Strap dispenser with start assist

• US 7,287,717 B2
• Filed: 02/04/2005
• Issued: 10/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Bruzzesi, Kevin A., Balling, Richard K., Ropers, Rainer
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo; Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KIM, SANG K
• Application Number:
  US11/051,297
• Publication Number:
  US 20060175458A1
• Time in Patent Office: 998 Days
• Field of Search: 242/420.4, 242/419.9, 242/422.8, 242/421.9, 242/422.9, 242/422.3, 242/563, 242/564, 242/566
• US Class Current: 242/420.4
• 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 strap dispenser having a start assist for starting rotation of a strap coil for dispensing flexible strap material from the strap coil comprising:

a frame;

an upright support;

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

an arm mounted about the shaft by a one-way element consisting essentially of a slipping clutch, the arm being operably connected to the shaft for rotation such that when the arm rotates in a first direction downward, the one-way element of a slipping clutch engages the shaft to rotate the shaft and to rotate the strap coil and when the arm rotates in a second opposite direction, the arm is at-rest biased to return the arm to a near-vertical at-rest position by a biasing element, the one-way element of a slipping clutch disengages from the shaft to permit the shaft and the effecting strap coil to freely rotate without effecting rotation of the strap coil by slipping of the clutch;

wherein when the flexible strap material is pulled from the strap coil, the arm is rotated in the first deviation downward to begin rotation of the strap coil by tension in the flexible material, wherein the arm is biased to return the arm to a near-vertical at-rest position without effecting rotation of the strap coil by slipping of the clutch; and

a strap sensor wherein additional rollers and guides direct the strap toward and over a concave-shaped roller element disposed on a free end of the arm to maintain the strap moving in a straight line direction when the strap traverses through the sensor.

2. strap dispenser in accordance with claim 1 including four concave-shaped rollers disposed adjacent the sensor to maintain the strap moving in a straight line path through the sensor.