Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for collecting one or more biological samples comprising a housing and a collector element, wherein the collector element is configured to allow the passage of liquid, and wherein the collector element extends between a first end and a second end, the first end of the collector element protruding out of the housing for collecting the one or more biological samples, the second end of the collector element being arranged within the housing. The device further comprises a coil element which is arranged between collector element and the housing.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a writing instrument comprising a lead, wherein the lead comprises at least about 0.5 wt.-% ZrO2, relative to the total weight of the lead, in particular wherein the lead comprises less than about 0.5 wt.-%, more specifically less than about 0.2 wt.-% and in particular substantially no or no TiO2.

Abstract: An ink writing instrument comprising a body extending along an axis and having a first end, the first end being provided with a writing tip and with an eraser, the eraser is movable along the axis with regard to the body, a helical-cam propelling mechanism being configured to move the eraser along the axis between a retracted position and a protruded position, the helical-cam propelling mechanism comprising a helical cam radially protruding from one of the eraser and the body, and two cam followers arranged on the other of the eraser and the body, the two cam followers axially sandwiching the helical cam at least when the eraser is moved between the retracted position and the protruded position.

Abstract: A thermochromic pigment composition including: (A) at least one electron-donor organic dye compound, (B) at least one electron-acceptor compound, and (C) at least one compound responding to the following formula (I), in which: R1 is H or a phenyl group, —R2 is H or a phenyl group, and -n=1-8. The thermochromic pigment composition includes thermochromic pigment microcapsules ink compositions including such thermochromic pigment microcapsules, and writing instruments including such ink compositions.

Abstract: There is a process for preparing in situ an aqueous gel ink with fixed color having the following steps: (i) preparing a gel-based matrix of aqueous ink comprising 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid as reducing agent, and (ii) adding a solution of metallic salts to the gel-based matrix of aqueous ink prepared in step (i), to obtain an aqueous gel ink with fixed color with metallic nanoparticles dispersed therein. There is also an aqueous gel ink with fixed color obtained according to the process of the disclosure, comprising 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid and metallic nanoparticles. There is also a writing instrument comprising an aqueous gel ink with fixed color according to the disclosure.

Abstract: A flame producing assembly includes a pocket lighter, an extended wand, a rigid support, and a helical spring. The pocket lighter extends along a longitudinal axis and defines a length. The pocket lighter includes a piezoelectric ignition device operable to produce an electric charge. The extended wand is electrically coupled to the piezoelectric ignition device. The rigid support is disposed inside the extended wand and includes a longitudinal inner opening. The helical spring extends along the longitudinal inner opening and protrudes beyond a free end of the rigid support. The free end is opposite a connecting end that is proximate to the pocket lighter.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for preparing in situ an aqueous gel ink with variable color comprising the following steps: (i) preparing a gel-based matrix of aqueous ink comprising 0.005 to 0.1 mol·L?1 of ester(s) of retinol represented by formula (I), and (ii) adding a solution of 0.002 to 0.05 mol·L?1 silver salts (Ag+) to the gel-based matrix of aqueous ink prepared in step (i), to obtain an aqueous gel ink with variable color with silver nanoparticles dispersed therein. The present invention also relates to an aqueous gel ink with variable color obtained according to the process of the invention, comprising said ester of retinol represented by formula (I) and silver nanoparticles. The invention finally concerns a writing instrument comprising an aqueous gel ink with variable color according to the invention.

Abstract: Novel reaction media for electron donating and electron accepting components in colour-change compositions are described. The compound is of formula (I): wherein R1, and R2 are selected from a linear or branched alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkoxy group, aryl group and an alkylene aryl group having from 6 to 22 carbon atoms; X1 and X2 are selected from —OC(O)-, —CO2- and O; R3, R4 and R5 are selected from hydrogen and an linear or branched alkyl group, cycloalkyl group, alkenyl group, alkoxy group, aryl and alkylene aryl group; R6 is selected from hydrogen, R3, —X1R1 and aryl and halogen; Y1 Y2 Y3 and Y4 are selected from hydrogen, R3, —OR3 and halogen; a is 0 to 4; b is 0 or 1; x and y are independently is 0 or 1 provided that where x and y are 0, a is 0 and b is 1 and R6 is —CO2R1; and wherein when a is 0 and b is 1 and R5 or R6 is phenyl, R6 and R5 respectively are not hydrogen or C1-7 alkyl.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a writing instrument comprising a water-based ink composition, wherein the water-based ink composition comprises: particles, wherein the particles have a D50 between about 1 to about 20 micrometers; and a lipopeptide or salt thereof, more specifically an alkali and/or earth alkali metal, even more specifically sodium and/or potassium and in particular sodium.

