Apparatus for applying tape and method therefor

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for applying a tape on a belt-like member which is being fed continuously are disclosed in which a new tape loaded as a spare is delivered when the tape is depleted so as to continue the operation of applying the tape, so that the tape can be continuously stuck on the belt-like member by using several tapes while eliminating the necessity to stop the operation of applying the tape onto the belt-like member.

Description: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for continuously applying a tape. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for continuously applying, for example, a double-coated tape with a separation sheet for use to secure freshness-keeping agents or desiccating agents on packing bags or the covers of packing containers for accommodating foods such as confections, delicacies, Chinese noodles, hams, salami, sausages and boiled rice to the freshness-keeping agents, the desiccating agents or a belt-like film for use to form the cover of the packing container. Hitherto, a freshness-keeping agent or a desiccating agent has been accommodated in a small bag which has usually and simply been accommodated in a container together with a food. Since the conventional freshness-keeping agent or the like has not been secured to the container, there arises a problem in that the consumers may be mislead to recognize the freshness-keeping agent as a food or places and cooks the freshness-keeping agent with the food on a frying pan or the like. Accordingly, a method has been studied and employed in which a bag, which accommodating the freshness-keeping agent or the like, is secured to the packing bag or the container. As a conventional method of securing the freshness-keeping agent or the like, a method in which heat sealing is utilized, a method in which a hot-melt material is used and a method in which a double-coated tape is employed have been widely used. The securing method arranged to use the double-coated tape comprises steps of: automatically supplying a series of bag members formed by continuously connecting the small bags for accommodating the freshness-keeping agent or the like; continuously applying the double-coated tape on the series of bag members; sectioning the series of bag members on which the double-coated tape has been applied and which accommodates the freshness-keeping agent or the like into each bag unit in synchronization with an apparatus for use to manufacture the packing bags or the packing containers; and respectively securing the thus obtained small bags to the packing bags or the inside portions of the packing containers. In this method, the double-coated tape having a predetermined width is wound around a reel by a predetermined length. Hence, when a coil of the double-coated tape has been depleted, the following operations must be performed: the operation of the apparatus for applying the double-coated tape is stopped; the reel from which the double-coated tape has been completely depleted is changed for another reel to which a new double-coated tape is wound; and the double-coated tape is set to the commencement state in which the new double-coated tape wound around the reel can be applied on a continuous series of bags arranged in a belt-like configuration. With the method in which the double-coated tape is used as described above, the operation of the apparatus for applying tape must be stopped whenever the double-coated tape wound around one reel has been depleted, and therefore all of the operations of the apparatus and the process of packing the foods must be stopped as well as stopping of the apparatus for applying the tape. Therefore, the manufacturing efficiency has been excessively deteriorated and the stop of the apparatus arises various problems. WO-A-8804272 discloses an arrangement for applying longitudinally extending tapes to a moving web which has a plurality of tape stores. When one tape store is exhausted, tape is then taken from one of the other tape stores. The exhaustion of a tape supply is detected when the tape store in the form of a reel, ceases to rotate. Accordingly, an object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for continuously applying a tape on a belt-like member. Another object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a method for continuously applying a tape on a belt-like member. According to one aspect, there is provided an apparatus for applying tape comprising: a belt like member to be supplied continuously; first accommodating means for accommodating tape; first applicator means for applying said tape accommodated by said first accommodating means on said belt-like member; first feeding means for feeding said tape from said first accommodating means to said first applicator means; second accommodating means for accommodating spare tape, said first and second accommodating means are reels around which said tapes are wound; second applicator means for applying said spare tape accommodated in said second accommodating means on said belt-like member; second feeding means for feeding said spare tape accommodated in said second accommodating means to said second applicator means; and switching means for activating said second applicator means and said second feeding means to apply said spare tape on said belt-like member when said tape accommodated in said first accommodating means has been depleted, characterized in that there is provided detection means arranged to transmit a detection signal denoting that said tape has been depleted when the diameter of said tape wound on said reel has been reduced to a value smaller than a predetermined value, and the switching means is arranged to stop the operations of said first applicator means and said first feeding means, and simultaneously to activate said second applicator means and said second feeding means in response to said detection signal. According to a second aspect, there is provided an apparatus for applying tape comprising: a belt-like member to be supplied continuously; first accommodating means for accommodating a tape; first applicator means for applying said tape accommodated by said first accommodating means on said belt-like member; first