US2352149A - Strip dispenser and moistening means for same - Google Patents

Description

June 20, 1944. GAUTlER 2,352,149

v STRIP DISPENSER AND MOISTENING MEANS FOR SAME Filed Nov. 14, 1941 :5 Sheets-Sheet 1 1712762713 02 li evo r12. Gqu 171362,

I June 20, 1944. T. R. GAUTIER STRIP DISPENSER AND MOISTENING MEANS FOR SAME Filed Nov. 14, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 20, 1944.

T. R. GAUTIER V STRIP DISPENSER AND MOISTENING MEANS FOR SAME Filed Nov. 14; 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 dzliij s.

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IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 1,1,1,"lllllllllllllllllln Patented June 20, 1944 STRIP DISPENSER AND MOISTENING MEANS FOR SAME Trevor R. Gautier, Nashua, N. 11., assignor to Nashua Gummed and Coated Paper Company, Nashua, N. 11., a corporation of Massachusetts Application November 14, 1941, Serial No. 419,111

9 Claims.

My present invention pertains to apparatus and devices for dispensing or serving strip material suchas gummed paper and other tape for package sealing, labeling and like purposes. particularly it aims to simplify and otherwise improve machines and devices of the class mentioned, having among its important objects that of aflording more efllcient and posiitvely controlled means for moistening the tape or rendering it adhesive.

In the drawings illustrating by way of example one embodiment of my invention:

Fig. 1 is a left side elevation of the strip or tape dispenser as a whole;

Fig. 2 is a top plan of the moistening assembly of the machine of Fig. 1, shown separately and on a larger scale;

Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively longitudinal and transverse vertical sections on the lines 3-3 and 4-4 of Fi 2;

Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal section substantially centrally through the front portion of the machine of Fig. 1, upon the scale of Figs. 2 to 4;

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-section on the line 3-6 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a detail view, in rear elevation, of a guiding and shielding element of the invention.

The strip server or tape dispenser as here illus.. trated may be regarded as typical of the machines and devices of that class, in so far as conearns the general construction and arrangement of the tape supply receiving means and the mechanism for advancing and severing selected lengths of the tape. In'the example shown the machine is generally similar in those respects to those of my Patents Nos. 2,192,132 and 2,244,105, dated February 27, 1940, and June 3, 1941, and of my herewith copending application Serial No. 320,301, filed February 23, 1940, now Patent No. 2,293,433, dated August 18, 1942, said application filed as a division of the application from which said PatentNo. 2,192,132 resulted. Noting more particularly Figs. 1 and 5, the

machine comprises a main frame or housing in cluding laterally spaced side frames I having cushioned or other supporting feet 8 and a removable top or cover plate 9. The rear portion of the housing defines a well 10 for a supply of tape such as the roll R here assumed to be wound with its gummed face in.

The tape T is led forwardly from the roll between adjustable lateral guide plates II and through a feed throat l2 at an open portion of which the tape passes between upper and lower feed rolls l3 and I4 drivingly connected with a More 1 manual operating lever, the handle end of \which is seen at IS in Fig. 1. The upper feed roll 13 is rotatably carried on a lever l6 pivotally supported by a shaft ll extending between the side frames. This lever normally is held rearwardly as by a spring l8 so as to engage the upper feed rol yieldingly against the tape opposite the driven lower feed roll 14.

Selected lengths of the strip or tape T are severed by appropriate cutting mechanism, herein including a vertically movable blade or cutter i9 normallyelevated above the tape path and cooperable with an underlying fixed blade 20. This movable blade is supported on a carrier yoke 2| pivoted on the shaft l1 already mentioned and normally held in elevated position as by a spring 22. One or more springs such as 23 attached to depending portions '24 of the movable blade or its carrier serve to bias the movable cutter for efiicient shearing action.

Forwardly of the described cutting mechanism the under face of the tape is adapted to be moistened, through the meduim of the guiding and moistening mechanism with which my present invention is more particularly concerned. Said mechanism comprises a capillary moistener unit or assembly constructed and arranged to be readily removed from and installed in the machine.

