Supported strap twist device
AssigneePremark Packaging LLC
InventorJeffrey D. Termanas
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A supported strap twist device reorients a strap along a strap path. The device includes an inlet, an outlet and a reorienting section. The reorienting section includes a body having entrance and exit ends and a transition section therebetween. The transition section has a through-bore having a varying cross-sectional shape defining a race. The race has, at a first end, an opposed inwardly pinched circular profile defining a gap. The circular profile thins along the race toward an hourglass profile, and has, at a second end, an elongated shape. The gap has a substantially constant width along the race. The strap enters the first end at an angle relative to the second end and is reoriented to a desired orientation at the second end. The strap is supported by the race as it traverses therethrough.
Claims17
A supported strap twist device, comprising:
- an inlet;
- an outlet;
- and
- a reorienting section having a body having an entrance end, an exit end and a transition section therebetween, the transition section having a through-bore having a varying cross-sectional shape defining a race, the race having, at a first end thereof, an opposed inwardly pinched circular profile defining a gap, the circular profile thinning along the race toward an hourglass profile, and having, at a second end thereof, an elongated shape, the gap having a substantially constant width along the race,
- wherein strap enters the first end at an angle relative to the second end, and wherein the strap is reoriented to a desired orientation at the second end, the strap being supported by the race as it traverses therethrough.
The supported strap twist device of claim wherein the second end has a near-rectangular shape.
A strap dispenser comprising:
- a support structure;
- a feed head mounted to the support structure;
- and
- a supported strap twist device operably mounted to a discharge of the feed head, the supported strap twist device having an inlet, an outlet and a reorienting section having a body having an entrance end, an exit end and a transition section therebetween, the transition section having a through-bore having a varying cross-sectional shape defining, a race, the race having, at a first end thereof, an opposed inwardly pinched circular profile defining a gap, the circular profile thinning along the race toward an hourglass profile, and having, at a second end thereof, an elongated shape, the gap having a substantially constant width along the race,
- wherein strap enters the first end at an angle relative to the second end, and wherein the strap is reoriented to a desired orientation at the second end, the strap being supported by the race as it traverses therethrough.
The strap dispenser of claim 18 including at least two reorienting sections mounted to one between the inlet and the outlet, the reorienting sections mounted to one another such that the second ends of the first and second reorienting sections are at an angle to one another.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.