EP2432720B1 - Manual strip applicator, in particular a corrector - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to tape or tape instruments for transferring a material to a substrate. The invention more particularly relates to a manual band applicator, comprising a grippable casing, an applicator head movable relative to the casing and projecting from it in use configuration, a support band supporting a material intended to be applied. on a substrate, and a device for scrolling the support strip arranged in the housing and adapted to scroll said strip on the application head. Such an instrument is usually portable with one hand and fits in a school kit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Applicators of this type are well known for applying a correction film, glue or other material adhered to the substrate. Some models have a retractable head to protect it when not in use.

For example, the document JP2007182082 discloses an applicator comprising a button for removing the application head. A spring is arranged inside the body to resiliently urge the slider to the retracted position. When the head is advanced, the spring is compressed. When the use exit position is reached, the head is locked by a locking mechanism. Thus, the retraction of the application head can be obtained quickly, by unlocking the mechanism.

A disadvantage with tape applicators is that the finish of the application is too often inaccurate. This is particularly the case for transfer of a correction film. If the user releases support against the media, the film does not adhere properly to the media. Problems also appear to complete the application. Depending on the case, the film is too short or too long, and does not break properly.

This type of applicator instrument thus presents a certain difficulty of manipulation for the user wishing to obtain a good accuracy of transfer of the film for a better cleanliness of the document.

It is known other types of applicators specifically designed with a limiter of the feeding length of the band, to limit the rotation of the scroll device, so that the length of the support band that moves in front of the head in a single transfer operation is predetermined. The document JP11227386 describes an applicator of this kind, in which the transfer can be made only in a punctual manner, with stamping as for the application of a stamp. This limitation in the tape length reduces the interest of this applicator. In addition, this type of applicator does not allow the transfer to be made accurately because the application head, typically rectangular in shape, covers a large area and thus reduces the visibility of the targeted area.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a manual tape applicator tool that improves accuracy when applying the material to the substrate.

For this purpose, it is proposed according to the invention a manual band applicator as defined in the characterizing part of claim 1.

It appeared that the implementation of such a head restoring device substantially improved the quality of application of the material to the substrate, and in particular the application of a corrector film to a sheet of paper. Thus, a regularity of the recovery of the substrate is easily obtained. But above all we can observe a significant decrease in the application defects of the final end of the film material, that is to say near the place where the tape applicator is raised, and also a reduced failure of the film material in this same place.

The inventors explain this improvement in the result and the ease of use of the device at the moment when it is raised from the substrate, by a more abrupt separation of the application head from the substrate. Indeed, at the beginning of the movement of the user to raise the tape applicator, the application head remains in contact with the substrate until it reaches the distal position where it is the furthest possible from the housing . At this precise moment, the user's hand has acquired a greater speed than at the beginning of its movement and consequently the head leaves the substrate much more quickly. This must promote the breakage of the film material, or in the context of a material pelletized on the support strip, to promote the complete detachment thereof even if it has only been partially pressed against the support by the application head.

Moreover, the integration of the magnetic members makes it possible to optimize the repulsion force. In contrast to the reaction force of a spring, a magnetic repulsion force does not vary linearly with the displacement of the application head (magnetic resistance rises as the two ends of the magnetic system are brought closer). In particular, a too large depression of the head will thus be avoided during use.

According to a feature of the invention, the scroll device is driven during the application of the material only by the support exerted at the application head. Thus, only when the application head moves on a transfer receiving surface, the material (coating film or the like) is transferred from the carrier tape to the receiving surface. The strip is indeed unrolled and pushed back by the application head against said receiving surface under the effect of a displacement parallel to the receiving surface of the application head. This application head has a thin end on which the support strip is bent.

Preferably, the amplitude of the displacement of the application head between the distal position and the proximal position is between 2 and 10 mm, and preferably between 6 and 8 mm. These values offer a good compromise according to the first tests carried out between the quality of application of the material, in particular the end of a correction film, and the comfort of use. Low values decrease the quality of film breakage with some users, while higher values can create an uncomfortable feeling for users accustomed to fixed head applicator devices in use configuration.

