Wick Separate From Tool Patents (Class 401/199)
  • Patent number: 7156573
    Abstract: The writing implement of the invention comprises: a) a body including an internal reservoir of ink and having a writing tip projecting from its front end; b) a capillary connector serving to transfer ink between the reservoir and the writing tip; and c) tip support arranged at the front end of the body to support the tip and assemble it with the capillary connector. The implement includes a compact one-piece capillary unit obtained by sintering thermoplastic powder, and constituting simultaneously the capillary connector and all or part of the tip support. The capillary connector and all or part of the tip support are constituted by a compact one-piece capillary unit preferably obtained by sintering thermoplastic powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Conte
    Inventor: Vincent Bedhome
  • Patent number: 7144174
    Abstract: An applicator for liquid cosmetic products, wherein product is dispensed primarily by capillary flow of the cosmetic product through the applicator and wherein the liquid cosmetic composition has a flow rate outward from the porous polymeric applicator head of about 0.05 to about 1.0 cc/s when a pressure gradient of 0.5 psi is applied across the applicator device. The cosmetic products are preferably antiperspirant and/or deodorant products comprising an antiperspirant and/or deodorant active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Alan Erickson, Liang Bin Chen
  • Patent number: 7077593
    Abstract: A writing instrument has an ink storing chamber 12 formed inside a main body 10 of the writing instrument, a writing element 17 provided on a front end of the main body 10, a reservoir chamber 14 formed between the ink storing chamber 12 and the writing element 17 that communicates with the atmosphere, a partition wall 11 that divides the reservoir chamber 14 and the ink storing chamber 12 with a through hole 11a formed in a central portion of the wall, and an elongated ink supply member 20 which supplies ink inside the ink storing chamber 12 to the writing element 17, while being inserted into the through hole 11a and maintaining a predetermined gap. The ink supply member 20 is inserted into the through hole 11a, while coming into contact with an inner wall of the through hole 11a in two or more positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Hics corporation
    Inventor: Katsumi Hori
  • Patent number: 7073967
    Abstract: A writing instrument can prevent ink stored in an ink intake retainer body from flowing toward an air passage due to volume expansion, shock, etc., of the ink, thereby preventing the stoppage of the air passage and the ink from flowing outside the body. The writing instrument includes, an ink tank, an ink intake retainer body, a tubular drawing tip, and an ink drain restriction body, which has greater porosities than those of the ink intake retainer body. The ink drain restriction body is formed on the part of an air passage of the ink intake retainer body. Therefore, the ink drain restriction body for absorbing and storing the ink, which is drained toward the air passage due to volume expansion, shock flow, etc., is provided in the rear of the ink intake retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Monami Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Ho Choi, Jea-Hyun Shim, Kwan-Ho Kang
  • Patent number: 7048459
    Abstract: The liquid ink writing instrument has a body containing, from its rear end towards its front end, a reservoir for the ink and a front chamber containing a capillary element for transferring ink coming from the reservoir to a writing head. The front chamber communicates with ambient air. The writing head is fed with ink by the capillary element, and projects from the front portion of the body. The reservoir is separated from the front chamber by a flexible wall having shape memory and provided with slots. The flexible wall acts as a valve suitable for opening when the ratio of the pressure inside the reservoir over the pressure inside the volume of the front chamber facing the valve exceeds a first value, and of reclosing instantly as soon as the ratio becomes less than or equal to a second value, the valve releasing the ink in the form of a jet directed towards the rear face of the capillary element. The first value of the ratio of the pressures is preferably about 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Conte
    Inventors: Vincent Bedhome, José Duez, Didier Lange
  • Patent number: 7011466
    Abstract: Liquid-for-ink (50) and a main part of colorant (60) for coloring the liquid-for-ink (50) are separately stored within a writing implement. The writing implement is so fabricated that the colorant (60) is added to the liquid-for-ink (50) while the liquid-for-ink (50) is introduced to a writing tip (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Pencil Kabushikikaisha
    Inventors: Hisashi Iida, Shigeru Okumura
  • Patent number: 7001094
