Abstract:
A writing instrument having a writing cartridge disposed in a housing or barrel. A scent emitting material is replaceably disposed on/or to the writing instrument to emit a pleasant smell or odor. In an example embodiment, the scent emitting material comprises a substrate such as a roll of paper disposed in the housing. A scented cartridge can also be disposed on/or to the writing instrument to emit a pleasant smell or odor. The scented cartridge and/or substrate are replaceable with other scented cartridges and substrates, thereby enabling a user to choose their desired scent.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to writing instruments and more particularly to a writing instrument that emits a scent.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     Writing instruments that emit a scent are known in the art. These instruments have typically utilized cylindrical housings or barrels adapted to absorb a liquid that evaporates and thereby emits a scent. Other instruments utilize a modified cap or cover that acts as a container for holding a material that emits an odor. Still other instruments have compartments for storing a liquid such as a perfume that can be sprayed into an environment proximate the user. All of these writing instruments are difficult to use and can create a mess if the compartment becomes compromised.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The invention is a writing instrument having a writing cartridge disposed in a housing or barrel that can be griped by a user during use. A scent emitting material is replaceably disposed on/or to the writing instrument to emit a pleasant smell or odor. In an example embodiment, the scent emitting material comprises a substrate such as a roll of paper disposed in the housing of the writing instrument. The scented substrate can have multiple perforations that permit it to be separated from the roll and used for taking notes.  
         [0006]     A scented cartridge is disposed on/or to the writing instrument to emit a pleasant smell or odor. The scented cartridge can comprise a nose cone impregnated with a scent. The nose cone is removably insertable into a nose cap or cover that is used to cover the writing cartridge. The cover has at least one hole or aperture extending therethrough to permit the scent to escape into an environment proximate the user. The scented nose cone and/or substrate are replaceable with other scented nose cones and substrates, thereby enabling a user to choose their desired scent.  
         [0007]     An object of the invention is to provide a scented writing instrument that is easily manufactured and used.  
         [0008]     Another objection of the invention is to provide a scented cartridge that is easily inserted into and removed from the nose cap.  
         [0009]     Still another object of the invention is that it eliminates the need of a user to search for a piece of paper on which to take notes.  
         [0010]     Still yet another advantage of the invention is that it provides a scented writing instrument that is easily refillable.  
         [0011]     The above summary of the invention is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the invention. The figures in the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify these embodiments. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a scent emitting writing instrument according to an example embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a housing according to an example embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 2B  is a cross section view of the housing according to an example embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2C  is an end view of the housing according to an example embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged exploded view of a cover according to an example embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of a lancet coupler according to an example embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a cross section view of the cover according to an example embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a nose cone according to an example embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 5B  is a cross section view of the nose cone according to an example embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 5C  is an end view of the nose cone according to an example embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of a nose cap according to an example embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 6B  is a cross section view of the nose cap according to an example embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 6C  is an end view of the nose cap according to an example embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 6D  is a perspective view of the end of the nose cap according to an example embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 7A  is an exploded perspective view of an end cap assembly according to an example embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 7B  is a cross section view of an outer end cap according to an example embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 7C  is an end view of the outer end cap according to an example embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 7D  is a cross section of an inner end cap according to an example embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 7E  is an end view of the inner end cap according to an example embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
       [0032]     The preceding description of the drawings is provided for example purposes only and should not be considered limiting. The following detailed description is provided for more detailed examples of the present invention. Other embodiments not disclosed or directly discussed are also considered to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0033]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-7E , a scent emitting writing instrument such as a pen, ballpoint pen, fountain pen, pencil, marker, highlighter and the like, is indicated by the number  100 . Writing instrument  100  includes a housing, barrel, or pen tube  110  having an open first end  112  and an open second end  114  in registration with each other along a longitudinal axis thereof.  
         [0034]     Housing  110  can be manufactured from any material that is currently used in the manufacturing of writing instruments such as metal, wood, polypropylene or other plastic materials. Housing  110  can be manufactured with any color, design or lettering printed on its outer surface for advertising of a particular trademark, logo, or brand. This is of particular importance if the writing instrument is utilized as a marketing tool since vivid colors, designs and lettering typically attract a user&#39;s eyes and others toward the writing instrument.  
