US1431605A - Machine for dispensing and moistening gummed tape - Google Patents

Description

H. A. STONE.

MACHI'NE FOR DISPENSING AND MOkSTENING GUMMED TAPE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.7.1920. RENEWED SEPT. 1, 1922.

Lfil 65 Patented Oct. 109, 1922,

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

H. A. STONE.

MACHINE FOR DISPENSING AND MOISTENING GUWIMED TAPE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 1. 1920. RENEWED SEPT. 1. I922.

L60 Patented Oct. W. 1922.

2 $HEETSSHEET 2.

All

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HJENW A. STUNE, 01F CAMBRIDGE, IllEASSAGHUfilETUl.

MACHINE FUR DISP SING AND IllEUJISIIEENING' GUJMEAAEEJD TE.

Application filed April 7, 1920, rial Ito. 371M911.

To all whom z'tmay concern:

Be it known that l, HENRY A. STONE, a citizen 'of the United States, residing at Cambrid e, in the county of Middlesex and State of assachusetts, have invented a new and useful Machine for Dispensing and Moistening Gumrned Tape, of which the following is a specification, reference bein had to the accompanying two sheets of rawings forming part thereof.

My invention relates to machines for dispensing and moistening gummed tape, which is used more particularly for sealing packages, cartons and the like.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, reliable, self-contained, and durable machine that is free from complicated mechanism, is inexpensive to manufacture, and is easy to manipulate and handle. The machine is designed to house therein the supply-roll of gummed tape, which may be withdrawn from the machine in strips of desired lengths and severed from the supplyroll as and when required. The tape, while being thus withdrawn from the machine, is brought into engagement with a wetting roller which moistens the gummed surface thereof and prepares and conditions the same for immediate use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a yieldable tape-gripping means which frictionally engages the free end of the tape therebetween and angularly directs the same onto the wetting roller of the device at a point rearward and below the highest element thereof for effecting a hugging feature for the tape in relation to the wetting roller, whereby the withdrawal of the tape from the machine frictionally rotates the wetting roller "which feeds the moistening liquor to and forces the same to become impregnated into the gummed surface of the tape for rendering the tape .ready for immediate use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a frictional and yielding gripping means for the tape, preferably at the cutting section of the machine, whereby the tape is required to be withdrawn from the machine under tenslon; and at the same time provides a quick release to the tape held thereby, when required, for advancing and freeing the leading end of the tape to afford the operator a portion. on which to grip and take hold of the tape to withdraw same from the machine.

Another object of the invention is to pro- Renewed September 1, 1922. Aerial Ito; MAMA.v

vide a frictional gripping feature to the machine for the tape fed therethrough, which comprises a fixed and stationary cutter member positioned in the rear ofthe wetting roller and having the hiife edge thereof located below and in the rear of the top element of the roller; and a spring-held and hinged table member which is inclined downward towards said cutter member, terminating below same, and frictionally held thereagainst, whereby the tape .is allowedto pass therebetween and under tension along the lines disclosed in my co-pending application for combined tape guiding and cutting device for gummed tape dispensing and moistening machines, filed April 7, 1920, Serial No. 371,892.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means for self-centering the supplyroll therein and for retaining the same an upright and operative position in the machine. I

Still another object of the invention is to provide a wetting roller mechanism which is supplied with a gravity-held, inclined scraper for uniformly spreading the liquor over said roller and allowing the surplus to drain and flow back into the liquor tank.

To these as well as other ends myinvention consists of the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts described in the following specification, and particularly pointed out in the subjoined claims.

The terms employed herein are used in the eneric and descriptive sense to designate t e elements illustrated, and are therefore not primarily intended as terms of limitation. i

In order to illustrate my invention, I have shown in the accompanying two sheets of drawings an embodiment thereof, wherein: I

F ig. 1 represents a fragmentary, perspective view of my tape dispensing and moistenin device.

ig. 2 represents a vertical, longitudinal, sectional view taken through the device ,shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 represents a sectional view taken on line 3-3 on Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 represents substantially'a part of the same view as Fig. 2, but shows the yield 'ing tape gripping table of the device open for allowing the free/end of the tape to be advanced for afi'ording the operator a means of taking hold of the tape for withdrawing same from the machine.

Fig. 5 represents a plan view of the wettin roller trough mechanism of the device.

ig. 6 represents a sectional-view taken substantially (in line 6-6 on Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 represents the same view as Fig. 2, but shows the wetting trough mechanism of the device removed therefrom.

