US3202028A - Tape dispenser - Google Patents

Description

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 H. H. RABELOW ETAL TAPE DISPENSER Aug. 24, 1965 Flled Aprll 6 1960 1965 H. H. RABELOW Em. 3,202,028

TAPE DISPENSER Filed April 6, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1965 H. H. RABELOW ETAL 3,202,028

TAPE DISPENSER Filed April 6, 1960 FIG.4.

RTA

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent 3,2b2,tl28 TAFE DESPENSER Harold H. Rahelow, Marion, and Ross Wood, Aurora, Iih, assignors to Diagraph Bradley Industries, Inc., Herrin, iii, a corporation or" Missouri Fiied Apr. 6, 1969, Ser. No. 28,378 iii Claims. (Cl. 83-241) This invention relates to tape dispensers, and more particularly to apparatus for dispensing measured lengths of tape from a roll thereof.

The invention is primarily concerned with apparatus for dispensing lengths of gumrned tape (and moistening the lengths of tape) for application to boxboard cartons for sealing purposes, and more particularly with such an apparatus comprising tape feed rolls driven by an electric motor for feeding the tape from a roll thereof over a moistener, and an automatic cutter for cutting the tape.

Among the several objects of this invention may be noted the provision of apparatus of the class described with an electrical control for the motor and cutter which functions to deenergize the motor upon delivery of a desired length of tape and to provide a time delay between the deenergization of the motor and the operation of the cutter such that the cutter does not operate until after the feed rolls have stopped. In this respect, it will be understood that the motor coasts for a time after it is deenergized and hence the feed rolls continue in operation to feed the tape for a time after the motor is deenergized, and it is important to delay operation of the cutter until the tape stops being fed forward.

A further object of the invention is the provision of apparatus of the class described adapted for dispensing either random lengths or premeasured lengths or tape.

Typical cartons require the application of relatively long lengths of tape for sealing along the length of the carton and relatively short lengths of tape for sealing across the width of the carton at its edges. A more specific object of the invention is the provision of an improved tape dispenser of the class described incorporating control means which will permit dispensing of random lengths of premoistened tape. A further object of the invention is a tape dispenser including control means which may be preset for dispensing either of two lengths of tape, a long length and a short length as required for a particular size of carton to be taped, and which is operable to dispense either of the two preset lengths by actuating one or the other of two switches, and which is also capable of operation to dispense random lengths of tape so that it is an all-purpose dispenser.

It will be understood that the length of tape fed forward by the feed rolls of the apparatus is dependent upon the interval of time during which the motor is in operation. In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, the motor time interval is determined by an electronic control which includes two manually adjustable potentiometers, for presetting the two different tape lengths, and two switches. Operation of one switch initiates operation of the dispenser to feed and cut off one of the two lengths; operation of the other switch initiates operation of the dispenser to feed and cut off the other of the two lengths. Random lengths may be obtained by positioning one potentiometer to its maximum length setting and positioning the other potentiometer to its minimum length setting, operating one of the switches to initiate operation of the dispenser and operating the other switch to terminate the operation when the desired random length has been dispensed.

Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the constructions hereinafter described, the scope of the invention being indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which several of various possible embodiments of the invention are illustrated,

FIG. 1 is a top plan View of tape dispensing apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in cross section of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 taken on line 33 of FIG. 1 and illustrating two different operating positions of certain components; and,

