CN107960074B - Manual adhesive tape applying device - Google Patents

Abstract

Hand-operated tape applicator. An improved manually operated tape applicator device provides control of the applied tape or leading end, which may be achieved by having a pull back mechanism to pull back the leading end of the tape immediately after the tape is cut, or a braking action or adhesive grip, or both, and may also include a controlled tape cutting action and a safety cutter retaining mechanism. The device may also include guides to better ensure that the device moves in the direction of relative movement between the tape and the device during tape application.

Description

Manual adhesive tape applying device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to manual taping devices and, more particularly, to an improved device for ergonomically facilitating the performance of manual taping operations.

Background

There are many different hand-operated tape applicators, for example, U.S. patent 2582979 to Fritzinger on month 1 and 22 of 1952; 3523053 granted to Zbinden et al on 8/4 of 1970; 3813275 granted to Weick et al on month 5 and 28 of 1974; 4238271 to Urushizaki on 9.12.1980; 4253905 granted to Regan on 3.3.1981; 4345966 granted to Iiyoma et al on 24.8.1982; 4762586 to Wilkie, 8/9/1988; 5641377 to inventor Chung at 24 th 6 th 1997; 6799623 granted to Cheng on 5/10/2005; 7669631 granted to inventor Bailey on 3/2/2010.

Substantially all must leave a relatively long free front end portion which must be applied to the next object to be taped, which hinders the taping operation. Typically, these conventional hand-operated taping devices or so-called tape dispensers require the operator to pull the free front end portion with his fingers and then attach it to the object to begin the taping process.

A cutting blade is also required because the tape is supplied as a continuous strip from a supply source, typically a roll of such tape. The knife is typically positioned away from the tape path and the object to avoid accidental tape cutting or damaging the object during the taping process. A safety guard for the knife is also provided to prevent injury to the operator. The above patent 5641377 discloses a knife that is retracted from its normal cutting position for safety purposes. Us patent 7669631 describes a mechanism for limiting the spring back (snap back) of the free leading end of the tape.

In some manually activated tape dispensing devices, the cutting operation is manually initiated by some form of triggering operation that presents the tape to a cutting blade to sever the tape, see U.S. patent 4762586; 4345966, respectively; 4253905, respectively; and 3813275.

Patents 4345966 and 3813275 along with 4238271; 3523053, respectively; and 2582979 provide some form of retrieval system to move the free end of the tape away from the point of application, in most cases by physically moving the roll of tape or the like. At 4762586, the slider is manually released to change the orientation of the tape and pass over the applicator roller toward the roll of tape from which the tape is dispensed.

The devices disclosed in the cited patents rely solely on the manual dexterity of the operator to move the device in the desired direction during the taping operation and/or to trigger the tape cut in many cases to complete the operation.

Disclosure of Invention

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved manually operated tape applicator device which is easy and safe to use and which maintains control of the leading end of the tape on the device.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a manually operated tape applicator device having a pull back mechanism to pull back the leading end of the tape immediately after the tape has been cut to provide a shortened free end on the tape for application to the next object to be applied to the tape.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a manually operated tape applicator device having an applicator and a severing mechanism to create a short free end on the tape for application to the next object to be taped.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a manually operated tape applicator device having an applicator and a severing mechanism to provide a more desirable cutting angle for the knife and result in a more aggressive cutting action and a cleaner cutting edge on the tape.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a cutting blade safety feature that requires tape tension to release the cutting blade from the retracted position.

Another object of the present invention is to incorporate a tape application guide that guides the device to better ensure that the movement of the device during tape application is in the direction of relative movement between the tape and the device.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a manually operated tape applicator device which is adapted to releasably brake the tape during the cutting operation to better ensure a cleaner cut.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a manually operated tape applicator device that includes a guide to hold the tape in place relative to the tape application wiper.

The present invention broadly relates to a manually operated tape applicator apparatus comprising a frame, a tape source of tape to be applied by said applicator mounted on said frame, a handle extending from said frame, a tape path extending from said tape source to an applicator device for applying a leading end portion of said tape, a tape retracting means mounted on said frame, said retracting means comprising a tape retracting arm, the tape retraction arm is biased toward the tape path and is movable to an extended position when tension in tape on the path is reduced to a tape retracted position, to displace the tape from a normal tape path when the tape is dispensed from the roll of tape under tension to a displaced position, this forces the tape from the normal path to a retracted tape path, pulling the leading end of the tape back toward the roll of tape.

Another way to obtain a shortened free end on a tape and/or to improve the cutting operation according to the invention is by using a manually operated tape applicator comprising a frame, a tape source of a tape to be applied by said applicator mounted on said frame, a handle extending from said frame, a tape path extending from said tape source to an applicator means for applying a leading end of said tape, mounting means mounting said applicator means on said frame, means biasing said applicator means from a retracted position towards an initial position in which said applicator means is in a position for said application of said leading end of said tape.

