Cutting device for adhesive tape applicators

Abstract

The invention relates to a cutting device for cutting adhesive tape and to an adhesive tape applicator based thereon for applying adhesive tape.

Description

[0001] Cutting device for adhesive tape applicators

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a cutting device for cutting adhesive tape and to an adhesive tape applicator based thereon for applying adhesive tape. Also disclosed is a method for applying adhesive tape using a corresponding cutting device and / or a corresponding adhesive tape applicator, as well as the use of the corresponding cutting device and / or the corresponding adhesive tape applicator in applying and / or cutting adhesive tape.

[0004] In many areas of technology, for example, the automotive industry, adhesive tapes, i.e., tape-like structures with at least one adhesive side, are increasingly used not only for the temporary or permanent joining of components, but also for masking components, for example, to protect them from contamination. Pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes are particularly relevant in this regard. A pressure-sensitive adhesive provides the adhesive effect and is permanently tacky and adhesive under normal ambient conditions. Such pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes can be applied to a substrate by pressure and remain adhered there, but can later be removed essentially residue-free.

[0005] An example of a possible application for adhesive tapes in industrial manufacturing is the painting of vehicles, particularly multi-color painting. Today, vehicle color schemes can take on increasingly complex forms, partly due to the individualized design requests of vehicle buyers. Therefore, when painting vehicles, adhesive tapes are usually applied manually, for example, for masking purposes such as protecting previously applied coatings or demarcating two painting areas. The adhesive tapes used for this purpose, particularly so-called fineline tapes, are typically applied using an adhesive tape applicator and torn off by hand after each application process.

[0006] However, such adhesive tapes generally have different mechanical properties, such as different thicknesses or different material properties, so that manual tearing is increasingly perceived as disadvantageous for users, particularly with regard to the adhesive residue left on users' hands. Therefore, various cutting devices for cutting adhesive tape are known from the prior art, for example so-called safety knives, which comprise a blade enclosed in a plastic housing and can be carried by a user of an adhesive tape applicator in order to cut an applied adhesive tape. Alternatively, cutting devices are also known from the prior art which are arranged directly on the adhesive tape applicator and which enable a user to cut an adhesive tape guided in the applicator.

[0007] In many cases, however, these known cutting devices are also perceived as disadvantageous, particularly with regard to handling and occupational safety when cutting adhesive tapes. The use of safety knives, for example, regularly requires additional cutting steps, in particular the manual insertion and removal of the blade from the plastic housing to prevent injuries from the open blade. Existing blades mounted on adhesive tape applicators, in turn, often have to be custom-manufactured due to the limited installation space, which can result in relatively high manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the frequent need to clean accumulated adhesive residues from existing cutting devices is often perceived as a disadvantage.Furthermore, all cutting devices of the state of the art pose a high risk of injury, particularly when threading an adhesive tape into the adhesive tape applicator or the cutting device.

[0008] The primary object of the present invention was to eliminate or at least reduce the above-described disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] In particular, the object of the present invention was to provide a cutting device for cutting adhesive tape and an adhesive tape applicator based thereon, which ensure a high level of occupational safety when cutting and / or applying adhesive tape, thus reliably preventing physical injuries that could occur to a user, for example, as a result of cutting adhesive tape. In this respect, the cutting device to be specified should optimally resolve the conflicting objectives of reliably and quickly cutting adhesive tape and providing the safest possible protective function, particularly when threading an adhesive tape into the cutting device to be specified.

[0010] It was also an object of the present invention that the production of the cutting device to be specified should be possible in a time- and cost-efficient manner, in particular with regard to the materials used and / or the components installed in the cutting device.

[0011] It was also an object of the present invention that the underlying solution concept of the cutting device to be specified and the adhesive tape applicator to be specified should have a high degree of flexibility in its design and thus ensure easy interchangeability of individual components of the cutting device to be specified.

[0012] It was also an object of the present invention that the cutting device to be specified should be usable in a variety of existing adhesive tape applicators. Furthermore, it was an object of the present invention that the cutting device to be specified should ideally enable reliable cutting of adhesive tape without the need for separate tensioning devices for tensioning an adhesive tape guided in the cutting device to be specified.

[0013] It was a secondary object of the present invention to provide a method for applying adhesive tape with the cutting device and / or the adhesive tape applicator to be specified.

[0014] Furthermore, it was a secondary object of the present invention to provide a use of the cutting device and / or the adhesive tape applicator to be specified for increasing occupational safety when applying and / or cutting adhesive tape.

