Portable handheld sharpener with loop attachment

• US 20040016476A1
• Filed: 07/25/2002
• Published: 01/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InnoDesk Business Tools, Inc.
• Original Assignee: InnoDesk Business Tools, Inc.
• Inventors: Lamers, Anthony J., Brown, Patrick W., Spirk, John W., Nottingham, John R., Plantz, Jeffrey Scott
• Granted Patent: US 6,845,795 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 144/28.6
• CPC Class Codes: B43L 23/02 with gearing

Abstract

A portable, handheld sharpener having an elongated body with loop attachments, a battery-operated DC motor with speed reducing gears and a gear plate and a rotatable sharpening unit. A pouch-shaped waste shavings receptacle detachably attached to the body provides a larger cross-sectional dimension ergonomically contoured to fit within the grip of a hand while providing increased internal space for waste shavings storage. An actuator button is molded into the receptacle and is partially circumscribed to provide a hinge-like action to engage a leaf spring connecting the battery source to the motor and also provides a momentary operation of the sharpener while in the original retail packaging. The actuator button will not operate when the receptacle is detached from the sharpener and the internal sharpening unit is exposed, thus acting as a safety feature. In other alternate embodiments, the looped attachments may be spaced to fit a three-ringed binder, different sharpening units sized to sharpen either pencils or crayons may be used, the unit may be designed to use replaceable sharpening units to prolong the useful life of the sharpener, and the unit is provided with stabilizers adjacent to the actuator button to prevent the unit from freely rolling around.

Claims

1. A portable, handheld sharpener comprising:

a. a body having an elongated, hollow shape and a first opening at one end;

b. a first cap attached to said first opening, the first cap having a first aperture and an inwardly projecting sleeve for inserting an article to be sharpened;

c. a receptacle for waste shavings detachably attached at a second opening of said body adjacent to the first cap;

d. a sharpening unit rotatably positioned within the body and adjacent to the first aperture;

e. a drive means coupled to the sharpening unit;

f. a means for accommodating a power source; and

g. a switch means for connecting the power source and the drive means to energize the drive means.

2. The sharpener of claim 1 wherein the means for accommodating a power source is comprised of an internal compartment for housing one or more batteries;

the drive means is comprised of a direct current electric motor coupled to the sharpening unit by a drive shaft and the sharpener is further comprised of a second end cap removably fitted to the body at a third opening of said body opposite the first opening for access to said batteries for battery insertion and removal.

3. The sharpener of claim 2 wherein the drive means is further comprised of a plurality of gears adapted to reduce the speed of the sharpening unit.

4. The sharpener of claim 3 wherein the sharpening unit is comprised of a housing;

a second aperture leading to a hollow tapered recess within the housing;

said housing also having a fourth opening and at least one blade mounted in the housing at least partially penetrating the fourth opening to engage the end of the object to be sharpened.

5. The sharpener of claim 4 wherein the switch means is comprised of an actuator button disposed within the receptacle and adapted for switching of a plurality of conductive wires between the power source with the drive means and a conductive leaf spring;

said leaf spring when depressed by contact by means of the actuator button completes an electrical circuit between the power source and the drive means.

6. The sharpener of claim 5 wherein said receptacle is comprised of a flexible material;

said actuator button having a convex bubble molded as a contiguous part of the receptacle, a raised actuator disposed on the convex inner surface of the bubble and a partially circumscribing slot to permit flexing of the actuator button, said actuator button being disposed within the receptacle so as to avoid depression by contact when the sharpener is laid on a flat surface.

7. The sharpener of claim 6 wherein the plurality of said gears are each mounted on a boss of a gear plate, said plurality of bosses being of graduated height thereby intermeshing each gear to the successive gear and providing speed reduction relative to motor speed.

8. The sharpener of claim 7 also comprised of an attachment means fixed to the body for attaching the sharpener to a fastener.

