A method of attaching the characters on the surface, a tool for realization of this method

Abstract

 The characters (1) are attached on the surface (7) by means of the adhesive or the double-sided adhesive tape , which is firstly applied on the back sides of the characters (1) in the shape of a respective character (1). A temporary cover layer (4) is removed from the adhesive or the double-sided adhesive tape in the place of the attachment and the characters (1) are then attached on the surface (7). The attachment is simplified by means of a template (2) with gaps. The dimensions and shapes of the gaps within the template (2) correspond to those of the characters (1) in a desired arrangement. The template (2) is attached on the surface (7). By means of the gaps within the template (2) the respective characters (1) are attached on the surface (7). The method and the tool speed up the attaching of the characters (1) and rule out the errors and inaccuracies of the attachments. The tool and the method can be used for attaching the metal characters (1) on the exterior surface (7) of the stone tombs, memorials, monuments, and so on, or for attaching the texts and signs in both the exterior and the interior.

Description

Field of Technology

[0001] An invention concerns a method of attaching the characters on the surface, mainly metal characters, letters, numbers on the exterior surfaces of tombs, monuments, especially stone monuments and memorials. The subject matter of the invention is also a tool for realization of said method that essentially makes the characters attachments faster and more effective, and diminishes the risk of errors and inaccuracies when tagging memorials, monuments and similar objects.

State of Art

[0002] In stonemasonry there is a centuries-long known method of cutting out letters into the stone plate during production of a tomb. Cut out grooves are filled with enduring color, inlaid with gold foil or otherwise chromatically distinguished from the background. These historical ways of tagging are not very effective; they date to times when the value of human labor was insignificant. There are few qualified stonemasons these days who are able to cut out characters, letters or numbers into the stone.

[0003] In order to increase the productivity, the characters that can be attached by pins on the back side of a character have entered the use (for example DE7805205U1). The thickness of the characters is counted in millimeters and they are usually metal, which guarantees their endurance. Drilling or milling the holes to the stone plate is quicker than cutting out the whole character, but it requires precise distribution of the holes intended for pins. Several single-purpose milling cutters are used for this purpose (for example SK UV 5358). Several templates for drilling holes into stone plates are known, too (FR2770385A1), but they do not result in significant acceleration and facilitation of the labor.

[0004] Attachment of interior panels and signs by use of adhesives and adhesive tapes is known, too. However, when characters are individually placed are attached, this results in imprecision and sticking is slow because each character is stuck individually.

[0005] No solution that could be characterized by simple and fast usage, that would not require tools, machines or devices and that would produce lasting results is known.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] Abovementioned shortcomings are significantly remedied by such method of attaching the characters on the surface where the characters are separated by space during attachment and where the back sides of the characters touch the surface according to this invention. The essence of the invention lies in the fact that the characters are attached on the surface by means of the double-sided adhesive tape; the double-sided adhesive tape is cut into the form of a respective character; whereby the double-sided adhesive tape is firstly attached to the back side of a character, while the tape is covered with the temporary cover layer on the adhesive on the opposite side; this temporary cover layer is removed before attaching the character.

[0007] Situation is similar in the method where the adhesive is not spread on the back side of the characters by means of the double-sided adhesive tape, but it is spread by spraying by means of the computer-controlled nozzle to the shape of a respective character and the adhesive is then covered by the temporary cover layer, which is only removed at the place of attaching (workshop, cemetery, and so on).

[0008] This method can be used mainly, but not exclusively, for metal characters. A "character" means any essentially flat bodies that together form desired text, a sign. They will be mainly letters, numbers and punctuation marks that are attached to the exterior surfaces of tombs, monuments, especially stone monuments and memorials. They can be also pictograms, picture frames, pictures and so on.

[0009] Preferably, the double-sided adhesive tape is cut in such a way, or the adhesive is spread in such a way, that the width of a layer of the adhesive is smaller than the width of a respective layer. By doing so the edge of the double-sided adhesive tape or adhesive, respectively, is hidden from sight; the influence of UV radiation on the double-sided adhesive tape's edge in the exterior is limited by doing so, too. The difference between respective width of a character and width of the tape can range from 0,2 mm to 3 mm, or even to 20% of the width of a character. This provision also simplifies the sticking of the double-sided adhesive tape on the back side of a character, preventing the small inaccuracies from causing the edge of the tape to overhang.

