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

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing adhesive reels loaded with adhesive elements, in particular during the refilling of cartridge units, to a dispenser apparatus for use in a corresponding method, to the use of a corresponding dispenser arrangement during the refilling of cartridge units, and to a refilled cartridge unit which can be produced by way of the method.

The use of adhesive elements is an important constituent part of many modern manufacturing methods nowadays. Corresponding adhesive elements are used here not only to fasten components of a substrate, but also serve, in particular, to close openings in a substrate. Openings of this type are usually present for manufacturing reasons and, in the later product, are possible weak points, through which moisture or contaminants can pass, for example. The use of suitable adhesive elements, which are adhesive at least on one side, to close corresponding openings in substrates is a simple, time-efficient and cost-efficient solution for closing corresponding openings and preventing an undesired penetration of contaminants, wherein adhesive elements of this type have already been used nowadays regularly for this purpose in the prior art, which adhesive elements are also called punched blanks as a consequence of their production method.

It would fundamentally be conceivable for the corresponding adhesive elements to be positioned manually on a substrate. In the course of advancing automation and in view of a continued interest in a procedure which is as efficient and insusceptible to faults as possible, however, application apparatuses which can be automated have been developed, which serve to apply adhesive elements to a substrate to be subject to adhesive application. A wide variety of requirements are made here of corresponding application apparatuses. For instance, corresponding application apparatuses have to enable, in particular, a reliable and reproducible application of adhesive elements to the substrates, wherein a high throughput should desirably be achieved.

In order to optimize the handling efficiency and in order to avoid complex feed systems, application apparatuses with an integrated dispenser arrangement for adhesive elements have been designed, in which the provision of the adhesive element and the application apparatus can be configured together, for example as part of an end effector of a robot head.

For efficient supply with adhesive elements, corresponding application apparatuses with an integrated dispenser apparatus frequently rely here on a refilling system, in which adhesive reels loaded with adhesive elements are inserted into the dispenser arrangement, which adhesive reels, after application of the adhesive elements contained on the adhesive reel, can be removed again and replaced. Here, many modern application apparatuses rely on designs with what are known as refill cartridges, in which the adhesive reels loaded with adhesive elements are usually arranged in a housing. Corresponding refill cartridges also comprise in many cases an integrated guide arrangement, for example comprising guide rollers and deflecting elements which guide the material tape situated in the refill cartridges in an optimum manner and make it possible for the material tape to be unwound in the refill cartridge by way of an external drive unit. The use of corresponding refill cartridges as a rule allows particularly rapid, reliable and fault-insusceptible supply of the application apparatus with the adhesive elements required for the application, wherein the refill cartridges are also advantageous, in particular, during storage and in transport.

Despite the advantages which are associated with the use of exchangeable adhesive reels loaded with adhesive elements and, in particular, the use of refill cartridges, their use is sometimes also considered disadvantageous under other aspects. In particular, the adhesive reels freed from adhesive elements, that is to say usually the emptied carrier reel and the remaining unwound liner, frequently accrue after use as waste which, in particular in the case of relatively old systems, can be recycled only with great complexity. In this regard, the handling of emptied refill cartridges is considered to be more advantageous in many cases on account of the integrated guide arrangement and a usually present reel for winding up the unrolled liner. Recycling or refilling is, however, frequently complicated even in the case of refill cassettes, which is as a rule caused by the housing of the refill cartridges, which cannot be opened easily from the outside in many cases, for example if an emptied adhesive tape reel is to be removed and replaced by a new adhesive reel. Here, the new material tape additionally has to be threaded into the guide arrangement of the refill cartridge in many cases and has to be connected to the winding reel. For these reasons, refilling of refill cartridges is frequently not time-efficient and/or cost-efficient, and in many cases can be automated only with difficulty.

Beyond the above-described problems, the time-efficient and cost-efficient production of fresh adhesive reels loaded with adhesive elements which can, for example, be inserted directly into application apparatuses or into a refill cartridge is considered to be challenging in many cases. The application apparatuses which are usually used as end effectors are as a rule limited with regard to the maximum weight which they may have, with the result that the inserted adhesive reels loaded with adhesive elements can usually have only a limited width. In many cases, application apparatuses of this type are designed for adhesive tape reels which have merely one row of adhesive elements on the separating liner. For reasons of production efficiency, however, in the case of the production of adhesive reels loaded with adhesive elements, for example adhesive reels with punched blanks, it is actually preferred for them to be produced with great production widths, for example of 400 mm or more, and for packing of the adhesive elements on the liner as densely as possible to be selected, in order for it to be possible for as many adhesive elements as possible to be obtained per unit time and area. The production of adhesive reels suitable for application apparatuses and/or refill cartridges from these starting materials which are called master reels in many cases requires complex systems and/or procedures and/or is associated with reductions in the time efficiency and/or cost efficiency.

It was the primary object of the present invention to eliminate or at least to reduce the above-described disadvantages of the prior art.

In particular, it was the object of the present invention to specify an advantageous method for producing adhesive reels loaded with adhesive elements, which method can be used, in particular, during refilling of cartridge units.

In this regard, it was the object of the present invention that adhesive reels or refill cartridges loaded with adhesive elements should be capable of being produced in a time-efficient and cost-efficient way by way of the method which is to be specified.

Here, it was a supplemental object of the present invention that adhesive reels loaded with adhesive elements which are suitable for use in application apparatuses configured as end effectors should be capable of being produced by way of the method which is to be specified, wherein this production should desirably also be possible starting from master reels with great production widths and high packing densities of the adhesive elements.

It was a further object of the present invention that a great number of adhesive reels loaded with adhesive elements should be capable of being produced at the same time by way of the method which is to be specified, or a large number of reusable cartridge units should be capable of being refilled at the same time.

It was an additional object of the present invention to provide an advantageous dispenser apparatus for use in the method which is to be specified, and to specify the use of a corresponding dispenser apparatus during the refilling of the cartridge units. In addition, it was an object of the present invention to provide a refilled cartridge unit which can be produced by way of the method which is to be specified.

