Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to the field of marking devices. More specifically, the invention comprises a device for rejuvenating the tip of a dried out marker. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Dry erase markers and whiteboards are becoming more readily used in classrooms and workplaces in lieu of chalk and chalkboards. Marker tips often dry out before the ink in the marker has been consumed. The cost of replacing dried out markers affects budgets for schools, employers and individuals. Therefore, lengthening the life of a marker would be advantageous. 
         [0005]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a typical prior art dry erase marker  10  is comprised of a body  12 , neck  20 , tip holder  16 , tip  14  and cap  18 . If cap  18  is left off of dry erase marker  10 , tip  14  often becomes dry and the ink will no longer flow readily through tip  14 . Tip  14  can also become dry while a user is writing with dry erase marker  10  on a whiteboard. 
         [0006]    Renewal devices have not previously been used to rejuvenate dry erase markers  10 . Typically, dry erase markers  10  are simply thrown away and new ones purchased. Additionally, a user may become frustrated when a marker runs out in the middle of writing, especially when there are no other markers in the area. A renewal device will ideally allow the user to quickly and efficiently renew the marker and continue writing, saving time, frustration and money. A renewal device could be placed on or around a writing surface on which dry erase markers are used. Additionally, a smaller, portable version of the renewal device could be used to transport the device in a user&#39;s pocket, briefcase, backpack or purse. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention comprises a marker rejuvenator for renewing a marker when the tip becomes dry. The rejuvenator is primarily comprised of an actuator, a reservoir and a fluid dispersion nozzle. The actuator is preferably located proximate the reservoir. The actuator may be made separate from the reservoir for manufacturing convenience. In such a case, an engagement mechanism, such as a threaded engagement, attaches the actuator and reservoir. 
         [0008]    The reservoir is configured to hold a certain volume of solvent at the base of the device. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention a extends upward from the base of the device traveling through the center of a bellows. The conduit ends at a nozzle. The actuator contains a spray chamber located proximate the nozzle. The spray chamber preferably includes a receiver configured to receive the marker tip. 
         [0009]    To operate the device a user places a dry erase marker into the receiver. In the preferred embodiment, the neck of the marker contacts the tapered entry of the receiver. The tapered entry can contain an optional o-ring to seal the spray chamber into which the tip of the marker extends. Force applied by the user depresses the actuator and the bellows of the rejuvenator. Upon depressing the bellows the solvent travels through the conduit and out of the nozzle. The solvent is sprayed into the spray chamber where the tip is located. The tip is evenly coated with solvent, which allows ink to begin flowing through the tip again. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view, showing a dry erase marker. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view, showing one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a sectioned perspective view, showing the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a sectioned perspective view, showing the present invention in operation with dry erase marker. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a sectioned perspective view, showing the present invention in operation with a dry erase marker. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view, showing an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view, showing the reservoir detached and apart from the actuator. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view, showing the actuator detached and apart from the reservoir. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view, showing the top of the rejuvenator and an alternative embodiment of the present invention with an optional o-ring. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view, showing the present invention engaged with a whiteboard. 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a sectioned perspective view, showing an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS 
       [0021]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 dry erase marker 
                 12 
                 body 
               
               
                 14 
                 tip 
                 16 
                 tip holder 
               
               
                 18 
                 cap 
                 20 
                 neck 
               
               
                 22 
                 rejuvenator 
                 24 
                 reservoir 
               
               
                 26 
                 actuator 
                 28 
                 receiver 
               
               
                 30 
                 boss 
                 32 
                 outer reservoir wall 
               
               
                 34 
                 outer actuator wall 
                 36 
                 nozzle 
               
               
                 38 
                 conduit 
                 40 
                 bellows 
               
               
                 42 
                 threaded engagement 
                 44 
                 spray chamber 
               
               
                 46 
                 tapered entry 
                 48 
                 solvent 
               
