U.S. patent application number 13/187682 was filed with the patent office on 2012-01-26 for roll paper holder.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sang Joon Oh. Invention is credited to Isao Matsumura.
Application Number | 20120018483 13/187682 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44533892 |
Filed Date | 2012-01-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120018483 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Matsumura; Isao |
January 26, 2012 |
Roll Paper Holder
Abstract
Disclosed is a roll paper holder in which a leading end of roll
paper extends outwardly from the roll paper holder by a certain
length after cutting of the roll paper, to allow the user to easily
grasp the leading end of the roll paper.
Inventors: |
Matsumura; Isao;
(Yokosuka-shi, JP) |
Assignee: |
Oh; Sang Joon
Wonju-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
44533892 |
Appl. No.: |
13/187682 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
225/43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 10/3637 20130101;
Y10T 225/243 20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
225/43 |
International
Class: |
A47K 10/38 20060101
A47K010/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 23, 2010 |
JP |
2010-165535 |
Claims
1. A roll paper holder comprising a pair of side members, a support
shaft for supporting roll paper between the side members, a backing
member mounted to front sides of the side members, and a cover
member rotatably mounted to the side members while facing the
backing member, further comprising: a concave portion formed at the
backing member; a convex portion formed at the cover member to
correspond to the concave portion; a cutter formed at a lower end
of the cover member; and an elastic member mounted to the backing
member, to be arranged over the concave portion.
2. The roll paper holder according to claim 1, wherein the cover
member comprises a pair of legs formed at one side of the cover
member, second fixed pins respectively protruded from outer ends of
the legs, and grooves respectively formed at inner ends of the
legs, wherein each of the side members comprises guide holes to
receive the second fixed pins, respectively, fulcrum pins
respectively fitted in the grooves, and first fixed pins, wherein a
coil spring is mounted between each of the second fixed pins and a
corresponding one of the first fixed pins.
3. The roll paper holder according to claim 1, wherein the cutter
comprises: a saw-shaped tooth portion formed at a lower end of the
cover member; a spring member formed between the tooth portion and
the convex portion of the cover member; and a spring plate formed
at an end of the spring member.
4. The roll paper holder according to claim 3, wherein the spring
member comprises: a pair of coil springs; and three coil springs
arranged between the pair of coil springs while having a shorter
length than the pair of coil springs.
5. The roll paper holder according to claim 1, wherein the cutter
comprises: a horizontally-elongated tooth portion formed at a lower
end of the cover member; spring members respectively formed at
upper and lower sides of the tooth portion; and spring plates each
formed at an end of a corresponding one of the spring members,
wherein the tooth portion is inserted into a concave portion formed
on the backing member at a position corresponding to the tooth
portion.
6. The roll paper holder according to claim 1, wherein the cutter
comprises: a horizontally-elongated tooth portion formed at a lower
end of a connector to connect the pair of legs; sponges
respectively formed at upper and lower sides of the tooth portion;
and spring plates each formed at an end of a corresponding one of
the sponges, wherein the backing member is formed with a concave
portion at a position corresponding to the tooth portion, wherein
sponges are mounted to the backing member at upper and lower sides
of the concave portion, and spring plates are attached to free ends
of the sponges mounted to the backing member, respectively.
7. The roll paper holder according to claim 1, wherein the cutter
comprises: a 90.degree.-rotated U-shaped recess formed at the
backing member; two parallel spring members mounted at an upper
portion of the recess, to extend toward the cover member,
respectively attached with spring plates, a plate-shaped tooth
portion disposed at a lower portion of the recess and supported by
two spring members, the plate-shaped tooth portion having an
inclined surface; a spring plate support portion formed at a lower
end portion of the cover member; and a tooth portion formed at the
cover member beneath the spring plate support portion, to be
integral with the spring plate support portion, whereby, when the
cover member is pressed, the tooth portion of the cover member is
moved along the inclined surface of the plate-shaped tooth portion,
and then cuts an end of the roll paper while coming into contact
with the plate-shaped tooth portion, in a manner similar to
scissors.
8. A roll paper holder comprising a pair of side members, a base
plate mounted between the side members, to support roll paper laid
on the base plate, a backing member mounted to the side members
beneath the base plate, and a cover member mounted to the side
members to be horizontally movable with respect to the backing
member, further comprising: a plurality of concave portions formed
at the backing member; a plurality of convex portions formed at the
cover member, to correspond to the concave portions of the backing
member; a roll paper cutter formed at the cover member beneath the
convex portions; a guide receiving member mounted to the backing
member between the concave portions; a guide formed at the cover
member between the convex portions, to be inserted into the guide
receiving member; and a spring member mounted to an end of the
guide inserted into the guide receiving member.
9. The roll paper holder according to claim 8, wherein the cutter
comprises: a guide plate and a stopper, which are formed at a lower
end of the cover member while being vertically spaced apart from
each other; a tooth portion formed between the guide plate and the
stopper; spring members arranged at upper and lower sides of the
tooth portion; and bases formed at the backing member, to
correspond to the spring members, respectively, whereby, when the
cover member is pressed, the spring members are pressed against the
bases while coming into contact with the bases, and the tooth
portion is inserted into a groove defined between the bases.
10. The roll paper holder according to claim 8, wherein the cutter
comprises: a slider vertically slidably mounted to a lower end of
the cover member, and formed with a horizontal groove; a tooth
portion formed at the cover member beneath the slider; a spring
member mounted to the cover member beneath the slider; a spring
plate mounted to a free end of the spring member; a pair of bases
formed on the backing member at a position corresponding to the
spring plate; and a control rod formed on the backing member at a
position corresponding to the slider, whereby, when the cover
member is pressed, the control rod is inserted into the slider, the
spring plate is pressed against the bases, and the tooth portion is
inserted into a space defined between the bases.
11. The roll paper holder according to claim 8, wherein the tooth
portion comprises teeth having mountains and valleys, which are
alternately arranged.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a roll paper holder for
holding roll paper, and more particularly to a roll paper holder in
which a leading end of roll paper is in a state of extending
outwardly from the roll paper holder by a certain length after
cutting of the roll paper, thereby being capable of allowing the
user to easily grasp the leading end of the roll paper.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In a conventional roll paper holder, roll paper is cut by a
cutter formed at an end of the holder. In such a roll paper holder,
however, there is a problem in that since a leading end of the roll
paper formed upon cutting the roll paper is disposed beneath the
cutter, the user may cut his finger on the cutter when pulling the
leading end of the roll paper to use the roll paper. For this
reason, it has been required to maintain the leading end of the
roll paper in a state of extending outwardly from the roll paper
holder by a certain length, namely, in a state of being spaced
apart from the cutter by a certain length, in order to prevent the
user from cutting his finger on the cutter.
[0005] Conventional proposals to meet the above-mentioned
requirement are disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication
No. 2002-85288, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
2003-153821, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
2003-135306, Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No.
H5-28292, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H10-43087, and
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H10-000171.
[0006] However, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos.
