Abstract:
A flexible eraser bracelet fabricated from an elastomeric compound, capable of erasing marks, such as pencil markings, ink markings, the like, or indicia from a surface.

Description:
[0001]    This application has a priority based on non-provisional patent application No. 12/756,356, which was filed on Apr. 8, 2010 and titled Eraselet—Bracelet Eraser 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates generally to erasers and more specifically to erasers in the form of bracelets and wristbands. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Erasers and the like have been known. Erasers are typically constructed of rubber or synthetic material that allow a user to erase markings, such as pencil markings, ink markings, the like, or indicia from a surface. Erasers typically have a rubbery consistency, come in a variety of colors, and are comprised of a single layer of material, such as synthetic rubber, plastic or gum-like materials, synthetic soy-based gum, and may also contain vinyl and pulverized pumice. 
         [0006]    Edward Naime, an English engineer, is credited with creating the first rubber eraser, using natural rubber, in 1770. However, such natural rubber erasers were not durable, were perishable, and would go had over time. Erasers came into common use after Charles Goodyear discovered the process of vulcanization in 1839, a method that cured rubber and made it durable. Hymen Lipman received the first patent on Mar. 30, 1958 (U.S. Pat. No. 19,783) for attaching an eraser to the end of a pencil; however, the patent was later invalidated. 
         [0007]    Erasers come in several shapes and sizes; the more common erasers come attached to pencils, conical cap erasers that may be slipped onto the ends of pencils, block and wedge erasers that may be rectangular or block shaped, and barrel erasers contained in a barrel of a retractable cylinder. Novelty erasers are also available that have a variety of colors, shapes, and designs that are primarily intended for their decorative nature more than practical use. 
         [0008]    Erasers that may be used for instructional purposes and/or entertainment and that may be used practically for the function of erasing are necessary. Such erasers should have the added convenience and capability of being worn, as jewelry, on or close to the hand of a wearer and therefore close to the writing utensil providing marks that may need erasing. 
         [0009]    The solution for this lack of convenience and practicality is the invention of an eraser in the form of a bracelet and wristband. 
         [0010]    There are many erasers available on the open market. U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,465 (Rago, et al.) discloses a pencil that has a fixed non-replaceable eraser and a moveable sleeve. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,491 (Yeh) discloses a tubular eraser for erasing pencil marks comprising an elongated body of a rubber material. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,419 (Saleen) discloses a pencil eraser assembly having elongated hollow eraser sleeve formed to align in an elemental parallel spaced relationship with both a frustum shaped segment and a portion of a cylindrical barrel segment of a pencil. 
         [0013]    None of the previous inventions have the added convenience that bracelet erasers offer for consumers. For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for erasers with the added convenience and capability of being worn, as jewelry, on or close to the hand of a wearer and therefore close to the writing utensil providing marks that may need erasing. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    All portions of an eraser bracelet have elasticity to assist in pulling it over the hand to the wrist for placement and to assist in removing it in the opposite way. Its elasticity also plays a pivotal role in its function as an eraser. It operates by the individual stretching it from their wrist to the tip of their index finger or thumb. The tension from the elasticity secures it in place. The portion of the bracelet covering the tip of their index finger or thumb provides a surface, that when coupled with kinetic movement, creates the necessary friction to erase pencil or pen markings, the like, or indicia from surfaces. 
         [0015]    Every part of the eraser bracelet can be used to erase markings, such as pencil markings, ink markings, the like, or indicia from a surface. Minimal amounts of dust amass from its use, making it more environmentally efficient, as well as more durable than traditional erasers. Furthermore, no PVC plastics are used as materials in the manufacturing of this product, also making it more environmentally efficient than some traditional erasers currently in production. Eraser bracelets are not consistent in design and can be made in various colors and sizes, and may contain artwork or text printed on the outside of them, whereas the ink printed on them, being a separate entity than the eraser bracelet itself, will not erase markings such as pencil markings, ink markings, the like, or indicia from a surface. For a particular commercial embodiment being produced and marked by Eraselet, LLC, the outside portion of the bracelets are printed with various artwork and text while the inside portion, the part of the bracelet that touches the wearer&#39;s wrist, remain unprinted leaving the total inside portion to be used as an eraser. 
         [0016]    Eraser bracelets are manufactured by vulcanizing natural and/or synthetic rubber, extruding the vulcanized rubber into a long tubular cylinder that is then cooled with or without the use of water, and then cut proportionately, resulting in mass production. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a first embodiment eraser bracelet, which is a single-function, reversible device; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the first embodiment eraser bracelet of  FIG. 1 , as installed on the right wrist of a wearer; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the first embodiment eraser bracelet of FIGS. and  2 , shown in the process of being reversed by a wearer; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the first embodiment eraser bracelet of  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 , shown is the process of erasing pencil markings. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached drawing figures. 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a first embodiment eraser bracelet  13  is a single-function, reversible device, which includes an annular band  14  having an inner major surface  15 , that touches a wearer&#39;s wrist, and an outer major surface  16 , that does not touch a wearer&#39;s wrist. In one embodiment, the annular band  14  is fabricated from an elastomeric compound, such as silicone rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber (produced from butadiene and styrene monomers), polybutadiene, polychloroprene butyl rubber (produced from isobutylene and isoprene), natural rubber, synthetic rubber, vulcanized natural rubber, vulcanized synthetic rubber, partially vulcanized natural rubber, and partially vulcanized synthetic rubber. The elastomer compound may incorporate fluorescent, glow-in-the-dark material. The major surfaces  15  and  16  of the annular band  14  must he capable of being reversed by rolling the hand  14  so that the inner major surface  15  becomes the outer major surface  16 , and visa versa. 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the first embodiment eraser bracelet  13  of  FIG. 1  is shown installed on the right wrist of a wearer  19 , with the outer major surface  16  being the exposed surface of the annular band  14 , and the inner major surface  15  being the surface of the annular band  14  that is in contact with the right wrist of a wearer  19 . 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the first embodiment eraser bracelet  13  is shown in the process of being stretched  17 , reversed  18 , and placed over the right index finger of a wearer  20  by a wearer&#39;s left hand  21  in preparation of use. The elasticity of the annular band  14  secures the annular band  14  snugly between the right index finger of a wearer  20  and the right wrist of a wearer  19 . This enables the wearer to use the outer major surface  16  for its functioning purpose with the precision offered by the right index finger of the wearer  20 , without the annular hand  14  being displaced from friction that occurs during use of the first embodiment eraser bracelet  13  of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the first embodiment eraser bracelet  13  is shown erasing markings  23 , made from a pencil  22 , using the outer major surface  16  of the annular band  14 . A wearer vigorously shakes their right wrist  19 , while applying pressure with their right index finger  20  causing a portion of the outer major surface  16  of the annular band  14  to erase markings  23  made by a pencil  22 . The first embodiment eraser bracelet  13  uses friction created by the kinetic movement of a wearer, coupled with a portion of the outer major surface  16  of the annular band  14  coming in contact with the markings  23  of such a device as a pencil  22 . The tension created when the annular band  14  is stretched  17  between the right wrist of a wearer  19  and the right index finger of a wearer  20 , secures the first embodiment eraser bracelet  13  to a wearer in proper positioning for use. The tension also ensures that the first embodiment eraser bracelet  13  remains in proper positioning for use during the act of using such a device for its intended purposes.