PEN WITH MULTIPLE COLORS

Abstract

A writing instrument, in particular a pen, comprising at least two reservoirs for storing colorants or inks of at least two different colors, characterized by at least one pumping means which is designed to be actuated by at least one finger of a user.

Claims

1. A writing instrument, comprising at least two reservoirs for storing colorants or inks of at least two different colors, characterized by at least one pumping means which is designed to be actuated by at least one finger of a user.

2. The writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein the at least one pumping means is designed to provide a pumping actuation by using a force or pressure exerted by the at least one finger.

3. The writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein each pumping means comprises a pumping chamber having a volume which can be reduced by using a force or pressure exerted by the at least one finger.

4. The writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein each pumping means comprises a flexible membrane or element which can be pressed into the pumping chamber by a force or pressure exerted by the at least one finger.

5. The writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein each flexible membrane or element changes its shape from a first shape to a second shape when a force or pressure is exerted by the at least one finger, thereby reducing the volume of the pumping chamber.

6. The writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein the flexible membrane is designed to adopt its first shape after the force or pressure exerted by the at least one finger has been removed, thereby increasing or restoring the volume of the pumping chamber.

7. The writing instrument according to claim 6, wherein the volume of the pumping chamber is restored to its original volume prior to the actuation by at least one finger of a user.

8. The writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein each pumping means comprises at least one valve, preferably two self-actuated check valves.

9. The writing instrument according to claim 1, comprising a mixing chamber which is designed to mix the different colors provided by the at least two pumping means.

10. The writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein each pumping means comprises a first valve, which is arranged between the pumping chamber of the pumping means and the mixing chamber.

11. The writing instrument according to claim 10, wherein the first valve is a self-actuated first check valve.

12. The writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein each pumping means comprises a second valve, which is arranged between the reservoir which is in fluid connection with the pumping means, and the pumping chamber of the pumping means.

13. The writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein each pumping means is assigned to a single reservoir for providing a single colorant or ink stored in that reservoir.

14. The writing instrument according to claim 1, comprising buttons or finger actuation areas, wherein at least part of these buttons or finger actuation areas are designed to actuate two or more pumping means by the force or pressure applied by a single finger.

15. The writing instrument according to claim 1, comprising a color indicator which indicates to a user which button or finger actuation area or which buttons or finger actuation areas need to be actuated for selecting a specific color or mixture of colors.

16. A writing instrument comprising at least two reservoirs for storing colorants or inks of at least two different colors, characterized by at least one pumping means which is designed to increase the pressure in the reservoirs, wherein the writing instrument is a pen.

17. The writing instrument according to claim 16, wherein the writing instrument comprises two, three or four reservoirs, each storing a colorant or ink of a different color.

18. The writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein each valve means can be opened by using a force or pressure exerted by at least one finger.

19. The writing instrument according to claim 1, comprising a color selecting means which is designed to partially or fully open one or more valves.

20. The writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein the mixing chamber has a variable volume which can be varied by a user.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Additional details and features of the disclosure are described with reference to the following figures in which

[0020] FIG. 1a shows a first embodiment of a writing instrument according to the present disclosure with three or four buttons to actuate pumping means;

[0021] FIG. 1b shows another embodiment of a writing instrument according to the present disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 1c shows another embodiment of a writing instrument according to the present disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing showing components of a writing instrument of a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIGS. 3a and 3b are schematic drawings showing the working principle of a preferred pump means of the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 4 shows a more detailed schematic drawing of a preferred pumping means of the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing showing components of a writing instrument of a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing showing components of a writing instrument of a third embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 7 shows an arrangement of multiple pumping means or valves positioned radially with in a circumferentially extending finger actuation area;

[0029] FIG. 8 shows schematic drawings of another working principle of a preferred pump means of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Embodiments of the writing instrument according to the disclosure will be described with reference to the figures as follows.

[0031] FIG. 1a shows a first embodiment of a writing instrument or pen 1 according to the present disclosure with three buttons 5a to 5c to actuate three pumping means by means of at least one finger of a user. A fourth button 5d (not shown) on the reverse side of button 5a may be provided in order to activate a fourth pumping means 7d by means of at least one finger of a user.

