Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6599382
-
Patent Number
6,599,382
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, June 27, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, July 29, 200320 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Ball; Michael W.
- Musser; Barbara J
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 156 3031
- 156 291
- 156 292
- 156 226
- 156 227
- 156 204
- 156 221
- 156 459
- 156 510
- 156 573
- 156 469
- 156 539
- 002 322
- 024 197
- 024 200
- 493 416
- 493 417
- 223 49
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A machine for continuously manufacturing tape strips having at least at one end a portion folded through an aperture of a workpiece is provided. A tape supply section supplies tape to a tape feed unit which is adapted intermittently supply a first predetermined length of tape through an aperture of a workpiece and a second predetermined length of tape not through an aperture. Work pieces are supplied to and received by a workpiece receiving device adapted to hold the workpiece and position the aperture of the workpiece in the tape traveling path. Tape folders operate to fold a tape towards a fusing member positioned above the workpiece. Tape gripping arms further fold a tape into a fusing member. A tape cutter cuts the tape after a second predetermined length of tape is fed from a tape supply section. Tape gripping arms then operate to eject the finished strap from the machine.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of manufacturing preassembled tape strips. More particularly, the present invention relates to manufacturing tape strips of a predetermined length, which are at one end folded about an aperture of a workpiece.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the manufacture and assembly of fastening products, such as tape strips, belts and straps, there is commonly a need for the attachment of additional workpieces in order to provide a finished product. These additional devices may include, for example, rings, buckles or notions which allow for the tape strips, belts or straps to be attached or connected in some fashion.
Currently, the preferred method of attaching these buckles or notions to, for example, a tape strip, has been through sewing. In the conventional art, a tape strip is commonly folded about a workpiece and sewn to itself to create a strap that has the workpiece at one end. The other end of the strap is either sewn into a final product or connected in a similar fashion to another workpiece such as a buckle. These straps are used as part of backpacks, bags, luggage, life vests, etc. Various methods are used in the art to partially assemble a tape strip about a connecting device. These methods involve gluing or spot welding the strap to itself once the strap is folded about the connecting device. The partially assembled straps are then sent to a final sewing stage and incorporated into a final product.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,434 discusses the problems associated with assembling these tape strips in the prior art. In particular, the prior art describes methods for producing tape strips folded about a ring. The article described is manufactured by severing a predetermined length off a continuous tape, inserting the thus obtained tape strip through the ring, and folding the tape strip through and about the ring outwardly. In order to facilitate a subsequent sewing work, a laminate portion of the folded tape strip is provisionally secured, by hand, with a thread, a staple or any other fastener to keep the tape strip in a folded form. According to the conventional technology, however, production of the tape strip folded about the ring chiefly relies on manual work and hence needs large manpower, which would be inefficient and would thus render the finished product more expensive to produce. Further, since the thread and/or staple used in temporarily securing the folded tape strip are unnecessary in a final product, such a fastener has to be removed from the folded tape strip by hand at the final stage of production. When the final product is included in articles for human use, such as trampolines, the need for the removal of staples becomes especially important. If, through human error, a staple is not removed, its inclusion in the article may easily cause injury to the consumer.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,434 solves the problem of the prior art by providing a machine and method for continuously manufacturing a tape strip folded about a ring. Tape drawer rollers are intermittently driven and a continuous tape is intermittently fed along a tape traveling path. A leading edge portion of the tape is inserted through a ring at a tape folding section. After the tape is fed a predetermined length through the ring, the tape is stopped and then the lower end portion of the tape inserted through the ring is bent about the ring by a first bending member. A cutting device then severs a predetermined length of tape strip off the continuous tape, whereupon the an upper half of the severed tape strip is bent about the ring by a second bending member, thus providing a folded tape strip having a laminate portion. Finally the folded tape strip is discharged out of a machine after part of its laminate portion is fused by a fusing device. The product which is created by this method provides a tape which is folded equally about a ring. This product is used as connection points on a trampoline.
However, there is still a need in the art to provide for a machine which continuously manufactures a tape strip folded about a connecting device wherein an additional length of tape extends beyond the tape which is folded about the connecting device. There is a further need for a machine capable of properly manipulating a tape strip to allow differing lengths of tape to extend beyond the tape which is folded about the connecting device. The product formed from this process can then be used in a large number of applications, such as backpacks, bags, luggage, life vests, and other uses which require tape strips attached to connecting devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide for an efficient method of producing a tape strip folded about a connecting device which has an additional length of tape extending beyond the tape which is folded about the connecting device.
