WO2021001227A1 - Writing instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

A writing instrument (1), characterised in that it comprises a tubular body (2) allowing the writing instrument (1) to be gripped, the tubular body (2) being formed or made up of one or more materials comprising organic and/or mineral fillers having writing properties dispersed in a thermoplastic matrix, the longitudinal ends (3, 4) of the tubular body (2) being open, at least one edge of the opening of a longitudinal end (3) forming a nib part for the writing instrument (1).

Description

WRITING INSTRUMENT

The present invention relates to a writing instrument that can be used for writing, tracing, drawing, coloring, on any writing medium.

Colored pencils exist mainly in the form of a pigmented lead stick surrounded by an envelope made of wood or extruded polymer, giving it sufficient mechanical strength for use. During use, the friction of the lead against the paper wears it out: it then becomes necessary to trim the casing in order to clear a sufficient new lead section.

The leads of these pencils allow for precise coloring and drawing, but it can be laborious to use them to achieve solid areas of color because of their small section. In addition, the fineness of their leads gives them low mechanical strength which can also be accentuated by cutting. They can then undergo untimely breakage during their use, leading to premature cutting.

Moreover, the lead typically composing about 30% by mass of the pencil, the pencil envelope comprising about 70% of it is doomed to disappear by cutting without providing any function to the product during coloring. We generally count on a 7g pencil, only 2g of lead.

Also, the cutting operation generally requires removing a significant part of the pencil, lead and envelope, to obtain an optimal cone of the cut part with a pointed lead.

Another category of coloring instruments is also known, comprising mono-material coloring pastels or chalks, often wax-based, not having an envelope around the lead. However, despite the fact that these instruments are fully usable and make it possible to easily produce flat areas of color, it should be mentioned that their low hardness often causes difficulty in achieving precise coloring. In addition, their large mass and low cohesion cause fragility which tends to break the instrument in the event of a fall and does not allow the shaping of a coloring instrument to the dimensions of a standard pencil template. Moreover, the section of such a pencil is larger than the section of a traditional lead of a wooden pencil. This results in a relatively large additional cost of these writing instruments.

A solution to reinforce the hold of the pencil is proposed in document EP2730428B1 which describes a multi-component pencil made of a mixture comprising a first base material with writing properties and a second base material. with binding properties, the concentration of the second material from the inside to the outside defining an outer layer which does not exhibit writing properties and which is designed to protect the hands of a user. The outer layer gives better resistance to the pencil. This solution is however not entirely satisfactory because the material constituting the pencil can prove to be uneconomical and difficult to produce. In addition, it is always necessary to sharpen the pencil to obtain a sharp lead.

One of the aims of the present invention is to provide a writing instrument at least partially solving one of the aforementioned drawbacks.

To this end, the invention relates to a writing instrument characterized in that it comprises a tubular body allowing the gripping of the writing instrument, the tubular body being formed or made of one or more material ( x) comprising organic and / or mineral fillers having writing properties dispersed in a thermoplastic matrix, the longitudinal ends of the tubular body being open, at least one edge of the opening of a longitudinal end forming a lead part for the 'writing.

The writing instrument can be used for writing, tracing, drawing, coloring, on any writing medium. By "writing properties" we mean that leave a mark on a writing medium, in particular for writing, tracing, drawing, coloring.

The term “tubular body” means an elongated hollow body, of longitudinal shape, longer than it is wide and of which the cross section is closed.

The term “lead part” is understood to mean the longitudinal end of the writing instrument which leaves a mark on a writing medium but which is not situated in the axis of the tubular body of the writing instrument. like a mine of the prior art since the tubular body is hollow and open.

The tubular shape and the thermoplastic matrix material give the writing instrument very good strength, the thermoplastic matrix material allowing the realization of a hollow structure. The thermoplastic material further allows the formation of a thin tube while having good hardness qualities. This resistant material allows the writing instrument to be less fragile, less friable and to have a good hold so that it does not break when pressed on it or in the event of a fall.

