IE902285A1 - Apparatus for forming an offset joint in flexible thermoplastic strap - Google Patents

Description

IE 902285 ‘ -ia- APPARATUS FOR FORMING AN OFFSET JOINT IN FLEXIBLE THERMOPLASTIC STRAP This invention relates to a subassembly of 5 components for providing an improved configuration of overlapping lengths of flexible thermoplastic strap which will accommodate the prior, concurrent, or subsequent formation of a sealless joint therebetween.

A variety of methods and apparatus have been marketed and/or proposed for securing together overlapping portions of thermoplastic strap, 15 especially thermoplastic strap that has been encircled about an article or articles to form a loop and that has then been tensioned.

Conventional thermoplastic strapping material includes nylon, polypropylene, and 20 polyester. Overlapping portions of strap formed from such materials may be joined together with suitable sealless techniques, including techniques employing bonding agents (e.g., adhesives) or welding (e.g., conventional hot knife or friction-fusion welding).

Regardless of the manner in which sealless joints are created between overlapping portions of thermoplastic strap, the strength of the joint is, obviously, of great importance. Such joints may not be as strong as the strap itself. The joint must 30 have sufficient tensile strength to resist forces acting on the weld in the direction of the strap length. The joint must also have sufficient peel strength to resist forces which tend to act through the strap on the joint generally obliquely or 35 perpendicularly to the length of the strap. • - ; ,.· \\ c ‘ , · · · -2- IE 902285 In some situations, a relatively low peel strength is desired. For example, a strap loop around an article may be easily removed if the strap joint can be readily peeled open. On the other hand, 5 an excessively low peel strength can present problems where unintentional opening of the joint is not desired. For example, if an end of the outermost overlapping portion of strap is snagged during the handling of the strap or of article bound thereby, 10 then the joint may peel open.

With welded joints, the peel strength may be considerably less than the tensile strength of the joint. Further, the problem of peel strength joint failure is more prevalent for thicker strap than for 15 thinner strap.

It would be desirable to provide apparatus for providing an improved joint between overlapping thermoplastic strap portions—especially a joint with greater resistance to peel forces.

Further, it would be advantageous to provide apparatus for providing an improved configuration of lengths of flexible thermoplastic strap so as to accommodate the formation of an improved joint which has been formed previously or which may be formed 25 simultaneously with, or after, the use of the appa r atus.

It would be especially beneficial if such apparatus could be readily used with, or incorporated in, existing or new strapping tools and machines 30 employing friction-fusion welding principles of operation because a variety of friction-fusion strap welding tools and machines have been successfully introduced over the years and are in widespread commercial use around the world. 902285 -3- Improved joints between overlapping lengths of flexible thermoplastic strap, and methods for producing the improved joints, are disclosed in the copending U.S. patent application Serial No. 07/347,569 entitled "Improved Strapping Joint And Method For Forming Same" filed on May 5, 1989 by Nelson Cheung, Robert J. Nix, and Janusz P. Figiel and assigned to the assignee of the present application. Figure 5 in that copending patent 10 application illustrates a welded joint wherein, prior to tensile loading of the joint area, the overlapping strap portions are deformed in a Z-like configuration by laterally relatively displacing the non-welded portions of the strap to lie on opposite sides of the 15 then angularly disposed, planar connecting weld. The trailing portions of the strap are preferably parallel to each other. The description of the joint illustrated in FIG. 5 of the above-identified U.S. patent application and the description of the method 20 of forming it are incorporated herein by reference thereto to the extent that such disclosures are not inconsistent with the present disclosures.

It has been found that by forming the strap so that the non-welded portions of the strap lie on 25 opposite sides of the angularly disposed planar weld, there is an elimination or reduction of the force component which would induce peeling failure (i.e., separation) when the non-welded strap portions are loaded in tension.

This improvement results if the welded joint between the two overlapping strap portions is formed as discussed above substantially simultaneously with the formation of the welded joint. However, it is contemplated that the improved configuration could be 35 created after a conventional joint is formed. Also, IE 902285 -4- it is contemplated that the unique configuration could be formed in the overlapping strap portions before the weld per se is made.

It would be desirable to provide apparatus 5 for producing such a configuration, or functionally equivalent configuration, in overlapping strap portions in a joint region.

Further, it would be beneficial if other embodiments of such apparatus could provide other 10 improved configurations of the strap portions for accommodating the formation of a joint with even greater resistance to peel forces and for readily accommodating the formation of such a joint in conjunction with conventional friction-fusion welding 15 techniques.

A preferred form of the apparatus of the present invention provides an improved configuration for first and second lengths of flexible 20 thermoplastic strap to accommodate formation of an improved joint therebetween wherein the lengths of strap each have a joint portion and an associated trailing portion. The joint portion of each strap length is that portion of the strap length which is, 25 or which will become, part of a direct face-to-face connection or joint between the overlapping strap lengths. The trailing portion of each strap length extends from the joint portion in a direction away from the other strap length trailing portion.

The apparatus includes first and second opposed, contoured surface means for engaging the strap lengths. The first and second contoured surface means are preferably defined by first and second strap engaging members, respectively. The 35 strap length joint portions are positioned between -5- IE 902285 the opposed contoured surface means in an overlapping face-to-face relationship along an interface region.

In one preferred embodiment, each contoured surface means defines a convex surface and a concave 5 surface. The contoured surface means are disposed to align the concave surface of the first contoured surface means generally in registry with the convex surface of the second contoured surface means and to align the convex surface of the first contoured 10 surface means generally in registry with the concave surface of the second contoured surface means.

Further, in the preferred embodiment, the contoured surface means also function to orient each strap length trailing portion to extend in a plane 15 generally parallel to a reference plane with at least a part of the length of the interface region being non-parallel to the reference plane.

The apparatus may further include means for effecting relative movement between the opposed 20 contoured surface means to press the strap joint portions together and for forming a joint between the joint portions while the strap lengths are pressed together .

It has been found that a joint formed in 25 overlapping strap portions with the improved configuration provided by the apparatus of the present invention exhibits greater resistance to peel forces. It is believed that the configuration of the strap portions at the joint is such that the 30 overlapping strap portions resist separation when the strap trailing portions on either side of the joint are loaded under tension because the peeling force component is reduced or eliminated.

