Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
WO 96/24549 , PCTIC~96100079
2~ 87435
PERFORATED PACKAGING TAPE AND DlSrEN"E~
AND PERFORATION MECHANISM THEREFOR
FIELI~ OF THE I~VENTION:
This invention relates to packaging tapes and packaging tape dispensers
used to seal cardboard boxes and the like, and to join together small packages.
S BACKGROUND O~ THE INVENTION:
In order to ship ~ ,.H.a.ld;~ such as ~ uL Lult d articles from the place
of ~ lur~l Lulci to a place of retail sale, use, distribution, or the like, it is generally
necessary to first package such articles either for display--in the case of store
shelf type items such as perhaps food and toys--or for storage--in the case of
10 other types of items, such as perhaps shoe boxes or ~lt~m~hilr parts. Such
packages may be in the form of boxes, plastic bags, cardboard packages, and so
on.
During actual shipping, which might include ;"t..",..1; '~ storage at a
distribution point and storage at the place of retail sale, use, tiicfrihllfi~\n, or the
15 like, it is common to pack such packaged articles into shipping containers in tlle
form of small or large cardboard boxes--commonly called an RSC (regular
slotted container) carton. Such cardboard boxes typically have four sides ioinedtogether to form a continuous structure, amd top and bottom open ends each with
four foldable flaps extending outwardly from each end, which flaps are used to
20 close off the open ends of the box. Once the flaps have been folded so as to
close off the open ends of the box, the cardboard boxes are then sealed at both
ends by way of packaging tape adhered to one pair of flaps and the sides of the
box, at each of the top and boùom thereof.
WO 96/24549 - ' . PCT/CA9610007~
~,187~3~ 2
Cu..v~ tiullal packâging tape is about 5 to 8 cm wide and may be made
from a numbe} of materials including poly~lu,uyl~l..,, polyester, and
,uulyvillyl11l10ride, among others. Packaging tape is relatively strong so as topreclude accidental breaking or tearing of the tape. However, if packaging tape
5 becomes pierced or ripped, it tends to tear easily, especially lengthwise.
Once the sealed shipping containers have reached their final destination
and are to be opened, it is common to use an imrl~m~nt such as a knife or the
like, to pierce a hole in a portion of the packaging tape, typically between twoopposed flaps that have been folded toward each other so as to meet or to almost10 meet. The packaging tape can then be readily torn or ripped in some manner,
such as along its length, to permit opening of the packaging container, thus takin~
advantage of the tendency of the packaging tape to tear readily, once ripped or
pierced.
Without an implement such as a knife or the like, it is extremely difficult
15 to puncture or tear uull~ iulldl packaging tape. lJI~rulLu~ ,ly~ all but the most
careful use of an implement such as a knife to puncture the packaging tape on
shipping container may easily result in damage to the packa~es contained therein,
or even to the Ill~l.,llalldiac contained in the individual packages. Such damage
is completely .,,~r~ r, and may result in significant devaluation of the
~0 Ill~,lullalldia-,. Typical Ill~lullrlldiac may include readily .1,".,~ lr Ill~,lullalll;ac
such as electronic equipment, food, clothes, or other ~m~g- ~hlc articles.
Shipping containers may be taped either manually, by way of a hand-held
tape dispenser having a roll of packaging tape mounted thereon, or by means of
an automatic packaging tape application device typically used in conjunction with
25 a conveyor as part of the packaging portion of a production line. In any event,
the tape is applied generally in the same manner, spanning the gap between two
flaps or sides of the cardboard box shipping container.
Other uses for packaging tape might include the sealing of moving boxes,
eitller by individuals or by ,ulurc>aiùllàl movers.
~ WO 96/24549 218 7 4 3 5 PCTICA96100079
Other somewhat different uses of this type of packaging tape migbt include
binding together several smaller products for shipping purposes, without tlle use
of a large cardboard box as a shipping container, such as joining together two or
three or more packages for retail sale without the necessity of an overwrap.
