Patent Application
20200231400
The present invention concerns a machine for dispensing tape material, in particular adhesive tape for closing containers and the like.
It has been known the need of performing in semi-automatic or automatic way the closure of containers such as cardboard packaging and the like.
To this aim, machines are generally used that dispense tape material, for example a tape of gummed paper, to provide suitable strips of such tape material. The obtained strips are then applied, for example by hand, to the portions of the container to be closed.
A need of the field is to dispense strips of tape material of a length suitable for the size of the container to be closed. Therefore, tape material dispensing machines have been devised which allow the user to set the desired length of the strip.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,069,972 discloses an electric operation machine for dispensing tape material. The machine comprises a case which internally defines a housing chamber for a roller of tape material and shapes at a front portion an opening for the exit of strips of tape material unwound from the roller. A system of pulling rollers is placed between the housing chamber and the opening, predisposed to engage a portion of tape material unwinding from the reel and to direct it towards the above mentioned opening. At the opening, cut means are fixed, predisposed to separate the dispensed strip. At the top of the machine, a control panel is placed, being provided with a plurality of commands comprising at least one button to digit the length value of the desired strip of tape material and at least one button to operate in rotation the pulling rollers system.
A complained problem is that the operator shall set the length value of the strip of tape material according to the size of the container, every time that it is required. In particular, in the case of a considerable number of containers having size different from one another, the above mentioned operation shall be frequently repeated with a waste of time for the operator.
To solve the above mentioned problem, automatic machines have been devised for dispensing strips of tape material.
WO00/42195 discloses, for example, a machine for dispensing tape material comprising a measuring device predisposed to measure a dimension of the container to be closed, placed at abutment means which serve as spatial reference for the measuring device. The measuring device is associated with a receiving device provided with a processing unit predisposed to receive a signal from the measuring device and output the value of the measured length. The processing unit is connected with a dispensing device for tape material to which it transmits a command signal so as to dispense a strip of a length substantially equal to the measured length of the container. An example of automatic dispensing machine is also described in WO2011/075445. This patent discloses a method and an apparatus for sealing the junction portions and/or the ends of containers. The apparatus comprises a first arm and a second arm, suitably spaced, predisposed to keep aligned at least two adjacent panels of a container to be assembled so as to join the junction portion of the panels. A dispenser machine of tape material provided with a measuring sensor is associated with the arms. The measuring sensor is predisposed to measure the size of the junction portion or a dimension of a container placed between the sensor and the arms using one of the arms as a fixed spatial reference.
Besides the technologic development of the field, there still exists the need of having machines able to provide a more accurate and reliable measuring of the dimension/s of the container to be closed.
The task of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned problems, devising a machine which allows to perform in an optimal way the dispensing of strips of tape material for the closure of containers and the like.
Within such task, it is a further scope of the present invention that of providing a machine which allows to perform in an accurate manner the measuring of at least one dimension of the container to be closed.
Within such task, it is a further scope of the present invention to provide a machine which allows to dispense in an efficient manner strips of different kind of tape material.
A further scope of the present invention is to provide a machine for dispensing tape material which allows to increase productiveness.
A further scope of the present invention is to provide a machine for dispensing tape material of simple constructive and functional conception, provided with surely reliable functioning, versatile use as well as relatively economic cost.
The cited scopes are reached, according to the present invention, by the machine for dispensing tape material according to claim 1, as well as by the machine for dispensing tape material according claim 3, by the method according to claims 12 and 13, respectively.
The machine for dispensing tape material according to the invention comprises a feed roller configured to feed a tape material, unwinding it from a reel; cut means predisposed to perform the cut of the fed tape material; at least one measuring device for acquiring at least one figure correlatable with the measurement of the dimension of a body, for example a container, on which a strip of the above mentioned tape material is intended to be applied, having a length proportioned to the cited dimension to be measured; an auxiliary measuring device configured to cooperate with the above mentioned measuring device for acquiring a further figure correlatable with the above mentioned dimension of the container; transmission means for transmitting the above mentioned correlatable figures; a control unit comprising a receiving unit predisposed to receive the above mentioned transmitted figures, given by the measuring device and by the auxiliary measuring device, so as to determine the value of the above mentioned determined length and to control the dispensing of the above mentioned strip; command means for operating the controlled dispensing of the tape material, for example with the above mentioned length proportioned to the measured dimension of the container, and/or in a portion determined by the above mentioned proportioned length.
