Tape applicator tab length control

A tape applicator for applying a sealing tape to a case, said tape applicator having a frame, a tape roll mounting having a hub on which a roll of tape to be applied to seal said case may be mounted, a tape path between a periphery of said roll of tape and a tape applicator roll positioned to apply tape to said case as said case is moved relative thereto, rolls defining said tape path, one of said rolls being a one way clutch roll to permit tape movement toward said tape applicator roll and inhibiting tape movement in the opposite direction with an adhesive side of said tape contacting said clutch roll, a dancer arm pivotably mounted on said frame adjacent to one end of said dancer arm and a nip roller mounted on said dancer arm adjacent to an end of said dancer arm remote from to said one end, means biasing said dancer arm to press said nip roller into contact with said periphery of said roll of tape, said nip roller defining an initial portion of said tape path, the improvement comprising;

• a tab length control comprising a tension roll coupled to said dancer arm and defining a portion of said tape path between said nip roller and said one way clutch roll, said tension roll positioned to contact a side of said tape opposite said adhesive side being coupled to said dancer arm so that as said dancer arm moves toward said tape roll mounting as said roll of tape is being depleted said tension roll moves relative to said clutch roll thereby changing said tape path to reduce wraps of said tape around said tension roll and said clutch roll and increase the forces applied at said nip roller as said periphery of said tape roll decreases.