IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,403,719
Granted Patent B2
US 12,403,719 · App. 18/557,880 · Granted Sep 2, 2025

Efficient ink erasure system

Inventors: Nikolaos Chrysanthakopoulos (Anoixi, GR); Guillaume Caffier (Clichy, FR)
Assignees: SOCIÉTÉ BIC; BIC Violex Single Member S.A.
B43L19/0043B43K5/00C09D11/17B43K29/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,403,719
App. No.
18/557,880
Granted
Sep 2, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system comprises a writing instrument. The writing instrument comprises an ink, wherein the ink comprises a coloring agent and a bonding agent. The adhesiveness of the bonding agent can be altered by applying a voltage or a voltage and a current. Further, the system comprises a writing surface comprising a first electrode and a second electrode or a writing surface comprising a first electrode and an erasing tool comprising a second electrode.

Claims (27)

1. A system comprising:

a writing instrument comprising an ink,

wherein the ink comprises a coloring agent and a bonding agent,

wherein an adhesiveness of the bonding agent can be altered by applying a voltage or a voltage and a current;

a writing surface comprising a first electrode; and

an erasing tool comprising a second electrode.

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the applied voltage is between about 0.01 V to about 48 V.

3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the writing surface is at least partially electroconductive.

4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the writing surface is a porous writing surface configured to receive the ink comprising the coloring agent and the bonding agent.

5. The system according to claim 1 , wherein an electrochemical oxidation of the bonding agent leads to a reduction of its adhesiveness.

6. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the bonding agent comprises a catechol and/or a catechol derivative.

7. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the bonding agent comprises dopamine, polymerized dopamine, dopamine methacrylamide or acetyl dopamine.

8. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the coloring agent comprises a dye.

9. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the coloring agent comprises a dye which may form a salt with the bonding agent.

10. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the ink comprises a solvent, wherein the coloring agent comprises a pigment, and wherein the pigment is embedded within the bonding agent after evaporation of the solvent.

11. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the erasing tool comprises a switchable mechanism configured to send a signal to a control system to adjust the applied voltage or voltage and current when the switchable mechanism is actuated.

12. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the writing instrument is a handheld writing instrument.

13. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the bonding agent comprises a catechol and/or a catechol derivative.

14. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the bonding agent comprises dopamine, polymerized dopamine, dopamine methacrylamide or acetyl dopamine.

15. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the coloring agent comprises a dye.

16. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the coloring agent comprises a dye which may form a salt with the bonding agent.

17. A system comprising:

a writing instrument comprising an ink,

wherein the ink comprises a coloring agent and a bonding agent, and

wherein an adhesiveness of the bonding agent can be altered by applying a voltage or a voltage and a current; and

a writing surface comprising a first electrode and a second electrode,

wherein the writing surface comprises a multiplicity of first electrodes and second electrodes, wherein the multiplicity of first electrodes and second electrodes are configured to apply either voltage or voltage and current to at least a part of the writing surface, and wherein the multiplicity of first electrodes and second electrodes include micropins distributed in the writing surface.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 1, 2023
From: CHRYSANTHAKOPOULOS, NIKOLAOS; CAFFIER, GUILLAUME
To: SOCIÉTÉ BIC; BIC VIOLEX SINGLE MEMBER S.A.
Reel/Frame 065429/0775 →
Priority Claims (1)
EP 21305563 · Apr 30, 2021 · regional
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240227430A1 · Jul 11, 2024
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