MANUAL STRIP APPLICATOR, IN PARTICULAR A CORRECTOR

Abstract

A manual strip applicator that includes a grippable casing; a mobile application head which moves in relation to the casing and which projects from the casing when in the use configuration; a supporting strip bearing a material to be applied to a substrate; a strip-moving device arranged in the casing and designed to move over the application head; where the applicator additionally includes a return device connected to the casing and to the application head, the return device includes at least a first magnetic member (A) and a second magnetic member (M), the first and second magnetic members being arranged in the use configuration to be substantially facing one another and to generate magnetic field lines in opposite directions, the return device being adapted to allow, in the use configuration, a displacement of the application head between a proximal position and a distal position relative to the casing; and exert, in the use configuration, a return force urging the application head towards the distal position.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a national stage application of International Application No. PCT/FR2010/050960, filed on May 18, 2010, which claims the benefit of French Patent Application No. 09 53339 filed on May 19, 2009, the entire contents of both applications being incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The embodiments of the present invention relate to a device with a strip or ribbon which allows transferring a material onto a substrate. The embodiments of the present invention more particularly relate to a manual strip applicator comprising a grippable casing, a mobile application head which moves in relation to the casing and which projects from the casing when in the use configuration, a supporting strip bearing a material to be applied to a substrate, and a strip-moving device arranged in the casing and designed to move the strip over the application head. Such a device is generally usable in one hand and can be stored in a pencil case.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Applicators of this type are well known for applying a corrective film, paste, or other material which adheres to the substrate. Certain models have a retractable head to protect it when not in use.

As an example, document JP2007182082 describes an applicator comprising a button which causes the application head to protrude. A spring arranged inside the body applies elastic force to the element towards the retracted position. When the head is advanced, the spring is compressed. When the head reaches the protruding position for usage, it is locked in place by a locking mechanism. Retraction of the application head can be quickly obtained by unlocking the mechanism.

A disadvantage of strip applicators is that the final appearance of the applied material is often not as desired. This is particularly the case when transferring a corrective film. If the user relaxes his pressure against the support, the film does not adhere correctly to the support. Problems also appear when ending the application. The film may be too short or too long, or may not break off correctly.

This type of applicator device therefore presents certain manipulation difficulties for users who wish better accuracy in the film transfer in order to achieve a cleaner document.

Other types of applicators are known which are specifically designed to limit the length of the strip supplied, by limiting the rotation of the strip-moving device so that the length of the supporting strip which moves over the application head during a single transfer operation is predetermined. Document JP11227386 describes an applicator of this type, in which the transfer can only occur in an isolated manner, by stamping similarly to applying a stamp. This limitation to the length of the strip reduces the advantages of this applicator. In addition, this type of applicator does not allow precise transfers because the application head, typically rectangular in shape, covers a large surface and thus reduces visibility in the targeted area.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

An aim of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a manual strip applicator which improves the accuracy of applying the material onto the substrate.

For this purpose, the embodiments of the present invention proposes a manual strip applicator comprising:

• • a grippable casing;
  • a mobile application head which moves in relation to the casing and which projects from the casing when in the use configuration;
  • a supporting strip bearing a material to be applied to a substrate; a strip-moving device arranged in the casing and designed to move the strip over the application head;
  • wherein the applicator additionally comprises a return device connected to the casing and to the application head, the return device being designed to: allow, in the use configuration, a displacement of the application head between a proximal position and a distal position relative to the casing; and exert, in the use configuration, a return force urging the application head towards the distal position.

It has been seen that the implementation of such a return device substantially improves the quality of the application of the material onto the substrate, particularly the application of a corrective film onto a sheet of paper. Neat and even coverage of the substrate is thus easily obtained. A substantial decrease in application defects at the terminal end of the film material is also observed, which is near the location where the strip applicator is lifted, and also a decrease in the defects where the material is torn off at that same location.

