Tape applying device

Abstract

To provide a tape applying device improved in the accuracy of an applying position of an adhesion tape in an object of application and in the efficiency of successive applying operations.SOLUTION: A tape applying device 1 comprises an application jig 2 and a tape base 4. The application jig 2 comprises a pickup unit 12 for picking up an adhesion tape T and a guide hole 28. The tape base 4 comprises a setup unit 102 for setting the adhesion tape T and a guide pin 108 for guiding the guide hole 28. The application jig 2 is allowed to move toward the tape base 4 in a state in which the guide hole 28 is guided by the guide pin 108 and bring the adhesion tape T set up on the setup unit 102 into contact with the pickup unit 12, thereby picking up the adhesion tape T by the pickup unit 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tape application device for applying tape. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent No. 3383343 (Patent Document 1) discloses an adhesive tape application tool. This tool includes a support member having opposing walls, and an elastically deformable attachment member that is installed between the opposing walls of the support member. The user temporarily attaches and supports the double-sided adhesive tape on the attachment member, brings the adhesive surface of the double-sided adhesive tape into contact with the overlapping edge surfaces of two plate-like members to be attached, elastically deforms the attachment member to push it between the opposing walls of the support member, makes the double-sided adhesive tape conform to the edge surfaces of the plate-like members, detaches the tool from the plate-like members, peels the double-sided adhesive tape from the attachment member, and attaches the double-sided adhesive tape to the edge surfaces. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3383343 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned jig, the temporary position of the double-sided adhesive tape on the attachment member and the position where the jig is applied to the attachment target are arbitrary. Therefore, in the above-mentioned jig, there is room for improvement in the accuracy of the attachment position of the double-sided adhesive tape on the attachment target. Furthermore, the above-mentioned tool does not provide any special consideration for continuously applying a plurality of tapes having complex shapes, so there is room for improvement in the efficiency of the continuous application work with the above-mentioned tool.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE One of the main objects of the present invention is to provide a tape application device with improved accuracy in applying an adhesive tape to an object. Another main object of the present invention is to provide a tape application device which improves the efficiency of continuous tape application work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This specification discloses a tape application device. The tape application device may include an application jig. The tape application device may include a tape stand. The application jig may include a pickup section for picking up the adhesive tape T. The application jig may include a guide hole. The tape stand may include a setting section for setting the adhesive tape. The tape stand may include a guide pin for guiding the guide hole. The application jig may approach the tape stand with the guide hole guided by the guide pin. The application jig may pick up the adhesive tape T at the pickup section by bringing the pickup section into contact with the adhesive tape set in the setting section. Effect of the Invention

[0007] One of the main effects of the present invention is to provide a tape application device with improved accuracy in applying an adhesive tape to an object. Another major effect of the present invention is to provide a tape application device which improves the efficiency of continuous tape application work. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the rear, left and top surfaces of a tape application device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view showing the front, left and bottom surfaces of the tape application device of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the application jig of FIG. 1 at the center in the front-rear direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 6]6A is a schematic end view of an elastic weakly adhesive portion and its periphery in the application jig of FIG. 1, and FIG. 6B is a schematic exploded view for explaining the formation of the elastic weakly adhesive portion of FIG. 6A. [Figure 7] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the center of the stand base in the front-rear direction of the tape stand in FIG. 1. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention and its modified examples will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and modified examples.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the rear, left and top of a tape application device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the front, left and bottom of the tape application device 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an application jig 2 of the tape application device 1, taken at the center in the front-rear direction of the base part 10. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 3. The tape application device 1 includes a tape application jig 2 and a tape stand 4 . In the tape application device 1, a user picks up the adhesive tape T, which has been deformed into a three-dimensional shape, from the tape stand 4 in the tape application jig 2, and applies the tape to an object to be applied, which also has a three-dimensional shape. For convenience, various directions of the tape application device 1 are as shown in each drawing. Note that the tape application device 1 can also be used in directions other than those shown in the drawings.

