Abstract
An adhesive tape dispensing device having a narrow top portion with an opening, across which opening the tape is tensioned, and a blade that cuts the tape by first puncturing it and then proceeding to cut across the remainder of the tape.
Claims
1. An adhesive tape dispensing device with a puncturing cutter, comprising: a body formed from a rigid material or materials, configured to hold and dispense an adhesive tape, and having an opening across which the adhesive tape is tensioned during use, the opening having a first side across which the adhesive tape is tensioned and a second side opposite the first side; and at least one blade mounted on the second side of the opening, the blade having a tip and being configured such that the tip of the blade, when retracted, is located proximally to the second side of the opening; wherein, when the blade is operated, the tip of the blade first punctures through the adhesive tape through the opening and then proceeds to cut across the adhesive tape.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the tip of the puncturing blade is sharpened, but the remainder of the cutting surface is not sharpened.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to hold a roll of adhesive tape.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein the device further comprises at least one spring configured to keep the tape in the proper alignment for dispensing.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein the at least one spring is a leaf spring.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein the at least one leaf spring is molded or formed from the body of the device.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the blade is configured to be movable to accommodate different widths of adhesive tape.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
(1) The accompanying drawings illustrate several aspects and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention according to the aspects. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the particular arrangements illustrated in the drawings are merely exemplary, and are not to be considered as limiting of the scope of the invention or the claims herein in any way.
(2) FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary adhesive tape dispenser according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrating a top side view of device design.
(3) FIG. 2 is an illustration of an exemplary adhesive tape dispenser according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrating a bottom side view of device design.
(4) FIG. 3 is an illustration of an exemplary underside close up view of adhesive tape dispenser according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrating where springs and strip adhesive assemble to device.
(5) FIG. 4 is an illustration of an exemplary internal side view of adhesive tape dispenser according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrating within device a blade for cutting adhesive tape.
(6) FIG. 5 is an illustration of an exemplary assembled adhesive tape dispenser according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrating a top side view of device with blade and roll of adhesive tape assembled to device.
(7) FIG. 6 is an illustration of an exemplary assembled adhesive tape dispenser according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrating within device blade for cutting, adhesive tape held with tension around device, and motions taken by blade when cutting and dispensing adhesive tape.
(8) FIG. 7 is an illustration of an exemplary assembled adhesive tape dispenser viewed internally, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrating within device blade for cutting, and adhesive tape held with tension around device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Definitions
(9) The term “adhesive tape” refers to any one of a variety of combinations of backing materials coated with an adhesive, typically in the form of a ribbon or strip. Different backing materials and adhesives can be used depending on the intended use, and the width of the tape can vary, depending on the application.
(10) The term “spring” as used herein means any spring-like device or material to which force may be applied in one direction, and which tends to resist that force by pushing back against it. In one aspect of an embodiment, a spring may be a wound metal wire, but in other embodiments, a spring may be of different forms and different materials. For example, a spring may be flexible, flat piece of metal, or a tab molded into the body of the device.
Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments
(11) It is important to note that adhesive tape is flexible, and tends to resist cutting from the side. A blade approaching from the side of the tape will tend to fold or bunch the edge of the tape instead of cutting cleanly, even where the blade is sharp. However, a blade with a sharp tip that punctures the adhesive tape prior to cutting across the tape will cut cleanly, even with a blade that is relatively dull.
(12) FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary adhesive tape dispenser according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrating a top side view 100 of device design.
(13) According to the embodiment, adhesive tape dispenser 100 may comprise a generally bisected lachrymiform body 101 with a circular center 102 cut out of the middle of the first width bottom portion of lachrymiform shape 101, for springs to be molded (either directly into underside of lachrymiform shape 101 or attached to—as in not built in directly to dispenser 100—to the underside of lachrymiform shape 101) to gently push tape up against a wall, with which the device may be held up against during use (generally, a bisected lachrymiform shape to be assembled as illustrated; however, it should be appreciated that other final shapes may be used according to a desired arrangement or use case, such as an oblong shape or a rectangular shape, or other arrangement); one must having solid walls 101 formed of a rigid material such as metal or plastic, where one end tapers to a smaller second width 103 with a circular shape 104a cut out along with two uniform rectangular shapes 104b cut out for puncturing blade to assemble to device; and also having a plurality of uniform shapes cut out 105a-n around center 102 for holding adhesive tape core in place while dispenser is in use.
