# US 2014/0190124 A1 · Modular strap feed head with forming wheels > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0190124 A1 - Document ID: US20140190124A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/206,441 - Filed: 2014-03-12 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2011-09-15 - Assignees: Premark Packaging LLC - Applicants: Premark Packaging LLC - Inventors: James A. Haberstroh; Jeffrey D. Termanas; Wayne J. Thas; Michael J. McMahon; Robert G. Kobetsky - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190124A1 ## CPC - B65B 13/18: Details of, or auxiliary devices used in, bundling machines {or bundling tools} - B29C 53/043: {using rolls or endless belts} - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) ## Abstract A strap forming assembly for a strapping machine includes a first forming wheel having a circumferential groove formed in a rim thereof and a second forming wheel cooperating with the first forming wheel and having a mating a circumferential crown extending therefrom. The first and second forming wheels cooperate to define a forming wheel nip therebetween. The forming wheel nip is non-planar. Strapping material fed into the forming wheel nip is permanently, longitudinally deformed. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-23. (canceled) ### Claim 24 A method for forming a longitudinal bend in a strap in a strapping machine, comprising the steps of: forming a pre-bend in the strap between a first wheel and a second wheel, the first and second wheels having cooperating, non-planar strap contact surfaces; and subsequently forming the longitudinal bend in the strap between the second wheel and a third wheel, the second and third wheels having cooperating non-planar strap contact surfaces. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24 including driving the strap between the first and second wheels. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24 including driving the strap between the second and third wheels. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24 wherein the first wheel is a driven wheel and the second and third wheels are idler wheels and including the step of driving the strap between the first and second wheels and between the second and third wheels. ### Claim 28 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24 wherein the first and second wheels and the second and third wheels have mating circumferential grooves and crowns. ### Claim 29 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24 wherein the pre-bend is formed at an angle of about 130 degrees to about 160 degrees. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The method of claim 29 wherein the pre-bend is formed at an angle of about 140 degrees to about 150 degrees. ### Claim 31 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24 wherein the bend is formed at an angle of about 130 degrees to about 160 degrees. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The method of claim 31 wherein the bend is formed at an angle of about 140 degrees to about 150 degrees. ### Claim 33 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24 wherein the pre-bend and the bend are formed having a V-shaped cross-section. ### Claim 34 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24 wherein the pre-bend and the bend are formed having a flat bottom V-shaped cross-section. ### Claim 35 A method for forming a longitudinal bend in a strap in a strapping machine, comprising the steps of: forming a pre-bend in the strap between first and second strap contact elements having cooperating, non-planar strap contact surfaces; and subsequently forming the longitudinal bend in the strap between the second strap contact element and a third strap contact element, the second and third strap contact elements having cooperating non-planar strap contact surfaces. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The method of claim 35 wherein the first and second and the second and third strap contact elements form respective pre-bends and bends in the strap at an angle of about 130 degrees to about 160 degrees. ### Claim 37 (depends on 35) The method of claim 35 wherein the pre-bend and the bend are formed having a V-shaped cross-section. ### Claim 38 (depends on 35) The method of claim 35 wherein the pre-bend and the bend are formed having a flat bottom V-shaped cross-section. ### Claim 39 A method for strapping a load with a strap having a longitudinal bend therein, the strap having a leading end and a trailing end, the method comprising the steps of: feeding the leading end of the strap into a strapping machine; forming a pre-bend in the strap between a first strap contact element and a second strap contact element, the first and second strap contact elements having cooperating, non-planar strap contact surfaces; subsequently forming the longitudinal bend in the strap between the second strap contact element and a third strap contact element, the second and third strap contact elements having cooperating non-planar strap contact surfaces; tensioning the strap around the load; contacting the leading end and trailing end with one another; and sealing the leading end and trailing end to one another. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) The method of claim 39 including driving the strap between the first and second strap contact elements and between the second and third strap contact elements. ### Claim 41 (depends on 39) The method of claim 39 wherein the first contact element is a driven element and wherein the second and third strap contact elements are idler elements and including the step of driving the strap between the first and second strap contact elements and between the second and third strap contact elements. ### Claim 42 (depends on 39) The method of claim 39 wherein the pre-bend and the bend are formed having a V-shaped cross-section. ### Claim 43 (depends on 39) The method of claim 39 wherein the pre-bend and the bend are formed having a flat bottom V-shaped cross-section.