Fulcrum Tape Pinching Gun

Abstract

A tape dispensing device with a tape head pivotally mounted on a housing. The first end of the tape head features a cutting tool and the second end features one or more protrusions or feet. Adjacent to the tape head and located on an inner surface of the housing is an arc or trough shaped stop that is complementary in shape to the second end of the tape head. When the user applies force to the first end of the tape head while placing tape on a separate surface, the tape head rotates causing the foot or feet on the tape head to push the length of tape into the trough causing it to stick to the trough. At the same time, the foot creases the tape causing the free end of the tape to stiffen or stick out.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates generally to tape dispensers and more particularly, to an improved tape gun dispenser.

(b) Background Art

Cardboard boxes have become ubiquitous and an indispensable means of transporting goods from one place to another, but they are virtually useless without an adhesive material with which to seal them. Packing tape has traditionally been an excellent way to seal cardboard boxes and the like and is also an excellent way to frustrate the person trying to peel the tape off the roll. The free edge or end of a roll of packing tape is notoriously difficult to pull away from the rest of the roll of tape and it is also difficult to prevent the free end of the tape from contacting and thus sticking to the rest of the roll during use. While tape is designed to be applied by hand, a lot of people find it more convenient to use a tape gun to apply tape to another surface such as a cardboard box.

A tape gun is a simple device that holds a roll of tape in place while the user pulls it off the roll and secures it to a separate surface, such as a cardboard box. While there are several different variations on the basic design, a tape gun generally has a cylinder or roll that fits into the empty space in the middle of the roll of tape. The cylinder is usually located in some form of housing that positions the roll of tape such that the user can pull the free end of the tape away from the roll and apply it to another surface. Tape guns typically have a bladed structure or similar cutting instrument attached to the housing and positioned in front of the free end of the roll of tape. A user applies the free end of tape to a surface, then pulls more tape off the roll by pulling on the tape gun itself. When a sufficient amount of tape has been dispensed and attached to a separate surface, the user then rotates the tape gun forward, towards the surface to which tape is applied causing the blade to come into contact with the tape. At that point, pushing downward on the tape gun will cause the cutting mechanism to cut the tape.

Traditionally, these devices have a number of drawbacks most notably, the free end or edge of a strip of tape will typically after tape is torn from the roll, fall back onto the surface of the roll of tape and become reattached to the roll of tape. There have of course been attempts to solve this problem that have simply not been effective or have not been practical to implement.

For example, Richard and Wendy Steele described a tape gun in U.S. Pat. No. 8,037,917 that includes guide tabs located near the roller and the cutting mechanism. The idea is that when the free end of the tape is cut, the tape falls a short distance to contact the guides that are located on either side of the tape gun. The tape is supposed to fall back onto these guides and be held in place for the next use. However, the free end of a strip of tape is not always going to fall onto these guide tabs and be held in place. Typically, the user is left manually pushing the free edge of the tape against these guide tabs in order to hold the free end of the tape.

Other inventors have attempted to solve this same problem using magnets and a magnetic substance coated onto the tape (see e.g. U.S. RE41,505 issued to Justin Herman). However, this type of solution would require the packaging industry to retool the way they produce adhesive, specifically rolls of tape, and would likely be cost prohibitive. It also would not do anything to fix the problem in a tape gun not using a tape that is coated with a magnetic material.

The inventor has created a novel tape gun that resolves the above problems without requiring a specially coated adhesive or magnets.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a tape dispensing device, i.e. tape gun, with a mechanism that pushes the tape against a structure that holds it in place as the tape is being cut by the user. More specifically, this device contains a pivoting tape head. Generally, the tape head is a structure on a tape dispensing device such as a tape gun underneath which strips of adhesive pass prior to leaving the dispenser. The tape head is at one end a flattened structure that can include a cutting mechanism such as a serrated blade. The flattened structure is positioned at the front of the device such that the user pulls tape underneath and past the tape head as they are applying tape to a surface. When the user wants to cut the tape, they rotate the entire device forward. As discussed above, forward in this sense means towards the blade of the tape head of the device, i.e. the dispenser is rotated around an imaginary axis that passes through the center of the roll of adhesive tape and toward the surface to which tape is applied. When the device is rotated forward, the tape is pulled taught by the motion and the tape head is pushed upward. Upward in this sense means away from the tape gun housing. At that point, the tape head is positioned such that the cutting mechanism or blade is put into contact with the strip of tape. Pushing into the tape causes the cutting device to cut the strip of tape.

