US4229925A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Skein and ball banding machine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-06-06
•
Granted: 1980-10-28
•
Expires: 1998-06-06
Abstract
Abstract The machine is disclosed for banding skeins or balls of bunched or wound material such as wool thread. The machine includes a banding apparatus comprised of a plurality of individual banding units connected in a closed loop chain. Each banding unit includes a closed loop endless belt driven by guide rollers. A pocket for receiving the skein or ball of material is formed by a portion of the endless belt. An entrance to the pocket is opened and closed by use of a movable guide roller. The skein or ball to be wrapped is placed into the pocket. A printed band is also placed into the pocket between the skein or ball and an edge wall of the pocket. The pocket is then closed as the belt is rotating. One end of the band has glue thereon so that as the pocket rolls the skein or ball and band, the band is wrapped around so that opposite ends of the band are glued to one another. The banding unit then continues around the closed loop as the glue dries. Finally, the pocket opens and the banded skein or ball drops free onto an outlet conveyor. Preferably the band is printed with indicia such as a dye number or lot number and is then fed in synchronized fashion to one of the banding units shortly after the banding unit receives the skein or ball of material from an input conveyor. The input conveyor, the printer, and the banding apparatus are all synchronized with one another.
Inventors
- 👤 James P. Stirniman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:38
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B13/00; B65B13/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
238 words
A banding machine system for wrapping a band around a compressible skein of material to be banded, comprising: (a) a belt extending in a predetermined direction formed in a closed loop; (b) first and second pocket forming guide rollers axially spaced apart from each other and transversally to said predetermined direction, portions of the belt being formed around peripheral portions of the first and second guide rollers; (c) a partially cylindrical pocket means for receiving the skein to be banded and formed of end walls and a curved main wall, the end walls comprising end surfaces of the first and second guide rollers and the curved main wall comprising portions of the belt formed around the first and second guide rollers, the end walls being spaced sufficiently to permit placement of the skein entirely therebetween and a diameter of the end walls being less than a maximum diameter of the skein such that the skein will be compressed in the pocket means to the diameter of the end walls; (d) skein feed means for placing the skein in the pocket means; (e) band feed means for placing the band between the skein and the belt; and (f) drive means for moving the belt around the pocket forming guide rollers and to thereby wrap the band around the skein with the belt remaining in substantially complete circumferential contact with the first and second guide rollers throughout the wrapping operation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
238 words
A banding machine system for wrapping a band around a compressible skein of material to be banded, comprising: (a) a belt extending in a predetermined direction formed in a closed loop; (b) first and second pocket forming guide rollers axially spaced apart from each other and transversally to said predetermined direction, portions of the belt being formed around peripheral portions of the first and second guide rollers; (c) a partially cylindrical pocket means for receiving the skein to be banded and formed of end walls and a curved main wall, the end walls comprising end surfaces of the first and second guide rollers and the curved main wall comprising portions of the belt formed around the first and second guide rollers, the end walls being spaced sufficiently to permit placement of the skein entirely therebetween and a diameter of the end walls being less than a maximum diameter of the skein such that the skein will be compressed in the pocket means to the diameter of the end walls; (d) skein feed means for placing the skein in the pocket means; (e) band feed means for placing the band between the skein and the belt; and (f) drive means for moving the belt around the pocket forming guide rollers and to thereby wrap the band around the skein with the belt remaining in substantially complete circumferential contact with the first and second guide rollers throughout the wrapping operation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
252 words
A banding machine for wrapping a printed band around a compressible skein of material comprising: (a) a plurality of separate banding units each having pocket means comprised of a moving belt extending in a predetermined direction supported by first and second pocket forming guide rollers axially spaced from each other and transversally to said predetermined direction for receiving the skein and printed band between the guide rollers and for compressing the skein to the diameter of said guide rollers wrapping the band around the compressed skein to said diameter; (b) connecting means connecting adjacent banding units with one another so as to form an oval-shaped loop having upper and lower substantially horizontal linear portions connected by first and second curved portions; (c) printing means for printing indicia on the band and glue means for gluing a portion of each band; (d) skein feed means for transporting the skeins into the pocket means of said banding units; (e) band feed means for transporting the printed bands from the printing means to a location directly above the upper linear portion of the loop of banding units and then between the skein and the belt; (f) means for releasing the skeins from the lower linear portion of the loop; and (g) drive means providing driving movement for said belt of said banding units to wrap the bands around the skeins with the moving belt of the pocket means remaining in substantially complete circumferential contact with the first and second guide rollers throughout the wrapping operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
252 words
