Interlake, Inc.

Robert B Kyts

A manually operable combination strapping tool for applying plastic strapping around an object includes a strap-tensioning and gripping mechanism for holding the strap in a tensioned loop around the object with the supply portion of the strap overlapping the leading end thereof, and a heat-sealing mechanism which includes a movable pressure block and a heater movable to and from a heating position between the overlapping strap portions. As the heater is moved between the overlapping strap portions, the pressure block is moved to cooperate with an anvil to press together the heating element and strap portions for melting thereof. After retraction of the pressure block and the heater by separate bias means, the pressure block is moved for cooperation with the anvil to clamp therebetween and bond together the melted strap portions and sever the supply portion of the strap. Ridges on the pressure block cooperate with complementary grooves in the anvil to deform the overlapping strap portions during bonding thereof and form a corrugated joint therebetween. Means limiting the pressure with which the strap and the heater are pressed together and cooling means are also provided.

Apparatus and method for applying plastic strap

A manually operable combination strapping tool for applying plastic strapping around an object includes a strap-tensioning and gripping mechanism for holding the strap in a tensioned loop around the object with the supply portion of the strap overlapping the leading end thereof, an electric heating element for melting the facing overlapping strap portions, and pressure means for pressing together the melted overlapping strap portions to form a joint therebetween. A heat regulating apparatus for the heating element includes a bimetallic relay having a reference heating means connected in parallel with the heating element for being heated at a rate such that the temperature of the reference heating means is proportional to the temperature of the associated heating element, and normally closed bimetallic switch contacts connected in series between the associated source of electric power and the parallel combination of the reference heating means and heating element, the switch contacts being responsive to heating of the reference heating means to a reference temperature for switching to an open condition de-energizing the reference heating means and the heating element, the switch means being responsive to the cooling of the reference heating means below the reference temperature for switching to a closed condition for energizing the reference heating means and heating element.

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Chicago, IL, United States of America

Robert B Kyts