FIGS. 4 and 5 are circuit diagrams of two embodiments of electronic control means of the present invention.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring to FIGS. l-3 of the drawings, there is indicated at 1 a casing comprising side walls 3 and 5 connected by a bottom plate 7 and a forward end plate 9. Extending between the side walls 3 and 5 adjacent their rearward ends and just above the bottom of easing i is a rod Eli carrying a cradle roller 13. Alsoextending between the side walls 3 and 5 forward of and higher than roller 13 is another rod 15 carrying a cradle roller 16. Rollers 13 and 1d are adapted to support a roll R of gummed tape T. The tape is wound into roll R with its gumrned face on the inside. At the top of casing 1, slightly forward of roller 16, is a pair of tape feed rolls arranged with their pass plane horizontal. The upper feed roll is designated 17 and the lower feed roll is designated 19. The tape T is unwound from roll R under and around the cradle roller 16 and thence leads up to the feed rolls. The feed rolls are adapted to feed the tape forward through a cutter C and over a moistener MS. As the tape is unreeled or stripped from roll R it undergoes an approximately 180 change in direction by being pulled around roller 16 with its gurnmed layer on the outer surface away from this roller. This action not only serves to remove the inherent curl from the tape, but also functions to crack the dry gummed or adhesive layer, thereby to render it more easily and rapidly soft erred by the water in moistener MS.

The lower feed roll 19 is mounted on a shaft 21. It is adapted to be positively driven in clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3 by an electric motor M mounted between the side walls via a chain and sprocket drive in an enclosure 27 on the side wall 3. j

The cutter C comprises a fixed shear blade 29 extending between the side walls and a pivoted shear blade 31 cooperable with the fixed blade to shear the tape. The pivoted blade 31 is operated by a solenoid S mounted between the side walls, the plunger 35 of the solenoid being pin-connected at 37 to one end of a lever 39 pivoted on a shaft 41 extending between the side walls, a link 43 connecting the other end of the lever and the pivoted blade 31. A spring 45 biases the lever to rotate in such direction as normally to hold the pivoted blade 31 in an open retracted position and to hold the solenoid plunger 35 in extended position. The arrangement is such that, when the solenoid is energized, the blade 31 is swung up to shear the strip (dashed-line position), and when the solenoid is deenergized the blade 31 is pulled back down by the spring 45 to its lowered retracted position (solidline position).

The tape T passes under the fixed shear blade 29 and above the pivoted shear blade 31 and thence over the moistener MS. The moistener comprises a pair of brushes 47 extending upward from reservoir 49 adapted to 'SWC to L2.

hold water supplied thereto from a bottle 51 for moistening the tape, which passes over the upper tips of the brushes. The reservoir is shown as provided with an electrical resistance heater H for heating the water. A pivoted guide and presser for the tape is indicated at 55.

A switch SWC is mounted on a bracket fastened to the side wall 3 in position for actuation of its button by an ear 63 on lever 39. Switch SWC is a normally closed switch, being closed when the lever 39 is in its retracted position and shear blade 31 is open. When the solenoid S is energized and lever 39 is swung clockwise from its retracted position, switch SWC is opened.

Mounted on the outside of the side wall 3 at the forward end of the casing is a control box 65 having an inclined top panel carrying a toggle switch SWL, a pilot light L, two matched precision potentiometers Pit and P2 of close tolerance linearity, and two normally open pushbutton switches SW1 and SW2. Each potentiometer P1 and P2 may be independently manually set to any predetermined position on two scales SCI and SCZ by positioning respective bar knobs B1 and B2 atfixed to the shafts of these potentiometers. Each of the scales SCft and SCZ is calibrated in units denoting inch s of tape and ranging, as shown, from six inches to seventy-eightv inches.

Control box 65 includes the majority of the components of electronic control means BC, the circuit diagram of which is shown in FIG. 4. Referring now more particularly to this figure, the various control components and their interconnection are illustrated whereby the sequential operations of motor M, solenoid S and cutter C, and the associated switch SWC are controlled to dispense predetermined or random lengths of moistened gummed tape T. An AC. power source for energizing this unit is indicated at reference characters Lil and L2 which have shunt-connected thereacross the heater unit H, a pilot light L, the primary winding of a filament supply transformer T1, and a half-wave rectifier circuit comprising a peaking resistor Rll, a dry-type rectifier RT and a capacitor C1 respectively serially connected. The secondary winding of transformer T1 is connected across the filament leads of a thyratron GT described hereinafter. Two double-throw relays K1 and K2 have one terminal of each of their actuating solenoid coils connected respectively by wires 67 and 69 to one terminal of each of the push-button switches SW1 and SW2. The remaining terminals of SW1 and SW2 are commonly connected to L1 via conductor 71. The other two terminals of the coils of relays K1 and K2 are commonly connected via wires 73 and 75 and the normally closed contacts of switch Provision is made for two remote footoperated switches SWllA and SWZA which are parallel connected as shown by the dashed lines with SW1 and SW2, respectively.

