Abstract: A cartridge consisting of a hollow casing of molded plastic substance and an ink-retention sponge disposed in the casing, together with a stylus carried by the casing, for producing ink lines on a chart, from the ink content of the casing and contained retention sponge. A wall of the casing is transparent to enable the retention sponge therein and the ink carried thereby to be viewed by a user from the exterior of the casing. The intensity of the observed ink color is an indication as to the amount of ink remaining in the casing and sponge.

Abstract: A dispenser for an extrudable product includes an applicator member having a handle and an applicator tip connected to the handle, a cover member having a hollow interior that extends along a cover member axis to an open end of the cover member, which open end is dimensioned and arranged to receive the applicator tip, a supply of an extrudable product within the cover member, and an extrusion mechanism within the cover member. The extrusion mechanism includes an extrusion die and components for enabling a user to rotate the extrusion die relative to a portion of the cover member in order to operate the extrusion mechanism. The extrusion die has an extrusion orifice and it bears against the cover member at an interface between the extrusion die and the cover member.

Abstract: A writing instrument has a bush button affixed to a reservoir for moving the same from a retracted to a writing position against the force of a spring within a tubular body. The push button has a resilient cantilever secured thereto and extending longitudinally of the body. Formed on a distal end of the cantiliver, a fulcrum extends therefrom in a radially outward direction of the body through a clearance slot therein and is joined to a pocket clip. A catch on the pocket clip is urged against the body by virtue of the resiliency of the cantilever for positively engaging the body when the reservoir is moved from the retracted to the writing position. Preferably, a spring may be mounted to the push button for resiliently supporting the fulcrum in coaction with the cantiliver.

Abstract: This invention discloses a ballpoint pen which is capable of generating a "click" sound when the first tube of the pen is rotated over either of two predetermined positions. The ballpoint pen includes a first engaging member, a second engaging member, a medium tube, an ink reservoir tube, a sleeve, a compression spring, a support, and a rod. Thus, the main principle of the present invention is to cause a "click" sound to be produced as the ballpoint of the pen is extended or withdrawn, through the interaction of the first and second engaging members when the first tube of the pen is rotated.

Abstract: A container for a cosmetic preparation such as mascara, lip gloss, etc., including a tubular inner plastic container and an outer metal shell which substantially encloses, and is substantially immovably fixed to, the inner container. The metal shell can serve to inhibit escape of vapor from the cosmetic solvent through the container wall. For improved integrity of the container, the inner surface of the metal shell can be formed with a set of circumferentially spaced, axially extending ribs which bite into the plastic of the inner container, when the container is assembled by pushing the shell onto the inner container, to form grooves in which the ribs engage tightly. An aperture can be formed in the outer shell for displaying to the user the color of the contained cosmetic preparation.

Abstract: A three-axis force measurement stylus includes a housing and a cartridge and an interface between the housing and the cartridge wherein the interface comprises a plurality of pressure sensitive sheets, preferably of variable resistance pressure sensitive Mylar films which sense the force between the cartridge and the housing. The cartridge and the housings are disposed at a skew angle relative to the axis of the stylus to be able to sense forces in three dimensions. In a specific embodiment, the cartridge forms a conical section which mates with a complimentary conical section of the housing. Membranes of the force sensitive material are provided along three fingers from an apex of the conical section. The cartridge is preloaded against the conical section by a spring between the housing and the cartridge. Alternatively to the force sensitive film, a sheet of a piezoelectric pressure-sensitive material may be substituted.

Abstract: A writing instrument with ink quantity or level detecting function which has an ink tube containing ink, and a float so arranged in intimate contact with the rear end surface of the ink in the ink tube as to be driven in contact with the rear end surface of the ink upon decrease of the ink in the ink tube. Further, a magnetic sensor is further provided externally at the writing instrument, while the float is formed of magnetic material. Thus, lack of the ink in the ink tube of this writing instrument can be readily detected.

Abstract: A dispensing package for cosmetic cream products which automatically and progressively indicates when the product has nearly been depleted by the user. The package includes a deformable fin cantilevered from the piston which contacts the underside of the wall on which applicating surface is formed and is thereby bent in the direction of an orifice in the applicating surface. Further advance of the piston causes the fin to progressively cross the orifice, becoming visible from the exterior. As the piston is further advanced towards the applicating surface, continued deformation of the fin causes it to advance fully across the orifice, thereby indicating to the user that the cream product is nearly depleted. The invention is well suited to dispensing packages which contain and dispense cream deodorants and antiperspirants.

Abstract: The cap for the writing instrument comprises a jacket mounted slidably on a sealing insert or sleeve which provides a sealed moisture chamber for the writing tip when the cap is on the writing instrument. Near the writing tip there is a circular bulge on the shaft of the writing instrument which enters into a sealing engagement with an interior passage of the sealing insert. On putting the cap on the writing instrument the sealing insert is pushed over the circular bulge until it contacts a contacting stop on the jacket. Then the circular bulge presses tightly into the sealing insert and it locks the jacket to the writing instrument so that the entire arrangement is kept in that position until the cap is removed. A signal slider is attached with the sealing insert which is extendable out from the end of the jacket in order to signal in its extended position the proper seating of the cap on the writing instrument. Erroneous indications of a sealed state are prevented with our invention.

Abstract: An ink supply system for writing instruments which operate with liquid ink. The writing instrument has a large-volume ink reservoir which communicates via a recharge valve with a small-volume ink reservoir which is adjacent to the writing element. The transmission of ink from the large-volume ink reservoir to the secondary reservoir is controlled by a sensor as a function of the quantity of ink which is present in the secondary ink reservoir. In order to simplify the recharging of the ink, and to be able to operate with the least possible electrical energy, the present invention utilizes as a recharge valve a tube pump which is rotatably driven by an electric motor and also can generate the pressure necessary to convey the ink to the secondary ink reservoir.

