US1720530A - Machine for feeding strips and the like - Google Patents

Description

July 9, 1929. R. R. SHAY J 1.720530 MACHINE FOR FEEDING STRIPS AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 24, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 III FIRIII II x mimmnmmnmmmu v A N July 9, 1929. R. R. SHAY MACHINE FOR FEEDING STRIPS AND THE LIKE Filed Aug.-24, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet July 9, 1929. R. R. SHAY 1,720,530

MACHINE FOR FEEDING STRIPS AND THE LIKE Eiled Aug. 24, 1927 5 sheetssheet 3 Patented July 9, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RALPH R. SHAY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO PAPER UTILITIES GORPORA- TION, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

MACHINE FOR FEEDING STRIPS AND THE LIKE.

Application filed August- 24, 1927. Serial No. 215,122.

This invention has to do with certain improvements in machines for feeding such objects as strips of paper, labels, gummed cloth, stamps, etc. More particularly, the invention has reference to improvements in machines for feeding strips of gummed paper such as are used for sealing packages and for similar purposes. These machines are ordinarily iilaced on counters or tables where they are convenient of access for operation. The use fulness of the invention is not limited to the same, however.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide the machine with one or more feet or pedestals of such a nature as to take hold of the surface upon which the machine is placed and firmly attach themselves thereto so as to hold the machine securely in the selected location. At the same time, these feet are of such construction that they will not in any manner injure or mar the surface of the table or counter.

hilore mrticrrlarly, it is an object of the invention in this connection to make use of a series of vacuum cups for holding the macl'iine in place, said cupsbeing a definite part of the machine and serving not only the feet or legs thereof, but also serving the useful purpose already referred to.

Another feature of the invention relates to the provision of a greatly improved arrangement of moistening device for moistening the gummed surface as the object is delivered from the machine. This moistening device is constructed and arranged in, the form of a self-contained unit which can be readily set into place or removed from the front portion of the machine proper, and when so set in place it is so arranged that the moisture will be delivered against the bottom surface of the object in the proper quantities and in the exact position desired. This moistening device constitutes the subject matter of another companion application for Letters Patent of the United States, Serial No. 265,706, filed March 29, 1928; but it bears a peculiar relationship to the other mechanisms which are disclosed in the present application.

Another feature of the invention relates to the provision of an improved form of feeding device for feeding forward the tape or other object. This feeding device is so arranged as to very effectively grip the strip or tape or other object. but is of an extremely simple design.

A further feature of the invention relates to the provision of an improved construction of guide for the paper strip or other object. This guide is so arranged that as the tape enters the guide it is centered with respect to the guide even though the. tape itself may not be of full width. By this means there is assurance that the tape will be properly centered and advanced without complications or tendency to jam in the machine notwithstanding the fact that the, tape is of less than the normal intended width.

By reason of the foregoing feature it is possible to use tapes of varying widths less than the full capacity of the machine, so that it is possible to use a standard size and construction of machine for filling the needs of many different classes of users.

A further feature of the invention relates to the provision of a paper strip or tape guide in the form of a self-contained unit which can be very easily set into place in the machine proper or removed therefrom either for replacement or repair. This self-contained unit also includes the tape feeding jaws which travel upon the guide. The arrangement is such that when this unit, including the tape feeding jaws, is set into place in the machine, the necessary operative connection is established between the operating lever and similar parts and the tape feeding jaws, and without the necesslty of special mechanical adjustments or connections, and also without the need of using special tools. By reason of this arrangement it is possible for a user of the machine to remove the tape guide and feeding jaw unit and return the same to the factory for adjustments, and it is also possible for the user to readily replace the adjusted parts or to substitute a new unit.

Another feature of the invention relates to the provision of an improved form of knife and cutting mechanism for severing the tape automatically after it has been fed. This construction is such that the feed of the tape takes place on the forward stroke of the operating handle, the cutting blade being dropped out of the way at that time; and it also such that on the return stroke the cutting blade is forcibly operated to sever the tape.

