Patent Publication Number: US-2022234379-A1

Title: Porous color linker

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The following description relates to a porous color linker, and more particularly to porous color linker configured to mix inks and deposit the mixed ink onto a writing surface. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Conventional mixable ink systems that allow a user to use one writing instrument while having the ability to use different colors of ink typically use a replaceable and/or refillable ink cartridge. A refillable ink cartridge can be attached to a separate device having a plurality of reservoirs of ink. The cartridge can be filled with a custom combination of inks to achieve a desired color and then cartridge may be inserted into the writing instrument. See, for example, WO 2019/077262. Also, see GB2277253 disclosing a marking pen capable of writing in more than one color and U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,924 disclosing a pen practical for drawing lines having different shades. 
     A common drawback of conventional ink mixing systems is that they are complex and difficult to use. Additionally, they have a lot of components and can be expensive. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides a porous color linker comprising a tip portion configured to deposit indicia on a writing surface; a mixing portion configured to combine a plurality of inks; and a base portion having a first receiving portion configured to receive a tip of a first ink discharge device and a second receiving portion configured to receive a tip of a second ink discharge device. 
     The capillary action of the porous color mixer is superior to a conventional plastic tip. The porous color mixer can adequately mix multiple colors together and due to the capillary action of the porous color mixer, it is superior to a conventional plastic tip at mixing colors and depositing the mixed ink. Additionally, this configuration reduces the risk of back pollution, e.g. color form one marker enters into the other marker. The mixing portion of the porous color linker allows for mixing adequately multiple colors together. 
     The porous color linker may comprise sintered plastic. 
     The porous color linker may be washable, thus in particular making it reusable. Specifically, the porous color linker may be reusable. 
     The porous color linker may have a pore size within a range of 2 to 150 microns. 
     The distance between the tip interface and final tip end of the porous color linker may be in a range of 4 to12 mm. 
     The tip portion of the porous color linker may be tapered between the tip interface (i.e. the transition point between mixing portion and tip portion) and final tip end (i.e. where the tip touches the writing surface). 
     The cross-section of the tip portion may have a circular shape. 
     The cross-section of the tip portion may have a rectangular shape. 
     In some embodiments, an ink mixing assembly comprises the aforementioned porous color linker and a casing attached to the base portion of the porous color linker. The casing is configured to receive a first ink discharge device and a second ink discharge device. 
     The casing may be configured to hold a tip of the first ink discharge device into the first receiving portion of the porous color linker and is further configured to hold a tip of the second ink discharge device into the second receiving portion of the porous color linker. 
     The above summary is not intended to describe each and every implementation of the concept. In particular, selected features of any illustrative embodiment within this disclosure may be incorporated into additional embodiments unless clearly stated to the contrary. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of aspects of the disclosure in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  details an ink mixing assembly according to a first aspect. 
         FIG. 2  details a cross-section of the ink mixing assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  details a cross-section of the porous color linker according to a second aspect. 
         FIG. 4  details an ink mixing assembly according to a third aspect. 
         FIG. 5  details a cross-section of the porous color linker according to a fourth aspect. 
         FIG. 6  details a flow chart for a method of mixing colors. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows an ink mixing assembly  10 . The ink mixing assembly  10  may be configured to mix two or more inks. The inks may be contained within ink discharge devices  20 . An ink discharge device  20  may be, for example, a color marker. Although the ink mixing assembly  10  shown includes  2  ink discharge devices  20 , the ink mixing assembly  10  may be configured to receive more than two ink discharge devices  20 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a cross-section of the ink mixing assembly  10  having two ink discharge devices  20 . The ink mixing assembly  10  may include a casing  100  and a porous color linker  200 . 
     An ink discharge device  20  may include a barrel  21  which encloses an ink  22  therein. The ink  22  may be in contact with an ink transfer element  24 . The ink transfer element  24  may include a tip  24   a , which may be plastic. The tip  24   a  may be configured to deposit ink onto a writing surface. A writing surface, may be, for example, a piece of paper, cardboard, or any other surface where the ink may be deposited. 
     The casing  100  may be a polymer of any other suitable material, for example, metal. The casing  100  may have openings  110  that are configured to receive an ink discharge device  20 . The openings  110  of the casing  100  may be configured to secure a respective ink discharge device  20  to the casing  100  such that the tip  24   a  is securely contacting a respective first or second receiving portion  224  of the porous color linker  200 . 
     The porous color linker  200  may be formed of a sintered polymer. The porous color linker  200  may be washable and reusable. The average pore size of the pores formed in the porous color linker may be within a range of 2 to 150 microns. The porous color linker  200  may include a tip portion T, mixing portion M, and base portion B. 
