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 of tape having a trailing end portion and a trailing end splicing element secured to the trailing end portion;a staged roll of tape having a leading end portion; anda connector having an opening and a securing portion, the securing portion being

1. A tape splicing system, comprising: a running roll of tape having a trailing end portion and a trailing end splicing element secured to the trailing end portion;a staged roll of tape having a leading end portion; anda connector having an opening and a securing portion, the securing portion being adapted to be secured to the leading end portion of the staged roll of tape, the connector being positionable around running tape from the running roll while the running tape is being dispensed such that the running tape runs through the opening in the connector, wherein the leading end portion of the staged roll of tape can be secured to the securing portion of the connector while the running tape is being dispensed from the running roll and is running through the opening in the connector, such that when the running roll becomes depleted of tape, the trailing end splicing element engages the connector so as to splice the running tape to tape from the staged roll of tape;wherein the trailing end splicing element, the connector, and the leading end portion of the staged roll of tape join to form a splice that runs with the running tape and the staged tape. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the leading end portion of the staged tape is secured to the securing portion of the connector with an adhesive. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector further comprises a break extending from the opening of the connector to a peripheral edge of the securing portion such that the running tape is insertable through the break into the opening of the connector while the running tape is running. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the securing portion of the connector comprises first and second leg portions, and the break extends between the leg portions. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the leading end portion of the staged tape is securable to the securing portion of the connector with an adhesive such that the leading end portion of the staged tape is adhesively attached to both the first and second leg portions and bridges the break, such that the leading end portion of the staged tape inhibits the running tape from moving out of the connector opening through the break. 6. The system of claim 4, wherein the first and second legs overlap each other and are adhesively securable to each other to close the break and prevent the running tape from exiting the opening in the connector through the break. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the leading end portion of the staged roll of tape is adhesively secured to only one of the first and second legs to couple the staged tape to the connector. 8. The system of claim 6, wherein at least one of the first and second legs comprises an aperture opposite from the connector opening, and the leading end portion of the staged tape is securable to the connector by looping the leading end portion through the aperture and securing the leading end portion to itself with an adhesive. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the trailing end portion of the running tape roll comprises a tail secured to a core of the running tape roll such that the running tape remains in tension until the trailing end splicing element approaches or contacts the connector. 10. A method for splicing tapes, the method comprising: dispensing a running tape from a running roll, a connector being positioned around the running tape such that the dispensed running tape runs through an opening in the connector; andwhile the running tape is being dispensed through the opening in connector, securing a leading end portion of a staged tape to the connector;whereby when the running roll becomes depleted of tape, a trailing end splicing element at a trailing end of the running tape engages the connector positioned around the running tape to splice the running tape to the staged tape such that the staged tape begins running and follows the running tape;wherein the trailing end splicing element, the connector, and the leading end portion of the staged roll of tape join together to form a splice that runs with the running tape and the staged tape. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the connector is pre-installed around the running tape on the running roll before the running tape is dispensed from the running roll. 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the connector is placed around the running tape during the dispensing of the running tape from the roll. 13. The method of claim 10, further comprising: positioning the connector in a releasable holding mechanism, which holds the connector substantially stationary while tape is dispensed from the running roll and then releases the connector when the splice is formed. 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the leading end portion of the staged tape is secured to the connector with an adhesive. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the connector comprises two legs with a break between the two legs, and the method comprises passing the running tape through the break into the opening in the connector and then adhesively securing the leading end portion of the staged tape over the break to prevent the running tape from exiting the connector through the break. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the connector comprises two overlapping legs with a break between the two legs, and the method comprises passing the running tape through the break into the opening in the connector and then adhesively securing the two legs together to prevent the running tape from exiting the connector through the break. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the method further comprises adhesively securing the leading end portion of the staged tape to only one of the first and second legs. 18. The system of claim 1, wherein the leading end portion of the staged roll of tape comprises a looped end portion of the staged roll of tape.