System for securing a plurality of objects together with adhesive tape

Claim 1

Apparatus for securing a plurality of objects together with an adhesive tape, comprising, in combination: adhesive tape supply means including a roll of adhesive tape having a free end; a securing station disposed adjacent to said tape supply means and including securing means for securing a predetermined length of tape about a plurality of objects positioned at said securing station, said securing station including yieldable flap means engageable by said plurality of objects and said tape, said yieldable flap means being operable to wrap said tape about said plurality of objects and to secure said tape thereto, said yieldable flap means including a first spring biased flap and a second spring biased flap, said flaps cooperating to provide support for said predetermined length of tape and yieldable when a plurality of objects is placed in engagement therewith to conform to the outer surface of said plurality of objects and press said predetermined length of tape into adhesive engagement therewith, said flaps being at least partially superposed with respect to one another to provide support for said predetermined length of tape, at least one of said flaps being generally L-shaped and including an outer flap portion which engages the tape and causes the tape to overlap when said objects are secured together; delivery means for periodically delivering a predetermined length of tape to said securing station and including gripper means and prime mover means for moving said gripper means between a first position whereat said gripper means grips the free end of adhesive tape projecting from said roll of adhesive tape to a second position whereat a predetermined length of tape is positioned at said securing station; and separating means for separating said predetermined length of tape from said roll of adhesive tape prior to securing said predetermined length of tape about said plurality of objects.