Abstract:
The disclosure depicts a children&#39;s tape dispenser and method that incorporates it into practice. The apparatus has a housing in the form of a toy, and has a tape coil positioned within the housing. Tape having a gentle and nonpermanent adhesive is dispensed underneath the apparatus as it is moved across a surface.

Description:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention is a novel apparatus for dispensing decorative tape onto a surface; it is also a method for providing the same. 
   The Inventive Apparatus 
   The inventive apparatus is a toy, namely a tape dispenser for children that includes a housing forming a selected toy shape, and a tape coil positioned within the housing. The housing and the coil are cooperatively configured to emit a ribbon of tape from an underside of the housing. The underside of the housing is configured to engage the surface so that a ribbon of tape adheres thereto. 
   The tape has a gentle and nonpermanent adhesive on a first side; and selected indicia on the second side. As the apparatus is moved across the surface, the tape exits the apparatus and adheres to the surface. 
   The apparatus may also include a means for biasing the tape into contact with the surface. In a preferred embodiment, the indicia comprise at least one of alphabetic characters, numerals, animals, railroad tracks, or fruit likenesses, or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the indicia may comprise removable stickers. Additionally, the indicia may include textured forms, or raised letters or indicia that will stimulate a child&#39;s sense of touch. Moreover, the raised letters may also include Braille letters (either by themselves or adjacent textured alphanumeric figures), thereby providing a learning device for visually impaired children. 
   Because the apparatus is well-suited as a plaything for children, indicia may be chosen to include any figure that is known to appeal to children, such as any cartoon character, superhero, character from a movie, or the like. Additionally, the housing may form the shape of any item that is well-suited for a children&#39;s plaything, such as a turtle, train, car, bus, ladybug, insect, animal, plane, or fish. 
   The apparatus may also include a first roller positioned on the underside of the housing, wherein the tape rolls across the first roller when the apparatus is moved across the surface. The invention may also include a cutter to cut the tape. 
   Preferably, the tape has an adhesive side bearing a gentle and non-permanent adhesive, and a top side that may have indicia imprinted thereon. The indicia may bear numerous forms, as shown. In a preferred embodiment, the indicia appears in the likeness of a road having a centerline. In this embodiment, the tape may be used as a palette for drawing, or coloring. In yet another embodiment, the invention may include a means for creating sound or vibration imparted from the apparatus. Preferably, the means will emit sound or vibration when the apparatus is moved along a surface. This feature will be helpful to those with visual or hearing loss. 
   The Inventive Method. 
   The invention is also a method for instructing and teaching children that incorporates the steps of dispensing decorative tape onto a surface. The method requires one to form housing in a shape of a selected toy, then position a tape coil within the housing. The inventive method will also include the step of cooperatively configuring the tape and housing to emit a ribbon of tape from an underside of the housing. The underside of the housing is configured to engage the surface so that a ribbon of tape adheres thereto. 
   The inventive method also includes the step of coating a first side of the tape with a gentle and nonpermanent adhesive, and placing selected indicia on the second side of the tape, then moving the housing across the surface. As this is done, tape exits the apparatus and adheres to the surface. 
   The method may also include the step of biasing the tape into contact with the surface. In preferred embodiments of the method, the indicia on the tape may include alphabetic characters, numerals, animals, railroad tracks, or fruit likenesses, or any other likeness that would be well-suited to stimulate the interests of children or the intended user. Along those lines, the housing may be formed to include the shape of a turtle, train, car, bus, ladybug, insect, animal, plane, or fish, or any other figure that would be well-suited for children. 
   The method may also include the step of positioning a first roller positioned on the underside of the housing so that the tape rolls across the first roller when the apparatus is moved across the surface. In preferred embodiments, roller is biased to urge the tape into engagement with the surface. 
   Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of a first embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view showing a cross section of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view that isolates the lower portion of the system. 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of a second embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 5  is an underside view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIGS. 6-8  are comparative perspective views of alternate embodiments of the invention. 
       FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention. 
       FIGS. 10 and 10A  show alternative embodiments for tape that may be included as part of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  is a plan view of the inventive system  10 , which includes a housing  12  formed in the shape of a ladybug. The system  10  also includes a tape  14  that extends from the housing  12  and adheres to a surface  18 . The tape  14  will bear indicia  16  that may be in the form of alphanumeric characters, fruit likenesses, or the like. As discussed herein, the indicia  16  may also include raised or textured figures that will be palpable and perceptible to the touch. In this regard, the indicia may also include Braille figures so that the system  10  could be well-suited for visually impaired children. 
