GB2376441A

GB2376441A - Felt-tip pens holder

Info

Publication number: GB2376441A
Application number: GB0114606A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nasser Yafei
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-06-15
Filing date: 2001-06-15
Publication date: 2002-12-18
Anticipated expiration: 2021-06-15
Also published as: GB0114606D0; GB2376441B

Abstract

A multipurpose felt-tip pens holder. The body 1 comprises a flat, flexible sheet with creases 2, 3, holes 11a, 11b, 11c and cuts 7, 9 enabling it to transform from a flat structure to either a three-dimensional display stand (fig 4) or a case (fig 2) which prevents the lids 12 getting lost. Preferably integral holding rings are cut out of the body in alignment to hold the pens 13 and lids 12 in place. The body creases may allow the holder to fold into a stand, or roll-up into a tubular form. The stand may incorporate an elastic band 5 which applies pressure and holds it in a bent, triangular form. The case may be held in a rolled-up form with an elastic band 5 secured around attachment hooks 6. May prevent felt-tip pens drying out when the lids are lost.

Description

FELT-TIP PENS HOLDER AND STAND.

This invention relates to a stand and holder for felt-tip pens and their lids.

One of the biggest problems with felt-tip pens is that of drying up, when left without lids, particularly when children are using them.

Consequently the pens are rendered unusable and then discarded prematurely.

Although felt-tip pens are inexpensive it seems a shame to see them thrown away before they actually run out of ink. Furthermore, when using the pens they are usually thrown and scattered in a disorganized fashion all round the working area, particularly where children are involved.

Currant means of carrying a bunch of felt-tips is in a pencil case or held together by an elastic band. When the pens are then used they again become scattered and inevitably some of the lids are lost. Again the pens dry up.

According to the present invention there is provided a felt-tip pens and lids holder, stand and case all in one. The embodiment comprising a flat structure with specific cuts, cut-outs and a series of creases that allow the two-dimensional structure to fold accordingly to create a threedimensional one to hold, display and store the pens. In the embodiment there are circular securing apertures for the lids, a series of creases to allow it to roll into a storage case. With a central longitudinal crease and an elastic band (or similar structure with the same property) the physical appearance can be changed into a stand by applying pressure underneath the main body on the central crease. The resulting structure displays all the pens in a criss-cross fashion. The stand is held in this triangular position by virtue of the stored energy in the two stretched elastic bands around it at each end.

The specifications of the structure of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which :-

Figure 1 shows the structure of the embodiment in the flat position with the specific cuts, cut-outs, holes and creases.

Figure 2 shows the structure in the rolled-up position with the pens encased within.

Figure 3 shows a side view of the structure in the flat position with the attached pen and lid.

Figure 4 shows the structure in the triangular stand position with the displayed pens.

Referring to the drawings, the structure is a flat sheet las seen in Fig 1 comprising a series of transverse creases 2 that allow the structure to fold inwards so that it can be rolled to form a tube-like structure (see Fig 2). A central crease running longitudinally 3 allows the sheet to fold into a triangular display stand (see fig 4). There are four small cut-outs 4 on the long edges of the sheet-the elastic bands 5 fit into these grooves. The elastic bands stretch transversely across the sheet. There are also specific cuts 6 at the four corners of the sheet used as hooks or anchorage pointsthe elastic bands stretch over these hooks to hold the structure in the tubular case form as demonstrated in Fig 2.

Along the inner part of the outer edges of the structure there are a series of cuts 7. Each of theses curved cuts have a crease 8 so that they can be folded outwards and act to prevent the pens from sliding out of the stand or case. Throughout the structure there are repeated patterns of three curved cuts 9 wi I th a crease 10 at the base of each one. Again these creases allow the cuts to be folded and lifted out while still attached at the base. Within each of these curved cuts is a central hole 11. The diameter of the two holes 1 la and lIb nearest the outer edge is equal to the diameter of the pens'lids 12. The diameter of the hole lie nearest the centre of the sheet is smaller and equal to the diameter of the pen 13.

The repeated units of three holes are staggered along the sheet and hold the pens so that they are aligned pointing in opposite directions. This alignment is important so that they can be displayed in an") C'

configuration when the structure is in the free-standing position as shown in Fig 4.

Once the curved cuts 7 and 9 have been folded out at the creases 8 and 10 respectively, the lids are threaded through the holes 11 a and I lb with the closed ends of the lids touching 7 (Fig3). The open end of the lid sits under hole lie. The pens are then placed into and out of the lids through the same hole lie. These latter structures will be referred to as"holding rings" Because hole 11 Ic is smaller then the diameter of the lid it allows the pen to be pulled out while keeping the lid in place. The lower securing structures hold the lids firmly in place. Once the pen is used it is returned to its appropriate lid by sliding it through hole 11 c.

The structure is interchangeable between all three positions by folding the sheet in the appropriate direction. For example, when the structure is to be formed into the stand, the sheet is laid flat and pressure is applied to the underside of the structure directly on the longitudinal central crease so that the flat structure flips automatically up, by virtue of the force from the stretched elastic bands, into the triangular stand displaying the pens in the distinct"X"configuration with their lids firmly held in place.

To convert the structure into a tubular case as in Fig 2, the display is depressed into the flat form and then rolled fmnly inwards. The transverse creases 2 allow this to happen easily. Once the structure is in the form of a tube the elastic band is lifted over and around the hooks 6, this holds the structure in the tubular shape. To open the case the reverse process is applied. The structure is symmetrical and thus can be closed/rolled from either end.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 A felt-tip pens multipurpose holder comprising a flat flexible sheet

Z. (--C bf% l,. C ! nnfl I with specific creases, holes and cuts to allow it to fold and be interchangeable between a flat structure and two other three- dimensional structures in the form of a stand and case, thus securing and preventing the loss of the lids.
2 A pens holder or device as claimed in Claim 1 with a series of "holding rings"that secure the lids and pens cut out of and being part of the integral flat structure and aligned so as to secure the lids and pens in place.
3 A pens holder as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the creases provided act to allow the structure to fold into the tubular form and into the stand or display configuration.
4 A pens holder and display stand as claimed in Claim 3 with the incorporation of an elastic band or the like of the same functional property placed transversely to provide the force required to bend the structure into the display formation.
5 A pens holder and case as claimed in Claim 4 having attachment hooks for the elastic band, or the like, to maintain the structure in the rolled-up case position.
6 A pens holder, case and display substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-4 of the accompanying drawing.