Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a correction tape applicator or a transfer tape dispenser which is adapted to be used to correct markings, for example, such as characters, numerals, and the like recorded on a sheet of paper, or adhere sheets of paper to each other. According to the correction tape applicator of the present invention, a tape cartridge directly applied to the application work is completely protectively accommodated within a casing so that it can be used more stably for a long time period to improve durability to thereby achieve economic efficiency. Also, the tape cartridge can be easily disengaged from and engaged with the casing to enhance convenience of use, and an opening/closing space of a cover can be minimized to achieve miniaturization of the casing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a correction tape applicator or a transfer tape dispenser which is adapted to be used to correct markings, for example, such as characters, numerals, and the like recorded on a sheet of paper, or adhere sheets of paper to each other. More particularly, the present invention relates to a correction tape applicator in which a tape cartridge accommodated in a casing is constructed in such a fashion as to be advanced from and retracted into the casing by means of a pressing means, and the tape cartridge and the pressing means are releasably engaged with each other. 
     2. Background of the Related Art 
     In general, it is well known that a conventional correction tape applicator has a construction in which an adhesive application layer or a correction fluid (hereinafter, referred to “coating material”) coated on a surface of a carrier tape is transferred and applied to a corresponding surface of a sheet of paper in order to correct markings, for example, such as generally small characters, numerals, figures and the like recorded on the sheet of paper, or adhere sheets of paper (including all kinds of paper bags) to each other, so that correction or adhesion is performed. 
     Such a conventional correction tape applicator is configured such that a correction tape having the carrier tape on which the coating material is coated is rollingly wound around on a supply spool included in a casing having a predetermined shape, and then is withdrawn through a withdrawal opening formed at a front end of the casing via a predetermined path of travel so that the coating material coated on the carrier tape is applied to a to-be-applied surface of the sheet of paper. 
     However, the conventional correction tape applicator has a disadvantageous construction in which the coating material-coated carrier tape unwound from the supply spool always is in a state of being withdrawn through the withdrawal opening formed at the front end of the casing so as to be externally exposed irrespective of before or after the use of the applicator. 
     For this reason, foreign substances such as fine dust particles adhere to the surface of the externally exposed coating material of the carrier tape, which contributes to a degradation of the intrinsic function of the coating material. In addition, the long-term exposure of the coating material to the outside causes damage due to the foreign substances as well as deformation of the coating material, i.e., evaporation and hardening of a correction fluid or an adhesive material, making it impossible to use the correction tape. As a result, the correction tape applicator must be replaced with a new one, which imposes an economic loss on a user. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a correction tape applicator in which a tape cartridge directly applied to the application work is completely protectively accommodated within a casing so that it can be used more stably for a long time period to improve durability to thereby achieve economic efficiency, the tape cartridge can be easily disengaged from and engaged with the casing to enhance convenience of use, and an opening/closing space of a cover can be minimized to achieve miniaturization of the casing. 
     In order to accomplish the above object, in one aspect, the present invention provides a correction tape applicator including: a casing including a hollow main body and a cover, the main body having an internal space portion of a predetermined dimension, the main body being opened at both ends thereof to form front and rear openings so as to allow the internal space portion to fluidically communicate with the outside, and the cover having an internal space portion, the cover being opened at both ends thereof and being pivotally hinged to one end of the main body so as to open and close the rear opening formed at the one end of the main body; a tape cartridge formed in various dimensions and shapes and removably accommodated in the internal space portion of the main body, the tape cartridge including at least two spools for winding a unused carrier tape coated with a coating material to be applied to a to-be-applied surface so that the carrier tape can be withdrawn and a used carrier tape not coated with the coating material, and a plurality of gears for driving the spools; pressing means adapted to be movably inserted into the internal space portion of the casing cover by means of an elastic force of elastic members so that the pressing means is connected at one end thereof to a rear end of the tape cartridge and is externally protruded from the casing cover at the other end thereof in such a fashion as to be pressed, the pressing means being adapted to impart a force necessary for allowing a part of the tape cartridge to be externally protruded from the front opening of the main body so that the coating material of the carrier tape can be applied to the to-be-applied surface or allowing the tape cartridge to return to its original position of the internal space portion of the casing depending on whether or not the externally protruded portion of the pressing means is pressed; and engagement and disengagement means mounted at the opposed confronting ends of the pressing means and the tape cartridge so as to allow the pressing means and the tape cartridge to be releasably and fittingly engaged with each other therethrough such that the pressing means and the tape cartridge are disengaged from each other or engaged with each other depending on whether the casing cover is opened or closed. 