[0011] The adhesive tape T is applied to the peripheral edge of a recess in a bumper of an automobile for masking the paintwork. When viewed from above, the adhesive tape T is ring-shaped and has an elliptical shape that is long in the left-right direction. The adhesive tape T comprises an adhesive surface TA having adhesiveness, an anti-adhesive surface TB having no adhesiveness, and a release paper (not shown) overlaid on the adhesive surface TA. The upper surface of the adhesive tape T is the anti-adhesive surface TB, and the lower surface of the adhesive tape T is the adhesive surface TA and the release paper. The adhesive surface TA, the anti-adhesive surface TB, and the release paper are parallel to each other and have a two-dimensional shape. The adhesive tape T also has a flexibility sufficient to conform to the surface of a three-dimensional object and assume a three-dimensional shape. The adhesive tape T may originally have a three-dimensional shape. The adhesive tape T has a degree of flexibility such that it cannot maintain the three-dimensional shape when applied by itself. The external dimensions of the adhesive tape T are approximately 270 mm (millimeters) in the left-right direction and approximately 50 mm in the front-back direction. The width of the adhesive tape T is approximately 6 mm ± 1 mm. The distance between the uppermost and lowermost points of the adhesive tape T that has deformed to fit the three-dimensional shape of the object to which it is attached is approximately 4 mm. The object to which the adhesive tape T is applied may be other than the periphery of a recess in an automobile bumper. The purpose of application of the adhesive tape T may be other than masking of paint. At least any two of the adhesive surface TA, the non-adhesive surface TB, and the release paper may not be parallel to each other and may have different three-dimensional shapes. Furthermore, the release paper of the adhesive tape T may be omitted. The flexibility or rigidity of the adhesive tape T may be other than those described above, such as to the extent that the tape can retain its shape by itself. In addition, some or all of the various sizes of the adhesive tape T may be other than those described above.

[0012] The application jig 2 has a base portion 10, a plurality (two) of bushes 11, a pickup portion 12, a first damper portion 14, a second damper portion 16, a first positioning portion 20, a second positioning portion 22, and a handle 24.

[0013] The base portion 10 is a plastic plate. The base portion 10 has guide holes 28 formed in the left rear portion and the right front portion thereof, the guide holes 28 extending vertically. The material of the base portion 10 may be other than plastic. The shape of the base portion 10 may be other than plate-like. The number of guide holes 28 may be one or three or more, and the guide holes 28 may be disposed in a portion of the base portion 10 other than the corners.

[0014] Each bush 11 is cylindrical and fitted into a corresponding guide hole 28 . Each guide hole 28 and the corresponding bush 11 constitute a jig-side guide portion. The bushings 11 may be omitted. Also, each bushing 11 alone may be treated as a jig-side guide portion.

[0015] The pickup unit 12 is cylindrical and protrudes downward from the bottom surface of the base unit 10. The pickup unit 12 is attached to the base unit 10 by a plurality of (six) bolts 30 extending vertically. The pickup unit 12 may be attached by means other than the bolts 30. Furthermore, the shape of the pickup unit 12 may be other than cylindrical. The pick-up section 12 has a pick-up section main body 32 and an elastic weakly adhesive section 34 .

[0016] The pickup unit body 32 is in contact with the base unit 10 . The underside of the pick-up unit main body 32 has the same three-dimensional shape as the object to be affixed. The width of the underside of the pick-up unit main body 32 is approximately the same as that of the adhesive tape T. The shape of the underside of the pick-up unit main body 32 when viewed from below upward is similar to the shape of the adhesive tape T and is adapted to the shape of the adhesive tape T. The width of the lower surface of the pickup unit body 32 may be larger or smaller than the width of the adhesive tape T.

[0017] Fig. 6A is a schematic end view of the elastic weak adhesive portion 34 and its periphery. Fig. 6B is a schematic exploded view of Fig. 6A for explaining the formation of the elastic weak adhesive portion 34. Note that in the drawings, except for Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B, only the pickup portion main body 32 of the pickup portion 12 is shown, and the elastic weak adhesive portion 34 is omitted except for Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B. The elastic weakly adhesive portion 34 is ring-shaped and has a width (e.g., 2.5 mm) narrower than the width of the bottom surface of the pick-up portion main body 32, and includes an elastic body 40 as the pick-up portion elastic body or the first elastic body, an adhesive body 42, and a weakly adhesive body 44. The width of the elastic weakly adhesive portion 34 may be the same as the width of the bottom surface of the pick-up portion main body 32, or may be greater than the width of the bottom surface of the pick-up portion main body 32. Furthermore, the width of at least any one of the elastic body 40, the adhesive body 42, and the weakly adhesive body 44 may be different from the width of the other members. The elastic weakly adhesive portion 34 is disposed at the center of the lower surface of the pickup portion main body 32 in the width direction.

[0018] The elastic body 40 is a sponge made of EPDM (ethylene propylene rubber), and is attached to the lower surface of the pickup portion main body 32 via an adhesive body 42 . The elastic body 40 may be other than EDPM, and may be other than sponge, such as a rubber block.

