EP2347689A1

EP2347689A1 - A dispensing method and device of roll paper operated by single hand

Info

Publication number: EP2347689A1
Application number: EP09714223A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yung-Huei Lan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-02-27
Filing date: 2009-02-27
Publication date: 2011-07-27
Also published as: CN101518426A; WO2009106010A1; EP2347689A4; US20090212149A1; CN101518426B

Abstract

A dispensing device of roll paper operated by single hand includes a pushable active shell (13) which has a housing containing roll paper and making the roll paper move in it. A cutting mechanism (2) is installed at an exit (133) of roll paper inside the shell. The dispensing device of roll paper also includes a pushing, clamping and fixing mechanism (3), which cooperates with the cutting mechanism (2) and makes the appropriated length of paper tape be supported or fixed. The device can be operated by single hand and the roll paper is replaced conveniently. A method of dispensing roll paper of the device is as follows: firstly, grasping the paper head hanging at the exit by hand, and drawing out a fit length of paper tape, then pushing the shell to make the roll paper move in the housing, the cutting mechanism works at the same time and cuts off the paper tape, at last, the paper head moves out of the point of cutting when the shell resets.

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to articles for daily use and, more particularly, to a dispensing method and device of roll paper operable by single hand.

Related Art

Roll paper is being more and more widely used during daily life. Currently, the roll paper is typically disposed in a roll paper barrel. During use, one needs to pull out a portion of the roll paper with one hand, and break that paper portion with the other hand. Therefore, the roll paper is usually formed with breaking points every a certain distance for facilitating the break of the paper. In addition, roll paper barrels used in a bathroom often include teeth formed at a paper exit thereof. The teeth also facilitate breaking the paper. During use, people may often need to pull and break the paper with single hand, for example, when he or she is holding a beverage with one hand, or is busy in cooking, or there is something wrong with one hand. Obviously, the above roll paper barrel cannot be easily operated with single hand, which is inconvenient to use and needs to be improved.

Summary Of The Invention

Technical Problem

Existing roll paper barrels cannot be easily operated with single hand, which is inconvenient to use and needs to be improved.

Technical Solution

One object of the present invention is to provide a roll paper dispensing method in which the roll paper in the housing can be automatically pulled and cut apart and the paper head can extend out by pushing the housing, thus achieving the single hand operation function.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a roll paper dispensing method carrying out the aforementioned method.
To achieve the above objects, the present invention provides the following technical solutions.
The present invention provides a roll paper dispensing method that can be carried out by single hand, characterized in that: a pushable movable housing is provided, the housing has a receiving space for receiving a paper roll and allowing the paper roll to move therein, a cutting mechanism is disposed at an exit of the housing, the paper band is pulled by a user hand grasping a paper head extending out of the exit, the housing is then pushed causing the paper roll received in the housing to move, the cutting mechanism disposed in the housing operates to cut apart the paper band, the paper head moves automatically outwardly from where the paper band is cut apart after the housing returns to its original position.
Preferably, by pushing the housing to cause the housing to slope and the paper roll in the housing to roll, or rotate, or translate, or move and rotate, or roll and translate, or rotate and move, or rotate, roll and translate, the paper is pulled out of the paper roll to form the paper band.
Preferably, the housing comprises at least two housing parts that are movable relative to each other, by the relative movement of the housing parts, the paper roll rolls, or rotates, or moves, or moves and rotates, or rolls and moves, or rotates and moves, or rotates, rolls and moves, such that the paper is pulled out of the paper roll to form the paper band.
Further, the housing further includes a paper band pushing and supporting mechanism corresponding to the cutting mechanism, after a determined length of paper band is pulled or pushed, the paper band is partially clamped or held, and cut apart by the cutting mechanism.
Further, the paper band pushing and supporting mechanism includes a clamping, pushing and supporting mechanism configured to bend the paper band along a longitudinal and/or transverse direction, or wind and bend the paper band along the longitudinal direction, for facilitating delivery of the paper band that has been pulled out.
The present invention also provides a roll paper dispensing device operable by single hand, characterized in that the dispending device includes:
a housing which is a pushable movable element having a receiving space for movably receiving a paper roll therein, the housing configured as a mounting or support element; and
a cutting mechanism disposed within the housing on a movement path of a paper band, the cutting mechanism including at least one cutter, the cutter configured to be driven by the housing to move toward the paper band to cut apart the paper band when the housing is pushed.
The motion of the paper roll in the receiving space of the housing is rolling, or rotation, or translating, or rolling and rotation, or rolling and translating, or rotating or translating, or rotating, rolling and translating.
Further, the dispensing device further includes another housing connectable to the housing for relative movement therebetween.
The housings are hinged to and hence pivotable relative to each other.
The housing includes a paper exit.
The housings are two recessed structures that are couplable to each other to form the space for receiving the paper roll.
The housing further includes a shell having a driving surface for facilitating the pushing by a user, the shell includes a driving arm connected to the driving surface, and the driving arm is configured to drive the two housings to move relative to each other.
Further, the dispensing device further includes a supporting bracket configured to support and be hinged to the housing.
The cutting mechanism further includes a mating part configured to cooperate with the cutter to cut apart the paper band, the cutter and the mating part are disposed on opposite sides of the plane of the paper band.
The cutter has a curved front edge that has two front ends protruding forwards and a middle portion recessed rearwards.
The side surface of the cutter gradually is raised from two sides to the middle.
The mating part is an element engagable with the cutter and having or not having a cutting edge.
Alternatively, the mating part is element engagable with the cutter to achieve cross cut or abutment cut.
The cutter or mating part is formed, at one end thereof, with an arcuate transition plane that extends forwardly and downwardly.
A movable base is disposed at a movement path of the paper band in the housing, the movable base being movable relative to the paper band. The movable base is connected to the housing through an axle and driven to rotate by a crank mechanism. The crank mechanism includes a driving arm to which the movable base is connected, another end of the driving arm is formed with a slide axle, the slide axle is disposed on another housing movable relative to the housing, the another housing defines a driving slot in which the slide axle is slidable to thereby drive the movable base to move.
The cutter mechanism includes a cutter and a mating part engagable with the cutter to cut apart the paper band, the cutter is installed on the movable base, and the mating part is disposed on the housing on which the movable base is disposed and disposed in front of the cutter.
The housing includes a retractable element therein, the cutting mechanism includes a cutter and a mating part engagable with the cutter to cut apart the paper band, the retractable element has one end connected to the cutter or the mating part, another end of the retractable element protrudes out of the housing, the mating part or cutter is disposed in the housing at a location corresponding to the cutter or the mating part connected to the retractable element, the retractable element is retractable into the housing to cause the cutter and mating part to engage to cut apart the paper band by pushing the housing.
Further, the dispending device further includes a paper band pushing and supporting mechanism disposed in a chamber of the housing adjacent the cutting mechanism, the paper band pushing and supporting mechanism configured to cooperate with the cutting mechanism to pull, push or hold the paper band.
The paper band pushing and supporting mechanism may include two supporting brackets that are symmetrically disposed on two housings that are hinged to each other, the supporting brackets includes positioning blocks that are engagable with each other.
The paper band pushing and supporting mechanism may include a paper roll center shaft for supporting the paper roll, the paper roll center shaft has opposite ends disposed in slots defined in the housing for allowing the paper roll to slide along the slot.
The slot is a long slot with ratchets formed on the wall of the slot, the opposite ends of the paper roll center shaft include ratchet axles that are engagable with the ratchets.
Further, a plurality of roller wheels or roller shafts are disposed on the bottom of the second housing, for allowing the paper roll placed on the bottom of the second housing to roll. Axles extending from opposite ends of the roller wheels or roller shafts extend through long axle holes defined in the second shell, the long axle hole has one end greater than another end in diameter.
The paper band pushing and supporting mechanism may include a pushing bracket on which the paper roll is disposed, the pushing bracket is hinged to the housing that supports the paper band; a driving cam is disposed on the another housing movable relative to the housing that supports the paper band, a cam follower is disposed on the pushing bracket, for engaging with the driving cam, when the another housing is depressed, the cam follower drives the pushing bracket to pivot rearwards so as to allow the paper band to be pulled out. The pushing bracket may further include a latch for positioning the pushing bracket at a pivotal position, and the housing that supports the paper band includes an elastic stop for engaging with the latch.
Further, the dispensing device further includes a paper band reinforcing mechanism disposed on a path of the paper band, a surface of the paper band reinforcing mechanism for contacting the paper band is has a concave-convex shape along the transverse and/or longitudinal direction thereof, such that the paper band has a curve cross-section after the paper band touches the paper band reinforcing mechanism.
The concave-convex shape is a continuous-wave shape.
The concave-convex shape is formed at opposite sides of a plane of the paper band, with concave and convex portions staggeringly clamping the paper band, the paper band has a curved cross-section at locations where it is clamped.
The concave-convex shape is formed by extensions spaced apart.
The extensions spaced apart include ratchets on extension ends of the extensions for contacting the paper band.
Each of the extensions spaced apart has a extension end hinged thereto to allow pivotal movement of the extension end.
The concave-convex shape is formed by extensions spaced apart at opposite sides of a plane of the paper band, the extensions connected to housings that are different and movable relative to each other.
The concave-convex shape is formed by bodies that are discontinuously disposed at opposite sides of a plane of the paper band, the bodies connected to housings that are different and movable relative to each other, respectively. The movable arm is an elastic member.
Further, The dispensing device further includes two rows of elastic support fingers disposed on housings that are different and movable relative to each other, respectively, the relatively movable housings are crossed to clamp the paper band when closed to each other.
In the housing, a paper band guide member is disposed between the paper roll receiving space and the cutting mechanism, the paper band guide member is disposed below the paper band, a paper band contacting surface of the paper band guide member is arcuate to bend the paper band supported on the paper band contacting surface and change a delivery direction of the paper band to deliver the paper band into the cutting mechanism.
Alternatively, the paper band guide member is disposed below the paper band, a paper band contacting surface of the paper band guide member is configured to bend the paper band supported on the paper band contacting surface and change a delivery direction of the paper band to deliver the paper band into the cutting mechanism.
A guide extension member is disposed on the housing adjacent the movable base, for being crosslingly arranged with the movable base.
The movable base includes a paper band bending member, the paper band bending member is spaced apart from the guide extension member, such that when the movable base pivots toward the guide extension member, the paper band is bent between the paper band bending member and the guide extension member.
A paper band support member is disposed between the paper band guide member and the paper roll, the paper band support member has a free end and is configured to abuttingly support the paper band.
The top portion of the paper band guide member and/or the paper band support member is formed to have a continuous-wave shape.
Two linking rods are disposed between the paper band guide member and the paper roll, opposite ends of each linking rods are connected to an upper axle and a lower axle, respectively, the upper axle is fixed to the guide extension member, the lower axle is fixed to the housing between the paper band guide member and the paper roll, thereby forming a four-rod swing mechanism, upper ends of the linking rods being movable ends, lower ends of the linking rods being fixed ends pivotable on the lower axles.
Two guide blocks are symmetrically disposed on the housing for guiding the paper band to slide to a middle area of the path of the paper, each guide block has an arcuate or inclined surface for contacting the paper.
A support tray is disposed below the cutting mechanism for support the falling paper that has been cut apart.
Further, a paper band loosening rod is disposed at the front end of the second shell, the paper band loosening rod includes a winding side at an underside of a front end thereof, for allowing the paper band pulled out to pass over the winding side by winding around the winding side, a rear portion of the paper band loosening rod is connected to the second shell with a pivot structure. The paper band loosening rod further includes a driving cam at the rear portion thereof, a stop block and a driving pin are also formed above or below the rear portion of the paper band loosening rod, for engaging with the rear portion of the paper band loosening rod, respectively, to control movement of the paper band loosening rod. The stop block is fixed to the side plate of the second shell, and the driving pin is fixed to the side plate of the supporting bracket.

