Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02375280 2001-11-27
WO 00/75060 PCT/IB00/00741
Tape Dispenser
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
s The invention pertains to a tape dispenser useful for applying adhesive tape
and
the like to a substrate, wherein only a single hand is required to both apply
and cut
the tape to a desired length.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Adhesive tape dispensers are available in various models. In general, they are
most widely known in the form of desk dispensers and hand-held dispensers re-
quiring the use of two hands, whereby the tape roll is stored on a revolving
spindle
and can be cut at the desired length by means of a blade. There are also adhe-
sive tape dispensers which can apply tape directly onto the paper, and which
al-
low the tape to be cut using more or less elaborate cutting implements.
Obviously,
such adhesive tape dispensers are made up of a considerable number of compo-
nents, and therefore are relatively large. Furthermore, changing rolls is
often a
complicated task.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention described herein is to provide a tape dispenser
which
is compact in size, has few components, and can be simply and comfortably oper-
2s ated with one hand. The tape dispenser comprises a two-piece horizontally
seg-
mented housing, a holder for a roll of tape, a discharge opening and a blade,
wherein the housing is horizontal in form, a guide applicator is fitted close
to the
discharge opening, by means of which the tape can be applied onto a substrate,
and the blade is situated in close proximity to the guide applicator. The tape
dis-
3o penser of the present invention has the great advantage of applying the
tape with
the guide applicator directly onto the paper and cutting the tape with a
simple ro-
CONFIRMATION COPY
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tary movement against the direction of application. That is, the tape is
applied to
the substrate surface while holding the tape dispenser at an angle which does
not
bring the tape into contact with the cutting edge of the blade. When the
desired
length of tape has been applied, the tape dispenser angle is increased by the
user
s so as to press the tape against the blade thereby cutting the tape. It is
however
also possible to hold the tape dispenser in the hand and, using the blade, cut
off a
strip of the desired length. Further advantageous aspects of the invention are
ex-
plained in the following description in which the invention is illustrated in
greater
detail.
to
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 a diagram in perspective of the housing component and cover forming
the housing of the tape dispenser, from inside,
15 Figure 2 each of the two components of the housing viewed from above,
Figure 3 a diagram in perspective of each of the two components of the hous-
ing, from the outside,
Figure 4 a perspective view on a second embodiment of the housing compo-
nent,
2o Figure 5 a perspective view on the assembled second embodiment of the tape
dispenser, and
Figure 6 a cross section in longitudinal direction through the assembled
second
embodiment.
2s In these diagrams, the same reference signs are always used to denote the
same
parts, and any explanation given once is valid for all diagrams, unless
otherwise
mentioned.
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DETAILED DISCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Figures 1 a and 1 b show the housing component 1 and cover 2 of a horizontally
segmented housing 3 of an adhesive tape dispenser 4. The housing component
s may be constructed of any suitable material such as a thermoplastic. If the
hous-
ing component is transparent or translucent, the user may readily determine
how
much tape remains in the dispenser without removing the cover. A dye or
pigment
may be incorporated into the thermoplastic to impart a desired color to the
housing
component. The housing component 1 contains a housing lug 6 (preferably hol-
to low) onto which the inner spool 7 of a roll of tape (not depicted) is
fixed. The size
of the opening in the inner spool 7 and the size of the housing lug 6 should
be
selected such that the tape roll may be rotated with minimal effort when the
tape is
rolled out onto a substrate. At the same time, however, there preferably
should be
sufficient friction between these two components to prevent the tape roll from
is turning freely during storage and causing the tape to unwind
unintentionally from
the roll and adhere to the housing interior.
