Ink bottle for a fountain pen

Abstract

Ink vessel (1; 13; 20) for use in a fountain pen, comprising a coupling section (2) for fluidly connecting the ink vessel (1; 13; 20) to a writing tip of the fountain pen, a cylindrical ink receiving portion (3) in fluid communication with the coupling portion (2), a piston (4) and a piston rod (5; 14; 21) connected to the piston (4) and displaceable between - an extended position in which the piston (4) specifies an ink supply volume in the ink receiving section (3), - a retracted position in which the piston (4) is adjacent to the coupling section (2), the piston rod (5; 14; 21) being shortenable in length.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an ink container for use in a fountain pen and a fountain pen with an ink container according to the invention.

[0002] Ink containers for use in cartridge fountain pens with a sliding piston for filling the ink container are known under the trade name "converter." Such converters are marketed, for example, by the applicant under the brand name "Kaweco." Such converters can be used to convert commercially available cartridge fountain pens into piston fountain pens.

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to improve such an ink vessel with a piston for use in a fountain pen, in particular in a cartridge fountain pen.

[0004] The invention recognizes that a piston rod that can be shortened offers several advantages. Firstly, the ink receiving section can be lengthened while maintaining the same length when extended, thereby increasing the ink reservoir capacity. Increasing the ink reservoir capacity allows for longer use of the ink reservoir in fountain pens until refilling is necessary.

[0005] The ink reservoir can be a separate ink container from the rest of the fountain pen, particularly a converter. The fountain pen can then be a cartridge fountain pen. Alternatively, the ink reservoir can also be a receptacle in the base body of the fountain pen. The fountain pen can then be designed as a piston fountain pen.

[0006] Another advantage of the shortenable piston rod is the versatility of the inkwell, provided the inkwell is a separate ink container from the rest of the fountain pen, particularly a converter. The shortenable piston rod allows the same inkwell to be used in cartridge fountain pens of various lengths. The inkwell can thus be used, for example, in full-length cartridge fountain pens, which normally accommodate two standard ink cartridges, and in shorter cartridge fountain pens, which can only accommodate one ink cartridge.

[0007] Overall, the shortenable piston rod results in both an increase in the possible ink supply volume in a specific model of cartridge fountain pen and the versatile usability of a single ink container in cartridge fountain pens of different lengths without having to reduce the ink supply volume too much.

[0008] The shortenable piston rod has a maximum length L MAX and a minimum length L MIN Length refers to the extension of the piston rod along a direction of insertion into the ink vessel. The maximum length is chosen such that the piston can be inserted by means of the piston rod up to the coupling section. The minimum length is chosen such that it is shorter than the maximum length. Preferably, the minimum length can be less than 60% of the maximum length.

[0009] For use in a cartridge fountain pen, the ink reservoir features a coupling section that allows the ink reservoir to establish a fluid-conducting connection with the writing tip of a cartridge fountain pen. The coupling section is designed analogously to the front section of a standard ink cartridge. This allows for universal use in standard cartridge fountain pens.

[0010] The ink receiving section, which is in fluid communication with the coupling section, defines an ink reservoir volume that can be drawn into the ink receiving section. The ink receiving section is, in particular, a hollow body. In particular, the outer diameter of the ink receiving section corresponds to the outer diameter of a standard ink cartridge. This enables the universal usability of the ink container in standard cartridge fountain pens.

[0011] The ink vessel further comprises a piston, which is arranged in the ink receiving section and is displaceable in the ink receiving section by means of the piston rod. The piston may, in particular, comprise a sealing element, which may be in contact with the piston and the inside of the ink receiving section.

[0012] In a retracted position, the piston rests adjacent to the coupling section. By inserting the coupling section into an ink-containing fluid, the ink can be drawn into the ink-receiving section by pulling the piston away from the coupling section. The drawing of the ink can be achieved, in particular, by a negative pressure created in the ink-receiving section. By pushing the piston toward the coupling section, a supply volume of ink can be dispensed through the coupling section, and the ink container can be emptied.

[0013] Overall, the piston arranged in the ink receiving section enables filling and emptying of the ink receiving section of the ink vessel.

[0014] The ink container according to the invention enables the use of a cartridge fountain pen both with ink cartridges and as a piston fountain pen. In particular, no separate piston fountain pen is required.

[0015] An ink vessel according to claim 2 ensures that the ink receiving portion can be completely filled and emptied by the piston.

[0016] An ink vessel according to claim 3 represents an advantageous embodiment of the shortenable piston rod. By means of the at least two piston rod partial bodies, a shortenable piston rod can be achieved simply and efficiently.

