One-handed combination tape dispenser and applicator

• US 8,875,769 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2012
• Issued: 11/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cory Lee Dean Walker
• Original Assignee: Cory Lee Dean Walker
• Inventors: Walker, Cory Lee Dean
• Primary Examiner(s): GRAY, LINDA LAMEY
• Application Number:
  US13/540,819
• Publication Number:
  US 20140008014A1
• Time in Patent Office: 854 Days
• Field of Search: 156/574, 156/577, 156/579, 156/523, 156/527
• US Class Current: 156/523
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/5007 characterised by the structure of said adhesive tape, threads or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/5092 characterised by the tape handling mechanisms, e.g. using vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 35/0026 for delivering pressure-sensitive adhesive tape
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 35/0033 and affixing it to a surface B65H35/004 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1052 with cutting, punching, tearing or severing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1085 One web only
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1348 Work traversing type
• 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

An apparatus for an adhesive tape dispenser/applicator is disclosed. The adhesive tape dispenser/applicator includes an ergonomically shaped housing and tape applicator/cutter assembly that permits one-handed dispensing of pressure sensitive adhesive tape from a roll while simultaneously applying the tape to a substrate. The adhesive tape dispenser/applicator allows all operations to be performed single-handedly, and without the user ever having to directly touch the tape. In addition, there is no need to pre-measure or estimate the length of tape needed as the desired length of tape is dispensed as it is being applied to the substrate.

Claims

1. An adhesive tape dispenser/applicator for one-handed dispensing of pressure sensitive adhesive tape having adhesive and non-adhesive sides from a roll and applying the tape to a substrate, comprising:

an ergonomically shaped housing sized and formed to be handheld, said housing having a spool holder adapted to receive the roll of adhesive tape, said housing having top, bottom and side surfaces and forward and rearward ends, said bottom facing surface being formed to allow the adhesive tape dispenser/applicator to be placed in an upright orientation on a substantially flat surface or substrate as the adhesive tape is applied, said housing further having a tape dispensing opening in said bottom facing surface; and

a tape applicator/cutter assembly mounted to said housing, said tape applicator/cutter assembly having a cutter, an applicator roller and a guide roller, said applicator roller positioned to pressingly contact the non-adhesive side of the tape and said guide roller positioned to guide the advancement of the adhesive side of the tape as the tape is dispensed from the roll, said tape applicator/cutter assembly further having a finger actuated button with a spring release, said finger actuated button positioned towards the forward end of said housing along said top surface, said finger actuated button configured to actuate relative movement between said applicator roller and said guide roller prior to said cutter severing a length of tape from the roll without said applicator roller directly engaging said cutter.

2. The adhesive tape dispenser/applicator of claim 1 wherein said tape applicator/cutter assembly further includes a button guide for guiding the movement of said button relative to said housing and said guide roller includes a plurality of serrations extending along the length of said guide roller for facilitating dispensing of tape from the roll.

3. The adhesive tape dispenser/applicator of claim 2 wherein at least a portion of said top surface of said housing forms an inclined surface.

4. The adhesive tape dispenser/applicator of claim 3 wherein said finger button is positioned between said applicator roller and said inclined surface of said housing.

5. The adhesive tape dispenser/applicator of claim 4 wherein said housing includes a flat rearward facing surface adapted to support the adhesive tape dispenser/applicator in an alternate orientation on a substantially flat support surface that prevents tape adjacent said opening from contacting the support surface.

6. The adhesive tape dispenser/applicator of claim 5 wherein said button guide provides for linear guiding movement of said finger button.

7. The adhesive tape dispenser/applicator of claim 6 wherein said tape applicator/cutter assembly is configured to dispense tape by engagement with said applicator roller as said housing is moved rearwardly over the substrate.

8. An adhesive tape dispenser/applicator for one-handed dispensing of pressure sensitive adhesive tape having adhesive and non-adhesive sides from a roll and applying the tape to a substrate, comprising:

an ergonomically shaped housing sized and formed to be handheld, said housing having a spool holder and adapted to receive the roll of adhesive tape, said housing having top, bottom and side surfaces and forward and rearward ends, said bottom facing surface being formed to support the adhesive tape dispenser/applicator in an upright orientation as the tape is applied to the substrate, said housing further having a tape dispensing opening in said bottom facing surface; and

a tape applicator/cutter means for applying a length of tape from the roll onto the substrate and for cutting the length of tape, said tape applicator/cutter means having an applicator roller, a guide roller and finger actuated button, said finger actuated button configured to actuate relative movement between said applicator roller and said guide roller prior to said cutter severing a length of tape from the roll without said applicator roller directly engaging said cutter, said tape applicator/cutter means allowing said applying and cutting functions to be performed single-handedly by a user without the user touching the tape.

9. The adhesive tape dispenser/applicator of claim 8 wherein said tape applicator/cutter means is configured to dispense tape by engagement with said applicator roller as said housing is moved rearwardly over the substrate.

10. The adhesive tape dispenser/applicator of claim 9 wherein said tape applicator/cutter means further includes a button guide for guiding the movement of said button relative to said housing.

11. The adhesive tape dispenser/applicator of claim 10 wherein at least a portion of said top surface of said housing forms an inclined surface.

12. The adhesive tape dispenser/applicator of claim 11 wherein said finger button is positioned between said applicator roller and said inclined surface of said housing.

13. The adhesive tape dispenser/applicator of claim 12 wherein said housing includes a flat rearward facing surface adapted to support the adhesive tape dispenser/applicator in an alternate orientation on a substantially flat support surface that prevents tape adjacent said opening from contacting the support surface.

14. The adhesive tape dispenser/applicator of claim 13 wherein said button guide provides for linear guiding movement of said finger button.