    Abstract: Provided is a writing instrument in which a pen tip comprising a fibrous feed or a plastic feed is coated with a coating agent comprising a substance providing a cap-off property, wherein a fluorine base surfactant and/or a silicone base surfactant are added to an ink for the above writing instrument, and/or a substance which is solid at room temperature and has a solubility of 5% or less in an ink solvent at room temperature and which has a polar functional group is added to the coating agent, whereby the writing instrument having an excellent cap-off performance can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Pencil Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Ami, Tatsuya Mizoguchi, Takahiro Osada
  • Patent number: 6997631
    Abstract: To provide an applicator which is free from ink leakage under any usage-environmental conditions, is suitable for oil-based ink, maintains appropriate ink delivery and is produced at low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Pentel Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norio Yamada, Ryusuke Ota
  • Patent number: 6955491
    Abstract: A marking pen having an excellent cap-off performance which comprises at least a colorant, a solvent and a resin and, if necessary, an erasability-providing agent as ink components and in which a pen tip comprising a fibrous feed or a plastic feed is coated with a coating agent comprising a substance providing a cap-off property, wherein the above coating agent comprises petroleum waxes comprising hydrocarbons having side chains as a principal component (50% by weight or more). Preferably, the above petroleum waxes comprising hydrocarbons having side chains as a principal component have a melting point of 63° C. or lower and are solid at room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Pencil Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Osada, Suguru Yazawa
  • Patent number: 6893181
    Abstract: The nib is constituted by a segment of a coherent, elongate element of high porosity material, with at least a first end shaped to form a writing tip. The pores and/or capillaries of said material are blocked over a limited thickness e in particular in the range 0.01 mm to 1 mm, at the longitudinal outer periphery of the elongate element, with the exception of the first end forming a writing tip. In a first variant, blocking is obtained by a sealing agent and performed by continuously impregnating the elongate element with a sealing bath, and setting the agent. In a second variant, the nib is constituted by sintered microbeads and blocking is obtained by localized hot-melting of the microbeads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: CONTE
    Inventors: José Duez, Vincent Bedhome, Philippe Chavatte
  • Patent number: 6840692
    Abstract: Melt blown bicomponent fibers comprising a sheath of polyethylene terephthalate or a copolymer thereof and a core of nylon 6,6 and a reservoir or a nib in a writing or marking instrument comprising a porous element formed from such fibers bonded to each other at spaced points of contact. For use as a nib the core polymer may also be polybutylene terephthalate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Filtrona Richmond, Inc.
    Inventors: Bennett C. Ward, Robert D. Long, Donald F. Nelson, Raymond J. Nelson, Jackie F. Payne, Jr., E. Vaughan Yancey
  • Publication number: 20040170465
    Abstract: A free ink marking instrument for dispensing an ink, including a housing, a reservoir for storing ink within the housing, a feed tube to convey ink communicating with the reservoir, a tip disposed within the feed tube for conveying ink to a substrate at a marking end of the tip, a porous buffer disposed within the housing adjacent the feed tube and configured for storing ink during periods of a decreasing pressure differential between the reservoir and the atmosphere, and bubble separation area in the form of either a hole in the feed tube or a hole or passage formed between the feed tube and the tip, is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Wolfgang Witz, Ralf Polley, Bernd Bastiansen
  • Patent number: 6761496
    Abstract: A writing instrument equipped with an exchangeable inner pen filled with an ink containing a solvent having a vapor pressure of 1 to 50 mm Hg (20° C.) in a writing instrument main body which is a barrel part, wherein the inner pen described above has a pen tip comprising a fiber feeder or a plastic feeder, and the above pen tip is coated with a substance having a vaporization-inhibiting action in an amount of 0.01 to 20% by weight in terms of a weight ratio based on the pen tip. It is more effective to further add a substance having a vaporization-inhibiting action to the ink. The substance having a vaporization-inhibiting action includes glycerin derivatives, polyoxyethylenesorbit fatty acid esters, alkyl phosphates, waxes and lecithin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Pencil Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Osada, Kazuhiro Ami, Yukinori Sawa
  • Publication number: 20040109721
