US3139813A - Strapping machine - Google Patents

Strapping machine Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3139813A
US3139813A US142351A US14235161A US3139813A US 3139813 A US3139813 A US 3139813A US 142351 A US142351 A US 142351A US 14235161 A US14235161 A US 14235161A US 3139813 A US3139813 A US 3139813A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
strap
seal
feed
joint
leading
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US142351A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Marchand B Hall
Willard E Collins
Robert F Plattner
Jr Edward D Finnegan
Frank C Weller
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.)
Acme Steel Co
Original Assignee
Acme Steel Co
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
Application filed by Acme Steel Co filed Critical Acme Steel Co
Priority to US142351A priority Critical patent/US3139813A/en
Priority to SE10382/62A priority patent/SE300581B/xx
Priority to GB37061/62A priority patent/GB984251A/en
Priority to CH1156262A priority patent/CH416452A/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3139813A publication Critical patent/US3139813A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

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
    • B65B13/02—Applying and securing binding material around articles or groups of articles, e.g. using strings, wires, strips, bands or tapes
    • 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
    • B65B13/22—Means for controlling tension of binding means

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the art of strapping machines and particularly to an improved strapping machine for binding by encircling an object, package, box or other bundle, with a loop of strap having its supply and leading strap ends overlapping each other and joined together by means of a joint formed by interlocking the strap ends with an encircling tubular metal seal.
  • a single air operated motor for strap feed, strap slack take-up and strap tensioning.
  • an air motor has advantages because it can be reversed in a simple manner by merely reversing the direction of air feed to it and it can be easily controlled for strap tension by varying the air line pressure, the desired strap tension being reached when the air motor stalls.
  • the technique employed in this invention is relatively simple because it relies upon displacement of at least a portion of the strap feed means due to deflection and/or penetration into the strap being fed by teeth provided in a strap feed and tensioning wheel due to forces of tension as tension in the strap increases to pro- 3,139,813 Patented July 7., 1964 vide the required signal initiating the subsequent functions of the machine.
  • this invention insures that all of the straps will have achieved their full tension before any of the sealer mechanisms of the plurality of strapping machines used will operate. If one strap loop would be allowed to be sealed before full tensioning on all of the straps is completed, the straps ordinarily would end up with unequal strap tensions and this is very objectionable.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide an improved strapping machine without the conventional type seal support portion ordinarily used to support a seal preliminary to joint formation, and still permit the use of a common type inverted channel-shaped seal.
  • the improved strap support means consists of a guide and gripping jaws which support overlapping portions of the strap at one end of the sealing region and strap gathering jaws which support the strap portions at the other end of the sealing region.
  • the strap portions bridged between the gripping jaws and guide on one end of the joint forming region and the strap gathering jaws at its other end are thereby supported together for proper joint formation.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide positive sequencing between the seal feed device and the gathering or strap support jaws to insure that a seal is positioned in sealing position before the gathering jaws are positioned where they would block passage if a seal would be attempted to be fed after they are positioned.
  • the leading strap end gripping or holding jaws and the tensioning motor are actuated simultaneously by havin their pneumatic operating means in parallel with each other.
  • a positive sequencing so that the leading strap or holding jaws are positively gripped before strap tensioning occurs This requires special sequencing means and adds to the cost. Applicants have realized that sequencing for this purpose is not essential and have eliminated it.
  • the seal feed means must be retracted to clear the sealing or joint forming region of interference from the seal feed means, and both the seal feed means and the joint forming means must be clear of the strap path before strap feed for the particular machine embodiment disclosed.
  • no stop is provided for the strap end and, so, the strap end becomes positioned varying distances beyond the joint forming region to result in a waste of strap in the form of a free strap end protruding beyond the sealed joint after strapping is completed.
  • Another object is to provide improved means for eliminating bends or deformations of the strap end induced by bending around corners of the objects strapped. It is common to withdraw a strap portion which has been so bent back into the region of joint forming during strap slack take-up and tensioning. If the bend is not removed, the strap will not subsequently feed properly so that great difficulty arises. This is an aggravated source of trouble which is at least substantially eliminated by the improved means of this invention.
  • FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a portion of a roller support type conveyor line provided with a strapping machine embodying the invention
  • FIG. 2 shows a side elevation of the strapping machine shown embodied in the apparatus of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 shows a rear elevation of the machine shown in FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the middle portion of the machine as viewed in FIG. 2, except that it is shown enlarged and oriented through ninety degrees;
  • FIG. 5 is a partial front elevation of the machine as viewed from the right in FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 6 shows a bottom end view of the machine
  • FIG. 7 shows a top end view of the machine
  • FIG. 8 shows a partially cutaway and sectional view of the machine as viewed in the same direction as shown in FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a box or package provided with a binder strap as it would appear after being applied with the apparatus of this invention
  • FIG. 9a shows a perspective view of a typical channelshaped seal employed with the apparatus of this invention.
  • FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a typical sealed joint applied by the apparatus of this invention to the overlapping strap ends of a strap loop encircled about a package;
  • FIG. 11 is a sectional view as viewed along the line 11-11 of FIG. 4 and particularly shows the leading strap end gripping mechanism
