Drywall tape applicator

Abstract

An apparatus such as a hand-held drywall tape applicator is provided for applying a fluid-activated tape onto a wallboard or ceiling joint. The apparatus includes a housing defined by a left housing section and a right housing section. The housing is configured to removably mount a roll of tape at the rear end. The apparatus includes a base, a handle disposed between and coupled with the base and the rear end of the housing, a nozzle assembly attached to or defined by the front end of the housing, and a basin detachably coupled with the housing and configured to hold a fluid. The apparatus further includes a plurality of rollers, which include a first roller disposed inside the basin. The plurality of rollers are configured to feed and transport a portion of tape from the roll into the fluid of the basin and then out of the nozzle assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for applying a fluid-activated tape onto a wallboard or ceiling joint, comprising:
 a housing defined by a left housing section and a right housing section, the housing having a front end and a rear end, the housing configured to removably mount a roll of tape at the rear end;   a base;   a handle disposed between and coupled with the base and the rear end of the housing;   a nozzle assembly attached to or defined by the front end of the housing;   a basin detachably coupled with the housing and configured to hold a fluid; and   a plurality of rollers including a first roller disposed inside the basin, the plurality of rollers configured to feed and transport a portion of tape from the roll into the fluid of the basin and then out of the nozzle assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle assembly is rotatable with respect to a longitudinal axis of the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle assembly comprises a cutting bar configured to cut a portion of tape transported out of the nozzle assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the nozzle assembly including the cutting bar is defined by the left housing section and the right housing section. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base and the handle are defined by the left housing section and the right housing section. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the left housing section and the right housing section are made of plastics. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the left housing section and the right housing section defines and provides a roll holder in the housing configured to removably mount a roll of tape. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rollers include a second roller and a third roller disposed parallel to each other to provide a nip at one end of the nozzle assembly and configured to transport the portion of tape out of the nozzle assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the second roller and the third roller comprises a plurality of ribs. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of rollers include a fourth roller disposed inside the housing and between the first roller and the second or third roller. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one guide disposed on the nozzle assembly and configured to guide the portion of tape in a straight line. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one belt tab attached to an exterior surface of the housing, the at least one belt tab having a clip sized and configured to removably couple the apparatus onto an operator's belt. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a corner mechanism removably coupled with the nozzle assembly and configured to apply a portion of tape onto a corner joint. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the corner mechanism includes a triangular base and two sidewalls providing a right angle, and is configured to fold the portion of tape when the portion of tape is dispensed out of the nozzle assembly. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for applying a fluid-activated tape onto a wallboard or ceiling joint, comprising:
 a housing defined by a left housing section and a right housing section, the housing having a front end and a rear end, the housing configured to removably mount a roll of tape at the rear end;   a base;   a handle disposed between and coupled with the base and the rear end of the housing;   a nozzle assembly attached to or defined by the front end of the housing, the nozzle assembly being rotatable with respect to a longitudinal axis of the housing;   a basin detachably coupled with the housing and configured to hold a fluid;   a plurality of rollers including a first roller disposed inside the basin, the plurality of rollers configured to feed and transport a portion of tape from the roll into the fluid of the basin and then out of the nozzle assembly; and   a corner mechanism removably coupled with the nozzle assembly and configured to apply the portion of tape onto a corner joint.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the corner mechanism includes a triangular base and two sidewalls providing a right angle, and is configured to fold the portion of tape when the portion of tape is dispensed out of the nozzle assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the nozzle assembly comprises a cutting bar having a serrated and ridged structure. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the corner mechanism comprises a clip structure having an upside-down U-shape cross-section removably coupled onto the cutting bar. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the left housing section and the right housing section define the nozzle assembly, the base, and the handle after assembled with screws. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rollers include a pair of a second roller and a third roller disposed parallel to each other to provide a nip at one end of the nozzle assembly, and a fourth roller disposed inside the housing and between the first roller and the pair of the second and third rollers.