US3829346A

US3829346A - Tape applicator

Info

Publication number: US3829346A
Application number: US00314425A
Authority: US
Inventors: D Sullivan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-12-12
Filing date: 1972-12-12
Publication date: 1974-08-13
Anticipated expiration: 1991-08-13

Abstract

A tape dispensing, applicating and cutting device formed with a U-shaped channel body, a tape supply roll at its rearward end for supplying tape longitudinally through the channel and a reciprocatingly mounted forward tip member with a burnishing surface which is movable against a cutting blade mounted rearwardly of the burnishing surface and extending forwardly for severing interposed tape. A manually drivable, knurled, advancing roller and a radially adjacent resilient idle roll permit precise, manual, tape advance. The tape is easily cut at the burnishing surface by titling the device to a substantially vertical orientation and depressing it downwardly against the graphic workpiece thereby sliding the burnishing surface against the cutter blade and severing the interposed tape.

Description

AUZ- 13, 1974 vD. E. SULLIVANl l 3,829,346

TAPE APPLICATOR Filed nec. 12. 1972 `2 sheets-shew 1 OILS )/4 l* Y A s l l l u I Aug. 13, 1914 .ESULLNAN 3,829,346-,

TAPE APPLICATOR Filednec. 12, 1972 f zsneets-sneetz United States Patent O 3,829,346 TAPE APPLICATOR Donald E. Sullivan, 1493 Fahlander Drive S., Columbus, Ohio 43229 Filed Dec. 12, 1972, Ser. No. 314,425 Int. Cl. B65c 11/00 U.S. Cl. 156-527 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A tape dispensing, applicating and cutting device formed with a U-shaped channel body, a tape supply roll at its rearward end for supplying tape longitudinally through the channel and a reciprocatingly mounted forward tip member with a burnis-hing surface which is movable against a cutting blade mounted rearwardly of the burnishing surface and extending forwardly for severing interposed tape. A manually drivable, knurled, advancing roller and a radially adjacent resilient idle roll permit precise, manual, tape advance. The tape is easily cut at the burnishing surface by tilting the device to a substantially vertical orientation and depressing it downwardly against the graphic workpiece thereby sliding the burnishing surface against the cutter blade and severing the interposed tape.

BACKGROUND This invention relates generally to adhesive tape dispensing and applying and more particularly relates to a device for simultaneously dispensing and applying pressure sensitive tape in graphic art composition.

There are generally two types of tape dispensers. One type is a dispenser only and is ordinarily fixed in a stationary position. Its tape is withdrawn as needed and applied independently of the tape dispenser. For example, many oiiices utilize a weighted dispenser which includes a roll of tape, a temporary adhering pad and a cutter. Tape is manually pulled from the roll, severed against the cutting edge and then applied by hand.

The second general type of dispenser is held in the hand and may have a wheel or other structure which presses the tape to the work piece surface.

In certain types of graphic compositions, such as the layout of newspaper advertising, pressure sensitive tape is used in place of inked or pencil lines because of its sharp edges, blackness, durability, and the ease of removing or relocating lines. Conventionally, such graphic art tape is applied by hand from a supply roll onto the work piece and then cut to the proper length by means of a small knife. This conventional procedure, however, has the disadvantages of being time consuming, somewhat inaccurate, and of producing an unwanted supply of end clippings and of causing undesirable nicks, cuts or scratches in the work surface, especially in black or color areas which can be seen when photographed.

In Pat. 2,868,402, I. H. Perry discloses a hand held applicator. This applicator offers direct application of the tape from the dispenser to the work sheet and discloses means for `cutting the tape.

Unfortunately, the Perry device and other prior art devices fail to provide adequate means for advancing the tape through the device and are subject to drag produced by adherence of the adhesive surface of the tape to various parts of the device. Use of the Perry device is additionally complicated because the tape does not protrude from the device in a consistent and predictable orientation prior to each application of tape.

Other difficulties with prior art tape dispensers and applicators are that the tape is cut within the body of the device so that the operator does not know how much excessive tape will be pulled out of the device after operating its cutter.

The significant drag of prior art devices causes a stretching of the applied tape with the result that work piece sheets have a tendency to curl or roll after tape is applied to them.

