U.S. patent application number 14/401709 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-02 for textured tape dispenser.
This patent application is currently assigned to 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY. The applicant listed for this patent is Johannes Bayer, Martin E. Broen, Jorge C. Ceballos, Shaelyn D. Crutchley, Joel K. Hagglund, Marcela S. Iglesias. Invention is credited to Johannes Bayer, Martin E. Broen, Jorge C. Ceballos, Shaelyn D. Crutchley, Joel K. Hagglund, Marcela S. Iglesias.
Application Number | 20150183609 14/401709 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46197728 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150183609 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Broen; Martin E. ; et
al. |
July 2, 2015 |
TEXTURED TAPE DISPENSER
Abstract
The present disclosure provides improved tape dispensers that
include a tape roll housing featuring a sidewall and a surrounding,
protective wall. At least a portion of the exterior surface of the
surrounding wall includes at least one texture. The tape roll
housing is coupled to a cutting edge support spaced from the roll
housing. The dispensers can include a base defined by portions of
the surrounding wall and the cutting edge support. In certain
implementations, the based can include a concave portion.
Inventors: |
Broen; Martin E.; (New York,
NY) ; Bayer; Johannes; (Balgach, CH) ;
Iglesias; Marcela S.; (Milan, IT) ; Ceballos; Jorge
C.; (Pica Buenos Aires, AR) ; Hagglund; Joel K.;
(Lonsdale, MN) ; Crutchley; Shaelyn D.; (St. Paul,
MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Broen; Martin E.
Bayer; Johannes
Iglesias; Marcela S.
Ceballos; Jorge C.
Hagglund; Joel K.
Crutchley; Shaelyn D. |
New York
Balgach
Milan
Pica Buenos Aires
Lonsdale
St. Paul |
NY
MN
MN |
US
CH
IT
AR
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES
COMPANY
St. Paul
MN
|
Family ID: |
46197728 |
Appl. No.: |
14/401709 |
Filed: |
May 25, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
May 25, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2012/039610 |
371 Date: |
November 17, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/562 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 35/0073 20130101;
B65H 35/0026 20130101; B65H 35/008 20130101; B65H 2701/1722
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65H 35/00 20060101
B65H035/00 |
Claims
1. A dispenser comprising: a tape roll housing including a side
wall and a surrounding wall, wherein at least a portion of the
surface of the surrounding wall comprises a first texture and a
second texture; a cutting edge support spaced from the roll
housing; a tape core support extending in a direction generally
orthogonal to the side wall; and a base comprising a portion of the
surrounding wall and a portion of the cutting edge support.
2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the first and second textures
are arranged in a unit cell, and wherein the unit cell repeats over
at least a portion the surrounding wall surface.
3. The tape dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a third
texture.
4. The tape dispenser of claim 1 wherein the first and second
texture comprises a depth of no greater than 0.003 inches.
5. The tape dispenser of claim 1 wherein the first or second
texture comprises a depth of no greater than 0.0015 inches.
6. The tape dispenser of claim 1 wherein the base includes a
concave portion proximate the cutting edge support.
7. The tape dispenser of claim 6 wherein the concave portion
includes a radius of curvature of at least 0.5 inch and no greater
than 1.5 inches.
8. The tape dispenser of claim 7 wherein the concave portion is
located between the cutting edge support and the tape core
support.
9. The tape dispenser of claim 1 wherein the side wall includes an
aperture proximate the tape core support.
10. The tape dispenser of claim 8 wherein the aperture is at least
partially surrounded by a recessed portion of the first major
surface.
11. The tape dispenser of claim 9 wherein the side wall defines a
plane, and wherein the recessed portion is angled from the
plane.
12. The tape dispenser of claim 1 wherein the cutting edge support
comprises a landing surface and a blade.
13. The tape dispenser of claim 12 wherein the blade comprises a
cutting edge and a base, and wherein the base of the blade is
located below the landing surface.
14. The tape dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a second
sidewall coupled to the first sidewall via the tape core
support.
15. The tape dispenser of claim 1 wherein the tape dispenser has a
first height, the cutting support has a second height, and the
first height is at least 25% greater than the second height.