In preferred embodiments of the presently disclosed device, the tape head is attached to the tape gun housing by a pivot point or fulcrum. In this application, fulcrum simply refers to structures that allow the tape head to connect and attach to the housing and about which or around which they can pivot. In preferred embodiments and the anticipated best mode of this device, the fulcrum is a male connection point or protrusion located on an inside surface of the housing of the tape dispenser. Located on a surface of the tape head is a female connection or cavity that is complementary in size and shape to the protrusion on the inside of the housing such that the tape head is attached to the housing by inserting the male connection or protrusion into the female connection or cavity. The tape head is thereby connected such that it can pivot around the point of attachment to the housing. Most tape dispenser housings are dual sided, i.e. the tape head is at least partially flanked on either side by the two sides of the housing. In the inventor's anticipated best mode of this device, there are protrusions on each of two opposing inner surfaces of the housing that are complementary and positioned to fit into cavities on either side of the body of the tape head. As a result, the tape head is suspended between the two sides of the housing by the cavities located on either side of the tape head.

As discussed above, the front end or first end of the tape head is a flattened structure against which the strip of adhesive is pushed during cutting. The second end or back portion of the tape head terminates in a rounded structure or foot. Preferred embodiments of the foot can be a ridge or lip that runs the transverse length of the tape head. Other embodiments may have separate protrusions or feet on either side of the tape head. The foot or feet are positioned such that when the tape head pivots around the protrusion on the inner surface of the housing, the first and second ends of the tape head move in opposing directions, i.e. when the first end is raised by pushing it against the strip of tape and rotating the device forward, the first end moves upward away from the tape gun housing while the second end of the tape head moves downward.

As mentioned above, the housing will generally be a two-sided structure with opposing inner surfaces each of which can feature a means for connecting the tape head to the housing such that it has a point around which it can pivot with respect to the rest of the dispenser. The inner surfaces of the housing also feature one or more stops that prevent the tape head from pivoting any further in one direction. There can be as little as one stop, but the inventor's anticipated best mode features a stop on either side of the device located on opposing inner surfaces of the housing. Each stop is positioned such that when the first end of the tape head is raised, the second end of the tape head contacts one or more stops and the motion of the tape head is arrested.

In preferred embodiments and the anticipated best mode of this device, the stops are arc-shaped structures with their open ends facing upward. These arc-shaped pieces form troughs for the second end of the tape head to contact when the tape head is pivoting. The foot or feet are sized, shaped and positioned, i.e. configured, to fit at least partially into the troughs and to provide a solid contact point between the foot and each trough.

In preferred embodiments featuring trough-shaped stops, the shape of the foot is complementary to the shape of the trough so that when the first end of the tape head is raised, the feet insert into the troughs thereby pushing the sticky side of the tape into the trough. In doing so, the feet pinch or crease the length of tape, as well as attach the tape to the trough. This crease helps to straighten the length of tape that is between the trough and the free end of the tape. When the tape adheres to the inside of the trough, it resists any further pulling force that would tend to pull additional tape from the roll. This increased tension has the effect of making for a cleaner cut and preventing the free end of the tape from recoiling back onto the roll.

