CA1327191C

CA1327191C - Apparatus and method for cutting and spooling a web of paper

Info

Publication number: CA1327191C
Application number: CA000571428A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Peter A. Rodriguez
Original assignee: Sandar Industries Inc
Current assignee: Sandar Industries Inc
Priority date: 1987-08-21
Filing date: 1988-07-07
Publication date: 1994-02-22
Anticipated expiration: 2011-02-22
Also published as: WO1989001454A1; DE3885895T2; EP0354928A1; JPH0573663B2; FI891903A0; FI93437B; JPH02500588A; FI93437C; FI891903A; EP0354928B1; DE3885895D1; EP0354928A4

Abstract

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CUTTING AND
SPOOLING A WEB OF PAPER
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A system and method for cutting a travelling paper web 20 winding on a spool 24 and transferring the web 20 onto an empty spool 27 by attaching a cutting tape to the empty spool, including repulpable paper fiber stiff tape 30 passing through an elongated guideway 34 from a near end 44 to a far end 36, the system and method characterized by:
(1) adding adhesive 38, 47, 55, or 66 without any covering thereon applied to one surface of the tape before tape enters guideway 34, and (2) directing the cutting tape 30 after it exits from guideway 34, 36 at the far end 37 to the nip 29 between the empty spool 27 and the driving roll 23 with adhesive 38, 47, 55, or 66 contacting the empty spool 27.
The system and method wherein the directing step includes:
(3) gripping the cutting tape 30 adjacent its far end 37, and (4) releasing the cutting tape 30 at a selected time and permitting the leading end 37 to move forward into con-tact with the nip 29 between the empty spool 27 and driving roll 23.

Description

SYSTEM ~ND METHOD FOR CUTTING AND
SPOOLING A WEB OF PAPER
TECHNICAL FIELD :

This invention relates to a system and method for cutting a travelling web of paper being wound on one spool and transferring the web to an empty spool while the web con-tinues to travel.
BACXGROUND ART

It is a general practice in the paper industry to pro-duce a continuous sheet or web of paper which is wound onto - -~
large spools. In order to have a continuous operation it is, of course, necessary to have a system for instantaneously switching from winding the web of paper onto a full roll to an empty roll, particularly at modern speeds of paper produc-tion. In U.S. Patent 2,461j246 there is shown a method of feeding a tape onto the rotating empty roll core and causing it to be spirally wrapped on that core as it stretches tight across the travelling web of paper and cuts the paper, with the cut edge being led onto the empty roll supported by the cutting tape. Subsequent improvements have dealt with methods of stringing the tape for cutting and feeding, and ;
the use of various types of tapes, as shown for example in U.S. Patent 4,414,258 where there is described a tape made of repulpable paper woven into a tape which did not interfere with the paper making process since the paper wound adjacent the roll is waste and is recycled. The most recent improve-ment is disclosed in my U.S. Patent No. 4,659tO29 which describes the use of a repulpable paper fiber tape in an elongated guideway to direct the tape under a travelling web of paper and direct the tape into the nip of an empty spool -so as to cut the web of paper and start it rolling onto the empty spool.

1327191 ~

It is an object of this invention to provide an im-provement in feeding the tape onto the empty spool. It is another object to provide such a system that can be operated from a remote control so as to avoid any possibility of in-terfering with the travelling web of paper. A further object includes providing the adhesive prior to entering the guide-way beneath the paper to be cut by the cutting tape. Other objects will appear from the more detailed description which --follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVBNTION
This invention relates to a system for cutting with a tape, a travelling web of paper, being wound on a first spool and transferring that travelling web onto an empty spool by attaching the tape to the empty spool. The tape travels slidingly through a guideway with an elongated slot facing upwardly underneath the web and exiting from the guideway be-yond the edge of the web. The improvement comprises applying an adhesive without any covering thereon to one surface of the tape at its forward end before entering the guideway. In other aspects a clamping means releasably grips the cutting tape after the forward end exits the far end of the guideway -- `
and selective means releases the clamping means to permit the end of the cutting tape to be caught by the nip and spiral the cutting tape about the empty roll thereby cutting and transferring the paper web.
This invention also relates to an improved method for cutting a travelling web of paper being wound on a spool and transferring the web after cutting to an empty spool, the method including a cutting tape being fed into an elongated guideway positioned beneath and extending laterally across the web of paper, recovering the tape from the far end of the guideway and introducing it into the nip of the empty spool and the roller driving that spool to cause the tape automatically to spirally wrap around the empty spool while cutting the web of paper. The improvement comprises the steps of:

..