[0015] The inventors of the present invention have now found that the above objects can surprisingly be achieved if, in a cutting device for cutting adhesive tape, a flat cutting element of a cutting arrangement is designed such that, upon actuation of an actuating unit, it engages from a blade receptacle of a housing into an engagement recess of the housing and thereby executes a cutting movement through a receiving area for receiving an adhesive tape, so that an adhesive tape guided through the receiving area is at least partially severed, as defined in the claims. A user of the cutting device according to the invention is particularly well protected from injury, in particular by the flat cutting element arranged entirely within the housing and only leaving the housing when traversing the receiving area.

[0016] The above-mentioned objects are thus achieved by the subject matter of the invention as defined in the claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention emerge from the subclaims and the following statements.

[0017] Such embodiments, which are designated as preferred below, are combined in particularly preferred embodiments with features of other embodiments designated as preferred. Combinations of two or more of the embodiments designated as particularly preferred below are thus very particularly preferred. Likewise preferred are embodiments in which a feature of one embodiment designated as preferred to any extent is combined with one or more further features of other embodiments designated as preferred to any extent. Features of preferred adhesive tape applicators, methods, and uses emerge from the features of preferred cutting devices.

[0018] The invention relates to a cutting device for cutting adhesive tape, comprising: a) a cutting arrangement with a flat cutting element and an actuating unit connected to the flat cutting element, and b) a housing, comprising: i) a receiving area extending along a receiving direction A for receiving an adhesive tape, ii) a blade receptacle for receiving the flat

[0019] Cutting element, and ill) an engagement recess, wherein the blade receptacle and the engagement recess are arranged along a cutting direction S lying transversely to the receiving direction A on different sides of the receiving area, wherein the cutting arrangement is suspended in the housing such that the flat cutting element is arranged in the blade receptacle, wherein the cutting arrangement is designed, upon actuation of the actuating unit, to reversibly and non-destructively carry out a cutting movement along the cutting direction S through the receiving area and to engage in the engagement recess of the housing, so that an adhesive tape guided through the receiving area is at least partially severed.

[0020] The cutting device according to the invention is suitable for cutting adhesive tape. The term adhesive tape is clear to those skilled in the art in the field of adhesive technology. In the context of the present invention, the term tape refers to all thin, flat structures, i.e. structures with a predominant extension in two dimensions, in particular films, film sections and labels, preferably tapes with an extended length and limited width and corresponding tape sections. The cutting device according to the invention is suitable for cutting both single-sided and double-sided adhesive tape, which each have an adhesive on one or both sides. Those skilled in the art will understand that the cutting device according to the invention is designed to sever an adhesive tape, but that the adhesive tape itself is not part of the cutting device.

[0021] According to the invention, the cutting device comprises a cutting arrangement with a flat cutting element and an actuating unit for performing a cutting process with the flat cutting element. In accordance with the expert understanding, a flat cutting element is defined as a separating element extending in at least two dimensions, for example, a cutting edge or a blade. In most cases, the flat cutting element will be a low-height structure, so that the dimensions of the cutting element orthogonal to the base area are many times smaller, for example, at least 5 times, preferably at least 10 times, than the dimensions in the other two dimensions.With a view to achieving the most cost-effective production possible, the inventors have now recognized that so-called triangular blades, in particular those manufactured on an industrial scale, i.e., commercially available triangular blades, are particularly well suited for use as a flat cutting element in the cutting device according to the invention. Triangular blades have surprisingly also proven to be particularly robust and low-maintenance, so that, compared to flat cutting elements known from the prior art, regular cleaning of adhesive residues and / or dirt is advantageously not necessary. Therefore, a cutting device according to the invention is preferred, wherein the flat cutting element is a blade, preferably a triangular blade.

[0022] Advantageously, the cutting device according to the invention is not limited with regard to the material of the flat cutting element. An example of a cutting device according to the invention is one in which the flat cutting element is made of metal, ceramic, or plastic, preferably metal.

[0023] According to the invention, the actuating unit is connected to the flat cutting element. In most cases, actuation of the actuating unit will involve moving the actuating unit so that the flat cutting element can perform a cutting movement. Even if it is theoretically possible for the actuating unit to be actuated automatically, this is probably not preferred in most cases when using the cutting device according to the invention, which can be used, for example, in conjunction with manually operated adhesive tape applicators. A cutting device according to the invention is preferred in which the actuating unit is manually actuated. With a view to ease of handling, the provision of a trigger element, for example a ball handle, is expedient.Therefore, a cutting device according to the invention is relevant for essentially all embodiments, wherein the actuating unit comprises a trigger element, wherein the trigger element is selected from the group consisting of levers and switches, preferably selected from the group consisting of levers, wherein the trigger element preferably comprises a ball handle.

