US2325063A - Strip serving machine - Google Patents

Description

July 27, 1943. r. H.1KRUEGER STRIP SERVING MACHINE Fi led Aug. 19,

1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR msaaaes keafafz ATTO R N EY July 27, 1943.

T. H. KRUEGER STRIP SERVING MACHINE Filed Aug. 19, 1941 lllln g Sheets-Sheet 2 h wlllulll'lz ATTORNEYS (g 15 TQR 000A; 6 g k Patented July-27, 1943 STRIP SEBVING'MACHINI'I Theodore H. Krueger, Stratford, Conn assignor to Better Packages Incorporated, a corporation of New'York Application August 19, 1941, Serial No. 401,411

8 Claims. (Cl. it'll-2.8)

This invention relatesto strip feeding means, and particularly to intermittent or reciprocating feeding devices such as are used for feeding strips of gummed packaging tape from a roll of tape contained in a dispensing machine. In such machines provision is usually made for serving the tape in, desired lengths, and usually for moistening the tape as delivered. The present invention possesses particular utility in such a machine, but it is not limited to use therein.

It is an object of the present invention I to provide a tape gripping mechanism which will grip the tape firmly and feed it forward, and which will release thetape so that the feeding device, such as a handle, may be returned to initial position without causing any reverse movement of the tape.- The feeding mechanism will again come into, gripping relation with the tape upon the next forward movement of the handle, or other actuating means.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a tape gripping and feeding device which will grip the tape in proportion to the resistance to the feed, so that if the resistance increases the tape gripping force increases and positive feed- .ing of the tape will be assured under all normal conditions.

These objects are obtained lization of the reaction of the feed actuating devices to which the feeding force is applied to bring about or increase the gripping of the tape by the tape feeding elements. Upon movement of the mechanism in reverse direction, the rein general by utiaction of the forces of the power applying elements release the tape engaging devices from gripping engagement with the tape, so that the tape remains stationary while the parts are reciprocated-into position for a second feeding operation. V

In the preferred embodiments of the invention the tape is actually gripped and fed by a pair of feed rollers at least one of which is a driving roller and at leastone of the rollers is mounted to rotate about a movable axis. Thev driving force is so applied to the feed rollers that the reaction of such force tends to move the feed rollers into close gripping contact with the tape when the parts are moved in one direction, and to separate the rollers and release such gripping contact when the parts are moved in the opposite direction.

Stated in other words, the machine of this I I invention translates the energy of the feed handle stroke into two-distinct components of motion as opposed to the customary single component of motion in prior art machines. These component motions are the rotatory motion of the feed roll shaft and the linear or arcuate motion of the same shaft.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification are'shown certain preferred embodiments of the invention illustrative of the principle thereof. I do not intend to limit myself to the details of such embodiments any further than indicated by the appended claims; on the contrary I intend to include within the scope of such claims the elements defined together with their mechanical equivalents.

' In the drawings:

I machine taken at the position indicated by line 2-2 in Figure l;

-. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the feeding mechanism, parts being broken away;

Figure 4 is a view in longitudinal vertical section of 'a part of the machine showing an alternative construction; and

Figure 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing another alternative construction.

Referring to the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 4, I0 is a casing having side walls or frames .H and I2 between which is a space for a roll of tape M. In the construction shown the tape passes over a guide roller l6, across a guide plate I'I, under a guide roller I'll, through a pair of guide channels l9, over a guide plate Ill and over a moistening brush 2| with which the tape is held in contact by movable pressure plate 22. A cut-oil knife 24 is indicated diagrammatically in Fig. l. A weighted knurled member 26, pivoted at 21, is shown for pressing the tape upon the plate II. This member 26 acts as a ratchet which permits the tape to move in the direction of the arrow, but prevents it from moving in the opposite direction. The

