GB2531269A

GB2531269A - Tape application device and method

Info

Publication number: GB2531269A
Application number: GB1418094.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Matthew Francis; Gaius Francis; Tom Francis; Russell Francis
Original assignee: Rosalind Francis
Current assignee: Rosalind Francis
Priority date: 2014-10-13
Filing date: 2014-10-13
Publication date: 2016-04-20
Anticipated expiration: 2034-10-13
Also published as: EP3009386B8; PT3009386T; EP3009386B1; GB201418094D0; AU2015238929A1; ES2762629T3; PL3009386T3; GB2531269B; EP3009386A1; AU2015238929B2

Abstract

A tape applicator 10 includes a frame 12, 13, a handle 14, mounting means 15 for mounting a reel of tape 20 and first, second and third parallel exposed rollers 11a, 11b, 11c. A first tangent plane P1 is defined between the first and second rollers 11a, 11b and a second tangent plane P2 is defined between the second and third rollers 11b, 11c, the angle defined between the tangent planes P1, P2 is obtuse and the handle 14 is located within this angle. The radial distance between the first and second rollers 11a, 11b may be less than the radial distance between the second and third rollers 11b, 11c. The rollers 11a, 11b, 11c may be arranged in an arc shape around the handle 14. The mounting means 15 may comprise an outer sleeve 15a arranged to rotate relative to an inner core 15b. There may be a guide roller 16 for guiding the tape from the reel 20 to the first roller 11a. The radii of the rollers 11a, 11b, 11c may be equal. There may be a cutting blade 17 located in the first tangent plane P1 which may be biased in a disengaged configuration and a finger operated trigger may cause it to move to an engaged configuration.

Description

TAPE APPLICATION DEVICE AND METHOD

This invention relates to the application of tape to a surface, and particularly but not exclusively to a hand-held tape applicator and a method of manually applying tape to a surface.

As used herein, the term "tape" encompasses single-sided adhesive tapes, double-sided adhesive tapes, duct tapes, masking tapes, cloth tapes, sealant tapes, PVC tapes, packaging films, protective films and other strips of material that may be applied to surfaces. The description below relates protective films but it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the application of protective films.

Protective films are designed to protect surfaces from scratching, scuffing, marking and other damage. It is common practice to apply a protective film to the surface of a product immediately following the manufacture thereof. In this way, the newly manufactured product is protected from surface damage during transit and/or storage. However, the use of protective film is not limited to newly manufactured products, for example it is common for removals companies to apply protective film to household furniture prior to packaging the furniture into the removals vehicle.

Currently there are two common practices for applying protective film. One approach is to use large dedicated machinery and the other is to simply apply the film by hand with little or no equipment.

The former approach is typically adopted in manufacturing facilities, the specialist machinery for applying protective film to the newly manufactured product defining a final stage in the manufacturing process. A typical machine for this purpose comprises a first series of rollers for driving and guiding the product through the machine. The machine further comprises a second series of rollers for drawing the protective film from a supply reel and directing it towards the surface to be protected.

The second series of rollers includes pressure rollers for bringing the protective film into contact with the surface and applying pressure thereupon to adhere the film to the surface.

One problem with the use of such machines is that the entire length of the product must be passed under the pressure rollers, and hence the machine requires a clearance space of at least twice the length of the product to be covered. This is particularly problematic when applying protective film to large products such as vehicle body parts or large glazing panels.

Another problem is that the machinery has to be appropriate to the specific product to which the film is to be applied. For example, the position of the pressure rollers must be appropriate to the height of the product, and the width of the machinery must be sufficient to accommodate the full width of the product. Furthermore, if the upper surface of the product is uneven, for example if the surface is undulating, then the machinery must be adapted to cope with this.

Yet another problem is that such machines are generally expensive to buy and maintain as a result of the large number of component parts of such machines and the complexity thereof.

Furthermore, due to the large number of component parts and the requirement for the machines to support the goods to which the protective film is to be applied, such machines are typically large and heavy. This poses problems in relation to the flexibility and portability of the machines.