(1) applying adhesive without any covering thereon to a portion of the cutting tape at its forward end prior to feeding the cutting tape into the ~uideway; and (2) receiving the cutting tape exiting the guideway and feeding the forward end into the nip with the adhesive portion contacting the empty spool. In other aspects the ~ :
reception of the tape is into a remotely controlled clamping means which includes: -(3) gripping the tape near its forward end by the clamping means, and (4) releasing the clamping means after mo~ing the tape into contact with the nip.
: .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The novel features believed to be characteristic of -this invention are set forth with particularity in the ap-pended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with ~-further objects and advantages thereof, may best be under-stood by reference to the following description taken in : .
connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the system of rollers ::
employed in the paper industry to wind the paper web onto -.
rolls, and the present appar~tus used to transfer the leading edge of the web to an empty spool in accord with this inven-tion;
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a first embodi- ~
ment for applying adhesive to the cutting tape; -FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a second embodi~
ment for applying adhesive to the cutting tape; ::-FIG. 4 is a cross sectional.view taken at 4--4 of :
FIG. l;
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the cu~ting tape of the invention; -FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a third embodi-ment for applying adhesive to the cutting tape; .

' ~ ' :. ' `` 1327191 FIG. 7 is a top plan view of double-sided adhesive -tape used in this invention;
FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the tape of FIG~ 7;
FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a fourth embodi-ment for applying adhesive to the cutting tape;
FIG. 10 is a cross section taken at 10--10 of FIG. 9;
and FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view showing another clamping means to feed the cutting tape into the nip.
i DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND
BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION -; The gçneral features of this invention are best seen .. ...
and understood by reference to FIG. 1 which shows the general ~ type of equipment employed in a paper manufacturing plant to i wind up the manufactured paper on rolls for storage and use elsewhere. A continuous web of paper 20 travels at a rela-tively rapid rate of speed to a combination of spools upon which the paper is rolled. Paper web 20 advances toward tension roll 21 mounted in journals on supports 22, leading web 20 over driving roll 23 and winding about spool 24 ~- turning in the direction of arrow 25. Driving roll 23 turns in the direction of arrow 26 and is pressed against the paper roll on spool 24 causing it to rotate in the indicated direction. When spool 24 has been filled to the desired~!, '.~, capacity with paper from web 20, it is necessary to cut web 20 laterally, transfer the cut edge to an empty spool 27, ~ ~
and start the web winding on that spool in the direction of - --arrow 28 to eventually produce another filled spool, such as spool 24. Empty spool 27 is positioned vertically above the location shown in FIG. 1 until it is ready to accept paper from web 20 and begin winding it up. Spool 27, which may or ~ may not be separately rotated as known in the art, is lowered q~ until it contacts driving roll 23 and rotates with it, as shown in FIG. 1. The cut edge of web 20 is then pushed into the nip 29 between empty spool 27 and driving roll 23, ' '1 ~ :

:

