Writing instrument

Abstract

A writing instrument (1) comprising at least two writing cores (4) received in a body (2), each writing core (4) having a support and a rotating element (5) mounted at a rear end of the body (2), the rotating element (5) and the writing cores (4) comprising complementary guide elements configured so that the rotation of the rotating element (5) advances each of the writing cores (4) in the body (2) in turn into a writing position, characterized in that the mechanical holders of the supports have at least one respective spacer projecting laterally from the front end of the mechanical holder so as to maintain a gap between the tip (7) of the writing core (4) and the body (2) in a retracted position of the writing core (4) and during the transition from the retracted position to the writing position. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Writing instrument Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a writing instrument comprising at least two writing cores, each of which can take a writing position or a retracted position. Technical background

[0002] Three or four colour felt-tip pens are known, comprising a rotating element mounted at a rear end of the body, the rotation of which allows each of the felt tips in the body to be moved forward or backward individually to select the output of a colour for writing or colouring or to retract all the felt tips.

[0003] One drawback is that during a color change, when a marker is moved forward and then backward within the barrel, the marker tip can rest against the inner walls of the barrel and deposit ink along them. The deposited color can then migrate to the tips of the other markers during a successive color change. Consequently, the colors of the markers in the writing instrument can become discolored. This risk can be exacerbated for compact writing instruments in which the writing cores are very close together or for writing instruments that accept broad-tipped highlighters. Summary of the invention

[0004] One of the aims of the present invention is to propose a writing instrument which at least partially resolves the drawback of the prior art while being compact.

[0005] To this end, the invention relates to a writing instrument comprising: - a body having an outlet at a front end, - at least two, such as four, writing cores received in the body, each writing core having an ink reservoir, a point at the front end, and a holder including a mechanical pencil to retain the point, the holder being further configured to receive the ink reservoir, - a rotating element mounted at a rear end of the body, the rotating element and the writing cores comprising complementary guide elements configured so that the rotation of the rotating element advances each of the writing cores in the body in turn into a writing position, characterized in that the mechanical pencils of the holders have at least one respective spacer projecting laterally from the front end of the mechanical pencil so as to maintain a gap between the point of the writing core and the body in a retracted position of the writing core and during the transition from the retracted position to the writing position.

[0006] During the transition from the retracted position to the writing position for color selection, at least one spacer rubs against the inner wall of the body, keeping the tip away from the body, thus preventing the writing core tip from touching the body walls or making minimal contact. This prevents the ink from coloring the inside of the body and migrating into the tips of adjacent writing cores when the user changes colors.

[0007] The writing instrument may also include one or more of the characteristics described below, taken alone or in combination.

[0008] The mechanical holders of the supports have, for example, two respective spacers formed by parallel longitudinal ribs.

[0009] The supports of the at least two write nuclei may respectively include at least one internal protrusion configured to keep the write nuclei away from each other in a retracted position.

[0010] The internal protrusion can be chamfered in the longitudinal direction.

[0011] The outlet orifice has, for example, four flat edges perpendicular to each other.

[0012] The writing instrument includes, for example, four writing cores.

[0013] The edges of the outlet opening may have a respective longitudinal rib, the longitudinal ribs being arranged opposite each other in pairs, each longitudinal rib being configured to fit between the spacers of the support of one of the four advanced writing cores in the writing position.

[0014] The two longitudinal ribs of the outlet orifice, adjacent to the longitudinal rib located between the spacers of the support of the writing core advanced in the writing position, can form a guide rail for at least one internal protrusion of said support.

[0015] The support includes, for example, a cap at a rear end, comprising a guide tail offset from the axis of the writing core and cooperating with a respective guide rod of the body to guide the movement of the writing core between the writing position and the retracted position.

[0016] The writing instrument may include a spring for each writing core arranged on the guide rod between the guide tail and the body and applying pressure to the writing core in the retracted position.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the rotating element comprises a selector and a cylinder assembled together, the writing instrument comprising a first sealing device interposed between the cylinder and the selector and a second sealing device interposed between the cylinder and the body, the first and second sealing devices being spaced longitudinally apart from each other.

[0018] The first sealing device is for example made by an annular bulge made of material with the cylinder or the selector.