  • FIG. 12 is a sectional View along the line 12-12 of FIG. 4 and particularly shows the strap shearing mechanism, the strap joint sealing mechanism and the latching mechanism for controlling the actuation of strap gathering jaws;
  • FIG. 13 shows a sectional view along the line 1313 of FIG. 4 of the strap straightening mechanism
  • FIG. 14 is a sectional view along the line 14-14 of FIG. 2 and illustrates the supporting shaft for the strap feed idler wheel;
  • FIG. 15 shows the lower left hand portion of FIG. 7 on an enlarged scale
  • FIG. 16 is a sectional view along the line 16-16 of FIG. 4 and particularly shows the mechanism for actuating the strap gathering jaws;
  • FIG. 17 shows a simplified schematic of the electrical circuit used for control of the operating portions of the machine.
  • FIG. 18 shows a diagrammatic representation of the pneumatic circuit used to power the operations of the machine.
  • the strapping machine or head 1 embodying the invention is shown positioned between two roller conveyor lengths 2 and 3.
  • the head 1 is shrouded with a cover 4 for better appearance and to protect the operator from accidental injury because of otherwise exposed moving parts.
  • the roller conveyor lengths 2 and 3 are suitably supported with leg supports 5, 6 and 7, as required, and the strapping head 1 is suitably supported on a pipe frame 8.
  • a channel-shaped strap guide 9 In front of the head and extending below the upper level of the conveyor lengths 2 and 3 is a channel-shaped strap guide 9 for suitably guiding a loop of strap 10 around a package 11 being strapped and insuring that the leading end of the strap loop is properly fed under the package 11 and up into proper location with the working parts of the strapping head 1.
  • front strapping region 1a of the strapping head extends vertically in the particular arrangement shown, but the head can be oriented to any angle so that the front strapping region 1a can extend in any direction, including facing either upward, downward or sideways at any angle.
  • the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 is intended for purposes of example only.
  • the strapping head 1 is especially shown overall in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7. It is provided with a single large rectangular plate 12 which is the main support frame for all of the components of the strapping head.
  • the major operating portions of the head consist of the strap feed, slack take-up and tensioning portion 13, the leading strap end gripping portion 14, the strap shear portion 15, the joint sealing or forming portion 16, the strap gathering jaw portion 17, and the strap seal storing and feeding portion 18.
  • a valve manifold 19 which houses three air valves for controlling the air powered portions of the machine powering the portions 13 to 18.
  • the strap feed, slack take-up and tensioning portion 13 is provided with a serrated rotary feed wheel 20 which is secured to the end of a shaft 21.
  • the shaft 21 is the drive shaft of an air motor 22 provided with a flange 23 which is secured to the main frame 12 by means of screws 24-.
  • the air motor 22 is mounted on one side of the frame 12 and projects through a circular hole 25 to the other side of the frame 12.
  • the rotary feed wheel 20 is positioned so that the teeth or serrations 26 about its periphery are parallel to an annular wall 27 on a strap feed idler wheel 28 adjacent to it.
  • the idler wheel 28 is considerably larger in diameter than the rotary feed wheel and it is mounted, as particularly shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 6, 8 and 14 on a bearing 30 to the outer end of a shaft 29. As an idler, it is free to rotate on the bearing 38 relative to the shaft 29.
  • the shaft 29, in turn, is
  • the shaft 29 is mounted on the flange 31 with its center eccentric with the center of t e shaft 32.
  • the shaft 32 is mounted between bearings 33 and 34 in a bearing housing 35 secured to the frame 11.2 by means of bolts 36.
  • the other end of the shaft 32 is secured to the lower end of an arm 37 which extends radially outward from the shaft 32.
  • the intermediate portion of the arm 37 is provided with an opening through which freely passes a threaded shaft 38.
  • the threaded shaft 33 is on a stud 39 which is secured to the frame 12.
  • the other end of the threaded shaft 38 is provided with a threaded nut 33b which retains the arm 37 from falling off of the shaft 33.
  • a coil spring 4t reacting between the nut 33c and the arm 37 to apply a rotating force on the shaft 32 tending to urge it in a counterclockwise direction shown by the arrow 41 in FIG. 2.
  • the free end of the arm 37 is secured by a universal coupling 42 to one end 43 of a rod 44.
  • the other end 45 of the rod 44 is in line with the actuating arm 46 of a switch LS3.
  • the rod 44 is used to cause actuation of the switch LS3 upon rotational movement of the shaft 32, as will hereinafter be described.
  • a guide 47 which is used to guide strap around the idler wheel in the region from adjacent to the rotary feed wheel to the front surface of the head.
  • a strap straightening region 48 (FIGS. 2, 4, 8 and 13). This region is provided with a block 49 hollowed out to contain a strainghtening roller 5th.
  • the straightening roller 50 is mounted on a shaft 51 which has a threaded end 52 eccentric from the main body portion of it where the roller 50 is mounted.
  • the shaft 51 is held securely on the block by means of a threaded nut 53 secured on the threaded shaft end 52.
  • This shaft 51 is eccentric of the threaded end 52 so that it can be adjustably rotated to adjust the position of the roller 50 toward or away from a curved region 54 of a blade 55.
  • the strap is adapted to pass between the roller 5'59 and the portion 54 of the blade 55 where it is deformed through a curved path for purposes of straightening the strap.
  • the eccentric adjustment is ordinarily intended when changing from one strap thickness to another.
  • the leading strap end gripping portion 14 Above the level of the straddlening region 48 is the leading strap end gripping portion 14. It is particularly shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 8 and ll. and consists of two grippers 56 and 57 which are pivoted on two pins 58 and. 55% mounted between two side plates 60 and all.
  • the grippers 56 and 57 are provided with sharpened jaws 555a and 57a which are adapted to react against the leading end of the strap when it is positioned beneath the blade 55.
  • the blade 55 as shown in FIG. 5, is provided with transverse grooves 55a which align with the sharpened jaws 56a and 57a so that the strap, when gripped, is deformed slightly into the grooves 55:; for tight gripping.
  • Each of the sharpened jaws 56a and 57a have as many sharpened edges on them as there are grooves 555; in the blade 55.
  • the blade 55 is secured by means of screws 62 to an arm 63 joined to the frame 12 by means of a screw 64.
