US3157552A

US3157552A - Gummed tape and tear strand dispensing apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3157552A
Application number: US849005A
Authority: US
Inventors: Arnold J Eisenberg
Original assignee: Nashua Corp
Current assignee: Nashua Corp
Priority date: 1959-10-27
Filing date: 1959-10-27
Publication date: 1964-11-17
Anticipated expiration: 1981-11-17

Description

Nov. 17, 1964 A. J. EISENBERG 3,157,552

GUMMED TAPE AND TEAR STRAND DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed 001:. 27, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet l GUMMED TAPE AND TEAR STRAND DISPENSING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 27, 1959 Iawenfo? 3 220 JII Z Nov. 17, 1964 A. J. EISENBERG GUMMED TAPE AND TEAR STRAND DISPENSING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 27, 1959 la'wenioai- 012 2202110. li'zlsezzfierg, 6y u? s Nov. 17, 1964 A. J. EISENBERG GUMMED TAPE AND TEAR STRAND DISPENSING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Filed Oct. 27, 1959 l I l V 1 L,"

ENG

I flwzozd clEzlsenbwg,

1964 A. J. EISENBERG 3,

GUMMED TAPE AND TEAR STRAND DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 27, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 15219833303 uia'wow JEzisenbezig, by W W United States Patent 3,157,552 GUMMEl) TAPE AND rsan STRAND nisrnNslNo arranarns AM -hold .l. Eisenherg, Nashua, N.H., assignor to Nashua Corporation, Nashua, N.H., a corporation of Delaware Filed 8st. 27, 1959, Ser. No. 849,0(i 14 Qlaims. (ill. 156-436) This invention relates to tape and strip dispensing machines such as employed for serving adhesively conditioned lengths of tape from a supply for the purposes of packaging, sealing, labelling and such. More particularly it concerns the general class of such machines for han dling moisture-activated or dry-gummed tapes.

An important object of the invention is novelly to equip machines of the class described with new and improved means whereby a rip strand or so-called tear string separately supplied upon the machine may be laminated to and combined with the main strip or tape to be dispensed in the course of the dispensing operation of the machine.

While the improvements herein concerned are adapted for use with various machines of the stated class they are particularly useful in conjunction with power-operated dispensers such as that of the Doyle, Eisenberg and Mc- Dermott application Serial No. 845,126, filed October 8, 1959, now Patent No. 3,076,586 of February 5, 1963. Hence for the purposes of the present disclosure the novel features are herein illustrated and described as adapted to and installed upon the base machine of said application Serial No. 845,126.

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

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the apparatus or machine as a whole;

PEG. 2 is a right side elevation of the same with a side cover plate of the control housing relating to the rip strand supply broken away;

PEG. 3 is a side elevation looking at the opposite or left side of the machine;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal vertical section through the base machine positioned as in FIGS. 1 and 2;

PlG. 5 is an enlarged vertical section of certain feeding and severing means at the left central portion of FIG. 4, with parts omitted for clarity;

FIG. 6 is a detail horizontal sectional view as on the line 66 of FIG. 5;

PEG. 7 is a related detail section as on the line 77 of FIG. 5, looking downwardly;

FIG. 8 is a transverse section at right angles to the tape path, substantially as on the line 8-8 of FIG. 5 and on the scale of the latter, looking toward the front of the machine;

FIG. 9 is a vertical transverse section as on the line 9-9 of FlG. 4 looking toward the rear of the machine and more particularly at the tape severing means;

FIG. 10 is a vertical transverse section through the rip strand control housing as on the line lil1ti of FiG. 2 with the rip strand supply roll mainly in end elevation;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged detail section of certain severing means as upon the line 1l11 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a corresponding transverse section as on the line 12-12. of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a section transverse to the tape path and in the general plane of the axes of the feed rolls, as on the

line

13, 13 of FIG. 5 and looking toward the front of the machine;

FIG. 14 is a detail plan view of a central portion of a stationary blade of the severing means; and

FIG. 15 is a partly diagrammatic plan view of the leading portion of the composite tape and rip strand.

As stated, the base machine of the present embodiment is that of the identified application owned by the assignee 3 3,157,552 Patented Nov. 17, 1964 of the present application. Such machine is herein sufiicien-tly illustrated and described for an understanding of the present invention. Unless otherwise herein stated parts including controls and circuits may be understood as being the same as in said prior application.

Referring first generally to FiGS. 1 to 4, the base machine comprises a main frame or housing 1 with side members 2 providing between them at the rear portion of the machine a holder or well 3 for the roll supply R of the dry-gummed tape T of any preferred composition and weight as appropriate for the given usage. Noting particularly FIG. 4, the tape T from the supply roll R is advanced along a path extending forwardly between the side frames to a delivery station S at the fore end of the machine, at the left on FIGS. 1, 2 and 4; at the right on FIG. 3. Advance of the tape is accomplished by a pair of opposed separable rotary members including a driven lower feed roll 6 and an upper feed or pinch roll 7 later referred to in further detail. The herein lower feed roll 6 is driven by an electric motor M, FIGS. 1 and 3, and through reduction gearing in the adjacently located gear housing 8 as in said application and in the commonly owned Patent No. 2,776,833 of January 8, 1957, reference to which may also be made for further illustration and description of the main feeding, moistening and sever ing devices of the base macmne.

