Field of Invention

The present invention relates to manual taping devices, more particular to an improved device that facilitates performance of the manual taping operation ergonomically.

Background of the Present Invention

There are many different hand operated tape applicators, for example, US patents 2,582,979 issued Jan 22, 1952 to Fritzinger; 3,523,053 issued Aug 4, 1970 to Zbinden et al; 3,813,275 issued May 28, 1974 to Weick et al; 4,238,271 issued Dec. 9, 1980 to Urushizaki; 4,253,905 issued Mar. 3, 1981 to Regan; 4,345,966 issued Aug 24, 1982 to Iiyoma et al.; 4,762,586 issued Aug. 9 1988 to Wilkie; 5,641,377 issued June 24 1997 inventor Chung and 6,799,623 issued October 5, 2005 to Cheng; 7,669,631 issued Mar 2, 2010, inventor Bailey.

Generally all necessarily leave a relatively long free leading end portion that must be applied to the next object to be taped which impedes the taping operation. Normally these conventional hand operated tapers or so call tape dispensers require the operator to pull the free leading end portion with his fingers and then attach it onto the object to initiate the taping process.

A cutting knife is also required since the tape is supplied as a continuous ribbon from a supply source that is normally a roll of such tape. The knife is usually positioned away from the tape path and the object to avoid accidental tape cut off or damaging the object during the taping process. Safety guard for the knife is also provided to prevent operator injuries. Above patent 5,641,377 discloses a knife that retracts from its normal cutting position for safety purpose. US patent 7,669,631 describes a mechanism for limiting snap back of the free leading end of the tape.

In some manually activated tape dispensing devices the cutting operation is manually initiated by some form of triggering operation which presents the tape to the cutting blade to thereby sever the tape see US Patents 4,762,586; 4,345,966; 4,253,905; and 3,813,275.

The patents to 4,345,966 and 3,813,275 together with 4,238,271; 3523,053; and 2,582,979 provide some form of withdraw system to move the free end of the tape away from the point of application, in most cases by physically moving the tape roll etc. In 4,762,586 a slide is manually released to change the orientation of the tape and over the applicator roll toward the tape roll from which the tape is being dispensed.

These device disclosed in the referenced patents rely solely on manual dexterity of the operator to move the device in the desired direction during the taping operation and/or in many cases to trigger tape cut-off to complete the operation.

Brief Description of the Present Invention.

It is the main an object of the present invention to provide an improved manually operated taping device that is easy and safe to use and maintains control of the leading end of the tape on the device.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a manually operated taping device with a drawback mechanism to draw back the leading end of the tape immediately after the tape is cut to provide a shortened free end on the tape for application to the next object to be taped.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a manually operated taping device with an applicator and cut-off mechanism to produce a short free end on the tape for application to the next object to be taped.

It is further object of the present invention to provide a manually operated taping devise has a an applicator and cut-off mechanism to provide a more desirable cutting angle to the knife and produce for a more positive cutting action and a cleaner cut edge on the tape..

It is another object of this invention to provide a cutting knife safety feature that requires tape tension to release the cutting edge from a retracted position

It is a further object of the present invention to incorporate a tape application guide that guides the device to better ensure movement of the device during tape application is in the direction relative movement between the tape and device.

It is further object of the present invention to provide a manually operated taping device that applies a releasable brake the tape during the cutting operation to better ensure a cleaner cut.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a manually operated taping device which includes guides to hold the tape in position relative to the tape applying wiper.

Broadly the present invention relates to a manually operated tape applicator device comprising a frame, a tape source of tape to be applied by said applicator mounted on said frame, a handle extending from said frame, a tape path extending from said tape source to an applicator means for applying a leading end of said tape, a tape draw back device mounted on said frame, said draw back device including a tape retracting arm biased toward said tape path and moveable to an extended position when tension in the tape on said path is reduced to tape retracting position to displace said tape from a normal tape path when said tape is being dispensed from said tape roll under tension to a displaced position that forces said tape from said normal path to a retracting tape path thereby drawing a leading end of said tape back toward said tape roll.

Another way according to the present invention to attain a shortened free end on the tape and/or improve the cutting operation is by using a manually operated tape applicator comprising a frame, a tape source of tape to be applied by said applicator mounted on said frame, a handle extending from said frame, a tape path extending from said tape source to an applicator means for applying a leading end of said tape, mounting means mounting said applicator means on said frame, means biasing said applicator means from a retracted position toward to an initial position where said applicator means is in a position for said applying of said leading end of said tape.

