Adhesive tape assembly Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an adhesive tape assembly. In particular, the invention relates to such an adhesive tape assembly, in which the tape coated with a film material such as an adherent material used for sealing an envelope or the like can be protected when not used and an adhesive component contained in the film material can be prevented from being dried, along with the convenience of use.

[2]

Background Art

[3] In general, the envelope and the like are sealed using adhesive glue. For the purpose of improving the convenience and easiness of use, commonly, the adhesive glue is contained in a coating applicator. However, this adhesive glue requires a long time period for drying. Therefore, it is preferred that an adhesive tape is used, which does not need a long time period for drying, dissimilar to the adhesive glue. Usually, the adhesive tape is wound around a roller and installed inside a casing having a desired size. While the adhesive tape passes a desired passage, the adherent material coated on the adhesive tape is stuck onto an object to be adhered, through a tape release port formed in the casing.

[4] However, the adhesive tape contains an adherent component. The adherent component is progressively evaporated through the tape release port of the casing over time and consequently cannot be used any more. In addition, dust is prone to stick to the adhesive tape exposed outside through the tape release port and thus the adherence thereof is lost. Furthermore, the adherent component is likely to peel off from the adhesive tape due to an external pressure.

[5] Therefore, in order to solve the above various problems in the art, conventionally, a separate cap has been used for closing and opening the tape release port. However, such a cap is easily separated from the casing even by a small external impact due to the user's carelessness or the like, and lost. Accordingly, the user must pay careful attention while using it, thereby leading to inconvenience when in use. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[6] The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems occurring in the prior art, and it is an object of the invention to provide an adhesive tape assembly, in which a protection member is installed inside the casing for accommodating a tape roll in such a manner as to be projected toward and retracted from

a tape release port of the casing, thereby protecting the tape coated with a film material such as an adherent material and also preventing the adhesive component contained in the tape from being dried.

[7] Another object of the invention is to provide an adhesive tape assembly, which can be conveniently used, as compared with the conventional ones, in which a cap is provided at the release port and thus a user must pay careful attention when in use.

Technical Solution

[8] In order to accomplish the above object, according to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an adhesive tape assembly. The adhesive tape assembly of the invention comprises: a) an adhesive tape applicator including a pair of casings and a tape roll installed inside the casings, a tape release port being formed at either end of the casings, the casings being separately assembled such that it has a size to accommodated the tape roll, the adhesive tape applicator being configured such that a tape of the tape roll passes a desired passage and a film material coated on the tape is stuck to a desired paper surface through the release port; b) a rotating member having a circular shape and rotably installed in either one of the casings such that one face thereof is exposed outside, a plurality of first teeth being formed along the circumference of that portion of the rotating member that is placed inside the casings; and c) a plate-shaped protection member installed inside the casings and having a plurality of second teeth engaged with the first teeth, the protection member being connected with the rotating member, wherein, as the rotating member rotates, part of the protection member is projected towards the release port to thereby protect the film material of the tape exposed through the release port.

[9] Preferably, the casings are provided with a support guide installed thereinside, which forms a gap in-between with the inner face of the casings, and the protection member is inserted into the gap and moves slidably while being supported by the support guide.

[10] In one embodiment, the protection member has an elongated hole formed at the center thereof, and the casings has a protrusion projected-formed thereinside such that it is inserted into the elongated hole to thereby control the distance of the protection member being projected and retracted.

[11] In one embodiment, at least two support projections for supporting the rotating member are projected-formed in the outer face of either one of the casings and along the circumference of the rotating member.

[12] In one embodiment, an extension for driving the rotating member is extendedly formed in the outer circumferential face of the rotating member exposed from the either one of the casings, the extension having a prominence and depression for

prevention of sliding.

Advantageous Effects

[13] According to the invention, the casing for accommodating a tape roll is provided with a protection device having a plate-like protection member. The protection member is configured to project toward and retract from a tape release port of the casing. Therefore, the tape coated with a film material such as an adherent material, which is exposed towards the release port, is protected and also the adherent component contained in the tape is prevented from being dried. In addition, it can be conveniently used, as compared with the conventional ones, in which a cap is provided at the release port and thus a user must pay careful attention when in use.

[14]

[15]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[16] Further objects and advantages of the invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[17] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adhesive tape according to one embodiment of the invention;

[18] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the adhesive tape assembly of the invention;

[19] FIG. 3 shows a cross-section taken along the line A-A in FIG. 1;

[20] FIG. 4 shows a cross-section taken along the line B-B in FIG. 1;

[21] FIGS. 5 and 6 are a front view and a rear view of a rotating body in the adhesive tape assembly of the invention;

[22] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a protector in the adhesive tape assembly of the invention; and

[23] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the adhesive tape assembly when in use.

