Tape dispenser with mount and rotation mechanism

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11465871-B2
Application number	US-201916962596-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 15, 2019
Priority date	Jan 22, 2018
Publication date	Oct 11, 2022
Grant date	Oct 11, 2022

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a tape dispenser for dispensing tape from a tape roll received therein. In one embodiment, the tape dispenser comprises a main body with a mandrel adapted to receive and releasably retain a tape roll, and wherein the mandrel allows rotation of the tape roll about a mandrel axis. It further includes a cutting arm comprising a blade attached to the main body for cutting the tape and positioned at a distance from the mandrel axis. The tape dispenser further includes an attachment unit for temporarily and releasably attaching the tape dispenser to a furniture, wherein the main body is pivotably attached to the attachment unit, and wherein a pivot axis is perpendicular to a mandrel axis.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A tape dispenser, comprising:
a main body coupled to a mandrel, wherein the mandrel is adapted to receive and releasably retain a tape roll having a central opening thereon, and wherein the mandrel allows rotation of the tape roll about a mandrel axis,
a cutting arm comprising a blade capable of cutting the tape; wherein the cutting arm is attached to the main body and/or the mandrel and wherein the blade is positioned at a distance from the mandrel axis; and
an attachment unit for temporarily and releasably attaching the tape dispenser to a furniture;
wherein the main body is pivotably attached to the attachment unit, and wherein a pivot axis that passes through the attachment unit and is perpendicular to and intersects the mandrel axis and wherein either
(i) the cutting arm is pivotable with respect to the main body, or
(ii) the tape dispenser further comprises a first detent mechanism between the main body and the attachment unit providing a plurality of discrete first detent positions such that a rotational position of the main body with respect to the attachment unit is selectable between the plurality of discrete first detent positions, or
both (i) and (ii).

2. The tape dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein said main body is pivotable by at least 180°.

3. The tape dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein a rotational position of the main body with respect to the attachment unit is freely selectable.

4. The tape dispenser according to claim 3 , wherein the selected rotational position of the main body relative to the attachment unit is maintained by a friction fit between the main body and the attachment unit.

5. The tape dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the cutting arm is pivotable with respect to the main body and the mandrel axis defines a pivot axis of the cutting arm.

6. The tape dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the cutting arm is pivotable by at least about 90° with respect to the main body.

7. The tape dispenser according to claim 6 , wherein the cutting arm is pivotable by at least about 110°.

8. The tape dispenser according to claim 1 , comprising a first detent mechanism between the main body and the attachment unit providing a plurality of discrete first detent positions such that a rotational position of the main body with respect to the attachment unit is selectable between the plurality of discrete first detent positions and further comprising:
a second detent mechanism between the main body and the cutting arm providing a plurality of discrete second detent positions such that a rotational position of the cutting arm with respect to the main body is selectable between the plurality of discrete second detent positions.

9. The tape dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the attachment unit comprises a spring biased clamp for clamping the tape dispenser to the furniture.

10. The tape dispenser according to claim 9 , wherein the clamp has a receiving opening with a receiving width in the range of 0.5 cm (0.19 inch) to 3.5 cm (1.38 inch).

11. The tape dispenser according to claim 9 , wherein the clamp comprises first and second opposingly arranged clamping portions and wherein at least the first or the second clamping portion includes a non-slip material.

12. The tape dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the attachment unit comprises at least one magnet for attaching the tape dispenser to the furniture.

13. The tape dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the attachment unit comprises at least one of a vacuum or suction cup, a clamp, or an adhesive for attaching the tape dispenser to the furniture.

14. The tape dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the cutting arm comprises a first leg extending substantially perpendicular to the mandrel axis from the main body adjacent to the mandrel to support the cutting blade.

15. The tape dispenser according to claim 14 , wherein the cutting arm comprises a second leg at an opposite end of the mandrel extending substantially perpendicular to the mandrel axis from the main body adjacent to the mandrel to support the cutting blade.

16. The tape dispenser according to claim 14 , wherein a weight of the tape dispenser without the tape roll is less than 150 g (5.3 oz).

17. The tape dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein at least the first leg is curved to provide a free space between the cutting arm and a tape portion extending from a tape roll to the blade.

18. The tape dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the cutting arm comprises at least a first recessed side portion forming a free space between the cutting arm and a tape portion extending from a tape roll to the blade.

Assignees

• 3M Innovative Properties Co

Inventors

• Nash James E

Classifications

• B65H2402/42

  Mobile apparatus, i.e. mounted on mobile carrier such as tractor or truck · CPC title

• B65H35/0026 Primary

  for delivering pressure-sensitive adhesive tape · CPC title

• B65H2402/30

  Supports; Subassemblies; Mountings thereof · CPC title

• B65H2301/41346

  separate elements engaging each end of the roll (e.g. chuck) · CPC title

• B65H2402/41

  Portable or hand-held apparatus · CPC title