Patent ID: 7341388
Filing Date: 2008-03-11
Classification: B43K

Abstract:
1. A writing instrument comprising: a barrel having a front opening; a nib having a dimension and movable through the front opening of the barrel between a retracted position and an extended position; a seal assembly located within the barrel and including a body member having a movable gate capable of forming an opening through which the nib may extend, the movable gate defining a front seal for separating the nib from ambient air flow from the front opening of the barrel when the nib is in the retracted position, the seal assembly further including a rear seal, a tip of the nib positioned within the body member between the front seal and the rear seal when the nib is in the retracted position, wherein the nib while moving to the extended position breaks the front seal; the rear seal being broken prior to the nib breaking the front seal to form a vent between the cartridge and the body member; and wherein the movable gate is biased in a closed position and has a dimension when in the closed position that is at least about 1.1 times greater than the dimension of the nib.