Patent Abstract:
A binding apparatus for binding both ends of an adhesive tape around an object has a base plate. A tape-retaining member is coupled to the base plate and has a spool onto which the adhesive tape is wound, allowing the spool to turn freely. An opening is located at one end of the base plate that houses the object to be wound. A tape-end processing device holds the adhesive tape from both ends and releases the free end of the adhesive tape. A plate is provided that freely moves in a direct line from the opening in the base plate to the tape-retaining section, and an arm coupled on the plate so that rotates freely. A plate-transfer device is provided for moving the plate in a straight-line direction. An arm-turning device is coupled to the arm to turn the arm. A straight-line position-detection device is provided that detects the position of the plate. A turn position-detection device detects the turning position of the arm. A control device controls the drive of the plate-transfer device and the arm-turning device with signals detected by the straight line position-detection device and the turn position-detection device.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention pertains to a binding apparatus and, more specifically, to a binding apparatus that binds objects by winding adhesive tape around the object.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     A known method for binding and anchoring branches and vines of such horticultural and agricultural products as grapes, cucumbers, etc., onto splints-and stretched string, etc., includes the use of adhesive vinyl-type tape on the object to be bound with the winding of tape around it and then fastening the ends of the tape with a binding needle or staple. This method, however, creates a major problem in terms of environmental pollution because it leaves behind non-biodegradable vinyl, bonding needles and staples, all of which will remain intact for generations.  
         [0003]     Alternatively, there is also a known method of using paper-based adhesive tape to wind the tape around a given object and to bind both ends of the adhesive tape. Using this method it is possible to solve the problem of environmental pollution because no binding needle or staple is used and the tape is made of paper, which is biodegradable. However, in methods using adhesive tape the vines and branches of the objects to be taped are wound with tape that provides some slack because the surface of the tape does not slide. Therefore, the objects are not tightly bound, inviting the problem in which the vines and branches easily become disengaged from the splints. It therefore becomes necessary to bind the vines and branches manually to create a firm bond.  
         [0004]     The objective of this invention is to provide a binding apparatus that binds both ends of an adhesive tape around an object by firmly winding the tape around the object without allowing slack and without using binding needles or staples at either end of the tape.  
         [0005]     Therefore, a need existed to provide a device and method to overcome the above problem.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     To achieve the objective as described above, the binding apparatus of this invention consists of the following: The subject invention is an apparatus installed on a base plate, said invention having the following parts and characteristics: A tape-retaining section that contains a spool onto which the adhesive tape is wound, allowing it to turn freely; a section located at one end of the base plate that allows housing the object to be wound from the opening; a tape-end processing device that holds the tape from both ends or releases the free end of the tape located on the aforementioned aperture side from the housing section of the base plate; a plate that freely moves in a direct line from the aforementioned housing section of the base plate to the tape-retaining section, and an arm installed on the plate so that it can rotate freely; a plate-transfer device for moving the plate in a straight-line direction; an arm-turning device for the aforementioned arm to turn; a straight-line position-detection device that detects the position of the aforementioned plate; a turn position-detection device that detects the turning position of the aforementioned arm; a control device that controls the drive of the aforementioned plate-transfer device and the arm-turning device with the signals detected by the aforementioned straight line position-detection device and the aforementioned turn position-detection device.  
         [0007]     The aforementioned device is designed to hold the free ends of the tape-end processing device while retaining the midsection of the tape between the free ends of the tape and the tape spool, using the tip section of the arm so that it can slide freely.  
         [0008]     The control device drives the plate-transfer device and the arm-turning device, and winds the tape onto the object to be wound with tape stretched taut and by moving the midsection of the tape around the circumference of the object in the housing section, with (both ends of) the tape bound together. The arm then severs the midsection of the tape with the tape-processing device, and the free ends of the severed tape are held by the binding apparatus being characterized.  
         [0009]     Because of this set up, the objects to be bound can be secured firmly because of the use of a non-adhesive tape used in a stretched state to wind the tape around the perimeter of the object to be bound.  