  • This blade 55 has the multiple functions of assisting in strap straightening and strap gripping, as described, and also its leading edge 55% acts as a shear blade, as hereinafter described. It has an additionl function of strap guiding because its rear end (FIG. 8) extends substantially to the region of the guide 47 where it guides the strap from the idler wheel 23 all the way into the joint sealing or forming portion 16.
  • the upper ends of the grippers 56 and 57 are pivoted on pins 65 to two toggle links 66 which are pivoted on a pin 67 to a yoke 68.
  • the yoke is secured to the piston rod 69 of a piston contained in the air cylinder 79.
  • the grippers 56 and 57 are positioned as shown in FIG. 11 and the piston rod 69 of the air cylinder 79 is retracted at that time.
  • the pin 67 is moved to cause the link 66 to pivot the grippers 56 and 57 and cause their jaws 56a and 57a to grip a strap positioned beneath the blade 55.
  • the cylinder 76 is secured by screws '71 to a pair of supports 72 which are provided with a cover plate 73 and secured by means of screws '74 to side plate 6t).
  • a fixed strap guide 75 which has a groove 75 formed in it to provide an opening larger than the thickness of strap to be used where the supply strap end can be guided and moved freely even'though the leading strap end is gripped in a fixed position against the lower surface of the blade 55 during tensioning.
  • the mechanism for joint scaling in the region 16 consists of a plurality of six jaws 32 and 83. There are, in this particular showing, four jaws 83 positioned two each opposite the two others and two jaws 82 positioned one opposite each other. The arrangement is such that the jaws 82 are alternately sandwiched between the jaws $3. In addition, there are two fixed die members 84 on either side of the jaws 82. The jaws $2 and 83 are pivoted on pins 85 to the side plates 6t and 61 while the die members 84 are mounted in a fixed position on these pins 85.
  • Each of thejaws 82 and 83 are provided with recessed portions 86 which are adapted to engage the edges of a seal and wrap it around overlapping strap ends adjacent to it and cause a seal joint to be formed by deforming the seal and strap ends with these recessed portions 86 as the seal reacts against lower surfaces 87 of the die members 84.
  • the result is a seal joint 83 as shown in FIG. 10.
  • This seal joint 88 has tabs 89 which are the regions contacted by the surfaces 87 and the die members 84 While the recessed portions 86 of the/sealer jaws engage beneath the remaining edge portions 91 It should be emphasized at this point that the particular sealer jaws and sealer mechanism generally used and shown herein are an example of a conventional type well-known in the art and it is not intended to be restricted to this particular form. It is shown merely by way of example.
  • This gear sector 161 is pivoted on a pin 102 between side plates 60 and 61.
  • the gear sector has teeth 1d?) which normally engage teeth 104 on a rack which is guided in two oppositely positioned grooves 106 formed in the side plates 6% and 61.
  • the rack N5 is mounted by means of two screws 1137 to the piston rod 1118 of the air cylinder 109 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 6) which is hereinafter referred to as the sealer cylinder. in operation, the sealer parts are initially retracted to their position as shown in FIG. 12. As the piston rod 108 is extended by admitting air under pressure in the proper direction to the sealer cylinder 109, the rack causes the gear sector 101 to rotate on its pin 102 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG.
  • rollers 113 mounted on the pins 92 and these rollers engage the upper edge 114- of the shear blade as the sealer jaws 83 are pivoted.
  • the shear blade 110 is moved downwardly by the rollers 113 during the last portion of the sealing stroke. This causes the lower edge 115 of the shear blade to shear through a strap positioned in its path by reacting with the end 55b of the blade 55.
  • the pins 91 engaging the'shoulders 112 of the shear blade cause it to also retract to its original position as shown in FIG. 12.
  • the latch plate 119 is mounted to pivot on a hollow shaft 120 (see FIGS. 4, 5, 12 and 16) which is secured to the side plate 61 by means of a nut 121 threadably engaging its threaded outside surface.
  • the end of the shaft 12% which is visible in FIG. 12 is a flanged end while its remaining portion is that which is threaded.
  • the flanged end retains the latch plate 119 on the shaft'120.
  • a second latch plate 122 Between the first latch plate 119 and the side plate 61 is a second latch plate 122 which is also pivoted on the shaft 121).
  • a coil spring 126 surrounds the shaft 120 and has its opposite ends-connected around the pins 118 and .123 in such a manner that the latch plates tend to be rotated in opposite directions by the force of the spring 126.
  • latch'bolt 127 of circular rod crosssection which protrudes through the hollow of the shaft 120.
  • a hook end 127a used ordinarily 'to engage one or both of two notches 119a and 122a provided on the latch plates 119 and 122 respectively.
  • the other end 12% of the latch bolt 127 protrudes beyond the opposite side of the side plate 61 and it is provided with an encircling compression spring 128 which is mounted .to react against the first cotter pin 129 to urge the latch bolt to the right, as viewed in FIG. 4. This tendency of the spring 128 in this direction urges the end 127a of the latch bolt into the path of the notches 119a and 122a.
  • the pin 123 is also engaged with a slot 130 in a triangular shaped link 131.
  • This link 131 provides a toggle with another link 132 to which it is pivoted by a seal storing and feeding portion 18. shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 15 where a seal storage turn is pivoted on a pin 137 secured to the side plate 61.
  • the link 132 is also pivoted on a pin 138 to the upper end of another gathering jaw 139 on a pin 141i mounted in the side plate. 61.
  • This mechanism embodying the gathering jaws 136 and 139, as viewed in FIG. 16, constitutes the strap gathering jaw portion 17.
  • the parts related to the gathering jaws are retracted by having the pin 133 toward the upper end.
  • the rack 1115 is retracted to rotate the gear sector 1111 in the opposite direction and pull the link 1117 to the left as viewed in FIG. 12 to rotate both of the latch plates 119 and 1122 together until pin 118 returns to the left end of the slot 125 and the pin 123 returns to the lower end of the slot 124,'as viewed in FIG. 12.
  • the movement of the latch plate 122 at this time causes the toggle linkage associated with the gathering jaws 136 and 139 to spread their. free ends apart from each other and out of the ordinary path of travel of strap. With all parts returned, they are ready for a repeat cycle of operation.
  • the strap It is particularly magazine 141 extends along the outside wall of a side plate 61a.
  • Side wall 61a is immediately adjacent to side wall 61 and it is secured to it by means of the same bolts 77a, 78a, 72a and 811a which maintain the side plates 69 and 61 assembled together with their spacers.
