Tape dispenser

Abstract

The invention provides a manually operated tape dispenser for dispensing a roll of tape which is wound around a spool. The tape dispenser comprises a base configured to rest atop the outer circumference of the roll of tape such that the base is slidingly displaceable relative to the roll of tape; an elongate slot extending through the base through which a free end of tape protrudes; a locating tab extending from the base and positioned to guide the free end of tape away from the roll of tape; and cutting means for severing a length of tape; wherein a length of tape is guided by the locating tab towards the cutting means and the tape is severed by pressing the cutting means through the tape.

1 . A manually operated tape dispenser for dispensing a roll of tape of the type which includes a length of tape wound around a spool, the tape dispenser comprising
 a base configured to rest atop and at least partially engage the outer circumference of the roll of tape such that the base is slidingly displaceable relative to the roll of tape;   an elongate slot extending through the base for the width of the tape through which a free end of tape protrudes;   a locating tab extending from the base approximate the slot and positioned to guide the free end of tape substantially radially outwardly away from the roll of tape; and   cutting means which is operatively associated with the locating tab for severing a length of tape;   wherein a length of tape is guided by the locating tab towards the cutting means and the tape is severed by pressing the cutting means through the tape.   
     
     
         2 . The tape dispenser according to  claim 1  wherein the base is a substantially planar base comprising a bottom surface, which rests atop the tape roll; a top surface, which defines a pressing platform; and two parallel sidewalls extending from opposite sides of the base and which are configured to engage two opposite sides of the tape roll to limit lateral displacement of the tape dispenser relative to the tape roll. 
     
     
         3 . The tape dispenser according to  claim 1  wherein the elongate slot protrudes through the base and extends between the two opposing sidewalls. 
     
     
         4 . The tape dispenser according to  claim 1  wherein the locating tab extends substantially radially outwardly from the base approximate the slot, the locating tab being hingedly connected to the base and displaceable between a first position, in which it abuts the cutting means for trapping a length of tape between the locating tab and the cutting means; and a second position in which it is angularly disposed relative to the cutting means. 
     
     
         5 . The tape dispenser according to  claim 4  wherein the locating tab is connected to and extends from the top surface of the base. 
     
     
         6 . The tape dispenser according to  claim 4  wherein the locating tab is hingedly connected to the two sidewalls of the base through hinge pins protruding through the sidewalls of the base, such that the hinge pins slightly press against the two opposite sides of a roll of tape. 
     
     
         7 . The tape dispenser according to  claim 1  wherein the locating tab includes a retaining surface for retaining newly cut end portions of tape through releasable adhesion to the retaining surface. 
     
     
         8 . The tape dispenser according to  claim 7  wherein the retaining surface includes a series of alternating grooves and rib formations. 
     
     
         9 . The tape dispenser according to  claim 7  wherein the locating tab terminates at its free end in a curved, overhanging lip formation, the arrangement being such that a non-adhesive material is applied to the retaining surface, but not to the overhanging lip formation, so that a sticky surface of the tape releasably adheres to the overhanging lip formation after a cutting action, but does not stick to the remaining retaining surface of the locating tab. 
     
     
         10 . The tape dispenser according to  claim 1  wherein the cutting means includes a cutter wall extending substantially at a right angle away from the base approximate the slot and laterally spaced from the locating tab; and a cutting edge located approximate a free end of the cutter wall for transversely severing a length of tape, the cutting edge comprising a series of removable and replaceable cutting teeth. 
     
     
         11 . The tape dispenser according to  claim 10  wherein the cutting teeth are angularly disposed relative to the cutter wall; and
 wherein the cutting teeth are carried by a teeth carrier which is removably and slidingly connected to a free end of the cutter wall. 
 
     
     
         12 . The tape dispenser according to  claim 9  wherein the cutting means includes a substantially planar severing tab connected to the cutter wall and configured to cooperate with the locating tab and the cutting teeth to ensure an even cutting edge of a tape end, the severing tab being connected to the cutter wall at a hinge connection and angularly hinged away from the cutter wall such that it is pressed against the cutter wall during a cutting action, the arrangement being such that, during a cutting action, the hinge connection is positioned just above the overhanging lip formation of the locating tab when the locating tab is pressed against the cutter wall; while a free end of the severing tab slides in underneath the cutting teeth when the severing tab is simultaneously pressed against the cutter wal 1 , such that after the cutting teeth severs the tape end, an overhanging newly cut end portion of tape protrudes beyond the overhanging lip formation of the locating tab. 
     
