US20120292427A1

US20120292427A1 - Combination strapping package and dispenser

Info

Publication number: US20120292427A1
Application number: US13/440,532
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael Kaufman; Rolando Antonio; Jeffrey Hochleutner; Dennis Miller
Original assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
Current assignee: Signode Industrial Group LLC
Priority date: 2011-04-08
Filing date: 2012-04-05
Publication date: 2012-11-22

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a combination strapping package and dispenser that includes a first strapping coil holding compartment and a second strapping coil holding compartment configured to be nested together and to define a coil receiving or holding area. The combination strapping package and dispenser is configured to hold a strapping coil during shipment from the manufacturer or distributor to the end user and additionally during the use of the strapping by the end user such that the end user does not need to remove the strapping coil from the combination strapping package and dispenser. In certain embodiments, the combination strapping package and dispenser of the present disclosure is configured for mid-range amounts of coil which are easier to transport and use, is compostable, and requires less cost to ship.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/473,322, filed on Apr. 8, 2011, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Strapping (such as but not limited to steel, plastic, and polyester strapping) is widely used in a variety of industries to secure loads prior to shipment of the loads. Steel strapping is used primarily for securing loads where high strength is necessary to secure the loads. Strapping is currently sold or delivered to users in a variety of different ways. Each of these different ways has certain advantages and certain disadvantages.
One common method of selling steel strapping is in coils such as approximately one-hundred pound to one-hundred ten pound coils. These coils are wrapped in corrugated shrouds and placed on pallets for transport to the user. These pallets (with the steel strapping coils) need to be moved by fork lift because they are extremely heavy, and in some cases, exceed the designated limits for hand lifting set by various regulatory agencies. Specifically, these pallets are typically moved by fork lifts onto transportation vehicles at the manufacturer's or distributor's facility and moved off of the transportation vehicles also by fork lifts at the buyer's or user's facility. At the buyer's or user's facility, these heavy steel strapping coils are removed from the pallet, unwrapped and placed on a strapping dispenser. The buyer or user then has to dispose of the empty pallet and the wrapping. This process is time consuming, environmentally wasteful, and economically wasteful due to the pallet shipping and handling related expenses, the waste from the corrugated shrouds, and the handling and disposal of the pallets. These heavy coils are impractical for operators that work by themselves, are in a remote areas where help is not easy to find, and/or do not have access to a fork lift.
Additionally, while traditional strapping dispensers have relatively easy payoff forces and hold such heavy steel strapping coils, such strapping dispensers for heavy steel strapping coils are relatively expensive (such as several hundred dollars). These strapping dispensers also remain stationary during use.
Another common method of selling and delivering steel strapping to users is in sample coils which are approximately twenty pounds. These sample coils contain a relatively small amount of strapping (such as up to three-hundred feet). These sample coils are placed in a fold-up carton and require over packing when shipped by carriers such as UPS or FedEx. Additionally, the steel strapping of such sample coils is relatively difficult to dispense. For example, often the carton is opened and placed on the floor to allow the user to pull the strap out. Moreover, the diameters of these sample coils are relatively small which creates an issue with pigtailing, and specifically where the last few wraps of strapping of the coil are curled, and in most cases can not be used and have to be discarded.
The above and other current steel strapping products on the commercial market do not address the steel strapping needs of moderate users. These users need an easy dispensing method that is portable and cost effective. Likewise, the known packages for other strapping products (i.e., besides steel strapping) on the commercial market do not address these problems and do not provide users with easy dispensing methods that are portable and cost effective.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved apparatus and method of shipping strapping coils (such as but not limited to steel, plastic, and polyester coils) and for dispensing strapping (such as but not limited to steel, plastic, and polyester coils) from strapping coils (such as but not limited to steel, plastic, and polyester coils).

