Non-sealing fluid-based writing instrument and non-drying writing fluid
View Patent ↗A non-sealing fluid-based writing instrument includes a body, a fluid reservoir, and a writing tip. The writing tip is fluidly connected to the fluid reservoir and configured to dispense fluid contained in the fluid reservoir on a surface when in use. The writing tip is concealed when the writing instrument is in a retracted position. The writing tip is exposed when the writing instrument is in an exposed position. The writing instrument is non-sealing. In both the retracted and exposed positions, the writing tip is exposed to the atmosphere or an exterior of the body of the writing instrument. A writing fluid for use in the non-sealing fluid-based writing instrument that includes one or more polyglycols. The polyglycol serves as a humectant that prevents the writing fluid from drying even when exposed to atmosphere for prolonged periods of time.
1 . A writing instrument comprising:
a body;
a fluid reservoir arranged within the body, the fluid reservoir containing a fluid; and
a writing tip fluidly connected to the fluid reservoir;
wherein the writing instrument is configured to actuate from a retracted position to an exposed position and to actuate from the exposed position to the retracted position;
wherein the writing tip is concealed when the writing instrument is in the retracted position;
wherein the writing tip is exposed when the writing instrument is in the exposed position;
wherein the fluid reservoir and the writing tip are not sealed from an atmosphere or an exterior of the body when the writing instrument is in the retracted position; and
wherein the fluid reservoir and the writing tip are not sealed from the atmosphere or the exterior of the body when the writing instrument is in the exposed position.
2 . The writing instrument, according to claim 1 , wherein the fluid is water-based.
3 . The writing instrument, according to claim 1 , wherein the fluid is solvent-based.
4 . The writing instrument, according to claim 1 , wherein the fluid is oil-based.
5 . The writing instrument, according to claim 1 , further comprises a movable element, wherein the movable element is configured to be actuated from a first position to a second position and actuated from the second position to the first position, wherein the writing instrument is in the retracted position when the movable element is in the first position, and wherein the writing instrument is in the exposed position when the movable element is in the second position.
6 . The writing instrument, according to claim 5 , wherein the movable element defines an opening, wherein the writing tip does not extend through the opening when the writing instrument is in the retracted position, and wherein the writing tip extends through the opening when the writing instrument is in the exposed position.
7 . The writing instrument, according to claim 5 , wherein the movable element comprises an engagement feature and the body comprises a latch receiver, and wherein the engagement feature is configured to engage the latch receiver when the writing instrument is in the exposed position.
8 . A writing instrument comprising:
a body;
a fluid reservoir arranged within the body, the fluid reservoir containing a fluid; and
a writing tip fluidly connected to the fluid reservoir;
wherein the writing instrument is configured to actuate from a retracted position to an exposed position and to actuate from the exposed position to the retracted position;
wherein the writing tip is concealed when the writing instrument is in the retracted position;
wherein the writing tip is exposed when the writing instrument is in the exposed position; and
wherein the fluid reservoir and the writing tip are always fluidly connected to an atmosphere or an exterior of the body.
9 . The writing instrument according to claim 8 , wherein the fluid is water-based.
10 . The writing instrument according to claim 8 , further comprises a movable element, the movable element defining or including a thread, wherein the body defines a groove and wherein the thread of the movable element interacts with the groove of the body.
11 . The writing instrument, according to claim 10 , wherein the groove and the thread are configured to connect the body and the movable element.
12 . The writing instrument according to claim 11 , wherein the movable element is configured to be twisted to connect the groove and the thread.
13 . The writing instrument according to claim 8 , wherein the fluid is solvent-based.
14 . The writing instrument according to claim 8 , wherein the fluid is oil-based.
15 . A writing fluid for use in a writing instrument, the writing fluid comprising:
a polyethylene glycol; and
a color dye;
wherein the polyethylene glycol comprises 20% or more by weight of the writing fluid.
16 . The writing fluid according to claim 15 , wherein the polyethylene glycol is polyethylene glycol 400.
17 . The writing fluid according to claim 15 , wherein the polyethylene glycol makes up less than 50% weight of the writing fluid.
18 . The writing fluid according to claim 15 , further comprising a biocide and a fungicide.
19 . The writing fluid according to claim 15 , further comprising a surfactant.
20 . A writing instrument comprising the writing fluid according to claim 15 .
21 . The writing fluid according to claim 15 , wherein the polyethylene glycol comprises less than 50% by weight of the writing fluid.
22 . A writing fluid for use in a writing instrument, the writing fluid comprising:
a polyethylene glycol; and
a color dye;
further comprising glycols, glycerin, and polyglycols, and wherein the writing fluid does not contain ethylene glycol.
23 . A writing instrument comprising:
a body;
a fluid reservoir arranged within the body, the fluid reservoir containing a fluid; and
a writing tip fluidly connected to the fluid reservoir;
wherein the writing instrument is configured to actuate from a retracted position to an exposed position and to actuate from the exposed position to the retracted position;
wherein the writing tip is concealed when the writing instrument is in the retracted position;
wherein the writing tip is exposed when the writing instrument is in the exposed position;
wherein the fluid reservoir and the writing tip are not sealed from an atmosphere or an exterior of the body when the writing instrument is in the retracted position; and
wherein the fluid reservoir and the writing tip are not sealed from the atmosphere or the exterior of the body when the writing instrument is in the exposed position,
wherein the fluid is a writing fluid comprising:
a polyethylene glycol; and
a color dye.