Folding and cutting apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for folding and cutting tape, including Ultraflex™ tape. The apparatus includes a platform, which may be hinged for folding. A tape roll retainer, tape roller, tape folder, folded tape guide, optional meter and a cutter are removably affixed to the platform. The tape folder is configured to cause automatic folding of the tape when directed therethrough. The tape folder includes a pair of opposing folding components that force the tape into a folded configuration.

1 . An apparatus for folding, cutting and dispensing tape, the apparatus comprising:
 a. a platform;   b. a tape roll retainer affixed to the platform and arranged to rotatably retain thereon a roll of tape;   c. a tape folder affixed to the platform, the tape folder including a first folding component and a second folding component, wherein the first folding component and the second folding component are spaced from one another and arranged to cause tape passing through the tape folder to fold onto itself without manual intervention;   d. means affixed to the platform for guiding folded tape from the tape folder; and   e. a cutter for cutting folded tape directed thereto from the means for guiding.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a tape roller positioned between the tape roll retainer and the tape folder and arranged to direct tape from the roll of tape to the tape folder. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a meter for measuring the length of folded tape passing to the cutting means. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 3  further comprising a wheel coupled to the meter and arranged to contact the folded tape. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the means for guiding includes a first guide angle and a second guide angle affixed to the platform. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the means for guiding further includes a retaining bar affixed between the first guide angle and the second guide angle. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the means for guiding is of adjustable width. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first folding component of the tape folder is a first three-dimensional irregular convex hexagon rotatable about a first folding spindle that is affixed to the platform and the second folding component of the tape folder includes a second three-dimensional irregular convex hexagon and a third three-dimensional irregular convex hexagon, both of which are rotatable about a second folding spindle that is affixed to the platform. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the tape folder includes a folder centerline that substantially corresponds with the vertical alignment of tape entering the tape folder from the roll of tape, wherein the first three-dimensional irregular convex hexagon includes a vertex extending beyond the folder centerline in a first direction, the second three-dimensional irregular convex hexagon includes a vertex spaced above the vertex of the first three-dimensional irregular convex hexagon and extending beyond the folder centerline in a second direction opposite that of the vertex of the first three-dimensional irregular convex hexagon, and the third three-dimensional irregular convex hexagon includes a vertex spaced below the vertex of the first three-dimensional irregular convex hexagon and extending beyond the folder centerline in the second direction. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the platform is hinged to enable its folding.