Quick release head for tape applicator

Abstract

A double sided tape applicator can include a quick release head to facilitate, for example, cleaning and tape threading.

1 . A quick release head for a tape applicator, the head comprising:
 a first portion;   a second portion substantially parallel to the first portion;   a plurality of rollers positioned between the first and second portions; and   a first quick release device allowing attachment or removal of the head to or from a tape applicator.   
     
     
         2 . The quick release head of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second quick release device allowing attachment or removal of the first portion to or from the second portion.   
     
     
         3 . The quick release head of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rollers comprises:
 a first roller mounted on a first axle;   a second roller mounted on a second axle; and   a third roller mounted on a third axle, wherein the first, second, and third axles extend from the first portion to the second portion.   
     
     
         4 . The quick release head of  claim 1 , wherein the first quick release device is a quick release skewer. 
     
     
         5 . The quick release head of  claim 1 , wherein the first quick release device comprises a mating feature on the tape applicator head configured to interlock with a mating feature on the tape applicator. 
     
     
         6 . The quick release head of  claim 1 , further comprising a cutter mounted to the head, wherein the cutter is configured to sever tape proximate to the plurality of rollers. 
     
     
         7 . A tape applicator comprising:
 a body;   a first spindle attached to the body and configured to receive a supply roll;   a second spindle attached to the body and configured to receive a rewind roll; and   a quick release head attached to the body by a first quick release device.   
     
     
         8 . The tape applicator of  claim 7 , wherein the first quick release device is a quick release skewer. 
     
     
         9 . The tape applicator of  claim 7 , wherein the first quick release device comprises a mating feature on the quick release head configured to interlock with a mating feature on the body. 
     
     
         10 . The tape applicator of  claim 7 , wherein the quick release head comprises:
 a first portion;   a second portion substantially parallel to the first portion; and   a plurality of rollers positioned between the first and second portions.   
     
     
         11 . The tape applicator of  claim 10 , further comprising a second quick release device allowing attachment or removal of the first portion to or from the second portion. 
     
     
         12 . The tape applicator of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of rollers comprises:
 a first roller mounted on a first axle;   a second roller mounted on a second axle; and   a third roller mounted on a third axle, wherein the first, second, and third axles extend from the first portion to the second portion.   
     
     
         13 . The tape applicator of  claim 7 , further comprising a cutter mounted to the quick release head, wherein the cutter is configured to sever tape routed through the plurality of rollers. 
     
     
         14 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A tape applicator system comprising:
 a tape applicator comprising a body, the body comprising:
 a supply roll for supplying an insulating tape; 
 a first quick release head for applying the insulating tape adjacent to a portion of a partially completed photovoltaic module, the first quick release head comprising:
 at least one first application roller; and 
 a first actuatable quick release device for releasing the first quick release head from the body of the tape applicator; and 
 
   a second quick release head attachable to the body of the tape applicator when the first quick release head is released from the body of the tape applicator, the second quick release head comprising:
 at least one second application roller; and 
 a second actuatable quick release device. 
   
     
     
         22 . The tape applicator system of  claim 21 , wherein the first actuatable quick release device is a quick release skewer. 
     
     
         23 . The tape applicator system of  claim 21 , wherein the first actuatable quick release device comprises a first mating feature on a first portion of the first quick release head configured to interlock with a second mating feature on a second portion of the first quick release head. 
     
     
         24 . The tape applicator system of  claim 21 , the first quick release head further comprising:
 a first portion; and   a second portion substantially parallel to the first portion,   wherein the at least one first application roller is positioned between the first and second portions.   
     
     
         25 . The tape applicator system of  claim 24 , wherein the second actuatable quick release device allows attachment or removal of the first portion to or from the second portion.