  • this side plate 61a is provided with an irregular cutout surface 6112 which provides room for the operating mechanism of the gathering jaws, as clearly shown in FIG. 16.
  • a cover plate 610 is positioned over side plate 61a and this conceals the gathering jaw mechanism shown in FIG. 16. The bolts holding side plates 6311, 61 and 61a together also hold this side plate 610 assembled.
  • the seal magazine 141 houses a plurality of nested channel shaped seals 142 which have a shape as shown in FIG. 9a.
  • Each seal 142 is provided with a back surface 142:: bridged between two depending legs 1421) which extend divergently away from each other.
  • the seals 142 are stacked in the seal magazine 141 and retained in their stack by means of a spring loaded weight 143 and this manner of stackingand retaining the seals in a seal magazine is a relatively common expedient for a strapping machine.
  • the forward seal in the stack is positioned with its depending legs 1 12b resting on two plates 144 secured to the base of the seal magazine 141 by means of screws 145 (see FIGS. 4, 5 and 8).
  • a seal feed hinge 147 Pivoted on a pin 1% to the wall of the seal magazine 141 is a seal feed hinge 147. Its free end is provided 9 with a seal feed bar 148 pivoted to it on a 149 and this seal feed bar 1 .3 is urged in a clockwise direction (FIG. 8) by means of a spring 1511 coiled around the pin Another spring 151 encircles the pin 146 and reacts between the seal magazine 1 .1 and another pin 152 mounted through the seal feed hinge 147 in order to urge the seal feed hinge 147 in a clockwise manner.
  • the free end 153 of the seal feed bar 1453 is notched with a little shoulder to engage the edge of the endrnost seal 142 when it is positioned with its depending legs 1 32b resting on the plates 144.
  • the seal feed hinge 147 is retracted to the position as shown in FIG. 8 with the seal feed bar 148 engaging the forward seal, but the forward seal is resisted from being displaced until the seal feed hinge 147 is pivoted on its pin 146 to drive the seal feed bar 148.
  • the endmost seal 142 is moved by the force of the spring 151 applied to the seal feed hinge 147 to cause the seal to be fed into a region between the sealing jaws 82 and 83 in preparation for sealing.
  • the pin 152 projecting laterally from the seal feed hinge 147 engages the extreme free end 1271) of the latch bolt 127 to immediately cause the positioning of the strap gathering jaws 136 and 139, as previously described.
  • the seal feed hinge 147 is returned to its retracted position (1 16. 4) by means of a roller 154 moving against a surface 155 on a projecting portion of the seal feed hinge 147.
  • the roller 154 (FIGS. 4, 7, l and 16) is mounted on a pin 1% to a yoke 157 at the end of an arm 158 which is part of the cross-head 9d actuated during movement of the sealing mechanism, as previously described.
  • the seal feed hinge 147 is first moved from the position shown in FIG. 8 to feed a seal and it moves to a position shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 during this time. Then, the sealer mechanism is operated to form a seal joint 88 and move the roller 154 against the surface 155 of the seal feed hinge in order to again retract it during the joint forming period. There is a laterally extending plunger 159 (FIGS. 2, 7 and S) which is retracted through the frame 12 in order to release the seal feed hinge 147 initially. Upon return movement of the seal feed hinge to its position as shown in FIG. 8, an end surface 1&9 of a projecting ear 161 on the hinge 147 latches against the plunger 159 to retain the hinge in its retracted position.
  • a strap guide 152 which extends for some distance and is held in place by being bent around two pins 163 and 164 which are mounted in a guide support block 165.
  • side guides 166 On both sides of the strap support guide 165 are mounted side guides 166 which are spring loaded against the guide support 165 and which can be spread apart to allow for removal of the strap from between them.
  • all'of the side guides 166, 167 and 158 are provided with inwardly turned flanges 166a, 157a and 168a for temporary strap retention.
  • the means for spring loading the guides toward each other is by means of identical springs 169 as best shown in FIG. 5.
  • the spring consists of a helical coil body 169a secured at one end to a straight rod portion 169! which passes centrally through the body portion 169a and terminates in a hooked end 16%.
  • the seal feed hinge 147 is provided with a V-shaped link 171) having a central flat portion 170b, It is connected at its one end to the hinge 147 by means of a pin 171. At its other end it encircles ill the pin 156 of the cross-head 96 so that its one end moves with the hinge 147 while its other end moves with the cross-head 9d. The reason for this is to prevent actuation of the switch arm 172 of the switch LS2 by means of the portion of the link 170 until both the seal feed hinge 147 and the sealer mechanism have been retracted. This is important to the control of certain operations of the machine as controlled by switch LS2. The essence of the importance of this arrangement is that the seal feed hinge 147 must be retracted before the sealer mechanism is retracted, but both must be retracted before switch LS2 is operated and strap feed is initiated.
  • this spring loaded plunger 178 which is urged to the right as viewed in FIG. 8.
  • the purpose of this spring loaded plunger is to deflect the leading end 173a of the strap when it is initially fed past the gathering jaw region 17 to deflect the strap end away from the seals stacked in a seal reservoir 141 to prevent contact of the strap end with the seal and thereby arrest strap feed.
  • the tendency for this to happen would be increased in case of a strap with an end curved or otherwise deformed in a direction toward the seal magazine 141.
  • the strapping head 1 is presented with a package 11 along its front face 1a.
  • a length of strap 173 is fed from a suitable supply source through a guide 174 in the direction of the arrow 175 (FIG. 2) in order to feed the strap 173 between the rotary feed wheel 20 and the idler wheel 28.
  • the rotary feed wheel 20 is rotated by its air motor 22 to feed a length of strap around the idler wheel 28, through the straightening portion 48, past the leading strapping end gripping portion 14, the strap shear portion 15, the joint sealing or forming portion 16, the strap gathering jaw portion 17, the strap seal storing and feeding portion 18, and into a region beyond the side guides 166.
  • the seal feed hinge 147 is released by retracting the plunger 159 to feed a seal 142 into a position between the sealer jaws 82 and 83.
  • the strap length positioned in the strapping machine acts as a guide along which the seal 142 is fed and it also acts as a retaining means to prevent the seal from dropping out of the head after it is fed.
  • This leading strap end 173:: is grasped by the operator and manually encircled forward, around and beneath the package 11 and guided by the bottom of the guide channel 9 provided in front of the machine.