The present invention also relates to a manually operated tape applicator comprising a frame, a tape source of tape to be applied by said applicator mounted on said frame, a handle extending from said frame, a tape path extending from said tape source to an applicator for applying a leading end of said tape, said tape extending in a direction of travel of said tape along said tape path, a tape guide provided by an edge mounted on said frame spaced from said handle and extending from said frame in a direction parallel to said direction of travel of said tape.

Broadly the present invention relates to a manual tape applicator comprising a main frame, at least one guide roll mounted on said main frame for rotation on a first axis to guide a tape having an adhesive side and a non-adhesive side from a supply of said tape toward a tape applicator wiper mounted on a wiper assembly that is pivotably mounted on said main frame on a second axis, movement about said second axis moving said applicator wiper between an extended inactive position to a retracted cutting position, means biasing said wiper assembly and thereby said applicator wiper to said extended inactive position, a cutter assembly pivotably mounted on said main frame on a third axis, a top wiper mounted on and extending from said cutter assembly and a cutter blade mounted on said cutter assembly, a latch cam element extending from said cutter assembly and a cooperating cam on said wiper assembly, said latch and cooperating cams interacting to prevent movement of said cutter assembly when said applicator wiper is in said extended inactive position and freeing said cutter assembly for pivotal movement on said third axis when said applicator wiper is moved at least partway between said extended and said retracted positions, said first and second and third axes being parallel.

Preferably said latch cam comprises a cam element connected to said cutter assembly by an arm and said cooperating cam comprises a slot with a notch formed in said wiper assembly in which said cam element is received.

Preferably said applicator wiper extends between a first end adjacent to said at least one guide roll and a free end, said at least one guide roll being a braking guide roll, said first end being on the side of said second axis adjacent to said breaking guide roll, said one end being spaced from said breaking guide roll when said applicator wiper is in said extended position and being pressed toward said breaking guide roll to clamp said tape between said breaking guide roll and said one end said when said applicator wiper is in said retracted position.

Preferably said applicator wiper extends between a first end adjacent to said at least one guide roll and a free end, said first end being on the side of said second axis adjacent to said at least one guide roll and said free end on the opposite side of said second axis, a pair of opposed tabs mounted from said frame and positioned one adjacent to each side of said applicator wiper between said second axis and said free end, and each said tab overlapping an adjacent side edge of said tape, said tabs being positioned so that when said applicator wiper is in said extended position said tabs are pressed against said adhesive side of said tape and said tabs and said tape separate as said applicator wiper move toward said retracted position.

Preferably said applicator wiper is wider adjacent to said free end that adjacent to said first end to provide a narrow portion extending at least one half the length of said applicator wiper between said one and said free ends, said tabs being adjacent to said narrow portion of said applicator wiper , and each said tab overlaps with an adjacent side edge of said tape but does not overlap with said applicator wiper, said tabs being positioned so that when said applicator wiper is in said extended position said tabs are pressed against said adhesive side of said tape and said tabs and said tape separate as said applicator wiper move toward said retracted position.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawings

Further features, objects and advantages will be evident from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which;

Figure la (Prior art) Shows a conventional hand held tape applicator at the moment of completing the carton taping by cutting off the tape and a wiper folding the tape onto the rear vertical surface of the carton with a downwards motion.

Figure lb (Prior art) Shows the same hand held tape applicator (Fig la) at the position of applying tape on the front vertical surface of a carton.

Figure lcs (Prior art) the adjacent edges of a tape cut using the cutting system of the prior art Figure 2a shows a hand applicator of the present invention including a spring bias tape drawback devise

Figure 2b shows the same hand held tape applicator (Fig 2a) is ready to apply tape onto a in the illustrated arrangement vertical surface of the carton.

Figure 3 shows a hand held tape applicator incorporating the present invention at its normal position ready to apply tape onto the front vertical surface of the carton.

Figure 4 shows a tape applicator of Fig 3 at the moment of tape cutting

Figure 4a shows adjacent edges on opposite sides of a cut performed using the preferred cut off systems of the present invention (figures 3 to 6 inclusive)

Figure 5 shows another version of the hand held tape applicator incorporating the present invention at its normal position ready to apply tape onto the front vertical surface of the carton.

Figure 6 shows a tape applicator of Fig 5 at the moment of tape cutting

Figure 7a shows a simplified side elevation illustrating the operation of a preferred form of the operating guide or center guide gauge

Figure 7b is an end elevation showing the guide of Fig. 7a positioned in the gap between the adjacent ends of the closing flaps of the carton to guide movement of the applicator. Figure 7c is an end elevation showing the guide of Fig. 7a positioned at the side of the carton to facilitate application of one half the width of the tape to, in the illustrated application, the top of the carton.

Figure 8 shows a cut off system similar to the one in Figure 3 and 4 but with the cutting knife fixed to the frame.