     FIG. 2  is a cross-section of a side-view of the system  10 . As shown, the system  10  includes a housing  12  having a tape coil  13  positioned within the housing  12 . The tape  14  exits the housing  14  through an opening in the underside  15  of the housing  12 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , the system  10  may include a biasing means  19  that urges the underside of the tape  14  into contact with the surface  18 . The biasing means  19  may be in combination with a first roller across which the tape  14  traverses as the system  10  is moved across the surface  18 . Optionally, this embodiment may include a means for turning the coil  13  so that the tape  14  can be re-rolled back onto the coil  13  after it has exited the housing  12 . 
   Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the system  10  may also include a cutter assembly  27  comprising a shaft  29  that passes through the interior of the housing  12 , and has a button  33  extending therefrom at its first end, and a blade assembly (not viewable in  FIG. 2 , shown aft) at its lower end. A spring  28  biases the blade upwardly into an at-rest position. When a user desires to cut the tape  14 , however, the user depresses the button  33 , which lowers the cutter into engagement with the tape  14 , which will terminate the ribbon. 
     FIG. 3  is a perspective view isolating the lower portion of the system  10 . The underside  15  has pegs  11  configured to engage with cooperatively formed receptacles in the housing  12 . It is preferred that the pegs  11  snap fit into the receptacles to hold the underside  15  to the housing  12 . The cutter assembly  27  includes a shaft  29  that passes from the upper portion of the housing  12  to the underside  15 . A button  33  will protrude through the upper portion  12 , and a blade  30  will be positioned adjacent a terminus of the shaft  29 . The blade  30  will be free to move relatively within an opening  31  formed in the underside  15 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , a spring  28  (or other biasing means) urges the blade  30  into an at-rest position wherein the blade allows the tape to pass along the underside  15  of the system. When the button  33  is depressed, however, the blade  30  engages and cuts the tape  14 . In an alternate embodiment, the opening  31  may have an upper ledge that retains the blade  30  in place within the opening. 
   Still referring to  FIG. 3 , a cover  37  may be positioned beneath the opening  31 . The cover  37  may be configured so that the tape  14  passes through it. The cover  37  not only shields the blade  30  from exposure and helps retain the blade within the opening  31 , but also provides a pressing surface so that the blade can press the tape for expedient cutting without scratching a surface. In that regard, a rounded cover  37  is well-suited, as sharper corners are more prone to scratch. 
     FIG. 4  shows a plan view of a second embodiment of the system  10 , wherein the housing  12  forms the shape of a turtle. In this embodiment, the tape  14  exits the underside  15  of the housing  12  and into engagement with the surface  18 . The tape  14  bears indicia  16  in the form of alphabetic characters. 
     FIG. 5  shows the underside of the turtle-shaped housing  12  shown above. The underside  15  of the housing has an opening  22  formed to allow the tape  14  to exit as the housing  12  is moved across a surface. A pair of rollers assist in guiding the tape and/or biasing the tape  14  into engagement with the surface. 
   It is preferred that the underside  16  of the tape  14  be coated with a gentle, nonpermanent adhesive that will enable the tape to be removed from a surface  18  easily without marring the surface, and may even allow the tape to be re-rolled back on to the coil  13 . 
     FIGS. 6-8  show perspective views of comparative embodiments of the system  10 . In each of the embodiments in  FIGS. 6-8 , the housing forms the shape of an object that would capture the interest of a child, such as a train, clock, or the like. While these figures show differing shapes for the housing, it is to be understood that the remaining aspects are analogous with other embodiments that are shown in greater detail. 
     FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the inventive apparatus. In this embodiment, the housing  12  bears a compartment  38  for the storage of markers  42 , such as crayons, pencils, or dry-erase type. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the compartment  38  is encased by top  40  hinged to an edge of the housing  12 . In this embodiment, the type of marker is selected to enable one to draw onto the tape as it is adhered to the selected surface. Additionally, it is preferred that the type of marker be selected such that markings can be wiped clean from the surface of the tape  14 . 
   The inventive apparatus may be used as a teaching tool to assist children in development of writing skills. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the tape  14  bears a likeness of a road having a centerline. Once applied to a surface, however, the tape may serve as writing surface, where the child to practice forming letters or make basic shapes, for example. 
     FIG. 10  shows an example of how the tape  14  may be used as a writing tablet once applied to a selected surface. Note that the centerlines may serve to guide the children in the formation of lower case and upper-case letters. Preferably, the marker and tape-surface are cooperatively selected so that the drawings may be erased easily, such as dry-erase marker and a tape may be bear a dry-erase finish. This cooperative configuration will enable children to wipe their work clean and re-use the tape or correct mistakes. 
     FIG. 10A  shows another example of the tape  14 , which may include indicia  16  in the form of Braille characters or letters. Of course, other raised, palpable or textured figures on the tape  14  fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as well. Additionally, the invention may also include a means for emitting sound or vibrations, such as the emission of a sound or vibration when the housing is moved across a surface. 
   Having described the invention and its drawing and diagrams in detail, it is to be understood that these descriptions are for illustrative purposes. The scope and breadth of the invention shall be limited only by the appended claims.