Strip applicator with adjustable coating flow and method for adjusting the coating flow of such an applicator

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a tape applicator with adjustable plaster flow and a method for adjusting the plaster flow of such an applicator.

[0002] Such an applicator is intended for the application of a strip of paper or similar material, in roll form, between two adjacent plasterboards, in construction or renovation, by means of a paste-like coating.

[0003] Thus, the plaster fills the space between the two plates and the strip holds everything together.

[0004] Joint tape is applied between two plasterboard panels placed on the same plane or at an angle. Once the joint compound and tape are in place, the user smooths everything with a flat or angled trowel for corners. The tape ensures a perfectly smooth joint between the panels.

[0005] We already know of tape applicators, commonly called "banjo", comprising a reservoir of plaster and a dispenser of a roll of jointing tape to carry out many joints, especially on large construction sites.

[0006] To this end, the reservoir has, with reference to the position of use, a rear wall delimiting an inlet slot for the belt and a front wall delimiting an outlet slot for the belt.

[0007] An application head is typically attached to the front wall above the outlet slot to ensure proper tape application. This involves pulling the compound-loaded tape out of the applicator and pressing it firmly against the plasterboard. The user then smooths the surface with a spatula.

[0008] Document WO2011094820 describes an application head designed to apply tape between two plasterboards forming an angle. The head includes a mounting plate for the applicator, the plate extending into a fixed arm supporting a V-profile corner roller for applying the tape in a corner.

[0009] This head has several drawbacks. It's only suitable for applying tape at an angle, so it must be disassembled to replace it with an application head designed for flat tape application. This requires two separate heads, which is cumbersome and risks losing one of them.

[0010] Furthermore, the plate is intended to be fixed inside the tank and to cooperate with an axis of an external adjusting screw equipped with an eccentric, which allows not only the fixing of the plate, but also its movement along the tank to adjust the height of the strip outlet slot, as illustrated in document US511427.

[0011] However, the plate and adjustment mechanism are in direct contact with the plaster, which clogs and damages the mechanism, as force must be applied to adjust the slit height. Furthermore, since the application head defines the upper edge of the slit, the entire head needs to be replaced regularly, as the upper edge of the slit is subjected to very high abrasion and temperature during repeated passes of the tape.

[0012] An objective of the present invention is therefore to provide a tape applicator equipped with easy-to-implement, robust and precise adjustment means, i.e., not very sensitive to abrasion and heat, and inexpensive, i.e., easily replaceable independently of the application head.

[0013] Document FR3007439 describes a multi-function application head which also has the advantage of not requiring disassembly between the two functions (flat strip application and corner application).

[0014] However, this application head is complex and its structure does not allow adjustment of the height of the strip's exit slot.

[0015] Indeed, the application head of this document includes a mounting plate with simple fixing holes intended to receive a screw inserted into the front wall of the tool.

[0016] US document 2009 / 094936 A1 describes a jointing tape applicator between two plasterboards with the characteristics of the preamble of claim 1.

[0017] An objective of the present invention is therefore to propose a tape applicator equipped with adjustment means that can be reversibly coupled (to allow independent change) to an application head arranged outside the reservoir to allow simultaneous adjustment of the height of the outlet slot and the position of the application head.

[0018] According to the invention, the sliding function is located outside the reservoir, which reduces the number of parts inside the reservoir and means that only these parts need to be replaced, not the sliding mechanism itself. This also allows the sliding mechanism to be incorporated into the application head, enabling the application head and the adjustment parts located inside the reservoir to slide simultaneously.

[0019] Thus, the invention relates to a jointing tape applicator between two plasterboards, the applicator comprising a dispenser for a roll of jointing tape and a jointing compound reservoir in which the tape is unwound, in use, the reservoir having, with reference to the position of use, an inlet slot for the tape formed between a free end of a rear wall of the reservoir and a first free end of a lower wall of the reservoir, and an outlet slot for the tape formed between a free end of a front wall of the reservoir and a second free end of the lower wall of the reservoir, the reservoir further comprising two side walls, one of which constitutes a removable side cover for access to the inside of the reservoir, the outlet slot having a determined height and being provided with a height adjustment means.