The writing instrument thus formed from a single category of material not only facilitates its production, and in particular its shaping, but also its recycling, whether at the end of its life or in production because the “single-material” waste Are reusable.

A writing instrument with a tubular body formed from one or more materials having writing properties is also fully usable. It does not require the cutting of the envelope part surrounding the mine part and therefore does not produce unnecessary waste.

Moreover, such a writing instrument, which is hollow and without a casing, makes it possible to achieve substantial savings in material. Thus, when a standard pencil weighs 7 grams, 30% of which is lead, or approximately 2 grams, a writing instrument according to the invention, with equivalent external dimensions, weighs around 4 grams, 100% of which can be used, i.e. a surface area Theoretical coloring doubled.

Also, the natural wear of such a writing instrument when it is used in writing or coloring, ensures renewal of the surfaces of the edge of the writing end. Natural wear and tear thus actively participates in the cutting of the writing instrument. The writing instrument therefore requires little or no sharpening.

It should also be noted that a writing instrument with a through tubular body is easy to make. In addition, the risk of suffocation by ingestion of the writing instrument by children is avoided.

Finally, the writing instrument thus formed, hollow, with an open writing end, brings a new aesthetic to writing instruments.

Organic and / or mineral fillers having writing properties are, for example, pigments for a coloring writing instrument or graphite for a writing instrument intended for drawing or writing.

The thermoplastic matrix can be chosen from styrenic polymers, such as polystyrene (PS), a styrene copolymer, for example acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyolefins, biopolymers such as polymers derived from biomass or at least partially biodegradable, like polylactic acid (PLA).

The material may further include clay and / or wax, present in a minority, in particular to facilitate the disintegration of the material for the deposition of material on the writing medium.

The writing instrument may also have one or more of the characteristics which are described below, taken alone or in combination.

At least the longitudinal end forming the lead part may be bevelled. The bevel can be flat or curved. The bevelled shape of the writing tip helps improve drawing accuracy by making it easier to point the trace on the writing medium.

The wall thickness of the tubular body is for example less than 2mm, such that between 0.8mm and 1.2mm, such as 1mm.

This particularly thin thickness facilitates the self-sharpening of the writing instrument by wear. A wall having a thin thickness is also achievable in particular due to the realization of the writing instrument by one or more materials based on thermoplastics.

The writing instrument has for example a length to diameter ratio in which a cross section of the tubular body is inscribed, for example greater than 8, such as between 10 and 20. The length of the tubular body is for example between 100mm and 200mm, for example between 130mm and 150mm. The diameter in which the cross section of the tubular body fits is, for example, between 8mm and 12mm. These geometric characteristics make it possible to obtain a writing instrument having substantially the same shape, the same dimensions and having the same weight as a pencil of the prior art.

The cross section of the tubular body has, for example, a shape and / or a dimension which is constant longitudinally. The thickness of the wall of the tubular body is for example constant longitudinally, over the entire tubular body. The term “longitudinally constant section or thickness” is understood to mean a constant section or thickness over the entire tubular body or over a majority of the length of the tubular body. It will be noted that this constancy in the shape of the section and / or the thickness does not prevent the possibility for the writing instrument to present external patterns in hollow and / or in relief, such as designs, textures or engravings.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the shape and / or the dimension of the cross section of the tubular body varies along the tubular body. For example, the tubular body of the writing instrument has a cross section whose dimension tapers away from the side of the longitudinal end forming the lead part. According to another example, the tubular body of the writing instrument has a cross section having a flared shape on the side of the longitudinal end forming the lead part.

The tubular body is for example formed by a wall having at least one longitudinal edge extending along the tubular body.

This longitudinal edge can allow the user to have a point at the edge of the writing end for the production of fine and precise lines. The rest of the outline of the border allows the user to have at least one coloring edge, that is to say a lead of larger section for the production of colored solids. The end writing thus produced allows both the production of precise lines or coloring and the production of large areas of color. Different coloring techniques can thus be used with a single pencil. In addition, the use of the writing instrument ensures that the coloring vertex and ridge are always present on the writing end border throughout use.

