Abstract: A writing instrument includes a barrel having a hollow channel, an open end and a closed end. A cartridge is slidably movable in the hollow channel and the cartridge has a nib in fluid communication with a reservoir. An arm is pivotably mounted to the barrel and a cap is attached to the arm, the cap is adapted to close the open end of the barrel when the arm is in a closed position. As the arm pivots, moving the cap from the closed position to an open position, the cartridge extends toward the open end of the barrel and exposes the nib. When the arm is rotated approximately 180 degrees, the nib is fully extended and ready for use.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a retractable instrument having an applicator element is disclosed, the seal assembly comprising a base, at least two fingers attached to the base, and a sleeve surrounding the base. When the retractable instrument is in a retracted position, the sleeve constrains the fingers such that the fingers are in a fully closed state and seal the applicator element. Protraction of the base relative to the sleeve allows the fingers to open, thereby exposing the applicator element. Thus, the seal assembly opens to expose an applicator element such that the applicator element is in an application position; however, none of the elements of the seal assembly contacts the applicator element to transfer fluid from the applicator element, thereby eliminating potential degradation of the seal.

Abstract: A retractable writing device is provided that contains a nib airtight unit with a lid. The nib airtight unit with a lid includes an airtight body, an airtight lid, and/or an elastic loop. The nib airtight unit with a lid is capable of providing effective and durable airtight function for various shapes of nibs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a marker with a seal arrangement, comprising a housing in which an ink storage chamber, a spring system, a writing tip connected to an end portion of the ink storage chamber, and a seal arrangement fitted onto the outer periphery of an end of the writing tip are disposed. The seal arrangement comprises a frame portion and a sealing chamber fixed on the frame portion. The sealing chamber has an opening at its front end for the writing tip to protrude and retract, the frame portion is fixed at its front end with one end of a tough and flexible sealing strip which has the other end fixed on a hooked block formed at the front end of the ink storage chamber, the sealing strip further comprising an aperture capable of closing and exposing the opening of the sealing chamber.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a retractable instrument having an applicator element is disclosed, the seal assembly comprising a base, at least two fingers attached to the base, and a sleeve surrounding the base. When the retractable instrument is in a retracted position, the sleeve constrains the fingers such that the fingers are in a fully closed state and seal the applicator element. Protraction of the base relative to the sleeve allows the fingers to open, thereby exposing the applicator element. Thus, the seal assembly opens to expose an applicator element such that the applicator element is in an application position; however, none of the elements of the seal assembly contacts the applicator element to transfer fluid from the applicator element, thereby eliminating potential degradation of the seal.

Abstract: A valve includes a first valve portion made from a first material, the first valve portion including a body, a door, and an inner hinge pivotably connecting the body to the door, the body including a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end opposite the first end, and a circumferential recess disposed in the second end, wherein the inner hinge pivotably connects the door to the body at the first end and a second valve portion made from a second material, the second valve portion including an inner seal disposed in the circumferential recess, the inner seal including a circumferential ridge extending inwardly, the second valve portion further including a door seal disposed on the first end of the body.

Abstract: A capless writing tool comprising a refill adapted to slide longitudinally through the interior of a barrel, an inner tube adapted to move through the interior of the barrel together with the refill, and a lid mounted pivotably in a front portion of the inner tube to open and close a front opening of the inner tube, the lid having a retaining projection for engagement with the barrel or a front piece.

Abstract: A writing utensil having a distal end and a proximal end and extending generally along a longitudinal axis includes a casing having a slot extending generally along the longitudinal axis adjacent the proximal end, an eraser disposed on the proximal end of the casing, a valve coupled to the casing adjacent the distal end and including a valve door, a writing tip movable between a stored position in which the tip is stored within the valve and a writing position in which the tip extends out of the valve, and an actuator disposed in and slidable in the slot and operatively coupled to the writing tip such that movement of the actuator in the slot moves the writing tip between the stored position and the writing position.

Abstract: A retractable writing instrument may include a barrel having a front opening, a nib for moving through the front opening of the barrel between an extended position and a retracted position, a cartridge for receiving the nib and for folding a supply of ink, and a seal assembly received within the barrel through which the nib is passable. In a number of embodiments, when the nib is in the retracted position, the seal assembly is biased closed to seal the front of the retractable writing instrument. In addition, an outer surface of the cartridge may contact the seal assembly to form a rear seal such that a tip of the nib is positioned within the body member between the two seals. Accordingly, in these embodiments, the nib is sealed from ambient air when in the retracted position, thereby minimizing evaporation of ink from the cartridge. IN addition, the nib may be urged through the seal assembly while moving to the extended position to open the front of the retractable writing instrument.

