Strap dispenser with start assist

• US 20060175458A1
• Filed: 02/04/2005
• Published: 08/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Bruzzesi, Kevin A., Balling, Richard K., Ropers, Rainer
• Granted Patent: US 7,287,717 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 242/563
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/375 Strapping tapes
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 51/28 Arrangements for initiating a forwarding operation
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 59/04 by devices acting on package or support

Abstract

A dispenser having a start-assist for starting rotation of a coil for dispensing flexible material from the coil includes a frame, a support, a shaft mounted to the support for supporting the coil and configured for rotation with the coil and an arm mounted about the shaft by a one-way element. The arm is connected to the shaft for rotation such that when the arm rotates in a first direction the one-way element engages the shaft to rotate the shaft and when the arm rotates in a second, opposite direction the one-way element is disengaged from the shaft to permit the shaft to freely rotate. When the flexible material is pulled from the coil the arm is rotated in the first direction to begin rotation of the coil by tension in the flexible material.

Claims

1. A dispenser having a start-assist for starting rotation of a coil for dispensing flexible material from the coil, comprising:

a frame;

a support;

a shaft mounted to the support for supporting the coil and configured for rotation with the coil thereon; and

an arm mounted about the shaft by a one-way element, the arm being operably connected to the shaft for rotation such that when the arm rotates in a first direction the one-way element engages the shaft to rotate the shaft and when the arm rotates in a second, opposite direction the one-way element is disengaged from the shaft to permit the shaft to freely rotate,

wherein when the flexible material is pulled from the coil the arm is rotated in the first direction to begin rotation of the coil by tension in the flexible material.

2. The dispenser in accordance with claim 1 including a roller element disposed on the arm for directing the flexible material to rotate the arm.

3. The dispenser in accordance with claim 1 wherein the one-way element is a one-way clutch.

4. The dispenser in accordance with claim 1 including a brake for stopping rotation of the coil.

5. The dispenser in accordance with claim 4 wherein the brake is an electric brake.

6. The dispenser in accordance with claim 1 wherein the arm is biased to the second direction of rotation.

7. The dispenser in accordance with claim 1 including a strap sensor.

9. The dispenser in accordance with claim 1 including a stop to limit rotation of the arm in the first direction.

10. The dispenser in accordance with claim 1 including a stop to limit rotation of the arm in the second direction.

8. The dispenser in accordance with claim including rollers disposed adjacent the sensor to maintain the strap moving in a straight line path through the sensor.