Also preferably, the restoring force towards the distal position of the application head is between 0.5 and 12 Newton, and preferably 1 and 8 Newton, between the distal position and the proximal position, and increases very significantly near the proximal position.

The term "very significant" means that the force increases more significantly than a directly proportional law, such as can be obtained with a metallic coil spring, between the distal and proximal positions. These force values offer an advantageous compromise between the need for some retraction of the head in use to improve the jerk at the detachment and a value too low that would give the user an uncomfortable feeling of head depression .

According to another feature, the second magnetic member is secured to the scroll device and arranged to generate field lines substantially parallel to a direction of movement of the application head in use configuration. This arrangement makes the movement of the application head easier.

According to another feature, the housing has guide members in translation of the scroll device which are adapted so that in the proximal position of the application head, said second magnetic member comes into almost contact with the first magnetic member. When approaching the proximal position, the repulsive force becomes very high (much more than with a spring) and a very high resistance to depression of the head is obtained.

According to another feature, the first magnetic member is connected to a manual actuator and adapted to control a rotation of the first magnetic member between a first position in which the applicator is in the configuration of use and a second position in which the applicator is in a retracted configuration of the application head. Thus the arrangement of the actuator, for example in the form of a wheel, can be simplified compared to the push button systems and additional unlocking element. The application head and the band are advantageously protected in the retracted configuration and the risks of accidentally actuating the applicator are limited.

According to another feature, the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member each have a substantially flat face vis-à-vis in the use configurations and retracted. The attraction and repulsion forces are thus stronger as the contact between magnets approaches. It turns out however that these flat faces are not an obstacle to the rotation of the first magnetic member.

According to another feature, the first magnetic member has two opposite monopolar end faces, the rotation of the first magnetic member being made about an axis perpendicular to the direction of movement of the application head. This arrangement minimizes the force to be exerted to move the first magnetic member when one of its faces is magnetically bonded to the magnet secured to the mobile scrolling device.

According to another feature, the second magnetic member has a substantially flat face at least bipolar vis-à-vis the first magnetic member, the first magnetic member having an axis of rotation parallel to the direction of movement of the application head. This arrangement has the advantage, due to the rotation and the difference in polarity between two zones (for example two adjacent zones) of the face magnets, to reduce the force to exert to actuate the change of position of the application head. This arrangement is also compact since it is not necessary to move the magnets away from each other.

According to one feature, the application head and the scrolling device are secured and guided in translation by housing guide members, the head return device comprising a first member fixed to the housing and a second member attached to the device. scrolling. Thus, the return device can be placed in the extension of the scroll device reel, the volume of the front portion of the applicator can be particularly reduced. This simplifies actuation for the user, which can be made on the opposite side to the application head.

According to another feature, there is provided a member for adjusting the position of the first magnetic member in use configuration along the direction of movement of the application head. The repulsion force can thus be adjusted by the user according to the resistance to depression of the head more or less important he wants to feel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• la figure 1 est une vue en coupe montrant l'intérieur d'un applicateur en configuration d'utilisation selon un premier mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention ;
• la figure 2 représente l'applicateur de la figure 1 dans une configuration rétractée ;
• la figure 3 est une vue de profil d'un applicateur selon la forme de réalisation des figures 1 et 2 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective représentant un détail de l'avant de l'applicateur de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe montrant l'intérieur d'un applicateur selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 6 est une vue de dessus représentant l'applicateur de la figure 5 ;
• la figure 7 est une vue de dessus d'un applicateur selon un troisième mode de réalisation ;
• les figures 8A et 8B illustrent respectivement une position d'attraction et une position de répulsion entre deux organes magnétiques d'un dispositif de rappel intégré dans un applicateur tel que celui illustré à la figure 7.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of several embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• the figure 1 is a sectional view showing the interior of an applicator in use configuration according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 2 represents the applicator of the figure 1 in a retracted configuration;
• the figure 3 is a profile view of an applicator according to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 ;
• the figure 4 is a perspective view representing a detail of the front of the applicator of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 5 is a sectional view showing the interior of an applicator according to a second embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 6 is a top view representing the applicator of the figure 5 ;
• the figure 7 is a top view of an applicator according to a third embodiment;
• the Figures 8A and 8B respectively illustrate an attraction position and a repulsion position between two magnetic members of a return device integrated in an applicator such as that illustrated in FIG. figure 7 .

