Adhesive Tape Affixing Apparatus for Cylindrical Workpieces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for affixing adhesive tapes to cylindrical workpieces either make it difficult to pull out the workpiece after the tape is applied or limit the creation of free-hanging tags due to tape length constraints.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method involving a tape-feeding device that feeds the adhesive tape below the cylindrical workpiece with the adhesive surface facing upward, a tape-cutting device that cuts the tape to a predetermined length, and a tape-affixing device that thrusts the adhesive tape through both sides of the cylindrical workpiece to elevate it, allowing the tape ends to adhere to each other and form a free-hanging tag.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the adhesive tape is affixed to the outer peripheral surface of the workpiece from above with the adhesive surface facing downward, then the adhesive tape can be affixed to the workpiece, but the workpiece becomes difficult to pull out after the adhesive tape is affixed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional affixing direction by placing the adhesive surface facing upward instead of downward, and positioning the tape-feeding device below the workpiece. This inversion allows the workpiece to be pulled upward for easy removal while the adhesive tape remains firmly bonded to the workpiece surface.
2Ease of manufacture
If the adhesive tape is affixed to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical container by rotating the cylindrical container with respect to the adhesive tape, then the adhesive tape can be affixed to the cylindrical surface, but it is difficult to produce a free-hanging tag when the adhesive tape is longer than the length of the outer periphery
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rotating the cylindrical container as in conventional methods, this patent inverts the approach by moving the tape-feeding device below the workpiece and affixing the tape in an upward direction. This enables the creation of free-hanging tags with longer tape lengths without requiring complex rotating mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the affixing dimension from horizontal (rotating the cylinder) to vertical (feeding tape from below upward). This dimensional change allows the tape to extend beyond the circumference of the cylindrical workpiece, enabling free-hanging tag production.
3Ease of operation
If the tape-affixing device passes through both sides of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion from below to elevate the adhesive tape, then the adhesive tape can be affixed with the adhesive surface facing upward, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The tape-affixing device is designed to perform multiple functions: it feeds the adhesive tape, positions it correctly on the cylindrical workpiece, affixes it with the adhesive surface facing upward, and enables easy workpiece removal. This multi-functionality justifies the increased structural complexity by eliminating the need for separate devices for each operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the creation of free-hanging tags on cylindrical workpieces while allowing for easy upward removal of the workpiece, reducing affixing time and enabling one-handed handling, with improved tape feeding and cutting mechanisms for smooth operation.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesive tape having an adhesive to a workpiece having a cylindrical portion and an outer peripheral surface
Implementation Method 2
adhesive surfaces at the ends of the cut adhesive tape are pressed and are adhered to each other
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus affixes an adhesive tape to a workpiece having a cylindrical portion and an outer peripheral surface. The apparatus comprises a tape-feeding device for feeding an adhesive tape below the outer peripheral surface such that the adhesive surface faces upwardly in a direction approximately perpendicular to an axis of the cylindrical portion, a tape-cutting device for cutting the adhesive tape fed from the tape-feeding device in a predetermined length, and a tape-affixing device for thrusting and affixing the adhesive surface of the adhesive tape which was cut by the tape-cutting device to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion such that the tape-affixing device passes through both sides of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion from below thereof so as to elevate the adhesive tape. The tape-affixing device is arranged for cut adhesive tape longer than the length of the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion such that adhesive surfaces at ends of the cut adhesive tape are pressed and are adhered each other after the adhesive surface of the adhesive tape was thrust and was adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion.