Multi-cartridge pen

Abstract

A ballpoint pen is disclosed which includes a pen body with multiple cartridges, including a deployed cartridge and at least one spare. The pen features a tip with an aperture for the deployed cartridge's ballpoint and a barrel extending from the tip. An end plug secures to the barrel's extremity. This end plug comprises a base, a wall, and a unique off-centered receiving member that holds the non-tip end of the deployed cartridge. Furthermore, the end plug defines a cavity designed to receive and store the extremity of the at least one spare cartridge within the pen body. This configuration allows for the convenient storage of spare cartridges within the pen itself.

Description

MULTI-CARTRIDGE PENTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to ballpoint pens and more particularly to a ballpoint stick (i.e., cap-based) pen that can house multiple spare ink cartridges therewithin while ensuring that the thickness of said pen is not affected.BACKGROUND

[0002] Standard stick (or cap-based) pens, commonly crafted from plastic and featuring slim, replaceable ink cartridges (often called refills), are available at prices as low as 7 cents. Due to the low cost and inconvenience associated with cartridge replacement, these pens are frequently discarded once the ink is depleted, resulting in substantial plastic waste and environmental impact.SUMMARY

[0003] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a ballpoint pen, wherein the pen body houses multiple cartridges therewithin without adding substantial thickness to the pen body. The multiple cartridges comprise a deployed cartridge that is currently in use and at least one spare cartridge. This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Further embodiments are apparent from the dependent claims and the description.

[0004] According to a first aspect, a ballpoint pen is provided. The pen comprises a pen body which in turn comprises multiple cartridges, including a deployed cartridge and at least one spare cartridge. The pen body includes a pen tip with a tip aperture for receiving the ballpoint tip of the deployed cartridge. A barrel extends from the pen tip, and an end plug is adapted to be secured to an extremity of the barrel. The end plug comprises a base having inner and outer surfaces and a wall extending from the base. The end plug features a receiving member for receiving the non-tip end of the deployed cartridge, positioning it between the receiving member and the tip aperture. Crucially, this receiving member and the non-tip endare off-centered. The end plug also defines a cavity therewithin for receiving an extremity of the at least one spare cartridge for storage within the pen body.

[0005] Preferably, the barrel and the end plug are adapted to be threadably engaged with one another.

[0006] Preferably, the receiving member comprises a receptacle designed to snugly or freely receive the non-tip end of the deployed cartridge. In one embodiment, this receptacle is disposed within a block, and the cavity is disposed between the block and the interior wall of the end plug.

[0007] Optionally, the receptacle is disposed within a cylindrical sheath, with the cavity for the at least one spare cartridge being disposed between the sheath and the interior wall of the end plug. In a further embodiment, the longitudinal outer surface of this sheath may abut the interior surface of the wall, or the sheath may be integrally formed with the interior surface of the wall.

[0008] Optionally, the tip aperture is also offset from the longitudinal axis of the pen body to maximize the internal storage capacity. Preferably, the offset of the tip aperture is toward the offset of the receiving member. While the offset points of the tip aperture and the receiving member may not be linearly aligned, they are preferably radially aligned with respect to the longitudinal axis of the pen body.

[0009] Optionally, the pen further comprises a cartridge straightening member. This member extends from the inner surface of the end plug, contacting the deployed cartridge to straighten the portion of the cartridge that extends towards the ballpoint tip.

[0010] Optionally, the tube of each cartridge may comprise at least one thorough tube air aperture, with the axis of each tube air aperture being either perpendicular or oblique to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge.

[0011] Optionally, for the embodiment wherein the receiving member comprises a receptacle, the end plug itself may further comprise a plug air aperture. This aperture extends as a channel from the closed end of the receptacle, through the base of the plug, to its outer surface, thereby providing a fluid communication path for air directly into the receptacle.

[0012] Optionally, and according to a second aspect of the disclosure, an ink cartridge specifically adapted for a ballpoint pen is provided. The cartridge comprises a tube containing ink and a ballpoint tip at a distal end. A key feature of this cartridge is at least one thorough tube air aperture disposed on the wall of the tube. The axis of this aperture is oriented either perpendicularly or obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge. This configuration is designed to ensure consistent ink flow by allowing air to enter the tube, particularly when the proximal, non-tip end of the cartridge is engaged or sealed within a pen body.

