Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Aug., 1887.
Specification Accepted, 30th Sept., 1887
I, WILLIAM EDWARD BURTON of 24 Wimpole Street London W. Surgeon do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
Referring to the accompanying drawings
Figure represents a vertical section of the pen on a scale of 2 inches to the
inch and Figure 2 a transverse section (seen from above) through the middle of the
holes (VV) on a scale of 4 inches to the inch. The letters refer to the same parts
in both figures.
(I) is a reservoir of noncorrodible material filled with ink (Q) and closed below
by a plug (P.) screwed into it. The plug (P) is perforated by a hole continuous with
the tube (T) which is screwed into the plug (P) in the manner shown in the figure.
The plug (P) which terminates in the tube (H. H.) is screwed into the tube (D).
Into the lower end of the tube (D) is screwed the shaded tube (I. L.) whose lower
orifice is closed by the nib (N). The tube (D) has, at one side, the air-hole (V)
communicating with the air-hole (V) in the plug (P). (In case the openings (V₁ V.)
do not coincide when the plug (P) is screwed home a deep groove (S) is cut around
the plug (P) to insure their communication). The air-hole (V.) further communicates
with the air-space between the tubes (H) and (T) so that the space (A) is in direct
communication with the external air. The reservoir (I) is lined for a part of its
length by the india rubber tube (R. R.) cemented firmly into its place except where
the button (B) presses on it. (C) is a cap of non-corrodible material to protect the
nib (N) when not in use.
In proceeding to fill the pen, the pen is inverted so that the nib (N) points upward
and, holdin the plug (P) firmly by the flange (F), the reservoir (I) is unscrewed
and filled with ink by means of an ordinary ink-dropper or otherwise; and the
reservoir (I) is then screwed back securely on to the plug (P.) The pen is then
ready for use.
In proceeding to use the pen the cap (C) is removed from the lower and placed
on the upper end of the pen; then, holding the pen in position for writing, the
button (B) is pressed with the thumb. This causes compression of the rubber

page_text: tube (R. R) and thus forces a certain limited quantity of the ink (Q) through the
plug (P) and down the tube (T) into the lower end of the shaded tube (L) as shown
at (O). On releasing the button (B) from pressure it is driven back into its place
by the elasticity of the rubber which, at the same time, sucks back any surplus ink
from (O) into the reservoir (I). It will thus be seen that, after releasing the
button (B), the ink in the tube (I) can never stand higher than the lower end of
the tube (). It has been pointed out that the air-space (A) is in direct communi-
cation with the external air; therefore when the nib (N) is used in writing the ink
at (0) is free to flow out as required until completely exhausted when it can again be
renewed by pressing the button (B.).
When out of use, after replacing the cap (C), the pen is either laid horizontally
or, if put in the pocket, should be inverted. In the latter case the ink (0) falls to
the other end of the chamber (A) as shown by the dotted line at (E).
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I claim is :-
1. The device of having a small column of ink supplied by but separate from the
main reservoir; said small column being open to the air above and in connexion with
the nib below; so that it can flow out, as required, in writing, until exhausted; and
capable, moreover, of being replenished, as often as required, by pressing the
button (B).
2. The arrangement of the small tube (T) supplying ink from the reservoir which
prevents the tube (L) from ever becoming too full.
3. The arrangement of the tube (H) as herein described which, while allowing
free access of air to the space (A), prevents the ink from spilling when the pen is
inverted.
4. If the reservoir (I) become heated by the hand so that ink is expelled through
the tube (T) there is ample space in the tube (D) for the ink thus expelled; so that
no inconvenience will result.
Dated this 29th day of August 1887.