Patent Publication Number: US-2016236506-A1

Title: Writing Instrument Having A Replaceable Sleeve

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a non-provisional application, entitled, “Writing Instrument Having A Replaceable Sleeve,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/116/378 filed Feb. 14, 2015, entitled, “Writing Implement Sheath and Housing for Dispensing Sheaths.” 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates, generally, to a replaceable sleeve for a writing instrument. More particularly, it relates to a replaceable sleeve having an inner ridge configured to conform around an outer ridge of a writing instrument. 
     2. Background Art 
     Many medical facilities such as a hospital, an assisted living facility, or a doctor&#39;s office attempt to control the spread of infectious diseases by mandating procedures for sanitizing writing instruments such as a pen, a pencil, a digital pen, or a stylus being exposed directly to a patient or being exposed to bodily fluids or aerosols expelled from a patient with an alcohol-based sanitizing agent. The problem with a user being required to wipe the surface of a writing instrument with alcohol-based sanitizing agent is that the user may be exposed to harsh chemicals that can dry or crack a user&#39;s skin. Thus, there is a need to prevent a writing instrument from being contaminated with these infectious diseases. 
     Currently, the process of disinfecting writing instruments requires a user to apply alcohol-based sanitizing agent to a writing instrument. It can be messy when a user is smearing handfuls of sanitizer on a writing instrument. It can also be unsanitary for a user to come into contact with the contaminants on the writing implement when a user is applying sanitizing agent to the surface of a contaminated writing instrument. It is more desirable and safer for a user to decontaminate a writing instrument without requiring a user to have to physically contact a contaminated surface of the writing instrument. Thus, there is a need for a replaceable sleeve configured to be removable from a writing instrument without requiring a user to contact the contaminated sleeve. 
     Additionally, the use of alcohol-based sanitizing agent may not be effective in disinfecting all portions of a writing instrument such as the rubber grip, a ridge, a recess, or the underside of the clip portion of a pen cap, which can be prone to heavy concentrations of contaminants. It is more desirable for a user to have a more effective way to prevent contaminants from spreading to a writing instrument. Thus, there is a need for a replaceable sleeve configured to substantially cover the surface of a writing instrument. The vast majority of commercially available replaceable sanitation barriers in the healthcare industry include items such as latex gloves, paper gowns, headrest covers, exam table paper, and otoscope specula. A writing instrument can be exposed to a variety of contaminants such as viruses and bacteria. A writing instrument can facilitate the spread of these contaminants to many users such as a patient or a healthcare provider when they come into contact with the writing instrument. What is therefore needed is a replaceable sanitation sleeve for a writing instrument that can be replaced in between contact with differing users. 
     However, in view of the prior art considered as a whole at the time the present invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art how the identified needs could be fulfilled. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The long-standing but heretofore unfulfilled need for a replaceable sleeve configured to cover the outer surface of a writing instrument. The writing instrument has a primary end located opposite a secondary end. The secondary end of the writing instrument has an outer ridge having a step. The replaceable sleeve has a tapered end having a secondary opening located opposite a receiving end having a primary opening. The primary opening of the replaceable sleeve is configured to receive the primary end of the writing instrument. The primary end of the writing instrument is configured to protrude from the secondary opening of the replaceable sleeve. An inner ridge is connected to an inner wall surface of the replaceable sleeve. When the replaceable sleeve covers a substantial amount of the writing instrument, the secondary end of the replaceable sleeve conforms around the outer ridge of the writing instrument. The outer ridge has a step configured to interlock with the inner ridge of the replaceable sleeve, thereby, retaining the replaceable sleeve on the writing instrument. A release mechanism is located on an end of the writing instrument for ejecting the replaceable sleeve which also includes improvements that overcome the limitations of prior art writing instruments having a replaceable sleeve, is now met by a new, useful, and non-obvious invention. 
     In a preferred embodiment, a writing instrument has a primary end located opposite a secondary end. The secondary end of the writing instrument has an outer ridge connected to an outer wall surface of the writing instrument. The outer ridge has a step. The replaceable sleeve has a primary end having a primary opening located opposite a secondary end having a secondary opening. The primary opening of the replaceable sleeve is configured to receive a writing instrument. A portion of the primary end of the writing instrument is configured to protrude from the secondary opening of the replaceable sleeve when the replaceable sleeve covers a substantial amount of the writing instrument. The replaceable sleeve has an inner ridge connected to an inner wall surface of the replaceable sleeve. The step of the outer ridge is configured to interlock with the inner ridge of the replaceable sleeve, thereby, retaining the replaceable sleeve on the writing instrument. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the secondary end of the replaceable sleeve can be tapered. The primary end of the replaceable sleeve is configured to conform to the outer ridge of the writing instrument. The primary opening of the replaceable sleeve has a diameter greater in size than the secondary opening of the replaceable sleeve. The replaceable sleeve can have a tab connected to a surface of the replaceable sleeve. 
     In another embodiment, the secondary end of the writing instrument has a release mechanism with a housing having a primary housing end located opposite a secondary housing end. The primary housing end has an opening configured to receive a portion of the writing instrument. The secondary end has a button configured to be depressed by a user. 
     In yet another embodiment, at least one replaceable sleeve is configured to be retained within a receptacle. The receptacle can have at least one opening, a plate having a primary side located opposite a secondary side, and a resilient member. The resilient member has a primary end connected to an inner wall of the receptacle and a secondary end connected to the primary side of the plate. The at least one replaceable sleeve is located adjacent to the secondary side of the plate. A force of the resilient member is configured to push both the plate and at least one replaceable sleeve toward the at least one opening. The at least one replaceable sleeve is configured to be oriented in an alignment with the at least one opening for removal from the receptacle. 
     The receptacle can have at least one attaching element connected to a surface of the receptacle. The receptacle can have at least one opening bordering a compartment. A perimeter of the at least one opening has a pliable material. A portion of the compartment of the receptacle is removable. 
     In an alternate embodiment, a replaceable sleeve has a primary end having a primary opening located opposite a secondary end having a secondary opening. The primary opening of the replaceable sleeve has a diameter greater in size than the secondary opening of the replaceable sleeve. The primary opening of the replaceable sleeve is configured to receive a writing instrument. The writing instrument has an end with a tip located opposite another end. The replaceable sleeve is configured to cover a substantial portion of the writing instrument when a portion of the tip of the writing instrument protrudes from the secondary opening of the replaceable sleeve. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the writing instrument has a primary end located opposite a secondary end. The secondary end of the writing instrument has an outer ridge connected to an outer wall surface of the writing instrument. The outer ridge has a step. The secondary end of the writing instrument has a release mechanism having a housing. The housing has a primary housing end located opposite a secondary housing end. The primary housing end has an opening configured to receive a portion of the writing instrument. The secondary end has a button configured to be depressed by a user. The replaceable sleeve has a primary end having a primary opening located opposite a secondary end having a secondary opening. The primary opening of the replaceable sleeve is configured to receive a writing instrument. A portion of the primary end of the writing instrument is configured to protrude from the secondary opening of the replaceable sleeve and the button is configured to protrude from the housing when a replaceable sleeve covers a substantial amount of the writing instrument. The replaceable sleeve has an inner ridge connected to an inner wall surface of the replaceable sleeve. The step of the outer ridge is configured to interlock with the inner ridge of the replaceable sleeve, thereby, retaining the replaceable sleeve on the writing instrument. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded side view of the novel replaceable sleeve release mechanism configured to connect to the secondary end on the writing instrument and a replaceable sleeve configured to substantially cover the writing instrument; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded side view of the novel replaceable sleeve configured to substantially covering a writing instrument; 
         FIG. 3  is a side cut-away view of the novel replaceable sleeve having an inner ridge interlocking with the step of the writing instrument when the replaceable sleeve is substantially covering the writing instrument; 
         FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of the novel replaceable sleeve covering a writing instrument, the replaceable sleeve having a removal tab; 
         FIG. 5  is a side cut away view of the novel dispensing mechanism for a removable sleeve; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the dispensing mechanism for a removable sleeve; and, 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the dispensing mechanism for a removable sleeve having an attaching element configured to connect to a substantially flat surface. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and within which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     In a preferred embodiment,  FIGS. 1-3 and 5  illustrate replaceable sleeve  1  having receiving end  2  having primary opening  3  located opposite tapered end  4  having secondary opening  5 . Writing instrument  6  has primary end  7  located opposite secondary end  8 . Outer ridge  9  protrudes from an outer perimeter surface of secondary end  8  of writing instrument  6 . Outer ridge  9  has step  14  configured to interlock with inner ridge  13  of replaceable sleeve  1  when replaceable sleeve  1  covers a substantial amount of writing instrument  6 . A portion of receiving end  2  of replaceable sleeve  1  is configured to conform to outer ridge  9  when replaceable sleeve  1  covers a substantial amount of writing instrument  6 . 
     Secondary end  8  of writing instrument  6  is has release mechanism  12  connected thereto. Release mechanism  12  has primary end  15  located opposite secondary end  16 . Primary end  15  of release mechanism  12  has opening  17  ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ) configured to receive a portion of writing instrument  6 . Secondary end  16  of release mechanism  12  has depressible button  10 . 
       FIG. 3  best depicts replaceable sleeve  1  substantially covering writing instrument  6  and pushing a portion of writing instrument  6  into release mechanism  12 , thereby, pushing button  10  to protrude from secondary end  16  of release mechanism  12 . Release mechanism  12  has primary end  15  having opening  17  configured to receive an end of writing instrument  6  located opposite secondary end  16 . Secondary end  16  of release mechanism  12  has button  10 . Button  10  is configured to protrude from a surface of secondary end  16  when a portion of writing instrument  6  is pushed into opening  17  of release mechanism  12  when inner ridge  13  of sleeve  1  interlocks with step  14  of writing instrument  6 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of removable sleeve  21  having tab  18 . Tab  18  is configured to be grasped by user  20  to pull  19  removable sleeve  21  away from writing instrument  22 . Removable sleeve  21  has a primary end  23  having primary opening  24  located opposite secondary end  25  having secondary opening  26 . It is a preferred embodiment for secondary end  25  to have a tapered configuration. It is within the scope of this invention for removable sleeve  21  to have a constant size in perimeter spanning the length of the removable sleeve  21  and for secondary end  25  to not have a tapered configuration. Primary opening  24  is greater in size than secondary opening  26 . Primary opening  24  is configured to receive writing instrument  22 . Tip  27  of writing instrument  22  is configured to protrude from secondary opening  26  when writing instrument  22  is substantially covered by replaceable sleeve  21 . 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  depict dispensing mechanism  28  having receptacle  30  configured to retain a plurality of replaceable sleeves  1 . Resilient member  29  includes, but is not limited to, a spring. Resilient member  29  is configured to have an end connected to inner wall  35  of receptacle  30  located opposite another end connected to primary side  36  of plate  31 . Plate  31  has primary side  36  connected to resilient member  29  located opposite secondary side  37  connected to at least one replaceable sleeve  1 . The tension created from resilient member  29  pushing against plate  31  causes plate  31  to contact and retain at least one replaceable sleeve  1  in an upright orientation at opening  32  of receptacle  30 . The replaceable sleeve  1  is pushed towards opening  32  of receptacle  30  by plate  31 . Opening  32  allows for a user to access replaceable sleeve  1 . 
     It is within the scope of this invention for receptacle  30  to have primary opening  32  located opposite secondary opening  39  ( FIG. 6 ). Primary opening  32  has a perimeter greater in size than secondary opening  39  perimeter. Secondary opening  32  of receptacle  30  is configured to receive end portion  7  of writing instrument  6  when writing instrument  6  has been inserted through replaceable sleeve  1  retained by receptacle  30 . Primary end portion  7  or tip of writing instrument  6  may protrude from lower portion  40  of receptacle  30  when writing instrument  6  has been inserted through both primary opening  32  and secondary opening  39  of receptacle  30  during the installation of replaceable sleeve  1  onto writing instrument  6 . 
       FIG. 6  shows dispensing mechanism  28  having receptacle  30  having at least one attaching element  33  connected to an outer wall surface of receptacle  30 . Attaching element  33  is configured to connect to substantially flat surface  34  ( FIG. 7 ). In another embodiment,  FIG. 7  depicts substantially flat surface  34  having an attaching element  33  connected thereto. Attaching element  33  is configured to connect with another attaching element connected to receptacle  30  (not shown), thereby retaining receptacle on the flat surface. In another embodiment, receptacle  30  can have at least one recess. Attaching element  33  has a side connected to flat surface  34  located opposite a side configured to connect with an inner recess wall, thereby, mounting receptacle  30  flush onto a wall  34 . It is within the scope of this invention for recess  38  or receptacle  30  to be made of a magnetically attractive material. Attaching element  33  has a side configured to connect to wall  34  located opposite another side configured to connect  42  with magnetically attractive recess  38  or magnetically attractive receptacle  30 . 
     These and other important objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become clear as this description proceeds. 
     The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts that will be exemplified in the description set fourth hereinafter and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 
     Construction of the Novel Writing Instrument Having A Replaceable Sleeve 
     In a preferred embodiment, writing instrument  6  includes, but is not limited to a stylus, a digital pen, a pen, a marker, a highlighter, or a pencil. Primary opening  3  of replaceable sleeve  1  is configured to receive the primary end  7  of writing instrument  6 . A portion of primary end  7  of writing instrument  6  is configured to protrude from secondary opening  5  of replaceable sleeve  1  when replaceable sleeve  1  substantially covers writing instrument  6 . Primary end  7  of writing instrument  6  is configured to contact a writing surface when a portion of primary end  7  of writing instrument  6  protrudes from secondary opening  5  of replaceable sleeve  1 . 
     Inner wall surface  11  of receiving end  2  of replaceable sleeve  1  is configured to connect to outer ridge  9  of writing instrument  6 . A portion of receiving end  2  is configured to conform to the perimeter of outer ridge  9 , thereby, retaining replaceable sleeve  1  onto writing instrument  6 . Inner ridge  13  is connected to the perimeter of inner wall surface  11  of replaceable sleeve  1 . Outer ridge  9  has an end having seat  14  being configured to interlock with inner ridge  13  of replaceable sleeve  1 . 
     Receiving end  2  of replaceable sleeve  1  is configured to be broken away from outer ridge  9  when button  10  is depressed. Seat  14  of outer ridge  9  is configured to disconnect from inner ridge  13  of replaceable sleeve  1  when button  10  of release mechanism  12  is depressed. Replaceable sleeve  1  is ejected from writing instrument  6 . A user is not required to contact replaceable sleeve  1  during the removal process of replaceable sleeve  1  from writing instrument  6 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, replaceable sleeve  1  has receiving end  2  located opposite tapered end  4 . It is within the scope of this invention for receiving end  2  of replaceable sleeve  1  to be located opposite an end that is not tapered. 
     In another embodiment, writing instrument  6  can have release mechanism  12  located on secondary end  8  of writing instrument  9 . When inner ridge  13  of replaceable sleeve  1  interlocks with step  14 , a portion of writing instrument  6  is pushed into release mechanism  12 , thereby extending button  10  to protrude from an end of release mechanism  12 . Release mechanism  12  has button  10  configured to be depressed by a user. A user is any person including, but not limited to, an individual, a health care professional, or a patient. Secondary end  8  of replaceable sleeve  1  is configured to disengage from outer ridge  9  when button  10  is depressed, step  14  is disconnected from inner ridge  13 . As button  10  is depressed, outer ridge  9  moves forward and replaceable sleeve  1  is disconnected from outer ridge  9  allowing replaceable sleeve to be ejected from writing instrument  6 . 
     It is within the scope of this invention for button  10  to be configured to be depressed by a user, the attached replaceable sleeve  1  is pushed off writing instrument  6  when the writing instrument is pushed forward, which pushes the attached replaceable sleeve  1  beyond outer ridge  9 . Replaceable sleeve  1  has a length great enough in size that when substantially covering writing instrument  6 , a portion of the writing instrument  6  is pushed into release mechanism  12  resulting in push button  10  to protrude from secondary end  16  of release mechanism  12 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 5 , receptacle  30  can retain at least one removable sleeve  1 . Removable sleeve  1  can be located next to another removable sleeve  1 . Removable sleeve  1  can be oriented in an upright position so a user can easily insert ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ) primary end  7  of writing instrument  6  into primary opening  3  of removable sleeve  1 . Once inner ridge  13  of replaceable sleeve  1  and step  14  of writing instrument  6  interlock, a user can then remove writing instrument  6  from receptacle  30 . The interlocking of step  14  and inner ridge  13  retain replaceable sleeve  1  on writing instrument  6 . 
     Once removable sleeve  1  has been contaminated and needs to be removed from writing instrument  6 ; removable sleeve  1  can be sterilized and reused or disposed of. Receptacle  30  can be configured to be mounted to substantially flat surface  34  including, but not limited to, a wall, a desk, a table, a clip board, an electronic memory device, or a tablet. Attaching element  33  including, but not limited to, a magnet, adhesive, tape, double sided tape, a fastener, a hook and loop attachment, or a snap has a side that can be connected to a surface of receptacle  30  located opposite a side that can be connected to substantially flat surface  34 . Receptacle  30  can have dispensing mechanism  28  whereby, a plurality of replaceable sleeves  1  are spring released from the dispensing mechanism. It is within the scope of this invention for receptacle  30  to not have a resilient member. 
     In another embodiment, a removable sleeve can be individually stored in sterilized and sealed packaging. 
     In another embodiment, replaceable sleeve  21  can have at least one tab  18  ( FIG. 4 ) connected to a surface of replaceable sleeve  21 . Tab  18  is configured for user  20  to grip and to pull away  19  the contaminated removable sleeve  21  from writing instrument  22  to uncover writing instrument  22 . 
     In another embodiment, a receptacle has at least one opening configured to receive a portion of the replaceable sleeve covered writing instrument. The perimeter of the opening is made of a pliable material (not shown) including, but not limited to, rubber, plastic, or polyurethane. It is within the scope of this invention for the pliable material to have a durometer of including, but not limited to, between the range of approximately 25A-80 A. The receptacle is configured to receive used or contaminated replaceable sleeves. A writing instrument substantially covered by a replaceable sleeve is inserted through a container opening. The replaceable sleeve connects with a portion of the perimeter opening of the container. The rubber material of the perimeter opening grips a portion of the outer surface of the replaceable sleeve. When the writing instrument is removed from the container, the replaceable sleeve is removed from the writing instrument and contained within a storage compartment of the receptacle. It is within the scope of this invention for a portion of the receptacle such as the storage compartment to be removable from the receptacle for easy disposal or sterilization of the contaminated removable sleeves. 
     In yet another embodiment, a receptacle can have a plurality of openings (not shown). A primary receptacle opening can receive the writing instrument. A secondary receptacle opening can expel a writing instrument substantially covered with a replaceable sleeve. 
     Although it is a preferred embodiment for replaceable sleeve  1  to be configured to substantially cover a writing instrument  6  having outer ridge  9  to retain replaceable sleeve  1 , it is within the scope of this invention for a replaceable sleeve to be configured to substantially cover any writing instrument. A writing instrument does not need to have a retaining ridge to be substantially covered by the replaceable sleeve.  FIG. 4  illustrates writing instrument  22  being substantially covered by replaceable sleeve  21 . Secondary end  25  of replaceable sleeve  21  is tapered to retain writing instrument  22  within replaceable sleeve  21 . Secondary opening  26  of replaceable sleeve  21  is smaller in size than primary opening  24  of replaceable sleeve  21  to allow tip  27  of writing instrument  22  to protrude from secondary opening  26 . 
     Sleeve  21  is made of a material including, but not limited to, plastic or latex. When a user grasps writing instrument  22  covered by replaceable sleeve  21 , the force of a user&#39;s grip being applied to the covered writing instrument causes replaceable sleeve  21  to conform to the outer perimeter of writing instrument  22 . Thus, the applied force of a user&#39;s grip around writing instrument  22  during use will retain replaceable sleeve  21  as it substantially covers writing instrument  22 . 
     It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained. Since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
     It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention that, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. 
     Now that the invention has been described,