The diameter of the roll of tape is slightly smaller than the internal
dimensions of
the housing component 1 such that it fills the space provided almost
completely. In
20 one preferred embodiment of the invention, the tape roll is configured to
be com-
pact in size, thus allowing the dispenser to be readily handled and
manipulated by
the user. To save space, the use of a spool having a single, relatively thin
wall
rather than a conventional double wall spool is preferred. The inner diameter
of
the opening in the inner spool 7 which fits over the housing lug 6 is
preferably less
2s than 1 inch (2.5 cm), more preferably about 0.4 inches (1.0 cm) to about
0.6
inches (1.5 cm). It will generally be desirable for the outer diameter of the
inner
spool to be less than 1.1 inches (2.8 cm), more preferably about 0.5 inches
(1.3
cm) to about 0.7 inches (1.8 cm). The use of a relatively small diameter inner
spool permits a large quantity of tape to be supplied in a compact dispenser.
For
3o example, about 400 inches (1000 cm) of adhesive tape of conventional
thickness
wound on an inner spool having a 0.50 inch (1.3 cm) inner diameter and 0.625
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4
inch (1.6 cm) outer diameter will provide a tape roll having an overall
diameter of
only about 1.25 inches (3.2 cm). The overall diameter of the end of the
housing 3
containing the tape roll thus need be no larger than about 1.50 inches (3.8
cm).
Preferably, the overall diameter of the tape roll will be about 1.5 inches
(3.8 cm)
s with a tape length of at least about 350 inches (875 cm), or less,
preferably about
1.25 inches (3.2 cm) with a tape length of at least about 300 inches (750 cm).
The tape dispenser of the present invention may be readily adapted to accommo-
date any width of tape that may be desired simply by changing the width of the
to housing 3, guide applicator 10, cutting blade 15 and other appropriate
compo-
nents of the dispenser. If the tape dispenser is to be used with one hand, how-
ever, the width of the tape roll should generally not be greater than about 4
inches
(10 cm), preferably not greater than about 3 inches (7.6 cm), so that the
dispenser
may still be readily grasped and manipulated with one hand. As readily can be
is seen from figures 1 a and 1 b the housing 3 has an elongated anatomical
form,
such that it can be surrounded easily by the fingers of an almost closed hand.
The
dimensions of the housing are such that the length thereof will be
approximately
twice its width. Preferably the width of the housing 3 is to about 1.4 inches
(3.8
cm) and its length is preferably to about 3.0 inches (7.5 cm).
The housing component 1 also comprises a discharge opening 8 positioned near
a guide applicator 10. Further the housing 3 has in the vicinity of the tape
roll
holder or hollow lug 6 a cylindrical form adapted to the tape roll and in the
vicinity
of the discharge opening 8 a tapered form. When the tape dispenser is held
2s against a substrate surface by the user, the guide applicator 10 presses
the adhe-
sive side of the tape against the substrate. This pressure causes the end of
the
tape projecting from the discharge opening to adhere to the substrate. As the
user
draws the tape dispenser over the substrate, the tape passes smoothly under
the
guide applicator and the length of tape thus dispensed is similarly caused to
ad-
3o here to the substrate by the pressure exerted by the guide applicator
against the
substrate surface. The guide applicator may be a guide roller 10 fixed on a
cen-
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tered spindle lug 9. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the guide
roller
is capable of rotating about the spindle lug 9. The free end of the lug 9 is
formed out of resiliently formed half cylindrical clamping means 11 with
bulges 12
which click in a broadened ring groove of the guide roller 10. In alternative
em-
s bodiments of the invention, however the guide applicator is fixed or
stationary and
may, for example, be a curved or arc-shaped outwardly projecting section of
the
housing 3. The guide applicator may also take the form of a wiper blade; the
wiper
blade should be blunt or rounded to prevent premature cutting of the tape and
may be flexibly or resiliently attached to the housing 3. Above the guide
applicator
l0 10, a blade 15 with a cutting edge is fixed onto a housing lug 16.
Alternatively, the
blade may be an integral part of the housing 3, particularly where it is
formed of
the same material as the housing (e.g. plastic). The blade may be constructed
of
any suitable material; although metal is generally preferred, plastic may also
be
used. In one embodiment of the invention, the cutting edge of the blade is
is equipped with small teeth, preferably teeth of differing lengths. For
example, rela-
tively long teeth may be alternated with relatively short teeth. The
individual teeth
may advantageously project at different angles from the plane of the main body
of
the blade. Furthermore, the one-piece blade 15 may be provided with clamps 17
which are connected together at their front and rear extremities.