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the various figures, identical references indicate identical or similar elements.

The applicator 1 makes it possible to accurately deposit material on a sheet or other substrate. When it comes to a corrector, the application of material is instantaneous, without drying time. The type of material used, chosen for example according to characteristics of adhesiveness with respect to a substrate such as a sheet of paper, will not be detailed here because the invention does not relate specifically to this material. The applicator 1 can of course be used in other applications, for example to color or cover a substrate.

With reference to Figures 1, 2 , 5 and 6 , the applicator 1 comprises a housing body 2, for example consisting of two complementary shells 2a, 2b fixed together. The housing 2 is preferably prehensile and small in size, for example of a length L in the use configuration of less than 16 cm, and preferably of a length of less than 11 cm. The width can be more or less constant, without exceeding 4 cm in thickness, an average width of between 0.6 and 2 cm being well adapted to the seizure of a hand. Finally the maximum height of the housing 2 does not exceed 6 cm.

With reference to the figure 1 , the application head 3 projects through an opening 4 formed at the front of the housing 2, so as to define for the applicator 1 a configuration of use. The mounting of this application head 3 relative to the housing 2 allows a sliding of the head 3 along a longitudinal axis of the housing 2.

As is visible on the figure 2 , the application head 3 can also be retracted, for example completely to be protected inside the housing 2. The band 5 is then protected from the risk of degradation or rupture. The band 5 wound inside the casing 2 defines a support of a film or pellets of a material to be transferred. The band 5 is folded on the end 3a of the application head 3.

A scroll device 6 known per se of the band 5 is housed inside the casing 2 and makes it possible to run the band 5 over the application head 3. The application head 3 and the scrolling device 6 are in the non-limiting example of Figures 1 and 2 . It is understood that the reel function can be performed in different ways and will not be detailed further here. It will simply be recalled that the device 6 may have a gear, a belt or similar transmission member to allow re-winding of the strip 5 after its passage over the application head 3. The device 6 may be of the direct drive type. The band 5 has any width, for example substantially less than 1 cm in the case of a correction applicator.

The figures 1 and 5 each illustrates a configuration of use of the applicator 1, in which the application head 3 projects from the housing 2. In this position, a material can be transferred from the carrier strip 5 to a sheet or other suitable substrate (not shown) The protruding tape length outside the housing 2 is limited to a short portion for use configuration. This short protruding portion of the housing 2 is typically bent and is subdivided into an outgoing portion, upstream of the folding zone, guided along the underside 3b of the application head 3, and a re-entrant portion, downstream of the bending zone, guided along the top 3c of the application head 3. The band 5 is supported in a known manner per se on the thin end 3a of the application head 3 during the application of material.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and as represented in the Figures 1-7 , the applicator 1 has a mobility of the application head 3 relative to the housing 2. This mobility is on the one hand restricted by guide members 7, and on the other hand controlled by a return device 8 allowing a moving the application head 3 between an advanced position corresponding to the use configuration and a retracted position. The return device 8 is for example connected on the one hand to the housing 2 and on the other hand to the application head 3, and allows in configuration of use a displacement of the application head 3 between a proximal position and a position distal from the housing 2. The band 5 is guided during sliding with the aid of one or more cylinders or auxiliary rollers R connected to the case 2.

