Wick Separate From Tool Patents (Class 401/199)
  • Patent number: 6247866
    Abstract: A feeding duct for writing liquid in fountain pen nibs and method of producing same, wherein the duct includes a substantially cylindrical element having multiple circumferential grooves creating respective fins, of a support for a nib and a connecting mans to an ink reservoir the feeding duct is produced in two distinct portions disposed symmetrically in relation to a longitudinal plane each portion is provided with a longitudinal recess extending along the entire length of the portion, apart from the front end thereof, and is combined with recess of the other portion to form a groove when the two portions are secured one to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Inventor: Camillo Moro
  • Publication number: 20010003566
    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: Application
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Publication date: June 14, 2001
    Inventors: MASAHIRO YOSHIDA, TOMOHIRO WATANABE
  • Patent number: 6244775
    Abstract: The writing implement 1 comprises a shaft barrel 4 and a tail plug 2. The shaft barrel 4 includes an ink storing body 7 stored in an interior portion thereof and a pen point 8 mounted on a front end portion thereof. The tail plug 2 is removably mounted on an opening formed at the rear end of the shaft barrel 4. The tail plug 2 includes a flange portion 21 which is provided backwardly of the rear end portion of the shaft barrel 4. Between the front surface of the flange portion 21 and the rear end portion of the shaft barrel 4, there is formed a groove 5 for forcibly opening. The groove 5 is formed more deeply inwardly in the diameter direction of the shaft barrel 4 than the inner surface of the rear end opening of the shaft barrel 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: The Pilot Ink Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeru Oike
  • Patent number: 6238116
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a durable foam tipped applicator that can absorb and retain fluids easily. The foam material used to make the applicator tip may be used in both water-based and solvent-based fluids. A wiper insert may be used to remove excess liquid from the applicator during removal from a reservoir of fluid. A lip at the mouth of the wiper insert can redirect excess fluid into the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: BIC Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Rhodes Smith, Gary R. Ashe, Roger F. Lockshier, James Whitaker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6227741
    Abstract: A felt pen or a like writing instrument includes an elongate body having a cavity defining a first chamber housing a plug of hydrophilic material associated with a writing tip one end of which projects out of the body. The body also includes a second chamber separated from the first chamber and defining a reservoir for liquid ink for supplying the writing tip. The writing tip is spaced from the second chamber and can be supplied with ink directly from the-plug which draws ink from the reservoir through capillary supply means independent of the writing tip and interposed between the first and the second chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Universal S.p.A.
    Inventor: Enrico Quercioli
  • Patent number: 6217935
    Abstract: A method and applicator for use in applying hazardous chemical solutions to surfaces. The invention employes a pen applicator to apply a measured amount of the hazardous chemical solution to a surface as a dispensing tip is applied to the surface. A typical pen applicator includes a tubular body in which a liquid absorbing material is disposed to hold the hazardous solution. A tip in contact with the reservoir and one end of the tip acts as a wick to draw the solution from the reservoir to the tip, and the other end of the tip is configured to apply the solution to a surface when that end of the tip is placed in contact with the surface. A tip cover is provided to seal the tip and tip-end of the tubular body prevent inadvertent application of the solution and to preserve the shelf life. A cap or sealing member is provided at the end of the body to seal the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Henkel Corporation
    Inventor: D. Sterling Hubbell
  • Patent number: 6183155
    Abstract: A liquid applicator implement includes a container for freely movable liquid (6), a capillary storage means (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 means (16) and it is of lower capillarity than the storage means (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Rainer Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 6113296
    Abstract: A valve arrangement for controlling the flow of fluid between a first and a second fluid chamber, wherein an elastomer material hose part (2) has an outer surface in contact with the first fluid chamber (5') and a lumen (6) of the hose part is connected to the second fluid chamber (9), one or a plurality of continuous slots (2) being provided in the wall of the hose part (2), which slots, in a non-deformed state of the hose part (2), are closed due to the inherent restoring force of the elastomer of the hose part and can be opened by deforming the hose part (2), is disposed on the hose part is an actuating part (10) by which the hose part (2) can be deformed to control the flow of fluid through the slots (11). The valve arrangement can be used in a writing implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: Oliver Weiss
  • Patent number: 6095707