Fig. 8 represents a sectional view taken on line 8-8 on Fig. 7 showin the tape frictionally held between the stationary cutter member and the yieldable tape plate of the device.

Fig. 9 represents a sectional view taken on line 99 on Fig. 2.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

The numeral 10 represents a casing member which comprises the sides 11 and 12 and the front and rear ends 13 and 14, respectively. Said casing member may be made of any suitable material and may be cast integral to form a unit casing, or may be suitably form a un1t casing, according as ma be desired. The drawing shows a divide casing parted at 15 (Fig. 1) and made up in two parts which are secured together by the distributed coupling screws 16 and form the unit casing, as shown. The casing member 10 is designed to set on a counter, bench or table, according as the case may be and is provided with suitable screw holes 17 (Fig. 2) positioned at convenient places for accommodating screws to permanently secure the machine to the counter, bench or table.

The casing member 10 is preferably designed with. the relatively deep tape well 18, which is preferably open at the top 19 andcovered with the cover-plate 20, which may be hinged to the rear of the casing 10 at 21, as shown, or otherwise set in position with the casing The tape-roll-well 18 is provided with the forward partition wall 22, which preferably terminates in an arced portion 23 at the top thereof, which frictionally supports the tape T (in'open form) as the tape is being unwound from the roll R. The latter tape roll is supported in the well in upright position, as shown in Fig. 2,

and bears on the roll supporting and center ing planes 24 which are angularly disposed towards each other and positioned at the bottom of the well 18. Said planes are preferably made integralwith the casing "and serve to center the roll R therein for retaining the same in upright position, and rovide a four-point suspension for the roll on the side edges thereof, as will be understood (seeFig. 9,) because of theangular disposition of said planes; thus yielding a frictional support to said roll, which prevents the same from unwinding, unless forcedJto do so by the pull of the operator on divided and bolted together to the tape, as will be hereinafter more fully explained. The outlet of the well 18 is preferably formed between said rounded wall section 23 and the forward end 25 of the cover-plate 20, which frictionally bears against and rests on the tape passing therebetween, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, for frictionally holding back the tape at the outlet of the well 18.

26 represents the tape plate of the machine which is preferably hinged at 27 near the tape-well-outlet and inclined down wardly towards the front end 13 of the machine and supported against the fixed cutter member 28 by the expansion springs 29 which rest on the fixed lugs 30, preferably provided therefor on the sides of the casing, as shown in Fig. 8; said lugs 30 being preferably rovided with spring studs 31 which center t e springs 29 thereon and terminate at a oint below the ta plate 26 for limiting the opening of saitl tape plate 26 in relation to the fixed cutter member 28, as shown in Fig. 4. The cutter member 28 is preferably provided with the knife edge 32 at the front section thereof and rounded on the rear section 33; said cutter member being secured transversely with the casing member 10 in any suitable manner, as by means of the retaining screws 34, and preferably positioned in an inclined plane which is parallel with the closed position of the ta plate 26. The tape plate 26 is prefera 1y fluted on the top surface, as indicated in Fig. 1, for effecting a guide and friction lane for the tape passing over same. T e casing member 10 is fur ther preferably designed with an opening at the front section 13 thereof and provided with the trough runs 35 which support the wetting roller trough 36 thereon, as shown in Fig. 2; the casing being provided with a stop-lug 37 at the inner end, against which the wetting roller trough is positioned in the casing and is retained therein by the locking-stud 38 which permits the ready removal of the trough 36 from the front end of the casing, as may be required, for cleaning or refilling purposes. 39 represents the tape wetting roller which is,cylindrically shaped and rotatably supported in the trough 36 and allowed to depend therein so that it is partially immersed in the moistening liquor L which is supplied in the trough. Said roller may be detachably secured to the trough, or otherwise as may be desired, to permit the removal of the same therefrom, and is preferably supported in the trough in a manner that will bring the top element E of the roller preferably above and appreciably in front of, the cutter or knife edge 32 of the cutter member 28.

The roller 39 may be provided with the groove 40 which accommodates the tape de- .tth

at tape becomes moistened and conditioned to the top surface preciable pull nae flectin member 41 therein for deflecting the tape away from the wetting roll, as shown in Fig. 4 when coming into contact therewith an for preventing the tape from sticking thereto. Said deflector member 41 may be made of suitable width, preferably of a narrow dimension, and may be made integral with the trough 36, if desired, or separate and rigidly secured thereto in some suitable manner; it being understood, in that regard, that a piece of wire projectinginto the groove may serve the purpose.