The inventors explain this improved result and improved ease of use at the moment the device is lifted from the substrate, by a more abrupt lifting of the application head from the substrate. When the user begins the motion of raising the strip applicator, the application head remains in contact with the substrate until it reaches the distal position where it is as far as possible from the casing. At that exact moment, the user's hand is moving faster than at the start of its motion and as a result the head leaves the substrate more quickly. This encourages the film material to break off, or in the context of a material applied in patches on the supporting strip, encourages its complete detachment even when it was only partially pressed against the support by the application head.

According to a particular characteristic of the embodiments of the present invention, the strip-moving device is moved along during the application of the material solely by the pressure exerted at the application head. It is therefore only when the application head moves over a transfer surface that the material (coating film or similar material) is transferred from the supporting strip to the receiving surface. The strip is in fact unrolled and pressed against the receiving surface by the application head under the effect of a displacement of the application head parallel to the receiving surface. This application head has a thin end around which the supporting strip bends.

Preferably, the amplitude of the displacement of the application head between the distal position and the proximal position is between 2 and 10 mm, and preferably between 6 and 8 mm. According to the first tests conducted, these values offer a good compromise between the application quality of the material, particularly of the end of a corrective film, and ease of use. Low values decrease the quality of the break in the film for some users, while higher values can create an uncomfortable sensation for users accustomed to applicator devices with a fixed head in the use configuration.

Preferably, the return force towards the distal position of the application head is between 0.5 and 12 Newtons, and preferably between 1 and 8 Newtons, between the distal position and the proximal position, and increases very significantly as the proximal position is approached.

The expression “very significantly” indicates that the increase in force is more than directly proportional, such as the force that can be obtained with a metal coil spring, between the distal and proximal positions. These force values offer an advantageous compromise between the need for a certain retraction of the head during use to improve the abrupt jerk when lifting it and too low a value which would give the user an uncomfortable sensation of the head receding inside.

According to another particular characteristic, the return device comprises at least a first magnetic member and a second magnetic member, the first and second magnetic members being arranged in the use configuration to be substantially facing one another and to generate magnetic field lines of opposite directions in this configuration. This arrangement optimizes the magnetic repulsion force. Unlike a spring reaction force, a magnetic repulsion force does not vary linearly with the displacement of the application head (the magnetic resistance increases as the two ends of the magnetic system draw closer). In particular, this prevents the head from receding excessively during use.

According to another particular characteristic, the second magnetic member is integrally attached to the strip-moving device and is designed to generate fields lines that are substantially parallel to a direction of displacement of the application head in the use configuration. This arrangement facilitates the displacement of the application head.

According to another particular characteristic, the casing has members for guiding the translational motion of the strip-moving device, which are designed so that in the proximal position of the application head, said second magnetic member comes nearly into contact with the first magnetic member. When approaching the proximal position, the repulsion force becomes very high (much higher than with a spring) and a very high resistance to the head drawing further back is obtained.

In another particular characteristic, the first magnetic member is connected to a manual activating member designed to control a rotation of the first magnetic member between a first position in which the applicator is in the use configuration and a second position in which the applicator is in a retracted configuration of the application head. Thus the arrangement of the activating member, for example in the form of a knob, can be simplified in comparison to systems which use a pushbutton and a supplemental unlocking element. The application head and the strip are advantageously protected in the retracted configuration and the risks of accidentally activating the applicator are limited.

According to another particular characteristic, the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member each have a substantially flat side facing each other in the use and retracted configurations. The forces of attraction and repulsion are thus stronger with approaching contact between the magnets. However, these flat sides do not interfere with the rotation of the first magnetic member.

According to another particular characteristic, the first magnetic member has two monopole faces on opposite ends, and the rotation of the first magnetic member occurs around an axis perpendicular to the direction of the displacement of the application head. This arrangement minimizes the force that must be exerted to displace the first magnetic member when one of its faces is magnetically attached to the magnet which is an integral part of the mobile strip-moving device.

According to another particular characteristic, the second magnetic member has a substantially flat side, which is at least dipolar, facing the first magnetic member, and the first magnetic member has an axis of rotation parallel to the direction of displacement of the application head. Due to the rotation and the difference in polarity between two areas (for example two adjacent areas) on the face of the magnets, this arrangement has the advantage of reducing the force to be exerted to activate the change of position of the application head. This arrangement is also compact because it is not necessary to move the magnets apart from each other.

