WO1996024549A1

WO1996024549A1 - Perforated packaging tape and dispenser and perforation mechanism therefor

Info

Publication number: WO1996024549A1
Application number: PCT/CA1996/000079
Authority: WO
Inventors: David J. E. Jabalee
Original assignee: Weston, Colin, K.
Priority date: 1995-02-10
Filing date: 1996-02-08
Publication date: 1996-08-15
Also published as: CA2187435A1; AU4533396A; CA2187435C

Abstract

A readily tearable packaging tape provided. The packaging tape comprises an elongate main body portion of substantially constant cross section having a generally centrally disposed longitudinal axis, a thickness defined by a top surface and a bottom surface, a width defined by a pair of side edges, and a length defined by a first end and a second end, and with a coating of adhesive applied to the bottom surface. There are a plurality of tear-inducing cuts formed in the main body portion disposed along the length thereof, such that the packaging tape exhibits the characteristic of ready tearibility at the tear-inducing cuts so as to cause those cuts to develop into elongate tears in the tape, and so as to thereby ultimately cause the tape to separate into at least two portions. The main body portion of the packaging tape exhibits the characteristic of being resistant to tearing, other than in the region of the elongate tears. There is also provided a mechanism for effecting the tear-inducing cuts in the packaging tape, including an axle member, a pair of tape guide members to receive a portion of the non-adhesive side of said packaging tape, a support surface for the tape, and a tape cutting member mounted on the axle for rotational movement and having at least one tape cutting portion extending beyond the support surface. The tape cutting portion is shaped and dimensioned to effect the tear-inducing cuts in the packaging tape by intermittently engaging and making the tear-inducing cuts in the packaging tape as the packaging tape is drawn lengthwise across the support surface.

Description

PERFORATED PACKAGING TAPE AND DISPENSER AND PERFORATION MECHANISM THEREFOR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

This invention relates to packaging tapes and packaging tape dispensers used to seal cardboard boxes and the like, and to join together small packages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

In order to ship merchandise such as manufactured articles from the place of manufacture to a place of retail sale, use, distribution, or the like, it is generally necessary to first package such articles either for display — in the case of store shelf type items such as perhaps food and toys — or for storage — in the case of other types of items, such as perhaps shoe boxes or automobile parts. Such packages may be in the form of boxes, plastic bags, cardboard packages, and so on.

During actual shipping, which might include intermediate storage at a distribution point and storage at the place of retail sale, use, distribution, or the like, it is common to pack such packaged articles into shipping containers in the form of small or large cardboard boxes — commonly called an RSC (regular slotted container) carton. Such cardboard boxes typically have four sides joined together to form a continuous structure, and top and bottom open ends each with four foldable flaps extending outwardly from each end, which flaps are used to close off the open ends of the box. Once the flaps have been folded so as to close off the open ends of the box, the cardboard boxes are then sealed at both ends by way of packaging tape adhered to one pair of flaps and the sides of the box, at each of the top and bottom thereof. Conventional packaging tape is about 5 to 8 cm wide and may be made from a number of materials including polypropylene, polyester, and polyvinylchloride, among others. Packaging tape is relatively strong so as to preclude accidental breaking or tearing of the tape. However, if packaging tape becomes pierced or ripped, it tends to tear easily, especially lengthwise.

Once the sealed shipping containers have reached their final destination and are to be opened, it is common to use an implement, such as a knife or the like, to pierce a hole in a portion of the packaging tape, typically between two opposed flaps that have been folded toward each other so as to meet or to almost meet. The packaging tape can then be readily torn or ripped in some manner, such as along its length, to permit opening of the packaging container, thus taking advantage of the tendency of the packaging tape to tear readily, once ripped or pierced.

Without an implement such as a knife or the like, it is extremely difficult to puncture or tear conventional packaging tape. Unfortunately, all but the most careful use of an implement such as a knife to puncture the packaging tape on shipping container may easily result in damage to the packages contained therein, or even to the merchandise contained in the individual packages. Such damage is completely unacceptable, and may result in significant devaluation of the merchandise. Typical merchandise may include readily damageable merchandise such as electronic equipment, food, clothes, or other damageable articles.