     Preferably, the engagement and disengagement means may include: a protrusion formed on one end surface of the opposed confronting ends of the pressing means and the tape cartridge in such a fashion as to be formed as a protruding piece having a round shape in the cross-section at a distal end thereof; and a fitting indentation formed on the other end surface of the opposed confronting ends of the pressing means and the tape cartridge in such a fashion as to be defined by a pair of opposed protruding pieces formed in a round shape in the cross-section at distal ends thereof so as to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermine interval to thereby elastically support the protrusion, such that the protrusion is disengaged from or engaged with the fitting indentation depending on whether the casing cover is opened or closed. 
     Also, preferably, the tape cartridge may include a housing having a body composed of two half-bodies for accommodating the two spools therein, and a guide tip disposed at a front end of the housing for providing a path of travel of the carrier tape. 
     In addition, preferably, the coating material of the carrier tape may be any one of an adhesive material for adhering sheets of paper to each other or a correction fluid for correcting markings such as characters and the like recorded on a sheet of paper. 
     In order to accomplish the above object, in another aspect, the present invention provides a correction tape applicator including: a casing including a hollow main body and a cover, the main body having an internal space portion of a predetermined dimension, the main body being opened at both ends thereof to form front and rear openings so as to allow the internal space portion to fluidically communicate with the outside, and the cover being pivotally hinged to one end of the main body so as to open and close the rear opening formed at the one end of the main body; engagement means including a pair of opposed engagement apertures formed at both surfaces of the main body and a pair of opposed engagement lugs formed at front ends of opposed elastic arms formed at both surfaces of the cover so that the engagement lugs can be lockingly engaged with the engagement apertures; and a tape cartridge formed in various dimensions and shapes and removably accommodated in the internal space portion of the main body, the tape cartridge including at least two spools for winding a unused carrier tape coated with a coating material to be applied to a to-be-applied surface so that the carrier tape can be withdrawn and a used carrier tape not coated with the coating material, and a plurality of gears for driving the spools. 
     Preferably, the correction tape applicator further may include a protective piece mounted in proximity to the front opening of the main body in such a fashion as to be advanced from and retracted into the main body through the front opening  212   a  so as to protect the carrier tape coated with the coating material. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a correction tape applicator according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of a portion “A” of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged exploded perspective view illustrating a pressing means  130  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a tape cartridge  140  shown in  FIG. 2  is completely accommodated and kept in custody in a casing  120 ; 
         FIG. 7   a  is a cross-sectional photograph illustrating the interior of the tape cartridge  140  shown in  FIG. 2  disengaged from the casing; 
         FIG. 7   b  is a photograph illustrating a state where after a cover is pivoted about a hinge shaft of the casing to open the casing, the tape cartridge  140  is completely removably taken out of the casing; 
         FIGS. 8   a  to  8   d  are photographs illustrating a series of sequential processes where the tape cartridge included in the casing of the correction tape applicator shown in  FIG. 1  is replaced with a new one; 
         FIG. 9   a  is a perspective photograph illustrating a state where a guide tip  142  of the correction tape applicator shown in  FIG. 1  is retracted into a front end of the casing so that the correction tape applicator is not in use; 
         FIG. 9   b  is a perspective photograph illustrating a state where the guide tip  142  shown in  FIG. 9   a  is protrudingly advanced from the front end of the casing so that the correction tape applicator is in use; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective photograph illustrating a correction tape applicator according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective photograph illustrating a state where a cover is opened to replace the tape cartridge included in the casing of the correction tape applicator shown in  FIG. 10  with a new one; 
         FIG. 12  is a photograph illustrating a state where after a cover is removed from the casing body, the tape cartridge  240  is completely taken out of the casing so that elements of the correction tape applicator are dissembled; and 
         FIG. 13  is a photograph illustrating a state where a protective piece  201  installed so as to be advanced and retracted below the guide tip  242  of the correction tape applicator shown in  FIG. 10  is protruded from the front end of the casing. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The preferred embodiments of the invention will be hereinafter described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a correction tape applicator according to a first embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I of  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of a portion “A” of  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 5  is an enlarged exploded perspective view illustrating a pressing means  130  of  FIG. 2 , and  FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a tape cartridge  140  shown in  FIG. 2  is completely accommodated and kept in custody in a casing  120 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 6 , the correction tape applicator  100  according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a casing. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the casing includes a main body  110  and a cover  120 . 
