Holder For Tape Dispensers

Abstract

A holder for a tape dispenser includes a base which is engaged with suction cups for securing the base and holder to a supporting surface. In one embodiment the base supports a dispenser seat which in turn has a retaining arm projecting outwardly from it and then doubling back over the seat. The retaining arm fits through a hollow spindle on the dispenser and holds the dispenser against the seat. In other embodiments the base also supports a dispenser seat, and the seat has a pair of walls extending upwardly from it. The dispenser is clamped between the walls. Thus tape can be withdrawn from the dispensers with only one hand. In every embodiment the base is detachable from the suction cups to facilitate installation of the dispenser in the holder.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to holding devices and more particularly to holders for tape dispensers.

Much of the cellophane tape currently marketed for household and office use is supplied in rolls contained in dispensers. These dispensers each provide a journal for the tape roll as tape is withdrawn from it, and furthermore each has a serrated cutting edge located beyond the tape roll for severing the tape withdrawn across it. Normally, the dispensers are injection molded from suitable plastic resins and their tape rolls are permanently attached to them. Consequently, they are disposable. Some, however, are reloadable.

Since the tape dispensers of current manufacture are molded from plastic in relatively small sizes, two hands are required to withdraw tape from them. In particular, one hand is used to hold the roll, while the other is used to grasp the tape. This presents difficulties where one does not always have two hands available for withdrawing tape. For example, when wrapping packages, one hand is normally used to hold the wrapping on the package while the other is used to apply the tape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide a holder which will hold a tape dispenser relatively rigid with respect to a firm supporting surface such as a table top so that tape can be withdrawn from the dispenser with only one hand. Another object is to provide a dispenser of the type stated which is easily are securely attached to a supporting surface without damaging the surface or injuring its finish. A further object is to provide holders of the type stated which are easily and conveniently engaged with tape dispensers of current manufacture. An additional object is to provide a holder of the type stated which is reusable. Still another object is to provide holders of the type stated which are attractive in appearance, rugged in construction, and easy to manufacture. These and other objects and advantages will become apparent hereinafter.

The present invention is embodied in a holder having a base which engages suction cups for retaining it on a supporting surface. The base supports means for engaging and holding a tape dispenser. The invention also consists in the parts and in the arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification and wherein like numerals and letters refer to like parts wherever they occur:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a holder for retaining a tape dispenser, the dispenser being illustrated in phantom;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the holder engaged with the tape dispenser;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an adapter for enabling the holder illustrated in FIG. 1 to retain a smaller tape dispenser which is also illustrated in phantom;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the adapter;

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view showing the adapter emplaced on the holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a modified holder retaining a slightly different tape dispenser;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9--9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 10--10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11--11 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another modified holder which is very similar to the holder of FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of still another modified holder retaining a different type of tape dispenser; and

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along line 14--14 of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings (FIGS. 1-4), 2 designates a tape dispenser containing a roll of tape 4 which is wound about a spool 6. The dispenser 2 is normally injection molded from plastic as an integral unit and includes a side wall 8 and a peripheral wall 10 merged into the side wall 8. The peripheral wall 10 curves around and shields a substantial portion of the tape roll 4, and furthermore along the bottom of the dispenser 2 it is substantially flat, thereby forming a base 12 (FIG. 4) upon which the dispenser 2 rests. Generally, at the center of curvature for the curved portion of the peripheral wall 10 the side wall 8 is provided with an integrally formed hollow spindle 14 (FIGS. 1 and 4) which projects in the same direction away from the side wall 8 as does the peripheral wall 10 and forms a laterally opening socket 15 in the side wall 8. The spindle 14 further provides a journal for the spool 6 on which the roll of tape 4 is wound, and the unattached end of the spool 6 has radially directed tabs 16 (FIG. 4) for retaining the spool 6 permanently on the spindle 14. Beyond the curved section of the peripheral wall 10 both the side wall 8 and the peripheral wall 10 project away from the tape roll 4 in the formation of a cutter 18 having a generally flat upwardly presented surface 20 across which the tape 4 is withdrawn. When the tape 4 is not being withdrawn from the tape roll 4 the leader extending from that roll is pressed against and adheres the surface 20. The side wall 8 between the surface 18 and the spindle 14 has an upwardly presented arcuate margin 22 which curves downwardly below the surface 20 and the spindle 14. Likewise, the curved margin 22 drops below the leader withdrawn from the roll of tape 4 to enable one to conveniently grasp the leader and withdraw still more tape 4. On the opposite side of the upwardly presented surface 20 the cutter 18 is provided with a serrated cutting edge 24 for severing the segment of tape 4 withdrawn beyond it. The side of the dispenser 2 located opposite from the side wall 8 may be open or it may be covered by a sheet of cardboard which fits around the spindle 14 and is held in place by the radial tabs 16. The cardboard may and usually does have printed matter upon it. The tape dispenser 2 is conventional and is marketed by the 3M Company in conjunction with their Scotch Brand tape. Sears Roebuck & Company markets its private brand tape in a very similar holder.

