U.S. patent application number 14/343986 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-18 for flap cover for roll storage case and roll storage apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to ASAHI KASEI CHEMICALS CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is Takafumi Mukohara, Takashi Nakao. Invention is credited to Takafumi Mukohara, Takashi Nakao.
Application Number | 20140263527 14/343986 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47882781 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140263527 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mukohara; Takafumi ; et
al. |
September 18, 2014 |
FLAP COVER FOR ROLL STORAGE CASE AND ROLL STORAGE APPARATUS
Abstract
An object of the present invention is to allow a flap of a roll
storage case to be easily opened and closed by means of a flap
cover and to prevent the flap cover from slipping off from the flap
of the roll storage case even when the flap is opened and closed
many times. A flap cover includes an upper plate covering an upper
surface portion of a flap, a front plate covering a front surface
portion of the flap, and a pair of side plates covering opposite
side surface portions of the flap. Each of the side plates includes
a locking portion which projects inward from the side plate and
which is able to be locked on a lower end surface of the side
surface portion of the flap.
Inventors: |
Mukohara; Takafumi;
(Chiyoda-ku, JP) ; Nakao; Takashi; (Chiyoda-ku,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mukohara; Takafumi
Nakao; Takashi |
Chiyoda-ku
Chiyoda-ku |
|
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
ASAHI KASEI CHEMICALS
CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
47882781 |
Appl. No.: |
14/343986 |
Filed: |
September 14, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
September 14, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2011/071012 |
371 Date: |
May 2, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
225/43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/0841 20130101;
B65H 35/0066 20130101; B65D 25/20 20130101; B65H 35/002 20130101;
B65H 35/06 20130101; B65D 85/672 20130101; Y10T 225/243
20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
225/43 |
International
Class: |
B65H 35/00 20060101
B65H035/00; B65H 35/06 20060101 B65H035/06 |
Claims
1. A flap cover for a roll storage case storing a roll around which
film is wound, the flap cover being removably installed on a flap
of the roll storage case, the flap cover comprising: an upper plate
covering an upper surface portion of the flap; a front plate
covering a front surface portion of the flap; and a pair of side
plates covering opposite side surface portions of the flap, wherein
each of the side plates is provided with a locking portion which
projects inward from the side plate and which is able to be locked
on a lower end surface of the side surface portion of the flap.
2. The flap cover for a roll storage case according to claim 1,
wherein the front plate comprises a projecting portion projecting
forward and extending in a lateral direction.
3. The flap cover for a roll storage case according to claim 2,
wherein the projecting portion is recessed in a center thereof.
4. The flap cover for a roll storage case according to claim 1,
wherein the locking portion comprises a horizontal upper surface
formed along a front-back direction of the side plate.
5. The flap cover for a roll storage case according to claim 1,
wherein the front plate comprises a cutting edge formed on a lower
end portion of the front plate to cut film.
6. The flap cover for a roll storage case according to claim 5,
wherein the cutting edge is formed on a part of the lower end
portion of the front plate.
7. The flap cover for a roll storage case according to claim 5,
wherein the cutting edge is formed by forming recesses and
protrusions on a back surface of the lower end portion of the front
plate.
8. The flap cover for a roll storage case according to claim 1,
wherein the front plate comprises an edge cover covering the
cutting edge of the flap.
9. The flap cover for a roll storage case according to claim 1,
wherein each of the side plates extends downward from the locking
portion.
10. The flap cover for a roll storage case according to claim 9,
wherein each of the side plates extends downward from a bottom
surface of the roll storage case.
11. The flap cover for a roll storage case according to claim 1,
wherein the front plate has a replaceable structure.
12. A roll storage apparatus comprising: a roll storage case; and
the flap cover for the roll storage case according to any of claims
1 to 11 which is able to be attached to the roll storage case.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates to a flap (lid) cover for a
roll storage case and a roll storage apparatus which store a roll
around which film for food packaging such as plastic wrap, aluminum
foil, or cooking paper is wound.
[0002] Film for food packaging such as plastic wrap, aluminum foil,
or cooking paper, when in use, is wound around a cylindrical roll,
which is stored in a roll storage case formed of paper (see Patent
Document 1). As shown in FIG. 11, a roll storage case 100 has a
rectangular parallelepiped-like case 101 normally shaped generally
like a rectangular parallelepiped and including an open upper
surface and a flap 102 that covers the open upper surface of the
case 101. The flap 102 has an upper surface portion 103, a front
surface portion 104, and side surface portions 105 located on
opposite sides of the flap 102 in a longitudinal direction thereof.
