Abstract:
A glow-in-the-dark marking pen that is intended for use for marking structures during search and rescue operations, particularly during a fire, is herein disclosed. The glow-in-the-dark properties of the ink are activated by breaking an inner glass tube contained within the plastic marker body and shaking it. The cap is removed and the pen can be used upon various surfaces as needed. The glow-in-the-dark ability of the ink allows others to see writing in diminished lighting environments, such as emergency personnel who wish to alert other personnel that a room of a structure is being checked or has been checked.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent No. 61/214,972 filed May 1, 2009, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to marking or writing devices, and in particular, to a marking utensil particularly adapted for temporary marking of structures in low or no light conditions. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     One (1) of the most critical tasks that firemen perform during a structure fire is that of checking the structure for occupants. This is most often done on a room-by-room basis. However, as with any task performed in an unfamiliar environment under duress, mistakes are bound to occur. Perhaps the most common is that of omitting a room or even checking it twice by the same or different firemen. Such situations result in wasted time or the loss of life simply due to the fact that it is difficult to discern or label a room as checked. 
     Regular markers are very thin and difficult to see in low light conditions. Other methods such as spray paint are time consuming and a fire hazard, as well as still difficult to see in low light conditions. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide chemiluminescent devices. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 4,814,949, issued in the name of Elliott, describes a means for producing chemiluminescent devices in the shape of a heart, arrow, or the like in order to provide a visible shape in low light conditions. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,881,000, issued in the name of Perlman et al., describes a phosphorescent marker for laboratory autography. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. Many such devices are not adapted for writing or marking. Also, many such devices are not easy to utilize in emergency situations. Furthermore, many such devices have short periods of functionality or only leave markings for a short amount of time. In addition, many such devices are not usable for marking surfaces such as walls, doors, and the like. Accordingly, there exists a need for a marking and indicating means without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for a device which allows emergency personnel to quickly and selectively provide markings on surfaces such as doors, walls, and the like which are quickly and easily discernable in low or no light conditions. Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to enable a user to denote an illuminating indication on a surface to other persons in low light or no light conditions for an extended period of time. The apparatus takes the form of a glow-in-the-dark lighting utensil which comprises a container, an applicator, a cap, and a vial. 
     Another object of the present invention is to selectively combine substances within the container in order to provide a chemiluminescent reaction which enables a user to denote a desired location on a desired item or location. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide common ergonomic writing functionality for a user by comprising a shape similar to a conventional bingo marker or the like. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a means for a user to apply and dispense the substances mixture onto a desired surface. The applicator is located on a central upper portion of the container and comprises an applicator tip constructed of a wide-tip porous material which wicks the substance mixture upwardly from the container. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to prevent mixing and subsequent fading of the chemiluminescent mixture by allowing a user to quickly and selectively mix the substances immediately prior to use. An interior portion of the container comprises a dual chamber vial which separately houses a plurality of chemicals such as phenyl oxalate ester, fluorescent dye solution, and a hydrogen peroxide solution which when mixed provide a temporary chemiluminescent function. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to allow a user to easily mix the substances by breaking the glass vial via a twisting or bending motion of the container. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a selective covering and protecting function to the applicator tip via a friction fit cap. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of breaking the vial, mixing the contained substances, removing the cap, selectively marking desired surfaces with desired indicia, and easily viewing the markings in low or no light conditions. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a marking and indicating means for emergency personnel  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a break-away view of the marking and indicating means for emergency personnel  10  depicting a vial  50 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a section view of the vial  50  taken along line A-A (see  FIG. 2 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a break-away view of the marking and indicating means for emergency personnel  10  depicting a chemical activation state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 5  is a section view of the marking and indicating means for emergency personnel  10  taken along line B-B (see  FIG. 1 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 marking and indicating means for emergency personnel 
               