[0019] The adhesive body 42 is a double-sided adhesive tape. A primer P1 is applied between the adhesive body 42 and the elastic body 40 to increase the adhesive force so that the elastic body 40 can be sufficiently attached even if it is a sponge. The primer P1 may be omitted or may be applied between the elastic body 40 and the pickup portion main body 32. The elastic body 40 may be attached to the pickup portion main body 32 by an adhesive or the like.

[0020] The weak adhesive body 44 is a sheet made of gel. A strong adhesive agent AD is applied to the upper surface of the weak adhesive body 44. A primer P2 is applied to the lower surface of the elastic body 40 in order to increase the adhesive strength of the strong adhesive agent AD. The weak adhesive body 44 is attached to the lower surface of the elastic body 40 via the strong adhesive agent AD to which the primer P2 has been applied. The weak adhesive body 44 is attachable to the counter-adhesive surface TB of the adhesive tape T. The adhesive strength of the weak adhesive body 44 to the counter-adhesive surface TB of the adhesive tape T is smaller than the adhesive strength of the adhesive tape T to the object to which it is affixed. The primer P2 may be omitted. The weak adhesive body 44 may be attached to the elastic body 40 by an adhesive or the like.

[0021] The upper and lower surfaces of the elastic body 40, the adhesive body 42, and the upper and lower surfaces of the weakly adhesive body 44 have the same three-dimensional shape as the object to which they are to be attached. The adhesive tape T follows the shape of the lower surface of the weakly adhesive body 44. At least any one of the lower surface of the pick-up unit main body 32, the adhesive body 42, the upper and lower surfaces of the elastic body 40, and the upper surface of the weakly adhesive body 44 does not have to have the same three-dimensional shape as the object to which they are to be attached. The radial size, i.e., width, of each of the elastic body 40, the adhesive body 42, and the weakly adhesive body 44 is 2.5 mm. However, at least one of the widths may be other than 2.5 mm. The vertical thickness of the elastic body 40 is preferably 1 mm or more and 4 mm or less, since if it is too small, the elasticity will be insufficient and the adhesive tape T will not easily conform to the target when applied, whereas if it is too large, deformation will be excessive and the accuracy of the application position may deteriorate. The adhesive force between the pickup portion body 32 and the adhesive body 42, the adhesive force between the adhesive body 42 and the elastic body 40, and the adhesive force between the elastic body 40 and the weak adhesive body 44 are greater than the adhesive force between the weak adhesive body 44 and the counter-adhesive surface TB of the adhesive tape T.

[0022] The first damper portion 14 includes a first bracket 50, a first bushing 51, a first shaft 52, and a first coil spring 54.

[0023] The first bracket 50 is an "S"-shaped folded plate when viewed from the front to the rear, with holes in the upper and lower plates. The first bracket 50 is attached to the left part of the base part 10 via a first bolt 56 that passes through a hole in the lower plate and extends vertically.

[0024] The first bushing 51 is cylindrical, and is fitted into a hole that is formed in the lower portion of the upper plate portion of the first bracket 50 of the base portion 10 and extends vertically. The first bush 51 may be omitted.

[0025] The first shaft 52 is cylindrical and extends vertically, and is inserted into a hole in the upper plate of the first bracket 50 with an expanded diameter portion at the upper end preventing it from falling out downward. The expanded diameter portion of the first shaft 52 is formed by a bolt 58 that extends vertically and has its head facing upward. The lower portion of the first shaft 52 passes through the radially inner side of the first bush 51 . The lower end of the first shaft 52 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the base portion 10 that is surrounded by the pickup portion 12 . The enlarged diameter portion of the first shaft 52 may be formed by something other than the bolt 58, or may be formed integrally with another portion.

[0026] The first coil spring 54 is an elastic body serving as a first positioning portion elastic body or a second elastic body, and is disposed radially outward of the first shaft 52 . The upper ends of the first coil springs 54 are in contact with the lower surface of the upper plate portion of the first bracket 50 . The lower end of the first coil spring 54 contacts a step formed on the lower end of the first shaft 52 . When the expanded diameter portion of the first shaft 52 is in contact with the upper plate portion of the first bracket 50, the first coil spring 54 is in a state of natural length or a state closest to the natural length, that is, in a state before the compression operation. The elastic body of the first damper portion 14 may be something other than the first coil spring 54 .

[0027] The second damper section 16 is symmetrical to the first damper section 14. However, the second damper section 16 does not have to be symmetrical to the first damper section 14. The second damper portion 16 has a second bracket 60, a second bushing 61, a second shaft 62, and a second coil spring 64.