According to a particular characteristic, the application head and the strip-moving device are integrally attached and are guided in translational motion by guiding members of the casing, the return device of the head comprising a first member fixed to the casing and a second member fixed to the strip-moving device. Thus, the return device can be placed in the extension of the strip-moving device which forms the strip reel, allowing the volume of the front part of the applicator to be particularly small. This simplifies activation for the user, which can occur on the side opposite the application head.

According to another particular characteristic, a member is provided for adjusting the position of the first magnetic member in the use configuration along the direction of displacement of the application head. The repulsion force can thus be adjusted by the user to the resistance he wishes to feel to the receding of the head.

Another object of the invention is an applicator of simple design having a mobile application head which is easily activated by the user.

For this purpose, the embodiments of the present invention propose a manual strip applicator comprising:

• • a grippable casing;
  • a mobile application head which moves in relation to the casing and which projects from the casing when in the use configuration;
  • a supporting strip bearing a material to be applied to a substrate;
  • a strip-moving device arranged in the casing and designed to move the strip over the application head;
  • Wherein the applicator comprises a magnetic device comprising a first magnetic member connected to the casing and a second magnetic member connected to the application head, the magnetic device being designed to activate a displacement of the application head from a position within the casing which corresponds to a retracted configuration to a protruding position which corresponds to the use configuration.

Mobility of the transfer head is thus obtained without the user having to activate a spring compression mechanism. It is sufficient to change the position of a magnet or an analogous part, which typically can be done without effort using magnetic parts of small size. Both directions of displacement of the application head can advantageously depend on the manipulation of a same activating part.

According to a particular characteristic of this embodiment, the magnetic device comprises a manual activating member with two adjustment settings, the first magnetic member being connected to the manual activating member, and the second magnetic member being integrally attached to the strip-moving device. A retracted position, for example, can thus advantageously be maintained by the effect of the magnetic attraction, which allows keeping the transfer head inside the casing where it is protected from impacts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of several embodiments provided as non-limiting examples, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the inside of an applicator in the use configuration, according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 represents the applicator of FIG. 1 in a retracted configuration;

FIG. 3 is a profile view of an applicator according to the embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing details of the front of the applicator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the inside of an applicator according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a top view representing the applicator of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top view of an applicator according to a third embodiment;

FIGS. 8A and 8B respectively illustrate a position of attraction and a position of repulsion between two magnetic members of a return device integrated into an applicator such as the one illustrated in FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the different figures, the same references denote the same or similar elements.

The applicator 1 allows accurately depositing material onto a sheet or some other substrate. When it is corrective, the application of material is instantaneous, with no drying time. The type of material used, chosen for example based on its properties of adhesion to a substrate such as a sheet of paper, will not be detailed here because the invention does not specifically concern this material. The applicator 1 can of course be used in other applications, for example for coloring or covering a substrate.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6, the applicator 1 comprises a body which forms a casing 2, for example consisting of two complementary shells 2a, 2b fixed to each other. The casing 2 is preferably grippable and small in size, for example of a length L in the use configuration of less than 16 cm, and preferably of a length of less than 11 cm. The width can be more or less constant, without exceeding 4 cm in thickness, an average width of between 0.6 and 2 cm being well suited for holding in the hand. The maximum height of the casing 2 does not exceed 6 cm.

With reference to FIG. 1, the application head 3 projects through an opening 4 formed in the front of the casing 2, in a manner that defines a use configuration for the applicator 1. The assembly of this application head 3 in relation to the casing 2 allows the head 3 to slide along a longitudinal axis of the casing 2.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the application head 3 can also be retracted, for example completely so it is protected inside the casing 2. The strip 5 is then sheltered from damage or breakage. The strip 5 wound inside the casing 2 serves as a support for a film or for patches of a material to be transferred. The strip 5 wraps around the end 3a of the application head 3.

