1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, generally, to a replaceable sleeve for a writing instrument. More particularly, it relates to a replaceable sleeve having an inner ridge configured to conform around an outer ridge of a writing instrument.
2. Background Art
Many medical facilities such as a hospital, an assisted living facility, or a doctor's office attempt to control the spread of infectious diseases by mandating procedures for sanitizing writing instruments such as a pen, a pencil, a digital pen, or a stylus being exposed directly to a patient or being exposed to bodily fluids or aerosols expelled from a patient with an alcohol-based sanitizing agent. The problem with a user being required to wipe the surface of a writing instrument with alcohol-based sanitizing agent is that the user may be exposed to harsh chemicals that can dry or crack a user's skin. Thus, there is a need to prevent a writing instrument from being contaminated with these infectious diseases.
Currently, the process of disinfecting writing instruments requires a user to apply alcohol-based sanitizing agent to a writing instrument. It can be messy when a user is smearing handfuls of sanitizer on a writing instrument. It can also be unsanitary for a user to come into contact with the contaminants on the writing implement when a user is applying sanitizing agent to the surface of a contaminated writing instrument. It is more desirable and safer for a user to decontaminate a writing instrument without requiring a user to have to physically contact a contaminated surface of the writing instrument. Thus, there is a need for a replaceable sleeve configured to be removable from a writing instrument without requiring a user to contact the contaminated sleeve.
Additionally, the use of alcohol-based sanitizing agent may not be effective in disinfecting all portions of a writing instrument such as the rubber grip, a ridge, a recess, or the underside of the clip portion of a pen cap, which can be prone to heavy concentrations of contaminants. It is more desirable for a user to have a more effective way to prevent contaminants from spreading to a writing instrument. Thus, there is a need for a replaceable sleeve configured to substantially cover the surface of a writing instrument. The vast majority of commercially available replaceable sanitation barriers in the healthcare industry include items such as latex gloves, paper gowns, headrest covers, exam table paper, and otoscope specula. A writing instrument can be exposed to a variety of contaminants such as viruses and bacteria. A writing instrument can facilitate the spread of these contaminants to many users such as a patient or a healthcare provider when they come into contact with the writing instrument. What is therefore needed is a replaceable sanitation sleeve for a writing instrument that can be replaced in between contact with differing users.
However, in view of the prior art considered as a whole at the time the present invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art how the identified needs could be fulfilled.
The long-standing but heretofore unfulfilled need for a replaceable sleeve configured to cover the outer surface of a writing instrument. The writing instrument has a primary end located opposite a secondary end. The secondary end of the writing instrument has an outer ridge having a step. The replaceable sleeve has a tapered end having a secondary opening located opposite a receiving end having a primary opening. The primary opening of the replaceable sleeve is configured to receive the primary end of the writing instrument. The primary end of the writing instrument is configured to protrude from the secondary opening of the replaceable sleeve. An inner ridge is connected to an inner wall surface of the replaceable sleeve. When the replaceable sleeve covers a substantial amount of the writing instrument, the secondary end of the replaceable sleeve conforms around the outer ridge of the writing instrument. The outer ridge has a step configured to interlock with the inner ridge of the replaceable sleeve, thereby, retaining the replaceable sleeve on the writing instrument. A release mechanism is located on an end of the writing instrument for ejecting the replaceable sleeve which also includes improvements that overcome the limitations of prior art writing instruments having a replaceable sleeve, is now met by a new, useful, and non-obvious invention.
In a preferred embodiment, a writing instrument has a primary end located opposite a secondary end. The secondary end of the writing instrument has an outer ridge connected to an outer wall surface of the writing instrument. The outer ridge has a step. The replaceable sleeve has a primary end having a primary opening located opposite a secondary end having a secondary opening. The primary opening of the replaceable sleeve is configured to receive a writing instrument. A portion of the primary end of the writing instrument is configured to protrude from the secondary opening of the replaceable sleeve when the replaceable sleeve covers a substantial amount of the writing instrument. The replaceable sleeve has an inner ridge connected to an inner wall surface of the replaceable sleeve. The step of the outer ridge is configured to interlock with the inner ridge of the replaceable sleeve, thereby, retaining the replaceable sleeve on the writing instrument.
In an alternate embodiment, the secondary end of the replaceable sleeve can be tapered. The primary end of the replaceable sleeve is configured to conform to the outer ridge of the writing instrument. The primary opening of the replaceable sleeve has a diameter greater in size than the secondary opening of the replaceable sleeve. The replaceable sleeve can have a tab connected to a surface of the replaceable sleeve.
