MAGNETIC TAPE DISPENSER

Abstract

A tape dispenser comprising a housing including a front side, a rear side, top side, and a bottom side is provided. A magnetic mount is attached to the rear side and are configured to magnetically couple the housing to a magnetic surface. A movable arm is attached to the top side and is configured to hold a roll of tape to the housing. A blade is attached to the bottom side of the housing, and a blade guard is disposed substantially over the blade.

Claims

1. A tape dispenser comprising: a housing including a front side, a rear side, a top side, and a bottom side; a magnetic mount attached to the rear side and configured to magnetically couple the housing to a magnetic surface; a movable arm attached to the top side and configured to hold a roll of tape to the housing; a blade attached to the bottom side of the housing; and a blade guard attached to the housing and disposed substantially over the blade.

2. The tape dispenser of claim 1 wherein the housing includes a curved portion that curves outward from the magnetic surface.

3. The tape dispenser of claim 2 wherein the curved portion includes a 45 arc.

4. The tape dispenser of claim 2 wherein the curved portion ranges from approximately a 30 arc to a 75 arc.

5. The tape dispenser of claim 1 wherein the magnetic mount comprises a plurality of magnets and individual ones of the plurality of magnets are cylindrical and include an opening to permit a fastener to secure the individual ones of the plurality of magnets to the housing.

6. The tape dispenser of claim 5 further comprising a stopper disposed within the opening of one or more of the plurality of magnets, the stopper having a coefficient of friction higher than a surface of the plurality of magnets.

7. The tape dispenser of claim 6 wherein the stopper extends beyond an outer surface of the opening of the one or more of the plurality of magnets to engage the magnetic surface when the plurality of magnets magnetically couple to the magnetic surface.

8. The tape dispenser of claim 1 wherein the movable arm is spring loaded.

9. The tape dispenser of claim 8 wherein the movable arm includes a leverage arm and a securing arm.

10. The tape dispenser of claim 1 wherein the blade guard is mounts to be movable such that when resting the blade guard points substantially downward.

11. The tape dispenser of claim 10 wherein the blade guard is rotatable about a connector.

12. The tape dispenser of claim 11 wherein the blade guard is spring loaded.

13. The tape dispenser of claim 1 where the magnetic mount comprises at least three magnets attached to the rear side of the housing.

14. The tape dispenser of claim 1 wherein the blade and the blade guard are coupled to the housing via a connector and one or more mechanical fasteners.

15. The tape dispenser of claim 1 wherein the blade is substantially covered by the blade guard.

16. The tape dispenser of claim 1 wherein the magnetic mount includes a plurality of magnets.

17. The tape dispenser of claim 16 wherein the magnetic mount comprises three magnets, and the three magnets are disposed in a substantially triangular shape.

18. The tape dispenser of claim 1 wherein the magnetic mount includes four magnets.

19. The tape dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a roller coupled to the housing and configured to rotate.

20. The tape dispenser of claim 19 wherein the roller is comprised of rubber.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Disclosed herein are embodiments of apparatuses pertaining to tape disposers including and/or utilizing a plurality of magnets. This description includes drawings, wherein:

[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tape dispenser including a roll of tape in accordance with various embodiments.

[0006] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tape dispenser in accordance with various embodiments.

[0007] FIG. 3 is a front right side view of a tape dispenser including a roll of tape in accordance with various embodiments.

[0008] FIG. 4 a front left side view of a tape dispenser including a roll of tape in accordance with various embodiments.

[0009] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a tape dispenser including a roll of tape mounted to a mounting surface in accordance with various embodiments.

[0010] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of a tape dispenser in accordance with various embodiments.

[0011] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a tape dispenser in accordance with various embodiments.

[0012] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of a tape dispenser in accordance with various embodiments.

[0013] FIG. 9 is a rear view of a tape dispenser in accordance with various embodiments.

[0014] FIG. 10 is a rear view of a tape dispenser in accordance with various embodiments.

[0015] FIG. 11 is a bottom view of a tape dispenser in accordance with various embodiments.

[0016] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments. It will further be appreciated that certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. It will also be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Described herein are apparatuses that are useful for holding, storing, and dispensing tape from a tape dispenser. Such apparatuses also may assist with optimization of storage and use of the tape.

