Automated tape splicing system
First Claim
1. A multi-roll automatic tape splicing device comprising:
- (a) a support frame;
(b) a platen rotatably mounted on said support frame;
(c) a shaft rotatably supporting said platen and said frame;
(d) at least two tape mandrels rotatable on said platen, said mandrels being spaced equidistant from said shaft, and spaced apart from each other, each mandrel being adapted to receive a roll of tape;
(e) an index drive for selectively rotating the platen to successively move a mandrel carrying a fresh roll of tape into a predetermined operating position in which a web of tape can be drawn from the fresh roll of tape and for moving a mandrel carrying a nearly depleted roll of tape from which a web of tape is being withdrawn out of the operating position when the roll of tape is nearly depleted;
(f) a first sensor on the support frame for detecting a nearly depleted condition of a roll of tape in the operating position;
(g) a second sensor on the support frame for directly detecting rotation of a mandrel in the operating position at the moment when the roll of tape is drawn from the fresh roll of tape;
(h) a cutting unit on the frame for severing a web of tape being drawn from a nearly depleted roll of tape; and
(i) a control unit responsive to the first and second sensors for actuating the index drive to rotate the platen, when said first sensor detects a nearly depleted condition of the nearly depleted roll of tape, thereby moving a mandrel carrying a fresh roll of tape into the operating position, whereby a tab on the end of the fresh roll of tape adheres to the web of tape being drawn from the nearly depleted roll causing a web of tape to be drawn from the fresh roll, and when the second sensor detects rotation of the mandrel carrying the fresh roll of tape in the operating position, the control unit immediately actuates the cutting unit to cut the web of tape being drawn from the nearly depleted roll.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-roll automatic tape splicing device includes a platen which is rotatably mounted on a support frame via a shaft. Two or more tape mandrels are rotatably disposed on the platen at a substantially equal distance from the shaft, and substantially equally spaced from each other, each mandrel being capable of receiving a respective roll of tape. An index drive is operatively coupled to the platen, for selectively rotating the platen so as to successively move each mandrel into a predetermined operating position at which a web of tape can be drawn from a respective roll of tape disposed on the mandrel, and for moving a mandrel out of the operating position when the respective roll of tape is depleted. A first sensor is operatively mounted on the support frame and capable of detecting a depleted condition of a roll of tape mounted on a respective mandrel in the operating position. A second sensor is operatively mounted on the support frame and capable of detecting rotation of a mandrel in the operating position. A cutting unit is disposed on the frame and capable of severing a web of tape being drawn from a depleted roll of tape. A control unit is responsive to the first and second sensors such that when the first sensor detects a depleted condition of a roll of tape, the control unit controls the index drive to rotate the platen and thereby move the next successive mandrel into the operation position. A tab formed on the end of a fresh roll of tape mounted on the successive mandrel adheres to the web of tape being drawn from the depleted roll, thereby causing a web of tape to be drawn from the fresh roll. Thereafter, the control unit controls the cutting unit to cut the web of tape being drawn from the depleted roll, when the second sensor detects rotation of the mandrel in the operation position.
17 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A multi-roll automatic tape splicing device comprising:
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(a) a support frame;
(b) a platen rotatably mounted on said support frame;
(c) a shaft rotatably supporting said platen and said frame;
(d) at least two tape mandrels rotatable on said platen, said mandrels being spaced equidistant from said shaft, and spaced apart from each other, each mandrel being adapted to receive a roll of tape;
(e) an index drive for selectively rotating the platen to successively move a mandrel carrying a fresh roll of tape into a predetermined operating position in which a web of tape can be drawn from the fresh roll of tape and for moving a mandrel carrying a nearly depleted roll of tape from which a web of tape is being withdrawn out of the operating position when the roll of tape is nearly depleted;
(f) a first sensor on the support frame for detecting a nearly depleted condition of a roll of tape in the operating position;
(g) a second sensor on the support frame for directly detecting rotation of a mandrel in the operating position at the moment when the roll of tape is drawn from the fresh roll of tape;
(h) a cutting unit on the frame for severing a web of tape being drawn from a nearly depleted roll of tape; and
(i) a control unit responsive to the first and second sensors for actuating the index drive to rotate the platen, when said first sensor detects a nearly depleted condition of the nearly depleted roll of tape, thereby moving a mandrel carrying a fresh roll of tape into the operating position, whereby a tab on the end of the fresh roll of tape adheres to the web of tape being drawn from the nearly depleted roll causing a web of tape to be drawn from the fresh roll, and when the second sensor detects rotation of the mandrel carrying the fresh roll of tape in the operating position, the control unit immediately actuates the cutting unit to cut the web of tape being drawn from the nearly depleted roll. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification