Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a roll paper feeder that enables a handicapped user
such as a one-armed, blind or aged person or young child, too, to easily pull out
paper from a paper roll, e. g., a roll of toilet paper, cooking paper or paper towel,
and to have the paper safely cut or severed, with one hand. And, it relates to a roll
paper feeder that need not be operated by the user consciously with a switch or switches.
Background Art
[0002] In the use of a paper holder that has come into wide use in general in utilizing
paper from a paper roll, the user holds down a holder's cover having a blade or cutting
edge with one of its hands and seizes the end of paper with the other hand and then
pulls the paper forcibly to cut it with the blade. Such a series of operations requires
the user to use its both hands at the same time and are arduous to persons who are
handicapped with the hand, the vision or otherwise the age and to young children.
Accordingly, intended to lessen this difficulty even slightly, a paper holder has
been proposed and commercialized in which the cover having the cutting means has an
accessory such as a spring added thereto such that the cutting edge of the cover can
be resiliently pressed against the paper roll with a force not much impeding the paper
from being pulled out to allow the paper to be pulled out and cut one-handed. Even
then, however, paper cannot be either pulled out or cut without fail unless the direction
in which and the speed at which the paper is to be pulled out and the direction in
which, the speed at which and the force with which the paper is to be pulled for its
cutting are properly adjusted. Above all, however, irrespective of whether or not
the cover having the cutting edge has a spring or the like, in either case the end
paper left on the side of a paper roll after the paper is cut is left on the hidden
side of the cutting edge and is made invisible. For this reason, the cutting edge
and is made invisible. For this reason, a next user is required first to rotate the
paper roll with the hand in the paper-pullout direction to an extent where the user
can see and touch the end of paper. The user is then required to use fingers and nails
to tear off the paper end which when cut was pressed and has then stuck fast to the
paper roll. Such an operation is extremely hard to do for a person who is poor in
or completely lost of vision and further has one arm lost and the other, skillful
arm injured and bandaged on its fingers.
[0003] Aimed to resolve these inconveniences, inventions relating to a manually or electrically
operated automatic roll paper feeder have come to appear increasingly in published
patent applications in recent years. Although the applicant at the date of the present
patent application has never seen any automatic roll paper feeder made concrete and
commercialized, the automatic roll paper feeders known as disclosed in these patent
applications generally have the components mentioned below. These components are:
a paper holder for supporting a paper roll rotatably, an automatic paper feeding device,
a feed length adjusting device, a feed length selection switch, an automatic paper
cutting device, a part for receiving a sheet of paper cut and separated from the paper
roll, an automatic paper feeding device for feeding a length of paper after cutting,
switches for actuating these devices, respectively, a control unit for operating each
of these devices under a preestablished program, sensors aimed to ensure that these
control units operate without fail, timers aimed to ensure that these control units
operate without fail, a casing main body for accommodating these devices and units,
and a cover for an open space of the casing. These are the basic components of the
known automatic roll paper feeders. Many of the inventions and utility models disclosed
in the published patent and registration applications recombine these basic components
with one another, improve them individually, devise manners of their arrangement and
mounting, devise manners of control and programming, and incorporate elements in combination
with these basic components in an effort to eliminate the deficiencies of the prior
inventions and utility models. However, many of them leave much to be desired in detail
and apparently can hardly be utilized in actuality.
[0004] In particular, as what becomes an obstacle in the actual use, there is a problem
concerning the presence of a switch or switches. All these inventions and utility
models in the past require the user to operate a switch such as a standard push-button
switch or foot switch or otherwise an infrared detector or sensor switch, where it
would be an exceedingly hard task for a person whose vision becomes extremely weak
or completely lost to find the presence of a switch and to understand its function,
let alone to operate switches for different functions allocated to them, respectively.
Also, because of differences in the manner to use of such a conventional automatic
roll paper feeder from the paper holder well accustomed in the past, when the accustomed
paper holder is, suddenly one day, replaced with the automatic roll paper feeder there
will arise the need that a note of operating instructions to explain the manner to
operate it be stuck on somewhere on this new apparatus itself or its nearby place,
but this should come to merely force further inconvenience on such a visibly handicapped
person or a very aged person whose vision has become so weak as to be unable to read
the operating instructions. And, it will be in general that such operating instructions
must also be of contents that are hard to understand for young children, and that
any such new automatic roll paper feeder requiring a switch or switches to be operated
must therefore be one hardly acceptable to young children, too. Further, to a person
who in mental functions is even slightly sunk, even the presence of only one switch
that need be operated may invite a feeling of uneasiness in advance that "How? Something
to do? Getting something beyond if it's pushed down?" It is well imaginable that the
user cannot even depress a switch and may be totally at a loss about how to use it.
