Film transfer tool with application head moveable between exposed and stowed positions

A film transfer tool includes an application head, which is adapted to be moved to a stowed position, and a reel assembly having a wall and two stopping members extended therefrom. The reel assembly and a shell have an active member disposed therebetween. The active member has a looped passage on which the two stopping members are adapted to move. The two stopping members can position the reel assembly in a retained position in which the head extends outside the shell, and the reel assembly can be released from the retained position in order that the head is stowed inside the shell.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a film transfer tool and, in particular, to a film transfer tool including an application head which is operably moveable between exposed and stowed positions.

2. Description of the Related Art

When correcting mistakes in a pencil-written work, an eraser can be used to wipe out the mistakes easily. When correcting mistakes in a pen-written work, correction fluid can be used. A problem that correction fluid suffers is that the fluid takes time to become solid. Further, the fluid has an unpleasant and harmful odor. A correction tape is an alternative to cover the mistakes, and unlike the correction fluid, the correction tape has no problem of taking time to become solid and of having a harmful odor. Use of the correction tape has gradually substitutes replaced the use of the correction fluid.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,622,768, entitled correction tape roll device, shows two gears that selectively engage so as to reel a correction tape, and this kind of correction tape roll device sets the basic model in the art. However, a problem with this correction tape roll device is that it has a head exposed and causes the correction tape thereon to easily become dirty by dust or other foreign particle.

TW Pat. No. M311598 shows a correction tape dispenser including an application head which automatically moves to a stowed position. The correction tape dispenser includes a front cover with a through slot, a reel assembly with an application head, a retractable device and a rear cover. The reel assembly is mounted in the front cover and partially extends outside the through slot. The retractable device has two ends abutting the core and the rear cover respectively and can control a forward/backward position of the reel assembly. Additionally, the rear cover is connected to the front cover. A user can push the reel assembly to make the retractable device push the application head of the reel assembly and cause the application head to extend from outside the front cover. Thus, it is convenient for the user to push the reel assembly and, therefore, to make the application head of the reel assembly extended. Further, the application head would be retained inside the front cover if it is not used, and the correction tape is maintained clean.

The design of TW Pat. No. M311598 has certainly enabled the application head to selectively move to a stowed position. Unfortunately, the correction tape dispenser has relatively numerous components, and the cost thereof can not be effectively reduced. Then, it will easily lose its competing strength in the stationery market. Moreover, it is impossible to assemble numerous components quickly, and the components increase the cost of manufacturing.

The present invention is, therefore, intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems by providing a design which reduces the cost of manufacturing, uses fewer components, and enables the application head to move to a stowed position as well.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, it is an object of the present invention to provide a film transfer tool which reduces the cost of manufacturing, uses fewer components, and enables an application head to move to a stowed position as well.

A film transfer tool includes an application head which is adapted to be moved to a stowed position and a reel assembly having a wall and two stopping members extended therefrom. The reel assembly and a shell have an active member disposed therebetween. The active member has a looped passage that the two stopping members are adapted to move on. The two stopping members can position the reel assembly in a retained position in which the head extends outside the shell, and the reel assembly can be released from the retained position in order that the head is stowed inside the shell.

Additionally, a force-applied member utilized to control the reel assembly and the positioning of the two stopping members of the reel assembly with respect to the active member enables the head to be stowed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

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.

FIGS. 1 and 2show a perspective view and an exploded perspective view of a film transfer tool1in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The first embodiment of the film transfer tool1of the present invention includes a housing including a first shell10and a second shell20. The first and second shells10and20are configured to be connected to each other. However, the housing may be formed of a single shell. The first and second shells10and20cover a reel assembly30, an elastic element40, and an active member50.

