Paper feeding device and roll paper holder including the paper feeding device

Abstract

Provide a paper feeding device that rotates to expose the end face of the roll paper after the roll paper is cut off. 【Solution means】The paper feeding device includes a base portion composed of a pair of cup portions connected by a shaft, an elastic member fitted to the shaft, a moving portion fitted in the center of the shaft and having a plurality of protrusions on the outer peripheral surface and a protrusion for preventing rotation on the inner peripheral surface, a spiral plate forming a spiral movement passage through which the protrusions pass and having a movement restriction area for restricting the movement of the protrusions, a rotating portion that rotates by moving the moving portion from the movement restriction area to the center of the shaft by the elastic force of the elastic member, and a roll paper core holding portion that holds the roll paper from the inside of the core. The moving portion that moves the spiral plate formed in the rotating portion uses the elastic force of the elastic member to rotate the rotating portion after the roll paper is cut, so as to expose the end face of the roll paper under the cover plate of the roll paper holder.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a paper feeding device applied to a roll paper and a roll paper holder including a support bar incorporating the paper feeding device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a roll paper obtained by winding a long and narrow paper such as toilet paper has been used by being mounted on a dedicated roll paper holder (hereinafter referred to as a holder). This holder includes, for example, a pair of hooks that are arranged opposite to each other with a space therebetween and whose tips are both cantilever-supported so as to be rotatable. The core of the roll paper is inserted between these hooks, and the roll paper is rotatably mounted. Usually, the roll paper mounted on the holder is pulled out to a desired length by a user and cut by a cutter provided at the tip of a cover plate or the like for use. The end face, which is the tip of the roll paper cut by the cutter, is directly below the tip of the cover plate in contact with the cutter and is not exposed. Subsequently, when using the roll paper, it is necessary to lift it above the tip of the cover plate and pick up the end face of the roll paper with a finger, or turn the roll paper by hand to expose the end face of the roll paper from the tip of the cover plate and pick up the end face with a finger.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As a device for exposing the end face of a roll paper, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a paper feeding device in which the device body is loaded into the core of the roll paper and then the roll paper is attached to a holder. When the user pulls out and cuts a roll paper of a desired length, this paper feeding device immediately rotates the roll paper to expose the end face of the roll paper (the tip of the roll paper after cutting).

[0005] In terms of structure, the direction in which the roll paper is pulled out and the direction in which the roll paper is fed thereafter are defined for this paper feeding device. Therefore, when attaching the roll paper loaded with the paper feeding device to the holder, if the left and right of the attachment direction of the paper feeding device are mistaken, the roll paper cannot be pulled out. Also, depending on the attachment location of the holder and the structure of the holder, it takes time to remove the unused roll paper once attached to the holder.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a paper feeding device having a simple structure that can be attached to a holder of a roll paper without being restricted in the attachment direction, and that rotates the roll paper after the roll paper is cut to expose the tip of the roll paper, and a roll paper holder including a support bar incorporating the paper feeding device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The paper feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a base portion configured by a pair of cup portions facing each other on the bottom side and a shaft connecting between the bottom sides and having a linear guide groove, an elastic member fitted to the shaft, and a fitting provided at the center of the axis of the shaft and arranged in parallel with the elastic member, having a plurality of protrusions on the outer peripheral surface and a rotation prevention protrusion sliding in the guide groove on the inner peripheral surface, and compressing or pulling the elastic member by movement on the shaft Sheet An annular moving portion, a plurality of spiral plates forming a cylindrical shape for accommodating the shaft, the elastic member, and the moving portion of the base portion, and forming a spiral moving passage on the inner peripheral surface through which the plurality of protrusions pass, and a moving restriction area arranged on both end sides of the moving passage for restricting the movement of the plurality of protrusions, and compressing or pulling SheetAs the moving part moves from the movement restriction area toward the center of the axis due to the elastic force generated as the elastic member returns to its natural length, a rotating part that rotates by an angle based on the length of the movement passage through which the protrusion passes, and a roll paper core holding part that is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating part, contacts the inside of the core hole of the roll paper, and holds the roll paper in a flexible manner and rotates integrally with the rotating part are provided.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a paper feeding device that can be attached without defining the insertion direction into the roll paper, and after the roll paper is cut, the roll paper is rotated to expose the tip of the roll paper, and a roll paper holder including a support bar incorporating the paper feeding device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As this embodiment, a paper feeding device that rotates a roll paper to feed paper will be described. FIG. 1 conceptually shows an external configuration of a paper feeding device according to a first application example of an embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a state of the paper feeding device loaded on a roll paper. FIG. 3 is an assembly diagram of the paper feeding device. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of the paper feeding device. FIG. 5A shows a configuration example of a main body of a moving part of the paper feeding device. FIG. 5B shows a configuration example in which a bearing is attached to the main body of the moving part of the paper feeding device. Regarding the rotation direction described below, in the present embodiment, the direction in which the roll paper 100 is pulled out is defined as the normal rotation direction (or the pulling-out direction), and the reverse rotation direction (or the paper feeding direction) in which the roll paper 100 is wound in the direction opposite to the normal rotation direction will be described.

[0011] Further, in the following description, paper feeding means that after cutting the roll paper, regardless of the rotation direction, the roll paper is rotated so that as a result, the leading end portion of the roll paper protrudes from the leading end of the cover plate of the holder and is exposed, which is referred to as paper feeding. That is, for paper feeding, the roll paper may rotate in the normal rotation direction in which the roll paper is pulled out, or may rotate in the reverse rotation direction opposite to the normal rotation direction in which the roll paper is pulled out.

