Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus and method for applying adhesive on opposite edges of a longitudinal slit formed in a tubular body of resilient insulation material is provided. The apparatus includes a conveyor which moves the tubular body along a conveyor path. A feed assembly feeds a pair of tape strips along separate feed paths so that an adhesive applicator located adjacent to each feed path at an application point applies adhesive to a surface of the tape strip as it is fed along the feed path. A wedge-shaped plow is formed from a pair of flat plates which converge at an acute angle toward one another. The flat plates each have a leading edge which directs each tape strip from the feed paths along an exterior surface of one of the plates along lines parallel with the conveyor path. The lead edges of the plates engage the slit of the tubular body as the tubular body is moved along the conveyor path so that the edges of the slit are directed along the exterior surfaces of the plates with the edges of the slit contacting the tape strips. This causes the tape strips and adhesive to be applied to the opposite edges of the slit. A mandrel supports the tubular body as it is moved along the conveyor path into engagement with the plow so that the tubular body is held in a substantially tubular form.

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First Claim