The inventors of the present invention have now discovered that the above-described objects can be achieved if a method for producing adhesive reels loaded with adhesive elements is carried out with a dispenser arrangement, by way of which the adhesive elements of a dispenser material tape are transferred onto web-shaped separating materials by two or more receiving arrangements, in order to produce the adhesive reels loaded with adhesive elements in the receiving arrangements, as is defined in the claims. In this regard, the inventors have succeeded in identifying particularly suitable structural embodiments, by way of which the adhesive elements can be distributed from the dispenser arrangement even from wide and densely packed master reels efficiently onto a large number of receiving arrangements.

The abovementioned objects are therefore achieved by the subject matter of the invention, as defined in the claims. Preferred refinements according to the invention result from the subclaims and the following explanations.

Those embodiments which are denoted as preferred in the following text are combined in particularly preferred embodiments with features of other embodiments which are denoted as preferred. Therefore, combinations of two or more of the embodiments which are called particularly preferred in the following text are very particularly preferred. Embodiments are likewise preferred, in which one feature which is designated to some extent as preferred of one embodiment is combined with one or more further features of other embodiments which are denoted to some extent as preferred. Features of preferred dispenser apparatuses, uses and refilled cartridge units result from the features of preferred methods. The invention relates, in particular, to a method for producing adhesive reels loaded with adhesive elements, comprising the method steps:

• • a) producing or providing a dispenser material tape in a dispenser arrangement,

wherein the dispenser material tape comprises a multiplicity of adhesive elements with a carrier layer and an adhesive layer connected to it, wherein the adhesive elements are arranged with the adhesive layer on a web-shaped first separating material,

wherein the dispenser arrangement is configured to separate the adhesive elements in a dispensing region from the web-shaped first separating material and to output them from the dispenser arrangement,

• • b) producing or providing two or more receiving arrangements, each comprising:
  • i) a feed reel,
  • ii) a receiving reel,
  • iii) a guide arrangement, and
  • iv) a web-shaped second separating material which is wound in part onto the feed reel and is fastened at one end to the receiving reel, wherein the web-shaped second separating material is arranged between the feed reel and the receiving reel in the guide arrangement and is guided through a receiving region of the receiving arrangement,
  • c) guiding the dispenser material tape in the dispenser arrangement through the dispensing region,
  • d) winding the web-shaped second separating materials onto the receiving reels in the respective receiving arrangements, wherein the web-shaped second separating materials are unwound from the feed reel and are guided in the guide arrangement through the receiving region, and
  • e) outputting adhesive elements from the dispenser arrangement in the dispensing region, and transferring in each case one part of the output adhesive elements into the receiving regions of the receiving arrangements in order to arrange the transferred adhesive elements on the respective web-shaped second separating materials.

The method according to the invention serves to produce adhesive reels loaded with adhesive elements. Corresponding adhesive reels can be used, for example, directly in application apparatuses, or can be used for producing or refilling cartridge units. In addition, direct refilling of cartridge units is advantageously possible by way of the method according to the invention, that is to say the previously emptied cartridge units can be refilled by way of the method according to the invention, with the result that the adhesive reel loaded with adhesive elements is produced directly in the cartridge unit.

In method step a), what is known as a dispenser material tape is first of all presented, which comprises the adhesive elements which are intended to be distributed to the downstream receiving arrangements in order to produce the adhesive reels loaded with adhesive elements.

The dispenser material tape is preferably provided in a wound-up form, wherein a person skilled in the art also speaks here of what is known as a master reel. Corresponding master reels are usually produced with great production widths, as a result of which it becomes possible to provide a great number of adhesive elements per master reel. A method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the dispenser material tape is provided, preferably on a master reel, wherein the master reel particularly preferably has a width in the range from 300 to 500 mm, very particularly preferably in the range from 350 to 450 mm.

The method according to the invention is advantageously suitable for a wide range of possible adhesive elements. With regard to the industrial relevance of corresponding adhesive elements, the method according to the invention is particularly suitable, however, for processing what are known as punched blanks, wherein, in particular, the processing of contact adhesive elements is of relevance. Therefore, a method according to the invention is relevant for substantially all embodiments, wherein the adhesive elements are punched blanks. A method according to invention is also expedient for most cases, wherein the adhesive elements are rectangular or circular, preferably circular, adhesive elements, wherein the adhesive elements can have, in particular, rounded corners. Moreover, a method according to the invention is customary in practice, wherein the adhesive elements are contact adhesive elements, 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 elements, a person skilled in the art can fall back on customary adhesive compounds known in the field of adhesive technology, for example poly(meth)acrylate-based and/or rubber-based systems. The corresponding adhesive layer is arranged as is usual in the industry on a carrier layer which is usually formed from a plastic. Even if it is theoretically possible to process adhesive elements which are sticky on both sides by way of the method according to the invention, the method according to the invention will be used in practice, above all, for adhesive elements which are sticky on one side. One example is a method according to the invention, wherein the carrier layer comprises one or more materials which are selected from the group comprising polyethylene, polypropylene, cyclic olefin copolymers, polyvinyl chloride, polyester, ethylene vinyl alcohol, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyacrylonitrile, polycarbonate, polyamide, polyether sulfone and polyimide, preferably selected from the group comprising polyethylene, polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate, wherein the carrier layer preferably consists of these materials. A method according to the invention, wherein that side of the adhesive elements which faces away from the adhesive layer is formed by the carrier layer, is preferred for the vast majority of cases.

The adhesive elements are arranged on the dispenser material tape on a separating material. Corresponding web-shaped separating materials which are as a rule also called liners are familiar to a person skilled in the art of adhesive technology, and are called separating materials in the present case because the adhesive elements which are arranged thereon can be separated easily from them as a consequence of the reduced adhesion on the surface. The functionality of the separating materials can be achieved by customary release layers which are known to a person skilled in the art and are applied to the surface of the separating materials where, for example, they cover the base layer comprising plastic or paper. In other words, this is usually a method according to the invention, wherein the web-shaped first separating material and/or the web-shaped second separating material, preferably all web-shaped separating materials, are/is liners. Here, a method according to the invention is typical, wherein the web-shaped first separating material and/or the web-shaped second separating material, preferably all the web-shaped separating materials, are/is coated with a release layer on the side which faces the adhesive elements, preferably with a silicone release layer, wherein the silicone release layer can preferably be produced by cross-linking a cross-linkable silicone system comprising one or more polysiloxanes.

