Method and apparatus for automatically applying a flying splicing tape to a roll of sheet material

An apparatus for applying a splicing tape to a roll of sheet material, the apparatus comprising:

• a sheet engagement mechanism configured to engage ant maneuver an outer-most layer of the roll;
• a sheet cutter configured to cut the outer-most layer of the roll across a width thereof;
• a taping device including a tape head configured to apply a splicing tape to the roll;
• and
• a roll sensor for sensing a spatial position of the roll relative to the sheet engagement mechanism;
• wherein the sheet engagement mechanism, the sheet cutter and the taping device are connected to one another at known spatial locations such that the tape head applies the splicing tape along a tape line corresponding with a cut line provided by the sheet cutter.

A method of automatically applying a splicing tape to a roll of sheet material defining a width and providing an outer-most layer, the method comprising:

• lifting a portion of the outer-most layer away from a remainder of the roll;
• cutting the lifted portion of the outer-most layer to form a leading edge of the roll that is otherwise spaced from a remainder of the roll such that the roll is defined by a wound portion and an unwound portion, the cut being made at a known spatial location relative to a circumference of the wound portion such that the leading edge is radially aligned with a defined application line on the wound portion;
• moving the leading edge a further distance from the defined application line to provide spacing for applying the splicing tape;
• applying the splicing tape to the wound portion of the roll at the defined application line, the splicing tape extending across at least a portion of the width of the roll;
• and
• adhering the leading edge to an outer surface of the splicing tape such that the outer-most layer covers a first section of the splicing tape and a second section of the splicing tape remains exposed adjacent the leading edge.

An apparatus for applying a splicing tape to a roll of sheet material, the apparatus comprising:

• a sheet engagement mechanism configured to engage and maneuver an outer-most layer of the roll;
• a sheet cutter configured to cut the outer-most layer of the roll across a width thereof;
• a taping device including a tape head configured to apply a splicing tape to the roll;
• wherein the sheet engagement mechanism, the sheet cutter and the taping device are connected to one another at known spatial locations such that the tape head applies the splicing tape along a tape line corresponding with a cut line provided by the sheet cutter;
• wherein the sheet cutter is directly coupled to the sheet engagement mechanism, and wherein the combination sheet engagement mechanism and cutter are configured to be moveable relative to the tape head.