Abstract: Using a newly developed composite ceramics material suited for balls of ball-point pens, a method of manufacturing composite ceramics balls for ball-point pens that have affinity for both oil-based ink and water-based ink is provided. In this method, the composite ceramics, whose main components are mullite (3Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 .multidot.2SiO.sub.2) and zirconia (ZrO.sub.2) at the ratio of 50-95% to 5-50% by weight, is polished into mirror-finished balls and then chemical processing or physical processing is performed on the ball surfaces to form indentations in the ball surfaces. The chemical processing is preferably an etching using hydrofluoric acid, and the degree of indentations can be controlled by changing the concentration of hydrofluoric acid and the duration of etching.

Abstract: A cosmetic applicator includes a valve disc having a central hole and fixed to an inner portion of a container in which a liquid to be applied is stored. A shaft is engageable with and disengageable from the container and includes a front portion having a brush holder with a brush projecting therefrom. An annular projection at a portion of the shaft in the vicinity of a base portion of the brush holder defines an annular recess inside of the annular projection. An outer surface of the brush holder has at least one longitudinally extending groove communicating with the annular recess. A front end portion of the annular projection and a rear end portion of the valve disc are engageable in a liquid tight manner.

Abstract: A cap is provided for a writing instrument to eliminate a potential threat to safety when swallowed. The cap permits easy assembly of an inner cap into an outer shell without using any tools. The cap has an outer shell and a tip seal member (inner shell) fitted in the outer shell to form an air passage therebetween. The outer shell has a rectangular recess at one end and an annular projection on the inner surface adjacent to a bottom edge of the rectangular recess, and snap-fit projection is engageable with a barrel of the writing instrument. The tip seal member has a coupling device for holding a clip, a plurality of first and second projections frictionally engageable with the inner surface of the outer shell so that when the coupling device of the tip sealing member is press-fitted to the rectangular recess, the first projections are engaged with the annular projection of the outer shell.

Abstract: A cosmetic liquid applicator having a tubular shaft, a rotary knob at a rear end of the shaft and a piston axially slidable in the shaft upon rotation of the rotary knob. A nib, mounting to a forward end of the tubular shaft, has a passage communicating with a liquid chamber. A plurality of radially extending pojections are provided so that they are gradually reduced in diameter in the forward direction. A discharge hole is communicated with the passage, and a slot extends forwardly and rearwardly from the discharge hole in opposite directions of and transverse to the projections.

Abstract: A paper clip has a U-shaped holder containing first group of hairs and second group of hairs in an obliquely inclined abutment relation in the confronting inner surfaces of the U-shaped holder.