As seen in FIG. 8 the driven lower feed roll 6 is fixed on a shaft 6a journailed in a lateral boss on the machine frame, the shaft extending into the gear housing 8 and there drivingly connected as at 612 with the mentioned motor-driven train of gearing. The upper or pinch roll 7 of the roll pair which also serves as a tape lengthmeasuring element is mounted on a transverse shaft journalled in a sleeve 7a on one arm 71) of a bellcrank rockably mounted on a transverse shaft 11 supported on and between the machine side frames 2. The other arm of the bellcrank, of which the upper portion only is seen in FIG. 8, is connected to an actuator for movement normally to open and at each operating cycle to close the pinch roll 7 into tape feeding relation with the driven roll 6. As in said mentioned application and said Patent 2,776,- 833 such actuator comprises a spring-loaded reciprocable rod 16 connected at one end to a solenoid indicated generally at 15, FIGS. 1 and 2, and at the opposite forward end operatively engaged with said depending arm 7a of the pinch roll bellcrank. Such actuator 16 also is con nected with one arm of a second bellcrank, the other arm of which is operatively connected to a generally vertical link 18, FIGS. 4 and 9, by which the movable blade 25? of the severing means is elevated or depressed in tape severing coaction with the fixed blade 30.

Again noting FIG. 4 the path of the main tape T from the supply roll R in the housing well 3 extends forwardly between the feed and pinch rolls 6, 7- and along between lower and upper guides 14, 14' past the severing blades 2t), 3t) and beneath an adjustably weighted platen 19 overlying brush moistener means B projecting from a liquid reservoir 12 removably set on cross supports on and between the front portions of the machine side frames 2. As shown the level of the liquid in the reservoir is maintained in known manner from a replenishable supply in an automatic feeding container or flask 13 demountably held herein at the left side of the machine, FIGS. 1 and 3. The reservoir may be equipped with a heater 19$ for the tape-moistening liquid, the electrical connections for which heater are seen in FIG. 3.

In connection with the foregoing it is noted that the base machine, similarly as in said application Serial No. 845,126 is equipped with detachable plug-in type connections with the power supply and for the several operating and control circuits of the machine. Such provisions include an outlet block 1% at the left lower central portion of the machine frame, see FIG. 3, including a socket portion marked Heater Side for plug-in reception of the mentioned heater or other accessor and a socket portion hereinmarked Switch Side for plug-in connection of the circuit-forming leads of one or another operatorcontrolled cycle-starting switch such as the extended-area arcuate manual switch bar 179 similar to that of said prior application.

Such circuit-forming connections also include a plugin receptacle 2% for the circuit connections of the cycleterminating trip switch (not shown) whereby the tape feed is halted and the tape severed upon delivery of a preselected measured length of the tape, as in the mentioned application. The manual grip or knob 163 of the length selector arm 164 are seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the selector mechanism in the illustrated example being of a com struction and arrangement including a rotary numbered drum 55 whereby selected length values for the tape are viewed and selectively set at a window 50 on the arcuate flange of the control housing side cover plate within which the length-numbered drum 55 is outboard mounted for proportioned and calibrated drive from the upper feed roll 7.

The foregoing description in connection with the drawings and with reference to the earlier disclosures herein identified sufiicipntly explains the general construction and arrangement of the base tape-dispensing machine for an understanding of the combination and co-operative relation therewith of the tear strand incorporating means of the present invention. While such means is useful with other constructions of gummed tape dispensing machines it is herein particularly adapted for installation as auxiliary equipment for the described multi-use or universal machine having plug-in type electrical connections for different operating controls and accessory items, so that the tear string supplying mechanism may readily be removed when not desired for use. The construction and arrangement also is such that with the tear-string supplying devices installed the machine will accept and dispense tapes not having a tear-string, or tapes having tear-strips preapplied, as well as being able to laminate a tear-string to whatever tape is desired to be dispensed as use requirements dictate.

The general purposes and functions of a pull-strand or tear-string in assisting removal or ripping of adhesively applied tape in opening packages, cartons and the like to which it has been applied are well known. By grasping such tear-strand at an end portion of the applied tape and pulling back against the overlying tape the latter may be ripped or pulled free to afford access to the package. Such strand itself, one example of which is herein designated generally by the reference character P, may be variously formed of any suitable material to provide a relatively narrow continuous member of substantially equal flexibility with the main tape and of a strength suitable for thestated purposes, whether formed as a string or cord or as a narrow tape individually fabricated or slit to width from wider webi In general it is desirable that consistent with the strength requirements such strand be fiat or flattened and of limited thickness to'alford little or no hindrance to normal adhesive use of the tape with which it is to be employed. The tear-strand P as herein illustrated may be regarded as typical for the purpose. One commercially available example of such tear strand with which the equipment of theillustrated embodiment has been satisfactorily employed is that composed of a multiplicity of longitudinal threads or filaments adhesively bonded together or united by a carrier vehicle to form a A2 inch unbleached tape identified as No. 121 as sup plied under the trade name Print-Ad-String.. The element P as herein represented may be assumed to be such narrow tape or composite strand.