9. The sharpener of claim 8 wherein the attachment means is comprised of one or more looped hanging straps attached to a top of the body, said straps being dimensioned to attach the sharpener to a standard ringed binder.

10. The sharpener of claim 9 wherein said at least one blade is disposed at an angle suitable to produce a fine tapered point suitable for writing.

11. The sharpener of claim 9 wherein the sharpening unit is pressure fitted to the drive shaft on the drive means and the first cap is further comprised of a removable snap-on cap, the inwardly projecting sleeve being pressure fitted to the sharpening unit so that the front cap may be removed and the sharpening unit may be replaced.

12. The sharpener of claim 9 wherein the said at least one blade is disposed at an angle suitable to produce a blunt point suitable for drawing instruments comprised of a wax-like material.

13. The sharpener of claim 9 wherein the body has one or more bore holes adjacent to the third opening of said body and the second end cap is secured to a battery cartridge, said battery cartridge being comprised of an insertion end, negative and positive battery contacts, and cartridge sides, said cartridge sides being contoured to fit within the body and partially wrap around the exterior surface of said batteries;

said cartridge sides being further comprised of a flexible material and one or more raised buttons which project through said bore holes when said cartridge is in the inserted position.

14. The sharpener of claim 9 wherein a plurality of stabilizers protrudes from the surface of the receptacle adjacent to the actuator button allowing the sharpener to sit in an upright position on a surface and partially elevated to prevent accidental contact of the surface with the actuator button.

15. The sharpener of claim 9 wherein said sharpener is held within a package providing a means for momentarily operating said sharpener while the sharpener is inside the packaging and a means for automatically returning said sharpener to an inoperative state while still inside the packaging.

16. A portable, handheld sharpener comprising:

a. a body having an elongated hollow shape and a first opening at one end;

b. a first cap attached to said first opening, the first cap having a first aperture and an inwardly projecting sleeve for inserting an article to be sharpened;

c. a receptacle for waste shavings detachably attached at a second opening of said body adjacent to the first cap;

d. a sharpening unit rotatably positioned within the body and adjacent to the first aperture;

e. a direct current electric motor coupled to the sharpening unit;

f. a means for accommodating a power source comprised of one or more batteries;

g. a second end cap removably fitted to the body at a third opening of said body opposite the first opening for access to said batteries for battery insertion and removal;

h. a switch means for connecting the batteries to the motor to energize the motor; and

i. a plurality of gears adapted to reduce the speed of the sharpening unit wherein the plurality of said gears are each mounted on a boss of a gear plate, said plurality of bosses being of graduated height thereby intermeshing each gear to the successive gear and providing speed reduction relative to motor speed.

17. The sharpener of claim 16 wherein the sharpening unit is comprised of a housing;

a second aperture leading to a hollow tapered recess within the housing;

said housing also having a fourth opening and at least one blade mounted in the housing at least partially penetrating the fourth opening to engage the end of the object to be sharpened.

18. The sharpener of claim 17 wherein the receptacle when fully attached to said body provides a larger cross-sectional dimension to said body, said dimension being contoured to fit within the grip of a hand.

19. The sharpener of claim 18 wherein the switch means is comprised of an actuator button disposed within the receptacle and adapted for switching of a plurality of conductive wires between the power source with the drive means and a conductive leaf spring;

said leaf spring when depressed by contact by means of the actuator button completes an electrical circuit between the power source and the drive means.

20. The sharpener of claim 19 wherein said receptacle is comprised of a flexible material;

said actuator button having a convex bubble molded as a contiguous part of the receptacle, a raised actuator disposed on the convex inner surface of the bubble and a partially circumscribing slot to permit flexing of the actuator button, said actuator button being disposed within the receptacle so as to avoid depression by contact when the sharpener is laid on a flat surface.

21. The sharpener of claim 20 also comprised of an attachment means fixed to the body for attaching the sharpener to a fastener.

