Patent Publication Number: US-2011057010-A1

Title: Tape dispenser, a method of taping and a shooting mechanism

Description:
The present invention relates to a tape dispenser according to the preamble of claim  1 . 
     Such a tape dispenser is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,253,905. The prior art hand-held tape dispenser is used for dispensing pressure-sensitive tape to be fixed into restricted accessible areas, such as window corners. The dispenser comprises a main frame supporting a tape roll. The tape is guided along a guide shoe past a pivotal cutter edge. The cutter edge is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The tape can be positioned in a corner by a pivotal blade to which the cutter edge is provided. The cutting operation is performed by clamping the tape to a handle and pulling the tape at one side of the cutter edge by moving the handle such that the tape is cut in the corner by the cutter edge. Disadvantages of the known dispenser are that its mechanism is quite complex and that cutting of the tape in this way does not result in an acceptable cut edge of the tape. 
     The present invention aims to provide a tape dispenser which is capable to obtain an appropriate cut-off of the tape. 
     For this purpose the tape dispenser according to the invention is characterized in that the cutter is movable with respect to both tape guiding surfaces. 
     This appears to be advantageous in terms of cutting performance since the cutter moves with respect to the tape during the cutting operation. In this case the cutter cuts the tape rather than tearing it over a cutting edge, resulting in a good cut edge of the tape. This is especially relevant in case of applying masking tape on a window before painting the window frame, since the cut-off of the tape preferably ends along the edge of the window without having a rough shape. It is noted that the taping direction is defined as the direction of the tape with respect to the tape guiding surfaces at the tangent plane. The dispenser is also applicable for tape defined for other purposes. An advantage of the dispenser is that it allows to cut the tape without touching the surface to be taped. 
     The cutter may be movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the tangent plane, since this appears to provide good cutting conditions. It is, however, also possible to cut the tape at a different angle with respect to the tangent plane, for example cutting in a direction at an angle of 20° with respect to the normal to the tangent plane. This may depend on the properties of the tape. Besides, when cutting at an angle which is not perpendicular to the tangent plane the cutter path is longer before a counter part is reached at the opposite side of the tangent plane compared to the case in which the cutter moves perpendicularly to the tangent plane. 
     In an advantageous embodiment the cutter is a blade-shaped element having a cutting edge formed along at least one projecting section of the cutter facing the tangent plane, preferably formed such that the cutter has a triangular cross-section at the cutting edge, as seen in the taping direction. This appears to improve the cutting conditions further. In practice the cutter may have a sharp tip facing the tangent plane. Alternatively, the cutter may have more than one projecting section. However, more than five projections reduces the cutting conditions, since this approaches a serrated edge and a serrated edge appears to have an adverse effect on the cut-off of the tape. 
     In a practical embodiment the cutter is operable by a trigger via a transmission, and the trigger is mounted to a handle for holding the dispenser. This enables the operator to activate the cutting operation in a simple way when he holds the dispenser by using the handle. It is noted that numerous alternatives of a trigger are possible, such as a press-button on the housing or the like. 
     In a preferred embodiment the first guiding surface is angled with respect to the tangent plane towards the housing between the first section and the tape feeder, because this shape enables the operator to press the tape between the first tape guiding surface and a second base, angled with respect to the base, in case when the tape is also pressed between the second tape guiding surface and the base so as to keep the tape in a tight condition between the first and second tape guiding surfaces before activating the cutter. 
     At least one of the first and second guiding surfaces may be convex in order to have a gradual surface of at least one of the first and second tape guiding surfaces. Such a shape avoids sharp edges to be pressed into the tape when the first and/or second tape guiding surfaces are pressed against the tape. 
     It is advantageous when the convex surface is formed by a circumferential wall of a roller which is rotatably connected to the housing and has an axis of rotation extending perpendicularly to the taping direction and parallel to the tangent plane, because the resistance between the tape and at least one of the first and second tape guiding surfaces is minimal in this case. 