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a writing instrument containing an ink reservoir, a writing medium, and a writing tip. Advantageously, a superabsorbent polymer can be associated with any writing instrument element or component, in order to absorb a writing medium to an extent sufficient to prevent abnormal or undesired leakage of the writing medium. The SAP can include, but is not limited to, polymers or copolymers preferably present at or near the surface of the writing instrument element or component in an amount such that the SAP does not substantially interfere with the desired communication or flow of the writing medium from the reservoir to the writing tip during normal use. Writing instruments according to the present invention should exhibit increased writing medium leak resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: Michael T. Nowak, Larry G. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20040071493
    Abstract: A grooming device especially adapted for removing polish from finger nails. The device is compact, portable and resembles a writing pen in general appearance. A refillable reservoir defines a distal end of the device. A removable closure functions to provide access to the reservoir. The closure also functions as a storage receptacle for extra applicator tips. A felt tip is adapted to absorb polish removal fluid flowing slowly from the reservoir whereby the fluid may easily be applied to the applicator tip and nails for removal of polish therefrom. A removable cap closes the device. The cap is provided with a replaceable nail file/buffer member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventor: Nicole Hendrix-Stavropoulos
  • Publication number: 20040067093
    Abstract: A marking pen having an excellent cap-off performance which comprises at least a colorant, a solvent and a resin and, if necessary, an erasability-providing agent as ink components and in which a pen tip comprising a fibrous feed or a plastic feed is coated with a coating agent comprising a substance providing a cap-off property, wherein the above coating agent comprises petroleum waxes comprising hydrocarbons having side chains as a principal component (50% by weight or more). Preferably, the above petroleum waxes comprising hydrocarbons having side chains as a principal component have a melting point of 63° C. or lower and are solid at room temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Takahiro Osada, Suguru Yazawa
  • Patent number: 6715950
    Abstract: A marking pen assembly includes two or more colorant supply units and a colorant applicator detachably connected together, so that when the pen assembly is stroked along a work surface plural parallel strips of colorant are simultaneously formed on the work surface. A connecting mechanism between the colorant supply units is designed so that the units can be separated from one another and used as individual marking pens. The marking pen assembly enables the user to obtain a rainbow coloring effect with a stroke of the pen assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventor: Allen C. Kim
  • Publication number: 20030231921
    Abstract: Disclosed is a writing implement capable of preventing ink from being excessively dispensed in response to change of temperature or pressure in a reservoir, or an outer impact. The writing implement according to the one embodiment of the present invention includes a housing, a reservoir for storing ink within the housing, an ink supplying pipe for guiding flow of the ink, an ink feeder for absorbing and storing the ink moving through the ink supplying pipe from the reservoir to control a current rate of the ink, a buffer for temporally storing the ink during reducing pressure differential between the reservoir and atmosphere, and a tip for conveying the ink from the ink feeder to a substrate. In the writing implement as constructed above, even though the ink excessively moves to the tip with expansion in response to change of temperature or pressure in the reservoir, the ink feeder and buffer temporarily stores a part of the ink, resulting in regularly supplying the ink to the tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: Morris Pen Corporation
    Inventor: Man-Hwa Baik
  • Patent number: 6659672
    Abstract: A writing implement is provided and includes a pen element that feeds and retain ink from a writing implement body. The pen element has an ink leader, a writing part delivering ink from the ink leader portion and a viewer portion directly above with respect to the axial direction of the writing part allowing observation of the view in the writing direction. The present writing implement therefore allows easy observation of the view on the opposite side of the pen element as the pen point and allows the end point of the drawn line to be readily distinguished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Pencil Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhisa Kirita
  • Patent number: 6648539
    Abstract: A writing instrument has a housing containing an ink reservoir. The writing instrument further has a writing nib in communication with one (or both) end of the ink reservoir by an ink induction device. In connection with the ink reservoir, there is also at least one set of pressure balance system. The pressure balance system includes a nano hydrophobic venting material that allows air to flow in and out of the reservoir to compensate pressure differential between ambient atmosphere and the interior of the ink reservoir, while prevents ink to flow from the ink reservoir to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Toyo Pen International Ltd.