Abstract: A retractable felt tip pen has a seal system that prevents air from drying out the felt between uses. The seal system can be actuated with one hand, and comprises two sealing devices that may be used in series in the pen or may be used alone. The first sealing device is a flexible self-sealing membrane, and the second is a specially-shaped and hinged cap. The membrane is actuated by extension and retraction of the felt itself. The cap may be actuated either by extension of the felt alone or by the push of a finger on the cap. Replacement of the cap is effected by snapping the cap over the end of the pen, again with one finger.

Abstract: A highlight ink marker comprises an inner ink tube, an outer support tube, an automatic magnetic closure apparatus, a washer, a dumbbell-shaped spring coil and an olive-shaped spring ring. The automatic magnetic closure apparatus comprises of a magnet having a central canal to allow the passage of the small ink wick tube of the inner ink tube and a nonmetal block having a bottom hole and a concave hollow to contain a metal ball. The olive-shaped spring ring is installed in two slots of the top outer tube of the outer support tube to catch the top step of the inner ink tube to keep the marker open. The dumbbell-shaped spring coil surrounds the small ink wick tube and is placed in between the washer and the bottom step of the inner ink tube to push the inner ink tube outward.

Abstract: A writing utensil configurable between retracted and extended configurations. The writing utensil includes a body having an interior volume and an aperture. A reciprocally movable nib assembly is located in the body and includes a nib that, when in the extended configuration, traverses the aperture. To prevent the nib from drying when in the retracted configuration, a sealing element seals the aperture. In an embodiment, the sealing element is a resilient valve element that can be opened by a sleeve slidably engaging the nib assembly. After the sleeve opens the valve, the sleeve slides with respect to the nib assembly to expose the nib. In another embodiment, the sealing element can be a sliding door that is attached to the nib assembly and overlays the aperture. When the nib assembly is moved to the extended configuration, the sliding door slides in a manner that opens the aperture.

Abstract: An improvement of ink-pen is disclosed. The improvement of ink-pen comprises a seal-up element. The seal-up element can protect the lead of the ink-pen effectively and avoid consuming the ink unnecessarily with losing the cover of the ink-pen to extend the lifetime of the improvement of ink-pen.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to writing tools for applying volatile marking substances over articles but not including removable caps in one ends thereof to prevent drying of their tips. More particularly, the present invention generally relates to writing tools with one or more caps movably or fixedly couple with such tools, operate between off-states and on-states, obstruct openings of such writing tools in order to prevent drying of their tips in the off-states, and clear such openings so as to expose their tips through the openings in the on-states, where the caps are preferably synchronized with the tips.

Abstract: A capless retractable sealed marking instrument has a sealed chamber incorporated in a marker casing. The sealed chamber includes a chamber, a wiper ring, and an annular rim and a seal portion with a cross-slit aperture defining surfaces or flaps which are moved out of contact by a linearly-advanced marker nib to open the seal for extension of the marker nib. The configuration of the disk provides positive sealing force between the lateral sealing surfaces of the seal flaps. Retraction of the marker nib draws the flaps back into the sealed chamber configuration to protect the marker nib and cartridge from atmospheric degradation.

Abstract: A capless retractable writing tool applicable to neutral and volatile writing fluids and capable of self sealing.

Abstract: A slide-type writing instrument with a dry prevention unit which allows a nib to be extended and exposed to an outside through a non-contact extension operation while sealing a portion around the nib, prevents ink of the nib from being dried up without using any cap, and safely protects the nib.

Abstract: An instrument includes a holder for holding a medium, a cap capable of covering a tip end portion of the medium, and a knock member provided to be capable of knocking to attach and detach the cap. The cap is connected to the knock member via a rotational transform mechanism. The rotational transform mechanism advances the cap in accordance with one knock of the knock member in the axial direction, the rotational transform mechanism rotates the cap around an axis parallel to the axial direction, then retreats the cap, so that the state in which the cap covers the tip end portion of the medium and the state in which the cap allows the tip end portion of the medium to be exposed are switchable for each knock of the knock member.

