Correction tape dispenser

Abstract

In a correction tape dispenser, wherein a backing ribbon carrying a layer of correcting composition is fed from a supply spool ( 2 ) around the edge ( 6 ) of an applicator tip ( 10 ) used to press the tape against a paper surface (P) to transfer the layer of correcting composition onto the paper, and back to a take-up spool ( 3 ), a tape guide system ( 11,12; 22,23 ) is provided near the tip to redirect the tape, the tip edge ( 6 ) being at an angle to the feed direction so that the body of the tape dispenser may be held in a forwardly and downwardly inclined orientation similar to that in which a writing instrument is normally held.

1. A correction tape dispenser comprising:
 a tape comprising a carrier ribbon with correction composition thereon, ; 
 supply and take-up spools for the tape, ; and, 
 a tip having an edge for pressing the tape against a surface, a portion of the tape between the supply and take-up spools being guided to extend around said edge, wherein the edge is inclined to a feed direction which is the direction of travel of the tape leaving the supply spool, and ;  
   wherein  the tip includes guide means on either side of the edge which operate in conjunction with the shape of the tip for twisting the tape so that the path of the tape around the edge between the guide means is in a plane substantially perpendicular to said edge and inclined to the feed direction.  
 
     
     
       2. A correction tape dispenser according to  claim 1 ,  A correction tape dispenser comprising:
   a tape comprising a carrier ribbon with correction composition thereon;    
   supply and take - up spools for the tape; and,    
   a tip having an edge for pressing the tape against a surface, a portion of the tape between the supply and take - up spools being guided to extend around said edge, wherein the edge is inclined to a feed direction which is the direction of travel of the tape leaving the supply spool;    
   wherein the tip includes guide means on either side of the edge which operate in conjunction with the shape of the tip for twisting the tape so that the path of the tape around the edge between the guide means is in a plane substantially perpendicular to said edge and inclined to the feed direction;   
 wherein the guide means on at least one side of the edge comprises a linear edge around which the tape passes from one side to the other side thereof.  
 
     
     
       3. A correction tape dispenser according to  claim 2 , wherein the linear edges are provided on both sides and are defined by parallel ridges. 
     
     
       4. A correction tape dispenser according to  claim 3 ,  A correction tape dispenser comprising:
   a tape comprising a carrier ribbon with correction composition thereon;    
   supply and take - up spools for the tape; and,    
   a tip having an edge for pressing the tape against a surface, a portion of the tape between the supply and take - up spools being guided to extend around said edge, wherein the edge is inclined to a feed direction which is the direction of travel of the tape leaving the supply spool;    
   wherein the tip includes guide means on either side of the edge which operate in conjunction with the shape of the tip for twisting the tape so that the path of the tape around the edge between the guide means is in a plane substantially perpendicular to said edge and inclined to the feed direction;    
   wherein the guide means on at least one side of the edge comprises a linear edge around which the tape passes from one side to the other side thereof;    
   wherein the linear edges are provided on both sides and are defined by parallel ridges; and   
 wherein the tape extends to the inner faces of the respective ridges from the supply and take-up spools, respectively.  
 
     
     
       5. A correction tape dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein tape positioning means are provided to determine a first fixed position from which the tape passes to the tip in the feed direction, and a second fixed position to which the tape passes after leaving the tip. 
     
     
       6. A correction tape dispenser according to  claim 5  wherein the tip is provided by a unitary member and said tape positioning means are attached to said tip  unitary member. 
     
     
       7. A correction tape dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the guide means on at least one side of the tip comprises a guide element around which the tape passes to define a bend in the tape path. 
     
     
       8. A correction tape dispenser according to  claim 7 , wherein the guide element defines an arcuate surface contacted by the tape and the arcuate surface has an axis substantially perpendicular to a plane containing  that contains the tip edge and that is parallel to the feed direction. 
     
     
       9. A correction tape dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the guide means on at least one side of the tip comprises a guide element, the guide element twists the tape substantially through 90° between the feed direction and the tip edge. 
     
