TW201630797A - Manual taping implement - Google Patents

Abstract

An improved manually operated taping device provides for control of the leading end or a tape being applied, which may be obtained by has a drawback mechanism to draw back the landing end of the tape immediately after the tape is cut or a brake action or adhesive grip or both and may also include controlled tape cutting action and a safety cutting knife retaining mechanism. The device may also include a guide to better ensure the device is moved during tape application in the direction relative movement between the tape and device.

Description

Manual tape device

The present invention relates to a manual tape application device, and more particularly to an improved device that facilitates the implementation of an ergonomic manual tape application operation.

There are a number of different hand-operated tape applicators, for example, No. 2,582,979 issued to Fritzinger on January 22, 1952, No. 3,523,053 awarded to Zbinden et al. on August 4, 1970, and issued on March 28, 1974. Weick et al., No. 3, 813, 275, No. 4, 238, 271, issued to Urushizaki on December 9, 1980, No. 4,253,905, issued to Regan on March 3, 1981, and 4,345,966, issued to Iiyoma et al., August 24, 1982 No. 4,762,586, issued to Wilkie on August 9, 1988, No. 5, 641, 377, inventor Chung, June 24, 1977, No. 6,799, 623 awarded to Cheng on October 5, 2005, and March 2, 2010 U.S. Patent No. 7,669,631 to Bailey.

In general, they must leave a fairly long free front end that must be applied to the next item to be taped, thereby preventing tape application. Often these manually operated applicators or so-called tape dispensers require the operator to pull the free front end portion with their fingers and then attach it to the article to begin the tape application process.

Since the tape is supplied as a continuous strip from a supply of such a roll of such tape, it also requires a cutting blade. The blade is typically placed away from the tape path and the article to avoid accidental cutting of the tape or damage to the article during the tape application process. It also provides blade safety protection to prevent operator injury. The above-mentioned Patent No. 5,641,377 discloses a technique for retracting a blade from its general cutting position for safety purposes. No. 7,669,631 discloses a mechanism for limiting the free front end of the tape.

In some manually operated tape dispensing devices, the cutting operation is manually activated by a triggering operation in the form of a tape that is presented to the cutting blade to cut the glue U.S. Patent Nos. 4,762,586, 4,345,966, 4,253,905 and 3,813,275.

The above-mentioned patents 4, 345, 966 and 3, 813, 275 and 4, 238, 271, 3, 523, 053 and 2, 582, 979 provide a withdrawal system in the form of moving the free end of the tape away from the application site, in most cases physically removing the tape roll. Wait. In the above-mentioned Patent No. 4,762,586, a slip member is manually released to change the orientation of the tape and to skip the applicator roller toward the tape roller from which the tape is being dispensed.

The devices disclosed in the cited patents rely entirely on the operator's manual dexterity to displace the device in the desired direction during tape application and/or in many cases trigger the cutting of the tape to complete the job.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved manually operated tape applicator that is simple and safe to use and maintains control of the tape front end on the device.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a manually operated adhesive tape device having a retracting mechanism whereby the front end of the tape is pulled back immediately after the tape is cut to provide a shortened free end on the tape for tape the next tape. Application of the item.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a manually operated tape applicator having an applicator and cutting mechanism for creating a short free end on the tape for application to the next taped article.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a manually operated tape application device having an applicator and a cutting mechanism to provide a preferred cutting angle for the blade and to produce a more reliable cutting action and cleaner on the tape. Cutting edge.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cutting blade safety member that requires tape tension to release the cutting edge from a retracted position.

A further 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.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a releasable application for use in tape Manual operation of the brakes to the tape device to better ensure a cleaner cut during the cutting operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a manually operated tape application device that includes a guide for holding the tape in a position relative to the tape application blade.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to a manually operated tape applicator device comprising a frame; a tape source of tape to be applied by the applicator, mounted to the frame; a handle extending from the frame; The tape source extends to a tape path of an applicator member for applying a front end of the tape; and a tape pullback device mounted to the frame, the tape pullback device comprising a tape Shrinking arm, the tape retracting arm is biased toward the tape path and movable to an extended position when the tension in the tape on the tape path is reduced to the tape retracting position, whereby the tape is stretched from the tape The tape is removed from a normal tape path as it is dispensed to an offset position, forcing the tape from the normal tape path to a tape shrink path, thereby pulling a front end of the tape back toward the tape roll.

Another way to achieve a shortened free end on the tape and/or to improve the cutting operation in accordance with the present invention is by using a manually operated tape applicator that includes a frame; one of the tapes to be applied by the applicator Attached to the frame; extending from the tape source to a tape path of an applicator member for applying a front end of the tape; and for mounting the applicator member A mounting member on the frame and a member for biasing the applicator blade from a retracted position to an initial position, wherein the applicator member is in a position for applying the front end of the tape.

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

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to a manually operated tape applicator that includes a main frame; at least one guide roller mounted to the main frame for rotation on a first axis Moving a tape having an adhesive side and a non-adhesive side from a supply source of the tape to a tape applicator blade, the tape applicator blade being attached to a second pivotally mounted to the main frame Movement along the second axis on the squeegee assembly on the axis moves the applicator blade between an extended inoperative position and a retracted cutting position; biasing the squeegee assembly to thereby cause the applicator a squeegee moved to the member in the extended non-working position; a cutter assembly pivotally mounted on the third axis of the main frame; one mounted on the cutter assembly and extending from the cutter assembly An upper scraper, and a cutter blade mounted on the cutter assembly; a latch cam member extending from the cutter assembly and a cooperating cam disposed on the scraper assembly, the latch and cooperation The cam system interacts to prevent movement of the cutter assembly when the applicator blade is in the extended inoperative position and to release the cutter when the applicator blade moves between at least the extended and the retracted position The assembly pivots, the first and second and third Line is parallel.