It is a further object of the present invention to improve the efficiency of production of tape strips folded about a connecting device so that production of a final product using such folded tape strips can be facilitated.
It is another object of the present invention to manufacture a tape strip folded about a connecting device which has an additional length of tape extending beyond the tape which is folded about the connecting device.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an improved method of properly manipulating a tape strip to allow differing lengths of tape to extend beyond a tape which is folded about a connecting device.
Objects of the invention are achieved by providing a machine for continuously manufacturing tape strips having at least at one end a portion folded through an aperture of a workpiece. The machine includes a tape supply section which accommodates a supply of tape having an indeterminate length. The tape supply section supplies tape to a tape feed unit which is adapted to intermittently supply a first predetermined length of tape and a second predetermined length of tape in a two stage operation. Work pieces are supplied to and received by a workpiece receiving device adapted to hold the workpiece and position the aperture of the workpiece in the tape traveling path. First and second tape folders are oppositely positioned on each side of the workpiece receiving device. These tape folders operate to move in and out of the tape traveling path. A tape fusing member is positioned above the workpiece receiving device and the tape traveling path. The tape feed unit supplies a first predetermined length of tape through the aperture of a workpiece along the tape traveling path. The tape feed unit then supplies a second predetermined length of tape that does not go through the aperture of the workpiece. First and second tape folders then move from their position outside of the tape traveling path to a position in the tape traveling path causing the tape to fold toward the heated tape fusing member above the workpiece receiving device.
The foregoing is illustrative of the objects and features of the present invention and is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of the possible advantages that can be realized or achieved. These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is an elevated perspective view of a machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2
is a detailed view of a workpiece supply path.
FIG. 3
is a detailed view of a welder and workpiece gripper assembly shown with tape folders in a retracted position.
FIG. 4
is a detailed view of a welder and workpiece gripper assembly shown with tape folders in a protracted position.
FIG. 5
is a detailed view of a tape supply section and associated tape feed unit with tape feed out of tape supply path.
FIG. 6
is a detailed view of a tape supply section and associated tape feed unit in with tape feed guide in the tape supply path.
FIG. 7
is a detailed view of a tape cutter assembly.
FIG. 8
is a detailed view of a tape gripper arm assembly.
FIG. 9
is an operational view of a workpiece gripper assembly and a workpiece supply path.
FIG. 10
is an operational view of a workpiece gripper assembly and a tape feed unit.
FIG. 11
is an additional operational view of a workpiece gripper assembly and a tape feed unit.
FIG. 12
is an operational view of a workpiece gripper assembly with tape folders in a protracted position.
FIG. 13
is an operational view of a workpiece gripper assembly and a tape gripper arm.
FIG. 14
is an additional operational view of a workpiece gripper assembly and a tape gripper arm.
FIG. 15
is an operational view of two tape gripper arms.
FIG. 16
is and operational view of a tape gripper arm and a cutter assembly.
FIG. 17
is an elevated perspective view of a completed tape strap.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like components,
FIG. 1
illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a machine for continuously producing a tape strip folded about a workpiece (not shown). The machine includes a workpiece supplier, such To as a workpiece supply path
100
; a workpiece gripper
200
which rotates from a position for receiving a workpiece from the workpiece supply path
100
to an upright position for holding a workpiece in a working position; a tape feed transfer unit
300
, which moves from a position distant to a workpiece gripper
200
to a position near the workpiece gripper
200
; a tape cutter
400
; a tape gripping assembly
500
; and a tape fusing member
600
.
FIGS. 2 and 3
illustrate a workpiece supply path
100
and a workpiece gripper
200
, in further detail. Workpiece supply path
100
includes a workpiece track
102
, which provides for the delivery of only one workpiece, such as a buckle (not shown), at a time. Buckles originate from an automated workpiece supply
104
or are fed manually onto the workpiece track
102
. Buckles may then move down the workpiece track
102
and stop at a position above an upper stopper
106
. The upper stopper
106
includes an upper actuator
108
and an upper gate
110
. The upper actuator
108
moves the upper gate
110
from a closed position to an open position. When the upper gate
110
is open, buckles can move past the upper stopper
106
. Buckles, or similar workpieces, may then move down the workpiece track
102
past the upper stopper
106
and stop at a lower stopper
114
. The lower stopper
114
includes a lower actuator
116
and a lower gate
118
. The lower actuator
116
moves the lower gate
118
from a closed position to an open position. When the lower gate
118
is open, a predetermined number of workpieces, such as buckles can move past the lower stopper
114
. The distance between the lower stopper
114
and the upper stopper
106
is preferably equal to the length of the predetermined number of workpieces utilized.
