US 7,383,765 B2
Strapping machine
Matt E. Kirar, Trevor, Wis. (US); and Allan J. Bobren, Streamwood, Ill. (US)
Assigned to Illinois Tool Works Inc., Glenview, Ill. (US)
Filed on Feb. 07, 2007, as Appl. No. 11/672,121.
Application 11/672121 is a division of application No. 11/381411, filed on May 03, 2006, granted, now 7,240,612.
Prior Publication US 2007/0256575 A1, Nov. 08, 2007
Int. Cl. B65B 13/04 (2006.01); B65G 13/07 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 100—7  [100/18; 100/26; 100/29; 53/589; 198/790] 5 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A strapping machine configured to feed a strapping material around a load, position, tension and seal the strapping material around the load, the strapping machine comprising:
a machine frame;
a work surface for supporting the load in the strapping machine, at least a portion of which is upwardly pivotable;
a strap chute for carrying the strapping material around the load and for releasing the strapping material from the strap chute;
a feed assembly configured to convey the strapping material around the strap chute in a feed mode and to retract and tension the strapping material around the load during a tensioning mode;
a work surface conveyor formed as part of the work surface and the work surface conveyor is upwardly pivotable, the sealing head for sealing the strapping material onto itself;
a work surface conveyor including a plurality of conveyor rollers including a pair of end rollers that define a plane and a plurality of intermediate rollers disposed between the end rollers, each of the rollers having a spindle, a conveyor frame having a plurality of spindle supporting notches, a drive having a drive roller, a belt operably engaged by the drive roller and operably engaging the conveyor rollers along the plane defined by the end rollers, outer surfaces of the rollers engaging an outside surface of the belt, the belt being maintained in tension about the drive roller by a tension roller biased to maintain tension in the belt, wherein rotation of the drive roller moves the belt and wherein the conveyor rollers are driven by contact with the moving belt;
the conveyor including a bracket attached to the conveyor frame with the belt disposed between the conveyor frame and the bracket; and
a cover having slots for receiving the spindles, the cover mounted to the bracket and configured and positioned to prevent the conveyor rollers from being displaced.