For these and other reasons, there is therefore a need for an improved tape dispenser and applicator rwhich facilitates the efforts of the graphic composer and improves the quality of his work product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is an adhesive tape dispenser and applicator device which in a generally horizontal operable position may be described as having an elongated body formed with a downwardly open longitudinal slot. Relatively movable, cooperating tip member and mating cutting blade are formed near the forward end of the elongated body. The tip member is formed at the forward most end of the device and has a downwardly and forwardly facing burnishing surface. A portion of the tip member is matingly seatable against the cutting blade for severing interposed tape. The blade and tip member are relatively movable also into spaced relationship with each other. A tape advancing roller is rotatably mounted to the body and eX- tends into the slot. A biased hold down means is radially adjacent the advancing roller for forcing the tape against the periphery of the advancing roller. A tape supply roll is rotatably mounted relatively near the opposite end of the body and is positioned to feed a ribbon of tape into and longitudinally along the slot with its adhesive surface facing the open side of the slot, and thence tangentially across the advancing roller between the cutting blade and tip member and out of the front of the body.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved tape applicator and dispensing device.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device which is mechanically'simple and consequently inexpensive to manufacture, easy to maintain and durable.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device which causes only very minimal resistance or drag to the flow of tape through the device as tape is applied.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a device which allows applied tape to lbe cut immediately adjacent the burnishing tip of the device by an extremely simple operation.

Yet another object of the invention is to optimize the ease and simplicity of initially threading the tape and of advancing the tape after each applying operation.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a device in which the threaded tape does not become twisted, stuck, misthreaded or otherwise fouled up in the interior of the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device which requires a minimal tape advance after each tape application.

Further objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and claims when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating several embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS lFIG. 1 is a plan View of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. v

FIG. 3 is a lateral vertical section taken substantially along the lines 3 3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the lines 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the lines 4-4 of FIG. 1 and illustrating the movement of the tip member of FIG. 4.

FIG 6 is a view in perspective of the preferred embodimentof the invention illustrated in FIG. l in a position for operating the cutter mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a view in side elevation of a segment of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of a segment of yet, another alternative embodiment of the invention.

In describing the preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The preferred embodiment 8 of the invention is illustrated in a generally horizontal, operable position in FIGS. l-4. It has an elongated body 10 which is preferably a U-shaped channel member formed with a downwardly opening, longitudinal slot 12 and manufactured preferably of plastic or synthetic resin.

Relatively movable and cooperating tip member 14 and mating cutting blade 16 are provided near the forward end of the device 8. At the forward most end of the device, the tip member is formed with a downwardly and forwardly facing burnishing surface 18. Although various curvilinear surfaces would provide a suitable burnishing surface, the preferred burnishing surface comprises a generally lateral, horizontal cylinder 20 which seats longitudinally against a linear cutting ed-ge of the cutting blade A16. The cylinder 20 extends laterally the entire width of the body 12. Preferably, the entire tip member 14 is formed of metal for strength and durability.

Such seating is possible because the tip member 14 is slidably and matingly mounted in the slot 12 of the body 10 for longitudinal reciprocation and forwardly biased by a spring 22. The spring 22 is fixed at one end 24 in a spring retainer 26 which extends across the width of the channel 12.

The cutting blade 16 is preferably xed rearwardly of the burnishing surface 18 and extends forwardly for at times being matingly contacted by the tip member 14 on or adjacent to the burnishing surface 18. In this manner, tape which may be interposed between the cutting blade 16 and the burnishing surface 18 will be severed at the point of intersection. Preferably, the blade 16 is frictionally engaged in a pair of horizontal slots and 27 formed on opposite sides of the slot 12.

A deeply knurled advancing roller 28 is rotatably mounted to the body 10 and extends upwardly into the slot 12. Preferably, the advancing roller 28 also extends downwardly below the slot 12 so that it may be manually driven or rotated by the thumb or finger of an operator.

Rotatably mounted vertically above the advancing wheel 28 is a resilient idle roll 30 which serves as a hold down means for forcing the threaded tape against the upper periphery of the advancing roller 28. The knurling on the advancing roller 28 both facilitates the friction between an operators nger and the advancing roller 28 and additionally prevents substantial adherence of the adhesive tape to the advancing roller 28.

Formed at the rearward end of the body 10 is a rearwardly and downwardly projecting arm 32 on which a tape supply roll 34 is rotatably mounted and retained by a suitable hub 36. Preferably, the hub 36 is threadedly engaged to the arm 32 with high pitched screw threads to facilitate quick and easy replacement of the tape supply 17011 34. The tape supply roll 34 is positioned to feed a ribbon of tape 38 into and longitudinally along the slot 12 with its adhesive surface facing downwardly toward the open side of the slot 12. The threaded ribbon of tape extends tangentially across the advancing roller 28, thence between the cutting blade 16 and the tip member 1=4 and out of said body.