     The convex surface may be located at a corner of the housing, which corner is formed by an outer wall of the housing located beyond the first and/or second tape guiding surface as seen along the respective surfaces from the cutter, and wherein the outer wall of the housing intersects the tangent plane, and wherein the convex surface projects from the outer wall of the housing adjacent to the convex surface. This embodiment provides the opportunity to tilt the housing about an axis extending perpendicularly to the taping direction and parallel to the tangent plane, while keeping one of the first and second tape guiding surfaces in contact with the base via the tape, wherein the portion of the housing adjacent to the first and/or second guiding surfaces does not hit the base. It means that the first and/or second guiding surfaces may press the tape against the base within a predetermined tilting range of the housing with respect to the base. For example, the housing may be tilted about the axis of rotation of the second roller before activating the cutter, or the housing may be tilted about the axis of rotation of the first roller after the cutting operation and at the start of a new taping operation. 
     The engaging means are at least partly formed by a portion of the first tape guiding surface, so as to enable the user to press the tape between the first tape guiding surface and a second base which is angled with respect to the base to which the first tape guiding surface can be engaged. In fact the engaging means in this embodiment are activated by the user who may press the tape between the first tape guiding surface and the second base so as to keep the tape tightly between both tape guiding surfaces before cutting the tape. 
     The housing may be provided with an adjustable handle for holding the dispenser, which handle is displaceable with respect to a remaining part of the housing in a transverse direction of the taping direction. This simplifies the taping operation for the operator, since the handle can be hold at a distance from the side of a window, for example. 
     In a practical embodiment the handle is tiltable with respect to the housing about an axis of rotation. This is a relatively simple structure and can be applied to tilt the handle in two opposite directions so as to use the tape dispenser along both left and right side walls. The axis of rotation may be substantially parallel to the taping direction. 
     The dispenser may be provided with indicating means to enable the user to tilt the housing with respect to the base by such an angle that upon cutting the tape at said angle results in that the cut tape ends at a predetermined location on the base. 
     When defining a first tangent plane being an outer tangent plane touching the first tape guiding surface and the housing and a second tangent plane being an outer tangent plane touching the second tape guiding surface and the housing, in a preferred embodiment of the dispenser both the angle between the tangent plane and the second tangent plane as seen outside the housing and the angle between the second tangent plane and the first tangent plane enclosing the housing are acute angles. Thus, the former angle forms a space outside the housing, whereas the latter angle forms a space in which the housing lies. The advantage of these geometric dimensions is that the dispenser can be handled in corners very easily, since it allows tilting the dispenser about an axis extending perpendicular to the taping direction and parallel to the tangent plane in opposite rotational directions. 
     When defining a first tangent plane being an outer tangent plane touching the first tape guiding surface and the housing, in an alternative embodiment an acute angle between the tangent plane and the first tangent plane as seen outside the housing may be larger than 30°, preferably larger than 45°. 
     When defining a second tangent plane being an outer tangent plane touching the second tape guiding surface and the housing, in an alternative embodiment an acute angle between the tangent plane and the second tangent plane as seen outside the housing may be larger than 30°, preferably larger than 45°. 
     Preferably, the dispenser is adapted such that in the vicinity of the first tape guiding surface and the second tape guiding surface the housing is spaced from the tangent plane, the first tangent plane and the second tangent plane. This means that the first tape guiding surface and the second tape guiding surface at least partly extend outside the housing as seen in a side view of the dispenser. This prevents the dispenser from touching a base surface first by the housing instead of the tape. 
     In a preferred embodiment the transmission is adapted such that the cutter is moved in a direction away from the tangent plane to the housing when displacing the trigger with respect to the housing, and wherein the dispenser comprises a resilient element which is positioned such that it is in engagement with the cutter and the housing when displacing the trigger with respect to the housing and such that it is biased upon said displacement of the cutter, and wherein the transmission comprises a disengagement mechanism for disengaging the cutter and the trigger after a certain displacement of the cutter and trigger. Due to these features a single displacement of the trigger in one direction first biases the resilient element and moves the cutter first in a direction opposite to a cutting direction, and then shoots the cutter in the cutting direction, which means that the tape will be cut efficiently. The cutting direction can be defined as the direction from the housing to the tangent plane. 
