PEN-CASE CONVERTIBLE INTO A PEN-STAND

Abstract: A pen-case comprising a plate-like bottom (1) with attachments (2) for securing a pen/pencil thereto. As taught by the invention, in the central region of the bottom (1) belongs a pivot area (3) at which the bottom can be folded double, the attachments (2) are located on both ends of the bottom, and the bottom comprises a receptacle (4) where the pen/pencil, detached from said attachments, can be carried and supported in substantially vertical position.

Description: PEN-CASE CONVERTIBLE INTO A PEN- STAND The present invention concerns a pen-case, as defined in the preamble to Claim 1. Various pens of better quality, such as e.g. ball-point pens, ink-pens, refillable pencils and equivalent, are nowadays mostly held on sale in cases containing one or two pens/pencils, and these cases are usually thrown away after the pen has been bought. In use, the pen/pencil is then often kept, on desks and equivalent, in separately purchased pen stands. The present usage, described above, causes, to the user of the pen, extra costs arising from the pur¬ chase Of a pen stand, as well as refuse disposal costs from the discarding of the original pen-case. Moreover, in the existing state of art frequently no suitable pen stand is immediately available, and therefore new pens or pencils tend to lie around on tables in indetermi¬ nate manner. The object of the invention is to eliminate the drawbacks mentioned in the foregoing. It is a par¬ ticular aim of the invention, to provide a novel pen- case which can also be used as a pen stand on the table. Regarding those features which, characterize the invention, reference is made to the claims section. The pen-case of the invention comprises a bottom shaped like a plate and having attachments for attaching the pen thereto. As taught by the invention, in the central region of said bottom is provided a pivot area, a pivot structure or another equivalent folding area at which the bottom can be folded double. Furthermore, the bottom is provided, preferably at one end or the other, with a receptacle in which the pen, which has been detached from said attachments, can be held and supported in substantially vertical position when the plate-like, doubled-up bottom is in substan- tially horizontal position. In this way, according to the invention, the pen-case in which the pen was bought can be converted into a less bulky, sturdy entity, into a pen stand, which when it is placed on the table constitutes a firm and convenient stand for the pen. The various embodiments of the invention, and its other advantages, will be apparent from the claims and from the description following hereinbelow, in which reference is made to the attached drawing, where¬ in:- Fig. 1 presents, viewed from above, a pen-case accord¬ ing to the invention, Fig. 2 presents the pen-case with lid and pen(s) in elevational view, Fig. 3 presents the same pen-case, viewed from below, and Fig. 4 presents the pen-case after it has been convert¬ ed into a pen stand. As shown in Figs 1-3, a pen-case conforming to the invention comprises an elongated and plate-like bottom 1 with substantially rectangular shape and on the ends of this bottom, attachments 2 in which the pen (or pencil) 8 can be secured. The pen-case depicted in the drawing is a two-pen/pencil package, thus also making a stand for two pens/pencils. In the centre of the elongated bottom 1, di¬ viding the bottom into two equally large parts, is located a pivot area 3 consisting of a groove, or weak- ened line, in the top surface of the, ottom, whereby the bottom can be folded double along said groove, the undersides of the bottom against each other. On both ends of the bottom belong expanded portions 5 with semicircular cross section and extend- ing over the width of the bottom, in which the attach ¬ ments 2 holding the pen/pencil consist, at one end, of small grooves or depressions 9 in which the point of the pen/pencil can be placed, and in the other expanded portion of corresponding slots 10 in which the top end of the pen/pencil, e.g. the press button of a ball¬ point pen, can be secured. Hereby the pen/pencil which has been fixed in the pen-case will serve to stiffen the bottom, so that the bottom itself with its pivot area may be a comparatively resilient structure, and which can be folded double with ease. That expanded portion 5 which carries the notches or depressions 9 lending support to the point of the pen comprises furthermore receptacles 4, in the present case round, conical holes tapering downward towards the bottom 1, their shape substantially con¬ forming to the shape of the particular pen/pencil which is sold in this particular pen-case, so that the pen/- pencil can be