Background of the Invention
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a film transfer device, and in particular to a film
transfer device including a slidable protection cap mounted thereon.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] U.S Pat. No. D,475,747 entitled "FILM-TRANSFERRING DEVICE FOR OFFICE USE" shows a
casing of the film transferring device includes a cap hinged on a bottom side thereof
to selectively fix with an application head which transfers film. Therefore, the cap
is fixed with the application head to close the application head, and the cap is retained
on the bottom of the casing as the application head transfers film.
[0003] The design of the above patent suffers from a problem that the cap wears the application
head after the repeated engagement and disengagement therebetween. Consequently, the
cap is not able to be securely fixed with the application head and the cap can not
protect the application head. Another problem is that the cap has a section subject
to fracture due to repeated bending. As a result, the cap can not protect the application
head, and the fracture has an adverse effect on appearance.
[0004] The present invention is, therefore, intended to obviate or at least alleviate the
problems encountered in the prior art by providing a film transfer device with a slidable
protection cap which is durable and convenient for use.
Summary of the Invention
[0005] According to the present invention, a film transfer device with a slidable protection
cap includes a case including a compartment and a receiving section connected with
the compartment, and an opening section in proximity to the receiving section. A reel
mechanism is disposed in the compartment. An application head assembly is retained
in the receiving section and includes an application head exposed outside the opening
sections. A protection cap is slidably mounted in the receiving section between a
first position and a second position. The application head concealed by the protection
cap as the protection cap is in the first position. The application head exposed from
the protection cap as the protection cap is in the second position.
[0006] It is an object of the present invention that the protection cap is disposed in the
case and is moveable between two positions to selectively conceal or expose the application
head. Thus, the application head is protected from dust and dirt by the protection
cap.
[0007] It is another object of the present invention that the protection cap exposes the
application head as the protection cap is in the second position. Additionally, the
protection cap has position-limiting grooves which engage with protruding sections
of the application head assembly to prevent the protection cap from shaking movement,
which adversely influences film-dispensing operation.
[0008] It is a further object of the present invention that the application head assembly
includes a fixing frame retained in the case and is prevented from displacement. Thus,
the steadiness of the fixing frame is ensured and the fixing frame is prevented from
loosening and displacement in the case.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0009]
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a film transfer device with a slidable protection
cap in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the film transfer device shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is another exploded perspective view of the film transfer device taken at a
different angle than that of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a position of the protection cap.
Fig. 6 is an extended cross-sectional view of Fig. 5 and in which the protection cap
is at a position which allows exposure of an application head of the film transfer
device.
Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 8 is an extended cross-sectional view of Fig. 7 and shows a position of the protection
cap.
Fig. 9 is an extended cross-sectional view of Fig.8 and in which the protection cap
is at a position which allows exposure of an application head of the film transfer
device.
Fig. 10 shows the application head exposed and in use.
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a film transfer device with a slidable cap in accordance
with a second embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
[0010] While the best embodiments will be illustrated and described with reference to the
drawings hereafter, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing
from the spirit of invention, and the scope of invention is not limited by the specific
embodiments.
[0011] Figs 1 through 3 show a perspective and exploded perspective views of a film transfer
device with a slidable protection cap in accordance with a first embodiment of the
present invention. This embodiment includes a first case 10 and a second case 20 connected
to the first case 10 and disposed opposite to the first case 10. This embodiment further
includes a reel mechanism 30, an application head assembly 40 and a protection cap
70 surrounded by the first and second cases 10, 20.
[0012] The first case 10 includes a first section 11 and a second section 12, and the second
case 20 includes a first section 21 and a second section 22, respectively. The first
section 11 of the first case 10 forms a compartment 13 and includes a strut 14 extended
from and disposed in the compartment 13. The first section 21 of the second case 20
forms a compartment 23 and includes an axle 24 extended from and disposed in the compartment
23. The reel mechanism 30 is disposed in the compartment 13 in the first case 10 and
the compartment 23 in the second case 20, and the reel mechanism 30 includes a through
hole 31 extending in a center thereof for insertion of the strut 14 in the first case
10, and the strut 14 is thereafter engaged with the axle 24 in the second case 20.
[0013] The second section 12 of the first case 10 includes an opening section 15, and the
second section 22 of the second case 20 includes an opening section 25, respectively.
The second section 12 of the first case 10 also include a first positioning section
16 and a second positioning section 17 disposed on a side of the first case 10 and
in proximity to the opening section 15, and the second section 22 of the second case
20 also include a first positioning section 26 and a second positioning section 27
disposed on a side of the second case 20 and in proximity to the opening sections
25, respectively. The first positioning section 16 is disposed corresponding to the
first positioning section 26 and the second positioning section 17 is disposed corresponding
to the second positioning section 27. Further, a receiving section 18 is defined between
the opening section 15 and the compartment 13, and correspondingly a receiving section
28 is defined between the opening section 25 and the compartment 23. Additionally,
the receiving section 18 includes a stopping section 19 extended therefrom, and the
receiving section 28 includes a stopping section 29 extended therefrom, respectively.