Abstract: A capless writing instrument (1), wherein a writing element (5) is arranged inside a barrel cylinder (2) so that a pen point (6) of the writing element (5) can come out and retract through a front end opening of the barrel cylinder (2), is characterized in that an inner cap (20) formed of rubber or elastic resin is provided at the front end opening of the barrel cylinder (2), and the inner cap (20) is composed of: a closing portion (21) disposed on the pen point projecting side with respect to the axial direction of the barrel cylinder for closing the front end opening and having a slit (25) for allowing the pen point (6) to project and retract; and forward projected portions (27) that are projected from the outer periphery of the closing portion (21) toward the front end opening, and the inner cap is fitted inside the barrel cylinder so that, in the slit (25) closed state, force which is directed approximately perpendicular to the slit surfaces will act inward from the outer periphery of the forward projecte

Abstract: A retractable writing instrument that substantially prevents writing fluid from evaporating through the tip when the tip is in a retracted position to eliminate the need for a cap. Within the writing instrument is an enclosure member that has a vapor chamber. In the retracted position, the tip of the writing instrument is within the vapor chamber to substantially seal the tip from ambient air so that writing fluid does not evaporate through the tip. The enclosure member has a lip that opens to allow the tip to move forward and extend from the writing instrument so that writing fluid can be delivered to the writing surface for writing. When the tip is moved back into the retracted position the lip closes to substantially seal the tip from the ambient air. An external compression force may be applied to the lip to assist in sealing the lip.

Abstract: An opening and closing device for a capless retractable marker pen is disclosed. The opening and closing device is based on a two-stage design for achieving the purpose of protracting and retracting a writing tip. The opening and closing device for the capless retractable marker pen of the present invention is manufactured easily and assembled conveniently, so as to greatly increase the processing speed and yield.

Abstract: A writing utensil configurable between retracted and extended configurations is provided. The writing utensil includes a body having an interior volume and an aperture. A reciprocally movable nib assembly is located in the body and includes a nib that, when in the extended configuration, traverses the aperture. To prevent the nib from drying when in the retracted configuration, a sealing element seals the aperture. In an embodiment, the sealing element is a resilient valve element that can be opened by a sleeve slidably engaging the nib assembly. After the sleeve opens the valve, the sleeve slides with respect to the nib assembly to expose the nib. In another embodiment, the sealing element can be a sliding door that is attached to the nib assembly and overlays the aperture. When the nib assembly is moved to the extended configuration, the sliding door slides in a manner that opens the aperture.

Abstract: A writing utensil configurable between retracted and extended configurations is provided. The writing utensil includes a body having an interior volume and an aperture. A reciprocally movable nib assembly is located in the body and includes a nib that, when in the extended configuration, traverses the aperture. To prevent the nib from drying when in the retracted configuration, a sealing element seals the aperture. In an embodiment, the sealing element is a resilient valve element that can be opened by a sleeve slidably engaging the nib assembly. After the sleeve opens the valve, the sleeve slides with respect to the nib assembly to expose the nib. In another embodiment, the sealing element can be a sliding door that is attached to the nib assembly and overlays the aperture. When the nib assembly is moved to the extended configuration, the sliding door slides in a manner that opens the aperture.

Abstract: This invention provides a capless retractable cosmetic dispenser applicable to all types of cosmetic fluids and capable of self-sealing and substantially preventing vapor fluid from evaporating through the valve when the applicator is in the retracted position. The retractable dispenser includes a front cowling with an opening to allow the applicator to move in and out of the opening. Adjacent to the opening and within the front cowling is a valve capable of moving linearly within the front cowling. The valve substantially seals the cosmetic fluid and applicator from outside air and the release of vapor pressure from within the valve when the applicator is in a retracted position.

Abstract: A hand-held multipurpose casing, with a functional tipped device housed within the casing so as to be linearly and reversibly extendible relative to the casing. This casing has a cylinder-type or screw-type actuating unit designed to reversibly extend the functional tipped device. The screw-type actuating unit has two spiral screw engagements, with opposite spiral directions. In an embodiment, the hand-held multipurpose casing has a front barrel, a middle barrel, a rear barrel, and a functional tipped device holder having a functional tipped device at its front tip and housed within the casing. A cap is fixedly mounted to the rear end of the rear barrel, with two holding slots formed on the front end portion of the external surface of the cap at diametrically opposite positions. A screw-type actuating unit movably engages with both the functional tipped device holder and the cap through two spiral screw-type engagements with opposite spiral directions.