In another embodiment, the secondary end of the writing instrument has a release mechanism with a housing having a primary housing end located opposite a secondary housing end. The primary housing end has an opening configured to receive a portion of the writing instrument. The secondary end has a button configured to be depressed by a user.
In yet another embodiment, at least one replaceable sleeve is configured to be retained within a receptacle. The receptacle can have at least one opening, a plate having a primary side located opposite a secondary side, and a resilient member. The resilient member has a primary end connected to an inner wall of the receptacle and a secondary end connected to the primary side of the plate. The at least one replaceable sleeve is located adjacent to the secondary side of the plate. A force of the resilient member is configured to push both the plate and at least one replaceable sleeve toward the at least one opening. The at least one replaceable sleeve is configured to be oriented in an alignment with the at least one opening for removal from the receptacle.
The receptacle can have at least one attaching element connected to a surface of the receptacle. The receptacle can have at least one opening bordering a compartment. A perimeter of the at least one opening has a pliable material. A portion of the compartment of the receptacle is removable.
In an alternate embodiment, a replaceable sleeve has a primary end having a primary opening located opposite a secondary end having a secondary opening. The primary opening of the replaceable sleeve has a diameter greater in size than the secondary opening of the replaceable sleeve. The primary opening of the replaceable sleeve is configured to receive a writing instrument. The writing instrument has an end with a tip located opposite another end. The replaceable sleeve is configured to cover a substantial portion of the writing instrument when a portion of the tip of the writing instrument protrudes from the secondary opening of the replaceable sleeve.
In an alternate embodiment, the writing instrument has a primary end located opposite a secondary end. The secondary end of the writing instrument has an outer ridge connected to an outer wall surface of the writing instrument. The outer ridge has a step. The secondary end of the writing instrument has a release mechanism having a housing. The housing has a primary housing end located opposite a secondary housing end. The primary housing end has an opening configured to receive a portion of the writing instrument. The secondary end has a button configured to be depressed by a user. The replaceable sleeve has a primary end having a primary opening located opposite a secondary end having a secondary opening. The primary opening of the replaceable sleeve is configured to receive a writing instrument. A portion of the primary end of the writing instrument is configured to protrude from the secondary opening of the replaceable sleeve and the button is configured to protrude from the housing when a replaceable sleeve covers a substantial amount of the writing instrument. The replaceable sleeve has an inner ridge connected to an inner wall surface of the replaceable sleeve. The step of the outer ridge is configured to interlock with the inner ridge of the replaceable sleeve, thereby, retaining the replaceable sleeve on the writing instrument.
For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and within which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
In a preferred embodiment,
Secondary end 8 of writing instrument 6 is has release mechanism 12 connected thereto. Release mechanism 12 has primary end 15 located opposite secondary end 16. Primary end 15 of release mechanism 12 has opening 17 (
It is within the scope of this invention for receptacle 30 to have primary opening 32 located opposite secondary opening 39 (
These and other important objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become clear as this description proceeds.
The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts that will be exemplified in the description set fourth hereinafter and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
In a preferred embodiment, writing instrument 6 includes, but is not limited to a stylus, a digital pen, a pen, a marker, a highlighter, or a pencil. Primary opening 3 of replaceable sleeve 1 is configured to receive the primary end 7 of writing instrument 6. A portion of primary end 7 of writing instrument 6 is configured to protrude from secondary opening 5 of replaceable sleeve 1 when replaceable sleeve 1 substantially covers writing instrument 6. Primary end 7 of writing instrument 6 is configured to contact a writing surface when a portion of primary end 7 of writing instrument 6 protrudes from secondary opening 5 of replaceable sleeve 1.
Inner wall surface 11 of receiving end 2 of replaceable sleeve 1 is configured to connect to outer ridge 9 of writing instrument 6. A portion of receiving end 2 is configured to conform to the perimeter of outer ridge 9, thereby, retaining replaceable sleeve 1 onto writing instrument 6. Inner ridge 13 is connected to the perimeter of inner wall surface 11 of replaceable sleeve 1. Outer ridge 9 has an end having seat 14 being configured to interlock with inner ridge 13 of replaceable sleeve 1.
Receiving end 2 of replaceable sleeve 1 is configured to be broken away from outer ridge 9 when button 10 is depressed. Seat 14 of outer ridge 9 is configured to disconnect from inner ridge 13 of replaceable sleeve 1 when button 10 of release mechanism 12 is depressed. Replaceable sleeve 1 is ejected from writing instrument 6. A user is not required to contact replaceable sleeve 1 during the removal process of replaceable sleeve 1 from writing instrument 6.
