Patent Publication Number: US-2021179301-A1

Title: Banding of objects with tape

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 USC § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/738,039 filed Sep. 28, 2018, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This document concerns an invention relating generally to the field of packaging, and more specifically to the field of applying bands about objects. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The reader is directed to U.S. Pat. No. 8,365,508, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, for background. The banding machine noted in U.S. Pat. No. 8,365,508 is particularly designed for banding of objects with “stretch film,” that is, a film which elastically stretches as it wraps about a product, and which contracts once tension is removed, such that the overlapping layers of film tend to grip each other upon contraction (thereby holding the film band about the product), and such that the band tightly encircles the product. Stretch film banding is inappropriate for some objects, particularly for objects where there is a desire to have the film band positively adhere to an object (whereby the film band can more significantly enhance the object&#39;s integrity/durability), and/or where aesthetic appearance is of significant importance. Additionally, printing on stretch film is difficult, particularly in such a manner that the printing is not distorted following stretching/contraction of the film. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention, which is defined by the claims set forth at the end of this document, is directed to banding methods and devices which can accommodate less elastic—including inelastic—materials, such as paper tape (which can beneficially be pre-printed, or at least more readily printable). The use of one-sided adhesive tape, i.e., tape having adhesive applied to one side of the tape along its length, is particularly contemplated, as such tape will self-adhere to the product and/or to itself. A basic understanding of some of the features of an exemplary version of the invention can be attained from a review of the following brief summary of the invention, with more details being provided elsewhere in this document. To assist in the reader&#39;s understanding, the following review makes reference to the accompanying drawings (which are briefly reviewed in the “Brief Description of the Drawings” section following this Summary section of this document). 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary banding machine  100  has a table  102  on which an object  200  to be banded can be placed, with the table  102  bearing a slot  104  through which the band is applied to the object  200 .  FIG. 2  then illustrates some of the primary components within the banding machine  100  of  FIG. 1  used to accomplish banding. A rotatable spool  106  bears a roll of tape  300  (e.g., one-sided adhesive tape) which travels along an orbital path about the table  102  (not shown in  FIG. 2 ), and the object  200  thereon, with tape unspooling from the roll  300  to band the object  200 , and with a tape handling assembly  108  assisting such banding. Some of the primary components of the tape handling assembly  108  are shown in greater detail in  FIG. 3 , including: spaced rotatable first and second rollers  110  and  112 , which are situated along a chord of the orbital path traveled by the tape roll  300  (a “chord” being a line segment whose endpoints both lie on the circle defined by the orbit); a first wiper  114  translatable within the plane of the orbital path (the “orbital plane”) between a first wiper wiping position situated along the chord, and a first wiper non-wiping position away from the chord, wherein the first wiper wiping position is laterally spaced from the rollers  110  and  112  in a first direction (here a leftward direction); a second wiper  116  translatable within the orbital plane between a second wiper wiping position situated along the chord, and a second wiper non-wiping position away from the chord, wherein the second wiper wiping position is laterally spaced from the rollers  110  and  112  in a second direction opposite the first (here a rightward direction); a brake  118  translatable within the orbital plane toward and away from the first roller  110 , preferably along a brake path oriented at least approximately perpendicular to the chord of the orbital path, between a tape grasping position and a tape release position; and a knife  120  translatable within the orbital plane toward a cutting position within a cutting space between the first and second rollers  110  and  112 , and away from the cutting space to a non-cutting position. 
     All of the rollers  110  and  112 , wipers  114  and  116 , brake  118 , and knife  120  are translatable into and out of the orbital plane in a direction approximately perpendicular to the plane, or can otherwise be insertable and removable into and out of the orbital plane (as by rotating them into/out of the plane). The brake  118  and knife  120 , and preferably the second wiper  116  as well, can be provided on a subcarriage  122  (see  FIG. 4  for detail) whereby they can be inserted into and removed from the orbital plane as a unit, though they could instead be configured for independent insertion/removal. In contrast, the first wiper  114  and rollers  110  and  112  preferably move into and out of the orbital plane independently of the brake  118 , knife  120 , and second wiper  116 , and independently of each other. To illustrate, compare  FIG. 23B , showing the subcarriage  122  inserted into a subcarriage in-plane state, versus  FIG. 22B , showing the subcarriage  122  removed into a subcarriage out-of-plane state; and compare  FIG. 19B , showing the first wiper  114  inserted into a first wiper in-plane state, and  FIG. 20B , showing the first wiper  114  removed into a first wiper out-of-plane state (with the first wiper  114  also being in its first wiper non-wiping position in both instances). All drawings show the rollers  110  and  112  inserted into a roller in-plane state, though as discussed below, they may be retracted into a roller out-of-plane state. 
