This disclosure relates to tape dispensers, and more particularly, to automatic tape dispensers, and even more particularly, to automatic tape dispensers configured to automatically dispense measured lengths of tape for a user.
Common tape dispensing devices require users to manually grasp a portion of the tape, pull it from its roll, and tear it across a serrated edge of the dispenser. In certain devices, however, dispensing of the tape from the device is automated, which upon actuation, causes a predetermined length of tape to feed out from the device. In many of these devices, it is oftentimes still necessary to manually grasp the dispensed tape and pull it across a cutting edge. Furthermore, such devices are susceptible to malfunction due to ineffective tensioning of the tape and are costly to maintain. There is a need to provide an automatic tape dispenser to overcome these and other challenges.
According to a first aspect, there is provided an automatic tape dispensing system including a feed system having a plurality of rollers, the feed system configured for peeling tape from a tape roll and dispensing the tape from the dispensing system. The system includes a reel for supporting the tape thereon and a track supporting the reel. The track extends from a first upper end to a second lower end, the reel movable from the upper end to the lower end in response to tape being dispensed from the system in order to maintain a desired tension on the tape roll.
In one embodiment, the track arcuately extends from the first end to the second end.
In another embodiment, the reel is mounted on a shaft, the shaft having ends disposed within the track.
In still other embodiments, the second end of the track is between the feed system and the first end.
In yet other embodiments, the system further includes microcontroller, the microcontroller configured to vary the speed of the motor.
In other embodiments, the system further includes a removable cover enclosing the feed system.
In still other embodiments, the track is formed on a top surface of the removable cover.
In other embodiments, the system includes a motor for driving the plurality of rollers.
In yet other embodiments, the system includes microcontroller, the microcontroller configured to receive a user input for the selected length of tape output.
According to a second aspect, there is provided a tape dispenser system including a feed system, a track and a reel for supporting the tape thereon, the reel movable from a first end of the track to the second end of the track in response to tape being dispensed from the dispenser system.
In some embodiments, the first end of the track end is higher than the second end of the track.
In other embodiments, the track arcuately extends from a first end to a second end.
In still other embodiments, the reel is mounted on a shaft, the shaft having ends disposed within the track.
In yet another embodiment, the second end of the track is between the feed system and the first end.
In still other embodiments, the system includes a microcontroller configured to vary the speed of the motor.
In another embodiment, the system includes a removable cover enclosing the feed system.
In yet other embodiments, the controller configured to record the number of cycles of the dispenser.
In still other embodiments, the system further includes a memory, the memory configured to store a plurality of operating modes.
In some embodiments, operating modes are user selected.
In still other embodiments, the controller is operable between an operational mode and a diagnostics mode.
According to a third aspect, there is provided a method of using a tape dispenser, the tape dispenser including a feed system, a track, and a reel for supporting the tape thereon, the reel being movable from a first end of the track to the second end of the track in response to tape being dispensed from the dispenser system. The method includes providing a scanner on the tape dispenser, the scanner operable to read a predetermined pattern, the predetermined pattern indicative of one or more operational parameters of the tape dispenser. The method further includes reading, by the scanner, the predetermined pattern. in response to reading the predetermined pattern, adjusting the one or more operational parameters such that upon dispensing tape from the tape dispenser, the tape dispenser operates according to the one or more operational parameter.
According to some embodiments, in response to reading the predetermined pattern, the length of tape to be dispensed is adjusted.
In other embodiments, in response to reading the predetermined pattern, the speed of the tape being dispensed is adjusted.
The accompanying drawings facilitate an understanding of the various embodiments.
Like elements are labeled using like numerals.
Referring to the embodiment illustrated in
In the embodiment illustrated in
Referring to
With continued reference to
Referring to
Referring now to
According to embodiments disclosed herein, the shape of the tape support deck 62 coupled with the shape of the track 54 enables the location of the normal position and direction force F to vary in direct response to the diameter of the tape roll 74, and thus, the position of the reel 28. For example, as the diameter of the tape decreases, the point of contact of the on the tape support deck 62 varies and the position of the shaft 60 within the track varies to maintain the appropriate and desired tension on the tape as it is pulled and/or otherwise peeled away from the tape roll 74.