Disclosure of the Invention
[0005] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a roll paper feeder
that enables any user, e. g., a one-armed user or a user handicapped in vision, too,
to readily pull out paper from a paper roll and then to have the paper cut safely,
with one hand and which is capable of reading the user's will through a movement of
the paper and which need not be operated by the user consciously with a switch or
switches.
[0006] A roll paper feeder according to the present invention is characterized by its capability
of reading the will of a user through a movement of paper. A roll paper feeder according
to the present invention, therefore, need not be operated by the user consciously
with a switch or switches, and the user then can easily pull out paper from a paper
roll, e. g., a roll of toilet paper, cooking paper or paper towel, with one hand and
can then have the paper cut or severed safely. In the absence of any particular switch
or switches that must be operated unlike in the prior art, a roll paper feeder according
to the present invention can be used readily by a person physically or mentally handicapped,
a person who is one-armed due to such as injury, a young child or infant, a very aged
person or a person who is lost of vision, too, in a manner as well accustomed in the
past and without any sense of incompatibility even at its first use. Also, in a roll
paper feeder according to the present invention paper is not fed or dispensed altogether
by motor driving as in the known automatic roll paper feeders and in an embodiment
thereof can be dispensed only by a length of paper about 10 cm by motor driving. Then,
if a length of paper of 1 m to 2 m is pulled out by the user, no electric power is
consumed at all for the time interval in which that length of paper is pulled out,
meaning that power consumption is reduced to about 1/10 or less of that in the prior-art
technique. Thus, if the present invention is commercialized into an independent-type
roll paper feeder product powered by a dry battery, the dry battery for the product
lasts about 10 times longer, in terms of time of exchange, than a battery of the same
time for an automatic roll paper feeder product according to the prior art. A markedly
increased energy-saving effect of a roll paper feeder according to the present invention
that requires much less power consumption is therefore evident.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0007] In the drawings,
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a simplified structural and explanatory view of the embodiment shown in
Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a simplified structural and explanatory view illustrating functions of paper
pressers or presser feet in such an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 4 is a simplified structural and explanatory view illustrating a state that paper
has been cut in such an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 5 is a simplified structural and explanatory view illustrating a state that a
cutting edge has been returned to its initial position in such an embodiment of the
invention;
Fig. 6 is a simplified structural and explanatory view illustrating a manner in which
to position a light transmission type optical sensor in an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 7 is a simplified structural and explanatory view illustrating a manner in which
to position a light reflection type optical sensor in an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 8 is a simplified structural and explanatory view of an embodiment of the invention
in which a portion of the cover is laterally open;
Fig. 9 is a simplified structural and explanatory view of an embodiment of the invention
in which a portion of the cover is laterally open;
Fig. 10 is a simplified structural and explanatory view of an embodiment of the invention
in which a trigger switch is provided at a paper exit section;
Fig. 11 is a simplified structural and explanatory view of an embodiment of the invention
in which a trigger switch is provided at a paper exit section; and
Fig. 12 is a simplified structural and explanatory view of an embodiment of the invention
in which a trigger switch is provided in a paper dispensing device section.
Best Modes for Carrying Out the Invention
[0008] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to
the accompanying drawings.
[0009] A paper roll feeder (hereinafter referred to also as "apparatus") as an implementation
of the present invention designed to be safe and trouble-free is shown in Fig. 1 in
its perspective view. A casing 1 forming a main body of the roll paper feeder has
a pair of holders 2a and 2b on which a roll of paper or paper role is rotatably supported,
an exit slit 4 for a cutting edge in an automatic paper cutter or cutting device and
a pair of locking projections 7a and 7b each containing a spring and, and is furnished
with a drive roller 3 in an automatic paper feeding or dispensing device or dispenser
for feeding or dispensing a certain length of paper after it is cut, a pair of paper
pressers or presser feet 5a and 5b as an accessories of the automatic cutting device,
and a sensor 6 for reading or sensing the paper starting and ceasing to move. A cover
8 that can be turned up to open a space in the main body in which to set a paper roll
is furnished with a sensor reception or driven roller 9 to operate the sensor 6 normally,
a passive or driven roller 10 to operate the paper dispensing device normally and
a pair of locking recesses 11a and 11b to fit with the locking projections 7a and
7b in the main body when the cover 8 is turned on fulcrums 12a and 12b into its close
position. Fig. 1 shows the cover 8 in its open position to allow the paper roll to
be set. In the state shown in Fig. 1, the holders 2a and 2b are held to protrude inwards
from the inner wall of the main body and as they are cannot accept the paper roll.
The holders 2a and 2b are so designed as in a knock-type ball-point pen that when
pushed once from outside they together project inwards and when pushed once again
they are withdrawn. Therefore, in order to set the paper roll and bring it into the
state that it is rotatably supported by the holders 2a and 2b, they can once be withdrawn
from the inner wall of the main body to allow the paper roll to be accepted in the
space between them and set there with its center hole or core cylinder aligned with
them and they can then be projected into the paper roll core cylinder.