[0019] The second sealing device is for example made by an O-ring interposed between an annular surface for seating the cylinder and a shoulder of the rear end of the body.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the complementary guiding elements are formed by a cam profile carried by the rotating element cooperating with complementary indexing fingers carried by the respective supports of the at least two writing cores.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the cam profile comprises: - a deployment ramp whose cooperation with the indexing finger during the rotation of the rotating element progressively deploys the writing core from the retracted position to the writing position, - a shoulder and a protrusion resulting from the deployment ramp, the cooperation of which with the indexing finger stops and holds the writing core in the writing position, and - a drop resulting from the protrusion and whose cooperation with the indexing finger during the rotation of the rotating element causes a release of the writing core from the writing position to the retracted position.

[0022] The cam profile may further include an annular upper stop whose cooperation with the indexing finger during the rotation of the rotating element leaves the writing cores in a retracted position. Brief description of the figures

[0023] Other advantages and features will become apparent from the following description of a particular, but by no means limiting, embodiment of the invention, as well as from the accompanying drawings in which:

[0024] [Fig-1] Fig.1 shows a perspective view of a writing instrument.

[0025] [Fig.2] Fig.2 shows a cross-sectional view of the writing instrument of Fig.1, with writing kernels in a retracted position.

[0026] [Fig.3A] The [Fig.3A] shows a side perspective view of a writing core of the writing instrument of the [Fig.2].

[0027] [Fig.3B] [Fig.3B] shows a substantially front perspective view of the writing core of [Fig.3A].

[0028] [Fig.4] Fig.4 shows an enlarged view of a front end of the writing core figures 3A and 3B.

[0029] [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] shows elements of the writing instrument of [Fig. 2], view from the rear end.

[0030] [Fig.6] Fig.6 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of one body of the instrument writing of the [Fig.2].

[0031] [Fig. 7] [Fig. 7] shows a perspective view of a selector for a rotating element of the writing instrument of the [Fig.2].

[0032] [Fig.8] Fig.8 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the writing instrument of Fig.2 with a writing core in the writing position.

[0033] [Fig.9] The [Fig.9] shows an enlarged view of a detail of the [Fig.8].

[0034] [Fig. 10] The [Fig. 10] shows a front end of the writing instrument of the [Fig.2] with a writing core in the writing position.

[0035] [Fig. 11] The [Fig. 11] shows the writing instrument of the [Fig. 10] from which the body has been removed.

[0036] [Fig. 12] The [Fig. 12] shows a cross-sectional view of the front end of the writing instrument with all the writing cores in the retracted position.

[0037] [Fig. 13] [Fig. 13] shows a view similar to [Fig. 12] with a writing core in the process of moving from the retracted position to the writing position.

[0038] [Fig. 14] The [Fig. 14] shows the writing instrument of the [Fig. 13] in writing position.

[0039] [Fig. 15] [Fig. 15] shows a view similar to [Fig.3A] for another example of an embodiment of the writing kernel.

[0040] In these figures, identical elements bear the same reference numbers. Detailed description

[0041] The following embodiments are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference relates to the same embodiment, or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Simple features of different embodiments can also be combined or interchanged to provide other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0042] The writing instrument can be used for writing, tracing, drawing, and coloring on any writing surface. "Writing" refers to the formation of a mark by depositing ink, particularly for writing, tracing, drawing, or coloring.

[0043] The front end of the writing instrument is defined as the side with the point (for writing). The rear end is the end opposite to that of the point.

[0044] The longitudinal direction is defined as the principal direction in which the writing instrument extends.

[0045] Figures 1 and 2 show an example of a writing instrument 1.

[0046] The writing instrument 1 comprises a body 2, at least two, such as three or four, writing cores 4, received in the body 2, as well as a rotating element 5 mounted at a rear end of the body 2.

[0047] The writing instrument 1 may include a removable cap 8, for example clip-on to the front end of the body 2 to close the outlet orifice 6.

[0048] The body 2 of the writing instrument 1 comprises a cylindrical shaft opening at the front end through an outlet 6 from which a lead can emerge from a point 7 of a writing core 4.

[0049] The writing cores 4 of the writing instrument 1 are arranged longitudinally in the body 2, parallel to each other in a retracted position. The writing cores 4 may be highlighters or felt-tip pens with broad or fine tips. They may all have the same structure but be different colors.

