Patent US6135937A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6135937A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Moveable tape head for erecting machine
Assignee: Combi Packaging Systems LLC
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Filing: 1998-10-30
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Granted: 2000-10-24
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Expires: 2018-10-30
Abstract
Abstract A moveable tape head mechanism for a box erecting machine having a fixed guide rail and an adjustable guide rail includes a cradle which carries a tape head, the cradle being horizontally slidable between operational and loading positions to expedite replacement of a tape roll contained thereon. In the operational position, the tape head mechanism is detachably held by a pin in operational alignment with a box flap closure apparatus. The tape head mechanism is moved from the operational positional to the loading position by installing a cover plate over the tape head to compress the rollers into the tape head, disengaging the pin from its corresponding receptacle formed on the flap closure apparatus, and sliding the tape head mechanism under a frame member and outside the perimeter of the box erecting machine. When the tape head is in the loading position, the tape roll is located outside the perimeter of the box erecting machine to facilitate replacement thereof. After the tape roll has been replaced, the tape head mechanism is slid back to the operational position with the pin slidably engaging a ramp surface and returning into engagement with the receptacle, thus automatically realigning the tape head mechanism with the flap closure apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Pete Ballos, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:09
CPC Classifications
B; B31; B31B; B31B50/00; B31B50/60; B31B50/72
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A box erecting machine comprising: a frame defining a structural perimeter of the machine; guide means mounted on said frame for guiding the box, said guide means defining an operational perimeter of the machine; conveyance means for conveying the box through said guide means; a cradle selectively movably mounted on said frame; a tape head having at least a first outwardly-biased roller, said tape head mounted in said cradle; said cradle being selectively movable between a loading position outside said operational perimeter and an operational position inside said operational perimeter; a pin and a corresponding receptacle, said pin being attached to one of said cradle and said frame, said receptacle being formed on the other of said cradle and said frame.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A box erecting machine comprising: a frame defining a structural perimeter of the machine; guide means mounted on said frame for guiding the box, said guide means defining an operational perimeter of the machine; conveyance means for conveying the box through said guide means; a cradle selectively movably mounted on said frame; a tape head having at least a first outwardly-biased roller, said tape head mounted in said cradle; said cradle being selectively movable between a loading position outside said operational perimeter and an operational position inside said operational perimeter; a pin and a corresponding receptacle, said pin being attached to one of said cradle and said frame, said receptacle being formed on the other of said cradle and said frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The box erecting machine as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a crank assembly mounted on said frame, said pin attached to one of said cradle and said crank assembly, said receptacle formed on the other of said cradle and said crank assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The box erecting machine as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a pair of bars attached at one end thereof to said frame, said cradle slidably mounted on said bars and selectively movable between said loading and operational positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The box erecting machine as set forth in claim 3 in which said cradle is horizontally movable between said loading and operational positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The box erecting machine as set forth in claim 4 in which said pin is biased toward said receptacle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The box erecting machine as set forth in claim 5, further comprising a ramp surface formed on one of said of said cradle and said crank assembly, said receptacle formed adjacent said ramp surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The box erecting machine as set forth in claim 6 in which said ramp surface is formed on said crank assembly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
135 words
In a box erecting machine having a frame, the frame defining a structural perimeter, guide means mounted on the frame for guiding a box, the guide means defining an operational perimeter, conveyance means for conveying the box through the guide means, and a tape head mounted on the frame, the tape head having at least a first outwardly-biased roller, the improvement comprising: a tape head mechanism having a cradle; said tape head mechanism mounted on the frame; the tape head mounted in said cradle; said cradle being selectively moveable between a loading position outside the operational perimeter and an operational position inside the operational perimeter; and a pin and a corresponding receptacle, said pin attached to one of said cradle and the frame, said receptacle formed on the other of said cradle and the frame.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
135 words