[0018] By providing a tape dispenser that can be readily and movably placed in and around specific areas and mounted to a surface, an ease of access of the tape and usability may be increased, thus shortening or potentially avoiding delays associated therewith.

[0019] Generally speaking, pursuant to these various embodiments described herein, a tape dispenser includes a magnetic mount, such as a plurality of magnets, to hold and support the tape dispenser and a roll of tape to a magnetic surface. In one illustrative approach, the tape dispenser includes a housing having a front side, a rear side, top side, and a bottom side. The magnetic mount is attached to the rear side and are configured to magnetically couple the housing to a magnetic surface. A movable arm is attached to the top side of the housing and is configured to hold a roll of tape to the housing. A blade is attached to the bottom side of the housing, and a blade guard is disposed substantially over the blade. So configured, the magnetic mount frictionally supports a mass of the tape dispenser, a mass of the roll of tape, and a downward force created by the pulling/dispensing of the tape out of the dispenser. In this way, a user is able to dispense tape with one hand because they are not holding the handle of the dispenser in the other hand, as is the case with conventional handheld tape dispensers. The magnetic mount may be attached to and disposed on the rear side of the housing and magnetically couple and/or attach the tape dispenser to a surface for holding, storage, and dispensing of packing tape. The surface could be any surface capable of magnetically coupling to the magnets, such as a metal door frame, a shelving unit, and the like.

[0020] In some configurations, the tape dispenser includes stopper(s) having a coefficient of friction higher than a surface of the plurality of magnets that might engage a mounting surface. The stopper(s) could be made any suitable material such as rubber or plastic and attach to and/or are disposed within an opening of one or more magnets comprising the magnetic mount to increase a friction force between the tape dispenser and the surface to which the tape dispenser is magnetically coupled.

[0021] In some embodiments, the magnetic mount includes the plurality of magnets in configurations such as a triangular shape, such as a configuration having at least one magnet below and substantially in between two magnets disposed there above. The triangular shape may be used to provide support for the mass of the tape dispenser, the mass of the roll of tape, and a downward force created by the pulling/dispensing of the tape out of the dispenser.

[0022] The tape dispenser includes an associated mass and/or weight. Similarly, the roll of tape also includes an associated mass and/or weight. Finally, when the tape is dispensed by pulling a cut or loose end of the tape from the dispenser, there is generally a downward and/or outward force associated with the dispensing of the tape, i.e., the pulling of the cut or loose end. The magnetic mount, as well as any additional structures, such as the stoppers, or any configurations of the magnetic mount and/or the stoppers, such as the triangular shaped arrangement of magnets, spacing, or placement of the elements discussed herein, provide sufficient magnetic and friction forces to overcome the mass and/or weight of the tape dispenser, the roll of tape, and the associated forces involved with the dispensing of the tape under common use. The elements, configurations, structures, spacings, and placements may be selected or chosen to support this mass and/or weight and force to hold the tape dispenser to the mounting surface without slipping and/or sliding down the mounting surface, for example, during dispensing of the tape from the roll, allowing for a single handed dispensing of the tape from the dispenser and roll of tape.

[0023] Referring now to the drawings, wherein identical numerals indicate the same elements throughout the figures, FIGS. 1 to 5 illustrate an example tape dispenser 100 in accord with some embodiments. The tape dispenser 100 includes a housing 102, a movable arm 104, a blade 110, a connector 114, and a blade guard 106. A roll of tape 112 is shown secured to the tape dispenser 100 by the movable arm 104 contacting a portion of the roll of tape 112 to the housing 102. The tape dispenser 100 further includes a roller 122. The roller 122 may assist with the dispensing of tape from the tape dispenser 100. The roller 122 may be comprised of rubber or plastic to aid in the dispensing of the tape. The tape dispenser 100 may be metal, plastic, carbon fiber, or another material strong enough to support the weight of the tape dispenser 100, the roll of tape 112, and the associated forces involved with the dispensing of the tape under common use. Further, the tape dispenser 100 may include a plate 116 to aid in avoiding accidental or unintentional contact with the blade 110.