2002-85288 and 2003-153821, there is a problem in that cutting
operation may be unstable because there is a space between a cutter
and an end of a cover to allow roll paper to extend outwardly from
a roll paper holder by a certain length. In the case of Japanese
Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-135306, cutting operation
may be unstable because roll paper cutting by a cutter is achieved
only using frictional force generated at one side of a holder.
Furthermore, a portion of the cutter is forwardly protruded, so
that the user may cut his finger on the protruded cutter portion.
In the case of Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No.
H5-28292, stable cutting operation may be achieved. In this case,
however, the leading end of roll paper formed after cutting is
still positioned at a cutting position without extending downwardly
from the cutting position. For this reason, there is difficulty for
the user to grasp the leading end of the roll paper. In the case of
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H10-43087, cutting
operation carried out by a cutter is unstable. In the case of
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H10-000171, roll paper
is stably supported. In this case, however, there is a problem in
that the leading end of roll paper does not extend smoothly
downward.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of
the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to
provide a roll paper holder, in which a leading end of roll paper
is in a state of extending outwardly from the roll paper holder by
a certain length after cutting of the roll paper, thereby being
capable of allowing the user to grasp the leading end of the roll
paper and then to pull the roll paper from the roll paper holder by
a desired length in order to use the roll paper.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
roll paper holder configured to prevent teeth of a cutter to cut
roll paper from being exposed, thereby being capable of preventing
the user from injury by the teeth of the cutter upon cutting the
roll paper.
[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
roll paper holder usable in a state of being laid on a horizontal
table.
[0010] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the
above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a
roll paper holder including a pair of side members, a support shaft
for supporting roll paper between the side members, a backing
member mounted to front sides of the side members, and a cover
member rotatably mounted to the side members while facing the
backing member, further including a concave portion formed at the
backing member, a convex portion formed at the cover member to
correspond to the concave portion, a cutter formed at a lower end
of the cover member, and an elastic member mounted to the backing
member, to be arranged over the concave portion.
[0011] The cover member may include a pair of legs formed at one
side of the cover member, second fixed pins respectively protruded
from outer ends of the legs, and grooves respectively formed at
inner ends of the legs. Each of the side members may include guide
holes to receive the second fixed pins, respectively, fulcrum pins
respectively fitted in the grooves, and first fixed pins. A coil
spring may be mounted between each of the second fixed pins and a
corresponding one of the first fixed pins.
[0012] The cutter may include a saw-shaped tooth portion formed at
a lower end of the cover member, a spring member formed between the
tooth portion and the convex portion of the cover member, and a
spring plate formed at an end of the spring member.
[0013] The spring member may include a pair of coil springs, and
three coil springs arranged between the pair of coil springs while
having a shorter length than the pair of coil springs.
[0014] The cutter may include a horizontally-elongated tooth
portion formed at a lower end of the cover member, spring members
respectively formed at upper and lower sides of the tooth portion,
and spring plates each formed at an end of a corresponding one of
the spring members. The tooth portion may be inserted into a
concave portion formed on the backing member at a position
corresponding to the tooth portion
[0015] The cutter may include a horizontally-elongated tooth
portion formed at a lower end of a connector to connect the pair of
legs, sponges respectively formed at upper and lower sides of the
tooth portion, and spring plates each formed at an end of a
corresponding one of the sponges. The backing member may be formed
with a concave portion at a position corresponding to the tooth
portion. Sponges may be mounted to the backing member at upper and
lower sides of the concave portion. Spring plates may be attached
to free ends of the sponges mounted to the backing member,
respectively.
[0016] The cutter may include a 90.degree.-rotated U-shaped recess
formed at the backing member, two parallel spring members mounted
at an upper portion of the recess, to extend toward the cover
member, respectively attached with spring plates, a plate-shaped
tooth portion disposed at a lower portion of the recess and
supported by two spring members, the plate-shaped tooth portion
having an inclined surface, a spring plate support portion formed
at a lower end portion of the cover member, and a tooth portion
formed at the cover member beneath the spring plate support
portion, to be integral with the spring plate support portion.
Accordingly, when the cover member is pressed, the tooth portion of
the cover member may b moved along the inclined surface of the
plate-shaped tooth portion, and may then cut an end of the roll
paper while coming into contact with the plate-shaped tooth
portion, in a manner similar to scissors.
[0017] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a roll paper holder including a pair of side
members, a base plate mounted between the side members, to support
roll paper laid on the base plate, a backing member mounted to the
side members beneath the base plate, and a cover member mounted to
the side members to be horizontally movable with respect to the
backing member, further including a plurality of concave portions
formed at the backing member, a plurality of convex portions formed
at the cover member, to correspond to the concave portions of the
backing member, a roll paper cutter formed at the cover member
beneath the convex portions, a guide receiving member mounted to
the backing member between the concave portions, a guide formed at
the cover member between the convex portions, to be inserted into
the guide receiving member, and a spring member mounted to an end
of the guide inserted into the guide receiving member.
[0018] The cutter may include a guide plate and a stopper, which
are formed at a lower end of the cover member while being
vertically spaced apart from each other, a tooth portion formed
between the guide plate and the stopper, spring members arranged at
upper and lower sides of the tooth portion, and bases formed at the
backing member, to correspond to the spring members, respectively.
Accordingly, when the cover member is pressed, the spring members
may be pressed against the bases while coming into contact with the
bases, and the tooth portion may be inserted into a groove defined
between the bases.
[0019] The cutter may include a slider vertically slidably mounted
to a lower end of the cover member, and formed with a horizontal
groove, a tooth portion formed at the cover member beneath the
slider, a spring member mounted to the cover member beneath the
slider, a spring plate mounted to a free end of the spring member,
a pair of bases formed on the backing member at a position
corresponding to the spring plate, and a control rod formed on the
backing member at a position corresponding to the slider.
Accordingly, when the cover member is pressed, the control rod may
be inserted into the slider, the spring plate may be pressed
against the bases, and the tooth portion may be inserted into a
space defined between the bases.
[0020] The tooth portion may include teeth having mountains and
valleys, which are alternately arranged.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The above and other objects, features and other advantages
of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0022] FIGS. 1a, 1b illustrates each configurations of a roll paper
holder according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention through a side view while illustrating a cover member
through a plan view;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the roll paper holder;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating a cover member according
to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating a roll paper holder
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating arrangement of springs on
a cover member in the roll paper holder of FIG. 4;
[0027] FIGS. 6a, 6b, 6c are side views illustrating each procedures
of cutting roll paper by the cutter;
[0028] FIGS. 7a, 7b, 7c are side views illustrating each procedures
of cutting roll paper using a cutter according to another
embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] FIGS. 8a, 8b are side views illustrating each procedures of
cutting roll paper using a cutter according to another embodiment
of the present invention;
[0030] FIGS. 9a, 9b are plan views illustrating the shape of a
tooth portion each;
[0031] FIGS. 10a, 10b, 10c illustrates a cutter according to
another embodiment of the present invention through a side view and
a plan view;
[0032] FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating a cutter according to
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 12 is a side view illustrating an embodiment modified
from the embodiment of FIG. 11;
[0034] FIGS. 13a, 13b, 13c are side views illustrating a roll paper
holder according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0035] FIG. 14 is a schematic view illustrating structures of
concave and convex portions according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention.
