Strapping machine with modular heads

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6651550
  • Patent Number
    6,651,550
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, December 10, 2002
    22 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, November 25, 2003
    21 years ago
Abstract
A strapping machine for positioning a strapping material around an associated load and sealing the strapping material to itself around the load, includes a modular strapping head and a modular feed assembly. The strapping head and feed assembly are readily installed on and removed from the strapping machine without tools. The Strapping machine includes a frame, a chute mounted to the frame and defining a strap path, the feed assembly mounted to the frame by a first aligning and mounting assembly, the strapping head assembly mounted to the frame by a second aligning and mounting assembly independent of the first mounting assembly, and a guide mounted to the frame adjacent the feed assembly. Both the feed assembly and the strapping head are independently removable from the frame.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




Strapping machines are in widespread use for securing straps around loads. There are two principle types of strappers. One type is a manually operated hand tool that can be used, for example, around a job site. Another type of strapper is a stationary arrangement in which the strapper is fabricated as part of an overall apparatus. In such a strapper, the strapping head and drive mechanisms are typically mounted within a frame. A chute is likewise mounted to the frame, through which the strapping material is fed.




In a typical, stationary strapper, the strapping head is mounted at about a work surface, and the chute is positioned above the work surface and above the strapping head. Strap material is fed to the strapping head by a set of feed and take-up wheels. The strapping material is fed, by the feed wheels past the strapping head, around the chute and back to the strapping head. The free end of the strapping material is then grasped, such as by a first part of a gripping arrangement. The strap is then retracted by the take-up wheels and tensioned around the load. The tensioned strap is then gripped by a second part of the gripping arrangement. A cutter in the strapping head then cuts the tensioned strap (from the source or supply) and the strapping head forms a seal in the strapping material, sealing the strapping material to itself around the bundled load.




Strapping operations are typically secondary operations in that these operations are used for bundling or securing individual items into a single, large load. The straps themselves are not of commercial concern to the end user; rather, it is the bundled items that are of concern. As such, it is important to be able to strap and move the items quickly and in a cost effective manner.




To this end, improvements have been made to strapping machines. One such improvement includes an auto re-feed arrangement, such as that disclosed in Bell, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,899, commonly assigned herewith. In such an arrangement, in the event of a misfeed of strapping material, the misfed strap is cut and ejected from the machine. Fresh strapping material is then automatically re-fed by the feed wheels through the strapping head and around the load. It has been found that such an arrangement saves considerable time and labor vis-à-vis removing the misfed or snapped strap and refeeding strap material into the strapper.




One drawback to the known re-feed arrangements is that they require separate feed and take-up wheels. That is, a pair of wheels (generally one driven and one idle) is required to feed the strapping material through the strapping head and the chute. A second, separate set of wheels (again, one driven and one idle) is required to take-up or retract the strap in order to tension the strap around the load. While these automatic re-feed arrangements have been found to save considerable time and labor, the requisite two pairs of wheels introduce additional maintenance concerns as well as timing arrangements with respect to the overall operation of the machine.




It has also been found that typically, these stationary types of strappers are designed and constructed such that the feed and take-up mechanism is located near to the strapping head. Because of the proximity of the feed and take-up arrangement to the strapping head, two sets of feed and take-up wheels are required in order to meet the overall operating requirements, given the physical constraints of the equipment.




Present designs of stationary strappers, which include a closely located feed and take-up mechanism to the strapping head, also include guide paths to, from and between components that are all fixedly mounted to the machine. In the event of maintenance or repair, the machine must be taken out of service for the duration of that work. In addition, skilled technicians are generally required to tend to the machine during the entirety of the maintenance or repair procedure.




Accordingly, there exists a need for a strapping machine that utilizes modular components, specifically for the drive and sealing functions. Desirably, such a modular design permits positioning the feed/take-up mechanism at a location such that only a single set of wheels is required. In such an arrangement, the modular components are readily removed and installed in machines to minimize the “down time” of such machines. Most desirably, such modular components are readily installed and removed, with minimal or no tools. In such a strapper, an auto re-feed arrangement is desirable without the use of separate feed and take-up reels.




BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




A strapping machine for positioning a strapping material around an associated load and sealing the strapping material to itself around the load, includes a modular strapping head assembly and a modular feed assembly. The strapping machine includes a frame, a chute defining a strap path and having an opening therein that is mounted to the frame, the modular feed assembly mounted to the frame and the modular strapping head assembly mounted to the frame. A guide is mounted to the frame between the feed assembly and the strapping head.




The feed assembly is mounted to the frame by a first aligning and mounting assembly. The feed assembly is configured to feed the strapping material therethrough. The modular feed assembly is independently removable from the frame. In a preferred configuration, the feed assembly is mounted to the frame in an configuration such that it is installed in and removed from the frame without the use of tools.




The strapping head is mounted to the frame by a second aligning and mounting assembly independent of the first mounting assembly, the feed assembly and the guide. The strapping head assembly is, like the feed assembly, independently removable from the frame. The strapping head is configured for receipt in the chute opening and to provide a conveyance path for the strapping material from the guide to the chute. The strapping head assembly is further configured to receive a free end of the strapping material and to seal the strapping material to itself. In a preferred configuration, the strapping head assembly is mounted to the frame in a configuration such that it is installed in and removed from the frame without the use of tools.




The guide is mounted to the frame independent of the feed assembly. The guide is configured to receive the strapping material from the feed assembly and to provide a path for the strapping material to the head and toward the chute.




In one embodiment, the first aligning and mounting assembly (the assembly for mounting the feed assembly) includes first and second cooperating, aligning members for aligning the feed assembly on the frame and a securing member for securing the feed assembly to the frame. Likewise, the second aligning and mounting assembly can include first and second cooperating, aligning members for aligning the strapping head assembly to the frame and a securing member for securing the strapping head assembly to the frame.




In one configuration, the first aligning member is formed as a base portion having a receiving member and the second aligning member is formed as a nesting member configured for receipt in the receiving member. The receiving member can be formed having at least one slot or notch and the nesting member has a shape complementary to the at least one notch.




In a current configuration, the receiving member is formed having a pair of rounded slots or notches and the nesting member is formed as a cylindrical element, such as a bar, configured for receipt in each of the pair of notches. For the feed assembly, the receiving member can be disposed on the feed assembly and the nesting member can be formed on the frame. For the strapping head, the receiving member can be disposed on the frame, and the nesting member can be formed on the strapping head assembly.




The securing member can include a clamping element. Preferably, the clamping element is a hand-tightened element. The hand-tightened element can be a threaded stud threadedly engageable with the feed assembly, The frame can be formed having a notch for receiving the stud. To facilitate installation, the notch can have an enlarged entrance region.




In such an arrangement, the location of the feed assembly vis-à-vis the strapping head permits use of a feed assembly having one pair of wheels for feeding the strapping material for retracting the strapping material.




In an alternate embodiment, in mounting the strapping head, the first aligning member can be configured as a rail and the second aligning member as a rail pin configured for traversing along the rail. Preferably, this embodiment includes a pair of rails and plurality of rail pins for traversing along the rails. The rail pins are can be mounted to the strapping head assembly and the pair of rails are preferably mounted to the frame on opposing sides of the chute, at about the chute opening. In a current embodiment, the rails are formed having upper and lower flanges for maintaining the rail pins therebetween.




The securing member can be formed as a latch assembly. In one embodiment, the latch assembly is mounted to the rail and includes a detent for engaging at least one of the rail pins to maintain the strapping head assembly in place between and along the rails. The latch assembly can include a release portion for engaging and disengaging the detent with the rail pin. In a preferred embodiment, a biasing element, such as a coil spring, biases the detent to engage the rail pin. Alternately, the latch assembly can be pivotally mounted to the strapping head for engaging a detent on one of the rails.




The present invention further contemplates a modular strapping head assembly for use with the strapping machine. The modular strapping head assembly includes a body, a strap receiving portion, a strapping material sealing portion, and an aligning and mounting portion. The aligning and mounting portion is configured for independent, tool-less installation and removal from the strapping machine. The aligning and mounting portion is adapted for positioning the strapping head at the chute opening and maintaining the strapping head at the chute opening, and further provides a conveyance path for the strapping material from into the chute.




In one configuration, the aligning and mounting portion includes a plurality of rail pins cooperable with associated rails positioned on the strapping machine. At least one of the rail pins is further configured for cooperation with an associated retaining assembly positioned on the strapping machine to maintain the strapping head at the chute opening. Alternately, the retaining assembly is mounted to the strapping head assembly and cooperates with one of the rails to maintain the strapping head at the chute opening.




Alternately, the aligning and mounting portion includes one of a cooperative nesting and receiving member, and a clamping member. The nesting member is configured for receipt in the strapping machine to position the strapping head assembly in place. The clamping member engages the strapping machine to retain the strapping head assembly in place.




The present invention further contemplates a modular feed assembly for use with the strapping machine. The feed assembly includes a body, a drive, a pair of wheels, one of the pair of wheel being operably connected to the drive, a strap guide disposed over at least a portion of each of the pair of wheels, and an aligning and mounting portion.




The aligning and mounting portion is configured for independent, tool-less installation and removal of the modular feed assembly from the strapping machine. The aligning and mounting portion is adapted for positioning the feed assembly at an associated second strap guide, which strap guide provides a conveyance path for the strapping material from the modular feed assembly to the strapping head.




In a preferred embodiment, the aligning and mounting portion includes one of a cooperative nesting and receiving member, and a clamping member. Preferably, the aligning and mounting portion includes the nesting member, which member is configured for receipt in the strapping machine (having the receiving member) to position the strapping head assembly in place. The clamping member engages the strapping machine to retain the strapping head assembly in place.




The strapping machine can further include quick-connect electrical connectors to further facilitate modularity, easing installation and removal of the modular components. More preferably, the frame and strapping head include mating portions of such a connector to facilitate removal and installation of the strapping head.




In a current embodiment, as set forth above, because of the positioning of the feed assembly vis-à-vis the strapping head, the feed assembly need include only one pair of wheels for feeding and retracting the strapping material.




These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, in conjunction with the appended claims.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS




The benefits and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein:





FIG. 1

is perspective view of one embodiment of a modular strapping machine embodying the principles of the present invention;





FIG. 2

is a schematic illustration of the strapping machine function, illustrating the strap being fed around a load;





FIG. 3

is a partial perspective view of the modular strapping machine feed assembly and strapping head removed from the frame for clarity of illustration;





FIG. 4

is a partial perspective view of the feed assembly and the frame portion in which it is mounted;





FIG. 5

is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the modular strapping machine;





FIG. 6

is a partial view of the feed assembly of the strapper of

FIG. 5

, the assembly being shown as it is being placed into the frame;





FIG. 7

is a rear perspective view of the strapper of

FIG. 5

showing the feed assembly and the strapping head;





FIG. 8

is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line


8





8


of FIG.


7


and showing the latch assembly for retaining the strapping head in place in the frame;





FIG. 9

is a partial perspective view showing the removal of the strapping head from the frame;





FIG. 10

is a cross-sectional view taken along line


10





10


of

FIG. 9

showing the rails on which the strapping head is retained.





FIG. 11

is a view similar to

FIG. 7

illustrating an alternate latch assembly and a quick-connect electrical assembly for the strapping head;





FIG. 12

is a partial top view illustrating the alternate latch assembly and quick connect assembly; and





FIG. 13

is a cross-sectional view taken along line


13





13


of FIG.


11


.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION




While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.




It should be further understood that the title of this section of this specification, namely, “Detailed Description Of The Invention”, relates to a requirement of the United States Patent Office, and does not imply, nor should be inferred to limit the subject matter disclosed herein.




