TAPE DISPENSER

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a tape dispenser. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a tape dispenser comprising a tape roll housing and two cover plates wherein at least one of the cover plates includes an outward extending flange to aid in removing the cover plate from the tape roll housing.

BACKGROUND

Conventional tape dispensers often have a tape roll support for holding the core of the tape roll and a side wall extending from the tape roll support to the cutting blade. These types of dispenser leave one side of the roll of tape uncovered. The uncovered side can become contaminated with dirt, dust, or other debris. Two sided tape dispensers can be used to further contain the roll of tape. These types of conventional two sided tape dispensers include a second side wall to cover the roll of tape, such as shown in U.S. design Pat. No. 510,951. To open and gain access to the tape roll support, the side walls are typically twisted relative to one another.

A tape dispenser that is capable of entirely concealing the tape within the dispenser is disclosed in US patent application publication US 2008/0105723, filed on Nov. 3, 2006 and Taiwan Utility Model M247572, published on Oct. 21, 2004 and filed on Jun. 5, 2003. In this tape dispenser, to gain access to the tape roll support, the cover plate can be pulled off by inserting a finger into an opening in the cover plate. However, the opening creates point of access for dirt, dust, or other debris to contaminate the tape.

SUMMARY

A tape dispenser is described that includes two cover plates and a tape roll housing for supporting a roll of tape. The first cover plate includes an outwardly extending flange that extends beyond the tape roll housing that provides a simple and easy mechanism for removing the first cover plate from the tape roll housing to gain access within the tape roll housing.

In one embodiment, the tape dispenser comprises a tape roll housing having a first side and second side and contained between the first side and second side is a protective wall forming a housing perimeter. The protective wall includes a dispenser opening and cutting edge. The tape dispenser further comprises a first cover plate adjacent the first side of the tape roll housing and includes a first cover plate perimeter. The tape dispenser further comprises a second cover plate adjacent the second side of the tape roll housing and includes a second cover plate perimeter. At least the first cover plate is removable from the tape roll housing and at least a portion of the first cover plate perimeter is larger than the tape roll housing perimeter to form a first lateral flange.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a tape dispenser;

FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the tape dispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the tape dispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the tape dispenser of FIG. 1 showing the tape being dispensed;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the tape dispenser of FIG. 1 showing the tape enclosed within the moving cover;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a tape dispenser;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a tape dispenser.

While the above-identified drawings and figures set forth embodiments of the disclosure, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the discussion. In all cases, this disclosure presents the invention by way of representation and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art, which fall within the scope and spirit of this invention. The figures may not be drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a tape dispenser 100 for dispensing a roll of tape 500. FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the tape dispenser of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a side view of the tape dispenser of FIG. 1.

The tape dispenser 100 includes a tape roll housing 200, a first cover plate 300, and a second cover plate 400. The tape roll housing 200 includes a first side 202 adjacent the first cover plate 300 and a second side 204 adjacent the second cover plate 400. Contained between the first side 202 and the second side 204 of the tape roll housing 200 is the protective wall 206. In this embodiment, the protective wall 206 is circular to follow the contour of a circular roll of tape 500 contained within. However, the shape of the protective wall 206 can be other shapes, sizes or configurations. The protective wall 206 forms a housing perimeter 207 which is the outermost extension from a central axis of the supported tape roll 500. In this embodiment, the housing perimeter 207 is circular. However, because the protective wall can comprise a variety of shapes and sizes, the housing perimeter 207 can comprise a variety of shapes and sizes. In this embodiment, along the protective wall 206 are a plurality of connection openings 208 that engage with connecting pegs 310 (described below) to connect the first cover plate 300 to the tape roll housing 200.

At least the first cover plate 300 is removable from the tape roll housing 200. In this embodiment, the first cover plate 300 includes connecting pegs 310 that engage with the connection openings 208 of the tape roll housing 200. This friction fit between the connecting pegs 310 and connection openings 208 secure the first cover plate 300 to the tape roll housing 200. It is understood that a variety of other connection mechanisms can be used to connect the first cover plate 300 to the tape roll housing 200. For example, the first cover plate 300 and tape roll housing 200 may be threaded so tightening or loosening is achieved through rotation of one relative to the other. Alternatively, other mechanical fastening, friction fitting, or snap locking systems may be used. Regardless, as will be described below, it is the extending lateral flange 330 of the first cover plate 300 that aids the user in applying and removing the first cover plate 300 on the tape roll housing 200. By having an easier mechanism for pulling off the first cover plate 300, the attachment of the first cover plate 300 to the tape roll housing 200 can be stronger.

