Device for separating, saving and storing an adhesive tape leading edge

Abstract

A device for accessing and storing tape on a tape roll is a single unitary construction and includes a textured grip portion; a tape rest portion; a blade edge; and a base opposite the textured grip portion, the tape rest portion, and the blade edge wherein a width of the device is approximately equal to a width of a roll of tape.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Field of the Embodiments

The devices described and illustrated herein are generally directed to tape storage and/or saver devices. More particularly, the devices are directed to a tape-tab and a tape-wedge for storing the leading edge of an adhesive tape roll when the tape is not in use.

Description of Existing Art

Adhesive tape rolls are generally marketed and sold either as standalone rolls or in combination with a dispenser that provides a cutting mechanism. Tape rolls come in many different sizes; generally measured in terms of width. The following table provides standard widths for common types of tape:

TABLE 1
U.S. Standard Widths             Converted Metric Widths
½ inch (clear)                   15 mm
¾ inch (scotch tape, clear adhesive) 19 mm
0.78 inch wide (washi tape)      19 mm
1.88 inch (Duct tape)            48 mm
1 inch (masking tape)            25-26 mm
2 inch (masking tape/paint tape) 51 mm

Regardless of width or material, all adhesive tape rolls are susceptible to re-adhesion of the end of the tape to the roll when not in use, or worse, while in use. As anyone who has tried can attest to, it can be time-consuming to try to locate and separate the end or edge of the tape from the roll. Further, there is invariably some loss of tape upon separation due to splitting or mangling of the ends. While various dispensers are available for holding the end of the tape away from the roll, not all tape rolls come with dispensers. And not all types of tape are conducive to standard dispensers. Furthermore, most dispensers include a jagged edge for holding and/or cutting the tape from the roll. This jagged edge could cause injury to users; particularly children. Further still, if the end of the tape comes loose from the jagged edge and re-adheres to the roll, the issues discussed above regarding separating the edge once again become a problem.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a safe and effective device for facilitating and maintaining a separation between a tape end and the tape roll.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In a first exemplary device for accessing and storing tape on a tape roll, the device comprises the following portions in a single unitary construction: a textured grip portion; a tape rest portion; a blade edge; and a curved base opposite the textured grip portion, the tape rest portion, and the blade edge wherein a width of the device is approximately equal to a width of a roll of tape.

In a second exemplary device for accessing and storing tape on a tape roll, the device comprises the following portions in a single unitary construction: a textured grip portion; a tape rest portion; a blade edge; and a straight base edge opposite the textured grip portion and the tape rest portion, wherein the straight base edge includes three sides, a first side connecting to a width edge of the textured grip portion, a second side connecting to a first lengthwise edge of the device running along the textured grip portion and the tape rest portion and a third side opposite the second side and connecting to a second lengthwise edge of the device running along the textured grip portion and the tape rest portion; further wherein a width of the device is approximately equal to a width of a roll of tape.

In a third exemplary device for accessing and storing tape on a tape roll, the device comprises the following portions in a single unitary construction: a top curved surface including a textured grip portion covering; a tape rest portion; a blade edge; and a bottom curved surface opposite the top curved surface, wherein the top curved surface and the bottom curved surface are approximately parallel and further wherein the top curved surface and the bottom curved surface are separated by less than 2 mm at a first end of the device and

less than 1 mm at a second end of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

The Summary of the Embodiments, as well as the following Detailed Description, is best understood when read in conjunction with the following exemplary drawings:

FIGS. 1a-1c illustrate an exemplary tape-tab in accordance with a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary tape-tab in accordance with a second embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates a first position of an exemplary tape-tab with blade edge to separate a leading edge of adhesive tape;

FIG. 4 illustrates the exemplary tape-tab blade edge pushing under the leading tape edge and separating the tape from the adhesive roll;

FIG. 5 illustrates the exemplary tape-tab with the leading edge of the tape adhered to the tape rest section of the exemplary tape-tab;

FIG. 6 illustrates the exemplary tape-tab in the final storage position with the leading edge of the tape adhered to the exemplary tape-tab rest area and curved tape-tab resting on tape roll;

FIGS. 7a-7d illustrate an exemplary tape-wedge;

FIG. 8 illustrates the exemplary tape-wedge of FIGS. 7a-7d with the leading edge of the tape adhered to the tape rest section of the exemplary tape-wedge and the tape-wedge gripping the remaining adhesive roll;

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative tape-tab embodiment to FIGS. 1a-1c having additional divots; and

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative tape-tab embodiment to FIGS. 1a-1c having fewer divots.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1a-1c, a first embodiment of the tape-tab 10a is shown. The tape-tab 10a is a one-piece construction which is preferably formed of a plastic material. The primary components of the tape-tab 10a include a textured grip portion 15a, a tape rest portion 20a, a blade edge 25a, and curved base 30a molded into a single product. Additionally, tape-tab 10a is formed with a ridge 35 at the intersection of grip portion 15a and tape rest portion 20a (see FIG. 1b). This ridge 35 provides an additional gripper for the user and helps maintain the structural integrity of the tape-tab 10a to minimize breakage at the point of intersection. Further, the tape rest portion 20a may include two curved sloped portions or a curved slope 20a₁ and intermediate bevel 20a₂ as better illustrated in the top view of FIG. 1c. Alternately, the tape rest portion 20a may include a single continuous curved slope 20b as shown in the alternative embodiment of FIG. 2 discussed below. The textured grip portion 15a, curved slope portions of tape rest portion 20a, and curved base 30a are shaped in parallel curves which are themselves generally parallel to the radius of curvature of a particular tape roll. The textured grip portion 15a may include a pattern of indentations or divots D_1-x formed therein to improve gripping. The number and pattern of divots may be optimized to maximize user grip, while maintaining structural integrity (see FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 illustrating alternative embodiments).

Referring to FIG. 2, a second embodiment of the tape-tab 10b is shown. The tape-tab 10b is a one-piece construction which is preferably formed of a plastic material. The primary components of the tape-tab 10b include a textured grip portion 15b, a tape rest portion 20b, a blade edge 25b, and curved base 30b molded into a single product. Additionally, tape-tab 10b is formed with a trough 40 at the intersection of grip portion 15b and tape rest portion 20b.

The dimensions L_TT, W_TT, H_1TT, H_2TT of the tape-tabs 10a and 10b may vary in accordance with the dimensions of the tape roll with which they are intended to be used. In particular, the width of the tape roll dictates W (see Table 1). By way of example, tape-tabs 10a and 10b illustrated herein generally have the approximate dimensions: L_TT=22 mm; W_TT=19.5 mm; H_1TT=1.6 mm and H_2TT=tapered to point. Additionally, blade edge 25a of tape-tab 10a is approximately 0.8 mm and blade edge 25b of tape-tab 10b is approximately 0.1 mm as it approaches a point. While the value for width (W_TT) is generally driven by the width of the tape roll, the value for H_1TT (also referred to as thickness) is generally less than 2.0 mm. The values provided herein are in no way intended to be limiting.

FIGS. 3-6 illustrate exemplary steps of using the tape-tabs 10a and 10b. In use, the user grips the tape-tab 10a or 10b at the textured grip portion 15a, 15b. As shown in FIGS. 3-4, the user presses the blade edge 25a, 25b at the leading tape edge 52 of the adhesive tape roll 50 and pushes the blade edge 25a, 25b under the leading tape edge 52 using a scraping motion until the leading tape edge 52 has separated from the adhesive tape roll 50 and the user can unroll the tape as desired. Referring to FIGS. 5-6, when the user is ready to store the tape, the user grips the tape-tab 10a or 10b at the textured grip portion 15a, 15b of the tape-tab placing it under the loosened tape edge 52 up to the tape rest portion 20a, 20b and presses the tape edge 52 adhering it to the tape rest portion 20a, 20b. The tape edge 52 is secure and is prevented from re-adhering to the tape roll 50. The tape edge 52 is in the ready position for the next use. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the curved base 30a, 30b has a curve that generally corresponds to the curvature of the tape roll 50.

Referring to FIGS. 7a-7d, an embodiment of a tape-wedge 60 is shown. The tape-wedge 60 is a one-piece construction which is preferably formed of a plastic material. The primary components of the tape-wedge 60 include a textured grip portion 65, a tape rest portion 70, a blade edge 75, and straight base 80 molded into a single product. The tape-wedge 60 includes semicircular tape roll ball grippers each having inner 85a, 86a, and outer gripper portions 85b, 86b. As shown in FIGS. 7a, 7b and 7d, the inner gripper portions 85a, 86a are located on inside facing side walls of the tape-wedge and are used to grip the remaining unused portion of the tape roll. The outer gripper portions 85b, 86b are located opposite the inner gripper portions on the outside facing side walls of the tape-wedge and provide a mechanism for the user to grip the tape-wedge 60. Additionally, tape-wedge is formed with a trough 90 at the intersection of grip portion 65 and tape rest portion 70. The textured grip portion 65 may include a pattern of indentations or divots D_1-x formed therein. The number and pattern of divots may be optimized to maximize user grip, while maintaining structural integrity.

