JP2015533748A - Dispenser for tape roll with integral tape mandrel - Google Patents

Abstract

A housing having a partially enclosed interior, and a mandrel disposed within and coupled to the housing, the mandrel receiving and releasably holding a tape roll having a core opening, the mandrel from the substrate A hub structure including a first side wall projecting and a second side wall projecting from the base parallel to the first side wall, wherein the first and second side walls project from each other and releasably engage the core opening of the tape roll. (I) a tape roll having a core opening is partially insertable therein, and the core opening of the tape roll does not substantially disassemble the housing; Releasably engaged with and disengaged from the first and second sidewalls for securing within the delivery seat; (ii) during delivery seating without substantially disassembling the housing of Puroru is removable from the interior is disengaged from the first and second side walls, a tape dispenser assembly configured. [Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a dispenser for a tape roll, in particular a dispenser having an integral tape mandrel.

  Many desktop tape dispensers support a tape roll (ie, generally a cylindrical core member having a core opening therein in which the tape is wound in a roll shape), at which the tape is A simple mandrel is used in which the tape roll rotates as it is delivered. Mandrels are generally separate components that must be removed from the dispenser and handled separately, often resulting in loss or misplacement. The use of such a mandrel further limits how the dispenser is shaped and redesigned since the dispenser ultimately requires features corresponding to the fixation of the mandrel. Such problems become exacerbated when the tape roll is intended to be housed within the interior of the dispenser, particularly when the interior is at least partially enclosed.

  There is a need to improve tape dispensers.

  In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a mandrel for supporting a tape roll, the mandrel including a pair of opposite side walls protruding from a substrate. Each sidewall includes a hub structure configured to releasably engage a core opening of a tape roll having a core opening. The side walls are elastically flexible relative to each other to allow tape rolls to be inserted and replaced.

Briefly summarized, the tape dispenser assembly of the present invention comprises:
A housing having an interior that is at least partially enclosed;
A mandrel disposed within the interior and coupled to the housing, the mandrel being adapted to receive and releasably retain a tape roll having a core opening.

  The mandrel includes a first side wall protruding from the base and a second side wall protruding from the base that is substantially parallel to the first side wall, and the first and second side walls protrude from the respective side walls. Each has a hub structure adapted to releasably engage the core opening of the tape roll. As described herein, the assembly includes: (1) a tape roll having a core opening is at least partially insertable into the interior, wherein the core opening of the tape roll is substantially Without disassembling the housing, releasably engaged with and disengaged from the first and second side walls to secure the tape roll within the delivery seat; and 2) The tape roll in the delivery seat is configured to be detached from the first and second side walls and removable from the inside without substantially disassembling the housing.

  In another aspect, the present disclosure includes a tape dispenser assembly including a housing having an interior that is at least partially enclosed, a mandrel disposed within and coupled to the interior, and a tape roll. I will provide a. Advantageously, a tape roll, which generally includes a core member having a core opening thereon, into which the tape is wound, is inserted into the interior and mounted on the mandrel, followed by the mandrel from within the housing. It can be removed without removing it.

  The present invention will be further described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

1 is a perspective view of a tape mandrel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is an end view of the tape mandrel of FIG. 1. 1 is a perspective view of a tape dispenser assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the dispenser assembly of FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a tape dispenser assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the tape dispenser assembly of FIG.

  The drawings are for illustration only and are not to scale.

  The terms “including” and variations thereof do not have a limiting meaning where these terms appear in the text of this specification and the claims.

  The terms “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that can provide certain benefits under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the description of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful, nor is it intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the invention.

  All numbers set forth herein should be considered modified by the term “about”.

  As used herein, “a”, “an”, “the”, “at least one”, and “one or more” are used interchangeably. Thus, for example, a mandrel containing “one (a)” side walls can be interpreted as a mandrel containing “one or more” side walls.

