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US 9,517,914 B2Granted
Tape cartridge
AssigneeSignode Industrial Group LLC
InventorsWilliam J. Menta, Bryce J. Fox
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An application roller arm assembly for use with a tape cartridge includes a support arm having first and second ends and adapted to be coupled to the tape cartridge. The application roller arm assembly also includes a coupling for a biasing element. The coupling is coupled to the support arm and the biasing element is configured to be coupled to the coupling and the tape cartridge. Further, the application roller arm assembly includes a mechanism for reducing a biasing force from the biasing element. The mechanism is configured to be coupled the support arm and the tape cartridge.
Claims15
An application roller arm assembly for use with a tape cartridge, comprising:
- a first application roller arm having first and second ends and adapted to be coupled to the tape cartridge, the first application roller arm movable between a first position for applying tape to a front surface of a case and a second position for applying tape to a top surface of the case;
- a coupling link configured to transmit a biasing force from a biasing element, wherein the coupling link, at one end, is pivotably coupled to the first application roller arm and, at another end, is configured to be coupled to the biasing element, and the biasing element is configured to be coupled between the coupling link and the tape cartridge;
- a guide rod having a slide block slidably positioned thereon, the slide block pivotally connected to the coupling link, the guide rod having a first end configured to be pivotally coupled to a second application roller arm assembly;
- and
- an actuator having a first end coupled to the first application roller arm and a second end configured to be coupled to the tape cartridge, the actuator including a pneumatic cylinder and a piston rod extending from the pneumatic cylinder, wherein the piston rod is configured to retract when the first application roller moves from the first position to the second position, wherein the actuator is configured to reduce the biasing force transmitted from the biasing element to the first application roller arm during movement of the first application roller arm from the first position to the second position.
2 more elements
A tape cartridge, comprising:
- a mounting plate;
- a first application roller arm assembly that includes a first application roller arm movably coupled to the mounting plate, the first application roller arm movable between a first position for applying tape to a front surface of a case and a second position for applying tape to a top surface of the case, an application roller coupled to the first application roller arm, a coupling coupled to the first application roller arm, a biasing element coupled to the coupling and the mounting plate, a guide rod having a slide block slidably positioned thereon, the slide block pivotally connected to the coupling, and an actuator having a first end coupled to the first application roller arm and a second end coupled to the mounting plate, wherein the actuator is configured to reduce a biasing force from the biasing element to the first application roller arm during movement of the first application roller arm from the first position to the second position;
- a cutting mechanism assembly coupled to the mounting plate;
- a second biasing element between the cutting mechanism assembly and the mounting plate;
- and
- a second actuator coupled to the cutting mechanism assembly and the mounting plate, the second actuator configured to reduce a biasing force from the second biasing element.
3 more elements
A case processing system, comprising:
- a sensor for detecting the presence of a case to be sealed;
- a controller coupled to the sensor;
- and
- a tape cartridge coupled to the controller, wherein the tape cartridge includes a first application roller arm assembly that includes a first application roller arm movably coupled to a mounting plate, an application roller coupled to the first application roller arm, a coupling coupled to the first application roller arm, and a guide rod having a slide block slidably positioned thereon, the slide block pivotally connected to the coupling, the tape cartridge further including a second application roller arm assembly, a biasing element for biasing the first and second application roller arm assemblies to a start position where the first application roller arm is configured to apply tape to a front surface of a case, and an actuator coupled to the first application roller arm assembly configured to reduce a biasing force from the biasing element,
- wherein, in response to the sensor detecting the case, the controller actuates the actuator to reduce the biasing force transmitted from the biasing element to the first roller arm during movement of the first and second application roller arm assemblies from the start position to an end position where the first application roller arm is configured to apply tape to a top surface of the case, and in response to the sensor no longer detecting the case, the controller de-actuates the actuator to allow the biasing force to return the first and second application roller arm assemblies to the start position.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.