    Inventor: Zhao Zhang Dai
  • Patent number: 6644880
    Abstract: The invention concerns a writing implement (1) comprising ink (5) in a fibrous or non-fibrous reservoir, a retarding agent soluble or dispersible in the ink and a nib (7) for transferring ink (5) from the reservoir to the writing medium and a method for making such a nib (7). The invention is characterised in that a retarding agent is included in the writing nib (7) and is adapted to be carried by the ink (5) when it is transferred into said nib (7). The inventive method consists in impregnating an already machined writing nib with a solution containing a specific amount of a retarding agent, drying the impregnated writing nib, without stirring, by heating at a temperature less than 60° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Conte
    Inventors: José Duez, Vincent Bedhome
  • Patent number: 6637965
    Abstract: A capillary wick running through the reservoir so that at least a portion of the capillary wick along the longitudinal axis is in direct contact with the liquid within the reservoir. This allows liquid in the reservoir to convey to a tip with minimal flow resistance. As such, a sufficient amount of liquid is provided to the tip, even when the writing instrument is used in quick strokes or for a long duration of time. In a writing position, a capillary storage is above the reservoir so that the capillary storage remains substantially dry without the head pressure affecting the capillary storage. The present invention is also directed to providing a porous divider wall between a reservoir that is below the storage, but without a capillary wick. Here, the porous divider wall is used to regulate air flow into the reservoir. Without the capillary wick, the unit costs and the manufacturing costs are substantially reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventor: Dale E. Harder
  • Publication number: 20030194260
    Abstract: Melt blown bicomponent fibers comprising a sheath of polyethylene terephthalate or a copolymer thereof and a core of nylon 6,6 and a reservoir or a nib in a writing or marking instrument comprising a porous element formed from such fibers bonded to each other at spaced points of contact. For use as a nib the core polymer may also be polybutylene terephthalate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Bennett C. Ward, Robert D. Long, Donald F. Nelson, Raymond J. Nelson, Jackie F. Payne, Jr., E. Vaughan Yancey
  • Patent number: 6632041
    Abstract: A free ink marking instrument for dispensing a fluid is disclosed. The instrument includes a feeder, a passage of reduced capillarity surrounding the feeder for conveying at least one of fluid and air to the reservoir during an increasing pressure differential between air in the reservoir and the atmosphere, a porous buffer configured for storing ink during periods of a decreasing pressure differential between air in the reservoir and the atmosphere, and a divider tube separating the buffer and the passage along a majority of the length of the buffer. The fluid and air may enter the feeder through a minor surrounding portion of the buffer during the period of the increasing pressure differential. An ink and air conveyor for use in a free ink marking instrument is also disclosed. A method for compensating for changes in ambient temperature and pressure in a free ink marking instrument is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Sanford L.P.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Witz, Gerold D. Anderka, Bernd Bastiansen, Ralf Polley
  • Pen
    Patent number: 6629798
    Abstract: There is provided a pen in which ink is supplied steadily from an ink tank to a pen point. Ink in an ink tank 6 is supplied to a pen point 5 through a slender tube portion 4A of an ink introducing slender tube 4. Excess ink can be kept by a stuffing member 7 that is in contact with a portion in which the ink introducing slender tube 4 and the pen point 5 are connected to each other and a gap 8 provided in the connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Inventors: Masaaki Fukami, Toshio Manabe
  • Patent number: 6619870
    Abstract: In a writing instrument with a collector of the present invention, an ink absorber made up of a fabric sliver etc., capable of keeping ink therein is disposed inside the ink tank and is connected to the center core, longitudinal groove or the like as an ink feeder portion. The ink absorber is adapted to have a length at least reaching to a position more rearwards than the approximate center of the ink tank and has an outside diameter that is sized to be smaller than the inside diameter of the ink tank so as to create a space around itself for permitting free-state ink to move freely while the collector has a lead portion for establishing connection enabling ink to be led from the ink absorber to the air/liquid exchanger. Specifically, the lead portion of the collector may be configured of a projecting portion directly inserted into and connected with the ink absorber and a lead channel formed on the projecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Pencil Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Furukawa, Yojiro Sano
