The present invention relates to a manually operated tape dispenser for dispensing an adhesive roll of tape of the type which comprises a supply length of tape wound around a spool and from which lengths of tape may be drawn while the tape is being applied to a substrate, the tape dispenser including cutting means by which tape drawn from the dispenser may be cut from tape remaining on the roll.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Pull-and-tear tape dispensers and tape cutters are well known in the art. They typically include a housing or frame for accommodating a roll of tape, and a spindle or axle onto which the tape roll is mounted. When a free end of the tape is pulled, the spindle rotates to allow dispensing of a length of tape. The dispenser includes a cutting edge formed of either a smooth or serrated blade. When a free end of the tape is pulled, the roll of tape freely rotates under this action and once the desired length of tape has been reached, the tape is pressed against the blade so as to sever a length of tape from the roll.

Some prior art tape dispensers are quite sophisticated and admittedly efficient, but they tend to become expensive. Also, depending on the size of the tape roll, such dispensers can become bulky and relatively heavy to transport. Most tape dispensers known in the art take up a lot of packaging and/or storage space when not in use. The blades in these dispensers are also sometimes associated with not cleanly cutting the tape or causing the tape to tear or fold over onto itself. Also, once the blades in these dispensers become blunt, the entire tape dispenser needs to be displaced.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an alternative tape dispenser which is relatively cheap and aimed at more easily and consistently positioning newly cut end portions of tape on the dispenser.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided 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 and 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.

The base may be a substantially planar base comprising a bottom surface, which rests atop the tape roll, and a top surface. The base may include two parallel sidewalls extending from opposite sides of the base and configured to engage two opposite sides of a tape roll to limit lateral displacement of the tape dispenser relative to the tape roll. The top surface of the base may define a pressing platform upon which a user may press down during a cutting action, pressing the base onto the roll of tape to brake displacement of the base relative to the roll of tape while a length of tape is being cut. The elongate slot may extend through the base between the two opposing sidewalls and may be bordered by two opposing slot edges.

The locating tab may extend substantially radially outwardly from the base approximate one edge of the slot. The locating tab may hingedly be connected to the base and may be 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. In one embodiment of the invention, the locating tab may be connected to and extend from the top surface of the base. In an alternative embodiment, the locating tab may hingedly be connected to the two sidewalls of the base through hinge pins extending through the sidewalls. The hinge pins may protrude through the sidewalls of the base, such that they slightly press against the two opposite sides of a roll of tape.

The locating tab may include a retaining surface for retaining newly cut end portions of tape through releasable adhesion to the retaining surface so that a newly cut end portion of the tape does not again adhere to the surface of the roll of tape, but instead is presented where it can easily be engaged manually to afford dispensing a new length of tape from the dispenser. In particular, the arrangement is such that a sticky surface of the tape releasably adheres to the retaining surface. In one embodiment of the invention, the retaining surface may include a series of alternating grooves and rib formations so as to limit the surface area to which the sticky surface of the tape can adhere, thus facilitating easy removal of the tape from the retaining surface of the locating tab. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the locating tab may terminate 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 the 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. The cutting means may include a cutter wall extending substantially at a right angle away from the base approximate an opposite edge of 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 may comprise a series of removable and replaceable cutting teeth. The cutting teeth may angularly be disposed relative to the cutter wall. In one embodiment of the invention the cutting teeth may angularly be disposed in a direction facing the locating tab, and in an alternative embodiment, the cutting teeth may angularly be disposed in a direction facing away from the locating tab. The cutting teeth may be carried by a teeth carrier which may removably and slidingly be connected to a free end of the cutter wall such that the cutting teeth can be replaced once they become blunt.

In one embodiment of the invention, the cutting means may include 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 may angularly be positioned and hinged away from the cutter wall such that it is pressed against the cutter wall during a cutting action. The severing tab may be connected to the cutter wall at a hinge connection 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 wall, the result being 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, which newly cut end portion provides for easy and consistent grabbing to pull a further length tape from the roll.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention the cutter wall may include 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. The tape cutter may be 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.

