Inventors:
Craig S. Donnelly - Hager City WI
Daniel G. Michalski - Red Wing MN
David W. Carroll - Northfield MN
Robert L. Cahlander - Red Wing MN
Thomas E. Jung - Red Wing MN
James D. Ramacier - Hugo MN
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company - St. Paul MN
International Classification:
B65B 5300
B65B 1302
Abstract:
A dispenser apparatus comprised of a stretchable adhesive tape which is detackified when stretched longitudinally. The tape is advanced through a stretching station to an array of articles to be unitized. Tension rollers are utilized on either side of the stretching station to ensure that the tape advances evenly and does not recoil. The dispenser apparatus also includes a first prime mover which advances the tape through the tension rollers and stretching station at a rate which ensures proper stretching (at predetermined intervals) and proper feeding of the tape to the array of boxed items. A controller simultaneously controls the z-axis motion (of the dispenser and rotation of the articles to be unitized. Therefore, both the number of wraps about the articles and the location of the wraps between the base of the articles and the top of the articles may be controlled.