Figure 9 is a side elevation of another form of the present invention with parts omitted for clarity.

Figure 9a is a view looking up form below the invention as shown in figure 9 showing the positioning tabs to hold the tape adjacent to the applicator wiper.

Figure 10 is a partial view similar to figure 1 showing the applicator wiper in extended position and pressing the tape between the positioning tabs and applicator wiper to hold the tape in position adjacent to the applicator wiper and the cutoff assembly in latched position.

Figure 11 is a partial view similar to Figure 2 but with the applicator wiper moved toward the retracted position and is in a position wherein the tape is no longer pressed against the tabs i.e. the tape is free to be pulled from the tape source and be applied and the cutoff assembly in unlatched position.

Figure 12 is a partial view similar to Figure 10 but with the applicator wiper moved into retracted position and is in a position wherein the tape is clamped between the guide roll and the adjacent end of the applicator wiper to facilitate cutting and the cutoff assembly is in cutting position and the tape is free of the positioning tabs.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Figures la and lb which illustrate the prior art are included to show important short comings of the prior art. The illustrations show a simple version of applicator 10 having a frame 12 handle 14, tape roll mounting 15 with a tape roll 16 mounted thereon. The tape 18 (which has an adhesive side 17 and a non-adhesive side 19 is withdrawn from the roll 16 and passes along tape path 21 and is guided by a guide plate or blade 23 onto an applicator roll 20 that applies the adhesive side 17 of the tape 18 to the object being tape - in the illustrated version a carton 22. A trailing wipe down wiper 24 with a cutoff knife 26 are mounted on the frame 12 ahead of the applicator roll 20 in the direction of movement of the tape 18. (A relatively simple cutoff system including the wipe down wiper 24 and knife has been show but it will be apparent more modern but well know systems with knife guards will normally be used.) Figure la shows the source of the problem related to the length of a loose fee end 28 of the tape 18 which is long and has a length indicated by the distance X. This length X is determined by the distance between the cutoff knife 26 and the periphery of the applicator roll 20.

In Figure lb the problem generated by the length X of the loose end 28 of the tape 18 which is not supported and extends freely from the applicator roll 20 on the side of same remote from the tape roll 16 to be effectively presses onto the vertical surface of the carton. The un- contacted or free end 28 of length X is not in position to be pressed against the carton 22 by the normal action of the tape applicator and has to be pressed against the carton 22 by other means such as by hand. Only the tape 18 on the opposite side of the roll 20 to the free end 28 is applied against the carton 22 by the roll 20. The present invention provides solutions to this deficiency which has persisted for many years.

The same reference numerals as used above have been used to indicate equivalent parts of the hand or manual tape applicator 10 shown in Figures 2a and 2b which show a relatively simple fix for the deficiency of the prior art referred to above. Figure 2a which is similar to Figure la shows a hand applicator 10a wherein the distance between the cutoff knife 26 and the periphery of the applicator roll 20 are the same as in Figure 1 so that the length XI of free end 28 formed by the applicator 10a is the same that of the free end 28 formed by the prior art applicator 10 of Figures la and lb.

Figure lc shows the cut edges 500 and 502 formed by the cutting operation of Figure la as is apparent from Figure lc are jagged and even more important the pointed ends or tips of the serrated blades 26 normally used in the industry generate grooves 504 increasing in depth until the tips pass through the tape and complete the cut. The undesirable cut edges 500, 502 shown on Figure lc is caused by a conventional cutting orientation with the tape path travelling in perpendicular towards the knife when cutting the tape i.e. the entry angle is 90°. The preferred cut edges 600, 602 shown in Figure 4c is achieved with the present invention by changing the tape path angle when cutting the tape will be described below.

The applicator 10a illustrated in Figure 2a, and 2b has been modified to provide an different tape path 30 for tape 18 between the periphery of the tape roll 16 which provides a tape source from which the tape 18 is being withdrawn for application by the applicator 10a and the applicator roll 20 that applies the adhesive side 17 of the tape 18 to the object being taped in the illustrated case to a carton 22. The tape path 30 is defined by a pair of spaced parallel guide rolls 32 and 34 over which the tape 18 is passed on its way to the applicator roll 20. Located between two rollers 32 and 34 is a tape draw-back device 36 that in the system illustrated in Figures 2a, 2b, 3a and 3b is formed by a lever arm 38 pivotably mounted on the frame 12 as indicated at 40 and spring biased toward the path 30 between the rolls 32 and 34 by spring 42. The frame 12 of the embodiment of Figure 2a, and 2b may be, if required, slightly modified relative to the frame 12 of Figure la and lb to accommodate the changed path 30 and the draw-back device 36. The arm 38 preferably extends across the full width of the tape 18 and is provided with a curved free end 44 to facilitate passage of the tape 18 there over.

