Abstract:
A writing instrument with an illuminated ink reservoir is disclosed. The writing instrument includes a light source, which is connected with a power supply, and is controlled by a switch. Incorporated into the writing instrument is an ink reservoir with a wall that is generally capable of transmitting light. The ink reservoir contains ink, preferably flourescent marking ink that will glow brightly when illuminated by the light source. The writing instrument further comprises a light conducting member that guides the illumination from the light source into generally the center axis of the ink reservoir. The light conducting member helps to guide and focus the light into the ink within the reservoir. The light source may be an ultraviolet “black light”, that causes the ink to glow brightly and produces a spellbinding visual effect. Also disclosed is a method of utilizing the above device for advertising purposes.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to writing instruments capable of self illumination. More specifically, the present invention relates to a pen, marker, or highlighter with an electrically powered source of illumination contained within the device. The present invention even more specifically relates to a highlighter marker that has a powered light source, the light being guided towards the central axis of an ink reservoir containing a collection of ink, and preferably a flourescent ink. The ink will luminesce, glow, and emit light when the light source is switched on. The present invention also relates to a method of advertising by providing a consumer or a business with a writing instrument capable of illuminating an ink reservoir.  
         [0002]     There are several varieties of writing instruments. Highlighting markers are also well known in the prior art. Typically, these specialized markers are utilized, for example, by students to mark important text in a book, or by office personnel and professionals to mark important parts of documents. Over the years, several ink colors have become available besides the customary yellow markers. More recently, fluorescent highlighting ink has been available as a choice to the consumer. Furthermore, some manufacturers of highlighter markers have utilized a clear ink reservoir as part of a writing instrument body in order to display the ink remaining within the reservoir and to make the writing instrument more interesting in appearance. These markers with a clear ink reservoir have become very popular.  
         [0003]     Combining a writing instrument with a light source is also well known in the art. The motivation to do so is usually to provide light for the user of the instrument to see a writing surface in a darkened room. However, lights have also been combined with pens to provide either an interesting visual effect or to bring advertising to the attention of a consumer. In the prior art, only the exterior of the writing instrument has been illuminated. The prior art, in fact, teaches away from directing light into an ink reservoir.  
         [0004]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,856 to Lo discloses a lighted pen in which logos on a transparent body and the pen tip are illuminated by means of a light source and a convex circular cylindrical optical lens. The writing implement has a built-in illumination system that includes a pen-top, a translucent pen-body, and a translucent pen-tip. A battery, an electrical switch and a lamp are housed within the pen-top. A convex circularly cylindrical optical lens is positioned between said lamp and said marking element so that light from the lamp is diverted away from the central axis of the pen, towards the peripherally translucent pen-body. The light then propagates along the periphery of the pen to the pen-tip. As a result of the lens, printed information located on the pen-body is illuminated, as well as a region located immediately adjacent to the pen-tip. In this patent, the pen ink itself is not illuminated and this patent teaches away from directing light down the center axis into an ink reservoir.  
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,208 to Hsieh discloses a pen with illuminating function. A switch assembly is disposed in an upper end of the upper pen sleeve, whereby a circuit is opened or closed to turn on or off a bulb or LED located at the pen tip. The pen provides an illuminating effect for the user to write in a dim place while enabling the user to write without obstruction. In this patent, the pen ink is not illuminated and the LED is in the very tip of the writing end of the pen.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,238,057 to Chen discloses a combination light pen, wherein the lower barrel comprises a water chamber disposed around an ink cartridge, with display items floating inside the water chamber. Light from an LED passes through the items in the water chamber and illuminates them. Here, the illuminated chamber contains water and does not contain ink. The ink cartridge is isolated from the illumination. Also, there is no light conductive member directing the path of the light towards the central axis of the pen. Finally, the liquid in the illuminated chamber is not fluorescent.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,299,372 to Wang discloses an advertising effect photo pen. The front tube of the pen is a hollow transparent material and a refill is connected at a front end. The surface of the front tube is formed with a transparent surface and a shielding surface and the shielding surface or the transparent surface has advertise patterns. When the user touches a light emitting unit, the transparent surface and the surface of the front tube will light up to present an advertise effect. The light is not directed through the ink and the ink does not glow or light up.  
