Patent ID: 6893528

Claim:
A tape assembly for feeding a predetermined length of tape onto a substrate in predetermined registry with the substrate, said feed assembly comprising: a feed roll for advancing tape from a supply thereof along a predetermined path at a first speed; a vacuum roll with an anvil insert for accepting said tape from said feed roll; a rotary knife having blade means engageable with said vacuum roll for cutting said tape against said vacuum roll; a vacuum wheel applicator for receiving said cut tape from said vacuum roll and placing said cut tape on a substrate, the vacuum wheel applicator being positioned adjacent to said vacuum roll; a drive for said vacuum roll to provide a predetermined peripheral speed thereof different than said first speed for advancing said tape toward said vacuum wheel applicator in predetermined lengths; and a motor controller means for changing said first speed and said predetermined speed to adjust the length of tape advancing on said vacuum roll before being cut by said rotary knife driven at said predetermined speed.