U.S. patent application number 12/370440 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-12 for tape dispenser.
This patent application is currently assigned to 3M Innovative Properties Company. Invention is credited to Pei Chen Hsu, Scott D. Pearson.
Application Number | 20100200633 12/370440 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42539588 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100200633 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hsu; Pei Chen ; et
al. |
August 12, 2010 |
TAPE DISPENSER
Abstract
A tape dispenser is described that includes a tape roll housing
and two cover plates. The first cover plate includes an outwardly
extending flange that extends beyond the tape roll housing that
provides a simple and easy mechanism for removing the first cover
plate from the tape roll housing to gain access within the tape
roll housing.
Inventors: |
Hsu; Pei Chen; (Tainan City,
TW) ; Pearson; Scott D.; (Woodbury, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
PO BOX 33427
ST. PAUL
MN
55133-3427
US
|
Assignee: |
3M Innovative Properties
Company
|
Family ID: |
42539588 |
Appl. No.: |
12/370440 |
Filed: |
February 12, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
225/46 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 2601/2531 20130101;
Y10T 225/246 20150401; B65H 35/0026 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
225/46 |
International
Class: |
B65H 35/07 20060101
B65H035/07 |
Claims
1. A tape dispenser comprising: a tape roll housing having a first
side and second side and contained between the first side and
second side is a protective wall forming a housing perimeter,
wherein the protective wall includes a dispenser opening and
cutting edge; a first cover plate adjacent the first side of the
tape roll housing and including a first cover plate perimeter; a
second cover plate adjacent the second side of the tape roll
housing and including a second cover plate perimeter; wherein at
least the first cover plate is removable from the tape roll housing
and at least a portion of the first cover plate perimeter is larger
than the tape roll housing perimeter to form a first lateral
flange.
2. The tape dispenser of claim 1, wherein the housing perimeter is
circular and wherein the first cover plate perimeter is circular
such that the first lateral flange extends around the entire
protective wall.
3. The tape dispenser of claim 1, wherein the second cover plate
further comprises a tape core support.
4. The tape dispenser of claim 3, wherein the tape core support is
positioned off-center from a center of the second cover plate.
5. The tape dispenser of claim 1, wherein only the first cover
plate is removable from the tape roll housing.
6. The tape dispenser of claim 1, wherein both the first cover
plate and second cover plate are removable from the tape roll
housing.
7. The tape dispenser of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the
second cover plate perimeter is larger than the tape roll housing
perimeter to form a second lateral flange.
8. The tape dispenser of claim 7, wherein the housing perimeter is
circular, the first cover plate perimeter is circular, and the
second cover plate perimeter is circular, such that the first
lateral flange and second lateral flange extends around the entire
protective wall.
9. The tape dispenser of claim 1, wherein the first cover plate
entirely covers the first side of the tape roll housing.
10. The tape dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a landing
surface directly adjacent the dispenser opening, wherein the
landing surface is perpendicular to the cutting edge.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a tape dispenser. In
particular, the present disclosure relates to a tape dispenser
comprising a tape roll housing and two cover plates wherein at
least one of the cover plates includes an outward extending flange
to aid in removing the cover plate from the tape roll housing.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Conventional tape dispensers often have a tape roll support
for holding the core of the tape roll and a side wall extending
from the tape roll support to the cutting blade. These types of
dispenser leave one side of the roll of tape uncovered. The
uncovered side can become contaminated with dirt, dust, or other
debris. Two sided tape dispensers can be used to further contain
the roll of tape. These types of conventional two sided tape
dispensers include a second side wall to cover the roll of tape,
such as shown in U.S. design Pat. No. 510,951. To open and gain
access to the tape roll support, the side walls are typically
twisted relative to one another.
[0003] A tape dispenser that is capable of entirely concealing the
tape within the dispenser is disclosed in US patent application
publication US 2008/0105723, filed on Nov. 3, 2006 and Taiwan
Utility Model M247572, published on Oct. 21, 2004 and filed on Jun.
5, 2003. In this tape dispenser, to gain access to the tape roll
support, the cover plate can be pulled off by inserting a finger
into an opening in the cover plate. However, the opening creates
point of access for dirt, dust, or other debris to contaminate the
tape.
SUMMARY
[0004] A tape dispenser is described that includes two cover plates
and a tape roll housing for supporting a roll of tape. The first
cover plate includes an outwardly extending flange that extends
beyond the tape roll housing that provides a simple and easy
mechanism for removing the first cover plate from the tape roll
housing to gain access within the tape roll housing.