[0010] Despite all surfaces being mostly flat and smooth - the metal characters also have a flat back side - it is preferable that the adhesive or the double-sided adhesive tape, respectively, has the thickness of at least 0,2 mm, favorably more than 0,4 mm. In solution according to this invention the higher thickness of the adhesive layers is not primarily intended to compensate the surface irregularities, but to compensate the different thermal expansion. In thicker layer of the adhesive the changing size of a metal character with respect to stone surface is compensated by friction tensions and deformations. During a long-term exposure to the exterior conditions the temperature changes recur, which could cause, in case of common, thin adhesive tape or thin layer of the adhesive (commonly up to 0,15 mm), the character to finally fall off the surface.

[0011] From the point of view of lasting stability it is preferable that the adhesive or the basis of the double-sided adhesive tape, respectively, is based on, or formed by, an acrylic, pressure-activated adhesive. The described method of attaching of the characters is characterized by simple application without the need to drill or mill the holes into the surface.

[0012] Sticking characters is first important step of this invention. The second important step is usage of a single-purpose template that is used to set the characters into correct position within desired arrangement, mainly on the exterior surface of stone tables, memorials, monuments, statues and similar objects. It is a method of attachment of characters on the surface whereby the characters with adhesive already applied to their back sides are attached to the surface; the method includes manual attachment and pressing of the characters to the surface; and then the characters are already separated by space after being attached on the surface, whereby they form the desired arrangement, mainly a text or a sign, according to this invention. It is also essential that the single-purpose template is manufactured before attaching. The term "single-purpose template" means that the template is manufactured according to a concrete client's order, though at the end of the day it can be used repeatedly if given words or signs recur in the same arrangement.

[0013] The template is manufactured in such a way that the holes in shapes of the respective characters are cut by a computer-controlled device already in the desired arrangement with respective spaces in between them. The computer control allows reviewing and - if needed - altering the overall design before the cutting commences. In this moment it is possible to design and review how the final product will look like on the tomb or different surface; it is also possible to count with an addition of future data, such as the date of death. The production of such template is a method where we actually delegate the designing from the level of stonemason's workshop to the more sophisticated environment. Thanks to the template there is a mechanical connection between the final, approved proposal of design and its physical location in the workshop or in the cemetery, respectively. It is impracticable to locate and use, for example, a manipulator at the spot, which would attach the characters on the surface with the precision of a computer. Such manipulators are known, but they are only used in mass production.

[0014] Outer contours of the characters are stored into the computer's memory and we would like to subsequently embed these contours into a template. We direct the cutting device according to the desired arrangement and the device cuts the outer contours into the template. Later, at the place of attachment (stonemason's workshop, cemetery, etc.), the template is attached to the surface. In principle, two basic approaches are possible - either the template already contains the characters, or the template is firstly attached on the surface and the characters are then attached to the respective gaps within the template. In both cases the characters are attached on the surface with the help of gaps in the template, with the adhesive already applied on the back side of the characters. Before attaching or sticking the characters, the temporary cover layer is removed from the characters. After all characters are stuck, the template is removed from the surface.

[0015] Effectiveness of the attachment of the characters increases if the template is used in such a way that the holes are cut into it for respective characters in desired arrangement, then the characters with already applied double-sided adhesive tape are inserted into the gaps and then the arrangement of the characters alongside with the template is attached on the surface, whereby the characters are stuck by the double-sided adhesive tape with the temporary cover layer removed. In this approach, thus, before attaching the template onto surface the characters are inserted into the respective gaps within the template. Preferably, the insertion of the characters into the gaps is realized in the place other than place of application; even more preferably, the attachment is realized in the place of production and expedition of the characters. By doing so the insertion of the characters gets more effective, because it will be realized by a specialized company on a larger scale basis. Then, at the place of the application, the temporary cover layer is removed from all individual characters and the whole arrangement of the characters, alongside with the template, is attached to the surface, whereby the characters are stuck to the surface en masse, practically at once. It is possible to speed up the removal of the small pieces of the temporary cover layer by covering the individual characters with an adhesive foil beforehand; the foil is then removed and it also strips the cover layer from the adhesive, too.

