WO2006076319A1

WO2006076319A1 - Edge bending and application device of adhesive tape

Info

Publication number: WO2006076319A1
Application number: PCT/US2006/000737
Authority: WO
Inventors: Takayoshi Fujino; Masayuki Kubota
Original assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
Priority date: 2005-01-12
Filing date: 2006-01-10
Publication date: 2006-07-20
Also published as: JP2006193253A

Abstract

An adhesive tape application device (10) that makes it possible to apply an adhesive tape (T) (e.g., an adhesive-backed paint replacement film or paint protection film) on a surface (5) of an object (0) with a single applying operation while an edge portion (M) of the adhesive tape (T) is gradually bent along an edge (E) of the object (0).

Description

EDGE BENDING AND APPLICATION DEVICE OF ADHESIVE TAPE

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to an application device for gradually applying an adhesive tape (e.g., an adhesive-backed paint replacement film or paint protection film) having an arbitrary length and width on a surface of an object in the longitudinal direction.

Background

An application device for gradually and continuously applying an adhesive tape, which is provided with an adhesive agent layer on at least one side of a base material having an arbitrary length and width, on a surface of an object in the longitudinal direction has been developed and used in various field as a handy tool by which the working time can be shortened while a load of work given to a worker is being reduced. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an application device for applying an adhesive tape on a window frame of an automobile instead of coating. This application device includes: a first and a second holding piece for holding the window frame; an elastic roller supported by the first holding piece, for pushing the adhesive tape onto a surface of the window frame; and a guide roller supported by the second holding piece, for guiding the application device along the window frame being engaged with a rear side of the window frame. A worker operates the first and the second holding piece so that the window frame can be held between the elastic roller and the guide roller. At the same time, the worker inserts a forward end portion of the adhesive tape, the adhesive face of which is directed to the surface side of the window frame, into between the window frame surface and the elastic roller. Under this condition, the worker moves the application device along the window frame. Due to the above operation, the adhesive tape is gradually and continuously stuck on the window frame surface in the longitudinal direction.

In the case where an adhesive tape is stuck on a surface of an object, the width of which is predetermined, like a window frame of an automobile instead of coating, the following are demanded in some cases. The width of the adhesive tape is made to be larger than the width of the surface of the object, and a portion of an arbitrary width (this portion is referred to as "an edge portion of the adhesive tape" in this application.) of the adhesive tape along the edge extending in the longitudinal direction is bent along an edge of the object so that the edge of the object can be wrapped by the edge portion of the adhesive tape. In this case, the following operation is conventionally conducted. For example, the application device described in Patent Document 1 is used. After the wide adhesive tape has been stuck on the window frame of the automobile, an edge portion of the adhesive tape protruding from the window frame is bent along the edge of the window frame by hand work with a squeezer so that the adhesive tape can be also stuck on a reverse side of the window frame.

In the above edge bending work in which the edge of the adhesive tape is bent, it is desired that the edge bending work is conducted while air staying between the adhesive face of the adhesive tape and the surface of the object is being excluded. Therefore, not only the skill is required for the work but also the working time is increased. Accordingly, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, an application device is disclosed in which an edge portion of an adhesive tape stuck on a surface of an object is automatically bent along an edge of the object so that the edge portion of the adhesive tape can be stuck on a reverse side of the object.

The application device disclosed in Patent Document 2 is composed in such a manner that the application device can be moved along an object such as a window sash of an automobile, the width of which is predetermined, under the condition that the object is interposed between a plurality of pairs of guide rollers. Each pair of guide rollers respectively have an outer circumferential face coming into contact with each of both edges of the object and are supported by the device body, and each guide roller can be independently rotated. The plurality of guide rollers includes: a pair of guide rollers arranged at the upstream end; a pair of guide rollers arranged at the middle portion; and a pair of guide rollers arranged at the downstream end. In this case, the upstream and the downstream are defined according to a stream of the adhesive tape when the view is taken in the feeding direction of the adhesive tape stuck on the surface of the object. The pair of guide rollers at the upstream end are arranged so that the outer circumferential faces of the guide rollers can form an acute angle with respect to the surface of the object. The pair of guide rollers at the middle portion are arranged so that the outer circumferential faces of the guide rollers can be parallel with the edge of the object. The pair of guide rollers at the downstream end are arranged so that the outer circumferential faces of the guide rollers can lie along the reverse face of the object. The object, on the surface of which an adhesive tape is stuck, is interposed between the guide rollers of the plurality of pairs, and the application device body is moved along the object. Due to the foregoing, while air staying between the adhesive face and the object surface is being removed, both edge portions of the adhesive tape are gradually bent deep along both edges of the object. Finally, both edge portions of the adhesive tape wrap both edges of the object and apply on the reverse face of the object.

