Automatic tape dispensing system

Abstract

An automatic tape dispenser including a controller, a reel for supporting tape roll thereon, and a feed system configured to receive the tape and peel the tape from the tape roll. The system further includes a sensor communicatively coupled to the controller, wherein the sensor is operable to detect a characteristic of the tape such that in response to detecting the characteristic, an operation of the feed system is adjusted.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An automatic tape dispensing system, comprising:
 a reel assembly rotatably supporting a roll of tape and comprising a reel configured to move along a track in response to tape being dispensed from the automatic tape dispensing system; and   a controller communicatively coupled to a sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to sense a tape characteristic;
 wherein the controller is configured to adjust an operation of the reel assembly in response to sensing the tape characteristic. 
   
     
     
         2 . The automatic tape dispensing system of  claim 1 , wherein the tape characteristic is a length of the tape or a width of the tape. 
     
     
         3 . The automatic tape dispensing system of  claim 1 , wherein the operation of the reel assembly is a speed of the reel assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The automatic tape dispensing system of  claim 1 , further comprising a feed system configured to peel and receive tape from a tape roll. 
     
     
         5 . The automatic tape dispensing system of  claim 4 , wherein at least a portion of the track has an arcuate path. 
     
     
         6 . The automatic tape dispensing system of  claim 5 , further comprising a deck configured to support the roll of tape, wherein the deck exerts a normal force in a direction perpendicular to a point where the roll of tape contacts the deck. 
     
     
         7 . The automatic tape dispensing system of  claim 6 , wherein a second end of the track is between the feed system and a first end of the track. 
     
     
         8 . The automatic tape dispensing system of  claim 7 , wherein the feed system comprises a tape support deck, a push roller, and a feed roller. 
     
     
         9 . The automatic tape dispensing system of  claim 8 , wherein the feed system further comprises a motor assembly configured to drive the feed roller and advance tape through the automatic tape dispensing system. 
     
     
         10 . The automatic tape dispensing system of  claim 9 , wherein the reel assembly includes an outer reel disposed over and around an inner reel. 
     
     
         11 . An automatic tape dispensing system, comprising:
 a track comprising a first end and a second end;   a reel assembly comprising a roll of tape and an outer reel disposed around an inner reel, wherein the reel assembly is configured to between the first end of the track and the second end of the track in response to tape being dispensed from the automatic tape dispensing system; and   a controller communicatively coupled to a sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to sense a length of the tape or a width of the tape.   
     
     
         12 . The automatic tape dispensing system of  claim 11 , wherein the controller is configured to adjust an operation of the reel assembly in response to sensing the length of the tape or the width of the tape. 
     
     
         13 . The automatic tape dispensing system of  claim 12 , wherein the operation of the reel assembly is a speed of the reel assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The automatic tape dispensing system of  claim 11 , further comprising a deck configured to support the roll of tape, wherein the deck exerts a normal force in a direction perpendicular to a point where the roll of tape contacts the deck. 
     
     
         15 . The automatic tape dispensing system of  claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the track has an arcuate path. 
     
     
         16 . An automatic tape dispensing system, comprising:
 a reel assembly rotatably supporting a roll of tape and comprising a reel configured to move along a track in response to tape being dispensed from the automatic tape dispensing system;   a controller configured to adjust a speed of the reel assembly in response to an input from a sensor; and   a deck configured to support the roll of tape, wherein the deck exerts a normal force in a direction perpendicular to a point where the roll of tape contacts the deck.   
     
     
         17 . The automatic tape dispensing system of  claim 16 , wherein the sensor is configured to sense a tape characteristic. 
     
     
         18 . The automatic tape dispensing system of  claim 17 , wherein the tape characteristic is a length of the tape or a width of the tape. 
     
     
         19 . The automatic tape dispensing system of  claim 16 , further comprising a feed system configured to peel and receive tape from a tape roll. 
     
     
         20 . The automatic tape dispensing system of  claim 19 , wherein the feed system comprises a tape support deck, a push roller, and a feed roller.