A banding machine for wrapping a printed band around a compressible skein of material comprising: (a) a plurality of separate banding units each having pocket means comprised of a moving belt extending in a predetermined direction supported by first and second pocket forming guide rollers axially spaced from each other and transversally to said predetermined direction for receiving the skein and printed band between the guide rollers and for compressing the skein to the diameter of said guide rollers wrapping the band around the compressed skein to said diameter; (b) connecting means connecting adjacent banding units with one another so as to form an oval-shaped loop having upper and lower substantially horizontal linear portions connected by first and second curved portions; (c) printing means for printing indicia on the band and glue means for gluing a portion of each band; (d) skein feed means for transporting the skeins into the pocket means of said banding units; (e) band feed means for transporting the printed bands from the printing means to a location directly above the upper linear portion of the loop of banding units and then between the skein and the belt; (f) means for releasing the skeins from the lower linear portion of the loop; and (g) drive means providing driving movement for said belt of said banding units to wrap the bands around the skeins with the moving belt of the pocket means remaining in substantially complete circumferential contact with the first and second guide rollers throughout the wrapping operation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
259 words
A banding machine for wrapping bands about a compressible item to be banded, comprising: (a) a banding apparatus having a plurality of separate banding units with connecting links between adjacent banding units and loop guide means for positioning and guiding the banding units in a closed oval loop formed of upper and lower linear portions and first and second curved portions at opposite ends of the linear portions; (b) each banding unit having a pocket means defined by a movable belt extending in a predetermined direction and supported by first and second pocket forming guide rollers axially spaced apart from each other and transversally to said predetermined direction, said pocket means receiving an item to be banded, receiving a band, compressing the item to a diameter of the guide rollers, and wrapping the band around the item to said diameter; (c) said movable belt being formed in a closed loop and supported by guide means; (d) item feed means for placing an item to be banded in the at least one banding unit and item release means directly below the lower linear portion; (e) band feed means for placing a band in at least one banding unit when said one banding unit is in the upper linear portion of the loop; (f) driving and synchronizing means for driving and synchronizing movement of the banding apparatus and to drive said belt to thereby wrap the bands around the skeins with the movable belt remaining in substantially complete circumferential contact with the first and second guide rollers throughout the wrapping operation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
259 words
A banding machine for wrapping bands about a compressible item to be banded, comprising: (a) a banding apparatus having a plurality of separate banding units with connecting links between adjacent banding units and loop guide means for positioning and guiding the banding units in a closed oval loop formed of upper and lower linear portions and first and second curved portions at opposite ends of the linear portions; (b) each banding unit having a pocket means defined by a movable belt extending in a predetermined direction and supported by first and second pocket forming guide rollers axially spaced apart from each other and transversally to said predetermined direction, said pocket means receiving an item to be banded, receiving a band, compressing the item to a diameter of the guide rollers, and wrapping the band around the item to said diameter; (c) said movable belt being formed in a closed loop and supported by guide means; (d) item feed means for placing an item to be banded in the at least one banding unit and item release means directly below the lower linear portion; (e) band feed means for placing a band in at least one banding unit when said one banding unit is in the upper linear portion of the loop; (f) driving and synchronizing means for driving and synchronizing movement of the banding apparatus and to drive said belt to thereby wrap the bands around the skeins with the movable belt remaining in substantially complete circumferential contact with the first and second guide rollers throughout the wrapping operation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The machine of claim 3 wherein the drive and synchronizing means drives the banding units around the loop by driving connection to the connecting links.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The machine of claim 3 wherein said guide means comprises a plurality of fixed position guide rollers and a movable guide roller, said movable guide roller in cooperation with an adjacent fixed position guide roller forming a controllable entranceway into the pocket means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The machine of claim 3 wherein said pocket means is formed by said portion of the movable belt being wound partially around the first and second pocket forming rollers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The machine of claim 6 wherein means are provided for removable mounting of the first and second pocket forming rollers to facilitate changing to different diameter rollers for changing dimensions of the pocket means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
85 words
The machine of claim 3 wherein a flexible timing drive belt is provided adjacent the loop of banding units at the first curved portion and a drive wheel is connected to the guide means of each banding unit, the loop of banding units and timing drive belt being positioned such that the drive wheel of each banding unit selectively engages the drive belt over only a portion of travel of each banding unit around the loop, the drive belt flexing and being deflected when engaged.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