22. The sharpener of claim 21 wherein the attachment means is comprised of one or more looped hanging straps attached to a top of the body, said straps being dimensioned to attach the sharpener to a standard ringed binder.

23. The sharpener of claim 21 wherein said at least one blade is disposed at an angle suitable to produce a fine tapered point suitable for writing.

24. The sharpener of claim 21 wherein the sharpening unit is pressure fitted to a drive shaft on the drive means and the first cap is further comprised of a removable snap-on cap, the inwardly projecting sleeve being pressure fitted to the sharpening unit so that the front cap may be removed and the sharpening unit may be replaced.

25. The sharpener of claim 21 wherein the said at least one blade is disposed at an angle suitable to produce a blunt point suitable for drawing instruments comprised of a wax-like material.

26. The sharpener of claim 21 wherein the body has one or more bore holes adjacent to the third opening of said body and the second end cap is secured to a battery cartridge, said battery cartridge being comprised of an insertion end, negative and positive battery contacts, and cartridge sides, said cartridge sides being contoured to fit within the body and partially wrap around the exterior surface of said batteries;

said cartridge sides being further comprised of a flexible material and one or more raised buttons which project through said bore holes when said cartridge is in the inserted position.

27. The sharpener of claim 21 wherein a plurality of stabilizers protrudes from the surface of the receptacle adjacent to the actuator button allowing the sharpener to sit in an upright position on a surface and partially elevated to prevent accidental contact of the surface with the actuator button.

28. The sharpener of claim 21 wherein said sharpener is held within a package providing a means for momentarily operating said sharpener while the sharpener is inside the packaging and a means for automatically returning said sharpener to an inoperative state while still inside the packaging.

29. A portable, handheld sharpener comprising:

a. a body having an elongated hollow shape and a first opening at one end;

b. a first cap attached to said first opening, the first cap having a first aperture and an inwardly projecting sleeve for inserting an article to be sharpened;

c. a receptacle for waste shavings detachably attached at a second opening of said body adjacent to the first cap, wherein said receptacle is comprised of a flexible material;

said receptacle when fully attached to said body provides a larger cross-sectional dimension to said body, said dimension being contoured to fit within the grip of a hand;

d. a sharpening unit rotatably positioned within the body and adjacent to the first aperture;

e. a direct current electric motor coupled to the sharpening unit;

f. a means for accommodating a power source comprised of one or more batteries;

g. a second end cap removably fitted to the body at a third opening of said body opposite the first opening for access to the batteries for battery insertion and removal; and

h. a switch means for connecting the batteries to the motor to energize the motor, wherein the switch means is comprised of a plurality of conductive wires between the power source with the drive means and a conductive leaf spring;

said leaf spring when depressed by contact by means of an actuator button completes an electrical circuit between the power source and the drive means;

said actuator button having a convex bubble molded as a contiguous part of the receptacle, a raised actuator disposed on the convex inner surface of the bubble and a partially circumscribing slot to permit flexing of the actuator button, said actuator button being disposed within the receptacle so as to avoid depression by contact when the sharpener is laid on a flat surface.

30. The sharpener of claim 29 wherein the drive means is also comprised of a plurality of gears adapted to reduce the speed of the sharpening unit.

31. The sharpener of claim 30 wherein the sharpening unit is comprised of a housing;

a second aperture leading to a hollow tapered recess within the housing;

said housing also having a fourth opening and at least one blade mounted in the housing at least partially penetrating the fourth opening to engage the end of the object to be sharpened.

32. The sharpener of claim 31 wherein the plurality of said gears are each mounted on a boss of a gear plate, said plurality of bosses being of graduated height thereby intermeshing each gear to the successive gear and providing speed reduction relative to motor speed.

33. The sharpener of claim 32 also comprised of an attachment means fixed to the body for attaching the sharpener to a fastener.

34. The sharpener of claim 33 wherein the attachment means is comprised of one or more looped hanging straps attached to a top of the body, said straps being dimensioned to attach the sharpener to a standard ringed binder.

