A strapping apparatus for strapping articles for packing with a strapping band, which strapping apparatus has a tensioning element which can be driven in rotation about a tensioning axis, which tensioning element is provided to impart a band tension, wherein the tensioning element comprises a tensioning wheel, a tensioning plate, wherein, during a tensioning process a single-layer or multilayer section of the strapping band is situated between the tensioning element and the tensioning plate and is in contact both with the tensioning element and with the tensioning plate, a connecting device for producing a permanent connection at two regions of the strapping band, situated one above the other, by way of a connecting element, a wrap spring which serves for releasing the tensioning element from the strapping band, and means for actuating the wrap spring in order to eliminate or generate frictional engagement of the wrap spring with at least one contact partner, wherein a frictionally engaging connection to the at least one contact partner exists during the tensioning process, such that the tensioning wheel can be supported by means of the wrap spring and the at least one contact partner in order to exert a torque, which is provided by a drive of the strapping apparatus, on the strapping band on a base plate, and wherein one of the at least one contact partner is in the form of a cylindrical element and arranged within the wrap spring, characterized by a toothing means which is connected to one end of the wrap spring and which is rotatable and which is or can be placed in engagement with a toothing means of the means for actuating, such that a rotational movement is transmitted to the one end of the wrap spring. a tensioning element which can be driven in rotation about a tensioning axis, which tensioning element is provided to impart a band tension, wherein the tensioning element comprises a tensioning wheel, a tensioning plate, wherein, during a tensioning process a single-layer or multilayer section of the strapping band is situated between the tensioning element and the tensioning plate and is in contact both with the tensioning element and with the tensioning plate, a connecting device for producing a permanent connection at two regions of the strapping band, situated one above the other, by way of a connecting element, a wrap spring which serves for releasing the tensioning element from the strapping band, and means for actuating the wrap spring in order to eliminate or generate frictional engagement of the wrap spring with at least one contact partner, wherein a frictionally engaging connection to the at least one contact partner exists during the tensioning process, such that the tensioning wheel can be supported by means of the wrap spring and the at least one contact partner in order to exert a torque, which is provided by a drive of the strapping apparatus, on the strapping band on a base plate, and wherein one of the at least one contact partner is in the form of a cylindrical element and arranged within the wrap spring, characterized by a toothing means which is connected to one end of the wrap spring and which is rotatable and which is or can be placed in engagement with a toothing means of the means for actuating, such that a rotational movement is transmitted to the one end of the wrap spring.