     In a practical embodiment the transmission may comprise a pivoting element which is rotatable about a pivoting axis with respect to the housing, wherein the trigger is connected to the pivoting element at a distance from the pivoting axis for pivoting it upon displacing the trigger, and wherein the pivoting element is provided with a hooking element including a hooking portion which is engageable with the cutter so as to displace the cutter upon pivoting the pivoting element. 
     The dispenser may be provided with a safety mechanism which avoids displacement of the cutter upon displacing the trigger with respect to the housing. This avoids an unintended cutting action. 
     The safety mechanism may be formed by the hooking element which is rotatably mounted to the pivoting element in this case, and wherein the safety mechanism comprises an actuator which, when activated, rotates the pivoting element such that the hooking portion is free from the cutter. 
     The safety mechanism may comprise a safety element for avoiding a displacement of the cutter upon displacing the trigger with respect to the housing, which safety element is movable with respect to the housing and projects from the housing. In a preferred embodiment the safety element is located such that it projects from the second tangent plane since it can be activated when tilting the dispenser such that the housing at the second tangent plane touches another surface. 
     The mechanism for shooting the cutter is not limited to the application in a dispenser. The invention is also related to a shooting mechanism for shooting an element comprising an element and a trigger, wherein the element can be operated by the trigger via a transmission, wherein the transmission is adapted such that the element is moved in a first direction when activating the trigger in a second direction, and wherein the mechanism comprises a resilient element which is positioned such that it is in engagement with the element when displacing the trigger in the second direction and such that the resilient element is biased upon said movement of the element, and wherein the transmission comprises a disengagement mechanism for disengaging the element and the trigger after a certain displacement of the element and trigger. When the disengagement mechanism is activated the element will be shot in a direction opposite to the first direction due to the energy release of the biased resilient element. 
     The invention also relates to a method of taping a base, wherein the tape is fed from a tape feeder and guided along a first and a second tape guiding surface in a taping direction between the tape guiding surfaces, whereas the first and second tape guiding surfaces are both moved opposite to the taping direction with respect to the base and wherein the tape is pressed onto the base by the first and/or second tape guiding surfaces, wherein the tape is cut between the tape guiding surfaces, wherein before cutting the tape, a tape portion already fixed to the base is held between the second tape guiding surface and the base, and the first tape guiding surface is moved away from the base whereas the tape between the first and second guiding surfaces is kept tightly. This way of cutting the tape appears to be advantageous in terms of cut edge of the tape and reliability of certainly cutting the tape by activating the cutter once. 
     More specifically the tape at the first tape guiding surface may be engaged between a second base, angled with respect to the base, and the first tape guiding surface so as to keep the tape between the first and second guiding surfaces tightly before the cutting operation. Thus, a contact surface between the first tape guiding surface and the tape at the second base can be rotated with respect to a contact surface between the tape and the second tape guiding surface at the base, whereas the second tape guiding surface can be pressed on the tape at the second base in order to press the tape at the first tape guiding surface against the first base and to press the tape at the second tape guiding surface against the second base in order to create a tightly stressed tape portion between the tape guiding surfaces, which portion is free from the base and the second base. This is a beneficial condition of the tape for the cutting operation. 
    
    
     
       The invention will hereafter be elucidated with reference to the schematic drawings showing embodiments of the invention by way of example. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a tape dispenser according to the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective side view of a partly disassembled embodiment of  FIG. 1  on a smaller scale. 
         FIG. 3   a - b  are schematic drawings of a part of an alternative embodiment of the tape dispenser according to the invention, illustrating a condition of taping and cutting the tape, respectively. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic side view of a cutter of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5   a - c  are side views of the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , illustrating the taping method according to the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic side view of another alternative embodiment of the tape dispenser. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective cut away view of the embodiment of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded view of different parts of the pivoting element, the cable and the trigger. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective cut away view of a part of the embodiment of  FIG. 7  on enlarged scale. 
