Abstract:
A tape applicator system that employs an extendable arm to carry and control the movement of a tape applicator mounted at its moveable or free end. The tape is dispensed from a essentially fixed location remote from the applicator which permits the use of larger roll (Machine rolls) without the necessitating moving the roll as is required in a normal hand operated device. The movement of the tape applicator mounted on the arm is restricted to straight line movement by the linkage of the extendable arm. If desired a parallel linkage mechanism may be used in the arm to maintain the angular orientation of the applicator which is particularly important when the tape applicator is a common tape head normally use in taping machines. Using a constant height system the height of the tape applicator can be maintained constant when in operation.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable 
       REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates to a manual or power assisted device that may be used to facilitate the application of a tape having pressure sensitive adhesive on one face, in a straight line to an object. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0005]    The use of pressure sensitive tape is and has been for many years very common in the packaging industries. The tape being applied is usually dispensed from a tape roll. There are two main categories of tape roll sizes available, namely;
       1. For use in manual tape application with a tape dispenser or hand applicator which is restricted in the size and weight as required for ease of handling are generally classified as “Hand rolls” and have a roll size that will usually provide about 100 meters tape length   2. For automatic tape application by a taping machine equipped with a tape head the tape rolls generally referred to as “Machine rolls” have a roll size that will provide from 1000 to 2000 meters of tape.       
 
         [0008]    The Machine roll has significant advantage over Hand roll based on the 10 to 1 ratio in tape length tape as roll replenishment is reduced by a factor of at least 9 times thereby reducing production down time. The larger roll also results in more consistent taping performance since most taping problems occurred towards the end or depletion of the roll i.e. when the diameter of the roll has been significantly reduced. The cost per linear length of the tape is also reduced when the Machine roll is used as opposed to the Manual roll as the number of paper cores is used is significantly reduced and both the manufacturing and the shipping costs are reduced. 
         [0009]    It is estimated 50 percent packaging tape consumers are restricted to Hand rolls since an automatic taping machine is not feasible for their particular operations. In spite of the economic advantages of the much larger Machine rolls, purchasing and using an automatic taping machine is not justifiable for taping operations that tape less than about 500 cartons a day and automatic taping machines do not lend themselves to intermittent production and/or different sizes of cartons to be taped. Furthermore automatic taping machines require a conveyor to transport the carton through a stationery tape applicator generally referred to as a tape head that applies tape dispensed from a station tape roll and requires a significant amount of space. Manual taping generally applies tape to a stationery carton by manually moving a hand applicator with a Hand roll (as required to ensure the hand applicator is not too heavy to maneuvered manually) and lends itself to do the operations that are not economically or easily accomplished by automatic machines. 
         [0010]    Manual tape applicators as currently know in addition to requiring the more expensive tape (per lineal meter of tape) are also, to a significant degree, limited by the dexterity of the operator for alignment, accuracy and speed of application. The present invention alleviates many of the short comings of the manual applicators 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0011]    It is an objective of the present invention to provide a tape applicator mounting and guiding device that can guide the movement of the tape applicator and facilitate manual operation in that it can carry a significant amount of the weight of the applicator. 
         [0012]    It is an objective of the present invention to permit the use of a Machine roll in manual tape application without the effect of the weight of the heavy Machine tape roll having to be borne by the operator by delivering tape dispensed from a stationery supported tape roll to a tape applicator for applying tape onto an object. 
         [0013]    Broadly the present invention relates to a taping device comprising a base, a tape roll mounting for mounting a tape roll on said base for rotation about a tape roll axis, an extendable arm comprising at least two links, each said link of said at least two links having a first end and a second end remote from said first end, a first link of said at least two links, a first pivotal mounting mounting said first link and thereby said extendable arm on said base for rotation about a first axis positioned adjacent to a first end of said first link, a second link of said at least two links, a pivotable interconnection interconnecting said first and second links adjacent to said second end of said first link and said first end of said second link for rotation about an interconnecting axis, a tape applicator, an applicator mounting mounting said tape applicator to said arm adjacent to a second end of a link of said at least two links remote from said base and providing a free end of said arm, and guide rolls mounted on said arms and said base to define a at least a portion of a tape path between said tape roll mounted on said tape roll mounting and said tape applicator, said tape roll axis, said first axis, said interconnecting axis and axes of rotation of said guide roll all being parallel, said free end of said arm being moveable between an extended position remote from said base and a collapsed position adjacent to said base via relative movement between said first and second links to move said tape applicator in a substantially straight line for applying said tape to an object. 
         [0014]    Preferably, the taping device may further include a first and a second parallel link each having a first end and a second end remote from said first end and each having a length corresponding to lengths of said first and second links respectively, a first parallel link pivotal mounting mounting said first parallel link on said base for rotation about a first parallel link axis positioned adjacent to a first end of said first link, said first parallel link pivotable mounting being spaced a selected distance from said first pivotal mounting, a second pivotable interconnection interconnecting said first and second parallel links adjacent to said second end of said first parallel link and said first end of said second parallel link for rotation about a second interconnecting axis, a interconnecting link interconnecting said first and second pivotable interconnections, a second interconnecting link pivotably interconnecting said second ends of said second link and said second parallel link, said selected length and length of said first and second interconnecting links being essentially the same length and combining with said first and second links and said first and second parallel links to form a parallel link mechanism. 