Preferably, the latch cam includes a cam member coupled to the cutter assembly by an arm, and the cooperating cam includes a recess and a body formed in the scraper assembly for receiving the cam member therein gap.

Preferably, the applicator blade extends between a first end and a free end adjacent to the at least one guide roller, the at least one guide roller being a brake guide roller, the first end is located The second axis is adjacent to one side of the brake guide roller, the free end being spaced from the brake guide roller when the applicator blade is in the extended position, and being at the applicator blade The retracted position is pressed against the brake guide roller to clamp the tape between the brake guide roller and the free end.

The applicator blade extends between a first end and a free end adjacent to the at least one guide roller, the first end being located on a side of the second axis adjacent to the at least one guide roller and the a free end is located on an opposite side of the second axis, a pair of opposing lug portions being mounted away from the frame, wherein each lug is between each of the second axis and the free end adjacent the applicator blade One side is disposed, and the lugs are configured to press the applicator against the adhesive side of the tape when the applicator blade is in the extended position, and move the applicator blade toward the retracted position The lugs and the tape are separated.

Preferably the applicator blade is wider adjacent the free end, adjacent to the first Providing at one end a narrower portion extending at least half the length of the applicator blade between the first end and the free end, the lugs being adjacent to a narrower portion of the applicator blade, each lug An adjacent side edge of the tape is superposed but does not overlap the applicator blade, and the lugs are configured to press the applicator blade against the applicator blade when in the extended position The adhesive side of the tape separates the lugs and the tape as the applicator blade moves toward the retracted position.

10‧‧‧ applicator

10a‧‧‧Hand applicator

12‧‧‧Frame

14‧‧‧handle

15‧‧‧ Tape Roller Fixings

16‧‧‧ Tape Roller

17‧‧‧Adhesive side

18‧‧‧ Tape

19‧‧‧ Non-adhesive side

20‧‧‧ applicator roller

21‧‧‧ Tape Path

22‧‧‧Carton

23‧‧‧blade

24‧‧‧Scraper

26‧‧‧cutting the blade

28‧‧‧Free end

30‧‧‧ Tape Path

32, 34‧‧‧ parallel guide rolls

36‧‧‧ Tape Pullback Device

38‧‧‧Leverage arm

40‧‧‧ pivot shaft

42‧‧‧ Spring

44‧‧‧Free end

46‧‧‧stops

48‧‧‧Guide

60‧‧‧ arms

110‧‧‧Manually operated tape applicator

112‧‧‧Frame

115‧‧‧ Tape Roller Fixings

116‧‧‧ Tape Roller

118‧‧‧ Tape

122‧‧‧Carton

128‧‧‧Free end

136‧‧‧Return institutions

148‧‧‧Free end

150‧‧‧Return institutions

152‧‧‧Free end

154‧‧‧Applicator scraper

156‧‧‧ cut the blade

160‧‧‧Elastic adjustment arm

162‧‧‧Axis

164‧‧‧Rotating roller

166‧‧‧ nip rollers

168‧‧ ‧ spring

170‧‧‧Edge folding station

172‧‧‧ Roller

174‧‧‧ Arm

176‧‧‧Fixed parts

178‧‧ ‧ spring

180‧‧‧stops

200‧‧‧L-shaped lever

202‧‧‧Installation arm

204‧‧‧ pivoting fixture

206‧‧‧stop arm

208‧‧ ‧ spring

210‧‧‧stops

212‧‧‧Cam surface

220‧‧‧Starting scraper

222‧‧‧ cutting blade

224‧‧‧ Arms

225‧‧‧cutting mechanism

226‧‧‧Fixed parts

230‧‧‧stops

232‧‧‧ neighboring

234‧‧‧Cooperative cam

300‧‧‧Applicator

301‧‧‧Applicator section

302‧‧‧ introducer

304‧‧‧Leverage

308‧‧‧Applicator scraper

312‧‧‧Frame

310, 316, 321‧‧ arm

314‧‧‧Free end

317‧‧‧ cut off part

320‧‧‧Starting scraper

321‧‧‧Second L-shaped arm

323‧‧ ‧ spring

326‧‧‧cutting the blade

334‧‧‧ push board

336‧‧‧ Connecting rod

338‧‧‧Slip joints

400‧‧‧ leading edge

402‧‧‧Disc

404‧‧‧flat part

406‧‧‧Guideboard

410‧‧‧Perforation

Edge of 420, 422‧‧

424, 426‧‧‧closed flaps

428‧‧‧ Spring

430‧‧‧stops

434‧‧‧ cam

450‧‧‧ side

500, 502‧‧‧ cutting edges

504‧‧‧ Groove

510‧‧‧Manual tape applicator

512‧‧‧ main frame

514‧‧‧handle

516‧‧‧ Tape Roller

518‧‧‧ Tape source

522‧‧‧Adhesive surface

524‧‧‧ Non-adhesive surface

526, 528‧‧‧ guide rolls

532‧‧‧Applicator scraper

534‧‧‧first axis

536‧‧‧second axis

538‧‧‧ applicator assembly

540‧‧‧Frame

544‧‧ ‧ spring

546‧‧‧ latch

548‧‧‧Axis

550‧‧‧Cutter assembly

552‧‧‧Frame

554‧‧‧Cutter blades

556‧‧‧Accurate scraper

558‧‧‧Latch Cam

562‧‧‧Cooperative cam

563‧‧‧lower edge

564‧‧‧ gap

565‧‧‧ edge

568‧‧‧stops

570‧‧‧second stop

572‧‧‧Free end

574‧‧‧ first end

576‧‧‧ narrow part

578, 580‧‧‧ ears

582, 584‧‧‧ edge

579, 581‧‧ ‧ trailing edge

583, 585‧‧‧ free end

590‧‧‧ cabinet

600, 602‧‧ cut edges

Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description of the appended claims. The tape applicator is a schematic view of the carton tape application operation by cutting the tape and folding the tape onto the rear vertical surface of the carton by a downward movement of a squeegee.