In FIGS. 1 to 3 and a supply package of the tear strand is shown in the form of aroll or spool thereof PR.v Asthus'supplied the tear-strand P is wound upon a spoolhaving end heads 79, 76 including supporting ljournal plates 71 axially apertured in line for reception of a spindle 85 later referred to. The spool head bearer plated 71 have one or more radially ofiset locking apertures 72 whereby the spool may be locked on and to turn as a unit with the spindle 85.

This tear-strand supporting spindle 85 is rotatably mounted at one end on a. longitudinal rearward extension of one of the side frames 2, herein that at the right, of the base machine 1; see FIGS. 1, 2 and 10. Such extension comprises a generally rectangular housing compartment 8%) with an inner longitudinal side wall 81, a

top wall 82, end walls 83,. 83' and a removable outer side wall or cover plate 84. This housing as a unit is demountably secured at its front end to the adjacent machine side frame 2 as by bolts 81a extending through the inner side wall 81 and into fixed part of the machine. Noting particularly FIG. 10, laterally aligned apertures on the inner and

outer side walls

81 and 84 have disposed thereon anti-friction bearing rings 86, 37 in which the adjacent end of the spindle 85 is rotatably received and operatively positioned in laterally extending horizontal position for holding the tear-strand supply roll PR for rotation with its axis parallel to that of the supply roll R of the main tape T and. with the roll supplies in tandem relation and generally in line with each otherlengthwise of the machine.

From the roll supply package PR on the described auxiliary unit the tear-strand 1 travels forwardly into the base machine 1 at the rear and lower portion of the tape well 3 as through the space 319, FIG. 4, between the lower rear end of the rear top cover 3a and the arcuate plate 3b providing a bottom closure for said tape well 3. Alternatively the strand P may enter the well through a special port for it in said bottom plate 3b. As best seen in FIG. 4, this tear-strand P after.

entering the well 3 passes forwardly belowthe position of the main tape roll R, being guided beneath

transverse rollers

311, 312, 313 on which the main tape roll R is rotatably positioned in the well, partly about a further guide roller 314 and in front of another transverse guide member and cross-support 315 to and through a special moistening device 124 to be described and into paralleling position along and at the underface of the tape T to Which the strand P is to be laminated at the feed rolls 6, 7 by which the strand P is advanced from the supply thereof in synchrony with the main tape .T.

For proper tensioning of the tear-strand P and to avoid overrun, control means therefor is provided in operative association with the spindle 35, within the auxiliary housing compartment 89. Noting again FIGS. 2, 3 and particularly FIG. 10, the spindle has fixed on it as by a set screw a'collar 88, inwardly beyond the inner compartment wall 81, limiting endwise movement of the spindle toward said wall and adapted to abut the adjacent.

the tear-strand spool heads 70, 7%} or the journal plates 7 71 thereof. The spindle 85, collar 88 and thev strand spool accordingly are adjusted to rotate as a unit.

Within the auxiliary compartment 3% the spindle carries adrum or sheave $0 having a hub 91 with a set screw for affixing the sheave on and to turn with the spindle unit. Aligning bearing for the adjacent outer end of the spindle is provided by the mentioned anti-friction or ball-bearing ring 87 on the cover plate 84. The sheave normally holds the spindle against-axial shifting in the direction awayfromthe compartment wall 81', toward the right on FIG. 10. a

The mentioned tensioning torque and anti-overrun control for the spindle and strand package thereon is afforded through the medium of said drum 9% As seen in FIG;

10- it is formcd'with a peripheral channel, shown as of 5. V-form similarly as on pulleys for V-belts. As seen in FIG. 2 and also FIG. 10 there is mounted in the compartment a spool-loading or tensioner arm 92 pivoted as at 93. The arm 92 has at the rear end a thin upstanding shoe 94 adapted to ride on the bottom wall of the groove of the drum or sheave 90. The shoe 94 is of selected fibrous or other material to bear with limited frictional gripping against the sheave and so as to provide appropriate torque-resistance to turning of the spindie in the strand feeding direction to prevent the spool thereof from paying off the strand P too freely in the course of a feeding cycle. This tensioning or retardhig of the spool is ordered as appropriate by the loading spring 95 fixed at one end intermediately on the tensioner arm 92 and at the other end to a stud 96 on the compartment wall 81. Said tensioner arm 92 is actively engaged with the drum 90 and spindle 35 at all times.

For positively halting the turning of the spooled strand package PR at the end of a feeding cycle additional on-and-ofi brake means is provided, to be released for and during feed of the strand P and to be sharply reapplied for quick stopping of the strand package when the feed is terminated.

As herein illustrated such means comprises a brake lever 97 rockably mounted intermediate its ends on the stud 96 previously mentioned. At the rear end over the drum 9% this brake lever 97 carries a brake shoe 93 of a semi-rigid or other gripping composition and shaped with a down taper for gripping against the walls of the V-groove of the shive similarly as with V -belts. A spring 99 of selected weight for positive brake application urges the brake lever 97 and shoe 98 into on or applied position, being connected at the upper end to the rear end of the lever and being anchored at the lower end as at 99' to a lug on a housing wall.