[0016] In case the adhesive is spread on the back side of the characters by a nozzle, that is, not by the double-sided adhesive tape, it is preferable that the adhesive is sprayed onto the characters after they are inserted into the template. If the template is sprayed by the nozzle, this saves the waste produced when cutting the double-sided adhesive tape into the desired shape of the back side of a character. Afterwards, the back side is covered by the temporary cover layer, which covers multiple characters at once, preferably all characters at once.

[0017] The approach when the template is attached on the surface with the characters can be considered hasty and prone to misplacement by some stonemasons; in such case the second approach can be used, when the template is attached without characters, and only after the template is stabilized and consolidated the characters are attached on the surface through the gaps within it. The temporary cover layers are subsequently removed from the characters, too.

[0018] It is preferable that the template is used not only during the attaching of the characters itself, but also during distribution of the characters to the stonemason or a company or a person who will attach the characters on the surface. The template is a transport carrier of the characters, and it can be used during transport from the place of expedition of the characters to the place of attachment of the characters on the surface, for example from a producer to the stonemason. The thickness of the template should correspond to the thickness of the characters, in other words, it should be thinner than the characters with the adhesive already applied, or with the double-sided adhesive tape applied. However, the thickness of the template should not be smaller than one third of the thickness of the characters, so these hold good within the template. The gaps within the template themselves should not be larger than the respective dimensions of a character, so the position of a character is clearly determined. Anyway, the template from a very thin material, such as self-adhesive foil or paper, is not ruled out either.

[0019] The template can be produced from a semisolid material, paper, cardboard, microwave cardboard, and so on. The gaps for the characters can then be cut easily by a plotter or a laser. The template is usually single-purpose, though in case of recurring identical texts it can be used repeatedly.

[0020] The stonemason will align the whole text in to the center, for example name, surname, date of birth, date of death, epitaph, alongside with the selected type of characters and font. In the main office the template is cut out. The cutting is directed by the computer-made design in which it is possible to set the arrangement of characters, letter spacing, line spacing, alignment, and so on.

[0021] Manual count of the characters and the design realized by a stonemason on the surface are transferred to the main office according to the described method, where they are firstly realized in the computer, which allows the proposals to be reviewed and altered. Then the holes are cut into the template by the computer-controlled device and the worker inserts respective characters into the resulting gaps. At this stage an error is ruled out, because only a respective character can be inserted into the gap, and the absence of a character in the gap is obvious. The characters are inserted into the gaps with already applied double-sided adhesive tape. From the logistical point of view, all characters of a given type and font are pre-prepared in the storage and the worker chooses from them and inserts them into the template. After the characters are inserted into the template, the adhesive foil is applied on the front side of the template; this foil keeps the characters in the template during manipulation, preferably during the transport to distant places of expedition and application, too.

[0022] The stonemason receives the ordered characters from the main office in such a way that they are already inserted into the template. The template therefore simplifies the transport; the characters are transported in plates which prevent them from damage; the characters are not abraded during the transport. The plates with the characters can be transported to the stonemason easily by post. The solution where stonemason receives characters and template packed separately is also possible; it is also possible that stonemason himself or herself stores the characters. When larger companies are considered, they can be already equipped by cutting device and produce the templates by themselves.

[0023] During application the stonemason cleans the surface, and he or she can attach the template with the characters on the surface by trial and mark out the edges of the template. Subsequently, he or she removes the temporary cover layer covering the adhesive from the back side and attaches the template with the characters on the surface. The characters can be pressed onto the surface either by hand or by a roller. Then stonemason removes the template and the characters remain attached on the surface.

[0024] The stage of surface cleaning can include degreasing of the surface by a degreasing agent. In order to increase the adhesion strength, the method can include the step of increasing the adhesion by means of adhesive preparation, which is applied onto the surface by the stonemason after cleaning and degreasing.

[0025] The described method significantly increases the effectiveness of characters attachment and rules out incorrect or oblique attachment of the characters.

[0026] In favorable arrangement the characters can be, after being inserted into the template, covered by the adhesive foil on the front side of the characters, preferably by transparent foil, so the arrangement of the characters within the template is visible. It can be simple one-sided transparent adhesive tape, and it should have smaller adhesive power than the double-sided adhesive tape, so the adhesive foil can be simply stripped off after the characters are attached on the surface. The adhesive tape keeps the characters within the gaps within the template, and they are therefore prevented from disengaging even during a careless transport.