[0028] The second bracket 60 is a "Z"-shaped folded plate when viewed from the front to the rear, with holes in the upper and lower plates. The second bracket 60 is attached to the right part of the base part 10 via a second bolt 66 that passes through a hole in the lower plate and extends vertically.

[0029] The second bushing 61 is cylindrical, and is fitted into a hole that is formed in the lower portion of the upper plate portion of the second bracket 60 of the base portion 10 and extends vertically. The second bush 61 may be omitted.

[0030] The second shaft 62 is cylindrical and extends vertically, and is inserted into a hole in the upper plate of the second bracket 60 with an expanded diameter portion at its upper end preventing it from falling out downward. The expanded diameter portion of the second shaft 62 is formed by a bolt 68 that extends vertically and has its head facing upward. The lower portion of the second shaft 62 passes through the radially inner side of the second bush 61 . The lower end of the second shaft 62 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the base portion 10 that is surrounded by the pickup portion 12 . The expanded diameter portion of the second shaft 62 may be formed by something other than the bolt 68, or may be formed integrally with another portion.

[0031] The second coil spring 64 is an elastic body, and is disposed radially outward of the second shaft 62 . The upper ends of the second coil springs 64 are in contact with the lower surface of the upper plate portion of the second bracket 60 . The lower end of the second coil spring 64 contacts a step formed on the lower end of the second shaft 62 . When the expanded diameter portion of the second shaft 62 is in contact with the upper plate portion of the second bracket 60, the second coil spring 64 is in a pre-compression state. The elastic body of the second damper portion 16 may be something other than the second coil spring 64. Furthermore, at least one of the first damper portion 14 and the second damper portion 16 may be omitted.

[0032] The first positioning portion 20 has a rectangular plate shape that extends left and right and front and rear, and is disposed radially inward of the pickup portion 12 when viewed from below to above. The first positioning part 20 is connected to the first shaft 52 and the second shaft 62. More specifically, a left part of the first positioning part 20 is attached to the lower end of the first shaft 52 via a bolt 70 that extends vertically. Also, a right part of the first positioning part 20 is attached to the lower end of the second shaft 62 via a bolt 72 that extends vertically. The lower left and right parts of the first positioning part 20 are each raised downward from the center part, and each raised part has a plurality of upwardly recessed left-right grooves 74. The shape of each raised part of the first positioning part 20 having each groove 74 fits the shape of the center part of the recess located radially inward from the peripheral part of the recess to which the tape is to be attached.

[0033] When the first coil spring 54 and the second coil spring 64 are in a pre-compression state, the lower surfaces of the protruding portions of the first positioning portion 20 excluding the grooves 74 are located lower than the lower surface of the pick-up portion 12 . The first positioning section 20 determines the position of the application jig 2 relative to the application target. The application jig 2 includes a portion other than the first positioning portion 20, the first shaft 52, the second shaft 62, and the first coil spring 54, and the second coil spring 64. The application jig main body 2B is provided between the application jig main body 2B and the first shaft 52 and the second shaft 62, and the first coil spring 54 and the second coil spring 64 are interposed between the application jig main body 2B and the first shaft 52 and the second shaft 62.

[0034] The second positioning part 22 is a metal folded plate, attached to the upper rear part of the base part 10 at the center in the left-right direction by a plurality of (two) bolts 80, and protrudes downward from the rear and further forward. The material of the second positioning part 22 may be other than metal. The shape of the second positioning part 22 may be other than a folded plate. The second positioning portion 22 has a second positioning portion main body 82, a plurality of (two) elongated holes 84, and a claw portion 86. The second positioning portion body 82 is shaped like the letter “Γ” when viewed from the left side to the right side. The long holes 84 extend left and right, and are arranged side by side left and right at the front upper end of the second positioning part main body 82. A corresponding bolt 80 is inserted into each long hole 84, making it possible to adjust the left-right position of the second positioning part 22 relative to the base part 10. The claw portion 86 protrudes forward from the lower end portion of the second positioning portion main body 82 in a bifurcated shape. The second positioning portion 22 is engaged with a predetermined position adjacent to the object to be affixed, thereby positioning the application jig 2 with respect to the object to be affixed. The predetermined position is a groove portion adjacent to a recess in a bumper of an automobile. At least one of the first positioning portion 20 and the second positioning portion 22 may be omitted. Also, the predetermined position where the second positioning portion 22 is engaged may be other than the groove portion adjacent to the recess of the bumper.

[0035] The handle 24 is shaped like the letter "∩" when viewed from the front to the rear, and is attached to the center of the upper surface of the base portion 10 by left and right bolts 90 that extend vertically.