         FIG. 10   a  is a perspective view of the cutter holder and the resilient element, and  FIG. 10   b  is a top view thereof. 
         FIG. 11-14  are cut away side views of the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , showing sequential conditions when operating the dispenser. 
         FIG. 15   a  is a top view of an alternative cutter holder and resilient element, and  FIG. 15   b  is a perspective view thereof. 
         FIG. 16  is a similar view as  FIG. 9 , but illustrating an unlocked condition of the safety mechanism. 
     
    
    
       FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of a tape dispenser  1  according to the invention. The tape dispenser  1  is suitable, for example, for fixing pressure-sensitive masking tape on a window before painting in a simple way. The dispenser  1  comprises a housing  2 , which accommodates a tape feeder  3  for feeding tape  4 , such as shown in  FIG. 2 . The tape feeder  3  feeds the tape  4  to a tape output location  5 , which is located at an external side of the housing  2 . Thus, the tape  4  leaves the housing  2  at the tape output location  5 , which may be a slot or the like, through which the tape  4  may pass. The housing may be made of a transparent material so as to enable the user to check the tape feeder from outside. For example, the user may inspect the quantity of tape which is still in the housing. The tape dispenser  1  is provided with a first tape guiding surface  6  and a second tape guiding surface  7  for guiding the tape  4  from the tape feeder  3  or tape output location  5  in a taping direction along the first and second tape guiding surfaces  6 ,  7 . The taping direction is indicated by arrow A in  FIG. 3   a - b . Thus, the taping direction A is the direction the tape  4  moves between the first and second tape guiding surfaces  6 ,  7 , respectively. During a taping operation the dispenser  1  moves in opposite direction of the taping direction A between the tape guiding surfaces  6 ,  7 . The first and second tape guiding surfaces  6 ,  7  are oriented such that a common tangent plane touches the first tape guiding surface  6  in a first section  8  and the second tape guiding surface  7  in a second section  9 . In practice, before cutting the tape  4 , it will at least extend in the tangent plane between the first and second section  8 ,  9 . In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-3  the tape guiding surfaces  6 ,  7  are separated from each other in the taping direction since the tape guiding surfaces  6 ,  7  are formed by first and second rollers  10 ,  11 , respectively. The first and second rollers  10 ,  11  are rotatably connected to the housing  2  and have an axis of rotation extending parallel to the tangent plane and perpendicularly to the taping direction. It is noted that the first and second sections  8 ,  9  are formed by parallel lines in this case. If the first tape guiding surface  6  was a flat plane, for example, the first section  8  would be a plane instead of a line. 
     Since the tape guiding surfaces  6 ,  7  are formed by first and second rollers  10 ,  11 , a portion of the second tape guiding surface  7  at a side of the second section  9  located remote from the first tape guiding surface  6  is angled with respect to the tangent plane towards the housing  2 , and a portion of the first tape guiding surface  6  at a side of the first section  8  located remote from the second tape guiding surface  7  is angled with respect to the tangent plane towards the housing  2 . Furthermore, the tape output location  5  is disposed at the side of the first section  8  located remote from the second tape guiding surface  7 . 
     The first and second tape guiding surfaces  6 ,  7  are located at the external side of the housing  2 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1  the outer wall of the rollers  10 ,  11  partially project from the housing  2 . The orientation of the first and second tape guiding surfaces  6 ,  7  enable a user to press the tape between the first tape guiding surface  6  and a base  12  to be taped, and/or the second tape guiding surface  7  and the base  12  to be taped (see  FIG. 3   a ). In practice, when taping a part of the base  12  without corners the tape will be fixed by pressing the tape  4  to the base  12  by both tape guiding surfaces  6 ,  7 .  FIG. 3   a  shows the situation during taping, wherein the dispenser  1  is moved downwardly along a vertical wall (base  12 ) opposite to the taping direction A. Near corners the dispenser  1  can be used in another way, which will be explained hereinafter. 
