Winding – tensioning – or guiding – Unwinding – With attachment to preceding material
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-16
2001-12-04
Mansen, Michael R. (Department: 3653)
Winding, tensioning, or guiding
Unwinding
With attachment to preceding material
C242S555200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325324
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The following invention relates to a system for splicing rolls of reinforcing tape together and more particularly to a continuous dispensing system for tape which permits uninterrupted operation in which the splicing of one roll of tape onto another occurs automatically.
Modern packaging frequently requires the use of reinforcing tape or tear tape to maintain the structural integrity of boxes, packages and/or containers. Such tape is fed out from a roll mounted on a spool or spindle in a continuous fashion. One problem in the industry is that the feed out of tape must be interrupted when a roll is depleted and a new roll must be inserted. In the past systems have been proposed that permit the uninterrupted dispensing of tape by fashioning a splice between the trailing end of one roll of tape and the leading end of another.
An example of a splicing system of this type may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,327 entitled TAPE DISPENSER. In this patent, the leading end of a roll of tape includes a loop element which mates cooperatively with a pin element at the trailing end of a second roll. The problem with this type of system is that the pin and loop combination creates an undesirable bulge in the tape at the splice point. It also introduces a foreign object, the pin, into the packaging to which the tape is applied. Other disadvantages of the pin and loop system are that the loop must be tied with a knot which can be either too tight or too loose. Additionally, there is the potential for an operator to get a finger caught or get cut by the running tape while making the splice.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an automatic tape splicer that avoids the aforementioned problems. The splicer is a block of metal that has a channel journalled into it to receive tape from first and second rolls. Adjacent to and protruding into the channel are first and second pinch rollers. Each roll of tape includes a leading end and a trailing end. The leading end includes a portion having adhesive applied to one side which may be covered by release paper. The trailing end includes a reinforced portion which is thicker than the normal thickness of the tape. The channel is dimensioned such that the pinch rollers will press the trailing end of the tape against an adhesive-exposed leading end of the second roll of tape, splicing the two rolls together as the trailing end feeds through the channel engaging the sticky leading end of the second roll. Otherwise the channel is wide enough for one roll of tape to feed through unimpeded while a new roll is being set up. The splicer also includes a pair of guide rollers for feeding each roll of tape into the channel
To prepare the new roll for splicing, release paper is peeled off of the leading end of the new roll exposing an adhesive surface. This end is threaded into the channel. Next, the tape from the new roll is tacked down onto the guide roller to hold it in place temporarily. The splice will occur automatically when the thick trailing end of the first roll enters the channel and is pressed onto the exposed adhesive of the second roll by the pinch rollers.
The splicer of the invention may be provided as a retrofit device for an existing tape feed machine. The splicer is mounted on brackets that attach to fixtures such as support members or metal framing. The brackets have adjustment features that permit adjustment in both horizontal and vertical directions so that the splicer may be conveniently located between the rolls holding the tape rolls and the input to the tape feed machine.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3072354 (1963-01-01), Guiles et al.
patent: 3349981 (1967-10-01), Hawkins et al.
patent: 3645463 (1972-02-01), Helm
patent: 4262855 (1981-04-01), Haag
patent: 4917327 (1990-04-01), Asbury, Jr. et al.
patent: 5029768 (1991-07-01), Asbury, Jr. et al.
patent: 5323981 (1994-06-01), Dionne
patent: 5853141 (1998-12-01), Heiber et al.
Dalebout Elvin
Getz John L.
Chernoff Vilhauer McClung & Stenzel LLP
Industrial Adhesives, Inc.
Mansen Michael R.
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