Dispensing pen incorporating a dome spring element

Abstract

A dome spring element including a body having a first and second end and an axis, a bell-shaped wall at the first end defining a chamber with an opening into the chamber, a cylindrical wall attached to the bell-shaped wall at the second end; a rod attached to the body and extending through the chamber and extending axially outwardly from the opening; and the body being moveable from an extended position to a compressed position by application of a force along the axis, and capable of automatically returning to the extended position upon release of the force.

1 . A dome spring element comprising:
 a body having a first and second end and an axis, a bell-shaped wall at the first end defining a chamber with an opening into the chamber, a cylindrical wall attached to the bell-shaped wall at the second end;   a rod attached to the body and extending through the chamber and extending axially outwardly from the opening; and   the body being moveable from an extended position to a compressed position by application of a force along the axis, and capable of automatically returning to the extended position upon release of the force.   
     
     
         2 . The dome spring element of  claim 1 , wherein the bell-shaped wall has a varying thickness along its length. 
     
     
         3 . The dome spring element of  claim 2  wherein a thickness dimension of the bell-shaped wall proximate the opening is greater than a thickness dimension of the wall on an opposite end of the bell shaped wall. 
     
     
         4 . The dome spring element of  claim 1  wherein the rod is segmented into a first diameter section and a second diameter section wherein the first diameter section has a diameter greater than a diameter of the second diameter section. 
     
     
         5 . The dome spring of  claim 4  wherein the rod has a radially inwardly directed taper at a distal most end of the rod. 
     
     
         6 . The dome spring element of  claim 1  wherein the cylindrical wall has an enlarged diameter portion at a distal most end of the cylindrical wall. 
     
     
         7 . The dome spring element of  claim 6  wherein the enlarged diameter portion has a curved outer profile. 
     
     
         8 . The dome spring element of  claim 1  wherein the cylindrical wall defines a chamber dimensioned to receive a body. 
     
     
         9 . The dome spring element of  claim 8  wherein the body is a dispensing nib. 
     
     
         10 . The dome spring element of  claim 1  further comprising a dispensing nib connected to the body and extending axially outward from the second end in a direction opposite of the rod. 
     
     
         11 . A liquid dispensing container comprising:
 a housing wall defining a first chamber having an axis, a first end section and an opposed second end section; and   a dome spring element in the first chamber having a body having a first and second end and an axis, a bell-shaped wall at the first end defining a second chamber with an opening into the second chamber, a cylindrical wall attached to the bell-shaped wall at the second end, a rod attached to the body and extending through the second chamber and extending axially outwardly from the opening, and the body being moveable by an axially inwardly directed force applied to the second end from an extended position wherein the second end forms a fluid tight seal with an inner surface of the housing wall, to a compressed position where fluid can flow through the first chamber, and the body capable of automatically returning to the extended position upon release of the inwardly axially directed force.   
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the bell-shaped wall has a varying thickness along its length. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 12  wherein a thickness dimension of the bell-shaped wall proximate the opening is greater than a thickness dimension of the wall on an opposite end of the bell shaped wall. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 11  wherein the rod is segmented into a first diameter section and a second diameter section wherein the first diameter section has a diameter greater than a diameter of the second diameter section. 
     
     
         15 . The dome spring of  claim 14  wherein the rod has a radially inwardly directed taper at a distal most end of the rod. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 11  wherein the cylindrical wall has an enlarged diameter portion at a distal most end of the cylindrical wall. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 16  wherein the enlarged diameter portion has a curved outer profile. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 11  wherein the cylindrical wall defines a third chamber dimensioned to receive a body. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 18  further comprising a dispensing nib having a first end and an opposed second end, the first end being positioned within the third chamber. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 19  wherein the second end of the dispensing nib extends axially outwardly beyond the second end section.