Patent ID: 7270055
Filing Date: 2007-09-18
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
1. A refeed system for a strapping machine of the type for feeding a strapping material around a load, positioning, tensioning and sealing the strapping material around the load, the strapping machine having a feed head having a pair of feed elements for feeding the strapping material into strapping machine, a strap chute defining a strap path through which the strapping material is passed and a sealing head to seal overlapping courses of the strapping material onto itself, the refeed system configured to refeed strapping material into the feed elements, the refeed system comprising: a driven, rotatable boost wheel having an axis of rotation and having a first diameter when in a first stationary mode and a second diameter when in a second, rotating mode, the second diameter is larger than the first diameter, and the boost wheel having a pair of opposing non-biased pivoting elements; and an idler element opposite of the boost wheel, wherein when the boost wheel is in the stationary mode, a first gap is defined between the boost wheel and the idler element to permit a free conveyance of strap through the gap and when the boost wheel is in the second rotating mode, a strap positioned in the gap is engaged by the boost wheel and is conveyed through the gap, the axis of rotation of the boost wheel remaining fixed when the boost wheel is in the first stationary mode and the second rotating mode.