Method of forming and tensioning a strap loop about a package
AssigneeSignode Corporation
InventorsPeter Lems, Nelson Cheung
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method is disclosed for forming, tensioning and sealing a strap loop about a package and then severing the sealed loop from the trailing length of strap. A length of strap is fed in one direction and the strap free end is guided or moved to form a small primary strap loop with the strap free end overlapping a portion of the loop. The strap free end is then restrained while the standing part of the loop is continued to be fed to expand the loop to a larger predetermined diameter. The expanded loop and/or package is then moved so that the package is encircled by the loop, after which the loop is tensioned tight about the package. A joint connection or seal is next made in the loop and the trailing length of strap is severed from the loop.
Claims25
A method of forming a strap loop and securing it about a package comprising:
- feeding a length of strap in a closed path to form a primary strap loop with a portion of the strap loop overlapped by the free end of the strap;
- restraining said free end of the strap from further movement while continuing to feed the standing length of the strap to expand the loop to a predetermined size;
- effecting relative movement between said package and the expanded loop to locate the expanded loop about said package;
- tensioning said length of strap to tighten the loop about said package and joining said free end of the strap and an adjacent overlapped portion of the loop.
A method of forming a strap loop and securing it about a package comprising:
- feeding a length of strap in a strap guide;
- guiding the free end of the strap in said strap guide in a closed path to form a primary loop with a portion of said primary loop overlapped by said free end of the strap;
- gripping said free end of said strap to prevent further movement of said free end;
- effecting relative movement between said primary loop and said strap guide to provide clearance around the periphery of the loop while continuing to feed the length of strap to expand the loop to a predetermined diameter;
- effecting relative movement between said package and the expanded loop to locate the expanded loop about said package;
- tensioning said length of strap to tighten the loop around said package;
- joining said free end of the strap and an adjacent overlapped portion of the loop;
- and severing the standing portion of the strap from the tightened and connected loop.
A method of forming a strap loop and securing it about a package comprising:
- feeding a length of strap into a strap guide;
- guiding the free end of the strap in said strap guide in a closed arcuate path to form a primary loop with a portion of said primary loop overlapped by said free end of the strap;
- gripping said free end of the strap to prevent further movement of said free end;
- effecting relative movement between said primary loop and said strap guide to provide clearance around the periphery of said primary loop while continuing to feed the standing portion of strap to expand the loop to a predetermined diameter;
- inserting a package in the expanded loop drawing the loop tight around said package;
- friction welding said free end of the strap to an adjacent overlapped portion of the loop;
- and severing said standing portion of the strap from the tightened and welded loop.
A method of forming a strap loop and securing it about a package comprising:
- feeding a length of strap in a closed path to form a primary strap loop with a portion of the strap loop overlapped by the free end of the strap;
- restraining said free end of the strap from further movement while continuing to feed the standing length of the strap to expand the loop to a predetermined size;
- effecting relative movement between said package and the expanded loop to locate the expanded loop about said package;
- and joining said free end of the strap and an adjacent overlapped portion of the loop.
A method of forming a strap loop and securing it about a package comprising:
- forming a primary strap loop with a portion of the strap loop overlapped by the free end of the strap;
- restraining said free end of the strap from movement while feeding the standing length of strap to expand the loop to a predetermined size;
- effecting relative movement between said package and the expanded loop to locate the expanded loop about said package;
- and joining said free end of the strap and an adjacent overlapped portion of the loop.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.