GB2342893A

GB2342893A - Sterile writing instrument, for medical use, in sealed sterile package

Info

Publication number: GB2342893A
Application number: GB9812449A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jose Docarragal
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-06-09
Filing date: 1998-06-09
Publication date: 2000-04-26
Anticipated expiration: 2018-06-09
Also published as: GB2342893B; GB9812449D0

Abstract

The single or limited use writing instrument 1, which may be a fibre tipped pen, ball-point pen or pencil, is vacuum packed and hermetically sealed between two sterilised sheets 8,9. The writing instrument is provided with an anti-bacterial coating and has a limited supply of ink which dries up before the pen becomes non-sterile. Flange 5 is provided so that a cap may not be placed on the writing tip 4, as such a cap would prevent the ink from evaporating.

Description

"Improvements in or relating to Writing Instruments" THIS INVENTION relates to improvements in or relating to writing instruments and in particular to writing instruments for use in environs where the risk of transmission of bacterial or viral infections is high, such as in medical institutions.

In hospitals, it is estimated that the pens of doctors, in 30% of cases, carry life threatening bacteria. Clearly, there is a high risk of these bacteria being transferred from the pen of a doctor to a patient who has hitherto not been exposed to such bacteria and is probably in a vulnerable condition. In order to reduce the chances of bacterial infections being passed on in this manner, it has previously been proposed to provide pens with an anti-bacterial coating. However, whilst initially effective, the anti-bacterial coating wears out and becomes less effective with time. Thus, whilst such pens appear to offer a solution, with time, such pens become as dangerous as conventional pens even though they are wrongly perceived to be offering some barrier to bacterial infection.

The present invention seeks to overcome or ameliorate the above problems and accordingly provides a writing instrument having a body and a writing tip, the writing instrument being contained in a sealed package, the interior of the package and the writing instrument being sterile.

Preferably, the writing instrument has a predetermined amount of ink therein, the amount of ink dictating the time taken to exhaust the ink supply by writing or by evaporation from the writing instrument.

Advantageously, the body of the writing instrument is provided with a flange projecting outwardly from the body adjacent the writing tip to prevent a cap or top being placed over the writing tip.

Conveniently, the body of the writing instrument is provided with an anti-bacterial coating.

Preferably, the writing instrument is a fibre tipped pen.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a sterile writing instrument having a body and a writing tip, the body being provided with a flange projecting outwardly from the body adjacent the writing tip to prevent a cap or top being placed over the writing tip.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a sterile writing instrument having a body and a writing tip with a predetermined ink supply, the amount of ink dictating the time taken to exhaust the ink supply by writing or by evaporation from the writing instrument.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a writing instrument embodying the present invention ; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a writing instrument in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention ; and FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the writing instrument of Figure 1 sealed in a package.

Referring to Figure 1, a writing instrument 1 embodying the present invention comprises an elongate body 2, one end 3 of which is chamfered and terminates in a writing tip. The writing tip is preferably a fibre tip but may also be a ball point or a pencil lead. The writing instrument 1 looks like a conventional fibre tip pen but is formed with a flange 5 which extends along the body 2 from an area adjacent the writing tip 4, particularly from the transition between the chamfered end 3 to the body 2.

In the particular example of Figure 1, the flange 5 extends approximately 2 cm along the body and projects from the body 2, at its highest point 6 which is substantially adjacent the writing tip 4, by approximately 1 cm.

The flange 5 tapers from its highest point 6 into the body 2 as the flange extends away from the writing tip 4. The flange 5 is designed to be grasped comfortably between index finger and thumb when writing.

The writing tip 4 is provided with a predetermined amount of ink, the ink being stored in the fibre tip and also in a small wick (not shown) within the chamfered end 3 and in contact with the writing tip 4. The amount of ink in the fibre tip and the wick dictates how long the writing instrument can be written with before the ink runs out. Preferably, enough ink is provided to allow 15 minutes of continuos writing before the ink supply is exhausted. Additionally, when not in use, the ink supply begins to dry up thereby preventing extended use of the writing instrument. The drying up of the ink supply can be achieved using solvent based inks. The writing instrument is, therefore, not reusable after a predetermined time and is effectively a single use or limited use writing instrument.

Persons using the writing instrument might attempt to prolong the life of the writing instrument by capping or placing a top on the writing tip 4.

Importantly, the flange 5 projects outwardly from the body such that a person using the writing instrument 1 is prevented from applying a cap or a top from a conventional pen over the writing tip 4. Should someone attempt to put a cap or top from a conventional pen over the writing tip 4, then the flange 5 blocks the top and prevents the top being fitted.

Referring to Figure 2, another embodiment of the writing instrument 1 is shown having the same features as the embodiment shown in Figure 1 except for the form of the flange 5. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the flange 5 is formed as a skirt 5 which projects outwardly from the body at a position adjacent the writing tip 4 and particularly from the circumferential transition between the chamfered end 3 and the body 2. The skirt 5 has the identical effect as the flange 5 in preventing a cap or a top being secured over the writing tip 4 in an attempt to extend the life of the writing instrument.

Referring to Figure 3, there is shown the writing instrument of Figure 1 provided in a package 7. The writing instrument 1 within the package 7 need not be provided with a flange 5 although this is preferred.

The package 7 comprises two sheets 8,9 of substantially transparent material to be heat sealed together along their edges 10 with the writing instrument 1 sandwiched between the two sheets 8,9. The sheets 8,9 and the writing instrument 1 are sterilised prior to the writing instrument 1 being vacuum packed and hermetically sealed between the two sheets 8,9. The writing instrument 1 is therefore sterile and can be maintained in this condition within the package for an indefinite period until opening of the package 7.

Preferably, the package 7 is provided with a pre-weakened strip 11 extending across the package and terminating in a finger tab 12. The finger tab 12 can be grasped and used to tear the pre-weakened strip 11 to open the package 7.

Once the package 7 has been opened, the writing instrument can be used for its life which should not be more than about 30 minutes. In less sensitive areas, writing instruments sharing lives of 1,2 or 3 hours can be used. The longer the life of the writing instrument, the more likely the chances of bacteria being transferred to or from the writing instrument 1. The writing instrument 1 is therefore preferably a single-use or limited use writing instrument such as those previously described herein.

In a preferred embodiment of the package 7, the pre-weakened strip 11 extends diagonally across the package 7 from corner to corner such that, once the package 7 has been opened, it cannot be re-used or used as a cover or top for the writing instrument 1 inside.

The writing instrument 1 may be further enhanced by the provision of a coating of an anti-bacterial agent to reduce the likelihood of any bacterial infections being transmitted. This coating would last at least as long as the writing instrument 1 which would promptly be discarded at the end of its life. Thus, there is no problem of the writing instrument 1 working whilst the anti bacterial agent has ceased to be effective. This minimises the likelihood of bacterial infections being transmitted by or carried on the writing instrument 1.

It is envisaged that writing instruments embodying the present invention may be provided in dispensers around a medical institution, the writing instruments being kept in a sterile condition within the dispenser until a writing instrument is required.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A writing instrument having a body and a writing tip, the writing instrument being contained in a sealed package, the interior of the package and the writing instrument being sterile.
2. A writing instrument according to Claim 1, wherein the writing instrument has a predetermined amount of ink therein, the amount of ink dictating the time taken to exhaust the ink supply by writing or by evaporation from the writing instrument.
3. A writing instrument according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the body of the writing instrument is provided with a flange projecting outwardly from the body adjacent the writing tip to prevent a cap or top being placed over the writing tip.
4. A writing instrument according to Claim 3, wherein the flange comprises a skirt.
5. A writing instrument according to any preceding claim, wherein the package is hermetically sealed.
6. A writing instrument according to any preceding claim, wherein the package is vacuum packed.
7. A writing instrument according to any preceding claim, wherein the package is manufactured from a plastics or paper material.
8. A writing instrument according to any preceding claim, wherein the writing instrument is a disposable writing instrument.
9. A writing instrument according to any preceding claim, wherein the body of the writing instrument is provided with an anti-bacterial coating.
10. A writing instrument according to any preceding claim, wherein the writing instrument is a fibre tipped pen.
11. A writing instrument according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the writing instrument is a pencil.
12. A writing instrument according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the writing instrument is a ball-point pen.
13. A sterile writing instrument having a body and a writing tip, the body being provided with a flange projecting outwardly from the body adjacent the writing tip to prevent a cap or top being placed over the writing tip.
14. A sterile writing instrument having a body and a writing tip with a predetermined ink supply, the amount of ink dictating the time taken to exhaust the ink supply by writing or by evaporation from the writing instrument.
15. A writing instrument according to Claim 14, wherein the time taken to exhaust the ink supply is in the region of 30 minutes from first exposure of the writing instrument to the atmosphere.
16. A writing instrument according to any preceding claim in combination with a dispenser, the writing instrument being maintained in a sterile condition within the dispenser.
17. A writing instrument substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
18. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.