Specific Ball Patents (Class 401/215)
  • Patent number: 10087337
    Abstract: An oil-based ball-point pen refill includes a ball-point pen tip in which a ball is held, in which the ball-point pen tip is mounted on a leading end of an ink housing cylinder, an ink composition including a coloring agent consisting of a dye, an organic solvent, and polyvinyl butyral resin is housed in the ink housing cylinder, the arithmetic mean roughness of a surface of the ball is 0.1 to 15 nm, the content of the polyvinyl butyral resin is 50 mass % or more based on the total mass of the whole resin, and an ink viscosity is 5000 to 50000 mPa·s. In an oil-based ball-point pen, the refill is disposed in a barrel cylinder. An oil-based ball-point pen ink composition including a specific salt-forming dye, polyvinyl butyral resin, and an aromatic alcohol can be utilized in the refill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Pilot Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Shiobara, Kouichi Takayama, Yasuyuki Sugimoto, Susumu Yamaguchi, Toshihide Kawasaki, Hirotaka Masuda
  • Publication number: 20150078803
    Abstract: A ballpoint pen 10 includes: a ballpoint pen tip 20 having a writing ball 30 and a holder 21 holding the writing ball 30; a shaft tube 12 to which the rear end part of the ballpoint pen tip 20 is mounted; and ink 40 accommodated in the shaft tube 12. The holder 21 has an ink guiding hole 26 formed from the rear end thereof toward the head end thereof and a ball house 22 formed with the inner circumference near the head end of the holder 21 expanded. The writing ball 30 is formed of a zirconia sintered body with the content of an aluminum element being less than 0.1 weight %, and the ink 40 contains inorganic particles 41.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI PENCIL COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Osano, Yoshihide Ishii, Misao Ooyama, Saki Hanatani
  • Patent number: 8651762
    Abstract: It is an aim to provide a tip unit for a liquid applicator and a liquid applicator that make written (applied) lines to change in thickness and give excellent durability. A tip unit used for a liquid applicator includes a ball house having an opening at its distal end and an introduction channel for application liquid in communication with the ball house, wherein the ball house holds therein at least two balls having a leading ball and an adjacent ball next to the leading ball, the balls being serially lined in an axial direction of the tip unit, the leading ball being partly exposed outside from the opening, and the leading ball being softer than the adjacent ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sakura Color Products Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori Nakatani, Sakiko Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20140030428
    Abstract: A glue dispensing device includes a glue tube and a ball. The glue tube includes a taped glue outflow end. The glue outflow end defines a round opening. The ball is movably received in the glue tube, a diameter of the ball is greater than a diameter of the round opening. The ball closes the round opening when not being pressed, and opens the round opening when being pressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: CHIEN-CHUN WANG
  • Patent number: 8511926
    Abstract: A water-based ballpoint pen using a cemented carbide ball comprising tungsten carbide and a metal binder as a writing front end, wherein cobalt and/or nickel are contained in the cemented carbide ball as the metal binder in an amount of 1 to 20% by weight based on the total amount of the ball and which further includes an aqueous ink composition containing a colorant, water, a phosphate ester-based surfactant, and any one or more compounds of a thiadiazole represented by formula (1), 5-mercapto-3-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thione or a salt thereof, and an oligomer of 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole: wherein X and Y each represents any substituent of CH3, NH2, and SM, and M represents any of hydrogen, an alkali metal, an ammonium, and an alkanolamine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: The Pilot Ink Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Kitaoka, Hisashi Nakamura, Itsuka Goshima
  • Patent number: 8430591
    Abstract: A ballpoint pen tip includes a ball and a ball holder for rotatably holding the ball. The ball includes a ball body and a first carbonaceous film formed so as to cover a surface of the ball body. The first carbonaceous film has carbon atoms and oxygen atoms bonded to some of the carbon atoms. The ratio of carbon atoms bonded to oxygen atoms to the total carbon atoms at a surface of the first carbonaceous film is equal to or greater than 0.1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Pilot Corporation
    Inventors: Keishi Okamoto, Satoru Ando, Tatsuyuki Nakatani, Yuki Nitta, Kunihiro Toyota, Kouichi Takayama, Takumi Kajiwara, Hirotaka Masuda
  • Patent number: 8007195