         [0010]     The present invention is best understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is a drawing showing the exterior of this invention&#39;s embodiment.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a drawing that explains the structure and movement of one side of the interior of the embodiment.  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a drawing that explains the structure and movement of one side of the interior of the embodiment.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a drawing that explains the structure and movement of one side of the interior of the embodiment.  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a drawing that explains the structure and movement of one side of the interior of the embodiment.  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a drawing that explains the structure and movement of one side of the interior of the embodiment.  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is a drawing that explains the structure and movement of one side of the interior of the embodiment.  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is an expanded drawing that explains the main sections and their movements of the embodiment.  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is an expanded drawing that explains the main sections and their movements of the embodiment.  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is an expanded drawing that explains the main sections and their movements of the embodiment.  
         [0021]      FIG. 11  is an expanded drawing that explains the main sections and their movements of the embodiment.  
         [0022]      FIG. 12  is an expanded drawing that explains the main sections and their movements of the embodiment.  
         [0023]      FIG. 13  is a drawing that explains the structure and movement of the rear side of the interior of the embodiment.  
         [0024]      FIG. 14  is a drawing that explains the structure and movement of the rear side of the interior of the embodiment.  
         [0025]      FIG. 15  is a drawing that explains the structure and movement of the rear side of the interior of the embodiment.  
         [0026]      FIG. 16  is a drawing that explains the structure and movement of the rear side of the interior of the embodiment.  
         [0027]      FIG. 17  is a drawing that explains the structure and movement of the rear side of the interior of the embodiment.  
         [0028]      FIG. 18  is a drawing that explains the structure and movement of the rear side of the interior of the embodiment.  
         [0029]      FIG. 19  is a drawing that explains the structure and movement of the rear side of the interior of the embodiment.  
         [0030]      FIG. 20  is a drawing that explains the structure and movement of the rear side of the interior of the embodiment.  
         [0031]      FIG. 21  is a drawing that explains the structure and movement of the rear side of the interior of the embodiment.  
         [0032]      FIG. 22  is an expanded drawing that explains the main sections and their movements of the embodiment.  
         [0033]      FIG. 23  is a block diagram of the embodiment showing the circuit configuration. 
     
    
       [0034]     Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and detailed description to indicate like elements.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0035]     The following illustrates the form of embodiment of this invention of a binding apparatus based on drawings:  FIG. 1  shows the rough configuration of one form of the embodiment of this invention. In  FIG. 1 , cover plates  2  and  3  are fixed parallel to the base plate  1  on both sides of the base plate. A cylindrical bearing  4  for that allows tape A to freely bind an object is located on the upper right-hand corner of the base plate  1  in the surface drawing of the base plate  1 .  
         [0036]     In the wide section below the bearing  4  of the base plate  1 , there are two parallel slotted holes  5  and  6  running in the horizontal direction as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 13 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , pins  7  and  8 , being aligned with slotted hole  5  affix plate  10  so that the plate can slide freely in the horizontal direction on the same side as the bearing  1  on the base plate  1 . Additionally, axis  11  is aligned with slotted hole  6  and is attached to plate  10  so that it can turn freely.  
         [0037]     As shown in  FIG. 13 , the plate-transfer device for moving the plate  10  horizontally is installed on the rear surface of the base plate  1 . That is, on the back of the base plate  1  are located the motor  12  and the reduction gear device  13 , which reduces the revolution of the output axis (worm gear)  12   a.    
         [0038]     The crank  16  is connected in a way that it freely turns at one end of the crank  15 , which turns together with output gear  14 , and the end section of crank  16  is attached to axis  11  so that it can turn freely. Therefore, as axis  11  moves along slotted hole  6  according to the revolutions of the motor  12 , the plate  10  moves sideways with the axis  11 . The position of the axis  11 , which moves along slotted hole  6 , is sensed by a contact type or a photoelectric-type detection device not shown in the drawing (but shown in  FIG. 23  as  131 ) on the base plate  1 . Therefore, the position of plate  10  is sensed in the horizontal direction.  
         [0039]     An arm-turning device that moves actuator arm  23  and guide arm  28  is installed on the plate  10 . That is, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the plate  10  has a reduction gear device  21  that reduces the revolutions of the output axis (worm gear)  20   a  and the motor  20 . Additionally, the output gear  22  is attached to axis  11  so that it can turn freely.  
         [0040]     The actuator arm  23 , which turns in unison with the aforementioned output gear  22 , is attached to the axis  11 . The insert plate  24  and cutting plate  25  are affixed in parallel to the tip of the actuator arm  23 . Moreover, the guide arm  28  is installed on the axis  11 , overlapping the actuator arm  23  so that it can turn freely.  