  • This guide channel guides the strap up below the blade 55 between the side guides 167 and 168 of the strap straight ening portion 43, past all of the mechanism leading to the strap gathering jaw portion 17 and is finally deflected up onto a ledge 176 on each gathering jaw 136 and 141? where the leading strap end is arrested in its forward movement.
  • each gathering jaw is provided with a sloped surface 177 which provides the deflection for the strap end up onto the ledge 176.
  • the package 11 rests on the conveyor lengths 2 and 3 with the strap loop 119 loosely surrounding it.
  • the leading strap end gripping jaws 56 and 57 are then pivoted to grip the leading strap end 173a against the bottom surface of the blade 55 7
  • the rotary feed wheel 20 is rotated in a reverse direction to cause reverse movement of the strap 173 in order to withdraw the slack from the strap loop 16 loosely surrounding the package 11.
  • the rotary feed wheel 20 causes the strap 173 to be tensioned tightly onto the package 11.
  • a signal from the tensioning means causes actuation of thepiston of the sealer cylinder 1119 to cause the sealing portion 16 to form a sealed joint of the type shown in FIG. 10 between the overlapping strap ends of the strap.
  • the supply strap end is severed from the strap loop and the leading strap end gripping portion 14 is actuated in a direction to allow removal of the strap loop with the package 11 as the package 11 is moved downthe roller conveyors supporting it.
  • the leading strap end gripping portion 14 is not released until the feeding of strap is initiated immediately after strap shearing. After a new length of strap has been fed into the machine far enough to pass between the guide plates 166 and beyond them, the machine is ready for a new operating cycle.
  • FIG. 17 which shows the electrical circuit
  • the wire 179 is connected to one side of a master switch 181 which has its other side leading through a wire 191 to a cycle switch 182 and a holding switch 183b in parallel with it. Both are connected through a switch LS1 to a junction 191 which carries four parallel branches leading to the wire 180 on the opposite side of the electricalsystem.
  • the first parallel branch contains switch LS3, switch contact 184c,and the solenoid 190a of the sealer valve 190, .all in series.
  • the second parallel branch contains relay switch 1841b and solenoid 184a of relay 184 in series with each other.
  • the third parallel branch contains the solenoid 183a of relay 183.
  • the fourth parallel branch contains solenoid 189a of the tension and grip valve 189.
  • a branchcircuit containing relay switch 18% and seal feed plunger solenoid 188.
  • a manual strap feed switch 187 leading to a juncture 192 in parallel with switch LS2 leading to the same juncture 192.
  • the juncture 192 are two parallel circuits, the first of which contains solenoid 1,855: of a time delay relay 185 and the second of which contains solenoid 186a of the strap feed valve 186.
  • relayswitches 184! and 184a are actuated by energization and de-energization ofsolenoid 184a
  • relay switch 183b is actuated by relay solenoid 183a
  • relay switch 185i is operated by relay solenoid 185a.
  • a manual seal switch 203 Also connected from wire 179 to a point between relay switch 184a and the sealer solenoid 190a is a manual seal switch 203.
  • A'wire 204 is also connected between a juncture 205 and 206 in two of the parallel branch circuits.
  • FIG. 18 which shows the pneumatic circuit
  • a sourceof high pressure 193 is connected by a conduit 194 to the valve 190.
  • the valve 190 is connected to the sealer cylinder 109 by means of conduit 200.
  • the valve 190 is also connected to an exhaust conduit 195 andanother conduit 196. Both conduits 195 and 196 lead into valve 186 and this valve has two conduits 197 and 198 leading from it to the third valve 189.
  • From valve 189 is an exhaust conduit 199 leading to the atmosphere.
  • Both of the conduits 19.5 and 197 are connected to a common exhaust leading to exhaust conduit 199.
  • Both conduits 196 and 198 are connected to the common high pressure conduit 194 leading from the high pressure source 193.
  • conduit 201 Leading from the valve186 is a conduit 201 which leads to one side of theair motor 22 and to one side of the strap end gripping cylinder 70.
  • a conduit 202 leads from the valve 189 to the opposite side of their air motor 22 and to the opposite side of the strap end gripping cylinder 70.
  • the machine is put into operation by inserting the leading strap end 173a of a supply of strap between the rotary feed wheel 20 and the idler wheel 28.
  • the supply ing circuits for their later operation.
  • the 12 of strap is ordinarily a coil of strap positioned in a convenient fixed place relative to the installation where the strapping head 1 is located. As shown in FIG. 2, the strap can be inserted through a guide 174 which leads into the region between the rotary feed Wheel 20 and the idler wheel 28. Also, the operator must fill the seal magazine 141 with a plurality of stacked seals 142 by first removing the spring loaded weight 143 and then replacing it after the seals have been placed in the mag azine. Initially, the seal feed hinge 147 is latched to a position indicated in FIG. 8, the manual seal switch 203 is open, the master switch 181 is open, the manual strap feed switch 187 is open and the cycle switch 182 is open. At this time, the master switch 182 is closed.
  • Feeding of the airpressure to the air motor 22 causes it to rotate the rotary feed wheel 20 in a direction to feed strap into the machine past the operating portions at the front face of the machine.
  • the energized time delay relay solenoid 185a permits the strap to be fed for approximately one second for the particular embodiment shown. This is accomplished by having the solenoid delay the closing of its relay switch 185k for one second. After one second, the relay switch 18512 closes to energize the seal feed plunger solenoid 188. This causes the plunger 159 to retract and allow the seal feed hinge 147 to pivot from a position as shown in FIG. 8 to a position as shown in FIG. 2.
  • the one second delay period for strap feed is calculated to feed out only enough strap that it projects slightly above the head as viewed in FIG. 1. This is not intended to be enough length of strap for encircling a package. Therefore, the manual strap feed switch 187 is closed to feed out additional strap by energizing the strap feed valve solenoid 186a. The manual strap feed switch 187 is held closed for as long a period as required to feed out the length of strap'needed.
  • the cycle switch 182 is closed and this energizes the relay solenoid 183a and the solenoid 18% of the tension and grip solenoid valve 189.
  • Energizing the relay solenoid 183a closes its relay switch 13% which acts as a holding contact upon release of the cycle switch 182 to its open position.
  • the tension and grip valve 189 When the tension and grip valve 189 is actuated at this time, it causes high pressure air to pass through the conduit 202 and into the opposite side of both the air motor 22 and the leading strap end gripping cylinder 70.