[24]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[25] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be hereafter described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[26] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adhesive tape assembly according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the adhesive tape assembly of the invention. FIG. 3 shows a cross-section taken along the line A-A in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 shows a cross-section taken along the line B-B in FIG. 1. FIGS. 5 and 6 are a front view and a rear view of a rotating body in the adhesive tape assembly of the invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a protector in the adhesive tape assembly

of the invention. FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the adhesive tape assembly when in use.

[27] As illustrated in the figures, the adhesive tape assembly comprises a pair of casings

10a and 10b having a desired size for accommodating a tape roll. The casings 10a and 10b can be assembled and disassembled and is provided with a release port 11 formed at one end thereof. The casings 10a and 10b are assembled to each other in such a manner that they can be disassembled and folded about a hinge 12, which is installed in the casings at the opposite side to the release port 11. Therefore, when a tape 13 with a film material coated thereon is run out, only a tape roll 14 can be replaced with a new one, as hereinafter describe.

[28] Inside of the casings 10a and 10b is installed a tape roll 14, around which a tape having a film material coated thereon is wound. The adhesive tape assembly of the invention is structured such that the film material is coated and stuck on a desired paper plane such as an object to be stuck or a paper through the release port 11 while the tape 13 passes a desired passage. The tape 13 coated with the film material is preferred to be an adhesive tape coated with an adhesive material used for sealing an envelope, or a correction eraser tape coated with an eraser material used for correcting written or printed letters. The tape 13 may employ a fluorescent tape or a highlight tape.

[29] The tape 13 is installed in such a way that it is wound around a supply roller 14a, with the film material coated on the tape 13. At any one side of the supply roller 14a is installed a take-up roller 14b. The film material is peeled off from the tape 13 while passing a desired passage, and the tape with the film material peeled off is wound around the take-up roller 14b. The supply roller 14a and the take-up roller 14b are connected by means of at least two teeth such that they are rotated in the opposite direction to each other.

[30] At the release port side is installed a tape guide 15 projected towards the release port 11. The tape guide 15 is configured such that the tape 13 can be protruded to the release port 11 of the casings 10a and 10b via a desired passage, and the movement of the tape 13 can be guided. Also, the tape guide 15 is structured, when required, so as to press the tape 13 with the film material coated thereon onto a desired paper plane (an object to be adhered, or a paper face) to thereby peel off the film material from the tape 13.

[31] The tape guide 15 has a protrusion 15a projected upwardly at the both sides thereof so that the tape 13 cannot be used to the opposite direction. That is, in case where the face of the tape 13 on which the film material is coated is used, that face coated with the film material is in contact with the paper plane by means of the tape guide 15. On the contrary, when the other face of the tape 13 is attempted to be applied, the tape 13 cannot be in contact with the paper plane by the protrusion 15a provided in the tape

guide 15, so that it cannot be used. Therefore, when the tape is used to the opposite direction, the used tape can be prevented from unwinding.

[32] In addition, one of the casings 10b is provided with a rotating member 20, which is installed inside the casings 10a and 10b. Inside the casings 10a and 10b is installed a protection member 30, which is connected with the rotating body 20. The rotating member 20 has a circular shape and rotatably installed in one of the casings 10a and 10b such that one face thereof only is exposed outside. That portion of the rotating member 20 placed inside the casings is provided with a plurality of first teeth 21 formed along the circumference thereof. That is, as illustrated in the figures, the rotating member 20 is rotatably installed in such a way that it rests on a step formed in an opening 18 provided in the casing 10b and only the front face thereof is exposed outside. The first teeth 21 are formed in the circumference of the rear face of the rotating member 20, which is placed inside the casing 10b. Preferably, at least two teeth are provided as the first teeth 21.

[33] The protection member 20 has a rectangular plate-like shape having a length, and is connected with the rotating member 20. The protection member 20 is provided with a plurality of second teeth 31 protruded at one face thereof, which is tooth-engaged with the first teeth 21 of the rotating member 20. In the protection member 30, the second teeth 31 are formed in and projected from one longitudinal edge of the protection member 30 such that they are smoothly engaged with the first teeth 21 and simultaneously are installed near the release port 11 inside the casings 10a and 10b. Also, the width of the protection member 30 is configured so as to be able to project toward and retract from the release port 11. Preferably, the width of the protection member 30 is formed so as to cover the entire tape guide 15. The above-structured protection member 30 is installed inside the casings 10a and 10b, while engaged with the rotating member 20, in such a manner that it can be moved towards under the tape guide 15.

