Patent Application
20130299367
Packaging of consumer products plays a role in marketing and purchase decisions. Current writing instrument packaging does not allow for much user interaction. For example, there is limited or no way for a consumer to grasp entirely at least a portion of a writing instrument in the packaging prior to purchase.
According to aspects illustrated herein, in an embodiment there is disclosed a packaging that includes a first section comprising an upper section configured to secure an upper portion of a writing instrument within the packaging; a lower section configured to secure a writing end of the writing instrument within the packaging; and an intermediate section configured to allow a user to grasp entirely a middle portion of the writing instrument; and a second section configured to secure at least one additional writing instrument, wherein the first section is adjacent to the second section.
The presently disclosed embodiments will be further explained with reference to the attached drawings, wherein like structures are referred to by like numerals throughout the several views. The drawings shown are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the presently disclosed embodiments.
While the above-identified drawings set forth presently disclosed embodiments, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the discussion. This disclosure presents illustrative embodiments by way of representation and not limitation.
The present invention is now discussed in more detail referring to the drawings that accompany the present application. In the accompanying drawings, like and/or corresponding elements are referred to by like reference numbers.
A packaging of the present invention allows for a writing instrument to be securely packaged while still allowing a consumer to feel the middle portion of the writing instrument in the same way a user would hold a pen while writing.
As used herein, the term “writing instrument” refers to an object used to produce writing. Examples of writing instruments include, but are not limited to, pens and mechanical pencils.
As used herein, the term “packaging” refers to the science, art, and technology of enclosing or protecting at least one writing instrument for distribution, storage, sale, and use.
As used herein, the term “securing” refers to keeping stable, fixed and/or protected a portion of a writing instrument.
As used herein, the term “writing end of the writing instrument” is that portion of the writing instrument from which ink flows. In some embodiments, the writing end of the writing instrument is referred to as the writing tip or point. In an embodiment, the writing tip or point dispenses viscous oil-based ink. In an embodiment, the writing tip or point uses water-based liquid ink delivered through a nib. In an embodiment, the writing tip or point has a porous tip of fibrous material. In an embodiment, the writing tip or point dispenses a water-based liquid or gel ink through a ball tip.
As used herein, the term “upper portion of the writing instrument” refers to that end of the writing instrument that is opposite the writing end of the writing instrument. In an embodiment, the upper portion of the writing instrument includes an upper portion of the barrel of the writing instrument.
As used herein, the term “middle portion of the writing instrument” refers to a portion of the writing instrument that is neither the upper portion or the writing end. In an embodiment, the middle portion of the writing instrument includes a middle portion of the barrel of the writing instrument. In an embodiment, the barrel of the writing instrument is generally tubular in shape. In an embodiment, the barrel of the writing instrument has a hollow channel extending therethrough. In an embodiment, the middle portion of the writing instrument includes a touch grip of the writing instrument. In an embodiment, the middle portion of the writing instrument includes both the middle portion of the barrel and the touch grip.
As used herein, the term “intermediate section” refers to that portion of a packaging of the present invention that is in a substantially middle position, i.e., that portion that is between the upper section and the lower section of the packaging.
As used herein, in an embodiment the term “encloses” refers to at least a portion of a writing instrument that is surrounded on all sides. In an embodiment, a barrel portion of a writing instrument is surrounded on all sides or closed in by packaging material. In an embodiment, the entire writing instrument is entirely surrounded on all sides or closed in by packaging material. It should be understood that in an embodiment, “the entire writing instrument” is meant all components of the writing instrument excluding the clip.
As used herein, the term “grasp entirely” refers to the capability of a user to take hold of the barrel and or touch grip of a writing instrument or to seize firmly the barrel and or touch grip of a writing instrument in the same way a user would hold the writing instrument while writing. In an embodiment, the grasping occurs via a user's fingers. In an embodiment, the grasping occurs via a user's toes.
As used herein, the term “separate” refers to different sections of a packaging of the present invention that are kept apart, disunited from one another.
The packaging 100 includes a first section 110 comprising an upper section 112 configured to secure an upper portion 210 of a writing instrument 200 within the packaging 100. In an embodiment, the upper section 112 includes a sleeve 120 configured to secure the upper portion 210 of the writing instrument 200 within the packaging 100. The packaging 100 further includes a lower section 114 configured to secure a writing end 220 of the writing instrument 200 within the packaging 100. In an embodiment, the lower section 114 includes a cap sleeve 116 (see, for example,
In an embodiment, the writing instrument is a pen. In an embodiment, the pen is selected from a ballpoint pen, a rollerball pen, a crowquill pen, a fountain pen and a felt-tip pen. In an embodiment, the pen includes a nib. In an embodiment, the nib is retractable. In an embodiment, the felt-tip pen is selected from a permanent marker, a highlighter, a non-permanent marker, a security marker and an election marker. In an embodiment, the writing instrument is a mechanical pencil.
In an embodiment, the upper portion of the writing instrument is an upper portion of a barrel. In an embodiment, the barrel of the writing instrument is generally tubular in shape. In an embodiment, the barrel of the writing instrument has a hollow channel extending therethrough. In an embodiment, the middle portion of the writing instrument is selected from at least one of a middle portion of a barrel or a touch grip. In an embodiment, when the user grasps entirely the middle portion of the writing instrument, the user feels a size and a shape of the middle portion of the writing instrument. In an embodiment, the intermediate section is configured to allow a left hand user and a right hand user to grasp entirely the middle portion of the writing instrument.
In an embodiment, the second section 310 encloses the entire additional writing instrument 300. In an embodiment, the second section 310 includes a cut-out window for touching a middle portion of the additional writing instrument 300. In an embodiment, the middle portion of the additional writing instrument 300 is selected from at least one of a middle portion of a barrel or a touch grip. In an embodiment, the writing instrument 200 of the first section is a same type as the additional writing instrument 300 of the second section. In an embodiment, the writing instrument 200 of the first section is a different type as the additional writing instrument 300 of the second section. In an embodiment, the additional writing instrument 300 is a pen. In an embodiment, the pen is selected from the group consisting of a ballpoint pen, a rollerball pen, a crowquill pen, a fountain pen and a felt-tip pen. In an embodiment, the felt-tip pen is selected from the group consisting of a permanent marker, a highlighter, a non-permanent marker, a security marker and an election marker. In an embodiment, the additional writing instrument 300 is a mechanical pencil.
All patents, patent applications, and published references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/644,747, filed on May 9, 2012, the entirety of this application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61644747 | May 2012 | US |