IE 902285 -6- Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description of the invention, from the claims, and from the accompanying 5 drawings.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of the specification, in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts througout the same, 10 FIG. 1 is a simplified, diagrammatic view of thermoplastic strap encircled about an article with portions of the strap overlapped in a face-to-face orientation in the region where the strap portions are to be joined together? 15 FIG. 2A is a greatly englarged, fragmentary, perspective view of a welded joint between overlapping lengths of thermoplastic strap (not necessarily shown to scale); FIG. 2B is a view similar to FIG. 2A, but 20 showing a modified joint; FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, perspective view of an embodiment of apparatus in accordance with the teachings of the present invention shown at an early point in the sequence of forming an improved strap 25 configuration in the region where the modified joint of FIG. 2B is to be created by friction-fusion welding; FIG. 4 is an exploded, perspective view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 3; 30 FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, front elevational view of the apparatus in a fully closed position about the overlapping strap lengths; FIG. 6 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary, front elevational view of the strap engaging members 35 of the apparatus of the present invention; ^902285 -7- FIG. 7 is a view taken generally along the plane 7-7 in FIG. 6; FIG. 8 is a view taken generally along the plane 8-8 in FIG. 6; and 5 FIG. 9 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 9-9 in FIG. 6. 15 20 - 25 30 FIG. 1 illustrates, in simplified, diagrammatic form, the binding of an article or 35 package P with an encircling loop of strap S. For IE 902285 -8- purposes of clarity of illustration, the strap S is shown spaced outwardly from the package P and with spaced-apart overlapping strap lengths and L2· Typically, an end segment E of the overlapping 5 length L2 is gripped (by conventional means not illustrated), and the strap S is pulled to tension the strap loop tightly about the article P.

Then, the overlapping strap lengths and L2 are connected or joined together in a joint 10 region, such as in the region indicated within the broken line box J in FIG. 1. The section of each length and L2 in the joint region J may be defined as the joint portion and J2, respectively. This terminology is used in this 15 specification and in the appended claims to describe the joint portions J and J2 both before and after the joint is actually created.

The tensioned loop portion of the strap S may be characterized as having a trailing portion 20 T^ extending from the strap length beyond the joint portion and as having a trailing portion T2 extending from the strap length L2 in the opposite direction beyond the joint portion J2. In a conventional joint, the trailing portions T^ and 25 T2 fcypicaliy extend generally in substantially parallel planes, at least immediately adjacent the joint region J, when the strap lengths and L2 are initially positioned in a conventional strapping tool that draws tension and forms a joint between the 30 overlapping strap portions. During the formation of the joint in a conventional strapping tool or machine, the length of each parallel trailing portion T^ and T2 that is positioned in the tool may be longer or shorter than the length of the joint per 35 se- At some distance from the joint region, the -9- IE 902285 trailing portions and no longer remain parallel ana instead are oriented in other directions lowing to influences of the strapping tool, strap tension, or package configuration).

In some applications it is contemplated that a portion of the strap trailing portion could be gripped during tensioning of the strap loop instead of gripping the end segment E.

The joint between overlapping portions of 10 tnermoplastic strap may conventionally include a form of face-to-face bonding of the overlapping strap portions. The bonding may be effected with a suitable adhering means, such as adhesive or the liKe.

However, a widely used commercial joint employea with overlapping thermoplastic strap portions is the welded joint. Such a joint is typically made by heating the strap so that part of the thickness of each strap length joint portion at 20 tne interface region melts or fuses. The overlapping scrap joint portions are pressed together, either during or immediately after, the melting of the strap tnickness parts. The strap portions are then allowed to cool while in face-to-face contact. The melted 25 part of each strap portion cools to form a substantially continuous resolidified thickness part merged with the substantially continuous resolidified thickness part of the other strap portion to define a weld joining the overlapping st.ap lengths. This 30 methoa may be employed with both of the overlapping strap portions under tension or, more commonly, with only one or both of the strap portions in an untensioned condition.

The cooling and resolidification of the 35 overlapping strap portions may, depending upon the IE 902285 -10- particular welding technique, take place under pressure or under substantially no pressure.

Further, depending upon the particular welding technique employed, the strap portions may either be 5 allowed to cool and completely resolidify in the absence of tension or may be allowed to only partially cool and only partially resolidify before being subjected to some applied tension loading.

Conventional techniques for heating 10 thermoplastic strap portions during the joint welding process include contacting the overlapping joint portions with a heated member or effecting bodily sliding movement of one or both of the overlapping strap portions to generate heat by friction. Other 15 means for heating the strap portions that have been suggested include increasing the thermal energy of the strap portions by subjecting the strap portions to certain types of radiation. Depending upon the type of radiation employed, this may require 20 providing the thermoplastic strap with additives for absorbing or reacting with the radiation.

In any event, since a bonded or welded joint is susceptible to a mode of failure in which the overlapping portions "peel" apart, the present 25 invention addresses this mode of failure by providing an improved joint configuration between overlapping thermoplastic strap portions which resists, to a greater extent than do conventional joints, those components of strap forces acting in directions that 30 are not aligned with, or that are not parallel to, the joint and which contribute to a lower joint peel strength .

The present invention may be employed in a single device for performing the dual functions of 35 (1) creating a welded joint and (2) providing the IE 902285 -11- desired improved configuration of the overlapping strap portions at the welded joint. However, it is contemplated that the apparatus of the present invention may also be employed to provide an improved 5 configuration of overlapping strap portions at an already formed joint or prior to forming the joint.

The apparatus of the present invention is particularly well-suited for use with friction-fusion joint welding techniques and may be readily employed 10 to create a friction-fusion welded joint as well as to provide the improved strap configuration that yields increased peel strength.

The apparatus of the present invention has been found to be especially effective with polyester 15 strap, such as polyethylene terephthalate having an ‘intrinsic viscosity in the range of about 0.62 to 0.80. Strap fabricated from such a material has been found to produce a good weld, especially when the weld is created by friction-fusion techniques. The 20 apparatus of the present invention has been found to function especially well with such a strapping material in providing the improved configuration of the overlapping strap portions in the joint region.

An improved configuration of overlapping 25 lengths of flexible thermoplastic strap in a friction-fusion welded joint region is illustrated in FIG. 2A. The joint is formed between a first length of thermoplastic strap and a second length L2 of thermoplastic strap. The length includes at 30 least a first joint portion J^, and the length L2 includes at least a second joint portion J2.

