Strapping machine

Claim 2

A strapping machine for applying a strap around an object wherein the portion of the object facing the machine has a first dimension in a direction longitudinally of the applied strap, said strapping machine comprising strap gathering means movable between a closed position engaging the strap for limiting the longitudinal movement of the leading end thereof along the supply portion thereof and an open position out of engagement with the strap, a strap gripper for holding the strap encircled in a loop about the object with the leading end of the strap overlapping the supply portion of the strap from said gripper to said gathering means, the outer ends of said gathering means and said gripper respectively forming first and second abutments spaced apart a distance greater than the first dimension and cooperating to define a straight portion of the strap loop therebetween when said gathering means is in the closed position thereof, joint forming jaws disposed between said strap gripper and said gathering means in general alignment therewith longitudinally of the strap, the outer ends of said joint forming jaws forming a third abutment spaced from said second abutment a distance less than the first dimension for defining a shortened straight portion of the strap loop between said second and third abutments, tensioning means for tensioning the loop of strap by withdrawing the supply portion thereof relative to the leading end thereof, and means for moving said gathering means from the closed position to the open position thereof before operation of said tensioning means, said joint forming jaws having a first condition accommodating longitudinal movement of the supply portion of the strap by said tensioning means for tensioning the loop about the object and across said second and third abutments, said joint forming jaws having a second condition for securing together the adjacent overlapping portions of the strap to provide a joint therebetween along the shortened straight portion of the loop after tensioning thereof, the joint having a length less than the first dimension of the facing portion of the object for securing the strap in a tensioned condition about the object.

Claim 3

The strapping machine set forth in claim 1, wherein said strap gathering means comprises a pair of jaws encircling the adjacent portion of the strap in their closed position.

Claim 4

The strapping machine set forth in claim 1, wherein the distance between said first and second abutments is approximately 3.25 inches, and the distance between said second and third abutments is approximately 2.5 inches.

Claim 5

A strapping machine for applying a strap around an object wherein the portion of the object facing the machine has a first dimension in a direction longitudinally of the applied strap, said strapping machine comprising strap gathering means movable between a closed position engaging the strap for limiting the longitudinal movement of the leading end thereof along the supply portion thereof and an open position out of engagement with the strap, a strap gripper for holding the strap encircled in a loop about the object with the leading end of the strap overlapping the supply portion of the strap from said gripper to said gathering means, the outer ends of said gathering means and said gripper respectively forming first and second abutments spaced apart a distance greater than the first dimension and cooperating to define a straight portion of the strap loop therebetween when said gathering means is in the closed position thereof, joint forming jaws disposed between said strap gripper and said gathering means in general alignment therewith longitudinally of the strap, the outer ends of said joint forming jaws foRming a third abutment spaced from said second abutment a distance less than the first dimension for defining a shortened straight portion of the strap loop between said second and third abutments, tensioning means for tensioning the loop of strap by withdrawing the supply portion thereof relative to the leading end thereof, said joint forming jaws having a first condition accommodating longitudinal movement of the supply portion of the strap by said tensioning means for tensioning the loop about the object and across said second and third abutments, said joint forming jaws having a second condition for securing together the adjacent overlapping portions of the strap to provide a joint therebetween along the shortened straight portion of the loop, first drive means coupled to said gathering means and to said joint forming jaws for simultaneously moving said gathering means to the open position thereof and said joint forming jaws to the first condition thereof, and second drive means coupled to said joint forming jaws for moving said joint forming jaws to the second condition thereof after tensioning of the loop, the joint having a length less than the first dimension for securing the strap in a tensioned condition about the object.

