At a glance
| Patent number | CN207241257U (application CN201720356837) |
| Type | China utility model (实用新型) - protects product shape and structure |
| Original title | Sharpener structure and sharpener for cutting sketch pencils (切削素描铅笔的削笔器结构及削笔器) |
| Patent owner | Yiwu Dingbang Stationery and Sporting Goods Co., Ltd. |
| Filing date | 2017-04-06 |
| Grant date | 2018-04-17 |
| Status (China) | Lapsed - terminated for non-payment of annual fees (recorded 2023-03-17) |
| Patent family | Only this Chinese patent - no US, European, Japanese, PCT or other filings listed |
| Source | Google Patents (search for CN207241257U) |
What the claims cover, in plain language
Claim 1 - a sharpener mechanism with a cutter frame, a gear ring seat and a helical cutter mounted on the frame. A gear on one end of the cutter meshes with the internal gear of the seat, the frame has a pencil channel, and the cutter’s axis is at an angle to the channel’s axis. Characterized by a cutter whose main body cuts only the wood of the sketch pencil, plus an integral tapered auxiliary section that narrows toward the front, with its cutting line near the channel running roughly parallel to the channel axis.
Claims 2-9 add: the auxiliary cutting line’s distance from the channel axis equal to or slightly less than the lead radius; a frame with front and back ends, the back end having a lead channel; a quick push button aligned with the lead channel to clear broken leads; a crank arm; a pivot-pin mounting for the cutter; cutting edges at least on the rear part of the auxiliary section; and a variant with an auxiliary sleeve in front of the main cutter body.
This is a simplified reading for orientation only. The legal scope is defined by the exact claim wording in the official Chinese document.
What this means for production
This patent was filed only in China, and it lapsed in 2023 because annual fees were not paid. It no longer restricts anyone - in China or elsewhere.
Before production, keep in mind:
- Other patents may exist. Long-point and two-stage sharpeners are sold by several brands, and some designs may be patented in the US. Have a freedom-to-operate (FTO) search done by a US patent attorney before volume production.
Customization and manufacturing
What can be customized
| Area | Options |
|---|---|
| Point length | Exposed-lead length tuned to the target (the patent’s example is about 30 mm) |
| Pencil sizes | Standard graphite pencils; settings for charcoal / carbon pencils with larger cores |
| Housing | Desktop crank sharpener with shavings drawer; clamp-on version for desks |
| Pencil holder | Auto-feed spring grip or manual feed |
| Cutter | Hardened steel helical cutter; replaceable cutter cartridge |
| Extras | Broken-lead push button as in the patent; point-length selector |
| Colors & branding | Brand colors, logo, gift box, bundles with sketch pencil sets |
Things to plan for (US market)
- Children’s products - if sold for school-age children, the sharpener should meet US children’s-product requirements for small parts, lead and coatings, with the required testing and labels.
- Pencil compatibility - test with popular sketch-pencil brands and grades so listings can state what works.
How a project runs
- Inquiry - target users, pencil types, housing style and quantity.
- Design - cutter geometry and angle for the target point length and lead diameters.
- Samples - cutting tests across pencil brands and grades.
- Pilot run - small batch with cutter quality and assembly checks.
- Production - volume production and packaging.
Quantities & timeline
Crank sharpeners use molded housings and a gear set; the special cutter needs its own grinding setup. Send us your target quantity and price point and we will reply with options.
Patent drawings
Selected drawings reproduced from the public patent document for reference (the document has 13 figures).