causing it to be wound onto spool 27 and to cause a transfer of the paper web thereto.
The apparatus of this invention generally includes a means for supplying a cutting tape 30 to the far edge of empty spool 27 and for causing that tape to wrap around spool 27 in a spiral fashion so as to cut web 20 and cause the cut edge to be introduced onto spool 27 and be wrapped about spool 27. A supply of cutting tape 30 is preferably maintained on a removable drum 31 in a housing 32 which also serves to support a cutting means 33 which, at the appro-priate time, cuts tape 30 from the large supply on drum 31.
It will be appreciated that only a definite length of tape, longer than the width of web 20, is needed to cut across -web 20 laterally and to cause the cut edge to begin wrapping itself upon empty spool 27, and thus at the appropriate place tape 30 is cut and further tape is not needed until spool 27 becomes filled with paper and must be replaced by another empty spool. Tape 30 passes through cutting means 33, adhesive application means 39 (shown outside of housing 32 for illustration purposes only and preferably located within the conflnes of housing 32, as would be understood by persons having ordinary skill in the art) and into a guideway 34 propelled by a driving means, e.g., hand crank 35 to cause the free end of tape 30 to move completely .
I across the width of web 20 underneath that web in guideway ¦ 34 until it reaches the far end 36 where the free end 37 of j tape 30 is made available to be inserted into nip 29 between j spool 27 and driving roll 23. As seen in FIG. 5, an adhesive ~ strip 38 is applied to forward end 37 of tape 30 so that when ¦ it is introduced into nip 29 it will adhere to the surface -of empty spool 27. In a preferred embodiemnt a mechanical ~ arm 40 is mounted on a stand 41 and has a hand 42 which ¦; grips tape 30, and on command extends hand 42 toward nip 29 3 until tape 30 is caught in nip 29 and is adhered to the sur-face of empty spool 27. A frictional resistance is then ap-plied to the tape 30 adjacent near snd 44, e.g., the fric-tional resistance produced when tape 30 is dislodged from .~ .li~
:, .

~uideway 34, causing the tape 30 to spiral across the len~th o~ em~ty spool 27 and cut through web ~0 as i~ does so and causes a ~rans~e~ence o~ web 20 on~o empty spool 27. 'lllis appara~us and method a~e set ~orth in applican~'s ~.s.
Patent No. 4,783,018 issued November 8, 1988.
.
~ G. 2 is a schematic illustration o~ a ~irst em-bodimen~ o~ ~he adhesive applicator 39 o~ P~G, 1. Cut~ing tape 30 is in a channel gu~de 43 anywher~ between cut~er 33 and pre~erably the near end 4q o the main elon~ated guideway 3~. An opening ~5 in channel 43 exposes the central por~ion .:
o~ the lower.sur~ace o~ tape 30. Rolle~ 46 is suitably ro- .
tatabl~ mounted so that its outer surace is in opening 4S : -with its outer portions also immersed in a pool o~ liquid adhesive 47 in rese~voir 48. Above tape 30 in ve~tical .;
alignment with opening 45 is a p~essure roller 49 mounted on arms 5~ which are selectively movable from a retracted re- -.
mote upward position 51 ~shown in broken lines) to a down-ward pressure portiion as shown in solid lines in F~G. 2. ~
The pressure position presses tape 30 downwardly ~o contact . .:-roller 46 causing adhesive 47 to be ooa~ed onto tl~e bottoln sur~ace s~ tape 30 for a selected leng~h and wid~h, pre~er~
ably an adhesive s~rip, such as illustrated by 3~ in FIG. 5. ~ .
strip 38 is spaced inwardly o~ the side edges o~ the tape 30 so that the adhesive will no~ contac~ the guideways throu~h ~hich i~ passes, as.hexeinaf~er more ~ully described. ~n FlG. 3 ~here is a second embodimen~ of ~he adhesive appli-cator. Tape 30 pass-s in a channel guide 5~ having an opening 53 in the lower side to expose ~ape 30 to the action ~.-o~ sp~ay n~zzles 59 whiah spray adhesive 55 onto tape 30.
~n one version o~ thi~ system, cutter 33 would be located ~.
immediately ~orward o~ opening 53 so tha when the preceding length o tape 30 ig cut, the adhesive 55 may be applied to form a strip o~ adhesive coating immediately behind the cut and thereby will ~orm the orwa~d end 37 ~see ~IG. 1~ ~or che nexc length o~ ta1?e 30 to be u~3ed in cu~ting the web 30 and sta~ting ~t to ~oll oJ~to empty spool ~37. ~no~h~ v~-~io~ would be to advance th~ ~ape 30 a~e~ cu~ing to a ''~.
~A ..

