Abstract:
A table-top tape dispenser, wherein a removable receptacle holding the tape roll is housed in a casing formed by an interchangeable plate that covers the receptacle. The plate element can be customized to display any selected mark or logo, or to add a functional element to the dispenser.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation under 35 U.S.C. § 365(c) and 35 U.S.C. § 120 of international application PCT/EP2005/008175, filed Jul. 28, 2005. This application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of DE 10 2004 043 367.4, filed Sep. 8, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The invention relates to a device for dispensing adhesive tape comprising a receptacle for a roll of adhesive tape, preferably containing a shaft, which supports the roll of adhesive tape and permits the latter to unwind, and a tearing aid, preferably a blade, for tearing off a section of adhesive tape, wherein the receptacle for the roll of adhesive tape is at least partially located in a housing that is preferably configured as a free-standing housing and can be placed on a table top or the like.  
         [0003]     A generic device of a similar type is sufficiently known in the market, particularly as a tabletop unit.  
         [0004]     A device of this non-modifiable type is usually offered for sale and is used by the consumer in this way. When the device is defective or is not liked for whatever reason, it is thrown away. A shaft to support the adhesive roll in the receptacle is usually inserted into the adhesive roll and then the adhesive roll, together with the shaft, is placed in the receptacle. For this, the shaft usually possesses shaft trunnions that can be installed from above and fitted into an essentially slotted shaft trunnion emplacement. Afterwards, a first end section of the free end of an adhesive roll is led to a tearing aid and stuck with its own adhesive in preparation for the tearing off of a section of adhesive tape and for the required unreeling of the adhesive roll. The housing of the device itself remains essentially untouched and unchanged during these steps. The device is merely brought from one place to another when needed, depending on where it will be used.  
         [0005]     The invention is based on the object of making the housing of the device itself customizable, namely firstly from the aesthetic point of view, secondly however, also possibly from the technical and functional point of view.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     According to the invention, this object is achieved by at least one casing for the housing, which is formed essentially as an interchangeably held plate element on the housing. According to the invention, the housing can be advantageously customized or altered by changing the plate element. In particular, this allows the appearance of the housing to be changed, and to match the surroundings in which it is intended to be mainly used. For example, plate elements could be made available in different colors to color match, for example the inventive device with various desk articles, such as e.g. files, hole punches or the like. One could imagine to match the inventive device with a “Corporate Identity”. This means that an inventive device can simply be matched with or can be provided with company logos or the like. This is then particularly interesting when this type of device is also intended to be offered, for example as promotional gifts.  
         [0007]     Because, according to the invention only the casings have to be changed, the inventive device can be manufactured essentially uniformly in high production runs; this brings corresponding cost advantages. The “individual” casing can moreover be specially prepared. For example, one can consider to already offer the inventive device to the consumer with a range of casings, for example with different colors, such that the client can choose his own suitable colors and the casing for the device. Seasonal themes can also be provided on the casing e.g. for Easter or Christmas. The casings in question are preferably produced from plastic. As the three-dimensional tool shape for this casing is also preferably standardized, the casings can also be cheaply produced in large quantities. For example, only the coloration of the plastic would be changed, or the otherwise identically colored casings could, for example, be provided with themes using suitable sufficiently known techniques. In this way, especially a metallic or wood-grain effect, for example, could also be produced.  
         [0008]     Moreover, the inventive solution is also advantageous in regard to the functionality. For example, an inventive device could fall on the floor thus damaging the housing from cracks or breaks, for example. Normally, this would not impair the actual function of the device, only its appearance. This could be repaired by exchanging appropriate casings, and thus all in all the lifetime of the device could be increased.  
         [0009]     A following development of the invention provides that the plate element can be fixed on the housing and is removable. This could be realized by means of known fasteners, such as, e.g. screws. Preferably, however, the plate element can be clipped onto or rested on the housing. Again, this can also be particularly easily realized using plastic as the material. In particular, a casing can be affixed in such a manner that it will not fall off in any orientation of the device.  
         [0010]     For this, the plate element for example, can be provided with at least one positive locking element and/or a clippable element. A sort of hook, for example, could be formed on the upper edge of the plate element to suspend said plate element, and a clippable element formed on a lower edge, in order that after suspending the plate element it can be locked into place on the housing due to the flexibility of the clippable element. Of course, punctiform locking gudgeons or the like could also be provided, for example.  
         [0011]     A further development of the invention provides the housing with two side walls opposite to each other that stand essentially perpendicular or so and are aligned essentially parallel to the rotational plane of an incorporated adhesive roll and that each of these side walls has a casing on each of their external sides.  