[0005] In one embodiment, the tape dispenser comprises a tape roll
housing having a first side and second side and contained between
the first side and second side is a protective wall forming a
housing perimeter. The protective wall includes a dispenser opening
and cutting edge. The tape dispenser further comprises a first
cover plate adjacent the first side of the tape roll housing and
includes a first cover plate perimeter. The tape dispenser further
comprises a second cover plate adjacent the second side of the tape
roll housing and includes a second cover plate perimeter. At least
the first cover plate is removable from the tape roll housing and
at least a portion of the first cover plate perimeter is larger
than the tape roll housing perimeter to form a first lateral
flange.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of
a tape dispenser;
[0007] FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the tape
dispenser of FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a side view of the tape dispenser of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the tape dispenser of FIG. 1
showing the tape being dispensed;
[0010] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the tape dispenser of FIG. 1
showing the tape enclosed within the moving cover;
[0011] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment
of a tape dispenser;
[0012] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment
of a tape dispenser.
[0013] While the above-identified drawings and figures set forth
embodiments of the disclosure, other embodiments are also
contemplated, as noted in the discussion. In all cases, this
disclosure presents the invention by way of representation and not
limitation. It should be understood that numerous other
modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in
the art, which fall within the scope and spirit of this invention.
The figures may not be drawn to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of
a tape dispenser 100 for dispensing a roll of tape 500. FIG. 2 is
an assembled perspective view of the tape dispenser of FIG. 1, and
FIG. 3 is a side view of the tape dispenser of FIG. 1.
[0015] The tape dispenser 100 includes a tape roll housing 200, a
first cover plate 300, and a second cover plate 400. The tape roll
housing 200 includes a first side 202 adjacent the first cover
plate 300 and a second side 204 adjacent the second cover plate
400. Contained between the first side 202 and the second side 204
of the tape roll housing 200 is the protective wall 206. In this
embodiment, the protective wall 206 is circular to follow the
contour of a circular roll of tape 500 contained within. However,
the shape of the protective wall 206 can be other shapes, sizes or
configurations. The protective wall 206 forms a housing perimeter
207 which is the outermost extension from a central axis of the
supported tape roll 500. In this embodiment, the housing perimeter
207 is circular. However, because the protective wall can comprise
a variety of shapes and sizes, the housing perimeter 207 can
comprise a variety of shapes and sizes. In this embodiment, along
the protective wall 206 are a plurality of connection openings 208
that engage with connecting pegs 310 (described below) to connect
the first cover plate 300 to the tape roll housing 200.
[0016] At least the first cover plate 300 is removable from the
tape roll housing 200. In this embodiment, the first cover plate
300 includes connecting pegs 310 that engage with the connection
openings 208 of the tape roll housing 200. This friction fit
between the connecting pegs 310 and connection openings 208 secure
the first cover plate 300 to the tape roll housing 200. It is
understood that a variety of other connection mechanisms can be
used to connect the first cover plate 300 to the tape roll housing
200. For example, the first cover plate 300 and tape roll housing
200 may be threaded so tightening or loosening is achieved through
rotation of one relative to the other. Alternatively, other
mechanical fastening, friction fitting, or snap locking systems may
be used. Regardless, as will be described below, it is the
extending lateral flange 330 of the first cover plate 300 that aids
the user in applying and removing the first cover plate 300 on the
tape roll housing 200. By having an easier mechanism for pulling
off the first cover plate 300, the attachment of the first cover
plate 300 to the tape roll housing 200 can be stronger.
[0017] The first cover plate 300 includes a first cover perimeter
320. At least a portion of the first cover perimeter 320 extends
beyond the tape roll housing perimeter 207 to form a first lateral
flange 330. In this embodiment, the entire first cover perimeter
320 extends beyond the tape roll housing perimeter 207. FIGS. 2 and
3 more clearly show the first lateral flange 330. The first lateral
flange 330 provides an accessible surface for a user to easily pull
the first cover plate 300 away from engagement with the tape roll
housing 200.
[0018] In this embodiment, the first cover plate 300 entirely
covers the tape roll housing 200 to limit access to the tape roll
500 contained therein. This prevents dirt, dust, or other debris
from contacting and contaminating the edge of the tape roll 500. In
another embodiment, the first cover plate 300 may include an
opening corresponding to the opening creating by the core of tape
500.
[0019] The second cover plate 400 may also be removable from the
tape roll housing 200, shown and described in FIG. 6, or may be
permanently fixed to the tape roll housing 200. FIG. 1 shows the
second cover plate 400 engaged with the tape roll housing 200. The
second cover plate 400 includes a second cover plate perimeter 420.