[0012] As an application example to be described later, the paper feeding device of this embodiment has a first type [first application example] that is directly inserted into the core of the roll paper, and a second type [second application example] that is integrally configured by being incorporated into a support bar that supports the roll paper of a roll paper holder (hereinafter referred to as a holder). The basic configurations of the first type and the second type of paper feeding devices themselves are equivalent.

[0013] [First Application Example] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the paper feeding device 1 includes a fixing portion 2 for fixing to a support bar of a holder (not shown), a base portion 3 including cup portions 3a, 3b and a shaft 3c connecting the bottom sides thereof, a rotating portion 4 having a cylindrical shape and provided with a spiral plate 4a on the inner peripheral surface, an elastic member 5 serving as a driving source for supplying a driving force for rotating the rotating portion 4, a moving portion 6 that moves on the shaft 3c by the rotating portion 4 and the elastic member 5, a roll paper core holding portion 7 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating portion 4 for holding the roll paper 100 from the core 101 side, and a rotation support portion 8 that fits on the outer peripheral surfaces of the cup portions 3a, 3b and rotatably supports the rotating portion 4. Further, inside the rotating portion 4, movement restriction areas A1, A2 are respectively provided on both sides of the spiral plate 4a at positions for stopping the movement of the moving portion 6 by the spiral plate 4a.

[0014] In this paper feeding device 1, when the user pulls out the roll paper 100, the roll paper core holding portion 7 and the rotating portion 4 rotate integrally (forward rotation) with the roll paper 100. At this time, due to the rotation of the rotating portion 4, the spiral plate 4a moves the moving portion 6 to compress or stretch the elastic member 5 and store elastic force. When the pulled-out roll paper 100 is cut, the force that has been rotating the rotating portion 4 applied from the roll paper 100 disappears. Therefore, the elastic force stored in the elastic member 5 causes the moving portion 6 to move and rotate the rotating portion 4 (reverse rotation). The rotating portion 4, integrally with the roll paper core holding portion 7, rotates the roll paper 100, for example, by an angle of 270° in reverse rotation, and rotates and moves the cut tip portion of the roll paper 100 to the lower side of the holder, and stops in a state where the roll paper tip is exposed.

[0015] The constituent parts of the paper feeding device 1 of the present embodiment will be described in detail below. The fixing part 2 is formed, for example, in a hollow frustoconical shape using an elastic material such as rubber or resin rubber, and the inner side (upper base side) is open. An annular recess (groove) that is fitted with a locking part 3d described later is formed on the inner surface near the opening of the fixing part 2. The opening of the fixing part 2 is attached to the openings (both ends in the longitudinal direction of the device) of the cup parts 3a and 3b described later. Further, the fixing part 2 is formed with a fixing slit 2a that is cut and opened horizontally from the outer side (lower base side). When the fixing part 2 is mounted on the holder, the support bar that pairs with the holder is inserted into a storage area A3, which is a void provided inside from the fixing slits 2a on both sides to the cup parts 3a and 3b, and is fixed to the support bar of the holder by the elastic force applied to the opening part of the fixing slit 2a. That is, the fixing part 2 is configured to fix the support bar by gripping it using the elastic force generated by the deformation of the fixing part 2 that occurs when the support bar of the holder is inserted.

[0016] As another shape of the fixing part 2 other than the frustoconical shape, an elastic member formed in a disk-shaped flat plate (lid shape) so as to close the openings of the cup parts 3a and 3b of the base part 3 and having the above-described fixing slit 2a formed therein may be used. This structure fixes the paper feeding device 1 to the support bar of the holder by inserting the support bar of the holder into the storage area A3 from the fixing slit 2a.

[0017] The cup parts 3a and 3b of the base part 3 are formed in a hollow frustoconical shape with the lower base (bottom surface) side open using a hard member, for example, a hard resin material, a metal material, or a ceramic material. The shaft 3c is also formed of a hard member, for example, a hard resin material, a metal material, or a ceramic material. Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the cup parts 3a and 3b are shown as an example of the frustoconical shape, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and other shapes such as a cylindrical shape or a truncated pyramid shape may be used, and any shape that can be fixed to the support bar of the holder is not particularly limited. On the opening edges of the cup portions 3a and 3b, locking portions 3d projecting in a flange shape are provided, which are respectively fitted into recesses (grooves) formed on the inner surface of the fixing portion 2 to lock the cup portions 3a and 3b and the fixing portion 2. Incidentally, as another method, the fixing method of the cup portions 3a and 3b and the fixing portion 2 may be adhesively fixed with an adhesive or the like without using the locking portion 3d.

[0018] On the upper bottom (upper surface) side of the cup portion 3b, a hole in which an internal thread is formed or a bottomed hole in which an internal thread is formed is provided. One end of the shaft 3c is fixed to the upper bottom side of the cup portion 3a, and the cup portion 3a and the shaft 3c are integrated. External threads are formed on the other end of the shaft 3c, and these external threads are screwed with the internal threads of the cup portion 3b, and the cup portion 3a and the cup portion 3b are connected with the shaft 3c interposed therebetween. The outer peripheral surface of this shaft 3c is formed on a smooth surface, and the fitted moving portion 6 described later is slid smoothly.

