US3031117A - Dispensers for adhesive tape - Google Patents

Description

April 24, 1962 M. MAccAFERRI DISPENSERS FOR ADHESIVE TAPE Filed Feb. 14, 1961 INVENTOR.

.U1/Lb mlml My present invention is directed to the provision of dispensers for rolls of adhesive tape, and more particularly to such a dispenser molded in one piece of a suitable plastic material; and the nature and objects of the invention will be readily recognized and understood by those skilled in the arts to which the invention relates inthe light of the following explanation and detailed description of the accompanying drawings illustrating what I now consider to be a preferred embodiment or mechanical or structural expression of a dispenser for adhesive tape of my invention, from among various other embodiments, expressions, designs, constructions and combinations of which the invention is Vcapable within the broad spirit and scope thereof, as defined in and by the claims hereto appended.

Various designs and constructions of dispensing containers or holders for mounting and dispensing rolls of adhesive tape, such as the so-called pressure sensitive or Scotch tapes, of the desk or table supported and manually held and operated types are presently on the market. Such dispensers are in some instances made o`f plastic materials of several separately molded or formed parts that must be assembled to form a dispensing container with these parts detachably connected in assembled relation so that they may be readily separated for insertion of a roll of tape and for removal of the roll core when the tape of a roll has been completely dispensedV so that a new roll may then be inserted. These plastic, dispensing containers formed of separately molded and detacha-bly assembled parts are of relatively'high cost due to the necessity for separate moldings and for the assembly thereof, and are, therefore, not economically feasible as throw-away or disposable, one use items. And in addition, with frequent disassembly and use for refilling, such types of dispensers are subject to frequent breakage, with resulting improper assembly and unsatisfactory handling and operation in use.

lt is, therefore, a primary obiect of my invention to provide a plastic, dispensing container for holding rolls of adhesive tape so that tape can be dispensed therefrom, which dispenser is molded in one piece asa single, unitary molded structure which may be produced at a cost sufliciently low that a user may, if he desires, after dispensing all of the roll of the tape then discard the empty dispensing container without refilling it for reuse and thereafter use a new dispenser having a roll of adhesive tape mounted therein.

A further object is to so design and construct such a one-piece, unitary molded plastic, roll dispenser that a roll of adhesive tape may be readily inserted into position mounted therein for rotation to dispense tape therefrom by manually withdrawing the tape from the dispenser.

However, while it is a primary object of the invention to provide such an adhesive tape dispenser of suchlow cost that it can be economically used and then discarded without refilling and reuse, it is also an object of the invention to so design and construct such a dispenser that a user` may, if he so desires, remove the core of the used roll and then readily insert a new roll into operative tape dispensing positiontherein for reuse of the dispenser.

Au furtherV object is toprovide such a dispenser in the form of a one-piece, unitary molded plastic container structure having atape roll receiving space between spaced sidewallsth'e'reof withA such side walls having suliicient yieldit be spreadliy inseitio'riarid removal of a rollto ate and from mounted position therein and sufficient resiliency to restore to normal positions upon removal therefrom of the spreading forces applied by a tape roll. v

Another object is to provide such a one-piece dispenser as a unitary molded structure having molded integrally therewith bearing members for receiving and rotatably mounting thereon a roll of adhesive tape inserted into the dispenser together with guiding means serving also to wedge or cam the yieldable side walls into spread, rollreceiving position with the inserted roll guided thereby to operatively mounted position on said bearing means.

And a further object is to provide such a one-piece, unitary, molded plastic dispenser for rollsof'adhesive tape that can be eiiiciently quantity-produced at low cost and yet may be optionally used for either refilling or for dis'- card as a throw-away item after the original roll of tape furnished therewith has been dispensed. s

With the foregoing and various other objects, features and results in view, which will be readily apparent and recognized from the following detailed description and explanation, my invention consists in certain novel features in design and construction and inrcombination of parts, all as will be more fully and particularly referred to and specified hereinafter. l p

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar reference characters refer to corresponding parts throughout the several figures thereof: Y

FIG. l is a perspective view of a presently preferred design of dispenser of my invention with a roll of adhesive tape shown mounted therein in position for manual withdrawal of tape therefrom.

FIG. 2 is a vertical section through the dispenser of FIG. l taken as on the line 2*#2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a View in top plan of the dispenser of FIG. l.

FIG. 4 is a view in horizontal section taken as on the line 4 4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a view in front end elevation.

FIG. 6 is a detailed and fragmentary perspective view of the tape cutting end of the dispenser taken from the rear side thereof.

