Strapping tool with a sealing-cycle-interrupt operating mode

A method of operating a strapping device including a sealing assembly comprising a jaw connector defining a support surface and opposing first and second jaws comprising respective teeth, wherein the first jaw is pivotable relative to the jaw connector and the second jaw between a first jaw home position and a first jaw sealing position, wherein the second jaw is pivotable relative to the jaw connector and the first jaw between a second jaw home position and a second jaw sealing position, and wherein a strap path is defined between the first and second jaws and the support surface, the method comprising:

• when a seal element positioned around two overlapping portions of strap is positioned in the strap path, pivoting the first and second jaws to the first and second jaw sealing positions such that the teeth of the first and second jaws deform the seal element and the overlapping portions of strap;
• responsive to an interrupt condition being met, stop pivoting the first and second jaws such that the seal element is trapped between the teeth of the first and second jaws and the support surface of the jaw connector;
• and
• responsive to a release condition being met after the interrupt condition is met, pivoting the first and second jaws to the first and second jaw home positions.

A strapping device comprising:

• a sealing assembly comprising a jaw connector defining a support surface and opposing first and second jaws comprising respective teeth, wherein the first jaw is pivotable relative to the jaw connector and the second jaw between a first jaw home position and a first jaw sealing position, wherein the second jaw is pivotable relative to the jaw connector and the first jaw between a second jaw home position and a second jaw sealing position, and wherein a strap path is defined between the first and second jaws and the support surface;
• a motor operably connected to the sealing assembly and configured to pivot the first jaw between the first jaw home position and the first jaw sealing position and the second jaw between the second jaw home position and the second jaw sealing position;
• a release sensor;
• and
• a controller operably connected to the motor and configured to, responsive to receipt of an input:
• control the motor to pivot the first and second jaws to the first and second jaw sealing positions;
• and
• responsive to an interrupt condition being met:
• control the motor to stop pivoting the jaws;
• and
• responsive to the release sensor being triggered after the interrupt condition is met, control the motor to pivot the first and second jaws to the first and second jaw home positions.