Ground Tape Applicator Rollers for Uniform Adhesion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for applying adhesive tape to ground surfaces, such as roads, are inefficient and often result in poor adhesion due to the slow application process and reliance on the tape's adhesion to the surface, which can lead to premature failure.

Innovation Solution

A ground tape applicator with a modular design featuring wheels, rollers, and a cutter, which efficiently applies adhesive tape to the ground surface by pressing it onto the surface using rollers, ensuring proper adhesion and minimizing wear on the rollers during transport, and allowing for quick blade replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If adhesive tape is applied manually to ground surfaces, then the application process is simple, but the application efficiency is low and adhesion is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication efficiencyVSAvoidadhesion quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The roller is designed to be self-cleaning by rotating on the ground surface, which automatically removes adhesive residue and tape material from the roller surface during the application process, maintaining consistent adhesion quality without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The roller is pre-loaded with adhesive tape material and positioned to contact the ground surface before the application process begins, ensuring immediate and consistent adhesion from the start of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the applicator is transported on its side, then storage and transport are convenient, but the rollers experience excessive wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport convenienceVSAvoidroller service life

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The applicator is designed with a movable roller support mechanism that allows the roller to be positioned in different orientations during transport, enabling the roller to rotate and distribute wear evenly rather than remaining stationary in one position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The roller support structure serves multiple functions: it holds the roller in the operational position during application, allows the roller to rotate during transport to prevent wear, and can be adjusted or removed for storage, making the system adaptable to different operational states

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If the cutter blade is fixed in the cutter assembly, then the structure is simple, but blade replacement is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutter structure simplicityVSAvoidblade replacement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cutter assembly is divided into separable components with the blade as an independent module that can be quickly removed and replaced without disassembling the entire cutter structure, reducing replacement time while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12359382B2Ground tape applicator apparatus and method

Publication Date: 2025.07.15 GRACO MINNESTOA INC

AI summary

A ground tape applicator is configured to apply adhesive tape to ground surfacers. The ground tape applicator includes a plurality of rollers that guide the adhesive tape to the ground surface and apply the adhesive tape to the ground surface. The ground tape applicator includes a blade configured to engage with the adhesive tape to cut the adhesive tape to a desired length.