Blade protector for tape dispenser

• US 7,017,639 B2
• Filed: 05/07/2003
• Issued: 03/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shurtape Technologies LLC (STM Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Henkel Consumer Adhesives Incorporated (Henkel AG & Co KGaA)
• Inventors: McDonald, Gerald A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Osele, Mark A.
• Application Number:
  US10/431,409
• Publication Number:
  US 20040089424A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,056 Days
• Field of Search: 156/527, 156/523, 156/574, 156/576, 156/577, 156/579, 225/19, 225/20, 225/56, 225/77, 225/80
• US Class Current: 156/527
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 35/0033 and affixing it to a surface B65H35/004 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/12 Surface bonding means and/or assembly means with cutting, punching, piercing, severing or tearing
• 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 156/1795 Implement carried web supply
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/18 Surface bonding means and/or assembly means with handle or handgrip

Abstract

A tape dispenser that reduces accidental injury from contact with a sharp blade used to cut and separate tape from the dispenser when affixing the tape to a surface. The cutting blade, fixed at an angle some distance above an opening, or above the edge of a flexible plate, is not exposed unless enough pressure is applied to bend plate far enough to expose blade through and beyond the flexible plate. This invention provides a simpler, safer, more cost effective method of dispensing, affixing and cutting any material in tape form.

Claims

1. A tape applicator comprising:

a frame carrying a roll of tape;

a first relatively rigid plate extending from the frame carrying a tape cutting blade thereon;

a second more flexible plate extending from the frame capable of deflection upon application of pressure upon the frame by a user of the tape applicator, the second plate containing an aperature therein of sufficient dimension to allow passage of the cutting blade therethrough when pressure is applied to the frame;

the second plate extending a greater distance from the frame than the first plate and in close alignment therewith whereby user contact with the blade is minimized.

2. The tape applicator of claim 1 wherein the second plate contains at least two tabs on the underside thereof to retain the tape in a position adjacent the frame after it is cut off by the cutting blade.

3. The tape applicator of claim 1 wherein the aperature in the second plate and the cutting blade on the first plate are located at substantially the same distance from the frame.

4. The tape applicator of claim 1 wherein the outer end of the second plate includes a rounded edge to facilitate adherence of tape dispensed from the roll of tape to a surface.

5. A tape applicator comprising:

a frame carrying a roll of tape;

a first, relatively rigid plate extending from the frame including a tape cutting blade associated therewith;

a second, more flexible, plate extending from the frame capable of deflection upon application of pressure on the frame by a user of the tape applicator and having an aperature therein of sufficient dimension and proximity to the blade to allow passage of the cutting blade therethrough when pressure is applied to the frame, thereby limiting contact with the blade by a user of the tape applicator.

6. The tape applicator of claim 5 wherein the second plate deflects in a direction toward the first plate upon application of pressure upon the frame by a user of the tape applicator.

7. The tape applicator of claim 5 wherein at least two tabs adjacent the frame to retain the tape in a position after it is cut off by the cutting blade.

8. The tape applicator of claim 5 wherein a portion of the surface of the second plate extends a greater distance from the frame than the blade associated with the first plate.

9. The tape applicator of claim 5 wherein the second plate includes a rounded surface to facilitate adherence of tape dispensed from the roll of tape onto a surface.