[0019] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, on the shaft 3c, a rotation prevention guide groove 3e (hereinafter referred to as a guide groove) is formed. This guide groove 3e is at least one straight groove along the direction of the longitudinal axis (central axis) of the shaft 3c. The guide groove 3e is for the rotation prevention protrusion 6b of the moving portion 6 to slide in the groove to prevent the rotation of the moving portion 6 in the direction around the axis. In the present embodiment, the cross section of the shaft 3c is circular, but by changing this to a rectangle or an ellipse, the rotation of the moving portion 6 may be prevented. In this case, if the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the moving portion 4 is matched to the cross-sectional shape of the deformed shaft 3c, the formation of the guide groove 3e can be omitted.

[0020] As an example, the drive source 5 according to the present embodiment uses coil springs 11 (11a, 11b). The coil springs 11 are respectively fitted on the left and right sides of the moving portion 6 with the shaft 3a interposed therebetween, and the equivalent coil springs 11a and 11b are arranged in pairs. When the coil springs 11 are compression coil springs, one end of each of the coil springs 11a and 11b abuts on the upper bottom surfaces of the cup portions 3a and 3b, and the other end abuts on the moving portion 6. Also, one end of the coil spring 11 may be connected or fixed to the upper bottom surface.

[0021] In this embodiment, at this time, the coil springs 11a and 11b are arranged in a state where a preset compressive force is evenly applied, that is, in a state where elastic forces acting to push from both sides against the moving part 6 are working. Note that in this embodiment, a configuration example using two coil springs is described, but it is also possible to implement using one coil spring. In this case, the coil spring is arranged between the moving part 6 arranged in the center and one of the base parts 3 on its left and right, and is used for both compression and elongation. At this time, the coil spring is provided in its natural length, one end of which is fixed to the upper bottom surface of the cup part, and the other end is fixed to the moving part 6. In the following description of this embodiment, the drive source 5 takes the compression coil springs 11a and 11b as an example.

[0022] On the other hand, when the coil springs 11a and 11b are tension coil springs, one end of each of the coil springs 11a and 11b is fixed to the upper bottom surface of the base part 3, and the other end is fixed to the moving part 6. In this embodiment, at this time, the coil springs 11a and 11b are arranged in a state where a preset tensile force is evenly applied, that is, in a state where elastic forces are working.

[0023] As another application example of the drive source 5 of this embodiment, instead of a coil spring, for example, the repulsive force of a plurality of ring-shaped permanent magnets can be used. That is, these ring-shaped magnets can be filled in multiple stages on the shaft 3c in an arrangement where the same poles face each other, and it is also possible to use them in the same way as a compression coil spring by utilizing the repulsive force. When using a magnet as the drive source 5, the base part 3 and the rotating part 4 described later are formed of a material that is not affected by the magnetic field of the permanent magnet. As still another drive source 5, it is also possible to use a member having repulsive elasticity, for example, a rubber material or a urethane material formed in a mesh (mesh) cylindrical shape.

[0024] The moving part 6 shown in FIG. 5A has a ring shape (or annular shape) that is movably fitted onto the shaft 3c of the base part 3, and is formed of a metal member or a hard resin member. Note that, in consideration of rigidity, a structure in which a metal material and a resin material are bonded together may be used. The cross-sectional shape of the moving part 6 may be circular, elliptical, or the like, other than rectangular.

[0025] The moving part 6 is positioned at the center of the shaft 3c while being pressed equally by both of the compression coil springs 11a and 11b that are fitted onto the shaft 3c of the base part 3 shown in FIG. 6 described later. Therefore, at this time, since the center of the shaft 3c coincides with the center of the spiral plate 4a, the moving part 6 is arranged at the center of the spiral plate 4a. As will be described later, the distance (or the turning angle of the spiral) of the movement path formed by the spiral plate 4a from the center of the spiral plate 4a to the movement restriction area A1 and the movement restriction area A2 is set to a distance that allows the rotating part to turn 270 degrees. A plurality of guide protrusions 6a are provided on the ring outer peripheral surface of the moving part 6, and at least one rotation prevention protrusion 6b is provided on the ring inner peripheral surface. The rotation prevention protrusion 6b is slidably fitted into the rotation prevention guide groove 3e of the base part 3 described above.

[0026] The guide protrusions 6a of the moving part 6 are, for example, cylindrical in shape with a diameter less than the width between the spiral plates 4a described later, and are respectively provided at positions that divide the ring outer peripheral surface at equal angles with the center of the ring as the center point. That is, if there are an even number, for example, two guide protrusions 6a, they are arranged at opposite positions in the diameter direction passing through the center point. Also, if there are an odd number, for example, three guide protrusions 6a, they are arranged at positions equally divided into three equal angles (120°) from the ring outer peripheral surface toward the center point. Note that, in the present embodiment, three guide protrusions 6a are taken as an example, but in terms of the number of guide protrusions 6a and the number of movement paths 4c, as long as the guide protrusions 6a have a width through which they can pass and the movement paths 4c are in a relationship of the same number or an integer multiple of the number of guide protrusions 6a, there is no particular limitation. In addition, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which only one guide projection 6a is provided. However, in this case, when moving between the spiral plates 4a described later, since there is a possibility of giving an inclination to the moving part 6 with respect to the shaft 3c, it is necessary to consider an increase in the frictional resistance between the moving part 6 and the shaft 3c.