Preferably, the

lower surfaces

42 and 44 of the spring retainer 26 are aligned approximately with the tape flow and are inclined to operate as guide surfaces which extend between opposite side walls of the slot 12. The guide surfaces direct the tape between the advancing roller 28 and the idle roll 30 when tape is initially threaded through the device. Similarly, the lower inner surface 46 of the tip member 14 is curved downwardly and forwardly and oriented to guide the threaded tape downwardly from the advancing wheel 28 between the tip member 14 and the cutting blade 46. Consequently, it can be seen from the formation of these guide surfaces that tape is always properly projected from the tip end of the preferred embodiment in the same predictable orientation at the same place.

A longitudinally elongated notch 50 is formed on the lower side of the tip member 14. The notch 50 is positioned so that the resilient idle roll 30 releasably latches into the notch 50 for removably retaining the longitudinally slidable tip member 14 in the body 10. Additionally, the frontal surface of the notch 50 seats against and restrains rotation of the idle roll 30 when the tip member 14 is slid rearwardly and engaged against the cutter blade 16.

In order to facilitate the ow of tape from the supply roll 34 to the advancing roller 28 and to maintain the proper alignment of the tape ribbon 38 in the slot 12, a knurled threading roller 52 is rotatably mounted near the rearward end of the body 10. This threading roller S2 is substantially horizontally aligned in the slot with tape threaded between the advancing roller 28 and the idle roll 30 so that tape from the tape supply roll 34 extends substantially longitudinally through the slot 12 even when the roll 34 is nearly exhausted.

In the operation of the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. l-6, operation begins by loading the device with tape and threading the tape properly through the device. A fresh roll of tape 34 is mounted by unscrewing the hub 36 from the body 10 of the device and positioning the roll 34 against the arm 32. The hub 36 is threadedly replaced and the end of the tape is then withdrawn and pulled away from the periphery of the tape roll 34.

Because the entire slot 12 has an open bottom, the end of the tape ribbon 38 is very simply looped over the threading roller 52 and then inserted upwardly into the slot 12 and slid along the guiding surface 44 into engagement between the advancing roller 28 and the idle roll 30. With the other hand the operator then rotates the advancing roller in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4 and releases the ribbon of tape from his fingers. Further rotation of the advancing roller 28 pushes the end of the tape ribbon along the guide surface 46 formed on the underside of the tip member 14 and out of the device between the cutting blade 16 and the burnishing surface 18 as shown in FIG. 4.

The operator then grasps the entire device 8 in one hand and holds its slightly inclined to the work piece, for example, at an angle of l0 degrees to 45 degrees with the work piece. The end 60 of the tape ribbon 38 is then lowered onto the proper position on the layout. With a downward pressure exerted by the hand holding the device 8, the burnishing surface 18 is used to press the tape ribbon onto the paper. The device is then drawn across the layout paper while pressure is maintained upon the upper surface of the tape ribbon by the burnishing surface 18. A straight edge or even a curved guide can conveniently be used. The side of the tip member is designed to slide well along such a guiding edge. Very little dra-g is experienced because the adhesive side of the tape ribbon contacts only two points in the device and both of these points are peripheral surfaces of freely

rotatable knurled wheels

52 and 28. The adhesive side of the tape ribbon 38, even if the tape becomes slack, can not contact any iixed portion of the device because the adhesive side faces the open bottom of the slot 12.

In order to effect severing of the tape, the device is most conveniently then inclined into a vertical orientation as shown in FIG. 6 and depressed downwardly toward the work piece.

A downward force on the body 10 of the device 8 causes the entire body 10 and the parts attached thereto to move downwardly relative to the tip member 14. Thus, depression of the device toward the paper moves the burnishing surface 18 into engagement against the cutting edge of the cutting blade 16 as shown in FIG. 5 to sever the interposed tape immediately adjacent the point of contact between the extreme tip of the device and the already applied tape. The simple downward depression completely severs the tape at the most advantageous position and avoids any need to uncomfortably orient the device to provide finger access to a button or trigger in order to actuate the cutting mechanism.

