Dual tape dispenser and method of dispensing reversed-conjoined tapes

Abstract

A dual tape dispenser and method of dispensing reversed-conjoined tapes which includes housing panels configured with two rotatable tape-roll hubs mounted perpendicularly to the vertical housing panels to hold two rolls of tapes with one of the tapes is reversed so that an adhesive edge of the first tape is conjoined longitudinally to a reversed adhesive edge of the second tape when the tape ends are being dispensed simultaneously on the same path. A plurality of configurations for the dual tape dispenser dispensing reversed-conjoined tapes may be manufactured for use with tape bore openings ranging from three inches to one inch in diameter for scaled-down versions to accommodate smaller tape rolls in all of which the dispensers are for dispensing reversed-conjoined tapes that are partially and longitudinally overlapped on the inside edges, thus exposing the remain adhesive portion on each side of the reversed-conjoined tapes.

Description

The present invention relates to tape dispensers and more particularly to dual tape dispenser for dispensing reversed-conjoined tapes by having two rolls of tapes partially offset with one of the tapes is reversed so that an adhesive edge on the first tape is conjoined to a reversed adhesive edge on the second tape when both tape ends are being dispensed together on the same path.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

Tape dispensing devices have been in use for many years. There are tape dispensers made for dispensing a single tape, multiple tapes for selections of different colors and sizes in all of which are independent from one another. There are tape dispensers conventionally used for dispensing masking tapes, duct tapes, medical tapes, office tapes and other general purpose tapes. Certain tape dispensers are used to dispense tape together with a roll of paper or a folded plastic sheet in a roll as used for sprayed painting, staining or texturing. These tape dispensers are necessary tools for use in remodeling profession; however, there is no prior art related to a dual tape dispenser which dispenses reversed-conjoined tapes so that the remained adhesive portion of the first tape is taped onto a substrate surface and the adjacent reversed adhesive portion of the second tape is exposed and is ready for user to attach other material to, such as an edge or a folded edge of a plastic sheet or paper to mask off areas, such as doors, countertops, refrigerator, etc., that are not supposed to be sprayed with materials like paint, stain, wet join compound or plaster for texturing when using a spraying machine; Also to mask off framed openings, open spaces, ceilings and floors to prevent dust, sprayed paint or stain, etc. from being blown into other rooms; Or to be utilized for other purposes such as posting posters, pictures, drawings and the like for office, home and/or school display. Reversed-conjoined tapes works similar to double-sided adhesive tapes but have several choices of different pressure sensitive strengths with easily released pressure sensitive adhesive that are intended for how many days they can be used without leaving residue or damaging the surfaces to which they are applied onto; Other types of tapes come in smaller tape rolls can also be dispensed as a reversed-conjoined tapes to attain double-sided adhesive tape feature, therefore it can be ripped apart near the inside joined edges to avoid damaging to the pictures, posters or drawings.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Clearly all of the existing dispensers, such as tape dispensers for desk top are for dispensing a single roll of tape or multiple tape rolls to be dispensed individually. Closely related to this invention is the Hand-Masker Dispenser by 3M company for dispensing masking tape together with masking paper or folded plastic sheet in a roll, offer certain features that are convenient for certain tasks; However, in certain situations, those dispensers would not be practical when user need to apply tape along the edges and attach the edge of the plastic sheet or paper thereafter.

By way of contrast, the instant invention is directed to and claims a method and apparatus of a dual tape dispenser holding two roll of tapes to be dispensed together longitudinally with one of the tape roll is reversed so that a portion of adhesive side of the first tape is affixed to a reversed portion of adhesive side of the second tape.

SUMMARY OF THE ADVANTAGES AND SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

An advantage of the present invention is to provide a dual tape dispenser dispensing reversed-conjoined tapes with one of the tapes is reversed so that an adhesive edge of the first tape is conjoined longitudinally to a reversed adhesive edge of the second tape when both tape ends are being dispensed together simultaneously on the same path. Currently, there is none of the tape dispensers on the market which dispenses two rolls of tapes with one of which is reversed so that when one tape is affixed to a substrate surface, the other reversed tape is exposed so that other materials such as plastic sheet or paper can be easily attached to, which is an ideal solution for painters and interior finishers when they need to mask off certain areas to prevent paint, stain, join compound, dust or the like from being blown into or onto.

