Patent Application
20070127979
The present invention is directed to a packaging system for a writing instrument, and particularly, to a packaging system for a writing instrument which allows the writing instrument to be removably coupled to a retaining component.
Writing instruments, such as pens, pencils, markers, crayons, highlighters and the like are often packaged for sale to a flat panel or bound component, such as a journal, diary, date book, address book, notebook, binder, or the like. For example, the writing instrument may be sold with the bound component as a notebook/writing instrument system. It may be desired to securely package the writing instrument to the bound component to prevent the writing component from being separated from the bound component, and to prevent theft of the writing instrument. However, many existing packaging systems do not allow the user to sufficiently inspect the writing instrument, which can be an important part of the purchasing decision.
Accordingly, there is a need for a writing instrument packaging system which allows inspection and/or manipulation of the writing instrument.
In one embodiment, the present invention is a writing instrument packaging system which allows inspection and/or manipulation of the writing instrument. In particular, in one embodiment the invention is a writing instrument system including a writing instrument and packaging generally encasing the writing instrument, wherein the packaging includes an opening formed therein. The system further includes a retaining component configured to be releasably coupled to the writing instrument. The retaining component is configured to at least partially extend through the opening when the writing instrument is releasably coupled to the retaining component.
In another embodiment the invention is a writing instrument system including a writing instrument and a spring clip having base portion and a pair of arms defining an opening therebetween. The spring clip and the writing instrument are configured such that the writing instrument is releasably received in the opening to retain the writing instrument therein. The system further includes coupling component coupling the writing instrument and the spring clip. The writing instrument is movable between a coupled position wherein the writing instrument is removably received in the spring clip, and an uncoupled position wherein the writing instrument is not received in the spring clip. The coupling component couples the writing instrument and the spring clip when the writing instrument is in the coupled position and when the writing instrument is in the uncoupled position.
As shown in
Each of the pages 20 may be made of a cellulose-based paper or pulp-based paper such that the pages 20 can be written upon by a wide variety of media. Each of the front 16 and rear 18 covers may be made of material having at least one of a stiffness or thickness greater than the pages 20, and can be made of, for example, cardboard, paperboard, plastic, etc.
In the illustrated embodiment, the writing instrument 14 includes writing or dispensing tips at opposite ends of the writing instrument, with each tip having a removable end cap 26, 28. For example, one writing tip of the writing instrument 14 may dispense permanent solvent-based markings, and the other writing tip of the writing instrument 14 may dispense an erasing solution to allow the permanent marking to be erased. However, the writing instrument 14 may include only a single writing/dispensing tip, and may have only a single cap located thereon.
As can be best seen in
As best shown in
The mouth 40 may have a width which is smaller than the width of a portion of the writing instrument 14 to be received in the spring clip 32. In order to couple the writing instrument 14 to the spring clip 32, the writing instrument 14 is pressed into and through the mouth 40 until the writing instrument 14 is fully seated in the opening 38. The arms 36 have sufficient flexibility to flex or spring outwardly while the writing instrument 14 is manually pressed into the opening 38. The writing instrument 14 can then be manually removed by pulling the writing instrument 38 away from the spring clip 32 and through the mouth 40, which again flexes the arms 36 outwardly.
The system 10 may include packaging or a coupling component 42. In one embodiment, the packaging 42 generally encases the writing instrument 14. In particular, the packaging 42 may include a lower portion 44 which is generally flat or sheet-like and can be made of cardboard, paperboard, plastic or the like. The packaging 42 may also include an upper portion 46 coupled to the lower portion 44 and closely receiving the writing instrument therein. The upper portion 46 can be made of a generally transparent or translucent plastic material (such as a blister-type material). However, the upper portion 46 can be made of a variety of materials such as cardboard, paperboard, opaque plastic, etc. As best shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the lower portion 44 includes a hinge or crease line or crease area 50 formed therein, and is coupled to the spring clip 32 and/or rear cover 18. In particular, as best shown in
The writing instrument 14 and/or distal end of the packaging 42 may be pivotable about the hinge 50. In particular, the writing instrument 14 and distal end of the packaging 42 may be pivotable between a coupled position (
The opening 48 is sized to receive the spring clip 32 therein when the writing instrument 14 is in its coupled position. In the illustrated embodiment, the size and shape of the opening 48 generally corresponds to the footprint of the spring clip 32 (i.e., the size and shape of the spring clip 32 in top view) or may be slightly larger such that the opening 48 can closely receive the spring clip 32 therein. The lower portion 44 may form or include a generally flat bottom surface 51 which is configured to lay flat against the rear cover 18/extension portion 49 when the writing instrument 14 is in the coupled position. The packaging/coupling component 42 may be generally flexible such that the packaging 42 is bent (i.e., about hinge line 50) when the writing instrument 14 is in the coupled position, as shown in
In this manner, the writing instrument 14 is pivotable or movable between the coupled and uncoupled positions. This mounting arrangement allows a user to inspect the spring clip 32 to view the writing instrument 14 and the manner in which the writing instrument 14 is coupled to the bound component 12. In addition, a user can reach through and feel the writing instrument 14 through the opening 48, and can view the writing instrument 14 through top portion 46 of the packaging 42. Thus, the mounting system allows the user great ability and access to view and even feel the writing instrument 14. However, because the writing instrument 14 remains securely packaged within the packaging 42, the writing instrument 14 is not easily removed and remains secure. In addition, because the packaging 42 covers the distal ends of the writing instrument 14, the end caps 26, 28 cannot be easily removed which prevents damage to the writing instrument 14 (i.e., drying out of the writing tips).
The spring clip 32 and writing instrument 14 can be located in a variety of other positions on the rear cover 18, and can also be located on the front cover 16, cover flap 24 and various other parts of the bound component 10. In addition, the writing instrument 14/retaining component 32 can be located on various other components, as well as clip boards, bulletin boards, white boards, bound components, etc.
In addition, the retaining component 32 need not necessarily take the form of the spring clip shown herein. For example, the retaining component 32 can take the form of corresponding portions of hook-and-loop fastening material (such as VELCRO®), snap components, adhesive material, inter-engaging shapes or the like. In this case, the writing instrument 14 may remain packaged and secured to the rear cover 18 or other component by a flap or the like similar to the bottom portion 44 of the packaging 42.
Having described the invention in detail and by reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be apparent that modifications and variations thereof are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.