[0027] Removal of the temporary cover layer from the double-sided adhesive tape from the individual characters can be slow in case of multiple characters, and therefore a method during which an adhesive foil is applied on the back side of the template, too, has been invented; the adhesive foil sticks to the temporary cover layer of the double-sided adhesive tape. During removal of the adhesive tape from the back side of the template all individually shaped strips of the temporary cover layer are stripped off at the same time; by doing so the characters are quickly prepared for attachment.

[0028] The method according to this invention ensures not just accurate and straight attachment of the characters, but also high effectiveness, when subsequent attachment of the individual characters is substituted for mass attachment of the group of the characters within the template. Stripping off individual strips of the temporary cover layer is quick and comfortable. The method can be used both during attachment on the stone table in the horizontal position in the workshop and during the attachment of the characters on the existing, already planted tomb. The advantages of quick and simple attachment will be manifest at that point. The stonemason can use various other tools such as the linear or the spirit level, in order to hold the line of the template attachment.

[0029] The shortcomings described in the prior state of art are also solved by a new tool for attachment of characters on the surface, mainly metal characters, letters, numbers on the exterior surfaces of tombs and memorials, mainly stone tombs and memorials, where the tool is intended for attachment of the characters that are on the surface separated by space, according to this invention, whereby the essence of the invention is that it includes a template with gaps where the dimensions and shapes of the gaps correspond to the respective characters in the desirable arrangement, and the adhesive with the temporary cover layer is applied on the back sides of the characters, preferably the double-sided adhesive tape with the temporary cover layer. The tool can, but need not to contain the inserted letters themselves. Preferably the template is a single-purpose template from a semisolid material, whereby the characters are within the respective gaps within the template.

[0030] Preferably, the width of the double-sided adhesive tape is smaller than the respective width of a character. The difference between the width of the tape and the respective width of a character can range from 0,2 mm up to 3 mm, or up to 20% of the width of a character. Because of the reasons specified in the description of the method, it will be preferable that the double-sided adhesive tape's thickness is at least 0,2 mm, preferably 0,4 mm. In order to achieve high adhesion strength, it is preferable that the basis of the double-sided adhesive tape is formed by acrylic, pressure-activated adhesive. The template with the characters can be equipped on the front side and/or the back side by the adhesive foil.

[0031] The thickness of the template should correspond to the thickness of the characters, and it should be thinner than the thickness of the characters with the applied double-sided adhesive tape. However, the thickness of the template should not be smaller than on third of the thickness of the characters, so these hold well within the template. The gaps within the template themselves should not be significantly larger than the dimensions of a respective character, so the position of the character is clearly determined.

[0032] If we want to properly set the adhesive power of the character within the template, the gap within the template can be slightly bigger on the circumference while some small juts on several, but no less than three places will define the position of a character within the larger gap. The friction between the gap and the template will exist only during the contact with juts. By altering the shape and size, the initial tension towards the character changes, and so the desired force application can be set.

[0033] The template can be manufactured from paper, cardboard, microwave cardboard, multilayer cardboard, and so on. The tool can contain multiple templates with the set of characters, for example in the subsequent lines. The size of the divided templates will be affected by the transport possibilities, for example size limitations of the courier in case of flat letters. Preferably, in case of division of the tool into multiple templates, the edges of the templates should be designed so they can be positioned in parallel to the neighboring template on the surface. For these purposes for example a shape lock can be used, cut out on the edge of the template on the puzzle-principle; by doing so the wrong ordering of the templates is prevented. The shape lock of each pair of neighboring templates is different, therefore the multi-part template can be put together only in correct order. These shape locks can be cut out simultaneously with cutting out shapes, so they will present no procedural obstacle.

[0034] The template can contain identification code, for example a number of an order, a number of stonemason, serial number, bar code, QR code, so simple handling with the template in the main office is possible and incorrect delivery is ruled out. It can also contain a centering mark for alignment of the sign, preferably a mark in a form of nick on the outer edge of the template.

[0035] The useful properties of the tool are increased by the arrangement in which the characters are covered by the adhesive foil, preferably a transparent adhesive foil, for example the transparent adhesive tape. In order to speed up the stripping off of the temporary cover layer from the double-sided adhesive tape the tool can be equipped by the adhesive foil on the back side. The tool according to this description will be delivered directly to the stonemason, who will use it in transferring the characters on the surface. The stonemason sees directly on the tool how the signs will look after attachment on the surface, and can review and check the arrangement.