One form of dispenser of my present invention has been selected and is disclosed herein as an example for purposes of describing the invention and the various features and advantages thereof. The example dispenser happens to be ofa` size adapted primarily for mounting a roll of adhesive tape of 5/s" width with the roll having a diameter of approximately 23/8. It is to be understood, however, that a dispenser embodying the invention may be of any desired dimensions necessary to mount and have dispensed therefrom tapes of greater widths and in rolls of greater diameters, so that the size and dimensions of the selected example dispenser hereof are not to be considered in any sense as' limitations on the invention. With the example dispenser for a tape roll of the indicated dimensions, such a dispenser may, if desired, use rolls of tape of widths less than 5/s in rolls having smaller diameters than 2%.

The example dispenser is identified generally in its entirety as a unit bythe reference character C and is comp rised of a single molding of a suitable thermoplastic material, which in this particular instance happens to be a general purpose polystyrene; This unitary structure C formed of the single plastic molding provides the spaced sidewalls 10 and 11 that are verticallydisposed andV integrally `connected at their spaced rear edges by the vertically disposed rear wall l2. This rear wall 12 at its upper end curves lforwardly and extends' a short distance between and across the spaced edges of theV side walls,v as the arcuate, corner forming wail sectionlh. The

lower horizontaland space dedges 14 an'd ,'15 of the side walls ltland 11 provide theV support surfaces by which thedispenserCmay restandbe supported Aon lany suitable at horizontal surface' such as a desk or table top in position readily accessible for manual holding and tape dispensing. At their forward, upper ends the spaced side walls and 11 are joined and connected by the relatively-narrow arcuate corner forming cross wall 17. that extends =a short distance rearwardly between the upper edges and the short distance downwardly between the upper ends of the front edges of the side walls, as will be clear by reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings. The lower edge of the cross wall 17 is formed on a radius to provide an upwardly curved or arched edge 17a.

The spaced, opposite side walls 10 and 11 at the lower forward portions thereof are extended forwardly as the spaced vertically disposed substantially parallel wings or panels 20 and 21, which at their forward portions extend upwardly as the spaced, vertically disposed support members 22 and 23. The forward edges ofthe forwardly extending side wall panels 2t) and 21 and the upwardly extending support members 22 and 23 thereof are connected at their forward edges by the front wall 24 which extends therebetween and closes the `front or forward side of the dispenser. This front wall 24 may increase in thickness upwardly along its vertical height and terminates at its upper end in the transversely disposed forwardly extending lip forming wall 25 which across its forward horizontal edge provides a sharp cutting or shearing edge 26 thereacross over which the tape from a roll mounted in the dispenser is drawn and then pulled downwardly with a twisting motion to sever the forwardly extending length of the tape. The cutting edge 26 may be suitably notched or toothed, if desired, as shown in the drawings.

A suitable tape yguiding and supporting edge surface 27 is provided extended inwardly and downwardly centrally of the lip 25 in 4the path of movement of the tape drawn outwardly from a roll to and over the upper side surface of `the lip 25. The supporting edge 27 extends inwardly from the lip 25 through the space between the forward side of the side walls 10 and 11 and the lower edge 17a of the cross wall 17. The guiding edge 27 is provided by the upper edge of a vertically disposed plate member 28 carried integrally with a wall structure identitied generally by the reference character 29 and formed integral with and extending across and between the wings or panels 20 and 21. Thus, as will be clear by reference to FIG. 1, this tape guiding and supporting edge surface 27 is positioned below the length of tape that extends from a roll within the dispenser to and across the lip 25 land the cutting edge 26 thereof.

In accordance with my invention as expressed in the example tape dispenser C hereof, means are provided formed integral with the spaced side walls 10 and 11 projecting inwardly therefrom by which a roll R of tape T may be inserted through the opening 30 in the bottom of the dispenser C, spread the walls 10 and 11 thereof apart, and then be forced upwardly and guided into position rotatably mounted therein for withdrawal of the tape T therefrom. Such means in the example hereof consists of the vertically disposed, spaced parallel ribs 31, 32 and 33 projecting inwardly from the inner side of each of the side walls 10 and 11. The ribs 31, 32 and 33 on each side wall are positioned opposite and in alignment transversely of the dispenser with the upper ends of these ribs integrally joined by an arcuate or circular form inwardly extending bearing member, in this example in the form of a flange 34 that is generated as the arc of a circle about the center of rotation 35 (see FIG. 1) of the roll R when the latter is n mounted position in the dispenser rotatably supported on the transversely aligned opposite arcuate bearing members or anges 34 of the side walls, as will be cleai by reference to FIG. 2 of the drawings. At its opposite lower ends each circular bearing flange 34 is of increased width and forms a widened rib member 36 as a segment of the circle about the axis 35 in which the bearing flange 34 lies. The ribs 31, 32 and 33 are beveled or tapered downwardly and outwardly at the inner surfaces thereof from a location in a projected horizontal line passing through the lower ends of the segmental ribs 36 to provide thereon the upwardly and inwardly inclined wedging or camming surfaces 38 shown on the ribs 31 in FIG 2. Each pair of aligned, opposite and spaced ribs 32 and 33 are provided with similar tapered or inclined wedging or camming surfaces 33, as will be clear, for example, by reference to FIG. 4.

