Taping device and method of taping

A device for applying a length of tape coated on one side with pressure sensitive adhesive from a supply length of the tape along a meeting line defined by adjacent portions of a box and extending between opposite end surfaces along one side surface of the box, said device comprising:

• means defining a box path adapted to afford movement of a said box endwise in a first direction with the meeting line of the box along a first side of the path;
• tape positioning means adapted for positioning an end portion of the supply length of tape transverse of the path at a first position along the box path, said tape positioning means comprising means on said first side of the path adapted for supporting the supply length of the tape from which the tape may be withdrawn against a predetermined tension and means on a second side of the path opposite said first side adapted for releasably holding a terminal end portion of the tape, said tape positioning means positioning the tape with its adhesive surface facing to engage the leading end surface of a said box moving in the first direction along the path and aligned to bridge the meeting line of the box;
• means adapted for propelling a said box along the path in the first direction past said first position and to a position with the trailing end surface of the box at a second position along the path, said second position being spaced in said first direction from said first position;
• means adjacent said first position along the path adapted for pressing tape being withdrawn from the tape supply into engagement with a said box over its meeting line upon movement of the box past the second position;
• means adapted for applying tape to the trailing surface of a said box and the surface of the box along the second side of said path after the trailing surface of the box reaches said second position, comprising:
• an arm;
• means mounting said arm for movement between a poised position on said first side of said box path and an extended position transverse of said box path;
• means on said arm adapted for guiding said tape to extend a generally U-shaped length of said tape along the trailing surface of the box upon movement of said arm from said poised position to said extended position and for pressing the portion of the U-shaped length of tape adjacent the trailing surface of the box into engagement therewith and with the surface of the box along the second side of said path, including:
• a first tape guide member;
• means mounting said first tape guide member on said arm for movement between a retracted position adjacent said arm and an extended position spaced from said arm in said first direction;
• and
• means for biasing said first guide member toward said extended position;
• and
• means for severing the tape being applied from the supply length of tape and for engaging the newly severed end of the supply length of tape with said means for releasably holding a terminal end portion of the tape, comprising:
• a second tape guide member mounted on said arm in spaced relationship with said first guide member for movement with said arm transverse of said box path approximately at said first position, said second tape guide member being on said first side of said path when said arm is in said poised position and on said second side of said path in a position to engage tape extending around said second guide member with said means for releasably holding when said arm is in said extended position;
• and
• a knife on the second side of said path adapted to sever said tape between said guide members during movement of said arm to said extended position.