SUMMARY

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a combination strapping package and dispenser. The combination strapping package and dispenser of certain embodiments of the present disclosure generally includes: (i) a first strapping coil holding compartment including a base wall and a plurality of side walls connected to and extending transversely from the base wall; (2) a second strapping coil holding compartment including a base wall and a plurality of side walls connected to and extending transversely from the base wall; (3) a strapping coil centering core attached to one of the base walls of one of the first and second strapping coil holding compartments; and (4) a plurality of coil positioners each attached to one of the base walls of one of the first and second strapping coil holding compartments and each adjacent to a different one of the side walls of that compartment. In these embodiments, the first and second compartments are configured to be nested together to define a strapping coil receiving or holding area. The present disclosure further contemplates that the combination strapping package and dispenser can include one or more strapping coil spacer sheets which enable the combination strapping package and dispenser to hold strapping coils of different widths. The present disclosure also contemplates that the combination strapping package and dispenser can include a plurality of coil guides which reduce contact and thus friction between the coils and the base walls or spacer sheets to better facilitate the rotation of the coil in the combination strapping package and dispenser. In one embodiment, the combination strapping package and dispenser is preferably made of one or more compostable materials to account for situations where the combination strapping package and dispenser is thrown away and eventually winds up in a land fill.
The combination strapping package and dispenser of the present disclosure is thus configured to hold the strapping coils during shipment from the manufacturer or distributor to the end user and additionally during the use of the strapping by the end user such that the end user does not need to remove the strapping coil from the combination strapping package and dispenser. It should be appreciated that the combination strapping package and dispenser of the present disclosure is in certain embodiments configured for mid-range amounts of coil which are easier to transport and use, is compostable, and requires less cost to ship. It should also be appreciated that the combination strapping package and dispenser of the present disclosure can be configured to hold, ship and dispense any suitable coils (such as but not limited to steel coils, plastic coils, polyester coils, cords, and wires).
Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will be apparent from the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one example embodiment of the combination strapping package and dispenser of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the combination strapping package and dispenser of FIG. 1, showing the strapping in the bottom compartment of the combination strapping package and dispenser.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bottom compartment of the combination strapping package and dispenser of FIG. 1, with the strapping removed from the bottom compartment.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the bottom compartment of the combination strapping package and dispenser of FIG. 1, with the strapping removed from the bottom compartment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bottom compartment of an alternative embodiment of the combination strapping package and dispenser of the present disclosure, with the strapping removed from the bottom compartment and illustrating a strapping guide.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bottom compartment of a further alternative embodiment of the combination strapping package and dispenser of the present disclosure, with additional strapping coil guides.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the bottom compartment, top compartment, and a spacer of a further alternative embodiment of the combination strapping package and dispenser of the present disclosure