A rear end side 103a of the upper surface portion 103 is connected
to the case 101. The flap 102 can move rotationally using the rear
end side 103a as an axis to open and close the open upper surface
of the case 101. A cutting edge 106 that cuts film is provided at a
lower end portion of the front surface portion 104.
[0003] When film for the roll storage case 100 is used, the flap
102 is opened, and a necessary amount of film 108 on a roll 107 is
drawn out. Then, the flap 102 is closed, and with tension applied
to the film 108, the film 108 is cut into a desired length using
the cutting edge 106 of the front surface portion 104.
[0004] About 5 m to 50 m of film 108 is wound around the roll 107,
and thus, the film 108 is cut a number of times before the film 108
is used up. Thus, each time the film 108 is cut, the front surface
portion 104 or upper surface portion 103 of the flap 102, on which
a load is placed, may be deformed. In particular, the roll storage
case 100 is often used in a place with much moisture such as a
kitchen, and is thus likely to be deformed by absorbing the
moisture. When the flap 102 with the cutting edge 106 is deformed,
the film 108 fails to be properly cut and may be torn. Furthermore,
hooking a user's finger on the roll storage case 100 is difficult,
and thus, the flap 102 is difficult to open and close.
Consequently, the film 108 may be drawn out with the flap 102
imperfectly opened and hence come into contact with the cutting
edge 106, causing the film 108 to be torn. In another case, the
film 108 may be cut with the flap 102 imperfectly closed and hence
wound back around the roll 107. Then, the roll storage case 100 may
be difficult to use.
[0005] Thus, in order to prevent the flap of the roll storage case
from being deformed, a flap reinforcing cover that covers the flap
has been proposed (see Patent Document 2). The flap reinforcing
cover is attached to a surface of the flap of the roll storage
case, and is held and rotationally moved to open and close the
flap. When the flap of the roll storage case is opened or closed,
the flap reinforcing cover needs to hold the flap. The holding is
achieved by forming a tongue-like elastic body on a side surface of
the flap reinforcing cover and pressing the tongue-like elastic
body against the side surface portion of the flap, which is located
inside the tongue-like elastic body.
[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP-A-2003-160141
[0007] [Patent Document 2] JP-A-2004-352356
[0008] However, when the tongue-like elastic body of the flap
reinforcing cover is pressed and held against the side surface
portion of the flap as described above, the side surface portion of
the flap is also pressed against the side surface portion on the
inside of the case. The side surface portion of the flap is
sandwiched between the tongue-like elastic body and the side
surface portion of the case, making the flap difficult to open.
Furthermore, opening and closing the flap many times gradually
reduces the pressing force of the tongue-like elastic body. The
flap reinforcing cover may slip off from the flap.
SUMMARY
[0009] In view of these problems, it is an object of the present
invention to provide a flap cover for a roll storage case and a
roll storage apparatus which allow the flap of the roll storage
case to be easily opened and closed and which can prevent the flap
cover from slipping off from the flap of the roll storage case even
when the flap is opened and closed many times.
[0010] To accomplish the object, the present invention provides a
flap cover removably installed on a flap of a roll storage case
storing a roll around which film is wound, the flap cover including
an upper plate covering an upper surface portion of the flap, a
front plate covering a front surface portion of the flap, and a
pair of side plates covering opposite side surface portions of the
flap, wherein each of the side plates is provided with a locking
portion which projects inward from the side plate and which is able
to be locked on a lower end surface of the side surface portion of
the flap.
[0011] According to the present invention, the flap is held by the
flap cover by locking the locking portion of each of the side
plates of the flap cover on the lower end surface of the
corresponding side surface portion of the flap. This prevents the
side surface portion of the flap from being pressed inward as in
the case of the conventional technique, increasing the easiness
with which the flap is opened. Furthermore, the flap cover can be
prevented from slipping off from the flap even when the flap is
opened and closed many times.
