CORELESS ADHESIVE TAPE WINDING MANDREL AND METHOD

摘要

A method and apparatus (20) for forming coreless rolls (15) of pressure sensitive adhesive tape involves the use of a mandrel assembly (55) having a specific circumferential tape supporting segment (234) thereon for winding tape. The circumferential tape supporting segments (234) has a tape engaging surface portion (246) that, in a radial orientation, is compressible yet sufficiently stiff to support the tape as it is successively wound about the mandrel (55) to form a tape roll (15), and that is sufficiently pliant to permit ready axial removal of a wound tape roll (15) from the mandrel (55). The innermost wrap (72) of pressure sensitive adhesive tape about the mandrel (55) is masked by an adhesive liner (73). That liner (73) is formed from one portion of a liner/tab strip (123) which had been applied to the tape previously, and prior to winding, the tape is severed, and the remainder of that liner/tab (76) forms an end tab on the outermost end (75) of the previously formed coreless tape roll (15). The circumferential tape supporting segment (234) of the mandrel (55) is supported on a rotatable shaft (210) and its surface portion (246) may be defined by a plurality of pliant stems (248) extending generally outwardly from the shaft (210) at approximately equal height. The circumferential tape supporting segment (234) may further include a tubular section of material (244) bearing the tape engaging surface portion (246), which may be rotatable about the shaft (210).