The tape dispenser may be assembled manually onsite from a blank.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a blank for assembling a tape dispenser, the blank comprising a number of neighbouring panels in series along a common longitudinal axis, 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 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 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; - an lip formation panel adjoining the locating tab panel along a fold line which extends in a transverse direction to the longitudinal axis of the blank, the lip formation panel being foldable relative to the locating tab such that it is curved away from the locating tab 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 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 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 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;

- a severing tab panel adjoining the second cutter wall panel along a fold line which extends in a transverse direction to the longitudinal axis of the blank, the severing tab panel being foldable such that it is angularly orientated relative to the second cutter wall panel and pressable against the second cutter wall panel during a cutting action, so as to define a severing tab.

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.

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. The first and second cutter wall panels may be 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. SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Without limiting the scope thereof, the invention will now further be described and exemplified with reference to the accompanying drawings in which -

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a tape dispenser according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the tape dispenser of Figure 1 , mounted in position onto a roll of tape;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the tape dispenser of Figure 2, illustrating the tape dispenser severing a piece of tape from the roll; FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the tape dispenser of Figure 3, illustrating the position of the free end of tape after a piece of tape is severed from the roll;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of a blank from which to assemble a tape dispenser according to the first embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 1 ;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the blank of Figure 5, illustrating a first stage folding of the blank into the tape dispenser of the first embodiment of invention;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a partially assembled tape dispenser according to the first embodiment;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the assembled tape dispenser according to the first embodiment, excluding the teeth carrier and cutting teeth;

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of the assembled tape dispenser of Figure 8, illustrating the way in which the teeth carrier is positioned onto the cutter wall;

FIGURE 10 is an assembled perspective view of a tape dispenser according to a second embodiment of the invention, with the locating tab abutted against the cutter wall;

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of the tape dispenser of Figure 10 with the locating tab angularly disposed relative to the cutter wall;

FIGURE 12 is an exploded perspective view of the tape dispenser of Figure 10 from an opposite angle of rotation;

FIGURE 13 is a sectional side elevation of the second embodiment of the invention, illustrating positioning of the locating tab under the severing step in the cutter wall during a cutting action; FIGURE 14 is a sectional side elevation of Figure 13, illustrating positioning of the locating tab relative to the cutter wall after a cutting action;

FIGURE 15 illustrates positioning of the tape cutter according to the second embodiment on top of a roll of tape, with a piece of tape protruding through the base slot;

FIGURE 16 illustrates the tape cutter of Figure 15 after a piece of tape has been cut;

FIGURES 17 & 18 illustrate a perspective view and front elevation respectively of a tape cutter according to the second embodiment, stored inside the spool of a roll of tape;

FIGURE 19 is a perspective view of a locating tab according to the second embodiment of the invention, illustrating the alternating grooves and rib formations of the retaining surface; and

FIGURE 20 is a sectional side elevation on line A-A of Figure 13, illustrating positioning of the hinge pins of the locating tab through the sidewalls of the base.

A tape dispenser according to a first embodiment of the invention (Figures 1 - 9) is designated by reference numeral [10]. The tape dispenser [10] is suitable for use on any roll of tape [12] of the type which includes a length of tape wound around a spool

[14] and is provided in different sizes for tape rolls [12] of different dimensions.

