GB2181390A - Hand held markers - Google Patents

Abstract

A marker comprises a handle 12 having a cup 18 at one end and an ink soaked foam marking tablet 23 in the cup with its marking face proud of the rim of the cup. The tablet has a rear face of concave form for retention in the cup by suction, and a tapering annular clearance between the tablet and cup sidewalls is provided. The marking face of the tablet may bear indicia. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Marking device The present invention relates to marking instruments and more particularly to such instruments as are known as dabbers.

Background of the Invention Until quite recently the apparatus which was used to make a mark on a substrate comprised a stamp of resilient material which was provided on its marking surface onto an absorbent pad which held ink, and from the marking surface the ink was transferred to the surface to be marked by pressing engagement therewith.

This procedure is quite satisfactory if the stamp and its pad do not require to be moved from one location to another. If it does, then there are problems with keeping the ink from the pad and the marker from leaking or marking the bag or box in which they are transported. The mess from markers and their pads is notorious.

Markers which were essentially broad wicks were a subsequent development and proved useful in many, but not all, of the stamp applications. These markers took the form of a reservoir for holding a coloured fluid and a wick. This wick, when pressed against a substrate to be marked, drew the coloured liquid up the wick and deposited it on the surface to be marked.

These markers have proved useful in their principal applications. However, in certain applications neither of these prior structures is wholly suitable. In certain situations it is important that the marking instruments be capable of accurate repetitive use and in still others the important criteria is control of the ink flow so that any information on the underlying substrate is not destroyed.

Summary of the Present Invention In accordance with the present invention a marking instrument is provided which is economical to manufacture and may be used with facility. The structure of the marking instrument is a handle at one end of which there is an open-ended chamber. In the chamber a compressible open-celled foam tablet, saturated with a marking fluid, is seated. The movement of the tablet under compression is restrained within the chamber by the form of the chamber, and the tablet such that there is a suctional force restraining the tablet.

Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the several components which constitute a marking device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a vertical elevation through the cup of a marking instrument in accordance with the present invention with a protective cap thereon and serves to illustrate the relationship of the various components at rest; Figure 3 is a further vertical elevation through the cup of a marking instrument in accordance with the present invention in a compressed condition against a substrate; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of a marking instrument, a protective cap and marked substrate.

Description of the Invention The drawings exemplify a preferred embodiment of the invention. As illustrated, the marking instrument is indicated generally at 10 and comprises a handle 12 with a cup 14 mounted on one end. For convenience and to facilitate storage and carriage the marker is provided with a cap which frictionally mounted over cup 14 and may be removed when the marker is intended to be used.

Cup 14 comprises a bottom wall 16 and a peripheral side wall 18 extending upwards from the bottom wall 16 to define a chamber 19. The upper edge of wall 18 is indicated at 17. The inner surface of side wall 18 slopes inwardly from bottom wall 16 to its top. In actual practice the angle of this slope is 2".

Since the handle and cap are of polypropylene which has a memory, and since the handle and cap are pulled from their mould while stillhot, the provision of the small angle permits the handle and cap to be pulled and still substantially retain the original moulded form.

It will also be noted that on the bottom wall 16 of chamber 19 there is a central platform 21 surrounded by a peripheral channel 22.

Within chamber 19 a tablet 23 is seated.

Tablet 23 as illustrated in the drawings is made of an open cell PVC foam, and is prior to use saturated with an ink. Tablet 23 has a slightly concave bottom wall 24 and a peripheral flange 25 which serves to orient and seat the tablet within the chamber 16. Inward of flange 25 the sidewall of the tablet rises vertically for a short distance as at 26. The side wall then rises at an angle as at 27 and vertically upward as at 28 to meet the upper surface of the tablet 29 which extends above the upper edge 17 of wall 16.

It will be apparent that the form of the tablet is such that apart from engagement between flange 25 and side wall 18 at the bottom, there is provided a peripheral channel between the tablet 23 and side wall 18. This channel it is believed helps to control and limit the flow of ink.

The peripheral flange 25 engages the sidewall 18.

It is also to be noted-that the combination of the concave surface 24 and the central platform 21, and the channel 22 creates, together with the fluid, a vacuum under the tablet.

It is believed that it is the combined effect of the sidewall engagement and the suctions effect between the tablet and the chamber maintaining the tablet 23 in position under the compression and expansion of the tablet as it marks a substrate.

The marking surface of the tablet may be provided with a particular impression or pattern as at 50 which will be transferrred to the substrate when submitted to pressure.

In tests it has been found that marking instruments manufactured in accordance with the present invention have been subjected to tests of at least 10,000 cycles and still operate satisfactorily. Similar tests with other markers reached less than 2,000 cycles.

There has been no flooding as with other markers and the impressions made have been clear and do not obscure any printing or underlying information.

The present marker does not employ any fasteners or adhesives to secure the tablet 23 in the cup 14.

No acceptable adhesive means of securing the tablet has been successful because of the ink, and the present structure by obviating fasteners and adhesives has provided an economic, satisfactory solution to securing the tablet within the cup.

It will, of course, be understood that the embodiment described has been described by way of example, and other equivalent structures will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims (8)

1. A marking instrument comprising a handle; a cup having an open end on said handle; and an open-celled tablet seated in said cup, said tablet carrying ink therein and an upper surface extending beyond said cup whereby upon compression of said tablet against a substrate ink is transferred thereto.

2. A marking instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tablet and said cup have opposed sidewalls; said tablet having a first lower portion engageable with said cup sidewall and a second upper portion spaced apart from said sidewall to define a channel therebetween.

3. A marking instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tablet has a lower concave surface and said cup has a bottom wall with a peripheral channel.

4. A marking instrument as claimed in claim 2 wherein said tablet has a lower concave surface and said cup has a bottom wall with a peripheral channel.

5. A marking instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cup has an inner wall inclined inwardly from the bottom wall thereof.

6. A marking instrument as claimed in claim 2 wherein said cup has an inner wall inclined inwardly from the bottom wall thereof.

7. A marking instrument as claimed in claim 3 wherein said cup has an inner wall inclined inwardly from the bottom wall thereof.

8. A marking instrument as claimed in claim 3 wherein said cup has an innner wall inclined inwardly from the bottom wall thereof.