[0024] According to the invention, the cutting device additionally comprises a housing with a receiving area for receiving an adhesive tape, a blade receptacle for receiving the flat cutting element, and an engagement recess. Advantageously, the cutting device according to the invention is not limited with regard to the production of the housing, with cost-effective production methods being preferred. An example is a cutting device according to the invention, wherein the housing comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of plastics and metals, preferably from the group consisting of thermoplastics. For example, a cutting device according to the invention would be conceivable, wherein the housing can be produced using a method selected from the group consisting of machining methods and 3D printing methods, preferably selected from the group consisting of milling methods and 3D printing methods.

[0025] According to the invention, the receiving area extends along a receiving direction A. Within the context of the present invention, the receiving direction A is to be understood as the direction along which an adhesive tape to be severed is guided in the receiving area of ​​the cutting device. The receiving area, which extends along the receiving direction A, will usually be aligned linearly or straight within the cutting device. Therefore, a cutting device according to the invention is expedient in most cases, wherein the receiving area extends as a continuous recess through the housing along the receiving direction A.

[0026] According to the invention, the blade receptacle and the engagement recess of the housing are arranged on different sides of the receiving area along a cutting direction S that runs transversely to the receiving direction A. In this case, the cutting direction S is defined as the direction along which the flat cutting element cuts an adhesive tape arranged in the receiving area. Even if the movement of the cutting arrangement in the cutting device is not linear, but rather, for example, along a circular arc, the direction of movement of the flat cutting element of the cutting arrangement at the time the adhesive tape is cut is decisive for the cutting direction S.

[0027] A cutting device according to the invention is preferred, wherein the housing comprises two or more, preferably exactly two, housing parts. The housing parts are preferably designed identically, with the blade receptacle and / or the engagement recess, particularly preferably the blade receptacle and the engagement recess, being formed by complementary recesses in the housing parts. Because the housing is designed in multiple parts, individual components, such as the flat cutting element, can be replaced more easily. This advantageously achieves a high degree of flexibility for the cutting device according to the invention.

[0028] The cutting device according to the invention is particularly suitable for integration into a dispenser assembly for adhesive tape, preferably into a hand-operated dispenser assembly. A cutting device according to the invention is useful for this purpose, wherein the cutting device comprises one or more fastening means for fastening the housing to a dispenser assembly and / or for fastening housing elements to one another, wherein the fastening means are preferably selected from the group consisting of clips, screws, and bolts. Relevant for most cases is a cutting device according to the invention wherein the housing comprises one or more fastening recesses, preferably threads, for receiving fastening means.

[0029] The inventors have succeeded in identifying housing designs with which particularly compact cutting devices could be obtained in practice, so that the cutting device can advantageously be designed to be particularly space-saving. A cutting device according to the invention is preferred, wherein the housing has a height of 40 mm or less, preferably 30 mm or less, particularly preferably 20 mm or less, along the receiving direction A. A cutting device according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the housing has a width of 55 mm or less, preferably 45 mm or less, particularly preferably 35 mm or less, along the cutting direction S. A cutting device according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the housing has a depth of 50 mm or less, preferably 40 mm or less, particularly preferably 30 mm or less, transversely to the cutting direction S and transversely to the receiving direction A.

[0030] According to the invention, the cutting assembly is suspended in the housing, for example in such a way that the flat cutting element is held in the blade receptacle of the housing and is configured to execute a cutting movement along the cutting direction S through the receptacle area. In a preferred embodiment, the suspension takes place on an axis so that the cutting assembly can be moved around this axis and the cutting movement accordingly corresponds at least partially to a rotational movement. With this preferred embodiment, a particularly reliable cutting of adhesive tape could be achieved in practice. Therefore, a cutting device according to the invention is preferred, wherein the cutting device comprises a fastening element, preferably a pin, wherein the cutting assembly is particularly preferably suspended rotatably from the fastening element.A cutting device according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the cutting arrangement is suspended on a rotation axis so that the cutting movement of the flat cutting element is enabled upon actuation of the actuating unit.

[0031] In cutting devices according to the invention, the reversible cutting movement is effected by actuating the actuating unit such that the flat cutting element engages in the engagement recess of the housing, so that an adhesive tape guided through the receiving area is at least partially severed. In principle, a cutting device according to the invention is preferred for most cases, wherein the flat cutting element is configured to completely sever the adhesive tape guided in the receiving area, so that the severed adhesive tape has a straight cut edge. Theoretically, however, embodiments are also conceivable in which the adhesive tape is only partially severed and a complete separation occurs by applying a tensile force to the adhesive tape, although in these cases the tearing may result in an unwanted irregular end section of the applied adhesive tape.

[0032] A cutting device according to the invention is expedient for essentially all embodiments, wherein the engagement recess corresponds at least partially to the geometric shape of the flat cutting element. With a view to reducing the manufacturing effort for cutting devices according to the invention, the inventors have identified designs for the engagement recess that optimally utilize the required installation space and simultaneously allow for reliable cutting of an adhesive tape guided in the receiving recess. A cutting device according to the invention is preferred, wherein the engagement recess is configured to accommodate at least 20%, preferably at least 35%, particularly preferably at least 50%, of the flat cutting element.