35. The sharpener of claim 33 wherein said at least one blade is disposed at an angle suitable to produce a fine tapered point suitable for writing.

36. The sharpener of claim 33 wherein the sharpening unit is pressure fitted to a drive shaft on the drive means and the first cap is further comprised of a removable snap-on cap, the inwardly projecting sleeve being pressure fitted to the sharpening unit so that the front cap may be removed and the sharpening unit may be replaced.

37. The sharpener of claim 33 wherein the said at least one blade is disposed at an angle suitable to produce a blunt point suitable for drawing instruments comprised of a wax-like material.

38. The sharpener of claim 33 wherein the body has one or more bore holes adjacent to the third opening of said body and the second end cap is secured to a battery cartridge, said battery cartridge being comprised of an insertion end, negative and positive battery contacts, and cartridge sides, said cartridge sides being contoured to fit within the body and partially wrap around the exterior surface of said batteries;

said cartridge sides being further comprised of a flexible material and one or more raised buttons which project through said bore holes when said cartridge is in the inserted position.

39. The sharpener of claim 33 wherein a plurality of stabilizers protrudes from the surface of the receptacle adjacent to the actuator button allowing the sharpener to sit in an upright position on a surface and partially elevated to prevent accidental contact of the surface with the actuator button.

40. The sharpener of claim 33 wherein said sharpener is held within a package providing a means for momentarily operating said sharpener while the sharpener is inside the packaging and a means for automatically returning said sharpener to an inoperative state while still inside the packaging.

41. A portable, handheld sharpener comprising:

a. a body having an elongated hollow shape and a first opening at one end;

b. a first cap attached to said first opening, the first cap having a first aperture and an inwardly projecting sleeve for inserting an article to be sharpened;

c. a receptacle for waste shavings detachably attached at a second opening of said body adjacent to the first cap;

d. a sharpening unit rotatably positioned within the body and adjacent to the first aperture;

e. a drive means coupled to the sharpening unit;

f. a means for accommodating a power source;

g. a switch means for connecting the power source and the drive means to energize the drive means; and

h. an attachment means comprised of one or more looped hanging straps attached to a top of the body for attaching the sharpener to a fastener.

42. The sharpener of claim 41 wherein said straps being dimensioned to attach the sharpener to a standard ringed binder.

43. The sharpener of claim 42 wherein said receptacle when fully attached to said body provides a larger cross-sectional dimension to said body, said dimension being contoured to fit within the grip of a hand.

44. The sharpener of claim 43 wherein the means for accommodating the power source is comprised of an internal compartment housing one or more batteries;

the drive means is comprised of a direct current electric motor and the sharpening unit is further comprised of a second end cap removably fitted to the body at a third opening of said body opposite the first opening for access to said batteries for battery insertion and removal.

45. The sharpener of claim 44 wherein the drive means is further comprised of a plurality of gears adapted to reduce the speed of the sharpening unit.

46. The sharpener of claim 45 wherein the sharpening unit is comprised of a housing;

a second aperture leading to a hollow tapered recess within the housing;

said housing also having a fourth opening and at least one blade mounted in the housing at least partially penetrating the fourth opening to engage the end of the object to be sharpened.

47. The sharpener of claim 46 wherein the switch means is comprised of an actuator button disposed within the receptacle and adapted for switching a plurality of conductive wires between the power source with the drive means and a conductive leaf spring;

said leaf spring when depressed by contact by means of the actuator button completes an electrical circuit between the power source and the drive means.

48. The sharpener of claim 47 wherein said body is comprised of a flexible material;

said actuator button having a convex bubble molded as a contiguous part of the receptacle, a raised actuator disposed on the convex inner surface of the bubble and a partially circumscribing slot to permit flexing of the actuator button, said actuator button being disposed within the receptacle so as to avoid depression by contact when the sharpener is laid on a flat surface.