     Similarly, the wipers  114  and  116 , brake  118 , and knife  120  can move within the orbital plane, preferably in a direction approximately perpendicular to the chord. In the depicted arrangement, the brake  118  and knife  120 , and preferably the second wiper  116  as well, can so move as a unit on the subcarriage  122 , with the first wiper  114  translating independently. Compare, for example,  FIG. 12A , showing the subcarriage  122  situating the brake  118 , knife  120 , and second wiper  116  in a subcarriage cutting/wiping position on or adjacent to the chord (the brake  118  being in its tape grasping position, the knife  120  being in its cutting position, and the second wiper  116  being in its wiping position), and  FIG. 16A , showing the subcarriage  122  situating the brake  118 , knife  120 , and second wiper  116  in a subcarriage withdrawn position spaced from the chord (the brake  118  being in its tape release position, the knife  120  being in its non-cutting position, and the second wiper  116  being in its non-wiping position). See also  FIG. 12A , showing the first wiper  114  in its first wiper non-wiping position, and  FIG. 13A , showing the first wiper  114  in its first wiper wiping position. 
     In the foregoing arrangement, each of the first and second wipers  114  and  116  has a pivot axis  124  with a wiper surface  126  extending therefrom, wherein the wiper surface  126  is pivotable  102  toward the chord (see particularly  FIG. 4  for details of this arrangement with the second wiper  116 ). Each wiper&#39;s pivot axis  124  is situated such that when the wiper is moved into its wiping position, the pivot axis  124  is situated between the wiper surface  126  and the wiper&#39;s closest roller (that is, the first roller  110  for the first wiper  114 , and the second roller  112  for the second wiper  116 ), such that the wipers  114  and  116  pivot inwardly toward each other. To illustrate,  FIGS. 13A and 13B  respectively show the first wiper  114  in unpivoted and pivoted positions, and  FIGS. 24A and 24B  respectively show the second wiper  116  in unpivoted and pivoted positions. The wiper surfaces  126  are preferably formed of flexible materials (e.g., elastomeric flaps) whereby the wipers  114  and  116  can yield/bend under force, such that when the wiper surfaces  126  are urged against an object  200 , the wipers  114  and  116  will resiliently yield while maintaining pressure on the object  200 . 
     As also seen in  FIG. 3 , the rollers  110  and  112 , wipers  114  and  116 , brake  118 , and knife  120  can be provided on a carriage  128  such that they can translate as a unit in at direction approximately parallel to the chord. See, for example,  FIG. 12A , showing the carriage  128  in a carriage starting position;  FIG. 18A , showing the carriage  128  in a tape starting end wiping position; and  FIG. 26A , showing the carriage  128  in a tape finishing end wiping position. 
     Also in the foregoing arrangement, the brake  118  is preferably configured to resiliently yield to an opposing force, as by providing springs or other compressible structures (not shown) between the brake  118  and subcarriage  122  in  FIG. 4 . Thus, if the subcarriage  122  is moved toward its subcarriage cutting/wiping position (such translation being seen, for example, in  FIG. 23A  and  FIG. 24A ) until the brake  118  encounters the first roller  110 , the brake  118  will halt against the first roller  110 , though the subcarriage  122  may continue to move to some extent. 
       FIGS. 5A-29C  then illustrate a banding process performed by the exemplary banding machine  100 . In the following discussion of this process (and throughout the remainder of this document), all Figures sharing a common reference numeral will typically be collectively referred to by that reference numeral (for example,  FIGS. 5A-5C  will be collectively referred to as  FIG. 5 ). Moreover, all Figures using the letter A provide a front elevational view of the tape handling assembly  108 ; all Figures using the letter B provide an isometric view of the tape handling assembly  108  from a viewpoint different from that used in  FIG. 3 ; and all Figures using the letter C schematically depict the travel of a roll of tape  300  (here one-sided adhesive tape, with the adhesive face of the tape being applied to the object  200 ) within the banding machine  100  during the banding process, along with the actions of certain components of the tape handling assembly  108  within the orbital plane in which the tape roll  300  travels. 
     Looking initially to  FIGS. 5-11 , these show possible steps for the installation of the tape roll  300  in the exemplary banding machine  100  in preparation for banding of an object  200 . In  FIG. 5  (particularly  FIG. 5C ), the tape roll  300  is provided on the spool  106  at a spool loading position (here chosen to be a position above the table  102 , which is not shown). The (exposed) end of the tape is unspooled from the tape roll  300  and maintained in a fixed position (e.g., by adhering it to a stop  130 ) at a location outside the orbital path, preferably nearby the spool loading position. The first and second rollers  110  and  112  ( FIGS. 5A-5B ) are situated on the tape handling assembly  108  within the orbital plane (that is, in the roller in-plane state, as in all of  FIGS. 5-11 ), with the first wiper  114  and the subcarriage  122  (including the second wiper  116 , brake  118 , and knife  120 ) withdrawn from the orbital plane (see particularly  FIG. 5B ). 
     In  FIG. 6  (particularly  FIG. 6C ), the spool  106  travels along the orbital path with the tape roll  300  thereon, with the end of the tape maintained in the fixed position, whereby the tape unspools from the tape roll  300 . 
     In  FIG. 7  (particularly  FIG. 7C ), the spool  106  and tape roll  300  continue to travel along the orbital path with the tape unspooling from the tape roll  300 , and the tape begins wrapping about the second roller  112 . 
     In  FIG. 8  (particularly  FIG. 8C ), the spool  106  and tape roll  300  continue to travel along the orbital path with the tape unspooling from the tape roll  300 , and the tape wraps about both the first and second rollers  110  and  112 . The spool travel may then be halted at a spool start position, preferably with the tape extending between the tape roll  300  and the first and second rollers  110  and  112  along a plane oriented approximately parallel to the chord defined by the first and second rollers  110  and  112 . The subcarriage  122 , including the brake  118 , knife  120 , and second wiper  116 , are translated or otherwise inserted into the orbital plane (see particularly  FIG. 8B ). 
