Microfluidic writing pen

• US 5,911,533 A
• Filed: 11/24/1997
• Issued: 06/15/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Pickering, James E., Fassler, Werner, Lum, Kin K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walczak, David J.
• Application Number:
  US08/977,216
• Time in Patent Office: 568 Days
• Field of Search: 401/195, 401/44, 401/45, 401/46, 401/47
• US Class Current: 401/195
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 27/00 Multiple-point writing implements, e.g. multicolour; Combinations of writing implements B43K29/00 takes precedence; mechanisms for selecting, projecting, retracting or locking writing units B43K24/00; multiple writing devices with pantographic linkages B43L13/12
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 8/22 with electrically or magnetically activated writing-points

Abstract

A microfluidic pen for selectivly writing lines of different colors, includes a colorant mixing chamber and a writing tip in communication with the colorant mixing chamber; a plurality of colorant reservoirs disposed in the pen and which contain different colorants; microkinetic pump selectively effective to deliver colorant in selected amounts from the colorant reservoirs to the colorant mixing chamber wherein the colorants are mixed to provide a colorant of the desired color. The color is selected by a user and actuates the microkinetic pump to cause the desired amount of colorants to be delivered to the colorant mixing chamber where the writing tip can write a line of the desired line colors.

Claims

1. A microfluidic pen for selectivly writing lines of different colors, comprising:

a) means defining a colorant mixing chamber and a writing tip in communication with the colorant mixing chamber;

b) a plurality of colorant reservoirs disposed in the pen and which contain different colorants;

c) pumping means selectively effective to deliver colorant in selected amounts from the colorant reservoirs to the colorant mixing chamber wherein the colorants are mixed to provide a colorant of the desired color;

d) color selector means responsive to a user selecting the desired line colors and for actuating the pumping means so as to cause the desired amount of colorants to be delivered to the colorant mixing chamber where the writing tip can write a line of the desired line colors.

2. The microfluidic pen of claim 1 further including circuit means having a source of voltage and an electrical circuit actuated by the pen engaging a writing surface for connecting the voltage source to the selected pumps in accordance with the color selected by the selector means for causing a desired amount of colorants to be delivered to the mixing chamber.

3. The microfluidic pen of claim 2 wherein the pumping means includes at least one electrode disposed in operative relationship to each reservoir and responsive to voltage signals provided by the circuit means.

4. The microfluidic pen of claim 2 wherein the writing tip is moveable from an inactive position to an active position when it engages a writing surface and activates the circuit means.