STANDING TAPE DISPENSER
A tape dispenser having a housing, a cavity within the housing and within which a roll of tape is rotatably retained, and pairs of front and rear legs. The housing is able to stand on a flat surface in two different orientations. In a first orientation, the housing is supported on curved tips of the front legs and a region of the tape roll. In a second orientation, the housing is supported by curved, rearwardly extending projections on the rear legs and a second region of the tape roll. The housing rotates on the tips or projections as tape is withdrawn from the roll. A blade angles downwardly from the front end of the housing and is retained a distance from the surface when the housing is in each of the first and second orientations. The housing is rotated through about ninety degrees between the first and second orientations.
This is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/687,255 filed Nov. 28, 2012, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to tape dispensers. More particularly, this invention relates to standing tape dispensers. Specifically, this invention is directed to a tape dispenser which is able to stand in two different orientations and retain the cutter blade and the free end of the tape roll a distance away from the surface upon which the dispenser rests.
2. Background Information
A wide variety of tape and tape dispensers is available on the market. The dispensers are particularly configured to receive and hold particular tape roll sizes in a suitable orientation for dispensing. A first group of dispensers have been designed to rest on flat surfaces such as desktops. These dispensers typically include a solid, heavy housing that rests on the desktop and includes a horizontally oriented support for the tape roll. The tape roll rotates about the horizontal support when tape is dispensed therefrom. Typically, this type of dispenser will retain fairly narrow width tape rolls. Other types of dispensers are designed to be hand-held. For narrower width tapes these dispensers may be manufactured from light weight, disposable plastic housings that fit easily within the palm of a user's hand. For slightly wider tapes, a group of hand-held dispensers may be fabricated from stronger plastics, thereby making the dispensers more substantial devices which can be reused. Yet other hand-held dispensers are configured for ease of use for applying wider width tapes for packaging and the like. Many of these dispensers are manufactured from more durable materials as they will undergo repeated, heavy duty use. A number of these packaging-type, hand-held dispensers are known as “tape guns” and include a handle for the user to hold onto the dispenser in a more comfortable fashion for a longer period of time.
Yet another group of tape dispensers is able to be used either as a hand-held dispenser or as a standing dispenser. This type of dispenser is particularly useful for dispensing wider tapes that are wound onto larger core rolls, for example tapes in the order of 2″ in width, wound onto 3″ cores, in lengths of around 60 yards. Several U.S. patents have been issued for this class of tape dispenser. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,672,238 (Samuelson) and related Design Pat. No. D362,684 (Samuelson et al) disclose hand-held/standing tape dispenser which includes a pair of front legs and a pair of back legs. The dispenser has longer front legs and shorter rear legs and is configured so that it may be used in a standing position in a single orientation. In that single orientation, the dispenser is able to stand on the tips of the front legs and a region of the tape roll which is retained on a hub between the front and rear legs. The dispenser disclosed in these patents retains the cutter blade off the surface upon which the dispenser rests but the user has to reach in under the horizontally extending cutter blade in order to grab hold of the free end of the tape. This can result in the user being accidentally cut by the cutter blade.
U.S. Design Pat. D507,020 (Mueller et al) discloses a tape dispenser that includes two pairs of legs positioned in front of a hub for supporting the tape roll. The front legs are shorter than the rear legs and when the tape roll is engaged on the hub, the dispenser rests on all of the front legs, rear legs and a region of the tape roll in a single orientation. The problem with this dispenser is that the cutter blade extends toward the surface upon which the dispenser rests and is held only a small distance off that surface. The user has to reach into the dispenser under the cutter blade to grasp the free end of the tape. Obviously, this arrangement presents a bit of a safety hazard.
U.S. Design Pat. Nos. D442,227 and D448,413 (Carlson et al) are able to be used as hand-held or standing tape dispensers. As with the Samuleson et al dispenser, the Carlson et al dispensers are able to be stood in a single orientation on a flat surface. The rear legs of the Carlson et al dispensers are shorter than the front legs thereof and the dispensers are therefore able to stand on the tips of the front legs and a portion of tape roll. The cutter blade extends horizontally from the front of the dispenser and therefore presents the same type of hazard as the Samuelson et al dispensers.
Several other patents disclose tape dispensers which have two pairs of legs that are generally of the same length. U.S. Design Pat. D573, 645 (Sommers et al) falls into this category. This dispenser may be used as a hand-held dispenser and may also be used as a standing tape dispenser. Sommers et al illustrates in the patent that the dispenser is able to rest on the top wall between the front and rear legs in such a way that the legs extend outwardly from the surface upon which the top wall rests. The dispenser may also be flipped over and stood on two or four of the almost equal length legs and/or portions of the tape roll. In either standing position, the location of the cutter blade is less than ideal and presents a cutting hazard for the user. Additionally, if the tape dispenser stands on its legs, the quantity of tape on the roll is critical because too much tape will tend to create instability in the standing dispenser. This is because the dispenser has to partially rest on the circumferential surface of the tape roll. If the roll is almost full, the circumferential surface of the roll may project for a distance below the tips of the front and/or rear legs. The dispenser can rest on the front legs and tape roll or on the back legs and tape roll. The problem is that the dispenser can therefore move back and forth between these two positions. This makes dispensing tape slightly hazardous because the cutter blade may move suddenly to a new position as the tape is withdrawn from the roll and pressure is applied thereto to cut the tape.
There is therefore a need in the art for a tape dispenser which is able to be used as a hand-held and standing dispenser; which is configured to retain larger core, wider widths of tape thereon, which will be able to stand on a flat surface in a stable fashion during dispensing of the tape, and which includes a cutter blade in a position within the dispenser that tends to be safer for a user to access and cut the tape.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA tape dispenser having a housing, a cavity within the housing and within which a roll of tape is rotatably retained, and pairs of front and rear legs. The housing is able to stand on a flat surface in two different orientations. In a first orientation, the housing is supported on curved tips of the front legs and a region of the tape roll. In a second orientation, the housing is supported by curved, rearwardly extending projections on the rear legs and a second region of the tape roll. The housing rotates on the tips or projections as tape is withdrawn from the roll. A blade angles downwardly from the front end of the housing and is retained a distance from the surface when the housing is in each of the first and second orientations. The housing is rotated through about ninety degrees between the first and second orientations.
The standing tape dispenser of the present invention has advantages over the prior art in that the configuration tends to keep the cutter blade and tape end off the surface upon which the dispenser rests. Furthermore, the orientation and position of the cutter blade relative to the surface upon which the dispenser rests tends to pose less of a safety hazard than previously known devices. Apart from the cutter blade being in a safer operational position, it is also positioned so that the blade is in a more natural orientation for a user to grasp and cut the tape than is possible with previously known devices.
A preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated of the best mode in which Applicant contemplates applying the principles, is set forth in the following description and is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.
Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONReferring to
Dispenser 10 comprises a housing having a first side 12, a second side 14, and a top wall 16 which extends between portions of first and second sides 12, 14. A cutter assembly 18 is provided at a front end 16a of top wall 16. Preferably, dispenser 10 is fabricated from plastic. Cutter assembly 18 preferably is fabricated from metal but may alternatively be fabricated from plastic. Dispenser 10 is configured to engage and retain a roll of tape 20 therein, most particularly adhesive tape. Roll of tape 20 includes a core 22 and an elongate length of adhesive tape 24 which is wound onto core 22. Core 22 preferably is of the type that is about 3 inches in diameter, with the tape 24 being around 1 inch in width to around 2 inches in width. The width of top wall 16 of dispenser 10 is configured to be complementary to the width of tape 24 to be dispensed from dispenser 10. The tape dispenser 10 in accordance with the present invention preferably retains rolls of tape 20 that are either 55′ or 110′ in length wound on 3″ diameter cores. Dispenser 10 is able to retain these rolls 20 therein in a stand-up configuration which keeps the free end 24a (
First side 12 and second side 14 of the housing are mirror images of each other. First side 12 is generally U-shaped when viewed from the side and includes an exterior surface 12a, an interior surface 12b (
First side 12 further includes a front leg 26, a rear leg 28, and a curved intermediate region 30 which extends between front and rear legs 26, 28. Front leg 26 is located a short distance inwardly from front end 12g of first side 12. Front edge 12e defines the front region of front leg 26 and a portion 26a of bottom edge 12d defines the rear region of front leg 26. Portion 26a preferably is straight and disposed substantially at right angles to a longitudinal axis “Y” (
Rear leg 28 of first side 12 is located a spaced distance rearwardly of front leg 26. Front and rear legs 26, 28 are thus separated by a gap 13 (
Front edge 12e of front leg 26 and rear edge 12f of rear leg 28 angle outwardly in generally opposite directions to each other when viewed from the side. Rear leg 28 is wider proximate top edge 12c of first side 12 and tapers toward tip 28b. It should be noted that front leg 26 and rear leg 28 are disposed generally in the same longitudinal plane (
In accordance with a specific feature of the present invention, front leg 26 is longer than rear leg 28, i.e., front leg 26 extends downwardly from top edge 12c of first side 12 for a greater distance than does rear leg 28. Tip 26b of front leg 26 is spaced a distance “D” (
As indicated previously, second side 14 is a mirror image of first side 12 and will therefore not be described in any detail other than to identify components identical to those on first side 12 and to provide those components with reference numbers. Second side 14 includes an exterior surface 14a, an interior surface 14b (
Exterior surface 12a of first side 12 is substantially flat along its length from front end 12g to rear end 12h thereof, with the exception of a gripping region 32 which projects outwardly from exterior surface 12a and a slight inward jog illustrated in
Interior surface 12b of first side includes a tape rest 34 which extends inwardly therefrom and toward second side 14. Tape rest 34 thus projects for a short distance into the cavity between first and second sides 12, 14 of the housing. Tape rest 34 is located proximate front edge 12e and a short distance downwardly from a bottom end 32a of gripping region 32. Interior surface 14b of second side 14 includes a substantially identical tape rest 35. Tape rests 34, 35 are positioned and oriented to present a surface upon which a free end 24a of the tape is able to rest between dispensing episodes.
A first hub section 36 extends inwardly from interior surface 12b of first side 12 and towards second side 14. First hub section 36 is located rearwardly of tape rest 34. First hub section 36 is generally semi-circular in cross-sectional shape and is complementary to the curvature of the tape roll 20 that is to be engaged therewith.
As indicated earlier herein, top wall 16 extends between first and second sides 12, 14. Top wall 16 includes a front end 16a, a rear end 16b, and a first section 16c, a second section 16d disposed between front and rear ends 16a, 16b, and shoulder regions 16e located in the transition zone between first and second regions 16c, 16d. Front end 16a extends between front ends 12g, 14g (
Second section 16d of top wall 16 originates at the rearwardmost region of first section 16c, extends rearwardly away therefrom and toward rear ends 12h, 14h of first and second sides 12, 14, terminating in second end 16b. Second section 16d is an elongate convexly-curved member that is of a width “W1” that is smaller than the width “W” of first section 16c. The width “W1” of second section preferably is also slightly narrower than the gap between the innermost surfaces 36a, 42a of first and second hubs 36, 42, as is illustrated in
In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, first section 16c of top wall 16 defines an aperture 44 therein. Aperture 44 may be of any desired configuration but in the preferred embodiment of the invention, aperture 44 is generally triangular in shape. Aperture 44 decreases the overall weight of top wall 16 and also serves to indicate to the consumer where the front end of dispenser 10 is located inasmuch as the apex of the triangular aperture 44 is proximate cutter assembly 18.
In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, first section 16c of top wall 16 also includes a concave indentation 46. Indentation 46 is configured to receive a fingertip of user therein. A front end 46a of indentation 46 preferably originates in the base of the triangular aperture 44. The rear end 46b of indentation 46 is disposed generally in alignment with the shoulder regions 16e of first section 16c. The portion of indentation 46 which extends between the front and rear ends 46a, 46b is generally oval in shape, and extends generally along the longitudinal axis “Y” of dispenser 10. A plurality of alternating ridges and valleys (not numbered) are provided on the exterior surface of fingertip indentation 46. The ridges and valleys preferably are oriented at right angles to the longitudinal axis “Y”. These ridges and valleys provide a gripping surface within indentation 46.
Cutter assembly 18 is secured to front end 16a of top wall 16 and includes a housing 48 (
Dispenser 10 is used in the following manner. Tape roll 20 is engaged in dispenser 10 by disengaging first and second detents 38, 40 (
Thus, when the user no longer wishes to hold dispenser 10 in one hand, they are able to place dispenser 10 on surface 52 in the first orientation (
As the tape 24 is withdrawn, the amount wound onto core 22 diminishes, thereby reducing the overall thickness of the tape 24 on core 22. This progressive reduction in tape thickness causes dispenser 10 to rotate on the curved outer surface of tips 26b, 27b of front legs 26, 27 in the direction of arrow “C” (
It will be noted that, initially, when tape dispenser 10 is in the first orientation and the roll 20 is full of tape 24, the distance between the tips 26a, 27a and the contact point of the first region of tape 24 with surface 52 is relatively short. This distance is indicated by the line “X1” in
Similarly, when dispenser 10 in is the second orientation and the tape roll 20 is full, the distance between rear ends 12h, 14h and the contact point of the second region of tape 24 on surface 52 is relatively small and is indicated by the reference number “X3” in
Because the two front legs 26, 27 and the two rear legs 28, 29 are spaced laterally from each other, and are spaced a distance longitudinally from the contact point (first or second region) of the tape roll 20 on surface 52, tape dispenser 10 remains stable at all times during dispensing of tape 24 therefrom. Additionally, when tape dispenser 10 is in either of the first and second orientations on surface 52, the cutter blade 50 is kept, at all times, a suitable distance away from the surface 52 upon which dispenser 10 rests and is therefore available to cut tape 24 dispensed from roll 20 in a safe fashion.
In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.
Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention are an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.
Claims
1. A tape dispenser comprising:
- a housing having a front end and a rear end and a longitudinal axis extending between the front end and rear end;
- a cavity defined within the housing; said housing being adapted to rotatably retain a roll of tape therein;
- a cutter blade provided at the front end of the housing;
- a pair of front legs provided on the housing a distance longitudinally rearwardly of the cutter blade; wherein each of the front legs terminates in a tip; and
- a pair of rear legs provided proximate the rear end of the housing; wherein each rear leg has an upper end and a lower end and a rear edge that extends between the upper and lower ends thereof; wherein the lower end of each rear leg terminates in a tip; and wherein the upper ends of the rear legs are located a distance longitudinally outwardly beyond the lower ends of the rear legs.
2. The tape dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the rear edges of the rear legs are oriented at an obtuse angle relative to the tips of the rear legs.
3. The tape dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the rear edges of the rear legs are curved.
4. The tape dispenser as defined in claim 3, wherein the rear edge of each rear leg includes a convexly curved section that forms the upper end of the associated rear leg; and a concavely curved section that extends downwardly from the convexly curved section thereof and toward the tip of the associated rear leg.
5. The tape dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the front legs have upper ends located a distance away from the tips of the front legs; and wherein the front legs are of a longer length than the rear legs; where the length of each of the front and rear legs is measured from the upper ends thereof to the tips thereof.