     The tape dispenser  1  is also provided with a cutter  13  for cutting the tape  4 . The cutter  13  is disposed between the rollers  10 ,  11  as seen from a direction perpendicular to the tangent plane. In the embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  5  the cutter  13  is movable in a direction which is angled with respect to a normal to the tangent plane. The cutter  13  is guided by cutter guides  14  to support and guide the cutter  13  and to avoid the cutter  13 , which may comprise a relatively thin plate in practice, to be bent transversely when activated. The cutter  13  is operable by a trigger  15  via a transmission  16 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  the transmission  16  comprises a cable  16   a  which is connected to the trigger  15 , on one hand, and to a pivot  16   b  which is connected to the cutter  13 , on the other hand. However, alternative configurations of transmissions are conceivable. The trigger  15  is mounted to a handle  17  for holding the dispenser  1  by hand. 
     The handle  17  in the embodiment may be displaceable with respect to a remaining part of the housing  2  in a transverse direction (not shown). It may be tiltable about an axis of rotation and have three different positions with respect to the remaining part of the housing  2 , for example at both sides of the housing in a direction perpendicular to the taping direction A and parallel to the tangent plane, and in a centre position in which the handle  17  is in alignment with the remaining part of the housing  2 . In an alternative embodiment the axis of rotation may be close to the first and second rollers  10  and  11  such that the rollers  10 ,  11  are displaceable with respect to the tape feeder  3 . In that case the tape feeder is not longer in alignment with the first and second guiding surfaces  6  and  7  under all conditions, which means that a transmission may be needed for properly guiding the tape  4  from the tape feeder along the first and second guiding surfaces  6 ,  7 . 
     The cutter  13  is a blade-shaped element and has a cutting edge  18 . The cutting edge  18  is formed at a projecting section of the cutter  13  having a triangular shape as seen in the taping direction A, such as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Preferably, the top angle α of the triangle is within the range of 100-140° and more preferably about 120° since this appears to provide good cutting properties during a cutting operation. 
     The tape  4  can be cut by activating the cutter  13 . According to the invention the cutter  13  is movable with respect to both tape guiding surfaces  6 ,  7 , which means that the cutter  13  is moved with respect to the tape  4  during a cutting operation. The advantage of this feature is that the cutting operation appears to be improved, in particular when compared with a mechanism wherein the tape  4  is pulled at one side of a cutter  4  in order to cut the tape  4 . 
     A cutting operation is illustrated in  FIG. 3   b . The tape  4  is guided by the first tape guiding surface  6  in the taping direction A past the cutter  13  and is further guided by the second tape guiding surface  7  and pressed onto the base  12  by pressing the tape  4  between the second tape guiding surface  7  and the base  12 . Thus, in the situation as shown in  FIG. 3   b  a portion of the tape  4  is already fixed to the base  12 .  FIG. 3   b  shows a second base  12   a  which is angled with respect to the base  12 , in this case by 90°. In practice, the base  12  may be a window and the second base  12   a  may be a window sill. After reaching the corner between the base  12  and the second base  12   a  the first roller  10  will be rolled further along the second base  12   a , whereas the second roller  11  still rolls downwardly along the base  12 . Thus, the tape dispenser  1  is tilted about an axis extending perpendicularly to the taping direction A and parallel to the tangent plane, in this case being the axis of rotation of roller  11 . In the situation as shown in  FIG. 3   b  the tape  4  is also pressed between the first tape guiding surface  6  and the second base  12   a . Thus the tape  4  is engaged with the first tape guiding surface  6 , hence the first tape guiding surface  6  forms the engaging means for enabling the tape to be engaged with the first tape guiding surface  6 . This means that the tape  4  can be kept tightly between the rollers  10 ,  11  which facilitates the subsequent cutting operation. The engaging means in this embodiment is in fact activated by the user who may press the tape  4  between the first tape guiding surface  6  and the second base  12   b . It is noted that other engaging means are conceivable. 
