A device for binding thermally adhesive tape around articles to be bundled, said device comprising:
- a base frame;
- an arm pivoted to said base frame and pivotably movable between a working position and a non-working position, said arm having a free end;
- a working head provided on said free end of said arm;
- a tape supply mounted on said base frame for supplying a leading end of tape over said free end of said arm;
- a working stand mounted on said base frame at a position to be faced with said working head when said arm is pivoted to said working position;
- tape holding means, mounted on said working stand, for releasably holding said tape leading end;
- whereby, when said arm is in said non-working position, articles to be bundled may be placed in a tape portion extending between said working head and said tape holding means;
- said working head including tape bundling means for, upon movement of said arm to said working position, wrapping said tape portion around said articles to be bundled, holding the thus wrapped tape portion against said working stand, and for releasing said tape holding means from said tape leading end;
- heater means, provided on one of said working head and said working stand, for bonding said wrapped tape portion;
- cutter means on said working head for cutting the thus bonded and wrapped tape portion from a succeeding portion of said tape, thereby forming a released bundle of said articles;
- said working head including tape leading means for leading a new tape leading end from said succeeding tape portion to said tape holding means;
- a transmission system for moving said arm from said non-working position to said working position, said transmission system comprising a motor, a first gear group driven by said motor, a second gear group, a clutch between said first and second gear groups, said clutch having an engaged position causing said first gear group to drive said second gear group and a non-engaged position interrupting driving between said first and second gear groups, and arm drive means connected to said second gear group and to said arm for pivoting said arm between said working and non-working positions upon said clutch being in said engaged position and upon driving of said second gear group;
- and
- clutch engaging means for moving said clutch from said non-engaged position thereof to said engaged position thereof and for thereby moving said arm from said non-working position thereof to said working position thereof, said clutch engaging means comprising an article receiving table positioned to receive and entirely support thereon said tape portion and said articles to be bundled, said table being mounted to be depressed upon receipt of said tape portion and articles to be bundled, and lever-linkage means, mounted between said table and said clutch, and operable upon depression of said table, for moving said clutch from said non-engaged position thereof to said engaged position thereof, said lever-linkage means comprising a clutch releasing member mounted for movement between a first position in contact with said clutch and thereby maintaining said clutch in said non-engaged position out of contact with said clutch and thereby and a second position allowing said clutch to move to said engaged position, spring means for urging said clutch to said engaged position, and linkage means connected to said clutch releasing member for moving said clutch releasing member to said second position thereof upon depression of said table.