     The base portion B may include a first receiving portion  224  configured to receive a tip  24   a  of a first ink discharge device  20  and a second receiving portion  224  configured to receive a tip  24   a  of a second ink discharge device  20 . The ink that is in the first and second ink discharges devices  20  may to transferred to the base portion B by capillary action in the flow direction F. The base portion B may be defined as the portion of the porous color linker  200  from surface Bi which is disposed within the casing  100  and in contact with at least one of the ink discharge devices  20  to the mixing interface BM where the mixing portion M begins. 
     The ink then may be transferred into the mixing portion M. The mixing portion M may be configured to combine and mix the plurality of inks drawn from the base portion B. The mixing portion M may be defined as the portion of the porous color linker  200  between the mixing interface 
     BM and the tip interface MT. The mixing portion M has a first tapering toward a center axis C in order to mix the different inks, make a more concentrated ink, and prevent backflow of an incorrect ink color into the first and second ink discharge devices  20 . The tip interface MT is the transition point between mixing portion M and tip portion T. 
     Thereafter, the mixed ink may be transferred into the tip portion T. The tip portion T may be configured to deposit indicia, or the mixed ink, on a writing surface. The tip portion T has a second tapering toward the center axis C, that is less than the first tapering of the mixed portion M. This second tapering is configured to create a concentrated ink. The height D 1  of the tip portion T may be greater than the width of the tip portion T. The height D 1  may be in a range of 4 to 12 mm. The tip portion may be defined as the portion of the porous color mixer between the tip interface MT and the final end of the tip Tf. A cross-section of the tip taken along plane A-A may be circular. However, it is envisioned that the cross-section may be oval or rectangular. 
     The ink mixing assembly in  FIG. 3  is the same as the ink mixing assembly in  FIGS. 1-2  except for a pressure regulation assembly. Therefore, the detailed description of similar features will be omitted and like reference numerals will be used. 
     An ink discharge device  20  may include a tip  24   a,  which may be plastic. The tip  24   a  may be configured to deposit ink onto a writing surface. 
     The casing  100  may be a polymer of any other suitable material, for example, metal. The casing  100  may comprise a pressure regulation assembly having a discharge device receiver  300  and a spring  400 . The casing  100  may be formed with a lip  120  positioned about the opening  110  and extends radially inward. 
     The discharge device receiver  300  may be dimensioned to enclose the outer circumference of the discharge device  20 , but allow the tip  24   a  to contact a respective first or second receiving portion  224  of the porous color linker  200 . The discharge device receiver  300  may have a substantially cylindrical shape and include an inner surface Ri and an outer surface Ro. 
     The inner surface Ri of the discharge device receiver  300  may include a securing member  334 . The securing member  334  may be formed as a protuberance, a plurality of protuberances, or a recess. 
     The discharge device  20  may include a fixing member  26  formed on the outer surface thereof. The fixing member  26  may be configured to contact the securing member  334 . The fixing member  26  may be formed as a protuberance, a plurality of protuberances, or a recess so long as it is formed to correspond with the securing member  334  to fix the discharge device  20  into the discharge device receiver  300 . 
     The discharge device receiver  300  may comprise one or more flange(s)  332  formed on the outer surface Ro thereof. The flange  332  may be dimensioned to extend from the outer surface Ro of the discharge receive device  300  and be enclosed within the casing  100  such that the discharge receiving device  300  is moveable relative to the casing  100 . 
     The pressure regulation comprised a spring  400 . The spring  400  maybe positioned about the outer surface Ro of the discharge receiving device  300  and between the flange  332  and lip  120  of the casing. In this configuration, the spring  400  may apply a pressure on the discharge receiving device  300 . The spring  400  may be formed as a helical spring. The spring may comprise any suitable material, for example metal or plastic. 
     In operation, a user may insert a discharge device  20  into the discharge receiving device  300 . The discharge device  20  may be operably fixed to the discharge receiving device  300  due to the contact between the securing member  334  and the fixing member  26 . Due to the pressure exerted by the spring  400  on the discharge receiving device, the tip  24   a  of the discharge device  20  is held into place in the receiving portion  224  of the porous color linker  200 . Further, due to the contact between the securing member  334  and the fixing member  26 , the spring  400  may be maintained in a compressed configuration. In this configuration, the ink mixing assembly provides a consistent contact between the tip  24   a  of the discharge device  20  and the porous color linker  200 . This permits a consistent flow of ink while also reducing the occurrence of damage of the tip  24   a  of the discharge device  20 . 
     Similar to the porous color linker  200  of  FIG. 2 , the ink that is in the discharge device  20  may be to transferred to the base portion B, mixing portion M, and tip portion T by capillary action. The tip portion T may be configured to deposit indicia, or the mixed ink, on a writing surface. 
     The ink mixing assembly in  FIG. 4  is similar to the ink mixing assemblies in  FIGS. 1-3 . Therefore, the detailed description of similar features will be omitted and like reference numerals will be used. 
     An ink discharge device  30  may include a tip  34   a,  which may be felt. The tip  34   a  may be configured to deposit ink onto a writing surface. 
