US2362413A

US2362413A - Taping machine

Info

Publication number: US2362413A
Authority: US
Inventors: Albert F Shields
Original assignee: S&S Corrugated Paper Machinery Co Inc
Current assignee: S&S Corrugated Paper Machinery Co Inc
Priority date: 1941-05-03
Filing date: 1941-05-03
Publication date: 1944-11-07
Anticipated expiration: 1961-11-07

Description

Nov. 7, 1944. A g SHELDS 2,362,413

TAPING MACHINE Fild May 5, 1941 s sheets-sheet 1 Nov. 7, 1944. A. F. SHIELDS I TAPING MACHINE Filed May 3, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 III/11113211111111 IIIIIIIIII/IIII v INVENTOR W ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 7, 1944 Albert F. Shields, Jamaica, N. Y., assignor to 1 S. & S. Corrugated PaperMachinery 00., Inc.,

Brooklyn, N. .Y., a corporation of New York Application May 3,1941, Serial No. 391,701

miss-s) l'lclairns.

This invention relates to devices for automat ically taping the seams of paper boxes, cartons or the like, and is: particularly directed to mechanisms for'cutting the tape to the proper lengths. To this extent, the present application is a'continuation in part of application Serial No. 198,9'19,'

I filed March 30, 1938, which has matured into Patent No. 2,248,744, July 8, 1941. In this type of machine, it is preferable to deliver the tape to the carton scam in strips of definite length and to allow sufficient timebetween' deliveryof each successive strip to permit the successive'cart'ons to bebrought into position to receive the tape. In accordance with my present invention; 1 provide novel cut-off mechanism for controlling the length of the tape after thesame hasbeen fed onto a predetermined "portion of the advancing carton and for properly severing the tape in the required lengths.

It'is further an object of my invention to provide a novel automatic tape cutting mechanism of simple construction.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel automatic tape-cutting mechanism which is simply and accurately adjustable.

Still another object of my invention is to pro-' vide' novel means for automatically cutting the tape to the length to be'used for each cycle of carton seaming.

I A further object of my invention is to provide novel cyclical cutting, meanswhich may be readily varied for automatically determinin the interval between successive cycles of taping.

These and otherobjects of my invention will become more apparent in the following descrip tion of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in connection with the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a'general view ofone embodiment of my invention, shownin perspective.

Figure 2 is a detail enlarged cross sectionalview taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1. K

Figure 3 corresponds to Figure 2 showing a dif- I0 is continuously rotated by any suitable power A cam 24 is mounted oncontrol :shaftv source. Ill and-cooperates in the control of the feeding of the' tape in a manner hereinafter" described.

Friction disk 25 is also mounted onthe. control shaft 10 and rotates friction pinion 26 slidably:

mountedon shaft 3| by key 30; Shaft 3| is fitted with bevelge'ar'50 I which engages with bevel gear 32-of shaft 34. Through .pulley 35land belt 36 shaft 34 turns pulley 31 on" shaft 38.

' Rotation of shaft 38 causes the rotation of feed pulley 40 and idler pulley 4 I', at a-rate determined by the distance'of? the friction pinion26 from the center of the friction pulley 25;the' greater the distance, the greater the (speed. Thus the strip of tape 43 is fed from the roll of tape 42 at a constant'rate. This Irate of feed may be' adjusted.

to suit the length of strips to be-used by means ofthe handle'49 having'thread'ed e'nd'5l'engagingwith 'thebe'aring nut 52; 'Nut '52 alters the center distance between pulleys 25 and 26 along the keyed-part of the shaft 3 I:

After being unwound from'roll 42 by the feed pulleys 40; 4|, tape 43 passes between pulleys tening roller 64 which rotates in liquid container 65, and finally to the feed pulleys 10, ll. Tape 43 is of a type well-known in the art, preferably. a -paper strip having adhesive. material on one. side thereof. Moistener 64, 65 serves to wet the that of guiding the end of the tape to its proper position at .the beginning of the seam to be taped,"

as wellv as that of feeding a predetermined length of tape to the seam prior to its being cut-offby shear blade 6|. Pulley 10 is an idler pulley. Pul-, ley .H on. shaft 12, is rotatedbypinion 13 which engages with rack'14.. Rack 14 is moved in the direction of the arrow once during each revolution of the shaft ID by means of cam' '24 which is brought to rear against cam followers 16. Spring [5 acts in a direction to'oppose the'raclcmotion' due to cam 24. Shaft 12 is thus activated to move in an intermittent reciprocatory manner.

