Tape Applicator with Horizontal Axis and Deforming Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tape applicators face challenges when applying adhesive tape to vertical surfaces, including tape misalignment, uneven tension, and increased space requirements, which lead to ergonomic issues and tape breakage due to the need for additional support and alignment adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A tape applicator design that rotates the tape roll on a horizontal axis and incorporates a deforming device to change the tape plane from horizontal to vertical, with adjustable mounting and guides for precise tape tracking, minimizing lateral space and facilitating tape replenishment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tape roll is mounted horizontally with the axis of rotation vertical, then the tape can be dispensed for normal horizontal taping, but the tape roll deforms into a conical shape due to gravity and temperature, causing misalignment and tape breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional mounting orientation by rotating the tape roll 90 degrees so that the axis of rotation is horizontal rather than vertical. This inversion allows the tape roll to remain stable without additional support structures, as the tape unwinds in a plane perpendicular to gravity, preventing conical deformation while maintaining smooth dispensing operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a round disk is installed under the tape roll to provide support and stabilize it, then the tape roll deformation is prevented, but the inertia increases for high speed application and the disk may cause tape breakage due to relative movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the unnecessary round disk support structure from the system. By inverting the tape roll mounting orientation, the support function is achieved inherently through the new configuration, eliminating the disk that caused increased inertia and potential tape breakage, thus enabling high-speed operation without compromising stability.
3Ease of operation
If the conventional in-line tape applicator is positioned horizontally for tape application, then the tape application mechanism works properly, but the lateral space requirement increases significantly when turned on its side for vertical surface taping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion to the entire applicator assembly, rotating it 90 degrees from horizontal to vertical orientation. This allows the applicator to apply tape to vertical surfaces while maintaining a compact footprint, as the tape feed path and application mechanism are reoriented to work efficiently in the vertical plane rather than requiring excessive lateral space.
4Stability of the object's composition
If additional space is provided for tape roll mounting and support structures, then the tape roll can be stabilized, but the machine space requirements increase and operator ergonomics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the mounting orientation and integrating the tape roll directly into the vertical applicator structure, the patent eliminates the need for extensive additional support structures. The compact vertical configuration brings all components within easy reach of the operator, improving ergonomics while maintaining tape roll stability through the inherent design rather than added space.
Data Source
AI summary
A tape applicator to apply tape onto a vertical face of a carton with the tape roll mounted for rotation on a horizontal axis and including a tape deforming device position on a tape path between the tape roll and the point of application of the tape to the carton. The tape deforming device twists the plane of the tape through 90° from horizontal when leaving the tape roll to vertical for application to the vertical face of the carton. The tape applicator can adjust the position of the tape at the point of application to the carton vertically.