Writing instrument and method for manufacturing a writing instrument

Abstract

The present invention relates to a writing instrument. The writing instrument includes a barrel (10), a writing head (30) that protrudes forward of the barrel (10) to eject ink when pressed against a writing surface, and an ink supply (50) that supplies ink to the writing head (30) from the rear side. The writing head (30) is located at a separation position that is spaced apart forward of the ink supply (50), and is moved to a contact position that contacts the ink supply (50) from the front side by a prescribed operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a writing tool and a method for manufacturing the writing tool, wherein the writing head at the front end of the pen holder is pressed against the writing surface for writing. Background Technology

[0002] Conventionally, such writing instruments, for example as described in Patent Document 1, have the following features: a marking body, two ink cartridges contained within the marking body, and a single pen tip that contacts the two front ends of the two ink cartridges, such that the two colors of ink from the two ink cartridges are mixed and protrude from the single pen tip.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Utility Model Application Publication No. 07-43846

[0004] According to the aforementioned existing technology, due to impacts such as drops, ink is over-supplied from the ink cartridge to the pen tip, and ink sometimes drips from the pen tip. Furthermore, if left unattended for an extended period, both the ink cartridge and the pen tip will dry out, sometimes resulting in an inability to write. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this problem, the present invention has the following structure.

[0006] A writing instrument, characterized in that the writing instrument comprises a pen holder, a writing head that protrudes forward beyond the pen holder so as to be pressed against a writing surface to eject ink, and an ink supply section that supplies ink to the writing head from the rear side, the writing head being located in a separated position that leaves space relative to the ink supply section and is separated forward, and being moved to a contact position that contacts the ink supply section from the front side by a predetermined operation.

[0007] Invention Effects

[0008] Because the present invention is configured as described above, it is able to prevent ink dripping and drying. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example of the writing instrument involved in the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the main parts of the writing instrument involved in this invention.

[0011] Figure 3 This is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the main part of the writing instrument involved in this invention, and... Figure 3 (a) and (b) show the state before and after the writing head is pressed against the writing surface. Detailed Implementation

[0012] The following features are disclosed in this embodiment.

[0013] The first feature is that it comprises a pen holder, a writing head that protrudes further forward than the pen holder so as to be pressed against a writing surface to eject ink, and an ink supply section that supplies ink to the writing head from the rear side. The writing head is located in a separated position that leaves space relative to the ink supply section and is separated forward, and moves to a contact position that contacts the ink supply section from the front side through a predetermined operation (see reference). Figures 1-3 ).

[0014] The second feature is that multiple ink supply sections for supplying different types of ink are provided on the rear side of a single writing head (see reference). Figures 1-3 ).

[0015] As a third feature, a force-applying component is provided to apply force to the writing head forward relative to the pen holder. The prescribed operation is to press the writing head against the writing surface. Through this operation, the writing head resists the force of the force-applying component and retracts to the contact position (see reference). Figure 3 ).

[0016] The fourth feature is that the force-applying component is a compression coil spring disposed between the writing tip and the pen barrel, and the ink supply unit is inserted into the compression coil spring (see reference). Figures 1-3 ).

[0017] As a fifth feature, the pen holder is provided with a head-holding component that protrudes forward from the pen holder and slides back and forth relative to the pen holder, and the writing head is integrally disposed in the head-holding component (see reference). Figures 1-3 ).

[0018] As a sixth feature, the writing head and the ink supply unit are fiber bundles.

[0019] As a seventh feature, the pen holder includes a head-holding member that holds the writing head at the front end of the pen holder, the writing head being fitted into the head-holding member radially outward from the pen holder. (Reference) Figure 2 ).

[0020] The eighth feature is that the head holding member is provided with a notch for inserting the writing tip from the side, and a head insertion hole in which the front end of the writing tip, which fits into the notch, protrudes further forward than the head holding member (see reference). Figure 2 ).

[0021] As a ninth feature, the writing head integrally comprises a base located within the head holding member, a tip portion with a radial dimension smaller than the base and protruding forward, such that the base is fixedly fitted against the notch portion, and the tip portion is inserted into the head insertion hole (see reference). Figures 1-3 ).

[0022] The tenth feature is a method of manufacturing a writing instrument, comprising the step of fitting the writing head radially outward from the pen holder into the head holding member (see reference). Figure 2 ).

