Patent ID: 7798060

Claim:
A modular dispenser for dispensing a strap material to a strapping machine, the dispenser comprising: a frame; a mount for rotatably mounting a spool of strap material, the mount being mounted to the frame; a strap material feeding mechanism having a feed motor, the strap feeding mechanism mounted to the frame; a feed motor controller for controlling the feed motor; an electromagnetic brake for controlling the rotation of the spool; a strapper control system for controlling the feed motor controller, the electromagnetic brake and a strapping head disposed on the strapping machine, the strapper control system configured to synchronize feeding, tensioning, welding and severing of the strap material; an accumulator box for storing a length take-up strap material created when the strap material is tensioned, the accumulator box further comprising a strap guide, the strap guide having a pair of opposing intake rollers configured to frictionally engage the strapping material a handle is attached to the strap guide, and an opening configured to permit the length of take-up strap material to enter the accumulator box, wherein the strap guide is mounted above the opening and extended from the accumulator box to the strap material feeding mechanism; wherein the strap material feeding mechanism is configured to draw the length of take-up strap material stored in the accumulator box and to deliver the length of take-up strap material to the strapping machine, to draw the strap material from the spool of strap material, to deliver the strap material to the strapping machine, and to retract and tension the strapping material; and wherein the feed motor operates at a first speed when the length of take-up strap material is fed to the strapping machine from the accumulator box, and at a second speed when the strap material is fed to the strapping machine from the spool, wherein the feed motor decreases the first speed as the take-up strap material is depleted from the accumulator box, and wherein the first speed is different from the second speed.