In a preferred embodiment, replaceable sleeve 1 has receiving end 2 located opposite tapered end 4. It is within the scope of this invention for receiving end 2 of replaceable sleeve 1 to be located opposite an end that is not tapered.
In another embodiment, writing instrument 6 can have release mechanism 12 located on secondary end 8 of writing instrument 9. When inner ridge 13 of replaceable sleeve 1 interlocks with step 14, a portion of writing instrument 6 is pushed into release mechanism 12, thereby extending button 10 to protrude from an end of release mechanism 12. Release mechanism 12 has button 10 configured to be depressed by a user. A user is any person including, but not limited to, an individual, a health care professional, or a patient. Secondary end 8 of replaceable sleeve 1 is configured to disengage from outer ridge 9 when button 10 is depressed, step 14 is disconnected from inner ridge 13. As button 10 is depressed, outer ridge 9 moves forward and replaceable sleeve 1 is disconnected from outer ridge 9 allowing replaceable sleeve to be ejected from writing instrument 6.
It is within the scope of this invention for button 10 to be configured to be depressed by a user, the attached replaceable sleeve 1 is pushed off writing instrument 6 when the writing instrument is pushed forward, which pushes the attached replaceable sleeve 1 beyond outer ridge 9. Replaceable sleeve 1 has a length great enough in size that when substantially covering writing instrument 6, a portion of the writing instrument 6 is pushed into release mechanism 12 resulting in push button 10 to protrude from secondary end 16 of release mechanism 12.
As best shown in
Once removable sleeve 1 has been contaminated and needs to be removed from writing instrument 6; removable sleeve 1 can be sterilized and reused or disposed of. Receptacle 30 can be configured to be mounted to substantially flat surface 34 including, but not limited to, a wall, a desk, a table, a clip board, an electronic memory device, or a tablet. Attaching element 33 including, but not limited to, a magnet, adhesive, tape, double sided tape, a fastener, a hook and loop attachment, or a snap has a side that can be connected to a surface of receptacle 30 located opposite a side that can be connected to substantially flat surface 34. Receptacle 30 can have dispensing mechanism 28 whereby, a plurality of replaceable sleeves 1 are spring released from the dispensing mechanism. It is within the scope of this invention for receptacle 30 to not have a resilient member.
In another embodiment, a removable sleeve can be individually stored in sterilized and sealed packaging.
In another embodiment, replaceable sleeve 21 can have at least one tab 18 (
In another embodiment, a receptacle has at least one opening configured to receive a portion of the replaceable sleeve covered writing instrument. The perimeter of the opening is made of a pliable material (not shown) including, but not limited to, rubber, plastic, or polyurethane. It is within the scope of this invention for the pliable material to have a durometer of including, but not limited to, between the range of approximately 25A-80 A. The receptacle is configured to receive used or contaminated replaceable sleeves. A writing instrument substantially covered by a replaceable sleeve is inserted through a container opening. The replaceable sleeve connects with a portion of the perimeter opening of the container. The rubber material of the perimeter opening grips a portion of the outer surface of the replaceable sleeve. When the writing instrument is removed from the container, the replaceable sleeve is removed from the writing instrument and contained within a storage compartment of the receptacle. It is within the scope of this invention for a portion of the receptacle such as the storage compartment to be removable from the receptacle for easy disposal or sterilization of the contaminated removable sleeves.
In yet another embodiment, a receptacle can have a plurality of openings (not shown). A primary receptacle opening can receive the writing instrument. A secondary receptacle opening can expel a writing instrument substantially covered with a replaceable sleeve.
Although it is a preferred embodiment for replaceable sleeve 1 to be configured to substantially cover a writing instrument 6 having outer ridge 9 to retain replaceable sleeve 1, it is within the scope of this invention for a replaceable sleeve to be configured to substantially cover any writing instrument. A writing instrument does not need to have a retaining ridge to be substantially covered by the replaceable sleeve.
Sleeve 21 is made of a material including, but not limited to, plastic or latex. When a user grasps writing instrument 22 covered by replaceable sleeve 21, the force of a user's grip being applied to the covered writing instrument causes replaceable sleeve 21 to conform to the outer perimeter of writing instrument 22. Thus, the applied force of a user's grip around writing instrument 22 during use will retain replaceable sleeve 21 as it substantially covers writing instrument 22.
It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained. Since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention that, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.
Now that the invention has been described,
This application is a non-provisional application, entitled, “Writing Instrument Having A Replaceable Sleeve,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/116/378 filed Feb. 14, 2015, entitled, “Writing Implement Sheath and Housing for Dispensing Sheaths.”
Number | Date | Country | |
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62116378 | Feb 2015 | US |