Another feature of the invention relates to the provision of a very simple form and arrangement of operating mechanism for oper- .ofthepresent invention, being taken substantially on the line 11 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 2 shows a plan View corresponding to Fig. 1; I

Fig. -3 shows a broken horizontal section substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction. of the arrows ig. et shows-a vertical cross section on the line 4-4; of Fig. 1,."looking in the direction ofithe, arrows, and illustrating particularly the knife. and operating mechanisms;

5 shows across section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows Fig. 6 shows a fragmentary, horizontal section on the line 66 of Fig. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows, but on an enlarged scale; and.

. Fig.7. is a detail face view of the tape guide .unit removedfrom the frame of the machine.

portion. 10 of which is preferably of somewhat higher elevation than the rear portion 11, since the-tendency is for the roll of tape to rideupover-the front portion 10 when the tape is being fed.

In conjunction with this base member there is a pair of side Walls 12' and 13-. Either or both-of these may be made as separate units independently attached-to the base member 7, or-oneof said side plates may be formed integrally with the base member. In the particular construction illustrated, the side plates 12. and 13'are made of sheet metal having their lower' edges flanged inwardly, as shown at.14,so as to rest directly upon the top sur- ;face of the base member to which they are then connected by means of screws 15, or in any other convenient manner.

The upper portions of. the side plates are also flanged. inwardly, asshown at 16 in Fig.

1 5 in particular, so as to give the top portion of the machine a finished appearance and also to provide suitable means to which the guide unit may be connected.

The upper portions of the side walls 12 and 13 are curved on a substantially circular arc, asshown at 17 in Fig. l, which are extends from the point 18 substantially to the point 19. At the point 19 the top edges of the side walls are curved and carried straight forward for a relatively short distance, at which positionthe tape is moistened and delivered.

The rear portion of the housing may be closed by means of a vertical slide plate 20, the upper end of which has a forwardly projecting finger 21 which serves both as a convenient means for raising the slide plate when a new roll of tape is to be inserted, and also serves to more or less enclose the extreme rear portion of the top opening between the side plates. The vertical slide member sets down immediately in front of the flanges 22 on the rear ends of the side plates 12 and 1?; and lugs 23 on the base member 7 are so positioned as to hold the lower end of the slide 20 against being moved forwardly when the slide is set into place.

The guide unit. is set into place adjacent to the upper edges of the side plates and serves to more or less completely enclose the upper portion of the opening between them. This unit is made of sheet metal. and comprises upper and lower or front and rear cross pieces 25 and 26, together with the intervening, connecting, curved, folded sections 27 and 28. These sections 2? and 28 are folded back upon themselves, as clearly shown in Fig. 5 in particular, to thereby establish the longitudinal guide slots which face each other and accommodate the edge portions of the tape which is being fed.

Intermediate between the guide port ions 2? and 28 there is the longitudinal slot 29, the

ends of which are defined by the cross pieces 25 and 26 already referred to.

The upper and lower cross pieces 25 and 20 are provided with the side cars 30, which rest upon the upper flanged edges of the side plates 12 and 13, to which they may be connected in any convenient manner, as by screws 31. The cars at the front or lower end of the guide member 21 do not appear in Fig. 2, for the reason that they are covered over and hidden by the bracket presently to be explained.

There is a tape gripping and feeding earriage 32 which is slidably mounted upon the guide 2a. This carriage includes a. plate 33 which extends over and rests upon the sections 27 and 28; and the ends of the plate 323 are folded backnnder, as shown at 34 and 35 in Fig. 5, so as to more or less completely embrace the members 27 and 28 of the guide section. The extreme inner ends of the re-entrant portions 34: and 35 are provided with downwardly depending cars 36, as shown in Fig. 5; and a cross pin 37 is extended through said ears and serves as a pivot or support for ltltl lllfi the jaw member 38 (best shown in Fig. 1).

and id, and a corresponding pair of downwardly depei'iding ears 4-1. and 42. .letween the forwardly reaching; arms 39 and there is placed a small rubber block 4L3 which has the ear l l which extends upwardly above the positions Off the arms, so that said car 4141: can directly contact the lower surface of the tape and bite against the same. The two downwardly depending arn'is 4L1 and 42 are protected by a sleeve of rnbl ror the like 'dhe member 33 is provided with a semiperforation or a depression all}, which is ad apted to travel in the slot 29 oi" the guide section, and lOllCl'lQS down into position to serve as an abuti'i'ient against which the top surtace oil. the tape will be pressed by the rubber ear t l.

