Improvements in Self-filling Fountain Pens.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Aug., 1899-Accepted, 23rd Dec., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Self-filling Fountain Pens.
I, WILLIAM WASHINGTON STEWART, of 111, Montague Street, Brooklyn,
Kings County, City and State of New York, United States of America, Fountain
Pen Manufacturer, 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:—
The object of my present invention is to provide a clean, simple and efficient
fountain pen which can be readily filled with the aid of different forms of
"fillers" without removing or disconnecting any portion of the pen and which
will at the same time be efficient under all conditions for writing purposes.
To these ends my invention consists in the novel arrangement and combina-
tion of parts hereinafter described and claimed.
In the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters indicate corresponding
parts in the various views;-
-
Figure 1 is a side view, partly in section, of a fountain pen embodying my
invention.
Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view of the same on the line 2-2 of Figure 1,
looking in the direction of the arrow in said figure.
Figure 3 is a detached detail side view of the nozzle and the parts carried
thereby.
Figure 4 is a detail perspective view of the controlling plug to be hereinafter
described.
Figure 5 is a view illustrating the manner in which the pen may be filled
without removing the nozzle.
Figure is a side view with parts broken away of another form of fountain
pen embodying my invention.
Figure is a transverse sectional view of the same on line 2-2 of Figure 6
of the drawing.
Figure 8 is a detail side view of the pen nib, feeder bar and the auxiliary feed
of this pen, the view illustrating the manner in which the same are united for
insertion in a holder.
Figures 9 and 11 are detail side views taken at right angles to each other of the
feeder bar.
Figure 10 is a detail side view of what I term a controlling bar which will be
hereinafter more fully described.
In Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings, A represents the hollow handle which con-
stitutes a reservoir for the pen and which may be of the usual or any preferred
construction. This handle A is provided with the usual nozzle B, which is
adapted to be secured thereto, as indicated at a, or the handle and nozzle may
be made integral. The usual cap or cover C is adapted to fit upon the nozzle, as
indicated in Figure 1, to cover the pen nib, or when the pen is in use, the cover
may be placed upon the seat b at the end of the holder, as indicated in Figure 5
of the drawing.
Upon reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, it will be seen that the
nozzle B has a semi-circular channel c cut therein which extends adjacent to

page_text: the bore and is in a sense auxiliary thereto. A pen nib D is seated within the
bore above the channel so as to divide the bore and so that the curved portion
of the pen will face the semi-circular channel c and the pen and the wall of the
channel will form an unobstructed duct which is substantially circular in cross-
section, as represented in Figure 2 of the drawings. Above the pen nib is a
meniscal-form opening, the walls of which are formed by the pen nib and a
part of the circular wall of the bore in the nozzle. Within this meniscal-form
opening is contained a renovable feeder bar E, which, in the present instance,
is illustrated as segmental in cross-section at d, where it contacts with the pen
nib, the trough-like portion thereof being uppermost, as indicated in Figs. 1
and 2 of the drawings, so that the bottom of the trough will rest upon the top
of the pen. This feeder bar is provided with a spiral projection or extension e
which projects back of the nozzle into the reservoir or handle A. By this
arrangement it will be observed that a series of separate distinct passages or
ducts, irregular in cross-section, are provided above the pen nib, whereas a
single separate passage or duct, which is substantially circular in cross-section
and which is relatively larger than the ducts f, is provided below the pen nib
for purposes to be hereinafter described. Within the reservoir and directly
in the rear of the nozzle B may be removably secured what I term a controlling
plug F, which is shown in detail in Fig. 4 of the drawings. This plug is prefer-
ably angular in form in cross-section when it is to be contained within a reservoir
or conduit which is circular in cross-section and the plug has a central passage,
as indicated at g, through which a spiral end c of the feeder bar E may project.
The plug is likewise preferably provided with slots which extend from the
rear thereof forward and partly through the plug, for purposes which will here-
inafter appear.
The natural tendency of bubbles is to form round and if a circular opening
is provided for their escape, they will take this course and readily pass there-
through rather than pass through openings which are non-circular in outline,
because the film comprising the bubbles will be seated against the terminal of
the irregular or non-circular ducts and will not readily pass therethrough.
Then again the walls of the comparatively smaller irregular ducts f form
capillary surfaces and nucleuses down which the ink will flow more readily
than through the larger circular duct under the pen nib. For these reasons it
will be understood that when a column of ink is supported above the pen, as
indicated in Fig. 5 of the drawings, the first and natural tendency of the ink will
be to flow down through the ducts f, whereas the displaced air will readily flow
out from the reservoir through the circular duct and will combine with the ink
to form bubbles, which bubbles constitute upwardly moving stoppers, so to speak,
which will prevent the ink from flowing through the channel in which they
are contained. In this way it will be seen that a rapid movement of ink and
air in opposite directions is established and no interference between the free
movement of the two presented. By my invention a fountain pen can be
filled with one hand without removing the nozzle, in about six seconds, and the
ink is not liable to run over or become smeared upon the fingers, as is ordinarily
the case.
In order to fill the pen, it is merely necessary to support a column of ink
above the pen nib and the ducts of the pen which are in open communication
with the outer air, as indicated in Figure 5 of the drawings. It is not necessary
that any particular form of "filler" be employed, since any small tube or like
instrument will answer the purpose: If, for instance, the ordinary form of
"filler" with contracted nozzle be broken, the glass tube may be withdrawn
and the broken end inserted in the rubber bulb and an excellent "filler" is
provided for the pen. There is no necessity of compressing the bulb of the "filler'
as was the case heretofore, since the pen will absorb the ink from the "filler"
in a natural manner and there is no liability of the pen overflowing, because
the pen, when full, will cease to receive more ink and the absorption will cease.

page_text: The spiral portion e of the feeder bar will give a gyratory motion to the ink
when it comes into contact therewith and will readily conduct the ink below
any film that may be retained at the controlling plug F or at the rear of the
nozzle B, if the plug is not employed. By this means the ink is readily con-
ducted to the closed end of the reservoir without interfering with the air which
is displaced thereby and passes upwardly and out of the pen in the manner here-
inbefore described.
The purpose of the plug F is to retain any film that forms at the rear of the
nozzle and to prevent said film from obstructing the passages within the nozzle
when the pen is being filled and at the same time to form a nucleus for the
ready passage of ink and air around and through said film. Thus the film seats
itself against the rear of the plug, but the corners of the plug, contacting with
the side walls of the reservoir, will form nucleuses for the passage of ink around
the film, while the spaces between the side walls of the reservoir and those
portions of the plug which do not contact therewith, permit the air to pass
around the plug. The spiral end of the feeder bar passing through the central
opening in the plug, provides a centrally located means for conducting the ink
through the film. The slots in the plug, facilitate the feeding action of the
ink and air in opposite directions, inasmuch as their use allows a limited move-
ment of the film and a consequent movement of any ink and air that may be
controlled thereby. The plug therefore has in practice a pumping-like action.
When the plug is dispensed with, the film seats itself against the rear end of
the nozzle and the feeder bar conducts the ink and air therethrough in opposite
directions. I have found that as the form of the channel under the pen nib is
changed from the circular in cross-section, it correspondingly changes the flow
of ink to the pen nib, the quantity of flow being decreased as the form of the
channel from the circular is increased.