[0013] These and other aspects of the present disclosure will be apparent from the implementation(s) described below.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0014] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] FIG. 1 is, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a view of the ballpoint pen.

[0016] FIG. 2 is, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an exploded view of the ballpoint pen.

[0017] FIG. 3 is, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a view of the cartridge.

[0018] FIG. 4 is, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a sectional view of the pen body.

[0019] FIG. 5 is, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a partial view of the cartridge with a tube air aperture.

[0020] FIG. 6 is, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an exploded view of the pen body.

[0021] FIG. 7 is, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a perspective view of the end plug.

[0022] FIG. 8 is, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a top view of the end plug with a semicircular base.

[0023] FIG. 9 is, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a sectional perspective view of the end plug.

[0024] FIG. 10 is, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a top view of the end plug with a sectoral base.

[0025] FIG. 11 is, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a front sectional view of the end plug featuring a sheath.

[0026] FIGs. 12 & 13 are, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, plan views of the end plug featuring sheaths that abut and integral with the inner cylindrical surface of the end plug respectively.

[0027] FIG. 14 is, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a front sectional view of the end plug featuring a projection or a pointed member.

[0028] FIG. 15 is, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a view of the straightening member in contact with the deployed cartridge.

[0029] FIGs. 16 & 17 are, according to an offset aperture embodiment of the present disclosure, front and plan views of the offset points of the receiving member and the tip aperture centre relative to the longitudinal axis of the pen body.

[0030] FIG. 18 is, according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, a front sectional view of the end plug featuring the plug air aperture extending therethrough.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Embodiments of the present disclosure are explained in detail below with reference to the various figures. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide an understanding of the embodiments and examples.

[0032] However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize several equivalent variations of the various features provided in the description. Furthermore, the embodiments and examples may be used together in various combinations.

[0033] Referring to FIGs. 1 through 3, the present disclosure introduces a non- retractable ballpoint pen 10 (also, commonly referred to as a “stick pen” or a “capbased pen) comprising a hollow, elongated pen body 12 and a pen cap 13 that is removably fitted to one end of the pen body 12 so as to cover the tip thereof. Thepen body 12 houses multiple, slender, flexible, cylindrical ink cartridges (or refills) 14 within itself. The pen body 12 is dimensionally configured such that, there is no wobble of the cartridges 14 within the pen body 12 as the pen 10 is being used or carried by the user. The pen body 12 is made of suitable materials such as, plastic, metal, ceramic, etc., or may be a combination of at least two thereof. Preferably, the pen body 12 is made of materials that do not expand, contract, or deform when exposed to ambient temperatures.

[0034] The interior and exterior of the pen body are preferred to be mostly cylindrical in shape. Alternatively, the cross-section of the interior and / or the exterior of the hollow pen body could be of any shape known in the art such as, triangular, rectangular, etc. In some embodiments, the interior and / or exterior of the pen body could be of non-uniform cross-sections such as, for instance, the gripping portion of the pen body could be cylindrical, while the rest of it externally could be of triangular cross-section. In some embodiments, the external cross-section of the pen body could be different from the internal cross-section of the pen body. For instance, the pen body could have a triangular external cross-section, while the interior cross-section could be of circular shape. Henceforth, for ease of understanding, the pen body is illustrated to be cylindrical and transparent as shown in the drawings.

[0035] Referring to FIGs. 2, 4, and 5, the cartridges 14 comprise a deployed (i.e., currently in use) cartridge 14D and one or more spare cartridge 14S. The one or more spare cartridges 14S comprise up to two and preferably one spare cartridge 14S. For brevity, the one or more spare cartridges 14S will hereinafter be referred to as “the spare cartridge 14S ” In one embodiment, shorter cartridges 14 are employed so as keep the length of the pen 10 pocketable. In one embodiment, thinner cartridges 14 (2.5 to 3 mm) are employed so as keep the thickness of the pen 10 (0.8 to 1 cm) to be comfortably grippable by the user. The interior of the pen body 12 is dimensionally configured to achieve a snug fit for both the deployed 14D and spare cartridge 14S that are assembled therewithin. As can be appreciated from FIG. 5, in one embodiment, at least one thorough, tube air aperture 17 is disposed on the tube of each cartridge 14. The axis of the tube air aperture 17 couldeither perpendicular or inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge 14. Furthermore, the inclination could be upward or downward. The tube air aperture 17 ensures the ink flow from the ballpoint tip 15 in the event of the open, non-tip end of the cartridge 14 being blocked.