The dispenser material tape is produced or provided in what is known as a dispenser arrangement. This dispenser arrangement is configured to separate the adhesive elements from the web-shaped first separating material by suitable means and to output them from the dispenser arrangement, wherein particularly suitable structural refinements for the implementation of this functionality will be disclosed in the following text. That region of the dispenser arrangement, in which the adhesive elements separated from the separating material are output, is called a dispensing region within the context of the present invention. In preferred refinements, in addition to the master reel which comprises the dispenser material tape, the dispenser arrangement will comprise a winding reel and a guide device for guiding the dispenser material tape in the dispenser arrangement. Tensioned by the guide elements of the guide device, which can be, for example, guide rollers, the dispenser material tape extends from the master reel to the winding reel and in the process runs through the dispensing region. A person skilled in the art understands that, in this construction, merely only the web-shaped first separating material which is freed (usually completely) from adhesive elements and is wound onto the winding reel is present downstream of the dispensing region in the web direction. By a drive of the winding reel which can optionally be combined with a drive of the master reel, it is possible to allow the web-shaped first separating material and therefore the dispenser material tape to run through the dispenser arrangement, with the result that new adhesive elements can be guided from the master reel into the dispensing region. In this regard, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the dispenser arrangement comprises:

• • i.2) a master reel with the dispenser material tape,
  • ii.2) a winding reel, for winding up the web-shaped first separating material which is freed from adhesive elements,
  • iii.3) a guide device which is configured to guide the dispenser material tape from the master reel through the dispensing region and to guide the web-shaped first separating material which is freed from adhesive elements in the dispensing region to the winding reel. Moreover, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the master reel and/or the winding reel, preferably the winding reel, are/is electrically driven.

In a complementary manner with respect to this, the invention also relates to a dispenser apparatus for use in a method according to the invention for configuring a dispenser arrangement, comprising:

• • m) a first reel receptacle for receiving a master reel, comprising a dispenser material tape, in a rotatably mounted manner, wherein the dispenser material tape comprises a multiplicity of adhesive elements with a carrier layer and an adhesive layer which is connected to the latter, wherein the adhesive elements are arranged with the adhesive layer on a web-shaped first separating material,
  • n) a second reel receptacle for receiving a winding reel in a rotatably mounted manner, for winding up the web-shaped first separating material which is freed from adhesive elements,
  • o) a guide device which is configured to guide the dispenser material tape from the master reel through a dispensing region, and to guide the web-shaped first separating material, freed from adhesive elements in the dispensing region, to the winding reel,

wherein the dispenser apparatus is configured to separate the adhesive elements from the web-shaped first separating material in the dispensing region, and to output them at the same time or in an alternating manner to two separate receiving arrangements in this regard, a dispenser apparatus according to the invention is preferred, wherein the first reel receptacle and/or the second reel receptacle, preferably the second reel receptacle, are/is electrically driven.

It can be considered to be an advantage of the method according to the invention that it can be automated particularly easily and efficiently. In this regard, a person skilled in the art understands that an electronic data processing apparatus will usually be used for this purpose, in order to determine or to handle the control of the method. In preferred refinements, this electronic data processing apparatus is part of the dispenser arrangement. Therefore, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the dispenser arrangement comprises an electronic data processing apparatus for controlling the method.

In method step b), two or more receiving arrangements are then produced or provided, in which the production of adhesive reels loaded with adhesive elements will take place. These receiving arrangements comprise a feed reel which comprises a wound-up web-shaped second separating material which is guided from the feed reel through the guide arrangement, which can once again comprise guide rollers or other guide elements, to the receiving reel. It is possible as a result for the web-shaped second separating material to be conducted through the receiving arrangement by being wound onto the receiving reel and correspondingly being unwound from the feed reel. According to the invention, the web-shaped second separating material runs through what is known as a receiving region of the receiving arrangement here. Within the context of the present invention, that part of the receiving arrangement is therefore denoted, in which the adhesive elements output from the dispenser arrangement are transferred to the receiving arrangement and are correspondingly received by the latter. In this regard, a person skilled in the art understands that, within the context of the method according to the invention, the web-shaped second separating material which does not yet comprise any adhesive elements is guided through the receiving region, is loaded there with adhesive elements and is subsequently wound onto the receiving reel. A method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the feed reel and/or the receiving reel, preferably the receiving reel, are/is electrically driven. In addition or as an alternative, a method according to the invention is likewise preferred, wherein the guide arrangement and/or the guide unit comprise/comprises one or more guide elements, preferably guide rollers.

Here, the production of the receiving arrangement will be relevant, in particular, for such methods according to the invention, in which adhesive reels loaded with adhesive elements are produced, which are subsequently intended to be further processed as adhesive reels, for example by insertion into an application apparatus or for filling a cartridge unit in a downstream filling method. In these cases, for example, the receiving arrangement is produced by virtue of the fact that a feed reel with a fresh web-shaped second separating material and a reel suitable for receiving the adhesive reel are inserted into an apparatus which is provided for this purpose and comprises, for example, the guide arrangement and a drive for the respective reels. The web-shaped second separating material can then be threaded into the guide arrangement and is connected to the receiving reel in such a way that it can be wound onto the latter. During the production of corresponding adhesive reels, the web-shaped second separating material is advantageously provided from a large material reel, with which a plurality of adhesive reels can be produced successively, with the result that, after a sufficiently filled adhesive tape reel has been achieved, the liner can be severed and the produced adhesive reel can be removed. The free end of the web-shaped second separating material can then be connected to a new receiving reel, in order to begin the method again. In this refinement, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the produced adhesive reels loaded with adhesive elements are produced as separate adhesive reels. A method according to the invention is preferred here, wherein the method additionally comprises the following method step:

• • f) severing the web-shaped second separating materials of the respective receiving arrangements when predefined degrees of filling of the receiving reels are reached, and removing the respective receiving reel from the receiving arrangements to obtain the adhesive reels loaded with adhesive elements.