Disclosure of the Invention

As described above, in the case where an adhesive tape (e.g., an adhesive-backed paint replacement film or paint protection film) of an arbitrary length is stuck on an object surface of a predetermined width so that an edge portion of the object can be wrapped by an edge portion of the adhesive tape, it is necessary to conduct the work in the following two stages. In one stage, a central portion of the wide adhesive tape is stuck on a surface of the object. In the other stage, an edge portion of the adhesive tape protruding from the object is bent and stuck on a reverse face of the object. If all the work in the above two stages is conducted by hand work with a squeezer, the skill of the worker is required and further the working time is remarkably prolonged. Especially, in the case of work in which the edge portion of the adhesive tape is bent along the edge of the object, the worker must takes care of himself in order to avoid injuries in the hands. Accordingly, the worker must bear a heavy load. On the other hand, in the case where the work in these two stages is successively conducted by two types of application devices which are exclusively used for the respective work in the two stages, although the applying work itself can be made simple, it takes much time to make preparations for positioning the individual application devices with respect to the object. As a result, the working time can not be reduced so much.

An object of the present invention is to provide an edge bending and application device for gradually applying an adhesive tape (e.g., an adhesive-backed paint replacement film or paint protection film) of an arbitrary length and width on a surface of an object in the longitudinal direction, characterized in that the adhesive tape can be stuck on the surface of the object by one set of application device and by one time of applying work while an edge portion of the adhesive tape is being automatically bent along an edge of the object so that a load given to a worker can be reduced. In order to accomplish the above object, the invention provides an application device for gradually applying, onto a surface of an object, an adhesive tape having certain length and width along the length thereof, comprising a body defining a feeding passage of the adhesive tape; a press-fitting member provided in the body, and including a first abutting surface capable of being abutted with a central portion of the adhesive tape fed along the feeding passage; and an edge bending member provided in the body, and including a second abutting surface capable of being abutted with an edge portion of the adhesive tape having passed through the press-fitting member; wherein the press-fitting member gradually applies the central portion of the adhesive tape onto the surface of the object by the first abutting surface under pressure, and the edge bending member gradually bends the edge portion of the adhesive tape along an edge of the object by the second abutting surface.

The invention can provide an application device where the edge bending member includes a pair of rollers pivotally arranged in the body, each of the rollers being provided with the second abutting surface capable of being individually abutted with each of opposite edge portions of the adhesive tape.

The invention can provide an application device wherein the pair of rollers are capable of rotating independently of each other.

The invention can provide an application device that further comprises a shaft for supporting the pair of rollers, the shaft being attached to the body in a displaceable manner.

The invention can provide an application device where the pair of rollers are supported on the shaft in an axially displaceable manner, and wherein the application device further comprises a biasing member for elastically biasing the pair of rollers in a direction away from each other along the shaft.

The invention can provide an application device where the shaft includes an extension protruding outward from the body, the extension being provided with a handle for displacing the pair of rollers relative to the body.

The invention can provide an application device where a portion of the edge bending member, including at least the second abutting surface, has a flexibility allowing the portion to be deformed to follow a profile of the edge of the object.

According to the invention, when the press-fitting member and the edge bending member are successively arranged along the feeding passage of the adhesive tape, the adhesive tape can be stuck on the object surface by one set of application device and by one time of applying work while the edge portion of the adhesive tape is being automatically bent along the edge of the object. As a result, the skill of the worker is not required for the tape applying work. Therefore, the working time can be remarkably reduced, and a load given to the worker can be remarkably decreased.

According to the invention, in the case of gradually applying an adhesive tape on an object surface, edge portions on both sides of the adhesive tape can be simultaneously bent by one time of applying work. When the edge bending member composed of a roller capable of being rotated is used, the occurrence of damage on a surface of the adhesive tape can be reduced, and life of the edge bending member itself can be prolonged. According to the invention, even in the case where the surface of the object extends being formed into a curve, when a pair of rollers rotate independently from each other, it is possible to absorb a difference in the length between both edge portions of the object, for example, it is possible to absorb a difference in the length in the curved portion, and both edge portions of the adhesive tape can be stably bent along both edge portions of the object.

According to the invention, even when each edge portion of the object extends being formed into various curved shape by a curve and twist of the surface of the object, without being affected by the contact form of the first abutting surface of the press-fitting member with the surface of the object, the second abutting surface of each roller can be made to properly follow the corresponding edge of the object when the axis is appropriately displaced. Accordingly, with respect to the object having such a curving or twisting form, both edge portions of the adhesive tape can be bent being made to accurately lie along both edge portions of the object.

According to the invention, even when the width of an object is changed while the application device is being moved along the surface of the object, it is possible for the second abutting surface of each roller to accurately follow the edge of the object. Further, when the biasing member is provided, operation of displacing each roller in the axial direction can be easily conducted.

According to the invention, while the operator is holding the handle and controlling the position and posture of each roller, the entire application device can be moved along the object. Accordingly, the pressure application stage and the edge bending stage of the adhesive tape can be very easily and accurately performed.

