GB2355704A

GB2355704A - A packaged writing implement

Info

Publication number: GB2355704A
Application number: GB9918134A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Winston Joseph
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-08-03
Filing date: 1999-08-03
Publication date: 2001-05-02
Also published as: GB9918134D0

Abstract

A packaged product for dispensing from a vending machine, comprises a collapsible container (2), which removably houses a writing implement (P). Upon being dispensed from the vending machine, the writing implement (P) can be removed from the container (2), the container (2) collapsed, and useful information recorded on a writing surface (10) thereof using the writing implement (P). The now flat container (2) carrying the useful information can be easily stored for future reference. The container may be formed partially of cardboard or paper and partially of a translucent plastics material so that the contents of the package are visible. The writing implement may be a pen or a pencil.

Description

2355704 A PACKAGED PRODUCT This invention relates to a packaged product

and is particularly concerned with a pen or pencil removably located within a carton which will enable the package to be sold from, e.g. a coin operated vendin,9 machine.

There are numerous places, e.g. leisure centres, night clubs and the like where habitu6s may find themselves in urgent need of a pen or pencil, but do not have such a device readily to hand. One may converse with a new acquaintance and wish to make a note of that person's address and/or telephone number and there is therefore a need for not only a pen, but also something on which to write.

It is an object of the invention to provide a writing implement e.g. a pen or pencil within a package so formed as to afford ready accommodation in a vending machine.

The package may include at least one writing surface and may be readily deformable into a so-called flat-pack.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a writing implement so packaged as to allow its temporary accommodation within, and sale from, an automatic vending machine.

The package may include at least one surface which may be written on, and may also be readily deformable into a flat-pack.

The invention also includes a vending machine specifically arranged to receive one or more writing implement-containing packages.

The above and other features of the invention will become clear from the following description which is given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a package according to the Invention including a writing implement; Figure 2 is a plan view of the package of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a section view on the line 111-111 of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the package in a flattened condition enabling information to be handwritten on one surface of the package.

As seen in the drawings the package comprises an elongate hollow container 2 having a base 4, upright sides 6 and 7 and top 8. The top 8 is formed by an extension of the side 6 which is folded over and secured e.g. by welding or adhesive to a similar extension of the other side 7 as seen clearly in Figure 3.

The base 4 is reinforced by a length of plain paper or thin card 10 which may have an uptqrned portion 12 secured to a lower part of the side 7.

Thus, the package as described provides a semi-rigid container capable of holding a pen P and in that condition a number of such containers, each with its pen, may be loaded into a suitable vending machine.

When the occasion arises, a person may insert a coin into the machine which will then provide a packaged pen to the purchaser. He may then extract the pen and fold the package to its flattened state, as seen in Figure 4, using the surface of the paper or card 10 to write, with the pen, details which he needs to remember or record, e.g. the address and/or telephone number of his recent acquaintance.

Conveniently the package may be made from thin sheet plastics material which may be translucent and having an opaque sheet fixed thereto, as already described, to provide a writing surface.

Alternatively, the entire package may be made of opaque card capable of retaining its erected condition in order to contain a pen or pencil, but being flattenable, when the pen or pencil is removed, to provide a writing surface.

So, the invention includes a package as described above, a complete package with the pen or pencil enclosed therein, and a vending machine having a number of complete packages, including their pens or pencils, operable to deliver a single pen or pencil containing package upon insertion of a suitable coin or token.

Claims

1 A packaged product for dispensing from a vending machine, comprising: a writing implement; and a collapsible container which includes a writing surface, said container removably housing said writing implement when packaged and being collapsible such as to provide a substantially flat article when collapsed.

2. A packaged product according to claim 1, wherein said container is foldable such as to be foldable into a substantially flat configuration.

3. A packaged product according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said container is formed at least partially from cardboard or paper.

4. A packaged product according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said container is formed at least partially from plastics material.

5. A packaged product according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said container is formed at least partially from translucent material.

6. A packaged product according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said writing implement is a pen or a pencil.

7. A vending machine operable to dispense the packaged product of any of the preceding claims.

8. A packaged product substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.