# US 2013/0156977 A1 · Flexible housing, in particular for writing implements, and method for producing a flexible housing

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- Number: US 2013/0156977 A1
- Document ID: US20130156977A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/706,410
- Filed: 2012-12-06
- Published: 2013-06-20
- Earliest claimed: 2011-12-19
- Assignees: Porsche Lizenz Und Handelsgesellschaft Mbh & Co.KG
- Inventors: Joerg Tragatschnig
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130156977A1

## CPC

- B43K 23/00: Holders or connectors for writing implements; Means for protecting the writing-points {(B43K27/003 takes precedence)}
- B43K 7/005: {Pen barrels}
- B65D 13/00: Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of the same material, other than metal, plastics, wood or substitutes therefor
- B65D 23/08: Coverings or external coatings (wrappers B65D65/00)
- Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining
- Y10T 428/13: Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.]
- B43K: IMPLEMENTS FOR WRITING OR DRAWING (containers, casings or accessories for cosmetic substances, e.g. shaving soap, lipstick, make-up A45D34/00, A45D40/00)
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A flexible housing is provided for writing implements or for other articles of everyday use, such as bottles, lighters, etc. The housing has at least one separating point to provide a flexible housing that can move independently of the elastic properties of the base material used. The elements of the housing that are separated by the separating point are connected to one another in a form-fitting manner, and the form-fitting region has play. As a result, the housing can move, and the extent of movement is determined by the sum of the selected plays over all separating points. The ability of the housing to move allows an interaction between the housing and the article received by the housing, i.e. a movement of the housing acts on the article received and can produce a desired function (moving a pen refill, producing a flame, ejecting liquid, etc.).

## Claims

### Claim 1

A flexible housing that can be moved along a first axis and has at least one separating point perpendicular to the first axis, the housing acting on an article received by the housing, the separating point running completely or at least substantially around a periphery of the housing and having at least one region in which two elements of the housing that are separated by the separating point are connected to one another in a form-fitting manner to define a form-fitting region has play in a direction of the axis.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The housing of claim 1, wherein the separating point is formed substantially from regions connected in a form-fitting manner.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The housing of claim 2, wherein the form-fitting regions have dovetail profiles.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The housing of claim 1, wherein the form-fitting regions are arranged in mirror-image fashion in a plane of the separating point.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The housing of claim 4, wherein the form-fitting regions have dovetail profiles.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The housing of claim 1, further comprising at least one spring element inside the housing to apply a prestress in the direction of the first axis.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The housing of claim 1, further comprising at least one guide element inside the housing in the direction of the first axis.

### Claim 8

A method for producing a flexible housing that can move in a direction of a first axis, comprising the following steps:
providing a housing
completely or substantially peripherally severing the housing to form at least one separating point perpendicular to the axis, the separating point having at least one region connected in a form-fitting manner
simultaneously or subsequently incorporating gaps on both sides into the form-fitting region to produce play in a direction of the axis.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, further comprising using a laser beam to sever the housing and to incorporate gaps on both sides.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, further comprising using a water jet to sever the housing and to incorporate gaps on both sides.