Each measuring device may comprise a transducer member predisposed to generate a signal addressed towards the container and to receive the signal reflected by the container; a control and processing unit connected with the transducer member, predisposed to control the emission of the above mentioned signal and to process said reflected signal so as to extract at least the cited figure correlatable with the above mentioned dimension of the container.
A feature of the machine according to the invention is to allow an accurate measuring of the value of at least one dimension of the container to be measured, thanks to the measuring device and to the auxiliary measuring device which cooperate for acquiring such value. In practice, the measuring device and the auxiliary measuring device output figures correlatable with the measurement of the cited dimension of the container, which are then integrated by the control unit. Therefore, the machine according to the invention comprises an accurate and reliable measuring system.
The use of the cited measuring devices allows as well an easier positioning of the container to be measured with respect to the machine, as it requires no further reference point. More precisely, the item or the container to be measured can simply be interposed between the measuring devices, that is placed in a relatively free manner in the working space, to allow an accurate measuring.
The machine may further comprise a supplementary command sensor for the dispensing of a completion portion of said tape material. The supplementary command sensor is configured for detecting an input signal and to convert it in an output signal addressed to the control unit, to perform the unwinding of a completion portion of the strip of tape material, in case the above mentioned unwinding occurs after the unwinding of a starting portion of the strip operated by the provided command means. The total sum of the starting portion with the completion portion extends for the above mentioned proportioned length, determined by the control unit of the machine.
The supplementary command sensor can advantageously be operated by exerting a pulling action on the starting portion already unwound upon command of the command means. In substance, the operator itself operates the gripping and the pulling of the above mentioned starting portion, for operating the unwinding of the completion portion.
The supplementary command sensor can preferably shape a photodetector sensor configured to detect a light signal and to convert it in an electric signal addressed to the control unit of the machine.
Moreover, the above mentioned photodetector sensor is preferably associated with a shutter member which can be operated by exerting the above mentioned pulling force on the starting portion unwound upon operation of the command means.
Preferably, the cited shutter member associated with the photodetector sensor comprises a lever member preferably associated with the case of the machine and handled further to the same traction action.
According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the machine may comprise substantially at least one measuring device of the previously presented type, cooperating with the supplementary command sensor, previously described, substantially to perform the dispensing into two parts, one of starting and the other of completion, of the required strip.
The machine further comprises, as in the preceding solution, a feed roller configured to feed a tape material, unwinding from a reel; cut means predisposed to perform the cutting of the fed tape material; a control unit comprising a receiving unit predisposed to receive the above mentioned figures output by the measuring device and by the auxiliary measuring device, to control the dispensing of the strip of tape material; command means for operating the dispensing of the tape material, in particular in the above mentioned starting portion, which represents a part of the strip.
This embodiment may comprise the previously disclosed specific features of the supplementary command sensor.
This embodiment, in particular, allows to dispense in optimal manner adhesive tape material, as the supplementary command sensor allows to complete in controlled manner the dispensing of the predetermined length of material, after the dispensing of a starting portion of material, and it can be firmly held by the operator or by equivalent means. The steady grip of this starting portion prevents the material to roll-up and become useless during the subsequent dispensing of the completion portion, which extension is controlled by the control unit. The rolling-up is caused, for example, by electrostatic phenomena affecting the adhesive tape.
Like in the previously cited embodiment, also in this alternative embodiment the measuring device may comprise the previously described relative features, in particular a transducer member and a control and processing unit connected with the transducer member.
Advantageously, the machine according to the cited alternative embodiment may comprise a fixed reference element, against which the container to be measured can be placed in abutment, so as to define a spatial reference system for the measuring device, in particular for the above mentioned transducer member, this spatial reference system being useful for acquiring and processing the figure correlatable with the dimension of the container to be measured.
As an alternative to the fixed reference element, in the cited alternative embodiment of the machine according to the invention, the machine may comprise, like in the previously disclosed embodiment, an auxiliary measuring device configured to cooperate with the provided measuring device to process the cited value of the dimension of the container being measured.
In both embodiments according to the invention, the first and the alternative one, the machine may comprise a housing case for the working members for the dispensing of the tape material, inside which the at least one measuring device can be included.
As an alternative, the cited measuring device can be placed out of the machine case.