The invention also relates to a manually operated tape applicator comprising a frame, a tape source of tape to be applied by said applicator mounted on said frame, a handle extending from said frame, a tape path extending from said tape source to an applicator for applying a leading end of said tape, said tape extending along said tape path in a direction of travel of said tape, a tape guide provided by an edge mounted on said frame, said edge being spaced from said handle and extending from said frame in a direction parallel to said direction of travel of said tape.

The present invention broadly relates to a manual tape applicator comprising a main frame, at least one guide roller mounted on said main frame for rotation on a first axis to guide tape (having a tacky side and a non-tacky side) from a supply of said tape toward a tape applicator wiper mounted on a wiper assembly pivotally mounted on said main frame on a second axis, movement about said second axis moving said applicator wiper between an extended inactive position to a retracted cutting position, means biasing said wiper assembly and thereby said applicator wiper to said extended inactive position, a cutter assembly pivotally mounted on said main frame on a third axis, a top wiper mounted on and extending from said cutter assembly, and a cutting blade mounted on the cutter assembly, a latch cam element extending from the cutter assembly, and a cooperating cam on the wiper assembly, the latch cam and cooperating cam interacting to prevent movement of the cutter assembly when the spreader wiper is in the extended inactive position and to free the cutter assembly for pivotal movement on the third axis when the spreader wiper is moved at least partway between the extended position and the retracted position, the first and second axes and third axis being parallel.

Preferably, the latch cam comprises a cam element connected to the cutter assembly by an arm, and the cooperating cam comprises a slot having a notch formed in the wiper assembly in which the cam element is received.

Preferably, the applicator wiper extends between a first end near the at least one guide roller, which is a braking guide roller, and a free end, which is on the side of the second axis near the braking guide roller, the one end being spaced from the braking guide roller when the applicator wiper is in the extended position and pressed against the braking guide roller when the applicator wiper is in the retracted position to pinch the tape between the braking guide roller and the one end.

Preferably, the applicator wiper extends between a first end adjacent the at least one guide roller and a free end, the first end being on the side of the second axis adjacent the at least one guide roller and the free end being on the opposite side of the second axis, a pair of opposed tabs mounted from the frame and positioned adjacent each side of the applicator wiper between the second axis and the free end, and each of the tabs overlapping an adjacent side edge of the tape, the tabs being positioned such that when the applicator wiper is in the extended position, the tabs press against the tacky side of the tape and when the applicator wiper moves toward the retracted position, the tabs and the tape separate.

Preferably, the applicator wiper is wider near the free end than near the first end to provide a narrow portion extending at least half of the length of the applicator wiper between the one end and the free end, the tabs are near the narrow portion of the applicator wiper and each tab overlaps an adjacent side edge of the tape but does not overlap the applicator wiper, the tabs are positioned such that when the applicator wiper is in the extended position, the tabs press against the tacky side of the tape and when the applicator wiper moves toward the retracted position, the tabs and the tape separate.

Drawings

Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

fig. 1a (prior art) shows a conventional hand-held tape applicator at the point where the taping on the carton is completed by cutting the tape and the wiper folding the tape onto the rear vertical surface of the carton with a downward motion.

Fig. 1b (prior art) shows the same hand-held tape applicator (fig. 1a) in position to apply tape to the front vertical surface of the carton.

FIG. 1c (prior art) is an adjacent edge of a tape cut using a prior art cutting system.

Fig. 2a shows a hand coater of the present invention including a spring biased tape pull back device.

Fig. 2b shows the same hand-held tape applicator (fig. 2a) ready to apply tape to the vertical surface of the illustrated arrangement of cartons.

Fig. 3 shows a hand-held tape applicator incorporating the present invention in its normal position ready for applying tape to the front vertical surface of the carton.

Fig. 4 shows the tape applicator of fig. 3 at the moment of tape cutting.

Figure 4a shows adjacent edges on opposite sides of a cut performed using the preferred severing system of the invention, including figures 3 to 6.

Fig. 5 shows another version of a hand-held tape applicator incorporating the present invention in its normal position ready for applying tape to the front vertical surface of the carton.

Fig. 6 shows the tape applicator of fig. 5 at the moment of tape cutting.

Figure 7a shows a simplified side view illustrating the operation of a preferred form of operating guide or center guide meter.

Fig. 7b is an end view illustrating the guide of fig. 7a positioned in a gap between adjacent ends of the closure flaps of the carton to guide movement of the applicator.

Fig. 7c is an end view showing the guide of fig. 7a positioned at the sides of the carton to facilitate the application of half the width of the tape to the top of the carton (in the application shown).

Fig. 8 shows a severing system similar to that of fig. 3 and 4, but wherein the cutting blade is fixed to the frame.

Fig. 9 is a side view of another form of the invention with portions omitted for clarity.

Fig. 9a is a view looking up from below the present invention as shown in fig. 9 showing the positioning tab to hold the tape near the applicator wiper.

FIG. 10 is a partial view similar to FIG. 1 showing the applicator wiper in an extended position and pressing the tape between the locating tab and the applicator wiper to hold the tape in place adjacent the applicator wiper and to hold the severing assembly in a latched position.

