WO2016025814A1

WO2016025814A1 - Writing utensil including compartment for storing writing utensils and accessories

Info

Publication number: WO2016025814A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/045241
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johan Liden; Brett Tom; German Aguirre RAEDER; Daniel Reilly
Original assignee: Staples The Office Superstore, Llc
Priority date: 2014-08-14
Filing date: 2015-08-14
Publication date: 2016-02-18

Abstract

A writing utensil including a compartment for storing objects is provided. The compartment of the writing utensil is configured to store one or more writing utensils, accessories, and other stationery objects. The writing utensil and storage compartment can be configured as an assembly of components at least including a body having a first and second end, a writing tip disposed at the first end of the body, and an end cap disposed at the second end of the body. The body of the writing utensil assembly may be configured as an elongated housing having a first and second end with a channel extending from the first to second end. The channel of the body used as at least one storage compartment of the writing utensil.

Description

WRITING UTENSIL INCLUDING COMPARTMENT FOR STORING WRITING

UTENSILS AND ACCESSORIES

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of and priority, under 35 U.S. C. § 119(e), to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/037,579, filed August 14, 2014, entitled "WRITING UTENSIL INCLUDING COMPARTMENT FOR STORING

WRITING UTENSILS AND ACCESSORIES," the entire disclosures of which is hereby incorporated by reference, in its entirety, for all that it teaches and for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Schoolchildren, artists, office workers, and others routinely have a need to carry multiple different writing utensils, such as pens, pencils, colored pencils, markers, highlighters, etc. They may also have a need to carry writing accessories, such as pencil sharpeners, erasers, correction fluid or tape, paperclips, or other accessories.

[0003] Cases, which may be in the form of bags or boxes, have been the traditional way of carrying multiple writing utensils and/or accessories. While these cases may include one or more decorative surfaces, shapes, and can even offer various carrying capacities, traditional carrying cases generally do not offer additional functions beyond the carrying of writing utensils and/or accessories.

SUMMARY

[0004] It is with respect to the above issues and other problems that the embodiments presented herein were contemplated. Among other things, the present disclosure solves these and other issues by providing a writing utensil assembly including an integrated storage compartment for storing other writing utensils or accessories. For example, a writing utensil assembly may include a cylindrical body and a substantial portion of the interior (e.g., more than half of the interior volume, or more than 75% of the interior volume, or more than 90% of the interior volume) of the cylindrical body may be a storage compartment for writing utensils/accessories. One end of the writing utensil assembly may include a tip for a writing utensil, such as a tip for a pen, pencil, marker, or other writing utensil. The other end of the writing utensil assembly may, in some embodiments, include a writing accessory, such as an eraser, pencil sharpener, dry-erase eraser, or other accessory. In addition, as discussed below, in some embodiments one or both ends of the writing utensil assembly may be interchangeable to swap out different writing utensils and/or different accessories. In some embodiments, the different utensils and/or accessories that may be used may be stored in the integrated storage compartment when not in use.

[0005] Embodiments include a writing utensil assembly, comprising: an elongated hollow body comprising: a first end, a second end; and a storage compartment volume disposed between the first end and the second end; a self-contained writing utensil tip disposed at the first end of the elongated hollow body, the writing utensil tip configured to house a writing utensil, wherein the self-contained writing utensil includes a marking element that is kept separate from the storage compartment; and an accessory tip disposed at the second end of the elongated hollow body, wherein the writing utensil tip and the accessory tip enclose the storage compartment volume.