When the writing end is beveled, provision can be made for the bevel to be oriented so that the longitudinal edge forms the point of the bevel.

At least one longitudinal ridge may be formed at the apex of an acute angle, such as less than 10 °, to form a particularly protruding ridge.

At least one longitudinal ridge can be formed at the apex of an obtuse angle.

Furthermore, a multitude of geometric embodiments of the tubular body is possible.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the tubular body is formed by a wall having three longitudinal ridges extending along the tubular body.

The three longitudinal ridges provide a tubular shape with a substantially triangular cross section allowing ergonomic grip by the user's fingers.

When the writing end is bevelled, one of the three edges can be provided to form the tip of the bevel.

The tubular body may be formed by a wall having at least one convex and / or concave longitudinal side and / or at least one plane longitudinal side.

The convex, concave or flat longitudinal sides make it easier to grip the writing instrument. The concave longitudinal sides facilitate the formation of protruding longitudinal edges. A convex or plane longitudinal flank allows coloring edges to be formed at the edge of the writing end. A convex longitudinal flank also makes it possible to have a coloring ridge of variable width on the edge of the writing end, depending on the orientation which is given to the writing instrument, the latter possibly being progressively increased or reduced.

It is also possible, when the writing end is bevelled, for a convex edge of the edge of the writing end to form the tip portion of the bevel.

The tubular body may have a triangular, rectangular, hexagonal cross section. A triangular, rectangular or hexagonal cross section makes it easier for the user to grip the writing instrument and increases the number of coloring ridges and vertices on the edge of the writing end. These forms favor also the constant presence of a coloring ridge and a vertex on the border as the instrument is used.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the tubular body may have a cylindrical cross section, without longitudinal edge.

The tubular body may have a cross section symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal plane of symmetry of the writing instrument. The term "longitudinal plane of symmetry" means the plane which cuts the writing instrument longitudinally into two substantially symmetrical half-instruments. This longitudinal plane of symmetry passes, for example, through a longitudinal edge.

The tubular body can be produced by extrusion or by injection into a mold.

The injection process gives great flexibility of production by allowing a wide range of tubular shapes to be produced. It makes it possible, for example, to produce tubular bodies of variable cross section. It can also make it possible to produce longitudinal ends of different shapes, such as straight or bevelled, without requiring rework operations.

The extrusion process keeps a constant section. It is also possible to coextrude two or three materials comprising organic and / or mineral fillers having different writing properties dispersed in a respective thermoplastic matrix. We can thus obtain a writing instrument of several colors, formed of two half-instruments or more, each presenting its own color.

As already mentioned, the tubular body can have external hollow and / or raised patterns, such as designs, textures or engravings. The injection process makes it possible to produce patterns directly on the tubular body at the press outlet. The extrusion process is more limited but also allows the production of external hollow and / or raised patterns, for example of the streak or twist type.

Furthermore, the writing instrument may include a finishing layer, such as a varnish, deposited on the tubular body. The topcoat provides a good finished appearance of the pencil. It is particularly useful in the case of a tubular graphite body, in particular for protecting the hands of a user. In the case of colored pencils, the topcoat helps prevent pencils stored side by side from dirtying each other or unintentionally soiling the writing medium. The topcoat can also be used for cosmetic purposes.

Other advantages and characteristics will appear on reading the description of the invention, as well as in the appended figures which represent a non-limiting embodiment of the invention and in which:

Figure 1A shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a writing instrument.

Figure 1B shows a cross-sectional view of the writing instrument of Figure 1A.

Figure 2A shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a writing instrument.

Figure 2B shows a cross-sectional view of the writing instrument of Figure 2A.

Figure 3A shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of a writing instrument.

