CA2213450A1 - Tape head indexing system - Google Patents
Tape head indexing systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA2213450A1 CA2213450A1 CA002213450A CA2213450A CA2213450A1 CA 2213450 A1 CA2213450 A1 CA 2213450A1 CA 002213450 A CA002213450 A CA 002213450A CA 2213450 A CA2213450 A CA 2213450A CA 2213450 A1 CA2213450 A1 CA 2213450A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tape
- tape head
- carrier unit
- roll
- cartons
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 20
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
- B65B51/04—Applying separate sealing or securing members, e.g. clips
- B65B51/06—Applying adhesive tape
- B65B51/067—Applying adhesive tape to the closure flaps of boxes
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Package Closures (AREA)
Description
CA 022134~0 1997-08-18 TITLE
TAPE HEAD INDEXING SYSTEM
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an apparatus for rapidly removing a first tape head from a 5 carton sealing operation, and for simultaneously inserting a second tape head into the carton sealing operation, so that the exchange takes place substantially without interrupting the carton sealing operation.
Conventional machines currently used to seal cartons, such as, for example, corrugated cardboard cartons, typically include a work table or frame, the top of which is 10 defined by rollers for slidably receiving cartons. A pair of opposed drive belts frictionally engage the sides of each carton, and feed the carton along the length of the machine between upper and/or lower tape dispensing heads, which respectively apply tape to the top and/or bottom and ends of the cartons. The tape is dispensed from rolls mounted on arms extending upwardly and/or downwardly from the dispensing heads. When the tape in a roll runs out, it is 15 necessary to stop the machine and replace the used roll with a new roll of tape.
It is preferable to avoid stopping the machine. A proposed solution to the problem is the use of a stack of interconnected rolls of tape. However, this solution necessitates a complicated structure for interconnecting the rolls and merely reduces the frequency of machine stoppage.
An object of the present invention is to provide a tape head indexing system by which rolls of tape can be exchanged without interrupting the carton sealing operation.
Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention provides a tape head indexing system comprising a support frame mountable on a conventional carton sealing machine. A tape head carrier unit is mounted on rails of the support frame, so that the carrier unit can slide transversely of the support frame and a direction of travel of cartons being sealed, between first and second positions. The carrier unit includes two tape head supports for operatively supporting respective tape heads, and respective tape roll supports for operatively supporting respective rolls of tape. The support frame and carrier unit are dimensioned so that, when the carrier unit is in its first position, a first one of the tape heads is centered over the path of cartons being sealed, so that the first tape head is operative to seal cartons as they pass under the apparatus. Similarly, when the carrier unit is slid to its second position, the second one of 5 the tape heads is centered over the path of cartons being sealed, so that the second tape head is operative to seal cartons as they pass under the apparatus.
By means of the present invention, one of the tape heads is always operatively positioned for sealing cartons as they pass through the carton sealing machine, and one of the tape heads is in an "inoperative" position, in which the roll of tape can be changed without 10 interrupting the carton sealing operation. Accordingly, depleted rolls of tape can be conveniently changed while the carton sealing operation continues.
The apparatus of the present invention can be either manually controlled or automatic.
In a manually controlled system, an operator, upon observing that a roll of tape has become depleted, can manually slide the carrier unit between first and second positions to place the 15 second tape head into operation. The depleted roll of tape can then be replaced by a fresh roll, in preparation for the next cycle. Alternatively, the system can be automated. In this case, a respective detector unit (either optical or mechanical) can be provided proximal each tape roll support, for detecting a low-tape condition of respective rolls of tape. A control unit responsive to the detector units can trigger a drive unit (for example a pneumatic cylinder and 20 piston assembly, or an electric motor driven belt, chain or drive screw) to move the carrier unit between first and second positions. A sign~ling device (such as a light) can be used to indicate that a roll of tape has become depleted, and thereby alert an operator-to the need to replace the depleted roll.
Preferably, the support frame and carrier unit include cooperating locking and 25 catchment devices, so that the carrier unit can be releasably locked in its first and second positions, thereby preventing the carrier unit from inadvertently drifting out of its proper position during operation of the system CA 022134~0 1997-08-18 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a conventional carton sealing machine of the type with which the present invention can be used.
Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a carton sealing machine incorporating a tape head indexing system in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 3 is an exploded view of the tape head indexing system of Figure 2; and Figures 4a - 4d schematically illustrate the sequence of steps in the operation of the apparatus of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
With reference to Figure 1, the automatic tape splicing device of the present invention is intended for use in conjunction with a machine designed to seal cartons, such as, for example, corrugated cardboard cartons (not shown) of the type commonly used for storing and shipping various materials and articles. The machine 1 includes a main frame 2 defined by side members 3 and end members 4 supported at the corners by legs 5. The frame 2 includes a plurality of rollers 6 defining a guide surface 7 for slidably supporting cartons during taping thereof by a tape head 8. The tape head 8 is mounted on a crossbar 9 extending between support posts 10 which are securely connected to and supported by the side members 3 of the frame 2. Motor -driven endless belt assemblies 11 or similar driving systems are disposed proximal the sides of the guide surface 7, on either side of the path of travel of the cartons for driving the latter through the machine 1 and under the tape head 8.
Typically, the tape head 8 carries a roll of tape 12 supported by a respective arm 13 which extends from the tape head 8. When a roll of tape 12 is depleted, the machine 1, and thus the entire carton sealing operation, must be stopped while the depleted roll is replaced.
Referring to Figures 2, 3, and 4a-4d, the present invention provides a tape headindexing system 14 comprising a support frame 15 mounted on and supported by the support posts 10. The support frame comprises opposed side members 16, 17 joined by a head member 18. A pair of rails 19, 20 extend between the side members 16, 17 and are oriented 5 transversely to the direction of travel of cartons being sealed. A carrier unit 21 is slidably mounted on the rails 19,20 by means of suitable sliding bearings 22, such as, for example, low-friction bushings, or conventional linear ball bearings. The carrier unit 21 is designed to accommodate and opperatively support two tape heads 23, 24. In addition, respective tape rolls 25, 26 can be operatively mounted on tape mandrels 27, 28 disposed on support arms 29, 30 which extend from the central portion 31 of the carrier unit 21. By this arrangement, the carrier unit 21 can be slid along the railsl9, 20, transversely of the direction of cartons being sealed, between a first position, in which one side of the carrier unit 21 is in contact with a side member 16 of the support frame 15, and a second position in which the other side of the carrier unit 21 is in contact with the opposite side member 17 of the support frame 15. Locking 15 devices, schematically illustrated at 32, allow the carrier unit 21 to be releasably locked into either one of the first or second positions, thereby preventing the carrier unit 21 from inadvertently drifting during operation of the device.
As shown in Figures 2 and 4a-4d, the width of the support frame 15 and carrier unit 21 are selected so that when the carrier unit 21 is in its first position, a first tape head 23, and 20 its associated tape roll 25, is centered over the carton sealing path, so that it can be used for sealing cartons 33 as they move through the machine 1. At the same time, the second tape head 24 is positioned off to the side of the tape sealing path, so that its associated roll of tape 26 can be replaced without interrupting the carton sealing operation.
Figures 4a-4d illustrate the operation of the invention as follows.
In Figure 4a, the carrier unit 21 is in its first position, with a first tape head 23 and associated tape roll 25 centered over the path of the carton sealing operation so as to seal cartons 33 as they pass through the machine. The second tape head 24 is positioned of to one side of the tape sealing path, and thus is idling (i.e. not in use). In this condition a fresh roll of tape 26 can be loaded onto the mandrel 28 for future use. When the tape role 25 becomes CA 022134~0 1997-08-18 depleted (Figure 4b), the carrier unit 21, with a fresh roll of tape 26 loaded onto the mandrel 28 and fed into the second tape head 24, is slid along the rails 20 to its second position, thereby placing the second tape head 24 over the carton sealing path (Figure 4c). Thus the first tape head 23 is taken out of operation, and the second tape head 24, with a fresh roll of S tape 26 is simultaneously placed into operation so that the sealing of cartons 33 can continue uninterrupted. As shown in Figure 4d, the depleted tape roll 25 can then be replaced with a fresh role in preparation for the next cycle.