  Further, herein, the recitations of numerical ranges by endpoints include all numbers subsumed within that range (eg, 1 to 5 is 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3,. 80, 4, 5, etc.).

  The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. The following description more specifically illustrates exemplary embodiments. In several places throughout the application, guidance is provided through lists of examples, which examples can be used in various combinations. The list described in each case is given as a representative group to the last, and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive list.

  The tape mandrel of the present disclosure may be used to support a roll of tape in a dispenser having an at least partially enclosed interior. As used herein, a partially enclosed interior means that the housing includes a limited number of openings that are large enough to receive a tape roll. In certain embodiments, the tape mandrel is secured inside the dispenser housing while leaving enough flexibility to allow the tape roll to be removed and others inserted and replaced without disassembling the dispenser. Is possible. The mandrels of the present disclosure generally include a pair of opposite side walls that project outwardly from the substrate and have a corresponding hub structure that releasably holds the tape roll. One side wall may further include a tab that can be used to encourage the end of the side wall to separate, allowing easier removal and insertion of the tape roll. The tape mandrels of the present invention are potentially useful in a wide variety of tape dispenser designs, including boxes, helmets and decorative fruits.

  1 and 2 depict an embodiment of a mandrel 10 suitable for use in a tape dispenser having an at least partially enclosed interior. When configured for use with a tape roll mounted on a mandrel according to the present invention by an interior that is at least partially enclosed, the entire tape roll and mandrel are substantially around the opening or It is meant to be located within the interior of the housing with only the tape ends extending outwardly. In such an arrangement, the tape roll and mandrel can be observed from the outside of the housing when fitted with a suitable opening, but within the interior to minimize undesirable interaction with the outside operating environment. Be placed.

  The mandrel 10 includes a base 11 and a pair of opposite, generally parallel sets of side walls 12 projecting from the base 11, thereby cooperating with the base to define a tape roll receiving portion. Although the substrate 11 is depicted as a uniform or substantially flat surface, they have any profile sufficient to connect the opposite side walls 12 and place them relative to one another (eg, concave curvature). Surface). In certain embodiments, the sidewall 12 can extend from the plane defined by the substrate 11 at a right angle or a slight obtuse angle (eg, about 90 to about 95 degrees). The gentle tapering of the sidewalls relative to the substrate 11 (ie, draft) facilitates the molding of the mandrel 10 in certain circumstances. The side walls 12 are spaced a distance sufficient to minimize the outward movement of the held tape roll. For example, the sidewalls hold 3/4 inch (1.9 centimeter) tape rolls on each side with at least 16 inch (0.16 centimeter) clearance (ie, the distance between the sidewall and the roll). Can be designed. Other dimensions are possible depending on the desired tape roll size and the hub structure discussed in more detail below.

  The side wall 12 of the mandrel 10 includes an opposite hub structure 13 that protrudes inwardly from the inner surface of the side wall 12. The hub structure 13 is used to rotatably support the cylindrical inner surface of the tape roll core against rotation around the shaft, for example by projecting into the opposite end of the opening in the tape roll core. Providing a suitable peripheral surface. As depicted, the hub structure 13 includes a semi-cylindrical protrusion that includes a raised surface 14 and an angled portion 15 adjacent the free end of the sidewall 12 (ie, the end not connected to the substrate). The inclination 15 makes an angle or is inclined with respect to the plane of the side wall 12. Due to the nature of the angle of inclination 15, convenient loading of a roll of tape on the hub structure 13 is acceptable. Different hub structures (such as hollow, generally U-shaped flags) are known in the tape delivery arts and may be used without departing from the scope of the inventive mandrels disclosed herein. Exemplary hub structures can be found in US Pat. Nos. 5,468,332 (Dretzka et al) and 8,191597 (Vulpitta).