Beneath the guide applicator 10 there is formed a guide plate 18 with two
small
longitudinal serrations 19 as part of the housing component 1. Thus, between
the
guide applicator 10 and the guide plate 18 there remains a small discharge
open-
ing 8, through which the adhesive tape is fed from the housing 3 (cf. arrows
in
2s Figures 1 a and 2a). The guide plate 18 is preventing the adhesive tape to
be re-
tracted into the housing. On the other hand the adhesive side of the tape will
only
stick loosely to the serrations 19. Moreover, the distance between the
discharge
opening 8 and the cutting blade 15 is preferably selected so as to provide,
after
applying a portion of tape to a substrate and cutting off said portion, a
length of
3o tape protruding form the discharge opening 8 which is sufficient to reduce
the pro-
pensity of the tape end falling back or to be retracted into the housing 3.
The tape
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end is thus kept readily available for the next use of the dispenser. At the
same
time, however, this distance should not be excessive, since this will increase
the
likelihood that the protruding tape end will become contaminated with dirt or
ad-
hered to the housing exterior or to other objects during storage or handling.
Dis-
s tances of from about 0.25 to about 0.75 inches (about 0.6 to about 1.9 cm)
will
generally be suitable, for example.
As shown in Figures 1 a and 2b, one ore more ridges 21 may be provided on the
exterior surface of the cover 2 and/or the housing component 1 in the area
adja-
to cent to the discharge opening on the side of the discharge opening 8
opposite the
guide roller 10. Such ridges make it easier to remove any tape which may
become
accidentally adhered to the exterior of the housing. A guide shield 22 may be
pro-
vided which projects down from the top of the housing and surrounding the
guide
roller 10 and which helps to ensure proper threading of the tape through the
dis-
k charge opening 8 when the tape roll is replaced. In addition, situated close
to the
housing lug 6 are radial separators 24, which serve to keep the inner spool 7
and
therefore the roll of tape at a small distance from the inner wall of the
housing
component 1. The cover 2 is also fitted with a housing lug 25 (preferably
hollow)
which can be inserted into the lug 6. Here too, radial separators 24 are
fitted. As
2o can be readily seen from figures 1 a and 1 b the lug 6 and the housing lug
25 have
an elongated shape especially rectangular with rounded end parts to engage the
inner spool 7 of the adhesive tape roll. The radial separators 24 on the
housing
component 1 and cover 2 function to keep the roll of tape approximately
centered
in the housing and reduce the amount of friction which might otherwise exist
if the
2s roll of tape were permitted to bear directly against the interior walls of
the housing
3.
As can be seen from Figures 1 a and 1 b, a small guide cheek 26 is provided
close
to the blade 15, both in the housing component 1 and on the cover 2; this
cheek
3o holds the tape which is to be cut against the cutting edge of the blade 15
when the
angle of the tape dispenser relative to the substrate to which the tape is
being ap-
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plied is increased, and also serve to keep the tape in position on the guide
appli-
cator 10. At smaller angles, however, the cheeks 26 hold the blade 15 away
from
the tape. The guide cheeks preferable are rounded, rather than sharply
pointed, in
shape to facilitate smooth application and cutting of the tape. Preferably,
the guide
s cheeks 26 extend about the same distance from the surface of the housing 3
as
the outmost point of the guide applicator. A distance of about 0.05 inches
(0.13
cm) to about 0.15 inches (0.38 cm) has generally been found to be suitable for
purposes of this invention. In a preferred embodiment, the cutting edge of the
blade is slightly recessed relative to the outermost extremity of the guide
cheek.
to Recessing the cutting edge in this manner helps to minimize damage (e.g.