To secure the tape dispenser 2 to a supporting surface such as the top of a desk or the side of a filing cabinet, the dispenser 2 is fitted into a holder 30 which in turn is secured to the supporting surface. The holder 30 is preferably formed from plastic having a limited amount of resiliency and includes a flat base 32 provided with forward and rear cutouts 34 and 36 (FIG. 2). The forward cutout 34 is U-shaped and opens outwardly from the forward edge of the base 32. Its U-shaped edge possess a substantially full downward bevel (FIGS. 1 and 3) so that it is wider on the lower surface of the base 32 than it is on the upper surface of the base 32. The rear cutout 36 is disposed behind the cutout 34 and includes an elongated U-shaped portion 38 which extends in the same direction as the cutout 34 and a short lateral portion 40 which opens outwardly through the side of the base 32. The edges of the elongated portion 38 and lateral portion 40 are also provided with a substantially full bevel so that they are spaced further apart on the bottom of the base 32 than on the top of the base 32.

The base 32 at its cutouts 34 and 36 is engaged with suction cups 42 for attaching the holder 2 to and supporting it on a supporting surface. More specifically, each suction cup 42 is formed from an elastomeric material and includes an outwardly flared portion 44 which is pressed against the supporting surface so that air is excluded from its dish-shaped interior. When the flared portion 44 attempts to revert back to its original shape due to its own resiliency a partial vacuum is created within the dish-shaped interior so that the pressure exerted by the surrounding air holds the suction cup 42 against the supporting surface. The cup 42 is further provided with a mounting boss 46 which projects axially from the outwardly flared portion 44 and has a laterally opening annular groove 48 located adjacent to the outwardly presented surface of the flared portion 44. The width of the boss 46 at the groove 48 is approximately the same as the width of cutouts 34 and 36 measured at their narrowest points, that is along the upper surface of the base 32, while the bevel of the cutout margins generally conforms to the bevel or taper of the flared portion 44 when that flared portion is pressed against the supporting surface (FIG. 3). Accordingly, the boss 46 will fit into either of the cutouts 34 or 36 and when so fitted the upper or enlarged end of the boss will overlie the top surface of the base 32 around the cutouts 34 or 36 and will prevent the holder 30 from being withdrawn from the suction cups 42. Moreover, the beveled surface defining the cutouts 34 or 36 will engage the tapered or flared surface of the flared portion 44 so that a firm support is provided for the base 32 thus preventing the base 32 from rocking back and forth to any appreciable extent when engaged with the suction cups 42.

Two suction cups 42 are employed and these are pressed against the supporting surface with the peripheral margins of their outwardly flared portions 44 touching but not overlapping (FIGS. 2 and 4). In this connection, it should be noted that the spacing between the U-shaped ends of the cutouts equals the spacing between the bosses 46 on the suction cups 42 when the cups are emplaced in the foregoing manner. Moreover, the distance between the forward edge of the base 42 and the forwardmost edge of the lateral portion 40 in the rear cutout 36 is slightly less than the spacing between the bosses 46 measured from within their laterally opening grooves 48.

To engage the base 32 with the suction cups 42 emplaced with their peripheries touching as previously described, the lateral portion 40 of the rear cutout 36 is aligned with the laterally opening groove 48 in the boss 46 of the rear suction cup 42. Then the base 32 is advanced across the flared portions 44 of both suction cups 42 until the boss 46 on the rear suction cup 42 is in the elongated portion 38 of the cutout 36 and the boss 46 of the forward suction cup 42 aligns with the end of the forward groove 36. At this time the holder 30 is shifted forwardly, causing the base 32 to advance across the flared or cup-shaped portions 44 of the cups 42. Since the spacing between the sides of the respective cutouts 34 and 36 is less than the width of the upper enlarged ends of the bosses 46, the upper enlarged ends will overlie the upper surface of the base 32. In other words, the edges of the cutouts 34 and 36 engage and retain the suction cups 42 at the annular grooves 48 therein. When the U-shaped ends of the cutouts 34 and 36 engage the bosses 46 of the two suction cups 42, the base 32 cannot be moved laterally or forwardly, not can it be withdrawn upwardly.