               
                 20 
                 container 
               
               
                 25 
                 interior portion 
               
               
                 30 
                 applicator 
               
               
                 35 
                 applicator thread 
               
               
                 37 
                 applicator tip 
               
               
                 38 
                 ledge 
               
               
                 40 
                 cap 
               
               
                 45 
                 cap thread 
               
               
                 50 
                 vial 
               
               
                 55 
                 divider 
               
               
                 60 
                 first substance 
               
               
                 70 
                 second substance 
               
               
                 80 
                 substance mixture 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 5 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a marking and indicating means for emergency personnel (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , comprising a glow-in-the-dark writing utensil which enables a user to denote an illuminating indication on a surface to other persons in low light or no light conditions for an extended amount of time preferably up to twelve (12) hours. The apparatus  10  comprises a container  20 , an applicator  30 , a cap  40 , and a vial  50 . The apparatus  10  is ideal for emergency personnel, firefighters, triage work, or the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a cylindrical container  20  which houses the vial  50 , a first substance  60 , and a second substance  70  (see  FIG. 2 ). The substances  60 ,  70  combine within the container  20  to form a substance mixture  80  which provides a chemiluminescent reaction to the apparatus  10  which enables the user to denote a desired indication on a desired item or location. The container  20  is comprised of a flexible plastic which enables an external pressure to be applied to break the internal vial  50  and enable the container  20  to rebound back into its original shape for marking on items such as, but not limited to: walls, doors, or the like. The applied external pressure is preferably introduced via the user squeezing the container  20  inwardly, yet other means of external pressure may be incorporated without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The container  20  is similar in shape to a common bingo marker or a common shoe polish dispenser. The container  20  measures approximately seven (7) inches in length and is attached via integral molding to the applicator  30 . 
     The applicator  30  provides a means for the user to apply and dispense the substances mixture  80  onto the desired surface. The applicator  30  is located on a central upper portion of the container  20  and comprises a plurality of applicator threads  35  and an applicator tip  37 . The applicator threads  35  engage a plurality of cap threads  45  located on an inner perimeter surface of a cap  40 . The cap  40  is a removably attachable cylindrical plastic lid which provides the applicator  30  with a covering and sealing means to the applicator tip  37 . The applicator tip  37  is comprised of a wide-tip porous material which is preferably felt, yet other materials may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The applicator tip  37  protrudes from an upper surface of the applicator  30  (also see  FIG. 5 ). The applicator tip  37  wicks the substance mixture  80  upwardly to enable the user to transfer said substance mixture  80  onto a desired location. The applicator  30  measures approximately one-and-one-eighth (1⅛) square inches. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a break-away view of the apparatus  10  depicting the vial  50 ,  FIG. 3 , a section view of the vial  50  taken along line A-A (see  FIG. 2 ), and  FIG. 4 , a break-away view of the apparatus  10  depicting a chemical activation state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The first substance  60  and the second substance  70  are contained by a vial  50  and positioned within an interior portion  25  of the container  20 . The first substance  60  is preferably phenyl oxalate ester and a fluorescent dye solution, but other chemicals comprising similar chemical properties may be incorporated without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The phenyl oxalate ester provides the apparatus  10  with the integral chemiluminescent characteristic. The second substance  70  is comprised of a hydrogen peroxide solution, but other chemicals with the same chemical properties may be incorporated without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The second substance  70  mixes with the first substance  60  to yield a chemical reaction which releases energy to excite the dye. The dye then relaxes and releases a photon to produce the light or glow emitted by the apparatus  10 . The substances  60 ,  70  may be modified to a desired intensity to adjust the brightness and duration of the glow. The vial  50  is preferably a glass tube which comprises a divider  55  to separate the substances  60 ,  70  prior to breaking said vial  50 . Once the vial  50  is broken via the external applied pressure which bends the container  20  the substances  60 ,  70  release into the interior portion  25  to combine together and react to develop a substance mixture  80  which releases light, produced by the fluorescent dye, causing the substances  60 ,  70  to glow and enabling the user to dispense said substances mixture  80  onto the desired surface. The substance mixture  80  is preferably available in a variety of fluorescent colors to correspond to various user applications. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a section view of the apparatus  10  taken along line B-B (see  FIG. 1 ), according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed.  FIG. 5  depicts an upper portion of the apparatus  10  and removal of the cap  40  for illustration purposes only. The applicator tip  37  is positioned into the applicator  30  via interference fitting means, yet other techniques such as integral molding may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The applicator tip  37  rests upon a pair of internal ledges  38  which protrude inwardly from the inner walls of the container  20 . The ledges  38  prohibit the applicator tip  37  from descending into the interior portion  25  and enable the substance mixture  80  to wick into said applicator tip  37  once the container  20  is inverted or squeezed. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIGS. 1 through 5 . 
     The method of utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the apparatus  10 ; bending the apparatus  10  to break the vial  50 ; shaking the apparatus  10  to combine the substances  60 ,  70 ; removing the cap  40 , thereby disengaging the cap threads  45  from the applicator threads  35 ; squeezing or inverting the container  20 , thereby enabling the substances mixture  80  to load the applicator tip  37  via a wicking means; utilizing the apparatus  10  to mark or indicate a surface via engaging the applicator tip  37  with a desired location; reusing until apparatus  10  is empty and discarding as necessary; and, utilizing the apparatus  10  to provide the ability to mark upon surfaces and have it be seen by others under almost any lighting situation including complete darkness. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.