[0006] Embodiments include a writing utensil assembly, comprising: an elongated hollow body comprising: a first end, a second end; and a storage compartment volume disposed between the first end and the second end; a writing utensil tip disposed at the first end of the elongated hollow body, the writing utensil tip configured to house a writing utensil; and an accessory tip disposed at the second end of the elongated hollow body, wherein the writing utensil tip and the accessory tip enclose the storage compartment volume, and wherein the storage compartment volume is sized to house a plurality of writing instruments and accessories. An aspect of the above writing utensil assembly includes wherein the storage compartment volume is sized to simultaneously house two or more pens, pencils, and highlighters. An aspect of the above writing utensil assembly further comprises a body cover material configured to at least partially cover an external surface of the elongated hollow body. An aspect of the above writing utensil assembly further comprises a longitudinal slot disposed in the elongated body and terminating between the first and second ends at first and second points, wherein each of the first and second points are offset a distance from the first and second ends, respectively; and a storage pocket disposed at least partially within the longitudinal slot and defining a separate storage volume within the storage compartment volume. An aspect of the above writing utensil assembly includes wherein the storage pocket is attached to the body cover material and wherein the body cover material includes a zipper running along a length of the longitudinal slot, the zipper configured to selectively close the separate storage volume of the storage pocket. An aspect of the above writing utensil assembly includes wherein the body cover material further comprises: a foam material layer disposed adjacent to the external surface of the elongated hollow body; and a fabric material layer disposed adjacent to the foam material layer. An aspect of the above writing utensil assembly include wherein the writing utensil tip is removably attached to the elongated hollow body via at least one friction fit, threaded connection, cam-lock connection, and tab-and-slot connection. An aspect of the above writing utensil assembly includes wherein the accessory tip further comprises: a plastic mount body, the plastic mount body including an internal storage volume; and an end cap removably attached to the plastic mount body and configured to enclose the internal storage volume. An aspect of the above writing utensil assembly includes wherein the plastic mount body includes a pencil sharpener disposed within the internal storage volume.

[0007] Embodiments include a writing utensil assembly, comprising: a hollow tubular body defining a storage volume between a first and second end of the hollow tubular body; a writing utensil tip removably attached to the first end of the hollow tubular body, the writing utensil tip including a writing utensil protruding from an end of the writing utensil tip; and a writing accessory tip removably attached to the second end of the hollow tubular body, and wherein the storage volume is sized to contain a plurality of separate writing instruments when the writing utensil tip and the writing accessory tip are attached to the hollow tubular body, and wherein removal of at least one of the writing utensil tip and the writing accessory tip provides access to the storage volume. An aspect of the above writing utensil assembly further comprises: a body cover material configured to at least partially cover an external surface of the hollow tubular body; a longitudinal slot disposed in the hollow tubular body and terminating between the first and second ends at first and second points, wherein each of the first and second points are offset a distance from the first and second ends, respectively; and a storage pocket disposed at least partially within the longitudinal slot and defining a separate storage volume within the storage volume, wherein the storage pocket is attached to the body cover material and wherein the body cover material includes a zipper running along a length of the longitudinal slot, the zipper configured to selectively close the separate storage volume of the storage pocket. An aspect of the above writing utensil assembly includes wherein the writing utensil tip is removably attached to the hollow tubular body via a first connection type, and wherein the writing accessory tip is attached to the hollow tubular body via a different second connection type such that the writing utensil tip is not attachable to the second end and the writing accessory tip is not attachable to the first end.

[0008] Embodiments include a writing utensil assembly, comprising: a writing utensil protruding from a first end of the at least two ends of the body and disposed on an exterior surface of the writing utensil assembly; and a storage compartment disposed within the body, wherein the writing utensil assembly being shaped to accommodate use of the writing utensil when the writing utensil assembly is held in a user's hand. An aspect of the above writing utensil assembly further comprises: a writing accessory protruding from a second end of the at least two ends of the body and disposed on the exterior surface of the writing utensil assembly. An aspect of the above writing utensil assembly includes wherein the writing utensil and the writing accessory are removably attached to the body and are each respectively interchangeable with at least one other writing utensil and at least one other writing accessory. An aspect of the above writing utensil assembly includes wherein the writing accessory is removably attached to the body; and the writing accessory covers an opening to the storage compartment. An aspect of the above writing utensil assembly includes wherein the body further comprises: a storage pocket disposed inside the body; and an opening in the body to provide access to the storage pocket, wherein the storage pocket is less than 25% of an interior volume of the body. An aspect of the above writing utensil assembly includes wherein the storage compartment is more than 25% of an interior volume of the body. An aspect of the above writing utensil assembly includes wherein the storage compartment is more than 50% of an interior volume of the body.

