GB2359279A - Pencil sharpener with separate collecting chambers for lead and wood shavings - Google Patents

Abstract

A pencil sharpener apparatus 1 has a sharpener blade 104 mounted in a lid 2 and a shavings container 4 below it. The container 4 is divided into two separate inner 300 and outer 250 chambers by internal walls 222,224 so that the lead and wood shavings of the pencil are collected separately. The collection chamber 4 can be transparent and cylindrical. The sharpener is intended to resemble a vacuum cleaner.

Description

4 2359279 1 A Pencil Sharpening Apparatus The invention relates to a

pencil sharpening apparatus. Particularly, the invention relates to a pencil sharpening apparatus incorporating means for receiving, in use, wood shavings and lead shavings from a sharpened pencil.

Pencil sharpening apparatus incorporating means for receiving, in use, shavings from a pencil are common. Such apparatus generally provide a pencil sharpening blade mounted in a body. In each case, when a pencil is sharpened by an apparatus of this type, wood and lead shavings are deposited in the body where they accumulate until the body is emptied. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved pencil sharpening apparatus.

The invention provides a pencil sharpening apparatus comprising a body for retaining 'I sharpenings, an opening the body for receiving a pencil to be sharpened, a pencil pencl. sharpening blade mounted in the body so as to extend away from the opening, a slot adjacent the blade, and an aperture at the end of the blade remote from the opening, wherein the pencil sharpening apparatus further comprises a partition located in the body, the partition being configured to divide the body into a first compartment and a second compartment, the first compartment being adapted and arranged to receive, in use, wood shavings from the sharpened pencil and the second compartment being adapted and arranged to receive, in use, lead shavings from the sharpened pencil.

Preferably, the slot communicates directly with a portion of the first compartment. More preferably, the said portion of the first compartment is located radially outwardly of the slot such that, in use, wood shavings from the pencil are guided into the first compartment to collect therein.

Preferably, the aperture communicates directly with a portion of the second compartment. More preferably, the said portion of the second compartment is axially spaced from the 2 pencil sharpening blade on the side of the aperture remote therefrom such that, in use, lead shavings from the pencil collect into the second compartment.

Preferably, the body has a container which is transparent so as to enable the user to see the wood shavings being collected separately from the lead shavings. Further, the transparent C1 container allows the user to see when the pencil sharpening apparatus is full with shavings and requires emptying.

Preferably, the pencil sharpening apparatus is adapted and configured to resemble dual cyclonic separating apparatus.

These arrangements provide means for separating in use, the wood shavings from the lead shavings in a manner that resembles dual cyclonic separating apparatus, in particular, the type marketed under the trademark "DYSONTm". This is generally pleasing to the user.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side view of a pencil sharpening apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view of the pencil sharpening apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line HI - HI of Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a side view of the pencil sharpening apparatus of Figures 1 to 3 in combination with a holder.

3 Figures 1 to 3 show a pencil sharpening apparatus 1 having a lid portion 2 and a container portion 4. The lid portion 2 is generally hat-shaped and comprises a cover portion 6 and a cylindrical portion 8 which has an enlarged flared portion 10 remote from the cover portion 6. The cylindrical portion 8 is connected to the enlarged flared portion 10 by a shoulder 12 as shown in Figure 2. The enlarged flared portion 10 has an inner diameter which is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the remainder of the cylindrical portion 8. The cover portion 6 is manufactured separately from the cylindrical portion 8 but is fixed to the cylindrical portion 8 during manufacture of the pencil sharpening apparatus 1 as will be explained below. The cover portion 6 has an opening 14 located centrally thereof, which is dimensioned so as to be able to receive a pencil to be sharpened. An upstanding lip 16 surrounds the opening 14. In the embodiment shown, the opening 14 has a diameter of 8mm.

A wall structure 50 is supported on the cylindrical portion 8. The wall structure 50 has a first portion 52 extending inwardly and downwardly away from the shoulder 12 to a second portion 54. The second portion 54 extends inwardly away from the first portion 52. A third portion 56 extends downwardly from the second portion 54. A fourth portion 58 extends inwardly from the third portion 56. The fourth portion 58 is disc- shaped and is supported in position by the first portion 52, the second portion 54 and third portion 56. The fourth portion 58 lies generally parallel to the cover portion 6. An inner wall portion 62 extends upwardly from the fourth portion 58 so as to meet and abut against the cover portion 6. The inner wall portion 62 defines a cavity 59 for receiving a pencil sharpener 100 of a type easily commercially available. The cavity 59 is generally closed by the cover portion 6 although the opening 14 communicates with the cavity 59. A hole 60 is located centrally of the fourth portion 58. The hole 60 is in communication with the cavity 59 and lies coaxially with the opening 14. A frusto-conical member 302 depends from the fourth portion 58 and tapers inwardly away from the hole 60 to an open end 26. The frustoconical member 302 has shoulders 304 adjacent the hole 60. The wall structure 50 extends 4 around the vertical axis of the cylindrical portion 8 over an angle of 270' and has a first flat 254 and a second flat 256 (Figure 3).