The first cover plate 300 includes a first cover perimeter 320. At least a portion of the first cover perimeter 320 extends beyond the tape roll housing perimeter 207 to form a first lateral flange 330. In this embodiment, the entire first cover perimeter 320 extends beyond the tape roll housing perimeter 207. FIGS. 2 and 3 more clearly show the first lateral flange 330. The first lateral flange 330 provides an accessible surface for a user to easily pull the first cover plate 300 away from engagement with the tape roll housing 200.

In this embodiment, the first cover plate 300 entirely covers the tape roll housing 200 to limit access to the tape roll 500 contained therein. This prevents dirt, dust, or other debris from contacting and contaminating the edge of the tape roll 500. In another embodiment, the first cover plate 300 may include an opening corresponding to the opening creating by the core of tape 500.

The second cover plate 400 may also be removable from the tape roll housing 200, shown and described in FIG. 6, or may be permanently fixed to the tape roll housing 200. FIG. 1 shows the second cover plate 400 engaged with the tape roll housing 200. The second cover plate 400 includes a second cover plate perimeter 420. In this embodiment, the second cover plate perimeter 420 extends beyond the housing perimeter 207 to form a second lateral flange 430, which is ideal in the embodiments where the second cover plate 400 is removable from the tape roll housing. However, because it is not essential that the second cover plate 400 be removable, it is not essential that the second cover plate perimeter 420 extend beyond the housing perimeter 207. Even in embodiments where the second cover plate 400 is not removable from the tape roll housing 200, it still may be desirable to form the second lateral flange 430 to further provide an accessible surface for the user to engage the tape disperser 100.

For embodiments where the second cover plate 400 is removable from the tape roll housing 200, the second cover plate 400 may include connecting pegs 410 (FIG. 6) that engage with connection openings (not visible) in the tape roll housing 200. This friction fit between the connecting pegs 410 and connection openings secures the second cover plate 400 to the tape roll housing 200.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the second cover plate 400 covers the edge of the tape roll 500 to limit access to the tape roll 500 contained therein, but includes an opening aligned with the core of the tape roll 500. This prevents dirt, dust, hair, or other debris from contacting and contaminating the edge of the tape roll 500.

The second cover plate 400 may optionally include a tape core support 440. The tape core support 440 engages and supports the core of the tape roll 500. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the tape core support 440 includes a first interlock 442 and second interlock 444 that extend from the second cover plate 400 into the tape roll housing 200. The first and second interlock 442, 444 can slightly flex to allow the tape roll 500 to pass over but gets stopped from being released by the ends of the first and second interlock 442, 444. In other embodiments, the tape sore support 440 could be a circular projection (see FIG. 7) extending from the second cover plate 400 into the tape roll housing 200. Regardless, the tape core support 440 aids in restraining the tape roll 500 while in the tape roll housing 200.

The tape dispenser 100 includes a tape dispensing mechanism 210, which comprises at least a dispenser opening 211 in the protective wall 206 of the tape roll housing 200 and a cutting edge 212. Included between the dispenser opening 211 and the cutting edge 212 may be a support plate 214 that serves as a surface to attach a dispensed end of the tape so that it is accessible and ready for further use. Further, the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes a moving cover 215 with locking protrusions 216 that engage with notch 218 to keep the moving cover 215 in a locked, closed position. The moving cover 215 is connected to the protective wall 206 by the hinge 217, which allows for pivoting movement of the moving cover 215 from an open position as shown in FIG. 4 to a closed position as shown in FIG. 5. The functioning of the moving cover 215 is described in more detail in US patent application publication US 2008/0105723, filed on Nov. 3, 2006. The dispensing mechanism 210 shown in detail in FIG. 1, 4 and 5 allow for the tape roll 500 to be entirely contained within the tape dispenser 100 when in the closed position. This protects the tape roll 500 from contaminants. In FIGS. 2 and 3 the dispensing mechanism 210 has not been shown in the views. In one embodiment, the moving cover 215 does not extend beyond length of the lateral flanges 330, 430.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a tape dispenser 100. As assembled, the tape dispenser 100 would essentially appear as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The tape dispenser 100 includes a tape roll housing 200, a first cover plate 300, and a second cover plate 400. The tape roll housing 200 includes a first side 202 adjacent the first cover plate 300 and a second side 204 adjacent the second cover plate 400. Contained between the first side 202 and the second side 204 of the tape roll housing 200 is the protective wall 206. In this embodiment, the protective wall 206 is circular to closely follow the contour of the circular roll of tape 500 contained within. The protective wall 206 forms a housing perimeter 207 that is the outermost extension from the central axis extending though the center of the supported tape roll 500. In this embodiment, the housing perimeter 207 is circular. In this embodiment, along the protective wall 206 are a plurality of connection openings 208, which engage with connecting pegs 310 to connect the first cover plate 300 to the tape roll housing 200.