While one of the side edges of the base 32 is free to enable the lateral portions 40 for the rear cutout 36 to open outwardly, the opposite side edge merges into the side of a flat dispenser seat 50 (FIGS. 1 and 4) which is positioned directly above and spaced from the base 32. The opposite side of the seat 50 in turn merges into a rearwardly presented retainer arm 52 and a forwardly disposed side wall 54. The retainer arm 52 curves outwardly away from the seat 50 and then doubles back upon itself, terminating in a tongue 56 which extends transversely across the seat 50 and is inclined downwardly at a slight angle thereto. The spacing between the tongue 56 and the seat 50 is slightly less than the distance between the lower arcuate margin of the socket 15 and the flat base 12 on the dispenser 2. The tongue 56 is furthermore not presented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the seat 50, but is instead canted slightly with respect to that axis. The side wall 54, on the other hand, is presented generally perpendicular to the seat 50 and terminates at a short retainer tab 58 which projects over the seat 50. The longitudinal distance between the tongue 56 and the tab 58 generally equals the spacing between the socket 15 and the lowest point on the arcuate margin 22 of the dispenser 2, whereas the vertical spacing between the tab 58 and the seat 50 is slightly greater than the vertical distance between the lowest point of the arcuate margin 22 and the flat base 12 on the dispenser 2.

The dispenser 2 is installed in the holder 30 by positioning the side wall 8 of the dispenser 2 opposite to the arm 52 and side wall 54 of the holder 30 and aligning the dispenser socket 15 with the tongue 56 on the end of the retainer arm 52. Thereupon, the holder 30 and dispenser 2 are brought together, in which case the tongue 56 will enter the socket 15 and the flat base 12 of the dispenser 2 will pass across the flat seat 50 of the holder 30, provided of course the entire dispenser 2 is raised slightly against the resiliency of the arm 52 to enable the base 12 to rise to the upper surface of the seat 50. Actually the tongue 56 engages the cylindrical interior surface of the socket 15 at two spaced cutout points located along the bottom portion of that surface. When the side wall 8 of the dispenser 2 approaches the side wall 54 of the holder 30 the retainer tab 58 will project over the arcuate margin 22 of the side wall 8. The tongue 56 on the retaining arm 52 will, of course, press the dispenser 2 firmly against the seat 50, and moreover by reason of the fact that it is canted slightly it will cock the dispenser 2 slightly on the seat 50, that is, it will urge the dispenser side wall 8 against the holder side wall 54. The retaining tab 58 further stabilizes the dispenser 2 on the holder 30.

Once the dispenser 2 is fitted into the holder 30, tape 4 may be withdrawn from the dispenser 2 with the use of only one hand. In particular the leader of tape 4, that is the portion extending between the tape roll and the upwardly presented surface 20 is lifted off of the surface 20 and pulled away from the dispenser 2 until the desired length of tape projects beyond the serrated cutting edge 24. As the tape 4 is pulled away from the dispenser 2 the U-shaped ends of the cutouts 34 and 36 bear against the bosses 46 on the suction cups 42 and prevent the base 32 from disengaging or sliding relative to the suction cups 42. Once the desired length of tape 4 has been withdrawn past the serrated cutting edge 24 the withdrawn tape 4 is urged downwardly against the cutting edge 24, the force being applied from one side of the tape 4 to the other so as to sever the tape 4 along the serrated edge 24. The holder 30 does not cover the arcuate margin 22 to any significant extent and consequently access to the tape leader is still possible from either side of the dispenser 2 so that either hand can be used to withdraw the tape 4. The open ended cutouts 34 and 36 enable the holder 30 to be detached from its suction cups 42 to facilitate fitting tape dispensers 2 to that holder 30.

