Method and apparatus for splicing a web material

A method for splicing a first web and a second web, the method comprising steps of:

• a) providing a first web at a first speed from a first upstream web supply,
• b) providing a second web at a second speed from a second upstream web supply,
• c) routing the first web around a first nip roller,
• d) routing the second web around a second nip roller,
• e) winding the second web on a wind up roller downstream of the second nip roller at a speed substantially equal to the first speed,
• f) forming a first nip between the first nip roller and the second nip roller wherein the first web and the second web pass through the nip in face-to-face contact with the other,
• g) rotating an adhesive roller comprising a circumferential surface and a portion of a two-sided splicing tape releasably attached to the circumference such that the speed of the circumference is substantially equal to the first speed,
• h) transferring the two-sided splicing tape from the adhesive roller to the first web upstream from the first nip,
• i) routing the first web and the second web through the first nip wherein the two-sided splicing tape is disposed between the first web and the second web,
• j) cutting the second web between the two-sided splicing tape and the second wind up roller by using a downstream web cutter, and
• k) cutting the first web between the first upstream web supply and the first nip by using a downstream web cutter.