[0023] <Detailed Implementation>

[0024] Next, a detailed description of specific embodiments having the above features will be provided with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] In this manual, the pen holder axis refers to the direction in which the center line of the pen holder extends, and the pen holder circumferential direction refers to the direction around the center line of the pen holder. Furthermore, "front" refers to one side along the pen holder axis, i.e., the direction in which the writing tip protrudes, and "rear" refers to the side opposite to the stated side.

[0026] Furthermore, in this specification, the radial direction of the pen holder refers to the diametrical direction of the pen holder orthogonal to its centerline; the outer radial direction of the pen holder refers to the direction along the radial direction away from the center of the pen holder; and the inner radial direction of the pen holder refers to the direction along the radial direction towards the center of the pen holder.

[0027] The writing instrument A includes a pen holder 10, a head holding member 20 that protrudes forward from the pen holder 10 and slides in a forward-backward direction relative to the pen holder 10, a writing head 30 integrally disposed on the front end of the head holding member 20 to press against the writing surface x and eject ink, a force applying member 40 that applies force to the head holding member 20 in the forward direction relative to the pen holder 10, and multiple ink supply sections 50 that supply different types of ink to a single writing head 30 from the rear side.

[0028] According to the writing instrument A, the writing head 30 is held in a separated position that leaves space relative to the ink supply section 50 and is separated forward (see reference). Figure 3 (a)) When a prescribed operation occurs, it moves backward to become a contact position that contacts the ink supply unit 50 from the front (see reference). Figure 3 (b)).

[0029] Here, according to the example in the figure, the specified operation is the operation of pressing the writing head 30 onto the writing surface x.

[0030] The pen holder 10 is a long cylindrical component extending in the front-to-back direction.

[0031] The pen holder 10 is formed as an elongated cylindrical shape containing an ink supply section 50. An integrally provided portion at its front end is a cap mounting portion 11 for mounting a cap 70, a sliding support portion 12 that slidably supports a head holding member 20 further forward than the cap mounting portion 11, and a relay core holding portion 13 that holds the relay core 52 of the ink supply section 50 protruding forward, further forward than the sliding support portion 12. Furthermore, the rear opening of the pen holder 10 is closed by a removable tail plug 60.

[0032] In addition, the pen holder 10 in the example figure is composed of a single cylindrical body, but as another example, it can be configured to connect multiple cylindrical bodies.

[0033] The cover mounting part 11 is a generally cylindrical part with a reduced diameter relative to the rear cylindrical part, and is formed to be inserted into the cover 70.

[0034] An annular protrusion 11a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cover mounting portion 11 for the engagement / disengagement protrusion 71 of the cover 70 to pass over and fit behind it. The annular protrusion 11a has a mountain-shaped longitudinal section and is continuous with the entire circumference of the cover mounting portion 11.

[0035] The portion of the cover mounting portion 11 that is further forward than the cover mounting portion 11 is a cylindrical surface without any protrusions or depressions.

[0036] The sliding support portion 12 is a generally cylindrical part with a reduced diameter compared to the cover mounting portion 11. An anti-slip protrusion 12a, which serves as a head retaining member 20, is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the sliding support portion 12. The portions of the sliding support portion 12 that are forward of the anti-slip protrusion 12a and those that are rearward of the anti-slip protrusion 12a are cylindrical surfaces without any irregularities.

[0037] The anti-slip protrusion 12a has a mountain-shaped longitudinal section with the rear side steeply inclined compared to the front side, and is continuous throughout the entire circumference of the sliding support portion 12.

[0038] The relay core holding part 13 is a generally cylindrical part with a reduced diameter relative to the sliding support part 12.

[0039] The outer peripheral surface of the relay core holding part 13 functions as a guide surface for the force-applying member 40, which is inserted into and extends and retracts. Furthermore, the stepped part 13b, which forms the boundary between the relay core holding part 13 and the sliding support part 12, functions as a receiving surface for receiving the rear end of the force-applying member 40.

[0040] In the relay core holding part 13, a plurality of relay core holding holes 14 are provided radially at intervals (two according to the example in the figure) that penetrate through the front and rear directions and are inserted into the relay core 52 in a through shape and held in a way that prevents them from retracting.

