Method and apparatus for splicing folded paper

An apparatus for joining together a plurality of sections of fan-folded interconnected single sheets to form a composite stack comprising:

• sheet supporting means having an upper support surface for supporting a trailing transverse edge of the last sheet of a first section of fan-folded interconnected single sheets in a predetermined position and
• for supporting a leading transverse edge of a second section of fan-folded interconnected single sheets in edge-to-edge abutting relation to the trailing transverse edge of the last sheet of the first section;
• roll supporting means carried by a lower surface of said sheet supporting means for supporting a roll of a splicing tape so that the tape is removable from the roll and applied to portions of the sheets adjacent the abutting edges to thereby join the sections together;
• means carried by said sheet supporting means for forming a row of longitudinally-extending perforations in the center of splicing tape during its removal from said roll supporting means;
• and
• means for severing splicing tape applied to the sheets and extending beyond longitudinal edges of the sheets.

An apparatus for joining together a plurality of sections of fan-folded interconnected single sheets containing printed information on one side thereof to form a composite stack comprising:

• sheet supporting means having a horizontal support surface for supporting a trailing transverse edge of the last sheet of a first section of fan-folded interconnected single sheets containing printed information on one side thereof in a predetermined position
• and for supporting a leading transverse edge of the first sheet of a second section of fan-folded interconnected single sheets containing printed information on one side thereof in edge-to-edge abutting relation to the trailing transverse edge of the last sheet of the first section with the printed sides of the sheets having the same orientation;
• means positioned underneath said support surface for supporting a roll of a splicing tape so that the tape is removable from the roll, perforated in a longitudinally-extending central region thereof, and applied to portions of the sheets adjacent the abutting edges to thereby join the sections together;
• means for severing splicing tape applied to the sheets and extending beyond longitudinal edges of the sheets;
• means for subjecting the sheets of joined sections to a tension force to ensure interconnection of the sheets to each other;
• and
• means for applying identifying indicia to the printed side of the sheets of joined sections.