         [0041]     Several tape guide rollers  29  are installed on the tip and midsections of the guide arm  28 . The guide arm  28  is set to work clockwise (in  FIG. 2 ) via the spring  30  locked onto the arm at one end, and is in contact with the stopper  26  of the actuator arm  23 .  
         [0042]     The turn angle of the output gear  22  is sensed by the detection device (shown as  132  in  FIG. 23 ), which is attached to the plate  10  but not shown.  
         [0043]     The upper-left section of the base plate  1  (in  FIG. 2 ) has a semicircular notch section  31  for housing the object to be bound. Additionally, a tape-processing device  32  for holding both ends of the tape and cutting it is located in the upper left-hand corner  1   a.    
         [0044]     This tape-processing device  32  is configured in the following way: At the upper corner section la of the base plate  1 , flat plates  33  and  34  for cutting are arranged in the vertical direction and mutually parallel in the outside position, while the flat plate  35  for holding the tape in a vertical direction is located on the notch side  31 . Additionally, the wedge-action holding (pinch) plate  36  is attached to the upper corner section la by axis  37  so that it can turn freely between the flat plates  34  and  35 .  
         [0045]     The wedge-action holding (pinch) plate  36 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , has an L-shaped bent section  36   a  as an extension, and a spring  38  is attached between this bent section  36  and the flat plate  33 . Therefore, the wedge-action holding (pinch) plate  36  is set to move counter-clockwise (in  FIG. 6 ), centering on support axis  37 . As FIGS.  2  to  4  and  FIG. 12  show, the tip  36   b  of the wedge-action holding (pinch) plate  36  is in flush contact with the tip section  35   a  of the flat plate  35 .  
         [0046]     As  FIGS. 2, 11  and  12  show, the turning material  40  is attached so that it can freely turn with the aid of the axis  41  installed on the base plate  1  at the lower tip (base plate  1  side) of the flat plates  33 ,  34  and  35  and the wedge-action holding (pinch) plate  36 , and is set to turn clockwise (in  FIG. 2 ) via spring  42 .  
         [0047]     As  FIG. 12  shows, the tip  36   b  of the wedge-action holding (pinch) plate  36  has a protrusion  36   c  in the direction of the turning material  40 . Additionally, this latch protrusion  36   d  is set in the horizontal direction from the tip of the protrusion section  36   c . As FIGS.  2  to  4  and  FIG. 12  show, in a situation where the flat plate  35  and the tip of the wedge-action holding plat  36  are in close contact with each other, the protrusion  43  of the turning material  40  which is biased to arrow direction, is in contact with the latch protrusion  36   d  of the wedge-action holding (pinch) plate  36 .  
         [0048]     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the released material  50  is arranged in a vertical direction, with freedom to slide along the base plate  1  between the turning material  40  and the base plate  1 . Additionally, its end-protrusion edge section  51  protrudes downward from the bottom side edge section  1   b  in the horizontal direction of the upper corner section  1   a  of the base plate  1 , while the other edge contact section  52  (see  FIG. 3 ) is in contact with the bent section  36   a  of the wedge-action holding (pinch) plate  36 .  
         [0049]     Therefore, when in a state depicted in  FIG. 12  the tip edge plate  23   a  of the actuator arm  23  is used to insert the protrusion section  51  in the direction of the arrow shown in  FIG. 11 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the contact section  52  of the other end of the release section material  50  will push and insert the bent section  36   a  upward. Therefore, the wedge-action holding (pinch) plate  36  will resist the set force of the spring  38  and turn clockwise as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 11 .  
         [0050]     Accordingly, the protrusion  43  of the turn section material  40  is released from the latch protrusion  36   d , and the turn section material  40  will turn in the direction of the arrow ( FIG. 11 ) by the force set by the spring  42 , coming into contact with the protrusion edge section  51 . In this state the protrusion  43  is in contact with the rear side of the protrusion section  36   c  of the wedge-action holding (pinch) plate  36 . Therefore, the actuator arm  23  becomes detached toward the lower side as shown in  FIG. 6 , preventing the wedge-action holding (pinch) plate  36  from returning to its original position even if there is no push in the arrow direction as shown in  FIG. 11 , maintaining a state whereby a gap remains with flat plate  35 .  
         [0051]     As  FIG. 7  shows, when the tip-protrusion section  44  of the turn section material  40  is pushed in with the tip edge plate  23   a  of the actuator arm  23  in the state depicted in  FIG. 11 , the wedge-action holding plate returns to its original position under the force set by the spring  38 , whereupon it becomes closed as shown in  FIG. 12  because the protrusion  43  will proceed beyond (in  FIG. 11 ) the protrusion section  36   c  of the wedge-action holding (pinch) plate  36  and be released from the protrusion section  36   c.    
         [0052]     As  FIGS. 14 and 15  show, a foot section  61  and a base unit incorporating the foot section are installed at the rear of the base plate  1  parallel with the base plate  1 . On the rear surface of the base  60 , the work section material  63  is attached with axis  62 , allowing it to turn freely. A lever latch unit  64  located at one end of work section material  63  protrudes from the hole  65  in the base unit to the upper surface of the base unit  60 .  
         [0053]     Additionally, a work bar  66  is fixed to the work section material  63  in a way that it protrudes from the hole  65  to the upper surface of the base unit  60 . The work section material  63  is set to turn counter-clockwise (in  FIG. 14 ), centering on the axis  62  via the spring  67 .  
         [0054]     As shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the operation lever  70  is fastened onto axis  71  so that it can turn freely in close proximity to the upper surface of the base unit  60 . (The work bar  66  is close against the upper surface of operating lever  70 .) The operating lever  70  is biased to move counter-clockwise (in  FIG. 16 ) by the spring  72  (part of the spring being located on the rear side of the base unit  60  via the hole  61   a  on the foot section  61 ).  
         [0055]     A gear section  73  is set up along an arc on the upper part of the operation lever  70  and centering on axis  71 . Additionally, there is a notch  74  where the lever latch unit  64  of the work section material  63  can be fitted on the operation lever  70 .  
         [0056]     A rotor  77  with a gear section  76  that fits with the aforementioned gear section  73  is attached so that it can freely turn on the axis  78  close to the upper surface of the base unit  60 . A protruding piece  79  is set vertically at one end of the rotor  77 . At the rear of the base plate  1 , a detector  80  is set so that the operation lever comes in contact with the detector when it is operated as shown in  FIG. 21 .  
         [0057]     As shown in  FIG. 18 , a shutter  81  is attached to the base unit  60  so that it can freely turn on the same axis  78  close to the upper surface of the rotor  77 . The end section of the shutter  81  is in an arc shape  81   a  so that it can create a circular space with the notch  31  of the base plate  1  when the shutter is closed as shown in  FIG. 20 .  
         [0058]     The shutter  81  is set by the spring  82  to turn clockwise (in  FIG. 18 ), and pushes the work section material  66  in the clockwise direction while opposing the force of the spring  67  as the corner section  83  comes in contact with the bent tip section  66   a  of the work bar  66 .  
         [0059]     As shown in  FIG. 19 , an arc-shaped plate  90  equipped with an approximately arc-shaped catch cavity  92  (see  FIG. 21 ) is attached to the opposite side of the arc-shaped section  81   a  of the shutter  81  so that it can freely turn on axis  91 . This arc-shaped plate  90  is biased to turn counter-clockwise (in  FIG. 19 ) around the axis  91  via the force of the spring  93 .  
         [0060]     Additionally, on the upper surface of the shutter  81  is attached a disk that can turn freely around the axis  78 . The disk  100  has a tongue  101  extending in the direction of the radius. Additionally, a notch  101   a  that couples with protrusion piece  79  of the rotor  77  is located on one side of the tongue  101 .  
         [0061]     Additionally, on another location of the disk  100  in the direction of the circumference is an extension, being an ear-like protrusion  102  set in the direction of the radius and designed to fit with the catch cavity  92  of the aforementioned arc-shaped plate  90 . Additionally, there is a protrusion  102   a  protruding vertically from the ear-shaped piece  102 . Through the spring  103 , the protrusion  79  of the toe rotor  77  and the protrusion  102   a  are biased to move away in the direction of the circumference.  
         [0062]     As shown in  FIG. 19 , when the shutter  81  is opened, the ear-shaped piece  102  of the disk  100  engages the catch cavity  92  because the arc-shaped plate  90  receives the force from the spring  93  to turn counter-clockwise.  
