Signode Industrial Group LLC

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Signode International IP Holdings LLC

Jeffrey D Termanas

Janusz Ciurkot

James A Haberstroh

Michael J McMahon

Wayne J Thas

David C Thomas

Timothy B Pearson

Robert G Kobetsky

Thomas M Mason

Douglas Felsecker

Robert G Kobetsy

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a strapping machine with an improved edge-protector positioner.

Strapping machine with improved edge-protector-positioner

A device forms and applies an edge protector to a corner of a load as strap is positioned and tensioned around the load, to position the edge protector between the strap and the load. The device includes a shuttle movable between a home position away from the load and an application position near the load. The shuttle includes a breaker assembly having a fixed portion and a movable portion. The movable portion is movable between a position in which it is generally planar with the fixed portion and another position in which it is transverse to the fixed portion. The breaker assembly includes a shoe that defines a receiving region between the shoe and the fixed and movable portions. The shuttle includes a load contact portion. Movement of the shuttle from the home position moves the movable portion from the first to the second position to fold the edge protector. Further movement of the shuttle and contact of the load contact portion with the load discharges the edge protector for receipt on the load as the strap is positioned and tensioned around the load.

Apparatus and method for forming and applying edge protectors

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a press-type strapping machine configured to strap a load when both the height of the load falls within a target height range and the compressive force applied to the load falls within a target compressive force range.

Press-type strapping machine with improved top-platen control

A supported strap twist device reorients a strap along a strap path. The device includes an inlet, an outlet and a reorienting section. The reorienting section includes a body having entrance and exit ends and a transition section therebetween. The transition section has a through-bore having a varying cross-sectional shape defining a race. The race has, at a first end, an opposed inwardly pinched circular profile defining a gap. The circular profile thins along the race toward an hourglass profile, and has, at a second end, an elongated shape. The gap has a substantially constant width along the race. The strap enters the first end at an angle relative to the second end and is reoriented to a desired orientation at the second end. The strap is supported by the race as it traverses therethrough.

Supported strap twist device

A method for forming a longitudinal bend in a strap in a strapping machine by forming a pre-bend in the strap between a first wheel and a second wheel having cooperating, non-planar strap contact surfaces and subsequently forming the longitudinal bend in the strap between the second wheel and a third wheel having cooperating non-planar strap contact surfaces.

Modular strap feed head with forming wheels

A strap forming assembly for a strapping machine includes a first forming wheel having a circumferential groove formed in a rim thereof and a second forming wheel cooperating with the first forming wheel and having a mating a circumferential crown extending therefrom. The first and second forming wheels cooperate to define a forming wheel nip therebetween. The forming wheel nip is non-planar. Strapping material fed into the forming wheel nip is permanently, longitudinally deformed.

A feed head for a strapping machine includes a frame, a feed wheel, a tension wheel, and a feed and take-up motor mounted to the frame and operably connected to the feed wheel. The feed and take-up motor operates in forward and reverse directions to feed strapping material through the strapping machine, and to take up strapping material from the strapping machine. A tension motor is operably connected to the tension wheel and operates in a reverse direction to tension the strapping material around the load. The tension wheel is movable toward and away from the feed wheel and engages the feed wheel during strap tension and disengages from the feed wheel during strap feed. A pivot assembly operably mounts the tension motor and tension wheel to the frame to move the tension wheel toward and into engagement with, and out of engagement with the feed wheel.

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Rolling Meadows, IL, United States of America

Jeffrey D Termanas