[0032] The pumping means 7a to 7c are more specifically arranged directly below the buttons 5a to 5c and are designed to provide a pumping actuation by using a force or pressure exerted by the at least one finger. This means that the energy is introduced by pressing one or more buttons 5a to 5c to actuate the pumping means which are arranged below the respective button(s). For example, pressing button 5a only actuates a single pumping means for delivering a first ink or colorant of a first color from a first reservoir. On the other hand, if the user presses two buttons simultaneously, two pumping means for delivering first and second inks or colorants of first and second colors from first and second reservoirs is achieved for providing a mixture of these inks or colorants. Accordingly, all possibly mixtures of inks or colorants stored in three or four reservoirs are possible. The ink or colorant of a desired color or mixture of colors exits the writing instrument at the tip 2.

[0033] With that, it is possible to design a multiple color pen which does not comprise a micro-computer or a micro-chip for actuating and/or controlling the operation of the pumping means. As a result, a battery for such a micro-computer or a micro-chip is not needed either. However, it should be understood that a battery and a micro-computer or micro-chip may be present for other purposes, for example for actuating a laser and/or a lamp which may be included in the writing instrument.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing showing components of a writing instrument of a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The shown writing instrument or pen comprises four reservoirs 6a to 6d, each storing an ink or colorant of a different color. But as mentioned before, the writing instrument may comprise two, three or four reservoirs, each storing a colorant or ink of a different color. More specifically, the reservoirs separately store colorants or inks of the colors red, green, blue and/or black, respectively, or wherein the reservoirs separately store colorants or inks of the colors yellow, red, blue and/or black, respectively.

[0035] Pumping means 7a-7d are provided for pumping inks or colorants of a desired color into a mixing chamber 10. The mixing chamber 10 is designed to supply a single colorant/ink or to supply a mixture of colorants/inks of different colors, dependent on the actuation of the at least one finger of the user. The user may activate one, two, three or all pumping means 7a-7d simultaneously in order to select a desired color or mixture of colors. The ink or mixture of inks is provided over the mixing chamber 10 to the tip 2 of the writing instrument 1.

[0036] Each pumping means 7a-7d may comprise at least one valve, more specifically a self-actuated check valve (for blocking flow of ink/colorant in reverse direction). For example, as shown in FIG. 2, each pumping means 7a-7d may comprise a respective first valve, in particular a self-actuated first check valve 8a-8d, which is arranged between the pumping chamber of the respective pumping means 7a-7d and the mixing chamber 10. These valves are sufficient in order to achieve a pumping effect, because the backflow of ink/colorant towards the reservoirs is at least slightly blocked due to the thin fluid channels between the reservoirs and the pumping means. This means that an actuation of a pumping means in any event results in flow of ink/colorant through the respective first check valve 8a-8d.

[0037] Alternatively or in addition, each pumping means 7a-7d may comprise a respective second valve, in particular a second self-actuated check valve 9a-9d, which is arranged between respective reservoir which is in fluid connection with the respective pumping means and the pumping chamber of the respective pumping means.

[0038] With the components of the first embodiment of the present disclosure as shown in FIG. 2, it is possible to activate the respective pumping means 7a-7d over the separate buttons 5a to 5c as shown in FIG. 1a (and over button 5d now shown in FIG. 1a, respectively). In this case, it is preferred to use colored buttons which correspond to the colors provided by the pumping means 7a-7d which are arranged below (radially within) the respective buttons.

[0039] FIGS. 3a and 3b are schematic drawings showing the working principle of a preferred pumping means of the present disclosure. Before the user applies pressure over the button 5, the pumping means has a first volume (see FIG. 3a). When a user applies pressure by means of a finger 11, the volume of the pumping means is reduced to a second volume (see FIG. 3b) such that ink is delivered by the actuation of the finger.

[0040] FIG. 4 shows a more detailed schematic drawing of a preferred pumping means 7 of the present disclosure. A pumping means 7 may comprise a pumping chamber 12 having a volume which can be reduced by using a force or pressure exerted by the at least one finger. A flexible membrane or element 13 may be provided which can be pressed into the pumping chamber 12 by a force or pressure exerted by the at least one finger. With that, each flexible membrane or element 13 changes its shape from a first shape to a second shape when a force or pressure is exerted by the at least one finger, thereby reducing the volume of the pumping chamber. When the volume of the pumping chamber 12 is reduced, ink or colorant flows over the check valve 8 to the fluid channel 15 which is connected to the mixing chamber. FIG. 4 shows the check valve 8 in its open position.

[0041] The flexible membrane or element 13 is more specifically designed to adopt its first shape after the force or pressure exerted by the at least one finger has been removed, thereby increasing or restoring the volume of the pumping chamber, in particular to its original volume prior to the actuation by at least one finger of a user. When the finger is removed, check valve 8 closes and blocks reverse flow into the chamber 12. Simultaneously, check valve 9 opens so that ink or colorant can flow from fluid channel 14 which is in connection with one of the reservoirs into the chamber 12.

