Fabric pencil case with expandable internal structure

Abstract

A pencil case (1) comprises: a body (2), a head (3) fastened to the body by means of a zipper (5), and a cover (4) that covers the body; wherein the body (2) has a bellows-like configuration and is configured to go from an extended position to a retracted position.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of stationery items and, in particular, to a pencil case used to contain stationery items, such as pens, pencils, crayons, erasers, pencil sharpeners, and the like.

[0002] Pencil cases generally comprising a bag made of fabric or synthetic material with an opening that is closed with a zipper are known.

[0003] These types of pencil cases are impaired by several drawbacks. In fact, said cases are not adaptable in size, and therefore they can be excessively bulky and oversized for the materials they are intended to contain, or they can be compact but undersized and therefore unsuitable for holding long items.

[0004] Furthermore, the pencil cases of the prior art are not aesthetically appealing, as they have limited customization possibilities.

[0005] Pencil cases made of a rigid material that offer better possibilities for aesthetic customization are known. However, the pencil cases made of a rigid material have an external surface that is not pleasant to the touch for the user.

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art by providing an expandable pencil case that is capable of changing its size and configuration.

[0007] Another purpose is to provide such a pencil case that has an attractive appearance and, at the same time, an external surface that is pleasant to the touch for the user.

[0008] These purposes are achieved in accordance with the invention with the characteristics of the attached independent claim 1.

[0009] Advantageous embodiments of the invention appear from the dependent claims.

[0010] Further features of the invention will become clearer from the detailed description below, which refers to a purely illustrative and therefore non-limiting embodiment of the invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a front photograph of the pencil case according to the invention in a closed extended position; Fig. 2 is a photograph like Fig. 1, illustrating the pencil case in a retracted position; Fig. 3 is a side photograph of the pencil case according to the invention; Fig. 4 is a front photograph of the pencil case according to the invention in open position; Fig. 5 is a photograph from above of the pencil case of Fig. 4 in an open position; Fig. 6 is a photograph of the pencil case according to the invention cut along a longitudinal section line; Fig. 7 is a photograph of the pencil case according to the invention that has been cut into two half-bodies; and Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail of Fig. 7.

[0011] With the aid of the Figures, the pencil case according to the invention, which is comprehensively indicated with reference numeral 1, is described.

[0012] With particular reference to Fig. 6, the pencil case (1) comprises: a body (2), a head (3) fastened to the body by means of a zipper (5), and a cover (4) covering the body.

[0013] The body (2) has a substantially cylindrical shape with an upper opening (20) defined by an upper edge (21) (Figs. 5 and 7).

[0014] The body (2) comprises a base (22) and a side wall (23) that joins the base (22) to the upper edge (21).

[0015] The base (22) is rigid and suitable for being disposed on a surface to keep the pencil case (1) in upright position.

[0016] The side wall (23) has a bellows-like configuration. In this way, the body (2) of the pencil case can go from an extended position (Fig. 1), wherein the bellows-like side wall (23) is pulled out, to a retracted position (Fig. 2), wherein the bellows-like side wall (23) is compressed.

[0017] With reference to Fig. 8, the side wall (23) of the body comprises a plurality of rigid rings (24) connected to each other by deformable connections (25) that can be compressed and expanded like a bellows.

[0018] The rigid rings (24) can be drowned in a plastic material that forms the deformable connections (25) by means of a co-molding technology.

[0019] Alternatively, the side wall (23) of the body is made of a single plastic material, wherein the rigid rings (24) have a higher thickness than the deformable connections and the deformable connections (25) have a suitable curvature and a lower thickness than the rigid rings so that they can be deformed like a bellows.

[0020] With reference to Fig. 4, the head (3) has a dome shape with a lower edge (30) that defines a lower opening (31) having the same diameter as the upper opening (20) of the body.

[0021] A zipper (6) fastens the head (3) to the body (2). The zipper (6) comprises: a first zipper part (60) applied to the lower edge (30) of the head, a second zipper part (61) applied to the upper edge (21) of the body, and a slider (62) joined to the first zipper part 60) and to the second zipper part (61).

