Writing instrument having lenticular display surface

• US 20070065223A1
• Filed: 09/16/2005
• Published: 03/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Holland USA, Inc. (Middleby Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Holland USA, Inc. (Middleby Corporation)
• Inventors: Eke, Daniel, Singer, Steven, Santa Maria, Dominic
• Application Number:
  US11/228,112
• Publication Number:
  US 20070065223A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 401/131
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 25/026 combined with other objects
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 29/003 with optical equipment, e.g. magnifier, viewer
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 29/007 with advertising means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/27 involving lenticular arrays

Abstract

A writing instrument is provided that includes an elongated body having a length, an outer surface, a proximal end, and a distal end, and a clip extending along at least a portion of the length of the body. The clip includes an outwardly facing display surface with a lenticular image. The display surface can include a lenticular lens material insert positioned on a base portion of the clip and the lenticular lens material insert can be removably attached to the base portion of the clip, such as with at least one retaining clip. Alternatively, the lenticular lens material insert can be permanently attached to the clip.

Claims

1. An elongated instrument comprising:

a body having a length, an outer surface, a proximal end, and a distal end; and

a clip extending along at least a portion of the length of the body, the clip comprising an outwardly facing display surface comprising a lenticular image.

2. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the display surface comprises a lenticular lens material insert secured to a base portion of the clip.

3. The instrument of claim 2, wherein the lenticular lens material insert is removably attached to the base portion of the clip.

4. The instrument of claim 3, wherein the clip further comprises at least one retaining clip for removably attaching the lenticular lens material insert to the base portion of the clip.

5. The instrument of claim 2, wherein the lenticular lens material insert is permanently attached to the base portion of the clip.

6. The instrument of claim 2, wherein the clip further comprises at least one wall extending from the base portion, and wherein the base portion is sized to accept the lenticular lens material insert.

7. The instrument of claim 6, wherein the at least one wall extends around the perimeter of the base portion to form a continuous rim around the base portion of the clip that defines an inner rim area.

8. The instrument of claim 7, wherein the lenticular lens material insert has a surface area that is at least slightly smaller than the inner rim area.

9. The instrument of claim 6, wherein the lenticular lens material insert has a thickness that is not greater than a distance that the at least one wall extends from the base portion of the clip, so that the insert is at least slightly recessed relative to a top surface of the at least one wall.

10. The instrument of claim 6, wherein the lenticular lens material insert is positioned on the recessed base portion adjacent to the at least one wall.

11. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the lenticular image is integrally formed with the display surface as a lenticular lens.

12. The instrument of claim 3, wherein the clip further comprises:

an opening into which the lenticular lens material insert can be inserted; and

a top surface that is at least partially transparent to allow visibility of the lenticular lens material insert.

13. The instrument of claim 1, wherein a writing material is provided in an interior portion of the body.

14. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the clip comprises a lenticular material.

15. An elongated instrument comprising:

a body having a length, an outer surface, a proximal end, and a distal end, wherein the outer surface comprises at least one body display area; and

a clip extending along at least a portion of the length of the body, the clip comprising at least one clip display area;

wherein at least one of the body and clip display areas comprises a lenticular lens material insert.

16. The writing instrument of claim 15, wherein at least one lenticular lens material insert is removably attached to at least one of the body and clip display areas.

17. The writing instrument of claim 15, wherein the lenticular lens material insert is interchangeable between the body and clip display areas.

18. The writing instrument of claim 15, wherein the body comprises a plurality of body display areas.

19. The writing instrument of claim 15, wherein the at least one body display area comprises a gripping surface.

20. A clip for attachment to an elongated instrument, the clip comprising an outwardly facing display surface comprising a lenticular image.