Abstract:
A handheld adhesive segment applicator apparatus for use in combination with carrier release tape having pressure-sensitive adhesive segments attached thereto is disclosed which has a mechanism interacting an indexing instrumentality on the carrier release tape to facilitate the dispensing of individual adhesive segments. The indexing mechanism consists of a plurality of patterned scores, cuts, or indentations located in the surface of the carrier release tape, thereby allowing for an advancement mechanism in the handheld adhesive segment applicator apparatus to engage the carrier release tape. The indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape may thereby be dispensed by the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus.

Description:
IDENTIFICATION OF RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
   This patent application is a continuation in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/125,012, filed on Apr. 18, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,686,016, entitled “Thermoplastic Adhesive Dispensing Method and Apparatus,” and is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/998,950, filed on Nov. 15, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,864, entitled “Thermoplastic Adhesive Dispensing Method and Apparatus,” both of which are continuations of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/363,200, filed on Jul. 29, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,319,442, entitled Process of Making a Thermoplastic Adhesive Dispensing Tape, which is in turn a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/909,189, filed on Aug. 11, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,935,670, entitled “Thermoplastic Adhesive Dispensing Method and Apparatus,” which is in turn based upon U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/036,896, filed on Feb. 6, 1997, all of which are assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
   This application is related to concurrently filed, commonly assigned, copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/360,457, entitled “Roll of Adhesive Segments for Use in an Adhesive Segment Applicator Apparatus and Method of Making the Same,” which patent application is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Field of the Invention—The present invention relates generally to pressure-sensitive adhesives and their application to desired surfaces, and more specifically to a mechanical handheld adhesive segment applicator apparatus for use in combination with rolls of indexed carrier release tape having pressure-sensitive adhesive segments attached thereto which may be individually dispensed using the mechanical handheld adhesive segment applicator apparatus. 
   Adhesives are more than just substances serving to hold materials together by surface attachment. The term “adhesive” is simplistic and explains little, but generically describes a class of “sticky” materials. Adhesives and adhesive applicators owe their innovation to the Industrial Revolution, which resulted in an explosion of technical and scientific breakthroughs. The breakthroughs of the Industrial Revolution included the introduction of new materials and ingredients for use in formulating market-specific and industry-specific adhesives. In creating novel adhesives, companies have diligently considered desirable qualities such as adhesive flexibility, toughness, minimum curing or setting time, and temperature and chemical resistance. Today, the technology and underlying science of adhesives and apparatuses for their application is the foundation for a multi-billion dollar industry with over 700 companies competing for market share. More importantly, these companies strive to create and introduce novel adhesives as well as apparatuses and methods for the simple, efficient, inexpensive, and safe application of adhesives. 
   One of the most significant adhesive technical breakthroughs of the past century has been the introduction of pressure-sensitive thermoplastic adhesives. Thermoplastic adhesives have excellent adhering qualities; they can be softened by heating and firmed by cooling. These characteristics help thermoplastic adhesives produce waterproof, resilient, and long-lasting flexible bonds. Thermoplastic adhesives have what is known as a “plastic memory,” meaning that each time a thermoplastic adhesive is heated, it can be molded into any desired form. 
   Thermoplastic adhesives have significant applications in today&#39;s industry. For example, in the preparation of mass mailings, marketers often desire to attach a card, such as a credit card or the like, to a carrier document so that a consumer can peel the card easily from the carrier document. One method of making such an attachment involves the use of a pressure-sensitive, thermoplastic adhesive. For example, by using a heating container to melt thermoplastic adhesive and a metering pump to dispense it during the printing or collating process, a portion of thermoplastic adhesive can be metered onto the carrier document and the credit card pressed against it. 
   In addition to the uses for thermoplastic adhesives described above, industry is now finding additional uses for them. For example, thermoplastic adhesives are routinely used and applied as small bond points to eliminate the use of mechanical fasteners, such as staples, screws, rivets, clips, snaps, nails, and stitching. Thermoplastic adhesives are also extensively used in the packaging and manufacture of cartons, boxes and corrugated boards, bags, envelopes, disposable products (diapers and other paper products), cigarettes, labels, and stamps. In fact, today&#39;s demand for thermoplastic adhesives extends to very broad fields of use and is not limited to assembly line-like settings. 
   Increasingly, industry demands thermoplastic adhesive application at on-site locations from portable, simple-to-use, efficient, inexpensive, and safe dispensing apparatuses. Additionally, such dispensing apparatuses must be able to adhere thermoplastic adhesives to non-planar, recessed, difficult to reach, or unstable surfaces. Previously known apparatuses and methods have failed to provide an adequate portable, simple-to-use, efficient, inexpensive, and safe dispensing device and a thermoplastic adhesive carrying medium capable of applying thermoplastic adhesives to non-planar, recessed, difficult to reach, or unstable surfaces. 
   In providing thermoplastic adhesives for application to a surface, the previously known embodiments have contemplated all of the following thermoplastic adhesive carrying media and application methods: hot-melt “glue-gun” adhesive dispensers; adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape for “by hand” adhesive application; use of a plunger-like dispensing system in combination with adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape, which proves to be cumbersome and which has a limited utility of application to planar surfaces; use of a cardboard box applicator system for use in combination with adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape, which is also limited in application to planar, non-recessed surfaces; and an electric automated dispensing system for use with adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape, which is activated by the pressing of a palm-sized push button, and which also only allows for application of thermoplastic adhesives to unobstructed planar surfaces. 
   Using a “glue gun” device is an inefficient, difficult, and at times unsafe method of applying thermoplastic adhesives to a desired surface. First, the cost of using this equipment is relatively high. The apparatus and method are also inefficient consumers of both energy and glue. Specifically, the costs of the activation of such a dispenser (electrical usage, wasted glue from droppings) for only short periods of time outweigh any other potential advantages which may be realized. 
   Safety is also an issue. Glue-gun devices are potentially unsafe because they include a heat source to heat a quantifiable supply of adhesive material to its melting point. A major drawback of using such an instrument is that the hot, molten thermoplastic adhesive can burn untrained users, and can also melt the substrate the user is applying the glue to. Finally, application of thermoplastic adhesives from a glue-gun does not enable the thermoplastic adhesive to withstand cold temperatures or to cool to a smooth surface, but instead will typically leave “spider webs” in the dried adhesive. In short, glue-gun applicators of the prior art are inefficient, difficult, and unsafe. 
   Many of the shortcomings of the glue-gun instruments of the prior art were solved by U.S. Pat. No. 5,935,670 to Downs (the “&#39;670 Patent”), which patent is hereby incorporated herein by reference. However, upon further use of the technology of the &#39;670 Patent, several shortcomings have become apparent. Specifically, while the &#39;670 Patent discloses a method for presenting cooled adhesive segments for application to a desired surface, the application of the segments to the surface proves to be very inefficient. 
   The technology of the &#39;670 Patent focuses mainly on the manufacture of a clean, unaltered carrier release tape having first and second release surfaces with different coefficients of friction, and the application thereto of adhesive segments at periodic intervals. The adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape is then wound into a roll. This embodiment allows a user to apply the adhesive segments from the carrier release tape by hand. Although such an embodiment provides a highly innovative and commercially successful product, application of the adhesive segments remains inefficient and cumbersome. 
   Specifically, the coiled adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape must be unrolled to present a adhesive segment for application. After the adhesive segment has been applied to the desired surface, the tape must be unrolled an additional distance to ready the next adhesive segment for application. Such a method is time-consuming, and the “spent” carrier release tape must be either torn off and disposed of or left intact and in the way. Finally, dropping or uncoiling the unused roll of adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape has also been a problem. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,319,442 to Downs (the “&#39;442 Patent”), which patent is hereby incorporated herein by reference, further evolved the previously known adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape of the &#39;670 Patent. Like the &#39;670 Patent, the &#39;442 Patent also contemplates a carrier release tape, which has first and second release surfaces with different coefficients of friction, and the application thereto of adhesive segments at periodic intervals. But unlike the &#39;670 Patent, the &#39;442 Patent contemplates a thermoplastic adhesive carrier release tape having a transverse line of slits or perforations precut across its transverse width and between the adhesive segments. 
   The precut tape of the &#39;670 Patent thus allows individual portions of the carrier release tape and associated thermoplastic adhesive to be removed from the roll for manual application to a desired surface. While such an embodiment remedies the &#39;670 Patent&#39;s problem of having a length of uncut spent carrier release tape, the carrier release tape of the &#39;442 Patent (as well as of the &#39;670 Patent) does not lend itself to use in combination with a more efficient dispenser for application of the adhesive segments to non-planar, recessed, difficult to reach, or unstable surfaces. 