[0024] The tape dispenser 100 includes a top side 140 and a bottom side 142, as shown in FIG. 2. Additionally, the tape dispenser 100 includes a rear side 144, shown in FIG. 3, and a front side 146, shown in FIG. 4. The movable arm 104 is spring loaded via a spring 118 disposed near the top side 140 of the tape dispenser 100. The movable arm 104 includes a securing arm 105 and a leverage arm 107. In use, a user pushes the leverage arm 107 away from the front side 146 towards the rear side 144. In doing so, the movable arm 104 rotates about the spring 118. This movement lifts the securing arm 105 outward from front side 146 of the housing 102. A roll of tape 112, including a central opening, can be placed around the securing arm 105 such that the securing arm 105 passes at least partially into the central opening, and the leverage arm 107 can be released. Once the leverage arm 107 is released, the securing arm 105 pinches the roll of tape 112 via the spring 118 of the movable arm 104 to the housing 102.

[0025] The housing 102 includes a generally flat portion and a curved portion. The flat portion allows for the housing 102 to be mounted to a generally flat mounting surface 130 via magnets 108, described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. In some embodiments, the mounting surface 130 may be any surface capable of having the magnets 108 magnetically couple to it, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, racking for a shelving unit. The curved portion allows for the housing 102 to more closely conform to the roll of tape 112. The curved portion also provides a distance between the mounting surface 130 and the blade 110 which allows for a user's hand to reach under and past the blade guard 106, grab a loose or torn end of the tape, and dispense the desired amount from the tape dispenser 100.

[0026] In some embodiments, the curved portion of the tape dispenser 100 may extend from the flat portion and/or the mounting surface 130 at approximately a 4520 . arc, away from the mounting surface 130. In further embodiment, the curved portion of the tape dispenser 100 may extend from the flat portion and/or the mounting surface 130 ranging between a 30 and 75 arc. The curved portion allows for minimal excess length extending outward from the mounting surface 130, and potentially into a walking path, while allowing for a user to easily reach under and past the blade guard 106 to grasp a loose end of the roll of tape 112 to dispense the tape.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8, the blade 110 is disposed near the bottom side 142 of the tape dispenser 100. The blade 110 is substantially covered by the blade guard 106. The blade guard 106 and blade 110 are connected together to the housing 102 via the connector 114 and a mechanical fastener, such as a screw or bolt. In some embodiments, the blade guard 106 is rotatable about a portion of the connector 114, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0028] In one embodiment, the blade guard 106 generally points downward due to the force of gravity. In another embodiment, the blade guard 106 is spring loaded via a spring 126 such that the blade guard 106 is biased into position by the spring 126, as shown in FIG. 7. The resting position for the blade guard 106 can be considered as pointing generally downward, both when the force of gravity is utilized and when the spring 126 is used. In use, the blade guard 106 extends past the blade 110 such that the blade 110 is disposed at least partially above and behind the blade guard 106 to avoid potential knicks to a user's hands. As described above, the resting position of the blade guard 106 is generally downward such that after being contacted, the blade guard 106 returns to a generally downward position to keep the blade 110 covered while mounted onto the mounting surface 130.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the tape dispenser 100 includes a plurality of magnets 108 attached, coupled, and/or magnetically coupled to the rear side 144 of the housing 102. The plurality of magnets 108 may be, for example, circular in shape, cylindrical in shape, square in shape, and/or ovular in shape. The magnets 108 may be rare earth magnets, such as for example, neodymium or samarium cobalt magnets. The plurality of magnets 108 may be attached to the rear side 144 of the housing 102 using mechanical fasteners, such as screws, bolts, pins, and the like, which correspond to each magnet. In some embodiments, the screws may be on one side, such as the front side 146 of the housing 102 and secure the magnets 108 to the rear side 144 of the housing 102. While the tape dispenser 100 is illustrated using three magnets, it is contemplated that one or more magnets may be used to mount the tape dispenser 100 to the mounting surface 130 as long as sufficient magnetic force is provided by the magnets 108 to support the associated mass of the tape dispenser 100, the mass of the roll of tape 112, and a downward force created by the pulling/dispensing of the tape out of the tape dispenser 100.

[0030] In some embodiments, specifically referring to FIG. 10, stoppers made of a material such as plastic or rubber having a coefficient of friction higher than a surface of the magnets 108 may be used in conjunction with the magnets 108. The stoppers 120 may be used to fill the openings 109 of the magnets 108, for example in embodiments utilizing magnets with openings, such as circular or cylindrical.