[0036] The method and the tool according to this invention can be used in case of interior signs, too, where fast attachment by means of the template will come handy. The characters can be attached on the walls, furniture, doors, and so on. Important advantage of this invention is the possibility of using the method and the tool in the exterior, in the cemetery, or simply in the workshop without requiring any electricity. At the same time, the attachment is characterized by the accuracy that is on the level of computer rendered precision. The template constitutes a simple mechanical transfer; the mechanical memory with the data concerning the accurate arrangement of the individual characters constitutes the transfer between computer rendered design in one place and the distant place where the stonemason works. The method and the tool can be used on the surface located both vertically as well as horizontally.

Brief Summary of the Drawings

[0037] The invention is furthermore specified by drawings 1 to 18. The dimensions, thicknesses and sizes are only illustrative. The depicted dimensions cannot be considered as limiting the scope of protection.

[0038] Drawing 1 is an axonometric view of the tool and the attachment of the characters in the sign "Name" .

[0039] Drawing 2 is a view of the template from the microwave cardboard which was firstly attached on the surface and now the letters are inserted one by one.

[0040] Drawing 3 is a cross-section of the template from the microwave cardboard with the adhesive foil on the both sides of the template.

[0041] Drawing 4 is a detail view of the example of the application of the double-sided adhesive tape on the letter "a" before its insertion into the template.

[0042] Drawing 5 depicts the position of the multiple templates on one surface, where the neighboring surfaces join each other, so the line spacing and central alignment of the signs is determined.

[0043] Drawing 6 is a view of the attached characters after the removal of the template.

[0044] Drawing 7 is a schematic depiction of the cutting of the holes in the template.

[0045] Drawing 8 is a cross-section view of the template from microwave cardboard after the insertion of the character into the template.

[0046] Drawing 9 is a cross-section view of the template from microwave cardboard after the application of the adhesive foil on one of its sides.

[0047] Drawings 11 to 13 capture the process by which the adhesive is spread on the characters inserted into the template.

[0048] Drawing 11 is a schematic depiction of the cutting of the holes in the template.

[0049] Drawing 12 is a depiction of the spreading of the adhesive on the back side of the character after it has been inserted into the template and secured by the adhesive foil on its front side.

[0050] Drawing 13 depicts covering of the template by the temporary cover layer, where this layer covers the template itself, that is, its back side.

[0051] Drawing 14 depicts the attachment of the tool on the surface with the adhesive layer uncovered.

[0052] Drawing 15 depicts stripping of the adhesive foil off the front side of the template.

[0053] Drawing 16 is a detail view of part of the character attached to the surface.

[0054] Drawing 17 depicts the template with a centering mark as an example of the tool for alignment of the characters on the surface.

[0055] Drawing 18 is a depiction of later attachment of the characters on the tomb.

Examples of Realization

Example 1

[0056] In this example according to drawings 1, 3 to 10, and 14 to 16, the method of attachment of the characters 1 is used for creation of the signs on a stone tomb. The stonemason makes agreement with a client with regard to exact wording of all signs on the tomb, as well as the type of the letters. The agreed-upon wording and font is registered in the order and sent to main office. In the main office the agreed-upon wording is designed in the computer, the text is divided into lines, it is aligned and reviewed by the preview on the monitor. Subsequently, the computer-controlled laser cutting machine cuts out the holes in the plate of the microwave cardboard, by which the template 2 is manufactured. In this example a five-layer microwave cardboard with thickness circa 4,5 mm is used. The thickness of metal characters 1 is circa 4,5 mm. The holes are shaped according to the respective characters 1 of the font of choice.

[0057] In the main office the characters 1 of different types are stored, ready for expedition with the final surface treatment, while the double-sided adhesive tape 3 is already applied on their back sides. It is cut out into the shape of the respective character 1, while the width of the cut out strip of the double-sided adhesive tape 3 is circa 1 mm less than the width of the metal body of the character 1 in the respective place. Double-sided adhesive tape 3 is 0,6 mm thick and it is applied on the characters 1 before the receipt of an order already, and it contains temporary cover layer 4 which protects the adhesive until the moment of attachment. Double-sided adhesive tape 3 is on acrylic basis and it is cut out in the main office from the strips or plates; the cut-outs are subsequently applied onto the back side of the characters 1, and these are then stored.

