Web splicing apparatus

A method of preparing a ready web for creating a high speed butt splice using a web supply apparatus wherein the web supply apparatus comprises a first source of web;

• a second source of web;
• a splice head for creating a splice between a running web on said first source of web and a ready web on said second source of web;
• and an input festoon for storing an amount of ready web sourced from said second source of web while said splice is being created in said splice head;
• and a vacuum box for preparing said ready web for splicing, said vacuum box comprising a first vacuum bar adjacent a second vacuum bar, said first and second vacuum bars being adapted to provide suction to hold said ready web to said vacuum box, said first vacuum bar including a lengthwise slot into which a cutting instrument is placed to sever said ready web in line with said slot to create a leading edge on a portion of said first vacuum bar, said second vacuum bar being pivotable about a pivot point to separate said leading edge from said first vacuum bar, and said second vacuum bar being further pivotable about said pivot point to return said leading edge onto said first vacuum bar said method comprising:
• placing said ready web on said first and said second vacuum bars;
• cutting said ready web in line with said slot to create said leading edge on a portion of said first vacuum bar;
• pivoting said second vacuum bar about said pivot point to remove said leading edge from said first vacuum bar;
• placing an adhesive tape on said first vacuum bar;
• pivoting said second vacuum bar about said pivot point to return said leading edge to said first vacuum bar thereby creating an overlap of said leading edge and said adhesive tape on said first vacuum bar;
• and
• adhering said adhesive tape to a web position bar for transport to said splice head.