The second approach, namely the application of film by hand with little or no equipment, is typically adopted by removals companies when applying protective film to household furniture prior to packing the furniture into the removals vehicle. One advantage of this approach is that the manual application method may be easily adapted according to the nature of the goods to which the film is to be applied: there are no restrictions regarding the length, width, surface contours etc. Furthermore, no additional space other than the space required to change the orientation of the goods is required in order to cover the surfaces of the goods with protective film. However, the manual approach to the application of protective film has a number of significant drawbacks. One major drawback of the manual application of protective film is that it is a labour-intensive and time-consuming process. Furthermore, it is difficult for a user to simultaneously unwind the protective film from the supply reel and apply the unwound portion of the film to the surface of the goods. It has been found that seemingly minor errors in application of the protective film, for example a small delay in applying pressure to the protective film, result is significant defects in the applied film. It has also been found that it is difficult to accurately guide the protective film in the desired direction. For example, it is easy to accidentally veer leftwards or rightwards when applying the film, thereby leaving a region of the surface uncovered.

We have now devised a tape applicator and a method of tape application that alleviate at least some of the above-mentioned problems.

In accordance with the present invention, as seen from a first aspect, there is provided a tape applicator comprising: a frame; a handle portion provided on the frame; mounting means for mounting a reel of tape on the frame; and, first, second and third exposed rollers mounted on the frame, the rollers comprising substantially parallel longitudinal axes, a first tangent plane being defined between the first and second rollers and a second tangent plane being defined between the second and third rollers, wherein the angle defined between the first and second tangent is obtuse and the handle portion is located within the obtuse angle.

The side of the tape that faces radially inwards when the tape is coiled around the reel is preferably arranged to face radially outwardly when the tape is passed over the rollers. It is envisaged that this side of the tape will be adhesive. However, the present invention is not limited to adhesive tape, for example the surface to which the tape is to be applied may be coated with adhesive prior to applying the tape.

A tape applicator in accordance with the present invention may be operated in at least two operating orientations rotated relative to one another about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of the rollers, this axis preferably being coincident with the handle portion.

In a first operating orientation, the first tangent plane is substantially parallel to the plane of the target surface and first and second rollers bring the tape into contact with the target surface and apply pressure thereupon to adhere the tape to the surface.

The tape thus passes between the first and second rollers and the surface when the applicator is orientated in the first operating orientation. In a second operating orientation, the second tangent plane is substantially parallel to the plane of the target surface and the second and third rollers bring the tape into contact with the target surface and apply pressure thereupon to adhere the tape to the surface. The tape thus passes between the second and third rollers and the surface when the applicator is orientated in the second operating orientation.

In use, the tape applicator may be gripped by a user via the handle portion and manually pushed or pulled in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the rollers. It is envisaged that the tape applicator will be pushed or pulled from a first longitudinal edge of a surface to the opposing longitudinal edge of the surface. The tape is passed from the reel to the first roller, from the first roller to the second roller and, if operated in the second operating orientation, from the second roller to the third roller. It will be appreciated that the frictional engagement between the tape and the first and second rollers, or the second and third rollers, provides the forces required to unwind the tape from the reel. It will also be appreciated that the process of adhering the tape to the target surface is assisted by the weight of the applicator on the surface and any additional pressure towards the surface applied by the user.

The invention provides many of the above-described advantages of manual tape application. For example, the translation of the applicator in relation to the surface of the goods obviates the requirement for a clearance space of at least twice the length of the goods to be covered. Another advantage is that the applicator of the present invention does not require a power source and hence avoids fuel costs and ensures full portability without the drawbacks associated with portable power supplies.

Furthermore, the present invention avoids a number of the above-described drawbacks associated with the manual application of tape to a surface. For example, the applicator facilitates the accurate positioning of tape. In particular, the longitudinal edges of the first, second and/or third rollers may be aligned with a lateral edge of the surface or an adjacent strip of tape in order to ensure that the applicator is appropriately directed, namely to ensure that the strip of tape applied by the applicator will abut the lateral edge of the surface or the adjacent strip of tape without gaps or overlap. The applicator also assists the user in simultaneously unwinding the protective film from the supply reel and applying the unwound portion of the film to the surface of the goods. It will be appreciated that this greatly enhances the efficiency of the tape application process.

Preferably, the obtuse angle defined between the first and second tangent planes is between 100 degrees and 150 degrees.

