Applicator for and method of applying a sheet material to a substrate

• US 20070034328A1
• Filed: 04/28/2006
• Published: 02/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Gausmann, Keith, Steinhardt, Mark, Dugas, Michael, Rothwell, Timothy
• Granted Patent: US 7,540,933 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/250
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 63/024 the sheet or web-like material being supported by a moving carriage
• CPC Class Codes: B44C 7/06 for applying the paper to the surface to be covered
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1052 with cutting, punching, tearing or severing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/108 Flash, trim or excess removal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1084 of continuous or running length bonded web
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1348 Work traversing type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1361 Cutting after bonding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1378 Cutter actuated by or secured to bonding element
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1788 Work traversing type and/or means applying work to wall or static structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1793 Grip or clamp for web end
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1795 Implement carried web supply

Abstract

A method and device for applying sheet material, such as wallpaper, to a substrate. The applicator is bi-positionable, having a first position where the sheet material is spaced apart from the substrate and a second position where the sheet material contacts the substrate. Additionally or alternatively, the applicator may be provided with a control bar. In the first position, the control bar contacts a portion of the sheet material such as its free end. This minimizes the chance of the sheet material prematurely contacting the substrate. In the second position, the sheet material is disengaged from the control bar for application to the substrate. The applicator and sheet material may be provided together in a kit.

Claims

1. A bi-positionable applicator for applying a sheet material to a substrate, said applicator comprising:

a housing comprising a holder for receiving a quantity of sheet material therein, wherein at least a portion of said housing comprises a handle for gripping by a user;

an operating unit assembly movably joined to said housing, said operating unit assembly being movable relative to said housing from a first position to a second position, wherein at least a portion of said applicator engages at least one of the sheet material and the substrate in said first position and disengages the sheet material or substrate in said second position; and

a safety cutting mechanism joined to said housing, said safety cutting mechanism comprising;

at least one cutting blade disposed in a recess in said housing when said cutting blade is not in use;

a cutter actuator for activating said at least one cutting blade so that said cutting blade is disposed at least partially outside said recess, said cutter actuator being at least indirectly joined to said at least one cutting blade; and

a safety mechanism operatively joined at least indirectly to said at least one of said cutting blade and said cutting actuator, said safety mechanism having a first position and a second position, wherein said safety mechanism permits said cutter actuator to move when said safety mechanism is in it second position, but not in its first position.

2. A method for applying a sheet material to a substrate, said sheet material having a width, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a bi-positionable applicator, said applicator comprising a housing comprising a holder for receiving a quantity of sheet material therein, wherein at least a portion of said housing comprises a handle for gripping by a user;

an operating unit assembly movably joined to said housing, said operating unit assembly being movable relative to said housing from a first position to a second position, wherein at least a portion of said applicator engages said sheet material and the substrate in said first position;

placing said applicator against the substrate, whereby said sheet material is spaced apart from said substrate;

moving said operating unit assembly from said first position to said second position by pressing said applicator against said substrate so that said sheet material contacts said substrate and said applicator is in a first orientation;

moving said applicator in an application direction, whereby said sheet material is applied to the substrate;

rotating said applicator to a second orientation wherein at least a portion of said applicator engages said sheet material; and

cutting said sheet material.