particular arrangement and details of the means for guidingthe tape may be varied to meet the conditions of use- I In the construction shown the feed means comprise a pair of knurled rolls Y30 and ii adapted to grip the tape strip "between them. The roll 30 is shown as mounted on the shaft 35 carried in fixed bearings by plates II and i2 and having on its end a driving pinion 31 which is driven by a driving'gear 39 mounted on a short shaft ill to which is ailixed an operating crank 4i carrying an operating handle 42. The roll 3| is mounted on a shaft 65 which carries a pinion 41 meshing with a pinion 48 on the opposite end of the shaft 45 irom the pinion 31. The shaft 451s journaled in a swinging yoke or toggle support 50' which is mounted to swing through a limited arc on a shaft 52 mounted in the plates H and [2. The relation of the shafts 35, 55, and 52 is suchthat if the toggle support swings in the'direction of the feed of tape, namely, towards the left hand end of the machine as seen in Figure l, the rolls II and ll are moved into gripping. engagement with the tape. When the toggle support swings in the opscribed a. light frictional resistance to the rotation of the shaft or axle 45, roll 3| and pinion l1 s is provided. As illustrated this is produced by a spiral spring 56 mounted on the shaft 45 which engages a brake shoe 5! and holds it against the end of the hub of the roll 3 l.

initial position without causing reverse movement of the feed rolls. Danger of over feeding of the strip is avoided, such as may occur if a roll having a ratchet drive were utilized, for in such a case the roll, through its own inertia.

would tend to keep on spinning after the feeding stroke had terminated and the handle was released. Wlth the pmenc construction, however.

such force as to bounce away from the abutment in the direction of the next feeding stroke. Feed- The operating crank 4| is moved in the direcing of the tape can be avoided by providing sufflcient clearance between the rolls 30 and SI so that such rolls will not be brought into gripping engagement with the strip, except upon a movement greater in extent than that caused by the bounce.

- Figure 4 shows a modified construction in which the feed roll II is mounted on a shaft ll carrying a pinion II which meshes with the teeth the main driving gear 13, is mounted so as to have a limitedmovemen't. In this respect the The operation is as follows: As soon as the support to the left (Fig. 1). This swinging movement takes place simultaneously with the initiation of the rotation of the rolls, and as soon as the swinging of the yoke has continued far enough to cause the rolls to engage firmly upon the upper and lower surfaces of the strip, the feeding of the strip begins. Thus the energizing of the feed roll shaft results in two components of motion which are translated to it by a stroke of the feed lever, The strip will thus be gripped between the feed rolls with suillcient tightness to overcome any normal resistance to its movement, and a positively eflective feed of the strip is secured. As soon as the handle is moved in reverse direction, or released and permitted to be thrown back by its spring I, the

movement of the gear 38 is reversed with corresponding reversal of rotation of the rolls ll and 3|. reversal of rotation is to reverse the reaction between the teeth of the pinions l1 and 48 which at once throws the yoke or toggle support 50 towards the right (Fig. 1), thereby separating the rolls and releasing the strip so that the latter remains stationary until the handle is again pulled forward initiating the next feeding operation. An

intermittent or reciprocating feed of the strip is thus secured without the use of any pawl and ratchet mechanism, or equivalent device, for permitting the return of the operating handle to construction differs from the construction of Figs. 1 to 3 in which the shaft "carrying the pinion '31 which meshes with the driving gear I! is mounted in fixed bearings, and the shaft ll carrying the roll II and the pinion 41, is the shaft mounted on movable bearings.

' In the Figure 4 construction the shaft or axle ll isshown mounted in slots II in the side frames or plates I. the slight movabillty of the shaft being provided for by means of these slots, instead of mounting the shaft in a swinging yoke. Cooperating with the roll ll, whichis capable of bodily, as well as rotary movement, is an idler feed roll it which is mounted on a shaft ll rotating in fixed bearings in the Plates II. when the driving gear ll is moved in the direction of thearrowinl'lg.4thereactionottheteethof thegearagainsttheteethof thepinionlz moves the pinion, shaft and roll 'II in the direction of the roll I; so as to cause the strip to be gripp d firmly between the rolls. Continued movement of the driving gear rotates the roll II which However, the immediate effect of such causes the ipped strip to be fed in the desired manner. If there is any resistance to the movement of the strip such as might be caused by starting the rotation of a large roll of tape, this resistance merely has the effect of; increasing the reaction of the teeth of the gear against the teeth of the pinion I: so that the roll 10 will be the rolls II and 85 upon the strip.

assumes with the main drivin gear 96; Cooperating with the movable feed roll ,9! is feed roll 91 mounted on a shaft it rotating in fixed bearings. As in the construction shown in Fig. 4', the shafts 90 and so need not be geared together. The movement of the driving gear 96 in the direction of the arrow produces a reaction upon the pinion 95, shaft 90 and roll 9| causing the latter to grip the strip at the same time that it is rotated. As in the case of the construction shown in Figure 1, resistance to the feed of the tape will result in the rolls gripping the tape moretightly. The reverse movement of the driving gear moves the pinion 95, shaft on and arm 92 in a direction to separate the feed rolls, the movement of the arms being limited by a stop 99.

