Patent ID: 6363689
Filing Date: 2002-04-02
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
A banding machine for cooperation with and between an upstream and a downstream horizontal conveyor upon which loose bales of material are moved to be wrapped into tight bales comprising a support frame locatable transversely with respect to a longitudinal direction of the conveyors and between the conveyors, said banding machine including an arched track having spaced vertical and horizontal members for guiding a band transversely and completely around a loose bale disposed within said arched track, said banding machine including a sealing station adjacent one of said horizontal members and having an automatic means for selectively gripping a forward end of a band, said sealing station having a reversible drive wheel for driving a band forward through said track with an overlap of a band located adjacent one of said vertical members and for applying reverse force to tighten a band around a bale of material after actuation of said automatic means for selectively gripping, said sealing station having means for connecting overlapped end portions of a band after tightening a band about a bale, said means for connecting including means for applying heat to inner facing surfaces of overlapped portions of a band and means for forcing overlapped portions of a band toward said means for applying heat, while heat is being applied to overlapped portions of a band, said sealing station having means for cutting overlapped end portion of a band, means for clamping overlapped end portions of a band together to firmly secure a band about a bale of material.