US3553794A

US3553794A - Wireless strapping seal

Info

Publication number: US3553794A
Application number: US762926A
Authority: US
Inventors: Franz A Kneidl; Rollin M Amsden Jr
Original assignee: Stanley Works
Current assignee: Stanley Works
Priority date: 1968-09-26
Filing date: 1968-09-26
Publication date: 1971-01-12
Anticipated expiration: 1988-01-12
Also published as: DE1943621A1

Abstract

A NESTABLE MAGAZINE SEAL BLANK INCLUDES IN ITS FLANGES INTERLOCKS COMPRISED OF AN APERTURE AND AN INWARDLY DEPRESSED BOSS FACILITATING BOTH EMBRACEABLE RETENTION BETWEEN SEAL BLANKS WITHIN A STACK AND ENDWISE SEPARATION OF THE BLANKS.

Description

Jan. 12, 1971 KN D; ETAL 3,553,794

WIRELESS STRAPPING SEAL Filed Sept. 26, 1968 m J HN N N w E AM N. A m W E O R Y B 9 7% Z Y ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,553,794 WIRELESS STRAPPING SEAL Franz A. Kneidl, Milford, and Rollin M. Amsden, Jr., New Britain, Cnn., assignors to The Stanley Works, New

Britain, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Filed Sept. 26, 1968, Ser. No. 762,926

Int. Cl. B65d 63/06 US. CI. 2423 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A nestable magazine seal blank includes in its flanges interlocks comprised of an aperture and an inwardly depressed boss facilitating both embraceable retention between seal blanks within a stack and endwise separation of the blanks.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to deformable seals for connecting overlapping portions of strapping and the like. In particular, it is directed toward a new and improved open end seal blank adapted to be stacked in a nested and interlocked condition.

Open end seal blanks as utilized in strapping and binding devices generally are supplied to a joint-forming mechanism from magazines adapted to contain stacks of the blanks. Precision feeding of the blanks, one at a time axially endwise from the bottom of such a stack, as in common, necessitates use of uniform stacks..Each blank of a given stack must be readily separated endwise, yet the stack must be capable of being easily moved as a unit. Consequently the stack also should possess the property of being quite difficult to separate longitudinally therealong into its component seal blanks. Various ways of interlocking the successively adjoining seal blanks of a stack have been devised in efforts to maintain the integrity of the stack. Generally, the seal blanks each have a more or less flat back portion and outwardly flaring and largely planar flanges extending along the parallel longitudinal edges thereof. Proportionally, the back portion approximately matches the width of the strapping with which it is to be used, and the flanges are somewhat less than half of that measurement.

Because the blanks are uniformly alike, a nested stack of such seal blanks assumes the posture of spaced back plates and adjoining flanges. Grooves have therefore been provided on the outwardly facing planar surface of each flange, and embossments have been provided on the inner planar surface of each flange, the grooves and embossments being so offset that an embossment on the inner face of an overlying seal blank will mate with the groove on the outer face of the seal blank nested thereunder. Such interlocking configurations are generally provided on the flanges more or less centrally thereon.

The groove-embossment interlock utilizes minimum boss contact surface. Such an arrangement generally provides point contact instead of line contact, in order to facilitate axially endwise separation. This structure reduces the available interference to separation longitudinally along a nested stack. Such an interlock also requires miniature, precision tooling, which is unable to withstand prolonged use without exhibiting substantial wear.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a new and improved seal blank of the type described which obviates at least the aforementioned disadvantages of the groove-embossment interlocks and advantageously provides an improved simplified interlock having increased interference to longitudinal separation along a 3,553,794 Patented Jan. 12, 1971 stack without loss either of ease of separation axially endwise from a stack or loss of contact area.

Another object of this invention is to provide magazine seal blanks with improved interlocks affording less likelihood of separation longitudinally of a stack coupled with increased stack flexibility.

An additional object of this invention is to provide magazine seal blanks with improved interlocks for reducing to a minimum the endwise play and wobble between seal blanks While at the same time facilitating increased locking engagement between seal blanks and greater integrity of the stack.

