Thomas E Powers

US Patent:

6990895, Jan 31, 2006

Filed:

Feb 24, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/785514

Inventors:

Thomas A. Powers - Arlington Heights IL, US

Assignee:

Illinois Tool Works, Inc. - Glenview IL

International Classification:

B65B 13/04

US Classification:

100 27, 100 29, 53589

Abstract:

An improved side seal strapping machine is configured to feed a strapping material around a load, position, tension and seal the strapping material around the load. The machine is configured for strapping relatively incompressible, debris laden loads. The machine includes a frame having a biased, movable carriage mounted to a side thereof, a modular sealing head mounted to the carriage and a modular feed head mounted to the carriage. A strap chute is mounted to the frame. The chute has a movable bottom chute section and a movable lower head-side section adjacent the sealing head. The movable lower head-side chute section is movable with the carriage, and the movable lower head-side chute section and the bottom section are hingedly connected to one another for cooperative movement. A passive debris ejection system includes openings formed in the bottom chute section and openings formed at junctures of the bottom chute section and sections adjacent thereto.

US Patent:

7237478, Jul 3, 2007

Filed:

Aug 2, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/461789

Inventors:

Anatoly Gosis - Palatine IL, US
Thomas A. Powers - Arlington Heights IL, US
Frank Otte - Mount Prospect IL, US
Yury Shkolnikov - Glenview IL, US

Assignee:

Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Glenview IL

International Classification:

B65B 13/04

US Classification:

100 26, 100 29, 53589

Abstract:

An asymmetrical chute system is for use in a strapping machine of the type for feeding a strapping material around a load, positioning, tensioning and sealing the strapping material around the load. The strapping machine has a feed head, a strap chute defining a strap path through which the strapping material is passed and a sealing head. The chute system includes a base, a stationary guard having an inclined wall extending, at least in part, over the strap path and a movable guard. The movable guard is movable relative to the base and the stationary guard into and out of engagement with the stationary guard inclined wall to open and close the strap path. When the movable guard is open, the inclined wall extends over the strap path so as to form a blind portion intersecting a line normal to the strap path.