The arrangement is such that upon tm'cingr the jaw member 38 forward by pressing against the downwirdly depending arm thereof, the ear 4l-i-l will be raised against the bottom surface of the tape, and the tape will thus be clamped between said ear t l and the semiperforation 4th. The l orward mm ement of the member 38 will thus ellectively feed the tape; and the bite of the Jar-ts against the tape will be increased in direct proportion to the resistance which the tape iiitli'ers against being advanced.

llfithin the casing there is pivotally mounted an o ierating arm 417. This arm is provided at its upper end with a to'rv-rard extension 4-8. The lower end oi? the arm is pivoted at the point 49 to a lug 50 which extends upward from the base member 7 at one side ol the pocket 9 wl ch receives the roll oi tape.

A slot- 51v is termed in the side wall 12 on a circular are drawn about the pivotal point a l). A handle pin. 52 is placed on the front end oft-he extension 48 and reaches through said slot and is provided. with a handle but ton 53 on its outside end. By this means the arm t? can be drawn forward with an easy motion communicated by the right hand of the user when facing; the machine in the nut u ral manner.

On its upper end the arm 47 also carries a lug 54. which extends sidewise a sui'iicient dista/nee to embrace the vertical arm oi the jaw member 38. For this purpose said lug 5a is provided with a central opening 55 (see Fig. (l in particular) which is preteralfily of ain 'ile size and eloi'igated in a :l'ront and rearwardly direction. 'llhis elongation allows tor a. certain amount oi lost motio'm to be presently explainrvl. At the same time, by making the oprningr 55'} amply large laterally, it is possible to set the guide unit 1? down into place on the structure oi the machine and cause the vertical arms of the jaw member 38 to properly seat through the opening); 55 without the necessity of special or dillicult adjustments by the worker. It is thus possible for the user to either lift the unit 17, together with the jaw member, upwardly away from the operating lever and other parts without the need of disconnecting any other elements, and in like manner it is possible for the user to set said member back into place without diliiculty. This member 17, together with the feeding jaws and associated parts may there-- fore be r vulily treated and used as a unit.

A spring 56 tends to draw the lever 47 baclnvardly to the rear limit of movement, and thus also to restore the jaw member already referred to.

The extreme front end oil? the guide member 17 is deflected into a horizontal direction at lhe point 26, is already explained. Thus the d *ancingr tape is delivered in a horizontal path. immediately above the cross piece 26 alri-iady referred to there is placed a bracket member i the same extending sidewise far enough to over 'e the front portion of the guide member This bracket member 57 carri s a ationary blade 58, which is secured to its Ill'lJlll? lace, the lower edge of said blade being sharpened. Another swinging blade 59 is pivoted at the point (it) to one end of the stationary blad i and to the bracket 57. This swinging jaw 59 is preferably of son'iewl'iat triai'rrnilar form shown in F 4, so as to give it additional weight and thus improve its tendi-mcy to fall into the open position. The upper edge of the j aw 59 is sharpened and co-operates with the fixed jaw 58.

'lhere a stilt wire rod 61 in the body of the machi no. one end 62 ot the same being hooked into an opening ()3 oi the base member 7, which thus acts as a pivot point. The other end ()i said rod (ll is extended somewhat loosely through an. opening G-l in the swing;- ing portion ot' the jaw 59, so that by raising the flilll'l ill on the pivot point 62 the jaw 59 is raised and the tape is severed.