With reference to
With continued reference to
The counter 112 is operable to count either up to or down from a predetermined number of cycles. For example, the system 10 may be programmed to alert the user that maintenance is necessary after 50 k cycles. As such, the counter 112 would track the cycles and once the predetermined number of cycles has occurred, the controller 72 can send a signal to display an alert to the user, either via the user interface 114 and additionally and/or alternatively, via an audible alert or other indicators (i.e., a blinking light, system shut down, etc.). In addition, the counter 112 is operable to keep track of production.
In the embodiment illustrated in
In certain embodiments, the dispensing system 10 is operable to be placed between an operational mode, for normal dispensing of tape, and a maintenance or diagnostic mode, for testing and diagnostics. In the maintenance mode, the controller 72 performs self-diagnostic routines to detect the condition and operation of components such as, for example, a feed motor, a cutter motor, an auto feed sensor, the user interface 114, and certain functionality of the circuit board.
According to certain embodiments, the tape dispensing system can be battery operated or supplied with ac power via a power cord 100, as best illustrated in
Embodiments disclosed herein also provide a method of using a tape dispenser system 10, the tape dispenser 10 including a feed system 52, a track 54, and a reel 28 for supporting the tape thereon. In operation, the reel 28 is movable from the first end 56 of the track 54 to the second end 58 of the track in response to tape being dispensed from the dispenser system 10. The method includes, in part, the steps of providing a scanner or other detection device 116 on the tape dispenser 10, the scanner 116 operable to read a predetermined pattern indicative (e.g., a barcode, QR code, etc.) of or corresponding to one or more operational parameters (e.g., speed, length of tape to be dispenses, etc.) of the tape dispenser 10. The method further includes reading, by the scanner 116, the predetermined pattern and in response to reading the predetermined pattern, adjusting the one or more operational parameters such that upon dispensing tape from the tape dispenser 10, the tape dispenser 10 operates according to the one or more operational parameter.
In the foregoing description of certain embodiments, specific terminology has been resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes other technical equivalents, which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose.
In the specification and claims, the word “comprising” is to be understood in its “open” sense, that is, in the sense of “including”, and thus not limited to its “closed” sense, that is the sense of “consisting only of”. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words “comprise”, “comprised” and “comprises” where they appear.
In addition, the foregoing describes only some embodiments of the invention(s), and alterations, modifications, additions and/or changes can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosed embodiments, the embodiments being illustrative and not restrictive.
Furthermore, invention(s) have described in connection with what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the invention(s), as defined solely by the appended claims. Also, the various embodiments described above may be implemented in conjunction with other embodiments, e.g., aspects of one embodiment may be combined with aspects of another embodiment to realize yet other embodiments. Further, each independent feature or component of any given assembly may constitute an additional embodiment.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2591559 | Krueger | Apr 1952 | A |
2777594 | Krueger | Jan 1957 | A |
3770222 | Jespersen | Nov 1973 | A |
3802309 | Bosland | Apr 1974 | A |
4383657 | Suh | May 1983 | A |
5628474 | Krueger | May 1997 | A |
5934535 | Kannankeril | Aug 1999 | A |
6279806 | Simhaee | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6488222 | West | Dec 2002 | B1 |
6561403 | Kannankeril | May 2003 | B1 |
6672532 | Huang | Jan 2004 | B1 |
7069972 | Edelstein | Jul 2006 | B1 |
7398944 | Lewis | Jul 2008 | B2 |
8905283 | Tan | Dec 2014 | B2 |
20070125902 | Alalu | Jun 2007 | A1 |
20070193917 | Munoz | Aug 2007 | A1 |
20190092597 | Carrion | Mar 2019 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
202016103375 | Nov 2016 | DE |
102021200342 | Jul 2021 | DE |
0719720 | Jul 1996 | EP |
2969991 | Jul 2012 | FR |
2081219 | Feb 1982 | GB |
920004064 | Feb 2010 | KR |
20100002684 | Mar 2010 | KR |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20220194732 A1 | Jun 2022 | US |