Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a tape splicing system for coupling a leading end of a staged tape to a trailing end of a running tape to form a continuous tape. The splicing system can comprise a connector having an opening for allowing the running tape to pass through, a leading end element having an opening for engaging the connector, and a trailing end element. The leading end element can be secured to the leading end of the staged tape and the trailing end element can be secured to the trailing end of the running tape. The connector can couple the leading end element to the trailing end element to splice the staged tape to the running tape.

Abstract: A system for applying a material to a substrate comprising: a feed section that comprises a feed roll and configured for advancing a material along a predetermined path; a material applicator roll configured to receive the material from the feed roll and apply a cut length of material to a substrate; a knife element located between the feed section and the material applicator roll; and a non-vacuum anvil roll positioned near the knife element, wherein the knife element and the non-vacuum anvil roll are positioned along the path of the material and engage the material to cut the material into the cut length of material for applying to the substrate, and wherein the material contacts the peripheral surface of the non-vacuum anvil roll only at a cut engagement point.

Abstract: A container comprising: at least one panel or flap configured to form a top, wall, or bottom of the container, wherein the panel or flap comprises a paper board and defines an exterior surface and an interior surface and at least one longitudinally-elongated opening; and at least one handle, each handle comprising a flexible strip forming a collapsible loop having a continuous curvature along the full length of the loop that extends through the length of the longitudinally-elongated opening in the container, wherein first and second portions of the flexible strip are adhesively affixed to the interior surface of the panel or flap of the top, wall or bottom of the container.

Abstract: A system comprising: a vacuum roll configured to receive a material, wherein the vacuum roll defines a peripheral surface having a contoured portion; and an element forming a nip with the vacuum roll so that the material can be applied to a substrate advancing through the nip.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a tape splicing system for coupling a leading end of a staged tape to a trailing end of a running tape to form a continuous tape. The splicing system can comprise a connector having an opening for allowing the running tape to pass through, a leading end element having an opening for engaging the connector, and a trailing end element. The leading end element can be secured to the leading end of the staged tape and the trailing end element can be secured to the trailing end of the running tape. The connector can couple the leading end element to the trailing end element to splice the staged tape to the running tape.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing strip materials onto one or more moving substrates includes a frame extending transversally of the substrate path that supports guide arms. Each guide arm includes pulleys for dispensing strip materials and is able to be moved along the frame by a friction drive system, which includes crank shafts, pulleys, and cables. Each guide arm can be held in position by a friction braking system, which includes members that are pressed against components of the drive system to frictionally prevent motion. A position feedback system measures and displays the location of the guide arms. A substrate tracking and adjustment system tracks the position of the substrate as it moves side to side from a normal path and automatically adjusts the position of the frame along a guide track to maintain the guide arms in a desired position in relation to the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing strip materials onto one or more moving substrates includes a frame extending transversally of the substrate path that supports guide arms. Each guide arm includes pulleys for dispensing strip materials and is able to be moved along the frame by a friction drive system, which includes crank shafts, pulleys, and cables. Each guide arm can be held in position by a friction braking system, which includes members that are pressed against components of the drive system to frictionally prevent motion. A position feedback system measures and displays the location of the guide arms. A substrate tracking and adjustment system tracks the position of the substrate as it moves side to side from a normal path and automatically adjusts the position of the frame along a guide track to maintain the guide arms in a desired position in relation to the substrate.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus includes a first running spool of elongated material and second and third stand-by spools of elongated material. The first spool has a trailing end portion and a first obstacle element secured to its trailing end portion. The second spool has a leading end portion and a first catching mechanism secured to the leading end portion, as well as a trailing end portion with a second obstacle element secured to its trailing end portion. The third spool has a leading end portion and a second catching mechanism secured to its leading end portion. A support member is configured to at least partially support the leading end portions of both the second and third spools.

