Method and apparatus for tabbing manually-manipulated folded material

A method of tabbing manually-manipulated folded media comprising the steps of:

• dispensing a length of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape from a supply of adhesive tape into position for tabbing in a semi-automatic tabbing apparatus, the length of adhesive tape having a free unsupported end;
• inserting media to be tabbed into a tabbing opening of the semi-automatic tabbing apparatus thereby actuating the apparatus;
• applying a first portion of the length of adhesive tape to a first surface of the media;
• severing the length of adhesive tape from the supply of adhesive tape;
• folding over the length of adhesive tape and applying a second portion of the length of adhesive tape to a second surface of the media;
• and
• retracting the media from the tabbing opening in substantially the reverse direction from insertion.

A tabber for tabbing media, the tabber comprising:

• an apparatus including a fixture for accepting media to be tabbed wherein the media is inserted in a planar path, tabbed, and retracted along essentially the same path as the insertion path;
• an actuator for projecting a length of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape into a planar position substantially perpendicular to the planar path of the media, said length of adhesive tape including a first portion having a free, unsupported end lying beneath the plane of the media and a second portion held above the plane of the media;
• a first device for fixing the first portion and free end of adhesive tape to a bottom surface of the media, said first device for fixing the first portion including a first actuatable platen extendable through the planar position of the adhesive tape and along the bottom surface of the media to contact and affix the first portion to the bottom surface of the media;
• cutting apparatus for cutting the adhesive tape at a location spaced above the plane of the media, said cutting apparatus for cutting actuatable subsequent to actuation of the first device and in a direction transverse to the planar position of the adhesive tape;
• and
• a second device for fixing the second portion of the adhesive tape onto a top surface of the media, said second device actuatable to extend through the plane of the adhesive tape and along the top surface of the media to contact and affix the second portion to the top surface of the media thereby folding the second portion of the adhesive tape over the media and firmly sealing the adhesive tape to the media, said second device including a movable roller and a second extendable platen;
• and
• a sensor for sensing full insertion of media and actuating the tabbing of the media.