Compressive cutting mechanism having plural-edged cutter

Abstract

A cutting mechanism is disclosed, which is useful in a strapping tool of the type used to apply a steel strap in a tensioned loop around a package by means of a series of interlocking joints comprising interlockable shoulders punched into overlapped ends of the strap. The cutting mechanism comprises an anvil arranged to support the overlapped ends of such a strap, a cutter holder movable toward and away from the anvil, an elongate cutter removably mounted within to the holder so as to extend crosswise in relation to the overlapped ends such a strap when the overlapped ends of such a strap are supported by the anvil. The cutter is movable conjointly with the holder, toward and away from the anvil. The cutter has a polygonal profile defining plural, elongate, parallel cutting edges, one of which projects toward the anvil when the cutter is mounted within the holder. The cutter, which is removable from the holder when the cutting edge projecting toward the anvil becomes dull, is remountable within the holder such that another one of the cutting edges projects toward the anvil. The cutter profile may be triangular, preferably equilateral, or quadrilateral, preferably rhombic or square. An equilateral, triangular profile is most preferred. The cutting mechanism has other utility, apart from a strapping tool of the type noted above.