CN120476086A

CN120476086A - Method for producing a glue roller provided with a glue element and a refill cartridge unit

Info

Publication number: CN120476086A
Application number: CN202380088775.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: L·赫布斯特; D·N·埃金; J·马特尔
Original assignee: Tesa SE
Current assignee: Tesa SE
Priority date: 2022-10-25
Filing date: 2023-10-19
Publication date: 2025-08-12
Also published as: DE102022128248A1; KR20250096794A; WO2024088881A1; EP4608749A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing an adhesive roll provided with adhesive elements (10), comprising the method steps of a) producing or producing a usable dispenser material web (12) in a dispenser device (14), wherein the dispenser material web (12) comprises a plurality of adhesive elements (10), wherein the dispenser device (14) is configured to separate the adhesive elements (10) from a web-shaped first release material (16) in a dispensing zone (18) and to output them from the dispenser device (14), b) producing or producing a usable two or more receiving devices (20 a-e), each comprising i) a feed roll (22), ii) a receiving roll (24), iii) a guiding device (26), and iv) a web-shaped second release material (28), wherein the web-shaped second release material (28) is arranged in the guiding device (26) between the feed roll (22) and the receiving roll (24) and is guided past the receiving zone (30) of the receiving devices (20 a-e), c) the dispenser material web (12) in the guiding device (14) produces or produces usable two or more receiving devices (20 a-e), each comprising i) a feed roll (22), ii) a guiding the web-shaped second release material (28) onto the corresponding receiving roll (24 a-e), and e) outputting the adhesive elements (10) from the dispenser device (14) in the dispensing region (18) and transferring in each case some of the output adhesive elements (10) into the receiving region (30) of the receiving device (20 a-e).

Description

Method for producing a glue roller provided with a glue element and a refill cartridge unit

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method for producing a glue reel (glue reel, ADHESIVE REEL) loaded with a glue element, in particular during refilling of a cartridge unit, to a dispenser device for use in a corresponding method, to the use of a corresponding dispenser device during refilling of a cartridge unit, and to a refilled cartridge unit producible by the method.

Background

The use of adhesive elements is an important component of many modern manufacturing methods today. The corresponding adhesive element is used here not only for fastening components of the substrate, but also in particular for closing openings in the substrate. Openings of this type are usually present for manufacturing reasons and are a possible weak point in the subsequent product, for example, through which moisture or contaminants can pass. The use of a suitable adhesive element having an adhesive property at least on one side for closing the respective opening in the substrate is a simple, time-saving and cost-effective solution for closing the respective opening and preventing undesired penetration of contaminants, wherein adhesive elements of this type are currently already conventionally used in the prior art for this purpose, which adhesive element is also referred to as a punched blank (punched blank) due to the method of its production.

It will basically be conceivable to manually position the respective adhesive element on the substrate. However, in advancing the process of automation and in view of the continuing interest in procedures that are as efficient as possible and less susceptible to faults, application (application) devices have been developed that can be automated for applying adhesive elements to a substrate to be subjected to adhesive application. Various requirements are made of the respective application device. For example, the respective application device must in particular be capable of reliably and reproducibly applying the adhesive element to the substrate, wherein a high throughput should ideally be achieved.

In order to optimize the processing efficiency and in order to avoid complex feeding systems, application devices have been designed with integrated dispenser means for the adhesive element, wherein the provision of the adhesive element and the application device can be built together, for example as part of an end effector of a robot head.

For an efficient supply of the adhesive element, the corresponding application device with the integrated dispenser device is often dependent on a refill system, wherein an adhesive reel loaded with adhesive element is inserted into the dispenser device, which adhesive reel can be removed and replaced again after application of the adhesive element contained on the adhesive reel. Here, many modern application devices rely on a design called a refill cartridge, wherein an adhesive reel loaded with adhesive elements is typically arranged in a housing. In many cases, the respective refill cartridge also comprises integrated guiding means, for example comprising guiding rollers and deflecting elements, which optimally guide the material web located in the refill cartridge and allow the material web to be unwound (unwind, unwound) in the refill cartridge by means of an external drive unit. The use of a corresponding refill cartridge, which is also advantageous, in particular during storage and in transport, generally allows particularly quick, reliable and fault-free supply of the application device with the adhesive elements required for application.

Although advantages are associated with the use of replaceable adhesive spools loaded with adhesive elements and particularly with the use of refill cartridges, their use is sometimes seen as disadvantageous in other respects. In particular, the adhesive reel without adhesive elements, that is to say the usually empty carrier reel and the remaining unreeled liner, often accumulate (accrue) as waste after use, in particular in the case of relatively old systems, and can only be recycled very complex. In this regard, in many cases, the handling of an empty refill cartridge is considered to be more advantageous due to the integrated guide means and the reel normally present for rolling up the unreeled (unwound, unrolled) liner. However, even in the case of a refill cartridge, recirculation or refilling is often complicated, which is often caused by the housing of the refill cartridge, which in many cases cannot be easily opened from the outside, for example if an empty adhesive tape spool is to be removed and replaced with a new adhesive tape spool. In many cases, a new material web must additionally be threaded into the guide means of the refill cartridge and must be connected to the winding reel. For these reasons, refilling of the refill cartridges is often not time-efficient and/or cost-efficient, and in many cases can only be automated with difficulty.

In addition to the above problems, time-efficient and cost-effective production of new adhesive reels loaded with adhesive elements (which can be inserted directly into the application device or the refill cartridge, for example) is regarded as challenging in many cases. The application devices commonly used as end effectors are often limited by the maximum weight they can have, with the result that the inserted glue reels loaded with glue elements can often have only a limited width. In many cases, this type of application device is designed for tape reels having only one row of adhesive elements on a release (separating) liner. However, for production efficiency reasons, in the case of producing adhesive reels loaded with adhesive elements, for example adhesive reels with punched blanks, it is actually preferable that they are produced in large production widths, for example 400mm or more, and that the adhesive elements are packed on the liner as densely as possible, so that as many adhesive elements as possible can be obtained per unit time and area. Production of adhesive spools (which in many cases are referred to as main spools) suitable for application devices and/or refill cartridges from these starting materials requires complex systems and/or procedures and/or is associated with reduced time and/or cost efficiency.

Disclosure of Invention

The main object of the present invention is to obviate or at least mitigate the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

In particular, the object of the present invention is to specify an advantageous method for producing a gluing reel loaded with a gluing element, which method can be used in particular during refilling of a cartridge unit.

In this regard, it is an object of the present invention that the adhesive reel or the refill cartridge loaded with the adhesive element should be able to be produced in a time-efficient and cost-efficient manner by the method to be described.

A supplementary object of the invention is that the adhesive reel loaded with adhesive elements, which is suitable for use in an application device configured as an end effector, should be able to be produced by the method to be described, wherein the production should ideally also be possible starting from a main reel of adhesive elements with a large production width and a high packing density.

Another object of the invention is that a large number of glue reels loaded with glue elements should be able to be produced simultaneously by the method to be described, or that a large number of reusable cartridge units should be able to be refilled simultaneously.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an advantageous dispenser device for use in the method to be described and to describe the use of the corresponding dispenser device during refilling of the cartridge unit. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a refill cartridge unit that can be produced by the method to be described.

The inventors of the present invention have now found that the above-mentioned object is achieved if the method for producing a gluing reel loaded with gluing elements is performed with a dispenser device by means of which the gluing elements of a strip of dispenser material are transferred onto a web-shaped separating material by means of two or more receiving devices in order to produce a gluing reel loaded with gluing elements in the receiving devices, as defined in the claims. In this regard, the inventors have successfully identified a particularly suitable structural embodiment by which the adhesive element can be efficiently dispensed from the dispenser device onto a large number of receiving devices, even from a wide and densely packed main reel.

The above object is therefore achieved by the subject matter of the invention as defined in the claims. Preferred refinements (refinishments) according to the invention result from the dependent claims and the following description.