42 represents a doctor or scraper member which is eferably angularly positioned in the trough and 'hingedly supported at the end 43 thereof in some suitable manner and allowed to bear against the wetting roller 39' on the end 44, as shown, for scraping the wetting roller and evenly spreading the liquor carried thereon and for allowing the surplus to drain back into the trough. Said scraper member 42 frictionally bears against the roller 39 with its own weight, and may be 'ermanently hinged to the trough or detac ably secured thereto to be removable therefrom, as shown in the drawing; the width of said scraper plate 42 being preferably made -the width of the trough for serving as a cover thereto to prevent splashing therein. a

In Fig. 2 the dotted line T indicates the tape bein unwound from the lower portion of the rol R, as would be the case when the gummed surface of the tape is wound on the outer side of the roll.

Having thus described the parts of the invention in detail, the manner in which the same may be operated is as follows The tape-roll R is first inserted in the well 18, in upright position, and the end T thereof isallowed to pass through the opening provided therefor between the rounded section 23 and the end 25 of the cover-plate 20 with the gummed surface down, the weight of said cover-plate bearing against ofthe tape to yield a frictional tension against the tape at that point. The tape T thus leaving the well opening, is laid across the tape plate 26, as shown in Fig. 1, with the gummed surface adjacent thereto and inserted between the knife member 28 and the tape plate 26, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4. Thetape plate being spring-held, as described, frictionally grips the tape between it and the knife member 28, and holds the tape under suitable tension to require an ap-v thereon to permit the withdrawal of same from the roll R in the device. The wetting roller 39 may be made of lass, metal, or any other suitable materia according as may be desired, and is supported in the -moistening liquor L so that when thetapeis directed to it and is drawn over the same, the gummed surface of the be ready for use as a packages, cartons and the like. With the tape thus set in the machine and the wetting sealing medium for roller trough 36 supplied with the wetting liquid and secured in operating position in the casing member 10,.the machine is made ready for operation.

To advance the tape beyond the knife edge 32 of the cutter presses down on the tape T against the tape plate 26, as shown in Fig. 4, and simultaneously moves the tape downward along said plate 26. The pressing down against the tape on the plate 26 opens the same to free the tape between it and the knife member 28, which, with the simultaneous downward pull against the tape, advances the same onto the wetting roller 39, and the portion of tape so advancedprovides a hold for the operator with which to withdraw as long a strip of tape from the machine as he may require; it being understood that the pull of the operator on the tape will overcome the frictional grip thereagainst between the knife member 28 and the tape plate 26, and the'tape well outlet provided between the top portion 23 and the cover-plateend 25, and will force the roll R to turn in the well 18, whereby the roll is caused to unwind therein.

The angular setting of the tape plate 26 with the position of the knife edge 32 set behind the top element F, but in proximity with the top section of the wetting roller 39, assures the direction of the tape against the wetting roller in a manner which will force the tape into contact with the roller and will cause the tape to hug the same, whereby the entire gummed surface of the tape, passing the roller, will become thoroughly moistened and ready for use. The aforesaid hugging feature provides for thoroughly moistening the gummed surface of the tape, since it practically grinds the liquor on the roller into the tape and penetrates the adhesive coating of the tape and conditions it to yield best results. The peculiar setting of said knife and tape plates in the machine, in relation with the top of the wetting roller thereof, is designed to provide a natural bump for the withdrawing tapeto pass over, whereby-the operators pull on the tape, for withdrawing the same from the frictionally rotates the wetting roller thereof and provides a positive contact 'between the gummed surface of the tape and the wetting roller,

coatin on the tape passin over it.

With g drawn from the machine, by the pull of the operator on the .tape as described, the withdrawn portion of tape may then be severed from the" tape remaining in the machine at the knife ed e 32, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, by raising-t e withdrawn tape against said member 28, the operator r machine,

the desired length of tape thus with- I knife edge in tearing fashion, that is, by giving the withdrawn tape a tearing pull against the knife edge. This will yleld a clean out edge to both the strip withdrawn from, and the end of the tape left in the machine, and leaves the tape in the machine set as indicated in Fig. 1, gripped between the knife plate 28 and the tape plate 26, and the machine is again ready for operation.

It will be observed that the deflector member 41 will prevent the tape from winding about the wetting roller 39, and that the doctor 42 will provide an even coating of liquid on said roller wetting surface and will drain back into the trough any surplus liquor carried on said roller.