In operation the tension in the tape 18 forces the leaver arm 38 of draw-back 36 to overcome the pressure from spring 42 and move the arm 38 to the position shown in Figure 2a i.e. to make the path 30 between the rolls 32 and 34 relatively straight and thus short. At the moment of cutting the tape 18 by the knife 26 the tension in the tape is eliminated and the spring 42 forces the lever arm 38 against the stop 46 projecting from the frame 12 to an extended position shown in Figure 2b and wherein the path 30 between the rolls 32 and 34 is deformed from the relatively straight path shown in Figure 2a (and in dash lines in Figure 2b) to a curved path 31 shown in Figure 2b so that the length or amount of tape 18 extending between the rolls 32 and 34 in increased. This additional length is obtained by drawing the free end 28 backward along the path 30 toward to roll 16. i.e. the loose or free end portion 28 of the tape 18 which is no longer being held by tension is free to be retracted to form the curved path 31 thereby reducing the excessive amount of un-contacted exposed at the free end of tape 18. By setting the length of tape drawn back by the drawback mechanism 36 the need to hand wipe down on the tail end 28 may be eliminated so that the application roll 20 of the applicator 10a can press the tape 18 against the carton 22 over essentially the full length "Y" to the top 46 of the carton 22 i.e. the roll 20 presses the tape 18 against the carton 22 from the initial point of application of the tape 18 to the carton 22 to the top 46 of the carton.

In all the embodiments shown as is well know the applicator roll 20 may be replaced by an applicator wiper and vice-versa. These terms as used herein are to be interpreted accordingly. A suitable guide 48 to inhibit lateral movement of the tape 18 may be provided.

In the embodiment of Figures 3 to 6 the length of the loose or free end 128 of the tape 118 using at least one of the mechanisms that are incorporated into this embodiment, i.e. by using a drawback mechanism 150 which is similar to but simpler than the mechanism 36 described above and/or by positioning the free end 152 of the applicator wiper 154 in close proximity to the cutoff knife 156 when the cutoff knife 156 cuts the tape 118 as will be described below.

The hand or manually operated tape applicator 110 of Figures 3 and 4 includes a frame 112 on which is mounted on a tape roll mounting 115 which in turn mounts a roll 116 from which the tape 118 is to be dispensed.

In the illustrated system a dancer arm 160 is pivotably mounted on the frame 112 adjacent to one end of the arm 160 on axel 162 which also functions as the axel for turning roll 164. Adjacent to the free end of the arm 160 is a nip roll 166 that bears against the outer periphery of the tape roll 116 and is held in contact therewith via spring 168 extending between the arm 160 and the frame 112 and biases the free end of arm 160 and thus nip roll 166 against the tape roll 116.

The dancer arm 160 is not essential to the present invention but if employed may also be used to mount an edge folding station 170 as described in US Patent 8,393,375 issue on March 12, 2013 to Lam the disclosure there is incorporated herein by reference

A drawback mechanism 136 that operates in a manner similar to the drawback mechanism 36 described above but incorporates a roller 172 mounted on the free end of an arm 174 which is pivotably mounted on the frame 112 as indicated at 176 at a position spaced from the roll 172. It will be apparent that pivoting of the arm 174 around the mounting 176 moves the roll 172 relative to the tape path 130 to change the length tape path 130 between the path shown in Figure 3 when the tension in tape 118 has been released and tape path 130 shown in Figure 4 when the tape 118 is being applied and is under tension. To accomplish this the roll 172 is biased toward the tape path 130 by spring 178 which holds the arm 174 against the stop 180 when there is no tension in the tape and is compressed by the force generated against the roll 172 when tension is applied to the tape 118 and thereby moved to the position shown in Figure 3. It will be apparent that the pull back mechanisms 36 ad 136 operate in essentially the same way by extending the length of the tape path from the tape roll 16 or 116 to the applicator roll 20 or wiper 154 when the tension in the tape 18 or 118 is released to thereby draw back the free end 28 or 128 of the tape 18 or 118.

The applicator and cutting mechanism of the Figure 3 and 4 embodiment is significantly different from the one discussed above with reference to Figures 2a and 2b.

In Figure 3 and 4 (and Figures 5 and 6) the applicator is in the form of a wiper 154 that is mounted on a mounting arm 202 of an applicator that is in the form of an L shaped lever that is pivotably mounted to the frame 112 as indicated at 204 with the mounting arm 202 on one side of the pivotal mounting 204 and a stop arm 206 of the L shaped lever 200 on the other side of mounting 204. A spring 208 biases the wiper to an extended position wherein the stop arm 206 is forced against a stop 210 fixed to the frame 112. The edge of the arm 202 adjacent to its free end and on the side remote from the wiper 154 provides a cam surface 212 which will be discussed below.

