Method and apparatus for binding an article with a loop of tensioned strap

A method for binding an article comprising the steps of:

• encircling a strap about the article to form a loop with the leading end segment of the strap overlapping a segment of the strap and with a portion of strap trailing the loop;
• gripping said leading end segment to restrain it against movement relative to said article;
• retracting the trailing portion of said strap to tension said strap and to draw said loop tight around said article;
• holding said leading end segment and an adjacent overlapped segment of the strap against relative movement and together in surface contact in a region along the segments with at least said adjacent overlapped segment under tension;
• releasing tension on the trailing portion of said strap while continuing to hold both said leading end segment and said adjacent overlapped segment of the strap together in surface contact against relative movement with at least said adjacent overlapped segment under tension;
• and
• in the same motion, joining said leading end segment to said adjacent overlapped segment of said strap under tension in said region of surface contact and severing the loop from the trailing portion of the strap.

A method for binding an article comprising the steps of:

• encircling a strap about the article to form a loop with the leading end segment of the strap overlapping a segment of the strap and with a portion of strap trailing the loop;
• gripping said leading end segment to restrain it against movement relative to said article;
• retracting the trailing portion of said strap to tension said strap and to draw said loop tight around said article;
• holding said leading end segment and an adjacent overlapped segment of the strap against relative movement with at least said adjacent overlapped segment under tension, said step of holding said leading end segment and an adjacent overlapped segment including pressing together the segments in surface contact by (a) engaging at least one anvil member against the surface of said leading end segment which faces said article and (b) pressing a punch member against the surface of an adjacent overlapped segment of the strap which faces away from said article;
• releasing tension on the trailing portion of said strap while continuing to hold both said leading end segment and said adjacent overlapped segment of the strap together in surface contact against relative movement with at least said adjacent overlapped segment under tension;
• and
• in the same motion, joining said leading end segment to said adjacent overlapped segment of said strap under tension and severing the loop from the trailing portion of the strap.

A method for binding an article comprising the steps of:

• encircling a strap about the article to form a loop with the leading end segment of the strap overlapping a segment of the strap and with a portion of strap trailing the loop;
• gripping said leading end segment to restrain it against movement relative to said article;
• retracting the trailing portion of said strap to tension said strap and to draw said loop tight around said article;
• holding said leading end segment and an adjacent overlapped segment of the strap against relative movement with at least said adjacent overlapped segment under tension, said step of holding said leading end segment and an adjacent overlapped segment of the strap including pressing together the segments in surface contact by (a) engaging at least one anvil member against the surface of said leading end segment which faces said article and (b) pressing one of an open crimpable seal and a notchable seal against the surface of an adjacent overlapped segment of the strap which faces away from said article;
• releasing tension on the trailing portion of said strap while continuing to hold both said leading end segment and said adjacent overlapped segment of the strap together in surface contact against relative movement with at least said adjacent overlapped segment under tension;
• and
• in the same motion, joining said leading end segment to said adjacent overlapped segment of said strap under tension and severing the loop from the trailing portion of the strap.

A method for binding an article comprising the steps of:

• encircling a strap about the article to form a loop with the leading end segment of the strap overlapping a segment of the strap and with a portion of strap trailing the loop;
• gripping said leading end segment to restrain it against movement relative to said article;
• retracting the trailing portion of said strap to tension said strap and to draw said loop tight around said article;
• holding said leading end segment and an adjacent overlapped segment of the strap against relative movement with at least said adjacent overlapped segment under tension, said step of joining and severing including one of the following steps:
• the step of crimping a seal around said leading end segment of the strap and an adjacent overlapped segment of the strap and the step of notching a seal through said leading end segment of the strap and an adjacent overlapped segment of the strap;
• releasing tension on the trailing portion of said strap while continuing to hold both said leading end segment and said adjacent overlapped segment of the strap together in surface contact against relative movement with at least said adjacent overlapped segment under tension;
• and
• in the same motion, joining said leading end segment to said adjacent overlapped segment of said strap under tension and severing the loop from the trailing portion of the strap.