49. The sharpener of claim 48 wherein the plurality of said gears are each mounted on a boss of a gear plate, said plurality of bosses being of graduated height thereby intermeshing each gear to the successive gear and providing speed reduction relative to motor speed.

50. The sharpener of claim 49 wherein said at least one blade is disposed at an angle suitable to produce a fine tapered point suitable for writing.

51. The sharpener of claim 49 wherein the sharpening unit is pressure fitted to a drive shaft on the drive means and the first cap is further comprised of a removable snap-on cap, the inwardly projecting sleeve being pressure fitted to the sharpening unit so that the front cap may be removed and the sharpening unit may be replaced.

52. The sharpener of claim 49 wherein the said at least one blade is disposed at an angle suitable to produce a blunt point suitable for drawing instruments comprised of a wax-like material.

53. The sharpener of claim 49 wherein the body has one or more bore holes adjacent to the third opening of said body and the second end cap is secured to a battery cartridge, said battery cartridge being comprised of an insertion end, negative and positive battery contacts, and cartridge sides, said cartridge sides being contoured to fit within the body and partially wrap around the exterior surface of said batteries;

said cartridge sides being further comprised of a flexible material and one or more raised buttons which project through said bore holes when said cartridge is in the inserted position.

54. The sharpener of claim 49 wherein a plurality of stabilizers protrudes from the surface of the receptacle adjacent to the actuator button allowing the sharpener to sit in an upright position on a surface and partially elevated to prevent accidental contact of the surface with the actuator button.

55. The sharpener of claim 49 wherein said sharpener is held within a package providing a means for momentarily operating said sharpener while the sharpener is inside the packaging and a means for automatically returning said sharpener to an inoperative state while still inside the packaging.

56. A portable, handheld sharpener comprising:

a. a body having an elongated hollow shape and a first opening at one end;

b. a first cap attached to said first opening, the first cap having a first aperture and an inwardly projecting sleeve for inserting an article to be sharpened;

c. a receptacle for waste shavings comprised of flexible material and detachably attached at a second opening of said body adjacent to the first cap, said receptacle when fully attached to said body provides a larger cross-sectional dimension to said body, said dimension being contoured to fit within the grip of a hand;

d. a sharpening unit rotatably positioned within the body and adjacent to the first aperture, wherein the sharpening unit is comprised of a housing;

a second aperture leading to a hollow tapered recess within the housing;

said housing also having a fourth opening and at least one blade mounted in the housing at least partially penetrating the fourth opening to engage the end of the object to be sharpened;

e. a direct current electric motor coupled to the sharpening unit;

f. a means for accommodating a power source comprised of one or more batteries;

g. a second end cap removably fitted to the body at a third opening of said body opposite the first opening for access to said batteries for battery insertion and removal;

h. a switch means comprised of an actuator button disposed within the receptacle, said actuator button having a convex bubble molded as a contiguous part of the receptacle, a raised actuator disposed on the convex inner surface of the bubble and a partially circumscribing slot to permit flexing of the actuator button, said actuator button being disposed within the receptacle so as to avoid depression by contact when the sharpener is laid on a flat surface and adapted for switching of a plurality of conductive wires between the power source with the drive means and a conductive leaf spring;

said leaf spring when depressed by contact by means of the actuator button completes an electrical circuit between the power source and the drive means;

i. a plurality of gears adapted to reduce the speed of the sharpening unit wherein the plurality of said gears are each mounted on a boss of a gear plate, said plurality of bosses being of graduated height thereby intermeshing each gear to the successive gear and providing speed reduction relative to motor speed; and

j. an attachment means comprised of a plurality of looped hanging straps attached to a top of the body, said straps being dimensioned to attach the sharpener to a standard ringed binder.

57. The sharpener of claim 56 wherein said at least one blade is disposed at an angle suitable to produce a fine tapered point suitable for writing.