The lower stopper
114
and the upper stopper
106
open and close in an alternating fashion, thereby allowing the insertion of a predetermined number of workpieces per opening and closing cycle. The workpiece travels along the workpiece track
102
and stops at the upper stopper
106
. The upper gate
110
then opens, allowing workpieces to travel past the upper stopper
106
and stop at the lower stopper
114
. The upper gate
110
then closes, stopping any additional workpieces from passing the upper stopper
106
. Now, at least one workpiece, such as a buckle, rests between the upper stopper
106
and the lower stopper
114
. The lower stopper
114
then actuates and raises the lower gate
118
allowing at least one workpiece into the workpiece gripper
200
. The lower stopper
114
then actuates and lowers the lower gate
118
.
Referring now to
FIGS. 2
,
3
and
4
, a tape fusing member
600
remains at a position above the workpiece gripper
200
. The workpiece gripper
200
includes a rotator section
202
and a workpiece receiver
204
. The workpiece receiver
204
then holds the workpiece for further manipulation. The rotator section
202
moves the workpiece receiver
204
from a position at an end of the workpiece supply path
100
in line with the workpiece track
102
, as further illustrated in FIG.
9
. Therefore, when the lower stopper
114
allows the workpiece to pass, the workpiece slides into the workpiece receiver
204
. The rotator section
202
then rotates the workpiece receiver
204
and the workpiece to a vertical position. The workpiece gripper
200
also includes a first tape folder
206
, a second tape folder
208
and actuators
210
. The actuators
210
move the first tape folder
206
and the second tape folder
208
from a retracted position, as illustrated in
FIG. 3
, to a protracted position as illustrated in FIG.
4
. The first tape folder
206
includes a first tape folder slot
212
. The second tape folder
208
also includes a second tape folder slot
214
. During operation, the first tape folder
206
and the second tape folder
208
are in a protracted position, the tape fusing member
600
moves to a lowered position directly above the workpiece and directly between the first tape folder slot
206
and the second tape folder slot
208
.
FIGS. 4
,
12
and
13
further illustrate the tape fusing member
600
in its lowered position. The tape fusing member
600
includes an actuator
602
, a heating element
604
and an upper support structure
606
. The actuator
602
moves the heating element
604
from a position above the workpiece gripper
200
to a position directly between the first tape folder slot
206
and the second tape folder slot
208
.
Referring now to
FIGS. 2
,
3
,
4
and
5
, a tape feed transfer unit
300
is shown. The tape feed transfer unit
300
includes a base
302
, which allows the tape feed transfer unit
300
to move from a position distant to the workpiece gripper
200
, as illustrated in
FIG. 11
to a position near the workpiece gripper
200
, as illustrated in FIG.
10
. The tape feed transfer unit
300
also includes feed rollers
304
, a tape feed guide
306
and a tape feed guide actuator
308
. When the tape feed transfer unit
300
is in a position near the workpiece gripper
200
and while the workpiece gripper
200
holds a workpiece, the feed rollers
304
feed a predetermined length of tape along a tape traveling path
310
and through an aperture
112
a
of a workpiece
112
, as illustrated in FIG.
10
. Once a predetermined length of tape
800
extends through the aperture
112
a,
the tape feed transfer unit
300
moves to a position distant from the workpiece gripper
200
. The tape feed guide actuator
308
moves the tape feed guide
306
to a lowered position in the tape traveling path
310
. The feed rollers
304
then feed an additional predetermined length of tape
800
which collects in the opening between the tape feed transfer unit
300
and the workpiece gripper
200
. The tape
800
comes from a tape supply section
314
. The tape supply section
314
is well known in the art and can take various forms.
FIG. 6
illustrates the tape feed transfer unit
300
. The actuator
308
extends and moves the tape feed guide
306
in the tape traveling path
310
. Once the tape feed guide
306
is in the tape traveling path
310
, a predetermined length of tape
800
feeds from the feed roller
304
into the opening between the tape feed transfer unit
300
and the workpiece gripper
200
.
FIG. 7
illustrates a cutting device assembly
400
. The cutting device assembly
400
includes a lower cutting device
402
, which may be a blade or cutting block, and an upper cutting device
404
, which may also be a blade or cutting block. The upper cutting device
402
includes a heating element
406
and maintains a temperature high enough to melt a tape or other fastening material. The cutting device assembly
400
may be used to sever a length of material, such as tape. When the tape feed transfer unit
300
, as illustrated in
FIGS. 3
,
4
,
5
and
6
, is in a position distant to the workpiece gripper
200
, it is lined up for predetermined cutting with the upper cutting device
404
and the lower cutting device
402
. Once the tape feed transfer unit
300
feeds a predetermined length of tape into the opening between the tape feed transfer unit
300
and the workpiece gripper
200
, the upper cutting device
404
and the lower cutting device
402
lower and raise, respectively, to meet, cut and melt tape
800
.
FIG. 8
shows a tape gripping assembly
500
. The tape gripping assembly
500
includes a rotary base
502
, a first tape gripper arm
504
and a second tape gripper arm
506
. The rotary base
502
allows the tape gripping assembly
500
to rotate along arrow
500
a
between a first position for working with the tape
800
and a second position for ejecting a completed workpiece (not shown). The first tape gripper arm
504
moves along two dimensions as shown by
504
a
and
504
b.
The second tape gripper arm
506
moves along one dimension as shown by
506
a.
The first tape gripper arm
504
includes opposed members
508
and
510
for gripping a portion of tape near the tape feed transfer unit
300
, as illustrated in
FIGS. 5 and 6
, and the tape cutter
400
, as illustrated in FIG.
7
. The second tape gripper arm
506
includes opposed members
512
and
514
for gripping a portion of tape above the workpiece, and the workpiece gripper
200
, as illustrated in
FIGS. 3 and 4
. When the tape gripping assembly
500
is in a first position, the second tape gripper arm
506
extends along a longitudinal direction
506
a
and opposing members
512
and
514
grip a portion of tape near the tape feed transfer unit
300
and the tape cutter
400
. At the same time, the first tape gripper arm
504
extends along a longitudinal direction
504
a
and opposing members
508
and
510
grip a portion of tape above the workpiece and the workpiece gripper
200
. However, the first tape gripper arm
504
and opposing members
508
and
510
operate in conjunction with the first tape folder
206
and the second tape folder
208
as further illustrated in
FIGS. 11 and 13
. The first tape folder
206
and the second tape folder
208
protract to fold a tape
800
, as illustrated in FIG.
12
.
As further illustrated in
FIG. 13
, the first tape gripper arm
504
extends, and opposing members
508
and
510
grip a portion of tape
800
. At that time, the tape fusing member
600
is located directly between the first tape folder
206
and the second tape folder
208
. The opposing members
508
and
510
press the tape
800
into the heating element
604
of the tape fusing member
600
. The opposing members
508
and
510
then release the tape
800
and the first tape folder
206
and the second tape folder
208
retract. At this point, the first tape folder
206
and the second tape folder
208
are in a retracted position. The first tape gripper arm
504
can then extend upward along longitudinal direction
504
a
and raise the tape
800
and workpiece
112
out of the workpiece gripper
200
. The second tape gripper arm
506
extends along longitudinal direction
506
a
and opposing members
512
and
514
, grip a portion of tape
800
near the tape feed transfer unit
300
and the tape cutting device
400
. At this time, the cutting device
400
operates to cut a portion of tape
800
near the tape feed transfer unit
300
. The tape gripping assembly
500
then turns and ejects the completed workpiece
900
, as illustrated in
FIG. 17
, from the machine.
General Machine Operation
In one embodiment of the present invention and illustrated by
FIG. 9
, a workpiece
112
travels along a workpiece supply path
100
along a workpiece track
102
. Workpiece
112
can be automatically fed to the workpiece track
102
by a workpiece supply
104
or manually by an operator. The workpiece
112
first reaches an upper stopper
106
and stops. The upper stopper
106
then allows the workpiece
112
to pass, then shuts again. The workpiece
112
stops at a lower stopper
114
and rests between the lower stopper
114
and the upper stopper
106
. The lower stopper
114
then opens and allows the workpiece
112
to slide into the workpiece receiver
204
of the workpiece gripper
200
.