It will also be observed that the machine may be designed to accommodate a range of different widths of tapes, from a narrow tape to one the width of the tape well, and that the centering planes 24 will tend, in any case, to provide a four-point suspension to the tape roll R, as may be understood from a study of Figs. 2 and 9, particularly the latter. In Figs. 2 and 6 I have shown spacer plugs P which may be inserted in the tape roll hole on either side of the roll for centering the same in the device, if required, especially in connection withvery narrow rolls employed in wide machines.

It will thus be noted that the device is simple in construction, requires little or no adjustment, and may be absolutely relied upon for dispensing and moistening gummed tapes of various widths, in any desired lengths of strips, according as may be desired. The machine, as disclosed, is free from complicated mechanism, is positively fool-proof and durable,-may be easily operated by any ordinary person, and provides a neat and compact device which makes it an attractive fixture in a store or shop.

While the preferred embodiments of my invention have been described in detail, it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the particular construction set forth, since various changes in the form, material, proportions, and arrangement of parts, and in the details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, or destroying any of the advantages contained in the same, heretofore described and defined in the sub'oined claims.

aving thus described my invention in detail, what I claim as new is 1. A ummed tape dispensing and wetting device aving a wetting roller at the front end thereof; a supply roll chamber at the rear end thereof adapted to accommodate the tape roll therein and to permit the unwinding thereof therein; and an intermediate combined and co-acting gripping and cutting mechanism normally adapted to frictionally pass and direct the tape from the supply roll adjacently onto the top portion of said wetting roller for moistening pur poses and otherwise to grippingly lock the tape in said mechanism during the cutting operation or while the device remains idle.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a tape roll housin compartment provided with a tape ou et; a tape directing plate pivotally supported at said tape outlet of said supply compartment and spring held against a flat coacting and fixed bar piece adapted to frictionally abut the same for grippingly engaging the tape feeding from the supply therebetween, said bar piece having a knife edge provided thereon and located at a point rearward of the top element of, but in proximity with, the upper section of the hereinafter .men: tioned tape wetting roller; and a tape wetting roller pivotally mounted and adapted to rotate in a trough supplied with water or liquid and lying in the range of the tape adapted to engage with the gummed surface thereof for moistening the same to impart an adhesive character thereto.

3. In a device of the character described, a tape housing compartment adapted to receive the supply roll of gummed tape therein and provided with means for retaining the same in upright position in the compartment, and a contracting outlet for the tape adapted to frictionally engage the tape therein; a wetting roller provided with means for surface coating the gummed surface of the tape with liquid for moistening same; and intermediate tape dispensing and cutting means adapted to friqtionally engage the tape therein for directing it from the aforesaid compartment outlet to engage and hug the aforesaid wetting roller for moistening the gummed surface of the tape to render the same ready for use upon being severed from the roll when raised against said cuttin .means.

' 4. In a evice of the character described, the combination of a casing member havin a tape-roll-Well provided with a lid adapted to frictionally engage with the tape withdrawn from the tape-roll in said well at the outlet section thereof; an intermediate angularly and downwardly disposed yieldable clamping means provided with a stationary cutter edge at the extreme end thereof, and adapted to receive the tape coming from the well outlet in exposed position therein and permitting it to frictio-nally pass therethrough, directing said tape on the heroinafter mentioned wetting roller initially at an angle other than a right angle with the vertical plane passing through the axis thereof; and a trou h member havin a wettin roller rotatably and transverse y supportei l therein adapted to/ depend downwardly therein for dipping into the liquid supplied same and to assume a position with the top 5. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a casin member having a tape-roll-well provided w1th a lid covering lift I wetting trough provided with a the same and adapted to form an opening with said casing for frictionally engaging the tape withdrawn from the roll supplied insaid well, means for detachably supporting a wetting trough in said caslng, and a transverse cutting member an ported in said casing and rigidly secured thereto at the tape delivery end thereof; a transverse tape Wetting roller rotatably supported therein and positionedin respect to the said cutting member with the to element of said wettin roller forward-fan beyond the cutting e go of said cutting member for de-' 'flecting the tape over the top section of said wetting roller; and an intermediate tape l'plate hingedly. supported with saidcasing at till the 'well outlet thereof and inclined downwardl'y therefrom, terminating beneath said cutting member and provided with ielding means for normally engaging the free end of said plate with said cutter member for frictionally gripping'the tapeqheld thereon and passing therebetween.

