Method and apparatus for manufacturing a tape
AssigneeEssentra Packaging & Security Limited
InventorPhilip ALLEN
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
There is disclosed a method of manufacturing an adhesive tape (32), comprising a tape slitting operation in which, using a tape slitting head (92), a web (30) having a plurality of transversely spaced adhesive stripes (169) is slit into a plurality of adhesive tapes (32) which each have an adhesive stripe (16). The tape slitting is controlled such that the web (30) is slit in register with the adhesive stripes (16) by monitoring the transverse position of at least a part of at least one adhesive stripe (16) and adjusting the relative transverse position between the tape slitting head (92) and the web (30) in response thereto. There is also disclosed apparatus for manufacturing an adhesive tape (32).
Claims67
A method of manufacturing an adhesive tape, comprising:
- a tape slitting operation in which, using a tape slitting head, a web having a plurality of transversely spaced adhesive stripes is slit into a plurality of adhesive tapes which each have an adhesive stripe;
- and
- controlling the tape slitting such that the web is slit in register with the adhesive stripes by monitoring the transverse position of at least a part of at least one adhesive stripe and adjusting the relative transverse position between the tape slitting head and the web in response thereto.
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the adhesive stripes have fluorescent properties.
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the adhesive stripes have ultra-violet photoluminescent properties.
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the transverse position of at least a part of at least one adhesive stripe is optically monitored.
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein adjusting the relative transverse position between the tape slitting head and the web comprises transversely moving the tape slitting head.
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the web is slit at positions in between adjacent adhesive stripes such that each adhesive tape comprises a central adhesive region disposed between non-adhesive edge regions.
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the tape slitting head comprises a plurality of transversely spaced slitting elements.
A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising rewinding each adhesive tape onto a reel.
A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising applying onto a web a plurality of transversely spaced adhesive stripes.
A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising printing onto a web.
A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising a primary slitting operation, which is carried out prior to the tape slitting operation, in which, using a primary slitting head, a web having a plurality of transversely spaced adhesive stripes is slit into a plurality of narrower webs which each have a plurality of transversely spaced adhesive stripes.
An apparatus for manufacturing an adhesive tape, the apparatus comprising one or more tape slitting stations, each comprising:
- a tape slitter comprising a tape slitting head through which a web having a plurality of transversely spaced adhesive stripes can be drawn so as to slit the web into a plurality of adhesive tapes which each have an adhesive stripe;
- and
- a tape slitting controller arranged to control the tape slitting such that the web is slit in register with the adhesive stripes, the tape slitting controller comprising:
- an adhesive stripe monitor arranged to monitor the transverse position of at least a part of at least one adhesive stripe;
- and
- a tape slitting adjuster arranged to adjust the relative transverse position between the tape slitting head and the web based on the monitored transverse position.
An apparatus according to claim 63, wherein the primary slitting elements comprise blades or knives.
A method of manufacturing an adhesive tape or an apparatus for manufacturing an adhesive tape substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.