In the example of figures 1-2 and 5 , the return device 8 comprises a first portion fixed to the housing 2 and a second portion fixed to the scroll device 6. In no way limiting, the displacement of the application head 3 is here linear. In use configuration, the two parts of the return device 8 can move away from each other and with a restricted amplitude of movement, interacting with each other within the limits of this displacement so that there is a default position of the second part.

More specifically, the return device 8 defines via its portion connected to the housing 2 a reference position x ₀ fixed during the displacement of the application head 3. The second mobile part of the device 8 moves between two positions x ₁ , x ₂ spacing relative to the reference position x ₀ . In the non-limiting example of figures 1 and 5 this part which comprises the magnet M moves towards the position of lesser spacing x ₁ when a force is exerted on the application head 3, for example by a substrate on which the application of the material must be carried out. The return device 8 then generates a restoring force between its two parts to bias the movable part towards the position x ₂ of greater spacing which corresponds to the default position of the application head 3 in the configuration of use of the applicator 1.

The invention is described above with reference to a restoring force in response to compression or approximation. In an alternative of lesser preference, the restoring force may be generated in response to traction. The default position of the application head 3 in the use configuration can then correspond to a position of smaller spacing of the movable part of the device 8 relative to the reference position x ₀ . In this case, the restoring force is generated to bias the second part towards the position of smaller spacing.

Whatever the embodiment of the return device 8, it is understood that to obtain a jerk effect during the lifting of the applicator 1 relative to the substrate at the end of transfer, this return device 8 is adapted for exerting a restoring force towards the distal position of the application head 3. The return device 8 can have different conformations and the force exerted by the return device 8 results from the tendency of the latter to move towards a conformation more stable.

The force exerted corresponds for example to a magnetic repulsion force between two magnetic members A, M of the return device 8. In this case a first member A of these two magnetic members, comprising for example one or two magnets 10, 11, is connected to the housing 2, while the second magnetic member M is connected to the moving element 12 which comprises the application head 3 and the scroll device 6. The positioning in the housing 2 of the crew 12 can be advantageously controlled by the return device 8 and set by a manually operable portion thereof.

A first embodiment will now be more particularly described in connection with the Figures 1 to 4 .

As is visible on the figures 1-2 , the crew 12 can be slidably mounted in the housing 2. The second magnetic member is for example a magnet M attached to the rear of the scroll device 6 via a support 14a of a supporting structure 14. Alternatively, a more complex displacement and / or with a rotation or other adequate movement of the application head 3 can also be obtained, with appropriate guidance inside the housing 2.

The first magnetic member A is arranged in an actuator assembly with two adjustment positions. As illustrated in figures 1-3 , the actuating member 23 may correspond to a rotating wheel about an axis X perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field that may be exerted between at least one magnet 10,11 of the actuator assembly A and the magnet M connected to the application head 3. The wheel is manually adjustable in rotation and may have an amplitude of rotation of 180 ° for example between the two actuating positions. More generally, the actuator 23 is manually movable between a first position for actuating the use pattern and a second position for actuating the retracted configuration. Although the actuating member 23 is described as rotating, the displacement of the latter may also correspond to a translation or a combination of a translation and a rotation, for example a helical movement.

With reference to figures 1-2 , the support 14a defines a housing for receiving the magnet M and has a concave surface adapted to come into contact with a convex surface associated with the magnetic member A connected to the housing 2. The housing is disposed remotely to limit the length of the crew 12. Accommodation is thus outside a plane defined by the direction of elongation of the crew 12 and a roller axis. The housing 2 can thus have at the rear a curvature that facilitates the gripping of a hand.

According to this first embodiment, the magnet M connected to the application head 3 has a determined polarity on the opposite side to the application head 3. In the example of figures 1-2 the magnet M has a north pole oriented parallel to the direction of movement of the application head 3 towards the magnetic member A.

