Patent Publication Number: US-2012024834-A1

Title: Melting pen

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/369,569, filed Jul. 30, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference, to the extent that it is not conflicting with the present application. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the hand tools field and particularly to a versatile tool, which uses hot-wire technology, for opening plastic boxes and packages containing consumer products. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Plastic packages, blister packages, taped boxes, zip ties and oversized, rigid clamshell packages made of hard plastic, may help to secure items for shipping and storage, and cut down on shoplifting, but they can be a nightmare for consumers. There is even a term for the frustration they cause: ‘wrap rage’. Consumers suffer thousands of injuries per year, such as cut fingers and sprained wrists, from tools used to open packages and from the packaging itself. It&#39;s not only the packaging itself that is causing this frustration but it is also what people are using to open up the packaging. Scissors and knifes are the common implements people use, thus resulting in thousands of emergency room visits per year. Furthermore, people, such as elderly or handicap individuals, with limited hand strength, may not be able to use scissors or a knife. 
     Attempts were made to solve the problem. X-Acto™, OpenX™, Pyranna™, and ZipIt™ are all plastic package-opening devices that are currently on the market. These tools all use blades that cut open the packaging. Hence, the consumers still face the risk of injury by cutting. Furthermore, the blades of all of these tools go dull very quickly after opening just a few of the many packages consumers may need to open in a year. In addition, some of these tools also require a strong hand, thus making their use difficult for some consumers, especially the elderly. 
     It is to be noted that the problems and the associated solutions presented in this section could be or could have been pursued, but they are not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches presented in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their presence in this section of the application. 
     Therefore, a new and improved device is needed to address the problems presented above, and thus, to provide the consumers with a safe, easy and expedient means for opening consumer goods packages. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In one exemplary embodiment a tool is provided, which uses a heating element, such as a nichrome wire, that heats up to melt through clamshell or blister packages, taped boxes, zip ties, and other packaging means. The heating element can be activated by pressing the top of the tool and will stay heated until the top of the tool is pressed and released. Thus, an advantage is the safe opening of such packages, without the risk of injury to users. Another advantage is the almost effortless exercise through which the user can open such packages when using this tool. 
     In another exemplary embodiment the tool incorporates a unique twist-off tip that allows the user to change to a flashlight or blade cutter. Thus, another advantage is the versatility of this tool. 
     In another exemplary embodiment the tool uses a unique design that incorporates the use of batteries, voltage/amperage regulator, fan assembly, and nichrome wire, which heats up when needed, and which, for improved safety, has a retractable tip and/or a spring guard. 
     The above embodiments and advantages, as well as other embodiments and advantages, will become apparent from the ensuing description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For exemplification purposes, and not for limitation purposes, embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1   a  illustrates a sectional view of a melting pen configured to function as a tool for opening packaging containers, such as plastic boxes, by using hot-wire technology, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 1   b  illustrates the bottom view of the melting pen from  FIG. 1   a.    
         FIG. 1   c  illustrates a perspective view of the melting pen from  FIG. 1   b.    
         FIG. 2   a  illustrates a sectional view of the pen from  FIG. 1   a , which was adapted to function as a penlight, according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 2   b  illustrates the bottom view of the penlight from  FIG. 2   a.    
         FIG. 2   c  illustrates a perspective view of the penlight from  FIG. 2   b.    
         FIG. 3   a  illustrates a sectional view of the pen from  FIG. 1   a , which was adapted to be capable of functioning as a blade cutter, according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 3   b  illustrates the bottom view of the blade cutter from  FIG. 3   a.    
         FIG. 3   c  illustrates a perspective view of the blade cutter from  FIG. 3   b.    
         FIGS. 4   a - f  illustrate various views of the melting pen&#39;s housing element  105 , depicted in  FIG. 1   b , as follows:  FIG. 4   a  is a sectional view taken along line cc-cc in  FIG. 4   b , which is a side view;  FIG. 4   d  is a top view, while  FIGS. 4   c  and  4   e  are left and right views, respectively; finally,  FIG. 4   f  is a perspective view. 
