WO2009026594A2

WO2009026594A2 - Apparatus for applying adhesive tape including formations adapted to cause multiple punctures to the tape

Info

Publication number: WO2009026594A2
Application number: PCT/ZA2008/000073
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leonid Shpigel
Original assignee: Leonid Shpigel
Priority date: 2007-08-21
Filing date: 2008-08-18
Publication date: 2009-02-26
Also published as: ZA201001463B; WO2009026594A3

Abstract

Apparatus is provided for applying an adhesive tape to a substrate, the apparatus including a roller that has formations adapted to puncture the tape, at the edges and/or other locations across the tape so that the tape cannot easily be removed and replaced without easy detection. A roller may be provided with spikes that are randomly disposed to prevent the punctures being formed in straight or regular lines.

Description

ADHESIVE TAPE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the application of adhesive tape or the like to a substrate such as a container.

BACKGROUNDART

The invention has particular use in the application of security sealing such as that described in my Patent Application WO061356.

In that application a sealing tape has a printed strip adhered thereto to coincide with a transparent zone of the tape so that the printed matter is visible through the zone. Tampering with the container to which the strip and tape have been applied will result in damage to the strip, which will be observable and steps taken to investigate the matter.

However, it has been found that the possibility exists to remove and then replace the sealed tape often without detection of such action. It is an object of the present invention to ensure that it is difficult or even impossible to remove the tape without detection.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention an applicator for adhesive tape to a substrate includes means adapted to cause multiple punctures to the tape during and/or after application thereof to a substrate, the arrangement of the punctures ensuring that any attempt to remove the tape will result in visible tearing or other damage thereof.

In this specification the term "punctures" includes perforations, dimples and the like damage thereof. In a preferred form of the invention the means comprises a roller with a plurality of spikes, knives or the like to cause punctures.

The roller may follow a conventional rubber roller that applies pressure to the tape for adhesion purposes.

The punctures are preferably applied at least to the edges of the tape but it will be appreciated that they may be formed anywhere over the width of the tape.

It will be appreciated that a printed strip may also be adhered to the tape as in the previous application or the tape may include printing on the top or bottom surface.

The punctures are preferably located along the longitudinal edges of the tape so that a central transparent zone is offered for the printed strip to be located between the tape and the substrate. It will be appreciated that means to cause punctures may also be located at or near this central zone, if desired.

In order to produce an effective fracture of the tape for easy observation, the punctures may be staggered or arranged randomly - in other words, a regular pattern should be avoided to enhance the chances of the tape being fractured by unauthorized removal thereof.

In one form of the invention a series of discs having peripheral spikes is provided and located at either end across the roller. This enables the spikes to be arranged randomly. Alternatively, the spikes may be provided on a complete or monolithic moulded or manufactured drum.

Apart from causing punctures to be formed, the spikes have the additional advantage of maintaining the tape in position for each successive adhesive application to a line of containers or other articles requiring labeling / sealing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are isometric views from the rear and front respectively of the pertinent zone of apparatus for applying labels to containers or the like.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the drawings a body 10 carries a roller 12 joumalled in the body. A tape (not shown for clarity) passes from left to right in the direction of the arrow between a plate 14 and the roller.

Continuing in the direction of the arrow, the article or substrate (not shown for the same reason) passes over a second roller 16 that is also journalled in the body 10 and which has a series of discs 20 with spikes 22 that are located on the discs in such a way that straight lines of punctures in the transverse direction are avoided or at least minimized. This arrangement of punctures renders the edges of the tape more susceptible to damage and therefore more easily observed if tampered with.

The body 10 may comprise a portion of apparatus as described in the above mentioned patent application or may be an individual item that can be hand held by means of a handle 30. It will be appreciated that the arrangement according to the invention may be fitted to a semi- or completely automatic case sealing machine.

Use of the hand-held item enables one to apply the necessary pressure to the roller 16 for the desired puncture pattern to be achieved merely by tilting it against the tape using the handle for this purpose.

When used as a portion of the semi- or completely automatic apparatus referred to above, the tilting action is achieved automatically and may be programmed for the desired result. Alternatively, an existing apparatus may be modified simply by fitting a roller 16 in the desired position. The roller, generally indicated by reference 16 may also include a substantially central spiked disc 32 between the two halves 34R and 34L of the roller, which may be free-wheeling. This disc will cause punctures to be formed at or near the transparent central zone.

The discs are mounted on the shaft 40 and secured by a keyhole bush and the spikes may be sharpened to maintain their efficiency.

Claims

1. Apparatus for applying adhesive tape to a substrate includes means to apply pressure to the adhesive tape, characterised in that

the means includes formations adapted to cause multiple punctures to the tape,

the arrangement of the punctures ensuring that any attempt to remove the tape will result in tearing or other damage thereof.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 characterised in that the means comprises a roller having a plurality of spikes, knives or the like to cause punctures in the tape.

3. The apparatus according to either of the above claims characterised in that the roller follows a conventional rubber roller that applies pressure to the tape for adhesion of the tape to the substrate.

4. The apparatus according to any of the above claims characterised in that the punctures are located at least along the longitudinal edges of the tape.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 characterised in that the punctures are also located at or towards the central zone of the tape.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 characterised in that the central zone is translucent for a strip to be located between the tape and the substrate.

7. The apparatus according to any of the above claims characterised in that the punctures are staggered or arranged randomly.

8.. The apparatus according to any of the above claims characterised in that the formations comprise a series of discs having peripheral spikes, the discs being located at either end of the roller.

9. The apparatus according to any of the above claims characterised in that the roller includes a substantially centrally located spiked disc between the two halves of the roller.