Semi-automatic cassette loader

Claim 2

In a machine for loading a tape cassette having a leader attached to two reels of the cassette and adapted to be drawn out as a loop, said machine having means for holding a supply roll of tape in a supply station, means for holding a cassette to be loaded in a loading station, and means for feeding tape along a predetermined path from said supply station to said loading station through an intermediate splicing station, including means for driving one reel of the cassette in the loading station, an improved cutting-and-splicing apparatus comprising: two positioning members mounted in side-by-side relation in said splicing station on one side of said path on opposite sides of a transverse plane through said path, and relatively movable along said plane between first and second displaced operating conditions, said first member being on the side of said plane closest to said supply station; first and second holding grooves formed in said first and second member, respectively, in the sides thereof adjacent said path, and aligned with said path in said first opeating condition to receive one side portion of the loop from the cassette, said holding grooves being displaced from eith other, parallel to said path, in said second operating condition; blade mounting means on the front side of said head adjacent said path and movable relative to said head between bladeextending and blade-retracting positions, for supporting a blade for movement along said plane; means operable as an incident to the reciprocation of said head to convert the head alternately to a cutting head in which the blade is extended at the end of a forward stroke, and to a splicing head in which the blade is held retracted at the end of a forward stroke, thereby producing alternating cutting strokes and intervening splicing strokes; means for supplying strips of splicing material to the front side of said head during said splicing strokes, in alignment with said path across said plane, for application of the splicing material across said plane to the tape and leader lying on said path; and control means for operating said machine to cut the leader in said first and second grooves along said plane, align the tape from the supply roll with said second groove, apply a strip of splicing material to join the leader and the tape across said plane, wind a selected length of tape into the cassette along said third and second grooves, sever the tape across said plane, align said first and third grooves along said path, apply a second strip of splicing material across said plane, and wind the remaining tape and leader material into the cassette.

Claim 3

A machine as defined in claim 1 in which said blade mounting means comprise an outer body having a front side with a slot therein and reciprocable into and out of engagement with said members with said slot along said plane, an inner body movable toward and away from said front side within said outer body and yieldably urged rearwardly therein, and a blade chuck on the front side of said inner body for holding a blade in alignment with said slot for extension and retraction therein.

Claim 4

A machine as defined in claim 2 in which said means for converting said head comprise a blocking member carried by said outer body an movable between blocking and unblocking positions relative to said inner body, and means for shifting said blocking member alternately between blocking and unblocking positions for successive forward strokes of said head.

Claim 5

A machine as defined in claim 3 in which the last-mentioned means comprise a ratchet mechanism having a ratchet wheel carried by said outer body and coupled to said blocking member to turn the same from one position to the next for each forward stroke, and a pawl mounted in a stationary position along the path of said head for engagement with said wheel.

Claim 6

A machine as defined in claim 1 in which said positioning members are formed with a notch along said plane for receiving the blade during the cutting strokes.

Claim 7

A machine as defined in claim 1 in which said means for receiving the second side portion of the leader loop is a fourth holding groove formed in said first member, on the side of said first groove opposite said third groove.

Claim 8

A machine as defined in claim 6 in which said fourth groove is formed on a portion of said first member that is inclined outwardly and away from said path, said fourth groove also being inclined away from said path from said plane toward the supply station to spread the side portions at said splicing station.

Claim 9

A machine as defined in claim 6 in which each of said grooves has vacuum holes therein, and further including means for applying vacuum to said holes to grip tape and leader therein while the latter are stationary.

Claim 10

A machine as defined in claim 1 in which said splice-supplying means include means for supporting a roll of splicing material and feeding out a selected increment of the material for each splicing stroke, means guiding the material into the path of said head, a cutter on said head for severing the increment as the head is moved forward during a splicing stroke, and means for gripping the splicing material on the head and releasing it on the tape and leader.

Claim 11

A machine as defined in claim 9 in which the last-mentioned means comprise a row of vacuum holes across the front of said head in alignment with said path.