         FIGS. 5   a - g  illustrate various views of the clamshell  115  and wire assembly ( 117 ,  118  and  119 ) depicted in  FIGS. 1   a - b , as follows:  FIG. 5   b  is a sectional view, while  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   c  are left and right views, respectively, of  FIG. 5   b  sectional view (half clamshell and wire assembly); 
         FIG. 5   e  is a bottom view,  FIG. 5   g  is a back view and  FIGS. 5   d  and  5   f  are perspective views of same  FIG. 5   b  half clamshell and wire assembly. 
         FIGS. 6   a - e  illustrate various views of the blade head  320  depicted in  FIGS. 3   a - b , as follows:  FIG. 6   a  is a side view;  FIG. 6   b  is a perspective view;  FIG. 6   d  is a top view, while  FIGS. 6   c  and  6   e  are left and right views, respectively, of the blade head from  FIG. 6   d.    
         FIGS. 7   a - c  illustrate a perspective, a cross-sectional and a longitudinal sectional view, respectively, of member  114  depicted in  FIGS. 1   a - b.    
         FIGS. 8   a - d  illustrate a perspective-sectional, a side, a left (half) and a sectional view, respectively, of flashlight head  220  depicted in  FIGS. 2   a - b.    
         FIGS. 9   a - e  illustrate various views of the cartridge  106  depicted in  FIG. 1   a , as follows:  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   c  are perspective views of the two pieces which may compose the cartridge;  FIG. 9   b  is a side view, while  FIGS. 9   d  and  9   e  are top and right views, respectively, of  FIG. 9   c  piece. 
         FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b  are perspective and side views, respectively, of cap  101  depicted in  FIGS. 1   a - b.    
         FIG. 11   a  is a side view of a melting pen according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 11   b  and  FIG. 11   c  are left and right views, respectively, of the melting pen from  FIG. 11   a.    
         FIG. 11   d  is a sectional view, along line A-A, of the melting pen from  FIG. 11   a.    
         FIG. 12  is a side view of the pen from  FIG. 11   a , which was adapted to function as a penlight, according to another embodiment. 
         FIGS. 13   a - d  are various views of the melting pen&#39;s head  1120  depicted in  FIG. 11   a , as follows:  FIG. 13   a  is left view,  FIG. 13   b  is a side view,  FIG. 13   c  is a right view and  FIG. 13   d  is a top view. 
         FIGS. 14   a - e  are various views of the melting pen&#39;s miscellaneous components and bracket  1493  assembly, as follows:  FIG. 14   a  is a top view,  FIG. 14   b  is a side view,  FIG. 14   c  is a bottom view,  FIG. 14   d  is a left view and  FIG. 14   e  is a right view. 
         FIGS. 15   a - d  are various views of the bracket  1493  depicted in  FIG. 14   b , as follows: 
         FIG. 15   a  is a side view,  FIG. 15   b  is a top view,  FIG. 15   c  is a left view and  FIG. 15   d  is a cross-sectional view along line A-A in  FIG. 15   a.    
         FIGS. 16   a - e  illustrate various views of the melting pen&#39;s housing element  1105 , depicted in  FIG. 11   a , as follows:  FIG. 16   a  is a top view,  FIG. 16   b  is a side view,  FIG. 16   c  is a bottom view,  FIG. 16   d  is a left view and  FIG. 16   e  is a right view. 
         FIGS. 17   a - d  are various views of the melting pen&#39;s cap  1101  depicted in  FIG. 11   a , as follows:  FIG. 17   a  is a back view,  FIG. 17   b  is a right view,  FIG. 17   c  is sectional view taken along line A-A in  FIG. 17   b , and  FIG. 17   d  is a front view. 