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the bottom compartment of a further alternative embodiment of the combination strapping package and dispenser of the present disclosure, with alternative coil holding guides, shown with the strapping coil removed.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view the bottom compartment of the combination strapping package and dispenser of FIG. 8, with the alternative coil holding guides holding a strapping coil.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Various example embodiments of the combination strapping package and dispenser of the present disclosure are described below and illustrated in the accompany figures. For brevity, the combination strapping package and dispenser of the present disclosure may sometimes be referred to herein as the strapping package, the strapping dispenser, the package, the dispenser, the combination package and dispenser, or the package/dispenser.
Turning now to the figures and particularly to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, one example embodiment of the combination strapping package and dispenser of the present disclosure is illustrated and generally indicated by numeral 20. In this example embodiment, the combination strapping package and dispenser 20 includes a first or bottom strapping coil holding section or compartment 22, a second or top strapping coil holding section or compartment 24 configured to nest with the first or bottom strapping coil holding compartment 22, a strapping coil centering core 26 securely attached or mounted to the center of the first or bottom strapping coil holding compartment 22, and a plurality of spaced apart coil positioners 30, 32, 34, and 36. The first and second strapping coil holding compartments are configured to hold the strapping during shipment from the manufacturer or distributor to the end user and additionally during the use of the strapping by the end user such that the end user does not need to remove the strapping coil from the first and second strapping coil holding compartments after receiving the combination strapping package and dispenser. The bottom and top compartments are preferably constructed robustly to withstand the shipping environments and dispensing environments after shipment to the end user. In certain embodiments, as further discussed below, the combination package and dispenser is made from one or more partly or entirely compostable materials to account for situations where the combination strapping package and dispenser is thrown away and eventually winds up in a land fill. It should be appreciated that the thickness of the walls of each of the compartments may vary as desired and that these walls can be made from any suitable structure including but not limited to a structure with one layer, a structure with integrally formed multiple layers, a structure with attached multiple layers, or a honeycomb structure.
Although not shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 and as further described below, the combination package and dispenser can additionally include one or more coil spacer sheets that: (1) enable the same size coil holding compartments to be utilized for several different straps widths, and (2) that increase the structural integrity of the top and bottom compartments for shipping and use. Additionally, in certain embodiments, these coil spacer sheets provide a coil engagement surface with a relatively low-friction surface to facilitate the rotation of the coil in the combination package and dispenser.
More specifically, in this illustrated embodiment, the bottom compartment 22 includes a base or bottom wall 50, and a plurality of side walls 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, and 66 integrally connected to and extending transversely from the base or bottom wall 50. In this illustrated embodiment side wall 52 is connected to side wall 54, side wall 54 is connected to side wall 56, side wall 56 is connected to side wall 58, side wall 58 is connected to side wall 60, side wall 60 is connected to side wall 62, side wall 62 is connected to side wall 64, side wall 64 is connected to side wall 66, and side wall 66 is connected to side wall 52. In this illustrated embodiment, the side walls have suitable connection tabs (not shown) extending from one or more ends of certain or all of the side walls for facilitating the interconnection of the side walls. It should be appreciated that all of the side walls can have these tabs or only certain of the side walls can have these tabs. The side walls are respectively folded over these tabs. It should also be appreciated that other suitable bottom compartment side wall connection mechanisms can be employed in accordance with the present disclosure.
The bottom wall 50 and the plurality of side walls 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, and 66 partially define a coil receiving area configured to receive and hold the strapping coil 28 as generally illustrated in FIG. 2. In this illustrated embodiment, the side walls 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, and 66 are all of a same length as best shown in FIG. 4. It should be appreciated that the perspective views in FIGS. 2 and 3 are true and thus only appear to show that these side walls are of different lengths. It should also be appreciated that in accordance with the present disclosure: (1) the size and shape of each side wall of the bottom compartment may vary; (2) the lengths of the side walls of the bottom compartment may all be the same or two or more of the side walls of the bottom compartment may be different lengths; (3) the quantity of side walls of the bottom compartment may vary; (4) how the side walls of the bottom compartment are attached to the base wall of the bottom compartment and each other may vary; and (5) the configuration of the bottom compartment may vary.