Those embodiments which are indicated as preferred hereinafter are in combination with the features of other embodiments which are indicated as preferred in particularly preferred embodiments. Thus, a combination of two or more embodiments, hereinafter referred to as particularly preferred, is very particularly preferred. Embodiments are also preferred, wherein one feature of one embodiment is specified as being preferred to some extent in combination with one or more other features of the other embodiments that are specified as being preferred to some extent. Features of the preferred dispenser device, use and refill cartridge unit result from features of the preferred method.

The invention relates in particular to a method for producing a gluing reel loaded with a gluing element, comprising the following method steps:

a) The dispenser material strip is produced or provided in a dispenser device,

Wherein the dispenser material strip comprises a plurality of adhesive elements having a carrier layer and an adhesive layer connected thereto, wherein the adhesive elements are arranged (ARRANGED WITH THE ADHESIVE LAYER) in an adhesive layer on a first separator material in web form,

Wherein the dispenser device is configured to separate the adhesive element from the first separator material in web form in the dispensing area, and to output them from the dispenser device,

B) Producing or providing two or more receiving devices, each comprising:

i) A feed spool (supply spool, FEEDING REEL),

Ii) a receiving reel which is arranged to receive the spool,

Iii) Guiding device, and

Iv) a second separating material in the form of a web which is partly wound onto the feed reel and fastened at one end to the receiving reel, wherein the second separating material in the form of a web is arranged in the guiding means between the feed reel and the receiving reel and is guided through the receiving area of the receiving means,

C) The strip of dispenser material in the dispenser device is guided through the dispensing zone,

D) Winding a web-shaped second separating material onto a receiving reel in a corresponding receiving device, wherein the web-shaped second separating material is unwound from a feed reel and guided through a receiving area in a guiding device, and

E) The adhesive element is output from the dispenser device in the dispensing region and a portion of the output adhesive element is transferred in each case into a receiving region of the receiving device in order to arrange the transferred adhesive element on the respective web-shaped second separating material.

The method according to the invention is used for producing a gluing reel loaded with a gluing element. The corresponding glue reel may for example be used directly in the application device or may be used for producing or refilling the cartridge unit. Furthermore, by the method according to the invention, the cartridge unit can advantageously be refilled directly, that is to say, the previously emptied cartridge unit can be refilled by the method according to the invention, as a result of which the gluing reel loaded with the gluing element is produced directly in the cartridge unit.

In method step a), a so-called dispenser material web is first presented, which comprises a gluing element intended to be dispensed to a downstream receiving device in order to produce a gluing reel loaded with the gluing element.

The dispenser material web is preferably provided in wound form, wherein the person skilled in the art also refers herein to a so-called main reel. The respective main reels are generally produced in large production widths, with the result that it becomes possible to provide each main reel with a large number of adhesive elements. The method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the dispenser material web is preferably provided on a main reel, wherein the main reel particularly preferably has a width in the range of 300 to 500 mm, very particularly preferably in the range of 350 to 450 mm.

The method according to the invention is advantageously applicable to a wide range of possible adhesive elements. However, with regard to the industrial relevance of the respective adhesive element, the method according to the invention is particularly suitable for processing so-called stamping blanks, wherein in particular the processing of contact adhesive elements is relevant. The method according to the invention is thus relevant for substantially all embodiments, wherein the adhesive element is a punched blank. The method according to the invention is also advantageous for most cases, wherein the adhesive element is a rectangular or circular, preferably circular, adhesive element, wherein the adhesive element may have in particular rounded corners. Furthermore, the method according to the invention is common in practice, wherein the adhesive element is a contact adhesive element, and/or wherein the adhesive layer comprises a contact adhesive compound, wherein the adhesive layer preferably consists of a contact adhesive compound.

For the adhesive layer of the adhesive element, the person skilled in the art can rely on conventional adhesive compounds known in the adhesive technology field, such as poly (meth) acrylate-based and/or rubber-based systems. The corresponding adhesive layer is arranged on a carrier layer, which is usually formed from plastic, as is usual in industry. Even though in theory it is possible to treat (process) adhesive elements having adhesive properties on both sides by the method according to the invention, the method according to the invention will in practice be used first for adhesive elements having adhesive properties on one side. An example is a method according to the invention, wherein the carrier layer comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, cyclic olefin copolymers, polyvinyl chloride, polyesters, ethylene vinyl alcohol (ETHYLENE VINYL alcoho), polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyacrylonitrile, polycarbonate, polyamide, polyethersulfone and polyimide, preferably selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate, wherein the carrier layer preferably consists of these materials. The method according to the invention, wherein the side of the adhesive element facing away from the adhesive layer is formed by a carrier layer, is preferred for the most part.

The adhesive element is arranged on the dispenser material strip on the release material. The corresponding web-shaped release materials, which are also generally referred to as liners, are familiar to those skilled in the art of adhesive technology and are referred to in the present case as release materials, since the adhesive elements arranged thereon can be easily separated from them due to reduced adhesion on the surface. The function of the release material may be achieved by means of conventional release layers, which are known to the person skilled in the art, and which are applied to the surface of the release material, wherein, for example, they cover a base layer comprising plastic or paper. In other words, this is generally a method according to the invention, wherein the web-shaped first separator material and/or the web-shaped second separator material, preferably all web-shaped separator materials, are liners. Here, the method according to the invention is typical, wherein the web-shaped first release material and/or the web-shaped second release material, preferably all web-shaped release materials, are coated on the side facing the adhesive element with a release layer, preferably with a silicone release layer, wherein the silicone release layer can preferably be produced by crosslinking a crosslinkable silicone system comprising one or more polysiloxanes.

The dispenser material strip is produced or provided in a so-called dispenser device. The dispenser device is configured to separate the adhesive element from the first separator material in web form by suitable means and to output them from the dispenser device, wherein particularly suitable constructional improvements for performing this function will be disclosed hereinafter. The area of the dispenser device in which the adhesive element separated from the separating material is output is referred to as the dispensing area in the context of the present invention. In a preferred refinement, the dispenser device will comprise, in addition to the main reel comprising the dispenser material web, a winding reel and a guiding device for guiding the dispenser material web in the dispenser device. The dispenser material web extends from the main reel to the winding reel and in the process passes through the dispensing zone, tensioned by a guide element of the guide means, which may be, for example, a guide roller. Those skilled in the art understand that in this configuration, only the web-shaped first separator material is present downstream of the dispensing zone in the web direction, which is free (typically completely free) of adhesive elements and is wound onto the winding reel. By means of the drive (drive) of the winding reel, which may optionally be combined with the drive of the main reel, a first separating material in web form and thus a strip of dispenser material may be allowed to pass the dispenser device, with the result that a new adhesive element may be guided from the main reel into the dispensing area. In this regard, the method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the dispenser device comprises:

i.2 A main spool with a strip of dispenser material,

Ii.2) a winding reel for winding a first separator material in the form of a web without adhesive elements,

3) A guiding device configured to guide the dispenser material strip from the main reel through the dispensing area and to guide the web-shaped first separator material without adhesive elements in the dispensing area to the winding reel. Furthermore, the method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the main reel and/or the winding reel, preferably the winding reel, is electrically driven.

In a complementary manner to this, the invention also relates to a dispenser apparatus for use in the method according to the invention for constructing a dispenser device, comprising:

m) a first reel receptacle for receiving in a rotatably mounted manner a main reel comprising a dispenser material web, wherein the dispenser material web comprises a plurality of adhesive elements having a carrier layer and an adhesive layer connected to the carrier layer, wherein the adhesive elements are arranged in the adhesive layer on a first separator material in the form of a web,

N) a second reel receptacle for receiving a winding reel in a rotatably mounted manner for winding a first separator material in web form without adhesive elements,

O) a guiding device configured to guide the dispenser material web from the main reel through the dispensing area and to guide the web-shaped first separator material without adhesive elements in the dispensing area to the winding reel,

Wherein the dispenser device is configured to separate the adhesive element from the first separating material in web form in the dispensing area and to output them to two separate receiving means simultaneously or in an alternating manner.