The joint portions and J2 are welded together in a face-to-face relationship along an interface region or weld W. In the form of the joint 35 illustrated in FIG. 2A, the weld W results from the IE 902285 -12- fusion or melting of a part of the thickness of each strap length joint portion and J2 at the interface region. Upon cooling, each melted part forms a substantially continuous resolidified 5 thickness part merged with the substantially continuous resolidified thickness part of the other strap length joint portion to define the weld W.

The length also includes an associated trailing portion extending from the first joint 10 portion J^, and the second length Lj includes an associated trailing portion T2 extending from the second joint portion J2· Each trailing portion T^ and Tj extends from the associated joint portion and Jj, respectively, generally in a 15 direction away from the other strap length trailing portion. The trailing portions T^ and Tj are defined during the initial formation of the joint configuration as each having at least a part of their length extending in a plane generally parallel to a 20 reference plane R. The trailing portions T^ and T2 may be longer than, or considerably shorter than, the joint portions and Jj· In FIG. 2A, the reference plane R has been arbitrarily selected and is shown at an angle M to 25 the horizontal (line H). The overlapping strap lengths and Lj have been oriented so that at least part of each of the lengths of the associated trailing portions T^ and T2 are generally parallel to the reference plane R. Further, in the 30 particular configuration illustrated in FIG. 2A, at least part of the length of the trailing portion T^ is generally coplanar with at least part of the length of the trailing portion T2. This is illustrated by a plane C which is oriented parallel 35 to the reference plane R and which lies along the IE 902285 -13- middle of the strap thickness of part of the length of the trailing portion and along the middle of part of the length of the trailing portion Tj.

Thus, it can be seen that when tension is 5 applied to the strap trailing portions and T2 of the joint in FIG. 2A, the tension force would act in the direction of the tension force arrows F^ and F2 substantially along the common plane C. With this configuration, the trailing portions and 10 T2 are not offset from each other and, hence, the tension forces F^ and F2 do not apply a moment with respect to a line of action along the common plane C .

As best illustrated in FIG. 2A, the weld W 15 has an orientation such that the length of the weld W includes portions which are not parallel to the reference plane R. Indeed, in the preferred form illustrated, the weld W includes at least a convex portion at the left-hand end and a concave portion at 20 the right-hand end. Further, the weld W crosses the common plane C and may be characterized as having a central region which is generally downwardly angled or sloping from left to right as viewed in FIG. 2A.

It is also to be noted that the first strap 25 length may include a leading end E^ which extends beyond the left-hand end of the weld W and which is not joined directly to the underlying strap length 1^. Similarly, on the other end of the weld W, the second strap length Lj has a leading end 30 Ej which extends beyond the end of the weld W and which is not directly connected to the overlying first strap length L^. Depending upon the precise manner in which the joint is formed, the end portions E^^ and E2 may be eliminated altogether, may be IE 902285 -14- substantially longer than shown relative to the weld W, or may be of different (unequal) lengths.

The configuration of the joint illustrated in FIG. 2A would react under tension (through applied 5 forces and F2) so as to reduce the loading forces on the weld W that would tend to peel the two strap lengths and L^ apart. Thus, the peel resistance of the weld joint would be increased.

It has been found that increased peel 10 resistance is obtained even if the ends of the weld W are further offset such that the trailing portion T^ of the strap length is below a central plane C’ as illustrated for a preferred, modified form of the joint in FIG. 2B. In FIG. 2Bf the 15 trailing portion extends in a plane C^, and the trailing portion T2 extends in a plane Cj· The planes and Cj are parallel to a reference plane R' and to the central plane C'. In the FIG. 2B configuration, the tension force F^ is offset from, 20 and is not coplanar with, the tension force F2.

The external forces F^ and F2 are parallel, however. The resulting distribution of internal forces through the weld W nevertheless advantageously differs from the distribution of the substantial 25 sheer forces found in a conventional joint wherein the weld W lies generally in a plane between, and parallel to, parallel strap joint portions (e.g., the "parallel" joint portions and J2 in FIG. 1).

If the apparatus of the present invention is 30 designed to also function as the means for creating the welded joint in addition to merely forming the contoured strap configuration, then the apparatus may preferably be provided with suitable strap engaging teeth for gripping the outer surfaces of the strap.

Marks in the surface of the strap resulting from such ,E 902285 -15- strap gripping teeth are illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2b on tne surfaces of the strap lengths and where such marks are indicated by the reference numeral 12.

FIGS. 3-9 illustrate one embodiment of a preferrea form of the apparatus of the present invention for forming the improved strap joint configuration illustrated in FIG. 2B. The apparatus includes a first strap engaging member 21 and a ID secona strap engaging member 22. As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the strap engaging members 21 and 22 are adpated to be disposed in an initially spaced-apart position for receiving the overlapping strap lengths ana . as best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, 15 tne first strap engaging member 21 is adapted to be moved relative to the second strap engaging member 22 wnicn may be stationary and fixed to a suitable support, such as to the frame of a strapping tool or machine . 2U In the prefered embodiment illustrated, the first strap engaging member 21 is pivotally mounted by means of a shaft 23 to a pair of downwardly aepending arms 25 which are pivotally mounted at tneir upper ends to a crank arm 27 via a shaft 29. z5 The shafts 23 and 29 are retained in position by clips 31.

The snaft 23 is parallel to the strap lengths and L^. This permits the member 21 to pivot as necessary to accommodate proper -engagement 30 with the strap length L^. It is also contemplated that the second strap engaging member 22 may be pivotally mounted to the apparatus below the first strap engaging member 21. The pivot axis would be parallel to the strap lengths and L^ and 35 permit the strap engaging member 22 to pivot as IE 902285 ' -16- necessary to accommodate engagement with the strap length L^.

Tne first strap engaging member crank arm 27 includes a bearing 33 for pivotally mounting the 5 crank arm 27 about a shaft (not illustrated) to permit a rocking movement of the crank arm 27 to effect a vertically reciprocating movement of the first strap engaging member 21. a generally horizontally disposed arm 41 is 10 connected at one end to the first strap engaging member 21 via the shaft 23 and includes a bearing 43 at the other end for being mounted to an eccentric drive snaft (not illustrated) for producing a generally horizontal reciprocating movement of the 15 first strap engaging member 21.