         [0008]     Other patents disclosing illuminating pens with a switched light source are U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,439,735; 6,390,641; 6,129,473; 6,099,185; 5,803,583; 5,470,164; 5,143,465; 4,518,274. None of these patents teach the desirability of guiding the light emitted from a light source directly into the ink chamber. Directing light down the central axis of an ink reservoir is not disclosed in the prior art. Moreover, the prior art teaches away from directing light down the central axis of a writing instrument. Furthermore, none of these patents teach using a light source to illuminate ink, and more specifically a flourescent ink, in combination with a writing instrument.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     It is an object of the present invention is to provide a light source within a writing instrument thereby providing an unusual and interesting visual effect. Additionally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a highlighting type of marker with a light source that will illuminate the ink in an ink reservoir. The visual effect will capture the interest of the consumer and will result in increased sales of the marker.  
         [0010]     Another objective of the present invention is to guide the light from a light source down the central axis of an ink reservoir into a transparent or translucent ink reservoir, wherein by directing the light generally down the central axis of the ink reservoir, the ink in the reservoir with glow. Furthermore, by providing an ultraviolet (“black light”) light source, a flourescent ink in the ink reservoir will glow or luminesce extra brightly.  
         [0011]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of advertising utilizing a writing instrument with an illuminated ink chamber. The method includes attracting the attention of a consumer to advertising upon a writing instrument. The method further includes providing the writing instrument to a business. Advertising is placed on the pen body. An unusual and interesting visual effect comprising glowing illuminated ink within a writing instrument, will attract the attention of a consumer or business to the advertising associated with the writing instrument.  
         [0012]     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the objectives are provided by an illuminated writing instrument comprised of a light source. Said light source, is connected with a power supply, and the light source is controlled by a switch. An ink reservoir capable of transmitting light is incorporated into the writing instrument body. The ink reservoir contains ink, preferably marking ink. The marking ink, furthermore, may be flourescent which will cause the ink to glow brightly when illuminated by the light source. The writing instrument in the preferred embodiment further comprises a light conducting member that guides the illumination from the light source generally into the center axis of the ink reservoir. The light conducting member helps to guide and focus the light into the ink within the reservoir. The light causes the ink within the reservoir to luminesce. A pen tip is in communication with the ink reservoir. Various pen tips well known in the prior art are suitable. In the preferred embodiment, the writing instrument is a highlighting marker and the marking ink is flourescent. The light source may be an ultraviolet “black light”, that causes the ink to glow even more brightly and produces a spellbinding visual effect.  
         [0013]     Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein only the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown and described, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated of carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawing and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     The foregoing objects, features, advantages and preferred embodiments of the evacuation unit and method of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of an embodiment of this invention showing the assembled writing instrument of the present invention and a pen cap;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of an embodiment of this invention showing the upper section disassembled from the lower section and further showing the electrical components of the writing instrument of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the assembled writing instrument of the present invention without the pen cap in place;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates the lower section with the ink transporting member disconnected from the ink reservoir; and;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  shows the electrical components, including the electrical housing, in more detail and also shows a part of the electrical switch. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]     The accompanying Figures depict embodiments of the present invention, and features and components thereof. With regard to means for fastening, mounting, attaching or connecting the components of the present invention to form the apparatus as a whole, unless specifically described otherwise, such means are intended to at least encompass conventional fasteners such as machine screws, machine threads, snap rings, hose clamps such as screw clamps and the like, rivets, nuts and bolts, toggles, pins and the like. Components may also be connected by friction fitting, snap fitting, adhesives, threads, or by welding or deformation, if appropriate. Unless specifically otherwise disclosed or taught, materials for making components of the present invention are selected from appropriate materials such as metal, metallic alloys, natural or synthetic fibers, plastics and the like, and appropriate manufacturing or production methods including casting, extruding, molding and machining may be used.  
         [0021]     Any references to front and back, right and left, top and bottom, upper and lower, superior and inferior, and horizontal and vertical are intended for convenience of description, not to limit the present invention or its components to any one positional or spacial orientation. Any references to “pen” is intended to encompass a variety of writing instruments well known in the art.  