FIG. 11 is a partial view similar to FIG. 2, but with the applicator wiper moved toward a retracted position and in a position wherein the tape is no longer pressing on the tab (i.e., the tape is free to be pulled and applied from the tape source), and the severing assembly is in an unlatched position.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 10 but with the applicator wiper moved to a retracted position and in a position with the tape clamped between the guide roller and the adjacent end of the applicator wiper for cutting and with the severing assembly in the cutting position and the tape clear of the positioning tabs.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1a and 1b, which illustrate the prior art, are included to illustrate the important disadvantages of the prior art. The illustration shows a simple version of an applicator 10 having a frame 12, a handle 14, a tape roll mount 15 (with a tape roll 16 mounted thereon). The tape 18 (which has an adhesive side 17 and a non-adhesive side 19) is removed from the roll 16 and passed along a tape path 21 and guided by a guide plate or blade 23 onto an applicator roller 20, which applicator roller 20 applies the adhesive side 17 of the tape 18 to an object (in the illustrated version, a carton 22) to which the tape is applied. A rear, downwardly wiping wiper 24 having a severing knife 26 is mounted on the frame 12 in front of the applicator roller 20 in the direction of movement of the tape 18. (a relatively simple severing system is shown including a wiper 24 and a knife wiping down, but it will be apparent that more modern but well known systems with knife guards will typically be used). Fig. 1a shows a source of problems related to the length of the loose free end 28 of the adhesive tape 18, which is long and has a length indicated by the distance X. The length X is determined by the distance between the cutting blade 26 and the periphery of the applicator roll 20.

In fig. 1b, the problem is created by the length X of the loose end 28 of the tape 18, the loose end 28 being unsupported and extending freely from the applicator roll 20 on its side away from the tape roll 16 to be effectively pressed onto the vertical surface of the carton. The untouched or free end 28 of length X cannot be seated to be pressed against the carton 22 by the normal action of the tape applicator and must be pressed against the carton 22 by other means, such as by hand. Only the adhesive tape 18 on the opposite side of the roller 20 from the free end 28 is applied by the roller 20 to the carton 22. The present invention provides a solution to this drawback that lasts for many years.

The same reference numerals as used above are used to indicate equivalent parts of the hand or manual tape applicator 10 shown in fig. 2a and 2b, which fig. 2a and 2b show a relatively simple modification to the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above. Fig. 2a, which is similar to fig. 1a, shows a hand coater 10a where the distance between the cutting blade 26 and the periphery of the coater roller 20 is the same as in fig. 1, so that the length X1 of the free end 28 formed by the coater 10a is the same as the length of the free end 28 formed by the prior art coater 10 of fig. 1a and 1 b.

FIG. 1c shows cutting edges 500 and 502 formed by the cutting operation of FIG. 1a, as is apparent from FIG. 1c, cutting edges 500 and 502 are serrated, and even more importantly, the tip or tip of serrated blade 26, which is commonly used in the industry, creates a groove 504 of increasing depth until the tip passes through the tape and the cut is complete. The undesired cutting edges 500, 502 shown on fig. 1c result from a conventional cutting orientation in which the tape path travels vertically towards the knife as the tape is cut, i.e., the entry angle is 90 °. The preferred cutting edges 600, 602 shown in fig. 4a are achieved with the present invention by varying the tape path angle as the tape is cut, as will be described below.

The applicator 10a shown in fig. 2a and 2b is modified to provide a different tape path 30 for the tape 18 between the periphery of the tape roll 16 (which provides a source of tape from which the tape 18 is removed for application by the applicator 10 a) and the applicator roller 20 (which applies the adhesive side 17 of the tape 18 to an object to which the tape is applied, in the case shown to the carton 22). The tape path 30 is defined by a pair of spaced parallel guide rollers 32 and 34 over which the tape 18 passes en route to the applicator roller 20. Located between the two rollers 32 and 34 is an adhesive tape pull back device 36, which in the system shown in fig. 2a, 2b is formed by a lever arm 38 pivotally mounted on the frame 12 (as indicated at 40) and spring biased by a spring 42 toward the path 30 between the rollers 32 and 34. The frame 12 of the embodiment of fig. 2a and 2b may be slightly modified (if necessary) relative to the frame 12 of fig. 1a and 1b to accommodate the changed path 30 and the pullback device 36. The arm 38 preferably extends across the entire width of the tape 18 and is provided with a curved free end 44 to facilitate passage of the tape 18 thereover.

