초록 ▼

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 ha

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.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A tape splicing system, comprising: a running roll comprising a running tape having a trailing end portion and a trailing end splicing element secured to the trailing end portion;a staged roll comprising a staged tape having a leading end portion and a leading end splicing element secured to the

1. A tape splicing system, comprising: a running roll comprising a running tape having a trailing end portion and a trailing end splicing element secured to the trailing end portion;a staged roll comprising a staged tape having a leading end portion and a leading end splicing element secured to the leading end portion, the leading end splicing element comprising an opening; anda connector comprising an opening and a securing portion, the securing portion adapted to be secured to the leading end splicing element of the staged roll, the connector being positionable around the running tape being dispensed from the running roll such that the running tape runs through the opening in the connector, wherein the leading end splicing element of the staged roll can be secured to the connector by placing the securing portion of the connector into the opening of the leading end splicing element while the running tape is being dispensed from the running roll, such that when the running roll becomes depleted of the running tape, the trailing end splicing element engages the connector so as to splice the running tape to the staged tape from the staged roll;wherein the trailing end splicing element, the leading end splicing element, and the connector join to form a splice that runs with the running tape and the staged tape. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a first end portion and a second end portion spaced from the first end portion, the opening of the connector being in the first end portion and the securing portion being at the second end portion. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector has a thickness of less than 2 mm. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the leading end splicing element is thinner and more pliant than the connector. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the leading end splicing element comprises a fabric material. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the opening of the connector is enclosed. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the securing portion of the connector comprises a neck portion and a foot portion, the neck portion being narrower than the foot portion, wherein the leading end splicing element is engagable with the connector such that the opening of the leading end splicing element is positioned around the neck portion of the connector and the foot portion of the connector inhibits the leading end splicing element from disengaging from the connector when a splice is formed. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector further comprises a break communicating with the opening of the connector and a peripheral edge of the connector such that the running tape is insertable through the break into the opening of the connector while the running tape is running. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the securing portion of the connector comprises first and second foot portions, the break extends between the foot portions, and tension in the splicing system causes the leading end splicing element to grip the foot portions. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the break is a slot and, when a splice is formed, tension in the splicing system causes the leading end splicing element to urge the foot portions toward each other. 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the break is a slot and the leading end splicing element bridges the break and closes the path of communication between the opening in the connector and the peripheral edge of the connector. 12. A method for splicing tapes, the method comprising: dispensing a running tape from a running roll, a first splicing element being positioned around the running tape such that the running tape runs through an opening in the first splicing element; andwhile the running tape is being dispensed through the first splicing element, securing a leading end of a staged tape to the first splicing element;such that when the running roll becomes depleted of the running tape, a second splicing element at a trailing end of the running tape engages the first splicing element positioned around the running tape to splice the running tape to the staged tape,wherein the leading end of the staged tape is secured to the first splicing element with a third splicing element, and the first, second and third splicing elements join to form a splice that moves with the running tape and the staged tape. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the third splicing element is more pliant that the first splicing element and the third splicing element comprises a loop that engages around the first splicing element. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the first splicing element further comprises a securing portion spaced from the opening in the first splicing element, the securing portion comprising a neck portion and a foot portion, the neck portion being narrower than the foot portion, wherein the third splicing element is engagable with the first splicing element via the opening of the third splicing element being positioned around the neck portion of the first splicing element such that the foot portion of the first splicing element inhibits the third splicing element from disengaging from the first splicing element. 15. The method of claim 12, further comprising positioning the first splicing element around the running tape while the running tape is being dispensed by causing a lateral edge of the running tape to enter into the opening of the first splicing element through a break extending between the opening and a side edge of the first splicing element. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein when the leading end of the staged tape is engaged to the first splicing element, the third splicing element causes the break in the first splicing element to close, preventing the running tape from sliding through the break.