This moistening assembly comprises a tank or reservoir indicated as a whole by the numeral 30 having a main portion, compartment or body of generally rectangular form. it is illustrated as cast or otherwise formed as an integral one-piece element including a bottom wall 3|, upright front and rear walls 32, 33 and connecting side. walls 3 35.

It is proportioned and arranged to be removably supported between the lower front portions of the side frames 1, with its forward end protruding, as seen for example in Figs. 1 and 5. In this installed position the inner or rear portion of the reservoir rests upon positioning projections on the side frames, one of which is seen at 36 in Fig. 5. At a forward portion of the reservoir is further supported by a cross rod 31 on the side frames, depending slotted or longitudinally spaced lug formations 38 at the bottom of the reservoir being adapted to straddle said rod and so to hold the reservoir in the longitudinal direction, against unintentional displacement. To remove the reservoir and entire moistening assembly bodily it is merely necessary however to raise its front end sufliciently to clear the positioning formations 38 with respect to the coating, that is, its particular formula.

rod 31, whereon the whole unit may be withdrawn forwardly;

The main compartment defined by the bottom and upright walls 3| to 35 of the tank 30 is to be supplied with water or other liquid for moistening the under face of the tape. It also is to carry the moistener means or element proper and to present the latter in operative position to transfer and apply the moisture to the tape. Such means is here of the capillary type, in this case an inverted brush moistener element comprising one or more brush sections 39 and 40 having supporting butt 39a, 400. These two brush sections of the main moistener element proper stand in an upright position, with their butts on the reservoir bottom wall or on shallow longitudinal ribs 4| on the latter. They are operatively positioned lengthwise the machine between transverse upstanding fins 42, 43, 44 herein formed integrally with the tank walls. A best seen in plan in Fig. 2, these positioning fins are interrupted and of less extent laterally than the width of the reservoir, so that the water or moistening liquid may pass freely to all portions of the latter.

The described moistener element 39, 40 is herein located at a lengthwise intermediate portion of the reservoir as a whole, below and substantially vertically opposite a pair of floating corrugated guiding and weighting rolls 45, 46, which may be generally similar as-irimy patents previously mentioned. They are rotatably and vertically movably disposed on pins-41, 48 extending between carrier blocks on the side frames, one of which blocks is seen at 49, Fig. 5. Behind the guide rolls 45, 46 is an upper guide plate 50 adapted to rest on the top face of the tape T, opposite an underguide 5|. Said upper guide 50 is vertically movable, being herein pivotally associated with the positioning pin 46 of the rear roll 46. These upper and lower guide members 50. 5| constitute in effect a forward extension of the feed throat, beyond the severing means up to the moistening element. It will be understood that the advancing length of,tape, as it passes from between the guides 50, 5| moves across the capillary moistener 39, 40 with its face in moistening contact therewith. the rolls 45, 46 serving as pre sure means resting by gravity on the upper face of the tape and insuring proper moistening coaction between the under gummed face of the latter and the moistener.

The correct amount of moisture for rendering the gummed face of the tape efficiently adhesive depends on a number of variable factors. Important among these are the thickness of the gum or glue coating, and the character of such These factors may vary as between different tape manufacturers or as between different tape products of a given manufacturer. Other factors are the weight, thickness and relative rigidity of the paper or other base web of the tape. Still others are the character of the moistening liquid. generally water, and the nature of the surface to which the moistened tape is to be applied. For example; the available water may be relatively hard or it may be soft, requiring a greater or a less quantity for optimum adhesive-rendering purposes, as further dependent on the given glue formula and thickness of the glue coating. The terms water and liquid are herein intended to include any preferred moistening fluid such for example as that including a percentage of glycwhich the tape is to be adhered is glossy and hence relatively non-absorptive, a less quantity of the moistening fluid is needed than where such receiving surface is more absorptive.