         [0035]     To ensure that housing  110  is comfortable to use it may have a generally cylindrical shape. However, housing  110  may have any cross sectional shape such as, for example triangular, square, oval, and the like. An outer surface of housing  110  may be coated and/or ribbed to increase tactile feel and improve comfort. A compressible sleeve (not shown) can be slid over housing  110  to provide additional comfort for a user.  
         [0036]     A scent emitting materials is disposed on/or to writing instrument  100 . The scent emitting material can be impregnated with a desired scent by any means including soaking the material in a chemical having a particularly desireable scent. The material can also be manufactured from a material inherently having a desirable scent. Other methods of imparting a scent to a material is also contemplated and should be considered to be within the spirit and scope of the invention.  
         [0037]     In on example embodiment of the invention, the scented material comprises a substrate  120  such as paper disposed in housing  110 . Referring to  FIGS. 2A-2C , housing  110  includes an elongate slit  116  extending generally along a length thereof for permitting a user to dispense substrate  120 . In this embodiment substrate  120  is arranged as a roll of paper. Other configurations are also possible and should be considered to be within the spirit and scope of the invention.  
         [0038]     If substrate  120  is arranged as a continuous roll of paper, edges of housing  110  defining elongate slit  116  can have generally serrated edges to serrate substrate  120  into a desired length. In another example embodiment of the invention, substrate  120  can have spaced perforations (not shown) extending therethrough for permitting easier separation of individual sheet from the roll.  
         [0039]     Substrate  120  can include a generally tacky portion or section on its rear or back surface for permitting at least temporary adhesion to a surface. The adhesive may be disposed adjacent to at least one or both of the perforations. Substrate  120  can also be manufactured having the adhesive cover its entire rear or back surface for complete adhesion to a surface.  
         [0040]     Substrate  120  can be impregnated, by soaking in a chemical or like substance to impart it with a scent that can be emitted through the slit  116  and/or when substrate  120  is dispensed. Any desired scent can be used. A user can also easily change substrate  120  rolls depending upon the scent they desire for that day or time.  
         [0041]     Substrate  120  can be dyed a color corresponding to the scent that it emits for example pink for watermelon, orange for orange, and red for apples. Other color and scent combinations can also be used and are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the invention.  
         [0042]     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , an ink, led, marker or similar cartridge  125  is removably disposed within housing  110 . Cartridge  125  is disposable through a center of substrate  120  and housing  110 . Cartridge  125  has a first writing end  128  that is disposed proximate first end opening  112  of housing  110  and second securing end  129  proximate second end opening  114  of housing  110 . Cartridge  125  can dispense scented or non-scented ink, lead, and like matter.  
         [0043]     A nose cap  130  can be removably disposed over first end opening  112  of housing  110  to provide support to cartridge  125 . Referring particularly to  FIGS. 1 and 6 A- 6 D, nose cap  130  is comprised of a generally conical housing having a generally conical tip portion  132  and a generally annular collar portion  134  having an outer diameter generally greater than an outer diameter of tip portion  132 . As particularly illustrated in  FIGS. 6B-6D , nose cap  130  has a lower or bottom wall  135  for supporting substrate  120  when disposed on housing  110 . An annular channel  136  extends into annular collar portion  134  and about bottom wall  135  for receiving first end opening  112  of housing  110 . In one example embodiment, nose cap  130  can be threadedly coupled to housing  110 . In another example embodiment, nose cap  130  can be pressure fitted to housing  110 . When nose cap  130  is disposed on housing  110  first writing end  128  of cartridge  125  extends through holes  140  and  140 ′ extending through tip portion  132  and bottom wall  135  respectively.  
         [0044]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , a nose cap cover  140  can be provided to prevent first writing end  128  of cartridge  125  from drying out or becoming dull. Nose cap cover  140  has a top or upper wall  142  and a peripheral wall  144  extending away therefrom. Peripheral wall  144  has an edge  146  defining an access opening  148  for receiving nose cap  130 . Peripheral wall  144  of nose cap cover  140  can extend and partially cover elongate slit  116  of housing  110  to prevent unintended dispensing of substrate  120 .  