Smaller tape dispensers 62 (FIGS. 5 and 7), which are similar in shape to the dispenser 2 but smaller in size, may also be installed on and retained by the holder 30, provided an adapter 64 is used. The adapter 64 includes (FIGS. 5-7) a top wall 66, a bottom wall 68, and a connecting portion 70 interconnecting the top and bottom walls 66 and 68. The spacing between the top and bottom walls is such that the adapter 64 will receive flat base 12 of the peripheral wall 10 on the smaller tape dispenser 62 so that the wall 66 overlies the flat base, while the bottom wall 68 underlies it. In most small dispensers 62 a short rib or tab 72 projects laterally and then upwardly from the edge of the flat base 12 on the peripheral wall for the purpose of holding a cardboard insert bearing printed material. To accommodate this rib 72 the bottom wall 68 is provided with a groove 74 which leads up to a cutout in the connecting portion 70. Accordingly, the connecting portion 70 seats against the side edge of the flat base 12. The thickness of the bottom wall 68 is such that it elevates the socket 15 of the small dispenser 62 to a position where it aligns with and receives the tongue 56 of the holder 30 when the bottom wall 68 rests upon the seat 30. In such an instance the arcuate margin 22 of the dispenser 62 is positioned directly below the retainer tab 58 also.

It is possible to provide a modified holder 80 (FIGS. 8-11) for a similar tape dispenser 82. Like the dispenser 2, the dispenser 82 includes a side wall 84 provided with a hollow spindle 86 which forms a socket 88 opening out of the side wall 84. The spindle 86 furthermore forms a journal for a spool 90 (FIG. 11) around which tape 92 is wound. At its end opposite from the side wall 84 the spindle 86 is provided with radially projecting tabs 94 for retaining the spool 90 on the spindle 86. The side wall 84 along most of its periphery merges into a peripheral wall 96, and both the side wall 84 and the peripheral wall 96 project away from the roll of tape 92, forming a cutter 98 having a serrated cutting edge 100 and an arcuate upper margin 102. Along the bottom of the cutter 98 and beneath the roll of tape 92 the peripheral wall 96 is flat and forms a flat base 104 for the dispenser 82. The dispenser 82 is conventional and is marketed by LePages, Inc. of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, under the trademark LePages.

The holder 80 includes a base 106 provided with a pair of bayonet cutouts or slots 108 which are adapted to engage the suction cups 42. In particular, each bayonet slot 108 includes a generally circular portion 110 and an elongated portion 112 extending rearwardly from the circular portion 110. The elongated portion 112 terminates at a U-shaped margin and is approximately the same width as the suction cup boss 46 at the groove 48 therein, but is narrower than the enlarged portion of the boss 46 disposed above the groove 48. The circular portion 110, on the other hand, is large enough to receive the enlarged upper portion of the boss 46. Moreover, with the exception of a short segment of the circular portion located generally opposite to the U-shaped end of the elongated portion 112, the edge of each bayonet slot 108 is provided with substantially a full bevel (FIG. 10), the taper of which spreads downwardly and generally conforms with the taper of the flared portion 44 on the suction cup 42 when the cup 42 is engaged with the supporting surface. This enables the beveled edges of the slot 108 to enter the groove 48 in the boss 46. The short segment of the circular portion 110 located opposite to the U-shaped end of the elongated portion 112 is provided with a slight bevel, but that bevel is not great enough to enable the edge of the slot 108 to enter the groove 48 in the suction cup boss 46.

The spacing between the circular portions 110 of the two slots 108 equals the spacing between the bosses 46 on the suction cups 46 when the flared portions 44 touch at their peripheries but do not overlap. Accordingly, the circular portions 110 of the two slots 108 will align with the bosses 46 of the two suction cups 42 so that those bosses will enter the slots 108 simultaneously. Once the bosses 46 are in the circular portions 110 of slots 108 the holder 80 is shifted forwardly and this brings elongated portions 112 of the slots 108 around the bosses 46. Stated differently, as the holder base 106 shifts forwardly the side margins along the elongated portions of the bayonet slots 108 enter the laterally opening grooves in the bosses 46, and the forward advancement continues until the U-shaped end margins of the elongated portions 112 also enter the grooves 48. When the bosses 46 are so disposed in the bayonet slots 108, the holder 80 cannot be withdrawn upwardly, nor can it be moved laterally or forwardly.

The holder 80 can, of course, be removed from the suction cups 42 by the reverse of the previously described procedure and when it is moved forwardly to bring the bosses into the circular portions 110 of the bayonet slots 108 it is significant to note that the absence of a full bevel along the segments of the circular portions located opposite to the U-shaped ends of the elongated portion 112 prevents that edge of the base 106 from engaging the grooves 48 in the bosses 46 and preventing the removal of the bosses 46 from the bayonet slots 108.