         [0015]    Preferably the guide rolls will be positioned one adjacent to at least one said first or second ends of each of said links of said at least two links. 
         [0016]    Preferably the taping device will further comprise a parallel movement linkage comprising a lever arm having one end slidably connected to said frame for movement along a fixed straight path, a control link having opposite ends, a first pivotable connection pivotably connecting one of said opposite ends to said lever adjacent to a second end of said lever remote from said one end and a second pivotable connection pivotably connecting another of said opposite ends to said control link to said second link midway of said second link, a third pivotable connection pivotably connecting said lever to said first link adjacent to the mid points of said lever and of said first link, the rotational axis of each of said first, second and third pivotable connections being parallel and parallel to said first axis. 
         [0017]    In some cases the taping device will further comprise a parallel movement linkage comprising a lever having one end slidably connected to said frame for movement along a fixed straight path, a connecting link having opposite ends, a first pivotable connection pivotably connecting one of said opposite ends to said lever adjacent to a second end of said lever remote from said one end and a second pivotable connection pivotably connecting another of said opposite ends to a selected one of said second link or said second parallel link midway of said second link or second parallel link, a third pivotable connection pivotably connecting said lever to a selected one of said first link or said first parallel link adjacent to the mid points of said lever and said selected first or first parallel link, the rotational axis of each of said first, second and third pivotable connections being parallel and parallel to said first axis. 
         [0018]    Preferably the taping device may include a supporting frame, a hinge connection mounting said base on said supporting frame for rotational movement on a hinge axis perpendicular to said first axis. Preferably the taping device may include a supporting frame that includes a first supporting frame link rotatably connected adjacent to one end of said support link to a base frame on a first connector, a second supporting frame link one end of said second supporting fame link rotatably connected to said first supporting frame link adjacent to an end of said first supporting frame link remote from said one end of said first supporting frame link via a second connector and said hinge connection connecting said base to said second supporting frame link, rotational axes of said first and second connectors and said hinge axis being substantially parallel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    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; 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  shows an schematic elevation view illustration of one embodiment the current invention with solid lines showing the arm with a taping devise at one end at its normal home position and in dotted line the taping devise pulled away from the home position into a operative position for applying tape onto an object such as the carton illustrated. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a view looking down on the invention and illustrating a system for horizontal positioning of the device with the solid line illustration showing the device aligned to apply tape on a stationery object or carton positioned at a first angle and a dotted line position where the devise is aligned to apply tape on a stationery carton at a second angle. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation illustrating a modified form of the arm of the present invention that incorporates a parallel link mechanism to control movement and orientation of a tape head mounted at the free end thereof. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]      FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of the present invention with the extensible arm  10  shown in solid lines in a retracted home position and in dash lines in an extended operative position. A first link  12  of the arm  10  is pivotably mounted at to a base  14  adjacent to a first end  16  of the link  12  via a pivotable mounting  18  having a pivotal axis around which the first link may be pivoted relative to the base  14 . A pivotable interconnection  20  interconnects a second end  22  of the first link  10  with a first end  24  of a second link  26  of the arm  10  for relative rotational movement of the first and second links around an interconnecting axis formed thereby. Pivotably mounted on a rotatable applicator connection  28  at the free end of the arm  10  as defined in the illustrated embodiment by the second end  30  of the second link  26  is a hand tape applicator in the form of a hand tape applicator  40  the frame  42  of which is rotatably connected at  28  to the second end  30  of link  26 . If more links are used to the end of the link forming a free end of the arm  10  i.e. end remote from the base  14 . 
         [0024]    The tape applicator  40  may be of any suitable applicator design; the illustrated version has a frame  42 , with a handle  44  projecting there from in a position to be grasped and manipulated by the operator. 
         [0025]    It will be apparent that the arm  10  particularly the free end thereof as defined by the second end  30  of the link  26  in the illustrated arrangement of  FIG. 1  is controlled to move in an essentially straight line to guide the operator to apply tape along a straight line as is required in most box taping operations. 
