Tear tape applicator for ream wrap and other packaging materials

1. In a method for applying a cut portion of an adhesive tear tape to a web of a wrapper, which adapts the wrapper for tearing by the tear tape, including advancing the web in a machine direction, positioning the tear tape in alignment with a width of the web by a vacuum belt, cutting the tear tape with a cutting means to provide a cut portion while the tear tape is in alignment with the width of the web, and applying said cut portion to the web by a pressing device, the improvement comprising:

directing a laser beam toward a top of the vacuum belt and cutting the tear tape to provide said cut portion of the tear tape before the vacuum belt advances said cut portion of the tear tape in the cross direction and then positions said cut portion of the tear tape in alignment with the width of the web;

measuring a predetermined length of continuous movement of the web in the machine direction with a registration eye and an encoder roll; and

signaling actuation of the pressing device in the form of a tamp roller to apply said cut portion of the tear tape to the web without stopping the web from said continuous movement in the machine direction.

2. In the method of claim 1 , the improvement further comprising:

measuring a predetermined length of continuous movement of the web in the machine direction with the registration eye and the encoder roll; and

signaling actuation of a vacuum belt servo drive of the vacuum belt for the vacuum belt to advance said cut portion in the cross direction.

3. In the system of claim 2 , the improvement further comprising: the registration eye and the encoder roll measuring a predetermined length of continuous movement of the web in the machine direction, and signaling actuation of a cross-notching servo drive and cross-notching cylinders to cut a notch on an edge of the web.

4. In the method of claim 1 , the improvement further comprising:

measuring a predetermined length of continuous movement of the web in the machine direction with the registration eye and the encoder roll; and

signaling actuation of a cross-notching servo drive and cross-notching cylinders to cut a notch on an edge of the web.

5. In the method of claim 4 , the improvement further comprising:

advancing the web in the machine direction with a winder.

6. In the method of claim 1 , the improvement further comprising: advancing the web in the machine direction with a winder.

7. In the method of claim 2 , the improvement further comprising: advancing the web in the machine direction with a winder.