Patent Application
20070020033
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to writing instruments and more particularly to a writing instrument that emits a scent.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Writing instruments that emit a scent are known in the art. These instruments have typically utilized cylindrical housings or barrels adapted to absorb a liquid that evaporates and thereby emits a scent. Other instruments utilize a modified cap or cover that acts as a container for holding a material that emits an odor. Still other instruments have compartments for storing a liquid such as a perfume that can be sprayed into an environment proximate the user. All of these writing instruments are difficult to use and can create a mess if the compartment becomes compromised.
The invention is a writing instrument having a writing cartridge disposed in a housing or barrel that can be griped by a user during use. A scent emitting material is replaceably disposed on/or to the writing instrument to emit a pleasant smell or odor. In an example embodiment, the scent emitting material comprises a substrate such as a roll of paper disposed in the housing of the writing instrument. The scented substrate can have multiple perforations that permit it to be separated from the roll and used for taking notes.
A scented cartridge is disposed on/or to the writing instrument to emit a pleasant smell or odor. The scented cartridge can comprise a nose cone impregnated with a scent. The nose cone is removably insertable into a nose cap or cover that is used to cover the writing cartridge. The cover has at least one hole or aperture extending therethrough to permit the scent to escape into an environment proximate the user. The scented nose cone and/or substrate are replaceable with other scented nose cones and substrates, thereby enabling a user to choose their desired scent.
An object of the invention is to provide a scented writing instrument that is easily manufactured and used.
Another objection of the invention is to provide a scented cartridge that is easily inserted into and removed from the nose cap.
Still another object of the invention is that it eliminates the need of a user to search for a piece of paper on which to take notes.
Still yet another advantage of the invention is that it provides a scented writing instrument that is easily refillable.
The above summary of the invention is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the invention. The figures in the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify these embodiments.
The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
The preceding description of the drawings is provided for example purposes only and should not be considered limiting. The following detailed description is provided for more detailed examples of the present invention. Other embodiments not disclosed or directly discussed are also considered to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention.
Referring to
Housing 110 can be manufactured from any material that is currently used in the manufacturing of writing instruments such as metal, wood, polypropylene or other plastic materials. Housing 110 can be manufactured with any color, design or lettering printed on its outer surface for advertising of a particular trademark, logo, or brand. This is of particular importance if the writing instrument is utilized as a marketing tool since vivid colors, designs and lettering typically attract a user's eyes and others toward the writing instrument.
To ensure that housing 110 is comfortable to use it may have a generally cylindrical shape. However, housing 110 may have any cross sectional shape such as, for example triangular, square, oval, and the like. An outer surface of housing 110 may be coated and/or ribbed to increase tactile feel and improve comfort. A compressible sleeve (not shown) can be slid over housing 110 to provide additional comfort for a user.
A scent emitting materials is disposed on/or to writing instrument 100. The scent emitting material can be impregnated with a desired scent by any means including soaking the material in a chemical having a particularly desireable scent. The material can also be manufactured from a material inherently having a desirable scent. Other methods of imparting a scent to a material is also contemplated and should be considered to be within the spirit and scope of the invention.
In on example embodiment of the invention, the scented material comprises a substrate 120 such as paper disposed in housing 110. Referring to
If substrate 120 is arranged as a continuous roll of paper, edges of housing 110 defining elongate slit 116 can have generally serrated edges to serrate substrate 120 into a desired length. In another example embodiment of the invention, substrate 120 can have spaced perforations (not shown) extending therethrough for permitting easier separation of individual sheet from the roll.
Substrate 120 can include a generally tacky portion or section on its rear or back surface for permitting at least temporary adhesion to a surface. The adhesive may be disposed adjacent to at least one or both of the perforations. Substrate 120 can also be manufactured having the adhesive cover its entire rear or back surface for complete adhesion to a surface.
Substrate 120 can be impregnated, by soaking in a chemical or like substance to impart it with a scent that can be emitted through the slit 116 and/or when substrate 120 is dispensed. Any desired scent can be used. A user can also easily change substrate 120 rolls depending upon the scent they desire for that day or time.
Substrate 120 can be dyed a color corresponding to the scent that it emits for example pink for watermelon, orange for orange, and red for apples. Other color and scent combinations can also be used and are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Referring back to
A nose cap 130 can be removably disposed over first end opening 112 of housing 110 to provide support to cartridge 125. Referring particularly to
Referring to
Turning to
In one example embodiment of the invention, scented cartridge 150 has a size and shape adapted to fit relatively securely in access opening 148 of nose cap cover 140. To facilitate the coupling, collar portion 154 of scented cartridge 150 can have an outer diameter slight greater than an inner diameter of peripheral wall 144 of nose cap cover 140 thereby causing friction engagement between the two upon insertion of scented cartridge 150 into nose cap cover 140.
