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US 6,742,952 B1Granted
Transparent or translucent tubular structure
AssigneeBIC Corporation
InventorsQingping Chen, Michael T. Nowak
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A writing medium reservoir that exhibits clear drain of a writing medium, and preferably in which the writing medium is readily visible to the user. A method of making a writing medium reservoir that exhibits clear drain of a writing medium, and preferably in which the writing medium is readily visible to the user. The method may include forming the writing medium reservoir by co-extruding an inner layer and an outer layer. In addition, the present invention relates to a multi-layer tubular structure that exhibits clear drain of a liquid, and preferably in which the relative presence or relative absence of liquid is readily visible to the user.
Claims36
A writing instrument cartridge comprising:
- an inner layer comprising a first polymeric material having sufficient anti-wetting properties with respect to a writing medium such that said first polymeric material exhibits substantially clear drain of said writing medium;
- an outer layer comprising a second polymeric material;
- and
- a writing tip coupled to one end of the writing medium reservoir,
- wherein:
- said inner layer material and said outer layer material have a translucency such that, when combined, said writing medium reservoir exhibits sufficient translucency to allow a user externally to observe visually the level of said writing medium in said writing medium reservoir;
- and
- said inner layer material and said outer layer material are sufficiently compatible such that normal handling and normal use of said writing medium reservoir by said user does not substantially affect one or more of the following:
- said translucency, said substantially clear drain capability, and further normal function of said writing medium reservoir.
6 more elements
A writing instrument comprising:
- an inner layer comprising a first polymeric material having sufficient anti-wetting properties with respect to a writing medium such that said first polymeric material exhibits substantially clear drain of the fluid;
- an outer layer comprising a second polymeric material;
- a writing tip coupled to one end of the tubular structure;
- and
- a barrel, at least a portion of which is sufficiently translucent to allow a user to externally visually observe the level of the fluid contained in said tubular structure;
- wherein:
- said inner layer material and said outer layer material have a translucency such that, when combined, said tubular structure exhibits sufficient translucency to allow a user externally to observe visually the level of the fluid in said tubular structure;
- and
- said inner layer material and said outer layer material are sufficiently compatible such that normal handling and normal use of said tubular structure by said user does not substantially affect one or more of the following:
- said translucency, said substantially clear drain capability, and further normal function of said tubular structure.
7 more elements
A tubular structure comprising:
- an inner layer comprising a first polymeric material having sufficient anti-wetting properties with respect to a fluid such that said first polymeric material exhibits substantially clear drain of the fluid;
- and
- an outer layer comprising a second polymeric material;
- wherein:
- said inner layer material and said outer layer material have a translucency such that, when combined, said tubular structure exhibits sufficient translucency to allow a user externally to observe visually the level of the fluid in said tubular structure;
- and
- said inner layer material and said outer layer material are sufficiently compatible such that normal handling and normal use of said tubular structure by said user does not substantially affect one or more of the following:
- said translucency, said substantially clear drain capability, and further normal function of said tubular structure.
5 more elements
A method of making a substantially clear drain tubular structure comprising an inner layer and an outer layer, said method comprising:
- selecting an inner layer material comprising a first polymeric material having sufficient anti-wetting properties with respect to a selected fluid such that said first polymeric material exhibits substantially clear drain of the fluid;
- selecting an outer layer material comprising a second polymeric material;
- and
- forming a multi-layer tubular structure comprising said inner layer and said outer layer;
- wherein:
- said tubular structure exhibits sufficient translucency to allow a user externally to observe visually the level of the fluid in said tubular structure;
- and
- said inner layer material and said outer layer material are sufficiently compatible such that normal handling and normal use of said tubular structure by said user does not substantially affect said transparency, said substantially clear drain capability, and/or further normal function of said tubular structure.
5 more elements
A method of making a substantially clear drain tubular structure, said method comprising co-extruding a multi-layer tubular structure comprising an inner layer material and an outer layer material, wherein:
- said inner layer material comprises a polymeric material having sufficient anti-wetting properties with respect to a selected fluid such that said first polymeric material exhibits substantially clear drain of the fluid;
- said outer layer material is sufficiently translucent and said inner layer material is sufficiently thin so that, when co-extruded, said tubular structure exhibits sufficient translucency to allow a user externally to observe visually the fluid in said tubular structure;
- and
- said inner layer material and said outer layer material are sufficiently compatible such that normal handling and normal use of said tubular structure by said user does not substantially affect one or more of the following:
- said translucency, said substantially clear drain capability, and further normal function of said tubular structure.
2 more elements
A multi-layer tube capable of containing or transporting a liquid therein, said tube comprising:
- an inner layer comprising a first polymeric material having sufficient anti-wetting properties with respect to the liquid such that said first polymeric material exhibits substantially clear drain of the liquid, said first polymeric material comprising a polymer or copolymer having at least partially fluorinated repeat units;
- and
- an outer layer co-extruded with said inner layer and comprising a second polymeric material;
- wherein:
- said inner layer material and said outer layer material, together, are sufficiently translucent such that the liquid can be externally visually observed;
- and
- said inner layer material and said outer layer material are sufficiently compatible such that normal handling and normal use of said multi-layer tube does not substantially affect said transparency or translucency, said substantially clear drain capability, or further normal function of said multi-layer tube.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.