A packaging machine and method are provided for wrapping, folding and
taping a flexible photoconductive belt loop to prevent light from shocking
such photoconductive belt loop during shipping and during loading into a
machine. The packaging machine for the method includes mandrels holding
cylindrical cores for supporting, tensioning and folding the flexible
photoconductive belt loop; devices for feeding a light occluding and
protective flexible sheet over the flexible photoconductive belt loop to
form a belt and sheet assembly; an aperture former for forming a loop
tacking aperture through a loop tacking portion of one end of the light
occluding and protective flexible sheet; folding and end-tucking
mechanisms for folding the belt and sheet assembly into a tightly folded
pattern around the cylindrical cores; and first and second taping stations
for applying an end pull tab tape, and a loop tacking tape over the loop
tacking portion and through the loop tacking aperture onto a portion of
the light occluding and protective flexible sheet underneath the loop
tacking portion thereof.