     In  FIG. 9  (particularly  FIG. 9C ), following insertion of the subcarriage  122  into the orbital plane, the subcarriage  122  is moved within the orbital plane toward the first and second rollers  110  and  112  to its subcarriage cutting/wiping position (compare  FIG. 9A  with  FIG. 8A ). As this occurs, the brake  118  is moved within the orbital plane toward the first roller  110 , whereby the tape is grasped between the brake  118  and the first roller  110 . The knife  120  is moved within the orbital plane toward the cutting space between the first and second rollers  110  and  112 , thereby cutting the tape within the cutting space between the rollers  110  and  112 . 
     In  FIG. 10  (particularly  FIG. 10C ), the length of tape between the tape end and the brake  118  may be removed, leaving the length of the tape extending between the brake  118  and the tape roll  300 . By simply pulling this length of tape away from the second roller  112 , the second roller  112  rotates to unwind the adhered tape from the second roller&#39;s surface. 
     In  FIG. 11 , the first wiper  114  (see particularly  FIG. 11B ) is translated or otherwise inserted into the orbital plane alongside the subcarriage  122  (including its brake  118 , knife  120 , and second wiper  116 ). The banding machine  100  is then ready to band objects with the tape. 
       FIGS. 12-29  then illustrate exemplary steps for banding of an object  200  with the tape. As noted above, in  FIG. 11 , the banding machine  100  is ready to band objects with the tape. In  FIG. 12  (particularly  FIG. 12C ), an object  200  to be banded is placed within the orbital path of the spool  106  and the tape roll  300 , and on the table  102  (shown only in  FIG. 1 ), which rests along a plane approximately parallel to the chord defined by the first and second rollers  110  and  112 . The first and second rollers  110  and  112  are situated adjacent the table  102  between the object  200  and the orbital path. A tape starting end, which will be applied to the object  200  first, is defined by the end of the tape situated between the brake  118  and the first roller  110 . In  FIG. 13  (see particularly  FIGS. 13A and 13C ), the first wiper  114  is moved toward the first wiper wiping position (situated leftward from the rollers  110  and  112 ), and against the portion of the tape between the tape roll  300  and the tape starting end (between the brake  118  and the first roller  110 ), thereby grasping the tape starting end. 
     In  FIG. 14 , the first wiper  114  is urged against the object  200  (preferably by pivoting the first wiper  114  toward the object  200 ), with the tape being situated between the first wiper  114  and the object  200 , with at least the end tip of the wiper surface  126  thereby pressing the adhesive-bearing side of the tape against the object  200 . 
     In  FIG. 15 , with the first wiper  114  pressing the tape against the object  200 , and with the tape starting end being grasped between the brake  118  and the first roller  110 , the spool  106  (and the tape roll  300  thereon) begins traveling along the orbital path, whereby the tape unspools from the roll  300  during travel to wrap about the object  200 . The length of tape extending from the tape roll  300  becomes more firmly affixed to the object  200  as more of the adhesive-bearing side of the tape engages the object  200 . 
     In  FIG. 16 , as the spool  106  and tape roll  300  continue travel about (and application of tape to) the object  200 , the brake  118  may be moved away from the first roller  110  within the orbital plane, thereby releasing the tape starting end. (More generally, the subcarriage  122  with the brake  118 , knife  120 , and second wiper  116  may be moved away from the chord along which the rollers  110  and  112  rest; compare  FIG. 16A  with  FIG. 15A .) This may be done once the tape has sufficiently adhered to the object  200  to such an extent that the brake  118  need no longer restrain the tape to prevent it from releasing from the object  200  owing to any tension exerted by the traveling tape roll  300 . 
     In  FIG. 17 , as the spool  106  and tape roll  300  continue travel about (and application of tape to) the object  200 , the brake  118  (more generally the subcarriage  122 ) may be translated or otherwise withdrawn from the orbital plane; compare  FIG. 17B  with  FIG. 16B . 
     In  FIG. 18 , as the spool  106  and tape roll  300  continue travel about (and application of tape to) the object  200 , the first wiper  114  is moved along the object  200  toward the tape starting end, urging the entirety of the tape starting end against the object  200 , and adhering it to the object  200 . As seen in  FIGS. 18A and 18B , this may be done by translating the carriage  128  (more generally, the carriage  128  on which the subcarriage  122  rides) in a direction approximately parallel to the chord defined by the first and second rollers  110  and  112 , and opposite the direction in which the tape was applied to the object  200 . As this occurs, the first roller  110  rotates to unwind the adhered tape from the first roller&#39;s surface. 
     In  FIG. 19 , as the spool  106  and tape roll  300  continue travel about (and application of tape to) the object  200 , the first wiper  114  may be moved away from the object  200  once the entirety of the tape starting end has been urged against (and adhered to) the object  200 . Compare  FIGS. 19A-B  with  FIGS. 18A-B . 
     In  FIG. 20 , as the spool  106  and tape roll  300  continue travel about (and application of tape to) the object  200 , the first wiper  114  may be moved out of the plane of the orbital path. Compare  FIG. 20B  with  FIG. 19B . 
     In  FIG. 21 , as the spool  106  and tape roll  300  continue travel about (and application of tape to) the object  200 , the rollers  110  and  112  (and more generally, the carriage  128 ) are moved within the orbital plane in a direction approximately parallel to the chord defined by the first and second rollers  110  and  112 , and corresponding to the direction in which the tape was applied to the object  200 . The rollers  110  and  112  (and more generally, the carriage  128 ) are halted at a location adjacent the object  200  which corresponds to where the tape will be finally applied to the object  200 , and where the tape will be cut to define a finishing end of the tape. 
