Abstract:
A tape dispenser including a cutting mechanism is disclosed that allows for improved access to the mandrel during reloading. The tape dispenser comprises a base, a cover, and a mandrel disposed within the base and cover. The cover is capable of securely engaging with the base. The base, the cover, and the mandrel are connected along a pivot point. The cover actuates the mandrel to an open, loading position.

Description:
FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a tape dispenser. In particular, the present invention relates to a tape dispenser that includes a mandrel that moves with respect to movement of a cover on the tape dispenser. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Tape dispensers can be provided to a user in a disposable form or a reusable form. In the disposable form, typically the user does not have access to the mandrel to replace the used roll of tape with a new roll of tape. Therefore, when the tape is completely used, the entire tape dispenser is discarded. 
     In a reusable form of a tape dispenser, the user is able to replace the used roll of tape with a new roll of tape. The user is able to remove what is remaining of the used roll and only discard that portion, which usually is just the support core for the tape film. Then, the user will replace only the roll of tape, which typically includes a new support core for the tape film, onto the mandrel of the tape dispenser. 
     Often replacing the tape roll can be a complicated and difficult task, particularly in mailing and packaging tape dispensers. The user must access the spindle on the mandrel that supports the tape roll, insert a new roll, and feed the tape film through the dispenser to have the end of the tape ready for use at the discharge end of the dispenser. If the dispenser is relatively small, it may be difficult to accomplish each of these tasks in the relatively small area of the tape dispenser. Increasing the size of the dispenser will typically make reloading easier because a larger area allows easier access to the larger tape dispenser. However, a larger tape dispenser will typically be heavier and will take up more storage space. 
     SUMMARY 
     A tape dispenser including a cutting mechanism is disclosed that allows for improved access to the mandrel during reloading. In one embodiment, the tape dispenser comprises a base, a cover, and a mandrel disposed within the base and cover. The cover is capable of securely engaging with the base. The base, the cover, and the mandrel are connected along a pivot point. The cover actuates the mandrel to an open, loading position. 
     In another embodiment, the tape dispenser includes a cutting mechanism and further comprises a base, a cover capable of engaging with the base, a tape discharge end when the cover is engaged with the base, and a mandrel disposed within the base and cover and including a spindle for supporting a roll of tape and a rear face plate. The base, cover and mandrel are connected along a pivot point distal the tape discharge end. When the cover contacts the rear face plate of the mandrel, the cover actuates the mandrel to an open, loading position. 
     In another embodiment, the tape dispenser comprises a housing and a mandrel. The housing comprises a base having a bottom surface and two projecting sidewalls further includes a lock opening and a handle, a cover having a top surface and two projecting sidewalls further includes a cutting mechanism and a lock projection that is capable of engaging with the lock opening, and a tape discharge end adjacent the cutting mechanism when the cover and base are engaged. The mandrel is disposed within the housing and includes a spindle for supporting a roll of tape and a rear face plate. The base, cover and mandrel are connected along a pivot point opposite the tape discharge end. The cover contacts the rear face plate of the mandrel to actuate the mandrel between a closed, dispensing position and an open, loading position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a tape dispenser of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the tape dispenser of  FIG. 1  in use; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the tape dispenser of  FIG. 1  in an open position; 
         FIG. 4  is a side exploded view of the tape dispenser of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear view of the tape dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a rear view of the tape dispenser of  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     While the above-identified drawings and figures set forth embodiments of the invention, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the discussion. In all cases, this disclosure presents the invention by way of representation and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art, which fall within the scope and spirit of this invention. The figures may not be drawn to scale. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a tape dispenser  100  of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a side view of the tape dispenser of  FIG. 1  in use.  FIG. 3  is a side view of the tape dispenser of  FIG. 1  in an open position. 
     The tape dispenser  100  includes a base  120 , a cover  130 , and a mandrel  140  (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). As shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the base  120  and cover  130  form a housing  110  to contain the mandrel  140  within the housing  110 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the housing  1   10  of the tape dispenser  100  is in a closed position. The housing  110  includes a tape dispensing end  112  and a pivot end  114 . The tape dispensing end  112  is the end of the tape dispenser  100  where the tape exits the housing  1   10  and is available for application to a surface, such as shown in  FIG. 2 . The pivot end  114  is distal the tape dispensing end  112  and is the end of the tape dispenser  100  where the base  120 , cover  130 , and mandrel  140  connect to one another, as will be discussed in detail below. 
