Cap for a pen or pencil

Abstract

A cap (1) for a pen or pencil (100) has an opening (2) for the introduction of the pen or pencil (100) and a sealing bead (3) that extends radially inwards and runs around the longitudinal axis (L) of the cap (1) with a closed contour. The cap (1) has at least one first component (K1) with a first flexibility and a second component (K2) with a second flexibility that is greater than the first flexibility. The interior (7) of the cap (1) in the region lying opposite the opening (2) in relation to the sealing bead (3) and in the region of the sealing bead (3) is delimited by the first component (K1). The second component (K2) lies on the outside in the region of the sealing bead (3) along a closed contour on the first component (K1). The adjustability of the cap (1) by a force acting in the radial direction in the region of the sealing bead (3) is greater than in a region lying opposite the opening (2) in relation to the sealing bead (3).

Claims

1. A cap (1) for a pen or pencil (100), the cap comprising: an opening (2) for the introduction of the pen or pencil (100) and a sealing bead (3) that extends radially inwards and runs around a longitudinal axis (L) of the cap (1) with a closed contour, at least one first component (K1) with a first flexibility and a second component (K2) with a second flexibility that is greater than the first flexibility, characterised in that an interior (7) of the cap (1) in a region lying opposite the opening (2) in relation to the sealing bead (3) and in a region of the sealing bead (3) is delimited by the first component (K1), the second component (K2) lies on an outside in the region of the sealing bead (3) along a closed contour on the first component (K1), and the adjustability of the cap (1) by a force acting in the radial direction in the region of the sealing bead (3) is greater than in the region lying opposite the opening (2) in relation to the sealing bead (3).

2. The cap according to claim 1, characterised in that a wall thickness of the first component (K1) in the region of the sealing bead (3) is less than a wall thickness of the first component (K1) in the region which lies opposite the opening (2) in relation to the sealing bead (3).

3. The cap according to claim 1 characterised in that a maximum wall thickness (Dmax2) of the first component (K1) is smaller in the region of the sealing bead than a minimum wall thickness (Dmin1) of the first component (K1) in the region which lies opposite the opening (2) in relation to the sealing bead (3).

4. The cap according to claim 1 characterised in that a notch (4) that does not fully penetrate the first component (K1) in the radial direction is formed on an outside of the cap (1) at least in the region of the sealing bead (3), and the second component (K2) is positioned in this notch (4).

5. The cap according to claim 4, characterised in that the second component (K2) is aligned with an outside of the first component (K1).

6. The cap according to claim 4, characterised in that the second component projects over an outside of the first component (K1).

7. The cap according to claim 4, characterised in that the second component is set back from an outside of the first component (K1).

8. The cap according to claim 1, characterised in that one or both of the first component (K1) and the second component (K2) are elastically deformable.

9. The cap according to claim 1, characterised in that one or both of the first component (K1) and the second component (K2) extend at least partially into a region between the opening (2) and the sealing bead (3).

10. The cap according to claim 1, characterised in that one or both of the first component (K1) and the second component (K2) comprise a plastic.

11. A cosmetic pencil that can be sharpened and that has a cap according to claim 1.

12. A method of producing a cap, the cap comprising an opening (2) for the introduction of the pen or pencil (100) and a sealing bead (3) that extends radially inwards and runs around a longitudinal axis (L) of the cap (1) with a closed contour, at least one first component (K1) with a first flexibility and a second component (K2) with a second flexibility that is greater than the first flexibility, characterised in that an interior (7) of the cap (1) in a region lying opposite the opening (2) in relation to the sealing bead (3) and in a region of the sealing bead (3) is delimited by the first component (K1), the second component (K2) lies on an outside in the region of the sealing bead (3) along a closed contour on the first component (K1), and the adjustability of the cap (1) by a force acting in the radial direction in the region of the sealing bead (3) is greater than in the region lying opposite the opening (2) in relation to the sealing bead (3), the method comprising injection molding of the second component (K2) onto the first component (K1), where the second component (K2) is in a heated state.

13. A cap (1) for a pen or pencil (100), the cap comprising: an opening (2) for the introduction of the pen or pencil (100); a sealing bead (3) that extends radially inwards and runs around a longitudinal axis (L) of the cap (1) with a closed contour; at least one first component (K1) with a first flexibility, the first component (K1) comprising an interior (7) of the cap (1) in a region lying opposite the opening (2) in relation to the sealing bead (3), the first component (K1) further comprising the sealing bead (3); and a second component (K2) with a second flexibility that is greater than the first flexibility, the second component (K2) comprising an outside in the region of the sealing bead (3) along a closed contour on the first component (K1), the first component (K1) and the second component (K2) configured such that the adjustability of the cap (1) by a force acting in the radial direction in the region of the sealing bead (3) is greater than in the region lying opposite the opening (2) in relation to the sealing bead (3).

14. The cap according to claim 13, wherein a wall thickness of the first component (K1) in the region of the sealing bead (3) is less than a wall thickness of the first component (K1) in the region which lies opposite the opening (2) in relation to the sealing bead (3).

15. The cap according to claim 13, wherein a maximum wall thickness (Dmax2) of the first component (K1) is smaller in the region of the sealing bead than a minimum wall thickness (Dmin1) of the first component (K1) in the region which lies opposite the opening (2) in relation to the sealing bead (3).

