Segmented tape transport and moistening system

Abstract

An advancing system is provided for selectively advancing generally flat material, such as tape, in a first direction (towards a moistening device) or in a second direction (away from a moistening device). The advancing system includes a conveyer that has a moving surface that advances the tape, which is in contact with the surface, to the conveyer's exit. The system also includes a motor with a shaft. The motor rotates the shaft in opposite directions. A mechanism couples the motor shaft to the moving surface so as to drive the surface in a common direction regardless of the direction in which the motor shaft rotates, causing the conveyor to advance the tape in that common direction to the conveyer's exit. The advancing system further includes a diverter at the conveyer's exit. The diverter selectively directs the tape in the first or second direction. The diverter includes two exit rollers which receive the tape between them. One exit roller moves between a first position and a second position relative to the other exit roller. The diverter directs the tape in the first direction when the first exit roller is in the first position and directs the tape in the second direction when the first roller is in the second position. A mechanism couples the motor shaft to the diverter in order to move the first roller between its two positions each time the motor reverses the direction of the motor shaft's rotation.