Abstract:
This invention generally relates to a tape dispenser with automatic backing removal more particularly including a spindle rotatably mounted for receiving said supply of tape; a pinch roller set in tension having an adjustment to set the drag for the tape supply passing through the pinch rollers that convert a pull of the tape to a rotary motion; a take-up spindle for spooling the protective backing layer when separated from the tape; a set of drag washers to maintain an pre-set tension as the protective backing is spooled onto the take up spindle; a first gear responsive to the rotary motion of the pinch roller set and a second gear responsive to the motion of the first gear and axially attached to the take-up spindle for spooling the protective backing.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation-in-part claiming the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. 120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/890,672 Tape Dispenser and Take-Up Reel For Tape Backing filed May 9, 2013, Ser. No. 13/098,841 entitled Tape Dispenser and Take-Up Reel for Tape Backing filed May 2, 2011 and further claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119 (e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/330,694, Tape Dispenser and Take-up Reel for Associated Tape Backing filed on May 3, 2010, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to dispensers for tape with a backing requiring removal. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A tape dispenser is a device that holds a roll of tape and has a mechanism on one end to cut or shear-off the tape. Dispensers vary widely based on the tape they dispense. Abundant and most common, clear tape dispensers are made of plastic and may be disposable. Other dispensers are stationary and may have sophisticated features to control tape usage and improve ergonomics. Tape dispensers for silicon tapes with release liner backing, which separate tape layers, are wound on a tape spool and require more complex tape dispensing mechanisms to allow dispensing while stripping-off the backing. Without an auto mechanism the process of removing the backing material is time consuming and wasteful, since in trying to remove the backing, strips of tape can damage the useful part of the tape, especially when lifting the backing with a fingernail or pointed tool to separate the layers. Manual methods for removing backing takes time and resources that can account for a significant dollar value in any project. The manual removal method also requires the use of both hands. Thus, the user has to stop a job, put down tools, and often removes work gloves to separate the backing. Adverse weather conditions make this all the more difficult. 
     In some applications a tape dispenser becomes a tool in applying the tape. This is especially the case in a production setting when the application of tape must be done quickly, as in a shipping department. These devices must dispense the tape without more than a user applying the adhesive backing to the work piece, such as a box that must be sealed. Such tape dispensing devices often have rollers that convey the tape to a user. If the tape includes a backing material then the dispensing device must reel the backing. A reliable tape dispensing system that achieves spooling becomes particularly difficult to reduce to practice when tapes having a variety of tape widths, thicknesses, and surface coefficients are used in differing environments that vary in humidity and temperature. Therefore a need exists for a tape dispensing device that allows for the foregoing variability not to interfere with the reliable operation needed in commercial and industrial applications. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention generally relates to a dispensing apparatus for tape with protective backing, including therein a tape supply spindle rotatably mounted for receiving a roll of tape; said protective backing separated from the tape and wound upon the core of a take-up spindle, said winding motion provided by a linear pull of the tape converted to a rotary motion as the tape interengages a compression member, such as a pinch roller set (composed of any material such as a rubber compound or plastic material with a suitable coefficient of friction between the roller and the tape), wherein a first gear affixed to the axle of one of the roller set meshes with and rotates a second gear in opposition to the first gear, thus spooling the protective backing on the take-up spindle. 
     More particularly the invention disclosed relates to a dispensing apparatus for tape having a protective backing layer thereon, including: a spindle rotatably mounted for receiving a supply of tape operably fed through a pinch roller set that further includes a lower pinch roller having a pre-set rolling drag adjusted by one or more coaxial drag washers, and an upper pinch roller having one or more springs imposing thereon a nip force between the upper and lower pinch rollers, such that when the tape interengages the nip of the pinched rollers, the lower pinch roller converts a linear motion of the tape to a rotary motion that turns a take-up spindle for spooling the protective backing layer; said take-up spindle rolling drag adjusted by one or more coaxial drag washers to maintain a pre-set rolling drag while the protective backing spools onto the take-up spindle. 