In operation, the tension in the tape 18 forces the lever arm 38 of the pull back member 36 to overcome the pressure from the spring 42 and move the arm 38 to the position shown in fig. 2a, i.e., so that the path 30 between the rollers 32 and 34 is relatively straight and therefore short. At the moment the tape 18 is cut by the knife 26, the tension in the tape is removed and the spring 42 forces the lever arm 38 against the stop 46 (protruding from the frame 12) to the extended position shown in fig. 2b, and wherein the path 30 between the rollers 32 and 34 is deformed from the relatively straight path shown in fig. 2a (and in phantom in fig. 2 b) to the curved path 31 shown in fig. 2b such that the amount or length of the tape 18 extending between the rollers 32 and 34 is increased. This extra length is obtained by pulling free end 28 back toward roll 16 along path 30, i.e., the loose or free end portion 28 of tape 18, which is no longer held by tension, is free to retract to form a curved path 31, thereby reducing the excess untouched exposed at the free end of tape 18. By setting the length of the tape that is pulled back by the pull-back mechanism 36, the need to wipe down by hand on the rear end 28 can be eliminated so that the applicator roller 20 of the applicator 10a can press the tape 18 against the carton 22 over substantially the full length "Y" to the top 46 of the carton 22, i.e., the roller 20 presses the tape 18 against the carton 22 from the initial point of applying the tape 18 to the carton 22 to the top 46 of the carton.

In all of the embodiments shown, the applicator roll 20 may be replaced by an applicator wiper, as is well known, and vice versa. These terms, as used herein, are to be interpreted accordingly.

Suitable guides 48 may be provided to inhibit lateral movement of the tape 18.

In the embodiment of fig. 3-6, the length of the loose or free end 128 of the tape 118 uses at least one of the mechanisms incorporated in this embodiment, i.e., by using a pull-back mechanism 150 similar to, but simpler than, the mechanism 36 described above, and/or by positioning the free end 152 of the applicator wiper 154 proximate to the cutoff knife 156 as the cutoff knife 156 cuts the tape 118, as will be described below.

The hand or manually operated tape applicator 110 of fig. 3 and 4 includes a frame 112 with a tape roll mount 115 mounted on the frame 112, the tape roll mount 115 in turn mounting a roll 116 from which tape 118 will be dispensed.

In the illustrated system, a dancer arm 160 is pivotally mounted to the frame 112 near one end of the arm 160 on an axle 162, the axle 162 also acting as an axle to turn a roller 164. Near the free end of the arm 160 is a nip roller 166 that bears against the outer periphery of the tape roll 116 and is held in contact therewith via a spring 168 extending between the arm 160 and the frame 112 and biases the free end of the arm 160, and thus the nip roller 166, against the tape roll 116.

The dancer arm 160 is not necessary to the present invention, but if employed, may also be used to mount the edge folding station 170, as described in us patent 8393375 issued to Lam on 3, 12, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The pullback mechanism 136 operates in a manner similar to the pullback mechanism 36 described above, but incorporates a roller 172 mounted on a free end of an arm 174, the arm 174 being pivotally mounted on the frame 112 at a location spaced from the roller 172, as indicated at 176. It will be apparent that pivoting of the arm 174 about the mount 176 moves the roller 172 relative to the tape path 130 to change the tape path 130 length between the tape path shown in fig. 3 when the tension in the tape 118 has been released and the tape path shown in fig. 4 when the tape 118 is coated and under tension. To accomplish this, the roller 172 is biased toward the tape path 130 by a spring 178 (which holds the arm 174 against a stop 180) when there is no tension in the tape, and the force generated by the roller 172 compresses when tension is applied to the tape 118 and thereby moves to the position shown in fig. 3. It will be apparent that the pullback mechanisms 36 and 136 operate in substantially the same manner by extending the length of the tape path from the tape roll 16 or 116 to the applicator roll 20 or wiper 154 when the tension in the tape 18 or 118 is released, thereby pulling back the free end 28 or 128 of the tape 18 or 118.

The applicator and cutting mechanism of the embodiment of fig. 3 and 4 is significantly different from that discussed above with reference to fig. 2a and 2 b.

In fig. 3 and 4 (as well as fig. 5 and 6), the applicator is in the form of a wiper 154, the wiper 154 is mounted on a mounting arm 202 of the applicator, the mounting arm 202 is in the form of an L-shaped lever pivotally mounted to the frame 112 (as indicated at 204), with the mounting arm 202 on one side of the pivot mount 204 and the stop arm 206 of the L-shaped lever 200 on the other side of the mount 204. The spring 208 biases the wiper to an extended position, wherein the stop arm 206 is forced against a stop 210 (which is fixed to the frame 112). The edge of the arm 202 (near its free end and on the side away from the wiper 154) provides a cam surface 212, which will be discussed below.

Rear or trigger wiper 220 is used to trigger a severing knife 222, both of which are mounted on arm 224 to sever tape 118 and form a significant part of severing mechanism 225. The arm 224 is pivotally mounted on the frame 112, as indicated at 226, and is biased by a spring 228 against a stop 230 (which is also fixed to the frame 112). An adjacent edge 232 of the arm 224 cooperates with the stop 230 to stop counterclockwise movement about the mount 226.

Mounted on the arm 224 near the end of the arm 224 (which is near the wiper 154) is a cooperating cam 234, shown as a cam roller, but could equally well be any suitable cam surface, and positioned to cooperate with the cam 212 on the arm 202 to inhibit or permit relative movement between the applicator formed by the L-shaped lever 200 and the trigger or rear wiper 220, as will be described.

