Patent Publication Number: US-2007097671-A1

Title: Illuminating Writing Instrument

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM  
      The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/705,804 filed Aug. 4, 2005 and is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to writing instruments and more particularly to a writing instrument that has an ink that is only capable of being read by light emitted from the writing instrument.  
      2. Description of the Prior Art  
      Writing instruments that emit light are known in the art. These instruments have typically utilized cylindrical housings having an electronic bulb or similar light emitting device. These writing instruments tend to be large, bulky and heavy. The size and weight of these writing instruments is directly related to the need for room for the light bulb or diode and the batteries that are used to power the bulbs.  
      Other writing instruments have been manufactured that utilize an ink that can emit light. The composition of this ink typically includes a chemical such as luminal or the like. The shortcoming of these writing instruments is that after the ink is depleted the pen no longer emits light. What is needed in the writing instrument industry is a writing instrument that is not large, bulky or heavy. What is also needed in the industry is a writing instrument that can emit light with any type of ink, thereby making the writing instrument more versatile.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention is a writing instrument having a writing cartridge disposed in a housing or barrel that can be gripped by a user during use. The housing is impregnated during manufacturing with a light emitting chemical such as a luminal. The housing will then emit light after charging the luminal impregnated housing with an external light source.  
      A nose cap can be removably coupled to an end of the housing to secure the ink cartridge for writing. The nose cap can be manufactured from a clear material to allow light emitted from the housing to illuminate a paper or other substrate during writing. In another embodiment, the nose cap can be impregnated with a light emitting chemical such as luminal.  
      A nose cap cover assembly can be removably coupled to and over the nose cap to provide a means of charging the light emitting housing and/or nose cap cover. The nose cap cover assembly can comprise a light emitting device connected to a power supply and/or switch.  
      An end cap can be coupled to an end of the housing opposite the nose cap. The end cap is utilized to secure a free end of the ink cartridge in the housing. The end cap can be manufactured from a clear material or a material impregnated with a light emitting chemical.  
      A reflective end cover can be disposed over the end cap to reflect light down through the housing and/or nose cap and onto paper or other substrate during writing.  
      An object of the invention is to provide a lighted writing instrument that is easily manufactured and used.  
      Another objection of the invention is to provide an ink cartridge containing invisible ink that is illuminated by the light emitted from the housing.  
      Still another object of the invention is that it eliminates the need of an internal light source and power supply.  
      Still yet another advantage of the invention is that it illuminates a substrate while it is used for writing.  
      Yet another advantage of the invention is that it can be repeatedly used with any type of ink refill cartridge.  
      The above summary of the invention is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the invention. The figures in the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify these embodiments. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:  
       FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a light emitting writing instrument according to an example embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the nose cap cover assembly according to an example embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of an end cover of the nose cap cover assembly according to an example embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the end cover illustrated in  FIG. 3A  showing an interior thereof.  
       FIG. 3C  is cross section view of the end cover of  FIGS. 3A and 3B .  
       FIG. 3D  is an end view of the end cover of  FIGS. 3A-3C .  
       FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of an actuator according to an example embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 4B  is a side view of the actuator of  FIG. 4A .  
       FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a power supply.  
       FIG. 5B  is an end view of the power supply of  FIG. 5A .  
       FIG. 5C  is an opposite end view of the power supply of  FIG. 5C .  
       FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of a light emitting member according to an example embodiment of the invention.  
       FIG. 6B  is a side view of the light emitting member of  FIG. 6A .  
       FIG. 6C  is an end view of the light emitting member of  FIG. 6A .  
       FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of a nose cap cover according to an example embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 7B  is a cross section view of the nose cap cover of  FIG. 7A .  
       FIG. 7C  is an end view of the nose cap cover of  FIG. 7A .  
       FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of a nose cap according to an example embodiment of the invention.  
       FIG. 8B  is a cross section view of the nose cap of  FIG. 8A .  
