Patent ID: 6923113
Filing Date: 2005-08-02
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
1. A swapping machine for positioning a strap material around an associated load, tensioning the strap material and sealing the strap material to itself around the load, the strapping machine comprising: a frame; a strap supply; a slack box; a first portion of a strap path adjacent the slack box, the first portion of the strap path formed by inner and outer paddles independently moveable toward and away from each other between an open path position and a closed path position, the path forming elements further defining a path entrance and a path exit, the closed path position defining the first portion of the strap path; a strapping head mounted to the frame, the strapping head configured to draw strap material from the strap supply, through the first portion of the strap path and to convey the strap material in a first direction to position the strap material around the load and to convey the strap material in a second direction to tension the strap material around the load, the strapping head further configured to seal the strap material to itself and to sever the strap material from a strap supply; and a chute defining a second portion of the strap path, the chute being mounted to the frame and configured to provide a path to position the strap material around the load.