In the use configuration illustrated in figure 1 , the magnet 10 embedded in the actuator assembly has a north pole vis-à-vis the rear face of the magnet M, the same polarity (north pole). In other words, the magnets 10, M thus arranged opposite one another generate magnetic field lines of opposite direction. Field lines are thus defined substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the application head 3. This results in a repulsion force which urges the application head 3 towards the distal position relative to the housing 2. Indeed , too close proximity between the magnets 10, M corresponds in this case to a particularly unstable conformation of the return device 8. This repulsion force is for example between 0.5 and 12 Newton, and preferably 1 and 8 Newton between the distal position and the proximal position.

With magnets, this force increases more rapidly when approaching the proximal position. However, in a variant of lesser preference (not shown) outside the invention, the return device 8 could implement a spring, including a helical metal spring, replacing the magnets 10, M to exert an elastic restoring force . The spring is in this case connected to the housing 2 at one end and the application head 3 at another end. On the other hand, the return force would be directly proportional to the stiffness constant of the spring. It is therefore understood that many of the advantages of the use configuration with magnetic damping illustrated in FIG. figure 1 can be obtained by using an elastic damping with a similar restoring force exerted on the application head 3, towards the distal position.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2 , the amplitude of the displacement of the application head 3 between the distal position and the proximal position is for example between 2 and 10 mm, and is preferably about 7 mm. The retraction of the application head 3 during a pressure of the applicator 1 against a substrate is thus sufficient to generate a reaction by a jerk when the pressure on the applicator 1 ceases, that is to say at the moment when the user lifts the applicator 1. The amplitude d of displacement of the application head 3 between the retracted configuration and the configuration of use can be about 1 mm greater than the amplitude of displacement by amortization.

As is visible on the figures 1-2 , the scroll device 6 allows to wind and scroll the band 5 during use. The roller or rollers for winding the strip 5 are mounted on the supporting structure 14, perpendicular to the direction of elongation of the crew 12. The carrying structure 14 laterally has flat guide walls of the rolled strip 5. One of these walls may correspond to an intermediate portion of a part 15 which comprises the support 14a at a rear end and the application head 3 at a front end. Guidance sliding of the crew 12 is carried out on the side of the front and rear ends of the crew 12, with the aid of several parallel guiding elements 7 offset laterally with respect to the path of the band 5 in the scrolling device 6. In the configuration of use of the applicator 1, the crew 12 slides backwards and the return of the crew 12 forward can be limited by one or more stops 16 of the housing 2, formed for example to a rear end of sliding guide elements 7 located near the opening 4.

With reference to the figure 4 , a rod 17 connects the application head 3 to the rest of the crew 12. This rod 17 may have fins 18 or other projecting members engaging in a slot defined between two parallel guiding elements 7 integrally formed with the housing 2.

Still referring to the figure 4 , the application head 3 may have a flattened shape at its free end to facilitate folding the band 5. The application head 3 has one or more projections 19 projecting upwards or downwards (perpendicular to the direction of sliding) near the free end of the application head. In the non-limiting example of the figure 2 corresponding to the retracted configuration of the applicator 1, these projections 19 engage against at least one abutment surface 7a formed inside the housing 2. Here two projections 19 formed on the sides of the application head 3 'support on the front surface of the guiding elements 7 in the form of plate, so as to limit the recoil of the application head 3.

When the applicator 1 is in retracted configuration as illustrated in FIG. figure 2 , the magnet 11 embedded in the actuator assembly has a substantially flat face facing the rear face of the magnet M connected to the application head 3. As the axis X of rotation of the wheel of the actuator assembly is perpendicular to the displacement of the application head 3 and parallel to the rear face of the magnet M, the magnetic detachment allowed by the rotation of the wheel is made easier than by a tensile force of the magnet 11. The scrolling device 6 is associated with guiding means, for example lateral grooves 22 ( figure 1 ) of the housing 2 and the lateral ribs or similar element of the crew 12. These guide means are adapted so that in the proximal position of the application head 3 ( figure 2 ), the magnet M comes into almost contact with the magnet 11. The projections 19 are then in contact with the corresponding abutment surfaces 7a of the guide elements 7. In this case, the magnets 11, M can be distant from a short distance of the order of 1 or 2 mm. Alternatively, these two magnets 11, M can be contiguous in the retracted configuration of the applicator 1.

