Strap guide for strapping machine

Claim 2

Strap guide apparatus for use in a strapping machine for applying plastic strap around an object with the leading end of the strap overlapping and spaced from the supply portion thereof in a strap-sealing region, said strap guide apparatus comprising a plastic guide block mounted on the machine adjacent to the strap-sealing region, a strap guide passage formed through said guide block for accommodating movement of the strap longitudinally therethrough along a predetermined path from an associated strap supply to the strap-sealing region, said guide block having a strap guide surface extending substantially parallel to said strap guide passage and spaced a predetermined distance therefrom in the direction of the associated object to be strapped, said strap guide surface guiding movement of the leading end of the strap therealong from around the associated object and back to the strap-sealing region in overlapping relationship with the portion of the strap emerging from said strap guide passage.

Claim 3

The strap guide apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein said strap guide passage is flared outwardly toward the entry end thereof.

Claim 4

The strap guide apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein said plastic guide block is formed of a glass-filled nylon resin.

Claim 5

The strap guide apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein said plastic guide block is formed of nylon.

Claim 6

The strap guide apparatus set forth in claim 1, and further including a guide ridge intergral with said guide block along one side edge of said strap guide surface and extending outwardly thereform substantially normal thereto for limiting lateral movement of the strap with respect to said strap guide surface.

Claim 7

Strap guide apparatus for use in a strapping machine for applying plastic strap around an object with the leading end of the strap overlapping and spaced from the supply portion thereof in a strap-sealing region, said strap guide apparatus comprising a first plastic guide member mounted on the machine adjacent to the strap-sealing region, said first guide member having an outer surface with a strap channel recessed therein and extending the length thereof, a second plastic guide member fixedly secured to said first guide member and having an inner guide surface disposed in facing engagement with said outer surface of said first guide member, said inner guide surface covering said strap channel and cooperating therewith to define a strap guide passage for accommodating movement of the strap longitudinally therethrough along a predetermined path from an associated strap supply to the strap-sealing region, said second guide member having an outer guide surface extending substantially parallel to said strap guide passage and spaced a predetermined distance thereform in the direction of the associated object to be strapped, said outer guide surface guiding movement of the leading end of the strap therealong from around the associated object and back to the strap-sealing region in overlapping relationship with the portion of the strap emerging from said strap guide passage.

Claim 8

Strap guide apparatus for use in a strapping machine for applying plastic strap around an object with the leading end of the strap overlapping and spaced from the supply portion thereof in a strap-sealing region, said strap guide apparatus comprising a first plastic guide member mounted on the machine adjacent to the strap-sealing region, said first guide member having an outer surface with a strap channel recessed therein and extending the length thereof, a second plastic guide member fixedly secured to said first guide member and having an inner guide surface disposed in facing engagement with said outer surface of said first guide member, said inner guide surface covering said strap channel and cooperating therewith to define a strap guide passage for accommodating movement of the strap longitudinally therethrough along a predetermined path from an associated strap supply to the strap-sealing region, said second guide member having an outer guide surface extending substantially parallel to said strap guide passage and spaced a predetermined distance thereform in the direction of the associated object to be strapped, said outer guide surface guiding movement of the leading end of the strap therealong from around the associated object and back to the strap-sealing region in overlapping relationship with the portion of the strap emerging from said strap guide passage.

Claim 9

The strap guide apparatus set forth in claim 6, wherein the longitudinal extend of said outer surface of said first guide member is greater than the longitudinal extent of said inner guide surface of said second guide member.

Claim 10

The strap guide apparatus set forth in claim 6, wherein each of said first and second plastic guide members is formed of a glass-filled nylon resin.

Claim 11

The strap guide apparatus set forth in claim 6, wherein each of said first and second plastic guide members is formed of nylon.

Claim 12

The strap guide apparatus set forth in claim 6, and further including a guide ridge integral with said second guide member along one side edge of said outer guide surface and extending therefrom substantially normal thereto for limiting lateral movement of the strap with respect to said outer guide surface.

