Method and apparatus for automatically applying a flying splicing tape to a roll of sheet material
First Claim
1. A method of automatically applying a splicing tape to a roll of sheet material defining a width and providing an outer-most layer, the method comprising:
- lifting a portion of the outer-most layer away from a remainder of the roll;
cutting the lifted portion of the outer-most layer to form a leading edge of the roll that is otherwise spaced from a remainder of the roll such that the roll is defined by a wound portion and an unwound portion, the cut being made at a known spatial location relative to a circumference of the wound portion such that the leading edge is radially aligned with a defined application line on the wound portion;
applying the splicing tape to the wound portion of the roll at the defined application line, the splicing tape extending across at least a portion of the width of the roll; and
adhering the leading edge to an outer surface of the splicing tape such that the outer-most layer covers a first section of the splicing tape and a second section of the splicing tape remains exposed adjacent the leading edge.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for automatically applying a flying splicing tape to a roll of sheet material. The roll of sheet material is defined by a width and includes an outer-most layer. With this in mind, the method includes lifting a portion of the outer-most layer away from a remainder of the roll. The lifted portion is then cut to form a leading edge that is otherwise spaced from a remainder of the wound roll. To this end, the cut is made at a defined spacial location along the outer-most layer such that the leading edge is radially aligned with a defined application line relative to a circumference on the wound portion of the roll. In other words, when the outer-most portion is subsequently wound back onto the roll, the leading edge will be aligned with the defined application line. The splicing tape is then applied to the wound portion of the roll at the defined application line, such that the splicing tape extends across at least a portion of the width of the roll. In one preferred embodiment, the splicing tape is applied in a straight fashion relative to an axis of the roll. Finally, the leading edge is adhered to an outer surface of the splicing tape. More particularly, the leading edge is positioned relative to the splicing tape such that the outer-most layer covers a first section of the splicing tape, whereas a second section of the splicing tape remains exposed. In another preferred embodiment, the applied splicing tape is cut to form a trailing end that is substantially aligned with a side of the roll.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. A method of automatically applying a splicing tape to a roll of sheet material defining a width and providing an outer-most layer, the method comprising:
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lifting a portion of the outer-most layer away from a remainder of the roll;
cutting the lifted portion of the outer-most layer to form a leading edge of the roll that is otherwise spaced from a remainder of the roll such that the roll is defined by a wound portion and an unwound portion, the cut being made at a known spatial location relative to a circumference of the wound portion such that the leading edge is radially aligned with a defined application line on the wound portion;
applying the splicing tape to the wound portion of the roll at the defined application line, the splicing tape extending across at least a portion of the width of the roll; and
adhering the leading edge to an outer surface of the splicing tape such that the outer-most layer covers a first section of the splicing tape and a second section of the splicing tape remains exposed adjacent the leading edge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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18. An apparatus for applying a splicing tape to a roll of sheet material, the apparatus comprising:
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a sheet engagement mechanism configured to engage and maneuver an outer-most layer of the roll;
a sheet cutter configured to cut the outer-most layer of the roll across a width thereof; and
a taping device including a tape head configured to apply a splicing tape to the roll;
wherein the sheet engagement mechanism, the sheet cutter and the taping device are connected to one another at known spatial locations such that the tape head applies the splicing tape along a tape line corresponding with a cut line provided by the sheet cutter.
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42. A method of automatically applying a splicing tape to a roll of sheet material defining a width and including an outer-most layer, the method comprising:
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establishing an imaginary application line extending transversely along a circumference of the roll;
lifting the outer-most layer away from a remainder of the roll in a region of the application line;
cutting the outer-most layer to form a leading edge, the cut being made such that the leading edge is radially alignable with the application line;
applying the splicing tape to a wound portion of the roll along the application line, the splicing tape extending across at least a portion of the width of the roll and the leading edge remaining spaced from the wound portion as the splicing tape is applied; and
adhering the leading edge to an outer surface of the splicing tape such that the outer-most layer covers a first portion of the splicing tape and a second portion of the splicing tape remains exposed. - View Dependent Claims (43)
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Specification