Handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus and method

An apparatus for applying adhesive segments from an extended length of indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape, said apparatus comprising:

• a housing adapted to receive a roll of the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape, said housing including an adhesive segment application surface from which an adhesive segment on a portion of the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape which is located on said adhesive segment application surface may be applied, said adhesive segment application surface being arranged and configured to flex a portion of the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape which is located thereupon to expose a single adhesive segment for application to a work surface;
• a spool rotatably mounted in said main housing member, the roll of adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape being installed on said spool;
• a first guide member mounted in said housing for guiding the carrier release tape from the roll onto said adhesive segment application surface;
• an advancement mechanism mounted in said housing which engages indices on the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape to advance the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape on said adhesive segment application surface;
• a second guide member mounted in said housing for guiding the carrier release tape from said adhesive segment application surface to said advancement mechanism;
• an actuator operatively connected to said advancement mechanism to cause said advancement mechanism to incrementally advance the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape to bring the next consecutive adhesive segment on the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape to said adhesive segment application surface for application therefrom upon each consecutive activation of said actuator;
• and
• a third guide member mounted in said housing for guiding the carrier release tape from said advancement mechanism out of said housing.

A dispensing apparatus for thermoplastic adhesive dispensing tape of a type having:

• a flexible carrier tape extending longitudinally, having a transverse width, and having opposed first and second release surfaces;
• a plurality of thermoplastic adhesive segment arrayed longitudinally along said first release surface;
• and
• a plurality of indices physically placed in said carrier tape in a uniformly spaced apart longitudinal progression, said indices being engageable to move said carrier release tape in a longitudinal direction;
• wherein the dispensing apparatus comprising:
• a supply spool for holding the thermoplastic adhesive dispensing tape in coiled configuration on a roll;
• an application surface for receiving the thermoplastic adhesive dispensing tape as unreeled from the roll thereupon, said application surface flexing the thermoplastic adhesive dispensing tape to expose a single adhesive segment for application to a work surface;
• an advancement mechanism which engages the indices on the carrier tape to advance the carrier tape on said application surface to expose the next consecutive adhesive segment on the carrier tape upon each actuation of said advancement mechanism;
• and
• an actuator for selectively actuating said advancement mechanism to expose the next consecutive adhesive segment on the carrier tape.

A method of applying adhesive segments from an extended length of indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape, said method comprising:

• receive the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape a housing adapted to, said housing including an adhesive segment application surface from which an adhesive segment on a portion of the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape which is located on said adhesive segment application surface may be applied;
• engaging indices on the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape with an advancement mechanism mounted in said housing to advance the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape on said adhesive segment application surface;
• and
• activating an actuator operatively connected to said advancement mechanism to cause said advancement mechanism to incrementally advance the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape to bring the next consecutive adhesive segment on the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape to said adhesive segment application surface for application therefrom upon each consecutive activation of said actuator.