Patent ID: 6976422

Claim:
A clearing and reloading assembly for a strapping machine of the type having an infeed arrangement at about a strap material inlet to the machine, a feed assembly and a chute, the strapping machine defining a strap material holding region between the infeed arrangement and the feed assembly, the strapping machine configured to receive first and second courses of associated strap material, position, tension and seal the strap material around a load, the clearing and reloading assembly comprising: a body; a driven wheel mounted to the body for rotation, the driven wheel defining first, second and third peripheral portions, the second peripheral portion being movable relative to the first peripheral portion; a bearing element mounted to the body for rotation opposite of the driven wheel, the bearing element and the driven wheel defining a strap path therebetween; and a strap cutter disposed for movement into and out of the strap path, wherein a gap is defined between the first peripheral portion and the bearing element such that the strap material can slip therebetween, wherein the strap material is gripped between the second peripheral portion and the bearing element, and wherein the strap material is pinched between third peripheral portion and the bearing element, and wherein the cutter is moved into the strap path to sever the strap material.