Richard K Balling, 77Trout Valley, IL

7287717, Oct 30, 2007

Feb 4, 2005

11/051297

Rainer Ropers - Lake Zurich IL, US
Richard K. Balling - Cary IL, US
Kevin A. Bruzzesi - Cary IL, US

Illinois Tool Works, Inc. - Glenview IL

B65H 23/06

2424204, 2424199, 2424228, 242563

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.

8175445, May 8, 2012

Jun 4, 2009

12/478238

Arland L. Morrison - Port Barrington IL, US
Richard K. Balling - Cary IL, US
Richard G. Newman - Burlington WI, US
Michael W. Potempa - Libertyville IL, US

Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Glenview IL

A47J 27/00
F24H 3/02

392382, 392379

A non-contact cutter for a polymer corner protector disposed on a load includes an air manifold having an inlet and an outlet and defining an air passage and a heating element disposed at least in part in the air passage. A compressed gas is communicated to the manifold and into the air passage for intimate contact with the heating element to heat the gas. The heated gas is discharged through the outlet to contact and soften the polymer corner protector at a desired location to separate the corner protector at the desired location. A system and method for non-contact cutting are disclosed.

2005021, Oct 6, 2005

Apr 5, 2004

10/818544

Rainer Ropers - Lake Zurich IL, US
Richard Balling - Cary IL, US
James Roberts - Lake Zurich IL, US
Donna Roberts - Des Plaines IL, US

Illinois Tool Works, Inc. - Glenview IL

B65B035/30
B65B013/06

053540000, 053589000

A stacking and strapping apparatus is configured to stack a first load layer on a pallet, horizontally strap the load, stack a second load layer on the first load layer and horizontally strap the second load layer. The apparatus includes a frame, a sealing head operably mounted to the frame, a feed head operably mounted to the frame and a strap chute mounted to the frame. The strap chute is stationary and is fixedly mounted to the frame in a generally horizontal plane and has an opening therein for receiving the sealing head. The strap chute defines the boundaries of a vertical path for movement of the pallet, the first load layer and the second load layer. A draw plate is disposed above the strap chute. The draw plate is configured to receive the first load layer or the second load layer and to move between a loading position in which the first or second load layer is loaded onto the draw plate and a withdrawn position in which the draw plate moves to position the first load layer on the pallet or to position the second load layer on the first load layer. The draw plate is configured to move back to the loading position following transfer of the first load layer or the second load layer. A lift plate is disposed below the strap chute and draw plate. The lift plate is adapted to receive the pallet and to receive a load on the pallet. The lift plate moves downwardly to position the first load layer at the strap chute, moves up to receive the second load layer and moves downwardly again to position the second load layer at the strap chute.

2006017, Aug 10, 2006

Feb 4, 2005

11/051420

Richard Balling - Cary IL, US
Rainer Ropers - Lake Zurich IL, US
Timothy Pearson - Antioch IL, US

Illinois Tool Works, Inc. - Glenview IL

B65B 13/04

100026000

A flexible strap guide for an overhead strapper of the type for feed a strapping material around a load, positioning, tensioning and sealing the strapping material around the load, the overhead strapper having a feed head for feeding the strapping material from a supply to a strapping head, the feed head being stationary and spaced from a strapping head, the strapping head being mounted to a movable platen, the extends between the feed head and the strapping head. The guide includes an elongated flexible spine formed from a plurality of hinged elements. Each of the elements is hingedly connected to and independently movable relative to each adjacent element. The elements define a central channel therein defined by a contiguous inner periphery. A hollow tubular element is positioned within the flexible spine and is flexible with the spine. The tubular element defines a pathway for movement of the strapping material therethrough between feed head and the strapping head. The guide is mounted at one end at about the feed head and at another end at about the strapping head. The guide is flexible at points between the feed head and the strapping head and is configured to permit movement of the strapping head upward and downward and to retain the hollow tubular element in an unobstructed condition as the strapping head moves upward and downward. A strapping machine have the flexible strap guide is also disclosed.