Patent Application
20080237387
The present invention concerns a method and apparatus which are used to dispense adhesive in the form of adhesive elements such as glue dots or the like. In particular, but not exclusively, the apparatus and method are used to dispense adhesive elements which are carried on a tape or the like.
Adhesive dots, pads or the like (referred to hereinafter as adhesive elements or glue dots) mounted on a silicone release tape, wherein the adhesive dots are equi-spaced along the length of the tape, are well known, see for example those sold under the name SUPERDOTS®. Such dots are used to removably secure a first item to a second item, an example being an Insert of a fragrance sample in a magazine.
One known form of means for removing an adhesive dot from the carrier tape and securing it to an item involves the use of a stand or housing in which the carrier tape—carrying the adhesive dots—is mounted in roll form, the carrier tape being fed from the stand or housing such that the sequentially arranged adhesive dots may be removed manually by a user—usually one at a time—from the carrier tape. Such stands or housing are often made from cardboard.
Whilst the above-described stand or housing has proved very successful, its use is very time-consuming, since it involves pulling through by hand of the carrier strip in order to correctly position the adhesive dot to be removed for transference to the item to which it is to be attached.
There exists a need for an apparatus which may be used to dispense adhesive elements such as adhesive dots quickly and more efficiently. In particular, there is a need for an apparatus which is easy to use and comfortable for a user to hold whilst dispensing adhesive dots or elements to a surface.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for dispensing adhesive elements, provided at spaced apart locations along a tape, to a target location on a surface, the apparatus comprising:
Preferably, the dispensing head comprises a drum, said drum having a camming groove on at least one end surface, and said actuating means further comprising a cam follower which locates in said groove.
Conveniently, the drum comprises a groove on both end surfaces. Advantageously, each groove comprises a plurality of zones, each zone including two upwardly inclining tracks ending in a stepped portion.
Preferably, the actuating means further comprises a link extending between the handle and the cam follower, whereby rotational movement of the handle causes linear movement of the cam follower and rotational movement of the drum.
Preferably, the link comprises a rigid portion connected to a flexible portion, the flexible portion being connected to the handle and the rigid portion being connected to the cam follower. Advantageously, rotational movement of the handle causes linear movement of the cam follower and rotational movement of the drum.
Preferably, the dispensing head further comprises, on an outer circumferential surface, means for abutment with a shoulder of the post e.g. comprises an abutment surface. Conveniently, the abutment means comprises at least one recess on the outer circumferential surface of the dispensing head.
Preferably, the dispensing head further comprises registration means or a registration apparatus for registration with the tape. Advantageously, the registration means comprises a plurality of raised projections on a circumferential surface of the dispensing head.
Preferably, the actuating means is biased to a non-actuating position during use. Preferably, the tape accommodation means comprises two sections which define a space therebetween, the space being adapted to accommodate a tape in coiled configuration during use.
Advantageously, one of the sections includes a recess, the recess being for accommodating a peg situated on a tape reel. Preferably, the apparatus further comprises guide means for holding the tape on the dispensing head during use.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for dispensing adhesive elements from a tape to a target location on a surface, the method comprising:
Preferably, the apparatus may comprise further features of the apparatus of the present invention. Preferably, the method may be repeated to dispense a plurality of adhesive elements to target locations of one or more than one surface.
In order that the invention may be more readily understood, embodiments thereof will now be described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
In the drawings like reference numerals refer to like parts.
Referring to
Throughout the description and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.
First section 3a and second section 3b each comprise an upper portion, 5a, 5b, a neck portion 7a, 7b and a lower portion 9a, 9b. The housing 3 is adapted to hold a coiled tape carrying adhesive elements such as glue dots or the like, or alternatively a reel holding a tape, carrying adhesive elements in coiled configuration. The upper portions 5a, 5b of the sections are generally half-circular in shape and have a curved edge 11a, 11b and a straight edge 13a, 13b. Both upper portions have a raised wall 15a, 15b around their curved circumference. Each raised wall 15a, 15b starts at the top of the upper portion 5a, 5b and runs along the respective upper portion's curved circumferential edge. Each wall 15a, 15b runs downwardly from the base of the respective upper portion 3, to the centre of the neck portion 7 where the distal edge of the raised wall 15a of section 3a interlocks with the distal edge of the raised wall 15b of section 3b to together form the housing and together define a space 21 in which the reel or tape may fit and held during use.
Each of the neck portions 7a, 7b has a respective raised wall 2a, 2b projecting from its interior surface which raised wall 2a, 2b, together with the raised walls 15a, 15b, define a channel 23 in the neck portion 7 of each section. Similarly, the edges of the channel 23 of each section 3a, 3b fit together.