[0033] The cutting assembly of the cutting device according to the invention is suspended in the housing. The inventors have recognized that in the majority of cases, it is expedient to provide a return device, in particular a spring, to prevent unwanted movements of the cutting assembly. For example, a spring can be arranged on a rotational axis around which the cutting assembly rotates when executing the cutting movement, so that after actuation of the actuating unit, an automated return of the flat cutting element from the engagement recess into the blade receptacle occurs. In this respect, a spring, in particular a leg spring, in the cutting device according to the invention can additionally prevent premature or unwanted extension of the flat cutting element.Accordingly, a cutting device according to the invention is preferred, wherein the cutting device comprises at least one spring, preferably a return spring, which is designed to hold the flat cutting element in the blade receptacle by pretensioning.

[0034] A major advantage of the present invention is the increased process reliability and improved cutting quality compared to solutions known from the prior art. The inventors have found that, surprisingly, the process reliability can be increased even further if, in the cutting device according to the invention, flat support surfaces are provided in the receiving area along the receiving direction A for pressing an adhesive tape guided in the receiving area. In the context of the present invention, a flat support surface is understood to be a surface which, at least in sections, preferably essentially completely, has an essentially flat surface, i.e. a surface lying along a plane. The person skilled in the art will understand that in many cases the flat support surface can nevertheless have a macroscopic surface structuring, for example a corrugation.When the actuating unit is actuated, the flat cutting element presses an adhesive tape guided in the receiving area against the flat support surface arranged in the area of ​​the engagement recess, i.e. along the cutting direction S, so that the adhesive tape adheres to this support surface at least in sections. For this purpose, it is expedient if the adhesive tape is guided in the receiving area such that at least one adhesive layer of the adhesive tape points in the direction of the engagement recess. The adhesion of the adhesive tape in the area of ​​the engagement recess advantageously tensions the adhesive tape, so that the adhesive tape can be separated particularly easily using the flat cutting element. Advantageously, the use of separate tensioning devices for the adhesive tape can also be avoided.After the adhesive tape has been severed, it usually remains adhered to the flat support surface, at least temporarily, in practice, so that sticking or twisting of the adhesive tape can be prevented, since the cut-off adhesive tape advantageously only detaches in most cases upon further movement of the adhesive tape, and accordingly, neither the severed end nor the uncut remainder are suspended freely in space. Accordingly, a cutting device according to the invention is preferred, wherein the housing has a flat support surface in the receiving area along the receiving direction A, at least in the area of ​​the engagement recess, preferably in each case in the area of ​​the engagement recess and in the area of ​​the blade receptacle.A cutting device according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the cutting device is designed such that an adhesive tape arranged in the receiving area is pressed against one of the flat support surfaces when the actuating unit is actuated and / or before the adhesive tape is severed, so that the adhesive tape adheres at least temporarily to the flat support surface, preferably under tension.

[0035] As stated above, in the cutting device according to the invention, a secure cutting of adhesive tape can advantageously be carried out without separate tensioning devices, in particular if the cutting device according to the invention has a flat support surface at least in the area of ​​the engagement recess. The inventors have found that it is advantageous to avoid the retention of adhesive residues on the at least one support surface after detaching an adhesive tape guided or cut in the receiving area. In this respect, however, it has been found in practice that the adhesion properties of the flat support surface must not be unduly impaired in order to ensure the adhesion necessary for the adhesive tape to adhere and thus for tensioning the adhesive tape. The inventors have therefore identified flat support surfaces which resolve the conflict of objectives between avoiding

[0036] adhesive residues on the one hand and sufficient adhesion on the other. Therefore, a preferred