A trailing or activating wiper 220 is used to activate a cutoff knife 222 both of which are mounted on an arm 224 to sever the tape 118 and form important parts of a cutoff mechanism 225. The arm 224 is pivotably mounted on the frame 112 as indicated at 226 and is biased by spring 228 against a stop 230 also fixed to the frame 112. The adjacent edge 232 of the arm 224 cooperates with the stop 230 to stop counterclockwise movement around the mounting 226.

Mounted on the arm 224 adjacent to the end of the arm 224 adjacent to the wiper 154 is a cooperating cam 234 which is shown as a cam roller but could equally well be any appropriate cam surface and is positioned to cooperate with the cam 212 on the arm 202 to inhibit or permit relative movement between the applicator formed by the L shape lever 200 and the activating or trailing wiper 220 as will be described.

Figure 4 illustrates the cutting action of the knife 22. The position of the applicator wiper 154 immediately after the cams 212 and 234 disengage is shown as a solid line and its position before disengagement and immediately after the tape 118 has be cut by the knife in dash lines. Thus only at the time of cutting and for an instant before is the wiper 154 in the solid line position. This disengagement occurs when i.e. the actuating or trailing wiper 220 of the cut off mechanism 225 is rotated as indicated by the arrow 250 to move the arm 224 away from the stop 230 and force the cam 234 to move relative to the cam 212 and disengage there from. As soon as the cams 212 and 234 disengage the tension in the tape 118 reacts against the spring 208 to move the wiper 154 from the dash line position to the solid line position and then the knife 222 of the cutoff mechanism 225 severs the tape 118 which releases the tension and permits the spring 208 to return the wiper 154 to the dash line position.

Until the tape 118 is severed the drawback mechanism 136 is held in the position shown in Figure 4 i.e. the tension in the tape compresses the spring 178 to define a shorter tape path 130 between the tape roll 116 and the applicator 154 but as soon as the tape is severed by the knife 222 and the tension in the tape relieved the spring 174 moves the drawback mechanism to the position shown in Figure 3 and increases the length of the path 130 between the tape roll 116 and the wiper 154 and thereby draw the free end 148 of the tape 118 back toward the roll 116 which produces a shorter free leading end on the tape which if sufficiently reduced for a particular operation may replace the drawback mechanism 36 or 136 i.e the drawback mechanism may not be needed assuming the shorter free end of tape so produced is acceptable.

The movement of the wiper to the solid line position shown in Figure 4 changes the entry angle of the knife 222 and it penetrates and cuts the tape 118 to facilitate cutting.

The cutting operation of the preferred forms of the invention orients the tape 118 relative to the cutting edge 222 by reducing the tape path entry angle or attack angle (angle between the tape and knife as they move relatively to cut the tape 118. Angle C shows the change in angle between the application wiper at the time of application (dash lines) of the tape and the orientation of the wiper at the time of cutting (solid line position) i.e. the cutting angle is not perpendicular as it is with the prior art devices. This orientation of the knife 222 to the tape 18 at the time of cutting generates cut edges 600 and 602 that are essentially the same and does not form a groove equivalent to those shown at 504 in Figure lc.

It will also be apparent that the wiper when retracted also reduces the distance between the cutting edge 22and the adjacent end 152 of the wiper 154 (see figure 3) and thereby reduce the length of the free end of the tape 118.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate and alternative all be it more complicated cutoff and applicator system that may be employed in place of the system shown in Figures 3 and 4. In this embodiment the pullback mechanism and other elements that deliver the tape to the point of application are essentially the same and thus only the downstream changes will be described. In this embodiment the tape 118 is directed from the drawback mechanism 136 to a cut off and applicator mechanism 300 via a guide 302. The applicator portion 301 of the mechanism 300 is formed by an L shaped application lever 304 pivotably mounted on the frame 312 as indicated at 306 and which carries an application or applicator wiper 308 on one arm 310 and the fee end 314 of the other arm 316 that in effect forms a first cam cooperates with a push plate 334 on the mechanism 317 as will be described below.

The cutoff portion 317 of the mechanism 300 is composed of a second L shaped arm 321 pivotably mounted on the frame 312 as indicated at 321 and biased in the counterclockwise direction by a spring 323. Mounted on the arm 321 is a trailing or activating wiper 320 and a cutting knife 326. A push plate 334 that in effect forms a cooperating cam cooperates with the arm 316 adjacent to its free end 314 is mounted on the cutoff portion 317 on the side of knife opposite its cutting edge and positioned to engage with the arm 316 adjacent to the cam 314.