  The side walls 12 are elastically flexible between the hub structure 13 and the base 11, so that they are elastically bent, placing a roll of tape between the hub structures 13 and removing the empty core therebetween. Make it possible. In an exemplary embodiment, the material is sufficiently flexible to allow at least 10 relative movements of the sidewall relative to its initial position. In other embodiments, the material is flexible enough to allow at least 15 relative movements, and in other embodiments at least 20 relative movements. To assist in the relative movement of the side wall 12, the free end of one side wall 12 may be provided with a tab 16. Tab 16 may include any grippable geometry and generally extends at a non-zero angle with respect to the plane defined by sidewall 12. In certain embodiments, the tab 16 is at an angle of at least 15 degrees, in some embodiments, at least 30 degrees, in some embodiments, at least 45 degrees, and in some embodiments, at least 60 degrees. Stretch. It may be preferred that the tabs 16 extend at an angle greater than 90 degrees so that the force required to pry off the side walls is properly reduced.

  Due to the elastic flexibility of the side wall 12 and the design of the hub structure 13 at least in part, the user can use the tape roll without having to use the tab 16 or without prying the side wall 12. You may wear. However, removal may require removal of at least one of the side walls 12 to separate the at least one hub structure 13 from the tape roll core.

  One of the side walls 12 of the mandrel 10, preferably the side wall opposite the side wall including the tab 16, includes a mounting structure 17. The mounting structure 17 is adapted for use in coupling the mandrel 10 to the interior of the dispenser housing. As will be described in more detail below, the mounting structure 17 can also assist in placing the mandrel 10 relative to the dispenser cutting surface. For example, a mating mechanism may engage the mating opening on the inner surface of the dispenser. In the depicted embodiment, the mounting structure 17 includes a hollow, cylindrical ring that frictionally engages other similar structures on the dispenser. In other embodiments, the mounting structure 17 can be secured to the dispenser housing via a fastening mechanism (eg, pressure sensitive adhesive, hook and loop fasteners). In certain circumstances, it is desirable to have sidewalls that are permanently affixed to the housing. Since only the free side wall needs to move to fully open the mandrel, securing the side wall to the dispenser housing allows for the potential one-hand loading and removal of the tape roll. Further, securing the side wall to the dispenser housing prevents the mandrel from being removed and lost during normal use. In other embodiments, the mandrel may be removably retained in the dispenser housing.

  Suitable materials for the mandrel include, but are not limited to, plastics, metals and ceramics, and combinations thereof. Suitable plastics include but are not limited to polystyrene and polycarbonate.

  Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a dispenser assembly including a tape dispenser 20, a mandrel 10 and a tape roll 30 is depicted. In the illustrated embodiment, the tape dispenser 20 is generally in the shape of a football helmet and includes a shell 21 that at least partially defines an interior 22 and a face guard 23. The face guard 23 and the shell 21 cooperate to partially enclose the interior 22. A cutting support 24 is disposed on the face guard 23 away from the interior 22. The cutting support 24 generally includes a landing surface and a blade. The landing surface is accessible and serves as a surface to connect to the disposed end of the tape so that it is ready for further use, and the landing surface further reduces tape breakage across the blade In order to do so, a support surface is provided. The blade may be serrated or may include any other known blade constellation.

  The mandrel 10 is fixed to the tape dispenser 20 via a fitting mechanism 25 on the inner surface of the shell 21. The base 11 of the mandrel 10 is disposed toward the rear of the shell 21, and the hub structure 13 is arranged adjacent to the cutting support 24. The mounting structure 17 cooperates with the fitting mechanism 25 to place the mandrel 10 in the dispenser so that the tape delivered from the tape roll 30 in the direction of the face guard 23 is connected to the cutting support 24. Will engage. In other embodiments, the mounting structure 17 is sufficient to separate the mandrel from the inner surface of the shell 21. As depicted, the mandrel 10 is oriented such that the inclined portion 15 of the hub structure 13 is angled slightly downward relative to the plane defined by the cutting support 24. This orientation facilitates the loading of the tape roll 30, which is preferably loaded through the bottom opening of the shell 12. In other embodiments, the face guard 23 is removable and the tape roll 30 is mounted in a direction toward the base 11 of the mandrel 10.