[0017] The piston rod can comprise at least two piston rod sub-bodies. In particular, the piston rod can comprise at least three piston rod sub-bodies, in particular at least four piston rod sub-bodies, in particular at least five piston rod sub-bodies, in particular more than five piston rod sub-bodies.

[0018] By increasing the number of piston rod sub-bodies, the minimum length of the piston rod can be further shortened.

[0019] The length of the piston rod body preferably corresponds approximately Maximum length of the piston rodNumber of piston rod sections. In particular, the length of the piston rod body L KSTK preferably in the area Maximum length of the piston rodNumber of piston rod sections <LKSTK<maximale La¨nge der KolbenstangeAnzahl der Kolbenstangenteilko¨rper∗1,1. The area ensures that a connection of the piston rod bodies is possible.

[0020] If the piston rods are designed with exactly two piston rod sub-bodies, the length of the individual piston rod sub-bodies is approximately half the maximum length of the piston rod, in particular in the range 50% to 55% of the maximum length of the piston rod.

[0021] An ink vessel according to claim 4 represents a space-saving design of the piston rod. The piston rod partial bodies can in particular be accommodated in a telescopic manner so as to be displaceable into one another.

[0022] An ink reservoir according to claim 5 represents an advantageous development of the piston rod. A locking mechanism ensures that the piston rod remains at an extended length. This, in particular, prevents sliding movements when pushing in and out of the piston by means of the piston rod. Such avoidable sliding movements are generally referred to as "dead sliding movements." Furthermore, it is possible to push the piston in as far as the coupling section.

[0023] An ink vessel according to claim 6 represents a preferred embodiment with an efficient locking mechanism. A bayonet closure is easy to manufacture and can be used easily and quickly by a user.

[0024] An ink vessel according to claim 7 represents a particularly secure connection between the piston rod partial bodies. In particular, the screw connection can only be released if a rotational force is exerted on both piston rod partial bodies, which can ensure that the connection is not accidentally released.

[0025] An ink container according to claim 8 provides a particularly pleasant user experience. Due to the articulated connection of the piston rod sub-bodies, no locking mechanism needs to be released by the user. The length can be adjusted simply by pivoting the individual piston rod sub-bodies. To achieve such an articulated connection of the piston rod sub-bodies, the piston rod sub-bodies are preferably pivotally connected to one another at a pivot point.

[0026] A further object of the invention is achieved by a fountain pen according to claim 9. The fountain pen can be designed as a cartridge fountain pen or as a piston fountain pen. A cartridge fountain pen according to claim 9 can be used as a piston fountain pen in addition to its function as a cartridge fountain pen with commercially available ink cartridges. This allows for universal applicability of the cartridge fountain pen.

[0027] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. It shows: Fig. 1 a sectional view of a first embodiment of the ink vessel according to the invention with an extended piston, wherein the piston rod has its maximum length, Fig. 2 is a further sectional view of the first embodiment of the ink vessel according to the invention with the piston extended, the piston rod having its minimum length, Fig. 3 is a further sectional view of the first embodiment of an ink vessel according to the invention with the piston inserted, the piston rod having its maximum length, Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the ink vessel according to the invention with the piston extended, the piston rod having its maximum length, Fig. 5 a detailed view of detail V of the sectional view according to Fig. 4, Fig. 6 is a further sectional view of the second embodiment of the ink vessel according to the invention with the piston extended, the piston rod having its minimum length, Fig. 7 is a further sectional view of the second embodiment of the ink vessel according to the invention with the piston inserted, the piston rod having its maximum length, Fig. 8 shows a third embodiment of an ink vessel according to the invention with an extended piston, wherein the piston rod has its maximum length and the piston rod part bodies are locked together, Fig. 9 shows the third embodiment of the ink vessel according to the invention with the piston extended, wherein the piston rod has its maximum length and the piston rod parts are not locked together, Fig. 10 shows the third embodiment of the ink vessel according to the invention with the piston extended, the piston having its minimum length.

[0028] The Fig. 1 to 3 show sectional views of a first embodiment of an ink vessel 1 comprising a coupling section 2, an ink receiving section 3, a piston 4 arranged in the ink receiving section 3, and a piston rod 5 whose length can be shortened. The piston rod 5 has a first piston rod partial body 6 and a second piston rod partial body 7. The first piston rod partial body 6 is materially connected to the piston 4. The second piston rod partial body 7 has a grip element 12 and is pivotally connected to the first piston rod partial body 6. The ink receiving section 3 is screwed to a cap 29 at an end opposite the coupling section 2. The cap 29 has a bore 30 for the passage of the piston rod 5.