Beneficial Result

In this invention, the pushable movable housing is provided. The paper roll is disposed in the housing to allow the paper head of the paper roll to be pulled out to form the paper band. After a desired length of paper band is pulled out by a user hand grasping the paper head, the housing is then pushed causing the cutting mechanism disposed at the paper exit to operate to cut apart the paper band. The paper head moves automatically outwardly from where the paper band is cut apart after the housing returns to its original position, for facilitating pulling the paper head next time. The single hand paper dispensing function is thus achieved.
The housing of the invention can be assembled by multiple pieces. Various pieces of the housing can be connected such that they are movable relative to each other. A paper roll can be placed therein when they are opened. The cutting mechanism operates by the user hand pushing the housing. By using the manual drive and the pushing of the user hand, it can be considered that a push button of the cutting mechanism is enlarged in size and becomes the housing or a part of the housing of this invention. By pushing this housing piece that has the function of the push button with hand, the cutting mechanism can be driven to cut the paper band. Because this modified push button has a large size and is exposed, the hand or other suitable parts of the user can easily touch and press the modified push button. It not only is convenient to operate, but also that a large force can easily apply to drive the cutting mechanism to cut the paper. Certain housing piece can be used to mount the dispensing device to a wall or a fixed object, or form a stand to support the dispensing device on a table surface.
The cutters of the cutting mechanism of this invention are openable and closable. When they are opened, paper can pass between the cutters. When they are closed, the paper is cut apart. Because the paper pulled out of the paper roll moves a certain distance before entering the cutting mechanism, after the cutters cut apart the paper, if the paper between the paper roll and the cutter suspends in midair, it would droop down into the housing away from the paper exit. When pulling out the paper next time, the user needs to pull the paper out of the paper exit from deep in the housing. This can be difficult. Therefore, to solve this problem, the present invention includes a paper supporting and clamping mechanism. In addition, using this supporting and clamping mechanism can prevent downward deformation of the soft paper thus preventing the paper from being bent during pushing and moving the paper, thus facilitating the pushing and moving of the paper. Furthermore, after the paper is cut apart, it is inconvenient to pull the paper between the cutter and the paper roll. Therefore, the present invention further includes the paper band pushing and supporting mechanism for pushing the paper head through the cutting mechanism and out of the paper exit such that a proper length of paper band can be exposed out of the housing for facilitating the pulling of the paper band from the paper roll. The pushing and supporting mechanism can further clampingly hold the paper during paper cutting, or clampingly hold the paper between the cutter and the paper roll after the paper band is cut apart but before the paper is pushed to the paper exit by the paper band pushing and supporting mechanism, thus preventing movement of the paper band for facilitating the delivery of the paper band by the paper band pushing and supporting mechanism. Moreover, for facilitating delivery of soft paper band, the present invention further includes the paper reinforcing mechanism. The paper reinforcing mechanism is disposed on the path of the paper band and has a concave-convex shape disposed on at least one side of the paper band. When contacting the concave-convex shape, the paper band is caused to have a curve cross-section, which reinforces the paper band along the delivery direction and prevents bending of the paper band thus facilitating the delivery of the paper band.
Because the paper can be cut apart by pushing the housing with the same hand that pulls the paper out of the paper roll, pulling and cutting the paper can be continuously operated and hence can be done easily by single hand. Thus, the present paper dispensing device is very convenient to use.
The present invention is adapted for dispensing of roll paper such as toilet paper, hand towel paper, kitchen paper towel, cook paper or tin-foil paper.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a side cross sectional (taken along a center cutting plane) view of the first embodiment, illustrating the opened state of the cutter.
Fig. 2a is a top view of the first embodiment, illustrating the state of the roll paper when the two support fingers are closed to each other.
Fig. 3 is a side cross sectional (taken along a center cutting plane) view of the first embodiment, illustrating the support fingers of the paper band pushing and supporting mechanism with soft sleeves attached thereon.
Fig. 4 is a side cross sectional (taken along a center cutting plane) view of the first embodiment, illustrating the state of the cutter cutting apart the paper band.
Fig. 5 is an exploded, perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 6 is a side cross sectional (taken along a center cutting plane) view of the second embodiment, illustrating the opened state of the cutter.
Fig. 7 is a side cross sectional (taken along a center cutting plane) view of the second embodiment, illustrating the state of the cutter cutting apart the paper band.
Fig. 7a is a top view of another example of the second embodiment of the support finger, illustrating the state of the paper when two support fingers are closed to each other.
Fig. 7b is a top view of another example of the second embodiment of the support finger.
Fig. 8 is an exploded, perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a shell of the third embodiment.
Fig. 10 is a partial side cross sectional view of the third embodiment, illustrating the opened state of the cutter.
Fig. 10a is a side cross sectional view of a first exemplary structure with the shell removed of the third embodiment.
Fig. 10b is a side cross sectional view of a second exemplary structure with the shell removed of the third embodiment.
Fig. 10c is a top view of Fig. 10b with the shell removed.
Fig. 11 is a side cross sectional (taken along a center cutting plane) view of the third embodiment.
Fig. 11a is a view illustrating another structure of the paper band support member of the third embodiment.
Fig. 12 is a side partial cross sectional view of a fourth embodiment with the side cover opened.
Fig. 13 is a cross sectional vie of Fig. 12 taken along line A-A thereof, illustrating the opened state of the cutter.
Fig. 14 is a side partial cross sectional view of the fourth embodiment with the side cover opened, illustrating the cutter cutting apart the paper.
Fig. 15a is a front view of another exemplary paper support band of the third or fourth embodiment.
Fig. 15b is a side view of another exemplary paper support band of the third or fourth embodiment.