Claim 12

In a machine for loading a tape cassette having two reels for holding a length of tape and winding the tape alternately from one reel to the other, and a leader connected at its ends to said reels and adaPted to be drawn out as a loop and severed between its ends to from first and second leader strips connected to said reels and to be joined to the opposite ends of a length of tape to connect the latter to said reels; said machine having means in a supply station for holding a roll of tape to be loaded on cassettes, means for holding a cassette in a loading station, means for feeding tape from said supply station along a preselected path through a splicing station to the loading station, and selectively operable means at said loading station for driving the reel of a cassette connected to said first leader strip to wind the leader and the tape on the reel, the combination of: a tape-and-leader positioning device at said splicing station, having a first holding member disposed on one side of said path and having one side facing toward said path and first means for holding said first leader strip in a preselected position on said one side, a second holding member disposed on said one side of said path beside said first holding member, between the latter and said supply station, and also having one side facing toward said path and second means for holding said second leader strip in a preselected position, said second holding member also having third means on said one side thereof for holding the free end portion of the tape from the supply roll, said third holding means being spaced transversely of said path from said second holding means, and means for shifting said first and second holding members back and forth relative to each other, transversely of said path, between a first condition in which said first and second holding means are aligned to receive and hold one side portion of the leader loop prior to severance, and a second position which whch said first and third holding means are aligned for splicing of said free end portion to said first leader strip after severance; a cutting-and-splicing mechanism at said splicing station, having a head disposed on the opposite side of said path from said holding members and mounted for movement through forward and return strokes, toward and away from said holding members, means for mounting a blade on said head for movement therewith, and also for movement relative thereto between an extended position projecting from the head toward said path for cutting engagement with said leader strip between said members, and a retracted position within said head, means for positioning the blade alternately in said extended position and said retracted position during successive forward strokes of said head, thereby alternately activating and deactivating the blade to produce alternating cutting strokes and intervening splicing strokes of said head, and means for supplying a strip of splicing material to said head for application during each splicing stroke; and control means for operating said tape-and-leader positioning device, said cutting-and-splicing mechanism, said tape-feeding means, said splicing-material supplying means, and said selectively operable means at said loading station after a leader loop has been placed on said holding means with said holding members in said first condition, to move said head through a cutting stroke and a return stroke, thereby severing the leader, shift said holding members to said second condition to separate the leader strips while aligning the tape with said first strip, move said head through a splicing stroke and a return stroke to apply a strip of splicing material to join the tape to said first leader strip, drive the reel and said feed means to wind a preselected length of the tape on the reel, stop the reel and the feed means, repeat the severing stroke and the return stroke of said head, return said holding members to said first condition, and repeat the splicing and return strokes of the head, thereby splicing the severed end of said length of tape to said second leader strip.