What is needed to serve all these purposes is a packaging tape that does
not require a separate implement to pierce it, so as to preclude damage to the
packaging, or the articles contained therein.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a packaging tape that is
readily tearable without the use of an aid such as a knife or the like, to cut or
pierce the tape.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a packaging tape
that is readily tearable by means of impacting by a person's hand.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a ",~.1..,.;~", that
produces such a packaging tape, which mf-rh~ni~m can be used in either a manual
15 tape dispenser or an automatic production line tape dispenser.
DESCRlPTlON OF THE PRIQR ART:
United States patent No. 4,135,023 to LLOYD ef al, issued Jamuary 16,
1979, discloses an embossed film product and adhesive coated strip formed
20 therefrom. A melt-embossed polymer film is produced, with primary parallel
grooves on one surface and secondary parallel grooves on the other surface, suchthat the combined tapes of the grooves is at least ellhst~nti~lly equal to the film
thickness. The two sets of grooves are located at an angle to each other of not
less than 30. The film is stretched at right angles to the direction of the primary
25 grooves by a small amount to provide a perforate product which can be formed
into strips that are tearable Ir~ ,.,l;";~lly or Llalla~ a~ly, and are thus useful as
vapour-permeable substrate for adhesive-coated tape.
WO 96/24549 2 ~ 8 7 4 ~ ~ PCTICA96/0007g~
United States patent No. 3,898,919 issued August 12, 1975, to GRIMALDI
Jr., discloses a sheet perforator having means for re-enforcing the sheet aroundholes in the sheet. Re-enforcing tape having pressure sensitive adhesive on one
side is pulled step-by-step from a supply roll with the adhesive side of the tape
5 facing the paper that is to be re-enforced. The re-enforcing tape is pulled past
and beneath a purlch that punches the tape to form a disk. The disk is applied to
the paper at the area to be re-enforced. A punch ~ r~ ly punches a hole
both the disk and the paper.
Other types of tape perforation equipment are known, such as equipment
10 for perforating computer tape. Such tape perforating equipment is generally quite
~,....~.l;. ~ d as evidenced, by way of example, in IWAI United States patent No.
3,260,446, issued July 12, 1966. That patent teaches apparatus in ~vhich movablymounted pins are positioned and adapted to perforate a data carrying tape made
from paper. A pin actuating rotary magnet has a stator adapted to be electrically
15 energized when the tape is desired to be perforated. A rotatably mounted rotor
adaptor is angularly displaced in a pre-determined direction about its axis froman initial position to a perforating position upon electrical energization of the
stator. A linking means mPrh~nir~lly couples the rotor of the pin actuating rotary
magnet to the pin in such a mamner that the amgular ~ of tlle rotor in
20 the pre-determined direction about its axis to its perforating position moves the
pin from an inoperative position to an operative position to perforate tl1e tape. A
pin re-setting meams is positioned amd adapted to abut the linking means just prior
to the time that the pin reaches its perforating p~sition, for returning the pin to its
inoperative position and displacing the rotor of the pin actuating rotary magnetic
25 in the direction opposite the determined direction, to its initial position. The tape
has a series of regularly spaced positioning holes disposed centrally along the
length thereof.
~ WO96/24549 2 ~ 3 5 ~ PCTICA961OD079
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided
a readily tearable packaging tape which comprises an elongate main body portion
of substantially constant cross-section, having a generally centrally disposed
5 l~A~ngihl~linAI axis. The main body portion has a thickness which is defined by a
top surface and a bottom surface, and a width defined by a pair of side edges
disposed about the ~ axis. The length of the readily tearable packaging
tape is ;,.,1 ~ .,..;.- ~ in that it is supplied on a roll; however, in use, the len~th
of a portion of the readily tearable packaging tape is defined by a first end and
a second end thereof. 'IAhere is a coating of adhesive applied to the bottom
surface of the tape.
A plurality of tear-inducing cuts is formed in the main body portion of the
readily tearable packaging tape, disposed along the length thereof. Accordingly,the main body portion of the readily tearable packaging tape exhibits the
~11A.~II . .;~1;~ of ready tearibility at the tear-inducing cuts, so as to cause those
cuts to develop into elongate tears in the main body portion. Ultimately, that
portion of readily tearable packaging tape will separate into at least two portions.
