TAPE PRODUCT DISPENSER AND METHOD OF USING A TAPE PRODUCT DISPENSER

Abstract

A tape product dispenser and method of using a tape product dispenser comprises a reel member comprising an internal loading surface for loading a tape product and a housing. The housing comprises a lower portion, an upper portion configured to be opened to permit access to the reel member and a housing port to enable dispensing of a tape product from an interior of the housing or loading of a tape product from outside of the housing. The lower portion and upper portion cooperate to at least partially enclose the reel member.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to tape product dispensers and methods of using tape product dispensers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tape products may include knife tape, thin paint tape, and edge cut tape products that are used for many different purposes. Knife tape and edge cut tape products may be used to apply graphics for advertising or otherwise displaying graphics on signs, automobiles, buildings, and numerous other surfaces. Additionally, vehicle painters, pinstripe installers, and graphics installers use tape products such as thin paint tape and knife tape to precisely apply complicated paint and vinyl graphic designs.

Tape products are typically supplied in a bulk roll. The user must simultaneously unroll and handle the bulk roll while attempting to apply the tape product to a work surface in a desired pattern. However, many applications of tape products require the tape product to be applied using extensive artistic and utilitarian design techniques. Some of these design techniques include the use of curves, swirls, perfect straight lines, complete changes in tape direction, and placement over uneven surfaces, convex and concave curves, overlapping seams, and onto difficult areas to access. Handling of the cumbersome bulk tape roll often hinders the creation and application of these complicated paint and graphic patterns.

Therefore, there remains a need for a tape product dispenser that reduces the handling requirements of the user as the tape product is applied to a work surface. Additionally, a tape product dispenser that can be quickly and securely loaded from a bulk roll is desirable in order to reduce transfer time of the tape product from the bulk roll to the tape product dispenser.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a tape product dispenser is provided comprising a reel member comprising an internal loading surface for loading a tape product. The tape product dispenser further comprises a housing comprising a lower portion, an upper portion configured to be opened to permit access to the reel, and a housing port to enable dispensing of a tape product from an interior of the housing or loading of a tape product from outside of the housing. The lower portion and upper portion cooperate to at least partially enclose the reel member, and the upper portion includes a central opening to allow rotation of the reel member.

In accordance with further aspects of the invention, the reel member may further comprise a central protrusion that protrudes into the central opening to permit rotation of the reel member from outside of the housing. The central protrusion may comprise a central indentation configured to engage a tool such that rotation of the tool enables rotation of the reel member. The tool may comprise a screwdriver, screw gun, drill, or similar rotating or driving instrument.

In accordance with still further aspects of the invention, the reel member may further comprise a central portion configured to allow rotation of the reel member upon rotation of the central portion. The reel member may further comprise a loading cavity adjacent to the internal loading surface to enable loading of a tape product onto the internal loading surface. The reel member may further comprise a loading flange configured to be disposed adjacent to the lower portion of the housing and to cooperate with the loading surface to load a tape product onto the loading surface.

In accordance with still further aspects of the present invention, the upper portion may be at least partially transparent. Additionally, the upper portion and lower portion may each comprise a cylindrical shape, and the upper portion may comprise a lid that is separable from the lower portion. The lower portion may comprise a magnetic member configured to allow magnetic coupling of the lower portion of the housing to a mounting surface. The lower portion may further comprise an outer surface comprising a low friction material configured to minimize damage to the mounting surface due to contact with the lower portion.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of using a tape product dispenser is provided comprising providing a reel member comprising an internal loading surface, providing a housing comprising a lower portion, an upper portion and a housing port, placing a portion of a tape product through the housing port such that the portion is inside the housing, placing the portion of the tape product on the internal loading surface, closing the housing such that the housing at least partially encloses the reel member, rotating the reel member such that the portion of the tape product and additional portions of the tape product are loaded onto the internal loading surface, and dispensing the tape product through the housing port.

