Rotatable applicator tip for a corrective tape dispenser

• US 6,997,229 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2003
• Issued: 02/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sanford LP (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sanford LP (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Inventors: Bielecki, Andrew, Marschand, Bret R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Osele, Mark A.
• Application Number:
  US10/663,074
• Publication Number:
  US 20050056376A1
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• Field of Search: 156/523, 156/527, 156/538, 156/540, 156/574, 156/577, 118/76, 118/200, 118/257, 225/46, 242/160.2, 242/160.4, 242/170, 242/171, 242/588, 242/588.2, 242/588.3, 242/588.6, D19/67, D19/68, D19/69
• US Class Current: 156/577
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2402/00 Constructional details of the handling apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2402/60 Coupling, adapter or locking means
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 37/007 Applicators for applying coatings, e.g. correction, colour or adhesive coatings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1348 Work traversing type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1705 Lamina transferred to base from adhered flexible web or sheet type carrier
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1788 Work traversing type and/or means applying work to wall or static structure
• 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

Abstract

A correction tape dispenser includes a housing with a pair of receiving holes. A carrier ribbon has a first end wound about a supply spool and a second end wound about a take-up spool. An applicator tip is at least partially disposed within the housing and includes a platform with a front edge, a rear edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, a top surface and a bottom surface. The carrier ribbon is disposed on the top surface, around the front edge, and on the bottom surface. The platform includes a slot that defines first and second legs. A first post extends laterally out from the first side edge, and a second post extends laterally out from the second side edge, the first post and the second post being rotatably disposed within the receiving holes of the housing.

Claims

1. A elastically rotatable applicator tip adapted to be disposed in the housing of a correction tape dispenser, comprising:

a platform with a front edge, a rear edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, a top surface and a bottom surface and defining a length axis, wherein the top surface, bottom surface, and front edge are adapted to support a carrier ribbon;

a first wall extending up from the first side edge of the platform;

a second wall extending up from the second side edge of the platform;

wherein the platform includes a slot between the first and second side edges, the slot defining a first leg and a second leg in the platform;

a first post extending laterally out from the first side edge of the first leg and adapted to be rotatably positioned within a first receiver in the housing;

a second post extending laterally out from the second side edge of the second leg and adapted to be rotatably positioned within a second receiver in the housing;

the first post and the second post defining a post axis; and

wherein upon rotation of the front edge about the length axis, the first post and the second post are rotated within the first and second receiver, respectively, substantially about the post axis.

2. The applicator tip of claim 1, wherein the first wall is curved and the second wall is curved.

3. The applicator tip of claim 2, wherein the first curved wall and the second curved wall each include bearing surfaces extending out from the walls.

4. The applicator tip of claim 2, wherein the first curved wall and the second curved wall form a portion of a cylinder and define a cylinder slot therebetween.

5. The applicator tip of claim 4, wherein the cylinder slot is wider near the front edge than near the rear edge.

6. The applicator tip of claim 1, further comprising a third wall extending down from the first side edge and a fourth wall extending down from the second side edge.

7. The applicator tip of claim 6, wherein the first wall is a curved wall, the second wall is a curved wall, the third wall is a curved wall, and the fourth wall is a curved wall.

8. The applicator tip of claim 7, wherein the first curved wall, second curved wall, third curved wall, and fourth curved wall form portions of a cylinder.

9. The applicator tip of claim 8, wherein the first curved wall and the second curved wall define a slot in the cylinder.

10. The applicator tip of claim 6, wherein the first wall and the second wall are disposed nearer to the front edge than the third wall and the fourth wall.

11. The applicator tip of claim 1, wherein the first post and the second post rotate in opposite directions about the post axis when the front edge rotates about the length axis.

12. The applicator tip of claim 1, wherein the first leg and the second leg further include a plurality of notches.

13. The applicator tip of claim 1, wherein the first wall is planar and the second wall is planar.

14. A transfer tape dispenser, comprising:

a housing including a pair of receiving holes;

a supply spool disposed within the housing;

a take-up spool disposed within the housing;

a carrier ribbon with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the supply spool, and the second end is connected to the take-up spool;

an applicator tip partially disposed within the housing and including a platform with a front edge, a rear edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, a top surface, a bottom surface;

a first wall extending up from a portion of the first side edge;

a second wall extending up from a portion of the second side edge;

wherein the carrier ribbon is disposed on the top surface, around the front edge, and the bottom surface between the first side edge and second side edge of the platform;

wherein the platform includes a slot defining a first leg and a second leg; and

a first post extending laterally out from the first side edge, and a second post extending laterally out from the second side edge, the first post and the second post being rotatably disposed within the receiving holes of the housing.

15. The dispenser of claim 14, wherein the first wall and the second wall are curved.

16. The dispenser of claim 15, wherein a portion of the first curved wall is disposed inside the housing and a portion of the first curved wall is disposed outside the housing.

17. The correction tape dispenser of claim 15, wherein the applicator tip extends through a circular opening in the housing, the applicator tip being rotatable within the circular opening.