Patent GB-1522355-A (GB)
Title: Tape applying device
IPC: B65B51/06
Filed: 1975-10-09
Abstract: 1522355 Applying adhesive tape MINNESOTA MINING & MFG CO 9 Oct 1975 [10 Oct 1974 (2)] 41490/75 Heading B8F Apparatus for applying a length of pressure sensitive adhesive coated tape to a passing rectangular object 14, Fig. 1, comprises an applicator having an arcuate periphery, e.g. rollers 12, a tape guide mechanism defining a tape route including an arcuate portion extending along the applicator periphery to an end position, at which the tape is adhesive outermost, an applicator mounting mechanism affording movement of the applicator from a contact position where it adheres tape to a passing object, to a second position where its periphery moves along tape applied to the object, and back to the contact position, a severing mechanism activated by movement of the object past a predetermined position, and means to secure an end portion of the tape along the arcuate portion of the applicator with the tape end at the end position, the means comprising a pinch roller 15 on a frame pivotable between a position engaging the tape against the applicator, and a position spaced from the applicator, and means for moving the pinch roller 15 to the spaced position to pass around the tape, and then to re-engage the tape, as the applicator moves from the contact position to the second position and back. In Figs. 1 and 5, alternately used applicator rollers 12 are mounted on an anti-clockwise rotatable support 17 which also supports pivotable frames 32, Fig. 3, each mounting a pinch roller 15 on shaft 33. Initially, the tape 11 is held against the lower roller 12 by its pinch roller 15. The advancing object 14 impinges on the roll to apply the tape to its leading face. At first, rotation of support 17 by continued advance of the object rolls the free end of the tape down the leading face of the object. Then the roller rises up, and tape is applied to the length of the object as in Fig. 5. Buffing rollers 55 on spring biased arms 52, 53, press the tape on the object in known manner, and also operate a ratchet mechanism 66, 64, 70, 71 so that when the last buffing roller is free of the object, return of the arms 52, 53 to their intial position, Fig. 1, further rotates support 17 to bring the other roller 12 into the operative contact position of Fig. 1. As each roller 12 approaches the tape 11, its pinch roller 15 is swung aside, as in Fig. 3 and the upper roller in Fig. 1, until the roller 12 contacts the tape, whereupon the pinch roll is returned by a spring 34 to re-engage roller 12 and hold the tape against it upstream of the tape severing location. The pinch rollers are swung aside by a fixed cam 36, Fig. 3, over which frames 32 ride. Advance of the object 14 also releases a lock 79, 78 on the ratchet mechanism, and raises a cutter 16 by roller 21 and lever 38, the cutter being released by passage of the object to sever the tape. In another embodiment, Figs. 9-18 (not shown), a single applicator roller is reciprocated together with a buffing roller on a single arm, and the pinch roller is cycled round the applicator roller by a ratchet mechanism, and is swung aside by a cam device at the appropriate point so as to pass round the tape and engage it against the applicator roller upstream of the tape severing location.