Fig. 4 shows the cutting action of the knife 22. The position of the applicator wiper 154 immediately after the cams 212 and 234 disengage is shown in solid lines, and its position before disengagement and immediately after the tape 118 is cut by the knife is shown in dashed lines. Thus, the wiper 154 is in the solid line position only at the time of cutting and immediately prior thereto. That is, the disengagement occurs upon actuation of the severing mechanism 225 or rotation of the trailing wiper 220 (as indicated by arrow 250) to move the arm 224 away from the stop 230 and force the cam 234 to move relative to and disengage from the cam 212.

Once the cams 212 and 234 disengage, the tension in the tape 118 reacts against the spring 208 to move the wiper 154 from the phantom line position to the solid line position, and then the knife 222 of the severing mechanism 225 severs the tape 118, which releases the tension and allows the spring 208 to return the wiper 154 to the phantom line position.

Until the tape 118 is severed, the pull-back mechanism 136 remains in the position shown in fig. 4, i.e., the tension in the tape compresses the spring 178 to define the shorter tape path 130 between the tape roll 116 and the applicator 154, but once the tape is severed by the knife 222 and the tension in the tape is released, the spring 174 moves the pull-back mechanism to the position shown in fig. 3 and increases the length of the path 130 between the tape roll 116 and the wiper 154, and thereby pulls the free end 148 of the tape 118 back toward the roll 116, which creates a shorter free leading end on the tape, which if reduced enough for a particular operation, can replace the pull- back mechanism 36 or 136, i.e., the pull-back mechanism may not be needed provided the resulting shorter free end of the tape is acceptable.

Movement of the wiper to the solid line position shown in fig. 4 changes the entry angle of the knife 222 and it penetrates and cuts the tape 118 to facilitate cutting.

The preferred form of the cutting operation of the present invention orients the tape 118 relative to the cutting edge 222 by reducing the tape path entry or attack angle (the angle between the tape and the knife) as the tape and knife move relative to each other to cut the tape 118. Angle C shows the change in angle between the orientation of the application wiper at the time of application of the tape (dashed line) and the wiper at the time of cutting (solid line position), i.e. the cutting angle is not vertical (as in the prior art devices). This orientation of the knife 222 to the tape 18 generates substantially identical cutting edges 600 and 602 at the time of cutting, and does not form grooves equivalent to those shown at 504 in fig. 1 c.

It will also be apparent that the wiper when retracted also reduces the distance between the cutting blade 22 and the adjacent end 152 of the wiper 154 (see fig. 3), and thereby reduces the length of the free end of the tape 118.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate and alternatively all more complex severing and applicator systems that may be used in place of the systems shown in figures 3 and 4. In this embodiment, the pull back mechanism and other elements that deliver the tape to the application point are substantially identical, and therefore only downstream variations will be described.

In this embodiment, the tape 118 is guided from the pullback mechanism 136 to the cutting and applicator mechanism 300 via a guide 302. The spreader portion 301 of the mechanism 300 is formed by an L-shaped spreading lever 304, the L-shaped spreading lever 304 being pivotably mounted on a frame 312 (as indicated at 306) and carrying a spreader or spreader wiper 308 on the free ends 314 of one arm 310 and the other arm 316, the free ends 314 in effect forming a first cam that cooperates with a push plate 334 on the mechanism 317, as will be described below.

The cut-out portion 317 of the mechanism 300 is comprised of a second L-shaped arm 321 pivotally mounted on the frame 312 (as indicated at 321) and biased in a counterclockwise direction by a spring 323. Mounted on the arm 321 is a rear or trigger wiper 320 and a severing knife 326. A push plate 334, which in effect forms a cooperating cam cooperating with the arm 316 (near its free end 314), is mounted on the severing portion 317 on the opposite side of the knife to its cutting edge, and is positioned to engage the arm 316 near the cam 314.

Coupling bar 336 connects arm 310 to arm 321 via limited sliding connection 338, thereby interconnecting mechanism portions 301 and 317 for combined action.

The system shown in fig. 5 and 6 operates as follows: the pull back member 136 functions as described above based on the tension in the tape 118. At the beginning of the upper tape operation, the mechanism is in the position shown in fig. 5, and as tape is applied to the carton 122, tension is applied to the tape 118, and the pullback mechanism 136 moves to the position of fig. 6. The mechanism 300 is triggered by moving the trigger or rear wiper 320 as the upper tape operates to rotate about the rear corner of the carton 122 and moves to the position shown in fig. 6. Initial movement of the wiper 320 in the clockwise direction in fig. 6 rotates the arm 304 via contact of the push plate 334 (which in effect forms a cooperating cam) with the adjacent surface of the arm 316 (which in effect provides a cam) to rotate the arm 304 clockwise about the mount 306 until the free end 314 can pass the push plate 334 at which point the coupling rod forces the arm 304 to rotate in the opposite direction as the rear wiper continues to move clockwise about the mount 321. This changes the orientation of the coating wiper 308 and moves its free end much closer to the knife 326 to improve the entry angle of the knife 326 as it penetrates and cuts the tape 118, so as to cut and shorten the length of the free end of the tape (as described above with respect to fig. 3 and 4).