    Abstract: A writing implement that includes a body which extends longitudinally along a central axis Z; an ink reservoir, and a roller having a radial outer writing surface being located at one of the ends of the body, which is connected to the ink reservoir and is mounted so that it is able to rotate around the primary axis Y. The ink roller is also mounted so that it is able to pivot around a second axis X, which is perpendicular to the primary axis Y and the secondary axis X being secant to the primary axis Y.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Societe BIC
    Inventors: Didier Lange, Franck Rolion, Vincent Bedhome
  • Publication number: 20110103878
    Abstract: A cosmetic applicator formed from ceramic material designed to provide a product chilling effect when applying creams, lotions, treatment products, etc. The applicator is provided with a relatively substantial mass so that it has a greater thermal capacity than the dose of cosmetic and the application area combined. The applicator is in the form of a molded-ceramic applicator head or applicator tip designed to provide a relatively larger product-chilling effect to both the dose of cosmetic applied and to the user's skin in the application area when applying creams, lotions, treatment products, etc. The applicator provides an application device which will deliver the creams, lotions, treatment products, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Charles P. Neuner, George H. Kress, Liliana S. George
  • Publication number: 20110103879
    Abstract: A cosmetic applicator formed from ceramic material covered in a metal sheath. The tip is designed to provide a product chilling effect when applying creams, lotions, treatment products, etc. The applicator is provided with a relatively substantial mass of ceramic material so that it has a greater thermal capacity than the dose of cosmetic and the application area combined. The applicator is in the form of a molded-ceramic applicator head or applicator tip sheathed, coated or plated in metal. The tip provides a relatively larger product-chilling effect to both the dose of cosmetic applied and to the user's skin in the application area when applying creams, lotions, treatment products, etc. The applicator provides an application device which will deliver the creams, lotions, treatment products, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Charles P. Neuner
  • Publication number: 20100092230
    Abstract: A writing tool includes tubular cartridge having a writing head connected to an end thereof and iron-carbon powders sized in nanometer are received in the cartridge. The cartridge is received in a barrel and the writing head extends through a through hole of the barrel. The writing head includes an opening and a magnetic ball is rotatably engaged with the opening so that the iron-carbon powders are attached on the magnetic ball and spread on paper sheets when moving the magnetic ball on the paper sheets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventor: Chueh-Jan Liu
  • Patent number: 7524126
    Abstract: A device for at least one of packaging and dispensing a product may include a receptacle configured to contain a product and at least one body. The at least one body may include a binder and a plurality of particles associated with the binder. The at least one body may define at least one cavity visible to the naked eye, and the device may be configured so that, at least during use of the device, the at least one body is at least partially in contact with the product and at least some of the plurality of particles is at least partially in contact with the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: L'Oreal S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Louis H. Gueret
  • Patent number: 7497637
    Abstract: A covert-print marking apparatus creates a unique marking system and method of using a casing or housing with a working-end and a non-working-end, a source or ink or other marking substance situated in the casing and a point having a covert-printing element on a outer surface of the casing. Thus the covert-printing element deposits a covert-printed line or mark with an embedded code formed by the element. The point bearing the covert-printing element is located at the working end of the casing. The marking element is a movable member that is able to rotate when moved along a surface, and the point is in fluid flow communication with the source of ink or other marking substance, chemical or element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Inventor: Aaron S. Brandstein
  • Patent number: 7465117
    Abstract: A ball is from D 700×10?6 m to 2500×10?6 m in diameter and has at least one sign engraved in the surface. The sign is constituted by a system of engraved individual cells situated on the surface of a spherical cap of the ball with a base having a circumference OD in the range from 10×10?6 m to 0.5 n D and the diameter Dc of the circle circumscribing the plan view shape of the cell is in the range from 10×10?6 m to 1/7 D, whereby the depth of the cell is in the range from 5×10?6 m to 2×Dc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Inventor: Ziad Al-Khazraji
