Wrapping and tensioning device

A tape wrapping and dispensing device for wrapping stretchable tape around a pipe or other elongate body, the device comprising:

• a support plate having a dispensing end and a lower edge defining a tape dispensing outlet region and an opposing distal end;
• a carrier shaft, extending from said support plate between said dispensing and distal ends, on which a supply roll of stretchable tape can be rotatably mounted;
• at least three rollers mounted at the dispensing end of the support plate, the tension rollers being configured in a generally rectangular arrangement and comprising a lower dispensing roller immediately adjacent said tape dispensing outlet region, an upper dispensing roller and an intermediate roller located adjacent to, and between, the upper and lower dispensing rollers such that the upper dispensing roller and the intermediate roller define a first nip and the intermediate roller and the lower dispensing roller define a second nip;
• wherein, in use, the free end of the stretchable tape can be removed from the supply roll and passed, first, between the first nip and then between the second nip before being secured to a pipe or other elongate body, and then, with the lower dispensing roller in direct contact with the stretchable tape secured to the pipe or other elongate body, the device can be moved in a first circumferential direction around said pipe or other elongate body to cause rotation of said lower dispensing roller in said first circumferential direction and simultaneously dispense and wind the tape therearound;
• the tension rollers being configured to grip the stretchable tape, in use, such that the device applies a tensile load to the stretchable tape and the stretchable tape dispensed from the tape dispensing outlet is under tension, and the lower dispensing roller acts to press the stretchable tape onto the pipe or elongate body as it is dispensed.