GB2108910A

GB2108910A - Venting of pens

Info

Publication number: GB2108910A
Application number: GB08133312A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoffrey Yorke Gubbay; Nigel William Bernard Ball
Original assignee: WIDGETS Ltd
Current assignee: WIDGETS Ltd
Priority date: 1981-11-04
Filing date: 1981-11-04
Publication date: 1983-05-25

Abstract

A pen comprises a writing tip (2) and an ink reservoir (3) enclosed by an insert (7). The writing tip (2) is secured in the insert (7) and the insert is enclosed by the pen body (1). Vents (14) between the interior of the insert (7) and the exterior of the pen open to the exterior in the region of the juncture of the tip (2) and the insert (7). The pen may be in the form of a tube of toiletry with the body (1) filled with mock toiletry (18), or in the form of a bottle filled with liquid. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Venting of pens The present invention relates to the venting of pens, particularly ball-point and felt-tip pens.

Conventional ball-point and felt-tip pens comprise a writing tip at one end of the pen and extending from the tip an ink reservoir which is enclosed within the body of the pen. It is essential that the ink reservoir be vented to provide access to the atmosphere, so that as ink flows from the reservoir it is replaced by air. It there is no venting, the pressure in the body of the pen will drop until no further ink can flow from the reservoir and the pen ceases to write. Hitherto venting has been provided by the provision of a small hole in the pen body surrounding the reservoir, which is itself not sealed.

It is known to use pens for promotional purposes or as novelties, for instance by carrying advertising material on the casings, or by making the casing into sorne fancy shape. The present inventors have devised the idea of making the body of the pen in the form of a filled tube of toothpaste or other paste-like toiletry, or in the form of a bottle of liquid, as promotional articles or novelties. In such pens the body is filled with a material which simulates the toiletry and is substantially impermeable to air. This material surrounds the ink reservoir and prevents venting in the known way. The present inventors, therefore, have devised a new method of venting pens which overcomes the above problem.

According to the present invention there is provided a pen comprising a writing tip and an ink reservoir extending therefrom, an insert enclosing the reservoir and a portion of the writing tip which is secured therein, a pen body enclosing the insert, and one or more vents providing a passageway for air between the exterior of the pen and the interior of the insert, the or each vent opening to the exterior in the region of the juncture of the writing tip and the insert.

The invention is further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a cross-section of a pen according to the invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of part of the pen of Fig. 1: Fig. 3 is an end view of the insert of Figs. 1 and 2.

In Fig. 1 there is shown a pen having a body 1 in the form of a toothpaste tube or the like. The body is made of a conventional material, such as aluminium or polythene. The pen has a tip 2, shown as a conventional ballpoint tip which is secured at its lower end to an ink reservoir 3 containing ink 4 which extends into the body of the pen. The ink reservoir is a conventional reservoir for example of a plastics material pressure fitted at one end 5 into the tip 2 and open at the other end 6.

Enclosing the reservoir 3 is an insert 7, preferably made of a plastics material such as polypropylene, in the form of a tube closed at one end 8 inside the body of the pen. At the other end of the insert 7 there is formed an integral flange 9 around its circumference. The flange 9 is supported on the nozzle 10 of the toothpaste tube and in the embodiment shown is secured thereto by adhesive. Alternatively the external diameter of the insert 7 may be closely dimensioned to the internal diameter of the nozzle 10, so that the insert 7 can be press fitted into the nozzle 1 0. The nozzle 10 is formed conventionally, and is shown to consist of a threaded plastics sleeve 11 fitted over a nozzle portion 12 of the body 1. A threaded cap may be screwed onto the nozzle 10.

The tip 2 of the pen has a tube-like extension 13 which encloses the end 5 of the ink reservoir and which is press-fitted into the insert 7, whereby the tip 2 is secured in the insert 7.

The insert 7 is formed with one or more vents 14 spaced around its circumference (see Fig. 3).

Each vent comprises a radial groove 1 5 in the flange 9 continuous with a perpendicular groove 16 in the tube portion of the insert 7. Groove 1 5 extends from the inner circumference of the insert 7 to a distance beyond outer edge 1 7 of the tip 2 so that it is open to the atmosphere, and the groove 1 6 extends from the top of the insert 7 to a distance below the bottom edge of the extension 1 3 of the tip 2 whereby it opens into the interior of the insert 7. Thus vent(s) 1 4 provide(s) a pathway for air to enter the insert 7, and thence the reservoir 3 to replace outflowing ink.

The body 1 of the pen is filled with a paste-like material 1 8 which surrounds the insert 7 and prevents the venting of the ink reservoir through the body 1. The paste-like material is of a consistency similar to toothpaste or the like, in order to make the pen more realistically like a toothpaste tube or the like. Gelatine may be used as the paste-like material, since it is readily available and non-toxic. The body 1 of the pen carried the wording and colouring of a true tube of the toiletry being promoted by the pen.

The insert 7 has been described as being separate from the body 1 of the pen but it is envisaged that it could be integral therewith. It is also envisaged that the vents could be provided by means of grooves in the tip of the pen.

Although the invention has particularly been described in relation to pens in the form of tubes it is not limited thereto and could be used in relation to pens in the form of filled bottles or to pens of conventional shape.