Abstract: A replaceable cartridge including a body extending between a first end and a second end along an axis (A-A), a reservoir defined within the body, the reservoir configured to store a writing material, a barrier included at the second end of the body, the barrier configured to transition from a first state in which the barrier is capable of containing the writing material within the reservoir to a second state in which the barrier is no longer capable of containing the writing material in the reservoir, and a plunger extending between the first end and the second end of the body, the plunger configured to move axially between a first position and a second, causing the barrier to transition from the first state to the second state.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for collecting one or more biological samples comprising a housing and a collector element, wherein the collector element allows the passage of liquid, and wherein the collector element extends between a first end and a second end, the first end of the collector element protruding out of the housing for collecting the one or more biological samples, the second end of the collector element being arranged within the housing. The device further comprises a fixation element for engaging the second end of the collector element, wherein the fixation element has at least two parts which can be moved relative to one another for engaging the second end of the collector element, and wherein the housing comprises a connector element having an internal shape which is designed to maintain the parts of the fixation element in their engaged position.

Abstract: The present specification relates to a computer-implemented method for providing at least one note taking user interface setting for a digital writing system, comprising obtaining at least one time series of data related to a progression of an education resource, recognizing the education resource based on the at least one time series of data, thereby yielding an education resource identifier specifying the education resource, selecting the at least one note taking user interface setting for the digital writing system based on the education resource identifier, and applying the at least one note taking user interface setting for the digital writing system as the education resource progresses, wherein the at least one note taking user interface setting for the digital writing system is deemed to be conducive to a learning success based on other users' having taken notes for the education resource.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microcapsule composed of a transparent capsule wall material and configured to contain therein color particles selected from among color magnetic pigment particles and color pigment particles, magnetically color-tunable particles, and a solvent, thus exhibiting a superior structural color expression effect compared to a conventional microcapsule, and realizing a full range of colors, thereby enabling use thereof as a print medium.

Abstract: A body for a writing, tracing, drawing or coloring pencil has a composition that includes, by weight, with respect to the total weight of the body between 50% and 95% of a mixture of polylactic acid and of polybutylene succinate in a polylactic acid/polybutylene succinate ratio by weight of between 90/10 and 60/40 and between 5% and 50% of filler that can have shellfish shells and/or calcium carbonate. A writing, tracing, drawing or coloring pencil has such a body.

Abstract: A writing instrument comprising a self-healing seal component to prevent drying out of the writing instrument and an elastomeric support to protect the self-healing seal component.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a writing instrument comprising a lead comprising a binder, a filler and a coloring agent, wherein the binder comprises a cellulose ester, wherein said cellulose ester comprises one or more acetate moieties and one or more ester moieties selected from C3-carboxylates, more specifically from propionate moieties.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a flame producing assembly. The flame producing assembly may comprise a fuel reservoir, a flame wick and a fuel wick in fluid communication with the fuel reservoir. The flame producing assembly may further comprise a translation mechanism, wherein the translation mechanism may be configured to switch the fuel wick between a first position and a second position. Further, the flame wick may be in fluid communication with the fuel wick when the fuel wick is in the first position and not in fluid communication with the fuel wick when the fuel wick is in the second position.

Abstract: There is a thermochromic ink composition having core-shell microcapsules, an aqueous dispersion medium and a decolorization agent.

Abstract: A writing implement has a writing tip extending from the barrel for writing and a rubbing element that surrounds the writing tip that is selectively extendable from a housing to erase or change color of the writing and retractable into the housing for storage.

Abstract: A multifunction writing instrument comprising a body extending along an axis and receiving at least two writing elements, each writing element comprising a writing tip and being movable between a protruded position in which the writing tip extends out of the body and a retracted position in which the writing tip is retracted within the body, and an actuating mechanism comprising a spinner configured to move one of the writing elements at a time, one after the other, from the retracted position to the protruded position, a ratchet receiving the spinner, and a single button configured to actuate the actuating mechanism.