Tape applicator apparatus
OwnerDavid J. Benesinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tape applicator apparatus is disclosed and includes a tape cutter mechanism and a (tape) puller mechanism. The tape cutter mechanism includes a first frame, a product tension mechanism coupled to the first frame, and a hot wire assembly coupled to the first frame. The hot wire assembly includes a first mount, a second mount, and a wire between the first mount and the second mount. The puller mechanism includes a puller frame, a grabber coupled to the puller frame, and a grab actuator coupled to the grabber. The grab actuator may activate a grab operation of the grabber. The puller mechanism includes a reach actuator coupled to the puller frame and the grabber. The tape applicator apparatus may be configured to receive a package between the tape cutter mechanism and the puller mechanism.
Claims19
A tape applicator apparatus comprising:
- a tape cutter mechanism comprising:
- a first frame;
- a product tension mechanism coupled to the first frame and configured to support a tape roll including tape;
- a device to position the tape in proximity with a hot wire assembly;
- the hot wire assembly coupled to the first frame, wherein the hot wire assembly comprises:
- a first mount, a second mount, and a wire between the first amount and the second mount, an electrical power source coupled to the wire and configured to heat the wire;
- and
- a moving assembly configured to raise and lower the hot wire assembly,
- wherein the first frame is configured to route the tape to a cutting position, wherein the wire is configured to perform a cut of the tape in the cutting position via the moving assembly;
- and
- a puller mechanism comprising:
- a puller frame;
- a grabber coupled to the puller frame and comprising:
- a first grabber element and a second grabber element;
- a grab actuator coupled to the grabber and configured to activate a grab operation of the grabber, wherein the grab operation is configured to grab the tape between the first grabber element and the second grabber element;
- and
- a reach actuator coupled to the puller frame and the grabber, wherein the reach actuator is configured to extend the grabber towards the tape in the cutting position of the tape cutter mechanism and retract the grabber and the tape,
- wherein a package is configured to be received between the tape cutter mechanism and the puller mechanism such that the package lands on the tape and falls between the tape cutter mechanism and the puller mechanism.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.