In Figures 6 to 11 of the drawings, a represents a hollow handle which con-
stitutes the ink reservoir of the pen and which may be of any desired con-
struction. In the present instance I have illustrated the handle and nozzle
thereof made integral and adapted to have the cap or cover B' seated on the
end a or according as the pen is closed to be carried in the pocket or the
pen nib is uncovered for writing. Within the holder and near the lower open
end thereof is a circumferential flange or abutment d against which the collar
of the auxiliary feed device C¹ is seated. From one side of this collar d¹ pro-
jects an extension e which is preferably of crescent shape in cross-section and
extends back into the reservoir and adjacent to an internal wall thereof as shown
in Fig. 6 of the drawings. Within the collar is seated an open-ended feeder-
bar D which is shown in detail in Figs. 9 and 11 of the drawings. This feeder
bar has a central bore extending therethrough which is preferably circular in
cross section as indicated in Fig. 7 of the drawings. This feeder-bar D¹ like-
wise has one or more grooves or channels fi therein which are preferably non-
circular in cross-section and which extend to each side of the collar di when
the feeder bar is seated therein so as to establish a communication for the
passage of ink and air through said collar. The feeder-bar is likewise prefer-
ably slitted longitudinally throughout a portion of its length as indicated at gl
in Fig. 9 of the drawings for the purposes which will hereinafter appear. A
slit is provided which extends from near the front end of the feeder bar
towards the rear thereof and this slit communicates with the bore of the feeder
bar so as to provide means for conveying ink from the reservoir to the slit in
the pen nib E which pen nib is seated on top of the feeder bar and is retained in
place by frictional contact between the collar d' and the feeder bar.
In Figure 10 of the drawing I have represented a spiral controlling bar Fi
which may be inserted and held friction tight within the bore r¹ of the feeder
bar to decrease the flow of ink to the pen nib.
In filling the pen any suitable instrument may be employed which is capable

page_text: of supporting a column of ink above the open end of the pen, and the ink will
flow down through the ducts or channels f¹ and displaced air will flow out
through the central bore a¹ of the feeder bar. The air flowing out through the
bore will combine with the ink and form bubbles which will prevent the ink
from descending through this channel so that the ink and air will flow in
opposite directions and the pen will rapidly fill itself without forcing the ink
from the "filler" as was customary heretofore. The pen naturally absorbs
the ink in the manner described because of the fact that the natural tendency of
the bubbles are to form round and if a circular opening is provided for their
escape they will take this course and readily pass therethrough rather than pass
the openings which are non-circular in outline because the film comprising the
bubbles will be seated against the terminals of the non-circular ducts or channels
and will not readily pass therethrough. Then again the walls of the compara-
tively smaller noncircular ducts f¹ form capillary surfaces and nucleuses down
which the ink will flow more readily than through the larger circular bore of
the feeder-bar. For these reasons it will be understood that when a column
of ink is supported above the pen the first and natural tendency of the ink will
be to flow down through the ducts f¹, whereas the displaced air will rapidly flow
out from the reservoir through the circular duct or bore of the feeder bar
and the air will combine with the ink to form bubbles which constitute
upwardly moving stoppers, so to speak, which will prevent ink from flowing
through the channels in which they are contained. In this way it will be seen
that a rapid movement of ink and air in opposite directions is established and no
interference between the free movement of the two is presented.
The extension el of the auxiliary feeder projects through the film which
naturally forms at the rear of the feeder bar and establishes a nucleus for the
free passage of ink and air round the film. The slits g¹ in the feeder bar permit
a slight longitudinal movement of the film and a consequent movement of the
ink and air controlled thereby so as to facilitate the feeding action of the ink
and air in opposite directions.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is: -
1. In a "self-filling" fountain-pen, the combination of an ink reservoir, a
nozzle therefor which has a bore that communicates with the reservoir and
which is in open communication with the outer air at the lower end of the
nozzle, a pen nib seated in the bore of said nozzle so as to divide the same into
two ink and air inlet and outlet channels, the channel under the pen nib being
unobstructed and substantially circular in cross-section, while the channel above
the pen nib is of non-circular form in cross-section, whereby when a column of
ink is supported above the open end of the pen it will be absorbed by said pen.
2. In a self filling" fountain pen, the combination of an ink reservoir, a
nozzle therefor which has a bore that communicates with the reservoir and which
is in open communication with the outer air at the lower end of the nozzle, a
pen nib seated in the bore of the said nozzle so as to divide the same into two
ink and air inlet and outlet channels, the channel under the pen nib being
unobstructed and formed by the pen nib on one side and by the wall of the bore
of the nozzle on the other side and being substantially circular in cross-section,
while the channel above the pen nib is of non-circular form in cross-section and
a feeder bar situated in the channel above the pen, nib so as to divide it into a
multiplicity of smaller channels whereby when a column of ink is supported
above the open end of the pen, it will be absorbed by said pen.
66
3. In a self-filling" fountain pen, the combination of an ink reservoir, a
nozzle therefor which has a bore that communicates with the reservoir and is in
open communication with the outer air at the lower end of the nozzle, an

page_text: auxiliary substantially semi-circular channel formed in the internal wall of said
nozzle, a pen nib seated in the bore of said nozzle above said auxiliary channel
so as to provide two ink and air inlet and outlet channels, the channel under
the pen nib being unobstructed and substantially circular in cross-section, while
the channel above the pen nib is of non-circular form in cross-section, whereby
when a column of ink is supported above the open end of the pen, it will be
absorbed by said pen.
4. In a
self filling" fountain pen, the combination of an ink reservoir, a
nozzle therefor which has a bore that communicates with the reservoir and which
is in open communication with the outer air at the lower end of the nozzle, an
auxiliary substantially semi-circular channel formed in the internal wall of said
nozzle, a pen nib seated in the bore of said nozzle above the auxiliary channel
so as to provide two ink and air inlet and outlet channels, the channel under the
pen nib being unobstructed and formed by the pen nib on one side and by the
wall of the auxiliary channel on the other side and being substantially circular
in cross-section, while the channel above the pen nib is of non-circular form in
cross-section and a feeder bar situated in the channel above the pen nib so as
to divide it into a multiplicity of smaller channels, whereby when a column of
ink is supported above the open end of the pen, it will be absorbed by said pen.
5. In a "self filling" fountain pen, the combination of an ink reservoir, a
nozzle therefor which has a bore that communicates with the reservoir and
which is in open communication with the outer air at the lower end of the
nozzle, an auxiliary substantially semi-circular channel formed in the internal
wall of said nozzle, a pen nib seated in the bore of said nozzle above said auxiliary
channel so as to provide two ink and air inlet and outlet channels, the channel
uniler the pen nib being substantially circular in cross-section, while the channel
above the pen nib is of non-circular form in cross-section and a feeder bar
situated in the channel above the pen nib so as to divide it in a multiplicity
of smaller channels, said feeder bar having a spiral extension which projects
back into the reservoir.
6. In a
"self filling" fountain pen, the combination of an ink reservoir, à
nozzle therefor which has a bore that communicates with the reservoir and
which is in open communication with the outer air at the lower end of the
nozzle, an auxiliary substantially semi-circular channel formed in the internal
wall of said nozzle, a pen nib seated in the bore of said nozzle above said
auxiliary channel so as to provide two ink and air inlet and outlet channels,
the channel under the pen nib being unobstructed and substantially circular
in cross-section, while the channel above the pen nib is of non-circular form in
cross-section, a feeder bar situated in the channel above the pen nib so as to
divide it into a multiplicity of smaller channels and a controlling plug con-
tained within the reservoir and through which the feeder bar is adapted to
project.
7. In a fountain pen, the combination of a reservoir, a nozzle therefor which
has a bore that communicates with the reservoir and which is in open communi-
cation with the outer air at the lower end of the nozzle, a pen nib seated in the
bore of said nozzle so as to divide said bore into two ink and air inlet and outlet
channels, a feeder bar cooperating with the pen nib and a controlling plug con-
tained within the reservoir and through which the feeder bar projects.
S. In a fountain pen, the combination of a reservoir, a nozzle therefor, which
has a bore that communicates with the reservoir and which is in open communi-
cation with the outer air at the lower end of the nozzle, a pen nib seated in the
bore of said nozzle so as to divide said bore into two ink and air inlet and outlet
channels, a feeder bar cooperating with the pen nib and provided with a spiral
projection that extends into the reservoir and an angular controlling plug con-
tained within the reservoir and having a central passage therein through which
the feeder bar projects.