Preferably the radial distance between the first and second rollers is less than the radial distance between the second and third rollers. It is advantageous to provide a short radial distance between rollers in order to ensure that at least two rollers engage with the surface in as short a distance as possible with respect to the starting longitudinal edge of the surface. However, a larger radial distance between rollers enables the user to more accurately utilise the alignment of the longitudinal edges of the rollers with respect to the lateral edge of the surface or an adjacent strip of tape in order to point the applicator in an appropriate direction. It is envisaged that the applicator will be initially orientated in the first orientation described above and subsequently tilted to the second orientation, the first orientation, thereby providing the shorter radial distance between rollers desired immediately upon commencement of application of a new strip of tape, and the second orientation providing the longer radial distance between rollers desired for the remainder of the application process.

The first, second and third rollers are preferably arranged in a substantially arcuate shape about the handle portion. One advantage of this arrangement is that it minimises the angle through which each roller redirects the tape, thereby reducing the risk of the strain on the tape over the roller and hence the risk of the tape tearing or the like.

The mounting means may comprise an elongate mounting member arranged to fit within the central aperture of the reel. The reel may rotate relative to an outer surface of the mounting member. Alternatively, the mounting member may comprise an outer sleeve arranged to rotate relative to an inner core. In the latter embodiment, the reel preferably frictionally engages the outer surface of the outer sleeve when mounted in the tape applicator, the rotation of the reel being provided by the rotation of the outer sleeve relative to the inner core. a

Preferably the tape applicator further comprises guide means for guiding the tape from the reel to the first roller. The guide means preferably comprises a guide roller.

The guide roller preferably forms part of the actuate shape that is preferably defined by the first, second and third rollers.

The rollers are preferably cylindrical. Preferably the radii of the first, second and third rollers are substantially equal to one another. The radius of the guide roller may be smaller than the radii of the first, second and third rollers.

The first, second and third rollers may comprise a rubber coating for minimising the risk of damage to the surface during application of the tape.

The tape applicator preferably further comprises cutting means arranged for cutting the tape. Preferably the cutting means is arranged for cutting the tape at a location in the first tangent plane. One advantage of this arrangement is that the second and third rollers are available for adhering the portion of tape that has been severed from the body of tape on the reel to the surface. Furthermore, the body of tape that remains after cutting the tape passes from the reel and over the first roller, thereby enabling a user to easily locate the tail of the tape and to re-commence application of the tape.

The cutting means may comprise a cutting blade arranged to extend in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first tangent plane. Preferably the cutting blade comprises a cutting edge, which may be serrated. The cutting blade is preferably reconfigurable between a disengaged configuration in which the cutting blade is spaced apart from the first tangent plane and an engaged configuration in which the cutting blade intersects the first tangent plane. The cutting blade is preferably biased towards the disengaged configuration by means of a spring or the like. The cutting means may comprise a manually-operated trigger mechanism for reconfiguring the cutting blade between the disengaged and engaged configurations. The trigger mechanism may comprise a finger portion arranged for receiving a user's finger whilst the user grips the handle portion of the applicator. The finger portion may be mechanically coupled to the cutting blade such that the cutting blade is reconfigured to the engaged configuration when the finger portion is pulled towards the handle portion of the applicator.

In accordance with the present invention, as seen from a second aspect, there is provided a method of applying tape to a target surface, the tape being provided on a reel, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a tape applicator as hereinbefore described; (b) orientating the tape applicator such that the first tangent plane is parallel to and physically abuts the target surface; and, (c) urging the applicator along the target surface in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the rollers.

The method preferably further comprises the steps of re-orientating the tape applicator such that the second tangent plane is parallel to and physically abuts the target surface and urging the applicator along the target surface in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the rollers. Preferably these steps are performed after steps (b) and (c) above.

The step of re-orientating the tape applicator such that the second tangent plane is parallel to and physically abuts the target surface is preferably performed when the distance between the second roller and the longitudinal edge of the target surface is at least equal to the radial spacing between the second and third rollers. More preferably, the step of re-orientating the tape applicator such that the second tangent plane is parallel to and physically abuts the target surface is performed when the distance between the second roller and the longitudinal edge of the target surface is equal to the radial spacing between the second and third rollers. It is particularly advantageous to re-orientate the applicator if the radial spacing between the second and third rollers is greater than the radial spacing between the first and second rollers, the applicator being reconfigured to the configuration with the greater spacing between rollers when it is possible for both the second and third rollers to individually press the tape onto the surface.

