System for opening sealed packages, tape dispenser and tape

Abstract

A system for easy opening of sealed packages. The system comprises a tape dispensing apparatus, and a tape. The tape dispensing apparatus has a cutter therein. The tape is used for sealing a seam of a package. The tape is sized and shaped for being dispensed from the tape dispensing apparatus. The tape dispensed from the dispensing apparatus has a predetermined length cut by the cutter. The predetermined length of tape has a first side with a self-adhesive section for attaching the predetermined length of tape to the package. The predetermined length of tape also includes a non-adhesive section, and a ribbon disposed on the first side of the tape section. The predetermined length of tape has a tear strip defined by the ribbon, and non-adhesive section of the first side together. The tear strip extends longitudinally along the predetermined length of tape. The tear strip ends in a pull tab for pulling the tear strip open and opening the predetermined length of tape attached to the package.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for opening sealed packages, the system comprising: 
 a tape dispensing apparatus having a cutter therein; and    a tape for sealing a seam of a package, the tape being sized and shaped for being dispensed from the tape dispensing apparatus, the tape dispensed from the dispensing apparatus having a predetermined length cut by the cutter;    wherein the predetermined length of tape has a first side with a self adhesive section for attaching the predetermined length of tape to the package, a non-adhesive section, and a ribbon disposed on the first side, and wherein the predetermined length of tape has a tear strip defined by the ribbon and non-adhesive section of the first side together, and extending longitudinally along the predetermined length of tape, the tear strip ending in a pull-tab for pulling the tear strip open and opening the predetermined length of tape attached to the package.    
     
     
         2 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the ribbon is between the first side of the predetermined length of tape and the package when the predetermined length of the tape is attached to the package.  
     
     
         3 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the pull-tab is formed when the tape is dispensed from the tape dispensing apparatus.  
     
     
         4 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the tape is gummed tape.  
     
     
         5 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the pull-tab is formed by the cutter cutting the tape.  
     
     
         6 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the non-adhesive section of the first side of the predetermined length of tape is disposed to generally bi-sect the self-adhesive section longitudinally, and wherein the ribbon is disposed on the non-adhesive section of the predetermined length of tape.  
     
     
         7 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the tear strip extends from a first end of the predetermined length of tape to a second end of the predetermined length of tape.  
     
     
         8 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the tape dispensing apparatus comprises an adhesive activation section for activating an inactive adhesive on the tape, the adhesive activation section having a moisture delivering area delivering moisture to the tape being dispensed from the tape dispensing apparatus and forming the self-adhesive section on the first side of the predetermined length of tape.  
     
     
         9 . A system in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the tape dispensing apparatus has a shield strip over the moisture delivering area for preventing moisture delivery to a section of the tape being dispensed from the tape dispensing apparatus and forming the non-adhesive section on the first side of the predetermined length of tape.  
     
     
         10 . A gummed tape comprising: 
 a tape base material having a first base layer, and a second base layer with reinforcing threads sandwiched between the first and second base layers, the first layer having an outer side with a moisture activated adhesive layer thereon; and    a ribbon disposed longitudinally on the outer side of the first base layer.    
     
     
         11 . A gummed tape in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the ribbon has a generally flat shape and is made of plastic.  
     
     
         12 . A gummed tape in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the ribbon is disposed on the moisture activated adhesive layer on the outer side of the first base layer.  
     
     
         13 . A gummed tape in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the ribbon is located generally over a longitudinal centerline of the tape.  
     
     
         14 . A gummed tape in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the first base layer, and the second base layer are made of paper, and wherein the reinforcing threads are made of fiberglass.  
     
     
         15 . A gummed tape in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the ribbon is made from at least one of a mono-oriented polypropylene material or a biaxial-oriented polypropylene material.  
     
     
         16 . A gummed tape in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the moisture activated adhesive layer has an activated section, and an inactivated section, the activated section providing a self-adhesive for attaching the tape to a surface of an object, and the ribbon being located on the inactivated section when the tape is attached to the surface of the object.  
     
     
         17 . A gummed tape in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein when attached to the surface of the object, the gummed tape has a tear strip formed by portions of the first and second base layers coincident with the inactivated section of the moisture activated adhesive layer in combination with the ribbon located on the inactivated section, and wherein pulling on the ribbon causes the tear strip to tear from the gummed tape.  
     