58. The sharpener of claim 56 wherein the sharpening unit is pressure fitted to a drive shaft on the drive means and the first cap is further comprised of a removable snap-on cap, the inwardly projecting sleeve being pressure fitted to the sharpening unit so that the front cap may be removed and the sharpening unit may be replaced.

59. The sharpener of claim 56 wherein the said at least one blade is disposed at an angle suitable to produce a blunt point suitable for drawing instruments comprised of a wax-like material.

60. The sharpener of claim 56 wherein the body has one or more bore holes adjacent to the third opening of said body and the second end cap is secured to a battery cartridge, said battery cartridge being comprised of an insertion end, negative and positive battery contacts, and cartridge sides, said cartridge sides being contoured to fit within the body and partially wrap around the exterior surface of said batteries;

said cartridge sides being further comprised of a flexible material and one or more raised buttons which project through said bore holes when said cartridge is in the inserted position.

61. The sharpener of claim 56 wherein a plurality of stabilizers protrudes from the surface of the receptacle adjacent to the actuator button allowing the sharpener to sit in an upright position on a surface and partially elevated to prevent accidental contact of the surface with the actuator button.

62. The sharpener of claim 56 wherein said sharpener is held within a package providing a means for momentarily operating said sharpener while the sharpener is inside the packaging and a means for automatically returning said sharpener to an inoperative state while still inside the packaging.

63. An electric pencil sharpening device comprising:

a. an elongated hollow body open at one end and having a receptacle detachably mounted thereto;

b. a front cover detachably mounted to said body to cover said open end, said front cover also having an aperture for insertion of a pencil;

c. an electric motor disposed within said body, said electric motor coupled by an electrical circuit to a battery power source;

d. switching means for actuating said motor; and

e. sharpening means coupled to said motor within said body, said sharpening means rotatable relative to said body to cut a tapered point on a pencil for writing.

64. The electric pencil sharpening device as set forth in claim 63 wherein said motor having a first shaft, said first shaft being coupled to said sharpening means through a speed reducing means and a second shaft, said speed reducing means comprising a plurality of meshed gears, and wherein said meshed gears having a predetermined ratio to reduce the speed of said second shaft relative to the speed of said first shaft.

65. The electric pencil sharpening device as set forth in claim 64 wherein said switching means being comprised of an actuator button and a contact means, and said actuator button being integral with said receptacle so as to prevent the motor from operating when the receptacle is detached from said body.

66. The electric pencil sharpening device as set forth in claim 65 wherein said actuator button also comprising a raised projection adjacent to said contact means, wherein depressing said actuator button urges said projection against said contact means and into contact with said motor to close the electrical circuit between the motor and said one or more batteries.

67. The electric pencil sharpening device as set forth in claim 63 wherein said detachable receptacle comprising a concave, enlarged compartment greater in cross section than said body for storage of waste shavings to reduce clogging of the sharpening means and providing increased storage volume for waste shavings.

68. The electric pencil sharpening device as set forth in claim 64 wherein said sharpening means comprising a housing having an aperture and a tapered conical inner wall defining an opening at least partially herethrough to an end point;

one or more linear slots disposed in said inner wall;

a razor blade having an edge projecting at least partially into the opening;

a recess adjacent said second shaft adapted for coupling thereto; and

a fastening means adjacent said aperture for connection to the body at said open end.

69. The electric pencil sharpening device as set forth in claim 63 wherein said pencil sharpening device also comprising at least one loop attached to said body adapted for fastening said device to a ringed loose-leaf binder.

70. The electric pencil sharpening device as set forth in claim 63 wherein said pencil sharpening device also comprising at least one loop attached to said body for fastening said device to an attachment means selected from the group consisting of either a ring, a hook or a loop.

71. The electric pencil sharpening device as set forth in claim 63 wherein said body is comprised of two opposable side portions connected at a seam to define the hollow interior and joined by said front cover to prevent separation of the body at said seam.

