Hook and loop dispenser

Abstract

A dispenser is disclosed for dispensing a needed length of tape having hooks on a first side and loops on a second side. It includes a frame. The frame includes a first support for supporting a roll of the tape. A roll of the tape is also provided on the first support. The frame also includes a second support spaced apart from the first support and including a resistive surface that provides resistance to either the hooks or the loops of the tape. The frame also includes a cutting blade located near the resistive surface of the second support.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A dispenser for dispensing a needed length of tape having on at least one side a set of complementary fastening elements, comprising: 
 a frame;    a roll of tape;    a first support on the frame for supporting said roll of the tape;    a second support on the frame spaced apart from the first support and including a resistive surface providing resistance to the set of complementary fastening elements of the tape; and    a cutting blade on the frame near the second support.    
     
     
         2 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the resistive surface is a rubber pad.  
     
     
         3 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the set of complementary fastening elements includes hooks and the resistive surface includes loops for engaging the hooks of the tape.  
     
     
         4 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the set of complementary fastening elements include loops and the resistive surface includes hooks for engaging the loops of the tape.  
     
     
         5 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the set of complementary fastening elements include mushrooms and the resistive surface includes loops for engaging the mushrooms of the tape.  
     
     
         6 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the resistive surface includes a plurality of ridges.  
     
     
         7 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , further including a clamp for forcing the tape against the resistive surface.  
     
     
         8 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting blade is serrated.  
     
     
         9 . The dispenser of  claim 8 , further including a protective shield for the serrated cutting blade.  
     
     
         10 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting blade is non-serrated.  
     
     
         11 . The dispenser of  claim 10 , further including a protective member projecting over the non-serrated cutting blade.  
     
     
         12 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the set of complementary fastening elements are hooks and the tape includes a set of loops on the same side.  
     
     
         13 . The dispenser of  claim 12 , wherein the resistive surface includes either hooks or loops.  
     
     
         14 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the set of complementary fastening elements are mushrooms and the tape includes a set of loops on the other side.  
     
     
         15 . The dispenser of  claim 14 , wherein the resistive surface includes loops.  
     
     
         16 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the set of complementary fastening elements are mushrooms and the tape includes a set of loops on the same side.  
     
     
         17 . The dispenser of  claim 16 , wherein the resistive surface includes loops.  
     
     
         18 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the tape is stretchable.  
     
     
         19 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the set of complementary fastening elements are hooks and loops and the tape includes adhesive on the other side.  
     
     
         20 . The dispenser of  claim 19 , wherein the resistive surface includes either hooks or loops.  
     
     
         21 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the set of complementary fastening elements are mushrooms and loops and the tape includes adhesive on the other side.  
     
     
         22 . The dispenser of  claim 21 , wherein the resistive surface includes loops.  
     
     
         23 . A dispenser for dispensing a needed length of tape having on at least one side a set of complementary fastening elements, comprising: 
 a frame;    a first support on the frame configured for supporting a roll of tape;    a second support on the frame spaced apart from the first support and including a cutting blade; and    a braking means configured for stopping a roll of tape from rolling on the first support as the tape is cut on the cutting blade.    
     
     
         24 . The dispenser of  claim 23 , wherein the braking means is a reel brake.  
     
     
         25 . The dispenser of  claim 23 , wherein the braking means includes the frame having flexible sides that deform to contact the roll of tape when pressed.  
     
     
         26 . The dispenser of  claim 25 , wherein the flexible sides of the frame include a roughened surface to provide further friction when contacting the roll of tape.  
     
     
         27 . The dispenser of  claim 23 , wherein the cutting blade is serrated.  
     
     
         28 . The dispenser of  claim 27 , further including a protective shield for the serrated cutting blade.  
     
     
         29 . The dispenser of  claim 23 , wherein the cutting blade is non-serrated.  
     
     
         30 . The dispenser of  claim 29 , further including a protective member projecting over the non-serrated cutting blade.  
     
     
         31 . The dispenser of  claim 23 , further comprising a roll of tape.  
     
     
         32 . The dispenser of  claim 31 , wherein the roll of tape includes complementary fastening elements having one of hooks, loops, mushrooms, adhesive or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         33 . A dispenser for dispensing a needed length of tape having on at least one side a set of complementary fastening elements, comprising: 
 a frame;    a first support on the frame configured for supporting a roll of tape;    a second support on the frame spaced apart from the first support and including a cutting blade; and    a protective shield covering the cutting blade.    
     
     
         34 . The dispenser of  claim 33 , wherein the cutting blade is serrated.  
     
     
         35 . The dispenser of  claim 33 , wherein the cutting blade is non-serrated.  
     
     
         36 . The dispenser of  claim 33 , further comprising a roll of tape.  
     
     
         37 . The dispenser of  claim 36 , wherein the roll of tape includes complementary fastening elements having one of hooks, loops, mushrooms, adhesive or combinations thereof.