Figure 1b (Prior Art) is a schematic view showing the same hand-held tape applicator as in Figure 1a on the front side vertical surface of the carton.

Figure 1c (Prior Art) shows a schematic view of the cutting edge of the tape using the cutting system of the prior art described above.

Figure 2a is a schematic illustration of a hand held applicator of the present invention comprising a spring biased tape pull back member.

Figure 2b shows a schematic view of the same handheld applicator as in Figure 2a when it is ready to apply tape to the vertical surface of the carton.

Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of one of the hand held tape applicators of the present invention in a general position to be applied to the vertical surface of the front side of the carton.

Figure 4 is a schematic view showing the tape applicator of Figure 3 when the tape is cut.

Figure 4a is a schematic illustration of adjacent edges on opposite sides when cut using the preferred cutting system of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a schematic view showing another embodiment of the hand held tape applicator of the present invention on the front side vertical surface on which the tape is to be applied to the carton.

Figure 6 is a schematic view showing the tape applicator of Figure 5 when the tape is cut.

Figure 7a is a simplified side view showing a preferred form of operation of the operating guide or center guide.

Figure 7b is an end view showing the guide of Figure 7a disposed in the gap between adjacent ends of the closure flap of the carton to guide the applicator movement.

Figure 7c is an end view showing the introducer of Figure 7a disposed at the side of the carton to apply a half-width tape to the top of the carton during the illustrated application.

Fig. 8 is a view showing a cutting system similar to the cutting system shown in Figs. 3 and 4, but the cutting blade is fixed to the frame.

Figure 9 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the present invention when parts are omitted for clarity of display.

Figure 9a is a bottom view of the lower portion of the Figure 9 embodiment showing the positioning lugs holding the tape adjacent the applicator blade.

Figure 10 is a partial schematic view of an embodiment similar to Figure 1, showing the applicator blade in an extended position and pressing the tape between the positioning lugs and the applicator blade for retention The tape is adjacent the applicator blade and the paired assembly is in the locked position.

Figure 11 is a partial schematic view of an embodiment similar to Figure 2, but with the applicator blade moving toward the retracted position and at a position where the tape is not pressed against the lug, i.e., the tape is The tape source is freely pulled and applied, and the cutting assembly is in an unlocked position.

Figure 12 is a partial schematic view of an embodiment similar to Figure 10, but with the applicator blade moved into the retracted position and placed in the tape sandwiched between the guide roller and the applicator blade The position between the adjacent ends facilitates cutting, the cutting assembly is in the cutting position and the tape is detached from the positioning lugs.

Figures 1a, 1b showing prior art are used to show significant shortcomings of the prior art. A simple version of the applicator 10 is shown in the drawings having a frame 12, a handle 14, and a tape roll holder 15 having a tape roll 16 mounted thereon. The tape 18 (having an adhesive side 17 and a non-adhesive side 19) is drawn from the tape roll 16 and conveyed along the tape path 21 and subjected to A guide plate or blade 23 is directed onto an applicator roll 20 which applies the adhesive side of the tape 18 to the article being taped (shown in the form of a carton 22). A drag scraping blade 24 having a cutting blade 26 is mounted on the frame 12 and disposed in front of the applicator roller 20 in the direction of movement of the tape 18 (which has been shown to include the scraping A relatively simple cutting system for the lower screed 24 and the blade, but obviously a renewed but well known blade system is generally used. Figure 1a shows the problem of the tape source associated with the length of one of the tapes releasing the free end 28, the length of the release free end being long and having a length indicated by the distance X. This length X is determined by the distance between the cutting blade 26 and the applicator roller 20.

The problem caused by the length X of the release free end 28 of the tape 18 in Figure 1b is that it is unsupported and free from the side of the tape roll 16 which is also effectively pressed against the vertical surface of the carton. The applicator roller 20 extends. The untouched or free end 28 of length X is not pressed against the carton 22 by normal tape application and must be pressed against the carton 22 by other means, such as by hand. The tape 18 is applied through the applicator roll 20 against the carton 22 only when the applicator roll 20 is on the opposite side of the free end 28. The present invention provides a solution to this deficiencies that have been in existence for many years.

The same reference numerals have been used above to indicate the equivalent portions of the hand or manual tape applicator 10 shown in Figures 2a, 2b, and Figures 2a, 2b show the relative deficiencies to the prior art described above. Simple solution. Similar to Fig. 1a, Fig. 2a shows a hand applicator 10a, wherein the distance between the cutting blade 26 and the edge of the applicator roll 20 is the same as in Fig. 1, whereby the applicator 10a is formed. The length X1 of the free end 28 is the same as the free end 28 formed by the prior art of the applicator 10 in Figures 1a, 1b.

Figure 1c shows that the cutting edges 500, 502 formed by the cutting operation of Figure 1a are apparently serrated from Figure 1c, and even more importantly, the tips or tips of the serrated blades 26 typically used in the industry are created. The groove 504 is increased in depth until the tip passes through the tape and the cutting is completed. The poor cutting edges 500, 502 shown in Figure 1c are due to the conventional cutting orientation in which the tape path travels perpendicular to the blade toward the blade, i.e., the entry angle is 90°. The preferred cutting edges 600, 602 shown in Figure 4c are achieved using the present invention by varying the tape path angle when cutting the tape, as described below.

The applicator 10a shown in Figures 2a, 2b is modified to the tape 18 at the edge of the tape roll 16 (which provides the tape source to which the tape 18 is drawn by the applicator 10) and the applicator roll 20 (which will The adhesive side 17 of the tape 18 is applied to the item to be taped, and a different tape path is provided between the carton 22) in the illustrated illustration. The tape path 30 is defined by a pair of spaced apart parallel guide rolls 32, 34 with the path of the tape 18 traversing the applicator roll 20. A tape pullback device 36 is disposed between the two guide rollers 32, 34, which is mounted on the frame 12 by a pivot in the system shown in Figures 2a, 2b, 3a, and 3b. The lever arm 38 is formed at the position and is biased toward the tape path 30 by the spring 42 between the guide rollers 32, 34. The frame 12 of the embodiment of Figures 2a, 2b can be slightly modified relative to the frame 12 of Figures 1a, 1b as needed to accommodate the altered tape path 30 and the tape retrieval device 36. Preferably, the lever arm 38 extends over the entire width of the tape 18 and has a curved free end 44 for the tape 18 to pass therethrough.