Preferably, the cited pulling means, the feed roller and the cut means can be housed inside the case.
Preferably, the case has an opening configured for the exit of the tape material unwound from the feed roller.
The transducer member of the at least one measuring device can be shaped by an ultrasound transducer.
Preferably, the transmission means of the at least one measuring device to the receiving unit of the control unit of the machine is wireless, for the advantage of the flexibility of installation.
Alternatively, the transmission means can provide linking wiring.
The present invention concerns as well a method for dispensing a tape material, which comprises the following steps.
In a first step a machine for dispensing tape material is arranged, comprising a feed roller configured for feeding the tape material, unwinding it from a reel; cut means predisposed to carry out the cutting of the fed tape material; a measuring device for acquiring at least one figure correlatable with the dimension of a body, for example a container, to which a strip of said tape material is intended to be applied, having a length proportioned to the cited dimension to be measured; an auxiliary measuring device configured to cooperate with said measuring device for acquiring a further figure correlatable with the above mentioned dimension of the container; transmission means for transmitting the figure and the further figure; a control unit comprising a receiving unit predisposed to receive the above mentioned figures output by the measuring device and by the auxiliary measuring device, configured to process the value of the cited proportioned length and to control the dispensing of the above mentioned strip of tape material; command means for operating the dispensing of the tape material.
Subsequently, the container is interposed between the above mentioned measuring device and the above mentioned auxiliary measuring device.
Each prearranged measuring device firstly transmits a respective signal directed to a respective facing surface of the interposed container and then receives a signal reflected by the same respective surface of the container.
Subsequently, each reflected signal is processed by each measuring device, and at least one figure correlatable with the dimension of the container to be measured is transmitted through transmission means from each measuring device to the control unit of the machine, which receives by means of the receiving unit.
The control unit processes the received figures, thus determining the value of the length proportioned to the dimension of the container;
Finally, the command means are operated to command the dispensing of the above mentioned strip of tape material, with a length determined by the control unit.
Preferably, the above mentioned step further provides to operate the command means, for example a dispensing button or a foot operated command associated with the control unit of said machine to command the dispensing of the strip of tape material.
According to an alternative method which carries out the invention, it is provided to proceed according to the following.
In a starting step a machine is arranged according to the previously disclosed alternative embodiment.
Subsequently, the container to be measured is placed in a position facing the provided measuring device, preferably in abutment against a reference element.
The following step provides to operate the measuring device, transmitting a signal directed towards a facing surface of the container being measured and to receive on the same device the signal reflected by the same surface.
Subsequently, the measuring device extracts, according to the reflected signal, at least one figure correlatable with the dimension of the container being measured and transmits, through transmission means, the same figure to the control unit.
The control unit determines the value of the length proportioned to the measured dimension of the container.
The command means are operated and a starting portion of tape material is dispensed from the feed roller of the machine. This portion is accessible externally to the machine so as to be grasped and pulled.
A pulling action is then exerted on the above mentioned dispensed starting portion, preferably by hand, thus operating the supplementary command sensor.
The operation of the supplementary command sensor operates the control unit of the machine, which dispenses the completion portion of the strip of tape material.
Preferably, the command means comprise a starting button for the dispensing of the starting portion of the tape material.
Finally, it is possible to provide to exert a further pulling action on the dispensing starting portion, before operating the dispensing of the completion portion of the strip of tape material.
Both disclosed methods provide to cut the dispensed strip by means of the cut means of the dispensing machine.
Preferably, the length of the strip of tape material to be dispensed is substantially equal to the measured dimension of the container or anyway increased by ends intended to be folded on opposing faces, adjacent to the face which dimension is being measured.
Details of the invention shall be more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the machine for dispensing tape material, illustrated for indicative purposes in the attached drawings, wherein:
With particular reference to such figures, the machine for dispensing tape material according to the present invention has been indicated with 1.
The machine 1 is predisposed to dispense strips of tape material to be used, for example, to carry out the closure of containers and similar items.
The machine for dispensing tape material 1 preferably comprises a case 2 which frontally defines an exit opening 3 for dispensing the tape material 4.
Inside the case 2 a feed roller is preferably placed for feeding the above mentioned tape material through the exit opening 3.
In practice, the tape material 4 is usually wound on a reel inserted on the feed roller, not shown in the figures, arranged for example in a housing chamber shaped by the case 2.
