NL2005639C2

NL2005639C2 - Holder element for rod-like utensils, holder comprising multiple holder elements.

Info

Publication number: NL2005639C2
Application number: NL2005639A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Vanessa Beijl; Santos Rui Medeiros; Jan Lauwrens Haisma
Original assignee: Bin Innovations Bv
Priority date: 2010-11-05
Filing date: 2010-11-05
Publication date: 2012-05-08

Description

P93169NL00

Title: Holder element for rod-like utensils, holder comprising multiple holder elements

The invention relates to a holder element for rod-like utensils.

Rod-like utensils such as a pen, a felt-tip pen, a pencil, a cosmetic pencil, a tooth brush, etc. are frequently used. For many reasons, such utensils are preferably stored in an upward position. For example, when laying a tooth 5 brush down on a surface, the surface may become wet and/or dirty. By storing a tooth brush in an upward position, this may be obviated. For example, when storing pencils, pens etc. in an upward position, they can be relatively easily reached, used and put back. A careful use of the utensil may thus be possible. In particular with pens and/or pencils that are sensitive for dehydration, such 10 as felt-tip pens and cosmetic pens, it may be important to put the pen or pencil back in its cap to prevent dehydration.

Many solutions have already been provided for holding a utensil in an upward position.

Publication DE 2624708 describes a holder comprising caps of pens 15 that are coupled to each other with end couplings for coupling in an endless ring. To some caps a suction cap foot can be coupled for positioning the holder on a flat surface.

Publication DE 202009003739 discloses a holder element with a foot extension with which it can be coupled to a next holder element.

20 A drawback of the known solutions is that the holder are relatively unstable when placed on a flat surface. Also, the flexibility in use of the known holders can be relatively limited. For example, when caps are coupled the pen corresponding with the respective cap can only be stored in the cap. In other solutions, the pen with cap may be stored in the holder element, however, this 25 may be difficult when the cap does not fit well into the holder element, so caps can still be lost and/or pens can still dehydrate. Also, the capacity of known holders may be limited and/or the exchange with other types of pens and/or 2 caps may be difficult. Further, the arrangement of the pens and/or caps in the holder may be relatively difficult to change.

An object of the invention is to provide a holder element that obviates at least one of the above mentioned drawbacks.

5 Thereto, the invention provides a holder element for holding a single rod-like utensil in an upward position, wherein the holder element is arranged for coupling with another holder element, wherein the holder element comprises a stabilization foot and wherein the holder element further comprises elastic material for air tight enclosing utensils of varying diameters. 10 By providing a holder element that is arranged for holding a single rod-like utensil and that can be coupled to another holder element, a flexible arrangement of holder elements can be obtained. By coupling a number of holder elements to each other, a holder for utensils can be obtained. Depending on the number of utensils to be stored, holder elements can be coupled to and 15 uncoupled from each other for adapting the storage capacity.

By providing the holder element with a stabilization foot, preferably a suction cup, the holder element can be put relatively stable onto an approximately flat surface, e.g. a table top. In a holder comprising multiple holder elements, each holder element is thus provided with such a stabilization 20 foot, so the holder can be positioned relatively stable onto a surface.

By providing the holder element at least partially with elastic material for air tight enclosing utensils of varying diameters, pens with or without cap, of different types and/or diameters, can be retained in the holder element. Thus, a holder element that is flexible in use is obtained. By 25 providing elastic material for an air tight enclosure, for example a felt-tip pen can be stored in the holder element without cap and due to the air tight enclosure, dehydration may be minimized.

The stabilization foot can be an integrated part of the holder element, but can also be a loose part that can be coupled to a bottom side.

30 Advantageously, the stabilization foot is integrated with the holder element so 3 a simple and reliable holder element can be obtained. By arranging the holder element as a single part element, it can be relatively simple and straightforward to use.