[0058] The worker picks up the characters 1 from the store and inserts the respective characters 1 into the template 2 according to the order. In this example, each line is captured within the single template 2, which means that the whole sign is divided into multiple templates 2, so they can be easily sent by post.

[0059] After attaching all the characters 1 into the templates 2, the transparent adhesive tape is applied on the front side, which constitutes an adhesive foil 5; same adhesive tape is applied on the back side of the template 2, which constitutes an adhesive foil 6.

[0060] The adhesive tape prevents the characters 1 from falling out of the template 2, it keeps them within the template 2 during the transport and prevents them from surface damage. Because the adhesive tape is transparent, the worker in the main office as well as the stonemason can perform quick visual check of the delivered characters 1 with regard to their correctness and correspondence with the order. At the same time, the adhesive foil 5 on the front side keeps the characters 1 in the template 2 during attaching on the surface 7; the stonemason does not have to attach and hold the characters 1 within the template 2 during its attaching on the surface 7.

[0061] The templates 2 with the inserted characters 1 are sent from the main office to the stonemason. He or she reviews them, thoroughly cleans the surface 7 on the stone plate of the tomb, and measures the position of the future location of the signs. The stage of the cleaning in this example includes degreasing. The stonemason applies continuous layer of the degreasing agent on the surface 7 by means of a sprayer and lets it react for circa 30 seconds. Then he or she dries up the surface by the towel. Then he or she repeats the procedure of degreasing once more.

[0062] Then the stonemason applies the adhesive preparation on the degreased surface 7 by new, clean towel; the adhesive preparation increases the adhesion of the characters 1 on the surface 7. The stonemason applies thin continuous layer of the adhesive preparation on the surface 7; he or she does not repeat this procedure once more.

[0063] The stonemason attaches the text onto the prepared surface 7, but without sticking it yet; he or she marks out the suitable place for the text on the tomb. Then the stonemason removes the adhesive foil 6 from the back side of template 2, which also removes the temporary cover layer 4 from the double-sided adhesive tape 3. The characters 1 are not removed from the template 2. The stonemason accurately attaches the template 2 with all the characters 1 on the surface 7 and presses the characters 1 to the surface 7. The stonemason repeats this procedure with other templates 2; thanks to this he or she does not stick the sign one character 1 by one character 1. After the removal of the temporary cover layer 4, the characters 1 have to be stuck immediately. The stonemason presses the characters 1 alongside with the template 2 by hand or by a roller; he or she tries to reach the thrust force of at least 10 N/cm²- fixes the characters 1 permanently.

[0064] After the characters 1 are stuck, the stonemason strips off the adhesive foil 5 from the front side of the template 2, too, and removes the template 2 from the surface 7.

[0065] Complete, 100% adhesion is achieved after circa 72 hours. During this time one should not move the stuck characters 1 by force. This results in high quality solid joint, which is, at the same time, flexible. The work procedure should be continuous, without breaks.

Example 2

[0066] In this example according to drawings 1, 5, 6 11 to 16 the adhesive is applied on the back side of the characters 1 only after the characters 1 have been inserted into the template 2. The template 2 is once again cut out in the main office according to the requirements of a client; in this case the client is an interior firm which creates the signs in hotels. The templates 2 are cut out of cardboard and they are numbered for the purposes of better orientation.

[0067] In the main office the characters 1 are inserted into the template 2 and they are subsequently attached from the front side by the adhesive foil 5. The template 2 with the characters 1 is put on the work desk back side up. Computer-controlled nozzle spreads the adhesive onto the back side of the characters 1. After the adhesive is spread on all of the characters 1 of the single template 2, the layer of the adhesive is temporarily covered by the temporary cover layer 4, which covers whole of the back side of the template 2. In this arrangement the temporary cover layer 4 functions also as an adhesive foil 6. Temporary cover layer 4 can be simply stripped off, because it is solid and sustained. Plates with the templates 2 are delivered to the hotel, where the characters 1 are attached to desired places in the same way as in the Example 1. By doing so the signs such as "Reception", or room numbers, are created, while the individual characters 1 are both independent and, at the same time, permanently and accurately attached

Example 3

[0068] According to the drawing 17, the templates 2 with the centering mark are used. The centering mark has a form of a cut or a nick on the outer edge of the template 2. In case multiple templates 2 are used in one line it suffices if the centering mark is only contained within the central template 2. The presence of the mark helps the stonemason, but it does not prevent him or her from distributing the signs in a different way, too, according to particular needs, which can be affected, for example, by location of a cross or a different feature on the tomb.

