Patent GB-1472620-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for loading and unloading postage meter tape into or from a postage meter tape dispensing machine
IPC: B65H19/12
Filed: 1974-10-31
Abstract: 1472620 Dispensing tape PITNEY-BOWES Inc 31 Oct 1974 [2 Nov 1973] 47206/74 Heading B8M Apparatus for loading and/or unloading postage meter tape into or from a dispensing machine comprises a receptacle 10 for receiving and dispensing a roll of postage meter tape 11, means associated with the dispensing machine for supporting the receptacle for movement between a tape loading position and a tape dispensing position, and means for moving the receptacle between these two positions.  As shown in Fig. 1, the tape roll is droploaded into the receptacle 10 so that a centre hole 15 of a plastics core 16 supporting the tape fits over a centre shaft 14 about which a platform 18 is rotatable. A pin 19 on the platform 18 fits between fins 21 of the core 16 to prevent slippage of the roll. The end 12 of the tape 11 is threaded between pinch rollers 17 and out through an aperture 20. The receptacle 10 is loaded into, or unloaded from, a dispensing machine by a slide bar 22, Fig. 3, attached to the rear 26 of the receptacle 10 and having a handle 24, the rear 26 supporting rollers 27 movable along tracks 28. A roller 29 on the receptacle 10 is movable along an inclined track 30. A roller 35 of the rollers 17 has teeth 37 thereon to engage in slots 38 on a rotatable pulley 36 when the receptacle 10 abuts a fixed lid 34 therefor. The pulley 36 is part of a system 39 which moves the tape end 12 into a guide 41, Fig. 5, by counterclockwise movement of a knob 44 rotates a pulley 47 similarly and, through a belt 49, the pulley 36 and the roller 35 keyed thereto. The rollers 17 comprise the stationary roller 35 and a displaceable roller 40 mounted on an arm 50, Fig. 4, pivotable about a point 51 by a roller 54 on an arm 52 pivotable about a point 53. In operation, when a tape roll is empty, a door 62, Fig. 2, is opened and the bar 22 is pulled outwardly to move the receptacle 10 to the position of Fig. 2. The receptacle 10 is re-loaded and the tape end 12 is inserted between rollers 35, 40 and the lip of the end 12 is cut to form an even edge by a knife edge 85, the rollers 35, 40 being separated by an abutment 56, Figs. 2 and 3, pivoting the arm 52 in the direction 57 to move the roller 40 in the direction 58. After reloading, the bar 22 is pushed inwardly to move the receptacle 10 inwardly. As the roller 29 advances up the track 30, the receptacle 10 pivots about the rollers 27. As the receptacle moves towards the lid 34, the tip 60, Fig. 2, of the shaft 14 seals within an aperture 64, Fig. 3, of the lid and the teeth 37 attempt to mate with the slots 38. The arm 52 slides off the abutment 56 so that the roller 40 engages the roller 35 and the end 12 is trapped therebetween. The knob 44 is turned to rotate the roller 35 so that the end 12 is moved into and through the guide 41. The lid 62 is closed by pivoting about a pin 64, Fig. 2, and moves a rod 66 to the right of Fig. 2 to rotate a ball crank lever 68 counterclockwise. This rotation pulls a rod 71 outwardly and causes a gear 73 to rotate and force an arm 74 to push the arm 52, Fig. 4, in the direction of the arrow 57 to separate the roller 40 from the roller 35 so that the tape is free to be pulled along the track 41 by the dispensing apparatus (not shown). Rotation of the gear 73 rotates a gear 76, Fig. 5, to move an arm 78 carrying a roller 79 to a position 81 to produce a slack loop 82 in the tape and prevent tearing thereof.