  The user may be able to prepare the mandrel 10 for tape roll insertion by moving the tab 16 away from the side wall 12 connected to the shell 21. Since the side walls 12 are connected at the base 11, the hub structures 13 are moved away from each other at an inclination 15 rather than at the rear end by moving the side walls away from the front end. . This allows a desired width of tape to be inserted without applying more pressure than necessary on the tape dispenser 20 or mandrel 10. Alternatively, the tape roll 30 can be mounted without the user initiating side wall movement.

  In other embodiments, the dispenser housing has a housed interior that is accessible only through a door, movable cover, or other access mechanism. FIGS. 5 and 6 depict another embodiment of a dispenser assembly that includes a tape dispenser 120, a mandrel 110, and a tape roll 130. The mandrel 110 is not substantially different from the mandrel 10 described above, and thus certain elements of the mandrel 10 need not be repeated. The tape dispenser 120 includes a substrate 123 having a cutting support 124 and a removable cover 121 that cooperate to define the dispenser interior 122. Cover 121 is depicted as being hingedly coupled to base 123 so that the cover is rotatable between an open state (FIG. 5) and a closed state (FIG. 6). Others to allow transition between open and closed states, such as removable covers with friction or mating fit on the base, covers slidably connected to the base, and other known conformations A mechanism is also suitable.

  In use, the cover 121 rotates upward relative to the bottom surface of the substrate 123 to expose the mandrel 110 and allow the tape roll 130 within the dispenser interior 122 to be received. In certain embodiments, rotation of the cover may also cause rotation of the mandrel 110 between the mounted state and the stowed state. Alternatively, since the tape roll 130 is generally rotatable on the hub structure of the mandrel 110 in any direction, the mandrel 110 does not rotate with the cover 121. Once the tape roll 130 is secured in the mandrel 110, the tape may be pulled from the roll 130 and placed on the cutting support 124.

  It should be understood that various housing designs that create at least a partial enclosure are possible and within the scope of the present disclosure.

  The entire contents of the patents, patent documents, and publications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if each were incorporated individually. Various modifications and alterations of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. The present invention is not unduly limited by the exemplary embodiments and examples described herein, and these examples and embodiments are presented for illustrative purposes only. Therefore, it should be understood that the scope of the present invention is limited only by the “claims” described herein below.

Claims (6)

A tape dispenser assembly comprising:
A housing having an interior that is at least partially enclosed;
A mandrel disposed in the interior and coupled to the housing, the mandrel configured to receive and releasably hold a tape roll having a core opening. A first side wall projecting and a second side wall projecting from the base body substantially parallel to the first side wall, wherein the first side wall and the second side wall project from each side wall and the tape roll Each having a hub structure adapted to releasably engage the core opening;
The tape dispenser assembly includes: (1) a tape roll having a core opening is at least partially insertable into the interior, the core opening of the tape roll substantially without disassembling the housing; Releasably engaged with and disengaged from the first and second sidewalls to secure the tape roll in a delivery configuration, and (2) substantially A tape dispenser assembly configured such that a tape roll in a delivery arrangement is removable from the first side wall and the second side wall and is removable from the interior without disassembling the housing.   The tape dispenser according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first side wall and the second side wall is elastically flexible with respect to the other side wall.   The tape dispenser of claim 1, wherein the first side wall further comprises a tab extending at a non-zero angle with respect to a plane defined by the first side wall.   The tape dispenser of claim 1, wherein at least one of the hub structure of the first sidewall and the hub structure of the second sidewall includes an inclined portion adjacent to a free end of the sidewall.   The tape dispenser of claim 1, wherein the tape roll can be removed from the housing without removing the mandrel from the interior of the housing.   The tape dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a tape roll having a core opening, wherein the tape roll is releasably engaged with the mandrel.

Images