tearing)
to the substrate to which the tape is applied when the tape is cut. It will
generally
be desirable to position the cutting edge of the blade near the edge of the
cheek
guides on the side of the cheek guides away from the guide roller 10 and in an
orientation such that the cutting edge falls in a plane which is approximately
par-
k allel to said edge. The cover 2 is also fitted with a centering pin 28 close
to the
discharge opening 8, which can be inserted into hollow opening of the spindle
lug
9 of the housing component 1. Furthermore, the cover 2 is easily detachable
from
the housing component 1, so that it is especially easy to change the tape. A
notch
29 may be placed on the exterior of the housing 3 along an edge of the housing
2o component 1 where it meets an edge of the cover 2 to facilitate separation
of the
housing component and cover using a fingernail or the like; the notch 29 may
also
be placed along the edge of the cover 2 where it is joined to the housing
compo-
nent 1. Because of the rectangular form of both lugs 6 and 25 the housing com-
ponent 1 and the cover 2 can be easily assembled in a guided manner.
As can be seen in Figures 3a and 3b, the outer surface 30 of housing component
1 and the outer surface 31 of the cover 2 are provided with shallow side
depres-
sions 32 with knobs 33, close to the guide roller 10, into which a middle
finger and
thumb can be inserted. Above the blade 11 there is an upper depression 34 with
3o ridges 35, into which the index finger can be inserted. Moreover, the
housing 3 is
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gently cambered in the guide roller 10 and blade 11 areas, in order not to un-
necessarily slow down the discharge of tape.
As can be seen from the diagrams, the above-illustrated adhesive tape
dispenser
s 4 only comprises four parts, namely the housing component 1, the cover 2,
the
guide applicator 10, and the blade 15. In alternative embodiments, the number
of
parts is even further reduced where one or both of the guide applicator 10 and
the
blade 15 are not separate but are integral components of the housing component
1 and/or cover 2. It is a further advantage of the described tape dispenser 4
that
to the tape is completely enclosed within the housing, other than the short
tape end
protruding from the discharge opening 8. This helps avoid contamination of the
unused tape, which is a problem for the conventional "open" type of tape dis-
penser. A special holder can be provided which surrounds at least the upper
exte-
rior of the tape dispenser 4, so that the guide applicator 10 and the cutting
blade
is 15 are turned upwards and the user can pull out a piece of tape in the
usual man-
ner.
If so desired, the tape dispenser may be fitted during storage with a cap
which
encloses at least the discharge opening 8 (preferably, also the guide roller
and
2o blade) and protects the exposed end of tape which projects from said
discharge
opening.
In figures 4 and 5 an alternative embodiment of the tape dispenser according
to
the present invention is shown. As readily can be seen in figure 4 the lug 6
of the
2s housing component 1 has two resiliently mounted clamps 40 which engage with
the inner spool 7 of the roll of adhesive tape. These outwardly pressing
clamps 40
will urge a constant friction to the inner spool 7 and will keep the adhesive
tape roll
fixed when the cover will be separated, which is more or less identical with
the
cover 2 shown in figure 1 b. The clamps 40 will prevent also that the inner
spool 7
3o will shrink at temperatures higher as e.g. 65 °C. As can be seen in
the cross sec-
tional view of figure 6 the guide shield 22 is surrounding the guide roller 10
more
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smoothly, i.e. having a cylindrical form over almost 90° and having a
radius
somewhat larger as the radius of the guide roller 10. In this example of the
inven-
tion the cutting blade 15 has a L-formed profile and is clamped between
notches
of the housing component 1. As can be seen in Figure 4 there is provided a cir-
s cumferential rim 41 for receiving the cover 2. In the rim 41 two cut-outs 42
are ar-
ranged. In order to market the above described tape dispenser a carton card
(here
not depicted) of greater size with a cut-out of exactly the circumference of
the tape
dispenser can take it up. In fact the card will have a cut-out somewhat
narrower so
that the tape dispenser will be pitched by the card.
