Tape product dispenser and method of using a tape product dispenser

Abstract

A tape product dispenser and method of using a tape product dispenser comprises a reel member comprising an internal loading surface for loading a tape product and a housing. The housing comprises a lower portion, an upper portion configured to be opened to permit access to the reel member and a housing port to enable dispensing of a tape product from an interior of the housing or loading of a tape product from outside of the housing. The lower portion and upper portion cooperate to at least partially enclose the reel member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tape product dispenser, comprising:
 a reel member comprising an internal loading surface for loading a tape product; and   a housing, comprising:
 a lower portion; 
 an upper portion configured to be opened to permit access to said reel member; and 
 a housing port to enable dispensing of a tape product from an interior of said housing or loading of a tape product from outside of said housing, 
   wherein said lower portion and upper portion cooperate to at least partially enclose said reel member.   
     
     
         2 . The tape product dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein said reel member further comprises a central protrusion that protrudes into a central opening of said upper portion to permit rotation of said reel member from outside of said housing. 
     
     
         3 . The tape product dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein said central protrusion comprises a central indentation configured to engage a tool such that rotation of said tool enables rotation of said reel member. 
     
     
         4 . The tape product dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein said reel member further comprises a central portion configured to allow rotation of said reel member upon rotation of said central portion. 
     
     
         5 . The tape product dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein said reel member further comprises a loading cavity adjacent to said internal loading surface to enable loading of a tape product onto said internal loading surface. 
     
     
         6 . The tape product dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein said reel member further comprises a loading flange configured to be disposed adjacent to said lower portion of said housing and to cooperate with said loading surface to load a tape product onto said loading surface. 
     
     
         7 . The tape product dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein said upper portion is at least partially transparent. 
     
     
         8 . The tape product dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein said upper portion and lower portion each comprise a cylindrical shape and said upper portion comprises a lid that is separable from said lower portion. 
     
     
         9 . The tape product dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein said housing comprises a magnetic member configured to allow magnetic coupling of said housing to a mounting surface. 
     
     
         10 . The tape product dispenser of  claim 9 , wherein said housing further comprises an outer surface comprising a low-friction material configured to minimize damage to said mounting surface due to contact with said lower portion. 
     
     
         11 . A method of using a tape product dispenser, comprising:
 providing a reel member comprising an internal loading surface;   providing a housing comprising:   a lower portion;   an upper portion; and   a housing port;   placing a portion of a tape product through said housing port such that said portion is inside said housing;   placing said portion of said tape product on said internal loading surface;   closing said housing such that said housing at least partially encloses said reel member;   rotating said reel member such that said portion of said tape product and additional portions of said tape product are loaded onto said internal loading surface; and   dispensing said tape product through said housing port.   
     
     
         12 . The method of using a tape product dispenser of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 opening said housing at said upper portion to access said reel member before said placing said portion of said tape product through said housing port.   
     
     
         13 . The method of using a tape product dispenser of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 opening said housing at said upper portion to access said reel member after said placing said portion of said tape product through said housing port and before said placing said portion of said tape product on said internal loading surface.   
     
     
         14 . The method of using a tape product dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein placing said portion of said tape product on said internal loading surface comprises placing said portion of said tape product on a loading cavity to enable loading of a tape product onto said internal loading surface. 
     
     
         15 . The method of using a tape product dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein said rotating said reel member comprises engaging a central portion of said reel member to permit rotation of said reel member from outside of said housing. 
     
     
         16 . The method of using a tape product dispenser of  claim 15 , wherein said engaging further comprises engaging a central protrusion that protrudes into a central opening of said upper portion with a mechanical or motorized device such that rotation of said mechanical or motorized device enables rotation of said reel member. 
     
     
         17 . The method of using a tape product dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein said dispensing further comprises coupling said housing to a mounting surface. 
     
     
         18 . The method of using a tape product dispenser of  claim 17 , wherein said mounting surface includes a vehicle surface. 
     
     
         19 . The method of using a tape product dispenser of  claim 17 , wherein said mounting surface includes a user surface. 
     
     
         20 . The method of using a tape product dispenser of  claim 19 , wherein said user surface includes one of a wristband, belt, tool pouch, vest, and jacket surface.