Referring to the figures and in particular, to

FIG. 1

, there is shown one embodiment of a strapper


10


in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The strapper


10


includes a frame


12


having a work surface or top mounted


14


thereto. The frame


12


defines a chute or strap path


16


about which the strap S is conveyed during a strapping operation. A strap supply P provides the strap material S for the strapper


10


.




Strap S is fed from the supply P into the strapper


10


by a feed arrangement


18


. The strap S is conveyed by the feed arrangement


18


, through a strapping head


20


and into the chute


16


. The strap material S traverses through the chute


16


back around to the strapping head


20


. The free end (that is the first fed end of the strap S) is, upon return to the strapping head


20


, gripped by a gripper


22


in the strapping head


20


. The feed mechanism


18


then reverses to provide tension in the strap S. When a desired tension is achieved, the strap S is again gripped by the gripper


22


, and is then cut to separate the strap S from the source P. The strap S is then welded or otherwise sealed onto itself by methods known in the art. The load L is then removed from inside the chute


16


region or strap path and a new load is positioned therein for strapping.




Unlike known strappers, the present strapper


10


includes a modular arrangement in which the feed assembly


18


and strapping head assembly


20


are removably mounted to the frame


12


. Preferably, as in the illustrated arrangements, the feed assembly


18


and strapping head


20


are removable from the frame


12


without the use of tools. The feed arrangement


18


, which includes generally a motor


24


, and a pair of feed wheels


26


,


28


, is mounted to a base


30


that is in turn mounted to the frame


12


. Referring to

FIG. 3

, there is shown an exemplary feed assembly


18


illustrating the position of the motor


24


, and a driven wheel


26


and an idler wheel


28


. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the idler wheel


28


is mounted for free rotation with the driven wheel


26


when the strap material S is between the wheels


26


,


28


, and the motor


24


is actuated.




To assure that the feed assembly


18


is properly mounted within the frame


12


, the feed assembly


18


and frame


12


include portions of a cooperating aligning and mounting assembly, indicated generally at


32


, in which first and second aligning members


34


,


36


, respectively, align the feed assembly


18


on the frame


12


. In one such arrangement, as shown in

FIGS. 1 and 4

, the frame


12


includes a nesting member


38


configured as a transverse extending element. The feed assembly


18


includes a complementary, cooperating receiving member


40


that aligns with the nesting member


38


. In a current embodiment, the nesting member


38


is formed as a bar and the feed assembly


18


receiving member


40


is formed as a generally channel shaped aligning head having a pair of slots or rounded notches


42


formed therein that are complementary to the bar


38


. The feed assembly


18


is positioned in the frame


12


such that the bar


38


is fitted into the receiving member notches


42


. This aligns the feed assembly


18


in the frame


12


.




At a rear end


44


of the feed assembly


18


, the aligning and mounting assembly


32


includes a securing member or clamping element


46


. In the illustrated embodiment, the clamping element


46


is formed as a handle


48


that is mounted to a threaded stud


50


. The frame


12


includes a base portion


52


having a notch


54


formed therein. The notch


54


can have an enlarged entrance formed, for example, by a V-shaped opening


56


to readily permit aligning the stud


50


in the notch


54


. As the feed assembly


18


is positioned on and in the frame


12


, the forward aligning notches


42


are positioned immediately forward of the nesting member or bar


38


and the stud


50


is positioned in the open end of the V-opening


56


. The feed assembly


18


is then urged forward until the notches


42


are positioned on the bar


38


and the stud


50


is positioned in the base notch


54


. The handle


48


is then rotated to tighten the clamp


36


until the feed assembly


18


is secured in the frame


12


. In this manner, a discharge region


58


of the feed assembly


18


(as illustrated in

FIG. 3

) is properly aligned with the strap path or guide


60


for transport of the strapping material S to the strapping head


20


.




The strapping head


20


is mounted to the frame


12


in a similar manner. The strapping head


20


and frame


12


include portions of an aligning and mounting assembly, indicated generally at


71


. The frame


12


includes an upper base or shelf


62


having a transverse, forward lip


64


. The lip


64


has an opening or receiving member


66


therein for receiving the strapping head


20


. The receiving member


66


is defined by a pair of walls


68


having aligning slots or notches


70


formed therein.




