Abstract: A retractable ink pen including an elongate ink cartridge having a writing end and an exposed ink opening, wherein the writing end moves from a retracted position to an extended position for writing. The retractable ink pen includes a cap including a recess with an inner surface having one of: i) a position structure, and ii) both a first locator and a second locator spaced a distance from the first locator along a first longitudinal axis. The retractable ink pen further includes an elongate barrel including an outer surface having the other of the position structure and both the first locator and the second locator, wherein the position structure is located at the first locator when the writing end is in the retracted position and wherein the locating structure is located at the second locator when the writing end is in the extended position.

Abstract: A retractable pen includes a cartridge partially received in a recess of a cap such that a first end of the cartridge is fixedly attached to the cap. An elongate barrel includes first and second open ends and a through channel fluidly interconnecting the first and second open ends. A portion of the barrel is snugly and threadedly received in the recess such that the cartridge is received in and extends through the through channel, and the barrel and the cap are rotatingly movable relative to each other via the threaded engagement between an extended position in which the second end of the cartridge extends through and out of the second open end of the barrel, and a retracted position in which the second end of the cartridge is disposed within the barrel.

Abstract: The drink ware system of the present invention comprises a vessel, stopper, cup, and lid. The vessel includes a first end, mouth located at the first end, second end, first and second mechanical connections, and body comprised of an inner and outer surface. The body of the vessel stores liquids that are deposited through the vessel's mouth. The stopper engages the mouth to prevent the liquids being stored from escaping. The cup is comprised of an outside surface, inside surface forming a cavity, and opening having a third mechanical connection. The cup is removably coupled to the first end of the vessel such that the cavity encloses the mouth and stopper. The lid has a fourth mechanical connection and can be removably coupled to the second end of the vessel and the opening of the cup when the cup and the lid are decoupled from the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighter which a user actuates by at least two different modes of operation. In the first mode, a plunger member is positioned to allow a biasing member to oppose movement of an actuating assembly so that a user releases fuel and ignites the lighter only if a high-actuation-force is applied to the actuator. In this first mode, the lighter resists operation by unintended users by requiring a user to have a predetermined level of strength to actuate the lighter. In the second mode, the plunger member is moved to a different position so that the biasing member does not oppose movement of the actuating assembly to the same extent as the first mode so that a user may release fuel and ignite the lighter if a low-actuation-force is applied to the actuator. Moving the plunger member from the first position to the second position preferably requires the user to have a predetermined level of cognitive abilities and/or physical characteristics in order to resist use by unintended users.

Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable cigarette lighters which have a latch member which is intended to resist inadvertent operation and to make undesirable operation by unintended operators more difficult. The lighter preferably includes a latch member which in its initial condition blocks movement of the actuator in order to resist operation of the lighter. The latch member is movable to a ready position so that the actuator may be depressed in order to produce a flame. It is preferred that the lighter contain additional or alternative forces on the latch member to improve the ability of the latch member to return to the blocking position over the life of the lighter and to improve the consistency of the latch member's movement and return. In some of the embodiments, this additional or alternative force is provided by a bending moment or flexing force preferably applied to the latch member through a flexing mechanism to flex the latch along at least a portion of its length.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lighter including a housing having a supply of fuel, an actuating member extending from the housing and being movable to selectively perform at least one step in igniting the fuel, and an inhibiting member extending from the housing. Moving the inhibiting member a predetermined distance resists, obstructs and/or prevents the actuating member from performing at least one step in igniting the fuel. For example, moving the inhibiting member the predetermined distance may resist and/or prevent movement of the actuating member, may obstruct and/or prevent the release of fuel, and/or may resist and/or prevent the creation of a spark to ignite the fuel. Various other features which improve the functioning of the lighter may be provided separately or in combination.

Abstract: A grip element having a soft, compressible and deformable outer layer supported by an underlying support structure sufficiently rigid to maintain a receiving channel of the grip element in an open configuration. The support structure facilitates manipulation of the grip element and assembly of the grip element onto a hand-held article without having the outer layer collapse on itself as would occur without the support structure as a result of the soft, deformable nature of the outer layer. The grip element may be formed separately from the hand-held article on which it is to be assembled, and then positioned thereon such that the hand-held article is sold with the grip element pre-assembled thereon. If desired, the grip element may be provided separate from the hand-held article, the outer layer providing a readily compressible and deformable soft cushioning surface and the support structure facilitating insertion of the outer layer over at least a portion of a hand-held article.

Abstract: A gripping element, particularly to writing instruments having a gripping element, which more specifically relates to a marker having a gripping element over a central region thereof. Such positioning of the gripping element facilitates use of the writing instrument in other than standard writing grasps. For example, the positioning of a gripping element over the central region of a writing instrument facilitates gripping of the writing instrument when writing on vertical or inverse horizontal (i.e. upside down) planes. The gripping element has a plurality of elevated sections in the form of intercalated crosses and hexagons or sliced hexagons. The elevated sections may be smooth or textured to enhance gripping and to reduce slippage of the writing instrument during use.