A strip-moving device 6, which is known, is housed inside the casing 2 and allows moving the strip 5 over the application head 3. The application head 3 and the strip-moving device 6 are integrally attached in the non-limiting example in FIGS. 1 and 2. One will understand that the strip reel function can be achieved in a different manner and will not be further detailed here. It will simply be stated that the strip-moving device 6 can have gearing, a belt, or an analogous member for winding the strip 5 back up after its passage over the application head 3. The device 6 can be a direct drive type of device. The strip 5 is of any width, for example substantially less than 1 cm in the case of a corrective applicator.

FIGS. 1 and 5 each illustrate a use configuration of the applicator 1, in which the application head 3 projects from the casing 2. In this position, a material can be transferred from the supporting strip 5 onto a sheet or any other appropriate substrate (not represented). The length of the strip protruding out of the casing 2 is limited to a short portion in the use configuration. This short portion projecting from the casing 2 typically bends back and is subdivided into an outgoing part, before the point where it bends back, guided along the bottom 3b of the application head 3, and an incoming part, after the point where it bends back, guided along the top 3c of the application head 3. The strip 5 is supported in a known manner by the thin end 3a of the application head 3 during application of the material.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and as represented in FIGS. 1-7, the application head 3 of the applicator 1 moves in relation to the casing 2. This movement is restricted by guiding members 7, and controlled by a return device 8 which allows a displacement of the application head 3 between an advanced position corresponding to the use configuration and a withdrawn position. The return device 8 is for example connected to the casing 2 and to the application head 3, and in the use configuration allows displacement of the application head 3 between a proximal position and a distal position relative to the casing 2. The strip 5 is guided as it travels, by one or more auxiliary rollers or cylinders R connected to the casing 2.

In the example in FIGS. 1-2 and 5, the return device 8 comprises a first part fixed to the casing 2 and a second part fixed to the strip-moving device 6. In a manner which is in no way limiting, here the displacement of the application head 3 is linear. In the use configuration, the two parts of the return device 8 can move apart and move closer to each other within a limited amplitude of displacement, interacting with each other within the limits of this displacement so that there is a default position for the second part.

More specifically, the return device 8 defines via its part connected to the casing 2 a reference position x0 which is fixed during the displacement of the application head 3. The second mobile part of the device 8 moves between two positions x1, x2 of separation relative to the reference position x0. In the non-limiting example in FIGS. 1 and 5, this part which comprises the magnet M moves towards the position of least separation x1 when a force is applied to the application head 3, for example by a substrate on which the material is to be applied. The return device 8 then generates a return force between its two parts to urge the moving part towards the position x2 of greatest separation which corresponds to the default position of the application head 3 in the use configuration of the applicator 1.

The embodiments of the present invention described above involves a return force in reaction to a compression or an increasing proximity. In a less preferable variant, the return force can be generated in reaction to traction. The default position of the application head 3 in the use configuration can then correspond to a position of the smallest separation of the mobile part of the device 8 relative to the reference position x0. In this case, the return force is generated to urge the second part towards the position of the smallest separation.

Regardless of the form of the embodiment of the return device 8, one will understand that to obtain an abrupt jerk when raising the applicator 1 from the substrate at the end of the transfer, this return device 8 is designed to exert a return force towards the distal position of the application head 3. The return device can have different conformations and the force exerted by the return device 8 results from its tendency to evolve towards a more stable conformation.

The exerted force corresponds for example to a magnetic repulsion between two magnetic members A, M of the return device 8. In this case a first member A of these two magnetic members, comprising for example one or two magnets 10, 11, is connected to the casing 2, while the second magnetic member M is connected to the mobile element 12 which comprises the application head 3 and the strip-moving device 6. The position in the casing 2 of the element 12 can advantageously be controlled by the return device 8 and adjusted by a manually operable portion of the latter.

A first embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1-2, the element 12 can be assembled to slide within the casing 2. The second magnetic member is for example a magnet M attached to the rear of the strip-moving device 6 by means of a support 14a of a supporting structure 14. As a variant, a displacement that is more complex and/or with a rotation or other suitable movement of the application head 3 can also be obtained, as long as there is appropriate guidance within the casing 2.