Another advantage for many people is that users may use dual tape dispenser dispensing reversed-conjoined tapes to post pictures, drawings, posters and the like for office, home and/or schools without using pins, or spending too much time making a loop out of a one-sided adhesive tape. Pressure sensitive tapes comes in a wide selection of how many days the tapes can be used without leaving residue on the walls, without damaging the pictures or posters and that the tapes can easily be removed.

Accordingly, this invention has an object to provide a dual tape dispensing device of the character described above which is technically simple to mass produce, simple to assemble and easy for end user to use. These and other objects will be manifest when considering the following detailed drawing specifications when taken in conjunction with the appended drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a dimetric view as seen from a front angle below the dual tape dispenser in accordance with the present invention in which the cutting blade is separated from the cutting blade receptacle.

FIG. 2 is a right side view showing the first tape roll to be in the front of the dispenser as seen on the right side; and the second tape roll to be at the rear as seen on the left side which is under the handle.

FIG. 3 is a left side view showing the first tape roll to be on the left side and the second tape roll to be on the right side which is under the handle.

FIG. 4 is a top view showing the handle on the left side and the first tape roll to be on the right side.

FIG. 5 is a dimetric view as seen from an angle below the cutting blade which showed a cut-a-way notch on the opposite edge of the cutting blade.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIG. 1-5, a dual tape dispenser in accordance with the present invention is shown, in FIG. 1, a dimetric view of an assembled dual tape dispenser dispensing reversed-conjoined tapes. The components and their positions are illustrated and described hereinafter as seen from a front angle below the dispenser.

On the right side of FIG. 1 is the first tape-roll hub 21 with a tape roll 22 installed is positioned at the front on the first housing panel 1. As when the tape end 29 is being pulled from the first tape roll 22 which turns clockwise as viewed from the right side as shown on FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the tape end 29 being pulled would travel toward the first cantilevered spindle 8, then turn 180 degree to reverse the direction of travel toward the front where the cutting blade 10 is snapped onto the cutting-blade receptacle 6. The tape 22 being pulled would have the adhesive side of the tape facing downward.

On the left side of FIG. 1 is the second tape-roll hub 19 with a tape roll 20 installed is positioned at the rear on the second housing panel 2. A washer 18 and a bolt 17 hold the second tape-roll hub 19 in place at the second housing panel 2 as seen on FIG. 1. As when the tape end 30 is being pulled from the second tape roll 20 which turns counterclockwise as viewed from the right side as shown on FIG. 1 and FIG. 2., the tape end 30 being pulled from the tape roll 20 would travel over the top of the second cantilevered spindle 9 and partially under the first cantilevered spindle 8 where the tape end 29 and 30 start to meet and partially conjoin on the inside adhesive edges. On the opposite side of the second cantilevered spindle 9 is the tape depressing bar 14 which is pivottably attached to the second housing panel 2 with a washer similar to washer 18 and a bolt 16 wherein the base portion of the tape depressing bar 14 has a chamber where a torsion spring is loaded within to gently help pressing the depressing end 15 against the reversed conjoined portion of the tapes at under the first cantilevered spindle 8. A cutting blade 10 has three different functions comprising a cutting edge 13 for cutting tapes ends 29 and 30, a ramp where the reversed-conjoined tapes would have the remained adhesive portion facing upward of the tape end 30 to temporarily affix onto so that the tape ends 29 and 30 would be easily torn off at the cutting edge 13, and a cut-a-way notch 12 as can be seen on FIG. 5 to prevent the cutting blade 10 from sliding horizontally. A structural wall 5 is part of the upper vertical housing panel 1 and short wall 3 to give some strength for the handle 24 to be attached to. At the rear end of the handle 24 is a hanging bracket 26 with a hook 27 so that the user can hang the dispenser temporarily on a belt, ladder or where suitable and convenient. The bracket 26 is pivottably attached to the end of the handle 26 by a cap 25 which can be tightened or loosen for the bracket 26 to be adjustable and set at certain angle. The hanging bracket 26 can be pivottably attached to the end of the handle 24 by pressure fitting so that the hanging bracket 26 can be adjusted without adjusting the cap 25.

FIG. 2 shows the position of the components of the dual tape dispenser as seen from the right side view of the dispenser, including the tape dispensing path where the first tape roll 22 is rotating clockwise where the tape end 29 is looping partially around the first cantilevered spindle 8 and turn back toward the front where the cutting blade 10 is position, see FIG. 5. When the tape is ready to be cut, user would pull the reversed-conjoined tape ends 29 and 30 slightly upward, therefore a portion of the adhesive portion of the tape 30 facing upward to be affixed to the ramp 11 portion of the cutting blade 10 where the reversed-conjoined tape ends 29 and 30 can be cut at the cutting edge 13. FIG. 2 also shows position of the short wall 3 where first housing panel 1 and second housing panel 2 are connected in relation to the first tape-roll hub 21, second tape-roll hub 20 and the handle 24.

