GB2513920A

GB2513920A - Self-tensioning hand-held tape dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2513920A
Application number: GB201308476A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Karl Hurrell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-05-11
Filing date: 2013-05-11
Publication date: 2014-11-12
Also published as: GB201308476D0

Abstract

A compact self-tensioning hand-held tape dispenser comprises a main body 1, a one piece self-tensioning mechanism 2 to keep a constant pressure on the inner roll of tape and a side plate 3. The self-tensioning mechanism 2 may be a sprung arm concealed within the main body 1 of the tape dispenser. The attachable side plate 3 is necessary for securing the tape dispenser to the roll of tape. An alternative side plate has a spacer (20 fig. 8) to allow thinner rolls of tape to be used within the same body of the dispenser. The dispenser may be available in different sizes to accommodate different sized rolls of tape. The end of the tape may span two points 7, 8 separated by a concave arc (9 fig. 4) on the main body 1 after cutting with cutter 12, the arc allowing a user the grasp the end of the tape. The main body 1 may be shaped (13, 14 fig. 6) and textured to accommodate a users finger and thumb whilst holding the dispenser. The dispenser is assembled by retracting the self-tensioning mechanism 2 (fig. 11), sliding the main body 1 onto a roll of tape whilst lining a tape delivery slot (24 fig. 12) with the tensioned end of the tape roll.

Description

TITLE

Self-tensioning hand-held tape dispenser.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a self-tensioning hand-held tape dispenser. Tape dispensers come in many different sizes and styles. They're generally very big, heavy and clumbersome taking up lots of space which makes storage awkward.

Most dispensers rotate from the centre of the roll on a spinning wheel of sorts. Problems generally occur when a tape dispenser isn't used, the tape gets trimmed to a desired length then put down onto a table for example, this is when the end of the tape gets lost. This causes great frustration and time is wasted trying to find the end of the tape.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

A hand-held tape dispenser with a concealed one piece self-tensioning mechanism that applies a constant pressure to the inner roll of the tape, eliminating the need for any manual adjustment as the tape reduces in size.

DRAWING S

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: Fig 1. Illustrates an exploded perspective view of the tape dispenser with its side plate.

Fig IA. Illustrates a perspective view looking at the inside face of the side plate which reveals its three pegs.

Fig 2. Illustrates reference points on the self-tensioning hand-held tape dispenser (with a full roll of tape).

Fig 3. Illustrates reference points on the self-tensioning hand-held tape dispenser (with a full roll of tape).

Fig 4. Illustrates reference points on the self-tensioning hand-held tape dispenser (with a full roll of tape).

Fig 5. Illustrates reference points on the self-tensioning hand-held tape dispenser (with a full roll of tape).

Fig 6. Illustrates reference points on the self-tensioning hand-held tape dispenser (with a full roll of tape).

Fig 7. Illustrates reference points on the self-tensioning hand-held tape dispenser (with a full roll of tape).

Fig 8. Illustrates an exploded perspective view of the tape dispenser with its alternative side plate which reveals its raised area that extrudes from the inside face of the side plate. This is refered to as a spacer.

Fig 9. Illustrates an exploded perspective view of the wider version tape dispenser with its side plate.

Fig 10. Illustrates the user tensioning the tape so it's taut and ready for the tape dispenser.

Fig 11. Illustrates the user retracting the self-tensioning mechanism using their thumb and fingers to create an opening for the tape to be inserted.

Fig 12. Illustrates the user lining up the tape delivery slot with the tensioned tape from the roll, and sliding the tape dispensers main body onto the roll of tape from the side.

Fig 13. Illustrates a side on view showing the self-tensioning hand-held tape dispenser attached to a nearly empty role of tape, and how it sits on arcs (stabilising contact points) Fig 14. Illustrates the tape dispenser fully assembled with side plate attached.

Fig 15. Illustrates the tape dispenser fully assembled with side plate attached from underneath. Revealing the open area that allows access to the self-tensioning mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This tape dispenser allows the user to dispense the tape, cut the tape to a desired length, and still maintain easy access to the end of the tape when needed. The tape dispenser is attacheá onto the roll of tape by the user sliding it on from the side of the roll.

Method of operation To attach the tape dispenser the user needs to find the end of the tape 23 and tension it from the roll, so that its ready for tape dispenser to be attached. This is illustrated on Fig 10.