The preferred method according to the invention characterized above, by way of which separate adhesive reels are obtained, can be carried out efficiently by way of a filling apparatus, in which the dispenser arrangement which is to be used according to the invention is combined with certain constituent parts of the receiving arrangement. The corresponding constituent parts of the receiving arrangement which are included by the filling apparatus are in practice usually parts which are not to be changed regularly, for example the corresponding reel receptacles for inserting the feed reel or the receiving reel, and the necessary guide arrangement. Accordingly, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the method is carried out by way of a filling apparatus, wherein the filling apparatus comprises:

• • u) the dispenser arrangement, and
  • v) two or more reel receptacle arrangements, comprising:
  • i) a third reel receptacle for receiving the feed reel in a rotatably mounted manner,
  • ii) a fourth reel receptacle for receiving the receiving reel in a rotatably mounted manner, and
  • iii) the guide arrangement.

The direct production of adhesive reels loaded with adhesive elements in the interior of cartridge units, in particular when refilling recycled cartridge units, can be considered ss an alternative to the above-described production of separate adhesive reels. In these cases, the receiving arrangements are formed by cartridge units which comprise the feed reel, the receiving reel, the guide arrangement and the web-shaped second separating material. After refilling, corresponding cartridge units can be inserted into a suitable cartridge-based application apparatus. Accordingly, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the two or more receiving arrangements are cartridge units, preferably recycled cartridge units, wherein the cartridge units are particularly preferably reversibly and non-destructively replaceable cartridge units of application apparatus is, and wherein the produced adhesive reels loaded with adhesive elements are a constituent part of refilled cartridge units. Here, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the method additionally comprises the following method step:

• • g) inserting the refilled cartridge unit into the cartridge receptacle of an application apparatus, wherein the application apparatus is preferably an end effector.

Filled cartridge units which can be used in an application apparatus comprise the web-shaped second separating material loaded with adhesive elements, and are successively emptied during the use in the application apparatus, wherein the web-shaped second separating material is wound onto the feed reel which, as it were, performs the reversed function during emptying in comparison with refilling. After complete emptying of the cartridge unit, the web-shaped second separating material is therefore present in a wound-up state on the feed reel, but is still connected to the receiving reel. The emptied cartridge unit is therefore advantageously precisely in that state which is predestined for use as receiving arrangement in the method according to the invention, wherein the running direction of the reels is inverted between the use in the application apparatus and the use in the refilling method.

In order to improve the handling properties, corresponding cartridge units are as a rule provided with a housing which is intended to protect the inner constituent parts against direct access from the outside and against environmental influences. A person skilled in the art understands that the web-shaped second separating material has to be accessible in the receiving region, however, with the result that adhesive elements provided by the dispenser arrangement can be transferred at this location to the web-shaped second separating material. In this regard, the inventors have succeeded in identifying a particularly advantageous refinement of the cartridge unit. As part of the guide arrangement in the receiving region, this namely utilizes what is known as a cartridge dispensing edge. This is a part of the guide arrangement which ensures that the web-shaped second separating material is guided around an edge in the receiving region, wherein a deflection of 90° or more is usually aimed for. An advantageous web tension, onto which the adhesive elements can be transferred particularly satisfactorily, can be realized for refilling in the receiving region by way of a corresponding cartridge dispensing edge. If the running direction is inverted in use in the application apparatus, the cartridge dispensing edge brings about or handles, moreover, the release of the adhesive elements from the separating liner and, as a result, allows advantageous outputting of the adhesive elements from the cartridge unit. Here, this output takes place with the adhesive layer at the bottom, with the result that outputting of the adhesive elements from the cartridge unit can take place during use of the application apparatus with the adhesive layer at the bottom, as a result of which the adhesive elements can be transferred, for example, onto the reduced-adhesion surface of a circulating conveying element, for example a vacuum belt, from which the adhesive elements can be received particularly efficiently by an application element and can be positioned on the substrate which is to have adhesive applied to it. Therefore, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the cartridge units comprise a housing, wherein the housing is preferably configured in such a way that the web-shaped second separating material can be loaded substantially exclusively in the receiving region with adhesive elements from the outside. In addition, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the cartridge units comprise a stationary cartridge dispensing edge as part of the guide arrangement, wherein the cartridge units are configured such that a material tape which is provided on the receiving reel and comprises a multiplicity of adhesive elements arranged with the adhesive layer on the web-shaped second separating material can be guided over the cartridge dispensing edge to the feed reel in such a way that the adhesive elements can be separated from the separating material in the receiving region and can be output from the cartridge unit.

In a manner which is complementary with respect to this, the invention also relates to a refilled cartridge unit, produced or able to be produced by way of the method according to the invention, comprising the following arranged in a housing:

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

The inventors propose that a particularly efficient procedure is possible if specific receiving positions are provided in the dispenser arrangement, into which receiving positions the cartridge units can be inserted in an optimum manner, for example because they make an at least partially positively locking arrangement of the cartridge units in the dispenser arrangement possible. In the estimation of the inventors, it is particularly preferred if the cartridge units themselves are configured without a drive. As a result, the initial production of corresponding cartridge units is considerably facilitated, and the requirement for more complex components can be reduced. The reels of corresponding cartridge units can be driven during later use in the application apparatus by drive units of the application apparatus. In order to make efficient refilling possible in the method according to the invention, the receiving positions of the dispenser arrangement for the cartridge units can be provided with drive units which assume the drive of the reels in the method according to the invention, wherein it is also conceivable that a plurality of cartridge units are driven by the same drive unit. A method according to the invention is preferred in this case, wherein the dispenser arrangement comprises two or more receiving positions, in which the two or more cartridge units can be arranged such that they can be replaced reversibly and non-destructively in order to carry out the method. In addition or as an alternative, a method according to the invention is likewise preferred, wherein the feed reel and the receiving reel are configured in the cartridge unit as non-driven reels. Moreover, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the dispenser arrangement comprises a drive unit for driving the feed reel and/or the receiving reel of cartridge units which are arranged in receiving positions of the dispenser arrangement. In addition or as an alternative, moreover, a 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/comprises a central structured engagement recess, wherein the central structured engagement recess preferably has a toothed structure. In addition or as an alternative, a method according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the drive unit comprises one or more connecting elements which are arranged in the region of the receiving positions and are configured, when cartridge units are arranged in the receiving positions, to engage into engagement recesses of the feed reel and/or the receiving reel and to generate a positively locking connection which makes driving of the guide arrangement by the drive unit possible.