In this illustrated embodiment, the top compartment 24 includes a base or top wall 70, and a plurality of side walls 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, and 86 integrally connected to and extending transversely from the top wall 50. In this illustrated embodiment, side wall 72 is connected to side wall 74, side wall 74 is connected to side wall 76, side wall 76 is connected to side wall 78, side wall 78 is connected to side wall 80, side wall 80 is connected to side wall 82, side wall 82 is connected to side wall 84, side wall 84 is connected to side wall 86, and side wall 86 is connected to side wall 72. In this illustrated embodiment, the side walls have suitable connection tabs (not shown) extending from one or more ends of certain or all of the side walls for facilitating the interconnection of the side walls. It should be appreciated that all of the side walls can have these tabs or only certain of the side walls can have these tabs. The side walls are respectively folded over these tabs. It should also be appreciated that other suitable top compartment side wall connection mechanisms can be employed in accordance with the present disclosure.
The top wall 70 and the plurality of side walls 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, and 86 partially define the strapping coil receiving area which is configured to receive and hold the strapping coil 28 as generally illustrated in FIG. 2. In this illustrated embodiment, the side walls 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, and 86 are all of the same length. It should be appreciated that the perspective view in FIG. 2 is true and thus only appears to show that these side walls are of different lengths. It should be appreciated that in accordance with the present disclosure: (1) the size and shape of each side wall of the top compartment may vary; (2) the lengths of the side walls of the top compartment may all be the same or two or more of the side walls of the top compartment may be different lengths; (3) the quantity of side walls of the top compartment my vary; (4) how the side walls of the top compartment are attached to the base wall of the top compartment and each other may vary; and (5) the configuration of the top compartment may vary.
The top compartment 24 and the bottom compartment 22 are configured to mate or nest with each other as generally shown in FIG. 1. More specifically, the top wall 70 and the side walls 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, and 86 of the top compartment 24, and the bottom wall 50 and the side walls 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, and 66 of the bottom compartment 22 are all suitably sized and shaped such that the top compartment can be mated or nested with the bottom compartment. In particular, in this illustrated embodiment, the side walls 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, and 86 of the top compartment 24 are configured to respectively nest or mate with side walls 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, and 66 of the bottom compartment 22. It should be appreciated that the relatively tight mating or nesting of the top compartment 24 and the bottom compartment 22 provides the secure connection between the top compartment and the bottom compartment. It should also be appreciated that one or more fasteners (not shown) can alternatively or additionally be used to securely attach the top and bottom compartments.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the top and bottom compartments have aligned coil dispensing openings or slots 90 and 92 which enable the coil to be dispensed from the combined package and dispenser without having to remove the top compartment from the bottom compartment. More specifically, the side wall 62 of the bottom compartment 22 defines a coil dispensing slot 90 and the side wall 82 of the top compartment 24 defines a coil dispensing slot 92 which is aligned with the coil dispensing slot 90 when the top and bottom compartments are nested together. It should be appreciated that in accordance with the present disclosure: (1) the size and shape of each of these coil dispensing slots may vary; and (2) the side walls in which these coil dispensing slots are disposed may vary.
In this illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the top compartment 24 also includes a strapping end receiver 94 in or otherwise defined by the side walls. The strapping end receiver is configured to receive and store the strapping end or tail when the combination strapping package and dispenser is not in use. It should be appreciated that FIG. 1 is rotated with respect to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 to better illustrate this feature. It should also be appreciated that with respect to the end of the coil, the top and bottom compartments with the coil can be shipped in two different ways. In one way, the coil (including the end of the coil) can be entirely inside the top and bottom compartments for shipping. In this case, the user would need to open or de-nest the top compartment from the bottom compartment and thread the end of the coil through the dispensing slots 90 and 92. In a second way, the end of the coil may extend through the dispensing slots 90 and 92 during shipment. In this case, the end of the coil may be positioned in the strapping end receiver 94 or may be otherwise secured to the outside of the top compartment. In these example embodiments, the combination strapping package and dispenser with the strapping coil is disclosed as one product or apparatus. In another embodiment, the combination strapping package and dispenser without the strapping coil is disclosed as one product or apparatus.