In accordance with further aspects of the invention, the method of using a tape product dispenser may further comprise opening the housing at the upper portion to access the reel member before placing the portion of the tape product through the housing port. Additionally, the method of using a tape product dispenser may comprise opening the housing at the upper portion to access the reel member after placing the portion of the tape product through the housing port and before placing the portion of the tape product on the internal loading surface.

In accordance with still further aspects of the invention, the method of using a tape product dispenser may further comprise placing the portion of the tape product on a loading flange disposed adjacent to the lower portion of the housing that cooperates with the loading surface to load a tape product onto the loading surface. Placing the portion of the tape product on the internal loading surface may comprise placing the portion of the tape product on or into a loading cavity to enable loading of a tape product onto the internal loading surface. Rotating the reel member may comprise engaging a central portion of the reel member to permit rotation of the reel member from outside of the housing. Rotating the reel member may further comprise engaging a central protrusion of the reel member, which protrudes into a central opening of the upper portion of the housing, with a mechanical or motorized device such that rotation of said mechanical or motorized device enables rotation of said reel member. A mechanical or motorized device of the present invention may include a crank, screwdriver, screw gun, or drill such that rotation of the screwdriver, screw gun, or drill enables rotation of the reel member. Dispensing may comprise pulling the tape product through the housing port. Dispensing may further comprise magnetically coupling the lower portion of the housing to a mounting surface, wherein the mounting surface may include a vehicle surface or an item worn by the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying Drawing Figures, in which like reference numerals identify like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tape product dispenser according to aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a tape product dispenser according to aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tape product dispenser and one embodiment of engagement of the tape product dispenser according to aspects of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a tape product dispenser and another embodiment of engagement of the tape product dispenser according to aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, and not by way of limitation, a specific preferred embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a tape product dispenser is provided to dispense tape products including, but not limited to, knife tape products, thin paint tape products, and edge cut tape products for use by installers such as vinyl graphic installers, vehicle wrap installers, vehicle painters, vehicle pinstripe artists, and sign painters or designers. The present invention aids application of a variety of tape and tape cutting products to various surfaces such as vehicles, indoor substrates, and outdoor substrates.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which shows a tape product dispenser 10 according to aspects of the present invention. The dispenser 10 is shown having a housing 12 comprising a lower portion 14 and an upper portion 16. The upper portion 16 is configured to be opened to permit access to a reel member 18. In the preferred embodiment, the housing 12 is in the shape of a cylinder with the upper portion 16 of the housing 12 being a transparent lid. When the upper portion 16 is closed, a transparent lid allows observation of the rotation of the reel member 18 to confirm proper loading of tape product while also providing an indication of the amount of tape product on the reel member 18. A housing port 20 is shown on the lower portion 14 of the housing 12 in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1. The housing port 20 enables dispensing of a tape product from an interior of the housing 12. Additionally, the housing port 20 enables loading of a tape product from outside of the housing 12 as will be further explained below. As shown in FIG. 1, the upper portion 16 includes a central opening 24 to allow access to, and rotation of, the reel member 18 from outside of the housing 12 when the dispenser 10 is assembled as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the exploded view of FIG. 2 shows the lower portion 14 and the upper portion 16 of the dispenser 10 cooperating to at least partially enclose the reel member 18. The reel member 18 includes an internal loading surface 26 onto which a tape product is loaded when the reel member 18 is rotated. The reel member 18 of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2 additionally includes a loading cavity 28 adjacent to the internal loading surface 26. When a tape product is initially loaded onto the internal loading surface 26, an end portion of the tape product is placed through the housing port 20 before the end portion of the tape product is placed on a surface of the loading cavity 28 to enable loading of the tape product onto the internal loading surface 26 through rotation of the reel member 18. The central opening 24 allows the reel member 18 to be rotated with the upper portion 16 of the housing 12 connected with the lower portion 14 to at least partially enclose the reel member 18. However, reel member 18 may also be rotated with the upper portion 16 removed from the lower portion 14. FIG. 2 illustrates the loading cavity 28 as a slot that extends through a central cylinder of the reel member 18. However, the loading cavity 28 may include any surface or cavity designed to initiate loading of the tape product onto the reel member 18 prior to or during rotation of the reel member 18.