Claim 6

A strapping machine for applying a strap around an object wherein the portion of the object facing the machine has a first dimension in a direction longitudinally of the applied strap, said strapping machine comprising strap gathering means movable between a closed position engaging the strap for limiting the longitudinal movement of the leading end thereof along the supply portion thereof and an open position out of engagement with the strap, a strap gripper for holding the strap encircled in a loop about the object with the leading end of the strap overlapping the supply portion of the strap from said gripper to said gathering means, the outer ends of said gathering means and said gripper respectively forming first and second abutments spaced apart a distance greater than the first dimension and cooperating to define a straight portion of the strap loop therebetween when said gathering means is in the closed position thereof, joint forming jaws disposed between said strap gripper and said gathering means in general alignment therewith longitudinally of the strap, the outer ends of said joint forming jaws foRming a third abutment spaced from said second abutment a distance less than the first dimension for defining a shortened straight portion of the strap loop between said second and third abutments, tensioning means for tensioning the loop of strap by withdrawing the supply portion thereof relative to the leading end thereof, said joint forming jaws having a first condition accommodating longitudinal movement of the supply portion of the strap by said tensioning means for tensioning the loop about the object and across said second and third abutments, said joint forming jaws having a second condition for securing together the adjacent overlapping portions of the strap to provide a joint therebetween along the shortened straight portion of the loop, first drive means coupled to said gathering means and to said joint forming jaws for simultaneously moving said gathering means to the open position thereof and said joint forming jaws to the first condition thereof, and second drive means coupled to said joint forming jaws for moving said joint forming jaws to the second condition thereof after tensioning of the loop, the joint having a length less than the first dimension for securing the strap in a tensioned condition about the object.

Claim 7

The strapping machine set forth in claim 4, wherein each of said first and second drive means includes a fluid-actuated piston.

Claim 8

The strapping machine set forth in claim 4, wherein said first drive means includes a first degree lever, means coupling said lever at one end thereof to said gathering means and to said joint forming jaws, and a fluid-actuated piston coupled to said lever adjacent to the other end thereof for effecting movement thereof.

Claim 9

The strapping machine set forth in claim 4, wherein said first drive means includes a first degree lever, first coupling means coupled to said gathering jaws and disposed in camming engagement with one end of said lever, second coupling means coupled to said lever adjacent to said one end thereof and coupled to said joint forming jaws, and a fluid-actuated piston coupled to said lever adjacent to the other end thereof for effecting movement thereof.

Claim 10

A strapping machine for applying a strap around an object wherein the portion of the object facing the machine has a first dimension in a direction longitudinally of the applied strap, said strapping machine comprising strap gathering means movable between a closed position engaging the strap for limiting the longitudinal movement of the leading end thereof along the supply portion thereof and an open position out of engagement with the strap, a strap gripper for holding the strap encircled in a loop about the object with the leading end of the strap overlapping the supply portion of the strap from said gripper to said gathering means, the outer ends of said gathering means and said gripper respectively forming first and second abutments spaced apart a distance greater than the first dimension and cooperating to define a straight portion of the strap loop therebetween when said gathering means is in the closed position thereof, joint forming jaws disposed between said strap gripper and said gathering means in general alignment therewith longitudinally of the strap and having a deactuated condition out of engagement with the strap and actuated conditions in engagement with the strap, the outer ends of said joint forming jaws forming a third abutment spaced from said second abutment a distance less than the first dimension for defining a shortened straight portion of the strap loop between said second and third abutments, tensioning means for tensioning the loop of strap by withdrawing the supply portion thereof relative to the leading end thereof, said joint forming jaws having a first actuated condition accommodating longitudinal movement of the supply portion of the strap by said tensioning means for tensioning the loop about the object and across said second and third abutments, said joint forming jaws having a second actuated condition for Securing together the adjacent overlapping portions of the strap to provide a joint therebetween along the shortened straight portion of the loop, first drive means coupled to said gathering means and to said joint forming jaws for simultaneously moving said gathering means from the closed position thereof to the open position thereof and said joint forming jaws from the deactuated condition thereof to the first actuated condition thereof before tensioning of the loop, and second drive means coupled to said joint forming jaws for moving said joint forming jaws from the first actuated condition thereof to the second actuated condition thereof after tensioning of the loop, said second drive means being operative to move said joint forming jaws from the second actuated condition thereof to the deactuated condition thereof after formation of the joint, the joint having a length less than the first dimension for securing the strap in a tensioned condition about the object.

