Tape supply and applicator system including a tape splicing mechanism
US5573626A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 18, 1995 |
| Grant date | Nov 12, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 18, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H2701/377
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A continuous tape supply apparatus is provided in accordance with the present invention for supplying tape at a substantially consistent tension to a tape applicator machine having an indexing demand, such as a box sealing and taping machine. In general, the continuous tape supply apparatus includes plural tape sources, such as in roll form, from which tape can be supplied to the tape applicator machine, a splicing station for splicing the tape from at least one of the tape sources to another of the tape sources, a means for causing the splice and thus the changeover of tape from one source to another, and a tension control means for providing the tape from the continuous tape supply apparatus at a substantially consistent tension under an indexing demand. Preferably, the splicing mechanism also splices tape in the reverse order from the other tape source station back to the first tape source stations. The tension control means is preferably provided by a tape drive station, a first dancer arm providing a variable loop forming means between each of the tape supply sources and the splicing station, and a second dancer arm positioned operatively after the tape drive station which is …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.