Shipping containers may be taped either manually, by way of a hand-held tape dispenser having a roll of packaging tape mounted thereon, or by means of an automatic packaging tape application device typically used in conjunction with a conveyor as part of the packaging portion of a production line. In any event, the tape is applied generally in the same manner, spanning the gap between two flaps or sides of the cardboard box shipping container.

Other uses for packaging tape might include the sealing of moving boxes, either by individuals or by professional movers. Other somewhat different uses of this type of packaging tape might include binding together several smaller products for shipping purposes, without the use of a large cardboard box as a shipping container, such as joining together two or three or more packages for retail sale without the necessity of an overwrap. What is needed to serve all these purposes is a packaging tape that does not require a separate implement to pierce it, so as to preclude damage to the packaging, or the articles contained therein.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a packaging tape that is readily tearable without the use of an aid such as a knife or the like, to cut or pierce the tape.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a packaging tape that is readily tearable by means of impacting by a person's hand.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mechanism that produces such a packaging tape, which mechanism can be used in either a manual tape dispenser or an automatic production line tape dispenser.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART:

United States patent No. 4,135,023 to LLOYD et al, issued January 16, 1979, discloses an embossed film product and adhesive coated strip formed therefrom. A melt-embossed polymer film is produced, with primary parallel grooves on one surface and secondary parallel grooves on the other surface, such that the combined tapes of the grooves is at least substantially equal to the film thickness. The two sets of grooves are located at an angle to each other of not less than 30°. The film is stretched at right angles to the direction of the primary grooves by a small amount to provide a perforate product which can be formed into strips that are tearable longitudinally or transversely, and are thus useful as vapour-permeable substrate for adhesive-coated tape. United States patent No. 3,898,919 issued August 12, 1975, to GRIMALDI Jr., discloses a sheet perforator having means for re-enforcing the sheet around holes in the sheet. Re-enforcing tape having pressure sensitive adhesive on one side is pulled step-by-step from a supply roll with the adhesive side of the tape facing the paper that is to be re-enforced. The re-enforcing tape is pulled past and beneath a punch that punches the tape to form a disk. The disk is applied to the paper at the area to be re-enforced. A punch simultaneously punches a hole both the disk and the paper.

Other types of tape perforation equipment are known, such as equipment for perforating computer tape. Such tape perforating equipment is generally quite complicated as evidenced, by way of example, in IWAI United States patent No. 3,260,446, issued July 12, 1966. That patent teaches apparatus in which movably mounted pins are positioned and adapted to perforate a data carrying tape made from paper. A pin actuating rotary magnet has a stator adapted to be electrically energized when the tape is desired to be perforated. A rotatably mounted rotor adaptor is angularly displaced in a pre-determined direction about its axis from an initial position to a perforating position upon electrical energization of the stator. A linking means mechanically couples the rotor of the pin actuating rotary magnet to the pin in such a manner that the angular displacement of the rotor in the pre-determined direction about its axis to its perforating position moves the pin from an inoperative position to an operative position to perforate the tape. A pin re-setting means is positioned and adapted to abut the linking means just prior to the time that the pin reaches its perforating position, for returning the pin to its inoperative position and displacing the rotor of the pin actuating rotary magnetic in the direction opposite the determined direction, to its initial position. The tape has a series of regularly spaced positioning holes disposed centrally along the length thereof. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a readily tearable packaging tape which comprises an elongate main body portion of substantially constant cross-section, having a generally centrally disposed longitudinal axis. The main body portion has a thickness which is defined by a top surface and a bottom surface, and a width defined by a pair of side edges disposed about the longitudinal axis. The length of the readily tearable packaging tape is indeterminate, in that it is supplied on a roll; however, in use, the length of a portion of the readily tearable packaging tape is defined by a first end and a second end thereof. There is a coating of adhesive applied to the bottom surface of the tape.

