U.S. patent application number 09/972890 was filed with the patent office on 2003-04-10 for automatic wrapping machine tape supporter.
Invention is credited to Lai, Chien-Fa.
Application Number | 20030066271 09/972890 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29216449 |
Filed Date | 2003-04-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030066271 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lai, Chien-Fa |
April 10, 2003 |
Automatic wrapping machine tape supporter
Abstract
An automatic wrapper machine tape supporter includes a base
member, an inverted U-shaped wrapping tape guide, a reversing
device, a drive device and a cam. The base member is mounted in the
wrapper machine and a frame mounted upright on the base member. The
inverted U-shaped wrapping tape guide is mounted in the frame. The
reversing device is mounted on one side of the wrapping tape guide.
The drive device is mounted under the frame and connected to the
reversing device. The cam is rotatably mounted on the base member
and driven by a motor to drive the drive device for horizontally
pulling out the wrapping tape guide so that the tape is released
from the wrapping tape guide and is wrapped on an object. The
reversing device can make the wrapping tape guide moved back to an
original position for next wrapping action.
Inventors: |
Lai, Chien-Fa; (Taichung,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROSENBERG, KLEIN & LEE
3458 ELLICOTT CENTER DRIVE-SUITE 101
ELLICOTT CITY
MD
21043
US
|
Family ID: |
29216449 |
Appl. No.: |
09/972890 |
Filed: |
October 10, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/589 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 13/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/589 |
International
Class: |
B65B 013/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An automatic wrapping machine tape supporter comprising: a base
member including a first side plate and a second side plate
parallel to each other, the base member including a cam rotatably
mounted on an outer periphery of the first side plate; a frame
mounted upright on the base member and having an open end adapted
to be mounted on the automatic wrapping machine, the frame having a
vertical side perpendicular to the base member and a skirt
perpendicularly extending from an outer edge of the vertical side
of the frame; a wrapping tape guide mounted upright on the base
member within the frame, the wrapping tape guide having a shape
corresponding to that of the frame, a transverse guide slot defined
in the wrapping tape guide and adapted to receive a wrapping tape
in the wrapping tape guide; a reversing device mounted on and
within the frame, the reversing device including: multiple
reversing springs each having two opposite ends respectively
secured on the vertical side of the frame and the wrapping tape
guide; a first bolt attached to a top of the wrapping tape guide; a
first idle pulley with an annular groove pivotally mounted on the
skirt of the frame near the bolt; two second idle pulleys
respectively pivotally mounted on two opposite ends of one vertical
side of the frame, each of the second pulleys having an annular
groove defined to corresponding to each other; an L-shaped bracket
including a first side attached to the outer side of the first side
plate and a second side having a sheave pivotally mounted on the
L-shaped plate; and a cable having a first end mounted on the first
bolt and a second end, the cable detouring the first idle pulley
and the two second idle pulley; a drive device mounted on the first
side plate of the base member, the drive device including: at least
one first stud perpendicularly attached to a front vertical edge of
the first side plate; an L-shaped drive plate mounted on the first
side plate, the L-shaped drive plate having a first side attached
to a bottom of the wrapping tape guide and a second side
selectively abutting the front vertical edge of the first side
plate, the L-shaped drive plate penetrated by the stud so that the
L-shaped drive plate slides on the stud; and a latch perpendicular
attached to the second side of the L-shaped drive plate and a nut
and bolt combination perpendicularly attached to the latch; a
linkage assembly mounted on the base member and including: a drive
arm having a first end pivotally connected to the outer periphery
of the first side plate of the base member and the second end of
the cable attached to the linkage after detouring the sheave and a
second end having a groove defined to receive the nut and bolt
combination of the drive device; a drive arm spring having two
opposite ends respectively secured on the first side plate and the
drive arm; and a wheel pivotally mounted on the drive arm and
always abutting the cam due to the restitution force of the drive
arm spring so that the drive arm is driven by the cam when the cam
is rotated.
2. The automatic wrapping machine tape supporter as claimed in
claim 1, wherein the frame is inverted U-shaped and the reversing
spring secured on each corner of the frame.
3. The automatic wrapping machine tape supporter as claimed in
claim 1, wherein the comprises: a second stud attached to a front
vertical side of the second side plate; a connecting plate having a
first side attached to the bottom of the wrapping tape guide and a
second side penetrated by the second stud and selectively abutting
the front vertical side of the second side plate; and a U-shaped
connecting rod having two ends respectively attached to the
connecting plate and the drive plate to make the connecting plate
and the drive plate moved together.