Referring to back to
A cover or sheet 160 such as paper can be temporarily adhered over hole or holes 149 of nose cap cover 140 to prevent the scent from escaping during transit. When a user purchases writing instrument 100 he or she can simply pull cover 160 off of nose cap cover 140 to permit the scent to escape. Cover 160 can be coated with a material such as wax, plastic, and like substances to aid in preventing the scent from escaping.
In one embodiment, cover 160 comprises a flap having at least one edge that is permanently attached to nose cap cover 140. A user can flip cover 160 to expose hole or holes 149. In this embodiment, cover 160 can comprise a resiliently flexible material such as a formed rubber or like material
In another embodiment, cover 160 comprises a generally rigid plate that is slidably mounted or coupled to nose cap cover 140. Rotation or sliding of cover 160 in this embodiment exposes hole or holes 149 and permits the scent to escape. Cover 160 can be slid in either parallel or transverse to a longitudinal axis of nose cap cover 140. Cover 160 can be manufactured with either side or top and bottom rails that are slidably disposed in corresponding tracks of the nose cape cover 140.
Referring to
End cap 170 includes a post 180 having a bore 182 extending longitudinally therein for receiving and at least temporarily securing cartridge 125. Post 180 extends from an inner surface of top wall 172 and is centrally disposed therein. In another example embodiment, as particularly illustrated in
In another example embodiment, as illustrated in
Top wall 192 of attachment member 190 has a generally centrally disposed aperture 196 extending therethrough for receiving post 180. In an example embodiment, post 180 is disposed generally between supports 196 and 196′. Attachment member 190 can be secured in end cap 170 by an adhesive or other mechanical means such as by threaded engagement.
Attachment member 190 can also include a tab 198 extending away from an outer surface of its peripheral wall 174 for operatively engaging and securing end cap 170 to housing 110. In an example embodiment, as illustrated in
A coupling member 210 such as an eyelet, loop, hook, strap, tether, and similar devices can be coupled to writing instrument 100. In an example embodiment, as illustrated in
In an example embodiment, plug portion 212 can include a conical section 216 disposed on an end of a shaft section 218 that is centrally disposed on anchor portion 214. Conical section 216 is adapted for operative engagement with a hole 224 extending into nose cap cover 140. Hole 214 can extend through top wall 142 of nose cap cover 140 such that writing instrument vertically hangs when attachment member 210 is coupled to a tether, keychain, necklace, or similar device.
Anchor portion 214 can include a base section 220 and an attachment section 222. The shaft section 218 is disposed on an upper surface of base section 220 while the attachment section 222 is disposed on a lower surface of base section 222. In on example embodiment, attachment section 222 comprises a loop that is adapted to receive a tether or similar device. Attachment member 210 can comprise any compressible material such as rubber, plastic and the like.
After purchase, a user removes cover 160 thereby exposing hole or holes 149 and permitting the scent absorbed or impregnated in scent cartridge 150 to escape. Nose cap cover 140 is easily removed or disengaged from housing 110 thereby exposing cartridge 125 for writing. When a substrate is not available a user may pull on substrate 120 disposed in housing 110. A user can pull substrate 120 through slit 116 in housing 110. A piece or section of substrate 120 can be removed by utilizing serrated edges defining slit 116 if present, or by tearing along one or more perforations formed in substrate 120. After writing on substrate 120 a user can the adhesive back to stick it on a vertical or generally vertical surface.
In one example embodiment, substrate 120 is impregnated with a scent that is emitted when it is removed from housing 110. In another example embodiment of the invention, nose cap 130 can include at least one hole extending therethrough to permit the scent of substrate 120 to flow into nose cap cover 140 and out hole or holes 149. Scent cartridge 150 may or may not be used when scented substrate 150 is utilized. If scent cartridge 150 is utilized in conjunction with scented substrate 150 the scents can mix and flow out through hole or holes 149.
Substrate 120 can be easily replaced by rotating end cap 170 such that tab 198 operatively disengages from notch 200. Once disengaged, a user pulls on end 170 causing tab 198 to travel along slit 116 until it is free. New substrate 120 can then be inserted into housing 110. A portion of substrate 110 can be left extending through slit 116 to facilitate easier access to it. End cap 170 can then be replaced by reversing the above steps. Writing cartridge 125 can also be replaced when end cap 170 is free from housing 110.
Scent cartridge 150, which can comprise a solid, gel or the like, is easily replaceable by removing nose cap cover 140. Once nose cap cover 140 is removed or disengaged from housing 110, a user can insert their finger or other object into scent cartridge 150 and pull it from nose cap cover 140. Other methods of replacing or changing scent cartridge 150 are also considered to be within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Numerous modifications are also contemplated in the present invention. For example, all parts of writing instrument 100 can be manufactured from a single material such as wood, metal or plastic. All parts of writing instrument 100 can also comprise any combination, without any limitation, of the above materials. Advertising, logos, designs and other indicia can be imprinted or imparted on any component of writing instrument 100 including, but not limited to, housing 110, nose cap 130, cover 160, nose cap cover 140, and/or end cap 170.
The present invention may be embodied in these and other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60688876 | Jun 2005 | US |