The first and second shells10and20each includes a first end11and21and a second end12and22having an opening. A plurality of engaging holes13are disposed on an inner periphery of the first shell10. A plurality of engaging tenons23are disposed on an inner periphery of the second shell20. Additionally, the plurality of engaging tenons23are engagable in the plurality of engaging holes13respectively in order to enable the first and second shells10and20to be connected to each other. Thus, the reel assembly30and the elastic element40are received in the inner peripheries of the first and second shells10and20. Furthermore, the first and second shells10and20each includes a recess14and24formed on the inner periphery. The recesses14and24prevent the elastic element40from moving out of the first and second shells10and20.

The first shell10includes a substantially U-shaped groove15in the vicinity to the second end12. Further, an elastic plate16is surrounded by the U-shaped groove15. Further, two pivotal connections17are formed on an inner surface of the elastic plate16.

The reel assembly30includes a first end31and a second end32. An application head33is disposed at the first end31of the reel assembly30and is inserted through the elastic element40. A receiving frame34is disposed at the second end32of the reel assembly30and is utilized for receiving a correction tape35. Furthermore, the elastic element40is abutted by the receiving frame34. Further, first and second stopping members36and37are extended from a wall of the receiving frame34, with the wall of the receiving frame34being in proximity to the first shell10. The first stopping member36includes two slanted edges361and362at two ends thereon respectively. The second stopping member37includes an end, which is in proximity to the first stopping member36, having a slanted edge371. Moreover, the first stopping member36is extended from the wall of the receiving frame34at a first height, whereas the second stopping member37is extended from the wall of the receiving frame34at a second height, and with the second height greater than the first height. A force-applied member38is disposed at an end of the receiving frame34, and the force-applied member38is disposed at the second end32of the reel assembly30and is opposite to the application head33. Moreover, the force-applied member38is disposed at an end of the film transfer tool1and is adapted to be operably pushed.

FIG. 3shows a perspective view of the active member50. The active member50is restrained in the two pivotal connections17on the first shell10. Thus, the active member50is not only prevented from coming off the two pivotal connections17but also is pivotal with respect to the two pivotal connections17. The active member50includes a spindle51having two ends engaged in the two pivotal connections17respectively. Additionally, the spindle51has an arcuate face52defining one peripheral side and an activating face53defining another peripheral side. The arcuate face52is in proximity to the elastic plate16on the first shell10, whereas the activating face53is in proximity to the reel assembly30. The active member50includes a first end501and a second end502. Also, the activating face53is uneven. Moreover, the active member50is adapted to be injection molded and accomplishes a goal for mass production in a rapid manner. The activating face53includes a stopping section54, an urged section55, a locking section56and a looped passage57. The looped passage57includes an entry track571, a guiding track572, an exit track573and a pivoting track574. The entry track571has a starting end in proximity to the stopping section54and a finishing end in proximity to the locking section56. The locking section56is disposed between the entry track571and the guiding track572. Additionally, the entry track571is slanted away from the spindle51as it extends from the second end502to the first end501of the active member50. Further, a guiding section5711is formed at a finishing end of the entry track571. The locking section56is disposed at the first end501of the active member50and includes a slanted face. The stopping section54and the urged section55are disposed at the second end502of the active member50and are in communication with each other. The guiding track572is disposed at the first end501of the active member50and communicates the locking section56and the exit track573. Additionally, the exit track573is slanted away from the spindle51as it extends from the first end501to the second end502of the active member50. Also, the pivoting track574is disposed at the second end502of the active member50and communicates the entry track571and the exit track573. Additionally, the pivoting track574is slanted toward the entry track571as it extends from the exit track573to the entry track571.

FIGS. 4 and 5show the application head33of the film transfer tool1stowed inside the first and second shells10and20. The reel assembly30is biased by the return of the elastic element40and is moved toward the second ends12and22of the first and second shells10and20when removing from the force-applied member38. Thus, the application head33of the reel assembly30is stowed inside the first and second shells10and20.

