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What Is a Sqeeze Filler & How Is it Used?

Decades ago, most people in the developed world knew what a squeeze filler did and how to operate one. This is because a squeeze filler is used to add ink to a fountain pen, and it was a common mechanism found on fountain pens in the 1940s through 1960s. Although fountain pens are not in common use today, collectors often find pens that operate with a squeeze filler and need to know how to operate and clean one. Squeeze filler pens are also known as "aerometric" pens.

Invention
- The squeeze type of fountain pen filler was developed by Parker Pens and first introduced on the MKII Demi 51 model of pen. Prior to its introduction, fountain pens that were not filled with eye droppers were filled by using various types of levers or plungers. The rubber bladders that were part of these older mechanisms deteriorated when they were exposed to the fountain pen inks. The squeeze filler mechanism did not use rubber and instead used a new plastic called Pli-Glass, which did not react with the inks and allowed the user to see how much ink was left in the reservoir.
Filling the Pen
- Squeeze filler pens often have directions embossed directly on the inner case of the pen. To access the filler mechanism, you should remove the outer shell of the pen, usually by unscrewing the cap and then also unscrewing the cover for the back of the pen. Depress the Pli-Glass window by pressing on the metal bar that covers it. Then submerge the tip of the pen in water-based ink and release the Pli-Glass. Wait five seconds for the ink to flow into the reservoir and repeat these steps five to six times, until the ink reservoir is full. Wipe the tip of the pen clean after filling it.
Cleaning the Pen
- If you wish to change the color of ink you are using or you want to store your squeeze filler pen for an extended period of time, you should clean out the ink. To do this, empty the ink reservoir as much as possible by squeezing the filler mechanism repeatedly to expel the ink. Then, depress the Pli-Glass and submerge the pen tip in water. Release the mechanism and allow the ink reservoir to fill with water. Shake the pen and then expel the water by depressing the Pli-Glass window. Repeat these steps until the water coming out of the pen is clear.
Popularity
- The Parker 51 with a squeeze filler mechanism became so popular that the company often received orders for the pen caps only. People who could not afford the whole pen would clip the pen cap onto their shirt pocket to give others the impression that they owned one of these expensive and desirable status symbols.

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