         [0063]     When one holds the handle  1   d  of the base plate  1  under the situation shown in  FIG. 19  and turns the lower end section of the operation lever  70  clockwise in opposition to the force of the spring  72 , the rotor  77  turns counter-clockwise (in  FIG. 19 ) with the gears  73  and  76  engaged. This turn force is applied via the spring  103  to the protrusion  102   a  of the ear-shaped piece  102  of the disk  100 , and the force is applied to the arc-shaped plate  90  that is hooked to the ear-shaped piece  102 .  
         [0064]     The force applied to this arc-shaped plate  90  also acts on the axis  91 . Therefore, the shutter  81  turns counter-clockwise on the axis  78  while opposing the force of the spring  82  (simultaneously the rotor  77 , disk  100  and arc-shaped plate  90  also turn in an integrated fashion), ending in the state shown in  FIG. 20 . In the state depicted in  FIG. 19 , the operation lever  70  will be unable to turn as shown in  FIG. 20  because the lever latch part  64  of the lower edge of the work section material  63  engages notch  74  of the operation lever  70  due to the force applied by the spring  67 . If the operation lever  70  is unable to turn, the rotor  77  with its gear meshed with that of the lever is also unable to turn.  
         [0065]     Even if the user&#39;s finger is released from the operation lever  70 , the shutter  81  in  FIG. 20  remains closed because the ear-shaped piece  102  engages the catch cavity  92  and the rotor  77 , and because disk  100  and arc-shaped plate  90  are in a state of integration.  
         [0066]     As shown in  FIGS. 3, 4 ,  6 ,  13  and  20 , the pivot pin  111  is set to turn freely on the base plate  1  around the axis  110 . As  FIG. 13  shows, the pivot pin  111  is divided into sections  111   a  and  111   b , with the tip bent vertically with the bent sections designated as  111   a ′ and  111   b ′.  
         [0067]     In the  FIG. 20  state where the shutter  81  remains closed, bent section  111   b ′ of the pivot pin  111  is located close to the tip section  94  of the arc-shaped plate  90 . Accordingly, and as explained later, the actuator arm  23  turns counter-clockwise (in  FIG. 6 ) once the tape is severed. As shown in  FIG. 6 , when the pivot pin  111  is pressed, the pin turns around the axis  110  and the bent section  111   b ′ applies pressure to the tip section  94  of the arc-shaped plate  90 .  
         [0068]     The arc-shaped plate  90  then turns clockwise (in  FIG. 20 ) around the axis  91  in opposition to the force of the spring  93 . Accordingly, the ear-shaped piece  102  of the disk  100  is released from the catch cavity  92  of the arc-shaped plate  90 , as shown in  FIG. 21 .  
         [0069]     The rotor  77 , whose gears are engaged with those of the operation lever  70 , is unable to rotate. Moreover, while the disk  100  engaged with protrusion piece  79  of the rotor  77  it is unable to turn because of the spring  103 , the shutter  81  and the arc-shaped plate  90 —as attached to shutter  81 —turn clockwise as shown in  FIG. 21  by the force of the spring  82 . The tip of the ear-shaped piece  102  will be in a state of being pressed against the edge surface  90   a  of the arc-shaped plate  90  by the force of the spring  93 .  
         [0070]     When the shutter  81  opens, the lever latch unit  64  is released from the notch  74  of the operation lever  70  as the corner section  83  pushes the bent tip section  66  of the work bar unit  66  to the left and then returns to the state shown in  FIG. 19  as the operation lever  70  turns counter-clockwise around axis  71  by the force of the spring  72 .  
         [0071]     Simultaneously, with the counter-clockwise turning of the operation level  70 , the rotor  77  ( FIG. 16 ), with its gears engaged with the operation lever  70 , rotates in the clockwise direction, and the protrusion  79  of the rotor  77  applies pressure on the tongue piece  101  of the disk  100 , causing the disk  100  to turn clockwise. The ear-shaped piece  102  of the disk  100  slides along the edge surface  90   a  of the arc-shaped plate  90  from the state depicted in  FIG. 21  and returns to the state depicted  FIG. 19  once it is clamped into the catch cavity  92  of the arc-shaped plate  90 .  
         [0072]     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 13 , a band-shaped gate  120  on the inner, upper end of the cover plate  2  is attached to turn freely on the axis  121 , and is set by the spring  122  to close the entrance. Detector  123 , which detects turning movements in the direction that pushes inward, is located inside the gate  120 .  
