US2352150A

US2352150A - Tape dispensing apparatus and moistening means therefor

Info

Publication number: US2352150A
Application number: US495456A
Authority: US
Inventors: Trevor R Gautier
Original assignee: Nashua Gummed and Coated Paper Co
Current assignee: Nashua Gummed and Coated Paper Co
Priority date: 1943-07-20
Filing date: 1943-07-20
Publication date: 1944-06-20
Anticipated expiration: 1961-06-20

Description

June 20, 1944. T. R. GAUTIER 2,352,150

TAPE DISPENSING APPARATUS AND MOISTENING MEANS THEREFOR Filed July 20, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 T. R. GAUTIER 2,352,150 TAPE D-IsPENsING APPARATUS ANDMOISTENING MEANS THEREFOR June 20, 1.944.

Filed July 2o, 194s 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 20, 1944- T. R. GAUTIER 2,352,150

v TAPE DISPENSING PPARATUS ADMOISTENING MEANS THEREFOR Filed July 20, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 www Wam..

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June 20, 1944. T. R. GAUTiER TAPE DISPENSING APPARATUS AND MOISTENING-MENSl THEREFOR Filed July 2o, 1945 4 'Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented June 20, 1944 UNITED STAT TAPE -DIsPE'NsING APPARATUS AND Mois'rENING MEANS THEREFOR 4 Claims.

V.j My present invention .relates to machines and apparatus for adhesively conditioning and delivering lengths of iiexible strip material for package sealing, labeling and other purposes. More particularly it aims to provide in strip servers, tape dispensers and like devices of the class referred to improved initial or accessory equipment for insuring the desired application or coating of the moistening fluid under different voperating conditions, subject to selectivev but predetermined control by the operator.A -In certain respects the present invention presents a further and improved embodiment ofthe generic subject matter of my copending application vSerial No. 419,1-11, iiled November 14, 1941.

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

1 is a side elevation of a gummedtape dispenser or strip server incorporating the improved means of the invention, a

. -Fig. 2 is aplanlof the Fig. 1 machine,

'} Fig, 3 is a corresponding front elevation with parts in vertical section,

4 isa longitudinal verticalvsection of a forward portion of the machine, A .vrFig. 5 is an isometric vie-w of ademountable moistening and -liquid-level-controlling unit, such asthatofFig. 1, and L L 6 is aside elevation partly in section of a portion of the assembly of Fig.y 5,. 1

' Referring tothe drawings in more detail, the machine as a Whole here selected for the purposesl of illustration vmay be understood as similar in general to those for example of my Patents Nos. 2,082,733 of June 1, 1937, Des.l 111,568 of October 4, 1938, 2,13 8,47 4 of- Novem-ber 29, 1938, 2,192,132 of LFebruary 27,. 1940, 2,290,041 of July 14, 1942, and others of this .general class. It comprises a housing havingspaced :side frames I with appropriate crossconnection; as at 8 in Fig. 3, outer ends of other `cross-'membersfbeing apparent in Fig. 1.;. At :its rear portion the housing is Aadapted to support-a istrip or tape supply in roll form, asinv theV well or ,basketS having a movable top cover I0, Fig. 2.-

The tape or strip material from the supplyroll isy advanced past severing and moistening mechanism and delivered at the front of the machine.

In', its forwardf travel it is directed as by. lower' and upper guides III2 (Fig. 4) to and between lower Aand upper .feedwheels or rolls I3, I4, vone oi'which,;herein" the lower roll I3, is driven.

.,Forwardly beyond the feed means the tape is moved zpast severing or cut-off mechanism, Figs.

Trevork R. Gautier, Nashua, ass'ignortol:

Nashua Gummed and Coated Paper Company,

corporationv of 'Massachu- Application Jfilyo, 1943, serial 10,495,456

I5 and IB, -thelatter pivotally supported as -at Il lon a stationary part such asa lateral extension of the fixed blade.

