Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Signode Industrial Group LLC

Lemuel J Bell, Jr

Timothy B Pearson

James A Haberstroh

Dustin D Elliott

Ronald Gurak

Christopher S Krohn

Sergio Falbo

Clayton W Beilstein

A modular strapping machine feeds steel strapping material around a load, tensions the strapping material and welds the strapping material to itself in an end-to-end weld. The modular strapping machine includes a frame, a feed head removably mounted to the frame, a tension head removably mounted to the frame, a sealing head removably mounted to the frame and a strap chute. A strap straightener is mounted between the tension head and the sealing head. A leading end of the steel strapping material is conveyed from the feed head, through the tension head and the sealing head, through the strap chute and back to the sealing head. The sealing head is configured to grip the leading end, grip and sever a trailing end of the strapping material to form a loop end and weld the leading end to the loop end in an end-to-end weld.

Modular strapping machine for steel strap

A self-actuating tension head for a strapping machine includes a body defining a strap path, a drive wheel, a tension wheel a fixed distance from the drive wheel and a pinch wheel. The strap path extends between the tension and pinch wheels. A first link operably connects the drive and tension wheels and defines a first pivot arm that is pivotable about the drive wheel axis of rotation. A second link operably connects the tension and pinch wheels and defines a second pivot arm that is pivotable about the pinch wheel axis and movable along the second pivot arm to move the tension wheel into and out of engagement with the pinch wheel. The first and second pivot arms define an energizing angle therebetween that decreases as the tension wheel is moved into engagement with the pinch wheel and increases as the tension wheel is moved out of engagement with the pinch wheel.

Tension head for modular steel strapping machine

A self-energizing gripper is configured for use in a strapping machine that includes a rigid surface along which a strapping material traverses and against which the strapping material is clamped. The self-energizing gripper includes first and second links mounted at respective first ends to the strapping machine for pivotal movement and a gripping element pivotally mounted to respective second ends of each the first and second links. The gripping element includes a substantially planar gripping element surface. The first and second links are mounted to the gripping element for pivotal movement of the gripping element along an arcuate path toward and away from the rigid surface and the gripping element surface remains parallel as the gripping element moves along the arc between an open gripper position and a closed gripper position.

Self-energizing gripper for strapping machine

A floating strapping head is for use in a strapping machine of the type for positioning, tensioning and sealing a strapping material to itself around a load. The strapping machine has a frame and a strap chute. The floating strapping head includes a tensioning module, a separate sealing module and a drive assembly operably connected to the tensioning module and the sealing module. The head includes a guide along which the tensioning and sealing modules move laterally, together and toward and away from one another. When tension is drawn in the strapping material with an end of the strapping material gripped by the sealing head and an opposite portion of the strapping material gripped by the tensioning module, the drive is actuated to move the tensioning and sealing modules away from one another. The tensioning and sealing modules float, moving along the guide, as one, to equalize the tension in the strapping material on either side of the strapping head.

Strapping machine with improved tension, seal and feed arrangement

A chute corner assembly with a spring loaded chute liner for use in a strapping machine comprises a recess for receiving an end of an adjacent chute liner, a chute liner spring plate for engaging the end of the chute liner, a spring for biasing the chute liner away from the chute corner assembly and towards an opposite chute corner. The chute corner assembly of the present invention is used connection with a chute liner to eliminate the gap between the corner assembly and the chute liner, and to simultaneously dynamically eliminate any gap between the chute liner and the opposite chute corner.

Chute corner with spring loaded chute liner

A winder for a strapping machine that positions a strap material around a load and tensions the strap material around the load includes a rotating head portion having a stationary element and a pivotal element. The elements each define an outer surface around which the strap material is wound and a slot therebetween for receiving the strap material. The elements each include a gripping portion at about respective ends opposingly facing one another. The pivotal element pivots between an open position in which the gripping portions are spaced from one another and a closed position in which the gripping portions cooperate with one another to engage and secure the strap material. The winder includes a pivot assist assembly to urge the winder to the closed position. A strapping machine and a strapping head are also disclosed.

Strapper with improved winder

A strapping machine for positioning an associated strap material around an associated load and tensioning the strap material around the load, the strap having a width, the strapping machine comprising a frame for supporting the load, a chute positioned on the frame for receiving the strap material and orienting the strap material around the load, a strap supply, and a strapping head. The strapping head extracts the strap from the supply, feeds the strap through the chute around the load, passes the strap from the chute around the load, retracts and tensions the strap, and seals the strap to itself. The strapping head includes a plurality of sealing elements and a gripper. The gripper is positioned at an upstream location from the plurality of sealing elements. The gripper has a floating element and a stationary element. The floating and stationary elements each include base surfaces. A plurality of teeth extend from one of the floating and stationary elements and a plurality of channels is formed in the other of the elements. The teeth and the channels are configured to secure the strap therebetween when the gripper is actuated, such that when the gripper is actuated, the teeth, in conjunction with the channels, form substantially centrally located, localized deformations in the strap extending across a portion of the strap width.

Growing community of inventors

Gurnee, IL, United States of America

Lemuel J Bell, Jr