For releasing the spool-halting brake means 97, 98 at the start of each feed cycle and to hold it in off position during such cycle there is provided in the compartment 89 electro-magnetic means shown as a solenoid Sill having an armature 302 with a link 3&3 connecting it to the fore end of the brake lever 7. This solenoid is adapted and arranged for electrical connection into the power supply and control circuits of the machine through a circuit conductor cord 304 equipped for detachable plug-in connection at the circuitjunction box 3%, see FIG. 1, of the base machine similarly as described for certain relay means of the base machine in the mentioned application Serial No. 845,126. When the electrically connected brake-release solenoid 301 is subject to the power and control circuits so that when the operator depresses the cycle starting switch bar 170, FIGS. 1 and 2, to start a feed cycle by actuating the motor M and the solenoid 15 for the actuator 16 which causes the feed rolls 6, 7 to close into feeding relation to the tape T and the tearstrand P, then simultaneously the strand brake solenoid 391 is activated. It accordingly pulls down the front end of the brake lever 97 and lifts the brake shoe 98 out of braking engagement with the shive 90 of the strandpackage-holding spindle 85. Conversely, at the end of a feed cycle, when the tape length selectively set by the

selector arm

163, 164 has been fed out and the circuit tripped by the automatic cut-oh switch associated with the length-measuring means, then at the same time the brake solenoid 3% is de-energized and the brake means 97, 98 is immediately applied by its spring 99 quickly to stop turning of the spool package. Thus even transverse alignment for the leading ends of the tape T and tearstrand P is continuously maintained.

Mention has above been made of means for adhesively conditioning or moistening the tea -strand particularly at the upper face for secure lamination thereof to the under face of the tape T at the same time if desired rendering adhesive the under face of the strand for adherence thereof to the package or article to which the laminar tearstrand and tape unit is to be applied.

For this purpose there is herewith provided on the machine at a location along the strand path but behind the rotary feed means 6, '7 the mentioned means for rendering the tear strand P adhesive while en route to the feed means. In the illustrated example such tear-strand moistener provisions comprise a demountable sub-assembly 129 including a liquid receptacle or auxiliary reservoir 1T1 herein at the left side of the machine, FIGS. 1 and 3, behind the main moistener reservoir 12 and liquid supply flask l3 and forward of the motor M. In this receptacle 121, having a removable cover 122, is placed one end portion of an elongate absorbent wick 123 of felted fibrous or like material. The wick projects through a wall opening of the reservoir and in through a port 124 on the adjacent side frame 2 of the machine to a position adjacently below the rear part of the lower tape guide 14 and behind the feed rolls; see FIGS. 4 to 7.

At the stated location the front upper end of the tape well floor plate 31; is formed centrally thereof with a notch 3x at and horizontally across which is affixed as by screws or rivets a channeled wick holder or clip 125, seen in vertical section in PEG. 5 and in top elevation in the horizontal sectional detail view, FIG. 6, looking down on the line 5 of FIG. 5. The wick 123 entering the machine housing at the port 124, FIG. 3, extends across horizontally to the central longitudinal vertical zone of the machine passing along the front face of the tape well bottom plate 31) to the notch 3x thereof through which it is deflected rearwardly, FIG. 6, into the channeled portion of the holder clip 125, see also FIG. 5. Thus a portion of the wick 123 is presented in a vertical plane in the path of the tear-strand P as it travels upward from within the well 3, so that the wick has moisture-applying relation to the tear-strand P for wetting the latter at least at that face which is to come into direct laminating engagement with the gummed underface of the tape T. Said laminating face of the strand P, sometimes also other surface thereof, may itself present a normally dry moisture-activatable adhesive such as that of the gumrned face of the tape T so as to be activatable to adhesiveness by the applied moisture from the auxiliary wick 123, for extra adhesive bonding with the gummed tape T which in turn is adhesively activated at the strand-receiving zone through transfer of some of the moisture from the strand P thereto; or said laminating face of the strand P if without a moisture-sensitive adhesive is such as to serve as a wettable receiver and carrier of moisture from said wick 123 for activating transfer thereof to the gummed face of the tape T and attendant laminating adherence of the strand P thereto. In the moistening travel of the generally thin tear-strand P upwardly across the wick 123 the edges as well as the then (FIG. 5) rear face thereof are usually wetted. Also the then front face, that which will remain exposed at the underface of the tape T fol lowing subsequent laminating travel through the feed rolls 6, 7 may be moistened by the wick moistener 123, the inner end of the latter if desired being turned back upon itself to form a loop of wicking through which the strand passes and receives all-over moistening treatment. For most uses application of moisture by the auxiliary moistener 123 only at the laminating face of the strand P is sufiicient and may be preferred by the user.