Claim 13

In a machine for loading a tape cassette having two reels for holding a length of tape and winding the tape alternately from one reel to the other, and a leader connected at its ends to said reels and adaPted to be drawn out as a loop and severed between its ends to from first and second leader strips connected to said reels and to be joined to the opposite ends of a length of tape to connect the latter to said reels; said machine having means in a supply station for holding a roll of tape to be loaded on cassettes, means for holding a cassette in a loading station, means for feeding tape from said supply station along a preselected path through a splicing station to the loading station, and selectively operable means at said loading station for driving the reel of a cassette connected to said first leader strip to wind the leader and the tape on the reel, the combination of: a tape-and-leader positioning device at said splicing station, having a first holding member disposed on one side of said path and having one side facing toward said path and first means for holding said first leader strip in a preselected position on said one side, a second holding member disposed on said one side of said path beside said first holding member, between the latter and said supply station, and also having one side facing toward said path and second means for holding said second leader strip in a preselected position, said second holding member also having third means on said one side thereof for holding the free end portion of the tape from the supply roll, said third holding means being spaced transversely of said path from said second holding means, and means for shifting said first and second holding members back and forth relative to each other, transversely of said path, between a first condition in which said first and second holding means are aligned to receive and hold one side portion of the leader loop prior to severance, and a second position which whch said first and third holding means are aligned for splicing of said free end portion to said first leader strip after severance; a cutting-and-splicing mechanism at said splicing station, having a head disposed on the opposite side of said path from said holding members and mounted for movement through forward and return strokes, toward and away from said holding members, means for mounting a blade on said head for movement therewith, and also for movement relative thereto between an extended position projecting from the head toward said path for cutting engagement with said leader strip between said members, and a retracted position within said head, means for positioning the blade alternately in said extended position and said retracted position during successive forward strokes of said head, thereby alternately activating and deactivating the blade to produce alternating cutting strokes and intervening splicing strokes of said head, and means for supplying a strip of splicing material to said head for application during each splicing stroke; and control means for operating said tape-and-leader positioning device, said cutting-and-splicing mechanism, said tape-feeding means, said splicing-material supplying means, and said selectively operable means at said loading station after a leader loop has been placed on said holding means with said holding members in said first condition, to move said head through a cutting stroke and a return stroke, thereby severing the leader, shift said holding members to said second condition to separate the leader strips while aligning the tape with said first strip, move said head through a splicing stroke and a return stroke to apply a strip of splicing material to join the tape to said first leader strip, drive the reel and said feed means to wind a preselected length of the tape on the reel, stop the reel and the feed means, repeat the severing stroke and the return stroke of said head, return said holding members to said first condition, and repeat the splicing and return strokes of the head, thereby splicing the severed end of said length of tape to said second leader strip.

Claim 14

In a machine for loading a tape cassette having a leadeR attached to two reels in the cassette and adapted to be drawn out as a loop, said machine having means for holding a supply roll of tape in a supply station, means for holding a cassette to be loaded in a loading station, and means for feeding tape along a predetermined path from said supply station to said loading station through an intermediate splicing station, the combination of: drive means at said loading station for rotating one reel of the cassette to wind tape theron; positioning means at said splicing station on one side of said path for receiving the loop from the cassette and holding the loop initially with the two side portions thereof separated transversely of said path for severance of one of said side portions, said positioning means also having means for initially holding the end portion of the tape from the supply roll spaced transversely of said path from said one side portion and being movable from the initial condition to a second condition in which the severed parts of said one side portion are displaced from each other and said end portion is in aligned end-to-end relation with the severed part connected to said one reel; splicing means at said splicing station on the side of said path opposite said positioning means and including a head movable repetitively into and out of engagement with said positioning means, in the area thereof holding said one side portion in said initial condition, and means converting said head alternately from a cutting device to a splicing device and back during successive engagements; and control means for said machine including means for moving said head through a cycle of four engagements with the positioning means, two before winding and two after winding, beginning with a cutting engagement; actuating means for holding said positioning means in said initial condition during the first engagement for severing of the loop, and shifting the positioning means to said second condition for the second engagement, for splicing of the tape to the severed part connected to said one reel; and means for activating said drive means to wind a selected length of tape into the cassette; said actuating means holding the positioning means in the second condition during the third engagement for severing of the tape, and returning the positioning means to said initial condition for the fourth engagement, for splicing of the tape from the cassette to the remaining portion of said leader loop.

