Marking Device and Method

• US 20160318333A1
• Filed: 07/13/2016
• Published: 11/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Marxman Limited
• Original Assignee: Marxman Limited
• Inventors: Chard, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 10,029,509 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 1/12 Applying particulate materials B05D1/06, B05D1/10 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 7/045 characterised by constructional details of the marking elements
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 19/003 Chalks
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 21/02 Writing-core feeding mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 23/016 Holders for crayons or chalks B43K23/004 - B43K23/012, B43K23/02 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 5/005 Pen barrels
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 5/03 specially adapted for concentrated ink, e.g. solid ink
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 5/06 with movable pistons for withdrawing ink from an ink-receptacle B43K5/1818 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 5/14 Exchangeable ink cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 5/18 Arrangements for feeding the ink to the nibs
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 5/1818 Mechanical feeding means, e.g. valves; Pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 5/1827 Valves
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 7/02 Ink reservoirs; Ink cartridges B43K7/01 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 8/00 Pens with writing-points other than nibs or balls brushes with reservoir for supplying substances A46B11/00
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 8/006 using a spraying system, e.g. airbrushes
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 8/03 Ink reservoirs; Ink cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 8/04 Arrangements for feeding ink to writing-points
• CPC Class Codes: B43L 13/00 Drawing instruments, or writing or drawing appliances or accessories not otherwise provided for stencils for surface decoration B44D

Abstract

A device for marking a surface, the device comprising: a body configured to store a marking substance; a guide arrangement having a first end and a second end, at least a portion of an outer surface of the guide arrangement tapering from the first end to the second end which is narrower than the first end, wherein an output path is provided through the second end at substantially the center of the guide arrangement; an activation arrangement; and a delivery arrangement which is configured, in response to triggering of the activation arrangement, to deliver a quantity of the marking substance from the body, along the output path and out of the second end, wherein, in use, a user inserts at least the second end of the guide arrangement into an aperture in an element positioned adjacent a surface until the outer surface of the guide arrangement contacts the aperture, and the user triggers the activation arrangement to deliver a quantity of the marking substance through the second end and onto the surface to mark the surface at a position which is substantially aligned with the center of the aperture.

Claims

1. A device for marking a surface, the device comprising:

a body configured to store a marking substance;

a guide arrangement having a first end and a second end, at least a portion of an outer surface of the guide arrangement tapering from the first end to the second end which is narrower than the first end, wherein an output path is provided through the second end at substantially the center of the guide arrangement;

an activation arrangement; and

a delivery arrangement which is configured, in response to triggering of the activation arrangement, to deliver a quantity of the marking substance from the body, along the output path and out of the second end,

wherein the guide arrangement is moveable relative to the body and movement of the guide arrangement, relative to the body, from a first position to a second position, triggers the activation arrangement,

wherein the activation arrangement is operable to be triggered by engaging the guide arrangement with the aperture;

holding the body and pushing the body towards the aperture so that the body moves relative to the guide arrangement.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the activation arrangement is in the form of an activation switch which is covered by the guide arrangement.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the guide arrangement is connected to the body by a neck, the neck providing the delivery arrangement.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the neck is substantially cylindrical, and wherein the neck is movable with respect to either the guide arrangement or the body.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the delivery arrangement is between the guide arrangement and the body.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the delivery arrangement is moveable with respect to either the guide arrangement or the body.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the delivery arrangement is moveably mounted with respect to the body and configured such that, in response to triggering of the activation arrangement, the delivery arrangement extends from the body, with respect to the guide arrangement, to deliver a quantity of the marking substance from the body.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the delivery arrangement is biased away from the body.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein the body is configured to store the marking substance in a chamber which incorporates an inlet through which a quantity of the marking substance can be introduced to at least partly fill the chamber.

10. A device according to claim 1, wherein the body incorporates a recess to receive a cartridge containing a quantity of the marking substance.

11. A device according to claim 1, wherein the marking substance is ink.

12. A device according to claim 1, wherein the marking substance is a powder.

13. A device according to claim 1, wherein the delivery arrangement comprises a valve which is configured to be opened in response to triggering of the activation arrangement.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein the valve is configured to open continuously whilst the activation arrangement is triggered.

15. A device according to claim 13, wherein the valve is a shuttle valve which is configured to deliver a predetermined quantity of the marking substance along the output path in response to triggering of the activation arrangement.

16. A device according to claim 13, wherein the device incorporates a source of compressed gas, the valve of the delivery arrangement being configured to release a quantity of the compressed gas to drive a quantity of the marking substance along the output path.

17. A device according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the outer surface of the guide arrangement is frusto-conical in shape.

18. A device according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the outer surface of the guide arrangement is curved.

19. A device according to claim 1, wherein the guide arrangement comprises a plurality of guide elements and the portion of the outer surface is defined by a portion of the outer surfaces of the elongate guide elements, and wherein the angle of each of the guide elements relative to the longitudinal axis of the guide arrangement is adjustable.

20. A method of marking a surface comprising:

providing a marking device which incorporates;

a body configured to store a marking substance,

a guide arrangement having a first end and a second end, at least a portion of an outer surface of the guide arrangement tapering from the first end to the second end which is narrower than the first end, wherein an output path is provided through the second end at substantially the centre of the guide arrangement, and wherein the guide arrangement is moveable relative to the body,

an activation arrangement; and

a delivery arrangement which is configured, in response to triggering of the activation arrangement, to deliver a quantity of the marking substance from the body, along the output path and out of the second end,

inserting at least the second end of the guide arrangement into an aperture in an element positioned adjacent a surface until a portion of the outer surface of the guide arrangement contacts the aperture, and

holding the body, and pushing the body towards the aperture, so that the body moves relative to the guide arrangement to trigger the activation arrangement, such that the delivery arrangement delivers a quantity of the marking substance through the second end and onto the surface to mark the surface at a position which is substantially aligned with the centre of the aperture.