[0036] FIGS. 15a, 15b are views illustrating a roll paper holder
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0037] FIGS. 16a to 16h are perspective views illustrating a cutter
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0038] FIGS. 17a, 17b, 17c illustrates a tooth portion each
according to another embodiment of the present invention through a
side view and plan views;
[0039] FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating a roll paper
holder, to which a cover member is attached, in accordance with
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0040] FIGS. 19a, 19b, 19c illustrates constituent elements of the
roll paper holder shown in FIG. 18 through a front view and
perspective views;
[0041] FIGS. 20a, 20b illustrates detailed structures of the
constituent elements of the roll paper holder shown in FIG. 18
through front views;
[0042] FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating a desktop roll
paper holder according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0043] FIG. 22 is a perspective view illustrating an inner
structure of the desktop roll paper holder in an opened state of a
cover member;
[0044] FIG. 23 is a perspective view illustrating the desktop roll
paper holder in a state in which roll paper is mounted;
[0045] FIG. 24 is a perspective view illustrating a usable state of
the desktop roll paper holder;
[0046] FIGS. 25a, 25b illustrates a kitchen paper holder according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention through a front
view and a perspective view;
[0047] FIG. 26 is a view illustrating detailed structures of the
constituent elements of the kitchen paper holder;
[0048] FIG. 27 is a perspective view illustrating a use state of
the kitchen paper holder;
[0049] FIG. 28 is a perspective view illustrating a desktop kitchen
paper holder according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0050] FIG. 29 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which
kitchen paper is laid on the desktop kitchen paper holder;
[0051] FIG. 30 is a perspective view illustrating the desktop
kitchen paper holder in a state in which a kitchen paper pressing
member is set; and
[0052] FIG. 31 is a perspective view illustrating a use state of
the desktop kitchen paper holder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0053] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention associated with roll paper
holders, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
[0054] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a roll paper holder includes a pair of side members, a
backing member mounted between the side members, and formed with a
concave portion, a cover member rotatably mounted to the side
members and formed with a convex portion corresponding to the
concave portion, and a cutter formed at a lower end of the cover
member. Support shafts are formed at the side members,
respectively, to support roll paper. An end of the roll paper
supported by the support shafts passes through a space defined
between the backing member and the cover member. When the user
pushes or presses the cover member, the cutter formed at the lower
end of the cover member cuts the roll paper. The roll paper, which
has been pressed between the concave and convex portions in
accordance with the pressing of the cover member, is then unrolled
in the direction of gravity after cutting, so that a leading end of
the roll paper extends outwardly from the cutter by a length
allowing the user to grasp the leading end of the roll paper.
[0055] FIGS. 1a and 1b are a side view and a plan view, which
illustrate a configuration of a roll paper holder, respectively.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the roll paper holder. FIG. 3 is a
side view illustrating a cover member according to another
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a side view
illustrating a roll paper holder according to another embodiment of
the present invention. FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating
arrangement of springs on a cover member in the roll paper holder
of FIG. 4. FIG. 6a, 6b, 6c are side views illustrating each
procedures of cutting roll paper by the cutter. FIGS. 7a, 7b, 7c
are side views illustrating each procedures of cutting roll paper
using a cutter according to another embodiment of the present
invention. FIGS. 8a, 8b are side views illustrating procedures of
cutting roll paper using a cutter according to another embodiment
of the present invention. FIGS. 9a, 9b are each plan views
illustrating the shape of a tooth portion. FIGS. 10a, 10b, 10c
illustrates a cutter according to another embodiment of the present
invention through a side view and a plan view.
[0056] Referring to FIGS. 1a and 1b, roll paper 3 is mounted on a
support shaft 2 fixed between a pair of side members 1. When the
roll paper 3 is unrolled, the unrolled roll paper passes over a
roll paper support rod 5 and then passes along concave portions 6a
of a backing member 6.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 2, elastic members 6A are mounted to the
backing member 6, to be arranged over the concave portions 6a. For
each elastic member 6A, a Z-shaped plate spring, a coil spring, or
a cushion member may be used.
[0058] A cover member 8 is rotatably mounted to the side members 1
such that the cover member 8 faces the backing member 6. The cover
member 8 includes convex portions 8d engagable with the concave
portions 6a under the condition that the unrolled roll paper is
interposed between the concave portions 6a and the convex portions
8d. The cover member 8 also includes a pair of legs 8b. A sliding
pin 12 is protruded from an outer surface of each leg 8b at an end
of the leg 8b. The sliding pins 12 of the legs 8b are inserted into
guide holes 15 formed through the side members 1, respectively. The
legs 8b are connected by a connector 8c disposed between the legs
8b. Grooves 8a are formed at opposite sides of the cover member 8
between the legs 8b and an end of the convex portion 8d disposed
adjacent to the legs 8b, respectively. The grooves 8a are fitted
around fulcrum pins 9 protruded from inner surfaces of the side
members 1, respectively.
[0059] The cover member 8 further includes a cutter formed at a
lower end of the connector 8c. The cutter includes a saw-shaped
tooth portion 10, spring members 4a, 4b, and 4c disposed between
the tooth portion 10 and an end of the convex portion 8d disposed
adjacent to the tooth portion 10, and a spring plate 11 mounted to
free ends of the spring members 4a, 4b, and 4c.
[0060] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a roll paper
holder according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. Each guide hole 15 formed at a corresponding one of the
slide members 1 has a shape corresponding to a movement trace of
the corresponding sliding pin 12 established when the cover member
8 rotates about the fulcrum pins 9 as the cover member 8 is pushed
or pressed toward the backing member 6. Meanwhile, fixed pins 13
are mounted to the side members 1, respectively. A coil spring 14
is mounted between each sliding pin 12 and a corresponding one of
the fixed pins 13, to return the cover member 8 to an original
position thereof.
[0061] When the user presses a lower end of the cover member 8
after grasping an end 3b of the unrolled roll paper and pulling the
roll paper by a desired length, the cover member 8 is rotated about
the fulcrum pins 9. At this time, the sliding pins 12 slide along
the guide holes 15. When the pressing force is released, the cover
member 8 is returned to an original position thereof by the coil
springs 14.
[0062] When the cover member 8 is pressed, the convex portions 8d
are inserted into the concave portions 6a while pressing the roll
paper and elastic members 6A interposed between the concave
portions 6a and the convex portions 8d. At this time, the roll
paper is unrolled, and the elastic members 6A are tensioned. When
the cover member 8 is further pressed, the spring plate 11 mounted
to the free ends of the spring members 4a, 4b, and 4c is pressed
against a base 7 provided at a lower portion of the backing member
6. At this time, the roll paper is pressed by the tooth portion 10
beneath the base 7, so that it is cut by the tooth portion 10.
[0063] When the user releases the pressing force applied to the
cover member 8 after the cutting, the cover member 8 is returned to
an original position thereof by resilience of the coil springs 14.
At this time, the roll paper interposed between the concave
portions 6a and the convex portions 8d is pushed away from the
concave portions 6a by the elastic members 6A. As a result, the
roll paper extends in the direction of gravity through a gap
defined between the concave portions 6a and the convex portions 8d.
