Strapping machine with automatic strap clearing and reloading

1. A clearing and reloading assembly for a strapping machine of the type having an infeed arrangement at about a strap material inlet to the machine, a feed assembly and a chute, the strapping machine defining a strap material holding region between the infeed arrangement and the feed assembly, the strapping machine configured to receive first and second courses of associated strap material, position, tension and seal the strap material around a load, the clearing and reloading assembly comprising:

a body;

a driven wheel mounted to the body for rotation, the driven wheel defining first, second and third peripheral portions, the second peripheral portion being movable relative to the first peripheral portion;

a bearing element mounted to the body for rotation opposite of the driven wheel, the bearing element and the driven wheel defining a strap path therebetween; and

a strap cutter disposed for movement into and out of the strap path,

wherein a gap is defined between the first peripheral portion and the bearing element such that the strap material can slip therebetween, wherein the strap material is gripped between the second peripheral portion and the bearing element, and wherein the strap material is pinched between third peripheral portion and the bearing element, and wherein the cutter is moved into the strap path to sever the strap material.

2. The clearing and reloading assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein the second peripheral portion of the driven wheel engages the strap material to secure the strap material between the driven wheel and the bearing element when the cutter severs the strap material to prevent slipping of the strap material.

3. The clearing and reloading assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein the second peripheral portion of the driven wheel is formed as a movable gripping portion movable in a radial direction.

4. The clearing and reloading assembly in accordance with claim 3 wherein the movable gripping portion is biased toward an outward radial direction.

5. The clearing and reloading assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein the bearing element is an idler wheel.

6. The clearing and reloading assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein the strap cutter is rotatably moveable into and out of the strap path.

7. The clearing and reloading assembly in accordance with claim 1 including a cutter engaging member operably connected to the cutter for moving the strap cutter into and out of the strap path.

8. The clearing and reloading assembly in accordance with claim 7 wherein the cutter engaging member is engageable with the driven wheel for moving the strap cutter into and out of the strap path.

9. A strapping machine of the type configured to receive first and second courses of associated strap material, position, tension and seal the strap material around a load, comprising:

an infeed arrangement having a strap material inlet;

a feed assembly;

a strap material holding region between the infeed arrangement and the feed assembly;

a chute; and

a clearing and reloading assembly having a body, a driven wheel mounted to the body for rotation, the driven wheel having first, second and third portions, the second portion being movable relative to the first portion, a bearing element mounted to the body for rotation opposite the driven wheel, the bearing element and the driven wheel defining a strap path therebetween, and a strap cutter disposed for movement into and out of the strap path, wherein a gap is defined between the first portion and the bearing element such that the strap material can slip therebetween, and wherein the second portion of the driven wheel is configured such that the strap material is gripped between the second portion and the bearing element, and wherein the third portion of the driven wheel is configured such that the strap material is pinched between third portion and the bearing element, and wherein the cutter is moved into the strap path to sever the strap material.

10. The strapping machine in accordance with claim 9 wherein the second portion of the driven wheel engages the strap material to secure the strap material between the driven wheel and the bearing element when the cutter severs the strap material.

11. The strapping machine in accordance with claim 9 wherein the second portion of the driven wheel is formed as a movable gripping portion movable in a radial direction.

12. The strapping machine in accordance with claim 11 wherein the movable gripping portion is biased toward an outward radial direction.

13. The strapping machine in accordance with claim 9 wherein the bearing element is an idler wheel.

14. The strapping machine in accordance with claim 9 wherein the strap cutter is rotatably moveable into and out of the strap path.

15. The strapping machine in accordance with claim 9 including a cutter engaging member operably connected to the cutter for moving the strap cutter into and out of the strap path.

16. The strapping machine in accordance with claim 15 wherein the cutter engaging member is engageable with the driven wheel for moving the strap cutter into and out of the strap path.

17. A clearing and reloading assembly for a strapping machine of the type having an infeed arrangement at about a strap material inlet to the machine, a feed assembly and a chute, the strapping machine defining a strap material holding region between the infeed arrangement and the feed assembly, the strapping machine configured to receive first and second courses of associated strap material, position, tension and seal the strap material around a load, the clearing and reloading assembly comprising:

a body;

a driven wheel mounted to the body for rotation, the driven wheel defining first, second and third peripheral portions, the second peripheral portion being movable relative to the first peripheral portion;

a bearing element mounted to the body for rotation opposite of the driven wheel, the bearing element and the driven wheel defining a strap path therebetween; and

a strap cutter and guide assembly;

wherein a gap is defined between the first peripheral portion and the bearing element such that the strap material can slip therebetween, wherein the strap material is gripped between the second peripheral portion and the bearing element, wherein the strap material is pinched between third peripheral portion and the bearing element, and wherein the strap cutter and guide element is movable to sever the strap material.

18. The clearing and reloading assembly in accordance with claim 17 wherein the driven wheel grips the strap material to secure the strap material between the driven wheel and the bearing element when the strap cutter and guide assembly severs the strap material to prevent slipping of the strap material.

19. The clearing and reloading assembly in accordance with claim 17 wherein the strap cutter and guide assembly is rotatably moveable into and out of the strap path.

20. The clearing and reloading assembly in accordance with claim 17 wherein movement of the strap cutter and guide assembly into and beyond the strap path defines a strap material ejection path.

21. The clearing and reloading assembly in accordance with claim 20 including an engaging arm operably connected to the strap cutter and guide assembly for moving the strap cutter and guide assembly into and out of the strap path.

22. The clearing and reloading assembly in accordance with claim 21 wherein the engaging arm is engageable with the driven wheel for moving the strap cutter and guide assembly into and out of the strap path.