[0010] Fig. 2 is a schematic structural and explanatory view of the roll paper feeder of
Fig. 1 embodying the present invention, illustrating the roll paper feeder shown with
the paper roll set, with the cover in its close position and with an end portion 60
of the paper somewhat protruding from the lower end of the feeder. For the sake of
facilitating the illustration, the lower part of the feeder is shown in Fig. 2 as
somewhat lengthened longitudinally over that in Fig. 1. Reference characters used
in Fig. 2 correspond to those in Fig. 1.
[0011] Mention is made below specifically of steps in the use of the apparatus implemented
and operations of devices and units making up the apparatus for each of these steps.
Setting a Paper Roll
[0012]
(1) Turn up the cover to its open position and set a paper roll so it hangs on the
holders 2a and 2b. Then, position paper from the roll in its normal path and let its
end appear and suspended from the lower end of the casing main body by a length of
3 cm to 8 cm.
Closing the Apparatus
[0013]
(2) The cover may then be turned down to its close position.
(3) Here, the apparatus is ensured as to both its functionality and safety if in its
design the state that the cover has been completely closed is defined as the state
that any spacing in which the pendent paper end portion is guided to pass is of a
width (0.5 mm or more) in the direction of paper thickness such that the paper can
freely pass through the spacing but such as (3.0 mm or less) to reject entry of an
infant's finger.
(4) When the cover is completely closed, a sensor 13 included in the casing main body
senses a magnetic force exerted by a magnet 58 included in the cover to furnish a
signal to a power supply control unit which turns on a first power switch, thereby
permitting electric power to be supplied to an electrical system in the apparatus.
Such makeup ensures that when and while the cover is open, every operating unit or
device in the apparatus becomes and remains de-energized and unactivated, thus assuring
its safety while the paper role is being replaced. Instead of the magnet and sensor
combination, it is also possible to use a power switch provided in the casing main
body in combination with a projection of 6 mm high on the cover. The main switch can
be positioned in the innermost recess of a hole drilled in the casing main body so
that it can be turned on when the projection on the cover is pressed on it. Making
the hole small (e. g., 3 mm) enough to reject entry of an infant's finger ensures
sufficient safety.
(5) With the first power switch turned on, the sensor 6 for sensing movement of paper
being pulled out becomes active together with other devices and units. In the embodiment
shown in Fig. 2, the sensor 6 is a sensor generally of rotary encoder type and the
paper is guided between the sensor 6 and the sensor reception roller 9.
(6) The automatic paper dispensing device comprises a motor 14 having a speed reducer
and a power transmission pulley, a power transmission belt 15 and a drive roller 3
having a power transmission pulley. The latter power transmission pulley has on its
shaft a clutch disconnected from it or a one-way clutch so that even if the motor
14 stands still, the drive roller 3 and the driven roller 10 can freely be rotated
in a direction in which the paper is caused to be pulled, thereby permitting the paper
to be pulled out at any time. The automatic paper dispensing device may generally
be of the type using a pair or pairs of rubber rollers between which paper is taken
and fed out, although one by means of pairs of conveyer belts between which paper
is caught and fed out is also well known.
Starting to Pull Out Paper and Clamping the Cover
Paper Outlet
[0014]
(7) When the paper begins to be pulled out with a hand, the sensor 6 reads or senses
the paper starting to move.
(8) The sensor 6 outputs a signal that actuates a control unit in a safety unit to
turn a second power switch on.
(9) With the second switch turned on, the cover is clamped in its locking position,
e. g., electromagnetically. The cover for the purpose of safety is left locked or
clamped until as series of operations that follow is accomplished. A specific, presumably
the simplest, way of electromagnetic locking here is to use a solenoid or the like
whereby the clamping projections 7a and 7b made able to protrude and withdraw freely
with springs as described in connection with Fig. 1 is prevented from moving backwards.
In the automatic dispensing device for paper from a paper roll here, it is the most
dangerous if the cover is opened or a finger is inserted through the paper outlet
port at the instant at which the paper cutting device is operated projecting a sharp
cutting edge forwards. Accordingly, the cover needs to remain locked or clamped at
least until the cutting operation is completed by withdrawing the cutting edge into
the inside of the casing main body, and the paper outlet port need be held then small
in its width in the direction of paper thickness (specifically to 3 mm or less) enough
to reject entry of an infant's finger.
User Ceases Pulling Out Paper
[0015]
(10) The user having pulled out paper to a desired length either ceases completely
pulling out paper or temporarily stops pulling out paper and, when dissatisfied with
the length, again starts pulling out paper and completely ceases pulling out paper
when a satisfactory length is reached.