[0009] The phrases "at least one", "one or more", and "and/or" are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions "at least one of A, B and C", "at least one of A, B, or C", "one or more of A, B, and C", "one or more of A, B, or C" and "A, B, and/or C" means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.

[0010] The term "a" or "an" entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms "a" (or "an"), "one or more" and "at least one" can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms "comprising," "including," and "having" can be used interchangeably.

[0011] It shall be understood that the term "means," as used herein, shall be given its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C., Section 112, Paragraph 6 or other applicable law. Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term "means" shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and all of the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials or acts and the equivalents thereof shall include all those described in the summary of the invention, brief description of the drawings, detailed description, abstract, and claims themselves. [0012] It should be understood that every maximum numerical limitation given throughout this disclosure is deemed to include each and every lower numerical limitation as an alternative, as if such lower numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every minimum numerical limitation given throughout this disclosure is deemed to include each and every higher numerical limitation as an alternative, as if such higher numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every numerical range given throughout this disclosure is deemed to include each and every narrower numerical range that falls within such broader numerical range, as if such narrower numerical ranges were all expressly written herein.

[0013] The preceding is a simplified summary of the disclosure to provide an understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the disclosure and its various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations. It is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope of the disclosure but to present selected concepts of the disclosure in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other aspects, embodiments, and/or

configurations of the disclosure are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and form a part of the specification to illustrate several examples of the present disclosure. These drawings, together with the description, explain the principles of the disclosure. The drawings simply illustrate preferred and alternative examples of how the disclosure can be made and used and are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure to only the illustrated and described examples. Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following, more detailed, description of the various aspects, embodiments, and

configurations of the disclosure, as illustrated by the drawings referenced below.

[0015] Fig. 1 A is a first perspective view of a writing utensil having a compartment for storing other utensils and accessories in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0016] Fig. IB is a second perspective view of a writing utensil having a compartment for storing other utensils and accessories in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; [0017] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a writing utensil having a storage compartment;

[0018] Fig. 3A is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a writing utensil having a storage compartment;

[0019] Fig. 3B is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of a writing utensil having a storage compartment; and

[0020] Fig. 4 is a section view of an embodiment of a writing utensil having a storage compartment.

[0021] It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosure or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

[0023] Figs. 1A and IB illustrate an example of an embodiment of a writing utensil assembly 100 having an integrated storage compartment. Figs. 1A and IB illustrate the same embodiment of the writing utensil assembly from different perspectives.

[0024] In some embodiments, including the embodiment shown in Figs. 1A and IB, a writing utensil assembly 100 may be designed to itself function as a writing utensil. To function as a writing utensil, an assembly may include on an exterior surface of at least one end a utensil that may produce marks on a surface (e.g., on paper, a whiteboard, etc., and/or other media) and therefore may be used for writing. The assembly may also be sized and shaped to be held within a hand of a user. For example, in some embodiments, a maximum cross-sectional diameter of a writing utensil assembly may be between 40 and [0025] As illustrated in Fig. 1A, a writing utensil assembly 100 may include a body 102, a first tip 104, and a second tip 108. The body 102 may be of any suitable shape, as embodiments are not limited in this respect. In the embodiment of Fig. 1A, the body 102 has a cylindrical shape. The first tip 104 is disposed at one end of the body 102 and the second tip 108 is disposed at the other end of the body 102. In some embodiments in which the tips 104, 108 are removably attached, they may be attached merely by friction resulting from a tight fit when a portion of each tip is inserted into an end of the body 102, as will be appreciated from the discussion below. In one embodiment, the tips 104, 108 may be removably attached to the body 102 via at least one of a threaded connection, cam- lock connection, tab-and-slot connection, etc., and/or combinations thereof. For example, the first tip 104 may include an internally-threaded portion (e.g., a threaded receptacle, hole, etc.). The internal threads may be formed as part of the tip 104, for example, molded as part of a plastic mount that houses the writing utensil 104A. In this example, the body 102 may include a corresponding externally-threaded portion that is configured to selectively mate with the internally-threaded portion of the first tip 104. As can be appreciated, the threaded portions discussed may be reversed such that the first tip 104 may include the externally-threaded portion and the body 102 may include a