inserted in the receptacle in upright position. As shown in Fig. 2, it is further possible to use on the pen-case a cover 11, which adds to the rigidity of the pen-case, and protects the pens. Its use is not indispensable however: the pens alone make the bottom rigid enough to provide for the pens a sturdy case. As shown in Fig. 3, locking members 7 belong on the underside of the bottom of the pen-case, in the regions of either end, these being in the present case circular recesses 12 and counter-pins 13 of a corres¬ ponding shape. When the pen-case is folded double at the pivot area 3 as seen in Fig. 4, bringing the undersides of the bottom against each other, the expanded portions 5 on the ends of the bottom join to form at one end of the pen stand a cylindrical expanded portion, inside which the recesses 12 and counter-pins 13 meet each other and interlock the expanded portions. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 4, the pen stand can be placed on a table or desk so that the holes 4 in the expanded por- tion 5 open upward, whereby they are able to receive the pen/pencil that.was bought in this case, in upright position to be kept on the table. It should be noted that the pen-case and pen stand of the invention may be provided with attach¬ ments, and with corresponding receptacles, for one, two or several pens/pencils, in any desired number. In the foregoing the invention has been de¬ scribed by way of example with the aid of the attached drawing, while various embodiments of the invention are feasible within the scope of the inventive idea delimi¬ ted by the claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A pen-case comprising a plate-like bottom (1) with attachments (2) for securing a pen/pencil thereto, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that in the central region of the bottom (1) belongs a pivot area (3) at which the bottom can be folded double, the at¬ tachments (2) are located on both ends of the bottom, and the bottom comprises a receptacle (4) where the pen/pencil, detached from said attachments, can be carried and supported in substantially vertical positi¬ on while the folded bottom is in substantially horizon¬ tal position. 2. Pen-case according to claim 1, c h a r - a c t e r i z e d in that the pivot area (3) consists of a groove, or equivalent weakened portion, extending over the width of the bottom (1). 3. Pen-case according to claim 1, c h r ¬ a c t e r i z e d in that the attachments (2) are located in expanded portions (5) on either end of the bottom (1) . 4. Pen-case according to claim 3, c h a r ¬ a c t e r i z e d in that the expanded portions (5) are eminences rising from the plane of the bottom and extending over the width of the bottom (1). 5. Pen-case according to any one of claims 1-4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the underside (6) of the bottom (1) is substantially straight, at the location of the expanded portions (5) being provided locking members (7) for interlocking with each other the ends of the bottom which have been folded against each other. 6. Pen-case according to any one of claims 1-5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the attach- ments (2) and/or the pen/pencil meant to be attached thereto correspond with each other in shape so that the pen/pencil held in said attachments will lock the hal- ves of the bottom to become a rigid entity. 7. Pen-case according to any one of claims 1-6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that to the pen- case belongs a cover, which covers the top surface of the bottom (1) and the attachments (2), lending rigidi¬ ty to the bottom. 8. Pen-case according to any one of claims 1-7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the receptacle (4) consists of a depression, cavity or equivalent, e.g. a round hole, conforming in shape to the point of the pen/pencil. 9. Pen-case according to any one of claims 1-8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that to the expan¬ ded portions (5) of the bottom (1) of the pen-case belong at least two sets of attachments (2) for forming a case for the corresponding number of pens/pencils, and receptacles (4) for the respective pens/pencils. 10. Pen-case according to any one of claims 1-9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the expanded portions (5), when locked against each other, constitu¬ te a substantially cylindrical body, from which the parts of the bottom (1), lying against each other, depart substantially radially in one and the same di¬ rection.

Inventors: KIISKI HEIKKI, KIISKI, HEIKKI
Applicants: LEO LONGLIFE LTD OY, OY LEO LONGLIFE LTD
Application year: 1991
Main classification: B65D85
IPC codes: A45C11, B43K23, B43M17, B65D75, B65D85