Thus, the roll paper extends outwardly from the roll paper holder
by a certain length.
[0064] When the spring plate 11 or base 7 is subjected to surface
machining to increase frictional force or is provided with a member
to increase frictional force, it may be possible to obtain slippage
preventing effects.
[0065] FIGS. 6a, 6b, 6c are side views illustrating a procedure of
cutting roll paper by the cutter. FIGS. 6a, 6b, 6c illustrates each
operations of the tooth portion 10 and spring plate 11. FIG. 6c
illustrates a state in which a leading end of the roll paper formed
after a cutting operation and in contact with the tooth portion 10
is separated from the tooth portion 10 by the spring plate 11. That
is, the plate spring 11 is disposed between the tooth portion 10
and the end of the convex portion 8d disposed adjacent to the tooth
portion 10 in order to prevent the leading end of the roll paper
from being kept in a state of being attached to the tooth portion
10 after cutting of the roll paper. That is, even when the leading
end of the roll paper is in a state of being attached to the tooth
portion 10 after cutting of the roll paper, the spring plate 11
continuously presses the leading end of the roll paper until the
tooth portion 10 returns to an original position thereof, thereby
causing the leading end of the roll paper attached to the tooth
portion 10 from being separated from the tooth portion 10.
Thereafter, the spring plate 11 is returned to an original position
thereof.
[0066] Meanwhile, the roll paper positioned between the backing
member 6 and the cover member 8 extends in the direction of gravity
by the resilience of the elastic members 6A while being moved away
from the concave portions 6a when the cover member 8 returns to an
original position thereof. At the same time, the roll paper leading
end 3b extends downwardly from the tooth portion 10 while being
separated from the base 7 and the tooth portion 10. Thus, the roll
paper leading end 3b is positioned to be easily grasped by the
user.
[0067] It is apparent that the downward extension length of the
roll paper from the tooth portion 10 depends on the length of the
curved surfaces of the concave portions 6a, namely, the depths and
number of the concave portions 6a. Preferably, the downward
extension length of the roll paper is 20 mm or more, in order to
enable the user to easily grasp the leading end of the roll
paper.
[0068] FIG. 3 illustrates a cover member according to another
embodiment of the present invention. In accordance with this
embodiment, a cover member 17 is rotatably mounted to the side
members 1 by support pins 18, to be rotatable about support pins
18. A spring 14 is coupled between fixed members 19 and 20. When
the cover member 17 is pressed, the spring 14 is tensioned. When
the pressing force applied to the cover member 17 is released, the
cover member 17 is returned to an original position thereof by
resilience of the spring 14.
[0069] FIG. 4 illustrates a roll paper holder according to another
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a plan view
illustrating arrangement of springs on a cover member in the roll
paper holder of FIG. 4. In accordance with this embodiment, a cover
member 17A is mounted to a pair of side members, to be rotatable
about support pins 18 formed at upper portions of the side members.
A cutter is formed at a lower end of the cover member 17A. The
cutter includes a tooth portion 10B, a pair of coil springs 4A and
4B disposed between the tooth portion 10B and an end of a convex
portion provided at the cover member 17A adjacent to the tooth
portion 10, and three coil springs 4a, 4b, and 4c disposed between
the coil springs 4A and 4B while having a shorter length than the
coil springs 4A and 4B. The cover member 17A is kept spaced apart
from a backing member 66 by the coil springs 4A and 4B and a base
7A.
[0070] Roll paper extends between the two coil springs 4A and 4B.
The three coil springs 4a, 4b, and 4c operate in the same manner as
the coil springs 4a, 4b, and 4c shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b. Spring
plates are attached to ends of the two coil springs 4A and 4B and
three coil springs 4a, 4b, and 4c, respectively.
[0071] In an initial state, the roll paper is positioned in a space
defined by the backing member 66, which is provided with elastic
members 6B, and the cover member 17A, which is provided with
elastic members 8B. When the user presses a lower portion of the
cover member 17A, convex portions of the cover member 17A come into
contact with concave portions of the backing member 66. At this
time, the elastic members 6B and 8B are tensioned, and the two coil
springs 4A and 4B are compressed.
[0072] Also, the three coil springs 4a, 4b, and 4c retain the roll
paper between the base 7A and the coil springs 4a, 4b, and 4c. The
roll paper is pressed against the base 7A by the tooth portion 10B.
As a result, the roll paper is cut. When the user releases the
pressing force applied to the cover member 17A after cutting, the
cover member 17A is returned to an original position thereof by
resilience of the coil springs 4A and 4B. At this time, the roll
paper interposed between the concave portions and the convex
portions, which has a certain length, is pushed away from the
concave portions by the elastic members 6B and 8B. As a result, the
roll paper extends in the direction of gravity. Thus, the roll
paper extends downwardly from the tooth portion 10B by a certain
length.
[0073] FIGS. 7a, 7b, 7c illustrates a cutter according to another
embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 7a to 7c, operations
of constituent elements of the cutter, namely, a tooth portion 25
and spring plates 28a and 28b, are shown. Referring to FIG. 7a, a
backing member 23, which has a horizontally-elongated concave
portion 23a, is shown. The tooth portion 25 is formed at a cover
member 24 to extend horizontally. The tooth portion 25 is
insertable into the concave portion 23a. Springs 27a and 27b are
mounted to the cover member 24 while being vertically arranged such
that the tooth portion 25 is disposed between the springs 27a and
27b. Spring plates 28a and 28b are mounted to free ends of the
springs 27a and 27b, respectively. A stopper 26 is formed at the
cover member 24 beneath a lower one of the springs 27a and 27b,
namely, the spring 27b. Referring to FIG. 7a, a leading end 3a of
the roll paper passes through a gap between the backing member 23
and the cover member 24.
[0074] FIG. 7b illustrates a state in which the cover member 24 is
pressed toward the backing member 23. In this state, the tooth
portion 25 is inserted into the concave portion 23a. When the
stopper 26 comes into contact with the backing member 23, the
insertion of the tooth portion 25 into the concave portion 23a is
stopped. At this time, the roll paper is cut by the tooth portion
25 inserted into the concave portion 23a. At this time, stable
cutting is achieved because the two spring plates 28a and 28b
respectively arranged at upper and lower sides of the tooth portion
25 press the roll paper leading end 3a during cutting, thereby
firmly fixing the roll paper leading end 3a.
[0075] FIG. 7c illustrates a state just before the cover member 24
returns to an original position thereof at which the cover member
24 is spaced apart from the backing member 23. FIG. 7c shows a
state in which a leading end of roll paper formed after a cutting
operation and in contact with the tooth portion 25 is separated
from the tooth portion 25 by the spring plates 28a and 28b. That
is, even when the leading end of roll paper 3a is in a state of
being attached to the tooth portion 25 after cutting of the roll
paper, the spring plates 28a and 28b continuously press the leading
end of the roll paper 3a until the tooth portion 25 returns to an
original position thereof, thereby preventing the leading end of
the roll paper attached to the tooth portion 25 from being
separated from the tooth portion 25. Thereafter, the spring plates
28a and 28b are moved away from the leading end of the roll paper
3a. The spring plates 28a and 28b, to which the springs 27a and 27b
are attached, and the tooth portion 25 may be provided at the
backing member 23, and the concave portion 23a may be provided at
the cover member 24.