It will be understood that the pivoted arm mounting and the slotted guide mounting for the movable shaft of one of the feed rolls are alternative constructionsand either may be substituted in either of the modifications shown.

yoke or Furthermore, the engagement of the driving gear may be with a pinion mounted on either the movable shaft or on the fixed shaft. In the latter event it is necessary to have the two shafts geared together, whereas in the former case it is suflicient if only the movable shaft is positively rotated by the driving gear. In any case it is preferable to provide a friction retarder such as is shown. in the Figures 1 to 3 or that the engagement of the gear which drives the pinion on the movable shaft should be at a point in the circumference of such pinion that a reaction will be produced on such pinion tending to move it and the movable shaft in a direction to force the movable roll into gripping engagement with the strip when the driving gearing is moved in a direction to rotate the rolls in strip feeding direction.

While I have illustrated and described indetail certain forms of my invention, I do not wish' to be understood as limiting myself to the use of such forms, as I realize that changes within the scope of the invention are possible, and I further intend each element or instrumentality-recited in any of the following claims to be understood to refer to all equivalent elements or instrumentalities for accomplishing substantially the same result in substantially the same or equivalent manner, it being my purpose to cover my invention broadly in whatever form its principle may be utilized.

I claim:

I 1. In strip feeding mechanism, a pair of feed rolls adapted to grip the strip to be fed, one of on a displaceable axle, a

axle gear, axleI movable suport feed roll to cause ror gear, and a friction device assooaid.dis'placeable axle for retarding .ratlltiontheroof.

P adapted togrip th e' ltfli to led between one. displaceable axle,

them, one of said rolls being mounted on an axle journaled in a movable support freely displaceable to a limited extent, in a direction to permit separation of the rolls, thereby releasing the gripping engagement between the rolls and the strip, a gear on said axle, gearing for rotating said axle gear, axle and roll carried thereby, said gearing including a main driving gear, manual means'for rotating said driving gear in one direction and spring means for rotating said driving gear in the reverse direction.

4. Instrip serving mechanism, a pair of feed 'rolls adapted to grip the strip to be fed between them, one of said rolls being mounted on an axle Journaled in a movable support freely displaceable to a limited extent in a direction to permit separation of the rolls, thereby releasing the gripping engagement between the rolls and the strip, a gear on said axle, a relatively large diameter driving gear meshing with said axle gear, manual means for rotating said large diameter gear in a direction to drive said axle gear, axle and roll in a direction to serve the strip, and a spring for re- A turning said handle and large diameter gear to initial position, the reaction of said large diametergear on said axle gear serving to displace said axle gear, axle, movable support and feed roll to a position to cause said feed rolls to grip the strip and advance the same, the reverse movement of said large diameter gear serving to displace s'aid axle and feed roll thereon sufilcient- 1y to release the gripping engagement between thefeed rolls and strip so that the strip is not moved in reverse direction. 5.'In mechanism for feeding gummed paper strip, a pair of feed rolls adapted to grip the strip to be fed, one of said rolls being mounted on an axle Journaled in a displaceable toggle support, and reversible driving gearing for rotating said axle and feed roll thereon, the reaction of said driving gearing displacing said axle and toggle support in one direction or the other depending upon the direction of movement of said drivinggear.

6. In strip feeding mechanism a pair of feed rolls adapted to grip thestrip to be fed, one of said rolls being mounted on an axle displaceable in parallel relation to the axis of rotation of the other roll, a gear on said axle and reciprocatable power applying means for driving said rolland being itself pivoted on anaxis parallel to the axis of the other feed roll, a gear on the displaceable axle, reversible driving gearing saidmov'ablesupport .to move and bring rolls into gripping roll, a gear on for rotating said gear and means to prevent said gear on said axle and said reversible driving gearing from losing meshing contact.

8. In strip feeding mechanism, a pair of feed rolls adapted to grip the strip to be fed, one of said rolls'being mounted on an axle displaceable rotation thereof. servingmechanism,apairof ieed in position parallel to the axis of the other feed said axle, a reciprocal driving gearing for rotating said gear means to limit the displacement of said axle to maintain the meshing of said gear and a friction device associated with said displaceable axle for retarding the free THEODORE H. KBUEG t.

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