U.S. patent application number 13/022438 was filed with the patent office on 2011-09-15 for strapping machine for diagonal strapping of loads.
This patent application is currently assigned to ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.. Invention is credited to Clement Jowett, Antonius Wilhelmus Josephus van Grootel.
Application Number | 20110219960 13/022438 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44558701 |
Filed Date | 2011-09-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110219960 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jowett; Clement ; et
al. |
September 15, 2011 |
STRAPPING MACHINE FOR DIAGONAL STRAPPING OF LOADS
Abstract
A strapping machine applies a strap diagonally across a load.
The machine draws a drape of strap material at a lower edge on the
front of the load to an upper edge on a rear of the load, tensions
the strap material and seals abutting courses of the material to
one another around the load and forms a subsequent drape of
strapping material. A carriage is movable longitudinally relative
to the load. Opposing reciprocating sealing heads are mounted to
the carriage and move toward and away from one another. The heads
are movable vertically between a position above the upper edge of
the load and a position at about the upper edge of the load. A
strap supply and a strap lifter is associated with each of the
sealing heads. The lifters lower the drape of strap material to the
lower edge of the load, and raise the drape of strap material as
the carriage moves relative to the load, such that the drape of
strap material is drawn toward the upper edge of the opposite side
of the load. The sealing heads then tension the strap material
around the load and form a seal of strap around the package and a
seal forming the subsequent drape of strap material.
Inventors: |
Jowett; Clement; (Pinehurst,
NC) ; van Grootel; Antonius Wilhelmus Josephus; (Oss,
NL) |
Assignee: |
ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
Glenview
IL
|
Family ID: |
44558701 |
Appl. No.: |
13/022438 |
Filed: |
February 7, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61313989 |
Mar 15, 2010 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
100/2 ;
100/18 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 13/181 20130101;
B65B 13/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
100/2 ;
100/18 |
International
Class: |
B65B 13/02 20060101
B65B013/02; B65B 13/18 20060101 B65B013/18 |
Claims
1. A strapping machine for diagonally strapping a load, the
strapping machine configured to draw a drape of strap material
diagonally around the load from a lower edge of the load to an
upper edge on an opposite side of the load, tension the strap
material around the load and seal abutting courses of the strapping
material to one another around the load, and form a subsequent
drape of strapping material, the strapping machine comprising: a
carriage movable longitudinally relative to the load; opposing
reciprocating sealing heads operably mounted to the carriage and
movable toward and away from one another, the sealing heads being
movable vertically between a position above the upper edge of the
load and a position at about the upper edge of the load; a strap
supply associated with each of the sealing heads for supplying
strap to their respective sealing heads, strap from the strap
supplies being joined to one another to form the drape of strap
material; and a strap lifter associated with each of the sealing
heads, the strap lifters operably mounted to the carriage and
capturing the drape of strap material, wherein the lifters lower
the drape of strap material to the lower edge of the load, and
wherein the strap lifters raise the drape of strap material and the
carriage moves relative to the load such that the drape of strap
material is drawn toward the upper edge of the opposite side of the
load, and wherein the sealing heads move toward one another to
tension the drape of strap material around the load, and to form a
joint of the strap around the package, and a joint to form the
subsequent drape of strap material.
2. The strapping machine of claim 1 including an archway, wherein
the carriage is formed as part of the archway, and wherein the
sealing head strap lifters are operably mounted to the archway.
3. The strapping machine of claim 2 wherein the strapping machine
defines a conveyance path and wherein the archway is movable along
the conveyance path.
4. The strapping machine of claim 3 wherein the archway is movable
forward and rearward along the conveyance path during a strapping
cycle.
5. The strapping machine of claim 3 wherein the conveyance path
includes a conveyor for moving the load into a strapping region at
which the drape of strap material is sealed around the load.
6. The strapping machine of claim 1 including a turntable for
rotating the load.