A plurality of tear-inducing cuts is formed in the main body portion of the readily tearable packaging tape, disposed along the length thereof. Accordingly, the main body portion of the readily tearable packaging tape exhibits the characteristic of ready tearibility at the tear-inducing cuts, so as to cause those cuts to develop into elongate tears in the main body portion. Ultimately, that portion of readily tearable packaging tape will separate into at least two portions. Otherwise, the packaging tape exhibits the characteristic of being resistant to tearing, other than in the regions of the elongate tears. Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for effecting cuts in packaging tape being dispensed from a packaging tape dispensing device, whether that dispensing device is an automated tape dispensing head in a factory-installed packaging line, or a hand-held tape dispenser. In any event, the mechanism for effecting cuts in packaging tape comprises an axle member having a length equal to or greater than the width of the packaging tape, and having a generally centrally disposed longitudinal axis. The axle is operatively connected to the tape dispensing device. There are a pair of tape guide members operatively mounted on the axle member, each tape guide having a support surface that is shaped and dimensioned to receive a portion of the non-adhesive side of the packaging tape, and thereby so as to support that portion of the packaging tape. A tape cutting member is operatively mounted on the axle member in interposed relation between the tape guide members for rotational movement about the centrally disposed longitudinal axis with respect to the tape dispensing device. The tape cutting member has at least one tape cutting portion which extends beyond the support surface, and that tape cutting portion is shaped and dimensioned so as to effect the tear-inducing cuts in the packaging tape.

The tape cutting member moves rotationally around the axle member so as to cause the tape cutting portion to intermittently engage and subsequently effect the tear-inducing cuts in the packaging tape at the portion thereof which is received by the support surfaces, as the packaging tape is drawn lengthwise across the support surface.

In a particular embodiment which is in keeping with the present invention, the tape cutting mechanism is installed or mounted in a hand-held tape dispenser in which packaging tape is dispensed from a tape roll. The tape dispenser comprises a main body member, a handle member securely connected to the main body member, and a tape roll retention means operatively connected to the main body member. The tape cutting member is operatively mounted on its axle which is supported by the main body member, so as to intermittently engage and subsequently effect the tear-inducing cuts in the dispensed tape as it is dispensed from the tape roll. Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a packaging tape which is readily tearable and which may be used for sealing packages in such a manner that, when it is necessary to open or unseal the package, the tape will tear along its length or width, where the tape is not adhered to the package, but otherwise remain in sealing relationship where the tape is adhered to the package. A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for effecting cuts in packaging tape as it is being dispensed from a packaging tape dispensing device, whereby the packaging tape may be rendered easily tearable at such time as it is desired and intended to unseal the otherwise sealed package. A particular embodiment of the cutting mechanism of the present invention finds it being mounted on a hand-held tape dispenser.

Other objects and feature of the invention will become evident in the following detailed discussion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of example in association with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a length of the packaging tape of the present invention having a plurality of tear-inducing cuts therein;

Figure 2 is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional side elevational view of the packaging tape of Figure 1, taken along section line 2 - 2;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the packaging tape of Figure 1 adhered to two opposed flaps of a shipping container; Figure 4 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the readily tearable packaging tape of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the readily tearable packaging tape of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the readily tearable packaging tape of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the readily tearable packaging tape of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the readily tearable packaging tape of the present invention; Figure 9 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the readily tearable packaging tape of the present invention;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a mechanism for effecting cuts in packaging tape being dispensed from a packaging tape dispensing device;

Figure 1 1 is a side elevational view of the mechanism of Figure 10; Figure 12 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment mechanism for effecting cuts in packaging tape being dispensed from a packaging tape dispensing device;

Figure 13 is a side elevational view of a further alternative embodiment mechanism for effecting cuts in packaging tape being dispensed from a packaging tape dispensing device; and

Figure 14 is a perspective view of a tape dispenser for cutting a plurality of tear-inducing cuts in packaging tape dispensed from a tape roll.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:

Reference will now be made to Figures 1 through 3, which show a length of readily tearable packaging tape 20, in keeping with the present invention, having an elongate main body portion 22 of substantially constant cross-section, with a generally centrally disposed longitudinal axis "A" directed along the length of the portion of readily tearable packaging tape 20. The thickness "T" of the main body portion 22 is defined by a top surface 24 and a bottom surface 26. The bottom surface 26 of the readily tearable packaging tape 20 has a coating of adhesive 27 applied thereto, as is well known in the industry, in order to permit the packaging tape 20 to be self-adhesive. The width "W" of the elongate main body portion 22 is defined by a pair of side edges, namely first side edge 28 and second side edge 30, disposed about the longitudinal axis. Conventional packaging tape is about 5 to 8 cm wide and may be made from a number of materials including polypropylene, polyester, and polyvinylchloride, among others. The length "L" of the length of readily tearable packaging tape 20 is defined by a first end 32 and a second end 34. The first and second ends 32 and 34 may typically be torn in the tape by means of a conventional serrated blade 88 on a packaging tape dispensing device 80, discussed hereafter. The first and second ends 32 and 34 may also be formed by other means, such as scissors or the like, or may even be formed by ripping or tearing the tape, thus creating a first and/or second end of relatively random shape. The length of readily tearable packaging tape 20 — see Figure 14 — has been dispensed from a tape roll 21 comprising a length of perhaps several hundred metres of un-cut packaging tape 23.

A plurality of tear-inducing cuts 36 are disposed in the main body portion 32 so as to be substantially evenly spaced along the length "L" thereof, and are generally aligned collinearly along the length of the main body portion 22 of the packaging tape 20. In the preferred embodiment, the plurality of tear-inducing cuts 36 are situated generally proximate to the generally centrally disposed longitudinal axis "A", as will now be discussed, particularly with reference to Figure 3.

A typical shipping container 40, such as a corrugated cardboard box, has four flaps at each end thereof, first flap 41, second flap 42, third flap 43, and fourth flap 44. Only one end of the shipping container 40 will be considered in this discussion, for the sake of convenience and ease of explanation. In order to close off the open end of the shipping container 40, for subsequent sealing by way of packaging tape, first the opposed third and fourth flaps 43 and 44 are folded over the open end. Then the opposed first and second flaps 41 and 42 are folded onto the third and fourth flaps 43 and 44. Typically, a small gap 48 exists between the first flap 41 and the second flap 42. Typically, in order to seal the opposed first and second flaps 41 and 42 that have been folded down to close off the open end of the shipping container 40, the packaging tape 20 is placed such that an even portion of the packaging tape 20 contacts and, therefore, adheres to the end area of each of the first flap 41 and the second flap 42. The small gap 48 that exists between the two outermost edges 43 and 44 is, of course, spanned by the packaging tape 20. Preferably, the centrally disposed longitudinal axis of the packaging tape 20 is disposed over the small gap 48 between the first flap 41 and the second flap 42. Accordingly, the tear-inducing cuts 36 are disposed between the edges 43 and 44 of the first flap 41 and the second flap 42, respectively, at the gap 48. This is desirable as, when the shipping container 40 is to be opened at the end sealed by the packaging tape 20, the gap 48 between the first flap 41 and the second flap 42 is where the packaging tape 20 should be torn, so as to permit separation of the first flap 41 and the second flap 42 one from the other. The packaging tape 20 in the area of the tear-inducing cuts 36 is free to tear as it is not adhered to either the first flap 41 or the second flap 42. The packaging tape 20 tends to readily tear lengthwise and to some extent crosswise at a cut 36, except if the tape 36 is adhered to a flap, or the like, in which case it has a significantly lesser tendency to tear, as the tape is in effect retained in place by the flap or the like.