The user then retracts the self-tensioning mechanism! using their thumb and fingers to create enough space within the main body 1 for the roll of tape to be inserted. This is illustrated on Fig 11.

The user then lines up the tape delivery slot 24 with the tensioned tape from the roll 23, and slides the main body I of the tape dispenser onto the roll of tape from the side, making sure the sprung arm 2 is retracted enough to give enough clearance for the roll of tape. This is illustrated on Fig 12.

The user can then release the self-tensioning mechanism 2 so that pressure is then applied to the inner roll of tape.

The user then trims the tape on the teeth/cutter 12 and the tape dispenser is ready to use.

The user is able to remove the tape dispenser by performing the same method as above, but in reverse. The tape dispenser can then be used over and over on other rolls of tape.

Fig 1. Illustrates a perspective view of the tape dispenser. The tape dispenser comprises of a main body I which the tape sits within, a self-tensioning mechanism 2 and a side plate 3. In some cases, an alternative side plate maybe used to accommodate thinner widths of tape, see Fig 8. 20.

Fig 2. The seV-tensioning mechanism 2 is configured to sit on the inner ring of the roll of tape, to where it applies a pressure after it is retracted and released. There are three points within the main body I of which the tape dispenser slides on and contacts the tape whilst under pressure from the self-tensioning mechanismi. These three points 4, 5 and 6, are smooth arc shapes which assist the tape dispenser in sliding easily around the roll of tape, whether the roll of tape is full or nearly empty.

Fig 3. The end of the tape is made accessible as it's spanned across two points 7 and 8 after trimming, the tape is then ready to be used as soon as it is picked up.

Fig 4. Below the spanned tape is a concaved arc* which gives the tape clearance so that it can be accessed by the users thumb and finger. The tape is then puHed from the dispenser exiting through opening 10 in an upward motion.

Fig 5. As the tape is pulled from the tape dispenser in an upward motion, the non sticky side of the tape runs against arc 11 which assists in the smooth delivery of tape. When the user has pulled the tape to their desired length, the tape is then taken down towards the teeth/cutter 12 for trimming. Firstly the tape sticks to pointY and secondly to point 8 as seen in Fig 3., this in essence, spans the tape. Finally the tape contacts the teeth/cutter 12 and gets trimmed for use.

Fig 6. The ergonomic design means the tape dispenser can be held in one hand, whilst the other hand pulls the tape from the device. Arc 13 is configured so the thumb sits in its natural holdng position whilst the tape dispenser is in use, this area will be textured to enhance the grip and its usability, this may be done by moulding the texture into the plastic of the main body I or using a rubber inset. Arc 14 is also configured so that the fingers sit in their natural holding position whilst using the tape dispenser for extra comfort and usability. Arc 14 will also be textured to assist its grip and functionality, this maybe done by moulding it into the plastic of the main bodyl or using a rubber inset.

Fig 7. Opening 15 on the base of the tape dispenser allows access to the end of the self-tensioning mechanism 2, so that it can be retracted by the thumb or even finger, this is necessary when the user is attaching the tape dispenser to the roll of tape, as illustrated in Fig 11 and Fig 12. The hand-held tape dispenser has three cylindrical holes 16, 17 and 18 which are for attaching the tape dispensers side plate 3. These holes are slightly tapered internally so they grip the three cylindrical pegs that are located on the inside face of the side plate 19 as seen in Fig IA.

Fig 8. Illustrates a perspective view of the tape dispenser with its alternative side plate. The tape dispenser comprises of a main body I which the tape sits within, a self-tensioning mechanism 2 and an alternative side plate with a built-in spacer 20. The spacer is a raised area 21 on the inside face of the side plate. The spacer fits snugly into the main body I when the side plate is attached, which will in turn, reduce the inside width of the main body so that thinner rolls of tape can be used. The spacer will have a maximum width, it must be 1mm away from the self-tensioning mechanism to ensure clearance and usability.

Fig 9. Illustrates a perspective view of the wider bodied tape dispenser with its side plate. The tape dispenser comprises of a main body 22 which the tape sits within, a self-tensioning mechanism 2 and a side plate 3. This tape dispenser is identical to Fig 1. except that the main body I has been configured to accommodate wider rolls of tape.

The wider main body 22 has been widened to the appropriate width to allow the use of wider widths of tape.

The components of the tape dispenser are able to be composed using any material including, but not limited to: plastic, metal and rubber or any combination thereof.