[0069] The drawing 17 depicts a procedure by which the date of death is later attached onto already planted tomb, while the linear is mounted on the tomb by the suction cups and the template 2 with the characters 1 is attached to it. Accurate attachment is possible to achieve without linear, too, by using indicated line.

Example 4

[0070] According to drawing 2 the template 2 is used in such a way that it is posed on the surface 7 and fixed by an adhesive tape, while during this stage the template 2 does not contain the characters 1 yet. This may be because the stonemason wants to attach the letters one by one, or because he or she received only the cut-out template 2 from the main office and he or she has the suitable characters 1 stored in his or her own storage, where the stonemason picks up the characters 1 from the storage and inserts them into the gaps in the template 2.

Example 5

[0071] In this example without the accompanying drawing the tool is, due to size issues, divided into multiple templates 2. These are numbered left to right and top-down and have adjusted edges, too. The adjustment lies in cutting out pairs of round puzzle cuts, which interlock only if two correct neighboring templates 2 are used. For designing the distribution of the characters 1 the subprogram is used which inserts shape locks to the neighboring edges into the final design, while it always uses unique shape lock on a single pair. The program which controls the cutting of the gapes for the characters 1 to the semisolid material simultaneously cuts these shape locks, too.

[0072] Complete composition of the templates 2 into summary position is only possible if they are rightly ordered. In this example, the solution is used in order to attach the text on the pedestal of the statue.

Industrial applicability

[0073] Industrial applicability is obvious. According to this invention it is possibly to use a method industrially and repeatedly, as well as industrially mass produce and use the tool for permanent, accurate and quick attachment of the characters on the surface, mainly tombs and other stone surfaces.

List of Related Symbols

[0074] 

1- character

2- template

3- double-sided adhesive tape

4- temporary cover layer on the adhesive

5- adhesive foil on the front side

6- adhesive foil on the back side

7- surface

Claims

1. A method of attaching the characters on a surface, whereby the individual characters (1) with the adhesive on the back side are attached on the surface (7); whereby the characters (1), mainly as metal letters and/or numbers and/or pictograms and/or frames, are after attachment on the surface (7) separated by spaces; whereby the characters (1) form a desirable arrangement, mainly a sign on the exterior surface (7) of the stone memorials, monuments or tombs, is characterized by the fact that
firstly, a single-purpose template (2) is manufactured in such a way that by means of computer-controlled device with a respective program the holes are cut into the flat material; the resulting gaps are of a shape corresponding to the respective characters (1) in a desired arrangement and character spacing;
the template (2) is attached onto the surface (7);
by means of the gaps within the template (2) the respective characters (1) are attached on the surface (7); before doing so, the adhesive has been applied on the back side of the respective characters (1) in such a way, that the adhesive has been shaped in the form of a respective character (1); there is a temporary cover layer (4) on the adhesive, which is removed before the character (1) is attached on the surface (7);
and after the characters (1) are attached and stuck on the surface (7), the template (2) is removed.

2. The method of attaching the characters on the surface according to claim 1 is characterized by the fact that the adhesive is applied on the back side of the characters (1) in form of a double-sided adhesive tape (3), which is firstly cut into the shape of a respective character (1) simultaneously with the temporary cover layer (4) and then it is attached on the back side of the characters (1), or that the adhesive is in the shape of a respective character (1) applied on the back side of the characters (1) by means of the computer-controlled nozzle and the adhesive is subsequently covered by the temporary cover layer (4).

3. The method of attaching the characters on the surface according to the claim 1 or 2 is characterized by the fact that before attaching the template (2) on the surface (7) the characters (1) are inserted into the gaps within the template (2);
preferably the insertion of the characters (1) into the gaps is realized in the place other than place of the attachment, more preferably the insertion is realized in the place of a production of the template (2);
and subsequently, before attaching the template (2) on the surface (7), the temporary cover layer (4) is removed from all the characters (1) within the template (2) and the characters (1) in the desired arrangement are attached, alongside with the template (2), on the surface (7), where the characters (1) are stuck on the surface (7) en masse.