As the south pole of the magnet 11 magnetically attracts the north pole of the magnet M, the crew 12 can switch from the use configuration to retracted configuration by simply rotating the wheel, the crew 12 being then maintained in this last configuration. The return to the use configuration can be obtained only if the user manipulates the actuating member 23, so as to no longer have a south pole of the magnetic member A facing the north pole of the magnet Mr.

The magnets 10, 11, M shown are cylindrical with a small diameter, for example less than 15 mm, but of course any form of magnet that can be accommodated inside the case 2 is also suitable.

As the application head 3 has the same mobility here as the magnet M, it is understood that the displacement of the magnet 11 as illustrated in FIG. figure 2 by rotating the wheel around the X axis to switch from an attraction mode to a magnetic repulsion mode corresponds to an actuation of the displacement of the application head 3 from a retracted position to a projecting position. . Similarly, it is understood that the displacement of the magnet 10 as illustrated in FIG. figure 1 , by rotating the wheel around the X axis to switch from a repulsion mode to a magnetic attraction mode corresponds to an actuation of the displacement of the application head 3 from a projecting position to a retracted position.

In the first embodiment, the arrangement of one or more magnets 10, 11 in an actuator assembly that is adjustable in rotation so as to have two distinct faces, one forming a north pole and the other forming a south pole, minimizes the force to exert to get out of the magnetic attraction exerted by the magnet M connected to the application head 3. The arrangement of two magnets 10,11 in alignment on either side of the axis of rotation X, allows the use of current commercial magnets and inexpensive. These two magnets 10,11 each have a polarized face opposite the axis of rotation X, one intended for the attraction of the magnet M, the other for repulsion. Of course, any other one or more magnet arrangement may be used in the actuator assembly.

In the non-limiting example of Figures 1-4 the 180 ° rotation of the wheel or similar element makes it possible to go from the retracted configuration to the use configuration. Each of the two positions the wheel is associated with a hard contact between the housing 2 and the wheel and / or the axis element of the wheel. This makes it possible to maintain the wheel in a fixed position, despite the magnetic repulsion effect experienced by the magnet 10. Moreover, the wheel may be housed mainly inside the casing 2. As shown in FIG. figure 3 , the gripping portion 24 which exits through an upper opening 25 of the housing 2 is at most only one quarter of the periphery of the actuating wheel.

A second embodiment will now be more particularly described in connection with the Figures 5 and 6 .

In this second embodiment, the applicator 1 comprises a return device 8 which ensures a permanent biasing of the application head 3 to its distal position. For this, the magnets 20, M facing each other face towards one another the same magnetic pole. Compared to the first embodiment, the device 8 is distinguished in that the magnet 20, forming the magnetic member vis-à-vis the magnet M connected to the application head 3, is not provided to actuate the displacement of the application head 3 to a retracted position. The magnet 20 is simply held in a fixed position, fixed relative to the housing 2 to exert magnetic repulsion on the magnet M.

A mechanism for adjusting the repulsion force adjusts the distance between the magnets 20, M. In the example of Figures 5-6 , a movable member 31 of the adjustment mechanism extends for example transversely in the housing 2 and is integral with the magnet 20 so as to adjust the position of the latter. The movable member 31 has here a projecting free end in outside the case. The user can thus reduce or increase the effect of forward thrust exerted on the crew 12.

This second embodiment is for the rest completely similar to the first embodiment described above. In particular, the repulsion force can be between the same force values. Also, the stop 16 makes it possible to mark the distal position of the application head 3.

A third embodiment will now be described in connection with the Figures 7, 8A and 8B .