[0020] According to the invention, the adjustment means include: a height adjustment plate for said outlet slot, said plate being arranged inside the tank against an inner face of the front wall of the tank, a fixing plate fixed slidably against an outer contact face of the front wall of the tank, the contact face having a sliding guide of determined length, provided with an oblong orifice, the fixing plate having a sliding stop cooperating in sliding with the sliding guide, the sliding stop being of a length greater than the determined length of the sliding guide, and provided with a central hole;a coupling and clamping axis for the plate, the axis being engaged in an orifice in the plate, in the oblong hole of the sliding guide, and in the central hole of the sliding stop of the means for tensioning / untensioning the coupling and clamping axis to allow tightening / loosening of the plate and the mounting plate against the front wall of the tank. ;

[0021] According to specific modes of implementation: the plate opening may be polygonal and the coupling and clamping axis includes a polygonal cylindrical portion of complementary shape to the polygonal hole and intended to be inserted into the polygonal hole to prevent rotation of the plate around the coupling and clamping axis; the plate may include a second opening, the coupling and clamping axis having a bearing head against the plate equipped with a locking pin intended to be engaged in the second opening to prevent rotation of the plate around the coupling and clamping axis; the fastening means may include a quick-release clamping lever comprising a cam pivotally and eccentrically fixed to a coupling member fixed to the coupling and clamping axis;The sliding stop carried by the bearing face of the fixing plate may consist of an oblong groove cooperating in sliding motion with the sliding guide carried by the contact face of the front wall of the tank, the sliding guide being an oblong rib; the sliding stop carried by the bearing face of the fixing plate may consist of an oblong rib cooperating in sliding motion with the sliding guide carried by the contact face of the front wall of the tank, the sliding guide being an oblong groove; the plate may be made of stainless metal;the plate can be a fixing plate for an application head, the fixing plate comprising a fixing core and two sides perpendicular to the fixing core each having two opposite holes in pairs to receive a first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation parallel to each other, the first axis of rotation carrying two toothed rollers; belt drive, the application head further comprising: two connecting rods mounted in free rotation by a first end on the second axis of rotation, between a retracted position and an application position, a second end of each connecting rod being mounted in free rotation on a third axis of rotation, on either side of an angle roller itself in free rotation on the third axis of rotation a spring comprising two support legs against the fixing plate, each extended by an elbow connected to a locking arm equipped with a notch for locking the connecting rods in the operating position, the locking arms extending in a plane intersecting a plane passing through the two legs, the arms being connected to each other by a return arch extending in a plane intersecting the plane passing through the two locking arms reversible locking means for the connecting rods in the retracted position, independent of the spring;The locking means may include at least one locking claw and at least one stop shaped so that at least one connecting rod is held, in the locked position, against the stop by the claw; the claws and / or the connecting rods may be shaped to allow the connecting rods to be forcibly released from the claws; and / or the free end of the rear wall of the tank and the first free end of the lower wall of the tank may include a cylinder with a cross-section greater than the thickness of the wall to which each cylinder is attached, each cylinder being covered by a removable protective sleeve, with an internal cross-section complementary to that of the cylinder covered by the sleeve, each protective sleeve having a longitudinal opening delimited by two locking edges against the wall carrying the cylinder covered by the sleeve.

[0022] The invention also relates to a method for adjusting the plaster flow rate of a jointing tape applicator between two adjacent plasterboards, the method comprising the following steps: a) provide a previous jointing tape applicator, the applicator reservoir being filled with jointing compound and the tape being ready for use and including a free end protruding from the tape outlet slot; b) actuate the tensioning / de-tensioning means of the coupling and clamping shaft to allow the plate and the plate to be loosened against the front wall of the reservoir; c) slide the plate coupled to the adjustment plate via the coupling and clamping shaft, until the tape outlet slot has an operational height corresponding to a set jointing compound application rate; d) actuate the tensioning / de-tensioning means of the coupling and clamping shaft to allow the plate and the plate to be clamped against the front wall of the reservoir.

[0023] Other features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description below, made with reference to the attached drawings, which represent, respectively: [ Fig. 1 ] represents a schematic perspective view of a tape applicator according to the invention in the position of use, i.e., in the position for applying a tape; [ Fig. 2 ] represents a schematic perspective view of the band applicator of the figure 1 in which the access hatch to the inside of the tank is open; [ Fig. 3 ] represents a schematic exploded partial perspective view from a first viewing angle of a first embodiment of the means for adjusting the height of the outlet slot of an applicator according to the invention; [ Fig. 4 [ ] represents a schematic view in partial perspective exploded view from a second viewing angle of the means for adjusting the height of the outlet slot of an applicator according to the invention of the figure 3 showing the height adjustment plate of the tape outlet slot; [ Fig. 5 ] a schematic perspective view of an advantageous embodiment of a spring for an application head that can be combined with height adjustment means according to the invention; [ Fig. 6 ] represents a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of an applicator according to the invention, further comprising a system for protecting the strip entry slot; [ Fig. 7 ] represents a schematic perspective view of an enlargement of the figure 6 centered on the belt entry slot, which includes abrasion protection sleeves; and [ Fig. 8 ] represents a schematic exploded perspective view of the figure 7 illustrating the particular structure of the protective sleeves according to the invention.

[0024] An applicator equipped with means for adjusting the height of the outlet slot according to the invention is illustrated in the following: figures 1 et 2 .

[0025] The applicator 1 includes a dispenser 2 for a roll jointing tape 3 (illustrated in dotted line) and a sealant reservoir 4 into which the tape is unwound, in use.

[0026] The applicator also includes a gripping handle 5 for transport or operational handling during tape application.

[0027] Alternatively or in combination, the applicator may include a gripping strap (not shown) allowing the applicator to be grasped from below.

[0028] As illustrated in figure 2 , the tank 4 has, with reference to the position of use, an inlet slot 6 of the strip formed between a free end 7a of a rear wall 7 of the tank and a first free end 8a of a lower wall 8 of the tank.

[0029] The tank 4 also includes an outlet slot 9 of the strip formed between a free end 10a of a front wall 10 of the tank and a second free end 8b of the lower wall 8 of the tank.

[0030] The tank further comprises two side walls 11 and 12, one of which constitutes a removable side cover 11 allowing access to the inside of the tank 4.

[0031] The outlet slot 9 of the belt is formed between a free end 10a of a front wall 10 of the tank and a second free end 8b of the lower wall 8 of the tank. The height H1 of this slot determines the quantity of plaster carried by the belt.

[0032] However, it is desirable to be able to modulate this quantity of coating, according to the conditions of use, the viscosity of the coating, etc.

[0033] The invention proposes to mechanically couple to an external fixing plate 110 of the reservoir 4, an internal plate of the reservoir 4, structurally independent of the plate, and capable of sliding relative to the slot to reduce the resulting height H2 of the slot 9 and, thus, reduce the amount of coating deposited with the strip.

[0034] The means for adjusting the height according to the invention are detailed in figures 3 et 4 .

[0035] Thus, according to the invention, the adjustment means comprise an adjustment plate 16 of a height H2 of said outlet slot, the adjustment plate 16 being arranged inside the tank, against an inner face 10c of the front wall 10 of the tank.

[0036] The invention provides that the contact face 10b of the front wall 10 includes a sliding guide 14, longitudinal and perpendicular to the outlet slot 9. The sliding guide 14 is provided with an oblong orifice 15. As will be described later, the length of the oblong hole determines the sliding length of the adjustment plate and therefore the resulting height H2 of the outlet slot 9.

[0037] The adjustment means also include a coupling and clamping pin 17 of the plate 16 which is engaged in an orifice 16a of the plate 16 and in the oblong hole 15 of the sliding guide 14.

[0038] The adjustment means also include a fixing plate 110 slidably fixed against an outer contact face 10b of the front wall 10 of the tank.

[0039] The plate 110 includes at least one fixing core 111 which includes a bearing face 111a intended to bear against the contact face 10b of the front wall 10 of the tank, in the fixing position.

[0040] The plate 110 may include other structures than the core 111, such as flanks 112a-112b which may have a support function for at least one application roller of the strip.

[0041] In addition to the sliding guide 14, the bearing face 111a of the fixing core includes a sliding stop 111b provided with the hole 115 arranged centrally with respect to the sliding stop.

[0042] In use, the sliding stop 111b cooperates in sliding with the sliding guide 14.