Thefeeding and the severing means are vactuated from an operating lever 20, Figs. k1- to 3, through connections and drive gearing which may be assumed as generally similar as in one or another of the patents mentioned. Such operating mechanism is disposed in part in alateral .compartment 22 on the right side frame and vhaving a detachable side cover plate 23, Figs. 2 and 3. The operating lever 20 has a forward feeding motion and Opposite non-feeding'return motion along a slot as at 23a between'the gearing compartment and its cover plate. The cutter bladeU I B, normally clear ofthetape path also is actuated bythe operating lever 20 in a manner to cutoff the selected length of tape following stoppage of its forward movement, either by vfurther forward movement'of the `operating lever or in association Withits return movement. V y I Referring particularly to 1if5 s.3 and 4, the tape 'i'.ravels,v gummed face down, toV and past moisture applying meanscomprising an absorb,-Z lent or capillaryapplicator, herein an inverted brush 25, anda vertically opposed guiding and presser elementv ,26 shown as a freely rotatable verticallymovable roller or rollunit journaled between supports on the side frames, one of which is'seen at 2l in Fig. 4. The tape path between the severing means I5, I6 and the moistening means is defined as by an underguide 28, Fig. 4, and a cooperating top guide 29, Fig.` 3, adapted for lifting to expose the tape path when desired. -The brush moistener'25 is removably positioned in agtank or reservoir 30 comprised in-the liquid supplying and level controlling equipment with which the invention is more ,particularly concerned. The brush is disposed with-its upper free end in moistening relation to-the underface of the tape, being vheld in ygenerally upright or forwardly inclined position as by across support 3l which is interrupted or apertured to admit liquid to the brush-holding portion ofthe tank 30. Beyond the moistening elements proper the tape may issue directly from the machina/ or it may be further guided and supported for delivery in instances suchras illustrated wherein the brush or other -applicator is locatedfsomewhat rearwardly of the. extreme foreend ofthe machine In such case a delivery guide or platform may be'provided forwardly of the moistener, herein fthe outer top cover plate 32- removably 1. 3:-and;4,xinc1uding1xed andmovablefblades: 55; secured to thetankas by SCJflIVS'f3`nl Fig- 2.' and having longitudinal ribs 34 along which the moistened tape is delivered.

Conductive moisteners such as the inverted brush 25 are subject to considerable variation as to the quantity of moisture conducted to and held available at their applying end, depending on the level of the liquid in the brush chamber. Also, under different atmospheric conditions, likewise with different types and weights of tape, it is desirable at times to apply more or less moisture than at others. For a given set ,of operating conditions there is a certain approximate` optimum level for the liquid in the tank or reservoir such as 30.

ditions.

The present invention provides improved means adaptable to any machine ofthe 'class described for accomplishing the foregoing relsult, in such manner that the operator will have availableafplurality of. differentk levels for ,the liquidVany one of which may readily .be selected at will and each of which .is positively ,nonvariably predetermined, as for example low, :medium andv high levels,eachof which individually is alwayszthe same and'iszmaint'ained uniformly at its .precalculated height. That is, the Jinvention insures `thatinfshifting .for example as be tween --akhigh Ilevel and a medium level,A the adjustmnt' is .compulsorily such that the `predetermined mediunillevel, say `1% inches or whatever has been determined as appropriate, -always is' afforded under thek fmediu'm adjustmentof the-parts, and similarly as to each other available setting.l Y I The liquid-level control vand maintenance unit or" assembly is illustrated separately in Figs. 5` and Brand inainstalled position in Figs. 1 to 4. It comprises, in combination with the tank 30 and its brush 25, Aan auxiliary liquid supplying and level control chamber or tank 40 adapted for attachrnent at a convenient rlocation upon the given machine 'fra-me or housing,Vv on the' outer face of theleft side frame 1 inthe illustrated example. Thiscontrol tank is cast,- ymoulded. or-;otherwise formed Aof suitable materialto present a troughlike compartment closed at tlie'bottom4 and open at the vtop as at 4I'. 'It is of a shape andsize to conform tothe general design of lthe particular machinefand to receive and adjustably support in inverted position a container for-reserve liquid, suchrastherflask or bottle 42, Figs. 1 Ito 3 and Fig. 6. The auxiliary tank-V40 and the-.container or flask/42 are/relativelyproportioned for seated positioning `of the latter in the manner substantially-as illustrated, the flask being held laterally between the side Walls of the auxiliary tank .40 and'resting in one` or another of the selectively available-inclined positions against the appropria'tely slanted tank rear wall 43.