Momentary depression of switch SW1 (or SWIA) will. therefore energize the coil of relay Kl. The lower set of contacts KlA and KiB of relay Kl constitutes a holding circuit for its relay coil by applyin via wire 77 the potential of L1 directly to the top terminal of this relay coil and maintaining it energized after switch SW1 is released. The middle set of relay contacts KllC and K113 is adapted to make and break the motor M energization circuit from L1 via 77 and 79. The upper set of contacts KIE, K1? and KEG has two functions. The normally closed upper pair of contacts iii-F, KlG constitutes a shunting circuit for a capacitor C7; (via wires and 83), while the normally open pair of contacts KllE, Kl? selves when closed to complete an RC (resistor-condenser) D.C. charging circuit from C2 to Lll (via wires 81, '77 and 71). This RC circuit includes C2 as the capacitor and either the effective resistance of potentiometer Fl or P2, depending on whether SW1 or SW2 has been de pressed. The rotors of potentiometers Pit and P2 are commonly connected via wires 3 and 83 to the other side of capacitor C2 while the remaining terminals of Pi and P2 are connected by wires 87 and S9 to transfer con- J; tacts KEG and K225 of relay K2. The DC. charging circuit from either of these two contacts is completed via movable contact l 2? and wires 91 and R3 to the positive polarity terminal of filter condenser C1 of the half-wave rectifier unit.

The other two sets of relay contacts of relay K2 are indicated at KZA, K23 and KZC, KZD. The former contact set is parallel-connected with the holding contacts KllA and K18 so that upon depression of switch SW2 the coil of relay K1 will be energized from L1 via Wire 77 (assuming switch SWC is closed). The other set of contacts of relay K i.e., KZC and KZD constitutes a holding circuit for the coil of K2.

The function of the RC circuit (C2, P1 or C2, P2) is to provide a variable time delay between the instant that SW1 (or SW2) is depressed, thereby energizing motor M, and the moment that it is desired to deenergize motor M. This is accomplished by means of gas-filled grid-controlled rectifier or thyratron GT and a double-throw single-pole plate relay K3. Relay K3 has two fixed contacts KSA and KEG and a movable armature contact K313. The remaining terminal of motor M is connected in a circuit with the normally closed contacts 143B, KI'EC and wires 95 and $7 to L2. Thus, if relay K3 is energized the circuit to motor Mil will 'be broken as the K3C, K33 contacts separate. The coil of relay K3 is series-connected in the anode-cathode circuit of GT by means of Wires 99 and 93 to the positive polarity of the DC. power source constituted by the half-wave rectifier unit RT and its associated components C1 and RA. This anode-cathode circuit is completed to the negative terminal of this DC. power source from the cathode of GT (which is commonly connected to the suppressor grid thereof) by a Wire till, a potentiometer R1, a resistor R2, wire 81, contacts KlF and KTE and Wire 71. The resistor R2, another fixed resistor R3 and potentiometer P2 constitute a voltage divider connected across the DC. power source, the relative grid-cathode potential being determined by the positioning of the rotor of R1. The upper terminal of C2 is connected through a resistor R4 to the control grid of GT. It will be seen, therefore, that (depending on the positioning of R1) the control grid will have its potential raised positively relative to the cathode of GT until a level is reached which will trigger or fire GT. The resulting conduction of current through the anode-cathode circuit of GT will actuate relay K3 and break the circuit from L2 to motor M by opening contacts KEC, K33. The parameters of C2 and P1 or P2, depending on which switch (SW1 or SW2) is actuated, and the positioning of the arm of R1 determine the time of actuation of motor M.

