WO2001027012A1

WO2001027012A1 - Tape dispensing apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2001027012A1
Application number: PCT/GB2000/003840
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alfred Edward Cackett; Irene Martha Martin; Dennis William Cackett
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-10-08
Filing date: 2000-10-05
Publication date: 2001-04-19
Anticipated expiration: 2002-04-08
Also published as: GB9923950D0; AU7802400A

Abstract

Tape dispensing apparatus comprises a frame (1) which in use is releasably mounted on a tape reel (2) with its undersurface in contact with the outer circumference of the reel at two or more spaced locations. One of the contacts is at or towards one end (12) of the frame (1) and the other is at or towards the other frame end (14). The frame (1) includes a bar (5) under which tape (6) peeled from the reel surface can pass followed by an opening (4) through which the peeled tape can travel to the upper surface of the frame, an upstanding bridge (7) over which peeled tape leaving the opening (4) can pass and, spaced from the bridge, an upstanding support (8) which carries a blade (9) by which peeled tape is cut. A resilient member (18) is attached to each side of the frame (1) at positions (17) raised from the surface of the reel. The length of the resilient member (18) is such as to enable it to pass from one attachment point (17) downwardly along one side of the reel (2), through the reel (2) annulus and upwardly along the other side of the reel to the attachment point (17) on the other side of the frame (1) thereby to retain the frame firmly in position. The points of connection (17) of the resilient member (18) to the frame (1) are positioned between the aforesaid locations of the contacts between the upper surface of the reel and the under surface of the frame.

Description

TAPE DISPENSING APPARATUS

This invention relates to dispensing apparatus for dispensing tape from annular reels of tape by peeling discrete tape lengths from the reel surface. More especially, but not exclusively, the tape has one side covered by adhesive.

A common problem when using tape reels is that the leading end of the tape quickly becomes re-attached to the reel outer circumference. This means that when an additional length is to be peeled, it is difficult to find the tape leading end and once found it is difficult to release the end from the reel.

Adhesive tape dispensers are, of course, well known. One such dispenser comprises a relatively heavy base having a cylindrical core on which an annular tape reel is positioned. These dispensers also generally include a surface to which the leading end of the tape is adhered and a transverse cutter positioned close to this surface. In use, as tape is peeled from the reel surface, the reel rotates, lengths of tape being cut by moving the tape downwardly into contact with the cutter. Such dispensers suffer from the disadvantages of being heavy and cumbersome. They are also unsuitable for use with different sizes and widths of tape reel.

Alternative dispensers are known which comprise a frame which, in use, is mounted on a tape reel and moves relative to the reel as tape is peeled from the reel surface. Dispensers of this type are disclosed in, for example, GB-A-2265354 and GB-A- 2306372. The former discusses a dispenser which makes contact with the reel surface along one transverse line only and is therefore relatively unstable. The dispenser of GB-A- 2306372 does not suffer from this disadvantage, the frame floor being generally arcuate. However, as the reel diameter reduces in use, so the frame seating on the reel will become less stable. In both documents, the frame is retained in its operative position by one or more springs. In GB-A-2265354 two short linear springs are provides which pass between axles of rollers which define the single line of contact between the frame and the reel. In GB-A-2306372, a shaped flexing spring member is provided to bear on the inner circumference of the reel. In each case, the effectiveness of the respective springs will become impaired as the reel thickness reduces thereby reducing the performance of the dispenser. In GB-A-2265354, the position of the spring member is likely to impair movement of the dispenser relative to the reel.

The Applicants have established that the length of a spring or other retaining resilient member must be significantly greater than disclosed in the documents to ensure consistently effective operation of a tape dispenser notwithstanding the amount of tape present on a reel.

In the present invention, this is achieved by providing a resilient member which passes between sides of the frame and the inner circumference of the tape reel.

In general, it is an object of the present invention is provide a tape dispenser of compact dimensions which does not suffer from or at least alleviates many of the disadvantages to be found with existing dispensers and, more especially, which ensures the required firm seating of the frame on the reel surface notwithstanding the variations in reel diameter which occur as tape is peeled from the reel.

