GB2255964A

GB2255964A - Apparatus for dispensing tape

Info

Publication number: GB2255964A
Application number: GB9110814A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm John Macnaughton; John William Griffiths Green
Original assignee: Filtrona Instr & Automation
Current assignee: Filtrona Instr & Automation
Priority date: 1991-05-17
Filing date: 1991-05-17
Publication date: 1992-11-25
Also published as: GB9110814D0; WO1992020582A1

Abstract

A tape dispenser (1), for use in a packaging apparatus for sealing boxes by the application of tape (33), having two head sections (2, 3) defining a path for the tape (33), drive means (10, 11, 12) and cutting means (14, 16), at least one of the two head sections being bodily moveable away from the other to allow access to the tape path, drive means and cutting means.

Description

APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING TAPE The present invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing tape, particularly water activatable tape, for the sealing of packing boxes.

According to one aspect thereof, the present invention provides a tape dispenser head for use in a packaging apparatus for sealing boxes by the application of tape. The dispenser head has (a) two sections defining a tape path, (b) a drive means and (c) a cutting means. The two sections defining the tape path can be moved bodily relative to one another to allow easy access to the tape path, the drive means and the cutting means.

Such a dispenser head for water activatable tape is preferably associated with a water application system which is arranged beneath one of the two head sections and which comprises a tank for water and a brush. The spacing between the brush and the tape to pass thereby is preferably adjustable.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a wipe down roller system for use in a packaging apparatus for sealing boxes by the application of tape. The wipe down roller system applies pressure to pre-supplied tape to adhere the tape to the box. The wipe down roller system comprises at least three freely rotatable rollers, the first of which is attached to one end of a first arm, pivotally mounted at its distal end. The second and third rollers are respectively attached to one end of a second and third arm, the second and third arms being joined together at a second pivot and also coupled by a resilient member. Outrigger rollers are preferably also provided to contact the top face of the box near the side edges and apply pressure thereto to prevent undue distortion of the box as the wipe down rollers apply the tape to the box.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a packaging apparatus which has one or both of a tape dispenser head according to the first aspect of the invention and a wipe-down roller system according to the second aspect of the invention and which further has a conveyor table for conveying boxes to be sealed.

One embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view, partly in section, of a tape dispenser and dispenser head according to the invention in the closed, operating position; Figure 2 is a part-sectional diagrammatic view along line I-I of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a view, partly in section and similar to Figure 1, of the tape dispenser head in an open position; Figure 4 is a part-sectional view, similar to Figure 2, along line II-II of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a diagrammatic side view of a wipe down roller system according to the invention; Figures 6-8 are similar views to Figure 5 showing a sequence of movements performed by the rollers of the wipe-down roller system.

Referring to Figures 1-4, tape dispenser 1 has a head with first and second head sections 2 and 3.

The first head section 2 comprises a housing 6 having a substantially flat surface 8. Within the housing 6 is arranged a drive roller 10 operatively connected to a motor 11 mounted in the housing 6. The axis of rotation of the drive roller is perpendicular to the vertical axis of the housing 6. The drive roller is mounted towards the top of the housing. Part of the curved surface of the drive roller 10 projects from a first slot in the flat surface 8 of the housing 6. The flat surface and protruding roller define one side of a path along which tape travels. Towards the bottom of the flat surface 8 there is an anvil 16 which forms the upper edge of a second slot (not shown) in the flat surface 8.

The second head section 3 comprises a fixed flat plate 7, aligned adjacent to and facing the flat surface of the housing 6 to complete the definition of the tape path. A nip roller 12 is arranged adjacent to the drive roller in a first slot (not shown) in the fixed plate 7. The axis of rotation of the nip roller 12 is parallel to that of the drive roller 10. The nip roller 12 is connected to a first solenoid 13.

The first head section is bodily moveable towards and away from the second head section along horizontal guide runners 9.

A blade 14 is located in a second slot (not shown) in the fixed plate 7 and is connected to a second solenoid 15. The blade 14 is aligned for entry into the slot defined by the anvil 16 and is upwardly biased by a tension spring 17 but has a tang (not shown) which co-operates with the slot defined by the anvil to ensure that in operation the blade 14 contacts the anvil correctly. The blade and the anvil together form cutting means. The cutting edge of the blade is at an angle to the anvil so that engagement of the blade and anvil results in a scissor-like cutting action.

In the tape dispenser of Figs. 1 to 4 a water application assembly 4 is arranged beneath the first head section 2 further along the path which the tape follows and comprises a brush 18 and an open shallow tank 19. The brush and tank may be moved towards and away from the fixed plate 7 by adjusting a screw 20. Water from a closed reservoir (not shown) is introduced into the tank 19 through an inlet (not shown) in one of the side walls of the tank. The brush has lower bristles which fit into the tank and upper bristles which extend towards the fixed plate 7. Water is transferred from the lower bristles in contact with the water in the tank to the upper bristles by capillary action. When in use the level of water in the tank tends to drop below the inlet.When air enters the inlet and becomes trapped in the closed reservoir water is displaced from the reservoir and flows into the tank until it reaches the height of the inlet.