7. The strapping machine of claim 5 wherein the turntable is
disposed within the conveyor.
8. The strapping machine of claim 7 wherein the turntable includes
a lift portion.
9. The strapping machine of claim 1 wherein the seals are formed in
abutting courses of strap material.
10. A strapping machine for diagonally strapping a load, the
strapping machine configured to draw a drape of strap material
diagonally around the load from an upper or lower edge on a first
side of the load to a diagonally opposing edge on an other of the
lower or upper edge on a third side of the load, opposite the first
side of the load, tension the drape of strap material around the
load and join abutting courses of the strapping material to one
another around the load and to form a subsequent drape of strapping
material, the strapping machine comprising: a carriage; a pair of
sealing heads operably mounted to the carriage; a strap supply
associated with each sealing head; and a pair of strap lifters, one
each associated with a respective sealing head and a respective
strap supply, the strap lifters disposed between the respective
strap supplies and sealing heads, wherein strap material from the
respective strap supplies is joined to one another to define a
strap drape, the strap drape being drawn from the lower or upper
edge on the first side of the load to the other of the upper or
lower edge on the third side of the load, tensioned and sealed
around the load, and forming a subsequent drape of strapping
material.
11. The strapping machine of claim 10 wherein the carriage is
longitudinally movable forward and rearward of the load to draw the
strap from the first side of the load to the third side of the
load.
12. The strapping machine of claim 11 including a conveyor for
moving the load toward and away from the carriage.
13. The strapping machine of claim 12 including a turntable to
rotate the load to apply strap diagonally to sides adjacent to the
first side and third side of the load.
14. The strapping machine of claim 13 wherein the turntable
includes a lift to raise the load from the conveyor.
15. A method for applying a strap diagonally across a load, the
method comprising: engaging a drape of strap material with a lower
edge on a first side of the load; drawing the drape of strap
material upward and toward an upper edge on a third side of the
load, opposite the first side of the load; tensioning the drape of
strap material along the upper edge on the third side of the load;
and sealing the drape of strap material to itself to strap the load
and to form a subsequent drape of strap material.
16. The method of claim 15, including the step of: rotating the
load and applying a strap from a lower edge on a second side,
adjacent to the first side of the load to an upper edge on a fourth
side of the load, opposite the second side of the load; tensioning
the strap material around the load; and sealing the strap material
to itself to strap the load and to form a subsequent drape of strap
material.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the load is rotated 90
degrees.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein the load is rotated 180
degrees.
19. The method of claim 16 wherein four straps are sealed around
the load, each strap extending from a lower edge of a respective
face of the load to an upper edge of an opposing face of the load,
and wherein the four straps extend around each lower edge to an
opposing upper edge of the load.
20. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of sealing the drape of
strap material to itself to strap the load and to form a subsequent
drape of strap material includes separating the strap on the load
from the subsequent drape of strap material.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/313,989, filed Mar. 15, 2010.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Strapping machines are in widespread use for applying strap,
such as a plastic strap material, in a tensioned loop around a
load. In a typical automatic or semi-automatic strapping operation,
strap is applied in either a vertical or a horizontal orientation
around a load.
[0003] One type of strapper uses a chute, through which strap is
pushed to create a loop, which is then pulled and tensioned, and
subsequently sealed around a load. Another type of strapper is a
drape-type strapper in which strap is fed from opposing dispensers
and joined or sealed to form a drape, which is then pulled around a
load and centrally sealed and severed from the feed, while at the
same time forming a central seal for a subsequent strap drape. Both
the chute-type and drape-type strappers function in either a
horizontal or a vertical application.
[0004] Certain loads, however, require that the strap is applied in
a diagonal manner, e.g., corner to corner, across a face or side of
the load. This may be the case for cube-configured loads,
multi-tiered loads and the like, which require stabilizing as well
as bundling, for example, for shipping, handling and merchandizing.