(14) FIG. 2 is an illustration of an exemplary adhesive tape dispenser according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrating a bottom side view 200 of device design. According to the embodiment, adhesive tape dispenser 201 has two or more springs 202a, 202b to apply light pressure to a roll of tape, such that the device may be used up against another surface such as a wall to allow for uniform tape dispensed across a straight surface, the springs 202a, 202b keeping the tape stable up against a surface, while a cutting knife may cut it when desired 402. Cut-outs 105a-n are cut around a plurality of stationary lever arms 203a-n that each have a rounded nodule at their tip, for holding core of adhesive tape in place when in use. Circular center 102, 206a-n has indentations 204 where springs are built-in or affixed, to hold adhesive tape in place.
(15) FIG. 3 is an illustration of an exemplary underside close-up view of adhesive tape dispenser according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrating where springs and adhesive tape assemble 300 to device 100. Adhesive tape rests between bumper 202a and center wall 301, while core of strip adhesive (the object adhesive tape is wound about; core material may be cardboard or plastic) will connect to stationary lever arm nodule tip 302 for added flow consistency of adhesive tape as adhesive is pulled from dispenser 100. Indentations 303a-n hold springs (springs used may be, but are not limited to: leaf springs, coiled springs, molded wave springs, or others, and may be permanently affixed to device 100 such as by welding or industrial adhesives, or temporarily affixed to device 100 according to a desired use case) that push against device 100 and a roll of adhesive tape, holding tape roll against wall of device 100 by applying a constant but slight pressure to adhesive tape.
(16) FIG. 4 is an illustration of an exemplary internal side view of adhesive tape dispenser according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrating within device 400 a blade for cutting adhesive tape. According to the embodiment, within device 400 above portion of device 401 for holding adhesive tape is blade 402 for severing adhesive tape. Blade 402 is thick at one end with a hollowed-out core for attaching to rotating pin 403. Blade 402 is secured in place partially by rotating pin 403 and by step levels 404; step levels 404 may be comprised of plastic or metal and have two levels (it should be appreciated that device may have more than two levels of step levels such as but not limited to one step, three steps, five steps, etc. according to a desired use case) for blade 402, with help of safety button 405 and rotating pin 403, to move blade 402 along step levels 404 to accommodate different widths of adhesive tapes which can vary. Safety button 405 attaches to device cut-out 104a and rests on blade 402. Safety button 405 keeps device users from injury by blocking cut-out 104a but also can be pushed down on blade 402 to adjust blade 402 on step level 404 for varying adhesive tape widths.
(17) FIG. 5 is an illustration of an exemplary assembled adhesive tape dispenser according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrating a top side view of device with blade and roll of adhesive tape assembled 500 to device. According to the embodiment, assembled device 500 comprises dispenser device 501 with blade assembly 502 attached to cut-outs 104a, 104b and safety button 405 visible from top view. Adhesive tape 503 can be seen through cut-outs 105a-n and attaches to the underside of device 500 by attaching adhesive 503 core to stationary lever arm nodule tips 302, while adhesive 503 rests between device walls 301 and bumpers 202a, 202b.
(18) FIG. 6 is an illustration of an exemplary assembled adhesive tape dispenser according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrating within device 400; blade 402 for cutting, adhesive tape held with tension around device 601, and motions 603 taken by blade 402 when cutting and dispensing adhesive tape 601. Adhesive tapes, whose characteristics may vary greatly across different implementations of the instant invention, are held with tension on the end of the invention 601, allowing blade 402 to puncture 602 adhesive tape 601, allowing motion 603 to carry blade 402 across at least 80% of the length of the adhesive tape 601. Blade 402 must puncture 602 adhesive tape 601 before being moved across a significant amount of the length of adhesive tape 603, because if a blade does not first puncture 602 adhesive tape 601, blade 402 does not adequately or consistently cut adhesive tape 601.
(19) FIG. 7 is an illustration of an exemplary assembled adhesive tape dispenser viewed internally, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrating within device 400 blade 402 for cutting 603, and adhesive tape 601 held with tension around device 400. Shown in this figure is an exemplary blade 402 which may be made of any particular composition including common steel alloys, piercing 602 adhesive tape 601 which is held with tension around device 400. Tension is crucial in this embodiment, as blade 402 must puncture 602 adhesive tape 601 before attempting to cut it in a moving motion 603, in order to properly function.
(20) In some embodiments, the cutter may be a triangular-shaped blade that moves linearly, puncturing the center of the tape, and proceeding to cut outward as the blade is pushed into the tape. In some embodiments, the cutter may be a dual blade
(21) The skilled person will be aware of a range of possible modifications of the various embodiments described above. Accordingly, the present invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.