[0036] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the center in the front-rear direction of the stand base 100 of the tape stand 4. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Fig. 7. The tape stand 4 is capable of setting a stack of adhesive tapes T, and supplies one sheet of adhesive tape T from the stack of adhesive tapes T to the application jig 2. The stack of adhesive tapes T appropriately includes one sheet of adhesive tape T. The tape stand 4 includes a stand base 100, a plurality (two) of legs 101, a set portion 102, an inner protruding portion 104, a plurality (four) of outer standing plates 106, and a plurality (two) of guide pins 108.

[0037] The platform base 100 is a plastic plate. The base 100 may be made of a material other than plastic, and may have a shape other than a plate shape.

[0038] Each leg 101 is a plastic block, and is attached to the left or right underside of the platform base 100 by a plurality of (two on each side) bolts 110 that extend vertically and are aligned front to back. Each leg 101 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the platform base 100 . Incidentally, a part or the whole of the legs 101 may be integral with the platform base 100. Also, each of the legs 101 may be omitted.

[0039] The setting part 102 is cylindrical, is disposed on the peripheral edge of the upper surface of the table base 100, and protrudes upward from the upper surface of the table base 100. The setting part 102 is ring-shaped when viewed from above and below, and has an elliptical shape that is long in the left-right direction. The set portion 102 is attached to the base 100 by a plurality of (six) bolts 118 each extending vertically. The set portion 102 may be attached by a means other than the bolts 118, or may be integral with at least one of the base 100 and the inner protruding portion 104. The upper surface of the setting part 102 has the same three-dimensional shape as the object to be attached. A stack of adhesive tapes T is set on the upper side of the setting unit 102. In the tape application device 1 of the embodiment, a stack of up to about 50 sheets of adhesive tapes T can be set. The maximum number of stacked sheets may be 49 or less, or 51 or more.

[0040] The inner protuberance 104 is made of plastic, is disposed radially inward of the set portion 102, and protrudes upward from the upper surface of the base 100. The inner protuberance 104 is cylindrical and has a rib 120 extending in the front-rear and up-down directions in the center in the left-right direction. A plurality of ridges 122 are formed in the upper left and right parts of the inner protuberance 104, each extending left and right and protruding upward from the adjacent parts. Each ridge 122 can enter a groove 74 disposed at a corresponding position in the first positioning portion 20 of the application jig 2. The shape of each groove 74 matches the shape of the corresponding ridge 112. At least one of the rib 120 and each ridge 122 may be omitted. The inner periphery of the laminate of adhesive tapes T contacts or is adjacent to the radially outward outer surface of the inner protruding portion 104 . The inner ridge 104 is attached to the base 100 by multiple (two) bolts 124, each of which extends vertically and is positioned on the left or right. Washers 126 are interposed between the inner ridge 104 and the base 100 around each bolt 124. The height of the inner ridge 104 relative to the base 100 can be adjusted by adjusting at least one of the number and thickness of the interposed washers 126. It should be noted that the inner ridge 104 may be attached by means other than the bolts 124. Also, each of the washers 126 may be omitted.

[0041] Each outer vertical plate 106 is a plate-like member that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the platform base 100 and extends in all directions, and is disposed radially outward of the set part 102. Each outer vertical plate 106 is attached to the lower part of the set part 102 by passing a bolt 130 that extends forward and backward through the lower end part. The outer periphery of the laminate of adhesive tapes T is in contact with or adjacent to the radially inner inner surface of each outer standing plate 106 . The number of the outer upright plates 106 may be three or less, or five or more, and the outer upright plates 106 may be omitted. The arrangement of the outer upright plates 106 may be other than that shown in the figure.

[0042] The laminate of adhesive tapes T is positioned by the inner protruding portion 104 and each of the outer standing plates 106. The laminate of adhesive tapes T is maintained by the setting portion 102 in the same three-dimensional shape as the object to be attached. In the laminate of adhesive tapes T, the release paper on the adhesive surface TA side of the adhesive tape T and the counter-adhesive surface TB of the adjacent adhesive tape T below it are not adhered to each other. Therefore, the weakly adhesive body 44 in the pickup unit 12 can easily pick up one sheet of adhesive tape T simply by coming into contact with the counter-adhesive surface TB of the adhesive tape T.

