Tape applying apparatus and methods

Apparatus for applying a tape segment to a corner between first and second sides of a carton comprising, in combination:

• a first roller for rolling on the first side of the carton;
• a second roller for rolling on the second side of the carton;
• means for moving the first and second rollers from a retracted position spaced from the corner to an engagement position engaging the first and second sides of the carton and then rolling on the first and second sides to an extended position comprising, in combination:
• a slide, with the first and second rollers being mounted to the slide;
• and means for reciprocating the slide in a slide direction between the retracted and extended positions;
• means for removably holding the tape segment intermediate the first and second rollers in their retracted position and the corner of the carton and for releasing the tape segment after the first and second rollers are in their engagement position;
• a knife for cutting the tape segment from a continuous length of tape;
• and means for movably connecting the knife to the slide with the knife reaching the cutting position before the rollers reach the extended position and the knife stopping without further movement beyond the cutting position, with the movably connecting means comprising, in combination:
• means for slideably mounting the knife in a direction parallel to the slide direction of the slide;
• a rod extending from the knife generally parallel to the slide direction and having a free end;
• a stop fixed on the free end of the rod;
• a collar fixed to the slide and slideable on the rod;
• and a spring located on the rod between the collar and the knife.

Apparatus for forming a tab at the free end of a tape segment comprising, in combination:

• a head;
• means formed in the head for removably securing to the tape segment spaced from the free end;
• a trough formed in the head and located intermediate the free end and the removably securing means, with the tape segment extending over the trough;
• and means for drawing the tape segment into the trough, with the trough having a width and depth such that the tape segment will secure upon itself when drawn into the trough.

Method for applying a tape segment to a carton comprising the steps of:

• removably holding the tape segment adjacent to the carton;
• moving a first roller from a retracted position spaced from the carton and located on the opposite side of the tape segment than the carton to an engagement position sandwiching the tape segment against the carton and then to an extended position rolling on the tape segment and the carton, with the tape segment being released after the first roller reaches the engagement position;
• and forming a tab at a free end of the tape segment comprising the steps of:
• removably securing a head to the tape segment spaced from the free end of the tape segment;
• and drawing the tape segment extending over a trough formed in the head intermediate the free end of the tape segment and where the tape segment is removably secured to the head, with the trough having a constant width and depth such that the tape segment will secure upon itself when drawn into the trough.

Apparatus for applying a tape segment from an end of a continuous length of tape to a carton comprising, in combination:

• a plurality of spaced vacuum heads, with each of the vacuum heads including means for removably securing to the tape;
• means for moving the plurality of vacuum heads relative to the carton;
• means for cutting the tape segment from the end of the continuous length of tape, with the tape segment being held adjacent to the carton by at least one of the vacuum heads;
• and means for sandwiching the tape segment against the carton while the tape segment is held by the vacuum head;
• wherein the moving means comprises, in combination:
• means for mounting the plurality of vacuum heads for rotation about an axis;
• a cam rotatable with the plurality of vacuum heads while the tape is removably held by the vacuum heads about the axis, with the cam having an outer periphery including a plurality of radially extending stops;
• and an extendable and retractable cylinder having a variable length and a free end;
• and means operatively connected to the free end of the cylinder for abutting with one of the radially extending stops when the cylinder extends and for moving relative to the outer periphery when the cylinder retracts.