The step of re-orientating the applicator may comprise pivoting the tape applicator about the second roller such that the tape is pressed between the target surface and the second roller as the tape applicator is re-orientated.

The step of urging the applicator along the target surface may comprise manually pushing or pulling the applicator along the target surface.

The method may further comprise the steps of mounting a reel of tape on the mounting means of the tape applicator and passing the tape over at least the first roller. It is envisaged that these steps will be performed when commencing taping with a new reel of tape. Alternatively, the reel of tape may be pre-loaded within the applicator, for example if the applicator has been previously used for applying tape from the reel.

The method may further comprise the step of applying pressure to the applicator, said pressure being directed towards the target surface. Preferably the step of applying pressure to the applicator is performed concurrently with the step of urging the applicator along the target surface.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a tape applicator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the tape applicator of figure 1; and, Figure 3 is a flow diagram of method of applying tape to a surface in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated a tape applicator 10 for applying tape to a target surface. The applicator 10 comprises a series of rollers 1 la, lib, lic mounted between first and second substantially parallel frame portions 12, 13.

The series of rollers includes first, second and third exposed pressure rollers 1 la, 11 b, 11 c configured for applying tape to the target surface, the tape passing between the rollers 1 la, 11 b, 11 c and the target surface. Each of the rollers 11 a, 11 b, 1 ic is substantially cylindrical. The radii and lengths of the exposed rollers ha, hlb, lic are substantially uniform, the exact dimensions being chosen in accordance with the dimensions of the tape to be applied and/or properties of the target surface such as the magnitude of surface undulations. Each roller ha, lib, lie comprises an elastomeric or other resiliently flexible coating for minimising the risk of damage to the target surface during application of the tape.

The first and second frame portions 12, 13 are formed of metal or a rigid plastics material. The first frame portion 12 is formed of first and second substantially elongate arms 12a, 12b angled relative to one another by approximately 45 degrees.

The rollers ii a, 11 b, lie are rotatably coupled to the first frame portion 12 such that the longitudinal axes of the rollers ha. lib, lie extend substantially perpendicularly from the plane of the first frame portion 12. The first roller ha is coupled to the first frame portion 12 at a distal end of the first part l2a of the first frame portion 12.

Similarly, the second roller llb is coupled to the first frame portion 12 at a proximal end of the second part 12b of the first frame portion 12 and the third roller lie is coupled at a distal end of the second part 12b of the first frame portion 12. A first tangent plane P1 is defined between the first and second rollers and a second tangent plane P2 is defined between the second and third rollers. The radial distance between the second and third rollers llb, lie is approximately double the radial distance between the first and second rollers 11 a, 11 b.

The second frame portion 13 includes a handle having a ribbed hand-grip 14 formed of an elastomeric or plastics material. A space is formed intermediate the hand-grip 14 and the second roller hib to accommodate a user's fingers. The longitudinal axis of the hand-grip 14 extends substantially perpendicular to the polar axis of the second roller lib such that, when gripped, the arm of the user extends in a substantially radial direction with respect to the second roller 1 lb. The second frame portion 13 also includes a mounting member 15 for mounting a reel of tape 20 to the second frame portion 13. The mounting member 15 extends substantially perpendicularly to the second frame portion 13 towards the first frame portion 12. The mounting member 15 comprises an outer sleeve iSa arranged to rotate relative to an inner core 15b, the inner cylindrical side wall of the reel of tape being arranged to frictionally engage outwardly protruding portions of the sleeve iSa when the reel 20 is mounted on the mounting member 15. Accordingly, in use, the reel 20 rotates about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the rollers ha, lib, lic. The outer sleeve isa may be detachably coupled to the inner core 15b and a plurality of outer sleeves iSa of different outer diameters may be supplied to accommodate reels of tape 20 having differing internal diameters.

The mounting member 15 is disposed at an end of the second frame portion 13 proximal to the first roller 1 la such that the mounting member 15, the first roller 1 la, the second roller lib and the third roller lic together form a substantially actuate shape that curves inwardly with respect to the hand-grip 14, the mounting member 15 and the third roller 1 ic being located at opposing ends of the arcuate shape.

