Self-healing seal assembly for a writing instrument

A writing instrument comprising:

• a tubular body terminating in a writing orifice at a distal end of the tubular body;
• a reservoir for storing a writing ink which is arranged proximally to the writing orifice;
• a nib arranged distally to the reservoir and in fluid communication with the reservoir,
• wherein the nib is configured to be axially translatable within the tubular body between a first retracted position in which the nib is positioned within the tubular body and not protruding through the writing orifice and a second extended position in which the nib protrudes through the writing orifice;
• an actuating means for axially translating the nib within the tubular body between the first retracted position and the second extended position for writing;
• a seal assembly comprising:
• a seal component located within the tubular body at or adjacent to the writing orifice which seals the nib and the reservoir from exposure to the environment in the first retracted position,
• wherein the seal component is configured to be penetrated when the nib is advanced into the second extended position for writing,
• wherein the seal component comprises a self-healing material,
• and wherein the seal component is configured to at least partially restore its sealing property when the nib is retracted to the first retracted position;
• wherein the seal-assembly further comprises at least one elastomeric support configured to prevent dragging of the self-healing material during the nib movement.