The housing of the tape dispensing device also features a ledge that supports the first end of the tape head. When no force is applied to the tape head, the tape head rests on the ledge. In use, the tape passes underneath the tape head as it is pulled away from the roll. When the device is rotated forward, the tape head comes into contact with the strip of tape attached to a separate surface and is pushed upward causing the tape head to rotate around its fulcrum. As the first end of the tape head containing the cutting tool is pushed upward (away from the ledge), the second end of the tape head rotates downward also coming into contact with the strip of tape. As the user applies pressure to the strip of tape by pushing on the tape gun and the tape head is pushed out of its resting position, the feet on the tape head push the tape into the trough, pinching the tape between the foot and the trough causing the adhesive side of the tape to stick in position to the trough after the tape is cut. This prevents the free end of the roll of tape from reattaching to the rest of the roll of tape. While the stops can be shaped in any number of ways, the arc-shape of the trough together with the rounded shape of the foot or feet provides additional contact area for the tape to attach to the device and not the roll of tape. In addition, the act of pushing the tape into the trough creases the tape. This crease has the effect of straightening the length of tape and making it less likely to curl down and reattach to the roll of tape. When no more force is applied to the tape head, the first end of the tape head rests on the ledge featured by the housing thereby stopping it from continuing to rotate forward and preventing the need for additional stops on the inside surface of the housing to arrest the motion of the second end as it moves away from a trough.

Both the shape and the positioning of the trough and feet are critical features of the device. To the extent other devices contain some portion of the housing meant to stop tape from reattaching to the roll, the devices are usually slender flattened structures located nearer the first end of the tape head and are meant to catch the tape as it is cut. Other devices use these flattened structures to “catch” the free end of the tape before it contacts the roll of tape again. However, this device physically traps a portion of the roll of tape and straightens the end of the tape making it less likely the free end of the tape will curl and contact the roll of tape. The shape of the stop provides more surface area for the tape to contact making for a more secure connection between the tape and the housing for the tape dispenser. As a result, the combination of the shape of the trough and feet allows the device to trap a length of tape adjacent to a free end of the tape, pinch and straighten that length of tape and effectively prevent the free end of tape from curling back onto the roll.

Preferred embodiments and the inventor's anticipated best mode of the device include a housing with the trough and male connection located on both sides of the inside of the housing. The tape head is suspended from two pivot points, one on either side of the housing and is positioned above the strip of tape as it exits the device. In addition, some embodiments of the stop have an additional shelf or support piece positioned underneath the trough providing additional structural support to the stop itself.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a tape head of the inventive tape dispensing device;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of a tape head attached to a housing;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the housing with the tape head removed;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the device with the tape head in resting position; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the device with tape head raised and the foot engaged with the trough of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a tape head 11 featuring some of the inventive aspects of the described tape dispensing device. Specifically, the tape head 11 consists of a body 12 with a first end 13 and a second end 14. These designations are arbitrary and are merely used to discuss the ends of the tape head 11 separately. The first end 13 of the tape head 11 typically features, but is not required to feature, a cutting tool (not shown) such as a serrated blade. The body 12 of the tape head 11 also features a female connector or cavity 16 at a point between the cutting tool 15 and the second end 14 of the tape head. In addition, the tape head 11 features feet 17 at its second end 14. In this embodiment, there is a foot 17 located on either side of second end 14 of the tape head 11. Other embodiments may contain more or less feet 17. As discussed above, in some embodiments there may be a single foot 17 that traverses the entire width of the second end 14 of the tape head 11. Furthermore, the tape head can feature one or more guards 18 flanking either side of the cutting tool 15.

FIG. 2 shows the tape head 11 attached to a housing 19 of the tape dispenser 10. As discussed below, this disclosure relates to certain features that are not specific to the shape of the housing itself. There are a variety of tape dispensers on the market and this design can be adapted to virtually any of them.