The strapping head


20


includes an aligning element or nesting member


72


that, when the head


20


is moved forwardly in the frame


12


, resides in the aligning notches


70


. In the illustrated embodiment, the nesting member


72


is formed as a transverse tubular or like member, and the aligning notches


70


are formed complementary to the tubular member


72


shape.




A rear end


74


of the base


62


includes a notched opening


76


having a V-shaped entrance


78


. The strapping head


20


includes a securing member formed as a clamping element


80


. The clamping element


80


includes a threaded stud


82


and a handle


84


for rotating the stud


82


. As with the feed assembly


18


, when the strapping head assembly


20


is urged forward, the nesting member


72


is urged into the notches


70


as the stud


82


is urged into the clamping notch


76


. Once the strapping head


20


is positioned in the frame


12


, the handle


84


is rotated to clamp the strapping head


20


in place.




An alternate embodiment of the modular strapper design


110


is illustrated in

FIGS. 5-10

. In this embodiment, the strapping head assembly


120


and the feed assembly


118


are both mounted to the frame


112


along a side of the chute


116


, rather than below the chute. The feed assembly


118


is mounted to the frame


112


in a similar manner to the embodiment


10


of

FIGS. 1-4

. That is, the feed assembly


118


and frame


112


include portions of a cooperating aligning and mounting assembly


132


. In this illustrated arrangement, the frame


112


includes a support base having a receiving member


140


formed as a pair of slots or rounded notches


142


. The notches


142


can have an open entrance formed as a V-shaped opening


144


to readily permit aligning the feed assembly


118


in the frame


112


. The feed assembly


118


includes an aligning or nesting member


138


at a lower portion thereof. In the exemplary embodiment, the nesting member


138


is formed as a tubular or like element that cooperates with, i.e., fits into the base notches


142


. This aligns the feed assembly


118


in the frame


112


.




At an upper end


136


of the feed assembly


118


, a securing or clamping element


146


includes a threaded stud


150


having a handle


148


at an end thereof. The stud


150


inserts through the frame


112


and threadedly engages the feed assembly


118


. This locks the feed assembly


118


in place on the frame


112


. Other locking arrangements will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art and are within the scope and spirit of the present invention. As will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the present arrangement permits readily installing and removing the feed assembly


118


from the strapper frame


112


with minimal, if any tools required.




The strapping head


120


is mounted to the frame


112


by an aligning and mounting assembly


171


that is configured as a guide or rail-type arrangement. In this arrangement, first aligning members are formed as opposing rails


172


that are mounted to the frame


112


along a vertical side of the chute


116


. In a present configuration, the rails


172


are mounted transverse to the chute


116


; that is, directed in toward the chute


116


. The rails


172


include upper and lower flanges


174


,


176


, respectively that define a rail slot


178


. An opening, indicated generally at


180


, is defined in the chute


116


, between the rails


172


, in which the strapping head


120


resides.




The strapping head


120


includes a second aligning member formed as guide pins


182


mounted to a support plate


183


. The guide pins


182


are configured for receipt in the rail slot


178


, that is, between the upper and lower flanges


174


,


176


. In this manner, the strapping head


120


is positioned between the rails


172


, with the guide pins


182


resting on the lower flanges


176


. The head


120


is slid along the rails


172


until an anvil portion


184


of the head


120


resides aligned with strap path (i.e., the chute


116


) at the opening


180


. The strapping head anvil


184


is that portion through which the strap material S traverses and in which the strap S resides when it is welded or otherwise sealed onto itself.




When the feed assembly


118


and strapping head


120


are mounted to the frame


112


by their respective aligning and mounting assemblies


132


,


171


, the strap path from the feed assembly


118


up to the strapping head


120


is likewise, properly aligned for operation of the strapper


110


.




