Tape applicator and method of using

Abstract

A tape applicator for applying a masking tape along a curvilinear line. The tape applicator having an adhesive tape spool unwind and an adhesive tape path from the adhesive tape spool unwind to a tape applicator head. An intermittent brake assembly located between the adhesive tape spool unwind and the tape applicator head for selectively applying a braking force to an adhesive tape traversing the adhesive tape path and a tape span between the intermittent brake assembly and the applicator head for adhesive tape elongation.

1 . A tape applicator comprising:
 an adhesive tape spool unwind;   an adhesive tape path from the adhesive tape spool unwind to a tape applicator head;   an intermittent brake assembly located between the adhesive tape spool unwind and the tape applicator head for selectively applying a braking force to an adhesive tape traversing the adhesive tape path; and   a tape span between the intermittent brake assembly and the applicator head for adhesive tape elongation.   
     
     
         2 . The tape applicator of  claim 1  comprising a guide wheel in the adhesive tape path that is located between the adhesive spool unwind and the tape applicator head such that an adhesive tape moving along the adhesive tape path will wrap at least a portion of an outer conference of the guide wheel. 
     
     
         3 . The tape applicator of  claim 2  wherein the intermittent brake assembly acts on the guide wheel. 
     
     
         4 . The tape applicator of  claim 3  wherein a brake pad presses on the outer circumference of the guide wheel. 
     
     
         5 . The tape applicator of  claim 4  wherein the brake pad presses directly on the outer circumference. 
     
     
         6 . The tape applicator of  claim 4  wherein the brake pad presses indirectly on the outer circumference and the adhesive tape path positions an adhesive tape between the brake pad and the outer circumference. 
     
     
         7 . The tape applicator of  claim 2 , wherein the intermittent brake assembly comprises a brake shoe having a radius of curvature RS, and the guide wheel has a radius of curvature RW, and RS is greater than RW. 
     
     
         8 . The tape applicator of  claim 7  wherein a ratio of RS/RW is from 1000 to 1.5. 
     
     
         9 . The tape applicator of  claim 1, claim 1 , wherein the intermittent brake assembly comprises a brake pad for intermittent braking activation, and the brake pad having a static coefficient of friction greater than 0.0 and less than 0.3. 
     
     
         10 . The tape applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the tape span has a length TS, and TS is from 0.5 inch to 20 inches. 
     
     
         11 . The tape applicator of  claim 1  comprising a cutting section located between the adhesive tape spool unwind and the tape applicator head for selectively severing an adhesive tape traversing the adhesive tape path. 
     
     
         12 . The tape applicator of  claim 11  wherein a length, L, of a cutting blade in the cutting section is effective to only partially severe a width, W, of the adhesive tape. 
     
     
         13 . The adhesive tape applicator of  claim 11  wherein the cutting section comprises:
 a cutting head comprising a base surface and a cutting blade extending from the base surface, the cutting blade having a blade base where the cutting blade intersects with and extends from the base surface, and the cutting blade having a cutting edge disposed above the base surface; 
 a pinching head comprising a first pinching projection and a second pinching projection separated by a blade slot; 
 a Y-axis extending from a midpoint of the blade base and extending orthogonal to the base surface, a longitudinal blade axis extending from the midpoint to a center point of the cutting edge, and a first angle greater than 0 degrees between the Y-axis and the longitudinal blade axis; 
 a Z-axis tangent to the base surface, passing through the midpoint, and parallel to the blade base, a cutting edge axis passing through the center point and tangent to the cutting edge, and a second angle less than 80 degrees between the Z-axis and the cutting edge axis; and 
 an adhesive tape spool unwind for dispensing the adhesive tape, 
 wherein at least one of the cutting head and the pinching head is movable from a first position with the cutting blade disposed outside of the blade slot to a second position with the cutting blade disposed at least partially within the blade slot. 
 
     
     
         14 . The tape applicator of  claim 13 , wherein the first angle lies in a range from about 3 degrees to about 8 degrees. 
     
     
         15 . The tape applicator of  claim 13 , wherein the second angle lies in a range from about 10 degrees to about 18 degrees. 
     
     
         16 . The tape applicator of  claim 13 , wherein the cutting blade is in alignment with the blade slot. 
     
     
         17 . The tape applicator of  claim 13 , wherein the adhesive tape is positioned between the pinching head and the base surface when at least one of the cutting head and the pinching head is in the second position. 
     
     
         18 . The tape applicator of  claim 13  further comprising a push button for actuating at least one of the pinching head and the cutting head for cutting the adhesive tape. 
     
     
         19 . The tape applicator of  claim 18 , wherein the push button is coupled to the pinching head. 
     
     
         20 . The tape applicator of  claim 13  wherein the cutting section is located prior to the intermittent brake assembly in the adhesive tape path from the adhesive tape spool unwind to the tape applicator head.