[0037] Cutting device, wherein at least one of the flat support surfaces has, at least in sections, an anti-adhesive coating and / or a macroscopic surface structuring. Theoretically also conceivable is a cutting device according to the invention, wherein the housing comprises, at least in sections, a material selected from the group consisting of anti-adhesive materials, preferably selected from the group consisting of polyoxymethylene and polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0038] With a view to ease of handling, the at least one support surface of the cutting device according to the invention can be designed such that regular cleaning of the support surface of adhesive residues is rarely necessary. Accordingly, a cutting device according to the invention is preferred, wherein the cutting device is configured such that an adhesive tape adhering to one of the flat support surfaces in the receiving area can be detached from the flat support surface essentially without leaving any residue after actuation of the actuating unit and / or after the adhesive tape has been severed. Against this background, a cutting device according to the invention is conceivable, for example, wherein the engagement recess comprises cleaning devices for cleaning the flat cutting element, for example an oiled felt.With a view to the most time-efficient cutting of adhesive tape in the cutting device according to the invention, it has proven advantageous in practice if the receiving area tapers along the receiving direction A in the direction of the intersection with the cutting direction S, resulting in a funnel-shaped structure. As a result, after the adhesive tape has been severed in the receiving area, the severed adhesive tape can be removed from the receiving area with relatively little effort. The funnel-shaped structure results in a higher proportion of normal forces acting on the adhesive tape when the adhesive tape is removed, so that it can be removed more easily with the same amount of force applied. The inventors were able to observe this advantageous effect in particular when the cutting device according to the invention is used on an adhesive tape dispenser arrangement.After an adhesive tape applied by the dispenser assembly has been severed, the inventors believe that the structural design of the cutting device according to the invention results in the adhesive tape being more easily detached from the flat support surface of the cutting device upon further movement of the dispenser assembly. Therefore, a cutting device according to the invention is preferred, wherein the receiving area tapers in the direction of the cutting assembly and / or in the direction of the flat support surfaces along the receiving direction A, so that an adhesive tape adhering in the receiving area, in particular an adhesive tape adhering to the flat support surfaces, can be easily detached.

[0039] In principle, it can be seen as an advantage of the cutting device according to the invention that injuries to a user when cutting adhesive tape, for example caused by the flat cutting element, can be avoided. In cutting devices according to the invention, the flat cutting element only leaves the housing to traverse the receiving area or to cut an adhesive tape guided in the receiving area. To further increase occupational safety, the inventors have identified particularly preferred configurations for the receiving area that can reliably prevent improper use of the cutting device according to the invention, in particular by making the receiving area sufficiently narrow so that, for example, a hand or a finger cannot be inserted into the receiving area.The inventors therefore recommend that the width of the receiving area be generally based on DIN EN ISO 13857:2020-04. A cutting device according to the invention is preferred, wherein the receiving area along the cutting direction S has a width of 9 mm or less, preferably 6 mm or less, particularly preferably 4 mm or less, and especially preferably 3 mm or less.

[0040] To improve the handling of the cutting device according to the invention, the inventors propose providing the receiving area with an opening transverse to the receiving direction A and transverse to the cutting direction S, so that an adhesive tape can be inserted into the receiving area not only from above but also from the side. By providing such an opening in the housing, complicated threading of an adhesive tape along the receiving direction A through the receiving area can be avoided and, instead, lateral insertion of the adhesive tape transverse to the receiving direction A is made possible. A cutting device according to the invention is therefore preferred, wherein the receiving area has a continuous opening transverse to the receiving direction A and transverse to the cutting direction S on at least one side of the housing, so that an adhesive tape can be inserted into the receiving area transverse to the receiving direction A.

[0041] The inventors have succeeded in identifying embodiments of the cutting device according to the invention with which reliable cutting of adhesive tapes could be achieved in practice. A cutting device according to the invention is preferred, wherein the cutting direction S and the take-up direction A have a smallest cutting angle of at least 45°, preferably at least 70°, particularly preferably substantially 90°, i.e., cutting is particularly preferably carried out perpendicular to the take-up direction A. In accordance with the understanding of those skilled in the art, the term "cutting angle" refers to the angles formed jointly by two intersecting curves or straight lines. As already explained above, the cutting direction S and the take-up direction A will in most cases be linear, resulting in a total of four cutting angles, two of which are opposite each other and congruent.In this case, the smallest cutting angle is understood to be the cutting angle with the lower value.

[0042] The invention also relates to an adhesive tape applicator for applying adhesive tape, comprising: u) a dispenser arrangement with a roll holder for receiving adhesive tape, and v) at least one cutting device according to the invention connected to the dispenser arrangement, wherein the dispenser arrangement is designed such that an adhesive tape arranged in the roll holder can be guided along the receiving direction A through the receiving area of ​​the cutting device, wherein the adhesive tape applicator is designed to at least partially sever the adhesive tape in the receiving area of ​​the cutting device as a result of the actuation of the actuating unit along the cutting direction S.

[0043] The adhesive tape applicator according to the invention is suitable for applying adhesive tapes. According to the invention, the adhesive tape applicator comprises a dispenser assembly with a roll holder configured to receive an adhesive tape. Such an adhesive tape is frequently provided in practice in the form of so-called adhesive tape rolls, which usually have a substantially hollow-cylindrical geometric shape, wherein an adhesive tape can be wrapped or wound around the outer surface of the adhesive tape roll in the circumferential direction. Therefore, an adhesive tape applicator according to the invention is expedient for most applications, wherein the adhesive tape applicator comprises at least one adhesive tape roll arranged in the roll holder.

