The present invention relates to a tape dispensing apparatus for applying tape to close a box. More particularly the present invention relates to a tape dispensing apparatus used on an assembly line conveyor system in which a box is automatically moved across the tape dispensing apparatus in order to have tape applied to close the box. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide a tape dispensing apparatus along an assembly line conveyor system for applying tape to close a box being conveyed by the assembly line. The apparatus usually comprises first and second tape application rollers respectively mounted to a mounting via first and second levers that are interconnected to rotate in opposite directions toward and away from each other. The first and second levers rotate about an axis parallel to axes of the first and second rollers, and a plurality of feed rollers for holding a roll of the tape and feeding the tape onto the first roller is provided. Tape cutting means located between the first and second rollers cut the tape when a trailing edge of the box passes between the first and second rollers. Biassing means are provided for biassing the first and second levers apart, and the apparatus is to be installed in a conveyor system such that a leading edge of the box strikes a side of the first roller bearing the tape, pushes the first roller to turn towards the second roller, moves toward the second roller with the tape applied to a side surface of the box and the second roller rolling against the side surface of the box, and the second roller pushing the cut tape onto the trailing edge of the box.

In assembly line systems, the conventional tape dispensing apparatus are usually installed either underneath the conveyor rollers or belts or alternatively the apparatus are mounted above the -conveyor in order to close a top of the box. Often times, the tape dispensing

apparatus is only difficultly accessible and when the dispensing apparatus runs out of tape, the conveyor system must be shut down until access is had to the dispensing apparatus and a new roll of tape is installed into the

5 dispensing apparatus.

Conventional tape dispensing apparatus have been designed to provide the feed rollers and application rollers mounted to the mounting at both ends of the axes of the application and feed rollers. This has meant that the 0 mounting surrounds the feed rollers requiring that the tape be fed through the feed rollers manually. Thus, the installation of the tape into the dispensing apparatus has been awkward and time consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a tape dispensing apparatus in which the tape may be easily loaded.

According to the invention, there is provided a tape dispensing apparatus of the above mentioned type which is improved by the fact that the first application roller and the feed rollers are connected to the mounting at one end of their respective axes such that the tape can be loaded by inserting the tape from another end of the respective axes of the first application roller and the feed rollers. In this way, the tape may be installed by inserting it in between the feed rollers with a minimum of effort and manual manipulation. The downtime of the conveyor system is kept to a minimum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be better understood by way of the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the appended drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the preferred embodiment; and

Figure 3 is a rear elevational view of the preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The tape dispensing apparatus (10) is provided with a first tape application roller ( 14 ) and a second tape application roller (16) respectively pivotally mounted to a mounting (46) via first and second levers (18) and (20). As best shown in Figure 3, the levers are interconnected by member (22) in order to rotate in opposite directions toward and away from each other, the first lever (18) and the second lever (20) rotating about an axis parallel to axes of the rollers (14) and (16). Biassing means (32) which are shown to comprise a spring whose expanded length is adjustable by a bolt connected to the mounting (46) via a threaded nut, maintains the levers (18) and (20) and rollers (14) and (16) sprung upwards. Tape cutting means (30) include member (40) pivotally mounted to plate (46) and biassed upwards by spring (36). A sharp toothed blade (42) is mounted on member (40) and is covered by blade cover (38).

A roll of tape (12) is mounted on a tape holder (48) and the tape (12) is fed over feed rollers (24) up to the first application roller ( 14 ) . One pair of opposed feed rollers (28) are provided on first lever (18) along with flexible rubber member (44) which maintains a gentle pressure on the nonadhesive side of tape (12) to prevent tape (12) from sliding backwards through feed rollers (24). Roller (26) of the feed rollers receives the adhesive side of tape (12) and is a one-way roller which prevents tape (12) from sliding backwards.

Apparatus ( 10 ) has all of the components mounted to mounting plate (46) which is itself mountable into a frame of a conveyor system using mounting posts (34).

Once apparatus (10) is mounted in position, a box being moved in the direction from roller ( 14 ) to roller (16) first strikes with its leading edge the side of roller (14) on which the adhesive side of tape (12) is facing towards the box. As the box is forced in the direction of roller (16), roller (14) and first lever (18) pivot forwardly also causing elongation of spring (32) and the

descention of lever (20) and roller (16). The tape has now been applied to an upright side of the box at a height of approximately 8 cm. As the box progresses, the tape is further applied to the running side surface of the box closing and sealing the flaps of the box. As the box reaches cutting means (30), member (40) is pressed down against the action of spring (36), and blade cover (38) is pushed forward thus exposing blade (42). As the leading edge of the box progresses further, the leading edge comes over roller (16) which continues to apply pressure to tape (12) on the running side surface. As the trailing edge leaves member (40), the cutting means (30) pop upward and blade (42) cuts tape (12) at a distance of approximately 8 cm from the trailing edge of the box, and as the trailing edge leaves roller (16), roller 16 pops up pressing tape (12) upwards against the box such that the tape applied to the box has been pressed against the side of the box from the leading edge along the side surface and up against the trailing edge. When a roll of tape (12) needs to be exchanged, the old roll is removed from holder (48) and the new roll is placed on holder (48) and tape (12) is fed into rollers (24) by pulling out tape (12) from the roll and inserting tape (12) through the rollers at their ends upstanding from the mounting plate (46) until tape (12) is brought up to roller (14).

Although apparatus (10) has been shown as having rollers (14) and (16) upwards, it is to be understood that apparatus (10) can be installed with rollers (14) and (16) extending out towards any side surface of a box which needs to be closed including extending downwards towards the top side surface of a box as is commonly used to seal both top and bottom sides of a box in a packaging conveyor system.