         [0045]     Turning to  FIGS. 1 and 5 A- 5 C, a scented cartridge  150  can be disposed generally between nose cap  130  and nose cap cover  140  to emit a scent. Scented cartridge  150  can be used in addition to or in lieu of scented substrate  120 . In one example embodiment, scented cartridge  150  comprises a matter or material formed into a cone having a tip portion  152  and a collar portion  154 . Collar portion  154  of scented cartridge  150  has a free edge  156  defining an opening  158  for receiving nose cap  130 .  
         [0046]     In one example embodiment of the invention, scented cartridge  150  has a size and shape adapted to fit relatively securely in access opening  148  of nose cap cover  140 . To facilitate the coupling, collar portion  154  of scented cartridge  150  can have an outer diameter slight greater than an inner diameter of peripheral wall  144  of nose cap cover  140  thereby causing friction engagement between the two upon insertion of scented cartridge  150  into nose cap cover  140 .  
         [0047]     Referring to back to  FIG. 1 , nose cap cover  140  can have at least hole  149  extending therethrough for permitting the scent of scent cartridge to escape into an environment proximate a user. As particularly illustrated in  FIG. 1 , multiple holes  149  can extend through peripheral wall  144  of nose cap cover  140 .  
         [0048]     A cover or sheet  160  such as paper can be temporarily adhered over hole or holes  149  of nose cap cover  140  to prevent the scent from escaping during transit. When a user purchases writing instrument  100  he or she can simply pull cover  160  off of nose cap cover  140  to permit the scent to escape. Cover  160  can be coated with a material such as wax, plastic, and like substances to aid in preventing the scent from escaping.  
         [0049]     In one embodiment, cover  160  comprises a flap having at least one edge that is permanently attached to nose cap cover  140 . A user can flip cover  160  to expose hole or holes  149 . In this embodiment, cover  160  can comprise a resiliently flexible material such as a formed rubber or like material  
         [0050]     In another embodiment, cover  160  comprises a generally rigid plate that is slidably mounted or coupled to nose cap cover  140 . Rotation or sliding of cover  160  in this embodiment exposes hole or holes  149  and permits the scent to escape. Cover  160  can be slid in either parallel or transverse to a longitudinal axis of nose cap cover  140 . Cover  160  can be manufactured with either side or top and bottom rails that are slidably disposed in corresponding tracks of the nose cape cover  140 .  
         [0051]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 7 A- 7 E, at least one end cap  170  is detachably couplable to the second end opening  114  of housing  110  for holding the second end  129  of cartridge  125 . In one embodiment, end cap  170  comprises a top wall  172  having a peripheral wall  174  extending away therefrom that defines an access opening  176  for receiving second end opening  114  of housing  110 .  
         [0052]     End cap  170  includes a post  180  having a bore  182  extending longitudinally therein for receiving and at least temporarily securing cartridge  125 . Post  180  extends from an inner surface of top wall  172  and is centrally disposed therein. In another example embodiment, as particularly illustrated in  FIG. 7C , post  180  is divided along its longitudinal axis defining first  184  and second  186  post portions that extend away from each other when cartridge  125  is inserted in bore  182 . In this embodiment, an inner diameter of bore  182  is at least slightly smaller than an outer diameter of cartridge  125  to create a friction fit therebetween.  
         [0053]     In another example embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 7A  and  7 D- 7 E, an attachment member  190  is operatively coupled between housing  110  and end cap  170  to secure end cap  170  to housing  110 . In an example embodiment, attachment member  190  has a top wall  192  and a peripheral wall  194  extending away therefrom forming an interior space  195 . A pair of supports  196  and  196 ′ can be disposed in and extend generally across the interior space  194 . Supports  196  and  196 ′ can comprise plates or panels having a length generally equal to a length of peripheral wall  194 .  
         [0054]     Top wall  192  of attachment member  190  has a generally centrally disposed aperture  196  extending therethrough for receiving post  180 . In an example embodiment, post  180  is disposed generally between supports  196  and  196 ′. Attachment member  190  can be secured in end cap  170  by an adhesive or other mechanical means such as by threaded engagement.  