(11) The sensor 6 then works to read or sense the paper ceasing to the move. The sensor
6 has a control unit that is programmed to recognize a complete "ceasing" if the stop
lasts for, e. g., 0.5 second or more. Then, any halt of pulling-out that only lasts
for less than 0.3 second is not taken as "ceasing" but as a "loss of determination"
or "temporary stop" to cause the sensor 6 to continue working and wait for a complete
"ceasing".
Cyclic Operation of Automatic Paper Cutting Device
[0016] Fig. 3 is a schematic structural and explanatory view of the sensor and automatic
paper dispenser systems with them in part omitted for illustrating a cyclic operation
of the automatic paper cutting device with the paper pressers inclusive. The fingers
seizing the end of paper are shown ceasing to pull out the paper.
(12) The sensor 6 works to transmit the "ceasing" of paper movement to its control
unit whereupon the paper pressers 5a and 5b that aid in cutting protrude from the
casing main body 1 so that the paper is held between the inner wall of the cover 8
and the pressers 5a, 5b as shown in Fig. 3. Here, the pressers 5a and 5b are attached
to a rear end of the cutting edge 17 via compression springs 16a and 16b, respectively.
When the motor 59 having the speed reducer commences rotating a gear 18 in the direction
of arrow 19, the cutting edge 17 having a rack in mesh with the gear 18 is moved,
together with its base as a whole, towards the cover 8 to allow the pressers 5a and
5b to first protrude from the casing main body 1 and then cause them to engage with
the paper firm. At this time the tip of the cutting edge has not reached the paper.
As the motor 59 continues to rotate the gear 18 in the direction of the arrow 19,
the compression springs 16a and 16b are compressed, holding the paper firm with the
pressers 5a and 5b. Note here that the paper pressers 5a and 5b preferably have their
paper contacting surfaces formed of rubber material having a multitude of small anti-slip
projections.
(13) As the motor 59 rotates the gear 18 further in the direction of the arrow 19,
a state as shown in Fig. 4 is reached whereby the paper is cut and severed completely
by the cutting edge 17. The motor 59 is preferably a motor which having a speed reducer
is capable of rotating the gear 18 at a speed suitable for cutting and is also provided
with a sensor for reading the angle of rotation of the motor shaft so it can read
its angular positions corresponding to the forward and backward positions of the cutting
edge, respectively, thereby determining them. The forward and backward positions of
the cutting edge can also be determined simply and effectively using an arrangement
in which the cutting edge has a projection formed thereon whose positions as representative
of its forward and backward positions are read by a pair of micro-switches.
(14) When the paper is cut and severed, the cutting edge 17 and the paper pressers
5a and 5b are returned to the state shown in Fig. 5 past the state shown in Fig. 3.
On the other hand, when the paper pressers 5a and 5b are released from holding paper
firm, a length of paper severed from the paper roll and leaving from the casing main
body is left in the user's hand. The state of the apparatus shown in Fig. 5 is identical
to that shown in Fig. 2 except that the end of paper from the paper roll is a severed
paper end lying adjacent to the automatic cutter, namely within the casing main body
and is thereby prevented from been grasped or touched with fingers. The cutting edge
can also be moved forth and back in a known manner by using a forth-and-back slide
plate with an elongate hole in combination with a disk with a round projection such
that one rotation of the disk having the round projection causes the cutting edge
to move forth and back in a single action. JP P H05-111442 A describes a technique
of moving a corrugated cutter to cut paper generally with such a setup. Use is also
made of a known technique with a fixed cutting edge attached to the cover in conjunction
with a rotary cutting edge mounted on the casing main body and rotated by means of
a motor or cam so as to cut paper as with scissors or force-cutting blades. Such techniques
are described in detail in JP P H10-14811 A, JP P H09-206237 A, JP P H04-20340 B and
JP UM H06-19693 A. If a roll paper is utilized that has perforated lines to aid in
cutting, it is then possible to have an optical sensor read such a perforated line
to determine its position and to position the cutting edge precisely in alignment
with the determined position. In such a case, the cutting edge need not be a sharp
metallic edge but may be a thin plastic plate whose edge is somewhat sharpened to
an extent that it is not injurious. Holding opposite sides of a perforated line firm
on paper with the paper pressers as an accessory of cutting and engaging the thin
plate with paper along the perforated line can enough cut and sever the paper. Then,
even if the safety unit happens to get out of order and the cover is opened when the
cutting edge is protruded, the user is freed from injury with the edge portion that
is not a cutting edge. Also, utilizing a paper roll with perforated lines allows the
automatic cutter to use, instead of cutting with a cutting edge, tearing-off by pulling
apart the opposite sides of a perforated line. Methods to read the position of a perforated
line by an optical sensor and to stop paper feed and methods to tear off paper by
pulling apart the opposite sides of a perforated line are known as described in detail
in JP P 2000-515273 A and JP P H11-244189 A.