In this illustrated embodiment, the top surface of the base wall 50 of the bottom compartment 22 and the bottom surface of the base wall 70 of the top compartment 24 each function as coil bearing surfaces. In one embodiment, these surfaces are treated with a low-friction material to reduce the friction with the coil as the coil rotates in the package/dispenser during use of the strapping dispenser. As further discussed below in relation to FIG. 6, another embodiment includes strapping coil guides attached to one or both of these coil bearing surfaces to: (a) reduce the payout forces and reduce the likelihood of jams in the unwinding of the coil, and (b) reduce wear on the top and bottom compartment walls. It should also be appreciated that the package/dispenser of the present disclosure can include one or more additional structural support wall or sheets (such as a honeycomb pad wall or sheet or corrugated material) which is attached to the base wall. In such case, the surfaces of those structural walls can include a suitable low-friction surface treatment and/or coil guides (as discussed below in relation to FIG. 6) can be attached to the structural support wall(s) to prevent those structural walls from directly contacting the coil.
As mentioned above, in the illustrated embodiment, the combination package and dispenser 20 further includes a strapping coil centering core 26 securely attached or mounted to the center of the base wall 50 of the bottom strapping coil holding compartment 22. The strapping coil centering core 26 is cylindrical and configured to extend though the central opening of the coil 28 as shown in FIG. 2 and to maintain the coil 28 in relatively centered position during shipment and use or dispensing of the strapping from the coil. In this illustrated embodiment, the strapping centering core 26 is suitably connected to the base wall 50 of the bottom compartment 22 by an adhesive (such as glue); however, it should be appreciated that the strapping centering core 26 can be suitably connected to the base wall 50 of the bottom compartment 22 by other fastening mechanisms or integrally formed with the base wall 50. It should also be appreciated that in accordance with the present disclosure: (1) the size and shape of the strapping centering core may vary; and (2) that the strapping centering core may be attached to the base wall of the top compartment.
As mentioned above, in the illustrated embodiment, the combination package and dispenser 20 also includes spaced apart coil positioners 30, 32, 34, and 36. Each coil positioner is mounted to the bottom strapping coil holding compartment 22, and more specifically to the base wall 50 of the bottom compartment 22 adjacent to one of the side walls. Specifically, in this illustrated embodiment, coil positioner 30 is mounted to the bottom wall 50 adjacent to side wall 66, coil positioner 32 is mounted to the bottom wall 50 adjacent to side wall 54, coil positioner 34 is mounted to the bottom wall 50 adjacent to side wall 58, and coil positioner 36 is mounted to the bottom wall 50 adjacent to side wall 62. In this illustrated embodiment, the coil positioners 30, 32, 34, and 36 are suitably connected to the base wall 50 of the bottom compartment 22 by an adhesive (such as glue); however it should be appreciated that the coil positioners 30, 32, 34, and 36 can be suitably connected to the base wall 50 of the bottom compartment 22 by other fastening mechanisms or integrally formed with the base wall 50. It should also be appreciated that for added rigidity the coil positioners 30, 32, 34, and 36 can also be suitably attached to their respective side walls by an adhesive (such as glue) or other suitable fastening mechanism. In this illustrated embodiment, the coil positioners are in the form of spacer blocks; however, it should be appreciated that the coil positioners may each be any suitable size and shape. It should further be appreciated that in accordance with the present disclosure: (1) the size and shape of each coil positioner may vary; (2) the shape and size of the coil positioners may all be the same or two or more of the coil positioners may be different; and (3) the quantity of coil positioners may vary.
In this illustrated embodiment, the coil positioners 30, 32, 34, and 36 perform multiple functions. When the strapping of the coil 28 is first being dispensed from the package/dispenser, the coil will rotate and shift toward these coil positioners 30, 32, 34, and 36. If allowed to move freely, the coil 28 could break the side walls of the top and bottom compartments and thus a loss of containment of the coil would result. The coil positioners 30, 32, 34, and 36 co-act with the coil centering core 26 to limit movement in the lateral direction as the coil shifts in position as the strapping is being dispensed from the coil 28.
In certain embodiments, the combination package and dispenser is composed entirely from wood and wood fiber products (or substantially entirely from wood and wood fiber products with the exception of some adhesive (such as glue) that is used in the assembly. It should be appreciated that the combination package and dispenser can be alternatively made from other materials such as corrugated fiberboard or hardboard (i.e., another forest product). The use of these materials enables the combination package and dispenser to be composted or chipped and pulped at the end of its life cycle. In other embodiments, the combination package and dispenser is partly or entirely made from recyclable materials. In further embodiments, the combination package and dispenser is partly made from materials which can be composted and partly made from materials which can be recycled.