Of course, the cutting mechanism can also be operated in any other orientation. However, at larger angles with the vertical position, the tip member 14 may need to be held stationary by a finger on the other hand of the operator to permit the entire body 10 to be slid forwardly.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the side of the notch 50 of the tip member 14 engages the idle roll 30 when the tip member 14 is longitudinally slid to its cutting position. The idle roll 30 is thereby restrained against rotation. Consequently, even if the blade does not completely sever the tape, the entire device may be maintained in its vertical orientation with the downward force maintained so that it can be slid horizontally and thereby tear or break any connections remaining across the boundary of the cutting edge and the burnishing surface 18.

After severing the tape, the entire device is lifted from the work sheet. The advancing roller 28 may be rotated by the finger of either hand to advance the tape ribbon again past the edge of the cutting blade 66 to a position such as illustrated in FIG. 4. Very little advance is required because the tape was severed near the very tip of the device.

An important feature of the present invention is that, because the cutting blade 16 is at a relatively acute angle with the tape ribbon 38 in the forward portion of the device, the tape is easily released from any adherence to the cutting blade 16 by a simple counterclockwise rotation of the advancing wheel 28. Of course, the advancing wheel 28 may be rotated in either direction for precise adjustment of the length of the tape projecting from the nose of the device. The resilient idle roll 30 maintains the proper frictional engagement of the knurled periphery of the advancing roller 28 against the adhesive surface of the tape ribbon 38. However, because of the deep knurling, the tape 38 does not adhere and continue circularly around with advancing roller 28.

The resilience of the idle roll 30 additionally cushions and smooths the impact of the burnishing surface 18 against the cutting blade 16 because it engages the forward side of the notch 50. This provides a smoother, more comfortable cut and prolongs blade life.

Replacement of the cutting blade 16 and if necessary replacement of the tip member 14 is very easily accomplished by simply grasping the end 20 of the tip member 14 and longitudinally pulling upon it to withdraw it from the body 10. Compression of the resilient idle roll 30 by the rearward end of the notch 50 will permit the nose tip member 14 to be withdrawn from the body 10.

The blade 16 is then slid longitudinally forwardly out of its retaining

slots

25 and 27 and replaced with a similar new blade. The tip piece 14 is then slid longitudinally into the body 10 until the notch 50 engages the idle roll 30. Further force upon the tip member 18 forcing it rearwardly against the new blade 16 will push the blade 16 rearwardly and seat it in its

support slots

25 and 27 safely and without the use of additional tools. The tip member 14 is thus releasably secured and latched in th body 10. g

As an additional feature of convenience, the tip member 14 can be removed and the tape drawn slightly backwards into the device 8 to expose the cutting blade 16 and permit it to be used as a knife for trimming.

Various alternative embodiments are of course, possible within the spirit of the present invention. In one modification, the cutting blade can be made longitudinally slidable while the tip member would be fixed. The cutting blade could be manually slidable and thereby permit the tip member and the cutting blade to lbe relatively movable into and out of cutting position. Certain disadvantages of this become obvious however.

Another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 7 would have the axle of the advancing roller 128 rotatably mounted in a vertical slot 130. Although this structure would sacrifice some of the locking features of the preferred embodiment, it would permit the advancing roller 128 to drop away from the idle roll to further decrease the drag during the application of tape. Then, when tape advance is needed, the roller 128 s merely pushed upwardly by the actuating finger and rotated to advance the tape ribbon in exactly the same manner as illustrated in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6.

Advantageously, the advancing roller 28 could alternatively be mounted so as not to extend, if desired, from the body 10 and instead could be drivingly connected to an electric or other powered motor. In this manner, the tape could be advanced, for example, by the actuation of an electrical switch. i

FIG. 8 illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention. It has a cutting blade 216 which is fixedly secured to the body 210 and extends upwardly. The tip member of this embodiment includes both a rigidly fixed burnishing surface 218 and a reciprocatingly mounted anvil member 219. The anvil member 219 is pivotally mounted to the body 210 by a pivot pin 221 for reciprocal movement from the position illustrated in which it is spaced from the cutting blade 216 into mating contact with the blade 216 at its anvil surface 223. Thus, in this alternative embodiment of FIG. 8, the tape is severed by the depression of the anvil member 219 by a finger 225 of the operator. This embodiment, also permits, through use of a notch 250, the restraining techniques described above between the anvil member 219 and an idle roll 230.

Advantageously, a roller 232 is rotatably mounted on a spring 234 next to the cutting blade 216. The roll is thereby vertically, resiliently biased to lift the tape from the edge of the cutting blade 216 if it becomes adhered thereto.