In this embodiment


110


, the chute


116


can be positioned or leaned at various angles (as seen in

FIG. 5

) between the horizontal and about 15° from the horizontal. Referring now to

FIGS. 8-10

, to this end, the rails


172


, which are mounted generally transverse to the chute


116


, include a securing element formed as a latch assembly


186


(as part of the aligning and mounting assembly


171


) to lock the strapping head


120


in place along the rails


172


. This further maintains the head


120


positioned so that the anvil


184


opening (not shown) lies along and aligned with the strap path at the chute


116


.




The latch assembly


186


includes a latch lever


188


mounted to one of the rails


172




a.


The lever


188


is mounted to the rail


172




a


by a pivot pin


190


to permit pivotal movement of the lever


188


. The lever


188


includes a detent


192


that protrudes through an opening


194


in the rail


172




a.


The detent


192


, when the lever


188


is in the latched position, engages one of the guide pins


182




a


to interfere with or prevent movement of the head


120


from its latched position along the rails


172


. The lever


188


is actuated by a release tab


196


positioned on an end


198


of the lever


188


opposite to that of the detent


192


.




A biasing element


200


, such as the exemplary coil spring, is positioned between the lever


188


and the flange


172




a


, intermediate the pivot pin


190


and the release tab


196


. The spring


200


biases the lever


188


to the latched position, that is with the detent


192


extending or protruding through the rail opening


194


. Depressing the release tab


196


(urging it toward the rail


172




a


) moves the detent


192


from the rail opening


194


, thus disengaging the detent


192


from the guide pin


182




a


. This permits removing (e.g., sliding) the strapping head


120


from the frame


112


. Conversely, releasing the release tab


196


allows the latch


186


to move back into the latched position, locking the head


120


in place.




An alternate latch assembly


286


is illustrated in

FIGS. 11-13

. In this embodiment, a latch lever


288


is mounted to the support plate


283


, by a pivot pin


290


to permit pivotal movement of the lever


288


. The lever includes a finger portion


292


that extends over one of the rails


272




a


. At least one, and preferably, a pair of detents are


294




a,b


extend upwardly from the rail


272




a


to cooperate with the finger


292


. When the head


220


is fully in place between the rails


172


, and the lever


288


(and finger


292


) are in the downward or engaged position, the finger


292


engages detent


294




a


to maintain the head


220


fixed in the frame


212


.




A biasing element


300


maintains the lever


288


in the engaged position. A release tab


296


, positioned opposite the finger


292


, provides for an operator to urge the lever


288


from the engaged position to the disengaged position to permit moving the head


220


. The second detent


294




b


is position along the rail


272




a


, spaced from detent


294




a


. This detent permits moving the head


220


from the “in place” position (i.e., operating position), to a position away from the chute


216


, while maintaining the head


220


along the rails


272


. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that this permits inspection of or maintenance on the head


220


while maintaining the head


220


supported by the rails


272


. Additionally, a handle


302


can be positioned on the head


220


to facilitate handling, installation and removal.




As is best seen in

FIGS. 12 and 13

, the strapping head


220


can be configured with a “quick-connect” or modular connection, shown generally at


304


, for all of the required electrical components. In such an arrangement, a male or female multi-connector


306


can be mounted to the frame


212


by a bracket


310


. The connector portion


306


can carry all of the fixed or frame side connections


312


required. A mating connector


308


can be mounted to the strapping head


220


by a bracket


314


. The connector portion


308


can carry all of the strapping head side connections


316


, such as power, control signals and the like. Thus, when the head


220


is slid along the rails


272


in to place, the connectors


306


,


308


likewise mate to establish all of the necessary electrical connections. This provides further modularity of the strapping machine


210


and enhances the ability to replace modules quickly and efficiently. Although only shown in the embodiment of

FIGS. 11-13

, those skilled in the art will appreciate that this “quick-connect” electrical arrangement


304


can be used in connection with the other disclosed embodiments as well. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate and understand the various configurations by which the quick-connect arrangement can be carried out, which other configurations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention.