If it is desired to automatically sever the strap lengtn from a supply of strap, then an upper knife member 47 may be mounted via shaft 23 along one eno of the first strap engaging member 21. The upper 20 knife member 47 includes a downwardly oriented knife eage 4¾ (FIGS. 4 and 5).

A lower knife memoer 51 is provided adjacent the second strap engaging member 22 (FIGS. 4 and 5). Tne lower knife member 51 includes a rearwardly 25 projecting plate 53 defining a bearing 55 for accommodating the pivotal mounting of the lower knife member 51 about a shaft (not illustrated) of the tool for permitting the lower knife member 51 to be lifted upwardly to facilitate placemen, or removal of the 30 strap portions.

The lower knife member 51 also includes a pair of parallel posts 59 which are connected to the bottom of the knife member plate 53 and which are spaced outwardly from one side of the plate 53 so 35 that the upper knife member 47 can be received IE 902285 -17- between the posts 59 and plate 53 (see FIG. 3) of the lower knife member 51.

The front end of the lower knife member 51 includes an upwardly directed cutting edge 61 (FIG. 4) positioned to coact with the upper knife member cutting edge 49 for severing the upper strap length when the upper knife member 47 is urged downwardly with the first strap engaging member 21.

With reference to FIG. 5 it is seen that the 10 first strap engaging member 21 can be moved downwardly toward the second strap engaging member 22 to press the strap lengths and L2 together. Initially, when the strap engaging members 21 and 22 are separated, the overlapping strap lengths and 15 L2 are positioned generally in vertical registry with the second strap length L2 located to extend under the lower knife member 51 and with the first strap length positioned over the lower knife member 51. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the first 20 strap engaging member 21 can be moved downwardly to compress the strap lengths and L2 together against the second strap engaging member 22. As the upper strap engaging member 21 moves downwardly, the upper knife member 47 forces the upper strap length 25 downwardly against the lower knife member 51 to sever the portion of the upper strap length L2 beyond the joint region.

It will be appreciated that the strap lengths and L2 may be under tension (e.g., if 30 they are part of a tensioned strap encircling an object). On the other hand, the strap lengths and L2 may be completely untensioned. Even if the strap lengths and L2 are part of a strap loop that is tensioned about an article, the tension may 35 be relieved on one or both of the overlapping strap IE 902285 -18- joint portions and Jj in the region of the joint. To this end, conventional strap gripping members or mechanisms (not illustrated) may be provided on each side of the strap engaging members 5 21 and 22 for tightly gripping the strap lengths L^ and L2 to hold tension in the rest of the strap loop while maintaining the overlapping portions of the strap lengths and in a substantially untensioned condition. The strap gripping members 10 for holding tension in the loop may be of conventional design and form no part of the present invention.

In general, the forming of a joint in tensioned strap portions may require more energy to 15 maintain the overlapping portions in a face-to-face relationship and to, if friction-fusion welding techniques are employed, effect relative vibratory movement between the overlapping strap portions. The greater energy required for accommodating the joining 20 of overlapping strap portions while under tension is more easily handled in a large strapping machine. In a smaller strapping tool, where the motor and component sizes are typically smaller, it could be preferable to maintain at least one, if not both, of 25 the overlapping strap portions in a substantially untensioned condition during the process of forming the improved joint configuration with the apparatus of the present invention.

The strap engaging members 21 and 22 have a 30 novel contoured surface means and arrangement that provide the improved configuration of the strap lengths which will accommodate the formation of the improved joint. The novel contoured surface means of the strap engaging members are most clearly seen in 35 -19- IE 902285 FIGS. 6-9. FIG. 6 best illustrates the unique profile of each strap engaging member.

The first strap engaging member 21 includes a first contoured surface means or surface 81 for 5 contacting a face of the first strap length .

Similarly, the second strap engaging member 22 has a second contoured surface means or surface 82 for contacting a face of the second strap length Each surface 81 and 82 may be characterized as a 10 surface that is generated by a straight line segment as it is maintained perpendicular to a plane (e.g., the plane of FIG. 6) and moved along a path on that plane. More particularly, as best illustrated in FIG. 6, each surface 81 and 82 includes a concave 15 surface which, in the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, is a partially cylindrical surface having a radius A. Each engaging surface 81 and 82 also has a major convex surface, which in the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, is a 20 partially cylindrical surface having a radius B.

Further, in the preferred embodiment, each engaging surface 81 and 82 includes a planar surface 90 between, and merging with, the concave surface and convex surface.

It has been found that when the strap engaging members 21 and 22 are employed in an apparatus for creating a friction-fusion welded joint, the strap joint portions tend to first become molten adjacent the planar regions 90 of the strap 30 engaging members 21 amd 22, and the molten region then propagates toward the ends of the strap engaging members 21 and 22. This has been found to result in a more consistent production of higher peel strength welded joints.

IE 902285 _20.

In a preferred form of the strap engaging members 21 and 22 for use with polyethylene terephthalate strap having a thickness of between about 0.81 mm. and about 0.96 mm., the radius A of 5 the concave surface is about 17 mm. and the radius B of the convex surface is about 14 mm. The difference in radii accommodates the "inside" and "outside" curvature of strap lengths in conformity with the curvature of the surfaces 81 and 82. For practical 10 reasons, including reasons relating to manufacturing tolerances, part location inaccuracies, and strap thickness variations, the 3 mm. difference between the curvature radii A and B was selected to be about four times the strap thickness.

On each strap engaging member 21 and 22, the planar surface 90 between the concave surface and the major convex surface has a length of about 8.8 mm. Further, with reference to FIG. 6, it is seen that the center of curvature of the radius A concave 20 surface of the first strap engaging member 21 is offset a distance Z to the left of the center of curvature of the radius B convex surface of the second strap engaging member 22. It has been found that this aids in controlling the friction-fusion 25 welding process so that the strap material first becomes molten adjacent the flat areas 90.

Further, at the right-hand end of the strap engaging member 21 as viewed in FIG. 6, the convex surface terminates with a very small radius D.

