To provide an applicator capable of exchanging air after discharging the application liquid even if the applicator is equipped with a valve mechanism that opens its valve by increasing the internal pressure of the ink tank.

An applicator includes a valve mechanism that communicates an application liquid tank and an applying part. The valve mechanism has at least a valve stem and a valve holder for holding the valve stem therein, the application liquid can flow through a gap between the valve stem and the valve holder, the valve stem is formed with an air exchange hole, and, the air exchange hole can be opened and closed by an opening/closing member that opens/closes when the pressure on the application liquid tank side becomes negative or positive compared to that on the applying part side.

Embodiments of the disclosure can include writing instruments, nibs for writing instruments, and methods of making the same. In one embodiment, the writing instrument includes a reservoir; an ink solution comprising a pigment, the ink solution being housed within the reservoir; a nib disposed at an end of the reservoir and plugging an opening of the reservoir such that the reservoir is closed, wherein a tip of the nib extends outside of the reservoir; and a filament extending within the reservoir, the filament being in fluid communication with a portion of the nib within the reservoir, such that the ink solution travels along the filament and through the nib, by capillary action, wherein the nib and filament are formed such that no more than 50 percent of the pigment present in the nib and filament flow into the reservoir outside of the nib and filament when the writing instrument is stored with the nib up for a period of one day.

Embodiments of the disclosure can include writing instruments, nibs for writing instruments, and methods of making the same. In one embodiment, the writing instrument includes a reservoir; an ink solution comprising a pigment, the ink solution being housed within the reservoir; a nib disposed at an end of the reservoir and plugging an opening of the reservoir such that the reservoir is closed, wherein a tip of the nib extends outside of the reservoir; and a filament extending within the reservoir, the filament being in fluid communication with a portion of the nib within the reservoir, such that the ink solution travels along the filament and through the nib, by capillary action, wherein the nib and filament are formed such that no more than 50 percent of the pigment present in the nib and filament flow into the reservoir outside of the nib and filament when the writing instrument is stored with the nib up for a period of one day.

A compensation membrane and a pen or the equivalent including a compensation membrane. The compensation membrane being configured for compensating a pressure difference between the outside and the inside of a free ink reservoir of a pen or the equivalent. The membrane including a first portion having a first rigidity and a second portion having a second rigidity, the first rigidity being less than the second rigidity.

A compensation membrane and a pen or the equivalent including a compensation membrane. The compensation membrane being configured for compensating a pressure difference between the outside and the inside of a free ink reservoir of a pen or the equivalent. The membrane including a first portion having a first rigidity and a second portion having a second rigidity, the first rigidity being less than the second rigidity.

A nib for a valve-free free ink writing felt pen including a first end configured to deliver ink to a writing support and second end, opposite the first end, configured to be inserted in a nib receiving part of the valve-free free ink writing felt pen, the first end and the second end defining an axial direction of the nib, the nib having an external surface configured to cooperate with an internal surface of the nib receiving part, the external surface being configured to allow intake of air from the outside of a free ink tank, the valve-free free ink writing felt pen into the free ink tank and avoid ink leakage outside the free ink tank when cooperating with the internal surface of the nib receiving part. A valve-free free ink writing felt pen including a nib.

A nib for a valve-free free ink writing felt pen including a first end configured to deliver ink to a writing support and second end, opposite the first end, configured to be inserted in a nib receiving part of the valve-free free ink writing felt pen, the first end and the second end defining an axial direction of the nib, the nib having an external surface configured to cooperate with an internal surface of the nib receiving part, the external surface being configured to allow intake of air from the outside of a free ink tank, the valve-free free ink writing felt pen into the free ink tank and avoid ink leakage outside the free ink tank when cooperating with the internal surface of the nib receiving part. A valve-free free ink writing felt pen including a nib.

Provided are a liquid storage and release device and a pen comprising the device. The liquid storage and release device comprises a tube shell (1), a capsule-like liquid container (3), a piercing component (4) and a piston rod (5), wherein the tube shell (1) is open at one end and closed at the other end, and the interior thereof is a tube cavity (2); the capsule-like liquid container (3) and/or the piercing component (4) is/are slidably arranged in the tube cavity (2); one end of the piston rod (5) is slidably arranged in the tube cavity (2) of the tube shell (1), and the other end of the piston rod (5) is provided with a liquid release opening (6); and the piston rod (5) is provided with a liquid channel through which the liquid release opening (6) is in communication with the tube cavity (2). When the piston rod (5) slides towards the interior of the tube cavity (2), the capsule-like liquid container (3) and the piercing component (4) apply pressure to each other under the action of the piston rod (5), so that the piercing component (4) pierces the capsule-like liquid container (3) so as to release the liquid pre-stored in the capsule-like liquid container (3).

A pen includes: an ink reservoir configured to store an ink; and a pen tip section including an ink application part configured to apply the ink to an ink application object. The ink application part of the pen tip section includes: a rigid tip made of a rigid material and having a hemispherical outer surface, an inner surface facing toward the ink reservoir, and a penetration part penetrating from the inner surface side to the outer surface side of the rigid tip; and at least one foam body filled in the penetration part at least on the side of the penetration part close to the outer surface side of the rigid tip, and provided with at least one air bubble formed to communicate from the outer surface side of the foam body to the inner surface side of the foam body.

A retractable marker assembly includes a tube that has a tapered end such that the tube has a conical shape. An ink cartridge is insertable into the tube and the ink cartridge contains a fluid ink. The ink cartridge is slidable between an extended position or a retracted position. An applicator is fluidly coupled to the ink cartridge to absorb the fluid ink contained in the ink cartridge for marking a surface. A cap is removably attached to the tube and a button slidably extends through the cap. The button engages the ink cartridge and the ink cartridge is positioned in the extended position exposed when the button is depressed having the applicator being exposed. The ink cartridge is positioned in the retracted position when the button is not depressed having the applicator being withdrawn into the tube.