GB2220387A

GB2220387A - Safety cap assembly/holder for writing implements

Info

Publication number: GB2220387A
Application number: GB8915471A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Francis Dufort
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-07-09
Filing date: 1989-07-06
Publication date: 1990-01-10
Also published as: GB8915471D0; GB8816414D0

Abstract

A set of writing implements of the kind which have removable caps has a unit (20) comprising a socket (21) for each implement (P), there being no individual caps which can be swallowed by young children. The unit may have the sockets (21) arranged in a linear or circular array. The unit may comprise a box-like cover (33, Fig. 3) and a carrying handle (32). <IMAGE>

Description

ACCESSORY FOR WRITING IMPLEMENTS This invention concerns an accessory for use with a plurality of writing implements of the kind (hereinafter termed of the kind referred to) requiring removable caps to prevent accidental marking of surfaces when they are not in use and drying or evaporation of ink frgm their operative tips.

Typical writing implements of the kind referred to are felt tip pens, ball point pens and roller ball pens for example. They have caps which are sometimes threaded but which most often are a snap-fit.

Sets of writing implements comprising a plurality of such, of different colours, are frequently used by young children for colouring pictures and so forth. Felt tip pens are generally preferred because of the extensive range of colours available, the width of the tip - facilitating the shading of extended areas and their ease of use. An alarming problem, however is the incidence of inhalation or swallowing of the removable caps - sometimes with fatal result.

Another less serious, though nonetheless noisome problem - especially apparent to parents - is the chaotic dissarray frequently assumed by a collection of such implements often purchased separately to supplement a previously owned boxed or otherwise packaged set or sets.

It is an object of the present invention to provide means to overcome the problems aforesaid at least to some extent.

According to the present invention there is provided an accessory for a plurality of writing implements of the kind referred to comprising an integral unit providing a plurality of conjoined socket-like receptacles each adapted to receive the operative end of one such implement in the fashion of a conventional cap.

The socket-like receptacles may be arranged as a linear array, along a circular or part circular path or otherwise.

The assembly of receptacles may be adapted to stand on a table or desk or may be equipped with a carrying handle or may have a box-like lid to enclose implements positioned within the receptacles.

The invention also comprises a set of writing implements of the kind referred to having a holder comprising a cap for each of the set of implements. The holder may comprise an openable carrying case.

The invention will be further apparent from the following description with reference to the several figures of the accompanying drawings, which show, by way of example only, several forms of accessory embodying same.

Of the drawings: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first form of accessory; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a second form of accessory; and Figure 3 shows a front elevation of a third form of accessory Referring now to the drawings, it will be seen that in a simple form (Figure 1) the accessory comprises a plurality of caps 10 for writing implements P such as felt-tip pens arranged as a linear array and conjoined by a connecting strip 11. Although the individual caps may be closely spaced removal and insertion of a chosen implement might be facilitated by flexing of the strip 11 to angularly displace the cap locating it from its neighbour or neighbours. The accessory is an integral plastics moulding.

The accessory shown in Figure 2 comprises an annular moulding 20 adapted to stand on a table or desk and has sockets 21 in its upper face each adapted to receive the tip of a writing implement P in the fashion of a conventional cap. The moulding 20 may of course be part-circular or indeed of any shape and its upper surface containing the sockets 21 need not be flat but could be ridge-shaped or dome-shaped for example.

The accessory shown in Figure 3 comprises a moulded rectilinear block 30 having sockets 31 on one face thereof each adapted to receive the tip of a writing implement P in the fashion of a conventional cap. On the opposite face of the block 30 from the sockets 31 is an intergrally moulded carrying handle 32.

A box-like cover 33 is provided whose open end is adapted to snap over the block 30 to enclose all of the implements P located thereby. Preferably the cover 33 is of a transparent material.

It will be understood that use of any of the accessories described is likely to lead to generally safe, clean, neat and tidy storage of writing implements.

It will also be understood that the accessory is of such size to prevent its inhalation or ingestion by a child.

It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible, without departing from the scope thereof.

The accessories may be provided with an aperture to facilitate hanging same for display at the point of sale.

Claims

1. An accessory for a plurality of writing implements of the kind referred to comprising an integral unit providing a plurality of cojoined socketlike receptacles each adapted to receive the operative end of one such implement in the fashion of a conventional cap.

2. An accessory according to claim 1, of which the socket-like receptacles are arranged in a line.

3. An accessory according to claim 1, of which the socket-like receptacles are arranged in a circle.

4. An accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 3, adapted to stand on a table or desk.

5. An accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 4, equipped with a carrying handle.

6. An accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 5, having a box-like lid to enclose implements positioned within the receptacles.

7. A set of writing implements of the kind referred to having a holder comprising a cap for each of the set of implements.

8. A set according to claim 7, of which the holder is an openable carrying case.

9. An accessory or a set substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.