  • Publication number: 20080080924
    Abstract: A ball is from D 700×10?6 m to 2500×10?6 m in diameter and has at least one sign engraved in the surface. The sign is constituted by a system of engraved individual cells situated on the surface of a spherical cap of the ball with a base having a circumference OD in the range from 10×10?6 m to 0.5 n D and the diameter Dc of the circle circumscribing the plan view shape of the cell is in the range from 10×10?6 m to 1/7 D, whereby the depth of the cell is in the range from 5×10?6 m to 2×Dc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventor: Ziad Al-Khazraji
  • Patent number: 7234885
    Abstract: A device for at least one of packaging and dispensing a product may include a receptacle configured to contain a product and at least one body. The at least one body may include a binder and a plurality of particles associated with the binder. The at least one body may define at least one cavity visible to the naked eye, and the device may be configured so that, at least during use of the device, the at least one body is at least partially in contact with the product and at least some of the plurality of particles is at least partially in contact with the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: L'Oreal S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Louis H. Gueret
  • Patent number: 6939071
    Abstract: A container for applying a lip treatment material to a user is described. The lip treatment material may have a chromatic or nonchromatic color or be a dark gray. The container has a base, an outer surface, an inner surface and a top surface. The top surface has at least one orifice therein. The container has a rotatable ball mounted at the orifice for applying the lip treatment material from the container to the lips of the user. The rotatable ball has a color selected from the group consisting of chromatic and nonchromatic colors, blacks or dark grays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Fragrance Systems International
    Inventors: Diane C. Breidenbach, Laurence W. Mille
  • Patent number: 6926458
    Abstract: For producing a pressurized ball-point pen refill the ball-point pen refill includes a tip, an ink storage tube and a tail plug, wherein ink is filled in the space of the ink storage tube relatively near to the tip, and a pressuring gas is filled in the space of the ink storage tube relatively far from the tip. The tip includes a ball and a holder, and the ball is formed to have a surface roughness (Ra) of 0.010 ?m to 0.080 ?m. The holder has a ball house and an ink guiding groove, and the ball house has a side part and a bottom part. Moreover, a formula 1.01??B/?A ?1.11 is satisfied when ?A is the diameter of the ball, and ?B is the inner diameter of the side part of the ball house.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Pencil Kabushikikaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Maki, Kiyoshi Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 6917755
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a substrate is described that has a ball adapted to minimize damage between the substrate support and the substrate supported thereon. In one embodiment, an apparatus for supporting a substrate includes ball disposed on an inclined ball support surface. The ball support surface is adapted to bias the ball toward one side of the ball support surface thereby providing space for the ball to roll as the substrate supported thereon changes in length when exposed to thermal influences. In another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a cage adapted to capture the ball to the ball support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Nguyen, Gerhard Schneider, Akihiro Hosokawa, Takayuki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6899487
    Abstract: An ink composition for oil-based ballpoint pens is comprised of a solvent, a colorant and an anti-corrosive wetting agent. The solvent is a water containing water-in-oil-type organic solvent. The colorant is a combination of a dye and a pigment, wherein the pigment is dispersed in the ink with a nonionic surfactant. The anti-corrosive wetting agent is a phosphate based surfactant. An oil-based ballpoint pen using the above ink is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Pilot Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Fujii
  • Patent number: 6755588
    Abstract: A ball-point pen is made to satisfy the following relationships: −2.5<Rs×Rku<1.2 and 0.005<Ra/S<0.012, where respective values of Ra or arithmetic average roughness; Rsk or skewness; Rku or kurtosis, which are three-dimensional parameters; and S or average spacing of local peaks which is a two-dimensional parameter, are obtained with a cut-off value set at 0.00132 mm, when surface roughness of the ball is represented by a value in one arbitrary location on the ball surface, namely, inside a circular region thereon whose diameter is 10% of the nominal ball diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Tsubaki Nakashima Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Tsujikura
