Device of regulating running position of unsealing tape for packing film

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device of regulating a running position of unsealing tape for packing film, in which in the normal operation unsealing tape T runs on a linear normal running position P disposed between projecting portions 3a and 4a by being guided by the projecting portions 3a and 4a while being in contact therewith, if the unsealing tape T runs on the outside of an annular groove 2 by being shifted to either side in the width direction, as a result of a relative movement of the annular groove 2 in the direction reverse to the rotational direction of the regulating roller 1 with the rotation of the regulating roller 1, the unsealing tape T gradually enters the annular groove 2 by being guided by corner portions 3f and 4f on the side of openings produced by separating portions 3b and 4b while being in an abrasive contact therewith, thereafter, the unsealing tape T is drawn to the normal running position P by being guided by approaching portions 3d and 4d while being in contact therewith and finally the unsealing tape T is returned to the normal running position P by being brought into contact with the projecting portions 3a and 4a.

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device for regulating a running position of unsealing tape for packing film in which unsealing tape is laminated onto a predetermined position of packing film and both films are fed to an adhering device to adhere the unsealing tape onto the packing film made of, for example, cellophane or polypropylene etc. as in wrapping film of cigarette, wrapping film for goods packed in boxes and the like. More in details, the present invention relates to a device for regulating a running position of unsealing tape for packing film in which unsealing tape fed along a feed path and packing film fed separately from the unsealing tape are laminated together at the midway of the feed path, the laminated body is transferred, the unsealing tape is brought into press- contact with a regulating roller arranged on the feed path thereby regulating the running position of the unsealing tape and the unsealing tape whose position is regulated is adhered onto the packing film by an adhering device. BACKGROUND ART There has been a conventional device for regulating a running position of unsealing tape for packing film of this kind having a guide ring for preventing side shift of running unsealing tape by regulating it in the width direction on a feed path upstream from an adhering device as described in, for example, Japanese Examined Utility Model Publication No. Hei 3-30246, column 6, line 44 to column 7, line 2. According to the specific structure of the device an annular groove having the width dimension substantially the same as the width dimension of unsealing tape is recessed in a linear strip shape at the outer peripheral face of the guide ring opposed to and in contact with the running unsealing tape along a normal running position of the unsealing tape without curving in the width direction orthogonal to the running direction. The two side faces of the annular groove are respectively inclined in a tapered shape gradually expanding from the bottom face side of the annular groove toward the opening end thereof. The running unsealing tape is guided to the bottom face side of the annular groove by the two opposed tapered side faces and the unsealing tape runs along the bottom face of the annular groove having the least width dimension without being positionally shifted in the width direction whereby the side shift of the unsealing tape is prevented by regulating the running position of the unsealing tape in respect of the width direction. However, according to such a conventional device of regulating a running position of unsealing tape for packing film, because of the structure in which the running position of the unsealing tape is regulated in respect of the width direction, the width dimension of the bottom face of the annular groove can be made only slightly larger than the width dimension of the unsealing tape. Furthermore, the width dimension of the opening produced by the tapered side faces can be made only further slightly larger than the width dimension of the bottom face of the annular groove such that even if the unsealing tape floats up from the bottom face of the annular groove along the tapered side faces, the unsealing tape is not positionally shifted significantly in the width direction. Therefore, for example, when the running unsealing tape meanders by slackening or the like whereby the unsealing tape is positionally shifted in the width direction and is about to run off the annular groove, the unsealing tape runs off therefrom simply. Moreover, once the unsealing tape runs off the annular groove, it hardly returns to the inside of the annular groove. Particularly, when the unsealing tape is significantly shifted in the width direction from the annular groove, the unsealing tape also runs off an adhering device whereby not only the