Abstract: Methods and apparatus for applying a flying splicing tape to a roll of sheet material. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides methods and apparatus for lifting a portion of the outer-most layer of sheet material away from a roll of sheet material to form a lifted portion of the outer-most layer, applying a splicing tape to a wound portion of the roll, and applying pressure to the lifted portion of the outer-most layer to progressively place the lifted portion of the outer-most layer in contact with the remainder of the roll and the splicing tape.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically applying a flying splicing tape to a roll of sheet material. The roll of sheet material is defined by a width and includes an outer-most layer. With this in mind, the method includes lifting a portion of the outer-most layer away from a remainder of the roll. The lifted portion is then cut to form a leading edge that is otherwise spaced from a remainder of the wound roll. To this end, the cut is made at a defined spacial location along the outer-most layer such that the leading edge is radially aligned with a defined application line relative to a circumference on the wound portion of the roll. In other words, when the outer-most portion is subsequently wound back onto the roll, the leading edge will be aligned with the defined application line. The splicing tape is then applied to the wound portion of the roll at the defined application line, such that the splicing tape extends across at least a portion of the width of the roll.

Abstract: A tape applicator. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a tape applicator that includes a tape head having a base, a tape roll holder attached to the base and a tape application roller for applying a tape to a surface attached to said base, where the tape applicator includes a tape path from the tape roll holder to the tape application roller, and includes a x-axis actuator operatively connected to the tape head for moving said tape applicator in the x-axis direction and a y-axis actuator operatively connected to the tape head for moving said tape applicator in the y-axis direction. The present invention also relates to methods of applying tape to surface.

Abstract: A method for making a laminate adapted for decorating a substrate including providing (1) a sheet of pre-mask material including a cover layer and a layer of removable adhesive on one surface of the cover layer having an exposed surface defining a first major surface for the sheet of pre-mask material; (2) a supply length of decorative film tape comprising a length of decorative film having opposite first and second major surfaces, and a layer of adhesive along its second major surface; (3) a sheet of release liner having a first major surface adapted to be releasably adhered to by the removable adhesive on the cover layer and by the adhesive on the decorative film; and (4) a tape applicator.

Abstract: A method for making a laminate adapted for decorating a substrate including providing (1) a sheet of pre-mask material including a cover layer and a layer of removable adhesive on one surface of the cover layer having an exposed surface defining a first major surface for the sheet of pre-mask material; (2) a supply length of decorative film tape comprising a length of decorative film having opposite first and second major surfaces, and a layer of adhesive along its second major surface; (3) a sheet of release liner having a first major surface adapted to be releasably adhered to by the removable adhesive on the cover layer and by the adhesive on the decorative film; and (4) a tape applicator.

Abstract: Data recording tape is passed along guides and past a read/write head. Sensors detect the position of the tape and adjust the guides and the head as a function of the position. If the tape deviates from the target tape path, a controller moves a guide to steer the tape back to the target tape path, using the sensor signals. In cases of tape disturbance such as those involving rapid tape motion, an adaptive estimator uses the sensor signals to position the head to anticipate the expected position of the tape when the disturbance arrives at the head.

Abstract: A tape applicator. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a tape applicator that includes a tape head having a base, a tape roll holder attached to the base and a tape application roller for applying a tape to a surface attached to said base, where the tape applicator includes a tape path from the tape roll holder to the tape application roller, and includes a x-axis actuator operatively connected to the tape head for moving said tape applicator in the x-axis direction and a y-axis actuator operatively connected to the tape head for moving said tape applicator in the y-axis direction. The present invention also relates to methods of applying tape to surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for applying a flying splicing tape to a roll of sheet material. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides methods and apparatus for lifting a portion of the outer-most layer of sheet material away from a roll of sheet material to form a lifted portion of the outer-most layer, applying a splicing tape to a wound portion of the roll, and applying pressure to the lifted portion of the outer-most layer to progressively place the lifted portion of the outer-most layer in contact with the remainder of the roll and the splicing tape.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to techniques that enable conventional computer-aided design software applications to be used to precisely control application of tape. A system comprising a design software application that outputs design data defining at least one object within a multidimensional space. The design software application may comprise a computer-aided design (CAD) software application that presents a graphical user interface for manipulating the object within the multidimensional space. The system further comprises a translation module to generate instructions based on the object, and to apply tape to a surface in response to the instructions. The translation module may generate the instructions to cause the tape applicator to cut the tape based on a second object described by the data. In this manner, the invention allows any conventional design software to be used to control the layout and application of tape using a tape applicator.

Abstract: A tape applicator. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a tape applicator that includes a tape head having a base, a tape roll holder attached to the base and a tape application roller for applying a tape to a surface attached to said base, where the tape applicator includes a tape path from the tape roll holder to the tape application roller, and includes a x-axis actuator operatively connected to the tape head for moving said tape applicator in the x-axis direction and a y-axis actuator operatively connected to the tape head for moving said tape applicator in the y-axis direction. The present invention also relates to methods of applying tape to surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically applying a flying splicing tape to a roll of sheet material. The roll of sheet material is defined by a width and includes an outer-most layer. With this in mind, the method includes lifting a portion of the outer-most layer away from a remainder of the roll. The lifted portion is then cut to form a leading edge that is otherwise spaced from a remainder of the wound roll. To this end, the cut is made at a defined spacial location along the outer-most layer such that the leading edge is radially aligned with a defined application line relative to a circumference on the wound portion of the roll. In other words, when the outer-most portion is subsequently wound back onto the roll, the leading edge will be aligned with the defined application line. The splicing tape is then applied to the wound portion of the roll at the defined application line, such that the splicing tape extends across at least a portion of the width of the roll.