An additional delay is desired between the moment motor M is deenergized and the instant solenoid S is energized to thereby actuate cutter C to sever a length of tape T. This delay is provided by a condenser C3, asinglepole single-throw relay K4 and another halt-wave rectifier circuit comprising a rectifier RTA and a peaking resistor R5. This half-wave rectifier, which constitutes a DC. power source, is supplied with AC. from L2 (by wire 97 and contacts K38, KSC) and Lil (via a wire 1G3, conductor 79, contacts KTC, Kit) and wires 77 and 7E). Capacitor C3 is charged to the DC. potential level of the output of this latter half-wave rectifier after contacts KlC, KID are closed. When contacts K33, KBC are opened, capacitor C3 must discharge through the resistance of the coil of relay K l Thus there will be a delay in deenergization of relay K4 until this RC circuit discharges to the point Where the level of DC. potential across the coil of K4 drops below the fall-out point of the relay. When this occurs, contacts K lA and K43 will close and complete the circuit from wire M3 (L1 potential) to solenoid S via a wire and thereby actuate cutter C. The other terminal of solenoid S is connected by a wire 167 to lower contact 143A which is placed at L2 potential by closing of movable contact KSB. As

cutter C is mechanically linked to switch SWC so as to have its contacts opened when cutter C is actuated, the connection of the L1 potential to solenoid S (via contacts KlC, KlD) is broken by this action of SWC. That is, the lower terminals of the coils of relays K1 and K2 are commonly connected to L2 through the contacts of SWC. Deenergizing relay coil K1 opens the contacts KllC and KID and removes the L1 potential from wires 79, 103 and 105. Thus, solenoid S can only be momentarily energized and for just sufiicient time to actuate cutter C.

Operation is as follows:

The two predetermined lengths of tape desired are preset by adjusting bar knobs B1 and B2 relative to scales SCI and SCZ to the respective dilferent preselected tape lengths to be dispensed. This then establishes two different eifective resistance values, one at P1 and the other at P2. Assuming P1 is preset to the shorter length and SW1 (or SW 1A) is momentarily depressed, the coil relay K1 will be actuated through normally closed switch SWC from L1 and L2. The holding circuit including contacts KIA and K1 3 maintain K1 energized and the closing of KiC and KID energizes the second half-wave rectifier (RT-A etc.), thereby actuating relay K4 and opening contacts K4A and K413, and at the same time energizing motor M. The actuation of relay Kl also opens the shunt circuit around capacitor C2 (by opening contacts KiG, Kl-F and contacts the lower terminal of C2 to the negative terminal of Cl which constitutes the first DC. power source.

Motor M will continue to operate and dispense tape until the grid-cathode potential rises positively to a level which will trigger gas tube GT. The greater the eifective resistance of P1 the longer it will take to charge C2 to this point. When GT is so caused to fire, conduction therethrough energizes plate relay K3 and-breaks the L2 potential connection to motor M by opening contacts KEC and K313. Motor M will coast for a short but finite period of time before coming to rest. The action of cutter C in severing the tape is therefore delayed a period of time just in excess of the mot-or coasting time by the delay in deenergizing relay K4 due to the discharge time constant of C3 through the coil of relay K4. When the DC. potential of K4 has dropped sufficiently, contacts KdA and K413 are thus permitted to close and energize solenoid S and actuate cutter C. The actuation of switch :SWC by rotation of lever 39 to the dasheddine position in FIG. 3 opens the normally closed contacts of SWC and completely deenergizes all relays Kl-Kd, thereby completing one cycle of operation.

The operationin dispensing a second, and in this example a longer, length of tape as preset by bar knob B2 is quite similar. Switch SW2 is momentarily depressed in this instance and this action energizes both the K1 and K2 relays. The elfective greater preset resistance of potentiometer P2 is connected to C2 to constitute the RC circuit by operation of the transfer contacts KZE, KZF and K26 (the first two of these contacts now being closed together). Thus, a second but different and longer length of tape T corresponding to the length preset on scale 8C2 is dispersed in this mode of operation.