     The main body  110  defines an internal space portion  111  of a predetermined dimension for accommodating a tape cartridge  140  in which a carrier tape T coated with a coating material is wound. The carrier tape T is formed in various sizes. The main body  110  has front and rear openings  112   a  and  112   b  formed at the front and rear ends thereof so as to allow the internal space portion  111  to fluidically communicate with the outside. The front opening  112   a  is used as a withdrawal opening for allowing a guide tip  142  formed at a front end of the tape cartridge  140  disposed within the main body  10  to be externally protruded therethrough. Also, the rear opening  112   b  is used as an insertion opening for allowing the tape cartridge  140  to be inserted into the internal space portion  111  therethrough. In addition, the main body  110  includes a pair of opposed engagement apertures  114  formed at both sides thereof. The opposed engagement apertures  114  serve to allow a cover  120  to be securely engaged with the main body  110 . The cover  120  is hingeably coupled to the main body so that it can be opened and closed at the rear opening  112   b.    
     As shown in the drawings, the cover  120  is pivotally mounted to a rear end of the main body  110  by means of a hinge shaft  122  so as to open and close the rear opening  112   b  of the main body  110 . Further, the cover  120  includes a pair of opposed elastic arms  124  formed at both sides thereof. The opposed elastic arms  124  is intended to allow the cover  120  to be easily disengaged from and engaged with the main body  110 . Each of the elastic arms  124  has an engagement lug  126  formed at a front end thereof so as to allow the engagement lugs  126  to be lockingly engaged with the engagement apertures  114  formed at the both sides of the main body  110  so that the cover  120  and the main body are securely engaged with each other. 
     Also, as shown in the drawings, the correction tape applicator  100  according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a pressing means  130 . The pressing means  130  is in detail shown in  FIG. 5 . The pressing means  130  includes a push-type knob  132  protrudingly installed at the rear end of the cover  120 . A knock member  134  is coupled to one side of the push-type knob  132  so that it is positioned within the cover  120 . A cam guide  139  is insertedly mounted in the knock member  134  and the push-type knob  132  so that a knock pin  136  and a rotary cam  137  sustain a predetermined tension by means of first and second springs  138   a  and  138   b . The cam guide  139  is disposed within the cover  120 . The pressing means  130  allows the knock pin  136  to be advanced and retracted by a pressing force of the push-type knob  132  and a restoring force of the first and second springs  138   a  and  138   b , and allows the rotary cam  137  to rotate while being advanced and retracted by means of the cam guide  139  so as to be fixed at the advanced and retracted position. To this end, the cam guide  139  has a guide hole  139   a  having a predetermined shape formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof. The construction of the pressing means  130  is a typical technology widely used in a knock-type ballpoint pen, etc. 
     As shown in the drawings, the correction tape applicator  100  includes a tape cartridge  140 . The tape cartridge  140  is mounted in the internal space portion  111  of the main body  110  so that it can be advanced and retracted by the pressing means  130 . The guide tip  142  formed at the front end of the tape cartridge  140  enters or exits the main body through the front opening  112   a  of the main body  110 . The tape cartridge  140  is constructed such that it is inserted into the internal space portion  111  of the main body  110  through the rear opening  112   b  so that only the guide tip  142  of the tape cartridge  140  enters or exits the front opening  112   a  of the main body. 
     Moreover, a carrier tape coated with a coating material (adhesive material or correction fluid) is disposed within the tape cartridge  140  such that it is traveled on the guide tip  142  via a predetermined path of travel. Mounted within the tape cartridge  140  are a first spool  144   a  as a supply spool on which a unused opaque carrier tape T is wound and a second spool  144   b  as a return spool on which a used transparent carrier tape T is wound. A first gear  146   a  is connected to the first spool  144   a , and a second gear  146   b  is connected to the second spool  144   b . The first spool  144   a  and the second spool  144   b  rotate in an opposite direction to each other by means of a pinion gear  148 . That is, a rotational force of the first gear  146   a  mounted in the tape cartridge  140  is transmitted to the second gear  146   b  by the pinion gear  148  so as to rotate the second gear  146   b . Thus, the unused opaque carrier tape T wound on the first spool  144   a  is traveled on the guide tip  142  via a predetermined path of travel so that a coating material layer of the carrier tape T is applied to a to-be-applied surface, and the used transparent carrier tape T is wound on the second spool  144   b . The dimension (width) of carrier tape (adhesive tape or correction tape) T disposed within the tape cartridge  140  can be set variously. 
