US3152032A

US3152032A - Dispensing device

Info

Publication number: US3152032A
Authority: US
Inventors: Waltz Edward
Original assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: 3M Co
Priority date: 1958-09-18
Filing date: 1958-09-18
Publication date: 1964-10-06
Anticipated expiration: 1981-10-06

Description

Oct. 6, 1964 WALTZ 3,152,032

' DISPENSING DEVICE Filed Sept. 18. 1958 I INVENT OR.

EDWARD WALTZ ATTO RNEVS United States Patent This invention relates to a paper dispensing machine and particularly to a type thereof which automatically applies pressure-sensitive tape along one edge of the paper as same is dispensed, whereby the combined paper and tape may be conveniently used for masking purposes, such as in connection with the spray painting of various products, for example, automobiles.

In the dispensing of paper simultaneously with and attached to a pressure-sensitive tape, it is desirable to provide a dispensing device which can be independently loaded with a rollof suitable paper and a roll of suitable tape. The tape is led around a portion of the roll of paper and the two are dispensed together in such a way that one-half of the strip of tape overlies and adheres to one edge of the paper while the other half of the strip of tape is free and available for adhering to any desired surface, such as an automobile window or other surface which it is desired to maintain free from a coating material such as paint which is to be applied to an adjacent surface.

In previous devices of this general type, there were a number of disadvantages which it is the purpose of the present invention to correct. For example, in previous devices the tape contacted the paperroll only. through a relatively small arc and, hence, was not pressed sufiiciently firmly against the paper to be applied smoothly and evenly. Further, the combined tape and paper issuing from previous dispensers would sometimes stick to the cutofi knife so that it was difficult for the workman to grasp after one dispensing operation in order to start another dispensing operation. Accordingly, means are now provided for disengaging the free end of the rolled paper strip from the cutolf means and extending it downwardly for the convenient grasping thereof by the user.

Previous devices were also somewhat deficient in the support base supplied and were not sufficiently sturdy to be capable of rapid use under rigorous conditions.

Therefore, the principal object of the invention is to provide a combined paper and tape dispensing machine utilizing independent paper and tape rolls under conditions which will provide a more satisfactory application of the tape to the paper and more easily operated edvice.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine, as aforesaid, in which the tape will wrap around approximately one-half of the paper roll and thereby 'be more firmly pressed against the paper prior to the release of the paper from the roll.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine, as aforesaid, including gravity operated means for automatically disengaging the leading end of the combined paper and tape strip from the cutting bar following a cutting operation performed by said bar upon said strip.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine, as aforesaid, which is convenient to use, attractive-in appearance, sturdy in structure and which is of sufiicient structural simplicity to be economical to build and economical to maintain in good operating condition.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent to persons acquainted with a device of this general type upon a reading of the following specification and inspection of the accompanying drawings.

See

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an oblique view of a device embodying the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a section taken on the line II--II in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a fragment of a front elevation of the machine showing the use of two rolls of tape; the same being in operating condition.

FIGURE 4 is a broken fragment of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along the line V-V in FIGURE 2.

General Description In general, the apparatus herein chosen to illustrate the invention comprises a frame structure for rotatably supporting a suitable roll of paper and a cutting edge parallel with, and spaced toward the operator from, said roll by which portions on the paper may be severed which the tape becomes adhered as desired to one edge of the outer winding of the paper on said roll. The paper and tape together may then be drawn by the operator toward the cutting edge and torn off as required. The tape rolls may be provided for engagement with both edges of the paper strip if desired.

Detailed Description In carrying out the detailed description of the apparatus herein selected to illustrate the invention, certain terminology will be used for convenience in reference, which terminology will be understood as employed solely for reference purposes and will not be taken as limiting. For example, the terms forward and rearward together with derivatives thereof andwords of similar import will be taken as meaning directions toward or away from the position occupied by the operator when using the dispensing device. The terms paper roll together with words of similar import will refer to the roll of strip material used with the apparatus which usually contemplates the actual handling of paper. However, it will be understood that the apparatus may be used with any kind of strip material, such as rolls of ellophane or of other plastic materials together with any kindof tape which it is desired to adhere in whole or in part thereto. For example, the apparatus may be used to apply a decorative tape to the strip material between the edges of a roll thereof, if desired, and such modified use may be readily obtained by a simple and easily effected change in the position ofgthe tape roll on its support. The terms upper and lower together with derivatives thereof and words of similar import will refer to directions with respect to the device when it is in its ordinary position of use and will also refer to directions taken with respect to the drawings, according to the context. The words rightward and leftward" together with derivatives thereof and words of similar import will refer to the drawings herewith and particularly to whatever drawing is referred to at the time such terminology is employed. a

