Patent ID: 7770369

Claim:
A strapping apparatus for bundling objects, comprising: a track assembly extending about a strapping station, the track assembly adapted to receive a strap and to bundle objects using the strap; and an accumulator for accumulating the strap used by the track assembly, the accumulator comprising: a strap conveyor system including a strap feeding unit and a strap receiving unit spaced apart from the strap feeding unit such that a strap path of travel extends between the strap feeding unit and the strap receiving unit; an accumulator container defining a chamber and including a strap diverter, a first sidewall, and an entrance, the entrance extending longitudinally along the strap path of travel, the entrance having a longitudinal length and a width that is less than the longitudinal length, the strap diverter being movable away from the first sidewall from a closed position to an open position to increase the width along substantially all of the longitudinal length of the entrance to open the entrance, such that a strap extends along the strap path of travel and is supported by or positioned over an engagement portion of the strap diverter in the closed position and the strap is unconstrained and free to move downwardly through the entrance defined by the engagement portion and the first sidewall and past the engagement portion of the strap diverter when the strap diverter is in the open position.