     In  FIG. 22 , as the spool  106  and tape roll  300  continue travel about the object  200 , the tape unspools from the roll  300  to wrap about the first and second rollers  110  and  112 . The spool travel may then be halted, preferably at a location such that the tape extends between the tape roll  300  and the first and second rollers  110  and  112  along a plane oriented approximately parallel to the chord defined by the first and second rollers  110  and  112 . 
     In  FIG. 23 , the brake  118  and knife  120  (and more generally, the subcarriage  122  bearing the brake  118 , knife  120 , and second wiper  116 ) are translated or otherwise inserted into the orbital plane, with the brake  118  being situated opposite the first roller  110  and the tape thereon. 
     In  FIG. 24 , the subcarriage  122  is moved within the orbital plane toward the first and second rollers  110  and  112 . As this occurs, the brake  118  is moved within the orbital plane toward the first roller  110 , whereby the tape is grasped between the brake  118  and the first roller  110 . The knife  120  is moved within the orbital plane toward the cutting space between the first and second rollers  110  and  112 , thereby cutting the tape within the cutting space, and defining the finishing end of the tape, which extends from the object  200  to adhere to the surface of the second roller  112 . The second wiper  116  is moved within the orbital plane toward the second wiper wiping position situated rightward of the rollers  110  and  112 , urging the second wiper  116  against the tape finishing end. As it does so, the tape extending from the object  200  to the second roller  112  (to which the tape finishing end is adhered) can yield to the second wiper  116  as the second roller  112  rotates to unwind the adhered tape from the second roller&#39;s surface. 
     In  FIG. 25 , the second wiper  116  is urged against the object  200  (preferably by pivoting the second wiper  116  toward the object  200 ), with the tape finishing end being situated between the second wiper  116  and the object  200 , with at least the end tip of the wiper surface  126  thereby pressing the adhesive-bearing side of the tape finishing end against the object  200 . 
     In  FIG. 26 , with the second wiper  116  pressing the tape against the object  200 , the second wiper  116  is moved along the object  200  toward the tape finishing end, urging the entirety of the tape finishing end against the object  200  and adhering it to the object  200 . As seen in  FIGS. 26A and 26B , this may be done by translating the carriage  128  in a direction approximately parallel to the chord defined by the first and second rollers  110  and  112 , and corresponding to the direction in which the tape was applied to the object  200 . As this occurs, the second roller  112  rotates to unwind the adhered tape from the second roller&#39;s surface. 
     In  FIG. 27 , the second wiper  116  is withdrawn from the object  200  and the tape finishing end thereon, as by pivoting the second wiper  116  away from the object  200 . 
     In  FIG. 28 , the brake  118  and knife  120  (and more generally, the carriage  128 , including the first wiper  114  and the subcarriage  122  bearing the brake  118 , knife  120 , and second wiper  116 ) are moved back to the carriage starting position shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     In  FIG. 29 , the first wiper  114  is translated or otherwise inserted back into the orbital plane (see particularly  FIG. 29B ). The banding machine  100  is then in the starting condition shown in  FIG. 11 , and is ready to band another object  200  once the depicted banded object  200  is removed and a new object  200  to be banded is placed within the orbit of the tape roll  300  as in  FIG. 11 . 
     The foregoing summary merely relates to an exemplary preferred version of the invention, and variations are possible. As an example (discussed further below), the second roller may be omitted, and the foregoing steps may be performed without the second roller. 
     Further potential advantages, features, and objectives of the invention will be apparent from the remainder of this document in conjunction with the associated drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a banding machine  100  exemplifying the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of components within the banding machine  100  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view detailing the tape handling assembly  108  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric view detailing the cutting/wiping subassembly (the subcarriage  122 ) shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIGS. 5A-29C  illustrate a banding process performed by the banding machine  100  of  FIGS. 1-4 , wherein all Figures using the letter A provide a front elevational view of the tape handling assembly  108 ; all Figures using the letter B provide an isometric view of the tape handling assembly  108 ; and all Figures using the letter C schematically depict the interaction of components of the banding machine  100  with a tape roll  300 , and with an object  200  to be banded by tape from the tape roll  300 . 
         FIG. 30  is an isometric view of a camera  400 , as it may be situated in relation to the tape handling assembly  108  within the banding machine  100  when optical imaging is used to situate printed tape in a desired manner on an object being tape-banded by the banding machine  100 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY VERSIONS OF THE INVENTION 