     The base  120  includes a lower surface  122  and lower sidewalls  123  that project from the lower surface  122  to form a portion of the housing  110 . In the embodiment shown, lock openings  124  are included in each of the lower sidewalls  123  near the tape dispensing end  112 . Although, two lock openings  124  are shown, it is understood that only one, or more than two can be included. 
     The cover  130  includes an upper surface  132  and upper sidewalls  133  that project from the upper surface  132  to form a portion of the housing  110 . Generally, the upper surface  132  of the housing is an arc-like shape that is smooth without indentations or depressions. However, the tape dispenser  100  may include wipe down surface  134  on the cover. Wipe down surface  134  is a planar surface that provides a surface on the tape dispenser  100  to assist with adding friction to ensure between the tape and the surface that the tape is being adhered to. The wipe down surface  134  is particularly suited for closing boxes and making contact between the tape and the vertical surface of the box. 
     A cutting mechanism  135  is located at the tape dispensing end  112  of the cover  130 . The cutting mechanism  135  typically is a blade that may be metal or plastic. However, other suitable cutting mechanisms  135  are within the scope of the invention. Sidewall projections  139  are located at the dispensing end  112  of the cover  130  on each side of the cutting mechanism  135  to prevent the cutting mechanism  135  from contacting the surface that the tape  200  is being adhered to. As can be seen in the side view from  FIG. 2 , the sidewall projections  139  completely cover from view the cutting mechanism  135 . 
     In the embodiment shown, lock projections  136  are included and extend from each of the upper sidewalls  133  near the tape dispending end  112 . The lock projections  136  align with the lock openings  124  of the base  120  such that when the cover  130  is in a closed position, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the lock projections  136  enter the lock openings  124  and engage with the lock openings  124  to prevent the cover  130  from releasing from the base  120 . 
     To open the tape dispenser  100  and release the lock projections  136  from engagement with the lock openings  124 , the lock projections  136  passing through the lock openings  124  are pressed and disengaged to allow the cover  130  to open, as shown in  FIG. 3 . As shown, there is one lock opening  124  for each lock projection  136 . Any number of lock opening  124  and lock projection  136  pairs may be included. Further, other types of locking mechanisms are within the scope of the invention. 
     The mandrel  140  is contained within the base  120  and cover  130  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . When the tape dispenser  100  is in an open position, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the mandrel  140  is accessible. The mandrel  140  includes a spindle  142  that supports a tape roll, which is not shown for ease of viewing the mandrel  140 . On the spindle  142  are at least three standing ribs  149 . The standing ribs  149  are sized to create a slight interference fit with the inside of that tape roll core (not shown), so as to create drag (rotational resistance) on the tape core as the tape is unwound from the tape dispenser  100 . The degree of interference is specifically designed to provide tension on the unwound tape length to facilitate application and cutting of the tape  200 . 
     Near the tape dispensing end  112 , when the base  120  and cover  130  are in a closed position, the mandrel  140  includes a guide  144  that the dispensing tape runs adjacent to. A wipe down ridge  145  is included on the mandrel  140 , and is visible in  FIG. 2 , to allow the dispensed tape to be firmly pressed against a surface before the dispensed tape is cut with the cutting mechanism  135 . 
       FIG. 4  is a side exploded view of the open tape dispenser  100  of  FIG. 3 . The base  120  includes a pivot projection  126  at the pivot end  114 . The pivot projection  126  includes a base pivot opening  127  therethrough. The cover  130  includes a cover pivot opening  138 , and the mandrel  140  includes a mandrel pivot opening  148 . A pivot pin  152  passes through the base pivot opening  127 , the cover pivot opening  138  and the mandrel pivot opening  148  to connect the base  120 , cover  130 , and mandrel  140  at a single pivot point. Although the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  include openings through each of the base  120 , cover  130 , and mandrel  140  through which a pin  152  passes to connect these parts as a single pivot point, other types of connections are possible so long as the base  120 , cover  130 , and mandrel  140  are connected to one another at a single rotation point. 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6 , the cover includes a push plate  137  adjacent the pivot end  114  and adjacent the cover pivot opening  138 . Also shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6 , the mandrel  140  includes a rear face plate  146  adjacent the pivot end  114  and adjacent the mandrel pivot opening  148 . When the cover  130  is rotated to an open position as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the push plate  137  on the cover  130  makes contact with the rear face plate  146  of the mandrel  140  and forces the mandrel  140  to remain in the open position as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  depict a rear view of the interaction of the push plate  137  of the cover  130  and the rear face plate  146  of the mandrel  140 . In  FIG. 5 , the housing  110  of the tape dispenser  100  is in a closed position, as shown in  FIG. 1 . In the closed position, the push plate  137  is not in direct contact with the rear face plate  146 . However, upon opening the housing  110  of the tape dispenser  100 , the push plate  137  makes direct contact with the rear face plate  146 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . Movement of the cover  130  to the open position directly causes the mandrel  140  to actuate and remain in the open position, as shown in  FIG. 3 . With the cover  130  open, the mandrel  140  will not return to a nested position within the base  120 . 
