BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view a writing instrument in a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a writing instrument in a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a writing instrument in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.
Referring now to FIG. 1 a writing instrument 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is described. The writing instrument 10 in this particular embodiment has a housing 12 with a writing portion 14 and a correction portion 16. The correction portion 16 can take many forms. Additionally the correction portion 16 as shown in all figures can be a removable unit that can be replaced with a new correction portion. The correction portion 16 of this depicted in FIG. 1 of the invention has a fluid chamber 18 with an applicator 20. This particular embodiment uses an applicator 20 that is a sponge 28 connected to a stem 30 that is connected to a cap 32. The cap 32 has threads on its interior surface that are configured to align with threads 34 formed on the exterior surface of the housing 12. The stem 30 is elongated to allow the sponge 28 to extend within the fluid chamber 18. The sponge 28 soaks up correction fluid that is contained within the fluid chamber 18, and then applies the correction fluid by wiping the sponge 28 with correction fluid over the area to be corrected.
The writing portion 14 of the writing instrument 10 has a writing tip 22. The writing tip 22 can be a stationary or fixed tip or it can be attached to a retraction mechanism for retracting the writing tip into the housing 12. The writing tip 22 receives writing fluid such as ink from an ink holder 23. The ink holder can be an ink well, ink cartridge or other suitable ink delivery system.
FIGS. 2-4 depict alternate embodiments of the invention, where applicable like reference numerals will be used to show like structures to those described above and shown in FIG. 1. Referring now to FIG. 2 a second embodiment of a writing instrument 10′ is depicted. In this particular embodiment of the invention the applicator 20 is a brush 36 connected to the stem 30. The brush 36 is a different type of applicator for applying correction fluid.
FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the invention where a writing instrument 10″ has a pen applicator 38 in the correction portion 16 that is operably connected to the housing 12. The pen applicator 38 can be a separate component that is connected to the housing 12 or it can be integrally formed or molded with the housing 12. The pen applicator has a tip 40 that dispenses correction fluid from the fluid chamber 18.
FIG. 4 depicts a fourth embodiment of the invention where a writing instrument 10′″ has a dry line wheel 24 positioned within the housing 12. The dry line wheel 24 has correction tape 26 wound thereon. The correction tape 26 extends to a depressor 27 that is used to apply the correction tape 26 over a mistake. This particular embodiment of the invention eliminates the need to have a fluid chamber 18 with correction fluid. The depressor 27 is connected directly to the correction portion 16 of the housing 12. The depressor 27 can also be integrally formed with the housing 12 or may be a separate unit that is inserted into the housing. Additionally, the dry line wheel 24 and depressor 27 can be a single molded piece that is inserted into the housing 12.
The writing instruments 10, 10′, 10′″ shown in FIGS. 1-3 can have the fluid chamber 18 molded into the housing 12. Alternatively a plug can be inserted into the housing 12 creating a chamber in the housing 12 for storing correction fluid. Using a plug in the housing 12 can cut down the manufacturing time and costs for creating the writing instruments discussed above. The plug can be made of silicone, adhesives, polymers or other suitable material that will prevent the correction fluid from moving into the writing portion 14.
The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Patent Application
20070269252