To prevent reverse rotation of the feed pulleys 10,11, the rotation of pulley H is made unidirectional by a ratchet incorporated withinsaid pulley. Details of the mechanism of pulley H are shown in'Figures 2 'and'3. .Ratchet'85, se-

' cured to shaft 12; is'acted upon by pawl a which is mounted on'the rim of the roller TI;

clockwise rotation of the shaft. 12 causes roller H to rotate therewith, causing tape 43 to be fed in the direction of the arrow, as shown. Reversal of direction of rotation of the shaft I2 has no effect on the roller 1| since the pawl 85a slips on ratchet 85, and accordingly there is no effect on the movement of tape 43.

-In Figure l, I have shown a conveyor belt 84 operated on rollers 81 on which cartons 80 are moved in succession. The cartons first pass under roller 8|. Roller M is used to affix the forward end of wetted tape 43 to the beginning of the seam 86, and, as the box 80 is moved in the direction of the arrows, it presses the tap firmly onto seam 86 to seal it.

The roller 8i mounted on shaft 83, is driven from the same power source as is the control shaft l and is driven in synchronism therewith.

Control shaft I0 carries at its outer end a sprocket I00 which through chain IOI drives the sprocket I02 mounted on the shaft I03. A

sleeve I04 having a threaded end I05 is mounted a on the shaft I03 and engaged with the keyway I06 in said shaft in such a manner that al-.

though the sleeve may move longitudinally with respect to the shaft I03, it must necessarily rotate therewith.

Clutch element I01 is mounted on the sleeve I04 and is in engagement with the keyway I08 in said sleeve also in such a manner that it may slide longitudinally with respect to the sleeve but must rotate therewith.

Nut H0 is mounted on the threaded end I05 of the sleeve and may be adjusted in such a manner that the serrated surface N2 of the clutch element I01 may be brought to bear against the corresponding serrated surface H3 of the helicalgear H4. Helical gear H4 meshes with helical gear Il5 which in turn is mounted upon shaft H6; The opposite end of shaft H6 carries the crank III which is connected by the link I I8 to the crank N9, the latter crank H9 being mounted on the end of the shaft I20 which carries the rotating knife I2I.

The rotatable knife I2l consists of a knife blade secured by the screws I22 or any other suitable means passing therethroughto a milled portion of the shaft I20. The knife blade I2I cooperates with the stationary knife I23 which is mounted on the block I24 which in turn is supported above the path of the blanks to which the tape is to be applied.

The tape 43 after having been fed forward by the pulleys I0 and II, passes between the shaft I20 and the stationary knife blade I23 in such a manner that when the edge of the knife blade I22 rotates into en agement with the edge of the stationary blade I23, it will be severed thereby.

Accordingly, the blanks to which tape is to be applied are fed forward on the tapes beneaththe roller 8| which rotate just beyond the knives. The tape is fed forward intermittently in accordance with the passage of the blanks to which the same is to be applied, and is cut 011? after a predetermined length of tape has been fed. 7

Referring now to the mechanism previously described, the rotation of the control shaft I0 causes the cam 24 to rotate. This in turn bears against the cam follower I6, thus causing the rack (4 to be moved against the tension of the spring I5, thus causing the pinion I3 to rotate and thus rotating the shaft I2, which in turn rotates the roller II. The rotation of roller II serves in the manner previously described, to

feed the tape along for a length determined by the amount of rotation given to the roller II.

When the rack moves backward once more, under the influence of spring I5, the pawl and ratchet arrangement within the roller II previously described, prevents the rotation of the of the shaft I2 from causing the roller II to rotate in a reverse direction and hence does not affect the tape.

It is thus clear that each time the rack is caused to move in the direction of the arrow, the roller II feeds the tape forward. The length of the tape to be fed depends naturally upon the movement imparted to the rack. Where the rack is moved a relatively short distance, the roller II will be rotated for a relatively low number of revolutions and will accordingly feed a shorter length of tape along. Where the rack is permitted to move a greater distance, then the larger number of rotations of the roller will cause the feeding of a greater length of tape.

In order to adjust the length of the tapes which are to be successively fed to the cutter and roller for application to the blanks, I have provided an adjustable stop I30 which cooperateswith a lug I3I on the rack. The cooperation between the lug l 3I and the stop I30 prevents the tension spring I5 from pulling the rack back to its original position and therefore prevents it from following the cam completely.