[0012] The front plate may include a projecting portion projecting
forward and extending in a lateral direction. In such a case, for
example, a user's thumb can be hooked on the projecting portion to
rotationally move the flap cover. Thus, the flap can be easily
opened and closed by a reduced force.
[0013] The projecting portion may be recessed in a center thereof.
In such a case, for example, the user's thumb can be easily hooked
on the projecting portion to more easily open and close the
flap.
[0014] The locking portion may have a horizontal upper surface
formed along a front-back direction of the side plate. In such a
case, the locking portion is suitably locked on the horizontal
lower end surface of the side surface portion of the flap.
[0015] The front plate may include a cutting edge formed on a lower
end portion of the front plate to cut film. In such a case, the
flap cover can be used for a simple roll storage case with no
cutting edge attached thereto.
[0016] The cutting edge may be formed on a part of the lower end
portion of the front plate. In such a case, the cutting edge can
form in film just a scratch that serves as a start point of
cutting. This makes it possible for the film to be cut by extending
the scratch. In such a case, a cut end surface of the film is
prevented from being notched, restraining the film from being torn
in a longitudinal direction thereof.
[0017] The cutting edge may be formed by forming recesses and
protrusions on a back surface of the lower end portion of the front
plate. In such a case, for example, the user's finger can be
restrained from coming into touch with the cutting edge while the
roll storage case is in use. Furthermore, even upon coming into
touch with the cutting edge, the user's finger is prevented from
being hurt.
[0018] The front plate may include an edge cover covering the
cutting edge of the flap. In such a case, for example, the user's
finger can be prevented from coming into touch with the cutting
edge of the flap while the roll storage case is in use.
[0019] Each of the side plates may extend downward from the locking
portion. In such a case, the roll storage case can be stably placed
longitudinally on a flat surface (placed with one of the side
plates of the roll storage case on a flat surface). Furthermore,
each of the side plates may extend downward from a bottom surface
of the roll storage case. In such a case, the roll storage case can
be more stably placed longitudinally on a flat surface.
Additionally, when the roll storage case is placed transversely on
a flat surface (placed with an upper plate of the roll storage case
facing upward), the bottom surface of the roll storage case is
disposed in such a manner as to hang in the air, hindering heat
from being transmitted to the film inside the roll storage case
even when the roll storage case is positioned in a place that
becomes hot, for example, on a microwave oven. This enables
possible alteration of the film to be suppressed.
[0020] The front plate may have a replaceable structure. In such a
case, the front plate may selectively have a favorable shape or
pattern. Furthermore, if the front plate has a function to cut
film, the front plate portion can be exclusively replaced when the
cutting function is degraded.
[0021] Another aspect of the present invention provides a roll
storage apparatus having a roll storage case and a flap cover for
the roll storage case which is able to be attached to the roll
storage case.
[0022] The aspects of the present invention allow the flap of the
roll storage case to be easily opened and closed and can prevent
the flap cover from slipping off from the flap of the roll storage
case even when the flap is opened and closed many times.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flap cover according to an
embodiment installed in a roll storage case;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing that the flap cover has
not been installed in the roll storage case yet;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the flap cover;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the periphery
of a side plate of the flap cover;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing that a flap of a roll
storage case is opened using the flap cover;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a front view showing a flap cover with a cutting
edge;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a front view showing a flap cover with a cutting
edge on a back surface of a front plate;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing recesses
and protrusions of the cutting edge on the front plate of the flap
cover;
[0031] FIG. 9 is a front view of a flap cover with a cutting edge
on a part of a lower end portion of the front plate;
[0032] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a flap cover with an
edge cover;
[0033] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a roll storage case;
[0034] FIG. 12 is a front view of a flap cover installed on the
roll storage case and having a side plate extending downward from a
locking portion;
[0035] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating that the roll storage case
on which the flap cover with the extended side plates is installed
is placed longitudinally on a flat surface;
[0036] FIG. 14 is a front view of a flap cover installed on the
roll storage case and having side plates extending from a bottom
surface of the roll storage case;
[0037] FIG. 15 is a front view showing a flap cover configured to
have a replaceable front plate; and
[0038] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a mating structure
for a front plate main body of the front plate and a front plate
replacement portion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be
described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a
perspective view of a roll storage apparatus A in which a flap
cover 1 is installed on a roll storage case 100. FIG. 2 is a
perspective view showing that the flap cover 1 has not been
installed in the roll storage case 100 yet.