Otherwise, the packaging tape exhibits the clla~ Lic of being resistant to
tearing, other than in the regions of the elongate tears.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a ",. . 1lAIII~III for
effecting~ cuts in packaging tape being dispensed from a packaging tape dispensing
device, whether that dispensing device is an automated tape dispensing head in
a factory-installed packaging line, or a hand-held tape dispenser. In any event,the mechanism for effecting cuts in packaging tape comprises an axle member
2~ having a length equal to or greater than the width of the packaging tape, and
having a generally centrally disposed 1....~;1,..l;..A1 axis. 'lAhe axle is operatively
connected to the tape dispensing device. There are a pair of tape guide members
operatively mounted on the axle member, each tape guide having a support
surface that is shaped and ~ to receive a portion of the non-adhesive
30 side of the packaging tape, and thereby so as to support that portion of the
packaging tape. A tape cutting member is operatively mounted on the axle
WO 96/24549 , PCT/CA96/0007~
6 21 87435
member in interposed relation between the tape guide members for rotational
movement about the centrally disposed 1.,.,~;~.,,1;,,,1l axis with respect to the tape
dispensing device. The tape cutting member has at least one tape cutting portionwhich extends beyond the support surface, and that tape cutting portion is shaped
S and .1:.". .,~, d so as to effect the tear-inducing cuts in the packaging tape.
The tape cutting member moves rotationally around the axle member so
as to cause the tape cutting portion to ;~ ly engage and ~ ..,lly
effect the tear-inducing cuts in the packaging tape at the portion thereof which is
received by the support surfaces, as tbe packaging tape is drawn lengthwise across
the support surface.
In a particular ~".1,~.1;,". ,.1 which is in keeping with the present invention,the tape cutting mechanism is installed or mounted in a hand-held tape dispenserin which packaging tape is dispensed from a tape roll. The tape dispenser
comprises a main body member, a handle member securely connected to the main
body member, and a tape roll retention means operatively connected to the main
body member. The tape cutting member is operatively mounted on its axle which
is supported by the main body member, so as to ;" ,,.;I~ ly engage and
oub ~ u~ Lly effect the tear-inducing cuts in the dispensed tape as it is dispensed
from the tape roll.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a packaging tape
which is readily tearable and which may be used for sealing packages in such a
manner that, when it is necessary to open or unseal the package, the tape will tear
along its length or width, vhere the tape is not adhered to the package, but
otherwise remain in sealing ~ liu~ where the tape is adhered to the package.
A further object of the invention is to provide a mrrh~nicm for effecting
cuts in packaging tape as it is being dispensed from a packaging tape dispensingdevice, whereby the packaging tape may be rendered easily tearable at such time
as it is desired and int nded to unseal the otherwise sealed p~ckage.
~ WO 96/24549 . _ _ PCTICA9GJOD079
. ~ 21 87435
A particular ~Illbo.l;lll.,ll~ of the cutting m~-h~ni~m of the present inventionfinds it being mounted on a hand-held tape dispenser.
Other objects and feature of the invention will become evident in tlle
following detailed discussion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
F.",l,o.l;"~. .,;~ of this invention will now be described by way of example
in association with the a~ ,all~illg drawings in which:
Figure I is a ~ iv~ view of a length of the packaging tape of the
10 present invenfion having a plurality of tear-inducing cuts therein;
Figure 2 is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional side elevationa~ view of the
packaging tape of Figure 1, taken along section line 2 - 2;
Figure 3 is a top plan view of the packaging tape of Figure I adhered to
t~vo opposed flaps of a shipping container;
1~ Figure 4 is a top plan view of an alternative .",I,o.l;",~ ,,1 of the readily
tearable packaging tape of the present invention;
Figure S is a top plan view of an alternative ~mho~im~nt of the readily
tearable packaging tape of the present invention;
Figure 6 is a top plan view of an alternative ~ I,od;lll.ll~ of the readily
20 tearable packaging tape of tne present invention;
Figure 7 is a top plan view of an alternative .",1..~,~;",. ..1 of the readily
tearable packaging tape of the present invention;
Figure 8 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the readily
tearable packaging tape of the present invention;
Figure 9 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the readily
tearable packaging tape of the present invention;
Figure 10 is a perspective view of a mechanism for effecting cuts in
packaging tape being dispensed from a packaging tape dispensing device;
Figure 11 is a side elevational view of the m~(~h~ni~m of Figure 10;
WO 96124549 -~ PCT/CA96/0~079~
' -' 8 21 87435
Figure 12 is a side elevational view of an altemative ~ . ~.v li l
mechanism for effecting cuts in packaging tape being dispensed from a packaging
tape dispensing device;
Figure 13 is a side elevatiorlal view of a further altemative embodiment
mPrh~niem for effecting cuts in packaging tape being dispensed from a packaging
tape dispensing device; and
Figure 14 is a perspective view of a tape dispenser for cutting a plurality
of tear-inducing cuts in packaging tape dispensed from a tape roll.
PETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PR~,~ED EMBODIM~ TS;
Reference will now be made to Figures I through 3, which show a length
of readily tearable packaging tape 20, in keeping with the present invention,
having an elongate main body portion 22 of substantially constant cross-section,Witll a generally centrally disposed k-n~it~in~l axis "A" directed along the lengtll
of the portion of readily tearable packaging tape 20. The thickness "T" of the
main body portion 22 is defined by a top surface 24 and a bottom surface 26.
The bottom surface 26 of the readily tearable packaging tape 20 has a coating ofadhesive 27 applied thereto, as is well known in the industry, in order to pemmit
the packaging tape 20 to be self-adhesive. The width "W" of the elongate main
body portion 22 is defined by a pair of side edges, namely first side edge 28 and
second side edge 30, disposed about the l(mnitl~in:~l axis. Conventional
packaging tape is about 5 to 8 cm wide and may be made from a number of
materials including poly,vlv~ , polyester, and polyvinylchloride, among others.
The length "L" of the length of readily tearable packaging tape 20 is deflned bya first end 32 and a second end 34. The first and second ends 32 and 34 may
typically be tom in the tape by means of a cv.lv~l.Livl,dl serrated blade 88 on a
packaging tape dispensing device 80, discussed hereafter. The first and second
ends 32 and 34 may also be fommed by other means, such as scissors or the like,
or may even be fommed by ripping or tearing the tape, thus creating a first and/or
~ WO 96124549 ~ PCTJCA96J00079
9 2 ~ 87435
second end of relatively random shape. The length of readily tearable packaging
tape 20--see Figure 14--has been dispensed from a tape roll 21 Cu~ ;llg a
length of perhaps several hundred metres of un-cut packaging tape 23.
A plurality of tear-inducing cuts 36 are disposed in the main body portion
5 32 so as to be sllh~t~ntiAIly evenly spaced along the length "L" tllereof, and are
generally aligned collinearly along the length of the main body portion 22 of the
packaging tape 20. In the preferred C,.ll,oll;lll ..l the plurality of tear-inducing
cuts 36 are situated generally proximate to the generally centrally disposed
l~n~it--~linAI axis "A", as will now be discussed, ~alLh,ula~ly with reference to
10 Figure 3.
A typical shipping container 40, such as a corrugated cardboard box, has
four flaps at each end thereof, first flap 41, second flap 42, third flap 43, and
fourth flap 44. Only one end of the shipping container 40 will be considered in
this discussion, for the sake of cullv~ ce and ease ûf, ~ Al;.".. In order to
1~ close off the open end of the shipping container 40, for subsequent sealing by
way of packaging tape, first the opposed third and fourth flaps 43 and 44 are
folded over the open end. Then the opposed first and second flaps 41 and 42 are
folded onto the third and fourth flaps 43 and 44. Typically, a small gap 48 exists
between the first flap 41 and the second flap 42. Typically, in order to seal tlle
20 opposed first and second flaps 41 and 42 that have been folded down to close off
the open end of the shipping container 40, the packaging tape 20 is placed such
that an even portion of the packaging tape 20 contacts and, therefore, adheres to
the end area of each of the first flap 41 and the second flap 42. The small gap
48 that exists between the two outermost edges 43 and 44 is, of course, spanned
25 by the packaging tape 20. Preferably, the centrally disposed ll~n~itlltiin:)l axis of
the packaging tape 20 is disposed over the small gap 48 between tl1e first flap 41
and the second flap 42. Accordingly, the tear-inducing cuts 36 are disposed
between the edges 43 and 44 of tl1e first flap 41 and the second flap 42,
lca~ ,ly, at the gap 48. This is desirable as, when the shipping container 40
30 is to be opened at the end sealed by the packaging tape 20, the gap 48 between
the first flap 41 and the second flap 42 is where the packaging tape 20 should be
WO 96/24549 PCT/CA96/0007!