         [0026]    Preferably magnetic elements  15  and  25  will be connected one to the arm  12  and the other to arm  26  and will hold together when in close proximity to tend to hold the arm  10  in the retracted home position shown in solid lines in  FIG. 1 . The spring  17  that extends between the base  14  and link  12  and spring  19  that extends between the links  12  and  26  bias the arm  10  to the retracted home position shown in solid lines in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0027]    It is important for ease of operation and to permit the use of the tape rolls that are Machine rolls size as opposed to the smaller Manual roll that the tape source not have to be manipulated by the operator when applying the tape as occurs with manually operated tape applicators. This is accomplished with the present invention by providing a tape roll mounting  50  on the base  14  and is shown with a tape roll  52  from which the tape  54  that is to be applied to an object  48  as will be described below. A tape path  56  from the roll  52  to the applicator roll  46  of the applicator  40  is defined by a plurality of spaced guide rolls ( 60 ,  62 ,  64   66  an  68 ) over which the tape passes en route from the roll  52  to the applicator roll  46 . The tape passes from the tape roll  52  to a guide roll  60  mounted on the base  14 , then in the illustrated embodiment to the guide roll  62  to the guide roll  64 , then to the guide roll  66 , over the guide roll  68  mounted on the applicator frame  42  to the applicator roll  46  for application to an object such as the box  48 . In the illustrated versions the guide rolls are shown concentric with the pivotal mounting, however to minimize the change in length as the links are relatively rotated these guide rolls should be as small as possible in diameter or preferably moved to a position adjacent to but offset from the pivot points 
         [0028]    It will be apparent that the adhesive side of the tape being applied will contact some of the guide rolls namely the rolls  62  and  66  and to minimize problems these rolls will have knurled surfaces. Also to better control the free end of the tape when it is cut after a taping operation the roll  66  will preferably be a one way clutch roll permitting movement of the tape  54  toward the applicator roll  46  while inhibiting movement in the opposite direction. 
         [0029]    In operation the embodiment illustrated with the applicator  40  (manual applicator) the operator positions the box  48  relative to the arm  10  so that the movement of the arm will preferably be parallel to the side edge  49  of the box  48  (see  FIG. 2 ) and the centre line on which the tape is to be applied aligned with the line of movement of the arm  10  so that when the tape is applied by the operator using the hand applicator in the normal manner the tape will be applied in a straight line as desired. 
         [0030]    Obviously boxes and/or objects come in different heights thus the height of the base  14  is adjustable as schematic indicated by the arrow  70  via he telescoping posts  72  that is lockable by the lever  74 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  illustrates a mounting for the base  14  that facilitates aligning the path of travel of the arm  10 . As illustrated a plurality hinge supporting links  76  and  78  hinges together as indicated at  80  one of which  76  is hinged to the supporting post  72  as indicated at  82  and the other  78  to the base  14  as indicated at  84  to thereby provide a supporting frame for the base  14  and thus the arm  10 . The swing axes of the hinges are parallel to the post  72  and perpendicular to the rotation axes for example of the guide rolls  64 ,  64  and  66 . As is apparent by the difference in position illustrated by the dash lines and by the solid lines the orientation of the line of movement of the arm  10  as defined by the links  12  and  26  can easily be varied significantly. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  shows a modified form of the invention that is particularly suited to mounting a tape head  100  (mechanical tape applicator as opposed to a manual tape applicator) on the free end of the arm  10 . In this embodiment a second pair of links i.e. a first parallel link  102  and a second parallel  104  link are mounted and interconnected in the same manner as the links  12  and  26  to each other at  106  and to the base  144  as indicated at  108  and tape applicator in this case tape head  100  as indicated at  110  to in effect form a second arm  101 A. The interconnection  20  is connected to the interconnection  106  between the links  102  and  104  by a connecting link  112 . This combination of the links  12 ,  26  with the links  102  and  104  their respective connections to the base  144  and to the applicator  100  and the interconnecting link  112  forms a parallel link mechanisms that insures that the orientation of the tape head  100  is constant i.e. it will normally be horizontal as it would normally be in taping machines of the type these heads  100  are normally incorporated in. The spacing between the pivotal mounting  16  and  106  on the base  144  and between the connections  28  and  110  on the tape head  100  and the effective length of the connecting link  112  are essentially the same to provide the parallel link i.e the base  144  and the tape head  100  each in effect forms a link of the parallel link mechanism. 
         [0033]    In some cases it may be desirable particularly where a tape head  100  is being used that not just the orientation of the head  100  be controlled but also the height of the head  100  be preset by adjustment of the post  72  and lock  74  and so the both the orientation and height of the head  100  remain constant as the head  100  traverses an object to be taped such as the box  48  in  FIG. 1 . This is accomplished in the present invention by a constant height mechanism that is provided by modifying the base  144  and provide an arm  200  with a substantially vertically extending slot  202  that provides a cam track in which a cam roller  204  at one end of a lever  206  is received and is guided thereby. A control link  208  has one of its ends pivotably connected to the midpoint of the second lever  26  as indicated at  210  and its opposite end pivotably connected to the lever  206  at its end remote from the roller  204  as indicated at  212 . 
         [0034]    The mid points of the link  12  and lever  206  are pivotably interconnected as indicated at  214 . 
         [0035]    This arrangement with the slot  202  vertical i.e. parallel to the post  74  ensures that the free end of the arm  10  moves is a horizontal plane i.e. perpendicular to the post  74 . It will be apparent that the lever  206  and link  208  could be connected as described to the links  102  and  104  instead of links  12  and  26 . 
         [0036]    It will be apparent that the constant height mechanism may be applied to the  FIG. 1  embodiment by adding the elements  200  to  214  to that system. 
         [0037]    It will be evident that if desired a motor assist may be used to move the arms  10  and/or  101 A as per the  FIGS. 1 and 3  embodiments. 
         [0038]    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.