Patent ID: 8037917

Claim:
A tape dispenser of the type having a dispenser body with a spool for rotationally mounting a roll of tape on the dispenser body, and a cutting element separably fixed within the dispenser body and spaced from the spool for cutting a leading end of tape dispensed from the spool, a press plate having a planar pressing surface bounded by an end edge and side edges of the plate and extending transverse to the cutting element for applying tape to a working surface and a gripping handle for one-handed application and cutting of tape from a roll of tape rotationally mounted on the tape dispensing body; wherein the press plate is mounted in the dispenser body for selective movement between a first position for applying the pressing surface of the press plate against a portion of the dispensed tape onto the working surface prior to cutting the tape and a second position wherein the press plate is positioned substantially within the tape dispensing body to permit tape to be dispensed directly from the roll across the cutting element without contacting the press plate; wherein the press plate is selectively secured in the first position wherein the pressing surface of the press plate can firmly hold the leading end of a tape against a work surface; and is selectively retained in the second position for selective dispensing of discrete segments of tape from the roll without use of the press plate.