초록 ▼

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 visi

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.

대표청구항 ▼

1. 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 compris

1. 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; andsaid 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.2. 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; andsaid 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.3. The writing instrument according to claim 2, wherein said inner layer material of said writing medium reservoir comprises a polymer or copolymer consisting essentially of substantially fluorinated repeat units.4. The writing instrument according to claim 2, wherein said inner layer material comprises fluorinated ethylene-propylene and/or a perfluoroalkoxy polymer.5. The writing instrument according to claim 2, wherein the thickness of said inner layer material is at least about 10 microns.6. The writing instrument according to claim 2, wherein said barrel and said writing medium reservoir, when combined, exhibit an optical light transmittance under ASTM D1003 of at least about 80%.7. The writing instrument according to claim 2, wherein the difference between the surface tension of a writing medium and the surface energy of the writing medium-contacting surface of said inner layer material of said writing medium reservoir is at least about 5 mN/m.8. 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; andsaid 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 transluce ncy, said substantially clear drain capability, and further normal function of said tubular structure.9. The tubular structure according to claim 8, wherein said inner layer material and said outer layer material are different.10. The tubular structure according to claim 8, wherein said inner layer material is selected from the group consisting of homopolymers or copolymers comprising siloxane groups, homopolymers or copolymers comprising at least partially fluorinated repeat units, and a combination thereof.11. The tubular structure according to claim 10, wherein said inner layer material comprises a polymer or copolymer consisting essentially of substantially fluorinated repeat units.12. The tubular structure according to claim 11, wherein said inner layer material comprises fluorinated ethylene-propylene, a perfluoroalkoxy polymer, or both.13. The tubular structure according to claim 8, wherein the thickness of said inner layer material is at least about 10 microns.14. The tubular structure according to claim 8, wherein the thickness of said inner layer material is not more than about 3 mm.15. The tubular structure according to claim 8, wherein said outer layer material is substantially inflexible during use of said tubular structure.16. The tubular structure according to claim 8, which exhibits an optical light transmittance under ASTM D1003 of at least about 80%.17. The tubular structure according to claim 8, wherein the difference between the surface tension of the fluid to contact said tubular structure and the surface energy of a fluid-contacting surface of said inner layer material is at least about 5 mN/m.18. The tubular structure according to claim 8, wherein said outer layer material exhibits one or more of the following: a tensile modulus of at least about 1400 psi; a flexural modulus of at least about 105psi; a tensile strength of at least about 2000 psi; and a percent elongation of no more than about 100%.19. 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; andsaid 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.20. The method according to claim 19, wherein said inner layer material comprises a polysiloxane homopolymer or copolymer, a polymer or copolymer having at least partially fluorinated repeat units, or both.21. The method according to claim 19, further comprising selecting and forming said inner layer material to be substantially inflexible during use of said tubular structure.22. The method according to claim 19, further comprising co-extruding said inner layer material and said outer layer material.23. The method according to claim 19, wherein said forming of said multi-layer tubular structure comprises co-extrusion of said inner layer material and said outer layer.24. The method according to claim 19, further comprising selecting said second polymeric material from the group consisting of homopolymers or copolymers in which at least a portion of the repeat units comprise siloxane groups, at least partially fluorinated repeat units, or a combination thereof.25. A method of making a substantially c lear 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. 26. The method according to claim 25, wherein said inner layer material is selected from the group consisting of homopolymers or copolymers comprising siloxane groups, homopolymers or copolymers comprising at least partially fluorinated repeat units, and a combination thereof.27. The method according to claim 26, wherein said inner layer material comprises fluorinated ethylene-propylene, a perfluoroalkoxy polymer, or both.28. The method according to claim 25, wherein said inner layer material has a thickness of no more than about 3 mm.29. The method according to claim 25, wherein the difference between the surface tension of the selected fluid and the surface energy of a fluid-contacting surface of said inner layer material is at least about 3 mN/m.30. 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; andsaid 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.31. The multi-layer tube according to claim 30, wherein said inner layer material comprises fluorinated ethylene-propylene and/or a perfluoroalkoxy polymer.32. The multi-layer tube according to claim 30, wherein the thickness of said inner layer material is at least about 10 microns.33. The multi-layer tube according to claim 30, wherein the thickness of said inner layer material is not more than about 3 mm.34. The multi-layer tube according to claim 30, wherein said inner layer material is substantially inflexible during use of said tube.35. The multi-layer tube according to claim 30, which exhibits an optical light transmittance under ASTM D1003 of at least about 80%.36. The multi-layer tube according to claim 30, wherein the difference between the surface tension of the liquid and the surface energy of a liquid-contacting surface of said inner layer material is at least about 5 mN/m.