STANDING TAPE DISPENSER

Abstract

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 The housing rotates on the tips or projections as tape is withdrawn from the roll.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.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. 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 INVENTION

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.

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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

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.

FIG. 1 is a top right perspective view of a standing tape dispenser in accordance with the present invention shown with a roll of tape engaged therewith;

FIG. 2 is a right side view of the tape dispenser of FIG. 1 shown without the roll of tape engaged therewith;

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the tape dispenser of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the tape dispenser shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the tape dispenser shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the tape dispenser shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the tape dispenser shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a left side view of the tape dispenser of FIG. 1 shown in a first orientation with the dispenser resting on a portion of a substantially full roll of tape and the front legs of the dispenser;

FIG. 9 is a left side view of the tape dispenser of FIG. 8 shown with the dispenser resting on a portion of a nearly depleted roll of tape and the front legs of the dispenser;

FIG. 10 is a left side view of the tape dispenser of FIG. 1 shown in a second orientation with the dispenser resting on a portion of a substantially full roll of tape and the rear legs of the dispenser; and

FIG. 11 is a left side view of the tape dispenser of FIG. 10 shown with the dispenser resting on a portion of a nearly depleted roll of tape and the rear legs of the dispenser.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-11, there is shown a tape dispenser in accordance with the present invention, generally indicated at 10. Dispenser 10 is able to be used as a handheld dispenser but is also able to be used as a standing dispenser in at least two different orientations.

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 (FIG. 8) of tape 24 from sticking to a surface 52 upon which dispenser 10 rests, and which positions a cutter blade 50 thereon in a safer, more natural position for cutting than was the case in previously known devices. Furthermore, dispenser 10 is configured so that it is better able to keep the free end 24a of tape 24 from contacting the surface 52 upon which the dispenser rests when dispenser 10 is placed in a standing position in two different orientations. 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 (FIG. 4), a top edge 12c, a bottom edge 12d, a front edge 12e, and a rear edge 12f. First side 12 further includes a front end 12g and a rear end 12h. The front end 12g is the forwardmost region of first side 12 and rear end 12h is the rearwardmost region of first side 12. As shown in FIG. 2, bottom edge 12d is generally shaped as a lower-case “r” when viewed from the right side.

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” (FIG. 4) of dispenser 10. A tip 26b of front leg 26 transitions between front edge 12e and the portion 26a of bottom edge 12d. Tip 26b is convex in shape, having a curved outer surface which will contact the flat surface 52 upon which dispenser 10 will stand. Tip 26b preferably is not of a uniform radius of curvature between front edge 12e and the portion 26a of bottom edge 12d, and may include a slightly flattened section 26b′ (FIG. 2). The flattened section 26b′ acts to limit rotation of dispenser 10 beyond a certain point as tape 24 is withdrawn from roll 20. Front leg 26 preferably is wider toward top edge 12c of first side 12 and tapers moving away from top edge 12c and towards the tip 26b. Front edge 12e is gently curved and is disposed generally at an acute angle relative to portion 26a.

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 (FIG. 2) from each other. A portion 28a of bottom edge 12d forms a front region of rear leg 28. Portion 28a is substantially straight along its length and is disposed generally at right angles to longitudinal axis “Y” of dispenser 10. A tip 28b of rear leg 28 transitions between portion 28a and rear edge 12f of side 12. Rear edge 12f comprises the rear region of rear leg 28 and rear end 12h of first side 12 comprises a projection which extends rearwardly from the rear edge 12f of rear leg 28. The projection is located proximate a top region of rear leg 28. The term “rear end 12h” will be used in the rest of this description to reference the projection on rear leg 28. Both tip 28b and rear end 12h are convex in shape and preferably have generally uniform radii of curvature along their curved outer surfaces. The curved outer surface of rear end 12h contacts flat surface 52 when dispenser is stood thereon in a second orientation, as will be hereinafter described. Rear edge 12f forms a concave curve between tip 28b and rear end 12h and is disposed at a generally acute angle relative to portion 28a. The shape of rear edge 12f and position of tip 28b acts to limit the rotation of dispenser 10 when in the second orientation. The concavity of rear edge 12f prevents dispenser 10 from rotating on surface 52 on rear edge 12f. Consequently, when tip 28b engages surface 52 it acts as a positive stop and prevent further rotation of dispenser 10 about the curved surface of rear end 12h.

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 (FIG. 5) and are longitudinally aligned with each other.

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” (FIG. 2) further away from top edge 12c than is tip 28b of rear leg 28. Preferably, tip 28b of rear leg 28 is disposed less than half way along the front leg 26 when measuring from top edge 12c.

