US3727368A - Article packaging mechanism utilizing an adhesive tape - Google Patents

Abstract

An article packaging mechanism utilizing an adhesive tape having an adhesive coating on one side only, the tape being fed from a supply reel or roll in a feed direction to an article receiving station in which a non-adhesive side of the tape is slidable over an outwardly projecting first finger member, the adhesive side being exposed. Beyond the article receiving station, the leading end of the tape is positioned between the end portion of the first finger and an overlapping end portion of an inwardly projecting finger, these end portions being resiliently pressed toward each other so that the leading end of the tape will adhere to the end portion of the second finger member. The received article adheres to the tape, and when moved together with it to a position beyond the receiving station between the overlapping finger portions, the tape will be reversely looped within a loopforming space formed by one of the fingers, and carried around the article to provide an adhesively secured band therearound with outwardly projecting adhered end portions which can be severed at a predetermined length by translatory lateral movement against an adjacent cutting edge at the end terminus of the first finger member.

Description

United States Patent 1 West [ ARTICLE PACKAGING MECHANISM UTILIZING AN ADHESIVE TAPE [76] Inventor: William S. West, 120 S. Sierra Madre, Apt. 202, Pasadena, Calif. 91107 [22] Filed: Mar. 18,1971

[21] Appl.No.: 125,533

[52] US. Cl ..53/l3S, 53/198 A, 156/468 [51] Int. Cl. ..B65b 51/06, B65b 51/08 [58] Field of Search ..53/3, 14, 135, 198 R,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1956 Young, Jr ..$3/198 A 12/1965 Casey ..53/l98 A X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [451 Apr. 17, 1973 [57 ABSTRACT An article packaging mechanism utilizing an adhesive tape having an adhesive coating on one side only, the tape being fed from a supply reel or roll in a feed direction to an article receiving station in which a non-adhesive side of the tape is slidable over an out wardly projecting first finger member, the adhesive side being exposed. Beyond the article receiving station, the leading end of the tape is positioned between the end portion of the first finger and an overlapping end portion of an inwardly projecting finger, these end portions being resiliently pressed toward each other so that the leading end of the tape will adhere to the end portion of the second finger member. The received article adheres to the tape, and when moved together with it to a position beyond the receiving station between the overlapping finger portions, the tape will be reversely looped within a loop-forming space formed by one of the fingers, and carried around the article to provide an adhesively secured band therearound with outwardly projecting adhered end portions which can be severed at a predetermined length by translatory lateral movement against an adjacent cutting edge at the end terminus of the first finger member.

4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PAIENTED AFRITISTE 3 727, 368

FIG. 1.

W//AM 5. W657 INVENTOR WHANN MCAMNIGAL BY A 7fomcy5 for Appficanf BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of packag- More specifically, the present invention is particularly concerned with the type of packaging, wherein the packaging material or the material to be packaged may be assembled or gathered into a compact group or mass which can be held in such condition by means of a banding element. As exemplary, the product may be placed in a plastic bag with the plastic being gathered at the open end of the bag, or the material may be placed within a sheet of plastic which would be gathered at the sides. In both of these examples the bag or gathered ends of the sheet material would be secured by means of some type of retaining band, strip or holding device.

Heretofore, a number of arrangements have been util-j ized, which may be briefly discussed as follows:

a. Tie strips of various types of material have been used to hold the ends of a gathered bag, for example, such as might be used for the packaging of a loaf of bread. One form of well known strip construction embodies a strip which is formed by folded paper, plastic or other material, and quite often is provided with an inner wire insert to provide additional strength and aid in providing an effective retaining band, when the ends of the strip are twisted together.

b. Another known device, which serves a similar purpose to that described above, is in the form of a small piece of flat plastic or other suitable material which is provided with an edge-opening notch which provides spaced side fingers, these fingers usually being provided with a pointed projection to aid in holding the device when the gathered bag material is forced into the opening.

c. Other arrangements have comprised the use of split metal rings or staples which are applied around the gathered packaging material by means of a suitable tool, such as a hand gun.