If it is desired to dispense a random length of tape T, potentiometer P1 is turned to its maximum resistance position and P2 is turned to its minimum resistance position. Switch SW1 is depressed momentarily to start the operation of motor M and when substantially the proper random length of tape is dispensed switch SW2 is depressed. The discharge time constant of Pl-CZ therefore is a maximum and that of PZ-CZ is a minimum. Tube GT will continue to conduct until the maximum length set on scale P1 is reached or until SW2 is pressed, which will practically immediately trigger tube GT and stop motor M, the delayed cutting action of C following thereafter. 7

The FIG. 5 control embodiment operates similarly to that described above, but is somewhat simplified. The

gas tube GT and the alternate RC circuits of Pl-CZ and PZ-CZ are eliminated as are the relays K1 and K2. This FIG. 5 control is designed for dispensing random lengths of tape T and provides for the delay between the deactuation of motor M and the initiation of the action of cutter C. A spring return type double-pole double-throw switch SW3 is utilized in this species of the invention to control the operation of the dispenser. Contacts SWSA and SWSB when closed together initiate energization of motor M and the half-wave rectifier circuit constituted by RS and RTA. The charging of capacitor C3, as noted above in regard to the FIG. 4 control species, energizes the coil of relay K4 and opens its contacts K4A, K413. Actuation of switch SW3 also energizes the coil of a single-throw double-pole relay K5 by the closing of contacts SW35 and SW3E. Thus, the upper terminal of the coil of K5 is energized at Llpotential and the lower terminal thereof at L2 potential (via a wire 1G9, normally closed switch SWC and a wire 111). The upper set of relay contacts KSA and KSB, when closed directly applies the L1 potential to the top terminal of the coil of K5 and thereby serves as a holding circuit to maintain K5 energized after release of switch SW3 (but only until switch SWC opens).

Aiter substantially the desired length of tape T is dispensed, switch SW3 is released and returns to the position shown. Motor M is thus immediately deenergized (by opening of contacts SW3A, SW3B) and condenser C3 begins discharging through the resistance of the coil of relay K5. After this time delay, which is sufiicient to permit motor M to come to a complete stop, relay K5 will drop out, closing its contacts KSA, KSB, and will thereby apply L2 potential to the lower terminal of solenoid S (via a wire 113). The upper terminal of solenoid S is energized at the L1 potential by means of a conductor 115, closed contacts KSC and KSD of relay K5 and the now reclosed contacts SWEC and SW3D of Switch SW3. This energization of solenoid S actuates cutter C to sever the tape T and also actuates switch SWC to an open position which breaks the circuit from L2 to the lower terminal of the coil of relay K5. The deenergization of K5 opens the lower set of contacts KSC and KSD which function to prevent immediate reactuation of solenoid S.

It will be understood that a DC. type motor could be used in place of AC. motor M, and that L1, L2 could be used to supply DC. In that event, no rectifiers or transformers would be needed and the relays would be of the DC. type.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above construotions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim:

1. In tape dispensing apparatus including means for holding a supply of tape, an electric drive means adapted while energized by an electrical source of power to feed tape from said supply, and an electrically actuated cutter adapted when actuated to sever a length of tape from said supply; means for controlling the length of the tape dispensed comprising a first electrical circuit including said drive means and adapted when closed to energize said drive means from said electrical power source, a relay having a coil and a set of relay contacts, a second electrical circuit including said coil and a set of electrical contacts and a source of DC. power adapted to be energized concurrently with the energization of said first circuit, a third electrical circuit including said relay contacts and said cutter and adapted to be energized upon said relay coil becoming deenergized, and a capacitor i V T? shunt-connected across said relay coil whereby upon opening said electrical contacts said drive means and said second electrical circuit are first deenergized and thereafter said cutter is actuated following a delay which is a function of thedischarge rate of said capacitor.

2. In tape dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1; a switch mechanically linked to said cutter and adapted to be actuated when said cutter is energized thereby to open said third electrical circuit and thus deactuate said cutter.

3. in tape dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim ll; said set of electrical contacts being contacts of a relay responsive to the electrical conduction of a grid-controlled gas rectifier tube whereby upon conduction of said tube said first and second circuits are deenergized.

4. In tape dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim it; said set of electrical contacts being contacts of a manually operable switch, said switch being commonly connected in said first and second electrical circuits whereby on opening said switch contacts said first and second circuits are deenergized.

Y 5. In tape dispensing apparatus including means for holding a supply of tape, an electric drive means adapted while energized by an electrical source of power to feed tape from said supply,and an electrically actuated cutter adapted when actuated to sever a length of tape from said supply; means for controlling the lengtn of the tape dis pensed comprising a first electrical circuit including said drive means and a set of electrical contacts of a manually controlled switch adapted when closed to energize said drive means from said electrical power source, a relay having a coil and a set of relay contacts, a second electrical circuit including said coil and said set of electrical contacts and a source or" DC. power adapted to be energized concurrently with the energization of said drive means by the closing of said electrical contacts, a third electrical circuit including said relay contacts and said cutter and adapted to be energized upon said relay coil becoming deenergized, and a capacitor shunt-connected across said relay coil whereby tape is dispensed while said electrical contacts are closed and upon opening said electrical contacts said drive means and said second electrical circuit are first deenergized and thereafter said cutter is actuated following a delay which is a function of the discharge rate ofsaid capacitor.

6. ln tape dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 5; a switch mechanically linked to said cutter and adapted to be opened when said cutter is actuated whereby said third electrical circuit is deenergized and the cutter is deactuated.

'7. ln tape dispensing apparatus including means for holding a supply of tape, and an electric drive means adapted while energized with an electrical source of power to feed tape from said supply; means for controlling the length of the tape dispensed comprising a first electrical circuit including said drive means and a first set of electrical contacts adapted when actuated to energize said drive means from said electrical power source, a relay having a coil and a set of contacts, said relay contacts also being connected in said first electrical circuit, a gridcontrolied gas rectifier tube having an anode and a cathode, a second electrical circuit including said relay coil and the anode-cathode circuit of said rectifier tube, a third electrical circuit including the grid-cathode circuit of said tube and a variable resistance series-connected with a capacitor across a source of DC. power, said third circuit further including a second set of electrical contacts adapted when closed to complete said circuit and charge said capacitor from said DC. power source, whereby after a predetermined time which is a function of the parameters of said capacitor and resistance the tube will conduct and open said relay contacts thereby deenergizing said drive means; a second variable resistance and a set of transfer contacts also associated with said third circuit whereby upon actuataion of said transfer contacts said second variable resistance is series-connected with said capacitor in place of said first variable resistor and said drive means is actuated for a second predetermined length of time which is a function of the parameters of the capacitor and said second resistance; first and second manually operable switches, said first switch adapted to energize said first circuit and eiiect connection of said first resistance in said third circuit, said second switch also adapted to energize said first circuit but to effect connection of said second resistance in said third circuit, whereby upon actuation of said first switch a first predetermined length of tape is dispensed and upon actuation of said second switch a second predetermined length of tape is dispensed; an electrically actuated cutter adapted when actuated to sever a length of tape from said supply; a second relay having a coil and a set of relay contacts; a fourth electrical circuit including said coil and the first set of electrical contacts and a second source of DC. power adapted to be energized concurrently with the energization of said drive means by the closing of said first set of electrical contacts; a fifth electrical circuit including said second set of relay contacts and said cutter and adapted to be energized upon said second relay coil becoming deenergized; and a second capacitor shunt-connected across said second relay coil whereby said cutter is actuated to sever each length of tape dispensed following a delay which is a function of the discharge rate of said capacitor.

8. ln tape dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim I; a switch mechanically linked to said cutter and adapted to be opened when said cutter is actuated whereby said fifth electrical circuit is deenergized and the cutter is deactuated.