The tension of the tape 18 during operation forces the lever arm 38 of the tape pullback device 36 against the pressure from the spring 42 and moves the lever arm 38 to the position shown in Figure 2c, i.e., the guide rollers 32 are placed The tape path 30 between 34 and 34 is relatively straight and short. When the tape 18 is severed by the cutting blade 26, the tension in the tape is weakened and the spring 42 forces the lever arm 38 against the stop member 46 (which protrudes from the frame 12 to the second shown in Figure 2b). Extended position), and wherein the tape path 30 between the guide rollers 32, 34 is deformed from the relatively straight path shown in Figure 2a (and the dashed line in Figure 2b) to form the second shown in Figure 2b The path 31 is curved to thereby increase the length or number of tapes 18 extending between the guide rolls 32,34. This additional length is obtained by pulling the free end 28 back toward the tape roll 16 along the tape path 30, i.e., the tape 18 is no longer tension-fastened or the free end portion 28 is free to be pulled back to form The curved path 31 is thereby used to reduce the amount of untouched and exposed excess at the free end of the tape 18. By setting the length of the tape pull back by the pullback mechanism 36, the need to scrape the trailing end 28 by hand can be eliminated, whereby the applicator roller 20 of the applicator 10a can press the tape 18 against the carton 22 and substantially The entire length "Y" is passed to the top 46 of the carton 2, i.e., the applicator roll 20 is pressed against the tape 18 from the carton 22 to the top 46 of the carton from the initial point of application of the tape 18.

In all of the embodiments shown, the applicator roller 20 is as known Replaced by an applicator blade and vice versa. These terms as used herein may be interpreted accordingly. A suitable guide 48 that inhibits lateral movement of the tape 18 can also be provided.

In the embodiment of Figures 3 through 6, the release of the tape 118 or the length of the free end 128 is limited by the use of at least one mechanism incorporated in this embodiment, i.e., by using a tape pullback device 36 as described above. A similar but simpler pullback mechanism 150, and/or by placing the tape 118 at the cutting blade 156, the free end 152 of the applicator blade 154 is disposed proximate the cutting blade 156, as described below.

The hand or manually operated tape applicator 110 of Figures 3 and 4 includes a frame 112 mounted on a tape roll holder 115, which in turn is fitted with a tape roll 116 to which the tape is to be applied.

In the system, a buckling adjustment arm 160 is pivotally mounted on a pivot 162 of the frame 112 adjacent the end of the buckling adjustment arm 160, which also acts as the axis of the rotating roller 164. A nip roller 166 that bears against an outer edge of the tape roll 116 is disposed adjacent to the free end of the buckling adjustment arm 160 and is in contact with the spring 168 extending between the buckling adjustment arm 160 and the frame 112, and The free end of the buckling adjustment arm 160 is biased to abut the nip roller 166 against the tape roll 116.

The elastic adjustment arm 160 is not required for the present invention, but can be used to mount an edge-folding station 170, if used, as described in U.S. Patent No. 8,393,375, issued to Mar. This is incorporated herein by reference.

The pullback mechanism 136 operates in a similar manner to the pullback mechanism 36 described above but incorporates a roller 172 mounted on the free end of the arm 174 that is pivotally mounted on the frame 112 and The roller 172 is spaced apart at the location of the mark 176. It is apparent that pivoting of the arm 174 about the fixture 176 causes the roller 172 to move relative to the tape path 130 to change the path when the tension in the tape 118 is released as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 The length of the tape path 130 between the paths when the tape 118 is applied and subjected to tension is shown. To accomplish this, the roller 172 is biased toward the tape path 130 by a spring 178, which has no tension in the tape and is compressed when the tension is applied until the tape 118 is compressed against the force generated by the roller 172. The 178 holds the arm 174 against the stop 180, thereby moving to the position shown in FIG. Obviously The return mechanisms 36, 136 operate generally in the same manner to pull back when the tension in the tape 18 or 118 is released by extending the length of the tape path from the tape roll 16 or 116 to the applicator roll 20 or scraper 54. The free end 28 or 128 of the tape 18 or 118.

The applicator and cutting mechanism of the embodiments of Figures 3 and 4 are significantly different from those described in Figures 2a and 2b cited above.

In Figures 3 and 4 (and Figures 5 and 6), the applicator is in the form of a squeegee 154 that is mounted on a mounting arm 202 of the applicator that is L-shaped. Form and pivotally mounted on the frame 112 at the location of the indicia 204, wherein the mounting arm 202 is attached to one side of the pivoting fixture 204, and a stop arm 206 of the L-shaped lever 200 is configured On the other side of the fixture 204. A spring 208 biases the squeegee to an extended position wherein the stop arm 206 is forced against a stop 210 that is secured to the frame 112. The mounting arm 202 provides a cam surface 212 adjacent the edge of its free end and the side remote from the flight 154, as described below.

A drag or start squeegee 220 is used to activate a cutting blade 222, and both are mounted on an arm 224 to sever the tape 118 and form an important component of the cutting mechanism 225. The arm 224 is pivotally mounted at the location of the indicia 226 of the frame 112 and is biased by the spring 228 against a stop 230 that is also secured to the frame 112. The abutting edge 232 of the arm 224 cooperates with the stop 230 to prevent counterclockwise movement about the fixture 226.

