TAPE REEL WITH CUTTER BLADE
United States Patent 3682361
A tape dispensing clip attachable to the edges of a reel of adhesive tape and being rotatable around the reel. The clip includes a transverse cutting edge for severing a desired length of tape from the reel.
US Patent References:
/1018945.html
Toles - February 1912 - 1018945
Tape dispenser
Morinsky - June 1951 - 2537147
/1018945.html
Toles - February 1912 - 1018945
Tape dispenser
Morinsky - June 1951 - 2537147
Application Number:
05/055922
Publication Date:
08/08/1972
Filing Date:
07/17/1970
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
International Classes:
B65H35/00; B26F3/02
Field of Search:
225/59-66,91
Primary Examiner:
Juhasz, Andrew R.
Assistant Examiner:
Gilden, Leon
Claims:
What is claimed is
1. A tape dispensing clip comprising a body of substantially rigid material, respective arcuate, resilient channels on the longitudinal edges of said body adapted to slidably detachably receive and frictionally grip the circumferential beads on the circular flanges of a circular tape reel, said body having generally triangular forwardly tapering longitudinal side walls merging with said resilient channels, the free edges of said resilient channels normally extending adjacent said side walls, said body having a generally rectangular flat main portion between said side walls and a transverse rear wall extending upwardly from the rear edge of said main portion, said main portion being inclined upwardly and forwardly with respect to said transverse rear wall so as to define an acute angle of approximately 15° with the horizontal plane passing through the intersection of said main portion and said rear wall, said main portion projecting forwardly from said side wall so that its forward edge is forwardly offset relative to the forward ends of said resilient channels, the forward edge of said main portion extending transversely and being beveled forwardly and upwardly to define a cutting edge.
2. The tape dispensing clip of claim 1, wherein said rear wall has a generally channel-shaped top edge of generally circular cross section, defining a transversely extending rounded gripping handle.
1. A tape dispensing clip comprising a body of substantially rigid material, respective arcuate, resilient channels on the longitudinal edges of said body adapted to slidably detachably receive and frictionally grip the circumferential beads on the circular flanges of a circular tape reel, said body having generally triangular forwardly tapering longitudinal side walls merging with said resilient channels, the free edges of said resilient channels normally extending adjacent said side walls, said body having a generally rectangular flat main portion between said side walls and a transverse rear wall extending upwardly from the rear edge of said main portion, said main portion being inclined upwardly and forwardly with respect to said transverse rear wall so as to define an acute angle of approximately 15° with the horizontal plane passing through the intersection of said main portion and said rear wall, said main portion projecting forwardly from said side wall so that its forward edge is forwardly offset relative to the forward ends of said resilient channels, the forward edge of said main portion extending transversely and being beveled forwardly and upwardly to define a cutting edge.
2. The tape dispensing clip of claim 1, wherein said rear wall has a generally channel-shaped top edge of generally circular cross section, defining a transversely extending rounded gripping handle.
Description:
This invention relates to tape cutters, and more particularly to a cutting attachment for a reel of adhesive tape.
A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved tape dispensing clip attachable to the edges of a reel of adhesive tape and being rotatable therearound to facilitate the severance of a desired length of tape from the reel, the attachment being simple in construction, being easy to install, and being easy to adjust to a desired position on the associated tape reel.
A further object of the invention is to provide an improved tape dispensing clip which is inexpensive to manufacture, which is very compact in size, and which provides improved economy in the usage of adhesive tape carried on a reel.
A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved cutterclip attachable to the edges of a reel of adhesive tape, the clip being usable with a number of tape reels since it has means for detachably connecting it to any tape reel with which it is to be used and for subsequently removing it from the depleted tape reel and transferring it to a new tape reel, the clip being easy to install and remove, as required .
Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a reel of adhesive tape provided with an improved tape dispensing clip constructed in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 2--2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a transverse vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 3--3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tape dispensing clip shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical cross sectional view taken through the clip substantially on line 5--5 of FIG. 4.
