3m Innovative Properties Company

Michael G Slagter

Leif O Erickson

Gary K Kuhn

James F Pitzen

Kristin LaVelle Thunhorst

Jon E Stickrod

Methods of applying tape to a surface. An embodiment of the invention provides a method of applying a tape to a surface, comprising the steps of: providing a tape, wherein the tape includes a tape backing and an adhesive on the tape backing, and wherein the tape is on a liner; cutting the tape to provide a first length of tape, a second length of tape, and a removable portion of the tape located between the first length of tape and the second length of tape wherein a portion of the first end of the removable portion is cut at an angle oblique to the length of the tape; removing the removable portion of the tape from the liner; separating the first length of tape from the liner; and applying the first length of tape to a surface.

Methods of applying tape to a surface

A tape applicator. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a tape applicator having a tape head, a x-axis actuator for moving the tape head in the x-axis direction, and a y-axis actuator for moving the tape head in the y-axis direction. The tape head preferably includes: i) a base; ii) a tape roll holder attached to the base; iii) a tape application roller attached to the base for applying the tape to a surface; iv) a cutter attached to the base for cutting tape to form a removeable portion of a tape; and v) a remover attached to the base for removing the removeable portion of the tape. The present invention also relates to methods of applying tape to a surface.

Tape applicator and methods of applying tape to a surface

A tape applicator. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a tape applicator that includes a tape head having a base, a tape roll holder attached to the base and a tape application roller for applying a tape to a surface attached to said base, where the tape applicator includes a tape path from the tape roll holder to the tape application roller, and includes a x-axis actuator operatively connected to the tape head for moving said tape applicator in the x-axis direction and a y-axis actuator operatively connected to the tape head for moving said tape applicator in the y-axis direction. The present invention also relates to methods of applying tape to surface.

A method for making a laminate adapted for decorating a substrate including providing (1) a sheet of pre-mask material including a cover layer and a layer of removable adhesive on one surface of the cover layer having an exposed surface defining a first major surface for the sheet of pre-mask material; (2) a supply length of decorative film tape comprising a length of decorative film having opposite first and second major surfaces, and a layer of adhesive along its second major surface; (3) a sheet of release liner having a first major surface adapted to be releasably adhered to by the removable adhesive on the cover layer and by the adhesive on the decorative film; and (4) a tape applicator. One of the sheets is supported with its first major surface in an application plane, and the tape applicator is used to form display lengths of decorative film tape of different predetermined shapes and lengths from the supply length of decorative film tape and to apply those display lengths of decorative film tape to the first major surface of that one of the sheets in a predetermined pattern; after which the first major surface of the other of the sheets is positioned over the surfaces of the display lengths of decorative film tape opposite the first major surface of that one of the sheets. The method adheres the layers of adhesive on the display lengths of decorative film tape to the to the release liner, and adheres the layer of removable adhesive included in the layer of pre-mask material over the first major surfaces of the lengths of decorative film in the display lengths of decorative film tape adhered to the release liner and to the release liner around the display lengths of decorative film tape.

Growing community of inventors

Lakeland, MN, United States of America

Michael G Slagter