6. The tape dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein a rear wall connects a left side wall and a right side wall of the housing together; said rear wall being located proximate each rear leg.
7. The tape dispenser as defined in claim 6, wherein the rear wall comprises a first wall section that extends outwardly from an inner surface of the left side wall and a second wall section that extends outwardly from an inner surface of the right side wall and the first and second wall sections are adapted to be selectively separated from each other to introduce the roll of tape into the cavity.
8. The tape dispenser as defined in claim 7, wherein the first and second wall sections are selectively interlockingly engaged with each other.
9. The tape dispenser as defined in claim 1, further comprising a top wall provided on the housing; and wherein a generally U-shaped depression is provided in the top wall and is adapted to provide a finger-tip rest on the top wall; and wherein a plurality of ridges are provided in the U-shaped depression.
10. The tape dispenser as defined in claim 9, wherein the top wall is separated from each of a left side wall and a right side wall of the housing by a gap; and the top wall terminate a distance forwardly of the upper ends of the rear legs.
11. The tape dispenser as defined in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of ridges provided on an exterior surface of each of a left side wall and a right side wall of the housing rearwardly of the cutter blade.
12. In combination,
- a tape dispenser and a roll of tape; wherein the tape dispenser comprises:
- a housing having a front end and a rear end and a longitudinal axis extending between the front end and rear end;
- a cavity defined within the housing;
- a cutter blade provided at the front end of the housing;
- a pair of front legs provided on the housing a distance longitudinally rearwardly of the cutter blade; wherein each of the front legs terminates in a tip; and
- a pair of rear legs provided proximate the rear end of the housing; wherein each rear leg has an upper end and a lower end and a rear edge that extends between the upper and lower ends thereof; wherein the lower end of each rear leg terminates in a tip; and wherein the upper ends of the rear legs are located a distance longitudinally outwardly beyond the lower ends of the rear legs;
- wherein the roll of tape is receivable in the cavity defined by the housing of the dispenser; and wherein the tape dispenser is adapted to selectively stand upon a flat surface in a first orientation or in a second orientation; and when in the first orientation the tips of the front legs and the roll of tape are in contact with the flat surface; and when in the second orientation, the upper ends of the rear legs and the roll of tape are in contact with the flat surface.
13. The combination as defined in claim 12, wherein the rear edges of the rear legs are oriented at an obtuse angle relative to the tips of the rear legs and are therefore adapted to be oriented at an obtuse angle relative to the flat surface when the tape dispenser is in the first orientation.
14. The combination as defined in claim 12, wherein the rear edges of the rear legs are curved.
15. The combination as defined in claim 14, wherein the rear edge of each rear leg includes a convexly curved section that forms the upper end of the associated rear leg; and a concavely curved section that extends downwardly from the convexly curved section thereof and toward the tip of the associated rear leg.
16. The combination as defined in claim 12, wherein the front legs have upper ends located a distance away from the tips of the front legs; and wherein the front legs are of a longer length than the rear legs; where the length of each of the front and rear legs is measured from the upper ends thereof to the tips thereof.
17. The combination as defined in claim 12, wherein a rear wall connects a left side wall and a right side wall of the housing together; said rear wall being located proximate each rear leg; wherein the rear wall comprises a first wall section that extends outwardly from an inner surface of the left side wall and a second wall section that extends outwardly from an inner surface of the right side wall and the first and second wall sections are selectively separated from each other to introduce the roll of tape into the cavity.
18. The combination as defined in claim 17, wherein the first and second wall sections are selectively interlockingly engaged with each other.
19. The combination as defined in claim 12, wherein the roll of tape extends outwardly beyond the rear edges of the rear legs.
20. The combination as defined in claim 12, wherein the housing is movable through about 90 degrees between the first orientation and the second orientation.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 28, 2016
Publication Date: Jul 21, 2016
Inventor: Kapoor Chandaria (Nairobi)
Application Number: 15/082,698