According to the present invention in one aspect, there is provided tape dispensing apparatus which comprises a frame which in use is mounted on an annular tape reel with its undersurface in contact with the outer circumference of the reel at two or more spaced locations, one positioned at or towards one end of the frame and the other at or towards the other frame end, the frame including at said one end a bar under which tape peeled from the reel surface can pass followed by an opening through which the peeled tape can travel to the upper surface of the frame, an upstanding bridge over which peeled tape leaving the opening can pass and, spaced from the bridge, an upstanding support which carries a blade by which peeled tape is cut, and a resilient member attached to each side of the frame at positions raised from the surface of the reel and of a length which enables it to pass from one attachment point downwardly along one side of the reel, through the reel annulus and upwardly along the other side of the reel to the attachment point on the other side of the frame thereby to retain the frame firmly in position, the points of connection of the resilient member to the frame being positioned between the aforesaid locations of the contacts between the upper surface of the reel and the under surface of the frame.

The frame may be releasably mounted on the tape reel.

The resilient member may comprise a coil spring of circular, elongate or rectangular cross-section. Alternatively, the resilient member comprises an elasticated band of, for example, elastomeric material.

The length of the resilient member is typically between 3 and 4cm.

The frame may be produced from metal or a plastics material. Other suitable materials may, however, be used.

The blade may have a serrated cutting edge and the blade support is preferably spaced from the bridge by a distance of between 0.75 and 1.50cm. The height of the support and bridge above the reel outer circumference is typically between 1.5 and 3.0cm. A table-like surface may be positioned adjacent the blade to which the leading end of peeled tape may be adhered.

The floor of the frame may be inclined to define an angle, contact between the frame and the upper circumference of the reel being made at locations at or towards the two ends of the frame. The connections between the ends of the resilient member and the frame may be positioned at or close to the apex of the angled floor.

The invention will now be described by way of example only in which :-

Figure 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of tape dispensing apparatus in accordance with the invention positioned on a tape reel;

Figure 2 is a plan view (not to scale) from above of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a side view of a second embodiment of tape dispensing apparatus in accordance with the invention; and

Figure 4 is a plan view (not to scale) from above of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 3.

In the drawings, the same reference numerals have been used for the same or similar integers.

The tape dispenser illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a frame 1 dimensioned to fit snugly onto the outer circumference of a tape reel 2 (only part of which is shown) and including a floor 3 formed with a width-wise extending opening 4 (see Figure 2). The floor includes a bar 5 under which adhesive tape 6 to be peeled from the surface of the reel passes before travelling through the opening and over a bridge 7 upstanding from the surface of the floor. Tape peeled from the surface is shown in broken line in Figure 1. Spaced from the bridge 7 is an upstanding support 8 which carries a serrated blade 9. A table-like surface 11 is positioned adjacent and just in front of the blade 9. The spacing between bridge 7 and the support 8 and their respective heights above the reel surface ensure that a user can readily grasp the tape spanning the space between the bridge and the support when seeking to peel a length of the tape from the reel. Typically, the spring between the bridge 7 and the support (measured at their upper surfaces) is between 1.5 and 3.0cm. The height of the bridge and/or support above the reel surface is typically between 0.75 and 1.50cm.

As will be seen more clearly from Figure 1 , the floor 3 of the frame 1 is angled whereby it is raised above the reel surface over a major part of its length. Thus, the frame makes firm contact with the reel circumference at its ends 12, 14. These spaced contacts ensure that the frame locates securely onto the reel circumference and that no rocking motion of the frame occurs when tape is peeled from the reel surface. The upstanding bridge 7 is positioned at or close to the apex 15 of the angled floor and the upstanding blade support 8 is positioned at or close to the frame end 14.

The sides of the frame are turned downwardly to define surfaces 16 which overlap and engage the sides of the reel.