[0042] A button 5 may be arranged directly over the flexible membrane or element 13. Alternatively, the flexible membrane or element 13 may be directly used as a button.

[0043] The pumping means may be manufactured from a plastic material either by injection molding or by a 3D printing process. The check valves 8, 9 and the flexible membrane or element 13may be made of the same material. Alternatively, the check valves 8, 9 and/or the flexible membrane or element 13 may be made of a rubber material and/or a silicone material.

[0044] The fluid channels 14, 15 between the reservoirs and the at least one pumping means and the fluid channels between the pumping means and the mixing chamber preferable have a cross-section ranging from 0.01 to 0.25 μm.sup.2, in particular from 0.05 to 0.2 μm.sup.2.

[0045] FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing showing components of a writing instrument of a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The reservoirs 6a-6c, the mixing chamber 10 and the tip 2 may be identical compared to the previous embodiment. However, contrary to the previous embodiment, a plurality of pumping means 7 are provided, namely in total 24 pumping means 7, indicated by 24 circles in FIG. 5. Each reservoir 6a-c is in connection with a subgroup of the pumping means. As an example, reservoir 6a is in connection with the pumping means marked by the letter “a” in FIG. 5, i.e. all these pumping means deliver the color “a”. Only the fluid channels connecting reservoir 6a to eight pumping means 7a is shown for sake of clarity. It should be understood that reservoir 6b also has fluid channels which are connected to eight other pumping means 7b for delivering color “b”, and that reservoir 6c also has fluid channels which are connected to the remaining eight pumping means 7c for delivering color “c”. Of courses, more or less pumping means may be used for each reservoir.

[0046] With such a design, it is possible to actuate a single button 5 which actuates two or three (or more) pumping means at the same time by means of a single finger. The pumping means and the buttons may be arranged circumferentially on the writing instrument. Typically more than three or four buttons 5 are used for this embodiment, for example 8 or 12. Alternatively, a single button surface may be used which extends over the entire circumference of the writing instrument at the axial position of the pumping means. A color indicator ring may be arranged directly neighboring to this single button surface which indicates to the user where the button surface should be actuated by means of a finger for achieving a certain color or mixture of colors.

[0047] Other arrangements of pumping means 7 compared to the arrangement shown in FIG. 5 are—of course—possible. For example, the pumping means may also be arranged in the sequence “aabbcc” with six finger actuation areas, each being designed for simultaneous actuation of two pumping means by a single finger, each finger actuation area being offset by the distance of one pumping means, so that the combinations “aa”, “ab”, “bb”, “bc”, “cc” and “ca” are possible. Alternatively, the pumping means may also be arranged in the sequence “aaabbbcccaabc” with ten finger actuation areas, each being designed for simultaneous actuation of three pumping means by a single finger, each finger actuation area being offset by the distance of one pumping means, so that the combinations “aaa”, “aab”, “abb”, “bbb”, “bbc”, “bcc”, “ccc”, “cca”, “caa” and “abc” are possible.

[0048] With the components of the second embodiment of the present disclosure as shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to activate the respective pumping means 7 over a cirumferentially extending actuation area 5′ as shown in FIG. 1b. In this case, it is preferred to mark the respective finger actuation areas by means of sections marked by colors which are marked in FIG. 1b by means of axially extending lines on the actuation area 5′. The colors on the actuation area 5′ correspond to the colors or mixture of colors provided by the pumping means which are arranged below (radially within) these marked sections.

[0049] FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing showing components of a writing instrument of a third embodiment of the present disclosure. Again, the reservoirs 6a-6c, the mixing chamber 10 and the tip 2 may be identical compared to the first and second embodiments. However, contrary to the second embodiment, a plurality of valves 16 are arranged between the reservoirs 6a-c and the mixing chamber 10. A pumping means 17 is in connection with the reservoirs 6a-c which has the purpose to increase the pressure within the reservoirs 6a-6c, in particular by pumping ambient air into the reservoirs 6a-6c. Therefore, the plurality of valves 16 can be selectively opened by the actuation of at least one finger in order to provide ink/colorant of a desired color or mixture of colors to the mixing chamber 10.

