October 12, 2005 - Simon Sunatori, the inventor of the Sunatori pen. (Darren Brown/OBJ)

Gatineau's Simon Sunatori is the epitome of the startup business. The inventor, who holds numerous patents with more on the way, has taken the past three years of his life to develop a special pen he hopes will have the world beating a path to his door – or his website, which would be easier for everyone involved.

The Sunatori.com Pen is a three-in-one auto-retractable ballpoint pen with an ergonomic cushion that can be operated with a single hand because the tip extends and retracts without a push or a twist.

Very small, very strong magnets are required to make the pen work, as is Mr. Sunatori's knowledge of physics. The result was serendipitous, indeed.

"I had been wearing such wearable pens as the Parker Slinger Ball Pen and the Sheaffer NoNonsense Ball Point for many years," Mr. Sunatori said. "One day, I was doing experiments with rare-earth magnets for another project, and I hit upon the idea of exploring careful balance between a magnetic attraction force and a mechanical force of the spring in order to achieve the automatic retraction mechanism."

The invention, like most, did not run smoothly. "I thought it would be ready around this time last year, but there was a little thing here and a little thing there, we had to add a part that the manufacturer (in Hong Kong, where it was outsourced) didn't think was needed and then there were a few other delays as well."

The pen is part of a pendant that hangs from the user's neck. On one side of the pendant is a digital clock, on the other a small mirror. The pen attaches to the bottom of the pendant and is retracted when connected. When it's in use, however, it automatically extends the tip for writing.

"This can be used for many industries, especially the medical profession where they need to have their hands free," Mr. Sunatori explained.

With 10,000 pens ready to go, he expects to sell them through his website and on E-Bay with hopes that an investor might be found to mass market them. He has seen some interest from Europe, but to date nothing has been signed.

"You know, I'm a lazy person with a natural talent for making life easier," he laughed. "I like to see if people can do things in one single step."

So far, his invention has been met with skepticism, as websites and the Home Shopping Network have denied him.

As for marketing, QVC rejected it outright, while HSN, ShopNBC and tSc have not replied. "I have set up the website Sunatori.com to market and sell the product and an advertising campaign will start shortly in Scientific American and Popular Science," he said.

By Scott Taylor

scott.taylor@transcontinental.ca