corresponding internally-threaded portion. It is an aspect of the present disclosure that the second tip 108 may by removably attached to the body 102 in a similar, if not identical, manner as the first tip 104. For instance, the second tip 108 may include the internally or externally-threaded portion while the body 102 may include the complementary externally or internally-threaded portion, respectively.

[0026] The first tip 104 may include any suitable writing utensil 104A. In the example, of Fig. 1A, the utensil 104A is a semi-permanent marker, but embodiments are not so limited. As illustrated in more detail below, the writing utensil 104A may be integrated with a plastic mount of the first tip 104 or may be separable from the plastic mount. In some embodiments both the utensil 104A and the plastic mount may be removed and changed, while in other embodiments the utensil 104 A may be removed from the plastic mount and another utensil may be inserted into the plastic mount. In one embodiment, the writing utensil 104A may be removably attached to the first tip 104, or a portion thereof, via one or more of a threaded connection, a press fit, a cam-lock attachment, a friction fit, a detent lock feature, or other combination of features in the writing utensil 104 and/or a feature of the first tip 104. The various features disclosed herein for selectively removing the writing utensil 104A from the first tip 104 can allow for the interchangeability of a first style of writing utensil 104A for another style of writing utensil 104A. For instance, a writing utensil 104A configured as a yellow highlighter may be exchanged for a permanent marker, different color highlighter, dry erase marker, graphite marking element (e.g., a pencil, etc.), pen, and the like.

[0027] In some embodiments, the writing utensil assembly 100 may also include a tip cap 106 to cover at least a portion of the first tip 104. In one embodiment, the tip cap 106 may include a portion that covers a marking portion of the writing utensil 104A. The tip cap 106 may include one or more features that prevent a fluid marking element of the writing utensil 104A from drying out. In some embodiments, the tip cap 106 may include a receptacle 116 that is configured to engage with, or otherwise contact, a cylindrical portion of the writing utensil 104A (e.g., via a friction fit, sealable fit, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, the tip cap 106 may prevent a marking portion of the writing utensil from inadvertently marking a surface while the writing utensil assembly 100 is carried or otherwise transported.

[0028] The second tip 108 may include any suitable writing accessory 108 A or combination of writing accessories. In the example of Fig. 1A, the accessory 108A is a rubber eraser, but embodiments are not so limited. As illustrated in more detail below, the writing accessory 108 A may be integrated with a plastic mount of the second tip 108 or may be separable from the plastic mount. In embodiments in which the second tip 108 is interchangeable to swap between different writing accessories, in some embodiments both the accessory 108 A and the plastic mount may be removed and changed, while in other embodiments the accessory 108 A may be removed from the plastic mount and another utensil may be inserted into the plastic mount. For example, the second tip 108 may comprise a plastic mount that includes one or more features that can receive a number of accessories 108 A. The features can include a threaded connection, a press fit, a cam-lock attachment, a friction fit, a detent lock feature, or other combination of features that may be employed to selectively engage with one or more mating features of an accessory 108 A. In one embodiment, the second tip 108 may include a pencil sharpener. In this embodiment, a pencil may be inserted into an opening disposed on an outer surface of the plastic mount of the second tip 108 and engage with a sharpening element at least partially contained in the plastic mount. In some embodiments, the shavings generated by sharpening a pencil may be contained in an internal volume of the second tip 108.