The machine of claim 3 wherein said pocket means comprises a movable guide roller means for opening and closing access to the pocket means, said movable guide roller means being deflected by a cam situated at a portion of the closed loop adjacent the item feed means and band feed means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The machine of claim 8 wherein the timing drive belt has a bias spring at one end.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The machine of claim 3 wherein said pocket means comprises a plurality of fixed position rollers, a spring biased dancer roller means for applying a biased tension to the belt, and a movable roller mounted on a movable arm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The machine of claim 3 wherein the connecting links connect to each banding unit by a pivoting connecting means and a slotted connected means comprising a protrusion on the connecting links receivable in a slot of the banding unit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The machine of claim 3 wherein each banding unit has parallel side walls connected together by said guide means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The machine of claim 3 wherein an item output conveyor means is positioned below the lower linear portion and is positioned to receive items dropped from the banding units when the banding units are in the lower linear portion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The machine of claim 3 wherein a gluing means having glue applying fingers is provided for depositing the glue at one end of each band, said fingers being positioned at the band feed means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The machine of claim 3 wherein a printer means is provided for printing indicia on the bands, said printer means feeding the bands to the band feed means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
The machine of claim 15 wherein said gluing means comprises a container means for holding glue and rotating finger means for dipping into the glue in the container means and then swiping the glue across the end of each band.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The machine of claim 17 wherein said rotating finger means comprises a hub with spoke-like protrusions therefrom.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
72 words
The machine of claim 3 wherein said band feed means comprises a plurality of driving bands in frictional engagement with the bands to be wrapped, pivoting strip means resting on the driving bands for enhancing said frictional engagement but permitting release of the bands when the bands become engaged by one of the banding units, and glue applying means comprising rotating fingers which are aligned between at least two adjacent driving bands.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
67 words
The machine of claim 3 wherein a printing means is provided for printing and feeding bands to the band feed means, and a sensor means is provided which is positioned adjacent said item feed means for sensing whether an item is present at a given location on the item feed means, and, if no item is present, initiating a stoppage of band feed to the banding apparatus.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
57 words
The banding machine of claim 3 wherein said item feed means comprises a conveyor having a plurality of item retaining hopper means thereon for positioning and centering items to be banded at predetermined intervals along the conveyor, centering guide means also being provided for centering the items with respect to a longitudinal guide line along the conveyor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The machine of claim 21 wherein said centering guide means comprises a pair of strips converging in a direction toward the banding apparatus.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
The machine of claim 3 wherein the item feed means has a lateral feed point positioned at the first curved portion of the loop to feed the items to banding units in the first curved portion.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The machine of claim 15 wherein said gluing means comprises deflectable arm means with glue dabbing means on an end thereof.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
192 words
A banding machine for wrapping printed bands around a compressible skein of bunched or wrapped material, comprising: (a) a banding apparatus having a plurality of separate banding units linked together in successive fashion in a closed loop by a drive chain between each banding unit, said closed loop having at least one substantial linear portion; (b) each banding unit having a movable endless belt extending in a predetermined direction and supported by a plurality of fixed position guide rollers, a pair of spaced apart pocket forming guide rollers of diameter less than a maximum diameter of the skein and axially spaced apart from each other and transversally to said predetermined direction so as to compress the skein to the diameter of the guide rollers, and by a movable guide roller, a skein receiving pocket being formed between the guide rollers and by a portion of the endless belt wrapped around a portion of the pair of pocket forming guide rollers, a drive wheel being connected to one of the fixed position rollers; (c) each banding unit including parallel spaced apart side walls having the fixed position and pocket forming guide rollers therebetween;
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
192 words
A banding machine for wrapping printed bands around a compressible skein of bunched or wrapped material, comprising: (a) a banding apparatus having a plurality of separate banding units linked together in successive fashion in a closed loop by a drive chain between each banding unit, said closed loop having at least one substantial linear portion; (b) each banding unit having a movable endless belt extending in a predetermined direction and supported by a plurality of fixed position guide rollers, a pair of spaced apart pocket forming guide rollers of diameter less than a maximum diameter of the skein and axially spaced apart from each other and transversally to said predetermined direction so as to compress the skein to the diameter of the guide rollers, and by a movable guide roller, a skein receiving pocket being formed between the guide rollers and by a portion of the endless belt wrapped around a portion of the pair of pocket forming guide rollers, a drive wheel being connected to one of the fixed position rollers; (c) each banding unit including parallel spaced apart side walls having the fixed position and pocket forming guide rollers therebetween;
Claim 30
Independent Claim
184 words
