Strapping machine having improved in-feed and out-feed

Abstract

A strapping machine for positioning a strap material around an associated load, tensioning the strap material around the load and sealing the strap material to itself around the load includes improved in-feed and out-feed capabilities. Such a machine includes a frame, a chute mounted to the frame and configured for positioning the strap material around the load and to release the strap therefrom to pull the strap material to the load, a strap feed assembly configured to convey the strap material through the chute around the load and retract and tension the strap around the load, and a strapping head mounted to the frame. The strapping head is configured to grip a leading end of the strap material as it is conveyed through the chute and to seal a first course of strap material onto a second course of strap material. A work surface is positioned at about a lowermost portion of the chute. The work surface is configured for in-feeding the load to the strapping machine, positioning the load within the chute and out-feeding the load from the strapping machine following positioning, tensioning and sealing the strapping material. The work surface includes in-feed and out-feed roller sets mounted to the frame for pivoting to and from an operating position. In the operating position, the roller set is about coplanar with a bottom of the strap chute at the work surface. The roller set is secured to the frame in the operating position by an upwardly extending hook and slot assembly formed on the frame and the roller set.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A strapping machine for positioning a strap material around an associated load, tensioning the strap material around the load and sealing the strap material to itself around the load, the strapping machine comprising: 
 a frame;    a chute mounted to the frame and configured for positioning the strap material around the load and to release the strap therefrom to pull the strap material to the load;    a strap feed assembly configured to convey the strap material through the chute around the load and retract and tension the strap around the load;    a strapping head mounted to the frame, the strapping head configured to grip a leading end of the strap material as it is conveyed through the chute and to seal a first course of strap material onto a second course of strap material;    a work surface at about a lowermost portion of the chute, the work surface configured for infeeding the load to the strapping machine, positioning the load within the chute and outfeeding the load from the strapping machine following positioning, tensioning and sealing the strapping material, the work surface including at least one of an in-feed roller set and an out-feed roller set mounted to the frame for pivoting to and from an operating position, wherein in the operating position, the at least one roller set is about coplanar with a bottom of the strap chute at the work surface, the at least one roller set being secured to the frame in the operating position by an upwardly extending hook and slot assembly formed on the frame and the at least one roller set.    
     
     
         2 . The strapping machine in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the upwardly extending hook is formed on the frame and the slot is formed in the roller set for receiving the hook.  
     
     
         3 . The strapping machine in accordance with  claim 1  including an infeed roller set and an outfeed roller set.  
     
     
         4 . The strapping machine in accordance with  claim 3  wherein the including upwardly extending hooks formed on the frame for engaging each the infeed roller set and the out feed roller set and including slots formed in each the infeed roller set and the outfeed roller set for receiving their respective hooks.