     
         18 . A sealed package security system comprising the gummed tape according to  claim 17 , wherein the tear strip, when opened at least in part, indicates that the sealed package has been tampered with.  
     
     
         19 . A gummed tape in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the ribbon has a self adhesive disposed on at least one side of the ribbon for attaching the ribbon to the first base layer of the gummed tape.  
     
     
         20 . A gummed tape dispensing apparatus comprising: 
 a frame with a storage area for storing gummed tape therein, and having an exit area through which gummed tape is dispensed;    a feeding mechanism connected to the frame, the feeding mechanism feeding the gummed tape from the storage area to the exit area; and    a wetting system connected to the frame for wetting a side of the gummed tape and activating a moisture activated adhesive on the side of the gummed tape;    wherein the wetting system has a shield which covers part of the wetting system and prevents a portion of the side of the gummed tape from being wetted while an adjoining portion of the side of the gummed tape is wetted by the wetting system when the gummed tape is fed past the wetting system by the feeding mechanism.    
     
     
         21 . A gummed tape dispensing apparatus in accordance with  claim 20 , wherein the wetting system includes a wetting brush disposed in a bath of adhesive activating fluid, the gummed tape being fed over the wetting brush with the side having the moisture activated adhesive coming in contact with a fluid moistened top of the wetting brush.  
     
     
         22 . A gummed tape dispensing apparatus in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the shield includes a flat strip member extending over the top of the wetting brush and preventing the side of the gummed tape from coming in contact with the top of the wetting brush in way of the flat strip member.  
     
     
         23 . A gummed tape dispensing apparatus in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the shield is a one piece member stamped from metal, the shield comprising a base member, and a flat strip member depending from the shield member.  
     
     
         24 . A gummed tape dispensing apparatus in accordance with  claim 23 , wherein the base member of the shield is mounted to a side of a tub holding the bath and wetting brush therein, the flat strip member extending over the top of the wetting brush in a tape feed direction.  
     
     
         25 . A gummed tape dispensing apparatus in accordance with  claim 24 , wherein the flat strip member is biased against the top of the wetting brush and presses the top of the wetting brush away from the side of the gummed tape.  
     
     
         26 . A gummed tape dispensing apparatus in accordance with  claim 20 , the dispensing apparatus further comprising a cutting section mounted to the frame, the cutting section having a cutting blade for cutting the gummed tape into sections dispensed through the exit area, wherein the cutting blade has a cutting edge shaped to form a tab at an end of each of the cut sections of gummed tape.  
     
     
         27 . A gummed tape dispensing apparatus in accordance with  claim 26 , wherein the tab formed by the cutting edge has at least one of a generally v shape, or a generally semicircular shape.  
     
     
         28 . A gummed tape dispensing apparatus comprising: 
 a frame with a storage area for storing gummed tape therein, and having an exit area through which gummed tape is dispensed;    a feeding mechanism connected to the frame, the feeding mechanism feeding the gummed tape from the storage area to the exit area;    a cutting section mounted to the frame, the cutting section having a cutting blade for cutting the gummed tape into sections dispensed through the exit area; and    a wetting system connected to the frame for wetting a side of the gummed tape and activating a moisture activated adhesive on the side of the gummed tape;    wherein the cutting blade has a first cutting edge for making a transverse cut across the tape, the cutting blade having a pair of secondary cutting edges projecting from the cutting blade for cutting slots into each section cut by the cutting blade, the slots being at an angle to the transverse cut.    
     
     
         29 . A gummed tape dispensing apparatus in accordance with  claim 28 , wherein the cutting blade has a tab projecting from a side of the cutting blade, the tab having a pair of wall members which are disposed on the cutting blade to be aligned generally in a tape feed direction when the cutting blade cuts the gummed tape, and wherein each of the wall member has a corresponding one of the pair of secondary cutting blades disposed thereon.  
     
     
         30 . A gummed tape dispensing apparatus in accordance with  claim 28 , wherein the cutting blade has a tab projecting therefrom, the tab having a general U shape and forming the pair of secondary cutting edges of the cutting blade.