TAPE APPLICATOR WITH TAPE PROTECTION AND METHOD FOR MAINTAINING SUCH AN APPLICATOR

Abstract

An applicator of jointing tape for joining two sheets of plasterboard includes a mud chamber through which the tape is paid out. The chamber has a tape inlet slot formed between a free end of a rear wall of the chamber and a first free end of a lower wall of the chamber. The free end of the rear wall of the chamber and the first free end of the lower wall of the chamber comprise a cylinder with a cross section greater than a thickness of the wall to which each cylinder is attached, each cylinder being covered by a removable protective sleeve with an interior cross section that complements the cylinder that the sleeve covers, each protective sleeve having a longitudinal opening delimited by two immobilization edges for immobilization against the wall bearing the cylinder that the sleeve covers.

Claims

1. An applicator (1) of jointing tape for joining two sheets of plasterboard, the applicator comprising a payout device (2) for paying out a jointing tape from a roll (3) and a mud chamber (4) through which the tape is paid out in use, the chamber having, with reference to the use position, a tape inlet slot (6) formed between a free end (7a) of a rear wall (7) of the chamber and a first free end (8a) of a lower wall (8) of the chamber, and a tape outlet slot (9) formed between a free end (10a) of a frontal wall (10) of the chamber and a second free end (8b) of the lower wall (8) of the chamber, the latter also comprising two side walls (11-12), one of which constitutes a removable side cover for accessing the inside of the chamber, characterized in that the free end (7a) of the rear wall (7) of the chamber and the first free end (8a) of the lower wall (8) of the chamber comprise a cylinder (7a1-8a1) with a cross section (D1) greater than a thickness (E1) of the wall to which each cylinder is attached, and in that each cylinder is covered by a removable protective sleeve (201-202) with an interior cross section that complements the cylinder that the sleeve covers, each protective sleeve having a longitudinal opening (201a-202a) delimited by two immobilization edges (201b-202b) for immobilization against the wall bearing the cylinder that the sleeve covers.

2. The applicator (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each cylinder has a circular cross section, each protective sleeve having an open C-shaped circular cross section.

3. The applicator (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protective sleeves have a thickness such that when they are inserted around the cylinders of the free end of the rear wall and of the lower wall, they are spaced apart by an inlet slot height that is such that, in use, the tape is able to pass through freely but the mud stored in the chamber is not.

4. A kit for applying jointing tape for joining two sheets of plasterboard, characterized in that it comprises an applicator (1) as claimed in claim 1 and a plurality of protective sleeves of different thicknesses to allow the height of the inlet slot to be adjusted depending on the viscosity of the mud that is to be used.

5. A method for maintaining a jointing tape applicator as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a) opening the lateral wall constituting the removable side cover in order to access the inside of the chamber and the free ends of the rear wall and of the lower wall; b) removing the protective sleeves from the free ends of the rear wall and of the lower wall of the chamber by sliding them along the cylinders borne by said free ends of the rear wall and of the lower wall of the chamber; c) inserting new protective sleeves by sliding them along the cylinders borne by the free ends of the rear wall and of the lower wall of the chamber; d) closing the side wall constituting the removable side cover again.

Description

[0030] Further features of the invention will be stated in the following detailed description, given with reference to the appended drawings, in which, respectively:

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a tape applicator according to the invention in the use position, namely in the position for applying a tape;

[0032] FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the tape applicator in FIG. 1, with the cover for accessing the inside of the chamber open;

[0033] FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of an applicator according to the invention, comprising a system for protecting the tape inlet slot;

[0034] FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of an enlargement of FIG. 3, centered on the tape inlet slot, which comprises protective sleeves affording protection against abrasion; and

[0035] FIG. 5 shows a schematic exploded perspective view of FIG. 4, illustrating the particular structure of the protective sleeves according to the invention.

[0036] An applicator provided with means for protecting the tape at the outlet slot according to the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0037] The applicator 1 comprises a payout device 2 for paying out a jointing tape from a roll 3 (illustrated in dotted line) and a mud chamber 4 through which the tape is paid out in use.

[0038] The applicator also comprises a holding handle 5 for transporting it or handling it operationally during application of the tape.

[0039] Alternatively or in combination, the applicator may comprise a carry strap (not illustrated) allowing the applicator to be picked up from beneath.

[0040] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the chamber 4 has, with reference to the use position, a tape inlet slot 6 formed between a free end 7a of a rear wall 7 of the chamber and a first free end 8a of a lower wall 8 of the chamber.

[0041] The chamber 4 also comprises a tape outlet slot 9 formed between a free end 10a of a frontal wall 10 of the chamber and a second free end 8b of the lower wall 8 of the chamber.