       FIG. 8C  is an end view of the nose cap of  FIG. 8A .  
       FIG. 8D  is a perspective view of the nose cap of  FIG. 8A  illustrating an aperture through which the ink cartridge is disposed.  
       FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of the housing according to an example embodiment of the invention.  
       FIG. 9B  is a cross section view of the housing of  FIG. 9A .  
       FIG. 9C  is an end view of the housing of  FIG. 9A .  
       FIG. 10A  is an exploded perspective view of an end cap assembly comprising an outer end cap and an inner end cap according to an example embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 10B  is a cross section view of the outer end cap of  FIG. 10A .  
       FIG. 10C  is an end view of the outer end cap of  FIG. 10A .  
       FIG. 10D  is a cross section of the inner end cap of  FIG. 10A .  
       FIG. 10E  is an end view of the inner end cap of  FIG. 10A .  
       FIG. 11A  is an enlarged view of an end of the outer end cap showing a coupling assembly.  
       FIG. 11B  is a top view of the coupling assembly of  FIG. 11A .  
       FIG. 12A  is a perspective view of a reflective member according to an example embodiment of the invention.  
       FIG. 12B  is a side view of the reflective member of  FIG. 12A .  
       FIG. 12C  is an end view of the reflective member of  FIG. 12A .  
       FIG. 13A  is a perspective view of a light emitting writing instrument having a light disposed in a nose cap thereof.  
       FIG. 13B  is a partial exploded view of an illuminating mechanism disposed in the nose case of  FIG. 13A .  
       FIG. 14A  is a perspective view of a light emitting writing instrument having at least one light emitting member extending along a length of the instrument.  
       FIG. 14B  is a partial exploded view of an illuminating mechanism disposed to the instrument of  FIG. 14A .  
       FIG. 14C  is a cross section view of a tip of the illuminating writing instrument having a reflective interior.  
       FIG. 15A  is a side view of an illuminating writing instrument having a plurality of illuminating strands.  
       FIG. 15B  is a side view of an illuminating writing instrument having a plurality of illuminating strands and at least one illuminating strand extending generally a length of the instrument.  
       FIG. 15C  is a side view of the illuminating mechanism disposed in  FIG. 15A .  
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the illuminating writing instrument having a substrate dispenser. 
    
    
      The preceding description of the drawings is provided for example purposes only and should not be considered limiting. The following detailed description is provided for more detailed examples of the present invention. Other embodiments not disclosed or directly discussed are also considered to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention.  
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1-16  a light emitting writing instrument such as a pen, ballpoint pen, fountain pen, pencil, marker, highlighter and the like, is indicated by the number  100 . Writing instrument  100  includes a housing, barrel, or pen tube  110  having an open first end  112  and an open second end  114  in registration with each other.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 9 A- 9 C, in a preferred embodiment, housing  110  is manufactured from a polymer such as polypropylene, polyethylene and the like. During the manufacturing process, the material is impregnated with a chemical having the properties of at least temporarily storing and emitting light. One such chemical having these known properties is luminol. Once impregnated with luminol or similar chemical, housing  110  will be able to emit a light when it is exposed to light having a wavelength generally between 180 and 400 nanometers. In another embodiment, the chemical impregnated housing is capable of absorbing the energy from the light and emits it as its own light.  
      Housing  110  can be manufactured with any color, design or lettering printed on its outer surface for advertising of a particular trademark, logo, or brand so long as it does not interfere with the light emitting property of housing  110 . This is of particular importance if the writing instrument is utilized as a marketing tool since vivid colors, designs, and lettering typically attract a user&#39;s eyes and others toward the writing instrument.  
      To ensure that housing  110  is comfortable to use it may have a generally cylindrical shape. However, housing  110  may have any cross sectional shape such as, for example triangular, square, oval, and the like. An outer surface of housing  110  may be coated and/or ribbed to increase tactile feel and improve comfort. A compressible sleeve (not shown) can be slid over housing  110  to provide additional comfort for a user.  