Claim 15

In a machine for loading a tape cassette having a leadeR attached to two reels in the cassette and adapted to be drawn out as a loop, said machine having means for holding a supply roll of tape in a supply station, means for holding a cassette to be loaded in a loading station, and means for feeding tape along a predetermined path from said supply station to said loading station through an intermediate splicing station, the combination of: drive means at said loading station for rotating one reel of the cassette to wind tape theron; positioning means at said splicing station on one side of said path for receiving the loop from the cassette and holding the loop initially with the two side portions thereof separated transversely of said path for severance of one of said side portions, said positioning means also having means for initially holding the end portion of the tape from the supply roll spaced transversely of said path from said one side portion and being movable from the initial condition to a second condition in which the severed parts of said one side portion are displaced from each other and said end portion is in aligned end-to-end relation with the severed part connected to said one reel; splicing means at said splicing station on the side of said path opposite said positioning means and including a head movable repetitively into and out of engagement with said positioning means, in the area thereof holding said one side portion in said initial condition, and means converting said head alternately from a cutting device to a splicing device and back during successive engagements; and control means for said machine including means for moving said head through a cycle of four engagements with the positioning means, two before winding and two after winding, beginning with a cutting engagement; actuating means for holding said positioning means in said initial condition during the first engagement for severing of the loop, and shifting the positioning means to said second condition for the second engagement, for splicing of the tape to the severed part connected to said one reel; and means for activating said drive means to wind a selected length of tape into the cassette; said actuating means holding the positioning means in the second condition during the third engagement for severing of the tape, and returning the positioning means to said initial condition for the fourth engagement, for splicing of the tape from the cassette to the remaining portion of said leader loop.

Claim 16

The combination defined in claim 12 in which said positioning means comprise first and second holding members disposed on one side of said path and having vacuum activated holding areas for receiving and holding the loop with the two side portions thereof separated transversely of said path, and movable relative to each other by said actuating means to displace the severed portion of the tape, said control means also including means for selectively applying and relieving vacuum to said holding areas to grip and release the parts of the tape during different parts of said cycle.

Claim 17

The combination defined in claim 12 in which said control means also include means for activating said drive means momentarily after splicing of the tape from the cassette to the remaining portion of the leader loop, thereby to pull in the spliced loop at the end of the cycle.

Claim 18

The combination defined in claim 12 further including means activated by said control means during each cycle to apply identifying data to each cassette.

Claim 19

The combination defined in claim 12 in which said head is moved into and out of positive clamping engagement with said positioning means, to trap and hold the material during severance.

Claim 20

The combination defined in claim 16 in which said means converting said head alternatively from a cutting device and a splicing device include blade-mounting means on the side of said head adjacent said path and movable relative to the head between blade-extending and blade-retracting positions, and means for producing movement of said blade-mounting means to said blade-extending position during the cutting strokes, and preventing such movement during the splicing strokes.

Claim 21

The combination defined in claim 17 in which said positioning means comprise two relatively movable, side-by-side positioning members disposed on opposite sides of a cutting plane extending transversely of said path, said blade-holding means being arranged to reciprocate a blade along said plane, and said positioning members defining a notch adjacent said path for entry of the blade through the tape.

Claim 22

In a machine fo loading a tape cassette having a leader attached to two reels in the cassette and adapted to be drawn out as a loop, said machine having means for holding a supply roll of tape in a supply station, means for holding a cassette to be loaded in a loading station, and means for feeding tape along a predetermined path from said supply station through an intermediate loading station, including means for rotating one reel of the cassette in the loading station after the leader has been spliced to the tape, and means at said splicing station for severing the tape and the leader in a selected transverse plane through said path, and for applying splices across said plane; an improved positioning device comprising: first and second positioning members disposed in side-by-side relation in said splicing station on one side of said path, on longitudinally opposite sides of said plane with said first member on the side of said plane closest to said supply station, one of said members being movable relative to the other, parallel to said plane, between first and second displaced positions; first and second holding means on said first and second members, respectively, that are aligned longitudinally of said path when said one member is in said first condition, to receive and hold one side portion of the leader loop from the cassette; third holding means on said first member spaced laterally from said first holding means for alignment with said second holding means when said one member is in said second position, to receive and hold the end portion of the tape from the supply station; and fourth holding means on said first member, on the side of said first holding means opposite said third holding means, to receive and hold the other side portion of the leader loop in spaced relation with said one side portion thereof.