The tape material 4 can be for example gummed paper, adhesive tape or of other kind, suitable for the scope.
Downstream of the feed roller the machine 1 comprises pulling means, not shown as well, predisposed to unwind by pulling the tape material 4 from the coil and to convey it towards the exit opening 3.
The machine 1 further comprises a control unit configured for driving, through a suitable operation member, the pulling means. Moreover, the control unit is provided with a receiving unit for the figures transmitted by at least one measuring device, as it is better described in the following.
It is possible to provide that the control unit is associated with a panel with function of interface for the operator, being further equipped with command means, for example a dispensing button for commanding the dispensing of a strip of tape material, having a predetermined length. As an alternative to the button or touch command, it is possible to provide a foot operated command connected with the control unit for operating the dispensing of a strip of predetermined length.
It is also possible to provide that the control panel comprises a starting button predisposed to allow the dispensing of a starting portion of a strip of tape material having a predetermined length. This starting portion can serve as pulling flap for the user, as it is better described in the following.
The machine comprises as well cut means, not shown in the figures, predisposed to perform the cutting of the tape material 4 to obtain strips of tape material, of a predetermined length. The cut means are fixed preferably at the exit opening 3.
The machine comprises, according to a particular embodiment, preferably at the exit opening 3, a supplementary command sensor, for example a photodetector sensor, preferably having an integrated light source, predisposed to detect an emitted light signal and to convert it in an electric signal. This converted electric signal is suitably addressed to the control unit of the machine to allow the completion of the dispensing of the strip of tape material of predetermined length, as it is better explained in the following. A shutter member, not shown in figures, is further associated with the photodetector sensor. The shutter member can be operated by a pulling action exerted on the tape material.
In particular, the shutter member can be operated, for example, upon manual application of the above mentioned pulling force at a starting fed portion of tape material, between a first position approached to the sensor, for hindering the reception of the light signal, and a second position, spaced from the sensor, to allow the reception of the light signal. The shutter member is represented, for example, by a lever member associated with the case 2.
As an alternative, the supplementary command sensor can be a reflection photoswitch, an electric contacts sensor or a magnetic sensor.
The machine 1 comprises at least one measuring device 5 for measuring the dimensions of a body, for example a container 6. The container 6 is predisposed to be placed, for example by hand, in a zone close to the machine 1. As an alternative, the container 6 is fed to the above mentioned zone by feeding means, for example at pitch.
The measuring device 5 can be placed externally to the case 2 (see
The measuring device 5 comprises a transducer member, not shown in the figures, predisposed to generate a signal which can be suitably addressed towards a surface facing the container 6 and to receive the signal reflected by the same surface of the container 6. The transducer member is for example an ultrasound transducer. As an alternative, the transducer member can be of the type known as sonar.
Preferably, the ultrasound transducer member works on distances comprised between 2 cm and 300 cm.
The measuring device 5 further comprises an electronic control and processing unit, connected with the transducer member, predisposed to control the outputting of the signal an to process the reflected signal acquired by the transducer member so as to extract at least one figure correlatable with a dimension of the container 6 to be measured.
The electronic unit of the measuring device 5 preferably comprises a micro-controller, known per se and therefore not described in detail, programmed for executing the above mentioned functions.
The machine 1 comprises as well transmission means 7, for connection between the measuring device 5 and the receiving unit of the above mentioned control unit.
The at least one figure extracted from the reflected signal is transferred by means of transmission means 7 to the receiving unit of the machine 1. In the case illustrated in
The machine 1 preferably comprises a reference element 8, predisposed to define a spatial reference system for the measuring device 5. In practice, the container 6 is predisposed in abutment against the abutment element 6, to be easily measured by the measuring device 5 (see
The functioning of the machine for dispensing tape material is described in the following.
In a starting step, the dispensing machine 1 is arranged for dispensing a strip of tape material.
Subsequently, the container 6 being measured is placed in a position facing the measuring device 5, preferably in abutment against the reference element 8.
The subsequent step provides to operate the measuring device 5, transmitting a signal towards the facing surface of the container 6 being measured and to receive, on the same device 5, the signal reflected by the same surface.
Subsequently, the measuring device 5 extracts, according to the reflected signal, at least one figure correlatable with the dimension of the container 6 being measured and transmits, by means of the transmission means 7, the same figure to the control means.
