Abstract:
A tape dispenser is described that includes a tape roll housing and two cover plates. The first cover plate includes an outwardly extending flange that extends beyond the tape roll housing that provides a simple and easy mechanism for removing the first cover plate from the tape roll housing to gain access within the tape roll housing.

Description:
FIELD  
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to a tape dispenser. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a tape dispenser comprising a tape roll housing and two cover plates wherein at least one of the cover plates includes an outward extending flange to aid in removing the cover plate from the tape roll housing. 
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]    Conventional tape dispensers often have a tape roll support for holding the core of the tape roll and a side wall extending from the tape roll support to the cutting blade. These types of dispenser leave one side of the roll of tape uncovered. The uncovered side can become contaminated with dirt, dust, or other debris. Two sided tape dispensers can be used to further contain the roll of tape. These types of conventional two sided tape dispensers include a second side wall to cover the roll of tape, such as shown in U.S. design Pat. No. 510,951. To open and gain access to the tape roll support, the side walls are typically twisted relative to one another. 
         [0003]    A tape dispenser that is capable of entirely concealing the tape within the dispenser is disclosed in US patent application publication US 2008/0105723, filed on Nov. 3, 2006 and Taiwan Utility Model M247572, published on Oct. 21, 2004 and filed on Jun. 5, 2003. In this tape dispenser, to gain access to the tape roll support, the cover plate can be pulled off by inserting a finger into an opening in the cover plate. However, the opening creates point of access for dirt, dust, or other debris to contaminate the tape. 
       SUMMARY  
       [0004]    A tape dispenser is described that includes two cover plates and a tape roll housing for supporting a roll of tape. The first cover plate includes an outwardly extending flange that extends beyond the tape roll housing that provides a simple and easy mechanism for removing the first cover plate from the tape roll housing to gain access within the tape roll housing. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment, the tape dispenser comprises a tape roll housing having a first side and second side and contained between the first side and second side is a protective wall forming a housing perimeter. The protective wall includes a dispenser opening and cutting edge. The tape dispenser further comprises a first cover plate adjacent the first side of the tape roll housing and includes a first cover plate perimeter. The tape dispenser further comprises a second cover plate adjacent the second side of the tape roll housing and includes a second cover plate perimeter. At least the first cover plate is removable from the tape roll housing and at least a portion of the first cover plate perimeter is larger than the tape roll housing perimeter to form a first lateral flange. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a tape dispenser; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is an assembled perspective view of the tape dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the tape dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the tape dispenser of  FIG. 1  showing the tape being dispensed; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the tape dispenser of  FIG. 1  showing the tape enclosed within the moving cover; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a tape dispenser; 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a tape dispenser. 
       
    
    
       [0013]    While the above-identified drawings and figures set forth embodiments of the disclosure, 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  
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a tape dispenser  100  for dispensing a roll of tape  500 .  FIG. 2  is an assembled perspective view of the tape dispenser of  FIG. 1 , and  FIG. 3  is a side view of the tape dispenser of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0015]    The tape dispenser  100  includes a tape roll housing  200 , a first cover plate  300 , and a second cover plate  400 . The tape roll housing  200  includes a first side  202  adjacent the first cover plate  300  and a second side  204  adjacent the second cover plate  400 . Contained between the first side  202  and the second side  204  of the tape roll housing  200  is the protective wall  206 . In this embodiment, the protective wall  206  is circular to follow the contour of a circular roll of tape  500  contained within. However, the shape of the protective wall  206  can be other shapes, sizes or configurations. The protective wall  206  forms a housing perimeter  207  which is the outermost extension from a central axis of the supported tape roll  500 . In this embodiment, the housing perimeter  207  is circular. However, because the protective wall can comprise a variety of shapes and sizes, the housing perimeter  207  can comprise a variety of shapes and sizes. In this embodiment, along the protective wall  206  are a plurality of connection openings  208  that engage with connecting pegs  310  (described below) to connect the first cover plate  300  to the tape roll housing  200 . 
         [0016]    At least the first cover plate  300  is removable from the tape roll housing  200 . In this embodiment, the first cover plate  300  includes connecting pegs  310  that engage with the connection openings  208  of the tape roll housing  200 . This friction fit between the connecting pegs  310  and connection openings  208  secure the first cover plate  300  to the tape roll housing  200 . It is understood that a variety of other connection mechanisms can be used to connect the first cover plate  300  to the tape roll housing  200 . For example, the first cover plate  300  and tape roll housing  200  may be threaded so tightening or loosening is achieved through rotation of one relative to the other. Alternatively, other mechanical fastening, friction fitting, or snap locking systems may be used. Regardless, as will be described below, it is the extending lateral flange  330  of the first cover plate  300  that aids the user in applying and removing the first cover plate  300  on the tape roll housing  200 . By having an easier mechanism for pulling off the first cover plate  300 , the attachment of the first cover plate  300  to the tape roll housing  200  can be stronger. 