Continuing this example, the internal volume may be accessed by removing the accessory 108 A from the plastic mount. Once the accessory 108 A is removed, any shavings contained inside the internal volume may be emptied therefrom.

[0029] A substantial portion of the body 102 may be a hollow storage compartment. In some embodiments, the storage compartment may stretch an entire length of the body 102. The body 102 may be of any suitable length and, in some embodiments, the body 102 may be long enough for an average, unsharpened Number 2 pencil to be inserted into the storage compartment. In some embodiments, for example, the body 102 may have a length between 150 and 200 mm. In some embodiments, an entirety of an interior volume of the body 102 may be used as the storage compartment. In other embodiments, however, an interior of the body 102 may additionally include a storage pocket that is accessible from an exterior of the body 102. The body 102 may therefore, in some embodiments, include an opening 110 by which the storage pocket can be accessed. The body 102 may additionally include a closure mechanism for the opening 110, which in the embodiment of Fig. 1A is a zipper 112.

[0030] In embodiments that include a storage pocket, the storage pocket may be of any suitable size for storing any suitable materials, including writing accessories such as paperclips. A storage pocket may have a volume that is any suitable fraction of an interior volume of the body 102, including a volume that is less than 25% or less than 15% of the interior volume of the body 102. The storage pocket may have any other suitable dimensions, including a length that is any suitable fraction of a length of the body 102, as embodiments are not limited in this respect.

[0031] Fig. IB illustrates another perspective of the writing utensil assembly 100. As illustrated in Fig. IB, a user of the assembly 100 may separate the second tip 108 from the body 102 to gain access to the storage compartment 114 within the body 102. In some embodiments, a user may gain access the storage compartment 114 of the assembly 100 by removing the first tip 104 and/or the second tip 108. The storage compartment 114 may have any suitable size and hold any suitable contents, including an unsharpened pencil 116, pens, alternative writing utensils for the assembly 100, etc.

[0032] A writing utensil assembly in accordance with embodiments described herein may include any suitable elements and be constructed of any suitable materials, as embodiments are not limited in this respect. Fig. 2 illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of a writing utensil assembly.

[0033] The writing utensil assembly 200 of Fig. 2 includes a plastic tube 202 that forms a majority of the structure of a body 232 of the assembly 200 and defines an interior volume that contains a storage compartment 226 of the assembly 200. The tube 202 is open at two ends, enabling access to the storage compartment of the assembly 200 when one or more tips 228, 230 of the assembly 200 are removed from the ends of the tube 202. As illustrated in Fig. 2, a first tip 228 of the assembly 200 includes a plastic mount 204, or marker tip body in Fig. 2 because, in the example of Fig. 2, the writing utensil tip of the assembly 200 is a semi-permanent marker. Fig. 2 also illustrates a writing utensil 206, or marker tip and cartridge, which are the writing end and ink well of the semi-permanent marker. As shown by the exploded view, the writing utensil 206 may be inserted into the plastic mount 204, and a writing end of the utensil 206 may protrude from the plastic mount 204. The assembly 200 may also include a cover 208 or marker cap.

[0034] In some embodiments, the writing utensil 206 may include a housing portion, a marking element, and a marking element end cap 216 that is configured to contain the marking element within the housing portion of the writing utensil 206. Additionally or alternatively, the marking element end cap 216 may be fixedly attached to the housing portion. In an alternative embodiment, the writing utensil 206 may be configured as a marking element that is housed by at least one feature of the plastic mount 204 and is contained by the marking element end cap 216. In this embodiment, end cap 216 may be removably attached to a portion of the plastic mount 204.

[0035] At the other end of the tube 202, a writing accessory tip 230 is shown as including a plastic mount 210, or case cap, as well as a writing accessory 212, or back accessory. In the example of Fig. 2, the writing accessory 212 is a rubber eraser. As shown by the exploded view, the writing accessory 212 may be inserted into the plastic mount 210 and may protrude from the plastic mount 210. In an alternative embodiment, the tube 202 may be inserted at least partially into the plastic mount 210 (e.g., via at least one connection as described in conjunction with Figs. 1A-1B).