132719~

position where the spray 55 is applied prior to advancing the tape through main elongated guideway 34.
In FIG. 4 there is shown a preferred design of guideway 34 for use with adhesive applicators which apply the adhesive to the underneath surface of tape 30 as in FIGS.
2, 3 and 6. The purpose of applying the adhesive to the lower surface of tape 30 is that when using~certain designs of mechanical arm 40 with a telescopically extensible hand 42 it is easier to present tape 30 to hand 42 with the ad-hesive side faciny hand 42 so it can be fed into nip 29 with the adhesive side facing upward to contact empty spool 27. Other types of mechanical arms with other movements for hand 42 may be used possibly with the adhesive side upwards in guideway 34. More importantly in paper making, the at-tendant~side of the machine is the near side where housing . .
32 and spool 31 of tape 30 is located, with the far side having the belts and pulleys to drive the rolls, etc. Re-filling the spool 31 with tape, adding adhesive to reservoir 48 and the like from the near side enhances the efficiencies --of the disclosed system and method and greatly increases the safety in use. Guideway 34 has an internal channel 56 with a rectangular cross section designed to permit tape 30 to slide lengthwise therein. An elongated slot 57 is parallel to channel 55 and communicates between channel 55 and the outside atmosphere. When tape 30 has been caught in nip 29 and starts to wind on empty spool 27 tape 30 will be pulled laterally out of channel 55 through slot 56, and thereby produces the frictional resistance necessary to cause tape 30 to wind spirally around spool 27 cutting web 20 and starting the cut edge to wrap onto spool 27. In this inven-tion when the bottom surface of tape 30 is coated with ad-hesive 38 it is necessary to provide an undercut recess 58 which is as wide as the adhesive coating 38. In this way tape 30 can slide through guideway 34 in channel 55 withou~ -having the adhesive coating adhere to any yuideway ~34. An added feature is the provision of a resilient flap cover 59 held in place by spring clip 60. Flap cover 59 keeps dirt ' :
.
:':

13~7191 out of channel 55 and yet will flex upwardly and not inhibit the removal of tape 30 through slot 57 when that occurs during cutting of the paper web. Also, flap cover 59 pro-vides protection from debris and moisture of the paper tape :
30 during its travel through guideway 34.
FIG. 5 shows tape 30 witb a coating 38 where adhesivehas been applied at forward end 37. It may be seen that the lateral edges 61 are not covered with adhesive and thereby are available to support tape 30 as it slides in channel 56 as clearly shown in FIG. 4.
A third embodimen~ of a means for applying adhesive -to tape 30 is shown in FIGS. 6-8. Tape 30 is supported in a channel 62 having an opening 63 to expose the underneath side of tape 30. Hold down roller 64 maintains a slight pressure downward on tape 30 above opening 63. Supply spindle 65 carries a roll of double-sided pressure-sensitive tape 66 which includes a continuous release binder 67 and a plurality of lengths of pressure sensitive adhesive pref-erably separated from each successive length 68 by a short space 69 where no adhesive is on release binder 67. Tape 66 is fed from roll 65 over pressure roller 70 rotatably mounted on arms 71 which can move from the downward inoperative posi-tion 72 (in broken lines) to the upward operative position in solid lines. As tape 66 passe~ between roller 70 and tape 30, the adhesive section 68 is pressed onto tape 30 while re-lease tape 67 is~rolled onto spool 73. When a section 68 of adhesive s applied to tape 30, arms 71 move to the inop- -erative position 72 and roll 65 is stopped until needed again. Roll 65 is shown as driving spool 73 by belt 74. It is to be understood that the double sided adhesive may simply be perforated, rather than spaced, in which event the trailing adhesive length 68 will bq parted from the adhesive length 68 applied to tape 30 due to advancement of tape 30 after roller 70 moves to its inoperative position 72.
In FIGS. 9-10 there is shown a fourth embodiment for applying adhesive to tape 30 employing a double-sided pres-`
sure sensitive tape 66 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 3. A pressure , ' ' :'.