[0027] These guide projections 6a are slidably fitted into a movement passage 4c formed between a plurality of spiral plates 4a formed in a spiral shape on a rotating part 4 described later. As the rotating part 4 rotates, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 described later, the guide projection 6a moves within the movement passage 4c, and the moving part 6 compresses or stretches the coil spring 11 in the longitudinal direction of the base part 3 (or the axial direction of the shaft 3c). Note that the guide projection 6a may be formed as a separate member from the moving part 6 and attached so as to stand on the outer peripheral surface of the ring of the moving part 6.

[0028] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5B, a structure is used in which an extremely small ball bearing 10 having an outer diameter smaller than the width between the spiral plates 4a (movement passage 4c) is fitted into the guide projection 6a to reduce the frictional resistance generated when slidingly moving between the spiral plates 4a. Of course, it is not essential to reduce the frictional resistance by using a ball bearing 10 or the like.

[0029] At least one rotation prevention projection 6b is provided on the inner peripheral side of the ring of the moving part 6. The rotation prevention projection 6b is fitted into a linear rotation prevention guide groove 3c formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base part 3 and smoothly slides, that is, slides. This rotation prevention projection 6b has a function of moving the moving part 6 on the shaft without rotating on the shaft 3c.

[0030] If the rotation prevention protrusion 6b is not provided, and the moving part 6 is not fixed to one end of the coil spring 11, it is assumed that the moving part 6 rotates around the shaft 3c without applying tension or compression to the coil spring 11. Also, when the coil spring 11 is fixed to the moving part 6, it is conceivable that torsional strain is generated due to rotation when the moving part 6 compresses or stretches the coil spring 11. This torsional strain generated in the coil spring 11 not only reduces the reproducibility of the stop position after the rotation of the roll paper 100, but also applies a load to the rotating part 4, preventing the roll paper 100 from being pulled out and possibly causing damage to any of the parts.

[0031] Also, depending on the type of the coil spring 11, after the moving part 6 is moved to the moving stop position described later, the torsional strain may be eliminated and the moving part 6 may stay at that position. As a result, it is assumed that the normal paper feed of the roll paper 100 is not executed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, by linearly sliding the rotation prevention protrusion 6b of the moving part 6 along the rotation prevention guide groove 3c, the rotation of the moving part 6 around the shaft 3 is prevented, and the coil spring 11 can be pulled and compressed so that torsional strain due to rotation does not occur.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, the rotating part 4 has a cylindrical shape, and a plurality of spiral plates 4a as shown in FIG. 6 are provided on the inner surface, and it is formed so as to cover the shaft 3c between the cup parts 3a and 3b. At this time, in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the central axis of the shaft 3c, the center of the spiral plate 4a and the center of the shaft 3c are in the same position. Note that if the initial position (when not driven) of the moving part 6 is the center of the spiral plate 4a, and the distances of the movement paths from the center to the movement restriction area A1 and the movement restriction area A2 (or the turning angle of the spiral) are both distances that the rotating part can rotate 270 degrees, the center of the spiral plate 4a and the center of the shaft 3c do not have to be in the same position. In this case, the lengths of the coil spring 11a and the coil spring 11b are different.

[0033] Further, the cup portions 3a and 3b and the rotating portion 4 are rotatably connected by a rotation support portion 8, respectively. The rotation support portion 8 in the present embodiment is exemplified by a ring-shaped bearing. The inner ring of the bearing is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the convex portions of the cup portions 3a and 3b, and the outer ring is fixed to the end of the inner peripheral surface of the rotating portion 4. Further, two annular protrusions 4b for fixing a roll paper core holding portion 7 described later are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating portion 4.

[0034] Next, the spiral plate 4a of the rotating portion 4 will be described. FIG. 6 conceptually shows the spiral plate 4a formed on the inner peripheral surface of the rotating portion 4. In the present embodiment, as described above, the moving portion 6 is provided with three guide protrusions 6a arranged at equal intervals (equal angles). The spiral plate 4a is composed of three spiral plates 4a1, 4a2, and 4a3 as shown in FIG. 6 in order to form the movement passages 4c for the three guide protrusions 6a. Further, the number of the spiral plates 4a is the same as or a multiple of the number of the guide protrusions 6a. Both the left and right ends of the movement passages 4c formed in the spiral plates 4a1, 4a2, and 4a3 are opened at the movement stop positions. Hereinafter, both the left and right ends of the spiral plate 4a at the movement stop positions are referred to as opening ends.

[0035] The shapes of these opening ends are formed, for example, in a ridge shape with the pointed tip portions of the corners rounded. Therefore, the openings of the movement passages 4c by the spiral plate 4a and the opening ends of the spiral plate 4a are alternately arranged along the inner peripheral surface of the rotating portion 4, forming a wave shape. Therefore, when the rotation of the rotating portion 4 continues, the guide protrusion 6a of the moving portion 6 that has exited from the opening of the movement passage 4c will cross over the adjacent opening end and move toward the adjacent movement passage 4c.

[0036] In this embodiment, the turning angle of the spiral plate 4a is formed such that, for example, it is 270 degrees from the center of the plate to either the left or right end 4b. That is, since the spiral plate 4a is fixed inside the rotating part 4, when the spiral plate 4a turns 270 degrees, the rotating part 4 rotates 270 degrees. That is, since the roll paper 100 also rotates integrally with the rotating part 4, the roll paper 100 also rotates 270 degrees from the position when it was cut. Generally, the roll paper 100 is often cut at the horizontal position on the front side (user side) or at a position above the horizontal position, and the tip part cut on the lower side moves in the 270-degree reverse rotation direction (or paper feed direction). The roll paper core holding part 7 fixed to the protruding part on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating part 4 is formed in a ring shape using an elastic resin material or a rubber material, and has a flange protruding on the circumference. This flange is bent and pressed from the inside of the core 101 when being fitted into the core 101 of the roll paper 100 to hold the roll paper 100.

