Method for the application of lengths of tape to a surface

• US 5,192,385 A
• Filed: 07/29/1992
• Issued: 03/09/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Company
• Original Assignee: 3M Company
• Inventors: Moll, Karl-Andreas
• Primary Examiner(s): Weston, Caleb
• Application Number:
  US07/922,346
• Time in Patent Office: 223 Days
• Field of Search: 156/250, 156/252, 156/494, 156/495, 156/510, 156/517, 156/519, 156/521, 156/522, 156/523, 156/527, 156/574, 156/577, 156/579, 225/2, 225/4, 225/5, 225/10, 225/11, 225/51, 225/72, 225/73, 225/82, 225/84, 225/88, 225/89, 225/91, 225/93, 225/94, 225/96, 225/96.5, 225/100, 225/106
• US Class Current: 156/250
• CPC Class Codes: B26F 1/18 Perforating by slitting, i.e. forming cuts closed at their ends without removal of material
• CPC Class Codes: B26F 3/002 Precutting and tensioning or breaking
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 35/0033 and affixing it to a surface B65H35/004 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 35/0086 using movable cutting elements
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 37/005 Hand-held apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1052 with cutting, punching, tearing or severing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1056 Perforating lamina
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1304 Means making hole or aperture in part to be laminated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1322 Severing before bonding or assembling of parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/133 Delivering cut part to indefinite or running length web
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1339 Delivering cut part in sequence to serially conveyed articles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1343 Cutting indefinite length web after assembly with discrete article
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1348 Work traversing type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1788 Work traversing type and/or means applying work to wall or static structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1795 Implement carried web supply
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/18 Surface bonding means and/or assembly means with handle or handgrip

Abstract

The invention relates to a process and to apparatus for the defined dispensing and application to a substrate surface of sections having equal and/or unequal lengths of a tape, particularly of a pressure-sensitive or thermally activatable adhesive tape, to a substrate surface. To this end, the tape is continuously adhesively affixed to the surface. Starting at an initial placement position; before the leading edge (in the direction of application) of the tape section is secured, it is severed partly, leaving at least one web of material, at a predetermined distance from the trailing edge thereof by a specially configured cutting mechanism. After the subsequent adhesive placement of the entire tape section on said surface, the tape is separated at said at least one web of material by utilizing a braking effect as the tape or the tape dispensing and applying apparatus continues to move relative to the surface.

Claims

1. A method for the application of tape having a desired length to a surface by a tape applicator device including a tape applicator element for placing a trailing edge of the tape onto the surface and a tear lien forming element, comprising the steps of:

(a) adhering the trailing edge of a section of the tape tot he surface at a given application line;

(b) applying a portion of a desired length of the tape to the surface;

(c) metering the distance between the applied length of tape and a desired leading edge of the tape by comparing an indicator provided on the tape applicator device to a desired point on the surface for the leading edge of the tape to be located;

(d) interrupting the movement of the tape at a predetermined point from the desired leading edge of the tape;

(e) forming a tear line in the tape by the tear line forming element at the predetermined distance from the desired leading edge of the tape;

(f) applying the remaining portion of the tape to the surface; and

(g) tearing the tape at the tear line so as to separate the desired length of tape from the section of tape.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of forming the tear lien includes the step of partially severing the tape while at least one web of the tape material is formed.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of forming the tear line includes the step of forming the tear line in a direction normal to the longitudinal edges of the tape.