1. A pen comprising a writing tip and an ink reservoir extending therefrom, an insert enclosing the reservoir and a portion of the writing tip which is secured therein, a pen body enclosing the insert, and one or more vents providing a passageway for air between the exterior of the pen and the interior of the insert, the or each vent opening to the exterior in the region of the juncture of the writing tip and the insert.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Venting of pens The present invention relates to the venting of pens, particularly ball-point and felt-tip pens. Conventional ball-point and felt-tip pens comprise a writing tip at one end of the pen and extending from the tip an ink reservoir which is enclosed within the body of the pen. It is essential that the ink reservoir be vented to provide access to the atmosphere, so that as ink flows from the reservoir it is replaced by air. It there is no venting, the pressure in the body of the pen will drop until no further ink can flow from the reservoir and the pen ceases to write. Hitherto venting has been provided by the provision of a small hole in the pen body surrounding the reservoir, which is itself not sealed. It is known to use pens for promotional purposes or as novelties, for instance by carrying advertising material on the casings, or by making the casing into sorne fancy shape. The present inventors have devised the idea of making the body of the pen in the form of a filled tube of toothpaste or other paste-like toiletry, or in the form of a bottle of liquid, as promotional articles or novelties. In such pens the body is filled with a material which simulates the toiletry and is substantially impermeable to air. This material surrounds the ink reservoir and prevents venting in the known way. The present inventors, therefore, have devised a new method of venting pens which overcomes the above problem. According to the present invention there is provided a pen comprising a writing tip and an ink reservoir extending therefrom, an insert enclosing the reservoir and a portion of the writing tip which is secured therein, a pen body enclosing the insert, and one or more vents providing a passageway for air between the exterior of the pen and the interior of the insert, the or each vent opening to the exterior in the region of the juncture of the writing tip and the insert. The invention is further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a cross-section of a pen according to the invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of part of the pen of Fig. 1: Fig. 3 is an end view of the insert of Figs. 1 and 2. In Fig. 1 there is shown a pen having a body 1 in the form of a toothpaste tube or the like. The body is made of a conventional material, such as aluminium or polythene. The pen has a tip 2, shown as a conventional ballpoint tip which is secured at its lower end to an ink reservoir 3 containing ink 4 which extends into the body of the pen. The ink reservoir is a conventional reservoir for example of a plastics material pressure fitted at one end 5 into the tip 2 and open at the other end 6. Enclosing the reservoir 3 is an insert 7, preferably made of a plastics material such as polypropylene, in the form of a tube closed at one end 8 inside the body of the pen. At the other end of the insert 7 there is formed an integral flange 9 around its circumference. The flange 9 is supported on the nozzle 10 of the toothpaste tube and in the embodiment shown is secured thereto by adhesive. Alternatively the external diameter of the insert 7 may be closely dimensioned to the internal diameter of the nozzle 10, so that the insert 7 can be press fitted into the nozzle 1 0. The nozzle 10 is formed conventionally, and is shown to consist of a threaded plastics sleeve 11 fitted over a nozzle portion 12 of the body 1. A threaded cap may be screwed onto the nozzle 10. The tip 2 of the pen has a tube-like extension 13 which encloses the end 5 of the ink reservoir and which is press-fitted into the insert 7, whereby the tip 2 is secured in the insert 7. The insert 7 is formed with one or more vents 14 spaced around its circumference (see Fig. 3). Each vent comprises a radial groove 1 5 in the flange 9 continuous with a perpendicular groove 16 in the tube portion of the insert 7. Groove 1 5 extends from the inner circumference of the insert 7 to a distance beyond outer edge 1 7 of the tip 2 so that it is open to the atmosphere, and the groove 1 6 extends from the top of the insert 7 to a distance below the bottom edge of the extension 1 3 of the tip 2 whereby it opens into the interior of the insert 7. Thus vent(s) 1 4 provide(s) a pathway for air to enter the insert 7, and thence the reservoir 3 to replace outflowing ink. The body 1 of the pen is filled with a paste-like material 1 8 which surrounds the insert 7 and prevents the venting of the ink reservoir through the body 1. The paste-like material is of a consistency similar to toothpaste or the like, in order to make the pen more realistically like a toothpaste tube or the like. Gelatine may be used as the paste-like material, since it is readily available and non-toxic. The body 1 of the pen carried the wording and colouring of a true tube of the toiletry being promoted by the pen. The insert 7 has been described as being separate from the body 1 of the pen but it is envisaged that it could be integral therewith. It is also envisaged that the vents could be provided by means of grooves in the tip of the pen. Although the invention has particularly been described in relation to pens in the form of tubes it is not limited thereto and could be used in relation to pens in the form of filled bottles or to pens of conventional shape. CLAIMS

2. A pen as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the vent(s) are formed in the insert.

3. A pen as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the vent(s) are formed in the writing tip.

4. A pen as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the space between the insert and the pen body is substantially filled with a material which is substantially air-impermeable.

5. A pen as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the airimpermeable material is a liquid or of a paste-like consistency.

6. A pen as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the airimpermeable liquid is gelatin.

7. A pen as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which is in the form of a toothpaste tube.

8. A pen as claimed in Claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.