In this particular instance the system of ribs 31, 32, 33 and 36 and lthe arcuate or circular bearing flange 34 are located in positions angularly spaced through about 18 degrees from the vertical in a direction away from the front of the dispenser and the location thereon of the cutting edge forming lip 25, as clearly shown by FIG. 1 of the drawings. 'I'his angular positioning of the rib and support flange system on the inner side of each side wall of the dispenser is for the purpose of applying the manual forces utilized in withdrawing tape T from the roll R over the lip 25 in a direction to offset and overcome any tendency of the dispenser C to tip or rock forwardly while tape is being withdrawn from the roll in the dispenser and then cut or sheared otf at the cutting edge 26.

Thus the dispenser C, following the invention, is molded or cast in one piece of a suitable thermoplastic material with the bearing flanges 34 and the ribs 31, 32 and 36 on the inner side of each side wall extending inwardly in transverse alignment but substantially spaced apart, as will be clear by reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and -4 of the drawings. The dispenser C is readily filled or charged with the roll R of adhesive tape T by holding the upper portion of the dispenser in one hand and with the other hand forcing the roll R between the side walls 10 and 11 into engagement with the inclined wedging or camming surfaces of the system of ribs so that the side walls 10 and 11 are forced apart sufficiently to permit the roll to move over and across and between the ribs on the opposite side walls until the core or inner side of the roll around the axial bore therethrough slips over and onto the bearing surfaces provided at the outer sides of the bearing flanges 34. When the roll reaches this position seated on the bearing flanges, the side walls 10 and 11 `are released from the pressures applied thereto by the roll and these side walls then restore to their normal positions with the roll R held in rotatably mounted position on the flanges 34 with the lower or outer portion of the roll resting in the space formed between the lower portions of the inclined surfaces 38 of the spaced ribs for rotation therethrough, as shown clearly by FIG. 2 of the drawings.

With the tape roll R in mounted position, as above, the end of the tape T at the outer, forward side of the roll R is pulled from the roll and drawn outwardly through the opening below edge 17a across wall 17 and over the guiding edge 27 and outwardly over and across the upper surface of the lip 25 and a distance beyond the lip for a length of tape that it is desired to shear oi by the cutting edge 26. Due to the elevated position of the lip 25 and the cutting edge 26 above the location of the axis of rotation 35 of the roll R, and the angular positions of the rib systems 31, 32, 33 and 36 and the bearing flanges 34, the manually applied forces acting longitudinally of the tape do not tend to rock or tip the tape forwardly from normal position resting on a supporting surface.

It will be noted that with the tape T drawn outwardly from roll R in position extending over guide edge 27 and across lip 2S, spaces are formed at opposite sides of plates 28 between wall structure 29 and the tape for insertion of a finger in order to grasp and manipulate the tape length if found necessary.

Thus, I have by the design, construction and arrangement of my present invention, provided a one-piece molded plastic tape dispenser which can be injection molded into complete and finished-for-market form at low cost without any assembly required other than the insertion of a roll of tape into operative position therein. The cost of producing the completed dispenser is sufficiently low that it may be used as a throw-away unit for discard after the roll of tape with which it is initially filled has been used up, or, optionally it may be refilled and continued in use. And the dispenser may be readily initially filled with a roll of tape and, if desired, refilled by merely forcing a ro-ll of tape through the tape receiving opening into its operative mounted position in the dispenser. And while in the specific example of dispenser herein selected for purposes of example the roll receiving opening thereto is shown as in and through the bottom or underside of the dispenser, my invention contemplates and includes the provision of such a roll receiving opening at other locations therein.

It will also be evident to those skilled in the art that various other changes, modifications, substitutions or eliminations might be resorted to without departing from the broad spirit and scope of my invention, and hence I do not desire or intend lto limit the invention in all respects to the specific form or to the specific construction thereof o-f the selected and disclosed example hereof, except as may be required by clearly intended limitations thereto appearing in any of the claims hereto appended.

