Patent ID: 9296501
Filing Date: 2016-03-29
CPC Classification: B65B

Claim Text:
1. A modular strap feeder assembly for use with a strapping machine of the type for feeding a strapping material around a load, tensioning the strapping material, and sealing the strapping material onto itself in a loop around the load, the modular strap feeder assembly comprising: a frame; a drive wheel mounted to the frame and having a first axis of rotation, wherein the drive wheel is configured to be connected to a first drive for rotating the drive wheel; a pinch wheel having a second axis of rotation parallel to and spaced from the first axis of rotation of the drive wheel; a rocker arm mounted to the frame in communication with the pinch wheel and including an engagement surface and a pivot axis parallel to both the first and second axes of rotation; an eccentric cam coupled to the frame; and a cam motor coupled to the eccentric cam, wherein the eccentric cam, driven by the cam motor, is rotated between a first position where the eccentric cam is disengaged from the engagement surface of the rocker arm to allow movement of the pinch wheel into engagement with the drive wheel and a second position where the eccentric cam is engaged with the engagement surface to move the pinch wheel out of engagement with the drive wheel, and wherein a travel path of the strapping material is defined between the drive wheel and the pinch wheel and between the rocker arm and the eccentric cam.