Tape dispenser

A dispenser for storing a roll of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape, dispensing a segment of tape from said roll, and severing said segment therefrom comprising:

• a receptacle sized compatibly to contain the roll of tape, said receptacle comprising an aligned pair of substantially rectangular side walls, a base wall connecting the lower edges of the side walls, a first top panel connecting corresponding segments of the upper edges of the side walls adjacent the upper rear corners thereof, a second top panel connecting segments of the upper edges of the side walls adjacent the forward corners thereof,
• said first top panel and said second top panel and said side walls defining an opening between the panels for withdrawing tape therethrough from said roll, and
• cutting means for severing a segment of the withdrawn tape, said cutting means including an angle member having a first planar member positioned on and attached to said second top panel, the forward edge of said planar member extending beyond said forward corner and being sharpened for severing tape, and a second planar member affixed to the rear edge of said first planar member substantially perpendicular thereto, said second planar member being adjacent said opening in the receptacle,
• said first planar member including embossed multiple protrusions sufficient to endow said member with easy-release characteristics when the adhesive side of said tape is pressed thereagainst, the surface area of the protrusions in contact with the tape constituting less than about 25% of the nominal area of the upper surface of said first planar member, said first planar member having a length in the range from about 1/3 to about 1.5 times the width of said tape,
• said second planar member having a substantially linear upper edge running substantially parallel to said forward edge of said first planar member, said upper edge being at least about two tape thicknesses above the tops of said embossed protrusions, and
• a stiffening member comprising a planar front panel attached at its upper end to said second top panel, the other end of said front panel abutting said base wall, thereby giving structural support against downward forces on said second top panel.

A dispenser for storing a roll of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape, dispensing a segment of tape from said roll, and severing said segment therefrom comprising:

• a receptacle sized compatibly to contain a roll of tape, said receptacle having an opening for withdrawing tape therethrough from said roll, and
• cutting means for severing a segment of the withdrawn tape, said cutting means comprising a planar member attached to the receptacle and oriented with respect to said opening so that when the cutting means is used for severing said segment the withdrawn tape is positioned with its adhesive side facing said planar member at an acute angle therewith,
• said receptacle including
• an aligned pair of substantially rectangular side walls,
• a base wall connecting the lower edges of the side walls,
• a first top panel connecting corresponding segments of the upper edges of the side walls adjacent the upper rear corners of said side walls,
• a second top panel connecting segments of the upper edges of the side walls adjacent the forward corners thereof, said first top panel and said second top panel and said side walls defining said opening in the receptacle between the panels for withdrawing tape therefrom,
• a stiffening member having a planar front panel attached at its upper end to said second top panel, the other end of said front panel abutting said base wall, and
• a base panel integrally connected to said other end of said front panel substantially perpendicular thereto, said base panel slidably resting on and aligned with said base wall over a substantial portion of the length thereof within said receptacle.