In this regard, a dispenser device according to the invention is preferred, wherein the first spool receiving portion and/or the second spool receiving portion, preferably the second spool receiving portion, is electrically driven.

An advantage that can be seen as a method according to the invention is that it can be automated particularly easily and efficiently. In this regard, those skilled in the art will appreciate that electronic data processing devices will typically be used for this purpose in order to determine or process the control of the method. In a preferred refinement, the electronic data processing device is part of the dispenser arrangement. Thus, the method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the dispenser means comprises an electronic data processing device for controlling the method.

In method step b), two or more receiving means are then produced or provided, wherein production of the gluing reel loaded with the gluing element will take place. These receiving means comprise a feed reel comprising a rolled-up web-shaped second separated material, which is guided from the feed reel to the receiving reel by guiding means, which may also comprise guiding rollers or other guiding elements. The second separator material in web form can thus be guided through the receiving device by being wound onto the receiving reel and correspondingly unwound from the feed reel. According to the invention, the second separating material in web form passes through a receiving area, which is referred to herein as receiving means. In the context of the present invention, this part of the receiving device is thus represented, wherein the adhesive element output from the dispenser device is transferred to the receiving device and is accordingly received by the latter. In this regard, the person skilled in the art understands that in the context of the method according to the invention, the web-shaped second separating material, which does not yet comprise any adhesive element, is guided through the receiving area, where the adhesive element is loaded and subsequently wound onto a receiving reel. The method according to the invention is preferred in which the feed reel and/or the take-up reel, preferably the take-up reel, is electrically driven. In addition or alternatively, the method according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the guiding device and/or the guiding unit comprises one or more guiding elements, preferably guiding rollers.

The production of the receiving device will be relevant here, in particular for a method according to the invention in which a glue reel loaded with glue elements is produced, which glue elements will then be intended to be further processed into glue reels, for example by insertion into an application device or for filling a cartridge unit in a downstream filling method. In these cases, the receiving means are produced, for example, by inserting a feed reel with a new web-shaped second separating material and a reel adapted to receive an adhesive reel into a device provided for this purpose and comprising, for example, guiding means and driving means for the respective reel. The second separator material in web form can then be threaded into the guide device and connected to the receiving reel such that it can be wound onto the receiving reel. During production of the respective adhesive reel, the web-shaped second release material is advantageously provided by a large material reel with which a plurality of adhesive reels can be produced continuously, with the result that after a sufficiently filled adhesive tape reel has been achieved, the liner can be cut (severed) and the produced adhesive reel can be removed. The free end of the web-shaped second separator material can then be connected to a new receiving reel in order to start the method over again. In this modification, the method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the produced adhesive reel loaded with adhesive elements is produced as a separate adhesive reel. The method according to the invention is preferred here, wherein the method additionally comprises the following method steps:

f) When a predetermined filling level of the receiving reel is reached, the web-shaped second separating material of the respective receiving means is cut off and the respective receiving reel is removed from the receiving means to obtain an adhesive reel loaded with adhesive elements.

The preferred method according to the above-described features of the invention, by which the separate gluing reels are obtained, can be efficiently implemented by a filling device in which the dispenser device used according to the invention is combined with some of the constituent parts of the receiving device. The corresponding constituent parts of the receiving means comprised by the filling device are in practice usually not regularly replaced parts, such as corresponding reel receptacles for inserting the feed reel or the receiving reel, and the necessary guiding means. Thus, the method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the method is performed by a filling device, wherein the filling device comprises:

u) a dispenser device, and

V) two or more spool-holding portion devices comprising:

i) A third spool receiving portion for receiving the feed spool in a rotatable mounting,

Ii) a fourth spool receiving portion for receiving the receiving spool in a rotatably mounted manner, an

Iii) A guiding device.

Especially when refilling a recycled cartridge unit, the direct production of the gluing reel with the gluing element loaded inside the cartridge unit can be seen as an alternative to the production of the separate gluing reel described above. In these cases, the receiving means are formed by a cartridge unit comprising a feed reel, a receiving reel, guiding means and a web-shaped second separating material. After refilling, the respective cartridge unit may be inserted into a suitable cartridge-based application device. The method according to the invention is therefore preferred, wherein the two or more receiving means are cartridge units, preferably recycled cartridge units, wherein the cartridge units are particularly preferably reversible and non-destructively exchangeable cartridge units of the application device, and wherein the produced adhesive reel loaded with adhesive elements is an integral part of the refilled cartridge units. The method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the method additionally comprises the following method steps:

g) The refilled cartridge unit is inserted into the cartridge container of an application device, preferably an end effector.

The filled cartridge unit usable in the application device comprises a web-shaped second release material loaded with adhesive elements and continuously emptied during use in the application device, wherein the web-shaped second release material is wound onto a feed reel, which can be said to perform the opposite function during emptying compared to refilling. After complete emptying of the cartridge unit, the second separator material in web form is thus present in a wound state on the feed reel, but is still connected to the receiving reel. The emptied cartridge unit is therefore advantageously in a state exactly intended for use as receiving means in the method according to the invention, wherein the running direction of the reel is reversed between use in the application device and use in the refilling method.

In order to improve the operability, the respective cartridge unit is generally provided with a housing intended for protecting the inner constituent parts from direct access from the outside and from environmental influences. Those skilled in the art understand that the second separator material in web form must be accessible in the receiving area, however, as a result, the adhesive element provided by the dispenser device can be transferred to the second separator material in web form at this location. In this regard, the present inventors have successfully determined a particularly advantageous improvement of the cartridge unit. As part of the guiding means in the receiving area, this makes use of a so-called cartridge dispensing edge. This is part of a guiding device which ensures that the web-shaped second separating material is guided around the edge in the receiving area, wherein deflection of 90 ° or more is usually aimed for. By means of the respective cassette dispensing edge, an advantageous web tension can be achieved, onto which the adhesive element can be transferred particularly satisfactorily for refilling in the receiving area. Furthermore, if the direction of travel is reversed when used in the application device, the cartridge dispensing edge causes or handles the release of the adhesive element from the release liner and as a result allows an advantageous output of the adhesive element from the cartridge unit. Here, such an output takes place in the case of an adhesive layer at the bottom, with the result that the output of the adhesive element from the cartridge unit can take place during use of the application device of the adhesive layer at the bottom, with the result that the adhesive element can be transferred onto a surface of reduced adhesion, for example of an endless conveyor element (for example a vacuum belt), from which surface the adhesive element can be received particularly efficiently by the application element and can be positioned on a substrate to be applied with adhesive. The method according to the invention is therefore preferred, wherein the cartridge unit comprises a housing, wherein the housing is preferably configured in such a way that the web-shaped second release material can be loaded with adhesive elements from the outside substantially only in the receiving area. Furthermore, the method according to the invention is preferred in that the cartridge unit comprises a stationary cartridge dispensing edge as part of the guiding means, wherein the cartridge unit is configured such that a material web arranged on the receiving reel and comprising a plurality of adhesive elements arranged with an adhesive layer on the web-shaped second separating material can be guided on the cartridge dispensing edge to the feeding reel such that the adhesive elements can be separated from the separating material in the receiving area and can be output from the cartridge unit.

