Apparatus for splicing webs

A continuous splicer apparatus for attaching a lead end of a replenishing web to a depleting web while the replenishing web and the depleting web are in motion, said splicer apparatus comprising:

• first and second cylinders disposed in laterally spaced relation from one another and having respective first and second central longitudinal axes aligned in parallel with one another, wherein each of said cylinders is adapted for rotational displacement about its respective central axis;
• first and second cutting elements disposed on respective first peripheral portions of said first and second cylinders, wherein each first peripheral portion of said cylinders is disposed in closely spaced relation to the other cylinder during a portion of rotation of said cylinders;
• first and second tape retaining arrangements disposed on respective second peripheral portions of said first and second cylinders, wherein said second tape retaining arrangement is adapted to engage the replenishing web, and wherein each second peripheral portion of said first and second cylinders is disposed in closely spaced relation to a first peripheral portion of the other cylinder during a portion of the rotation of said cylinders;
• an adhesive member having a first surface attached to the lead end of the replenishing web and a second opposed surface removeably attached to said second tape retaining arrangement of said second cylinder;
• an anvil moveable between a first position in spaced relation from said cylinders and a second position between and in closely spaced relation to said first and second cylinders;
• and
• a drive arrangement coupled to said first and second cylinders and to said anvil for rotationally displacing said first and second cylinders about their respective axes and displacing said anvil between said first and second positions in a timed manner so as to position said adhesive member and the attached end of the replenishing web in contact with a first surface of the depleting web while moving the first cutting element of said first cylinder into engagement with the depleting web in severing the depleting web while simultaneously moving the anvil to said second position so as to be positioned between the first surface of the depleting web and the replenishing web, wherein said first cutting element engages said anvil after severing the depleting web in forming a splice between the replenishing web and the depleting web without stopping the replenishing web and the depleting web.