Section 3a of the housing 3 further includes a rearward arm 19 which, together with finger 25, holds the reel or coiled tape in place once the reel has been positioned in the housing. At about the centre of section 3b of the housing 3, edge 13 is shaped to provide an entrance for a blind recess 27 which extends radially some distance from the centre towards curved edge 11. This recess 27 is sized to accommodate a peg situated on one side of a reel holding tape carrying adhesive means, as described in more detail later.
The recess 27 forms part of a locking means or lock device. The locking means also includes a circular frame 4. The circular frame has a gap 60 in its lower surface. C-shaped block 8 is situated inside the frame and is downwardly biased by a spring engaged with a top surface of the frame 4 (not shown). In its biased position, the lower arm of block 8 extends through the gap 60. The block has a top arm 10 which has a sloped surface 12. The sloped surface 12 faces the entrance of the blind recess 27 and the block is situated so that the sloped surface is at the dosed end of the recess 27. The sloped surface 12 is for registration with a peg situated on a reel carrying tape (as explained later).
In an alternative embodiment, which may be used to dispense adhesive elements which are carried on a reel that does not comprise a peg, section 3b does not necessarily comprise the recess, channel or stop member. In this embodiment, section 3b may have a smooth exterior surface.
The apparatus further comprises an actuating means or actuator. The actuating means includes a handle 6 which may be gripped by the user during dispensing of the adhesive elements. The handle is in two parts, a first part 6a and a second part 6b. The first and second parts are fastened together by threaded screws (not shown) extending into holes 16, 18. The handle 6 is spring-loaded relative to the housing, the spring biasing the handle to a non-actuating position. Of course, the term “spring” will be understood to include any apparatus or means, e.g. biasing apparatus, having the same function as a spring.
The distal portions 20a, 20b of the first part 6a and the second part 6b, when secured together, together form a “pistol-type” grip. The grip extends from the housing in a downwardly angled direction (as shown in
The distal portion of the first part of the handle abuts and is integral with a middle portion 22a of the first part of the handle. The middle portion 22a extends transversely from either side of the distal portion 20a and is correspondingly curved to the curved edge of section 3a. Thus, the middle portion extends adjacent to, but does not touch, a portion of the curved edge 11a. The middle portion 22a has two slots 24 and 26 for accommodating two projections of flexible strip 28 (as explained later).
The middle portion 22a further abuts a mounting portion 30a of the first part 6a of the handle. The mounting portion 30a connects the first part 6a of the handle to the exterior surface of the first section 3a at the radial centre of the section's curved edge 11. As shown in
The mounting portion 30a adjoins one end of the middle portion 22a, which means that the mounting portion is offset from the distal grip portion 20a. This enables handle 6, when the first and second part 6a, 6b are secured together, to be extend symmetrically from the centre between the first and the second section 3a, 3b.
The second part 6b of the handle is for mounting on the second section 3b of the housing. As discussed previously, the second part 6b of the handle also comprises a distal portion 20b which, together with the distal portion 20a of the first part of the handle, makes up the grip held by the user. The second part 6b of the handle further comprises a middle portion 22b which abuts the distal portion 20b. The middle portion 22b is curved correspondingly to the curved edge of the second section 3b and is also similarly dimensioned to the raised wall 15b to ensure that the handle can freely rotate about its pivot on the housing during use.
The second part of the handle also includes a mounting portion 30b. The mounting portion 30b of the second part differs from the mounting portion 30a of the first part in that it does not have a boss on its interior surface. Instead, the mounting portion includes a circular recess 37 at the end to be connected to the first section section 3a. The recess 37 is correspondingly shaped to the locking means of section 3a and fits over the frame 4 of the locking means. The wall 40 enclosing the recess 37 has two notches 44 and 51. Notch 44 corresponds to the recess of section 3a to accommodate a peg situated on a reel accommodated in the housing (as explained later). Notch 51 corresponds to block 8 and accommodates block 8 when a reel with a peg is not supported within the housing and the block is biased downwardly. The accommodation of block 8 in notch 51 prevents rotation of the handle about its pivot.
The middle portions of the first and second part of the handle each have a passage 17a, 17b for holding the tape from which adhesive elements has already been dispensed. The passages link together when the two parts of the handle are secured together.
The actuating means further comprises a link extending between the cam follower and the handle. The link includes a rigid portion and a flexible portion. In this embodiment, the rigid portion is a post 49 accommodated inside the channel 23. Post 49 has a pin attached to its lower end. The distal portion 34 of each pin 14 is engageable in the groove 33 of the drum 18 and rides along the tracks during use, driving rotation of the drum upon displacement of the actuating handle. Post 49 includes shoulder 52.