The stopping sections 19 is disposed on an end opposite to the opening section 15,
the stopping sections 29 is disposed on an end opposite to the opening section 25,
respectively. The first and second positioning sections 16 and 17 are disposed in
proximity to the receiving section 18, and the first and second positioning section
26 and 27 are disposed in proximity to the receiving section 28, respectively. Furthermore,
the first case 10 includes a plurality of hooking sections 101, and the second case
20 includes a plurality of hooking sections 201 disposed corresponding to the plurality
of hooking sections 101 and engaged with respective hooking sections 101 in order
to fix the first and second cases 10 and 20 together. The first case 10 is disposed
symmetrical to the second case 20 and the reel mechanism 30, the application head
assembly 40 and the protection cap 70 are held between the first and second cases
10.
[0014] The application head assembly 40 is disposed between the first and second cases 10
and 20 and includes a fixing frame 50 and an application head 60. The fixing frame
50 includes one end retained in the receiving sections 18 and 28 of the respective
first and second cases 10 and 20 and another end connected with the application head
60. The application head 60 is exposed outside the opening sections 15 and 25 of the
respective first and second cases 10 and 20.
[0015] Referring further to Fig. 4, the fixing frame 50 includes a first end 51 and a second
end 52 and is elongated and with resiliency. The first end 51 includes two lateral
walls 511, and a first guiding wall 512 and a second guiding wall 513. The lateral
walls 511 and the first and second guiding walls 512 and 513 extend in a direction
substantially perpendicularly to a direction from the first end 51 to the second end
52. The first and second guiding walls 512 and 513 are disposed on an extremity of
the fixing frame 50. Furthermore, the first and second guiding walls 512 and 513 are
formed on two opposite sides of the fixing frame 50. Additionally, the first and second
guiding walls 512 and 513 are adapted to guide film from the reel mechanism 30 through
a 90-degree rotation. The fixing frame 50 also includes two lateral sides and each
lateral side includes a protruding section 514 extended therefrom and disposed in
proximity to one lateral wall 511. Furthermore, the first end 51 of the fixing frame
50 is disposed in the receiving sections 18 and 28 of the respective first and second
cases 10 and 20. Each lateral wall 511 has one end stopped on the stopping section
19 and another end stopped on the stopping section 29 such that the fixing frame 50
is retained between the first and second cases 10 and 20 and is prevented from displacement.
Thus, the steadiness of the fixing frame 50 is ensured and the fixing frame 50 is
prevented from loosening and displacement in the first and second cases 10 and 20.
Furthermore, the application head 60 is pivotally mounted on the second end 52 of
the fixing frame 50, and the application head 60 extends outward of the fixing frame
50 and is adapted to abut against on an item to be worked with. Because the application
head 60 is made from a material which has resiliency, it is convenient to enable film
to stick on a surface of the item. In this preferred embodiment, the application head
60 is configured as a roller. Additionally, the application head 60 is adapted to
enable film to apply on the surface of the item.
[0016] The protection cap 70 is insertably mounted on the application head assembly 40,
and is configured of a body 71 and two clipping legs 72. The body 71 includes a channel
711 extending axially through two ends thereof. The clipping legs 72 are extended
from two lateral surfaces of the body 71, respectively, and in the same direction.
Each clipping leg 71 also has a through slot 73 extended axially, and the through
slot 73 enables the clipping leg 71 have bending resiliency. The body 71 further includes
two position-limiting grooves 712 extended on the two lateral surface, respectively,
and each position-limiting groove 712 is disposed corresponding to one through slot
73. The position-limiting grooves 712 receive two protruding sections 514 respectively
so as to prevent the protection cap 70 from shaking movement. Each clipping leg 72
further includes an engaging section 721 extended from an end thereof and selectively
positioned on the first positioning sections 16 and 26 and on the second positioning
sections 17 and 27, of the respective first and second cases 10 and 20.