Figure 3B shows a cross-sectional view of the writing instrument of Figure 3A.

In these Figures, identical elements bear the same reference numbers.

The following embodiments are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference relates to the same embodiment or that the characteristics apply only to one embodiment. Simple features of different embodiments can also be combined or interchanged to provide other embodiments.

Figures 1A and 1B show a first embodiment of a writing instrument 1, for example produced by extrusion or injection.

The writing instrument 1 comprises a tubular body 2 allowing the gripping of the writing instrument 1.

The tubular body 2 is formed or made of one or more material (s) comprising organic fillers having writing properties leaving a mark on a writing medium, in particular for drawing, plotting, coloring or writing and / or mineral fillers having writing properties leaving a trace on a writing medium, in particular for drawing, plotting, coloring or writing. These organic and / or inorganic fillers having writing properties are dispersed in a thermoplastic matrix of the material.

Organic and / or mineral fillers having writing properties are, for example, pigments or graphite.

The thermoplastic matrix can be chosen from styrenic polymers, such as polystyrene (PS), a copolymer of styrene, for example acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyolefins, biopolymers such as polymers derived from biomass or at least partially biodegradable, such as polylactic acid (PLA).

The material may further include clay and / or wax, present in a minority, in particular to facilitate the disintegration of the material for the deposition of material on the writing medium.

The longitudinal ends 3, 4 of the tubular body 2 are open, the tubular body 2 being through. At least one edge of the opening of a longitudinal end 3 forms a lead part for writing 1.

In this example, the two longitudinal ends 3, 4 of the tubular body 2 are bevelled.

The thickness e of the wall of the tubular body 2 is for example less than 2mm, such as between 0.8mm and 1.2mm, such as 1mm (Figure 1B).

The writing instrument 1 has, for example, a length L / diameter D ratio in which a cross section of the tubular body 2 is inscribed, for example greater than 8, such as between 10 and 20. The length L of the tubular body 2 is for example between 100mm and 200mm, such as for example between 130mm and 150mm. The diameter D in which the cross section of the tubular body 2 fits is for example between 8mm and 12mm.

The cross section of the tubular body 2 here has a shape and a dimension which is constant longitudinally over the entire tubular body 2, between the two ends 3, 4.

The tubular body 2 is for example formed by a wall having three longitudinal edges 7a, 7b, 7c separating a concave longitudinal flank 6, a convex longitudinal flank 5 and a plane longitudinal flank 9. The edges 7a, 7b, 7c and sidewalls 5, 6, 9 extend here over the entire length of the tubular body 2, between the two ends 3, 4. The longitudinal edge 7a forms the tip of the bevel.

The tubular body 2 thus formed or formed has a cross section symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal plane of symmetry S of the writing instrument 1 passing through the longitudinal edge 7a (Figure 1 B).

The writing instrument 1 thus has substantially the same shape, the same dimensions and the same weight as a pencil of the prior art.

The longitudinal edge 7a allows the user to have a point at the writing end of the lead part, for producing fine and precise lines. The rest of the outline of the border of the writing end allows the user to have at least one coloring edge, that is to say a lead of larger section for the production of colored solids. The writing end thus produced allows both the production of precise lines or coloring and the production of large areas of color. Different coloring techniques can thus be used with a single pencil. Further, the use of the writing instrument 1 ensures the constant presence of the top and the coloring ridge on the edge of the writing end as the use progresses.

The tubular body 2 can also have external hollow and / or raised patterns, such as designs, textures or engravings. The writing instrument 1 may include a finishing layer, such as a varnish, deposited on the tubular body 2.

Other embodiments of the wall of the tubular body 2 with three longitudinal ridges 7a, 7b, 7c are possible.

For example, the three longitudinal edges 7a, 7b, 7c separate the wall into two concave longitudinal flanks 6 and a convex longitudinal flank 5 or into three concave longitudinal flanks 6 or into two convex longitudinal flanks 5 and a plane longitudinal flank 9.