FIGS. 6 through 9show the operation of the film transfer tool1and the application head33extended outside the first and second shells10and20. A user uses the force-applied member38to move the reel assembly30from the second ends12and22to the first ends11and21of the first and second shells10and20. The first stopping member36on the receiving frame34of the reel assembly30is moved on the passage57and causes the pivoting of the active member50. Additionally, when the active member50is pivoted, the elastic plate16is urged, and the U-shaped groove15on the first shell10allows the elastic plate16to be urged outwardly (refer toFIG. 10).

When the force-applied member38is moved, the pivoting track574of the active member50is urged by the first stopping member36. The first stopping member36is thereafter pivoted into the entry track571of the active member50. When the force-applied member38is continuously moved, the first stopping member36is moved past the entry track571and the second stopping member37is stopped by the stopping section54. As mentioned, the second height is greater than the first height. Thus, the second stopping member37is stopped by the stopping section54and the second stopping member37stops the proceeding of the reel assembly30moving to the first ends11and21of the first and second shells10and20. Meanwhile, the slanted edge362of the first stopping member36is abutted by the guiding section5711. The first stopping member36is thereafter guided thereafter into the locking section56and the second stopping member37is concurrently disengaged from the stopping section54. Thus, when the first stopping member36is engaged in the locking section56, the reel assembly30is retained and the application head33is extended outside the first and second shells10and20.

When the force-applied member38is moved, the pivoting track574of the active member50is urged by the first stopping member36. The first stopping member36is thereafter pivoted into the entry track571of the active member50. When the force-applied member38is continuously moved, the first stopping member36is moved past the entry track571, and the second stopping member37is stopped by the stopping section54. As mentioned, the second height is greater than the first height. Thus, the second stopping member37is stopped by the stopping section54, and the second stopping member37stops the proceeding of the reel assembly30moving to the first ends11and21of the first and second shells10and20. Meanwhile, the slanted edge362of the first stopping member36is abutted by the guiding section5711. The first stopping member36is thereafter guided into the locking section56and the second stopping member37is concurrently disengaged from the stopping section54. Thus, when the first stopping member36is engaged in the locking section56, the reel assembly30is retained, and the application head33is extended outside the first and second shells10and20.

FIGS. 11 through 14show the operation of the film transfer tool1and the application head33stowed inside the first and second shells10and20. The user moves the force-applied member38again to move the first and second stopping members36and37toward a first end531of the activating face53. The first stopping member36is thereafter disengaged from the locking section56, and the slanted edge371of the second stopping member37is abutted by the urged section55. The slanted edge362of the first stopping member36is thereafter abutted by the guiding track572, and the first stopping member36is guided into the exit track573. Then, the reel assembly30is biased to the second ends12and22of the first and second shells10and20by the return of the elastic element40. Consequently, the first stopping member36is moved past the exit track573, and the application head33is stowed inside the first and second shells10and20.

FIGS. 15 and 16show a film transfer tool1′ in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein like numerals are employed to denote like components of the first embodiment, however bearing the prime. The second embodiment differentiates from the first embodiment in that it includes a force-applied member38′ which is disposed on a lateral side of film transfer tool1′. A first shell10′ and a second shell20′ each includes a second end12′ and22′. When the first and shells10′ and20′ are connected to each other, the second ends12′ and22′ are closed. Further, a through slot25′ is disposed on a wall of the second end22′ of the second shell20′. Other components of the first and second shells10′ and20′ are the same as those of the first embodiment.