FIG. 2 additionally illustrates a loading flange 30 extending radially outward from the internal loading surface 26. The loading flange 30 is disposed adjacent to the lower portion 14 of the housing 12 when the dispenser 10 is assembled as shown in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1. During loading and dispensing, the loading flange 30 cooperates with the internal loading surface 26 to load and support a tape product on the internal loading surface 26.

Additionally, FIGS. 1 and 2 of the present invention illustrate a central portion 32 of the reel member 18. Central portion 32 is also referred to herein as a central protrusion 32. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, central protrusion 32 is intended to protrude into the central opening 24 of the upper portion 16 of the housing 12 when the dispenser is assembled as shown in FIG. 1. The central protrusion 32, loading flange 30, internal loading surface 26, and loading cavity 28 of the reel member 18 are all integrally connected to each other as one machined polymeric piece in the preferred embodiment. However, these integral portions of the reel member 18 may be separately formed and coupled together into a reel member assembly. Additionally, any portion of the reel member 18 may be formed by other manufacturing processes, such as molding, and may be comprised of another material such as wood, metal, composite, or combinations thereof.

The central protrusion 32 and the central opening 24 of the upper portion 16 of the housing 12, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, cooperate to allow the reel member 18 to be accessed from outside of the housing 12 such that the reel member 18 may be rotated with the upper portion 16 of the housing 12 closed. FIG. 2 shows the central protrusion 32 of the preferred embodiment including a central indentation 34 to enable engagement with a tool to allow rotation of the reel member 18.

Additionally, FIGS. 3 and 4 further illustrate the central indentation 34 of the preferred embodiment being configured to engage a tool such as a screwdriver 36, screw gun 38, or drill 38 to enable rotation of the reel member 18 from outside of the housing 12 when the upper portion 16 is closed. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the dispenser 10 is quickly and securely loaded with tape product from a bulk roll 40 with the use of either a screwdriver 36, screw gun 38, or drill 38 to rotate the reel member 18. In place of a tool engaging the reel member 18, the reel member 18 of the present invention may include a crank or similar device (not shown) integrally formed with, or coupled to, the reel member 18 to rotate the reel member 18 from outside of the housing 12. Further, the crank or similar device may be removable or releasably attached to the reel member 18.

Referring again to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 2, the lower portion 14 of housing 12 comprises a magnetic member 42. The magnetic member 42 of the preferred embodiment is a thin rare earth magnet that is fastened to an inside surface 44 of the lower portion 14 of the housing 12. The magnetic member 42 is configured to allow magnetic coupling of the housing 12 to a mounting surface, such as a metallic or magnetic vehicle panel, wrist band, vest, or jacket. The outside surface 46 of the lower portion 14 of the housing 12 comprises a low friction material configured to minimize damage to the mounting surface due to contact with the lower portion 14. In the preferred embodiment, the outer surface 46 of the lower portion 14 includes a fiberglass tape covering. Additionally, an outer surface of the reel member 18 may also include a low friction material, such as a fiberglass tape covering, in order to reduce rotational resistance due to friction between the reel member 18 and the inside surfaces of the housing 12. In place of, or in addition to, the magnetic member 42, other fastening devices may be utilized to couple the housing 12 to a mounting surface. Such fastening devices may include hook and loop fasteners, adhesives, or mechanical fasteners.