[0043] Hole 115 is intended to be passed through by the coupling and clamping shaft 17 for fixing the plate 110 against the front wall of the tank.

[0044] The fastening means also include tensioning / untensioning means to cooperate with the coupling shaft 17 and clamping means to allow tightening / loosening of the fastening core 111 of the plate 110 against the front wall 10 of the tank.

[0045] In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the fastening means comprise a quick-release clamping lever 116 including a cam 116a pivotally fixed about the axis XX and eccentric to a coupling member 117 intended to be fixed to the coupling and clamping axis. Advantageously, a washer 118 is provided between the coupling member and the clamping body 111 to protect the latter from friction of the cam 116a during tightening / loosening.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the sliding stop 111b carried by the bearing face 111a of the fastening web 111 is formed by an oblong groove intended to cooperate with the sliding guide 114 carried by the contact face 10b of the front wall 10 of the tank, the sliding guide 114 being an oblong rib whose shape is complementary, except in length, to the groove 111b. In this case, the groove carried by the fastening web will have a length L3, and the rib carried by the tank will have a length L2 less than the length L3.

[0047] Of course, it is possible to reverse the volumes, and for the sliding stop supported by the bearing face of the fixing core to be constituted by an oblong rib designed to cooperate with the sliding guide supported by the contact face of the tank's front wall, the sliding guide being an oblong groove. In this case, the groove supported by the tank will have a length L3, and the rib supported by the fixing core will have a length L2, which is less than the length L3.

[0048] To adjust the plaster flow rate during application, the height H2 of the outlet slot is adjusted. The plaster flow rate is the quantity of plaster per unit area of ​​the tape: the higher the slot, the greater the quantity of plaster under the tape, and therefore the greater the plaster flow rate.

[0049] For this purpose, the means for tensioning / untensioning the coupling and clamping shaft 17 are activated to allow the plate 110 and the plate 16 to be loosened against the front wall 10 of the tank.

[0050] To achieve this, lever 116 is pivoted to position cam 116a at a closer distance from the washer. This reduces the clamping force exerted on the coupling and clamping shaft 17.

[0051] Then, the plate 110 coupled to the adjustment plate 16 is slid by means of the coupling and clamping shaft 17, until the exit slot of the band has an operational height H2 corresponding to a set application rate of coating.

[0052] The tensioning / detensioning means for the coupling and clamping shaft 17 are then actuated to allow the mounting plate and the plate to be clamped against the front wall of the tank. In the illustrated embodiment, the lever 116 is pivoted to position the rotation axis XX of the cam 116a at a greater distance from the washer, which increases the clamping force exerted on the coupling and clamping shaft 17.

[0053] In an advantageous embodiment, the orifice 16a of the plate 16 is polygonal, and the coupling and clamping axis 17 has a polygonal cylindrical portion 17a with a shape complementary to the polygonal hole 16a and intended to be inserted into the polygonal hole 16a to prevent rotation of the plate around the coupling and clamping axis. This easily ensures perfect parallelism of the functional edges of the outlet slot 9 during application.

[0054] Alternatively, the plate may have a second orifice, the coupling and clamping axis having a support head against the plate equipped with a locking pin intended to be engaged in the second orifice to prevent rotation of the plate around the coupling and clamping axis.

[0055] The structure of the adjustment means according to the invention also allows for easier adjustment of the height H2. Indeed, the adjustment is generally made when the applicator is placed on a support, from the lower face 8. In this position, it is generally difficult to see the outlet slot 9 due to the presence of an application head.

[0056] The invention provides that the plate 110 has a straight distal edge 119, that is, at the opposite end of the outlet slot 9, which serves as an adjustment reference point relative to a scale 13 graduated parallel to the straight distal edge 19 and which is mounted on the outer contact face 10b of the front wall 10 of the reservoir. This scale thus directly represents the outlet slot, so that the user can directly visualize, above the locking head, the measurement of the outlet slot opening, which is located below the plate and is not visible when the user adjusts the height of the outlet slot.

[0057] This prevents him from having to turn the applicator over after or during the adjustment.

[0058] The adjustment means according to the invention therefore allow height adjustment of the slot, while being structurally independent of the adjustment plate.

[0059] Thus, if the plate is worn, it is possible to change the plate without having to change the application head fixed to the mounting plate.