Cyclic Action of Automatic Paper Dispensing Device
[0017]
(15) When the automatic paper cutting device terminates its cyclic operation and the
paper pressers 5a and 5b are returned to their initial position to open the paper
path, the automatic paper starts to work.
(16) The automatic paper dispensing device in its control unit is programmed to dispense
a selected length of paper and then to cease dispensing paper and operates so that
when the selected length of paper has been dispensed it ceases dispensing. A length
of paper's end portion of 3 am to 8 cm suspended from the casing main body is determined
as suitable and selected. Such a control unit is known, simple and efficient that
uses a timer to indicate that the selected length of paper has been dispensed.
Return to the Initial State.
[0018]
(17) When a signal indicating that the automatic paper dispensing device terminates
its cyclic operation is issued from its control unit, the controller in the safety
device responds to this signal to unclamp the cover 8 that has been locked since when
paper started to be pulled out, thereby permitting the cover 8 to be opened to allow
the paper roll if necessary to be freely exchanged.
[0019] Mention is next made of other embodiments of the present invention.
[0020] Means for supporting a paper roll rotatably may be other than that which with holders
2a and 2b utilizes a core cylinder of roll as shown in Fig. 1. It may then be one
as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 in which a paper roll is supported rotatably from below
with paper supports 20 and 21 one of which 21 may be part of a paper support roll
22 mounted so as to allow paper to be smoothly pulled out from the paper roll as shown
and the other of which 20 may also be likewise part of another support roll, although
one or both of these support rolls can also be omitted as being not essential.
[0021] As to the sensor for reading the paper starting and ceasing to move, a choice may
be made among a variety of alternatives in its kinds and methods of mounting.
In Case Sensor Reads Rotation
[0022] The holder 2a or 2b shown in Fig. 1 may have a sensor of this type to read rotation
of the core cylinder of the paper roll. It is also effective if the rotary shaft of
the paper support roll 22 in Fig. 6 has such a sensor. Alternatively, the rotary shaft
of the drive roller 3 or the driven roller 10 may have such a sensor to read the paper
starting and ceasing to move.
In Case Sensor Is a Photodetector Responsive to Light Transmission
[0023] As shown in Fig. 6 light rays from an emitter 23 are passed as indicated by the arrow
24 through paper made of fibers to enter a photodetector sensor 25. As the paper begins
to move, the paper fibers ahead of the sensor change in their state, changing the
intensity of light rays that enter the photodetector sensor 25 past interstices of
paper fibers. The photodetector sensor 25 issues a signal corresponding to the intensity
of the light rays it receives and this signal is transmitted to the control unit.
The control unit judges the paper as moving as long as the signal it receives is changing
and judges that the paper has completely ceased to move in response to the signal
that is unchanging after a preset lapse of time.
In Case Sensor Is a Photodetector Responsive to Light Reflection
[0024] As shown in Fig. 7 light rays from an emitter 26 runs as indicated by the arrow 27
and is reflected by the surface of paper of fibers as indicated by the arrow 28 to
enter a photodetector sensor 29. As the paper begins to move, the paper fibers ahead
of the sensor change in their state, changing the intensity of light rays that enter
the photodetector sensor 29 upon reflection by the surface of paper fibers. The photodetector
sensor 29 issues a signal corresponding to the intensity of the light rays it receives
and this signal is transmitted to the control unit. The control unit judges the paper
as moving as long as the signal it receives is changing and judges that the paper
has completely ceased to move in response to the signal that is unchanging after a
preset lapse of time. Any such sensor having the same functional level as that which
is utilized in an image sensor mouse for a personal computer is capable of completely
reading even a slight movement of paper and its ceasing.
[0025] Fig. 8 is a schematic structural and explanatory view illustrating a modified embodiment
in which the cover 8 for opening the main body in Fig. 1 is divided at a position
somewhat above the sensor driven roller 9 into an upper and a lower cover 30 and 32.
The upper cover 30 is configured so that it can be turned up as indicated by the arrow
31 to open the space below it, thereby enabling a paper roll to be set therein whereas
the lower cover 32 receiving the sensor driven roller 9 and the driven roller 10 is
configured so that it can be opened laterally. This is one of the possible embodiments
not provided with the holders 2a and 2b utilizing the core cylinder of a paper roll
to support it rotatably. The lower cover 32 is attached to a casing main body 34 with
a vertical hinge 33 about which it can be turned to its open and closed positions,
and is provided with a locking hook 35. The locking hook 35 is also shown with dotted
lines to indicate its position for reference when the lower cover 32 is closed. The
upper cover 30 is provided with a locking hook 36, too, and the casing main body 36
is provided in its inner walls with an upper and a lower locking element 37 and 38
for safety. With the paper roll set as shown in Fig. 8, when the user begins to pull
paper in the direction of the arrow 39 as shown in Fig. 9, the sensor 9 reads movement
of the paper caught between the sensor 9 and the sensor driven roller to send a signal
to the control unit in the safety device. Then, the control unit in the safety device
causes the upper and lower cover locking elements 37 and 38 to move in the directions
of arrows 40 and 41, respectively, whereby the upper and lower covers 30 and 32 are
kept clamped until a series of automatic cycles, namely the automatic paper cutting
and dispensing cycles after the user ceases pulling out the paper are accomplished.