4. The automatic wrapping machine tape supporter as claimed in
claim 1, wherein the linkage comprises: an inclined portion with a
first end pivotally connected to the outer periphery of the first
side plate to connect the drive arm to the base member; a
horizontal portion extending from a second end of the inclined
portion; and a vertical portion extending another end of the
horizontal portion of the linkage and having a free end defining a
groove to movably receive the nut and bolt combination that is
attached to the second plate.
5. The automatic wrapper machine tape supporter as claimed in claim
4, wherein the wheel is rotatably mounted on the inclined portion
of the linkage and the drive arm spring has one end attached to the
inclined portion of the linkage.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a tape supporter, and more
particularly to tape supporter for an automatic wrapping
machine.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] With reference to FIG. 6, a conventional automatic wrapping
machine tape supporter in accordance with the prior art comprises a
base (70), a U-shaped frame (71), a tape rail (74), a connector
(72) and a drive assembly. The U-shaped frame (71) is mounted on
the base (70). The U-shaped frame (71) is an inverted "U" with a
continuous upper portion and an open bottom portion. The connector
(72) is pivotally attached to the upper portion of the frame (71)
by two connector pins (73). A tilt rod (721) is pivotally mounted
on one end of the connector (72) and an L-shaped tilt rod (722) is
pivotally mounted on the other end of the connector (72). The free
end of the L-shaped tilt rod (722) extends to a lower portion of
the frame (71) and is directed inward relative to the frame (21).
The tape rail (74) has two parallel vertical sides respectively
attached to the rods (721, 722) by two pivot pins (75) that align
with each other near the upper portion of the tape rail (74). The
shape of the tape rail (74) corresponds to the frame (71), and the
tape rail (74) has two opposite ends directed toward each
other.
[0005] The drive assembly comprises a rocker arm (77), a cam (82)
and two springs (76, 78). The first spring (76) has two ends
respectively attached to the base (70) and a horizontal portion of
the L-shaped rod (722). The rocker arm (77) has one end pivotally
connected to the wrapping machine by a first pin (79). The second
spring (78) has two opposite ends respectively attached to the
horizontal portion of the L-shaped tilt rod (722) and one end of
the rocker arm (77) opposite to the first pin (79). A roller (80)
is rotatably mounted on a middle portion of the rocker arm (77) and
faces the tape rail (74). A cam (82) is rotatably mounted in the
wrapping machine by a second axle (81) and is driven by the second
axle (81). The roller (80) abuts an eccentric edge of the cam (82)
so that rocker arm (77) is driven by the cam (82).
[0006] The cam (82) pushes the roller (80) that is mounted on the
rocker arm (77) when the wrapping machine prepares to wrap an
object, thereby the upper portion of the arm (77) is moved away
from the base (70) and pulls the second spring (78). Then the
second spring (78) pulls the L-shaped tilt rod (722) of the
connector (72) that swings corresponding to the first connector pin
(73) and towards the rocker arm (77) to pull the first spring (76).
At the same time, the tape rail (74) moves towards the rocker arm
(77) because the tape rail (74) is pivotally mounted on the tilt
rods (721, 722). Consequently, the wrapping tape (not shown) will
release from the tape rail (74) to wrap an object that is set on
the base (70).
[0007] After the wrapping tape wraps around the object, the cam
(82) is driven by the second axle (81) to make a lip (not numbered)
on the cam (82) abut the roller (80). Then the connector (72) moves
back to the original position due to the restitution force of the
first spring (76), and the tape rail (74) moves back to the
original position because the tape rail (74) is pivotally attached
to the connector (72) to prepare for the next wrapping
sequence.
[0008] The wrapping machine can wrap an object with the
conventional tape supporter. However, the conventional automatic
wrapping machine tape supporter has the following
disadvantages:
[0009] 1. The first spring and the second spring will lose their
elasticity when used for a long time. Then the movement of the
connector and the tape rail will not be reliable.
[0010] 2. The connector is pivotally mounted on the frame, and the
tape rail is pivotally mounted on the connector. Consequently, the
connector and the tape rail will rock when wrapping.
[0011] The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate
the disadvantages of the conventional tape supporter of an
automatic wrapping machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The main objective of the present invention is to provide an
improved automatic wrapping machine tape supporter that has stable
movement during wrapping operations.
[0013] To achieve the objective, the automatic wrapper machine tape
supporter in accordance with the present invention comprises a base
member mounted in the wrapper machine and a frame mounted upright
on the base member. An inverted U-shaped wrapping tape guide is
mounted in the frame. A reversing device is mounted on one side of
the wrapping tape guide. A drive device is mounted under the frame
and connected to the reversing device. A cam is pivotally mounted
on the base member and driven by a motor to drive the drive device
to horizontally pull out the wrapping tape guide so that the tape
releases from the wrapping tape guide and is wrapped around an
object. The reversing device can make the wrapping tape guide move
back to an original position for next wrapping sequence.
