Tear tape applicator for ream wrap and other packaging materials

Abstract

Equipment for applying tear tape to ream wrap, packaging material, and/or other paper or film products. The equipment is attached to rewinding and/or packaging equipment.

1 . A tear tape applicator unit for applying tear tapes to ream wraps or other packaging material comprising: 
 a number of festoon or dancer rolls that move up and down, pulling a web of ream wrap or other packaging material and momentarily stopping it while wind-up and unwind roll speeds remain constant;    said applicator cuts and applies a strip of tear tape across said web of ream wrap or other packaging material.    
     
     
         2 . The tear tape applicator of  claim 1  wherein said web is momentarily stopped for said applicator cutting and applying a strip of tear tape across said web of ream wrap or other packaging material.  
     
     
         3 . The tear tape applicator of  claim 1  wherein said applicator is attached to either wind-up or unwind end of a rewinding line.  
     
     
         4 . The tear tape applicator of  claim 2  wherein said tear tape is treated with self-adhesive material on one side and, when said web is stopped, a bar or other apparatus is used to push said web into said tear tape, said tear tape adheres to said web and at same time a cutting plate or knife cuts said tear tape to match width of said web.  
     
     
         5 . The tear tape applicator of  claim 1  wherein said tear tape, which has been coated with wax, is pushed into said web and cut to match width of said web.  
     
     
         6 . The tear tape applicator of  claim 5  wherein said tear wax adheres said tear tape to said web by either application of pressure or slight thermal energy.  
     
     
         7 . The tear tape applicator of  claim 1  wherein said tear tape, which is comprised of polymer film or paper/polymer film combination is subjected to heat or thermal energy, which makes said polymer tacky, allowing said tear tape to adhere to said ream wrap at moment of cutting and when pressure is applied to contact said web and said tear tape.  
     
     
         8 . The tear tape applicator of  claim 2  wherein said tear tape is pulled out of a spindle unit above or below said web and is connected to a motor that drives a belt across said web at moment said web is stopped.  
     
     
         9 . The tear tape applicator of  claim 1  wherein said applicator unit pulls one repeat at a time, cuts and applies said tear tape and then pulls in another repeat.  
     
     
         10 . The tear tape applicator of  claim 1  wherein said applicator is applied in front of a nip that pulls said web into a cutter unit which cuts said tear tape at moment said tear tape is applied to said web.  
     
     
         11 . The tear tape applicator of  claim 1  wherein said tear tape is between about 1/32 and ½ inch in width.  
     
     
         12 . The tear tape applicator of  claim 1  wherein said applicator applies more than one tear tape in one application.  
     
     
         13 . A method of attaching tear tape to ream wrap or other packaging material comprising: 
 pulling a web of ream wrap or other packaging material through a number of festoon or dancer rolls that move up and down,    momentarily stopping said ream wrap or other packaging material while wind-up and unwind roll speeds remain constant;    cutting and applying a strip of tear tape across said web of ream wrap or other packaging material while said web is momentarily stopped.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein further comprising: 
 treating said tear tape with self-adhesive material on one side and, when said web is stopped, pushing said web with a bar or other apparatus into said tear tape,    adhering said tear tape to said web and at same time cutting said tear tape to match width of said web with a cutting plate or knife.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising: 
 coating said tear tape with wax,    cutting said tear tape to match web of said web; and    pushing said web in contact with said tear tape.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 adhering said tear tape to web by either application of pressure or slight thermal energy.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising; 
 applying heat to said tear tape, which is comprised of polymer film or paper/polymer film combination;    making said polymer tacky,    adhering said tear tape to said ream wrap or other packaging material at moment of cutting and when pressure is applied to contact said web and said tear tape.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising: 
 pulling said tear tape out of a spindle unit above or below said web which is connected to a motor that drives a belt across said web at moment said web is stopped.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising: 
 applying more than one tear tape in one application.    
     
     
         20 . A system for applying tear tape comprising: 
 a tear tape applicator assembly;    a laser tear tape unwind assembly;    a winder;    a rewind roll; and    an unwind roll.