Locking tape dispenser

Abstract

A tape dispenser adapted to dispense lengths of adhesive tape from a roll of adhesive tape wound upon a cylindrical tape core having a first sidewall, a second sidewall generally parallel to the first sidewall, a hub structure and a tape retaining tab extending inwardly from at least one of the first and second sidewalls. A hinged tongue is supported between the sidewall front portions, the tongue includes a front edge approaching the tape retaining tab. An unwound portion of the tape passes between the retaining tab and the tongue, and the tongue is movable between a first position for holding the unwound portion of the tape against the tape retaining tab and a second position allowing the unwound portion of the tape to separate from the retaining tab.

1 . A tape dispenser adapted to dispense lengths of adhesive tape from a roll of adhesive tape wound upon a cylindrical tape core, the tape dispenser comprising:
 a first sidewall;   a second sidewall generally parallel to the first sidewall;   a hub structure and a tape retaining tab extending inwardly from at least one of the first and second sidewalls, the tape core being rotatably supported on the hub structure;   a tongue hingedly supported at a proximal end thereof between a first sidewall front portion and a second sidewall front portion, the tongue extending from a point closer to the hub structure forward towards the tape retaining tab, a distal end of the tongue having a surface approaching the tape retaining tab;   wherein an unwound portion of the tape passes between the surface of the tongue approaching the tape retaining tab and the retaining tab;   wherein the tongue is movable between a first position for urging the unwound portion of the tape against the tape retaining tab and a second position not urging the unwound portion of the tape against the tape retaining tab; and,   wherein the tongue includes a resilient material on a surface thereof, and wherein the resilient material extends upwardly when uncompressed.   
     
     
         2 . A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the surface of the tongue approaching the tape retaining tab is a bottom surface of the tongue, and when the tongue is moved to the second position, the bottom surface of the tongue is spaced farther from the tape retaining tab than when the tongue is in the first position. 
     
     
         3 . A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the tongue is biased towards the first position. 
     
     
         4 . A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the tape retaining tab interferes with the tongue to restrict the tongue from extending beyond the first position. 
     
     
         5 . A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the tongue includes a resilient material on a surface thereof for engaging a cross member. 
     
     
         6 . A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of a tape engaging surface of the tape retaining tab is curved, and wherein the tongue urges the unwound portion of tape against the curved portion of the tape engaging surface. 
     
     
         7 . A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a cutter bar extending between and interconnecting the first and second sidewalls at front portions thereof, wherein the tongue extends forward towards the cutter bar. 
     
     
         8 . A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising the resilient material interposed between the tongue and a cross member, wherein movement of the tongue from the first position towards the second position tends to compress the resilient material. 
     
     
         9 . A tape dispenser for dispensing a length of tape from an associated tape roll comprising:
 a tape roll hub portion for supporting the associated tape roll;   a tape guide portion adjacent the tape roll hub portion adapted to retain an unwound portion of tape connected to the associated tape roll in a dispensing position and guide the unwound portion of tape during dispensing;   
       wherein the tape guide includes:
 a pair of spaced apart side walls extending radially from the hub portion, the side walls defining therebetween a channel for guiding the unwound portion of tape extending from the associated tape roll when supported on the hub portion; 
 at least one of the side walls having a tape retaining tab extending into the channel, the tape retaining tab having a tape engaging surface on which the unwound portion of tape is held prior to dispensing; and 
 a tongue supported on at least one of the side walls, said tongue hingedly supported at a proximal end thereof between a first sidewall front portion and a second sidewall front portion, the tongue extending from a point closer to the hub structure forward towards the tape retaining tab, a distal end of the tongue having a surface approaching the tape retaining tab, said tongue movable from an initial molded generally vertical orientation to a first position for urging the unwound portion of the tape against the tape retaining tab and a second position not urging the unwound portion of the tape against the retaining tab. 
 
     
     
         10 . A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein when the tongue is moved to the second position, a bottom surface of the tongue is spaced farther from the tape retaining tab than when the tongue is in the first position. 
     
     
         11 . A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the tongue is biased towards the first position. 
     
     
         12 . A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein a bottom surface of the tongue is angled with respect to a top surface of the tape retaining tab. 
     
     
         13 . A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the bottom surface of the tongue is above the tape engaging surface of the retaining tab when the tongue is in the second position. 
     
     
         14 . A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of the tape engaging surface of the tape retaining tab is curved, and wherein the tongue urges the unwound portion of tape against the curved portion of the tape engaging surface. 
     
     
         15 . A tape dispenser for dispensing a length of tape from an associated tape roll comprising:
 a tape roll hub portion for supporting the associated tape roll;   a tape guide portion adjacent the tape roll hub portion adapted to retain an unwound portion of tape connected to the associated tape roll in a dispensing position and guide the unwound portion of tape during dispensing;   wherein the tape guide includes:
 a pair of spaced apart side walls extending radially from the hub portion, the side walls defining therebetween a channel for guiding the unwound portion of tape extending from the associated tape roll when supported on the hub portion; 
 at least one of the side walls having a tape retaining tab extending into the channel, the tape retaining tab having a tape engaging surface on which the unwound portion of tape is held prior to dispensing; 
 a support member extending from at least one of the side walls, said support member being spaced apart from the tape retaining tab; 
 a resilient material secured to the support member and extending towards away from the tape retaining tab; 
 whereby the unwound portion of tape is configured to pass between the support member and the tape retaining tab such that the resilient material biases the support member and the unwound portion of tape to the tape retaining tab; 
   wherein the resilient material includes a compressible foam interposed between the support member and a cross member; and,
 wherein the compressible foam, in an uncompressed state, extends to and engages the cross member. 
   
     
     
         16 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein at least a portion of the tape engaging surface of the tape retaining tab is curved, and wherein the resilient material urges the unwound portion of tape against the curved portion of the tape engaging surface. 
     
     
         20 . A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the resilient material is configured to be compressed during dispensing of tape from the tape dispenser as the unwound portion of tape is separated from the tape retaining tab.