     When the tape  4  has been cut, a portion of the tape will still project from the tape output location  5  outside the housing  2 , see  FIG. 2 . This remaining portion outside the housing  2  extends beyond the first tape guiding surface  6  as seen from the tape output location  5 . In a next taping operation the tape  4  can immediately be pressed against another base  12  or  12   a  by the first tape guiding surface  6 , without necessarily pulling a tape portion out of the tape dispenser  1  from the tape feeder  3  first. Withdrawal of the portion of the tape  4  extending outside the housing  2  back into the housing  2  is avoided by a pressing member  19 , which is shown in  FIG. 2 , and which clamps the tape  4  against the housing  2  near the tape output location  5 . 
       FIG. 3   b  also illustrates that the location of the cutter  13  between the first and second tape guiding surfaces  6 ,  7  may be relevant for certain applications. In case of taping near a corner as shown in  FIG. 3   b  the location of the cutter  13  with respect to the rollers  10 ,  11  and the angle about which the tape dispenser  1  is tilted with respect to the base  12  and the second base  12   a  should be such that when the tape  4  is cut, the tape portion not yet fixed to the base  12  can be pressed against the base  12  after the cutting operation and the cut edge of the tape  4  should preferably end in the corner.  FIG. 3   b  illustrates the path of the cut-off portion of the tape  4  towards the base  12  by a curved dashed line. 
     The tape dispenser  1  according to the invention is easily tiltable in a corner due to its shape or geometric dimensions, as can be seen in for example  FIGS. 1-3  and  5 . This is further clarified in  FIG. 6 , which shows a schematic side view of an alternative embodiment of the tape dispenser  1  including several virtual planes  23 ,  24 ,  25 . The tangent plane  23 , which is already mentioned hereinbefore, touches the first tape guiding surface  6  or first roller  10  and the second tape guiding surface  7  or second roller  11 . A first tangent plane  24  touches the first tape guiding surface  6  or first roller  10  and an outer location of the housing  2 . Thus, the first tangent plane  24  forms an outer tangent plane touching the first tape guiding surface  6  and the housing  2 . The first tangent plane  24  touches the housing  2  at such a location that an acute angle between the tangent plane  23  and the first tangent plane  24  is the smallest possible angle. The angle γ between the tangent plane  23  and the first tangent plane  24  determines the angle the dispenser  1  can have with respect to a base  12  whereas the first roller  10  can still be pressed against the base  12 , see  FIG. 5   a , for example. If this angle would be small or even zero the orientations of the dispenser  1  with respect to the base  12  and the second base  12   a  as illustrated in  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  could not be achieved. 
     A second tangent plane  25  (see  FIG. 6 ) touches the second tape guiding surface  7  or second roller  11  and an outer location of the housing  2 . Thus, the second tangent plane  25  forms an outer tangent plane touching the second tape guiding surface  7  and the housing  2 . The second tangent plane  25  touches the housing  2  at such a location that an acute angle α between the tangent plane  23  and the second tangent plane  25  is the smallest possible angle. The angle α between the tangent plane  23  and the second tangent plane  25  determines the angle the dispenser  1  can have with respect to a base  12  whereas the second roller  11  can still be pressed against the base  12 , see  FIG. 5   b , for example. If this angle would be small or even zero the orientations of the dispenser  1  with respect to the base  12  and a third base  12   b  as illustrated in  FIG. 5   a - c  could not be achieved. 
       FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  5  and  6  show that both the angle α between the tangent plane  23  and the second tangent plane  25 , and the angle β between the second tangent plane  25  and the first tangent plane  24  are acute angles. More specifically the acute angle γ between the tangent plane  23  and the first tangent plane  24  is larger than 30° and preferably larger than 45°, whereas the acute angle α between the tangent plane  23  and the second tangent plane  25  is larger than 30°, preferably larger than 45°. 
     The dispenser  1  may be provided with indicating means to enable the user to tilt the housing  2  with respect to the base  12  and second base  12   a  so as to achieve this condition. 
