| A tape dispenser is an object that holds a | | | | come equipped with photosensors in order to |
| roll of tape and has a mechanism on one end | | | | detect the presence or absence of a piece of |
| to easily shear the tape. Dispensers vary | | | | tape and facilitate advancement. Dispensers |
| widely per the tape they dispense. Abundant | | | | can also be equipped with dual photosensors |
| and most common, clear tape dispensers (like | | | | in order to dispense two rolls of tape at |
| those used in an office or at home) are | | | | once. |
| commonly made of plastic, and may be | | | | |
| disposable. | | | | • Creaser – Creasers are |
| | | | installed on tape dispensers in order to |
| Automatic Electronic Tape Dispenser | | | | reinforce tapes that are very thin or have |
| | | | the tendency to curl up (tapes made of Mylar |
| Automatic electronic tape dispensers, or tape | | | | and Kapton often have this tendency). |
| machines, automatically dispense and cut | | | | |
| pressure-sensitive tape. They are often used | | | | • Safety Guard Cutting Head – |
| in an industrial setting to increase | | | | With a safety guard cutting head, cutting |
| productivity along manufacturing or assembly | | | | blades cannot function if a foreign object is |
| lines. They eliminate the need to manually | | | | obstructing the cutting area (fingers, tools, |
| measure and cut each individual piece of tape | | | | etc.). |
| on high volumes of product or packaging. By | | | | |
| automating this process, automatic tape | | | | • Programmable Memory – With a |
| dispensers reduce material waste caused by | | | | programmable memory, users have the option of |
| human error. They also reduce the time needed | | | | saving any number of preset lengths, |
| to cut each piece of tape, therefore reducing | | | | depending on the dispenser, for automatic |
| labor costs and increasing productivity. | | | | feeding and cutting. |
| | | | |
| Automatic tape dispensers are often | | | | • Interval Switch – Allows the |
| classified into 3 categories: | | | | user to control the speed at which the tape |
| | | | is automatically dispensed and cut. |
| • Light-duty: For light, non-industrial | | | | |
| use | | | | • Counter – Maintains a running |
| | | | total of the amount of pieces dispensed. |
| • Industrial: A sturdier dispenser | | | | |
| meant for use over one 8 hour shift per day | | | | • Foot switch – Plugs into the |
| | | | dispenser and gives the user hands-free |
| • Heavy-duty: The sturdiest of | | | | operation. Dispenses a piece of tape each |
| automatic tape dispensers, constructed to | | | | time the switch is pressed. |
| withstand 24/7 use in back to back shifts | | | | |
| | | | Gummed (Water Activated) Tape Dispenser |
| Due to the varying attributes of pressure | | | | |
| sensitive tape, there are many different | | | | Gummed (water activated) tape dispensers |
| features of automatic tape dispensers which | | | | measure, dispense, moisten, and cut gummed or |
| vary from model to model: | | | | water activated tape. This tape is often |
| | | | composed of a paper backing and adhesive glue |
| • Adjustable Pressure Feed – | | | | that is unable to adhere until it is |
| Allows the user to control the amount of | | | | “activated†by contact with |
| pressure placed on the tape when it is fed | | | | water. To perform this step, gummed |
| through the advancement rollers. This feature | | | | dispensers often employ a water bottle and |
| is useful for more efficient dispensing of | | | | wetting brush in order to moisten each piece |
| tapes of all different thicknesses. | | | | of tape as it is dispensed. Many gummed |
| | | | dispensers also feature a top heater, which |
| • Modified Advancement Rollers – | | | | is mounted over the feed area in order to |
| Depending on the type of tape being | | | | warm and maintain the dispenser’s |
| dispensed, many automatic dispensers have | | | | water temperature. These heaters are used to |
| modified advancement rollers in order to | | | | ensure maximum wetting and are ideal for cold |
| function better with extra narrow tapes, | | | | climates. Gummed tape dispensers are often |
| protective film, foam tapes, etc. | | | | used in packaging or shipping departments for |
| | | | closing cardboard boxes. |
| • Photosensor – Many dispensers | | | | |