In a manner complementary thereto, the invention also relates to a refill cartridge unit produced or producible by the method according to the invention, comprising the following arranged in a housing:

i) The feed reel is provided with a feed roller,

Ii) a receiving reel which is arranged to receive the spool,

Iii) Guiding device, and

Iv) a material web comprising a plurality of adhesive elements, the adhesive layer of the adhesive elements being arranged on a second separating material in the form of a web, wherein the material web is partly wound onto a receiving reel and fastened at one end to a feeding reel, wherein the second separating material in the form of a web is arranged in a guiding device between the feeding reel and the receiving reel and is guided past a receiving area of the receiving device, and wherein the guiding device comprises a box dispensing edge, in particular a knife edge, which is fixed in position, wherein the box unit is configured such that the material web provided on the receiving reel can be guided onto the box dispensing edge to the feeding reel such that the adhesive elements can be separated from the second separating material in the form of a web in the receiving area and can be output from the box unit.

The inventors propose that a particularly efficient procedure is possible if a specific receiving position is provided in the dispenser device, into which receiving position the cartridge unit can be inserted in an optimal manner, for example because they make possible an at least partly positive locking arrangement of the cartridge unit in the dispenser device. In the evaluation of the inventors, it is particularly preferable that the cartridge unit itself is configured without a driving means. As a result, the initial production of the respective cartridge units is significantly facilitated and the need for more complex components can be reduced. During subsequent use in the application device, the reels of the respective cartridge units may be driven by the drive unit of the application device.

In order to make efficient refilling possible in the method according to the invention, the receiving position of the dispenser device for the cartridge units may be provided with a drive unit which in the method according to the invention assumes the drive of (assume), wherein it is also conceivable that a plurality of cartridge units are driven by the same drive unit. In this case, the method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the dispenser device comprises two or more receiving positions, wherein two or more cartridge units may be arranged such that they may be reversibly and non-destructively replaced in order to perform the method. Additionally or alternatively, the method according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the feed reel and the receiving reel are configured as non-driven reels in the cartridge unit. Furthermore, the method according to the invention is preferred in that the dispenser device comprises a drive unit for driving the feed reel and/or the receiving reel of the cartridge unit arranged in the receiving position of the dispenser device. Additionally or alternatively, the method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the feed reel and/or the receiving reel, preferably the feed reel and the receiving reel, comprise a central structured engagement recess (central structured ENGAGEMENT RECESS), wherein the central structured engagement recess preferably has a toothed structure. In addition or alternatively, the method according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the drive unit comprises one or more connection elements which are arranged in the region of the receiving position and are configured to engage into engagement recesses of the feed reel and/or the receiving reel when the cartridge unit is arranged in the receiving position and to produce a form-fitting locking connection, which makes it possible to drive the guide device by the drive unit.

Regardless of the way in which the adhesive reel loaded with adhesive elements is produced, it can be seen as a great advantage of the method according to the invention that it is suitable for producing relatively large amounts of adhesive reels simultaneously. In this regard, the person skilled in the art understands that the number of gluing reels to be produced simultaneously or the number of cartridge units to be refilled is related to the number of receiving means. In the inventors' evaluation, it is basically preferred here to provide as many receiving means as possible, wherein the maximum number of receiving means to be effectively loaded will of course depend on the width of the main reel. The method according to the invention is therefore preferred, wherein in method step b) three or more, preferably four or more, particularly preferably five or more receiving means are provided, and/or wherein in method step e) the adhesive element is transferred into the receiving area of three or more, preferably four or more, particularly preferably five or more receiving means.

In the following, preferred structural improvements are disclosed, which in the inventors' estimation are particularly satisfactory for carrying out the method according to the invention. The individual constructional measures can be combined with one another in order to optimize the apparatus and the arrangement used in the method according to the invention according to the respective application requirements and to adapt them to the efficient treatment of the adhesive elements used, in particular with regard to their adhesive properties and their arrangement on the first separating material in web form.

The inventors propose that a so-called separation zone may be provided upstream of the dispensing zone for reducing the adhesion of the adhesive element on the first separator material in web form before the adhesive element is actually output from the dispenser device in the dispensing zone. This is advantageous, in particular when it is intended to treat the adhesive element, which exhibits relatively significant adhesion on the first release material in spite of the reduced adhesion surface of the web-shaped first release material, in order to make easier transfer possible. Furthermore, such an improvement is particularly suitable for use in combination with a transfer element, as disclosed hereinafter. These transfer elements are intended to promote the adhesive elements of the first separator material from the web shape, which is advantageously promoted if a release area is provided, as a result of which the necessary adhesive strength to the transfer elements can be reduced during reception. The corresponding release zone can be realized structurally, for example, by the fact that the first separating material in web form is deflected by three guide elements, as a result of which it is guided on the first, second and third guide elements, which are so close to each other that the adhesive element cannot perform such deflection and travel path extension, but is diverted beyond the edge formed by the first guide element directly onto the pad contacted again at the third guide element. The method according to the invention is therefore preferred, wherein the dispenser device comprises a release area upstream of the dispensing area in the web direction of the dispenser material strip, wherein the release area is configured to reduce the adhesion of the adhesive element on the web-shaped first separator material upstream of the dispensing area, preferably by temporarily releasing the adhesive element from the web-shaped first separator material and subsequently re-contacting. The method according to the invention is preferred here in that the release zone comprises a deflection device with three or more deflection rollers, which are arranged in such a way that the adhesive element is separated from the first separating material in web form at the first deflection roller and is conveyed beyond the first deflection roller, with the result that they are again brought into contact with the first separating material in web form at the second deflection roller, which is guided in between on a third deflection roller arranged offset (offset) with respect to the first and second deflection rollers, in order to create a difference in the travel distance.

In addition to or as an alternative to the release region, the dispenser device can be configured in such a way that it comprises a position-variable dispensing edge in the dispensing region. Corresponding variable-position dispensing edges are also known to those skilled in the adhesive arts and are named shuttle dispensing edges (shuttling DISPENSING EDGE). The corresponding concepts for implementing a shuttle distribution edge are known to those skilled in the art based on their general expertise. For this embodiment, the dispenser device comprises at least one movable element which can be moved back and forth in order to guide the web-shaped first separating material into and out of the dispensing area and thus to present an adhesive element arranged on the web-shaped first separating material, as a result of which, for example, it can be received particularly efficiently by the transfer element. The method according to the invention is therefore preferred, wherein the dispenser device comprises a position-variable dispensing edge in the dispensing region, wherein the position-variable dispensing edge is preferably formed by three or more deflection elements on which the dispenser material web is guided, wherein the position of at least two deflection elements can be changed in a reversible and non-destructive manner.

Instead of a shuttle-like dispensing edge, the dispensing device may be provided with a stationary dispensing edge in the dispensing area. The term "dispensing edge" is herein clear to a person skilled in the art and the concept of a dispensing edge is well known to a person skilled in the art of adhesive technology. The material strip with the web-shaped first separating material and the adhesive element arranged thereon is fed onto a dispensing edge, wherein the web-shaped first separating material is sharply (acutely, sharply) guided around the dispensing edge at the end of the dispensing edge. Since the inherent rigidity of the adhesive element is greater than the adhesion to the web-shaped separating material, the adhesive element cannot follow this movement of the separating material, but is continuously released from the separating material as the material web is guided further over the dispensing edge.

The corresponding dispensing edge has a double advantageous effect. Firstly, it ensures an advantageous tension of the first separating material in the web shape in the dispensing region, as a result of which the adhesive element can be removed particularly effectively by the transfer element. Furthermore, the above-described function makes it possible for the adhesive element guided on the edge of the dispensing edge to be separated from the separating material without the use of a transfer element, as a result of which, in particular, a combination of endless transport elements and a direct transfer, which are disclosed below, are possible. In this regard, the method according to the invention is preferred in that the dispenser device comprises a stationary dispensing edge, in particular a knife edge, in the dispensing region, wherein the dispenser device is configured such that a strip of dispenser material guided in the dispenser device can be guided over the stationary dispensing edge, such that the adhesive element is separated from the first separating material in the form of a web in the dispensing region and the adhesive element is conveyed beyond the stationary dispensing edge.