[0029] The first piston rod sub-body 6 has a pin 8. The second piston rod sub-body 7 has a narrowing bore 9. The pivotability of the second piston rod sub-body 7 is achieved by the arrangement of the pin 8 in the bore 9. For this purpose, the pin 8 can, in particular, have elastic elements that can engage behind the bore 8 to prevent the second piston rod sub-body 7 from becoming detached from the first piston rod sub-body 6. The elastic elements can be designed to be radially resilient for this purpose.

[0030] The piston 4 has a piston base body 10 and a piston sealing element 11. The piston sealing element 11 can cause a pressure difference in the ink receiving section 3 when the piston 4 moves, whereby ink can be sucked in or dispensed through the coupling section 2.

[0031] The coupling section 2 is designed such that it can establish a fluid-conducting connection with a writing tip of a cartridge fountain pen. The coupling section 2 and the ink receiving section 3 have, in particular, the shape of a commercially available ink cartridge for a cartridge fountain pen. In particular, the coupling section 2 and the diameter of the ink receiving section 3 are adapted to the dimensions of a commercially available ink cartridge. The length of the ink receiving section 3 can differ from the length of a commercially available ink cartridge. Alternatively, the ink receiving section 3 and the coupling section 2 can be integral components of a base body of a fountain pen, for example, a piston fountain pen.

[0032] The ink receiving section 3 has a length L TA The piston rod 5 has a maximum length L 1MAX, wherein the first piston rod part body 6 and the second piston rod part body 7 are arranged substantially one behind the other in a longitudinal direction. The first piston rod part body 6 and the second piston rod part body 7 each have a length L 1KSTK A maximum length L 1MAX is in Fig. 1 shown.

[0033] The minimum length L 1MIN the piston rod is in Fig. 2. The piston rod 5 has a minimum length L 1MIN This length is achieved when the two piston rod sub-bodies 6, 7 are arranged substantially one above the other. The piston rod sub-bodies 6, 7 can lock in this position by means of a protrusion 31 in the first piston rod sub-body 6 and a recess 32 in the second piston rod sub-body 7.

[0034] The maximum length L 1MAXis selected such that the piston 4 can be arranged adjacent to the coupling section 2 via the piston rod 5. Preferably, the length L 1MAX be greater than the length L TA of the ink receiving section 3. The minimum length L 1MIN is approximately half of the maximum length L 1MAX the piston rod 5. The minimum length L 1MIN is in particular between 50% and 55% of the maximum length L 1MAX .

[0035] For use in a cartridge fountain pen, the ink container 1 can be filled with ink using the piston 4. For this purpose, the piston 4 is first pushed into the ink receiving section 3 via the piston rod 5 and is, as shown in Fig. 3, arranged adjacent to the coupling section 2. Subsequently, the piston 4 is moved via the piston rod 5 into a Fig. 1. The piston sealing element 11 creates a negative pressure in the ink receiving section 3, via which ink is drawn into the ink receiving section 3. The piston rod 5 can then be moved to its minimum position L 1MIN , which in Fig. 2. Due to the shortenable piston rod 5, the ink container can be used in shorter cartridge fountain pens, or a higher ink filling volume can be achieved in the ink receiving section 3 in cartridge fountain pens with a larger receiving section, for example with a receiving section for two ink cartridges.

[0036] The Fig. 4 to 7 show sectional views of a second embodiment of an ink vessel 13. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in the structure of the piston rod 14. The structure and function of the coupling section 2, the ink receiving section 3, the piston 4, the piston base body 10, and the piston sealing element 11 do not differ, which is why they will not be explained again.

[0037] The piston rod 14 comprises a first piston rod part body 15, a second piston rod part body 16 and a handle element 17. The first piston rod part body 15 and the second piston rod part body 16 have a length L 2KSTK on.

[0038] As shown in the sectional views, the second piston rod sub-body 16 is hollow. The first piston rod sub-body 15 is slidably arranged within the second piston rod sub-body 16. The grip element 17 is materially connected to the second piston rod sub-body 16. Alternatively, the grip element 17 can be connected to the second piston rod sub-body 16 with another detachable or non-detachable connection. The grip element 17 can, for example, be glued into the second piston rod sub-body 16.

[0039] As in the detailed view V, which Fig. 5, the first piston rod part body 15 has an external thread 18 and the second piston rod part body 16 has an internal thread 19. Via the external thread 18 and the internal thread 19, the first piston rod part body 15 and the second piston rod part body 16 can be connected to a maximum length L 2MAXfixed together. The maximum length L 2MAX the piston rod 14 is in Fig. 4 and Fig. 7 shown.

[0040] By loosening the screw connection of the external thread 18 and the internal thread 19, the second piston rod sub-body 16 can be pushed over the first piston rod sub-body 15. The first piston rod sub-body 15 has a second external thread 18, by means of which the piston rod sub-bodies 15, 16 can be connected to their minimum length L 2MIN This position is in Fig. 6 shown.