'The auxiliary compartment or tank .40 is detachably-associated with the machine frame in a manner adapting it for `ready removal and replacement as a unit together with the brush moistener -tank 30. For this purpose the auxiliaryl tank is provided with front and rear winglike projections or iianges44`, 45, each having a hook or hanger.` formation .46, 4l for seating on pins, bosses or the like projections'48, 49, Figs. 1 and` 2, extending laterally from vthe side frame l. Lateral spacing and positioning formations or.bosses.may.be provided vat the outer face of the inner isidev Wallof the tank 40, .one `of vwhich is seen attua, Fig:.5,.for vguiding and positioning Such level should-be continuous: and uniform for the durationof, the given conf ,to 4, on its Wall adjacent the side frame upon -y which the auxiliary tank 40 is to be mounted,

this b oss :being near the bottom of the brush tank 3l),v at a position below the lowermost liquid level to be maintained. An angular tting or `elbow54is tapped into this boss 53 of the brush tank 30 and projects laterally and rearwardly from the latter.` Its rear end is tapped for reception of a threaded -member 55 to which the forward end of the flexible tubular connection 52 from the auxiliary tank is attached.

As previously indicated, the main or moistener tank 36 is itseliremovably4 held between thejside framesl, Where it is supported on oneofz the cross members8,.Figs. 3. and 4', and upon lateral projections at the inner faces of the frames, `one of .whichappears at 'la .in Fig. 4. It is secured againstv unintentional forward displacement as by'spaceddepending members 35, 36 adapted to straddle the crossfmember 8. Thus it is evident that theiiexib'ly connected doubletank assembly is constitutedasa unit, as shown separatelyffin Fig. 5, for installation and removal for cleaning,` replacement and other purposes. Such manipulation of the lassernbly'iunit is fguickly accom'- plished merelyby tilting and withdrawing' the moistened tank with its contained brush anddisengaging the auxiliary tank by. lifting itiifom its

hanger members

48, 49. Y w.

While the tubing connection to the main or brush tank 30 maybe made at lany convenient lower point thereon, and may b'e extended below through or'outaroundl the adjacent portion-of the side frame, the entire ycoeperative relationof this assembly unit to the .machine and its -hou's ing is facilitated by the provision Aof.arearw'ardly extending receiving and positioning recess and seating formation on the side frame, as represented at 10,'Fig, `l. As there shown, saidfforlA mation 10 serves to guide and 'Support-151i@ lbw 54, while permitting it and the Ltank 30 vto beinserted or withdrawn by a substantially straight horizontal sliding action',said formationbei'ng'bf somewhat greater vertical extent than the elbow 54, radequateto permit-the slight tiltingy ofithe front endV of the .tankifor releasing litzfrmthe cross member 8, FigA. i l s best seen in -liF-ig. 6, noting also Figs.1 to 3, the. auxiliary tank 4l]V incorporates means ifr' controlling .the liquid supply from the container or ask'42 to said tank .and .thence to .thenioistener tank 30, to alford any. selected one ofxan available plurality of predetermined ilevels.A

- For this purpose theauxiliary tankMl carries a plurality of controller .or positioningformations,`xed stops vor the-.llike, eaclfiadaptedfseV lectively to set the container or flask 42 .to deliver its liquid to` a .corresponding .diierent butv predeterminedly'standardized level. In the.illustrat-Y ed embodiment these .formations `are presented by-a ange .or web 60 integrally or4 otherwise formed in` the auxiliary tank .40. atits lowerfiorward .portion and .-extendinglon'gitudinally tsubstantiallycentrallyof the tank. It includes'atfits front end `a--plurality, .herein-two, inverted/"V- shaped ngers or stops-16|,"62lat.-diierentflevels and directed upwardly and to the rear, fer-cop,-

eration with the mouth of the flask or container ft2. Below the lower nger 62 is a recess 63 havford the corresponding relatively low liquid level.

As indicated by the dotted line positions in Fig.

6, the ask 42 may alternatively be positioned with the lower or intermediate stop or finger 62 projected into its mouth, thus supporting the ask at a correspondingly higher intermediate level. Further, the pair of stop fingers GI, 62 are so proportioned and located relative to the flask mouth that the latter may be set down over both of them, in a further elevated position, to afford a corresponding higher and herein maximum liquid level. Additional similar stops may be provided if desired.