[0043] Guide pins 108 extending vertically are provided on the left rear and right front parts of the top surface of the platform base 100. Each guide pin 108 is made of metal and protrudes upward from the top surface of the platform base 100. The upper end of each guide pin 108 is located above the top surface of the inner raised portion 104. The upper end of each guide pin 108 is rounded into a hemispherical shape. Each guide pin 108 is attached to the platform base 100 by a bolt 140 extending upwardly and downwardly. The lower end of each guide pin 108 receives the upper portion of a corresponding bolt 140. The outer diameter of each guide pin 108 is similar to the inner diameter of the corresponding bush 11 associated with the base portion 10 of the application jig 2 , and more specifically, is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the bush 11 . Each guide pin 108 constitutes a table-side guide portion. The number of guide pins 108 may be one or three or more, and the guide pins 108 may be disposed at a location other than the corners of the table base 100. Furthermore, the table-side guide portion and the jig-side guide portion may be of any type as long as they are capable of guiding relative movement, such as making the table-side guide portion a hole and the jig-side guide portion a pin.

[0044] An example of the operation of the tape application device 1 will now be described.

[0045] The user grasps the handle 24 of the application jig 2 and inserts the guide pin 108 of the tape base 4 into the corresponding bush 11 in the guide hole 28 of the base portion 10 . The user also moves the application jig 2 closer to the base base 100 of the tape stand 4 along each guide pin 108, and adheres the weak adhesive body 44 of the elastic weak adhesive portion 34 in the pickup portion 12 to the anti-adhesive surface TB of the uppermost adhesive tape T in the stack of adhesive tapes T. At this time, the first positioning portion 20 of the application jig 2 comes into contact with the inner protuberance 104 of the tape base 4, and the groove 74 enters the corresponding streak 122. Furthermore, as the user further moves the handle 24 downward, the first positioning portion 20 and the first and second shafts 52 and 62 rise relative to the application jig main body 2B, and the application jig main body 2B receives an upward biasing force due to the compression of the first coil spring 54 and the compression of the second coil spring 64. This biasing force acts as a buffer on the application jig main body 2B including the pick-up portion 12. Furthermore, the elastic body 40 of the elastic weakly adhesive portion 34 in the pick-up portion 12 exerts a buffering effect due to its elasticity when the adhesive tape T adheres to the weakly adhesive body 44.

[0046] Then, when the user returns the application jig 2 upward, the adhesive force of the pick-up unit 12 to the adhesive tape T is greater than the force between the release paper and the non-adhesive surface TB in the stack of adhesive tapes T, so the uppermost adhesive tape T detaches from the stack and is picked up by the pick-up unit 12. The adhesive tape T is positioned below the pick-up unit 12, with the adhesive surface TA and the release paper on the lower side. The user then lifts the application jig 2 up and removes it from the tape stand 4.

[0047] Next, the user peels off the release paper from the adhesive tape T to expose the adhesive surface TA, and with the adhesive surface TA of the adhesive tape T facing the peripheral edge of the recess of the bumper to which the tape is to be applied, hooks the claw portion 86 of the second positioning portion 22 of the application jig 2 onto the protrusion of the bumper at a predetermined position adjacent to the bumper to which the tape is to be applied. As a result, the application jig 2 is positioned at a position where the adhesive tape T overlaps the peripheral edge of the bumper recess when viewed from the application jig 2 to the application target, and at a predetermined distance from the peripheral edge of the bumper recess. Also, the first positioning portion 20 of the application jig 2 comes into contact with the center of the bumper recess. In this case, the first positioning part 20 may be adjacent to the center of the bumper recess, but may not be in contact with the center of the bumper recess. Also, the release paper of the adhesive tape T may be peeled off after positioning by the second positioning part 22 or the first positioning part 20.

[0048] Then, the user pushes the handle 24 toward the recess of the bumper. At this time, the application jig main body 2B with the peeled adhesive tape T attached thereto approaches the peripheral edge of the bumper recess, and eventually the adhesive surface TA of the adhesive tape T adheres to the peripheral edge of the bumper recess. The user presses the handle 24 further in, and firmly presses the adhesive tape T against the peripheral edge of the bumper recess. At this time, the application jig main body 2B is subjected to a cushioning action by the first coil spring and the second coil spring 64. In addition, the adhesive tape T is subjected to a cushioning action by the elastic body 40 of the elastic weakly adhesive portion . By pressing in this manner, the adhesive tape T is attached to the peripheral edge of the recess of the bumper.

[0049] Thereafter, with the second positioning portion 22 removed, the user peels the application jig 2 off the adhesive tape T. Since the adhesive strength of the adhesive tape T to the peripheral portion is greater than the adhesive strength of the weak adhesive body 44 to the adhesive tape T, the adhesive tape T remains on the peripheral portion, and the application jig 2 separates from the adhesive tape T. The user may remove the application jig 2 by grasping the handle 24, or by grasping the base portion 10, or by a combination of these, or by using another part to remove the application jig 2.