   While the &#39;670 and &#39;442 Patents focus primarily on the creation of adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape, they also contemplate use of the adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape in combination with numerous dispenser apparatuses. First, a plunger-like applicator, as detailed within both the &#39;670 and &#39;442 Patents, proves manageable, but is limited in the type of surfaces that the thermoplastic adhesive may be applied to. Specifically, because the plunger mechanism has an attached planar foot portion, which is used to guide the placement of the adhesive segments, application of the thermoplastic adhesive segments is essentially confined to an unobstructed flat surface. Such a limitation can pose significant problems when attempting to apply thermoplastic adhesives to non-flat surfaces. It may be more practical to use the above “by hand” manual method of thermoplastic adhesive application. 
   Another previously known thermoplastic adhesive applicator that presents some apparent problems is the so-called box applicator. This applicator is also limited in thermoplastic adhesive application to planar surfaces. The box applicator encases a roll of adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape as disclosed within the &#39;670 and &#39;442 Patents. When the carrier release tape is advanced from the box applicator by hand, the thermoplastic adhesive can only be applied to surfaces that are of a generally planar nature. 
   The adhesive segments must be pressed between the surface to be glued and the top of the cardboard box applicator to ensure adherence. This application process exposes unspent adhesive segments to dust and other debris, which may cause the adhesive segments to lose their adhesive tack and damage or soil the desired surface. Additionally, because the cardboard box thermoplastic adhesive applicator must be of a certain size to house a spool of carrier release tape, application of adhesive segments to areas that are non-flat or recessed proves to be difficult, if not impossible. 
   While not all previously known thermoplastic adhesive applicators are manual, even applicators that are automated present problems. For example, while automated thermoplastic adhesive applicators are more efficient than the box applicator described above, they are also more expensive. The previously known automated methods dispose of the need to manually advance the carrier release tape, but are one-of-a-kind units and thus represent a very expensive option for both the adhesive manufacturer and the end user. Automated thermoplastic adhesive applicators are also limited to thermoplastic adhesive application to generally planar surfaces. In short, their limitations are similar to those of the previously known embodiments presented above because, due to their size, they may not be positioned for the application of thermoplastic adhesive into recessed areas or onto generally non-flat surfaces. 
   Thus, it will be appreciated that previously known apparatuses and methods have only contemplated use of the thermoplastic adhesive laden carrier release tape taught in the &#39;670 Patent and the &#39;442 Patent. The drawbacks of the previously known adhesive segments and methods of applying the same have been used in the industry without any marked improvement to date. In short, the application of adhesive segments from the carrier release tape remains inefficient, overly expensive, and generally inadequate for the application of adhesive segments to non-flat, recessed, difficult to reach, or unstable surfaces. 
   It is accordingly the primary objective of the present invention that it provide a handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus capable of dispensing adhesive segments from an adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape. It is a related objective of the present invention that the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus have a drive mechanism for engaging an indexing instrumentality on the adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape to allow it to dispense adhesive segments. 
   It is another objective of the present invention that the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus be adaptable to apply adhesive segments to non-flat, recessed, difficult to reach, or unstable surfaces. It is a further objective of the present invention that it provide for the application of adhesive segments in a simple, efficient, safe, and automatic manner. 
   The handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus of the present invention must also be of construction which is both durable and long lasting, and it should also require little or no maintenance to be provided by the user throughout its operating lifetime. In order to enhance the market appeal of the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus of the present invention, it should also be of inexpensive construction to thereby afford it the broadest possible market. Finally, it is also an objective that all of the aforesaid advantages and objectives of the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus of the present invention be achieved without incurring any substantial relative disadvantage. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The disadvantages and limitations of the background art discussed above are overcome by the present invention. While the present invention takes full advantage of previously known basic technology, it also addresses all known shortcomings of the basic technology. The present invention provides a handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus which utilizes a unique, indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape. 
   The indexing instrumentality consists of a plurality of patterned scores, cuts, or indentations located in the surface of the carrier release tape, thereby allowing for an advancement mechanism to protrude therethrough. Adhesive segments may be pre-metered onto the carrier release tape before indexing occurs, or the indexing may occur first and the adhesive may be applied thereafter. The handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus of the present invention provides a manner of using the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape to apply adhesive segments to non-flat, recessed, difficult to reach, or unstable surfaces. 
   The carrier release tape is flexible, extends longitudinally, and in the preferred embodiment can have a transverse width of approximately one inch. Additionally, it has opposed first and second release surfaces, each having a different coefficient of friction than the other. Adhesive segments are arrayed generally longitudinally along the first release surface of the carrier release tape (although they instead may be staggered if desired). While the adhesive segments are preferably circular, they may instead be of other different shapes and configurations including, but not limited to, squares, triangles, ovals, dots, other geometric figures, caricature shapes, and the like. 
   The carrier release tape may be made from plain stock carrier release tape, which can be cut into individual tape strips either before or after the indexing and the adhesive segment application processes. The transverse width of the preferred embodiment is approximately one inch although the dimensions of the carrier release tape strips may vary in accordance with the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus of the present invention with which it is used, and the advancement mechanism associated therewith. 
   The carrier release tape has first and second sides with different coefficients of friction. The second surface has a coefficient of friction different from that of the first so that adhesive segments do not adhere to it as strongly as they do to the first surface. The handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus of the present invention and the carrier release tape also present a number of key advantages through their use of indexing therein. 
   First, the indexing is used by the present invention in the carrier release tape to allow for accurate and specific placement of adhesive segments on the carrier release tape. In the preferred embodiment, the indexing is uniformly located in the carrier release tape with regard to the position of adhesive segments at specific distances between each index. Second, the indexing plays an integral role in the application of the adhesive segments from the carrier release tape. The indices are engageable by the advancement mechanism of the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus of the present invention, thereby facilitating advancement of the carrier release tape to present the adhesive segments to a desired surface. 
   The formation of the indices in the carrier release tape may occur either before or during the actual production of the individual strips of adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape. Regardless of when the carrier release tape is indexed, the indexing may be accomplished by using and one of various methods. For example, the indices may be created by the striking of a steel rule die against the carrier release tape, or, alternatively, by use of a rotary die which turns against the carrier release tape in relation to its linearly displaced cutting surface. While the above methods of cutting are already generally known, their relation to the adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape and adaptation for use in the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus of the present invention are novel. 
   The indexed patterns and embodiments of the carrier release tape may vary. One embodiment includes the creation of notches in the carrier release tape. Specifically, it is contemplated that each indexed notch consists of two angled cuts forming a wide “V” shape in the carrier release tape surface. Such angled, V-shaped cuts may be positioned near opposite sides of the carrier release tape with the points of each V facing away from each other. Thus, the open portions of each pair of indexed notches face one another across the transverse width of the carrier release tape Indexed patterns other than the notching embodiments discussed above may also be used. For example, the indexed patterns may vary in accordance with the shape and positioning of the advancement mechanism used by the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus of the present invention. 
   Thus, the indexed patterns of the adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape allows for its use with the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus of the present invention. The handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus is used in conjunction with the adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape, which has an advancement mechanism which engages the indexed pattern of the indexed carrier release tape to advance the tape along a desired path. The handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus thus uses the indexed patterns of the carrier release tape to facilitate the simple, efficient, inexpensive, and safe application of adhesive segments to non-planar, recessed, difficult to reach, or unstable surfaces. 
   A roll of the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape is inserted into the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus, which has a spool-type tape holder. The holder, and the design of the apparatus in general, ensures that the adhesive segments are protected from dust and debris until ready for application to a desired surface. The advancement mechanism of handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus interacts with the indexed notches of the carrier release tape, thereby advancing the adhesive segments on the carrier release tape to an application point from which the adhesive segments may be applied to a desired surface. 
   It may therefore be seen that the present invention teaches a handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus capable of dispensing adhesive segments from an adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape. The handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus has a drive mechanism for engaging an indexing instrumentality on the adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape to allow it to dispense adhesive segments. The handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus is adaptable to apply adhesive segments to non-flat, recessed, difficult to reach, or unstable surfaces in a simple, efficient, safe, and automatic manner. 