16. The tape dispenser of claim 15 wherein the ratio of the first
height to the second height is at least 1.4:1.
17. A tape dispensing assembly comprising: a tape roll housing
including a first major surface and a protective, surrounding wall,
wherein at least a portion of the surface of the surrounding wall
comprises a first texture and a second texture; a cutting edge
support spaced from the roll housing; a tape core support extending
in a direction generally orthogonal to the first major surface; and
a base comprising a portion of the surrounding wall; and a roll of
tape coupled to the tape core support, wherein the surrounding wall
partially shrouds the tape roll.
18. The tape dispensing assembly of claim 17 wherein the base
includes a concave portion proximate the cutting edge support, and
wherein the concave portion includes a radius of curvature of at
least 0.5 inches and no greater than 1.5 inches.
19. The tape dispensing assembly of claim 17 further comprising a
third texture on a surface of the surrounding wall.
20. The tape dispensing assembly of claim 17 wherein the first or
second texture comprises a depth of no greater than 0.0015
inches.
21. The tape dispensing assembly of claim 17 wherein the first and
second texture are tessellated over at least a portion of the
surrounding wall.
22. (canceled)
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 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. 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 US
design patent D510951. To open and gain access to the tape roll
support, the side walls are moved, twisted or pulled, relative to
one another.
SUMMARY
[0002] With known dispensers, the user may need to pinch portions
of the dispenser to balance the force of unwinding the tape roll
and friction forces of the dispenser. Known dispenser may also
include surfaces that are not optimized for a secure grasp. The
present inventors have created hand held tape dispensers that are
comfortable to hold and reduce the force necessary to dispense and
cut tape.
[0003] The present disclosure provides a dispenser comprising a
tape roll housing including a sidewall and a surrounding wall,
wherein at least a portion of the surface of the surrounding wall
comprises a first texture and a second texture; a cutting edge
support spaced from the roll housing; a tape core support extending
in a direction generally orthogonal to the sidewall; and a base
comprising a portion of the surrounding wall and the cutting edge
support.
[0004] The present disclosure also provides a tape dispensing
assembly comprising: a tape roll housing including a sidewall and a
protective, surrounding wall, wherein at least a portion of the
surface of the surrounding wall comprises a first texture and a
second texture; a cutting edge support spaced from the roll
housing; a tape core support extending in a direction generally
orthogonal to the first major surface; and a base comprising a
portion of the surrounding wall; and a roll of tape coupled to the
tape core support, wherein the surrounding wall at least partially
shrouds the tape roll.
[0005] As used herein, the terms "height" , "base" and "top" are
for illustrative purposes only, and do not necessarily define the
orientation or the relationship between the surface and the
structure defining a texture. For example, the "height" of a
structure projected into a surface of the tape dispenser can be
considered the same as the depth of recess created, and the "top"
the bottom of said recess. Accordingly, the terms "height" and
"depth", and "top" and "bottom" should be considered
interchangeable.
[0006] The terms "comprises" and variations thereof do not have a
limiting meaning where these terms appear in the description and
claims.
[0007] The words "preferred" and "preferably" refer to embodiments
of the disclosure that may afford certain benefits, under certain
circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred,
under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation
of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other
embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other
embodiments from the scope of the invention.
[0008] As recited herein, all numbers should be considered modified
by the term "about". As used herein, "a," "an," "the," "at least
one," and "one or more" are used interchangeably. Thus, for
example, a dispenser surface comprising "a" texture can be
interpreted as a system comprising "one or more" textures.
[0009] Also herein, the recitations of numerical ranges by
endpoints include all numbers subsumed within that range (e.g., 1
to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, etc.).
[0010] The above summary of the present invention is not intended
to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of
the present invention. The description that follows more
particularly exemplifies illustrative embodiments. In several
places throughout the application, guidance is provided through
lists of examples, which examples can be used in various
combinations. In each instance, the recited list serves only as a
representative group and should not be interpreted as an,
exhaustive list.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The invention will be further described with reference to
the drawings, wherein corresponding reference characters indicate
corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a tape dispenser assembly
according to an implementation of the present disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 2 is side view of the dispenser of Figure. 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tape dispenser according
to another implementation of the present disclosure
[0015] FIG. 4 is a side view of the dispenser of FIG. 4.
