Accent Packaging, Inc.

Bergkamp, Inc.

Alan R Bergkamp

Jason J Bergkamp

Caleb Abell

Adam Ray

Mark A Vaughn

A telescoping rotatable tool includes a first shaft and a second shaft. The first shaft has a first material-engaging element extending from an exterior surface of the first shaft. The second shaft has a second material-engaging element extending from an exterior surface of the second shaft. The second shaft is configured to extend from and retract within an interior space presented by the first shaft. The first shaft includes at least one helical-shaped groove extending along an interior surface of the first shaft. The second shaft includes at least one guide element extending from the exterior surface of the second shaft. The guide element is configured to engage with the groove, such that as the second shaft extends from and retracts within the first shaft, the second shaft is configured to rotate with respect to the first shaft.

Telescoping rotatable tool

A wire tie assembly and method of tying a wire using the wire tie assembly is provided. Embodiments of the wire tie assembly comprise a gear-train having a main-drive gear continuously driven by a motor, an idler gear having a first and second dwell portions, the idler gear being configured to mesh with the main-drive gear during a portion of the wire-tying cycle and to dwell relative to the main-drive gear during a portion of the wire-tying cycle, and a twister pinion gear having a wire receiving channel and configured to be in mesh with the idler gear during a portion of the wire tying cycle and to dwell relative to the idler gear during a portion of the wire tying cycle. Some embodiments include cam pins coupled to the idler gear and cam followers that engage the cam pins to actuate secondary functions of the wire tying cycle.

Continuous rotary wire tie assembly

A buckle for use in securing a band around a bale of material includes a socket member having an aperture formed therein and a wedge member having a portion shaped to maximize friction with a band and a rounded portion opposite the portion shaped to maximize friction with a band. The wedge member is initially connected to the socket member by at least one frangible link in an initial orientation having the rounded portion oriented toward the aperture in the socket member and the portion shaped to maximize friction with a band oriented away from the aperture. The buckle is used in a automated method wherein both ends of a band extending around a bale are clamped to the wedge member, the wedge member is rotated to a final position wherein the portion shaped to maximize friction with a band of the&#x2014;wedge member is oriented toward the aperture and urged into the aperture, thereby capturing, both ends of the band between the portion shaped to maximize friction with a band of the wedge member and the socket member.

Growing community of inventors

Hutchinson, KS, United States of America

Alan R Bergkamp