The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 11, 2008
Filed:
Jun. 08, 2004
Craig D. Carroll, Newport Coast, CA (US);
Craig D. Carroll, Newport Coast, CA (US);
Avery Dennison Corporation, Pasadena, CA (US);
Abstract
A retractable writing instrument may include a barrel having a front opening, a nib for moving through the front opening of the barrel between an extended position and a retracted position, a cartridge for receiving the nib and for folding a supply of ink, and a seal assembly received within the barrel through which the nib is passable. In a number of embodiments, when the nib is in the retracted position, the seal assembly is biased closed to seal the front of the retractable writing instrument. In addition, an outer surface of the cartridge may contact the seal assembly to form a rear seal such that a tip of the nib is positioned within the body member between the two seals. Accordingly, in these embodiments, the nib is sealed from ambient air when in the retracted position, thereby minimizing evaporation of ink from the cartridge. IN addition, the nib may be urged through the seal assembly while moving to the extended position to open the front of the retractable writing instrument. The rear seal may be opened prior to the nib breaking the front seal to form a vent between the cartridge and the body member. The seal assembly may include a spring member and a body member, with the spring member biasing the body member closed when the nib is in the retracted position. The body member may include an arcuate gate through which a slit is formed.