Regardless of the manner in which the adhesive reels loaded with adhesive elements are produced, it can be considered to be a great advantage of the method according to the invention that it is suitable for the simultaneous production of a relatively large number of adhesive reels. In this regard, a person skilled in the art understands that the number of adhesive reels to be produced at the same time or cartridge units to be refilled correlates with the number of receiving arrangements. In the estimation of the inventors, it is fundamentally preferred here for as many receiving arrangements as possible to be provided, wherein the maximum number of receiving arrangements to be loaded efficiently will certainly depend in practice on the width of the master reel. Accordingly, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein, in method step b), three or more, preferably four or more, particularly preferably five or more, receiving arrangements are provided, and/or wherein, in method step e), adhesive elements are transferred into the receiving regions of three or more, preferably four or more, particularly preferably five or more, receiving arrangements.

In the following text, preferred structural refinements are disclosed which, in the estimation of the inventors, are particularly satisfactorily suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention. Here, the individual structural measures can be combined among one another, in order to optimize the apparatuses and arrangements used in the method according to the invention with respect to the respective application requirements, and to adapt them for efficient handling of the adhesive elements which are used, in particular with regard to their adhesive properties and their arrangement on the web-shaped first separating material.

The inventors propose that what is known as a detaching region can be set upstream of the dispensing region, which detaching region serves the purpose of reducing the adhesion of the adhesive elements on the web-shaped first separating material before the actual outputting of the adhesive elements from the dispenser arrangement in the dispensing region. This is advantageous, in particular, when adhesive elements are intended to be handled which, despite the reduced-adhesion surface of the web-shaped first separating material, exhibit comparatively pronounced adhesion on the latter, in order to make easier transfer possible. In addition, this refinement is suitable, in particular, for being combined in use with transfer elements, as are disclosed in the following text. These transfer elements are directed at lifting the adhesive elements from the web-shaped first separating material, which is advantageously facilitated if a releasing region is provided, with the result that the necessary bond strength to the transfer elements can be reduced during receiving. A corresponding releasing region can be realized structurally, for example, by virtue of the fact that the web-shaped first separating material is deflected by way of three guide elements, with the result that it is guided over the first, the second and the third guide element, whereas the first and third guide element lie so close to one another that the adhesive elements cannot perform this deflection and running path extension, but rather are transferred beyond the edge, formed by the first guide element, directly onto the liner which comes into contact again at the third guide element. Therefore, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the dispenser arrangement comprises a releasing region upstream of the dispensing region in the web direction of the dispenser material tape, wherein the releasing region is configured to reduce the adhesion of the adhesive elements on the web-shaped first separating material upstream of the dispensing region, preferably by temporary releasing of the adhesive elements from the web-shaped first separating material and subsequent renewed contact. A method according to the invention is preferred here, wherein the releasing region comprises a deflecting arrangement with three or more deflection rollers which are arranged in such a way that the adhesive elements are separated from the web-shaped first separating material at the first deflection roller and are conveyed beyond the first deflection roller, with the result that contact is made by them with the web-shaped first separating material again at the second deflection roller, which first separating material is guided in between over a third deflection roller arranged offset with respect to the first and second deflection roller, in order to produce a difference in running distance.

In addition or as an alternative to a releasing region, the dispenser arrangement can be configured in such a way that it comprises a variable-position dispensing edge in the dispensing region. Corresponding variable-position spending edges are also known to a person skilled in the art of adhesive technology under the name shuttling dispensing edge. Corresponding concepts for implementing a shuttling dispensing edge are known to a person skilled in the art proceeding from their general expert knowledge. For the implementation, the dispenser arrangement comprises at least one movable element which can be moved to and fro with the purpose of guiding the web-shaped first separating material into the dispensing region and out of it and, as a result, of presenting the adhesive element arranged on the web-shaped first separating material, with the result that, for example, it can be received particularly efficiently by a transfer element. Accordingly, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the dispenser arrangement comprises a variable-position dispensing edge in the dispensing region, wherein the variable-position dispensing edge is preferably formed by three or more deflection elements, over which the dispenser material tape is guided, wherein the position of at least two of the deflection elements can be varied in a reversible and non-destructive manner.

As an alternative to the shuttling dispensing edge, the dispensing arrangement can be provided with a positionally fixed dispensing edge in the dispensing region. Here, the term “dispensing edge” is clear to a person skilled in the art, and a person skilled in the art of adhesive technology is well acquainted with the concept of a dispensing edge. The material tape with the web-shaped first separating material and the adhesive elements arranged thereon is fed onto the dispensing edge, wherein the web-shaped first separating material is guided sharply around this dispensing edge at the end of the dispensing edge. As a consequence of the inherent rigidity of the adhesive element which is greater than the adhesion to the web-shaped separating material, the adhesive element cannot follow this movement of the separating material and is rather released successively from the separating material, the further the material tape is guided over the dispensing edge.

Here, a corresponding dispensing edge has a double advantageous effect. Firstly, it ensures an advantageous tension of the web-shaped first separating material in the dispensing region, as a result of which the adhesive elements can be removed particularly efficiently by transfer elements. In addition, the above-described functionality makes it possible that the adhesive elements guided over the edge of the dispensing edge can be separated from the separating material without the use of transfer elements, as a result of which, in particular, the combination of a circulating conveying element, disclosed in the following text, but also a direct transfer become possible. In this regard, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the dispenser arrangement comprises a positionally fixed dispensing edge, in particular a knife edge, in the dispensing region, wherein the dispenser arrangement is configured such that the dispenser material tape, guided in the dispenser arrangement, can be guided over the positionally fixed dispensing edge in such a way that the adhesive elements are separated from the web-shaped first separating material in the dispensing region, and the adhesive elements are conveyed beyond the positionally fixed dispensing edge.

Even if it is in principle possible, for example by the use of suitable transfer elements, to receive the adhesive elements directly from the dispensing region at a shuttling dispensing edge or a positionally fixed dispensing edge, it is preferred for substantially all refinements in the estimation of the inventors if the adhesive elements, after being detached from the web-shaped first separating material, are first of all transferred onto a circulating conveying element, for example a conveying belt. It is particularly efficient here if the transfer of the adhesive elements takes place at a positionally fixed dispensing edge, since a reliable and controlled transfer to the circulating conveying element is made possible as a result, and the movable refinement of a shuttling dispensing edge is advantageously not required in the case of the use of a circulating conveying element. A person skilled in the art understands that the simplest refinement of the method according to the invention consists in that the adhesive elements, transferred onto the circulating conveying element, are subsequently received by way of transfer elements and are transferred to the receiving arrangements. For this purpose, it is expedient for the surface of the circulating conveying elements, in the manner of typical liners, to be configured as a reduced-adhesion surface, in order that the adhesive elements can be detached easily from the circulating conveying element. Accordingly, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the dispenser arrangement comprises a circulating conveying element with a reduced-adhesion surface in the dispensing region, wherein the dispenser arrangement is configured such that an adhesive element, conveyed beyond the dispensing edge, is transferred with the adhesive layer onto the reduced-adhesion surface of the conveying element. A method according to the invention is one example, wherein the circulating conveying element comprises a circulating conveyor belt or a conveying belt, preferably a conveyor belt.

The above-defined refinement of the surface of the circulating conveying element as a reduced-adhesion surface can be implemented simply here by a person skilled in the art with a knowledge of the invention, since this person skilled in the art knows the concept of reduced-adhesion surfaces from many other fields of adhesive technology, where it is as a rule used, for example, in conjunction with typical liners. Without knowledge of the practical application, it is difficult to specify absolute values for the forces which act and the necessary extent of the adhesion reduction. The adhesion forces which can be tolerated between the adhesive elements and the reduced-adhesion surface of the conveying element are dependent substantially on the physical-chemical properties of the adhesive compound used, in particular its cohesion, and the bond strength which a hypothetical transfer element can briefly generate with respect to the carrier layer of the adhesive elements. In practice, the selection of the adhesive compound used in the adhesive layer will depend in most cases on the later use requirements which are made of the bond strength with respect to the substrate which is to have adhesive applied to it. A person skilled in the art who has identified an adhesive compound suitable for the interaction with the substrate can subsequently make a suitable selection for the material of the conveying element or for its coating, with respect to which the respective adhesive compound exhibits a sufficiently low adhesion which makes it possible for the adhesive element to be received by way of the transfer element or to be detached by means of a conveying dispensing edge. A method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the reduced-adhesion surface is coated with a release layer, preferably with 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. A method according to the invention is likewise preferred, wherein the reduced-adhesion surface is designed in such a way that the adhesion of the adhesive elements with respect to the reduced-adhesion surface is lower, preferably by 50% or more, particularly preferably by 70% or more, very particularly preferably by 90% or more, than the connection strength between the transfer element and the adhesive element when the adhesive element is received by way of the transfer element.

In advantageous refinements, the circulating conveying element can be configured as a vacuum belt, in which a vacuum which acts through the openings in the reduced-adhesion surface makes additional fixing of the adhesive elements on the circulating conveying element possible, which, in particular, also makes guidance of the adhesive elements outside the horizontal possible. Accordingly, a method according to the invention is preferred for certain applications, wherein the circulating conveying element comprises a suction function for fixing the adhesive elements on the surface of the circulating conveying element. A method according to the invention is preferred for the predominant number of applications, however, wherein the circulating conveying element does not comprise a suction function for fixing the adhesive elements on the surface of the circulating conveying element.

The use of a circulating conveying element in the dispensing region also makes it possible, in particular, for the process reliability to be increased by virtue of the fact that the correct positioning of adhesive elements on the circulating conveying element can be ensured by sensor units, for example cameras. Therefore, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the dispenser arrangement comprises one or more sensor units, wherein the one or more sensor units are configured to detect the position of adhesive elements on the surface of the circulating conveying element, wherein the method is preferably controlled in a manner dependent on data which have been recorded by way of the one or more sensor units.

In the method according to the invention, the adhesive elements are transferred, starting from the produced or provided dispenser and receiving arrangements, wherein this comprises the method steps c), d) and e). On the part of the dispenser arrangement, the dispenser material tape is namely guided through the dispensing region, in order to separate the first separating material from the adhesive elements there. In the receiving arrangements, the web-shaped second separating material is unwound in each case from the feed reel and is guided through the receiving region, in order to receive the adhesive elements there and subsequently to be wound onto the receiving reel. When the dispenser material tape is guided through the dispensing region, adhesive arrangements are output from the dispensing arrangement, wherein the output adhesive elements are transferred into the receiving regions of the receiving arrangement and are positioned there on the respective web-shaped second separating materials. In this regard, a person skilled in the art understands that the method steps c), d) and e) are usually carried out at least partially at the same time, wherein virtually continuous operation, in particular, is also possible in a manner dependent on the structural embodiment of the dispenser arrangement. A stepped procedure is also possible as an alternative, however, wherein adhesive elements are presented in the dispensing region and are transferred on the receiving region, without the respective separating materials being in motion at the moment of outputting or receiving, wherein the separating materials are guided further only after the transfer has been successful, in order to present a new adhesive element or to make a receiving space for a further adhesive element free. In this regard, however, a person skilled in the art understands that the transitions to a continuous method are fluid and can possibly scarcely still be perceived by the naked eye as the speed increases, at which the stepped procedure is being operated. Therefore, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the method steps c) and/or d) and/or e), preferably the method steps c) and d) and e), are carried out at least partially at the same time. As an alternative, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the method steps c) and/or d) are carried out discontinuously.