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 (FIG. 4), a top edge 14c, a bottom edge 14d, a front edge 14e, a rear edge 14f, a front end 14g, and a rear end 14h. Second side further includes a front leg 27 and a rear leg 29, and a curved extension 31 (FIG. 3) which is disposed between them. Front leg 27 includes a portion 27a of bottom edge 14d and a tip 27b. Rear leg 29 includes a portion 29a of bottom edge 14d and a tip 29b. Rear end 14h is part of rear leg 29. The term “rear end 14h” will be used in the rest of this description to reference a projection which extends rearwardly on rear leg 29 and corresponds to the projection/rear end 12h on first side 12. Front leg 27 is a mirror image of front leg 26 in position, structure and function; and rear leg 29 is a mirror image of rear leg 28 in position, structure and function.

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 FIG. 4. Gripping region 32 is disposed a short distance inwardly from front end 12g and comprises a series of alternating ridges and valleys which are oriented substantially at right angles relative to the longitudinal axis “Y” of dispenser 10. Gripping region 32 preferably is generally triangular in shape when viewed from the side of dispenser 10 and originates adjacent a horizontal section of front edge 12e. Gripping region 32 extends for a distance toward top edge 12c of first side 12. In a similar fashion, second side 14 includes a gripping region 33 which is substantially identical in structure and function to gripping region 32 on first side 12 and is disposed opposite thereto.

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. FIG. 5 shows that first hub section 36 includes a rear wall region with a first locking detent 38 disposed thereon. A second hub section 42 extends inwardly from interior surface 14b of second side 14 and towards first side 12. Second hub section 42 includes a rear wall region with a second locking detent 40 disposed thereon. First locking detent 38 is configured to interlockingly engage complementary second locking detent 40 and to thereby secure rear wall regions of first and second hub sections 36, 42 together. This interlocking engagement effectively prevents the rear wall regions of first and second sides 12, 14 from accidentally separating from each other. Locking detents 38, 40 may be temporarily engaged with each other or may be permanently fixed together by any suitable means such as heat welding or application of an adhesive after tape roll 20 has been positioned within dispenser 10.

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 (FIG. 4) of first and second sides 12, 14. First section 16c of top wall 16 originates at first end 16a and terminates in a position generally aligned with a rear end of gripping regions 32, 33. First section 16c is integrally formed with or secured to a region of the top edge 12c of first side 12 and to a region of the top edge 14c of second side 14. First section 16c is flat and is of a length “L” (FIG. 4). First section 16c has a width “W” that is substantially equal to the width of the front end 10a (FIG. 5) of dispenser 10. Dispenser 10 narrows in width at the “jog” in the first and second sides 12, 14 and the remaining part of dispenser is therefore marginally narrower than width “W”, as can be seen in FIG. 4. Thus, dispenser 10 is wider at its front end 10a and is narrower at its rear end 10b. This configuration gives first and second sides 12, 14 a slight spring action when their second ends 12h, 14h are pulled apart to insert tape roll 20 between them, as will be described hereafter. This spring action helps retain tape roll 20 between first and second sides 12, 14 prior to locking detents 38, 40 being engaged with each other.

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 FIG. 4. Thus, a gap (not numbered) is defined between interior surface 12b of first side 12 and first side edge 16f of second section 16d, and between interior surface 14b of second side 14 and second side edge 16g thereof. The curvature of second section 16d is complementary to the curvature of tape roll 20 and second section 16d will be spaced a short distance above roll 20. Second end 16b of top wall 16 is spaced a distance forwardly from rear ends 12h, 14h of first and second sides 12, 14.

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 (FIG. 5) with a blade 50 mounted therein at right angles to longitudinal axis “Y”. The blade 50 and the teeth (not numbered) on blade 50 extend outwardly to a sufficient degree from housing 48 to be positioned to cut tape 24 when a length thereof is withdrawn from tape roll 20. In particular, blade 50 is positioned so that it angles downwardly within dispenser 10 in such a manner that when dispenser 10 stands on surface 52 in a first orientation (shown in FIGS. 8 and 9), the blade 50 extends toward the surface 52. In particular, blade 50 extends downwardly at an angle away from the plane “P” (FIG. 2) along which first section 16c of top wall 16 is disposed. This orientation of blade 50 provides for safer use of the dispenser 10 when in a standing position in either of the first or second orientations, which will be further described herein.