[0040] The flap cover 1 is removably installed on a flap 102 of the
roll storage case 100, for example, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.
The flap cover 1 has an upper plate 10 shaped generally like a
rectangular parallelepiped and covering an upper surface portion
103 of the flap 102, a front plate 11 shaped generally like a
rectangular parallelepiped and covering a front surface portion 104
of the flap 102, and a pair of square side plates 12 covering
respective opposite side surface portions 105 of the flap 102. As
shown in FIG. 3, a rear surface side and a bottom surface side of
the flap cover 1 are open.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a circular arc-like cutout 20
may be formed in the longitudinal (lateral direction X) center of a
rear end side 10a of the upper plate 10. The front plate 11 is
formed to be shorter than the front surface portion 104 of the flap
102 in the vertical direction so as to expose a cutting edge 106 of
the flap 102. A hooking portion for a user's finger is preferably
formed in the center of the front plate 11 in the lateral direction
X. The hooking portion may be, for example, a projecting portion 21
projecting forward and extending in the lateral direction X. The
hooking portion may further include a recess portion formed therein
and in which the user's finger can be placed. For example, the
projecting portion 21 is shaped to appear like a wave in a plan
view and includes a recess 21a formed in the center of the
projecting portion 21 in the lateral direction X. The projecting
portion 21 may be formed exclusively in a central portion of the
front plate 1 or all over the front plate 11 in the lateral
direction X. The projecting portion 21 preferably has a projection
length of, for example, 20 mm or less. Furthermore, the projecting
portion 21 may appear to have another shape in a plan view such as
a circular arc or a rectangle. However, the wave shape is more
preferable because the user's finger can be more appropriately
hooked on the wave-like projecting portion 21 to easily apply a
force to the flap cover, thus allowing the flap 102 to be smoothly
opened and closed.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 3, inward projecting locking portion 22 is
formed on a lower end portion of each of the side plates 12. The
locking portion 22, for example, projects inward from the lower end
portion of the side plate 12 and at right angle to the side plate
12. The locking portion 22 includes a horizontal upper surface 22a
formed as an upper surface thereof. The side plate 12 and the
locking portion 22 form an L shape. When the flap cover 1 is
installed on the flap 102, the side surface portion 105 of the flap
102 is placed on the horizontal upper surface 22a as shown in FIG.
4. Thus, the locking portion 22 is locked on the lower end surface
of the side surface portion 105 of the flap 102. When the flap
cover 1 is rotationally moved, the locking portion 22 is hooked on
the lower end surface of the side surface portion 105 of the flap
102 to lift the side surface portion 105 to open the flap 102.
[0043] The flap cover 1 is formed of a material having a higher
strength than a material for the roll storage case 100. The flap
cover 1 is formed using a material having an appropriate rigidity
and an appropriate elasticity, for example, plastics or aluminum.
Examples of the plastics include ABS, polystyrene, PC, an acrylic
resin, polypropylene, and a polyethylene resin. Among these
plastics, ABS, polystyrene, PC, an acrylic resin, and the like are
more preferable which are very rigid resins. A well-known
antimicrobial agent may be added to these resins. Furthermore, the
flap cover 1 may be designed by coloring or printing or may be
transparent. If the flap cover 1 is transparent, characters or
pictures on the surface of the roll storage case 100 are visible
even when the flap cover 1 is installed.
[0044] Now, an example of a usage of the flap cover 1 configured as
described above will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 2, the
flap cover 1 is placed in front of the roll storage case 100. The
flap cover 1 is installed on the flap 102 by being inserted over
the flap 102 from a front side so that the locking portion 22 of
the flap cover 1 is placed under the lower end surface of the side
surface portion 105 of the flap 102. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, the
upper surface portion 103, the front surface portion 104, and the
side surface portions 105 of the flap 102 are covered by the flap
cover 1. Furthermore, the flap 102 is locked on the flap cover 1 by
the locking portion 22.
[0045] Then, the user's thumb is hooked on the projecting portion
21, and the flap cover 1 is gripped so that the user's palm is
positioned near the cutout 20. As shown in FIG. 5, the flap cover 1
is rotationally moved to open the flap 102. Subsequently, a
predetermined amount of film 108 in the roll storage case 100 is
drawn out. Then, the flap cover 1 closes the flap 102, and the film
108 is tensed. The film 108, kept under tension, is cut into a
predetermined length with the cutting edge 106.