     As shown in the drawings, the correction tape applicator  100  according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an engagement and disengagement means  150 . The engagement and disengagement means  150  allows the tape cartridge  140  and the knock member  134  of the pressing means  130  to be engaged with each other or disengaged from each other. A protrusion  152  is formed on one surface of the tape cartridge  140  or one surface of the knock member  134  confronting the one surface of the tape cartridge and a fitting indentation  154  is formed on the other surface of the tape cartridge  140  or the knock member  134  to allow the protrusion  152  to be fittingly engaged with the fitting indentation  154 . Thus, the engagement and disengagement between the protrusion  152  and the fitting indentation  154  allows the tape cartridge  140  and the knock member  134  to be releasably engaged with each other. 
     The tape cartridge  140  disposed within the main body  110  is stably supported by the engagement between the protrusion  152  and the fitting indentation  154  of the engagement and disengagement means  150  so as to more stably perform the advancement and retraction, i.e., the forward and backward movement of the tape cartridge  140  through the front opening  112   a  by the pressing means  130 . In the above embodiment, as one example, it has been illustrated that the protrusion  152  is formed at the knock member  134  of the pressing means  130  and the fitting indentation  154  is formed at the tape cartridge  140 . 
     The protrusion  152  is formed at one surface of the knock member  134  in such a fashion that it is formed as a protruding piece having a round shape in the cross-section at a distal end thereof and formed integrally with the knock member  134 . The fitting indentation  154  is defined by a pair of opposed protruding pieces formed in a round shape in the cross-section at distal ends thereof so as to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermine interval similarly to the protruding piece  152  (see  FIGS. 2 and 6 ). Also, the fitting indentation  154  is formed such that the protrusion  152  is supported elastically by the two protruding pieces of the fitting indentation with it sandwiched therebetween. 
       FIG. 7   a  is a cross-sectional photograph illustrating the interior of the tape cartridge  140  shown in  FIG. 2  disengaged from the casing,  FIG. 7   b  is a photograph illustrating a state where after a cover is pivoted about a hinge shaft of the casing to open the casing, the tape cartridge  140  is completely removably taken out of the casing, and  FIGS. 8   a  to  8   d  are photographs illustrating a series of sequential processes where the tape cartridge included in the casing of the correction tape applicator shown in  FIG. 1  is replaced with a new one. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7   a  to  8   d , the correction tape applicator  100  according to the first embodiment of the present invention can allow the replace the tape cartridge  140  disposed within the main body  110  to be simply and easily replaced with another. 
     That is, only the tape cartridge  140  can be exchanged to refill the tape cartridge  140  after the correction tape T disposed in the tape cartridge  140  is depleted. To this end, according to the correction tape applicator  100  of the first embodiment of the present invention, a user can disengage the cover  120  from the main body  110  to open the rear opening of the main body  110  in a state of slightly pressing the elastic arms  124  formed at both sides of the cover  120  with his or her fingers. In this case, the cover  120  is openably pivoted by means of the hinge shaft  122  at the rear opening of the main body  110 . 
     In this manner, when the cover  120  is pivoted to be opened, the protrusion  152  and the fitting indentation  154  of the engagement and disengagement means  150  are disengaged from each other so that the tape cartridge  140  can be easily removed from the main body  110  so as to be replaced with a new one. At this time, when the new tape cartridge is inserted into the rear opening of the main body  110  and then the cover  120  is closably pivoted, the protrusion  152  and the fitting indentation  154  of the engagement and disengagement means  150  are fittingly engaged with each other so that the tape cartridge  140  and the knock member  134  are coupled to each other so as to stably support the tape cartridge  140  disposed in the main body  110  (see  FIGS. 8   a  to  8   d ). 
       FIG. 9   a  is a perspective photograph illustrating a state where a guide tip  142  of the correction tape applicator shown in  FIG. 1  is retracted into a front end of the casing so that the correction tape applicator is not in use, and  FIG. 9   b  is a perspective photograph illustrating a state where the guide tip  142  shown in  FIG. 9   a  is protrudingly advanced from the front end of the casing so that the correction tape applicator is in use. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9   a  when the correction tape applicator  100  according to the first embodiment of the present invention is not in use, the guide tip  142  formed at the front end of the tape cartridge  140  can be retracted into the front opening  112   a  as the withdrawal opening formed at the main body  110  so as to be kept in custody in the main body  110 . 