This configuration will be well recognized from a visit to any of
today's "big box" wholesalers or retailers.
[0005] Current diagonal strapping operations are carried out
manually. An operator manually positions the strap material around
the load, across a lower edge, corner-to-corner, crossing the side
faces of the load to an upper corner opposite the lower corner. The
strap material is then tensioned and sealed using a manual or
powered tool or tools.
[0006] While this method functions well to diagonally strap a load,
it is time consuming, slow, labor intensive and costly.
[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for a strapping machine that
can be used to apply strap material to a load in a diagonal
orientation. Desirably, such a machine automatically positions a
load for strapping, carries out the strapping operation and
repositions the load, again, automatically, for applying a
subsequent strap around the load.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0008] Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a
strapping machine for applying a strap diagonally across a load.
The strapping machine is configured to draw a drape of strap
material diagonally around the load from a lower edge of the load
to an upper edge on an opposite side of the load, tension the drape
of strap material around the load and seal abutting courses of the
strapping material to one another around the load and form a
subsequent drape of strapping material.
[0009] The strapping machine includes a carriage movable
longitudinally relative to the load and opposing reciprocating
sealing heads operably mounted to the carriage and movable toward
and away from one another. The sealing heads are movable vertically
between a position above the upper edge of the load and a position
at about the upper edge of the load.
[0010] A strap supply is associated with each of the sealing heads
for supplying strap to their respective sealing heads. Strap from
the strap supplies are sealed to one another to form the drape of
strap material. A strap lifter is also associated with each of the
sealing heads. The strap lifters are operably mounted to the
carriage and capture the drape of strap material.
[0011] The lifters lower the drape of strap material to the lower
edge of the load, and then raise the drape of strap material as the
carriage moves relative to the load such that the drape of strap
material is drawn toward the upper edge of the opposite side of the
load. The sealing heads then move toward one another to tension the
drape of strap material around the load and to form a seal of the
strap around the package and a seal to form the subsequent drape of
strap material.
[0012] In an embodiment, the strapping machine includes an archway
and the carriage is formed as part of the archway. The sealing
heads and strap lifters are operably mounted to the archway.
[0013] The strapping machine defines a conveyance path and the
archway is movable longitudinally along the conveyance path. The
archway is movable forward and rearward along the conveyance path
during a strapping cycle.
[0014] The conveyance path includes a conveyor for moving the load
into a strapping region at which the drape of strap material is
sealed around the load. A turntable/lift can be used to position
the load for strapping and can rotate the load to permit applying
strap diagonally around all of the lower to upper corners. The
strapping machine and turntable/lift are disposed within the
conveyor.
[0015] In one embodiment, a method for applying strap diagonally
around a load includes engaging a drape of strap material with a
lower edge of a first side of the load, drawing the drape of strap
material upward and toward an upper edge on a third side of the
load, opposite the first side, tensioning the drape of strap
material along the upper edge on the third side of the load, and
sealing the drape of strap material to itself to strap the load and
form a subsequent drape of strap material.
[0016] In one embodiment, the method can further include rotating
the load and applying a strap from a lower edge of a third side of
the load adjacent to the first side of the load, to an upper edge
on a fourth side of the load, opposite the third side of the load,
tensioning the strap material around the load and sealing abutting
courses of the strap material to strap the load and to form a
subsequent drape of strap material. In a such an embodiment in
which the load is rotated, the load can be rotated 90 degrees.
Alternately, the load can be rotated 180 degrees.
[0017] In one embodiment, four straps are sealed around the load,
each strap extending from a lower edge of a respective face to an
upper edge of an opposing face, such that four straps extend around
each lower edge to an opposing, respective upper edge of the
load.
[0018] These and other features and advantages of the present
disclosure will be apparent from the following detailed
description, in conjunction with the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary strapping machine for
diagonal strapping of loads;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a front view of the strapping machine of FIG.
