Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture – Surface bonding means and/or assembly means therefor – Automatic and/or material-triggered control
Reexamination Certificate
2001-01-08
2003-06-03
Crispino, Richard (Department: 1734)
Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
Surface bonding means and/or assembly means therefor
Automatic and/or material-triggered control
C156S468000, C156S486000, C156S522000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06571848
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a sealing apparatus for sealing, with adhesive tape, cartons used in packing and transporting various articles.
(2) Description of the Related Art
In such a carton sealing apparatus, adhesive tape drawn from an adhesive tape roll is guided to and wound on an applicator roller included in an applicator unit. The applicator unit successively applies the adhesive tape to selected surfaces of cartons transported along a transport path. The transport path horizontally transports the cartons while holding the cartons at right and left sides thereof. One type of known apparatus includes adhesive tape applying mechanisms arranged above and below the transport path for sealing upper and lower surfaces of each carton at the same time. Another type of known apparatus includes an adhesive tape applying mechanism disposed only above the transport path. A third type of known apparatus includes an adhesive tape applying mechanism disposed only below the transport path. Each adhesive tape applying mechanism has an adhesive tape roll mounted in a fixed position thereof.
In the above conventional sealing apparatus, where the adhesive tape applying mechanism is disposed above the transport path, the adhesive tape roll may be changed in a large space over the transport path. However, where the adhesive tape applying mechanism is disposed below the transport path, the operator has to crouch into a constrained posture in a narrow space under the transport path to change the tape roll and pass the adhesive tape around the applicator roller and the like. Thus, it is difficult to carry out a roll changing operation and other contingent operations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention has been made having regard to the state of the art noted above, and its object is to provide a sealing apparatus having an adhesive tape applying mechanism disposed below a transport path, which allows the operator to carry out a roll changing operation and other contingent operations efficiently in easy posture.
The above object is fulfilled, according to this invention, by a sealing apparatus having the following construction:
(1) The apparatus comprises an adhesive tape applying mechanism disposed at least below a transport path along which a workpiece is horizontally transported, the adhesive tape applying mechanism including an adhesive tape roll and an applicator unit, an adhesive tape drawn from the adhesive tape roll being guided to and wound around an applicator roller of the applicator unit, to be applied continuously to surfaces of the workpiece transported along the transport path;
wherein the adhesive tape applying mechanism disposed below the transport path is supported to be vertically pivotable between a tape applying position and an adhesive tape roll changing position exposed above the transport path.
With the above apparatus, when the adhesive tape roll is exhausted, the entire adhesive tape applying mechanism is swung upward about a pivotal axis to the adhesive tape roll changing position exposed above the transport path. The operator may then change the adhesive tape roll and pass the adhesive tape around the applicator roller and the like in a space over the transport path. After the changing operation, the entire adhesive tape applying mechanism is swung back down to the tape applying position below the transport path to perform a tape applying operation again.
That is, the adhesive tape applying mechanism operable below the transport path may be swung upward to the adhesive tape roll changing position above the transport path. Thus, the operator may change the adhesive tape roll and pass the adhesive tape around the applicator roller and the like in a large space easily and quickly without crouching down. The tape applying operation may be performed with a reduced downtime required for changing the adhesive tape roll, thereby increasing the efficiency of the entire sealing operation.
(2) In the apparatus (1) of this invention, the adhesive tape applying mechanism, preferably, is vertically pivotable about a pivotal axis defined by pivot grooves each having an open end and a pivot pin received in the pivot grooves;
positioning means being disposed away from the pivotal axis for receiving and supporting the adhesive tape applying mechanism in the tape applying position against downward movement;
the adhesive tape applying mechanism being detachably supported through the pivotal axis and the positioning means.
With this construction, the entire adhesive tape applying mechanism below the transport path may be detached simply by removing the pivot pin from the pivot grooves instead of taking the pivotal axis apart with a tool or the like.
That is, the pivotal axis of the adhesive tape applying mechanism may be taken apart simply without using a tool or the like. Thus, the entire adhesive tape applying mechanism may be detached simply to be inspected or serviced easily in a suitable location away from the sealing apparatus. Where the sealing apparatus includes adhesive tape applying mechanisms both above and below the transport path, the lower adhesive tape applying mechanism may be attached or detached to switch simply between a mode for sealing upper and lower surfaces of the workpiece at the same time, and a mode for sealing only the upper surface. This construction is effective to enhance flexibility of the apparatus.
(3) In the apparatus (2) of this invention, it is preferred that the pivot grooves each have a hooked shape with one end thereof open vertically;
the pivotal axis being set to a deep end of the hooked shape;
the positioning means including engaging grooves each having a vertically open end, and an engaging pin engageable with the engaging grooves.
With this construction, the tape applying mechanism in the tape applying position is immovable in fore and aft directions due to the engagement between the engaging grooves and engaging pin. The pivot pin is correctly engaged in the deep ends of the hooked pivot grooves to be immovable vertically and fore and aft. The engagement between the engaging grooves and engaging pin is maintained by the weight of the tape applying mechanism. The pivot pin and pivot grooves become movable relative to each other only by raising the adhesive tape applying mechanism to remove the engaging pin from the engaging grooves. Thus, the entire adhesive tape applying mechanism may be detached by taking the pivotal axis apart.
That is, the above construction combines the axis structure utilizing the hooked pivotal grooves and pivot pin and the positioning structure utilizing the engaging grooves and engaging pin. In the tape applying position, the pivotal axis is set to a correct state immovable vertically and fore and aft to secure a desired tape applying precision. Yet, the entire adhesive tape applying mechanism is detachable without requiring any special tool or the like.
(4) The apparatus (1) of this invention, preferably, further comprises an automatic lock mechanism for automatically locking the adhesive tape applying mechanism to the adhesive tape changing position when the adhesive tape applying mechanism is swung upward to the adhesive tape changing position.
With this construction, the adhesive tape applying mechanism swung up to the adhesive tape roll changing position may be maintained in that position.
That is, the adhesive tape applying mechanism is prevented from swinging down by gravity. The operator may change the adhesive tape roll and pass the adhesive tape around the applicator roller and the like in a large space easily and quickly without crouching down.
(5) The apparatus (1) of this invention, preferably, further comprises a stopper for maintaining the adhesive tape applying mechanism in the adhesive tape changing position after the adhesive tape applying mechanism is swung upward to the adhesive tape changing position.
With this construction, the adhesive tape applying mechanism swung up to the adhesive tape roll changing position may be maintaine
Fukuda Yoshinori
Hato Shigenori
Hayano Kazushi
Mori Norio
Okabayashi Kazuo
Hawkins Cheryl N.
Nitto Denko Corporation
Rader & Fishman & Grauer, PLLC
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