US 6,981,353 B2
Strapping machine with strap feeding and tensioning system with automatic refeed
James A. Haberstroh, Vernon Hills, Ill. (US); Timothy B. Pearson, Antioch, Ill. (US); and Lawrence G. Sickels, Spring Grove, Ill. (US)
Assigned to Illinois Tool Works, Inc., Glenview, Ill. (US)
Filed on Jun. 20, 2003, as Appl. No. 10/600,198.
Prior Publication US 2004/0255552 A1, Dec. 23, 2004
Int. Cl. B65B 57/02 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 53—64 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
8. A feed assembly for a strapping machine of the type having a chute, and a strapping head disposed between the feed assembly and the chute, the strapping machine configured to position, tension and seal a strap material around a load, the feed assembly comprising:
a pair of tensioning wheels and a pair of feed wheels disposed along a strap path, the feed wheels defining a nip therebetween and rotating in a forward direction to feed the strap material into and around the chute and rotating in a reverse direction to retract the strap material and position the strap material around the load, the tensioning wheels rotating in a forward direction to tension the strap material around the load; and
a sensor,
wherein when, following reverse rotation of the feed wheels to retract the strap material, in a faulted strap condition, the sensor fails to generate a lack of movement signal, the feed wheels stop reverse rotation, and the tensioning wheels rotate in a reverse direction to convey the strap material to the nip between the feed wheels.