9. In a fountain pen, the combination of a reservoir, a nozzle therefor which

page_text: has a bore that communicates with the reservoir and which is in open com-
munication with the outer air at the lower end of the nozzle, a pen nib seated
in the bore of said nozzle so as to divide the said bore into two ink and air inlet
and outlet channels, the channel under said pen nib being substantially circular
in cross-section, whereas the channel above it is meniscal-form in cross-section
and a trough-like feeder bar having its bottom bearing upon the upper side of
the pen nib and having a spiral projection which extends into the reservoir.
10. In a fountain pen, the combination of a reservoir, a nozzle therefor which
has a bore that communicates with the reservoir and which is in open com-
munication with the outer air at the lower end of the nozzle, a pen nib seated
in the bore of said nozzle so as to divide the said bore into two ink and air
inlet channels, the channel under said pen nib being substantially circular in
cross-section, whereas the channel above it is of meniscal-form in cross-section,
a trough-like feeder bar having its bottom bearing upon the upper side of the
pen nib and having a spiral projection which extends into the reservoir and an
angular controlling plug having a central aperture which is adapted to receive
the spiral end of the feeder bar, said controlling plug being removably con-
tained within the reservoir.
11. In a self filling fountain pen, the combination with a holder which
constitutes an ink reservoir, of an open-ended feeder bar having a central bore
which communicates with the reservoir and with the pen nib, said feeder bar
likewise having conducting channels or grooves on the outer surface thereof
which communicate with the reservoir and extend forward of the support for said
feeder bar.
12. In a "self filling" fountain pen, the combination with a holder which
constitutes an ink reservoir, of an open-ended feeder bar having a central bore
which communicates with the reservoir and with the pen nib, said feeder bar
likewise having conducting channels or grooves on the outer surface thereof
which communicate with the reservoir and extend forward of the support for
said feeder bar, and a spiral controlling bar seated within the bore of said feeder
bar.
13. In a
"self filling" fountain pen, the combination with a holder which
constitutes an ink reservoir, of a removable collar adapted to be seated in said
holder, an open ended feeder bar seated in said collar and having a central bore
which communicates with the reservoir and with the pen nib, said feeder bar
likewise having conducting channels or grooves on the outer surface thereof
which communicate with the reservoir and extend outside of the collar in which
said feeder bar is seated.
14. In a "self filling" fountain pen, the combination with a holder which
constitutes an ink reservoir, of an open-ended feeder bar having a central bore
which is substantially circular in cross-section and which communicates with the
reservoir and with the fen nib, said feeder bar likewise having conducting
channels or grooves which are non-circular in cross-section on the outer surface
thereof and which communicate with the reservoir and extend outside of the
support for said feeder-bar.
66
15. In a self filling" fountain pen, the combination with a holder which
constitutes an ink reservoir, of a removable collar adapted to be seated in said
holder, an auxiliary feeder extension projecting from said collar back into the
reservoir, an open-ended feeder bar seated in said collar and having a central
bore which communicates with the reservoir and with the pen nib, said feeder
bar likewise having conducting channels or grooves on the surface thereof
which communicate with the reservoir and extend forward of the collar in which
said feeder bar is seated.
16. In a "self filling" fountain pen, the combination with a holder which
constitutes an ink reservoir, of a removable collar adapted to be seated in said
holder, an auxiliary feeder extension projecting from said collar back into the
reservoir, an open-ended feeder bar seated in said collar and having a central
:.

page_text: bore which is substantially circular in cross section and which communicates
with the reservoir and with the pen nib, said feeder bar likewise having conduct-
ing channels or grooves which are non-circular in cross-section on the outer
surface thereof and which communicate with the reservoir and extend forward
of the collar in which said feeder bar is seated.
Total 4 T1
T
1000
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
Chartered Patent Agents, 53, Chancery Lane. London.