1;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a top view of the machine;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a front view of the strap lifter assembly of the
machine;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a side view of the strap lifter;
[0024] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate exemplary strapping heads used
with the present strapping machine;
[0025] FIG. 7 illustrates the two strap seals and the loop and
drape formed by the strapping heads of FIGS. 6A and 6B;
[0026] FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate, schematically, the strapping of a
load, and the concurrent forming of the strap drape;
[0027] FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate the movement of the machine along the
conveyor from the home position to the strapping position; and
[0028] FIGS. 10A-10D illustrate the strap material positioned on
the load at the first through fourth strap cycles.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] While the disclosed apparatus is susceptible of description
in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will
hereinafter be described an exemplary embodiment with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an
exemplification of disclosure and is not intended to be limited to
the exemplary embodiment illustrated.
[0030] Referring to the figures and in particular to FIG. 1, there
is shown an embodiment of a strapping machine 10 for the diagonal
strapping of loads. Such a strapping machine 10 (sometimes referred
to herein as "strapper" or "diagonal strapper") uses a drape-type
of operation in which a band of strap material S is draped across
an edge of the load L (for example, a lower front edge LFE) and
along the transverse adjacent (side) surfaces C of the load L. The
strap is then tensioned and joined, as by sealing, across the
diagonal (upper rear) edge URE (see, e.g., FIG. 10A) by a pair of
reciprocating heads 12a,b (see FIGS. 6A and 6B) having clamp and
weld functions. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art
that although the present disclosure references straps, and the
application of strap material to a load, other materials are well
applied using the present strapping or bundling machine and method,
such other materials including, but not limited to, cord, foil,
cotton and the like, and that such other materials and methods are
within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.
[0031] The heads 12 move toward one another, capturing and
tensioning the strap S as they converge. The joining or sealing and
cutting functions are then carried out to effect two seals w.sub.i,
w.sub.2 (see FIG. 7); a first seal w.sub.i seals the strap S around
the load L and a second seal w.sub.2 forms a subsequent drape
portion D of strap S. The seals w.sub.1,w.sub.2 can be formed in a
variety of ways, for example, by welding or the like. It will be
appreciated that although the
[0032] A cut is made in the straps, between the first and second
seals w.sub.1,w.sub.2. The second seal w.sub.2, at the cut, forms
the strapped load and separates the strap S on the load L from that
of the subsequent drape D. In operation, the cutting function can
be carried out before, contemporaneous with, or after the welding
functions. Cutting can be carried out by a physical cutting, e.g.,
by a blade or cutter, heat, or by any other method to form a
separation in the strap. An exemplary strapping machine and
strapping head configuration and operation are disclosed in van
Ottele, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,782,648 and 6,021,711, which patents are
incorporated herein by reference. The Otelle patents and the
present disclosure reference the use of a heat seal or weld of the
strap material. It will, however, be understood by those skilled in
the art that other ways in which to join the strap, such as
ultrasonic seals, friction seals, adhesives such as glue, hot air,
and the like are also contemplated and are within the scope and
spirit of the present disclosure.
[0033] The illustrated diagonal strapper 10 uses a modified
reciprocating head 12 configuration along with a moving archway 14,
a conveyor 16, a turntable-lift assembly 18 and strap lifters 20 to
carry out the diagonal strapping of loads L. The diagonal strapping
described below is carried out from a lower front edge LFE of the
load L to an opposite upper rear edge URE of the load, thus
diagonal across the side faces C of the load L. Although not
described in the present disclosure, corner elements 21 may be used
to help secure or support the straps (drape) at the corners/edges
of the load.
[0034] Referring briefly to FIGS. 1-3, the conveyor 16 is of a
relatively conventional type. That is, the conveyor 16 can include
multiple rollers 22, at least some of which are driven.
Alternately, the conveyor 16 can be formed from continuous belt 24
positioned around one or more driven rollers and supported by
multiple (driven or passive) rollers. Other types of conveyors are
contemplated and are within the scope and spirit of the present
disclosure. The conveyor 16 is, of course, intended to move the
load L from a receiving location, into a strapping region 26 of the
strapping machine 10, and out to a discharge location 28.
[0035] The moving archway 14 supports the strapping heads 12 and
strap lifters 20, and traverses longitudinally along the conveyor
16 (as indicated by the arrow at 30), moving from a position in
front of the load L to the rear of the load L when the load is in
the strapping region 26. In this manner, the archway 14 moves the
heads 12 and lifters 20 forward and rearward of the load L. Forward
is referred to as that direction in which the load L moves through
the strapping machine. Movement of the archway 14 effectively moves
the location at which the strap joint is made between the lower
front edge LFE and the upper rear edge URE of the load L.
[0036] The heads 12 are mounted to the archway 14 above the
conveyor 16. The heads 12 are mounted so as to vertically traverse
along the archway 14. The archway 14 is mounted to a support
system, which can be a rail or rail set 31, to move the archway 14
horizontally along the conveyor 16, to envelop the turntable
18.
[0037] The heads 12 are mounted to the archway 14 to move up, above
the uppermost height of the load L and return to a height at about
the upper rear edge URE of the load L (to effect the seal). The
heads 12 traverse up, above the load L, to prevent interference
with the load L and to prevent interference with the moving archway
14 as it traverse along the load path. The heads 12 can also be
adjustably mounted so as to accommodate loads L of varying heights.
It will be appreciated that the heads 12 can be configured to avoid
interference with the load by moving up, above the load, by moving
outwardly, away from the load, or a combination of both.
[0038] The strap lifters 20, which are also mounted to the archway
14 for longitudinal movement with the archway 14, are configured to
lift or raise the strap (drape D) from about just above the
conveyor 16 to just above the heads 12. In this manner, the lifters
20 engage and capture the strap S and extend the drape D from the
lower front edge LFE of the load L up to and just beyond the upper
rear edge URE of the load L for the strapping cycle to commence.
The lifters 20 can be of a variety of different types of
assemblies, for example, including rollers and the like, to permit
ready movement of the strap S therethrough.
[0039] Referring briefly to FIGS. 2 and 9A-9C, the turntable lift
18 is disposed within the conveyor 16, about midway along the
length of travel of the archway 14. The lift 18 is configured to
receive the load L and lift or raise the load L off of the conveyor
16 an amount sufficient to allow the strapping process to proceed
at the lower edges of the load L. As will be appreciated by those
skilled in the art, the lift 18 engages the load L, at the bottom,
away from (spaced from) the edges so as to not interfere with the
strapping cycle.
[0040] With reference to the strapping cycle generally, referring
to FIGS. 6A-6B, 7 and 8A-8D, the reciprocating heads 12a, 12b are
each fed from a dedicated dispenser 32a, 32b and move horizontally
toward and away from one another. The heads 12 capture the strap
drape D as they move toward one another. The drape D is formed by a
seal w.sub.2 of the strap material fed from the respective
dispensers 32a, 32b. The drape D is positioned about the front F of
the load L (FIG. 8A) and is brought around the sides C of the load,
toward the rear R (FIG. 8B). As the heads 12 move toward one
another, the drape is captured by the inward moving heads 12 and
drawn across the rear R of the load (FIG. 8C). With the strap
draped around the load L and around the heads 12, the heads 12 meet
and the strapping cycle commences. Following the strapping cycle,
the heads 12a, 12b return to their home position (FIG. 8D).
[0041] As seen in FIGS. 6A-6B and 7, in the strapping cycle, the
two seals w.sub.1,w.sub.2 (which may be one, severed seal) are
formed at the sealing heads 12. The two seals w.sub.1,w.sub.2 are a
first seal w.sub.1 which is at the front of the load L (which loops
around the load), and a second seal w.sub.2 of the strap S that is
fed from the respective dispensers 32a, 32b, which continues or
forms the next subsequent drape D. As the heads 12 then retract,
the drape D is ready for the next subsequent strapping
operation.
