Apparatus for strapping a packaged item

An apparatus for strapping a packaged item, the apparatus comprising:

• a guide device for arranging a lateral strapping element and a longitudinal strapping element around the packaged item, the longitudinal strapping element and the lateral strapping element crossing one another at a crossover location to define a crossover area, the lateral strapping element and the longitudinal strapping element each having first and second end portions, the guide device arranging the first end portion of the lateral strapping element to overlap the second end portion of the lateral strapping element to define a lateral overlap area and the first end portion of the longitudinal strapping element to overlap the second end portion of the longitudinal strapping element to define a longitudinal overlap area;
• and
• a single sealing stamp sized and located to cover the crossover area, at least a portion of the lateral overlap area proximate the crossover area, and at least a portion of the longitudinal overlap area proximate the crossover area, the single sealing stamp forming a connection between at least one of:
• (i) the first and second end portions of the lateral strapping element in the portion of the lateral overlap area proximate the crossover area and first and second end portions of the longitudinal strapping element in the portion of the longitudinal overlap area proximate the crossover area;
• and (ii) the first and second end portions of the lateral strapping element in a portion of the lateral overlap area coincident with the crossover area and first and second end portions of the longitudinal strapping element in a portion of the longitudinal overlap area coincident with the crossover area.

An apparatus for strapping a packaged item, the apparatus comprising:

• a guide device for arranging a lateral strapping element and a longitudinal strapping element around the packaged item, the longitudinal strapping element and the lateral strapping element crossing one another at a crossover location to define a crossover area, the lateral strapping element and the longitudinal strapping element each having first and second end portions, the guide device arranging the first end portion of the lateral strapping element to overlap the second end portion of the lateral strapping element to define a lateral overlap area and the first end portion of the longitudinal strapping element to overlap the second end portion of the longitudinal strapping element to define a longitudinal overlap area;
• and
• a sealing stamp sized and located to cover at least a portion of the crossover, at least a portion of the lateral overlap area proximate the crossover area, and at least a portion of the longitudinal overlap area proximate the crossover area, the sealing stamp forming a connection between at least one of:
• (i) the first and second end portions of the lateral strapping element and the first and second end portions of the longitudinal strapping element;
• and (ii) the first and second end portions of the lateral strapping element, the first and second end portions of the longitudinal strapping element, and the lateral strapping element and the longitudinal strapping element.