Patent ID: 7757468

Claim:
A package-strapping apparatus for positioning a plastic strap around a load, comprising: a cross-sectionally U-shaped strap guide frame enclosing the package, the guide frame having a strap outlet aperture being at least partly covered by a first strap retainer device to preclude uncontrolled issuing of strap from the guide frame, the strap retainer device opening when strap is retracted to tension the strap around the package and allowing pulling the strap out of the outlet aperture, the guide frame including a second strap retainer device having an elastic, longitudinally stretching element and a mating support positioned in front of at least one segment of a side of the strap guide frame associated with the strap outlet aperture, wherein the elastic, longitudinally stretching element and the mating support are formed from a low-wear material in a zone constituting a contact surface with the strap and are configured mutually parallel and parallel with respect to the strap outlet aperture, the elastic, longitudinally stretching element and the mating support subtending a gap therebetween that is smaller than a width of the strap, the strap being pulled through the smaller gap when being tensioned around the package while forcing the elastic, longitudinally stretching element away from the mating support.