An adhesive tape dispenser having a holder for an adhesive tape roll (2) and a guide system for an adhesive tape (3) pulled off from the adhesive tape roll (2) and a deflecting edge (10) for the pulled-off adhesive tape (3). Deflecting edge is arranged at the end of the guide system in the pull-off direction (A) and deflects the pulled-off adhesive tape (3) from the pull-off direction (A). The deflecting edge (10) has a deflection axis, which has a component directed in the pull-off direction (A), and an affixing direction (B) is arranged transversely to the pull-off direction (A).

The invention is directed to masking tapes comprising reference lines that facilitate the use of adjacent edges or other linear features to place masking tape edges on irregular or curved boundaries between surfaces.

The invention is directed to masking tapes comprising reference lines that facilitate the use of adjacent edges or other linear features to place masking tape edges on irregular or curved boundaries between surfaces.

A masking strip for use in painting automobile doors includes an elongated flexible body configured to cover a gasket of a door assembly, and an elongated spine extending perpendicularly from the elongated flexible body. The elongated spine is configured for receipt in a narrow opening defined between the door assembly and a front fender.

Applicators for applying a masking material to a target surface, the applicators include a body, an applicator system attached to the body and configured to apply the masking material to the target surface with a substantially straight edge as the body is translated in an application direction, a dispenser system attached to the body, the dispenser system being configured to support a supply of the masking material and to dispense the masking material to the applicator system, and a guide member attached to the body proximate the applicator system in a trailing position and configured to press the masking material to the target surface after the applicator system applies the masking material to the target surface.

In an example, a flexible three-dimensional (3D) maskant is described. The maskant comprises a flexible base structure comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side, where the first side is configured to attach and conform to a surface being spray coated. The maskant further comprises a plurality of members attached to, and protruding from, the second side of the base structure. Each member comprises (i) a base end attached to the second side of the base structure and (ii) a distal end. An outermost subset of the plurality of members are positioned along an outer edge of the base structure. Each distal end of the outermost subset extends outward beyond the outer edge of the base structure, thereby overhanging the surface when the maskant is attached to the surface of the object being spray coated.

In an example, a flexible three-dimensional (3D) maskant is described. The maskant comprises a flexible base structure comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side, where the first side is configured to attach and conform to a surface being spray coated. The maskant further comprises a plurality of members attached to, and protruding from, the second side of the base structure. Each member comprises (i) a base end attached to the second side of the base structure and (ii) a distal end. An outermost subset of the plurality of members are positioned along an outer edge of the base structure. Each distal end of the outermost subset extends outward beyond the outer edge of the base structure, thereby overhanging the surface when the maskant is attached to the surface of the object being spray coated.

A filament-bearing masking tape extending longitudinally and formed from and including a filament and a base tape having a first edge and a second edge parallel to the first edge. The base tape includes a carrier having upper and lower sides and extending longitudinally with a first adhesive on the lower side having a first adhesive thickness, and a second adhesive having a second adhesive thickness greater than the first adhesive thickness on the upper side, and a release liner attached to the second adhesive. The filament-bearing masking tape is formed by (a) placing the filament on the lower adhesive layer, the filament extending longitudinally, parallel to the first edge of the base tape, at a filament distance from the first edge and closer to the first edge than to the second edge, and (b) folding a first portion of the base tape extending from the filament to the first edge under a second portion of the tape extending from the filament towards the second edge of the base tape so that the first adhesive on the first portion of the base tape contacts and binds to the first adhesive on the second portion of the base tape.

A filament-bearing masking tape extending longitudinally and formed from and including a filament and a base tape having a first edge and a second edge parallel to the first edge. The base tape includes a carrier having upper and lower sides and extending longitudinally with a first adhesive on the lower side having a first adhesive thickness, and a second adhesive having a second adhesive thickness greater than the first adhesive thickness on the upper side, and a release liner attached to the second adhesive. The filament-bearing masking tape is formed by (a) placing the filament on the lower adhesive layer, the filament extending longitudinally, parallel to the first edge of the base tape, at a filament distance from the first edge and closer to the first edge than to the second edge, and (b) folding a first portion of the base tape extending from the filament to the first edge under a second portion of the tape extending from the filament towards the second edge of the base tape so that the first adhesive on the first portion of the base tape contacts and binds to the first adhesive on the second portion of the base tape.

A method of applying a film to upper and lower appliques of a rear slider window assembly includes providing a support structure and positioning a rear slider window assembly at the support structure, with the rear slider window assembly including spaced apart fixed window panels, upper and lower appliques extending between the spaced apart fixed window panels, and a frame portion attached at the fixed window panels and appliques. An applicator includes first and second applicating devices for dispensing a strip of film onto a respective applique. The applicator is moved to a starting position where a roller of each applicating device presses an end region of the film onto the respective applique, and then is moved along the appliques with the rollers rolling along the respective appliques to press the film onto the appliques. The film strips are cut and pressed onto the respective appliques.