  • Publication number: 20040114987
    Abstract: An ink composition for oil-based ballpoint pens is comprised of a solvent, a colorant and an anti-corrosive wetting agent. The solvent is a water containing water-in-oil-type organic solvent. The colorant is a combination of a dye and a pigment, wherein the pigment is dispersed in the ink with a nonionic surfactant. The anti-corrosive wetting agent is a phosphate based surfactant. An oil-based ballpoint pen using the above ink is also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Takeshi Fujii
  • Publication number: 20040081507
    Abstract: There is provided a ballpoint pen tip that minimizes thin spots such as impact thin spots even if upward writing or an impact causes entry of air, allows rapid return to normal writing, and minimizes manufacturing costs. A writing ball and a check ball included in the ballpoint pen tip are placed close to each other with a slight clearance therebetween to leave an inner space with a slight capacity. Thus, even if air enters from a caulking portion, the volume of the air stored inside is slight, and an air pool can be rapidly eliminated. Further, both the writing ball and the check ball can be provided in a front end of the ballpoint pen tip, and assembly operations can be easily performed without inverting the ballpoint pen tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Toru Kitao, Hiroyuki Muto
  • Patent number: 6712539
    Abstract: A roll-on applicator to delivery a body powder composition, especially baby powder, to areas of skin the require moisture absorption. The roll-on applicator provides superiority over shaker powders in that dust clouds and waste are minimized during application. Furthermore, the baby powder can be easily applied as the roll-on applicator glides over skin. Body powder compositions used in conjunction with the roll-on applicator contains at least an absorbent powder and a flow agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Gerber Products Company
    Inventors: Wanda Richard, Rebecca Whipple
  • Publication number: 20040018039
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a roll-on applicator to delivery a body powder composition, especially baby powder, to areas of skin the require moisture absorption. The roll-on applicator provides superiority over shaker powders in that dust clouds and waste are minimized during application. Furthermore, the baby powder can be easily applied as the roll-on applicator glides over skin. Body powder compositions used in conjunction with the roll-on applicator contains at least an absorbent powder and a flow agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Wanda Richard, Rebecca Whipple
  • Patent number: 6521692
    Abstract: A molded resin article formed of a resin composition is disclosed. The resin composition comprises at least one pigment selected from the group consisting of glass flake pigment particles, metal-coated glass flake pigment particles (the particles being coated with a metal or an oxide thereof), and metal-coated inorganic pigment particles(, said particles being coated with a metal, an alloy thereof or an oxide thereof.) Also an ink applicator and a ball-point pen is composed of penholder and cap made of the above molded resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Sakura Color Products Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuya Ozu
  • Patent number: 6478498
    Abstract: To provide a ball for a ball-point pen and to provide a ball-point pen with the use of it which are superior in abrasion resistance and lubricating ability and can be manufactured easily. A ball 2 for a ball-point pen is made of a material of stainless steel whose surface is formed with a nitrosulphurized layer, or a ball 2 for a ball-point pen is made of a material of aluminum chrome molybdenum steel whose surface is formed with a nitrosulphurized layer. A ball-point pen utilizing such a ball has superior writing qualities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Inventors: Yoshito Miyasaka, Hitoshi Karasawa
  • Patent number: 6443648
    Abstract: A ballpoint pen has an ink reservoir tube which stores ink, a point assembly disposed in the front of the ink reservoir tube, and a ball bearing held at the front end of the point assembly. The ball bearing is a shape memory alloy, preferably a TiNi intermetallic compound or a TiNi based alloy. The ball bearing solves the problem of ink failing to flow when the ballpoint pen is dropped on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: Chung Ping Chao
  • Publication number: 20020071709