[0050] The user appropriately repeats the above-described process of picking up the adhesive tape T and attaching it to the object to be applied. When the stack of adhesive tapes T runs out, the user sets a new stack of adhesive tapes T on the tape stand 4. A user can simply apply the application jig 2, which has the bush 11 and the three-dimensional pick-up portion 12, to the tape stand 4, which has the guide pin 108, to pick up one sheet of adhesive tape T in a suitable position on the application jig 2 in a state where the tape conforms to the three-dimensional shape. Therefore, the application of the adhesive tape T by the tape application device 1 can be performed sufficiently efficiently, and the application can be repeated sufficiently efficiently. Moreover, the first positioning unit 20 and the second positioning unit 22 allow the user to attach the adhesive tape T to an object while preventing the adhesive tape T from slipping from the object, regardless of the user's level of proficiency in attachment. Furthermore, because the adhesive tape T maintains its three-dimensional shape in the application jig 2, the user can attach the adhesive tape T to an object while preventing the adhesive tape T from twisting and wrinkling, regardless of the user's level of proficiency in attachment.

[0051] The above-described tape application device 1 includes an application jig 2 and a tape stand 4. The application jig 2 includes a pickup section 12 that picks up the adhesive tape T, a guide hole 28, and a bush 11. The tape stand 4 includes a setting section 102 that sets the adhesive tape T, and a guide pin 108 that guides the guide hole 28 and the bush 11. The application jig 2 approaches the tape stand 4 with the guide hole 28 and the bush 11 guided by the guide pin 108, and brings the pickup section 12 into contact with the adhesive tape T set in the setting section 102, thereby picking up the adhesive tape T at the pickup section 12. Therefore, the user can pick up the adhesive tape T at an appropriate position on the application jig 2, and the application jig 2 can adhere the adhesive tape T to the object to be applied while minimizing shifting, twisting, and wrinkling. Furthermore, the user can quickly repeat picking up and applying the adhesive tape T, thereby improving the efficiency of application while maintaining sufficient application quality regardless of the user's level of skill. These effects are exhibited even when the adhesive tape T does not conform to a three-dimensional shape but remains in a two-dimensional shape, and are also exhibited even when the adhesive tape T is not ring-shaped.

[0052] Moreover, in the tape application device 1, the pickup unit 12 and the setting unit 102 have a three-dimensional shape. Therefore, even when applying the adhesive tape T that conforms to a three-dimensional shape to an object having a three-dimensional shape, where maintaining the quality of application is more difficult than when applying the adhesive tape T having a two-dimensional shape to an object having a two-dimensional shape, the user can apply the adhesive tape T neatly and efficiently with the adhesive tape T prevented from shifting, twisting, and wrinkling. Furthermore, the adhesive tape T has a degree of flexibility that makes it difficult for the adhesive tape T to maintain its shape when applied by itself. Therefore, the user can neatly and efficiently attach the adhesive tape T, which is difficult to maintain its shape by itself and therefore difficult to maintain the quality of application, to the object to which it is to be applied while suppressing slippage, twisting, and wrinkling. Furthermore, the adhesive tape T is ring-shaped. Therefore, the ring-shaped adhesive tape T, which is difficult to maintain the quality of application, can be neatly and efficiently applied to an object to be applied while suppressing shifting, twisting, and wrinkling.

[0053] In addition, the pick-up unit 12 has a weak adhesive body 44 containing gel. Therefore, the element for picking up the adhesive tape T and separating from the adhesive tape T after the adhesive tape T is attached to the target can be more simply constituted by the weak adhesive body 44. The pick-up section 12 further includes a pick-up section main body 32 and an elastic body 40. The elastic body 40 is disposed between the weak adhesive body 44 and the pick-up section main body 32. Thus, the user can utilize the cushioning effect of the elastic body 40 on the adhesive tape T, improving the workability of application due to better conformability of the adhesive tape T, and obtaining sufficient adhesive strength by pressure contact. Furthermore, if the vertical thickness of the elastic body 40, i.e., the size between the pick-up portion main body 32 and the weak adhesive body 44, is 1 mm or more and 4 mm or less, a more appropriate effect on the adhesive tape T can be obtained in the pick-up portion 12. Furthermore, if primers P1, P2 are applied at least between the elastic body 40 and the weak adhesive body 44, and between the elastic body 40 and the pick-up portion main body 32, the weak adhesive body 44 and the pick-up portion main body 32 will adhere with sufficient strength to the elastic body 40, which is typically a sponge to which other materials are difficult to adhere due to its elastic structure.

