METHOD FOR PRODUCING ADHESIVE ROLLS PROVIDED WITH ADHESIVE ELEMENTS, AND REFILLED CARTRIDGE UNIT

Abstract

Methods produce adhesive rolls having adhesive elements and comprise a) producing a dispenser material tape in a dispenser arrangement and comprising a multiplicity of adhesive elements, wherein the dispenser arrangement is configured to separate the adhesive elements from a web-shaped first release material in a dispensing region and to output them from the dispenser arrangement, b) producing receiving arrangements comprising a feed roller, a receiving roller, a guide arrangement, and a web-shaped second release material, c) guiding the dispenser material tape through the dispensing region, d) rolling the second release materials onto the receiving rollers, and e) outputting adhesive elements from the dispenser arrangement in the dispensing region and, in each case, transferring some of the output adhesive elements into the receiving regions.

Claims

1. A method for producing adhesive reels loaded with adhesive elements, the method comprising: a) producing or providing a dispenser material tape in a dispenser arrangement wherein the dispenser material tape comprises a multiplicity of adhesive elements with a carrier layer and an adhesive layer connected to it, wherein the adhesive elements are arranged with the adhesive layer on a web-shaped first separating material, wherein the dispenser arrangement is configured to separate the adhesive elements in a dispensing region from the web-shaped first separating material and to output them from the dispenser arrangement, b) producing or providing two or more receiving arrangements, each comprising: i) a feed reel, ii) a receiving reel, iii) a guide arrangement, and iv) a web-shaped second separating material that is wound, in part, onto the feed reel and is fastened at one end to the receiving reel, wherein the web-shaped second separating material is arranged between the feed reel and the receiving reel in the guide arrangement and is guided through a receiving region of the two or more receiving arrangements, c) guiding the dispenser material tape in the dispenser arrangement through the dispensing region, d) winding the web-shaped second separating materials onto the receiving reel in the respective two or more receiving arrangements, wherein the web-shaped second separating materials are unwound from the feed reel and are guided in the guide arrangement through the receiving region, and e) outputting the adhesive elements from the dispenser arrangement in the dispensing region, and transferring, in each case, one part of the outputted adhesive elements into the receiving regions of the two or more receiving arrangements such that the transferred adhesive elements are arranged on the respective web-shaped second separating materials.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, in e), the adhesive elements from two or more rows, running in the web direction, of the adhesive elements of the dispenser material tape are, in each case, transferred onto the web-shaped second separating material of each receiving arrangement of the two or more receiving arrangements.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, in relation to the web direction, the transferred adhesive elements are arranged on the respective web-shaped second separating materials in a reduced number per length unit than on the dispenser material tape.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the dispenser arrangement comprises a detaching region upstream of the dispensing region in the web direction of the dispenser material tape, wherein the detaching region is configured to reduce the adhesion of the adhesive elements on the web-shaped first separating material upstream of the dispensing region.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the dispenser arrangement comprises one or more transfer elements, wherein the transfer elements are configured to separate adhesive elements, arranged in the dispensing region, from the web-shaped first separating material with the formation of a reversibly and non-destructively releasable connection, to receive them and to transfer them in the receiving region onto the web-shaped second separating material of one receiving arrangement two or more receiving arrangements.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the dispenser arrangement comprises a variable-position dispensing edge in the dispensing region.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the dispenser arrangement comprises a positionally fixed dispensing edge in the dispensing region, wherein the dispenser arrangement is configured such that the dispenser material tape, guided in the dispenser arrangement, is guidable over the positionally fixed dispensing edge such that the adhesive elements are separated from the web-shaped first separating material in the dispensing region, and the adhesive elements are conveyed beyond the positionally fixed dispensing edge.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the dispenser arrangement comprises a circulating conveying element with a reduced-adhesion surface in the dispensing region, wherein the dispenser arrangement is configured such that an adhesive element, conveyed beyond the dispensing edge, is transferred with the adhesive layer onto the reduced-adhesion surface of the conveying element.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the circulating conveying element comprises a conveying dispensing edge, wherein the dispenser arrangement is configured such that adhesive elements at the conveying dispensing edge, conveyed on the circulating conveying element, are conveyed beyond the conveying dispensing edge and are output from the dispenser arrangement.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the conveying speed of the circulating conveying element V.sub.F is higher than the guide speed of the dispenser material tape V.sub.M in the dispenser arrangement.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the dispenser arrangement comprises one or more guide elements, wherein the one or more guide elements are configured to set the position of adhesive elements arranged on the circulating conveying element.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the two or more receiving arrangements are cartridge units, and wherein the produced adhesive reels, loaded with adhesive elements are a constituent part of refilled cartridge units.