     On the contrarily, as shown in  FIG. 9   b , when the correction tape applicator  100  is in use, the guide tip  142  of the tape cartridge  140  can be protrudingly advanced from the front opening  112   a  as the withdrawal opening formed at the main body  110  so as to be used. 
     The cover  120  opened for the sake of maintenance or replacement of the tape cartridge  140  is pivoted in one direction about the hinge shaft  122  so as to be opened so that the opening/closing operation of the cover  120  and the replacement of the tape cartridge  140  can be conveniently performed. 
     Particularly, the present invention allows the tape cartridge  140  and the knock member  134  of the pressing means  130  to be integrally coupled with each other by the engagement and disengagement means  150  after the replacement of the tape cartridge  140  so that the tape cartridge  140  mounted in the main body  110  can be operated while being more stably supported. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective photograph illustrating a correction tape applicator according to a second embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 11  is a perspective photograph illustrating a state where a cover is opened to replace the tape cartridge included in the casing of the correction tape applicator shown in  FIG. 10  with a new one,  FIG. 12  is a photograph illustrating a state where after a cover is removed from the casing body, the tape cartridge  240  is completely taken out of the casing so that elements of the correction tape applicator are dissembled, and  FIG. 13  is a photograph illustrating a state where a protective piece  201  installed so as to be advanced and retracted below the guide tip  242  of the correction tape applicator shown in  FIG. 10  is protruded from the front end of the casing. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10 to 13 , a correction tape applicator  200  according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a casing. The casing consists of a main body  210  and a cover  220 . The main body  210  internally defines an internal space portion  211  for accommodating a tape cartridge  240  in which a carrier tape T coated with a coating material is wound. The carrier tape T is formed in various sizes. The main body  210  has front and rear openings  212   a  and  212   b  formed at the front and rear ends thereof so as to allow the internal space portion  211  to fluidically communicate with the outside. The front opening  212   a  is used as a withdrawal opening for allowing a guide tip  242  formed at a front end of the tape cartridge  240  disposed within the main body  10  to be externally protruded therethrough. Also, the rear opening  212   b  is used as an insertion opening for allowing the tape cartridge  240  to be inserted into the internal space portion  211  therethrough. 
     In addition, the cover  220  is pivotally mounted to a rear end of the main body  210  by means of a hinge shaft  222  so as to open and close the rear opening  212   b  of the main body  210 . 
     As shown in the drawings, the correction tape applicator  200  according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes an engagement means. The engagement means is intended to allow the cover  220  to be easily disengaged from and engaged with the main body  210 . The engagement means includes a pair of opposed engagement apertures  214  formed at the main body  210  and a pair of opposed engagement lugs  226  formed at the cover  220  so as to be lockingly engaged with the engagement apertures  214 . The engagement lugs  226  are formed at front ends of a pair of opposed elastic arms  224  formed at the cover  220 . 
     The engagement apertures  214  are formed at the right and left both surfaces of the main body  210  so that the cover  220  disposed at the rear opening  212   b  is securely engaged with the main body  210  by the engagement apertures  214 . 
     Moreover, the elastic arms  224  are formed at both sides of the cover  220  so that the cover  220  can be easily disengaged from and engaged with the main body  210 . The engagement lugs  226  are formed at front ends of the elastic arms  224  so as to allow the engagement lugs to be lockingly engaged with the engagement apertures  214  formed at the both sides of the main body  210  so that the cover  220  and the main body  210  are securely engaged with each other. 
     As shown in the drawings, the correction tape applicator  200  according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a tape cartridge  240 . The tape cartridge  140  is mounted in the internal space portion  211  of the main body  210  so that a guide tip  242  formed at a front end of the tape cartridge  240  can be protruded through the front opening  212   a . That is, the tape cartridge  240  is constructed such that it is inserted into the internal space portion  211  of the main body  210  through the rear opening  212   b  of the main body  210  so that only the guide tip  242  of the tape cartridge  240  is protruded through the front opening  212   a  of the main body. 