Referring to the drawings, 11 generally designates an improved tape dispensing clip constructed in accordance with the present invention. The clip 11 comprises a body of substantially rigid material, such as sheet metal, having a generally rectangular main portion 12. The body is provided with the generally rectangular longitudinal side walls 13,13, the upper marginal portions of the side walls 13,13 being rolled outwardly to define longitudinal channels 14,14 of generally circular cross-sectional shape, the free longitudinal edges 15,15 of the channels extending adjacent to and terminating short of the respective side walls 13,13 as shown in FIG. 4.
As shown in FIG. 5, the longitudinal channels 14 are preferably arcuately curved so as to be generally conformable with the arcuate curvature of the flanges of a conventional adhesive tape reel 16 with which the clip is employed, in a manner presently to be described.
The sheet metal forming the clip is preferably of a type having a substantial degree of resiliency, whereby the rolled side channels 14,14 are relatively resilient, and whereby the longitudinal edges 15,15 of the channels are slightly yieldable, although having sufficient tension to exert a tight gripping action on the peripheral portion of the flanges 17 of a reel 16.
The body of material is provided with a transverse rear wall 18 which is rolled outwardly at its upper margin to define a transverse handle element 19 which is of generally circular cross-sectional shape and which is similar in shape to the side channels 14,14 as will be apparent from FIG. 4. The side walls 13,13 taper forwardly, namely, toward the right, as viewed in FIG. 5, whereby the main body 12 is upwardly and forwardly inclined, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The forward margin of the main element 12 projects forwardly relative to the front edges 29 of the longitudinal side walls 13,13 and the forward transverse edge of the portion 12 is bevelled forwardly and upwardly, as shown at 20 to define the edge of a cutting blade. Thus, the cutting blade thus defined is forwardly offset relative to the forward ends 29 of the resilient channels 14,14.
The tape dispensing clip 11 is adapted to be detachably mounted on a tape reel 16 by forcing its resilient side channels 14,14 over the edges of the flanges 17,17 of the reel, whereby the side walls 13,13 and the main body portion 12 of the clip are received between the flanges, with the rear wall 18 extending transversely therebetween. Thus, the transverse channel element 19 defines an abutment which may be pushed by the thumb or by any other finger of the user to shift the position of the clip on the flanges 17,17 to any desired location.
Thus, with the clip 11 positioned on the edges of the flanges 17,17, the beads 21 of said flanges are receivable in the circular channels 14,14 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3. The resilient channels 14,14 closely receive the peripheral beads 21 of the flanges 17,17 and exert resilient gripping action thereon, while allowing the channels 14,14 to slide along the beads 21 responsive to adjusting force applied to the handle element 19.
As shown in FIG. 2, the slope of the main body portion 12 is such as to define an acute angle relative to a tangent to the rolled tape 22 on the reel, for example an angle of the order of 15° + or -, as shown in FIG. 2. In dispensing a piece of tape, the clip 11 is moved to a position on the flanges 17,17 in accordance with the length of the piece of tape to be dispensed, and the tape is then lifted upwardly, as shown in dotted view in FIG. 2, to bring it against the transverse cutting edge 20 at the forward end of the clip, after which the desired length of tape is removed simply by tearing it against said cutting edge. The forward offset of the cutting blade edge with respect to the forward ends of the securing channels 14,14 prevents interference by the channels 14,14 with the aforesaid cutting action. Thus, in detaching a piece of tape, the tape will not come into contact with the forward ends of the channels 14,14 as it is sheared from the roll of tape. As shown in FIG. 2, the cutting edge defined by the bevel 20, bevelled on the lower side of the blade with little or no bevel on the top, is sufficiently forwardly advanced that it substantially extends at least to the cylindrical plane, or slightly below, containing the peripheral edges of the flanges 17,17 whereby the flanges will not interfere with the tearing action above described.