A reel assembly30′ which differentiates from the first embodiment in that the reel assembly30′ includes a second end32′ on which the force-applied member38′ is disposed. The force-applied member38′ includes a protruding section381′ extended from a wall of the receiving frame34′ and inserted through the through slot25′ on the second shell20′. Further, a pushing member382′ is engaged with the protruding section381′. When the pushing member382′ is moved toward first ends11′ and21′ of the first and second shells10′ and20′, the protruding section381′ is moved, and the reel assembly30′ is operably moved in the first and second shells10′ and20′. Likewise, the first and second stopping members36′ and37′ on the reel assembly30′ are adapted to be retained by an active member50′ such that an application head33′ is retained and extended outside the first and second shells10′ and20′. When the pushing member382′ is continuously moved toward the first ends11′ and21′ of the first and second shells10′ and20′, the first and second stopping members36′ and37′ are released from retained engagement with the active member50′, and the reel assembly30′ is biased by the return of an elastic element40′ and is moved toward the second ends12′ and22′ of the first and second shells10′ and20′. Thus, the application head33′ is stowed inside the first and second shells10′ and20′. Additionally, since the operation of first and second stopping members36′ and37′ on the reel assembly30′ with respect to the active member50′ and the operational movement of the elastic element40′ are the same as the first embodiment, descriptions relating thereto are reserved.

FIGS. 17 through 21show a film transfer tool1″ in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein like numerals are employed to denote like components of the first embodiment, however bearing the double prime. The third embodiment differentiates from the first embodiment in that it includes an active member50″ including a spindle51″ which has two ends engaged in two pivotal connections17″ respectively. Additionally, the spindle51″ includes at least one end having an arcuate face52″ defining one peripheral side and a flat face58″ defining another peripheral side. Also, at least one pivotal connection17″ includes an arm including a flat side which engages with the flat face58″ of the spindle51″. The arm has a resilient characteristic, and when a force-applied member38″ is moved and the active member50″ is pivoted, the arm is thereafter urged outwardly by the spindle51″ (as shown inFIG. 20).

When an application head33′ is retained and extended outside the first and second shells10′ and20′, the flat face58″ of the spindle51″ is engaged with the flat side of the arm. Thus, the arm is returned to an unbiased position. It is understood that the flat face58″ facilitates the return of the arm. When the force-applied member38″ is continuously moved to release the first and second stopping members36″ and37″ from retained engagement with the active member50″, the arm is urged outwardly by the spindle51″ again (as shown inFIG. 21). After the first and second stopping members36″ and37″ are released from retained engagement with the active member50″ and the application head33″ is stowed inside first and second shells10″ and20″, the arm is returned to the unbiased position.

The first and second shells10,10′,10″ and20,20′,20″ of the film transfer tools1,1′ and1″ are utilized for housing the reel assembly30,30′ and30″, the elastic element40,40′ and40″ and the active member50,50′ and50″. The force-applied members38,38′ and38″ are exposed outside the first and second shells10,10′,10″ and20,20′,20″. The first and second stopping members36,36′,36″ and37,37′,37″ on the reel assembly30,30′ and30″ are engagable with the active member50,50′ and50″ and are utilized to pivot the active member50,50′ and50″. The first stopping member36,36′,36″ is moveable on the passage57,57′, and57″ of the active member50,50′ and50″ and is retained on the active member50,50′ and50″ in order to enable the application head33,33′, and33″ to extend outside the first and second shells10,10′,10″ and20,20′,20″. When the force-applied member38,38′,38″ is continuously moved, the first stopping member36,36′, and36″ are released from a retained position with respect to the active member50,50′ and50″, and the reel assembly30,30′ and30″ is biased by the return of the elastic element40,40′ and40″ and is stowed inside the first and second shells10,10′,10″ and20,20′,20″.

Accordingly, the film transfer tool1,1′ and1″ of the present invention has the following objects:

First, by operating the force-applied member38,38′, and38″, the reel assembly30,30′ and30″ is moved. The first and second stopping members36,36′,36″ and37,37′,37″ on the reel assembly30,30′ and30″ are selectively engagable with the active member50,50′ and50″ for moving the film transfer tool1,1′ and1″ between exposed and stowed positions. These essential components of the present invention have simple structures, and the active member50,50′ and50″ is adapted to be injection molded for accomplishing a goal for mass production in a rapid manner and for reducing the cost thereof.

Second, the film transfer tool1,1′ and1″ has a simple structure, and the cost of manufacturing is saved. Thus, the film transfer tool1,1′ and1″ is very economical.