Preferred Embodiments of the Present Invention

Embodiments Of The Present Invention
The present invention provides a roll paper dispensing method that is operable with single hand. In this method, a housing pushable by hand or other member is provided. The housing has a receiving space for receiving a paper roll. A cutting mechanism is disposed at a paper exit of the housing. The paper band is pulled by a user hand grasping a paper head extending out of the paper exit. The housing is then pushed causing the paper roll received in the housing to move to form a paper band that can pulled in the housing. The movement of paper roll can be rolling, or rotating, or translating, or rolling and rotating, or rolling and translating, or rotating or translating, or rotating, rolling and translating. The paper band passes through the cutting mechanism and extends out the housing via the paper exit. By pushing the housing, the cutting mechanism in the housing is driven to operate to cut apart the paper band. The paper band is pulled and bent when the housing is pushed and returns to its original position. Therefore, when the housing returns to its original position, the paper head moves automatically outwardly for facilitating pulling the paper next time.
The housing can be assembled by two or more housing parts that are movable relative to each other. The paper roll can be disposed in a chamber formed by these housing parts. Through the relative movement of the various housing parts, the paper roll can roll and rotate to allow paper to be pulled out to form a paper band. In addition, the relative movement of the various housing parts causes the cutter and its mating part (can also be a cutter) of the cutting mechanism that are disposed on corresponding housing parts to cross or abut against each other, thereby cutting the paper apart.
In order to make sure the paper band pulled out of the paper roll can be successfully delivered out, a paper band pushing and supporting mechanism is disposed in the housing for cooperating with the cutting mechanism. After a desired length of the paper band has been pulled or pushed, the paper band can be supported or held by the paper band pushing and supporting mechanism, and then cut apart by the cutting mechanism. This can prevent moving back and drooping down of the paper band.
Further, in order to facilitate delivery of soft paper, the present invention further includes a paper band reinforcing mechanism which bends and corrugates (along a direction perpendicular the delivery direction) the paper head while clamping the paper head. This can increase the rigidity of the paper head and the friction when the paper contacts other parts, thus ensuring the successful delivery of the paper head. When the housing returns to its original position, the clamped paper band is gradually released, and the paper head is delivered out of the paper exit. The paper reinforcing mechanism is disposed on the path of the paper band and has concave and convex shaped portions disposed on at least one side of the paper band. When contacting the concave and convex shaped portions, the paper band is caused to have a curved cross-section, which reinforces the paper band along the delivery direction and prevents bending of the paper band. The concave and convex shaped portions may be of a continuous-wave shape, or formed by extensions spaced apart. The reinforcing mechanism pushes discontinuous portions of the paper band from the side of the paper thus causing a wave shaped cross-section of the paper band. To better control the bending of the paper band, the concave and convex shapes may be disposed at opposite sides of the plane of the paper band. Furthermore, the concave and convex shaped portions at opposite sides of the paper band may be closed to each other to clamp the paper band therebetween, with concaves at one side corresponding to convexes at the other side. As such, aside from the clamped areas, the paper band also has a curved cross section at locations adjacent the clamped areas, thus facilitating the delivery of the paper band.
The present invention also provides a roll paper dispensing device that can be operated by single hand in accordance with the aforementioned method, which is described below by way of examples.
First Embodiment:
As shown in Fig. 1 through Fig. 4, a roll paper dispensing device of this embodiment includes a housing 1 for receiving roll paper, a cutting mechanism 2, and a paper band pushing and supporting mechanism 3. The housing 1 includes a first housing part or shell 11 and a second housing part or shell 12 disposed opposite to each other, and a driving shell or active shell 13 disposed to cover the first and second shells 11, 12. Upon assembly of the first shell 11 and the second shell 12, a receiving space for receiving the roll paper is formed therebetween.
As shown in Fig. 1, the first shell 11 includes two symmetrical side plates 111 disposed at opposite sides of the shell 11 thus forming a recessed structure. An elastic piece 112 is disposed at a middle area between bottoms of the two side plates 111. An axle 113 extends outwardly from the bottom of each side plate 111. The two axles 113 and the elastic piece 112 are disposed along the same axis. The elastic piece 112 includes a fixed portion 1121 and a movable portion 1122. The fixed portion 1121 is fixed to a bottom end of the first shell 11, and the movable portion 1122 is in a suspended state. The elastic piece is curve shaped when no force applies on it.
The second shell 12 also includes two symmetrical side plates 122 disposed at opposite sides of the shell 12 thus forming a recessed structure, corresponding to the structure of the first shell 11. An axle hole 121 is defined through a bottom of each side plate 122, corresponding to the axle 113 of the first shell 11. Each axle 113 can be movably disposed in a corresponding one of the axle holes 121, such that the second shell 12 and the first shell 11 are hinged with each other to form the receiving space for receiving the roll paper and other components therein.
The active shell 13 includes a driving surface 131 for facilitating a push by a user. Two extension arms 132 depend from the driving surface 131. A paper exit 133 is formed through the driving surface 131. The active shell 13 is configured like a large push button. The driving surface 131 covers the second shell 12 and the first shell 11. A cutout 1321 with an inner circumference greater than a semi-circle is formed at a distal end of each extension arm 132. Each cutout 1321 has a profile matching with the profile of a corresponding axle 113, thus allowing insertion of the corresponding axle 113 into the cutout 1321. The paper exit 133 has a first opening portion 1331 and a second opening portion 1331 arranged into a cross shape. The first opening portion 1331 is longer and narrower than the second opening portion 1332. The width of the first opening portion 1331 is slightly greater than the width of roll paper, for facilitating extension of a paper head out of the paper exit. The second opening portion 1332 facilitates the insertion of the user's hand into the paper exit.
As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, in this embodiment, the first shell 11 and the second shell 12 are interconnected at their bottom ends and disposed symmetrically to form an inner chamber. The axles 113 at the bottom end of the first shell 11 are disposed into the axle holes 121 of the second shell 12, such that the first shell 11 and the second shell 12 are rotatable with each other thus establishing a hinged connection therebetween. A top end of the active shell 13 covers a top end of a combination of the first shell 11 and second shell 12, and the cutouts 1321 at the bottom end of the active shell 13 are engaged around the axles 113 of the first shell 11. Opening and closing of the first shell 11 and the second shell 12 can be realized by pushing the active shell 13.
The cutting mechanism 2 is disposed at the top end of the first shell 11 and the second shell 12, which includes a cutter and a mating part that are disposed at opposite sides of a plane of the paper band, respectively.
In this embodiment, the cutter includes a cutter base 21. A bottom end of the cutter base 21 is connected to the top end of the first shell 11. The cutter base 21 may be integrally formed with the first shell 11. A first cutter 211 is disposed on a top surface of the cutter base 21. The first cutter 211 has a profile matching with a profile of the cutter base 21, and is positioned on the cutter base 21 such that a cutting edge 2114 of the first cutter 211 is located slightly behind a front edge of the cutter base 21. Opposite front ends 212 of the cutter base 21 protrude forwardly, while a middle portion 213 of the cutter base 21 is recessed backwardly. As such, the front edge of the cutter base 21 is generally arcuate or curved in the shape of ">". In addition, the height of the first cutter 211 increases gradually from two lateral sides 2111 to the middle portion 2112, i.e. the middle portion is raised so that the first cutter 211 is generally in the shape of "Λ".
Correspondingly, the mating part includes a mating base 22 corresponding to the cutter base 21. The mating base 22 is disposed on a top end of the second shell and also integrally formed with the second shell 12. An upward bending portion 222 is formed at each of two front ends of the mating base 22. A second cutter 221 is disposed at an underside of the mating base 22, for cooperating with the first cutter 211 to cut apart the paper band R1. The second cutter 221 includes a guide plate 2221 that fits the upwardly bending portion 222 in shape, protrudes forwardly and upwardly, and has an arcuate transition portion.
In order to make sure that contact points between the first cutter 211 and the second cutter 221 all fall on the cutting edge of the first cutter 211 and the cutting edge of the second cutter 221 rather than on other surfaces of the cutters, the cutting edges of the two cutters may be configured to protrude out relative to other surfaces of the cutters during cutting operation. A simple and effective method is that the height of the first cutter 211 increases gradually from the two lateral sides 2111 to the middle portion 2112, i.e. the middle portion is raised upwardly. As a result, as long as the first cutter 221 has a horizontal straight cutting edge, it can make sure that all the contact points fall on the cutting edge. In an alternative embodiment, the first cutter 211 may also be configured into a planar structure, and the second cutter 221 is configured to protrude gradually downward from two sides to the middle portion. In another alternative embodiment, the first cutter and the second cutter are both configured to protrude gradually from the two sides to the middle portion, with the first cutter 211 protruding upward, while the second cutter 221 protruding downward. In addition, the cutters and cutter bases have elasticity which ensures that the cutters contact closely at their contact points during cutting operation.
The cutter and mating part of the cutting mechanism 2 of this embodiment may also be of other structures. For example, the cutter may be a planar cutter with a straight or arcuate cutting edge. The mating part may have a cutting edge. Alternatively, the mating part may also be a structure without a cutting edge, which is configured such that, when the first shell 11 and the second shell 12 move relative to each other, the cutter cooperates with the mating part to thereby cut apart the paper band in a cross or abutment cutting manner.
The paper of the paper roll R (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 4) enters the cutting mechanism 2 after being pulled a distance. Therefore, after the cutting mechanism 2 cuts apart the paper, the paper band between the cutting mechanism 2 and the paper roll R is suspended in midair. If the paper is soft, the paper band R1 will droop down into the housing 1 away from the paper exit 133 (in the shell 13). When pulling out the paper next time, the user needs to pull the paper out of the paper exit 133 from deep in the housing 1. This can be difficult. In addition, after the paper band R1 is cut apart, it is inconvenient to pull the paper between the cutting mechanism 2 and the paper roll R. Therefore, to solve this problem, the present invention includes a paper band pushing and supporting mechanism for appropriately supporting, clamping and pushing the paper band. In this embodiment, the paper supporting, clamping and pushing constructions have many common components thus forming a paper band pushing and supporting mechanism 3 for supporting and pushing paper. The paper band pushing and supporting mechanism 3 includes a first supporting bracket 31 and a second supporting bracket 32 symmetrically arranged in the first shell 11 and the second shell 12, respectively.
As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, the first supporting bracket 31 includes a body 311, two movable arms 312, and two positioning members 315. The body 311 is an elongated member. When closed, the body 311 of the first supporting bracket 31 and a body 321 of the second supporting bracket 32 form therebetween a gap allowing the paper band to pass therethrough. As shown in Fig. 1 through Fig. 4, two side surfaces of the bodies 311 and 322 that define this gap have an appropriate wave shape. As such, the paper band passing by is deformed to have a curve cross section. Each movable arm 312 extends from a corresponding one of two ends of the body 311. Top ends of the movable arms 312 are fixed to an inner side of the top portion of the first shell 11. The movable arms 312 are made of elastic material enabling elastic deformation of the movable arms 312. The two positioning members 315 have a concave-convex shape and extend from the two ends of the body 311 at 70 degrees with respect to respective movable arms 312.
Correspondingly, the second supporting bracket 32 includes a body 321, two movable arms 322, and two positioning members 325. The body 321 is an elongated member. Each movable arm 322 extends from a corresponding one of two ends of the body 321. Top ends of the movable arms 322 are fixed to an inner side of the top portion of the first shell 12. The movable arms 322 are made of elastic material enabling elastic deformation of the movable arms 322. The two positioning members 325 have a concave-convex shape and extend from the two ends of the body 321 at about 70 degrees with respect to respective movable arms 322. The concave-convex shape of the positioning member 325 of the second supporting bracket 32 fit with the concave-convex shape of the positioning member 315 of the first supporting bracket 31, such that the first supporting bracket 31 and the second supporting bracket 32 face and are held against each other, and hence are positioned with respect to each other (having a supporting function of a supporting construction).
In order to successfully deliver soft paper, the present invention also includes a paper reinforcing mechanism. As shown in Fig. 1, two support fingers 316, 326 extend from a middle portion of the bodies 311, 321 of the first supporting bracket 31 and the second supporting bracket 32 in a direction substantially the same as the extension direction of the positioning members 315, 325, thus forming two extensions spaced from each other. As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 2a, the two rows of support fingers 316, 326 are interdigitally arranged with each other in a side view, and the two rows of support fingers 316, 326 are staggeredly arranged in a top view. The staggered support fingers clamp the paper band R1 therebetween, such that the paper band R1 passing from between the support fingers has a curved cross section when viewed from the delivery direction. In this regard, when the paper band R1 passes from a gap between the support fingers, the wave or curve shaped cross section of the paper band R1 is resulted by the staggeredly arranged support fingers that touch the paper band R1 on opposite sides thereof. The curved cross section can increase the rigidity of the paper band R1. Therefore, the paper band passing through the paper exit 133 can be kept upright without tilting and, at the same time, can be clamped with an appropriate clamping tightness (the bodies 311, 321, and the two rows of support fingers 316, 326 should not clamp the paper band R1 with full tightness, because when the first shell 11 and the second shell are closed at their top ends and the bodies 311 and 321 move downward, the two rows of support fingers 316, 326 must slide over the paper surface without pulling the paper band R1 downward). As shown, the formation of the curved cross section of the paper band is mainly resulted by two rows of support fingers that are staggeredly arranged to have staggered concave portions and convex portions on opposite sides of the paper band. However, it is noted, the formation of the curved cross section of the paper band is unnecessarily resulted by two rows of support fingers. It needs only a structure that has staggeredly arranged concave portions and convex portions on opposite sides of the paper band at the paper passing area to make the paper band have a wave shape. The wave shaped opening 33 (as can be clearly seen in Fig. 2a) between the body 311 and the body 321 is one such example.
The first supporting bracket 31 and second supporting bracket 32 of the paper band pushing and supporting mechanism 3 are disposed in correspondence with each other. The support fingers 316 of the first supporting bracket 31 are staggeredly arranged with the support fingers 326 of the second supporting bracket 32. The concave-convex shape of the positioning member 315 fits with the concave-convex shape of the positioning member 325, such that the first supporting bracket 31 and the second supporting bracket 32 face and are held against each other. The first supporting bracket 31 is fixed to the top inner side of the first shell 11 through the movable arms 312, and the second supporting bracket 32 is fixed to the top inner side of the second shell 12 through the movable arms 322. As a result, the paper band pushing and supporting mechanism 3 is positioned below the cutting mechanism 2. The paper roll R is disposed in the chamber formed between the first shell 11 and the second shell 12 and below the paper band pushing and supporting mechanism 3. A paper head R2 can pass through a channel formed between the two rows of support fingers 316, 326 (a front part of the channel is formed by the through opening 33 formed by the gap between the two bodies 311, 321, and a back part of the channel is formed by the two rows of staggeredly arranged support fingers 316, 326), the channel having a curved cross section when viewed from the delivery direction. The paper head R2 then extends out of the paper exit 133 of the active shell 13.
The paper band R1 pulled out is clamped by the staggeredly arranged support fingers 316 and 326 in a normal state, and the upwardly extending paper head R2 extends out of the housing 1 through the paper exit 1331 of the active shell 13, for being pulled by a user with hand. Since the paper band R1 is clamped by the staggeredly arranged support fingers 316 and 326 such that the paper band R1 is made to be curved (for example, cross section or the top-view plane thereof), the upwardly extending portion of the paper band can be kept upright and will not fall, thus facilitating the user pulling the paper head with hand.
After pulling upward a desired length of paper band R1, the user can depress the active shell 13, causing the two extension arms 132 of the active shell 13 to urge the axles 113 downward through the engagement of the cutouts 1321 with the axles 113, such that the axles 113 move downward. The axles 113 are also received in the axle holes 121 of the second shell 12 and the two shells are disposed on a fixed surface (as indicated by broken lines in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4). Therefore, at this time, the first shell 11 rotates about the axles 113 in a counterclockwise direction, and the second shell 12 rotates about the axles 113 in a clockwise direction (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 4), causing the first shell 11 and the second shell 12 to close at their top portions. At this time, the positioning members 315 and 325 on the first supporting bracket 31 and the second supporting bracket 32 maintain being fittingly engaged with each other, and the first supporting bracket 31 and the second supporting bracket 32 are fixed to the top portions of the first shell 11 and the second shell 12, respectively. As a result, the two supporting brackets move downward. Before depressing the active shell 13, the user needs to press the paper band R2 pulled out onto the driving surface 131 of the acitive shell 13 (see Fig. 4) so as to hold the paper band R2. While the two supporting brackets move downward, the support fingers 316 and support fingers 326 slide over the paper surface to move downward at the same time. In synchronization with the closing of the first shell 11 and the second shell 12 at their top portions, the first cutter 211 and the second cutter 221 also close to each other. Because the two front ends 212 of the cutter base 21 protrude outward and the middle portion 213 is recessed backward, the front edge of the first cutter 211 is curve shaped. In addition, the first cutter 211 increases gradually in height from the two side ends 2111 to the middle portion 2112, i.e. the middle portion is raised upward, so that the first cutter is generally in the shape of "Λ". Besides, the second cutter 221 is mounted to the mating base 22. The mating base 22 includes the bending portions 222 that extend forward and upward from the two ends of the mating base 22. The second cutter 22 attached to the underside of the mating base 22 also includes the guide plates 2211 that extend forward and upward from the two ends of the second cutter 221. When the first shell 11 and the second shell 12 are closed to each other, the cutter base 21 and the mating base 22 also are closed to each other. When the first cutter 211 and the second cutter 221 start contacting with each other, the guide plates 2211 first contact the two protruding side ends 2111 of the cutter base 21, which ensures that the second cutter 221 is able to successfully slide to above the first cutter 211 for paper cutting. Because the front edge of the first cutter 211 is curve shaped, the contact points between the first cutter 211 and the second cutter 221 during closing of the first cutter 211 and the second cutter 221 move from the two sides to the middle. As a result, the paper can be gradually cut off at these contact points. The cutting force needed at the cutting moment is very small and the cutting process is uniform and continuous. In addition, the first cutter 211, the second cutter 221, the cutter base 21, and the mating base 22 all have elasticity which can make sure that the edges of the two cutters are able to closely contact with each other during cutting. As such, when the two cutters close to each other, the paper band R1 can easily be cut apart.