Depending on these various factors and circumstances, a predeterminable and rather deflnite quantity of moisture will give best tapemoistening result in any particular case. The quantity of liquid furnished by the moistening means such as a brush or like capillary conveyor and applying device is in turn dependent on the level of the water supply in the brush chamber. Accordingly I herein provide for selecting and maintaining one of an available plurality of water levels in said chamber or moistener reservoir. In some instances two selective levels, one relatively high and the other relatively low will take care of the majority of the variable factors above mentioned. As a result of extensive tests, however, it has been established that within the range of three different liquid levels the entire requirement, as to quantity of moisture application, can be effectively covered, for all practical purposes. And it has further been determined that levels of approximately 1.3 in., 1.7 in. and 2.00 in. below the top or tape-engaging portion of the capillary moistener or brush as measured downwardly along it, are the ones appropriate. That is, those particular high, medium and low levels are the most representative and will afford the desired moisture-quantity application, within the limits of efficient moistening, for the greatest number of situations as to the above mentioned variations in glue thickness, formula, weight of stock, surface for application and the others, including atmospheric conditions.

Accordingly my present invention provides for positive maintenance and control of the liquid level in the brush compartment, at any of a plurality of selectively available predetermined levels below the upper free end of the brush element.

For this purpose I have provided the reservoir 30 with a. level-controlling portion herein illustrated as an auxiliary chamber or compartment 55 in the nature of a trough or the like open at the top and having an inclined rear wall 56. This level-controlling chamber communicates with the main compartment of the reservoir 30 through a curved neck 51 of laterally flattened tubular form in cross-section. The inner end of this attaching neck opens at 58 into the main chamber of the reservoir herein through its side wall 35, as best seen in Fig. 5, while its outer end opens at 59, Fig. 4, into the auxiliary chamber 55 through its adjacent vertical wall portion.

This laterally offset control chamber 55 and the neck or conduit 51 are rigidly united with each other and with the reservoir 30 in supported and liquid-tight relation to it. As illustrated they are cast integrally with the main compartment so that the whole constitutes a structural unit. To facilitate such casting the neck 51 may initially be made open at the top and then capped by a top piece 51a. While any other convenientconstruction may be employed desirably it is such that the level-controlling element 55 is a self-supporting connected part of the moistening assembly as a whole so as to be removable and replaceable with the latter and requiring no separate manipulation or adjustment relative to it.

This auxiliary or level-controlling compartment or trough 55 so located vertically relative erine. Further, if the surface of the article to 7 iv the main compartment of which it is in efiect a portion, and is itself of such vertical extent that its bottom wall is at least somewhat below the lowest level and its circumferential wall extends substantially above the highest level desired for the liquid in the reservoir 30. The same also applies to the connecting neck 51, the passage in which is here shown as substantially co-extensive in height with the trough 55.

Within the control compartment 55 is a plurality of stops or positioning formations, herein a series of three such elements corresponding respectively to three different predetermined levels for the liquid. For simplicity in manufacture these several stops or seating formations are formed as parts of an upright longitudinal flange 50 rising centrally from the bottom wall of the trough 55. Along its upper portion this flange 60 is notched to provide a series of steplike seats each having a central positioning and level-indicating lug or post 6|, 62, 63 respectively.

On the adjacent side frame I of the machine, herein the left side, avoiding interference with the operating lever I5, there is swiveled on a horizontal pivot as at 54 a U-shaped clamp or clip 65. This clip is adapted to receive the body of an inverted container illustrated as a flat bottle or flask 66 having a restricted mouth 51 of a size to flt over and seat around any selected one of the series of three level-indicator stops 6|, 52, 63. The holding means such as the clip 65 may be otherwise located than on the side frame, as for instance on or as a part of the control chamber 55 itself. It is constructed and arranged to support the flask in different upright positions, substantially as shown in Fig. 1; see also Fig. 3. In this instance the swivel mounting 54 for the clip permits the container or flask 55 to adjust itself to different angular positions, corresponding to the several selective stops Bl to 63.

