Patent ID: 8327758
Filing Date: 2012-12-11
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for strapping an article using a flat tape, comprising: at least one tape guide frame having a flat tape guide passage; a closure assembly for joining ends of the flat tape together; a tape drive for feeding the tape into the tape guide passage; an opening device arranged at the tape guide frame which opens a narrow side of the tape guide passage, wherein the tape drive is movable from a first position in which the tape is fed to the tape guide passage into a second position in which a tape loop formed in the tape guide passage is tightened around the article, wherein, prior to conclusion of an operation of joining the ends of the tightened tape loop together by the closure assembly, tape is freshly fed to the tape guide passage from a tape supply to form another tape loop, wherein the opening device includes at least one cover element which is movably secured to the tape guide frame, the tape guide frame being stationary, and the at least one cover element is movable from a closed position in which the at least one cover element covers the narrow side of the tape guide passage into an open position that opens the narrow side of the tape guide passage; and at least one ejector arranged on the tape guide frame, wherein the ejector being pushed into the tape guide passage to push the tape loop formed in the tape guide passage through the open narrow side out of the tape guide passage when the opening device is in the open position.