[0036] A body 232 of the assembly 200 may include additional materials 214 beyond the tube 202. The body 232 may also include materials to form an exterior cover of the body 232, which may wrap around an outside, or otherwise cover an external surface, of the tube 202. As such, the additional materials may include, in some embodiments, a first layer 220 (e.g., a piece of foam, etc.) as well as a second layer 222 (e.g., a piece of fabric, etc.) (in the example of Fig. 2, 600 D polyester) that wrap around the tube 202. The foam may be disposed between the plastic tube 202 and the fabric, with the fabric as the outside layer, and the foam may be intended to increase the comfort of a user holding the assembly 200 by the body 232. In embodiments in which the assembly 200 includes a storage pocket, the additional materials 214 may also include a small pouch 224 as well as a zipper 226 (in the example of Fig. 2, a size 6 zipper) to close an opening of the storage pocket. In some embodiments, the small pouch 224 may be a piece of material that is configured (e.g., sewn, formed, sealed, etc.) to provide a storage pocket having a single open side that runs along a length of the tube 202 adjacent to an opening of the zipper 226. The small pouch 224 may be attached to the other materials 214 which are then wrapped around the tube 202 such that the pouch 224 is arranged adjacent to an opening 218 in the tube 202. Once oriented, the pouch 224 may be inserted into the opening 218 such that the pouch 224 forms a storage pocket that is partially disposed within the storage

compartment of the tube 202.

[0037] Figs. 3A and 3B illustrate different options for the manufacture of a writing utensil assembly in accordance with different embodiments. The manufacture

embodiment shown in Fig. 3A may correspond to a writing utensil assembly as described in conjunction with Fig. 2. As illustrated in Fig. 3A, the assembly may include a number of components such as a tube 300, body materials 302, and a tip 304. In the

manufacturing embodiment of Fig. 3 A, the body materials 302 may first be integrated with one another, such as by being sewn together or otherwise joined. The body materials 302 may include any suitable material or combination of materials, including but in no way limited to the materials 214 described in conjunction with Fig. 2. When integrated, the body materials 302 may include a cylindrical tube (polygonal tube, or other suitable shape corresponding to a shape of the tube 300) of foam, rubber, and/or fabric, to which has been attached a storage pocket 324 as well as a zipper. Once the body materials 302 are integrated together in a shape corresponding to a shape of the tube 300, the tube 300 may be inserted into the materials 302 such that the materials 302 are wrapped around the tube

300. Once the materials 302 are wrapped around the tube 300, a storage pocket 324 of the materials 302 may be pushed into an opening of the tube 300 such that the storage pocket

324 is disposed in an interior of the tube 300. After the tube 300 is inserted into the materials 302, the tip 304 may be joined to the tube 300. The tip 304 may be joined to the tube 300 in any suitable manner, as embodiments are not limited in this respect. In some embodiments, the tube 300 and the tip 304 may be joined by the friction resulting from a tight fit of a portion of the tip 304 being inserted into the tube 300.

[0038] Fig. 3B illustrates a second manufacturing option corresponding to a different embodiment of a writing utensil assembly. As illustrated in Fig. 3B, the assembly may not include a plastic tube forming a portion of the body. Rather, structural stability of the assembly may result from the body comprising materials 312 having a greater resiliency and ability to hold shape (e.g., the shape of a tube, etc.). For example, in embodiments in which the body includes a foam layer, the foam may be a sturdy foam that resists distorting its shape when outside pressure is applied. In other embodiments, the body 312 may not include foam, but may include another material that resists distorting its shape when outside pressure is applied. In such embodiments, rather than a tube being inserted into the body materials 312 following integration of the body materials 312, two tips 314, 316 may instead be joined to the body materials 312. The tips 314, 316 may be joined to the body materials 312 in any suitable manner, including by friction resulting from a tight fit of a portion of the tips 314, 316 being inserted into the body materials 312, or by an adhesive. Each of the tips 314, 316 may include a cutout 320, 322 (shown in Fig. 3B as semi-circular) to allow the storage pocket 324 to be inserted to an interior of the body materials 312 following joining, by preventing an inserted portion of the tips 314, 316 to interfere with insertion of the storage pocket 324.