In general the above noted known devices and arrangements, although providing an effective securing means, embody an undesirable inherent disadvantage in that the use of separate ties and clips necessitate the storage or handling of a multiplicity of elements which are not easily made available to the user, particularly in a public place. Further, in arrangements which utilize the split metal rings, staples and the like, which are applied by a hand operated tool, the installation not only has a multiplicity of securing elements to handle, but is expensivein that the tool or hand gun for such securing members is a relatively expensive item.

In the present invention, the disclosed mechanism overcomes the inherent disadvantages of the above noted arrangements by providing a simple mechanism which can be of a, hand portable type, and which utilizes an adhesive tape supplied from a roll carried by the device, and which by means of an extremely simple applying mechanism provides a supply of banding material which will take care of a great number of packaging operations without having to be replenished.

2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to mechanism for the packaging of articles, produce, materials and etc., and is more particularly concerned with mechanism for such purpose which utilizes an adhesive tape as a securing or banding medium.

It is one object of the herein described invention to provide a relatively low cost packaging mechanism utilizing an adhesive tape as a securing or banding medium; which is of simple construction with a minimum of moving parts; which is easily and rapidly operable; and which is capable of being embodied into a lightweight portable self-contained hand device.

A further object is to provide a simple relatively inexpensive packaging mechanism of the above noted type; which has a broad application in the packaging field; and which is susceptible of use for applying an adhesive binding tape to a variety of packaging materials, such as paper, plastic, cloth and the like, or directly around the articles or elements to bind them into a secure package or bundle.

Another object is to provide a novel packaging mechanism which finds use in a variety ,of different locations, such as homes, produce departments of stores and markets, bakeries, and the like, and in particular where it is desirous of providing a readily accessible device for quickly andeasily securing packaging sheet materials, bags, containers, and the like, by means of a retaining band around a gathered portion of the material.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring more specifically to the drawings, for illustrative purposes, the invention is shown in FIG. 1 as being embodied in a packaging mechanism, as generally indicated by the numeral 10, which is of extremely simple construction with a minimum of moving More specifically, the mechanism of the present invention includes a frame structure A, which carries an auxiliary projecting frame B at one end provided with tape applying components which are adapted to receive an adhesive tape C from a source of supply, in this case a tape reel or roll 11.

The frame structure A is of generally transverse L- shaped configuration and may be constructed of any suitable material, but is preferably made of a strong light plastic such as plexiglass. The frame structure A is fabricated to provide a back wall 12 which is in upstanding relation to a longitudinally extending bottom wall 13 which provides a mounting base surface when it is desired to support the mechanism in afixed position. This may be done by providing an adhesive strip 13 in an underlying position on the under surface of the bottom wall. Associated and cooperating with the back wall 12 at the left end of the frame structure, as seen in FIG. 1, there is provided a spaced end side wall 14 of relatively shorter length than the back wall. However, it will be seen that the end portions of the wall 12 and wall 14 have a similar configuration, for a purpose which will later be described.

The auxiliary frame B comprises a generally rectangular frame which is constructed from a suitable, preferably metallic resilient strap material which is bent or otherwise fabricated to provide relatively long bottom and top sides 15 and 16, respectively, which extend between relatively short inner and outer end sides 17 and 18, respectively.

The auxiliary frame B is anchored to the frame structure A so as to project therefrom, the inner end side 17 being sandwiched between a pair of end walls 19 and 20 which span the space between the back wall 12 and end side wall 14 and are bonded or otherwise secured thereto so as to provide a rigid support.

The strap material from which the frame B is formed is overlapped in its end portions to provide at the top side 16 a pair of cooperatively associated first and second finger members 21 and 22, respectively. The member 21 being at the anchored end of the frame B is substantially rigid, while the member 22 is arranged to be resiliently pressed against the upper surface of the member 21. Resiliently applied pressure is obtained by constructing the outer end side 18 of the frame so as to be longitudinally bowed. v 7

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tape C is fed from the roll 11 in a feeding direction so as to pass between the confronting end surface faces of the first and second finger members. The roll 11 is rotatably carried by a projecting pin 23 on the back wall 12, this pin being aligned substantially with the extended plane of the movement path of the tape between the members 21 and 22. The pin 23 is positioned within a circular opening of a ring core member on which the tape is wound into a roll so that with the periphery at the left side of the roll positioned between the walls 12 and 14, the tape C may be stripped from the roll which will be free to rotate in a position normally above the bottom wall 13.