Dispenser 10 is used in the following manner. Tape roll 20 is engaged in dispenser 10 by disengaging first and second detents 38, 40 (FIG. 5) at the rear end 10b of dispenser 10, moving the first side 12 and second side 14 away from each other in the directions indicated by arrows “A” and “B” and sliding tape roll 20 into the cavity defined between the interior surfaces 12b and 14b. Tape roll 20 is engaged on first and second hub sections 36, 42 and first and second sides 12, 14 are then secured together by engaging first and second detents 38, 40. At this point, tape roll 20 is engaged in dispenser 10 in the manner shown in FIG. 1 and the full length of tape 24 is wound around core 22 of roll 20. Dispenser 10 can be used at this point as a handheld dispenser. As will be understood, dispenser 10 may be held in a user's hand while tape 24 is dispensed therefrom. In order to do this, the user will grasp dispenser 10 in their right hand, for example, and will place the thumb of their right hand on the gripping surface 32 on first side 12 and one or more of their right middle, right ring, and right little fingers on the gripping surface 33 on second side 14. The user will additionally position their right index finger's tip in the fingertip indentation 46 on top wall 16. The user's index finger and possibly a portion of their palm will rest on second section 16d of top wall 16. When dispenser 10 is held in this manner, tape 24 may be dispensed therefrom.

FIGS. 2 through 5 show a variety of orientations in which dispenser 10 can be stood on a surface 52. In each of these orientations, dispenser 10 is able to stand on surface 52 in such a way that a free end of the tape 24 on roll 20 is able to be kept from contacting surface 52 and is presented in a suitable position for quick and easy dispensing from the dispenser 10. Additionally, blade 50 is kept a distance away from surface 52. It should be noted that dispenser 10 is stable, i.e., does not tend to fall over or rock, in these various orientations regardless of how much tape 24 is on roll 20. Thus, the orientations are possible when substantially the entire length of tape 24 is wound onto roll 20 and when the entire length of tape 24 has been unwound from roll 20 and only the core 22 of roll 20 remains. Specifically, dispenser 10 is movable between a first orientation where the dispenser is supported on the surface 52 on front legs 26, 27 and a first region of the roll of tape 20; and a second orientation where the dispenser is supported on the surface 52 on the rear ends 12h, 14h and a second region of the roll of tape 20. The first and second orientations are substantially at right angles to each other and therefore moving between the two orientations requires rotation of dispenser 10 through about ninety degrees.

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 (FIG. 8).The first orientation is a generally horizontally orientation. In this first orientation, dispenser 10 is in a standing position, ready for dispensing tape 24 therefrom, and being supported on the pair of front legs 26, 27 and on a portion of the substantially full roll of tape 20. It will be understood that while front leg 27 is not illustrated in FIG. 8, the dispenser rests on the tips 26a, 27a of the dispenser's two front legs 26, 27. In particular and as is shown in FIG. 8, the dispenser 10 rests on the forwardmost curved portion of tips 26a, 27a. When dispenser 10 is in this first orientation, cutter blade 50 is retained a distance away from surface 52 and is therefore in a suitable position to be able to cut tape 24 withdrawn from roll 20. Since blade 50 angles downwardly toward surface 52, blade 50 is in a relatively safe position for use. While dispenser 10 is standing in this first orientation, the user may grasp the free end 24a of tape 24 and, holding the dispenser 10 down on surface 52 with their other hand, withdraw a desired length of tape 24 from roll 20. When the desired length of tape 24 has been withdrawn, the user will pull the tape upwardly and cut the same on blade 50. Once a length of tape 24 has been cut, the free end 24a of tape 24 will come to rest on tape rests 34, 35 and is therefore retained spaced a distance above the surface 52. This both stops the free end 24a from sticking to surface 52 but also positions the free end 24a in a location where it is relatively easily grasped by the user for dispensing of an additional length of tape 24.

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” (FIG. 8). This rotation is caused by a progressively different region of the curved outer surface of tips 26a, 27a coming into contact with surface 52. The progressive rotation is indicated by arrow “E” in FIG. 8. FIG. 9 shows the tape dispenser 10 in the first orientation but with the amount of tape 24 on core 22 substantially reduced and a completely different region of tips 26a, 27a in contact with surface 52. When flattened region 26b′ is reached in the progressive rotation of dispenser 10, the tendency to rotate is at least somewhat reduced.

