Dispensing unit for a thin film dispenser and thin film dispenser having the same

Abstract

A dispensing unit for a thin film dispenser has a base, a wheel assembly, a thin film and a locking device. The wheel assembly is mounted on the base and has a tape supplying wheel and a used tape collecting wheel. The tape supplying wheel and the used tape collecting wheel are mounted rotatably on the base. The thin film is mounted around the wheel assembly. The locking device is resiliently disposed on the base and selectively engages the wheel assembly to prevent the wheel assembly from rotating. Accordingly, the locking device can provide a locking function to the wheel assembly to prevent a thin film from being loosened during the course of packaging, transporting and assembling processes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dispensing unit for a thin film dispenser comprising:
 a base;   a wheel assembly mounted on the base and comprising
 a tape supplying wheel mounted rotatably on the base; and 
 a used tape collecting wheel mounted rotatably on the base; 
   a thin film mounted around the wheel assembly; and   a locking device resiliently disposed on the base and selectively engaging the wheel assembly to prevent the wheel assembly from rotating.   
     
     
         2 . The dispensing unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the locking device engages the tape supplying wheel. 
     
     
         3 . The dispensing unit as claimed in  claim 2  further comprising a dispensing head disposed on one end of the base. 
     
     
         4 . The dispensing unit as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein
 the tape supplying wheel has multiple concave-convex teeth disposed alternately, formed on a side of the tape supplying wheel and arranged in a circle; and   the locking device comprises at least one resilient engaging arm formed on the base and engaging one of the concave-convex teeth on the tape supplying wheel.   
     
     
         5 . The dispensing unit as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein each one of the at least one resilient engaging arm comprises
 a straight segment integrally and resiliently connected with the base and having a free end opposite to the base;   a curved segment connected with the straight segment and having
 a connecting end connected with the free end of the straight segment; and 
 an engaging end opposite to the connecting end; 
   an engaging element formed on the engaging end of the curved segment and selectively engaging one of the concave-convex teeth on the tape supplying wheel; and   a pushed protrusion formed on and protruding from the engaging end of the curved segment.   
     
     
         6 . The dispensing unit as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein each one of the at least one resilient engaging arm comprises
 a straight segment integrally and resiliently connected with the base and having an engaging end opposite to the base;   an engaging element formed on the engaging end of the straight segment and selectively engaging one of the concave-convex teeth on the tape supplying wheel; and   a pushed protrusion formed on and protruding from the engaging end of the straight segment.   
     
     
         7 . The dispensing unit as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein each one of the at least one resilient engaging arm comprises
 a curved segment integrally and resiliently connected with the base and having an engaging end opposite to the base;   an engaging element formed on the engaging end of the curved segment and selectively engaging one of the concave-convex teeth on the tape supplying wheel; and   a pushed protrusion formed on and protruding from the engaging end of the curved segment.   
     
     
         8 . The dispensing unit as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein each one of the at least one resilient engaging arm comprises
 two ends securely connected with the base;   an engaging segment formed between the ends;   an engaging element formed on the engaging segment and selectively engaging one of the concave-convex teeth on the tape supplying wheel; and   a pushed protrusion formed on and protruding from the engaging segment.   
     
     
         9 . The dispensing unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the locking device engages the used tape collecting wheel; and
 the locking device comprises at least one resilient engaging arm formed on the base and engaging the used tape collecting wheel.   
     
     
         10 . The dispensing unit as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein each one of the at least one resilient engaging arm comprises
 a straight segment integrally and resiliently connected with the base and having a free end opposite to the base;   a curved segment connected with the straight segment and having
 a connecting end connected with the free end of the straight segment; and 
 an engaging end opposite to the connecting end and engaging the used tape collecting wheel; and 
   a pushed protrusion formed on and protruding from the engaging end of the curved segment.   
     
     
         11 . The dispensing unit as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein each one of the at least one resilient engaging arm comprises
 a straight segment integrally and resiliently connected with the base and having an engaging end opposite to the base and selectively engaging the used tape collecting wheel; and   a pushed protrusion formed on and protruding from the engaging end of the straight segment.   
     
     
         12 . The dispensing unit as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein each one of the at least one resilient engaging arm comprises
 a curved segment integrally and resiliently connected with the base and having an engaging end selectively engaging the used tape collecting wheel; and   a pushed protrusion formed on and protruding from the engaging end of the curved segment.   
     