    Abstract: A writing utensil has a container with an opening for receiving a writing liquid and a writing tip. An at least partially capillary conveying line is provided and connected between the opening of the container and the writing tip for conveying the writing liquid from the container to the writing tip. The conveying line completely fills the opening. A capillary storage directly communicates with the conveying line. The average capillary effect of the capillary storage is smaller than the average capillary effect of the conveying line, at least in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventor: Rainer Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 6089776
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing utensil, such as a writing utensil, includes a container defining a first storage area for storing fluid, a second storage area and an opening therebetween, a tip, a capillary conveying line extending from the opening through at least a portion of the second storage area to the tip, and a capillary storage associated with the second storage area and in direct contact with the conveying line. The average capillarity of the capillary conveying line is substantially greater than the average capillarity of the storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: Rainer Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 6062758
    Abstract: An ink writing implement having a writing tip, an ink reservoir and a housing component enclosing the ink reservoir, includes a molded, ink delivery unit having a plurality of disc-shaped walls, a plurality of ring-shaped pressure compensation chambers, a flat area, an ink feed channel formed by the flat area, and a parting plane extending through the flat area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Rotring International GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Petra Maurer, Bernd Bastiansen
  • Patent number: 6059477
    Abstract: A nib for a marking pen which has at least one, preferably two, grooves or valleys formed in the sides thereof which intersect a projection on an inside surface of the marking pen barrel for securing the nib within the marking pen. In the preferred embodiment, the nib is formed from flat strips of stock by forming two grooves down the center of the strip and subsequently cutting parallelogram-shaped nibs from the strip. When the nib is assembled to the pen, the projection intersects a first one of the grooves at a front of the nib, and intersects the second one of the grooves at the back of the nib. Advantageously, this construction provides for stable orientation of the nib within the pen and facile assembly, without the need for pinning or die cutting an irregular shape. In addition, the method of forming the nib allows for high throughput production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Bacon Felt Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Earl S. Dunlap, Jr., Stephen L. Ford
  • Patent number: 6039488
    Abstract: A dispenser and applicator for animal scent material and a method of dispensing animal scent directly into the air and/or applying animal scent to surfaces includes a generally cylindrical shape-sustaining flexible casing, a generally cylindrical breakable ampule having a quantity of liquid scent material therein. A porous plug applicator swab closes an open end of the casing and a dispensing cap is mounted on the casing in enclosing relation to the open end of the casing and the projecting end of the porous plug. The liquid scent material is applied by placing the dispensing cap on the closed end of the casing and breaking the ampule by squeezing opposite sides of the cap and casing to deform the casing wall inwardly to break the ampule. The scent material is absorbed by the porous plug applicator swab and the swab can apply the liquid scent material to surface areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Louisiana Bucks Unlimited, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Dwayne M. Krawczyk, Mabry M. McFarlin
  • Patent number: 6027271
    Abstract: A capillary writing medium colorant reservoir system for a writing instrument and process for producing the colorant reservoir. The main problem in such colorant reservoirs is the storage time. During this time, the writing capacity of new writing instruments declines since the walls of the writing instruments are, if only slightly, permeable to solvents. In the long run a stored writing instrument thus dries out and loses the major proportion of its original writing capacity. To this end, the invention has a colorant reservoir with an elongated reservoir body made of fibrous material. The reservoir body is surrounded by a sleeve which is permeable to liquids and gases and gives the reservoir body its shape. The reservoir stores colorant to produce liquid writing medium, the colorant being stored between the fibers of the fibrous material of the reservoir body in dry form. A single-part or multipart wick projects from either side of the reservoir body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Merz & Krell GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Luigi Barosso, Werner Lang
  • Patent number: 5971646
    Abstract: A liquid ink writing implement comprises a body whose rear portion constitutes a reservoir for containing an ink, a transfer rod whose rear end opens out into the reservoir and whose front end projects out from the body and forms a writing tip, and a buffer reservoir in contact with the transfer rod. The ink has a surface tension lying in the range 21 of mN/m to 25 mN/m, and is intended for use on a non-absorbent media made of metal or of plastic. The surface tension of the material constituting the buffer reservoir is less than that of the ink by a predetermined difference which is preferably equal to or less than 4 mN/m, thereby enabling the buffer reservoir to absorb and give back any excess ink coming from the transfer rod by capillarity in the event of variation in the pressure inside the reservoir. The surface tension of the material of the buffer reservoir has been lowered by depositing an agent, whose surface tension is less than that of the ink but within the predetermined difference, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Conte S.A.