When these automatic cycles are completed, the control unit in the safety device returns
the upper and lower cover locking elements 37 and 38 to their initial position where
one can, if necessary, exchange the paper roll and clean the entire apparatus. In
the apparatus shown in Figs. 8 and 9, a recess 42 is shown provided in which to accept
the cutting edge.
[0026] Figs. 10 and 11 show an embodiment according to claim 5 in particular and are cross
sectional views thereof in a region of the paper outlet port. Referring to Fig. 10,
the spacing between the inner wall 43 of the casing main body and the inner wall 44
of the cover is about 2 mm to 3 mm, and the cover has an outer covering member 45
having a swing member 47 attached thereto via a fulcrum shaft 46. Although the swing
member 47 works better if it is wider in breadth than paper, it still functions enough
if its breadth is as narrower as 3 cm to 5 cm when it is centered about paper. Having
been dispensed by the automatic dispensing device, paper 48 is shown suspended spontaneously
along midway between the inner wall 43 of the casing main body and the inner wall
44 of the cover.
[0027] Fig. 11 shows the state that the 48 is pulled in the direction of arrow 49. When
paper 48 is pulled in the direction of arrow 49, the swing member 47 is turned about
the fulcrum shaft 46 in the direction of arrow 50 to bring a metal piece 51 into engagement
with a projection on a metal piece 52. Contacting the metal piece 51 with the metal
piece 52 passes a trigger current in an overall control unit for the apparatus, which
causes a power supply for each other sensor to be turned and held on to make and hold
it operative. This also causes a power supply for each of the respective control units
for the automatic paper dispensing device, automatic paper cutting device and safety
device to be turned and held on to make and hold them operative to work under a program.
Serving thus as a trigger switch, the metal pieces 51 and 52 may as a matter of course
be replaced with a micro-switch product available in the market. To facilitate its
understanding, the trigger switch is shown in the embodiment of Figs. 10 and 11 as
disposed in a region of the exit of the paper path, where the trigger switch could
be directly touched with a finger of a user, however. A trigger switch is so subtly
made up and generally is set up in a manner such that it is sensitive to even a slight
movement of paper and it could be a cause of the apparatus malfunctioning if a user's
finger touches any of its delicate parts. In such consideration, the trigger switch
is preferably disposed in the paper path somewhat distant from its exit. Then, the
inner wall 43 of the casing main body may in part be concaved in a smooth doglegged
form and the swing member 47 in part deformed to correspond thereto so that paper
can pass between them (with a spacing of 2 mm to 3 mm) while being suspended by gravity
in such a doglegged form. While the trigger switch is sensitive, it can be set so
it does not react to such a low force of gravity. When a user is going to pull out
paper in such a state, the paper deformed by gravity into the smooth doglegged form
is straightened taut by tension and then forces the convexed swing member 47 to turn,
thereby bringing the metal piece 51 into contact and electrical contact with the metal
piece 52.
[0028] As regards other possible forms of the trigger switch, shown next is a specific embodiment
that uses a switch utilizing a centrifugal force. Fig. 12 shows a state that paper
53 is put between the drive roller 3 and the driven roller 10 in Figs 1 and 2 and
is pulled in the direction of arrow 54. The shaft of the drive roller 3 is equipped
with a one-way clutch to allow the drive roller 3 to rotate unaffected by the motor
14 and the power transmission belt 15 but following the movement of paper 53. A gear
wheel 55 attached to the drive roller 3 engages with a pinion 56 to provide a speed
increasing gear, and an centrifugal switch 57 attached to the shaft of the pinion
56 can acquire enough torque and be turned on in response to even a slight movement
of paper 53. A trigger current is passed from the centrifugal switch into its control
unit to cause a power supply for each other sensor to be turned and held on to make
and hold it operative. This also causes a power supply for each of the respective
control units for the automatic paper dispensing device, automatic paper cutting device
and safety device to be turned and held on to make and hold them operative to work
under a program. A trigger switch working equally to those shown in Figs. 10 and 12
can be produced by utilizing a permanent magnet to indirectly make an electrical contact.
The centrifugal switch can be enough of an inner structure that has been well known
with a certain light emitting toy.
