Strapping track assembly and methods of using the same

Abstract

The present description discusses apparatuses and methods for applying straps around a bundle of objects. The apparatus includes a track assembly extending substantially about a strapping station. The track assembly is adapted to receive a strap and to release the strap during a tensioning operation. Strap can be fed through the track assembly without damaging the strap.

1 . A strapping apparatus for bundling objects, comprising:
 a strapping station; and   a track assembly adapted to receive a strap and to bundle objects at the strapping station using the strap, the track assembly comprising a stationary frame, a first linear strap guide, a second linear strap guide, and a corner strap guide interposed between the first and second linear strap guides, a strap path defined between the frame and the first linear strap guide, the second linear strap guide, and the corner strap guide, a trailing end of the first linear strap guide extending downstream along the strap path past at least a portion of a leading end of the corner strap guide, a trailing end of the corner strap guide extending downstream past a portion of a leading end of the second linear strap guide.   
   
   
       2 . The strapping apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the trailing end of the first linear strap guide extends between the leading end of the corner strap guide and the strap path, the trailing end of the corner strap guide extends between the leading end of the second linear strap guide and the strap path. 
   
   
       3 . The strapping apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first linear strap guide, the second linear strap guide, and the corner strap guide tapers inwardly towards the strap path in a down stream direction. 
   
   
       4 . The strapping apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one biasing mechanism coupled to the frame, the at least one biasing mechanism moves one of the first linear strap guide, the second linear strap guide, and the corner strap guide from an open position for releasing a strap towards a closed position for capturing a strap.   
   
   
       5 . The strapping apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the trailing end of the first linear strap guide extends through the leading end of the corner strap guide. 
   
   
       6 . A track assembly for receiving a strap and bundling objects at a strapping station using the strap, the track assembly comprising:
 an outer frame; and   a plurality of strap guides for releasably retaining a strap, the plurality of strap guides coupled to the outer frame so as to define a strap path located between the plurality of strap guides and the frame, each strap guide having a trailing end disposed between the strap path and a leading edge of a downstream strap guide such that a strap moving along the strap path is spaced from the leading edge of the downstream strap guide.   
   
   
       7 . The track assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of strap guides includes a first corner strap guide that defines a first curved section of the strap path, a second corner strap guide that defines a second curved section of the strap path, and an elongate strap guide extends between the first and second corner strap guides and defines at least a portion of a substantially linear section of the strap path connecting the first and second curved sections. 
   
   
       8 . The track assembly of  claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of strap guides has at least one strap retainer positioned interior of the frame to define a channel between the strap retainers and the frame, the strap path extending along the channel. 
   
   
       9 . The track assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the outer frame and the strap path have a substantially rectangular shape. 
   
   
       10 . The track assembly of  claim 6 , wherein one of the strap guides is a curved strap guide interposed between two of the strap guides that are linear strap guides. 
   
   
       11 . The track assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the linear strap guides are substantially perpendicular to one another. 
   
   
       12 . The track assembly of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the strap guides tapers inwardly towards the strap path in the downstream direction. 
   
   
       13 . The track assembly of  claim 6 , wherein each of the strap guides has a widened end and an opposing narrowed end. 
   
   
       14 . The track assembly of  claim 6 , wherein each of the strap guides extends partially through an adjacent pair of the strap guides. 
   
   
       15 . The track assembly of  claim 6 , wherein a length of a portion of a strap guide extending into an adjacent strap guide is less than a transverse width of a strap positioned along the strap path and captured the plurality of strap guides. 
   
   
       16 . The track assembly of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the strap guides has a narrowed leading end with respect to the strap path and a widened trailing end with respect to the strap path. 
   
   
       17 . The track assembly of  claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of strap guides includes respective strap retainers, the strap retainers together extend along nearly all of a longitudinal length of the strap path such that a strap positioned along the strap path is captured between the strap retainers and the frame. 
   
   
       18 . The track assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the strap retainers extend alongside substantially all of the longitudinal length of the strap path. 
   
   
       19 . The track assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the strap guides are interleaved with one another. 
   
   
       20 . The track assembly of  claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of strap guides has a closed position for retaining a strap positioned along the strap path and an open position to allow the strap to move out of the respective strap guides. 
   
   
       21 . A method for passing a strap through a track assembly, the method comprising moving an end of a strap along a strap path located between a plurality of strap guides and an outer frame, each strap guide having a trailing end that is disposed between the strap path and a leading edge of a downstream strap guide such that the end of the strap is separated from the leading end of the downstream strap guide by the trailing end of an upstream strap guide as the end of the strap is moved downstream past the leading edge. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein moving the end of the strap further comprises sequentially moving the end of the strap out of trailing ends of the strap guides disposed within corresponding downstream strap guides. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 surrounding a bundle at a strapping station using the strap from the track assembly after moving the end of the strap along the strap path and through the track assembly.   
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 moving the strap out of the strap guides by moving the strap guides from closed positions to open positions.