[0036] Referring to FIGs. 2 through 4, and 6, the pen body 12 comprises a pen tip 16, a barrel 18 and a cylindrical end plug 20. The pen tip 16, which is closer to the user’s grip, comprises a tip aperture through which the ballpoint tip 15 of the deployed cartridge 14 is received and projected. The pen tip 16 could be of conical shape, pyramidal shape, or any suitable tapering (or non-tapering) shape known in the art. The barrel 18 integrally extends from the pen tip 16 and terminates in a threaded extremity. In one embodiment, the pen tip 16 and the barrel 18 are detachable from one another. The end plug 20 also comprises a threaded extremity, which is adapted to be threadably coupled to the threaded extremity of the barrel 18. In a preferred embodiment, the threading between the barrel 18 and the end plug 20 is configured to require only one or two rotations for securement. This minimal twisting action is advantageous as it prevents imparting undue torsional stress on the off-centered cartridges 14 housed within the pen body 12. In one embodiment, the length of the end plug 20 may be longer than traditional shorter end plugs known in the art. In another embodiment, the end plug 20 may be integrally, irremovably fused with the barrel 20. In this embodiment, the barrel 18 is divided into two components viz., a top and a bottom barrel section, which are adapted to be preferably threadably secured to one another.

[0037] Referring to FIGs. 3 through 5, and7 through 9, the end plug 20 comprises a circular base 22 disposed at the closed end and a cylindrical wall 24 extending integrally perpendicularly from the perimeter of the base 22. The outer surface of the base 22 is preferably flat. Notably, the base 22 is one with the top of the end plug. The inner surface of the base 22 comprises a receiving member for receiving the non-tip end of the deployed cartridge 14D within the end plug 20. The receiving member, as seen in FIG. 9, comprises a receptacle 28 disposed within a block 26 wherein, said receptacle 28 is adaped to snugly (with a bit of friction) or freely receive the non-tip end of the deployed cartridge 14D therewithin. In the event ofthe non-tip end of the deployed cartridge 14D being snugly received within the receptacle 28 resulting in the said non-tip end being blocked or even sealed, the tube air aperture 17 of the deployed cartridge 14D help keeps the ink flowing through the ballpoint tip 15, keeps the ink from leaking, and / or the like. Notably, the receiving member, i.e., the receptacle 28 is offset from the centre of the base 22 so as to maximize the internal space within the pen body 12 in order to accommodate multiple cartridges 14 without substantially increasing or even increasing the thickness of the pen body 12 at all.

[0038] As can be appreciated from FIGs. 4 & 9, the closed end of the receptacle 28 is disposed above the inner surface of the base 22. This difference is what causes the deployed cartridge 14D to extend between the tip aperture and the receptacle 28 and the spare cartridge 14S to be snugly stored within the pen body 12. The block 26 can be of semicircular shape, sectoral shape (ref. FIG. 10), or any suitable shape known in the art. Notably, the angle of the sector is adapted to achieve a snug fit between cartridges 14 and the pen body 12 so as to prevent any wobble therebetween.

[0039] Referring to FIGs. 8 through 10, the rest of the interior surface of the base 22 disposed between the block 26 and the wall 24 serves as a cavity 30 for receiving the extremities of the spare cartridge 14S. In one embodiment (not shown), the cavity 30 comprises snug holes or sheaths, each of which for snugly receiving (with a bit of friction) the non-tip end of the spare cartridge 14S to prevent wobble thereof within the pen body 12 as the pen 10 is being used by auser. In another embodiment, the cavity 30 is compartmentalized so as to prevent wobble of the spare cartridge 14S within the pen body 12 as the pen 10 is being used by a user.

[0040] Referring back to FIG. 4, as the pen body 12 and the deployed cartridge 14D are assembled, as mentioned earlier, the ballpoint tip 15 of the deployed cartridge 14D is received within and extends through the tip aperture, while the non-tip end thereof is, again, as mentioned earlier, received within the receptacle 28. The spare cartridge 14S is snugly disposed between the cavity 30 and closer to the other end of the barrel 22 or the pen tip 16. Once the ink within the deployed cartridge 14Dis exhausted, the end plug 20 is unsealed and the empty deployed cartridge 14D is replaced with the spare cartridge 14S.