It is to be understood that while the detailed drawings and specific examples given describe preferred embodiments of the invention, they are for the purposes of illustration only, that the apparatus of the invention is not limited to the precise details and conditions disclosed and that various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined by the following claims. ,1

I claim:

1. An adhesive tape dispenser, applicator and cutter device in an operable generally horizontal position comprismg:

(a) an elongated body having in said operable position a relatively forward first end and a relatively rearward second end and formed with a downwardly opening longitudinal slot;

(b) relatively movable, cooperating tip member and mating cutting blade, said tip member formed at a forward most portion of said forward first end of said device with a downwardly and forwardly facing, smoothly curved burnishing surface, a portion of said tip member being matingly seatable against said lcutting blade for severing interposed tape and being relatively positionable in spaced relation with said tip member, said tip member and said cutting blade being biased apart in said spaced relation by a biasing means; v (c) a knurled tape advancing roller rotatably mounted to said body, extending into said slot and extending below said slot for permitting manually driven rotation for feeding tape;

(d) a biased hold down means radially adjacent the advancing roller for forcing the tape against the periphery of said advancing roller; and

(e) a tape supply rotatably mounted relatively near the rearward second end of said body and positioned to feed a ribbon of tape into and longitudinally along said slot with its adhesive surface facing the open side of said slot, tangentially across said advancing roller, between said cutting bla-de and tip member and out of said body.

2. 1A device according to claim 1 wherein said hold down means comprises a resilient idle roll rotatably mounted above said advancing roller.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein said cutting blade is iixedly secured to said body and said tip member includes a reciprocatingly mounted anvil member movable from a position spaced from said cutting blade into mating contact with said blade. l

4. An adhesive tape dispenser, applicator and cutter device in an operable generally horizontal position comprising:

(a) an elongated body having in an operable position a relatively forward first and relatively rearward second end and formed with a downwardly opening longitudinal slot;

(b) relatively movable, cooperating tip member and mating cutting blade, said tip member slidably mounted to the body for longitudinal reciprocation and formed at a forward most portion of said forward first end of said device with a downwardly and forwardly facing, burnishing surface, a portion of said tip member being matingly seatable against said cutting blade for severing interposed tape said cutting blade being xed rearwardly of said surface and extending forwardly in spaced relation with said tip member for at times being matingly contacted by said tip member for severing interposed tape said tip member being biased away from said cutting blade and toward said forward first end by a biasing means;

(c) a knurled tape advancing roller rotatably mounted to said body, extending into said slot andextending below said slot for permitting manually driven rotation;

(d) a resilient idle roll rotatably mounted radially ad- '8 jacent and above the advancing roller for forcing the tape against the periphery of said advancing roller; and l (e) a tape supply rotatably mounted relatively near the rearward second end of said body and positioned to feed a ribbon of tape into and longitudinally along said slot with its adhesive surface facing the open side of said slot, tangentially across said advancing roller, between said cutting blade and tip member and out of said body.

5.. A device according to claim 4 wherein said burnishing surface comprises a generally lateral, horizontal cylinder which seats longitudinally against a linear cutting edge of said cutting blade. A

6. A device according to claim S wherein said slidable tip member is formed with a longitudinally elongated notch in which said resilient idle roll releasably latches for removably retaining said slidable tip member in said body and for seating against and restraining rotation of said idle roll when said slidable tip member is engaged against said cutter blade.

7. A device according to claim 6 wherein a plurality of guide surfaces extend 4between opposite side walls of sai-d slot above said tape for directing said tape between said advancing roller and said idle roll and downwardly between said tip member and said cutting blade.

8. A device according to claim 7 wherein a knurled threading roller is rotatably mounted near the rearward second end of said body and substantially horizontally aligned in said slot with tape threaded between said ad- 'vancing roller and said idle roll for tangentially receiving tape from said tape supply roll.

9. A device according to claim 9 wherein said body comprises a generally U-shaped channel member and wherein said slidable tip member matingly slides within the end of said channel and said burnishing surface cylinder extends laterally and entire width of said body.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,753,839 8/1973 Funke et al 156-527 3,740,297 6/ 1973 Vidinsky 156-523 2,868,402 l/l959 Perry 156-523 3,051,223 8/1962 Waltz 156-527 CHARLES E. VAN HORN, Primary Examiner J. M. MASSIE, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.