         FIG. 18   a  and  FIG. 18   b  are left and side views, respectively, of the spring  1116  depicted in  FIG. 11   a.    
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     What follows is a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention in which the invention may be practiced. Reference will be made to the attached drawings, and the information included in the drawings is part of this detailed description. The specific preferred embodiments of the invention, which will be described herein, are presented for exemplification purposes, and not for limitation purposes. It should be understood that structural and/or logical modifications could be made by someone of ordinary skills in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is defined by the accompanying claims and their equivalents. 
       FIG. 1   a  illustrates a sectional view and  FIG. 1   b  illustrates the bottom view of a melting pen  100  configured to function as a tool for opening packaging containers, such as plastic boxes, by using hot-wire technology. It is to be noted that “bottom view” is used here for facilitating the description of the respective figure(s) only. While, for example,  FIG. 1   a  depicts the switch  109  and its cover  110  at the “bottom” of melting pen  100 , it should be obvious, that, when the melting pen  100  is hand-held by the user, the switch  109  and the cover  110  will be on, and therefore, accessible from, the “top” of the melting pen  100 . This would be the preferred position for easy access to the switch. 
     The melting pen  100  comprises three major sections: housing (or housing element)  105 , head  120  and cap  101 . The cap  101  is removably attached to housing  105  by using, for example, threaded coupling means. For example, on portion of the cap  101  may function as a male threaded element and a portion of the housing  105  may function as a female threaded element. Thus, a user is able to access the interior space of housing  105  and its contents, such as the batteries  104 , and cartridge  106 . The joint  102  between cap  101  and housing  105  may be sealed with an o-ring made of rubber, plastic or metal. Thus, the interior space of housing  105  may be protected from external agents. A portion of the exterior surface of housing  105  may have a rubber grip tape attached to it in order to help the user hold on to the tool. The housing  105  and the cap  101  may be made of aluminum or other light weight material such as plastic. 
     Two standard batteries  104 , of 1.5 volts (V) each (i.e., 3V total), may be used to power the melting pen. This power source may be sufficient to power the melting pen  100  especially when used as a penlight as described later herein. It may also be sufficient to power the melting pen when used for opening packages (e.g., plastic packages of a predetermined thickness range) if appropriate voltage/amperage regulator  107  and/or heating wire  119  are employed. Two batteries of 1.5 V each may heat the heating wire  119  to approximately 300-400 degrees.F. However, using two batteries (e.g., lithium or nickel batteries) of approximately 3V each (i.e., approximately 6V total) may be preferred for the heating wire  119  to have a more desirable melting power. Two batteries of 3 V each may heat the heating wire  119  to approximately 600-1,000 degrees.F. It should be understood by one of ordinary skills in the art that alternative power sources may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, rechargeable batteries may be used in combination with micro solar panel(s) positioned on the exterior surface of the housing  105 , which may keep the batteries charged at all times. 
     Having batteries, or other independent power sources, powering the melting pen, represents an important advantage for the user. It makes the melting pen highly mobile, for the user to use it where he/she needs it, as opposed to a corded power supply, which makes the melting pen usable only where a nearby power outlet exists. 
     In the two spaces  103 , standard metal coil springs (not shown) are used to provide the necessary contact between the batteries  103  and the appropriate electricity conducting members (not shown), as necessary to power the melting pen. 
     The cartridge  106  may be made of molded or machined plastic, in one piece or in two pieces (shown in  FIGS. 9   a - e ), and is configured to house motor and fan assembly  108 , voltage/amperage regulator  107 , switch  109 , and filter  111 . The switch  109  will be used by the user to turn on and off the heating wire  119  as well as regulator  107  and motor/fan assembly  108 . This may be achieved by press-press or press-release actuation combinations exerted by the user onto the switch  109 . The switch  109  may have a protective cover  110  made of materials such as rubber, plastic or aluminum. 