The self-tensioning mechanism 2 could be composed using any material, but not limited to: metal.

The teeth/cutting edge 12 could be composed using any material including, but not limited to: plastic or metal which is either moulded into the main body or added afterwards as a seperate element.

The insets on arcs 13 and 14 could be composed using any material including, but not limited to: plastic, rubber and metal which is either moulded into the main body or added afterwards as a seperate element.

The tape dispenser can be used with many kind of tapes including, but not limited to: masking tape, packing tape, ScotchTM tape, SellotapeTM etc. The tape dispenser could be manufacture in any size.

In operation, the tape dispenser is ergonomically designed to be held comfortably and in a way that assists the action needed to use the device, whether you are left or right handed.

The tape dispenser slides around the edge of the tape using its smooth internal arcs4, 5 and 6 which support and retain a constant position for the tape dispenser while on the roll of tape. This ensures that the tape dispenser is secure whether it's on a full roll of tape or one thats nearly empty.

ADVANTAGES

* No more searching for the end of the tape.

* Spring tension mechanism constantly adjusts to how much tape is on your roll, giving a smooth delivery action every time with no manual adjustment needed.

* Its compact design lets you keep the roll of tape in your hand whilst sticking the tape you've just trimmed.

* The tape dispenser stops the tape from rolUng away.

* Uses over 95% less plastic than a conventional desktop tape dispenser.

* Weighs just a few grams and takes up no extra space when storing away.

* Stores along with your tape so it's ready to use as soon as it's retrieved.

* Safe for children as it has no moving parts to trap fingers when being used, everything is concealed internally.

* A concealed self-tensioning mechanism offers an aesthetically pleasing design.

* Adds visible advertising space to either side of the dispenser for extra brand awareness.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A compact self-tensioning hand-held tape dispenser concealing a one-piece mechanism that applies a constant pressure to the inner roll of tape.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the self-tensioning means is provided by a sprung arm.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein the self-tensioning is created by the over compensating angle in which the arm is placed into the base of the tape dispenser so as to create pressure or the inner roll of the tape after the arm is retracted back on itself and released.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein the self-tensioning means that it will adjust to the roll of tape whether it is empty or full.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein the self-tensioning means no manual adjustment is necessary at any point while the tape dispenser is attached to the roll of tape.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein the one-piece mechanism means that it has no moving or rotating parts or any such like while being used.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein the one-piece mechanism means that it has only one elements inside the main body of the tape dispenser.
8. The device of claim 1 wherein pressure means that the self-tensioning creates a force.
9. The device of claim 1 wherein compact means it is small in size due to its self-tensioning mechanisms design.
10. The device of claim 1 wherein hand-held means both hands are needed to operate the tape dispenser.
11. The device of claim 1 wherein hand-held means the tape dispenser can be held in one hand easily.
12. The device of claim 1 wherein hand-held means the tape dispenser can be clasped in one hand due to its ergonomic design.
13. The device of claim 1 wherein concealed means that the self-tensioning mechanism cant be seen or accessed by the users hand and fingers while the tape dispenser is being used.
14. The compact self-tensioning hand-held tape dispensers main body wraps itself around the roll of tape 3600, totally encasing the section of tape that it's attached to.
15. The compact self-tensioning hand-held tape dispenser has 3 internal arcs within its main body which are its stabilising contact points on the roll of tape.
16. The 3 internal arcs (stabilising contact points) allow the tape dispenser to slide freely around the roll of tape in a secure manner with ease.
17. The method of attaching the tape dispenser to the roll of tape, by the retraction of a concealed sprung arm that is then, released onto the inner roll of tape to create a force.
18. The method of attaching the tape dispenser to the roll of tape, by holding the tape taught from the roll, lining up the tape delivery slot, then sliding the dispenser onto the roll of tape sideways.
19. A compact self-tensioning hand-held tape dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, in which the tape dispenser has a side plate that secures the tape dispenser to the roll of tape.
20. A compact self-tensioning hand-held tape dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, in which the tape dispenser has an alternative side plate with a spacer to reduces the internal width of the tape dispenser, meaning thinner rolls of tape can be used.
21. A compact self-tensioning hand-held tape dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, in which the tape dispenser has an alternative side plate with a spacer to secure the tape dispenser to the roll of tape.
22. A compact self-tensioning hand-held tape dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, can be produced in any size and width.