  • the piston rod 69 extends to cause the gripping jaws 56 and 57 to grip the leading strap end against the under surface of the blade 55 (FIG.
  • the air motor 22 rotates in a direction opposite to its rotation during strap feed and this causes withdrawal of the strap 1733 around the idler wheel 28 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 8. Strap withdrawal continues until all the slack is taken up in the strap loop encircling the package 11 and continues until a certain degree of tension is reached. When this certain degree of tension is reached, there is a certain deflection of the idler wheel shaft 29 and its elated parts and the shaft 21 of the rotary feed wheel 20 in combination with a certain movement resulting from penetration of the serrations on the rotary feed wheel into the strap.
  • Opening switch LS1 also de-energizes relay solenoid 184a to again open its relay This causes de-energization of the solenoid 190a of the sealer valve 1% to relieve pressure from the air sealer cylinder 109 to the atmosphere through conduit 195.
  • the spring loaded return of the sealer cylinder 1639 causes the sealer parts to assume their original positions as shown in FIG. 12.
  • the cross-head 96 is retracted so that the V-shaped arm 17th is also fully retracted to where the portion 17% of this arm again causes movement of the switch arm 172 of switch LS2 to again close it.
  • Closing of this switch LS2 initiates the one second time period of strap feed caused by the time delay relay and leaves the end of the operating cycle with a portion of strap fed into the machine and extending above the level of the strapping head 1. It is then in readiness for the next cycle of operation which is initiated by again closing the manual strap feed switch 187 to feed out a suificient length of strap to encircle the next object or package to be strapped.
  • the leading strap end gripping piston rod 69 is urged to a retracted position by means of an internal spring.
  • the weight of the package is transmitted through the gripping jaws to Wedge them against the side plate fill of the head near which they are mounted.
  • the spring return force on the piston rod 69 is not enough to overcome the wedging force to retract them. It is not until strap feed is subsequently initiated that the gripping jaws retract and their retraction is brought about by the admission of high pressure air into conduit 261 simulta neously with the admission of high pressure air from the conduit 2M to the air motor 22 for strap feeding. Note that the strapped package cannot be removed from the machine before this occurs because the gripping jaws are holding the strap loop up against the front face of the strapping head 1.
  • the combination in a strapping machine comprising, gripping means for gripping the leading end of a length of strap encircled into a strap loop about an object to .be strapped with the leading end of the strap overlapping its supply end, tensioning means for withdrawing thesupply end of the strap loop relative to the leading end of the strap loop while the gripping means holds the leading end stationary in order to shrink and tension the strap loop onto the object, joint forming means for forming a joint between the overlapping portions of the strap, said tensioning means having a rotary feed wheeland an idler wheel between which the strap passes while being tensioned, said rotary feed wheel sup- --p.or.ted on a shaft driven by a power means for tensioning, said idler wheel being mounted on an eccentric shaft which is so aligned relative to the rotary feed wheel that tension in the strap urges rotation of the eccentric shaft and thereby urges the idler wheel bodily toward the rotary.
  • control means for controlling the operation of said joint forming means, saidv control means having a portion interconnectedto said eccentric shaft providing movement of said portion in response to said rotation of the eccentric shaft .as tension in the strap increases, the movement of said portion being suflicient to operate the control means and cause operation of the joint forming means.
  • control means being provided with a time delay which delays the immediate operation of the joint formingmeans.
  • the combination in a strapping machine comprising, gripping means for gripping the leading end of a .length of strap encircled into a strap loop about an object being strapped with the leading end or" the strap overlapping its supply end, tensioning means for withdrawing the supply end of the strap loop relative to the leading end of the strap loop while the gripping means holds the leading strap end stationary in order to shrink and tension the strap loop onto the object, joint forming means for forming a joint between the overlapping portions of the strap, said tensioning means having a rotary feed wheel and an idler Wheel between which the strap passes and is gripped while being tensioned, said rotary feed wheel supported on a shaft driven by power means for causing tensioning of the strap, said idler Wheel being mounted for rotation on an axis on a portion of an eccentric shaft journalled for rotation on a fixed axis, the axis of said portion being eccentric of said fixed axis on which the eccentric shaft is journalled and in a position which causes the idler wheel to be urged increasingly toward the rotary feed wheel
  • the combination ina strapping machine comprising, gripping means for gripping the leading end of a length of strap encircled into a strap loop about an object being strapped with the leading strap end overlapping the supply strap end, tensioning means for withdrawing the supply strap end relative to the leading strap end while the gripping means holds the leading strap end stationary in order to shrink and tension the strap loop onto the object, joint forming means for forming a joint between the overlapping strap ends, said tensioning means having a rotary feed wheel and an idler wheel between which the strap passes and is gripped while being tensioned, said rotary feed wheel being supported on a. shaft driven by power means for causing tensioning of the strap, said idler wheel being mounted for rotation on an axis on a portion of an eccentric shaft journalled.
  • the axis of said portion being eccentric of said fixed axis on which the eccentric shaft is journalled and in a position which causes the idler wheel to be vurged increasingly toward the rotary feed wheel by the increased force of tension developed in the strap during tensioning to increase the grip on the strap, said eccentric shaft'being provided with an arm positioned to move through an angular path as the eccentric shaft is rotated on its axis .to thereby cause said arm to actuate a switch means in response to bodily movement of the idler wheel toward the rotary feed wheel as the strap tension increasesv and cause actuation of the joint. forming means.