Even if it is in principle possible to receive the adhesive element directly from the dispensing area at a shuttle dispensing edge or a stationary dispensing edge, for example by using a suitable transfer element, it is preferred in the inventors' evaluation that for substantially all improvements the adhesive element is first transferred onto an endless conveyor element, for example a conveyor belt, after separation from the first separating material in web form. It is particularly effective here if the transfer of the adhesive element takes place at a dispensing edge which is stationary in position, since the result makes a reliable and controlled transfer to the endless conveyor element possible and, in the case of the use of an endless conveyor element, advantageously no movable improvement of the shuttle dispensing edge is required. The person skilled in the art understands that the simplest development of the method according to the invention is that the adhesive element transferred onto the endless conveyor element is subsequently received by means of a transfer element and transferred to the receiving means. For this purpose, it is advantageous if the surface of the endless conveyor element is configured as a reduced-adhesion surface in the manner of a typical pad, so that the adhesive element can be easily detached from the endless conveyor element. The method according to the invention is therefore preferred, wherein the dispenser device comprises an endless conveyor element having a surface with reduced adhesion in the dispensing area, wherein the dispenser device is configured such that the adhesive element conveyed beyond the dispensing edge is transferred with an adhesive layer onto the surface with reduced adhesion of the conveyor element. The method according to the invention is an example in which the endless conveying element comprises an endless conveyor belt or a conveyor belt, preferably a conveyor belt.

The above-described improvement of the surface of the endless conveyor element as a reduced-adhesion surface can be carried out here simply by a person skilled in the art having the knowledge of the invention, since the person skilled in the art is aware of the concept of reduced-adhesion surfaces from many other fields of adhesive technology, in which fields reduced-adhesion surfaces are often used, for example, in combination with typical gaskets. Without knowledge of the actual application, it is difficult to determine the absolute value of the force and the necessary extent of the decrease in adhesion. The admissible adhesive force between the adhesive element and the surface of reduced adhesion of the transfer element is substantially dependent on the physicochemical properties of the adhesive compound used, in particular its cohesiveness (cohesion), and the adhesive strength which the hypothetical transfer element can briefly develop with respect to the carrier layer of the adhesive element. In practice, the choice of the adhesive compound used for the adhesive layer will in most cases depend on the subsequent use requirements, which consist of the adhesive strength with respect to the substrate to which the adhesive will have to be applied. The person skilled in the art having identified (established) an adhesive compound suitable for interacting with the substrate can then make a suitable choice of the material of the transfer element or its coating, in contrast to which the respective adhesive compound exhibits a sufficiently low adhesion, which allows the adhesive element to be received by the transfer element or separated by the transfer dispensing edge. The method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the adhesion-reduced surface is coated with a release layer, preferably a silicone release layer, wherein the silicone release layer can preferably be produced by crosslinking of a crosslinkable silicone system comprising one or more polysiloxanes. The method according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the surface with reduced adhesion is designed in such a way that, when the adhesive element is received by the transfer element, the adhesion of the adhesive element with respect to the surface with reduced adhesion is lower than the strength of the connection between the transfer element and the adhesive element, preferably lower by 50% or more, particularly preferably lower by 70% or more, very particularly preferably lower by 90% or more.

In an advantageous development, the endless conveyor element can be configured as a vacuum belt, wherein the vacuum acting through the openings in the surface of reduced adhesion makes possible an additional fixing of the adhesive element on the endless conveyor element, which in particular also makes possible a guiding of the adhesive element out of the horizontal plane. The method according to the invention is therefore preferred for applications in which the endless conveyor element comprises a suction function for fixing the adhesive element on the surface of the endless conveyor element. However, the method according to the invention is preferred for most applications, wherein the endless conveyor element does not comprise a suction function for securing the adhesive element on the surface of the endless conveyor element.

The use of a endless transport element in the dispensing area also makes it possible to increase the process reliability, in particular by the fact that a correct positioning of the adhesive element on the endless transport element can be ensured by a sensor unit, such as a camera. Thus, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the dispenser device comprises one or more sensor units, wherein the one or more sensor units are configured to detect the position of the adhesive element on the surface of the endless conveyor element, wherein the method is preferably controlled in a manner dependent on the data that has been recorded by the one or more sensor units.

In the method according to the invention, the adhesive element is transferred starting from the dispenser and the receiving device produced or provided, wherein this comprises method steps c), d) and e). On the part of the dispenser device, the strip of dispenser material is led through the dispensing area in order to separate the first release material from the adhesive element there. In the receiving device, the second separating material in web form is unwound from the feed reel in each case and guided through the receiving area in order to receive the adhesive element there and is subsequently wound onto the receiving reel. When the dispenser material strip is guided through the dispensing area, the adhesive means is output from the dispensing device, wherein the output adhesive element is transferred into the receiving area of the receiving device and positioned there on the corresponding web-shaped second separating material. In this regard, the person skilled in the art understands that the method steps c), d) and e) are generally carried out at least partially simultaneously, wherein in particular practically continuous operation is also possible in a manner dependent on the constructional embodiment of the dispenser device. Alternatively, however, a stepwise (stepped) procedure is also possible, in which the adhesive element is present in the dispensing region and is transferred onto the receiving region, without the corresponding separating material moving at the moment of output or receiving, wherein the separating material is only guided further after the transfer has succeeded in order to present a new adhesive element or to make room for another adhesive element. However, in this regard, those skilled in the art understand that the transition to the continuous process is fluid and may still be barely noticeable to the naked eye as the speed increases at which the step-wise procedure operates. Thus, the process according to the invention is preferred, wherein process steps c) and/or d) and/or e) are preferably carried out at least partially simultaneously. Alternatively, the process according to the invention is preferred, wherein process steps c) and/or d) are carried out discontinuously.

In the inventors' estimation, a particularly efficient improvement for transferring adhesive elements comes from the use of suitable transfer elements. These transfer elements receive the adhesive elements in the dispensing region and transfer them into the receiving region of the receiving device. For this purpose, the transfer element is able to establish a reversible and non-destructive releasable connection with the adhesive element and subsequently receive the adhesive element. After receiving the adhesive element, the transfer element may be moved by an automated movement unit, such as a robotic arm, in order to position the adhesive element on the second separating material in the form of a web and where the reversible and non-destructive releasable connection is separated again. Thus, the method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the dispenser device comprises one or more transfer elements, wherein the transfer elements are configured to separate the adhesive element arranged in the dispensing zone (with the configuration of the reversible and non-destructive releasable connection) from the first separating material in web form to receive them and transfer them in the receiving zone onto the second separating material in web form of one of the receiving devices. The method according to the invention is particularly preferred here, wherein the dispenser device comprises two or more, preferably three or more, particularly preferably four or more, very particularly preferably five or more transfer elements, wherein the dispenser device particularly preferably comprises in each case at least one transfer element for each receiving device.

In the case of the use of a transfer element, the method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the transfer element comprises an automated moving unit and one or more receiving units are arranged on the moving unit, wherein the receiving units are configured to construct a reversible and non-destructive releasable connection to the carrier layer of the adhesive element. The method according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the receiving unit comprises one or more controllable suction grippers (suction grippers, suction ripper), wherein the dispenser device preferably comprises one or more vacuum pumps connected to the suction grippers. Furthermore, the method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the automated mobile unit is an industrial robot, preferably a SCARA robot or a delta robot.

As disclosed above, the respective transfer element can advantageously be combined with all improvements of the dispensing area. In particular, the adhesive element may be received from a dispensing edge that is variable or fixed in position, or particularly preferably from a surface of reduced adhesion of the endless conveyor element. According to this improvement, this is accordingly a method according to the invention, wherein the transfer element is configured to receive the adhesive element from a dispensing edge that is variable in position, or wherein the transfer element is configured to receive the adhesive element from a dispensing edge that is fixed in position, or wherein the transfer element is configured to receive the adhesive element from a surface of reduced adhesion of the endless conveyor element.