[0044] Adhesive tape rolls typically have a continuous recess along their cylindrical axis, through which the adhesive tape roll can be placed onto a mostly complementary extension of a roll holder, so that rotation remains possible, but the adhesive tape roll has reduced translational degrees of freedom in the roll holder. Accordingly, an adhesive tape applicator according to the invention is preferred, wherein the roll holder is configured such that an adhesive tape roll arranged in the roll holder is rotatably mounted on the dispenser assembly.

[0045] According to the invention, the adhesive tape applicator according to the invention further comprises at least one cutting device according to the invention connected to the dispenser assembly, which is preferably designed as described above as preferred. According to the invention, the dispenser assembly can guide an adhesive tape arranged in the roll holder along the receiving direction A through the receiving area of ​​the cutting device. In practice, the dispenser assembly usually comprises an application assembly and a guide system for guiding the adhesive tape from the roll holder to the application assembly. The adhesive tape can expediently be guided by suitable guide elements, such as rotatably mounted guide rollers.Accordingly, an adhesive tape applicator according to the invention is relevant for most cases, wherein the dispenser arrangement comprises a guide system for guiding an adhesive tape, wherein the guide system is designed to guide an adhesive tape at least in sections transversely to the take-up direction A and / or wherein the guide system comprises at least two guide rollers, preferably deflection rollers.

[0046] In this case, the application arrangement of the dispenser arrangement refers to the part of the adhesive tape applicator that is responsible for the actual application of the adhesive tape to a substrate to be bonded, for example a vehicle component. In most cases, the adhesive tape is transferred to the substrate via an application element, for example a roller or a sliding element. The application element applies the adhesive tape to the substrate, which in practice usually means that the adhesive layer of the adhesive tape is pressed onto the substrate. The cutting device according to the invention will in most cases be positioned between the roll holder and the guide system. Alternatively, positioning within the guide system or between the guide system and the application arrangement is also conceivable.An adhesive tape applicator according to the invention is preferred, wherein the adhesive tape applicator is designed to manually apply and / or guide an adhesive tape received in the roll holder of the dispenser arrangement.

[0047] Furthermore, a method for applying adhesive tape is disclosed, with a cutting device according to the invention and / or an adhesive tape applicator according to the invention, comprising the method steps: o) producing or providing an adhesive tape, and p) applying a predetermined length of the adhesive tape, and after applying the predetermined length of the adhesive tape, the method step: q) guiding the adhesive tape along the take-up direction A through the take-up area of ​​the cutting device and actuating the actuating unit of the cutting device to at least partially sever the adhesive tape in the take-up area.

[0048] The method disclosed above, in combination with the cutting device according to the invention and / or the adhesive tape applicator according to the invention, is suitable for applying adhesive tape. For this purpose, it comprises, in a method step o), the production or provision of an adhesive tape and, subsequently, in a method step p), the application of a predetermined length of the adhesive tape.

[0049] With regard to the preferred embodiments of the cutting device disclosed above, the inventors have identified particularly preferred embodiments for the adhesive tape. A method with a cutting device according to the invention and / or an adhesive tape applicator according to the invention is preferred, wherein the adhesive tape has a width in the range of 1 to 100 mm, preferably in the range of 3 to 25 mm, particularly preferably in the range of 6 to 20 mm, and most particularly preferably in the range of 9 to 15 mm.

[0050] An example is a method using a cutting device according to the invention and / or an adhesive tape applicator according to the invention, wherein the adhesive tape is a fineline tape. Relevant for the majority of applications is a method using a cutting device according to the invention and / or an adhesive tape applicator according to the invention, wherein the adhesive tape comprises an adhesive on at least one side, wherein the adhesive is preferably a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

[0051] A pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) is, in accordance with expert understanding, an adhesive that possesses pressure-sensitive adhesive properties, i.e., the ability to form a permanent bond to a substrate even under relatively light pressure. Such pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes can usually be removed from the substrate after use without leaving any residue and are generally permanently tacky even at room temperature, meaning they possess a certain viscosity and initial tack, allowing them to wet the surface of a substrate even under light pressure. The tackiness of a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape results from the fact that a pressure-sensitive adhesive is used as the adhesive.Without wishing to be bound by this theory, it is often assumed that a pressure-sensitive adhesive can be viewed as an extremely viscous liquid with an elastic component, which consequently exhibits characteristic viscoelastic properties that lead to the permanent inherent tack and pressure-sensitive adhesive capacity described above. It is assumed that with corresponding pressure-sensitive adhesives, mechanical deformation leads to both viscous flow processes and the build-up of elastic restoring forces. The partial viscous flow serves to achieve adhesion, while the partial elastic restoring forces are necessary in particular to achieve cohesion. The relationships between rheology and pressure-sensitive tack are known in the art and are described, for example, in "Satas, Handbook of Pressure Sensitive Adhesives Technology", Third Edition, (1999), pages 153 to 203.To characterise the degree of elastic and viscous components, the storage modulus (G') and the loss modulus (G") are usually used, which can be determined by means of dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), for example using a rheometer, as disclosed, for example, in WO 2015 / 189323. In the context of the present invention, an adhesive is preferably understood to be pressure-sensitive and thus a pressure-sensitive adhesive if, at a temperature of 23°C in the deformation frequency range from 10° to 10. 1 rad / sec G' and G“ each at least partly in the range of 10 3 up to 10 7 Pa lie.