     Expanding on the discussion above, the exemplary banding machine  100  of  FIG. 1  has a housing  132  containing the components shown in  FIG. 2 , with the housing  132  including the table  102  upon which a user situates an object  200  to be banded. The user places the object  200  upon the table  102 , with the object  200  being aligned with the slot  104  in the table  102  (through which the band is applied to the object  200 ), and initiates the banding process via the associated control panel  134 . The object  200  is rapidly banded, and the user may then remove the banded object  200  from the table  102  and replace it (when desired) with a subsequent object  200  to be banded, again using the control panel  134  to initiate banding of the subsequent object  200 . Thus, the exemplary banding machine  100  is intended for successively applying bands to objects on an as-needed basis, regardless of whether the objects are of the same size/shape or of differing sizes/shapes. However, the described components and processes could be adapted for automated banding of objects, for example, repeated banding of successive objects being conveyed along a production line. 
     The banding machine components shown in  FIG. 2  include a rotating ring  136  and the tape handling assembly  108 . The ring  136  is driven by a motor  138  to orbit the spool  106  carrying the tape roll  300  about the object  200  to be banded. The tape handling assembly  108  then inserts/withdraws the rollers  110  and  112 , knife  120 , brake  118 , wipers  114  and  116 , etc. ( FIG. 3 ) into and out of the orbital plane, and moves these components within the orbital plane as discussed. It is notable that the spool  106  preferably acts as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,365,508, and has a mechanism which applies tension to the unwinding tape (as by constantly driving the spool  106  to wind the tape, but providing a slip clutch allowing the tape to be unwound during such winding). Such an arrangement helps avoid slack and/or excessive tightness of the applied band, which can lead to unsightly and/or ill-fit bands. However, depending on the objects to be banded and other conditions, counterwinding of the spool  106  may be unnecessary. Alternatively, simple measures for providing tape tension, such as merely having the spool  106  exert resistance to unwinding, might be sufficient. 
       FIG. 3  then illustrates the tape handling assembly  108  in detail. The assembly  108  has a frame  140  with rails  142  extending between its opposing sides, with the carriage  128  being driven along these rails  142  in directions parallel to the orbital plane via an appropriate actuator  144  (e.g., a stepper motor). The first and second rollers  110  and  112  may freely spin about their axes on roller arm  146 , which may be driven into and out of the orbital plane on roller rails  148  extending from the carriage  128  (the roller rails  148  not being shown in  FIG. 3 , but being visible in, for example,  FIG. 20B ). As noted previously, all drawings show the rollers  110  and  112  situated in their roller in-plane state (i.e., within the orbital plane), though they may be retracted into a roller out-of-plane state by retracting them along the roller rails  148 . The first wiper  114  may be driven into and out of the orbital plane via a first wiper slide  150  (not shown in  FIG. 3 , but visible in, for example,  FIGS. 19B and 20B ) provided on a first wiper body  152 . The first wiper body  152  is in turn movable within the orbital plane, and in planes parallel thereto, by a first wiper actuator  154  which moves the first wiper body  152  (vertically in  FIG. 3 ) with respect to the carriage  128  (compare  FIGS. 18A and 19A  for an example of such motion). The subcarriage  122  is driven into and out of the orbital plane via a subcarriage slide  156  (see  FIGS. 23B and 24B ) provided on a subcarriage body  158  (see  FIGS. 3 and 22B , compare  FIGS. 22B and 23B  for an example of such motion). The subcarriage body  158  is in turn movable within the orbital plane, and in planes parallel thereto, by a subcarriage actuator  160  ( FIG. 3 ) which moves the subcarriage body  158  (vertically in  FIG. 3 ) with respect to the carriage  128  (compare  FIGS. 23A and 24A  for an example of such motion). The slides  150  and  156 , and actuators  154  and  160 , need not have the depicted configuration, and can be provided by any suitable actuators (e.g., solenoids, pneumatic/hydraulic pistons, etc.). 
     Since the depicted banding machine  100  is merely an exemplary one, it should be understood that the banding machine  100  may have configurations other than the one shown. As one example, as noted above, the brake  118 , knife  120 , and second wiper  116 , or subsets of these components, may travel independently of each other, rather than traveling as a unit on the subcarriage  122 . As another example, a second brake might be provided for the second roller  112 , either on the subcarriage  122  or independently therefrom, to more affirmatively restrain the tape within the cutting space between the first and second rollers  110  and  112 . As yet another example, the banding machine  100  and its banding processes may omit the second roller  112 . While the second roller  112  is usefully included—the tape, being adhered to the rollers  110  and  112 , is held firm in place in the cutting space between the rollers, thereby helping to provide an exact and predictable cut to the tape—it is not necessary. When the second roller  112  is omitted, it can be useful to adjust the configuration and location of the brake  118 , knife  120 , and second wiper  116  to accommodate its absence. For example, considering  FIGS. 23C and 24C , and the behavior of the tape if the second roller  112  was absent, it may be useful to have the knife  120  more closely approach the first roller  110  when cutting. The knife  120  might even initially impinge on an edge of the first roller  110  as the cut begins, but might be mounted to the subcarriage  122  such that the knife  120  can slightly laterally displace as cutting continues. The knife  120  will therefore yield to the first roller  110 , and move tangentially alongside the first roller  110  as cutting continues. It may also be useful to have the second wiper  116  advance further toward the object  200 , and/or pivot against the tape earlier, such that the tape finishing end is better pressed against the object  200  upon or immediately after cutting of the tape. 
     The banding machine preparation process of  FIGS. 5-11  can be further characterized by the following summary of the positions/states of its components: 
     FIG.  5 : Banding Machine Preparation—Load Tape 
     Carriage  128 : carriage starting position
 