Abstract: A tape that includes a cellulosic substrate defining a first surface and an opposing second surface; a pressure sensitive adhesive disposed on the first surface of the cellulosic substrate; and an encapsulated fibrous material disposed on the first surface of the cellulosic substrate or the second surface of the cellulosic substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a tape splicing system for coupling a leading end of a staged tape to a trailing end of a running tape to form a continuous tape. The splicing system can comprise a connector having an opening for allowing the running tape to pass through, a leading end element having an opening for engaging the connector, and a trailing end element. The leading end element can be secured to the leading end of the staged tape and the trailing end element can be secured to the trailing end of the running tape. The connector can couple the leading end element to the trailing end element to splice the staged tape to the running tape.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for splicing tapes dispensed from a tape dispenser. According to one embodiment, a first, running or unwinding roll of tape is provided with a first splicing element secured to its trailing end portion. A second, stationary or standby roll of tape is provided with a second splicing element secured to its leading end portion. The second splicing element comprises a body made of a self-supporting material and formed with at least one aperture sized to receive the tape from the first roll. While tape is being dispensed from the first roll, the running tape is inserted into the aperture of the second splicing element. When the first roll of tape becomes depleted, the first splicing element engages the second splicing element, thereby splicing the leading end portion of the second tape roll to the trailing end portion of the first tape roll.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing strip materials onto one or more moving substrates includes a frame extending transversally of the substrate path that supports guide arms. Each guide arm includes pulleys for dispensing strip materials and is able to be moved along the frame by a friction drive system, which includes crank shafts, pulleys, and cables. Each guide arm can be held in position by a friction braking system, which includes members that are pressed against components of the drive system to frictionally prevent motion. A position feedback system measures and displays the location of the guide arms. A substrate tracking and adjustment system tracks the position of the substrate as it moves side to side from a normal path and automatically adjusts the position of the frame along a guide track to maintain the guide arms in a desired position in relation to the substrate.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus includes a first running spool of elongated material and second and third stand-by spools of elongated material. The first spool has a trailing end portion and a first obstacle element secured to its trailing end portion. The second spool has a leading end portion and a first catching mechanism secured to the leading end portion, as well as a trailing end portion with a second obstacle element secured to its trailing end portion. The third spool has a leading end portion and a second catching mechanism secured to its leading end portion. A support member is configured to at least partially support the leading end portions of both the second and third spools.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for splicing tapes dispensed from a tape dispenser. According to one embodiment, a first, running or unwinding roll of tape is provided with a first splicing element secured to its trailing end portion. A second, stationary or standby roll of tape is provided with a second splicing element secured to its leading end portion. The second splicing element comprises a body made of a self-supporting material and formed with at least one aperture sized to receive the tape from the first roll. While tape is being dispensed from the first roll, the running tape is inserted into the aperture of the second splicing element. When the first roll of tape becomes depleted, the first splicing element engages the second splicing element, thereby splicing the leading end portion of the second tape roll to the trailing end portion of the first tape roll.

Abstract: Reinforced constructs (e.g., non-corrugated or corrugated paperboard container blanks) that include a reinforcing tape wherein the reinforcing tape comprises at least one RFID device attached thereto. A first method for making such constructs includes applying reinforcing tape with the attached RFID device to at least a portion of at least one first paper layer, and pairing a second paper layer with the first paper layer such that the reinforcing tape and the at least one RFID device are positioned between the first and second paper layers to form the construct. In another method for making such constructs, particularly container blanks, a paper board substrate is transported on a container blank production line and a hot melt adhesive-coated reinforcing tape is applied to the paper board substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for splicing tapes dispensed from a tape dispenser. According to one embodiment, a first, running or unwinding roll of tape is provided with a first splicing element secured to its trailing end portion. A second, stationary or standby roll of tape is provided with a second splicing element secured to its leading end portion. The second splicing element comprises a body made of a self-supporting material and formed with at least one aperture sized to receive the tape from the first roll. While tape is being dispensed from the first roll, the running tape is inserted into the aperture of the second splicing element. When the first roll of tape becomes depleted, the first splicing element engages the second splicing element, thereby splicing the leading end portion of the second tape roll to the trailing end portion of the first tape roll.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for splicing tapes dispensed from a tape dispenser. According to one embodiment, a first, running or unwinding roll of tape is provided with a first splicing element secured to its trailing end portion. A second, stationary or standby roll of tape is provided with a second splicing element secured to its leading end portion. The second splicing element comprises a body made of a self-supporting material and formed with at least one aperture sized to receive the tape from the first roll. While tape is being dispensed from the first roll, the running tape is inserted into the aperture of the second splicing element. When the first roll of tape becomes depleted, the first splicing element engages the second splicing element, thereby splicing the leading end portion of the second tape roll to the trailing end portion of the first tape roll.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for splicing tapes dispensed from a tape dispenser. According to one embodiment, a first, running or unwinding roll of tape is provided with a first splicing element secured to its trailing end portion. A second, stationary or standby roll of tape is provided with a second splicing element secured to its leading end portion. The second splicing element comprises a body made of a self-supporting material and formed with at least one aperture sized to receive the tape from the first roll. While tape is being dispensed from the first roll, the running tape is inserted into the aperture of the second splicing element. When the first roll of tape becomes depleted, the first splicing element engages the second splicing element, thereby splicing the leading end portion of the second tape roll to the trailing end portion of the first tape roll.

Abstract: Reinforced constructs (e.g., non-corrugated or corrugated paperboard container blanks) that include a reinforcing tape wherein the reinforcing tape comprises at least one RFID device attached thereto. A first method for making such constructs includes applying reinforcing tape with the attached RFID device to at least a portion of at least one first paper layer, and pairing a second paper layer with the first paper layer such that the reinforcing tape and the at least one RFID device are positioned between the first and second paper layers to form the construct. In another method for making such constructs, particularly container blanks, a paper board substrate is transported on a container blank production line and a hot melt adhesive-coated reinforcing tape is applied to the paper board substrate.