Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

3m Innovative Properties Company

Van E Jensen, Jr

Lloyd S Vasilakes

Michael R Mitchell

Craig D Thompson

Jack L Perecman

Daniel D Baker

Michael J Cavanagh

Edward J Schwarz

Bryon S Kruzel

David C Bernard

James A Donnay

A vacuum-assisted tape applicator includes means for transporting the tape toward the object; means for applying the tape onto adjacent first and second sides of the object; and means for cutting the tape to form a tag. The means for applying includes means for contacting the tape to the first side of the object with the longitudinal centerline of the tape substantially perpendicular to the common edge; means for contacting the tape to the second side of the object with the longitudinal centerline of the tape substantially parallel to the direction of object travel; and means for wiping the tape from the longitudinal centerline toward the transverse edges to minimize bubbles under the tape and wrinkles in the tape. The apparatus can include means for holding the tape during application. The length of the leading leg of the tag can be adjusted and the applying force can also be adjusted to reduce crushing the corners of the object.

Vacuum-assisted tape applicator

A tape applying apparatus adjustable to accommodate various width taping heads. The apparatus includes a base, left and right bed portions separated by a central open portion, and left and right filler plates mounted in the central open portion. The distance between the filler plates can be adjusted to adjust the width of the central open portion and accommodate lower taping heads of different widths. Replaceable front and rear guards are placed on the front and rear of the bed across the ends of both filler plates. The apparatus can also include an upper frame for supporting an upper taping head. The upper frame includes two support members. A rear spacer connecting the two support members, a front support plate, and a top cover can be replaced or adjusted to accommodate an adjustable upper taping head width.

Adjustable tape width case sealer

A roll supporting hub is adapted for acceptance of a plurality of rolls (one at a time), with each roll having a different predefined core width. The hub includes a hub body with a plurality of core support surfaces spaced circumferentially about a central rotation axis. One or more of those surfaces engage the core of the roll to secure the roll and hub together for coupled rotation. A stop surface on the hub body engages a first radial side of the core, while a radially retractable retainer surface engages a second radial side of the core. The retainer surface is secured to the hub body in one of a plurality of possible predefined axially disposed positions relative to the stop surface, each of which corresponds to one of the predetermined core widths of the roll being supported by the hub. The retainer surface is supported by a spring which is retractable within a slot extending axially between opposed support surfaces on the hub body.

Roll supporting hub

A continuous tape supply apparatus is provided which includes plural tape sources from which tape can be supplied to the tape applicator machine, a tension control means for providing the tape from the continuous tape supply apparatus at a substantially even tension under an indexing demand, and a splicing mechanism which is simpler in design and operation and which reliably causes a changeover of tape from one source to another. Once one source is depleted, the apparatus automatically switches to the second source, after which, a new supply can be substituted for the depleted supply and the apparatus made ready for the next subsequent changeover. The splicing mechanism includes a tape guide path through the splicing mechanism, a staging means comprising an applicator element which is movably disposed on the support between a staging position with the applicator element spaced from the tape guide path and a splice position with the applicator element moved within the tape guide path to change the tape guide path, and control means for causing the applicator element to move between its staging position to its splice position and for effecting a proper splice. The present invention is also directed to the combination of a continuous tape supply apparatus with a box tape applying machine.

Continuous tape supply system including a tape splicing mechanism for

A buffing apparatus is provided for use in association with a case sealing arrangement, to buff lead and rear depending tape tails against a tape/carton combination. The buffing apparatus includes a single buffing member moved, by means of a motive mechanism, between paths and motion. The first path of motion is defined such that the buffing member is moved against a lead tape tail, and then is retracted so that a rear tape tail can pass thereover. The second path of motion is defined such that the buffing member is brought upwardly against the rear tape tail, to buff same into position, while returning the buffing member to the first extreme position. For preferred embodiments, the first and second paths of motion are identical, but opposite, to one another. In one embodiment, the paths of motion are defined by a cam track/follower arrangement. In a second embodiment, a link mechanism is described, which accomplishes a desired motion. The preferred link mechanism illustrated and described, includes: a triangular coupler link arrangement; a follower arm arrangement; and, an acute-angle input crank arm arrangement. The combination of link members define an advantageous path of motion for an engaged buffing member. A method of buffing lead in tape tails according to the present invention is also disclosed.

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Stillwater, MN, United States of America

Van E Jensen, Jr