TAPE HEAD INDEXING SYSTEM
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an apparatus for rapidly removing a first tape head from a 5 carton sealing operation, and for simultaneously inserting a second tape head into the carton sealing operation, so that the exchange takes place substantially without interrupting the carton sealing operation.
Conventional machines currently used to seal cartons, such as, for example, corrugated cardboard cartons, typically include a work table or frame, the top of which is 10 defined by rollers for slidably receiving cartons. A pair of opposed drive belts frictionally engage the sides of each carton, and feed the carton along the length of the machine between upper and/or lower tape dispensing heads, which respectively apply tape to the top and/or bottom and ends of the cartons. The tape is dispensed from rolls mounted on arms extending upwardly and/or downwardly from the dispensing heads. When the tape in a roll runs out, it is 15 necessary to stop the machine and replace the used roll with a new roll of tape.
It is preferable to avoid stopping the machine. A proposed solution to the problem is the use of a stack of interconnected rolls of tape. However, this solution necessitates a complicated structure for interconnecting the rolls and merely reduces the frequency of machine stoppage.
An object of the present invention is to provide a tape head indexing system by which rolls of tape can be exchanged without interrupting the carton sealing operation.
Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention provides a tape head indexing system comprising a support frame mountable on a conventional carton sealing machine. A tape head carrier unit is mounted on rails of the support frame, so that the carrier unit can slide transversely of the support frame and a direction of travel of cartons being sealed, between first and second positions. The carrier unit includes two tape head supports for operatively supporting respective tape heads, and respective tape roll supports for operatively supporting respective rolls of tape. The support frame and carrier unit are dimensioned so that, when the carrier unit is in its first position, a first one of the tape heads is centered over the path of cartons being sealed, so that the first tape head is operative to seal cartons as they pass under the apparatus. Similarly, when the carrier unit is slid to its second position, the second one of 5 the tape heads is centered over the path of cartons being sealed, so that the second tape head is operative to seal cartons as they pass under the apparatus.
By means of the present invention, one of the tape heads is always operatively positioned for sealing cartons as they pass through the carton sealing machine, and one of the tape heads is in an "inoperative" position, in which the roll of tape can be changed without 10 interrupting the carton sealing operation. Accordingly, depleted rolls of tape can be conveniently changed while the carton sealing operation continues.
The apparatus of the present invention can be either manually controlled or automatic.
In a manually controlled system, an operator, upon observing that a roll of tape has become depleted, can manually slide the carrier unit between first and second positions to place the 15 second tape head into operation. The depleted roll of tape can then be replaced by a fresh roll, in preparation for the next cycle. Alternatively, the system can be automated. In this case, a respective detector unit (either optical or mechanical) can be provided proximal each tape roll support, for detecting a low-tape condition of respective rolls of tape. A control unit responsive to the detector units can trigger a drive unit (for example a pneumatic cylinder and 20 piston assembly, or an electric motor driven belt, chain or drive screw) to move the carrier unit between first and second positions. A sign~ling device (such as a light) can be used to indicate that a roll of tape has become depleted, and thereby alert an operator-to the need to replace the depleted roll.
Preferably, the support frame and carrier unit include cooperating locking and 25 catchment devices, so that the carrier unit can be releasably locked in its first and second positions, thereby preventing the carrier unit from inadvertently drifting out of its proper position during operation of the system CA 022134~0 1997-08-18 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a conventional carton sealing machine of the type with which the present invention can be used.
Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a carton sealing machine incorporating a tape head indexing system in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 3 is an exploded view of the tape head indexing system of Figure 2; and Figures 4a - 4d schematically illustrate the sequence of steps in the operation of the apparatus of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
With reference to Figure 1, the automatic tape splicing device of the present invention is intended for use in conjunction with a machine designed to seal cartons, such as, for example, corrugated cardboard cartons (not shown) of the type commonly used for storing and shipping various materials and articles. The machine 1 includes a main frame 2 defined by side members 3 and end members 4 supported at the corners by legs 5. The frame 2 includes a plurality of rollers 6 defining a guide surface 7 for slidably supporting cartons during taping thereof by a tape head 8. The tape head 8 is mounted on a crossbar 9 extending between support posts 10 which are securely connected to and supported by the side members 3 of the frame 2. Motor -driven endless belt assemblies 11 or similar driving systems are disposed proximal the sides of the guide surface 7, on either side of the path of travel of the cartons for driving the latter through the machine 1 and under the tape head 8.