         [0022]     Referring more specifically to the drawings, there is shown in  FIG. 1 a  preferred embodiment demonstrating the features of the present invention is illustrated. The preferred embodiment is a highlighting marker, although the present invention encompasses other kinds of writing instruments well know in the art. As illustrated, there is a writing instrument body  100  comprised of an upper section  110  capable of connection with a lower section  120 . In the preferred embodiment, the walls of the upper section  110  and the lower section  120  are comprised primarily of a clear acrylic plastic. However, other suitable materials may be utilized. A pen cap  170  typically is provided to connect with the lower section  120  and is utilized to cover and protect a pen tip  160 , and shirt pockets, when the writing instrument is not in use.  
         [0023]     Referring also now to  FIG. 2 , in the preferred embodiment, the upper section  110  and lower section  120  are capable of connecting with each other by threads  125 . The lower section  120  is comprised of an ink reservoir  130 , and a light conducting member  140 . The lower section  120  is further connected with an ink transporting member  150 . In the preferred embodiment, the ink reservoir  130  is capable of containing ink  135  and has a wall capable of transmitting light. The bottom end of the ink reservoir  130  is in fluid communication with the ink transporting member  150 .  
         [0024]     The ink reservoir  130  wall, being preferably transparent or translucent, is capable of transmitting light, thus allowing visibility of the ink  135  to the consumer. The ink reservoir  130  may either be added as a separately constructed chamber that is inserted into the writing instrument body  100  during manufacture of the writing instrument, or the ink reservoir  130  may be integrally formed into the lower section  120  of the writing instrument body  100 , for example by molding or injection techniques. In the preferred embodiment, the writing instrument body  100  and ink reservoir  130  are comprised of a clear acrylic plastic. The ink reservoir  130  contains ink  135 , for example marking ink. This ink  135  may be of any color, but pastel colored inks will transmit light best. In the preferred embodiment, typical flourescent highlighter ink, for example yellow, pink, and other well known highlighter ink colors, is situated in the ink reservoir  130 . Distally, the ink  135  is in fluid communication with the pen tip  160 .  
         [0025]     Referring now also to  FIG. 3 , the light conducting member  140  is integrated into or connected with the top of the ink reservoir  130 , and protrudes downward into the ink reservoir  130 . In the preferred embodiment, the light conducting member  140  is comprised of the same material as the ink reservoir  130 , and they are both preferably injection molded as an integrated piece during manufacture. The light conducting member  140  in this preferred embodiment is an acrylic shaft, but those in the art will readily recognize other equally suitable materials that conduct light that could be utilized, for example plastics, glass, and fiberoptic materials. Furthermore, in alternative embodiments, the light conducting member  140  could be separately manufactured and then connected with the ink reservoir  130 . The light conducting member  140  is preferably slightly conical or rod shaped, but other shapes and configurations could effectively be utilized. The light conducting member  140  is generally aligned with the central axis of the ink reservoir  130 . The light conducting member  140  functions to direct the light from a light source  200  into the ink  135 . The light is directed generally down the center vertical axis of the ink reservoir  130 . This provides the most even and symmetric lighting of the ink  135  and a relatively uniform glowing of the ink  135 . The light conducting member  140  may be solid throughout it&#39;s length, or as in the preferred embodiment, partially hollow at it&#39;s upper aspect. Light from the light source  200  is thereby substantially guided down into the central axis into the ink reservoir  130 . The light exits at the bottom tip of the light conducting member  140  and also generally diffuses peripherally from the wall of the light conducting member  140  into the ink  135 . In various embodiments, the light conducting member  140  may protrude into the ink reservoir  130  a distance varying from 1 mm up to the full length of the ink reservoir  130 . Preferably, the light conducting member  140  protrudes into the ink reservoir  130  approximately one half of the total length of the ink reservoir  130 .  
         [0026]     The upper section  110  comprises electrical components, that are electrically connected with each other, including the light source  200 , a power supply  210 , and a switch  220 . In the preferred embodiment, the light source  200  and the power supply  210  are contained within an electrical housing  230 . The electrical housing  230  makes it more convenient to change the power supply  210 , for example batteries, or the light source  200 . The electrical housing may also be capable of glowing when electrical current flows through the light source  200 . One or more springs  240  may be inserted above or below the electrical housing  230  to help hold the electrical housing  230  in place when the upper section  110  is connected with the lower section  120  of the writing instrument. At the top of the upper section  110  is the switch  220 .  
         [0027]     The light source  200  is preferably located in proximity to the bottom of the upper section  110 , so that the light source  200  is adjacent to the ink reservoir  130  when the upper section  110  is connected with the lower section  120 . The light source  200  is oriented so as to guide light from the light source  200  down the light conducting member  140  and into the ink reservoir  130 . The light source  200  in the preferred embodiment is an LED. Other light sources, for example light bulbs, may be substituted, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art. The light source  200  is electrically connected with the power supply  210  and the switch  220 . The light source  200  in at least one embodiment emits light of UV wavelength, i.e. “black light”. This wavelength of light will result in a flourescent ink glowing brightly when illuminated by the UV light. In alternative embodiments, multiple or variously colored light sources may also be utilized.  
         [0028]     When the switch  220  is turned on, current will flow through the light source  200  from the power supply  210 . The light will then be transmitted by the light conducting member  140  into the ink reservoir  130 , and, in the preferred embodiment, down the generally central axis of the ink reservoir  130 . This will cause the ink  135  within the ink reservoir  130  to illuminate and glow. When the switch  220  is turned off, no current flows through the light source  200  and power is conserved until the illumination of the ink  135  is again desired.  
         [0029]     Although in this embodiment, the majority of the writing instrument body  100  is transparent, any portion of the writing instrument body  100  could be translucent or opaque. For example, there may be opaque metal or opaque plastic segments, translucent etchings, advertising, or labels on a portion of the writing instrument body  100 . The ink reservoir  130  may be covered with a partially translucent surface feature, such as advertising or indicia, that will cause the advertising to glow when the switch  220  is turned on. The ink reservoir  130  could also have opaque indicia that will then be outlined by the illuminated ink  135 . In other embodiments of this invention, advertising or other indicia are applied to the surface of the writing instrument. This may either be in the form of a label applied to the outside or inside of the writing instrument body  100 , or indicia etched directly onto the writing instrument body  100 .  
         [0030]     Referring now also to  FIG. 4 , the ink transporting member  150  is of a type well known in the art and commonly used in highlighter markers. The ink transporting member  150  connects to the bottom of the ink reservoir  130 . The ink transporting member  150  may be selected from any of those well known in the art and will not be described in further detail herein. The pen tip  160  is in fluid communication with the ink  135  within the ink reservoir  130  via the ink transporting member  150 . The particular type of pen tip is not essential to the present invention. Although in the preferred embodiment, the invention is a highlighter marker with a highlighter type of pen tip  160 , the present invention is not limited only to highlighter types of marking pens and is intended to include various other types of writing instruments.  
         [0031]     The electrical housing  230  and part of the switch  220 , are shown in greater detail in  FIG. 5 . In the preferred embodiment, the power supply  210  comprises stacked batteries, for example watch batteries, although it is obvious to one skilled in the art that fewer or greater numbers of batteries will be equivalently effective as a power supply  210 . In the preferred embodiment the switch  220  is a plunger type electrical switch well known in the art. As the top of the pen is pressed down and released, the plunger rotates in an alternating sequence between on and off positions. However, various switches, power supplies, and light sources may be utilized. These electrical components are all well known to those in the art, for example in penlights, and their assembly and equivalents need not be discussed in more detail herein.  
         [0032]     The present invention further includes a method of advertising. The advertising method includes constructing a writing instrument capable of illumination of ink  135  in an ink reservoir  130  as described supra. Advertising is placed upon the writing instrument body  100 . The writing instrument is then provided to a consumer or business. The glowing ink will attract the attention of a consumer or a business to the advertising.  
         [0033]     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential spirit or attributes thereof. It is desired that the embodiments described herein be considered in all respects as illustrative, not restrictive, and that reference be made to the appended claims for determining the scope of the invention.