     The voltage/amperage regulator  107  may be a device, or a plurality of devices, such as a resistor, which may be configured to control or determine a first level of amperage and/or voltage of the current that reaches a first pair of contacts  113  and ultimately the heating wire  119 , and a second level of current that reaches a second pair of contacts  113  and ultimately a LED light as described later herein. The first and second pair of contacts  113  may have a common neutral contact. Therefore, three of the four contacts  113  illustrated in  FIG. 1   a  may be sufficient to power the heating wire  119  and the LED, and thus, the fourth contact, may be a spare contact, which may be used to power additional add-on or interchangeable devices. A standard metal bar  112 , made of, for example, copper, may be provided to ground all the wire tips. 
     There is a mechanical and electrical association among the contacts  113 , the insulated wire  117  and/or the heating wire  119 . The insulated wire  117  may be made of copper and may have a protective exterior layer capable of thermally insulating the wire, and thus, preventing heat from being transferred to the clamshell  115 , or other parts, with which it may become in contact. The thermal and mechanical connection between the insulated wire  117  and heating wire  119  may be achieved by using, for example, a metallic tube  118  in which the respective ends of the two wires are inserted and to which the two wire ends are welded. 
     The clamshell  115  may be made of a ceramic material, to prevent or reduce heat transfer, and is configured to house a portion of the wire assembly described above (comprising the insulated wire  117 , the metallic tube  118  and the heating wire  119 ). For easy assembling, as illustrated in  FIGS. 5   a - g , the clamshell  115  may be manufactured in two pieces, which may be then glued together. 
     The head  120 , comprising the clamshell  115 , the insulated wire  117 , the metallic tube  118 , the heating wire  119  and the spring  116 , may be removably associated with housing  105  using a metallic member as depicted in  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b . The metallic member  114  may be made of materials such as aluminum and may engage the housing  105  using male-female threading means or other easy and fast coupling means. 
     The spring  116  depicted in  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  may be a retractable metal spring and has the purpose and advantage of protecting the user of the melting pen  100  from burn injuries, which may be caused by the accidental touching of the heating wire  119 , if the spring  116  would not be installed. After the melting pen  100  is turned on, by, for example, pressing switch  109 , the user may simply press the head  120  against, for example, a plastic package which the user wishes to open. This will cause the spring  116  to retract, and thus, the heated wire  119  to touch and melt said plastic package, and thus opening it. Next, after the user finishes the plastic package opening and separates the melting pen  100  from said package, the spring  116  will decompress, and thus, cover, and protect against, the heated wire  119  again. Therefore, at all times, there is no lateral portion of heating wire  119  that is exposed to the user. Finally, the user has the option to turn off the melting pen  100 , by, for example, pressing on the switch  109  (or its cover  110 ) again. 
     The heating wire  119  may be bent into a fishtail shape, which likely provides one of the preferred combinations between its strength, the length of its portion which is exposed to the package, and its performance. Other shapes seem to perform equally well or better, such as “W” or “M” shape. However, other shapes may be used, such as a triangular or a rectangular shape. The heating wire  119  may be made of a nichrome wire, which appears to a suitable material (i.e., nichrome) for this purpose. However, other materials with comparable properties may be used. Furthermore, one of ordinary skills in the art would recognize that the heating wire  119  may not need to be a heating element made from a wire. Other methods for manufacturing the heating element may be employed. For example, the heating element may be machined from a metal sheet or cast into a mold. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the exemplary fishtail, or other heating element, made from a metal sheet (or the wire after being flattened, or a molded heating element) may be sharpened, so that a combination of actions, cutting (i.e., mechanical cutting) and melting (i.e., thermal cutting), may be applied to, for example, a plastic package when its opening is desired. Such a combination of actions, simultaneously or consecutively applied, may be even more effective and still safe (by using the protective spring  116 , which may be also called “spring guard”) when opening such a package. 