FIG. 2 shows that the housing 19 can also feature a ledge 21 at a point that is below or underneath the first end 13 of the tape head 11. In preferred embodiments of the tape dispenser 10, the first end 13 of the tape head 11 is configured to engage with the ledge 21 on the tape head 11. Specifically, the ledge 21 is a flange or lip onto which a portion of the first end 13 of the tape head rests. A portion of the first end 13 of the tape head 11 also extends past the ledge 21 and housing 19 thereby causing a portion of the first end 13 of the tape head 11 to hang over the edge of the housing 19. In some embodiments, there is a second ledge, lip or flange 27 formed by the underside of the tape head 11 that is complementary to and is shaped to engage with the ledge 21 of the housing.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first end 13 of the tape head features a cutting tool 15 and the second end 14 of the tape head 11 includes one or more feet 17 that are sized, shaped and positioned to contact and fit into the trough 22 that is shown on an inner surface 20 of the housing. In preferred embodiments, the second end 14 of the of the tape head 11 features a foot 17 on either side of the tape head 11 to allow the feet 17 to contact a trough 22 on either side of the device 10. Because the tape head 11 is pivotally connected to the housing 19 and the tape (not shown) passes beneath the tape head 11 before exiting the housing 19, when the first end 13 of the tape head 11 is pivoted in a first direction, i.e. the first end 13 is lifted up and away from the housing, the second end 14 pivots around the fulcrum or pivot point (not shown) and the foot or feet 17 are inserted into the trough 22 thereby trapping a section of the tape in the trough 22.

A skilled artisan will appreciate that the arc or trough shape of the stop 22 located on the inner surface 20 of the housing 19 can be shaped a number of different ways. However, the inventor anticipates that the shape of this stop 22 allows the foot 17 to fit into it. In this embodiment, when the foot 17 presses a length of tape (not shown) into the center of the trough 22, the tape has the entire inner surface of that trough 22 to which to adhere. In addition, because the trough 22 is located underneath the second end 14 of the tape head 11, the trough 22 contacts a portion of the length of tape other than the free end of the tape. Rather, this device presses a portion of the length of tape into the trough 22 at a point closer to the roll of the tape than the free end of the tape would be. As a result, the length of tape is secured to the inner surface of the trough 22 such that it will not be easily pulled free by accident, thereby preventing the free end of the tape from contacting the roll of tape.

As previously discussed, the pinching of the tape in the trough 22 by the foot or feet 17 creates a crease in the length of tape near its free end. When the user cuts the tape, the free end of the tape is forced out or straightened by the crease. The tape is already curved or curled somewhat when it is removed from the roll thereby making it easier for it to reattach to the roll. The crease helps to interrupt or arrest the curve in the length of tape making it stick out more than it normally would without the crease.

FIG. 3 shows the housing without the tape head 11 attached. The trough 22 is still visible on the inner surface 20 of the housing 19. As discussed above, preferred embodiments have this structure on both opposing inner surfaces 20 of the housing 19. In addition, also featured on the inner surface 20 of the housing 19 is a male connection point or protrusion 24. This protrusion is the pivot point 24 around which the tape head 11 rotates. This pivot point or fulcrum 24 engages with the female connection point or cavity 16 located on the body 12 of the tape head 11. Moreover, FIG. 3 shows the support column 26 that is present on some embodiments of this device. The support column 26 is a structure that attaches to the inner surface 20 of the housing 19 underneath the stop or trough 22 and provides additional structural support to the trough 22. As above, the housing 19 features a ledge 21 which will be discussed with respect to the movement of the tape head 11 (see below).

