Patent ID: 6782679
Filing Date: 2004-08-31
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
In an apparatus for bundling one or more objects with a strap material, a feed and tension unit comprising:a feed drive roller and a feed pinch roller controllably biasable toward the feed drive roller to pinchably engage the strap material therebetween; a first tension drive roller and a first tension pinch roller controllably biasable toward the first tension drive roller to pinchably engage the strap material therebetween; and a second tension drive roller and a second tension pinch roller controllably biasable toward the second tension drive roller to pinchably engage the strap material therebetween; wherein the feed drive roller, the first tension drive roller, and the second tension drive roller are positioned in an approximately triangular orientation; and wherein at least one of the first and second tension pinch rollers is coupled to a solenoid that controllably biases the first and/or second pinch roller against the corresponding first and second tension drive roller based on a tension pinch signal supplied to the solenoid, the tension pinch signal having a first stage that provides a full pinch force and a second stage that provides a reduced pinch force.