As seen in the full line position in Fig. l and also in Fig. 3, the flask 65, which it will be understood contains a reserve supply of water or moistening liquid, is set for maintaining the medium liquid level. This container desirably is of glass or other transparent material, so that the supply of water or other moistening fluid in it may readily be observed. As a further aid in that connection the holding member 65 may have one or more recesses or windows 65a which also give access to the container to aid in removing it from or adjusting it in the clip.

As best seen on the larger scale in Fig. 3, the mouth 51 of the flask B6 stands at an angle to the horizontal, at about 45 as illustrated, with its lower part in the. notch below and behind the middle or medium level stop 52 and its upper part in the notch in front of said stop 62 and against the next adjacent or top-level stop 6|. Said occupied medium stop 62 is enclosed by the flask mouth. It will be seen that "the actual level at which the liquid will be maintained is determined by the highest point of the flask mouth, that is, the point or level at which air can first enter the flask when the level of the liquid outside the flask so permits. For the operators convenience and in order to serve as a positive indicator of the level at which the liquid will be maintained when a given stop is selected such as the medium stop 62 in Fig. 3, the flask mouth and associated stops are so proportioned and arranged that the top faces of the several stops lie at or approximately at the corresponding levels of the topmost portion of the flask mouth when the flask is set in position on them. Hence said top faces of the stops are also in fact disposed at the several corresponding liquid levels, and serve as accurate indicators of the true liquid level in the reservoir 30, so long as some liquid remains in the flask. Thus it is not necessary to withdraw the reservoir to inspect the water level.

Assume now that the reservoir has initially been filled roughly to the level selected, for example, the medium level corresponding to the,

indicator-stop 62. This may be done by withdrawing the moistening assembly and filling directly into the main chamber 'or the reservoir may be left in place in the machine and the control trough 55 used as a filling spout. The flask 86, filled with water, is then inverted and set down over the stop 62 and into the clip 65, as in the full line showing of Fig. 1. In the subsequent use of the machine and through evaporation the water level will drop in the main chamber and in the connecting neck and auxiliary trough 55, in all of which it stands the same, but

will descend only to the selected control level, at

which the then uppermost point of the flask mouth is exposed just sufficiently to permit air to bubble into the flask. Simultaneously sufficient water is released from the supply in the flask to restore and maintain the desired level, in this instance the medium level, indicated by the central stop 52, the released water serving also to reestablish the air seal at the -flask mouth and so cut oil further discharge for the time being. This periodic balancing level-controlling action continues automatically so long as any appreciable quantity of water remains in the flask, the latter as shown being ample for any ordinary operating period, such as a working day.

As seen in Fig. 2, the level-indicating top faces of the several stops BI, 52, 53 may bear indicia such as the numerals l, 2 and 3 or H, M and L for high, medium and low, to assist theoperator in selecting the proper control level. The. several corresponding levels of the liquid are represented diagrammatically on Figs. 3 and 4 by the light broken lines numbered l, 2 and 3.