      Referring back to  FIG. 1 , an ink, marker or similar writing cartridge  125  is removably disposed within housing  110 . Writing cartridge  125  has a first writing end  128  that is disposed proximate open first end  112  of housing  110  and second securing end  129  proximate open second end  114  of housing  110 . Writing cartridge  125  preferably dispenses an invisible ink that can only be read when illuminated with the light emitted from housing  110 . This permits a children or users to write secret messages to each other.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1 , and  8 A- 8 D, a nose cap  130  can be removably disposed over open first end  112  of housing  110  to provide support to writing cartridge  125 . Referring particularly to  FIGS. 8A-8D , nose cap  130  is comprised of a generally conical housing  131  having a generally conical tip portion  132  and a generally annular collar portion  134  having an outer diameter generally greater than an outer diameter of tip portion  132 . As particularly illustrated in FIGS.  8 B- 8 D, nose cap  130  has a lower or bottom wall  135  for supporting ink cartridge  125  when disposed in housing  110 . An annular channel  136  extends into annular collar portion  134  and about bottom wall  135  for receiving open first end  112  of housing  110 .  
      In one example embodiment, nose cap  130  can be threadedly coupled to housing  110 . In another example embodiment, nose cap  130  can be pressure fitted to housing  110 . When nose cap  130  is disposed on housing  110  first writing end  128  of writing cartridge  125  extends through holes  137  and  137  extending through tip portion  132  and bottom wall  135  respectively (see  FIGS. 8B and 8D ).  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 - 7 C, a nose cap cover assembly  140  can be provided to prevent first writing end  128  of writing cartridge  125  from drying out. Nose cap cover assembly  140  can also be used to charge the light emitting chemical impregnated into housing  110 . To this extent, nose cap cover assembly  140  can comprise a nose cap cover  141  having a top or upper wall  142  and a peripheral wall  144  extending away therefrom. Referring to  FIGS. 7A-7C , peripheral wall  144  has an edge  146  defining an access opening  148  for receiving nose cap  130 . Nose cap cover  141  can comprise any generally rigid material such as plastic, wood, metal or the like. In one example embodiment, nose cap cover  141  can be impregnated with a light emitting chemical such as luminol such that upon charging it will emit light.  
      In one example embodiment, nose cap cover  141  can also include a collar  148  extending away from wall  142  defining an opening  150  for receiving a light charging subassembly  152  such as a light emitting diode (LED), light bulb, and a switch. As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 6 A- 6 C, light charging subassembly  152  can comprise a housing  153  having a power housing portion  154  having a peripheral wall  156  and a bottom wall  158  defining an interior  160 . The housing  152  also comprises a light housing portion  162  extending down from bottom wall  158  for storing a light source capable of emitting light.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 4A-5C , an actuator  164  and a power supply  166  are operatively disposed in interior  160  of power housing portion  154 . Actuator  164  can comprise a push-button switch  167  operatively disposed on a coupling plate  168  that comes into selective contact with power supply  166 . An aperture  169  can be formed in push-button switch  167  for receiving a tether or lancet. A user can place the tether over around their neck for storage and during transportation of writing instrument  100 .  
      Power supply  166  can comprise at least one watch battery that is in operative communication with a light  170  disposed in the light housing potion  162  of housing  153 . Multiple batteries can also be utilized to extend the length of charging.  