    Inventors: Philippe Chavatte, Jose Duez
  • Patent number: 5967687
    Abstract: A direct ink supply writing implement according to the present invention is provided with an ink reservoir made of a porous material disposed between a nib and an ink tank; a partition wall disposed between the ink reservoir and the ink tank and arranged to partition the ink reservoir and the ink tank from each other; a communication hole formed in the partition wall for establishing communication between the ink reservoir and the ink tank; a rod-shape ink guiding member which penetrates the partition wall and with which ink is supplied from the ink tank to the nib; and a compressed portion formed at a rear end of the ink reservoir and arranged to enhance capillary force as compared with other portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: The Pilot Ink Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeru Oike
  • Patent number: 5964226
    Abstract: A hair product application system includes a main body defining a reservoir which contains a hair product or hair coloring substance, an integral applicator having a first portion disposed inside the reservoir and a second portion disposed through an opening to the outside of the main body, and a cap adapted to cover the second portion of the applicator and sealingly attach to the main body. The applicator transports the hair product from the reservoir to the outer surface of the second portion of the applicator by capillary action, from where the hair product may be transferred by direct contact to the hair to be treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Inventor: Joan Lasker Sobel
  • Patent number: 5960802
    Abstract: A pen-type chemical applicator is provided for making it possible to easily and discretely apply a chemical such as a hair grower or a cosmetic chemical. In the pen-type chemical applicator, a pen tip member is provided at a distal end portion of a sleeve-like pen-like body which may be gripped by one hand and which contains a liquid, semisolid, paste-like, sol-like, or gel-like hair grower; the hair grower ejects or soaks out to the pen tip member or in the vicinity of the pen tip member; and the sharpness of the pen tip member is set to a stimulus that does not give a feeling of pain to a scalp when the pen tip member is brought into contact with the scalp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: TMC Kaken Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Eiichi Sakai
  • Patent number: 5951187
    Abstract: A fluid flow regulator for storing and returning excess fluid flow resulting from changes in atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature. The fluid flow regulator includes a continuous, uniform path having a triangular cross-sectional shape which particularly facilitates capillary attraction of the excess fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Ziber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hui-Huang Hsieh
  • Patent number: 5938362
    Abstract: In a writing implement for ink, having a nib and having a shaft (3) a lamination system for holding or emitting ink is arranged, which lamination system has an ink feed channel (18) which runs in a longitudinally extending lamination carrier (10). Protruding from the lamination carrier (10) is a group of transversely arranged and mutually spaced laminations (24), between which laminations (24) there is a capillary gap (20) between the side of the lamination carrier (10) having the open side of the ink feed channel (18) and the inner wall (22) of the shaft (3). In a first region (34) which is located in the region of the open side of the ink feed channel (18), the laminations (24) each extend up to the inner wall (22) of the shaft (3). In a second region (36), which faces away from the first region (34) and extends over at least 80% of the circumference of the laminations (24), a distance, which prevents a capillary effect, from the inner wall (22) of the shaft (3), is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Rotring International GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bernd Bastiansen
  • Patent number: 5927886
    Abstract: A longitudinal groove which allows a number of annular grooves formed on the outer peripheral surface of an ink storage body to communicate with an ink chamber is cut halfway into the thickness of a flange formed at the rear part of the ink storage body. An outer part of the longitudinal groove cut into the flange is made to communicate with a passage which is defined by a cutout formed on the periphery of the flange and the inner wall of the barrel cylinder so that this passage establishes communication between the longitudinal groove and the ink chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Pencil Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuaki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 5927885
    Abstract: A buffer reservoir suitable for absorbing surplus ink and a writing instrument including the buffer reservoir are provided. The buffer reservoir includes a mixture of microbeads that are hydrophobic relative to the ink and microbeads that are hydrophilic relative to the ink. The mixture of microbeads may either be uniform throughout the entire volume of the buffer reservoir, or non-uniform throughout the entire volume of the buffer reservoir, with the proportion of hydrophilic microbeads to hydrophobic microbeads being smaller in the zone immediately in contact with the feed tip and larger in the zone farthest away from the feed tip. Preferably, the proportion of hydrophilic microbeads is in the range of about 2% to about 10%, by weight, relative to the total weight of the buffer reservoir. The writing instrument includes a reservoir for liquid ink, a feed tip opening out into the reservoir, and a buffer reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Debiotech S.A.
    Inventors: Jose Duez, Vincent Bedhome
  • Patent number: 5909978
    Abstract: In a marking pen, the body of the marking pen containing the cartridge is made air tight except for the opening on the distal end to receive the marker nib and a vent hole. The walls of the pen body are made flexible and the vent hole is provided through the flexible walls near the distal end so that the cavity containing the cartridge can be pressurized by squeezing the body between the thumb and index finger, with the index finger covering the vent hole. The pressuring of the cartridge cavity applies hydraulic pressure to the nib to flush the nib with ink or unclog it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Porex Surgical Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Giordano, Howard A. Mercer, John R. Miller
  • Patent number: 5906446
    Abstract: A writing instrument is disclosed having a barrel defining an internal passage including an ink reservoir. A venting mechanism is positioned at least partially within the internal passage of the barrel adjacent an anterior end portion thereof. The venting mechanism includes an elongated body defining an axial bore therethrough in communication with the ink reservoir, and a plurality of spaced apart fins peripherally surrounding the elongated body and defining a plurality of annular channels between the fins. Each of the fins defines a groove thereon to interconnect the annular channels. The writing instrument further includes a point support member supporting a writing point and positioned adjacent an anterior end portion of the venting mechanism and defining an axial bore aligned with the axial bore of the venting mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: BIC Corporation
    Inventors: Russell McCulloch, Frank Hart, Ronald Rukan, Barry W. Chadwick
  • Patent number: 5897264
    Abstract: An improved marker tip for use in a writing instrument and being of the general type formed of a fibrous and porous material. The tip has a generally elongated body of circular cross section and includes conically-shaped marker surfaces on each of its ends. The converging end of each conically-shaped marker surface is positioned slightly off-center with respect to a central axis of the tip such that each marker surface is comprised of a variety of radial marker widths as well as a writing point. All such radial marker widths are inclined at equal angles with respect to the central axis such that the marker tip, and associated writing instrument, may be held at a single angle with respect to a marking surface when drawing lines of varying widths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Sanford Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney J. Baudino
  • Patent number: 5897265
    Abstract: An ink eraser including an eraser housing defining a housing chamber and a nib opening; a first fibrous wick container positioned within the housing chamber; a first section of fibrous wicking material positioned within the fibrous wick container; a supply of erasing agent within the fibrous wick container, the erasing agent including a mixture of vinegar and an organic bleach; and a delivery nib having a wick contacting portion, a central portion and a delivery portion, the wick contacting portion being positioned within the fibrous wick container in contact with the first section of fibrous wicking, the central portion being disposed through the nib opening, the delivery portion extending exteriorly of the eraser housing. In a preferred embodiment the eraser housing further defines a fill opening and the ink eraser further includes a sealing cap. The sealing cap preferably defines a recharging port that is sealable by a reusable sealing device such as a screw in cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventor: Caroline Wilson
  • Patent number: 5895160
    Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the manufacture of various different configurations of marking instruments which utilizes a uniquely configured nib holder which includes a media transfer channel therethrough along with a nib mounting ring and securement prong or finger apparatus for facilitating the mounting and retaining of a marking nib therewithin. A conventional marker barrel being generally tubular with end openings is included which can be used for forming either single or double ended marking pens which share a common marking media reservoir or have different media used therewith. The nib mounting ring of the nib holder is designed to orient the nib centrally within the media transfer channel at the nib holder and the securement prongs are adapted to abut and grip the nib holder for retaining in position therethrough and preferably in abutment with respect to a conventional generally fibrous marking media reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Pentech International Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Ginelli
  • Patent number: 5890830
    Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the manufacture of various different configurations of marking instruments which utilizes a uniquely configured nib holder which includes a media transfer channel therethrough along with a nib mounting ring and securement prong or finger apparatus for facilitating the mounting and retaining of a marking nib therewithin. A conventional marker barrel being generally tubular with end openings is included which can be used for forming either single or double ended marking pens which share a common marking media reservoir or have different media used therewith. The nib mounting ring of the nib holder is designed to orient the nib centrally within the media transfer channel at the nib holder and the securement prongs are adapted to abut and grip the nib holder for retaining in position therethrough and preferably in abutment with respect to a conventional generally fibrous marking media reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Pentech International Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Ginelli
  • Patent number: 5865553
    Abstract: A writing instrument is provided, including a writing tip, a reservoir containing a liquid ink, and a capillary transfer rod extending from a first end to a second end of the reservoir. The capillary transfer rod transfers the liquid ink from the reservoir to the writing tip. A capillary element having an orifice is slidably mounted around the capillary transfer rod so as to move freely in the reservoir. An outside edge of the capillary element comes into the immediate vicinity of an inside wall of the reservoir in such a manner that the capillary element comes substantially flush with an inside wall of the reservoir as it slides along the transfer rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Conte S.A.
    Inventors: Benoit Flye Sainte Marie, Jose Duez, Serge Romy, Zoltan Trajber, Philippe Lefebvre, Philippe Chavatte
  • Patent number: 5829904
    Abstract: An ink conducting core for supplying ink from an ink container to a pen point is formed with an exposing recess in the vicinity of a connecting portion of the ink conducting core with a middle core. With this, even when outside impact etc. causes air bubbles to enter the ink conducting core, the bubbles may be ejected readily through the exposing recess whereby smooth ink supply can be secured all the time. An annular groove and a small diameter portion is provided in the rear part of an ink conducting core. An ink retainer having a through-hole through which the ink conducting core is fitted is constructed such that the through-hole has a small diameter portion in the rear end thereof. The ink conducting core is fitted to the ink retainer with the side walls of the annular groove engaging the small diameter portion in the rear end of the through-hole. As a result, it is possible to securely restrict back-and-forth movement of the ink conducting core due to impact etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Pencil Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuaki Matsumoto, Motohiro Komiya, Jun Hosoya
  • Patent number: 5820285
    Abstract: An ink passage (6) including a shallow groove (6a) having the shape of a thin film and forming a very small gap capable of exercising capillarity and deep grooves (6b) of a depth greater than that of the shallow groove (6a), is formed in a joining surface (5) of a pen nib formed by putting a pair of nib elements (1a, 1b) together in a face-to-face disposition and by fixing rear portions of the nib elements to a neck tube (2) or the like of a pen barrel. Front portions, i.e., nonfixed portions, of the pair of nib elements (1a, 1b) are formed in elastically deformable shapes so that the front portions are able to slide relative to each other when writing force is applied to the tip of the nib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Kabsuhiki Kaisha Pilot
    Inventors: Yasuo Ikeda, Toshihiro Ono
  • Patent number: 5813787
