Patent ID: 6463848
Filing Date: 2002-10-15
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
A strapping machine for positioning a strap material around an associated load and tensioning the strap material around the load, comprising:a frame for supporting the load; a chute positioned on the frame for receiving the strap material and orienting the strap material around the load; a strap supply; and a strapping head for extracting the strap from the supply, feeding the strap through the chute around the load, passing the strap from the chute around the load, retracting and tensioning the strap, the strapping head including feed rollers and retraction rollers for feeding and retracting the strap and a winder for tensioning the strap around the load, the winder including a rotating head portion having a stationary element and an element movable toward and away from the stationary element, the stationary and movable elements each defining an outer surface around which the strap material is wound and defining a slot therebetween for receiving the strap material, the movable element being movable between an open position in which the strap freely moves through the slot and a closed position in which the stationary and movable elements cooperate with one another to engage and secure the strap material therebetween, wherein the winder rotates from a home position in which the winder is in the open position and an other than home position in which the winder is in the closed position to engage and secure the strap in the slot.