The elastic piece 112 is disposed at the bottom end of the first shell 11, with the fixed portion being fixed to the bottom end of the first shell 11 and the movable portion 1122 urging the bottom end of the second shell 12. The elastic piece 112 is curve shaped when no force applied on it. However, when the active shell 13 is depressed causing the first shell 11 and the second shell 12 to close to each other, the elastic piece 112 is gradually pressed flat (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 4). After the user's hand moves upward away from the active shell 13, the active housing 13 moves upward, and the elastic force of the elastic piece 112 cause the first shell 11 and the second shell 12 to gradually open to their original positions. When the first shell and the second shell are opened, the left sides of the movable arms 312 move upward under the influence of the elastic force. At the same time, the right sides of the movable arms 322 also move upward. As a result, the two positioning members 315, 325 and the two support fingers 316, 326 move upward. The support fingers 316, 326 move upward together with the paper band R1 clamped between the support fingers 316, 326. At this time, the first cutter 211 and the second cutter 222 are separated apart. Therefore, the paper head R2 can be driven out of the paper roll R by the support fingers 316, 326 and then extends out of the housing 1 through the paper exit 131 of the active shell 13. The first shell 11 and the second shell 12 are opened until the top portions of the two shells are stopped by the active shell 13.
To replace the paper roll R, the active shell 3 may be pulled upward away from the first shell 11 and the second shell 12 (the material defining the cutout 1321 has elasticity and, therefore, the cutout can be expanded to allow removal of the axle 113 from the cutout 1321), the first shell 11 and the second shell 12 are separated to separate the positioning members 315, 325. As a result, the first supporting bracket 31 and the second supporting bracket 32 are spaced a great distance from each other to allow for the replacement of the paper roll. After the paper roll is replaced, the first shell 11 and the second shell 12 are closed to each other. When the concave-convex shapes of the positioning member 315 and the positioning member 325 approach each other, they are engaged such that the first supporting bracket 31 and the second supporting bracket 32 face and are held against each other. The active shell 13 is then placed to cover the first and second shells, with the axles 113 fitting into the cutouts 1321. The user then stretches his hand into the inner chamber of the housing to pull the paper head R2 out of the large opening portion 1332 in the active shell 13.
As shown in Fig. 3, in this embodiment, driving members 34 are formed on top portions of the support fingers 316, 326. The driving member 34 is made of elastic material and can be in the form of a sleeve that is attached around the support finger 316, 326. The driving member 34 may be formed with teeth 341 to increase friction between the two support fingers and the paper band R1 to adapt to paper rolls of different quality and prevent the paper head R2 from sliding off. Alternatively, flexible teeth may be directly hinged to the top portions of the support fingers 316 and 326, or soft sleeves are hinged to the top portions of the support fingers 316, 326, and the soft sleeves are formed with teeth. When the paper band R1 is pulled out along the teeth, the hinge axle is rotated, and the teeth rotates in a direction such that the teeth become gradually disengaged from the paper surface and hence release the paper for facilitating pulling the paper out. On the other hand, when the paper band R1 moves in an opposite direction, rotation of the hinge axle causes the teeth to approach the paper surface to hold the paper.
Second Embodiment
Referring to Fig. 5 through Fig. 7, this embodiment also includes a housing 1b for receiving roll paper and a cutting mechanism 2b.
The housing 1b includes a first shell or housing part 11b and a second shell 12b or housing part that cooperatively form a receiving space for a paper roll R upon assembly.
The first shell 11b may be placed on a fixed surface and includes a horizontal bottom surface 1113b and an inclined surface 1114b. Two extension arms 113b extend upwardly from two sides of the horizontal bottom surface 1113b, respectively. A hole 1113b is formed in a top end of each extension arm 1131b. An axle 112b extends outward from a rear end of each side of the horizontal bottom surface 1113b. An elastic plate 114b is disposed at a middle portion of a rear end of the horizontal bottom surface 1113b, for stopping the second shell 12b. An elastic stop 1115b is disposed at a center area of the horizontal bottom surface 1113b.
The second shell 12b includes a body 121b. The body 121b is in the form of an inverted shell that can be coupled to the first shell 11b. Two elongated driving cams 1223b are symmetrically disposed at two sides of an inner chamber of the body 121b. The body 121b has an inclined surface 1211b at a front end thereof. An opening 1224 is defined through the inclined surface 1211b for allowing a paper head to extend out. A flange 1222 extends outward from a bottom end of the inclined surface 1211b. Two elongated side plates 1121b extend downward from a rear end of the body 121b. A bottom end of each side plate 1121b is formed with an axle hole 1122b, allowing the side plates 1121b to be pivotably coupled to the axles 112b of the first shell 11b, such that the second shell 12b can be closed or opened with respect to the first shell 11b by pivoting with respect to the first shell 11b.
In this embodiment, the cutting mechanism 2b is disposed on the housing 1b which includes a cutting mechanism and a mating part that are disposed on top and bottom sides of a paper band plane.
The cutting mechanism includes a cutter base 21b disposed on a planar surface on a top end of the inclined surface 1114b of the first shell 11b. A rear end of a first cutter 211b is fixedly mounted to the cutter base 21b. Two front ends 2111b of the first cutter 211b protrude forward, while a middle portion 211b is recessed rearward, such that a front edge 2113b of the cutter 211b is curve shaped.
The mating part includes a mating base 22b. The mating base 22b is an inclined plate extending obliquely from an inner surface of a top end of the body 121b of the second shell 12b. A second cutter 221b is attached to an underside of the mating base 22b. The second cutter 221b is planar and elongated. As such, when the first shell 11b and the second shell 12b are closed to each other, the cutter base 21b and the mating base 22b are brought close to each other, causing the cutting edge of the first cutter 211b and the cutting edge of the second cutter 221b to be closed to each other. During closing of the cutting edges of the two cutters, the cutting edges engage at contact points that move linearly from the two sides to the middle, and the paper is gradually cut apart at these contact points. In addition, to make sure the contact points between the first cutter 211b and the second cutter 221b during contact all fall on the cutting edges of the two cutters rather than other surface of the cutters, the cutting edge is configured to protrude outward with respect to other surfaces of the cutter as in the first embodiment. In other words, the height of the first cutter 211b increases gradually from the two sides 2111b to the middle portion 2112b, i.e. the middle portion is raised upwardly. The cutter base 21b supporting the first cutter 211b also has its middle portion protruding upwardly. In order to make sure that the second cutter 221b can successfully slide on the first cutter 211b for cutting paper after the two cutters begin contacting with each other, a guide plate 2115b extends forwardly and downwardly from the front end of each of the two sides of the first cutter 211b, and has an arctuate transition surface. During closing of the two cutters, top surfaces of the guide plates 2115b and the bottom surface of the second cutter 221b first contact with each other. The second cutter 221b is thus able to slide on the first cutter 211b to shear the paper by relative motions of the two cutters and, as a result, cut apart the paper band R1 disposed between the two cutters.
Likewise, the cutter and mating part of the cutting mechanism 2b may be of other structures. For example, the cutter may be a planar cutter with a straight or arcuate cutting edge. The mating part may have a cutting edge. Alternatively, the mating part may also be a structure without a cutting edge, which is configured such that, when the first shell 11b and the second shell 12b move relative to each other, the cutter cooperates with the mating part to thereby cut apart the paper band in a cross or abutment cutting manner.
This embodiment further includes a paper band pushing and supporting mechanism 3b. The paper band pushing and supporting mechanism 3b includes a pushing bracket 31b with an arcuate bottom plate 324b. Protruding backstop ratchets 311b are formed on the arcuate bottom plate 324b of the pushing bracket 31b. Upper surfaces of the ratchets are inclined surfaces or arcuate surfaces. The paper roll R placed on the ratchets 311b can slide over the ratchets 311b when moving leftwards or rotating in a clockwise direction. However, motion of the paper roll R in a reverse direction is stopped by the ratchets 3112b.
A support arm 32b extends from each of opposite two ends of the arcuate bottom plate 324b of the pushing bracket 31b. A top end of each supporting arm 32b is provided with an outward-extending cylinder axle 321b, an arcuate cam follower 322b, and a post 323b. The post 323b is located between and above the axle 321b and the cam follower 322b. The axle 321b may be fitted into the axle hole 1131b of the extension arm 113 of the first shell 11b, thus allowing the support arm 32b to swing back and forth about the axle 321b. The cam follower 322b may engage with the driving cam 1223b of the second shell 12b. A latch 325b is formed at an underside of the arcuate bottom plate 324b of the pushing bracket 31b, for engaging with the elastic stop 115b of the horizontal bottom plate 1113b of the first shell 11b.
When the second shell 12b is depressed, the driving cams 1223b fixed to the second shell depress the cam followers 322b fixed to the support arms 32b. Because the axles 321b protruding from the support arms 32b are pivotably received in the axle holes 1131b of the first shell 11b, the pushing bracket 31b is pivoted backwards, causing the paper band R1 to be pulled out of the paper roll R. When the pushing bracket 31b approaches its rightmost position, the latch 311b on the underside of the pushing bracket 31b rides over the elastic stop 115b of the first shell 11b and is temporarily stopped by a right side inclined surface of the elastic stop. As such, the pushing bracket 31b is temporarily positioned at the right side. During a certain period of time of depressing the second shell 12b, the cutting mechanism 2b is closed to cut apart the paper band.
The dispensing device of this embodiment further includes a paper band reinforcing mechanism that includes support fingers 23b, 24b. The support finger 23b is at least one elastic member (may be an elastic plate) that is obliquely disposed on the inclined surface 1114b of the body of the first shell 11b. A bottom end of the support finger 23b is fixed to the inclined surface 1114b, and the other end is a free top end adjacent the first cutter 211b. The support finger 24b is an elastic member (may be an elastic plate) disposed on the top end of the inner chamber of the second shell 12b, corresponding to the support finger 23b. A bottom end of the support finger 24b is fixed to the top end of the inner chamber of the second shell 12b, and the other end is a free top end adjacent the second cutter 221b. As shown in Fig. 7a, 7b, in order to make sure that very soft paper can slide over the surfaces of the support fingers 23b, 24b at high speed without bending, the cross-section of the front ends of the elastic support fingers 23b, 24b are curve shaped. For example, the support fingers 23b, 24b may be staggeredly arranged or opposingly arranged. Fig. 5 shows three support fingers 23b and two support fingers 24b that are staggeredly arranged. When the first shell 11b and the second shell 12b are closed, the two types of support fingers are staggeredly arranged, such that the support fingers 23b are positioned in gaps between the support fingers 24b, and the support fingers 24b are also positioned in gaps between the support fingers 23b. Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 show the same number of the support fingers 23b, 24b that are opposingly arranged. When the first shell 11b and the second shell 12b are closed, each support finger 23b faces and contacts a corresponding support finger 24b. The elasticity of the support fingers allows them to maintain the closed state to clamp the paper band after they contact with each other. In the latter case, when closed, the two rows of support fingers only smoothly clamp the paper band therebetween. The configuration of the support fingers of Fig. 5 is discussed below. The staggered arrangement of the support fingers of Fig. 5 allows the support fingers to be a part of the paper band reinforcing mechanism in addition to supporting and clamping the paper band. When closed, the support fingers 23b, 24b are staggeredly arranged, thus forming a cross section having alternately arranged convexes and concaves. As a result, the paper clamped between the support fingers 23, 24b is made into a wave shape with multiple bends. The wave shaped paper is thus reinforced and cannot be easily bent. When the support fingers 23b, 24b are opened, the wave shaped paper band R1 will not be restored to the smooth state immediately. The paper band R1 can thus be successfully delivered at this time. Alternatively, the support fingers of the paper band reinforcing mechanism can also be configured as in Fig. 7a and Fig. 7b in which contacting ends of the support fingers 23b, 24b are arranged into a continuous-wave shape. The support fingers 23b, 24b are fixed to the same locations on the first shell and the second shell as the support fingers 23b, 24b in Fig. 7. The paper band R1 clamped between the support fingers 23b, 24b is made into a curve shape with multiple bends (see the cross-section of the paper band R1 of Fig. 7a). Likewise, the paper band can be successfully delivered. In normal state, the paper roll R is placed on the curved bottom plate 324 of the pushing bracket 31b of the paper band pushing and supporting mechanism 3b and kept at a front of the inner chamber of the housing 1b. In use, after the paper head R2 is pulled out a desired length, the user depresses the second shell 12b or the flange 1222 protruding from the front end thereof. As a result, the support fingers 23b and 24b of the paper band pushing and supporting mechanism 3b approach each other and then are closed to position the paper band R1. The elongated driving cams 1223b at the inner side of the second shell 12b contact the arcuate cam followers 322b on the pushing bracket 31b, thus depressing the cam followers 322b. Because the axles 321b of the pushing bracket 31b are pivotably received in the axle holes 1131b of the two extension arms 113b of the first shell 11b, the pushing bracket 31b is thus caused to swing rightwards in a direction that is opposite to the winding direction of the paper roll R, and the paper band R1 is thus further pulled out of the paper roll R. When the pushing bracket 31b reaches its rightmost position, the latch 325 at the underside of the pushing bracket 31b is temporarily stopped at the right side inclined surface of the elastic stop 115b after riding over the elastic stop 115b disposed on the first shell 11b. As such, the pushing bracket 31b is temporarily stopped at the right side.
During a certain period of time of depressing the second shell 12b, the first cutter 211b and the second cutter 221b of the cutting mechanism 2b gradually approach and contact each other. When the first cutter 211b and the second cutter 221b start contacting, the second cutter 221b first contacts the guide plates 2115b and the two protruding ends 2111b on the first cutter 211b, thereby making sure that the second cutter 221b can successfully slide onto the first cutter 211b for paper cutting. Because the front edge of the first cutter 211b is curve shaped, the contact between the first cutter 211b and the second cutter 221b during closing is a point-contact that moves from the two sides to the middle. The paper can thus be gradually cut apart at these contact points during a uniform and continuous cutting process.
When the hand grasping the paper head R2 moves away from the second shell 12b or the flange 1222, the elastic plate 114b fixed to the first shell 11b urges the second shell 12b to pivot upward, such that the cutting mechanism 2 and the support fingers 23b, 24 are all opened. Protruding blocks on rear ends of the driving cams 1223b fixed to the second shell 12b engage release posts 323b on the pushing bracket 31b to push the release posts 323b fixed to the support arms 32b (support arms 32b are parts of the pushing bracket 31b) rearward and upward. As a result, the lower portion of the pushing bracket 31b is pivoted forward by overcoming the force of the elastic stop 18 stopping the latch 325b. The latch 325 slides over the right side (as observed in Fig. 6) inclined surface of the elastic stop 115b to depress the elastic stop 115b and is thus released from being temporarily positioned at the right side, allowing the pushing bracket 31b to pivot forward (the elastic stop 115b is fixed to the horizontal bottom plate 1113 of the first shell 11b; initially, when the second shell 12b was depressed, the support arms 32b pivoted in a counterclockwise direction in Fig. 7, such that the latch 325b slided over the upper surface of the elastic stop 115b and passed the elastic stop by depressing the elastic stop 115b to bend, such that the latch 325b was temporarily positioned at the right side of the elastic stop 115b as shown in Fig. 7), and the paper roll R on the pushing bracket 31b and the paper band R1 pulled out also move forward. Due to the sharp protruding backstop ratchets formed on the pushing bracket 31b, the paper band R1 slides along the upper surfaces of the support fingers 23b to the paper exit 114 in the second shell 12b. As a result, an appropriate length of paper head R2 extends out of the second shell 12b, thus facilitating the user pulling the paper next time.
Third Embodiment
As shown in Fig. 8 through Fig. 11a and Fig. 15, the paper dispensing device of this embodiment further includes a housing 1c for receiving paper roll and a cutting mechanism 2c.
The housing 1c includes a first shell or housing part 12c and a second shell or housing part 10c that cooperatively form a receiving space for receiving a paper roll R.
As shown in Fig. 8, the first shell 12c includes a supporting bracket 124c configured to be "┐" shaped. A rear end of the supporting bracket 124c can be installed to a wall. At least two side plates 123c are symmetrically formed at opposite sides of the supporting bracket 124c. Each side plate 123c forms an axle hole 121c at a bottom end thereof and forms an arcuate driving slot 122c. The two side plates 123c interconnect at their front ends by an arcuate plate 132c. Triangular guide blocks 131c are formed at a front surface of the arcuate plate 132c. Each guide block 131c has a slanted guide plane 1311c allowing a paper head R to slide out.
The second shell 10c is disposed on the first shell 12c and includes an arcuate bottom plate 105c for supporting the paper roll R and two symmetrical side plates 101c connected with the arcuate bottom plate 105c. The two side plates 101c are connected at their front ends by a transverse stop plate 102c. Each side plate 101c has a long slot 104c (referring also to Fig. 10a). Each side plate 101c includes an axle 111c at a bottom end thereof. The axle 111c may be pivotably received in the axle hole 121c of the first shell 12c. An axle hole 112c and an axle 114c are formed on a top end of each side plate 101c.
As shown in Fig. 9, a third shell or housing part 11c is further hinged to the second shell 10c. The third shell 11c is an inverted shell member. Extension arms 118c extend downward from two sides of a front end of the third shell 11c. An axle hole 119c is defined at a bottom end of each extension arm 118c, for aligning with the axle hole 112c of the second shell. A bottom edge of the third shell 11c corresponds to a top edge of the second shell 10c and a long slot 104c for receiving a roller axle is formed between the third shell 11c bottom edge and the second shell 10c top edge upon assembly thereof. A spring 115c is disposed below the second shell 10c. The spring 115c is disposed between the first shell 12c and the second shell 10c for automatically returning the second shell 10c to its original position after pivoting of the second second shell 10c.