         [0017]    The first cover plate  300  includes a first cover perimeter  320 . At least a portion of the first cover perimeter  320  extends beyond the tape roll housing perimeter  207  to form a first lateral flange  330 . In this embodiment, the entire first cover perimeter  320  extends beyond the tape roll housing perimeter  207 .  FIGS. 2 and 3  more clearly show the first lateral flange  330 . The first lateral flange  330  provides an accessible surface for a user to easily pull the first cover plate  300  away from engagement with the tape roll housing  200 . 
         [0018]    In this embodiment, the first cover plate  300  entirely covers the tape roll housing  200  to limit access to the tape roll  500  contained therein. This prevents dirt, dust, or other debris from contacting and contaminating the edge of the tape roll  500 . In another embodiment, the first cover plate  300  may include an opening corresponding to the opening creating by the core of tape  500 . 
         [0019]    The second cover plate  400  may also be removable from the tape roll housing  200 , shown and described in  FIG. 6 , or may be permanently fixed to the tape roll housing  200 .  FIG. 1  shows the second cover plate  400  engaged with the tape roll housing  200 . The second cover plate  400  includes a second cover plate perimeter  420 . In this embodiment, the second cover plate perimeter  420  extends beyond the housing perimeter  207  to form a second lateral flange  430 , which is ideal in the embodiments where the second cover plate  400  is removable from the tape roll housing. However, because it is not essential that the second cover plate  400  be removable, it is not essential that the second cover plate perimeter  420  extend beyond the housing perimeter  207 . Even in embodiments where the second cover plate  400  is not removable from the tape roll housing  200 , it still may be desirable to form the second lateral flange  430  to further provide an accessible surface for the user to engage the tape disperser  100 . 
         [0020]    For embodiments where the second cover plate  400  is removable from the tape roll housing  200 , the second cover plate  400  may include connecting pegs  410  ( FIG. 6 ) that engage with connection openings (not visible) in the tape roll housing  200 . This friction fit between the connecting pegs  410  and connection openings secures the second cover plate  400  to the tape roll housing  200 . 
         [0021]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the second cover plate  400  covers the edge of the tape roll  500  to limit access to the tape roll  500  contained therein, but includes an opening aligned with the core of the tape roll  500 . This prevents dirt, dust, hair, or other debris from contacting and contaminating the edge of the tape roll  500 . 
         [0022]    The second cover plate  400  may optionally include a tape core support  440 . The tape core support  440  engages and supports the core of the tape roll  500 . As shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the tape core support  440  includes a first interlock  442  and second interlock  444  that extend from the second cover plate  400  into the tape roll housing  200 . The first and second interlock  442 ,  444  can slightly flex to allow the tape roll  500  to pass over but gets stopped from being released by the ends of the first and second interlock  442 ,  444 . In other embodiments, the tape sore support  440  could be a circular projection (see  FIG. 7 ) extending from the second cover plate  400  into the tape roll housing  200 . Regardless, the tape core support  440  aids in restraining the tape roll  500  while in the tape roll housing  200 . 
         [0023]    The tape dispenser  100  includes a tape dispensing mechanism  210 , which comprises at least a dispenser opening  211  in the protective wall  206  of the tape roll housing  200  and a cutting edge  212 . Included between the dispenser opening  211  and the cutting edge  212  may be a support plate  214  that serves as a surface to attach a dispensed end of the tape so that it is accessible and ready for further use. Further, the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  includes a moving cover  215  with locking protrusions  216  that engage with notch  218  to keep the moving cover  215  in a locked, closed position. The moving cover  215  is connected to the protective wall  206  by the hinge  217 , which allows for pivoting movement of the moving cover  215  from an open position as shown in  FIG. 4  to a closed position as shown in  FIG. 5 . The functioning of the moving cover  215  is described in more detail in US patent application publication US 2008/0105723, filed on Nov. 3, 2006. The dispensing mechanism  210  shown in detail in  FIG. 1 ,  4  and  5  allow for the tape roll  500  to be entirely contained within the tape dispenser  100  when in the closed position. This protects the tape roll  500  from contaminants. In  FIGS. 2 and 3  the dispensing mechanism  210  has not been shown in the views. In one embodiment, the moving cover  215  does not extend beyond length of the lateral flanges  330 ,  430 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of a tape dispenser  100 . As assembled, the tape dispenser  100  would essentially appear as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The tape dispenser  100  includes a tape roll housing  200 , a first cover plate  300 , and a second cover plate  400 . The tape roll housing  200  includes a first side  202  adjacent the first cover plate  300  and a second side  204  adjacent the second cover plate  400 . Contained between the first side  202  and the second side  204  of the tape roll housing  200  is the protective wall  206 . In this embodiment, the protective wall  206  is circular to closely follow the contour of the circular roll of tape  500  contained within. The protective wall  206  forms a housing perimeter  207  that is the outermost extension from the central axis extending though the center of the supported tape roll  500 . In this embodiment, the housing perimeter  207  is circular. In this embodiment, along the protective wall  206  are a plurality of connection openings  208 , which engage with connecting pegs  310  to connect the first cover plate  300  to the tape roll housing  200 . 