As shown in FIGURE 1, the apparatus has a base structure 1 which may be of any convenient type but is here shown as-comprising a strip'formedof suitable horizontal irregularities or flanges for. strengthening same and arranged in a hollow rectangle. Fastened to said base 1 and extending upwardly therefrom are four

support members

2, 3, 4 and 6. These support members are atiixed to said base by any convenient means such as bolts, two of which are indicated at 7 and 8. Said forcing strap 12.

v 3 upright members are joined across their upper ends by headers 9 and 11 and said Headers are joined by a rein- Said headers and said reinforcing strap are provided solely for strengthening purposes.

A front shaft 16 is rotatably and removably supported upon and between the front support members 2 and 3 by means

jof bearing brackets

17 and 18 shown in FIG- URES 1 ;and 4, respectively. The bearing bracket 18 (FIGURE 4)'for example, is substantially U-shaped and has upwardly extending legs between which the adjacent end of the shaft 16 is disposed. Said bracket 18 is preferably fabricatedfrom metal so that it can be welded to the inside surface of the front support member. The structure of the bearing bracket 17 (FIGURE 1) is preferably similar to that of the bracket 18. The front flanges 19 and 21 'on the front support members 2 and 3, respectively, are notchedat 22 and 23 (FIGURE 1) just above the level of the brackets 17 and 1 8 forthe purpose of removing the shaft 16 after said shaft is raised out of said

brackets

17 and 18. One or more rolls 24 of tape 26' are supported upon the front shaft .16 to unwind in a counterclockwise direction, as appearing in FIG- URE 2. One such roll 24 is shown in FIGURE 1 and two rolls 24 and 24a are shown in FIGURE 3. A pair of spring slips 27 (FIGURE 1) and 28 (FIGURE 2) are received'upon thefront shaft 16 on opposite sides of the tape roll 24 for the purpose of adjustably holding said roll in a selected position along said shaft.

A rear shaft 31 (FIGURES 1 and 2) is rotatably supported upon and between the rear support members 4 and 6 by means of bearing brackets, not shown, which may be and preferably are similar to the

bearing brackets

17 and 18 of- FIGURES 1 and 4, respectively. A roll 32 of sheet or strip material, such as paper 33, is rotatably supported upon the rear shaft 31 so that it unwiuds in a'counterclockwise direction, as appearing in FIGURE 2. A resiliently flexible drag member 34 is mounted at its upper end upon the rear header 11 so that the lower portion thereof is resiliently urged against the outer surface of the paper roll 32, thereby resisting its rotation and'preventing overrunning during the unwinding thereof.

The leading'end 35 of the paper strip 33 on the roll 32 is fed over a guide roller 37 which is rotatably supported upon and between the front support members 2 and 3. Said roller 37 is axially parallel with, and directly above, the front shaft 16 but spaced sufficiently from said front shaft to prevent interference with the free rotation of a tape roll 24 thereon. A'stripping bar having an offset central portion 39 is pivotally supported at its opposite ends upon and between the front support members 2 and 3 for movement around an axis above and parallel with the guide roller 37. The stripping'bar 38 is positioned so that the central offset portion 39 thereof can'engag'e the front surface of the guide roller 37 as appearing in FIGURE 2. The paper strip 33 passes between the guide roller 37 and the offset center portion 39 of said bar 38.

"A crossbar 42' (FIGURESI, '3 and has a pair of rearwardly

offset end flanges

43 and 44 which are mounted upon the

front flanges

19 and 21, respectively, of the front support members 2 and 3 just above a horizontal plane tangent to the upper surface of the guide roller 37. The guide bar 42 has a lower cutting edge 46 which preferably extends the full length thereof. the paper strip 33 can be severed by raising it until it is engaged by, and then moved above, the cutting edge 46.

Operation said front shaft is returned to its position within the

bearing brackets

17 and 18. The rear shaft 31 is re- Accordingly,

moved from the apparatus after which a paper roll '32 is placed thereon and the rear shaft 31 is returned to its position between the rear support members 4 and 6. Although paper is specifically mentioned herein, it will be recognized and understood that such reference is for convenience, only, and should be considered as representative of many kinds and types of strip material with which the invention may be used.

