Tape dispenser

• US 20040194895A1
• Filed: 04/05/2004
• Published: 10/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Steinberger
• Original Assignee: Robert Steinberger
• Inventors: Steinberger, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,077,185 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/574
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 35/0033 and affixing it to a surface B65H35/004 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 35/0073 Details
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1365 Fixed cutter
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1788 Work traversing type and/or means applying work to wall or static structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1793 Grip or clamp for web end
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1795 Implement carried web supply
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/18 Surface bonding means and/or assembly means with handle or handgrip
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 225/257 Blade mounted on hand-held wound package
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 225/285 With guide spaced from blade edge to provide lead-end therebetween

Abstract

A tape dispenser for applying adhesive tape to a substrate surface, the tape having a first surface with a pressure sensitive adhesive thereon and a second surface. The dispenser includes a housing suitable for holding and dispensing a roll of tape. The housing has an exterior application surface that has a tape dispensing opening therein. A plurality of cylindrical rollers are provided within the housing, each roller having an outer surface. The outer surfaces of the rollers coact with each other and the tape surfaces to retain, guide and feed the tape through the tape dispensing opening to the exterior application surface. The outer surface of at least one of the rollers protrudes through the application surface on one side of the opening enabling frictional contact of the roller surface with the substrate surface. When the application surface of the tape dispenser passes over the substrate surface in one direction the outer surface of the roller engages the substrate surface causing the roller to roll along the substrate surface and to coact and drive the outer surfaces of the other rollers. This causes the rollers to grip the surfaces of the tape and feed the tape through the opening enabling the first surface of the tape with the pressure sensitive adhesive thereon to contact the substrate surface and adhere thereto.

Optionally, the outer surface of another of the rollers protrudes through the application surface on the other side of the opening to contact the second surface of the tape as it is fed through the opening. Thus when the application surface of the tape dispenser passes over the substrate surface in the one direction the outer surface of this other roller contacts the second surface of the tape to apply pressure to the tape causing the first surface of the tape with the pressure sensitive adhesive thereon to adhere to the substrate. A cutting blade is mounted to the application surface on the one side of the opening with the cutting edge facing the interior of the housing, whereby when the dispenser is moved in a direction different than the one direction, the tape is cut by the blade.

Claims

1. A tape dispenser for applying tape to a substrate surface, the tape having a first surface with a pressure sensitive adhesive thereon and a second surface, the dispenser comprising:

a housing suitable for holding and dispensing a roll of tape, the housing including an exterior application surface having a tape dispensing opening therein;

a first cylindrical roller and a second cylindrical roller, wherein the surfaces of the rollers coact with each other and the tape surfaces to retain, guide and feed the tape through the tape dispensing opening to the exterior application surface;

wherein the outer surface of the first roller protrudes through the application surface on one side of the opening enabling frictional contact of the roller surface with the substrate surface;

wherein the outer surface of the second roller is in contact with the first surface of the tape with the adhesive thereon;

a guide means positioned between the rollers for assisting in retaining and guiding the tape through the rollers and tape dispensing opening to the exterior application surface;

whereby when the application surface of the tape dispenser passes over the substrate surface in one direction the outer surface of the first roller engages the substrate surface causing the roller to roll along the substrate surface and to coact and drive the outer surface of the second roller causing them to grip the surfaces of the tape to thereby feed the tape through the opening, the guide means assisting in retaining and guiding the tape through the rollers and tape dispensing opening to the exterior application surface, enabling the first surface of the tape with the pressure sensitive adhesive thereon to contact the substrate surface and adhere thereto.

2. The tape dispenser of claim 1, wherein the second roller has a reduced diameter over a substantial portion of its length that is not in contact with the first surface of the tape.

3. The tape dispenser of claim 1, wherein the second surface of the tape has a pressure sensitive adhesive thereon and each of the first and second rollers have a reduced diameter over a substantial portion its length that is not in contact with the first or second surfaces of the tape.

4. The tape dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of ratchets on the reduced diameter of the second roller and at least one ratchet stop projecting from the guide means engaging the ratchet to prevent the second roller from moving in a specified direction.

5. The tape dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of fingers projecting from the guide means over the reduced diameter of the second roller to guide the tape through the rollers.

6. The tape dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a cutting blade mounted on the guide means and positioned between the rollers, whereby when the dispenser is moved in a direction different than the one direction, the tape is cut by the blade and the tape end remains in the housing.

7. The tape dispenser of claim 1, wherein a cutting blade having a cutting edge is mounted on the guide means and positioned between the rollers, the cutting edge facing into the housing, whereby when the dispenser is moved in a direction different than the one direction, the tape is cut by the blade and the tape end remains in the housing.

8. A tape dispenser for applying tape to a substrate surface, the tape having a first surface with a pressure sensitive adhesive thereon and a second surface, the dispenser comprising:

a housing suitable for holding and dispensing a roll of tape, the housing including an exterior application surface having a tape dispensing opening therein;

a first cylindrical roller and a second cylindrical roller, the second roller having a reduced diameter over a substantial portion of its length, wherein the surfaces of the rollers coact with each other and the tape surfaces to retain, guide and feed the tape through the tape dispensing opening to the exterior application surface;

wherein the outer surface of the first roller protrudes through the application surface on one side of the opening enabling frictional contact of the roller surface with the substrate surface;

wherein the outer surface of the second roller is in contact with the first surface of the tape with the adhesive thereon, the reduced diameter not being in contact with the first surface of the tape;

a guide means positioned between the rollers for assisting in retaining and guiding the tape through the rollers and tape dispensing opening to the exterior application surface;

a cutting blade mounted on the guide means and positioned between the rollers;

whereby when the application surface of the tape dispenser passes over the substrate surface in one direction the outer surface of the first roller engages the substrate surface causing the roller to roll along the substrate surface and to coact and drive the outer surface of the second roller causing them to grip the surfaces of the tape to thereby feed the tape through the opening, the guide means assisting in retaining and guiding the tape through the rollers and tape dispensing opening to the exterior application surface, enabling the first surface of the tape with the pressure sensitive adhesive thereon to contact the substrate surface and adhere thereto, whereby when the dispenser is moved in a direction different than the one direction, the tape is cut by the blade and the tape end remains in the housing.