16. The cap according to claim 13, wherein a notch (4) that does not fully penetrate the first component (K1) in the radial direction is formed on an outside of the cap (1) at least in the region of the sealing bead (3), and the second component (K2) is positioned in this notch (4).

17. The cap according to claim 16, wherein the second component (K2) is aligned with an outside of the first component (K1).

18. The cap according to claim 16, wherein the second component (K2) projects over an outside of the first component (K1).

19. The cap according to claim 16, wherein the second component (2) is set back from an outside of the first component (K1).

20. The cap according to claim 16, wherein one or both of the first component (K1) and the second component (K2) extend at least partially into a region between the opening (2) and the sealing bead (3).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the following description the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the drawings given as examples. The drawings show as follows:

(2) FIG. 1 a longitudinal section of a cap according to one embodiment of the invention,

(3) FIG. 2 a longitudinal section of the cap shown in FIG. 1 and which has been placed on a pen or pencil, and

(4) FIG. 3 a section of the cap shown in FIG. 1 along line C-C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section of a cap 1. The cap 1 has an opening 2 for the introduction of a pen or pencil 100 that is not shown here (see FIG. 2 in this regard) into the interior 7. The interior 7 is only delimited by the first component K1. On the side of the cap 1 facing towards the interior 7 a sealing bead 3 is formed. The sealing bead 3 extends radially inwards and runs around the longitudinal axis L of the cap 1 in a closed contour. The sealing bead 3 comprises the first component K1.

(6) In the region of the sealing bead 3 a notch 4 is formed on the side of the first component K1 facing away from the interior 7. Due to the notch 4 the maximum wall thickness Dmax2 of the first component K1 in the region of the sealing bead 3 is smaller than the minimum wall thickness Dmin1 of the first component K1 on the side opposite the opening 2 in relation to the sealing bead 3. The reduction of the wall thickness of the first component K1 in this region increases the adjustability of the cap 1 in the region of the sealing bead 3. This means: if a force is acting upon the wall 5 of the cap 1 in the radial direction, the region of the sealing bead 3 is deflected further in the radial direction with the same force as a region of the wall 5 of the cap 1 that is positioned on the side opposite the opening 2 in relation to the sealing bead 3. The notch 4 also extends into the region of the first component K1 that extends from the sealing bead 3 towards the opening 2.

(7) The second component K2 is positioned in the notch 4. The second component K2 positioned flush with the first component K1 forming the outside of the cap 1. However, the second component K2 can also be projecting or set back. The second component K2 acts like a binding. It increases the stability of the cap 1 in the region of the reduced wall thickness. Since the second component K2 has greater flexibility than the first component K1 the adjustability of the cap in the region of the sealing bead 3 can also be larger with the second component K2 lying on it on the outside than in the region that is positioned on the side lying opposite the opening 2 in relation to the sealing bead 3. Since the second component K2 extends beyond the region of the sealing bead 3 the grip offered by the cap 1 can, moreover, be increased by choosing the second component K2 appropriately.

(8) Moreover, the cap 1 shown in FIG. 1 has recesses 10 on the side of the sealing bead 3 facing towards the opening 2. However, these are not absolutely necessary for the invention. The recesses 10 will be discussed in more detail with reference to FIG. 3.

(9) FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section of the cap 1 shown in FIG. 1 which sits on a pen or pencil 100. The sealing bead 3 lies on the shaft 101 of the pen or pencil 100. Secure fitting of the cap 1 on the pen or pencil 100 can be achieved, for example, as follows: The inside diameter of the cap 1 in the region of the sealing bead 3 is chosen to be smaller than the minimum anticipated outside diameter of the pen or pencil 100 in the region in which the cap 1 placed on the pen or pencil 100 is intended to touch the outer wall of the pen or pencil 100. If the cap 1 is placed on the pen or pencil 100, the wall 5 of the cap 1 in the region of the sealing bead 3 is pressed outwards. The first component K1 and the second component K2 are elastically deformable. A restoring force is thus brought about by the deformation of the wall 5 to the outside. This restoring force pushes the sealing bead 3 tightly and securely against the pen or pencil 100.

(10) In the arrangement shown in FIG. 2 the tip 102 of the pen or pencil 100 is enclosed in the rest of the interior 9 that is formed by the shaft 101 of the pen or pencil 100, the sealing bead 3 and the region of the cap 1 that extends from the sealing bead 3 in the direction away from the opening 2. Both the sealing bead 3 and the inside of the wall 5 of the cap 1 that is positioned on the side of the sealing bead 3 that lies opposite the opening 2 comprise the first component K1. Since the first component K1 has a high diffusion resistance, the tip 102 of the pen or pencil 100 is protected against drying out by the enclosure in the rest of the interior 9.

(11) FIG. 3 shows a section of the cap shown in FIG. 1 taken along line C-C. In addition to the notch 4, these recesses 10 fully passing from the outside of the cap 1 into its interior are formed in the first component K1. The second component K2, which rests against the first component K1 on the outside, extends into the recesses 10 and is aligned with the inside and with the outside of the first component K1. In this way the second component K2 is connected particularly securely to the first component K1 with respect to a force acting in the longitudinal direction of the cap.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

(12) 1 cap 2 opening 3 sealing bead 4 notch 5 wall 7 interior 9 rest of the interior 10 recess 100 pen or pencil 101 shaft 102 tip