[0041] Referring to FIGs. 3, 5, and 11, in another embodiment, the receiving member comprises a sheath 32 with a receptacle is employed, which is offset from the centre. The non-tip end of the deployed cartridge 14D is snugly or freely received within the receptacle, while the non-tip end of the spare cartridge 14S is received within the cavity 30, i.e., the space between the sheath 32 and the cylindrical wall 24. In the event of the non-tip end of the deployed cartridge 14D being snugly received within the sheath 32 resulting in the said non-tip end being blocked or even sealed, the tube air aperture 17 of the deployed cartridge 14D help keeps the ink flowing through the ballpoint tip 15, keeps the ink from leaking, and / or the like.

[0042] Referring now to FIGs. 5 & 18, in an alternative embodiment, the function of the tube air aperture 17 is incorporated into the end plug 20 itself. A plug air aperture 40 is formed through the end plug 20, extending from the closed end of the receptacle 28 to the outer surface of the base 22. This channel provides a fluid communication path for air to enter the non-tip end of a standard cartridge 14 when said cartridge 14 is snugly received within the receptacle 28. This embodiment allows the pen body 12 to function with standard, unmodified ink cartridges.

[0043] In one embodiment, as seen in FIG. 12, the sheath 32 abuts the inner wall of the end plug 20 so as to maximize the cavity 30 space. In another embodiment, as seen in FIG. 13, the sheath 32 is partially formed by the inner wall of the end plug 20 whereby maximizing the cavity 30 space to the fullest possible extent. In one embodiment, the length of the sheath 32 extends beyond the length of the end plug. For instance, the sheath 32 may extend till, say, the middle of the barrel 18. In another instance, the sheath 32 may extend beyond the middle of the barrel 18.

[0044] In yet another embodiment as seen in FIG. 14, the receiving member comprises a pointed member 34 with a pointy tip is employed, wherein said pointed member 34 is, similar to the receptacle 28 or the sheath 32, offset from the centre of the circular base 22. The pointed member supported 34 by a pedestal 35, which either integrally or non-integrally extends from the base 22. The pointed tip is tighlyor snugly received within the non -tip end of the deployed cartridge 14D as said deployed cartridge 14D is snugly assembled into the pen body 12. In this event where the open end of the deployed cartridge being blocked by the pointed member 34, the tube air aperture 17 (FIG. 5) of the deployed cartridge 14D help keeps the ink flowing through the ballpoint tip 15, keeps the ink from leaking, and / or the like. The extremities of the spare cartridge 14S is received within the cavity 30 and the wall 24. Notably, from here on out, each of the terms “receptacle 28,” “sheath 32,” and “pointed member 34” represents an embodiment of the “receiving member.”

[0045] Referring to FIG. 15, in an aesthetic embodiment, a cartridge straightening member 36, which is a projection, extends perpendicularly from the inner cylindrical surface of the end plug 20. In the event of the length of the end plug 20 being shorter, the straightening member 36 extends from the inner cylindrical surface of the barrel 18. The straightening member 36 contacts the deployed cartridge 14D whereby, it causes the flexible cartridge 14D to straighten beyond said contact point whereby, the deployed cartridge 14D appears to be more or less aligned with the longitudinal axis of the pen body 12 instead of being slanted or curved. In one embodiment, the surface or the edge surface of the straightening member 36 that abuts the deployed cartridge 14D is concave.

[0046] Referring to FIGs. 16 & 17, in an offset aperture embodiment, the centre of the tip aperture 58 is slightly offset from the longitudinal axis 60 of the pen body 12 so as to maximize the internal space within the pen body 12 thereby enabling the housing of multiple spare cartridges 14S therewithin. Preferably, the offset points of the tip aperture centre 58 and the receiving member 64 are not linearly vertically aligned with respect to the longitudinal axis 60. As can be appreciated from FIG. 17, the offset point of the tip aperture centre 58 is radially closer to the longitudinal axis 60 than that of the receiving member 64. In one embodiment, the offset of the tip aperture centre 58 is in the same radial direction as that of the offset of the receiving member whereby, the deployed cartridge represented by the vertical line 62 (extending between offset points of the receiving member and the tip aperture 64 and 58 respectively) is aligned with respect to a vertical plane 66. In one embodiment, the pen body 12 employs a combination the tip aperture offset and thesheath being integral with the interior surface of the end plug (as discussed in an earlier embodiment, ref. FIG. 12) so as to either maximize the space within said pen body 12 or to slim down the pen body (with multiple cartridges) to the fullest possible extent.