Claim 11

A strapping machine for applying a strap around an object wherein the portion of the object facing the machine has a first dimension in a direction longitudinally of the applied strap, said strapping machine comprising strap gathering means movable between a closed position engaging the strap for limiting the longitudinal movement of the leading end thereof along the supply portion thereof and an open position out of engagement with the strap, a strap gripper for holding the strap encircled in a loop about the object with the leading end of the strap overlapping the supply portion of the strap from said gripper to said gathering means, the outer ends of said gathering means and said gripper respectively forming first and second abutments spaced apart a distance greater than the first dimension and cooperating to define a straight portion of the strap loop therebetween when said gathering means is in the closed position thereof, joint forming jaws disposed between said strap gripper and said gathering means in general alignment therewith longitudinally of the strap and having a deactuated condition out of engagement with the strap and actuated conditions in engagement with the strap, the outer ends of said joint forming jaws forming a third abutment spaced from said second abutment a distance less than the first dimension for defining a shortened straight portion of the strap loop between said second and third abutments, tensioning means for tensioning the loop of strap by withdrawing the supply portion thereof relative to the leading end thereof, said joint forming jaws having a first actuated condition accommodating longitudinal movement of the supply portion of the strap by said tensioning means for tensioning the loop about the object and across said second and third abutments, said joint forming jaws having a second actuated condition for Securing together the adjacent overlapping portions of the strap to provide a joint therebetween along the shortened straight portion of the loop, first drive means coupled to said gathering means and to said joint forming jaws for simultaneously moving said gathering means from the closed position thereof to the open position thereof and said joint forming jaws from the deactuated condition thereof to the first actuated condition thereof before tensioning of the loop, and second drive means coupled to said joint forming jaws for moving said joint forming jaws from the first actuated condition thereof to the second actuated condition thereof after tensioning of the loop, said second drive means being operative to move said joint forming jaws from the second actuated condition thereof to the deactuated condition thereof after formation of the joint, the joint having a length less than the first dimension for securing the strap in a tensioned condition about the object.

Claim 12

The strapping machine set forth in claim 8, and further including means coupling said first drive means to said second drive means, operation of said second drive means for moving said joint forming jaws to the deactuated condition thereof serving to move said first drive means to a retracted configuration accommodating movement of said gathering means to the closed position thereof.

Claim 13

A strapping machine for applying a strap around an object wherein the portion of the object facing the machine has a first dimension in a direction longitudinally of the applied strap, said strapping machine comprising seal feed mechanism movable between a feeding configuration for feeding a seal into a joint forming region adjacent to the supply portion of the strap and a retracted configuration, a fluid-actuated piston coupled to said seal feed mechanism for effecting movement thereof between the feeding and restricted configurations thereof, the seal having a length longitudinally of the strap less than the first dimension, a strap gripper for holding the strap encircled in a loop about the object with the leading end of the strap overlapping the supply portion of the strap in the joint forming region, joint forming jaws disposed in the joint forming region adjacent to the overlapped portions of the strap in general alignment with the gripper longitudinally of the strap, the outer ends of said joint forming jaws and said gripper respectively forming two abutments spaced apart a distance less than the first dimension and cooperating to define a straight portion of the strap loop therebetween in the joint forming region, and tensioning means for tensioning the loop of strap by withdrawing the supply portion thereof relative to the leading end thereof, said joint forming jaws having a first condition accommodating longitudinal movement of the supply portion of the strap by said tensioning means for tensioning the loop about the object and across said abutments, said joint forming jaws having a second condition for securing the seal about the adjacent overlapping portions of the strap to provide a seal joint therebetween along the straight portion of the loop after tensioning thereof, the seal joint having a length less than the first dimension of the facing portion of the object for securing the strap in a tensioned condition about the object.

Claim 14

A strapping machine for applying a strap around an object wherein the portion of the object facing the machine has a first dimension in a direction longitudinally of the applied strap, said strapping machine comprising seal feed mechanism movable between a feeding configuration for feeding a seal into a joint forming region adjacent to the supply portion of the strap and a retracted configuration, a fluid-actuated piston coupled to said seal feed mechanism for effecting movement thereof between the feeding and restricted configurations thereof, the seal having a length longitudinally of the strap less than the first dimension, a strap gripper for holding the strap encircled in a loop about the object with the leading end of the strap overlapping the supply portion of the strap in the joint forming region, joint forming jaws disposed in the joint forming region adjacent to the overlapped portions of the strap in general alignment with the gripper longitudinally of the strap, the outer ends of said joint forming jaws and said gripper respectively forming two abutments spaced apart a distance less than the first dimension and cooperating to define a straight portion of the strap loop therebetween in the joint forming region, and tensioning means for tensioning the loop of strap by withdrawing the supply portion thereof relative to the leading end thereof, said joint forming jaws having a first condition accommodating longitudinal movement of the supply portion of the strap by said tensioning means for tensioning the loop about the object and across said abutments, said joint forming jaws having a second condition for securing the seal about the adjacent overlapping portions of the strap to provide a seal joint therebetween along the straight portion of the loop after tensioning thereof, the seal joint having a length less than the first dimension of the facing portion of the object for securing the strap in a tensioned condition about the object.

Claim 15

A strapping machine for applying a strap around an object wherein the portion of the object facing the machine has a first dimension in a direction longitudinally of the applied strap, said strapping machine comprising a strap gripper for holding the strap encircled in a loop about the object with the leading end of the strap overlapping the supply portion of the strap, joint forming jaws disposed adjacent to the overlapped portions of the strap in general alignment with said gripper longitudinally of the strap, the outer ends of said joint forming jaws and said gripper respectively forming two abutments spaced apart a distance less than the first dimension and cooperating to define a straight portion of the strap loop therebetween, and tensioning means for tensioning the loop of strap by withdrawing the supply portion thereof relative to the leading end thereof, said joint forming jaws having a first partially closed position loosely encircling the adjacent overlapped portions of the strap and accommodating longitudinal movement of the supply portion of the strap by said tensioning means for tensioning the loop about the object and across said abutments, said joint forming jaws having a second fully closed condition for securing together the adjacent overlapping portions of the strap to provide a joint therebetween along the straight portion of the loop after tensioning thereof, the joint having a length less than the first dimension of the facing portion of the object for securing the strap in a tensioned condition about the object.

Claim 16

A strapping machine for applying a strap around an object wherein the portion of the object facing the machine has a first dimension in a direction longitudinally of the applied strap, said strapping machine comprising a strap gripper for holding the strap encircled in a loop about the object with the leading end of the strap overlapping the supply portion of the strap, joint forming jaws disposed adjacent to the overlapped portions of the strap in general alignment with said gripper longitudinally of the strap, the outer ends of said joint forming jaws and said gripper respectively forming two abutments spaced apart a distance less than the first dimension and cooperating to define a straight portion of the strap loop therebetween, and tensioning means for tensioning the loop of strap by withdrawing the supply portion thereof relative to the leading end thereof, said joint forming jaws having a first partially closed position loosely encircling the adjacent overlapped portions of the strap and accommodating longitudinal movement of the supply portion of the strap by said tensioning means for tensioning the loop about the object and across said abutments, said joint forming jaws having a second fully closed condition for securing together the adjacent overlapping portions of the strap to provide a joint therebetween along the straight portion of the loop after tensioning thereof, the joint having a length less than the first dimension of the facing portion of the object for securing the strap in a tensioned condition about the object.

Claim 17

A strapping machine for applying a strap around an object wherein the portion of the object facing the machine has a first dimension in a direction longitudinally of the applied strap, said strapping machine comprising a strap gripper for holding the strap encircled in a loop about the object with the leading end of the strap overlapping the supply portion of the strap, joint forming jaws disposed adjacent to the overlapped portions of the strap in general alignment with said gripper longitudinally of the strap, the outer ends of said joint forming jaws and said gripper respectively forming two abutments spaced apart a distance of approximately 2.5 inches and cooperating to define a straight portion of the strap loop therebetween, and tensioning means for tensioning the loop of strap by withdrawing the supply portion thereof relative to the leading end thereof, said joint forming jaws having a first condition accommodating longitudinal movement of the supply portion of the strap by said tensioning means for tensioning the loop about the object and across said abutments, said joint forming jaws having a second condition for securing together the adjacent overlapping portions of the strap to provide a joint therebetween along the straight portion of the loop after tensioning thereof, the joint having a length less than the first dimension of the facing portion of the object for securing the strap in a tensioned condition about the object.

Claim 18

A strapping machine for applying a strap around an object wherein the portion of the object facing the machine has a first dimension in a direction longitudinally of the applied strap, said strapping machine comprising a strap gripper for holding the strap encircled in a loop about the object with the leading end of the strap overlapping the supply portion of the strap, joint forming jaws disposed adjacent to the overlapped portions of the strap in general alignment with said gripper longitudinally of the strap, the outer ends of said joint forming jaws and said gripper respectively forming two abutments spaced apart a distance of approximately 2.5 inches and cooperating to define a straight portion of the strap loop therebetween, and tensioning means for tensioning the loop of strap by withdrawing the supply portion thereof relative to the leading end thereof, said joint forming jaws having a first condition accommodating longitudinal movement of the supply portion of the strap by said tensioning means for tensioning the loop about the object and across said abutments, said joint forming jaws having a second condition for securing together the adjacent overlapping portions of the strap to provide a joint therebetween along the straight portion of the loop after tensioning thereof, the joint having a length less than the first dimension of the facing portion of the object for securing the strap in a tensioned condition about the object.