[0037] Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, the paper feed operation in the paper feed device 1 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a conceptual configuration example of the base part of the paper feed device and the moving part using a coil spring as a drive source. FIG. 7 is a diagram conceptually showing the positional relationship between the spiral plate and the moving part in the rotating part when pulling out the roll paper. FIG. 8 is a diagram conceptually showing the positional relationship between the spiral plate and the moving part in the rotating part when feeding the roll paper. In the following description, the direction of the central axis of the shaft 3 is simply referred to as the axial direction, the direction from the center of the shaft 3 toward the cup part 3a is defined as the axial direction A, and the direction from the center of the shaft 3 toward the cup part 3b is defined as the axial direction B.

[0038] Figure 6 shows the positional relationship between the spiral plate 4a of the rotating part 4 and the moving part 6 in the normal state before the roll paper is pulled out, and the pressing state of the drive source 5 (compression coil springs 11a, 11b). At this time, the moving part 6 is located at the position of the shaft 3c and the center of the spiral plate 4a. Further, the moving part 6 is in an equilibrium state of receiving the same pressing force from both the left and right in the axial direction by the compression coil spring 11a and the compression coil spring 11b. This pressing force is a slight pressure for reducing vibrations caused by backlash or the like when the rotating part 4 stops after paper feeding, and is appropriately set based on design values such as the spring constant.

[0039] As described above, movement restriction areas A1 and A2 for restricting the movement of the moving part 6 by the rotating spiral plate 4a are respectively provided at positions between both ends of the spiral plate 4a shown in Fig. 6 and the cup parts 3a, 3b. The distance between the movement restriction areas A1 and A2 in the axial direction is at least the sum of the spring lengths at the maximum load of the compression coil springs 11a and 11b when compressed and the thickness of the moving part 6.

[0040] Next, Fig. 7 shows the positional relationship between the spiral plate 4a of the rotating part 4 and the moving part 6 immediately after the pulling out of the roll paper 100 is started, and the compressed state of the drive source 5. The roll paper 100 mounted on the holder is pulled out by the user. By pulling out the roll paper 100, the roll paper core holding part 7 and the rotating part 4 rotate integrally. Due to this rotation, the spiral plate 4a in the rotating part 4 also rotates, and the guide projection 6a arranged in the movement passage 4c between the spiral plates 4a is pushed in the axial direction A, and the moving part 6 moves in the axial direction A. When the moving part 6 starts to move in the axial direction A, it moves while receiving the pressing force from the compression coil spring 11b as described above, and starts to compress the compression coil spring 11a. The compression of this compression coil spring 11a accumulates the elastic force (the force generated when the compression coil spring 11a returns to its natural length) in the drive source 5 for performing paper feeding. Also, as the moving part 6 moves, the compression coil spring 11b returns from the compressed state to its natural length, and separates from the moving part 6 after the natural length.

[0041] Next, FIG. 8 shows the positional relationship between the spiral plate 4a of the rotating part 4 and the compressed state of the drive source 5 when the moving part 6 reaches the movement restriction area A1 by pulling out the roll paper 100. The guide projection 6a of the moving part 6 moves through the movement passage 4c between the spiral plates 4a by the rotation of the rotating part 4 and reaches the movement restriction area A1 from the opening at the tip of the movement passage 4c. After reaching there, since the propulsion by the spiral plate 4a stops, the movement of the moving part 6 stops and the compression of the compression coil spring 11a stops. Due to the stop of the moving part 6, an elastic force that tries to return from the compressed compression coil spring 11a to its natural length is generated, and tries to push back the moving part 6.

[0042] Subsequently, when the pulling out of the roll paper continues, the spiral plate 4a of the rotating part 4 rotates in a state of idling with respect to the moving part 6. At this time, the moving part 6 is pushed back by the elastic force of the compression coil spring 11a and tries to enter the movement passage 4c from the opening, but since the spiral plate 4a is rotating, the moving part 6 is pushed back. That is, the guide projection 6a is pushed out to the movement restriction area A1 side even if it tries to enter the movement passage 4c as long as the rotation of the spiral plate 4a does not stop. For this reason, the guide projection 6a cannot return into the spiral plate 4a and stays in the movement restriction area A1 while moving in a zigzag manner along the opening of the movement passage 4c and the opening end of the spiral plate 4a.

[0043] After the user finishes pulling out the roll paper and the roll paper is cut, the rotation of the rotating part 4 stops and it becomes a free state. The guide projection 6a enters the moving passage 4c from the opening of the moving passage 4c. Then, due to the elastic force that returns to the natural length of the compression coil spring 11a, the moving part 6 moves in the axial direction B so that the non-rotating anti-rotation projection 6b returns linearly. At this time, since the guide projection 6a moves so as to return in the moving passage 4c, the rotating part 4 rotates according to the turning angle of the spiral plate 4a. That is, the angle by which the rotating part 4 rotates can be set by the moving distance of the spiral along which the guide projection 6 moves in the moving passage 4c or the angle of the spiral that has moved. In the present embodiment, as described above, the rotating part 4 integrally with the roll paper core holding part 7 rotates the roll paper 100, for example, by a reverse rotation of 270°, and rotates and moves the cut tip part of the roll paper 100 to the lower side of the holder and stops in a state of being exposed from the tip of the cover plate.