9. In tape dispensing apparatus including means for holding a supply of tape, and an electric drive means adapted while energized to feed tape from said supply; means for controlling the length of tape dispensed cornprising a first relay having a coil and a set of contacts, first means interconnecting the contacts of said first relay and said drive means and adapted in response to the energization of the coil of said first relay to energize said drive means for a first preselected period of time, a first switch adapted when actuated to energize the coil of said first relay, said first means including a first variable resistance the setting of which determines said first preselected period of time, a second relay having a coil and a set of contacts, second means interconnecting the contacts of said first relay and the contacts of said second relay with said drive means and adapted in response to the energization of the coils of both of said relays to energize said drive means for a second preselected period of time, a second switch adapted when actuated to energize the coils of both of said relays, said second means including a second variable resistance the setting of which determines said second preselected period of time whereby when said first switch is actuated the coil of said first relay is energized and said drive means is energized for said first preselected period of time to dispense a first length of tape and when said second switch is actuated the coils of both of said relays are energized and said drive means is energized for said second preselected period of time to dispense a second length of tape; a third means interconnected with said first and second relays and effective when said first variable resistance is set to a maximum and said second variable resistance is set to a minimum for causing said drive means to be energized when said first switch is actuated and for causing said drive means to be deenergized when said second switch is actu ated whereby random lengths of tape may be dispensed, the lengths of which depending upon the time delay between actuation of said first and second switches; an electrically actuated cutter adapted when energized to sever a length of tape from said supply; a third relay adapted when deenergized to cause energization of said cutter; means for energizing said third relay upon actuating of either of said switches; means responsive to demergization of said drive means for causing deenergization of said third relay; and means including a capacitor for delaying deenergization of said third relay after deenergization of said drive means whereby said cutter is energized after a predetermined delay after deenergization of said drive means.

10. In tape dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 9; a switch mechanically linked to said cutter and adapted to be actuated when said cutter is energized thereby to deenergize said cutter.

r 10 References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,567,655 12/25 Krueger 118-41 1,987,197 1/35 Krueger et al 11841 2,053,223 9/36 Meisel 118-124 2,408,363 10/46 Beckman et al. 83243 2,849,067 8/58 Krueger 83-241 2,892,500 6/59 Le Baron et al. 83246 12/59 Zernov 118-124 ANDREW R. JUHASZ, Primary Examiner.

RICHARD D. NEVIUS, HUNTER C. BOURNE, JR.,

WILLIAM W. DYER, JR., Examiners.

Claims (1)

1. IN TAPE DISPENSING APPARATUS INCLUDING MEANS FOR HOLDING A SUPPLY OF TAPE, AN ELECTRIC DRIVE MEAN ADAPTED WHILE ENERGIZED BY AN ELECTRICAL SOURCE OF POWER TO FEED TAPE FROM SAID SUPPLY, AND AN ELECTRICALLY ACTUATED CUTTER ADAPTED WHEN ACTUATED TO SEVER A LENGTH OF TAPE FROM SAID SUPPLY; MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE LENGTH OF THE TAPE DISPENSED COMPRISING FIRST ELECTRICAL CURCUIT INCLUDING SAID DRIVE MEANS AND ADAPTED WHEN CLOSED TO ENERGIZE SAID DRIVE MEANS FROM SAID ELECTRICAL POWER SOURCE, A RELAY HAVING A COIL AND A SET OF RELAY CONTACTS, A SECOND ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT INCLUDING SAID COIL AND A SET ELECTRICAL CONTACTS AND A SOURCE OF D.C. POWER ADAPTED TO BE ENERGIZED CONCURRENTLY WITH ENERGIZATION OF SAID FIRST CIRCUIT, A THIRD ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT INCLUDING SAID RELAY CONTACTS AND SAID CUTTER AND ADAPTED TO BE ENERGIZED UPON SAID RELAY COIL BECOMING DEENERGIZED, AND A CAPACITOR SHUNT-CONNECTED ACROSS SAID RELAY COIL WHEREBY UPON OPENING SAID ELECTRICAL CONTACTS SAID DRIVE MEANS AND SAID SECOND ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT ARE FIRST DEENERGIZED AND THEREAFTER SAID CUTTER IS ACTUATED FOLLOWIN A DELAY WHICH IS A FUNCTION OF THE DISCHARGE RATE OF SAID CAPACITOR.

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