Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a pre-determined cut length of tape that includes a tape dispensing system that includes a tape dispenser, a scaling sensor that determines the length of a box or object to which the cut length of tape is to be applied and a control system including a processor processing signals from the scaling sensor to determine the length of the cut length of tape to be dispensed and controlling the dispenser to dispense the required length of tape.

Abstract: A method and the required apparatus for carrying out the manual application of a pre-set length of tape to seal a carton that uses a tape hold down and a tape dispenser. The tape dispenser stops the movement of tape being pulled therefrom when the desired pre-set length of tape has been dispensed and which is cut to provide a free tape portion is used to provide the tape portion that is to be applied manually to seal the carton. The flaps of the carton being sealed are held in place when the tape portion is being applied by a U-shaped flap holder formed by a pair of L-shaped legs that are spaced to permit application of the tape portion to the carton between the legs when the flap folder is in position holding the flaps closed.