Subcarriage  122 : out-of-plane state, withdrawn from cutting/wiping position
 
     Brake  118 : tape release position 
     Knife  120 : non-cutting position 
     Second wiper  116 : non-wiping position, unpivoted 
     First wiper  114 : out-of-plane state, in non-wiping position, unpivoted 
     FIG.  6 : Banding Machine Preparation—Tape Orbit Begins 
     Carriage  128 : carriage starting position
 
Subcarriage  122 : out-of-plane state, withdrawn from cutting/wiping position
 
     Brake  118 : tape release position 
     Knife  120 : non-cutting position 
     Second wiper  116 : non-wiping position, unpivoted 
     First wiper  114 : out-of-plane state, in non-wiping position, unpivoted 
     FIG.  7 : Banding Machine Preparation—Tape Wraps Rollers  110  and  112   
     Carriage  128 : carriage starting position
 
Subcarriage  122 : out-of-plane state, withdrawn from cutting/wiping position
 
     Brake  118 : tape release position 
     Knife  120 : non-cutting position 
     Second wiper  116 : non-wiping position, unpivoted 
     First wiper  114 : out-of-plane state, in non-wiping position, unpivoted 
     FIG.  8 : Banding Machine Preparation—Prepare for Tape Grasp/Cut 
     Carriage  128 : carriage starting position
 
Subcarriage  122 : in-plane state, withdrawn from cutting/wiping position
 
     Brake  118 : tape release position 
     Knife  120 : non-cutting position 
     Second wiper  116 : non-wiping position, unpivoted 
     First wiper  114 : out-of-plane state, in non-wiping position, unpivoted 
     FIG.  9 : Banding Machine Preparation—Tape Grasp/Cut 
     Carriage  128 : carriage starting position
 
Subcarriage  122 : in-plane state, in cutting/wiping position
 
     Brake  118 : tape grasping position 
     Knife  120 : cutting position 
     Second wiper  116 : wiping position, unpivoted 
     First wiper  114 : out-of-plane state, in non-wiping position, unpivoted 
     FIG.  10 : Banding Machine Preparation—Scrap Tape Removal 
     Carriage  128 : carriage starting position
 
Subcarriage  122 : in-plane state, in cutting/wiping position
 
     Brake  118 : tape grasping position 
     Knife  120 : cutting position 
     Second wiper  116 : wiping position, unpivoted 
     First wiper  114 : out-of-plane state, in non-wiping position, unpivoted 
     FIG.  11 : Banding Machine Preparation—Insert First Wiper  114   
     Carriage  128 : carriage starting position
 
Subcarriage  122 : in-plane state, in cutting/wiping position
 
     Brake  118 : tape grasping position 
     Knife  120 : cutting position 
     Second wiper  116 : wiping position, unpivoted 
     First Wiper  114 : In-Plane State, in Non-Wiping Position, Unpivoted 
     It should be understood that the banding machine preparation process can vary the states/positions of various components from those described above. For example, during the preparation process, the first and second wipers  114  and  116  are not used, and the second wiper  116  is only translated into the orbital plane along with the brake  118  and knife  120  because the exemplary version of the banding machine  100  provides all of the brake  118 , knife  120 , and second wiper  116  on the subcarriage  122 , such that the brake  118 , knife  120 , and second wiper  116  translate as a unit. However, the banding machine  100  need not include the subcarriage  122 , and the brake  118 , knife  120 , and second wiper  116  may be configured to move independently of each other, in which case the second wiper  116  need not be translated into the orbital plane until  FIG. 11  (or can otherwise be placed in the in-plane state only when needed during subsequent banding of an object  200 ). Similarly, the first wiper  114  could be placed in the in-plane state (as in  FIG. 11 ) in  FIG. 8  or thereafter, or could instead be placed in the in-plane state only when needed during subsequent banding of an object  200 . 
     The object banding process of  FIGS. 12-29  can be further characterized by the following summary of the positions/states of its components: 
       FIG. 12 : Object Banding—Place Object  200  within Orbit
 
Carriage  128 : carriage starting position
 
Subcarriage  122 : in-plane state, in cutting/wiping position
 
     Brake  118 : tape grasping position 
     Knife  120 : cutting position 
     Second wiper  116 : wiping position, unpivoted 
     First wiper  114 : in-plane state, in non-wiping position, unpivoted 
     FIG.  13 : Object Banding—Prepare to Apply Tape Starting End to Object  200   
     Carriage  128 : carriage starting position
 
Subcarriage  122 : in-plane state, in cutting/wiping position
 
     Brake  118 : tape grasping position 
     Knife  120 : cutting position 
     Second wiper  116 : wiping position, unpivoted 
     First wiper  114 : in-plane state, in wiping position, unpivoted 
     FIG.  14 : Object Banding—Apply Tape Starting End to Object  200   
     Carriage  128 : carriage starting position
 
Subcarriage  122 : in-plane state, in cutting/wiping position
 
     Brake  118 : tape grasping position 
     Knife  120 : cutting position 
     Second wiper  116 : wiping position, unpivoted 
     First wiper  114 : in-plane state, in wiping position, pivoted 
     FIG.  15 : Object Banding—Begin Applying Tape to Object  200   
     Carriage  128 : carriage starting position
 
Subcarriage  122 : in-plane state, in cutting/wiping position
 
     Brake  118 : tape grasping position 
     Knife  120 : cutting position 
     Second wiper  116 : wiping position, unpivoted 
     First wiper  114 : in-plane state, in wiping position, pivoted 
     FIG.  16 : Object Banding—Release Tape Starting End 
     Carriage  128 : carriage starting position
 
Subcarriage  122 : in-plane state, withdrawn from cutting/wiping position
 
     Brake  118 : tape release position 
     Knife  120 : non-cutting position 
     Second wiper  116 : non-wiping position, unpivoted 
     First wiper  114 : in-plane state, in wiping position, pivoted
 