Similarly, at the left-hand end of the second strap engaging member 22 as viewed in FIG. 6, the convex surface terminates in a very small radius D. in a preferred form of the strap engaging members for use with polyethylene terephthalate strap having a 35 thickness of between 0.81 mm. and 0.96 mm., the -21- IE 902285 radius D is about 1 mm. It has been found that the radii D function to some extent to provide a diverging nozzle effect which aids in molten material flow during the friction-fusion welding process.

With reference to FIG. 6, it will be appreciated that the convex surface of the first strap engaging member 21 projects in a direction toward the second strap engaging member 22 further than does the concave surface of the strap engaging 10 member 21. Similarly, the convex surface of the second strap engaging member 22 projects toward the first strap engaging member 21 further than does the concave surface of the second strap engaging member 21.

In a preferred form of the strap engaging members, the maximum amplitude between the concave surface and the convex surface of each member is about 1.8 mm. for use with strap having a thickness of about 0.81 mm. to about 0.96 mm.

The first engaging surface 81 of the first strap engaging member 21 can be further characterized as having a first end 101 (FIG. 5) that is adapted to contact the first strap length outwardly of a first end of the interface joint region W and has a 25 second end 102 (FIG. 5) adapted to contact the first strap length adjacent a second end of the interface joint region W.

Similarly, the second engaging surface 82 of the second strap engaging member 22 has a first end 30 121 (FIG. 5) that is adapted to contact the second strap length L2 adjacent the first end of the interface joint region W and has a second end 122 (FIG. 5) adapted to contact the second strap length L2 beyond the second end of the interface region W.

IE 902285 _22_ As is clear from FIGS. 5 and 6, the first and second strap engaging members 21 and 22 are juxtaposed in a relationship wherein the second end 102 of the first engaging surface 81 is located 5 between the first end 121 and second end 122 of the second engaging surface 82. Similarly, the first end 121 of the second engaging surface 82 lies between the first end 101 and second end 102 of the first engaging surface 81.

It will also be recognized, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, that the portion of the first engaging surface 81 extending beyond the first end 121 of the second engaging surface 82 curves toward the second strap engaging member 22. Similarly, the 15 portion of the second engaging surface 82 extending beyond the second-end 102 of the first engaging surface 81 curves toward the first strap engaging member 21.

When the apparatus of the present invention 20 is used in a friction-fusion welding tool with the cutter members 47 and 51, it has been found to be beneficial to provide a convex curvature on the left-hand end of the first strap engaging member 21 extending outwardly from the first end 101 of the 25 first engaging surface 81. This curvature is identified in FIG. 6 by the radius G, and this curvature functions to reduce the stress on the strap length as the first strap engaging member 21 pushes the strap length downwardly against the 30 lower cutting member 51. In the preferred form of the strap engaging members for use with polyethylene terephthalate strap having a thickness of between 0.81 mm. and 0.96 mm., the radius G is about 4 mm.

Additionally, with reference to FIG. 5, it 35 will be appreciated that, when the strap engaging IE 902285 -23- members 21 and 22 of the illustrated preferred embodiment are in the closed or clamping position about the strap lengths and Lj, the space between the engaging surfaces 81 and 82 is generally 5 uniform along the length of the strap engaging members between the first end 121 of the second engaging surface 82 and the second end 102 of the first engaging surface 81. In the preferred form of the apparatus of the present invention, the uniform 10 spacing relationship is also maintained when the strap engaging members 21 and 22 are moved further apart to a strap release position.

The strap engaging members 21 and 22 of the present invention may be adapted for use in a 15 strapping tool and may be adapted to perform substantially simultaneously two different functions, namely: (1) providing an improved configuration of the first and second overlapping strap lengths and L2 and (2) producing a friction-fusion welded 20 joint between the overlapping strap portions. To this end, relative bodily sliding movement must be effected between the overlapping strap portions by the strap engaging members 21 and 22. To facilitate this, the strap engaging members 21 and 22 are 25 preferably provided with a plurality of strap engaging teeth 150.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, the teeth 150 on the first strap engaging member 21 are in registry with the teeth 150 on the second strap 30 engaging member 22. The teeth are arranged in rows on each strap engaging member. Each member has five rows of teeth, and each row includes 11 teeth. The teeth 150 are uniformly spaced apart in each row across the width of the engaging surface of each 35 engaging member. -24- \£ 9022δ5 The rows of teeth are preferably uniformly spaced, and the center line spacing between adjacent rows of teeth is about 4 mm. for strap having a thickness between about 0.81 mm. and 0.96 mm. For 5 such strap, the teeth 150 are also preferably uniformly spaced apart in each row with the center line spacing between adjacent teeth in each row being about 2 mm.

Each tooth has the general shape of an 10 elongate triangular prism defined by two elongate sloping side walls 155 (FIG. 9) and two sloping end walls 157 (FIG. 6).

The configuration, size, orientation, spacing, and number of teeth 150 may be varied 15 depending upon, among other things, the type of strap, the width and thickness of the strap, the operating forces imposed on the strap by the strap engaging members, etc. In some situations, it is contemplated that the teeth may be eliminated 20 altogether--especially if the strap engaging members are employed only to provide the improved strap configuration rather than to also provide means for creating a friction-fusion joint between the overlapping strap portions.

It will be appreciated that the strap 0 engaging members 21 and 22 of the present invention may be efficiently and readily employed in a friction-fusion strapping tool for forming a friction-fusion welded joint as well as for providing 30 the improved strap configuration at the joint, which configuration will increase the peel resistance of the joint. When the strap engaging members 21 and 22 of the present invention are employed in that manner, suitable conventional operating means may be used for 35 effecting relative vertical movement between the * IE 902285 strap engaging members 21 and 22 between (1) the open position (permitting the placement of overlapping strap lengths and between the strap engaging members 21 and 22) and (2) a closed position 5 (wherein the strap engaging members 21 and 22 press the overlapping strap lengths and Lj together). To this end, the vertical motion linkage components 25 and 27 illustrated in FIG. 3 may be operated with a suitable conventional mechanism.

Various conventional mechanisms are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,776,905, 4,313,779, and 3,442,732. The details of such mechanisms form no part of the present invention.

Similarly, suitable conventional mechanisms 15 may be provided for laterally reciprocating (vibrating) the first strap engaging member 21 when it is engaged against the overlapping strap portions so as to produce the friction for creating the welded joint. Such a conventional vibrating mechanism may 20 be operatively connected to the first strap engaging member 21 through, for example, the arm 41 (FIG. 3). Various conventional strap engaging member vibrating mechanisms are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,776,905, 4,313,779, and 3,442,732. The details of 25 such mechanisms form no part of the present invention.