[0041] By screwing the external thread 18 and the internal thread 19 in the maximum length L 2MAXThis ensures that the piston 4 can be pushed into the ink receiving section 3 up to the coupling section 2. The filling and use of the ink container 13 is carried out in accordance with the filling and use of the first embodiment of the ink container 1. The pushed-in position is in Fig. 7 shown.

[0042] The Fig. 8 to 10 show a third embodiment of the ink vessel 20. In this embodiment of the ink vessel 20, too, the design and mode of operation of the coupling section 2, the ink receiving section 3, the piston 4, the piston base body 10, and the piston sealing element 11 are similar to those of the first and second embodiments of the ink vessel 1, 13. The ink vessel 20 differs only in the structure of the piston rod 21.

[0043] The piston rod 21 has a first piston rod part body 22 and a second piston rod part body 23. The first piston rod part body 22 and the second piston rod part body 23 have a length L 3KSTK The second piston rod sub-body 23 has a grip element 24. The grip element 24 is materially connected to the second piston rod sub-body 23. Alternatively, the grip element 24 can be detachably connected to the second piston rod sub-body 23. The first piston rod sub-body 22 is hollow.

[0044] The first piston rod sub-body 22 has a groove 25 extending in the longitudinal direction. At the upper end of the first piston rod sub-body 22 facing the second piston rod sub-body 23, a second groove 26 is arranged, which runs perpendicular to the first groove 25 and is connected to the first groove 25. The grooves 25, 26 and the pin 27 form a so-called bayonet lock 28.

[0045] The second piston rod sub-body 23 has a pin 27 projecting in the radial direction. In the assembled state, the pin 27 of the second piston rod sub-body 23 is arranged in the grooves 25, 26 of the first piston rod sub-body 22.

[0046] Fig. Figure 8 shows a locked state of the piston rod 21, in which the pin 27 is arranged in the groove 26 extending transversely to the longitudinal direction. This arrangement prevents axial displacement of the piston rod partial bodies 22, 23 relative to one another. In such a position, the piston 4 has a maximum length L 3MAX on.

[0047] By rotating the second piston rod body 23, the pin 27 can be moved from the groove 26 into the groove 25, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the piston rod 21. Such a position is Fig. 9 shown.

[0048] In a Fig. 9, the piston rod partial bodies 22, 23 can be displaced longitudinally relative to one another. By inserting the second piston rod partial body 23 into the first piston rod partial body 22, a Fig. 10 shown minimum length L 3MIN of the piston rod 21. Optionally, the first piston rod part body 22 can have a second groove 25, 26 arranged adjacent to the piston 4 and extending transversely to the longitudinal direction, by means of which the piston rod 21 can be held in its minimum length L 3MIN can be fixed.

[0049] The filling of the ink vessel 20 follows analogously to the filling of the first and second embodiments of the ink vessel 1, 13.

Claims

[1] Ink vessel (1; 13; 20) for use in a fountain pen comprising a coupling section (2) for fluid-conducting connection of the ink vessel (1; 13; 20) to a writing tip of the fountain pen, a cylindrical ink receiving section (3) in fluid communication with the coupling section (2), a piston (4) and a piston rod (5; 14; 21) connected to the piston (4) and displaceable between - an extended position in which the piston (4) specifies an ink supply volume in the ink receiving section (3), - an inserted position in which the piston (4) is adjacent to the coupling section (2), wherein the piston rod (5; 14; 21) can be shortened in length. [2] Ink vessel (1; 13; 20) according to claim 1, characterized by that the maximum length (L 1MAX ; L 2MAX , L 3MAX ) of the piston rod (5; 14; 21) is greater than the length (L TA) of the ink receiving section (3). [3] Ink vessel (1; 13; 20) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by that the piston rod (5; 14; 21) comprises at least two interconnected piston rod partial bodies (6, 7; 15, 16; 22, 23). [4] Ink vessel (13; 20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one of the piston rod partial bodies (15; 23) is slidably received in at least one other piston rod partial body (16; 22). [5] Ink vessel (13; 20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least two piston rod partial bodies (15, 16; 22, 23) can be locked in position relative to one another by a locking mechanism. [6] Ink vessel (20) according to claim 5, characterized by that the locking mechanism is formed by a bayonet mechanism (28). [7] Ink vessel (13) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized bythat the connection between the piston rod partial bodies (15, 16) is formed by a threaded connection (18, 19). [8] Ink vessel (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the at least two piston rod partial bodies (6, 7) are connected to one another in an articulated manner. [9] Fountain pen with an ink vessel (1; 13; 20) according to one of claims 1 to 8.

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