There a chain which has one end connected to the lever extension 48. The other end oi said chain 65 is connected to a loop 66 formed in the wire rod 61. The chain is made of proper length to pick up the lever (31 and raise the same so as to throw the jaw 59 into the cutting position, just before the lever 4:7 and connected parts reach the rear limit of their return movement. In this way the tape is severed as the last operation on the return stroke.

The opeuin 55 already referred to is of sufficient length to allow the lever 4-7 to be drawn tl orward such a distance at the begini'iing oi? the next operating; stroke as to completely lower the cutting blade 59 before the jaw member 38 is properly engaged to comu'ience the feed of the paper strip. This lost motion thereforea makes it possible to drop the cuttin blade 59 out of the way before the advanceimmt oi the tape actually commeiiices. so that there will be no interference with the the next feeding operation.

rives.

On the back or returning stroke of the lever I 47 thej aw member 38 is thrown backwardly with a quick jerky movement. This might tend to cause said jaw member to occupy the extreme rearward position with respect to the slot 55, so that the jaw member 38 would be prematurely advanced at the beginning of In order to eliminate such possibility, I have provided alight spring 67 which is fastened to a suitable, stationary part and engages the downwardly depending arm of the jaw member so as to hold the jaw member 38 at the front end of the slot 55 when the parts have come to rest. There is another spring 67, lighter than the spring 67, and connected to the finger 54. The free end of the spring 6'" tends to push the carriage l8 backwardly until limited byengagement of the finger 3G with the back edge of the slot 55. This will ensure that the lever 47 moves forward the amount of lost motion of the slot 55 before actual forward movement of the carriage 18 begins.

In order to assist in centering the tape or stripand delivering the same centrally along the guide member 17, I have provided a downwardly depending car 68 at the rear end of said guide member. This car 68 is shown in detail in Fig. 6, from which it will be seen that it is curved on a smooth curve facing towards the rear of the machine so that as the tape rises it will tend to draw to the center of this curvature. Then as the tape passes up over the top edge ofthe ear and starts advancing forwardly along the guide member under the impulse of the jaw member 38 it will be properly centered and will feed to best advantage. It has been found that this arrangement will ensure a correct centering and feed of the tape even in those cases in which the tape itself is very much narrower than the full capacity of the machine.

In order to create an additional slight resistance to the movement of the tape up and over the rear end of the guide 17 so as to further improve the biting action of the jaw member 38, I have provided a small spring 69 which is located in the slot 29 of the guide member 17 and immediately in advance of the position at which the tape rides into the guide member. This spring member normally stands at such a raised position, as shown in Fig. 1 that it will press against the central portion of the tape as the latter passes into the guide.

I have herein illustrated a suitable form of guide member 70 for receiving the tape after it passes the position of the cutting blades, and have also herein illustrated a suitable moistening device 71 for moistening the gummed surface of the tape as it is served; but inasmuch as these features constitute the subject matter of another application for Letters Patent of the United States, I do not herein describe the same in greater detail.

In order to support the base member 7 in a firm and even manner, and in order to prevent marring the surfaces upon which the machine may be placed, I have provided the feet 72, such as shown in the different figures. These are formed of rubber dished out, as shown in Fig. 1, so as to establish in effect downwardly-facing vacuum cups which will take hold of the smooth surface upon which the machine is placed and adhere thereto in a very firm manner. These vacuum cups are readily connected to the base member 17 by screws or rivets 73, as shown in Fig. 1.

\Vhile I have herein referred to the feeding of tape, it will be understood that machines embodying the features of my invention may also be used for feeding other objects such as stamps, labels, etc. Therefore, when I speak of tape it will he understood that I use this word as illustrative only.