     The motor and fan assembly  108  has the role to aspirate the air-fumes mixture, resulting from melting plastic, through the filter  111  and expel the filtered air through holes  121  ( FIG. 1   b ). The holes  121  may be four in number, each pair of two being diametrically opposite, or, any plurality of holes may be used. It may be advantageous to have all holes  121  placed on the opposite side of the accessible end of switch  109  or its cover  110 . This is because, as the user is likely to hold the melting pen  100  with the switch  109  on top, the positioning of holes  121  on the bottom side may facilitate the channeling of the filtered air farther from the user, and thus, less likely to be inhaled by the user. This is important because any filter is unlikely to completely purify the air-fumes mixture. A carbon, charcoal or any other type of filter, that proves effective in capturing the fumes from melting plastic, may be used. 
       FIG. 2   a  illustrates a sectional view of the pen from  FIG. 1   a , which was adapted to function as a penlight, while  FIGS. 2   b  and  2   c  illustrate the bottom view and a perspective view, respectively, of the penlight from  FIG. 2   a . The melting pen depicted in  FIGS. 1   a ,  1   b  and  1   c  may be converted into a penlight by substituting its head  120  ( FIGS. 1   a , 1   b ) with a flashlight head  220  ( FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b ). This is a simple operation involving the decoupling and coupling of member  114  ( 214  in  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b ). After the flashlight head  220  is installed, the user may press the switch  209  (i.e., the end covered by switch cover  210 ) to turn on voltage/amperage regulator  207  and light emitter (such as an LED)  231 . It is to be noted that motor-fan assembly  208  may be configured to not turn on when the pen is used as a flashlight. 
     The light emitter  231  is mechanically and electrically associated with a pair of contacts  213  to which regulator  207  is configured to send the appropriate current. The flashlight clamshell  215  made be made of materials such as aluminum or plastic and is configured to house the light emitter  231 . For easy assembling, the flashlight clamshell  215  may be manufactured in two pieces which may be glued together along joint  233 . For enhanced reflective capability, the flashlight clamshell  215  may have a mirrored concave surface  232  at its distal end, as depicted in  FIG. 2   a.    
     One of ordinary skills in the art would recognize that the head  120  and flashlight head  220  may be adapted to be mounted concomitantly to the melting pen without departing from the scope of the invention. This may be advantageous in, for example, darker spaces, by providing the user with the option of illuminating the point of melting on the package. 
       FIG. 3   a  illustrates a sectional view of the pen from  FIG. 1   a , which was adapted to function as a blade cutter, while  FIGS. 3   b  and  3   c  illustrate the bottom view and a perspective view, respectively, of the blade cutter from  FIG. 3   a . The melting pen depicted in  FIGS. 1   a ,  1   b  and  1   c  may be converted into a blade cutter by substituting its head  120  ( FIGS. 1   a , 1   b ) with a blade head  320  ( FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b ). This is a simple operation involving the decoupling and coupling of member  114  ( 314  in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b ). The blade head  320  made be made of materials such as aluminum and is configured to accommodate a standard cutting blade (not shown) in gap  342 . The cutting blade may be secured to the blade head  320  by inserting a screw through the threaded hole  341 . The protective spring  116  depicted in  FIGS. 1   a  and lb may be adapted to be also associated with the blade head  320  and function similarly, as earlier described, thus, providing the advantage of protecting the user from cut injuries. 
       FIG. 11   a  is a side view of a melting pen according to another embodiment.  FIG. 11   b  and  FIG. 11   c  are left and right views, respectively, of the melting pen from  FIG. 11   a .  FIG. 11   d  is a sectional view, along line A-A, of the melting pen from  FIG. 11   a . The melting pen depicted in  FIGS. 11   a - d  is similar with the melting pen depicted in  FIGS. 1   a - c . However, there are several differences, some of which are major differences. The first major difference is that the voltage/amperage regulator  107  depicted in  FIG. 1   a  is completely absent in this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 11   d . An alternative wiring configuration, in which the central role is played by the bracket depicted in  FIGS. 15   a - d , permits reaching the objectives described above, without the need for a voltage/amperage regulator. For example, parallel or series circuit configuration(s) may be employed as necessary to correspond to the physical characteristics of the heating element (e.g., to prevent the burning of the melting element). 