[0050] Best seen in the example of [Fig.3A], each writing core 4 has an ink reservoir 9, a point 7 on the front end side and a support 10 supporting the point 7 and configured to receive the ink reservoir 9.

[0051] The support 10 includes a mechanical holder 11 to hold the tip 7, and here a filter holder 12 holding the ink reservoir 9 made by an ink-loaded filter, the support 10 also including a cap 13 at the rear end of the support 10. The support 10 is for example made in one piece, for example of plastic material.

[0052] The mechanical pencil 11 is cylindrical and receives the point 7 which protrudes at the front to form the lead and at the rear by a point here inserted into the filter of the ink reservoir 9. The filter of the ink reservoir 9 is held axially between the rear of the point 7 and a point of the cap 13 of the support 10.

[0053] In this example, the filter holder 12 has a circular arc section partially surrounding the ink reservoir filter 9, and extends along the ink reservoir filter 9 from the mechanical pencil 11 to the cap 13. The diameter of the circular arc section of the filter holder 12 is greater than that of the mechanical pencil 11 due to the diameters of the ink reservoir filter 9 and the tip 7.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the cap 13 of the support 10 includes a guide tail 14. The guide tail 14 is offset from the axis of the writing core 4. The guide tail 14 has a longitudinally extending through hole that cooperates with a respective guide rod 15 of the body 2 (Figures 5 and 6). The guide rod 15 extends longitudinally along the shaft of the body 2, substantially parallel to the axis of the writing core 4, to guide the movement of the writing core 4 between a writing position and a retracted position. There are as many guide rods 15 as there are writing cores 4.

[0055] The writing instrument 1 may include a spring 16 for each writing core 4 to return the writing cores 4 to the retracted position. The spring 16 is, for example, arranged on the guide rod 15, interposed and bearing between the guide tail 14 of the support 10 and a stop on the body 2, for example formed by the end of a connecting rib of the guide rod 15 to the body 2. The spring 16 exerts pressure on the writing core 4 in the retracted position, by being offset from the axis of the writing core 4, allowing the writing instrument 1 to be more compact.

[0056] The rotating element 5 and the writing cores 4 include complementary guide elements configured so that the rotation of the rotating element 5 advances each of the writing cores 4 in the body 2 in turn into a writing position.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the complementary guiding elements are formed by a cam profile 17 carried by the rotating element 5, cooperating with complementary indexing fingers 18 carried by the respective supports 10 of the at least two writing cores 4. The cam profile 17 is, for example, carried by a selector 19 of the rotating element 5 ([Fig. 7]). The indexing fingers 18 are, for example, carried by the plugs 13 of the supports 10 ([Fig. 3A]).

[0058] It can also be foreseen that the indexing fingers 18 protrude radially outwards from the body 2 by passing through a longitudinal groove 20 in the body 2 in particular to maintain the writing cores 4 in their longitudinal positions in the body 2 during the rotation of the rotating element 5 ([Fig.5]).

[0059] As seen in [Fig.7], the cam profile 17 includes, for example: - a deployment ramp 17a, the cooperation of which with the indexing finger 18 during the rotation of the rotating element 5 progressively deploys the writing core 4 from the retracted position to the writing position; - a shoulder 17b and a protrusion 17c following the deployment ramp 17a, the cooperation of which with the indexing finger 18 stops and holds the writing core 4 in the writing position by forming a hard point for the user; and - a notch 17d following the protrusion 17c, the cooperation of which with the indexing finger 18 during the rotation of the rotating element 5 causes the writing core 4 to release from the writing position to the retracted position.

[0060] The cam profile 17 further includes an annular upper stop 17e whose cooperation with the indexing finger 18 during the rotation of the rotating element 5 leaves the writing cores 4 in a retracted position.

[0061] This cam profile 17 allows the writing core 4 to be deployed in only one direction of rotation. This cam profile 17 is less bulky than a "V-shaped" profile, i.e., one comprising a progressive deployment ramp followed by a progressive retraction ramp allowing the deployment and retraction of the rotating element 5 in both directions of rotation.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the rotating element 5 is made in two parts. It comprises a selector 19 and a cylinder 25 which are assembled together, for example, in a removable manner, for example by clipping, for example at a clip 26 of the selector 19.