[0076] FIGS. 8a, 8b illustrates a cutter according to another
embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 8a, a
backing member 23 and a cover member 24 are illustrated. Spring
plates 30a and 30b are mounted to the backing member 23 via sponges
29a and 29b attached to the backing member 23. Also, spring plates
28a and 28b are mounted to the cover member 24 via sponges 38a and
38b attached to the cover member such that the spring plates 28a
and 28b face the spring plates 30a and 30b, respectively. A tooth
portion 25 is formed at the cover member 24, and a concave portion
23a is formed at the backing member 23 such that the tooth portion
25 is insertable into the concave portion 23a. FIG. 8b illustrates
a configuration reverse to that of FIG. 8a. That is, in the case of
FIG. 8b, the spring plates 30a and 30b are mounted to the cover
member 24 via the sponges 29a and 29b attached to the cover member
24, and the spring plates 28a and 28b are mounted to the backing
member 23 via the sponges 38a and 38b attached to the backing
member 23 such that the spring plates 28a and 28b face the spring
plates 30a and 30b, respectively. In this case, a tooth portion 25
is formed at the backing member 23, and a concave portion 23a is
formed at the cover member 24 such that the tooth portion 25 is
insertable into the concave portion 23a.
[0077] FIGS. 9a, 9b are plan views illustrating horizontal shapes
of the tooth portions 25 respectively shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In
the case of a tooth portion 25B shown in FIG. 9b, teeth having
different heights are alternately formed to reduce the pressure
initially applied to roll paper upon cutting the roll paper. In
this case, it may be possible to increase the number of teeth
having different heights, and thus to vary the shapes and
arrangement of teeth.
[0078] FIGS. 10a, 10b, 10c illustrates a cutter according to
another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 10a,
a backing member 33 is shown. A 90.degree.-rotated U-shaped recess
33A is formed at the backing member 33. Two parallel spring members
37a and 37b are mounted at the recess 33A, to extend toward an
opening of the recess 33A, namely, toward a cover member 31 facing
the backing member 33. Spring plates 36a and 36b are attached to
respective free ends of the spring members 37a and 37b. Meanwhile,
two spring members 35a and 35b are mounted to the inner bottom
surfaces of the recess 33A, and a plate-shaped lower tooth portion
34 is supported by the spring members 35a and 35b. As shown in a
plan view of FIG. 10c, the plate-shaped lower tooth portion 34 has
an inward cut-out section 34b, and inclined sections 34a
respectively formed at opposite sides of the cut-out section
34b.
[0079] Meanwhile, the cover member 31 is provided, at a lower end
thereof, with a spring plate support portion 31b and a tooth
portion 32. The spring plate support portion 31b comes into contact
with the spring plates 36a and 36b when the cover member 31 moves
toward the backing member 33. When the cover member 31 is pressed
toward the backing member 33, the tooth portion 32 of the cover
member 31 comes into contact with roll paper 3a, and then presses
the roll paper 3a against the inclined sections 34a of the
plate-shaped lower tooth portion 34. At this time, the spring plate
support portion 31b presses the roll paper 3a against the spring
plates 36a and 36b. In this state, the tooth portion 32
subsequently moves along the inclined sections 34a while downwardly
pressing the plate-shaped tooth portion 34. At this time, the roll
paper is inserted into the recess 33A by a certain length while
being interposed between the spring plate support portion 31b and
the spring plates 36a and 36b. As the tooth portion 32 comes into
contact with an edge of the cut-out section 34b in a sequential
manner during movement thereof, it cuts the roll paper 3a in a
manner similar to scissors. When the cover member 31 is moved away
from the backing member 33 after cutting of the roll paper, a
leading end 3b of the roll paper formed after cutting is moved away
from the recess 33A by the spring plates 36a and 36b. Thus, the
leading end 3b extends downwardly by a certain length.
[0080] FIG. 11 illustrates a cutter according to another embodiment
of the present invention. A cover member 40 rotates about fulcrum
pins (not shown) to come into contact with a backing member 42, as
indicated by reference numeral "40A". A tooth portion 46 and spring
plates 44 mounted to spring members 45, which are provided at the
cover member 40, are moved along arc-shaped tracks 47. The spring
plates 44 come into contact with bases 43 mounted to the backing
member 42. In detail, the tooth portion 46 and spring members 45
slide along arc-shaped guide members 48 or grooves.
[0081] FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment modified from the
embodiment of FIG. 11. In this embodiment, no arc-shaped guide
member is provided. Cushion members 49 having a certain thickness
are interposed between the backing member 42 and each base 48, in
order to absorb slight vertical shaking.
[0082] FIGS. 13a, 13b, 13c illustrates a roll paper holder
according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this
case, roll paper 100 is laid on a base plate 112. When the user
downwardly pulls the roll paper, the roll paper passes over a roll
paper support rod 5 while being unrolled. The base plate 112 is
downwardly inclined as it extends in a direction opposite to a
front portion of the roll paper holder, at which a cover member 101
is disposed. As the roll paper 100 is always inclined in a
direction opposite to the front portion of the roll paper holder,
it may be possible to prevent the roll paper 100 from being shaken
when the roll paper is pulled by the user. The roll paper is guided
between the cover member 101 and a backing member 102 facing the
cover member 101. A guide 104 is horizontally mounted to the cover
member 101. The guide 104 is horizontally slidable along a guide
receiving member 106 mounted to the backing member 106. A spring
member 105 is coupled between a free end of the guide 104 and an
inner end of the guide receiving member 106. When the cover member
101 is horizontally pressed until a stopper 108 formed at the cover
member 101 comes into contact with the backing member 102, the roll
paper 100 is unrolled by convex portions 103 of the cover member
101 and concave portions of the backing member 102 while being
pressed between each of spring plates 110 and a corresponding one
of bases 111. That is, a loosened portion of the roll paper to be
subsequently downwardly moved is formed. At the same time, the roll
paper is cut by a tooth portion 109.
[0083] When the user releases the pressing force applied to the
cover member 101, the cover member 101 is returned to an original
position thereof. Thus, a leading end of the roll paper is
downwardly moved. The cover member 101 includes a guide plate 107,
in addition to the stopper 108. The cover member 101 also includes
a paper guide including guide portions 107a formed at opposite
sides of the guide plate 107, and guide portions 108a formed at
opposite sides of the stopper 108. Accordingly, the cut paper is
downwardly guided by the paper guide without being laterally
inclined toward one side, as shown in FIG. 13c.
[0084] FIG. 14 illustrates structures of concave and convex
portions according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. Inclinations of the concave portions and convex portions
and slippage of paper will be reviewed hereinafter. In the case of
roll paper, the inclination angle required to allow the paper to
slip down on a flat plate under the condition that there is no
static electricity is 30 to 40.degree.. That is, an inclination of
30.degree. or more is required.