Accordingly, when the stop I30 is set for relatively short tapes, then it will prevent the rack from returning to neutral position or from following the cam at every point of its revolution. Accordingly, the cam will actuate-the cam follower I6 and the rack I4 only during a very restricted portion of its revolution and therefore will cause a relatively slight movement of the rack resulting in the feeding of relatively less tape.

When the stop is moved upwardly and towards the right with respect to Figure 1, then the cam follower and the rack will be able to follow the movement of the cam more completely and greater movement of the rack will result and relatively more tape will be fed. The stop I30 is mounted on the threaded block I32 which in turn is mounted on the threaded end I33 of the adjustment shaft I34. Rotation of the adjustment shaft I34 will cause the block I32 to move along the shaft in one direction or the other depending upon the direction of rptation of the shaft I34 and will accordingly serve to adjust the stop I30 in order to vary the movements of the rack in the manner and for the purposes previously described.

It is necessary, however, in order that the rollers I0 and II should function properly, that there be no unnecessary tension on the tape which will impede the accurate function of the rollers. Accordingly, the cooperation between the friction disk 25 and the friction pinion 26 will in the manner previously described, operate rollers 40 and 4| to withdraw the tape from the roll 42 and cause by the shaft I34 in order to vary the length of.

the tape, the handle 49 should also be adjusted in appropriate cases, be interlocked with eachother so that the same may be simultaneously performed by a single adjustment mechanism.

.The advantage of the present tape feeding mechanism and tape cut-off over the elements of the prior art is that'all' of the cutting elements are continuous and rotary; The noise and wear inherent in the operation of an oscillatory cutter is-therefore overcome and the efliciency of the apparatus is thus greatly increased.

, The rotary cut-off of my invention also simplifies all adjustment problems in tape feeding and tape applying mechanisms and serves further to integrate each part of the mechanism since rotary members of this type are more easily connected to operating members than are oscillatory means.

In the foregoing, I have described the preferred embodiment of my device and many variations of each of the modifications will now be evident to those skilled in the art. I therefore prefer to be bound, not by the specific disclosures herein, but, only by the appended claims.

' I claim:

.1. Apparatus for applying tapes to blanks comprising tape feeding mechanism, tape applying mechanism, and a rotatable tape cutting knife; means for successively advancing said blanks into engagement with said tape applying mechanism, said tape feeding mechanism simultaneously feeding said tape into engagement with said applying mechanism, said tape cutting knife severing said-tape when a predetermined length has been fed, and completely severing said predetermined length fromthe remaining portion thereof, said tape cutting knife rotating continuously during and between successive tape applying operations, said knife being mounted on a rotatable shaft and being movable into cutting position at afixed point of each cycle of rotation of said shaft and means for adjusting said knife with respect to the tape feeding mechanism so that each tape feeding operation begins when the knife has reached a fixed point in each cycle of rotation.

-'2. Apparatus for applying tapes to blanks comprising tape feeding mechanism, tape applying mechanism, and a rotatable tape cutting knife; means for successively advancing said blanks into engagement withsaid tape applyingjmechanism,

said tape feeding mechanism simultaneously feed ing said tape into engagement with said applying mechanism, said tape cutting knife severing said tape when a predetermined length has been fed, and completely severing said predetermined length from the remaining portion thereof, said tape cutting knife rotating continuously during and between successivetape applying operations, said knife being mounted on a continuously ro tatable shaft and movable into cutting engagement with said tape once during each cycle of rotation and means for adjusting said knife with respect to the tape feeding mechanism so that each tape feeding operation begins when the knife is in a selected position in its cycle of rotation.

3. Apparatus for applying tapes to blanks comprising tape feeding mechanism, tape applying mechanism, and a rotatable tape cutting knife; means for successively advancingsaid blanks into engagement with said tape applying mechanism, said tape feeding mechanism simultaneously feeding said tape into engagement with said applying mechanism, said tape cutting knife severingsaid tape when a predetermined length has been fed,- and completely severing said predetermined length from the remaining portion thereof, said tape cutting knife rotating continuously during and between successive tape applying operations, said knife being mounted on a shaft, means for continuously rotating said shaft to cyclically move said knife into tape cutting position in synchronism with said tape feeding mechanism; and additional means for rotating said shaft to adjust the position of the knife in each cycle with respect to the inception of the tape feeding operation.