  • Patent number: 6607325
    Abstract: A writing instrument of the present invention has an ink chamber 2 formed inside a main body 1 of the writing instrument, a writing element 5 provided on a front end portion of the main body 1 of the writing instrument, a reservoir chamber 10 which is formed between the ink chamber 2 and the writing element 5 and communicates with the atmosphere and with the writing element 5, a plurality of walls 14 and 14a which partitions the reservoir chamber 10 and the ink chamber 2 and further partitions the ink chamber 10 into a plurality of small chambers in the axis direction, and an ink supply member 16 which penetrates the plurality of walls and supplies ink from the ink chamber 2 to the writing element 5, where each of the walls is provided with a communication hole 15 capable of holding the ink by capillary force, and these communication holes are sealed with an ink membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Hics Corporation
    Inventor: Jiro Hori
  • Publication number: 20030143017
    Abstract: A writing instrument equipped with an exchangeable inner pen filled with an ink containing a solvent having a vapor pressure of 1 to 50 mm Hg (20° C.) in a writing instrument main body which is a barrel part, wherein the inner pen described above has a pen tip comprising a fiber feeder or a plastic feeder, and the above pen tip is coated with a substance having a vaporization-inhibiting action in an amount of 0.01 to 20% by weight in terms of a weight ratio based on the pen tip. It is more effective to further add a substance having a vaporization-inhibiting action to the ink. The substance having a vaporization-inhibiting action includes glycerin derivatives, polyoxyethylenesorbit fatty acid esters, alkyl phosphates, waxes and lecithin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Takahiro Osada, Kazuhiro Ami, Yukinori Sawa
  • Publication number: 20030129015
    Abstract: An ink including an aqueous dispersion of a metallic pigment and a film-forming resin, optionally together with one or more of a pH-adjusting agent, a color agent, a linking agent, an anti-settling agent, and a preservative, is disclosed. A marking instrument, particularly suitable for use with an ink according to the invention, and including a low-density reservoir for storing ink joined in capillary coupling relation to a porous nib, is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventor: Martin N. Sexton
  • Publication number: 20030108377
    Abstract: The invention concerns a writing implement (1) comprising ink (5) in a fibrous or non-fibrous reservoir, a retarding agent soluble or dispersible in the ink and a nib (7) for transferring ink (5) from the reservoir to the writing medium and a method for making such a nib (7). The invention is characterised in that a retarding agent is included in the writing nib (7) and is adapted to be carried by the ink (5) when it is transferred into said nib (7). The inventive method consists in impregnating an already machined writing nib with a solution containing a specific amount of a retarding agent, drying the impregnated writing nib, without stirring, by heating at a temperature less than 60° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: Jose Duez, Vincent Bedhome
  • Patent number: 6572297
    Abstract: A liquid marker system utilizes three primary components to permit marking of lines of various widths from a single nib. The three components are a porous nib, a transfer wick and a squeezable container. Operation relies on different squeeze pressures applied to the housing to produce different line widths from the single nib as the nib is moved across a marked surface. The porous wick provides a resistance to flow until the bottle is squeezed and then supplies a minimum of capillary flow to the nib. The user squeezes the container to overcome the resistance of the wick. No venting of the container interior is required because the wick and nib system allows the passage of air into the container when the container is returned to its unstressed (i.e., un-squeezed) condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Inventor: George W. Korper
  • Publication number: 20030072599
    Abstract: Apparatuses using gel ink to create images, particularly, generally pen shaped stampers and markers, wherein gel ink of various types are used. The gel ink travels from an ink tip through an ink conduit to saturate the applicator. The ink tip forms the top end of the ink conduit and the applicator forms the bottom end of the ink conduit. All three components are made of a porous material that will absorb the gel ink. The apparatus using gel ink for creating images can then be used to stamp or to draw on a surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Sheri Lynne Ewart