[0085] When the length of paper on a final inclination region is
defined between points 135a and 135b, and the length from an end of
the inclination region to a cutting position is defined between
points 135b and 135c, in the case of FIG. 14, roll paper slips down
if there is even a slight inclination under the condition that the
above-described lengths are equal.
[0086] When the length between the points 135a and 135b is less
than the length between the points 135b and 135c, the roll paper
slips down even if the inclination region is substantially
horizontal under the condition that the end of the inclination
region is smooth. The inclinations of the concave portions and
convex portions may satisfy the condition of
".theta.4<.theta.2<.theta.3<.theta.1". Also, the
inclination angle .theta.3 or .theta.1 may be close to zero (0)
when the order of paper distribution is taken into
consideration.
[0087] FIGS. 15a, 15b illustrates a roll paper holder according to
another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 15a,
a cover member 141 is illustrated. The cover member 141 includes a
pair of arms, namely, left and right arms 141A. The cover member
141 is supported by rotating pins 144, to rotate about the rotating
pins 144. A paper lifting member 142 is arranged between the left
and right arms 141A, to rotate about the rotating pins 143. As
shown in FIG. 15b, the cover member 141 includes a tooth portion
141a. The cover member 141 supports the roll paper 149 unrolled to
pass over two roll paper support rods 147A and 147B while covering
the roll paper 149. The paper lifting member 142, which is arranged
between the left and right arms 141A, is in contact with a pair of
stoppers 146 at an upper portion of the paper lifting member 142 by
pulling forces of a pair of coil springs, namely, left and right
coil springs 145. When the cover member 141 is pressed until the
tooth portion 141a comes into contact with a base 148, the paper
lifting member 142 is rotated about the rotating pins 143 while
pressing the stoppers 146. As a result, the roll paper 149 is
lifted by a lower end 142a of the paper lifting member 142, so that
a loosened paper portion 149b is formed. In this state, paper
cutting is carried out. When the cover member 141 is returned to an
original state thereof after cutting, the paper lifting member 142
is also returned to an original position thereof. At this time, the
loosened paper portion 149b is downwardly moved, thereby allowing a
leading end 149a of the roll paper 149 to extend outwardly from the
roll paper holder.
[0088] FIGS. 16a to 16h illustrates a cutter according to another
embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 16a, a cover
member 151 and a backing member 156 face each other while defining
a certain space therebetween under the condition that roll paper
(not shown) is interposed therebetween. A cutter is formed at a
lower end of the cover member 151. The cutter includes a stopper
151a, a tooth portion 152, spring members 153, and a spring plate
154 mounted to ends of the spring members 153. The cover member 151
includes a slider 155, a spring member 157 to return the slider 155
to an original position thereof, and a spring fixing member 158 to
fix one end of the spring member 157 to the cover member 151. The
slider 155 is vertically slidable. Meanwhile, the backing member
156 includes bases 156a, and a control rod 156b disposed above the
bases 156a.
[0089] Referring to FIG. 16g, the slider 155 is illustrated. The
slider 155 has a 90.degree.-rotated U-shaped structure. The slider
155 has an opening 159a formed at a central portion of the slider
155. The control rod 156b extends into the slider 155 through the
opening 159a, thereby moving the slider 155. FIG. 16h illustrates
another example of the slider. In this case, an opening 159b to
receive the control rob 156b is formed at a portion of a
rectangular box structure.
[0090] When the cover member 151 is pressed to a position near the
backing member 156 from the state of a 16A, the control rod 156b
comes into contact with an inclined surface 155a of the slider 155
installed to be slidable in the cover member 151. When the cover
member 151 is further pressed, the slider 155 slides upwardly while
pressing the spring member 157. When the cover member 151 is
pressed until the spacing between the cover member 151 and the
backing member 156 reaches a predetermined distance, a spring plate
receiving portion 155b formed at the slider 155 is separated from
the spring plate 154, as shown in FIG. 16c. In this state, the
spring plate 154 and the bases 156a are positioned near a position
where they come into contact with each other. When the cover member
151 is further pressed, the stopper 151a comes into contact with
the backing member 156, thereby stopping the movement of the cover
member 151, as shown in FIG. 16d. At this time, the control rod
156b, which slides along the inclined surface 155a of the slider
155, is stopped after being inserted into a rod receiving portion
155c of the slider 155. The spring plate 154 tends to move toward
the backing member 156 by resilience of the spring members 153,
thereby causing the roll paper to be interposed between the spring
plate 154 and the bases 156a. In this state, the tooth portion 152
cuts the roll paper. After the cutting, the cover member 151 is
returned to an original position thereof.
[0091] FIG. 16e illustrates a structure of the spring plate 154.
FIG. 16f illustrates the spring members 153. A gap 154A is formed
through the spring plate 154, to allow the tooth portion 152 to
pass through the spring plate 154. The spring members 153 are fixed
to the spring plate 154 at opposite ends of the spring plate 154,
respectively.
[0092] FIG. 17a illustrates a state in which paper 162 is cut by a
tooth portion 161 of the cutter. However, the paper 162 is not
completely cut along a cutting line, but incompletely cut such that
portions of the paper 162 are still connected along the cutting
line. This is achieved by a specific shape of the tooth portion
161.
[0093] Referring to FIG. 17b, an example of the tooth portion 161
is illustrated. The tooth portion 161 includes teeth constituted by
mountains 161A and valleys, which are alternately arranged. A slit
161B extends inwardly from each valley arranged between adjacent
ones of mountain pairs including two adjacent mountains 161A. The
roll paper is not completely cut by the slit 161B. The width of the
slit 161B, namely, a width 161c, is so narrow as to prevent the
paper from being completely cut. The width 161c may be 0.5 mm or
less.
[0094] FIG. 17c illustrates a modified example of the tooth portion
161. In this case, slits 161D are formed at valleys arranged at
opposite sides of the tooth portion 161, respectively. In this
structure, it may be possible to easily cut roll paper by pulling
the roll paper even when the width of the slits 161D is so wide as
to be about 1.5 mm.
[0095] FIG. 18 illustrates a roll paper holder, to which the
above-described cover member is attached. The roll paper holder
includes a backing member 201, and a cover member 221 rotatably
mounted to the backing member 201, to rotate with respect to the
backing member 201 between an opened position and a closed
position. The cover member 221 includes a pair of arms 222 mounted
to arm rotating pins 214, to be rotatable about the arm rotating
pins 214, respectively. The arms 222 are disposed to define a space
at an upper portion of the cover member 221. Roll paper receiving
members 209 are disposed at an upper portion of the backing member
201. A top cover 213 is rotatably mounted to an upper portion of
the backing member 201.
[0096] The above-described configuration will be shown in more
detail. FIG. 19a is a front view of the roll paper holder in a
separated state of the top cover 213. FIG. 19b is a view
illustrating the top cover 213 and pins 212 for rotatably mounting
the top cover 213. FIG. 19c illustrates a configuration in which
the pins 212, which are mounted to a top cover support 211 disposed
at the upper portion of the backing member 201, are fitted into pin
holes provided at the top cover 13, respectively.