Claim 13

The strap guide apparatus set forth in claim 6, wherein said strap channel includes a bottom wall and a pair of opposed side walls, each of said bottom wall and side walls being flared outwardly toward the entry end of said strap channel.

Claim 14

Strap guide apparatus for use in a strapping machine for applying plastic strap around an object with the leading end of the strap overlapping and spaced from the supply portion thereof in a strap-sealing region, said strap guide apparatus comprising a plastic feed track member carried by the machine and having an entry end disposed adjacent to an associated strap supply and an exit end, said feed track member having an inner track surface for guiding the strap therealong from the associated strap supply to the exit end of said feed track member, said feed track member having an outer track surface spaced a predetermined distance from said inner track surface for guiding the strap therealong from around the associated object to the exit end of said feed track member, a first plastic guide member mounted on the machine adjacent to the exit end of said feed track member and adjacent to the strap sealing region, said first guide member having an outer surface with a strap channel recessed therein and extending the length thereof, a second plastic guide member fixedly secured to said first guide member and having an inner guide surface disposed in facing engagement with said outer surface of said first guide member and substantially coplanar with said exit end of said feed guide surface, said inner guide surface covering said strap channel and cooperating therewith to define a strap guide passage for accommodating movement of the strap longitudinally therethrough along a predetermined path from said inner track surface to the strap-sealing region, said second guide member having an outer guide surface disposed substantially coplanar with said outer track surface and extending substantially parallel to said strap passage, said outer track surface and said outer guide surface cooperating for guiding movement of the leading end of the strap therealong from around the associated object and back to the strap-sealing region in overlapping relationship with the portion of the strap emerging from said strap passage.

Claim 15

Strap guide apparatus for use in a strapping machine for applying plastic strap around an object with the leading end of the strap overlapping and spaced from the supply portion thereof in a strap-sealing region, said strap guide apparatus comprising a plastic feed track member carried by the machine and having an entry end disposed adjacent to an associated strap supply and an exit end, said feed track member having an inner track surface for guiding the strap therealong from the associated strap supply to the exit end of said feed track member, said feed track member having an outer track surface spaced a predetermined distance from said inner track surface for guiding the strap therealong from around the associated object to the exit end of said feed track member, a first plastic guide member mounted on the machine adjacent to the exit end of said feed track member and adjacent to the strap sealing region, said first guide member having an outer surface with a strap channel recessed therein and extending the length thereof, a second plastic guide member fixedly secured to said first guide member and having an inner guide surface disposed in facing engagement with said outer surface of said first guide member and substantially coplanar with said exit end of said feed guide surface, said inner guide surface covering said strap channel and cooperating therewith to define a strap guide passage for accommodating movement of the strap longitudinally therethrough along a predetermined path from said inner track surface to the strap-sealing region, said second guide member having an outer guide surface disposed substantially coplanar with said outer track surface and extending substantially parallel to said strap passage, said outer track surface and said outer guide surface cooperating for guiding movement of the leading end of the strap therealong from around the associated object and back to the strap-sealing region in overlapping relationship with the portion of the strap emerging from said strap passage.

Claim 16

The strap guide apparatus set forth in claim 12, wherein said inner track surface includes an arcuate entry portion and a straight exit portion, said outer track surface being disposed generally parallel with the straight exit portion of said inner track surface.

Claim 17

The strap guide apparatus set forth in claim 12, wherein said inner and outer guide surfaces of said second guide member have entry ends beveled toward each other and disposed closely adjacent to the exit end of said feed track member to facilitate passage of the strap from said inner and outer track surfaces to said inner and outer guide surfaces of said second guide member.

Claim 18

The strap guide apparatus set forth in claim 12, wherein each of said first and second guide members and said feed track member is formed of a glass-filled nylon resin.

Claim 19

The strap guide apparatus set forth in claim 12, wherein each of said first and second guide members and said feed track member is formed of nylon.