Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Michael J Christensen

Jeffrey L Rogers

Lawrence S Shelton

Donald E Bergstrom

Algis P Suopys

Jeffrey Arnold Wilkens

Isaac H Heskel

Joseph J Righter, Jr

Eldrige J Presnell

Richard W Mrozik, Jr

Ronald Michalski

David A Lindquist

Kyle R Gugisberg

Chad M Orthaus

Brad Anderson

John Kirckof

John Glawe

A method for making a collated fastener assembly includes arranging a plurality of fasteners in a row parallel to one another, in a plane, and spaced from one another, preheating the fasteners, applying a molten polymer material onto the fasteners and conveying the fasteners with the polymer into a mold cavity. The fasteners are maintained in the plane. The polymer is molded onto the fasteners and between adjacent fasteners to form a molding having a collar encircling a shank of each fastener and a connecting portion between adjacent fasteners. The molding maintains the space between the fasteners. A cooling stream is introduced onto the fasteners and the molding as the fasteners and the molding exit from the mold cavity.

Method for making debris-free nail collation

An apparatus for forming a plastic molded collated fastener assembly includes a conveyor for carrying a plurality of fasteners in a horizontal plane defining an upper surface and a lower surface, a preheater for preheating the plurality of nails and a plastic collation molding station. The molding station includes injection nozzles for applying molten plastic to the upper surface of the fasteners and to the lower surface of the fasteners. The station further includes forming wheels including a holding section to, in cooperation with the conveyor, secure the fasteners. The wheels include a forming section to mold the molten plastic to the fasteners to form a collation having a collar encircling the fasteners' shanks and a connecting portion extending between the collars. The apparatus includes at least one cooling spray nozzle to spray a cooling vapor onto the fasteners and collations and at least one cooling spray nozzle to spray a cooling vapor onto the forming wheels. An air chiller further cools the collations.

Apparatus for making debris-free nail collation

A method for making a collated fastener assembly includes the steps of arranging a plurality of fasteners each having a head and a tip, in a row parallel to one another, the fasteners being arranged in a plane. The plurality of fasteners are preheated to elevate the temperature of the fasteners and a molten polymer material is applied onto the preheated plurality of fasteners. The fasteners, maintained in the plane, are conveyed with the molten polymer thereon between a pair of forming wheels. The molten polymer material is molded onto the preheated fasteners and between adjacent fasteners to form a plastic molding having a collar encircling a shank of each fastener and a connecting portion between adjacent fasteners. A cooling vapor is sprayed onto the fasteners and the plastic molding as the fasteners and the plastic molding exit from between the molding wheels. A gaseous cooling stream is forced over the fasteners and the plastic molding to cool the strip to form the fastener assembly.

Apparatus for applying tax stamps to individual cigarette packages of different cigarette cartons, having different height dimensions, comprises a cigarette carton height determination station, a cigarette carton opening station, a cigarette package tax stamp application station, a cigarette carton closing station, and a cigarette carton exit station. Each particular cigarette carton has its height dimension determined at the first cigarette carton height determination station, and the height dimension data is transmitted to a programmable logic controller (PLC). The programmable logic controller (PLC) automatically adjusts mechanisms located at the various stations in accordance with the height dimension data characteristic of each cigarette carton.

Linear stamp applicator machine and method of operating the same

A method for applying tax stamps to individual cigarette packages of different cigarette cartons, having different height dimensions, comprises the provision of a cigarette carton height determination station, a cigarette carton opening station, a cigarette package tax stamp application station, a cigarette carton closing station, and a cigarette carton exit station. Each particular cigarette carton has its height dimension determined at the first cigarette carton height determination station, and the height dimension data is transmitted to a programmable logic controller (PLC). The programmable logic controller (PLC) automatically adjusts mechanisms located at the various stations in accordance with the height dimension data characteristic of each cigarette carton.

Apparatus is disclosed for forming a serial array of temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs), which are disposed upon a single, common release liner, into a collated and nested array of the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs) such that the collated and nested array of temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs) can be supplied to apparatus for dispensing and applying the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs) onto pavement surfaces. In accordance with a first embodiment of the apparatus, the plurality of temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs) are formed from a single temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM) extrusion, the extrusion is cut, and subsequently, the markers are mounted upon the single, common release sheet or release liner which has a plurality of adhesive patches previously disposed thereon. The assembly, comprising the plurality of temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs) and the common release liner, is then formed into a collated and nested array. In accordance with a second embodiment of the apparatus, a plurality of pre-formed temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs), having adhesive patches already disposed thereon, are serially deposited and adhered onto a single, common release liner, and subsequently, the assembly, comprising the plurality of temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs) and the common release sheet or release liner, are formed into a collated and nested array.

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A COLLATED ARRAY OF TEMPORARY RAISED PAVEMENT MARKERS (TRPMS) FOR FACILITATING THE SERIAL APPLICATION OF SUCH TEMPORARY RAISED PAVEMENT MARKERS (TRPMS) TO ROADWAY SURFACES

Apparatus and method for applying temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM) to roadway surfaces comprises primary and auxiliary conveyors wherein an upstream end portion of the primary conveyor is able to extend, for example, over the rear bed portion of a roadwork truck so as to permit an operator, stationed upon the bed portion of the truck, to deposit pavement markers upon the primary conveyor. In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, a slide mechanism is disposed adjacent to a downstream end portion of the primary conveyor and adjacent to an upstream end portion of the auxiliary conveyor for transferring pavement markers from the primary conveyor to the auxiliary conveyor when the absence of a pavement marker upon the auxiliary conveyor is detected. When pavement markers are present upon both conveyors, the pavement markers are conducted to applicator mechanisms for application to the roadway surface. A second embodiment of the invention comprises the use of a pair of wheel applicators for applying the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMS) to the roadway surfaces.

Temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM) applicator machine for automatically applying pavement markers to road surfaces

Apparatus for removing protective coverings from temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM) fixedly secured upon roadway surfaces comprises a platform, and a plurality of toothed implements disposed beneath the platform for encountering and removing the protective coverings mounted upon the upstanding vertical reflective portions of the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM). The toothed implements are mounted upon a chain which is driven by a motor mounted upon an upper surface portion of the platform, and a blower is also mounted upon the upper surface portion of the platform. An exhaust duct, fluidically connected to the intake side of the blower, passes through a suction port defined within the platform so as to be fluidically connected to the underside of the platform, and in this manner, the removed protective coverings of the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM) may be removed from the roadway surface and conveyed to a suitable debris collection bag.

Machine for automatically removing the protective coverings from temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs)

Apparatus for removing temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM) from roadway surfaces comprises a platform, and a plurality of cutter blades rotatably disposed beneath the platform for encountering and severing the upstanding vertical reflective portions of the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM). The cutter blades are driven by a motor mounted upon an upper surface portion of the platform, and a blower is also mounted upon the upper surface portion of the platform. An upstream intake duct, fluidically connected to the intake side of the blower, passes through a rear end portion of the platform so as to be fluidically connected to the underside of the platform, and in this manner, the severed upper reflective portions of the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM) may be removed from the roadway surface and conveyed to a suitable debris collection bag.

Growing community of inventors

Parkers Prairie, MN, United States of America

Michael J Christensen