Tape dispensing applicator and replaceable tape cartridge

An applicator for dispensing tape, the tape having an adhesive on at least one face thereof, the applicator comprising:

• (a) a shell having opposite sides, a first end and a second end, the first end including an open region and a first slot;
• (b) a door pivotably attached to the shell;
• (c) a tape cartridge removably located on the door, the cartridge including means for rotatably supporting a roll of the tape, wherein a leading edge of the tape extends outwardly from the roll;
• (d) a cover member having an open portion and a closed portion, the cover member being connected to the first end of the shell for pivotable movement thereabout along a predetermined path;
• (e) a slider having a first end which is pivotally connected to the cover member and having a button which extends through the first slot in the shell, a cutter actuator being located on the slider inside the shell, the slider being slidably attached to the shell for sliding movement between a first position, in which the cover member covers the open region of the shell, and a second position, in which the cover member is spaced from the open region, and the cutter actuator is movable in response to pressure applied to the button;
• (f) a cutting tool having a support arm with a first end which supports a cutting instrument and a second end which is pivotally connected to the shell, and a resilient member which biases the support arm to a first position in which the cutting instrument is retracted in the shell, the cutting instrument being movable from the first position to a second position by the application of pressure to the button on the slider such that the cutter actuator moves the support arm and the cutting instrument extends through the open region of the shell.