[0046] When the film 108 is cut a number of times and all of the
film 108 on a roll 107 is used up, the flap cover 1 is removed from
the flap 102. At this time, the flap cover 1 is removed by being
pulled out forward from the flap 102 in a direction opposite to the
direction in which the flap cover 1 is moved during installation so
that locking portion 22 of the flap cover 1 slips out from under
the lower end surface of the side surface portion 105 of the flap
102. Then, the flap cover 1 is attached to the flap 102 of a next
roll storage case 100 containing new film 108.
[0047] According to the above-described embodiment, the flap 102 is
held by the flap cover 1 by locking the locking portion 22 of each
of the side plates 12 of the flap cover 1 on the lower end surface
of the corresponding side surface portion 105 of the flap 102.
Thus, the flap cover 1 is prevented from being pressed against the
flap 102 as is the case with the conventional technique, allowing
the flap 102 to be more easily opened. Furthermore, even when the
flap 102 is opened and closed a number of times, the flap cover 1
can be prevented from slipping off from the flap 102.
[0048] Since the front plate 11 includes the projecting portion 21
formed thereon and projecting forward and extending in the lateral
direction X, for example, the user's thumb can be hooked on the
projecting portion 21 to rotationally move the flap cover 1. Thus,
the flap 102 can be easily opened and closed by a weaker force.
[0049] Since the projecting portion 21 is recessed in the center
thereof, for example, the user's thumb can be easily hooked on the
projecting portion 21. Furthermore, the user's thumb is guided to
the center of the projecting portion 21, and thus, the flap cover 1
can be rotationally moved with the center of the flap cover 1 held
by the user's thumb. Hence, the flap 102 can be easily opened and
closed by a weaker force.
[0050] Since the locking portion 22 has the horizontal upper
surface 22a formed along the front-back direction of the side plate
12, the locking portion 22 is suitably locked on the horizontal
lower end surface of the side surface portion 105 of the flap 102.
Furthermore, the flap cover 1 can be suitably installed on and
removed from the flap 102 by sliding the flap cover 1 in the
horizontal direction to move the horizontal upper surface 22a of
the locking portion 22 to and from under the lower end surface of
the side surface portion 105 of the flap 102.
[0051] In the flap cover 1 in the above-described embodiment, a
cutting edge 30 that cuts the film 108 may be formed on the lower
end portion of the front plate 11 as shown in FIG. 6. In such a
case, the front plate 11 is formed to be longer than the lower end
portion of the front surface portion 104 of the flap 102 so that
the film 108 can be entirely cut in a width direction thereof with
the cutting edge 30 of the flap cover 1. According to this example,
the flap cover 1 can be used in a simple roll storage case with no
cutting edge.
[0052] Furthermore, the cutting edge 30 of the flap cover 1 may be
formed by attaching a metal cutting edge to the flap cover 1 or
forming recesses and protrusions 30a on a back surface 11a of the
lower end portion of the front plate 11 as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG.
8. The recesses and protrusions 30a are linearly and contiguously
formed on the lower end portion of the back surface 11a of the
front plate 11. In such a case, since the cutting edge 30 is
provided on the back surface 11a, the user's finger can be
restrained from coming into touch with the cutting edge 30 while
the roll storage case is in use. Additionally, since the cutting
edge 30 includes the recesses and protrusions 30a, the user's
finger can be restrained from being hurt even when coming into
touch with the cutting edge 30.
[0053] In this case, the cutting edge 30 of the flap cover 1 may be
formed exclusively on a part of the lower end portion of the front
plate 11 as shown in FIG. 9. In such a case, the cutting edge 30
enables a start point for cutting of the film 108 to be formed so
that the film can be cut by propagation of a tear. Thus, the film
108 can be cut by a weaker force. Furthermore, since the film 108
is cut by the propagation, the film 108 is prevented from being
notched at a cut end surface thereof. Consequently, the film 108
can be prevented from being longitudinally torn. Additionally, when
the cutting edge 30 is formed on a part of the lower end portion of
the flap cover 1, if, for example, the edge of the lower end
portion is linear or arched in shape (the edge protrudes upward)
the cutting edge 30 may be formed exclusively at opposite ends of
the lower end portion. If the edge of the lower end portion is V
shaped (the edge protrudes downward), the cutting edge may be
formed exclusively at a tip portion of the center of the V
shape.