According to the invention, when hardness of the flexible portion of the edge bending member is appropriately selected, the chasing characteristic of the second abutting surface with respect to the profile of the edge of the object can be optimized, and the occurrence of wrinkles of the base material of the adhesive tape stuck on the edge can be effectively prevented. Further, it is possible to effectively prevent air from being taken onto the adhesive face of the adhesive tape.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front view schematically showing the primary portion of an edge bending and application device of the adhesive tape, according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a guide roller having a function of guiding the device on an object is omitted in the drawing. Fig. 2 is a plan view schematically showing the application device shown in Fig. 1, wherein Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line II - II in Fig. 1.

Fig, 3 is a side view schematically showing the application device shown in Fig. 1, wherein Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line III - III in Fig. 2 and the edge bending member is omitted in the drawing. Fig. 4 is a plan view showing an adhesive tape to which the application device shown in Fig. 1 can be applied and also showing an object on which the adhesive tape is stuck.

Fig. 5a is a sectional view showing an adhesive tape to which the application device shown in Fig. 1 can be applied. Fig. 5b is a sectional view showing a state in which the adhesive tape is stuck on an object.

Fig. 6 is a view showing an edge bending member of the application device shown in Fig. 1, wherein Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line VI - VI in Fig. 1 and the components of the body are omitted in the drawing. Fig. 7 is a side view showing an outline of the application device corresponding to

Fig. 3, wherein Fig. 7 shows a relative positional relation between the application device and the object in the applying work of applying the adhesive tape. Fig. 8 is a front view showing an outline of the application device corresponding to Fig. 1, wherein Fig. 8 shows a relative positional relation between the application device and the object in the applying work of applying the adhesive tape.

Figs. 9a and 9b are views showing how an adhesive tape can be applied to applying work using the application device shown in Fig. 1 , wherein Fig. 9a is a view showing a stage just before the edge bending work and Fig. 9b is a view showing a stage of edge bending.

Detailed Description of Embodiments Referring to the accompanying drawings, an embodiment of the present invention will be explained in detail as follows. With respect to all the drawings, the common reference numerals and signs are attached to the corresponding components.

Referring to the drawings, Figs. 1 to 3 are views showing a primary portion of the edge bending and application device 10 of an adhesive tape (e.g., an adhesive-backed paint replacement film or paint protection film) of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein these views are drawn in the different directions. This edge bending and application device 10 of an adhesive tape will be referred to as an application device 10, hereinafter in this specification. Fig. 4 is a view showing an adhesive tape T to which the application device 10 can be applied and also showing an object O on which the adhesive tape T is stuck. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the adhesive tape T and the object O. By the application device 10, an adhesive tape of an arbitrary length and width corresponding to a profile of a specific object surface, on which the adhesive tape is stuck, is gradually and continuously stuck on the surface of the object concerned in the longitudinal direction. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, the application device 10 can be used when the formed adhesive tape T is stuck, which is a substitute of coating, on the specific surface S of the object O composing a door frame (window frame) of an automobile. However, it should be noted that the edge bending and application device of an adhesive tape of the present invention is not limited to the above specific use.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the application device 10 comprises: a body 12 for defining a feeding passage P to feed the adhesive tape T; a press-fitting member 16 provided in the body 12, having a first abutting surface 14 coming into contact with a central portion C (Figs. 4 and 5) of the adhesive tape T which is fed in the feeding passage P; and an edge bending member 20 provided in the body 12, having a second abutting surface 18 coming into contact with an edge portion M (Figs. 4 and 5) of the adhesive tape T which has passed through the press-fitting member 16, The press-fitting member 16 gradually applies the central portion C of the adhesive tape T on the surface S of the object O by the first abutting surface 14 with pressure, and the edge bending member 20 gradually bends the edge portion M of the adhesive tape T along an edge E of the object O by the second abutting surface 18.

In the application device 10 composed as described above, the press-fitting member 16 and the edge bending member 20 are successively arranged on the common body 12 along the feeding passage P of the adhesive tape T. Therefore, by one set of application device 10 and by one time of applying work, while the edge portion M of the adhesive tape T is automatically being bent along the edge E of the object O, the adhesive tape T can be stuck on the object surface S. As a result, the skill of the worker is not required for the tape applying work, and a load given to the worker can be remarkably reduced. The constitution of the application device 10 will be described in more detail. The body 12 includes: a first member 22 for supporting the press-fitting member 16 and the edge bending member 20; a second member 26 pivotally connected to the first member 22 and having a function of attaching the application device 10 to the object O and detaching the application device 10 from the object O and also having a function of guiding the application device 10 with respect to the object O; and a third member 30 pivotally connected to the first member 22 via another shaft 28 parallel with the shaft 24 and having a function of initial setting of the adhesive tape T at the application device 10. The first member 22 supports the press-fitting member 16 and the edge bending member 20 between the first abutting surface 14 and the second abutting surface 18 while a predetermined interval is being maintained. The first member 22 is a frame body having a space for accommodating the press-fitting member 16 and the edge bending member 20. In this space, the feeding passage P of the adhesive tape T is defined.