[0029] Turning a centrifugal switch horizontally by utilizing a bevel gear is also effective
to enhance the sensitivity of a sensor. Further, other than usual centrifugal switches
internally equipped with a spring, weight and electrical contact, there may be used
one that utilizes mercury charged with a metallic ball. As mentioned above, using
a trigger switch first acting and adapted to be operated when paper begins to be pulled
out to turn on the power supply for a sensor for reading or sensing the paper starting
and ceasing to move, thereby making the sensor then first operative, provides the
energy-saving effect to make power consumption by the roll paper feeder not in use
completely zero. This and other sensors then actuated to electrically control devices
are thereafter held energized electrically to continue monitoring constantly. If an
optical stimulus or electrical or physical stimulus is applied to each sensor, then
the control unit connected to the sensor compares states before and after the stimulus
is applied and reads a change between them to operate and control operations of respective
devices connected to such control units under a preestablished program.
[0030] Therefore, in providing a roll paper feeder of independent type when it is to be
fed with a dry battery as a source of limited energy, where it is not profitable at
all to keep a sensor energized even with small current for 24 hours a day, the use
of a trigger switch is extremely effective to enhance the effect of power saving.
Of course, if a household power supply that can be used exclusively for the roll paper
feeder is prepared in a place, such as a toilet room, in which it is to be installed,
it is needless to say that there can then be used a standard electrical, optical or
physical sensor that needs to be continuously fed with electric power for 24 hours
a day. Although several form of the trigger switch are shown in and described in connection
with Figs. 11 and 12 together with possible manners in which to power on the sensors
utilizing the trigger current, the term "trigger switch" used here means nothing but
a sensor means that physically detects or is responsive to the movement of paper which
begins when the user commences pulling out paper upon seizing its end to generate
an electric signal indicative of it. Mention is next made of embodiments which start
a program running for control units in response to a signal from a sensor (including
a trigger switch) that reads an instant at which paper begins to be pulled out from
a movement of the paper to cyclically operate the automatic paper dispensing and cutting
devices. While an automatic paper dispensing and cutting apparatus has been known
that requires a switch, e. g. in the form of a push button, on its face to start its
operation, the invention is designed to eliminate and get rid of such an externally
mounted switch (including any proximity switch as a substitute for such switch as
the bush-button, positioned so as to be visible to the user) in the prior art and
instead to exploit a sensor (including trigger switch) designed to sense the user's
will by monitoring movement of paper to start the apparatus by starting a program
to run for its required cyclic operations in response to a signal from the sensor.
Starting such a program to run allows the automatic paper dispensing device to operate
by dispensing a length of paper set to be suitable for use and then the automatic
paper cutting device to operate by cutting paper and thereafter the automatic paper
dispensing device to operate again by dispensing paper to an extent that a length
of paper suitable for the user to hold with fingers is suspended from the paper exit
port, namely to where the initial state of the cycle is restored to wait for a next
user pulling out the paper. Thus, even in case a user is one-armed for any reason
whatsoever to use the apparatus, unlike in the prior art the end of paper comes to
be firmly held with its fingers before the paper begins to be dispensed, so there
could be no unsanitary situation brought about as might be the case in the prior art
that paper forcibly dispensed after the switch is turned on is suddenly cut out of
the user's hand and a cut of paper fails to be grasped by the user and comes to eventually
fall on the floor. It should be noted here that a trigger switch to constitute a sensor
as mentioned above may be disposed anywhere in the paper path or on any shaft rotating
in relation to movement of roll paper. If the known automatic roll paper feeding and
cutting apparatus with the externally mounted start switch is used one-handed, then
the paper must begin to be automatically dispensed forcibly instantaneously when the
switch is pushed down (or when the proximity switch utilizing infrared rays is reacted),
requiring that the user quickly grasp the end of paper with the one hand used to depress
the switch. It is then altogether possible that while the user is trying to grasp,
a given length of paper may have already been dispensed and cut, then falling on the
floor. This situation is very likely to occur if the user is a physically or mentally
handicapped person. Also, if a blind person is utilizing an automatic roll paper dispensing
and cutting apparatus according to the prior art, a first problem will be to find
if and where the start switch is, and also as can readily be imagined it will not
be working well for some time at the beginning to aptly grasp paper unless there is
something to catch the paper. According to the present invention, no such difficulty
can be met since the apparatus is allowed to start operations only after the user
has firmly grasp the end of paper and begins to pull it out.
[0031] Thus, a blind person as a user can use this novel roll paper feeder according to
the invention in the same sense as that in which the user uses the conventional paper
holder well accustomed to use. Further, with no vision switch (no push button which
it is instructed by vision to depress and no proximity switch which it is instructed
by vision to bring a hand near) and with no instructions to use required, this novel
roll paper feeder according to the present invention if replaced suddenly one day,
e. g., in a home for such persons, for the paper holder so far well accustomed for
them to use can smoothly be introduced there, where users will have no sense of incompatibility
except that they might only feel that the paper holder may have been something renewed.