The elastic material can for example be arranged as an elastic rib 5 inside the holder element, but the holder element can also at least partially be manufactured from elastic material. The holder element is then provided sufficiently stiff to maintain an upward position and to hold the utensils while being sufficiently flexible to tightly enclose the utensil. For example, a wall of the holder element can be relatively thick to provide sufficient stiffness, and 10 due to the flexibility of the material a utensil may press material radially outwardly while being inserted in the holder element as to provide an air tight fit.

The invention further relates to a holder comprising a number of holder elements that are coupled in line to each other.

15 Preferably, the holder elements are pivotally coupled to each other so for example a curved arrangement may be possible and/or the holder may be rolled up to provide relatively easy and compact storage of the holder.

Further advantageous embodiments are represented in the subclaims.

20 The invention will further be elucidated on the basis of exemplary embodiments which are represented in a drawing. The exemplary embodiments are given by way of non-limitative illustration of the invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a holder with holder 25 elements according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a first arrangement of a holder according to the invention; and

Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a second arrangement of a holder according to the invention.

4

It is noted that the figures are only schematic representations of embodiments of the invention that are given by way of non-limiting examples. In the figures, the same or corresponding parts are represented by the same reference numerals.

5 Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a holder 1 with a number of holder elements 2 according to the invention. In the holder elements 2 rod-like utensils 3, here felt-tip pens, are retained. Each holder element 2 holds a single pen.

The holder element 2 comprises an elongated case 4 that is arranged 10 for enclosing a part of the utensil 3. Further, the holder element 2 comprises a stabilization foot 5 for a stable positioning of the holder element 2. In this embodiment, the stabilization foot 5 is provided as a suction cup. However, other embodiments of the stabilization foot 5 may also be possible. For example, the stabilization foot 5 may be provided as a triple leg foot, or as a 15 flexible ring-like foot, or as an elastic foot with adhesive characteristics.

In the embodiment shown here, the case 4 and the foot 5 are integrated to form a single piece holder element 2. A single piece holder element 2 is relatively easy to manufacture, e.g. with injection molding and there are no separate parts that can be lost or, in particular with children, be 20 swallowed.

The foot 5 may be flexible connected to the case 4, so the case 4 may pivot with respect to the foot 5. This may be advantageous in use when inserting and/or retracting a utensil 3.

Further, the holder element 2 according to the invention is provided 25 with coupling means 6 to couple one holder element 2 with another holder element 2 as to form a line of holder elements 2. The coupling means 6 are here provided as a fixed coupling rod for fixedly coupling adjacent holder elements 2. The coupling means 6 are here an integrated part of the holder element 2 and provide for a permanent coupling between adjacent holder 30 elements 2. The coupling means 6 can be flexible arranged, for example such 5 that adjacent holder elements 2 are pivotally coupled to each other. By flexible coupling means between adjacent holder elements 2, a ring-like or curved arrangement of the holder 1 may be possible, as can be seen in Figure 2 and Figure 3. Also, the holder 1 may be rolled up so the holder 1 can be easy and 5 compact stored with the pens 3 inserted therein.

The coupling means 6 can also be provided as releasable coupling means for releasable coupling of a holder element 2 with another holder element 2. For example, a releasable coupling means 6 may be arranged as a pin and hole coupling and/or as a rib and groove coupling and/or as a ring and 10 pin coupling and/or as a click coupling comprising click fingers etc. Many variants are possible. By providing each holder element 2 with releasable coupling means 6, optimal flexibility may be possible in arranging the holder 1. In a relatively easy way, holder elements 2 can be added and/or removed from the holder 1.

15 In the embodiment shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3, the holder element 2 at the end of the line of holder elements 2 of the holder 1 is provided with end coupling means 7. The end coupling means 7 are provided on an end holder element of the holder, and can be provided as a separate coupling means or can be integrated with the end holder element. The end coupling 20 means 7 are arranged as releasable coupling means 6 for releasable coupling of another holder element 2 of another holder 1. The releasable coupling means 6 are here provided as a ring-like element that can be mounted over the foot 5 of the holder element 2 to provide a releasable coupling. This increases the flexibility of the holder 1. In figure 2 is shown that the end coupling means 7 25 mounted on an end holder element couple with an opposite end holder element at the opposite end of the holder 1 to form an endless line or endless loop.