Abstract: A tape applicator. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a tape applicator that includes a tape head having a base, a tape roll holder attached to the base and a tape application roller for applying a tape to a surface attached to said base, where the tape applicator includes a tape path from the tape roll holder to the tape application roller, and includes a x-axis actuator operatively connected to the tape head for moving said tape applicator in the x-axis direction and a y-axis actuator operatively connected to the tape head for moving said tape applicator in the y-axis direction. The present invention also relates to methods of applying tape to surface.

Abstract: A method for making a laminate adapted for decorating a substrate including providing (1) a sheet of pre-mask material including a cover layer and a layer of removable adhesive on one surface of the cover layer having an exposed surface defining a first major surface for the sheet of pre-mask material; (2) a supply length of decorative film tape comprising a length of decorative film having opposite first and second major surfaces, and a layer of adhesive along its second major surface; (3) a sheet of release liner having a first major surface adapted to be releasably adhered to by the removable adhesive on the cover layer and by the adhesive on the decorative film; and (4) a tape applicator.

Abstract: Data recording tape is passed along guides and past a read/write head. Sensors detect the position of the tape and adjust the guides and the head as a function of the position. If the tape deviates from the target tape path, a controller moves a guide to steer the tape back to the target tape path, using the sensor signals. In cases of tape disturbance such as those involving rapid tape motion, an adaptive estimator uses the sensor signals to position the head to anticipate the expected position of the tape when the disturbance arrives at the head.

Abstract: A data storage cartridge includes a length of magnetic tape wound on a pair of tape reels within a housing to define a tape path. A tape guide disposed along a portion of the tape path includes a top and bottom flange. Each flange is resilient so that it acts to resiliently guide an edge of the tape. This minimizes violent crashes of a tape edge against the tape guide. Each flange may have a plurality of spaced resilient finger guides for directly contacting the edges of the tape. The finger guides serve to independently exert a force on the edges of the tape, thereby guiding the tape.

Abstract: A tape cartridge includes a first rotatable hub and a second rotatable hub. The first hub and the second hub are wound so that they are substantially full of the flexible recording tape. The flexible tape between the first and second hub crosses a centerline including the two hubs. Both the first rotatable hub and the second rotatable hub are removable from the cartridge. The hubs have a flange with a conical edge which nests into a first opening and a second opening in the tape cartridge with conical receiving surfaces. The conical edges have a plurality of reliefs therein to form conical teeth within each of the first and second hub. The conical teeth of one of the hubs engages the reliefs of the other hub to seal the cartridge and to support the tape between the hubs. The cartridge also includes a base, a latch for engaging the first rotatable hub and the second rotatable hub. A cartridge cover covers the latch and base.

Abstract: A tape bearing surface for a tape that reduces tape surface contact near the edge, while minimizing variation in cross-web tension, and a method of making the same. The tape surface piece has a longitudinal axes defining a tape path and a lateral axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis along a top surface. The top surface defines a convex shape having at least one distinct radii extending along the lateral axis. In one embodiment, the convex shape is elliptical or parabolic. In one embodiment, two distinct radii are formed so that a first radius proximate a center of the lateral axis is greater then a second radius proximate edges of the lateral axis. The present invention is also directed to a tape guide and a tape cartridge containing the present tape bearing surface.

Abstract: A compliant tape guide having a compliant member with optimized planar stiffness. The compliant tape guide includes a top support plate, a bottom support plate, a bearing piece, the compliant member and a biasing member. The bearing piece extends between the top and bottom support plate in a generally perpendicular fashion. The compliant member is associated with an inner surface of the bottom support plate and includes a base, opposing legs, an edge receiving surface and a planar stiffness body. The opposing legs extend from the base. The edge receiving surface is attached to the opposing legs opposite the base to define an opening. The planar stiffness body is disposed within the opening and is configured to increase an in-plane stiffness of the compliant member in a plane substantially parallel to a plane of the base. Finally, the biasing member is associated with the compliant member to bias the edge receiving surface into engagement with a storage tape during use.

Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge having an insert for improved hub alignment. The data storage tape cartridge includes a housing defined by a first housing section and a second housing section, a hub pin extending from an interior surface of the first housing section, a tape reel assembly rotatably maintained by the hub pin and a storage tape wrapped about the tape reel assembly. The tape reel assembly includes a hub and an insert. The insert spaces the hub a predetermined distance from the interior surface of the first housing section, thus maintaining the hub in proper alignment. The insert is selected to compensate for inconsistencies in hub pin height, as well as other component variations.

Abstract: A tape bearing surface for a tape that reduces tape surface contact near the edge, while minimizing variation in cross-web tension, and a method of making the same. The tape surface piece has a longitudinal axes defining a tape path and a lateral axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis along a top surface. The top surface defines a convex shape having at least one distinct radii extending along the lateral axis. In one embodiment, the convex shape is elliptical or parabolic. In one embodiment, two distinct radii are formed so that a first radius proximate a center of the lateral axis is greater then a second radius proximate edges of the lateral axis. The present invention is also directed to a tape guide and a tape cartridge containing the present tape bearing surface.