Instrument for applying a viscous liquid
Shulmnan [451 Apr. 22, 1975 1 1 INSTRUMENT FOR APPLYING A VISCOUS LIQUID [76] Inventor: Valerie Shulman, 295 Tillou Rd..  
 South Orange. NJ. 07079 [22] Filed: Oct. 10, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 405,127  
 [52] U.S. Cl 401/265; 401/183 [51] Int. Cl B43k 1/06 [58] Field of Search 401/265, 266, l, 2, 183-185,  
 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1.859.072 5/1932 Christman 401/265 X 1.866.295 7/1932 Christman 401/265 X 3.374.928 3/1968 Hope 222/105 X 3.405.213 10/1968 Munz 401/184 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 349.548 5/1920 Germany 401/265 91.399 4/1958 Norway 401/265 Primary Examiner-Lawrence Charles Attorney, Agent, or Firm&#39;-Martin Novack. Esq.  
 [57] ABSTRACT An improved instrument and system for writing three dimensional forms with a viscous material that hardens when exposed to air. In accordance with the invention there is provided a flexible tubular body for containing the viscous material. the body having a closed end and a dispensing end. Further provided is a dispensing member having a relatively wide mouth portion which is removably secured to the dispensing end of the body, the mouth portion narrowing circum- .ferentially to form an apertured writing tip. The dispensing member includes and elongated channel which forms a communicating passage between the body and the aperture of the writing tip. Also, an annular protrusion at the writing tip forms a guide lip which is adapted to contact a writing surface during use of the instrument. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the material in the body to be dispensed includes polyvinyl acetate.  
 6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures INSTRUMENT FOR APPLYING A VISCOUS LIQUID BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to educational and amusement systems and, more particularly, a system for writing three dimensional forms.  
  There are many existing methods and devices for dispensing paint or the like from a squeeze tube to draw patterns. for example patterns that resemble embroidery. A device of this type is disclosed in the US. Pat. No. 3,374,928 of Hope. An attempt at writing&#34; with one of these implements requires a degree of skill and dexterity since a paint-holding tube is generally suspended somewhat above a surface and squeezed at the same time. Even if the dispensing end of such a device were to be moved along a writing surface, the need for substantial squeezing action by the writing hand constrains the natural writing action and control. It is also found that if the dispensing tip is not held at a precise angle. the flow of paint can be uneven or smeared.  
  The above disadvantages are particularly applicable when the device is to be used by a child for educational or amusement purposes. The concept of writing letters or numbers (or anything, for that matter) which can be touched afterwards is particularly attractive to young children. However, much of the educational writing practice is lost when additional hand dexterity is needed for squeezing and/or maintaining a proper tilt angle.  
  Another factor in utilizing an instrument of the type discussed is the cost of the material being dispensed. Materials approximating oil paint are expensive when used in the required quantities. Cheaper materials, however. would be suspected to be either difficult to dispense or to lose their shape once dispensed.  
  It is an object of the present invention to overcome the listed existing limitations of the art.  
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an improved instrument and system for writing three dimensional forms with a viscous material that hardens when exposed to air. In accordance with the invention there is provided a flexible tubular body for containing the viscous material, the body having a closed end and a dispensing end. Further provided is a dispensing member having a relatively wide mouth portion which is removably secured to the dispensing end of the body. the mouth portion narrowing circumferentially to form an apertured writing tip. The dispensing member includes an elongated channel which forms a communicating passage between the body and the aperture of the writing tip. Also, an annular protrusion at the writing tip forms a guide lip which is adapted to contact a writing surface during use of the instrument.  
  In a preferred embodiment of the invention the material in the body to be dispensed includes polyvinyl acetate. Further features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description when taken conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is an elevational perspective view ofa writing instrument in accordance with the invention shown during operation;  
 FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the instrument shown in FIG. -l; I  
  FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of the instrument of FIG. 1; and  
 FIG. 4 is a front view of the instrument.  
  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an embodiment of a writing instrument 10 in accordance with the invention. The instrument is depicted as having been used to write the letter L on a surface 50, the horizontal stroke having just been completed. The instrument is seen to leave thin generally cylindrical lines of a material that is liquid when applied but dries quickly to form raised figures which adhere to the writing surface.  
  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the instrument 10 and FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the components thereof. With reference to these FIGURES, the instrument includes a hollow tubular body 11, which is preferably formed of a flexible inert plastic that can be made by any suitable molding technique. The body 11 is provided with outer threading at both ends. A removable plastic end cap 12, having a small vent hole 25, defines a closed end of the instrument and has inner threading for attachment to the rear of body 11. The cap 12 is typically removed for filling the instrument with the material to be dispensed.  
  A dispensing member 13 is preferably formed of a rigid plastic and has a relatively wide mouth portion 14 which is provided with inner threading for removable securing to the front end of body 11. The member I3 narrows circumferentially from its mouth portion to form an apertured writing tip 15. A thin tubular Chan-- nel or capillary I6 extends from the apertured tip and back toward the mouth 14. The aperture diameter and the inner diameter of the channel 16 are preferably about 1/8 inch.  
  The tip 15 is provided with an annular protrusion which forms a guide lip I7. The lip contacts the writing surface 30 (FIG. 1) during use of the instrument 10. The tip 15 is also provided with at least one. and preferably three (as shown) external longitudinal grooves 30, each of which forms a small slot in the lip 17 as can be seen in FIG. 4. The entire dispensing member. 13 including the channel 16 and lip 17, is preferably formed of an integral piece of rigid molded plastic or nylon.  
  In operation of the writing system of the invention. the instrument 10 is filled with a mixture which preferably consists of polyvinyl acetate, alcohol and any desired coloring. Mixtures containing polyvinyl acetate have been found to flow readily and dry quickly, the alcohol expediting the drying phase. The channel 16 substantially prevents the entry of air bubbles into the instrument during use. The lip 17 and one of the slots therein direct the flow of material onto the writing surface and thus minimize smearing or uneven flow of the material. The plurality of grooves provides a choice of orientations of the instrument so that it need not be rotated significantly after it is initially grasped. As previously noted, the body 11 is flexible and normal grasping pressure of the fingers is generally sufficient to effect a flow of the material.  
  The invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment but it will be understood that variations within the spirit and scope of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art. For example. the  
 dispensing means may be attached to the body by snap means or may be permanently joined thereto. Also. means may be provided for supporting the channel 16 within the dispensing member. Furthermore. the end cap 12 may be made integral with the body 11 which may be filled from its opposite end or manufactured as a pre-filled throw-away cartridge.  
  1 claim: 1. An instrument for applying viscous fluid in the form of writing. comprising:  
 a flexible tubular body having a closed end and a dispensing end; a viscous fluid contained in said body. said fluid including polyvinyl acetate, and a dispensing member having a relatively wide mouth portion which is secured to the dispensing end of said body. said mouth portion narrowing circum ferentially to form an apertured writing tip, said dispensing member including: an elongated channel forming a communicating passage between said body and the aperture of said writing tip; and  
 an annular protrusion at said writing tip forming a guide lip which is adapted to contact said writing surface, said protrusion having at least one slot therein adapted to form the shape of the material dispensed from said tip.  
  2. The system as defined by claim I wherein said at least one slot is the end of a longitudinal external groove in said dispensing-member.  
  3. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said annular protrusion has a plurality of slots therein, each slot adapted to form the shape of material dispensed from said tip.  
  4. The system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said viscous fluid further contains alcohol.  
  5. The system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said dispensing member is removably secured to the dispensing end of said body.  
  6. The system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said body is formed of flexible plastic and said dispenser is formed of rigid plastic.