[0022] In view of the above, the head (3) can be closed on the body (2) by operating the slider (62) of the zipper in such a way to close the zipper. To open the pencil case, the user operates the slider (62) to open the zipper and rotates the head (3) around the axis of the zipper (5) in order to provide access to the upper opening (20) of the body.

[0023] The zipper (5) is joined to the first zipper part (60) and to the second zipper part (61) of the zipper. The zipper (5) has a horizontal axis that is parallel to the base (22) of the body of the pencil case.

[0024] The head (3) can be customized with drawings (32), such as the face of a character, for example an animal, and / or with projecting parts (33), such as the ears of a character, for example an animal.

[0025] The cover (4) is wrapped around the body (2) of the pencil case, taking on a cylindrical shape. The cover (4) has a length equal to the length of the body (2) of the pencil case when the pencil case is in extended position. The cover has a lower end (40) joined to a side edge of the base (22) of the body, and an upper end (41) joined to the upper edge (21) of the body of the pencil case. In view of the above, the cover can have an extended configuration when the body (2) is in extended position (Fig. 1), and a collapsed configuration when the body (2) is in retracted position.

[0026] The cover (4) comprises a synthetic fur, or another fabric, that protrudes outwards. In this way, when the user grasps the pencil case, the user will touch the fur or the fabric of the cover (4) that provides a comfortable feel to the touch.

[0027] Equivalent variations and modifications can be made to the present embodiment of the invention, which are within the reach of an expert of the field and fall in any case within the scope of the invention as disclosed by the attached claims.

Claims

1. Pencil case (1) comprising: - a body (2), - a head (3) fastened to the body by means of a zipper (5), and - a cover (4) covering the body; wherein said body (2) has a bellows-like configuration and is configured to go from an extended position to a retracted position.

2. The pencil case (1) according to claim 1, wherein said body (2) has a substantially cylindrical shape, comprising: - an upper opening (20) defined by an upper edge (21), - a base (22), and - a bellows-like side wall (23) that joins the base (22) to the upper edge (21).

3. The pencil case (1) according to claim 2, wherein said base (22) of the body is rigid and suitable for being positioned on a surface to keep the pencil case (1) in upright position.

4. The pencil case (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said side wall (23) of the body comprises a plurality of rigid rings (24) connected to each other by deformable connections (25) that can be compressed and expanded like a bellows.

5. The pencil case (1) according to claim 4, wherein the rigid rings (24) are embedded in a plastic material that forms the deformable connections (25).

6. The pencil case (1) according to claim 4, wherein the side wall (23) of the body is made of a single plastic material, wherein the rigid rings (24) have a higher thickness than the deformable connections and the deformable connections (25) have a suitable curvature and a lower thickness than the rigid rings so that they can be deformed like a bellows.

7. The pencil case (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the head (3) has a dome shape with a lower edge (30) that defines a lower opening (31).

8. The pencil case (1) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a zipper (6) that fastens the head (3) to the body (2).

9. The pencil case (1) according to claim 8 when dependent on claim 7, wherein said zipper (6) comprises: - a first zipper part (60) applied to the lower edge (30) of the head, - a second zipper part (61) applied to the upper edge (21) of the body, and - a slider (62) joined to the first zipper part (60) and to the second zipper part (61).

10. The pencil case (1) according to claim 9, wherein the zipper (5) is joined to the first zipper part (60) and to the second zipper part (61) of the zipper.

11. The pencil case (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the head (3) comprises drawings (32), such as the face of a character, for example an animal.

12. The pencil case (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the head (3) comprises projecting parts (33), such as the ears of a character, for example an animal.

13. The pencil case (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (4) is wrapped around the body (2) of the pencil case, assuming a cylindrical shape.

14. The pencil case (1) according to any of claims 2 to 12, wherein the cover has a lower end (40) joined to a side edge of the base (22) of the body, and an upper end (41) joined to the upper edge (21) of the body of the pencil case.

15. The pencil case (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (4) comprises a synthetic fur that protrudes outwardly.

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