     
         13 . The tape dispenser according to  claim 10  wherein the cutter wall includes a severing step configured between the base and the cutting edge, the severing step being positioned just above a free end of the locating tab when the locating tab is pressed against the cutter wall. 
     
     
         14 . The tape dispenser according to  claim 10  wherein the tape cutter is dimensioned for being stored inside a roll of tape so that opposite sides of the base and the free end of the cutter wall press against the internal circumference of the spool around which the tape is wound. 
     
     
         15 . The tape dispenser according to  claim 12  wherein the tape dispenser is assembled from a blank. 
     
     
         16 . A blank for assembling a tape dispenser, the blank comprising a number of neighbouring panels in series along a common longitudinal axis, [X], the blank comprising
 a first substantially rectangular base panel including a first sidewall flap adjoining and being foldable relative to the first base panel in a longitudinal direction of the blank; a second sidewall flap, opposite from the first sidewall flap, and adjoining and being foldable relative to the first base panel in a longitudinal direction of the blank; and a slot extending through the first base panel between the opposing sidewall flaps;   a second base panel adjoining the first base panel along a fold line which extends in a transverse direction to the longitudinal axis [X] of the blank, the second base panel being foldable to abut the first base panel;   a locating tab panel adjoining the second base panel along a fold line which extends in a transverse direction to the longitudinal axis [X] of the blank, the locating tab panel being foldable such that it protrudes through the slot in the first base panel and extends longitudinally upright from the first base panel to define a locating tab;   a lip formation panel adjoining the locating tab panel along a fold line which extends in a transverse direction to the longitudinal axis [X] of the blank, the lip formation panel being foldable relative to the locating tab panel such that it is curved away from the locating tab panel to define an overhanging lip formation in use;   a third base panel adjoining the first base panel along a fold line which extends in a transverse direction to the longitudinal axis [X] of the blank, the third base panel being foldable to abut the first base panel;   a first cutter wall panel adjoining the third base panel along a fold line which extends in a transverse direction to the longitudinal axis [X] of the blank;   a second cutter wall panel adjoining the first cutter wall panel along a fold line which extends in a transverse direction to the longitudinal axis [X] of the blank, the second cutter wall panel being foldable to abut the first cutter wall panel, the arrangement being such that both the first and second cutter wall panels protrude through the slot in the first base panel to extend longitudinally upright from the first base panel to define a cutter wall with the slot being positioned intermediate the locating tab and the cutter wall; and   a severing tab panel adjoining the second cutter wall panel along a fold line which extends in a transverse direction to the longitudinal axis [X] of the blank, the severing tab panel being foldable such that it is angularly orientated relative to the second cutter wall panel and pres sable against the second cutter wall panel during a cutting action, so as to define a severing tab.   
     
     
         17 . The blank according to  claim 16  wherein the locating tab panel includes a set of laterally protruding hook formations approximate the fold line intermediate the second base panel and the locating tab panel, the hook formations being configured to engage the first base panel in a snap-fit manner once the locating tab panel protrudes through the slot in the first base panel for maintaining the locating tab panel in position. 
     
     
         18 . The blank according to  claim 16  wherein the first cutter wall panel includes a set of laterally protruding hook formations approximate the fold line intermediate the first cutter wall panel and the third base panel, the hook formations being configured to engage the first base panel in a snap-fit manner once the first cutter wall panel protrudes through the slot in the first base panel for maintaining the cutter wall panels in position. 
     
     
         19 . The blank according to  claim 16  wherein the first and second cutter wall panels are maintained in abutting relationship through a teeth carrier which slides over the adjoining first and second cutter wall panels, the teeth carrier carrying a set of teeth which are transversely offset relative to the first and second cutter wall panels such that the teeth face the severing tab. 
     
     
         20 . A tape dispenser according to  claim 1  substantially as herein illustrated and exemplified with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
     
         21 . A blank for assembling a tape dispenser according to  claim 16  substantially as herein illustrated and exemplified with reference to the accompanying drawings.