Any predetermined maximum, medium and minimum levels may be provided for, spaced from each other proportionately to the degree of moisture variation desired. As previously stated, appropriate water levels for the tank of a brush moistener such as the present, satisfactorily covering a wide range of variation in moisture-determining factors, are about 1.3 in., 1.7 in. and 2.00 in. below the glue-engaging portion of the brush, for the high, the medium and the low levels respectively. The numbered stops of the level-control chamber and the correspondingly numbered levels indicated herein by said broken lines on Figs. 3 and 4 accordingly may be regarded as representing those particular levels, or any other predetermined levels preferred. For most average conditions the medium or No. 2 level will be found appropriate. But whenever more moisture is desirable at the gummed face of the tape, due to one or another of the variant factors mentioned, such result is readily had by utilizing the higher or No. 1 level. This is effected merely by shifting the flask from the full line No. 2 position of Fig. l to the dotted No. 1 level position there shown, the flask and if necessary also the reservoir of course being first replenished if needed to bring the level initially to the No. 1 or high stage and to provide a reserve supply in the flask. Similarly, where less moisture is required, the lower or No. 3 maintenance level is appropriate and is immediately available by adjusting the flask down onto the No. 3 indistructed path of delivery. For this purpose I cator-stop. may employ means such as disclosed and claimed This provision for readily obtaining with cerin my prior Patent No. 2,085,714, dated June 29, tainty any one of a plurality of predetermined 1927 I have herein however illustrated imliquid levels, as by the means herein shown and 5 proved means for the purpose, in novel combinadescribed by way of example, contributes matetion with the moistening assembly as a whole rially to the all-round work capacity of the tape and with the dispensing machine in which the dispensing machines so equipped, and simplifies latter is embodied. As best seen in Figs. 5 and 6 the servicing of such machines in the hands of the body of the cover element 13 is recessed imcustomer users. Given the characteristics of lo mediately behind the brush positioning aperture any particular tape that a customer wishes to use I2, to receive a masking or shielding and guidand the surface which is to receive it, the maing element 80 disposed below the tape path chine manufacturer having determined whether and extending entirely across the latter.

an average moisture quantity or a greater or a This tape guiding shield 80 normally o less quantity is appropriate, n m r y instruct id pies an elevated position substantially as shown the customer to set the level-control device at in Fig. 5, in which its smooth upper face 8| prestop No. 2, No. 1 or No. 3 as the case may be. sents a forward and upward extension of the This simple. positive and nmistakable adl l ttape-guiding top face of the cross bar 'I'I. In ment, as afforded by the described means, then t position th advancing tape is directed upinsures correct moistening results. Thus the wardly to a level above the tip of the front moistservicing of machines in the field is simplified and ener 19, causing t t be delivered pest and out the expense thereof reduced. of moistening contact with the latter. When In addition to the main mois n elements the front moistener is to be used, generally for 38, already described th moistening assembly moistening some separate strip or sheet, such as of my present invention comprises also a seo- 3 an ad essing label, the guiding hi ld an is ad.- ondary or auxiliary moistener element 10, avail- 11y depressed to expose the moistening end or able at all times for moistening separate or prethe front brush 10, the top guide f 3| of the cut strips such as labels and the like, and shield forced down to a level at or below the supplementaliy mois ni the tape P latter. This is readily accomplished by the option of it manually sho ld that be desired- The 80 erator in the natural action of wiping or drawing term label" as here n used is intended the web, strip or label to be moistened, across clude any pre-cut or separate strip, sheet or other and in pressing Contact with the brush 10. article to be molstene In the illustrated example the variably posi- As herein illu r referring Particularly to tionable shield and guide 80 is represented as Figs. 2, 4, 5 and 6, the supplementary moistening it formed of similar molded plastic as for the top brush h ving a butt is cited at the plate 13 as a whole. For lightness it is made extended front portion of the reservoir ill, where hollow, being of a general triangular or wedge it is operatively Positioned as in seats shape in cross-section, having a smooth arcuate in upstanding ribs 1 1| extending lengthwise forward and underface in adapting the shield the reservoir between its front wall 32 and the 40 to Swing down along or behind the brush forward transverse fi 0f the series Previously This shield member 80 may be internally reinmentioned. The hairs or bristles of the brush forced as by ribs 83 and vertical fins a It is 10 are of a len to Project abOve the reset closed laterally by side walls 85 formed with uwalls and through a lo y confining ape!" transversely aligned bearing apertures adapted to ture 12 in a cover plate reservoir element I receive removable pintles 86 by means of which 13. This element may be variously constructed the shield is herein pivomny supported for its but conveniently n as Shown it is integrally movement between its masking or elevated posimolded from a pl material- It here tion and its depressed or moistener-exposing poprises a generally rectangular body or frame ll sitiom The supporting pintles 5 are shdably proportioned to fit a d seat On the reservoir received in corresponding lateral apertures exwalls. Lateral arms 15 extend rearwardly from tending inwardly through the side walls of the said pl te o y. also seetlhs 0n the reservoir cover frame I4. They are normally held inposi- Side Walls and formed mternal flanges tion their inner ends 86a projecting through I6 serv as l t a s pp rtin u d s at the the apertured side walls 85 of the shield, as by sides Of the brush elements 39, Of the main means of screws 81 extending down through apmoistener unit. propriate holes in the cover plate body I4, into Said frame or bo y 14 also includes a real receiving apertures 88 tapped in the adjacent cross bar 'I'I which herein serves in P to P- side walls 34, 35 of the reservoir or in vertical p rt and position the upper end of the front column-like reinforcing bosses 34a, 35a at the brush section 39 of the main moistener element, a inner faces of i ll h shield-supporting being located at or just below the point of depintles 86are drilled transversely as at 86b for livery of the tape from between the latter and passage of said retaining screws 81. On removal the floating guide rolls l5, 46. The outer or top of the latter the two supporting pintles may be face of this cross piece 11 follows an upward and withdrawn laterally, freeing the shield for forward curve, adapting it to guide the free end I cleaning or replacement. of the advancing length of moistened tape T The variable positionable shielding and guidtoward a position at the front of the machine ing element is proportioned and arranged in aswhere it may readily be engaged by the operator. sociation with the upper end of the auxiliary Since in the ordinary operation of delivering moistener 10 so that it normally stands in the moistened lengths of tape from the roll supply 10 elevated or masking position of Fig. 5. It is held th supplemental m i t n 10 d s not come in and returned to this normal elevated position into play, means are provided whereby the by suitable spring means, herein carried by the moistened tape length is automatically conducted u e-shield 80 by means f a re rw rd pr cforwardly past and out of moistening contact tion 89 from its under wall 82.v Said projection with the front moistener 10 and along an unob- (I has riveted or otherwise secured to it a bowed.