         [0073]     The following explanation will cover the movements of the binding apparatus. As indicated in  FIG. 22 , for example, if the free end of the adhesive tape A (A 1  being the adhesive side) made of paper is held at both ends (to be explained later) from the tip of the wedge-action holding (pinch) plate  36  and the flat plate  35 , the user will hold the handle section  1   d  with his hand and place the object B to be bound within the notch  31  by turning the gate  120  inward after pressing the gate  120  against the object B to be bound in a state where the actuator arm  23  and the guide arm  28  are standing by in the position shown in  FIG. 2 . The shutter  81  will close as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 20 , just as explained previously, if the user pulls the trigger of the operation lever  70  with his finger in order to turn the lever.  
         [0074]     The turning of the gate  120  is detected by detector  123 , while the closing of the shutter  81  by operation lever  70  is detected by detector  80  and the respective detection signals are output to the control circuit  130 . The control circuit  130  activates the motors  12  and  20  by sending the drive-control signals to the motors. The plate  10  moves horizontally with the drive of the motor  12 , which also drives the gear  22  to turn. The amount of movement of plate  10  is sensed by the detector  131 , while the degree to which the gear  22  turns is detected by the detector  132  and the results are sent to the control circuit  130 .  
         [0075]     The control circuit  130  sends the drive-control signals to the motors  12  and  20  in accordance with these two detected signals, and then activates the motors as follows: First, the plate  10  is moved from the standby state of  FIG. 2  to the right side, while the tips of the actuator arm  23  and guide arm  28  are turned counter-clockwise to go underneath the object B to be bound, as shown in  FIG. 3 . Next, the arm tips are turned clockwise as shown in  FIG. 4  to surround object B to be bound with the adhesive tape A stretched taut. Additionally, Tapes A′ and A″ (shown in  FIG. 4 ) are bonded together as shown in  FIG. 5 . Thereafter, the cutting plate  25  at the tip of the actuator arm  23  is inserted between flat boards  33  and  34  to sever the tape A.  
         [0076]     When the tape is cut, the wedge-action holding (pinch) plate  36  ( FIG. 8 ), as explained previously, will detach itself from the flat plate  35  as shown in  FIG. 11  and the free end of tape A will be released.  
         [0077]     Once the tape is cut, the actuator arm  23  and the guide arm  28  turn counter-clockwise as shown in  FIG. 6  to apply pressure on the pivot pin  111 . Therefore, the shutter  81  opens, as explained previously, and the operation lever  70  returns to its position. When the user moves the binding apparatus to the right side (in  FIG. 6 ) as if to push out the object B that is bound by the tape A, the gate  120  returns to its position due to the action of the spring  122 .  
         [0078]     When the shutter  81  opens, detected signals are output to the control circuit  130  from the detector  81 . Additionally, when the gate  120  returns to its position, the detector  123  sends the detected signals to the control circuit  130 . Accordingly, the control circuit  130  outputs drive-control signals to motors  12  and  20 . Therefore, the actuator arm  23  and guide arm  28  turn clockwise as shown in  FIG. 7 . As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 9 , the insert plate  24  inserts the end section of the severed tape A between the flat plate  35  and the wedge-action holding (pinch) plate  36 . Simultaneously the wedge-action holding (pinch) plate  36  (described previously) returns to its position and, as shown in  FIG. 10 , holds the end section of the inserted tape A together with the flat plate  35 .  
         [0079]     Next, the actuator arm  23  and guide arm  28  return to a standby position of  FIG. 2 . Therefore, the end section of tape A moves to the state shown in  FIG. 22  from the state shown in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0080]     In this manner the embodiment of the binding apparatus holds onto the free end of adhesive tape A and wraps the tape around the object B to be bound by moving the tip of the guide arm  28  for guiding the tape A around the periphery of the object B to be bound with the tape A stretched taut, and then binds the tape together. After this, the end section of the tape is severed and the end of the tape A is held. Because the object B to be bound is wrapped in non-adhesive tape A by wrapping the tape around the object B with the tape stretched taut, the object B can be firmly bond with this simple operation.  
         [0081]     This disclosure provides exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited by these exemplary embodiments. Numerous variations, whether explicitly provided for by the specification or implied by the specification, such as variations in structure, dimension, type of material and manufacturing process may be implemented by one of skill in the art in view of this disclosure.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1