[0039] Fig. 4 illustrates a cross section view of the writing utensil assembly of Figs. 1A and IB. As illustrated in Fig. 4, the assembly 400 includes a body 402 comprising a storage compartment 404 formed of the majority of the interior volume of the body 402.

The interior volume of the body 402 may also include a storage pocket 406. In some embodiments, the storage pocket 406 may be attached to, or include, one or more of the materials 214 covering an external surface of the tube as described in conjunction with

Figs. 1 A-3B. As should be appreciated from the foregoing, the storage compartment 404 may be sized to accommodate storage of writing utensils and/or accessories within the writing utensil assembly. As shown in Fig. 4, the storage compartment 404 may accommodate storage of an unsharpened pencil 408. As discussed above, in some embodiments, the body 402 and the storage compartment 404 may be long enough to store an unsharpened pencil 408 without the pencil 408 extending beyond ends of the body 402.

In other embodiments, however, such as the embodiment of Fig. 4, the pencil 408 may extend beyond the body 402. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, the tip 412 may include an internal cavity 410 formed in a plastic mount of the tip 414. The pencil 408, when inserted into the storage compartment 404, may extend into the cavities 410, 416.

[0040] The writing utensil assembly 400 may include a number of features and/or components that are similar, if not identical, to the features and/or components described in conjunction with Figs. 1A-3B. For instance, the assembly 400 includes a first tip 412 and second tip 414 which may correspond to the first tip 104, 228 and second tip 108, 230 as previously described. In some embodiments, the writing utensil assembly 400 may include a tip cap 422, a first plastic mount 424, a writing utensil 426, an end cap 428, an inner layer 430 of body material, an outer layer 432 of body material, a second plastic mount 434, a writing accessory 436, etc. In one embodiment, one or more of the components and/or features of the writing utensil assembly may be symmetrical, or at least partially symmetrical, about a central axis 420 of the assembly 400.

[0041] In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a letter that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference letter or label.

[0042] A number of variations and modifications of the disclosure can be used. It would be possible to provide for some features of the disclosure without providing others.

[0043] The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various aspects, embodiments, configurations embodiments, subcombinations, and/or subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the disclosed aspects, embodiments, and/or

configurations after understanding the present disclosure. The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and\or reducing cost of implementation.

[0044] The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description for example, various features of the disclosure are grouped together in one or more aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations of the disclosure may be combined in alternate aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claims require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed aspect, embodiment, and/or configuration. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the disclosure.

[0045] Moreover, though the description has included description of one or more aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the disclosure, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.

Claims

What Is Claimed Is:

1. A writing utensil assembly, comprising:

an elongated hollow body comprising:

a first end,

a second end; and

a storage compartment volume disposed between the first end and the second end;

a writing utensil tip disposed at the first end of the elongated hollow body, the writing utensil tip configured to house a writing utensil; and

an accessory tip disposed at the second end of the elongated hollow body, wherein the writing utensil tip and the accessory tip enclose the storage compartment volume, and wherein the storage compartment volume is sized to house a plurality of writing instruments and accessories.

2. The writing utensil assembly of claim 1, wherein the storage compartment volume is sized to simultaneously house two or more pens, pencils, and highlighters.

3. The writing utensil assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a body cover material configured to at least partially cover an external surface of the elongated hollow body.

4. The writing utensil assembly of claim 3, further comprising:

a longitudinal slot disposed in the elongated body and terminating between the first and second ends at first and second points, wherein each of the first and second points are offset a distance from the first and second ends, respectively; and

a storage pocket disposed at least partially within the longitudinal slot and defining a separate storage volume within the storage compartment volume.