[0014] Further benefits and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed
description with appropriate reference to the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of an automatic
wrapping machine tape supporter in accordance with the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a partial front plan view of automatic wrapping
machine tape supporter in accordance with the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the
automatic wrapping machine tape supporter in FIG. 2;
[0018] FIG. 4 is an operational side plan view in partial section
of the automatic wrapping machine tape supporter in FIG. 1 showing
the raised portion of the cam abutting the wheel;
[0019] FIG. 5 is an operational side plan view in partial section
of the automatic wrapping machine tape supporter in FIG. 1 showing
the lower portion of the cam abutting the wheel; and
[0020] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a conventional automatic
wrapping machine tape supporter in accordance with the prior
art.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] With reference to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1 and
2, an automatic wrapping machine tape supporter in accordance with
the present invention comprises a base member (10), an inverted
U-shaped frame (21), a guide (30), a reversing device (not
numbered), a drive device (50) and a linkage assembly (60). The
inverted U-shaped frame (21) is mounted upright to the base member
(10). The guide (30) is mounted upright to the base member and
within the frame (21). The reversing device is mounted within the
frame (21). The drive device (50) and the linkage assembly (60) are
mounted on the base member (10).
[0022] The base member (10) is adapted to be mounted in the
automatic wrapping machine and includes a first side plate (11) and
a second side plate (110) facing and parallel to each other. A cam
axle (13) is rotatably attached to and extends perpendicular
through the first side plate (11). The cam axle (13) has a first
end and a second end. The first end of the cam axle (13) is
situated between the two side plates (11, 110) and adapted to be
connected to a reduction gear set (not shown) that is driven by a
motor (not shown). A cam (12) is securely attached to the second
end of the cam axle (13). A holder (14) has two opposite sides
respectively mounted on the top of each of the two side plates (11,
110).
[0023] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the inverted U-shaped frame
(21) has an open end adapted to be mounted on the automatic
wrapping machine (not shown). The cross section of the frame is
L-shaped. The frame (21) has a vertical side perpendicular to the
base member (10) and a skirt (not numbered) perpendicularly
extending from an outer edge of the vertical side of the frame
(21).
[0024] The wrapping tape guide (30) has a shape corresponding to
that of the frame (21) but has rounded corners (not numbered). The
wrapping tape guide (30) has two opposite ends directed toward each
other and respectively mounted on top of the corresponding side
plates (11, 110) of the base member (10). A transverse guide slot
(301) is defined in the wrapping tape guide (30) for receiving a
wrapping tape (100). The transverse guide slot (301) has a shape
corresponding to that of the wrapping tape guide (30).
[0025] The reversing device is mounted on and within the frame (21)
between the skirt of the frame (21) and the wrapping tape guide
(30). The wrapping tape guide (30) has multiple rounded corners
each having a first bolt (41) attached to an outer periphery of the
wrapping tape guide (30). Each of multiple reversing springs (42)
has one end attached to the frame (21) and the other attached to a
first bolt (41). The wrapping tape guide (30) includes a horizontal
portion having a second bolt (43) attached to the wrapping tape
guide (30) opposite to the base member (10) and near the middle of
the horizontal portion of the wrapping tape guide (30). A first
idle pulley (44) with an annular groove (not numbered) is mounted
on the skirt at the top of the frame (21) near the second bolt
(43). One vertical side of the frame (21) includes two opposite
ends each having a second idle pulley (45) with an annular groove
(not shown) attached to the first side of the frame (21) between
the wrapping tape guide (30) and the second side of the frame (21).
A cable (46) has a first end connected to the second bolt (43) and
a second end attached to the linkage assembly (60) that is
pivotally mounted on the first side plate (11). Between the linkage
assembly (60) and the second bolt (43), the cable (46) is sleeved
around the first idle pulley (44) and the two second idle pulleys
(45) to be clear of the wrapping tape guide (30).