A refinement for transferring the adhesive elements which is particularly efficient in the estimation of the inventors results 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 arrangement. For this purpose, the transfer elements are capable of establishing a reversibly and non-destructively releasable connection to the adhesive element and of subsequently receiving the latter. After the adhesive element is received, the transfer element can be moved by an automated movement unit, for example a robot arm, in order to position the adhesive element on the web-shaped second separating material and to detach the reversibly and non-destructively releasable connection there again. Accordingly, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the dispenser arrangement comprises one or more transfer elements, wherein the transfer elements are configured to separate adhesive elements, arranged in the dispensing region, with the configuration of a reversibly and non-destructively releasable connection from the web-shaped first separating material, to receive them and to transfer them in the receiving region onto the web-shaped second separating material of one of the receiving arrangements. Here, a method according to the invention is particularly preferred, wherein the dispenser arrangement comprises two or more, preferably three or more, particularly preferably four or more, very particularly preferably five or more, transfer elements, wherein the dispenser arrangement, in particular, preferably comprises in each case at least one transfer element for each receiving arrangement.

In the case of the use of transfer elements, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the transfer elements comprise an automated movement unit and one or more receiving units are arranged on the movement unit, wherein the receiving unit is configured to configure a reversibly and non-destructively releasable connection to the carrier layer of the adhesive elements. A method according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the receiving unit comprises one or more controllable suction rippers, wherein the dispenser arrangement preferably comprises one or more vacuum pumps connected to the suction grippers. Moreover, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the automated movement unit is an industrial robot, preferably a SCARA robot or a delta robot.

Corresponding transfer elements can advantageously be combined with all refinements of the dispensing region, as are disclosed in the above text. In particular, the adhesive elements can be received from a variable-position or positionally fixed dispensing edge or, particularly preferably, from the reduced-adhesion surface of a circulating conveying element. Depending on the refinement, this is correspondingly a method according to the invention, wherein the transfer elements are configured to receive an adhesive element from a variable-position dispensing edge, or wherein the transfer elements are configured to receive an adhesive element from a positionally fixed dispensing edge, or wherein the transfer elements are configured to receive an adhesive element from the reduced-adhesion surface of a circulating conveying element.

One alternative for the use of transfer elements which is particularly advantageous in the estimation of the inventors can be realized in the case of the use of circulating conveying elements, as described above. For this purpose, the conveying elements are designed in such a way that they have a dispensing edge which is called a conveying dispensing edge within the context of the present invention on the side which lies opposite the region, in which the adhesive element is transferred from the web-shaped first separating material to the circulating conveying element. In accordance with expert understanding, this is a structural refinement of the circulating conveying element, in the case of which the reduced-adhesion surface is deflected in the manner of a dispensing edge so sharply that the adhesive element cannot follow this movement as a consequence of its rigidity, with the result that the conveyed adhesive element is conveyed beyond the conveying dispensing edge. In the particularly preferred refinement, the receiving arrangements can be positioned so close to the conveying dispensing edge that the adhesive element which is conveyed beyond the conveying dispensing edge is pushed into the receiving region and is brought into contact there with the web-shaped second separating material. Accordingly, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the circulating conveying element comprises a conveying dispensing edge, wherein the dispenser arrangement is configured such that adhesive elements, conveyed on the circulating conveying element, are conveyed at the conveying dispensing edge beyond the conveying dispensing edge and are output from the dispenser arrangement.

The above-described refinement advantageously manages without the use of transfer elements, and is particularly simple and insusceptible to faults in apparatus terms as a result. In the estimation of the inventors, a similar refinement can also be realized in principle without the use of a circulating conveying element if the dispenser arrangement has a positionally fixed dispensing edge, beyond which the adhesive elements are pushed in an analogous manner with respect to the above description and are transferred into the receiving region. Dispensing with the use of a circulating conveying element is less advantageous, however, in particular with regard to the aspects of the separation of adhesive elements, as will be disclosed in the following text.

In order to ensure, even in the case of adhesive elements which adhere only weakly to the web-shaped second separating material, that they are not detached in an undesirable way from the separating material after the transfer, the inventors propose that pressing elements, for example pressing rollers can additionally be provided which press the transferred adhesive elements onto the web-shaped second separating material, in order to ensure sufficient adhesion. Accordingly, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the dispenser arrangement comprises one or more pressing elements, preferably pressing rollers, wherein the pressing elements are configured to press adhesive elements, transferred onto the web-shaped second separating material of one of the receiving arrangements in the receiving region, onto the web-shaped second separating material.

In view of the above statement, a person skilled in the art understands that outputting and transferring of adhesive elements are brought about in preferred embodiments either by transfer elements or take place by a direct transfer in the receiving region onto a dispensing edge from the dispenser arrangement. In addition, it is clear to a person skilled in the art that, in view of two or more receiving arrangements being loaded at the same time, the outputting and transferring of adhesive elements preferably takes place in the different receiving arrangements largely at the same time or at least in an alternating manner, wherein refinements are also conceivable, in which the different receiving units are filled successively. Therefore, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the outputting and transferring of adhesive elements take place by transfer elements, or wherein the outputting and transferring of adhesive elements take place over the positionally fixed dispensing edge or the conveying dispensing edge of the circulating conveying element. A method according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the outputting and transferring of adhesive elements to different receiving arrangements take place at least partially at the same time or in an alternating manner, preferably at least partially at the same time.

