MATERIAL TRANSFER DEVICE WITH A PROTECTIVE COVER

Abstract

A material transfer device for transferring a coating from an outer surface of a transfer tape onto a surface includes a housing; a transfer head around which the transfer tape extends, wherein the transfer head protrudes from the housing; a protective cover connected to the housing and movable between an advanced and a retracted position. The cover has a front end portion adapted to protrude from the housing in the advanced position for protecting an unused portion of the transfer tape when the device is out of use. The connection between the protective cover and the housing is provided by a groove in the protective cover and tongue on the outer surface of the housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed part of the present description, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiment of a material transfer device according to the invention shown in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the essential parts of a material transfer device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section showing details of the connection between the housing of the material transfer device and the protective cover; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a protective cover for use in a material transfer device in accordance with the present invention.

Claims

1. A material transfer device for transferring a coating from an outer surface of a transfer tape onto a surface, of the type comprising a housing; a transfer head around which the transfer tape extends, said transfer head protruding from the housing; and a protective cover connected to the housing and movable between an advanced and a retracted position, the protective cover having a front end portion adapted to protrude from the housing in the advanced position for protecting an unused portion of the transfer tape;, wherein the improvement comprises a tongue and groove connection between the protective cover and the housing.

2. The material transfer device of claim 1, wherein the tongue and groove connection comprises a tongue on the outer surface of the housing and a groove in the protective cover.

3. The material transfer device of claim 1, wherein the tongue and groove connection is formed to provide a clip-on function between the groove and the tongue.

4. The material transfer device of claim 1, wherein the tongue and groove connection comprises a tongue and a groove having opposed ends, wherein the tongue and the groove are configured for engagement between the tongue and each of the ends of the groove to provide end-stop movement of the protective cover.

5. The material transfer device of claim 1, wherein the tongue and groove connection comprises a tongue and a groove, wherein the tongue and the groove include cooperating enlargements positioned for fixing the cover in the advanced and retracted positions.

6. The material transfer device of claim 1, wherein the tongue and groove connection includes a tongue with a mushroom-like cross section.

7. The material transfer device of claim 1, wherein the tongue and groove connection includes a tongue comprising mutually aligned tongue sections.