While I have herein shown and described only a single embodiment of the features of my present invention, still I do not intend to limit myself thereto except as I may do so in the claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the class described the combination of a base member. a pair of parallel vertical side plates projecting upwardly from the base member, the upper por tions of said side plates curving downward ly from the upper rear corners towards the front lower corners of the side plates on a substantially circular are, a tape guide member comprising a sheet of metal having its side edge portions folded over and into substantial parallelism with the body portions immediately beneath said folded portions but spaced therefrom to establish a pair of thin tape edge guide grooves, the central portion of the guide member intermediate between said folded over portions being longitudinally slotted, the end portions of said slot terminating short of the ends of the guide me1nher to establish cross pieces having projecting ears which are adapted to overlie and be secured to the upper edges of the side plates, said guide member being curved to conform to the curvature of the upper portions of the side plates, a tape gripping and feeding device slidably mounted upon the tape guide member and having a downwardly projecting operating finger extending through and travelling in the slot of the tape guide member, and a swinging arm between the side plates having at its upper end a cross piece which is slotted to receive said downwardly depending finger whereby when the tape guide member and tape gripping and feeding device are set into place on the. upper edge portions of the side plates said operating finger properly engages the swinging arm for operation, and whereby the tape guide member, together with the gripping and feeding device may be removed directly away from the side pl ates.

2. In a machine of the class described the combination of a base member, a pair of parallel vertical: side plates projecting upwardly from the base member and having their upper portions of suitable shape, a tape guide member comprising a sheet of metal having its side edge portions folded over and into substantial parallelism with the body portions immediately beneath said folded portions but spaced therefrom to establish a pair of thin tape edge guide grooves, the central portion of the guide member intermediate between said folded over portions being longitudinally slotted, the end port-ions of said. slot terminating short of the ends of the guide member to establish cross pieces having projecting cars which are adapted to overlie and be secured to the upper edges of the side plates, said guide member being suitably shaped to conform to the shape of the upper portions of the side plates, a tape gripping and feeding device slidably mounted upon the tape guide member and having a downwardly projecting operating finger extending through and traveling in the slot of the tape guide member, and a swinging arm between the side plates having at its upper end a cross piece which is suitably slotted to receive said downwardly depending finger whereby when the tape guide member and tape gripping and feeding device are set into place on the upper edge portions of the side plates said operating linger properly engages the swinging arm for operation, and whereby the tape guide member together with the grippingand feeding device may be removed directly away from the side plates.

3. In a machine of the class described the combination of a base member, a pair of parallel vertical side plates projecting upwardly from the base member, the upper portions of said side plates being suitably shaped, a tape guide member adapted to occupy a position adjacent to the upper edge portions of the side plates and itnermediate between them and suitably shaped to conform to the shapes of the upper portions of the side plates, said tape guide member being provided with a longitudinally extending slot and with means for attachment of its end portions to the upper edges of the side plates, a tape gripping and feeding device slidably mounted upon the tape guide member and having a downwardly projecting operating linger extending through and traveling in the slot of the tape guide member, and a swinging arm between the side plates having at its upper end a cross piece which is slotted to receive said downwardly depending finger whereby when the tape guide member and tape gripping and feeding device are set into place on the upper edge portions of the side plates said operating finger properly engages the swinging arm for operation, and whereby the tape guide member together with the gripping and feeding device may be removed directly away from the side plates.

In a machine of the class described the coi'nl'iination of a base member, a pair of suit ably separated supports extending upwardly therefrom and having their upper edges suitably formed, a tape guide member adj acent to and intermediate between said supports and shaped to conform thereto, means in conjunction with said tape guide memher for attachment to said supports, the tape guide member being longitudinally slotted, a tape gripping and feeding device slidably mounted upon the tape guide member and having a downwardly projecting operating linger extending through and traveling in the slot of the tape guide member, and a longitudinally movable operating device intermediate between the supports andbeneath the tape guide member and having a slotted opening adapted to receive the downwardly projecting finger aforesaid, whereby when the tape guide member and tape gripping and feeding device are set into place 011 the supports aforesaid said operating linger properly engages the longitudinally movable member, and whereby the tape guide member together with the gripping and feeding device may be removed directly away from the supports. v