What I claim is:

1. A dispenser for adhesive tapey rolls comprising a onepiece unitary container of plastic material for mounting and enclosing therewithin a roll of adhesive tape of a type having an axial opening therein, said container including: spaced opposite side walls with a bottom opening therebetween for insertion of a roll of tape therethrough to mounted position enclosed within said container, a rear wall, and a front Wall having a tape dispensing opening therethrough; said opposite side walls being yieldable and laterally outwardly spreadable by the application thereto of spreading forces and being restorable to unspread positions by the removal of spreading forces therefrom; an inwardly projecting bearing ange on the inner side of each of said yieldable side walls providing a bearing surface on the side of said ange opposite said bottom opening; said bearing flanges being positioned at intermediate locations on said side walls, respectively, spaced inwardly from said bottom opening and being spaced apart at the inner facing sides thereof for passage of a roll of tape therebetween to mounted position with said bearing flanges extended into the axial opening of the roll of tape; wedging surfaces on the inner sides of said laterally yieldable, opposite side walls extending between said bottom opening and said bearing flanges, respectively, for spreading said yieldable side walls with said bearing lianges thereon laterally outwardly by forced passage of a roll of tape therebetween in wedging engagement therewith from said bottom opening to mounted position on said bearing flanges; and said bearing flanges with said yieldable side walls being restored from spread to unspread positions by the removal of spreading forces therefrom by a roll of tape in mounted position rotatably supported on said bearing flanges.

2. A dispenser for adhesive tape rolls, comprising a container for mounting and enclosing therewithin a roll of adhesive tape of a type having an axial opening therein, said container including: spaced opposite side walls with a bottom opening therebetween for insertion of a roll of tape therethrough into mounted position enclosed within said container, a rear wall, and a front wall having a tape withdrawal opening therein; said opposite side walls being yieldable and laterally outwardly spreadable by the application of spreading forces thereto and being restorable to unspread positions by the removal of spreading forces therefrom; an inwardly projecting bearing flange on the inner side of each of said side walls providing a bearing surface on the side thereof opposite said bottom opening; said bearing flanges being positioned at intermediate locations on said side walls, respectively, spaced inwardly from said bottom opening and also being spaced apart from each other at the inner facing sides thereof; spaced wedging ribs on the inner sides of said laterally yieldable side walls extending between said bottom opening and said bearing flanges, respectively, for spreading said yieldable side walls with said bearing flanges thereon laterally outwardly by forced passage of a roll of tape therebetween in wedging engagement therewith to mounted position on said bearing franges; said wedging rib members on said opposite side walls at fthe end portions thereof adjacent said bottom opening being formed of reduced thickness to provide a space therebetween for receiving a roll of tape therein for rotation therethrough when the roll of tape is in position rotatably mounted on said bearing anges; and said bearing lianges with said yieldable side walls being restored from spread to unspread positions by the removal of spreading forces therefrom with a roll of tape in mounted position rotatably supported on said bearing anges.

3. A dispenser for adhesive tape rolls, comprising a container for mounting and enclosing therewithin a roll of adhesive tape of a type having an axial opening therein, said container including: spaced opposite side Walls with a bottom opening ytherebetween for insertion of a roll of tape therethrough into mounted position enclosed within said container, a rear wall, and a front wall having a tape withdrawal opening therein and a tape supporting lip member thereacross at the forward side of said withdrawal opening; said opposite side walls being yieldable and laterally spreadable by the application of spreading forces thereto and being restorable to unspread positions by the removal of spreading forces therefrom; an arcuate, inwardly projecting bearing ange on the inner side of each of said side walls providing a bearing surface on the side thereof opposite said bottom opening; said bearing flanges being aligned transversely of said container and being spaced apart at their inner facing sides for passage of a roll of tape therebetween to mounted position thereon; each of said arcuate bearing flanges being located in a position angularly displaced rearwardly toward said rear Wall about the axis of rotation of a roll of tape in mounted position on said arcuate Vbearing anges; said tape supporting lip member on said front wall being located in a plane spaced outwardly from the axis of rotation of a roll of tape on said bearing flanges on the side thereof opposite said bottom opening; spaced ribs on the inner sides of said yieldable side walls extending from locations adjacent said bottom opening to said arcuate bearing flanges, respectively, for spreading said side walls laterally outwardly by forced passage of a roll of tape therebetween in wedging engagement therewith to mounted position on said bearing iianges; and said ribs and said side walls providing a space within said container between said bottom opening and the adjacent ends of said ribs for receiving a roll of tape therein for rotation therethrough when a roll of tape is in position rotatably mounted on said bearing flanges.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,470,342 De Luisi et al May 17, 1949 2,633,396 Kawecki Mar. 3l, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 571,801 Canada Mar. 3, 1959

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