[0063] The writing instrument 1 may further include a first sealing device 27 interposed between the cylinder 25 and the selector 19 (Figures 8 and 9). The first sealing device 27 may be made of an annular bulge formed with the cylinder 25 or the selector 19 and allowing an edge-to-edge seal.

[0064] The writing instrument 1 may include a second sealing device 28 is interposed between the cylinder 25 and the body 2, the first and second sealing devices 27, 28 being spaced longitudinally apart. The second sealing device 28 can be an O-ring arranged under a shoulder on the rear end of the body 2, the cylinder 25 having an annular seating surface (chamfer) to compress the O-ring. During assembly, the cylinder 25 is first slid along the body 2 from the front end until it abuts against the O-ring, and the selector 19 is then assembled to the cylinder 25 by inserting it from the rear end, which compresses the O-ring.

[0065] This sealing of the rotating element 5 is important to prevent the filters of the ink reservoirs 9 of the writing cores 4 from drying out. Furthermore, this assembly system prevents the rotating element 5 from being pulled off from the rear, particularly by young children. It therefore allows for a simple yet robust assembly while limiting the number of parts.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the rotating element 5, and more particularly the selector 19, has a central column 29 extending longitudinally between the writing cores 4 to prevent them from touching (Figures 2 and 7). The plugs 13 may also have a respective boss 30 configured to rub against the central column 29 of the rotating element ([Fig. 5]). The bosses 30 allow limited contact between the supports 10 and the rotating rotating element 5.

[0067] The plugs 13 may also include respective radial filling forms, here a pointed advance 31, allowing the radial space to be occupied in the retracted position ([Fig.5]).

[0068] As can be seen in Figures 3B and 4, the mechanical pencils 11 of the supports 10 have at least one spacer 21a, 21b respectively projecting laterally from the front end of the mechanical pencil 11, here formed by a small longitudinal rib. Laterally means with respect to the longitudinal direction of the mechanical pencil 11.

[0069] At least one spacer 21a, 21b extends over a small distance along the mechanical pencil 11 from the end of the support 10, here the end of the mechanical pencil 11. At least one spacer 21a, 21b is configured to maintain a spacing between the tip 7 of the writing core 4 and the body 2 in the retracted position of the writing core 4 and during the transition from the retracted position to the writing position.

[0070] The front edge of at least one spacer 21a, 21b is preferably rounded to facilitate contact of at least one spacer 21a, 21b with the internal walls of the body 2 when moving from the retracted position to the writing position.

[0071] The mechanical pencils 11 of the supports 10 have, for example, two respective spacers 21a, 21b formed by parallel longitudinal ribs whose longitudinal ends are flat and define the same plane. These flat longitudinal ends are directed outwards from the mechanical pencil 11 ([Fig. 11]) so as to be able to come into contact with a wall, in particular a flat wall, of the body 2 in the retracted position ([Fig. 12]) and, when moving from the retracted position to the writing position ([Fig. 13]), with a wall of the exit orifice 6 in the writing position (Figures 10 and 14).

[0072] During a transition from the retracted position to the writing position (Figures 12, 13 and 14) for color selection, at least one spacer 21a, 21b rubs against the inner wall of the body 2, keeping the tip 7 away from the body 2, which allows the tip 7 of the writing core 4 to not or only slightly touch the walls of the body 2. This prevents the ink from coloring the inside of the body 2 and migrating into the tips 7 of the adjacent writing cores 4 when the user changes color.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the mechanical pencils 11 of the supports 10 of the at least two writing cores 4 also respectively have at least one internal protrusion 22 configured to keep the writing cores 4 apart from each other in a retracted position.

[0074] The internal protrusion 22 is, for example, arranged opposite at least one spacer 21a, 21b. In the case of a writing instrument 1 with four writing cores 4, the internal protrusion 22 is, for example, formed by two small fins extending on either side of the mechanical pencil 11, and which can meet in a triangle. The lateral ends of the internal protrusion 22 form a stop for the lateral ends of the adjacent internal protrusions 22. Several writing cores 4, in particular four, can thus be held side by side in a retracted position in a small space without the tips 7 touching.

[0075] The internal protrusion 22 can be chamfered in the longitudinal direction so as not to catch the protrusions 22 of the other writing nuclei 4 when moving from the writing position to the retracted position, and thus improve the smoothness of operation.