     The second major difference is that the cartridge  106  depicted in  FIG. 1   a  (and  FIGS. 9   a - e ) was also eliminated. The bracket mentioned above ( 1493  in  FIG. 14   b ) not only provides the necessary electrical contacts and contributes to controlling the output current level(s), but is configured to hold in place various components, including the motor and fan assembly  1408  and switch  1409 . Hence, there is no longer a need for the cartridge ( 106 ,  FIG. 1   a ). 
     The third major difference is the absence of filter  111  depicted in  FIG. 1   a . This is because the motor/fan assembly  1108  ( FIG. 11   d ) is configured to work differently here. Air is blown forward through channels  1156   a  ( FIG. 11   b ) in order to dissipate the fumes surrounding the melting element  1119 . Thus, there is no longer a need for the filter. In addition, one major advantage of this configuration is that the blown air prevents the plastic from fusing back together. 
     These three major changes simplify the manufacturing and assembling process, hence the cost of producing the melting pen. Furthermore, less maintenance issues are likely to surface. 
     There is also a fourth major difference. The cap  1101  ( FIG. 11   a  and  11   d ) was modified to allow the coupling of a battery charger, by providing the charger aperture  1188  capable of receiving a corresponding end of the output cord of a standard charger. This change allows the user of the melting pen to use rechargeable batteries ( 1104 ) and it affords a convenient way to recharge those batteries. 
     The melting pen  1100  embodies other changes as it will be evident from the following description. The melting pen&#39;s head  1120  comprises the heating element  1119 , the heating element holder  1115  and spring guard  1116 . The head  1120  has a guide pin  1391   a  ( FIGS. 13   b  and  13   d ) which fits into the aperture  1166   a  of housing  1105 , thus allowing for a quick connect-disconnect operation by a simple action such as a “push and twist” action. One or more openings  1155  may be made into the housing  1105  to facilitate, by functioning as air inlet(s), the blowing of air forward through the channels  1156   a , as explained earlier. A switch cover  1110  may be provided similar with the 110 cover from  FIG. 1   a . The cap  1101  also has a guide pin  1791   b  ( FIG. 17   d ), which, in combination with aperture  1166   b , facilitates, as explained above, a quick coupling-decoupling of the cap  1101  to and from the housing  1105 . 
       FIG. 11   b  and  FIG. 11   e  are left and right views, respectively, of the melting pen from  FIG. 11   a  and they show the heating element  1119 , the spring guard  1116 , the housing  1105 , the switch cover  1110 , the heating element holder  1115 , the channels  1156   a , and the charger aperture  1188 . 
       FIG. 11   d  is a sectional view, along line A-A, of the melting pen from  FIG. 11   a .  FIG. 11   d  shows the heating element  1119  having a modified “W” or “M” shape, the spring guard  1116  which is conically tapered, heating element holder  1115 , contact assembly  1177  between heating element  1119  and bracket (not shown here;  1493  in  FIG. 14   b ), fan/motor assembly  1108 , switch  1109 , batteries  1104 , housing  1105  and cap  1101  with its charger aperture  1188 . 
       FIG. 12  is a side view of the pen from  FIG. 11   a , which was adapted to function as a penlight, according to another embodiment. As previously explained, the head  1120  from  FIG. 1   a  may be replaced with a head  1220  comprising a LED  1231 , thus making the pen function as a penlight. 
       FIGS. 13   a - d  are various views of the melting pen&#39;s head  1120  depicted in  FIG. 11   a , as follows:  FIG. 13   a  is left view,  FIG. 13   b  is a side view,  FIG. 13   c  is a right view and  FIG. 13   d  is a top view. The openings  1356   a  are the front, and the openings  1356   b  are the back, of the channels which pass through the heating element holder  1315 . As earlier explained, through these channels, the fan may blow air in order to dissipate the fumes generated by the melting of, for example, plastic, and therefore, to decrease the likelihood that the fumes will be inhaled by the user. 
