Abstract: The invention relates to a reel assembly for a tape dispenser that includes a supply reel and a take-up reel. The reel assembly incorporates a clutch in the form of a viscous material disposed between a portion of the supply reel and a portion of the take-up reel. The viscous material serves to couple and provide controlled drag between the supply reel and take-up reel in order to properly tension a correction tape as it is dispensed from a correction tape dispenser. The invention also relates to a tape dispenser that utilizes a reel assembly having a viscous clutch and a tape cartridge. The reel assembly is preferably used in a correction tape dispenser for applying a correction film to a substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bleed member provided in a bleed valve assembly having a wall member defining a fluid chamber for retaining a fluid therein. The bleed member has an aperture defined in the wall member and a flexible sealing member located inside the fluid chamber for selectively covering and sealing the aperture. According to the present invention, in a preloading state, the flexible sealing member covers and seals the aperture and, in a venting state, the sealing member is forced to be unseated from the aperture to vent fluid from the valve member. The wall member is preferably flexible and the sealing member may be formed of a material which is flexible and conforms to the shape and configuration of the wall member to seal the aperture.

Abstract: A utility lighter (10), which utilizes the fuel, the actuation mechanism (22, 24, 26, 28, 30) and/or the child-resistant mechanism of a pocket lighter (16), is disclosed. The utility lighter is sized and dimensioned to receive the pocket lighter. The utility lighter also defines a cut-out portion (44, 46) on its housing to expose the actuation mechanism and/or the child-resistant mechanism therethrough for user manipulation.

Abstract: A roller ball pen (2) that permits a user to adjust the bias force that biases a roller ball cartridge (4) out of the pen (2) to suit the user's particular writing style. The pen (2) has a body (8) having distal and proximal ends, a roller ball cartridge (4) disposed in the body (8), a cap (10) removably disposed on the proximal end of the body (8), a control member (14) slidingly disposed in the cap (10), a spring (18) attached to the distal side of the control member (14) and abutting the roller ball cartridge (4), and a drive rod (16) engaged with the control member (14). Rotation of the drive rod (16) moves the control member (14) distally or proximally, thereby adjusting the bias force applied by the spring (18) to the roller ball cartridge (14).

Abstract: A non-aqueous fluorescent ink composition suitable for use in writing instruments is described comprising a fluorescent pigment dispersion and a high boiling point organic solvent. The ink composition may also include resins, plasticizers, antiskinning agents, lubricants and stabilizers. The fluorescent ink composition exhibits a brilliant appearance in masscolor and when written on paper.

Abstract: A piston converter for a fountain pen that permits a user to selectively engage the drive mechanism to the converter is disclosed. The converter has a hollow body fluidly connected to a nib of the pen at one end and a plunger assembly slidably disposed therein. The plunger assembly is engaged to a hollow drive rod. An engagement rod with a first end and an engagement end extends into the drive rod. The drive rod has an internal cavity configured to engage the engagement end of the engagement rod. The engagement end of the engagement rod can be selectively moved into or out of the engagement cavity, thereby permitting selective engagement of the drive mechanism for the piston converter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a utility lighter platform which includes a lighting mechanism configured to selectively ignite fuel supplied from a fuel supply container, and a frame configured to operatively house the lighting mechanism and configured to receive an outer shell thereon. The frame includes a fuel supply container housing structure configured to hold a fuel supply container at a first end of the frame and an insulating cap holding structure configured to receive an insulating cap at a second end of the frame and configured to house a nozzle operatively connected to the fuel supply. The frame also includes an ignitor assembly holding structure configured to house an ignitor assembly, and a trigger holding structure configured to operatively hold a trigger stem with which to activate the ignitor assembly and to release fuel from the fuel supply in order to ignite fuel received at the nozzle.

Abstract: A child-resistant lighter is disclosed which includes an actuator and a latch member coupled thereto. The latch member includes a finger actuation portion and a body portion integrally formed therewith. The body portion has a free end. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention when in an inoperative position, the free end of the latch member is aligned with a blocking surface of the lighter body, thus, preventing inadvertent lighting of the lighter. When in an operative position, the free end of the latch member is pivoted out of alignment with the blocking surface so that the lighter can function. During pivoting, as the finger actuation portion moves in a first direction, the free end moves in an opposite, second direction. The first direction is substantially forward and the second direction is substantially rearward. In another embodiment, the latch member can be slidable coupled to the actuator.

Abstract: A writing instrument is provided including a cartridge carrying a writing or highlighting medium, and a writing tip exposed at one end of the cartridge. The cartridge includes a reduced cross-section which forms an annular recessed and tapered cavity. A gripping member is received in the cavity and is preferably tubular in shape and is tapered to follow the tapered contour of the cartridge. The gripping member includes a smooth surface which may include a slightly elevated or raised pattern. The elevated pattern may comprise a plurality of interconnected parts so as to form a continuous lattice or pattern such as hexagons. The pattern is preferably continuous over the entire smooth surface. The elevated pattern is resiliently compressible with respect to the smooth surface so that a user's fingers may deform the elevated pattern to provide additional traction during use. The writing instrument may also include a vented cap.