The post is connected to a flexible strip 28. Strip 28 is accommodated in a gap between the middle portions of the handle and the curved edge 11 of sections 3a and 3b. The strip 28 has two projections (not shown) on its underside, which register with corresponding recesses 24, 26 on the middle portions of the first part of the handle to ensure that the flexible strip is attached to the handle and thus moves when the handle is moved by the user.
The apparatus 1 includes a tape dispensing head in the form of a drum 18. Drum 18 is a truncated cylinder which is mounted for rotation on spindle 31 extending between the bottom ends of housing 3. Drum 18 is mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis on a pin or spindle 31. Drum 18 is formed from two sections.
The pin or spindle 31 is secured to the housing 3 via fastening means such as a threaded screw which runs from the lower portion 9a of the first section 3a to the lower portion 9b of the second section 3b along a bore situated in the centre of the pin or spindle. The drum 18 is formed of a synthetic plastics material. Alternatively, the drum may be formed of any suitable material, such as metal or rubber, for example.
Referring to
As shown in
The drum 18 is also provided on its outer circumferential surface, with a plurality of spaced-apart recesses 39. The recesses 39 have a sloped lower surface (as shown in
As shown in
Feet 38a, 38b each have a flat ground-contacting surface 40, thus enabling the apparatus to be stored in an upright position. During use, the feet contact the surface upon which adhesive elements are to be placed and hold the surface taut. This facilitates the dispensing of the adhesive elements onto the surface.
A pair of guides 42a, 42b in the form of pivoted flaps are pivotably mounted to the respective neck portion 7a of the housing 3. These guides 42a, 42b ensure that the tape is retained around the circumferential surface of the drum 18. This is achieved by preventing the tape from moving more than a predetermined distance away from the outer surface of the drum. As shown in
The guide neck 48 is attached to a distal portion 50 of the guide. The body of each guide 42a, 42b is curved to correspond to the curvature of the outer circumferential surface of the drum 18. These curved portions are each provided with inwardly extending flanges 54 along their length.
The lugs 55a, 55b further carry out an additional function of retaining the guides in a desired position. One end of each lug pushes against a resilient portion 56 of the housing. The resilient portion 56 comprises a metal strip which is secured at both its ends to the interior of the housing.
The contact between the lug 55 and the resilient portion 56 of the housing is resiliently resistive, such that force is required to overcome the resistance between the two in order to move the guides into a desired position. The resistive force between the lug and the resilient portion 56 means that the guides will not move from this position unless acted upon again by a force. This enables the guides to be moved upwardly and retained in a raised position, to allow the tape to be positioned around the drum 18, as described in more detail below. The guides may then be pushed downwards by the user back into position i.e. around the drum. This movement will be against the resistive force of the contact between the lug and the resilient portion of the housing.
In use, a reel holding a tape in coiled configuration is inserted into the space between the first section 3a and the second section 3b. The reel may have a peg on one of its sides. As the reel is inserted into the housing, the peg fits into the recess 27 of the second section 3b and also notches 44 of the second part of the handle 6. The peg travels along the sloped surface of the block 8, thus moving the block 8 upward against the biasing force of the spring. The block 8 is then no longer accommodated in the notch 51, thereby enabling rotation of the handle about its pivot in the housing 3.
The free end of the tape is pulled to release a length of tape from the reel. The first and second guides 42a, 42b are positioned away from the drum 18. The free end of the tape is then fed between the first guide 42a and the neck portions 7 of sections 3a and 3b. The sprocket holes of the tape are then lined up with the sprockets or projections 36 of the drum 18, so that the tape is always in registration with the drum. The free end of the tape is then fed between the second guide 42b and the neck portions of sections 3a and 3b and also through the passage of the handle. Both guides 42a, 42b are then positioned around the drum 18. When the guides are in this position, the distal end 50 of each guide holds the tape taut against the neck portions of sections 3a and 3b. The apparatus is then ready to be used to dispense the adhesive means.
To dispense adhesive elements from the tape held in the apparatus 1, pressure is applied to the handle 6 of the actuating means. The application of pressure on the handle has the effect of moving the actuating means around its pivot into a second or actuating position. Using the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, a user or mechanical apparatus partially rotates the handle around its pivot on the housing in a downward direction. The application of pressure to the handle results in rotational movement of the handle around its pivot. The rotational movement of the handle 6 has the effect of applying a rotational movement to the drum 18 via a linear movement of the strip 28 and also the post 49.