As illustrated in
FIGS. 9 and 10
, a rotator section
202
of the workpiece gripper
200
rotates so that the workpiece
112
, now in the workpiece receiver
204
is vertical. The tape feed transfer unit
300
moves to a position near the workpiece gripper
200
. This facilitates the transfer of tape
800
through the workpiece aperture
112
a
. Feed rollers
304
feed a predetermined amount of tape
800
through an aperture
112
a
of the workpiece
112
along a tape traveling path
310
. The amount of tape
800
fed through the aperture
112
a
depends on how much folded tape
800
is required and how far the tape feed transfer unit
300
will move away from the workpiece gripper
200
. As illustrated in
FIG. 11
, the tape feed transfer unit
300
then moves away from the workpiece gripper
200
. A tape feed guide actuator
308
forces the tape feed guide
306
into the tape traveling path
310
. This forces tape
800
to point in a downward direction. Feed rollers
304
then feed an additional predetermined length of tape
800
which collects in an opening between the tape feed transfer unit
300
and the workpiece gripper
200
. This will provide for an additional length of tape
800
which will extend away from the workpiece
112
. The tape cutter
400
will then sever the tape
800
as illustrated in FIG.
16
.
As illustrated in
FIGS. 11 and 12
, before the tape feed transfer unit
300
feeds an additional predetermined length of tape
800
, the first tape folder
206
and the second tape folder
208
move to the protracted position, forcing the tape
800
to fold about the workpiece
112
. As illustrated in
FIG. 12
, the tape fusing member
600
lowers a heating element
604
to a point directly above the workpiece
112
. The first tape gripper arm
504
extends and opposing members
508
and
510
grip a portion of tape
800
through the first tape folder
206
and the second tape folder
208
. At that time, the heating element
604
is located directly between the first tape folder slot
212
and the second tape folder slot
214
. Opposing members
508
and
510
then press the tape
800
into the heating element
604
of the tape fusing member
600
. Opposing members
508
and
510
then release the tape
800
and the first tape folder
206
and the second tape folder
208
retract. Opposing members
508
and
510
then grip a portion of the tape
800
above the workpiece
112
. At this point, the first tape folder
206
and the second tape folder
208
are in a retracted position. This is illustrated in FIG.
14
.
As illustrated in
FIGS. 15 and 16
, the first tape gripper arm
504
now has a welded portion of tape
800
and can then extend upward along arrow
504
b
and raise the tape
800
and the workpiece
112
out of the workpiece receiver
204
. The second tape gripper arm
506
may then extend along arrow
506
a
and opposing members
512
and
514
grip a portion of the tape
800
near the tape cutter
400
.
Now, the second tape gripper arm
506
holds a portion of the tape
800
near the tape cutter
400
. The tape gripping assembly
500
then rotates and ejects the completed workpiece
900
from the machine.
The completed strap
900
is shown in FIG.
17
. The completed strap
900
includes a predetermined length of tape
800
, part of which is folded and spot-welded
802
about an aperture
112
a
of the workpiece
112
. These completed workpieces
900
can now be used in completing a final product such as backpacks, bags, luggage, life vests, etc.
Although the present invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it should be understood that the invention is capable of other different embodiments, and its details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects. As is readily apparent to those skilled in the art, variations and modifications can be affected while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure, description, and figures are for illustrative purposes only, and do not in any way limit the invention, which is defined only by the following claims.
Claims
- 1. A method for continuously manufacturing tape strips having at one end a portion folded through an aperture of a workpiece, comprising the steps of:successively supplying workpieces to a workpiece receiving device via a workpiece supply path; feeding a continuous tape with a tape feed unit a first predetermined length along a tape traveling path through the aperture of the workpiece in the workpiece receiving section; folding the tape around the aperture and towards a tape fusing member with first and second tape folders oppositely positioned on each side of the workpiece receiving device, the first and second tape folders movable from a first position not in the tape traveling path to a second position in the tape traveling path; further folding the tape into contact with the tape fusing member with first and second opposed members of a first gripping arm while the first and second tape folders are in the second position; and moving the manufactured tape strip from the workpiece receiving section to an ejection area using the first gripping arm.
- 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the supply path includes a lower stopper and an upper stopper, the lower stopper positioned a predetermined distance from the upper stopper and wherein each stopper is movable between a closed position and an open position for allowing one workpiece at a time to exit the workpiece supply path.
- 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the workpiece supply path further includes a workpiece alignment correcting device having a first path allowing one of the workpieces entry into the workpiece supply path and a second path forcing the workpiece to change alignment before entering the workpiece supply path.