     In one embodiment, a pivot restraint  128  is included on the base pivot projection  126 . The pivot restraint  128  mechanically interacts with the mandrel  140  to prevent further rotation of the mandrel  140  beyond the open position. The mandrel  140  will not be capable of continuing to rotate and nest entirely within the cover. Instead, the mandrel  140  will remain in the position shown in  FIG. 3  until the cover  130  is closed and the push plate  137  disengages with the rear face plate  146 . 
     In the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1-6  the tape dispenser  100  includes a handle  160 . As shown, the handle  160  projects from the base  120  and preferably includes a first grip  162  and a second grip  164 , separate from the first grip  162  and opposite the first grip  162 . The first and second grip  162 ,  164  are preferably a soft, resilient plastic material to help in comfortably securing the tape dispenser  100  in a user&#39;s hand. It is understood that a handle  160  is optional and not a necessary component of the tape dispenser  100 . 
     To load the tape dispenser  100 , the cover  130  is released from the base  120  by disengaging the lock projections  136  from the lock openings  124  of the base  120 . Then, the cover  130  is able to rotate about the pivot pin  152  to an open position as shown in  FIG. 3 . During opening the cover  130 , the push plate  137  of the cover  130  contacts the rear face plate  146  of the mandrel  140  to cause the mandrel  140  to also rotate about the pivot pin  152  to an open position as shown in  FIG. 3 . Pivot restraint  128  on the base pivot projection  126  prevents the mandrel  140  from rotating beyond the open position shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     With the spindle  142  of the mandrel  140  accessible, a roll of tape (not shown) is inserted onto the spindle  142 . The film of tape is pulled from the spindle  142  along the guide  144  and beyond the wipe down ridge  145 . The non-adhesive side of the tape film extends along the guide  144  surface. 
     Following loading of the tape, the cover  130  is closed, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Closing the cover  130  will push the mandrel  140  within the base  120 . The lock projections  136  enter lock openings  124  to securely close the cover  130  over the base  120  to return the tape dispenser  100  to a closed position as shown in  FIG. 1 , but with tape loaded within the tape dispenser  100 . 
     To use the tape dispenser  100 , the user holds the handle  160 , if included, as shown in  FIG. 2 . Alternatively, the user may hold the housing  110  and more particularly may hold the cover  130  of the housing  110  if a handle is not included. The tape  200  discharges from the tape discharge end  112  of the tape dispenser  100 . The wipe down ridge  145  provides a surface on the tape dispenser  100  to assist with added frictional force to ensure contact between the tape  200  and the surface that the tape  200  is being adhered to. As shown in  FIG. 1 , but not visible from the side view in  FIG. 2 , a blade  135  is included to cut the tape  200 . Upon rotation of the tape dispenser  100  with respect to the surface the tape  200  is being adhered to, the blade  135  will make contact with the tape  200  and cut the tape  200 . 
     Protrusions  125  may also be included on the base  120  at the tape discharge end  112 . The protrusions  125  provide a plurality of raised surfaces that make contact with the adhesive side of the tape  200  at the tape discharge end  112 . Having an intermittent surface, instead of a smooth continuous surface, that makes contact with the adhesive side of the tape, limits the adhesion of the tape  200  to the dispenser. 
     Reference to upper, lower, top, bottom, left and right are for reference purposes only with respect to the embodiment of the tape dispenser  100  shown and described in  FIG. 1-6  and are not intended to be limiting. 
     Although specific embodiments of this invention have been shown and described herein, it is understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the many possible specific arrangements that can be devised in application of the principles of the invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be devised in accordance with these principles by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the structures described in this application, but only by the structures described by the language of the claims and the equivalents of those structures.