      The light  170  disposed in light housing portion  162  can comprise a light emitting diode, light bulb, or the like. In another example embodiment of the invention, light housing portion  162  is omitted and light  170  is disposed directly to power housing portion  154 . Other configurations are also possible and would be readily discernable to one skilled in the art after being taught the herein described invention. Therefore, slight modifications and arrangements should be considered to be within the spirit and scope of the invention.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2  and  3 A- 3 D, a cover  172  is removably coupled to nose cap cover  141  for at least temporarily securing light charging subassembly  152  in nose cap cover  141 . In one example embodiment, cover  172  comprises a top wall  174  having a centrally disposed opening  176  extending therethrough for receiving actuator  164  when it is disposed on nose cap covet  141 . A peripheral wall  178  extends from top wall  174  of cover  172  for securing to collar  148  of nose cap cover  141 . An inner surface of peripheral wall  178  may be threaded for threaded engagement with a threaded outer surface of collar  148 . In another embodiment, cover  172  is pressure fitted or coupled to collar  148  of nose cap cover  141 .  
      Peripheral wall  178  of cover  172  can include at least one slot  180  extending therethrough for receiving a tab or other substrate that separates power supply  166  from light  170 . Tab  182  can extend through slot  180  and through an opening in power housing portion  154  to separate power supply  166  and light  170 . Upon retracting or pulling tab  182  out of slot  180  writing instrument  100  becomes functional. Tab  182  can also be disposed between actuator  164  and power supply  166 . Other arrangements are also possible and should be considered to be within the spirit and scope of the invention.  
      Peripheral wall  178  can also include a fastener opening  184  extending therethrough for receiving a fastener  186  that is used to secure light charging subassembly  152  in cover  172 . Fastener  186  can comprise any conventional fastener such as a metal screw, wood screw, pin, or any other fastener known to one skilled in the art.  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 10 A- 10 E, at least one end cap assembly  200  is detachably couplable to the open second end  114  of housing  110  for holding the second end  129  of writing cartridge  125 . In one embodiment, end cap assembly  200  comprises an inner end cap  202  and an outer end cap  204 . The outer end cap  204  can include a top wall  206  having a peripheral wall  208  extending away therefrom that defines an access opening  210  for receiving open second end  114  of housing  110 .  
      Outer end cap  204  includes a post  212  having a bore  214  extending longitudinally therein for receiving and at least temporarily securing cartridge  125 . Post  212  is centrally disposed on and extends from an intermediate wall  216  disposed in outer end cap  204 . In another example embodiment, as particularly illustrated in  FIG. 7C , post  212  is divided along its longitudinal axis defining first  218  and second  220  post portions that extend away from each other when writing cartridge  125  is inserted in bore  214 . In this embodiment, an inner diameter of bore  214  is at least slightly smaller than an outer diameter of writing cartridge  125  to create a friction fit therebetween.  
      Inner end cap  202  is operatively coupled between housing  110  and outer end cap  204  to secure outer end cap  204  to housing  110 . In an example embodiment, inner end cap  202  has a top wall  222  and a peripheral wall  224  extending away therefrom forming an interior space  226 . A pair of supports  228  and  228 ′ can be disposed in and extend generally across the interior space  226 . Supports  228  and  228 ′ can comprise plates or panels having a length generally equal to a length of peripheral wall  194 .  
      Top wall  222  of inner end cap  202  has a generally centrally disposed aperture  230  extending therethrough for receiving post  212 . In an example embodiment, post  212  is disposed generally between supports  228  and  228 ′. Inner end cap  202  can be secured in outer end cap  204  by an adhesive or other mechanical means such as by threaded engagement.  
      Inner end cap  202  can also include a tab  232  extending away from an outer surface of its peripheral wall  224  for operatively engaging and securing inner end cap  202  and outer end cap  204  to housing  110 . In an example embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 , tab  232  can operatively engage a slit  234  and a notch  236  extending transversely therefrom into housing  110 . To secure inner end cap  202  to housing  110 , tab  232  is inserted and slid within slot  232 . Tab  232  becomes aligned with notch  234 . Rotation of inner end cap  204  forces tab  232  into notch  234  such that it extends transversely through notch  234  thereby preventing its disengagement from housing  110 . Other means of engaging inner end cap  203  to housing  110  are also contemplated by the invention, for example threaded engagement, pressure fitting, and snap fitting.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 11A-12C , a reflective member  300  can be coupled to outer end cap  204  to reflect light back down into housing  110  and out nose cap  130 . Reflective member  300  can comprise a housing  302  having a top wall  304  and a peripheral wall  306  defining an interior  308  thereof. A reflective mirror  310  can be disposed in the interior  308 . In an alternate embodiment, an inner surface of top wall  304  can be polished to create a reflective surface, thereby eliminating the need for a mirror.  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 12B , a lip  312  can extend beyond the mirror. Lip  312  can be used to operatively couple reflective member  300  to outer end cap  204 . As illustrated in  FIG. 11A  a pair of prongs  314  and  314 ′ can extend from top wall  206  of outer end cap  204 . Each of prongs  314  and  314 ′ includes a protrusion  316  and  316 ′ respectively that can engage a portion of reflectively member  300 . As illustrated in  FIG. 12C , housing  302  of reflective member  300  can include a pair of slots  318  and  318 ′ for receiving prongs  314  and  314 ′ respectively. An inner surface of slots  318  and  318 ′ can include depressions for receiving protrusions  316  and  316 ′. In this particular embodiment, reflective member  300  is hingedly coupled to outer end cap  204 . Reflective member  300  can also be threadedly coupled, pressure fitted, or snapped on outer end cap  204 . Other forms of engagement are also contemplated and should be considered to be within the spirit and scope of the invention.  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 11A , a shoulder  320  can be formed on top wall  206  of outer end cap  204  for receiving reflective member  300 . When coupled together, lip  312  of reflective member  300  surrounds shoulder  320  of outer end cap  204 .  
      After purchase, a user removes tab  182  and illuminates light  170  by depressing or switching actuator  164 . During illumination, the light emitting chemical impregnated in housing  110  charges. The user may then remove light charging assembly  140  to expose ink cartridge  125 . Upon writing a message on a substrate, a user notices that no ink has apparently been disposed on the substrate. Once the light in the room or surroundings are extinguished, housing  110  emits a specialized light that illuminates the written message.  
      In another embodiment, a user can write a message in reverse with the invisible ink contained in the ink cartridge  125 . Another user can then use reflective member  300  and the light emitted from housing  110  to read the reversed message.  
      In yet another embodiment of the invention, housing  110  can be impregnated with a light emitting chemical that emits visible light in the dark. This permits writing instrument  100  to be used as a wand to write message in the air that can be read by their friends. Once housing  110  no longer emits light, a user can recharge writing instrument  100  by using light charging assembly  152  or holding housing  110  under a lamp or other light source.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 13A  and B, a light assembly  364   a  is shown inside and out of the nose cap  130  of  FIG. 13 . In this embodiment, the writing cartridge  125  is disposed in nose cap  130  along with a light emitting member  366 , power supply  368  and an enclosure  370 . Writing cartridge  125  can be threaded into nose cap  130  or pressure fitted to secure and reinforce it for writing and replacement. As described above, the light emitting member  366  can comprise a UV light or any other light emitting device capable of illuminating an ink or other fluid in the writing cartridge  125  containing a chemical such as luminol or any chemical capable of fluorescence, photoluminescence, phosphorescence and the like. The light may comprise a light bulb, light emitting diode or the like.  
      The enclosure  370  encloses or encases the writing cartridge  125  and light emitting member  366 . In one embodiment, it may comprise a cylindrical tube having an inner surface  372  and an outer surface  373 . The inner surface  372  can have a reflective coating such that light emitted from the light member  366  can be reflected back toward writing cartridge  125  having a clear case to illuminate or charge the chemical contained therein. When the chemical in the writing cartridge  125  is illuminated with light emitting member  366  it will glow as a user writes on paper or any other substrate. After a period of time the light will fade making what was written invisible. Upon exposing the writing to a light, such as a UV light the writing will again illuminate or glowing making reading it possible.  