[0026] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 5, the drive device (50) is
mounted on the first side plate (11) of the base member (10) under
the frame (21). The drive device (50) comprises an L-shaped bracket
(51), a sheave (51), two first studs (53), a second stud (54),
multiple bushings (55), an L-shaped connecting plate (56), an
L-shaped drive plate (57), a U-shaped connecting rod (58) and a
latch (59). One side of the L-shaped bracket (51) is attached to
the outer side of the first side plate (11), and the sheave (52) is
rotatably mounted on the other side the bracket (51) of the drive
device (50). The first and second side plates (11, 110) each
includes a front vertical edge. Two first studs (53) are
perpendicularly attached to the front vertical edge of the first
side plate (11) and a second stud (54) is perpendicularly attached
to the front vertical edge of the second side plate (110). Each of
the first and second studs (53, 54) extends through a bushing (55)
so that the bushings (55) are respectively slidably mounted around
a corresponding one of the first and second studs (53, 54). The
L-shaped connecting plate (56) is mounted on a top of the second
side plate (110) of the base member (10). The connecting plate (56)
has a first side attached to a bottom the wrapping tape guide (30)
and a second side selectively abutting the front vertical edge of
the second side plate (110) of the base member (10). The second
stud (54) extends through the connecting plate (56) after extending
through the bushing (55) so that the second side of the connecting
plate (56) can slide on the second stud (54). An L-shaped drive
plate (57) has a first side attached to the bottom of the wrapping
tape guide (30) and a second side selectively abutting the front
vertical edge of the first side plate (11) of the base member (10).
The two first studs (53) extend through the second side of the
drive plate (57) after extending through the bushings (55) so that
the second side of the drive plate (57) can slide on the two first
studs (53). The U-shaped connecting rod (58) has two opposite ends
respectively attached to the connecting plate (56) and the drive
plate (57) to make the connecting plate (56) and the drive plate
(57) move together. The drive plate (57) includes a latch (59)
perpendicularly attached to the second side of the drive plate (57)
and a nut and bolt combination (66) perpendicularly attached to the
latch (59).
[0027] The linkage assembly (60) mounted on the outer periphery of
the first side plate (11) near the cam (12). The linkage (60)
includes a pivoting drive arm (not numbered), a drive arm spring
(63), a cable anchor (64) and a wheel (65). The pivoting drive arm
has an inclined portion (62), a horizontal portion (600) and a
vertical portion (61). The inclined portion (62) has two ends with
one end pivotally connected to the first side plate (11). The
horizontal portion (600) laterally extends from the end of the
inclined portion (62) opposite to the pivotally attached end, and
the vertical portion (61) extends perpendicular from the other end
of the horizontal portion (600). A groove (67) is longitudinally
defined in a top of the vertical portion (61) of the drive arm to
receive the nut and bolt combination (66) so that the nut and bolt
combination (66) can move in the groove (67) when the drive arm is
driven. A cable anchor (64) is attached to the horizontal portion
(600) to hold the second end of the cable (46) in place after the
cable (46) runs around the sheave (52). A drive arm spring (63)
includes two ends, one secured on the first side plate (11) and the
other secured on the inclined portion (62) of the drive arm. A
wheel (65) is rotatably mounted on the inclined portion (62) of the
linkage (60) and always abuts the cam (12) due to the restitution
force of the drive arm spring (63) so that the drive arm is driven
by the cam (123) when the cam (12) is rotated.
[0028] With reference to FIG. 4, the cam (12) is rotated and pushes
the wheel (65) with a raised portion during wrapping. The linkage
(60) drive arm is pivoted outward to pull the drive plate (57) and
the connecting plate (56) because the nut and bolt combination (66)
is mounted on the drive plate (57) and is received in the groove
(67) in the vertical portion (61) of the drive arm. Then the
wrapping tape guide (30) is pulled outwardly by the drive plate
(57) and the connecting plate (56) because the first sides of the
drive plate (57) and the connecting plate (56) are attached to the
bottom of the wrapping tape guide (30). Further with reference to
FIGS. 2-3, the cable (46) is pulled simultaneously by the cable
anchor (64), and the second bolt (43) is pulled by the cable (46)
via the sheave (52), two second idle pulleys (45) and the first
idle pulley (44) so that the wrapping tape guide (30) is moved away
from the frame (21) and the wrapping tape (100) can escape from the
transverse guide slot (301) IN the wrapping tape guide (30)
speedily and smoothly.
[0029] The cam (12) is rotated to abut the wheel (65) with a
concave portion after wrapping. Then the linkage (60) and the
wrapping tape guide (30) are moved back to an original position due
the restitution force of the drive arm spring (63) and the
reversing spring (40) for the next wrapping sequence.
[0030] The automatic wrapping machine tape supporter in accordance
with the present invention has the following advantages.
[0031] 1. The movement of the wrapping tape guide (30) is reliable
even when used for a long time because the movement of the wrapping
tape guide (30) is controlled by the cam that does not suffer from
elastic fatigue of the springs in the conventional device.
[0032] 2. The wrapping tape guide (30) is securely mounted on the
drive device so that it will not rock when moving.
[0033] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its
preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that many other
possible modifications and variations can be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter
claimed.
* * * * *