Package binding machine

Claim 1

A package binding machine comprising a support table having an opening on which a package is rested, a base plate slidable below the level of said table in the opening thereof, a guide plate slidable below the base plate towards and away from the base plate, an elevatable first clamping element having a tape guide slit and a tape cutting heater which is adapted to project from the front face of the first clamping element according to the elevation thereof, a winder accommodating a roll of tape which is travelled below the guide plate through the tape guide slit and up to the table through the opening thereof around the package thereon and again below the table into the space between the base plate and the guide plate, said first clamping element being adapted to elevate and press the end portion of the tape against the base plate when the guide plate is removed away from the base plate after the tape is inserted between the base plate and the guide plate, an elevatable second clamping element in front of said first clamping element, said second clamping element being adapted to elevate so as to press the overlapping portions of the tape against the front portion of the base plate after constricting the tape around the package by the rotation of the winder, an elevatable pressing element between the first and second clamping elements, said pressing element being adapted to elevate when the first clamping element begins to descend after the second clamping element clamps the overlapping portions of the tape, and to engage the cutting heater still projecting from the first clamping element so as to press the cutting heater against the tape extending from the guide slit of the first clamping element to fuse the tape, a welding heater adapted to advance between the overlapping portions of the tape below the base plate after the tape is cut by the cutting heater, and to retreat from the overlapping portions of the tape after melting the opposed faces thereof pressed against the welding heater by the pressing element which further presses the overlapping portions of the tape against the base plate after retreatment of the welding heater, said pressing element and the second clamping element being lowered after adhering the overlapping portions of the tape, said base plate being removed from between the package and the tape wound therearound, and cam means controlling each mechanism of the machine in timed relation with each other.