Abstract: An indicating cap for a writing instrument has an insert with a blind passage adapted to fit over the tip of e.g. a felt or fiber tip pen or marker and axially movable in a sleeve forming a cap between two limiting positions. One of these positions is defined by a spring detent shoulder against which a shoulder of the insert abuts when the cap is withdrawn from the writing implement. When the cap is thrust properly onto the writing implement the insert is pressed into its second position in which a pin of appropriate color is visible through an end of the sleeve where the projecting pin can be protected by a hood or basket.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a container for dispensing semi-solid products consisting of a cylindrical body having a rounded closed applicator end and an opposite open ended base. A dome shaped product discharge piston is movable through the body beneath the storage chamber driven by a piston drive screw having two flat and two arcuate sides opposed each other for driving the piston upwardly in the cylindrical body to discharge the product. A dial and screw drive ratchet is positioned within said container and has a manually rotatable apron for advancing the screw shaft and piston and is positioned beneath said piston. A base and wrench is positioned at the open end of the container for positioning and supporting the dial and screw drive ratchet to permit the drive screw to be rotated by the dial apron while permitting axial motion of the drive screw through the base and wrench to drive the piston upwardly.

Abstract: An ink supply system for writing instruments which operate with liquid ink or writing fluid. In order to make uniform the supply of ink or writing fluid independent of environmental influences, and to make possible a longer writing time with one filling, it is proposed to first store the writing fluid in a primary, permanently compressible, non-capillary and large-volume supply chamber. From this primary supply chamber, a small-volume, capillary secondary supply chamber, which communicates with the writing element, is supplied via an auxiliary charging valve which is controllable as a function of need for ink or writing fluid. The filling of the secondary supply chamber can be detected with a sensor, and the auxiliary charging valve can be controlled.

Abstract: A mechanical pencil of knocking operated type includes an electrical indicator which provides a visible or audible indication of the presence or absence of a writing lead in the mechanical pencil. A power supply in the form of a cell or storage battery is loaded into a pen body. A first and a second channel are provided which electrically connect the power supply with the indicator. The first channel is associated with one of the poles of the power supply, and is formed by a collet chuck and a lead guide sleeve which are disposed within the pen body in spaced relationship from each other. The second channel is associated with the other pole of the power supply, and includes a switch which is operated in response to a knocking operation which drives the collet chuck. When a writing lead is present between the collet chuck and the lead guide sleeve, the both members are electrically connected together through the lead, whereby the first channel is rendered conductive.

Abstract: A fountain pen in which ink is supplied to the tip of the pen under the control of a motor-actuated ink delivery device. An ink holder is formed covering the slit formation region of the pen tip to form an ink pool between the holder and pen tip. A detector is provided in the ink pool for detecting the quantity of ink therein at any time. A pen holder coupled to the pen tip includes an ink storing section opening into the ink pool, an ink delivery device coupled to the ink storing section for delivering ink under pressure, and an electrical power source and a power delivery circuit for controlling the flow of current to an operating motor.

Abstract: A device for flushing, sweeping and scooping debris, snow and ice from roof gutters avoiding the need for climbing on ladders and roofs which in its preferred embodiment includes a means for seeing into said gutters from the ground.

Abstract: A device for receiving a writing implement has a housing, a resiliently yieldable sealing member in the housing and adapted to sealingly abut against a writing tubular member of the writing implement, and a wetting member in the housing and located in spaced relationship with a pressure-equalizing passage of the writing implement as well as communicating with the passage. The resiliently yieldable member may be composed of two axially movable balls which are received in a cylindrical portion of the housing and axially limited by two axially spaced collars. The cylindrical portion may be connected with a conical extension which, in turn, may be connected with a further cylindrical portion received in the receiving opening of the housing. These portions may be of one-piece with each other so as to form a one-piece insert member.

Abstract: A character applying device which is controlled by a separate signal processor can be manually moved across a writing surface while the characters are being applied. A single-tipped marking instrument is moved with a prescribed motion parallel to the surface as the device is moved across the surface to create a relatively dense array of line patterns. Simultaneously, received control signals cause the tip to move in and out of contact with the surface for, in effect, masking the array to produce characters represented by those signals.

Abstract: A pressurized spray can contain a colorant coating stuff which varies in color intensity directly with the amount applied to a substrate, as for instance a photochromic material, is combined with a movable indicator of a color matching the colorant and graduated in depth of color (intensity) matching those applicable to the coated substrate. The indicator is mounted on the container and disposed in the line of operator vision when the container is functionally positioned so that the operator simultaneously views both the substrate and the selected indicator portion.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive pen for use in a signature verification system is responsive to the handwriting pressure applied by the pen user to develop a signal representative of the pressure. In the preferred form, the pen comprises a cylindrical barrel that houses a ball-point pen cartridge encased within a rigid tubular member. The tubular member is secured by a flange to the lower end of the barrel, and is closed at its upper end. The pressure of the cartridge writing tip on the writing surface causes the upper end of the cartridge to bear against the closed end of the tubular member and cause strain therein. The strain in the tubular member is sensed and translated into a signal representative of the user's handwriting pressure.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a propel-repel container for cosmetic or the like substance wherein the color of the substance may be externally viewable at a location near the point of cosmetic-substance support, without requiring the container to be opened or the substance to be propelled from its retracted position within the container.