13. A dispenser apparatus adapted for configuring a dispenser arrangement, the dispensing apparatus comprising: a first reel receptacle for receiving a master reel, comprising a dispenser material tape, in a rotatably mounted manner, wherein the dispenser material tape comprises a multiplicity of adhesive elements with a carrier layer and an adhesive layer which is connected to the latter, wherein the adhesive elements are arranged with the adhesive layer on a web-shaped first separating material: a second reel receptacle for receiving a winding reel in a rotatably mounted manner, for winding up the web-shaped first separating material which is freed from adhesive elements; and a guide device configured to guide the dispenser material tape from the master reel through a dispensing region, and to guide the web-shaped first separating material, freed from adhesive elements in the dispensing region, to the winding reel, wherein the dispenser apparatus is configured to separate the adhesive elements from the web-shaped first separating material in the dispensing region, and to output them at the same time or in an alternating manner to two separate receiving arrangements.

14. A method comprising: refilling of one or more cartridge units with the dispenser apparatus of claim 13.

15. A refilled cartridge unit comprising the following arranged in a housing: i) the feed reel, ii) the receiving reel, iii) the guide arrangement, and iv) a material tape comprising a multiplicity of adhesive elements which are arranged with the adhesive layer on the web-shaped second separating material, wherein the material tape is wound partially onto the receiving reel and is fastened at one end to the feed reel, wherein the web-shaped second separating material is arranged between the feed reel and the receiving reel in the guide arrangement and is guided through the receiving region of the receiving arrangement, wherein the guide arrangement comprises a positionally fixed cartridge dispensing edge, wherein the cartridge unit is configured such that the material tape, provided on the receiving reel, can be guided over the cartridge dispensing edge to the feed reel such that the adhesive elements is separable from the web-shaped second separating material in the receiving region and outputable from the cartridge unit.

Description

[0086] In the following text, preferred embodiments of the invention will be explained and described in greater detail with reference to the appended figures, in which:

[0087] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic illustration of the components used in a method according to the invention, in a first preferred embodiment,

[0088] FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic illustration of the components used in a method according to the invention, in a second preferred embodiment,

[0089] FIG. 3 shows a perspective illustration of the components according to FIG. 2,

[0090] FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic illustration of the components used in a method according to the invention, in a third preferred embodiment,

[0091] FIG. 5 shows a diagrammatic illustration of the components used in a method according to the invention, in a fourth preferred embodiment,

[0092] FIG. 6 shows a diagrammatic illustration of the components used in a method according to the invention, in a fifth preferred embodiment,

[0093] FIG. 7 shows a plan view of the components according to FIG. 6,

[0094] FIG. 8 shows a perspective illustration of the components according to FIG. 6,

[0095] FIG. 9 shows a diagrammatic illustration of the components used in a method according to the invention, in a sixth preferred embodiment,

[0096] FIG. 10 shows a plan view of the components according to FIG. 9, and

[0097] FIG. 11 shows a perspective illustration of the components according to FIG. 9.

[0098] FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 9 diagrammatically show different preferred embodiments of the components used in a method according to the invention for producing adhesive reels loaded with adhesive elements 10. FIGS. 3, 8 and 11, and 7 and 10 each show perspective views or plan views of individual embodiments of these six embodiments.

[0099] The dispenser arrangement 14 used in the method according to the invention comprises, in the respective embodiments, at least one first reel receptacle 48, a second electrically driven reel receptacle 52 and a guide device 56. In the method according to the invention, a dispenser material tape 12 is guided from a master reel 50, mounted rotatably on the first reel receptacle 48, via the guide device 56 and through a dispensing region 18 to a winding reel 54 which is in turn mounted rotatably on the second reel receptacle 52.