[0044] The functions of the movement restriction areas A1 and A2 maintain the elastic force accumulated in the compression coil spring 11a at a constant value by idling the rotating part 4, so that even if the amount of roll paper 100 pulled out by the user (the length of the roll paper 100 pulled out) is different, a constant paper feed amount, that is, the stop position of the tip of the roll paper due to the rotation of the paper feed can be made the same position. That is, if the length of the roll paper pulled out by the user is equal to or greater than the specified length based on the turning angle, no matter what length is pulled out, the movement restriction areas A1 and A2 can make the tension or compression of the coil spring 11 substantially constant. As a result, the rotation stop position of the roll paper 100 during paper feed becomes the same position, and a roll paper of a certain length is exposed from the tip of the cover plate (cutter) of the holder.

[0045] As described above, the paper feed device 1 of the first embodiment has a simple structure and can be realized at low cost. Since the paper feeding device 1 uses a coil spring 11, which is an elastic member, instead of a motor as the drive source, it does not require a power supply such as electricity or a battery. Therefore, it can be used even in places where power supply is not available or in an environment where it is difficult to manage battery replacement, for example, in a toilet in the mountains, and no maintenance cost is incurred. Also, since the paper feeding device 1 does not use a motor as the drive source, problems such as motor failure, power outage, or battery depletion do not occur. When the paper feeding device 1 is not in use, the moving part 6 waits at a position approximately in the center of the rotating part 4. Therefore, the direction in which the roll paper 100 is pulled out can correspond to both the forward direction and the reverse direction. That is, when the paper feeding device 1 is attached to the support bar of the roll paper holder, even if the left and right in the axial direction are opposite, the paper feeding of the roll paper 100 can be carried out without any problem. Regardless of the length of the drawn-out length of the roll paper 100 when in use, the roll paper 100 can be rotated at a certain angle to expose the tip of the roll paper 100 at a predetermined position from the tip of the cover plate of the holder.

[0046] Also, when loading the roll paper 100 into the paper feeding device 1, it is only necessary to insert it by bending the roll paper core holding part 7, and the roll paper 100 can be easily attached. Even if there is a slight difference in the inner diameter of the core 101 of the roll paper 100 due to manufacturing errors or differences in types of the roll paper 100, the difference in the inner diameter can be absorbed by the degree of bending of the roll paper core holding part 7, so that the roll paper 100 can be properly and closely held without rattling or loosening.

[0047] Furthermore, since the roll paper core holding part 7 holds the roll paper 100 at a position inside the end of the core 101 of the roll paper 100, it is in a state of not contacting the end of the core 101 of the roll paper 100. For this reason, even if there are deformations or dents at the end of the core 101 of the roll paper 100, when the roll paper 100 is pulled out and rotated, the end of the core of the roll paper 100 does not contact the roll paper support bar of the holder, and the cover plate of the holder is not fanned up and down, so that the generation of a large rattling sound can be prevented.

[0048] In addition, when pulling out and cutting the roll paper 100, since the elastic force of the coil spring 11 is applied to the roll paper 100, the side end of the roll paper 100 can be easily cut by simply aligning it with the cutter on the cover plate of the holder and pulling it up. Therefore, even in the case of infection by bacteria to which viruses and the like adhere, by reducing the chance of hand contact with the facilities in the toilet, it can lead to suppressing contact infection.

[0049] [Second Application Example] In the first application example described above, since the paper feeding device is inserted into the roll paper 100 and the roll paper 100 is mounted on the existing holder one by one, when used in public facilities or shared facilities in buildings, for example, public toilets and shared toilets, a large number of unspecified people use them, and there is a concern about the removal or loss of the paper feeding device. The second application example shown in FIG. 9 is a configuration example in which the paper feeding device is incorporated into the support bar of the holder of the roll paper 100.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 9, the second application example is a U-shaped holder 21 with wall portions provided at both side ends of the back. This holder 21 includes a back portion 22, an opening / closing wall portion 23 rotatably provided at one side end of the back portion 22, a fixed wall portion 24 provided so as to protrude from the other side end of the back portion 22, a support bar 25 with one end fixed from the opening / closing wall portion 23, and a cover plate 26 with a cutter provided at the tip. Note that the fixed wall portion 24 is not an essential component part, and an L-shaped configuration formed by the back portion 22 and the opening / closing wall portion 23 may be used. At least one paper feeding device 1 of the first application example is incorporated into this support bar 25.

[0051] The back portion 22 has a flat shape on the back side for attachment to a wall or the like. The opening / closing wall portion 23 is connected to the end of the back portion 22 by a hinge or the like and is provided so as to be rotatable laterally, for example, within a range of up to 90°. This rotation structure is for use in replacing the roll paper 100. In addition, the cover plate 26 is rotatably arranged above the back portion 22. Further, when the tip of the cover plate 26 is lifted upward by hand, a protrusion portion (not shown) that locks in a state where the tip faces upward may be separately formed on the fixed wall portion 24.

[0052] According to this second application example, since the paper feeding device 1 is integrally configured with the holder 21 of the roll paper 100, there is no risk of theft or loss, and it can be applied to toilets in public facilities and shared facilities. Also, it can be easily installed even in facilities in an environment where power supply or battery replacement is difficult. Furthermore, since the opening / closing wall portion 23 opens forward and the roll paper 100 can be easily replaced without being fully opened, the holder can be installed even in a narrow installation space. For this reason, the holder 21 can be easily replaced with an existing holder.