In the preferred embodiment, as can be seen in Figures 1 through 3, the tear-inducing cuts 36 are preferably in the form of substantially straight slits aligned end-to-end with respect to one another. Each slit 36 has a vertex 38 at each end thereof, which vertices 38 permit ready tearing of the main body portion 22 of the packaging tape 20 upon the application of an external force at or near the area of slit 36. Having the tear-inducing cuts 36 in the form of slits is highly advantageous, as discussed below: In order to open a shipping container having an end closed off by the first flap 41, the second flap 42, the third flap 43, and the fourth flap 44, the third flap 43 and the fourth flap 44 are closed off first and then the remaining first flap 41 and second flap 42 are closed thereover. It is then necessary to cause the packaging tape 20 of the present invention to tear. Typically, this tearing is accomplished by impacting the packaging tape 20 near or at one of the slits 36. Such impacting may be performed by means of a blunt instrument, impacting the packaging tape 20 near a slit. Such impacting may even be performed by means of a person's hand, so as to preclude the need for an instrument to be used. It is, indeed, an object of the packaging tape of the present invention to provide a packaging tape that is readily tearable by means of impacting by a person's hand, which object cannot be accomplished by prior art packaging tapes. The impact on the packaging tape 20 by a blunt instrument or a person's hand causes the first flap 41 and the second flap 42 — or one or the other — to move downwardly. Consequently, the gap 48 therebetween widens slightly, thus causing opposed lateral forces to be applied to the packaging tape 20. These opposed lateral forces are concentrated at the vertices 38 of the slits 36 and the maximum force is realized at one or both of the vertices 38 of one or more of the slits 36. These forces therefore cause the packaging tape to split even further at these vertices 38, thus causing the respective slit 36 to develop into an elongate tear in the main body portion 22 of the readily tearable packaging tape 20. Since the slits 36 are oriented in a direction along the length of the longitudinal axis of the packaging tape 20, and also are aligned end-to-end with respect to one another, the resulting elongate tears will be directed generally along the length of the piece of packaging tape 20 on the shipping container 40. Ideally, the elongate tears will extend between adjacent slits 36, thus adjoining adjacent slits 36 and creating one long tear along the length of the packaging tape 20 on the shipping container 40. It is then possible for the person opening the package to slide his or her fingers beneath one of the flaps 41 or 42; and then, with a sharp lifting motion, the packaging tape 20 at both ends of the respective flap 41 or 42 where the packaging tape 20 transitions to the sides of the shipping container 40 will tear towards the side edges 28 or 30. Such tearing to the edges 28 and 30 occurs because this portion of the packaging tape 20 spans across a gap between the edge of the flap and the top of the side of the shipping container 40, where the tape is not adhered to the flaps or side of the container. Accordingly, this portion of the packaging tape 20 is free to readily tear, and does so quite readily. The flap may then be opened; and, subsequently, the other flap can be opened in like manner.

As noted above, the main body portion 22 of the readily tearable packaging tape 20 is preferably made from a material such as polypropylene, polyester, and polyvinylchloride, and the like, and generally exhibits the characteristic of being resistant to tearing, other than for the elongate tears that are created as a result of the tear-inducing cuts 36 developing into elongate tears. However, it must also be noted that, when the packaging tape is adhered to a package as illustrated in Figure 3, it is not readily tearable until such time as it is desired to unseal or open the package. In other words, the tension forces developed in the packaging tape 20 cross-wise of its width retain the package in its sealed condition until such time as it is torn lengthwise by the specific action of fracturing or otherwise rendering the tape into at least two lengthwise portions with the tear or parting seam between them having been defined essentially by the tear-inducing cuts that were previously placed in the packaging tape 20. It is speculated that at least one manner by which the packaging tape 20 is rendered into two portions generally corresponding to those portions on either side of the longitudinal axis "A" is as a consequence of the sheer forces that develop within the material of the packaging tape and which extend through the thickness "T" of the main body portion 22 of the packaging tape 20. Various forms of the readily tearable packaging tape of the present invention will now be discussed. Figure 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment packaging tape 50 having "L "-shaped tear-inducing cuts having vertices 51 a. Figure 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment packaging tape 52 having "V- shaped tear-inducing cuts 53 having vertices 53a. Figure 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment packaging tape 54 having "U"-shaped tear-inducing cuts 55 having vertices 55a. Figure 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment packaging tape 56 having tear-inducing cuts 57 in the form of open apertures. In each case, the packaging tape of the present invention has a plurality of tear-inducing cuts disposed therealong, which tear-inducing cuts permit the packaging tape to be tearable by means of impact by a blunt instrument or a person's hand.