The cutting mechanism 2c is positioned at the front end of the second shell 10c and includes a cutter and a mating part that are disposed opposite to each other. The cutter includes a movable cutter 22c installed on a movable base 21c. The movable base 21c is disposed on the path of the paper band R1 and is movable relative to the paper band R1. The movable base 21c includes an arcuate segment 211c (in the form of a part of a cylindrical wall) and two side plates 212c of a sector shape. An axle 2121c extends out from a bottom end of each side plate 212c. Top ends of the sectors are connected to the arcuate segment 211c. The movable cutter 22c matches with the upper surface of the arcuate segment 211c in contour. Likewise, the front ends of two sides of the movable cutter 22c protrude forwardly, and the middle portion is recessed rearward, such that the movable cutter 22c is curve shaped in the form of ">", and the height of movable cutter 22c (i.e. the distance from the center axis of the axle 2121c) gradually increases from the two sides to the middle recessed portion and the middle portion is raised upwardly (the structural supporting points of the movable cutter and the mating part (it can be called a stationary cutter if the mating part is in the form of a cutter) all fall on the two sides thereof, such that the middle portion will experience a large amount of deformation. Therefore, the middle portion is raised to compensate for the deformation. As illustrated herein, the raised portion is illustrated as being on the movable cutter. Alternatively, the movable cutter can be configured to have the uniform height from the two sides to the middle recessed portion, but the stationary cutter is configured to gradually protrude in a direction toward the center axis of the axle 2121c from two sides (adjacent the side plates 101c) to the middle portion).
The movable base 21c may be driven to rotate by a crank mechanism. The crank mechanism includes a driving arm 4c (two driving arms 4c are illustrated). The driving arm 4c has an driving hole 41c at one end thereof. The axles 2121c of the sector-shaped side plates 212c of the movable base 21c may pass through the axle holes 112c of the side plates 101c of the second shell 10c and then are press-fit into respective driving holes 41c and thereby secured to the driving arms 4c. A slide axle 42c is disposed on the other end of the driving arm 4c, which can be disposed in the driving slot 122c of the first shell 12c. The slide axle 42 drives the driving arm 4c to slide along the arcuate slide slot 122c, thereby driving the movable base 21c to rotate. A such, the movable cutter 22c can also be driven to rotate by the driving arm 4c and slide along the arcuate driving slot 122c of the first shell 12c. When the user pushes the transverse stop plate 102c connected between the two side plates of the second shell 10c or any part (e.g. a top cover) that can pivot about the center axis of the axle 111c, the second and third shells will be rotated in the clockwise direction, the axle hole 112c and driving arm hole 41c also rotate in the clockwise direction, while the driving slot 122c remains stationary. As such, the driving shaft 42c (i.e. the slide axle) of the driving arm 4c slides in the slide slot 122c to rotate the axle 2121c which drives the movable cutter 22c to rotate in the counterclockwise direction.
The mating part is a stationary cutter 213c corresponding to the movable cutter 22c. The stationary cutter 213c is disposed between the two side plates 101c of the second shell 10c and in front of the movement path of the movable base 21c. A cutting edge 2131c of the stationary cutter 213c is located on a rotation path of the cutting edge of the movable cutter 22c. When the movable cutter 22c is closed to the stationary cutter 213c, the paper band R1 disposed between the two cutters can thus be gradually cut apart at contact points therebetween (in the illustrated construction, when cutting the paper, the cutting edges of the movable cutter 22c and the stationary cutter 213c contact at two contact points; as the movable cutter approaches the stationary cutter, the cutting edges start contacting at contact points that fall on the two sides, i.e. being closest to the two sector-shaped side plates 212c; as the movable cutter moves on, the contact points between the movable cutter and the stationary cutter move continuously from the two sides to the middle, and the paper band is cut apart at these contact points.) during an uniform and continuous cutting process.
Likewise, the cutting mechanism 2c of this embodiment may also be of another structure. For example, the cutting edge of the movable cutter may be straight or arcuate. The mating part may be a stationary cutter having a cutting edge. Alternatively, the mating part may also be a structure without the cutting edge and may be configured such that when the first shell 12c and the second shell 10c move relative to each other, the movable cutter cooperates with the mating part to cut apart the paper band in a cross or abutment cutting manner. It is noted that the movement of the movable cutter 22c is not limited to being realized under the driving of the movable base 21c.
The paper dispensing device of this embodiment also includes a paper band pushing and supporting mechanism 3c. The paper band pushing and supporting mechanism 3c includes a paper roll center shaft 33c that can pass through a center hole of a paper roll R. Once the paper roll R with the paper roll center shaft 33c inserted therethrough is placed in the inner chamber between the two side plates 101c, the paper roll R can be rotated. Alternatively, a roller shaft 331c can be formed at each of two opposite ends of the paper roll center shaft 33c. The roller shafts 331c can be slidably disposed in the long slots 104c. In this embodiment, the inner chamber is sized to allow appropriate rolling of the paper roll R therein.
A paper band guide member 32c is disposed in front of the paper roll center shaft 33c. The paper band guide member 32c is a plate member with a curved top side disposed below the paper band R1 pulled out, allowing the paper band R1 to appropriately bend before reaching the cutting position. The paper roll guide member 32c may be integrally formed with the second shell 10c but it may also be separately fabricated. A bottom side of the guide member 32c is connected to the arcuate bottom plate 105c thus securing the guide member 32c to the second shell 10c.
Because the paper band R1 is very soft and can easily droop down, the paper dispensing device of this embodiment includes a reinforcing mechanism between the paper band guide member 32c and the paper roll. The reinforcing mechanism is a paper band support member 31c that has a fixed end and a free end. This support member may be an arcuate elastic plate which has a semi-circular top end 312c. When the paper band support member 31c is disposed under the paper roll to move relative to the paper roll, the semi-circular top end 312c does not scratch the paper (the semi-circular top end may also be replaced with a thin roller shaft installed on the top end of the support member 31 c). The shape of a bottom end 311c of the support member 31c may fit with the arcuate surface of the paper band guide member 32c or the arcuate bottom plate 105c of the second shell 10c and is thus connected to the paper band guide member 32c or the arcuate bottom plate 105c, such that the paper support member can pivot within a certain angle range (due to its elasticity). A recessed portion 23c is formed on the bottom plate 105c. When the paper roll R moves or rolls to the left side of the housing 1c as in Fig. 10 and depresses the paper band support member 31c, the recessed portion 23c can accommodate the paper band support member 31c (the guide member 32c and the recessed portion 23c are substantially a part of the bottom plate 105c, i.e. is a part of the second shell 10c). The top end of the paper band support member 31c can engage the paper band R1, i.e. support the paper band R1 to allow the paper to successfully slide over the top end, thereby preventing the paper from drooping down due to that the paper band is too long and there is no paper support. The drooping down of the paper would hinder the delivery of the paper band. In this embodiment, the paper band support member 31c may be a part of the paper reinforcing mechanism. As shown in Fig. 15a and Fig. 15b, the top portion of the paper band support member 31c may be formed to have a continuous-wave shape (e.g. elements 312c of Fig. 15a and Fig. 15b) along a transverse direction, such that the paper band R1 supported on the top portion of the support member 31c is also formed to have a wave shape. In addition, the part of the paper band R1 that is before and behind the paper band support member 31c, i.e. the part of the paper band that is between the paper support member 32c and the paper roll, is also formed to have a wave shape. As such, the rigidity of the paper band R1 can be enhanced, thus reinforcing the paper band along the delivery direction and avoiding the drooping down of the paper band during delivery.
As shown in Fig. 11, a guide extension member 321c is disposed on the second shell 10c adjacent the movable base 21c, which is crossingly disposable with the movable base 21c. The movable base 21c includes a paper band bending member 322c (illustrated in the drawing as an elongated cylinder post (having a cylindrical cross-section as shown in the drawing); however, in order for the paper band to more smoothly slide over the surface of the bending member 322c, the bending member 322c may be configured as a roller shaft pivotably connected to and located between the side plates 212c). The paper band bending member 322c is spaced apart from the guide extension member 321c, such that when the movable base 21c moves toward the guide extension member 321c, the paper band R1 is bent between the paper band bending member 322c and the guide extension member 321c. As illustrated in Fig. 11, the guide extension member 321c is located below the paper band guide member 32c and in the form of an arcuate plate. In practice, each of the guide extension member 321c and the paper band bending member 322c can be plate-shaped, shaft-shaped or of another shape. In addition, the guide extension member 321c and the paper and bending member 322c can be made from material that is flexible and can easily be bent. Roller wheels or roller shafts may be disposed on the surfaces or contact areas of the of the guide extension member 321c and the paper and bending member 322c where the paper band contacts, thereby facilitating the rotation of the movable base 21c and preventing the tender paper from being pulled with an overlarge pulling force.
The paper band R1 passes along the top arcuate surface of the paper band guide member 32c, then along the paper band bending member 322c and the guide extension member 321c, and passes between the stationary cutter 213c and the movable cutter 22c. As such, the paper band R1 pulled out of the paper roll can be wound multiple times, thus increasing the length of the paper band R1 that has been pulled out of the paper roll but temporarily left in the housing. The increased paper length ensures the paper band to have a sufficient length to droop down to allow the paper head R2 to be delivered out after the movable base 21c and the second shell 10c return to their original positions.
The movable base 21c movable relative to the paper band R1 and disposed on the path of the paper band R1 in the second shell 10c can serve two purposes. Firstly, the movable base 21c serves as a cutter base for mounting of the movable cutter 22c. Secondly, the movable base 21c can serve for mounting of the paper band bending member 322c for bending and winding the paper band. The members for these two different functions, i.e. the movable cutter 22c and paper band bending member 322c, can be mounted on a single movable base or alternatively on different movable bases, respectively. On the other side of the paper band R1, the mating part for the cutter is disposed corresponding to the cutter 22c of the movable base 21 c, and a guide extension member 321c is disposed corresponding to the paper band bending member 322c of the movable base 21c. The movable base may be in the form of a plate or bracket. The movable base is located at one side of the paper band and can move toward the paper band. When acting as a cutter base, the movable cutter 22c and the mating part disposed on the other side of the paper band cooperatively cut apart the paper band. When acting for bending and winding the paper band, the paper band bending member 322c and the guide extension member 321c disposed on the other side of the paper band cooperatively bends the paper band R1 multiple times. The movement of the movable base 21c may be a pivotal movement relative to the shell effected by the axles pivotably connected to the shell. Alternatively, it can also be a linear movement toward the paper band (it can also be considered that the movable cutter linearly moves to the paper band so as to cooperate with the stationary cutter behind the paper band to thus cut apart the paper band). The mechanism for driving the movable base 21c may also vary according to needs. When the movable base is configured to linearly move to the paper band to bend the paper band, the paper band bending member is disposed on one end of the modified retractable shaft (the retractable shaft has been modified into the movable base) in the housing, and the guide extension member is disposed on the other side of the paper band. The paper band bending member is offsetted from the guide extension member. Movement of the paper band bending member toward the guide extension member can thus bend the paper band between the paper band bending member and the guide extension member multiple times.
In the third embodiment, the housing 1c needs to have a sufficient receiving space for allowing a new paper roll to roll back and forth therein, i.e. the distance between the front and rear of the receiving space is greater than the diameter of the new paper roll, such that the paper roll R received in the housing 1c can roll to the front or to the rear of the housing 1c. The paper band R1 that has been pulled out of the paper roll is clamped and held by a suitable structure, and the inclined box-shaped housing 1c causes the paper roll R received therein to roll which will exerts a pulling force on the paper band, such that more paper will be pulled out of the paper roll. On the other hand, when the paper band R1 is clamped and held, the paper band R1 is cut apart by the cutting mechanism 2c. After cutting apart the paper, the cutting mechanism 2c is opened thus releasing the paper that is clamped and held. Because the cutting edge of the movable cutter 22c is inclined with respect to the pivot axis of the cutter 22c, and the cutting edge of the stationary cutter 213c is parallel to the pivot axis of the arcuate cutter 22c. As such, when the two cutters are closed, their cutting edges contact at one or more contact points rather than at the entire edges. The contact point moves continuously in a direction parallel to the pivot axis. The cutting edges cut the paper apart at these contact points. The cutting edge of movable cutter 22c may have a single inclined edge part or multiple inclined edge parts. In the case of the multiple edge parts, there will be multiple contact points (determined by the number of the edge parts) at which the paper is cut at the same time and, as such, paper cutting can be completed within a smaller pivot angle (of the movable cutter 22c). On the other hand, in the case of the single edge part, the paper is cut from one side to the other side of the paper band. Sometimes, the paper is cut to have an inclined side rather than a rectangular paper sheet. The movable cutter 22c having multiple edge parts can thus address this problem. As illustrated, the cutting edge of the movable cutter 22c is ">" shaped. The cutting mechanism clamps two sides of the paper at the beginning of the cutting, and the cutting occurs from the two sides to the middle of the paper band. This way, the paper band to be cut apart and the paper band R1 pulled out of the paper roll can be positioned at the beginning of the cutting, and the resulted paper sheet can have a generally right-angle side as well
In addition, in order to prevent the paper band R1 delivered out from deviating leftward or rightward, a guide block 24c can be disposed on an inner side of each side plate 101c. The guide block 24c has an appropriate arcuate surface for contacting the paper. If the paper band R1 deviates leftward or rightward, the paper edge will touch the guide plate 23c which will cause the paper band R1 to slide to the middle area.
In use, the paper head R1 is pulled out a desired distance with hand, and the hand for pulling the paper head then pushes the elastic stop plate 102c or the second shell 10c or the third shell 11c rightward. Because the driving arm 4c pivots in the axle hole 112c of the second shell 10c and the driving shaft 42c is in the driving slot 122c, the second shell 10c moves rightward to cause the driving arm 4c to pivot in a counterclockwise direction. Since the driving arm 4c are the cutter base 21c are connected, the movable cutter 22c also pivots in the counterclockwise direction. During the pivoting movement, the front edge 213c of the cutter base first touches the paper and bends the paper along the front edge 321 of the paper band support member 32c. The paper is then cut from the two sides to the middle (the contact points between the cutting edges of the movable cutter 22c and the stationary cutter 213c move from the two sides to the middle). When the second shell 10c pivots about its axle 111c in a clockwise direction, the long slot 104c (or the second shell's inner chamber) turns from sloping leftward to sloping rightward, causing the paper roll center shaft 33c (or the paper roll) to slide to the right. The paper band pulled out is positioned by being bent at the front edge 321 of the guide surface of the paper band guide member 32c after passing over the guide surface of the paper band guide member 32c. However, the paper roll R moves to the right. The result is that the paper roll R is forced to pivot in the counterclockwise direction, thus allowing the paper to be pulled out of the paper roll R. When the movable cutter 22c pivots to an end point, the paper is completely cut apart. When the user's hand holding the paper leaves the transverse stop plate 102c or the second shell 10c, the compressed spring 115c rebounds to push the second shell 10c leftward to its original position, which causes the driving arm 4c and the cutter base 21c to both pivot in the clockwise direction and return to their original positions, while causes the long slot 104c (or the second shell's inner chamber) to turn back to being leftward slopped. As a result, the paper roll R rolls to the left in the counterclockwise direction, and the paper that has been pulled out and the paper that has been delivered out by rolling of the paper roll are pushed to the left. Because the paper is supported by the top arcuate surface of the support plate 31c (or the thin roller shaft installed on the top end of the support plate to replace the arcuate surface) and supported by the guide surface of the paper band guide member 32c, the paper can be successfully delivered. When the paper roll rolls to the left, the soft and elastic paper band support member 31c can be depressed into the slot 23c without hindering the movement of the paper roll. When the movable cutter 22c returns to its original position, its front edge 213c leaves the paper and, as such, the front end of the paper pushed can droop down and protrude out of the first shell 13c. The first shell 12c includes the protruding guide blocks 131c with oblique guide surfaces 1311c, the drooping paper band slides to the left along the oblique guide surfaces and is thus exposed out of the entire device. The guide blocks 131 form a cutout therebetween for facilitating the user grasping the paper head R2.
In this embodiment, a paper support tray 14c is further disposed below the paper head R2. The support tray 14c may be fixedly mounted to the first shell 12c or, alternatively, may be movable as in this embodiment. The first shell 12c includes two upwardly extending parallel plates 15c with an axle hole 151c defined therein. A plate-shaped bent arm 141c of the support tray 14c is provided with a protruding axle 1411c which is mounted in the axle hole 151c for allowing pivotal movement of the bent arm 141 c. A top end of the bent arm 141c is connected with a driving pin 1412c, and a bottom surface of the second shell 10c can push the driving pin 1412c. When pushing the transverse stop plate 102c or cutting the paper, the second shell 10c presses the driving pin 1412c downward, causing the bent arm 141c to pivot in the clockwise direction. The support tray 14c thus moves leftward and upward to support the cut and falling paper. When releasing the transverse stop plate 102c, the second shell 10c is pivoted upward. The support tray 14c then moves rightward and downward to return to its original position. The cut paper can be fetched from the support tray 14c. Referring to Fig. 10b, this embodiment further provides another engagement arrangement between the third shell 11c and the second shell 11c. The third shell 11c is also an inverted shell structure. Two extension arms 118c extend downward from front ends of two opposite sides of the third shell 11c. An axle hole 119c is defined in the bottom end of each extension arm 118c, corresponding to the axle hole 112c of the second shell 10c, thus allowing the third shell 11c and the second shell 10c to be hinged by a hinge structure. A long slot 104c is formed at a top end of the second shell 10c. The long slot 104c is provided with ratchets 1041c c (the long slot 104c of Fig. 10a can also be formed with ratchets as in the long slot 104c of Fig. 10b). Correspondingly, opposite ends of the paper roll center shaft 33c may be formed with ratchet axles 3311c for engaging with the ratchet 1041c (the paper roll center shaft 33c of Fig. 10a may also be formed with ratchet axles 3311c for engaging with the ratchets 1041c as in the paper roll center shaft 33c of Fig. 10b). As such, when the closed, the two shells form a long slot 104c therebetween that allows a regular movement of the paper roll center shaft 33c. When the second shell 10c is pushed to a sloping state, the left end of the paper band R1 illustrated in the drawing is pulled and held, the paper roll R, paper roll center shaft 3c and ratchet axle 3311c slide to the right. The ratchets on the ratchet axle 3311c slide over top ends of the ratchets in the long slot 104c but are not engaged with the ratchets in the long slot 104c. Because the paper band left end has been held, the paper roll R pivots in the counterclockwise direction due to the pulling of the paper band, thus causing the paper band R1 to be pulled out of the paper roll R. When the second shell 10c returns to its original position under the pushing of the spring 115c, the paper roll R, paper roll center shaft 33c and the ratchet axle 3311 move leftwards. The ratchets 1041c and the ratchets on the ratchet axle 3311 are engaged with each other, causing the paper roll R, paper roll center shaft 33c and ratchet axle 3311c to pivot in the counterclockwise direction again. As a result, the paper band R1 is released from the paper roll R again.
