Liquid ink writing pen with visible tip

Details Liquid ink writing pen with visible tip Liquid ink writing pen with visible tip

2001-03-29

2002-10-15

Walczak, David J. (Department: 3751)

Coating implements with material supply

Material flows through porous tool

With removable cap for tool

C401S213000, C401S217000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06464420

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to writing pens and more particularly to writing pens utilizing relatively low viscosity liquid inks particularly, but not necessarily, for stylus or ballpoint pens. Writing pens of this general type, utilizing low viscosity liquid inks, are preferred for many applications over older style ballpoint pens, for example, which utilize a high viscosity ink. The low viscosity inks provide for a much smoother writing action and a more intense written line than the high viscosity inks. When using low viscosity inks, however, special provisions must be made to prevent leakage of the ink and/or to properly control the flow of ink during writing. A generally preferred form of inexpensive pens for this purpose utilizes a so-called vacuum reservoir for the liquid ink in conjunction with a capillary collector that enables ink to be fed to the writing tip and also enables the reservoir to “breathe” in response to the consumption of ink and/or to changes in temperature and pressure. The general principles of such pens are well known as set forth in, for example, the Wittnebert U.S. Pat. No. 3,951,555.
The present invention provides a writing pen of the general type described above, which can be economically produced and which has superior writing characteristics. More particularly, the invention is directed to a type of writing pen, usually but not necessarily non-refillable, in which an ink reservoir is formed by the main body of the pen. The body is preferably formed of a molded plastic material, closed at one end and open at the other. The open end of the pen body is closed by a collector cartridge, provided with a plurality of closely spaced circular fins or lamellae and capillary passages. A writing element, preferably but not necessarily a ballpoint tip, is mounted at the lower end of the collector cartridge and is provided with a capillary rod which extends into a central through passage in the collector cartridge and thus communicates directly with the ink supply contained in the pen body reservoir, above the collector cartridge.
In pens of the type described above, as ink is consumed from the reservoir, it is replaced by air drawn in through the collector cartridge. Additionally, both the ink in the reservoir and the air above the ink are influenced by changes in temperature and barometric pressure. Accordingly and in accordance with known principles of such pens, the reservoir is associated with a “breathing” passage defined by the multiple lamellae of the collector cartridge, and predetermined passages therein which serve to retain the liquid ink against outflow, by reason of capillary action, while accommodating the inward and outward flows of air required as a result of temperature and pressure changes and consumption of ink through the writing tip of the pen. The passage or passages for such airflow terminate near the lower end of the pen, typically in the region where the writing tip assembly joins with the pen body. With this arrangement, the breathing passage is open to the atmosphere, while the pen is in active use. When the cap of the pen is replaced after use, the airflow passage is effectively closed, so that the ink within the pen is not prematurely dried out.
It is contemplated that the new pen will be furnished with inks of various colors, usually in sets suitable for artists, etc. To this end, the pen advantageously is provided with a nib which is color coded to indicate the color of the ink contained within the pen. Additionally and significantly, it is desired to provide the pen with a novel form of cap which, in the region of the colored nib, is formed with large openings which fully expose the colored nib and enable the artist to quickly ascertain the pen's color without removing the cap or looking through a window of plastic material. The pen body and cap may be made out of a material of common color (e.g., black) to achieve economies of manufacture, while at the same time enabling the user to instantly ascertain the ink color by simply viewing the nib through the large openings in the cap.
One of the problems inherent in the use of a cap as contemplated, which is formed with large viewing openings therein, is that when the cap is placed on the end of the pen after use, it does not close and seal the terminal end of the breathing passage as typically constituted and located. Over time, this could result in premature drying and degradation of the ink contained within the pen.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Pursuant to the invention, a novel arrangement is provided for a multi-color pen system, including a color-coded nib structure and a cap with large openings, in which the breathing passage for the pen is routed through the nib, to a point closely adjacent to the writing point. Additionally, the cap is constructed to provide an outer end portion of closed configuration joined by relatively thin, axially extending connecting elements to a mounting collar, by which the cap is mounted on the pen body and which define large viewing openings in the cap. Internally, the closed end of the cap is provided with a sealing cup which, when the cap is applied to the pen body, receives the writing point of the pen, and closes and seals the breathing passage which terminates immediately adjacent thereto. The cap thus provides for the desired highly open structure within the region of the color coded nib, yet at the same time functions to seal both the writing tip and the breathing passage of the pen, when the cap is applied to the pen body, to prevent premature degradation of the ink supply.


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