[0097] The roll paper receiving members 209 are rotatably mounted
to rotating pins 210 fixedly mounted to a front upper portion of
the backing member 201 at opposite sides of the backing member 201,
respectively.
[0098] FIGS. 20a, 20b are views illustrating detailed structures of
the constituent elements of the roll paper holder. Installed in the
backing member 201 are a base 202, a convex portion 203, a concave
portion 204, and a plate spring 205. A roll paper cutter 226 is
installed in the cover member 221. When the cover member 221
rotates in accordance with rotation of the arms 222 about the arm
rotating pins 214, the convex portion 203 of the backing member 201
pushes a plate spring 224 of the cover member 221. Also, the plate
spring 205 of the backing member 201 is pressed by a convex portion
223 of the cover member 221. At this time, the convex portion 204
of the backing member 201 pushes roll paper while sliding on the
convex portion 223 of the cover member 221 (in a direction opposite
to the plate spring 224 of the cover member 221).
[0099] FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which
a desktop roll paper holder is laid on a table. This roll paper
holder includes a backing member 251 and a cover member 261. The
cover member 26 includes a pair of arms 26 mounted to arm rotating
pins 263 to be rotatable about the arm rotating pins 263,
respectively. Accordingly, the cover member 261 is freely rotatable
with respect to the backing member 251 between an opened position
and a closed position. In use, the cover member 261 is retained as
the arms 262 are supported by cover lifting springs 256. Roll paper
receiving members 257 are provided at the backing member 251, to
support roll paper.
[0100] FIG. 22 is a perspective view illustrating an inner
structure of the roll paper holder in an opened state of the cover
member 261. The backing member 251 includes a base 252, a convex
portion 253, a pair of unlocking pins 255, a plate spring 254, and
a pair of cover lifting springs 256, which are mounted on a lower
plate 258 of the backing member 251. The spacing between adjacent
ones of the base 252, plate spring 254, and convex portion 253 is
set to 2 mm or less, in order to prevent roll paper from being
jammed between the adjacent constituent elements during operation.
The lower plate 258 is inclined from a horizontal plane to cause
the base 252 to be positioned at a lower side. The convex portion
253, plate spring 254 and base 252 of the backing member 251 are
disposed at positions gradually lowered in this order,
respectively. The base 252 is spaced apart from the surface of the
table by a height of 10 mm or more, in order to allow the user to
easily grasp the leading end of the roll paper even in a state in
which the leading end of the roll paper is not near the table
surface. Meanwhile, a convex portion 264, a paper cutter 265, and a
locking mechanism 266 are installed at the cover member 261.
[0101] FIG. 23 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which
roll paper 271 is mounted. The roll paper 271 is laid on the roll
paper receiving members 257 in a state of being pulled to be
unrolled. As shown in FIG. 21, the roll paper receiving members 257
comprise two rails, respectively. Each rail is inclined such that
the convex portion 253 of the backing member 251 is disposed at a
lower position than the rail. Accordingly, the roll of the roll
paper 271 laid on the roll paper receiving members 257 is kept in a
state of contacting stoppers (not shown) provided at respective
lower ends of the two rails. In accordance with this structure, it
may be possible to avoid backrush of the roll paper during pulling
paper.
[0102] FIG. 24 is a perspective view illustrating a usable state of
the roll paper holder achieved by returning the cover 261 to an
original position thereof after setting the roll paper 271. The
cover member 261 is supported by the pair of cover lifting springs
256 mounted to the backing member 251 such that a certain gap is
formed between the cover member 216 and the backing member 251.
When the user forwardly pulls the leading end of the roll paper in
a horizontal direction, to outwardly extract the roll paper from
the cover 261 by a desired length, and then downwardly presses the
cover member 261, the cover member 261 is rotated about the arm
rotating pins 214, thereby causing the convex portion 264 of the
cover member 261 to press the plate spring 254 of the backing
member 251. As a result, a loosening paper portion is formed by a
step defined between the convex portion 264 and the convex portion
253. At the same time, the paper is cut by operations of the paper
cutter 265 and base 252. When the user then releases the pressing
force applied to the cover 261, the cover 261 is lifted to an
original position thereof by the cover lifting springs 256, and a
new leading end of the roll paper is pushed out of the roll paper
holder. That is, a paper portion to be subsequently grasped by the
user falls from the base 252.
[0103] In the above-described desktop roll paper holder, an
anti-slippage rubber may be attached to a lower portion of the
backing member, in order to achieve stable operation, and thus to
prevent unintentional movement. A rotatable stand may also be
attached to a bottom of the backing member 251. In this case, it
may be possible to freely change the use direction of the roll
paper holder.
[0104] FIGS. 25a, 25b illustrates a roll paper holder for kitchen
paper, namely, a kitchen paper holder. FIG. 25a is a front view,
and FIG. 25b is a side view. The kitchen paper holder includes a
backing member 301, and a front cover member 321 rotatably mounted
to the backing member 301, to rotate with respect to the backing
member 301 between an opened position and a closed position. The
cover member 321 includes a pair of arms 326 mounted to arm
rotating pins 311, to be rotatable about the arm rotating pins 311,
respectively. The arms 222 are disposed to define a space at an
upper portion of the cover member 321. Roll paper receiving members
309 are disposed at an upper portion of the backing member 301. A
pair of stoppers, namely, left and right stoppers 310, is attached
to respective roll paper receiving members 309. This will be
described in more detail. The kitchen paper is set such that the
roll paper receiving members 309 extend through an axial hole of
the kitchen paper. Lateral movement of the set kitchen paper is
limited by the paper stoppers 310. Accordingly, it is possible to
prevent the kitchen paper from being deviated to one side, and thus
to prevent the kitchen paper from being separated from the paper
receiving members 309, and then falling downward.
[0105] FIG. 26 is a view illustrating detailed structures of the
constituent elements of the kitchen paper holder. FIG. 26 shows a
lifted state of the front cover member 321. In the backing member
301, a base 302, a plate spring 304, and a convex portion 305 are
installed in this order. A roll paper cutter 322, which corresponds
to the tooth portion 152 or lifting plate 154 of FIGS. 16a to 16h,
and a convex portion 323 are installed in the front cover member
321. When the front cover member 321 rotates in accordance with
rotation of the arms 326 about the arm rotating pins 311, the
convex portion 323 of the front cover member 321 pushes a plate
spring 304 of the backing member 301, and, at the same time, pushes
kitchen paper to a region defined beneath the convex portion 305 of
the backing member 301. The kitchen paper holder also includes a
locking mechanism 324 and an unlocking pin 306, which are identical
to those of FIGS. 16a to 16h.
[0106] Referring to FIG. 27, the paper receiving members 309 are
mounted to the backing member via support members 308,
respectively, in order to prevent the outer portion of the kitchen
paper from being outwardly protruded from a back side of the
backing member in a state in which new kitchen paper is set by the
paper receiving members 309.
[0107] When the front cover member 321 is pushed toward the backing
member 301, the convex portion 305 of the backing member is
disposed in an upper region without being interfered with the front
cover member 321. In accordance with this structure, it may be
possible to increase the amount of kitchen paper by increasing the
height of the convex portion 305 of the backing member, and thus to
increase the amount of kitchen paper extending downwardly after the
cutting operation.