A coupling bar 336 connects the arm 310 to the arm 321 via limited slip connections 338 there by interconnecting the mechanism portions 301 and 317 for combined action.

The system shown in Figures 5 and 6 operates as follows the drawback 136 functions as described above based on the tension in the tape 118. At the start of the taping operations the mechanism are in the positions shown in Figure 5 and when the tape is applied to the carton 122 tension is applied to the tape 118 and the drawback mechanism 136 is moved to the position of Figure 6. The mechanism 300 is activated by moving the activating or trailing wiper 320 as the taping operation turns about the trailing corner of the carton 122 and is moved into the position shown in Figure 6. Initial movement of the wiper 320 in the clockwise direction in Figure 6 rotates the arm 304 via contact of the push plate 334 (which in effect forms a cooperating cam) with the adjacent surface of the arm 316 (which in effect provides a cam) to turn same clockwise about mounting 306 until the free end 314 can pass the push plate 334 at which time the coupling bar forces the arm 304 to rotate in the opposite direction as the trailing wiper continues to move clockwise around the mounting 321. This changes the orientation of the application wiper 308 and moves its free end much closer to the knife 326 to improve the entry angle of the knife 326 as it penetrates and cuts the tape 118 to facilitate cutting and shorten the length of the free end of the tape (as described above with respect to Figures 3 and 4). It will be apparent that the cam 212 and top edge of arm 316 adjacent to the free end 314 thereof act with their respective cooperating cams 234 and 334 as latch cams that free the applicator wipers 154 or 308 to move relative to the frame 112 when released by movement of the trailing or activating wiper 220 or 320 respectively. This release movement is accommodated in the Figure 3 and 4 embodiment by deformation of the arm 202 or the cam surface 212 as counter clockwise rotation of arm 202 as shown in these figures is prevented by the stop 210. This similar counter clockwise movement in the Figures 5 and 6 embodiment is accommodated by the limited slip connections 338.

As above indicated the device of Figure 5 and 6 also reduces the attack angle and shortens the free end of the tape as described above with reference to Figures 3 and 4

All of the hand operated applicators may be equipped with an applicator guide that helps the guide the operator to place the tape 18 or 118 in a desire position relative to the article being taped such as a carton (22, 122 etc.). One embodiment of such a guide is illustrated in Figure 3, 4, 5 and 6 and another in Figures 7a, 7b and 7c. Each includes a guide edge 400 mounted on the frame 12 or 112 and extending parallel to the normal direction of travel of the tape 18, 118 as it is being applied to the carton 22, 122 i.e. the guide edge 400 extends perpendicular to the pivotal axes 40 or 176.

In the version illustrated in Figure 3, 4, 5 and 6 the guide 400 is formed provided by a disk or the like 402 and may also include a second edge formed by a flat planar portion 404 projecting from the free end of the handle 14 or 114 and extending in alignment with the plane of the disk 402. The positions of 402 and 404 relative to the width W (see Figure 7a, 7b and 7c) of the tape 18 or 118 and operation of the guide 400 will be explained with reference to Figure 7a, 7b and 7c.

Turning to Figure 7a, 7b and 7c the preferred form of guide 400 is shown. In this embodiment a thin guide plate 406 replaces the disk 402 and plainer portion 404 to provide a continuous guide edge extending from the frame 12 or 112 spaced from the adjacent portion of the handle 14, 114 adjacent to its free end as indicated at 408 and defines a hole 410 through which the hand of the operator may be received when the device is in use, so that the guide plate also can function to protect the operator. As is clear from figure 7b the plane of the guide 406 extend parallel to the direction of travel of the tape and is normally aligned with the center line of the tape i.e. mid width of the tape 1/2W having a tape width W. It is apparent the guide 400 may be used simply as an aiming reference for the operator to initially position the leading end of the tape relative to the carton , however a better way of using the guide 400 is illustrated in Figure 7b and another in 7c. In 7b the guide is positioned between the adjacent edges 420 and 422 of the closure flaps 424 and 426 of the carton 22, 122 being closed so that the guide 400 is guided for movement parallel to these edges 420 and/or 422 of the closure flaps 424 and 426 to insure the tape 18 or 118 is applied parallel to these edges 420 and 422 and with the guide 400 aligned with the center line 425 of the tape i.e. spaced 1/W from either side of the tape 18 or 118 ensures that essentially the same width of tape is applied to each of the flaps 424 and 426.