[0060] This structure allows for the mounting plate to carry a band application head. For example, the structure of the adjustment means, and in particular the use of an external plate, allows for the inclusion of means that perform a specific band application function, such as angled application, a band cutting head, etc.

[0061] Furthermore, this allows the use of different materials for the mounting plate (and possibly the rest of the application head) and the plate itself. The latter is advantageously made of stainless steel, which is more resistant to heat and abrasion from the coating and tape than the plastic generally used for manufacturing application heads.

[0062] An example of an application head that can be advantageously combined with the means for adjusting the height of the outlet slot according to the invention is illustrated in figures 1 et 2 .

[0063] In this case, the plate 110 is a fixing plate for an application head 100, the fixing plate comprising a fixing core and two sides perpendicular to the fixing core, each having two orifices opposite each other in pairs to receive a first axis of rotation 120 and a second axis of rotation 130 parallel to each other.

[0064] The first axis of rotation carries two toothed rollers 121 for belt drive.

[0065] The application head 100 further includes two connecting rods 131 mounted for free rotation by a first end on the second axis of rotation, between a retracted position and a position of use.

[0066] A second end of each connecting rod is mounted in free rotation on a third axis of rotation, on either side of an angle roller 133 itself in free rotation on the third axis of rotation.

[0067] The application head 100 also includes a spring 140 such as the one illustrated in figure 5 .

[0068] The spring comprising two legs 141 bearing against the fixing plate, each extended by an elbow 142 connected to a locking arm 143 equipped with a locking notch 144 of the connecting rods in the operating position.

[0069] The locking arms 143 thus extend in a plane intersecting a plane passing through the two legs 141, the arms being connected to each other by a reminder arch 146 extending in a plane intersecting the plane passing through the two locking arms.

[0070] A spring coil 145 is arranged between the free ends of the support legs 141 and the elbows 142 connecting to the arms 143. This coil 145 performs two functions simultaneously: an elastic return function which allows the entire section consisting of the portion of the legs connected to the elbows 142, the elbows 142, the arms 143 and the hoop 146 to pivot together while the portion of the legs bearing their free end remains in contact with the mounting plate 111. The coil also accommodates the second axis of rotation 130, which holds the spring in position and ensures pivoting of the spring around the axis of rotation 130.

[0071] Finally, the application head 100 includes reversible locking means for the connecting rods in the retracted position, independent of the spring 140. These locking means comprise at least one locking claw 151 and at least one stop 152 shaped so that at least one connecting rod is held, in the locked position, against the stop by the claw. In this case, the claws and / or the connecting rods are shaped to allow the connecting rods to be forcibly released from the claws to move into the position for applying the angled strip.

[0072] The invention also provides means for limiting plaster leakage at the inlet slot 6 of the strip 3. These means, by reducing leakage according to the viscosity of the plaster, allow better control of the plaster flow at the outlet slot 9.

[0073] In addition, these methods allow for effective and inexpensive protection of the belt entry slot against abrasion and temperature increases, with very easy maintenance.

[0074] As illustrated in figures 6 à 8 , the free end 7a of the rear wall 7 of the tank and the first free end 8a of the lower wall 8 of the tank each comprise a cylinder, respectively 7a1 and 8a1, of cross-section D1-greater than a thickness E1 of the wall (respectively 7 and 8) to which each cylinder 7a1 and 8a1 is attached.

[0075] According to the invention, each cylinder, respectively 7a1 and 8a1, is covered by a removable protective sleeve, respectively 201 and 202, with an internal section complementary to the cylinder, respectively 7a1 and 8a1, which the sleeve covers.

[0076] Each protective sleeve 201 and 202 has a longitudinal opening 201a-202a, delimited by two blocking edges 201b-202b against the wall (respectively 7 and 8) carrying the cylinder, respectively 7a1 and 8a1, which the sleeve, respectively 201 and 202, covers.

[0077] The sleeves 201-202 are thus self-locking against the wall which carries the cylinders, because the edges 201b-202b of the longitudinal openings 201a-202a are arranged at the junction between the wall and the cylinder, a junction which has an inflection point preventing the sleeves from sliding or falling out of the cylinder.