In this embodiment, the second cover plate perimeter 420 extends
beyond the housing perimeter 207 to form a second lateral flange
430, which is ideal in the embodiments where the second cover plate
400 is removable from the tape roll housing. However, because it is
not essential that the second cover plate 400 be removable, it is
not essential that the second cover plate perimeter 420 extend
beyond the housing perimeter 207. Even in embodiments where the
second cover plate 400 is not removable from the tape roll housing
200, it still may be desirable to form the second lateral flange
430 to further provide an accessible surface for the user to engage
the tape disperser 100.
[0020] For embodiments where the second cover plate 400 is
removable from the tape roll housing 200, the second cover plate
400 may include connecting pegs 410 (FIG. 6) that engage with
connection openings (not visible) in the tape roll housing 200.
This friction fit between the connecting pegs 410 and connection
openings secures the second cover plate 400 to the tape roll
housing 200.
[0021] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the second cover plate
400 covers the edge of the tape roll 500 to limit access to the
tape roll 500 contained therein, but includes an opening aligned
with the core of the tape roll 500. This prevents dirt, dust, hair,
or other debris from contacting and contaminating the edge of the
tape roll 500.
[0022] The second cover plate 400 may optionally include a tape
core support 440. The tape core support 440 engages and supports
the core of the tape roll 500. As shown in the embodiment of FIG.
1, the tape core support 440 includes a first interlock 442 and
second interlock 444 that extend from the second cover plate 400
into the tape roll housing 200. The first and second interlock 442,
444 can slightly flex to allow the tape roll 500 to pass over but
gets stopped from being released by the ends of the first and
second interlock 442, 444. In other embodiments, the tape sore
support 440 could be a circular projection (see FIG. 7) extending
from the second cover plate 400 into the tape roll housing 200.
Regardless, the tape core support 440 aids in restraining the tape
roll 500 while in the tape roll housing 200.
[0023] The tape dispenser 100 includes a tape dispensing mechanism
210, which comprises at least a dispenser opening 211 in the
protective wall 206 of the tape roll housing 200 and a cutting edge
212. Included between the dispenser opening 211 and the cutting
edge 212 may be a support plate 214 that serves as a surface to
attach a dispensed end of the tape so that it is accessible and
ready for further use. Further, the embodiment shown in FIG. 1
includes a moving cover 215 with locking protrusions 216 that
engage with notch 218 to keep the moving cover 215 in a locked,
closed position. The moving cover 215 is connected to the
protective wall 206 by the hinge 217, which allows for pivoting
movement of the moving cover 215 from an open position as shown in
FIG. 4 to a closed position as shown in FIG. 5. The functioning of
the moving cover 215 is described in more detail in US patent
application publication US 2008/0105723, filed on Nov. 3, 2006. The
dispensing mechanism 210 shown in detail in FIG. 1, 4 and 5 allow
for the tape roll 500 to be entirely contained within the tape
dispenser 100 when in the closed position. This protects the tape
roll 500 from contaminants. In FIGS. 2 and 3 the dispensing
mechanism 210 has not been shown in the views. In one embodiment,
the moving cover 215 does not extend beyond length of the lateral
flanges 330, 430.
[0024] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a tape dispenser
100. As assembled, the tape dispenser 100 would essentially appear
as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The tape dispenser 100 includes a tape
roll housing 200, a first cover plate 300, and a second cover plate
400. The tape roll housing 200 includes a first side 202 adjacent
the first cover plate 300 and a second side 204 adjacent the second
cover plate 400. Contained between the first side 202 and the
second side 204 of the tape roll housing 200 is the protective wall
206. In this embodiment, the protective wall 206 is circular to
closely follow the contour of the circular roll of tape 500
contained within. The protective wall 206 forms a housing perimeter
207 that is the outermost extension from the central axis extending
though the center of the supported tape roll 500. In this
embodiment, the housing perimeter 207 is circular. In this
embodiment, along the protective wall 206 are a plurality of
connection openings 208, which engage with connecting pegs 310 to
connect the first cover plate 300 to the tape roll housing 200.
[0025] In this embodiment, both the first cover plate 300 and
second cover plate 400 are removable from the tape roll housing
200. Each cover plate 300, 400 includes connecting pegs 310, 410
that engage with the connection openings 208 of the tape roll
housing 200. This friction fit secures the first cover plate 300
and second cover plate 400 to the tape roll housing 200. It is
understood that other connection mechanisms may be used to connect
the first cover plate 300 and second cover plate 400 to the tape
roll housing 200.
[0026] The first cover plate 300 includes a first cover perimeter
320. At least a portion of the first cover perimeter 320 extends
beyond the tape roll housing perimeter 207 to form a first lateral
flange 330. The first cover plate 300 entirely covers the tape roll
housing 200 to limit access to the tape roll 500 contained
therein.