[0050] The plurality of valves 16, namely in total 24 valves 16, are indicated by 24 circles in FIG. 6. Each reservoir 6a-6c is in connection with a subgroup of the valves. As an example, reservoir 6a is in connection with the valves 16 marked by the letter “a” in FIG. 6, i.e. all these valves deliver the color “a”. Only the fluid channels connecting reservoir 6a to eight valves 16a is shown for sake of clarity. It should be understood that reservoir 6b also has fluid channels which are connected to eight other valves 16b for delivering color “b”, and that reservoir 6c also has fluid channels which are connected to the remaining eight valves 16c for delivering color “c”. Of courses, more or less valves 16 may be used for each reservoir.

[0051] With the components of the third embodiment of the present disclosure as shown in FIG. 6, it is possible to activate the pumping means 17 over the cap 4. In particular, the cap 4 can be pushed in axial direction—for example by a thumb—to pump air into the reservoirs to increase the pressure in the reservoirs. The valves 16 may be actuated by means of a circumferentially extending finger actuation area 5′ as shown in FIG. 1b, wherein sections of is this finger actuation area 5′ may again be marked by colors indicating the colors or mixture of colors provided by the valves below the respective section.

[0052] Alternatively, the opening of the valves 16 can be controlled by rotating the cap 4 as shown in FIG. 1c around the longitudinal axis of the writing instrument. In this case, cap 4 may be connected to a ring which can rotate together with the cap 4, and wherein the ring has a single internal protrusion/cam or with multiple internal protrusions or cams which selectively engage valves 16. For example, a single internal protrusion/cam may open a single valve 16. However, it is also possible that a single internal protrusion/cam always opens two or three valves 16 in a certain rotational position of the cap 4. For example, if valves 16 are arranged in the sequence “aaabbbcccaabc”, a single protrusion/cam may always open three valves, wherein all other valves remain closed. By rotating cap 4 the respective colors or mixture of colors, i.e. “aaa”, “aab”, “abb”, “bbb”, “bbc”, “bcc”, “ccc”, “cca”, “caa” and “abc” can be achieved by rotating the cap 4 in the respective position.

[0053] It is preferred to include a color indicator with colored sections 3a-3e as shown in FIG. 1c with a pointer 4a so that the user knows in which rotational position the cap 4 needs to be placed in order to achieve a desired color or mixture of colors to be delivered to the mixing chamber 10 (and finally to the writing surface over the tip 2).

[0054] In this case, it is preferred to provide an additional central valve to be actuated by a finger over the button 5 shown in FIG. 1c. This additional central valve may be arranged between the valves 16 and the mixing chamber 10 which are shown in FIG. 6, or between the mixing chamber 10 and the tip 2. With that, flow of ink or colorant through the valves 16 is generally only possible, if the user activates the central valve.

[0055] Multiple variations of the present disclosure are possible. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, multiple pumping means 7 or valves 16 (as described in context with FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively) may be positioned radially with in a circumferentially extending finger actuation area. The respective pumping means 7 or valves 16 may be actuated or activated for example by the thumb 18 and the index finger 19 of a user simultaneously to achieve a certain desired color or mixture of colors.

[0056] The design of the pumping means may also be varied. For example, FIG. 8 shows schematic drawings of another working principle of a preferred pumping means of the present disclosure. The pumping chamber 12 is arranged below a flexible membrane or element 13 which may also serve as finger actuation area. The flexible membrane or element 13 can recover its original shape after the pressure applied by the finger has been removed. Before the user applies pressure over the button, the pumping means has a first volume (see upper drawing of FIG. 8). When a user applies pressure by means of a finger, the volume of the pumping means is reduced to a second volume (see lower drawing of FIG. 8) such that ink is delivered by the actuation of the finger. When the volume of the pumping chamber 12 is reduced, ink or colorant flows over the check valve 8 to the fluid channel 15 which is connected to the mixing chamber 10. When the finger is removed, check valve 8 closes and blocks reverse flow into the chamber 12.

[0057] In all embodiments of the present disclosure, the mixing chamber 10 may have a variable volume. With that, the amount of an ink/colorant mixture can be selected for a particular writing actuation (large volume in case of a longer writing actuation; small volume, if the writing instrument should be more responsive to a desired quicker change of color).

[0058] The fluid channels between the reservoirs and the at least one pumping means and the fluid channels between the pumping means and the mixing chamber preferable have a cross-section ranging from 0.01 to 0.25 μm.sup.2, in particular from 0.05 to 0.2 μm.sup.2.

[0059] The writing instrument may comprise two, three or four reservoirs, each storing a colorant or ink of a different color. More specifically, the reservoirs separately store colorants or inks of the colors red, green, blue and/or black, respectively, or wherein the reservoirs separately store colorants or inks of the colors yellow, red, blue and/or black, respectively.