The height of the closed reservoir is adjustable, and this movement does not have any disadvantageous affects on the flow of the water into the brush tank.

Referring to Fig.5, a wipe down roller system comprises three freely rotatable rollers 21,23,24. A first roller 21 is mounted on one end of a first arm 22, the other end of which is mounted in a housing 36 at a first pivot 32. A second roller 23 and a third roller 24 are respectively connected to a second arm 25 and a third arm 26. The first and second arms 25 and 26 are joined at a second pivot 27. The first and second arms 25 and 26 are also coupled by a resilient member which constantly urges these two arms together.

The second pivot 27 is attached to a bar 28 which is mounted in the housing at a third pivot 29. The distal end 37 of the bar 28 has a screw threaded peg 30. The peg 30 is located in an arcuate slot 31 in the housing and may be fixed in any position in the slot by a locking nut (not shown). The wipe down roller system further comprises outrigger rollers (not shown).

In a packaging apparatus for applying water activatable adhesive tape to the front, top and rear faces of a box, the tape dispenser is mounted above the wipe down roller system which is in turn mounted above a conveyor table 39. A reel of water activatable tape is mounted above the tape dispenser head.

The conveyor table comprises a series of parallel rollers 38 and a belt drive including two drive belts extending the length of the table (not shown). On the upper surface of the table are arranged two trip switches, one of which is connected to the first solenoid 13, and the other of which is connected to the second solenoid 15.

The clearance between the rollers of the wipe down roller system and the conveyor table is adjustable, as is the vertical positioning of the tape dispenser, to allow for differing heights of box to be sealed.

In operation, an unsealed packing box 35 is placed on the conveyor table between the two drive belts. The height of the tape dispenser above the table is adjusted according to the height of the box to be sealed. The belt drive is also adjusted to bring each of the drive belts into contact with opposite side faces of the box. The arc of movement describing the absolute vertical movement of the tape wipe down rollers is adjusted by pivoting the bar 28 about the pivot 29 and the desired height is maintained by tightening the locking nut for peg 30.

The outrigger rollers (not shown) contact the top face of the box near the side edges and apply pressure thereto, thus preventing undue distortion of the box as the rollers of the wipe down roller system apply the tape to the box.

The first head section 2 of the tape dispenser is slid bodily away from the second head section 3 along guide members 9 to an open position. A water activatable tape 33 is threaded between the two head sections 2 and 3 and trapped therebetween by sliding the first head section back to its original closed position so that the water activatable surface 34 of the tape contacts the curved surface of the drive roller 10 protruding from the flat surface 8.

The belt drive is actuated and the box moves along the conveyor table to engage the first trip switch. The first trip switch then actuates the first solenoid 13 which is energised for a predetermined period causing the nip roller 12 to move towards and contact the tape held over the curved surface of the rotating drive roller 10. This contact drives the tape down towards the projecting upper bristles of the brush 18 which transfer water to the tape to activate the adhesive thereon. When the free end of the tape extends below the bottom of the fixed plate 7 the solenoid 13 causes the nip roller to disengage the drive roller 10 and the tape stops.

When the front face of the box to be sealed contacts the free end of the tape extending below the bottom of the fixed plate 7 the end of the tape adheres to the box. The height of the tape dispenser and the spacing between the two drive belts has been adjusted so that the point of adhesion is at a position between the side edges of the front face in alignment with the abutment surface of the closure flaps on the top of the box. Movement of the box along the conveyor table, driven by the drive belts, pulls tape from the bottom of the dispenser.

As the top edge of the front face of box contacts the first roller 21 of the wipe down roller system, as shown in Figure 5, this roller rolls up along the tape which is now on the front face of the box, applying pressure to adhere the tape thereto.

As the box moves along the conveyor table the first roller 21, attached to arm 22, pivots about the first pivot 32 until it attains the position shown in Figure 6. The first roller 21 then rolls the tape along the top surface of the box over the abutment edges of the closure flaps. The second roller 23 will also follow this path. When the front face of the box contacts the third roller 24 this roller rolls along the full length of the tape attached to the front face of the box. The third arm 26 is then caused to pivot about the second pivot 27 by the force exerted by the leading edge of the box until the third roller 24 attains the position shown in Figure 7. In the meantime, once the first roller 21 has rolled over the top rear edge of the box, the first arm 22 pivots about the first pivot 32, and the first roller 21 returns to its original position as shown in Figure 7.

When the bottom rear edge of the box passes over the second trip switch, the second solenoid 15 is energised to cause the blade to move into the slot in the flat surface 8 of the housing 6 to cut the tape.

After the second roller 23 passes over the top rear edge of the box, it rolls down the rear face of the box, as shown in Figure 8, until it reaches the cut end of the length of tape. The tape is thus adhered to the rear face of the box.

