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 such as a hand-held drywall tape applicator is provided for applying a fluid-activated tape onto a wallboard or ceiling joint. The apparatus includes a housing defined by a left housing section and a right housing section. The housing is configured to removably mount a roll of tape at the rear end. The apparatus includes a base, a handle disposed between and coupled with the base and the rear end of the housing, a nozzle assembly attached to or defined by the front end of the housing, and a basin detachably coupled with the housing and configured to hold a fluid. The apparatus further includes a plurality of rollers, which include a first roller disposed inside the basin. The plurality of rollers are configured to feed and transport a portion of tape from the roll into the fluid of the basin and then out of the nozzle assembly.

A blank for sealing a tray having one or more compartments includes a face stock with a pressure sensitive adhesive pattern which closely matches the top surface area of the tray, excluding the tray compartment areas. The pattern may be precisely formed with the pressure sensitive adhesive containing a coloring or fluorescing agent. The adhesive forms an identifiable registration mark used for properly aligning the adhesive pattern for die cutting the face stock in a specific location in relationship to the pattern. Various types of sensors may be used to identify the registration mark. Alternatively, the pattern may be precisely formed by printing a blocking or deadening agent in a pattern that contains a sensor mark with a blocking or deadening agent that contains a coloring or fluorescing agent, onto a flood coated pressure sensitive adhesive. This pattern forms an identifiable registration mark that is used to properly align the blank for cutting the face stock in a specific location in relationship to the adhesive pattern.

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).