TAPE ROLL LINER/TAB, APPLICATION APPARATUS 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 segment (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 liner/tab strip (123) is applied by advancing the liner/tab material (90) laterally across the advancing web of pressure sensitive tape (26) adjacent a first, adhesive bearing side (27) thereof, cutting the liner/tab material (90) to a length approximating the width of the web (26), urging the leading lateral edge portion (190) of the cut liner/tab strip (123) against the first, adhesive bearing side (27) of the advancing web (26) and urging the remainder of the liner/tab strip (123) against the advancing web (26) as the web (26) carries the liner/tab strip (123) away.