5. The writing utensil assembly of claim 4, wherein the storage pocket is attached to the body cover material and wherein the body cover material includes a zipper running along a length of the longitudinal slot, the zipper configured to selectively close the separate storage volume of the storage pocket.

6. The writing utensil assembly of claim 4, wherein the body cover material further comprises:

a foam material layer disposed adjacent to the external surface of the elongated hollow body; and

a fabric material layer disposed adjacent to the foam material layer.

7. The writing utensil assembly of claim 1 , wherein the writing utensil tip is removably attached to the elongated hollow body via at least one friction fit, threaded connection, cam-lock connection, and tab-and-slot connection.

8. The writing utensil assembly of claim 1, wherein the accessory tip is removably attached to the elongated hollow body via at least one friction fit, threaded connection, cam-lock connection, and tab-and-slot connection.

9. The writing utensil assembly of claim 1, wherein the accessory tip further comprises:

a plastic mount body, the plastic mount body including an internal storage volume; and

an end cap removably attached to the plastic mount body and configured to enclose the internal storage volume.

10. The writing utensil assembly of claim 9, wherein the plastic mount body includes a pencil sharpener disposed within the internal storage volume.

11. A writing utensil assembly, comprising:

a hollow tubular body defining a storage volume between a first and second end of the hollow tubular body;

a writing utensil tip removably attached to the first end of the hollow tubular body, the writing utensil tip including a writing utensil protruding from an end of the writing utensil tip; and

a writing accessory tip removably attached to the second end of the hollow tubular body, and wherein the storage volume is sized to contain a plurality of separate writing instruments when the writing utensil tip and the writing accessory tip are attached to the hollow tubular body, and wherein removal of at least one of the writing utensil tip and the writing accessory tip provides access to the storage volume.

12. The writing utensil assembly of claim 11, further comprising:

a body cover material configured to at least partially cover an external surface of the hollow tubular body;

a longitudinal slot disposed in the hollow tubular body and terminating between the first and second ends at first and second points, wherein each of the first and second points are offset a distance from the first and second ends, respectively; and

a storage pocket disposed at least partially within the longitudinal slot and defining a separate storage volume within the storage volume, wherein the storage pocket is attached to the body cover material and wherein the body cover material includes a zipper running along a length of the longitudinal slot, the zipper configured to selectively close the separate storage volume of the storage pocket.

13. The writing utensil assembly of claim 12, wherein the writing utensil tip is removably attached to the hollow tubular body via a first connection type, and wherein the writing accessory tip is attached to the hollow tubular body via a different second connection type such that the writing utensil tip is not attachable to the second end and the writing accessory tip is not attachable to the first end.

14. A writing utensil assembly, comprising:

a body of the writing utensil, the body being longer than it is wide, the body having at least two ends;

a writing utensil protruding from a first end of the at least two ends of the body and disposed on an exterior surface of the writing utensil assembly; and

a storage compartment disposed within the body,

wherein the writing utensil assembly being shaped to accommodate use of the writing utensil when the writing utensil assembly is held in a user's hand.

15. The writing utensil assembly of claim 14, further comprising:

a writing accessory protruding from a second end of the at least two ends of the body and disposed on the exterior surface of the writing utensil assembly.

16. The writing utensil assembly of claim 15, wherein the writing utensil and the writing accessory are removably attached to the body and are each respectively interchangeable with at least one other writing utensil and at least one other writing accessory.

17. The writing utensil assembly of claim 14, wherein:

the writing accessory is removably attached to the body; and

the writing accessory covers an opening to the storage compartment.

18. The writing utensil assembly of claim 14, wherein the body further comprises:

a storage pocket disposed inside the body; and

an opening in the body to provide access to the storage pocket,

wherein the storage pocket is less than 25% of an interior volume of the body.

19. The writing utensil assembly of claim 14, wherein the storage compartment is more than 25% of an interior volume of the body.

20. The writing utensil assembly of claim 14, wherein the storage compartment is more than 50% of an interior volume of the body.