Immediately above the wick moistener 123 the moistly conditioned or adhesively activated tear-straud P, as the case may he, passes forwardly over the down deflected transverse lip 24a of the under guide plate 14 at which the tape T and the tear-strand P come together and travel in close parallelism in fiatwise juxtaposed relation for laminating them securely together at the feed rolls 6, 7. For directing the tear-strand P into accurately longitudinally centered, or other desired positioning widthwise of tape T the strand P is lead through an aligning or centering guide E34 FlGS. 4,5 and particularly FIG. 7, shown as a loop member wi h legs spaced by approximately the width of the strand? so as to straddle the path of the rear latter. This guide is operatively located by a transverse rod 131 extending between the machine side frames and supporting the rear end of the lower tape guide plate 14. The latter is formed with a slot for the suide 131 at or near the juncture with the downwardly deflected guide lip 14a. Moisture protection'for the latter and the guide plate 14 along the path of the strand P and a good traction surface thereat may be provided by a coating or applied layer 132, FIG. 7, of appropriate plastic, rubberous or friction tape or the like. i

For equal synchronous feed of thepull strand P along with the tape T and for even and secure lamination of the two of the feed rolls 6, '7are specially formed peripherally and novelly cooperate in the feed action. As best seen in FIGS. 8 and 13, the lower and driven feed roll 6, having a tubular hub 6h with set screw by which it is interchangeably mounted on the roll shaft 651. The special roll 6 as shown installed is formed with a central peripheral Zone 51 of larger diameter presenting an annular raised band of a radial depth approximately equal to the thickness of the pull strand P to be laminated to the adhesive face of the ta e T. This raised zone 61 has linurling 62 upon the peripheral face thereof, as does also the two portions of lesser diameter of the roll, as indicated at 63, 64.

For cooperation with the described lower roll 6 the upper roll 7 has the periphery formed with an annular central recess 75 into which is set substantially flush with the circumferential surface of this roll 7 a tire 76 of somewhat yielding resilient or semi-rigid rubberous or other composition of a low hardness of about the order of St Durometer. The higher band 61 of the lower roll 6 and the tire 75 of the upper or pinch roll 7, which is positively closed into pressing feed-efiecting relation with the lower roll 7 by the actuator of the solenoid at the start of a feed cycle, both parallel the path of the pull strand P and hence are effective at the opposite faces of the strand to force it flatwise into firm laminating application to the tape T. In this action the strand P and the opposed central longitudinal zone of the tape T are radially olfset by the high Zone 61 of the roll 6 and cause the tire 76 of the upper roll 7 to be correspondingly compressed substantially as illustrated in FIG. 13. This action not only insures a firm grip of the rolls upon both the tape T and the strand P for equal feeding, but also causes said engagement to take place with the strand P moving in the same plane as the body of the tape T at the portions to both sides of the strand P. Thus at the region of feeding engagement of the rolls upon the composite laminar strip consisting of the tape and the strand, both elements T and P thereof are engaged at equal radial distances from the axes of the rolls and hence receive equal imparted linear travel in unison. Therefore both the tap T and the strand P are drawn off from their respective supplies at the same rate and are laminated 1 together with minimal or zero shearing action between them as would be caused by uneven feed and interference with proper inter-bonding. Thus the synchronously and equally traveling tape T and strand P are laid together comprising a finger 14% supported for pivoting on a horizontal axis as at 14% and lightly spring loaded'in the counter-clockwise direction, FlGS. 4 and 5. in the direc- ,tion of the tape feed thefinger readily yields for tape travel below it, but under attempted opposite retraction of the'tape the finger at the accentric lower end pinches on to and holds the tape.

t The composite strip or web comprising the tape T with thepull strand P laminated upon its gum-coated under face is advanced by and between the feed rolls 6, '7 forwardly along and between the guides 14-, lid to and across the main severing means comprising the vertically mov-' able blade 21 and the fixed blade 34 earlier mentioned, BT68. 4, 5, 9 and 11, and beyond'these is advanced across the brush moistener means B in moistening relation thereto under the controlled downward pressure of the adjustably weighted platen 19, and issues at the delivery station S in adhesively condition for application, in generally similar manner as in the mentioned application.

To facilitate the use of the tape and laminated tear-; strand P means may be provided for forming at the leading marginal portion of the delivered tape lengths an easily freeable grasping tab piece to be seized for ripping out through the applied tape T. As illustrated in FIG. 15 such tab PT is defined between short generafly longitudinal punches or lines of weakening or separation within the severed end of the tape T, as at small-

case letters

1,1. The transverse cut-oil means for the tape comprises the mentioned movable knife blade 2% winch may be as in identified application, of the guillotine type having the cutting edge in the form of an inverted shallow V, straddling the tape path, FIG. 9. In the quick down stroke of this knife effected in relation to the completion of the tape feed and on a part of each operating cycle,

the shearing of the tape progresses inwardly from both sides toward the center of the tape by reason of the if-form of the knife, with the central zone accordingly cut last. The mounting and operating connections for this guillotine knife 29 include the vertical linkil con nected for down movement by the actuator 16 upon deenergizing of the solenoid 15 at the end of the operat ing cycle. The two-part knife 21 is removably attached to a transverse carrier bar 21 on a foot plate 22 of a guide post lie, the bar 21 being pivotally hung at the ends on depending links 21a of the knife support yoke 21b rockable on a cross-shaft 210 on the machine frame similarly as in said prior application, said yoke in turn .operatively connected to said vertical actuator link 18. The guillotine knife 29 biased by a spring 20s shears the tape T and tear-strand P transversely against the fore edge of the fixed blade 30.