Another object of this invention is to provide new and improved magazine seal blanks designed to permit greater tolerance in the flange angle, reduced displacement of seal blank material and facile, rapid seal blank formation with tools of increased durability, resulting in a more continuous and economical manufacturing operation.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a new and improved wireless magazine seal of the type described incorporating a full depth locking feature that enhances interference to seal separation along a stack, and facilitates axially endwise separation of a seal from a stack.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out more in detail hereinafter.

In accordance with the present invention, these and related objects are accomplished by providing an improved magazine seal blank structure which utilizes lanced aperture and sharp edge embossed portions of each flange as interlocks affording increased seal engaging surface and interference to separation along a stack together with ready release endwise from the stack of one of the seals.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which is exemplified in the: construction hereafter set forth.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an open magazine seal blank incorporating an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmented end view, partly broken away, showing seal blanks like that in FIG. 1 nested in interlocking relation; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmented view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 and showing part of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing in greater detail wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several figures, an embodiment of a seal blank incorporating the invention, generally shown by 10 and preferably formed as a single unit from sheet metal stock includes a flat, rectilinear back plate portion 12 and a pair of generally flat, rectangular depending side portions or flanges 14, integrally connected to the back portion along its opposite parallel side edges 16. The flanges 14 are so formed as to flare outpwardly and downwardly from the back plate 12, terminating in free or exposed longitudinal edges 18 which are generally parallel to the edges 16 and separated from each other by a distance greater than that separating the said edges 16. The flanges 14 in the embodiment illustrated are of a. width which is slightly less than one-half the width of the back plate 12, the latter being equal to or only slightly greater in width than the width of the strapping with which the seal blank is to be used. As will be readily appreciated and as suggested in FIG. 2, the flaring flanges 14 permit the seal blanks 10 to be nestably assembled in longitudinally extending stacks for convenience in handling and shipping, and for insertion as a unit into the storage and dispensing magazine of a strapping tool.

As best seen in FIG. 1, the magazine seal blank is open at both the front and rear ends thereof. In ac cordance with the present invention apertured and full depth interlocks shown generally by 22 are provided longitudinally midway along the flanges 14. The interlocks 22 are substantially identical and comprise a boss 24 disposed midway along the exposed edge 18 of its flange 14, and an aperture 26 adjoining the boss 24. The top side of the aperture 26 provides a generally outwardly and downwardly facing locking shoulder 27 at a right angle to the plane of the flange. As best shown in FIG. 3, the boss 24 comprises a central segment 28 and a pair of camming segments or ramps 30 which combine to provide a generally inwardly and upwardly facing locking shoulder 29 substantially parallel to the lOcking surface 27. The segment 28 is offset inwardly relatively to the supporting flange and generally toward the remaining flange 14 so that in its offset posture the segment 28 is disposed parallel to its supporting flange 14. Advantageously, the depth of offset is substantially equal to the thickness of the flange stock, although it is advantage of the present invention that this depth may be varied to provide the most desirable holding function for the interlock 22. This arrangement of structure provides that when blanks 10 are nested as in FIG. 2, the offset segments 28 snap into apertures 26 of an underlying seal blank to lock the blanks together as the

locking shoulders

27 and 29 coact and thereby utilize substantially the full thickness of flanges 14 of one blank 10 as contact surfaces with like flanges of the adjoining blank in the direction longitudinally of a stack, thereby giving maximum interference to longitudinal separation of a stack. The flat flanges smoothly contact one another except at the interlocks 22. The full depth locking engagement of the

shoulders

27 and 29 prevents disengagement except by forces exerted axially along the blanks. Forces longitudinal of a stack cannot disengage the interlocks. The sharp edges of each interlock, therefore, offer more of the needed locking control than do heretofore utilized rounded edges. Furthermore, locking contact between two blanks incorporating the invention is always greater than heretofore available point contact, and is calculable in terms of area and not merely linear contact.

As mentioned, the boss 24 further comprises camming ramps or segments 30 on either side of and connecting the parallel offset segment 28 with the remaining and undeformed lengths of the exposed edge 18. The three

segments

30, 28 and 30 together comprise a portion of the total length of the affected edge 18 which is shown as approximately one-fourteenth of that length, although this is variable as circumstances warrant. The offset parallel segment 28 and the connecting segments 30, of the illustrated embodiment, are conveniently dimensioned so that the parallel segment comprises about one-third of the total length of the boss 24. This arrangement of structure provides that the segments 30 each present cam angles of about 30 which facilitate axially endwise sep aration of a seal blank 10 from a nested stack as a seal delivery mechanism bears against one end of the affected blank and drives the foremost cam web segment on eachflange across the foremost and generally upstanding edge 32 of each aperture 26. In this manner the boss 24 of each flange is forced out from the adjoining aperture, thereby unlocking and separating the blank from the stack.