A method for binding an article with a loop of tensioned strap and for forming a sealless joint between overlapped strap segments in the loop, said method comprising the steps of:

• encircling a strap in a chute about the article to form a loop with the leading end segment of the strap overlapping a segment of the strap by a predetermined amount and with a portion of the strap trailing the loop;
• gripping said leading end segment after it has overlapped a segment of the strap by said predetermined amount to prevent the strap from self-feeding when the loop flexes inwardly from said chute and for restraining the leading end segment against movement relative to said article;
• retracting the trailing portion of said strap to tension said strap and to draw said loop tight around said article;
• holding said leading end segment and an adjacent overlapped segment of the strap against relative movement and together in surface contact in a region along the segments with at least said adjacent overlapped segment under tension;
• and
• performing only one of the following sequences (a) and (b):
• (a) first forming a sealless joint in the overlapping segments of the strap loop in said region of surface contact and then gradually releasing strap tension on the trailing portion of said strap to avoid shock loading, and
• (b) first releasing strap tension on the trailing portion of said strap and then forming a sealless joint in the overlapping segments in said region of surface contact with at least said adjacent overlapped segment under tension.

Apparatus for binding an article with a loop of tensioned strap and for forming a joint between overlapped strap segments in the loop comprising:

• means for feeding a length of strap from a supply of strap around the article in a loop so that a leading end segment of the length of strap overlaps a segment of the strap with a portion of the strap trailing the loop;
• means for gripping said leading end segment to restrain it against movement relative to said article;
• means for retracting the trailing portion of said strap to draw said loop into contact with said article and for applying a predetermined amount of tension to the strap to tighten said loop;
• means for releasing strap tension responsive to a given condition;
• means for holding said leading end segment and an adjacent overlapped segment together in surface contact in a region along the segments of the strap against relative movement with at least said adjacent overlapped segment under tension during the release of tension on the trailing portion of the strap and subsequent joint formation;
• means for joining said leading end segment to an adjacent overlapped segment of the strap in said region of surface contact;
• and
• means for severing the loop from the trailing portion of the strap.

Apparatus for binding an article with a loop of tensioned metal strap and for forming a sealless strap connection between overlapped strap segments in the loop comprising:

• means for feeding a length of metal strap from a supply of strap around the article in a loop so that a leading end segment of the length of strap overlaps a segment of the strap with a portion of the strap trailing the loop;
• means for gripping said leading end segment to restrain it against movement relative to said article;
• means for retracting the trailing portion of said strap to draw said loop into contact with said article;
• tensioning means for applying a predetermined amount of tension to the strap to tighten said loop;
• means for releasing tension in the trailing portion of the strap responsive to a given condition;
• means for pressing together said leading end segment and an adjacent overlapped segment of the strap to hold the segments in surface contact against relative movement with at least said adjacent overlapped segment under tension during the release of tension in the trailing strap portion and subsequent joint formation;
• means for forming an interlocking slit sealless connection under tension between said leading end segment and an adjacent overlapped segment of the strap;
• and
• means for severing the loop from the trailing portion of the strap.

Apparatus for binding an article with a loop of tensioned strap and for forming a joint between overlapped strap segments in the loop comprising:

• means for feeding a length of strap in a chute around the article to form a loop so that a leading end segment of the length of strap overlaps a segment of the strap by a predetermined amount with a portion of the strap trailing the loop;
• means for gripping said leading end segment after it has overlapped a portion of the strap by said predetermined amount to prevent the strap from self-feeding when the loop flexes inwardly from said chute and for restraining the leading end segment against movement relative to said article;
• means for retracting the trailing portion of said strap to draw said loop into contact with said article;
• tensioning means for applying a predetermined amount of tension in the trailing portion of the strap to tighten said loop;
• means for releasing strap tension in the trailing portion of the strap responsive to a given condition;
• means for holding said leading end segment and an adjacent overlapped segment of the strap against relative movement and together in surface contact in a region along the segments with at least said adjacent overlapped segment under tension during the release of tension in the trailing strap portion and during subsequent joint formation;
• means for joining said leading end segment to an adjacent overlapped segment of the strap in said region of surface contact;
• and
• means for severing the loop from the trailing portion of the strap.