[0100] In the examples which are shown, the dispenser material tape 12 of the master reel 50 has a width in each case of approximately 400 mm perpendicularly with respect to the web direction, and comprises a web-shaped first separating material 16 which, in the example which is shown, is configured as a liner which is coated with a silicone release layer. A multiplicity of circular adhesive elements 10 with an adhesive layer pointing in the direction of the liner is arranged on the liner in such a way that they are present in a dense package. This means, for example, that the adhesive elements 10 are arranged offset with respect to one another in a total of ten rows running in the web direction, in such a way that as little free space which has not had adhesive applied to it as possible remains between the adhesive elements. In the examples which are shown, the adhesive elements 10 are adhesive round punched blanks, as are used, for example, for covering recesses in the automotive industry.

[0101] In the context of the method according to the invention according to FIG. 1, the adhesive elements 10 are detached partially from the liner at a positionally fixed dispensing edge 38 in the dispensing region 18 of the dispenser arrangement 14, by the dispenser material tape 12 being guided around the positionally fixed dispensing edge 58 so sharply that the inherently rigid adhesive elements 10 cannot follow the movement of the liner. The corresponding adhesive elements 10 are received by a transfer element 34 shortly upstream of or at the positionally fixed dispensing edge 38 and, as a result, are output from the dispenser arrangement 14 in the dispensing region 18, with the result that merely the liner (that is to say, the web-shaped first separating material 16) is wound onto the winding reel 54.

[0102] In the embodiment of FIG. 2 which can be expedient, in particular, for strongly adhering adhesive elements 10, a detaching region 32 is additionally provided upstream of the dispensing region 18 in the web direction in order to reduce the adhesion between the liner and the adhesive elements 10. In the detaching region 32 which is formed by a total of three deflection rollers, temporary detaching of the adhesive elements 10 from the liner is brought about by a similar principle as is likewise known from the dispensing edge. In contrast to this, however, the adhesive elements 10 are placed onto the same liner again, wherein a running distance difference between the detaching point of an adhesive element 10 and the renewed contact point of the same adhesive element 10 on the liner arises as a result of the arrangement of the deflection rollers. This embodiment and the functionality of the detaching region 32 is likewise shown in FIG. 3 in a perspective illustration.

[0103] As an alternative, outputting of the adhesive elements 10 from the dispensing region 18 of the dispenser arrangement 14 can also be achieved by a variable-position dispensing edge 36, as shown in FIG. 4. The variable-position (what is known as shuttling) dispensing edge 36 comprises, in the example which is shown, a movable deflection roller which has been provided with a movement arrow in FIG. 4.

[0104] In the embodiments of FIGS. 5, 6 and 9, the dispenser arrangement 14 additionally comprises, in the dispensing region 18, a circulating conveying element 40 which is configured as a conveyor belt, is coated with a silicone release layer and therefore has a reduced-adhesion surface. In these embodiments, an adhesive element 10 which is output over the positionally fixed dispensing edge 38 is transferred directly onto the circulating conveying element 40 and is received there either by one of the transfer elements 34, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, or is output directly from the dispenser arrangement 14 over a conveying dispensing edge 42 by the conveying element 40, as shown in FIG. 9. Here, the circulating conveyor belt 40 makes it possible for a speed difference to be implemented between the conveying speed of the circulating conveying element 40 v.sub.F and the guide speed of the dispenser material tape 12 v.sub.M in such a way that the adhesive elements 10 are separated on the conveying element 40 along the conveying direction.

[0105] In order to carry out the method according to the invention, at least two receiving arrangements 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e are required in addition to the dispenser arrangement 14. The receiving arrangements 20a-e each comprise a rotatably mounted feed reel 22 and an electrically driven receiving reel 24, and a guide arrangement 26 for guiding a web-shaped second separating material 28 which, in a similar manner to the web-shaped first separating material 16, is likewise configured as a liner with a silicone release layer.

[0106] Within the context of the method according to the invention, in all the embodiments which are shown, the adhesive elements 10, output by the dispenser arrangement 14, are transferred into one of five receiving arrangements 20a-e, by being positioned in each case in a receiving region 30 of the receiving arrangements 20a-e on the web-shaped second separating material 28 which is guided here from the feed reel 22 via a dispensing edge and the guide arrangement 26 until it is subsequently wound onto the receiving reel 28.

[0107] In the examples shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, for the transfer of the adhesive elements 10, the dispenser arrangement 14 comprises in each case a plurality of transfer elements 34 configured as suction grippers, wherein in each case merely one transfer element 34 is shown for reasons of clarity. Via a reversibly and non-destructively releasable connection of the transfer elements 34 to the adhesive elements 10, the adhesive elements 10 can be released in the dispensing region 18 from the liner of the dispenser arrangement 14, and can be positioned precisely in the receiving region 30 on the liner of the receiving unit 20a-e.