The second member 26 supports a pair of guide rollers 32, which can be freely rotated independently from each other, arranged in parallel with each other when the view is taken in the feeding direction D (Fig. 2) of the adhesive tape T which is fed along the press-fitting member 16 and the edge bending member 20 on the first member 22. Each guide roller 32 includes: a rotary axis 32a substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction D of the adhesive tape T; and a groove-shaped outer circumferential face 34 annularly extending round the rotary axis 32a. When the second member 26 rotates round the shaft 24 with respect to the first member 22 (arrow α in Fig. 3), the second member 26 is displaced between the closed position (shown in Fig. 3) at which the groove-shaped outer circumferential faces 34 of the pair of guide rollers 32 come the closest to the first abutting surface 14 of the press-fitting member 16 via a predetermined gap and the open position at which the groove-shaped outer circumferential faces 34 of both guide rollers 32 are sufficiently separated from the first abutting surface 14 of the press-fitting member 16. Between the first member 22 and the second member 26, the elastic member 36 (for example, a twisting coil spring) is arranged which elastically pushes the second member 26 to the closed position.

As described later, when the second member 26 is at the closed position, the guide rollers 32 hold the object O between the groove-shaped outer circumferential face 34 and the first abutting surface 14 of the press-fitting member 16 being pushed by the elastic member 36. Further, the groove-shaped outer circumferential face 34 engages with the reverse face structure on the opposite side to the surface S of the object O, and the guide rollers 32 guide the application device 10 in the opposite direction to the feeding direction D of the adhesive tape T along the object O. When the second member 26 is at the open position, the groove-shaped outer circumferential faces 34 of the guide rollers 32 and the first abutting surface 14 of the press-fitting member 16 are separate from each other, so that the application device 10 can be easily attached to and detached from the object O. In this connection, a pair of auxiliary guide rollers 38, which exhibit an auxiliary guiding function when they are engaged with the reverse face structure of the object O, are pivotally supported by the second member 26 while the pair of auxiliary guide rollers 38 are arranged in parallel with each other in the feeding direction D. These auxiliary guide rollers 38 can be freely rotated independently from each other.

The third member 30 is arranged on the opposite side to the second member 26 with respect to the first member 22. In the third member 30, the tape regulating face 40 is provided which is arranged on the opposite side to the pair of guide rollers 32 and opposed to the first abutting surface 14 of the press-fitting member 16. When the third member 30 is rotated round the shaft 28 with respect to the first member 22 as shown by the arrow β in Fig. 3, the tape regulating face 40 is displaced between the closed position (shown in Fig. 3) at which the tape regulating face 40 comes the closest to the first abutting surface 14 of the press-fitting member 16 via a predetermined gap and the open position at which the tape regulating face 40 is sufficiently separated from the first abutting surface 14 of the press-fitting member 16. Between the first member 22 and the third member 30, the elastic member 42 (for example, a twisting coil spring) is arranged which elastically pushes the third member 30 to the closed position.

As described later, when the third member 30 is located at the closed position, the third member 30 conducts positioning of the adhesive tape T having mold releasing paper R (shown in Figs. 2 and 5) into a gap formed between the tape regulating face 40 and the first abutting surface 14 of the press-fitting member 16 so that the feeding operation of the adhesive tape T having separation paper R can not be obstructed. When the third member 30 is located at the closed position, the tape regulating face 40 and the first abutting surface 14 of the press-fitting member 16 are separated from each other. Therefore, the adhesive tape T can be easily set at the predetermined initial position in the application device 10. In this connection, the adhesive tape T having mold releasing paper R, which has passed through a gap formed between the tape regulating face 40 of the third member 30 and the first abutting surface 14 of the press-fitting member 16, surrounds the first abutting surface 14 and proceeds to a gap formed between the press-fitting member 16 and the guide roller 32 provided in the second member 26. In the means time, as described later, the mold releasing paper R is automatically peeled off from the adhesive tape T and discharged outside the body 12. In order to accomplish this object, the first member 22 of the body 12 includes: a peeling rod 44 which comes close to the press-fitting member 16 so as to smoothly peel off the mold releasing paper R from the adhesive tape T; and a discharging plate 46 having an escape face 46a for discharging the mold releasing paper R from the body 12 without causing any problem.

In this connection, from the viewpoint of applying the adhesive tape T on the surface of the object O and the edge E while the adhesive tape T is accurately following the profiles of the surface of the object O and the edge E, it is preferable that the first member 22, the second member 26 and the third member 30 composing the body 12 are entirely made of hard material such as metal.