[0041] The relay core holding hole 14 extends into the sliding support portion 12, and a stepped portion 13c with a reduced diameter toward the rear is provided at the midpoint of its extension direction so as to keep the relay core 52 in a position that cannot be moved backward.

[0042] The head retaining member 20 is formed as a generally bottomed cylindrical shape with the front end wall as the bottom and the rear end open. It covers the front end side of the relay core 52, the sliding support 12, and the force application member 40 in a cylindrical shape, and fits the writing head 30 into the front end side in a way that prevents it from moving forward or backward (see reference). Figure 1 and Figure 3 ).

[0043] On the inner circumferential surface of the rear end side of the head retaining member 20, there are a plurality of locking protrusions 21 (in one embodiment, three are equally spaced) that are locked onto the anti-disengagement protrusions 12a of the sliding support portion 12 at intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0044] Each locking protrusion 21 is formed in a longitudinal section mountain shape with the front side steeply inclined compared to the rear side. When the head retaining member 20 is assembled to the sliding support 12, the locking protrusion 21 extends rearward beyond the anti-detachment protrusion 12a of the sliding support 12 and is located behind the anti-detachment protrusion 12a.

[0045] Furthermore, an annular stepped portion 22 for receiving the front end of the force-applying member 40 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the front end side of the head holding member 20.

[0046] Furthermore, a notch 23 for inserting the writing head 30 from the side is provided on the peripheral wall of the head holding member 20, which is further forward than the stepped portion 22, and a head insertion hole 24 for protruding the writing head 30 forward is provided on the wall at the foremost end of the head holding member 20.

[0047] The notch 23 and the head insertion hole 24 are connected radially in the pen holder.

[0048] The head insertion hole 24 extends through the foremost front wall of the head holding component 20 in a forward and backward direction.

[0049] The writing head 30 is a fiber bundle composed of a large number of synthetic fibers, integrally comprising a base 31 located within the head holding member 20 and a tip 32 that is smaller in radial dimension than the base 31 and protrudes forward. According to the example shown in the figure, it is formed in a horizontal T-shape (see reference). Figure 1 and Figure 2 ).

[0050] like Figure 2 As shown, the writing head 30 is fitted into the notch 23 of the head holding member 20 from the radially outer side of the pen holder, so that the pen tip 32 protrudes forward, and the base 31 is built into the head holding member 20.

[0051] Furthermore, the writing head 30 is in a state where no writing pressure is applied (see reference). Figure 3 (a)) The ink supply section 50 is separated from the ink supply section 50 by a space and is kept in a separate position so that ink is not supplied from the ink supply section 50.

[0052] Furthermore, the writing head 30 is pressed against the writing surface x and writing pressure is applied (see reference). Figure 3 (b)) Rearing from the pen holder 10, it becomes a contact position that contacts the relay core 52 of the ink supply unit 50 from the front side.

[0053] In addition, as other examples of the writing head 30, it can be formed into pen tip shapes other than those shown in the illustration, such as cannonball, cylindrical, and wedge-shaped.

[0054] The force-applying component 40 is a compression coil spring located between the stepped portion 22 on the front side of the head holding component 20 and the stepped portion 13b at the front end of the sliding support portion 12 inside the pen holder 10.

[0055] The force-applying component 40 is annularly fitted to the relay core retaining part 13 at its rear end, covering the two relay cores 52, 52 in a cylindrical shape, and applies force forward to the head retaining component 20 relative to the pen holder 10 to maintain the separated position of the writing head 30.

[0056] Multiple ink supply units 50 are provided around the central axis of the pen holder 10 (two are provided in a radial arrangement along the pen holder, according to the example in the figure).

[0057] Each ink supply unit 50 has an elongated cylindrical ink storage unit 51 that covers approximately the entire length of the pen holder 10 and a relay core 52 that extends forward from the front end of the ink storage unit 51.

[0058] The ink storage section 51 contains a large amount of synthetic fibers within a thin-walled cylinder made of synthetic resin, and is impregnated with ink inside; it is sometimes referred to as a cotton wadding. For the two ink storage sections 51, one is impregnated with ink of a different color, and the other with ink of a different color.

[0059] Each ink reservoir 51 is located within the pen holder 10 between the stepped portion 10a at the rear end of the sliding support portion 12 and the rear end face within the tail plug 60, and is held to remain almost stationary.

