Tape dispenser with tape aerial

Abstract

A tape dispensing apparatus comprising a frame and at least one tape creasing part. The frame has a tape supply section for holding a tape supply therein, and a tape dispensing opening for dispensing tape from the apparatus. The tape creasing part is connected to the frame for creasing tape dispensed from the tape dispensing opening and forming a self-supporting tape section extending from the tape dispensing apparatus substantially without droop.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A tape dispensing apparatus comprising: 
 a frame with a tape supply section for holding a tape supply therein, and a tape dispensing opening for dispensing tape from the apparatus; and    at least one tape creasing part removably mounted to the frame for creasing tape dispensed from the tape dispensing opening and forming a self supporting tape section extending from the tape dispensing apparatus substantially without droop, wherein the at least one tape creasing part has at least one support arm which interlocks with a mating portion of the frame to removably mount the at least one tape creasing part to the frame.    
     
     
         2 . The tape dispensing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tape creasing part comprises a creasing roller.  
     
     
         3 . The tape dispensing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the creasing roller is located generally over a longitudinal center line of tape dispensed from the tape dispensing opening of the apparatus.  
     
     
         4 . The tape dispensing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the creasing roller rotates relative to the frame about an axis of rotation generally orthogonal to a translation axis of the tape dispensed from the tape dispensing opening of the apparatus.  
     
     
         5 . The tape dispensing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the creasing roller has a tapered peripheral edge generally aligned with a translation axis of the tape dispensed from the tape dispensing opening of the apparatus.  
     
     
         6 . The tape dispensing apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the peripheral edge of the creasing roller contacts a surface of the tape dispensed from the tape dispensing opening of the apparatus.  
     
     
         7 . The tape dispensing apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the peripheral edge of the creasing roller rides upon tape dispensed from the tape dispensing opening, the peripheral edge folding the tape as the peripheral edge of the creasing roller rides on the tape to form a generally longitudinal crease in the tape.  
     
     
         8 . The tape dispensing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one tape creasing part includes a ramp for supporting and directing the self supporting tape section at an upward angle relative to a translation axis of the tape dispensed from the tape dispensing opening of the apparatus.  
     
     
         9 . The tape dispensing apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the ramp has a support surface with a channel formed therein, the support surface being disposed to support the tape dispensed from the tape dispensing opening against the creasing roller, and wherein the creasing roller has a tapered circumferential edge a portion of which projects past the support surface into the channel of the ramp.  
     
     
         10 . The tape dispensing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one tape creasing part includes a groove roller with a circumferential groove formed therein, the groove roller being rotatably mounted to the frame of the apparatus generally opposite the creasing roller wherein a tapered circumferential edge of the creasing roller enters into the circumferential groove at least along a portion of a circumference of the groove roller.  
     
     
         11 . The tape dispensing apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the tapered edge of the creasing roller presses tape dispensed from the tape dispensing opening into the circumferential groove of the groove roller.  
     
     
         12 . The tape dispensing apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the creasing roller is offset relative to the groove roller along the translation axis of the tape dispensed from the tape dispensing opening, the creasing roller being located closer to the tape dispensing opening than the groove roller.  
     
     
         13 . A tape dispensing apparatus comprising: 
 a frame with a tape supply section for holding a tape supply therein, and a tape dispensing opening for dispensing tape from the apparatus; and    a tape creasing device connected to the frame, the tape creasing device having a spring loaded detent biased against a reciprocal member on the frame for removably mounting the tape creasing device to the frame, the tape creasing device having a tape creasing part defining a generally wedge shaped edge, wherein the wedge shaped edge of the tape creasing device is located to press into tape dispensed from the tape dispensing opening, creasing the tape longitudinally so that at least one longitudinal portion of the tape is disposed at an angle relative to a longitudinally adjoining portion of the tape.    
     
     
         14 . The tape dispensing apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the tape creasing device includes a support frame with the spring loaded detent for removably mounting the tape creasing part to the frame of the apparatus being disposed thereon.  
     
     
         15 . The tape dispensing apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the tape creasing part is a roller rotatably mounted to the support frame, the generally wedge shaped edge being disposed circumferentially around the roller.  
     
     
         16 . The tape dispensing apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the support frame comprises a center section with a pair of resiliently flexible arms extending from the center section, and wherein the roller is rotatably mounted to the center section on an opposite side from the pair of arms.  
     
     
         17 . The tape dispensing apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the tape creasing device comprises a groove roller with a circumferential groove, the groove roller being rotatably mounted to the center section of the tape creasing device, the groove roller being located on an opposite side of a tape support surface of the center section from the roller forming the tape creasing part.  
     
     
         18 . The tape dispensing apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the wedge shaped edge of the roller presses tape dispensed from the tape dispensing opening into the circumferential groove of the groove roller.  
     
     
         19 . The tape dispensing apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the roller is offset relative to the groove roller along an axis of translation of tape dispensed from the tape dispensing opening, the roller being located closer to the tape dispensing opening than the groove roller.  
     
     
         20 . A tape dispensing apparatus comprising: 
 a frame with a tape supply section for holding a tape supply therein, and a tape dispensing opening for dispensing tape from the apparatus; and    a tape creasing assembly mounted to the frame for creasing tape dispensed from the tape dispensing opening, the tape creasing assembly comprising a crease roller and a groove roller, the crease roller having a circumferential crease edge which interface with a groove of the groove roller, wherein when tape is dispensed from the tape dispensing opening, the crease roller directs dispensed tape between the crease roller and groove roller, the circumferential crease edge of the crease roller pressing the dispensed tape into the circumferential groove of the groove roller.    
     
     
         21 . The tape dispensing apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the crease roller and groove roller redirect tape dispensed from the tape dispensing opening so that a section of tape located after the crease roller and groove roller is oriented at an angle relative to another section of tape located before the crease and groove roller.  
     
     
         22 . A tape dispensing apparatus tape creasing assembly comprising: 
 a frame adapted for being mounted to a tape dispensing apparatus;    a first roller rotatably mounted to the frame;    a second roller rotatably mounted to the frame substantially opposite the first roller, the first roller and second roller interfacing with each other wherein when substantially flat tape is fed between the first roller and the second roller, the first roller and second roller bend the tape forming a longitudinal crease in the tape; and    a spring loaded detent disposed on the frame to be biased against a reciprocal member on the tape dispensing apparatus when the frame is mounted to the tape dispensing apparatus.    
     
     
         23 . The tape dispensing apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the first roller has a generally tapered circumferential edge, and the second roller has a circumferential groove formed therein, wherein the first roller and second roller are disposed relative to each other so that the circumferential edge of the first roller rides on a surface inside the circumferential groove of the second roller.