Refillable tape dispensers

摘要

The invention comprises a hub (106; 106A; 206) with a longitudinal axis defining an axial direction for use in a refillable tape dispenser (100; 101; 200; 400) including a housing (102; 102A; 202; 402) with a sidewall (104; 104A; 204; 404). The hub comprises inner and outer surfaces, a first end fixed to the side wall (104; 104A; 204; 404), and first and second opposed flexible portions (116, 118; 116A, 118A; 220, 222; 420, 422) having distal ends remote from the side wall (104; 104A; 204; 404). The first and second opposed flexible portions (116, 118; 116A, 118A; 220, 222; 420, 422) project axially from the side wall (104; 104A; 204; 404), and the flexible portions have generally axially extending side surfaces. The hub also includes retaining lugs (131, 132; 131A, 132A; 231, 232; 431, 432) at the distal end of the flexible portions (116, 118; 116A, 118A; 220, 222; 420, 422). The retaining lugs have a remote end spaced axially from the flexible portion. The retaining lugs have a first retaining surface (140, 142; 140A, 142A; 240, 242) adjacent the flexible portion projecting radially outward of the flexible portion and have an outer edge (75, 77; 75A, 77A; 275, 277); and a second retaining surface (141, 143; 141A, 143A; 241, 243) adjacent the flexible portion projecting radially inward of the flexible portion and have an inner edge (74, 76; 74A, 76A; 274, 276). The retaining lugs (131, 132; 131A, 132A; 231, 232; 431, 432) also have cam surfaces (161, 162, 165, 166; 151, 152, 153, 154; 261, 262, 265, 266) diverging from the remote end of the retaining lugs (131, 132; 131A, 132A; 231, 232; 431, 432) toward the edges (75, 77; 75A, 77A; 275, 277; 74, 76; 74A, 76A; 274, 276) of the first and second retaining surfaces of the retaining lugs. In another embodiment of the invention, the hub includes ribs (450) at the distal end of each of the flexible portions (420, 422) which project radially outward of the flexible portions (420, 422) and have axially extending arcuate bearing surfaces (452). The hubs (106; 106A; 206) for tape dispensers (100; 101; 200; 400) according to the present invention restrict backcard (300A, 300B, 300C, 370) separation from the dispenser (100; 101; 200; 400), and restrict backcard rotation relative to the dispenser (400) to afford proper presentation to the consumer.