[0047] Embodiments and examples are described above, and those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications to the described embodiments and examples without departing from the scope of the embodiments and examples. For example, the end plug may be snap fitted to the barrel. In another example, the end plug may be hinged to the barrel whereby, the end plug is sealed to the barrel by means of a latch or a snap fit mechanism.

[0048] Although the processes illustrated and described herein include series of steps, it will be appreciated that the different embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited by the illustrated ordering of steps. Some steps may occur in different orders, some concurrently with other steps apart from that shown and described herein. In addition, not all illustrated steps may be required to implement a methodology in accordance with the present disclosure. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the processes may be implemented in association with the apparatus and systems illustrated and described herein as well as in association with other systems not illustrated.

Claims

1. CLAIMS:I claim:

1. A ballpoint pen comprising a pen body in turn comprising:(a) multiple cartridges disposed within said pen body, said multiple cartridges comprising a deployed cartridge and at least one spare cartridge;(b) a pen tip comprising a tip aperture for receiving the ballpoint tip of said deployed cartridge therethrough as said deployed cartridge is received therewithin;(c) a barrel extending from said pen tip; and(d) an end plug adapted to be secured to an extremity of said barrel, said end plug comprising:(i) a base comprising inner and outer base surfaces;(ii) a wall extending from said base;(iii) a receiving member for receiving the non-tip end of said deployed cartridge as said deployed cartridge is received within said pen body whereby said deployed cartridge extends between said receiving member and said tip aperture, said receiving member, and by extension, said non-tip end, being off-centered; and(iv) a cavity defined therewithin for receiving one extremity of said at least one spare cartridge therewithin as said at least one spare cartridge is stored within said pen body.

2. The ballpoint pen as claimed in claim 1, wherein said barrel and said end plug are adapted to be threadably engaged to one another.

3. The ballpoint pen as claimed in claim 1, wherein said receiving member comprises a receptacle for snugly or freely receiving said non-tip end therewithin.

4. The ballpoint pen as claimed in claim 3, wherein said receptacle is disposed within a block; said cavity disposed between said block and the interior of said wall.

5. The ballpoint pen as claimed in claim 3, wherein said receptacle is disposed within a cylindrical sheath; said cavity disposed between said sheath and the interior of said wall.

6. The ballpoint pen as claimed in claim 5, wherein the longitudinal outer surface of said sheath abuts the interior surface of said wall.

7. The ballpoint pen as claimed in claim 5, wherein said sheath is integrally formed with the interior surface of said wall whereby, said receptacle is formed between the interior surfaces of said sheath and said wall.

8. The ballpoint pen as claimed in claim 3, wherein said end plug further comprises a plug air aperture extending from a closed end of said receptacle to the outer surface of said base, said plug air aperture providing a fluid communication path for air into said receptacle.

9. The ballpoint pen as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tip aperture is offset from the longitudinal axis of said pen body so as to maximize internal capacity of said pen body; the offset of said tip aperture is toward the offset of said receiving member.

10. The ballpoint pen as claimed in claim 9, wherein the offset points of said tip aperture and said receiving member are not linearly aligned with respect to the longitudinal axis of said pen body.

11. The ballpoint pen as claimed in claim 9, wherein the offset points of said tip aperture and said receiving member are radially aligned with respect to the longitudinal axis of said pen body.

12. The ballpoint pen as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a cartridge straightening member extending from the inner surface of said end plug such that, the edge or the edge surface of said straightening member contacts said deployed cartridge resulting in the portion of said deployed cartridge being straightened beyond said contact point towards the corresponding ballpoint tip.

13. The ballpoint pen as claimed in of claim 1, wherein the tube each cartridge comprises at least one thorough, tube air aperture; the axis of each of said at least one tube air aperture is either perpendicular or oblique to the longitudinal axis of the corresponding cartridge.

14. An ink cartridge for a ballpoint pen, said cartridge comprising a tube and a ballpoint tip, wherein the tube comprises at least one through, tube air aperture; the axis of each of said at least one tube air aperture is either perpendicular or oblique to the longitudinal axis of the corresponding cartridge.Dated: 16thJune 2024

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