unsealing tape cannot be adhered to packing film or failed products are made but driving of machine must be stopped to prevent the malfunction and as a result, the operational rate is lowered. Hence, it is conceivable to intensify the tension applied on the unsealing tape and make the unsealing tape difficult to run off the annular groove by decreasing the positional shift in respect of the width direction due to slackening thereof. However, in this case the unsealing tape is extended by the strong tension by which wrinkles are caused in the packing film after the unsealing tape has been adhered thereto, the outlook is deteriorated and the commercial value is considerably reduced. Furthermore, according to the conventional device the annular groove is narrow and therefore, operation of spanning the unsealing tape is difficult to carry out. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a first object of the present invention to regulate to return unsealing tape that is about to run off an annular groove back to a normal position. The invention provides a device for regulating a running position of unsealing tape for packaging film according to claim 1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a partially-cut longitudinal front view of a device for regulating a running position of unsealing tape for packing film showing an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a reduced longitudinal side sectional view thereof; Fig. 3 is an enlarged developed view of the outer peripheral face of a regulating roller; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal side secional view of a device for regulating a running position of unsealing tape for packing film showing another embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a developed view showing a modified example of an annular groove; and Fig. 6 is a developed view showing another modified example of an annular groove. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An explanation will be given of embodiments of the present invention based on the drawings as follows. As illustrated in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, according to an embodiment of the present invention unsealing tape T fed along a feed path A and packing film F fed along another film feed path A1 are laminated together by pinching them by a feed roller 11 and a press-contact roller 12 and are transferred toward an adhering device B. A regulating roller 1 is rotatably arranged on the feed path A downstream from the feed roller 11 and the press-contact roller 12 and in the proximity of an adhering device B and upstream from the adhering device B. The packing film F and the unsealing tape T are wound in a U-like shape in respect of the side view around an outer peripheral face 1a of the regulating roller 1 over substantially a half of the periphery in the peripheral direction. An annular groove 2 for fitting in the running unsealing tape T is recessed on the outer peripheral face 1a in the peripheral direction, the running packing film F is brought into press-contact with the outer peripheral face 1a except a portion thereof replaced by the annular groove 2 and the regulating roller 1 is rotated by friction caused in running the packing film F. There are continuously formed in the peripheral direction respectively at two opposed side faces 3 and 4 of the annular groove 2, projecting portions 3a and 4a projecting to a normal running position P on which the unsealing tape T passes when the unsealing tape T is transferred along the feed path A without meandering, diverting or separating portions 3b and 4b gradually separating to the outside of the unsealing tape T in the width direction in respect of the normal running position P as the separating portions proceed from the projecting portions 3a and 4a in the direction reverse to the rotational direction of the regulating roller 1, and converging or approaching portions 3d and 4d gradually approaching to the insides of the unsealing tape T in the width direction in respect of the normal running position P as the approaching portions proceed from portions 3c and 4c, most separated from the normal running position P, in the direction reverse to the rotational direction of the regulating roller 1, to the projecting portions 3a, 4a. As illustrated in the developed view of Fig. 3, the annular groove 2 of this embodiment is formed to have the same width dimension over the entire length in the peripheral direction of the regulating roller 1 and the annular groove 2 is alternately curved in the width direction orthogonal to the running direction of the unsealing tape T centering on the normal running position P whereby the projecting portions 3a and 4a are respectively opposed to the mostly separated portions 4c and 3c in respect of the width direction, the separating portions 3b and 4b are respectively opposed to the approaching portions 4d and 3d in respect of the width direction and respective sets of the projecting portions 3a and 4a, the separating portions 3b and 4b, the most separated portions 3c and 