It should thus be appreciated from the above description that the combination package and dispenser of the present disclosure: (1) enables steel strapping coils (or other suitable strapping coils, such as plastic strapping coils) to be packaged, shipped and dispensed from the same container; and (2) does not add a substantial amount of weight to the coil. More specifically, in various embodiments, the combination package and dispenser of the present disclosure can be used for steel strapping coils weighing approximately forty-seven pounds (or less) such that the combined weight of the coil and the package/dispenser is under fifty pounds. This combined weight is both: (1) under the parcel post maximum weight of fifty pounds for non-surcharged packages; and (2) under the designated weight lifting limitations of regulatory agencies. The product (including the steel strapping coil and the combination package and dispenser of the present disclosure) is relatively inexpensive to ship because there are no added surcharges due to its weight. Additionally, the combination package and dispenser of the present disclosure does not need to be wrapped in additional packaging (such as plastic) to ship the product.
It should also be appreciated that the steel strapping coil which can be held by the combination package and dispenser of the present disclosure is large enough to minimize pig tailing of the coil which makes the end of the coil difficult to use and which often occurs in small sample coils.
Turning now to FIG. 5, another example embodiment of the combination strapping package and dispenser of the present disclosure is partially illustrated. In this alternative example embodiment, the combination strapping package and dispenser includes a coil dispensing guide 202 attached to the side wall 262 of the bottom compartment 222. The coil dispensing guide 202 may be attached to the side wall 262 of the bottom compartment 212 by an adhesive (such as a glue) or another suitable fastening mechanism. This coil dispensing guide 202 protects the side wall 262 from damage which can be caused by the strapping as it is dispensed from the combination strapping package and dispenser. The coil dispensing guide may be made of any suitable material having a low coefficient of friction to steel and preferably a material having dry self-lubricating characteristics, high compressive strength characteristics, and high resistance to wear characteristics. The coil dispensing guide in one embodiment is made from a linear high-density polyethylene which is often referred to as an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. In one embodiment, this coil dispensing guide is made from a chip board material.
FIG. 5 shows the coil dispensing guide 202 attached to the inside surface of side wall 262. The present disclosure contemplates that: (1) the coil dispensing guide can alternatively be attached to the outer surface of one of the side walls; (2) the combination strapping package and dispenser can include coil dispensing guides attached to both the inside surface of a side wall of the bottom compartment and the outside surface of a side wall of the top compartment; (3) part of the side wall itself can be made from such a low-friction material; (4) the size, shape and configuration of the coil dispensing guides may vary; and (5) an alternatively configured coil dispensing guide can be positioned in the coil dispensing slot(s).
Turning now to FIG. 6, another example embodiment of the combination strapping package and dispenser of the present disclosure is partially illustrated. In this alternative example embodiment, the combination strapping package and dispenser includes a plurality of elongated coil guides 310, 312, 314 and 316 attached to the base wall 350 of the bottom compartment 322. Each coil guides extends from one of the coil positioners to the coil centering core 326, and more specifically, coil guide 310 extends between coil positioner 330 and the coil centering core 326, coil guide 312 extends between coil positioner 332 and the coil centering core 326, coil guide 314 extends between coil positioner 334 and coil centering core 326, and coil guide 316 extends between coil positioner 336 and the coil centering core 326. The coil guides may each be attached to the base wall 350 of the bottom compartment 322 by an adhesive (such as a glue) or another suitable fastening mechanism. These coil guides may be made of any suitable material having a low coefficient of friction to steel and preferably a material having dry self-lubricating characteristics, high compressive strength characteristics, and high resistance to wear characteristics. The coil guides in one embodiment are made from an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. In one embodiment, this coil dispensing guide is made from a chip board material. In one embodiment, this coil guides are made from a chip board material. In operation, the coil guides elevate the coil off of the base wall 350 of the bottom compartment and reduce the engagement or contact surface area and thus the resulting friction from the engagement or contact between the base wall 350 and the strapping coil. These coil guides reduce the payoff force required to pull the strapping out from the package/dispenser so that the package remains stationary or substantially stationary during dispensing. The present disclosure contemplates that: (1) the coil guides may be alternatively configured and sized and arranged; (2) the number of coil guides may vary; and (3) the coil guides may alternatively or additionally be place in the top compartment.