The mentioned tab-forming punch lines I, I may be variously formed. For the purpose there is shown in FlGS. 9, 11 and 14 auxiliary piercing means structurally separate from the guillotine blade 21 and detachably mountedion the carrier bar 21. The latter has a'notoh at its under face to receive an inverted U-shapeddoublepointed punph or punch-cutting element 23 having

legs

23a, 23a spaced crosswise of the tape path and formed at the lower rear corner portions with punch points 24,

This punch unit is set up into the notch of the carrier bar 21 and there dernountably held as by a screw 23b, PEG. 12, extending through the base of the U. From the piercing points the

legs

23a, 23a incline upwardly and forwardly as at 25 to a level above the adjacent edge of the guillotine knife 20, as indicated at 26 on FIGS.'

11 and 12, and may be bevelled for cut-punching'coaction with the tape T upon opposite sides of the tear-strand P. F or cooperation with the punch legs 23a the stationary blade 39 of the machine is formed with a like spaced pair of narrow vertical openings or recesses 31, 31 of major area at the inner or rear ends at 32, 32. FIG.

14, to receive the

punch'points

24, 24 and herein tapering forwardly toward or to the front edge of. said fixed blade 3%. r

From the foregoing in connection particularly with PlGS, 9, l1, 12, 14 and 15 it is seen that while the punch points 24 of the auxiliary unit may pierce the tape T only aftercross severance thereof by the guillotine blade 21 has begun and moved in from the tape edges, the. subsequent longitudirial punch-cutting action of the

punch legs

23a, 23a progresses from the points 2- 24 forwardly and in the direction of the tape feed and either stops short of or meets'the front edge of the tape afterthe last-severed central zone of the tape has itself beentransverse y out, leaving if desired, a thin and easily broken link or score line of. the tape across the front edge 'of the tape at the punch lines I, 1, FIG. 15, serving in use to retain the tab fiatwise against unintended premature displacement of the tab PT and the strand P joined with it. It will be understood that the described grasping piece PT is left formed with the forward cross severed edge of the leading end of the tape T that is left in the machine following each operating cycle, so as to be available at the fore end of the next tape length to be fed, laminated and delivered in adhesive condition for application in use.

It will be undestood that the tear-strand P as described may be impregnated with or have at least at the laminating face thereof a coating of a normally dry gum or the like suited for adhesive conditioning by moistening thereof by the auxiliary moistener wick 123. In other instances the strand P itself may be non-gummed or substantially so and formed to present a moisture-receiving and carrying surface structure or texture adapting it to pick up and carry with it moisture from the wick which on laminating contact of the strand with the opposed moisturesensitizable face of the main tape T renders the latter sumciently adhesive dong the medial zone at which the strand P joins with it to efiect adhesive bonding and lamination of the strand to the tape as the two progress synchronously through between the described feed rolls such as 6 and 7.

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

I claim:

1. in a gummed tape dispensing machine having a housing frame with tape roll rotatably supporting mean opposed rolls for feeding the tape, moistening means for the gummed face of the tape, transverse severing means for the tape between the feeding and the moistening means, and operating and control provisions for all said means for effecting successive cycles of tape feed, moistening and severance; in combination therewith a rearward extension of the machine frame, a spindle rotatably mounted on the extension for holding a spooled supply of a tear-strand in tandem relation to the tape roll, guide means for such strand directing it into the tape path rearwardly of the feed rolls for parallel travel with the tape medially of the adhesively conditionable tape face, auxiliary moistener means also rearwardly of the feed rolls for applying moisture to the strand before face-contacting entry thereof into the tape path en route to the feed rolls, and opposed strand-thickness compensating medial peripheral formations on the feed rolls at the path of the strand for feeding the tape and the strand synchronously at the same linear rate for adhesively lminating the moistened strand to the adjoined face of the tape, said medial peripheral formations comprising a raised zone on one feed roll and on aligned compressibly yielding zone on the other feed roll.

2. In a tape dispensing machine according to claim 1 the combination including double-pointed punch means straddling the strand path adjacent the tape severing means and synchronized therewith for punch-forming a grasping piece in the leading margin of the tape remaining on the machine after each operating cycle. a

3. A gummed tape dispensing machine according to claim 1 including a drum fixed on the strand holder spindle, torque resisting means engageable with the drum for tensioning the strand in feeding thereof, brake means cooperable with the drum for stopping turning of the spindle and strand supply thereon against overrun of the strand at the end of a tape and strand feeding cycle, spring means for normally a plying the brake means, and electro-magnetic means for releasing the brake means at the start of and during each feeding cycle, the operating and control provisions for the feed rolls and the severing means being electrical and the machine housing frame being equipped with a power-supplied electrical circuit junction box with plug-in type receptacle, and the electromagnetic means for operating the brake means including an electrical conductor cord connected thereto at one end and having plug-in connection at the other end for attachment at said receptacle.

