There is disclosed a method of manufacturing an adhesive tape (32), comprising: printing a print pattern (14) including at least one printed datum (15) onto a web; applying onto the web a plurality of transversely spaced adhesive stripes (16) using an adhesive stripe applicator; and controlling adhesive stripe application such that the adhesive stripes (16) are applied in register with the print pattern (14) by monitoring the transverse position of at least a part of at least one printed datum (15) and adjusting the relative transverse position between the adhesive stripe applicator and the web in response thereto. The method also comprises a tape slitting operation in which, using a tape slitting head (92), the web is slit into a plurality of adhesive tapes (32) which each have an adhesive stripe (16); and controlling the tape slitting such that the web is slit in register with the print pattern (14) by monitoring the transverse position of at least a part of at least one printed datum (15) and adjusting the relative transverse position between the tape slitting head (92) and the web in response thereto.

An apparatus and method for producing microperforated patches for MAP includes drilling or punching microperforations through continuously advancing label stock. Holes can be drilled by at least one microperforating laser traversed across the label stock as it advances, a laser beam deflected or split using a servo-driven galvanometer, beam splitters, or a plurality of mirrors, or by drills mounted into a rotating die cylinder across which the stock passes as it is advanced. Numbers and sizes of microperforations can be adjusted by manipulation of laser control parameters, or by exchange of die cylinders. The laser can be a CO2 laser with between 10 W and 100 W output. The drills can be carbide drills. The label stock is typically 6-18 inches wide, and can include an adhesive covered by a release sheet. The stock to be microperforated can include separate rows of labels or can be suitable for die-cutting after microperforation.

A label web and method utilize a substrate, first and second longitudinally spaced label arrays each including two or more double-sided adhesive labels removably attached to the substrate, and a peelable protective covering web extending generally coextensive with the substrate. The label arrays and the peelable protective web are configured such that the peelable protective web is selectively removable to expose the first label array while remaining removably attached to the second label array, with both the first and second label arrays remaining removably attached to the substrate, to thereby facilitate removal of all labels in the first label array as a group while the peelable protective covering web remains in place over the second label array.

A label web and method utilize a substrate, first and second longitudinally spaced label arrays each including two or more double-sided adhesive labels removably attached to the substrate, and a peelable protective covering web extending generally coextensive with the substrate. The label arrays and the peelable protective web are configured such that the peelable protective web is selectively removable to expose the first label array while remaining removably attached to the second label array, with both the first and second label arrays remaining removably attached to the substrate, to thereby facilitate removal of all labels in the first label array as a group while the peelable protective covering web remains in place over the second label array.

A label web and method utilize a substrate, first and second longitudinally spaced label arrays each including two or more double-sided adhesive labels removably attached to the substrate, and a peelable protective covering web extending generally coextensive with the substrate. The label arrays and the peelable protective web are configured such that the peelable protective web is selectively removable to expose the first label array while remaining removably attached to the second label array, with both the first and second label arrays remaining removably attached to the substrate, to thereby facilitate removal of all labels in the first label array as a group while the peelable protective covering web remains in place over the second label array.

A label web and method utilize a substrate, first and second longitudinally spaced label arrays each including two or more double-sided adhesive labels removably attached to the substrate, and a peelable protective covering web extending generally coextensive with the substrate. The label arrays and the peelable protective web are configured such that the peelable protective web is selectively removable to expose the first label array while remaining removably attached to the second label array, with both the first and second label arrays remaining removably attached to the substrate, to thereby facilitate removal of all labels in the first label array as a group while the peelable protective covering web remains in place over the second label array.

An apparatus and method for producing microperforated patches for MAP includes drilling or punching microperforations through continuously advancing label stock. Holes can be drilled by at least one microperforating laser traversed across the label stock as it advances, a laser beam deflected or split using a servo-driven galvanometer, beam splitters, or a plurality of mirrors, or by drills mounted into a rotating die cylinder across which the stock passes as it is advanced. Numbers and sizes of microperforations can be adjusted by manipulation of laser control parameters, or by exchange of die cylinders. The laser can be a CO2 laser with between 10 W and 100 W output. The drills can be carbide drills. The label stock is typically 6-18 inches wide, and can include an adhesive covered by a release sheet. The stock to be microperforated can include separate rows of labels or can be suitable for die-cutting after microperforation.

There is disclosed a method of manufacturing an adhesive tape (32), comprising a tape slitting operation in which, using a tape slitting head (92), a web (30) having a plurality of transversely spaced adhesive stripes (169) is slit into a plurality of adhesive tapes (32) which each have an adhesive stripe (16). The tape slitting is controlled such that the web (30) is slit in register with the adhesive stripes (16) by monitoring the transverse position of at least a part of at least one adhesive stripe (16) and adjusting the relative transverse position between the tape slitting head (92) and the web (30) in response thereto. There is also disclosed apparatus for manufacturing an adhesive tape (32).