Claim 23

In a machine fo loading a tape cassette having a leader attached to two reels in the cassette and adapted to be drawn out as a loop, said machine having means for holding a supply roll of tape in a supply station, means for holding a cassette to be loaded in a loading station, and means for feeding tape along a predetermined path from said supply station through an intermediate loading station, including means for rotating one reel of the cassette in the loading station after the leader has been spliced to the tape, and means at said splicing station for severing the tape and the leader in a selected transverse plane through said path, and for applying splices across said plane; an improved positioning device comprising: first and second positioning members disposed in side-by-side relation in said splicing station on one side of said path, on longitudinally opposite sides of said plane with said first member on the side of said plane closest to said supply station, one of said members being movable relative to the other, parallel to said plane, between first and second displaced positions; first and second holding means on said first and second members, respectively, that are aligned longitudinally of said path when said one member is in said first condition, to receive and hold one side portion of the leader loop from the cassette; third holding means on said first member spaced laterally from said first holding means for alignment with said second holding means when said one member is in said second position, to receive and hold the end portion of the tape from the supply station; and fourth holding means on said first member, on the side of said first holding means opposite said third holding means, to receive and hold the other side portion of the leader loop in spaced relation with said one side portion thereof.

Claim 24

A machine as defined in claim 19 in which said holding means are grooves in the sides of said members adjacent said path, having rows of vacuum-applying openings for holding the tape and the leader in said grooves.

Claim 25

A machine as defined in claim 20 in which said first member has one side facing toward said path, and an inclined extension of said one side on the side of said path opposite said third holding means, the groove of said fourth holding means being inclined along said inclined extension from said plane away from said path, to separate said side portions toward the closed end of said loop.

Claim 26

A machine as defined in claim 19 in which said members are blocks in sliding engagement at said plane, and defining a notch at said plane on the side adjacent said path, to receive a cutting tool.

Claim 27

In a machine for loading a tape cassette having a leader attached to two reels in the cassette and adapted to be drawn out in a loop, said machine having a base, means for holding a supply roll of tape in a supply station, means for holding a cassette to be loaded in a loading station, means for feeding tape along a predetermined path from said supply station to said loading station through an intermediate splicing station, and positioning means at said splicing station for receiving the leader loop for severance, aligning one severed end with the end of the tape from the supply station for splicing and winding, and aligning the end of the tape on the cassette with the other severed end after winding and severing, an improved cutting-and-splicing mechanism comprising: a head supported at said splicing station for reciprocation through forward and return strokes, toward and away from said path, from the side thereof opposite said positioning means, into and out of engagement with the latter; means for mounting a blade on said head on the side of said head adjacent said path, for reciprocation with the head and also for movement relative to the head between extended and retracted positions; means operable as an incident to the reciprocation of said head to move said blade mounting means forwardly to extend the blade for cutting engagement at the end of alternate forward strokes, and to move the blade mounting means rearwardly to retract the blade during the intervening forward strokes, thereby activating said head as a cutting mechanism during said alternate forward strokes; and means operable during said intervening strokes to apply splicing material to the side of said head adjacent said path, in alignment therewtih, for application to the tape and the leader.

Claim 28

In a machine for loading a tape cassette having a leader attached to two reels in the cassette and adapted to be drawn out in a loop, said machine having a base, means for holding a supply roll of tape in a supply station, means for holding a cassette to be loaded in a loading station, means for feeding tape along a predetermined path from said supply station to said loading station through an intermediate splicing station, and positioning means at said splicing station for receiving the leader loop for severance, aligning one severed end with the end of the tape from the supply station for splicing and winding, and aligning the end of the tape on the cassette with the other severed end after winding and severing, an improved cutting-and-splicing mechanism comprising: a head supported at said splicing station for reciprocation through forward and return strokes, toward and away from said path, from the side thereof opposite said positioning means, into and out of engagement with the latter; means for mounting a blade on said head on the side of said head adjacent said path, for reciprocation with the head and also for movement relative to the head between extended and retracted positions; means operable as an incident to the reciprocation of said head to move said blade mounting means forwardly to extend the blade for cutting engagement at the end of alternate forward strokes, and to move the blade mounting means rearwardly to retract the blade during the intervening forward strokes, thereby activating said head as a cutting mechanism during said alternate forward strokes; and means operable during said intervening strokes to apply splicing material to the side of said head adjacent said path, in alignment therewtih, for application to the tape and the leader.