The first magnetic member A is arranged in an activating assembly with two adjustment settings. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the activating member 23 can correspond to a knob rotating around an axis perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field which can be exerted between at least one magnet 10, 11 of the activating assembly A and the magnet M connected to the application head 3. The knob is manually rotated to adjust it and can have a rotation of 180° for example between the two activating positions. More generally, the activating member 23 can be manually moved between a first position which activates the use configuration and a second position which activates the retracted configuration. Although the activating member 23 is described as rotating, its displacement can also correspond to a translation or a combination of translation and rotation, for example a helicoid movement.

With reference to FIGS. 1-2, the support 14a defines a housing for receiving the magnet M and has a concave surface capable of coming into contact with a convex surface associated with the magnetic member A connected to the casing 2. The housing is placed outside the element 12 to reduce its length. The housing is therefore positioned outside a plane defined by the direction in which the element 12 extends and a roller axis. The casing 2 can thus have a curvature at the rear which facilitates gripping it in the hand.

In this first embodiment, the magnet M connected to the application head 3 has a given polarity on the side opposite the application head 3. In the example in FIGS. 1-2, the magnet M has a north pole which is parallel to the direction of the displacement of the application head 3, facing towards the magnetic member A.

In the use configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, the magnet 10 embedded in the activating assembly has a north pole facing the rear side of the magnet M, of the same polarity (north pole). In other words, the magnets 10, M arranged facing each other in this manner generate magnetic field lines in opposite directions. Field lines are thus defined as substantially parallel to the application head 3. As a result a repulsion force urges the application head 3 towards the distal position relative to the casing 2. In fact, too close of a proximity of the magnets 1, M corresponds in this case to a particularly unstable conformation of the return device 8. This repulsion force is for example between 0.5 and 12 Newtons, and preferably between 1 and 8 Newtons between the distal and the proximal position.

With magnets, this force further increases as the proximal position approaches. In a less preferred variant (not represented), the return device 8 could make use of a spring, particularly a metal coil spring, in place of the magnets 10, M to exert an elastic return force. In this case the spring is connected to the casing 2 at one end and to the application head 3 at another end. The return force would be directly proportional to the spring stiffness constant. One will therefore understand that a large number of the advantages of the use configuration with magnetic cushioning illustrated in FIG. 1, can be obtained using elastic cushioning with a similar return force exerted towards the distal position on the application head 3.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the amplitude of the displacement of the application head 3 between the distal position and the proximal position is for example between 2 and 10 mm, and is preferably about 7 mm. The backward movement of the application head 1 during pressure of the applicator 1 against a substrate is thus sufficient to cause a jerk when the pressure on the applicator 1 ceases, meaning when the user lifts the applicator 1. The amplitude d of the displacement of the application head 3 between the retracted configuration and the use configuration can be about 1 mm greater than the amplitude of displacement during cushioning.

As is visible in FIGS. 1-2, the strip-moving device 6 causes the strip 5 to wind and advance during use. The roller or rollers which allow the strip 5 to wind are assembled in the supporting structure 14, perpendicularly to the direction in which the element 12 extends. The supporting structure 14 has flat lateral walls to guide the winding strip 5. One of these walls can correspond to an intermediate portion of a part 15 which comprises the support 14a at the back end and the application head 3 at the front end. The sliding of the element 12 is guided at the front and back ends by several parallel guiding elements 7, laterally offset relative to the path of the strip 5 in the strip-moving device 6. In the use configuration of the applicator 1, the element 12 slides towards the back, and the return of the element 12 towards the front can be restricted by one or more stops 16 of the casing 2, formed for example in a back end of guiding elements 7 positioned near the opening 4.

With reference to FIG. 4, a stem 17 connects the application head 3 to the rest of the element 12. This stem 17 can have fins 18 or other projecting members which engage with a slit defined between two parallel guiding elements 7 formed as a part of the casing 2.