     
         13 . The dispensing unit as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein each one of the at least one resilient engaging arm comprises
 two ends securely connected with the base;   an engaging segment formed between the ends and selectively engaging the used tape collecting wheel; and   a pushed protrusion formed on and protruding from the engaging segment.   
     
     
         14 . A thin film dispenser comprising
 a housing having a transmission device disposed in the housing;   a dispensing unit mounted in the housing and comprising
 a base; 
 a wheel assembly mounted on the base, connected with the transmission device and comprising
 a tape supplying wheel mounted rotatably on the base; and 
 a used tape collecting wheel mounted rotatably on the base; 
 
 a thin film mounted around the wheel assembly; 
 a locking device resiliently disposed on the base and selectively engaging the wheel assembly to prevent the wheel assembly from rotating; 
   a dispensing head connected with the dispensing unit and capable of extending out from the housing; and   an unlocking device disposed on the housing and corresponding to the locking device to unlock the wheel assembly from the locking device.   
     
     
         15 . The thin film dispenser as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the locking device engages the tape supplying wheel. 
     
     
         16 . The thin film dispenser as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the dispensing head is disposed on one end of the base of the dispensing unit. 
     
     
         17 . The thin film dispenser as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein
 the tape supplying wheel has multiple concave-convex teeth formed on a side of the tape supplying wheel and arranged in a circle; and   the locking device comprises at least one resilient engaging arm formed on the base and engaging one of the concave-convex teeth on the tape supplying wheel.   
     
     
         18 . The thin film dispenser as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the unlocking device is disposed on an inner surface of the housing and comprises
 at least one guiding block corresponding respectively to the at least one resilient engaging arm and spaced from and respectively aligning with the at least one resilient engaging arm after the housing is closed.   
     
     
         19 . The thin film dispenser as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein each one of the at least one resilient engaging arm comprises
 a straight segment integrally and resiliently connected with the base and having a free end opposite to the base;   a curved segment connected with the straight segment and having
 a connecting end connected with the free end of the straight segment; and 
 an engaging end opposite to the connecting end; 
   an engaging element formed on the engaging end of the curved segment and selectively engaging one of the concave-convex teeth on the tape supplying wheel; and   a pushed protrusion formed on and protruding from the engaging end of the curved segment.   
     
     
         20 . The thin film dispenser as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the unlocking device is disposed on an inner surface of the housing and comprises
 at least one guiding block corresponding respectively to the at least one resilient engaging arm and spaced from and respectively aligning with the at least one resilient engaging arm after the housing is closed.   
     
     
         21 . The thin film dispenser as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the unlocking device is disposed on an inner surface of the housing and comprises at least one guiding block corresponding respectively to the at least one resilient engaging arm and abutting respectively against the pushed protrusion on the at least one resilient engaging arm after the housing is closed. 
     
     
         22 . The thin film dispenser as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein each one of the at least one resilient engaging arm comprises
 a straight segment integrally and resiliently connected with the base and having an engaging end opposite to the base;   an engaging element formed on the engaging end of the straight segment and selectively engaging one of the concave-convex teeth on the tape supplying wheel; and   a pushed protrusion formed on and protruding from the engaging end of the straight segment.   
     
     
         23 . The thin film dispenser as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the unlocking device is disposed on an inner surface of the housing and comprises
 at least one guiding block corresponding respectively to the at least one resilient engaging arm and spaced from and respectively aligning with the at least one resilient engaging arm after the housing is closed.   
     
     
         24 . The thin film dispenser as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the unlocking device is disposed on an inner surface of the housing and comprises
 at least one guiding block corresponding respectively to the at least one resilient engaging arm and abutting respectively against the pushed protrusion on the at least one resilient engaging arm after the housing is closed.   
     
     
         25 . The thin film dispenser as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein each one of the at least one resilient engaging arm comprises
 a curved segment integrally and resiliently connected with the base and having an engaging end opposite to the base;   an engaging element formed on the engaging end of the curved segment and selectively engaging one of the concave-convex teeth on the tape supplying wheel; and   a pushed protrusion formed on and protruding from the engaging end of the curved segment.   
     
     
         26 . The thin film dispenser as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the unlocking device is disposed on an inner surface of the housing and comprises
 at least one guiding block corresponding respectively to the at least one resilient engaging arm and spaced from and respectively aligning with the at least one resilient engaging arm after the housing is closed.   
     
     
         27 . The thin film dispenser as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the unlocking device is disposed on an inner surface of the housing and comprises
 at least one guiding block corresponding respectively to the at least one resilient engaging arm and abutting respectively against the pushed protrusion on the at least one resilient engaging arm after the housing is closed.   
     
