Band Wrapping Device

A band transport mechanism for a band wrapping device for controlling movement of a length of band material along a band transport mechanism path from a source of band material to a band application mechanism, the band transport mechanism also selectively providing tension to length of band material during a tensioning process for the band application mechanism, the band transport mechanism comprising:

• a feed mechanism comprising a pair of feed rollers driven by a feed mechanism stepper motor in which a portion of the band transport mechanism path extends between the pair of feed rollers;
• a band position roller and tensioner set positioned between the feed mechanism and an exit of a band output channel at an end of the band transport mechanism path, the band position roller and tensioner set comprising a band position roller driven by a band position roller stepper motor and further comprising a tensioner mechanism including a tension roller biased toward the band position roller under an applied tensioning force;
• a slack ballast pocket between the feed mechanism and the band position roller and tensioner set, the slack ballast pocket providing a section of the band transport mechanism path that is variable in length, the slack ballast pocket having a pair of opposing slack ballast pocket surfaces that define a longest path length for the band transport mechanism path in which a maximum slack is provided and a shortest path length for the band transport mechanism path in which no slack is provided;
• wherein, under the applied tensioning force on the tension roller, a clamping force is applied between the band position roller and the tension roller such that, when the band position roller is driven, a rotation of the tension roller is effectuated upon transport of the band material until the clamping force is insufficient and the tension roller stops rotating, thereby causing the band position roller to slip with respect to the band material.

A band wrapping device for forming a length of band material into a loop, the band wrapping device comprising:

• a band transport mechanism having a band transport mechanism path running therethrough along which a plurality of rollers is positioned to advance or reverse the length of a band material therethrough;
• a ring module receiving the length of band material from the band transport mechanism, the ring module forming the length of band material into the loop around an object received within a center opening of the ring module;
• and
• a sealer module that clamps, seals, and cuts the length of band material to close the loop and separate it from a remainder of the length of band material.