These levelcontrolling positioners, herein comprising the projections 6|,.G2 and the recess formation E3, B4 may be numbered or otherwise identified for ready reference in instructions to be supplied the operator as to the appropriate setting for the given operating conditions.

Where, as here illustrated, the container tank such as 40 is flexibly associated with the main or moistener tank as 30 and is detachably en-J gaged with the particular machine in the manner of an accessory, it is adapted for installation upon existing machines of different types, and is equally available as original equipment- Its detachability further makes possible the interchangeable installation of different capacities of level-controller tanks and associated containers, as may be appropriate to dierent uses of a given machine.

My invention is not limited to the particular embodiment thereof illustrated and described herein, and I set forth its scope in my following claims.

Iclaim:

1. In gummed tape dispensing apparatus, in combination, a housing including side frames and a support for a tape supply, feeding and guide means for the tape, a moistener tank removably mounted between forward portions of the housing frames, a moistener therein presented in moistening relation to the guided tape, an auxiliary tank adapted for detachable mounting on the housing in liquid feeding relation to the moistener tank, interengageable members on the housing and the auxiliary tank for so mounting the latter, liquid conduit means including flexible tubing and end fittings at the respective tanks communicating between lower portions of the lat ter, an inverted open-mouth liquid container adjustably positioned in and by the auxiliary tank, and positive positioning formations at different heights in the latter for vertically adjusting the container to release its liquid at corresponding diierent predetermined levels.

2. A moistener assembly unit for gummed tape dispensers, comprising, in combination, a tank for liquid to be supplied to a moistener operatively disposed therein, said tank adapted for insta1- lation on such dispenser, a structurally separate open-top trough-like auxiliary tank for reserve Cil liquid for maintenance of the liquid level in the 70 moistener tank, external tubular fittings at lower portions of the tanks and respectivelyvopening into them, a flexible tubing connection having its oppositeends attached to the respective iittings, a flask-like liquid container removably supported in and by the auxiliary vtank with its mouth-end down, a plurality of positioning formations fixed at different levels in the auxiliary tank below its top and selectively engageable with the containerfpredeterminedly to adjust it for releasing its liquid at corresponding different levels, and attaching means on the auxiliary tank for securing it in upright position on the tape dispenser in operative association with the moistener tank.

3. In gummed tape dispensing apparatus, in combination, a housing including side frames and a support for a tape supply, guide means dening a pathfor the tape, a moistener tank, supporting means on the side frames for removably mounting said tank below a forward portion of the tape path, a separate auxiliary tank for reserve liquid for uniformy level maintenance purposes, said auxiliary tank having a top portion open to atmosphere and receiving an inverted open-mouth liquid-supply container, means in the auxiliary? tank for locating such container with its mouth at different selectively available predetermined discharging levels, interengageable positioningl members on the auxiliary tank and an outer portion of a side frame of the housing for detachably associating them to present the auxiliary tank inliquid supplying relation to and rearwardly spaced from the moistener tank, conduit means including a separable tubing element and front land rear end ttings therefor affording communication for liquid from the auxiliary to the moistener tank, the front end fitting comprising an angular tubular element, and a forwardly open transverse recess leading from a front portion of the auxiliary-tank supporting side frame for slidable reception of said conduit means and adapting the latter and the tanks to be installed or removed as an assembly unit.

4. A moistener assembly unit for gummed tape dispensers, comprising, in combination, a tank for liquid to be supplied to a moistener operatively disposed therein, said tank adapted for installation on such dispenser, an open-top troughlike auxiliary tank for reserve liquid for maintenance of the liquid level in the moistener tank,

means for removably mounting said auxiliary tank on a tape dispenser rearwardly of the first tank, conduit means interconnecting the tanks at their respective lower portions, a flask-like liquid container adapted for removable support mouth-end-down in the auxiliary tank, and container-engaging means in said auxiliary tank afffording a plurality of predetermined positive adjustedv positions for the container mouth, respectively at different levels in the auxiliary tank below its top and selectively available for releasing liquid from the container to the tank at said levels, said means including a finger shaped and y proportioned to provide a supportingl seat for a peripheral portion of the container mouth thereby to locate the latter at a selected adjusted position.