As above mentioned, the clip 11 may be slidably positioned at any desired location in accordance with the desired length of tape to be severed. Because of the slope of the main portion 12, a recess is defined adjacent the handle element 19 which facilitates grasping said handle element or for exerting pushing or pulling force thereon. Thus, it is possible to adjust the position of the clip 11 with the tape reel 16 held in one hand and with the thumb of said hand engaged against the transverse rear wall 18 of the clip, the pressure of the thumb acting against the clip to slide it along the edges of the flanges 17,17 to the desired position on the reel.
Alternatively, because of the slope of portion 12, and the taper of cutting edge 20, the tape may be unreeled bearing against the bottom of portion 12 and edge 20 to slide the clip on the reel until the desired length of tape to be cut is unreeled. The clip may then be secured by a thumb and the tape pulled across bevelled edge 20 to sever exactly the desired tape length.
After the tape 22 of a reel has been completely consumed, the clip may be detached from the reel and employed on a fresh reel, if so desired. To detach the clip it is merely necessary to pull it outwardly from the reel, whereby the resilient channels 14,14 disengage from the flange beads 21. The clip can then be quickly mounted on a fresh reel of tape for further use.
The purpose of the thumb adjustment element 19 is to provide a means to push the dispensing clip out of the way to allow clearance for the user's forefinger and thumb to grasp the loose end of the tape, which in turn automatically slides the tape dispensing clip to the desired cutting position. As the tape is being pulled from the reel, pressure is being exerted on the bevel 20 and not directly on the cutting edge.
While the invention has been illustrated and described with reference to a specific embodiment thereof, it will be understood that other embodiments may be resorted to without departing from the invention. Such potential embodiments might improve the invention but the advantages of such improvements will accrue to the inventor.
A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved tape dispensing clip attachable to the edges of a reel of adhesive tape and being rotatable therearound to facilitate the severance of a desired length of tape from the reel, the attachment being simple in construction, being easy to install, and being easy to adjust to a desired position on the associated tape reel.
A further object of the invention is to provide an improved tape dispensing clip which is inexpensive to manufacture, which is very compact in size, and which provides improved economy in the usage of adhesive tape carried on a reel.
A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved cutterclip attachable to the edges of a reel of adhesive tape, the clip being usable with a number of tape reels since it has means for detachably connecting it to any tape reel with which it is to be used and for subsequently removing it from the depleted tape reel and transferring it to a new tape reel, the clip being easy to install and remove, as required .
Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a reel of adhesive tape provided with an improved tape dispensing clip constructed in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 2--2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a transverse vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 3--3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tape dispensing clip shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical cross sectional view taken through the clip substantially on line 5--5 of FIG. 4.
Referring to the drawings, 11 generally designates an improved tape dispensing clip constructed in accordance with the present invention. The clip 11 comprises a body of substantially rigid material, such as sheet metal, having a generally rectangular main portion 12. The body is provided with the generally rectangular longitudinal side walls 13,13, the upper marginal portions of the side walls 13,13 being rolled outwardly to define longitudinal channels 14,14 of generally circular cross-sectional shape, the free longitudinal edges 15,15 of the channels extending adjacent to and terminating short of the respective side walls 13,13 as shown in FIG. 4.
As shown in FIG. 5, the longitudinal channels 14 are preferably arcuately curved so as to be generally conformable with the arcuate curvature of the flanges of a conventional adhesive tape reel 16 with which the clip is employed, in a manner presently to be described.
The sheet metal forming the clip is preferably of a type having a substantial degree of resiliency, whereby the rolled side channels 14,14 are relatively resilient, and whereby the longitudinal edges 15,15 of the channels are slightly yieldable, although having sufficient tension to exert a tight gripping action on the peripheral portion of the flanges 17 of a reel 16.
The body of material is provided with a transverse rear wall 18 which is rolled outwardly at its upper margin to define a transverse handle element 19 which is of generally circular cross-sectional shape and which is similar in shape to the side channels 14,14 as will be apparent from FIG. 4. The side walls 13,13 taper forwardly, namely, toward the right, as viewed in FIG. 5, whereby the main body 12 is upwardly and forwardly inclined, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The forward margin of the main element 12 projects forwardly relative to the front edges 29 of the longitudinal side walls 13,13 and the forward transverse edge of the portion 12 is bevelled forwardly and upwardly, as shown at 20 to define the edge of a cutting blade. Thus, the cutting blade thus defined is forwardly offset relative to the forward ends 29 of the resilient channels 14,14.
