A method and apparatus for wrapping the liner of a tape, which has been peeled from the backing of a tape, around a pipe or other object in the same operation that the backing is applied. The apparatus includes a frame having at least two spaced apart bars which direct the path of the liner to an offset position which is parallel to and behind the portion of the backing which is currently being applied to the pipe. The liner is then wrapped around the pipe over the backing which has been wrapped around the pipe just in advance of the liner. The liner may also be perforated or otherwise treated before application to the pipe.

An adjustable width split sleeve adapted to be securely wrapped around an elongate member. The sleeve includes a pliable laminated sheet having a first end and a second end. Each end of the sheet is wrapped around a respective first rod. Each first rod is rotated about a second rod which is parallel and adjacent to the first rod but which is separated from the first rod by the sheet. The first and second rods may be positioned various distances from the edges of the sheet as desired to provide a desired width of the sleeve and to provide a tongue to seal the gap between the sheet ends. By positioning the rods in this manner, the rods on each end of the sheet, which are floating and not restrained nor clamped, will lock together from the tension applied to the sheet when the sleeve is secured around the elongate member. Each end of the sheet is securely gripped between the respective first and second rods. The sleeve is wrapped around the elongate member and the first and second ends of the sheet and their respective rods are fastened to one another by means such as cable ties. The sheet bottom is designed to overlap the sheet below to provide a seal between sheets. A method for making the laminated sheets by joining through thistle patches improves manufacture and installation.