Claim 29

A machine as defined in claim 23 in which said blade mounting means is carried on said head on a support that is movable relative to the head to extend and retract the blade, said member being yieldably urged in a direction to retract the blade, and in which said means for extending and retracting the blade further include a block-out member movable between blocking and unblocking positions for successive forward strokes and operable in said blocking position to prevent extension of said blade upon engagement of said head with said positioning means.

Claim 30

A machine as defined in claim 24 in which said extending and retracting means also include a ratchet mechanism acting between said head and said base to change said block-out member alternately to said unblocking position for each of said alternate forward strokes, and to said blocking position for each of said intervening strokes.

Claim 31

A machine as defined in claim 23 in which said means for applying splicing material include means for supporting a supply roll of such material, means for feeding a selected length of material from said supply roll into the path of said head for each of said intervening strokes, a cutter on said head for severing the material, and means on said head for holding the severed material on the head for application of the material to the tape and the leader on said positioning means.

Claim 32

A machine as defined in claim 26 in which said cutter forms one side edge of the side of said head adjacent said path, and further including a backing member positioned along the path of said head during its forward strokes, for sliding engagement with said cutter, said feeding means being positioned to feed said length of material into the path of said head between said cutter and said backing member.

Claim 33

A machine as defined in claim 27 in which said means for holding the severed material comprise a row of holes in the side of said head adjacent said path, aligned with the length of splicing material fed from the supply roll, and means for applying vacuum to said holes during said intervening forward strokes to grip the splicing material, and relieving the vacuum at the ends of said intervening strokes to release the splicing material.

Claim 34

In a machine for loading strip material into a holder for such material, and including means for holding a supply roll of strip material in a supply station, means for supporting a holder in a loading station, means for feeding strip material along a predetermined path to said loading station through a cutting-and-splicing station, and positioning means at said cutting-and-splicing station for positioning strip material for cutting and splicing, an improved cutting-and-splicing mechanism comprising: a head supported at said cutting-and-splicing station for reciprocation through forward and return strokes, toward and away from said positioning means and into and out of engagement therewith; means for mounting a blade on said head, on the side thereof engageable with said positioning means, for reciprocation with the head and also for movement relative to the head between extended and retracted positions; means operable during successive forward-and-return-stroke cycles to extend said blade-mounting means toward said positioning means for alternate forward strokes, and to retract the blade mounting means into said head for intervening forward strokes, thereby activating said head as a cutting mechanism during said alternate forward strokes; and means for applying splicing material to the side of said head adjacent said positioning means to be carried toward the positioning means for application to the strip material during said intervening forward strokes, thereby activating said head as a splicing mechanism during said intervening forward strokes.

Claim 35

In a machine for loading strip material into a holder for such material, and including means for holding a supply roll of strip material in a supply station, means for supporting a holder in a loading station, means for feeding strip material along a predetermined path to said loading station through a cutting-and-splicing station, and positioning means at said cutting-and-splicing station for positioning strip material for cutting and splicing, an improved cutting-and-splicing mechanism comprising: a head supported at said cutting-and-splicing station for reciprocation through forward and return strokes, toward and away from said positioning means and into and out of engagement therewith; means for mounting a blade on said head, on the side thereof engageable with said positioning means, for reciprocation with the head and also for movement relative to the head between extended and retracted positions; means operable during successive forward-and-return-stroke cycles to extend said blade-mounting means toward said positioning means for alternate forward strokes, and to retract the blade mounting means into said head for intervening forward strokes, thereby activating said head as a cutting mechanism during said alternate forward strokes; and means for applying splicing material to the side of said head adjacent said positioning means to be carried toward the positioning means for application to the strip material during said intervening forward strokes, thereby activating said head as a splicing mechanism during said intervening forward strokes.