It will be apparent that the top edges of the cam 212 and arm 316 near their free ends 314, together with their respective cooperating cams 234 and 334, act as latch cams that free the applicator wiper 154 or 308 to move relative to the frame 112 when released by movement of the rear or trigger wiper 220 or 320, respectively. This release movement is accommodated in the embodiment of fig. 3 and 4 by deformation of the arm 202 or cam surface 212, since counterclockwise rotation of the arm 202 as shown in these figures is prevented by the stop 210. This similar counterclockwise movement in the embodiment of fig. 5 and 6 is accommodated by the limited slip connection 338.

As indicated above, the arrangement of fig. 5 and 6 also reduces the angle of attack and shortens the free end of the tape, as described above with reference to fig. 3 and 4.

All hand operated applicators may be equipped with applicator guides that help guide the operator to place the tape 18 or 118 in a desired position relative to the object being taped, such as a carton (22, 122, etc.). One embodiment of such a guide is shown in fig. 3, 4, 5 and 6, while another embodiment is shown in fig. 7a, 7b and 7 c. Various embodiments include a leading edge 400 that is mounted on the frame 12 or 112 and extends parallel to the normal direction of travel of the tape 18, 118 when the tape 18, 118 is applied to the carton 22, 122, i.e., the leading edge 400 extends perpendicular to the pivot axis 40 or 176.

In the version shown in fig. 3, 4, 5 and 6, the guide 400 is formed to be provided by a disc or the like 402 and may also include a second edge formed by a flat planar portion 404, the flat planar portion 404 projecting from the free end of the handle 14 or 114 and extending in alignment with the plane of the disc 402. The position of 402 and 404 relative to the width W of the tape 18 or 118 (see fig. 7a, 7b, and 7c) and the operation of the guide 400 will be discussed with reference to fig. 7a, 7b, and 7 c.

Turning to fig. 7a, 7b and 7c, a preferred form of guide 400 is shown. In this embodiment, a thin guide plate 406 replaces the plate 402 and planar portion 404 to provide a continuous guide edge extending from the frame 12 or 112, spaced from the adjacent portion of the handle 14, 114 (near the free end thereof), as indicated at 408, and defining an aperture 410 through which an operator's hand may be received when the device is in use, so that the guide plate may also function to protect the operator. As is apparent from fig. 7b, the plane of the guide 406 extends parallel to the direction of travel of the tape and is generally aligned with the centerline of the tape (i.e., the intermediate width 1/2W of the tape having tape width W).

It will be apparent that the guide 400 may simply be used as a target reference for the operator to initially position the leading end of the tape relative to the carton, however a better way of using the guide 400 is shown in fig. 7b, and another way in fig. 7 c. In fig. 7b, the guide is positioned between adjacent edges 420 and 422 of the closure flaps 424 and 426 of the closed carton 22, 122 such that the guide 400 is guided for movement parallel to these edges 420 and/or 422 of the closure flaps 424 and 426 to ensure that the tape 18 or 118 is applied parallel to these edges 420 and 422, and wherein the guide 400 is aligned with the centerline 425 of the tape, i.e., spaced 1/W from either side of the tape 18 or 118, ensuring that substantially the same width of tape is applied to each of the flaps 424 and 426.

In the illustration of fig. 7c, the guide 400 is positioned in contact with the side 450 of the carton, i.e., such that 1/2W of the tape 18 or 188 is applied to the adjacent surface of the carton 22 or 122 with an additional 1/2W protruding therefrom and foldable onto the wall 450 to seal the corners of the carton.

In a preferred form of the invention as shown in fig. 3 to 6 including the cutting knives 222 and 326, the cutting knives 222 and 326 each move relative to the frames 112 and 312, respectively, during a cutting operation. Fig. 8 shows a modification of fig. 3 in which the cutting blade 422 is secured directly to the frame 112. In this arrangement, a mechanism 425 equivalent to the mechanism 225 of fig. 3 includes an arm 424, the arm 424 is equivalent to 224 and is mounted to the frame 412 via a pivot mount 426, a spring 428 in a manner equivalent to the mounting of the arm 224 in fig. 3, and the mechanism 425 includes a stop 430, the stop 430 is equivalent to the stop 230, except that the stop 430 is received in a slot 431 that allows the arm 424 to pivot about the mount 426. Cam 434, equivalent to cam 234, cooperates with cam surface 212 of L-shaped lever 200 in the same manner as cams 234 and 212 and acts to release the latch cam of L-shaped arm 200, which L-shaped arm 200 is forced by tension in tape 118 to rotate to a position where tape 118 is cut by knife 422, i.e., cams 434 and 212 function in the same manner as cams 234 and 212 when rear wiper 420, equivalent to wiper 200, is moved to cause rotation of arm 424. In the illustrated embodiment, the tape source is a roll mounted on the applicator, but any other suitable tape source may be used. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the spreader 200 is shown pivotally mounted to the frame 112 at 204. The applicator 200 may also be made of an elastic material that can be deformed by the tension in the tape 118 as the cams 212 and 234 disengage and free the applicator to move by the tension in the tape. In these cases, the upstream end of the spreader 200 may be fixed, as opposed to being pivotally mounted relative to the frame.