The movement of the handle is permitted due to the block being moved out of its resting position by insertion of a peg on one side of a reel of tape. The motion of the handle causes the flexible strip to move linearly, and causes the post to move in a downward direction. The downward linear movement of the post causes the distal end 34 of the pin 14, which is engaged with the surface of the groove 33 of the drum, to start moving along one of the tracks of the drum. The start point of the pin in each actuation is the outer apex or point of a zone 35. The pin is forced, due to the force exerted on the actuating means, to travel along the upwardly-inclining track e.g. 35b and then over the stepped portion 47 at the inner apex of the zone.
Release of the pressure on the handle results in the actuating means returning to its non-actuating or first position, due to the biasing force of the spring (not shown). As a result, the handle 6 moves in a curved upward direction towards its initial position. This causes the distal end 34 of the pin 14, which is attached to the post 49, to move upwards within the groove. Thus, the pin moves from the inner apex, along the track 35a and over the stepped portion at the outer apex. Thus, a single actuation of the actuating means results in the pin moving through one zone of the drum groove. The movement of the pin down two tracks of a zone causes the drum to rotate reciprocally about its axis by a single step. The stepped portions prevent the pin from returning to the track it has previously followed and thus prevent the reversal of rotation of the drum.
The partial rotation of the handle causes linear movement of the linking element which in turn causes linear movement of the pin 14 in the groove of the drum. The linear movement of the pin 14 causes the drum to partially rotate about its pivot. As the drum rotates, the tape registered thereon also moves. Each actuation, and subsequent partial rotation of the drum 18, results in the tape being fed around the drum. This movement enables an adhesive element such as a glue dot or pad carried on the tape to be exposed on the lower surface of the drum.
When the drum is placed in contact with the surface prior to actuation of the handle, it subsequently stays in contact with the surface during an actuation, and thus partial rotational movement, of the handle. This results in the drum moving across the target surface throughout the downward actuation of the handle. Thus, when the drum is in its resting or start position, the adhesive element to be dispensed from the tape is not in contact with the target surface and it is only the movement of the handle, and thus movement of the linking element and pin in the groove of the drum, that brings the adhesive element in contact with the surface, thus providing the “rolling off” action of the adhesive element from the tape onto the surface.
The process of dispensing an adhesive element to a target location on a surface can be considered to have three main stages. In the first stage, the drum 18 is placed in contact with the surface, but the adhesive element to be dispensed does not touch the surface. The second stage of the process is, when the handle is actuated, the drum rotates thus moving across the surface, bringing the adhesive element into contact with the surface whilst still attached to the tape. The third stage occurs when the handle has been fully actuated and the drum 18 is no longer rotating. The adhesive element has been deposited on the surface at the target location, the target location being situated behind the drum's final position on the surface. The stages of this process is shown in
Therefore, the rotation of the drum 18 enables the adhesive element to be rolled or “peeled off” the tape and, if the adhesive element is permitted to contact with a surface or article, onto a surface. The rotational movement of the drum 18, with the adhesive element exposed on the lower surface, enables the contact between the adhesive element and the surface to be maintained during this process. The rotational movement of the drum, caused by linear movement of the pin in the groove of the drum, allows the adhesive element exposed on the lower surface of the wheel to be rolled off the tape and onto the surface and thus, the dispensing of the adhesive element onto a surface is carried out by this single rolling motion. This rolling or peeling off action results in a more effective transfer of adhesive elements to a surface than if the adhesive element was simply pressed onto a surface. Additional partial rotations of the handle 6 result in additional partial rotations of the drum 18, thus feeding the tape across the lower or dispensing surface of the drum. The adhesive elements are carried on the tape in a relationship which corresponds with the indexing means, so that a single adhesive element only will be exposed on the lower surface of the drum on each actuation. The returning of the pin to its original position stops the rotation of the drum, thus preventing the next adhesive element on the tape from also being deposited on the surface. The returning of the pin to its rest position also resets the drum for dispensing the next adhesive element on the tape. The registration means of the drum help to feed the tape around the drum.
The tape from which adhesive element has already been dispensed is then fed through between the second guide and the housing and also through the passage of the handle, and may be torn off by the user if desired.
The drum 18 therefore rotates clockwise, driven by the movement of the pin along the groove, whilst the pin returns to the same position after every actuation, due to the return of the handle to its non-actuating position. The configuration of the labyrinthine groove means that the rotational movement of the drum occurs when the pin moves down the first track of each zone. The drum 18 does not rotate when the pin moves along the second track of the zone. Repetition of the above-described procedure transfers successive dots of adhesive to the same or other surfaces (not shown) which are placed in the correct positions relative to the drum 18.
It will be appreciated that instead of the described apparatus being hand-held, it may be mechanically or electrically operated so as to give a degree of automaton to the dispensing of the adhesive dots, pads, or the like.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0404654.6 | Mar 2004 | GB | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/GB2005/000758 | 2/28/2005 | WO | 00 | 9/20/2006 |