[0060] Each relay core 52 is a fiber bundle composed of a large number of synthetic fibers, forming a long cylindrical shape that gradually tapers at the rear end.

[0061] The rear end of the relay core 52 is pressed into the ink storage section 51 from the front. Furthermore, the middle portion of the long side of the relay core 52 is held in place by the relay core holding hole 14 so that it cannot be retracted.

[0062] Furthermore, the front end of the relay core 52 protrudes forward from the relay core holding part 13 and extends forward within the force application member 40, with its foremost end positioned further forward than the front end of the force application member 40.

[0063] Furthermore, the porosity of the writing head 30, the ink storage unit 51, and the relay core 52 increases in the order of writing head 30, relay core 52, and ink storage unit 51.

[0064] According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, the writing head 30 has a porosity of approximately 65%, the relay core 52 has a porosity of approximately 76%, and the ink storage section 51 has a porosity of 90%.

[0065] Furthermore, the tail plug 60 is formed as a bottomed cylindrical shape with the rear end as the bottom wall, and is removable and pressed into the rear end of the pen holder 10 in a sealed manner. The tail plug 60 is removed when the ink supply unit 50, etc., is replaced.

[0066] The cap 70 is formed as a bottomed cylindrical part with the front end as the bottom wall part, and is detachable and fits into the cap mounting part 11 at the front end of the pen holder 10 in a sealed manner.

[0067] On the inner circumferential surface of the rear end side of the cover 70, there is an engagement / disengagement protrusion 71 that causes the annular protrusion 11a of the cover mounting portion 11 to cross backward and lock, and an annular protrusion 72 that is further forward than the engagement / disengagement protrusion 71 and covers the entire circumference of the outer circumference of the cover mounting portion 11. Furthermore, a clip is provided on the outer circumferential side.

[0068] Next, regarding the writing tool A of the above structure, its characteristic functions and effects will be explained in detail.

[0069] First, in the initial state where no writing pressure is applied, the writing head 30 is in a separated position that is not in contact with the ink supply unit 50.

[0070] More specifically, at this separation point, such as Figure 3 As shown in (a), a gap s is ensured between the rear end face of the head holding member 20 and the stepped portion 11b on the front end side of the pen holder 10, and a space for a gap s' is ensured between the rear end face of the writing head 30 and the front end face of the plurality of ink supply portions 50 (specifically, relay cores 52).

[0071] Therefore, at this separation position, ink flows from the ink reservoir 51 to the relay core 52 by capillary force, but does not reach the writing head 30.

[0072] Next, when the front end of the writing head 30 is pressed against the writing surface x, such as the paper (i.e., writing pressure is applied to the writing head 30), the writing head 30 retracts due to its writing pressure, and becomes a contact position that contacts the ink supply unit 50 from the front side.

[0073] More specifically, when writing pressure is applied to the writing head 30, the head holding member 20 resists the force of the force applying member 40 and retracts, the gap s narrows, and the rear end face of the writing head 30 presses against the front end of the plurality of ink supply parts 50, 50.

[0074] Therefore, at this contact position, the ink in the multiple ink supply units 50 flows from the ink storage unit 51 to the relay core 52 by capillary force, and further flows to the individual writing head 30, and is ejected from the front end of the writing head 30 and coated on the writing surface x.

[0075] The applied writing lines become gradient writing lines based on multiple colors of ink or writing lines with colors created by mixing multiple colors of ink.

[0076] Subsequently, when the writing head 30 leaves the writing surface x, it advances to the aforementioned separation position under the force of the force-applying component 40. Therefore, ink will not flow from the relay core 52 to the writing head 30.

[0077] Therefore, according to writing instrument A, ink from ink supply unit 50 can be supplied to writing head 30 only when writing pressure is applied.

[0078] Therefore, it is possible to prevent excessive ink supply to the writing head 30, which would cause ink to drip from the writing head 30.

[0079] Furthermore, even if the cap 70 is removed and no writing is performed for an extended period of time, the flow of ink between the relay core 52 and the writing head 30 is obstructed by the gap s, thus preventing a reduction in the ink storage capacity of the ink supply section 50 due to ink evaporation from the writing head 30.