[0054] In the flap cover 1 in the above-described embodiment, the
front plate 11 includes an edge cover 40 that covers the cutting
edge 106 of the flap 102 as shown in FIG. 10. The edge cover 40 is
formed like, for example, a flexible, pliable sheet and is attached
to the vicinity of the lower end portion of the front plate 11. The
edge cover 40 normally covers the cutting edge 106 and bends
according to the angle at which the film 108 is drawn out to be
cut. According to this example, the user's finger can be prevented
from coming into touch with the cutting edge 106 of the flap 102.
The edge cover 40 need not necessarily be formed like a sheet but
may have another configuration. For example, the lower end portion
side of the front plate 11 may be extended, and a hinge portion may
be provided in the middle of the extended lower end portion side so
that the lower end portion is bendable and so that the bent portion
can be used as an edge cover. Alternatively, the front plate 11 may
be formed to be thin enough to be bendable in the vicinity of the
lower end portion of the front plate 11 so that the bent portion
can be used as an edge cover.
[0055] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12, the lower end portion 23
of each of the side plates 12 may be extended downward from the
locking portion 22 to enlarge the side plate 12. Thus, a step on
the side surface side of the roll storage case 100 is eliminated
which is formed when the flap cover 1 is installed. Consequently,
the roll storage case 100 can be stably placed longitudinally on a
flat surface as shown in FIG. 13. This prevents the roll storage
case from occupying a large space in the kitchen and allows the
roll storage case to be stored in a narrow place. In this example,
the lower end portion 23 of the side plate 12 is located at the
same position as that where a bottom surface 110 of the roll
storage case 100 is located.
[0056] Alternatively, the lower end portion 23 of each of the side
plates 12 may be projected from the bottom surface 110 of the roll
storage case 100 as shown in FIG. 14. In such a case, the roll
storage case 100 with the flap cover 1 installed thereon can be
more stably placed longitudinally on a flat surface. Additionally,
when the roll storage case 100 is placed transversely on a flat
surface, the bottom surface 110 of the roll storage case 100 is
disposed in such a manner as to hang in the air, hindering heat
from being transmitted to the roll 107 inside the roll storage case
even when the roll storage case is positioned in a place that
becomes hot, for example, on a microwave oven. This enables
possible alteration of the film to be suppressed. In particular,
when the roll storage case 100 is a plastic wrap storage case, the
difficulty with which heat is transmitted to the internal plastic
wrap allows a force needed to draw out the plastic wrap to be
restrained from being increased by heat.
[0057] Furthermore, the front plate 11 of the flap cover 1 may have
a replaceable structure. In such a case, the front plate 11 has,
for example, a front plate main body 50 and a front plate
replacement portion 51 that is removable from the front plate main
body 50, for example, as shown in FIG. 15. The front plate
replacement portion 51 is shaped like a square including the lower
end portion of the front plate 11. The front plate main body 50 is
shaped generally like an inverse recess corresponding to the
remaining portion of the front plate 11. The front plate main body
50 includes such a projecting portion 52 as shown in FIG. 16 which
is formed along three sides of an inner edge portion of the front
plate main body 50. The front plate replacement portion 51 includes
a groove portion 54 formed along three sides (an upper surface
portion and side surface portions) of an outer edge portion of the
front plate replacement portion 51 and fitted over the projecting
portion 52. Hence, the front plate replacement portion 51 can be
installed on and removed from the front plate main body 50 by
sliding the front plate replacement portion 51 up and down relative
to the front plate main body 50 as shown in FIG. 15. In such a
case, the front plate 11 may selectively have a preferable shape or
pattern. Additionally, when the front plate replacement portion 51
includes the cutting edge 30 at the lower end thereof as shown in
FIG. 15, the front plate replacement portion 51 may be exclusively
replaced if, for example, the cutting performance of the cutting
edge is degraded. The front plate 11 may be partly replaceable as
in this example or wholly replaceable. Alternatively, the front
plate replacement portion 51 (front plate main body 50) may have
another shape. In addition, the removal structure need not
necessarily be formed like a slide, but any other structure may be
used.