At its ends the base 106 turns upwardly and merges into a dispenser seat 114 which is spaced from the base 106, but nevertheless overlies it. The dispenser seat 114 is slightly wider than the dispenser 82 and along its sides it merges into a pair of side walls 116 and 118 which extend upwardly and converge slightly. The spacing between the upper ends of the side walls 116 and 118 and the seat 114 is somewhat greater than the spacing between the lowest part of the socket 88 and the flat base 106 on the holder 80. At its upper end the side wall 116 is provided with an indentation 120 which projects into the socket 88. Moreover, the spacing between the upper ends of the walls 116 and 118 when those walls are unrestrained is slightly less than the thickness of the dispenser 82 at the spindle 86 so that the dispenser 2 can be clamped between the walls 116 and 118. Finally, it should be noted that the upper ends of the walls 116 and 118 flare slightly outwardly in the formation of lips 124.

The tape dispenser 82 is engaged with the holder 80 by forcing the dispenser 82 downwardly between the side walls 116 and 118 of the holder 80. When the lower end of the dispenser 82 initially engages the side walls 116 and 118 it does so at the outwardly flared lips 124 since the walls 116 and 118 are spaced apart a distance slightly less than the width of the dispenser 80. Consequently, as the dispenser 82 is forced downwardly toward the seat 114 it spreads the side walls 116 and 118, and this enables the side walls 116 and 118 to maintain a tight grip on the dispenser 82. Moreover, when the flat base 102 of the dispenser 82 seats against the seat 114 of the holder the indentation 120 will project into the socket 88 of the spindle 86 and further stabilize the dispenser 82 on the holder 80.

The tape dispenser 82 when installed in the holder 80 is used in the same manner as the tape dispenser 2 when that dispenser is retained by its holder 30. To prevent the holder 80 from tipping too far forwardly, its base 106 may be provided with a short bumper 122 immediately in front of the forward suction cup 42. The thickness of this bumper 122 should be equal to or slightly less than the height of the flared portion 44 on the suction cup 142 when that portion is pressed against the supporting surface.

It is possible to provide another modified holder 130 (FIG. 12) which is also suitable for holding the tape dispenser 82. The holder 130 is provided with a base 132 having bayonet cutouts or slots 134 for engaging the bosses 46 on the suction cups 42. For all intents and purposes the base 132 is identical to the base 106 of the holder 80, and accordingly it will not be discussed in further detail.

At its end the base 132 merges into a dispenser seat 136 which is spaced from and directly overlies the base 132. Along its sides the dispenser seat 136 merges into a pair of upwardly projecting side walls 138 and 140 which converge slightly, and the upper end of the side wall 140 flares outwardly in the provision of a lip 142. Moreover, the distance between the upper end of the side wall 140 and the seat 136 exceeds the distance between the flat base 104 on the dispenser 82 and the lower portion of the dispenser spindle 86. On the other hand, the side wall 138 is provided with forward and rear tabs 144 and 146, respectively, both of which turn in initially and thereafter double back upon themselves so as to project outwardly beyond the outer surface of the side wall 138. The distance between the inwardly turned portion of the forward tab 144 and the seat 136 is slightly greater than the distance between the lowest point on the arcuate margin 102 of the tape dispenser 82 and the flat base 104 thereof. The distance between the inwardly turned portion of the rear tab 146 and the seat 114 is generally equal to the distance between the lowermost portion of the socket 88 and the flat base 102. Finally, the longitudinal spacing between the forward and rear tabs 144 and 146 is approximately equal to the distance between the center of the socket 86 and the lowest point along the arcuate margin 102.

When the tape dispenser 82 is forced downwardly between the side walls 138 and 140 it will cam those walls apart due to the presence of the outwardly flared lip 142 on the side wall 140 and the outwardly directed tabs 134 and 146 on the side wall 138. Since the walls 136 and 138 converge they will tightly grip the dispenser 82 as it is urged downwardly. In this connection, the side wall 140 engages the dispenser 82 at the radially projecting tabs 94 on the end of its spindle 86. When the flat base 102 of the dispenser 82 comes to rest against the seat 136 of the holder 130 the forward tab 144 will project over the arcuate margin 102 and the rear tab 146 will project into the socket 88. The foregoing disposition of the tabs 144 and 146 further restrains withdrawal of the dispenser 82 from the holder 130 and in addition prevents the dispenser 82 from shifting longitudinally with respect to the holder 130.