4. In a tape machine for dispensing lengths of gummed tape having a tear-strand adhesively applied lengthwise along and centrally of the gummed face and in which machine said tape is to be advanced along a longitudinal path to and past a moistener for the gummed face thereof, a longitudinal housing frame mounting guide means defining said path for said tape, said frame also rotatably mounting at an intermediate location in said path an opposed pair of feed rolls for advancing said tape between them and along said path, said feed rolls having in line with the tear-strand of the tape as advanced along said path medial peripheral formations for strand-thickness compensation in the feeding of the tape between them, said peripheral formations comprising a medial raised zone on one feed roll and an aligned compressibly yieldable zone on the other feed roll of said pair.

5. For installation on a gummed tape dispensing machine having a housing frame with means at a rear portion thereof for rotatably supporting a tape supply roll, opposed rolls for feeding the tape between them, moistening means for the gummed face of the tape, transverse servering means for the tape between the feed rolls and the moistening means, and electrical operating means with power-supplying and control circuitry for said feed rolls and severing means for effecting successive cycles of feed, moistening and severance of lengths of the tape; a tear-strand supplying assembly comprising a generally rectangular housing compartment connectible at the rear of the machine frame in laterally offset relation to the longitudinal center line of the tape path thereon, said compartment having laterally spaced side walls, a strand package holding spindle having one end journalled in aligned bearing apertures on the compartment side walls, the body of the spindle projecting from the compartment and horizontally across the machine, a sheave-like brake drum fixed on the spindle within the compartment, a rockable brake lever and shoe thereon for braking engagement with the spindle drum, spring means normally urging the brake lever into braking relation with the drum, a solenoid and armature operatively connected to rock the brake lever for relasing the shoe from the drum and circuit leads for the solenoid for connection thereof into the power-supplying and control circuitry of the machine.

6. The tear-strand supplying assembly according to claim 5 including a tensioner shoe in the compartment and engageable with the brake drum, a pivoted arm carrying the shoe and spring means effecting yielding engagement of the shoe and drum for tensioning the strand during pay-off from the spindle-carried package thereof.

7. For installation a gummed tape dispensing machine having a housing frame with means at a rear portion thereof for rotatably supporting a tape supply roll, opposed feed rolls forward of the tape roll supporting means and adapted to advance the tape between them, moistening means for the gummed face of the tape comprising a main liquid reservoir with a projecting brush moistener adjacent the front of the frame, transverse severing means for the tape between the feeding and the moistening means, and operating control provisions for said feed rolls and severing means for effecting successive cycles of tape feed, moistening and severance; a supplemental liquid reservoir mountable externally on the machine frame intermediate the ends thereof, an elongate wick having one end received in said reservoir, the wick extending from the reservoir and laterally into the machine housing to a position below the tape path and rearwardly of the tape feed rolls, holder means for the extended portion of the wick in the machine housing, said wick holder means adapted for mounting on a fixed transverse member on the housing frame rearwardly of the feed rolls, and guide means on a cross-member of the frame for directing a longitudinal tear-strand from a rearwardly located supply thereof across and with at least the upper face of such tear-strand in moisture-receiving relation to the wick and thence forwardly to and through the feed rolls with the tear-strand over the driven feed roll and between it and the tape and with said moistened upper face of the tear-strand against the gummed down-directed face of the tape for laminar adhesive bonding of the strand to the tape during said passage thereof from the wick to and through between said feed rolls of the tape dispensing machine.

8. In combination, in a gummed tape dispensing machine having a housing frame with tape roll support means, opposed rolls for feeding the tape, moistening means for the gummed face of the tape, transverse severing means for the tape between the feeding and the moistening means, and operating and control provisions for said means for etfecting successive cycles of tape feed, moistening and severance, said sevening means comprising a guillotine blade downwardly movable across the tape path to shear the tape against a fixed blade, the movable blade being of shallow inverted V-forrn and the ma.- chine having a movable blade carrier including a cross bar to which the movable blade is secured and having operating means for the carrier to effect down cutting action of such movable blade; a punch-cutting device for forming a grasping piece at the forward margin of the tape remaining in the machine upon severance of a delivered tape length therefrom, said device comprising an inverted U-shaped punch element having sharp pierce-punching points at the lower rear corner portions of the U-legs and having the bottom edges of the legs inclining forwardly and upwardly, and means for attaching said device to said cross bar of the blade'carrier with the punch points positioned toward the rear of the machine and located and laterally spaced to straddle a central longitudinal zone of tape fed forwardly below it, and said fixed blade having in vertical line with the U-legs of said punch device a like plurality of longitudinal slots of larger horizontal area at the rear thereof adapting them to receive the downrojecting points of said legs and extending forwardly for following reception of at least a portion of the forwardly and upwardly inclined bottom edges of said legs thereby to cut-form said tape-grapsing pice progressively forwardly in the direction of the tape feed.

9. In combination, in a gummed tape dispensing machine in accordance with claim 8 wherein the U-legs are spaced transversely of the tape path to an extent adapting them to straddle the path of a tear-strand centrally longitudinally laminated to the main tape so as to piercepunch the tape in said forwardly progressive manner at the opposite longitudinal sides of the tear-strand for inclusion of the latter with the tape and stran -grasping piece so formed.