In this embodiment, both the first cover plate 300 and second cover plate 400 are removable from the tape roll housing 200. Each cover plate 300, 400 includes connecting pegs 310, 410 that engage with the connection openings 208 of the tape roll housing 200. This friction fit secures the first cover plate 300 and second cover plate 400 to the tape roll housing 200. It is understood that other connection mechanisms may be used to connect the first cover plate 300 and second cover plate 400 to the tape roll housing 200.

The first cover plate 300 includes a first cover perimeter 320. At least a portion of the first cover perimeter 320 extends beyond the tape roll housing perimeter 207 to form a first lateral flange 330. The first cover plate 300 entirely covers the tape roll housing 200 to limit access to the tape roll 500 contained therein.

The second cover plate 400 includes a second cover plate perimeter 420. In this embodiment, the second cover plate perimeter 420 extends beyond the housing perimeter 207 to form a second lateral flange 430. The second cover plate 400 entirely covers the tape roll housing 200 to limit access to the tape roll 500 contained therein.

In this embodiment, neither the first cover plate 300 nor the second cover plate 400 include a tape core support 440. Instead, the tape roll housing 200 sufficiently contains the tape roll 500.

The tape dispenser 100 includes a tape dispensing mechanism 210, which comprises a dispenser opening 211 in the protective wall 206 of the tape roll housing 200 and a cutting edge 212. In one embodiment, the cutting edge 212 does not extend beyond the length of the lateral flanges 330, 340. This provides for a more safely positioned cutting edge 212.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view a tape dispenser 100. As assembled, the tape dispenser 100 would essentially appear as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The tape dispenser 100 includes a tape roll housing 200, a first cover plate 300, and a second cover plate 400. In this embodiment, the second cover plate 400 is shown secured to the tape roll housing 200. Also, in this embodiment, instead of connecting pegs, the first cover plate 400 includes a connecting surface 310 that matches and engages through a friction fite with the tape roll housing 200.

The first cover plate 300 includes a first cover perimeter 320. At least a portion of the first cover perimeter 320 extends beyond the tape roll housing perimeter 207 to form a first lateral flange 330 (FIG. 3). The first cover plate 300 entirely covers the tape roll housing 200 to limit access to the tape roll 500 contained therein.

The second cover plate 400 includes a second cover plate perimeter 420. In this embodiment, the second cover plate perimeter 420 extends beyond the housing perimeter 207 to form a second lateral flange 430. (FIG. 3). The second cover plate 400 entirely covers the tape roll housing 200 to limit access to the tape roll 500 contained therein.

In this embodiment, the second cover plate 400 includes a tape core support 440. However, the tape core support 440 is not in the center of the second cover plate 400, like shown in FIG. 1. Instead the tape sore support 440 is off-center. Therefore, if this dispenser 100 is position upright (like shown in FIG. 3) on a desk, table, or other similar surface, then the weight of the tape 500 on the tape core support 440 will tend to cause the tape dispenser to remain stationary and not roll over the surface. It is understood that this feature could be provided in the previously described embodiments.

Further shown in this embodiment, are holding feet 601, 602. The holding feet 601, 602 shown are outward extending projections along the perimeter of the first cover plate 300. The holding feet 601, 602 are also located on the perimeter of the second cover plate 400 but are not visible in this view. The holding feet 601, 602 provide a stabilizing surface that allows the tape dispenser 100 to be positioned upright (like shown in FIG. 3) without rolling over a surface. It is understood a various sizes and numbers of these positioning feet may be included and that the positioning feet may be projections from the tape roll housing 200. It is understood that this feature could be provided in the previously described embodiments.

Further identified in this embodiment, is landing surface 209. A landing surface is a surface that the tape will stick to prior to cutting the tape with the cutting edge. For example, tape is pulled from the dispenser opening 211 to the desired length, then the user engages the surface against the landing surface 209 to stop the dispensing, and then the user pulls the tape against the cutting edge 212. The cutting edge is considered to have an x-direction along the longitudinal length of the cutting edge and a y-direction along the generally radially extending length of the upward projection of the cutting edge. Generally, conventional dispensers have the landing surface parallel with the longitudinal x-direction, but perpendicular with the y-direction of the cutting edge. However, as shown here, the landing surface 209 is parallel to the longitudinal x-direction, but also parallel with the generally axial y-direction of the cutting edge 212. In other embodiments, the landing surface and cutting edge do not need to be entirely parallel with one another but may be at an angle from 0 to 90 degrees relative to one another. A parallel aligned landing surface may allow for a “tent” to form by the tape stuck to the landing surface 209 and stuck to the cutting edge 212. Therefore, an unstuck edge of the tape is easily grabbed for the next use.

Although specific embodiments of this invention have been shown and described herein, it is understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the many possible specific arrangements that can be devised in application of the principles of the invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be devised in accordance with these principles by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the structures described in this application, but only by the structures described by the language of the claims and the equivalents of those structures.

TAPE DISPENSER

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Abstract

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