   The handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus of the present invention is of construction which is both durable and long lasting, and which requires little or no maintenance to be provided by the user throughout its operating lifetime. The handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus of the present invention is also of inexpensive construction to enhance its market appeal and to thereby afford it the broadest possible market. Finally, all of the aforesaid advantages and objectives of the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus of the present invention are achieved without incurring any substantial relative disadvantage. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other advantages of the present invention are best understood with reference to the drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic depiction of the manufacturing process for creating rolls of indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape; 
       FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a roll of indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape manufactured by the process illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a top plan view of a segment of the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape from the roll illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of the outside of a right housing member for a handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus constructed according to the teachings of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the inside of the right housing member illustrated in  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a plan view of the outside of a housing door member which will be hingedly mounted on the right housing member illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the inside of the housing door member illustrated in  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a plan view of the outside of a handle housing member which will be mounted on corresponding structure on the right housing member illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ; 
       FIG. 9  is an isometric view of the inside of the handle housing member illustrated in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 10  is an isometric view of a tape feed wheel from the right side thereof; 
       FIG. 11  is a side view of the tape feed wheel illustrated in  FIG. 10 ; 
       FIG. 12  is an isometric view of the tape feed wheel illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11  from the left side thereof; 
       FIG. 13  is a plan view of a pawl gear from the left side thereof; 
       FIG. 14  is an isometric view of the pawl gear illustrated in  FIG. 13  from the right side thereof; 
       FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the pawl gear illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14 ; 
       FIG. 16  is a plan view of a geared spacer from the left side thereof; 
       FIG. 17  is an isometric view of a trigger member from the left side and rear thereof; 
       FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of the trigger member illustrated in  FIG. 17 ; 
       FIG. 19  is an exploded view of upper and lower spring housing members showing how they will fit together; 
       FIG. 20  is an isometric view from the left side of a pawl cuff member which will retain carrier release tape in place on the tape feed wheel illustrated in  FIGS. 10 through 12 ; 
       FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view of the pawl cuff member illustrated in  FIG. 20 ; 
       FIG. 22  is an isometric view of a scraping blade member from the left side and front thereof; 
       FIG. 23  is a side view of the scraping blade member illustrated in  FIG. 22  from the left side thereof; 
       FIG. 24  is an isometric view of a supply spool; 
       FIG. 25  is an isometric view of an adhesive segment collecting roller; 
       FIG. 26  is an exploded view showing the assembly of the various components shown in  FIGS. 4 through 25  and other components to make the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus of the present invention; 
       FIG. 27  is a partial isometric view of the assembled handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus of  FIG. 26 , showing the retention of the pawl cuff member by the handle housing member; 
       FIG. 28  is an isometric view of the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus with indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape extending therethrough, and with the housing door member removed for clarity; 
       FIG. 29  is a plan view of the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus, with movement of the trigger member causing movement of the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape extending therethrough, and with the housing door member and the handle housing member removed for clarity; 
       FIG. 30  is an isometric view of the fully assembled handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus; 
       FIG. 31  is a schematic depiction of the feed mechanism of the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus from the left side and the front; 
       FIG. 32  is a partial view from the left side of the feed mechanism of the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus in a resting position; 
       FIG. 33  is a partial view from the left side of the feed mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 32  in the resting position, showing the relative positions of the trigger member, the pawl gear, the pawls on the pawl gear and the pawl cuff member, and the teeth of the tape feed wheel ratchet gear; 
       FIG. 34  is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the feed mechanism in the resting position illustrated in  FIG. 33 , showing the pawl gear and its pawl and the teeth of the tape feed wheel ratchet gear; 
       FIG. 35  is a partial view from the left side of the feed mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 33  in a compressed position, showing the relative positions of the trigger member, the pawl gear, the pawls on the pawl gear and the pawl cuff member, and the teeth of the tape feed wheel ratchet gear; 
       FIG. 36  is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the feed mechanism in the compressed position illustrated in  FIG. 35 , showing the pawl gear and its pawl and the teeth of the tape feed wheel ratchet gear; 
       FIG. 37  is a partial view from the left side of the feed mechanism illustrated in  FIGS. 33 and 35  in a released position, showing the relative positions of the trigger member, the pawl gear, the pawls on the pawl gear and the pawl cuff member, and the teeth of the tape feed wheel ratchet gear; 
       FIG. 38  is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the feed mechanism in the released position illustrated in  FIG. 35 , showing the pawl gear and its pawl and the teeth of the tape feed wheel ratchet gear; 
       FIG. 39  is an isometric view of a docking station which acts as a stand for the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus; and 
       FIG. 40  is an isometric view of the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus resting in the docking station illustrated in  FIG. 39 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The preferred embodiment of the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus of the present invention is illustrated generally in  FIGS. 4–40 , with the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape used therein being illustrated in  FIGS. 1–3 . Specifically, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is focused upon the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus for dispensing indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape, and the manufacture and construction thereof, as well as dispensing single adhesive segments therefrom in a manner facilitating the application of the adhesive segments to a surface. The preferred embodiment described herein also describes the operation of the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus to apply the indexed adhesive segments to desired surfaces. Finally, the detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention also discloses the manufacture and construction of the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape used in the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus. 
   Referring first to  FIG. 1 , a plain stock roll  50  of differential release carrier release strip  52 , having a first surface  54  and a second surface  56  opposite the first surface  54 , is shown. The carrier release strip  52  may be made of paper that has a silicone release material on the first and second surfaces  54  and  56 . The first surface  54  of the carrier release strip  52  has a coefficient of friction higher than the coefficient of friction of the second side  56  of the carrier release strip  52 , so that the first surface of the carrier release strip  54  provides less release than does the second surface of the carrier release strip  52 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the carrier release strip  52  is indexed in a process in which a plurality of mechanical reference indices are cut therein. Typically, the carrier release strip  52  is indexed to place a plurality of notches  58  therein by using a rotary die  60  which presses or strikes against the carrier release strip  52 . An underlying anvil member  62  supports the carrier release strip  52  thereupon as it passes beneath the rotary die  60 . 
   The rotary die  60  is typically drum-shaped, with a plurality of die blades  64  attached to the rotary die  60  around its outer circumference. In an assembly-line sequence, the rotary die  60  can easily be configured to cut a continuous and uniform stream of the indexing notches  58  in the carrier release strip  52 , thereby resulting in an indexed carrier release strip which is identified by the reference numeral  66 . The anvil member  62  used to support the carrier release strip  52  may be made of a hard material with recesses (not shown) located therein to receive the die blades  64  on the rotary die  60 , or it may be a rotating member made either of hard material with such recesses or a resilient material which will absorb the die blades  64  of the rotary die  60 . 
   A device called a “steel rule die” may be used instead of the rotary die  60  with the die blades  64  to create indexing notches  58  in the carrier release strip  52 . A steel rule die normally consists of a member of a given length to which sharpened steel blades or dies of a given shape and location are affixed. Rubber pads are cemented along the die, allowing the entire assembly to be placed on top of the stock  50  and struck to produce indexing notches  58  in the carrier release strip  52 . It will be appreciated that the construction and operation of the rotary die  60  with the die blades  64  and the anvil member  62  as well as alternate mechanisms for cutting the indexing notches  58  are well known to those skilled in the art. 
   Note that two laterally adjacent pairs of indexing notches  58  are placed in the carrier release strip  52 . This is because the operation illustrated in  FIG. 1  is used to make two rolls of the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape simultaneously. It should also be noted that a single roll of indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape could instead be made, or, alternatively more than two rolls can simultaneously be made without departing from the principles taught by the present invention. 
   After having the indexing notches  58  cut into the carrier release strip  52 , the indexed carrier release strip  66  passes through, and is tensioned by, a pair of opposing rollers  68  and  70 . The opposing rollers  68  and  70  ensure that the indexed carrier release strip  66  remains taut during the metering of molten adhesive material thereupon. Once the indexed carrier release strip  66  enters the adhesive metering stage, a very precise servo-driven motor (not shown) signals two dispensing nozzles  72  to administer molten adhesive segments  74  of adhesive material upon the first surface  54  of the indexed carrier release strip  66  at locations which are precisely located and spaced at precise intervals, thereby creating an indexed, adhesive segment-laden carrier release strip which is identified by the reference numeral  76 . The adhesive material used is preferably a hot melt thermoplastic adhesive material, although other types of adhesive and methods of applying it could instead be used. In the embodiment illustrated herein, two laterally adjacent rows of molten adhesive segments  74  have been placed upon the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release strip  76 , since two rolls of indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape are being made in the manufacturing operation illustrated herein. 
   The molten adhesive segments  74  are dispensed at extremely accurate intervals, thereby ensuring precise placement with respect to each lateral pair of indexing notches  58  on the indexed carrier release strip  66 . Alternatively, although not illustrated in  FIG. 1 , an optical sensor may also be used to control the dispensing of the molten adhesive segments  74  upon the indexed carrier release strip  66 . In this case, after detecting an indexed notch  58 , an optical sensor would be used to trigger the dispensing nozzles  72  to administer molten adhesive segments  74  onto the indexed carrier release strip  66  at an appropriate position with respect to the indexing notches  58 . Note that although the molten adhesive segments  74  are shown to be located longitudinally intermediate lateral pairs of indexing notches  58 , it is only necessary that they are in a predetermined longitudinal position with respect to the lateral pairs of indexing notches  58 . 
   After metering the molten adhesive segments  74  onto the indexed carrier release strip  66 , the indexed, adhesive segment-laden carrier release strip  76  advances to the individual tape strip formation stage. Here, a cutter  78  is used to slit the indexed, adhesive segment-laden carrier release strip  76  into two individual strips of indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape which are each identified by the reference numeral  80 . It will, of course be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a single individual strip or more than two strips could instead be made with  FIG. 1  illustrating an example of the manufacturing process rather than representing a limitation as to the number of strips which may be manufactured. 