[0017] Figs. 4 through 6 show that the protection cap 70 insertably mounted on the application
head assembly 40. The protection cap 70 is moveable relative to the first and second
cases 10 and 20. Specifically, the engaging sections 721 is adapted to be positioned
on the first positioning sections 16 and 26 and on the second positioning sections
17 and 27, of the respective first and second cases 10 and 20, and such that the protection
cap 70 is moveable between the two positions to selectively conceal the application
head 60 or expose the application head 60. When the protection cap 70 in a first position,
the application head 60 is concealed by the protection cap 70, and the clipping legs
72 engaged in the first and second cases 10 and 20 prevent the protection cap 70 disengaged
from the first and second cases 10 and 20, and the engaging sections 721 are positioned
on the first positioning sections 16 and 26. Furthermore, when the protection cap
70 is in a second position, the clipping legs 72 are engaged in the first and second
cases 10 and 20, and the engaging sections 721 are positioned on the second positioning
sections 17 and 27.
[0018] Figs. 7 through 9 show that the application head 60 concealed by the protection cap
70 when the protection cap is in the first position. Thus, the application head 60
is protected from dust or dirt. Furthermore, when the protection cap 70 is in the
second position, the protection cap 70 exposes the application head 60, and the application
head 60 is in the in-use position to transfer film. Additionally, the position-limiting
grooves 712 of the protection cap 70 which engage with the protruding sections 514
prevent the protection cap 70 from shaking movement, which adversely influences film-dispensing
operation.
[0019] Fig. 10 shows that the protection cap 70 in the second position. In use of the application
head 60, the protection cap 70 is moved to the second position. The application head
60 is thereafter positioned on a surface of an item to be worked with. Thus, user
can ensure that film is transferred on the surface.
[0020] Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of a film transfer device with a slidable protection
cap in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment
is similar to the first embodiment except that it includes an application head 60a
including a flat head. Likewise, the protection cap 70 is moveable between two positions,
and the protection cap 70 conceals the application head 60a when in a first position,
and the protection cap 70 exposes the application head 60a when in a second
position. The protection cap 70 can also protect the application head 60a from dust
or dirt.
[0021] In view of forgoing, the film transfer device which has a slidable protection cap
of the present invention includes a case, i.e. a first case 10 and a second case 20,
a reel mechanism 30, an application head assembly 40, and a protection cap 70. The
application head assembly 40 is retained in receiving sections 18, 28 of the respective
first and second cases 10 and 20. Additionally, the application head assembly 40 includes
an application head 60, 60a exposed outside opening sections 15 and 25 of the respective
first and second cases 10 and 20. The protection cap 70 is disposed between the first
and second cases 10 and 20 and is moveable between two positions. The protection cap
70 conceals the application head 60a when in a first position, and the protection
cap 70 exposes the application head 60a when in a second position. Thus, the application
head 60 is in the in-use position to transfer film.
[0022] In view of forgoing, the protection cap 70 is disposed between the first and second
cases 10 and 20 and is moveable between two positions to selectively conceal or expose
the application head 60, 60a. Thus, the application head 60, 60a is protected from
dust and dirt by the protection cap 70.
[0023] Furthermore, the protection cap 70 exposes the application head 60 as the protection
cap 70 is in the second position. Additionally, the position-limiting grooves 712
of the protection cap 70 which engage with the protruding sections 514 prevent the
protection cap 70 from shaking movement, which adversely influences film-dispensing
operation.
[0024] Moreover, the fixing frame 50 is retained between the first and second cases 10 and
20 and is prevented from displacement. Thus, the steadiness of the fixing frame 50
is ensured and the fixing frame 50 is prevented from loosening and displacement in
the first and second cases 10 and 20.
[0025] While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications
come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of invention and the
scope of invention is only limited by the scope of accompanying claims.
1. A film transfer device with a slidable protection cap comprising:
a case (10, 20), including a compartment (13, 23) and a receiving section (18,28)
connected with the compartment, and an opening section (15, 25) in proximity to the
receiving section;
a reel mechanism (30) disposed in the compartment;
an application head assembly (40) retained in the receiving section and including
an application head (60, 60a), with the application head exposed outside the opening
section; and
a protection cap (70) slidably mounted in the receiving section between a first position
and a second position, with the application head concealed by the protection cap as
the protection cap is in the first position, and with the application head exposed
from the protection cap as the protection cap is in the second position.
2. The film transfer device with the slidable protection cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein
the case (10, 20) includes a first positioning section (16, 26) and a second positioning
section (17, 27) disposed in proximity to the receiving section (18, 28), and wherein
the protection cap (70) includes an engaging section (721) selectively positioned
on the first positioning section and on the second positioning section.
3. The film transfer device with the slidable protection cap as claimed in claim 2 wherein
the protection cap (70) includes a body (71) and at least one clipping leg (72), with
the at least one clipping leg abutting against the case (10, 20).
4. The film transfer device with the slidable protection cap as claimed in claim 3 wherein
the protection cap (70) includes two clipping legs (72).
5. The film transfer device with the slidable protection cap as claimed in claim 3 wherein
the protection cap (70) includes two engaging sections (721) extended from two opposite
sides thereof respectively, with the engaging sections disposed on the clipping leg
(72).