The present modular strapper


10


,


110


,


210


has a number of advantages over known strappers. First, the modular, tool-less arrangement permits readily changing out either a strapping head


20


,


120


or a feed assembly


18


,


118


. As such, as maintenance or repair is required on either the strapping head


20


,


120


or the feed assembly


18


,


118


, that portion of the strapper


10


,


110


can be removed and a spare inserted in its place. In this manner, the operational “down-time” of the machine is minimized. That is, the strapping head


20


,


120


or feed assembly


18


,


118


can be removed and a spare installed in its place in perhaps less than a minute. That portion of the strapper


10


,


110


requiring maintenance or repair (e.g., the feed assembly


18


,


118


, or strapping head


20


,


120


) can then be removed and taken to, for example, a maintenance shop where the necessary work can be carried out, away from the strapping machine


10


,


110


and other operations.




Another advantage provided by the present strapper


10


,


110


is that it establishes a distance between the feed assembly


18


,


118


and the strapping head


20


,


120


. Those skilled in the art will recognized that, at times, straps become jammed in or are misfed into the strapper


10


,


110


. When this occurs, it is most desirable to have a strapper


10


,


110


having an auto re-feed arrangement. In such an arrangement, the misfed strap is automatically ejected from the strapper


10


,


110


and the strap feed is automatically restarted to place the strapper


10


,


110


back into operation. Thus, operator time and attention is minimized by automatically ejecting the misfed strap and automatically refeeding from the strap S supply P. An exemplary auto refeed arrangement is illustrated in the aforementioned Bell, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,899.




One drawback to known auto refeed arrangements is that there must be a sufficient distance between the feed wheels and the strapping head to prevent the strap material from being ejected beyond the feed wheels (by the take-up or tension wheels). This is of particular concern in that the machines operate a relatively high speeds and the detecting instruments and control system have certain reaction time constraints. That is, because the strap is conveyed so quickly through the machine, after a misfeed is detected, the strap can be ejected from the machine by the take-up wheels beyond the feed wheels, thus defeating the auto-refeed function. In other words, if there is insufficient distance between the strapping head (which is the location of the misfeed detector) and the feed wheels, the take-up wheels will eject the strap beyond the feed wheels. As such, there will not be fresh strap stock to be fed through the feed wheels to the strapping head.




Referring to

FIG. 1

, the present arrangement provides the necessary distance between the strap misfeed detector (as exemplified by the detector


88


) and the feed wheels


26


,


28


. As such, a single set of wheels (i.e., a single pair of wheels


26


,


28


) can be used for both the feed and the retraction functions. In this manner, when a misfeed is detected, the feed wheels


26


,


28


reverse to pull the strap S from about the strapping head


20


. When the jammed or misfed strap is cleared, there is sufficient distance between the detector


88


and the feed wheels


26


,


28


for the feed wheels


26


,


28


to be stopped (from the reverse direction) and returned to the forward feeding direction.




Referring now to

FIGS. 7 and 9

, the strapper


110


includes an easy access guide


202


that extends from the feed assembly


118


to the strapping head


120


. In that this portion of the feed path extends between the two modular components, it is fixedly mounted to the frame


112


, independent of the feed assembly


118


and the strapping head assembly


120


. In this manner, the guide


202


itself is readily accessible to perform maintenance or, for example, to dislodge debris or jammed strap material. In the embodiment of

FIGS. 5-10

, the guide


202


includes a fixed lower channel


204


, through which the strap S traverses, and a cover portion


206


. The cover


206


is hinged, and opens along an axis A transverse to the longitudinal direction D of the strap path and guide


202


. Thus, opening the cover


206


provides ready access to essentially the entire length of the channel


204


between the feed assembly


118


and the strapping head


120


.




In the embodiment of

FIGS. 1-4

, the guide


60


includes a fixed portion


94


and a cover portion


96


that is secured in place on the fixed portion


94


by, for example, a mechanical fastener


98


, such as the illustrated bolting arrangement. Other configurations for securing the covers in place on the fixed or channel portions


94


,


202


will be recognized and appreciated by those skilled in the art, and are within the scope of the present invention.