FIG. 3 shows the dual tape dispenser as viewed from the left side of the dispenser where the first housing panel 1 is seen more clearly in relation to the upper wall portion 4 and supporting brace 5 being connected to the handle 24, and a short wall 3 where first housing panel 1 and second housing panel 2 are connected. A washer 18 and a bolt 17 hold the first tape-roll hub 21 in place on the first housing panel 1 and the first tape roll 22 to be installed onto the first tape-roll hub 21. As viewed from the left side as illustrated on FIG. 3, when dispensing tapes, the first tape-roll hub 21 with tape roll 22 installed would rotate counterclockwise, and the second tape-roll hub 19 with tape roll 20 installed would rotate clockwise so that the tape ends 29 and 30 would become reversed and conjoined.

FIG. 4 shows the dual tape dispenser as viewed from above the dispenser where the first housing panel 1 with a first tape roll 22 installed is positioned on the right side of the first housing panel 1, and the second tape roll 20 would be positioned below the handle 24 and on the left side of the second housing panel 2.

FIG. 5 shows the cutting blade 10 with three features including a cutting edge 13 with tiny teeth, at least one cut-a-way notch 12 to prevent the cutting blade from sliding side way, and a ramp where the tape ends 29 and 30 would be temporarily affixed to so that the reversed conjoined tapes would be cut easily.

Those skilled in the art will observe that the dual tape dispenser dispensing reversed-conjoined tapes configured for use in construction or remodeling industry is fabricated to utilize masking tapes with 3 inch bore openings, and described in connection with FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings hereinbefore can be modified to house and dispense tapes with smaller bore opening such as 1 inch or 1½ inches bore diameter for use in offices, homes and schools.

Although but one embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A dual tape dispenser and method of use for dispensing reversed-conjoined tapes comprising two vertical housing panels connected by a short wall to house two rotatable tape-roll hubs, configured one on each recessed side of each vertical housing panel, to hold two rolls of tapes having same bore opening with one of the tapes is reversed so that an inside adhesive edge of the first tape is conjoined longitudinally to an inside reversed adhesive edge of the second tape when both tape ends are being dispensed together simultaneously on the same path; said vertical housing panels are offset and connected by a short wall perpendicular to the vertical housing panels; said two rotatable tape-roll hubs are therefore offset and positioned to hold two rolls of tapes with a predetermined overlap on the inside edges so that the inside edge of the first tape is partially overlapped with the reversed inside edge of the second tape longitudinally; said dispenser to include a handle, two cantilevered spindles to guild the tapes, a tape depressing bar with a spring loaded which is pivottably attached to the back wall of the second cantilevered spindle, and a cutting-blade receptacle where a cutting blade is snapped onto; said cutting blade to have a ramp member thereof where an adhesive portion of the tape ends can stick thereto which make the conjoined tape ends easier to be torn off at the cutting edge.

2. A dual tape dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the vertical housing panels are extended and connected to certain parts including a curved short wall connecting first wall panel and second wall panel perpendicularly with respect to first and second wall panel, an upper wall extended upwardly as part of the first housing panel and is fixedly connected to the handle, a downwardly extended wall portions where a cutting-blade receptacle is joined fixedly and perpendicularly for the cutting blade to be snapped onto, two extended wall portions for first and second cantilevered spindles to be positioned in place below the housing panels.

3. Vertical housing panels according to claim 2 wherein both rotatable tape-roll hubs are identical in size and at least one of them is loaded with a compression spring to help achieving friction drag when the tapes pass through a common first cantilevered spindle whereby there is some pressure applied onto the tapes which helps the first tape adhere onto the reversed side of the second tape when both tapes start to join together; said rotatable tape-roll hubs can accept both rolls of tapes with same or different widths.

4. Tape-roll hubs according to claim 1 wherein when the reversed-conjoined tapes are being dispensed together simultaneously, both tape-roll hubs with tapes installed are rotated in opposite directions, that is one roll of tape is rotated counterclockwise and the other one is rotated clockwise as viewed from a side.