    Abstract: Provided is an aqueous gel ink-filled ball point pen having less blobbing and capable of drawing stable lines having vivid color and no uneven written intensity. The aqueous gel ink-filled ball point pen has a ball of a diameter of 0.6 to 2.0 mm at a tip point with an aqueous gel ink containing a pigment whose specific gravity is 2 or more and having a viscosity ratio (a value of (viscosity at 10 rpm)/(viscosity at 50 rpm) measured by means of an E type rotational viscometer) of 3.0 to 5.0, and an ink lay down value according to JIS Standard S6053 which is controlled to 220 to 800 mg/m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI PENCIL KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masaru Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 6390710
    Abstract: Provided is an aqueous gel ink-filled ball point pen having less blobbing and capable of drawing stable lines having vivid color and no uneven written intensity. The aqueous gel ink-filled ball point pen has a ball of a diameter of 0.6 to 2.0 mm at a tip point with an aqueous gel ink containing a pigment whose specific gravity is 2 or more and having a viscosity ratio (a value of (viscosity at 10 rpm)/(viscosity at 50 rpm) measured by means of an E type rotational viscometer) of 3.0 to 5.0, and an ink lay down value according to JIS Standard S6053 which is controlled to 220 to 800 mg/m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Pencil Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaru Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 6375707
    Abstract: There is disclosed a cemented carbide containing tungsten carbide, titanium carbide, nickel, molybdenum and chromium. The composition of the materials provides a good resistance to corrosion as well as high hardness and wear resistance. These properties are particularly interesting for the manufacture of pen balls. Ball-point pen balls made with these materials will have steady writing characteristics over a long period of time. This material is particularly suitable when water-based inks are used, because these inks are far more common than oil-based inks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Sandvik A.B.
    Inventors: Sylvie O'Donnell, Jerome Cheynet, Björn Uhrenius
  • Patent number: 6341914
    Abstract: A ballpoint pen tip 1 and also a ballpoint pen 7 or 8 using the same. A ballpoint pen tip 1, according to the invention, rotatably holds a ball 5 at its front end portion. The ball 5 is held by a plurality of inwardly projecting portions 3 (as a ball receiving seat) and a front end edge portion 4. The projecting portion 3 are formed by inwardly pressing and deforming a neighborhood of a front end portion of a metallic pipe body 2. The front end edge portion 4 is formed by inwardly pressing and deforming the front end portion of the pipe body 2. In the ballpoint pen tip according to the present invention, a relation of A/T>5.8 is satisfied, where A is an outer diameter of the ball 5 and T is a thickness of the pipe body 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: The Pilot Ink Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Abe, Masahisa Maki
  • Patent number: 6332728
    Abstract: A ball for a ball-point pen is provided which is composed of a sintered material obtained by sintering hard particles and having an average inter-particle diameter of not greater than 0.2 &mgr;m. The gaps between the hard particles are very small and, therefore, very few minute fragments of the hard particles are exposed from binder metal portions on the surface of the ball and fall off to act as an abrasive during use of the ball-point pen. Thus, abrasion of a pen tip body and sinkage of the ball into the pen tip body can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Sakura Color Products Corporation
    Inventors: Tadaaki Ito, Yasunori Nakatani, Atsushi Ito, Hiroyoshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6299376
    Abstract: A ball-point pen comprising: a. a penpoint tip, b. a writing ball rotationally held in the penpoint tip and c. an ink reservoir whose distal end is connected to the penpoint tip, wherein the writing all is formed of a sintered inorganic material having a surface layer comprising fine holes that have a median diameter of from about 1 to about 20 &mgr;m, and the ink reservoir is filled with an aqueous ink containing a glass flake pigment and having a viscosity of about 4,000 to about 30,000 mPa·S.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Sakura Color Products Corporation
    Inventor: Yasunori Nakatani
  • Patent number: 5947623
    Abstract: A retractable marking device is provided having a casing in which a coil is tightly wound from which the marking device may be extended for use thereof. A housing may further be provided such that the casing is placed within the housing. The housing may be attached to a device on which the marking device is most commonly implemented. The marking device may be a pen, pencil or other writing instrument or may also be, for example, a blunt-ended instrument for use as a pointing-type device. The tightly wound coil maintains the marking device in a retracted position so that the marking device is readily available for use. In addition, the marking device is replaceable with a substitute marking device or replaceable following depletion of, for example, ink contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Eversharp Pen Co.