   In addition to applying the molten adhesive segments  74  to the indexed carrier release strip  66  and using the cutter  78  to separate the indexed, adhesive segment-laden carrier release strip  76  into the two indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tapes  80 , the molten adhesive segments  74  on the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tapes  80  must be formed into dispensable adhesive segments, typically by flattening the molten adhesive segments  74  before they cool. The molten adhesive segments  74  may be flattened into dispensable adhesive segments in a variety of ways. 
   First, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , dispensable adhesive segments may be formed by rolling the indexed, adhesive segment-laden carrier release strip  76  to form two rolls of tape  82  while the molten adhesive segments  74  are still hot. In doing so, the molten adhesive segments  74  present on the first side  54  of the carrier release strip  52  will be flattened against the second side  56  (i.e. the back side) of the carrier release strip  52 , thereby forming the dispensable adhesive segments. The tightness, or tension, of the tape roll  82  as it is wound can be used to vary the thickness of the dispensable adhesive segments. Thus, by controlling the tension of the tape roll  82 , along with the cooling rate of the molten adhesive segments  74 , the thickness of the dispensable adhesive segments on the tape roll  82  may be varied. 
   While not illustrated in  FIG. 1 , it is also contemplated that the molten adhesive segments  74  may be flattened by running them through a mechanical compressing mechanism (not shown), such as a pair of opposing rollers. In such an embodiment, it is envisioned that the roller contacting the molten adhesive segments  74  would have a surface with a coefficient of friction low enough to prevent the molten adhesive segments  74  from sticking to the roller. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the tape roll  82  of the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  80  is illustrated with a plurality of dispensable adhesive segments  84  contained thereon. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  80  of the present invention, like the carrier release strip  52  from which it is formed, has the first surface  54  and the second surface  56 , which have different coefficients of friction. As mentioned above, the first surface  54  of the carrier release strip  52  from which the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  80  is made has a coefficient of friction higher than that of the second surface  56  of the carrier release strip  52 . This allows the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  80  to be unrolled with the dispensable adhesive segments  84  sticking to the first surface  54  rather than to the second surface  56 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the preferred embodiment of the indexing notches  58  and their position with respect to the dispensable adhesive segments  84  is shown in detail. While the rotary die  60  may create any of a wide variety of patterns in the carrier release strip  52 , the indexing notches  58  of the preferred embodiment are of a wide V-shaped configuration, with pairs of indexing notches  58  being spaced apart and oriented so that the points of each of the V&#39;s in each pair are directed toward opposing edges  86  and  88  of the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  80 . The open tops of the V&#39;s of each pair of the indexing notches  58  thus are oriented toward each other, with much of the transverse width of the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  80  being located therebetween. 
   It may be seen that the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  80  is wound onto a hollow cylindrical core  90 , which may be, for example, made of cardboard or the like. The inside of the core  90  has two identically-shaped orientation facilitating segments  92  and  94  mounted therein. The orientation facilitating segments  92  and  94  will be used to facilitate the installation of the tape roll  82  onto a supply spool (to be discussed below in conjunction with  FIG. 24 ) in the proper orientation. Due to the presence and configuration of the orientation facilitating segments  92  and  94  on the inside of the core  90 , it will be impossible to place the tape roll  82  onto the supply spool backwards. 
   While a notch design as taught by the present invention is preferred, other patterns may instead be used so long as they are capable of providing a mechanism to allow the carrier release strip  52  to mate with an advancement mechanism of a desired adhesive segment applicator apparatus (not shown in  FIG. 3 ). In addition, while the dispensable adhesive segments  84  are located intermediate adjacent pairs of the indexing notches  58 , they could be located with a different orientation, such as, for example, between the indexing notches  58  in each pair. Instead of indexing notches  58 , perforations could be made in the carrier release strip  52 . Such perforations could be of the same shape as the notches  58 , or any other shape such as square, rectangular, or circular instead. They could be located in the carrier release strip  52  in the same location as the notches  58 , or in the opposing edges  86  and  88  of the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  80 . Such variations are certainly within the scope of the present invention. 
   The dispensable adhesive segments  84  are in the preferred embodiment a hot melt thermoplastic adhesive. They may come in various “tack” levels, or degrees of stickiness, such as low tack, medium tack, high tack, and super high tack. In addition, the dispensable adhesive segments  84  may also come in various thicknesses, such as, for example, low (approximately one-sixty-fourth of an inch thick), medium (approximately one-sixteenth of an inch thick), and high (approximately one-eighth of an inch thick). They may also come in various shapes, such as the circular shape illustrated in  FIG. 3 , as well as lines, squares, rectangles, triangles, and any other geometric shaped which is desired. The indexing notches  58  may be spaced to accommodate any of these shapes. They may be neutral in color, or they may be tinted in any desired color. 
   Referring next to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a right housing member  100  for the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus of the present invention is illustrated. The right housing member  100  may be thought of as having four portions: 1. a central portion which will house the mechanism for advancing the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  60  therethrough; 2. a forward portion resembling a triangle with its forwardmost corner rounded to serve as an application point from which the dispensable adhesive segments  84  are dispensed; 3. a rearward portion which is approximately circular and which serves as a storage reservoir for the tape roll  82 ; and 4. a lower portion including a handle. The forward portion, the rearward portion, and the lower portion all extend from the central portion. In the preferred embodiment, the right housing member  100  may be molded from plastic material. 
   Referring first to the central portion of the right housing member  100 , a cylindrical mounting post  102  (which will support a circular feed member to be discussed below in conjunction with  FIGS. 10 through 12 ) extends orthogonally from the central area thereof on the interior of the right housing member  100 . Located in the center of the mounting post  102  is a screw hole  104 . Located rearwardly (toward the circular portion from the mounting post  102  and slightly below the level of the mounting post  102 ) is a cylindrical pivot post  106  (which will support a feed mechanism member to be discussed below in conjunction with  FIGS. 20 and 21 ), which also extends orthogonally from the interior of the right housing member  100 . 
   Located in front of the pivot post  106  is a tape guide  108  which also extends orthogonally from the interior of the right housing member  100 . The tape guide  108  is slightly curved and communicates with the edge rear of a notch  110  in the bottom of the central area of the right housing member  100 . The notch  110  is where waste carrier release tape (not shown in  FIG. 4  or  5 ) will exit the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus. Located forward of the tape guide  108  are two mounting posts  112  which extend orthogonally from the interior of the right housing member  100 . The mounting posts  112  will be used to mount another element of the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus which will be discussed below in conjunction with  FIGS. 22 and 23 . 
   Located near the rear of the central portion of the right housing member  100  above and to the rear of where the circular feed member mounted on the mounting post  102  will be installed is a tape guide surface  114  which will support carrier release tape (not shown in  FIG. 4  or  5 ) thereupon. The tape guide surface  114  extends orthogonally from the interior of the right housing member  100 . Located at the front of the forward portion of the right housing member  100  is a C-shaped tape guide surface  116  which will also support carrier release tape thereupon. The C-shaped tape guide surface  116  extends orthogonally from the interior of the right housing member  100 . 
   Located in the central and forward portions of the right housing member  100  intermediate the tape guide surface  114  and the C-shaped tape guide surface  116  are two spaced-apart guide members  118  and  120  which extend orthogonally from the interior of the right housing member  100 . The guide member  118  is located above the guide member  120 , with the guide members  118  and  120  defining a channel for an edge of the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  80  (not shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) which extends between the tape guide surface  114  and the C-shaped tape guide surface  116 . The guide members  118  and  120  are sufficiently shallow to prevent the guide member  118  from contacting any dispensable adhesive segments  84  (also not shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) contained on the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  80 . 
   Located intermediate the front and central portions of the right housing member  100  above and to the rear of where the circular feed member mounted on the mounting post  102  will be installed is a U-shaped tape guide surface  122 . The U-shaped tape guide surface  122  extends orthogonally from the interior of the right housing member  100 . Located intermediate the bottom surfaces of the C-shaped tape guide surface  116  and the U-shaped tape guide surface  122  is a support post  124  which extends orthogonally from the interior of the right housing member  100 . The support post  124  will be used to mount another element of the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus which will be discussed below in conjunction with  FIG. 25 . 
   Mounted on the C-shaped tape guide surface  116  at the front thereof is a thin foam strip  126  which will act as a cushion on the nose of the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus. The foam strip  126  is made of a foam strip with a nonstick surface. In the preferred embodiment, this foam strip  126  can be between one-sixteenth of an inch thick and one-half of an inch thick, with a one-eighth inch thickness being preferred. Also in the preferred embodiment, the nonstick surface is provided by a thin (10 mil thick) strip of tape made of a durable material having a very low coefficient of friction such as, for example, a fluoropolymer such as polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”), such as the material marketed by DuPont under the trademark TEFLON, the strip of tape being adhesively secured to the outwardly facing surface of the foam strip  126 . Alternatively, ultra-high molecular weight (“UHMW”) polyethylene could be used instead of PTFE. This nonstick surface minimizes the drag that is created when the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  80  (not shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) is pulled around the sharp curve of the nose of the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus. 