  • Patent number: 6503017
    Abstract: An ink regulating apparatus in a pen, injection molded from high-density plastic grains, comprised of three or more than three gradations retreating downward by control of density in the molding process with the lowest one tapered to slowly and gradually deliver the ink when inserted into a pen-holder to prevent ink leakage, warrant fluent writing and leaves no residual ink when the pen is discarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Inventor: Chen-Chou Liu
  • Patent number: 6503016
    Abstract: A device for applying a fluid, notably a writing pen or cosmetic pencil, includes a tubular shaft, a fluid container that is positioned therein, a tip, and a conducting system for the fluid. The container ensures constant pressure equalization with the atmosphere by having its front and rear ends each being fluidically connected to the atmosphere. At the rear end of the container a ventilation opening is positioned. The ventilation opening opens into the container interior containing the fluid and is sealed by a semi-permeable membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: A.W. Faber-Castell Unternehmensverwaltung GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Jürgen Raps, Jochen Griesheimer, Daniel Baum
  • Patent number: 6503015
    Abstract: A marking pen has a hollow shank 10 that supports an applicator 11 having a marking face 12. The applicator part 16 extends through a channel formed by a seal 14 into and sealingly connected to a liquid ink reservoir 13. Small air vent passages 17 and 18 provided around the applicator part 15 lead to a buffer zone 20 partially filled with porous material 21. Air may pass during use of the pen into the buffer zone but liquid ink will not flow along the passages and out of the pen. The configuration enables free liquid ink to be stored in the reservoir inside the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Jakks Pacific, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Louis Bianco, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020197096
    Abstract: An ink composition or system for writing instruments constructed with a polyester fiber reservoir and a porous oriented fiber nib. This ink system will write on both black and white surfaces. On black surfaces, it will reveal itself as being opaque and metallic almost iridescent in appearance. On white surfaces, a tint of color is observed with distinct flecks of silver. The ink system is composted of water as a carrier, a permanent water-based binder, a colored pigmented permanent water-based dispersion of sub-micron particle size, a unique aluminum dispersion of specific particle size in a special carrier, a humectant, a surfactant that lowers surface tension, an anti-settling additive, a preservative and a base acting as a pH adjuster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Applicant: Dri Mark Products, Incorporated
    Inventors: Chhman Sukhna, Charles Reichmann
  • Patent number: 6497527
    Abstract: A liquid applicator implement includes a container for freely movable liquid (6), a capillary storage (16) for temporarily receiving liquid upon a change in air pressure and/or temperature of the environment, an applicator element (12) and a capillary air inlet for compensation in respect of liquid taken from the container. A passage (20) for conveying the liquid entirely or partially bridges over the distance between the container with the liquid (6) and the applicator element (12). The passage is not directly in communication with the storage (16) and it is of lower capillarity than the storage (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Dataprint R. Kaufmann GmbH
    Inventor: Rainer Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 6488429
    Abstract: A liquid marker system utilizes three primary components to permit marking of lines of various widths from a single nib. The three components are a porous nib, a transfer wick and a squeezable container. Operation relies on different squeeze pressures applied to the housing to produce different line widths from the single nib as the nib is moved across a marked surface. The porous wick provides a resistance to flow until the bottle is squeezed and then supplies a minimum of capillary flow to the nib. The user squeezes the container to overcome the resistance of the wick. No venting of the container interior is required because the wick and nib system allows the passage of air into the container when the container is returned to its unstressed (i.e., un-squeezed) condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventor: George W. Korper
  • Publication number: 20020172544
    Abstract: A writing instrument has a housing containing an ink reservoir. The writing instrument further has a writing nib in communication with one (or both) end of the ink reservoir by an ink induction device. In connection with the ink reservoir, there is also at least one set of pressure balance system. The pressure balance system includes a nano hydrophobic venting material that allows air to flow in and out of the reservoir to compensate pressure differential between ambient atmosphere and the interior of the ink reservoir, while prevents ink to flow from the ink reservoir to the atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventor: Zhao Zhang Dai
  • Publication number: 20020168215
    Abstract: A free ink marking instrument for dispensing an ink, including a housing, a reservoir for storing ink within the housing, a feed tube to convey ink communicating with the reservoir, a tip disposed within the feed tube for conveying ink to a substrate at a marking end of the tip, a porous buffer disposed within the housing adjacent the feed tube and configured for storing ink during periods of a decreasing pressure differential between the reservoir and the atmosphere, and bubble separation area in the form of either a hole in the feed tube or a hole or passage formed between the feed tube and the tip, is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Applicant: Sanford North America
    Inventors: Wolfgang Witz, Ralf Polley, Bernd Bastiansen
  • Patent number: 6457892
    Abstract: One feature of the present invention is to provide a capillary hole through a storage container that is holding the liquid so that as the underpressure within the container increases, atmospheric air may enter through the capillary hole to hold the underpressure at a predetermined level. One of the advantages with the present invention is that air enters through the container wall and not through the conveying line. That is, the diameter of the capillary hole formed in the container may be more precisely controlled than trying to control the largest pore size in the conveying line. This means that the performance of the writing instrument may be held to a tighter tolerance because the underpressure in the container may be more accurately controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Reza Mehrabi, Dale Harder
  • Patent number: 6435747
    Abstract: A direct-feed type writing implement having two ends includes an ink tank and a pair of writing points, arranged at opposite ends of the ink tank. An ink collector is provided for each writing point. An air/liquid exchanger adjusts the internal pressure inside the ink tank by use of capillarity. An ink feeder is provided for each writing point. Each ink feeder includes a center core for feeding ink to the writing point. Air is inhibited from flowing into the ink tank through the ink collector air/liquid exchanger located at one end while the pen is being used for writing at the opposite end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Pencil Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Furukawa, Hiroaki Koyama, Takeshi Kobayashi, Yojiro Sano, Yosuke Mito
  • Patent number: 6416242
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing utensil, such as a writing utensil, includes a container (20) defining a first storage area (11) for storing fluid, a second storage area (25) and an opening therebetween, a tip (15), a capillary conveying line (14) extending from the opening through at least a portion of the second storage area to the tip, and a capillary storage (16) associated with the second storage area and in direct contact with the conveying line. A porous shroud (28) may also be provided. Even still, the capillary conveying line and the capillary storage may be a unitary fibrous structure where the fibers are aligned along the longitudinal axis defined by the tip and the opening. Moreover, a capillary divider may be between the first and second storage areas to allow air to flow therethrough into the second storage area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Dataprint R. Kaufmann GmbH
    Inventor: Rainer Kaufmann
  • Publication number: 20020081141
    Abstract: A device for applying a fluid, notably a writing pen or cosmetic pencil, includes a tubular shaft, a fluid container that is positioned therein, a tip, and a conducting system for the fluid. At the rear end of the container a ventilation opening is positioned. The ventilation opening opens into the container interior containing the fluid and is sealed by a semi-permeable membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Jurgen Raps, Jochen Griesheimer, Daniel Baum
  • Patent number: 6382861
    Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning the dirt is disclosed. The cleaning device includes a container for receiving the cleaning material therein, a permeating element disposed in the container for introducing the cleaning material, and a cleaning head mounted on one end of the container and connecting with the permeating element for cleaning the dirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Winbond Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Ting-Kou Chen, Tu-Hao Yu, Chi-Yeh Huang, Yi-Yuan Chen