    Abstract: Fine lines, for example, 0.5 to 0.8 mm wide, can be produced by the use of an auxiliary nib unit which fits over a main nib on a felt or Fiber tip marker or on a technical pen. The auxiliary nib is a friction fit in its housing. The marker cap may contain a receptacle for storage of the auxiliary nib. The auxiliary nib is movable axially of its housing so as to come into ink-transfer contact with the main nib irrespective of wear or distortion of the latter. The main nib may be of fibrous material, and the auxiliary nib may be a hollow extrudate of plastics material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Esselte UK Limited
    Inventors: Martin Edward Dowzall, Vazgen John Houssian
  • Patent number: 5755524
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a cleaning device for spectacle glasses comprising a container for a cleaning liquid, a pair of wiper arms disposed thereon, whereby a wiper arm is swingably mounted each on two opposing sides of the container, further comprising an exchangeable cleaning element disposed on the free end of each wiper arm, and a wick system to supply the cleaning liquid from the container to the cleaning elements opposing the former in inoperative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Inventor: Friedrich Horst Papenmeier
  • Patent number: 5749117
    Abstract: A device for application and manipulation of paint on a substrate includes a handle having a distal end and a proximal end, and a working tip attached to the distal end of the handle. The working tip is a flexible, non-porous extruded material having a distal working edge which is formed by an extrusion process, with the working edge being parallel to a longitudinal orientation of the extrusion process. In one embodiment, one of the working tip and the handle includes a rib along an end which interfaces the other and the other of the working tip and the handle includes a corresponding slot in an end which interfaces the one for mating with the rib. Preferably, the working tip is made of silicone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Inventor: Ladd B. Forsline
  • Patent number: 5735623
    Abstract: An applicator for a viscous cosmetic has an applicator body constituting a reservoir for the cosmetic. This body contains an applicator element that can be moved between a closed position wherein the applicator element is completely accommodated inside the body and an open position wherein the applicator element projects outside the applicator body. A porous barrier separates the cosmetic in the reservoir from the applicator element. The applicator can be closed by a cap when the applicator element is accommodated inside the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Gueret
  • Patent number: 5716152
    Abstract: On both cap and tubular sheath are formed sealing fit portions for sealing between a writing tip and a front-end opening of the tubular sheath and also formed override fit portions for preventing dislodgement of the cap from the tubular sheath in such a manner that their sealing fit motion and override fit motion start simultaneously at the time of mounting of the cap, whereby the loading on a finger tip in the course of mounting the cap is only once. The outer surface of the cap is integrally provided with a clip which is wider than a connecting leg portion for connection with the cap and which defines an air flow gap extending from the clip head including the connecting leg portion up to the opening portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Zebra Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoto Kudo
  • Patent number: 5700534
    Abstract: A coloring fluid-containing marking device which sufficiently withstand practical use and, after use, its molded members can be biologically degraded in soil. The marking device comprises a coloring fluid container molded from an aliphatic polyester resin, and a coloring fluid containing a solvent mainly comprising an aliphatic hydrocarbon and/or an alicyclic hydrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: The Pilot Ink Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Shibazaki, Mikiya Ido, Tohru Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5676480
    Abstract: A hair dye applicating apparatus including a handle portion having a hollow interior adapted to hold hair dye therein. The device includes an applicating portion having a pair of applicator members. The applicator members have a coextensive main body portion extending inwardly of the handle portion. The device includes a cap member having an open end portion adapted for engagement to the handle portion disposed over the applicating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Inventor: Nada Tosto
  • Patent number: 5672021
    Abstract: A nib for use in a capillary feed marker. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the nib comprises a bundle of substantially parallel, absorbent fibers fashioned into a porous structure, some of the fibers being made of a water-soluble (or solvent-soluble) material, other of the fibers being made of a water-insoluble (or solvent-insoluble) material. By dissolving the soluble fibers of the nib while keeping the insoluble fibers of the nib intact, capillaries of an enlarged size may be formed in the nib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Herman Abber, Lee A. Carlson, Lewis H. Johnson, Craig L. Donaldson