Still with reference to FIG. 4, the application head 3 can be flat at its free end to facilitate the bending back of the strip 5. The application head 3 has one or more upward or downward projections 19 (perpendicular to the direction of the sliding) in proximity to the free end of the application head. In the non-limiting example in FIG. 2 corresponding to the retracted configuration of the applicator 1, these projections 19 engage with at least one stop surface 7a formed inside the casing 2. Here, two projections 19 formed in the sides of the application head 3 press against the plate-shaped front surface of the guiding elements 7, limiting the retreat of the application head 3.

When the applicator 1 is in the retracted configuration as illustrated in FIG. 2, the magnet 11 embedded in the activating assembly has a substantially flat surface facing the rear side of the magnet M connected to the application head 3. As the axis X of rotation of the knob for the activating assembly is perpendicular to the displacement of the application head 3 and parallel to the rear side of the magnet M, the magnetic detachment achieved by rotating the knob is easier than having to overcome the pulling force of the magnet 11. The strip-moving device 6 is associated with guiding means, for example lateral grooves 22 (FIG. 1) in the casing 2 and lateral ribs or similar arrangements in the element 12. These guiding means are designed so that in the proximal position of the application head 3 (FIG. 2), the magnet M nearly comes into contact with the magnet 11. The projections 19 are then in contact with the corresponding stop surfaces 7a of the guiding elements 7. In this case, the magnets 11, M can be at a short distance of about 1 or 2 mm from each other. Alternatively, these two magnets 11, M can be side by side in the retracted configuration of the applicator 1.

As the south pole of the magnet 11 magnetically attracts the north pole of the magnet M, the element 12 can pass from the use configuration to the retracted configuration simply by rotating the knob. The element 12 is then maintained in the latter configuration. The return to the use configuration can only be obtained if the user activates the activating member 23, so that a south pole of the magnetic member A is no longer facing the north pole of the magnet M.

The magnets 10, 11, M represented are cylindrical and of small diameter, for example less than 15 mm, but of course any form of magnet which can be housed inside the casing 2 is equally suitable.

As the application head 3 here has the same mobility as the magnet M, one will understand that the displacement of the magnet 11 as illustrated in FIG. 2, by rotating the knob around the axis X to change from a magnetic attraction mode to a magnetic repulsion mode, corresponds to activating the displacement of the application head 3 from a retracted position to a protruding position. Similarly, one will understand that the displacement of the magnet 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1, by rotating the knob around the axis X to change from a magnetic repulsion mode to a magnetic attraction mode, corresponds to activating the displacement of the application head 3 from protruding position to a retracted position.

In the first embodiment, the arrangement of one or more magnets 10, 11 in an rotationally adjustable activating assembly in order to present two distinct faces, one forming the north pole and the other forming the south pole, minimizes the force that must be exerted to be released from the magnetic attraction exerted by the magnet M connected to the application head 3. The arrangement of two magnets 10, 11 in alignment on each side of the axis of rotation X, allows using common and inexpensive commercial magnets. These two magnets 10, 11 each have a polarized face opposite the axis of rotation X, one intended for attracting the magnet M, the other intended for repulsing it. Of course, any other arrangement with one or more magnets can be used in the activating assembly.

In the non-limiting example in FIGS. 1-4, a rotation of the knob or similar element by 180° changes from the retracted configuration to the use configuration. Each of the two positions of the knob is associated with solid contact between the casing 2 and the knob and/or the axis element of the knob. This allows maintaining the knob in a fixed position, in spite of the magnetic repulsion exerted on the magnet 10. Also, the knob can be mostly housed inside the casing 2. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the touchable portion 24 which projects through an upper opening 25 in the casing 2 represents at most a quarter of the periphery of the activating knob.

A second embodiment will now be described in relation to FIGS. 5 and 6.

In this second embodiment, the applicator 1 comprises a return device 8 which continuously urges the application head 3 towards its distal position. To do this, the magnets 10, M are facing each other with the same magnetic pole. In comparison to the first embodiment, the device 8 differs in that the magnet 20 forming the magnetic member opposite the magnet M connected to the application head 3, is not there for activating the displacement of the application head 3 towards a retracted position. The magnet 20 is simply maintained in a given position which is fixed relative to the casing 2, in order to exert magnetic repulsion on the magnet M.