[0060] Although the present disclosure has been described above and is defined in the attached claims, it should be understood that the disclosure may alternatively be defined in accordance with the following embodiments: [0061] 1. A writing instrument, in particular a pen, comprising at least two reservoirs for storing colorants or inks of at least two different colors, characterized by at least one pumping means which is designed to be actuated by at least one finger of a user. [0062] 2. A writing instrument according to embodiment 1, wherein the at least one pumping means is designed to provide a pumping actuation by using a force or pressure exerted by the at least one finger. [0063] 3. A writing instrument according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein each pumping means comprises a pumping chamber having a volume which can be reduced by using a force or pressure exerted by the at least one finger. [0064] 4. A writing instrument according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein each pumping means comprises a flexible membrane or element which can be pressed into the pumping chamber by a force or pressure exerted by the at least one finger. [0065] 5. A writing instrument according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein each flexible membrane or element changes its shape from a first shape to a second shape when a force or pressure is exerted by the at least one finger, thereby reducing the volume of the pumping chamber. [0066] 6. A writing instrument according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the flexible membrane is designed to adopt its first shape after the force or pressure exerted by the at least one finger has been removed, thereby increasing or restoring the volume of the pumping chamber, in particular to its original volume prior to the actuation by at least one finger of a user. [0067] 7. A writing instrument according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein each pumping means comprises at least one valve, more specifically two self-actuated check valves. [0068] 8. A writing instrument according to one of the preceding embodiments, comprising a mixing chamber which is designed to mix the different colors provided by the at least two pumping means. [0069] 9. A writing instrument according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein each pumping means comprises a first valve, in particular a self-actuated first check valve, which is arranged between the pumping chamber of the pumping means and the mixing chamber. [0070] 10. A writing instrument according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein each pumping means comprises a second valve, in particular a second self-actuated check valve, which is arranged between the reservoir which is in fluid connection with the pumping means, and the pumping chamber of the pumping means. [0071] 11. A writing instrument according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein each pumping means is assigned to a single reservoir for providing a single colorant or ink stored in that reservoir. [0072] 12. A writing instrument according to one of the preceding embodiments, comprising a tip for applying a respective colorant or ink, or a mixture of colorants or inks onto a writing surface. [0073] 13. A writing instrument according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the tip is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber. [0074] 14. A writing instrument according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein each reservoir is in fluid communication with multiple pumping means. [0075] 15. A writing instrument according to one of the preceding embodiments, comprising buttons or finger actuation areas, wherein at least part of these buttons or finger actuation areas are designed to actuate two or more pumping means by the force or pressure applied by a single finger. [0076] 16. A writing instrument according to one of the preceding embodiments, comprising a color indicator which indicates to a user which button or finger actuation area or which buttons or finger actuation areas need to be actuated for selecting a specific color or mixture of colors. [0077] 17. A writing instrument, in particular a pen, comprising at least two reservoirs for storing colorants or inks of at least two different colors, characterized by at least one pumping means which is designed to increase the pressure in the reservoirs. [0078] 18. A writing instrument according to embodiment 17, wherein each reservoir comprises at least one valve means arranged between the respective reservoir and a mixing chamber. [0079] 19. A writing instrument according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein each valve means can be opened by using a force or pressure exerted by at least one finger. [0080] 20. A writing instrument according to one of the preceding embodiments, comprising a color selecting means which is designed to partially or fully open one or more valves. [0081] 21. A writing instrument according to one of the preceding embodiments, comprising an indicator means for indicating the position of the selecting means for selecting a specific color or mixture of colors, respectively. [0082] 22. A writing instrument according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the mixing chamber has a variable volume which can be varied by a user. [0083] 23. A writing instrument according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the fluid channels between the reservoirs and the at least one pumping means and the fluid channels between the pumping means and the mixing chamber have a cross-section ranging from 0.01 to 0.25 μm.sup.2, in particular from 0.05 to 0.2 μm.sup.2. [0084] 24. A writing instrument according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the writing instrument comprises two, three or four reservoirs, each storing a colorant or ink of a different color. [0085] 25. A writing instrument according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the reservoirs separately store colorants or inks of the colors red, green, blue and/or black, respectively, or wherein the reservoirs separately store colorants or inks of the colors yellow, red, blue and/or black, respectively. [0086] 26. A writing instrument according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the writing instrument does not comprise a micro-computer or a micro-chip for actuating and/or controlling the operation of the pumping means. [0087] 27. A writing instrument according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the writing instrument does not comprise a battery for such a micro-computer or a micro-chip.