As previously explained, the tape C is provided with an adhesive on one surface. In feeding the tape from the roll, the opposite non-adhesive surface of the tape is carried over the upper surface of the member 21 which forms a support for the tape. The upper exposed adhesive surface 25 (FIG. 2) is exposed, and at the outer end portion of the member 21, the adhesive face of the tape C will be pressure engaged with an adjacent surface portion 26 of the member 22.

inwardly of the surface portion 26, the end terminal portion of the finger member 22 is arched away from the finger 21 to provide a tape-looping area or space 28 which is in communication with an entrance opening 29 formed by virtue of the spaced position of the end terminus 30 from the adjacent tape.

The inner end portion of the member 22 and the adjacent edges of the walls 12 and 14 cooperate to provide an article receiving station as generally indicated at 31. For guiding the article or packaging material into engagement with an exposed adhesive surface of the tape C, the inner end portion of the finger 22 is inclined as indicated at 32 towards the tape, while the walls 12 and 14 are provided with inclined edge portions as indicated at 33.

Referring to FIGS. 3A to 3D, inclusive, the operation of the mechanism will now be described more fully. As shown in FIG. 3A, the article or material to be banded is positioned in the receiving station 31. In this case the material is shown as comprising a gathered plastic material 34 which may comprise the open end of a bag, or gathered ends of a plastic sheet. The material is brought into engagement with the exposed adhesive surface of the tape at the receiving station, and then the adhered material and tape are moved as a unit under the end terminus 30 of the member 22 so as to carry the material into the tape-looping area 28 and at the same time begin to upwardly loop the tape as indicated at 35 away from the adjacent surface of the member 21. During this movement of the material and tape in a feeding direction, it will be appreciated that the leading end portion of the tape is adhesively anchored to the adjacent surface of the member 22. During this feeding movement, it will of course be evident that the tape will be fed from the tape roll 1 1.

As shown in FIG. 3B, as more tape is fed into the looping area 28, the size of the loop portion as indicated at 35' will be increased and caused to adhere to the adjacent surface of the arched portion 27. It will also be apparent from this view that the tape ahead of the accumulating material 34 in the looping area will cause the tape to begin to be reversely looped so as to bring the non-adhesive adjacent surfaces of the loop into engagement as best shown in FIG. 3C.

As shown in FIG. 3C, the compacting of the material 34 within the looping area 28 will cause the finger 22 to resiliently flex away from the finger 21, and as the compacted material is further moved in a feeding direction along the upper surface of the member 21, the tape portions on opposite sides of the material will be successively adhesively applied to form a circling band. During this operation, the tape on one side will be stripped away from the adjacent surface of the member 22, while on the other side the additionally required tape will be supplied from the roll 1 1.

As shown in FIG. 3D, the thus banded material 34 is now moved along the underside of member 22 until it abuts the outer end side 18 of the frame B. It will be noted that this position of abutment determines the length of outwardly projecting adhered end portions of the binding, as indicated at 36 and 37. By now swinging the material and encircling band of tape with a translatory movement away from the member 22 to a position as indicated in phantom lines, the end portion 37 will be severed by converging cutting edges 38a and 38b (FIG. 2) formed at the outer end terminus of the member 21. Having thus severed the tape, the member 22 is now permitted to resiliently move into adhesive engagement with the leading end of the tape for repeating the binding operation.

If it is desired to cut off the article material on one side of the band, this can be readily accomplished by means of a cutting edge 39 formed at the right end of the wall 12, as viewed in FIG. 1.

From the foregoing description and drawings, it will be clearly evident that the delineated objects and features of the invention will be accomplished.

Various modifications may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention, and hence, I do not wish to be restricted to the specific forms shown or uses mentioned except to the extent indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an article packaging mechanism utilizing an adhesive tape:

a. a frame structure;

b. means for rotatably supporting a tape supply roll on said frame;

c. a pair of oppositely extending axially aligned first and second finger members carried by said frame and being positioned with their adjacent end portions in overlapped relation, said members having confronting surfaces normally resiliently urged towards each other and providing a feed path therebetween for tape from said supply roll, and said second finger member being deformed in its end terminus portion to provide a looping space for the tape;

d. said tape having a non-adhesive side facing the confronting surface of the first finger member, and an adhesive bearing side facing the confronting surface of the second finger and to which it will be grippingly adhered;

e. an article, receiving station adjacent the end terminus of the second finger member for receiving the article into adhering gripped relation with an exposed portion of the adhesive side of said tape, whereby the article and tape may be advanced in a tape feed direction into said feed path between the first and second fingers so as to loop the tape into an adhesively secured band around the article and in which said band has outwardly projecting end portions; and

f. a cutter adjacent the end terminus of said first finger member for severing the projecting end portions.