4. The method of attaching the characters on the surface according to the claim 3 is characterized by the fact that after the characters (1) are inserted into the template (2), an adhesive foil (5) is applied on the front side of the template; the adhesive foil (5) keeps the characters (1) in the template during manipulation, advantageously also during transport between a distant place where the characters (1) are inserted into the template (2) and a distant place where the characters (1) are attached on the surface (7).

5. The method of attaching the characters on the surface according to any of the claims 1 to 4 is characterized by the fact that before attaching the characters (1) on the surface (7) the surface (7) is cleaned, preferably also degreased by means of a degreasing agent, and more preferably an adhesive preparation is applied on the surface (7) after cleaning, too.

6. A tool for attaching the characters on a surface, mainly attaching the metal characters (1) such as the letters and/or numbers and/or pictograms and/or frames in a desired arrangement, mainly a sign; whereby the tool is intended for attaching the characters (1) that are separated by spaces on the surface (7); whereby the characters (1) touch the surface (7) by their back sides upon which the adhesive has been applied; and whereby the tool contains the respective characters (1) themselves is characterized by the fact that
it includes a single-purpose flat template (2) with the gaps;
the shapes and dimensions of the gaps within the templates (2) correspond to the characters (1) in the desired arrangement, with the desired character spacing;
the adhesive with a temporary cover layer (4) has been applied on the back sides of the characters (1);
whereby the characters (1) are located in the respective gaps within the template (2).

7. The tool for attaching the characters on the surface according to claim 6 is characterized by the fact that the template (2) is made from a semisolid material, preferably the paper or cardboard or microwave cardboard or multi-layer cardboard or plastic or combination of these materials.

8. The tool for attaching the characters on the surface according to claim 6 or 7 is characterized by the fact that the template's (2) thickness corresponds to the thickness of the characters (1); preferable the thickness of the template (2) is smaller than the thickness of the characters (1) upon which the adhesive or a double-sided adhesive tape (3) has been applied; whereby the thickness of the template (2) is bigger than one third of the thickness of the characters (1).

9. The tool for attaching the characters on the surface according to any of the claims 6 to 8 is characterized by the fact that the adhesive on the back sides of the characters (1) is formed by the double-sided adhesive tape (3) which is, alongside the temporary cover layer (4), cut into the shape of a respective character (1), or that the adhesive on the back sides of the characters (1) is in the form of the layer applied on the characters (1) already inserted into the template (2) and the temporary cover layer (4) covers the back side of the template (2), too.

10. The tool for attaching the characters on the surface according to any of the
claims 6 to 9 is characterized by the fact that the width of the applied adhesive or the width of the applied double-sided adhesive tape (3) is smaller than the respective width of the character (1), whereby the width difference ranges from 0,2 mm to 3 mm, preferably reaching 20% of the respective width of a character (1); and that the thickness of the adhesive or the thickness of the double-sided adhesive tape (3) is at least 0,2 mm, preferably more than 0,4 mm.

11. The tool for attaching the characters on the surface according to any of the
claims 6 to 10 is characterized by the fact that the applied adhesive or the double-sided adhesive tape (3) contains an acrylic adhesive, preferably a pressure-activated acrylic adhesive.

12. The tool for attaching the characters on the surface according to any of the
claims 6 to 11 is characterized by the fact thatthetemplate (2) with the characters (1) is on the front side and/or on the back side equipped by an adhesive foil (5, 6).

13. The tool for attaching the characters on the surface according to any of the
claims 6 to 12 is characterized by the fact thatthetemplate (2) with the characters (1) inserted in it constitutes a transport carrier of the characters (1) during their transport from the place of expedition of the characters (1) to the place of attachment of the characters (1) on the surface (7).

14. The tool for attaching the characters on the surface according to any of the
claims 6 to 13 is characterized by the fact that it contains multiple templates (2) with sets of characters (1); the edges of the template (2) are adjusted for adjacent attachment to the neighboring template (2) on the surface (7)

15. The tool for attaching the characters on the surface according to any of the
claims 6 to 14 is characterized by the fact thatthetemplate (2) has an identification mark of an order, preferably also the serial number of the template (2) within a single set of the templates (2); it also has a centering mark for aligning the sign, preferably in the form of a nick or a cut on the outer edge of the template (2).

Drawing