6. The film transfer device with the slidable protection cap as claimed in claim 4 wherein
each of the two clipping legs (72) includes a through slot (73) extended axially,
and with the through slot enabling the respective clipping leg have bending resiliency.
7. The film transfer device with the slidable protection cap as claimed in claim 1 or
4 wherein the application head assembly (40) includes a fixing frame (50) having a
first end (51) and a second end (52), with the first end retained in the receiving
section (18, 28), and with the second end connected with the application head (60,
60a), and wherein the protection cap (70) is insertably mounted on the fixing frame.
8. The film transfer device with the slidable protection cap as claimed in claim 7 wherein
the first end (51) of the fixing frame (50) includes two lateral walls (511), and
wherein the receiving section (18, 28) include a stopping section (19, 29) disposed
corresponding to one of the two lateral walls, and wherein the two lateral walls are
stopped on the respective stopping section.
9. The film transfer device with the slidable protection cap as claimed in claim 8 wherein
the first end (51) of the fixing frame (50) includes a first guiding wall (512) and
a second guiding wall (513), with the first and second guiding walls disposed on an
extremity of the fixing frame, and with the first and second guiding walls adapted
to guide film from the reel mechanism (30) through a rotation.
10. The film transfer device with the slidable protection cap as claimed in claim 8 wherein
the fixing frame (50) includes two lateral sides and each lateral side includes a
protruding section (514) extended therefrom and disposed in proximity to one lateral
wall (511), and wherein the protection cap (70) includes two lateral surface and two
position-limiting grooves (712) extended thereon, and wherein the protruding sections
are received in the position-limiting grooves respectively.
11. The film transfer device with the slidable protection cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein
the application head (60) is configured as a roller.
12. The film transfer device with the slidable protection cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein
the application head (60a) includes a flat head.
13. The film transfer device with the slidable protection cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein
the case (10, 20) includes a first case (10) and a second case (20), with the first
case disposed symmetrical to and connected with the second case.
Amended claims in accordance with Rule 137(2) EPC.
1. A film transfer device with a slidable protection cap comprising:
a case (10, 20), including a compartment (13, 23), a receiving section (18, 28) connected
with the compartment, an opening section (15, 25) in proximity to the receiving section,
and first and second positioning sections (16, 26; 17, 27) disposed in proximity to
the receiving section (18, 28);
a reel mechanism (30) disposed in the compartment;
an application head assembly (40) retained in the receiving section and including
a fixing frame (50) having a first end (51) and a second end (52), and an application
head (60, 60a), with the application head exposed outside the opening section, with
the first end retained in the receiving section (18, 28) and including first and second
guiding walls (512; 513) disposed on an extremity of the fixing frame, with the first
and second guiding walls adapted to guide film from the reel mechanism (30) through
a rotation, and with the second end connected with the application head (60, 60a);
and
a protection cap (70) insertably mounted on the fixing frame, and slidably mounted
in the receiving section between a first position and a second position, and including
two engaging sections (721) selectively positioned on the first and second positioning
sections, with the protection cap (70) further including a body (71), and two clipping
legs (72) of which each abuts against the case (10, 20), with the two engaging sections
(721) disposed on the two clipping legs (72) respectively and extended from two opposite
sides of the protection cap (70) respectively, with the application head concealed
by the protection cap as the protection cap is in the first position, and with the
application head exposed from the protection cap as the protection cap is in the second
position.
2. The film transfer device with the slidable protection cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein
each of the two clipping legs (72) includes a through slot (73) extended axially,
and with the through slot enabling the respective clipping leg have bending resiliency.
3. The film transfer device with the slidable protection cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein
the first end (51) of the fixing frame (50) includes two lateral walls (511), and
wherein the receiving section (18, 28) include a stopping section (19, 29) disposed
corresponding to one of the two lateral walls, and wherein the two lateral walls are
stopped on the respective stopping section.
4. The film transfer device with the slidable protection cap as claimed in claim 3 wherein
the fixing frame (50) includes two lateral sides and each lateral side includes a
protruding section (514) extended therefrom and disposed in proximity to one lateral
wall (511), and wherein the protection cap (70) includes two lateral surface and two
position-limiting grooves (712) extended thereon, and wherein the protruding sections
are received in the position-limiting grooves respectively.
5. The film transfer device with the slidable protection cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein
the application head (60) is configured as a roller.
6. The film transfer device with the slidable protection cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein
the application head (60a) includes a flat head.
7. The film transfer device with the slidable protection cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein
the case (10, 20) includes a first case (10) and a second case (20), with the first
case disposed symmetrical to and connected with the second case.