5. In a machine of the class described the con'ibination with a longitudinally extending tape guide member having a central longit-udinal slot together with longitudinally, extending tape guide grooves, at the side thereof, of a tape gripping and feeding device slidably mounted upon said tape guide memher and including a sheet metal cross piece located above and extending across the tape guide member and having its end portions folded re-entrantly beneath the sides of the tape guide member to retain the gripping and feeding device thereon, said re-entrant portions extending downwardly in the form of separated ears, a bell crank aw member intermediate between said ears and having its angle pivotally supported on a cross pin extending through said ears, said bell crank jaw member comprising a pair of separated plates of similar shape, a rubber plug located and. supported between the arms of the bell crank arm plates and projecting above them to directly engage the surface of the paper tape, there being a downwardly projecting semi-perforation in the gripping and feeding device adapted to co-operate with said rubber plug for gripping purposes, and means for engaging the downwardly projecting arm of the bell crank member to shift the same longitudinally.

6. In a machine of the class described the combination with a longitudinally extendtending tape guide grooves at the sides there of, of a tape gripping and feeding device slidably mounted upon said tape guide member and including a sheet metal cross piece located above and extending across the tape guide member and having its end portions folded re-entra-ntly beneath the sides of the tape guide member to retain the gripping and feeding device thereon, said re-entrant portions extending downwardly to establish a pivot support,a bell crank jaw member having its angle pivoted to said support, a rubber plug secured to the arm of said bell crank v jawmember-and projecting-above the same to engage-the surface of the paper tape, a down- Wardly projecting element on the gripping 'andfeeding device extending into the slot of the tape guide member and adapted to cooperate with the rubber plug for gripping purposes-and means for engaging the downwardly projecting arm of the bell crank jaw member to shift the same longitudinally.

7. In a machine of the class described the combination of a base member, a pair of parallel vertical side plates projecting upwardly therefrom, the upper portions of said side plates curving downwardly from the upper rear corners towards the front lower corners of the side plateson .a substantially circular arc, atape guide member mounted adjacentfto said upper edges. and conforming generally "to the curvature thereof, said tape guiding member beingsuitably slotted for accommodation of the tape being delivered therethrough, means for advancing the tape longitudinally of the tape guide member, a suitable pocket for a roll of tape resting upon the base member-between the side plates, said ta e passing upwardly and over the rear edge e the tape guide member, and said rear edge of the tape guide-member being provided with a downwardly depending guide finger which is dished with its concave surface facing towards the tape, said dished portion extend- "ing up to the point where the tape passes over the rear edge of the guide member and commences longitudinal travel thereof.

8. In a machine of the class described, the

combination of a base member, a pair of parallel vertical side plates )rojecting upwardly therefrom, a suitable tape guide member adjacent to said upper edges and having a longitudinally extending tape guide groove in which the tape travels, a suitable pocket for a roll of tape above the base member and between the side plates, the tape passing npwardly therefrom and over the rear edge of the tape guide member and into the groove of the tape guide member to commence longitudinal travel therethrough, the rear edge portion of the tape guide member at said point being curved with its concavity facing the tape surface.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a base member, a pair of parallel vertical side plates projecting upwardly therefrom, suitable tape guiding and advancing means in conjunction with the upper portions of the side plates, and a suitable pocket for a roll of tape above the base member and between the side plates, said pocket being dished with its concave surface facing up ardly and with its front edge of higher elevation than its rear edge to thereby natnral ly resist the tendency of its roll of tape to ride over said front edge.

10. In a machine of the class described the combination with a suitable casing including a pair of separated vertical side plates, of a tape guiding and feeding unit in conjunction therewith and comprising a sheet of metal having its side edges folded over and into sul stantial parallelism with the body portions immediately beneath said folded portions but spaced therefrom to establish a pair of thin tape edge guide grooves, the central portion of the guide member intermediate between said folded over portions being longitudinally slotted, the end portions of the said slot terminating short of the ends of the guide member to establish cross pieces having projecting ears which are adapted to overlie and be secured to the upper edges of the side plates, and a tape gri 'iping and feeding device slidably mounted upon the tape guide member and having a downwardly projecting operating finger extending through and traveling in the slot of the tape guide mend :cr.

RALPH R. SHAY.

Images