[34] Therefore, when the rotating member 20 is rotated counterclockwise on the plane of the drawings, the protection member 30 tooth-engaged with the rotating member 20 is projected towards the release port 11 and placed below the tape guide 15, as illustrated in FIG. 8. If the rotating member 20 is rotated clockwise, the protection member 30 projected toward the release port 11 is completely retracted to the inside of the casings 10a and 10b, as depicted in FIG. 9. In this way, since the protection member 30 is projected towards the release port 11, the tape 13 exposed towards the release port 11 is enclosed by the protection member 30, with the tape 13 remained close to the protection member 30. Therefore, the film material coated on the tape 13 is protected and also the adhesive material contained in the film material is prevented from being dried.

[35] As described above, as the rotating member 20 rotates, the protection member 30

for protecting the tape 13 is projected towards the release port 11. At this time, the protection member 30 slidably moves while being supported by a support guide 40, which is installed inside the casings 10a and 10b. The support guide 40 is installed so as to form a clearance S having a certain width in-between with the inner face of the casings 10a and 10b, so that the protection member 30 can be inserted into and moved along the clearance S. Therefore, the protection member 30 can be projected towards the release port 11 stably without displacement.

[36] In addition, the protection member 30 is provided with an elongated hole 32 formed at the center thereof, and the casings 10a and 10b is provided with a protrusion 16 projected-formed in the inside thereof, thereby controlling the advancing distance of the protection member 30. Therefore, the movable range of the protection member 30 is limited to within the elongated hole 32 by means of the protrusion 16. Preferably, the elongated hole 32 is formed so as to have a length such that the projected portion of the protection member 30 towards the release port 11 can cover the tape 13 adequately and also can be completely inserted into the inside of the casings 10a and 10b. More preferably, the elongated hole 32 is formed so as to have a length such that the engagement between the rotating member 20 and the projection member 30 does not misfit. Consequently, as the rotating member 20 is repeated rotated and interrupted, the protrusion 16 serves as a stopper for the operation of the rotating member 20 and the protection member 30.

[37] Furthermore, the casing 10b has at least two support projections 17 for supporting and holding the rotating member 20. The support projection 17 is projected-formed along the circumference of the rotating member 20 and thus prevents the rotating member 20 from being displaced and released from the casing 10b. In this way, the rotating member 20 can be stably rotated on the casing 10b, with rotationally mounted thereon.

[38] Furthermore, the rotating member 20 has an extension 23 extended from the exposed circumference thereof. The extension 23 is for driving the rotating member 30, and provided with a prominence and depression 23a at the outer edge thereof for prevention of sliding. Accordingly, a user grips the casings 10a and 10b with one hand, and then can turn the extension 23 using his or her thumb, to thereby easily rotate the rotating member 20. Thus, the protection member 30 can be easily and conveniently advanced towards and retracted from the release port 11.

[39] Therefore, after the tape guide 15 is closely contacted on an object to be sealed or a paper plane to be corrected, and when the casings 10a and 10b is pushed, the film material coated on the tape 13 is stuck in such a way that it is coated on the surface of the object to be adhered or the paper. That is, the film material is adhered to the surface of the object to be stuck or the paper. In case where the film material is constituted of

an adherent material, it can be used for sealing an envelope or the like. When the film material is comprised of a correction material, it can be used for correcting a typographical error and the like.

[40] As described above, the supply roller 14a and the take-up roller 14b are constructed so as to rotate in the opposite direction to each other. When the adhesive tape is coated on an object to be adhered or a paper plane for sealing or sticking, the tape is unwound from the supply roller 14a and the unwound tape 13 is wound around the take-up roller 14a to thereby collect the used tape.

[41] In addition, the adhesive tape 13 contains an adherent material such that it can be easily and readily stuck to the object to be adhered or the paper plane. This adherent material is prevented from sticking of dust, evaporating or damaging, by means of the protection member 30, part of which is projected toward the release port 11 by the rotating member 20. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 8, when not used or stored, part of the protection member 30 is projected toward the release port 11, and thus the exposure of the tape 13 to outside is avoided. As shown in FIG. 9, when in use, the protection member 20 is inserted inside the casings 10a and 10b, so that it can be used.

Industrial Applicability

[42] As described above, according to the invention, the casing for accommodating a tape roll is provided with a protection device having a plate-like protection member. The protection member is configured to project toward and retract from a tape release port of the casing. Therefore, the tape coated with a film material such as an adherent material, which is exposed towards the release port, is protected and also the adherent component contained in the tape is prevented from being dried. In addition, it can be conveniently used, as compared with the conventional ones, in which a cap is provided at the release port and thus a user must pay careful attention when in use.

[43] While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

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