Tape dispensers

Abstract

A dispenser including a receptacle and a cover together defining a tape roll storage volume in which the tape roll rotates about an axis of rotation, and an accommodation apparatus located within the tape roll storage volume and configured to bias the tape roll in an axial direction towards one of the receptacle and the cover.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A dispenser for use with a tape roll, the dispenser comprising:
 a receptacle and a cover together defining a tape roll storage volume in which the tape roll rotates about an axis of rotation; and   an accommodation apparatus located within the tape roll storage volume and configured to bias the tape roll in an axial direction towards one of the receptacle and the cover.   
     
     
         2 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the accommodation apparatus is configured to bias the tape roll toward the cover.   
     
     
         3 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein
 the accommodation apparatus includes a movable plate and at least one biasing element.   
     
     
         4 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 3 , further comprising:
 the at least one biasing element comprises a plurality of springs.   
     
     
         5 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein
 the receptacle includes a plurality of axle pins configured to rotatably mount the tape roll; and   the movable plate includes an inner surface that is adjacent to the pins.   
     
     
         6 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein
 the axle pins include apertures; and   the cover includes a plurality of latches that engage the axle pins by way of the apertures.   
     
     
         7 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein
 the receptacle includes a wall that is parallel to the cover; and   the at least one biasing element is compressed as the movable plate moves away from the cover.   
     
     
         8 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the receptacle includes a wall with a manual resistance aperture that is sized and shaped such that a human finger can pass through the wall and into the storage volume.   
     
     
         9 . A dispenser for use with a tape roll, the dispenser comprising:
 a front wall, a rear wall and an intermediate wall between the front and rear walls, the front, rear and intermediate walls together enclosing a tape roll storage volume;   a tape outlet between the front and rear walls;   a roller mount adjacent to the tape outlet; and   at least one relatively soft roller mounted on the roller mount.   
     
     
         10 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein
 the at least one relatively soft roller comprises a plurality of relatively soft rollers.   
     
     
         11 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein
 the at least one relatively soft roller is carried by an axle that is rotatably mounted to the roller mount.   
     
     
         12 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein
 the at least one relatively soft roller is formed from material having a hardness of 60 to 75 Shore A.   
     
     
         13 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein
 the intermediate wall defines an intermediate wall width; and   the roller mount comprises a tapered roller mount that tapers from a first end adjacent to the roll storage volume to a second end on which the at least one roller is mounted and that has a width that is less than the intermediate wall width.   
     
     
         14 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein
 the at least one relatively soft roller comprises a plurality of relatively soft rollers; and   at least two relatively soft rollers extend laterally beyond the second end of the roller mount.   
     
     
         15 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a cutting element located adjacent to the tape outlet; and   wherein the tape outlet is located between the cutting element and the at least one relatively soft roller.   
     
     
         16 . A dispenser for use with a tape roll, the dispenser comprising:
 a front wall, a rear wall and an intermediate wall located between the front wall and the rear wall and defining a width, the front, rear and intermediate walls together enclosing a tape roll storage volume;   a tape outlet between the front and rear walls;   a cutting element adjacent to the tape outlet; and   a tape holder located adjacent to the tape outlet and between the tape outlet and the cutting element.   
     
     
         17 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein
 tape exits through the tape outlet in a dispensing direction; and   the tape holder includes a panel that is oriented transverse to the dispensing direction.   
     
     
         18 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein
 the tape holder includes a projection that extends from the panel in the dispensing direction.   
     
     
         19 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein
 the panel defines lateral edges;   the panel and the projection define respective sizes and shapes; and   the respective shapes, sizes and relative positions of the panel and the projection create lateral gaps between the projection and the panel lateral edges.   
     
     
         20 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein
 the panel defines a bottom edge; and   the respective shapes, sizes and relative positions of the panel and the projection create a lower gap between the projection and the bottom edge.   
     
     
         21 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein
 the tape holder includes a panel and a projection that extends from the panel;   the panel defines lateral edges;   the panel and the projection define respective sizes and shapes; and   the respective shapes, sizes and relative positions of the panel and the projection create lateral gaps between the projection and the panel lateral edges.   
     
     
         22 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein
 the panel defines a bottom edge; and   the respective shapes, sizes and relative positions of the panel and the projection create a lower gap between the projection and the bottom edge.