;~ i ' -` lo 21 87435
torn, so as to permit separation of the first flap 41 and the second flap 42 onefrom the other. The packaging tape 20 in the area of the tear-inducing cuts 36
is free to tear as it is not adhered to either the first flap 41 or the second flap 42.
The packaging tape 20 tends to readily tear lengthwise and to some extent
5 crosswise at a cut 36, except if the tape 36 is adhered to a flap, or the like, in
whicl1 case it has a significantly lesser tendency to tear, as the tape is in effect
retained in place by the flap or the like.
In the preferred ..,.I~o.l;~". .,1, as can be seen in Figures I through 3, the
tear-inducing cuts 36 are preferably in the form of substantially straight slits10 aligned end-to-end with respect to one another. Each slit 36 has a vertex 38 at
each end thereof, which vertices 38 permit ready tearing of the main body portion
22 of the packaging tape 20 upon the application of an external force at or nearthe area of slit 36. Having the tear-inducing cuts 36 in the form of slits is highly
a.l~ ,u~, as discussed below:
In order to open a shipping container having an end closed off by the first
flap 41, the second flap 42, the third flap 43, and the fourth flap 44, the third flap
43 and the fourth flap 44 are closed off first and then the remaining first flap 41
and second flap 42 are closed thereover. It is then necessary to cause the
packaging tape 20 of the present invention to tear. Typically, this tearing is
20 , .~ d by impacting the packaging tape 20 near or at one of the slits 36.
Such impacting may be performed by means of a blunt instrument, impacting the
packaging tape 20 near a slit. Such impacting may even be performed by means
of a person's hand, so as to preclude the need for an instrument to be used. It is,
indeed, an object of the packaging tape of the present invention to provide a
25 packaging tape that is readily tearable by means of impacting by a person's hand,
which object cannot be ~ I by prior art packaging tapes. The impact
on the packaging tape 20 by a blunt instrument or a person's hand causes tl1e first
flap 41 and the second flap 42--or one or the other--to move downwardly.
Cu~ u~,llLly, the gap 48 tll~ . .,.l widens slightly, thus causing opposed
30 lateral forces to be applied to the packaging tape 20. These opposed lateral forces
are ~ l at the vertices 38 of the slits 36 and the maximum force i~
.
-
~ WO 96124549 PCTJCA96JODD79
- ` 11 21 87435
realized at one or both of the vertices 38 of one or more of the slits 36. Theseforces therefore cause the packaging tape to split even further at these vertices 38,
thus causing the respective slit 36 to develop into an elongate tear in the mainbody portion 22 of the readily tearable packaging tape 20. Since the slits 36 are
S oriented in a direction along the length of the ll-n~it~ n~l axis of the packaging
tape 20, and also are aligned end-to-end with respect to one amother, the resulting
elongate tears will be directed generally along the length of tlle piece of
packaging tape 20 on the shipping container 40. Ideally, the elongate tears willextend between adjacent slits 36, thus adjoining adjacent slits 36 and creating one
10 long tear along the length of the packaging tape 20 on the shipping container 40.
It is then possible for the person opening the package to slide his or her fingers
beneath one of the flaps 41 or 42; and then, with a sharp lifting motion, the
packaging tape 20 at both ends of the respective flap 41 or 42 where the
packaging tape 20 transitions to the sides of the shipping container 40 will tear
towards the side edges 28 or 30. Such tearing to the edges 28 and 30 occurs
because this portion of the pacf~aging tape 20 spans across a gap between the edge
of the flap and the top of the side of the shipping container 40, where the tape is
not adhered to the flaps or side of the container. Accordingly, tllis portion of the
packaging tape 20 is free to readily tear, and does so quite readily. The flap may
20 then be opened; and, ~ ly, the other flap can be opened in iike manner.
