Brilio.net - Have you ever noticed a small hole at the end of the pen cap? Although it seems trivial , this feature actually has a very important purpose. Many people think that the hole is just part of the design or a way to prevent the ink from drying, but in fact, there is a safety reason underlying this innovation.
The small hole in the pen cap is specifically designed to reduce the risk of choking if someone accidentally swallows it. The habit of biting pen caps is quite common, especially among students and office workers. In some cases, swallowed pen caps can block the airway, causing a potentially fatal medical emergency. With the hole in the cap, at least air can still flow even though the airway is blocked.
This fact is not just a theory, but has been supported by various studies and international safety standards. Organizations such as ISO (International Organization for Standardization) even set rules for manufacturers to ensure that the design of pen caps is safer for users. In other words, this small innovation has helped save more lives than we realize.
For further details, here is complete information collected by brilio.net from various sources, Thursday (13/3).
The reason behind the hole in the pen cap
Why is there a hole in the pen cap?
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Many people have a habit of chewing on pen caps while thinking or working. Without realizing it, the cap can be swallowed and block the respiratory tract, potentially causing fatal choking. To reduce this risk, pen manufacturers add a small hole at the end of the cap. This hole allows air to flow if the pen cap is swallowed, thus preventing complete blockage of the respiratory tract.
International safety standards
The presence of a hole in the pen cap was not an arbitrary decision. Health organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), as well as several studies have highlighted the importance of this design in reducing cases of choking. In fact, several leading stationery manufacturers, such as BIC, have specifically adapted this design as part of their product safety standards. Thus, this simple innovation proves that a small change in design can have a big impact in saving lives.
This complies with the international safety standard ISO11540, unless the lid is deemed too large to pose a choking hazard.
Pen cap choking case data
Why is there a hole in the pen cap?
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According to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, accidentally swallowing pen and pencil parts, including pen caps, was the number one cause of emergency room visits in the United States between 1997 and 2010. Swallowing foreign objects can be a very serious injury for children. A 2013 case report in the Annals of Pediatric Surgery found that 3 to 8 percent of cases involved children who swallowed pen caps.
Thus, the small hole in the pen cap is not just a meaningless design. This simple innovation has proven effective in reducing the risk of choking and saving lives, especially for those who have a habit of chewing or biting pen caps.