As mentioned above, in case a endless transfer element is used, an alternative to using a transfer element may be implemented, which is particularly advantageous in the estimation of the inventors. For this purpose, the transfer elements are designed such that they have a dispensing edge on the side opposite to the area in which the adhesive element is transferred from the first separating material in web form to the endless transfer element, said dispensing edge being referred to as a transfer dispensing edge in the context of the present invention. According to the expert, this is a structural improvement of the endless conveying element, in which case the surface of reduced adhesion deflects so sharply in the manner of the dispensing edge that the adhesive element cannot follow this movement due to its rigidity, with the result that the conveyed adhesive element is conveyed beyond the conveying dispensing edge. In a particularly preferred development, the receiving means can be positioned so close to the delivery dispensing edge that the adhesive element which is delivered beyond the delivery dispensing edge is pushed into the receiving area where it is brought into contact with the web-shaped second release material. Thus, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the endless conveyor element comprises a conveyor distribution edge, wherein the dispenser device is configured such that the adhesive element conveyed on the endless conveyor element is conveyed beyond the conveyor distribution edge at the conveyor distribution edge and is output from the dispenser device.

The above-described improvements are advantageously managed without the use of transfer elements and are therefore particularly simple and immune to malfunctions in the equipment. In the inventors' estimation, if the dispenser device has a stationary dispensing edge, a similar improvement can in principle also be achieved without the use of a circulating conveyor element beyond which the adhesive element is pushed and transferred into the receiving area in a similar manner as described above. However, the elimination of the use of endless conveyor elements is less advantageous, in particular in connection with the separation of the adhesive elements, as will be disclosed hereinafter.

In order to ensure that even in the case of adhesive elements which adhere only weakly to the web-shaped second separating material they do not separate from the separating material in an undesired manner after transfer, the inventors propose that a pressing element, for example a pressing roller, may additionally be provided which presses the transferred adhesive element onto the web-shaped second separating material in order to ensure sufficient adhesion. The method according to the invention is therefore preferred, wherein the dispenser device comprises one or more pressing elements, preferably pressing rollers, wherein the pressing elements are configured to press the adhesive element on the web-shaped second release material transferred to one of the receiving devices in the receiving area onto the web-shaped second release material.

In view of the above statements, the person skilled in the art understands that in a preferred embodiment the output and transfer of the adhesive element takes place by means of a transfer element or by means of a transfer from the dispenser device directly onto the dispensing edge in the receiving area. Furthermore, it is clear to a person skilled in the art that, considering that two or more receiving means are loaded simultaneously, the output and transfer of the adhesive element preferably take place substantially simultaneously or at least in an alternating manner in different receiving means, wherein improvements are also conceivable, wherein different receiving units are filled continuously. The method according to the invention is therefore preferred, wherein the output and transfer of the adhesive element takes place by means of a transfer element, or wherein the output and transfer of the adhesive element takes place on a stationary dispensing edge or a conveying dispensing edge of a circulating conveying element. The method according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the outputting and transferring of the adhesive element to the different receiving means takes place at least partly simultaneously or in an alternating manner, preferably at least partly simultaneously.

An important aspect of the invention and a particularly great advantage of the method according to the invention is that a wide main reel can also be used as a distributor material web, on which main reel a plurality of rows of adhesive elements extend in the web direction, even if these arrangements are intended to achieve as high a use density as possible in the case of the tightest packaging, as is conceivable, for example, in the case of circular or oval adhesive elements. By the method according to the invention, cutting of the main reel can be dispensed with, wherein the adhesive elements of two or more reels of the main reel are advantageously transferred into each receiving means. The method according to the invention is therefore preferred for substantially all embodiments, wherein the adhesive elements in the dispenser material strip are arranged in two or more, preferably three or more, particularly preferably five or more rows extending in the web direction, wherein the adhesive elements of adjacent rows are preferably arranged offset relative to each other in the web direction. The method according to the invention is preferred here, wherein for each receiving device the dispenser material web comprises two or more rows extending in the web direction, preferably exactly (precisely) two rows of adhesive elements. The method according to the invention is also preferred, wherein in method step e) adhesive elements from two or more, preferably exactly two, rows of adhesive elements of the distributor material strip extending in the web direction are transferred onto the web-shaped second separating material of each receiving device in each case.

A particular advantage that can be seen as a method according to the invention is that the transfer of the adhesive elements makes it possible to change the arrangement of the adhesive elements that are transferred, and in particular, it is possible to produce only one row of adhesive elements on the web-shaped second separator material from two or more rows of adhesive elements of the main reel. The corresponding adhesive reel can be configured with a minimum working width and is particularly preferred for use in end effectors in weight-related aspects. Furthermore, the simple arrangement of the row of adhesive elements on the adhesive reel loaded with adhesive elements makes it possible to realize a relatively simple provision method for adhesive elements in the application device. The method according to the invention is therefore preferred, wherein the relative arrangement of the transferred adhesive elements with respect to each other is changed during transfer, wherein the adhesive elements of two or more, in particular exactly two, rows of adhesive elements of the distributor material strip extending in the web direction are preferably arranged in one row on the web-shaped second separator material, in particular in an alternating manner, and/or wherein the transferred adhesive elements are arranged on the respective web-shaped second separator material in a smaller number of rows, preferably in exactly one row, extending in the web direction than on the distributor material strip, and/or wherein the transferred adhesive elements are arranged on the respective web-shaped second separator material in a reduced number per length unit with respect to the web direction than on the distributor material strip.

The above-described embodiments, in which the gluing elements arranged closely on the main reel change their relative arrangement during transfer in order to achieve in particular a simplified arrangement on the web-shaped second separator material, can be reliably achieved, for example, by using transfer elements which can remove the gluing elements from both rows of the main reel, for example, in an alternating manner, and place them one after the other on the web-shaped second separator material, wherein the person skilled in the art understands that in this case the web speed of the web-shaped second separator material is higher than the guiding speed of the web of the dispenser material.

However, in the case of the use of endless conveying elements, a very particularly advantageous improvement can be achieved. Due to the fact that the transport speed of the endless transport element is chosen to be greater than the guiding speed of the dispenser material web, the adhesive element received from the endless transport element at the dispensing edge can be separated in the web direction. Even though this effect is at least theoretically usable for facilitating the reception of the adhesive element by the transfer element, the inventors propose that running the endless conveyor element at a higher speed can be combined with guiding elements positioned above the endless conveyor element such that they displace the adhesive element conveyed above the endless conveyor element onto a surface of reduced adhesion. Due to the combination of the endless conveyor element running at a higher speed with the guide element, the closely packed adhesive elements on the main reel can be separated along the conveying direction and repositioned transversely with respect to the conveying direction, as a result of which they can be transferred to the receiving device at the conveying distribution edge, for example in the form of a single row. In this regard, the inventors propose that in this case, if the guiding element is designed in the manner of a template (stepil) which can be positioned above the endless conveyor element depending on the main reel used, the dispenser device used in the method according to the invention can be adapted in a flexible manner to the different shape and arrangement of the adhesive elements on the main reel in order to optimally position the respective adhesive element on the endless conveyor element for transfer into the receiving device, for example wherein the guiding element template of a circular adhesive element differs from the guiding element template of an oval adhesive element. The method according to the invention is therefore preferred, wherein the conveying speed v _F of the endless conveying element is higher than the guiding speed v _M of the distributor material web in the distributor device, wherein the conveying speed of the conveying element is preferably at leastOr greater, particularly preferably at leastOr greater, very particularly preferably at leastOr greater, particularly preferably at leastOr larger. The method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the dispenser device comprises one or more (preferably at least two per receiving device) guiding elements, wherein the one or more guiding elements are configured to set the position of the gluing element arranged on the endless conveyor element.

Finally, the invention further relates to the use of the dispenser device according to the invention during refilling of an empty glue reel with a glue element, in particular during refilling of a cartridge unit, particularly preferably simultaneously refilling of two or more empty glue reels.

