Tape Dispensers Get Less Frustrating with This One-Handed Design
Packing up boxes for moving, mailing or storing can be a giant pain if you’re using those flimsy plastic packing tape dispensers. Unless you’re an expert at keeping the tape from sticking to itself and tearing off pieces one-handed, you’re probably familiar with the irritating qualities of those plastic dispensers.
Black & Blum, makers of all kinds of useful household things, has created a packing tape dispenser that is much easier to use and can even be used one-handed. The On a Roll dispenser is made of cast iron and weighs a hefty 2.3 pounds. Thanks to its creative cantilevered design, the tape unrolls easily and can be torn with a simple gesture.
The On a Roll will run you an eye-popping $43.50, which adds up to something like 9 of those flimsy plastic packing tape dispensers (or about 25 of regular household tape) – but it seems like the ease of use is worth the initial expenditure, and you’ll never have to replace it. Besides its usefulness, the On a Roll is a piece of clever design that manages to be a simple but beautiful piece of practical design that you wouldn’t be embarrassed to display on your desk.
About Black+Blum
“Founded by a man on a mission to rid the world of single-use plastic bottles and take away containers, Dan Black leads the design team at Black+Blum, and has done for over 20 years. His single goal is to create products which are functional, innovative and most importantly, made to last.”
“Although Black+Blum started as a consultancy creating products for other companies, our passion lay in developing and selling our own designs. We launched our first range of lighting in 2000 – these were simple figurative and playful designs that were hugely successful and so the range quickly grew. In 2002, we entered the homeware market with the launch of our award-winning and iconic ‘James the doorman’ doorstop. Other award-winning designs swiftly followed with the ‘Propello’ fan, ‘High & Dry’ dishrack, ‘Hot Pot’ barbecue and ‘Loop’ candelabra.”