The tape dispenser [10] comprises a base [16] which is configured to rest atop and engage the outer circumference of the roll of tape [12] such that the base [16] is slidingly displaceable relative to the roll of tape [12]. The base [16] is a substantially planar base [16] comprising a bottom surface [16.1], which rests atop the tape roll [12], and a top surface [16.2] The base [16] includes two parallel sidewalls [20] extending from opposite sides of the base [16] and configured to engage two opposite sides of a tape roll [12] to limit lateral displacement of the tape dispenser [10] relative to the tape roll [12] The top surface [16.2] of the base [16] defines a planar pressing platform upon which a user press down during a cutting action, pressing the base [16] onto the roll of tape [12] to brake displacement of the base [16] relative to the roll of tape [12] while a length of tape [12] is being cut. The base [16] includes an elongate slot [18] extending through the base [16] for the width of the tape [12] and through which a free end of tape [12.1] protrudes. The elongate slot [18] extends through the base [16] between the two opposing sidewalls [20] and is bordered by two opposing slot edges. A locating tab [22] extends from the base [16] approximate the slot [18] and is positioned to guide a free end of tape [12] substantially radially outwardly away from the roll of tape [12] The locating tab [22] extends substantially at a right angle away from the base [16] approximate one edge of the slot [18]. The locating tab [22] includes a non-stick surface [24] for supporting newly cut end portions of tape [12], whilst an overhanging lip formation [23] extends from the locating tab [22], providing a retaining surface for the end portions of tape [12] through releasable adhesion to the overhanging lip formation [23] so that newly cut end portions of the tape [12] will not again adhere to the surface of the roll of tape [12], but instead will be presented where they can easily be engaged manually to afford dispensing new lengths of tape [12] from the dispenser [10]. In particular, the arrangement is such that a sticky surface of the tape [12] releasably adheres to the overhanging lip formation [23], but not to the non-stick surface [24] of the locating tab [22]

The tape dispenser [10] further includes cutting means [26] which is operatively associated with the locating tab [22] for severing a length of tape [12]. In particular, a length of tape [12] is guided by the locating tab [22] towards the cutting means [26] and the tape [12] is severed by pressing the cutting means [26] through the tape. The cutting means [26] includes a cutter wall [28] extending substantially at a right angle away from the base [16] approximate an opposite edge of the slot [18] and laterally spaced from the locating tab [22]; and a cutting edge [30] for transversely severing a length of tape [12]. The cutter wall [28] and locating tab [22] are displaceable manually towards and away from each other to trap a free end of tape [12.1] between the cutter wall [28] and locating tab [22] during a cutting action. In particular, the cutter wall [28] and locating tab [22] are hinged away from each other such that they are manually displaceable towards and pressed against each other to trap the free end of tape [12.1] between them during a cutting action.

The cutting edge [30] comprises a series of cutting teeth [32] extending from a terminating free end of the cutter wall [28]. The cutting teeth [32] are transversely offset relative to the cutter wall [28]. The cutting teeth [32] are carried by a teeth carrier [34] which is removably and slidingly connected to the free end of the cutter wall [28] such that the cutting teeth [32] can be replaced once they become blunt.

The cutting means [26] includes a severing tab [36] which is connected to and extends from the cutter wall [28] and is configured to cooperate with the locating tab [22] and the cutting teeth [32] to ensure an even cutting edge of a tape end. The severing tab [36] is angularly positioned and hinged away from the cutter wall [28] and is pressed against the cutter wall [28] during a cutting action. The severing tab [36] is connected to the cutter wall [28] at a hinge connection [38]. During a cutting action, the hinge connection [38] is positioned just above the overhanging lip formation [23] of the locating tab [22] when the locating tab [22] is pressed against the cutter wall [28]; while a free end [36.1] of the severing tab [36] slides in underneath the cutting teeth [32] when the severing tab [36] is simultaneously pressed against the cutter wall [28]. Consequently, after the cutting teeth [32] severs the tape end [12], an overhanging newly cut end portion of tape [12.1] protrudes beyond the overhanging lip formation [23] of the locating tab [22] and indeed for the length of the severing tab [36], which newly cut end portion [12.1] provides for easy and consistent grabbing to pull a further length of tape [12] from the roll. The tape dispenser [10] may be assembled manually onsite from a blank [50].