[0078] These sleeves are advantageously made of metal, such as stainless steel. This provides significantly greater resistance to abrasion and heat than the plastic generally used for manufacturing tape applicators.

[0079] Furthermore, this structure of the free ends of the rear and lower walls is very easy to achieve by molding.

[0080] Changing the sleeves, if they are worn, is very easy.

[0081] [The maintenance procedure for such a strip applicator includes a first step of opening the side wall constituting the removable side cover 11 to access the inside of the reservoir 4 and the free ends 7a and 8a of the rear wall 7 and the lower wall 8.

[0082] Then, the worn protective sleeve(s) 201-202 are removed from the free ends 7a and 8a of the rear wall 7 and / or the lower wall 8 of the tank by sliding them along the cylinders 7a1-8a1 carried by said free ends.

[0083] New protective sleeves are then inserted by sliding them along the cylinders 7a1-8a1, which are supported by the free ends of the rear and lower walls of the tank. To do this, the longitudinal opening of each sleeve is aligned with wall 7 or 8, or with the cylinder onto which the sleeve is being inserted. The locking edges of the sleeves' longitudinal openings are then positioned at the junction between the wall and the cylinder.

[0084] Finally, the side panel 11, which forms the removable side cover, is closed.

[0085] Preferably, each cylinder 7a1-8a1 has a circular section, and each protective sleeve 201-202 has an open circular section at C. This ensures optimal contact with the tape during application, without edges, and prevents the tape from tearing.

[0086] It is then possible to apply the tape very quickly, without fear of the free edges of the rear and lower walls melting, and without risk of tearing the tape thanks to the rounded shape of the sleeves.

[0087] In addition to protection against abrasion, this sleeve structure also allows the applicator to be adapted to the viscosity of the coating used.

[0088] Thus, a user who wishes to use a more fluid plaster than normal will change the sleeves so that the entry slot of the strip is less high, thus limiting plaster leakage.

[0089] To this end, the protective sleeves 201-202 have a thickness such that, when inserted around the cylinders of the free end of the rear wall and the bottom wall, they are spaced at an inlet slot height such that, in use, the tape can pass freely, but not the coating stored in the tank.

[0090] We can then offer a jointing tape application kit between two plasterboards, including a tape applicator and a plurality of protective sleeves of different thicknesses to allow height adjustment of the entry slot according to the viscosity of the plaster to be used.

[0091] Thanks to the invention, it is possible to adjust and adapt very easily the height of the strip inlet and outlet slots, depending on the viscosity of the plaster, and the user's plaster flow practice.

Claims

1. Applicator (1) of jointing tape for joining two sheets of plasterboard, the applicator comprising a payout device (2) for paying out a jointing tape that comes in a roll (3) and a mud chamber (4) through which the tape is paid out, in use, the chamber having, with reference to the position of use, a tape inlet slot (6) formed between a free end (7a) of a rear wall (7) of the chamber and a first free end (8a) of a lower wall (8) of the chamber, and a tape outlet slot (9) formed between a free end (10a) of a frontal wall (10) of the chamber and a second free end (8b) of the lower wall (8) of the chamber, the chamber further comprising two lateral walls (11-12), one of which constitutes a removable side cover (11) providing access to the inside of the chamber, the outlet slot (9) having a determined height (H1) and being equipped with heightwise adjustment means, the adjusting means comprising: - a plate (16) for adjusting the height (H2) of said outlet slot, said plate being arranged inside the chamber against an interior face (10c) of the frontal wall (10) of the chamber, characterized in that the adjusting means further comprise: - a mounting plate (110) fixed with the ability to slide against an exterior contact face (10b) of the frontal wall (10) of the chamber, the contact face comprising a sliding guide (14), equipped with an oblong orifice (15), the mounting plate (110) comprising a sliding end stop (111b) collaborating in sliding with the sliding guide (14) and equipped with a central hole (115); - a coupling and clamping spindle (17) for coupling and clamping the plate, said spindle being engaged in an orifice (16a) of the plate, in the oblong hole (15) of the sliding guide, and in the central hole (115) of the sliding end stop - means (116-117) for tensioning / slackening-off the coupling and clamping spindle to allow the mounting plate and the plate to be clamped against / loosened off from the frontal wall of the chamber.