[0058] The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been
described with reference to the attached drawings. However, the
present invention is not limited to such an example. Obviously,
those skilled in the art may arrive at various changes or
modifications without departing from the scope of the concepts set
forth in the claims. It is appreciated that such changes or
modifications belong to the technical scope of the present
invention.
[0059] For example, the edge of the lower end portion of the front
plate 11 in the above-described embodiment may have a linear shape,
an arched shape (an upward protrusion), or V shape (a downward
protrusion) so as to be able to deal with any cutting edge shape
for linear cutting or central cutting. The edge may be formed to
conform to the shape of any other cutting edge.
[0060] Furthermore, the locking portion 22 need not necessarily be
shaped to project like a horizontal plate as in the case of the
above-described embodiment. The locking portion 22 may have another
shape, for example, the locking portion 22 may project in the
horizontal direction and then be curved or bent upward. The present
invention is not limited to plastic wrap, aluminum foil, and
cooking paper but is applicable to a flap cover for a roll storage
case storing a roll around which any other film is wound.
EXAMPLES
[0061] A measurement method and an evaluation method used in an
example and a comparative example are as follows.
[0062] <Draw-out Force>
[0063] A draw-out force is an indicator for a draw-out property,
and a smaller value of the draw-out force indicates that the film
can be drawn out by a weaker force. The draw-out force is measured
by the following method. Plastic wrap adjusted to a film width of
30 cm and wound around a paper tube is set in a roll-like jig that
can be easily rotated by a very weak force. An end of the film is
fixed to a jig with a width of 330 mm which is coupled directly to
a load cell of a tensile tester. Then, the maximum value of stress
generated when the film is drawn out at a speed of 1,000 mm/min is
measured. The measurement is carried out at a constant temperature
of 23.degree. C. and a constant humidity of 50%. The measurement is
carried out ten times, and the resultant average value is adopted.
Evaluation criteria are as follows.
o (appropriate): less than 100 cN X (inappropriate): 100 cN or
more
Example 1
[0064] A flap cover 1 with a length Y of 50 mm to the lower end
portion 23 of the side plate 12 shown in FIG. 13 was installed on a
roll storage case for Saran Wrap (manufactured by Asahi Kasei Home
Products Corporation; 30 cm.times.20 m). The roll storage case was
placed on a hot plate with the temperature thereof adjusted to
100.degree. C. so that the lower end portion 23 of the side plate
12 contacted the hot plate, whereas the bottom surface 110 of the
roll storage case 100 avoided contacting the hot plate. The roll
storage case was left untreated for 30 minutes. Then, the internal
wrap was removed from the roll storage case, which was left
untreated at a constant temperature of 23.degree. C. and a constant
humidity of 50% for 30 minutes. Then, the draw-out force was
measured. The draw-out force was 50 cN, and the film was
successfully easily drawn out by a weak force of 50 cN.
Example 2
[0065] A tin cutting edge was removed from a roll storage case for
Saran Wrap (manufactured by Asahi Kasei Home Products Corporation;
30 cm.times.20 m). Such a flap cover with cutting edges at
respective opposite ends of a back surface of a front plate as
shown in FIG. 9 was installed on the roll storage case. About 30 cm
of the plastic wrap inside the roll storage case was drawn out and
cut. Then, the plastic wrap was flawed at a widthwise end thereof,
and using the flaw as a start point, a tear of the plastic wrap
propagated to the opposite widthwise end of the wrap. Thus, the
plastic wrap was successfully cut by a weak force.
[0066] The present invention is useful in allowing a flap of a roll
storage case to be easily opened and closed using a flap cover and
in preventing the flap cover from slipping off from the flap of the
roll storage case even when the flap is opened and closed many
times. [0067] 1 Flap cover [0068] 10 Upper plate [0069] 11 Front
plate [0070] 12 Side plate [0071] 21 Projecting portion [0072] 22
Locking portion [0073] 100 Roll storage case [0074] 101 Case [0075]
102 Flap [0076] 103 Upper surface portion [0077] 104 Front surface
portion [0078] 105 Side surface portion [0079] 106 Cutting edge
[0080] 107 Roll [0081] 108 Film [0082] X Lateral direction [0083] A
Roll storage apparatus
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