In this third embodiment, the crew 12 may be identical to that described in the two previous embodiments, with the exception of the rear end. The support 14A can be replaced by a support (not shown) which does not extend beyond the rear face F of the magnet M connected to the application head 3. In addition, the magnet M can have more than one magnetic pole at its rear face F (multipole face).

As is visible on the Figures 8A and 8B the magnet M connected to the application head 3 thus has a bipolar face facing the also bipolar face of a rotating magnet 30 connected to the actuating member 23. The rotating magnet 30 has the same face vis-à-vis the magnet M connected to the application head 3, both for the configuration of use as for the retracted configuration.

This face of the rotating magnet 30 has both outgoing field lines (north pole) and incoming field lines (south pole). In particular, the rotating magnet 30 has at least two distinct zones angularly offset from each other with respect to the axis X 'of rotation of the magnet 30, corresponding to one pole north and the other at a south pole. As illustrated in figure 8A , a retracted configuration similar to that shown in figure 2 is obtained when the rotating magnet 30 has field lines of opposite direction to the field lines of the rear face F of the magnet M.

As illustrated in figure 8A , the rotating magnet 30 rotates about an axis X 'geometric rotation through the two magnets 30, M. With this arrangement, the user can operate the transition from one configuration to another by a rotational movement from left to right or from right to left. With this type of actuation corresponding to a twist ("twist"), it is easy to take off the two faces of the magnets 30, M to obtain the configuration of use. This is because the areas of opposite polarity are adjacent in each of the magnets 30, M, so that the magnetic "peel" is simpler than when pulling a magnet.

In the usage configuration corresponding to figures 4 and 8B the opposition between the field lines of the magnets 30, M makes the proximal position of the application head 3 unstable. The return device 8 is thus in a more stable conformation, in which the spacing between the magnets 30, M is maximum, this spacing remaining limited because of the presence of the stop 16 (see figure 1 ). This spacing may correspond to the amplitude d of displacement of the application head 3.

One of the advantages of the invention lies in obtaining a mobility of the application head 3 in the use configuration, which is useful for improving the quality of application of the material on a substrate. Indeed, the return action to the advanced / distal position of the application head 3 allows an easier release of the material (the resulting jolt actively contributes to break the film of adhesive material at the end of the transfer). This also eliminates a mechanism to mechanically lock the configuration of use. Another advantage of the invention is that the design of the applicator 1 mobile application head 3 can be simple design.

It is understood that each of the forms and details of embodiment described above can be used alone or in combination. It should be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention allows embodiments in many other specific forms without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. In particular, the material forming the film or pellets may correspond to at least one white coating material, of another color, or translucent (or even transparent).

Although the return device 8 is illustrated in the figures as arranged in the rear part of the applicator 1, other arrangements of the device can be provided: the device 8 can thus occupy on the contrary a position closer to the front end of the rear end. Also, the return device 8 can be offset laterally with respect to a median plane of the supporting structure 14 perpendicular to the strip 5. In alternative embodiments, the device 8 can also be placed mainly outside the housing 2.

Furthermore, in the embodiments using magnets, the support 14a can allow a removable attachment of the magnet M. Alternatively or in addition to this arrangement, the support 14a can be detached from the supporting structure 14. It is then permitted to make a change of the band 5, the rest of the crew 12 defining an interchangeable cartridge that the user can extract from the casing 2. To enable this extraction of the cartridge, the housing 2 may have a manually removable portion with a quick connection to the rest of the housing 2.

In the illustrated embodiments, the return function is presented as automatically resulting from actuation of the usage pattern by the actuator 23. However, the magnetic device could also allow a passage of the retracted configuration to the configuration of use, regardless of the actuation of the recall function. For example, a first actuating member could serve only to retract or remove the application head 3, while a second optional actuator would allow, in the use configuration, to actuate the function recall. Such a second actuator can be used for example, in use configuration, to choose between a first mode with restoring force and magnetic damping and a second mode with immobilization of the application head 3. This second mode can be a preferred mode of use by users particularly accustomed to fixed head applicator devices in use configuration.