[0016] While the above-identified figures set forth several
embodiments of the invention, 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 the principles
of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Turning to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first embodiment of a single
sided tape dispenser 100 includes a tape roll housing 110 having a
sidewall 111 and a protective wall 120 defining the perimeter 116
of the housing 110. The tape roll housing 110 is coupled to a
cutting support 140 including a cutting blade 144. A tape roll 300
may be secured to the core support 114, which extends along an axis
generally perpendicular to sidewall 111. Suitable materials for the
dispenser body include, but are not limited to, plastics, metals,
and ceramics. Suitable plastic include, without limitation,
polystyrene and polycarbonate.
[0018] The protective wall 120, like core support 114, extends in a
direction generally perpendicular to the sidewall 111. In certain
implementations, the protective, surrounding wall 120 can extend at
a slightly obtuse angle (e.g., about 90 to about 95 degrees) from
the plane defined by sidewall 111. As depicted, the protective wall
120 is generally circular to follow the contour of the circular
tape roll 300. However, the shape of the protective wall 120 can be
other shapes, sizes or configurations. The protective wall 120
forms the tape roll housing perimeter 116, which is the outermost
extension from a central axis of the supported tape roll 300. In
this embodiment, the tape roll housing perimeter 116 is circular.
However, because the protective wall 120 can comprise a variety of
shapes and sizes, the tape roll housing perimeter 116 can comprise
a variety of shapes and sizes. As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the
protective wall 120 does not completely encircle the core support
114, leaving a dispenser opening 119 for the recovery of a length
of tape for dispensing.
[0019] The exterior surface of the protective wall 120 includes at
least one texture 121 that is distinguishable from a flat surface
by normal human visual acuity and tactile feedback. In the depicted
implementation, the protective wall includes a first texture 121
and a second texture 122. In certain embodiments, each texture may
be defined by a series of repeating features or structures molded
into or integral with the exterior surface of the protective wall
120. In certain aspects, one or more of the textures may be created
by surface roughening techniques (e.g., acid etch, sandblasting,
etc.). Particular feature patterns or grouping may be created using
masks or other known processes for controlled surface finishing. In
FIG. 1, the first texture 121 includes rail-like features
protruding from the exterior surface of the protective wall 120,
while the second texture 122 includes hemispherical features. In
other embodiments, it may be preferred that the features defining
the first or second texture are projected into the exterior
surface, creating a series of disconnected or discrete
recesses.
[0020] The textures 121, 122 may be arranged on the protective wall
120 according to any number of patterns. In certain
implementations, a single feature may be repeated over the entire
surface. In some embodiments, the pattern may include a repeating
unit cell comprising a particular arrangement of one or more
textures. The unit cell may include a plurality of tiles, each tile
featuring a single texture. The tiles may be tessellated, as
depicted in FIG. 1. The unit cell 123 includes a first texture tile
directly adjacent a second texture tile. Other unit cells may
include a portion of the protective wall that does not include
protruding texture (e.g., a flat or polished surface of protective
wall 120).
[0021] Further examples of suitable feature shapes can include, but
are not limited to, a variety of polyhedral shapes,
parallelepipeds, prismatoids, prismoids, etc., and combinations
thereof. For example, the features can be polyhedral, conical,
frusto-conical, pyramidal, frusto-pyramidal, spherical, partially
spherical, hemispherical, ellipsoidal, dome-shaped, cylindrical,
and combinations thereof.
[0022] Generally, each feature of the plurality of features has a
height/depth that is at least 0.0005 inches. In some embodiments,
each feature has a height of at least 0.001 inches, and in other
embodiments at least 0.00125 inches. In certain embodiments, the
feature height is no greater than 0.004 inches, in some embodiments
no greater than 0.003 inches, and in certain preferred embodiments
no greater than 0.0015 inches. A particularly suitable range
includes a feature height between 0.001 inches and 0.003 inches.
Features less than 0.001 inches in height may not have an
appreciable effect on the grasp of a user, whereas features having
a height greater than 0.004 inches may detract from the dispensing
and/or manufacturing experience.
