Patent ID: 8474504

Claim:
A tape dispenser adapted to dispense tape from a roll of tape on a cylindrical core, said roll of tape having an outer surface and an axis, said tape dispenser comprising: a first sidewall having a hub structure with a first hub axis, a forward end, a rearward end, a foot adjacent said rearward end; a second sidewall generally parallel to said first sidewall having a hub structure with a second hub axis generally coaxial with said first hub axis, a forward end, a rearward end, a foot adjacent said rearward end; an interconnecting portion extending between said first sidewall and said second sidewall and interconnecting said first sidewall and said second sidewall having a forward end adjacent said sidewall forward ends; a cutter extending between said sidewalls adjacent said interconnecting portion forward end, said cutter having a forward edge generally parallel to said first hub axis; a generally cylindrical roller extending between said side walls adjacent to said cutter and parallel to said cutter, said roller having an outer surface extending downwardly and outwardly from a first plane tangent to said cutter forward edge and said roll of tape outer surface; a first tape retaining tab extending from said first sidewall toward said second sidewall, said first tape retaining tab having a first tape engagement surface; a second tape retaining tab extending from said second sidewall toward said first sidewall and said first tape retaining tab, said second tape retaining tab having a second tape engagement surface extending toward said first tape engagement surface; wherein a second plane extending from said first hub structure axis to said cutter forward end and a third plane from said first hub structure axis through a line tangent to said first and second tape retaining tab engagement surfaces form an angle of less than about 12 degrees; wherein said roller positioned entirely between said second plane and said third plane; said dispenser adapted for one-handed operation; said one handed operation includes adhering said tape to a substrate, dispensing said tape along said substrate, rotating said dispenser thus bringing said cutter into contact with said tape, and cutting said tape; said roller and said cutter positioned entirely between a space bordered by a fourth plane and a fifth plane; said dispenser adapted to rest in a stable condition with said sidewall feet in contact with a planar horizontal surface, said first sidewall foot having a first point of extreme contact and a second point of extreme contact, said second sidewall foot having a third point of extreme contact and a fourth point of extreme contact, and said sidewall forward ends extending upwardly; wherein said fourth plane connects said first and said third points of extreme contact and extends upwardly when said dispenser rests on said feet; and, wherein said fifth plane connects said second and said fourth points of extreme contact and extends upwardly when said dispenser rests on said feet.