Abstract:
A marking system is provided that includes a marking device having a volume of marking fluid stored therein. The marking device further includes: a head assembly that includes: a housing having a base with at least one aperture passing therethough, a frame mounted within the housing, wherein the frame further includes at least one biasing member that acts against the housing to allow a portion of the frame to extend from the housing or to be compressed into the housing, and a flexible, porous applicator mounted within the frame; and a flexible reservoir that is adapted to be attached to the head assembly. The at least one aperture in the base provides fluid communication between the applicator and the volume of marking fluid.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The described invention relates in general to a system for creating marks on surfaces, and more specifically to a stamping device and for making creative, colorful marks on paper or other surfaces. 
         [0002]    Marking devices that are used for the purpose of stamping unique, creative, or artistic patterns on various surfaces are not unknown in the prior art. However, many of these devices are simply rubber or plastic stamps that must be dipped in an external reservoir of paint, ink, or even wax before they can be used to create the desired mark. Such devices are often only partially effective in that they create sloppy, uneven, or inconsistent marks, and the use thereof may result in paint or ink being transferred to surfaces other that the intended surface. Furthermore, prior art stamping devices dry out quickly and many require re-inking before each use, making them less than convenient in most cases. Thus, there is an ongoing need for a cleaner, neater marking device that may be used to stamp unique patterns on surfaces in a consistent, reproducible, and satisfactory manner. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The following provides a summary of exemplary embodiments of an inventive system for making colorful marks on surfaces. This summary is not an extensive overview and is not intended to identify key or critical aspects or elements of the present invention or to delineate its scope. 
         [0004]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a stamping/marking system is provided. This marking system includes: a marking device and a volume of marking fluid stored within the marking device. The marking device further includes: (a) a head assembly, wherein the head assembly further includes: (i) a housing, wherein the housing further includes a base, and wherein the base further includes at least one aperture passing therethough; (ii) a frame, wherein the frame is mounted within the housing, wherein the frame further includes at least one biasing member, and wherein the at least one biasing member acts against the housing to allow a portion of the frame to extend from the housing when the marking device is not in use and to allow the extended portion to be compressed into the housing when the marking device is in use; and (iii) a flexible, porous applicator, wherein the applicator is mounted within the frame, wherein a portion of the applicator extends beyond the front, i.e., forward, edge of the frame, and wherein a portion of the applicator extends into the housing and makes contact with the base; and (b) a flexible reservoir, wherein the reservoir is adapted to be attached to the head assembly. The volume of marking fluid is stored within the reservoir, and the at least one aperture in the base provides fluid communication between the applicator and the volume of marking fluid. 
         [0005]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a stamping/marking device is provided. This marking device includes: a head assembly and a flexible reservoir for holding marking fluid. The head assembly further includes: (a) a housing, wherein the housing further includes a cap and a base, and wherein the base further includes at least one channel passing therethough; (b) a frame, wherein the frame is mounted within the housing, wherein the frame further comprises at least one biasing member, and wherein the at least one biasing member acts against the base to allow a portion of the frame to extend from the housing through the cap when the marking device is not in use and to allow the extended portion to be compressed into the housing when the marking device is in use; and (c) a flexible, porous applicator in fluid communication with the at least one channel, wherein the applicator is mounted within the frame, wherein a portion of the applicator extends beyond the front, i.e., forward, edge of the frame, and wherein a portion of the applicator extends into the housing and makes contact with the base. The flexible reservoir is adapted to be attached to the head assembly, and the at least one channel in the base allows marking fluid in the reservoir to pass through the base and into the applicator. 
         [0006]    In yet another aspect of this invention, a method for producing a stamped mark is provided. This method includes providing a marking device that includes: (a) a head assembly, wherein the head assembly further includes: (i) a housing, wherein the housing further includes a base, and wherein the base further includes at least one channel passing therethough; (ii) a frame, wherein the frame is mounted within the housing, wherein the frame further includes at least one biasing member, and wherein the at least one biasing member acts against the housing to allow a portion of the frame to extend from the housing when the marking device is not in use and to allow the extended portion to be compressed into the housing when the marking device is in use; and (iii) a flexible, porous applicator, wherein the applicator is mounted within the frame, wherein a portion of the applicator extends beyond the front, i.e., forward-most, edge of the frame, and wherein a portion of the applicator extends into the housing and makes contact with a portion thereof; and (b) a flexible reservoir, wherein the reservoir is adapted to be attached to the head assembly, and wherein the at least one channel in the base provides fluid communication between the reservoir and the applicator. A volume of marking fluid is stored within the reservoir. The method further includes applying pressure to the sides of the flexible reservoir, wherein applying such pressure causes the marking fluid to move from the reservoir, though the base, and into the applicator; and contacting the applicator to a surface and applying force sufficient to compress the frame into the housing, wherein compressing the frame into the housing also compresses the applicator and dispenses marking fluid onto the surface. 