leaf spring 90, seen in Fig. and in detail in Fig. '7. The reversely turned end portions of this spring 90 have a transverse sliding bearing engagement upwardly against the stationary cross bar ll, herein against a transverse bearing rib formation Ila at the under face of the latter. Said cross bar also serves as a downlimiting stop for the guide-shield by engagement with its rear projection 89, through the central fixed part of the spring 90.

As previously noted, the moistener positioning fins 42, 43, H on the reservoir bottom wall are interrupted and so permit passage of the water or other liquid to all portions of the reservoir 30, including the forward portion at which the auxiliary tape and label moistener is housed. Consequently the liquid stands at the same level throughout the whole tank assembly, at one and the same controlled predetermined level relative both to the main and to the supplemental moistening elements. Both the latter accordingly are subject to the level-controlling action of the regulating trough and flask mechanism already described. In other words, the selecting of the No. 1 level or the No. 3 level for example, by the appropriate positioning of the flask on the selected indicator stop ill or 63, automatically adjusts and maintains the same desired level for and at the front moistener as in connection with the main .moistening element 39, 40. It will also be observed that the guide-shield or masking element 80 serves by contact with the moistened face of the issuing tape to distribute the moistening liquid and to remove any abnormal explication, a frame, a tape supply support, feeding means to move lengths of the tape to a delivery station, a tank for moistening liquid demountably positioned on the frame adjacent the delivery station, a moistener device'vertically disposed in the tank to-conduct and apply liquid therefrom to the tape moved by said feeding means, a trough-like control compartment for liquid offset from the tank, a conduit rigidly connecting the compartment .andthe tank and affording passage for liquid between them at levels between desired upper and lower limits, a flasklike liquid container adapted for inverted -positioning with its mouth in the trough-like compartment, means on the machine frame for so holding said container, and container-position-' ing stop means defining a plurality of selectively available positive position adjustments for the container in the compartment in vertically spaced relation to one another each to dispose the container mouth therein so as to release liquid at a corresponding different but predetermined level to be maintained in the tank.

2. In a tape dispensing machine according to claim 1, the construction and arrangement wherein level-identifying indi'cla are provided in association with the container-positioning stop means of the control compartment.