Referring to Figures 5 - 9, a blank for assembling a tape dispenser [10] according to the invention is generally designated by reference numeral [50]. The blank [50] comprises a series of neighbouring panels along a common longitudinal axis [X]. The blank [50] comprises a first substantially rectangular base panel [52] including a first sidewall flap [54.1] adjoining and being foldable relative to the first base panel [52] in a longitudinal direction of the blank [50]; a second sidewall flap [54.2], opposite from the first sidewall flap [54.1], and adjoining and being foldable relative to the first base panel [52] in a longitudinal direction of the blank [50]; and a slot [18] extending through the first base panel [52] between the opposing sidewall flaps [54.1 ; 54.2]

The blank [50] further comprises a second base panel [58] adjoining the first base panel [52] along a fold line [60], which extends in a transverse direction to the longitudinal axis [X] of the blank [50], the second base panel [58] being foldable to abut the first base panel [52]

The blank [50] further comprises a locating tab panel [62] adjoining the second base panel [58] along a fold line [64], which extends in a transverse direction to the longitudinal axis [X] of the blank [50], the locating tab panel [62] being foldable such that it protrudes through the slot [18] in the first base panel [52] and extends longitudinally upright from the first base panel [52] to define a locating tab [22] An overhanging lip formation panel [63] adjoins the locating tab panel [62] along a fold line [65], which extends in a transverse direction to the longitudinal axis [X] of the blank [50], the overhanging lip formation panel [63] being foldable relative to the locating tab panel [62], such that it is curved away from the locating tab panel [62] to define an overhanging lip formation [23] in use. The blank [50] further comprises a third base panel [66] adjoining the first base panel [52] along a fold line [68] which extends in a transverse direction to the longitudinal axis [X] of the blank [50], the third base panel [66] being foldable to abut the first base panel [52] The blank [50] further comprises a first cutter wall panel [70] adjoining the third base panel [66] along a fold line [72], which extends in a transverse direction to the longitudinal axis [X] of the blank [50]; and a second cutter wall panel [74] adjoining the first cutter wall panel [70] along a fold line [76], which extends in a transverse direction to the longitudinal axis [X] of the blank [50]. The second cutter wall panel [74] is foldable to abut the first cutter wall panel [70] such that both the first and second cutter wall panels [70; 74] protrude through the slot [18] in the first base panel [52] to extend longitudinally upright from the first base panel [52] to define a cutter wall [28] with the slot [18] being positioned intermediate the locating tab [22] and the cutter wall [28].

The blank [50] further comprises a severing tab panel [78] adjoining the second cutter wall panel [74] along a fold line [80], which extends in a transverse direction to the longitudinal axis [X] of the blank [50], the severing tab panel [78] being foldable such that it is angularly orientated relative to the second cutter wall panel [74] and pressable against the second cutter wall panel [74] during a cutting action, so as to define a severing tab [36].

The first and second cutter wall panels [70; 74] are maintained in abutting relationship through a teeth carrier [34] which slides over the adjoining first and second cutter wall panels [70; 74], the teeth carrier [34] carrying a set of teeth [32] which are transversely offset relative to the first and second cutter wall panels [70; 74] such that the teeth [32] face the severing tab [36]. The locating tab panel [62] includes a set of laterally protruding hook formations [82] approximate the fold line [64] intermediate the second base panel [58] and the locating tab panel [62], the hook formations [82] being configured to engage the first base panel [52] in a snap-fit manner once the locating tab panel [62] protrudes through the slot [18] in the first base panel [52] for maintaining the locating tab panel [62] in position. The overhanging lip formation panel [63] protrudes away from the locating tab panel [62] so as to provide a retaining surface against which the sticky surface of the tape end may adhere to. The first cutter wall panel [70] includes a set of laterally protruding hook formations [84] approximate the fold line [72] intermediate the first cutter wall panel [70] and the third base panel [66], the hook formations [84] being configured to engage the first base panel [52] in a snap-fit manner once the first and second cutter wall panels [70; 74] protrude through the slot [18] in the first base panel [52] for maintaining the cutter wall panels [70; 74] in position.