As noted above, the main body portion 22 of the readily tearable
packaging tape 20 is preferably made from a material such as po1ypropylene,
polyester, and polyvinylchloride, and the like, and generally exhibits the
f~ ;`11~, of being resistant to tearing, other than for the elongate tears that
25 are created as a result of the tear-inducing cuts 36 developing into elongate tears.
However, it must also be noted that, when the packaging tape is adhered to a
package as illustrated in Figure 3, it is not readily tearable until such time as it
is desired to unseal or open the package. In other words, the tension forces
developed in the packaging tape 20 cross-wise of its width retain the package in
Wo 96/24549 PCT/CA96/0007~
"' ~` 12 2187435
its sealed condition until such time as it is torn lengthwise by the specific action
of fracturi~g or otherwise rendering the tape into at least t~vo lengthwise portions
with the tear or parting seam between them having been defined essentially by the
tear-inducing cuts that were previously placed in the packaging tape 20.
It is speculated that at least one manner by which the packaging tape 20
is rendered into two portions generally u~ v~ to those portions on either
side of the l.",gill,.l;"~ axis "A" is as a r.",~ of the sheer forces that
develop within the material of the packaging tape and which extend through the
thickness "T" of the main body portion 22 of the packaging tape 20.
Various forms of the readily tearable packaging tape of the present
invention will now be discussed. Figure 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment
packaging tape 50 having "L"-shaped tear-inducing cuts having vertices 51a.
Figure 5 illustrates an alternative r..l,~ ., .l packaging tape 52 havin~ "V"-
shaped tear-inducing cuts 53 having vertices 53a. Figure 6 i~lustrates an
alternative r~ O-~ - II packaging tape 54 having "U"-shaped tear-inducing cuts
55 llaving vertices 55a. Figure 7 illustrates an alternative ~IIl'Vo.l;lll.llL packaging
tape 56 having tear-inducing cuts 57 in the form of open apertures. In each case,
the packaging tape of the present invention has a plurality of tear-inducing cuts
disposed therealong, which tear-inducing cuts permit the packaging tape to be
tearable by means of impact by a blunt inst~ument or a person's hand.
Referring now to Figure 8, it shows an alternative c~llbvdil~ L of the
readily tearable packaging tape 58 having tear inducing cuts 59 in the form of aperiodic alternating wave pattern. This type of wave pattern helps to ensure that
the tear-inducing cuts 59 will be disposed over the gap 48--as shown in Figure
3--between the first flap 41 and the second flap 42 in the shipping container 40,
when the packaging tape 58 is adhered thereto. It has been found that this
particular r~ 1 of readily tearable packaging tape may exhibit a tendency,
more so than ~ of the tape having cuts located at or near its generally
centrally disposed l~n~ iin:~l axis only, to tear generaily cross-ways toward anedge of the tape, if the tear starts at a cut disposed towards that edge.
~ WO 96n4549 PCTICA961000-19
13 2187~35
Referring now to Figure 9, there is shown an alternative ~lllbo.l;lll~ of
the packaging tape 20' of the present invention having two rows of tear-inducingcuts 36' therein. The two rows of tear-inducing cuts helps ensure that the tear-inducing cuts will be disposed over the gap 48 between the first flap 41 and thesecond flap 42 of the shipping container 40, when the packaging tape 20' is
adhered thereto. Similarly, it is c, . ' ' that another alternative embodiment
of the present invention could container more than two rows of tear-inducing cuts.
It has been noted, above, that the packaging tape of the present invention
may be utilized for such purposes as joining together two to six, or even more,
packages for retail sale without the necessity of an overwrap. By that, it is meant
that small packages such as the boxes in which pasta and/or macaroni or the like,
are sold, may be simply held together as to two or three or more of such packages
by wrapping the C;l~,ul~ ,C of them with a tape in keeping with the present
invention. More especially, they may be held together by a tape in keepin~ with
the present invention being placed on adjacent packages such that the lr\n~itll~ins~l
axis of the tape overlies the parting line between the packages. In a similar
manner to that described above, the packages may then be separated one from
another by the consumer, after the several packages have been purchased as a
single item at retail.