Turning now to the embodiment shown in fig. 9 to 12, fig. 9 shows a manual tape applicator 510 of the present invention comprising a main frame 512 having a handle 514, the handle 514 protruding from the main frame 512 at a position to be gripped by an operator when using the device. A roll 516 of tape providing a supply of tape 518 to be coated by the applicator 510 is mounted on the frame 512 in the normal manner as indicated at 520. The adhesive tape 518 has an adhesive or tacky side 522 and a non-adhesive side 524. The tape 518 passes over guide rollers 526 and 528, the guide rollers 526 and 528 defining the portion of the tape path 530 that is directed from the tape roll 516 to the applicator wiper 532. As will be described below, the guide roller 528 also acts to brake the guide roller 528 and is mounted for rotation on an axis defining a first axis 534.

Mounted on main frame 512 for rotation on a second axis defining a second axis 536 is a spreader assembly 538 comprised of a spreader frame 540, a spreader wiper 532 attached to spreader frame 540, and spreader frame 540 includes an arm 542 connected via a spring 544 to a pin 546, pin 546 being mounted on a frame 552 of a cutter assembly 550, as will be described below. The spring 544 biases the assembly 538 to rotate counterclockwise on the axis 536 in the illustrations of fig. 9, 10, 11, and 12 and moves the applicator wiper 532 to its extended position as shown in fig. 9 and 10.

Also mounted on the main frame 512 for rotation about a third axis defining a third axis 548 is a cutter assembly 550 comprised of a cutter frame 552 mounting a cutter or cutter blade 554 and a top or actuating wiper 556. Latch cam 558 is mounted on an arm 560 extending from frame 552. The latch cams 558 engage cooperating cams 562 in the form of shaped slots extending through the spreader frame 540. Slot or cam 562 has a laterally extending notch 564 at the end of slot or cam 562 near second shaft 536, and latch cam 558 is received in laterally extending notch 564 when spreader wiper 532 is in the extended position as shown in fig. 9 and 10. In this position, movement of the cutter assembly 550 is inhibited such that it remains substantially in place when the latch cam is in the notch 564. The cam 562 provides a lower surface that cooperates with an adjacent edge 565 of the cam 558 to stop clockwise movement of the spreader assembly 538, as will be described below.

As indicated above, one end of the spring 544 is connected to the pin 546. Pin 546 is mounted to cutting frame 552 via arm 566, which arm 566 is connected to frame 552 slightly offset from second axis 548 so that the cutter assembly is forced to rotate counterclockwise in the views shown, for example, in FIGS. 9 and 10, which holds severing assembly 550 against stop 568 (which protrudes from main frame 512). A second stop 570 (which also projects from the main frame 512) limits movement of the severing assembly 550 in a clockwise direction, as shown, for example, in fig. 9 and 10.

As will be apparent from fig. 9 and 10, when the cutting assembly is urged against stop 568 by spring 544 and spreader assembly 538 (i.e., spreader wiper 532 is in the extended position), latch cam 558 is received in notch 564 of cooperating cam 562 to prevent movement of severing assembly 550.

As shown in fig. 1a, applicator wiper 532 has a first end 574 near the brake guide roller and a free end 572 near severing assembly 550. The wiper 532 is wider near its free end 572 than at its first end 574 to provide a narrow portion 576, which narrow portion 576 will extend a substantial portion (preferably more than half) of the length of the wiper 532 from the first end 574 toward the free end 572. First end 574 is on the side of axis 536 adjacent brake guide roller 528 and free end 572 is on the opposite side of axis 536.

A pair of opposing tabs 578 and 580 extend from the perimeter or side edges 582 and 584 of the adhesive tape 518 to overlap their adjacent side edges 582 and 584 in the area where the side edges 582 and 584 are not supported by the applicator wiper 532, i.e., the tabs 578 and 580 are located on opposite sides of the narrow portion 576 and do not extend across the adhesive tape to overlap the narrow portion 576 in the illustrated version.

The tabs 580 are directly secured to the main frame 512, however the tabs 578 opposite the tabs 580 are connected to and project from a plate or panel 586, which plate or panel 586 is mounted on the free ends (the ends remote from the main frame 512) of the shafts 536 and 548. Both tabs 578 and 580 have their rear edges 579 and 581 (in the direction of tape travel), the rear edges 579 and 581 being respectively inclined in the direction of travel so that the free ends 583 and 585 are near the downstream ends of the tabs. This shape facilitates threading of the tape such that the edge 582 may be positioned as shown (i.e., between the tabs 578 and 580 and the applicator assembly 538) with the adhesive side 522 of the tape 518 facing the tabs 578 and 580.