  • Patent number: 5651627
    Abstract: A holder for an auxiliary nib is disclosed which is intended to be fitted on the body of a main marker pen when a finer line is to be drawn. The auxiliary nib holder has as its outer end a cavity in which fits a length of ink-permeable material in ink-transfer contact or relationship with a projecting fine nib. Also seated with the cavity is an axially-movable preferably globular wick which is prevented from falling out of the inner end of the cavity, e.g. by means of an end rib. The globular wick is of controlled and known permeability, so that ink is able to flow at a known and acceptable rate to the fine nib when the auxiliary nib holder is in position in the marker pen and the globular wick is engaged by the marker nib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Esselte Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Edward Dowzall, David Wellings Pointon, Vazgen John Houssian
  • Patent number: 5626431
    Abstract: A felt-tip pen (1) for writing on posters or the like is inserted into an ink pot for refilling and keeping. In order to prevent the outer sides of the felt-tip pen from becoming soiled with ink, the felt-tip pen has an axial groove (12) parallel to the felt-tip (10) entered by a collar (22) that surrounds the opening (21) of the ink pot (20) when the felt-tip pen is inserted through the opening. This groove is designed in an intermediate piece (5) that bears the felt-tip and that is in turn inserted onto the cup-shaped end (3) of the handle with a second groove (11 ) of the same size as the first but oriented in the opposite direction. The felt-tip may thus be inserted on both sides onto the handle (2) and into the ink pot and at the same time it is well sealed in the ink pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Esselte Meto International GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Hetzer, Michael Schwarz
  • Patent number: 5615963
    Abstract: A liquid applicator having a liquid reservoir, a tip having a polygonal surface to apply liquid in the reservoir to an object, a tip holder, and structure cooperating between the tip holder and reservoir for connecting the tip holder to the liquid reservoir so that the tip holder does not rotate relative to the liquid reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Sakura Color Products Corp.
    Inventor: Nobuaki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5556215
    Abstract: A writing instrument has an ink reservoir, a nib and a feeder which temporarily stores ink which is pushed out of or pulled into the ink reservoir. The ink reservoir communicates with the nib through an ink supplying passage. The feeder chamber communicates with the atmosphere through an atmosphere communicating passage and with the ink reservoir through a capillary flow passage. The cross-sectional area of the capillary flow passage is small enough to hold ink in the capillary flow passage due to a surface tension of the ink. When the pressure in the ink reservoir due to a temperature change, etc., ink flows in the feeder chamber through the capillary flow passage or is returned from the feeder chamber to the ink reservoir. Since the feeder chamber is hollow, its volume is large and has a simple structure, the feeder can be manufactured easily. A low flow resistance of the capillary flow passage provides good response for compensation for a pressure change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Inventor: Jiro Hori
  • Patent number: 5551789
    Abstract: A cosmetic material container comprises: a sleeve holder 1 having an open front end 12 and an open rear end 11; a tail plug 2 for closing the open rear end 11 of the sleeve holder 1; an applying tip unit 3 secured to an open front end side of the sleeve holder 1; and a double cap unit 4 attachably and detachably coupled to the sleeve holder 1 on the outer periphery of its front end 12, the applying tip unit 3 including an adjuster 31 provided on its outer periphery with annular grooves 311, a porous joining core 32 inserted into an axial hole 312 in the adjuster 31 and communicating with a part of the annular grooves 31, and a porous tip 33 connected to a front end of the joining core 32 and inserted in a socket 313 provided in a front end of the adjuster 31, a cosmetic material reservoir 13 being defined between a rear end of the adjuster 31 and the tail end 2 in the sleeve holder 1, and the porous joining core 32 being disposed in the adjuster 31 to project its rear end in the reservoir 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Kawakami Giken Co Ltd
    Inventors: Akira Okawa, Yuji Sugaya
  • Patent number: 5542144
    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: April 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Inventor: Ladd B. Forsline