FIG. 10 shows tape dispenser 10 standing in the second orientation on surface 52. The second orientation is a generally vertical orientation. In this second orientation dispenser 10 rests on surface 52 on rear legs 28, 29 and a second region of the substantially full roll of tape 20. This second orientation presents the tape rests 34, 35 in a far easier position for a person to grasp the free end 24a of tape 24. It also makes blade 50 more visible to the user, thus increasing the safety level in using the device. In the second orientation, tape dispenser 10 particularly rests on rear ends 12h, 14h and on the second region of the substantially full roll of tape 20. When dispenser 10 is in this second orientation, cutter blade 50 is retained a distance away from surface 52 and is therefore in a suitable position to be able to cut tape 24 withdrawn from roll 20. Additionally, the free end 24a of tape 24 sits on tape rests 34, 35 and is therefore also spaced a distance above the surface 52 and is therefore does not stick on surface 52 and is relatively easily grasped by the user. As tape 24 is withdrawn from roll 24, the amount of tape wound around core 22 decreases and the thickness of tape 24 is reduced. As this occurs, tape dispenser 10 tends to rotate in the direction of arrow “F” (FIG. 10). This rotation motion is enabled because a progressively new region of the curved outer surfaces of rear ends 12h, 14h is brought into contact with surface 52. Rear ends 12h, 14h tend to rotate in the direction of arrow “G” moving tips 29a, 28a downwardly toward surface 52. FIG. 11 shows the tape dispenser 10 standing on surface 52 in the second orientation but with the quantity of tape 24 on core 22 greatly reduced. Tape dispenser 10 is still situated in a position where free end 24a of tape 24 is presented in a suitable position for dispensing. When tips 27b, 29b of rear legs 27, 29 contact surface 52, rotation about rear ends 12h, 14h substantially ceases.

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 FIG. 8. When the dispenser 10 is still in the first orientation and the roll 20 has less tape 24 thereon, then the distance between the tips 26a, 27a and the contact point of the first region of tape 24 with surface 52 is longer and is indicated by the line “X2” in FIG. 9. Obviously, the distance between tips 26a, 27a and the contact point increases gradually from the initial distance “X1” to the distance “X2”, and then to the final distance (not shown) between tips 26a, 27a and the contact point of core 22 on surface 52 when all of the tape has been withdrawn from roll 20.

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 FIG. 10. As the amount of tape 24 is reduced on roll 24, the distance between rear ends 12h, 14h and the contact point of the second region of tape 24 on surface 52 increases and is indicated by reference number “X4” in FIG. 11. Similarly, the distance between rear ends 12h, 14h and the contact point increases gradually from the initial distance “X3” to the distance “X4”, and then to the final distance (not shown) between rear ends 12h, 14h and the contact point of core 22 on surface 52 when all of the tape has been withdrawn from roll 20.

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;

a cavity defined within the housing; wherein the housing is adapted to rotatably retain a roll of tape within the cavity;

a pair of front legs extending outwardly from the housing; and

a pair of rear legs extending outwardly the housing a spaced distance from the front legs; and wherein the housing is adapted to stand on a remote flat surface in two different orientations for tape to be dispensed from the roll of tape.

2. The tape dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein in a first of the two different orientations, the housing is adapted to be supported in a standing position by the front legs and a first region of the roll of tape; and in a second of the two different orientations, the housing is adapted to be supported in the standing position by the rear legs and a second region of the roll of tape.

3. The tape dispenser as defined in claim 2, wherein the housing is movable through about 90 degrees between the first orientation and the second orientation.

4. The tape dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein each front leg has a top region and a tip and is of a first length between the top region and tip; and each rear leg has a top region and a tip and the rear leg is of a second length between the top region and the tip thereof; and wherein the second length is shorter than the first length.

5. The tape dispenser as defined in claim 2, wherein each rear leg includes:

a top region, a bottom region, a front edge extending between the top and bottom regions, and a rear edge extending between the top and bottom regions;

a tip formed at the bottom region; and

a projection extending outwardly from the rear edge proximate the top region; and wherein the housing is adapted to be supported in the standing position in the second orientation by the projections on the rear legs and the second region of the roll of tape.

6. The tape dispenser as defined in claim 5, wherein each projection is convex in shape.

7. The tape dispenser as defined in claim 6, wherein the rear edge of each rear leg is concave in shape.

8. The tape dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the housing includes a top wall positioned proximate the front end of the housing; and

an indentation is defined in the top wall; said indentation being adapted to receive a user's fingertip therein during operation of the dispenser.

9. The tape dispenser as defined in claim 8, further comprising a plurality of alternating ridges and valleys formed on a region of the top wall which defines the indentation.

10. The tape dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the housing further includes:

a top wall disposed proximate the front end of the housing, wherein the top wall is disposed along a plane; and wherein the dispenser further includes:

a cutter assembly having a blade; said cutter assembly being secured to a front end of the top wall; and wherein the blade is positioned at an angle relative to the plane along which the top wall is disposed.

11. The tape dispenser as defined in claim 10, wherein the blade angles downwardly away from the plane in which the top wall is disposed.

12. The tape dispenser as defined in claim 1, further comprising a pair of gripping regions provided on opposed first and second side walls of the housing proximate a front end thereof.

