Application device, robot, production system and method for joining adhesive-tape portions

An application device for joining adhesive-tape sections, comprising:

• a holder assembly having a plurality of holding devices that are movable relative to one another, wherein each holding device is configured to hold an adhesive-tape section in such a way that a first main joining surface, a first end joining surface, and a second end joining surface of the adhesive-tape section are exposed;
• and
• a plurality of actuators,
• wherein the holder assembly is configured for movement between a receiving position and an application position,
• wherein each of the holding devices is configured for movement between a first joining configuration and a second joining configuration by one of the actuators,
• wherein each adhesive-tape section comprises an adhesive-tape underside, an adhesive-tape upper side, the first main joining surface, and a second main joining surface,
• wherein the first and second main joining surfaces run parallel to one another and extend between a first end and a second end, the first main joining surface defined by the underside and the second main joining surface defined by the upper side,
• wherein the first end comprises the first end joining surface, arranged transversely to the first and second main joining surfaces, and the second end comprises the second end joining surface, arranged transversely to the first and second main joining surfaces, wherein each of the first and second end joining surfaces extends between the first and second main joining surfaces,
• wherein in the first joining configuration, the holding devices are arranged such that each holding device holds an adhesive-tape section and each of the adhesive-tape sections are arranged spaced apart from one another, and
• wherein in the second joining configuration, the holding devices are arranged such that each holding device holds an adhesive-tape section wherein the first end joining surface of the adhesive-tape section bears against the second end joining surface of another adhesive-tape section and the first main joining surface faces an application direction, thus joining the adhesive-tape sections to define a continuous and closed adhesive adhesive-tape web.