Standing tape dispenser

Abstract

A tape dispenser having a housing, a cavity within the housing and within which a roll of tape is rotatably retained, and pairs of front and rear legs. The housing is able to stand on a flat surface in two different orientations. In a first orientation, the housing is supported on curved tips of the front legs and a region of the tape roll. In a second orientation, the housing is supported by curved, rearwardly extending projections on the rear legs and a second region of the tape roll. The housing rotates on the tips or projections as tape is withdrawn from the roll. A blade angles downwardly from the front end of the housing and is retained a distance from the surface when the housing is in each of the first and second orientations. The housing is rotated through about ninety degrees between the first and second orientations.

1 . A tape dispenser comprising:
 a housing having a front end and a rear end and a longitudinal axis extending between the front end and rear end;   a cavity defined within the housing; said housing being adapted to rotatably retain a roll of tape therein;   a cutter blade provided at the front end of the housing;   a pair of front legs provided on the housing a distance longitudinally rearwardly of the cutter blade; wherein each of the front legs terminates in a tip; and   a pair of rear legs provided proximate the rear end of the housing; wherein each rear leg has an upper end and a lower end and a rear edge that extends between the upper and lower ends thereof; wherein the lower end of each rear leg terminates in a tip; and wherein the upper ends of the rear legs are located a distance longitudinally outwardly beyond the lower ends of the rear legs.   
     
     
         2 . The tape dispenser as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the rear edges of the rear legs are oriented at an obtuse angle relative to the tips of the rear legs. 
     
     
         3 . The tape dispenser as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the rear edges of the rear legs are curved. 
     
     
         4 . The tape dispenser as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the rear edge of each rear leg includes a convexly curved section that forms the upper end of the associated rear leg; and a concavely curved section that extends downwardly from the convexly curved section thereof and toward the tip of the associated rear leg. 
     
     
         5 . The tape dispenser as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the front legs have upper ends located a distance away from the tips of the front legs; and wherein the front legs are of a longer length than the rear legs; where the length of each of the front and rear legs is measured from the upper ends thereof to the tips thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The tape dispenser as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a rear wall connects a left side wall and a right side wall of the housing together; said rear wall being located proximate each rear leg. 
     
     
         7 . The tape dispenser as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the rear wall comprises a first wall section that extends outwardly from an inner surface of the left side wall and a second wall section that extends outwardly from an inner surface of the right side wall and the first and second wall sections are adapted to be selectively separated from each other to introduce the roll of tape into the cavity. 
     
     
         8 . The tape dispenser as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the first and second wall sections are selectively interlockingly engaged with each other. 
     
     
         9 . The tape dispenser as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a top wall provided on the housing; and wherein a generally U-shaped depression is provided in the top wall and is adapted to provide a finger-tip rest on the top wall; and wherein a plurality of ridges are provided in the U-shaped depression. 
     
     
         10 . The tape dispenser as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the top wall is separated from each of a left side wall and a right side wall of the housing by a gap; and the top wall terminate a distance forwardly of the upper ends of the rear legs. 
     
     
         11 . The tape dispenser as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of ridges provided on an exterior surface of each of a left side wall and a right side wall of the housing rearwardly of the cutter blade. 
     
     
         12 . In combination,
 a tape dispenser and a roll of tape; wherein the tape dispenser comprises:   a housing having a front end and a rear end and a longitudinal axis extending between the front end and rear end;   a cavity defined within the housing;   a cutter blade provided at the front end of the housing;   a pair of front legs provided on the housing a distance longitudinally rearwardly of the cutter blade; wherein each of the front legs terminates in a tip; and   a pair of rear legs provided proximate the rear end of the housing; wherein each rear leg has an upper end and a lower end and a rear edge that extends between the upper and lower ends thereof; wherein the lower end of each rear leg terminates in a tip; and wherein the upper ends of the rear legs are located a distance longitudinally outwardly beyond the lower ends of the rear legs;   wherein the roll of tape is receivable in the cavity defined by the housing of the dispenser; and wherein the tape dispenser is adapted to selectively stand upon a flat surface in a first orientation or in a second orientation; and when in the first orientation the tips of the front legs and the roll of tape are in contact with the flat surface; and when in the second orientation, the upper ends of the rear legs and the roll of tape are in contact with the flat surface.   
     
     
         13 . The combination as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the rear edges of the rear legs are oriented at an obtuse angle relative to the tips of the rear legs and are therefore adapted to be oriented at an obtuse angle relative to the flat surface when the tape dispenser is in the first orientation. 
     
     
         14 . The combination as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the rear edges of the rear legs are curved. 
     
     
         15 . The combination as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the rear edge of each rear leg includes a convexly curved section that forms the upper end of the associated rear leg; and a concavely curved section that extends downwardly from the convexly curved section thereof and toward the tip of the associated rear leg. 
     
     
         16 . The combination as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the front legs have upper ends located a distance away from the tips of the front legs; and wherein the front legs are of a longer length than the rear legs; where the length of each of the front and rear legs is measured from the upper ends thereof to the tips thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The combination as defined in  claim 12 , wherein a rear wall connects a left side wall and a right side wall of the housing together; said rear wall being located proximate each rear leg; wherein the rear wall comprises a first wall section that extends outwardly from an inner surface of the left side wall and a second wall section that extends outwardly from an inner surface of the right side wall and the first and second wall sections are selectively separated from each other to introduce the roll of tape into the cavity. 
     
     
         18 . The combination as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the first and second wall sections are selectively interlockingly engaged with each other. 
     
     
         19 . The combination as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the roll of tape extends outwardly beyond the rear edges of the rear legs. 
     
     
         20 . The combination as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the housing is movable through about 90 degrees between the first orientation and the second orientation.