An apparatus includes a pen. The pen includes a reservoir configured to store a fluid. The pen also includes a tip configured to transfer the fluid from the reservoir onto a surface of an object during writing. The pen further includes a regulator configured to control a flow of the fluid from the reservoir to the tip. The apparatus also includes the fluid stored within the reservoir. The fluid includes a carrier fluid and particles of an X-Ray opaque material.

A ballpoint pen bends at the pen tip, that can be changed by the force applied when writing. Wobbling does not occur, and a stable writing feel can be obtained. The ballpoint pen makes it possible to clearly change the thickness of the drawn line by the force applied when writing, so that lines of different thickness can be written with a single writing tip using the angle of the ballpoint pen tip. The ballpoint pen includes: a writing ball; a holder for holding the writing ball; an ink supply section; a shaft body inside which the ink supply section is held; and a tip shaft, which is connected to the tip of the shaft body and from which the holder protrudes during writing. The tip shaft is formed by two-color molding in which a front half and a back half are interdigitated in a saw tooth form.

A ballpoint pen bends at the pen tip, that can be changed by the force applied when writing. Wobbling does not occur, and a stable writing feel can be obtained. The ballpoint pen makes it possible to clearly change the thickness of the drawn line by the force applied when writing, so that lines of different thickness can be written with a single writing tip using the angle of the ballpoint pen tip. The ballpoint pen includes: a writing ball; a holder for holding the writing ball; an ink supply section; a shaft body inside which the ink supply section is held; and a tip shaft, which is connected to the tip of the shaft body and from which the holder protrudes during writing. The tip shaft is formed by two-color molding in which a front half and a back half are interdigitated in a saw tooth form.

An oil-based ink composition for a writing instrument, comprising a dye, an organic solvent and a phenolic compound of the following general formula (1):

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wherein R is each independently hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, R.sub.1 is any of an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a halogenated alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a phenyl group, a hydroxyphenyl group, and an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms substituted by a hydroxyphenyl group, and R.sub.2 is any of a halogenated alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a phenyl group, a hydroxyphenyl group, and an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms substituted by a hydroxyphenyl group. The oil-based ink composition for a writing instrument can form handwriting having excellent water resistance in which no bleeding occurs on written surfaces of various materials with a dye retaining color development.

Articulated pens are provided. A pen includes: a shank; an ink tube comprising a first section, a second section, a third section, and a fourth section; a writing tip connected to the fourth section; a first guide rail connected to the shank and that bends the ink tube at a first angle between the first section and the second section; and a second guide rail pivotally connected to the first guide rail and that bends the ink tube at a second angle between the third section and the fourth section. Pivoting the second guide rail relative to the first guide rail adjusts a third angle between the second section and the third section.

Articulated pens are provided. A pen includes: a shank; an ink tube comprising a first section, a second section, a third section, and a fourth section; a writing tip connected to the fourth section; a first guide rail connected to the shank and that bends the ink tube at a first angle between the first section and the second section; and a second guide rail pivotally connected to the first guide rail and that bends the ink tube at a second angle between the third section and the fourth section. Pivoting the second guide rail relative to the first guide rail adjusts a third angle between the second section and the third section.

The disclosed technology includes methods and systems for facilitating handwriting for individuals who require assistance with their fine motor skills and pinch strength due to various conditions or injury. The methods and systems include writing instruments that may be used in order of succession based on improved or worsened fine motor skills. In one implementation, the method includes measuring a first writing capability of a user, selecting a first writing instrument with a barrel of a predetermined circumference and a predetermined weight selected based on the first writing capability of the user, using the selected first writing instrument for a first phase, measuring a second writing capability, detecting a first change between the first writing capability and the second writing capability, determining that the first phase is completed based on the detected first change, and selecting a second writing instrument responsive to determining the first phase is completed.

The method and apparatus described herein allows for the automatic retraction and extension of the writing element of a bistable self-retaining writing instrument. The method and apparatus consists of a writing element that is joined to the end of a flexible tube or material. These are inserted through a longitudinal channel formed along the outer surface of the writing instrument and are anchored only at the end opposite the writing element. When the bistable self-retaining writing instrument transitions from a coiled to straight configuration the writing element is automatically exposed. Conversely, when pushed into its coiled configuration the writing element slides back into the channel and is thereby protected. The flexible tube or material may also act as a reservoir for a writing substrate such as ink.

An object of the present invention is to obtain a thermoplastic resin composition that is suitable for obtaining a molded article that does not produce increased hydrophilic properties, and that has a hard feel and a texture closer to that of earthenware.

The thermoplastic resin composition of the present invention is characterized in that it contains 10 to 50 parts by mass of a thermoplastic resin (A), 50 to 90 parts by mass of a metal oxide (B) [provided that the total amount of (A)+(B) is 100 parts by mass], and an unmodified polyolefin-based wax (C) in a range of 0.1 to 20 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the total amount of (A)+(B).