Abstract: This invention provides a retractable writing instrument that substantially prevents writing fluid from evaporating through the tip when the tip is in a retracted position to eliminate the need for a cap. Within the writing instrument is an enclosure member that has a vapor chamber. In the retracted position, the tip of the writing instrument is within the vapor chamber to substantially seal the tip from ambient air so that writing fluid does not evaporate through the tip. The enclosure member has a lip that opens to allow the tip to move forward and extend from the writing instrument so that writing fluid can be delivered to the writing surface for writing. When the tip is moved back into the retracted position the lip closes to substantially seal the tip from the ambient air. An external compression force may be applied to the lip to assist in sealing the lip.

Abstract: A writing implement with a movable sleeve that can be raised by light finger pressure and automatically or manually lowered into a protective position between writing uses. Alternative means can be used to raise and lower the sleeve, such as but not limited to a push bar, roll ball, lever, sliding mechanism, or depressible button. A stop disk prevent the sleeve from being fully withdrawn from the writing implement housing and a locking mechanism between the housing and the sleeve prevents casual contact from prematurely releasing the sleeve from its protective position. Optionally, braces can be used to stabilize the marking material cartridge, a sleeve insert can be used to prevent the writing tip from drying out, and a swivel clip with a high friction grip can be employed to securely position the writing implement between uses. Applications can include use with pens, pencils, markers, paint markers, crayons, and highlighters.

Abstract: An improved ink marker with an automatic open-close ball cap contains an inner ink shaft and an outer supporting shaft. The inner ink shaft is snugly surrounded by a washer, is installed inside the outer supporting shaft, and has a ball cap to cover and seal the opening of outer supporting shaft to create an air tight chamber to prevent the ink marker from drying out. The ball cap is fixed to the tip of the inner ink shaft by a pair of curved spring wires which have the capacity to spring back to its original curved position and swing the ball cap away from the tip of ink wick. The force to open and close the improved ink marker with an automatic open-close ball cap is provided by a spring coil and manual pressure by a person's finger. A locking device is provided to keep the improved ink marker with an automatic open-close ball cap in the open position.

Abstract: A writing instrument is comprised of an elongated body with a writing point at the lower end, and an upper end for supporting the base of the index finger. Arcuate arms extending up from the upper end of the body are arranged for being positioned on the sides of the index finger. A concave front groove is arranged along the front side of the body for cradling the tip of the index finger. Concave side grooves are arranged along the sides of the body for cradling the tips of the thumb and middle finger. Forwardly protruding ears are arranged between the front and respective sides for being pinched between the index finger and the thumb, and between the index finger and the middle finger. A knob on the rear of the body is movable for retracting or extending a cap to expose or cover the writing point.

Abstract: A lipstick case structure includes a base on which a rotary tube is mounted in conjunction with a guide tube having a spiral guide slot. The guide tube is fitted over the rotary tube such that the guide tube moves along with the base. The rotary tube is provided at the top end with a guide seat which is fastened to a casing. A flexible cover is movably disposed between the guide tube and the casing such that a protrusion of the flexible cover is slidably received in the spiral guide slot of the guide tube, and that a protruded block of the flexible cover is slidably received in an upright guide slot of the casing. The relative rotation of the casing and the guide tube results in movement of the flexible cover to obstruct an opening of the casing, or to keep clear of the opening of the casing.

Abstract: A hand-held multipurpose casing, with a functional tipped device housed within the casing so as to be linearly and reversibly extendible relative to the casing. This casing has a cylinder-type or screw-type actuating unit designed to reversibly extend the functional tipped device. The screw-type actuating unit has two spiral screw engagements, with opposite spiral directions. In an embodiment, the hand-held multipurpose casing has a front barrel, a middle barrel, a rear barrel, and a functional tipped device holder having a functional tipped device at its front tip and housed within the casing. A cap is fixedly mounted to the rear end of the rear barrel, with two holding slots formed on the front end portion of the external surface of the cap at diametrically opposite positions. A screw-type actuating unit movably engages with both the functional tipped device holder and the cap through two spiral screw-type engagements with opposite spiral directions.

Abstract: In a capless writing instrument with its writing element arranged in the barrel cylinder so that a writing point of the writing element can come out and retract through a front-end opening of the barrel cylinder, an inner cap having a dome-like convex portion projected frontwards is arranged at the front-end part of the barrel cylinder, and the inner cap is formed of rubber or elastic resin, a slit-forming groove having a thin-film portion at the depressed bottom of the slit is formed from a position at the root of the dome-like inner cap to the opposite position at the root intersecting the substantially center of the convex portion.

