Patent ID: 8707863

Claim:
A machine for wrapping a strap around a package, the machine comprising: a support frame; first and second upright generally annular strap-guiding channels generally parallel to and flanking an upright plane, the channels each having a pair of confronting ends defining a respective gap, the gaps being immediately adjacent each other, the package being engageable within the annular channels; a single guide block fittable in the gaps of the first and second channels and shiftable transversely of the plane between a single-loop position and a double-loop position, the guide block having a single-loop guide groove extending between the ends of the first channel in the single-loop position, the guide block further having first and second crossing double-loop guide grooves, the first double-loop guide groove in the dual-loop position extending between one of the ends of the first channel and one of the ends of the second channel and the second double-loop guide groove extending between the other of the ends of the first channel and the other of the ends of the second channel; means for supplying a strap to the first channel such that, when the guide block is in the single-loop position, the strap passes only around the first channel, through the single-loop guide groove, and forms in the first channel a generally closed first loop and, when the guide block is in the dual-loop position, the strap forms first and second loops in the first and second channels; and means for tensioning the strap around the package engaged within the channels and for forming and sealing together ends of the strap at a location offset from the gaps.