- 4, Apparatus for applying tapes to blanks comprising tape feeding mechanism, tape applying mechanism, and a rotatable tape cutting knife; means for successively advancing said blanks into engagement with said tape applying mechanism, said tape feeding mechanism simultaneously feeding said tape into engagement with said applying mechanism, said tape outting knife severing said tape when a predetermined length has been fed, and completely severing said predetermined length from the remaining portion thereof, said tape cutting knife rotating contin uously during and between successive tape applying operations, said knife being mounted on a shaft, means for continuously rotating said shaft to cyclically move said knife into tape cutting position in synchronism with each tape feeding operation; and additional means for rotating said shaft to change the portion of each cycle of rotation at which the knife will reach tape cutting position.

5. Apparatus for applying tapes to blanks comprising tape feeding mechanism, tape applying mechanism, and a rotatable tape cutting knife; means for successively advancing said blanks into engagement with said tape applying mechanism, said tape feeding mechanism simultaneously feeding said tape into engagement with said applying mechanism, said tape cutting knife severing said tape when a predetermined length has been fed, and completely severing said predetermined length from the remaining portion thereof, said tape cutting knife rotating continuously during and between successive tape applying operations, said knife being mounted on a shaft, means for continuously rotating said shaft to cyclically move said knifeinto tape cutting position in synchronism with each tape feeding operation; and

additional means for adjusting said shaft with respect to said tape feeding operation so that each tape feeding operation commences when said knife is at a selected point in the cycle.

6. Apparatus for applying tapes to blanks comprising tape feedin mechanism, tape applying mechanism, and a rotatable tape cutting knife; means for successively advancing said blanks into engagement with said tape applying mechanism, said tape feeding mechanism simultaneously feeding said tape into engagement with said applying mechanism, said tape cutting knife severing said tape when a predetermined length has been fed, and completely severing said predetermined length from the remaining portion thereof, said tape cutting knife rotating continuously during and between successive tape ap-" plying operations, said knife being mounted on a shaft, means for continuously rotating said I shaft to cyclically move said knife into tape cutting position in synchronism with each tape feeding operation; and additional means for adjusting said shaft with respect to said tape feeding operation so that each tape feeding operation: commences when said knife is at a selected point.

in the cycle, the speed of rotation of said knife shaft varying cyclically; said shaft reaching its maximum speed of rotation when said knife is at tape cutting position. i Y 1 7. Apparatus for applying tapes to blanks comprising tapefeeding mechanism, tape applying mechanism, and a rotatable tape cutting knife; means for successively advancing said blanks into engagement with said tape applying mechanism, said tape feeding mechanism simultaneously feeding said tape into engagement with said applying mechanism, said tape cutting knife severing said tape when a predetermined length has been fed, said knife being mounted on a shaft; a drive shaft; a crank on said knife shaft; a crank on said drive shaft; 9. link connecting said cranks for transmitting continuous rotative movement from said drive shaft to said knifeshaft; a power connection between said tape feeding mechanism and said drive shaft for moving said knife into tape cutting position in synchronism with additional shaft, means releasably interconnect ingsaid gear and shaft; a second gear on said each tape feeding operation; said drive shaft being releasable from said power connection and independently rotatable to adjust the cyclical, position of the knife with respect to the inception of each tape feeding operation.

8. Apparatus for applying tapes to blanks comprising tape feeding mechanism, tape applying mechanism, and a rotatable tape cutting knife; means for successively advancing said blanks into engagement with said tape applying mechanism, said tape feeding mechanism simultaneously feeding said tapeinto engagement with s'aidfipplyingmechanism, said tape cutting knife sev-v ering said :tape when a predetermined length has been fed, said knife being mounted on a shaft; a drive shaft; a crank on said knife shaft; a crank on :said drive shaft; a link connecting said cranks :for transmitting continuous rotative movement from said drive shaft to said knife shaft; a power connection between said tape feeding mechanism and said vdrive shaft for moving said .knife into tape cutting position in synchronism drive shaft; said gears interengaging; said means interconnecting said first gear and its shaft being releasable to permit independent movement of said drive shaft.

