US 12,378,027 B2
Tape head assist assembly
Michael J. Johnson, Spokane, WA (US)
Assigned to Pearson Packaging Systems, Spokane, WA (US)
Filed by Pearson Packaging Systems, Spokane, WA (US)
Filed on Jun. 24, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/752,464.
Application 18/752,464 is a continuation of application No. 17/481,163, filed on Sep. 21, 2021, granted, now 12,017,813.
Prior Publication US 2024/0425214 A1, Dec. 26, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B65B 51/06 (2006.01); B65B 57/04 (2006.01); B65B 61/06 (2006.01); B65H 35/00 (2006.01)
CPC B65B 51/067 (2013.01) [B65B 57/04 (2013.01); B65B 61/06 (2013.01); B65H 35/0013 (2013.01); B65H 2402/54 (2013.01); B65H 2701/1944 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A tape head, comprising:
a roller assembly comprising:
a leading roller and a trailing roller;
a linkage connecting the leading roller to the trailing roller, wherein the linkage moves the leading roller and the trailing roller in unison; and
a spring configured to be tensioned as the leading roller and the trailing roller are moved from a lowered position to an elevated position and configured to be relaxed as the leading roller and the trailing roller are moved from the elevated position to the lowered position;
a roller-assist assembly configured to assist the roller assembly to tension the spring, the roller-assist assembly comprising:
a roller-assist air cylinder; and
a roller-assist arm linkage connected to the roller-assist air cylinder, wherein extension of the roller-assist arm linkage tensions the spring, and wherein retraction of the roller-assist arm linkage allows the tape head to operate without operation of the roller-assist assembly; and
a control assembly configured to control operation of the roller-assist air cylinder of the roller-assist assembly.