Method and apparatus for applying a splicing tape to a roll of sheet material

• US 6,814,123 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2001
• Issued: 11/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Erickson, Leif O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Osele, Mark A.
• Application Number:
  US10/028,659
• Publication Number:
  US 20030116256A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,054 Days
• Field of Search: 156/159, 156/502, 156/504, 156/450, 156/157, 242/551, 242/553, 242/555.3, 242/555.4, 242/556.1, 242/562, 242/910
• US Class Current: 156/450
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 19/102 Preparing the leading end of the replacement web before splicing operation; Adhesive arrangements on leading end of replacement web; Tabs and adhesive tapes for splicing
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 19/105 Opening of web rolls; Removing damaged outer layers; Detecting the leading end of a closed web roll
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2220/01 indicating an entity as a function of which control, adjustment or change is performed, i.e. input
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/46064 by transversally operated carriage
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/4607 by adhesive tape
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2406/34 Suction grippers
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2511/23 Coordinates, e.g. three dimensional coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2555/24 Servomotors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 242/91 Convolution tightener or loosener

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for applying a flying splicing tape to a roll of sheet material. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides methods and apparatus for lifting a portion of the outer-most layer of sheet material away from a roll of sheet material to form a lifted portion of the outer-most layer, applying a splicing tape to a wound portion of the roll, and applying pressure to the lifted portion of the outer-most layer to progressively place the lifted portion of the outer-most layer in contact with the remainder of the roll and the splicing tape.

Claims

1. An apparatus for applying a splicing tape to a roll of sheet material, the apparatus comprising:

a plurality sheet engagement mechanisms to lift an outer-most layer of the roll to form a lifted portion of the outer-most layer, wherein each sheet engagement mechanism includes a vacuum source and a roll sensor for sensing a spatial position of the roll relative to the sheet engagement mechanism, wherein each vacuum source only operates when a selected plurality of the roll sensors sense the roll,

a taping device to apply a slicing tape to the roll; and

a paper applicator to apply pressure to the lifted portion of the outer-most layer to progressively place the lifted portion of the outer-most layer in contact with the remainder of the roll and the splicing tape.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the paper applicator applies pressure to disengage the lifted portion from the sheet engagement mechanism.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the paper applicator includes a roller for rolling along the lifted portion of the outer-most layer from the sheet engagement mechanism and to progressively press the roller along the outer-most layer and the splicing tape.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a sheet cutter to cut the outer-most layer of the roll across a width thereof.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sheet engagement mechanism includes a vacuum source for lifting the portion of the outer-most layer away from the remainder of the roll.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the paper applicator holds down a portion of the outer-most layer as the lifted portion of the outer-most layer is lifted away from the remainder of the roll by the sheet engagement mechanism.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the splicing tape has a first section and a second section, wherein the outer-most layer covers the first section of the splicing tape and the second section of the splicing tape remains exposed adjacent the outer-most layer.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the taping device further includes a press down roller for pressing the outer-most layer against an outer surface of splicing tape after the paper applicator applies the lifted portion of the outer-most layer to the splicing tape.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each sheet engagement mechanism includes a plurality of vacuum cups.

10. An apparatus for applying a splicing tape to a roll of sheet material, the apparatus comprising:

a sheet engagement mechanism to lift an outer-most layer of the roll to form a lifted portion of the outer-most layer;

a taping device to apply a slicing tape to the roll;

a paper applicator to apply pressure to the lifted portion of the outer-most layer to progressively place the lifted portion of the outer-most layer in contact with the remainder of the roll and the splicing tape; and

a press down roller for pressing the outer-most layer against an outer surface of splicing tape after the paper applicator applies the lifted portion of the outer-most layer to the splicing tape.