After sufficient heat has been generated to melt the interface region of the overlapping strap portions, the vibratory movement of the strap engaging member 21 may be terminated. In some 30 situations it may be desired to allow the vibratory movement of the strap engaging member and vibrating drive mechanism to be damped to zero by the frictional forces that are present in the apparatus and by the resistance of the melted strap portions.

On the other hand, it has been found that, in some IE 902285 -26- circumstances and with some types of strap, it can be preferable to terminate the vibratory movement of the strap engaging member 21 substantially instantaneously by immediately disconnecting the more 5 massive vibrating drive mechanism from the less massive strap engaging member. To this end, a suitable conventional disengaging mechanism and associated control system can be provided. The details of such a mechanism form no part of the 10 present invention.

In some applications, and with some strapping materials, it may be desired to release the pressure on the overlapping strap portions as soon as a sufficient thickness of each strap portion has 15 melted at the interface. Of course, if the pressure is released while the strap portions are still molten, the strap joint portions must be isolated from any tension to which other parts of the strap may be subjected. In other applications, the 20 pressure may be maintained on the overlapping strap portions for a period of time to permit the melted strap portions to cool and at least partly solidify under pressure.

In the preferred form of the present 25 invention, wherein the strap engaging members 21 and 22 are employed to create a friction-fusion joint with polyethylene terephthalate strap having an intrinsic viscosity of 0.8, having a thickness between 0.81 mm. and 0.96 mm., and having a width of 30 about 16 mm., it has been found that a joint having improved peel resistance is produced when the upper strap engaging member 21 is vibrated at 320 hertz through a maximum amplitude of 1.8 mm. under a pressure of 1,334 Newtons for a time interval of 35 about 0.5 seconds. The strap portions were IE 902285 -27- untensioned during friction welding and during a pressurized cool down interval of about 4 seconds.

The strap engaging member 21 was disengaged from the vibratory drive means at the end of the 0.5 second 5 vibration time interval so that the strap vibration was terminated substantially instantaneously. The resulting joint weld was 22 mm. in length and had substantially parallel trailing portions offset about 5 mm. The joint had a permanent deformation 10 configuration as shown in FIG. 2B (not to scale).

The values of these operational parameters may be changed, depending upon the precise joint characteristics desired. Additionally, the change of one parameter (e.g., pressure) may require a change 15 in one or more other parameters (e.g., vibration frequency or duration). Further, these parameters may change depending upon, among other things, strap width, strap thickness, and strap material characteristics .

With reference to FIG. 5, it will be appreciated that the strap engaging surfaces 81 and 82 are oriented such that the portions of the overlapping strap lenths and L2 extending beyond the left-hand (first) end 121 of the second 25 strap engaging member 22 slant generally upwardly from left to right. Also, the portions of the overlapping strap lengths and L2 extending from the right-hand (second) end 102 of the first strap engaging member 21 slant generally upwardly 30 from left to right. This results in the strap length trailing portions T^ and T2 at each end of the joint region lying along a plane parallel to the reference plane R' illustrated in FIG. 2B. This orientation, coupled with the non-parallel 35 relationship of the interface joint W, is believed to IE 902285 -28- contribute to the improved joint strength. In addition, the above-described orientation minimizes the amount of loop tension that is lost by virtue of the positioning of the second strap engaging member 5 22 on the inside of the strap loop between the strap and the package or article being bound by the strap loop.

The preferred form of the strap engaging members 21 and 22 illustrated in FIGS. 3-9 are 10 designed for use with strap having a thickness ranging between about 0.81 mm. and about 0.96 mm. so that the trailing portions of the strap are oriented parallel to, but offset from, each other about 4.8 mm. in the untensioned condition. That is, with 15 reference to FIG. 2B, the plane of trailing portion T^ is offset about 4.8 mm. from the plane C2 of the trailing portion T2. Generally, over-compensation in forming the strap configuration is required if the joint is going to be subjected to 20 strap loop tension prior to the completed joint weld cooling to roan temperature.

It has been found that the above-described offset joint configuration retains an offset of about two strap thicknesses after the joint has been 25 subjected to repeated loading and unloading of a sustained tension force of 800 pounds (364Kg).

It will also be appreciated that the surface configuration of the strap engaging members 21 and 22 may be altered from the particular configuration 30 illustrated in FIGS. 5-9. For example, the strap engaging surfaces 81 and 82 may be less curved (or substantially planar) and oriented at an angle for producing the configuration of the increased strength joint illustrated in FIG. 5 of the above-identified 35 -29- It - copending U.S. patent application Serial No. 07/3 47, 569.

IMPROVEMENT OF A PREVIOUSLY FORMED JOINT It will be appreciated that the novel strap 5 engaging members of the present invention may be employed with an already-formed strap joint to provide the improved configuration of the overlapping strap portions in the joint region. In that case, a permanent set in the overlapping strap portions in 10 conformity with the surfaces of the strap engaging members 21 and 22 can be achieved by pressing the strap engaging members together about the strap lengths with sufficient force under conditions that, depending upon the type of strap material, thickness, 15 and other factors, would produce a permanent deformation or set in the overlapping strap portions .

To this end, it is desired to impart enough energy to the joint portions to effect at least 20 partially inelastic deformation of the joint portions so as to provide a sufficient amount of permanent deformation throughout the overlapping strap portions. Upon release of the strap engaging members 21 and 22, the overlapping strap portions will then 25 maintain the desired configuration substantially in conformance with the surface configuration of the strap engaging members.

The deformation may be advantageously effected at elevated temperatures. The overlapping 30 strap portions may be heated by a variety of means. For example, heat may be conducted into the strap engaging members which are in contact with the overlapping strap portions.

Alternatively, the overlapping strap 35 portions may be clamped together by the strap IE 902285 -30- engaging members in an atmosphere having a suitably elevated temperature (e.g., in an oven).

Also, the temperature of the strap portions may be raised by subjecting the strap portions to 5 certain types of radiation. The strap may even be provided with additives that more readily absorb or react with the radiation.