     The invention disclose herein is also a method for dispensing a tape with a protective backing including the steps of: inserting a roll of tape into housing having tape supply spindle for rotatably receiving said roll of tape; separating a portion of the tape from the protective backing; threading said tape portion into a pinched roller; threading said separated protective backing portion onto a rotatable take-up spindle; setting the drag on the take up reel; setting the drag on the lower pinch roller; setting the nip tension; rotating the pinched roller set in response to pulling said tape through the pinched roller set; winding said protective tape backing on the rotatable take-up spindle in response to one member of the rotating pinched roller set. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a frontal perspective view of the tape apparatus showing the relative positioning of parts for a tape dispensing mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the tape apparatus showing the relative positioning of parts for a tape dispensing mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the tape apparatus showing the relative positioning of the bail lever for a tape dispensing mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of the tape apparatus showing the relative positioning of parts for a tape dispensing mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an illustrated parts breakdown showing the relative positioning of parts for a tape dispensing mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart of a method for using a tape dispensing mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description includes the best mode of carrying out the invention and is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and should not be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is determined by reference to the claims. Each part or function is assigned, even if structurally identical to another part, a unique reference number wherever that part is shown in the drawing figures. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the major components of the apparatus  100  include: a side plate  1 , a handle  2 , and a small side plate  3 . Affixed on the side plate  1  is a tape supply spindle sleeve  12  rotatably mounted for receiving a roll of tape that free-wheel on said spindle sleeve, and which is drawn through a friction carrying device, such as a set of pinched rollers ( FIG. 3, 14, 27 ). The tape backing layer ( FIG. 4, 50 ) is wound around the take up roller  24  for spooling the protective tape backing. An adjustment knob  35  is used to set the drag on the pinch roller set. Gear  37  conveys power to gear  36 , which turns the take-up reel. A cutting mechanism  40  cuts the tape when dispensing for its intended application. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , pressure roller  14  is a pressurized feed roller, interfacing with the torsion spring  5   a  (N.B. torsion spring  5   a  is oppositely paired with torsion spring  5   b  each serving one side of release lever or release bail  60 ) to provide pressure to the nip between the pressurized feed roller  14  and roller  27  ( FIG. 5 , arbor  27  and a sleeve  29  are combined and referred to as roller  27  throughout), as the tape is being dispensed from the tape supply. When the torsion springs  5   a ,  5   b  ( FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 ) are released via release lever or bail  60  ( FIG. 1 ), it opens the nip or gap between rollers for feeding a new roll of tape through the rollers ( 14 ,  27 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , the spindle  12  rotatably mounted for receiving said supply of tape operably feeds through the pinch roller set ( 14 ,  27 ). The lower pinch roller  27  has a pre-set rolling drag associated with it that is adjusted and preset by one or more coaxial drag washers ( FIG. 5, 32, 34 ). The upper pinch roller  14  has spring  5   a ,  5   b  that presets the nip force between the upper roller  14  and lower roller  27 , such that when the tape interengages the nip of the rollers ( 14 ,  27 ), the lower pinch roller  27  converts a linear motion of the tape to a rotary motion that turns take-up spindle  24  for spooling the protective backing layer. The take-up spindle rolling drag is adjusted by one or more coaxial drag washers ( FIG. 5, 18, 23 ) to maintain a pre-adjusted rolling drag while the protective backing spools onto the take-up spindle. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , an embodiment of the invention disclosed herein relates to dispensing apparatus  100  for dispensing tape  55 , as by way of example and not limitation, silicone tape with protective backing  50  such as Mylar. Affixed on the side plate  1  is a tape supply spindle  11  covered by spindle sleeve  12  rotatably mounted for receiving a roll of tape  55  that free wheels on said spindle sleeve  12 . The tape supply is threaded around guide roller  10   b  and  10   a , and through the nip of pressure pinch rollers  14  and  27 . As previously indicated, the tape backing  55  is directly wound around the take up roller  24 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates that on an application of a pulling force P to roll of tape  55 , the rotatable take-up spindle  24  rotates, winding the backing tape  55  into a cylindrical roll. In one embodiment tape  50  supply rotatably mounts thereon spindle sleeve  12 , wherein pulling with force P tape directs the protective backing away from the tape when the tape interengages and rotates lower pinch roller  27 . The lower pinch roller  27  has first gear  37  affixed to the end of its axle that rotates a second gear  36  affixed to the end of the axle for the take-up spindle  24 , such that the take up spindle  24  rotatably winds the protective backing  55  as the tape  50  is pulled through the roller set. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 5 , the upper pinch roller  14 , i.e. the mating roller to lower pinch roller  27 , allows for an adjustable drag so as to create both tension and elongation of the tape  55  as it is being fed. A tape support plate  6  insures proper feed into the rollers. As mentioned above, lower pinch roller  27  incorporates a drive gear  37  that meshes with gear  36  to drive the tape backing  55  take up spindle  24  at by way of illustration and not limitation, a turning ratio of 1:1 or 1:1.5 although other turning rations can be employed in the range of 1.05 to 2.0. 
     In a non limiting embodiment,  FIG. 5  illustrates the set of drag washers  18  and stainless steel washers  23  that maintain a preset tension as the protective backing is spooled onto the take up spindle. This is desirable to accommodate different tapes having different coefficients of surface friction, width, length and thickness of tape. In this non limiting embodiment, a multiple set of carbon fiber drag washers, such as washer  18  in combination with stainless steel washers, such as  23  installed between the side plate  1  and the lower pinch roller  27  have applied a pressure through spring  22  between washer  20  and washer  21 , and tension adjusting nut  25  to allow a continuously adjustable tension and elongation of the tape as it is dispensed and utilized. With further reference to  FIG. 5 , a take up liner spool shaft  17  serves as the axle for the take up roller  24  fits through a bearing  8  to assist in the smooth rotation of the take up spool. The tabbed washer engages in plate number  1 . The pin  15  is a spacer and does not engage with any functioning parts other than plate  1 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 5 , an adjustment knob  35  that sets a drag on the lower pinch roller  27  is affixed through threaded rod  30  the drive gear  37 . The assembly is joined through threaded rod  30  through threading locking plate  31  and fastening to the large side plate  1 , to serve to rotate the lower pinch roller  27 . In this embodiment, a multiple set of carbontex (carbon fiber) drag washers, such a washer  34  in combination with stainless steel washer  32  applied a pressure to the lower feed roller. A stainless steel washer  33  with ears or protruding tabs sets a limit on the rotation of the adjustment knob  35  by stopping at rolling pin  15 . 
     With further reference to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 5 , the side plate  1  supply spindle sleeve  12  fits over an arbor  11  and is held in place by arbor snap ring  13 . The assembly is then mounted on plate  1 , for receiving a roll of tape that free wheels on said spindle sleeve and which as mentioned above, is drawn through a friction carrying device, such as a set of pinched rollers. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the invention herein also discloses a method for dispensing a tape with a protective backing including the steps of: (1) inserting  80  a roll of tape into housing having tape supply spindle for rotatably receiving said roll of tape; (2) separating  82  a portion of the tape from the protective backing; (3) lifting the bail and threading  84  said tape portion into a pinched roller set having two members; (4) threading  86  said separated protective backing portion onto a rotatable take-up spindle; (5) setting  87  the drag on the take up roller; (6) setting  88  the drag on the lower pinch roller; (7) setting  89  the nip tension; (8) rotating  90  the pinched roller set in response to pulling said tape through the pinched roller set; (9) winding  92  said protective tape backing on the rotatable take-up spindle in response to one member of the rotating pinched roller set. 
     While the foregoing invention has been described with reference to the above embodiments, additional modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, such modifications and changes are considered to be within the scope of the appended claims.