Eco-pen

In India (and other developing and least developed nations) it is a common practice that, even though the ink refills (or cartridges) within stick (non-retractable) pens are replaceable, most users tend to discard the entire pen once the ink with its refill is used up. This is due to:

1. Low replacement cost: these stick pens cost as low as ₹7. And
2. The inconvenience of procuring on-demand a refill that is as cheap as ₹2.

This is contributing to massive plastic wastage.

Patent-pending Eco-pen: Accommodate multiple refills w/in a plastic pen w/out increasing its thickness by employing 'offset placement' design. The pen would look like a normal (Rs. 7 to 10) pen however it carries a spare refill w/in its barrel. Manufacturable CAD drawings readily available.

The closest prior art pen (US3310035) accommodates multiple refills w/in its barrel. This leads to increased pen thickness. Eco-pen overcomes this flaw by incorporating an offset design.

• Slim design despite housing multiple refills.
• Reduces massive plastic wastage.
• Meets companies’ CSR goals.
• Prevents the inconvenience of on-demand refill replacement.
• Saves money by preventing the user from discarding the entire pen.
• Instils reusing habit, especially among children.
• Negates the need to carry multiple pens, usually practiced during exams.
• The design can be adapted for both cheap & expensive stick pens

Industries where the invention can be useful?

An estimate of the total addressable market?

Potential Customers/End Users. Who might benefit?