Drawings

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described and illustrated in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 shows a schematic view of the components used in the method according to the invention in a first preferred embodiment;

Figure 2 shows a schematic view of the components used in the method according to the invention in a second preferred embodiment,

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the component according to figure 2,

Figure 4 shows a schematic view of the components used in the method according to the invention in a third preferred embodiment,

Figure 5 shows a schematic view of the components used in the method according to the invention in a fourth preferred embodiment,

Figure 6 shows a schematic view of the components used in the method according to the invention in a fifth preferred embodiment,

Figure 7 shows a plan view of the component according to figure 6,

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the component according to figure 6,

Figure 9 shows a schematic view of the components used in the method according to the invention in a sixth preferred embodiment,

FIG. 10 shows a plan view of the component according to FIG. 9, and

Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of the component according to fig. 9.

Detailed Description

Figures 1,2, 4, 5, 6 and 9 schematically show different preferred embodiments of components used in the method according to the invention for producing a gluing reel loaded with a gluing element 10. Fig. 3,8 and 11, and 7 and 10 show perspective or plan views of each of these six embodiments, respectively.

In a corresponding embodiment, the dispenser device 14 used in the method according to the invention comprises at least one first reel receiver 48, a second electrically driven reel receiver 52 and a guide device 56. In the method according to the invention, the dispenser material web 12 is guided from a main reel 50 rotatably mounted on the first reel housing 48 via a guide 56 and through the dispensing region 18 to a winding reel 54, which winding reel 54 is in turn rotatably mounted on the second reel housing 52.

In the example shown, the dispenser material strips 12 of the main reel 50 have a width of about 400mm in each case perpendicularly with respect to the web direction and comprise a first separator material 16 in the form of a web, which in the example shown is configured as a liner coated with a silicone release layer. A plurality of circular adhesive elements 10 with adhesive layers pointing in the direction of the liner are 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 each other in a total of ten rows extending in the web direction, so that as little free space as possible remains between the adhesive elements that has not yet been applied with adhesive. In the example shown, the adhesive element 10 is an adhesive (glued) round stamping blank, for example for covering a recess in the automotive industry.

In the context of the method according to the invention according to fig. 1, the adhesive element 10 is partially separated from the liner at the stationary dispensing edge 38 in the dispensing region 18 of the dispenser device 14 by the dispenser material web 12 being guided around the stationary dispensing edge 58 so sharply that the inherently rigid adhesive element 10 cannot follow the movement of the liner. The respective adhesive element 10 is received by the transfer element 34 immediately upstream of the stationary dispensing edge 38 or at this dispensing edge 38 and is thus output from the dispenser device 14 in the dispensing region 18, with the result that only the liner (that is to say the first separating material 16 in web form) is wound onto the winding reel 54.

In the embodiment of fig. 2, it may be advantageous, in particular for strongly adhering adhesive elements 10, for the separation zone 32 to be additionally arranged upstream of the distribution zone 18 in the web direction, in order to reduce the adhesion between the liner and the adhesive element 10. In the separating region 32 formed by a total of three deflection rollers, the temporary separation of the adhesive element 10 from the liner is achieved by a similar principle as is known from the dispensing edge. In contrast, however, the adhesive element 10 is again placed on the same pad, wherein a difference in running distance occurs between the separation point of the adhesive element 10 and the re-contact point of the same adhesive element 10 on the pad due to the arrangement of the deflection roller. The function of this embodiment and the separation region 32 is also shown in the perspective view of fig. 3.

Alternatively, the output of the adhesive element 10 from the dispensing region 18 of the dispenser device 14 can also be achieved by a position-variable dispensing edge 36, as shown in fig. 4. In the example shown, the position-variable (so-called shuttle) dispensing edge 36 comprises a movable deflection roller, which has been provided with a movement arrow in fig. 4.

In the embodiment of fig. 5, 6 and 9, the dispenser device 14 additionally comprises in the dispensing zone 18 an endless conveying element 40, which is configured as a conveyor belt, is coated with a silicone release layer and thus has a surface with reduced adhesion. In these embodiments, the adhesive element 10 output on the stationary dispensing edge 38 is transferred directly onto the endless conveyor element 40 and is received there by one of the transfer elements 34, as shown in fig. 5 and 6, or is output by the conveyor element 40 directly from the dispenser device 14 onto the conveyor dispensing edge 42, as shown in fig. 9. Here, the endless conveyor belt 40 makes it possible to achieve a speed difference between the conveying speed v _F of the endless conveyor element 40 and the guiding speed v _M of the dispenser material web 12, so that the adhesive element 10 is separated on the conveyor element 40 in the conveying direction.

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

In the context of the method according to the invention, in all embodiments shown, the adhesive element 10 output by the dispenser device 14 is transferred into one of the five receiving devices 20a-e, by being positioned in each case in the receiving region 30 of the receiving devices 20a-e on the web-shaped second separating material 28, where the web-shaped second separating material 28 is guided from the feed reel 22 via the dispensing edge and the guiding device 26 until it is subsequently wound onto the receiving reel 28.

In the example shown in fig. 1 to 8, for transferring the adhesive element 10, the dispenser device 14 comprises in each case a plurality of transfer elements 34 configured as suction grippers, wherein for the sake of clarity only one transfer element 34 is shown in each case. Via a reversible and non-destructive releasable connection of the transfer element 34 with the adhesive element 10, the adhesive element 10 can be released from the liner of the dispenser device 14 in the dispensing area 18 and can be positioned precisely in the receiving area 30 on the liner of the receiving units 20 a-e.

In the context of the method according to the invention, in other words, the adhesive element 10 is transferred from the liner of the main reel 50 onto one of the liners of the different receiving means 20a-e and wound together with this liner onto its corresponding receiving reel 24. In the example shown, the pads of a total of five receptacles 20a-e thus have a reduced width compared to the pads of the main spool 50. In the example shown, during the transfer of the adhesive elements 10, the relative arrangement of the adhesive elements 10 with respect to each other is changed in each case in such a way that the transferred adhesive elements 10 are arranged in only one row on the respective pad of the receiving means 20 a-e.

In the embodiments shown in fig. 1 to 5 and 9 to 11, the receiving means 20a-e are each configured as a cartridge unit 46a, 46b, 46c, 46d, 46e usable in a typical application device for adhesive elements. However, for clarity, only in the illustration of fig. 1, the cartridge unit 46a is additionally labeled as a corresponding receiving means 20a.

As part of the guiding means 26, the cartridge units 46a-e have a fixed position cartridge dispensing edge 60, wherein the above-mentioned components of the receiving means 20a-e are arranged in the cartridge unit 46a in the housing 58. With their housing 58, the cartridge units 46a-e are arranged in such a way that in a receiving position designed for this purpose and equipped with a drive unit, the cartridge units 46a-e can be replaced reversibly and non-destructively.

In the embodiment of fig. 6, the receiving means 20a-e are not configured as cartridge units 46a-e. In this embodiment, the gluing reels loaded with the gluing elements 10 in the method according to the invention are individually obtainable by severing the web-shaped second release material 28 between the reels, and after a predetermined filling level has been reached, the receiving reels 24 are removed from the receiving means 20 a-e. Fig. 7 and 8 each show a different perspective view of this embodiment.

In the embodiment of fig. 9, which is considered by the inventors to be particularly preferred, it is advantageous that no transfer element 34 is required. In this embodiment, the repositioning of the adhesive element 10 on the surface of the transfer element 40 is achieved not only by the speed difference between the transfer element 40 and the dispenser material web 12, but also transversely with respect to the web direction, in particular by the guide elements 44a, 44b shown in fig. 10 and 11. The guiding elements 44a-b may set the position of the adhesive elements 10 on the transfer element 40 such that they may be transferred as a single row of newly positioned adhesive elements 10 directly from the transfer dispensing edge 42 to the dispensing edge of the respective receiving device 20 a-e.