     The indicating means may be formed by a part of the housing  2 . This is illustrated in  FIG. 5   a - 5   c .  FIG. 5   a  shows a base  12 , a second base  12   a  and a third base  12   b . The taping operation starts in the upper left corner, by pressing a portion of the tape  4  projecting from the housing  2  against the base  12 . The dispenser  1  is moved downwardly along the base  12  such that the first roller  10  and/or the second roller  11  press the tape against the base  12 . This is also shown in  FIG. 3   a .  FIG. 5   b  shows the situation comparable to  FIG. 3   b . The housing  2  has such a shape that in the tilted position of the housing  2  with respect to the base  12  and second base  12   a  the outer wall of the housing  12  contacts the base  12 , see  FIG. 5   b . When the first roller  10  hits the second base  12   a  such as shown in  FIG. 5   b , and when the cutter  13  is activated in this position, the tape  4  is cut at such a location that the tape  4  ends in the corner between the base  12  and second base  12   a.    
       FIG. 5   c  shows a different configuration of the base  12  and the second base  12   a . The angle between base  12  and second base  12   a  is larger than 90° in this case. The outer wall of the housing also contacts the base  12  as in  FIG. 5   b , but the tape  4  should be cut before the first roller  10  contacts the second base  12   a  when the dispenser  1  is moved downwardly. In order to achieve this, the indicating means are provided with an alignment element  20 , which is rotatably mounted to the housing  2 . The alignment element  20  has at least a first linear edge  21  and a second linear edge  22  which preferably form a corner of 90° with respect to each other. In the case as shown in  FIG. 5   c  the dispenser  1  has been moved downwardly and the first linear edge  21  contacts the base  12 . At a certain position of the dispenser with respect to base  12  the corner between the first linear edge  21  and the second linear edge  22  hits the corner between the base  12  and the second base  12   a . The dimensions of the alignment element  20  are such that this is the right position to cut the tape  4 , such that the cut tape ends in the corner between the base  12  and the second base  12   a . Thus, the indicating means in this embodiment are formed by the shape of the housing  2  as well as by the alignment element  20 . 
     Preferably, the housing  2  is relatively narrow as seen perpendicular to the taping direction A and parallel to the tangent plane. In particular the side walls of the housing  2  near the rollers  10 ,  11  may be thin so as to enable the user to fix the tape  4  very close to a side wall of the base  12 , which is often required when masking tape is to be fixed onto a window before painting. Thus, the distance between the axial ends of the rollers  10 ,  11  and the external wall of the housing  2  in axial direction of the rollers  10 ,  11  near the rollers  10 ,  11  should be relatively short, for example 0-100 mm. 
     The dispenser  1  can also be provided with an adjusting mechanism (not shown) for adjusting the distance of the tape  4  to be taped parallel from the side wall. This might be advantageous, for example, in case of a sealing edge along a window edge adjacent to a window frame so as to tape the window adjacent to the sealing edge by guiding the dispenser along the frame. Furthermore, the tape dispenser  1  may be provided with a mechanism to facilitate replacement of the cutter  13 . This can be a cover (not shown) on the housing in the vicinity of the cutter which can be easily opened to provide access to the cutter  13 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a cut away view of another alternative embodiment of the dispenser  1  according to the invention. In this embodiment the cutter  13  is also operable by a trigger  15  via a transmission  16  as described above. In this case the cable  16   a  is connected to the cutter  13  via a pivoting element  26  and the cutter  13  is fixed to a cutter holder  27  which is resiliently connected to the housing  2  via a resilient member  28 . The pivoting element  26 , the cutter holder  27  and the resilient member  28  are connected to each other such and cooperate such that upon activating the trigger  15  the cutter  13  moves with respect to the housing  2  in the direction of a portion of the tape  4  which extends between the first and second roller  10 ,  11 , after which the cutter  13  is automatically retracted into housing  2 . The embodiment is also provided with a safety mechanism  29  to avoid unintended movement of the cutter  13  upon activating the trigger  15 . Hereinafter the functioning of this embodiment will be described in more detail. 