10. Apparatus for applying tapes to blanks comprising tape feeding mechanism, tape applying mechanism, and a rotatable tape cutting knife; means for successively advancing said blank into engagement with said tape applying mechanism, said tape feeding mechanism simultaneously feeding said tape into engagement with said applying mechanism, said tape cutting knife severing said tape when a predetermined length has been fed, said knife being mounted on a shaft; 2. drive shaft; a crank on said knife shaft;

a crank on said drive shaft; a link connecting said cranks for transmitting continuous rotative movement from said drive shaft to said knife shaft; a power connection. between said tape feeding mechanism and said drive shaft for moving said knifeinto tape cutting position in syn-,- chronism with each tape feeding operation; said drive shaft being releasable from said power connection and independently rotatable to adjust the cyclical position of the knife with respect to the inception ,of each tape feeding operation, said power connection comprising an additional rotatable shaft, a first gear concentric with said additional shaft, means releasably interconnecting said gear and shaft; a second gear on said drive shaft; said gears 'interengaging; said means interconnecting said first gear and its shaft being releasable to permit independent movement of said drive shaft, and an indicator for registering the degrees of said independent movement ofsaid driveshaft. j

H 11. Apparatus forapplying tapes to blanks comprising tape feeding mechanism,'tape applying mechanism, and a rotatable tape cutting knife; means for successively advancing said blanks into engagement with said tape applying mechanism, said tape feeding mechanism simul- ,19; Apparatus .forapplying' tapes to blanks comprising-tape feeding mechanism, tape, applying mechanism, ,and arotatable tape cutting knife;

feeding said tape into engagement withsaid .ap-

plying mechanism, said tape cutting knifesevering said tape when a predetermined length has been fed, said knife being mounted on .a shaft; a drive shaft; a crank on said knife shaft; a crank-on said drive shaft; a link connecting said cranks for transmitting continuous rotative movement from said drive shaft to :said knife shaft; .a power connection between said tape feeding mechanism and said drive shaftfor, moving said knife into .tape.-.cutting position in synchronism with each tape feeding operation; said drive shaft being releasable from said power connection and independently rotatable .to adjust the cyclical position of the knife with :re'spect to .the inception "of each tape feeding operation, said power connection :comprising an additional roe etatable shaft, a firstgear concentric with said .taneously feedingsaid tapeinto engagement with said applying mechanism, said tape cutting knife severing said tape when a predetermined length has" been fed, said knife being mounted on a shaft; a drive shaft; a crank on said knife shaft;

a crank on .said drive shaft; a link connecting said cranks for transmitting continuous rotative movement from said (drive shaft to said knife shaft; .a powerconnection betweensaid tape feeding mechanism and said drive shaft for moving said knife into tape cutting position in synchron'ism with each tape feeding operation; said drive shaftbeing releasable from said power connection and independently rotatable to adjust the vcylical position of the knife with respect to the inception of each tape feeding operation, said power connection comprising an additional rotatable shaft, a,first .gear concentric .withsaid additional shaft, means releasably interconnecting said gear and shaft; a second gear-on said drive shaft; said gears interengaging; said means "interconnecting saidiirs't gear and its shaft ,be-

ing releasable 'to permit independent movement of said drive shaft, and .an indicator .for registering the degree of said independent movement said cranks for transmitting continuous rotative movement from said drive shaft to said knife shaft; a power connection between said tape feeding mechanism and said drive shaft for moving said knife into tape cutting position in synchronism with each tape feeding operation; said drive shaft being releasable from said power connection and independently rotatable to adjust the cylical position of the knife with respect to the inception of each tape feeding operation, said power connection comprising an additional rotatable shaft, :3, first helical gear concentric with said additional shaft, means releasably interconnecting said gear and shaft; a second helical gear on said drive shaft; said gears interengaging; said means interconnecting said first gear and its shaft being releasable to permit independent movement of said drive shaft.

13. Apparatus for applying tapes to blanks comprising tape feeding mechanism, tape applying mechanism, and a rotatable tape cutting knife; means for successively advancing said blanks into engagement with said tape applying mechanism, said tape: feeding mechanism simultaneously feeding said tape into engagement with said applying mechanism, said tape cutting knife severing said tape when a predetermined length has been fed, said knife being mounted on a, shaft; a drive shaft; a crank on .said knife shaft; a crank on said drive shaft; a

link connecting said cranks for transmitting conitinuous rotative movement from said drive shaft 'to said knife shaft; a power connection between said tape feeding mechanism and said drive shaft for moving said knife into tape cutting position in synchronism with each tape feeding operation; said drive shaft being releasable from said power connection and independently rotatable'to adjust the cyclical position of the knife with respect to the inception of each tape feeding operation, said power connection comprising an additional rotatable shaft, a first helical gear concentric with said additional shaft, means releasably interconnecting said gear and shaft; a second helical gear on said drive shaft; said gears interengaging; said means interconnecting said first gear and its shaft being releasable to permit independent movement of said.

drive shaft, one of said helical gears being slidable longitudinally along its shaft while in rotative engagement therewith and in interengagement with the other helical gear for additionally independently moving said drive shaft.