As will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art, because the chute


116


portion of the embodiment of

FIG. 5

“tilts” to various angles, it provides for flexibility with respect to the orientation of the load to be handled, and permits use of the strapper


110


in areas or locations that may not otherwise be able to accommodate the device.




In the present disclosure, the words “a” or “an” are to be taken to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any reference to plural items shall, where appropriate, include the singular.




From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effectuated without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.



Claims
  • 1. A modular strapping head assembly for use with a strapping machine of the type including a chute for positioning a strapping material around an associated load, the chute having an opening therein, the modular strapping head assembly comprising:a body; a strap receiving portion mounted to the body; a strapping material sealing portion mounted to the body; and an aligning and mounting portion mounted to the body, the aligning and mounting portion configured for independent, tool-less installation and removal of the modular strapping head assembly from the strapping machine, the aligning and mounting portion adapted for positioning the strapping head at the chute opening and maintaining the strapping head at the chute opening and further providing a conveyance path for the strapping material from into the chute, the aligning and mounting portion including a plurality of rail pins cooperable with associated rails positioned on the strapping machine, wherein at least one of the plurality of rail pins is further configured for cooperation with an associated retaining assembly positioned on the strapping machine to maintain the strapping head at the chute opening.
  • 2. A modular strapping head assembly for use with a strapping machine of the type including a chute for positioning a strapping material around an associated load, the chute having an opening therein, the modular strapping head assembly comprising:a body; a strap receiving portion mounted to the body; a strapping material sealing portion mounted to the body; and an aligning and mounting portion mounted to the body, the aligning and mounting portion configured for independent, tool-less installation and removal of the modular strapping head assembly from the strapping machine, the aligning and mounting portion adapted for positioning the strapping head at the chute opening and maintaining the strapping head at the chute opening and further providing a conveyance path for the strapping material from into the chute, the aligning and mounting portion including one of a cooperative nesting and receiving member, and a clamping member, wherein the nesting member is configured for receipt in the strapping machine to position the strapping head assembly in place and wherein the clamping member engages the strapping machine to retain the strapping head assembly in place.
  • 3. The modular strapping head assembly in accordance with claim 1 including a retaining assembly configured to retain the modular strapping head at the chute opening.
  • 4. A modular strapping head assembly for use with a strapping machine of the type including a chute for positioning a strapping material around an associated load, the chute having an opening therein, the modular strapping head assembly comprising:a body; a strap receiving portion mounted to the body; a strapping material sealing portion mounted to the body; an aligning and mounting portion mounted to the body, the aligning and mounting portion configured for independent, tool-less installation and removal of the modular strapping head assembly from the strapping machine, the aligning and mounting portion adapted for positioning the strapping head at the chute opening and maintaining the strapping head at the chute opening and further providing a conveyance path for the strapping material from into the chute; and a portion of a quick-connect electrical connector that is configured for mating with a portion of a quick-connect electrical connector on the frame.
  • 5. The modular strapping head assembly in accordance with claim 2 including a retaining assembly configured to retain the modular strapping head at the chute opening.
  • 6. The modular strapping head assembly in accordance with claim 4 including a retaining assembly configured to retain the modular strapping head at the chute opening.
CROSS REFERNCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/966,641, filed Sep. 28, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,584,892, and claims benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/304,892 filed Jul. 12, 2001 abn.

US Referenced Citations (11)
Number Name Date Kind
3057289 Luthi Oct 1962 A
3196779 Embree Jul 1965 A
4161910 Leslie et al. Jul 1979 A
4262587 Russell Apr 1981 A
4444097 Wehr et al. Apr 1984 A
4724659 Mori et al. Feb 1988 A
5414980 Shibazaki et al. May 1995 A
5560180 Rodriguez et al. Oct 1996 A
5613432 Hoshino Mar 1997 A
5746882 Bell et al. May 1998 A
6415712 Helland et al. Jul 2002 B1
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60/304892 Jul 2001 US