Abstract:
This invention relates to a tape applicator or tape head formed from a combination of two separated apparatuses namely a detachable unit containing a front portion of the tape applicator and a stationary unit containing a rear portion of the applicator with snap-on engagement there between to obtain the interactive motion of a conventional tape applicator i.e. the present invention separates a conventional tape applicator into two separate portions which results in the ability to quickly change tapes and reduces safety hazards.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an improve tape applicator for case sealing equipment, more particularly to a tape applicator that facilitates changing of the tape roll to improve the efficiency of the equipment. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     Conventional tape applicators or tape heads used for applying adhesive tapes to a box or carton or the like to seal the box flaps in closed position generally include a front link, having a wiper roll to apply the leading end of the tape to the leading face a carton moved relatively past the tape head, a trailing arm with a wiper roll for wiping the tape on the adjacent surface of the box and along the trailing end of the box and a cut off knife between the two arms and actuated to cut the tape to the proper length and with a free end adjacent to the wiper roll on the front link in a position to be applied to the next box. These applicators are common in the industry and have been found to operate very well. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,298 issued Oct. 14, 1997 to Lam or U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,721 issued Mar. 10, 1998 to Yeh. 
     As indicated in case sealing, a roll of tape having a finite length is installed onto each applicator, namely the top tape head and the bottom tape head, as well as side mounting tape head (if needed) for different configurations of box sealing. The tape head is secured in position in the machine accordingly. When it is necessary to replace the depleting tape roll with new roll of tape it is a common practice for the operator to stop the machine, reach in the machine and remove the entire tape head from the machine and then to replace the tape roll on the removed tape head, or replace the tape head with a different tape head having a fresh tape roll already installed to save time. Alternatively, the operator may reach in to the machine, remove the depleted tape roll and install a new roll of tape without taking the tape head away from the machine. When access to the tape head is limited, it is also a common practice to mount the tape roll away from the tape head and provide guide rollers appropriately positioned to guide the tape to the applicator and to splice the new roll of tape onto the depleting tape. Obviously replacing the depleted roll with a new roll is a time consuming operation as it involves threading the lead end of the tape from the new roll through the tape applicator. 
     Other methods are also being used to make replenishing or changing tape roll easier. For example a tape head mounted onto a pivoted bracket with lever to swing the tape head up, making the tape head more accessible for the operator to replace the tape roll. Automatic tape changing and splicing designs (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,792 issued Oct. 14, 1997 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,587 issued Feb. 20, 2001 both to Cairns) are other known systems to facilitate tape roll changing and reduce down time. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The invention provides a simple and effective approach to replenishing the tape in case sealing applications and reducing down time and safety hazards. 
     This invention is related to a tape applicator or tape head which is a combination of two separate apparatuses with snap-on engagement to obtain the interactive motion of a conventional tape applicator i.e. the present invention separates a conventional tape applicator into two separate portions with specific functionality to serve the purpose of quick tape change and reduce safety hazards. 
     The tape applicator of the present invention is composed of two separable portions namely a detachable unit and a stationary or fixed unit mounted to the machine. The detachable unit, includes a first portion of the tape applicator mechanism, and is formed by an auxiliary frame that mounts a tape roll holder, tape guiding rollers, a contact roller, a coupler and a connecter while a stationary unit, includes a second portion of the tape applicator mechanism, and is formed by a main frame that mounts a tape cutting mechanism; a connecting link with a cooperating coupler; wipe down roller mechanism and a cooperating connector The connector and cooperating connector cooperate to connect the detachable unit to the stationary unit and the coupler and cooperating coupler connect the first and second portions of the tape applicator to function interactively when the detachable unit is mounted to the stationary unit. 
     As indicated the detachable unit that may be coupled to or removed from the main frame of the stationery unit includes a coupler that cooperates with the cooperating coupler on the connecting link of the stationary unit to couple the wipe down roller on the stationary unit with the contact roller on the detachable unit so that these elements combine for performing the taping function. 
     One or more detachable units each with a fresh tape roll installed may be available for a single stationary unit and each detachable unit used as required to replace a detachable unit with depleted tape. The detachable units facilitate quick tape roll replenishing and minimize machine down time. 
     The operator has only to remove and replace the detachable unit from the machine as opposed to the entire tape head as in the prior art, thereby making tape replacement easier and quicker. Since the stationary unit contains the cutting mechanism; and remains with the machine, a significant safety advantage is provided as when the operator installs the new tape on the detachable unit he cannot be injured by the cutting blade, since there is no cutting blade on the detachable unit. 
     Broadly the present invention relates to a tape applicator comprising a detachable unit and a stationary unit, said detachable unit mounting a front portion of a taping mechanism and said stationary unit a rear portion of said taping mechanism, a connector on said detachable unit and a cooperating connector on said stationary unit which combine to releasably mount said detachable unit on said stationary unit and connect said stationary unit with said detachable unit, a coupler on said detachable unit and a cooperating coupler on said stationary unit, said coupler and said cooperating coupler combining to form a releasable coupling releasably, operatively interconnecting said front and said rear portions of said taping mechanism when said detachable unit is mounted on said stationary unit. 