Claims (13)

1. Manual strip applicator (1), comprising:

   - a grippable casing (2);

   - a mobile application head (3) which moves in relation to the casing and which projects from the casing (2) when in the use configuration;

   - a supporting strip (5) bearing a material to be applied to a substrate;

   - a strip-moving device (6) arranged in the casing (2) and designed to move said strip (5) over the application head (3);
   wherein the applicator (1) additionally comprises a return device (8) connected to the casing (2) and to the application head (3), said return device comprising at least a first magnetic member (A) and a second magnetic member (M), said first and second magnetic members being arranged in the use configuration to be substantially facing one another and to generate magnetic field lines in opposite directions, said return device being adapted to:

   - allow, in the use configuration, a displacement of said application head (3) between a proximal position and a distal position relative to the casing (2); and

   - exert, in the use configuration, a return force urging the application head (3) towards the distal position.
2. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the second magnetic member (M) is integrally attached to the strip-moving device (6) and is designed to generate field lines that are substantially parallel to a direction of displacement of the application head (3) in the use configuration.
3. Applicator according to either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the casing (2) has members (22) for guiding the translational motion of the strip-moving device (6), which are designed so that in the proximal position of the application head (3), said second magnetic member (M) comes nearly in contact with the first magnetic member (A).
4. Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first magnetic member (10, 11; 30) is connected to a manual activating member (23) designed to control a rotation of the first magnetic member (A) between a first position in which the applicator (1) is in the use configuration and a second position in which the applicator is in a retracted configuration of the application head (3).
5. Applicator according to claim 4, wherein the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member (M) each have a substantially flat side facing each other in the use and retracted configurations.
6. Applicator according to claim 5, wherein the first magnetic member (A) has two monopole faces on opposite ends, and the rotation of the first magnetic member (A) occurs around an axis (X) perpendicular to the direction of the displacement of the application head (3).
7. Applicator according to claim 5, wherein the second magnetic member (M) has a substantially flat side, (F) which is at least dipolar, facing the first magnetic member (A), and the first magnetic member has an axis of rotation (X') parallel to the direction of displacement of the application head (3).
8. Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the application head (3) and the strip-moving device (6) are integrally attached and are guided in translational motion by guiding members (7, 22) of the casing (2), said return device (8) comprising a first magnetic member (A) fixed to the casing (2) and a second magnetic member (M) fixed to the strip-moving device (6).
9. Applicator according to any one of claims 4 to 8, comprising a member (31) for adjusting the position of the first magnetic member (A) in the use configuration along the direction of displacement of the application head (3).
10. Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the amplitude (d) of the displacement of the application head (3) between the distal position and the proximal position is between 2 and 10 mm, and preferably between 6 and 8 mm.
11. Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the return force towards the distal position of the application head (3) is between 0.5 and 12 Newtons, and preferably between 1 and 8 Newtons, between the distal position and the proximal position, and increases very significantly as the proximal position is approached.
12. Manual strip applicator (1), comprising:

    - a grippable casing (2);

    - a mobile application head (3) which moves in relation to the casing and which projects from the casing (2) when in the use configuration;

    - a supporting strip (5) bearing a material to be applied to a substrate;

    - a strip-moving device (6) arranged in the casing (2) and designed to move said strip (5) over the application head (3);
    wherein it comprises a magnetic device comprising a first magnetic member (A) connected to the casing (2) and a second magnetic member (M) connected to the application head (3), said magnetic device being designed to activate a displacement of the application head (3) from a position within the casing which corresponds to a retracted configuration to a protruding position which corresponds to the use configuration.
13. Applicator according to claim 12, wherein said magnetic device comprises a manual activating member (23) with two adjustment settings, said first magnetic member (A) being connected to the manual activating member (23), and said second magnetic member (M) being integrally attached to the strip-moving device (6).

Images