  • joint forming means in a joint'forming region for forming an interlocking joint between an encircling seal and overlapping ends of a strap encircled into a strap loop about an object, strap gathering means for supporting; the overlapping strap ends during joint formation, and seal feed means for feeding a seal into the joint forming region prior to formation of ajoint, a
  • said seal feed means a igned to actuate the latch bolt and unlatch it during the seal feed stroke ,to allow the strap gathering means to extend to a position supporting the overlapping strap ends, means to actuate the joint forming means on a forward stroke to cause a joint to be formed between the seal fed in and the overlapping strap ends and to thereafter return the joint forming means to its original position on a return stroke, said return of the joint forming means causing relatching and return of the latch bolt and return of the strap gathering means out of strap supporting position.
  • the combination in a strapping machine comprising, seal feed means for feeding a seal to a position about two overlapping strap ends, joint forming means for forming an interlocking joint between the seal and the overlapping strap ends, and strap gathering means for supporting the overlapping strap ends during joint formation, a latch bolt being provided to hold the strap gathering means retracted out of strap supporting position when the latch bolt is latched to the joint forming means, the latch being in the path of the seal feed means so that the seal feed means unlatches the latch bolt from the joint forming means and allows the strap gathering means to extend to strap supporting position during the seal feed movement of the seal feed means, means for actuating the joint forming means to form an interlocking joint between a seal and the overlapping strap ends and to thereafter cause return movement of the joint forming means, the latch bolt and the joint forming means being so related that the latch bolt is caused to again latch onto the joint forming means during the joint forming stroke and thereafter cause return of the strap gathering means out of strap supporting position upon return of the joint forming means.
  • the combination in a strapping machine comprising, means for guiding a length of strap leading from a strap supply and looped around an object, tensioning means for drawing the strap taut around the object, a blade over which said strap passes, jaws for gripping the free end of the strap against the blade, said blade having a portion with transverse grooves formed therein and said jaws having sharp projections to force the material of the strap into the grooves to hold the strap taut during the operation of the tensioning means, joint forming means for joining together the ends of the strap looped and tensioned about the object, and a movable strap shear means for coacting against another portion of the blade for severing the length of strap looped and tensioned about the object from the strap supply.
  • the combination in a strapping machine comprising, means for guiding a length of strap leading from a strap supply and looped around an object, tensioning means for drawing the strap taut around the object, a blade over which the strap passes, jaws for gripping the free end of the strap against the blade, said blade having a portion with transverse grooves formed therein and said jaws having sharp projections to force the material of the strap into the grooves to hold the strap taut during the operation of the tensioning means, strap straightening means for straightening the strap as the tensioning means draws the strap taut about the object, said blade having a curved portion for the strap straightening means to provide a curved path for the strap to effect its straightening.
  • the combination in a strapping machine comprising, strap feed means for feeding a length of strap to be encircled into a strap loop about an object, joint forming means for forming a joint between a seal and overlapping strap ends of the strap loop, seal feed means for feeding a seal to the joint forming region of the overlapping strap ends, the joint forming means having a crosshead for retracting the seal feed means during the joint forming movement of the joint forming means after the seal feed means has fed a seal to the joint forming region, a switch means for controlling said strap feed means, and a connecting link between the crosshead and the seal feed means adapted to actuate the switch means in one direction to render the strap feed means inoperative as the seal feed means is actuated to feed a seal and in its opposite direction upon return movement of the crosshead with the joint forming means to thereby insure inoperation of the strap feed means during the joint forming period.
  • connecting link being resiliently flexible to compensate by bending for any changes in distances occurring between the locations on the crosshead and the seal feed means where the connected link is connected during movement of the crosshead, the connecting link and the seal feed means.
  • a strapping machine comprising, strap feed means for feeding a length of strap to be encircled into a strap loop about an object, a two position switch means for controlling the operation of said strap feed means, joint forming means for forming a joint between a seal and overlapping strap ends of the loop, seal feed means for feeding a seal to the joint forming region of the overlapping strap ends, the joint forming means having a crosshead operably connected to it, a con necting link mounted between the crosshead and the seal feed means and positioned to hold the switch means in one position when both the joint forming means and the seal feed means are retracted, said one position of said switch means rendering the strap feed means operative, the switch means being disengaged from said link and moved to its second position upon movement of the seal feed means during its seal feed stroke to render the strap feed means inoperative, power means for extending the joint forming means to cause a joint to be formed between the seal and overlapping strap ends and cause said crosshead to be actuated in one direction, said crosshead engaging said
  • tensioning means for tensioning a loop of strap encircled about an object by withdrawing the supply end of the strap relative to its leading end
  • strap gripping means for holding the leading end of strap stationary during tensioning
  • an air motor being used to power the tensioning means and an air operated piston used to cause actuation of the strap gripping means
  • both the air motor and the piston being simultaneously supplied with pressurized air from the same source to cause simultaneous gripping of the strap gripping means and initiation of the tensioning by the tensioning means.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Package Closures (AREA)
US142351A 1961-10-02 1961-10-02 Strapping machine Expired - Lifetime US3139813A (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US142351A US3139813A (en) 1961-10-02 1961-10-02 Strapping machine
SE10382/62A SE300581B (de) 1961-10-02 1962-09-27
GB37061/62A GB984251A (en) 1961-10-02 1962-10-01 Strapping machine
CH1156262A CH416452A (de) 1961-10-02 1962-10-02 Bandagiermaschine