     Preferably, said front portion includes a front link mounting said coupler on its side adjacent to said rear portion. 
     Preferably, said coupler comprises a cam track. 
     Preferably, said rear portion includes a connecting link and said cooperating coupler comprises an engagement roller at an end of said connecting link adjacent to said front portion. 
     Preferably said front portion includes a front link and wherein a latch releasably fixes said front link relative to a frame of said front portion. 
     Preferably, said latch comprises a magnetic connecting said front link to said frame. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further features, objects and advantages will be evident from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which; 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic side elevation illustration showing the present invention with the detachable unit engaged onto the stationary unit for a top taping application. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic isometric illustration with parts omitted showing the stationary and detachable units separated and positioned to be connected together for a top taping application. 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric schematic illustration with parts omitted similar to  FIG. 2  but showing the detachable unit and the stationary unit connected as in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5  respectively is a schematic illustration similar to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  but showing the stationery unit in up-side down position and the detachable unit being inserted and engaged in up-side down position, for a bottom taping application. 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevation schematic illustration with the cutting mechanism omitted showing stationary and detachable units engaged and in normal position for tape application. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic illustration similar to  FIG. 6  showing the interaction between the detachable unit and the stationery unit during the tape application. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic illustration showing examples of variations of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in the drawings the tape applicator  10  of the present invention is composed of two units a detachable unit  12  that is removeably mounted in a stationary unit  14  that is fixed to the machine (not shown) in which the tape applicator is to be used. (See  FIGS. 1 to 5 ,  FIGS. 1 to 3  showing a top tape applicator and  FIGS. 4 and 5  a bottom tape applicator). 
     The detachable unit  12  is formed by an auxiliary frame  16  on which is mounted a front portion  13  of the tape applicator mechanism. This front portion  13  (front in that it is used to apply tape to the front end  102  of the box  100  as it moves through the tape applicator  10 ) includes. a tape roll holder  18  for mounting a roll of tape  20  and tape guiding rollers  22  and  24  if required around which the tape  26  is passed. A front link  28  is pivotably mounted to the auxiliary frame  16  on axel  30  and forms part of the front portion  13 . This front link  28  is releasably held in place for insertion and removal from the stationary unit  14  by a magnet  32  fixed to the frame  16  and cooperating metal (iron) plate  34  fixed to the front link  28 . The magnet  32  and plate  34  form a releasable latch limiting movement of the link  28  relative to the frame  16  and cooperate to hold the front link  28  in proper alignment for insertion into the stationary unit  14  while permitting the front link  28  to pivot freely on axel  30  when the latch is released i.e. the magnetic connection is broken as a box is moved through the tape applicator  10  (as will be described below). 
     Mounted on front link  28  (front in that it is used to apply tape to the front end  102  of the box  100  as it moves through the tape applicator  10  but trailing in the direction of movement of a box through the tape applicator  10  as indicated by the arrow  104  (see  FIGS. 6 and 7 )) is a front contact pad or roller  36  which applies the leading end of the tape  26  to the front end  102  (leading end in the direction of travel of the box  100  as indicated by the arrow  104 , see  FIGS. 6 and 7 ) and functions in the same manner conventional similar front contact rollers on known machines. Also mounted on the link  28  is a second pair of guide rolls  38  and  40 , if required, which direct the tape  26  to the contact pad or roller  36 . 
     Positioned along the leading edge  42  (edge adjacent to the rear portion  62  and leading in the direction of relative movement  104  of the box  100  through the tape applicator  10 ) of the link  28  is a coupler  44  in the form of a cam track  45  having its opposite ends open as indicated at  47  and  49  that receives an engagement roller  46  that provides a cooperating coupler mounted on the trailing end (end adjacent to the front portion  13  and trailing in the direction  104  of movement of the box  100 ) of a connecting link  48  mounted on the stationary unit  14  as will be described below. The coupler  44  and cooperating coupler  46  combine to form a releasable coupling releasably coupling the front  13  and rear (described below)  62  portions of tape applicator mechanism together in operative relationship. 
     The opposite ends  47  and  49  of the track  45  are preferably both open so that the detachable unit may be used for either a top taping applicator or a bottom taping applicator as will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3  and  4  and  5  respectively. 
     Leading and trailing edges  50  and  52  (relative to the direction of box movement  104 ) of the frame  16  form connectors and/or guides which cooperate with cooperating connectors  54  and  56  and/or guides on the stationary unit  14  to define releasable connectors to hold and guide the detachable unit  12  onto the stationary unit  14 . 
     The stationary unit  14  is formed by a main frame  60  that will be fixed to the sealing machine (not shown) in any suitable manner and mounts the cooperating connectors and/or guides  54  and  56  and a rear portion  62  of the tape applicator mechanism which combine with the front portion  13  to provide the tape applicator  10 . A tape cutting mechanism  64  which normally would be considered part of the rear portion  62  is mounted on the frame  60  as is the connecting link  48  with coupling roller  46  referred to above; and a wipe down roller  66  which is mounted on an L shaped arm  68  connected to the link  48 . The L shaped arm  68  is pivotably mounted to the main frame  60  on an axel  72  and is connected to the end of link  48  remote from roller  46  via pivot pin  70 . The pin  70  is positioned on the side of the arm  68  remote from the roller  66 . 
     A control link  74  is pivotably connected adjacent to one of its ends to the frame  60  on pin  76  and adjacent to its opposite end to the connecting link  48  via a pin  78  so that the pin  78  and thus the link  48  swings on an arc around the pin  76  when the second portion  62  of the tape applicator is active 
     The axes of rotation of all of all axels, pivot pins, engagement roller  46  and wipe down roller  66  and guide rollers are all substantially parallel and perpendicular to the direction of movement  104  of the box  100   
     The arm  68  is held against the stop  80  via spring  82  while the cutting mechanism  64  is pivoted to its engaging position against the stop  84  via the spring  86 . 
     When the tape applicator  10  is being used as a top tape applicator the frame  60  is mounted in the machine with the roll  46  adjacent the bottom edge  88  of the of the frame  60  and the connector and or guide  54  adjacent to the top edge  90  of the frame  60  as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 . The detachable unit  12  is move down as indicated by the arrow  91  to slide the edges  50  and  52  into their respective connectors or guides  54  and  56  and the abutment edge  92  on the frame  16  is moved into resting position against the stop  94  on the frame  60  positioned below the connecter and/or guide  56 . As the unit  12  is slid into position as above described the roll  46  is moved into the cam  45  of the coupler  44  through open end  47  to couple the operating mechanisms  62  and  13  of the stationary and detachable units  12  and  14  respectively together. The releasable latch  32 ,  34  holds the arm  28  in position to facilitate alignment of the roll  46  with the cam  45 . This positioning and coupling of the detachable unit  12  with the stationary unit  14  ensures that the two units  12  and  14  are in their cooperative operative positions. 
     On the other hand if the device  10  is to be used as a bottom taper for taping the bottom of a box  100  the frame  60  is inverted so the edge  90  becomes the bottom edge and the edge  88  the top edge (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) and the stop  94  is moved to the opposite side of the connector/guide  56  i.e. adjacent to the edge  90 . The unit  12  is also inverted and slid into position as above described, with respect to  FIGS. 2 and 3  however the roll  46  in this arrangement enters the cam  45  via the open end  49  not  47  as in the  FIGS. 2 and 3  arrangement. 
     The operation of the device is illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7  and as is apparent the operation is essentially the same as the conventional tape applicators in widespread use in the industry. The box or carton  100  is moved as indicated by the arrow  104  to force the leading wall  102  of box  100  against the leading end  110  of the tape  26  which has its adhesive side facing the wall  102  to apply the tape  26  to the leading wall  102  and the pad or roller  36  operates in the conventional manner to wipe the tape  26  against  10  and up the wall  102  and to move via the coupling formed by the cam  45  and roller  46  and connecting link  48  the arm  68  from the stop  80  and position the rear applicator roll  66  above the top of the box as required. The roll  66  is held against the top of the box in the known manner until the clears the rear end of the top of the box and can follow down the rear wall  106  of the box in known manner. The taping operation is completed in the conventional manner by the cutter  64  severing the tape  26  and leaving a free end  110  in position to be engaged by the arm  28  and roller  36  and moved to the position shown in  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 8  shows some variations to the invention namely 
     (a) The use of open ended engagement slot  200  on the front detachable unit  12 A which replaces the cam  45  and cooperates with the roller  46 . Obviously this arrangement is only applicable to a tape applicator for apply tape to the top of a box. 
     (b) A slot or track  212  in the frame  60 A of the stationery unit  14 A cooperating with a retaining roller  214  on the connecting link  48 A (equivalent to link  48 ) to control and position the cooperating coupler roll  46  and the mechanisms on the stationary unit  16 A in place of the link  74  of the  FIG. 1  embodiment, and.
 
(c) the use of open ended slots  202  and  204  which engage with cooperating connecters pins  206  and  208  respectively on an extension bracket or arm  210  extending from the main frame  60 A of the stationary unit  16 A;
 
     It is evident that this invention may be applied to case sealers with the applicator mounted in different position, such as top and or bottom sealing with the applicators mounted on top and the bottom of the machine opposite to each other according to the travel pave of the box. Side sealing with applicator mounted accordingly on the side is also achievable. Appropriate external mounting bracket can be applied to ensure proper and easy insertion and engagement of the two units. 
     Having described the invention, modifications will be evident to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.