This embodiment further discusses another structure of the paper support member 31c. Referring to Fig. 10b, Fig. 10c and Fig. 11a, two linking rods 313c, 314c are disposed between the paper band guide member 32c and the paper roll R. Opposite ends of the linking rod 313c, 314c are connected to an upper axle 3131c, 3141c and a lower axle 3132, 3142c. The upper axle 3131 c, 3141c are fixed to the guide extension member 312c, and the lower axles 3132c, 3142c are disposed on the arcuate bottom plate 105c. The length of the linking rod 313c is greater than the length of the linking rod 314c, thereby forming a four-rod swing mechanism. In addition, a tension spring 315 is disposed under the arcuate bottom plate 105c. The tension spring 315c has one end fixed to the underside of the arcuate bottom plate 105c and the other end connected to an extension rod extending from a bottom end of the linking rod 313c. The tension force of the spring 315c can drive the linking rod 313c to pivot about the axle 3132, and hence drive the linking rod 314c to pivot at the same time. Upper ends of the linking rods 313c, 314c are movable ends, and their lower ends are fixed ends. The tension force of the spring 315c can drive the linking rods 313c, 314c to pivot in the clockwise direction to an upright state. As such, the guide extension member 312c of the paper support member 31c are driven by the linking rods 313c, 314c from a horizontal state to an upright state. The movable guide extension member 312c may be used to support the paper band R1 pulled to prevent drooping of the paper band for facilitating the paper delivery. When the housing 1c is not pushed and is in the inclined state shown in Fig. 10b, due to gravity, the paper roll R rolls to the left and presses the linking rods 313c, 314c down. At this time, the guide extension member 312c also lays down onto the paper band guide member 32c under the driving of the linking rods 313c, 314c. When the second shell 10c is pushed to slope rightward, the paper roll R rolls to the right and does not press the linking rods 313c, 314c any more as shown in Fig. 11a. At this time, the tension spring 315c pulls the linking rod 313c up to an upright state as shown in Fig. 11a. Because the linking rods 313c, 314c, the guide extension member 312c, and axles 313c, 314c are connected, the guide extension member 312c and the linking rod 314c are also in the upright state shown in Fig. 11a. The guide extension member 312c abuts the underside of the paper band R1 to prevent drooping of the paper band.
Referring to Fig. 10a and Fig. 11a, in this embodiment, a plurality of roller shafts 106c may be disposed on the bottom of the second shell 10c. Thus, the paper roll R placed in the second shell 10c can roll on the roller shaft 106c. Roller axles 1061c extends from opposite ends of the roller shaft 106c and are inserted into long axle holes 1062c defined through the side plates 101c of the second shell 10c. This axle hole 1062c has a large end and a relatively small end. When the roller axle 1062c moves to the large end, the roller shaft 106c can freely pivot. When the roller axle 1062c moves to the small end, the roller axle 1062c is stucked by the wall of the gradually narrowed hole and cannot pivot. When the second shell 10c is pushed to the inclined state of Fig. 11a, the roller axle 1061c slides to the large end of the axle hole 1062c allowing the roller axle 1061c to pivot. Because the left end of the paper band R1 is held, the paper roll R pivots in the counterclockwise direction on the roller shafts 106c. As a result, the paper roll R moves rightward, and the paper band R1 is pulled out of the paper roll R. When the second shell 10c is released to the state shown in Fig. 10b, the roller shaft 1061c slides to the small end of the long axle hole 1062, the roller axle 1061c is stuck by the gradually narrowed passage of the hole clamps the roller axle 1061c and cannot move. At this time, the paper roll R rolls over the stuck roller shafts 106c to the left in the counterclockwise direction. The paper band R1 is also released from the paper roll R to the left.
Referring again to Fig. 10b, Fig. 10c and Fig. 11a, when the paper head R2 is held by pressing the paper head R2 onto the transverse stop plate 102c and the housing 1c is pushed, the front end of the movable base 21c pulls the paper band R1 toward the stationary cutter 213c, and the paper band R1 can tear easily. Therefore, a paper band loosening rod 133c is disposed at the front end of the second shell 10c. The paper band loosening rod 133c includes a winding side 1334c at an underside of a front end thereof. The paper band pulled out can pass over the winding side 1334 by winding around the winding side 1334c. An axle hole 1332c is formed in a rear portion of the paper band loosening rod 133c. The axle hole 1332 pivotably receives an axle 1333c formed on the side plate 101c of the second shell. The paper band loosening rod 133c includes a driving cam 1331c at the rear portion thereof. A stop block 134c and a driving pin 135 are also formed behind the paper band loosening rod 133c. The stop block can block the front end of the paper band loosening rod 133c from swinging downward. The driving pin 135c may drive the driving cam, causing the front end of the paper band loosening rod 133c to swing upward. The stop block 134c blocks an upper edge of the rear end of the paper band loosening rod 133c at a proper position. The driving pin 135c drives the driving cam 1331c during a proper time period, causing the front end of the paper band loosening rod 133c to swing upward. The stop block 134c may include two pieces mounted to the two side plates 101c of the second shell, respectively. The driving pin 135c is mounted to the supporting bracket's side plate 123c. As such, the paper head R2 winds around the winding side 1334c of the loosening rod before being pressed onto the transverse stop plate 102c. A longer paper band is thus pulled out due to such winding of the paper band R1. When the paper band loosening rod 133c is disposed at the position shown in Fig. 10b, the upper side of the rear end of the paper band loosening rod 133c is stopped by the stop block 134c, and the lower side of the rear end of the paper band loosening rod 13c is stopped by the driving pin 135. As such, the paper band loosening rod 133c is held in position, and the user can wind the paper band R1 at this time. When the second shell 10c is pushed a proper distance, the driving pin 135 touches the driving cam 1331c of the paper band loosening rod 133c and drives the paper band loosening rod 133c to pivot in the clockwise direction such that the front end (left end) of the paper band loosening rod 133c is lifted upward. As a result, the tense paper band winding around the winding side 1334c is released, thus loosening and avoid tearing of the paper band R1.
Fourth Embodiment
Fig. 12 through Fig. 15 illustrate the fourth embodiment of the paper dispensing device. The paper dispending device of this embodiment also includes a housing 1d for receiving a paper roll, a cutting mechanism 2, and paper band pushing and supporting mechanism 3d.
The housing 1d is formed by combining a fixed shell 12d and a movable shell 11d. The fixed shell 12d includes a base 121d disposed at a rear end of the fixed shell 12d. The base 121e is used to mount the fixed shell 12d to a wall or another fixed surface. A front end 1223 of the fixed shell 12d is curled downward and includes an axle 1221d. A top 125d is further formed on the front end.
The movable shell 113 is a shell defining a paper roll moving slot 115d. The movable shell 113 has a space sufficient to receive a paper roll R such that a new paper roll R can roll in the paper roll moving slot 115d. That is, the distance between the front and rear of the space is greater than a diameter of the new paper roll. A front end of the movable shell 11d includes a hinge 111d for connecting to a side cover 101d. The side cover 101d is in the form of a flat plate (Fig. 12 is a side view of the side plate 101d that is opened to ninety degrees; therefore, the side plate 101d is depicted as a straight line in the drawing), which has a shape matching with the shape of the entire movable shell 11d. As such, when the side plate 101d is closed, the side plate 101d can close the side of the entire movable shell 11d. An ear 112d is formed on a top end of the movable shell 11d. The ear 112d defines an axle hole 1121d for receiving the axle 1221d of the fixed shell 12d. As a result, the movable shell 11d can be hinged to the fixed shell 12d for pivotal movement thereabout. A torsion coil spring 123d is attached around the axle 1221d. The torsion coil spring 123d has one end 1231d urging a bottom surface 124d of the fixed shell 12d and another end 1232d urging a top surface 115d of the movable shell 11d. The elastic force of the torsion coil spring 123d can drive the movable shell 11d to pivot about the axle 1221d in a clockwise direction in Fig. 12. The stop 125d protruding from the fixed shell 12d can engage the top surface 115d of the movable shell 11d to limit the inclination of the movable shell 11d.
The inclination of the bottom surface of the inner chamber of the movable shell 11d can change to cause the bottom surface to slope forward or backward, such that the paper roll R placed thereon can roll to the front or the back. The inclined bottom surface of the paper roll moving slot 115d of the movable shell 11d causes the paper of the paper roll R to be pulled during rolling thus pulling more paper from the paper roll R. In use, after the user pulls out a proper length of paper with hand, the user's hand returns to press the paper onto the outer surface of the movable shell 11d thus holding the paper pulled out of the paper roll R. The user's hand pressing the paper pushes the movable shell 11d to a sloping state and, as a result, more paper is pushed out of the paper roll R. On ther other hand, when the paper is clamped and held, it can be cut apart by a cutting mechanism.
The cutting mechanism 2d includes a cutter and a mating part. The cutter includes a retractable movable cutter 21 d, and the mating part includes a stationary cutter 2d positioned opposing to the movable cutter 21 d. The stationary cutter 22d is fixed in a rectangular chamber formed at a rear end of the movable shell 11d. The stationary cutter 22d has one end fixed to an inner surface of the rectangular chamber and another end extending out of the chamber. The stationary cutter 22d has an oblique cutting edge 222d and a stop shaft 221d formed on a top side of the cutter body. The movable cutter 21d is positioned at the rear end of the inner chamber of the movable shell 11d, in correspondence with the stationary cutter 22d. The body of the movable cutter 21d is formed with an axle 211d through which the cutter body of the movable cutter 21d is connected to a retractable shaft 212 such that the cutter body can pivot on the retractable shaft 212d. The retractable shaft 212d retractably extends out of the movable shell 11d through a guide hole 14d of the movable shell 11d. A torsion coil spring 213d is attached around the axle 211d. The torsion coil spring 213d has one end hooked in a hole 214d in the movable cutter and another end hooked on an edge 2121d of the retractable shaft. The elastic force of the torsion coil spring biases the movable cutter 21d into the inclined state as shown in Fig. 13. The stop shaft 215d fixed to the movable cutter 21d abuts against the edge 2121d of the retractable shaft to limit the inclination of the movable shaft 21d. A tension spring 216d has one end connected to the retractable shaft 212d and another end connected to the movable shell 11d. The tension force of the tension spring 216d biases the movable cutter 21d away from the stationary cutter 22d thus causing the retractable shaft 212d to extend out of the movable shell 11d. A stop bearing 217d is disposed on the movable cutter 21 d. The stop bearing 217d defines a recess 2171 d at a center thereof, for engaging with the stop shaft 221d of the stationary cutter 22d. When pushing the movable shell 11d to pivot about the axle 1221d in the counterclockwise direction, the retractable shaft 212d is pressed by the wall and thus retracting leftwards into the movable shell 11d. The movable cutter 21d disposed on the retractable shaft 212d also moves leftwards, such that a right side of the movable cutter's cutting edge 218d is first closed to a right side 2221d of the stationary cutter's cutting edge 222d (Fig. 13). The recess 2171d of the stop bearing 217d then receives the stop shaft 221d. As the retractable shaft 212d continuously retracts into the inner chamber of the movable shell 11d, the movable cutter 21d pivots about the stop shaft 221d in the clockwise direction, such that the cross point of the two cutting edges moves continuously from the left side to the right side as in a scissor. As a result, the paper disposed between the two cutting edges is cut apart.
Like the previous embodiments, the cutter and mating part of the cutting mechanism 2d may also be of other structure. For example, the cutting edge may be straight or arcuate. The mating part may be a stationary cutter having a cutting edge. Alternatively, the mating part may also be a structure without the cutting edge and may be configured such that when the first shell 12c and the second shell 10c move relative to each other, the cutter cooperates with the mating part to cut apart the paper band in a cross or abutment cutting manner.
In this embodiment, A paper band pushing and supporting mechanism 3d is disposed at a rear end of the paper roll moving slot 115d of the movable shell 11d, which includes a paper band guide member 32d. The paper band guide member 32d has a bottom end fixed to the bottom of the paper roll moving slot 115d of the movable shell 11d, and a top end having a semi-circular surface. The semi-circular surface extends from the inner chamber of the movable shell 11d and positioned under the paper band R1 pulled out to bend the paper band R1 before the paper band R1 enters the cutting mechanism 2d (the paper band guide member 32d may also be integrally formed with the movable shell 11d; in this case, a member having a semi-circular surface integrally extends outward from the rear end of the movable shell 11d).
Like the third embodiment, the top surface of the paper band guide member 32d may be configured to have a continuous-wave shape along a transverse direction. The continuous-wave shaped top surface may act as a paper band reinforcing mechanism, such that the paper band R1 placed on the top surface of the paper band guide member 32d is also formed into the continuous-save shape so as to increase rigidity of the paper head R2.
A paper band support member 31d is disposed between the paper roll R and the paper band guide member 32d, which is soft and elastic. A bottom end 311d of the paper band support member 31d is fixed to a bottom end of a recessed portion 113d in the movable shell 11d. A top end of the paper band support member 31d has a semi-circular shape with an arcuate surface (a thin roller shaft may be installed on the top end of the support member to replace this arcuate surface) supporting the paper pulled out of the paper roll, thus allowing the paper to successfully slide over the arcuate surface. The paper band R1 pulled out of the paper roll R is supported by the top arcuate surface 312d of the support plate 31d, thus preventing drooping down and hence facilitating delivery thereof. As shown in Fig. 15a and Fig. 15b, the top end of the paper band support member 31 d may be configured to have a continuous-wave shape along a transverse direction, such that the paper band R1 placed on the top end of the paper band support member 31d is also formed into the continuous-save shape so as to increase rigidity of the paper head R2 thus preventing drooping down of the paper R2 during delivery thereof.
The paper roll is disposed in the paper roll moving slot 115d of the shell 11d. This moving slot 115d is large enough to allow proper rolling of the paper roll R. In addition, in order to prevent the delivered paper from deviating leftwards or rightwards, two guide members 34d are connected to an inside of the shell with connecting rods 341 d. Each guide member 34d has an appropriate arcuate surface. If the paper passing by deviates leftwards or rightwards, the paper edge will touch the guide member 34d which will cause the paper to slide to the center area.
Described above are merely several specific embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that these are not intended to be used to limit the scope of the present invention. It is noted that various modifications can be made to the described embodiments and they can be used in a different manner as described without departing the spirit of the present invention. In addition, structures and mechanism in one embodiment can often be modified to be applicable in another embodiment.
The housings, housing parts, shells described in the above embodiments can each be in the form of a housing, a shell, or a bracket other than described in the above embodiments and illustrated in the drawings. For example, the first shell and second shell of the first and second embodiments can be modified into a bracket by removing the center planar and arcuate portions and only leaving various edges, ridges and corners. The first shell of the third embodiment can be modified into a shell having an upwardly facing recess by extending the left and right side plates 123c rearward to the wall to which it is fixed. The fixed shell 12d of the fourth embodiment can be modified into shell having a downwardly facing recess by widening its top surface and adding two (downwardly) extending side plates.
For example, the paper delivery structure (including the first supporting bracket 31, the second supporting bracket 32 and various other associated components) of the first embodiment can be used in the second embodiment. To this end, the pushing bracket 31b and associate components, and the support fingers 24b are removed; the upward extending paper band delivery structure of the first embodiment is modified into a horizontally disposed structure which is placed into the housing of the second embodiment; the movable arms 312, 322 are properly modified (proper deformation may be needed) to connect to proper locations of the second shell and the first shell, respectively.
In addition, if the upright configuration of the first embodiment is modified into a horizontal disposed configuration, the active housing structure is removed, and other deformation and modifications are made, the device of the first embodiment may be operated and used and the paper can be delivered in the same manner as in the second embodiment.
Further, the cutting mechanism of the fourth embodiment can be used in the third embodiment. For example, the movable base moves linearly to the paper band causing the movable cutter to move to the stationary cutter 22d. However, the driving structure for the movable base is modified into the retractable shaft 212 as in the fourth embodiment and but the direction in which the retractable shaft extends out of the housing is changed to the leftward direction. As to structures such as the guide hole 14d, axle 211d, torsion coil spring 213d, hole 214d, stop shaft 215d, tension coil spring 216d, stationary cutter 22d, stop bearing 217d, recess 2171 d, stop shaft 221 d, they are also included in the fourth embodiment but need to change the orientation thereof.
If further modifications are made and applied, the cutting mechanism of the fourth embodiment may be used to replace the cutting mechanism of the first and second embodiments. For example, the stationary cutter 22d and associated components of the fourth embodiment are fixed to the first shell of the first and second embodiments; the retractable shaft 212 is modified into a fixed base for being fixed to the second shell of the first and second shell; the movable cutter 21d and associated components disposed on the retractable shaft 212d are reserved but modified properly, such that the movable cutter 21d is disposed in the second shell of the first and second embodiments.
In addition, various modifications can be made to the cutting mechanism and components thereof, the paper pushing and supporting mechanism and components thereof, such that they can be used in other embodiments or used to replace corresponding parts in other embodiments.
Moreover, the embodiments describe the general and main concepts (including driving the cutting mechanism by pushing the shell, causing the paper roll to roll or move to thereby pull out of the paper band by mean of the tilting acts, increasing the rigidity of the paper along the delivery direction by bending the paper into a continuous-wave shape along the transverse direction, and temporarily storing a determined amount of the paper by winding the paper band multiple times along the delivery direction) that are implemented by proper structures and constructions. However, there may be a large number of the structures and constructions that may not be explained one by one. Thus, the scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

