Patent ID: 7293498

Claim:
A strapping machine configured to feed a strapping material around a load, position, tension and seal the strapping material around the load, the strapping machine comprising: a machine frame; a work surface for supporting the load in the strapping machine, the load being of indeterminate size and shape; a strap chute for carrying the strapping material around the load and for releasing the strapping material from the strap chute, the strap chute having an arch enclosure enclosing the strap chute; a feed assembly configured to convey the strapping material around the strap chute in a feed mode and to retract and tension the strapping material around the load during a tensioning mode; a sealing head for sealing the strapping material onto itself; and a load compression assembly, the load compression assembly mounted to the frame and disposed above the work surface, the load compression assembly including a reciprocating gate movable toward the work surface into a compressed state and away from the work surface into a feed state, the gate configured to contact and compress the load prior to conveying the strap around the load, the compression assembly including a pair of rod-type cylinder operably connected to the machine frame and to a location on the gate near an uppermost point on the gate such that the cylinder and cylinder rod are below the uppermost point of the gate when the gate is in the feed or the compressed state, the cylinder is enclosed within the arch enclosure and the gate is formed from a transparent or translucent material for permit viewing the load through the gate.