Abstract: A telescopic ball-point pen comprising a front case and a rear case capable of slidably engaged in the front case and the rear case can be adjusted to make a telescopic motion to reach respective steps, wherein the front case comprises a mouth ring, a front case body, a cylindrical member, a telescopic ball-point pen refill, a coil spring, a slidable tip fitting, a short rod-like member, an engaging concave, of which the front case body, the cylindrical member, a sliding portion of the slidable tip fitting, and the engaging concave are respectively made of synthetic resin, and wherein the rear case comprises a rear case body, a short rod-like member and an engaging convex of which the rear case body and the engaging convex are respectively made of synthetic resin, and wherein the rear case can press the short rod-like member and slidable tip fitting when the rear case body is pushed into the front case body, while the engaging convex of the rear case head cap can be engaged in or disengaged from the engaging

Abstract: A handwriting instrument consists of a top part (1) and a connected intermediate part (2), on the end of which a tip (3) is fastened. To make it possible to insert the intermediate part (2) into the top part (1) rapidly and securely during the assembly of the handwriting instrument, there are two detent elements (5) and two lead-in bevels (8) on the top part (1), which guide two flexible studs (4) into the detent elements (5), where the studs (4) are locked. A sleeve (11) fastened to the intermediate part (2) by means of a bayonet connection (13, 21; 12, 14, 20) covers the studs (4) and the detent elements (5). For easy handling of the writing instrument, there is a grip (18) made of non-slip butt soft rubber on the intermediate part (2).

Abstract: In a capless writing instrument with its writing element arranged in the barrel cylinder so that a writing point of the writing element can come out and retract through a front-end opening of the barrel cylinder, an inner cap having a dome-like convex portion projected frontwards is arranged at the front-end part of the barrel cylinder, and the inner cap is formed of rubber or elastic resin, a slit-forming groove having a thin-film portion at the depressed bottom of the slit is formed from a position at the root of the dome-like inner cap to the opposite position at the root intersecting the substantially center of the convex portion.

Abstract: A retractable tip writing implement according to the present invention includes a tip protecting member removably mounted in an opening formed in the body of the retractable tip writing implement. The tip protecting member serves to prevent drying of ink and to protect the end of the tip and of the writing implement. The tip protecting member may be made of a material with excellent chemical resistance and flexibility and includes a drawing unit for removing the tip protecting member through the opening, without disassembly of the front part of the body of the retractable tip writing implement.

Abstract: A retractable tip writing implement according to the present invention includes a tip protecting member removably mounted in an opening formed in the body of the retractable tip writing implement. The tip protecting member serves to prevent drying of ink and to protect the end of the tip and of the writing implement. The tip protecting member may be made of a material with excellent chemical resistance and flexibility and includes a drawing unit for removing the tip protecting member through the opening, without disassembly of the front part of the body of the retractable tip writing implement.

Abstract: A writing instrument comprises a front tubular member having a threaded end and a conically configured end. The writing instrument further includes a rear tubular member having a threaded open end adapted to selectively engage the threaded end of the front member in either a storage or use configuration. An inner front tubular member is disposed in the front tubular member and is not rotatable therein. The inner front tubular member defines an inclined path at an oblique angle relative to a longitudinal axis thereof. A tubular actuator member is coupled to the inner front tubular member and is rotatable relative thereto. The actuator member includes a hub adapted to engage the inclined path and move therein upon rotation of the actuator member. A writing refill is inserted in the actuator and inner front tubular members. The refill includes a writing tip at one end and a knob at an opposed end.

Abstract: A mascara dispenser including a pen-shaped body having a reservoir for holding mascara, an applicator retractably carried by the body so as to be movable between a location in the reservoir and a location outside the body, a wiper for the applicator within the reservoir, and a movable member within the reservoir and responsive to the location of the applicator for keeping the wiper out of contact with the applicator during retraction of the applicator into the reservoir and keeping the wiper in contact with the applicator when the applicator is moved out of the reservoir.

Abstract: A marking instrument includes a barrel, a marking tip and a marking fluid reservoir disposed in the barrel, a retraction mechanism to move the marking tip from an operable position to a retracted position through an opening in the barrel, and a seal to close off the marking tip from the barrel opening when the marking tip is retracted. The seal is toroidal in shape, which allows the seal to close upon itself, thereby eliminating any need for additional manipulation or outside forces to close the seal. The marking tip, marking fluid reservoir and seal are replaceable so that each can be replaced when they become worn or inoperable.

Abstract: A retractable felt-tipped pen includes first and second cylindrical members movable with respect to each other and a pen nib connected to one of the first and second cylinders. A flexible membrane is connected to at least one of the first and second tubes and rotates inward on itself to engage the pen nib in a closed condition to seal the pen nib and rotates outward from itself to disengage the pen nib for writing and/or the membrane simply expands without rotation.

