GB1233616A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,233,616. Applying adhesive tape. BEIERSDORF N.V. 28 June, 1968 [29 June, 1967], No. 31043/68. Heading B8F. An apparatus for closing boxes and similar packages by the application of adhesive tape on at least an upper face of the boxes comprises conveyer means 3 for moving boxes such as 34 along a conveyer track 2, lateral parallel guidemeans 6, 7 for aligning each box 34 with respect to the track, an elongate pressure member 11 mounted for reciprocating vertical movement above the track and counterbalanced by a weight 33, and an adhesive tape applicator device 26 carried by the member 11 and adapted to apply a length of adhesive tape 47 to the box 34<SP>1</SP> advancing beneath the pressure member. The member 11 has further guide means 12<SP>1</SP> engageable by an advancing box to raise the member 11 to a height allowing the box to pass underneath, and a locking device 20-23 adapted to lock the member 11 in one of a plurality of vertical positions. In operation, a box 34, positioned on the roller tracks 2 so that the flaps 35 extend at least approximately longitudinally of these tracks, is engaged by a pair of drive members 5 which advance the box between the lateral guide rails 6 and 7 and below the entry ends 12<SP>1</SP> of the pressure member 11. The upper flaps 35 of the box 34 are gradually closed until the front edge of the box engages the entry ends 12<SP>1</SP> and raises the member 11. When the box has reached the position 34<SP>1</SP> its front edge actuates a switch 24 controlling the device 20- 23 to lock the member 11 against further upward movement. When the front surface of the box engages the roller 27 of the upper applicator 26, the cut-off end of the tape 47 lying against this roller is placed against the box front surface and sticks thereto. The advancing box then swings the roller 27 upwards to pass underneath, the adhesive tape being pressed against the upper surface of the box. A knife (not shown) cuts the tape 47 as soon as the rear surface of the box has passed the roller 27. The loose rear end of the cut-off length of tape is pressed against the box rear surface by the roller 28. After the length of adhesive tape has been fully applied and the rear side of the box has passed the applicator 26 a trip dog 44 on the conveyer chain 3 actuates a switch 25 which disengages the locking device from the member 11, which returns to its lowermost position. The output of the apparatus may be increased by providing extra sets of members 5. Two further fixed slides similar to the slides 12 may be arranged in the plane of the roller tracks 2 on both sides of a lower tape applicator 26<SP>1</SP>, adapted for sealing boxes having flaps on the lower surfaces, and the adhesive tape applicators 26 and 26<SP>1</SP> may be replaced by similar devices for applying gummed tape which is not self-sticking but has to be moistened before being applied. The rails 6, 7 have a self centring mechanism 40, 41 (Fig. 1, not shown).