4c and the approaching portions 3d and 4d are arranged at the two side faces 3 and 4 in continuous curves. The interval between the projecting portions 3a and 4a is made to be substantially equal to the width dimension of the unsealing tape T and regions 1b and 1c where the projecting portions 3a and 4a are respectively formed, are diametrically opposedly arranged on the outer peripheral face 1a by an angular difference of 180 ° Accordingly, the unsealing tape T wound in a U-like shape in respect of the view over a substantially half of the periphery in the peripheral direction of the outer peripheral face 1a of the regulating roller 1, necessarily passes through either one of the regions 1b and 1c where the projecting portions 3a and 4a are formed, irrespective of the rotational angular position of the regulating roller 1 and simultaneously passes through the both regions when the regions 1b and 1c are disposed on a substantially horizontal line. A bottom face 2a of the annular groove 2 is arranged deeper than the thickness dimension of the unsealing tape T and the two side face 3 and 4 are erected substantially vertically toward the opening end of the annular groove 2 whereby corner portions 3e and 4e on the bottom side are formed substantially in the right angle and corner portions 3f and 4f on the side of the opening are rounded by rounding them over the entire peripheries. The regulating roller 1 is formed in a hollow shape and a portion of the outer peripheral face 1a where the annular groove 2 is recessed and other portion thereof with which the packing film F is brought into press-contact, are formed by separate members by which working of the annular groove 2 is facilitated and only the portion where the annular groove 2 is recessed is made interchangeable in accordance with size change of the unsealing tape T, or the like. However, the both portions may be integrally formed. When the adhering position of the unsealing tape T in respect of the packing film F is changed, the arrangement of the portion where the annular groove 2 is recessed is changed or the regulating roller 1 is adjusted to move in the width direction whereby the running position of the unsealing tape T is changed. The adhering device B is constituted by a conventionally well-known structure illustrated by Fig. 1 and Fig.2 in which a heater B1 and a heater receiver B2 are arranged to be opened and closed to put the feed path A therebetween. When the packing film F and the unsealing tape T are transferred from the feed roller 11 and the press-contact roller 12, by closing the heater B1 and the heater receiver B2 by a drive unit B3 such as an air cylinder or the like as illustrated by bold lines in Fig. 2, the packing film F and the unsealing tape T are squeezed and the both are thermally bonded. When the transfer of the packing film F and the unsealing tape T is stopped, the heater B1 and the heater receiver B2 are opened as illustrated by one-dotted chain lines of Fig. 2 whereby the heater B1 and the heater receiver B2 are released from the packing film A and the unsealing tape T. Incidentally, the adherence of the packing film F and the unsealing tape T is not limited to the thermal bonding and they may be pasted together by previously coating an adhesive thereon. Next, an explanation will be given of the operation of the device for regulating a running position of unsealing tape for packing film. Firstly, in the normal operation in which the unsealing tape T is transferred along the feed path A from the upstream side without meandering and enters the annular groove 2, the unsealing tape T is brought into contact respectively with the projecting portions 3a and 4a of the two side faces 3 and 4 as shown by bold lines in Fig. 2 and Fig.3 by which the unsealing tape T is guided and runs passing through the linear normal running position P disposed between the projecting portions 3a and 4a. At this occasion the unsealing tape T necessarily passes through either one of the regions 1b and 1c where the projecting portions 3a and 4a are formed, irrespective of the rotational angular position of the regulating roller 1 and therefore, the unsealing tape T continues being in contact with either one of the projecting portions 3a and 4a and when these regions 1b and 1c are disposed on a substantially horizontal line, the unsealing tape T passes simultaneously both of the regions 1b and 1c and therefore, the unsealing tape T is accurately positioned to the normal running position P by being brought into contact with both of the projecting portions 3a and 4a whereby the unsealing tape T stably runs at the normal running position P. When the running unsealing tape T meanders by slackening or the like and transferred onto the outer peripheral face la of the regulating roller 1 by being shifted from the upstream side to either side in the width direction in accordance with the meandering, the unsealing tape T runs from the annular groove 2 onto the outer peripheral face, for example, in the left direction of front view as illustrated by one-dotted chain lines