A guide roller 16 is provided on the second frame portion 13 intermediate the first roller 1 la and the mounting member 15 and closer to the latter. The length of the guide roller 16 is substantially equal to the lengths of the first, second and third rollers ha, lib, lie but the radius of the guide roller 16 is substantially smaller than the radii of the first, second and third rollers 1 la, lib, 1 lc.The guide roller 16 is arranged to rotate about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the first, second and third rollers ha, lib, ilc. In use, tape is passed from the reel 20 to the guide roller 16 and subsequently to the first roller ha. Unlike the first, second and third rollers ha, hib, lie, the guide roller 16 is not configured to directly apply tape to the target surface and/or adhere the applied tape thereto. In particular, the tape is not pressed between the guide roller 16 and the target surface.

A cutting blade 17 is provided for cutting the tape when the desired area of the target surface has been covered. The blade 17 includes a serrated edge to assist cutting of the tape. The cutting blade 17 extends between the first and second frame portions 12, 13, the longitudinal axis of the blade 17 being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the rollers ha, lib, lie, 16. The cutting blade 17 is disposed intermediate the first and second rollers ha, lib so as to cut the tape in the first tangent plane P1. The cutting blade 17 is reconfigurable between a disengaged configuration in which the cutting blade is spaced apart from the first tangent plane P1 and a second configuration in which the cutting blade intersects the first tangent plane P1 so as to cut the tape. The length of the blade 17 is sufficient to ensure that the full width of the tape is cut when the blade 17 is reconfigured to the engaged configuration. The cutting blade is biased towards the disengaged configuration by means of a spring (not shown) and is manually reconfigured to the engaged configuration by means of finger-operated trigger mechanism. The trigger mechanism includes finger portion (not shown) located at a suitable position with respect to the hand-grip 14. In use, the cutting blade is pulled towards the engaged configuration when the finger portion is pulled towards the hand-grip 14.

With particular reference to figure 3, in order to apply tape to a target surface, a user initially mounts the reel of tape 30 on the mounting member 15 of the tape applicator at step 101. The user then passes the free end of the tape from the reel 30, over the guide roller 16 and over the first pressure roller 1 la at step 102.

At step 103, the user grips the applicator 10 via the hand-grip 14 and orientates the applicator 10 such that the first tangent plane P1 is substantially parallel to the target surface.

With the applicator 10 in this orientation, at step 104 the user engages the tape disposed on the first roller ha with the target surface such that the tape is pressed between the target surface and the first roller 1 la. It is envisaged that the user will align the longitudinal axis of the first roller 1 la with a first longitudinal edge of the target surface and the longitudinal edge of the first roller 1 la with the lateral edge of the target surface.

At step 105, the user pushes the applicator 10 away from the first longitudinal edge of the target surface in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first roller 11 a, the orientation of the applicator 10 being maintained in this step.

Initially, the tape is applied to the target surface via the first roller 1 la only, but once the distance from the first roller 1 la to the first longitudinal edge the target surface becomes greater than the distance between the first and second rollers ha, lib then the second rollers llb applies additional pressure to the tape applied to the target surface by the first roller 11 a, thereby improving the adhesion of the tape to the surface. It is envisaged that the user will align the longitudinal edges of the first roller ha and, when applicable, the second roller hib with a lateral edge of the surface in order to ensure that the applicator 10 is appropriately directed, namely to ensure that the strip of tape applied by the applicator will abut the lateral edge of the surface without gaps or overlap.

Once the distance from the second roller lib to the first longitudinal edge of the target surface is equal to the distance between the second and third rollers 1 ib, 1 ic, the user re-orientates the applicator 10 at step 106. In detail, the user pivots the applicator 10 about the second roller lib such that the first roller ha becomes elevated above the target surface. In the new orientation, the second tangent plane P2 is substantially parallel to the target surface and the second and third pressure rollers 11 b, 11 care operable to apply the tape to the target surface.