The paper roll 32- (FIGURE 1) is positioned upon the rear shaft 31 by adjusting means, such as the

spring slips

27 and 28 shown on the front shaft 16, so that the paper roll will not change its position axially of the rear shaft 31.

to the leftward edgeof the paper as appearing in FIG- URE 1 so that a portion of the adhesive-of said tape strip is exposed for the purposes of a masking operation.

The tape strip 26 (FIGURE 2) is then unwound from the tape roll 24 far enough to engage the lower surface of the paper roll 32 after which the paper roll is then unwound in a counterclockwise direction; as appearing in FIGURE 2, until the leading edge 35 of said paper strip passes over the guide roller 37 and beneath the stripping bar 38. Now, when the leading end of the paper'strip 33 is manually engaged by an operator of 34 serves as a brake which stops rotation of the paper roll 32 when forward urging of the paper strip 33 over the guide roller 37 is terminated.

When it becomes desirable to remove a portion ofthe paper strip 33 from the roll, the front edge 35 of the paper strip is manually grasped where it extends between the guide roller 37 and stripping bar 38 as appearing in FIGURE 2. The paper strip 33 is pulled leftwardly, as appearing in FIGURE 2, until'the proper amount thereof extends beyond the cutting edge 46 on the crossbar 42. The paper strip 33 is then raised intoa position, about as appearing in FIGURE 4, where it engages the cutting edge 46 after which it is then moved upwardly so that the portion forwardly of the cutting edge is removed from the roll 24 by the cutting edge 46. When the cutting is complete, the weight of the stripping bar 38 will move the new front edge portion 35 of the paper strip 33 downwardly from the cutting edge 46 into the position substantially as shown in FIGURE 2 where it can be easily and manually grasped for removal of another portion of the paper strip. The tape strip 26 will be cut at the sametime that the paper strip 33 is cut and will remain in firm engagement therewith during the masking or any other use for which the removed portion is desired. 1

It will be apparent from FIGURE 3 that a second tape roll 24a may be placed upon the rightward end of the front shaft 16 and alignedwith the rightward edge of the paper roll 32, thereby providing a tape strip 26 along both edges of the paper strip 33. Moreover, other tape strips may be supported upon the front shaft 16 at points intermediate the positions ofthe tape rolls 24 and 24a for the purpose of providing decorations, for example, upon the outer surface of the paper strip 33.

Although a particular preferred embodiment of the in the appended claim, are'fully contemplated. I claim:

An apparatus for simultaneously dispensing sheet ma terial and pressure-sensitive adhesive tape which has been The tape roll 24 is adjusted in a similar mannerv upon the front shaft 16 so that it is aligned with that part of the paper roll to which the tape is to be applied. In this particular embodiment it is shown as being applied jstructure parallel to and spaced from said first shaft to support a rotatable roll of sheet material and a strip of tape which has been unwound from said tape roll for adherence to the exterior surface of said sheet material to form a laminate of said tape and said sheet material, said roll of sheet material being positionable laterally along said second shaft, means adjustably positioned along said shafts for retaining said rolls in their desired respective positions, a guide roller supported on said frame structure parallel with said first shaft to support and guide said laminate as said laminate is withdrawn from said second shaft, a cutter bar afixed to said frame structure parallel to said guide roller and spaced therefrom'for severing said laminate across the width thereof, and a stripping bar pivotally supported on said frame structure on an axis parallel to said guide roller and said cutter'bar, said stripping bar being positioned above said laminate as the laminate is withdrawn from said apparatus, said stripping bar having an off-set central portion depending downwardly from said axis to a position between said cutter bar and said roller, said oifset portion 6 being parallel to said cutter bar and extending along a major portion of said cutter bar to strip the laminate free of said cutter bar after the same has been severed, said oflset central portion of said stripping bar being pivotable about said axis toward and away from said cutter bar for positioning the severed end of said laminate between said guide roller and said stripping bar after said laminate has been severed on said cutter bar; said first shaft and said second shaft being of substantially the same length, whereby a roll of tape and a roll of sheet material can be positioned laterally and independently with respect to each other along said first shaft and said second shaft, respectively, in order that tape can be time ally adhered to the sheet material at any place across the width of said sheet material as said sheet material is unwound from said apparatus.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 23,542 Bihary Sept. 2, 1952 1,190,444 Mishler July 11, 1916 2,374,103 Johnson Apr. 17, 1945 2,650,433 Krueger Sept. 1, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 3,026 Great Britain Aug. 9, 1877