      In one embodiment, the enclosure  370  can be a filter adapted to filter out harmful wavelengths of light emitted from the light emitting member  366 . In another embodiment, a filter  376  can be disposed in the enclosure  370  to filter any light that may escape from the nose cap  130 . In another embodiment, the nose cap  130  may be a filter capable of filtering out harmful or undesired wavelengths from escaping therefrom.  
      To actuate the light emitting member  366 , a user can depress an actuator that is operatively coupled to the light emitting member  366  and power supply  368 . The actuator can be a push-button switch mounted on the housing  110  or the nose cap  130 . In another embodiment, a user begins writing which in turns causes the writing cartridge  125  to be depressed and engage the light emitting member  366 . The light emitting member  366  then engages a biased pair of batteries that come into contact with each other, thereby completing a circuit and illuminating the light emitting member  366 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 14A-14C , the light assembly  364   b  includes a second light emitting member or optic strand  380  that can be disposed to the housing  110  to illuminate a message which has exhausted its illumination. The second light emitting member  380  can comprise a fiber optic strand  382  capable of channeling or directing light emitted from the light emitting member  366  along a side of the housing  110 . The fiber optic strand  382  is capable of either illuminating the writing or charging the writing such that it will illuminate on its own for a period of time. The fiber optic strand  382  can have any length and is preferably operatively connected to or proximate to the power supply  368 . The strand  382  can be connected to or integral with a collar  369  that fits over the light emitting member  366 . The collar  369  is preferably made from the same material as the strand  382  such that light emitted by the light emitting member  366  is captured by the collar  369  and transmitted through the strand  368 .  
      The collar  369  can include a size and shape to receive the enclosure  370  which can in turn receive the writing cartridge  125 . This interconnection of components permits most of the light emitted from the light emitting member  366  to be directed to the writing instrument  125  and the strand  382 . The interconnection of the components can be accomplished by pressure fitting, threading or any other mechanism that will allow a user to connect and disconnect the components as needed.  
      Referring to  FIG. 14C , the nose cap  130  of the illuminating writing instrument  100  can have a plurality of successionally narrower bores  390   a - 390   c  extending from the housing  110  to a tip  391  of the nose cap  130 . The narrowing of the bores  390   a - 390   c  permits reinforcement of the collar  369 , enclosure  370  and the writing cartridge  125  when they are interconnected and disposed within the nose cap  130 . An inner surface of the nose cap  130  can be mirrored or reflective to reduce the amount of light that can escape out of the tip  391  of the nose cap  130 . In another embodiment of the invention, the nose cap  130  can comprise any material that would permit the nose cap  130  to act as a filter by absorbing light emitted from the light emitting member  366 .  
      The strand  382  can be connected to the housing  110  by any means. In one embodiment, the strand  382  can be disposed into a channel extending along a long axis of the housing  110 . In this embodiment, the strand  382  snaps into the channel such that it can be disconnected from the housing  110  if the light emitting member  366 , power supply  368  and/or writing cartridge  125  needs to be replaced. In another embodiment, the strand  382  can be connected to the housing  110  by an adhesive or by a mechanical means such as a strap.  
      In one embodiment of the invention, the nose cap  130  can include a notch  392  extending from a point where it connects to the housing  110  generally toward the tip  391  thereof to permit nesting with or receiving of the strand  382  extending away from the collar  369 . It is also possible that the strand  382  extends away from the collar  369  and extends through a portion of the housing  110  such that the nose cap  130  does not interfere with the strand  382  when it is connected to the housing  110 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 15A-15C , the light assembly  364   c  can include a collar  369  that is modified to include a plurality of light emitting segments  384  that generally extend away from a top portion  395  of the collar  385 . In this embodiment, the light emitting segments  384  can be oriented to form a cavity or area  385  that can receive the enclosure  370  and the writing cartridge  125 . The cavity  385  can be formed such that the light emitting segments  384  and enclosure  370  forms a snug or pressure fit together. This is done to provide stability to the components when connected.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 15C and 15D , each of the light emitting segments can include a free end  396  that is formed by folding the light emitting segment  384  back onto itself. The free ends  396  can be covered by an end cap  397  that can have a reflective or mirrored inner surface to reflect the flight back into the light emitting segment  384 . This is done to redirect the emitted light onto the writing cartridge  125  for recharging.  