   Located in the center of the circular rearward portion of the right housing member  100  is a square aperture  128  which will be used to mount the tape roll  82  (not shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). Located near the top of the right housing member  100  intermediate the central and rearward portions thereof is an aperture  130  which may be used to allow the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus to be hung on a hook or the like for storage purposes, or to allow the weight of the device to be supported by a tool balancer. A right hinge half  132  is mounted on the right housing member  100  along the top of the central portion thereof. 
   The lower portion of the right housing member  100  includes a right handle half  134  at the rear of the lower portion of the right housing member  100 . An L-shaped right trigger guard half  136  extends from the bottom of the right handle half  134  and forwardly, and then upwardly to a location intermediate the central and forward portions of the right housing member  100  at the bottoms thereof. Located in the interior of the right trigger guard half  136  at the intersection of the base of the “L” and the leg of the “L” is a screw hole  138 . Located in the interior of the right handle half  134  near the bottom and rear thereof is a screw hole  140 . 
   Located in the interior of the right handle half  134  and extending orthogonally therefrom is a pivot post  142 , which will be used to mount an actuator (which will be discussed below in conjunction with  FIGS. 17 and 18 ) used to advance the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  80  (not shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). Also located in the interior of the right handle half  134  is a right bearing surface half  144  which will support an end of a biasing mechanism (to be discussed below in conjunction with  FIG. 19 ) used to bias the actuator into a first position. A latching member  146  is located on the bottom of the central portion of the right housing member  100  behind the tape guide  108 . 
   Turning now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a housing door member  150  is illustrated. The housing door member  150  will form much of the left half of the housing of the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus of the present invention, and includes central, forward, and rearward portions which correspond to the central, forward, and rearward portions of the right housing member  100  (shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). The housing door member  150  includes a left hinge half  152  mounted on the housing door member  150  along the top of the central portion thereof. The left hinge half  152  will mate with the right hinge half  132  of the right housing member  100  to allow the housing door member  150  to swing upwardly to expose the interior of the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus. In the preferred embodiment, the housing door member  150  may be molded from plastic material. 
   The housing door member  150  has a large aperture  154  located in the center of the circular rearward portion thereof which large aperture  154  will be aligned with the square aperture  128  in the right housing member  100  when the housing door member  150  is closed. The large aperture  154  will be used to access a mechanism (which will be discussed below in conjunction with  FIG. 26 ) used to adjust the tension on a tape roll  82  (not shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ). A series of three smaller apertures  156  are located rearwardly of the large aperture  154 , and will be used to view how much the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  80  (not shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ) is remaining on a tape roll  82  in the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus. 
   Located near the top of the housing door member  150  intermediate the central and rearward portions thereof is an aperture  158  which may be used to allow the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus to be hung on a hook or the like for storage purposes, or to allow the weight of the device to be supported by a tool balancer. When the housing door member  150  is closed, the aperture  158  in the housing door member  150  will be aligned with the aperture  130  in the right housing member  100 . Located on the bottom of the central portion of the housing door member  150  is a latching member  160 . When the housing door member  150  is closed on the right housing member  100 , the latching member  160  will cooperate with the latching member  146  on the right housing member  100  (best shown in  FIG. 5 ) to keep the housing door member  150  closed. 
   Located in the central and forward portions of the housing door member  150  are two spaced-apart guide members  162  and  164  which extend orthogonally from the interior of the housing door member  150 . The guide member  162  is located above the guide member  164 , with the guide members  162  and  164  being aligned with the guide members  118  and  120 , respectively, in the right housing member  100  (shown in  FIG. 5 ). The guide members  162  and  164  define a channel for an edge of the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  80  (not shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ). The guide members  162  and  164  are sufficiently shallow to prevent the guide member  162  from contacting any dispensable adhesive segments  84  (also not shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ) contained on the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  80 . 
   Referring next to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a handle housing member  170  is illustrated. The handle housing member  170  will form the balance of the left half of the housing of the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus of the present invention, and corresponds to the lower portion of the right housing member  100  (shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). In the preferred embodiment, the handle housing member  170  may be molded from plastic material. The handle housing member  170  includes a left handle half  172  at the rear thereof. An L-shaped left trigger guard half  174  extends from the bottom of the left handle half  172  and forwardly, and then upwardly. The top ends of the left trigger guard half  174  and the left handle half  172  are connected by an arcuate segment  176 . 
   Located in the handle housing member  170  at the intersection of the base of the “L” and the leg of the “L” is a screw hole  178 . Located in the handle housing member  170  near the bottom and rear thereof is a screw hole  180 . When the handle housing member  170  is mounted onto the lower portion of the right housing member  100  (shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ), the screw hole  178  and the screw hole  180  in the handle housing member  170  will be aligned with the screw hole  138  and the screw hole  140  (both of which are shown in  FIG. 5 ), respectively, in the right housing member  100 . 
   Extending upwardly from the arcuate segment  176  above the front of the left handle half  172  is a retaining flange  182 . The retaining flange  182  will retain a circular feed member (to be discussed below in conjunction with  FIGS. 10 through 12 ) on the mounting post  102  on the right housing member  100  (shown in  FIG. 5 ). The retaining flange  182  has a mounting post  184  extending orthogonally from the side thereof which will face the right housing member  100  when the handle housing member  170  is mounted on the right housing member  100 . The mounting post  184  will be aligned with the mounting post  102  in the right housing member  100  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) when the handle housing member  170  is mounted on the right housing member  100 . Extending through the retaining flange  182  and the mounting post  184  is a screw hole  186 , which will be aligned with the screw hole  104  in the mounting post  102  in the right housing member  100  when the handle housing member  170  is mounted on the right housing member  100 . 
   Located at the distal end of the retaining flange  182  is a retaining latch  188  which will be used to retain a feed mechanism member (which will be discussed below in conjunction with  FIGS. 20 and 21 ) in place. Located in the interior of the left handle half  172  is a left bearing surface half  190  which will support an end of a biasing mechanism (which will be discussed below in conjunction with  FIG. 19 ) used to bias an actuator (which will be discussed below in conjunction with  FIGS. 17 and 18 ) into a first position. The left bearing surface half  190  in the left handle half  172  will be aligned with the right bearing surface half  144  in the right handle half  134  when the handle housing member  170  is mounted on the right housing member  100 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 10 through 12 , a tape feed wheel  200  is illustrated which will be used to advance the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  80  (not shown in  FIGS. 10 through 12 ) through the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus. In the preferred embodiment, the tape feed wheel  200  may be molded from plastic material. The tape feed wheel  200  is based upon a hollow cylindrical hub  202  which will be used to rotationally mount the tape feed wheel  200 . Six spokes  204  extend radially outwardly from the cylindrical hub  202 , and support a hollow cylindrical drive wheel  206  which is concentric with the cylindrical hub  202 . 
   Mounted on the outer diameter of the cylindrical drive wheel  206  in a spaced-apart relationship are two annular ridges  208  and  210  which extend radially outwardly from the outer surface of the cylindrical drive wheel  206 . The annular ridges  208  and  210  are each spaced away from an edge of the cylindrical drive wheel  206 . Extending radially outwardly from the respective edges of the cylindrical drive wheel  206  are annular flanges  212  and  214 . The annular flanges  212  and  214  extend outwardly further from the outer surface of the cylindrical drive wheel  206  than do the annular ridges  208  and  210 . 
   Mounted on each of the annular ridges  208  and  210  are a plurality of angled teeth  216  arranged in laterally adjacent pairs around the periphery of annular ridges  208  and  210 . The teeth  216  extend outwardly from the annular ridges  208  and  210 . The spacing between annular ridges  208  and  210  and each laterally adjacent pair of teeth  216  is identical to the spacing between laterally adjacent pairs of the indexing notches  58  on the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  80  (shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 ). Similarly, the spacing between rotationally adjacent teeth  216  is the same as the spacing between longitudinally adjacent indexing notches  58  on the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  80 . 
   The size and configuration of the teeth  216  are designed to fit into the indexing notches  58  in the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  380  to allow the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  380  to be moved by using the tape feed wheel  200 . The annular flanges  212  and  214  are spaced apart sufficiently to comfortable accommodate the width of the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  380 . In addition, the annular ridges  208  and  210  are spaced intermediate the annular flanges  212  and  214  to allow the tape feed weel  200  to fully engage a portion of the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  380  which is partially wrapped around the tape feed wheel  200 . 
   Extending from the side of the tape feed wheel  200  from which the annular flange  212  extends is an annular series of drive teeth  218 . The drive teeth  218  are designed to turn the tape feed wheel  200  in a clockwise direction (as viewed from the side of the tape feed wheel  200  upon which the drive teeth  218  are mounted). The drive teeth  218  are indexed to the adjacent pairs of the teeth  216 , meaning that there are the same number of drive teeth  218  as there are adjacent pairs of teeth  216 . The drive teeth  218  include a series of ramps therebetween, extending from the base of the previous tooth  216  to the top of the next tooth  216 . Thus, the teeth  216  each extend in a radially outwardly direction, with ramps therebetween. 