In the Figure 7c illustration the guide 400 is positioned in contact with a side 450 of the carton so that 1/2W of the Tape 18 or 188 i.e. applied to the adjacent surface of carton 22 or 122 with the other 1/2W projecting there from and that may be folded onto the wall 450 to seal the corner of the carton.

In the preferred forms of the invention as illustrated in Figures 3 to 6 inclusive the cutting knife 222 and 326 each move relative to the frame 112 and 312 respectively during the cutting operation. Figure 8 shows a modified version of Figure 3 wherein the cutting edge 422 is fixed directly to the frame 112. In this arrangement the mechanism 425 equivalent to the mechanism 225 of Figure 3 includes an arm 424 equivalent to 224 and mounted to the frame 412 in a manner equivalent to the mounting of arm 224 in Figure 3 via a pivotal mounting 426, spring 428 and includes a stop 430 equivalent to stop 230 except that the stop 430 is received in a slot 431 that permits the arm 424 to pivot around the mounting 426. A cam 434 equivalent to cam 234 cooperates with the cam surface 212 of L shaped lever 200 in the same manner as cams 234 and 212 and functions as latch cam that releases the L shaped arm 200 that is force by tension in the tape 118 to rotate into position where the tape 118 is cut by the knife 422 i.e. the cams 434 and 212 function in the same manner as cams 234 and 212 when the trailing wiper 420 equivalent to wiper 200 is moved to cause rotation of the arm 424. In the embodiments shown the tape source is a roll mounted on the applicator but any other appropriate tape source may be used. Also in the embodiments shown the applicator 200 is shown pivotably mounted to the frame 112 at 204. The applicator 200 could also be made of resilient material that is deformable by the tension in the tape when the cams 212 and 234 disengage and free the applicator to be moved by the tension in the tape.118. Under these circumstances the up-stream end of the applicator 200 may be fixed as opposed to pivotably mounted relative to the frame.

Turning no to the embodiment shown in Figures 9 through 12 Figure 9 shows the manual tape applicator 510 of the present invention that comprises a main frame 512 with a handle 514 projecting there from in a position to be grasped by an operator when using the device. A tape roll 516 which provides the supply of tape 518 to be applied by the applicator 10 is mounted on the frame 512 in the normal manner as indicated at 520. The tape 18 has an adhesive or sticky side 522 and a non-adhesive side 524. The tape 518 passes over the guide rolls 526 and 528 which define a portion of tape path 30 leading from the tape roll 516 to the applicator wiper 532. As will be described below the guide roll 28 also functions as braking guide roll 528 and is mounted for rotation on an axel that defines first axis 534.

Mounted on the main frame 512 for rotation on a second axel that defines a second axis 536 is a applicator assembly 538 composed of an applicator frame 40 to which the applicator wiper 532 is attached and that includes an arm 542 which is connect via a spring 544 to a pin 546 mounted on the frame 552 of the cutter assembly 550 as will be described below. The spring 544 biases the assembly 538 to rotate counter clockwise on the axis 536 in the illustration of Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12 and move the applicator wiper 532 to its extended position as shown in Figures 9 and 10 .

Also mounted on the main frame 512 for rotation about a third axel that defines a third axis 48 is a cutter assembly 550 which is composed of a cutter frame 552 to which is mounted the cutter or cutter blade 554 and a top or actuating wiper 556. A latch cam 558 is mounted on an arm 60 that extends from the frame 552. The latch cam 558 engages with a cooperating cam 562 which is in the form of a shaped slot extending though the applicator frame 540. The slot or cam 562 has a laterally extending notch 564 at the end of the slot or cam 562 adjacent to the second axel 536 into which the latch cam 558 is received when the applicator wiper 532 is in extended position as shown in Figures 9 and 10. In this position movement of the cutter assembly 550 is prohibited so that it is essentially held in position when the latch cam is in the notch 564. The cam 562 provides a lower surface that cooperates with the adjacent edge 565 of the cam 558 to stop clockwise movement of the applicator assembly 538 as will be described below. As above indicated the one end of spring 544 is connected to the pin 546. The pin 546 is mounted to the cutoff frame 552 via an arm 566 that connects to the frame 552 slightly offset from the second axis 548 so the cutter assembly is urged to turn counterclockwise in the views shown for example in Figures 9 and 10 which holds the cutoff assembly 550 against the stop 568 projecting from the main frame 512. A second stop 570 that also projects from the main frame 512 limits movement of the cutoff assembly 550 in the clockwise direction as shown for example in Figures 9 and 10.

