Tape Applicator Wiper and Cutting Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tape applicators face issues with insufficient tape adhesion on under-filled or uneven carton surfaces, tape cutting safety risks, and tape feeding problems, including loose tape, flagging, and adhesion deficiencies, especially when dealing with soft or un-even surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A tape applicator system utilizing flexible wiping elements to apply pressure independently of tape tension, combined with a cutting mechanism that initiates cuts at an angle and tears the tape, along with a locking system for secure tape roll mounting, to enhance adhesion and reduce safety risks and tape guiding issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If conventional rollers or brushes are used to apply tape pressure, then the contact surface area is large, but the pressure per unit area is insufficient causing poor adhesion on soft or uneven carton surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible wiper element made of elastomeric material that can conform to uneven carton surfaces while maintaining adequate contact pressure. The flexible nature allows the element to adapt to soft or irregular surfaces without requiring high pressure, solving the contradiction between contact area and pressure distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the applying element from rigid (roller) or loose (brush) to a flexible elastomeric wiper. This parameter change in material properties allows the element to maintain both sufficient contact area and adequate pressure distribution simultaneously by conforming to the surface geometry.
2Productivity
If a serrated blade is used to cut tape, then cutting effectiveness is improved, but adhesive and loose debris build up in the teeth requiring periodic cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cutting function from the serrated blade configuration and implements a different cutting mechanism. By removing the serrated teeth structure, the source of debris accumulation is eliminated, solving the problem of adhesive buildup while maintaining cutting effectiveness through an alternative cutting approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple, easily replaceable cutting blade design that can be quickly changed when worn or contaminated. This approach treats the blade as a consumable component, eliminating the need for complex cleaning mechanisms and reducing maintenance downtime through rapid replacement rather than cleaning.
3Ease of operation
If the tape leading end protrudes to contact the carton, then tape application is enabled, but the tape may fall off the applicator roller especially on bottom taping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible wiper element to guide and apply the tape leading end to the carton surface. This flexible element maintains reliable contact with the tape without requiring the tape to protrude significantly, preventing tape drop-off while enabling effective application through controlled flexibility and conformability.
4Stress or pressure
If spring force is used to bias rollers toward the carton, then tape application pressure is provided, but increased tape tension pulls rollers away reducing adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid spring-biased rollers with a flexible elastomeric wiper element. This flexible element maintains consistent contact with the carton surface regardless of tape tension variations, as its flexibility allows it to conform to the surface without being pulled away by tensile forces, thereby maintaining stable adhesion pressure.
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
The system improves tape adhesion on carton surfaces, reduces tape cutting safety risks, and effectively manages tape feeding, ensuring better closure quality and reliability, especially on soft or uneven surfaces, while also simplifying the adjustment of tape lengths and securing the tape roll.
Implementation Method 1
said wiper element has a thickness of between 0.10 and 0.75 inches and is positioned so that said free end extends across and engages with said tape and presses said tape against said case
Implementation Method 2
a cut off means positioned adjacent to said front applicator for cutting said tape adjacent to said front applicator when said tape has been applied to said case
Data Source
AI summary
An improved tape applicator for apply a tape to close a case or box is provided that uses a wiper system that better seals the tape to the box, provides an improved cut-off system wherein the action of the cut-off blade which partially cuts and then tears the tape is across the tape path at an improved angle. Also included is an improved system for adjusting tab length on the lead end of the case, providing a stiffened free end portion of the tape to engage an on-coming case, for controlling the rotation of large tape rolls by applying pressure to the side of a large roll and locking the tape roll to the mounting hub on the machine by penetrating the tape roll core with locking elements.