  • Patent number: 5509742
    Abstract: A cosmetic device for both application and removal of mascara. The mascara applicator includes a centrally positioned elongated main body from one end of which a mascara brush dependently extends and a mascara reservoir releasibly securable to this same end of the main body to both protectively encase the brush and to carry a supply of mascara therewithin. A mascara remover as a removable and separately useable subassembly includes a mascara remover reservoir for holding a quantity of liquid mascara remover and an absorbent tip dependently extending from one end of the reservoir. That same reservoir end is releasibly securable to the other end of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Inventor: Grace M. Balzarini
  • Patent number: 5480250
    Abstract: A porous dispenser for typewriter white-out, coloring, microcapsules and other coating materials is made with a relatively rigid open cell foam nib. The foam has an average of from 12 to 25 pores per linear centimeter with an average pore size from 0.4 to 2 microns. The nib rigidity can be provided by a hard material nib or by having a flexible porous foam material compressed from its original volume to from 1/10th to 1/20th its original volume. The nib has less than a 20% compression when subjected to a 400 gm/cm.sup.2 pressure. The nib can be used with a pigmented coating material, microcapsules or polish with an average particle size of from 0.4 to 1 micron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Inventor: Donald Birden
  • Patent number: 5445466
    Abstract: First and second engaging projected portions are formed on opposing circumferential surfaces of a tubular casing and a hollow lead portion which are rotated relative to each other so as to be coupled with, thereby spirally engaging external and internal threads formed on the respective opposing circumferential surfaces. A forward side face of the first engaging projected portion with respect to a spiral rotating direction is formed into a slanting face so as to allow the second engaging projected portion to move over the first engaging projected portion when the casing and the lead portion are completely coupled with each other. Further, backward side faces of the first and second engaging projected portions are formed into upright faces, such that the second engaging projected portion cannot move over the first engaging projected portion in an opposite direction once moving over the same. This arrangement reliably prevents the spiral engagement of the casing and the lead portion from loosening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sakura Kurepasu
    Inventor: Tadashi Mukunoki
  • Patent number: 5433545
    Abstract: A felt tip pen, marker or liner having a casing, in which a reservoir containing a dry or pasty colored pigment is arranged such that it can be soaked with a liquid dissolving and absorbing the colored pigment. A wick like connecting element capable of capillary action penetrates both ends of the reservoir and is in contact with the dry or pasty colored pigment. The rear end of the wick like connecting element is in contact with a supply of liquid. The liquid is drawn through the wick like element by capillary action and the dry or pasty colored pigment is dissolved and mixed with the liquid as the liquid is drawn through the wick like element. The resulting writing material is drawn to the front end of the wick like connecting element and is deposited in a writing material reservoir. A writing tip capable of capillary action is arranged such that it is in contact with the writing material supply. The writing material is drawn though the writing tip by capillary action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Merz & Krell GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Georg Keil
  • Patent number: 5411345
    Abstract: Disclosed is a felt-tipped pen type adhesive applier comprising: a container for adhesive; valve mechanism provided on the container for controllably supplying the adhesive from the container; and a server for receiving the adhesive supplied through the valve mechanism in order to serve the adhesive. The server comprises: a holder covering the outside of the valve mechanism; a member permeable to the adhesive and extending from the inside of the holder to the outside thereof and being axially slidably and fittingly supported by the holder, the permeable member cooperating with the valve mechanism to operate the valve mechanism in response to axial movement of the permeable member; a support for slidably and fittingly supporting the permeable member inside of the holder to facilitate transportation of the adhesive from the valve mechanism to the permeable member; and mechanism for preventing the adhesive from leaking out of the server due to pressure change inside the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Konishi Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Ueji, Kiichi Ito, Masakazu Komemushi