In a box erecting machine having a frame, the frame defining a structural perimeter, guide means mounted on the frame for guiding a box, the guide means defining an operational perimeter, conveyance means for conveying the box through the guide means, and a tape head mounted on the frame, the tape head having at least a first outwardly-biased roller, the improvement comprising: a tape head mechanism having a cradle; said tape head mechanism mounted on the frame; the tape head mounted in said cradle; said cradle being selectively moveable between a loading position outside the operational perimeter and an operational position inside the operational perimeter; and a pin and a corresponding receptacle, said pin attached to one of said cradle and the frame, said receptacle formed on the other of said cradle and the frame.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The improvement as set forth in claim 8, further comprising a crank assembly mounted on the frame, said pin attached to one of said cradle and said crank assembly, said receptacle formed on the other of said cradle and said crank assembly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The improvement as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a pair of bars attached at one end thereof to the frame, said cradle slidably mounted on said bars and selectively moveable between said loading and operational positions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement as set forth in claim 10 in which said cradle is horizontally movable between said loading and operational positions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement as set forth in claim 9 in which said pin is biased toward said receptacle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The improvement as set forth in claim 12, further comprising a ramp surface formed on one of said cradle and said crank assembly, said receptacle being formed adjacent said ramp surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement as set forth in claim 13 in which said ramp surface is formed on said crank assembly.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
177 words
In a box erecting machine having a frame, the frame defining a structural perimeter, guide means mounted on the frame for guiding a box, the guide means defining an operational perimeter extending in vertical reference planes at the edges of the guide means, conveyance means for conveying the box through the guide means, and a tape head mounted on the frame, the tape head having at least a first outwardly-biased roller, the improvement comprising: a tape head mechanism having a cradle; a pair of bars attached at one end thereof to the frame, said cradle slidably mounted on the bars and selectively moveable between loading and operational positions; the tape head mounted in said cradle; said loading position being outside said operational perimeter and said operational position being inside the operational perimeter; said loading position being displaced in at least a horizontal direction with respect to said operational position; and a cover plate, said cover plate sized to be selectively mounted and retained on said cradle and to compress the outwardly-biased roller inwardly toward the tape head.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
177 words
In a box erecting machine having a frame, the frame defining a structural perimeter, guide means mounted on the frame for guiding a box, the guide means defining an operational perimeter extending in vertical reference planes at the edges of the guide means, conveyance means for conveying the box through the guide means, and a tape head mounted on the frame, the tape head having at least a first outwardly-biased roller, the improvement comprising: a tape head mechanism having a cradle; a pair of bars attached at one end thereof to the frame, said cradle slidably mounted on the bars and selectively moveable between loading and operational positions; the tape head mounted in said cradle; said loading position being outside said operational perimeter and said operational position being inside the operational perimeter; said loading position being displaced in at least a horizontal direction with respect to said operational position; and a cover plate, said cover plate sized to be selectively mounted and retained on said cradle and to compress the outwardly-biased roller inwardly toward the tape head.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
The improvement of claim 15 further comprising a pin and a corresponding receptacle, the pin being mounted on one of the cradle and the frame, the receptacle being formed on the other of the cradle and the frame; the pin being selectively received in the receptacle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement of claim 15, wherein the cradle is moved between the loading position and operational position along a horizontal path.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement of claim 15, wherein the loading position is disposed outside of the structural perimeter of the frame.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
154 words
In a box erecting machine having a frame, the frame defining a structural perimeter, guide means mounted on the frame for guiding a box, the guide means defining an operational perimeter extending in vertical reference planes at the edges of the guide means, conveyance means for conveying the box through the guide means, and a tape head mounted on the frame, the tape head having at least a first outwardly-biased roller, the improvement comprising: a tape head mechanism having a cradle; the tape head mounted in said cradle; a pair of bars attached at one end thereof to the frame, said cradle slidably mounted on said bars and selectively moveable between loading and operational positions; said loading position being outside the structural perimeter; and said cradle being selectively moveable between said loading position and said operational position; said loading position being displaced in at least a horizontal direction with respect to said operational position.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
