Strapping machine

Claim 2

In a strapping machine for forming a strap loop in surrounding relationship to an object, such as a package, the improvement comprising: a frame; a press member movable supported on said frame for oscillatory movement between first and second positions; a heater device for at least partially melting a plastic band, said heater device being mounted on and movable with said press member and positioned for melting said band at two locations; and said press member including a pressing surface for engaging said band and for pressing said two locations of said band together.

Claim 3

A strapping machine according to claim 1, further including linkage means connected between said heater device and said press member for movably supporting said heater device relative to said press member for movement between active and inactive positions relative to said press member, said linkage means maintaining said heater device in said inactive position when said press member is in said first position, said linkage means moving said heater device into said active position wherein it is adapted to contact said band when said press member is moved from said first position toward said second position.

Claim 4

A strapping machine according to claim 2, wherein said linkage means moves said heater device into said active position when said press member is disposed between said first and second positions, said heater device when in said active position contacting said band at said two spaced locations, said linkage means causing said heater device to contact said band at a third location thereon when said press member approaches said second position, the speed of said press member being reduced as it approaches said second position whereby said heater device causes substantial melting of said band at said third location to permit separation of said band at said third location.

Claim 5

A strapping machine according to claim 1, further including drive means connected to said press member for oscillating same between said first and second positions, said drive means including a rotatable drive member and lever means swingably mounted on said frame and drivingly connected to and oscillated by sAid rotary drive member, said lever means being drivingly connected to said press member for oscillating same, said drive means causing the speed of said press member to slow down as said press member approaches said second position, and said heater device being pressed against said plastic band when said press member approaches said second position so as to melt said band to a substantial depth thereof for permitting separation of said band at the melted portion thereof.

Claim 6

A strapping machine according to claim 1, wherein said press member is pivotally mounted on said frame for angular oscillation about a pivot axis for movement between said first and second positions, said pressing surface as formed on said press member being arcuate and generated substantially about said pivot axis, first means movably supporting said heater device on said press member for movement radially outwardly of said press member from a first storage position into a second position wherein the heater device is disposed to contact and melt a plastic band, and second means mounted on said press member and coacting with said first means for causing said heater device to be automatically moved outwardly from said inactive position to said active position in response to movement of said press member in a direction away from said first position.

Claim 7

A strapping machine for a flexible band comprising: a base section, a press member pivotally mounted on said base section for oscillatory movement between first and second angularly spaced positions, said press member being pivotally supported substantially about its center and being normally maintained in said first position, said press member having an opening adjacent its upper end and a press roller mounted thereon adjacent its lower end, said press member having an elongated guide passageway extending therethrough from said opening to a position adjacent said press roller for permitting said band to be moved therethrough, a reel for a coiled band positioned adjacent and on one side of said press roller, a feed roll spaced from said reel and positioned on the other side of said press roller, said press roller being normally maintained in engagement with said feed roll when said press member is in said first position, drive means drivingly connected to said reel for permitting rotation thereof in opposite rotational directions for permitting feeding of said band through said passageway for tensioning of said band after it has been wound around an object, said drive means causing rotation of said reel when said press member is in said first position, and driving means connected to said press member for causing oscillation of same between said first and second positions, whereby movement of said press member from said first position towards said second position causes said press roller to be moved toward said reel whereby the band is fed out of said opening by a distance equivalent to the movement of said press roller as said reel is maintained stationery, and whereby movement of said press member from said second position back to said first position causes an equivalent retraction of said band into said passageway.

Claim 8

A strapping machine for a flexible band comprising: a base section, a press member pivotally mounted on said base section for oscillatory movement between first and second angularly spaced positions, said press member being pivotally supported substantially about its center and being normally maintained in said first position, said press member having an opening adjacent its upper end and a press roller mounted thereon adjacent its lower end, said press member having an elongated guide passageway extending therethrough from said opening to a position adjacent said press roller for permitting said band to be moved therethrough, a reel for a coiled band positioned adjacent and on one side of said press roller, a feed roll spaced from said reel and positioned on the other side of said press roller, said press roller being normally maintained in engagement with said feed roll when said press member is in said first position, drive means drivingly connected to said reel for permitting rotation thereof in opposite rotational directions for permitting feeding of said band through said passageway for tensioning of said band after it has been wound around an object, said drive means causing rotation of said reel when said press member is in said first position, and driving means connected to said press member for causing oscillation of same between said first and second positions, whereby movement of said press member from said first position towards said second position causes said press roller to be moved toward said reel whereby the band is fed out of said opening by a distance equivalent to the movement of said press roller as said reel is maintained stationery, and whereby movement of said press member from said second position back to said first position causes an equivalent retraction of said band into said passageway.

Claim 9

A machine according to claim 6, further including heater means mounted on said press member and movable therewith, said heater means being positioned for partially melting said band to permit same to be adhesively sealed together, and said heater means also being positioned for melting said band to separate a segment thereof from said reel when said press member is located closely adjacent said second position.

Claim 10

A strapping machine for securing a band around an object, such as a package, comprising: a frame; a table adapted to have said object supportingly positioned thereabove, said table being movably supported on said frame for reciprocating movement in a first direction; a press member positioned below said table and pivotally supported on said frame for movement between first and second angularly spaced positioNs, said press member having an upper portion thereof disposed directly below said table when said table is in a forwardmost position, the upper portion of said press member being movable in a direction substantially transverse to said first direction when said press member is angularly moved from said first position toward second position; means associated with said press member and said table for securing said band into a loop in surrounding relationship to said object when said press member is moved from said first position toward said second position; power means; first means connected between said power means and said press member for angularly oscillating same between said first and second positions; and second means drivingly connected between said power means and said table for retracting said table to a rearmost position when said press member approaches said second position, said table when in said rearmost position being retracted sufficiently so as to not be disposed directly over the upper portion of said press member.

Claim 11

A strapping machine for securing a band around an object, such as a package, comprising: a frame; a table adapted to have said object supportingly positioned thereabove, said table being movably supported on said frame for reciprocating movement in a first direction; a press member positioned below said table and pivotally supported on said frame for movement between first and second angularly spaced positioNs, said press member having an upper portion thereof disposed directly below said table when said table is in a forwardmost position, the upper portion of said press member being movable in a direction substantially transverse to said first direction when said press member is angularly moved from said first position toward second position; means associated with said press member and said table for securing said band into a loop in surrounding relationship to said object when said press member is moved from said first position toward said second position; power means; first means connected between said power means and said press member for angularly oscillating same between said first and second positions; and second means drivingly connected between said power means and said table for retracting said table to a rearmost position when said press member approaches said second position, said table when in said rearmost position being retracted sufficiently so as to not be disposed directly over the upper portion of said press member.

Claim 12

A strapping machine for securing a flexible band in surrounding relationship to an object, such as a package, comprising: a frame having a table movably supported thereon, a press member movably mounted on said frame for oscillating movement, a clip member pivotally mounted for movement in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of movement of said press member, said clip member having a portion thereof positioned below said table and movable between open and closed positions for permitting the tip of the band to be clamped between said portion and said table when said clip member is in said closed position, lever means movable supported on said frame beneath said table for controlling the opening and closing movement of said clip member, reel means rotatably supported on said frame and have a band wound thereon, drive means drivingly coupled to said reel means for permitting selective rotation thereof in either rotational direction, an operating lever movable supported on said frame and manually movable, said operating lever when moved causing movement of said lever means for controlling movement of said clip member, and switch means mounted on said frame and positioned for coaction with said operating lever for selectively causing rotation of said reel means in either rotational direction.

Claim 13

A strapping machine for securing a flexible band in surrounding relationship to an object, such as a package, comprising: a frame having a table movably supported thereon, a press member movably mounted on said frame for oscillating movement, a clip member pivotally mounted for movement in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of movement of said press member, said clip member having a portion thereof positioned below said table and movable between open and closed positions for permitting the tip of the band to be clamped between said portion and said table when said clip member is in said closed position, lever means movable supported on said frame beneath said table for controlling the opening and closing movement of said clip member, reel means rotatably supported on said frame and have a band wound thereon, drive means drivingly coupled to said reel means for permitting selective rotation thereof in either rotational direction, an operating lever movable supported on said frame and manually movable, said operating lever when moved causing movement of said lever means for controlling movement of said clip member, and switch means mounted on said frame and positioned for coaction with said operating lever for selectively causing rotation of said reel means in either rotational direction.