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the movement of the tape head 11. FIG. 4 shows the tape head 11 at rest. The first end 13 of the tape head 11 rests on the ledge 21 of the housing 19 when no force is applied to the tape head 11. At the same time, the second end 14 of the tape head 11, featuring the foot 17 is positioned above the stop or trough 22 when no force is applied to the tape head 11. FIG. 5 shows the tape dispenser in use. Specifically, when the user desires to apply tape to a separate surface (not shown), they pull tape 23 off of the roll and past the tape head 11 to the separate surface like a foldable cardboard box (not shown). In doing so, the tape passes between the trough 22 and the foot or feet 17 featured by the tape head 11. As illustrated in FIG. 5, when the first end 13 of the tape head 11 is pushed upward off of the ledge 21 and away from the housing 19, the second end 14 of the tape head 11 moves downward allowing the foot or feet 17 to push a length of tape 23 into or onto the surface of the trough 22. The force applied to cut the tape pushes the tape head 11 into this position allowing the foot or feet 17 to trap the portion of the length of tape 23 into the trough 22. When the tape head 11 comes to its resting position, the length of tape 23 is still attached to the trough 22, thereby preventing it from curling back onto the roll of tape. In addition, when the length of tape 23 is pushed into the trough 22, it creases the tape 23 at that point. That crease has the effect of straightening the length of tape and making it more rigid and less likely to fall back onto the roll of tape.

The figures all illustrate a single version or embodiment of the inventive tape dispensing device. These figures are only meant to illustrate certain aspects of the device and should not be interpreted to mean this device cannot be adapted to other forms of tape dispensing devices. The structures described above can be used with any tape dispensing device that has a guide on it that contacts or is otherwise located adjacent to strips of adhesive as they are pulled off of a roll.

Reference throughout the specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout the specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

It is understood that the above described embodiments are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiment, including the best mode, is to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, if any, in conjunction with the foregoing description.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A tape dispensing device comprising a tape head pivotally mounted to a housing.

2. The tape dispensing device of claim 1 wherein the tape head has a body that features at least one cavity and the housing has an inner surface that features at least one protrusion that is sized and shaped to insert into the at least one cavity.

3. The tape dispensing device of claim 2 further comprising at least two stops located on the housing and each stop being positioned to prevent the rotation of the tape head in a different direction.

4. The tape dispensing device of claim 3 wherein one of the stops is a trough located on an inner surface of the housing and positioned to stop the rotation of the tape head in a first direction.

5. The tape dispensing device of claim 4 wherein one of the stops is a ledge integrally formed with the housing that stops the tape head from rotating in a second direction.

6. The tape dispensing device of claim 5 wherein the tape head has a first end and a second end and the second end features at least one foot that is complementary to the trough.

7. The tape dispensing device of claim 6 wherein the at least one foot head fits into the trough when the first end of the tape head is lifted away from the ledge.

8. The tape dispensing device of claim 6 wherein the at least one foot is moved out of the trough as the first end of the tape head is lowered onto the ledge.

9. A tape gun with a housing, a cylinder that holds a roll of tape, and a tape head featuring a cutting tool at a first end comprising: a fulcrum operably connected to a body of the tape head; anda stop located on an inner surface of the housing and located proximate to the tape head such that when the tape is pulled from the roll underneath and past the tape head and the tape gun is rotated toward the tape head, the tape pushes the first end of the tape head causing the tape head to rotate around the fulcrum and a second end of the tape head to pushes the tape into the stop.

10. The tape gun of claim 9 wherein there is a stop located on each of two opposing inner surfaces featured by the housing and the second end of the tape head features a foot.

11. The tape gun of claim 10 wherein each stop is shaped like a trough and the foot is a ridge that extends across the back surface of the second end of the tape head.

12. The tape gun of claim 11 wherein the fulcrum comprises a protrusion located on either a body of the tape head or an inner surface of the housing; said protrusion being complementary to a cavity located on an opposing surface of either the body of the tape head or the inner surface of the housing.

13. The tape gun of claim 12 further comprising a fulcrum on either side of the tape head body.

14. A tape dispensing device capable of creasing a length of tape as the tape is cut by the device comprising: at least one trough located on an inner surface of a housing;a tape head with at least one foot shaped and positioned to fit into the at least one trough;wherein when the tape head is moved, the foot inserts into the trough trapping the length of tape passing between the trough and foot.

15. The tape dispensing device of claim 14 further comprising: a protrusion located on the inner surface of the housing;a cavity complementary to the protrusion located on a surface of the tape head;wherein the tape head is capable of pivoting in two opposing directions when the protrusion is inserted into the cavity.