[0023] The inclusion of patterned and other textures can, in
certain implementations, reduce or prevent the movement of the tape
dispenser 100 in a user's grasp either prior to or during the
dispensing of tape.
[0024] A improve in grip security may further reduce the force
necessary to fix the dispenser during cutting, allowing a user's
energy to be focused on engaging the tape with the cutting
edge.
[0025] The tape roll housing 110 further includes the tape core
support 114. The tape core support 114 is configured to engage and
support the core of the tape roll 300. The tape core support 114
can include a circular projection 115 extending from the second
major surface of the tape roll housing 110. The circular projection
115 may further include first and second interlocking fingers, 117,
118 that terminate in flanges 117a, 118a. The flanges 117a, 118a
are typically configured to engage a portion of the tape roll 300.
The first and second interlocking fingers 117, 118 can, in some
embodiments, slightly flex to allow the tape roll 300 to be
inserted into tape roll housing 110, and thereafter prevent the
tape rolls released by engagement of the flanges. In other
embodiments, the tape sore support 114 may include only a circular
projection or only a plurality of interlocking fingers. Other
configurations are also possible depending on the shape and size of
the tape roll core intended to be supported. Regardless, the tape
core support 114 aids in restraining a tape roll within in the tape
roll housing 110.
[0026] The tape dispenser 100 can rest on a base 130 that is
defined by portions of the protective wall 120 and the cutting
support 140. The base includes a concave portion 132 disposed
between the core support 114 and the landing surface 142 of cutting
support 140. In certain implementations, the concave portion
includes a radius of curvature of at least 0.25 inches; in some
embodiments, at least 0.5 inches; and in yet other embodiments at
least 1.0 inches. In certain implementations, the concave portion
132 includes a radius of curvature of no greater 2.0 inches, and in
other embodiments, no greater than 1.5 inches. The concave portion
132 can allow a user to more comfortably grasp the exterior of the
tape dispenser 110 to apply stabilizing pressure during use. Such
stabilizing pressure may ease both the tearing and dispensing of
tape from the tape roll 300.
[0027] The distance 150 from the termination of the protective wall
120 proximate dispenser opening 119 to the apex of the concave
portion 132 can be selected to enhance the grasp of the user. In
certain implementations, the ratio of the maximum dispenser height
105 to distance 150 may be no greater than 1:0.9, in some
embodiments no greater than 1:0.85, in some embodiments no greater
than 1:0.75, and in yet other embodiments no greater than 1:0.70.
In the depicted embodiments, the height 105 of the dispenser is
essentially the diameter of a circle that mathematically best fits
the curve created by the configuration of tape roll housing
110.
[0028] The sidewall 111 extends from the tape roll housing to the
cutting support 140, and is generally perpendicular to protective
wall 120. Though not shown, the sidewall 111 may also include one
or more textures as described above with respect to the protective
wall 120. The sidewall 111 includes an aperture 112 proximate the
tape core support 114. As depicted, the aperture 112 generally
mirrors the shape of core support 114 and perimeter 116, though
other shapes and configurations are possible. The portion of the
sidewall 111 surrounding the aperture may be planar or may be
chamfered as shown in FIG. 1. The aperture 112 may allow for the
tape dispenser 100 to be grasped by a user by insertion of a finger
therethrough. This can provide additional stabilizing pressure for
ease of dispensing and cutting a length of tape.
[0029] A neck 133 of the sidewall 111 may be created proximate the
concave portion 132 of the base 130 and serves to transition the
tape roll housing 110 to the cutting support 140. The neck 133
includes a convex portion, such that the base 136 of the neck is
disposed below the uppermost cutting support 140 and the opening
119.
[0030] The cutting support 140 is spaced from dispenser opening 119
and includes an exterior wall 141, a landing surface 142, and a
blade 144. The landing surface 142 serves as a surface to attach a
dispensed end of tape so that it is accessible and ready for
further use. The landing surface 142 further provides a support
surface to ease the tearing of tape across blade 144. The blade 144
can be serrated, as depicted, or include any other known blade
configuration. As depicted, the exterior wall 141 includes textures
comprising repeating features arranged in a unit cell 123. In other
implementations, the exterior wall 140 does not include
discernable, non-flat textures.