Abstract: A lighter includes a housing having a supply of fuel, an actuating member movably associated with the housing to selectively perform at least one ignition function, and a latch assembly associated with the housing for selectively changing the actuating member from a high-force mode to a low-force mode. The latch assembly preferably must be moved in at least two different directions to change the actuating member from the high-force mode to the low-force mode. The latch assembly may include a latch actuator movable mounted to a latch member. Various other features which improve the functioning of the lighter may be provided separately or in combination.

Abstract: A writing instrument containing an ink reservoir, a writing medium, and a writing tip. Advantageously, a superabsorbent polymer can be associated with any writing instrument element or component, in order to absorb a writing medium to an extent sufficient to prevent abnormal or undesired leakage of the writing medium. The SAP can include, but is not limited to, polymers or copolymers preferably present at or near the surface of the writing instrument element or component in an amount such that the SAP does not substantially interfere with the desired communication or flow of the writing medium from the reservoir to the writing tip during normal use. Writing instruments according to the present invention should exhibit increased writing medium leak resistance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighter including a housing having a handle at one end and a nozzle at another end and including a fuel supply connected for selective fluid communication with the nozzle. A release member is cooperatively connected to the housing to initiate the flow of fuel from the fuel supply to the nozzle. An ignitor, such as a piezoelectric mechanism, is provided for generating a spark proximate the nozzle. A trigger spaced from the release member is operatively connected to the housing for actuating the ignitor for the generation of a spark igniting the fuel present at the nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighter. The lighter includes a housing having a supply of fuel, an actuating member movably associated with the housing to selectively ignite the fuel, and a latch moveable between a first latch position and a second latch position to vary the amount of force required to move the actuating member to ignite the fuel. When a user attempts to move the latch before moving the actuating member, a first latch force is required to move the latch from the first latch position to the second latch position. When a user attempts to move the actuating member before moving the latch, a second latch force is required to move the latch from the first latch position to the second latch position. The second latch force is different that the first latch force, and is preferably greater than the first latch force. Various other features that improve the functioning of the lighter may be provided separately or in combination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighter comprising a housing having a supply of fuel, an actuating member movably associated with the housing to selectively perform at least one step in igniting the fuel, and a latch member slidably associated with the housing to selectively change the actuating member from a high-force mode to a low-force mode. The actuating member may be operable to perform the at least one step in igniting the fuel when in the high-force mode and when in the low-force mode. Various other features which improve the functioning of the lighter may be provided separately or in combination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighter. The lighter includes a housing having a supply of fuel, an actuating member movably associated with the housing to selectively ignite the fuel, and a latch moveable between a first latch position and a second latch position to vary the amount of force required to move the actuating member to ignite the fuel. When a user attempts to move the latch before moving the actuating member, a first latch force is required to move the latch from the first latch position to the second latch position. When a user attempts to move the actuating member before moving the latch, a second latch force is required to move the latch from the first latch position to the second latch position. The second latch force is different that the first latch force, and is preferably greater than the first latch force. Various other features that improve the functioning of the lighter may be provided separately or in combination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighter which a user actuates by at least two different modes of operation. In the first mode, a plunger member is positioned to allow a biasing member to oppose movement of an actuating assembly so that a user releases fuel and ignites the lighter only if a high-actuation-force is applied to the actuator. In this first mode, the lighter resists operation by unintended users by requiring a user to have a predetermined level of strength to actuate the lighter. In the second mode, the plunger member is moved to a different position so that the biasing member does not oppose movement of the actuating assembly to the same extent as the first mode so that a user may release fuel and ignite the lighter if a low-actuation-force is applied to the actuator. Moving the plunger member from the first position to the second position preferably requires the user to have a predetermined level of cognitive abilities and/or physical characteristics in order to resist use by unintended users.

Abstract: A lighter includes a housing having a supply of fuel, an actuating member movably associated with the housing to selectively perform at least one ignition function, and a latch assembly associated with the housing for selectively changing the actuating member from a high-force mode to a low-force mode. The latch assembly preferably must be moved in at least two different directions to change the actuating member from the high-force mode to the low-force mode. The latch assembly may include a latch actuator movable mounted to a latch member. Various other features which improve the functioning of the lighter may be provided separately or in combination.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ignition mechanism includes first and second body members, a piezoelectric element associated with one of the body members, a plexor member associated with one of the body members, and an engagement portion associated with one of the body members. When the body members are in a first position, the plexor member is releasably retained at a distance from the piezoelectric element, and upon movement of the body members toward a second position, the plexor member is released and driven to impact the piezoelectric element. The engagement portion may be configured and dimensioned to provide resistance against movement of the body members toward the second position.

Abstract: A multilayer pressure sensitive correction tape useful for masking handwritten and/or printed characters comprising a release liner, a masking layer and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer, wherein at least one of the layers is cured by radiation. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the masking layer and pressure sensitive adhesive layer comprise formulations of reactive monomers or oligomers which are radiation-cured after the formulations are applied to the correction tape assembly. In a more preferred embodiment of the invention the masking layer and pressure sensitive adhesive layer formulations contain no volatile solvents when these formulations are applied to the correction tape assembly. The radiation-cured layers are essentially insoluble in organic solvents and water, and the radiation-cured layers exhibit improved film toughness and improved resistance to ink “bleed through”.