The control unit determines the value of the proportioned length of the strip of tape material to be dispensed.
This proportioned length can be for example represented by the dimension of the container, being measured, increased of the length of respective ends, to be folded on opposite faces in order to ensure a safe closure of the container 6.
The command means are operated, for example intervening on the start button, and a starting portion of tape material is dispensed by the feed roller of the machine 1.
The already unwound starting portion is grasped and subjected to a pulling action, preferably by hand, causing in this way the operation of the supplementary command sensor.
The operation of the supplementary command sensor, which produces the conversion of the input signal, for example a light signal, into an exit signal, for example an electric signal, operates the control unit of the machine, which controls the dispensing of the completion portion of the strip of proportioned length.
The dispensing of the completion portion can be started for example by exerting a further pulling action on the already dispensed starting portion.
According to an alternative embodiment of the machine for dispensing of tape material according to the invention, it is possible to provide that the machine 1 comprises, for defining a spatial reference signal and for an accurate measuring, an auxiliary measuring device 5′, alternatively to the abutment element 8 (see
In the above mentioned alternative embodiment, the machine 1 comprises an auxiliary measuring device 5′ cooperating with the measuring device 5, and entirely similar thereto, both structurally and functionally.
In fact, also the auxiliary measuring device 5′ is predisposed to emit a signal towards a facing surface of the container 6 and to process the signal reflected by the same surface for transmitting at least one respective further figure to the receiving unit of the machine 1. This figure extracted by the measuring device 5 and said further figure extracted by the auxiliary measuring device 5′ are transmitted and integrated for determining, by means of the control unit, the value of the length proportioned to the dimension of the container 6 to be measured.
In this solution, suitable for dispensing any type of tape material, it is possible to provide the presence, as an alternative or as an addition, of the supplementary command sensor, previously described.
Also for this solution, as well as for the previously described solution, it is possible to provide that at least one measuring device 5, 5′ is included or inserted inside the case 2 (see
The functioning of the dispensing machine for tape material according to the above mentioned embodiment provides the following steps.
After having arranged the machine 1, the container 6, on which the strip of the cited tape material of a length proportioned to a dimension of the same container 6 is intended to be applied, is interposed between the measuring device 5 and the auxiliary measuring device 5′.
Each prepared measuring device 5, 5′ firstly transmits a respective signal directed towards a respective facing surface of the interposed container 6, and then receives a respective signal reflected by the respective facing surface of the container 6.
Subsequently, each reflected signal is processed by each measuring device 5, 5′, and at least one figure correlatable with the dimension of the container to be measured is transmitted by means of the transmission means 7 by each measuring device 5, 5′ to the control unit of the machine 1, which receives by means of the receiving unit.
The control unit processes the received figures, thus determining the value of the length for the strip to be dispensed, proportioned to the received figures.
Finally, the command means are operated, preferably through the cited dispensing button or through the foot operated command, and the dispensing of the above mentioned strip of tape material is commanded, with the proportioned length, determined by the control unit. Preferably, the length of the strip is substantially equal to the measured dimension of the container 6 or increased of ends, to ensure an optimal wrapping.
Lastly, the cut means of the machine 1 carry out the cutting of the strip of fed tape material.
The dispensing machine of tape material reaches the scope of easing the dispensing of strips of tape material.
The dispensing machine is easy to use. As a matter of facts, the operator shall simply push a command member, for example a button or a foot operated command, to operate the required dispensing of the required strip, without any other operation, in particular, without the need of setting, often in subjective way, the length optimal for the container.
This feature is particularly advantageous in case of sequences of containers to be treated, having different sizes: the operator shall not worry about setting anytime a different value of optimal length, as the machine automatically detects the required measure and the proportioned length, for each case.
The machine according to the invention, in the different described and/or disclosed embodiments, allows to speed up in considerable manner the production process, thus increasing the performance thereof.
A further aspect to be considered is that, in a very versatile way, the machine allows to dispense in an efficient way different kind of tape material.
The machine described by way of example is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations according to the different needs.
In practice, the used materials as well as the size and shape may vary according to the needs.
Should the technical characteristics mentioned in the claims be followed by reference signs, such reference signs were included for the sole purpose of increasing the understanding of the claims and thus they shall not be deemed limiting the scope of the element identified by such reference signs by way of example.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2015/059323 | 12/3/2015 | WO | 00 |