         [0025]    In this embodiment, both the first cover plate  300  and second cover plate  400  are removable from the tape roll housing  200 . Each cover plate  300 ,  400  includes connecting pegs  310 ,  410  that engage with the connection openings  208  of the tape roll housing  200 . This friction fit secures the first cover plate  300  and second cover plate  400  to the tape roll housing  200 . It is understood that other connection mechanisms may be used to connect the first cover plate  300  and second cover plate  400  to the tape roll housing  200 . 
         [0026]    The first cover plate  300  includes a first cover perimeter  320 . At least a portion of the first cover perimeter  320  extends beyond the tape roll housing perimeter  207  to form a first lateral flange  330 . The first cover plate  300  entirely covers the tape roll housing  200  to limit access to the tape roll  500  contained therein. 
         [0027]    The second cover plate  400  includes a second cover plate perimeter  420 . In this embodiment, the second cover plate perimeter  420  extends beyond the housing perimeter  207  to form a second lateral flange  430 . The second cover plate  400  entirely covers the tape roll housing  200  to limit access to the tape roll  500  contained therein. 
         [0028]    In this embodiment, neither the first cover plate  300  nor the second cover plate  400  include a tape core support  440 . Instead, the tape roll housing  200  sufficiently contains the tape roll  500 . 
         [0029]    The tape dispenser  100  includes a tape dispensing mechanism  210 , which comprises a dispenser opening  211  in the protective wall  206  of the tape roll housing  200  and a cutting edge  212 . In one embodiment, the cutting edge  212  does not extend beyond the length of the lateral flanges  330 ,  340 . This provides for a more safely positioned cutting edge  212 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view a tape dispenser  100 . As assembled, the tape dispenser  100  would essentially appear as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The tape dispenser  100  includes a tape roll housing  200 , a first cover plate  300 , and a second cover plate  400 . In this embodiment, the second cover plate  400  is shown secured to the tape roll housing  200 . Also, in this embodiment, instead of connecting pegs, the first cover plate  400  includes a connecting surface  310  that matches and engages through a friction fite with the tape roll housing  200 . 
         [0031]    The first cover plate  300  includes a first cover perimeter  320 . At least a portion of the first cover perimeter  320  extends beyond the tape roll housing perimeter  207  to form a first lateral flange  330  ( FIG. 3 ). The first cover plate  300  entirely covers the tape roll housing  200  to limit access to the tape roll  500  contained therein. 
         [0032]    The second cover plate  400  includes a second cover plate perimeter  420 . In this embodiment, the second cover plate perimeter  420  extends beyond the housing perimeter  207  to form a second lateral flange  430 . ( FIG. 3 ). The second cover plate  400  entirely covers the tape roll housing  200  to limit access to the tape roll  500  contained therein. 
         [0033]    In this embodiment, the second cover plate  400  includes a tape core support  440 . However, the tape core support  440  is not in the center of the second cover plate  400 , like shown in  FIG. 1 . Instead the tape sore support  440  is off-center. Therefore, if this dispenser  100  is position upright (like shown in  FIG. 3 ) on a desk, table, or other similar surface, then the weight of the tape  500  on the tape core support  440  will tend to cause the tape dispenser to remain stationary and not roll over the surface. It is understood that this feature could be provided in the previously described embodiments. 
         [0034]    Further shown in this embodiment, are holding feet  601 ,  602 . The holding feet  601 ,  602  shown are outward extending projections along the perimeter of the first cover plate  300 . The holding feet  601 ,  602  are also located on the perimeter of the second cover plate  400  but are not visible in this view. The holding feet  601 ,  602  provide a stabilizing surface that allows the tape dispenser  100  to be positioned upright (like shown in  FIG. 3 ) without rolling over a surface. It is understood a various sizes and numbers of these positioning feet may be included and that the positioning feet may be projections from the tape roll housing  200 . It is understood that this feature could be provided in the previously described embodiments. 
         [0035]    Further identified in this embodiment, is landing surface  209 . A landing surface is a surface that the tape will stick to prior to cutting the tape with the cutting edge. For example, tape is pulled from the dispenser opening  211  to the desired length, then the user engages the surface against the landing surface  209  to stop the dispensing, and then the user pulls the tape against the cutting edge  212 . The cutting edge is considered to have an x-direction along the longitudinal length of the cutting edge and a y-direction along the generally radially extending length of the upward projection of the cutting edge. Generally, conventional dispensers have the landing surface parallel with the longitudinal x-direction, but perpendicular with the y-direction of the cutting edge. However, as shown here, the landing surface  209  is parallel to the longitudinal x-direction, but also parallel with the generally axial y-direction of the cutting edge  212 . In other embodiments, the landing surface and cutting edge do not need to be entirely parallel with one another but may be at an angle from  0  to  90  degrees relative to one another. A parallel aligned landing surface may allow for a “tent” to form by the tape stuck to the landing surface  209  and stuck to the cutting edge  212 . Therefore, an unstuck edge of the tape is easily grabbed for the next use. 
         [0036]    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.