[0052] The method as disclosed above comprises, after applying the predetermined length of adhesive tape in a method step q), guiding the adhesive tape along the take-up direction A through the take-up area of ​​the cutting device and at least partially, preferably completely, severing the adhesive tape in the take-up area by actuating the actuating unit. The person skilled in the art understands that in most cases it is expedient, for example when the cutting device according to the invention is arranged between an application arrangement and a guide system of a dispenser arrangement, to guide the adhesive tape along the take-up direction A during application, preferably in the take-up area of ​​the cutting device according to the invention. Theoretically, however, applications are also conceivable in which the adhesive tape is only introduced into the cutting device after the application process.

[0053] Also disclosed is a use of a cutting device according to the invention and / or an adhesive tape applicator according to the invention for increasing occupational safety when applying and / or cutting adhesive tape, preferably in a method for applying adhesive tape as disclosed above.

[0054] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained and described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a cutting device according to the invention in a preferred embodiment in a starting position;

[0055] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the cutting device according to the invention of Fig. 1 in a cutting position; and

[0056] Fig. 3 schematic representations of the cutting device according to the invention of Fig. 1 in different cutting positions.

[0057] Fig. 1 shows a cutting device 10 according to the invention for cutting adhesive tape 12 in a starting position with a cutting arrangement which comprises a flat cutting element 14 designed as a triangular blade and an actuating unit 16 with a trigger element designed as a ball handle.

[0058] The cutting assembly is rotatably suspended in a housing 18 on a cylindrical pin, so that the flat cutting element 14 can perform a cutting movement along a cutting direction S, which is shown as a directional arrow in Figs. 1 to 3. A spring 26 arranged around the pin, which is designed as a leg spring, preloads the cutting assembly in a position in which the flat cutting element 14 is arranged in a blade receptacle 22 of the housing 18. In this respect, the housing 18 completely encloses the flat cutting element 14 and at least partially encloses the actuating unit 16.

[0059] The housing 18 furthermore has an engagement recess 24, which is arranged opposite the blade receptacle 22 along the cutting direction S and is spatially separated from the blade receptacle 22 by a receptacle region 20 for receiving adhesive tape 12. The geometric shape of the engagement recess 24 essentially corresponds to the front part of the flat cutting element 14, such that the engagement recess 24 is designed to receive at least 50% of the flat cutting element 14. The receptacle region 20 is designed as a continuous recess and extends along a receiving direction A, which is perpendicular to the cutting direction S and is shown in Fig. 3 as a directional arrow. The receptacle region 20 has a continuous opening 30 transverse to the receiving direction A and transverse to the cutting direction S, such that an adhesive tape 12 can be inserted into the receiving region transverse to the receiving direction A.The cross-sectional view of Fig. 3 shows that the receiving area 20 also tapers towards the center and has two central support surfaces 28a, 28b. Along the cutting direction S between the blade receptacle 22 and the engagement recess 24, the receiving area 20 has a width of approximately 3 mm, so that a finger of a user of the cutting device 10 cannot enter the receiving area 20, at least in the area of ​​the flat cutting element 14.

[0060] The housing 18 shown is made of thermoplastic using a 3D printing process and comprises two housing parts, each of which has screw threads for attaching the housing parts to one another and for attaching the cutting device 10 to a dispenser assembly of an adhesive tape applicator. The housing 18 shown has a width along the cutting direction S of approximately 35 mm, a height along the receiving direction A of approximately 20 mm, and a depth of approximately 30 mm.

[0061] Fig. 2 shows the cutting device 10 of Fig. 1 in a cutting position, i.e., after actuation of the actuating unit 16, which is performed manually in the example shown. The cutting assembly reversibly and non-destructively executes a cutting movement along the cutting direction S through the receiving area 20 and engages the engagement recess 24, so that an adhesive tape 12 guided through the receiving area 20 is completely severed.

[0062] Fig. 3a) to 3e) show the cutting device of Fig. 1 in use in a method for applying adhesive tape as disclosed above, wherein only method step q) is illustrated. As shown in Fig. 3a), an adhesive tape 12 is guided along the take-up direction A through the take-up area 20 of the cutting device 10. The adhesive tape 12 shown is a fineline tape and has a width of 12 mm. It comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive on the side facing the engagement recess 24. In Fig. 3a), the flat cutting element 14, i.e., the triangular blade, is in the starting position.

[0063] By actuating the actuating unit 16, the tip of the flat cutting element 14 presses the adhesive tape 12 with the adhesive side against the contact surfaces 28a-b of the housing 18, so that the adhesive tape 12 adheres to the contact surfaces 28a-b, as shown in Fig. 3b). This tensions the adhesive tape 12, and the flat cutting element 14 cuts the adhesive tape 12 in the receiving area 20, as shown in Fig. 3c).

[0064] Due to the spring 26, the flat cutting element 14 is moved back into the blade holder 22 after actuation of the actuating unit 16, as shown in Fig. 3d). The ends of the cut adhesive tape 12 continue to adhere to the support surfaces 28a-b of the housing 18.

[0065] As shown in Fig. 3e), due to the funnel-shaped design of the receiving area 20, the severed adhesive tape 12 can be easily and essentially residue-free detached from the support surface 28b, particularly when the cutting device 10 is subsequently moved further, for example, within the scope of the present invention, during further movement of an adhesive tape applicator according to the invention, and when the tensile force of the adhesive tape 12 acts in the receiving direction A. In this case, the end of the adhesive tape 12 remaining in the receiving area 20 of the cutting device 10 can be detached from the support surface 28a and, for example, threaded into a dispenser assembly of the adhesive tape applicator according to the invention up to the application assembly of the dispenser assembly.

[0066] 10 Cutting device

[0067] 12 adhesive tape

[0068] 14 flat cutting element 16 operating unit

[0069] 18 housings

[0070] 20 Recording area

[0071] 22 blade holder

[0072] 24 Recess 26 Spring

[0073] 28a-b flat support surface

[0074] 30 Opening

Claims

Claims 1. Cutting device (10) for cutting adhesive tape (12), comprising: a) a cutting arrangement with a flat cutting element (14) and an actuating unit (16) connected to the flat cutting element (14), and b) a housing (18), comprising: i) a receiving area (20) extending along a receiving direction A for receiving an adhesive tape (12), ii) a blade receptacle (22) for receiving the flat cutting element (14), and iii) an engagement recess (24), wherein the blade receptacle (22) and the engagement recess (24) are arranged on different sides of the receiving area (20) along a cutting direction S lying transversely to the receiving direction A, wherein the cutting arrangement is suspended in the housing (18) such that the flat cutting element (14) is arranged in the blade receptacle (22), wherein the cutting arrangement is configured toupon actuation of the actuating unit (16), to reversibly and non-destructively carry out a cutting movement along the cutting direction S through the receiving area (20) and to engage in the engagement recess (24) of the housing (18), so that an adhesive tape (12) guided through the receiving area (20) is at least partially severed.

2. Cutting device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the housing (18) has a flat support surface (28a, 28b) in the receiving area (20) along the receiving direction A at least in the area of ​​the engagement recess (24).

3. Cutting device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the cutting device (10) is configured such that an adhesive tape (12) arranged in the receiving area (20) is pressed onto one of the flat support surfaces (28a, 28b) upon actuation of the actuating unit (16) and / or before the adhesive tape (12) is severed, so that the adhesive tape (12) adheres at least temporarily to the flat support surface (28a-b), preferably under tension.

4. Cutting device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flat cutting element (14) is a blade.

5. Cutting device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cutting device (10) comprises at least one spring (26) which is designed to hold the flat cutting element (14) in the blade receptacle (22) by pretensioning.

6. Cutting device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the receiving area (20) tapers in the direction of the cutting arrangement and / or in the direction of the flat support surfaces (28a, 28b) along the receiving direction A.

7. Cutting device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the receiving area (20) has a width of 9 mm or less along the cutting direction S.

8. Cutting device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the receiving area (20) has a through opening (30) transversely to the receiving direction A and transversely to the cutting direction S on at least one side of the housing (18) so that an adhesive tape (12) can be introduced into the receiving area (20) transversely to the receiving direction A.

9. Cutting device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cutting direction S and the receiving direction A have a smallest cutting angle of at least 45°.

10. Adhesive tape applicator for applying adhesive tape (12), comprising: u) a dispenser arrangement with a roll holder for receiving adhesive tape (12), and v) at least one cutting device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9 connected to the dispenser arrangement, wherein the dispenser arrangement is designed such that an adhesive tape (12) arranged in the roll holder can be guided along the receiving direction A through the receiving area (20) of the cutting device (10), wherein the adhesive tape applicator is designed to at least partially sever the adhesive tape (12) in the receiving area (20) of the cutting device (10) as a result of the actuation of the actuating unit (16) along the cutting direction S.

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