As described above, the tape 518 is pulled from the roll 516, passed around the roll 526 and over the roller 528, and onto the applicator wiper 532, which applicator wiper 532 is used to apply the tape 518 to a carton or the like 590 (see fig. 11 and 12).

When not in use or when taping operations begin, the various parts of the apparatus 510 are in the position shown in fig. 10, i.e., the applicator wiper 532 is in the extended position, the latch cam 558 is received in a notch 564 in the cam 562 to prevent the severing assembly 550 from moving from the stop 568, which is positioned against the stop 568 and biased against the stop 568 by the spring 544. In this position, tabs 578 and 580 (only 80 shown) contact the adhesive side 522 of the tape 518 to hold the tape 518 in place.

At the beginning of the taping operation, the coating assembly 538 and the applicator wiper 532 are displaced from the extended position and moved to the position shown in fig. 11, where the device 510 will normally remain while the tape is being applied. In this position, the latch cam 558 moves out of the notch 564, freeing the severing assembly 550 to move, but it is held against the stop 568 by the spring 544, and the engagement of the edge 565 of the cam 558 with the lower edge 563 of the cam 562 (i.e., the engagement of the adjacent edges 563 and 565) prevents further movement of the spreader assembly 538. In addition, the tape 518 (which tends to move with the applicator wiper 532) is separated from the tabs 578 and 580 to free the tape 518 and allow it to be freely dispensed during application to a box or the like 590.

When a box or the like 590 has been taped, the operation is completed by severing the tape 518, as shown in FIG. 12. This is accomplished by the top or actuating wiper 556 generally pressing against an adjacent corner 592 of the case or the like 590, which causes the actuating wiper 556 and, thus, the severing assembly 550, to move onto the stop 570 and the cutter 554 to move into the cutting position. Movement of the actuation wiper 556 slides the lower edge 565 of the latch cam 558 away from engagement with the lower edge 563 of the cam 562, which frees the spreader assembly 538 for further movement in the clockwise direction. At the same time, the tension in the tape 518 generated by the movement of the device 510 forces the spreader assembly 538 to rotate clockwise and thereby moves the spreader wiper 532 to the retracted position, wherein the free end 572 of the wiper 532 moves to a position immediately adjacent the cutter 554 to minimize the distance between the cutter 554 and the free end 572, which facilitates cutting of the tape 518, and wherein the end 574 of the spreader wiper 532 near the roll 528 moves to press the tape against the roll 528 to substantially prevent further movement of the tape 518 (i.e., the end 574 is on the side of the shaft or axis 536 near the brake guide roll 528, so clockwise movement of the assembly 538 forces the end 574 against the tape to clamp the tape between the end 574 and the roll 528).

Having described the invention, modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims, e.g., the wiper 532 may be replaced by a roller mounted on the applicator assembly where the free end of the applicator 538 is located in the illustrated embodiment, and used to apply the adhesive tape 518. Obviously, if this is done and a brake is to be provided, then an element similar to end 574 must be provided to provide a brake in cooperation with roller 528 in the same manner as end 574 would cooperate.

Claims (4)

1. A manually operated tape applicator comprising:

a frame;

a tape source of tape having an adhesive side and a non-adhesive side to be coated by an applicator device mounted on the frame;

a handle extending from the frame;

a tape path extending from the tape source to the applicator means for applying the leading end portion of the tape;

the applicator device, the applicator device comprising: a coating wiper for coating the adhesive tape; mounting means for mounting said applicator means on said frame; and biasing means biasing the applicator means from a retracted position towards an initial position in which the applicator means is in a position for the application of the leading end portion of the adhesive tape;

a cutter assembly, the cutter assembly comprising: actuating the wiper; second mounting means pivotally mounting said actuating wiper on said frame along said tape path relative to a direction of travel of said tape at a location downstream of said applicator means; and a severing blade connected for movement with said actuating wiper; and

first cam means extending from the cutter assembly and cooperating cam means on the coating wiper, the first cam means and the cooperating cam means interacting to prevent movement of the cutter assembly when the coating wiper is in an extended position and to free the cutter assembly for pivotal movement on an axis when the coating wiper is moved at least partway between an extended position and a retracted position,

wherein the first cam means comprises a cam element connected to the cutter assembly and the cooperating cam means comprises a slot having a notch formed in the coating wiper, the cam element being received in the notch.

2. A tape applicator as defined in claim 1 wherein said first cam means and said cooperating cam means have adjacent edges positioned to interact and prevent movement of said applicator means toward said retracted position until released by movement of said actuating wiper disengaging said adjacent edges.

3. A tape applicator as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein said application wiper extends between a first end adjacent a brake guide roller on said tape path and a free end adjacent said cutting blade, said first end being spaced from said brake guide roller when said application wiper is in an extended position and pressed against said brake guide roller to pinch said tape between said brake guide roller and said first end when said application wiper is in said retracted position.

4. A tape applicator as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein said tape extends along said tape path in a direction of travel of said tape, said tape applicator further comprising a guide edge mounted on said frame, said guide edge being spaced from said handle and extending from said frame in a direction parallel to said direction of travel of said tape.

Images