In one process for effecting post-joint deformation, a conventional welded joint may be 10 conventionally formed in flat overlapping strap lengths. Then, while the joined strap lengths are still hot, the joined strap lengths can be transferred to the novel strap engaging members of the present invention for deformation of the joined 15 strap lengths.

In another process, the joint forming apparatus could include a pair of adjustable strap engaging members that change shape from a flat profile for initially forming a conventional, flat, 20 welded joint to a non-flat profile for subsequently deforming the joint in accordance with the present invention.

FORMATION OF STRAP CONFIGURATION PRIOR TO JOINT FORMATION 25 It will be appreciated that the above-described strap engaging members of the present invention will function to force overlapping strap lengths into the desired configuration in conformity with the strap engaging member surfaces. The 30 deformation could be effected prior to permanently joining together the overlapping strap portions. The temperature of the overlapping strap portions may be elevated to provide a permanent set or deformation of the strap portions in conformity with the strap 35 engaging members. The unconnected, but deformed, IE 902285 overlapping strap portions could then be released from the strap engaging members. Subsequently, the deformed portions of the overlapping strap lengths could be joined together by suitable means (e.g., 5 adhesive bonding or welding) in a manner that would not significantly disturb the configuration of the joint portions. 15 20 25 30 35

Claims (43)

1. An apparatus for providing an improved configuration of first and second lengths of flexible thermoplastic strap to accommodate the formation of 5 an improved joint therebetween, said apparatus compr i sing : first and second opposed strap engaging members adapted to receive between them said strap lengths arranged in an overlapping relationship and 10 to press said lengths together; each said member defining a contoured surface for engaging one of said strap lengths; each said contoured surface including a generally convex surface and a generally concave surface; said strap engaging members being disposed 15 to align said concave surface of said first member generally in registry with said convex surface of said second member and to align said convex surface of said first member generally in registry with said concave surface of said second member.

2. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which a planar surface is defined between, and merges with, said convex and concave surfaces of each said strap engaging meber.

3. The apparatus in accordance with claim 25. further including means for heating said strap lengths .

4. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further including means for moving one of said strap engaging members toward and away from the other 30 strap engaging member.

5. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which said first strap engaging member is mounted for pivoting movement about an axis oriented generally parallel to said strap lengths. 35 IE 902285 -33-

6. Apparatus for providing an improved configuration of first and second lengths of flexible thermoplastic strap to accommodate the formation of an improved joint therebetween wherein said lengths 5 each have a joint portion and an associated trailing portion extending from said joint portion in a direction away from the other strap length trailing portion, said apparatus comprising: first and second strap engaging members 10 respectively defining first and second contoured surface means for engaging respectively said first and second strap lengths to position said joint portions between said members in an overlapping relationship along an interface region and to 15 position at least part of the length of said trailing portion of each said strap length to extend in a plane generally parallel to a reference plane with at least a part of the length of said interface region being non-parallel to said reference plane.

7. The apparatus in accordance with claim 6 in which said apparatus includes pressing means for effecting relative movement between said strap engaging members to press said strap joint portions together .

8. The apparatus in accordance with claim 7 in which said strap engaging members are adapted to engage said strap lengths in an initially unjoined condition; and 30 said apparatus further includes joint forming means operatively associated with said pressing means and with said strap engaging members for forming a joint between said joint portions while said strap lengths are pressed together by said strap 35 engaging members. IE 902285 -34-

9. The apparatus in accordance with claim 7 in which said apparatus further includes heating means for increasing the thermal energy of said strap length joint portions when said joint portions are 5 pressed together between said strap engaging members.

10. The apparatus in accordance with claim 9 in which said heating means further includes fusion joint forming means for effecting fusion of a part of the thickness of each said strap length joint portion 10 at said interface region whereby each said part, upon cooling, forms a substantially continuous resolidified thickness part merged with the substantially continuous resolidified thickness part of the other strap length joint portion to define a 15 weld joining said strap lengths.

11. The apparatus in accordance with claim 10 in which said heating means comprises vibrating means for vibrating one of said strap engaging members while engaged with one of said strap length 20 joint portions to effect relative bodily sliding movement between said strap length joint portions whereby sufficient heat is generated by friction to increase the thermal energy of each said strap length joint portion to (1) render each said strap length 25 joint portion into a sufficiently plastic condition under the imposed pressure such that a permanent deformation set is maintained upon removal of said heat and pressure, and (2) effect said fusion of said part of the thickness of each said joint portion.

12. The apparatus in accordance with claim 6 in which said first and second strap engaging member contoured surface means include first and second engaging surfaces, respectively, whereby said 35 first engaging surface is adapted to contact one face IE 902285 -3 5- of said first strap length and whereby said second engaging surface is adapted to contact one face of said second strap length.

13. The apparatus in accordance with claim 5 12 in which said first engaging surface has a first end adapted to contact said first strap length outwardly of a first end of said interface region and has a second end adapted to contact said first strap 10 length joint portion adjacent a second end of said interface region; said second engaging surface has a first end adapted to contact said second strap length joint portion adjacent said first end of said 15 interface region and has a second end adapted to contact said second strap length beyond said second end of said interface region; said first and second strap engaging members are juxtaposed in a relationship wherein said 20 second end of said first engaging surface is located between the first and second ends of said second engaging surface and wherein said first end of said second engaging surface lies between said first and second ends of said first engaging surface; 25 the portion of said first engaging surface extending beyond the first end of said second engaging surface curves toward said second strap engaging member; and the portion of said second engaging 30 surface extending beyond the second end of said first engaging surface curves toward said first strap engaging member.

14. The apparatus in accordance with claim 12 in which each said strap engaging surface is 35 defined as a surface generated by a straight line IE 902285 -36- segment as it is maintained perpendicular to a plane and moved along a path on that plane.

15. The apparatus in accordance with claim 12 in which each said engaging surface includes a 5 concave surface and a convex surface which are connected by a planar surface merging with said convex and concave surfaces.

16. The apparatus in accordance with claim 15 in which each said convex and concave surface is a 10 partially cylindrical surface.

17. The apparatus in accordance with claim 15 in which said convex surface of said first engaging surface projects in a direction toward said second strap engaging member further than said 15 concave surface of said first engaging surface.

18. The apparatus in accordance with claim 15 in which said convex surface of said second engaging surface projects toward said first strap engaging member further than said concave surface of 20 said second strap engaging member.