               
                 50 
                 solvent chamber 
                 52 
                 clip 
               
               
                 54 
                 whiteboard 
                 56 
                 o-ring 
               
               
                 58 
                 male thread 
                 60 
                 female thread 
               
               
                 62 
                 clamp 
                 64 
                 spray chamber 
               
               
                 66 
                 nozzle 
                 68 
                 bellows 
               
               
                 70 
                 reservoir 
                 72 
                 conduit 
               
               
                 74 
                 actuator 
                 76 
                 receiving orifice 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]      FIG. 2  shows a first embodiment of the present invention, rejuvenator  22 , which may be used to revitalize a “dried out” dry erase marker. Rejuvenator  22  preferably comprises two detachable components—actuator  26  and reservoir  24 . Actuator  26  includes boss  30  and receiver  28 , which opens into the interior of boss  30 . Receiver  28  is configured to accept tip  14  and neck  20  of dry erase marker  10  as seen in  FIG. 4 . Actuator  26  nests on top of reservoir  24  (in the orientation shown in the view) overlapping a portion of reservoir  24 . In the present view, the top of reservoir  24  is covered by the bottom portion of actuator  26 . Directional terms such as “top” and “bottom” will be understood to refer only to the orientation of the device as shown in the drawing views and not as limitations. 
         [0023]    A section view of rejuvenator  22  is provided in  FIG. 3 . The reader will observe that actuator  26  and reservoir  24  are made as separate pieces in this embodiment. They are preferably connected by a detachable connection such as threaded engagement  42 . As shown in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , female thread  60  on actuator  26  engages male thread  58  on reservoir  24 . There can be many different ways to attach actuator  26  and reservoir  24  together, however. For example, reservoir  24  could attach to actuator  26  by a snapping engagement or by a key turn engagement. Actuator  26  and reservoir  24  could also be made a single, integral piece. Thus, the details set out in this description should be viewed simply as one example selected from many possibilities. 
         [0024]    Returning to  FIG. 3 , reservoir  24  contains solvent  48  within solvent chamber  50 . Solvent  48  can be any fluid that when introduced to the tip of a dry erase marker will restart the flow of ink through the tip. The solvent can be carried to the spray chamber by a variety of devices. One approach is to use a conduit as shown. The base of conduit  38  is submerged into solvent  48  and extends upward away from the base of reservoir  24 , through the middle of bellows  40  to nozzle  36 . Bellows  40  extend upward from the top of solvent chamber  50 . Bellows  40  are made of a material such that bellows  40  are compressed when pressure is applied. Bellows  40  reform to their original shape when pressure is released. An alternative embodiment of the present invention could comprise a spring mechanism located in place of bellows  40 . One skilled in the art will recognize that the spring mechanism would act in the same manner as bellows  40 . 
         [0025]    Spray chamber  44  is provided proximate nozzle  36 . Spray chamber  44  can be formed in any shape configured to accept tip  14  of dry erase marker  10 . Spray chamber  44  opens upward to tapered entry  46  and receiver  28 . The receiver and spray chamber can likewise be a single cavity of uniform shape, but the configuration shown in  FIG. 3  is believed to be advantageous. 
         [0026]    Turning to  FIG. 4 , the reader will observe that receiver  28  and tapered entry  46  accept tip  14  and neck  20  of dry erase marker  10 . When a user exerts a force on dry erase marker  10  neck  20  of marker  10  contacts receiver  28  of actuator  26 . When that force is applied to actuator  26  outer actuator wall  34  slides down vis-à-vis outer reservoir wall  32 . This causes bellows  40  to compress, decreasing the total volume of solvent chamber  50 , as seen in  FIG. 5 . The compression exerts pressure on the top of solvent  48  and causes solvent  48  to travel through conduit  38 . Solvent  48  reaches nozzle  36  and disperses through nozzle  36  into spray chamber  44  as a mist, stream or spray. When tip  14  of dry erase marker  10  is inserted as shown the solvent will soak tip  14 , thereby allowing the ink to begin to reflow. The terms “mist,” “stream,” and “spray” may be used interchangeably throughout to describe the discharge of solvent from the reservoir to the tip of the marker. The reader should understand that the solvent may be discharged at various flow conditions. The term “spray” is intended to be inclusive of any such flow condition in which solvent is discharged through an orifice. 