  • Patent number: 6368004
    Abstract: A pen point for a marking pen having a pen tip which includes a base portion formed by bundling polyester-type synthetic fibers having a fiber diameter of denier between about 1 and about 10, dipping the bundle in a synthetic resin adhesive and drying and solidifying the bundle. The resulting bundle is molded into a knife cut shape and integrally coated, together with the base portion, with a coating member formed of a thermoplastic synthetic resin, the thickness of said coating member being between about 0.01 and about 2.00 mm. In the present invention, the tip of the pen point for the marking pen is coated with a coating member formed of a thermoplastic synthetic resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyacetal or vinyl chloride, whereby the side surfaces in which the ink in the pen point is soaked are not exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Yoshida, Tomohiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6340262
    Abstract: A writing implement with an ink collector is able to prevent ink soiling at the pen tip even when the writing implement has been left under an atmosphere of 0° C. or below, at which the ink inside the writing implement will begin freezing and can be assembled by a simple assembling machine with its productivity improved. This writing implement with an ink collector is a direct ink storage type writing implement having an ink chamber 2 disposed at the rear part of a barrel cylinder 1 for directly storing the ink and an ink collector 5 mounted at the front part of barrel cylinder 2 and is characterized in that ink collector 5 is formed with a passage hole 6 therein in which an ink conduit core 8 for conveying the ink from ink chamber 2 to a pen tip 10 is provided while the flank of ink collector 5 is formed with air holes 7 that communicate with passage hole 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Pencil Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Motohiro Komiya, Hisashi Iida
  • Patent number: 6322268
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing utensil, such as a writing utensil, includes a container (20) defining a first storage area (11) for storing fluid, a second storage area (25) and an opening therebetween, a tip (15), a capillary conveying line (14) extending from the opening through at least a portion of the second storage area to the tip, and a capillary storage (16) associated with the second storage area and in direct contact with the conveying line. A porous shroud (28) may also be provided. Even still, the capillary conveying line and the capillary storage may be a unitary fibrous structure where the fibers are aligned along the longitudinal axis defined by the tip and the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Rainer Kaufmann, Dale E. Harder
  • Patent number: 6308371
    Abstract: A silicone paint brush artist's tool includes a handle and a novel painting tip. The painting tip is made of a resilient silicone having a generally three-dimensional paint contacting working surface that has a maximum cross-sectional diameter no larger than a maximum cross-sectional diameter of the handle. The tip is preferably attached to the handle using a ferrule and expansively locking the tip into a cavity of the ferrule by insertion of an insert. The insert may be a common screw or a barbed, fluted extension of the handle. The tips may include an insert cavity and have various shapes and hardnesses and may be optionally color coded. A formation method for the tool is disclosed with simultaneous insert insertion and joining of ferrules to handles. The ferrules also may be reversibly attached to the handle, in which case a kit comprising multiple interchangeable painting tips may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Royal Sovereign Limited
    Inventor: Ladd B. Forsline
  • Patent number: 6276860
    Abstract: A liquid applicator has a vaned collector. The collector's rear end is abutted on a partition having a concave portion, creating a gap B therebetween. A cylindrical projection is formed inside the rear sleeve concentrically on its axis so that a replaceable cartridge holding ink is removably attached with its front end fitted to the cylindrical projection. A trunk core's rear end is inserted into a communication passage that is formed in the cylindrical projection with a gap A formed between the trunk core surface and the wall surface of the communication passage. This gap A is put in communication with an ink slit of the collector via gap B. Grooves are formed in the convex portion while a number of ribs are formed apart with respect to a barrel's circumference on inner peripheral surface of the communication passage of the cylindrical projection. These ribs stably support the rear end of the trunk core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Pencil Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Nakajima, Kenzi Sato, Shigeki Ohba