The press-fitting member 16 is provided with one press-fitting roller 48 pivotally arranged in the first member 22 of the body 12. In this press-fitting roller 48, the first abutting surface 14, the shape of which is cylindrical, which is capable of coming into contact with the central portion C of the adhesive tape T, is provided. The press-fitting roller 48 is supported by the shaft 50 attached to the first member 22 of the body 12. Due to the foregoing, the rotary axis 48a of the press-fitting roller 48, which becomes the center line of the first abutting surface 14, can be defined. A portion of the press-fitting roller 48 including at least the first abutting surface 14 is made of flexible material capable of being deformed while the portion is following the profile of the surface S of the object O. Preferable examples of the flexible material of the press-fitting roller 48 are urethane rubber, silicon rubber and natural rubber. In this connection, both the shaft 24 for connecting the first member 22 with the second member 26 of the body 12 and the shaft 28 for connecting the first member 22 with the third member 30 respectively have an axis substantially perpendicular to the rotary axis 48a of the press-fitting roller 48. The peeling rod 44 provided in the first member 22 has an axis 44a substantially parallel with the rotary axis 48a of the press-fitting roller 48 as shown in Fig. 3. When the press-fitting member is composed of the press-fitting roller 48, at the time of gradually applying the tape on the surface of the object, it is possible to reduce damage caused by the press-fitting member 16 on the surface of the adhesive tape T, and life of the press-fitting member 16 can be prolonged. In this case, when hardness of the flexible material of the press-fitting roller 48 is appropriately determined, the chasing property of the first abutting surface 14 with respect to the profile of the surface S of the object O can be optimized. Therefore, the occurrence of wrinkles on the base material of the adhesive tape T stuck on the surface S and the inclusion of air onto the adhesive face can be effectively prevented. From the above viewpoints, the preferable hardness of the press-fitting roller 48 is 20 to 90 of Shore hardness A. In this connection, according to the physical properties of the adhesive tape T and the object O to which the invention is applied, it is possible to use a stationary type press-fitting member 16.

The edge bending member 20 includes a pair of edge bending rollers 52 pivotally arranged in the first member 22 of the body 12. Each edge bending roller 52 is provided with an annular second abutting surface 18, the cross section of which is a recessed shape, capable of coming into contact with the edge portion M on the side of the adhesive tape T.

These edge bending rollers 52 can be rotated independently from each other. Each edge bending roller 52 is supported by the shaft 54 which is attached to the first member 22 of the body 12 in such a manner that the edge bending roller 52 can be displaced. Due to the foregoing, the rotary axis 52a of the edge bending roller 52, which becomes a center line of the second abutting surface 18, can be defined. A portion of each edge bending roller 52 including at least the second abutting surface 18 is made of flexible material which can be displaced while the edge bending roller 52 follows the profile of the edge E of the object O. Preferable examples of the flexible material of the edge bending roller 52 are urethane rubber, silicon rubber and natural rubber.

When the edge bending member 20 is composed of a pair of edge bending rollers 52, in the work of gradually applying the adhesive tape T as described later, both edge portions M of the adhesive tape T can be simultaneously bent by one time of applying operation. In the case where the surface S of the object O extends being formed into a curved shape, when these edge bending rollers 52 are rotated independently from each other, a difference in the length of both edge portions E of the object O, for example, a difference in the length of both edge portions in the curved region can be absorbed, and both edge portions M of the adhesive tape T can be stably bent along both edge portions E of the object. Further, the edge bending member 20 composed of the pivotal edge bending rollers 52 gives less damage onto the surface of the adhesive tape T, and life of the edge bending member 20 itself can be prolonged.

In this case, when hardness of the above flexible material of the edge bending rollers 52 is appropriately selected, the chasing property of the second abutting surface 18 with respect to the profile of the edge E of the object O can be optimized, and the occurrence of wrinkles on the base material of the adhesive tape T stuck on the edge E and the inclusion of air onto the adhesive face can be effectively prevented. From the above viewpoints, the preferable hardness of the edge bending roller 52 is 20 to 90 of Shore hardness A. In this connection, according to the physical properties of the adhesive tape T and the object O to which the invention is applied, it is possible to use a stationary type press-fitting member 16. In this connection, when it is required that only one of the edge portions M of the adhesive tape T is bent, the edge bending member 20 may have one second abutting surface 18. The shape of one edge bending roller 52 and that of the other edge bending roller

52 may be the same. Alternatively, the shape of one edge bending roller 52 and that of the other edge bending roller 52 may be different from each other as shown in the drawing. For example, the size of the cylindrical portion of the edge bending roller 52 in the axial direction can be set corresponding to the width portion M of the adhesive tape T which is an object, the edge portion of which is to be bent. As described later, the shape of the second abutting surface 18 can be formed into the most appropriate shape, in which the edge portion M of the adhesive tape T can be bent by the angle of about 90° with respect to the central portion C, relying on the angle of the surface of the edge E with respect to the surface S of the object O.

