The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 03, 1996
Filed:
Aug. 11, 1995
Kenneth Assink, Holland, MI (US);
Mark J Feenstra, Zeeland, MI (US);
J. R. Automation Technologies, Inc., Holland, MI (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method for laying a composite tape on an elongated molding is provided. The apparatus includes a reciprocatable carrier for carrying the molding, a composite tape applicator adapted to apply a pair of parallel strips of composite tape to the back of the molding, and a release-paper-adhering tape applicator adapted to apply release-paper-adhering tape to the release paper on the composite tape. The composite tape applicator includes a composite tape advancing mechanism, a cutter for cutting an expended strip of composite tape from a supply of the composite tape, and a pressing roller for pressing the composite tape securely onto the molding. The release-paper-adhering tape applicator includes a second tape advancing mechanism, a cutter for cutting a section of the release-paper-adhering tape from a supply of the release-paper-adhering tape, and a pressing member and a heater for securely bonding the section of release-paper-adhering tape to the release paper of the composite tape. The apparatus further includes a controller operably connected to the carrier, the composite tape applicator and the release-paper-adhering tape applicator for automatic operation, the controller including the capability of automatically applying release-paper-adhering tape to the end of composite tape strips and also to spliced locations on the composite tape strips so that the release paper can be later removed easily with a single pull when the molding is to be assembled to a vehicle. An article manufactured in accordance with the above is also provided.