[0108] Inclination maintaining members 307 are provided at an upper
portion of the front cover member 321, in order to allow the
backing member 301 and front cover member 321 to be always spaced
apart from each other by an appropriate distance, and to allow the
kitchen paper to easily fall downward while sliding. Of course, the
same effect as described above may be achieved by increasing the
inclination of an upper portion of the convex portion 323 in the
front cover member, in place of the above-described structure.
[0109] Referring to FIG. 25a, a character mark 331 is formed at a
front surface of the front cover member 321. The character mark 331
may include an engraved pattern or photograph. In place of the
character mark 331, an electronic display may be mounted. When the
electronic display is mounted, a switch is interposed between the
front cover member 321 and the backing member 301. In this case,
the switch may sense a contact signal generated when the front
cover member 321 is pushed. In response to the contact signal, the
image displayed on the electronic display may be changed by a
controller.
[0110] FIG. 28 is a perspective view illustrating a desktop kitchen
paper holder according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 28 shows a state in which the desktop kitchen paper
holder is placed on a table, and a cover member 371 is opened. The
desktop kitchen paper holder mainly includes a backing member 351
and the cover member 371. The cover member 317 is rotatably mounted
to the backing member 351, to rotate with respect to the backing
member 351 between an opened position and a closed position. The
cover member 317 includes a pair of arms 375 mounted to arm
rotating pins 373, to rotate about the arm rotating pins 373,
respectively. The arms 375 are supported by cover lifting springs
356, respectively. The backing member 351 includes a kitchen paper
receiving member 357, on which kitchen paper to be used is laid,
and kitchen paper guides 358 for preventing the kitchen paper from
being deviated to one side. A support 352 is provided at a lower
end of the backing member 351. The support 352 is upwardly spaced
apart from the surface of the table by a height of 10 mm or more,
in order to allow the user to easily grasp a leading end of the
kitchen paper. The backing member 351 is formed with a convex
portion 353. A plate spring 354 is also mounted to the backing
member 351.
[0111] A pair of kitchen paper pressing arms 359 is rotatably
mounted to side surfaces of the kitchen paper guides 358,
respectively. A kitchen paper pressing member 360, which has a
shape corresponding to the convex portion 353 of the backing member
351, is fixed to ends of the kitchen paper pressing arms 359. When
the roll paper pressing arms 359 are rotated, the kitchen paper
pressing member 360 is overlapped with the convex portion 353 of
the backing member 351. The cover member 371 is provided with a
convex portion 372, a paper cutter 376, and a locking mechanism
374.
[0112] FIG. 29 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which
kitchen paper is laid on the kitchen paper holder. Referring to
FIG. 29, new kitchen paper is laid on the kitchen paper receiving
member 357 in a state in which a leading end of the kitchen paper
is pulled to be downwardly extracted. The kitchen paper receiving
member 357 is inclined such that the convex portion 353 of the
backing member 351 is disposed at a lower position than the kitchen
paper receiving member 357. The roll of the kitchen paper 381 laid
on the kitchen paper receiving member 357 is kept in a state of
contacting stoppers 362. Accordingly, although the kitchen paper is
pulled to be unrolled, the position of the kitchen paper on the
kitchen paper receiving member 357 is constant. It may also be
possible to prevent the leading end of the kitchen paper from being
moved due to irregular rotation of the kitchen paper. The structure
for preventing irregular rotation of the kitchen paper is not
limited to the above-described structure. Inclination and
arrangement reverse to the above-described inclination and
arrangement may be implemented. Alternatively, the kitchen paper
receiving member may be formed in the form of a V or U-shaped
recess. In addition, a method of increasing the weight of the paper
roll may be implemented.
[0113] FIG. 30 illustrates a state in which the kitchen paper
pressing arms 359 supporting the kitchen paper pressing member 360
are rotated to interpose unrolled kitchen paper between the kitchen
paper pressing member 360 and the convex portion 353 of the backing
member 351. A paper guide is formed at one or each of the inner
surfaces of the backing member 351 and cover member 371, in order
to smoothly guide paper from a portion of the kitchen paper holder
from which the paper is extracted. Alternatively, a member, which
has a sliding surface and connects the stoppers 362 and the convex
portion 353 of the backing member 351, may be provided.
[0114] FIG. 31 is a view illustrating a state in which the cover
member 371 is returned to an original position thereof after
setting of the kitchen paper 381 and setting of the kitchen paper
pressing member 360, in order to allow the kitchen paper holder to
be usable. The cover member 371 is retained by a pair of cover
plate lifting springs 356 mounted to the backing member 351 such
that a certain space is maintained between the cover member 371 and
the backing member 351.
[0115] When the user forwardly pulls the kitchen paper in a
horizontal direction by a certain length while grasping the leading
end of the kitchen paper, and then downwardly pushes the cover
member 371, the cover member 371 is rotated about the arm rotating
pins 373. As a result, the convex portion 372 of the cover member
371 presses the plate spring 354 of the backing member 351, so that
the kitchen paper is inserted into a step defined between the
convex portion 372 of the cover member 371 and the convex portion
353 of the backing member 351. Thus, a loosened paper potion is
formed. At the same time, the kitchen paper is cut in accordance
with operations of the paper cutter and support 352. When the user
releases the pressing force applied to the cover member 371, the
cover member 371 is lifted by the cover lifting springs 356. At the
same time, a new leading end of the kitchen paper is pushed out of
the kitchen paper holder. That is, the loosened paper portion falls
from the support 352.
[0116] The kitchen paper pressing member 360 is not limited to a
configuration in which the kitchen paper pressing member 360
overlaps with the convex portion 353 of the backing member 351
without a spacing defined therebetween. For example, the kitchen
paper pressing member 360 may be spaced apart from the convex
portion 353 to provide a space having a width of 15 mm to allow
kitchen paper to pass therethrough. Although the kitchen paper
pressing member 360 has been described as being rotatable, it may
also have a fixed structure. In the case of the desktop kitchen
paper holder, an anti-slippage rubber member may be mounted to a
lower portion of the backing member.
[0117] Although the kitchen paper pressing member 360 has been
described as being applied to a desktop structure, it may also be
applied to a wall-mounted structure.
[0118] Although detailed structures of the roll paper holder and
kitchen paper holder have been described, it may be appreciated
that the constituent elements and structures of the paper holders
may be interchanged.
[0119] In accordance with the present invention, it may be possible
to stably cutting roll paper after pulling a leading end of the
roll paper from a roll paper holder, and to keep a new leading end
of the roll paper formed after the cutting in a state of extending
outwardly from the roll paper holder by a length required to enable
the user to grasp the roll paper leading end. Thus, there is an
effect of allowing the user to easily successively pull the roll
paper.
[0120] Also, there is an effect capable of preventing the cutter to
cut roll paper from being exposed, and thus achieving safe
handling.
[0121] In addition, the roll paper holder may be installed on a
vertical wall or on a table. In both cases, the same effects are
obtained.
[0122] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the
art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and
substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying
claims.
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