 FIG. 17 : Object Banding—Move Subcarriage  122  from Orbit
 
Carriage  128 : carriage starting position
 
Subcarriage  122 : out-of-plane state, withdrawn from cutting/wiping position
 
     Brake  118 : tape release position 
     Knife  120 : non-cutting position 
     Second wiper  116 : non-wiping position, unpivoted 
     First wiper  114 : in-plane state, in wiping position, pivoted
 
 FIG. 18 : Object Banding—Wipe Tape Starting End onto Object  200 
 
Carriage  128 : tape starting end wiping position
 
Subcarriage  122 : out-of-plane state, withdrawn from cutting/wiping position
 
     Brake  118 : tape release position 
     Knife  120 : non-cutting position 
     Second wiper  116 : non-wiping position, unpivoted 
     First wiper  114 : in-plane state, in wiping position, pivoted
 
 FIG. 19 : Object Banding—Begin Moving First Wiper  114  from Orbit
 
Carriage  128 : tape starting end wiping position
 
Subcarriage  122 : out-of-plane state, withdrawn from cutting/wiping position
 
     Brake  118 : tape release position 
     Knife  120 : non-cutting position 
     Second wiper  116 : non-wiping position, unpivoted 
     First wiper  114 : in-plane state, in non-wiping position, unpivoted 
       FIG. 20 : Object Banding—Move First Wiper  114  from Orbit
 
Carriage  128 : tape starting end wiping position
 
Subcarriage  122 : out-of-plane state, withdrawn from cutting/wiping position
 
     Brake  118 : tape release position 
     Knife  120 : non-cutting position 
     Second wiper  116 : non-wiping position, unpivoted 
     First wiper  114 : out-of-plane state, in non-wiping position, unpivoted 
     FIG.  21 : Object Banding—Move Rollers  110  and  112  to Desired Tape Finishing End Position 
     Carriage  128 : assembly starting (or other) position
 
Subcarriage  122 : out-of-plane state, withdrawn from cutting/wiping position
 
     Brake  118 : tape release position 
     Knife  120 : non-cutting position 
     Second wiper  116 : non-wiping position, unpivoted 
     First wiper  114 : out-of-plane state, in non-wiping position, unpivoted
 
 FIG. 22 : Object Banding—Wrap Rollers  110  and  112  with Tape
 
Carriage  128 : assembly starting (or other) position
 
Subcarriage  122 : out-of-plane state, withdrawn from cutting/wiping position
 
     Brake  118 : tape release position 
     Knife  120 : non-cutting position 
     Second wiper  116 : non-wiping position, unpivoted 
     First wiper  114 : out-of-plane state, in non-wiping position, unpivoted 
     FIG.  23 : Object Banding—Prepare for Tape Cutting 
     Carriage  128 : assembly starting (or other) position
 
Subcarriage  122 : in-plane state, withdrawn from cutting/wiping position
 
     Brake  118 : tape release position 
     Knife  120 : non-cutting position 
     Second wiper  116 : non-wiping position, unpivoted 
     First wiper  114 : out-of-plane state, in non-wiping position, unpivoted 
     FIG.  24 : Object Banding—Cut Tape 
     Carriage  128 : assembly starting (or other) position
 
Subcarriage  122 : in-plane state, in cutting/wiping position
 
     Brake  118 : tape grasping position 
     Knife  120 : cutting position 
     Second wiper  116 : wiping position, unpivoted 
     First wiper  114 : out-of-plane state, in non-wiping position, unpivoted
 
 FIG. 25 : Object Banding—Begin Wiping Tape Finishing End onto Object  200 
 
Carriage  128 : assembly starting (or other) position
 
Subcarriage  122 : in-plane state, in cutting/wiping position
 
     Brake  118 : tape grasping position 
     Knife  120 : cutting position 
     Second wiper  116 : wiping position, pivoted 
     First wiper  114 : out-of-plane state, in non-wiping position, unpivoted
 
 FIG. 26 : Object banding—Complete wiping tape finishing end onto object  200 
 
Carriage  128 : tape finishing end wiping position
 
Subcarriage  122 : in-plane state, in cutting/wiping position
 
     Brake  118 : tape grasping position 
     Knife  120 : cutting position 
     Second wiper  116 : wiping position, pivoted 
     First wiper  114 : out-of-plane state, in non-wiping position, unpivoted
 
 FIG. 27 : Object Banding—Remove Second Wiper  116  from Tape
 
Carriage  128 : tape finishing end wiping position
 
Subcarriage  122 : in-plane state, in cutting/wiping position
 
     Brake  118 : tape grasping position 
     Knife  120 : cutting position 
     Second wiper  116 : wiping position, unpivoted 
     First wiper  114 : out-of-plane state, in non-wiping position, unpivoted 
     FIG.  28 : Object Banding—Return Carriage  128  to Carriage Starting Position 
     Carriage  128 : carriage starting position
 
Subcarriage  122 : in-plane state, in cutting/wiping position
 
     Brake  118 : tape grasping position 
     Knife  120 : cutting position 
     Second wiper  116 : wiping position, unpivoted 
     First wiper  114 : out-of-plane state, in non-wiping position, unpivoted 
     FIG.  29 : Object Banding—Return Carriage  128  to Starting Condition 
     Carriage  128 : carriage starting position
 
