Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A method of joining together a plurality of sections of fan-folded interconnected single sheets to form a composite stack comprising: positioning a trailing transverse edge of the last sheet of a first section of fan-folded interconnected single sheets in a predetermined position on a support surface; positioning a leading transverse edge of the first sheet of a second section of fan-folded interconnected single sheets on the support surface in edge-to-edge abutting relation with the trailing transverse edge of the last sheet of the first section; removing splicing tape from a tape reel and forming a row of longitudinally-extending perforations in the center of the tape as the tape is being removed; centering the removed tape above the abutting edges of the sheets with the row of perforations centered above the abutting edges; applying the tape to regions of the sheets adjacent the abutting edges in such manner that the tape interconnects the sheets with the row of perforations located between the abutting edges; severing the applied tape adjacent the longitudinal edges of the interconnected sheets; and positioning the second section on top of the first section to form a composite stack.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
191 words
A method of joining together a plurality of sections of fan-folded interconnected single sheets to form a composite stack comprising: positioning a trailing transverse edge of the last sheet of a first section of fan-folded interconnected single sheets in a predetermined position on a support surface; positioning a leading transverse edge of the first sheet of a second section of fan-folded interconnected single sheets on the support surface in edge-to-edge abutting relation with the trailing transverse edge of the last sheet of the first section; removing splicing tape from a tape reel and forming a row of longitudinally-extending perforations in the center of the tape as the tape is being removed; centering the removed tape above the abutting edges of the sheets with the row of perforations centered above the abutting edges; applying the tape to regions of the sheets adjacent the abutting edges in such manner that the tape interconnects the sheets with the row of perforations located between the abutting edges; severing the applied tape adjacent the longitudinal edges of the interconnected sheets; and positioning the second section on top of the first section to form a composite stack.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising: measuring the height of the composite stack formed by interconnecting the first and second sheets; and interconnecting additional sections to the composite stack to form a composite stack of predetermined height.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 2, further comprising: subjecting sheets forming the composite stack to tension to ensure interconnection of the sheets to each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 2 or claim 3, further comprising: applying identifying indicia to one side of the sheets forming the composite stack.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
177 words
An apparatus for joining together a plurality of sections of fan-folded interconnected single sheets to form a composite stack comprising: sheet supporting means having an upper support surface for supporting a trailing transverse edge of the last sheet of a first section of fan-folded interconnected single sheets in a predetermined position and for supporting a leading transverse edge of a second section of fan-folded interconnected single sheets in edge-to-edge abutting relation to the trailing transverse edge of the last sheet of the first section; roll supporting means carried by a lower surface of said sheet supporting means for supporting a roll of a splicing tape so that the tape is removable from the roll and applied to portions of the sheets adjacent the abutting edges to thereby join the sections together; means carried by said sheet supporting means for forming a row of longitudinally-extending perforations in the center of splicing tape during its removal from said roll supporting means; and means for severing splicing tape applied to the sheets and extending beyond longitudinal edges of the sheets.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
177 words
An apparatus for joining together a plurality of sections of fan-folded interconnected single sheets to form a composite stack comprising: sheet supporting means having an upper support surface for supporting a trailing transverse edge of the last sheet of a first section of fan-folded interconnected single sheets in a predetermined position and for supporting a leading transverse edge of a second section of fan-folded interconnected single sheets in edge-to-edge abutting relation to the trailing transverse edge of the last sheet of the first section; roll supporting means carried by a lower surface of said sheet supporting means for supporting a roll of a splicing tape so that the tape is removable from the roll and applied to portions of the sheets adjacent the abutting edges to thereby join the sections together; means carried by said sheet supporting means for forming a row of longitudinally-extending perforations in the center of splicing tape during its removal from said roll supporting means; and means for severing splicing tape applied to the sheets and extending beyond longitudinal edges of the sheets.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
89 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said sheet supporting means includes a horizontal support surface, and wherein said apparatus further comprises tape applying means for receiving splicing tape from said roll and for applying received tape to portions of the sheets adjacent the abutting edges with the row of perforations being positioned between the abutting edges, said tape applying means including a carriage for receiving tape to be applied, means for supporting the carriage for horizontal movement above said support surface, and means for horizontally moving the carriage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 or claim 6, further comprising means for subjecting the sheets of joined sections to a tension force to ensure interconnection of the sheets to each other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising means for applying identifying indicia to one surface of the sheets of joined sections.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
221 words
An apparatus for joining together a plurality of sections of fan-folded interconnected single sheets containing printed information on one side thereof to form a composite stack comprising: sheet supporting means having a horizontal support surface for supporting a trailing transverse edge of the last sheet of a first section of fan-folded interconnected single sheets containing printed information on one side thereof in a predetermined position and for supporting a leading transverse edge of the first sheet of a second section of fan-folded interconnected single sheets containing printed information on one side thereof in edge-to-edge abutting relation to the trailing transverse edge of the last sheet of the first section with the printed sides of the sheets having the same orientation; means positioned underneath said support surface for supporting a roll of a splicing tape so that the tape is removable from the roll, perforated in a longitudinally-extending central region thereof, and applied to portions of the sheets adjacent the abutting edges to thereby join the sections together; means for severing splicing tape applied to the sheets and extending beyond longitudinal edges of the sheets; means for subjecting the sheets of joined sections to a tension force to ensure interconnection of the sheets to each other; and means for applying identifying indicia to the printed side of the sheets of joined sections.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
221 words
An apparatus for joining together a plurality of sections of fan-folded interconnected single sheets containing printed information on one side thereof to form a composite stack comprising: sheet supporting means having a horizontal support surface for supporting a trailing transverse edge of the last sheet of a first section of fan-folded interconnected single sheets containing printed information on one side thereof in a predetermined position and for supporting a leading transverse edge of the first sheet of a second section of fan-folded interconnected single sheets containing printed information on one side thereof in edge-to-edge abutting relation to the trailing transverse edge of the last sheet of the first section with the printed sides of the sheets having the same orientation; means positioned underneath said support surface for supporting a roll of a splicing tape so that the tape is removable from the roll, perforated in a longitudinally-extending central region thereof, and applied to portions of the sheets adjacent the abutting edges to thereby join the sections together; means for severing splicing tape applied to the sheets and extending beyond longitudinal edges of the sheets; means for subjecting the sheets of joined sections to a tension force to ensure interconnection of the sheets to each other; and means for applying identifying indicia to the printed side of the sheets of joined sections.