19. The apparatus in accordance with claim 12 in which the space between said engaging surfaces of said first and second strap engaging members is uniform along the length of said strap engaging 25 members between the first end of said second engaging surface and said second end of said first engaging surface .

20. The apparatus in accordance with claim 12 in which the maximum amplitude between said 30 concave surface of said first engaging surface and said convex surface of said first engaging surface is about 1.8 mm.

21. The apparatus in accordance with claim 12 in which the maximum amplitude between said 35 concave surface of said second engaging surface and -37- IE 902285 said convex surface of said second engaging surface is about 1.8 mm.

22. The apparatus in accordance with claim 12 in which each said strap engaging member includes 5. plurality of teeth projecting outwardly from the associated engaging surface.

23. The apparatus in accordance with claim 22 in which the teeth on said first strap engaging member are in registry with the teeth on said second 10 strap engaging member.

24. The apparatus in accordance with claim 22 in which each tooth generally has the shape of an elongate triangular prism defined by two elongate sloping side walls and two sloping end walls.

25. The apparatus in accordance with claim 22 in which each tooth projects above the associated engaging surface about 0.3 mm.

26. The apparatus in accordance with claim 22 in which said teeth are arranged in rows on each 20 said first and second engaging surface.

27. The apparatus in accordance with claim 26 in which each said engaging surface has 5 rows of said teeth.

28. The apparatus in accordance with claim 25 26 in which each said row of teeth includes 11 teeth.

29. The apparatus in accordance with claim 26 in which said teeth are uniformly spaced apart in each row across the width of each said engaging surface .

30. The apparatus in accordance with claim 26 in which said rows of teeth are uniformly spaced; and the center line spacing between adjacent rows of teeth is about 4 mm. 35 IE 902285 -38-

31. The apparatus in accordance with claim 26 in which said teeth are uniformly spaced apart in each said row; and 5 the center line spacing between adjacent teeth in each row is about 2 mm.

32. The apparatus in accordance with claim 6 further including means for pivotally mounting said first strap engaging member to accommodate pivoting 10 movement relative to said second strap engaging member .

33. The apparatus in accordance with claim 6 in which said first strap engaging member is movable relative to said second strap engaging member.

34. The apparatus in accordance with claim 6 in which one of said strap engaging members is movable toward and away from the other strap engaging member to receive said two strap length joint portions in one of two conditions: (1) a previously 20 joined condition and (2) an initially unjoined condi tion.

35. The apparatus in accordance with claim 6 in which said first strap engaging member is mounted for pivoting movement about an axis oriented 25 generally parallel to said strap lengths.

36. Apparatus for forming an assembly of first and second joined lengths of flexible thermoplastic strap which each have a joint portion and an associated trailing oortion extending from 30 said joint portion in a direction away from the other strap length trailing portion, said apparatus comprising: first and second opposed contoured surface means for engaging said strap lengths to 35 position said joint portions between said opposed -39- ΙΕ 90228ο contour ed surface means in an overlapping face-to-face relationship along an interface region and for orienting at least a part of the length of each strap length trailing portion to extend in a 5 plane generally parallel to a reference plane with at least a part of the length of said interface region being non-parallel to said reference plane; and deforming and joining means for effecting relative movement between said opposed 10 contoured surface means to press said strap joint portions together and join said joint portions while supplying sufficient energy to effect a permanent deformation of said strap joint portions in conformity with said opposed contoured surface means. 15

37. The apparatus in accordance with claim 36 in which said apparatus has first and second strap engaging members defining respectively said first and second opposed contoured surface means; and 20 said deforming and joining means include: (a) pressing means for effecting relative movement between said strap engaging members to press said strap length joint portions together, 2. and (b) vibrating means for vibrating one of said strap engaging members while engaged with one of said strap length joint portions to effect relative bodily sliding movement between said strap 30 length joint portions whereby sufficient heat is generated by friction to increase the thermal energy of each said strap length joint portion to (1) render each said strap length joint portion into a sufficiently plastic condition under the imposed 35 pressure such that a permanent deformation set is -40- \B 902¾85 maintained upon removal of said heat and pressure, and (2) effect fusion of a part of the thickness of each said strap length joint portion at said interface region whereby each said part, upon 5 cooling, forms a substantially continuous resolidified thickness part merged with the substantially continuous resolidified thickness part of the other strap length joint portion to define a weld joining said strap lengths.

38. The apparatus in accordance with claim 37 in which said vibrating means includes control means for terminating the strap engaging member vibration substantially instantaneously.

39. The apparatus in accordance with claim 15 37 in which said pressing means includes pressing control means for operating said pressing means to press said strap length joint portions together under a pressure of about 1,334 Newtons for a time interval 20 of about 4.5 seconds; and said vibrating means includes vibrating control means for operating said vibrating means to vibrate said one strap engaging member at about 320 hertz through a maximum amplitude of about 1.8 mm. 25 for a time interval of about 0.5 seconds.

40. The apparatus in accordance with claim 37 in which said first strap engaging member is mounted for pivoting movement about an axis oriented generally parallel to said strap lengths.

41. Apparatus for providing an improved configuration of overlapping first and second joined lengths of flexible thermoplastic strap to accommodate the formation of an improved joint therebetween wherein said lengths each have a joint 35 portion and an associated trailing portion extending IE 902285 -41- from said associated joint portion in a direction away from the other strap length trailing portion and wherein said joint portion of one strap length is joined to the other strap length along an interface 5 region, said apparatus comprising: first and second strap engaging members respectively defining first and second contoured surface means for engaging respectively said first and second strap lengths to 10 (1) position said joint portions between said strap engaging members with one of said joint portions being located between said interface region and one of said strap engaging members and with the other of said 15 joint portions being located between said interface region and the other of said strap engaging members, and (2) position at least a part of the length of said trailing portion of each said 20 strap length to extend in a plane generally parallel to a reference plane with at least a part of the length of said interface region being non-parallel to said reference plane .

42. The apparatus in accordance with claim 41 in which said first strap engaging member is mounted for pivoting movement about an axis oriented generally parallel to said strap lengths.

43. Apparatus for forming a joint in flexible 30 thermoplastic strap substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this the 25th day of June, 1990. » BY: TOMKINS & CO., Ascii cants' Agents, 1 5 (Signed) r tmou^Ro a d, DUBLIN 6.