     A carrier tape coated with a coating material (adhesive material or correction fluid) is disposed within the tape cartridge  240  such that it is traveled on the guide tip  242  via a predetermined path of travel. That is, mounted within the tape cartridge  240  are a first spool  244   a  as a supply spool on which a unused opaque carrier tape T is wound and a second spool  244   b  as a return spool on which a used transparent carrier tape T is wound. The tape cartridge  240  has the same construction as that of the tape cartridge  140  as mentioned above, and thus its detailed description will be omitted to avoid redundancy. 
     As shown in the drawings, the correction tape applicator  200  according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a protective piece  201  mounted at a front end of the main body  210  in an advancing and retracting manner. The protective piece  201  is mounted at one side of the main body  210  in such a fashion as to be advanced from and retracted into the main body through the front opening  212   a  so as to protect the carrier tape T coated with a coating material, which is traveled on the guide tip  242  while being externally exposed from the main body  210 . That is, the protective piece  201  is advanced from and retracted into the main body  210  in proximity to the guide tip  242  of the tape cartridge  240 , which is protruded from the front end of the main body  210 , so as to closely cover the carrier tape T positioned on the guide tip  242  to thereby protect the coating material coated on the carrier tape T and prevent an adhesive component contained in the coating material from being hardened. 
     When the correction tape applicator  200  according to the second embodiment of the present invention is not in use, the protective piece  201  is protrudingly advanced from the front end of the main body  210  so as to closely cover the carrier tape T to thereby protect the coating material coated on the carrier tape T. On the other hand, when the correction tape applicator  200  is in use, the protective piece  201  is retracted into the main body  210  through the front opening  212   a  so as to use the coating material-coated carrier tape T. 
     The correction tape applicator  200  according to the second embodiment of the present invention enables the tape cartridge  240  mounted in the main body  210  to be easily and simply exchanged. That is, when the carrier tape T disposed in tape cartridge  240  is depleted, only the tape cartridge  240  can be replaced with a new one for the purpose of refilling. 
     To this end, according to the correction tape applicator  200  of the second embodiment of the present invention, a user can disengage the cover  220  from the main body  210  to open the rear opening of the main body  210  in a state of slightly pressing the elastic arms  224  formed at both sides of the cover  220  with his or her fingers. In this case, the cover  220  is openably pivoted by means of the hinge shaft  222  at the rear opening of the main body  210 . 
     In this manner, when the cover  220  is pivoted to be opened, so that the tape cartridge  240  can be easily removed from the main body  210  so as to be replaced with a new one. At this time, when the new tape cartridge is inserted into the rear opening of the main body  210  and then the cover  220  is closably pivoted, the engagement lugs  226  are lockingly engaged with the engagement apertures  214  so that the cover  220  and the main body  210  are securely engaged with each other to thereby stably support the tape cartridge  240  disposed in the main body  210 . 
     Further, when the correction tape applicator  200  according to the second embodiment of the present invention is not in use, the protective piece  201  is protrudingly advanced from the front end of the main body  210  in proximity to the guide tip  242  of the tape cartridge  240  so as to closely cover the carrier tape T positioned on the guide tip  242  to thereby protect the coating material coated on the carrier tape T and prevent an adhesive component contained in the coating material from being hardened so that the correction tape applicator can be in a state of being kept in custody (see  FIGS. 10 and 13 ). On the other hand, when the correction tape applicator  200  is in use, the protective piece  201  is retracted into the main body  210  through the front opening  212   a  so as to use the coating material-coated carrier tape T. 
     The cover  220  opened for the sake of maintenance or replacement of the tape cartridge  240  is pivoted in one direction about the hinge shaft  222  so as to be opened so that the opening/closing operation of the cover  220  and the replacement of the tape cartridge  240  can be conveniently performed. 
     As described above, the present invention has the following advantageous effects. 
     A tape cartridge directly applied to the application work is completely protectively accommodated within a casing so as to eliminate a problem in that the correction tape applicator cannot be used for a long time period due to adhesion of foreign substances to the surface of the externally exposed coating material of the carrier tape and deformation of the coating material, thereby improving durability to achieve economic efficiency. 
     In addition, the tape cartridge can be easily disengaged from and engaged with the casing to enhance convenience of use so that anyone can easily replace the used tape cartridge with a new one. 
     Furthermore, an opening/closing space of a cover can be minimized to reduce the dimension of the casing, leading to a reduction in the manufacturing cost. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.