FIG. 8 illustrates the tape-wedge when fully engaged with an exemplary tape roll. Although not limited as such, the tape-wedge is useful for larger width tape roll varieties, e.g., packing tape. The dimensions L_TW, W_TW, H_1TW, H_2TW of the exemplary tape-wedge may vary in accordance with the dimensions of the tape roll with which they are intended to be used. In particular, the width of the tape roll dictates W (see Table 1). By way of example, tape-tabs 10a and 10b illustrated herein generally have the approximate dimensions: L_TW=22.4 mm; W_TW=24 mm; H_1TW=9.8 mm and H_2TW=tapered to point. Additionally, blade edge 75 is approximately 1.3 mm. While the value for width (W_TW) is generally driven by the width of the tape roll, the value for H_1TW (also referred to as thickness) is generally less than 10.0 mm. The values provided herein are in no way intended to be limiting.

In addition to the uses described herein for providing quicker and easier access to tape from a tape roll and for improved storage of a tape roll, the tape-tab and tape-wedge may be used to scrape adhesive tape off of non-paper like surfaces once the tape has been adhered to the surface.

Claims

1. A system for accessing and storing tape on a tape roll, the system comprising: a tape roll;a device consisting of the following portions in a single unitary construction: a textured grip portion including a pattern of indentations therein, wherein the textured grip portion includes two side edges and a first end thereof for contacting a surface of the tape roll;a tape rest portion tapered to a straight blade edge, wherein the straight blade edge and the first end of the textured grip portion form opposite ends of the device; anda curved base opposite an entirety of the textured grip portion, the tape rest portion, and the straight blade edge such that the curved base rests substantially on the surface of the tape roll wherein a width of the device is approximately equal to a width of a roll of tape, wherein the textured grip portion and the tape rest portion are separated by a semi-circular ridge formed approximately in the middle of the device and further wherein an end of the tape roll rests directly on the tape rest portion when the tape roll is not in use to prevent the end of the tape roll from re-adhering to the tape roll.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein a curve of the textured grip portion, a curve of the tape rest portion and a curve of the blade edge are approximately parallel.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the device is less than 2 mm.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the pattern of indentations therein includes multiple divots.

5. A system for accessing and storing tape on a tape roll, the system comprising: a tape roll;a device consisting of the following portions in a single unitary construction: a top curved surface including a textured grip portion including a pattern of indentations therein, wherein the textured grip portion includes two side edges and a first end thereof for contacting an outer surface of the tape roll;a tape rest portion tapered to a straight blade edge, wherein the straight blade edge and the first end of the textured grip portion form opposite ends of the device;wherein the textured grip portion and the tape rest portion are separated by a semi-circular ridge formed approximately in the middle of the device and further wherein an end of the tape roll rests directly on the tape rest portion when the tape roll is not in use to prevent the end of the tape roll from re-adhering to the tape roll; anda bottom curved surface opposite an entirety of the top curved surface such that the bottom curved surface rests substantially on the outer surface of the tape roll, wherein the top curved surface and the bottom curved surface are approximately parallel and further wherein the top curved surface and the bottom curved surface are separated by less than 2 mm at a first end of the device and less than 1 mm at a second end of the device.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the pattern of indentations therein includes multiple divots.

7. A system for accessing and storing tape on a tape roll, the system comprising: a tape roll;a device consisting of the following portions in a single unitary construction: a textured grip portion including a pattern of indentations therein, wherein the textured grip portion includes two side edges and a first end thereof for contacting an outer surface of the tape roll;a tape rest portion separated from the textured grip portion by a semi-circular ridge, the tape rest portion including a first curved slope portion, a bevel portion and a straight blade edge, wherein the straight blade edge and the first end of the textured grip portion form opposite ends of the device; anda curved base opposite an entirety of the textured grip portion and the tape rest portion, wherein an edge of the tape roll is loosened by the straight blade edge and rests directly on the tape rest portion when the tape roll is not in use to prevent the loosened edge of the tape roll from re-adhering to the tape roll.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the pattern of indentations therein includes multiple divots.