       FIGS. 14   a - e  are various views of the melting pen&#39;s miscellaneous components and bracket  1493  assembly, as follows:  FIG. 14   a  is a top view,  FIG. 14   b  is a side view,  FIG. 14   c  is a bottom view,  FIG. 14   d  is a left view and  FIG. 14   e  is a right view. Again, as earlier described, the bracket  1493  is so configured as to provide the necessary electrical contacts, but has also a mechanical function, that of holding in place miscellaneous components such as the fan/motor assembly  1408 , the switch  1409 , and the batteries  1404 . As shown in  FIGS. 14   a - c , the cap  1401  may be permanently attached to the bracket  1493  for a quick and simultaneous coupling with the melting pen&#39;s housing ( 1105  in  FIG. 11   a ). Furthermore, as depicted in  FIG. 14   d , the front of bracket  1493  comprises two holes  1457  to accommodate the heating element&#39;s contacts and two larger holes  1456   c  to facilitate the air blowing process described earlier. 
       FIGS. 15   a - d  are various views of the bracket  1493  depicted in  FIG. 14   b , as follows:  FIG. 15   a  is a side view,  FIG. 15   b  is a top view,  FIG. 15   c  is a left view and  FIG. 15   d  is a cross-sectional view along line A-A in  FIG. 15   a . The opening  1594  may be used to hold in place the fan/motor assembly ( 1408  in  FIG. 14   b ). 
       FIGS. 16   a - e  illustrate various views of the melting pen&#39;s housing  1105 , depicted in  FIG. 11   a , as follows:  FIG. 16   a  is a top view,  FIG. 16   b  is a side view,  FIG. 16   c  is a bottom view,  FIG. 16   d  is a left view and  FIG. 16   e  is a right view. The hole  1695  is sized to accommodate the switch ( 1109  in  FIG. 11   d ), and the apertures  1666   a  and  1666   b  are configured, as explained earlier, to accommodate the guide pins of the head ( 1391   a  in  FIG. 13   b ) and cap ( 1791   b  in  FIG. 17   d ), respectively. 
       FIGS. 17   a - d  are various views of the melting pen&#39;s cap  1101  depicted in  FIG. 11   a , as follows:  FIG. 17   a  is a back view,  FIG. 17   b  is a right view,  FIG. 17   c  is sectional view taken along line A-A in  FIG. 17   b , and  FIG. 17   d  is a front view. Again, the charger aperture  1788  is adapted to receive the corresponding end of the output cord of a standard battery charger. While the shape shown here is a rectangular shape, other shapes may be used (e.g., circular) as it may be necessary for proper connection with the standard charger selected to accompany the melting pen. 
       FIG. 18   a  and  FIG. 18   b  are left and side views, respectively, of the guard spring  1116  depicted in  FIG. 11   a . It should be noted that the guard spring has a conical taper. This design increases the precision with which the user may use the melting pen. The smaller distal circumference of the spring allows a more exact positioning of the heating element at the desired location. 
     It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used in this patent document. The term “couple” and its derivatives refer to any direct or indirect communication between two or more elements, whether or not those elements are in physical contact with one another. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like. 
     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein for the purpose of disclosing the preferred embodiments, someone of ordinary skills in the art will easily detect alternate embodiments and/or equivalent variations, which may be capable of achieving the same results, and which may be substituted for the specific embodiments illustrated and described herein without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of this application is intended to cover alternate embodiments and/or equivalent variations of the specific embodiments illustrated and/or described herein. Hence, the scope of the present invention is defined by the accompanying claims and their equivalents. Furthermore, each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into the specification and the claims are embodiment(s) of the present invention.