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US142351A US3139813A (en) 1961-10-02 1961-10-02 Strapping machine

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3139813A true US3139813A (en) 1964-07-07

Family

ID=22499512

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US142351A Expired - Lifetime US3139813A (en) 1961-10-02 1961-10-02 Strapping machine

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US3139813A (de)
CH (1) CH416452A (de)
GB (1) GB984251A (de)
SE (1) SE300581B (de)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3215064A (en) * 1964-05-25 1965-11-02 A J Gerrard Mfg Co Automatic strapping and sealing machine
US3220338A (en) * 1964-05-01 1965-11-30 Signode Corp Package binding system
US3232217A (en) * 1964-05-04 1966-02-01 Stanley Works Strapping machine
US3274921A (en) * 1965-02-10 1966-09-27 United States Steel Corp Control system for wire-tying apparatus
US3590729A (en) * 1969-12-11 1971-07-06 Interlake Steel Corp Strap feed device
US3672295A (en) * 1970-08-13 1972-06-27 Interlake Inc Strapping machine
US3687059A (en) * 1970-10-05 1972-08-29 Interlake Inc Strapping machine
US3768397A (en) * 1972-02-17 1973-10-30 Interlake Inc Strapping machine
US7287464B1 (en) * 2006-05-03 2007-10-30 Illinois Tool Works, Inc. Strapping machine
US20130276415A1 (en) * 2012-04-24 2013-10-24 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Modular strapping machine for steel strap

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8397632B2 (en) 2010-03-04 2013-03-19 L & P Property Management Company Knotter assembly
US9045245B2 (en) 2010-03-04 2015-06-02 L&P Property Management Company Knotter assembly
US10684595B2 (en) 2013-09-04 2020-06-16 Accent Wire Holdings, LLC Control user interface for tying system
US9278772B2 (en) 2014-02-20 2016-03-08 L&P Property Management Company Combination wire and plastic strapping device
US10351274B2 (en) 2014-02-20 2019-07-16 Accent Packaging Inc. Combination wire and plastic strapping device
US11040789B2 (en) 2014-02-20 2021-06-22 Accent Wire Holdings Llc Combination wire and plastic strapping device
US9359094B2 (en) 2014-03-10 2016-06-07 L & P Property Management Company Gripping mechanism

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1650843A (en) * 1918-08-08 1927-11-29 Cary Mfg Co Wire-banding machine
US2215121A (en) * 1931-04-24 1940-09-17 Gerrard Co Inc Binding machine
US2707429A (en) * 1948-09-09 1955-05-03 Signode Steel Strapping Co Automatic strapping machine
US2882814A (en) * 1952-04-26 1959-04-21 Acme Steel Co Box strapping machine
US2915003A (en) * 1956-11-13 1959-12-01 Signode Steel Strapping Co Power strapping machine

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1650843A (en) * 1918-08-08 1927-11-29 Cary Mfg Co Wire-banding machine
US2215121A (en) * 1931-04-24 1940-09-17 Gerrard Co Inc Binding machine
US2707429A (en) * 1948-09-09 1955-05-03 Signode Steel Strapping Co Automatic strapping machine
US2882814A (en) * 1952-04-26 1959-04-21 Acme Steel Co Box strapping machine
US2915003A (en) * 1956-11-13 1959-12-01 Signode Steel Strapping Co Power strapping machine

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3220338A (en) * 1964-05-01 1965-11-30 Signode Corp Package binding system
US3232217A (en) * 1964-05-04 1966-02-01 Stanley Works Strapping machine
US3215064A (en) * 1964-05-25 1965-11-02 A J Gerrard Mfg Co Automatic strapping and sealing machine
US3274921A (en) * 1965-02-10 1966-09-27 United States Steel Corp Control system for wire-tying apparatus
US3590729A (en) * 1969-12-11 1971-07-06 Interlake Steel Corp Strap feed device
US3672295A (en) * 1970-08-13 1972-06-27 Interlake Inc Strapping machine
US3687059A (en) * 1970-10-05 1972-08-29 Interlake Inc Strapping machine
US3768397A (en) * 1972-02-17 1973-10-30 Interlake Inc Strapping machine
US7287464B1 (en) * 2006-05-03 2007-10-30 Illinois Tool Works, Inc. Strapping machine
US20070256577A1 (en) * 2006-05-03 2007-11-08 Illinois Tool Works, Inc. Strapping machine
US20130276415A1 (en) * 2012-04-24 2013-10-24 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Modular strapping machine for steel strap
US9745090B2 (en) * 2012-04-24 2017-08-29 Signode Industrial Group Llc Modular strapping machine for steel strap
US10633130B2 (en) 2012-04-24 2020-04-28 Signode Industrial Group Llc Modular strapping machine for steel strap

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE300581B (de) 1968-04-29
GB984251A (en) 1965-02-24
CH416452A (de) 1966-06-30

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3139813A (en) Strapping machine
US4154158A (en) Method and apparatus for binding an article with a loop of tensioned strap
US3636861A (en) Strapping machine
US2831422A (en) Textile strapping machine
US2707429A (en) Automatic strapping machine
US3939762A (en) Apparatus for bundling firewood
US4782648A (en) Device for applying a pre-tensioned binding element, around objects
US4655264A (en) Twist tying machine
US4566378A (en) Apparatus for hooping a fiber bale in a fiber bale press
GB1212385A (en) Improvements in and relating to strapping mechanism
EP0460880B1 (de) Vorrichtung zum Zuführen von Bindedraht
US4559977A (en) Twist tying machine
US3687059A (en) Strapping machine
US3396760A (en) Strapping tool
US3557684A (en) Binding machine
US2707430A (en) Automatic strapping machine
US3215064A (en) Automatic strapping and sealing machine
EP0005974B1 (de) Vorrichtung zum Verbinden der überlappten Enden eines Bindematerials
US3157109A (en) Tying machine
US3863684A (en) Strapping tool
US3768397A (en) Strapping machine
US3841213A (en) Strapping machine feed control
US3333608A (en) Tightening and closure device for band-like closure hoops
US2941782A (en) Strapping tool
US3698310A (en) Strapping machine