    Inventor: Paul A. Smith
  • Patent number: 5868511
    Abstract: A pen which comprises a non-aqueous ink, the ink providing excellent cap-off performance in that the writing performance of the pen does not deteriorate even when the pen is allowed to stand exposed to air. The ink also provides a smooth feel when the pen is used for writing, and does not blob. This ink comprises an organic solvent having a vapor pressure of 0.2 mmHg (20.degree. C.) or less, a colorant and a coagulant and has a non-Newtonian viscosity index of 0.2 to 0.5 and a viscosity of 200 mPa.multidot.s (25.degree. C., 50 rpm) or less. Furthermore, the ink is characterized by containing a autolyophobic vehicle in which a contact angle to the surface of a material such as stainless steel or bronze having a high surface free energy is in the range of 5.degree. to 40.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Pencil Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takahiro Osada
  • Patent number: 5709492
    Abstract: A liquid applicator using a roller which is effectively prevented from being disengaged from the housing thereof. The liquid applicator provides very smooth flow of ink from the initial touch of drawing without generating a scratchy effect. The improved liquid applicator introduces a roller in place of a conventional ball of a ball pen. The roller is a hollow structure. A roller-storing portion is defined by a surface having stepped tapered portions. The liquid applicator incorporates a relay core. The relay core comes into contact with the roller in the roller-storing portion to press the roller in the direction of an aperture on the roller-storing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Sakura Color Products Corp.
    Inventors: Masahiro Yasunaga, Shigeyasu Inoue
  • Patent number: 4940350
    Abstract: A fluid applicator includes a fluid container having a collar mounted at an open top end. A base is mounted in the collar and is shaped to conform to the shape of a porous, spherical applicator member rotatably mounted in the collar, with a portion of the applicator member extending outward from the collar. An air intake conduit is centrally mounted in the base and draws air from the pores in the applicator member into the interior of the container to control the rate of fluid dispersion through fluid outlets formed in the base to the applicator member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Inventor: Yong I. Kim
  • Patent number: 4653950
    Abstract: This invention relates to a ball-point pen ball made of nonoxide ceramic and formed into a spherical body whose surface contains voids each having an average pore diameter of less than 75 .mu.m and more than 0.1 .mu.m. The ball thus made is not only almost free from "ball sunk", "nonuniformity in writing line thickness", "ball break", etc. but also excellent in affinity with ink and assures steady writing characteristic over a long period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: Kyocera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Haruo Yoshida
  • Patent number: 4634306
    Abstract: A writing point for a writing or recording instrument is completely or partially formed of a metallic glass or amorphous metal or the writing tip may be provided with a coating or surface layer of metallic glass or amorphous metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Assignee: Firma J.S. Staedtler
    Inventor: Peter Dzuik
  • Patent number: 4621936
    Abstract: A liquid transfer ball formed from sintered zirconium oxide particles which exhibits utility as the ball element of a ball pen writing instrument to transfer ink from an ink reservoir to a writing surface such as paper. The ball exhibits a porosity of less than 8% by volume and is immune to corrosive action of inks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: Corning Glass Works
    Inventors: John N. Hansson, Herbert L. Johns
  • Patent number: 4368184
    Abstract: Method for applying loose, free-flowing powder compositions to the skin from a dispensing container utilizing a dispensing ball or roller containing filamentous hair-like projections over its exterior surface, and dry antiperspirant powder compositions based on particulate aluminum and/or zirconium chlorohydrate as the active antiperspirant ingredient including minor amounts of a surfactant vehicle to aid in maintaining the powder on the skin after contact therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1983
    Assignee: Carter-Wallace, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob Drucker, Frank Shea
  • Patent number: 4359292
    Abstract: A cosmetic dispenser is disclosed which include a socket having a dispensing opening and three orthogonal axes, one axis extending through the socket and the other two lying substantially in the plane thereof. An applicator member is retained in the socket and has an upper portion extending exteriorly of the dispensing opening and a skirt portion substantially retained within the socket. The applicator is adapted for rotation about the three axes, but stop means limit rotation of the applicator member about the two axes in the plane of the socket. In this manner when rotation occurs about the axes of limited rotation, the dispenser is operable to feed cosmetic across the skirt portion to the upper portion of the applicator member for application to a surface to be treated with the cosmetic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1982