6. In a device-of the character described, a casing memberhavinga relatively deep tape-roll-well at the rear end thereof adapted to receive and retain the tape-roll therein 1n. upright manner Y and provided with a cover plate at the top ,of said well with the front end ofsaid plate set free with said casing to frictionally pass the free end of the tape from the roll therebetween, said casing having provision of means at the front section thereof for detachably supporting a hill ' well outlet provided ter member for severing t wetting roller trough therein; a wettin roller trough mechanism detachably secure and set in said casing and provided with a roller member which is transversely adapted to setat the front end'of said casing and below the tape discharging outlet formed between said cover and the casing as aforesaid; and a yieldable and inclined tape directing and 1 ipping means positioned intermediate sai-l wetting roller and said ta eat the wetting roller end thereof with a stationa transverse cute tape at said point, f'and a ,yieldable member coacting therewith, pivotally su ported at the ta ewell outlet and adapte to receive/there etween the tape from/said well outlet for detilt livering the same downwardly and onto the upper ction of said a; roller for men 11 r p i tape therebetween, larly sup-' n cham lltll friction lid forming the outlet thereof for I frictionally engaging the dischargin tape passing, same; a quick releasing tape direct mg and gripping member rovided with a fixed cutter member at the ont end thereof forming a stop for said platen and coactingtherewith in grippingly engaging the said platen having yieldable supporting means adapted to frictionally engage said platen with said cutter member; and a Wetting roller rotatably supported in front of said tape directing and gripping platen mechanism adapted to receive and engage with the tape advanced therethrough for wetting the gummed sur face thereof to render the tape so advanced ready for use before being roll, the severing operation being efl'ected by bringing the withdrawn tape into tearing contact with the said cutter member provided said platen mechanism 8. A device ofthe character described,

' comprising .a casing member having a taperoll chamber adapted to hold the roll therein in upright positlon and to permit the unwinding thereof while positioned therein; a cover member fitting the aforesaid chamber and formin a tape outlet with the casing for the unwindin end of said tape to pass through in open orm and under frictional tension; an angularly disposed directin and gripping member positioned in sai casin member in proximity with said roll her outlet for receiving the tape leading therefrom thereon to normally frictionally bind the same while vpasisng over it, and otherwise to quickly permit the releassevered from the as aforesaid.

ing of the tape of said bindin feature for freeing the tape to-pass freely t said gripping member havin cutter element coacting wit late for efl'ecting the aforesaid attendin unctions, with said cutter element adapts to be employed additionally for severing the tape at said point when desired; and a wet erethrough', a stationary a yield tlng trou h mechanism carried in said casmg mem er and provided with a wetting rol or which is positioned with the top'element thereof forward and beyond the on u v edge of the aforesaid cutter element for receiving the tape coming therefrom thereupon for'mning the gued ace thereof.

9. A gued tape dispensing and moist: ening device, coinprisin a casing hav a .tape unwinding chamer adapted to receive and retain the supply roll therein in upright position; awetting roller rotatably/ mounted in said casing and adapted t W thb'tttlpe Withdraw fr'omsuid ll, j:

said casing chamber; a trough provided for said casing, adapted to supply the roller with liquid for wetting the tape coming into contact therewith; and an angularly disposed tape gripping means angularly positioned intermediate said roll chamber and said wetting roller, inclining downwardly towards the latter and terminating substantially adjacent thereto and rear-- ward of the top element of said wetting roller, provided with a stationary cutter member having a knife edge at said terminating point thereof and a yieldable tape supporting plate spring held against said stationary. cutter member and adapted to frictionally grip the tape therebetween while being withdrawn from the supply roll by the pull of the operator on the free end of the tape; said yieldable tape supporting plate being adapted further to release the ta e of any tension thereagainst and for ho ding the same. fast during the cutting operation of the device, according as the case may be, and said cutter member bein adapted to engage the withdrawn an moistened tape for severing the same from the roll; the angular setting and position ing of said gripping means with said wetting roller assuring of a positive contact of the gummed surface of the tape therewith for moistening purposes.

10. In a device of the character described, a casing member having an unwinding roll chamber provided with an angularly disposed roll supporting section at the bottom thereof adapted to yield a four-point support to the roll for effecting an augmented frictional support therefor and for providing a self-centeringfeature to the roll supported therein.

11. A wetting roller tape guiding and directing device comprising an angularly positioned tape supporting plate hin edly supported at the receiving end thereof and inclined downward towards the Wetting roller with which the same is associated;

a fixed abutting member positioned adjacently across and above said tape plate at the delivery end thereof and adapted to form a stop for said tape supporting plate to pass the tape therebetween; and yieldable supporting means adapted to frictionally close said tape plate with said abutting member for frictionally gripping the tape passing therebetween.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand this 6th day of April, 1920.

HENRY A. STONE.

Witnesses DAVID LIoH'rnNs'rEIN, R. LICHTENSTEIN.

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