3m Innovative Properties Company

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Gary K Kuhn

Karl M Kropp

Robert A Luhman

Kenneth J Perrington

Michael W Gruber

Michael G Slagter

Richard E Bennett

Peter B Hogerton

Michael R Mitchell

Jack L Perecman

Herbert A McLees

Gary L Romberg

Kevin J Bangen

A radio-frequency identification tag and tape applicator. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides an applicator that includes a tag and tape handling system having a base, a tape supply holder attached to the base, a tag supply holder attached to the base, a tag applying mechanism attached to the base for applying a tag to a length of tape and that includes a taping head for applying the tag and the length of tape to an object. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a radio-frequency identification tag applicator that includes a tag supply holder, a carrier roll holder, a carrier path from the supply roll holder to the carrier roll holder, a tag dispensing mechanism along the carrier path between the supply roll holder and the carrier roll holder for applying a tag to an object, and an interrogator for writing information to tags along the carrier path between the tag supply holder and the tag dispensing mechanism. The present invention also relates to methods of applying a radio-frequency identification tag to tape and to a variety of preferred embodiments of a package in combination with a radio-frequency identification tag.

Radio-frequency identification tag and tape applicator, radio-frequency identification tag applicator, and methods of applying radio-frequency identification tags

Methods of applying tape to a surface. An embodiment of the invention provides a method of applying a tape to a surface, comprising the steps of: providing a tape, wherein the tape includes a tape backing and an adhesive on the tape backing, and wherein the tape is on a liner; cutting the tape to provide a first length of tape, a second length of tape, and a removable portion of the tape located between the first length of tape and the second length of tape wherein a portion of the first end of the removable portion is cut at an angle oblique to the length of the tape; removing the removable portion of the tape from the liner; separating the first length of tape from the liner; and applying the first length of tape to a surface.

Methods of applying tape to a surface

A tape applicator. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a tape applicator having a tape head, a x-axis actuator for moving the tape head in the x-axis direction, and a y-axis actuator for moving the tape head in the y-axis direction. The tape head preferably includes: i) a base; ii) a tape roll holder attached to the base; iii) a tape application roller attached to the base for applying the tape to a surface; iv) a cutter attached to the base for cutting tape to form a removeable portion of a tape; and v) a remover attached to the base for removing the removeable portion of the tape. The present invention also relates to methods of applying tape to a surface.

Tape applicator and methods of applying tape to a surface

Methods and apparatus for applying a bonding layer to a member of an optical recording medium and for bonding together members of an optical recording medium. The methods and apparatus are useful for assembling optical recording media such as compact disks (CDs) and digital versatile disks (DVDs), and are particularly well suited for use with pressure sensitive adhesives. A preferred method of assembling together first and second members of an optical recording medium, wherein each of the members includes an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein at least one of the inner surfaces includes a bonding layer thereon, and wherein at least one of the members includes a data storage surface, includes the steps of: a) curving the first member such that the first member inner surface is convex, wherein the first member inner surface includes an outer annulus, and wherein the outer annulus includes a first portion and a second portion; b) orienting the second member such that the second member inner surface faces the first member inner surface, wherein the second member inner surface includes an outer annulus, and wherein the outer annulus includes a first portion and a second portion; c) contacting the first portion of the first member outer annulus and the first portion of the second member outer annulus together under pressure; and d) rotating the first and second members relative to one another so as to progressively contact under pressure the first member inner surface and second member inner surface together from their respective outer annulus first portions to their respective outer annulus second portions to thereby attach together the inner surfaces of the first and second members. A similar method for applying the bonding layer to one member is disclosed. Also disclosed are apparatus for use with the above methods.

Method and apparatus for assembling an optical recording medium

An apparatus for binding a plurality of sheets of paper together is disclosed. A pair of clamping plates presents one edge of the sheets for binding after a jogging plate aligns the edges. After a solid hot melt adhesive material sheet is placed along the edge of the sheets, a heating platen heats and melts the hot melt adhesive material sheet and causes the liquid adhesive to bind the sheets together. The method of binding the stack of a plurality of sheets of paper includes positioning a plurality of sheets between the clamping plates, vibrating the sheets to square and align their edges, clamping the aligned sheets of paper, presenting the aligned edge of the paper to the heating platen, placing an adhesive hot melt material sheet on the edge of the sheets, heating and melting the hot melt adhesive material sheet onto the edge, and removing the bound sheets from the apparatus.

Hot melt adhesive bound book

An apparatus for and a method of applying adhesive tape to a moving web of material is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tape supply for supplying the adhesive tape and attached tape liner. A tension roller maintains a substantially constant tension in the adhesive tape and the tape liner, while a drive roller drives the adhesive tape and the tape liner. A cutting device cuts the adhesive tape away from the tape liner into a strip of tape, the strip of tape having a predetermined length. A vacuum wheel receives the strip of tape and supplies the strip of tape to the moving web of material which is forced into contact with the vacuum wheel by a jump roller. A liner rewind roller receives the tape liner.

Growing community of inventors

Stillwater, MN, United States of America

Gary K Kuhn