5. Tape-roll hubs according to claim 3 wherein said both rotatable tape-roll hubs are located on opposite sides of the vertical housing panels and are offset so that when two tape rolls are installed onto the tape-roll hubs, the inside edges of both tapes would have about ¼ inch overlapped where two reversed-conjoined adhesive edges joined together longitudinally.

6. Tape-roll hubs according to claim 3 wherein each rotatable tape-roll hub has a diameter of about 3 inches so that a standard three inch bore opening of a tape roll can fit snugly onto each rotatable tape-roll hub; said both tape-roll hubs to be identical in size.

7. A tape-roll hub according to claim 6 wherein said tape-roll hub can be fabricated in any shape with multiple points of contact, preferably a 5- or 6-point star shape which helps receiving and holding the tapes with diverse widths in place snugly; said tape-roll hub to have a clearance between the contact points thereof to provide a little of cushion tolerance in which user can push the tape core part out of the tape-roll hub when a tape roll needs to be replaced.

8. A dual tape dispenser according to claim 2 wherein the first rotatable tape-roll hub is configured for the first roll of tape to be installed from the recessed side perpendicularly on the first housing panel, and the second rotatable tape-roll hub is configured for the second roll of tape to be installed from the recessed side perpendicularly on the second housing panel; said first and second portion of the housing panel to be offset to achieve desirable reserved-conjoined tape overlap; said first and second housing panel to have curved arrows imprinted on both sides of the housing panels showing the tape path from each roll of tape and visible for user when the tape rolls are installed.

9. A dual tape dispenser according to claim 1 wherein configured to be a portable dual tape dispenser with a handle adjustably or fixedly attached to the housing panel thereof; said handle to be attached to the upper portion of the first housing panel.

10. Cantilevered spindles according to claim 1 wherein the first and second cantilevered spindle are incorporated as part of the vertical housing panels positioned perpendicularly in relation to the housing panels; said first cantilevered spindle is positioned toward the front housing panel where two tapes would pass through, and the second cantilevered spindle is positioned for only the rear tape to pass through.

11. A tape depressing bar according to claim 1 wherein said tape depressing bar which has a base with a torsion spring loaded inside to be pivottably attached perpendicularly to the second housing panel on the back side of the second cantilevered spindle; said tape depressing bar to gently press the reversed-conjoined portion of the tapes against the first cantilevered spindle where both tapes pass by in between the first cantilevered spindle and the tape depressing bar.

12. Cutting blade receptacle according to claim 1 wherein said cutting-blade receptacle is positioned perpendicularly in relation to the first housing panel; said cutting-blade is configured to be snapped onto the cutting-blade receptacle; said cutting-blade receptacle can be the cutting blade itself.

13. A cutting blade according to claim 1 wherein a snapped-on cutting blade comprising a cutting edge with teeth for cutting tapes, at least one notch on the edge to prevent the cutting blade from sliding, and a ramp in between the edges where an adhesive portion of the tape ends can stick thereto which makes the conjoined tape portion easy to be torn off at the cutting blade; said cutting blade is removably and adjustably mounted on a cutting-blade receptacle perpendicularly in relation to said first housing panel thereof, and have at least one cut-away notch with one of which to be placed onto a stop wall to keep the cutting blade from sliding sideway.

14. A dual tape dispenser according to claim 1 wherein in a possible embodiment the tape roll alignment is offset whether each roll of tapes is on the opposite side of the housing panels or both tape rolls are on the same side of the housing panels so that when both tapes are installed onto the tape-roll hubs, the tapes would have a desirable overlapped portion of reversed-conjoined tape ends longitudinally.

15. A dual tape dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the handle to include a pivotally adjustable belt clip positioned at the back side of the handle or anywhere desirable on the housing panels; said belt clip when in open position can be hooked onto the user's belt, ladder or anywhere possible and convenient.

16. A dual tape dispenser according to claim 1 wherein in another embodiment having a wall perpendicular to the housing panels to replace the handle so that the dispenser can be placed on any horizontal plain or installed onto a wall surface via screw holes.

17. A dual tape dispenser according to claim 1 wherein in other embodiments to be scaled down and fabricated in smaller versions that are configured to hold small tape rolls with small bore openings, such as one inch bore opening or other small standard bore openings; said dual tape dispenser to have an outer housing formed to hold tape housing panels with tapes installed within; said dual tape dispenser to be fabricated for dispensing reversed-conjoined tapes for posting drawings, pictures, papers and the like in offices, homes and schools.