Preferably, the holder element 2 is provided with an inwardly directed flange 8 at an upper end of the holder element 2. The inwardly directed flange 8 may be provided at an upper edge of the holder element 2, as 30 shown in Figure 2 or can be provided somewhat below the upper edge. By 6 providing the inwardly directed flange, the pen or utensil 3 is guided towards the opening of the holder element 2, so a help for inserting the pen into the holder element 2 is provided. In particular children may appreciate such help for inserting the pen 3.

5 According to the invention, the holder element 2 comprises elastic material for air tight enclosing utensils 3 of varying diameters. The elastic material may be arranged at an inner wall of the case 4 of the holder element 2 as a ring-like or spiral rib for engaging the utensil 3 and providing an air tight fit. Alternatively, the inwardly directed flange 8 can provide the air-tight fit.

10 Upon insertion of the utensil 3 into the holder element 2, an inner edge of the flange 8 may be pushed downward, aside or stretched radially outward to allow insertion of the utensil and at the same time, an air-tight fit may be obtained.

Also, the holder element 2, in particular the elongated case 4, may 15 be at least partially manufactured from elastic material for air-tight enclosing of the utensil 3. The holder element 2 as a whole can be manufactured from elastic material, or an upper part of the case 4 may be manufactured from the elastic material using an overmoulding technique or as a two-component moulding technique. By manufacturing the holder element from a single 20 material, the product can be relatively easy and cost effectively produced. The elastic material is preferably a thermoplastic elastomeric material and/or a silicone rubber material. Also other elastic materials may be used.

The holder element 2 must be sufficiently stiff to maintain an upward position and to hold the rod-like utensil 3, while the elastic material 25 may be sufficiently flexible to be compressed upon insertion of a utensil 3 to provide an air-tight enclosure of the utensil 3 thereby minimizing dehydration of the pen. For example, the case 4 may be manufactured as a relatively stiff frame with an elastic material overmoulded thereon. Many variants for producing the holder element 2 are possible.

7

By using the elastic material, utensils 3 of varying diameters can be retained safely and reliable in the case 4. In addition, the elastic material may provide for an air-tight enclosure of the utensil 3. So a utensil 3 such as a felt-tip pen, may be inserted with or without cap in the case 4. This increases 5 the in-use flexibility of the holder element 2. Also, different types of utensils, for example different types of pens, pencils etc. with different diameters can be inserted in the holder elements. For example, the cap of a pen 3 may be inserted in the case 4. Then, the pen 3 may be retracted from the holder element 2, while the cap remains in the holder element 2. In this way, it may 10 be easy to maintain the cap and to put the pen back in its respective cap thereby minimizing damage of the pen tip.

Many variants will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that are understood to be comprised within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

15

Claims

1. Holder element for holding a single rod-like utensil in an upward position, wherein the holder element is adapted for coupling with another holder element, wherein the holder element comprises a stabilizing foot and wherein the holder element 5 furthermore comprises elastic material for airtight enclosure of utensils of varying diameters.

2. Holder element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stabilizing foot is integrated with the holder element.

3. Holder element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stabilizing foot 10 is a suction cup.

4. Holder element as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the holder element is at least partially made of elastic material for airtight enclosing of a utensil.

5. Holder element as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the holder element is made of a single elastic material.

Holder element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the material comprises a thermoplastic elastomeric material and / or a silicone rubber material.

7. Holder element as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein an upper end of the holder element comprises an inwardly directed flange for guiding the utensil.

8. Holder comprising a number of holder elements as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 1-7, wherein the holder elements are coupled in line with each other.

9. Holder as claimed in claim 8, wherein the holder elements are rotatably coupled to each other.

10. Holder as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein coupling means between the holder elements are adapted to provide for a permanent coupling of the holder elements.

11. Holder as claimed in any of the claims 8-10, wherein an end holder element is provided with releasable coupling means for releasable coupling of another holder and / or for releasable coupling with an opposite end holder element for forming an endless line.