2. An article packaging mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the deformed portion of said second finger member is arched away from the adjacent face of the first finger member.

3. In an article packaging mechanism utilizing an adhesive tape: i i

a. a frame structure;

b. means for rotatably supporting a tape supply roll on said frame;

c. a pair of oppositely extending axially aligned first and second finger members carried by said frame and being positioned with their adjacent end portions in overlapped relation, said members having confronting surfaces normally resiliently urged towards each other and providing a feed path therebetween for tape from said supply roll, said finger members comprising the ends of an elongate strap which is formed into a substantially rectangular loop with the fingers positioned on a long side thereof; a a

d. means for anchoring a short side of said loop to said frame structure;

e. said tape having a non-adhesive side facing the confronting surface of the first finger member, and an adhesive bearing side facing the confronting surface of the second finger and to which it will be grippingly adhered;

f. an article receiving station adjacent the end terminus of the second finger member for receiving the article into adhering gripped relation with an exposed portion of the adhesive side of said tape, whereby the article and tape may be advanced in a tape feed direction into said feed path between the first and second fingers so as to loop the tape into an adhesively secured band around the article and in which said band has outwardly projecting end portions; and

g. a cutter adjacent the end terminus of said first finger member for severing the projecting end portions.

4. An article packaging mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the short side opposite the anchored short side is outwardly bowed.

Claims (4)

1. In an article packaging mechanism utilizing an adhesive tape: a. a frame structure; b. means for rotatably supporting a tape supply roll on said frame; c. a pair of oppositely extending axially aligned first and second finger members carried by said frame and being positioned with their adjacent end portions in overlapped relation, said members having confronting surfaces normally resiliently urged towards each other and providing a feed path therebetween for tape from said supply roll, and said second finger member being deformed in its end terminus portion to provide a looping space for the tape; d. said tape having a non-adhesive side facing the confronting surface of the first finger member, and an adhesive bearing side facing the confronting surface of the second finger and to which it will be grippingly adhered; e. an article receiving station adjacent the end terminus of the second finger member for receiving the article into adhering gripped relation with an exposed portion of the adhesive side of said tape, whereby the article and tape may be advanced in a tape feed direction into said feed path between the first and second fingers so as to loop the tape into an adhesively secured band around the article and in which said band has outwardly projecting end portions; and f. a cutter adjacent the end terminus of said first finger member for severing the projecting end portions.

2. An article packaging mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the deformed portion of said second finger member is arched away from the adjacent face of the first finger member.

3. In an article packaging mechanism utilizing an adhesive tape: a. a frame structure; b. means for rotatably supporting a tape supply roll on said frame; c. a pair of oppositely extending axially aligned first and second finger members carried by said frame and being positioned with their adjacent end portions in overlapped relation, said members having confronting surfaces normally resiliently urged towards each other and providing a feed path therebetween for tape from said supply roll, said finger members comprising the ends of an elongate strap which is formed into a substantially rectangular loop with the fingers positioned on a long side thereof; d. means for anchoring a short side of said loop to said frame structure; e. said tape having a non-adhesive side facing the confronting surface of the first finger member, and an adhesive bearing side facing the confronting surface of the second finger and to which it will be grippingly adhered; f. an article receiving station adjacent the end terminus of the second finger member for receiving the article into adhering gripped relation with an exposed portion of the adhesive side of said tape, whereby the article and tape may be advanced in a tape feed direction into said feed path between the first and second fingers so as to loop the tape into an adhesively secured band around the article and in which said band has outwardly projecting end portions; and g. a cutter adjacent the end terminus of said first finger member for severing the projecting end portions.

4. An article packaging mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the short side opposite the anchored short side is outwardly bowed.

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