1. Field of the Invention
The invention combines two common household items frequently used in conjunction with each other, as a single autonomous unit. Specifically, the invention combines scissors with a tape dispenser in a way that makes both easily usable as a single device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Almost all household scissors and tape dispensers are designed to perform one single respective function. Currently, scissors cut objects and tape dispensers dispense tape, each with its single unique purpose. Very often, when one uses a pair of scissors, one is in need of a tape dispenser, and vice versa. This is especially evident with the tasks of wrapping gifts, which requires the use of scissors and tape.
One apparent problem is that because each item, namely scissors and a tape dispenser, are separate items, and are frequently used in a variety of instances, when it is time to use the items collectively, they cannot be found in the same location. Quite the contrary occurs, that is, it seems that one can never find the scissors when the tape is found, and vice-versa, the tape cannot be found when the scissors are found.
Another problem that exists is that when using tape and scissors in conjunction with each other, the user cannot simultaneously manipulate both at the same time. The user must put down the pair of scissors each time he or she wants to use the tape dispenser, and vice-versa. This process of switching back and forth is inefficient; especially when wrapping multiple gifts, or any project that requires laborious cutting and taping.
Conventionally, scissors and tape dispensers are stored differently. For example, household scissors and tape are frequently stored out of sight. Scissors are commonly stored in a drawer of a desk, in a cupboard or the like, because they do not “stand alone” and contribute to disorganized clutter when they are placed otherwise. Traditional scissors lie on their side, slide around, and, consequently, are often tossed in a drawer when they are not being used. However, in an office environment, tape may be stored in a receptacle on a desk in plain view. This compounds the issue of scissors and tape not being located in the same place.
Another disadvantage is that most household tape dispensers are designed as disposable products. When one gets to the end of the tape roll, the dispenser is now a useless item and discarded, thereby creating waste.
An object of the present invention is to provide a unitary construction for an integrated apparatus including scissors and a dispenser.
This invention alleviates the problem of repeatedly switching between using a pair of scissors and a tape dispenser, and vice versa. According to this unitary construction, the tape dispenser may be used to dispense tape while holding the scissors and without having to put the scissors down. This use is compact, more efficient, saves time, and prevents the cumbersome task of having to constantly put down and pick up two different objects, i.e., the scissors and a tape dispenser.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the user may hold the scissors with one hand while the other free hand may be used to pull and cut a swath of tape from the integrated tape dispenser.
Another aspect of this invention is to construct the scissors and a dispenser in such a manner that the unitary construction apparatus can be placed on a plane surface with the scissor blades in an upright position ready for use. That is, at rest, the blades on the scissors are oriented in a ready to cut position that is perpendicular to the surface on which it is located. The bottom surface of the lower scissor handle preferably has a flat footprint incorporated into the lower scissor handle so the scissor tape dispenser may stand upright with the scissor blades perpendicular to the surface the flat foot of the lower scissor handle is resting upon. As such, the scissor tape dispenser may now sit on top of the user's desk, together, as one useful unitary tool.
According to yet another aspect of this invention, the roll on the tape is preferably reusable. When the user finishes a roll of tape, the user may easily remove the used roll out of the dispenser, and install a new roll.
Various types of materials may be dispensed by the scissor tape dispenser, including for example, an adhesive tape, ribbon, and the like. The dispensing material of this invention may be a single contiguous roll cut by a cutting implement integrated therewith or the dispensing material may be pre cut into predetermined usable lengths and consolidated onto the dispensing roll.
A further object of this invention is to adapt the scissor tape dispenser for various different types of cutting blades, including, but not limited to for example, cutting scissors for sports medicine professionals, and designed in such a way that different types of blades may be switched out depending on the cutting application.
Yet another aspect of this invention is to provide a cradle (or storage receptacle) including a storage slot into which the blades of the scissor tape dispenser are received. The cradle may include a tray or storage compartments for receiving various items, such as a plurality of paperclips, a spare roll of tape, a note pad, tacks, a pen, and/or any other suitable material.
These and other objects, features, and/or advantages may accrue from various aspects of embodiments of the present invention, as described in more detail below.
Various exemplary embodiments of this invention will be described in detail, wherein like reference numerals refer to identical or similar components or steps, with reference to the following figures.
Particular embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the figures.
The present invention remedies the problems associated with current scissor and tape dispenser devices in several ways. First, the scissors and tape dispenser are integrated into one unit. Therefore, when one locates the scissors, the tape dispenser is also located, and vice versa. The functionality of neither the scissors nor tape dispenser is compromised by the integration of the scissor and tape dispenser as a single integral unit.
This invention also eliminates the problem of putting the scissors down in order to pick up a tape dispenser, and vice versa. Simultaneously, the tape dispenser can be used to dispense tape while holding the scissors and without having to put the scissors down. This is accomplished because while one hand holds the scissors, the other is free hand can pull and cut tape from a tape dispenser incorporated into the scissors.