A method of wrapping a band around a compressible item of material, comprising the steps of: (a) providing an item receiving pocket formed by a portion of a belt extending in a predetermined direction and supported by a pair of pocket forming rollers axially spaced apart from each other and transversally to said predetermined direction and which partially compress the item to a diameter of the pocket forming rollers; (b) providing means for opening and closing the pocket; (c) opening the pocket, feeding the item into the pocket between the pocket forming rollers, and compressing the item to the pocket forming roller diameter; (d) gluing a portion of a band and feeding the band between the item and a portion of the pocket; (e) moving the belt and closing the pocket to wrap the band around the item in the compressed state with the belt remaining in substantially complete circumferential contact with the first and second guide rollers throughout the wrapping operation to create a banded item; and (f) opening the pocket to release the banded item which remains partially compressed by the band.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
184 words
A method of wrapping a band around a compressible item of material, comprising the steps of: (a) providing an item receiving pocket formed by a portion of a belt extending in a predetermined direction and supported by a pair of pocket forming rollers axially spaced apart from each other and transversally to said predetermined direction and which partially compress the item to a diameter of the pocket forming rollers; (b) providing means for opening and closing the pocket; (c) opening the pocket, feeding the item into the pocket between the pocket forming rollers, and compressing the item to the pocket forming roller diameter; (d) gluing a portion of a band and feeding the band between the item and a portion of the pocket; (e) moving the belt and closing the pocket to wrap the band around the item in the compressed state with the belt remaining in substantially complete circumferential contact with the first and second guide rollers throughout the wrapping operation to create a banded item; and (f) opening the pocket to release the banded item which remains partially compressed by the band.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 26 including the further steps of printing indicia on the band prior to feeding the band to the receiving pocket.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 26 including the step of moving the pocket and feeding the band to the pocket in substantially the same direction with the pocket moving substantially linearly.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
184 words
A device for banding compressible skeins or balls of yarn comprising: a banding station; means forming a pocket for receipt and compression of the skein to be banded at said banding station, said means including a belt extending in a predetermined direction and supported by a pair of pocket forming rollers between which the skein is placed and said rollers having a diameter equivalent to a diameter of the skein after a desired compression for wrapping; said rollers are axially spaced apart from each other and transversally to said predetermined direction, skein feed means for in feeding the skein to be banded to said pocket means; band feed means for in feeding a band to said pocket means; rotating means for causing rotation of said skein to be banded at said station to wrap said band around said skein to be banded with the skein compressed to a diameter of the pocket forming roller and with the belt remaining in substantially complete circumferential contact with the pocket forming roller throughout the wrapping operation; and discharge means for discharging said banded skein from said station.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
184 words
A device for banding compressible skeins or balls of yarn comprising: a banding station; means forming a pocket for receipt and compression of the skein to be banded at said banding station, said means including a belt extending in a predetermined direction and supported by a pair of pocket forming rollers between which the skein is placed and said rollers having a diameter equivalent to a diameter of the skein after a desired compression for wrapping; said rollers are axially spaced apart from each other and transversally to said predetermined direction, skein feed means for in feeding the skein to be banded to said pocket means; band feed means for in feeding a band to said pocket means; rotating means for causing rotation of said skein to be banded at said station to wrap said band around said skein to be banded with the skein compressed to a diameter of the pocket forming roller and with the belt remaining in substantially complete circumferential contact with the pocket forming roller throughout the wrapping operation; and discharge means for discharging said banded skein from said station.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device of claim 29 including means for moving said station along a closed path having at least one substantially linear portion directly below said band feed means such that the band is fed to the pocket when the pocket is travelling along the linear path.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
82 words
The device of claim 29 wherein a plurality of said stations are provided which are linked by a flexible drive chain so as to form an oval-shaped loop having parallel and horizontal linear portions and half-circle curved end portions, the skein feed means being positioned at one end of the linear portions above the loop, the band feed means being positioned directly above one of the linear portions, and a skein discharge receiving member being positioned directly below the other linear portion.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device of claim 31 wherein a discharge position on said endless conveyor is provided, said discharge position spaced from said band feed means a distance sufficient to allow a drying of a glue applied to the band at the band feed means prior to arrival at the discharge station.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device of claim 29 wherein said band feed means comprises a plurality of spaced drive belts lying in the same plane and gluing unit is positioned such that glue applying fingers of the gluing unit sweep through the space between the drive belts.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 29 including a printing means for printing die lot number on the bands as the bands are being fed to the pocket.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 29 including means for moving the pocket along a closed path having at least one substantially linear portion to provide longer glue drying time during banding.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-10-28 | 1984-04-28 | 1984-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-10-28 | 1988-04-28 | 1988-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-10-28 | 1992-04-28 | 1992-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |