Pens

The present invention relates to pens and more particularly to publicly available pens and writing instruments for recording information such as patient records in a hospital.

Aspects of this invention relate to pens and more particularly a writing instrument and dispenser for dispensing writing instruments wherein the writing instruments are stacked within one another in the most space saving method possible. The dispensing system perpetuating the dispensation process without the user contacting either the dispenser or the other writing instruments within the dispenser, preventing cross contamination by disease or harmful microorganisms such as bacterium, viruses or fungi.

Writing instruments and dispensers are well known items in regular use throughout the world. They have however been identified as a major source of cross infection by harbouring harmful micro-organisms deposited on the units by multiple or repeated use with different users and patients. Existing writing instrument dispensers do not present the writing instrument to the user in a fashion which avoids cross contaminations by disease and micro organisms such as arise from contact by the users with the dispenser unit or the next writing instrument to be dispensed. Writing instruments can also be packed in sterile packs for dispensation but this can lead to cross contamination by disease and micro organisms such as bacterium, viruses or fungi due to multiple contacts with the packaging of the writing instrument. There is also a requirement for a dispensable writing instrument and dispenser unit which avoids cross contamination by disease or harmful micro-organisms to be made available in a situation where the user does not have a writing instrument, or is not permitted to use their own writing instrument because of situations such as cross infection or disease control.

It will be appreciated writing instruments such as pens utilised with regard

to recording such information as patient records in a hospital can either be a public pen secured about or adjacent the recording medium upon which the records are kept, or an individual's own pen. Clearly, a public pen will be used by a wide number of people and will therefore constitute a high risk with regard to cross contamination. It will also be understood even when an individual uses their own pen or writing instrument that individual may examine or touch a wide number of patients, instruments and surfaces such that if the individual does not rigorously wash and disinfect their hands after each such contact there may still be cross contamination via the pen as a carrier.

In accordance with aspects of the present invention there is provided a pen having a tapered body with a nib at an apex end and fiared to present a grip portion, the tapered body being hollow with an open end to allow entry of a similar pen into the tapered body.

Generally, the hollow form of the tapered body allows almost complete entry of the similar pen into the tapered body with juxtaposed surface to surface contact.

Normally, the tapered body is conical.

Typically, the tapered body presents a grip feature. Normally, the grip feature facilitates holding. Typically, the grip feature facilitates retention of a similar pen in the tapered body. Possibly, the grip feature consists of a band of roughened surface upon the tapered body. Furthermore, the grip feature may comprise a rib within the tapered body. Additionally, the grip feature may comprise a detent in the tapered body. Possibly, the grip feature comprises a rim lip at the open end.

Generally, the nib comprises an absorbent element to present an ink.

Possibly, the absorbent element comprises a felt segment. Possibly, the absorbent element as presented has a barrier surface. Alternatively, the nib comprises a pencil element.

Advantageously, the apex end has a seat for a nib upon entry of a similar

pen.

Possibly, the tapered body generally has an arc of between 10 to 15 ^e and preferably about 12 ^s .

Possibly, the tapered body has reinforcement features. Typically, the reinforcement features comprise web elements. Possibly, the web elements extend longitudinally and/or laterally relative to the apex end. Furthermore, the reinforcement features may comprise fluting in the tapered body.

Generally, the tapered body is formed from a plastics material. Possibly, the plastics material is associated with a biocide and/or disinfectant agent.

Possibly, the open end develops into a hollow cavity towards the apex end. Possibly, the hollow cavity is shaped to inhibit entry of a former element in use. Alternatively, the hollow cavity is shaped to allow entry of a former element to reinforce the tapered body in use.

Possibly, the tapered body has perforations to collapse inwardly when subject to a grip pressure. Possibly, the perforations facilitate collapse to a robust grip portion under grip pressure. Possibly, the robust grip portion is lost upon release of the grip pressure.

Additionally in accordance with aspects of the present invention there is provided a pen stack comprising a plurality of pens as described above.

Possibly, the pen stack has an interference association between each pen to provide a resilient assembly. Furthermore, the pens in a pen stack may be secured together through a detachable element causing association between adjacent pens in the stack.

Possibly, alternate pens within the stack are coloured differently to provide an indicator that a new pen is in use.

Additionally, the pen stack includes stops to limit pen contact and release.

Additionally, in accordance with aspects of the present invention there is 5 provided a pen dispenser arrangement comprising a dispenser with a dispense end having an aperture for presentation of a pen as described above.

Typically, the aperture has a flange to engage the tapered body to retain the pen in the dispenser arrangement. 10

Additionally, the flange has a diameter to allow the pen to be specifically removed by application of a dispense force to squeeze the tapered body through the aperture.

15 Generally, the dispenser comprises a tube extending from the dispense end to accommodate pens in accordance with the present invention. Generally, the pens are presented in a stack as described above.

Possibly, the tube includes a window in order to indicate the number of 0 pens available within the dispenser arrangement. Possibly, the dispenser end includes a cover displaceable in order to expose a pen for dispense.

Alternatively, the dispenser arrangement includes a mechanism to displace a pen from a normally retracted position within the dispenser to expose the pen for removal through the aperture. Possibly, the mechanism comprises a latch

25 secured to a chassis upon which the pen is located, the latch displaceable to move the chassis and the pen for exposure through the dispense end. Possibly, the latch acts against a bias in order to cause retraction of the pen within the dispenser. Typically, the latch is displaceable without hand contact.

30. According to some aspects of the present invention there is a simple to manufacture cost effective writing instrument which, because it is tapered outwards from a writing tip to the top of the instrument, is able to be stacked within other similar writing instrument making it the most space saving method of stacking, packing and dispensing writing instruments. The ability to stack one

writing instrument inside another enables it to be dispensed in a fashion so as to make it available to the user without the user coming into contact with the next writing instrument to be dispensed, or the dispenser. Thus making it ideal where cross infection or contamination from micro organisms such as bacteria, viruses and fungi are problematical such as in hospitals and doctors surgeries. The number of these writing instruments packed within one another within a given volume can be maximised by utilising a thin wall design for the tapered barrel of the writing instrument and is then only limited by the length of the actual writing medium and writing medium holder which, because these writing instruments are primarily for single use, needs only be minimal and can be adjusted in manufacture to give extremely short usage. The point, nib or ball of the writing instrument can also be covered in manufacture with a small cap or cover to prevent evaporation of the writing medium thus allowing a medium to be used which evaporates quickly - disabling the writing instrument in use after a . short period of time. Both these systems encouraging the user to dispose of the writing instrument once used to aid in the prevention of cross infection by harmful micro-organisms. The writing instruments and dispenser unit can incorporate an anti microbial additive which utilises silver ions or other anti microbials to further enhance the anti microbial properties of the system.

Embodiments according to aspects of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical cross section of the unit;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section through the dispenser unit A-A;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the lower part of the dispenser;

Fig. 4 is a dispenser unit and writing instrument in side view;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the dispenser mounted to a surface;

Fig. 6 is a schematic illustration of a pen stack in accordance with aspects

of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a schematic cross section of the pen depicted in Rg. 6;

Rg. 8 is a cross section of apex ends of a pen stack depicted in Rg. 7; and,

Fig. 9 is a schematic illustration of a pen dispenser arrangement in accordance with the present invention.

The writing instrument 1 Fig. 1 (which can be manufactured in different lengths and wall thicknesses, and from any rigid or semi rigid materials such as polymers and papers, and may be manufactured incorporating an anti-microbial action such as silver ion technology or other continuous sterilisation medium) is held in the dispenser tube 2 by the annular rim 3 which is part of the writing instrument 1 abutting the return 4 on the dispenser 2. The writing instrument 1 is removed from the dispenser tube 2 by the user pulling the writing instrument 1 downwards, the annular rim 3 at the top of the writing instrument 1 forces against the fronds 5 in the example shown Rg. 2 which are arranged in an annular fashion at the lower end of the dispenser tube 2, moving them apart and releasing the writing unit 1. These fronds 5 Fig. 3 are split longitudinally allowing them to flex outwards when the writing instrument 1 is pulled downwards by the user, thus releasing it. The next writing unit 6 Fig. 1 will then drop into place in the dispenser tube 2 Fig. 1 taking up the position previously occupied by writing instrument 1. Generally, an annular ring is not needed to retain the writing instruments 1 provided there is sufficient contact to prevent release of more than one instrument at a time.

The writing instruments 1 Fig. 1 are tapered outwards from a lower tip to the top end, where the top rim is formed by the annular rim 3. This allows them to be stacked within one another saving storage space. The tip or point 14 of the writing instrument 1 should be kept as short as possible as this is the main determining factor for the amount of writing units which can be stacked in any given length of dispenser tube 2. The tip 14 of the writing instrument 1 can be

designed to abut the upper surface of the tip or nib holder at 15, prior to the outer surface of main casing of the writing instrument 6 fitting closely to the inner surface of the writing instrument 1 , preventing the writing instrument 6 jamming inside writing instrument 1 , which could result in writing instrument 6 being removed from the dispenser unit 2 with writing instrument 1.

The dispenser tube 2 can be manufactured in any length to correspond with the number of writing units 1 required, and from any rigid or semi rigid material, but preferably from a clear polymer which allows the user to determine the number of writing instruments remaining in the dispenser tube 2. The dispenser tube 2 can be sealed with a lid 7 to prevent the ingress of extraneous matter. The dispensing tube 2 can also be delivered with a cap or cover over the lower delivery end which seals and protects the writing instruments in transport. The user then removes the cap or cover when the first writing instrument 1 is required. The dispenser tube 2 can be disposable.

The dispenser tube 2 Fig. 4 can be mounted in a bracket 10 which is fixed to the wall or other mounting surface by the fixings 8 with the dispenser tube 2 being clipped into the sprung clips 11 Fig. 5. The vertical position of the dispenser tube 2 is determined by the lugs 9 Fig. 4. When the dispenser tube 2 is empty it is simply undipped from the clips 11 and a new dispenser clipped back into place. The mounting bracket 10 Fig. 4 extends downwards to a point 12 lower than the lowest tip of the writing instrument 1 in order to prevent the user inadvertently touching the wall or other mounting surface, This mounting bracket 10 being manufactured to incorporate an anti-microbial action such as silver ion technology or other continuous sterilisation medium. Ideally the distance A from the tip of the writing unit 1 to the lower part of the mounting bracket 13 is a minimum of 45mm in order to prevent the user from inadvertently touching the back of the mounting bracket at 13 and spreading micro-organisms from user to user.

The dispenser tubes 2 can also be arranged on a carousel type mounting to enable more of the dispenser tubes 2 to be utilised in any given area.

As indicated above, a pen inherently acts as a carrier for cross contamination if consistently and repeatedly used with a number of different patients or in other situations where contamination can occur. In such circumstances, provision of a disposable pen will alleviate these problems. However, if the pen is to be properly disposable it must be useable at least for a short period of time without too much inconvenience, as well as allow provision at an appropriately low cost and through a dispense arrangement which allows location of a relatively large number of pens in a small space. In accordance with aspects of the present invention a pen stack is created from a number of pens. Figs. 6 to 9 illustrate aspects of a pen and a pen stack in accordance with features of the present invention. As can be seen, each pen is arranged to enter another pen in close association in order to allow a large number of pens to be associated in a stack to be dispensed through a dispense arrangement as illustrated in Fig. 9.

Fig. 6 illustrates a pen stack 100 in which four pens 101 , 102, 103, 104 are associated typically through an interference fit to create a pen stack assembly. This association may be facilitated by a grip feature such as a roughened surface band, rib or detent or rim lip to the pens 101 , 102, 103, 104 or simply stack surface compression holding the pens 101 , 102, 103, 104 together. Additionally, a detachable side strip or other element may be utilised to hold the pens 101, 102, 103, 104 together in the stack 100.

Each pen 101 , 102, 103, 104 has a generally tapered body extending from an open end 105 to an apex end 106. The apex end 106 incorporates a nib 107.

The open end 105 allows entry of a similar pen into the pen to create the stack

100. The nib 107 either comprises an absorbent material or small ball point or roller ball ink pen insert to allow short term use of the pen. It will be understood that short term use is all that is required as the pen will generally be disposable and long term use is to be avoided to reduce the possibility of cross contamination through repeated use of the pen. Alternatively, the nib 107 may comprise a pencil element secured in the apex end 106.

As indicated above, each pen has a generally tapered body or barrel and

normally this taper will be in the form of a conical shape . for ease of manufacture and grip.

It will be understood that the tapered body is defined in order to ensure a sufficiently robust nature for the pen in use to allow the pen to be gripped whilst, as indicated allowing the pen to be cheaply manufactured and associated with other pens in a stack having a high number of pens for unit volume requirements.

The tapered body of each pen will generally be formed from a plastics material having a thickness, as indicated, sufficient to provide a robust nature for the pen in use as gripped by a user. However, in order to reduce costs, the thickness of the pen wall will be minimised to reduce the amount of plastic used.

It will also be understood that the arc 108 of the pens as well as the length of the pen will also be significant factors with respect to achieving a sufficiently robust tapered body to allow the pen to be gripped for presentation of the nib 107 in order to write.

Fig. 7 provides a cross section of the pen stack 100 depicted in Fig. 6. As can be seen, each pen has a hollow cavity 109 which extends from the open end 105 to the apex end 106. The hollow cavity 109 in each pen is arranged to allow entry of a similar pen to the tapered body to define the stack 100.

As will be appreciated, the stack 100 has a width 110 (Fig. 6) which must be accommodated in a pen dispenser arrangement as described later with regard to Fig. 9. In such circumstances, an edge at the open end 105 as indicated above, may include a rim lip 111 (Fig. 7) which provides, a grip feature for securing association of the pens together in the stack 100 but may also engage parts of a dispenser tube to retain the stack 100 in the dispenser arrangement. Other grip features such as roughened surfaces, ribs and detents will be located between opposed surfaces of the respective adjacent pens in a stack 100.

It will also be understood that the surfaces of the respective pens may themselves provide particular grip features to allow a user to use the pen for a

period of time.

Generally in accordance with the present invention the arc 108 of each pen will be in the range 10 - 15 ^e with a preferred arc in the order of 12 ⁹ .

Although not depicted in Figs. 6 to 9 it will be appreciated that the tapered body may be reinforced. Such reinforcement may comprise web elements within the moulded plastic material from which the tapered body is formed. These web elements may extend longitudinally and laterally relative to the apex end 106 in order to resist collapse of the tapered body when gripped by a user. In order to provide reinforcement it will also be appreciated that the surface of the tapered body may be fluted or concertinaed to again provide greater strength when compressed.

As indicated, typically a pen in accordance with aspects of the present invention will be particularly useful with regard to situations where prevention of cross contamination is important. In such circumstances the tapered body may incorporate or be associated with an appropriate biocide and/or disinfectant agent.

In order to avoid cross contamination it will be understood that a one use pen which is disposable has advantages. In such circumstances means for resisting continuous use of the pen may be provided. Thus, the nib and apex end may be designed such that if an attempt is made to remove the nib for replacement the pen is effectively destroyed. Furthermore, in order to prevent sustained reinforcement of the pen for long term use the hollow cavity 109 may be shaped to prevent insertion of a reinforcing former member as required. However, there may be situations where it is desirable to use the pen with a form or to provide association with a mechanical device. Thus, for example, a pen in accordance with the present invention may be associated with graph plotter with the pen located over a former on the end of an arm displaced by action of an appropriate sensor. In such circumstances the pen would then be gripped essentially by the former entering the hollow cavity 109 and in such circumstances the cavity may include means for association with at former or

simply allowing that former to provide additional reinforcement. In such circumstances the t tapered body would incorporate a grip portion within the hollow cavity 109 to allow association with the plotter arm.

As indicated above in general use there are advantages with a pen in accordance with the present invention to ensure there is one off use. In such circumstances the tapered body may incorporate perforations which collapse inwardly or otherwise when subject to a grip pressure. Typically, this grip pressure will be provided by a user through their hand gripping the tapered body but, as indicated above, could occur for other reasons. In such circumstances the internal surfaces of the cavity 109 may be shaped to abut one another to create a waisted section which can be more conveniently gripped by a user. In such circumstances the inner surfaces may have triangular or bowed mound surfaces which collapse upon one another when the perforated edges rupture to again create an appropriate resilient and robust grip portion under grip pressure to allow a user to hold the pen for use. These cavity surfaces may be rendered sticky or otherwise adhesive to retain collapse of the tapered body. Such retention of collapsing of the tapered body to the robust grip portion shaping will prevent the pen being returned to a pen stack as described above. It will also be understood that should the robust grip portion shaping be lost upon release of the grip pressure the pen will then look used and so there will be a clear indication that it should be discarded.

As indicated above nibs 107 in accordance with the present invention will generally be secured in an apex end of a pen. In such circumstances generally the bottom nib 107 of a pen stack 100 will be exposed. If the nib is simply an absorbent material such as a felt segment any ink may dry out further reducing the relatively short life span of the pen in use and even rendering such a pen inoperative completely. In such circumstances a simple barrier coating such as lacquer or a thin film of plastics material may be located over the nib to prevent loss of ink during storage stages. Upon first use, due to the thin nature of the barrier, that is to say a lacquer or a plastic, the rubbing of that nib upon a recording medium surface such as paper will result in erosion or displacement of

2006/000716

12 the barrier causing the underlying ink in the nib to be released.

Fig. 8 shows in greater detail the apex end provision of pens as depicted in Fig. 7. This portion is highlighted as area X in Fig. 7.

As can be seen nibs 107 extend from an apex portion 106 of respective pens 101, 102, 103, 104. These nibs 107 sit in a respective seat which comprises a slot 120 which extends rearwardly from the apex ends 106. Generally the nibs 107 only extend partially into the slot 120 so that a recess or cavity is provided to accommodate a nib 107 of the adjacent pen in the pen stack. In such circumstances the nib 107 is robustiy held and there is a reduced possibility of detachment or fracture during storage stages when the stack is fully assembled. In such circumstances as can be seen, nib 107b enters the slot 120a in the apex end 106 which presents a nib 107a projecting outwardly from the slot 120a. There are similar assemblies with regard to the other pens 102, 103, 104.

As can be seen the nibs 107 are generally shaped to incorporate a well 121 which may accommodate a volume of ink or simply facilitate location of the nib 107 within the slot 120.

As can be seen in Fig. 8 the pens 101 , 102, 103, 104 are generally arranged in close association such that opposed surfaces are relatively close to each other. In such circumstances there is inherent interference to cause retention of association between the pens in use in the stack 100. As indicated above, this may be reinforced by specific grip features such as surface roughening, ribbing and detent latching as required.

As indicated above, generally pens in accordance with aspects of the present invention will be transported in a stack. A standard stack size will be defined which may comprise 20 or 50 or 100 pens which will then be loaded into a pen dispenser arrangement. Fig. 9 provides a schematic illustration of a cross section through a possible dispense arrangement incorporating a pen and pen

stack in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

A stack 200 comprises a number of pens in accordance with the description provided above. Thus, the pens have a tapered body extending from a flared open end to an apex end presenting a nib. The dispenser arrangement 201 comprises a dispenser in the form of a tube 202 which has dimensions in order to accommodate the pen stack 200. The dispenser 202 includes an aperture 203 through which the pens are dispensed. The aperture 203 includes inwardly extending flanges 204 which engage outer portions of the tapered body of the pen bottom most in the pen stack 200. In such circumstances the dispenser presents the lowermost pen of the stack 200 to be gripped by a user to present a downward dispensing force to force the tapered body of the lowermost pen through the aperture between the flanges 204. The flanges 204 will then catch the uppermost part of the next pen to retain it in the dispenser whilst the lowermost pen will then be available for use. In such circumstances it will be appreciated that the dimensions as well as resilience of the flanges 204 and other parts of the dispenser are important in terms of ensuring single pen dispense at one time.

As indicated above avoidance of cross contamination and general contamination of the pen in some embodiments is particularly important. In such circumstances a skirt or shroud 205 can be provided such that the lowermost pen 200a is not exposed. In such circumstances in use the skirt or shroud 204 may be slid upwardly in the direction of arrowhead Y to expose the lowermost pen 208 to allow dispense. Alternatively, the dispenser 202 could be mounted on an appropriate mechanism to allow displacement downwardly through the skirt or shroud 205 to expose the lowermost pen 200a. In such circumstances a handle or other means of grabbing the dispenser 201 will be provided to cause the downward motion and generally a spring 206 may be provided to return the dispenser with stack 200 back within the skirt or shroud 205 to prevent exposure of the pens 200a.

It will also be understood that generally the dispenser 202 as indicated will take the form of a tube which is open at both ends with the aperture 203 at one

end and a load opening 207 at the other. In such circumstances to again avoid contamination a lid or cap 208 will normally be placed over the opening 207 to stop contaminants entering the uppermost pen in the stack 200.

Availability of pens is particularly important when such pens should be readily disposable. It will be appreciated if there is lack of availability of pens then there is more likelihood of extended use and attempts for repeated use of those pens. In such circumstances dispenser arrangement 201 in accordance with aspects of the present invention will generally incorporate means for ensuring there is ready availability of pens for use. In such circumstances the dispenser 202 may incorporate a transparent window through which the stack 200 can be viewed in order to determine how many pens remain within the arrangement 201. Furthermore, pens within the stack 200 may be coloured to indicate their position within the stack. In such circumstances the first ten pens may have a first colour and each subsequent ten pens have a different colour indicating the number of pens remaining within the dispenser arrangement 201. Alternatively, single pens at particular positions in the stack 200 may have indicator colours to suggest reloading of the dispenser arrangement 201. Alternatively, particular pens within the stack 200 may incorporate a message suggesting reloading of the dispenser arrangement 201.

Colour may also be used to provide an indication that pens have been dispensed of after each use. Thus, each pen within a stack 200 may be randomly coloured or be provided in a colour sequence. In such circumstances if the pen for disposal is placed in a disposal tube which is transparent or has a transparent window it will be possible to determine if two pens of the same colour are loaded adjacently into the disposal tube or an inadequate number of pens are placed into that tube to correspond to the number of individual separable pen actions which should have taken place then it would be possible to deduce that inappropriate use of pens in accordance with aspects of the present invention has occurred.

Modifications and alterations to the embodiments of aspects of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the technology.

Thus, the pens and in particular the tapered body instead of being formed from a plastic material may be formed from paper or appropriately machined wood to render the pen disposable. Alternatively, where feasible the pen may be formed from material which can be sterilised to allow re-assembly into a stack in accordance with the present invention, but care must be taken that this does not facilitate repeated use of the pen between separate operations. Furthermore, in order to ensure subsequent use of a pen is not possible perforations or other elements within the pen may be provided such that a user once use is completed can readily destroy that pen by folding it over or otherwise preventing subsequent gripping for writing or otherwise.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing . specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.