Self-adhesive element dispenser and applicator device and method thereof

A tool for dispensing and applying self-adhesive elements from a roll having the self-adhesive elements carried on a carrier-tape, the tool comprising:

• a housing having an opening;
• a return wheel rotatively coupled to the housing to advance the carrier-tape and self-adhesive elements;
• a separator disposed within the opening for separating the self-adhesive element from the carrier-tape;
• a tension arm disposed within the opening and adjacent the separator, wherein tension in the carrier-tape is maintained until the last self-adhesive element is separated from the carrier-tape;
• and
• a supply chamber within the housing for retaining the roll, wherein the supply chamber includes a cylindrical-shaped wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the roll is allowed to expand and abut against the inner surface of the cylindrical-shaped wall, and wherein the carrier-tape passes through an opening in the supply chamber, extends towards and around the separator, extends towards the supply chamber and along the outer surface of the cylindrical-shaped wall and towards the return wheel.

A method of making an apparatus for dispensing and applying self-adhesive elements from a roll having the self-adhesive elements carried on a carrier-tape, comprising:

• providing a housing with an opening and a supply chamber, wherein the supply chamber includes a cylindrical-shaped wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the roll is allowed to expand and abut against the inner surface of the cylindrical-shaped wall, and wherein the carrier-tape passes through an opening in the supply chamber, extends towards and around a separator, extends towards the supply chamber and along the outer surface of the cylindrical-shaped wall and towards a return wheel;
• rotatively coupling a return wheel to the housing;
• attaching the roll to the return wheel such that a user advances the roll by rotating the return wheel;
• providing a separator within the opening for separating the self-adhesive elements from the carrier-tape;
• providing a tension arm within the opening and adjacent the separator;
• and
• positioning the carrier-tape between the separator and the tension arm, whereby the tension arm maintains tension in the carrier-tape from the tension arm to the return wheel.

A method of dispensing and applying self-adhesive elements, comprising;

• providing a device comprising:
• a housing having an opening and a supply chamber, wherein the supply chamber includes a cylindrical-shaped wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the roll is allowed to expand and abut against the inner surface of the cylindrical-shaped wall, and wherein the carrier-tape passes through an opening in the supply chamber, extends towards and around a separator, extends towards the supply chamber and along the outer surface of the cylindrical-shaped wall and towards a return wheel;
• the return wheel rotatively coupled to the housing;
• the separator disposed within the opening;
• and
• a tension arm disposed within the opening and adjacent the separator;
• providing a roll of self-adhesive elements on a carrier-tape,
• attaching the carrier-tape to the return wheel;
• positioning the carrier-tape between the separator and the tension arm;
• rotatably positioning the roll in the housing;
• and
• turning the return wheel to advance the carrier-tape such that a self-adhesive element is separated from the carrier-tape as the carrier-tape engages the separator, whereby the tension arm pushes the carrier-tape against the separator to maintain tension in the carrier-tape from the return wheel to the tension arm.