The pencil sharpener 100 is typically wedge shaped and is fitted into the cavity 59. A slot 102 is located therein and adapted to receive a pencil to be sharpened via an opening 120. The slot 102 is circular in cross section and tapers inwardly away from the opening 120. A blade 104 is mounted on the pencil sharpener 100 adjacent the slot 102. An aperture 106 is located in the pencil sharpener 100 at an end of the blade 104 remote from the opening 120. In situ, the opening 120 of the slot 102 is aligned at an upper end with the opening 14 and at the aperture 106 is aligned at a lower end with the hole 60. The aperture 106 communicates with the hole 60. During the manufacture of the pencil sharpening apparatus 1, when the pencil sharpener 100 is in the position described above, the cover portion 6 is affixed to the cylindrical portion 8, for example, by gluing means.

The container portion 4 has an outer wall 200 which is generally cylindrical with a frustoconical lower end 202 and a generally circular base portion 204 as shown in Figures 1 and 2. An upstanding cylindrical wall 206 projects from the circular base portion 204 into the interior 208 of the container portion 4 and has a free upper edge 230. A partition 220 is located in the interior 208 of the container portion 4. The partition 220 comprises a first cylindrical part 222 and a second cylindrical part 224. The first cylindrical part 222 has an upper end 223 which abuts against the shoulders 304 of the frusto-conical member 302. The second cylindrical part 224 has a diameter adapted so as to be interference fitted over the upstanding cylindrical wall 206. When the second cylindrical part 224 is interengaged with the cylindrical wall 206, a lower edge 232 of the second cylindrical part 224 abuts against the frusto-conical lower end 202 of the container portion 4. The cylindrical parts 222, 224 are joined by a frusto-conical portion 226 which is integrally moulded therewith. Four equispaced diametrically opposed fins 112 extend radially outwardly from the first cylindrical part 222 and from the frusto-conical portion 226 (see Figure 1) and have no functional purpose as will be described below.

The partition 220 divides the interior 208 of the container portion 4 into a first compartment 250 and a second compartment 300. The first compartment 250 has a portion 252 located radially outwardly of the slot 102 which communicates directly therewith. The portion 252 is delimited by the first flat 254 and the second flat 256 of the wall structure 50 as shown in Figure 3. The second compartment 300 is shown in Figure 2. The second compartment 300 is delimited by the circular base portion 204, the partition 220 and the frusto-conical member 302. The second compartment 300 has a portion 308 immediately below the aperture 106. The second compartment 300 includes the interior of the frusto-conical member 302. The partition 220 maintains the first compartment 250 and the second compartment 300 separate.

The pencil sharpening apparatus 1 is made from a plastics material, with the lid portion 2 and the partition 220 being moulded from coloured plastics, and the container portion 4 being moulded from transparent plastics. The lid portion 2, specifically the wall structure 50, comprises features that are configured so as to resemble significant visual features of cyclonic separating apparatus included in vacuum cleaners manufactured by Dyson Appliances Limited. For example, the frusto-conical member 302 resembles a cyclone used in the said apparatus; the third portion 56 of the wall structure 50 is located above the frusto- conical member 302 in a location similar to that of a shroud (being a component of cyclonic separating apparatus manufactured by Dyson Appliances Limited); and the fins 112 resemble those incorporated in the said apparatus. The colours used for the coloured plastics of the pencil sharpening apparatus 1 are similar colours to those used in the said cyclonic apparatus. This visual effect is enhanced by a colour-printed layer which is adhered to the outer part of the third portion 56 of the wall structure 50 which resembles the shroud of the vacuum cleaner.

6 In use, a user introduces a pencil into the opening 14. The upstanding lip 16 assists in aulding the pencil if required. The alignment of the opening 14 with the slot 102 allows the pencil to be received by the slot 102, and rotation therein causes the pencil to be sharpened by the blade 104 in a known manner to produce wood shavings and lead shavings. Wood shavings exit the pencil sharpener 100 via the portion of the slot 102 adjacent the blade 104 and are moved radially outwardly therefrom so as to enter the first compartment 250 via the portion 252. The wood shavings collect in the first compartment 250. The partition 220 prevents the wood shavings from entering the second compartment 300. Simultaneously, lead shavings from the pencil exit the pencil sharpener 100 via the aperture 106 and drop through the hole 60 into the second compartment 300. The lead shavings collect in the second compartment 300. The partition 220 prevents the lead shavings from entering the first compartment 250. When the container portion 4 needs to be emptied, the lid portion 2 is removed from the container portion 4 and the container portion 4 is inverted over a waste collection means and the shavings dropped therein.

