Patent ID: 6571531
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
A swap detector for use with an automatic strapping machine configured to strap articles together by conveying strapping material into a first end of chute, the strapping material exiting the chute at a second end and being sealed to itself at a strapping head, the strapping head moving away from the articles after forming a seal and toward the articles to form the seal, the strap detector being configured to determine whether the strapping material is positioned and sealed around the articles, the strap detector comprising:a strap detector mounting bracket mounted to the automatic strapping machine, the strap detector mounting bracket having a slot having an angled portion relative to a direction of movement of the strapping head; a pivot block mounted to the mounting bracket, the pivot block having an aperture formed therein; a shaft positioned in the pivot block aperture; a finger mounted to the shaft at a free end; a sensed element positioned along the shaft spaced from the free end, the sensed element including a guide thereon configured to cooperate with the slot during movement of the sensed element to pivot the finger transverse to the direction of movement of the strapping head; and a sensor operatively coupled to the detector mounting bracket at a predetermined position relative to the sensed element, the sensor having a first state and a second state and being changeable therebetween, wherein when the finger engages strapping material positioned and sealed around the articles, movement of the strapping head away from the articles moves the sensed element and the sensor from the predetermined position relative to one another to change the state of the sensor from the first state to the second state.