     
       10. A correction tape dispenser according to  claim 9 , wherein guide elements are provided on both sides of the tip. 
     
     
       11. A correction tape dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the supply and take-up spools have rotational axes substantially perpendicular to a plane containing  that contains the tip edge and that is parallel to the tape feed direction. 
     
     
       12. A correction tape dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the tip  edge direction  and the feed direction are at an angle in the range of about 45° to 75° to each other. 
     
     
       13. A correction tape dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein retaining means are provided adjacent at least one side of the tip edge for maintaining the tape in correct cooperation with said edge. 
     
     
       14. A correction tape dispenser according to  claim 13 , wherein the retaining means comprises a pair of projections between which the tape passes. 
     
     
       15. A correction tape dispenser according to  claim 14 ,  A correction tape dispenser comprising:
   a tape comprising a carrier ribbon with correction composition thereon;    
   supply and take - up spools for the tape; and,    
   a tip having an edge for pressing the tape against a surface, a portion of the tape between the supply and take - up spools being guided to extend around said edge, wherein the edge is inclined to a feed direction which is the direction of travel of the tape leaving the supply spool;    
   wherein the tip includes guide means on either side of the edge which operate in conjunction with the shape of the tip for twisting the tape so that the path of the tape around the edge between the guide means is in a plane substantially perpendicular to said edge and inclined to the feed direction;    
   wherein retaining means are provided adjacent at least one side of the tip edge for maintaining the tape in correct cooperation with said edge;    
   wherein the retaining means comprises a pair of projections between which the tape passes; and   
 wherein an element extends between the projections to prevent the tape becoming disengaged therefrom.  
 
     
     
       16. A correction tape dispenser according to  claim 13 ,  A correction tape dispenser comprising:
   a tape comprising a carrier ribbon with correction composition thereon;    
   supply and take - up spools for the tape; and,    
   a tip having an edge for pressing the tape against a surface, a portion of the tape between the supply and take - up spools being guided to extend around said edge, wherein the edge is inclined to a feed direction which is the direction of travel of the tape leaving the supply spool;    
   wherein the tip includes guide means on either side of the edge which operate in conjunction with the shape of the tip for twisting the tape so that the path of the tape around the edge between the guide means is in a plane substantially perpendicular to said edge and inclined to the feed direction;    
   wherein retaining means are provided adjacent at least one side of the tip edge for maintaining the tape in correct cooperation with said edge; and   
 wherein the tape retaining means is arranged to define with the tip an eye through which the tape passes.  
 
     
     
       17. A correction tape dispenser according to  claim 16 , wherein the retaining means comprises a pair of oppositely directed L-shaped projections, a slot being formed between the projections to allow the tape to be inserted through the eye. 
     
     
       18. A correction tape dispenser according to  claim 16 , wherein the retaining means comprises a part surrounding the tip to form an eye on either side thereof. 
     
     
       19. A correction tape dispenser according to  claim 18 , wherein said retaining part is a collar engaged with a push fit over the tip edge. 
     
     
       20. A correction tape dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the tip edge is provided with extension portions to reduce the chances of the tape becoming displaced over an end extremity of the tip edge. 
     
     
       21. A correction tape dispenser according to  claim 1 , further including a case enclosing the supply and take-up spools, the case being elongated substantially in the feed direction. 
     
     
       22. A correction tape dispenser comprising:
   a tape comprising a carrier ribbon with correction composition thereon;        supply and take - up spools for the tape; and,        a tip having an edge for pressing the tape against a surface, a portion of the tape between the supply and take - up spools being guided to extend around said edge, wherein the edge is inclined to a feed direction which is the direction of travel of the tape leaving the supply spool;        wherein the tip includes guide means on either side of the edge which operate in conjunction with the shape of the tip for twisting the tape so that the path of the tape from the guide means toward the edge in a direction substantially perpendicular to the edge and around the edge between the guide means is in a plane substantially perpendicular to said edge and inclined to the feed direction.