[0053] Furthermore, even if there are deformations or dents at the end of the core of the roll paper 100, the roll paper 100 can be quietly pulled out without generating a rattling sound, and there is no need to worry about the surrounding users, so it is suitable for toilets in public facilities and shared facilities. Also, when the holder 21 is configured in an L shape by the opening / closing wall portion 23 without the fixed wall portion 24, the roll paper 100 can be replaced from the front with the opening / closing wall portion 23 open, so it can be installed even if the side where the fixed wall portion 24 is provided is the chamber wall. Therefore, in a toilet where viruses are likely to adhere, when pulling out the roll paper, the tip of the roll paper can be grasped and cut without touching the cover plate of the holder that is assumed to be touched by others, which is hygienic.

[0054] [Third Application Example] Next, a third application example will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the external configuration of a holder equipped with a paper feeding device in the third application example. In the component parts of this application example, those equivalent to the component parts of the second application example described above are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. In the second application example described above, it had a U-shaped configuration with wall portions provided at both side ends of the back. In contrast, the roll paper holder 27 in the third application example shown in FIG. 10 is composed of a back portion 22, a fixed wall portion 24 provided so as to project from the other side end of the back portion 22, and a support bar 25 in which at least one paper feeding device 1 of the first application example is incorporated, forming an L-shaped external shape.

[0055] According to this third application example, similar to the second application example described above, since the paper feeding device 1 is integrally configured with the holder 27 of the roll paper 100, there is no risk of theft or loss, and it can be applied to toilets in public facilities and shared facilities. Also, it can be easily installed even in facilities in an environment where power supply or battery replacement is difficult. Furthermore, since the roll paper 100 can be easily replaced, the holder can be installed even in a narrow installation space.

[0056] Furthermore, even if there are deformations or dents at the end of the core of the roll paper 100, the roll paper 100 can be quietly pulled out without generating a rattling sound, and there is no need to worry about the surrounding users, so it is suitable for toilets in public facilities and shared facilities. Therefore, in a toilet where viruses are likely to adhere, when pulling out the roll paper, the tip of the roll paper can be grasped and cut without touching the cover plate of the holder, which is assumed to be touched by others, and it is hygienic.

[0057] [Fourth Application Example] Next, a fourth application example will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a sound unit mounted on a holder in the fourth application example. In this application example, as shown in FIG. 9, a sound unit 31 is provided within a fixed wall portion 24 of a holder on which a paper feed device 1 is mounted. Of course, instead of the fixed wall portion 24, it can also be applied to the opening / closing wall portion 23. The sound unit 31 of this application example emits music and voice guidance and is configured to be detachable within the fixed wall portion 24. As shown in FIG. 11, the sound unit 31 is housed in a housing 32. This sound unit 31 includes a connector portion 33, a control portion 34, a storage portion 35, a voice playback portion (amplifier) 36, a power supply portion 37, a speaker 38, a switch 39, a display portion 40, and an infrared sensor 41. The housing 32 can be attached to the fixed wall portion 24 so as to be integral. A key portion may be provided on the housing 32 so that only the owner of the key can attach and detach it. Also, the voice playback portion (amplifier) 36 may be included in the control portion 34.

[0058] The configuration of the sound unit 31 will be described. First, the connector portion 33 is, for example, a USB connector, which connects to an external personal computer 200 or a USB memory (not shown) and performs data communication. The control portion 34 controls each component of the sound unit and is configured by, for example, a CPU or the like, and performs data exchange and power management. The storage portion 35 is a non-volatile semiconductor memory element capable of writing, reading, and erasing music data, voice guidance data, and control data. For example, EEPROM (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) [registered trademark] or flash memory can be applied. Note that when a USB memory is used as the data source of the sound unit 31 and the USB memory is left inserted for use, the storage portion 35 is not essential. The voice playback portion 36 amplifies the music data and voice guidance data read from the storage portion 35 and outputs it to the speaker 38.

[0059] Furthermore, the power supply unit 37 uses a dry battery or a rechargeable battery as the power source. In the case of a rechargeable battery such as a lithium-ion battery, charging is performed by an external personal computer or an external charger connected to the connector unit 33. Also, an antenna or the like may be provided to enable wireless charging. The speaker 38 is a small speaker that emits the music data and voice guidance data output from the voice playback unit 36 as sound. The switch 39 has, for example, a power switch function, a selection switch function for selecting data to be played back, and a volume adjustment function for adjusting the volume output from the speaker 38. Also, the user can turn the switch 39 on and off. If the display unit 42 has a simple configuration, for example, it is an indicator composed of a plurality of light-emitting diodes, and indicates the remaining battery capacity and charging state in the power supply unit 37, and the on / off state of the switch 39. When the remaining battery capacity becomes equal to or less than the threshold value, blinking lights prompt charging or battery replacement. Alternatively, the display unit 42 may be configured by a liquid crystal display, and may display the selection display (character / numeral display) of the data to be played back, the remaining battery amount, the charging state, etc.