   Turning next to  FIGS. 13 through 15 , a pawl gear  220  is illustrated which will be used to drive the tape feed wheel  200  (best shown in  FIG. 12 ). In the preferred embodiment, the pawl gear  220  may be molded from plastic material. The pawl gear  220  has a flat, washer-shaped (circular with a hole in the center) disc  222  which is mounted on a hollow cylindrical segment  224 . The cylindrical segment  224  extends from only one side of the disc  222  (the right side, which is shown in  FIG. 14 ). The inner diameter of the hole in the disc  222  and the interior of the cylindrical segment  224  is sized to fit freely upon the cylindrical hub  202  of the tape feed wheel  200 . The pawl gear  220  has a number of teeth  226  which extend radially outwardly from the outer edge of the disc  222  for something less than a ninety degree arc. The teeth  226  will be used to drive the pawl gear  220 . 
   Located on the back side of the pawl gear  220  is a drive pawl  228  which is mounted on the inside of the disc  222 . The drive pawl  228  has one end thereof mounted on an arcuate flange  230 , which extends orthogonally from the inside of the disc  222  at the outer edge thereof, adjacent several of the teeth  226 . The drive pawl  228  extends at an angle approximately orthogonal to a radius of the pawl gear  220 , and is sufficiently thin to allow it to flex. The disc  222  has an aperture  232  located therein surrounding the drive pawl  228  (as best shown in  FIG. 13 ), which aperture  232  is used to facilitate the manufacture of the pawl gear  220  by molding. The distal (free) end of the drive pawl  228 , which is the end thereof which extends radially inwardly the furthest, is located at a radius typically equal to (or slightly less than) the radius of the bottom of each of the drive teeth  218  on the tape feed wheel  200  shown in  FIG. 12 ). In operation, the side of the pawl gear  220  on which the drive pawl  228  is mounted will face the side of the tape feed wheel  200  on which the drive teeth  218  are mounted (as will become evident in the discussion which follows in conjunction with  FIG. 26 ). 
   Turning now to  FIG. 16 , a geared spacer  240  is illustrated which will be used on the back side of the pawl gear  220  (best shown in  FIG. 10 ). In the preferred embodiment, the geared spacer  240  may be molded from plastic material. The geared spacer  240  has a flat, washer-shaped (circular with a hole in the center) disc  242  which is mounted on a hollow cylindrical segment  244 . The cylindrical segment  244  extends from only one side of the disc  242  (the left side, which is shown in  FIG. 16 ). The inner diameter of the hole in the disc  242  and the interior of the cylindrical segment  244  is sized to fit freely upon the cylindrical hub  202  of the tape feed wheel  200 . The geared spacer  240  has a number of teeth  246  which are identical in size, pitch, and number to the teeth  226  on the pawl gear  220 . The geared spacer  240  is flat, and unlike the pawl gear  220  has no pawl mounted thereupon. 
   Moving next to  FIGS. 17  and the retaining latch  188 ; a trigger member  250  is illustrated which will be used to engage the pawl gear  220  (best shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14  and the geared spacer  240  (shown in  FIG. 16 ). The trigger member  250  has a hollow trigger housing  252  which is enclosed at the front and sides thereof. In the preferred embodiment, the trigger housing  252  may be molded from plastic material. The front of the trigger housing  252  is configured to be gripped by the four fingers of the hand, and has a grip insert  254  located on the front side thereof. The grip insert  254  may be made of rubber or any other suitable material providing a good and comfortable gripping surface. 
   The side walls of the trigger housing  252  have corresponding apertures  256  and  258  located near the bottom thereof which apertures  256  and  258  will be used to pivotally mount the trigger member  250  (as will become evident below in conjunction with a discussion of  FIG. 26 ). Extending outwardly from the left side of the trigger housing  252  at the top thereof is an arcuate flange  260 , and extending outwardly from the right side of the trigger housing  252  at the top thereof is an arcuate flange  262 . Located on the top of the arcuate flange  260  are a plurality of upwardly projecting teeth  264 , and located at the top of the arcuate flange  262  are a plurality of upwardly projecting teeth  266 . 
   The teeth  264  on the trigger member  250  will engage the teeth  226  on the pawl gear  220  (best shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 ), and the teeth  266  on the trigger member  250  will engage the teeth  246  on the geared spacer  240  (shown in  FIG. 16 ). Located inside the hollow interior of the trigger housing  252  is a bearing surface  268  which will support an end of a biasing mechanism (to be discussed below in conjunction with  FIG. 19 ) used to bias the trigger member  250  into a first position. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 19 , two elements of that biasing mechanism are illustrated, namely, an upper spring housing member  270  and a lower spring housing member  272 . In the preferred embodiment, both the upper spring housing member  270  and the lower spring housing member  272  may be molded from plastic material. The upper spring housing member  270  consists of a hollow cylindrical housing  274  which is open on the bottom end thereof and has a rounded bearing end  276  located on the closed top end thereof. The lower spring housing member  272  consists of a hollow cylindrical housing  278  which is open on the top end thereof and has a rounded bearing end  280  located on the closed bottom end thereof. The outer diameter of the cylindrical housing  278  of the lower spring housing member  272  is of a size such that it can fit freely into the interior of the cylindrical housing  274  of the upper spring housing member  270 . 
   The cylindrical housing  274  has a longitudinally oriented slot  282  located therein which communicates with the bottom end of the cylindrical housing  274 . Located on the outside surface of the cylindrical housing  278  near the top end thereof is an outwardly extending projection  284  which will fit into the slot  282  in the cylindrical housing  274  in a sliding relationship. The projection  284  in the upper spring housing member  270  and the slot  282  in the lower spring housing member  272  ensure that the rounded bearing end  276  on the upper spring housing member  270  and the rounded bearing end  280  on the lower spring housing member  272  will be aligned with respect to each other. A spring (not shown in  FIG. 19 ) will be mounted within the compartment defined by the interiors of the cylindrical housing  274  and the cylindrical housing  278 . 
   Moving next to  FIGS. 20 and 21 , a pawl cuff member  290  is illustrated which will overlie a portion of the tape feed wheel  200  (shown in  FIGS. 10 through 12 ) to retain a segment of the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  80  (best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) engaged by the teeth  216  on the tape feed wheel  200 . In the preferred embodiment, the pawl cuff member  290  may be molded from plastic material. The pawl cuff member  290  has a hollow cylindrical mounting segment  292  located at one end thereof. Extending from the cylindrical mounting segment  292  is an arcuate surface  294  which will engage the outer diameter of the tape feed wheel  200 . The arcuate surface  294  extends approximately one hundred eighty degrees. 
   Located on the opposite sides of the arcuate surface  294  are inwardly-extending flanges  296  and  298 . The width of the arcuate surface  294  is sufficient to accommodate the tape feed wheel  200 , with the flanges  296  and  298  outlying the annular flanges  212  and  214  on the annular ridge  210  (best shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 ). Extending from the flange  296  near the end thereof closest to the cylindrical mounting segment  292  is a retaining pawl  300  which extends away from the cylindrical mounting segment  292 . The retaining pawl  300  has one end thereof mounted on the flange  296 , and extends at an angle approximately orthogonal to a radius of the arcuate surface  294 , and is sufficiently thin to allow it to flex. Located on top of the arcuate surface  294  near the midpoint thereof is a flat retaining surface  302  which will be used to maintain the pawl cuff member  290  in its operating position (as will become evident in conjunction with a discussion of  FIG. 27  below). 
   Moving now to  FIGS. 22 and 23 , a scraping blade member  310  is illustrated which will be used to remove any remaining segments of the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  80  (shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) from the surface of the tape feed wheel  200  (best shown in  FIG. 12 ). In the preferred embodiment, the scraping blade member  310  may be molded from plastic material. The scraping blade member  310  has a curved surface  312  having laterally extending rib  314  which extends across the curved surface  312 . The rib  314  will be used to mount the retaining pawl  300  by placing the rib  314  intermediate the mounting posts  112  on the right housing member  100  (shown in  FIG. 5 ). 
   Extending from the topmost edge of the curved surface  312  are three scrapping blades which are spaced slightly apart. A wider scraping blade  316  is located in the middle, and is flanked by two narrower scraping blades  318  and  320 . The scraping blades  316 ,  318 , and  320  will contact the cylindrical drive wheel  206  of the tape feed wheel  200  (best shown in  FIG. 11 ). The wider scraping blade  316  will be located intermediate the annular ridges  208  and  210  of the tape feed wheel  200 . The narrower scraping blade  318  will be located intermediate the annular ridges  208  and  212 , and the narrower scraping blade  320  will be located intermediate the annular ridges  210  and  214 . 