[0080] Furthermore, even when no writing pressure is applied for an extended period, it is possible to prevent ink from any ink supply unit 50 from flowing through the writing head 30 to other ink supply units 50. That is, assuming a structure in the example shown where there is always no gap s', ink from one ink supply unit 50 might flow through the writing head 30 in a roughly U-shape to another ink supply unit 50. However, according to the writing instrument A of this embodiment, since the flow path between the writing head 30 and the ink supply units 50 can be cut off when not in use, such flow can be prevented, thereby preventing the writing line based on the writing instrument A from becoming an undesirable writing line (e.g., a writing line with only one ink).

[0081] <Variation Example>

[0082] In addition, in the above embodiments, it is also possible to configure it in such a way that, as a particularly preferred example, multiple ink supply units 50 are provided relative to a single writing head 30, but as another example, a single ink supply unit 50 is provided relative to a single writing head 30.

[0083] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, it is also possible to configure the ink supply units 50 to store different types of ink, which is a particularly preferred example, but in other examples, the ink supply units 50 store the same type of ink.

[0084] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, as a particularly preferred example, a compression coil spring is used for the force-applying component 40; however, as another example, the force-applying component 40 is made of an elastomer such as rubber.

[0085] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the structure can also be configured such that, as a particularly preferred example, the writing head 30 is indirectly forceped forward via the head holding member 20; however, as another example not shown, the head holding member 20 is omitted, and the writing head 30 is slidably engaged in the pen holder 10, and the force applying member 40 directly applies force forward to the writing head 30.

[0086] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, it is also possible to set the structure as follows: the operation for moving the writing head 30 from the above separation position to the above contact position is set as the operation of pressing the writing head 30 onto the writing surface x. However, as another example, the operation is set as an operation other than the above, such as a sliding operation or a rotation operation of an operation part not shown. Through this operation, the writing head 30 located in the above separation position is moved to the above contact position.

[0087] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and appropriate modifications can be made without changing the spirit of the present invention.

[0088] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0089] 10-Pen holder, 20-Head holding component, 30-Writing head, 40-Force application component, 50-Ink supply unit, 51-Ink storage unit, 52-Relay core, A-Writing instrument.

Claims

1. A writing instrument, characterized by, The writing instrument comprises: a pen holder; a writing head that protrudes forward beyond the pen holder so as to be pressed against a writing surface to eject ink; and an ink supply unit that supplies ink to the writing head from the rear side. The ink supply unit has a relay core protruding forward from the pen holder. The writing head is positioned in a separation position, which leaves space relative to the relay core of the ink supply unit and separates forward, and moves to a contact position, which contacts the relay core of the ink supply unit from the front, through a predetermined operation. The pen holder includes a head-holding component that protrudes forward from the pen holder and slides back and forth relative to the pen holder. The writing head is integrally formed with the head-holding component. The head holding component covers the relay core of the ink supply section in a cylindrical shape.

2. The writing instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple ink supply sections for supplying different types of ink are provided on the rear side of a single writing head.

3. The writing instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that, A force-applying component is provided to apply force to the writing head relative to the pen holder. The specified operation is to press the writing head onto the writing surface, thereby causing the writing head to resist the force of the force-applying component and retract to the contact position.

4. The writing instrument according to claim 3, characterized in that, The force-applying component is a compression coil spring disposed between the writing tip and the pen barrel, and the ink supply unit is inserted into the compression coil spring.

5. The writing instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that, The writing head and the ink supply unit are fiber bundles.

6. The writing instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pen holder includes a head-holding component that holds the writing tip at the front end. The writing head is fitted into the head holding member radially outward from the pen holder.

7. The writing instrument according to claim 6, characterized in that, The head holding member is provided with a notch for inserting the writing head from the side, and a head insertion hole that causes the front end of the writing head, which fits into the notch, to protrude further forward than the head holding member.

8. The writing instrument according to claim 7, characterized in that, The writing head integrally comprises a base located within the head holding member, a pen tip whose radial dimension is smaller than that of the base and protrudes forward, such that the base is fitted into the notch in a way that prevents it from moving forward or backward, and the pen tip is inserted into the head insertion hole.

9. A method of manufacturing the writing instrument according to claim 7, characterized by, The process includes fitting the writing head radially outward from the pen holder into the head holding member.

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