In the first member 22 of the body 12, a pair of oblong holes 56 are provided which are capable of displaceably receiving the shafts 54 of the pair of edge bending rollers 52 composing the edge bending member 20. Each oblong hole 56 is formed in such a manner that the major axis of the oblong hole 56 is perpendicular to the adhesive tape T which is stuck on the object O in the process of applying and sent in the feeding direction D as shown in Fig. 2. As shown in the sectional view of Fig. 6, the pair of oblong holes 56 formed in the first member 22 are capable of receiving the neighboring portions 54a of both end portions of the shaft 54 in such a manner that the shaft 54 can be independently slid in the direction along the major axis (in the direction of arrow γ in Fig, 2). Accordingly, the shaft 54 can be freely displaced between the posture in which the rotary axis 52a is parallel with the rotary axis 48a of the press-fitting roller 48 composing the press-fitting member 16 and the posture in which the rotary axis 52a is inclined by an arbitrary angle with respect to the rotary axis 48a of the press-fitting roller 48 composing the press-fitting member 16.

Each edge bending roller 52 is supported by the shaft 54 so that the edge bending roller 52 can be displaced in the axial direction. Both edge bending rollers 52 are attached with the biasing member 58 for elastically pushing the edge bending rollers 52 along the shaft 54 so that the edge bending rollers 52 can be separated from each other. In the embodiment shown in the drawing, the biasing member 58 is composed of a compression coil spring which is attached to the shaft 54 in such a manner that the compression coil spring is wound round the shaft 54 between both edge bending rollers 52 as shown in Fig. 1. Further, the shaft 54 includes the extensions 60, which are arranged at both end portions, protruding outside from the first member 22 of the body 12. Each extension 60 has a handle 62 for displacing each edge bending roller 52 in the axial direction or in the direction crossing the axis with respect to the body 12. As shown in Fig. 5, the adhesive tape T, to which the application device 10 can be applied, includes: a base material B made of appropriate material such as resin, cloth or paper; and an adhesive layer A laminated on one side of the base material B. Under the above state, the adhesive tape T is supplied to the application device 10 as shown in Fig. 5a. The application device 10 operates as follows. In the application device 10, the mold releasing paper R is automatically peeled off from the adhesive tape T so that the adhesive layer A can be exposed outside. Then, the central portion C of the adhesive tape T is stuck on the surface S of the object O by the press-fitting member 16, and both edge portions M of the adhesive tape T are automatically bent along both edge portions E of the object O by the angle of about 90° with respect to the central portion C as shown in Fig. 5b.

Especially, in the case shown in Fig. 4 to which the invention is applied, in the object O composed of a door frame of an automobile, the oblique line region Tl, the width of which is substantially constant, of the adhesive tape T, which is formed into a shape corresponding to the door frame, is stuck on the inclined frame portion Fl, the width of which is substantially constant. In this way, the adhesive tape can be preferably used. Referring to the embodiment shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the applying work of applying the adhesive tape by the application device 10 will be explained below.

First, the preparation step is conducted as follows. The hook piece TS formed at the corner portion, which is a starting point of the applying work, of the adhesive tape T, the shape of which is formed into a shape corresponding to the door frame, is engaged with and temporarily fixed to the body 12 of the application device 10, and the oblique line region Tl of the adhesive tape T is arranged along the feeding passage P of the body 12. At this time, when the third member 30 (preferably the second member 26, too) is set at an open position with respect to the first member 22 of the body 12, the oblique line region Tl of the adhesive tape T can be easily arranged in a gap formed between the press- fitting member 16 (the press-fitting roller 48) and the guide roller 32 and also arranged in a gap formed between the press-fitting member 16 and the tape regulating face 40. In this connection, in the first member 22 of the body 12, the slot 64 (Fig. 6) and the holding piece 66 (Fig. 2) for temporarily fixing the hook piece TS of the adhesive tape T are provided.

Under the condition that the adhesive tape T is properly arranged in the feeding passage P of the body 12, the mold releasing paper R is arranged being opposed to the guide roller 32 and the tape regulating face 40. At this time, for example, a notch is previously made on the mold releasing paper R in the neighborhood of the hook piece TS₅ and the mold releasing paper R following the notch is intentionally and partially peeled off to a position close to the peeling rod (Fig. 2) arranged on the body 12. Then, the peeling end of the mold releasing paper R is put on the escape face 46a (Fig. 2) of the discharge plate 46 on the body 12. Due to the foregoing, the initial setting of the adhesive tape T with respect to the body 12 is completed.

Next, as described before, the operator sufficiently separates a pair of guide rollers 32 from the press-fitting roller 48 by rotating the second member 26 of the body 12 with respect to the first member 22. Under this condition, the comer region OC (Fig. 4) of the object O composing the door frame is inserted into between the press-fitting roller 48 and the guide roller 32. Then, the second member 26 is returned to the closed position while a spring force is being given from the elastic member 36. The corner region OC of the object O is interposed between the press-fitting roller 48 and both guide rollers 32 together with the neighborhood region of the hook piece TS of the adhesive tape T which has been initially set on the body 12. At this time, the groove-shaped outer circumferential faces 34 of both guide rollers 32 are engaged with the rib FR (Fig. 7) arranged along the inclined frame portion Fl, which is a reverse face structure of the object O, in such a manner that both guide rollers 32 can roll on the rib FR. At the same time, a pair of guide rollers 38 on the second member 26 are engaged with the extended face FE (Fig. 7) arranged along the inclined frame portion Fl, which is a reverse face structure of the object O, in such a manner that the pair of guide rollers 38 can roll on the extended face FE. In this way, the application device 10 is held at the tape applying work starting position on the object O while the application device 10 is standing by it self. In this connection, Figs. 7 and 8 are views showing a relative positional relation between the application device 10, which is arranged at the tape applying work starting position, and the object O, wherein the adhesive tape T, which has been initially set, is omitted here.

