AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Innovation Patent Applicant (s) Schwan-STABILo Schwanhaeusser GmbH & Co Invention Title? PEN WITH SYMBOLIC INDICATOR The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: - 2 PEN WITH SYMBOLIC INDICATOR TECHNICAL FIELD A pen is disclosed that includes a symbolic indicator to indicate its remaining 5 ink capacity. BACKGROUND ART Pens are known with transparent windows or regions that have a line-based measuring scale alongside the window or region to indicate remaining ink volume. 10 Examples are disclosed in FR 2609666 and US 6068422. A reference herein to a prior art document is not an admission that the document forms a part of the common general knowledge of a person of ordinary skill in the art in Australia or elsewhere. is SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE In a first aspect there is disclosed a pen comprising an elongate body that is provided with a transparent or translucent portion extending therealong and arranged to reveal a meniscus level of ink in a corresponding elongate ink reservoir extending along and within the body, with a series of symbols being provided along the pen and in 20 relation to the portion that each indicate a given remaining ink capacity, characterised in that each symbol is at least one of an alphanumeric character, a colour, or a device, with each symbol differing to the next adjacent symbol. In a second aspect there is disclosed a pen comprising an elongate body that is provided with a transparent or translucent portion extending therealong and arranged to 25 reveal a meniscus level of ink in a corresponding elongate ink reservoir extending along and within the body, with a series of symbols being provided along the pen and in relation to the portion that each indicate a given remaining ink capacity, characterised in that at least some of the symbols are each other than a line. The provision of a symbol that is at least one of an alphanumeric character, a 30 colour, or a device (ic. that is other than a line) provides an enjoyable, informative and useful means of communicating pen ink capacity, and a potentially easier and faster way ofjudging remaining ink capacity. In both the first and second aspects the symbols may comprise one or more of: (i) different respective alphanumeric characters that indicate a quantity that is related to the given remaining ink capacity; (ii) coloured regions that graphically indicate the given remaining ink capacity (iii) devices that graphically indicate the given remaining ink capacity. 5 For example, in (i) the alphanumeric characters can be a word and/or number combination that indicates the approximate number of standard (eg. A4) pages that the given remaining ink capacity can produce. Such words and numbers can more effectively convey indications and warnings to the user (eg. a user that thinks in a rational way). 10 In another example, in (ii) the colours in the adjacent regions progress can vary in a series starting from green (which is used to indicate that the pen ink capacity is at or near its maximum). The next colour in the series can be blue, then orange, then yellow (which are each used to indicate that the pen ink is at progressively reducing intermediate respective capacities). The final colour in the series can be red (which is 15 used to indicate that the pen ink capacity is at or near its minimum). Such colours can more effectively visually convey indications and warnings to the user (eg. a user that is artistic or sensitive to colours). In a father example, in (iii) the devices in the adjacent portions can progress in a series. This can start with a "page" device that depicts a full written page (which is 20 used to indicate that the pen ink capacity is at or near its maximum). The next device in the series can be one or more page devices that each depict a progressively less (ie, part) written page (which is/are used to indicate that the pen ink is at progressively reducing intermediate capacities). The final device in the series can be a warning device (which is used to indicate that the pen ink capacity is at or near its minimum). Such devices can 25 more effectively visually convey indications and warnings to the user (eg. a user that thinks spatially or in pictures/images). In one usual form the transparent or translucent portion is a window extending along the pen so as to reveal ink in the reservoir, and wherein the symbols are arranged in positions adjacent to and long the window. 30 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS -4 Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the pen as defined in the Summary, some specific pen embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of a first pen embodiment; 5 Figures 2 and 3 show side views of a second and third pen embodiments; Figure 4 schematically depicts a colour symbol coding that can be used on the pen embodiments; and Figures 5A and 5B schematically depict other symbol codings (devices) that can be used on the pen embodiments. 