Tape monitoring system

• US 9,102,493 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2012
• Issued: 08/11/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lamus Enterprises, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Lamus Enterprises, Inc.
• Inventors: Lam, Joe Augustine
• Primary Examiner(s): MCNALLY, KERRI L
• Application Number:
  US13/573,657
• Publication Number:
  US 20140094354A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,043 Days
• Field of Search: 340/540
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 51/067 to the closure flaps of boxes
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 57/04 and operating to control, or to stop, the feed of such material, containers, or packages
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2220/01 indicating an entity as a function of which control, adjustment or change is performed, i.e. input
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2220/02 indicating an entity which is controlled, adjusted or changed by a control process, i.e. output
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2403/92 Electric drive
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2511/52 Defective operating conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2515/70 Electrical or magnetic properties, e.g. electric power or current
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2551/20 Display means; Information output means
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 26/02 responsive to presence of irregularities in running webs
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 35/0013 and applying the article or the web by adhesive to a surface B65H35/002 takes precedence

Abstract

In general, the present invention comprises of a control unit with a tape applicator with operative members to selectively actuate sensors of a multiple sensor arrangement each of which is positioned to detect movement or position caused by a carton or the dispensing tape; specifically, the signal caused by the present of the carton; the movement caused by the dispensing tape as the carton being taped, and a further signal actuated based on the size (depletion) of the dispensing tape roll. The detected signals from the sensors are sent to a control unit with a multiple timing circuit or a preprogrammed micro processor with predetermined sequences and time values to generate and emit a correspond alarm signal based on the following control logics.

Claims

1. A tape monitoring system for use with a tape applicator forming part of a carton sealing machine having a machine frame and used to apply an adhesive tape ribbon to a carton to seal said carton, means for moving said carton past said tape applicator, said tape monitoring system comprising:

a control unit for generating output signals that produce output alarm signals to indicate the status of each taping cycle;

multiple sensors including a tape roll depletion sensor that senses depletion of a tape roll, a tape feed sensor that senses miss-application of tape to a carton being taped by said tape applicator, and a box feed sensor that senses when a box is present in the carton sealing machine;

each said sensor being activated by a corresponding signal activator for each said sensor on said tape applicator;

said sensors being connected to said control unit to communicate therewith so that said control unit may generate said output alarm signals;

a power source for said control unit;

said sensors, said control unit and its power source for operating said control unit being mounted on said tape applicator, said power source is a rechargeable battery, and a power generator driven by movement of said tape to generate electrical power to charge the rechargeable battery during the taping operation.

2. A tape monitoring system as defined in claim 1 wherein said signal activator for said miss-application sensor is said power generator.

3. A tape monitoring system as defined in claim 1 wherein said box feed sensor activates said control unit when said box feed sensor senses a carton to be taped in a tape applying position.

4. A tape monitoring system as defined in claim 1 wherein said box feed sensor combines with said tape feed sensor through said control unit to detect box jamming of a carton in said tape applicator.

5. A tape monitoring system as defined in claim 1 wherein said miss-feed sensor is coupled to said control unit via a time delay means requiring a selected time delay before said control unit generates said output alarm signal.

6. A tape monitoring system for use with a tape applicator forming part of a carton sealing machine having a machine frame and used to apply an adhesive tape ribbon to a carton to seal said carton, means for moving said carton past said tape applicator, said tape monitoring system comprising:

a control unit for generating output alarm signals to indicate the status of each taping cycle;

multiple sensors including a tape roll depletion sensor that senses depletion of a tape roll, a tape feed sensor that senses miss-application of tape to a carton being taped by said tape applicator, and a box feed sensor that senses when a box is present in the carton sealing machine;

each said sensor being activated by a corresponding signal activator for each said sensor mounted on said carton sealing machine;

said sensors being connected to said control unit to communicate therewith to generate said output alarm signals; and

said control unit and said sensors being arranged in close proximity to each other in a sensing station mounted on a frame of said carton sealing machine and a power source for said control unit, and wherein said box feed sensor activates said control unit when said box feed sensor senses a carton to be taped in a tape applying position.

7. A tape monitoring system as defined in claim 6 wherein said box feed sensor combines with said tape feed sensor through said control unit to detect box jamming of a carton in said tape applicator.

8. A tape monitoring system as defined in claim 6 wherein said miss-feed sensor is coupled to said control unit via a time delay means requiring a selected time delay before said control unit generates said alarm signal.