Other

Brigham Young University

Thomas Aten Nielson

Jens G Jacobson

William Barrett

A compact writing instrument includes a barrel and a cap. A majority of a length of the barrel and a writing element carried thereby may be received by the cap when the barrel and the cap are placed in a stored position, providing a compact stored arrangement. The cap may be secured to the barrel in a writing arrangement that extends a length of the writing instrument significantly; for example, to a conventional writing instrument length. Engagement features of the cap and barrel may include steep threads that enable the cap to be assembled with and disassembled from the barrel with one rotation (360&#xb0;) or less. A clip on the cap may include a closed end that defines a receptacle, with the closed end and receptacle extending beyond a corresponding end of the cap. In addition, the closed end and receptacle may extend partially over the corresponding end of the cap.

Compact writing instrument

A writing instrument includes a barrel and a cap capable of being assembled with and secured to the barrel. The barrel carries a writing instrument. The cap carries a clip. A free end of the clip includes a detent that can be received by a corresponding indentation of an exterior surface of an external portion of the barrel when the cap is assembled with the barrel. The detent of the clip and the indentation of the barrel are capable of securing the cap and the barrel in their assembled relationship. The writing instrument may be compact. Methods of using a writing instrument include securing a cap of the writing instrument to a barrel of the writing instrument by causing a detent of a free end of a clip of the cap to engage a corresponding indentation of an exterior portion of the barrel.

A compact writing instrument includes a barrel and a cap. A majority of a length of the barrel and a writing element carried thereby may be received by the cap when the barrel and the cap are placed in a stored providing a compact stored arrangement. The cap may be secured to the barrel in a writing arrangement that extends a length of the writing instrument significantly; for example, to a conventional writing instrument length. Engagement features of the cap and barrel may include steep threads that enable the cap to be assembled with and disassembled from the barrel with one rotation (360&#xb0;) or less. A clip on the cap may include a closed end that defines a receptacle, with the closed end and receptacle extending beyond a corresponding end of the cap. In addition, the closed end and receptacle may extend partially over the corresponding end of the cap.

Fluid level measurements for the shared tank and outflow information provided by calibrated flow meters corresponding to dispensing stations connected to the shared tank may be used to derive a filled volume model for the tank as a function of fluid level. Subsequently, a filled volume change for a shared tank over a selected time interval may be determined from pre-change and post-change fluid level measurements. The change in filled volume may be compared with the total fluid flow over the selected time interval as indicated by the flow meters of active dispensing stations. If the filled volume change for the tank is substantially different than the total fluid flow indicated by the flow meters, the flow meters may be collectively adjusted to provide a more accurate indication of the filled volume change in the shared tank.

Growing community of inventors

Lamoille, NV, United States of America

Thomas Aten Nielson