In the embodiment of fig. 9 shown, the method according to the invention can be operated particularly efficiently as a continuous method, with the result that guiding the dispenser material web 12 in the dispenser device 14, winding the web-shaped second separating material 28 on the receiving reel 24 in the respective receiving device 20a-e, outputting the adhesive element 10 from the dispenser device 14, and in each case transferring a portion of the output adhesive element 10 into the receiving area 30 of the receiving device 20a-e takes place substantially simultaneously.

List of reference numerals

10. Adhesive element

12. Dispenser material strip

14. Distributor device

16. First separating material in web form

18. Distribution area

20A-e receiving device

22. Feed reel

24. Receiving reel

26. Guiding device

28. Web-shaped second separating material

30. Receiving area

32. Separation region

34. Transfer element

36. Position-variable dispensing edge

38. Fixed dispensing edge

40. Endless conveying element

42. Delivery distribution edge

44A-b guide element

46A-e box unit

48. First reel accommodating portion

50. Main reel

52. Second reel accommodating portion

54. Winding reel

56. Guiding device

58. Shell body

60. Fixed-position cartridge dispensing edge

Conveying speed of endless conveying member

Guiding speed of a material web of a dispenser

Claims

1. Method for producing an adhesive reel loaded with adhesive elements (10), comprising the following method steps:

a) Producing or providing a strip of dispenser material (12) in a dispenser device (14),

Wherein the dispenser material strip (12) comprises a plurality of adhesive elements (10) having a carrier layer and an adhesive layer connected thereto, wherein the adhesive elements (10) are arranged with the adhesive layer on a first separator material (16) in the form of a web,

Wherein the dispenser device (14) is configured to separate the adhesive element (10) from the first separating material (16) in web form in the dispensing region (18) and to output them from the dispenser device (14),

B) Producing or providing two or more receiving means (20 a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20 e), each comprising:

i) A feed reel (22),

Ii) a receiving reel (24),

Iii) A guide device (26), and

Iv) a web-shaped second separating material (28) which is partly wound onto the feed reel (22) and fastened at one end to the receiving reel (24), wherein the web-shaped second separating material (28) is arranged in the guiding means (26) between the feed reel (22) and the receiving reel (24) and is guided through the receiving area (30) of the receiving means (20 a-e),

C) Guiding the dispenser material strip (12) in the dispenser device (14) through the dispensing zone (18),

D) Winding a web-shaped second separating material (28) onto a receiving reel (24) in a respective receiving device (20 a-e), wherein the web-shaped second separating material (28) is unwound from a feed reel (22) and guided through a receiving area (30) in a guiding device (26), and

E) The adhesive element (10) is output from the dispenser device (14) in the dispensing region (18), and a portion of the output adhesive element (10) is transferred in each case into a receiving region (30) of a receiving device (20 a-e) in order to arrange the transferred adhesive element (10) on the respective web-shaped second separating material (28).

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in method step e), the adhesive elements (10) from the two or more rows of adhesive elements (10) extending in the web direction from the distributor material strip (12) are transferred in each case onto the web-shaped second separating material (28) of each receiving device (20 a-e).

3. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the transferred adhesive elements (10) are arranged on the respective web-shaped second separating material (28) in a reduced number per length unit than on the dispenser material strip (12) with respect to the web direction.

4. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the dispenser device (14) comprises a separation zone (32) upstream of the dispensing zone (18) in the web direction of the dispenser material strip (12), wherein the separation zone (32) is configured to reduce the adhesion of the adhesive element (10) on the web-shaped first separation material (16) upstream of the dispensing zone (18).

5. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the dispenser device (14) comprises one or more transfer elements (34), wherein the transfer elements (34) are configured to separate the adhesive element (10) arranged in the dispensing area (18) from the first separating material (16) in web form by forming a reversible and non-destructive releasable connection to receive them and transfer them in the receiving area (30) onto the second separating material (28) in web form of one of the receiving devices (20 a-e).

6. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the dispenser device (14) comprises a variable position dispensing edge (36) located in the dispensing region (18).

7. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the dispenser device (14) comprises a stationary dispensing edge (38) located in the dispensing region (18), wherein the dispenser device (14) is configured such that the dispenser material strip (12) guided in the dispenser device (14) can be guided over the stationary dispensing edge (38) such that the adhesive element is separated from the web-shaped first separating material (16) in the dispensing region (18) and the adhesive element (10) is conveyed beyond the stationary dispensing edge (38).

8. A method as claimed in any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the dispenser device (14) comprises an endless conveyor element (40) having a reduced adhesion surface in the dispensing area (18), wherein the dispenser device (14) is configured such that the adhesive element (10) conveyed beyond the dispensing edge (36, 38) is transferred onto the reduced adhesion surface of the conveyor element (40) with an adhesive layer.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the endless conveyor element (40) comprises a conveyor distribution edge (42), wherein the dispenser device (14) is configured such that the adhesive element (10) at the conveyor distribution edge (42) conveyed on the endless conveyor element (40) is conveyed beyond the conveyor distribution edge (42) and out of the dispenser device (14).

10. A method as claimed in any one of claims 8 or 9, wherein the conveying speed V _F of the endless conveying element (40) is higher than the guiding speed V _M of the distributor material web (12) in the distributor device (14).

11. The method as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the dispenser device (14) comprises one or more guiding elements (44 a, 44 b), wherein the one or more guiding elements (44 a-b) are configured to set the position of the adhesive element (10) arranged on the endless conveyor element (40).

12. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein two or more receiving means (20 a-e) are cartridge units (46 a, 46b, 46c, 46d, 46 e), and wherein the produced adhesive reel loaded with adhesive element (10) is an integral part of a refilled cartridge unit (46 a-e).

13. Dispenser apparatus for use in the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12 for constructing a dispenser device (14), comprising:

m) a first reel receptacle (48) for receiving in a rotatably mounted manner a main reel (50) comprising a dispenser material web (12), wherein the dispenser material web (12) comprises a plurality of adhesive elements (10) having a carrier layer and an adhesive layer connected to the carrier layer, wherein the adhesive elements (10) are arranged in the adhesive layer on a first separating material (16) in web form,

N) a second reel receptacle (52) for receiving a winding reel (54) in a rotatably mounted manner for winding a first separating material (16) in the form of a web without adhesive elements (10),

O) a guiding device (56) configured to guide the dispenser material web (12) from the main reel (50) through the dispensing area (18) and to guide the web-shaped first separator material (16) without the adhesive element (10) in the dispensing area (18) to the winding reel (54),

Wherein the dispenser device is configured to separate the adhesive element (10) from the first separating material (16) in web form in the dispensing area (18) and to output them to two separate receiving means (20 a-e) simultaneously or in an alternating manner.

14. Use of a dispenser apparatus as claimed in claim 13 during refilling of a cartridge unit (46 a-e).

15. Refill cartridge unit (46 a-e) produced or producible by the method as claimed in claim 12, comprising the following arranged in a housing (58):

i) A feed reel (22),

Ii) a receiving reel (24),

Iii) A guide device (26), and

Iv) a material web comprising a plurality of adhesive elements (10), the adhesive elements (10) being arranged with an adhesive layer on a web-shaped second separating material (28), wherein the material web is partly wound onto a receiving reel (24) and fastened at one end to a feed reel (22), wherein the web-shaped second separating material (28) is arranged in a guiding device (26) between the feed reel (22) and the receiving reel (24) and guided through a receiving area (30) of the receiving device (20 a-e), and

Wherein the guiding means (26) comprise a fixed-position cassette dispensing edge (60), wherein the cassette units (46 a-e) are configured such that a material web arranged on the receiving reel (24) can be guided onto the cassette dispensing edge (60) to the feeding reel (22) such that the adhesive element (10) can be separated from the web-shaped second release material (28) in the receiving area (30) and can be output from the cassette units (46 a-e).