The user continues to push the applicator 10 away from the first longitudinal edge of the target surface in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the rollers 11 a, 11 b, 11 cuntil the second roller 11 b reaches the second longitudinal edge of the target surface. Again, it is envisaged that the user will align the longitudinal edges of the second and third rollers lib, llcwith the lateral edge of the surface in order to ensure that the applicator 10 is appropriately directed, namely to ensure that the strip of tape applied by the applicator will abut the lateral edge of the surface without gaps or overlap.

The user then pulls the finger-trigger at step 107 to reconfigure the cufting blade 17 into the engaged configuration and hence cut the tape. The tape extends forwardly of the second roller 1 lb and thus the user may wish to finely trip the tape to ensure that the end of the tape is flush with the second longitudinal edge of the target surface.

Alternatively, the user may pull the finger-trigger at step 107 when the distance between the second roller lib and the second longitudinal edge of the target surface is equal to the distance between the second roller lib and the cutting blade 17. It is envisaged that as the user becomes more experienced in using the applicator he will become more capable of judging this distance and will hence adopt the latter approach.

If the width of the target surface is greater than the width of the tape, the user recommences the taping process at the first longitudinal edge of the target surface, mirroring steps 103 to 107 but aligning the lateral edges of the first, second, and/or third rollers lla, llb, hic with the edge of the adjacent strip of tape as opposed to the lateral edge of the surface in order to ensure that the applicator 10 is appropriately directed.

From the foregoing therefore, it is evident that the present invention provides a simple yet effective means of applying tape to a surface.

Claims

Claims 1. A tape applicator comprising: a frame; a handle portion provided on the frame; mounting means for mounting a reel of tape on the frame; and, first, second and third exposed rollers mounted on the frame, the rollers comprising substantially parallel longitudinal axes, a first tangent plane being defined between the first and second rollers and a second tangent plane being defined between the second and third rollers, wherein the angle defined between the first and second tangent is obtuse and the handle portion is located within the obtuse angle.
2. A tape applicator according to claim 1, wherein the obtuse angle defined between the first and second tangent planes is between 100 degrees and 150 degrees.
3. A tape applicator according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the radial distance between the first and second rollers is less than the radial distance between the second and third rollers.
4. A tape applicator according to any preceding claim, wherein the first, second and third rollers are arranged in a substantially arcuate shape about the handle portion.
5. A tape applicator according to any preceding claim, wherein the mounting means may comprise an elongate mounting member arranged to fit within the central aperture of the reel.
6. A tape applicator according to claim 5, wherein the mounting member comprises an outer sleeve arranged to rotate relative to an inner core.
7. A tape applicator according to any preceding claim, further comprising a guide roller for guiding the tape from the reel to the first roller.
8. A tape applicator according to any preceding claim, wherein the radii of the first, second and third rollers are substantially equal to one another.
9. A tape applicator according to any preceding claim, further comprising cutting means arranged for cutting the tape at a location in the first tangent plane.
10. A tape applicator according to claim 9, wherein the cutting means comprises a cutting blade arranged to extend in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first tangent plane, the cutting blade is preferably reconfigurable between a disengaged configuration in which the cutting blade is spaced apart from the first tangent plane and a second configuration in which the cutting blade intersects the first tangent plane.
11. A tape applicator according to claim 10, wherein the cutting blade is biased towards the disengaged configuration and the cutting means comprises finger-operated trigger mechanism for reconfiguring the cutting blade from the disengaged configuration to the engaged configuration.
12. A method of applying tape to a target surface, the method comprising the steps of: providing a tape applicator as hereinbefore described; orientating the tape applicator such that the first tangent plane is parallel to and physically abuts the target surface and urging the applicator along the target surface in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the rollers.
13. A method according to claim 12, further comprising the steps of re-orientating the tape applicator such that the second tangent plane is parallel to and physically abuts the target surface and urging the applicator along the target surface in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the rollers.
14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the step of re-orientating the tape applicator such that the second tangent plane is parallel to and physically abuts the target surface is preferably performed when the distance between the second roller and the longitudinal edge of the target surface is at least equal to the radial spacing between the second and third rollers.
15. A method according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the step of re-orientating the applicator comprises pivoting the tape applicator about the second roller such that the tape is pressed between the target surface and the second roller as the tape applicator is re-orientated.
16. A method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the or each step of urging the applicator along the target surface comprises manually pushing or pulling the applicator along the target surface.