It is one important aspect of the present invention and one particularly great advantage of the method according to the invention that wide master reels can also be used as dispenser material tape, on which master reels numerous rows of adhesive elements run in the web direction, even if these are arranged in order to achieve as high a use density as possible within the context of tightest packaging, as is conceivable, for example, in the case of round or oval adhesive elements. It is possible by way of the method according to the invention that cutting of the master reel can be dispensed with, wherein the adhesive elements of two or more reels of the master reel are advantageously transferred into each receiving arrangement. Therefore, a method according to the invention is preferred for substantially all embodiments, wherein the adhesive elements in the dispenser material tape are arranged in two or more, preferably three or more, particularly preferably five or more, rows which run in the web direction, wherein the adhesive elements of adjacent rows are preferably arranged offset along the web direction with respect to one another. Here, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the dispenser material tape comprises two or more, preferably precisely two, rows of adhesive elements running in the web direction for each receiving arrangement. A method according to the invention is also preferred, wherein, in method step e), adhesive elements from two or more, preferably precisely two, rows of adhesive elements of the dispenser material tape running in the web direction are transferred in each case onto the web-shaped second separating material of each receiving arrangement.

It can be considered to be a particular advantage of the method according to the invention that the transfer of the adhesive elements makes it possible for the arrangement of the transferred adhesive elements to be changed and, in particular, for merely one row of adhesive elements to be generated on the web-shaped second separating material from the adhesive elements of two or more rows of the master reel. A corresponding adhesive reel can be configured with a minimum working width and is preferred, in particular, for use in end effectors under aspects relating to weight. In addition, the simple arrangement in one row of the adhesive elements on the adhesive reel loaded with adhesive elements makes it possible in the application apparatus to realize a comparatively simple provision method for the adhesive elements. Accordingly, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the relative arrangement of the transferred adhesive elements with respect to one another is changed during the transfer, wherein the adhesive elements of two or more, in particular precisely two, rows of adhesive elements of the dispenser material tape running in the web direction are preferably arranged in one line on the web-shaped second separating material, in particular in an alternating manner, and/or wherein the transferred adhesive elements are arranged on the respective web-shaped second separating materials in a smaller number of rows running in the web direction than on the dispenser material tape, preferably in precisely one row running in the web direction, and/or wherein the transferred adhesive elements are arranged on the respective web-shaped second separating materials in a reduced number per length unit, in relation to the web direction, than on the dispenser material tape.

The above-described embodiment, in which the adhesive elements arranged tightly on the master reel are changed in terms of their relative arrangement during the transfer, in order to realize, in particular, a simplified arrangement on the web-shaped second separating material, can be realized reliably, for example, by the use of transfer elements which can remove adhesive elements from two rows of the master reel, for example in an alternating manner, and place them behind one another on the web-shaped second separating material, wherein a person skilled in the art understands that, in this case, the web speed of the web-shaped second separating material is higher than the guide speed of the dispenser material web.

A very particularly advantageous refinement can be realized, however, in the case of the use of a circulating conveying element. By virtue of the fact that the conveying speed of the circulating conveying element is selected to be greater than the guide speed of the dispenser material tape, it is possible for the adhesive elements received at the dispensing edge from the circulating conveying element to be separated along the web direction. Even if this effect can be used at least in theory for facilitating receiving of the adhesive elements by a transfer element, the inventors propose that running the circulating conveying element at a higher speed can be combined with guide elements which are positioned above the circulating conveying element in such a way that they displace an adhesive element, conveyed on the circulating conveying element, on the reduced-adhesion surface. As a result of the combination of a circulating conveying element running at a higher speed with guide elements, it is possible for tightly packed adhesive elements on the master reel to be separated along the conveying direction and to be repositioned transversely with respect to the conveying direction, with the result that, for example in the form of a single row, they can be transferred at the conveying dispensing edge to the receiving arrangements. In this regard, the inventors propose that the dispenser arrangements which are to be used in methods according to the invention can be adapted in this case in a flexible manner to different shapes and arrangements of adhesive elements on the master reel if the guide elements are designed in the manner of a stencil which, depending on the master reel which is used, can be positioned above the circulating conveying element, in order to position the corresponding adhesive elements on the circulating conveying element in an optimum manner for transfer into the receiving arrangements, wherein, for example, the guide element stencil for round adhesive elements differs from that for oval adhesive elements. Therefore, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the conveying speed of the circulating conveying element v_F is higher than the guide speed of the dispenser material tape v_M in the dispenser arrangement, wherein the conveying speed of the conveying element is preferably at least 2*v_M or more, particularly preferably at least 3*v_M or more, very particularly preferably at least 4*v_M or more, in particular preferably at least 5*v_M or more. A method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the dispenser arrangement comprises one or more (preferably at least two for each receiving arrangement) guide elements, wherein the one or more guide elements are configured to set the position of adhesive elements arranged on the circulating conveying element.

Finally, the invention additionally relates to the use of a dispenser apparatus according to the invention during the refilling of emptied adhesive reels with adhesive elements, in particular during the refilling of cartridge units, particularly preferably the simultaneous refilling of two or more emptied adhesive reels.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

List of Designations

• • 10 Adhesive element
  • 12 Dispenser material tape
  • 14 Dispenser arrangement
  • 16 Web-shaped first separating material
  • 18 Dispensing region
  • 20a-e Receiving arrangement
  • 22 Feed reel
  • 24 Receiving reel
  • 26 Guide arrangement
  • 28 Web-shaped second separating material
  • 30 Receiving region
  • 32 Detaching region
  • 34 Transfer element
  • 36 Variable-position dispensing edge
  • 38 Positionally fixed dispensing edge
  • 40 Circulating conveying element
  • 42 Conveying dispensing edge
  • 44a-b Guide element
  • 46a-e Cartridge unit
  • 48 First reel receptacle
  • 50 Master reel
  • 52 Second reel receptacle
  • 54 Winding reel
  • 56 Guide device
  • 58 Housing
  • 60 Positionally fixed cartridge dispensing edge
  • v_F Conveying speed of the circulating conveying element
  • v_M Guide speed of the dispenser material tape