A cooperating cam 234 is mounted on an end of the arm 224 adjacent the arm 224 adjacent the screed 154, which is shown as a cam roller but can be any suitable cam surface and is configured to be associated with the arm The cams 212 on 202 cooperate to inhibit or allow relative movement between the applicator formed by the L-shaped lever 200 and the activation or drag scraper 220, as will be described below.

Figure 4 shows the cutting action of the blade 22. The position of the applicator blade 154 immediately after the cams 212, 234 are released is shown as a solid line, and it is severed by a dashed blade before the release and immediately after the tape 118. Therefore, the squeegee 154 is in a solid line only at the time of cutting and before that moment. This release action occurs when the actuation of the cutting mechanism 225 or the dragging sprocket 220 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow 250 to cause the arm to be rotated. The 224 is moved away from the stop 230 and forces the cam 234 to move relative to the cam 212 to be released therefrom. Once the cams 212, 234 release the tension in the tape 118, they move the squeegee 154 from the dashed position to the solid position against the action of the spring 208, which then severs the tape 118 and releases the tape 118. Its tension, in turn, allows the spring 208 to return the squeegee 154 to the dashed position.

Until the tape 118 is severed, the pullback mechanism 136 remains in the position shown in Figure 4, i.e., the tension in the tape compresses the spring 178 to define a shorter relationship between the tape roller 116 and the applicator 154. Tape path 130, but as long as the tape is severed by blade 222 and the tension in the tape is released, spring 174 moves the pullback mechanism to the position shown in Figure 3 and increases the path 30 between tape roller 116 and squeegee 154 Length, whereby the free end 148 of the tape 118 is pulled back toward the tape roll 116 to create a shorter free front end on the tape, wherein the pullback mechanism 36 or 136 can be replaced if the length can be substantially reduced for a particular job, That is, the resulting free end of the tape is acceptable, and the pullback mechanism may not be required.

Moving the squeegee to the solid position shown in Fig. 4 changes the angle of entry of the blade 222, and it penetrates and cuts the tape 118 to cut the tape.

A preferred form of the cutting operation of the present invention orients the tape 118 relative to the cutting edge 222 by reducing the angle of entry or angle of attack of the tape path (the angle between the tape as it moves relative to the blade to cut the tape 118). Angle C shows the change in angle between the applicator blade and the orientation (solid line) of the blade when cutting (dotted) tape, i.e., the cutting angle is not as perpendicular as in prior art devices. The blade 222 creates cutting edges 600, 602 for the orientation of the tape 18 when cut, the cutting edges being substantially identical and not forming the grooves shown at 504 in Figure 1c.

It is also apparent that the squeegee also reduces the distance between the cutting edge 22 and the adjacent end 152 of the squeegee 154 (see Figure 3) when contracted, thereby reducing the free end length of the tape 118.

Figures 5 and 6 show an alternative and more complex cut and applicator system that can be used in place of the system shown in Figures 3 and 4. In this embodiment, the elements of the pullback mechanism and other transfer tapes to the application point are substantially the same, so only the downstream changes will be described. change. In this embodiment, the tape 118 is guided from the pullback mechanism 136 to a cutting and applicator mechanism 300 by an introducer 302. The applicator portion 301 of the mechanism 300 is formed by an L-shaped applicator lever 304 that is pivotally mounted at the location of the indicia 306 on the frame 312 and that is in one arm 310 and another An applicator or applicator blade 308 is carried over the free end of the arm 316, and a first cam is formed on the mechanism 317 in cooperation with a push plate 334, as described below.

The cut portion 317 of the mechanism 300 is composed of a second L-shaped arm 321 which is pivotally mounted at the position of the mark 321 on the frame 312 and biased in the counterclockwise direction by a spring 323. The arm 321 is provided with a towing or starting blade 320 and a cutting blade 326. The push plate 334 actually forms a cooperating cam that cooperates with the arm 316 adjacent its free end 314, which is attached to the cut portion 317 on the side of the blade opposite the cutting edge thereof and is configured to engage adjacent The arm 316 of the cam 314.

A connecting rod 336 is coupled to the arm 321 by a non-slip connector 338 for interactively connecting the mechanism portions 301, 317 for bonding.

The system shown in Figures 5 and 6 operates with the pullback mechanism 136 based on the tension of the tape 118 described above. The mechanism is in the position shown in Fig. 5 at the beginning of the tape application operation, and tension is applied to the tape 118 when the tape is applied to the carton 122, and the pullback mechanism 136 is moved to the state shown in Fig. 6. position. The mechanism 300 moves the start or drag squeegee 320 by rotating the tape along the trailing corner of the carton 122 and moves to the position shown in FIG. The initial movement of the squeegee 320 is rotated in the clockwise direction in FIG. 6 by contacting the push plate 334 (actually providing a cam) to rotate the same along the fixing member 306 clockwise until it The free end 314 can pass through the push plate 334 when the connecting rod forces the free end 304 to rotate in the opposite direction and the trailing blade continues to move clockwise about the fixed member 321. This changes the orientation of the application blade 308 and moves its free end closer to the blade 326 to improve the angle of entry of the blade 326 as the blade 326 passes through and cuts the tape 118 to facilitate cutting and shortening the tape. The length of the free end (as described above in relation to Figures 3 and 4).

Obviously, the cam 212 and the arm 316 are respectively adjacent to the upper edges of the free end 314 and cooperate with the cams 234, 334 respectively. The cams function as latch cams. The applicator blade 154 or 308 is released to move relative to the frame 112 when released by the drag or start blade 220 or 320, respectively. This release movement is shown in the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4 by which the deformation of the arm 202 or cam surface 212 is prevented by the stop member 210 as it is rotated counterclockwise in these figures. The approximate counterclockwise movement in the embodiment of Figures 5 and 6 acts through the non-slip connector 338.

As noted above, the apparatus of Figures 5 and 6 also reduces the angle of attack and shortens the free end of the tape as described in Figures 3 and 4.