13. In combination:

a roll of tape and

a tape dispenser; wherein the dispenser comprises:

a housing;

a cavity defined within the housing; wherein the housing rotatably retains the roll of tape within the cavity;

a pair of front legs extending outwardly from proximate a front end of the housing; and

a pair of rear legs extending outwardly from proximate a rear end of the housing; and wherein the housing is able to stand on a flat surface in two different orientations for tape to be dispensed from the roll of tape.

14. The combination as defined in claim 13, wherein in a first of the two different orientations, the housing is adapted to be supported in a standing position by the front legs and a first region of the roll of tape; and in a second of the two different orientations, the housing is adapted to be supported in the standing position by the rear legs and a second region of the roll of tape.

15. The combination as defined in claim 14, wherein the housing is movable through about 90 degrees between the first orientation and the second orientation.

16. The combination as defined in claim 13, wherein each front leg has a top region and a tip and is of a first length between the top region and tip; and each rear leg has a top region and a tip, and the rear leg is of a second length between the top region and the tip thereof; and the second length is shorter than the first length.

17. The combination as defined in claim 13, wherein each front leg has a tip adapted to contact the surface when the housing is in the first orientation; and wherein the tips of the front legs are convex in shape and have a curved outer surface; and wherein the housing rotates on the curved outer surfaces of the tips when the housing is in the second orientation and lengths of tape are dispensed from the roll of tape.

18. The combination as defined in claim 17, wherein the curved outer surfaces of the tips on the front legs are adapted to touch the surface upon which the dispenser rests at a first point of contact, and the region of the roll of tape is adapted to touch the surface at a second point of contact, and there is a distance between the first and second points of contact; and as tape is withdrawn from the roll of tape, the distance between the first and second points of contact increases.

19. The combination as defined in claim 14, wherein each rear leg includes:

a top region, a bottom region, a front edge extending between the top and bottom regions, and a rear edge extending between the top and bottom regions;

a tip formed at the bottom region; and

a projection extending outwardly from the rear edge proximate the top region; and wherein the housing is adapted to be supported in the standing position in the second orientation by the projections on the rear legs and the second region of the roll of tape.

20. The combination as defined in claim 18, wherein each projection is convex in shape and has a curved outer surface; and wherein the housing rotates on the curved outer surfaces of the projections when the housing is in the second orientation and lengths of tape are dispensed from the roll of tape.

21. The combination as defined in claim 20, wherein curved outer surfaces of the projections are adapted to touch the surface upon which the dispenser rests at a first point of contact; and the second region of the roll of tape is adapted to touch the surface at a second point of contact, and there is a distance between the first and second points of contact; and as tape is withdrawn from the roll of tape, the distance between the first and second points of contact increases.

22. The combination as defined in claim 13, wherein the housing further includes:

a cutter assembly mounted at a front end of a top wall of the housing; and wherein the top wall of the housing is disposed along a plane; and wherein the cutter assembly includes a blade that angles downwardly away from the plane along which the top wall is disposed.

23. The combination as defined in claim 22, wherein the cutter assembly is positioned on the housing such that the blade thereof is adapted to be disposed a distance away from the surface upon which the dispenser rests when the housing is in each of the first and second orientations.

24. The combination as defined in claim 13, further comprising an indentation defined in a top wall of the housing; said indentation being adapted to receive a fingertip of a user therein.

25. A method of dispensing a length of tape from a roll comprising the steps of:

mounting the roll of tape into a housing;

standing the housing in a first orientation on a flat surface;

withdrawing a length of tape from the dispenser while the dispenser is standing in the first orientation; and

cutting the withdrawn length of tape from the roll of tape using a cutter blade disposed on the housing a spaced distance from the flat surface.

26. The method as defined in claim 25, wherein the step of standing the housing in the first orientation further includes the steps of:

placing a pair of front legs on the housing and a first region of the roll of tape into contact with the a flat surface.

27. The method as defined in claim 26, further comprising the steps of:

rotating the housing on a curved surface of a tip of each front leg as tape is withdrawn from the roll of tape.

28. The method as defined in claim 25 further comprising the step of:

moving the housing through about 90 degrees from the first orientation to a second orientation on the flat surface.

29. The method as defined in claim 28, further comprising the step of:

placing a projection extending rearwardly from a rear edge of each of the rear legs into contact with the flat surface; and

placing a second region of the roll of tape into contact with the flat surface a spaced distance from the projections.

30. The method as defined in claim 29, further comprising the step of:

rotating the housing on a curved surface of the projection on each rear leg as tape is withdrawn from the roll of tape.