Typically, the tape head 8 carries a roll of tape 12 supported by a respective arm 13 which extends from the tape head 8. When a roll of tape 12 is depleted, the machine 1, and thus the entire carton sealing operation, must be stopped while the depleted roll is replaced.
Referring to Figures 2, 3, and 4a-4d, the present invention provides a tape headindexing system 14 comprising a support frame 15 mounted on and supported by the support posts 10. The support frame comprises opposed side members 16, 17 joined by a head member 18. A pair of rails 19, 20 extend between the side members 16, 17 and are oriented 5 transversely to the direction of travel of cartons being sealed. A carrier unit 21 is slidably mounted on the rails 19,20 by means of suitable sliding bearings 22, such as, for example, low-friction bushings, or conventional linear ball bearings. The carrier unit 21 is designed to accommodate and opperatively support two tape heads 23, 24. In addition, respective tape rolls 25, 26 can be operatively mounted on tape mandrels 27, 28 disposed on support arms 29, 30 which extend from the central portion 31 of the carrier unit 21. By this arrangement, the carrier unit 21 can be slid along the railsl9, 20, transversely of the direction of cartons being sealed, between a first position, in which one side of the carrier unit 21 is in contact with a side member 16 of the support frame 15, and a second position in which the other side of the carrier unit 21 is in contact with the opposite side member 17 of the support frame 15. Locking 15 devices, schematically illustrated at 32, allow the carrier unit 21 to be releasably locked into either one of the first or second positions, thereby preventing the carrier unit 21 from inadvertently drifting during operation of the device.
As shown in Figures 2 and 4a-4d, the width of the support frame 15 and carrier unit 21 are selected so that when the carrier unit 21 is in its first position, a first tape head 23, and 20 its associated tape roll 25, is centered over the carton sealing path, so that it can be used for sealing cartons 33 as they move through the machine 1. At the same time, the second tape head 24 is positioned off to the side of the tape sealing path, so that its associated roll of tape 26 can be replaced without interrupting the carton sealing operation.
Figures 4a-4d illustrate the operation of the invention as follows.
In Figure 4a, the carrier unit 21 is in its first position, with a first tape head 23 and associated tape roll 25 centered over the path of the carton sealing operation so as to seal cartons 33 as they pass through the machine. The second tape head 24 is positioned of to one side of the tape sealing path, and thus is idling (i.e. not in use). In this condition a fresh roll of tape 26 can be loaded onto the mandrel 28 for future use. When the tape role 25 becomes CA 022134~0 1997-08-18 depleted (Figure 4b), the carrier unit 21, with a fresh roll of tape 26 loaded onto the mandrel 28 and fed into the second tape head 24, is slid along the rails 20 to its second position, thereby placing the second tape head 24 over the carton sealing path (Figure 4c). Thus the first tape head 23 is taken out of operation, and the second tape head 24, with a fresh roll of S tape 26 is simultaneously placed into operation so that the sealing of cartons 33 can continue uninterrupted. As shown in Figure 4d, the depleted tape roll 25 can then be replaced with a fresh role in preparation for the next cycle.
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002213450A CA2213450A1 (en) | 1997-08-18 | 1997-08-18 | Tape head indexing system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002213450A CA2213450A1 (en) | 1997-08-18 | 1997-08-18 | Tape head indexing system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2213450A1 true CA2213450A1 (en) | 1999-02-18 |
Family
ID=29274981
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002213450A Abandoned CA2213450A1 (en) | 1997-08-18 | 1997-08-18 | Tape head indexing system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2213450A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN113335640A (en) * | 2021-05-07 | 2021-09-03 | 熊丽丽 | Mill is with automatic joint sealing equipment |
-
1997
- 1997-08-18 CA CA002213450A patent/CA2213450A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN113335640A (en) * | 2021-05-07 | 2021-09-03 | 熊丽丽 | Mill is with automatic joint sealing equipment |
| CN113335640B (en) * | 2021-05-07 | 2022-07-29 | 南京禹智智能科技有限公司 | Mill is with automatic joint sealing equipment |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 19991119 |