All hand-operated applicators can be equipped with an applicator guide that assists the operator in placing the tape 18 or 118 in the desired position relative to the item to be taped, such as the carton 22, 122, and the like. An embodiment of such an introducer is shown in Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6, and another embodiment is shown in Figures 7a, 7b, and 7c. Each of them includes a guiding edge 400 mounted on the frame 12 or 112 and extending parallel to the general direction of travel of the tapes 18, 118 as it is being applied to the carton 22, 122, i.e., the guide The leading edge 400 extends perpendicular to the pivot axis 40 or 176.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6, the guiding edge 400 is formed by a disk 402 or the like, and may also include a portion formed by a flat planar portion 404. The two edges, the flat planar portion 404, are projecting from the free end of the handle 14 or 114 and extend in alignment with the plane of the disc 402. The position 402, 404 relative to the width W of the tape 18 or 118 (see Figures 7a, 7b and 7c) and the operation of the introducer 400 will be described with reference to Figures 7a, 7b and 7c.

Referring now to Figures 7a, 7b and 7c, a preferred form of the introducer 400 is shown. In this embodiment, a thin guide 406 replaces the disc 402 and the flat portion 404 to provide a continuous leading edge that extends from the frame 12 or 112 and is adjacent to its free end. The adjacent portions of the handles 14, 114 (at the location of indicia 408) are spaced apart and define a perforation 410 that the operator's hand can accommodate when using the device, thereby allowing the guide plate to also act to protect the operator. It can also be clearly seen from Fig. 7b that the plane of the guide 406 extends parallel to the direction of travel of the tape and is substantially aligned with the centerline of the tape, i.e., has an intermediate width of 1/2 W of tape width W.

Obviously the guide 400 can be used by the operator as the front end of the tape relative to the carton The aiming reference for the initial position, however, a preferred way of using the introducer 400 is shown in Figure 7b, while Figure 7c shows another preferred mode of use. In Figure 7b, the introducer is disposed between adjacent edges 420, 422 of the closure flaps 424, 426 of the cartons 22, 122 to be closed, whereby the introducer 400 is parallel to the closure flap 424, The edges 420 and/or 422 of the 426 are guided as they move to ensure that the tape 18 or 118 is applied parallel to the edges 420, 422, and wherein the introducer 400 is aligned with the centerline 425 of the tape, ie, the spacer tape 18 or One side of the 118 has a 1/W width to ensure that the width of the tape applied to each of the closure flaps 424, 426 is substantially the same.

In the diagram of Figure 7c, the introducer 400 is configured to contact a side 450 of the carton such that a 1/2 W width of the tape 18 or 188 is applied to the abutment surface of the carton 22 or 122, and another A 1/2 W width protrudes from the surface and can be folded over the side wall 450 to enclose the corners of the carton.

In a preferred form of the invention (including those shown in Figures 3 through 6), the cutting tools 222, 326 are each moved relative to the frame 112, 312 during a cutting operation. Figure 8 shows a modified embodiment of Figure 3 in which the cutting edge 422 is directly secured to the frame 112. In this configuration, the mechanism 425 is equivalent to the mechanism 225 of FIG. 3, which includes a pivoting member 224 and a spring 428 corresponding to the arm 224 and in the same manner as the arm 224 of FIG. An arm 424 is mounted on the frame 412 and includes a stopper 430 corresponding to the stopper 230 but is received in a recess 431. The stopper 430 allows the arm 424 to be fixed around the bracket 424. The piece 426 pivots. A cam 434 corresponding to the cam 234 cooperates with the cam surface 212 of the L-shaped lever 200 in the same manner as the cams 234, 212 and functions as a latch cam to release the L-shaped arm 200 that is pressed by the tension of the tape 118 and causes it to Rotation to the position where the tape 118 is cut by the blade 422, i.e., when the drag 420 corresponding to the squeegee 200 moves and causes the arms 424 to rotate, the cams 434, 212 act in the same manner as the cams 234, 212.

As shown in these embodiments, the tape source is a roller that is mounted on the applicator, but any other suitable source of tape can be used. The embodiments also show that the applicator 200 is shown pivotally mounted at 204 of the frame 112. The applicator 200 can also be made of a resilient material that releases the cams 212, 234 and releases the applicator into the tape 118. The elastic material can be deformed by the tension in the tape when the tension is displaced. In these cases, the upstream end of the applicator 200 can be fixed rather than pivotally disposed relative to the frame.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in Figures 9 through 12, there is shown a manual tape applicator 510 of the present invention comprising a main frame 512 and a position that is grasped by the main frame when the operator is using the device. Handle 514. A tape roll 516 that provides a source of tape 518 to be applied by the applicator 10 is mounted in a generally manner at the location of the indicia 520 on the frame 512. The tape 18 has an adhesive or adhesive surface 522 and a non-adhesive surface 524. The tape 518 passes over the guide rollers 526, 528, and the guide rollers define a portion of the tape path 30 that is guided from the tape roller 516 to the applicator blade 532. As will be described below, the guide roller 28 also functions as a brake guide roller 528 and is mounted for rotation on an axis defining the first axis 534.

An applicator assembly 538 is mounted on the main frame 512 for rotation on a second axis defining a second axis 536 and is comprised of an applicator frame 40, the applicator blade 532 Attached to the applicator frame and including an arm 532, the arm is coupled by spring 544 to a latch 546 mounted on the frame 552 of the cutter assembly 550, as described below. The spring 544 biases the applicator assembly 538 to rotate counterclockwise on the axis 536 (as shown in Figures 9, 10, 11, 12) and moves the applicator blade 532 to its extended position. As shown in Figures 9 and 10.