The third roller 24 continues to roll along the tape on the top of the box and when this roller passes over the top rear edge of the box the second and third arms 25 and 26 pivot together about the second pivot 27 until the second and third rollers 23 and 24 return to their original positions as shown in Figure 5.

Relative movement of the first and second head sections of the tape dispenser with respect to one another may be achieved as in the above-described embodiment by allowing the first head section to slide along guide members away from the fixed second head section into an opened position and back towards it into the closed operating position. Alternatively the second head section may be bodily movable relative to a fixed first head section, or both the head sections may be independently movable. The relative movement of the two head sections with respect to one another makes allows access to the tape path, drive means and cutting means for cleaning and maintenance. Should the tape jam inside the tape dispenser, the two head sections may be moved apart to allow removal of the obstruction.

The brush of the water application assembly may be located in a tank for containing water, and the upper bristles may project from the tank and towards the tape to be wetted. The degree of wetting of the water activatable tape may be varied depending on the type of tape used and can be altered by moving the upper bristles of the brush towards or away from the tape by moving the adjustment screw.

The further the bristles extend from the tank the wetter the tape becomes.

To enable both the top and the bottom of a packing box to be sealed simultaneously, the packaging apparatus may have corresponding upper and lower tape dispensers (and preferably also wipe-down roller systems) as described herein.

Another aspect of the invention provides for efficient such application of tape simultaneously from opposite sides (e.g. top side and underside) of a packing box. The apparatus has corresponding opposed tape dispensers (and preferably also wipe-down roller) systems (e.g. as describe herein) which are in register with one another relative to the machine direction.

Previous such apparatus have their upper and lower dispensers offset with respect to each other along the machine direction and need separate controls for each. This arrangement according to the invention is particularly advantageous because it is necessary to have only one control mechanism for actuating the tape feed and tape cutting for both (e.g. upper and lower) tape dispensers. This arrangement according to the invention can be facilitated by the simple way in which in the above illustrated embodiment the top (and optionally also the bottom) wipe-down roller system is adjustable to take account of different heights of box.

Automatic adjustment of packaging apparatus according to the invention to accommodate any given size of box to be sealed may be achieved by providing sensors to which a box passes before it reaches the packing apparatus, the sensors being operatively connected to the adjustment means.

The tape dispenser head, the wipe down roller system, the outrigger rollers, the water reservoir, the reservoir feed, the in-register opposed tape-dispensers and the blade and anvil are each considered to have inventive merit independent of each other and of the packaging apparatus hereinbefore described and may find application in other systems.

In particular the outrigger rollers may be used to prevent undue deformation of a box by the exertion of pressure by any wipe-down roller system.

The blade and anvil may also be used in a tape dispenser head other than that described hereinbefore.

The adjustable water reservoir and/or its feed might also be used independently of the apparatus described herein.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A tape dispenser for use in a packaging apparatus for sealing boxes by the application of tape, the dispenser having two head sections defining a path for a tape, drive means for driving the tape along the path and cutting means for cutting a length of tape, at least one of the two head sections being bodily moveable away from one other to allow access to the tape path, the drive means and the cutting means.

2. A tape dispenser according to claim l for use in a packaging apparatus for the sealing of boxes using water activatable adhesive tape, further comprising a water application system for wetting a water activatable adhesive tape.

3. A tape dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the water application system is located after the cutting means along the tape path and is moveable towards and away from the water activatable tape.

4. A tape dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the drive means comprises a drive roller and a nip roller moveable into and out of driving engagement.

5. A tape dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the cutting means comprises an anvil in one section and a blade in the other section, the blade being moveable towards and away from the anvil.

6. A tape dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the blade has a tang which cooperates with a slot defined by the anvil, the blade being sprung so that it contacts the anvil.

7. A tape dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the cutting edge of the blade is at an angle to the anvil so that as the blade approaches the anvil a scissor-like action is executed.

8. A packaging apparatus having a tape dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims and conveyor means for moving a box to be sealed past the tape dispenser.

9. A wipe down roller system for applying pressure to stick tape to a box comprising at least three freely rotatable rollers, the first of which is attached to one end of a first arm, pivotally mounted at its distal end, and the second and third rollers are respectively attached to one end of a second and third arm, which arms are joined at a second pivot and coupled together by a resilient member urging the two arms together.

10. A wipe-down roller system according to claim 9 further comprising outrigger rollers for contacting the top face of the box near the side edges, and applying pressure thereto to prevent undue distortion of the box as the wipe-down rollers apply the tape to the box.

11. A packaging apparatus having a tape dispenser, a wipe down roller system according to claims 9 or 10 and conveyor means for moving a box to be sealed past the tape dispenser and then past the wipe down roller system.

12. A packaging apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the tape dispenser is according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

13. A tape dispenser head substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying Figures 1-4.

14. A tape dispenser with water applicator, all substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying Figures 1-4.

15. A wipe down roller system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying Figures 5-8.

16. A packaging apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described.