Figures 10 to 20 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the tape dispenser [100] comprises a base [102] which also rests atop a tape surface and at least partially engages the outer circumference of the roll of tape [12] such that the base [102] is slidingly displaceable relative to the roll of tape [12]; an elongate slot [104] extending through the base [102] for the width of the tape [12] and through which a free end of tape [12] protrudes; a locating tab [106] extending from the base [102] approximate the slot [104] and positioned to guide a free end of tape [12] substantially radially outwardly away from the roll of tape; and cutting means [108] which is operatively associated with the locating tab [106] for severing a length of tape [12]; wherein a length of tape [12] is guided by the locating tab [106] towards the cutting means [108] and the tape [12] is severed by pressing the cutting means [108] through the tape [12]. The base [102] is a substantially planar base [102] comprising a bottom surface [102.1], which rests atop the tape roll [12], and a top surface [102.2] The base [102] includes two parallel sidewalls [102.3] extending from opposite sides of the base [102] and which are configured to engage two opposite sides of a tape roll [12] to limit lateral displacement of the tape dispenser [100] relative to the roll of tape [12]. The top surface [102.2] of the base [102] defines the pressing platform. The elongate slot [104] extends through the base [102] between the two opposing sidewalls [102.3] At least a portion of the top surface [102.2] is a rough surface, having a texture similar to a sandblasted-type surface. The locating tab [106] extends substantially radially outwardly from the base [102] approximate the slot [104] The locating tab [106] is hingedly connected to the base [102] and is displaceable between a first position (Figure 10), in which it abuts the cutting means [108] for trapping a length of tape [12] between the locating tab [106] and the cutting means [108]; and a second position (Figure 11) in which it is angularly disposed relative to the cutting means [108]. In this embodiment of the invention, the locating tab [106] is hingedly connected to the two sidewalls [102.3] of the base [102] through hinge pins [110] (Figures 19 & 20) extending through the sidewalls [102.3]. The hinge pins [110] protrude through the sidewalls [102.3] of the base [102], such that they slightly press against the two opposite sides of a roll of tape [12] The applicant has found that by slightly pressing the hinge pins [110] against the tape [12] it not only facilitates positioning of the tape dispenser [100] on the roll of tape [12], but also has a significant effect on reducing noise during use.

On its one side, the locating tab [106] includes a retaining surface [112] for retaining newly cut end portions of tape [12] through releasable adhesion to the retaining surface [112]. In this embodiment of the invention, the retaining surface [112] includes a series of alternating grooves [112.1] and rib formations [112.2] so as to limit the surface area to which the sticky surface of the tape [12] can adhere, thus facilitating easy removal of the tape [12] from the retaining surface [112] of the locating tab [106]. On its opposite side, the locating tab [106] includes a rough surface, having a texture similar to the sandblasted-type top surface [102.2] of the base [102]

The cutting means [108] includes a cutter wall [114] extending substantially at a right angle away from the base [102] approximate the slot [104] and laterally spaced from the locating tab [106]; and a cutting edge [116] located approximate a free end of the cutter wall [114] for transversely severing a length of tape [12]. The cutting edge [116] comprise a series of removeable and replaceable cutting teeth [116.1]. The cutting teeth [116.1] are angularly disposed relative to the cutter wall [114], and in this embodiment, the cutting teeth [116.1] are angularly disposed in a direction facing away from the locating tab [106].

The cutting teeth [116.1] are carried by a teeth carrier [118] which is removably and slidingly connected to a free end of the cutter wall [114] such that the cutting teeth [116.1] can be replaced once they become blunt. The teeth carrier [118] is maintained in position on the cutter wall [114] through a securing panel [119] which is removably connected to the cutter wall [114].

In this embodiment of the invention the cutter wall [114] includes a severing step [120] configured between the base [102] and the cutting edge [116], the severing step [120] being positioned just above a free end of the locating tab [106] when the locating tab [106] is pressed against the cutter wall [114].

The tape [12] cutter is dimensioned for being stored inside a roll of tape [12] so that opposite sides of the base [102] and the free end of the cutter wall [114] press against the internal circumference of the spool around which the tape [12] is wound.

It will be appreciated that other embodiments of the invention possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as set out in the claims.