      As particularly illustrated back in  FIG. 15B , a strand  382  can be attached to and extend away from the collar  369  to illuminate an area away from or generally proximate to the housing  110 . As discussed above, the strand  382  permits a user to read a message that is already written and which may have lost its ability to illuminate. The strand  382  can be connected to the housing  110  as described above. In this, and in fact any of the embodiments, the housing  110  can include at least a portion thereof that is mirrored or has a reflective outer surface. This permits the housing  110  to reflect light emitted by the strand  382  away from the housing  110  and onto a surface such as a substrate. In one of the preferred embodiments, the mirrored or reflective portion of the housing  110  is disposed in the groove  400  formed in the side of the housing  110 .  
      As particularly illustrated in  FIG. 15C , the collar  369  can encapsulate the light emitting member  366  with a terminal of the light emitting member  366  extending through a portion of the collar  369 . In other embodiments, the collar  369  and the light emitting member  366  can be spaced apart from each other to easily permit disconnection of the components such as the light emitting member  366 , the enclosure  370  and the writing cartridge  125 .  
      The light emitting segments  384  and the strand  382  of this particular embodiment can comprise encapsulated (spun glass) fiber optic. Other types of fiber optics are also possible and should be considered to be within the spirit and scope of the invention.  
      Continuing with  FIGS. 15A and 15B , the power supply  368  can be disposed in the housing  110  or the nose cap  130  and is operatively coupled to the light emitting member  366 . In one embodiment, the power supply  368  can be inserted into a side of the nose cap  130  or housing  110  such that it comes into contact with the terminal of the light emitting member  366 . A door or other securing mechanism can be operatively coupled to the nose cap  130  or housing  110  to secure the power supply  368  therein. The door or other securing mechanism can be connected by hinges, slide rails and the like.  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 16 , a substrate  360  can be disposed in the housing  110  and can be dispensed by a user to write upon with the writing cartridge  125 . The applicant of the present invention received U.S. Pat. No. 6,247,864 for a paper dispensing note pen which is incorporated herein in its entirety. In one embodiment, the substrate  360  is a roll of paper having perforations such that it can be torn or separated at predetermined locations on the roll. The roll does not need to be connected to any mechanism within the housing. An end of the substrate  360  can extend through slit  234  in housing  110  which can include a plurality of teeth or serrations to assist in separating a piece of the substrate  360  from the roll. In this embodiment, the inner end cap  202  of  FIG. 10A  may or may not be used. The outer end cap  204  can be used by itself or in conjunction with the inner end cap  202 .  
      The substrate  360  has a rear surface that can have an adhesive  362  disposed thereon such that the substrate  360  at least temporarily adheres to a surface. In one embodiment, the adhesive  362  is disposed proximate at least two opposed edges to prevent the substrate  360  from coiling when adhered to a surface. In another embodiment, the adhesive  362  can cover substantially the entire rear surface of the substrate  360 . The adhesive  362  may comprise a type known in the art that permits the re-adhering of substrates to surfaces.  
      Numerous modifications are also contemplated in the present invention. For example, all parts of writing instrument  100  can be manufactured from a single material or they may comprise any combination of various materials. Advertising, logos, designs and other indicia can be imprinted or imparted on any component of writing instrument  100  including, but not limited to, housing  110 , nose cap  130 , cover  160 , nose cap cover  140 , and/or end cap  170 .  
      The present invention may be embodied in these and other specific forms without departing from the, spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.