14. Apparatus for applying tapes to blanks comprising tape feeding mechanism, tape applying mechanism, and a rotatable tape cutting knife; means for successively advancing said blanks into engagement with said tape applying mechanism, said tape feeding mechanism simultaneously feeding said tape into engagement with said applying mechanism, said tape cutting knife severing said tape when a predetermined length has been fed, said knife being mounted on a shaft; a drive shaft; a crank on said knife shaft; a crank on said drive shaft; 9, link connecting said cranks for transmitting continuous rotative movement from said drive shaft to said knife 76 shaft; a power connection between said tape feeding mechanism and said drive shaft for moving said knife into tape cutting position in synchronism with each tape feeding operation; said drive shaft being releasable from said power connection and independently rotatable to adjust the cylical position of the knife with respect to the inception of each tape, feeding operation, said power connection comprising an additional rotatable shaft, a first helical gear concentric with said additional shaft, means releasably interconnecting said gear and shaft; a second helical gear on said drive shaft said gears interengaging; said means interconnecting said first gearand its shaft being releasable to permit independent movement of said drive shaft, said first helical gear being slidable longitudinally along its shaft while in rotative engagement therewith and in interengagement with said second helical gear for additionally independently moving said drive shaft to obtain an adjustment of the cyclical position of the knife with respect to the inception of the tape feeding operation.

15. Apparatus for applying tapes to blanks comprising tape feeding mechanism, tape applying mechanism, and a rotatable tape cutting knife; means for successively advancing said blanks into engagement with said tape applying mechanism, said tape feeding mechanism simultaneously feeding said tape into engagement with said applying mechanism, said tape cutting knife severing said tape when a predetermined length has been fed, said knife being mounted on a shaft; a drive shaft; a crank on said knife shaft; a crank on said drive shaft; a link connecting said cranks for transmitting continuous rotative movement from said drive shaft to said knife shaft; a power connection between said tape feeding mechanism and said drive shaft for moving said knife into tape cutting position in synchronism with each tape feeding operation; and means for rotating said shafts to adjust the cyclical position of the knife with respect to the.

inception of the tape feeding operation.

- 16. Apparatus for applying tapes to blanks comprising tape feeding mechanism, tape applying mechanism, and a rotatable tape cutting knife; means for successively advancing said blanks into engagement with said tape applying mechanism, said tape feeding mechanism simultaneously feeding said tape into engagement with said applying mechanism, said tape cutting knife severing said tape when a predetermined length -has been fed, said knife being mounted on a shaft; a drive shaft connected to said knife shaft; said drive shaft being releasable from said power connection and independently rotatable to adjust the cyclical position of the knife with respectto the inception of each tape feeding operation, said power connection comprising an additional rotatable shaft, a first helical gear concentric with said additional shaft, means releasably interconnecting said gear and shaft; a second helical gear on said drive shaft; said gears interengaging; said means interconnecting said first gear and its shaft being releasable 'to permit independent movement of said drive shaft. I

17. Apparatus for applying tapes to blanks comprising'tape feeding mechanism, tape applying mechanism, and a rotatable tape cutting knife; means for successively advancing said blanks into engagement with said tape applying mechanism, said tape feeding mechanism simultaneously feeding said tape into engagement with said applying mechanism, said tape cutting knife severing said tape when a predetermined length has been fed, said knife being mounted on a shaft; a drive shaft connected to said knife shaft; a power connection between said tape feeding mechanism and said drive shaft for moving said 5 knife into tape cutting position in synchronism with each tape feeding operation; said drive shaft being releasable from said power connection and independently rotatable to adjust the cyclical position of the knife withrespect to the incep- 10 tion of each tape feedingoperation, said power H connection comprising an additional rotary shaft,

a first gear concentric with said additional shaft, means releasably interconnecting said gear and shaft; a second gear on said drive shaft; said gears interengaging; said means interconnecting said first gear and its shaft being releasable to permit independent movement of said drive shaft ALBERT F. SHIELDS.