         [0055]     Attachment member  190  can also include a tab  198  extending away from an outer surface of its peripheral wall  174  for operatively engaging and securing end cap  170  to housing  110 . In an example embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 A- 2 B, tab  198  operatively engages slit  116  and a notch  200  extending transversely therefrom into housing  110 . To secure end cap  170  to housing  110  tab  198  is inserted and slid within slot  116 . As second end opening  114  of housing  110  confronts an inner surface of the top wall  172  of end cap  170 , tab  198  becomes aligned with notch  200 . Rotation of end cap  170  forces tab  198  into notch  200  such that it extends transversely through notch  200  thereby preventing its disengagement from housing  110 . Other means of engaging end cap  170  to housing  110  are also contemplated by the invention, for example threaded engagement, pressure fitting, and snap fitting.  
         [0056]     A coupling member  210  such as an eyelet, loop, hook, strap, tether, and similar devices can be coupled to writing instrument  100 . In an example embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , coupling member  210  comprises an eyelet having plug portion  212  joined to and extending from an anchoring portion  214 . Plug portion  212  is adapted for operative engagement with writing instrument  100 .  
         [0057]     In an example embodiment, plug portion  212  can include a conical section  216  disposed on an end of a shaft section  218  that is centrally disposed on anchor portion  214 . Conical section  216  is adapted for operative engagement with a hole  224  extending into nose cap cover  140 . Hole  214  can extend through top wall  142  of nose cap cover  140  such that writing instrument vertically hangs when attachment member  210  is coupled to a tether, keychain, necklace, or similar device.  
         [0058]     Anchor portion  214  can include a base section  220  and an attachment section  222 . The shaft section  218  is disposed on an upper surface of base section  220  while the attachment section  222  is disposed on a lower surface of base section  222 . In on example embodiment, attachment section  222  comprises a loop that is adapted to receive a tether or similar device. Attachment member  210  can comprise any compressible material such as rubber, plastic and the like.  
         [0059]     After purchase, a user removes cover  160  thereby exposing hole or holes  149  and permitting the scent absorbed or impregnated in scent cartridge  150  to escape. Nose cap cover  140  is easily removed or disengaged from housing  110  thereby exposing cartridge  125  for writing. When a substrate is not available a user may pull on substrate  120  disposed in housing  110 . A user can pull substrate  120  through slit  116  in housing  110 . A piece or section of substrate  120  can be removed by utilizing serrated edges defining slit  116  if present, or by tearing along one or more perforations formed in substrate  120 . After writing on substrate  120  a user can the adhesive back to stick it on a vertical or generally vertical surface.  
         [0060]     In one example embodiment, substrate  120  is impregnated with a scent that is emitted when it is removed from housing  110 . In another example embodiment of the invention, nose cap  130  can include at least one hole extending therethrough to permit the scent of substrate  120  to flow into nose cap cover  140  and out hole or holes  149 . Scent cartridge  150  may or may not be used when scented substrate  150  is utilized. If scent cartridge  150  is utilized in conjunction with scented substrate  150  the scents can mix and flow out through hole or holes  149 .  
         [0061]     Substrate  120  can be easily replaced by rotating end cap  170  such that tab  198  operatively disengages from notch  200 . Once disengaged, a user pulls on end  170  causing tab  198  to travel along slit  116  until it is free. New substrate  120  can then be inserted into housing  110 . A portion of substrate  110  can be left extending through slit  116  to facilitate easier access to it. End cap  170  can then be replaced by reversing the above steps. Writing cartridge  125  can also be replaced when end cap  170  is free from housing  110 .  
         [0062]     Scent cartridge  150 , which can comprise a solid, gel or the like, is easily replaceable by removing nose cap cover  140 . Once nose cap cover  140  is removed or disengaged from housing  110 , a user can insert their finger or other object into scent cartridge  150  and pull it from nose cap cover  140 . Other methods of replacing or changing scent cartridge  150  are also considered to be within the spirit and scope of the invention.  
         [0063]     Numerous modifications are also contemplated in the present invention. For example, all parts of writing instrument  100  can be manufactured from a single material such as wood, metal or plastic. All parts of writing instrument  100  can also comprise any combination, without any limitation, of the above materials. Advertising, logos, designs and other indicia can be imprinted or imparted on any component of writing instrument  100  including, but not limited to, housing  110 , nose cap  130 , cover  160 , nose cap cover  140 , and/or end cap  170 .  
         [0064]     The present invention may be embodied in these and other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.