         [0012]     In an inventive device, the main surfaces of the housing are usually formed by two side walls that are aligned essentially parallel or so to an adhesive roll and extend essentially perpendicularly, and have a greater lengthwise extension primarily in the direction in which the adhesive tape is unrolled. In this respect, according to the invention, these side walls should be formed according to the invention as a casing. In this respect, the casing does not have to extend over the whole side wall, but rather can especially form a distinctive area of the side walls. The casings can be identical on both sides, with the result that only one tool or mold is required.  
         [0013]     A further development of the invention stipulates that the external sides of the side walls are inclined in such a manner that they run diagonally upwards somewhat towards each other. In particular, the side walls on their external sides and likewise the assigned casings can each have essentially the shape of an inverted U with filled out surfaces. Accordingly, the casing can also be formed especially in the shape of a curved arch. In addition, the casing can be designed to be curved, in a slightly convex manner towards the exterior. These types of shapes increase the stability of the casings, especially against impact with the floor. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     An embodiment, from which further inventive features can also result, is non-limiting in regard to the scope of the invention, and is illustrated in the drawing. The drawings show:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  an inventive device in a perspective side view,  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  the device of  FIG. 1  in the front elevation,  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  the device of  FIG. 1  in the view from the rear,  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  the device of  FIG. 1  in the top view,  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  the device of  FIG. 1  in the view from below,  
         [0020]      FIG. 6 a  perspective view of a casing removed from the device of the previous Figures,  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  the interior view of the casing of  FIG. 6 ,  
         [0022]      FIG. 8 a  side view of the casing of  FIG. 6 ,  
         [0023]      FIG. 9 a  top view of the casing of  FIG. 6  and  
         [0024]      FIG. 10  the view from below of the casing of  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]      FIG. 1  shows an inventive device, namely a tabletop unit for dispensing adhesive tape, in a perspective side view.  
         [0026]     The device shown comprises a free-standing housing with a footprint  1  and a receptacle  2  for receiving a roll of adhesive tape  3  that can be unwound. The receptacle  2  is located essentially between two sections of side walls  4  of the free-standing housing. A tearing aid (not shown in detail) for a section of adhesive tape  7  from the adhesive roll of tape  3  is located at the upper end of a front panel  5  of the free-standing housing. The section of adhesive tape  7  that is stuck by adhesion with its free end in the area of the apron can be grasped. By pulling the section of adhesive tape  7 , the roll of adhesive tape  3  can be further unwound and the free section of adhesive tape  7  that then projects further than the apron  6  can be torn off with the help of the tearing aid, wherein the section of the adhesive roll  7  remaining on the roll of adhesive tape  3  is again stretched and sticks to the area of the apron  6  as is shown in  FIG. 1 . A shaft  8  (that cannot be seen in  FIG. 1 ) for unwinding the roll of adhesive tape  3 , is located in the receptacle  2  ( FIG. 3 ).  
         [0027]     A central arch-shaped and the respective side wall  4  of the distinctive convex area of the side wall  4  is formed as the removable essentially plate-like casing  9 . Accordingly, this area of the respective side wall  4  can be exchanged for another or identical casing element  9  that has, for example another color, another theme and/or for instance another shape, for example an embossment.  
         [0028]      FIG. 2  shows the frontal view of the device of  FIG. 1 . Identical components are designated with the same reference numerals as in  FIG. 1  and as in the other Figures as well.  
         [0029]     The convex curved shape of the casing  9  can be particularly observed in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 3  shows the view of the back of the device of  FIG. 1 . In this Figure, the casings  9  can again be observed from the side, as well as the shaft  8  inserted with its trunnions in the shaft holding slot  10 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 4  shows the top view of the device of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 5  shows the view from below of the device of  FIG. 1 . In this view from below, particularly the clippable or lockable elements  11  of the casings  9  can be observed, with which the casings  9  are fixed to the underneath  1  of the device. In this view, in particular one can observe that the casings  9  are essentially plate-like.  
         [0033]      FIG. 6  shows a casing  9  in a perspective view. The design and the shape of the locking element  11  can also be more clearly seen in this view.  
         [0034]      FIG. 7  shows an interior view of a casing  9  of  FIG. 6 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 8  shows a side view of the casing  9  of  FIG. 6 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 9  shows the top view of a casing  9  of  FIG. 6 . In this view the beginning of the slot  10  for the shaft  8  can be particularly observed. Above all, by comparing with  FIG. 4 , in this top view one can observe which areas of the device are components of the casing  9 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 10  shows the view from below of the casing  9 .  
         [0038]     As used herein, and in particular as used herein to define the elements of the claims that follow, the articles “a” and “an” are synonymous and used interchangeably with “at least one” or “one or more,” disclosing or encompassing both the singular and the plural, unless specifically defined otherwise. The conjunction “or” is used herein in its inclusive disjunctive sense, such that phrases formed by terms conjoined by “or” disclose or encompass each term alone as well as any combination of terms so conjoined, unless specifically defined otherwise.