Apparatus and Tab-Forming Process for Adhesive Backed Products
OwnerJerry Chern, Detlef Schmidtinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention relates to apparatuses and processes for forming tabs on adhesive backed products. Specifically, the apparatus of the present invention provides a sequential series of mechanisms to form a tab on an adhesive-backed product, such as adhesive tape, so that the same may be easy to remove from an article at a later date. More specifically, the apparatus of the present invention provides a sequential series of mechanisms to form a tab that is formed solely of the adhesive-backed product itself, which may be utilized for the subsequent removal thereof after placement on an article.
Claims43
An apparatus for forming a tab on an adhesive-backed strip comprising:
- an upper assembly and a base housing, the upper assembly having a first end and a second end, the upper assembly hinged at the first end to the base housing, the upper assembly further having a hinged tab forming element that rotates upon movement of the upper assembly toward the base housing;
- and
- the base housing having a holder for holding a length of the adhesive-backed strip, a first guide for positioning the adhesive-backed strip, and a cutter assembly comprising a cutter for cutting the adhesive-backed strip after forming a tab in the adhesive-backed strip with the hinged tab forming element.
A method of forming a tab on an adhesive-backed strip comprising:
- providing a tape folding assembly and a base housing, each having a first end and a second end, the tape folding assembly hinged at the first end to the base housing, the tape folding assembly further having a hinged tab forming element at the second end thereof;
- the base housing having a holder for holding an adhesive-backed strip, a first guide for positioning the adhesive-backed strip, and a cutter assembly comprising a cutter for cutting the adhesive-backed strip after forming a tab in the adhesive-backed strip with the hinged tab-forming element;
- providing the adhesive-backed strip extending from the housing, wherein the adhesive-backed strip has a leading edge disposed in proximity to the second end of the tape folding assembly, the adhesive-backed strip further having a portion immediately adjacent to the leading edge;
- moving the second end of the tape folding assembly toward the base housing;
- hingedly rotating the hinged tab-forming element rearwardly thereby catching the leading edge of the adhesive-backed strip and forming a loop formed by positioning the leading edge of the adhesive-backed strip under the portion of the adhesive-backed strip immediately adjacent to the leading edge thereof;
- and
- sealing the leading edge of the adhesive-backed strip against itself to the portion immediately adjacent to the leading edge thereof to form the tab in the adhesive-backed strip.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.