154 words
In a box erecting machine having a frame, the frame defining a structural perimeter, guide means mounted on the frame for guiding a box, the guide means defining an operational perimeter extending in vertical reference planes at the edges of the guide means, conveyance means for conveying the box through the guide means, and a tape head mounted on the frame, the tape head having at least a first outwardly-biased roller, the improvement comprising: a tape head mechanism having a cradle; the tape head mounted in said cradle; a pair of bars attached at one end thereof to the frame, said cradle slidably mounted on said bars and selectively moveable between loading and operational positions; said loading position being outside the structural perimeter; and said cradle being selectively moveable between said loading position and said operational position; said loading position being displaced in at least a horizontal direction with respect to said operational position.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement of claim 19, wherein the cradle moves between the loading position and the operational position along a horizontal path.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
45 words
The improvement of claim 19, further comprising a pin and a corresponding receptacle, the pin being mounted to one of the cradle and the frame, the receptacle formed on the other of the cradle and the frame; the pin being selectively received in the receptacle.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
The improvement of claim 21, wherein the pin is biased toward the receptacle.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
35 words
The improvement of claim 19 in combination with a cover plate, the cover plate being sized to be selectively mounted and retained on the cradle and compress the outwardly-biased roller inwardly toward the tape head.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
The improvement of claim 19 further comprising a crank assembly mounted on the frame; the crank assembly being adapted to move the tape head mechanism between the loading and operational positions.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
112 words
A tape head mechanism for mounting a tape head to a frame of a box erecting machine, the tape head having at least a first outwardly-biased roller, the frame defining a structural perimeter, the box erecting machine having guide means defining an operational perimeter, said tape head mechanism comprising: a cradle mounted on the frame and selectively moveable between a loading position outside the operational perimeter and an operational position inside the operational perimeter; the tape head being mounted in said cradle; and a pin and a corresponding receptacle, said pin attached to one of said cradle and the frame, said receptacle formed in the other of said cradle and the frame.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
112 words
A tape head mechanism for mounting a tape head to a frame of a box erecting machine, the tape head having at least a first outwardly-biased roller, the frame defining a structural perimeter, the box erecting machine having guide means defining an operational perimeter, said tape head mechanism comprising: a cradle mounted on the frame and selectively moveable between a loading position outside the operational perimeter and an operational position inside the operational perimeter; the tape head being mounted in said cradle; and a pin and a corresponding receptacle, said pin attached to one of said cradle and the frame, said receptacle formed in the other of said cradle and the frame.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
44 words
The tape head mechanism as set forth in claim 25, further comprising a crank assembly mounted on the frame, said pin attached to one of said cradle and said crank assembly, said receptacle formed in the other of said cradle and said crank assembly.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
41 words
The tape head mechanism as set forth in claim 26, further comprising a pair of bars fixedly attached at one end thereof to said frame, said cradle selectively slidably mounted on said bars and movable between said loading and operational positions.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
The tape head mechanism as set forth in claim 27 in which said cradle is horizontally movable between said loading and operational positions.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tape head mechanism as set forth in claim 26, in which said pin is biased toward said receptacle.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
33 words
The tape head mechanism as set forth in claim 29, further comprising a ramp surface formed on one of said cradle and said crank assembly, said receptacle being formed adjacent said ramp surface.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
The tape head mechanism as set forth in claim 30 in which said loading position is outside the structural perimeter.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
The tape head mechanism as set forth in claim 31 in which said ramp surface is formed on said crank assembly.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
38 words
The tape head mechanism as set forth in claim 32 in combination with a cover plate, said cover plate sized to be selectively mounted and retained on said cradle and compress the roller inwardly toward the tape head.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-10-24 | 2004-04-24 | 2004-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-24 | 2008-04-24 | 2008-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-24 | 2012-04-24 | 2012-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |