Compression Conveyor For Strapping System
AssigneeSystec Conveyors, Inc.
InventorsChristopher Harris, Sean Finley, Richad D. Harris
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In one aspect, the present invention contemplates a strapping station that integrates with a machine for wrapping and clamping a strap around a load, particularly a palletized load. The strapping station includes a transfer conveyor and a compression conveyor that is supported to be lowered onto the upper surface of a load to apply pressure to or compress the load during the strapping operation. The compression conveyor is maintained in that position, continuously applying pressure to the load, even as the load is moved for the application of straps at different locations.
Claims18
A strapping station for applying a strap to a load comprising:
- a transfer conveyor configured to transport the load to and from a staging area in a travel direction,
- a compression conveyor above the transfer conveyor at the staging area, said compression conveyor including movable conveyor elements configured to apply a compressive force to the load while the load moves in the travel direction,
- a strapping machine at the staging area configured to position the strap around the load while the compression conveyor applies the compressive force to the load,
- a first conveyor drive system for driving at least one of the compression conveyor and the transfer conveyor to move the load in the travel direction while the compression conveyor applies the compressive force to the load, and
- a compression drive system operatively connected to the compression conveyor and configured to move the compression conveyor in a compression direction to apply a compressive force to the load.
A method of applying a strap to a load comprising:
- positioning a load in a first position on a transfer conveyor in a staging area,
- engaging a compression conveyor to the load, the compression conveyor configured to apply a compressive force to the load,
- applying a strap around the load, and
- moving the load within the staging area while maintaining the compressive force on the load.
The method of wherein the compressive force applied to the load is greater than the weight of the compression conveyor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.