404,647. Adhesive-taping machines. BRITISH UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CO., Ltd., CHAMBERLAIN, S., and JAMES, C. H., Belgrave Road, Leicester. July 11, 1932, No. 19505. [Class 73.] In machines for applying adhesive tape to sheet material, of the type described in Specifications 220,502, 272,183, 297,349, and 299,528, [all in Class 73, Labels &c.], means are provided whereby the same machine can be employed for applying the tape to a flat surface, or to a seam, referred to as side taping and seam taping respectively. For this purpose, the work rolls are interchangeable and an edge gauge is replaceable by a seam support, the presser member has two operative surfaces selectively brought into use, and two interchangeable units are provided each comprising tape guiding, pulling-off, and severing mechanisms. The roll support 19, Figs. 1 and 2 is mounted in a vertical bearing in the main frame and can be depressed, against spring pressure, by means of a treadle to allow the work to be placed on the roll 31. The roll shown is employed in side 145 detachably secured by a screwed head 155 to the main frame. The pulling-off mechanism comprises two arms 169, 171, Fig. 6, capable of taping and can be readily replaced by one with a transversely concave surface for seam taping by removing a slotted retaining member 47. Both rolls comprise rubber rings mounted on hubs and surrounded by a sleeve which, in the case of the seam taping roll, is in several parts. The edge gauge 57 is pivotally mounted on a member 67 slidably and pivotally carried on a rod 55 and held in the operative position shown, in engagement with a block 53, by means of a thumb screw 71 ; the block 53 is carried by the roll support and carries the rod 55. When the machine is adapted for seam taping a seam guide 59, also mounted on the rod 55, is swung into position and secured by the engagement of the screw 71 with a forked part thereon. The two operative surfaces 83, 85 of the presser member 81 are carried on a support 87 and can be reversed by the operation of a screwed rod 91 engaging a nut 93. The presser may be electrically heated and is mounted in a bracket 105 the upper end of which is formed as a strap engaging an eccentric on the main shaft 9, the bracket also being furnished with a slot 107 in which is located a pivoted block 109 ; by these means the presser is given its pressing and feeding motion. The guiding, pulling-off and severing unit for side taping is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4 parts being identical with the seam taping unit which is shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The side taping unit is carried by a bracket limited relative swinging movement, mounted on a stud 165, a torsion spring 177 tending to open the arms which are under the influence of a spring 199 tending to swing the arms clockwise. The arm 169 is fitted with a tooth 183 which can be adjusted by means of an interposed wedge 189 and is adapted to engage a ratchet wheel 123 on a feeding roll 117, the tape being led round this roll to a roll 181 on the arm 171 ; this arrangement ensures the feeding of the tape in accordance with requirements, the feed being stopped when the tension in the tape falls, the arm 171 then swinging clockwise and carrying the pawl arm 169 with it. The bracket 145 is fitted at its lower end with a block 211, Fig. 4 having pivoted fingers 215 for pressing the tape as it is applied to the work ; these fingers are similar to parts described in Specification 220,502. Secured also to the block is a tensioning-device 225 comprising a leaf spring 227 and an end piece 229 with spaced side walls ; the tensioning device is detachably mounted on a stud 223 by means of a pivoted catch 231. The severing-device comprises a wedge-shaped knife 235 secured to a bar 241 projecting from a lever 243 pivoted about a screw 245 and fitted with a projecting lug 251. To effect the operation of the knife a hand lever 255 is depressed : this lever is fitted with a roll which bears against a lever 261 the other end of which is formed as a cam surface for engagement with the convex surface 127 of a spring-returned push member 125 mounted in the bracket 105. The other end of the push member then engages the lug 251 to effect reciprocation of the knife. The seam taping unit comprises a bracket 273, Figs. 5 and 6 the upper part of which is identical with the side taping bracket 145 and is fitted with similar tensioning means. Its lower end carries a block 279 to which is adjustably fitted a bar 282 having flared side guides 289 for the work, as described in Specification 297,349. The severing means comprises a pivotally-mounted and spring-returned knife 315 carried on a stud 323 on the other end of which is a lug 329, Fig. 7 having a cam face 331. A second stud 293 is pivotally mounted in the block and projects on both sides. On one side it supports a plate 295, Fig. 6 carrying a hinged plate 299 which is urged by a spring against a tape guiding- member 303. On the other end of the stud 293 a lever 343, Fig. 7 is mounted which, through a link 347 and detachable connections, can be operated from a treadle. Also mounted on the stud is a lever 333 operated by the engagement of the lever 343 with a stop 373 thereon and having a cam surface which, on the depression of the treadle, engages a curved head at the opposite end of the push member 125 to bring the end 129 into engagement with the member 329 and effect the reciprocation of the knife as in the case of the side taping unit. The machine frame is hollow so that the roll and unit not in use can be stored therein.