3. Delivering and moistening means for tape dispensing machines and the like, said means comprising, in combination, a liquid reservoir, an applicator for liquid therefrom, tape guiding means defining a path to the applicator, a tapeand-label moistener element vertically disposed for receiving moisture from the reservoir, a liquid-level control compartment on the reservoir, means affording communication'for liquid between said compartment and the reservoir at all levels between the desired maximum and minimum, container means presenting a liquid supply for admission to said compartment and thence to the reservoir, and a plurality of positive and alternatively available location-defining elements respectively at different levels to present means for supporting container means selectively in one or another of a like number of positions thereby to release its liquid to the compartment at the selected one of a corresponding number of different but determined levels.

4. In a gummed tape serving machine, in combination, a support for tape supply, feeding means to advance the tape, a tape delivery guide, tapemoistening means for wetting the gummed race of the tape as it approaches said guide, and other moistening means adjacent ,said tapemoistening means, said guide comprising movable means for masking or exposing one of said moistening means, a tank for supplying liquid to both moistening means, an inverted container for reserve liquid movably associated with the tank and adapted to supply liquid to it, and a. pinrality of fixed locating formations individually disposed at different levels and selectively available to present means for positioning the container to release its liquid so as automatically to maintain the liquid in the tank at a corresponding plurality of different but calculated levels. 5. In combination with the liquid tank and tape moistening means of a tape-dispensing machine, a tape-and-label moistening brush disthe brush for further tape moistening and for' label-moistening purposes, an inverted container for reserve liquid movably associated with the tank and adapted to supply liquid to it, and a plurality of fixed locating formations individually disposed at different levels and selectively available to present means for positioning the container to release its liquid so as automatically to 'maintain the liquid in the tank at a corresponding plurality of difierent but calculated levels.

6. In a gummed tape serving machine, in combination, a frame a support thereon for a tape supply, feeding means to advance the tape from the supply, a tank for liquid, a capillary tapemoistening element having a lower portion received in the liquid of the tank, and automatic level-maintaining means for the liquid including a positionally adjustable reserve-liquid container having a down. outlet at its lower portion and positioning stop means for defining a plurality of predetermined alternative container positions disposed at different heights to afford selectively any one of a corresponding plurality of different positive predetermined liquid levels.

'7. In a gummed tape serving machine, in combination, a frame, a support thereon for a. tape supply, feeding means to advance the tape from the supply, a tank for liquid, a capillary tapemoistening element having a lower portion received in the liquid of the tank, a trough-like auxiliary chamber, a conduit communicating between the chamber and tank. an inverted flask adapted to supply reserve liquid to the chamber and thence to the tank, and a plurality of correlated stops ilxed on the chamber in vertically spaced relation to each other for respectively ditferently positioning the flask to release its liquid at a corresponding number of different but positively predetermined levels of the liquid in the chamber and tank.

8. In moistening mechanism for gummed tape dispensing apparatus having a tank for liquid and a tape-engaging capillary moistener vertically disposed to be supplied therefrom, in combination therewith, a liquid receiving chamber communicating with the tank, a liquid container having an outlet, and means to mount the container for gravity flow of liquid from its outlet to the chamber, said means including a plurality of selectively available fixed container-position controllers at different levels each to dispose the contamer outlet to aflord a corresponding diflerent but predetermined liquid level in the chamber and tank.

9. In a gummed tape dispensing machine having a frame. a tape roll support, means defining a path for the tape, a tank for moistening liquid adiacently below the tape path, and a capillary device vertically disposed to be supplied from the tank and adapted for moistening contact with a gummed face of the tape, in combination therewith, a liquid receiving chamber associated with the tank, a passage for liquid from the chamber to the tank, a liquid supply container having an outlet at its lower portion, and means including a plurality of differently vertically disposed positioning elements selectively available for presenting the container with its outlet at diflerent levels in the chamber thereby to afford corresponding positive predetermined liquid levels in the chamber and tank.

TREVOR R. GAUTIER.

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