The operator grips the body 12 of the application device 10 and continuously moves the body 12 from the work starting position along the inclined frame portion Fl of the object O in the direction (the arrow D' in Fig. 8) so that the press-fitting member 16

(the press-fitting roller 48) can be on the leading side and the edge bending member 20 (the edge bending roller 52) can be on the trailing side. According to the movement of the body 12, the central portion C of the adhesive tape T, which has been initially set in the feeding passage P on the body 12, is given a pushing force from the first abutting surface 14 of the press-fitting roller 48. Therefore, the adhesive tape T is gradually stuck on the surface S of the inclined frame portion Fl in the longitudinal direction from the region from which the mold releasing paper R has been peeled off. At this time, the press-fitting roller 48 is elastically deformed while the press-fitting roller 48 is following the shape of the surface S of the inclined frame portion Fl. Due to the foregoing, the central portion C of the adhesive tape T can be stuck on the object surface S while the wrinkles on the adhesive tape T and the inclusion of air between the adhesive layer A and the object surface S are being effectively excluded. Although the pushing force given to the adhesive tape T from the press-fitting roller 48 can be intentionally applied while the operator is operating the body 12 so that the body 12 can be moved, it is possible to stably ensure the pushing force by the elastic pushing made by the elastic member 36 acting on the second member 26. The adhesive tape T, the central portion of which has been stuck on the object surface S by the press-fitting roller 48, is continuously fed in the feeding direction opposite to the device moving direction D' between the body 12 and the object O according to the continuous movement of the application device 10. According to the feeding motion of the adhesive tape T along the feeding passage P, the mold releasing paper R, the peeling end of which is put on the discharge plate 46, is automatically and gradually peeled off from the adhesive tape T by the action conducted by the peeling rod 44. Therefore, the mold releasing paper R is discharged outside the device along the escape face 46a of the discharge plate 46.

According to the continuous movement of the application device 10, the central portion C of the adhesive tape T is stuck on the object surface S by the press-fitting roller 48. This adhesive tape T arrives at a position opposed to a pair of edge bending rollers 52 arranged on the downstream side in the feeding direction D (Fig. 9a). At this time, the operator grips a pair of handles 62, which are provided being related to the edge bending rollers 52, and displaces the shafts 54 for supporting the edge bending rollers 52 along the oblong hole 56 of the first member 22 of the body so that the edge bending rollers 52 can be displaced to an appropriate position and posture. At the same time, the operator displaces the edge bending rollers 52 to an appropriate position in the axial direction on the shafts 54 while the operator is resisting the pushing force of the biasing member 58. Due to the foregoing, the second abutting surfaces 18 of the edge bending rollers 52 are pushed to both edges E of the inclined frame portion Fl by an appropriate pushing force. When the application device 10 is successively moved along the inclined frame portion Fl of the application device 10, the edge portions M of the adhesive tape T are gradually bent by the second abutting surfaces 18 of the edge bending rollers 52 in the longitudinal direction along the edges E of the inclined frame portion Fl (Fig. 9b).

In the edge bending step of bending the edges of the adhesive tape T described above, the operator can appropriately control a pushing force given to the corresponding edge portion M of the adhesive tape T from the second abutting surface 18 of the individual edge bending roller 52 when the operator operates a pair of handles 62. The pushing force appropriately controlled as described above and the shape and hardness of the second abutting surface 18 of the edge bending roller 52 act correlatively. Therefore, both edge portions M of the adhesive tape T are automatically bent along the edges E while the wrinkles on the adhesive tape T and the inclusion of air between the adhesive layer A and the edges E of the inclined frame portion Fl are being effectively removed. As a result, by the adhesive force exhibited by the adhesive layer A for the edge E of the inclined frame portion Fl, both edge portions M of the adhesive tape T can be held in a state in which both edge portions M are bent by the angle of about 90° with respect to the central portion C of the adhesive tape T.

As described above, after the entire inclined line region Tl of the adhesive tape T has been stuck on the inclined frame portion Fl of the object O via the pressure application stage conducted by the application device 10 and also via the edge bending stage, the finishing work is conducted in such a manner that both edge portions M of the inclined line region Tl of the adhesive tape T are completely stuck on the reverse side S' (Fig. 9b) of the surface S by hand work. This finishing work can be quickly and safely conducted without any skill of the operator on both edge portions M of the adhesive tape T which have already been properly bent by the angle of about 90°. The inclined line region Tl of the adhesive tape T, which has been stuck on the inclined frame region Fl of the object O, is arranged in such a manner that both edge portions M of the adhesive tape T wrap both edges E of the inclined frame portion Fl. Therefore, this embodiment is preferable because the peeling of the end edge of the adhesive tape T and the soaking of water into between the adhesive layer A and the object surface S can be prevented.

