"The GIF shows a plastic spring using polyoxymethylene plastic. My patent application from 1990 shows a concept for a plastic spring to be used in a retractable writing instrument. https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=EP12155006&_cid=P12-KLA73Z-44056-6The drawing seen at the link simply shows the concept, the intent being for design experts to perfect it. The material at the time was polypropylene, which, perhaps, would not have worked properly, as does the decades-later polyoxymethylene. Finally, the time is right for this concept for a retractable writing instrument with a plastic spring. A design similar to that shown in the GIF should work perfectly. Anybody know how to contact the people doing this "shape-haptic" work? "
"I learned about this some years ago, and thought it was a brilliant solution to a world problem, but never heard anything more about it until this article.Even as I read it, I came to the same conclusion: what a great pair of inexpensive durable reading glasses. The idea of being able to buy one pair and buy ten or twenty for people around the world is fantastic. "
"As a left-hander, I've noticed that the handle opening is larger on the side that would be gripped by right-handed people, which I've never understood.Looking at the jugs lined up in the top photo, it would appear that, maybe, this is to create a larger panel for the label, which would be displayed outward in the refrigerated display case. I supposed I can suspend my left-hander's grievance, thanks to this photo. "
"Three-piece design for retractable rolling ball writer - with integral plastic spring - from 1991. https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=EP12155006&_cid=P12-KLA73Z-44056-6Reverse engineered by Pilot and put on the market as the Explorer. https://www.officeworld.com/Worlds-Biggest-Selection/PIL35360/14Q1/"
"Retractable writing instrument from 1990 that eliminated the metal spring with an integal plastic spring. Nobody wanted to know. https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=EP12155006&_cid=P12-KLA73Z-44056-6"
"This is actually the first time I have seen this OXO Good Grips products. Oh, wait...except that, functionally, it seems to remind me of Fig. 5 in my US Patent 4882816, issued November 28, 1989. https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf;jsessionid=EC8A62CC7428CFA6D5A5C75E63A6068B.wapp1nA?docId=US37817892&tab=DRAWINGSI knew it was a good concept. "