Abstract: A tabbing apparatus to dispense tabs from a carrier substrate and facilitate the loading of tab stock internally of the tabbing apparatus. The tabbing apparatus includes an input mechanism operative to supply and convey a stream of tab stock and an output mechanism operative to accept and take away the stream of tab stock supplied by the input mechanism. The tabbing apparatus further includes a peeler bar operative to dispense adhesive tabs from a carrier substrate, and a displacement mechanism for repositioning the peeler bar from a loading position to a dispensing position. The displacement mechanism, is furthermore, operative to disengage the peeler bar from the stream of tab stock while in the loading position and engage the peeler bar with the stream of tab stock while in the dispensing position.

Abstract: A feedback sensing system for positioning and dispensing adhesive tabs to secure the free edges of a folded sheet material. The feedback sensing system comprises: (i) a drive mechanism for adaptively driving tab stock around a peeler bar of a tabbing head, (ii) a sensing device for detecting the position of each adhesive tab relative to an edge of the peeler bar, and (iii) a controller for adaptively controlling the drive mechanism based upon a position signal to optimally pre-position each adhesive tab relative to the edge of the peeler bar for dispensing each adhesive tab.