The aperture 26 of the through-interlock 22 extends, as noted above, from the boss 24 across the flange toward the back plate 12. Generally the interlock as a whole extends across the flange approximately one-third of the total width of the flange. The aperture 26 is advantageously positioned and dimensioned to readily receive the boss 24 of an overlying blank 10, including the offset segment 28 and the camming web segments 30. A convenient ratio of the height of the boss portion 24 to that of the aperture 26 has been found to be approximately 1 to 2, although this may vary somewhat. In like fashion, the remaining boss portion is snugly confined to the aperture of an adjacent nested blank so that axial movement of nested blanks relatively to one another is reduced to a minimum, enhancing the stability and integrity of the stack.

Thus, it will be seen from the foregoing detailed description that the magazine seal blanks of the present invention provide full depth aperture and boss-interlocks which affords increased area of contact between adjacent seal blanks for enhancing interference to separation of a nested stack longitudinally therealong. The same structure reduces axial endwise play to a minimum, further enhancing integrity of a stack, and also facilitating axial ly endwise separation of a blank from a stack. The configuration of the interlock also facilitates the use of more rugged tooling relatively unaffected by reasonable wear.

As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, various modifications and adaptations of the structure abovedescribed will become readily apparent without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. In an open seal blank adapted to be embraceably nested with other overlying and underlying seal blanks of similar configuration and having a back plate and a pair of integral outwardly flaring side flanges provided with locking means intermediate the ends thereof for cooperatively interlocking with corresponding locking means on both overlying and underlying seal blanks, the improvement wherein the locking means includes a first locking shoulder facing generally away from the back plate and a second locking shoulder spaced from said first shoulder and facing generally toward the back plate, the locking shoulders define opposite sides of an aperture spaced from the edges of the flange, said second locking shoulder being inwardly offset from the flange for cooperatively engaging the first locking shoulder of an underlying seal blank.

2. The seal blank of claim 1 wherein the locking shoulpositioned about midway along the longitudinal extent of the flange.

3. The seal blank of claim 1 wherein each flange is a substantially planar member having an inwardly projecting boss carrying the second locking shoulder, the boss being integrally joined to the flange by camming ramps for assisting endwise separation of the blanks.

4. The seal blank of claim 1 wherein each flange has a longitudinally extending free edge and includes an in wardly projecting boss at said free edge, said boss carrying the second locking shoulder.

5. The seal blank of claim 4 wherein the shoulders are in generally spaced parallel relationship, the second shoulder being positioned intermediate the first shoulder and the edge.

6. The seal blank of claim 4 wherein the boss is inwardly offset from the flange by a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the flange.

7. A stack of embraceably nested and interlocked overlying and underlying seal blanks of similiar configuration, each blank including a back plate and a pair of integral outwardly flaring side flanges having free longitudinal edges and locking means spaced from the edges intermediate the ends thereof, the locking means including a first locking shoulder facing generally away from the back plate and a second locking shoulder spaced from said first shoulder and positioned between the free edge and the first shoulder, the locking shoulders on each flange defining opposite sides of an aperture spaced from the free longitudinal edge of the flange, said second locking shoulder being inwardly offset from the flange for 6 cooperatively engaging the first locking shoulder of an underlying seal blank. References Cited 8. The stack of seal blanks as set forth in claim 7 wherein each flange has a recessed boss between the aper- UNITED STATES PATENTS ture and the free edge, said recessed boss being received 5 3,033,345 4 19 3 Kuster 24 within the aperture of an underlying seal blank. 3,380,127 4/1968 Tetens 24 23W 9. The stack of claim 8 wherein the recessed boss is integrally joined to the flange by camming ramps received within the underlying aperture, said ramps facilitating the endwise separation of abutting seal blanks without inter- 10 U S Cl X R fering with the interlock therebetween prior to separatiom 20665 DONALD A. GRIFFIN, Primary Examiner