Tape head for case sealing

摘要

A tape head includes a two-stage system by which a spring is tensioned. In a first stage, the spring may be partially tensioned when a case, moving along a conveyor, contacts a first application roller. The spring may be additionally tensioned when the case, continuing to move along the conveyor, contacts the second stage. In one example of the second stage, a lever is moved by contact with the moving case. Movement of the lever moves tensions the spring further. By tensioning the spring in multiple stages, assemblies and/or processes, less force is applied by the case to the first application roller. Accordingly, it is less likely to deform the case. The tensioned spring provides energy to move a second application roller around a trailing edge of the case, and thereby press a cut end of the tape against a side of the case.

主权项

1. A method of operating a tape head, comprising:
charging an energy storage device in response to a contact with a case by an application roller, wherein charging the energy storage device comprises tensioning a spring by pulling on a first end of the spring while a second end of the spring is fixed; further charging the energy storage device, wherein the further charging is performed after completion of the charging of the energy storage device, wherein the further charging is in response to movement of a lever responsive to contact with the case, wherein the further charging uses the movement of the lever to further charge the energy storage device, and wherein the further charging of the enerqy storage device comprises tensioning the spring by pulling on the second end of the spring while the first end of the spring is held fixed; and utilizing energy stored in the energy storage device to move a second application roller against the case.