         [0007]    Additional features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, further embodiments of the invention are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and associated descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive in nature. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, schematically illustrate one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description given above and detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention, and wherein: 
           [0009]      FIGS. 1A-B  are exploded and assembled perspective views, respectively, of a marking device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2A  is an assembled, side view of a marking device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view of the marking device of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3A  is an assembled, side view of the head assembly of a marking device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of the head assembly of  FIG. 3A . 
           [0014]      FIGS. 4A-D  are exploded, perspective views of certain components of a marking device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illustrating alternate geometric configurations for these components. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5A-D  are top views of the frame component of a marking device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating, alternate geometric configurations for this component. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of the frame component of a marking device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing the placement of the biasing legs on the bottom portion of the frame component. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are now described with reference to the Figures. Reference numerals are used throughout the detailed description to refer to the various elements and structures. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form for purposes of simplifying the description. Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed invention. 
         [0018]    The present invention relates to a stamping or marking system and device having a marking head assembly and a reservoir integrated therewith. A first general embodiment of this invention provides a marking system which includes a marking device and a volume of marking fluid stored within the marking device. A second general embodiment of this invention provides a marking device which includes a head assembly and a flexible reservoir for holding marking fluid. A third general embodiment of this invention provides a method for producing a stamped mark which includes providing a marking device having an applicator and a flexible reservoir filled with colored paint or ink, compressing the reservoir to deliver the paint or ink to the applicator, and firmly contacting the applicator to a surface to create, i.e., stamp, a mark thereon. With reference now to the Figures, one or more specific embodiments of this invention shall be described in greater detail. 
         [0019]      FIGS. 1-6  provide various illustrative views of certain exemplary embodiments of this invention. The exemplary embodiment of marking device  10  shown in  FIGS. 1A-B ,  2 A-B, and  3 A-B includes a generally cylindrical reservoir  12  and a head assembly  18 , to which reservoir  12  is attached. Reservoir  12  is typically manufactured from a flexible material, such as a relatively thin molded plastic, and includes a narrowed, threaded neck  16 , which is inserted into head assembly  18  when marking device  10  is fully assembled. The materials disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,172,360, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein, are compatible with reservoir  12  of the present invention. As best shown in  FIGS. 1A-B , reservoir  12  also includes an elongated body  14  that tapers to a point at one end. Various surface features, such as ridges, indentations, or textures may be included at various points along the length of body  14 . Reservoir  12  may be clear, opaque, or may be any of a variety of different colors. 
         [0020]    With reference to  FIGS. 2A-B  and  3 A-B, head assembly  18  includes a housing  19 , a flexible frame  40 , which is mounted within housing  19 , and an applicator  50 , which is mounted within housing  19 . Housing  19  is typically manufactured from rigid plastic and includes a first portion or top  20  and a bottom portion or base  30 , which is attached to top  20 , usually by adhesive, sonic welding, or other permanent or semi-permanent means. Top  20  is typically a domed-shaped structure that includes a rounded forward end or tip  22 , within which an aperture  24  has been formed. In the exemplary embodiments, aperture  24  includes a unique geometric pattern or shape, such as, for example, a flower, a half-moon, a heart, a star (see  FIGS. 4A-D ) or a butterfly (not shown). Numerous other shapes are possible for use with or incorporation into the present invention. An attachment means such as an indention, collar or ridge  26  is formed at the opposite end of top  20  for engaging a corresponding attachment means, i.e., groove  31 , on base  30 , thereby allowing the two components  20  and  30  to be assembled to form housing  19 . In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A , the top portion of base  30  further includes at least one protrusion  32  through which an aperture  34  extends. The opposite or bottom side of base  30  includes a stepped recessed inner surface  36 , a portion of which is adapted (e.g., tapped) to receive threaded neck  16 , which is formed at one end of reservoir  12 . A plastic cap  60  may be placed on housing  19  for storage purposes. A rear portion  62  of cap  60  engages housing  19  midway along the length thereof and snaps into place when light to moderate pressure is applied to cap  60 . 