feeding means for feeding said tape from said first accommodating means to said first applicator means; second accommodating means for accommodating a spare tape; second applicator means for applying said spare tape accommodated in said second accommodating means on said belt-like member, second feeding means for feeding said spare tape accommodated in said second accommodating means to said second applicator means; and switching means for activating said second applicator means and said second feeding means to apply said spare tape on said belt-like member when said tape accommodated in said first accommodating means has been depleted, characterised in that each of said first and second applicator means has a pair of application rollers capable of selectively coming into contact with each other for conveying said belt-like member and said tape through a space therebetween and applying said tape on said belt-like member by forcibly coming in contact with each other and moving away from each other for stopping said conveying and applying operation and, wherein said switching means is an actuator which causes said first application rollers of said first applicator means to move away from each other and said second application rollers of said second applicator means to come in contact with each other when said tape, which is double-coated, is depleted. According to a third aspect, there is provided an apparatus for applying tape comprising: a belt-like member to be supplied continuously; first accommodating means for accommodating a tape; first applicator means for applying said tape accommodated by said first accommodating means on said belt-like member; first feeding means for feeding said tape from said first accommodating means to said first applicator means; second accommodating means for accommodating a spare tape; second applicator means for applying said spare tape accommodated in said second accommodating means on said belt-like member, second feeding means for feeding said spare tape accommodated in said second accommodating means to said second applicator means; a supply of tape (B, C) on at least one of said accommodating means (1, 1') for applying to said belt-like member; and switching means for activating said second applicator means and said second feeding means to apply said spare tape on said belt-like member when said tape accommodated in said first accommodating means has been depleted, and detection means for detecting the depletion of said tape, characterised in that cutting means are provided for cutting said tape (B, C), said cutting means being operable to cut said tape at a position immediately before depletion in response to a detection signal transmitted from said detection means. According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a method of applying tape comprising the steps of: continuously supplying a belt-like member; feeding a tape to said belt-like member; applying said tape on said belt-like member; causing a spare tape to be in a waiting state ready for feeding and applying said spare tape on said belt-like member when said tape which is being applied on said belt-like member is depleted; and supplying a new tape so as to be said spare tape when said tape which is being fed is depleted. characterised by the steps of detecting when the tape has been depleted and providing a detection signal when said tape is depleted, said detection step comprising determining when the diameter of tape wound on a reel has been reduced to a value smaller than a predetermined value, and the step of simultaneously stopping the application of said tape and activating the application of said spare tape in response to said detection signal, wherein said belt-like member is formed into a belt-like shape in which a plurality of bags accommodating at least any one of an oxygen scavenger, a freshness-keeping agent or a desiccating agent are connected in one direction. Thus a technology is disclosed for use in applying a tape on a belt-like member which is being fed continuously, in which a new tape loaded as a spare is delivered when the tape is depleted so as to continue the operation of applying the tape, so that the tape can be continuously stuck on the belt-like member by using a plurality of the tapes while eliminating a necessity of stopping the operation of applying the tape on the belt-like member. An apparatus and a method embodying the present invention are employed in a process of packing foods or the like in which bags which accommodate oxygen scavenger, freshness-keeping agents or desiccating agents are, by means of adhesive tapes, applied on sheets or films for use as covers of containers. More particularly, the method may utilize a double-coated adhesive tape and a separation tape, and in operation, the separation sheet is peeled off from the double-coated tape, and one side of the double-coated tape with the adhesive agent is applied on the sheet or the film and another side of the same is applied on the bag which accommodates the oxygen scavenger. When the tape is depleted, a new tape may be supplied as the spare tape. By repeating this operation, the tape may be continuously applied on the belt-like member. For example, a double-coated tape is used as the tape. The "double-coated tape" means a tape having opposite sides on each of which an adhesive agent (or a pressure sensitive agent) is applied at least one side having a separation sheet placed thereon. In particular, it is preferable that a double-coated tape having the separation sheet only on one side thereof be employed. The double-coated tape may be wound around a reel and is rewound from the reel at the time of the operation. The "belt-like member" may be a member formed into a belt-like shape or a plate-like belt in which a plurality of bags accommodating an oxygen scavenger, a freshness-keeping agent or a desiccating agent are connected in one direction. The "plate-like belt" may be a belt-like member in which a plurality of belt-like labels or belt-like stickers are connected to one another. The tape may be fed from the reel so as to, through a guide roller serving as a feeding means for controlling the feeding direction and the position of the rewound tape and a tension roller for, if necessary, adjusting the looseness of the tape and the like, be supplied to one side of the belt-like member which is being conveyed continuously. In a case where the double-coated tape is used, the side on which the separation sheet is not stuck may be made to face the belt-like member. The applicator means may be composed of a pair of rollers which are always rotated and are capable of coming in contact with each other or moving away from each other. In a case where the tape is applied on the belt-like member, the belt-like member and the tape are conveyed through a space between the two rollers and the tape may be applied on the belt-like member by forcibly bringing the two rollers into contact with each other. A pair of rollers for applying the spare tape on the belt-like member may be positioned away from each other until the spare tape is used. The switching means may switch the operation from the line for the depleted tape to the line for the spare tape, by, for example, bringing the pair of the application rollers for the spare tape into contact with each other and moving the same for the depleted tape away from each other. The switching means may include an actuator for moving at least one of the pair of the rollers. The actuator is exemplified by a structure which is operated by at least any one of a spring, magnetic force, air pressure or hydraulic pressure. The aforesaid actuator is exemplified by an arm or a rod. When the depletion of the tape is detected depending upon a receipt of the detection signal transmitted from the detection means, the pair of the rollers of the applicator means may be moved away from each other, and at the same time the pair of rollers of the spare tape applicator means may be forcibly brought into contact with each other, so that application of the spare tape is commenced. The force for delivering the tape from the reel may be obtained from the adhesive force generated at the time of applying the tape on the belt-like member which is being continuously conveyed. The apparatus may have means for continuously peeling off the separation sheet from the double-coated tape. The method embodying the present invention may include a process of removing the separation sheet from the double-coated tape. The peeling means may comprise a separation guide roller for guiding the separation sheet which has been separated from said double-coated tape away from said double-coated tape, and a pair of discharging rollers for discharging the separation sheet from said separation guide roller to a chute for discharging the separation sheet. If necessary, a tension roller may be provided which eliminates the looseness of the separation sheet and gives it a predetermined tension. The discharging rollers may comprise a drive roller and an idling roller. The separation sheet peeled off from the double-coated tape may be, thus, sequentially conveyed through the aforesaid rollers and the chute so as to be discharged from the apparatus. Similarly to the application rollers for applying the double-coated tape, the pair of discharging rollers may be capable of selectively coming in contact with each other or moving away from each other. That is, at least one of the pair of the rollers may be structured similarly to that of the aforesaid rollers so as to be capable of changing the position of the roller. The force for rotating the discharging rollers may be obtained from a motor directly connected to the drive rollers. Usually, the aforesaid rollers are always rotated. The separation sheet may be conveyed by the separation guide roller and through a space between the pair of the discharging rollers, and the two rollers forcibly brought into contact with each other, so that the separation sheet can be continuously peeled off from the double-coated tape and discharged to the chute. Before use of the spare tape, the discharging rollers for the spare tape may be positioned away from each other. When the detection signal denoting the depletion of the tape is received, the actuator may be activated, so that the pair of the rollers which are discharging the separation sheet of the depleting tape are moved away from each other and another pair of the rollers for the spare tape are forcibly brought into contact with each other. The spare tape may be set along a line extending from the accommodating means, the feeding means and the applicator means, so that application of the spare tape can be performed immediately after the tape, which was being applied, has been depleted. Preferably, the leading portion of the spare tape accommodated by the reel extends through a space between the pair of application rollers and is placed in a slightly forward position in the lower stream from the application rollers, The separation sheet may be peeled off from the tape, and the leading portion of the separation sheet is placed between the discharging rollers. The detection means may be in the form of a structure in which a light transmitter is provided on either side of the reel around which the tape is wound and a light receiver is provided on another side so as to cause the receiver to transmit a detection signal in response to the light which has passed through the tape when the diameter of the tape wound around the reel has been reduced. Another structure may be employed which receives reflected ultrasonic wave, or a structure which detects a change in the magnetism or a static capacity or a structure which uses a limit switch may be employed. Simultaneously with or after a predetermined time from the receipt of the detection signal supplied from the detection means, the tape feeding means and the applicator means may be stopped, and the spare tape feeding means and the applicator means started. Simultaneously with or after a predetermined time from the receipt of the detection signal, preferably the tape which is being almost depleted is cut, because, the inner end portion of the reeled tape is consisted only by the separation sheet. The tape which is almost depleted may be cut at a position within a range of the flow of the tape from a position immediately after the tape extends from the reel to a position immediately before reaching the application rollers. Depending upon the aforesaid cutting position, timing at which the spare tape is fed after the receipt of the signal from the detector may be determined. The aforementioned various rollers may be unified by forming a plurality of guide grooves in one roller. For example, the separation guide roller for guiding the separation sheet and the roller for guiding the spare double-coated tape may be replaced by one common roller which has guide grooves running parallel to each other. The guide roller for guiding the double-coated tape which is being fed and the guide roller for guiding the spare double-coated tape may also be replaced by one common roller which has guide grooves running parallel to each other. The guide roller for guiding the separation sheet which is being peeled off and the separation guide roller for guiding the separation sheet of the spare double-coated tape may also be replaced by one common roller which has guide grooves running parallel to each other. When the structure, in which the common roller is used, is employed, the size of the apparatus can be reduced. The operation of moving the pair of application rollers away from each other, the operation of moving the pair of the separation guide rollers for guiding the separation sheet away from each other and the operation of forcibly bringing the pair of the rollers for applying the spare tape into contact with each other to be performed when the tape is depleted may be automatically performed under the control carried out by a microcomputer to which the aforesaid detection signal is supplied. The aforesaid operations may alternatively be performed manually. As described above, according to the present invention, the tape can be continuously applied on the belt-like member. Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic view which illustrates a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line II-II of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line III-III of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a schematic view which illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a side elevational view which illustrates a common roller formed by integrating a guide roller 7 and a guide roller 4'; Fig. 6 is a schematic view which illustrates a third embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 7 is a side elevational view which illustrates a common roller which performs the operations of a guide roller 4 and the guide roller 4′; Fig. 8 is a side elevational view which illustrates a common roller formed by integrating position restricting rollers 5 and 5′ for restricting the positions of double-coated tapes B and C; Fig. 9 is a side elevational view which illustrates a common roller formed by integrating position restricting rollers 14 and 14′ for restricting the positions of the separation sheets D and E; and Fig. 10 is a side elevational view which illustrates a common roller formed by integrating guide rollers 7 and 7′ for guiding the separation sheets D and E. An apparatus for applying tape according to the present invention has a mechanism (omitted from illustration) for continuously supplying a belt-like member A. A system for feeding and applying the double-coated tape on the belt-like member A is composed of lines α and β. One of the two lines is in an operational state in which the tape is being fed and applied, while another line is in a waiting state for next tape feeding and applying operations. Each line comprises: supply reels 1 and 1' to which double-coated tapes B and C each having a separation sheet stuck on one side thereof are respectively wound; and guide bars 2 and 2' for guiding the surface of the double-coated tape on which the separation sheet is applied. The line further comprises: friction rollers for guiding the surface of the double-coated tape on which an adhesive agent is applied and eliminating looseness of the double-coated tape at the time of feeding to give a tension to the double-coated tape; and guide rollers 4 and 4' for guiding the double-coated tape in the feeding direction in which the same is applied on the belt-like member A. The line further comprises: position restricting rollers 5 and 5' for restricting the final position at the time of applying the double-coated tape on the belt-like member A; and application rollers 6 and 6' each of which is composed of a pair made up of a stationary roller (6)(6') and a movable roller 6A (6'A) to apply the adhesive side of the double-coated tape having no separation sheet on the belt-like member A by forcibly pressing the double-coated tape between the two rollers 6 and 6A. The line further comprises: separation sheet guide rollers 7 and 7' for, in the feeding direction, guiding the separation sheets D and E peeled off from the double-coated tape; and tension rollers 8 and 8' for eliminating looseness of the separation sheets D and E to give them a predetermined tension. The line further comprises: drive rollers 9 and 9' to which a motor is directly connected so as to be rotated for the purpose of continuously delivering the separation sheet; idle rollers 10 and 10' disposed to correspond to the drive rollers 9 and 9'; and delivery chute 11 for removing the separation sheet, the delivery chute 11 being commonly used by the two lines. The pair of drive rollers 9, 9' and opposed idle rollers 10, 10' defines discharging rollers. Fig. 2 is cross sectional view taken along line II-II of Fig. 1 and illustrating the cross sectional shape of a half portion of the separation guide roller 7. Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line III-III of Fig. 1 and illustrating the cross sectional shape of a half portion of the guide roller 4 for guiding the double-coated tape. The aforesaid rollers have guide grooves 30 which come in contact with the double-coated tape or the separation sheet. The aforesaid movable roller 6A (6'A) of the pair of application rollers 6 (6') can be moved to or away from the stationary roller by a slide lever 13 (13'). The pair of application rollers 6 and 6A are brought into contact with each other to apply the double-coated tape on the belt-like member in a space between the two rollers. Another pair of the application rollers 6′ and 6′A which are not in operation are moved away from each other. Also the idle roller 10 (10′) is able to move toward the drive roller 9 (9′) in such a way that they come in contact with each other at the time of discharging the separation sheet from the double-coated tape to deliver the separation sheet positioned between the idle roller and the drive roller to the chute. When an operation of peeling of the separation sheet is not performed, the aforesaid rollers are moved away from each other, and thus, feeding of the separation sheet is not performed. The idle roller and the drive roller are provided for each of the lines α and β. The idle rollers omitted from the illustrations are disposed perpendicularly to the drawings sheet. Also the drive rollers are arranged similarly. The surface of each of the friction rollers 3 and 3′ is brought into contact with the surface of the double-coated tape on which the separation sheet is not stuck but the adhesive agent is applied. In order to prevent adhesion of the double-coated tape to the surface of the roller which will cause a difficulty in feeding the tape, a slit-like groove is formed in the surface of the friction roller. The slit-like groove also enables a braking effect to be obtained at the time of feeding the double-coated tape. The separation guide rollers 7 and 7' adjust the direction in which the separation sheet is removed in order to smoothly peel off the separation sheet from the double-coated tape. The idle rollers 10 and 10' press the separation sheet to the drive rollers 9 and 9' to deliver the separation sheet, while causing the drive rollers 9 and 9' to pull the separation sheet by the rotational force of the drive rollers 9 and 9'. Thus, feeding of the separation sheet is performed by a degree corresponding to the looseness of the separation sheet, so that the separation sheet is delivered. Assuming that the double-coated tape B is to be applied on the belt-like member A and the double-coated tape C is the spare tape, the double-coated tape B is unwound from the supply reel 1 and is extended through the guide bar 2, the friction roller 3, the guide roller 4 and the position restricting roller 5, to a position immediately before the application roller 6. The double-coated tape B is forcibly brought into contact with the belt-like member A when it passes through the pair of the rollers 6, so that the adhesive side of the double-coated tape B is applied on the belt-like member A. The separation sheet D placed on the opposing side of the double-coated tape B is peeled off from the double-coated tape B when it passes through the application roller 6. Then, the feeding direction of the separation sheet D is guided by the separation guide roller 7. The looseness generated due to the excess portion of the separation sheet D is absorbed by the tension roller 8. Then, the separation sheet D is further fed by the drive roller 9 and the idle roller 10 brought into contact with the drive roller 9, so that the separation sheet is discharged through the guide chute 11. The force for feeding the double-coated tape from the reel can be obtained from a fact that the double-coated tape is conveyed integrally with the belt-like member taken place due to application of the double-coated tape on the belt-like member which is being continuously supplied. The spare tape C is delivered from the supply reel 1' and passes through the guide bar 2', the friction roller 3', the guide roller 4' and the position restricting roller 5', and further through the pair of the rollers 6' moved away from each other. The separation sheet E is peeled off from the double-coated spare tape C immediately after the double-coated tape has been passed through the roller 6', and only the separation sheet E further extends through the separation guide roller 7' and the tension roller 8'. Then, it is further conveyed through the space between the drive roller 9' and the distanced idle roller 10', and the leading portion of the separation sheet is introduced into the guide chute 11, so that the line of the space tape C and E are in a waiting state ready for the operation of applying the double-coated tape and the discharge of the separation sheet. Light oscillators 12A and 12'A are disposed on either side of the supply reels 1 and 1', while light receivers 12B and 12'B are disposed on another side of the same. The intensity of transmitted light is previously adjusted so as to transmit the light from the light oscillators through the tape to the light receivers simultaneously or immediately before the double-coated tape is depleted after the operation of applying the double-coated tape on the belt-like member has been proceeded with and the diameter of the double-coated tape has been reduced. Immediately before the depletion of the double-coated tape loaded on the line which is being operated, a detection signal is transmitted from the aforesaid light receiver 12B. In response to a control signal transmitted from a microcomputer (omitted from illustration) which has received the aforesaid signal, the slide bar 13 is operated to move the movable roller 6A away from the stationary roller of the application rollers 6 and the idle roller 10 of the discharging rollers is moved away from the drive roller 9. At this time, the double-coated tape B is cut at a position immediate after the double-coated tape B has been conveyed through the reel 1. The aforesaid cutting operation may be performed manually or by using a cutting device which receives a control signal transmitted from the microcomputer. Simultaneously with the receipt of the detection signal transmitted from the light receiver 12B, the movable roller 6'A of the application roller 6' is forcibly brought into contact with the stationary roller and the idle roller of the discharging rollers 10' is pressed against the drive roller 9'. As a result, the operation of applying the spare double-coated tape C on the belt-like member A is commenced and simultaneously the discharge of the separation sheet E of the double-coated tape D is commenced. During the operation of applying the spare tape C, another supply reel 1 to which a new double-coated tape (the spare tape) is wound is set while setting the double-coated tape and the separation sheet to predetermined positions by the aforesaid method. When the double-coated tape C wound around the unreel 1' is depleted, switching to application of the double-coated tape from the supply reel 1 is performed. By repeating the aforesaid operation, the tape can be continuously applied on the belt-like member while eliminating the necessity of stopping the tape applying operation. When the double-coated tape to be applied on the belt-like member is switched, the tape which is being applied on the belt-like member and the spare tape may be connected to each other by applying their superposed end portions on the surface of the belt-like member or by applying them on the surface of the belt-like member while making them run parallel and eliminating the operation of applying them. Although the aforesaid embodiment is arranged in such a way that the aforesaid various rollers are respectively provided for the lines α and β, a roller of one line and a roller of the other line may be replaced by one common roller having a plurality of guide grooves formed thereon. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the side surface of the guide roller 7 and that of the guide roller 4′ are slanted in opposite directions from each other, so that the separation sheet D delivered from the guide roller 7 and the tape C, which is being fed to the guide roller 4′, are moved diagonally in opposite directions and thereby their intersection can be prevented. As a result, both of the double-coated tape and the separation sheet can be fed smoothly. The angle ( 1 ) of the guide roller and the angle ( 2 ) of the guide roller 4′ may be  1 =  2 = 60° . However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, they may be different values or another selected values. Fig. 4 illustrates an apparatus according to a second embodiment in which, for example, the guide roller 7 for guiding the separation sheet D and the guide roller 4′ for guiding the double-coated tape C is replaced by a common roller 15. The guide roller 15 has, as shown in Fig. 5, guide grooves 40 and 42 running parallel so as to cause the double-coated tape to be conveyed through either groove and the separation sheet to be conveyed through the other groove. As a result of the arrangement made as shown in Fig. 4, the number of the rollers can be decreased and the size of the apparatus can be reduced. The apparatus shown in Fig. 4 further comprises separation sheet position restricting rollers 14 and 14′ for restricting the directions in which the separation sheets D and E are fed, so that the direction in which the separation sheets are fed with respect to the guide rollers 15 and 7′ can be restricted. As a result, the separation sheet can be smoothly discharged. The guide groove 40 and the guide groove 42 of the guide roller 15 shown in Fig. 5 can be rotated in opposite directions depending on which line is in operation, because the double-coated tape C and the separation sheet D are fed in opposite directions. Fig. 6 illustrates a third embodiment in which rollers except for the aforesaid application rollers 6 and 6′, the idler rollers 10 and 10′, the tension rollers 8 and 8′ and the drive rollers 9 and 9′ are replaced by corresponding common rollers. Fig. 7 is a side elevational view which illustrates a roller 16 serving as a common roller used in place of the guide roller 4 for guiding the double-coated tape B which is being fed and the guide roller 4′ for guiding the double-coated tape C which is being fed. Fig. 8 is a side elevational view which illustrates a roller 17 formed by integrating the position restricting rollers 5 and 5′ for the double-coated tapes B and C. Fig. 9 is a side elevational view which illustrates a roller 18 formed by integrating the position restricting rollers 14 and 14′ for the separation sheets D and E. Fig. 10 is a side elevational view which illustrates a roller 19 formed by integrating the guide rollers 7 and 7′ for the separation sheets D and E. Each of the aforesaid rollers has guide grooves 40 and 42 formed to run parallel so as to cause the double-coated tape or the separation sheet to be conveyed through either groove. The structure according to the aforesaid embodiment will enable an effect to be obtained in that the size of the apparatus can be reduced. The detection means is not limited to the aforesaid detector. For example, it may be structured in this way that the length of the tape is previously set in a storage device of a microcomputer, the microcomputer calculates the length of the tape which has been fed and transmits a detection signal at the moment at which the tape has been depleted. The method of detecting the depletion of the tape by means of the detector will enable the depletion of the tape to be easily detected even if the tape has different length. Although the aforesaid embodiments have two lines for feeding the double-coated tapes to apply them on the belt-like members, three or more lines may be provided. Furthermore, switching to the spare tape may be performed manually. In addition, the depletion of the tape may be detected visually. The apparatus according to the aforesaid embodiments will cause the following effect to be obtained in a method in which a series of bag members each accommodating a freshness-keeping agent, a desiccating agents or an oxygen scavenger is automatically supplied, a double-coated tape is applied on the series of bag members, the series of bag members are sectioned into small bags and each bag is secured to the inner surface of the packing bag or the inner surface of the cover of the container: the double-coated tape can be continuously applied while eliminating the necessity of stopping the operation of applying the double-coated tape for switching the double-coated tape after the double-coated tape has been depleted. As a result, the necessity of stopping the proceeding of the process of packing foods and the freshness-keeping agent and the apparatus therefor can be eliminated. Consequently, the packing operation can be performed significantly effectively and therefore the cost required to pack the foods can be satisfactorily reduced. Although the invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularly, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form can be modified in its details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims: An apparatus for applying tape comprising: a belt like member (A) to be supplied continuously; first accommodating means (1) for accommodating tape (B); first applicator means (6, 6A) for applying said tape (B) accommodated by said first accommodating means (1) on said belt-like member (A); first feeding means (2-5; 2, 3, 16, 17) for feeding said tape from said first accommodating means (1) to said first applicator means (6, 6A); second accommodating means (1') for accommodating spare tape (C), said first and second accommodating means being reels around which said tapes are wound; second applicator means (6', 6'A) for applying said spare tape (C) accommodated in said second accommodating means (1') on said belt-like member (A); second feeding means (2'-5'; 2', 3', 15 , 5'; 2, 3, 16, 17) for feeding said spare tape (C) accommodated in said second accommodating means (1') to said second applicator means (6', 6'A); and switching means (13, 13') for activating said second applicator means and said second feeding means to apply said spare tape (C) on said belt-like member (A) when said tape accommodated in said first accommodating means (1) has been depleted; characterized in that there is provided detection means (12A, 12'A, 12B, 12'B) arranged to transmit a detection signal denoting that said tape has been depleted when the diameter of said tape wound on said reel has been reduced to a value smaller than a predetermined value, and the switching means (13, 13') is arranged to stop the operations of said first applicator means (6, 6A) and said first feeding means, and simultaneously to activate said second applicator means (6', 6'A) and said second feeding means in response to said detection signal. An apparatus for applying tape comprising: a belt-like member (A) to be supplied continuously; first accommodating means (1) for accommodating a tape (B); first applicator means (6, 6A) for applying said tape (B) accommodated by said first accommodating means (1) on said belt-like member (A); first feeding means (2-5; 2,3,16,17) for feeding said tape from said first accommodating means (1) to said first applicator means (6,6A); second accommodating means (1') for accommodating a spare tape (C); second applicator means (6', 6'A) for applying said spare tape (C) accommodated in said second accommodating means (1') on said belt-like member (A), second feeding means (2'-5'; 2',3',15 ,5'; 2,3, 16, 17) for feeding said spare tape (C) accommodated in said second accommodating means (1') to said second applicator means (6', 6'A); and switching means (13, 13') for activating said second applicator means and said second feeding means to apply said spare tape (C) on said belt-like member (A) when said tape accommodated in said first accommodating means (1) has been depleted, characterised in that each of said first and second applicator means has a pair of application rollers (6, 6A, 6', 6'A) capable of selectively coming into contact with each other for conveying said belt-like member (A) and said tape (B, C)) through a space therebetween and applying said tape on said belt-like member (A) by forcibly coming in contact with each other and moving away from each other for stopping said conveying and applying operation and, wherein said switching means is an actuator (13, 13') which causes said first application rollers (6, 6A ) of said first applicator means to move away from each other and said second application rollers (6', 6'A) of said second applicator means to come in contact with each other when said tape, which is double-coated, is depleted. An apparatus for applying tape comprising: a belt-like member (A) to be supplied continuously; first accommodating means (1) for accommodating a tape (B); first applicator means (6, 6A) for applying said tape (B) accommodated by said first accommodating means (1) on said belt-like member (A); first feeding means (2-5; 2,3,16,17) for feeding said tape from said first accommodating means (1) to said first applicator means (6,6A); second accommodating means (1') for accommodating a spare tape (C); second applicator means (6', 6'A) for applying said spare tape (C) accommodated in said second accommodating means (1') on said belt-like member (A), second feeding means (2'-5'; 2',3',15 ,5'; 2,3, 16, 17) for feeding said spare tape (C) accommodated in said second accommodating means (1') to said second applicator means (6', 6'A); a supply of tape (B, C) on at least one of said accommodating means (1, 1') for applying to said belt-like member; and switching means (13, 13') for activating said second applicator means and said second feeding means to apply said spare tape (C) on said belt-like member (A) when said tape accommodated in said first accommodating means (1) has been depleted, and detection means (12A, 12'A, 12B, 12'B) for detecting the depletion of said tape, characterised in that cutting means are provided for cutting said tape (B, C), said cutting means being operable to cut said tape at a position immediately before depletion in response to a detection signal transmitted from said detection means. An apparatus for applying tape as claimed in claim 2 further comprising detection means (12A, 12'A, 12B, 12'B) for detecting the depletion of said tape. An apparatus for applying tape according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said switching means (13, 13') stops the operations of said first applicator means (6, 6A) and said first feeding means, and simultaneously activates said second applicator means (6', 6'A) and said second feeding means. An apparatus for applying tape according to any preceding claim, wherein a new tape is accommodated in either of said first accommodating means (1) or said second accommodating means (1') from which said tape has been depleted and said new tape is made to be said spare tape. An apparatus for applying tape according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said belt-like member (A) is formed into a belt-like shape in which a plurality of bags accommodating at least any one of an oxygen scavenger, a freshness-keeping agent or a desiccating agent are connected in one direction. An apparatus for applying tape according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said belt-like member is formed into a belt-like shape formed by connecting a plurality of belt-like labels or belt-like stickers. An apparatus for applying tape according to any one of claims 3 or 4 or any claim appended thereto, wherein said accommodating means is a reel (1, 1') around which said tape is wound and said detection means (12A, 12'A, 12B, 12'B) transmits a detection signal denoting a fact that said tape has been depleted when the diameter of said wound tape has been reduced to a value smaller than a predetermined value. An apparatus for applying tape as claimed in any one of claims 1, 3 or 4 or any claim appended thereto, wherein said detection means is a photoelectric tube (12B, 12B'). An apparatus for applying tape as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said tape is a double-coated tape having a separation sheet on one side thereof and said first and second applicator means (6, 6A, 6', 6'A) apply the other side of said double-coated tape on which said separation sheet is not provided. An apparatus for applying tape as claimed in claim 11, further comprising first peeling means (7, 15, 19, 9, 10, 11) for peeling off said separation sheet from said double-coated tape applied on said belt-like member (A) and second peeling means (7', 19, 9', 10', 11) for peeling off said separation sheet when said spare double-coated tape is applied on said belt-like member (A). An apparatus for applying tape as claimed in claim 12, wherein each of said first and second peeling means comprises a separation guide roller (7, 7'; 15, 7'; 19) for guiding said separation sheet separated from said double-coated tape away from said double-coated tape; a pair of discharging rollers (9, 9',10, 10') which are capable of selectively coming in contact with each other to feed the separation sheet or moving away from each other to stop feeding the separation sheet; and a chute (11) for discharging said separation sheet from said feeding rollers, and wherein said switching means is an actuator which actuates said discharging rollers (9, 10) of said first peeling means to move away from each other and said discharging rollers (9', 10') of said second peeling means to come in contact with each other when said double-coated tape is depleted. An apparatus for applying tape as claimed in claim 1 or 3 or any of claims 4 to 13 when appended to claim 1 or 3 wherein each of said first and second applicator means has a pair of application rollers (6, 6A, 6', 6'A) capable of selectively coming into contact with each other for conveying said belt-like member (A) and said tape (B, C) through a space therebetween and applying said tape on said belt-like member (A) by forcibly coming in contact with each other and moving away from each other for stopping said conveying and applying operation and, wherein said switching means is an actuator (13, 13') which causes said first application rollers (6, 6A') of said first applicator means to move away from each other and said second application rollers (6', 6'A) of said second applicator means to come in contact with each other when said tape, which is double-coated, is depleted. An apparatus for applying tape according to claim 14, wherein said spare double-coated tape is conveyed through a space between said pair of application rollers (6', 6'A) positioned away from each other, the leading portion of said spare double-coated tape is positioned at a slightly forward position of said second application rollers, said separation sheet is peeled off from said spare double-coated tape and said separation sheet is disposed between said pair of discharging rollers (9', 10') positioned away from each other. An apparatus for applying tape as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of said first and second feeding means has a guide roller (4, 4'; 16) for controlling the feeding direction and the position of said tape. An apparatus for applying tape according to claim 16, wherein said first guide roller of said first feeding means and said second guide roller of said second feeding means are formed into one roller (16) having guide grooves (40, 42) running parallel to each other. An apparatus for applying tape according to claim 13 or any claim appended thereto, wherein said separation guide roller of said first peeling means and said guide roller of said second peeling means are formed into one roller (19) having guide grooves (40, 42) running parallel to each other. An apparatus for applying tape as claimed in claim 1 or claim 4 or any claim appended thereto, wherein said tape (B, C) which is being fed is cut at a position immediately before depletion in response to a detection signal transmitted from said detection means (12A, 12B, 12'A, 12'B). A method of applying tape comprising the steps of: continuously supplying a belt-like member (A); feeding a tape (B) to said belt-like member (A); applying said tape (B) on said belt-like member (A); causing a spare tape (C) to be in a waiting state ready for feeding and applying said spare tape (C) on said belt-like member (A) when said tape which is being applied on said belt-like member is depleted; and supplying a new tape so as to be said spare tape when said tape which is being fed is depleted. characterised by the steps of detecting when the tape has been depleted and providing a detection signal when said tape is depleted, said detection step comprising determining when the diameter of tape wound on a reel has been reduced to a value smaller than a predetermined value, and the step of simultaneously stopping the application of said tape and activating the application of said spare tape in response to said detection signal, wherein said belt-like member is formed into a belt-like shape in which a plurality of bags accommodating at least any one of an oxygen scavenger, a freshness-keeping agent or a desiccating agent are connected in one direction. A method of applying tape according to claim 20, wherein said tape is a double-coated tape, and further comprising the step of peeling off a separation sheet from said double-coated tape after said double-coated tape has been applied on said belt-like member.

Inventors: MORITA YOSHIKAZU, MORITA, YOSHIKAZU, MORITA, YOSHIKAZU, MITSUBISHI GAS CHEM.COMP.INC.
Applicants: MITSUBISHI GAS CHEMICAL CO, MITSUBISHI GAS CHEMICAL COMPANY, INC.
Application year: 1992
Main classification: B65H37
IPC codes: B65H37