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.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]This invention relates to a correction tape dispenser for laying down a strip or band of correction composition onto a surface, most usually paper, e.g. to cover markings thereon to facilitate the correction of a mistake.[0003]2. Description of the Prior Art[0004]There are known correction tape dispensers which have supply and take-up spools for the tape mounted within a case to rotate about parallel axes with the supply spool being coupled to drive the take up spool through a slipping clutch arrangement. The case may be adapted to be held directly in the hand of the user, or it may form a cartridge which is inserted into a re-usable outer housing. A length of tape extending between the spools is guided to pass out of the casing and around a tip having a relatively sharp edge which is used to press the tape against the surface onto which the correction strip is to be applied. The tape consists of a ribbon, e.g. of plast...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]The tip employed in the dispenser of the invention allows the dispenser to be held in an orientation similar to that in which a writing instrument is normally held, namely inclined forwardly and downwardly away from the person using it, preferably at an angle to the paper in the range of 45° to 75°. As well as enabling a more natural holding position, the dispenser can allow the tip to be more readily viewed as the case enclosing the spools, and the hand of the user, can be disposed so as not to impede the user's sight of the tip. Thus, the convenience of use of the dispenser may be a substantial improvement on the prior art devices. The tape guidance can be simplified by the supply and take-up spools having their axes perpendicular to a plane containing the tip edge and substantially parallel to the feed direction.

[0009]To retain the tape in proper cooperation with the tip edge, tape retaining means may be provided adjacent the edge on one or both sides of the tip. The retaining means can be arranged to prevent unintentional disengagement of the tape from the tip edge by defining with the tip a substantially closed eye through which the tape passes. The tip edge may have extensions to reduce risk of the tape becoming displaced over the edge extremities.

Problems solved by technology

To a large extent the difficulty of ensuring the correct orientation of the tip is due to the device having to be held in an unnatural attitude, especially when the spools are arranged with their axes parallel to the tip edge.

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