         [0021]    With reference to  FIGS. 4A-D ,  5 A-D, and  6 , frame  40  includes an upper portion  42 , a lower portion  44 , and a plurality of biasing members or legs  46 , which extend downwardly from lower portion  44 . Frame  40  is typically manufactured from semi-rigid plastic or other suitable material. Upper portion  42  forms a generally collar-like retaining member which includes a unique geometric shape or pattern that matches that of aperture  24  (formed in top  20  of housing  19 ). Lower portion  44  includes a partial planar ring-like structure attached to or formed integrally with the base of upper portion  42  and individual biasing members  46  extend downward and angle away from lower portion  44 . As best shown in  FIGS. 4A-D  and  6 , biasing members  46 , which vary in number from embodiment to embodiment, are typically elongated, slightly curved, spring-like structures that provide resiliency to frame  40 . When axial pressure is applied to the top portion of frame  40 , biasing members  46  deform slightly and allow frame  40  to change its position, i.e., move inward as the force is applied. When the pressure is released, frame  40  quickly returns to its previous position. In other embodiments of this invention, biasing members  46  are replaced with a coiled spring or similar biasing devices. As shown in  FIGS. 2B and 3B , when marking device  10  is fully assembled, the lower portion of frame  40  is enclosed within housing  19 , and biasing members  46  contact the upper portion of base  30 , which provides a rigid surface against which the biasing members may act. Additionally, the upper portion and top edge of frame  40  extend partially out of housing  19  through aperture  24 . 
         [0022]    With reference to FIGS.  1  and  4 A-D, applicator  50 , which includes at least one aperture  52 , also includes a unique geometric shape or pattern that matches that of both frame  40  and aperture  24 . Applicator  50  is typically a flexible (i.e., compressible), porous sponge or similar material that is capable of absorbing and retaining a volume of ink, paint, or other marking fluid. When marking device  10  is fully assembled, applicator  50  is inserted into frame  40  such that the bottom edge of applicator  50  contacts base  30  and the top edge of applicator  50  extends past the upper edge of frame  40  (e.g., about 5-20 mm or more). Applicator  50  may be glued or otherwise secured to base  30 . Protrusion  32  on base  30  extends partially into aperture  52  in applicator  50 . Aperture  34 , which is formed in and passes through protrusion  32 , provides a conduit from base  30  into reservoir  12 , thereby permitting the flow of paint, ink, or other marking fluid between reservoir  12  and applicator  50 . Additional apertures or conduits may be formed in and on base  30  for facilitating the flow of paint, ink, or other marking fluid between reservoir  12  and applicator  50 . 
         [0023]    When marking device  10  is in use, reservoir  12  is filled with ink, tempra/tempera paint, or any other suitable marking fluid. The user of marking device  10  squeezes the sides of reservoir  12  to force marking fluid to flow through aperture  34  and into applicator  50  where it is absorbed and held. When applicator  50  is covered with a volume of marking fluid, the user touches the exposed end of applicator  50  to a surface, applies even downward pressure, and then pulls marking device  10  away from the surface to reveal a colored, substantially two-dimensional shape. This stamping motion may be repeated several times to cover the entire surface of applicator  50  with enough marking fluid to create a mark having the desired geometric characteristics. Maintaining even pressure on the sides of reservoir  12  will continuously dispense marking fluid into and onto applicator  50  (until the marking fluid is depleted), thereby allowing numerous marks to be made in any given marking session. Thus, neither an external source of marking fluid, nor re-inking is necessary with the present invention. Additionally, each stamping motion typically causes applicator  50  to retract into frame  40  and with each release stroke as applicator  50  returns to its starting shape, excessive marking fluid is removed from the sides of applicator  50  to reduce sloppiness. When marking device  10  is not in use, cap  60  is placed over head assembly  18  to prevent the marking fluid in applicator  50  from drying out and to prevent unwanted dispensation of marking fluid on surfaces other than the surface intended for stamping. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment of the present invention, marking device  10  is packaged in a kit for commercial sale. The contents of this kit may vary, but will typically include at least one temporarily sealed ink-filled reservoir  12  and two or more head assemblies  18 , each of which includes a different applicator  50 . The head assemblies  18  are interchangeable, i.e., different head assemblies can be used with the same reservoir by simply removing one head assembly and replacing it with another head assembly. 
         [0025]    While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of exemplary embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in certain detail, it is not the intention of the Applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to any of the specific details, representative devices and methods, and/or illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant&#39;s general inventive concept.