 itself includes that surface 116 on which the strapping material S travels during operation, the guide 114 can be readily removed from the feed assembly 18, and the surface 116 cleaned of debris. The guide 114 can then be readily replaced on the feed assembly 18. Again, this is unlike known guides which are fixed in place and are only accessible by pivoting door or access panel. In that, as set forth above, the tolerances are rather small and the spaces rather narrow through the strap path, the present easy access feed guide 114 provides numerous, readily appreciated advantages over the prior known guide access arrangements.
  • a bridging or transfer easy access guide 58 extends, as set forth above, between the feed assembly 18 and the strapping head 20. In that this portion of the feed path extends between the two modular components, it is fixedly mounted to the frame 12. However, this guide 58 is positioned in a region of the strapping machine 10 that is readily accessible even with the feed assembly 18 in place. In this manner, the path itself is readily accessibly to perform maintenance or, for example, to dislodge debris or jammed strap material S.
  • the guide 58 is configured so that it is easily opened or uncovered to permit ready access to the strap path.
  • the guide 58 includes, as provided above, a fixed portion 126 that extends between the feed assembly 18 discharge and the entrance of the strapping head 20.
  • a cover 128 is mounted to the fixed guide portion 126 that covers the fixed pathway 126.
  • the cover 128 is hingedly mounted to the fixed portion 126, by hinges 129 (one shown) so that it is readily pivoted open.
  • mechanical fasteners 130 such as the hinge-supported fasteners used for the feed guide 114, are disposed on the fixed portion 126, to maintain the cover 128 in place.
  • the present transfer guide cover 128 permits access to the strap across the width of the strap S.
  • Conventional strapping machines include access doors that open to permit access to the strapping material at the thickness (i.e., the gauge measurement dimension) of the strap.
  • grasping the strap can be a difficult and arduous task.
  • providing access to the strap S at the width dimension provides a larger area in which to work and greatly facilitates access to debris or pieces of strap material S that may be lodged in the strap path 126.
  • the present strapper includes a novel strapping head assembly 20 that utilizes a moving anvil 132.
  • the anvil 132 is that portion of the strapping head 20 against which the strapping material S is pressed during the sealing or welding operation.
  • the strap path at this point is generally narrow and is typically sized only slightly larger than the strap S itself.
  • known strapping machines include a constriction or throat at about the entrance to which debris can collect. Over time, the collection of debris at this area constricts the entrance to the anvil generally resulting in increased strap misfeeds and eventual maintenance of the machines.
  • the present strapper 10 includes a number of improvements that are directed to minimizing or eliminating this debris collection problem and minimal strap path size problem.
  • FIGS. 5-6 there is shown a bottom view of the strapping head 20.
  • the head 20 includes two openings for receiving strap S.
  • the first course of strap enters the strapping head 20 through a first opening indicated generally at 134.
  • the strap S then traverses beyond the head 20, through the chute 16 and around the load L.
  • the strap S is then directed into second opening indicated generally at 136. Once the strap S enters the second opening 136, it is grasped at the free end by the gripper 22 and tension is provided by the take-up operation of the feed assembly 18.
  • the anvil 132 is mounted to the strapping head 20 in a pivoting arrangement. That is, when the strap material S is fed through the strapping head 20, the anvil 132 pivots outwardly, away from the strap path to enlarge the size of the opening 136 through which the strap material S traverses. In this manner, an increased area is provided for the material S to move through the strapping head 20. Specifically, the width dimension w of the path is increased, as is, consequently, the height h dimension.
  • This novel pivoting anvil 132 arrangement provides a number of advantages over fixed anvils.
  • the anvil 132 is fixedly mounted to a side plate 138 of the strapping head 20.
  • the side plate 138 is pivotally mounted to the strapping head body 140 by a pivoting arrangement, such as the exemplary pivot pin 142.
  • the plate 138 is biased toward the body 140.
  • a cam 144 is positioned within the strapping head body 140 and cooperates with the side plate 138. During the feed cycle, the cam 144 rotates and a lobe 146 on the cam contacts the side plate 138, urging the side plate 138 away from the body 140. This, in turn, pivots the anvil 132 away from the body 140, thus enlarging the opening 136.
  • the cam shaft 144 further rotates such that the lobe 146 disengages from the side plate 138, thus, allowing the anvil 132 to pivot back into place.
  • the pivoting anvil 132 can be provided.
  • the present strapping head 20 includes a novel gripper path indicated generally at 148, through which the first course of material traverses for gripping, prior to tensioning and sealing.
  • the strap path 148 is formed from parallel walls 150, 152 that provide a constant path width through the path 148 toward the gripper 22.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
EP05002855A 2001-07-12 2002-07-03 Dispositif de cerclage Withdrawn EP1541471A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US30491301P 2001-07-12 2001-07-12
US304913P 2001-07-12
US09/966,191 US6575086B2 (en) 2001-07-12 2001-09-28 Strapping machine strapping head with pivoting anvil
US966191 2001-09-28
EP02254669A EP1275584B1 (fr) 2001-07-12 2002-07-03 Dispositif de cerclage

Related Parent Applications (1)

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EP02254669A Division EP1275584B1 (fr) 2001-07-12 2002-07-03 Dispositif de cerclage

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EP1541471A1 true EP1541471A1 (fr) 2005-06-15

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05002855A Withdrawn EP1541471A1 (fr) 2001-07-12 2002-07-03 Dispositif de cerclage

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EP (1) EP1541471A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3841213A (en) * 1971-11-15 1974-10-15 Fmc Corp Strapping machine feed control
US4155799A (en) * 1977-02-17 1979-05-22 Nichiro Kogyo Company, Ltd. Strapping machine
US5442899A (en) * 1992-07-10 1995-08-22 Strapack Corporation Band charging apparatus for packing machine
EP0779213A1 (fr) * 1995-12-15 1997-06-18 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Moyens d'accès du canal de guidage de la bande dans une machine à cercler

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3841213A (en) * 1971-11-15 1974-10-15 Fmc Corp Strapping machine feed control
US4155799A (en) * 1977-02-17 1979-05-22 Nichiro Kogyo Company, Ltd. Strapping machine
US5442899A (en) * 1992-07-10 1995-08-22 Strapack Corporation Band charging apparatus for packing machine
EP0779213A1 (fr) * 1995-12-15 1997-06-18 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Moyens d'accès du canal de guidage de la bande dans une machine à cercler

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