A cutter assembly 550 is also mounted on the main frame 512 for rotation about a third axis defining a third axis 48, which is comprised of a cutter frame 552 for the cutter or cutter blade 554 and An upper or actuating scraper 556 is mounted thereon. A latch cam 558 is mounted on an arm 60 extending from the frame 552. The latch cam 558 engages a cooperating cam 562 in the form of a shaped groove and extending through the applicator frame 540. The groove or cam 562 has a laterally extending notch 564 at its end adjacent the second axis 536, whereby the applicator blade 532 is provided with the pin when in the extended position shown in FIGS. The cam 558 is housed inside. In this position, movement of the cutter assembly 550 is inhibited such that it remains substantially positioned when the latch cam is in the notch 564. The cam 562 provides a lower surface that cooperates with the adjacent edge 565 of the cam 558 to stop the applicator assembly 538 from moving clockwise as will be described below.

As described above, one end of the spring 544 is connected to the latch 546. The latch 546 is attached to the cutting frame 552 by an arm 566 that is coupled to the frame 552 and slightly offset from the second axis 548 to advance the cutter assembly counterclockwise, as shown in Figures 9 and 10. The cutting assembly 550 is held against the stop 568 that protrudes from the main frame 512. A second stop 570 also projects from the main frame 512 to limit the movement of the segment assembly 550 in a clockwise direction, as shown in Figures 9 and 10.

It will be apparent from Figures 9 and 10 that the cutting assembly is forced against the stop 568 and the applicator assembly 538 by the spring 544, i.e., the applicator blade 532 is in the extended position and the latch The cam 558 is received within the notch 564 of the cooperating cam 562 to prevent movement of the cutting assembly 550.

As shown in FIG. 1a, the applicator blade 532 has a first end 574 adjacent the brake guide roller and a free end 572 adjacent the cutting assembly 550. The squeegee 532 is wider adjacent its free end 572 than at its first end 574 to provide a portion (preferably more than one-half) of the length of the screed 532 that extends significantly from the first end 574 ) to the narrow portion 576 of the free end 572. The first end 574 is disposed on a side of the axis 536 adjacent the brake guide roller 528, and the free end 572 is disposed on an opposite side of the axis 536. A pair of opposing lugs 578, 580 extend from the perimeter or side edges 582, 584 of the tape 518 to overlap adjacent side edges on the side edges 582, 584 that are not supported by the applicator blade 532. 582, 584, i.e., the lugs 578, 580 are disposed on opposite sides of the narrow portion 576 and do not extend over the tape to overlap the narrow portion 576 in the illustrated embodiment.

The lug 580 is directly secured to the main frame 512, but the lug 578 relative to the lug 580 is coupled to a free end (away from the end of the main frame 512) mounted on the pivots 536, 548. Plate or plate 586. The trailing edges 579, 581 of the lugs 578, 580 (in the direction of tape movement) are respectively inclined in the direction of movement such that the free ends 583, 585 abut the downstream ends of the lugs. This shape facilitates the passage of the tape such that the edges 582 can be positioned between the lugs 578, 580 as shown, and the applicator assembly 538 and the adhesive side 522 of the tape 518 face the lugs 578. 580.

As described above, the tape 518 is pulled back from the tape roll 516 and passed through the guide roll 526. The periphery is passed over the guide roller 528 and attached to the applicator blade 532 for applying the tape 518 to the case or the like 590 (as shown in Figures 11 and 12).

When not in use or at the beginning of the tape application operation, the various components of the device 510 are in the extended position as shown in Figure 10, i.e., the applicator blade 532, which is received in the cam. The notch 564 of the 562 prevents the cutting assembly 550 from moving from the stop member 568 against which it is abutted, and biases the stop member 568 by the spring 544. The lugs 578, 580 (only 580 is shown) contact the adhesive side 522 of the tape 518 at this location to position the tape 518.

At the beginning of the tape application operation, the applicator assembly 538 and the applicator blade 532 are displaced from the extended position and moved to the position shown in Figure 11, wherein the device 10 will generally remain in the tape being applied. status. In this position, the latch cam 558 has been removed from the notch 564 to release the cutting assembly for movement, but is retained against the stop 568 by the spring 544 and the edge 565 of the cam 558 Engagement with the lower edge 563 of the cam 562 (i.e., the adjacent edges 563, 565 engage each other) prevents further movement of the applicator assembly 538. Tape 518 is also spaced from the lugs 578, 580 to release the tape 518 allowing it to be freely dispensed during application to the case or the like 590.

The housing or the like 590 has been taped and its operation is accomplished by cutting the tape 18 as shown in FIG. This is accomplished by depressing the upper portion of the adjacent corner or generally actuating the squeegee 556, which is normally abutted against the housing or the like 590, which displaces the actuation screed 556 and thereby causes the cutting assembly 550 The stop 570 is abutted and the cutter 554 is moved to the cutting position. Movement of the actuation screed 556 causes the lower edge 565 of the latch cam 558 to slide away from its engagement with the lower edge 563 of the cam 562 to release the applicator assembly 538 for further movement in a clockwise direction. At the same time, the tension created by the movement of the device 510 in the tape 518 forces the applicator assembly 538 to rotate clockwise, thereby moving the applicator blade 510 to the retracted position and moving the free end 572 of the blade 532 to Immediately following the position of the cutter 554, the distance between the cutter 554 and the free end 572 is reduced to facilitate cutting of the tape 18, wherein the applicator blade 532 abuts one end 574 of the guide roller 528 to move against Pressing the tape against the guide roller 528 actually prevents further movement of the tape 518, i.e., the end 574 is located on the axis The heart or axis 536 abuts one side of the brake guide roller 528 such that a clockwise movement of the applicator assembly 538 forces the end 574 against the tape to sandwich the tape between the end 574 and the guide roller 528.

Although the present invention has been described, various modifications of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims; It can be replaced by a roller mounted on the applicator assembly, wherein the free end of the applicator 538 is configured to dispense tape 518 in the illustrated embodiment. Obviously, if implemented in this manner, it is provided with a brake member and must be provided with an element similar to the end 574 to provide the brake member in the same cooperative manner as the guide roller 528 and the end 574.