2. Applicator (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the orifice (16a) in the plate is polygonal and the coupling and clamping spindle (17) has a polygonal cylindrical portion (17a) of a shape that complements the polygonal hole and that is intended to be inserted in the polygonal hole in order to prevent the plate from rotating about the coupling and clamping spindle.

3. Applicator (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the plate comprises a second orifice, the coupling and clamping spindle comprising a bearing head bearing against the plate equipped with an immobilization pin intended to be engaged in the second orifice in order to prevent the plate from rotating about the coupling and clamping spindle.

4. Applicator (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the fixing means (116-117-118) comprise a quick clamp lever (116) comprising a cam (116a) fixed in a pivoting and eccentric manner to a coupling member (117) fixed to the coupling and clamping spindle (17).

5. Applicator (1) according to Claim 4, wherein the sliding end stop borne by the bearing face of the mounting plate consists of an oblong groove (111b) of determined length (L3) collaborating in sliding with the sliding guide borne by the contact face of the frontal wall of the chamber, the sliding guide being an oblong rib (14) of determined length (L2) less than the length (L3) of the oblong groove.

6. Applicator (1) according to Claim 4, wherein the sliding end stop borne by the bearing face of the mounting plate consists of an oblong rib of determined length (L2) collaborating in sliding with the sliding guide borne by the contact face of the frontal wall of the chamber, the sliding guide being an oblong groove of determined length (L3) greater than the length (L2) of the oblong rib.

7. Applicator (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the plate is made of a rustproof metal.

8. Applicator (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the mounting plate is a mounting plate for fixing an application head (100), the mounting plate (110) comprising a fixing web (111) and two flanks (112a-112b) perpendicular to the fixing web and each having two orifices facing each other in pairs to receive a first rotation spindle (120) and a second rotational spindle (130) which are mutually parallel, the first rotation spindle bearing two toothed wheels (121) for driving the tape, the application head (100) further comprising: - two link rods (131) mounted via a first end to rotate freely on the second rotation spindle, between a retracted position and an application position, a second end of each link rod being mounted to rotate freely on a third rotation spindle (132), on either side of a corner wheel (133), itself free to rotate on the third rotation spindle - a spring (140) having two legs (141) bearing against the mounting plate, each one being extended by a bend (142) connected to an immobilizing arm (143) equipped with a catch (144) for immobilizing the link rods (131) in the position of use, the immobilizing arms extending in a plane secant to a plane passing through the two legs, the arms being joined together by a return arch (146) extending in a plane secant to the plane passing through the two immobilizing arms - reversible immobilization means (151-152), independent of the spring, for immobilizing the link rods in the retracted position.

9. Applicator (1) according to Claim 8, wherein the immobilization means comprise at least one immobilization claw (151) and at least one end stop (152) configured so that, in the immobilization position, at least one link rod is kept pressed against the end stop by the claw.

10. Applicator (1) according to Claim 9, wherein the claws and / or the link rods are configured to allow the link rods to be forcibly unlocked from the claws.

11. Applicator (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the free end (7a) of the rear wall (7) of the chamber and the first free end (8a) of the lower wall (8) of the chamber comprise a cylinder (7a1-8a1) of cross section (D1) greater than a thickness (E1) of the wall to which each cylinder is attached, and wherein each cylinder is covered with a removable protective sleeve (201-202) of an internal cross section that complements the cylinder that the sleeve covers, each protective sleeve having a longitudinal opening (201a-202a) delimited by two immobilization edges (201b-202b) for immobilization against the wall bearing the cylinder that the sleeve covers.

12. Method for adjusting the mud flow rate of an applicator of jointing tape joining two adjacent sheets of plasterboard, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a) providing a jointing-tape applicator according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, the chamber of the applicator being filled with jointing compound and the tape being ready for use and comprising a free end protruding from the tape outlet slot; b) operating the means for tensioning / slackening-off the coupling and clamping spindle in order to loosen off the mounting plate and the plate from against the frontal wall of the chamber c) sliding the mounting plate coupled to the adjusting plate using the coupling and clamping spindle until the outlet slot for the tape has an operational height corresponding to a datum mud-application flow output; d) operating the means for tensioning / slackening-off the coupling and clamping spindle in order to clamp the mounting plate and the plate against the frontal wall of the chamber.