A roll paper dispensing method that can be carried out by single hand, characterized in that: a pushable movable housing is provided, the housing has a receiving space for receiving a paper roll and allowing the paper roll to move therein, a cutting mechanism is disposed at an exit of the housing, the paper band is pulled by a user hand grasping a paper head extending out of the exit, the housing is then pushed causing the paper roll received in the housing to move, the cutting mechanism disposed in the housing operates to cut apart the paper band, the paper head moves automatically outwardly from where the paper band is cut apart after the housing returns to its original position.
The roll paper dispensing method according to claim 1, characterized in that: by pushing the housing to cause the housing to slope and the paper roll in the housing to roll, or rotate, or move, or move and rotate, or roll and move, or rotate and move, or rotate, roll and move, the paper is pulled out of the paper roll to form the paper band.
The roll paper dispensing method according to claim 1, characterized in that: the housing comprises at least two housing parts that are movable relative to each other, by the relative movement of the housing parts, the paper roll rolls, or rotates, or translates, or moves and rotates, or rolls and translates, or rotates and translates, or rotates, rolls and translates, such that the paper is pulled out of the paper roll to form the paper band.
The roll paper dispensing method according to claim 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that: the housing further includes a paper band pushing and supporting mechanism corresponding to the cutting mechanism, after a determined length of paper band is pulled or pushed, the paper band is partially clamped or held, and cut apart by the cutting mechanism.
The dispensing method according to claim 4, characterized in that: the paper band pushing and supporting mechanism includes a clamping, pushing and supporting mechanism configured to bend the paper band along a longitudinal and/or transverse direction, or wind and bend the paper band along the longitudinal direction, for facilitating delivery of the paper band that has been pulled out.
A roll paper dispensing device operable by single hand, characterized in that the dispending device includes:
a housing which is a pushable movable element having a receiving space for movably receiving a paper roll therein, the housing configured as a mounting or support element; and