[0042] The chamber further comprises two side walls 11 and 12, one of which constitutes a removable side cover 11 for accessing the inside of the chamber 4.

[0043] The applicator may have an application head 100 having particular functionalities, for example for applying the tape in a corner.

[0044] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, the invention provides means that allow effective and inexpensive protection of the tape inlet slot against abrasion and increases in temperature, specifically in a way that offers great ease of maintenance.

[0045] Moreover, these means make it possible to reduce leaks of mud at the inlet slot 6 of the tape 3, depending on the viscosity of the mud. They thus allow better control of the flow rate of mud at the outlet slot 9.

[0046] Thus, the free end 7a of the rear wall 7 of the chamber and the first free end 8a of the lower wall 8 of the chamber each comprise a cylinder, 7a1 and 8a1, respectively, with a cross section D1 greater than a thickness E1 of the wall (7 and 8, respectively) to which each cylinder 7a1 and 8a1 is attached.

[0047] According to the invention, each cylinder, 7a1 and 8a1, respectively, is covered with a removable protective sleeve 201 and 202, respectively, with an interior cross section that complements the cylinder, 7a1 and 8a1, respectively, that the sleeve covers.

[0048] Each protective sleeve 201 and 202 has a longitudinal opening 201a-202a, delimited by two immobilization edges, 201b and 202b, respectively, for immobilization against the wall (7 and 8, respectively) bearing the cylinder 7a1 and 8a1, respectively, that the sleeve 201 and 202, respectively, covers.

[0049] The sleeves 201-202 are thus self-immobilizing against the wall that bears the cylinders, since the edges 201b and 202b of the longitudinal openings 201a-202a are arranged at the junction where the wall and the cylinder meet, this junction exhibiting a point of inflection preventing the sleeves from sliding or from falling off the cylinder.

[0050] These sleeves are advantageously made of metal, such as stainless steel. The material thus exhibits resistance to abrasion and to heat that is far greater than that of the plastic generally used in the manufacture of the tape applicators.

[0051] Moreover, this structure of the free ends of the rear and lower walls is very easy to produce by molding.

[0052] The sleeves, if they have become worn, are very easy to change.

[0053] The method for performing maintenance on such a type applicator comprises a first step of opening the side wall constituting the removable side cover 11 for accessing the inside of the chamber 4 and the free ends 7a and 8a of the rear wall 7 and of the lower wall 8.

[0054] The worn protective sleeve or sleeves 201-202 is or are then removed from the free ends 7a and 8a of the rear wall 7 and/or of the lower wall 8 of the chamber by sliding them along the cylinders 7a1-8a1 borne by said free ends.

[0055] New protective sleeves are then inserted, by sliding them along the cylinders 7a1-8a1 borne by the free ends of the rear wall and of the lower wall of the chamber. To do that, the longitudinal opening of each sleeve is aligned with the wall 7 or 8 bearing the cylinder onto which the sleeve is slipped. The immobilization edges 201b and 202b of the longitudinal openings 201a-202a of the sleeves are therefore positioned at the junction where the wall meets the cylinder.

[0056] Finally, the side wall 11 constituting the removable side cover is closed again.

[0057] Preferably, each cylinder 7a1-8a1 has a circular cross section and each protective sleeve 201-202 has an open C-shaped circular cross section. That ensures optimal contact with the tape while it is being applied, without sharp edges, and avoids any tearing of the tape. It is thus possible to increase the rate of application.

[0058] Besides affording protection against abrasion, this structure of the sleeves also allows the applicator to be adapted to the viscosity of the mud used.

[0059] Thus, a user wishing to employ a mud that is more fluid than normal will change the sleeves so that the tape inlet slot is not as tall, thereby limiting leaks of mud.

[0060] For this purpose, the protective sleeves 201-202 have a thickness such that when they are inserted around the cylinders of the free end of the rear wall and of the lower wall, they are spaced apart by an inlet slot height that is such that, in use, the tape is able to pass through freely but the mud stored in the chamber is not.

[0061] It is therefore possible to offer a kit for applying jointing tape for joining two sheets of plasterboard, comprising a tape applicator and a plurality of protective sleeves of different thicknesses to allow the height of the inlet slot to be adjusted depending on the viscosity of the mud that is to be used.

[0062] By virtue of the invention, an applicator is obtained that allows rapid application of the tape, without fear of the tape tearing at the inlet slot, and without fear of the inlet slot being damaged on account of abrasion and the friction temperature.

[0063] Moreover, the applicator is very multifunctional since it adapts to different mud viscosities.