Strap seal and system

Abstract

A plastic seal and system is configured for sealing to first and second confronting courses of plastic strap material. The seal includes a body having first and second opposing walls. The first wall has a sealing element formed therein that is bounded by a first wall opening, and the second wall has a sealing element formed therein that is bounded by a second wall opening. The sealing element is connected to the body by one or more frangible connectors. The body defines a central opening for receiving the first and second confronting courses of strap material generally parallel and adjacent to their respective opposing walls. The first sealing element is sealed to the first course of strap material and the second seal element is sealed to the second course of strap material to form a strap seal. A tool and a method for positioning and tensioning a plastic strap around a load are also disclosed.

1 - 23 . (canceled)  
   
   
       24 . A method for positioning and tensioning a plastic strap around a load, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a length of strap material;    inserting the strap material into a seal to form a first course of strap material;    sealing the first course of strap material to the seal;    positioning the strap around the load;    inserting the strap material into the seal to form a second course of strap material;    tensioning the strap around the load; and    sealing the second course of strap material to the seal.    
   
   
       25 . The method in accordance with  claim 24  wherein the step of positioning the strap around the load is carried out prior to the step of inserting the strap material into the seal to form a second course of strap material.  
   
   
       26 . The method in accordance with  claim 24  wherein the step of inserting the strap material into the seal to form a second course of strap material is carried out prior to the step of positioning the strap around the load.  
   
   
       27 . The method in accordance with  claim 24  wherein the steps of sealing the first and second courses of strap material to the seal include fusing the strap and seal to one another.  
   
   
       28 . The method in accordance with  claim 27  wherein the seal includes first and second sealing elements and wherein the first and second sealing element are fused to the first and second courses of strap material, respectively.  
   
   
       29 - 31 . (canceled)