Abstract: A device for capping an object. The capping device includes a cap within a housing. An actuating apparatus moves an object from a first location outside the housing into a second location within the cap. The second location is offset from the first location. The object may include a writing element, a straw for drinking, a hypodermic needle, etc.

Abstract: In a mascara unit comprising an applicator fixed to a holder and a reservoir for mascara, the applicator dipping into the reservoir in the condition of non-use and transport and being movable out of the reservoir for the application of mascara, it is provided that the applicator and the reservoir are designed as a unit so that the applicator can be moved out of and into the reservoir through actuation by one hand.

Abstract: A retractable marking instrument has a seal arrangement for sealing the marking tip (3) when it is retracted within the barrel. The seal arrangement comprises a sealing element (6) shaped as a torus which rolls between the barrel (1) of the instrument and a refill unit (2) carrying the marking tip (3).

Abstract: Capless retractable sealed marking instruments have a single piece elastomeric seal incorporated in a marker casing. The seal includes an annular rim and a concave disk with cooperative sealing disk halves having lateral sealing surfaces which are moved out of contact by a linearly advanced marker nib to open the seal for extension of the marker nib. The concave configuration of the disk provides maximum sealing force between the lateral sealing surfaces of the disk halves. Retraction of the marker nib draws the disk halves back into the concave sealed configuration to protect the marker nib and cartridge from atmospheric degradation.

Abstract: A writing implement of the type that incorporates a writing element which has the characteristic of deteriorating in the presence of air is disclosed. It comprises a housing and a writing element contained in the housing. A bias member for urging the writing element into a retracted position and a sealing closure member which is configured to be closed by the housing in the retracted position are provided. A stud is associated with the writing element. A mating stud is associated with the housing and adapted to frictionally engage the stud. The coefficient of friction between the stud and the mating stud is insufficient to overcome the urging of the bias member and prevent movement between the studs, whereby the writing element is driven to the retracted position.

Abstract: The writing implement comprises a sleeve-shaped housing (1) in which an inner sleeve (7) is disposed includes a writing element (2). At the tip-side end of the inner sleeve (7) is disposed a hermetic closure portion (8) which comprises a plurality of segments (34) which are biassed radially outwardly and which in the closure position (FIG. 7 ), bear on each other forming a seal beyond the nib (26) and which are provided with sealing bead segments (23) which also bear on each other forming a seal behind the tip of the writing element (26) and which bear on the tip segment (4) of the writing element (2), so that the nib portion (26) of the writing element is closed in an overall hermetically sealing chamber (6). The writing implement uses a mechanism which facilitates, while pressing the actuating element (11), the premature opening of the closure element (8) before the exit of the writing element (2) therefore avoiding contact with the nib (26 ).

Abstract: A writing pen having a retractible ink tube and a series of sealing disks for sealing the writing nib against vaporization or drying of ink on the nib surface when the ink tube is in its retracted position. A sliding sleeve is mounted around the ink tube to separate the ink tube from the seal assembly so as to prevent the ink from contaminating the seal assembly.

Abstract: There is disclosed a variable tip writing instrument for imprinting characters, lines or segments of lines of variable diametric dimensions, to be used manually or incorporated into the designs of computer related printers, plotters, or typewriter devices with computerized controls, the writing instrument being of the type having a storage end and a writing end opposed from the storage end, and a barrel adapted to contain a supply of ink which is in communication with the writing tip, formed by a writing tip positioned at the writing end of the instrument, the writing tip having an expandable diameter thereby to vary between the smallest diametric dimension and the largest diametric dimension thereof, and control means associated with the writing tip having a control end in operative relationship with the writing tip and an opposed manipulative end positioned along the length of the instrument and adapted to permit the manipulative control of the writing tip to control the diametric dimension of the writing t

Abstract: A cap-less writing instrument having a mechanism which prevents the writing member from drying out. The writing instrument includes a hollow body; a writing member having a writing tip accommodated in the hollow body; a seal for sealing the writing tip, the seal including a seal cylinder provided with an opening at a front end thereof, a cover for sealing the opening of the seal cylinder, and a sealing member provided between the seal cylinder and the writing member; a mechanism for moving the writing member from the writing position to a retracted position; and a connector for connecting the writing member to the cover while allowing the writing member to move the writing position and causing the cover to close the opening of the seal cylinder. The connector is either a thread-like member or a bendable bar-like member.