In the illustrated embodiment, the coil guides are attached to the base wall 350 of the bottom compartment. As mentioned above, it should be appreciated that the coil guides could alternatively be mounted on an added structural support wall (such as an extra honeycomb pad wall) which is attached to the base wall. In such case, the coil guides prevent the structural support wall from directly contacting the coil and thus reduce the payout forces and reduce the likelihood of jams in the unwinding of the coil.
Turning now to FIG. 7, another example embodiment of the combination strapping package and dispenser of the present disclosure is illustrated. In this alternative example embodiment, the combination strapping package and dispenser 420 includes a first or bottom strapping coil holding section or compartment 422, a second or top strapping coil holding section or compartment 424 configured to nest with the first or bottom strapping coil holding compartment 422 and to hold a coil 428, a strapping coil centering core 426 securely attached or mounted to the center of the first or bottom strapping coil holding compartment 422 and configured to extend through the coil, a plurality of spaced apart coil positioners 430, 432, 434, and 436 (not shown), and a coil spacer sheet 500 configured to be positioned between the bottom compartment 422 and the top compartment 424.
The coil spacer sheet 500 can be employed when the width of the coil is relatively small such that one size combination package and dispenser may be used for different width coils. In this embodiment, the coil spacer sheet includes cutouts for the strapping coil centering core 426 and the coil positioners 430, 432, 434, and 436 (not shown). In one embodiment, the coil spacer sheet rests on top of the strapping coil centering core 426 and coil positioners 430, 432, 434, and 436 (not shown). In another embodiment, the coil spacer sheet is attached to a base wall of the top compartment 424. Specifically, a side of the coil spacer sheet that does not face the coil is attached, such as by an adhesive or other fastening mechanism, to the base wall of the top compartment. Such an embodiment reduces the engagement or contact surface area between the coil spacer sheet and the strapping coil and thus reduces the resulting friction from the engagement or contact between the coil spacer sheet and the strapping coil.
In different embodiments, the coil spacer sheet 500 is also made from partly or entirely compostable materials. It should also be appreciated that the thickness of the coil spacer sheet 500 may vary as desired and that the coil spacer sheet any suitable structure including but not limited to a structure with one layer, a structure with integrally formed multiple layers, a structure with attached multiple layers, or a honeycomb structure.
For the above described embodiments, it is expected that a user may place the combination strapping package and dispenser in a horizontal position such as on the ground or a table for use at the strapping location and will pull the strap out of the top and bottom compartments. It should be appreciated that the combination strapping package and dispenser described above can be placed in different positions to pull the strap out of the top and bottom compartments.
In another embodiment which is not illustrated, the combination strapping package and dispenser of the present disclosure is specifically configured for vertical use. In this alternative embodiment, the combination strapping package and dispenser includes a low coefficient of friction to steel material such as described above on the interior surfaces of one or more of the coil positioners (i.e., on the surfaces which face the centering core). It should also be appreciated that this type of low friction material can also be used on the centering core or that the centering core can be made of this type of material. In certain versions of this embodiment, the coil guides are employed (on either or both of the inside surfaces of the top and bottom compartments), and in other versions of the coils guides are not employed.
Turning now to FIGS. 8 and 9, another example embodiment of the combination strapping package and dispenser of the present disclosure is partially illustrated. Particularly, the bottom compartment 722 is this alternative example embodiment includes a plurality of U-shaped coil holders 731, 733, 735 and 737 attached to the base wall 750 of the first or bottom compartment 722. These coil holders 731, 733, 735, and 737 are attached to the base wall 750 by an adhesive (such as glue); however it should be appreciated that the coil holders can be suitably connected to the base wall 750 of the bottom compartment 722 by other fastening mechanisms. The coil holders may be made of any suitable material having a low coefficient of friction to steel and preferably a material having dry self-lubricating characteristics, high compressive strength characteristics, and high resistance to wear characteristics. The coil holders in one embodiment are made from an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. In one embodiment, this coil holders are made from a DELRIN material. In another embodiment, they are made from chip board material. In this example embodiment, the coil centering core is not needed and the coil 728 is rolled in a somewhat different configuration such that the entire coil fits within the coil holders 731, 733, 735, and 737. It should further be appreciated that in accordance with the present disclosure: (1) the size and shape of each coil holder may vary; (2) the shape and size of the coil holders can all be the same or two or more of the coil holders can be different; (3) the quantity of coil holders can vary; and (4) coil holders can alternatively or additionally be attached to the top compartment.
It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A combination strapping package and dispenser comprising:

