Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Richard L Mallory

Nelson Cheung

A traction feed wheel, for use in connection with the tensioning of strapping material, is provided with a first set of teeth upon an outer peripheral surface of the feed wheel in accordance with a 15&deg; right hand helix as considered with respect to the axis of the feed wheel. In addition, a plurality of cuts, formed upon the outer peripheral surface of the feed wheel in accordance with a 20&deg; left hand helix with respect to the axis of the feed wheel, intersect the first set of teeth so as to discretely separate the first set of teeth into adjacent tooth sections or segments, and in addition, to define a second set of teeth upon the outer peripheral surface of the feed wheel. This tooth structure serves to prevent the generation of slivers from the strapping material during a strap tensioning operation thereby rendering the strapped articles safe to end users and preserving the tensile strength properties and structural integrity of the strapping material.

Growing community of inventors

Buffalo Grove, IL, United States of America

Richard L Mallory