   Turning next to  FIG. 24 , a supply spool  330  upon which the core  90  of a tape roll  82  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) will be placed is illustrated. In the preferred embodiment, the supply spool  330  may be molded from plastic material. The supply spool  330  has a circular backing plate  332  having an aperture  334  extending therethrough. Extending orthogonally from the backing plate  332  is a shaped form  336  having two recesses  338  and  340  located therein. The recesses  338  and  340  will accommodate the orientation facilitating segments  92  and  94  of the core  90  of the tape roll  82  therein to ensure that the tape roll  82  is mounted in the proper orientation on the supply spool  330 . The core  90  of the tape roll  82  will fit onto the shaped form  336  in an interference fit to retain the tape roll  82  in place on the supply spool  330 . 
   Moving now to  FIG. 25 , an adhesive segment collecting roller  350  is illustrated which will be mounted on the support post  124  of the right housing member  100  (best shown in  FIG. 5 ). In the preferred embodiment, the adhesive segment collecting roller  350  may be molded from plastic material. The adhesive segment collecting roller  350  has an aperture  352  extending therethrough which will be used to mount the adhesive segment collecting roller  350  on the support post  124  of the right housing member  100 . The adhesive segment collecting roller  350  will be used to pick up dispensable adhesive segments  84  (best shown in  FIG. 3 ) which are not dispensed before the carrier release tape  80  moves into the feed mechanism. 
   Turning next to  FIG. 26 , the assembly of the various components illustrated in  FIGS. 4 through 25  (and other miscellaneous components) is illustrated. The foam strip  126  is adhesively secured to the C-shaped tape guide surface  116  of the right housing member  100  (as it was shown in  FIG. 5 ). The scraping blade member  310  is installed into the right housing member  100  with the rib  314  on the curved surface  312  (best shown in  FIG. 22 ) being inserted between the mounting posts  112  on the right housing member  100  (shown in  FIG. 5 ). In the preferred embodiment, the scraping blade member  310  is adhesively secured in place in the right housing member  100 . The scraping blade member  310  and the tape guide  108  define a path therebetween through which the carrier release tape  80  will exit the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus. The adhesive segment collecting roller  350  is installed onto the support post  124  in the right housing member  100 . 
   The geared spacer  240  is installed onto the right side of the tape feed wheel  200  (the side opposite the drive teeth  218 ), with the geared spacer  240  being mounted on the cylindrical hub  202 . The cylindrical segment  244  on the geared spacer  240  (shown in  FIG. 16 ) is oriented toward the tape feed wheel  200 . The pawl gear  220  is installed onto the tape feed wheel  200  on the left side (the side with the drive teeth  218 ), with the pawl gear  220  being mounted on the cylindrical hub  202 . The cylindrical segment  224  on the pawl gear  220  (best shown in  FIG. 14 ) is oriented toward the tape feed wheel  200 , and the drive pawl  228  will be in contact with the drive teeth  218  on the tape feed wheel  200 . The tape feed wheel  200 , with the pawl gear  220  and the geared spacer  240  attached, is then placed onto the mounting post  102  in the right housing member  100 . 
   The pawl cuff member  290  is then installed by mounting it on the pivot post  106  in the right housing member  100  (the pivot post  106  extends through the cylindrical mounting segment  292  in the pawl cuff member  290 ). It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the pawl cuff member  290  can pivot such that the arcuate surface  294  of the pawl cuff member  290  (best shown in  FIG. 21 ) in a first position is in close proximity to the outer diameter of the tape feed wheel  200 , or in a second position is rotated away from the arcuate surface  294  to allow the carrier release tape  80  to initially be loaded around the tape feed wheel  200 . The retaining pawl  300  on the cylindrical mounting segment  292  (best shown in  FIG. 20 ) will be in contact with the drive teeth  218  on the tape feed wheel  200  when the pawl cuff member  290  is in the first position. 
   The trigger member  250  is mounted on the pivot post  142  in the right housing member  100  with the pivot post  142  extending through the aperture  258  and the aperture  256  in the trigger member  250 . The teeth  266  of the trigger member  250  (best shown in  FIG. 17 ) will be in contact with the teeth  246  of the geared spacer  240  (best shown in  FIG. 16 ). The teeth  264  of the trigger member  250  (shown in  FIG. 17 ) will be in contact with the teeth  226  of the pawl gear  220  (best shown in  FIG. 14 ). It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the installation of the trigger member  250  into the right housing member  100  must be coordinated with the installation of the assembly consisting of the tape feed wheel  200 , the pawl gear  220 , and the geared spacer  240  in order to obtain and retain proper alignment of the teeth on the various components. 
   One end of a trigger spring  360  is inserted into the cylindrical housing  278  of the lower spring housing member  272  (shown in  FIG. 19 ), and the other end of the trigger spring  360  is inserted into the cylindrical housing  274  of the upper spring housing member  270  (also shown in  FIG. 19 ). The trigger spring  360  is compressed, and the projection  284  of the lower spring housing member  272  (also shown in  FIG. 19 ) is inserted into the slot  282  of the upper spring housing member  270  (also shown in  FIG. 19 ). The rounded bearing end  276  of the upper spring housing member  270  (also shown in  FIG. 19 ) is placed against the bearing surface  268  of the trigger member  250  (best shown in  FIG. 18 ). The rounded bearing end  280  of the lower spring housing member  272  is placed against the right bearing surface half  144  of the right housing member  100  (shown in  FIG. 5 ). The assembly consisting of the upper spring housing member  270 , the lower spring housing member  272 , and the trigger spring  360  will bias the trigger member  250  in a counterclockwise position, with the movement of the trigger member  250  being limited by the construction of the right housing member  100 . 
   The handle housing member  170  is installed onto the right housing member  100 , with the mounting post  184  extending into the cylindrical hub  202  of the tape feed wheel  200  (best shown in  FIG. 12 ) to retain the assembly consisting of the tape feed wheel  200 , the pawl gear  220 , and the geared spacer  240  in place in the right housing member  100 . The handle housing member  170  will also retain the trigger member  250  and the assembly consisting of the upper spring housing member  270 , the lower spring housing member  272 , and the trigger spring  360  in place. 
   Three screws  362  are used to retain the handle housing member  170  on the right housing member  100 : a first screw  362  extending through the screw hole  186  in the handle housing member  170  (best shown in  FIG. 8 ) and into the screw hole  104  in the mounting post  102  in the right housing member  100  (shown in  FIG. 5 ); a second screw  362  extending through the screw hole  178  in the handle housing member  170  (best shown in  FIG. 8 ) and into the screw hole  138  in the right housing member  100  (shown in  FIG. 5 ); and a third screw  362  extending through the screw hole  180  in the handle housing member  170  (best shown in  FIG. 8 ) and into the screw hole  140  in the right housing member  100  (shown in  FIG. 5 ). 
   Referring for the moment to  FIG. 27  in addition to  FIG. 26 , the retaining latch  188  on the handle housing member  170  will also contact the flat retaining surface  302  on the pawl cuff member  290  when the pawl cuff member  290  is in the first position close adjacent the tape feed wheel  200 , thereby retaining the pawl cuff member  290  in its first position. By lifting the retaining latch  188  slightly, the pawl cuff member  290  is freed to allow it to rotate to its second position away from the tape feed wheel  200 . 
   Referring again to  FIG. 26 , a carriage bolt  364  is inserted from the outside of the right housing member  100  through the square aperture  128  in the right housing member  100 . A reinforced rubber washer  366  is placed onto the carriage bolt  364 , following which the supply spool  330  is mounted onto the carriage bolt  364  (with the carriage bolt  364  extending through the aperture  334  in the supply spool  330  (shown in  FIG. 24 )). The reinforced rubber washer  366  provides a modicum of frictional resistance preventing the supply spool  330  from spinning freely, but allowing it to rotate. A conical spool spring  368  is then placed on the carriage bolt  364 , followed by a washer  370  and a wingnut  372 . The wingnut  372  can be used to adjust the rotational resistance of the supply spool  330 . 
   The housing door member  150  is mounted onto the right housing member  100  by attaching the left hinge half  152  on the housing door member  150  to the right hinge half  132  on the right housing member  100 . It will be appreciated that the housing door member  150  will open on the right housing member  100  by swinging upwardly. The latching member  160  on the bottom of the housing door member  150  (best shown in  FIG. 7 ) cooperates with the latching member  146  on the right housing member  100  (shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) to releasably secure the housing door member  150  on the right housing member  100 . 
   A tape roll  82  can be installed on the supply spool  330 , with the orientation facilitating segments  92  and  94  on the core  90  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) cooperating with the recesses  338  and  340  on the supply spool  330  (shown in  FIG. 24 ) to ensure that the tape roll  82  can only be installed in the proper orientation. When the tape roll  82  is installed in the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus, the wingnut  372  can be adjusted through the large aperture  154  in the housing door member  150 , thereby allowing the tension on the tape roll  82  to be adjusted without opening the housing door member  150 . The apertures  156  in the housing door member  150  allow a user to see how much of the tape roll  82  remains. 