         [0027]    Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . In this embodiment, the width of actuator  26  is only slightly wider than the width of receiver  28 . Because of the narrow dimensions of actuator  26  and reservoir  24 , rejuvenator  22  is approximately the size of dry erase marker  10  but operates in the same manner as the larger version. This embodiment allows the user to easily transport rejuvenator  22  in a pocket, backpack, briefcase or purse, which is a good example of the same structure being realized in a very different shape. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 7 and 8  show the embodiment originally presented in  FIG. 2 . As the reader will observe in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , reservoir  24  can be detached from actuator  26 . This allows a user to replace reservoir  24  or refill reservoir  24  with solvent  48 .  FIG. 7  illustrates reservoir  24  independent of actuator  26 . Nozzle  36  rests on top of male thread  58 . When solvent chamber  50  is empty, reservoir  24  can be refilled with solvent  48  by removing nozzle  36  and pouring solvent  48  into the opening. Alternatively, the entire reservoir  24  could be replaced. Turning to  FIG. 8 , the reader will appreciate how male thread  58  of reservoir  24  engages female thread  60  of actuator  26 . 
         [0029]    Still another alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 9 . As the reader will observe, an optional o-ring  56  can be installed at the base of tapered entry  46  in order to seal the spray chamber  44  upon entry of tip  14  into receiver  28 . The sealing of spray chamber  44  ensures that solvent  48  does not escape from spray chamber  44  and that only tip  14  of dry erase marker  10  contacts solvent  48 . It may be necessary in this embodiment to install a lateral vent, or similar means, to allow air to escape actuator  26 . 
         [0030]    Yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 10 . Clip  52  can attach to the base of rejuvenator  22  in order to engage whiteboard  54  or some other suitable surface. In this embodiment, clamp  62  is used to attach rejuvenator  22  to the ledge of whiteboard  54 .  FIG. 10  is just one example selected from many possibilities of a means of connecting rejuvenator  22  to whiteboard  54 . 
         [0031]    Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 11 . In this embodiment, actuator  74  and reservoir  70  are a single, unified component joined by bellows  68 . Actuator  74  has receiving orifice  76  for receiving the tip of the marker. Nozzle  66  is provided at the base of spray chamber  64 . Conduit  72  extends from the bottom of reservoir  70  to nozzle  66 . As with the previous embodiment, when actuator  74  is pressed downward (toward reservoir  70 ) the solvent contained within reservoir  70  is pressurized. The pressurized solvent is forced up conduit  70  and through nozzle  66  where it is sprayed into spray chamber  64 . Actuator  74  may be pressed down by contact with the marker (when the marker is inserted through receiving orifice  76 ) or independently (such as by applying a downward force directly on actuator  74  with the user&#39;s hand). 
         [0032]    The preceding description contains significant detail regarding the novel aspects of the present invention. It should not be construed, however, as limiting the scope of the invention but rather as providing illustrations of the preferred embodiments of the invention. As an example, reservoir  24  and actuator  26  could be formed into many different shapes or sizes. In addition, other devices may be used to pressurize the solvent. In one embodiment, bellows  40  could be replaced by a pump mechanism similar to those found in spray bottles. Alternatively, the solvent may be pre-pressurized as an aerosol with a carrier or gas or may be pressurized by the consumer with assistance of a pressurized carbon dioxide cartridge or other device. Furthermore, colored dyes or other additives may be added to the solvent (such as a blue dye for use with blue markers). Such variations would not alter the function of the invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be fixed by the following claims, rather than by the examples given.

Technology Category: 7