a first strapping coil holding compartment;

a second strapping coil holding compartment configured to nest with the first strapping coil holding compartment, said first strapping coil holding compartment and said second strapping coil holding compartment configured to define a strapping coil holding area, said first strapping coil holding compartment and said second strapping coil holding compartment defining at least one strapping dispensing opening;

a strapping coil centering core attached to one of the first strapping coil holding compartment and the second strapping coil holding compartment; and

a plurality of coil positioners each attached to one of the first strapping coil holding compartment and the second strapping coil holding compartment.

2. The combination strapping package and dispenser of claim 1, wherein the first strapping coil holding compartment includes a first base wall and a plurality of first side walls connected to and extending transversely from the first base wall.

3. The combination strapping package and dispenser of claim 2, wherein the second strapping coil holding compartment includes a second base wall and a plurality of second side walls connected to and extending transversely from the second base wall.

4. The combination strapping package and dispenser of claim 3, wherein the second coil holding compartment includes a strapping end receiver in one of the second side walls which is configured to receive an end of strapping.

5. The combination strapping package and dispenser of claim 2, wherein each coil positioner is mounted to the first base wall of the first strapping coil holding compartment adjacent to a different one of the first side walls of the first strapping coil holding compartment.

6. The combination strapping package and dispenser of claim 1, which includes at least one coil dispensing guide attached to one of the first strapping coil holding compartment and the second strapping coil holding compartment.

7. The combination strapping package and dispenser of claim 1, which includes a plurality of coil guides mounted in the strapping coil holding area.

8. The combination strapping package and dispenser of claim 7, wherein each coil guide extends from a different one of the coil positioners to the strapping coil centering core.

9. The combination strapping package and dispenser of claim 7, wherein each coil guide is made of a low-friction material.

10. The combination strapping package and dispenser of claim 1, wherein at least one of the coil positioners includes a low-friction material on an interior surface of said coil positioner.

11. The combination strapping package and dispenser of claim 1, which includes a low-friction material on the centering core.

12. The combination strapping package and dispenser of claim 1, which includes a coil spacer sheet configured to be positioned in the strapping coil holding area.

13. The combination strapping package and dispenser of claim 1, which is at least partly made from at least one compostable material.

14. The combination strapping package and dispenser of claim 1, which includes a steel strapping coil positioned in the strapping coil holding area.

15. A combination strapping package and dispenser comprising:

a first strapping coil holding compartment, said first strapping coil holding compartment including a first base wall and a plurality of first side walls connected to and extending transversely from the first base wall;

a second strapping coil holding compartment configured to nest with the first strapping coil holding compartment, said second strapping coil holding compartment including a second base wall and a plurality of second side walls connected to and extending transversely from the second base wall, when attached, said first strapping coil holding compartment and said second strapping coil holding compartment define a strapping coil receiving area, and one of the first side walls of the first strapping coil holding compartment and one of the second side walls of the second strapping coil holding compartment define a plurality of aligned strapping dispensing openings;

a strapping coil centering core attached to the first strapping coil holding compartment;

a plurality of coil positioners, each attached to the first base wall of the first strapping coil holding compartment coil adjacent to a different one of the first side walls of the first strapping coil holding compartment; and

a plurality of elongated coil guides attached to the first base wall of the first strapping coil holding compartment.

16. The combination strapping package and dispenser of claim 15, wherein the second strapping coil holding compartment includes a strapping end receiver in one of the second side walls which is configured to receive an end of strapping.

17. The combination strapping package and dispenser of claim 15, wherein at least coil dispensing guide is attached one of the first strapping coil holding compartment and the second strapping coil holding compartment.

18. The combination strapping package and dispenser of claim 15, wherein each coil guide is made of a low-friction material.

19. The combination strapping package and dispenser of claim 15, wherein at least one of the coil positioners includes a low-friction material on an interior surface of said coil positioner.

20. The combination strapping package and dispenser of claim 15, which includes a low-friction material on the centering core.

21. The combination strapping package and dispenser of claim 15, which is at least partly made from at least one compostable material.

22. The combination strapping package and dispenser of claim 15, which includes a steel strapping coil positioned in the strapping coil receiving area.