10a‧‧‧Hand applicator

12‧‧‧Frame

14‧‧‧handle

15‧‧‧ Tape Roller Fixings

17‧‧‧Adhesive side

18‧‧‧ Tape

20‧‧‧ applicator roller

22‧‧‧Carton

24‧‧‧Scraper

26‧‧‧cutting the blade

28‧‧‧Free end

30‧‧‧ Tape Path

32, 34‧‧‧ parallel guide rolls

36‧‧‧ Tape Pullback Device

38‧‧‧Leverage arm

40‧‧‧ pivot shaft

42‧‧‧ Spring

46‧‧‧stops

48‧‧‧Guide

44‧‧‧Free end

Claims (17)

A manually operated tape applicator comprising: a frame; a tape source of tape to be applied by the applicator, mounted to the frame; a handle extending from the frame; extending from the tape source to an application a tape path of the applicator member for applying a front end of the tape; and a tape pullback device mounted on the frame, the tape pullback device comprising a tape shrinking arm, the tape shrinking arm Resisting to the tape path and moving to an extended position when the tension in the tape on the tape path is reduced to the tape retracting position, whereby the tape is stretched and is being dispensed from the tape source to a bias The tape is removed from a normal tape path as the position is moved, forcing the tape from the normal tape path to a tape shrink path, thereby pulling a front end of the tape back toward the tape source. The manual operation tape applicator of claim 1, wherein the tape retracting arm is pivotally mounted on the frame, and the end of the tape retracting arm spaced from the pivotal mounting portion The tape is biased toward the tape path. The manually operated tape applicator of claim 1, wherein the applicator member comprises an applicator blade, and further comprising a mounting member for mounting the applicator member on the frame, and A member for biasing the applicator blade from a retracted position to an initial position, wherein the applicator member is in a position for applying the front end of the tape. The manually operated tape applicator of claim 2, wherein the applicator member comprises an applicator blade, and further comprising a mounting member for mounting the applicator member on the frame, and A member for biasing the applicator blade from a retracted position to an initial position, wherein the applicator member is in a position for applying the front end of the tape. The manually operated tape applicator of claim 3, further comprising a mounting member for pivotally attaching the actuating blade to the frame, and for biasing the actuating blade toward A biasing member in an initial position. The manually operated tape applicator of claim 4, further comprising a mounting member for pivotally attaching the actuating blade to the frame, and for biasing the actuating blade toward A biasing member in an initial position. The manually operated tape applicator of claim 5, further comprising a first cam member connecting the applicator member and movable with the applicator member, and a cooperating cam connecting the actuating blade The member, the first and cooperating cam members cooperate to prevent the applicator member from biasing movement against the member until movement of the actuation screed releases the applicator member through the first and cooperating cam members. The manually operated tape applicator of claim 6, further comprising a first cam member connecting the applicator member and movable with the applicator member, and a cooperating cam connecting the actuating blade The member, the first and cooperating cam members cooperate to prevent the applicator member from biasing movement against the member until movement of the actuation screed releases the applicator member through the first and cooperating cam members. A manually operated tape applicator comprising: a frame; a tape source having an adhesive side and a non-adhesive side to be applied by the applicator; a handle extending from the frame; extending from the tape source to a a tape path of the applicator member, the applicator member being a front end for applying the tape; a mounting member for mounting the applicator member on the frame; and for biasing the applicator member from a retracted position A member that is pressed toward an initial position, wherein the applicator member is in a position for applying the front end of the tape. The manually operated tape applicator of claim 9, wherein the applicator member comprises an applicator blade for applying the tape. The manually operated tape applicator of claim 9, further comprising an actuating squeegee disposed along the downstream of the squeegee member relative to the direction of travel of the tape A second mounting member for pivotally mounting the actuating blade to the frame, and a cutting blade coupled to the actuating blade for movement. The manually operated tape applicator of claim 11, further comprising a first cam member connecting the applicator member and movable with the applicator member, and a cooperating cam connecting the actuating blade The member, the first and cooperating cam members cooperate to prevent the applicator from biasing movement against the member until movement of the actuation screed releases the applicator member through the first and cooperating cam members. The hand-operated tape applicator of claim 9, wherein the applicator member comprises a squeegee assembly comprising an applicator blade and wherein the mounting member pivots the applicator member Revolving on the frame for pivotal movement of the screed on an axis between the retracted and initial position, a pivoting mounted on the frame to pivot on a second axis parallel to the axis The actuator assembly, an actuating blade mounted on the cutter assembly and extending from the cutter assembly, a cutter blade mounted on the cutter assembly, and the retracted position is a a cutting position, a latch cam extending from the cutter assembly and a cooperating cam disposed on the squeegee assembly, the latch and the cooperating cam system interacting to prevent the applicator screed from being in the extended position The cutter assembly moves and releases the cutter assembly for pivotal movement on the way that the applicator blade moves between at least the extended and the retracted position. The manual operation tape applicator of claim 13, wherein the latch cam includes a cam member that is coupled to the cutter assembly by an arm, and the cooperating cam includes a groove and a A gap is provided in the squeegee assembly for receiving the cam member therein. The manually operated tape applicator of claim 14, wherein the latch cam and the cooperating cam have adjacent edges disposed to interact to prevent the applicator assembly from moving toward the retracted position until The upper squeegee moves away from the adjacent edges and is released. The hand-operated tape applicator of claim 9, wherein the applicator blade extends over a brake guide roller adjacent the path of the tape. Between the first end and a free end, the first end is located adjacent to the axis of the brake One side of the guide roller, the free end being spaced apart from the brake guide roller when the applicator blade is in the extended position, and being pressed toward the retractor position of the applicator blade The brake guide roller clamps the tape between the brake guide roller and the free end. A manually operated tape applicator as described in claim 1, 3, 9 or 13 wherein the tape extends along the tape path in the direction of travel of the tape, the tape applicator further comprising a device The frame is spaced from the handle and has a leading edge extending from the frame in a direction parallel to the direction of travel of the tape.