Patent ID: 6481664
Filing Date: 2002-11-19
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
An automatic tape crossover machine comprising:first and second tape feeding mechanisms to supply running and new tapes, respectively; a first powered cutter through which the running tape is to pass and be cut in response to a cut signal, the first cutter being positioned downstream of the first tape feeding mechanism along the first tape; a powered joining mechanism in which an end portion of the new tape is to be joined, at a position downstream, of the first cutter, to the running tape in response to a join signal wherein the joining mechanism further provides an essentially inertia-free accumulation of the new tape and further includes a pusher mechanism downstream of the accumulation and having at least one pusher and another surface between which the portion of the new tape and the running tape are to be sandwiched and passed in response to the join signal; a friction surface to which a pinch roller is coupled, to provide a pinch point on the running tape, the pinch point being positioned downstream of the pusher mechanism, and wherein the essentially inertia-free accumulation is at least as long as a tape path between the pinch point and the point at which the new tape and the running tape are to be sandwiched; and control circuitry to automatically determine whether a tape exhaustion condition has been reached and assert the join and cut signals to (1) join the running and new tapes and (2) cut the running tape, before the first tape feeding mechanism is emptied of the running tape.