System for opening sealed packages, tape dispenser, and tape

A gummed tape dispensing apparatus comprising:

• a frame with a storage area for storing gummed tape therein, and having an exit area through which gummed tape is dispensed;
• a feeding mechanism connected to the frame, the feeding mechanism feeding the gummed tape from the storage area to the exit area;
• and
• a wetting system connected to the frame for wetting a side of the gummed tape and activating a moisture activated adhesive on the side of the gummed tape;
• wherein the wetting system has a shield which covers part of the wetting system and prevents a portion of the side of the gummed tape from being wetted while an adjoining portion of the side of the gummed tape is wetted by the wetting system when the gummed tape is fed past the wetting system by the feeding mechanism.

A gummed tape dispensing apparatus comprising:

• a frame with a storage area for storing gummed tape therein, and having an exit area through which gummed tape is dispensed;
• a feeding mechanism connected to the frame, the feeding mechanism feeding the gummed tape from the storage area to the exit area;
• and
• a wetting system connected to the frame for wetting a side of the gummed tape and activating a moisture activated adhesive on the side of the gummed tape;
• wherein the wetting system has a shield which covers part of the wetting system and prevents a portion of the side of the gummed tape from being wetted while an adjoining portion of the side of the gummed tape is wetted by the wetting system when the gummed tape is fed past the wetting system by the feeding mechanism, the shield comprising a base member for mounting the shield on the wetting system and a flat strip member depending from the base member, the flat strip member extending in a tape feed direction over the top of a wetting brush of the wetting system,
• wherein the flat strip member is biased against the top of the wetting brush and presses the top of the wetting brush away from the side of the gummed tape.

A gummed tape dispensing apparatus comprising:

• a frame with a storage area for storing gummed tape therein, and having an exit area through which gummed tape is dispensed;
• a feeding mechanism connected to the frame, the feeding mechanism feeding the gummed tape from the storage area to the exit area;
• a cutting section mounted to the frame, the cutting section having a cutting blade for cutting the gummed tape into sections dispensed through the exit area;
• and
• a wetting system connected to the frame for wetting a side of the gummed tape and activating a moisture activated adhesive on the side of the gummed tape;
• wherein the cutting blade has a first cutting edge for making a transverse cut across the tape, the cutting blade having a pair of secondary cutting edges projecting from the cutting blade for cutting slots into each section cut by the cutting blade, the slots being at an angle to the transverse cut.