Apparatus for supporting and aligning splicing tape on a splicing wheel

In a tape splicing apparatus of the type wherein splicing tape is applied to a splicing tape applicator wheel having a plurality of planar, tape carrying surfaces, said applicator wheel adapted for movement to and from two tape ends to be spliced whereby the tape carrying surface contacts the two tape ends and applies the splicing tape thereto in lateral and longitudinal alignment therewith, the improvement which comprises:

• (a) a first support lying flush with and overlapping substantially all of the tape carrying surface of the applicator on one axial side thereof and mounted for unison translation with said applicator;
• (b) a second support lying flush with and overlapping substantially all of the tape carrying surface of said applicator on the other side thereof and also mounted for unison translation with said applicator, said first and second supports defining therebetween a splicing tape path substantially the same width as the splicing tape which guides the splicing tape onto the tape applying surface of the applicator and maintains proper lateral and longitudinal alignment of the splicing tape with the two tape ends to be spliced during movement of the applicator wheel;
• (c) extension means cooperating with said first and second supports and said applicator for extending the tape carrying surface to a plane beyond the extent of said first and second supports immediately prior to its contact with the two tape ends to be spliced so as not to interfere with the application of the tape;
• (d) port means communicating with each of the planar tape carrying surfaces of said applicator wheel;
• a source of negative air pressure communicating with said port means and adapted for aiding and retaining the splicing tape on the tape carrying surface of said applicator wheel while said applicator wheel is rotated into position for application of the tape to the two tape ends to be spliced and further wherein said two tape ends to be spliced are held in splicing position by means of negative air pressure;
• (e) including a source of positive air pressure communicating with said port means and air pressure control means for applying negative air pressure to the splicing tape to hold the splicing tape on the tape carrying surface until the instant of contact with the tape ends to be spliced and upon contact applying positive air pressure to said splicing tape to aid in removing the splicing tape from the tape carrying surface and mating the splicing tape to and firmly adhering the splicing tape to the tape ends to be spliced without air pockets between the respective tapes.