       FIG. 8  shows different parts of the pivoting element  26 , the cable  16   a  and the trigger  15 . The trigger  15  is provided with a resilient trigger element  30  which serves to move the trigger  15  back after activation. The pivoting element  26  includes three parts: an upper pivoting element part  26   a , a lower pivoting element part  26   b , and a hooking element  31 . The upper pivoting element part  26   a  and the lower pivoting element part  26   b  are fixed with respect to each other and are rotatable with respect to the housing  2  about a pivoting axis  32 . The cable  16   a  is rotatably fixed to the pivoting element  26  at a distance from pivoting axis  32 . The hooking element  31  is rotatably connected to and disposed between the upper pivoting element part  26   a  and the lower pivoting element part  26   b .  FIG. 9  shows a part of the dispenser  1  in which the upper pivoting element part  26   a , the cutter  13 , the cutter holder  4  and the resilient element  28  are removed for clarity reasons. 
     The hooking element  31  is provided with a hook portion  33  which fits into a slot  34  of the cutter holder  27 , see  FIG. 10   b . Upon activating the trigger  15 , the cable  16   a  pulls the hooking element  31  via the upper and lower pivoting element parts  26   a ,  26   b  such that it rotates about the pivoting axis  32 . In the situation as illustrated in  FIG. 9  the pivoting element  26  including the upper and lower pivoting element parts  26   a ,  26   b  and the hooking element  31  are coupled together due to a spring portion  38  of the lower pivoting element part  26   b  and rotate about the pivoting axis  32 . The hook portion  33  and the cutter holder  27  are shaped such that during this movement the hook portion  33  pulls the cutter holder  27  away from the tangent plane  23  in the direction of the housing  2 . As a consequence the resilient element  28  is pressed against the housing  2  until the hook portion  21  is moved away from the cutter holder  27  due to its rotational movement and looses its contact with the cutter holder  27 . From that moment the cutter holder  27  moves at high speed in the direction of the tangent plane  23  and the cutter  13  cuts the tape  4  under operational conditions. 
     The safety mechanism  29  is made such that a lever  35  must be moved to the housing  2  in order to allow the hooking 
     The safety mechanism  29  comprises a movable safety element in the form of the lever  35  which projects from the housing  2  when the safety mechanism  29  is in the locked condition. More, specifically the lever  35  projects from the second tangent plane  25 . The advantage of this location is that it is automatically activated when the dispenser  1  is tilted such that the second tangent plane  25  hits a basis, such as illustrated in  FIGS. 5   b  and  5   c.    
       FIG. 15  shows an alternative resilient element  28  and a return spring  39  as an integrated member with the cutter holder  27 . 
     The advantage of the resilient element  28  as shown in  FIG. 10  is that it creates a symmetric load on the cutter holder  27  when it is biased due tot its symmetric geometry with respect to the cutter holder  27 . 
     Preferably, the cutter holder  27  is manufactured such that the cutter  13  is easily replaceable, for example by sliding the cutter  13  within the cutter holder  27  in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the cutter holder  27  with respect to the housing  2 . 
     From the foregoing, it will be clear that the invention provides a relatively simple tape dispenser which is capable to obtain an appropriate cut-off of the tape. 
     The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings and described hereinbefore, which may be varied in different manners within the scope of the claims and their technical equivalents. For example, the rollers of the tape dispensers may be non-rotatable guiding surfaces, which may be smooth. The tape feeder may be drivable, for example by an electric motor. This reduces resistance of releasing the tape from the dispenser which may be desirable in applying the dispenser in a medical environment or when thin paper has to be fixed to a wall by using the tape dispenser. Furthermore, the features of the different embodiments may be combined. It is also possible that the tape is cut in a direction perpendicular to the taping direction and parallel to the tangent plane. Alternatively the tape can be cut by a laser beam or the location of cutting the tape may be determined by a laser beam. Furthermore, the housing may be manufactured such that a roll of tape may be replaced through an opening which is created by pivoting away a front portion of the dispenser at the side of the first and second rollers. It is also conceivable to move the cutter by means of an electric system.