A mechanism for adjusting the repulsion force allows adjusting the distance between the magnets 20, M. In the example in FIGS. 5-6, a moveable member 31 of the adjustment mechanism extends transversely for example within the casing 2 and is integrally attached to the magnet 20, for use in adjusting the position of the magnet 20. Here, the moveable member 31 has a free end projecting outside the casing. The user can thus decrease or increase the forward force exerted on the element 12.

The rest of this second embodiment is entirely similar to the first embodiment described above. In particular, the repulsion force can be within the same force values. Also, the stop 16 marks the distal position of the application head 3.

A third embodiment will now be described in relation to FIGS. 7, 8A and 8B.

In this third embodiment, the element 12 can be identical to that described in the previous two embodiments, except for the back end. The support 14A can be replaced by a support (not represented) which does not extend beyond the rear face of the magnet M connected to the application head 3. In addition, the magnet M can have more than one magnetic pole in its rear face F (multipole face).

As can be seen in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the magnet M connected to the application head 3 thus has a dipole side facing a dipole side of a rotating magnet 30 connected to the activating member 23. The rotating magnet 30 has the same side facing the magnet M connected to the application head 3, in both the use configuration and the retracted configuration.

This side of the rotating magnet 30 has both outward field lines (north pole) and inward field lines (south pole). In particular, the rotating magnet 30 has at least two distinct zones angularly offset relative to the axis X′ of rotation of the magnet 30, one corresponding to a north pole and the other to a south pole. As illustrated in FIG. 8A, a retracted configuration similar to the one represented in FIG. 2 is obtained when the rotating magnet 30 has field lines opposite the direction of the field lines of the back face F of the magnet M.

As illustrated in FIG. 8A, the rotating magnet 30 rotates around a geometric axis X′ of rotation passing through the two magnets 30, M. With this arrangement, the user can activate the change from one configuration to the other by a rotational movement from left to right or from right to left. With this twist-type activation, it is easy to separate the two faces of the magnets 30, M to obtain the use configuration. This is due to the fact that the zones of opposite polarity are neighbors in each of the magnets 30, M, so that breaking the magnetic attraction is simpler than pulling the magnets apart.

In the use configuration corresponding to FIGS. 4 and 8B, the opposition between the field lines of the magnets 30, M destabilizes the proximal position of the application head 3. The return device 8 is therefore in a more stable conformation, with the maximum separation between the magnets 30, M. This separation remains limited because of the presence of the stop 16 (see FIG. 1). The separation can correspond to the amplitude d of the displacement of the application head 3.

One of the advantages of the embodiments of the present invention lies in the mobility of the application head 3 in the use configuration, which is useful for improving the quality of the application of the material onto a substrate. In fact, the return action towards the advanced/distal position of the application head 3 enables easier release of the material (the resulting jerk actively contributes to breaking off the film of adhesive material at the end of the transfer). This also allows eliminating any mechanism for mechanically locking the device in the use configuration. Another advantage of the embodiments of the present invention is that the design of the applicator 1 with its mobile application head 3 can be simple.

One will understand that the forms and details of the embodiments described above can be used together or separately. It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the invention allows embodiments in many other specific forms without exceeding the scope of the embodiments of the present invention as claimed. In particular, the material forming the film or patches can correspond to at least one coating material that is white, of another color, or translucent (or even transparent).

Although the return device 8 is illustrated in the figures as being arranged in the rear part of the applicator 1, there can be other arrangements of the device: the device 8 can occupy a position closer to the front end than to the back end. Also, the return device 8 can be laterally offset relative to a median plane of the supporting structure 14 perpendicular to the strip 5. In some variant embodiments, the device 8 can be placed predominantly outside the casing 2.