     
         28 . The thin film dispenser as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein each one of the at least one resilient engaging arm comprises
 two ends securely connected with the base;   an engaging segment formed between the ends;   an engaging element formed on the engaging segment and selectively engaging one of the concave-convex teeth on the tape supplying wheel; and   a pushed protrusion formed on and protruding from the engaging segment.   
     
     
         29 . The thin film dispenser as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the unlocking device is disposed on an inner surface of the housing and comprises
 at least one guiding block corresponding respectively to the at least one resilient engaging arm and spaced from and respectively aligning with the at least one resilient engaging arm after the housing is closed.   
     
     
         30 . The thin film dispenser as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the unlocking device is disposed on an inner surface of the housing and comprises
 at least one guiding block corresponding respectively to the at least one resilient engaging arm and abutting respectively against the pushed protrusion on the at least one resilient engaging arm after the housing is closed.   
     
     
         31 . The thin film dispenser as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the locking device engages the used tape collecting wheel; and
 the locking device comprises at least one resilient engaging arm formed on the base and engaging the used tape collecting wheel.   
     
     
         32 . The thin film dispenser as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein each one of the at least one resilient engaging arm comprises
 a straight segment integrally and resiliently connected with the base and having a free end opposite to the base;   a curved segment connected with the straight segment and having
 a connecting end connected with the free end of the straight segment; and 
 an engaging end opposite to the connecting end and engaging the used tape collecting wheel; and 
   a pushed protrusion formed on and protruding from the engaging end of the curved segment.   
     
     
         33 . The thin film dispenser as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the unlocking device is disposed on an inner surface of the housing and comprises
 at least one guiding block corresponding respectively to the at least one resilient engaging arm and spaced from and respectively aligning with the at least one resilient engaging arm after the housing is closed.   
     
     
         34 . The thin film dispenser as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein each one of the at least one resilient engaging arm comprises
 a straight segment integrally and resiliently connected with the base and having an engaging end opposite to the base and selectively engaging the used tape collecting wheel; and   a pushed protrusion formed on and protruding from the engaging end of the straight segment.   
     
     
         35 . The thin film dispenser as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the unlocking device is disposed on an inner surface of the housing and comprises
 at least one guiding block corresponding respectively to the at least one resilient engaging arm and spaced from and respectively aligning with the at least one resilient engaging arm after the housing is closed.   
     
     
         36 . The thin film dispenser as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the unlocking device is disposed on an inner surface of the housing and comprises
 at least one guiding block corresponding respectively to the at least one resilient engaging arm and abutting respectively against the pushed protrusion on the at least one resilient engaging arm after the housing is closed.   
     
     
         37 . The thin film dispenser as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein each one of the at least one resilient engaging arm comprises
 a curved segment integrally and resiliently connected with the base and having an engaging end selectively engaging the used tape collecting wheel; and   a pushed protrusion formed on and protruding from the engaging end of the curved segment.   
     
     
         38 . The thin film dispenser as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein the unlocking device is disposed on an inner surface of the housing and comprises
 at least one guiding block corresponding respectively to the at least one resilient engaging arm and spaced from and respectively aligning with the at least one resilient engaging arm after the housing is closed.   
     
     
         39 . The thin film dispenser as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein the unlocking device is disposed on an inner surface of the housing and comprises
 at least one guiding block corresponding respectively to the at least one resilient engaging arm and abutting respectively against the pushed protrusion on the at least one resilient engaging arm after the housing is closed.   
     
     
         40 . The thin film dispenser as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein each one of the at least one resilient engaging arm comprises
 two ends securely connected with the base;   an engaging segment formed between the ends and selectively engaging the used tape collecting wheel; and   a pushed protrusion formed on and protruding from the engaging segment.   
     
     
         41 . The thin film dispenser as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the unlocking device is disposed on an inner surface of the housing and comprises
 at least one guiding block corresponding respectively to the at least one resilient engaging arm and spaced from and respectively aligning with the at least one resilient engaging arm after the housing is closed.   
     
     
         42 . The thin film dispenser as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the unlocking device is disposed on an inner surface of the housing and comprises
 at least one guiding block corresponding respectively to the at least one resilient engaging arm and abutting respectively against the pushed protrusion on the at least one resilient engaging arm after the housing is closed.   
     
     
         43 . The thin film dispenser as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the unlocking device is disposed on an inner surface of the housing and comprises
 at least one guiding block corresponding to the locking device and abutting respectively against the at least one resilient engaging arm after the housing is closed.