Tape Dispensers

The Excell EX-17 Steel Desk Top Tape Dispenser is an industrial-grade steel desk tape dispenser that’s made for 3-inch diameter core tape. It can hold up to a 5-inch outside roll diameter, so it’s ideal for office supply tapes.

I’ve been using similar tape dispensers at the pharmacy since I started in 2002 and this one is by far the best. The suction cups hold it to the surface well and the blase is extremely sharp (cut myself a few times).

We have 2″ rolls and 1″ inch rolls of prescription tape to protect the labels of all the drug bottles and vials we dispense. This single machine can easily hold both at the same time making it super convenient.

The history of tape dispensers dates back to the early 20th century when adhesive tapes became commercially available. In the early 1900s, when adhesive tapes were introduced, they were typically sold in rolls without any built-in dispensing mechanism. Users had to manually cut or tear off the desired length of tape. This process was often cumbersome and time-consuming. The first advancements in tape dispensers involved the introduction of hand-held devices.

These early tape dispensers consisted of a handle or grip with a serrated metal blade attached to it. Users would place the roll of tape on the dispenser, pull out the desired length, and use the blade to cut the tape. While these dispensers offered improved convenience, they still required manual cutting.

As adhesive tapes gained popularity for various applications, including packaging and office use, desk-mounted tape dispensers were developed. These dispensers typically featured a weighted base and a cutting mechanism that allowed users to pull out the desired length of tape and cut it easily.

Desk-mounted tape dispensers became a staple in offices, providing a more efficient and convenient way to dispense tape. In more recent years, automatic tape dispensers have been introduced. These devices use electric motors and sensors to automatically dispense and cut tape.

They often feature adjustable tape lengths, programmable settings, and additional features for efficiency and productivity. Automatic tape dispensers are commonly used in industrial and manufacturing settings, where large volumes of tape need to be dispensed quickly. Over time, tape dispensers have continued to evolve in design, functionality, and efficiency.

They now come in various sizes, shapes, and configurations to meet different needs, from basic manual dispensers to advanced automatic models. The development of tape dispensers has significantly improved the ease and efficiency of using adhesive tapes in various applications.

The Excell EX-17 either comes with a weighted, rubber-lined base that can be removed if you want to mount the unit directly to the work surface or keep it on for additional surface protection OR a sturdy, metal base, suction cups for a quick mounting option and a safety guard over the serrated blade to protect the user.

I might get one for the home to use with my rocketry hobby. It would be useful to have three rolls of tape, clear and masking, handy on my workbench. The yellow plastic blade guard is useful when moving the dispenser around. I highly recommend this item.