The visual effect of the wood shavings being collected separately from the lead shavings is similar to that shown in the said cyclonic separating apparatus, in particular, dual cyclonic vacuum cleaners. The arrangement simulates the action of the dual cyclonic vacuum cleaner wherein large debris is collected in an outer compartment and small debris is collected in an inner compartment.

The pencil sharpening apparatus 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3 can be enhanced by providing a holder 400 therefor as shown in Figure 4. The pencil sharpening apparatus 1 is supported by a holder 400 such that the pencil sharpening apparatus and holder combination 500 resembles a vacuum cleaner of the type sold under the model number DC05 manufactured by Dyson Appliances Limited. Writing implements may be retained in the pencil sharpening apparatus and holder combination 500 by means of at least one blind recess located on the body thereof (not shown).

1 7 The holder 400 comprises a base portion 402, an upper moulding 404 and wheels 406 which are fixedly attached to opposing end portions of an axle such that they provide some support for the pencil sharpening apparatus and holder combination 500. The upper moulding 404 is hingedly connected to the base portion 402 by a hinge 408. A receiving part 414 is located on the upper moulding 404, at an end remote from the hinge 408. The pencil sharpening apparatus 1 is supported on the base portion 402 at a lower end 416 and by a shoulder 420. The pencil sharpening apparatus 1 is held in place by a snap-fitting or catch (not shown) on the receiving portion 414. Pivoting of the upper moulding 404 about the hinge 408 allows the pencil sharpening apparatus 1 to be removed from receiving part 414. A handle portion 422 is integral with the upper moulding 404 so as to allow the user to pick up the pencil sharpening apparatus and holder combination 500. The pencil sharpening apparatus and holder combination 500 is made of coloured plastics material, in particular, using colours similar to those used in 'DYSONTm" vacuum cleaners.

In a further development of the invention, the pencil sharpening apparatus described above can be used as a key fob. A loop is then integrally moulded with the lid portion of the pencil sharpening apparatus at any location. A key chain carrying a key ring is attached to the lid portion by way of the loop. It will be appreciated that the key chain may be attached to a different part of the body.

The invention is not limited to the precise details of the embodiments described above. For example, the lid portion 6 can be screw-threaded, snap-fitted or hinged to the cover portion 8 such that the user can replace the pencil sharpener 100 when the blade 104 becomes blunt. Alternatively, the pencil sharpener 100 can be integrally moulded to the lid portion 2 such that the user need only replace the blade 104. The wheels 406 of the holder 400 may be fixed or rotatable. The holder 400 can be made to resemble any type of vacuum cleaner, for example, an upright cyclonic vacuum cleaner.

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Claims (17)

1. A pencil sharpening apparatus comprising a body for retaining pencil sharpenings, an opening in the body for receiving a pencil to be sharpened, a pencil sharpening blade mounted in the body so as to extend away from the opening, a slot adjacent the blade, and an aperture at the end of the blade remote from the opening, wherein the pencil sharpening apparatus further comprises a partition located in the body, the partition being configured to divide the body into a first compartment and a second compartment, the first compartment being adapted and arranged to receive, in use, wood shavings from the sharpened pencil and the second compartment being adapted and arranged to receive, in use, lead shavings from the sharpened pencil.

2. A pencil sharpening apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the slot communicates directly with a portion of the first compartment.

3. A pencil sharpening apparatus as claimed in Claims 1 or 2, wherein the said portion of the first compartment is located radially outwardly of the slot.

4. A pencil sharpening apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the aperture communicates directly with a portion of the second compartment.

5. A pencil sharpening apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the said portion of the second compartment is axially spaced on the side of the aperture remote from the pencil sharpening blade.

6. A pencil sharpening apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body comprises a container portion and a lid portion, the lid portion being detachable from the container portion.

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7. A pencil sharpening apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the container portion is generally cylindrical.

8. A pencil sharpening apparatus as claimed in Claims 6 or 7, wherein the container is transparent.

9. A pencil sharpening apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 6 to 8, wherein the lid portion supports the pencil sharpening blade.

10. A pencil sharpening apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the partition comprises two separable, co-operating portions.

11. A pencil sharpening apparatus as claimed in Claim 10 and any one of Claims 6 to 9, wherein a first of the co-operating portions is located on the container portion and a second of the co-operating portions is located on the lid portion.

12. A pencil sharpening apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pencil sharpening apparatus is adapted and configured to resemble dual cyclonic separating apparatus.

13. A pencil sharpening apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A pencil sharpening apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and in combination with a holder, the holder being adapted and configured to resemble a vacuum cleaner.

15. A pencil sharpening apparatus and holder combination as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the holder includes means for retaining writing implements.

16. A pencil sharpening apparatus and holder combination as herein described with reference to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.

17. A pencil sharpening apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 13, further comprising a key chain attached to the body.