The cutter 98, of course, projects outwardly beyond the forward margins of the side walls 138 and 140 so that one can reach behind the cutter 98 and grip the tape leader. The tape 92 is withdrawn from the dispenser 82 when that dispenser is retained by the holder 130 in the same manner as when the dispenser 82 is retained by the holder 80.

It is possible to provide still another holder 150 (FIGS. 13 and 14) which is very similar to the holder 30, 80 and 130, but is configured to retain a slightly different tape dispenser 152. The dispenser 152 includes a pair of side walls 154 which are connected along their front and rear margins by front and rear walls 156 and 158, respectively. Near the rear wall 158 a roll of tape 160 is journaled between the side walls 154. Forwardly beyond the roll of tape 160 the side walls 154 and the front wall 156 are configured to form a cutter 62 having a serrated cutting edge 164. The side walls 154 are continuous and uninterrupted, and the front wall 156 is positioned at an oblique angle with respect to the bottom margins of the side walls 154. The dispenser 152 is distributed by the Technical Tape Corporation of New Rochelle, New York, under the trademark Tuck, and does not have a bottom wall or flat base, but instead its bottom is completely open.

The holder 150 includes a base 170 which is provided with bayonet slots 172 for receiving the bosses 46 on the suction cups 42. The base 170 for all intents and purposes is identical to the base 106 of the holder 80, and accordingly it will not be described in further detail.

At its ends the base 170 merges into a seat 174 which is spaced from and disposed directly above the base 170. Along its side margins the dispenser seat 174 merges into a pair of side walls 176 and 178 which slightly converge and are flared slightly outwardly at their upper ends. The spacing between the upper ends of the side walls 176 and 178 when such walls are unrestrained is slightly less than the spacing between the side walls 154 on the dispenser 152. The forward end of the side wall 176 projects beyond the forward margin of the side wall 178 and forms a retention arm 180 having an inwardly projecting tab 182. The angle between the tab 182 and the dispenser seat 174 is approximately equal to the angle between the front wall 156 and the bottom margins of the side walls 154 on the tape dispenser 152. Finally, it should be noted that the side walls 176 and 178 extend no higher than the portion of the dispenser side walls 154 between the cutter 162 and roll of tape 160.

Finally, the base 170 of the holder 150 is provided with a bumper 184 located in front of the forward suction cup 42, and a pair of laterally extending arms 186 which turn downwardly at their ends and engage the supporting surface, just as does the bumper 184. The bumper 184 and arms 186 further stabilize the holder 150 as tape 160 is withdrawn from the dispenser 152.

To install the dispenser 152 in the holder 150, the former is forced downwardly between the side walls 176 and 178 of the latter. This causes the side walls 176 and 178 to spread and grip or clamp the dispenser 152 along its side walls 154. Once the lower margins of the side walls 154 on the dispenser 152 engage the seat 174 of the holder 150 the entire dispenser 152 is shifted forwardly until its front wall 156 engages the stop tab 182.

Tape 160 is withdrawn from the dispenser 152 similar to the manner in which tape is withdrawn from the dispensers 2 and 82. Any tendency of the dispenser 152 to slide forwardly in the holder 150 as tape is pulled from it is resisted by the stop tab 182.

In the descriptions of the various embodiments of the holder the seats on which the dispensers rest and the bases have been described as different components. Actually, in each embodiment the seat and base are formed integral and the combination of the two may be referred to simply as a base.

This invention is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for purposes of the disclosure which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A holder for a tape dispenser having a roll of tape journaled therein; said holder comprising at least one suction cup for securement to a supporting surface, the suction cup having an outwardly flared holding portion in which a vacuum is induced and a mounting portion affixed to the holding portion; a base provided with cutouts which are engaged by the mounting portion of the suction cup; and holding means supported by the base for engaging and holding the tape dispenser such that the tape can be manually grasped and withdrawn from the dispenser, the holding means including a seat on which the bottom of the dispenser rests and a resilient retaining arm projecting over the seat for insertion into a hollow spindle on the dispenser so as to urge the dispenser against and hold it on the seat, whereby the dispenser is held secure with respect to the supporting surface and tape can be withdrawn from it with only one hand.