It will be apparent from Figures 9 and 10 that when the cutoff assembly is forced against the stop 568 by the spring 544 and the applicator assembly 538 i.e. the applicator wiper 532 is in extended position the latch cam 558 is received in the notch 564 of the cooperating cam 562 to prevent movement of the cutoff assembly 550.

As shown in Figure la the applicator wiper 532 has a first end 574 adjacent to the braking guide roll and a free end 572 end adjacent to the cutoff assembly 550. The wiper 532 is wider adjacent to its free end 572 than at its first end 574 to provide a narrow portion 576 that extends for a significant portion (preferably more than one half) the length of the wiper 532 from the first end 574 toward the free end 572. The first end 574 is on the side of the axis 536 adjacent to the braking guide roll 528 and the free end 572 on the opposite side of the axis 536.

A pair of opposed tabs 578 and 580 extend in from the periphery or side edges 582 and 584 of the tape 518 to overlap with their adjacent side edge 582 and 584 in the area where the side edges 582 and 584 are not supported by the applicator wiper 532 i.e. the tabs 578 and 580 are located on opposite sides of the narrow portion 576 and in the illustrated version do not extend across the tape to overlap with the narrow portion 576.

The tab 580 is fixed directly to the main frame 512 however the tab 578 opposite the tab 580 is connected to and projects from a plate or panel 586 that is mounted on the free ends (ends remote from the main frame 512) of the axels 536 and 548. Both the tabs 578 and 580 have their trailing edges (in the direction of tape movement) 579 and 581 respectively sloped in the direction of movement so that the free ends 583 and 585 are adjacent to the e a downstream end of the tabs. This shape facilitates threading a tape so that edges 582 may be position as shown i.e. between the tabs 578 and 580 and the applicator assembly 538 with the adhesive side 522 of the tape 518 facing the tabs 578 and 580. As above described the tape 518 is drawn from the roll 516 passes around roll 526 and over roll 28 and onto applicator wiper 532 which is used to apply the tape 518 to a box or the like 590 (see Figures 11 and 12).

When not in use or at the start of the taping operation the various part of the device 510 are in the positions shown in Figure 10 i.e. the applicator wiper 532 is in extended position, the latch cam 558 is received in the notch 564 in the cam 562 to prevent movement of the cutoff assembly 550 from the stop 568 against which it is position and biased there against by the spring 544. In this position the tabs 578 and 580 (only 80 shown) contact the adhesive side 522 of the tape 518 to hold the tape 518 in position.

At the beginning of the taping operation the application assembly 538 and the applicator wiper 532 are displaced from the extended position and move to the positions illustrated in Figure 11 in which the device 10 will normally remain as the tape is being applied. In this position the latch cam 558 has been moved out of the notch 564 thereby freeing the cutoff assembly 550 to move, but it is held against the stop 568 by the spring 544 and engagement of the edge 565 of the cam 558 with the lower edge 563 of the cam 562 i.e. the adjacent edges 563 and 565 engage preventing further movement of applicator assembly 538. Also the tape 518 (which tends to move with the applicator wiper 532) is separated from the tabs 578 and 580 to free the tape 518 and permit it to be freely dispensed during application to the box or the like 590.

When the box or the like 590 has been taped the operation is completed by severing the tape 18 as shown in Figure 12. This is accomplished by pressing the top or actuating wiper 556 generally against the adjacent corner 592 of the box or the like 590 which moves the actuating wiper 556 and thereby the cutoff assembly 550 against the stop 570 and the cutter 554 into cutting position. The movement of the actuating wiper 556 causes the lower edge 565 of latch cam 558 to slide away from engagement with lower edge 563 of the cam 562 her which frees the applicator assembly 538 for further movement in the clockwise direction. At the same time the tension in tape 518 generated by movement of the device 510 forces the applicator assembly 538 to rotate clockwise and thereby move the applicator wiper 532 to retracted position with the free end 572 of the wiper 532 moved to a position immediately adjacent to the cutter 554 to minimize the distance between the cutter 554 and the free end 572 which facilitates the cutting of the tape 18 and wherein the end 574 of the applicator wiper 532 adjacent to the roll 528 moved to press the tape against the roll 528 to in effect prevent further movement of the tape 518. (i.e. the end 574 is on the side of the axel or axis 536 adjacent to the braking guide roll 528 so clockwise movement of the assembly 538 forces the end 574 against the tape to clam same between the end 574 and roll 528).

Having described the invention, modifications will be evident to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims, for example the wiper 532 may be replaced by a roller mounted on the applicator assembly where the free end of the applicator 538 is positioned in the illustrated embodiments and used to apply the tape 518. Obviously if this is done and a brake is to be provided an element similar to the end 574 must be provided to cooperate with the roll 528 in the same way the end 574 cooperates to provide the brake.