Method and apparatus for cutting and taping a substrate and a product made by the method

Abstract

In one embodiment, a method for cutting and taping a substrate includes providing a substrate having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a perimeter. A first flexible joint is created in the substrate by making a first cut through the first side to the second side making first and second sections. A first length of tape is located along at least a portion the first cut to secure the sections together. A second flexible joint is created in the substrate by making a second cut through the first side to the second side. A second length of tape may connect the additional sections created by the second cut.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cut and taped substrate, comprising:
 a first printed side, a second side opposite the first side, and a perimeter defined by a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a third edge and a fourth edge opposite the third edge, wherein said sides are substantially parallel one another;   a first flexible joint, comprising:
 a first cut through said first printed side to said second side, said first cut creating a first section and a second section; 
 a first length of tape connecting first section and said second section on only said second side; 
   a second flexible joint, comprising:
 a second cut through said first printed side to said second side, said second cut creating a third section and a fourth section, wherein said second cut is transverse said first cut; and 
 a second length of tape connecting the third section and the fourth section only on said second side. 
   
     
     
         2 . The substrate of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second lengths of tape are as long as their respective sections, but not as wide as their respective sections. 
     
     
         3 . The substrate of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second sections are cut so that they are equal height but unequal width. 
     
     
         4 . The substrate of  claim 1 , wherein said first flexible joint intersects transversely with said first flexible joint. 
     
     
         5 . The substrate of  claim 1 , wherein a first cutting and taping pass creates said first cut and applies said first length of tape while simultaneously creating another cut from said first edge to said second edge which is also taped which creates three sections, and a second cutting and taping pass creates said second cut transverse to said first cut and applies said second length of tape which creates six sections that are taped together. 
     
     
         6 . The substrate of  claim 5 , wherein at least part of at least one of the taped cuts are slit after being taped. 
     
     
         7 . A cut and taped substrate, comprising:
 a first side, a second side opposite the first side;   a first flexible joint, comprising:
 a first cut through said second side to said first side, said first cut creating a first section and a second section; 
 a first length of tape applied to said second side over said first cut, said first length of tape connecting said first section and said second section; 
 wherein said first flexible joint folds in a first direction; 
   a second flexible joint, comprising:
 a second cut through said first side to said second side; and 
 a second length of tape applied to said first side over said second cut; 
 wherein said second flexible joint folds in a second direction opposite said first direction.