   Referring next to  FIG. 28 , the installation of a tape roll  82  in the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus is illustrated. The core  90  of the tape roll  82  is installed onto the supply spool  330 , and the wingnut  372  is adjusted as necessary to adjust the tension in the tape roll  82  as the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  80  is unrolled off of the core  90 . The indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  80  passes over the tape guide surface  114  of the right housing member  100 , between the guide members  118  and  120  of the right housing member  100 , and onto the C-shaped tape guide surface  116 . Much of the C-shaped tape guide surface  116  is covered with the foam strip  126 , and the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  80  moves over the foam strip  126  on the C-shaped tape guide surface  116 . 
   The dispensable adhesive segments  84  are dispensed from the forwardmost portion of the C-shaped tape guide surface  116 , with the foam strip  126  facilitating the dispensing of the dispensable adhesive segments  84 . Following removal of the dispensable adhesive segments  84  from the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  80 , it will be referred to herein as spent carrier release tape  380 . The spent carrier release tape  380  moves over the adhesive segment collecting roller  350 , and under the U-shaped tape guide surface  122 . If any dispensable adhesive segments  84  remain on the spent carrier release tape  380 , they will be collected by the adhesive segment collecting roller  350 , which has a higher adhesion to the dispensable adhesive segments  84  than does the spent carrier release tape  380 . 
   The spent carrier release tape  380  moves up the back side of the U-shaped tape guide surface  122  and onto the tape feed wheel  200 , where the teeth  216  of the tape feed wheel  200  (best shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 ) fit into the indexing notches  58  in the spent carrier release tape  380 . The pawl cuff member  290  retains the spent carrier release tape  380  in contact with the tape feed wheel  200  (and thus retains the indexing notches  58  on the spent carrier release tape  380  in contact with the teeth  216  of the tape feed wheel  200 ). The spent carrier release tape  380  leaves the tape feed wheel  200  on the rearmost side and leaves the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus by moving between the tape guide  108  and the scraping blade member  310 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 29 , this movement of the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  80  to the point of dispensation of the dispensable adhesive segments  84  and the movement of the spent carrier release tape  380  from that point through the feed mechanism and out of the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus is schematically shown. Actuation of the trigger member  250  causes the advancement of the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  80  and the spent carrier release tape  380  through the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus. Each advancement will move another dispensable adhesive segment  84  to the point on the C-shaped tape guide surface  116  from which it may be dispensed. 
     FIG. 30  shows the assembled handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus with the housing door member  150  in place. Also note that the aperture  158  in the housing door member  150  (shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ) is aligned with the aperture  130  (shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). The aligned apertures  130  and  158  can be used to hang the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus from a hook or the like (not shown) for storage purposes, or to allow the weight of the device to be supported by a tool balancer. 
   Referring next to  FIG. 31 , the feed mechanism is shown in isolation. It will be appreciated that by squeezing the trigger member  250 , the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  80  will be drawn off of the core  90 . After the dispensing of the dispensable adhesive segments  84 , the spent carrier release tape  380  will be drawn into the feed mechanism, onto the tape feed wheel  200  and under the pawl cuff member  290 . The scraping blade member  310  will pull the spent carrier release tape  380  off of the tape feed wheel  200 , with the spent carrier release tape  380  then being removed from the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 32 , the operation of the feed mechanism is illustrated. It will be appreciated that by squeezing the trigger member  250 , it will rotate clockwise (when viewed from the left side as in  FIG. 32 ), moving from a first (unsqueezed) position to a second (squeezed) position to cause the pawl gear  220  to rotate counterclockwise (when viewed from the left side as in  FIG. 31 ). Similarly, when the trigger spring  360  (shown in  FIG. 26 ) causes the trigger member  250  to rotate counterclockwise (again when viewed from the left side), returning from the second position to the first position, it will cause the tape feed wheel  200  to rotate clockwise (again when viewed from the left side). 
   The functions of the pawl  228  (on the pawl gear  220 ) and the pawl  300  (on the pawl cuff member  290 ) are readily apparent as they both interact with the drive teeth  218  on the tape feed wheel  200  as it rotates. The retaining pawl  300  acts to prevent rotation of the tape feed wheel  200  in a counterclockwise direction (again when viewed from the left side). The drive pawl  228  acts to rotate the tape feed wheel  200  in a clockwise direction. 
   Thus, when the trigger member  250  moves from the first position to the second position, it cannot cause the pawl gear  220  to move counterclockwise (again as viewed from the left side), since the retaining pawl  300  is in contact with a tooth  218  and will not permit counterclockwise rotation of the tape feed wheel  200  (again as viewed from the left side) Instead, the drive pawl  228  will move from one drive tooth  218  on the tape feed wheel  200  to the next drive tooth  218 . 
   However, as the trigger member  250  returns from its second position to its first position, the drive pawl  228  will cause the tape feed wheel  200  to rotate in a clockwise direction (again as viewed from the left side). As the tape feed wheel  200  turns clockwise (again as viewed from the left side), the retaining pawl  300  will allow it to do so, with the retaining pawl  300  slipping from one tooth  218  to the next tooth  218 . 
   Each time the trigger member  250  is squeezed and then released, the tape feed wheel  200  will be advanced by one tooth  218 . This pulls the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  80  (best shown in  FIG. 28 ) to advance the next consecutive dispensable adhesive segment  84  on the indexed adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape  80  to the point on the C-shaped tape guide surface  116  of the right housing member  100  (also best shown in  FIG. 28 ) from which it will be dispensed. 
   This operation of the feed mechanism is shown in detail in  FIGS. 33 through 38 . Referring first to  FIGS. 33 and 34 , the trigger member  250  is in its first position, prior to being actuated. The retaining pawl  300  on the pawl cuff member  290  contacts a drive tooth  218  to prevent the tape feed wheel  200  from moving counterclockwise (again, when viewed from the left side). The drive pawl  228  on the pawl gear  220  is adjacent another tooth  218 , but the pawl gear  220  can freely move in a counterclockwise direction as the trigger member  250  is actuated to move it to its second position. 
   Referring next to  FIGS. 35 and 36 , the trigger member  250  has been actuated to move it to its second position. The pawl gear  220  has moved to its fully counterclockwise position (again, when viewed from the left side), and the tape feed wheel  200  has been prevented from moving by the retaining pawl  300  on the pawl cuff member  290 . The drive pawl  228  on the pawl gear  220  has moved to the next tooth  218 , and has dropped down in front of it. It will thereby be appreciated by those skilled in the art that when the trigger member  250  is released, the trigger spring  360  will cause it to return to its first position, and the drive pawl  228  will drive the tape feed wheel  200  to rotate in a clockwise direction (again, when viewed from the left side). 
   Moving now to  FIGS. 37 and 38 , the trigger member  250  is shown midway in its movement from its second position to its first position. It may be seen that the drive pawl  228  of the pawl gear  220 , which bears against a tooth  218  on the tape feed wheel  200 , has moved the tape feed wheel  200  in a clockwise direction. It will be noted that the retaining pawl  300  of the pawl cuff member  290  does not restrict movement in the clockwise direction. When the trigger member  250  has moved fully back to its first position, the tape feed wheel  200  will have been turned further in a clockwise direction, moving the next tooth  218  past the retaining pawl  300 , with the retaining pawl  300  dropping down over that tooth  218 . 
   Turning next to  FIG. 39 , a stand  390  for the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus is illustrated. The stand  390  has a base member  392  having a plurality of apertures  392  therein which may be used to mount the stand  390  onto a surface (not shown). The stand  390  has two lateral support members  394  and  396  which extend orthogonally from the apertures  392  in a spaced-apart relationship. The lateral support members  394  and  396  are as wide as the width of the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus at its forward portion (the forward portions of the right housing member  100  (best shown in  FIG. 4 ) and the housing door member  150  (best shown in FIG.  6 )), and will engage this forward portion of the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus as well as the sides of the right trigger guard half  136  of the right housing member  100  (also best shown in  FIG. 4 ) and the left trigger guard half  174  of the housing door member  150  (also best shown in  FIG. 6 ). Located intermediate the lateral support members  394  and  396  are two handle support members  398  and  400 , which are also spaced apart. The handle support members  398  and  400  will support the front sides of the right housing member  100  and the left trigger guard half  174  of the housing door member  150 . Referring finally to  FIG. 40 , the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus is shown stored in the stand  390 . 
   It may therefore be seen that the present invention teaches a handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus capable of dispensing adhesive segments from an adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape. The handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus has a drive mechanism for engaging an indexing instrumentality on the adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape to allow it to dispense adhesive segments. The handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus is adaptable to apply adhesive segments to non-flat, recessed, difficult to reach, or unstable surfaces in a simple, efficient, safe, and automatic manner. 
   The handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus of the present invention is of construction which is both durable and long lasting, and which requires little or no maintenance to be provided by the user throughout its operating lifetime. The handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus of the present invention is also of inexpensive construction to enhance its market appeal and to thereby afford it the broadest possible market. Finally, all of the aforesaid advantages and objectives of the handheld mechanical adhesive segment applicator apparatus of the present invention are achieved without incurring any substantial relative disadvantage.