72. The electric pencil sharpening device as set forth in claim 63 wherein the body has one or more bore holes adjacent to the third opening of said body and the second end cap is secured to a battery cartridge, said battery cartridge being comprised of an insertion end, negative and positive battery contacts, and cartridge sides, said cartridge sides being contoured to fit within the body and partially wrap around the exterior surface of said batteries;

said cartridge sides being further comprised of a flexible material and one or more raised buttons which project through said bore holes when said cartridge is in the inserted position.

73. The electric pencil sharpening device as set forth in claim 63 wherein a plurality of stabilizers protrudes from the surface of the receptacle adjacent to the actuator button allowing the sharpener to sit in an upright position on a surface and partially elevated to prevent accidental contact of the surface with the actuator button.

74. The electric pencil sharpening device as set forth in claim 63 wherein said sharpener is held within a package providing a means for momentarily operating said sharpener while the sharpener is inside the packaging and a means for automatically returning said sharpener to an inoperative state while still inside the packaging.

75. An electric pencil sharpening device comprising:

a. an elongated hollow body open at one end and having a receptacle detachably mounted thereto, said detachable receptacle comprising a concave, enlarged compartment greater in cross section than said body for storage of waste shavings to reduce clogging of the sharpening means and providing increased storage volume for waste shavings;

b. a front cover detachably mounted to said body to cover said open end, said front cover also having an aperture for insertion of a pencil;

c. an electric motor disposed within said body, said electric motor coupled by an electrical circuit to a battery power source, wherein said motor having a first shaft, said first shaft being coupled to said sharpening means through a speed reducing means and a second shaft, said speed reducing means comprising a plurality of meshed gears, and wherein said meshed gears having a predetermined ratio to reduce the speed of said second shaft relative to the speed of said first shaft;

d. switching means for actuating said motor comprised of an actuator button and a contact means, and said actuator button being integral with said receptacle so as to prevent the motor from operating when the receptacle is detached from said body;

e. said actuator button also comprising a raised projection adjacent to said contact means wherein depressing said actuator button urges said projection against said contact means and into contact with said motor to close the electrical circuit between the motor and said one or more batteries;

f. sharpening means coupled to said motor within said body, said sharpening means rotatable relative to said body to cut a tapered point on a pencil for writing; and

g. said sharpening means further comprising a housing having an aperture and a tapered conical inner wall defining an opening at least partially herethrough to an end point;

one or more linear slots disposed in said inner wall;

a razor blade having an edge projecting at least partially into the opening;

a recess adjacent said second shaft adapted for coupling thereto; and

a fastening means adjacent said aperture for connection to the body at said open end.

76. The electric pencil sharpening device as set forth in claim 75 wherein said pencil sharpening device also comprising at least one loop attached to said body for fastening said device to an attachment means selected from the group consisting of either a ring, a hook or a loop.

77. The electric pencil sharpening device as set forth in claim 75 wherein said body is comprised of two opposable side portions connected at a seam to define the hollow interior and joined by said front cover to prevent separation of the body at said seam.

78. The electric pencil sharpening device as set forth in claim 75 wherein the body has one or more bore holes adjacent to the third opening of said body and the second end cap is secured to a battery cartridge, said battery cartridge being comprised of an insertion end, negative and positive battery contacts, and cartridge sides, said cartridge sides being contoured to fit within the body and partially wrap around the exterior surface of said batteries;

said cartridge sides being further comprised of a flexible material and one or more raised buttons which project through said bore holes when said cartridge is in the inserted position.

79. The electric pencil sharpening device as set forth in claim 75 wherein a plurality of stabilizers protrudes from the surface of the receptacle adjacent to the actuator button allowing the sharpener to sit in an upright position on a surface and partially elevated to prevent accidental contact of the surface with the actuator button.

80. The electric pencil sharpening device as set forth in claim 75 wherein said sharpener is held within a package providing a means for momentarily operating said sharpener while the sharpener is inside the packaging and a means for automatically returning said sharpener to an inoperative state while still inside the packaging.