Another pal Lil,ulafly useful purpose for bundling packa~es of goods
together for sale as a single retail item is, for example, the rectangular or
"TETRA" boxes in which fruit juices and fruit-flavored beverages, and the like,
are sold at retail. Again, a bundle of two to six, or even more, such beverage
boxes may be purchased as a single item, and then separated one from the other
at the time that they are intended to be used and consumed by the purchaser.
With reference to Figures 10 and 11, there is shown a ".~.l,,..,:~", 60 for
effecting cuts 36 in packaging tape being dispensed from a packagin~ tape
dispensing device; and Figure 14 shows the tape dispensing device 80. The
packaging tape dispensing device 80 comprises a main body member 82, typically
30 constructed from a larger first metal plate 80a and two smaller metal plates 80b
and 80c, which metal plates 80a, 80b, and 80c are formed from a metal material
WO 96/24549 _ PCT/CA96/0007~
14 21 87435
such as steel, for purposes of strength and durability, and which may have a
protective covering of chrome or the like. A handle member 84 is securely
connected to the first metal plate 80a and plate 80c of tlle main body member 82by means of cu.,v.l.lion~l threaded fasteners 83 and protruding tenon 81 throughS a co-operating aperture 79 in the main body member 82. The handle member 84
permits ready gripping of the packaging tape dispensing device 80 by a person's
hand, for application of the readi~y tearable packaging tape 20 of tl1e present
invention to a shipping container 40.
A tape roll retention means m the form of a rotating drum 85 is rotatably
lO mounted on a spindle (not shown) secured to the first metal plate 80a by means
of a rivet (not shown). A bearing member (not shown) is rotatably mounted on
the spindle and receives the rotating drum 85 thereon. The bearing member is
retained in place by a threaded fastener 87. A tension adjustment knob 90 is
operatively engaged on the threaded fastening member 87 and engages the bearing
15 member by means of a coil spring (not sho~vn) tû permit tension adjustment of the bearing member.
The tape roll 21 frictionally engages the perimeter of the drum 85 and is
readily removed therefrûm for ~ f ,. ~ The tape is guided from the tape roll
21 across the mechanism 60, around a roller member 8g, and past a conventional
20 serrated blade 88. A metal guide 92 helps retain the blade close to the roller
member 89. The C~llv~ l serrated blade 88 is, of course, used to cut the
packaging tape 20 to its length "L". The paddle 93 may be used to smooth down
the tape onto the box after it has been dispensed.
As shown in Figure 10, the mf-rh~nicm 60 for effecting cuts 36 comprises
25 an axle member 62 of a length equal to or greater than the width of the packaging
tape 20, fixedly connected to the main body portion 82 of the tape dispensing
device 80. A pair of tape guide members 64 and 66 are operatively mounted on
the axle member 62. In the preferred ~ll.bodilll. ll~, the tape guide members 64and 66 each comprise a pair of roller members freely rotatably mounted on the
30 axle member 62 for rotation about the lon~itnf1ins~l axis "B". Respective support
surfaces 65 and 67 are shaped and ~ to receive the non-adhesive side
~ Wo 96/24549 2 1 ~ 7 ~ ~ ~ PCT/CAs6Jooo79
--in other words, the top side--of the packaging tape 20. In this manner, the
support surfaces 65 and 67 support a portion of the packaging tape ~ a~a;~
which is the portion of the packaging tape 20 to have cuts 36 effected therein.
A tape cutting member 70 is rotatably mounted on the axle member 62 in
5 interposed relation between the roller members 65 and 67 for rotational movement
about the centrally disposed ll",~;l."li".l axis "B", with respect to the tape
dispensing device 80. The tape cutting member 70 has a plurality of tape cuttingportions 72 that extend beyond the support surfaces 65 and 67 so as to be able to
engage the portion of the packaging tape 20 supported by the tape guide members
64 and 66. The tape cutting portions 72 of the tape cutting member 70 are
shaped and .l;",. .~ci,~"f~l to effect cuts in the packaging tape.
When tl~e packaging tape is pulled from the tape roll 21 on the tape
dispensing device 80, and as the un-cut packaging tape 23 is moved across the
roller members, the packaging tape 23 causes the tape cutting member 70 to move
rotationally about the axle member 62. In this manner, the tape cutting portions72 of the tape member 70 are caused to i"" . .II;lf. .,;ly engage the packaging tape
23, and ~ lly effect tear-inducing cuts 36 in the packaging tape 23 at the
portion of the packaging tape 23 received by the support surfaces 65 and 67 of
the roller members 64 and 66, as the packaging tape is drawn lengthwise along
the support surface 65 and 67, thus forming readily tearable packaging tape 20.
In tl1e preferred c,,.ho.l;-,...,l, the tape cutting member 70 is disposed
midway along the length of the axle member 62, so as to engage the packaging
tape cllhct:mti~lly at its generally centrally disposed l.",L~il",l"".l axis The tape
cutting portions 72 of the tape cutting member 70 are all disposed in a single
25 plane, with the plane being disposed generally ~ lldi~ ~dally to the llm~itl~iin~l
axis of the axle member 62 In this mamner, the tear-inducing cuts 36 are
generally aligned collinearly along the length of the main body portion 22 of the
packaging tape, and are situated generally proxim te to the generally centrally
WO 96/24549 _ ~ _ PCT/CA96/0007q~
2i87~3~ --
16
disposed lnn~it~ in~l axis. Further, the tdpe cutting portions 72 of the tape
cutting member 70 are slightly elongate so as to create sllh~t~nti~lly straight slits
36 that are aligned end-to-end with respect to one another, and are evenly spaced
along the length of the packaging tape 20.
5 In an alternative .. ".I-o l;", .,l of the mP~h~ni~nn ~00, as shown in Figure
12, it is ~ 1 that the tape cutting member 102 is rotatably mounted on
the axle member 104 at am angle a less than 90. The tape cutting member 102,
being angled in this manmer, produces a pattern of tear-inducing cuts that are in
the form of a periodic alternating wave pattern, such as shown in Figure 8.
As can be seen in Figure 13, a further alternative ~ bvd;l~ L of the
mechanism 110 of the present invention includes a first tape cutting member 112
and a second tape cutting member 114 each rotatably mounted about the axle
member 116. This ~ o,~ of mrrh~ni~m 110 produces a readily tearable
packaging tape having two rows of tear-inducing cuts therein, as illustrated in
Figure 9. It is also ( ,' ' that the first tape cutting member 102 and the
second tape cutting member 104 could be disposed at an angle other than 90
with respect to the axle member 116, in a manner similar to that illustrated in
Figure 12.
As a further i~ uv.lll~l~L or alternative ~ to the packaging
tapes as described above with respect to any of Figures I through 9, the
packaging tape may have visible markings placed on it in such a manner as
illustrated by markings 97 or 99 which are shown in Figures 4 and 6,
. Li~ ly. Those markings may be placed on the tape using d~l~lup~ inkjet
or other printing equipment associated with the cutting member 70 amd the cutting
portion 72 thereof, or which may be placed adjacent to the cutting l" 1. --,;~l,. 60.
This is especially useful and adaptable when the cutting m-~r~hs~ni.cm 60 is mounted
in a tape dispenser head in a factory-instdlled packaging line. The purpose of the
markings such as those at 97 amd 99 is to make the position and alignment of thep~ .rGlaLiull~ according to the various alternatives described above more visible.
This may have several a.l~allL2~ . In the first instance, a kllU~ C
consumer--for example a stock clerk in a retail store--would know at a glance
~ wo96n4s49 ~18 7 ~35 pCTlCA96100079
17
whether the package or box that he is about to open has been closed using the
packaging tape of the present invention, whereby it is readily tearable after it has
been impacted and the Inn~itll~lin~31 tear in the body thereof has been effected.
Also, even in such ~ "~ as the use of a suitable marking device in a
5 hand-held dispensing machine, it is possible to align the continuum defined by a
plurality of contiguous tear-inducing cuts visually so that they overlie the gap 48
as shown in Figure 3.
It is obvious that the m~h~nicm of Figures 10, Il, 12, or 13, can be
adapted to the hand-held tape dispenser of Figure 14, or to an automated tape
10 dispensing head or machine which forms a portion of a factory-installed
packaging line.
Other mo-1ifi~ti(mc and alterations may be used in the desi~n and
Illallura,~ul~ of the apparatus of the present invention without departing from the
spirit and scope of the accu~ .a.,~i,lg claims.