in Fig.3 or runs thereon in the right direction of front view as illustrated by two-dotted chain lines in Fig. 3, or the unsealing tape T is moved to either of the left side and the right side in the annular groove 2. When the unsealing tape T runs on the outer peripheral face in the left direction, as a result of a relative movement between the annular groove 2 and the tape T with the continued rotation of the regulating roller 1, the unsealing tape T gradually enters the annular groove 2 by being guided along the corner portion 3f of the opening on the side of the separating portion 3b gradually separating from the normal running position P while being kept in abrasive contact therewith and thereafter, the unsealing tape T is drawn to the normal running position P by being guided in the right direction while being in contact with the approaching portion 3d that is gradually approaching the normal running position P and finally, the unsealing tape T is returned to the normal running position P by being brought into contact with the projecting portion 3a. When the unsealing tape T runs on the outer peripheral face in the right direction, as a result of a relative movement between the annular groove 2 and the tape T with the continued rotation of the regulating roller 1, the unsealing tape T gradually enters the annular groove 2 by being guided by the corner portion 4f of the opening of the separating portion 4b gradually separating from the normal running position P while being kept in abrasive contact therewith and thereafter, the unsealing tape T is drawn to the normal running position P by being guided in the left direction while being in contact with the approaching portion 4d gradually approaching the normal running position P and finally, the unsealing tape T is returned to the normal running position P by being brought into contact with the projecting portion 4a. Therefore, even if the unsealing tape T meanders in the width direction in a wide range, it can be regulated. Even when the unsealing tape T runs on the outside of the annular groove 2 from the inside thereof in starting to transfer the packing film F and the unsealing tape T, the unsealing tape T is returned to the normal running position P by the above-described operation and runs on the normal running position P. Fig. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. The difference between this embodiment and the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 resides in that a plurality of regulating rollers 1 are rotatably arranged on the feed path A downstream from the feed roller 11 and the press-contact roller 12 and one of the regulating rollers 1 on the most downstream side is arranged upstream from and in the proximity of the adhering device B and the other structure stays the same as that in the embodiment illustrated by Figs. 1 and 2. Although in the illustrated example two of the regulating rollers 1 are respectively arranged to keep in press-contact with the unsealing tape T, three or more of the regulating rollers 1 may be arranged to keep in press-contact with the unsealing tape T. Therefore, according to the embodiment illustrated by Fig. 4 the unsealing tape T is regulated to the normal running position P by passing through more annular grooves 2 than that in the embodiment illustrated by Figs. 1 and 2 by an increase in the number of the regulating rollers 1 and therefore, the unsealing tape stably runs through the normal running position P. Further, if the annular groove 2 recessed at the regulating roller 1 on the upstream side is curved in the width direction more than the annular groove 2 recessed at the regulating roller 1 on the most downstream side, a wider range of meandering can be regulated. Furthermore, the interval between the projecting portions 3a and 4a of the regulating roller 1 on the most downstream side may be made to be substantially equal to the width dimension of the unsealing tape T and the intervals between the projecting portions 3a and 4a of the regulating rollers 1 arranged upstream therefrom may be gradually widened toward the regulating rollers 1 arranged upstream side such that the more upstream the rollers 1 are arranged the wider the intervals. Accordingly, in this case the unsealing tape T is loosely positioned in the width direction by passing through the regulating rollers 1 on the upstream side and thereafter, the regulating width in the width direction is gradually narrowed at each time of successively passing the regulating rollers 1 on the downstream side and therefore, a large amount of the meandering of the unsealing tape T can be regulated successively to smaller amounts of meandering. All of the intervals between the projecting portions 3a and 4a of the regulating roller 1 from the upstream side to the most downstream side may be substantially equal to the width dimension of the unsealing tape T. Accordingly, in this case the position of the unsealing tape T is regulated by the projecting portions 3a and 4a of the respective annular grooves at each time of passing the plurality of regulating rollers 1 and therefore, the position of the unsealing tape T can be regulated at each occurrence of meandering. Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are developed views respectively showing modified examples of annular grooves 2. According to a regulating roller 1' illustrated by Fig.5, in the case where the outer diameter and the peripheral dimension of a regulating roller 1 are longer than those of the regulating roller 1 shown by Fig.3, respective pluralities of sets of projecting portions 3a and 4a, separating portions 3b and 4b, portions 3c and 4c most separated from the normal running position P and approaching portions 3d and 4d, are continuously arranged in the peripheral direction on two side faces 3 and 4 of an annular groove 2, which is different from the embodiment shown by Fig.3. In this illustrated example by curving the annular groove 2 alternately in the width direction by a plural number of times centering on the normal running position P the respective two sets of the projecting portions 3a and 4a, the separating portions 3b and 4b, the portions 3c and 4c most separated from the normal running position P and the approaching portions 3d and 4d, are arranged. However, three or more of the sets may be arranged. Accordingly, the possibility whereby the unsealing tape T passes simultaneously between the plurality of projecting portions 3a and 4a is promoted and angles of inclination of the separating portions 3b and 4b and the approaching portions 3d and 4d can be set to angles suitable for guiding the unsealing tape and accordingly, the accuracy of regulating the position of the unsealing tape T can be promoted. According to an annular groove 2 illustrated in Fig.6, the annular groove 2 is not curved alternately in the width direction as illustrated by Fig.3 but projecting portions 3a and 4a, separating portions 3b and 4b, portions 3c and 4c most separated from the normal running position P and approaching portions 3d and 4d, are respectively opposed in the width direction centering on the normal running position P of the unsealing tape T, which is different from the embodiment shown by Fig. 3. According to the illustrated example the respective plurality of sets of the projecting portions 3a and 4a, the separating portions 3b and 4b, the portions 3c and 4c mostly separated from the normal running position P and the approaching portions 3d and 4d, are continuously arranged in the peripheral direction and the peripheral dimensions of the most separated portions 3c and 4c are short. However, the peripheral dimensions of the most separated portions 3c and 4c may be prolonged by extending the mostly separated portions 3c and 4c in a linear form in parallel to the peripheral direction. Incidentally, according to the above-described embodiments a single or a plurality of the regulating rollers 1 are arranged on the feed path A downstream from the feed roller 11 and the press-contact roller 12. However, the present invention is not limited thereto but a single or a plurality of the operating rollers 1 may be arranged on a feed path A2 upstream from the feed roller 11 and the press-contact roller 12 and the position of the unsealing tape T that is being fed on the feed path A2 on the upstream side may be regulated whereby when the unsealing tape is connected in a device of interchanging unsealing tape as described, for example, in Japanese Examined Utility Model Publication No. Hei 3-30246, the unsealing tape may be connected with no positional shift in the width direction. Furthermore, although the two side faces 3 and 4 of the annular groove 2 are erected substantially vertically and the corner portions on the side of the opening are rounded, the present invention is not limited thereto. The two side faces of the annular groove may be inclined respectively in a tapered shape gradually expanding from the bottom face side of the annular groove toward the opening end. Furthermore, although the running packing film F is brought into press-contact with the outer peripheral face la of the regulating roller 1 and the regulating roller 1 is rotated by friction caused in running the packing film F, the present invention is not limited thereto but a drive source such as a motor etc. may be connected to the regulating roller 1 and the regulating roller 1 may be driven to rotate in the direction of transferring the packing film F and the unsealing tape T. Having described specific preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims: A device for regulating a running position of unsealing tape for packing film in which an unsealing tape (T) fed along a feed path (A) and a packing film (F) fed separately from the unsealing tape (T) are laminated together at a point on (midway of) the feed path (A) and are transferred, the unsealing tape (T) is brought into press-contact with a regulating roller (1) arranged on the feed path (A) thereby regulating a running position of the unsealing tape (T) and the unsealing tape (T) whose (of which) position is regulated is bonded to the packing film (F) by an adhering device (B), characterized in that an annular groove (2) for fitting in the running unsealing tape (T) is recessed at an outer peripheral face (1a) of the regulating roller (1) in a peripheral direction and has projecting portions (3a,4a) projected to a normal running position (P) of the unsealing tape (T), diverging portions (3b,4b) diverging from a respective side edge of of the unsealing tape (T) in respect of the normal running position (P) as the diverging portions (3b,4b) proceed from the projecting portions (3a,4a) in a direction reverse to a rotational direction of the regulating roller (1) and converging portions (3d,4d) converging toward a respective side edge of the unsealing tape (T) in respect of the normal running position (P) as the converging portions (3d,4d) proceed from the respective diverging portions (3b, 4b) to the respective projecting portions (3a, 4a) in the direction reverse to the rotational direction of the regulating roller (1), and wherein the diverging portions, projecting portions, and the converging portions are respectively and continuously formed at opposed two side faces (3,4) of the annular groove (2) in the peripheral direction. The device for regulating a running position of unsealing tape for packing film according to claim 1, wherein the annular groove (2) is alternately curved in the width direction orthogonal to a running direction centering on the normal running position (P) of the unsealing tape (T) to define the projecting, diverting and converging portions. The device for regulating a running position of unsealing tape for packing film according to claim 1, wherein the annular groove (2) is constituted such that the projecting portion (3a,4a), the diverging portions (3b,4b), and the converging portions are respectively and opposedly arranged in the width direction centering on the normal running position (P) of the unsealing tape (T). The device for regulating a running position of unsealing tape for packing film according to any one of claims 1,2 and 3, wherein the unsealing tape (T) is wound around the outer peripheral face (1a) of the regulating roller (1) such that the unsealing tape (T) passes through at least one of at least two regions (1b,1c) where the projecting portions (3a,4a) are respectively oppositely formed and the arrangement is such that as the roller rotates there is a time where the unsealing tape (T) simultaneously passes through both of the regions (1b,1c). The device for regulating a running position of unsealing tape for packing film according to any one of claims 1,2 and 3, wherein respective pluralities of sets of the projecting portions (3a,4a), the diverging portions (3b,4b), and the converging portions (3c,4c) are respectively and continuously arranged at the two side faces (3,4) of the annular groove (2) in the peripheral direction. The device for regulating a running position of unsealing tape for packing film according to any one of claims 1,2 and 3, wherein the regulating roller (1) is arranged upstream from and in a proximity of the adhering device (B) and an interval between the projecting portions (3a,4a) formed on the two side faces (3,4) of the annular groove (2) of the regulating roller (1) is made substantially equal to a width dimension of the unsealing tape (T). The device for regulating a running position of unsealing tape for packing film according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 3, wherein a plurality of the regulating rollers (1) are installed on the feed path (A), an interval between the projecting portions (3a,4a) of one the plurality of regulating rollers (1) at a most downstream side is made substantially equal to a width dimension of the unsealing tape (T) and intervals between the projecting portions (3a,4a) of the plurality of regulating rollers (1) arranged upstream from the regulating roller (1) at the most downstream side are determined such that the more upstream side the regulating rollers (1) are arranged the more the intervals between the projecting portions (3a,4a) of the regulating rollers (1) are gradually widened. The device for regulating a running position of unsealing tape for packing film according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 3, wherein a plurality of the regulating rollers (1) are installed on the feed path (A) and intervals between the projecting portions (3a,4a) of all of the plurality of regulating rollers(1) are made substantially equal to a width dimension of the unsealing tape (T). The device for regulating a running position of unsealing tape for packing film according to any one of claims 1,2 and 3, wherein the running packing film (F) is brought into press-contact with the outer peripheral face (1a) of the regulating roller (1) and the regulating roller (1) is rotated by friction caused in running the packing film (F).

Inventors: TAIZO OGATA, TAIZO, OGATA
Applicants: TOKYO AUTOMATIC MACH WORKS, TOKYO AUTOMATIC MACHINERY WORKS, LTD
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B65B61
IPC codes: B31B1, B65B41, B65B61, B65H23