[0031] For reference purposes, a second Cartesian coordinate system
is presented in FIG. 1 where intersecting axes x and z define a
plane and axis y is orthogonal to the x and z axes. An origin, O,
defines the intersection of the three axes. When the origin
coincides with trailing edge of the cutting support 140, with the
x-z plane lying substantially coplanar with landing surface 142,
the base 145 of the cutting blade 144 lies in the negative y (-y)
direction, which is illustrated to be below the x-z plane. The
cutting edge 146 of the blade 144 typically, and as depicted in
FIGS. 1-2, also lies below the x-z plane in a slight negative y
direction. In other embodiments, the landing surface and cutting
edge but may be at an angle from 0 (such that the cutting edge 146
is coplanar with the landing surface 142 in the x-z plane) to 60
degrees relative to one another. Though less preferred in certain
circumstances, the cutting edge 146 can also be located in a
positive y-direction from the landing surface. A cutting edge 146
located below (i.e., a negative y direction relative to) the
landing surface 142 can improve the user's ability to cut/tear a
length of tape by facilitating and supporting the use of a downward
or slightly downward force relative to the blade 144.
[0032] The cutting support has a height 147, as measured from base
130, which is less than the height 118 of the tape roll housing
110. The height is typically selected such that the tape dispensed
from the tape roll 300 engages the landing surface above the x-z
plane or in a slightly positive-y direction. Accordingly, the
cutting support height 147 may be selected to that the landing
surface 142 is generally coplanar with the center of tape roll 300
and aperture 112. In certain implementations, the ratio of the
dispenser height 105 to the cutting support height may be at least
1.1:1, in some embodiments at least 1.25:1, in some embodiments at
least 1.4:1, in some embodiments at least 1.5:1, in yet other
embodiments at least 1.7:1, in yet other embodiments at least
1.85:1, and in yet other embodiments at least 2:1. In certain
implementations, the ratio of the dispenser height 105 to the
cutting support height 147 can be no greater than 3:1, in some
embodiments no greater than 2.5:1, in some embodiments no greater
than 2:1, in some embodiments no greater than 1.9:1, and in yet
other embodiments no greater than 1.7:1.
[0033] Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a two piece dispenser 200 is
depicted that features many of the same components as tape
dispenser 100. The tape dispenser 200 includes a tape roll housing
210 connected cutting support 240 via a base 230. The tape roll
housing 210 includes a tape core support 214 and an aperture 212.
The base 230 further includes a concave portion 232 between the
core support 214 and the landing surface 240. The protective wall
220 includes a repeating pattern 223 of tiled textures 221, 222.
The components of tape dispenser 200 can have the same dimensions
and dimensional relationship as the related components in tape
dispenser 100.
[0034] Unlike tape dispenser 100, tape dispenser 200 includes a
first sidewall 211a and a second sidewall 211b. Tape dispenser 200
may be provided as two adjoining, separate sections. For example,
the section defining the first sidewall can include connecting pegs
that engage with the connection openings on of the section defining
the second sidewall. This friction fit can secure the first and
second section together during tape dispensing and allows a user to
open the dispenser 200 retrieve a tape roll. As another example,
the tape core support 214 may extend from the section defining the
first side wall and may engage with a mating aperture. It is
understood that other connection mechanisms may be used to connect
the dispenser 200 sections.
[0035] Further shown in this embodiment, are holding feet 235. The
holding feet 235 shown are outward extending projections along the
base 230. The holding feet 235 provide a stabilizing surface that
allows the tape dispenser 200 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 embodiment.
[0036] The complete disclosures of the patents, patent documents,
and publications cited herein arc incorporated by reference in
their entirety as if each were individually incorporated. Various
modifications and alterations to this invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the
scope and spirit of this invention. It should be understood that
this invention is not intended to be unduly limited by the
illustrative embodiments and examples set forth herein and that
such examples and embodiments are presented by way of example only
with the scope of the invention intended to be limited only by the
claims set forth herein as follows.
* * * * *