[0108] Within the context of the method according to the invention, the adhesive elements 10 are in other words transferred from the liner of the master reel 50 onto one of the liners of the different receiving arrangements 20a-e and, together with the liner, wound onto its respective receiving reel 24. In the examples which are shown, the liners of the total of five receiving arrangements 20a-e therefore have a reduced width in comparison with the liner of the master reel 50. In the examples which are shown, during the transfer of the adhesive elements 10, the relative arrangement of the adhesive elements 10 with respect to one another is changed in each case in such a way that the transferred adhesive elements 10 are arranged in merely one row on the respective liners of the receiving arrangements 20a-e

[0109] In the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 5 and 9 to 11 which are shown, the receiving arrangements 20a-e are each configured as cartridge units 46a, 46b, 46c, 46d, 46e which can be used in typical application apparatuses for adhesive elements. For reasons of clarity, however, the cartridge unit 46a is additionally labelled as a corresponding receiving arrangement 20a merely in the illustration of FIG. 1.

[0110] The cartridge units 46a-e have, as part of the guide arrangement 26, a positionally fixed cartridge dispensing edge 60, wherein the abovementioned components of the receiving arrangement 20a-e are arranged in the cartridge unit 46a in a housing 58. With their housing 58, the cartridge units 46a-e are arranged in a manner which can be replaced reversibly and non-destructively in receiving positions which are designed for this purpose and are equipped with drive units.

[0111] In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the receiving arrangements 20a-e are not configured as cartridge units 46a-e. In this embodiment, an adhesive reel which is loaded with adhesive elements 10 in a method according to the invention can be obtained separately by the web-shaped second separating material 28 being severed between the reels, and the receiving reel 24 being removed from the receiving arrangement 20a-e after a predefined filling degree is reached. FIGS. 7 and 8 each show different perspective views of this embodiment.

[0112] In the embodiment of FIG. 9 which is considered to be particularly preferred by the inventors, no transfer elements 34 are advantageously necessary. Repositioning of the adhesive elements 10 on the surface of the conveying element 40 is achieved in this embodiment not only by the speed difference between the conveying element 40 and the dispenser material tape 12, but rather is also brought about transversely with respect to the web direction, in particular, by guide elements 44a, 44b which are shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The guide elements 44a-b can set the position of adhesive elements 10 on the conveying element 40 in such a way that they can be transferred as a single row of newly positioned adhesive elements 10 directly from the conveying dispensing edge 42 onto the dispensing edge of the respective receiving arrangement 20a-e.

[0113] In the embodiment of FIG. 9 which is shown, the method according to the invention can be operated, in particular, particularly efficiently as a continuous method, with the result that guiding the dispenser material tape 12 in the dispenser arrangement 14, winding up the web-shaped second separating materials 28 on the receiving reels 24 in the respective receiving arrangements 20a-e, outputting adhesive elements 10 from the dispenser arrangement 14, and transferring in each case part of the output adhesive elements 10 into the receiving regions 30 of the receiving arrangements 20a-e are carried out substantially at the same time.

List of Designations

[0114] 10 Adhesive element [0115] 12 Dispenser material tape [0116] 14 Dispenser arrangement [0117] 16 Web-shaped first separating material [0118] 18 Dispensing region [0119] 20a-e Receiving arrangement [0120] 22 Feed reel [0121] 24 Receiving reel [0122] 26 Guide arrangement [0123] 28 Web-shaped second separating material [0124] 30 Receiving region [0125] 32 Detaching region [0126] 34 Transfer element [0127] 36 Variable-position dispensing edge [0128] 38 Positionally fixed dispensing edge [0129] 40 Circulating conveying element [0130] 42 Conveying dispensing edge [0131] 44a-b Guide element [0132] 46a-e Cartridge unit [0133] 48 First reel receptacle [0134] 50 Master reel [0135] 52 Second reel receptacle [0136] 54 Winding reel [0137] 56 Guide device [0138] 58 Housing [0139] 60 Positionally fixed cartridge dispensing edge [0140] v.sub.F Conveying speed of the circulating conveying element [0141] v.sub.M Guide speed of the dispenser material tape