Patent ID: 7195049

Claim:
An apparatus for applying adhesive segments which are dispensed from an extended length of indexed carrier release tape, said apparatus comprising: a housing adapted to receive the indexed carrier release tape bearing adhesive segments, said housing including an adhesive segment application surface from which an adhesive segment on a portion of the indexed adhesive segment bearing carrier release tape which is located on said adhesive segment application surface may be applied; an advancement mechanism mounted in said housing which engages indices on the indexed carrier release tape to advance the indexed carrier release tape on said adhesive segment application surface; and an actuator operatively connected to said advancement mechanism to cause said advancement mechanism to incrementally advance the indexed carrier release tape to bring the next consecutive adhesive segment on the indexed carrier release tape to said adhesive segment application surface for application therefrom upon each consecutive activation of said actuator; wherein said advancement mechanism comprises a feed wheel rotatably mounted in said housing, said feed wheel having a plurality of index-engaging elements mounted upon an outer cylindrical surface thereof, the carrier release tape extending around a portion of said feed wheel and said index-engaging elements on said feed wheel engaging indices on the carrier release tape to thereby advance the carrier release tape as said feed wheel rotates; and wherein said feed wheel includes an annular groove centrally located in the outer cylindrical surface thereof, and wherein said annular groove is sufficiently deep to allow any adhesive segments on the side of the carrier release tape facing said outer cylindrical surface of said feed wheel to be accommodated therein without contacting said feed wheel.