Referring now to Figure 8, it shows an alternative embodiment of the readily tearable packaging tape 58 having tear inducing cuts 59 in the form of a periodic alternating wave pattern. This type of wave pattern helps to ensure that the tear-inducing cuts 59 will be disposed over the gap 48 — as shown in Figure 3 — between the first flap 41 and the second flap 42 in the shipping container 40, when the packaging tape 58 is adhered thereto. It has been found that this particular embodiment of readily tearable packaging tape may exhibit a tendency, more so than embodiments of the tape having cuts located at or near its generally centrally disposed longitudinal axis only, to tear generally cross-ways toward an edge of the tape, if the tear starts at a cut disposed towards that edge. Referring now to Figure 9, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the packaging tape 20' of the present invention having two rows of tear-inducing cuts 36' therein. The two rows of tear-inducing cuts helps ensure that the tear- inducing cuts will be disposed over the gap 48 between the first flap 41 and the second flap 42 of the shipping container 40, when the packaging tape 20' is adhered thereto. Similarly, it is contemplated that another alternative embodiment of the present invention could container more than two rows of tear-inducing cuts. It has been noted, above, that the packaging tape of the present invention may be utilized for such purposes as joining together two to six, or even more, packages for retail sale without the necessity of an overwrap. By that, it is meant that small packages such as the boxes in which pasta and/or macaroni or the like, are sold, may be simply held together as to two or three or more of such packages by wrapping the circumference of them with a tape in keeping with the present invention. More especially, they may be held together by a tape in keeping with the present invention being placed on adjacent packages such that the longitudinal axis of the tape overlies the parting line between the packages. In a similar manner to that described above, the packages may then be separated one from another by the consumer, after the several packages have been purchased as a single item at retail. Another particularly useful purpose for bundling packages of goods together for sale as a single retail item is, for example, the rectangular or "TETRA" boxes in which fruit juices and fruit-flavored beverages, and the like, are sold at retail. Again, a bundle of two to six, or even more, such beverage boxes may be purchased as a single item, and then separated one from the other at the time that they are intended to be used and consumed by the purchaser.

With reference to Figures 10 and 11 , there is shown a mechanism 60 for effecting cuts 36 in packaging tape being dispensed from a packaging tape dispensing device; and Figure 14 shows the tape dispensing device 80. The packaging tape dispensing device 80 comprises a main body member 82, typically constructed from a larger first metal plate 80a and two smaller metal plates 80b and 80c, which metal plates 80a, 80b, and 80c are formed from a metal material such as steel, for purposes of strength and durability, and which may have a protective covering of chrome or the like. A handle member 84 is securely connected to the first metal plate 80a and plate 80c of the main body member 82 by means of conventional threaded fasteners 83 and protruding tenon 81 through a co-operating aperture 79 in the main body member 82. The handle member 84 permits ready gripping of the packaging tape dispensing device 80 by a person's hand, for application of the readily tearable packaging tape 20 of the present invention to a shipping container 40.

A tape roll retention means in the form of a rotating drum 85 is rotatably mounted on a spindle (not shown) secured to the first metal plate 80a by means of a rivet (not shown). A bearing member (not shown) is rotatably mounted on the spindle and receives the rotating drum 85 thereon. The bearing member is retained in place by a threaded fastener 87. A tension adjustment knob 90 is operatively engaged on the threaded fastening member 87 and engages the bearing member by means of a coil spring (not shown) to permit tension adjustment of the bearing member.

The tape roll 21 frictionally engages the perimeter of the drum 85 and is readily removed therefrom for replacement. The tape is guided from the tape roll 21 across the mechanism 60, around a roller member 89, and past a conventional serrated blade 88. A metal guide 92 helps retain the blade close to the roller member 89. The conventional serrated blade 88 is, of course, used to cut the packaging tape 20 to its length "L". The paddle 93 may be used to smooth down the tape onto the box after it has been dispensed.

As shown in Figure 10, the mechanism 60 for effecting cuts 36 comprises an axle member 62 of a length equal to or greater than the width of the packaging tape 20, fixedly connected to the main body portion 82 of the tape dispensing device 80. A pair of tape guide members 64 and 66 are operatively mounted on the axle member 62. In the preferred embodiment, the tape guide members 64 and 66 each comprise a pair of roller members freely rotatably mounted on the axle member 62 for rotation about the longitudinal axis "B". Respective support surfaces 65 and 67 are shaped and dimensioned to receive the non-adhesive side — in other words, the top side — of the packaging tape 20. In this manner, the support surfaces 65 and 67 support a portion of the packaging tape thereagainst, which is the portion of the packaging tape 20 to have cuts 36 effected therein. A tape cutting member 70 is rotatably mounted on the axle member 62 in interposed relation between the roller members 65 and 67 for rotational movement about the centrally disposed longitudinal axis "B", with respect to the tape dispensing device 80. The tape cutting member 70 has a plurality of tape cutting portions 72 that extend beyond the support surfaces 65 and 67 so as to be able to engage the portion of the packaging tape 20 supported by the tape guide members 64 and 66. The tape cutting portions 72 of the tape cutting member 70 are shaped and dimensioned to effect cuts in the packaging tape.