10 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS Refening firstly to Figure 1 an ink-based pen 10 comprises an elongate body in the form of casing 12. The casing is provided with a transparent or translucent portion in the form of an elongate window 14 that extends part-way along the casing 12. The 15 window 14 is arranged to reveal a meniscus level L (see Figure 2) of ink in an elongate ink reservoir that is positioned within the casing to extend alongside window 14. A series of symbols are provided on an external surface of the casing (eg. being printed, embossed, adhered etc to the casing). The symbols are positioned adjacent to and to run alongside the window 14, and indicate a given remaining ink 20 capacity by way of the -meniscus level of ink being located adjacent to a given symbol when the casing is generally vertically held and inspected by the pen user. In the pen embodiment of Figure 1 a number of different symbols that are each other than a line are shown. The symbols shown include alphanumeric characters, colour panels, and devices. Further, each symbol differs to the next adjacent symbol to 25 indicate a different ink volume level. These symbols have been found to provide an enjoyable, informative and useful means of communicating pen ink capacity, as well as a providing for an easier and faster way ofjudging remaining ink capacity. In the pen embodiment of Figure 1 the different respective alphanumeric characters 20 each indicate a quantity that is related to the given remaining ink capacity. 30 In this embodiment the quantity indicated is the approximate number of pages (eg. standard A4 pages) that can be written by a user with the given ink volume capacity. The number ofpages shown range from 110 to 90 to 70 to 50, then ending with a - 5 warning device 21. Such words and numbers can more effectively convey indications and warnings to the user (for example, a user that thinks in a rational/logical way). However, different respective alphanumeric characters could be employed that indicate eg. actual ink volume in mls, or eg. length of text to be written or lines to be 5 drawn etc. In a number of the pen embodiments depicted the different respective coloured panels 22 graphically indicate a given remaining ink capacity. As most clearly seen in Figures 2 and 4, which solely depict a colour-based system for the pen, the colours in the panels start from.green panel 22A which is used to indicate that the pen ink capacity 10 is at or near its maximum. The next colour in the series is a blue panel 22B which is used to indicate that the pen ink capacity is still considerable, but have moved on from the green "go"-type symbol. The next colour in the series is an orange panel 22C which is employed to give some initial warning to the user. The colour in the series after that is a yellow panel 22D which is used to indicate that the pen ink is at a more advanced 15 level of reduction, and that the user should take note. The yellow and orange panels can also be swapped around, but in the embodiment of Figure 1 are ordered in that way to produce an adequate contrast between adjacent panels. The fmal colour in the series is a red panel 22E which is used as a strong warning colour (eg. a red "stop"-type symbol) to indicate that the pen ink capacity has 20 nearly expired. Such colours have been observed to effectively visually convey indications and warnings to the user, especially to users that are artistic or more sensitive to colours than to alphanumeric characters or devices. In the pen embodiment of Figures 1 and 5A the devices that are employed to graphically indicate the given remaining ink capacity are one or more "page" devices 25 25. As best shown in Figure 5A a first such page device 25A depicts a full written page to indicate that the pen ink capacity is at or near its maximum. Though not employed in Figure 1, in Figure 5A a series of three page devices 25B to 25D that each depict a progressively less written page are used to indicate that the pen ink is at progressively reducing capacities. The final device employed in the series is the warning-type device 30 21 which is different to the symbols 25, to more strongly indicate that the pen ink capacity is at or near its minimum. However, an "empty" page device 25 could alternatively be employed.
In the pen embodiment of Figures 3 and 5B the devices that are employed to graphically indicate the given remaining ink capacity are a series of squares 27A to 27D which symbolise a progressively diminishing ink capacity. Square 27A is all white to indicate ink capacity at or near maximum, and square 27D is nearly all black to indicate 5 ink capacity near minimum. A reversal of these colours could also be employed. The devices of Figures 5A and 5B can more effectively visually convey indications and warnings to the user (for example, a user that thinks spatially or in pictures/images). The alphanumeric characters, colours and devices can each cooperate together 10 as shown, to reinforce and consistently support each other in the information that is conveyed to the user. Alternatively, one or more of them can be used independently of the others. Whilst a number of specific pen embodiments have been described, it should be appreciated that the pen may be embodied in many other forms. 15 In the claims which follow and in the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, ie. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the pen, 20