a cutting mechanism disposed within the housing on a movement path of a paper band,

the cutting mechanism including at least one cutter, the cutter configured to be driven by the housing to move toward the paper band to cut apart the paper band when the housing is pushed.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 6, characterized in that:
the motion of the paper roll in the receiving space of the housing is rolling, or rotation,

or translating, or rolling and rotation, or rolling and translating, or rotating or translating, or rotating, rolling and translating.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 6, characterized in that:
the dispensing device further includes another housing connectable to the housing for relative movement therebetween.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 8, characterized in that: the housings are hinged to each other.
The roll paper dispensing device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that: the housing includes a paper exit.
The roll paper dispensing device according to any one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that: the housings are two recessed structures that are couplable to each other to form the space for receiving the paper roll.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 11, characterized in that: the dispending device further includes a shell having a driving surface for facilitating the pushing by a user, the shell includes a driving arm connected to the driving surface, the driving arm is configured to drive the two housings to move relative to each other.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 6, characterized in that: the dispensing device further includes a supporting bracket configured to support and be hinged to the housing.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 6, characterized in that: the cutting mechanism further includes a mating part configured to cooperate with the cutter to cut apart the paper band, the cutter and the mating part are disposed on opposite sides of the plane of the paper band.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 14, characterized in that: the cutter has a curved front edge that has two front ends protruding forwards and a middle portion recessed rearwards.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 14, characterized in that: the side surface of the cutter gradually is raised from two sides to the middle.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 14, characterized in that: the mating part is an element engagable with the cutter and having or not having a cutting edge.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 14, characterized in that: the mating part is element engagable with the cutter to achieve cross cut or abutment cut.
The roll paper dispensing device according to any one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that: the cutter or mating part is formed, at one end thereof, with an arcuate transition plane that extends forwardly and downwardly.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: a movable base is disposed at a movement path of the paper band in the housing, the movable base being movable relative to the paper band.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 20, characterized in that: the movable base is connected to the housing through an axle and driven to rotate by a crank mechanism.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 21, characterized in that: the crank mechanism includes a driving arm to which the movable base is connected, another end of the driving arm is formed with a slide axle, the slide axle is disposed on another housing movable relative to the housing, the another housing defines a driving slot in which the slide axle is slidable to thereby drive the movable base to move.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 20, characterized in that: the cutter mechanism includes a cutter and a mating part engagable with the cutter to cut apart the paper band, the cutter is installed on the movable base, and the mating part is disposed on the housing on which the movable base is disposed and disposed in front of the cutter.
The roll paper dispensing device according to any one of claims 6, 7, 13 to 18, characterized in that: the housing includes a retractable element therein, the cutting mechanism includes a cutter and a mating part engagable with the cutter to cut apart the paper band, the retractable element has one end connected to the cutter or the mating part, another end of the retractable element protrudes out of the housing, the mating part or cutter is disposed in the housing at a location corresponding to the cutter or the mating part connected to the retractable element, the retractable element is retractable into the housing to cause the cutter and mating part to engage to cut apart the paper band by pushing the housing.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 6, characterized in that: the dispending device further includes a paper band pushing and supporting mechanism disposed in a chamber of the housing adjacent the cutting mechanism, the paper band pushing and supporting mechanism configured to cooperate with the cutting mechanism to pull, push or hold the paper band.
The roll paper dispensing device according to any one of claims 8, 9 and 13, characterized in that: the dispensing device further includes a paper band pushing and supporting mechanism, the paper band pushing and supporting mechanism includes two supporting brackets that are symmetrically disposed on two housings that are hinged to each other, the supporting brackets includes positioning blocks that are engagable with each other.
The roll paper dispensing device according to any one of claims 8, 9 and 13, characterized in that: the dispensing device further includes a paper band pushing and supporting mechanism, the paper band pushing and supporting mechanism includes a paper roll center shaft for supporting the paper roll, the paper roll center shaft has opposite ends disposed in slots defined in the housing for allowing the paper roll to slide along the slot.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 27, characterized in that: the slot is a long slot with ratchets formed on the wall of the slot, the opposite ends of the paper roll center shaft include ratchet axles that are engagable with the ratchets.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 27, characterized in that: a plurality of roller wheels or roller shafts are disposed on the bottom of the second housing, for allowing the paper roll placed on the bottom of the second housing to roll.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 29, characterized in that: axles extending from opposite ends of the roller wheels or roller shafts extend through long axle holes defined in the second shell, the long axle hole has one end greater than another end in diameter.
The roll paper dispensing device according to any one of claims 8, 9 and 13, characterized in that: the dispensing device further includes a paper band pushing and support mechanism, the paper band pushing and supporting mechanism includes a pushing bracket on which the paper roll is disposed, the pushing bracket is hinged to the housing that supports the paper band; a driving cam is disposed on the another housing movable relative to the housing that supports the paper band, a cam follower is disposed on the pushing bracket, for engaging with the driving cam, when the another housing is depressed, the cam follower drives the pushing bracket to pivot rearwards so as to allow the paper band to be pulled out.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 31, characterized in that: the pushing bracket includes a latch for positioning the pushing bracket at a pivotal position, and the housing that supports the paper band includes an elastic stop for engaging with the latch.
The roll paper dispensing device according to any one of claims 6, 7 and 25, characterized in that: the dispensing device further includes a paper band reinforcing mechanism disposed on a path of the paper band, a surface of the paper band reinforcing mechanism for contacting the paper band is has a concave-convex shape along the transverse and/or longitudinal direction thereof, such that the paper band has a curve cross-section after the paper band touches the paper band reinforcing mechanism.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 33, characterized in that: the concave-convex shape is a continuous-wave shape.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 33, characterized in that: the concave-convex shape is formed by extensions spaced apart.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claims 33 or 35, characterized in that: the concave-convex shape is formed at opposite sides of a plane of the paper band, with concave and convex portions staggeringly clamping the paper band, the paper band has a curved cross-section at locations where it is clamped.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 35, characterized in that: the extensions spaced apart include ratchets on extension ends of the extensions for contacting the paper band.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claims 35 or 37, characterized in that: each of the extensions spaced apart has an extension end hinged thereto to allow pivotal movement of the extension end.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 33, characterized in that: the concave-convex shape is formed by extensions spaced apart at opposite sides of a plane of the paper band, the extensions connected to housings that are different and movable relative to each other.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 33, characterized in that: the concave-convex shape is formed by bodies that are discontinuously disposed at opposite sides of a plane of the paper band, the bodies connected to housings that different and movable relative to each other, respectively.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 40, characterized in that: the movable arm is an elastic member
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 40, characterized in that: the dispensing device further includes two rows of elastic support fingers disposed on housings that are different and movable relative to each other, respectively, the relatively movable housings are crossed to clamp the paper band when closed to each other.
The roll paper dispensing device according to any one of claims 6-9, 13-18, 23, 25, 34, 35, 39-42, characterized in that: in the housing, a paper band guide member is disposed between the paper roll receiving space and the cutting mechanism, the paper band guide member is disposed below the paper band, a paper band contacting surface of the paper band guide member is arcuate to bend the paper band supported on the paper band contacting surface and change a delivery direction of the paper band to deliver the paper band into the cutting mechanism.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 33, characterized in that: in the housing, a paper band guide member is disposed between the paper roll receiving space and the cutting mechanism, the paper band guide member is disposed below the paper band, a paper band contacting surface of the paper band guide member is configured to bend the paper band supported on the paper band contacting surface and change a delivery direction of the paper band to deliver the paper band into the cutting mechanism.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 20, characterized in that: a guide extension member is disposed on the housing adjacent the movable base, for being crosslingly arranged with the movable base.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 45, characterized in that: the movable base includes a paper band bending member, the paper band bending member is spaced apart from the guide extension member, such that when the movable base pivots toward the guide extension member, the paper band is bent between the paper band bending member and the guide extension member.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 44, characterized in that: a paper band support member is disposed between the paper band guide member and the paper roll, the paper band support member has a free end and is configured to abuttingly support the paper band.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 47, characterized in that: the top portion of the paper band guide member and/or the paper band support member is formed to have a continuous-wave shape.
The roll paper dispensing device according to any one of claims 45-48, characterized in that: two linking rods are disposed between the paper band guide member and the paper roll, opposite ends of each linking rods are connected to an upper axle and a lower axle, respectively, the upper axle is fixed to the guide extension member, the lower axle is fixed to the housing between the paper band guide member and the paper roll, thereby forming a four-rod swing mechanism, upper ends of the linking rods being movable ends, lower ends of the linking rods being fixed ends pivotable on the lower axles.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 6, 7, 8, 9, 12 or 13, characterized in that: two guide blocks are symmetrically disposed on the housing for guiding the paper band to slide to a middle area of the path of the paper, each guide block has an arcuate or inclined surface for contacting the paper.
The roll paper dispensing device according to any one of claims 14-18 and 23, characterized in that: a support tray is disposed below the cutting mechanism for support the falling paper that has been cut apart.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 26, characterized in that: a paper band loosening rod is disposed at the front end of the second shell, the paper band loosening rod includes a winding side at an underside of a front end thereof, for allowing the paper band pulled out to pass over the winding side by winding around the winding side, a rear portion of the paper band loosening rod is connected to the second shell with a pivot structure.
The roll paper dispensing device according to claim 26, characterized in that: a paper band loosening rod is disposed at the front end of the second shell, The paper band loosening rod includes a driving cam at the rear portion thereof, a stop block and a driving pin are also formed behind the paper band loosening rod, the stop block is configured to block the front end of the paper band loosening rod from swinging downward, the driving pin is configured to drive the driving cam, causing the front end of the paper band loosening rod to swing upward.