Protruding from the frame side at or close to the apex 15 are sideways protruding extension pieces 17 (see Figure 2). These are dimensioned to receive and retain the ends of a resilient member 18. These ends may be releasably or permanently attached to the _^extension pieces 17. The tension of the member 18 is such that the force imposed by the member on the frame is sufficient to retain the frame firmly in contact with the reel throughout the useful life of the reel. Thus, the force is sufficient to retain the frame firmly in position even when the diameter of the reel reaches a minimum. Typically the length of the member is between 3cm and 4cm.

The resilient member may comprise a compression spring of round, elongate or rectangular cross-section. Alternatively, it may comprise an elasticated band of elastomeric, rubber or like material. Any suitably resilient material may be employed.

The frame may be produced from metal, plastics or any other suitable material. If metal then the frame can be produced by stamping or cutting from a suitably dimensioned strip of, for example, stainless steel followed by bending to achieve the shaping illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. If produced from plastics then a known extrusion or moulding process may be employed. The blade 9 preferably has a serrated cutting edge as shown; however, other shapes of cutting edge may be employed.

The dispensing apparatus illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 is similar to that of Figures 1 and 2, the main difference being the shaping applied to the floor. In this embodiment the floor has a lesser angulation and/or is marginally arcuate to provide the required multiple contact points between its undersurface and the upper surface of the reel. Additionally, the sides of the frame extend downwardly along almost the entire frame length to define surfaces 16 which provide greater support for the frame.

Before peeling a length of tape from the reel 2, tape is positioned as shown in broken line in Figures 1 and 3. Thus, the tape is passed below the bar 5, through the opening 4, over the bridge 7 and is adhered on the table-like surface 11. When a further length of tape is to be peeled, the tape spanning the distance between the bridge 7 and blade support 8 is grasped between two fingers and lifted. Tape is peeled simply by pulling the tape rearwardly against the edge of the bar to cause the frame to move around the external periphery of the reel. When a suitable length has been peeled, the tape is laid over the bridge and brought downwardly into contact with the blade 9. The distance between the bridge 7 and the blade support 8 is sufficient to enable the tape to be readily grasped.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of tape dispensing apparatus in accordance with the invention and that various modifications can be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.

Claims

1. Tape dispensing apparatus which comprises a frame which in use is mounted on an annular tape reel with its undersurface in contact with the outer circumference of the reel at two or more spaced locations, one positioned at or towards one end of the frame and the other at or towards the other frame end, the frame including at said one end a bar under which tape peeled from the reel surface can pass followed by an opening through which the peeled tape can travel to the upper surface of the frame, an upstanding bridge over which peeled tape leaving the opening can pass and, spaced from the bridge, an upstanding support which carries a blade by which peeled tape is cut, and a resilient member attached to each side of the frame at positions raised from the surface of the reel and of a length which enables it to pass from one attachment point downwardly along one side of the reel, through the reel annulus and upwardly along the other side of the reel to the attachment point on the other side of the frame thereby to retain the frame firmly in position, the points of connection of the resilient member to the frame being positioned between the aforesaid locations of the contacts between the upper surface of the reel and the under surface of the frame.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the resilient member comprises a coil spring.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the spring is of circular, elongate or rectangular cross-section.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the resilient member comprises an elasticated band.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the resilient member is produced from an elastomeric material.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the length of the resilient member is typically between 3 and 4cm.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the frame is produced from metal.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the frame is produced from a plastics material.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the blade has a serrated cutting edge.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the blade support is spaced from the bridge by a distance of between 0.75 and 1.50cm.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the height of the support and bridge above the reel outer circumference is between 1.5 and 3.0cm.

12. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a table-like surface is positioned adjacent the blade to which the leading end of peeled tape may be adhered.

13. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the floor of the frame is inclined to define an angle, contact between the frame and the upper circumference of the reel being made at locations at or towards the two ends of the frame.

14. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the connections between the ends of the resilient member and the frame are positioned at or close to the apex of the angled floor.