When the packaging tape is pulled from the tape roll 21 on the tape dispensing device 80, and as the un-cut packaging tape 23 is moved across the roller members, the packaging tape 23 causes the tape cutting member 70 to move rotationally about the axle member 62. In this manner, the tape cutting portions 72 of the tape member 70 are caused to intermittently engage the packaging tape 23, and subsequently effect tear-inducing cuts 36 in the packaging tape 23 at the portion of the packaging tape 23 received by the support surfaces 65 and 67 of the roller members 64 and 66, as the packaging tape is drawn lengthwise along the support surface 65 and 67, thus forming readily tearable packaging tape 20.

In the preferred embodiment, the tape cutting member 70 is disposed midway along the length of the axle member 62, so as to engage the packaging tape substantially at its generally centrally disposed longitudinal axis. The tape cutting portions 72 of the tape cutting member 70 are all disposed in a single plane, with the plane being disposed generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the axle member 62. In this manner, the tear-inducing cuts 36 are generally aligned collinearly along the length of the main body portion 22 of the packaging tape, and are situated generally proximate to the generally centrally disposed longitudinal axis. Further, the tape cutting portions 72 of the tape cutting member 70 are slightly elongate so as to create substantially straight slits 36 that are aligned end-to-end with respect to one another, and are evenly spaced along the length of the packaging tape 20. In an alternative embodiment of the mechanism 100, as shown in Figure

12, it is contemplated that the tape cutting member 102 is rotatably mounted on the axle member 104 at an angle α less than 90°. The tape cutting member 102, being angled in this manner, produces a pattern of tear-inducing cuts that are in the form of a periodic alternating wave pattern, such as shown in Figure 8. As can be seen in Figure 13, a further alternative embodiment of the mechanism 110 of the present invention includes a first tape cutting member 1 12 and a second tape cutting member 1 14 each rotatably mounted about the axle member 1 16. This embodiment of mechanism 1 10 produces a readily tearable packaging tape having two rows of tear-inducing cuts therein, as illustrated in Figure 9. It is also contemplated that the first tape cutting member 102 and the second tape cutting member 104 could be disposed at an angle other than 90° with respect to the axle member 1 16, in a manner similar to that illustrated in Figure 12.

As a further improvement or alternative arrangement to the packaging tapes as described above with respect to any of Figures 1 through 9, the packaging tape may have visible markings placed on it in such a manner as illustrated by markings 97 or 99 which are shown in Figures 4 and 6, respectively. Those markings may be placed on the tape using appropriate ink-jet or other printing equipment associated with the cutting member 70 and the cutting portion 72 thereof, or which may be placed adjacent to the cutting mechanism 60. This is especially useful and adaptable when the cutting mechanism 60 is mounted in a tape dispenser head in a factory-installed packaging line. The purpose of the markings such as those at 97 and 99 is to make the position and alignment of the perforations according to the various alternatives described above more visible. This may have several advantages: In the first instance, a knowledgable consumer — for example a stock clerk in a retail store — would know at a glance whether the package or box that he is about to open has been closed using the packaging tape of the present invention, whereby it is readily tearable after it has been impacted and the longitudinal tear in the body thereof has been effected. Also, even in such circumstances as the use of a suitable marking device in a hand-held dispensing machine, it is possible to align the continuum defined by a plurality of contiguous tear-inducing cuts visually so that they overlie the gap 48 as shown in Figure 3.

It is obvious that the mechanism of Figures 10, 1 1, 12, or 13, can be adapted to the hand-held tape dispenser of Figure 14, or to an automated tape dispensing head or machine which forms a portion of a factory-installed packaging line.