g roller 75 is mounted to apply pressure to tape 30 while in -.
guideway 43 lying above a length of double-sided adhesive tape 66 also in guideway 43. After release tape 67 is peeled awa~, tape 30 is left with a specific portion of its . :
bottom side coated with adhesive as at 38 in FIG. 5 which is .
then available to be forwarded to the nip 29 of rolls 23 and 27 to cut web 20 and start spooling the web 20 on roll 27.
In this embodiment double-sided adhesive tape 66 is fed from ~
spool 65 into the undercut recess 58 at the bottom of :
~uideway 43 to a forward location 87, with release tape 67 between recess 58 and the upward facing strip of adhesive 68 .
(see FIGS. 7-8). Tape 30 is then advanced in internal ~;
channel 56 over the top of tape 66 in recess 58 and stopped with its forward cut end at 87. Handle 80 is then pushed forward to position 81 where pressure roller 75 is pressing :~
downward on tape 30 over the width of recess 58, and the ~ .
handle 80 pushed forward to position 82. By reason of the pivoting about rollers 78 in rails 77 this movement causes :
roller 75 to press down tape 30 into recess 58 to contact adhesive portion 68 of double-sided tape 66 and cause ad~
hesive tape 66 to stick to tape 30. Rolls 76 are sized to eventually touch the top of guideway 43 and prevent roll 75 from applying more pressure on tape 30 than that necessary to pick up adhesive tape 66. Handle 80 is then pulled back to its original position and released in its upright posi-tion (solid lines) which allows tape 30 to return to its original undeformed flat condition not pressed into recess :
58. In returning to its original position one of supports 79 pushes on head 83 causing contact pad 88 to touch contact plate 85 providing electric power to a means (not shown) to turn spool 73 in the direction of arrow 89. This causes -~
release tape 67 to be stripped from the adhesive stuck to tape 30, and at the same time, to advance the next section 68 of two-sided adhesive tape 66 along recess 58 to forward position 87. The means of turning spools 65 and 73 simul-- .
taneously is shown as a V-belt 86 operating in pulleys 90. .::~:
Obviously other driving means such as gears, chain-and-sprocket, and the like can be employed for the same purpose.

~ ~ , 1327191 : ~
-10- "'' "
This finishes the cycle and prepares tape 30 for advancement to nip 29 to cut we~ 20 and start rolling it onto spool 27, while a new section of tape 30 is advanced to point 87 to have an adhesive spot applied to it.
Several embodiments have been shown for applying a strip of adhesive to cutting tape 30. It is to be under-stood that other means may be equally operative and are intended to be included in this invention. The means shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 6, 9 and 10 are preferred embodiment~i, but other means, mechanical, manual, or otherwise are operative.
It is only necessary to this invention that the adhesive strip be applied before the tape reaches near end 44 of guideway 34. This is a safety measure to permit all opera- ::~
tions to be controlled by an operator located adjacent near .
end 44 without ever needing to be present at the far end of guideway 34.
Another clamping means is shown in FIG. 11. An angle support structure 155 extends outwardly from far end 36 (having a different bend or configuration from end 36 of FIG.
1) of guideway 34. A motor 156 and gear box 157 provide the power to rotate knurled cylinder 158 mounted on a shaft 159.
Tape 30 moves forward between cylinder 158 and table 160 pivotally mounted at 159 to structure 155 until forward cutting tape end 37 extends beyond table 160. Movement of tape 30 is~then stopped by table 160 being pressed upward against cylinder 158 causing a laxge loop 161 of tape 30 to build up behind cylinder 158. Table 160 is pivoted about pin 162 by the upward movement of a head ~not shown) con-nected to a fluid operated cylinder 164~ Table 160 moves from its normal position to an upward position shown in FIG.
11 where it presses tape 30 against cylinder 158 to stop forward movement of tape 30. When the operator wants to introduce leading end 37 into the nip 29 cylinder 158 is caused to rotate in the direction of arrow 168 against an idler roller (not shown) in table 160 and thereby to ad-vance leading end 37. When leading end 37 contacts nip 29 the tape 30 is pulled sidewise away from the clamping means .
:. . ' ` 1327191 and is wrapped spirally around roll 27, cutting web 20 and starting the cut edge of web 20 to be rolled up onto spool 27.
While the invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall : .
within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. In a system for cutting with a tape a travelling web of paper being wound on a first spool and transferring that travelling web onto an empty spool by attaching the cutting tape to the empty spool, the cutting tape travelling via a guideway with an elongated slot facing generally upwardly underneath the web and exiting from the guideway beyond the edge of the web; the improvement which comprises an adhesive without any covering thereon applied to one surface of the tape facing away from said slot at its forward end before entering the guideway.

2. The system of Claim 1 wherein the adhesive covers only a central lengthwise surface portion of the cutting tape and opposite non-adhesive lengthwise edge portions.