[0042] In operation of the illustrated strapping machine 10, a load
L is moved along the conveyor 16 onto the turntable-lift assembly
18. The turntable-lift 18 is actuated to raise the load L above
(off of) the conveyor 16 to facilitate access to the lower corners
and edges E of the load L. The moving (traversing) archway 14 is
set to a home position, at the front F of the load L, with the
lifters 20 supporting the strap S at the upper elevation and with
the strapping heads 12 raised above the load 12. Again, it will be
appreciated that the head can be configured to move outwardly, away
from the load, or configured to move both outwardly and upwardly to
avoid interference with the load.
[0043] The lifters 20 then lower the strap (drape D) so that the
drape D engages the lower front edge LFE of the load L. The archway
14 then traverses the length of the load L, moving from the front F
of the load L to the rear R of the load L. At the same time, the
lifters 20 raise the strap S from the lower front edge LFE to a
height above the upper rear edge URE of the load L (again, at the
rear R of the load L). In that the archway 14 traverses from the
front F to the rear R of the load L, the strap S is drawn at a
diagonal from the lower front edge LFE to the upper rear edge URE,
as seen from the side of the load L (see FIG. 10A).
[0044] Once the archway 14 completes traversing the length of the
load L, the strapping cycle commences. The reciprocating heads 12
first move downward, from the home position to a position at about
the height of the upper rear edge URE of the load L. The heads 12
then move toward one another with the strap drape D captured around
each head 12a, 12b. Inward movement of the heads 12, with the
captured strap S, tensions the strap S and, when the heads 12 meet,
the sealing (welding) and cutting cycle begins.
[0045] In the welding and cutting cycle, as described in the
aforementioned patents to van Otelle and as described above, two
seals w.sub.1,w.sub.2 are created, one seal w.sub.1 sealing the
loop around the load L, and the second seal w.sub.2 creating the
subsequent drape D. The straps S are cut between the seals
w.sub.1,w.sub.2 to separate the straps' feed, and create the strap
drape for the subsequent load.
[0046] The lifters 20 maintain the drape D in the elevated position
and the machine 10 is returned to the home position with the heads
12 raised above the load L, and the archway 14 is returned to the
front F of the load L. The load L is then rotated, for example 90
degrees, by the turntable 18. With the strapper 10 returned to the
home position, and the load L rotated, the lifters 20 lower the
drape D to the lower front edge LFE of the load L and the strapping
sequence commences once again. In a preferred operation, four (4)
straps S1-S4 are positioned so as to diagonally cross all of the
faces C of the load (see FIGS. 10A-10D).
[0047] Once the strapping operation is complete, with all sides
strapped, the load lift portion of the turntable-lift 18 is
actuated to lower the load L, the load L is moved along the
conveyor 16 to a subsequent, downstream operation and a next
subsequent load is moved into place on the turntable 18.
[0048] It will be appreciated that although the operation is
described with four straps S1-S4 encircling the load L, one, two or
three straps can be positioned around the load, and multiple straps
can be positioned over one another as well, as desired. It will
also be appreciated that the sequence of strapping can be carried
out in a wide variety of ways. For example, once a strapping
sequence is completed, the load can be rotated 90 degrees to effect
the next strapping of the load, and again, between the second and
third straps, the load can be rotated 90 degrees in the same
direction, so as to make four 90 degree stops. Alternately, the
load can be rotated 180 degrees between the first and second
straps, and then 90 degrees from the second to the third, and again
180 degrees between the third and the fourth.
[0049] All patents referred to herein, are hereby incorporated
herein by reference, whether or not specifically done so within the
text of this disclosure.
[0050] 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.
[0051] 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
disclosure. 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.
* * * * *