10. A gummed tape dispensing machine according to claim 1 wherein the rearward extension of the'machine frame comprises a generally rectangular compartment offset from the longitudinal center line of the machine and having laterally spaced side walls, the strand supply holding spindle having one end journalled in aligned bearing apertures on said compartment side walls, the body of the spindle projecting from the compartment and horizontally across the machine, a sheave-like brake drum fixed on the spindle within the compartment, a rockable bralre lever and shoe thereon for braking engagement with the spindle drum, spring means normally urging the brake lever into braking relation with the drum, and means to rock the brake lever for releasing the shoe from the drum during inverted V-form guillotine blade downwardly movable across the tape path and a fixed blade coacting with the,

movable blade to shear the tape, a carrier on the machine for the movable blade including a cross bar to which,

said blade is secured and carrier operating means to effect cutting action of such blade, punch-cutting means for forming at the forward margin of the tape remaining in the machine a grasping-piece including the then forward portion of the tear-strand, said means comprising an inverted U-shaped punch element having sharp pierce punching points at the lower rear corner portions of the U legs thereof and with the bottom edges of said legs inclining forwardly and upwardly, said means attached to said cross bar of the movable blade carrier in position to straddle the longitudinal zone of the tape at which the tear-strand is located, and said fixed blade having in vertical line with the U-legs of said punch device a like plurality of longitudinal slots of larger horizontal area at the rear thereof adapting them to receive the downprojecting points of said legs and extending forwardly for following reception of at least a portion of the forwardly and upwardly inclined bottom edges of said legs thereby to form said tape-grasping piece progressively forwardly in the direction of the tape feed.

12. In a tape machine for dispensing lengths of gummed paper tape having applied lengthwise along the gummed face a tear-strand and in which machine the tape is fed and delivered along a substantially horizon-,

tal path across a moistener with the gummed face down; a cut-off blade movable in a vertical plane across the tape path and having a cutting edge for severing alfed,

movement therewith, said tab-forming means compris ing punch-cutting legs spaced to straddle the tear-strand and operative in vertical planes substantially normal to the plane of the cut-off blade to form slits in the tape adjacent and paralleling the tear-strand and lengthwise of the tape, each leg having a punch-cutting end adjacent t e tape path with an initial tape-engaging point at a rear corner of the leg and a cutting portion extending forwardly from said point and incl ned away from the tape path for progressive longitudinal forward cutting of the tape, and the forward end of said cutting portion being vertically spaced relative to the adjacent portion of the cutting edge of the cut-off blade in the direction away from the tape path so that the cross severance of the tape and tear-strand is accomplished before completion of the forward cutting of the slits.

13. In a tape dispensing machine according to claim 12 the construction wherein said slit-forming legs are spaced rearwardly of the cross cut-off blade sufiiciently'to leave a readily breakable unslitted link of the tape across the front edge thereof at the slit location. i I

14. In a tap dispensing machine according to claim 12 the construction wherein the cutting edge of the cut-off blade is in the form of a shallow V with the apex thereof away from the tape path, and the tab-forming means is located at the region of said V apex.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNiTED STATES PATENTS 7 1,411,774 Engel Apr. 4, 1922 1,590,371 Haren June 29, 1926 1,683,934 Timmons Sept. 11, 1928 1,755,926 Leguillon et al. Apr. 22,1930 2,130,775 1 Neumair ,Sept. 20, 1938 2,268,474 Chalmers Dec. 30, 1941 2,350,244 Malhiot May 30,1944 2,360,845 Bronander Oct. 24, 1944 2,638,145 Havemann et a1 May 12, 1953 2,683,401 Smith July 13,1954 2,920,681 Humphner Ian. 12, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 7 529,002 Canada Aug. 14, 1956 554,579 r Great Britain July 9, 1943

Claims

1. IN A GUMMED TAPE DISPENSING MACHINE HAVING A HOUSING FRAME WITH TAPE ROLL ROTATABLY SUPPORTING MEANS, OPPOSED ROLLS FOR FEEDING THE TAPE, MOISTENING MEANS FOR THE GUMMED FACE OF THE TAPE, TRANSVERSE SEVERING MEANS FOR THE TAPE BETWEEN THE FEEDING AND THE MOISTENING MEANS, AND OPERATING AND CONTROL PROVISIONS FOR ALL SAID MEANS FOR EFFECTING SUCCESSIVE CYCLES OF TAPE FEED, MOISTENING AND SEVERANCE; IN COMBINATION THEREWITH A REARWARD EXTENSION OF THE MACHINE FRAME, A SPINDLE ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON THE EXTENSION FOR HOLDING A SPOOLED SUPPLY OF A TEAR-STRAND IN TANDEM RELATION TO THE TAPE ROLL, GUIDE MEANS FOR SUCH STRAND DIRECTING IT INTO THE TAPE PATH REARWARDLY OF THE FEED ROLLS FOR PARALLEL TRAVEL WITH THE TAPE MEDIALLY OF THE ADHESIVELY CONDITIONABLE TAPE FACE, AUXILIARY MOISTENER MEANS ALSO REARWARDLY OF THE FEED