     The casing  100  may be a polymer of any other suitable material, for example, metal. The casing  100  may or may not comprise a pressure regulation assembly having a discharge device receiver  300  and a spring  400 . 
     In this configuration, the user receives the benefit that felt tip discharge devices  30  are able to be effectively converted into a plastic tip writing instrument. 
     The ink mixing assembly in  FIG. 5  is similar to the ink mixing assemblies in  FIGS. 1-4  except that the discharge devices  40  may include an angled tip  44   a  and the ink linking assembly is configured to accommodate the angled discharge devices  40 . Therefore, the detailed description of similar features will be omitted and like reference numerals will be used. 
     An ink discharge device  40  may have a center axis E, and end  42  and an elongated ink transfer element  44  having a tip  24   a,  which may be felt. The tip  24   a  may be configured to deposit ink onto a writing surface. 
     The end  42  may be angled relative to the center axis E such that the ink transfer element  44  is positioned at an angle ±θ relative to the center axis C of the porous color linker  200 . The angle ±θ may be within a range that positions the center axis E of the discharge device  40  to be parallel or substantially parallel with the center axis C of the porous color linker  200 . 
     To account for the angled tips  44   a  of the discharge devices  40 , the base portion B of the porous color linker may only one receiving portion  224  configured to receive the tips  44   a  of the first and second ink discharge devices  40 . The receiving portion  224  may have a dimension x such that the tips  44   a  of different discharges devices  40  are separated from each other to prevent the occurrence of backflow or contaminating a discharge device  40  with the incorrect ink. 
     The benefit of this configuration is that by angling the tips  44   a  of the discharge devices  40  such that the axis E of discharge devices  40  are parallel or substantially parallel to the center axis C of the porous color linker  200 , the ink mixing assembly and discharge devices are more compact. As such, it facilitates the user&#39;s manipulation of the ink mixing assembly and discharge devices. Additionally, the shorter distance x and single receiving portion  224 , enhances the porous color linker&#39;s ability to mix the multiple inks. 
     The operation of the porous color linker  200  remains the same as the porous color linker  200  of  FIGS. 1-4 . That is, the ink is transferred to the base portion B, mixing portion M, and tip portion T by capillary action. The tip portion T may be configured to deposit indicia, or the mixed ink, on a writing surface. 
       FIG. 6  shows a flow chart showing a method of mixing colors. It is envisioned that the casing  100  of any of the aforementioned embodiments may be configured to work with a digital application that assists the user in discovering which mixtures of ink result in a particular color, for example, red and yellow ink result in an orange color or yellow and blue ink result in a green color. 
     As such, the ink mixing assembly  10  may be of a digital type connected to a digital device or directly to the Internet Of Things (IOT) through a wireless connection allowing and advising the user on how to mix different discharge devices, for example, felt pens. Therefore, the ink mixing assembly may include a camera, processing unit, control unit, and transmitter. 
     The ink mixing assembly  10  may be communicatively connected to the transmitter, and/or communicatively connected via a hardwire connection to an interface unit, which may be, for example a computer or mobile device. 
     In one communication path, the camera may be configured to capture image information, the processing unit may be configured to process the image information, and the control unit may be configured to send the image information via the transmitter. Communication technologies used by the ink mixing assembly to transmit information may include cellular, satellite, Bluetooth, low-power wide-area networks (LPWAN), or connecting directly to the internet via ethernet, which examples are not limiting. 
     The information received by the user device can be routed to the application which may provide a suggestion of ink combinations to reproduce the color information captured by the camera. The application may or may not be connected to an IoT gateway. If connected, the image information may be routed to a user platform. Based on the image information, the application or user platform can provide appropriate suggestions or feedback on the captured image information. 
     As shown in S 100 , the user first enters into the application which products are being used, for example, the model of the ink mixing assembly and the series of ink discharge devices, for example ink markers. As shown in S 200 , the user can either select a color on the application and receive a suggestion on the mixture of inks to use with the ink mixing assembly or the user may use the camera on the device to capture image data, send the data to the application, and allow the application the suggest the mixture of inks to use with the ink mixing assembly to reproduce the captured image data. In S 300 , the user follows the suggestion by the application by arranging the appropriate ink discharge devices into the ink mixing assembly and outputs or deposits the mixed ink on a writing surface. 
     Throughout the description, including the claims, the term “comprising a” should be understood as being synonymous with “comprising at least one” unless otherwise stated. In addition, any range set forth in the description, including the claims should be understood as including its end value(s) unless otherwise stated. Specific values for described elements should be understood to be within accepted manufacturing or industry tolerances known to one of skill in the art, and any use of the terms “substantially” and/or “approximately” and/or “generally” should be understood to mean falling within such accepted tolerances. 
     Although the present disclosure herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present disclosure. Additionally, any of the features of the described embodiments are combinable when not conflicting. 
     It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by a fair reading of the following claims.