[0027] The second cover plate 400 includes a second cover plate
perimeter 420. In this embodiment, the second cover plate perimeter
420 extends beyond the housing perimeter 207 to form a second
lateral flange 430. The second cover plate 400 entirely covers the
tape roll housing 200 to limit access to the tape roll 500
contained therein.
[0028] In this embodiment, neither the first cover plate 300 nor
the second cover plate 400 include a tape core support 440.
Instead, the tape roll housing 200 sufficiently contains the tape
roll 500.
[0029] The tape dispenser 100 includes a tape dispensing mechanism
210, which comprises a dispenser opening 211 in the protective wall
206 of the tape roll housing 200 and a cutting edge 212. In one
embodiment, the cutting edge 212 does not extend beyond the length
of the lateral flanges 330, 340. This provides for a more safely
positioned cutting edge 212.
[0030] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view a tape dispenser 100.
As assembled, the tape dispenser 100 would essentially appear as
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The tape dispenser 100 includes a tape roll
housing 200, a first cover plate 300, and a second cover plate 400.
In this embodiment, the second cover plate 400 is shown secured to
the tape roll housing 200. Also, in this embodiment, instead of
connecting pegs, the first cover plate 400 includes a connecting
surface 310 that matches and engages through a friction fite with
the tape roll housing 200.
[0031] The first cover plate 300 includes a first cover perimeter
320. At least a portion of the first cover perimeter 320 extends
beyond the tape roll housing perimeter 207 to form a first lateral
flange 330 (FIG. 3). The first cover plate 300 entirely covers the
tape roll housing 200 to limit access to the tape roll 500
contained therein.
[0032] The second cover plate 400 includes a second cover plate
perimeter 420. In this embodiment, the second cover plate perimeter
420 extends beyond the housing perimeter 207 to form a second
lateral flange 430. (FIG. 3). The second cover plate 400 entirely
covers the tape roll housing 200 to limit access to the tape roll
500 contained therein.
[0033] In this embodiment, the second cover plate 400 includes a
tape core support 440. However, the tape core support 440 is not in
the center of the second cover plate 400, like shown in FIG. 1.
Instead the tape sore support 440 is off-center. Therefore, if this
dispenser 100 is position upright (like shown in FIG. 3) on a desk,
table, or other similar surface, then the weight of the tape 500 on
the tape core support 440 will tend to cause the tape dispenser to
remain stationary and not roll over the surface. It is understood
that this feature could be provided in the previously described
embodiments.
[0034] Further shown in this embodiment, are holding feet 601, 602.
The holding feet 601, 602 shown are outward extending projections
along the perimeter of the first cover plate 300. The holding feet
601, 602 are also located on the perimeter of the second cover
plate 400 but are not visible in this view. The holding feet 601,
602 provide a stabilizing surface that allows the tape dispenser
100 to be positioned upright (like shown in FIG. 3) without rolling
over a surface. It is understood a various sizes and numbers of
these positioning feet may be included and that the positioning
feet may be projections from the tape roll housing 200. It is
understood that this feature could be provided in the previously
described embodiments.
[0035] Further identified in this embodiment, is landing surface
209. A landing surface is a surface that the tape will stick to
prior to cutting the tape with the cutting edge. For example, tape
is pulled from the dispenser opening 211 to the desired length,
then the user engages the surface against the landing surface 209
to stop the dispensing, and then the user pulls the tape against
the cutting edge 212. The cutting edge is considered to have an
x-direction along the longitudinal length of the cutting edge and a
y-direction along the generally radially extending length of the
upward projection of the cutting edge. Generally, conventional
dispensers have the landing surface parallel with the longitudinal
x-direction, but perpendicular with the y-direction of the cutting
edge. However, as shown here, the landing surface 209 is parallel
to the longitudinal x-direction, but also parallel with the
generally axial y-direction of the cutting edge 212. In other
embodiments, the landing surface and cutting edge do not need to be
entirely parallel with one another but may be at an angle from 0 to
90 degrees relative to one another. A parallel aligned landing
surface may allow for a "tent" to form by the tape stuck to the
landing surface 209 and stuck to the cutting edge 212. Therefore,
an unstuck edge of the tape is easily grabbed for the next use.
[0036] Although specific embodiments of this invention have been
shown and described herein, it is understood that these embodiments
are merely illustrative of the many possible specific arrangements
that can be devised in application of the principles of the
invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be devised in
accordance with these principles by those of ordinary skill in the
art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Thus, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to
the structures described in this application, but only by the
structures described by the language of the claims and the
equivalents of those structures.
* * * * *