The tape dispensing clip 11 is adapted to be detachably mounted on a tape reel 16 by forcing its resilient side channels 14,14 over the edges of the flanges 17,17 of the reel, whereby the side walls 13,13 and the main body portion 12 of the clip are received between the flanges, with the rear wall 18 extending transversely therebetween. Thus, the transverse channel element 19 defines an abutment which may be pushed by the thumb or by any other finger of the user to shift the position of the clip on the flanges 17,17 to any desired location.
Thus, with the clip 11 positioned on the edges of the flanges 17,17, the beads 21 of said flanges are receivable in the circular channels 14,14 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3. The resilient channels 14,14 closely receive the peripheral beads 21 of the flanges 17,17 and exert resilient gripping action thereon, while allowing the channels 14,14 to slide along the beads 21 responsive to adjusting force applied to the handle element 19.
As shown in FIG. 2, the slope of the main body portion 12 is such as to define an acute angle relative to a tangent to the rolled tape 22 on the reel, for example an angle of the order of 15° + or -, as shown in FIG. 2. In dispensing a piece of tape, the clip 11 is moved to a position on the flanges 17,17 in accordance with the length of the piece of tape to be dispensed, and the tape is then lifted upwardly, as shown in dotted view in FIG. 2, to bring it against the transverse cutting edge 20 at the forward end of the clip, after which the desired length of tape is removed simply by tearing it against said cutting edge. The forward offset of the cutting blade edge with respect to the forward ends of the securing channels 14,14 prevents interference by the channels 14,14 with the aforesaid cutting action. Thus, in detaching a piece of tape, the tape will not come into contact with the forward ends of the channels 14,14 as it is sheared from the roll of tape. As shown in FIG. 2, the cutting edge defined by the bevel 20, bevelled on the lower side of the blade with little or no bevel on the top, is sufficiently forwardly advanced that it substantially extends at least to the cylindrical plane, or slightly below, containing the peripheral edges of the flanges 17,17 whereby the flanges will not interfere with the tearing action above described.
As above mentioned, the clip 11 may be slidably positioned at any desired location in accordance with the desired length of tape to be severed. Because of the slope of the main portion 12, a recess is defined adjacent the handle element 19 which facilitates grasping said handle element or for exerting pushing or pulling force thereon. Thus, it is possible to adjust the position of the clip 11 with the tape reel 16 held in one hand and with the thumb of said hand engaged against the transverse rear wall 18 of the clip, the pressure of the thumb acting against the clip to slide it along the edges of the flanges 17,17 to the desired position on the reel.
Alternatively, because of the slope of portion 12, and the taper of cutting edge 20, the tape may be unreeled bearing against the bottom of portion 12 and edge 20 to slide the clip on the reel until the desired length of tape to be cut is unreeled. The clip may then be secured by a thumb and the tape pulled across bevelled edge 20 to sever exactly the desired tape length.
After the tape 22 of a reel has been completely consumed, the clip may be detached from the reel and employed on a fresh reel, if so desired. To detach the clip it is merely necessary to pull it outwardly from the reel, whereby the resilient channels 14,14 disengage from the flange beads 21. The clip can then be quickly mounted on a fresh reel of tape for further use.
The purpose of the thumb adjustment element 19 is to provide a means to push the dispensing clip out of the way to allow clearance for the user's forefinger and thumb to grasp the loose end of the tape, which in turn automatically slides the tape dispensing clip to the desired cutting position. As the tape is being pulled from the reel, pressure is being exerted on the bevel 20 and not directly on the cutting edge.
While the invention has been illustrated and described with reference to a specific embodiment thereof, it will be understood that other embodiments may be resorted to without departing from the invention. Such potential embodiments might improve the invention but the advantages of such improvements will accrue to the inventor.