In operation, the actual taping action can be performed by using the thumb used to grasp the scissors and the “free” hand; thereby allowing one hand to cut and the other hand to tape without monotonously picking up and putting the scissors down. This invention allows the user to be more efficient, save time, and prevent the user from having to constantly switch between picking up and putting down a pair of scissors and a tape dispenser.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the scissor tape dispenser may now be used as a “stand alone” object. The construction of the scissor tape dispenser of this invention can be stored in plain sight and ready for use; similar to an office type stand-alone tape dispenser because the bottom of the lower scissor handle preferably has a flat foot incorporated into the scissor tape dispenser to allow the scissor tape dispenser to stand upright with the scissor blades parallel to the surface it is resting upon. The scissors and tape may now sit on top of the user's desk, together, as one useful tool.
In addition, the tape roll preferably is reusable. When the user finishes a roll of tape, the user simply pulls the used roll out of the dispenser, and installs a new roll. This eliminates the throw-away disposable tape dispenser, and saves the consumer money because now the user only needs to buy new rolls. Thus, less waste is produced and, at the same time, money is saved. With reference to the drawings and in more detail, the scissor tape dispenser will now be described.
The scissor handle 16 of the invention has been re-configured to accommodate a tape dispenser portion 30 as will be described in more detail below. In particular, the scissor handle 16 includes two handle portions 18 and 20. The first handle portion 18 is rigidly connected to the first elongated cutting member 12. The second handle portion 20 is rigidly connected to the second elongated cutting member 14. The first handle portion 18 includes a first looped portion 22. Similarly, the second handle portion 20 includes a second looped portion 24.
The scissor handle 16 may be made from a variety of different materials, including but not limited to, a polymer, a metal, a rubber, and/or any other type of material suitable to be used as a scissor handle. Another aspect of this invention is to modularly construct the scissors so that cutting blades of the scissor tape dispenser can be interchangeable and swapped out for various other types of implements, such as gauze cutting shears, electrical wire cutting and stripping shears, metal cutting shears, and the like.
As shown in
By way of example,
According to this invention, the tape dispenser 30 may be integrated on the handle 16 at various locations. As depicted in
In more detail, the tape dispenser 30 includes a wide flat tape dispenser housing 31 having a central reel 34 defining a central through-hole 26, a cutting implement 40, a tape 32 wrapped around a roll 33 and a removable cover 28. As shown in
The removable cover 28 of the tape dispenser 30 is constructed to enable the reel of tape 32 (and/or other dispensing materials) to be quickly and easily replaced within the tape dispenser housing 31. The removable cover 28 may include a plurality of aligning ridges, seams and/or the like (not shown) which align and secure the removable cover 28 in an operable position over the reel of tape 32 and around the reel 34. In position, a fastener 29 is disposed through an alignment hole 29a and secured to the flat tape dispenser housing 31. Although shown as a threaded fastener, the fastener 29 may be any type of suitable fastening mechanism, such as a clip, a latch, a button and the like.
The material being dispensed from the reel of tape 32 may be selected from a variety of adhesives and/or materials. For example, the tape 32 used with the scissor tape dispenser 10 may range in material from an adhesive tape, to a non-adhesive tape, such as gauze, ribbon, a polymer, rubber, twine, a measuring tape, string and/or any other type of material capable of being wound around the reel 34.
According to another aspect of this invention, the material dispensed from the reel of tape 32 may be wrapped onto the roll 33 in a variety of different ways. For example, as shown in
Referring back to
As shown in
Furthermore, it is an object of this invention to provide a safety guard (not shown) to cover the cutting implement 40. For example, the cutting implement 40 may be designed similar to a conventional packing tape dispenser gun which may include an “automatic tape cutter.” In use, the cutting implement is concealed until a pressure is applied to cutting implement 40 which in response a cutting implement automatically cuts the tape 32.
The scissor tape dispenser 10 is adapted to work in conjunction with a variety of different types of scissor style implements, such as for example, cutting shears used in the medical field, cutting shears by sports medicine professionals, electrical wire strippers in which an electrical tape may be integrated, metal cutting shears, and the like. In more detail, the blades of the electrical wire cutting and stripping shears may include a section for stripping various gauge wires and a section for cutting the wire as conventionally implemented in typical electrical wire cutting and stripping shears. Likewise, the blades of the electrical wire cutting and stripping shears may be interchanged into the scissor tape dispenser of this invention. In the alternative, the handle and the electrical wire cutting and stripping blades may be constructed as a unitary structure including a dispenser for electrical tape, or the like.
In
The cradle 50 may be constructed in variety of different ways and may be adapted for a plurality of uses.
It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above described embodiment without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It is understood therefore that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiment which is described, but is intended to cover all modifications and changes within the scope and spirit of the invention.