2. The structure according to claim 1 wherein the retaining arm is attached to the seat; and wherein a sidewall is also attached to the seat, the sidewall having a tab which projects over an upwardly presented margin on the dispenser.

3. A holder for a tape dispenser having a roll of tape journaled therein; said holder comprising at least one suction cup for securement to a supporting surface, the suction cup having an outwardly flared holding portion in which a vacuum is induced and a mounting portion affixed to the holding portion; a base provided with cutouts which are engaged by the mounting portion of the suction cup; and holding means supported by the base for engaging and holding the tape dispenser such that the tape can be manually grasped and withdrawn from the dispenser, the holding means including a seat on which the bottom of the dispenser rests and a pair of sidewalls extending upwardly from the seat, the sidewalls engaging and clamping the dispenser; whereby the dispenser is held secure with respect to the supporting surface and tape can be withdrawn from it with only one hand.

4. The structure according to claim 3 wherein at least one of the sidewalls has a projection which extends partially into a hollow spindle on the dispenser.

5. The structure according to claim 3 wherein at least one of the sidewalls has a projection which extends partially into a hollow spindle on the dispenser and another projection which extends over an upwardly presented edge on the dispenser to retain the dispenser on the holder.

6. The structure according to claim 3 wherein at least one of the sidewalls is provided with an inwardly projecting tab which extends across the forward end of the dispenser and prevents the dispenser from sliding forwardly between the sidewalls.

7. A holder for a tape dispenser having a hollow spindle on which a roll of tape which rotates as tape is withdrawn, said holder comprising: a base; a pair of sidewalls mounted resiliently on the base and extended outwardly therefrom, the sidewalls being spaced apart to receive the dispenser therebetween and being urged together when the dispenser is between them so that the dispenser is clamped tightly between the sidewalls, at least one of the sidewalls being longer than the diameter of the hollow spindle so as to extend beyond the spindle and having a fixed projection which extends toward the other sidewall and is shorter than the sidewall from which it extends, the projection being located to extend into a hollow spindle on the dispenser to further retain the dispenser on the holder; and mounting means connected to the base for securing the holder to a supporting structure.

8. A holder according to claim 7 wherein at least one of the sidewalls has another projection which extends toward the opposite sidewall and over an upper margin on this dispenser to further retain the dispenser on the holder.

9. A holder according to claim 8 wherein the outer ends of the sidewalls flare outwardly to facilitate insertion of the tape dispenser between the sidewalls.

10. A holder according to claim 7 wherein the mounting means comprises at least one suction cup having an outwardly flared holding portion in which a vacuum is induced when the holding portion is pressed against a smooth surface, and a mounting portion affixed to the holding portion; and wherein the base has a cutout into which the mounting portion of the suction cup fits and the mounting portion retentively engages the base at the cutout.

11. The structure according to claim 10 wherein the mounting portion of the suction cup comprises a boss projecting away from the outwardly flared portion and having a groove, the edge of the cutout in the base fitting into the groove in the boss, whereby the base is engaged with the suction cup.

12. The structure according to claim 11 wherein the groove opens laterally from the boss and possesses an annular configuration.

13. The structure according to claim 12 wherein at least two suction cups are employed, one being positioned ahead of the other with respect to the direction in which the tape is withdrawn, and wherein each cutout includes a forward portion large enough to receive the full boss and a rearwardly extending portion sized to receive the boss only at the groove therein so that the base cannot be withdrawn from the suction cup when the boss engages the rearwardly extending portion of the cutout.

14. The structure according to claim 13 wherein the forward portions of the cutouts are spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the spacing between the bosses on the forward and rear suction cups when the outwardly flared portions of those cups touch but do not overlap.

15. A holder for a tape dispenser having a roll of tape which rotates as tape is withdrawn, said holder comprising: a base having a seat thereon for supporting the dispenser; a retaining arm attached to the base and extended over the seat for insertion into a hollow spindle on the dispenser, the retaining arm being resiliently mounted and urged toward the seat when engaged with the spindle of the dispenser so as to urge the dispenser against the seat, and mounting means connected to the base for securing the holder to a supporting structure.

16. A holder according to claim 15 wherein a sidewall is attached to the base and extends along a side of the dispenser and the resiliently mounted retaining arm further urges the dispenser against the sidewall.

17. A holder according to claim 16 wherein the sidewall is provided with a projection which extends over an upper margin on the dispenser to further retain the dispenser on the holder.