Abstract: A folding apparatus for a liner associated with a tape material, wherein the liner comprises a first overhang portion, a central portion carrying the tape material, and a second overhang portion, the apparatus comprising: an entry port defined at one end of the apparatus, wherein the tape material having a substantially flat configuration is fed into the entry port; an exit port defined at another end of the apparatus; a channel defined between the entry port and the exit port, wherein the channel comprises walls engageable by a first edge of the first overhang portion and a second edge of the second overhang portion to progressively cause the first edge portion and the second edge to angle towards each other as the tape material with the liner progress towards the exit port until the overhang portions are folded over the tape material.

Abstract: A system comprising: a source of a tape comprising a material associated with an adhesive and at least one removable liner; an applicator head; a cutting mechanism; at least one drive feeding mechanism configured to index the tape from the source to the applicator head at a controlled rate; wherein the applicator head is controllable to apply the material on a surface or a substrate; and wherein the applicator head comprises a cutting mechanism configured to sever the material while leaving the at least one removable liner intact.

Abstract: An applicator head for applying an adhesive tape on a surface or substrate, wherein the adhesive tape comprises a material and at least one removable liner, the applicator head comprising: an application tip; a cutting mechanism positioned adjacent an outer most point of the application tip; a positioning device is configured such that the cutting mechanism severs the material while maintaining the at least one removable liner intact.

Abstract: A feeding system configured to transport a material to a tape applicator, the feeding system comprising: a flexible conduit coupled between a spool unloading device and a tape applicator, wherein the flexible conduit receives the material from a source; and a fluid amplifier coupled to the flexible conduit to facilitate movement of the material therein by creating a vacuum effect.

Abstract: A spool unloading device comprising: a spindle; a first bulk spool of material is mounted on the spindle, wherein the spindle is rotatably controlled to dispense the material; a series of pulleys for receiving the unspooled material such that a variable length of the material is stored within the device before exiting the device to an upstream equipment; and a drive mechanism for indexing the unspooled material exiting the spool unloading machine at a controlled rate.