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Harold R. Thompson, Ernest H. Duval
  • Patent number: 4182627
    Abstract: A process for producing balls of cobalt containing tungsten carbide, the process comprising forming droplets of a liquid mixture comprising: particles of tungsten carbide; guar gum; a dissolved cobalt salt; and a non-ionic wetting agent; contacting the droplets for not more than 1 hour with a base to precipitate a cobalt species, thereby forming droplets of a gel precipitate, placing the droplets of the gel precipitate in a vessel having a thermal conductivity not exceeding 100 cal/sec/cm.sup.2, and heating the vessel in a reducing atmosphere to remove the guar gum and to sinter the tungsten carbide and cobalt, thereby forming sintered balls of cobalt containing tungsten carbide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1980
    Assignee: National Research Development Corporation
    Inventors: William H. Hardwick, Peter F. Wace, Peter J. Alder
  • Patent number: 4150905
    Abstract: A sphere particularly suitable for ball point pens having a core capable of withstanding temperature in excess of 800.degree. C. and a chemically vapor deposited coating on the core, the combined diameter of core and coating ranging from approximately 0.5 to approximately 1 mm in diameter. For example, the core may consist of a metal such as tungsten, nickel, copper or molybdenum; or alternatively the core may consist of a ceramic such as aluminum oxide or graphite. The vapor deposited coating may consist of a metal carbide such as tungsten carbide, titanium carbide, tantalum carbide or niobium carbide. Alternatively the coating may consist of a metal boride such as titanium diboride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1979
    Assignee: Ultramet
    Inventors: Richard B. Kaplan, Sebastian Gonnella
  • Patent number: 4111567
    Abstract: A liquid applicator which comprises a liquid storage container fitted with a shaped applicator means that is made of a non-flexible, non-deformable, sintered, porous synthetic plastic resin having a controlled porosity and having omni-directional interconnecting pores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1978
    Assignee: Bristol-Myers Company
    Inventors: Walter G. Berghahn, Jack Weinstein
  • Patent number: 4077727
    Abstract: New ball point pen ink compositions are utilized to enhance the performance and very substantially extend the service life of ball pen ink cartridges by preventing the formation of an ink flow-blocking mass at the entrance to the brass or bronze nib or a mass which prevents the movement of the follower plug in a copper alloy cartridge. This is accomplished by dispersing in the ink proper one or more additives effective to prevent oxygen and moisture, which enter the cartridge and pass into the ink, from reacting with the metal constituents of the cartridge assembly to form metallic ions which react with ingredients of the ink proper in the formation of a flow-blocking mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1978
    Assignee: Gordon S. Lacy
    Inventors: Steven H. Kramer, Glenn F. Roquemore, James J. Joyce
  • Patent number: 3942903
    Abstract: A process is provided to form spherical thermoplastic particles that involves dispersing a thermoplastic powder in a liquid that is a partial solvent for the thermoplastic, breaking the dispersion into droplets, forming thermoplastic spheres by heating the droplets to a temperature sufficient to at least partially solubilize the thermoplastic and to evaporate the solvent. Unique products, including porous structures, may be produced from material formed by this process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1976
    Assignee: Glasrock Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Clarence A. Dickey, John E. McDaniel
  • Patent number: RE30626
    Abstract: A sphere particularly suitable for ball point pens having a core capable of withstanding temperature in excess of 800.degree. C. and a chemically vapor deposited coating on the core, the combined diameter of core and coating ranging from approximately 0.5 to approximately 1 mm in diameter. For example, the core may consist of a metal such as tungsten, nickel, copper or molybdenum; or alternatively the core may consist of a ceramic such as aluminum oxide or graphite. The vapor deposited coating may consist of a metal carbide such as tungsten carbide, titanium carbide, tantalum carbide or niobium carbide. Alternatively the coating may consist of a metal boride such as titanium diboride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1981
    Assignee: Ultramet of Pacoima
    Inventors: Richard B. Kaplan, Sebastian Gonnella