Subcarriage  122 : in-plane state, in cutting/wiping position
 
     Brake  118 : tape grasping position 
     Knife  120 : cutting position 
     Second wiper  116 : wiping position, unpivoted 
     First wiper  114 : in-plane state, in non-wiping position, unpivoted 
     As with the banding machine preparation process, the object banding process can vary the states/positions of various components from those described above. For example, the subcarriage  122  (the brake  118 , knife  120 , and second wiper  116 ) need not immediately be withdrawn to the out-of-plane state following  FIG. 16 , and could instead be withdrawn prior to  FIG. 22  (for example, the subcarriage  122  might be withdrawn along with the first wiper  114  following  FIG. 19 ). It should therefore be understood that throughout this document, the described steps of the processes can be performed in orders other than those described above. 
     The banding process shown in the drawings applies a band wherein the tape finishing end is roughly aligned with the tape starting end (see, for example,  FIGS. 26C-29C ). The banding process may be adapted to overlap the tape finishing end over the tape starting end in a band, or conversely to space the tape finishing end from the tape stating end in a (partial) band, by moving the rollers  110  and  112  (and more generally the carriage  128 ) to the desired location of the tape finishing end along the product prior to cutting the tape and forming the tape finishing end (for example, in  FIG. 21 ). The carriage  128  is thereafter moved back to the starting position (for example, in  FIG. 28 ), which is also preferably set by the user at a desired location corresponding to where banding is to begin on an object  200 . 
     As described above, the banding process applies bands which have only a single layer (a single orbit) of tape, but multiple layers are possible by simply withdrawing the rollers  110  and  112  from the orbital plane during the first orbit (for example, in  FIG. 20 ), applying as many zo successive layers/orbits as desired, and then reintroducing the rollers  110  and  112  (as in  FIG. 20 ) during the final orbit. The controls of the banding machine  100  of  FIG. 1  are preferably configured such that a user can enter the desired number of layers, whereby the banding machine  100  will then apply that many layers to each banded object  200  until the user specifies a different number of layers are desired. 
     While the foregoing discussion describes applying a band about a single object  200 , it should be understood that multiple objects can be banded together; for example, the object  200  shown in the drawings may instead be multiple objects arrayed side-by-side. The same processes may be applied to single or multiple objects. 
     The invention accommodates the use of printable or pre-printed tape (in particular, tape having a printable or pre-printed side opposite its adhesive side, though printing may also or alternatively be present on the adhesive side). Where pre-printed tape is used, so long as the tape bears a regularly-situated registration mark or other regularly-situated optically-recognizable indicia, the invention can apply tape bands to objects in such a manner that uniform objects are uniformly banded (that is, the printing on the applied bands is similarly situated on all banded objects). To do so, the invention can incorporate an optical recognition system which locates the registration mark (or other indicia) on the tape (e.g., in  FIG. 11 ), and/or on each prior banded object  200 , and can move the carriage  128  to a starting position so that the tape is applied to the object  200  with the printed matter in the desired location. An example of such an arrangement is shown in  FIG. 30 , showing a camera  400  as it might be situated within the housing  132  of the banding machine  120 , such that it images the tape applied to the object  200  ( FIG. 2 ) through the table slot  104  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     As the banding machines and methods described above expand on concepts described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,365,508, the reader is directed to that patent for any features which are not described herein. It should be understood that the invention can incorporate any of the features described in that patent. 
     Throughout this document, terms such as “leftward”, “rightward”, “below,” “above,” forward”, “rearward”, “upwardly”, “downwardly”, and the like are relative terms, and are not to be construed as absolute. In other words, it should be understood (for example) that where the first wiper  114  is described as being situated leftward from the rollers  110  and  112 , this is the relationship when viewed from (for example)  FIG. 3 , and the first wiper  114  may instead be regarded as situated rightward from the rollers  110  and  112  if viewed from the opposite side of the tape handling assembly  108 . Thus, such terms should be regarded as words of convenience, rather than limiting terms. It is noted that banding need not occur in the orientation shown in the drawings, that is, banding need not occur in a vertically-oriented orbital plane, nor need it occur about an object  200  resting on a horizontal table  102  (nor does a table  102  even need to be present, though a table  102  is useful to help hold the object  200  steady during banding as the object  200  is subjected to the force of tape application). The spool  106  may orbit any object  200 , whether having a box-like configuration as shown in the drawings or otherwise, in an orbital plane having any orientation, with a starting position for the carriage  128  selected within the orbit as desired. 
     Also throughout this document, where a measurement or other value is qualified by the term “approximately” (or a like term such as “generally,” “roughly,” “around,” or “about”), this can be regarded as referring to a variation of 30% from the noted value (that is, ranging from 30% below the noted value to 30% above the noted value, and including the noted value). Thus, as an example, “approximately parallel” and “approximately perpendicular” can respectively be understood to mean within 27 degrees (i.e., 30% of 90 degrees) from parallel and perpendicular. Where a qualifying term such as “substantially,” “essentially,” “almost,” or “nearly” is used, this can be regarded as referring to a variation of 10% from the noted value (that is, ranging from 10% below the noted value to 10% above the noted value, and including the noted value). 
     Also throughout this document, where an item is said to be “movable” in a certain manner, this should be construed as meaning that the item is configured to move in the noted manner during ordinary operation of the banding machine  100 . 
     The versions of the invention described above are merely exemplary, and the invention is not intended to be limited to these versions. Rather, the scope of rights to the invention is limited only by the claims set out below, and the invention encompasses all different versions that fall literally or equivalently within the scope of these claims.