Other modifications and alterations may be used in the design and manufacture of the apparatus of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A readily tearable packaging tape, comprising: an elongate main body portion of substantially constant cross- section having a generally centrally disposed longitudinal axis, said main body portion having a thickness defined by a top surface and a bottom surface, a width defined by a pair of side edges disposed about said longitudinal axis, and a length defined by a first end and a second end; a coating of adhesive applied to said bottom surface; and a plurality of tear-inducing cuts in said main body portion disposed along the length thereof; wherein said main body portion exhibits the characteristic of ready tearibility at said tear-inducing cuts so as to cause said cuts to develop into elongate tears in said main body portion, thereby ultimately separating said main body portion into at least two portions; and wherein said main body portion exhibits the characteristic of being resistant to tearing, other than in the region of said elongate tears.

2. The packaging tape of claim 1 , wherein said tear-inducing cuts are situated generally proximate to said generally centrally disposed longitudinal axis.

3. The packaging tape of claim 2, wherein said tear-inducing cuts are generally aligned collinearly along the length of said main body portion of said packaging tape.

4. The packaging tape of claim 3, wherein said tear-inducing cuts are in the form of substantially straight slits.

5. The packaging tape of claim 4, wherein said substantially straight slits are aligned end-to-end with respect to one another.

6. The packaging tape of claim 5, wherein said tear-inducing cuts are substantially evenly spaced along the length of said packaging tape.

7. The packaging tape of claim 1 , wherein said tear-inducing cuts are

"L"-shaped, "V-shaped, or "U"-shaped.

8. The packaging tape of claim 1, wherein said tear-inducing cuts are in the form of open apertures.

9. The packaging tape of claim 1, wherein said tear-inducing cuts form a periodic alternating wave pattern.

10. The self-adhesive perforated packaging tape of claim 1 , comprising at least two rows of said tear-inducing cuts disposed generally lengthwise of said tape in the region of said centrally disposed longitudinal axis.

11. A mechanism for effecting cuts in packaging tape being dispensed from a packaging tape dispensing device, said mechanism comprising: an axle member of length equal to or greater than the width of said packaging tape and having a generally centrally disposed longitudinal axis and being operatively connected to said tape dispensing device; a pair of tape guide members operatively mounted on said axle member, each tape guide member having a support surface shaped and dimensioned to receive a portion of the non-adhesive side of said packaging tape and thereby to support said portion of said packaging tape; and a tape cutting member operatively mounted on said axle member in interposed relation between said tape guide members for rotational movement about said centrally disposed longitudinal axis with respect to said tape dispensing device, said tape cutting member having at least one tape cutting portion extending beyond said support surface, said at least one tape cutting portion being shaped and dimensioned to effect said cuts in said packaging tape; wherein said tape cutting member moves rotationally around said axle member so as to cause said at least one tape cutting portion to intermittently engage and subsequently effect tear-inducing cuts in said packaging tape at the portion of said packaging tape received by said support surfaces, as said packaging tape is drawn lengthwise across said support surface.

12. The mechanism of claim 11, wherein said pair of tape guide members comprises a pair of roller members rotatably mounted on said axle member for rotation about said longitudinal axis.

13. The mechanism of claim 12, wherein said tape cutting member is disposed midway along the length of said axle member.

14. The mechanism of claim 13, wherein said tape cutting member comprises a plurality of tape cutting portions shaped and dimensioned to effect said tear-inducing cuts in said packaging tape.

15. The mechanism of claim 14, wherein said plurality tape cutting portions all lie in a single plane.

16. The mechanism of claim 15, wherein said plane is disposed generally perpendicularly to said longitudinal axis of said axle member.

17. The mechanism of claim 15, wherein said plane is disposed at an angle other than 90° to said longitudinal axis of said axle member.

18. The mechanism of claim 11, wherein said axle member is fixedly connected to said tape dispensing device and said perforating member is rotatably mounted on said axle member for rotation about said centrally disposed longitudinal axis.

19. The mechanism of claim 1 1, further comprising a plurality of tape cutting members operatively mounted on said axle member.

20. The mechanism of claim 12, when installed in a hand-held tape dispenser in which packaging tape is dispensed from a tape roll, and where said tape dispenser comprises: a main body member; a handle member securely connected to said main body member; and a tape roll retention means operatively connected to said main body member; and wherein said tape cutting member is operatively mounted on said axle member which is supported by said main body member, so as to intermittently engage and subsequently effect tear-inducing cuts in the dispensed tape from said tape roll mounted on said tape dispenser, as said packaging tape is drawn lengthwise along said support surface.