According to another example, the three longitudinal ridges 7a, 7b, 7c of the tubular body 2 separate the wall into two convex longitudinal sides 5 and a longitudinal side which is partly convex and partly concave. The partly convex and partly concave longitudinal flank has, for example, a substantially S-shaped cross section. According to another example, the three longitudinal ridges 7a, 7b, 7c of the tubular body 2 separate the wall into a convex longitudinal flank 5 and two flanks. longitudinal partly convex and partly concave.

Figures 2A and 2B show a second embodiment of a writing instrument 1.

This embodiment differs from the previous one in that here, the three longitudinal edges 7a, 7b, 7c of the tubular body 2 separate the wall into three plane longitudinal sides 9 (Figure 2A).

The tubular body 2 thus has an isosceles triangular cross section.

The tubular body 2 thus formed or constituted has a cross section symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal plane of symmetry S of the writing instrument 1 passing through a longitudinal edge 7a.

This embodiment makes it possible in particular to optimize the lead part by providing three vertices and three ridges at the writing end allowing respectively a precise drawing and coloring. Figures 3A and 3B show a third embodiment of a writing instrument 1.

This embodiment differs from the previous ones in that here the tubular body 2 has a cylindrical cross section, without a longitudinal edge.

It is understood from the above that a multitude of embodiments of the tubular body 2 is possible. The writing instrument 1 is sturdy, easy to make, to recycle, fully usable and requires little or no cutting. It does not produce unnecessary waste and allows a substantial saving in material.

Claims

1. Writing instrument (1) characterized in that it comprises a tubular body (2) allowing the gripping of the writing instrument (1), the tubular body (2) being formed or consisting of one or several material (s) comprising organic and / or mineral fillers having writing properties dispersed in a thermoplastic matrix, the longitudinal ends (3) of the tubular body (2) being open, at least one edge of the opening of a longitudinal end (3) forming a lead part for writing (1). 2. Writing instrument (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least the longitudinal end (3) forming the lead part is bevelled. 3. Writing instrument (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thickness (e) of the wall of the tubular body (2) is less than 2mm, such as between 0.8mm and 1 , 2mm. 4. Writing instrument (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a length ratio (L) to diameter (D) in which is inscribed a cross section of the tubular body (2), which is greater than 8, such as between 10 and 20. 5. Writing instrument (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shape and / or the dimension of the cross section of the tubular body (2) varies along the tubular body (2). 6. Writing instrument (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cross section of the tubular body (2) is of constant shape and / or dimension longitudinally and / or the thickness (e ) of the wall of the tubular body (2) is constant over the entire tubular body (2). 7. Writing instrument (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular body (2) is formed by a wall having at least one longitudinal edge (7a, 7b, 7c) extending along of the tubular body (2). 8. Writing instrument (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular body (2) is formed by a wall having three longitudinal ridges (7a, 7b, 7c) extending along the body. tubular (2). 9. Writing instrument (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular body (2) is formed by a wall having at least one convex (5) and / or concave (6) longitudinal flank. 10. Writing instrument (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the tubular body (2) is formed by a wall having at least one plane longitudinal side (9). 11. Writing instrument (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the tubular body (2) has a triangular, rectangular, hexagonal or cylindrical cross section. 12. Writing instrument (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular body (2) has a cross section symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal plane of symmetry (S) of the writing instrument. (1). 13. A writing instrument (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular body (2) is produced by extrusion or by injection. 14. Writing instrument (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular body (2) has external patterns in hollow and / or in relief. 15. Writing instrument (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a finishing layer, such as a varnish, deposited on the tubular body (2). 16. Writing instrument (1) according to one of the preceding claims for coloring, characterized in that the organic and / or mineral fillers having writing properties are pigments. 17. Writing instrument (1) according to one of claims 1 to 15, for drawing or writing, characterized in that the organic and / or mineral fillers having writing properties are graphite.