Gary G Helland, 75Waunch Prairie, WA

6640700, Nov 4, 2003

May 14, 2002

10/146410

Gary Helland - Elma WA
Rich Ballou - Hoquiam WA
Marla Greenlund - Montesano WA
Don Smith - Aberdeen WA

Enterprises International, Inc. - Hoquiam WA

B65B 1322

100 26, 100 29, 100 32, 100 33 PB, 53589

Apparatus and methods for applying flexible straps around objects include a feed and tension unit a feed drive wheel and a feed pinch wheel, a primary tension drive wheel and a primary tension pinch wheel, and a secondary tension drive wheel and a secondary tension pinch wheel, wherein at least one of the pinch wheels is controllably biased against the respective drive wheel by a solenoid that is controlled in two stages: a first stage that provides a full feed or tensioning force and a second stage that provides a reduced feed or tensioning force by altering the pulse width modulation of the solenoid. In another embodiment, the three sets of wheels of the feed and tension unit are configured to provide a simplified âV-shapedâ strap path that reduces bending of the strap, thereby reducing friction and consequent feeding difficulties. In another embodiment, the feed and tension unit includes inner and outer guides that form a strap channel through the feed and tension unit to provide easy access to the strap path for clearing the strap path in the event of a jam. In another embodiment, a track assembly includes a plurality of sections providing modularity of construction.

6782679, Aug 31, 2004

May 14, 2002

10/146411

Gary Helland - Elma WA
Rich Ballou - Hoquiam WA
Marla Greenlund - Montesano WA
Don Smith - Aberdeen WA

Enterprises International, Inc. - Hoquiam WA

B65B 1322

53589, 100 32

Apparatus and methods for applying flexible straps around objects include a feed and tension unit a feed drive wheel and a feed pinch wheel, a primary tension drive wheel and a primary tension pinch wheel, and a secondary tension drive wheel and a secondary tension pinch wheel, wherein at least one of the pinch wheels is controllably biased against the respective drive wheel by a solenoid that is controlled in two stages: a first stage that provides a full feed or tensioning force and a second stage that provides a reduced feed or tensioning force by altering the pulse width modulation of the solenoid. In another embodiment, the three sets of wheels of the feed and tension unit are configured to provide a simplified âV-shapedâ strap path that reduces bending of the strap, thereby reducing friction and consequent feeding difficulties. In another embodiment, the feed and tension unit includes inner and outer guides that form a strap channel through the feed and tension unit to provide easy access to the strap path for clearing the strap path in the event of a jam. In another embodiment, a track assembly includes a plurality of sections providing modularity of construction.

6415712, Jul 9, 2002

Dec 2, 1999

09/454912

Gary Helland - Elma WA
Rich Ballou - Hoquiam WA
Marla Greenlund - Montesano WA
Don Smith - Aberdeen WA

Enterprises International, Inc. - Hoquiam WA

B65B 1304

100 26, 53589

Apparatus and methods for applying flexible straps around objects including a feed and tension unit, a feed drive wheel and a feed pinch wheel, a primary tension drive wheel and a primary tension pinch wheel, and a secondary tension drive wheel and a secondary tension pinch wheel, wherein at least one of the pinch wheels is controllably biased against the respective drive wheel by a solenoid that is controlled in two stages: a first stage that provides a full feed or tensioning force and a second stage that provides a reduced feed or tensioning force by altering the pulse width modulation of the solenoid. In another embodiment, the three sets of wheels of the feed and tension unit are configured to provide a simplified âV-shapedâ strap path that reduces bending of the strap, thereby reducing friction and consequent feeding difficulties. In another embodiment, the feed and tension unit includes inner and outer guides that form a strap channel through the feed and tension unit to provide easy access to the strap path for clearing the strap path in the event of a jam. In another embodiment, a track assembly includes a plurality of sections providing modularity of construction.