[0031] In some embodiments, still referring to FIG. 10, the one or more of the stoppers 120 are configured to extend beyond an outer surface of the opening 109 of the one or more of the plurality of magnets 108 to engage and optionally compress against the mounting surface 130 when the plurality of magnets 108 magnetically couple to the mounting surface 130. The opening 109 permits a fastener to secure each of the magnets 108 to the rear side 144 of the housing 102.

[0032] While the magnets 108 may support the weight and/or the mass of the tape dispenser 100, the mass of the roll of tape 112, and a downward force created by the pulling/dispensing of the tape out of the tape dispenser 100, the stoppers may aid in preventing or reducing the chance of sliding or slipping of the tape dispenser 100 down the mounting surface 130 due to the associated mass of the tape dispenser 100, the mass of the roll of tape 112, and a downward force created by the pulling/dispensing of the tape out of the tape dispenser 100.

[0033] The magnets 108 magnetically couple, couple, and/or attach the tape dispenser 100 to the mounting surface 130 to support the mass of the tape dispenser 100, the mass of the roll of tape 112, and a downward force created by the pulling/dispensing of the tape out of the tape dispenser 100. This may be achieved through the use of the magnets 108 having various associated magnetic forces and strengths. This may additionally or alternatively include the magnets 108 being spaced and/or placed at various distinct and/or different locations or in different configurations on and along the rear side 144 of the housing 102. Placing the magnets 108 more in the middle of the rear side 144, i.e., further away from the top side 140 and more towards the bottom side 142, may place the magnets 108 closer to the center of gravity, and in turn, provide stronger magnetic forces to support the mass of the tape dispenser 100, the mass of the roll of tape 112, and a downward force created by the pulling/dispensing of the tape out of the tape dispenser 100.

[0034] In some embodiments, a generally triangular shape is used, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. This may include, for example, having two of the plurality of magnets 108 disposed above a third magnet, with the third magnet being placed substantially below and in between the two other magnets. In this configuration, the triangular shaped made by the magnets 108 may be considered a downward triangle. It is contemplated herein that the triangular shape of the magnets 108 can be rotated 90 from the downward triangle to a leftward facing triangle, upward facing triangle, and rightward facing triangle, in order to achieve sufficient magnetic force to support the mass of the tape dispenser 100, the mass of the roll of tape 112, and a downward force created by the pulling/dispensing of the tape out of the tape dispenser 100.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 11, the blade 110 is shown including the connector 114 and the blade guard 106. When mounted onto the mounting surface 130, the blade 110 is substantially covered by the blade guard 106. Further, the blade 110 may be serrated to aid in the cutting, ripping, or tearing of the tape.

[0036] In use, the tape dispenser 100 can be coupled to and/or attached to a mounting surface 130 via the plurality of magnets 108 attached to the rear side 144 of the housing 102. As noted above, the mounting surface 130 may include various surfaces including surfaces capable of being magnetically attracted to the plurality of magnets 108. When the tape dispenser 100 is coupled to the mounting surface 130 via the magnets 108, a user can reach below and past the blade guard 106 and grab a loose or ripped end of the tape from the roll of tape 112. If the blade guard 106 is contacted, the blade guard 106 rotates about the connector 114 and returns to a downward position via the force of gravity and/or a spring loaded mechanism. The tape can be dispensed out past the blade guard 106 to a desired length and torn by the blade 110 with one hand. Because the tape dispenser 100 is mounted to the mounting surface 130, a user can use one hand to dispense a desired length of tape without needing to use the other hand to support the tape dispenser. This allows for a more efficient and useable tape dispenser by providing a localized dispenser that can be operated with a single hand.

[0037] As noted above, the curved portion of the housing 102 allows the user to reach below and past the blade guard 106 to grab the loose end of the tape. The specific arc angle of the housing 102 may correspond to the size of the tape dispenser 100, or alternatively, to the size of a general user's hand. The arc angle can be optimized to allow for easy use, i.e., the ability to reach below and past the blade guard 106 to grab the tape, while minimizing the horizontal length of the tape dispenser 100 coming outward from the mounting surface 130 to avoid being accidentally or unintentionally contacted while mounted.

[0038] Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of other modifications, alterations, and combinations can also be made with respect to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept.