Pen with cutting function

Abstract

A pen with cutting function includes a main body having a writing tip provided at an end thereof, and a cap fitted around the writing tip. The cap has a closed and an open end, a wall portion extended between the closed and the open end, at least one first projected portion axially extended from the wall portion to project beyond the closed end of the cap, and at least one cutting section provided at the closed end in the vicinity of the first projected portion. When the pen is so positioned with the first projected portion bearing against an article to be cut open, the cutting section at the closed end of the cap is adapted to slide along the article and smoothly cut open wrapping of the article.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pen, and more particularly to a pen with cutting function.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The currently available pens are normally designed for writing only. Among others, there is a pen particularly designed for writing or marking on a compact disk. Generally, compact disks are protected against scratches or damages in several different ways, a first one of which is to position each one single compact disk in a box, which is then tightly coated with a layer of shrink wrapping; and a second one of which is to stack a plurality of compact disks to a predetermined volume and then package the stacked compact disks as a whole with a layer of shrink wrapping to prevent the compact disks from separating from one another and being damaged. Usually, wrappings for packaging the compact disks may be transparent or opaque.

However, to open the tight shrink wrapping of the compact disk or disks packaged in either of the above-mentioned two ways, an additional cutting tool, such as a pair of scissors, a blade, etc., is usually required. It is, of course, inconvenient for most consumers to prepare or to fetch an additional cutting tool simply for opening the package of compact disk or disks. It is therefore tried by the inventor to develop a pen with cutting function for a user to conveniently cut open the package of compact disk or disks.

Taiwanese Patent No. 554838 published on the Patent Gazette dated Sep. 21, 2003 discloses a pen that includes an upper body and a lower body having a reservoir tube for writing. The pen is characterized in that the upper body is a hollow tubular member provided with an axially extended moving slot of a predetermined length. An inner sleeve having a long slot corresponding to the moving slot of the upper body is inserted via an upper end of a locating member into a lower part of the upper body by a predetermined length. The inner sleeve fitted in the upper body is integrally formed of a plastic material through injection molding. The inner sleeve is provided with an open recess, to which a pair of mini scissors and a knife are pivotally connected to move between a folded position, in which the scissors and the knife are received in the open recess, and an extended position, in which the scissors and the knife are pivotally turned outward to locate above the open recess of the inner sleeve.

The Taiwanese Patent No. 554838 also discloses a spring leaf provided in the open recess. With an elastic force provided by the spring leaf, the scissors and the knife could be conveniently operated to move into the open recess or locate above the open recess.

To cut something with the scissors and the knife, a user has to pivotally turn the latter to locate them above the open recess. Since there is not any supporting element provided on the pen for bearing against and therefore applying a supporting force on the thing to be cut, the knife sliding along the thing to be cut tends to skid off the thing and dangerously injure the user. Moreover, since the scissors and the knife are folded or extended through the elastic force of the spring leaf, it is very possible the user negligently touches the spring leaf to cause undesired ejection of the scissors or the knife, which tends to injure the user.

It is therefore desirable to develop a pen with cutting function that is safe for use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a pen with cutting function, a cap of which is provided at a wall portion with at least one first projected portion axially projected beyond a closed end of the cap, and at the closed end in the vicinity of the at least one first projected portion with a cutting section, such that the at least one first projected portion is adapted to bear against an article to be cut open while guiding the cutting section to smoothly cut open the article.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pen with cutting function, a main body of which is provided at a body portion with at least one first projected portion axially projected beyond a first end of the main body, and at the first end of the main body in the vicinity of the at least one first projected portion with a cutting section, such that the at least one first projected portion is adapted to bear against an article to be cut open while guiding the cutting section to smoothly cut open the article.

To achieve the above and other objects, the pen with cutting function according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a hollow main body having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end and having a writing tip coupled therewith, and a cap fitted around the writing tip. The cap includes a closed and an open end, and a wall portion extended between the closed and the open end. The pen is characterized in that the cap is provided at the wall portion with at least one first projected portion axially extended beyond the closed end of the cap, and that the cap is provided at the closed end in the vicinity of the at least one first projected portion with at least one cutting section, such that the at least one first projected portion is adapted to bear against an article to be cut open while guiding the cutting section to smoothly cut open the article without the risk of skidding off the article.

The cutting section has a cutting edge, and is projected from the closed end of the cap by a distance smaller than a distance by which the at least one first projected portion is projected beyond the closed end of the cap.

In a second preferred embodiment of the present invention similar to the first one, the wall portion of the cap is further provided with a second projected portion opposite to the at least one first projected portion. The first and the second projected portion are spaced from each other by a predetermined distance for the cap to straddle the article to be cut open.

Moreover, the closed end of the cap is configured into a smoothly curved guide surface, which is extended from the wall portion for contacting with the article to be cut open.

In a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pen with cutting function includes a hollow main body and a cap. The main body includes a closed first end, a second end opposite to the first end, a body portion extended from the first end to the second end, and a writing tip coupled with the second end. The pen is characterized in that the body portion is provided at an outer surface with at least one first projected portion axially extended beyond the first end of the main body, and that at least one cutting section is provided at and projected from the first end of the main body in the vicinity of the at least one first projected portion, such that the at least one first projected portion is adapted to bear against an article to be cut open while guiding the cutting section to smoothly cut open the article without the risk of skidding off the article.

In the third embodiment, the cutting section also has a cutting edge, and is projected from the closed first end of the main body by a distance smaller than a distance by which the at least one first projected portion is projected beyond the closed first end of the main body.

In a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention similar to the third one, the body portion of the main body is further provided with a second projected portion opposite to the at least one first projected portion. The first and the second projected portion are spaced from each other by a predetermined distance for the main body of the pen to straddle the article to be cut open.

And, the closed first end of the main body is configured into a smoothly curved guide surface, which is extended from the body portion for contacting with the article to be cut open.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The structure and the technical means adopted by the present invention to achieve the above and other objects can be best understood by referring to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a pen with cutting function according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is an assembled view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view showing the use of the pen according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention to cut open an article;

FIG. 3A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a pen with cutting function according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is an assembled view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 6;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view showing the use of the pen according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention to cut open an article;

FIG. 7A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 7;

FIG. 8 is a side view of FIG. 7;

FIG. 8A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 8;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a pen with cutting function according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 9;

FIG. 10 is an assembled view of FIG. 9;

FIG. 10A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 10;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view showing the use of the pen according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention to cut open an article;

FIG. 11A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 11;

FIG. 12 is a side view of FIG. 11;

FIG. 12A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 12;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a pen with cutting function according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 13;

FIG. 14 is an assembled view of FIG. 13;

FIG. 14A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 14;

FIG. 15 is a top plan view showing the use of the pen according to the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention to cut open an article;

FIG. 15A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 15;

FIG. 16 is a side view of FIG. 15; and

FIG. 16A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Please refer to FIGS. 1, 1A, 2, and 2A, in which a pen with cutting function according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. As shown, the pen includes a main body 11, which has a first end 111, a second end 112 opposite to the first end and having a writing tip 114 provided thereat, and a body portion 113 extended between the first and the second end 111, 112; and a hollow cap 12, which has a closed end 121, an open end 122, a wall portion 123 extended from the closed end 121 to the open end 122, at least one first projected portion 13 axially extended from the wall portion 123 to project beyond the closed end 121, and at least one cutting section 14 provided at the closed end 121 in the vicinity of the at least one first projected portion 13 to project from the closed end 121 by a predetermined distance.

The cap 12 is adapted to fit at the open end 122 around the writing tip 114 at the second end 112 of the main body 11.

The cutting section 14 includes a cutting edge 141. A distance by which the cutting section 14 is projected from the closed end 121 of the cap 12 is smaller than a distance by which the at least one first projected portion 13 is projected beyond the closed end 121 of the cap 12. That is, the cutting section 14 has a projected length shorter than that of the at least one projected portion 13 relative to the closed end 121 of the cap 12. Moreover, the closed end 121 of the cap 12 is configured into at least one guide surface 1211, which is a smoothly curved surface integrally extended from the wall portion 123 of the cap 12 in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Please also refer to FIGS. 1, 3, 3A, 4, and 4A at the same time. When the pen with cutting function according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is used to cut open an article 15, which is fitly coated with a layer of shrink wrapping 151, simply bear the first projected portion 13 against the article 15 lightly, with the guide surface 1211 formed at the closed end 121 of the cap 12 in contacting with an outer surface of the article 15 to be cut. And then, drag the whole pen toward the right side of the drawing while allowing the guide surface 1211 to slide along the article 15 until the cutting edge 141 of the cutting section 14 touches and cuts open the shrink wrapping 151 coated on the article 15. The first projected portion 13 also protects a user from undesired injury by the cutting section 14 while dragging the pen. With the present invention, the user could conveniently cut open an article 15 using a frequently available pen without any other cutting tool.

Please refer to FIGS. 5, 5A, 6, 6A, 7, 7A, 8, and 8A, in which a second preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The second embodiment is structurally and functionally similar to the first embodiment, except that the wall portion 123 of the cap 12 is provided with a second projected portion 16 identical to but opposite to the at least one first projected portion 13. The first and the second projected portion 13, 16 are spaced from each other by a distance equal to or slightly larger than a thickness of one side of the article 15 to be cut open, so that the cap 12 straddles the side of the article 15 to be cut while the pen is dragged along the article 15, bringing the guide surface 1211 to slide along the article 15. Since the side of the article 15 to be cut open is confined to the space between the first and the second projected portion 13, 16, the shrink wrapping 151 tightly coated on the outer surface of the article 15 could be naturally and smoothly cut open by the cutting section 14 that is located at the closed end 121 of the cap 12 between the two projected portions 13, 16. The properly determined space between the first and the second projected portion 13, 16 also prevents the cutting section 14 from skidding off the article 15 when the cap 12 of the pen is quickly slid, and therefore protects the user against injury due to negligent contact with the cutting section 14.

Please now refer to FIGS. 9, 9a, 10, and 10A, in which a pen with cutting function according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. As shown, the pen of the present invention in the third embodiment includes a main body 21, which has a closed first end 211, a second end 212 opposite to the first end and having a writing tip 214 provided thereat, a body portion 213 extended between the first and the second end 211, 212, at least one first projected portion 23 axially extended from the body portion 213 to project beyond the closed first end 211, and at least one cutting section 24 provided at the closed first end 211 in the vicinity of the at least one first projected portion 23 to project from the closed first end 211 by a predetermined distance; and a hollow cap 22, which has a closed end 221, an open end 222, a wall portion 223 extended from the closed end 221 to the open end 222.

The cap 22 is adapted to fit at the open end 222 around the writing tip 214 at the second end 212 of the main body 21.

The cutting section 24 includes a cutting edge 241. A distance by which the cutting section 24 is projected from the closed first end 211 of the main body 21 is smaller than a distance by which the at least one first projected portion 23 is projected beyond the closed first end 211 of the main body 21. That is, the cutting section 24 has a projected length shorter than that of the at least one projected portion 23 relative to the closed first end 211 of the main body 21. Moreover, the closed first end 211 of the main body 21 is configured into at least one guide surface 2111, which is a smoothly curved surface integrally extended from the body portion 213 of the main body 21 in the third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Please also refer to FIGS. 9, 11, 11A, 12, and 12A at the same time. When the pen with cutting function according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention is used to cut open an article 25, which is fitly coated with a layer of shrink wrapping 251, simply bear the first projected portion 23 against the article 25 lightly, with the guide surface 2111 formed at the closed first end 211 of the main body 21 in contacting with an outer surface of the article 25 to be cut. And then, drag the whole pen toward the right side of the drawing while allowing the guide surface 2111 to slide along the article 25 until the cutting edge 241 of the cutting section 24 touches and cuts open the shrink wrapping 251 coated on the article 25. The first projected portion 23 also protects a user from undesired injury by the cutting section 24 while dragging the pen. With the present invention, the user could conveniently cut open an article 25 using a frequently available pen without any other cutting tool.

Please refer to FIGS. 13, 13A, 14, 14A, 15, 15A, 16, and 16A, in which a pen with cutting function according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The fourth embodiment is structurally and functionally similar to the third embodiment, except that the body portion 213 of the main body 21 is provided with a second projected portion 26 identical to but opposite to the at least one first projected portion 23. The first and the second projected portion 23, 26 are spaced from each other by a distance equal to or slightly larger than a thickness of one side of the article 25 to be cut open, so that the main body 21 straddles the side of the article 25 to be cut while the pen is dragged along the article 25, bringing the guide surface 2111 to slide along the article 25. Since the side of the article 25 to be cut is confined to the space between the first and the second projected portion 23, 26, the shrink wrapping 251 tightly coated on the outer surface of the article 25 could be naturally and smoothly cut open by the cutting section 24 that is located at the closed first end 211 of the main body 21 between the two projected portions 23,26. The properly determined space between the first and the second projected portion 23, 26 also prevents the cutting section 24 from skidding off the article 25 when the main body 21 of the pen is quickly slid, and therefore protects the user against injury due to negligent contact with the cutting section 24.

The present invention has been described with some preferred embodiments thereof and it is understood that many changes and modifications in the described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention that is intended to be limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pen with cutting function, comprising a cap having a closed end, an opposite open end, a wall portion extended between said closed and said open end, at least one first projected portion axially extended from said wall portion to project beyond said closed end by a predetermined distance, and at least one cutting section provided at said closed end to project therefrom; whereby said cutting section is adapted to cut open an article without the risk of easily skidding off said article.

2. The pen with cutting function as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cutting section is projected from said closed end of said cap by a distance smaller than a distance by which said at least one first projected portion is projected beyond said closed end of said cap.

3. The pen with cutting function as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cutting section includes a cutting edge.

4. The pen with cutting function as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wall portion of said cap is provided with a second projected portion opposite to said at least one first projected portion.

5. The pen with cutting function as claimed in claim 1, wherein said closed end of said cap is configured into a guide surface.

6. The pen with cutting function as claimed in claim 5, wherein said guide surface is a smoothly curved surface.

7. The pen with cutting function as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a main body having two opposite ends, and wherein said cap is fitted around one of said two opposite ends of said main body.

8. A pen with cutting function, comprising a main body having a closed first end, a second end opposite to said first end, a body portion extended between said first and said second end, at least one first projected portion axially extended from said body portion to project beyond said closed first end, and at least one cutting section provided at said closed first end to project therefrom by a predetermined distance; whereby said cutting section is adapted to cut open an article without the risk of easily skidding off said article.

9. The pen with cutting function as claimed in claim 8, wherein said cutting section is projected from said closed first end of said main body by a distance smaller than a distance by which said at least one first projected portion is projected beyond said closed first end of said main body.

10. The pen with cutting function as claimed in claim 8, wherein said cutting section includes a cutting edge.

11. The pen with cutting function as claimed in claim 8, wherein said body portion of said main body is provided with a second projected portion opposite to said at least one first projected portion.

12. The pen with cutting function as claimed in claim 8, wherein said closed first end of said main body is configured into a guide surface.

13. The pen with cutting function as claimed in claim 12, wherein said guide surface is a smoothly curved surface.

14. The pen with cutting function as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a hollow cap having an open end, at where said cap is fitted around a writing tip provided at said second end of said main body.