[0060] When the holder of the roll paper 100 is placed in the toilet, the infrared sensor 41 detects that the user as the detection target has entered (approached) and exited (moved away) the toilet. After the infrared sensor 41 detects the detection target, the control unit 34 shifts from the standby state to the activated state, automatically plays back music data and voice data, and outputs sound from the speaker 38. Then, when the infrared sensor 41 no longer detects the detection target, the playback is stopped, and the state shifts from the activated state to the standby state to reduce power consumption. Basically, while the infrared sensor 41 is detecting a detected target in the vicinity, the voice playback unit 36 plays back voice data including music data and voice guidance data. On the other hand, when the detection target moves away and is no longer detected, the playback of the music data and voice data is stopped. For example, when a user enters the toilet compartment, the playback of the music data and voice data is started, and when the user exits the toilet compartment, the playback is stopped. As described above, the user can also turn off the switch 39 to stop the output of the played-back music and guidance.

[0061] The voice unit 31 configured in this way is removed from the roll paper holder and cable-connected to an external personal computer 200 through the connector portion 33, for example, by a USB cable or the like. The storage unit 35 can store music data of desired music. Further, sound data of cancellation sounds to be superimposed to make the sounds generated during defecation less noticeable may be stored. Furthermore, as the voice data stored in the storage unit 35, for example, if the holder is installed in a toilet at an airport or a public facility, voice guidance on how to use the toilet, various precautions, etc. may be provided in the languages of multiple countries. Also, if the holder is installed in a toilet in a store or a restaurant, the voice data may provide guidance on recommended product introductions, special sale announcements, store commercials, etc. Also, the music data shall include not only music but also data such as sounds generated in nature (for example, the sound of waves, the sounds of insects and birds, etc.) and artificially created sounds. Furthermore, as a communication unit, a wireless LAN function or a Bluetooth [registered trademark] function may be provided so that the music data and voice data stored in the storage unit 35 can be rewritten by wireless communication without cable connection.

[0062] The paper feeding device of the embodiment and application example described above can be applied not only to a roll paper 100 (toilet paper, kitchen paper, etc.) but also to other things wound so as to be pulled out from the outside, for example, tapes (paper, cloth, resin, etc.), sheets, adhesive tapes, wraps for roll-shaped foods, and further, things wound around a spool, for example, threads, wire materials (conductors, wires, etc.), cables, strings, ropes, hoses, and electric wires.

[0063] The embodiments and application examples of the present invention described above can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof at the implementation stage and are not limited. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments and application examples include inventions at various stages, and various inventions are extracted by appropriate combinations of a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. Also, even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiments and application examples, if the problems described in the column of the problems to be solved by the invention can be solved and the effects described in the column of the effects of the invention can be obtained, the configuration from which these constituent elements are deleted is extracted as an invention.

Explanation of Signs

[0064] 1…Paper feeding device, 2…Fixed part, 2a…Fixing slit, 3…Base part, 3a, 3b…Cup parts, 3c…Axis, 4…Rotating part, 4a…Spiral plate, 5…Elastic member, 6…Moving part, 7…Roll paper core holding part, 8…Rotating support part, 21…Holder, 22…Back part, 23…Opening / closing wall part, 24…Fixed wall part, 25…Support bar 26…Cover plate, 31…Sound part, 32…Housing, 33…Connector part, 34…Control part, 35…Memory part, 36…Voice playback part (amplifier), 37…Power supply part, 38…Speaker, 39…Switch, 40…Display part, 41…Infrared sensor, 100…Roll paper, 200…External personal computer, A1, A2…Movement restriction area, A3…Storage area.

Claims

1. A base portion including a pair of cup portions with opposing bottom sides and a shaft having a linear guide groove and connecting the bottom sides; an elastic member fitted to the shaft; a ring-shaped moving part that is fitted to the center of the shaft, is parallel to the elastic member, has a plurality of protrusions on its outer circumferential surface, and has a rotation prevention protrusion on its inner circumferential surface that slides within the guide groove, and compresses or pulls the elastic member by moving on the shaft; a rotating section having a cylindrical shape that accommodates the axis of the base section, the elastic member, and the moving section, the rotating section including a plurality of spiral plates that form a spiral moving passage on an inner peripheral surface through which the plurality of protrusions pass, and movement limiting areas that are disposed on both ends of the moving passage and limit the movement of the plurality of protrusions, the rotating section rotating an angle based on the length of the moving passage through which the protrusions pass as the moving section moves from the movement limiting areas toward the center of the axis due to an elastic force generated when the compressed or stretched elastic member attempts to return to its natural length; a roll paper core holding section that is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating section, abuts against the inside of a core hole of the roll paper, flexibly holds the roll paper, and rotates integrally with the rotating section; A paper feed device comprising:

2. a back portion having a mounting surface; A side wall portion, which is either a fixed wall portion or an openable wall portion, provided at one side end of the back portion; a support bar in which the paper feed device is incorporated, one end of which is fixed to the side wall portion, and the other end of which supports the roll paper by inserting it therein; A cover plate having a cutter at its tip; A roll paper holder comprising the paper feed device according to claim 1 .

3. the paper feed device is housed in a housing and is detachably provided on the side wall of the roll paper holder, A power supply unit; A sensor that detects the proximity and distance of a detection object; A connector section for connecting to an external device and inputting music data and voice data; a storage unit for rewritably storing the music data and the voice data inputted from the connector unit; an audio playback unit that plays back the music data and the audio data stored in the storage unit; a speaker that outputs the reproduced music data or audio data as sound; a control unit that controls the playback of the music data and the audio data by the audio playback unit while the sensor is detecting the approach of the detection target; 3. The roll paper holder according to claim 2, further comprising an audio section having:

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