Tape applying device

Abstract

A device for automatically applying a length of tape to a cardboard box includes a cut off arm that has a cutting disposition and a safety disposition. When an active cylinder included in the device is not active, the cut off arm is in a safety disposition. When the cylinder is active, the cut off arm is in a cutting disposition, and may swing to cut off a length of tape.

1 . A cartridge for use in a tape application device that applies a length of pressure sensitive adhesive-backed tape to a box moving along a path transverse an operational plane of the cartridge, the cartridge comprising:
 a body;   a tape cut off arm pivotably attached to the body and having a distal end;   a knife mounted toward the distal end of the tape cut off arm;   a first biasing mechanism coupled between the body and the tape cut off arm that holds the knife in a first position;   an active element coupled between the body and the tape cut off arm, that upon activation, applies a force to the cut off arm that counters the first biasing mechanism; and,   a second biasing mechanism that, upon application of the force, biases the cut off arm towards a second position.   
     
     
         2 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the active element is a pneumatic cylinder. 
     
     
         3 . The cartridge of  claim 2 , wherein the first biasing mechanism is within the pneumatic cylinder. 
     
     
         4 . The cartridge of  claim 3 , wherein the first biasing mechanism is a spring. 
     
     
         5 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the first position is a safety disposition, wherein the knife does not extend beyond the device's operational plane. 
     
     
         6 . The cartridge of  claim 5 , wherein the second position is a cutting disposition, wherein the knife extends beyond the device's operational plane. 
     
     
         7 . The cartridge of  claim 6 , wherein in cylinder has an active and inactive state, and in the inactive state, the first biasing mechanism holds the knife in the retracted position. 
     
     
         8 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second biasing mechanisms comprise springs. 
     
     
         9 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the wherein the active cylinder comprises a pneumatic cylinder. 
     
     
         10 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the active cylinder comprises an electric or hydraulic cylinder. 
     
     
         11 . The cartridge of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a controller communicatively coupled to a first sensor and the active cylinder.   
     
     
         12 . The cartridge of  claim 11 , wherein the controller, in response to signals from the first sensor indicative of the presence of the box, provides an activation signal that causes the active cylinder to activate, thereby either extending or retracting an associated piston, and thus moving the cut off arm from a safety disposition to a cutting disposition. 
     
     
         13 . The cartridge of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a length of pressure sensitive adhesive-backed tape and an applicator arm, both coupled to the body, wherein the applicator arm applies a length of pressure sensitive adhesive-backed tape to boxes moving transverse the application plane of the cartridge.   
     
     
         14 . The cartridge of  claim 13 , wherein the activation signal corresponds temporally with when the box is orthogonal to the application plane. 
     
     
         15 . The cartridge of  claim 14  wherein, while the box moves over the cartridge, the box is in mechanical communication with the tape cut off arm, and the presence of the box counters the second biasing mechanism, disallowing the second biasing mechanism from moving the cut off arm to the extended position. 
     
     
         16 . The cartridge of  claim 15 , wherein the box has a trailing edge, and wherein, upon the trailing edge moving away from the cartridge, the second biasing mechanism moves the cut off arm into the extended position, cutting the applied length of tape. 
     
     
         17 . The cartridge of  claim 16 , wherein, after the trailing edge has passed the cartridge, the controller is programmed to cause the active cylinder to cease activation. 
     
     
         18 . A cartridge for application of a length of tape to a box and having an operational plane, comprising:
 a body;   a cut off arm having a first state and a second state;   a cylinder coupled between the body and the cut off arm; and   wherein the cylinder, upon activation, moves the cut off arm between a first state and a second state, and wherein the first state holds the cut off arm within of the operational plane, and wherein the second state biases the cut off arm to extend beyond the operational plane; and,   and wherein, in the second state, a spring is used to bias the cut off arm to beyond the operational plane.