[0054] In addition, the application jig 2 further includes a base portion 10, a first positioning portion 20, a first shaft 52, and a second shaft 62. The pickup portion 12 is fixed to the base portion 10, and the first positioning portion 20 is connected to the base portion 10 via the first shaft 52 and the second shaft 62. The first positioning portion 20 has a shape corresponding to an adjacent portion of the application target to which the adhesive tape T is to be applied. Therefore, the user can apply the adhesive tape T neatly and efficiently to the application target with less shifting, twisting, and wrinkling. Moreover, the application jig 2 further has a first coil spring 54 and a second coil spring 64. The first coil spring 54 and the second coil spring 64 are disposed between the first positioning portion 20 and the base portion 10. Therefore, the user can utilize the action of the first coil spring 54 and the second coil spring 64 on the application jig main body portion 2B including the pick-up portion 12 that picks up the adhesive tape T. Furthermore, since the first coil spring 54 and the second coil spring 64 are coil springs adjacent to the first shaft 52 and the second shaft 62, the structure for cushioning the application jig main body 2B can be constructed more simply. Also, in the tape application device 1, the first shaft 52 and the second shaft 62 are disposed radially inward of the first coil spring 54 and the second coil spring 64, so the structure for cushioning the application jig main body 2B can be constructed more compactly.

[0055] In addition, the application jig 2 further includes a second positioning portion 22. The second positioning portion 22 can be engaged at a predetermined position adjacent to the application target to which the adhesive tape T is to be applied. This allows the user to apply the adhesive tape T neatly and efficiently to the application target with less shifting, twisting, and wrinkling. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS 1·· tape application device, 2·· application jig, 2B·· application jig main body, 4·· tape stand, 10·· base portion, 11·· bush (jig side guide portion), 12·· pickup portion, 20·· first positioning portion, 22·· second positioning portion, 28·· guide hole (jig side guide portion), 32·· pickup portion main body, 40·· (first) elastomer, 44·· weak adhesive body, 52·· first shaft (shaft), 54·· first coil spring (second elastomer, coil spring), 62·· second shaft (shaft), 64·· second coil spring (second elastomer, coil spring), 102·· setting portion, 108·· guide pin (base side guide portion), P1, P2·· primer, T·· adhesive tape.

Claims

1. The apparatus includes an application tool and a tape stand, The application jig is A pickup unit that picks up the adhesive tape; A jig side guide portion; It is equipped with The tape stand is A setting unit for setting the adhesive tape; A base side guide portion that guides the jig side guide portion; It is equipped with The application jig approaches the tape stand with the jig-side guide portion guided by the stand-side guide portion, and brings the pickup portion into contact with the adhesive tape set in the setting portion, thereby picking up the adhesive tape at the pickup portion.

1. A tape application device comprising:

2. At least one of the pickup unit and the setting unit has a three-dimensional shape.

2. The tape application device according to claim 1.

3. The adhesive tape has a degree of flexibility such that the adhesive tape cannot maintain its shape when applied by itself.

2. The tape application device according to claim 1.

4. The adhesive tape is in a ring shape.

2. The tape application device according to claim 1.

5. The pickup portion has a weak adhesive material containing gel.

2. The tape application device according to claim 1.

6. The pickup unit further includes a pickup unit main body and a first elastic body, The first elastic body is disposed between the weak adhesive body and the pickup unit main body.

6. The tape application device according to claim 5.

7. The size of the first elastic body between the pickup unit body and the weak adhesive body is 1 mm or more and 4 mm or less.

7. The tape application device according to claim 6.

8. A primer is applied between the first elastic body and the weak adhesive body and / or between the first elastic body and the pickup unit main body.

7. The tape application device according to claim 6.

9. The application jig further includes a base portion, a first positioning portion, and a shaft, the pickup unit is fixed to the base unit, and the first positioning unit is connected to the base unit via the shaft; The first positioning portion has a shape corresponding to an adjacent portion of an attachment target to which the adhesive tape is attached.

2. The tape application device according to claim 1.

10. The application jig further includes a second elastic body, The second elastic body is disposed between the first positioning portion and the base portion.

10. The tape application device according to claim 9.

11. The second elastic body is a coil spring adjacent to the shaft.

11. The tape application device according to claim 10.

12. The application jig further includes a second positioning portion, The second positioning portion is capable of being engaged at a predetermined position adjacent to an attachment target to which the adhesive tape is to be attached.

2. The tape application device according to claim 1.

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