- 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the workpiece supply path receives workpieces from an automatic workpiece supply device.
- 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the tape feed unit is movable between a first position near the workpiece receiving device and a second position at a predetermined distance from the workpiece receiving device.
- 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the tape feed unit is in the first position upon feeding the tape through the aperture of the workpiece and further comprising the step of feeding the tape a second predetermined length not through the aperture of the workpiece while the tape feed unit is in the second position.
- 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the tape feed unit further includes a tape feed guide movable between a first position not in the tape supply path and a second position in the tape supply path forcing the tape out of the tape supply path.
- 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of cutting the tape with a cutting device near the tape feed unit after the tape feed unit feeds the second predetermined length of tape.
- 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the tape cutting device has a cutting blade and a cutting block, and wherein the cutting blade and cutting block move from positions on opposing sides of the tape supply path to meet at the tape supply path thus cutting the tape.
- 10. A machine for continuously manufacturing tape strips having at least at one end a portion folded through an aperture of a workpiece, comprising:a tape supply section accommodating a continuous tape; a tape feed unit adapted to supply tape along a tape traveling pat; a workpiece receiving device adapted to hold the workpiece and position the aperture of the workpiece in the tape traveling path; first and second tape folders oppositely positioned on each side of the workpiece receiving device, the first and second tape folders movable from a first position not in the tape traveling path to a second position in the tape traveling path; a tape fusing member positioned adjacent to the workpiece receiving device and the tape traveling path; and a first gripping arm having first and second opposed members, the first gripping arm movable between a first location wherein the first and second opposed members fold the tape into contact with the tape fusing member while the tape folders are in the second position and a second location wherein the first gripping arm ejects the manufactured tape strip.
- 11. The machine of claim 10, further comprising a workpiece supply path along which workpieces are successively supplied to the workpiece receiving device.
- 12. The machine of claim 11, wherein the workpiece supply path includes a lower stopper and an upper stopper, the lower stopper positioned a predetermined distance from the upper stopper and wherein each stopper is movable between a closed position and an open position for allowing one workpiece at a time to exit the workpiece supply path.
- 13. The machine of claim 11, wherein the workpiece supply path receives workpieces from an automatic workpiece supply device.
- 14. The machine of claim 11, wherein the tape feed unit is movable between a first position near the workpiece receiving device and a second position at a predetermined distance from the workpiece receiving device.
- 15. The machine of claim 14 wherein the tape feed unit is in the first position for feeding a first predetermined length of tape through the aperture of the workpiece, and the tape feed unit is in the second position for feeding a second predetermined length of tape not through the aperture of the workpiece.
- 16. The machine of claim 15, wherein the tape feed unit further includes a tape feed guide movable between a first position not in the tape supply path and a second position in the tape supply path forcing the tape out of the tape supply path.
- 17. The machine of claim 16, further comprising a tape cutting device located near the second position of the tape feed unit, the tape cutting device having a cutting blade and a cutting block, and wherein the cutting blade and cutting block move from positions on opposing sides of the tape supply path to meet at the tape supply path thus cutting the tape.
- 18. The machine of claim 17, wherein the cutting blade is heated and wherein the heated cutting blade both cuts and fuses the tape.
- 19. A machine for continuously manufacturing a tape strip having at one end a portion folded through an aperture of a workpiece, comprising:a tape supply section accommodating a continuous tape; a tape feed unit adapted to supply tape along a tape traveling path; a workpiece receiving device movable between a first position for receiving the workpiece and a second position adjacent to the tape feed unit; a workpiece supply path along which workpieces are successively supplied to the workpiece receiving device at the first position; first and second tape folders oppositely positioned on each side of the workpiece receiving device, the first and second tape folders movable between a first position not in the tape traveling path and a second position in the tape traveling path; a tape fusing member positioned adjacent to the second position of the workpiece receiving device; a first gripping arm having first and second opposed members which move from an open position for surrounding the tape strip and a second position for gripping the tape strip, the first gripping arm movable to a second location for ejecting the manufactured tape strip; wherein the first and second opposed members of the first gripping arm further fold the tape into contact with the tape fusing member while the tape folders are in the second position.
US Referenced Citations (3)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
2955730 |
E.G. Sonntag et al. |
Oct 1960 |
A |
5795434 |
Ishikawa |
Aug 1998 |
A |
5932064 |
Ishikawa |
Aug 1999 |
A |