Tape applying device

A device adapted for applying lengths of pressure sensitive adhesive coated tape from a supply length of tape seriatim on the surfaces of spaced objects driven along a predetermined path in a first direction past the device, said device comprising:

• a frame;
• an application roller having a cylindrical periphery;
• a support member supporting said application roller to define an arcuate tape route from a start position to an end position relative to said support member, said support member being mounted on said frame for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to said path and parallel to and spaced from the axis of said application roller to afford revolution of said application roller from a contact position with the portion of said periphery along said arcuate tape route disposed to afford contact of an end portion of a said supply length of tape thereon by an object driven along said path in said first direction, in a first direction of rotation to a second position to afford movement of the application roller along a length of tape being applied to the periphery of the object with the portion of said periphery along said arcuate tape route adjacent the object;
• means on said frame adapted for supporting a said supply length of tape and for guiding an end thereof to the periphery at said start position and along said tape route with the adhesive coating of the tape disposed away from said application roller;
• means mounted on said frame and adapted to be activated by movement of a said object past a predetermined position along said path for severing an applied length of tape from a said supply length of tape between said application roller and the object subsequent to movement of the object past said application roller;
• means for biasing the support member to revolve the application roller back to the application position subsequent to operation of said tape severing means;
• a pinch roller having an axis;
• a pivot frame supporting said pinch roller for rotation about the axis of the pinch roller;
• a collar mounted on said support member adjacent one end of said application roller for independent rotation about the axis of said application roller and supporting said pivot frame for pivotal movement about an axis generally normal to the axis of said pinch roller and spaced from one end thereof between an engage position of said pinch roller with the axes of the pinch roller and application roller generally parallel amd with the peripheral surfaces of the rollers proximate to engage opposite surfaces of said tape positioned therebetween, and a release position of said pinch roller with the pinch roller spaced axially from one end of the periphery of said application roller;
• means for biasing said pivot frame toward the engaged position of said pinch roller;
• cam means adapted to move said pivot frame from said engage position to said release position and back to said engage position to afford movement of said pivot frame and pinch roller around the longitudinal edge of a said length of tape guided onto said application roller adjacent said start position upon rotation of said collar relative to said support member to move said pinch roller from said end position toward said start position along the peripheral portion of said application roller spaced from said arcuate tape route;
• and
• means for rotating said collar relative to said support member to move said pinch roller from said end position to said start position along the peripheral portion of said application roller spaced from said arcuate tape route upon pivotal movement of said support member to move said application roller from said contact position to said second position, and for rotating said collar to move said pinch roller along the peripheral surface of said application roller at said arcuate tape route from said start position to said end position upon subsequent movement of said support member back to said contact position.

A device adapted for applying lengths of pressure sensitive adhesive coated tape from a supply length of tape seriatim on the surfaces of spaced rectangular objects driven along a predetermined path in a first direction past the device, said device comprising:

• a frame;
• an application member having an arcuate periphery defining an arcuate tape route extending adjacent one edge of said periphery from a start position to an end position;
• means on said frame adapted for guiding a said supply length of tape to said periphery at said start position and along said tape route with the adhesive coating disposed away from said application member;
• means mounting said application member on said frame to afford movement thereof from a contact position with said tape route in said path to afford contact between an end position of a said supply length of tape disposed along said tape route and a said object driven along said path in said first direction to adhere the end portion of the supply length of tape to the object, to a second position to afford movement of the periphery of said application member along the length of tape being applied to the object;
• means mounted on said frame and adapted to be activated by movement of a said object past a predetermined position along said path for severing an applied length of tape from said supply length of tape between said application member and the object subsequent to movement of the object past said application member;
• means for moving said application member from said second position to said contact position subsequent to the activation of said severing means;
• engagement means adapted for engagement with the adhesive surface of a said tape while affording longitudinal movement of the tape relative thereto;
• means mounting said engagement means for movement on a first path portion from a first engage position at the end position along said arcuate tape route to afford engagement of said engagement means with the end of a said supply length of tape on said arcuate tape route at said end position, away from said arcuate tape route to a spaced position at which said engagement means is spaced from said one edge of said arcuate periphery, from said spaced position to a second engage position adjacent said start position along said arcuate tape route to afford engagement with tape on said arcuate tape route adjacent said start position with the part of said first path portion for said engagement means from said spaced position to said second engage position being adapted to afford mmovement of said engagement means around the longitudinal edge of a said supply length of tape guided onto said arcuate periphery at said start position;
• end on a second path portion from said second engage position to said first engage position along said arcuate tape route with said engagement means positioned to afford movement along the adhesive surface of tape disposed along said arcuate tape route;
• and
• means coupled to said means mounting said engagement means and adapted for operation by movement of a said object along said path for moving said engagement means along said first path portion prior to operation of said severing means and for moving said engagement means along said second path portion subsequent to operation of said severing means.