A user in using the roll paper feeder might once or twice feel such a surprise that
"There, paper's coming out!", but since he/she has already seized the end of paper
to pull it out and noting that the paper is being dispensed, will no longer be confused
if the paper is automatically cur, and will soon have an agreeable sense of use of
the apparatus.
[0032] Since the present invention in its implementation relates primarily to how a sensor,
among others, may be mounted for reading or sensing paper starting and ceasing to
move and operated, explanations in further detail of the power supply, wiring, electronic
control system, centrifugal switch and so on can be omitted. It should be appreciated
that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments so far described and
its form of implementation may be varied depending on modifications of components
and the manner in which they are mounted. For example, the embodiment shown in Figs.
8 and 9 may be modified to eliminate the upper cover 30 having the locking hook 36
together with the upper cover locking element 37 to provide a modification, referred
to as Modification A. It omits a cover and a cover locking means which are provided
to ensure safety of and to make trouble-free the apparatus. In Modification A where
the cover is omitted, a user's hand may touch and hold down a paper roll while paper
is being dispensed from it. Then, the paper might be torn off on the paper roll if
the pulling force by the dispensing device exceeds the paper's strength. Or, an excess
load may be imposed on the dispensing device that is not enough in durability and
a repetition of this may result in a gear damaging and a dispensing roll being worn
away to an extent that paper cannot be well dispensed and/or to an extent that the
motor and circuit boards get heated and out of order. This modification, which thus
makes the apparatus less complete in its integrity and the elimination of possible
troubles, will yet be a useful product that can be marketed at a reduced price by
cost reduction and which if broken can encourage re-purchasing, thus still opening
a new valuable business opportunity to the consumer market.
[0033] An example of application of Modification A in which it is mounted beneath a paper
holder that has already been installed in a toilet room in a house in general will
be described below as Application A. In the existing paper holder unlike the embodiment
shown in Figs. 8 and 9, a paper roll is set by axially supporting its core cylinder
so the roll can be rotated about its axis. In this application, Application A, therefore,
a roll of paper is so set by utilizing the existing paper holder, and then paper is
pulled out a little longer so that paper can be caught by Modification A. A yardstick
is to extend paper so its end reaches a position shown in Fig. 8. So doing enables
a user to pull out paper one-handed easily to allow it to be cut safely. With the
locking hook 35 brought into engagement with the locking element 38 to prevent the
lower cover 32 from opening, the cutting edge is protected against exposure and the
user against injury, so due safety is ensured. Although there exists the fear that
the paper roll may be touched and pushed down, possibly causing a trouble, one may
aptly say that this is not bad as it is. In the present invention designed to precisely
read the user's will and allow paper to be pulled out with one hand and then to be
automatically cut, such components as a cover, a cover locking means and a means to
support a paper roll rotatably can be included to make the apparatus easy to use,
safe, free of trouble and high in quality but are not components absolutely essential.
In Application A, the user need not detach and dispose of the existing paper holder
already installed and simply need to purchase and install a Modification A product
reduced in price by omitting several components. Viewed from the standpoints of less
expensiveness, less laboriousness and less waste emission, the modification A thought
to be less complete in integrity and durability becomes an embodiment that is gentle
to people of standard and lower income levels and that is gentle to the environments.
Reading an instant at which paper begins to be pulled out is to precisely read the
user's will or wish to "begin to pull out paper now", and reading an instant at which
paper has ceased to be pulled out is to precisely read the user's will or wish "to
cut paper around here because such length is enough". In the present invention, the
apparatus is not allowed to start operation simply if the use's hand is approached
or if paper is only lightly touched. It judges that "the user has pulled paper or
needs a sheet of paper" first and only when the paper has been grasped and begun to
be pulled out. By monitoring a movement of the paper, the apparatus precisely reads
the user's will. Any action of bringing the hand near to the apparatus or touching
the paper lightly with no intent to pull out the paper is not regarded as an action
done requiring a sheet of paper. Accordingly, the present invention provides a roll
paper feeder that is capable of operation upon precisely reading the user's will.
Industrial Applicability
[0034] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the present invention provides a
roll paper feeder characterized by precisely reading a user's will through a movement
of paper. Therefore, it does not require a user to consciously operate it with any
switch and allows toilet paper, cooking paper and paper towel to be easily pulled
out of a roll by the user one-handed and to be automatically cut safely. In the absence
of any particular switch required to operate, the apparatus can be used easily by
a mentally or physically handicapped person, a person one-armed for any reason such
as injury, a young child, an aged person or a person lost of vision without much a
sense of incompatibility even at its first use and in a manner as accustomed as one
has been.