As described above, in the application device 10, the shaft 54 of the pair of edge bending rollers 52 composing the edge bending member 20 can be freely displaced in the range allowed by the oblong hole 56 provided in the body 12. Therefore, even when the edges E of the object O are extended into various curved shapes by the curve and twist of the surface S of the object O, without being affected by the state of contact of the first abutting surface 14 of the press-fitting roller 48 with the object surface S, the second abutting surfaces 18 of the edge bending rollers 52 can be made to properly follow the corresponding edge E of the object O. Accordingly, with respect to the object O which are curved or twisted, both edge portions M of the adhesive tape T can be accurately laid and bent along both edges E of the object O.

In the application device 10, the edge bending rollers 52 are arranged so that they can be moved on the shafts 54 in the axial direction. Therefore, even in the case where the width of the object O is changed while the application device 10 is being moved along the surface S of the object O, the second abutting surfaces 18 of the individual edge bending rollers 52 can be made to accurately follow the edges E of the object O. Accordingly, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, even when the longitudinal region T2, the width of which is gradually changed in the same way, of the adhesive tape T, which is formed into a shape corresponding to the door frame, is stuck on the longitudinal frame portion F2, the width of which is gradually changed, of the object O of a door frame of an automobile, it is possible to use the application device 10. The biasing member 58, which is provided being related to the edge bending rollers 52, makes it easy to displace the edge bending rollers 52.

Further, in the application device 10, the handles 62 for displacing the edge bending rollers 52 with respect to the body 12 are provided at the extension 60 of both end portions of the shaft 54 to support the edge bending rollers 52. Therefore, while the operator is holding the handle 62 and controlling a position and posture of each edge bending roller 52, the entire application device 10 can be moved along the object O. Accordingly, the pressure application stage and the edge bending stage of the adhesive tape T can be very easily and accurately performed.

As can be seen in the above explanations, according to the application device of the present invention, the adhesive tape can be stuck on the object surface by one time of applying work while the edge portion of the adhesive tape is being automatically bent along the edge of the object. Therefore, the skill is not required for the tape applying work. Further, the safety of the applying work can be remarkably enhanced and the working time can be remarkably shortened. Actually, the following results were obtained in the embodiment shown in Fig. 4. When the edge bending and applying work was conducted on the adhesive tape T with the application device 10, the working time could be reduced by 70% as compared with the bending work in which the central portion C of the adhesive tape T was stuck on the surface S of the inclined frame portion Fl of the door frame by a conventional applying jig exclusively used for pressure application and then both edge portions M of the adhesive tape T were bent along both edges E of the inclined frame portion Fl by hand work.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An application device for gradually applying, onto a surface of an object, an adhesive tape having certain length and width along the length thereof, comprising: a body defining a feeding passage of the adhesive tape; a press-fitting member provided in said body, and including a first abutting surface capable of being abutted with a central portion of the adhesive tape fed along said feeding passage; and an edge bending member provided in said body, and including a second abutting surface capable of being abutted with an edge portion of the adhesive tape having passed through said press-fitting member; wherein said press-fitting member gradually applies the central portion of the adhesive tape onto the surface of the object by said first abutting surface under pressure, and said edge bending member gradually bends the edge portion of the adhesive tape along an edge of the object by said second abutting surface.

2. An application device according to claim 1, wherein said edge bending member includes a pair of rollers pivotally arranged in said body, each of said rollers being provided with said second abutting surface capable of being individually abutted with each of opposite edge portions of the adhesive tape.

3. An application device according to claim 2, wherein said pair of rollers are capable of rotating independently of each other.

4. An application device according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a shaft for supporting said pair of rollers, said shaft being attached to said body in a displaceable manner.

5. An application device according to claim 4, wherein said pair of rollers are supported on said shaft in an axially displaceable manner, and wherein said application device further comprises a biasing member for elastically biasing said pair of rollers in a direction away from each other along said shaft.

6. An application device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said shaft includes an extension protruding outward from said body, said extension being provided with a handle for displacing said pair of rollers relative to said body.

7. An application device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a portion of said edge bending member, including at least said second abutting surface, has a flexibility allowing said portion to be deformed to follow a profile of the edge of the object.

EDGE BENDING AND APPLICATION DEVICE OF ADHESIVE TAPE

Abstract

An adhesive tape application device that makes it possible to apply an adhesive tape (e.g., an adhesive-backed paint replacement film or paint protection film) on a surface of an object with a single applying operation while an edge portion of the adhesive tape is gradually bent along an edge of the object.