3. The system of Claim 1 further comprising a double-sided adhesive on a release binder for applying the adhesive to the tape.

4. The system of Claim 1 wherein the adhesive is a spray adhesive applied onto the cutting tape before entering the guideway.

5. The system of Claim 1 wherein the adhesive is a liquid further comprising a roller means for applying the liquid adhesive to the tape.

6. The system of Claim 2 wherein the cutting tape enters the guideway with the surface portion carrying the adhesive away from the slot, the guideway having an elongated recess opposite to the slot, the recess being adapted to support the cutting tape on the lengthwise edge portions with the central lengthwise portion spaced from the lower wall defining the guideway.

7. The system of Claim 6 which additionally comprises a remotely controlled mechanical arm which is adapted to grip the cutting tape behind the adhesive coated portion at the forward end as the cutting tape exits from the guideway and feeds the forward end into contact with the empty spool.

8. The system of Claim 3 which additionally comprises a supply roll of double-sided pressure sensitive adhesive tape, the release binder having a layer of adhesive coated thereon, a spindle for mounting the supply roll, the supply roll being adapted to selectively dispense lengths of the adhesive tape therefrom, a channel guide for conducting the cutting tape in a direction parallel to the adhesive tape, means for introducing the adhesive tape below the cutting tape and aligned lengthwise therewith, means for pressing together the adhesive tape and the cutting tape, to transfer the adhesive tape to the cutting tape, and means for pulling the release binder away from the adhesive tape and leaving the adhesive as a coating on the cutting tape.

9. The system of Claim 1 further comprising clamping means for releasably gripping the tape adjacent the forward end thereof to prevent movement of the tape after the forward end has exited from the guideway, and selectively releasing the tape to permit forward movement of the forward end into the nip between the empty spool and the cooperating roller driving the empty spool.

10. The system of Claim 9 wherein the clamping means includes a movable supporting pad, a rotatable drive roller, and means to releasably press the pad against the roller with the cutting tape therebetween.

11. The system of Claim 9 wherein the clamping means includes a movable jaw and a cooperating pivotable clamping member adapted to receive the cutting tape therebetween.

12. An improved method of cutting a travelling web of paper being wound on a spool and transferring the web after cutting to an empty spool, the method including feeding a cutting tape into an elongated guideway having an elongated open slot therealong and positioned beneath and extending laterally across the web of paper, recovering the tape from the far end of the guideway and introducing it into the nip of the empty spool and the roller driving that spool to cause the tape automatically to spirally wrap around the empty spool while cutting the web of paper;
wherein the improvement comprises the steps of:
(1) applying adhesive without any covering thereon to a surface portion of the cutting tape facing away from said slot and located at its forward end portion prior to feeding the cutting tape into the guideway; and (2) receiving the cutting tape exiting the guideway and feeding the forward end portion into the nip with the adhesive portion contacting the empty spool.

13. The method of Claim 12 wherein the adhesive is applied to the cutting tape by contacting the cutting tape with a pressure sensitive adhesive coated onto a release binder, and stripping away the release binder.

14. The method of Claim 12 wherein the adhesive is applied to the cutting tape by spraying adhesive onto the cutting tape.

15. The method of Claim 12 wherein the adhesive is applied to the cutting tape by passing the cutting tape into contact with an applicator roller which receives a coating of liquid adhesive from a supply thereof.

16. The method of Claim 12 wherein the guideway includes an elongated guideway substantially the width of the cutting tape with said slot above the guideway adapted to permit the cutting tape to be pulled out laterally from the guideway, and an elongated undercut recess below the guideway narrower than the guideway and centered on the guideway, the undercut recess having a width greater than the width of said adhesive surface portion on the cutting tape.

17. The method of Claim 12 which additionally comprises gripping the cutting tape as it exits from the guideway by means of a remotely controlled mechanical arm, and directing that arm to feed the far end of the cutting tape having an adhesive coated portion into the nip.

18. The method of Claim 12 which additionally comprises gripping the cutting tape as it exits from the guideway, and selectively feeding the far end of the cutting tape having adhesive coated portion into the nip.

13. The method of Claim 18 wherein the selectively feeding is automatically accomplished upon lowering the empty spool onto the roller driving the empty spool.