In embodiments using magnets, the support 14a can allow a reversible attachment of the magnet M. Additionally or alternatively, the support 14a can be apart from the supporting structure 14. It is then possible to change the strip 5, as the rest of the element 12 defines an interchangeable cartridge which the user can remove from the casing 2. To remove this cartridge, the casing 2 can have a manually detachable portion which quickly attaches onto the rest of the casing 2.

In the illustrated embodiments, the return function is presented as resulting automatically from the activating member 23 activating the use configuration. However, the magnetic device could also allow changing from the retracted configuration to the use configuration, independently of activating the return function. As an example, a first activating member could serve solely for retracting or projecting the application head 3, while a second optional activating member would allow, in the use configuration, activating the return function. For example, such a second member can serve in the use configuration for choosing between a first mode with return force and magnetic cushioning and a second mode with immobilization of the application head 3. This second mode may be preferred during use by users who are accustomed to applicator devices having a fixed head in the use configuration.

Claims

1.-15. (canceled)

16. A manual strip applicator, comprising:

a grippable casing;

a mobile application head which moves in relation to the casing and which projects from the casing when in the use configuration;

a supporting strip bearing a material to be applied to a substrate;

a strip-moving device arranged in the casing and designed to move the strip over the application head; and

a return device connected to the casing and to the application head, the return device comprising at least a first magnetic member and a second magnetic member, the first and second magnetic members being arranged in the use configuration to be substantially facing one another and to generate magnetic field lines in opposite directions,

wherein the return device is adapted to allow, in the use configuration, a displacement of the application head between a proximal position and a distal position relative to the casing; and

exert, in the use configuration, a return force urging the application head towards the distal position.

17. The applicator according to claim 16, wherein the second magnetic member is integrally attached to the strip-moving device and is designed to generate field lines that are substantially parallel to a direction of displacement of the application head in the use configuration.

18. The applicator according to claim 17, wherein the casing has members for guiding a translational motion of the strip-moving device, which are designed so that in the proximal position of the application head, the second magnetic member comes nearly in contact with the first magnetic member.

19. The applicator according to claim 17, wherein the first magnetic member is connected to a manual activating member designed to control a rotation of the first magnetic member between a first position in which the applicator is in the use configuration and a second position in which the applicator is in a retracted configuration of the application head.

20. The applicator according to claim 19, wherein the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member each have a substantially flat side facing each other in the use and retracted configurations.

21. The applicator according to claim 20, wherein the first magnetic member has two opposite ends each defining a monopole face, and the rotation of the first magnetic member occurs around an axis perpendicular to the direction of the displacement of the application head.

22. The applicator according to claim 20, wherein the second magnetic member has a substantially flat side, which is at least dipolar, facing the first magnetic member, and the first magnetic member has an axis of rotation parallel to the direction of displacement of the application head.

23. The applicator according to claim 16, wherein the application head and the strip-moving device are integrally attached and are guided in translational motion by guiding members of the casing, the first magnetic member being fixed to the casing and the second member being fixed to the strip-moving device.

24. The applicator according to claim 19, comprising a member for adjusting the position of the first magnetic member in the use configuration along the direction of displacement of the application head.

25. The applicator according to claim 17, wherein the amplitude of the displacement of the application head between the distal position and the proximal position is between 2 and 10 mm.

26. The applicator according to claim 16, wherein the return force towards the distal position of the application head is between 0.5 and 12 Newtons, between the distal position and the proximal position, and increases very significantly as the proximal position is approached.

27. A manual strip applicator, comprising:

a grippable casing;

a mobile application head which moves in relation to the casing and which projects from the casing when in the use configuration;

a supporting strip bearing a material to be applied to a substrate;

a strip-moving device arranged in the casing and designed to move the strip over the application head; and

a magnetic device comprising a first magnetic member connected to the casing and a second magnetic member connected to the application head, the magnetic device being designed to activate a displacement of the application head from a position within the casing which corresponds to a retracted configuration to a protruding position which corresponds to the use configuration.

28. The applicator according to claim 27, wherein the magnetic device comprises a manual activating member with two adjustment settings, the first magnetic member being connected to the manual activating member, and the second magnetic member being integrally attached to the strip-moving device.