Upon dispensing, the tape product is pulled from the dispenser 10 through the housing port 20. In order to increase dexterity for the user, the lower portion 14 may be magnetically attached to a metallic surface, such as a vehicle, wrist band, waist, tool pouch, vest, or jacket surface, as the tape product is pulled and applied to the mounting surface. Once attached to the mounting surface, the user has complete two-handed access to the tape product so that the tape may be placed onto a work surface for unlimited artistic and utilitarian design, including the use of curves, swirls, perfect straight lines, complete changes in tape direction, and placement over convex and concave curves, overlapping seams, and onto difficult areas to access.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A tape product dispenser, comprising: a reel member comprising an internal loading surface for loading a tape product; anda housing, comprising: a lower portion;an upper portion configured to be opened to permit access to said reel member; anda housing port to enable dispensing of a tape product from an interior of said housing or loading of a tape product from outside of said housing,wherein said lower portion and upper portion cooperate to at least partially enclose said reel member.

2. The tape product dispenser of claim 1, wherein said reel member further comprises a central protrusion that protrudes into a central opening of said upper portion to permit rotation of said reel member from outside of said housing.

3. The tape product dispenser of claim 2, wherein said central protrusion comprises a central indentation configured to engage a tool such that rotation of said tool enables rotation of said reel member.

4. The tape product dispenser of claim 1, wherein said reel member further comprises a central portion configured to allow rotation of said reel member upon rotation of said central portion.

5. The tape product dispenser of claim 1, wherein said reel member further comprises a loading cavity adjacent to said internal loading surface to enable loading of a tape product onto said internal loading surface.

6. The tape product dispenser of claim 1, wherein said reel member further comprises a loading flange configured to be disposed adjacent to said lower portion of said housing and to cooperate with said loading surface to load a tape product onto said loading surface.

7. The tape product dispenser of claim 1, wherein said upper portion is at least partially transparent.

8. The tape product dispenser of claim 1, wherein said upper portion and lower portion each comprise a cylindrical shape and said upper portion comprises a lid that is separable from said lower portion.

9. The tape product dispenser of claim 1, wherein said housing comprises a magnetic member configured to allow magnetic coupling of said housing to a mounting surface.

10. The tape product dispenser of claim 9, wherein said housing further comprises an outer surface comprising a low-friction material configured to minimize damage to said mounting surface due to contact with said lower portion.

11. A method of using a tape product dispenser, comprising: providing a reel member comprising an internal loading surface;providing a housing comprising:a lower portion;an upper portion; anda housing port;placing a portion of a tape product through said housing port such that said portion is inside said housing;placing said portion of said tape product on said internal loading surface;closing said housing such that said housing at least partially encloses said reel member;rotating said reel member such that said portion of said tape product and additional portions of said tape product are loaded onto said internal loading surface; anddispensing said tape product through said housing port.

12. The method of using a tape product dispenser of claim 11, further comprising: opening said housing at said upper portion to access said reel member before said placing said portion of said tape product through said housing port.

13. The method of using a tape product dispenser of claim 11, further comprising: opening said housing at said upper portion to access said reel member after said placing said portion of said tape product through said housing port and before said placing said portion of said tape product on said internal loading surface.

14. The method of using a tape product dispenser of claim 11, wherein placing said portion of said tape product on said internal loading surface comprises placing said portion of said tape product on a loading cavity to enable loading of a tape product onto said internal loading surface.

15. The method of using a tape product dispenser of claim 11, wherein said rotating said reel member comprises engaging a central portion of said reel member to permit rotation of said reel member from outside of said housing.

16. The method of using a tape product dispenser of claim 15, wherein said engaging further comprises engaging a central protrusion that protrudes into a central opening of said upper portion with a mechanical or motorized device such that rotation of said mechanical or motorized device enables rotation of said reel member.

17. The method of using a tape product dispenser of claim 11, wherein said dispensing further comprises coupling said housing to a mounting surface.

18. The method of using a tape product dispenser of claim 17, wherein said mounting surface includes a vehicle surface.

19. The method of using a tape product dispenser of claim 17, wherein said mounting surface includes a user surface.

20. The method of using a tape product dispenser of claim 19, wherein said user surface includes one of a wristband, belt, tool pouch, vest, and jacket surface.