[0076] According to an exemplary embodiment shown in [Fig. 10], the outlet orifice 6 has four flat edges perpendicular to each other. An outlet orifice 6 with a square cross-section provides more space for the exit of the leads from the writing cores 4, particularly highlighters. We reduce the risk of collisions with the flat sides of the highlighter tips, which helps to avoid damage to the tip 7 and the colouring of the exit hole 6, and therefore the migration of colours between writing cores 4.

[0077] According to one embodiment, in the case of a writing instrument 1 with four writing cores 4, the flat edges of the outlet 6 have a respective longitudinal rib 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d. The longitudinal ribs 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d are arranged opposite each other in pairs. The longitudinal ribs 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d are, for example, arranged in the middle of the edges. The cross-section of the outlet 6 thus has, for example, a square shape with rounded corners and longitudinal ribs 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d arranged in the middle of each edge.

[0078] Each longitudinal rib 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d is configured to fit between the spacers 21a, 21b of the support 10 of one of the four writing cores 4 advanced in the writing position. The two longitudinal ribs of the outlet orifice, adjacent to the longitudinal rib located between the spacers 21a, 21b of the support 10 of the writing core 4 advanced in the writing position, can form a guide rail for at least one internal protrusion 22 of said support 10 of the writing core 4 advanced in the writing position.

[0079] The longitudinal ribs 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d thus allow the writing core 4 to be guided, centered and wedged in the writing position.

[0080] The spacers 21a, 21b and the internal protrusion 22 thus allow the centering of the writing nuclei 4 in the retracted position, the guidance and centering of the writing nucleus 4 in the writing position and the centering and holding in the writing position.

[0081] The diameter of the writing cores 4 is thus limited by providing, on the one hand, guidance at the rear end of the support 10 by the guide tail 14 and the guide rod 15 and at the front end by the spacers 21a, 21b and the internal protuberance 22.

[0082] The writing cores 4 can therefore be relatively thin, barely wider than the filter of the ink reservoir 9, which makes it possible to obtain a compact writing instrument 1, even in the case of highlighters.

[0083] Fig. 15 shows another example of the realization of a writing kernel 4.

[0084] In this example, the ink reservoir 9 is formed by liquid ink in direct contact with the tip 7 (without a filter). The support 10 forms a container for the ink reservoir 9. The diameter of the cylindrical section of the support 10 between the mechanical pencil 11 and the cap 13 can be enlarged relative to the diameter of the mechanical pencil 11 to receive the ink.

[0085] The other features of this embodiment are the same as for the previous example.

Claims

Demands

1. Writing instrument (1) comprising: - a body (2) having an outlet (6) at a front end, - at least two, such as four, writing cores (4) received in the body (2), each writing core (4) having an ink reservoir (9), a point (7) on the front end side and a holder (10) comprising a mechanical pencil (11) for holding the point (7), the holder (10) being further configured to receive the ink reservoir (9), - a rotating element (5) mounted at a rear end of the body (2), the rotating element (5) and the writing cores (4) comprising additional guide elements configured so that the rotation of the rotating element (5) advances each of the writing cores (4) in the body (2) in turn into a writing position, characterized in that the mechanical pencils (11) of the holders (10) have at least one spacer (21a,21b) respective projecting laterally from the front end of the mechanical pencil (11) so as to maintain a gap between the tip (7) of the writing core (4) and the body (2) in a retracted position of the writing core (4) and during the transition from the retracted position to the writing position.

2. Writing instrument (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the mechanical pencils (11) of the supports (10) have two respective spacers (21a, 21b) formed by parallel longitudinal ribs.

3. Writing instrument (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanical pencils (11) of the supports (10) of the at least two writing cores (4) respectively have at least one internal protrusion (22) configured to keep the writing cores (4) apart from each other in the retracted position.

4. Writing instrument (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the internal protrusion (22) is chamfered in the longitudinal direction.

5. Writing instrument (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet orifice (6) has four flat edges perpendicular to each other.

6. Writing instrument (1) according to claims 2, 3 or 4, and 5, characterized in that the writing instrument (1) comprises four writing cores (4), the edges of the outlet (6) having a respective longitudinal rib (23a, 23b, 23c, 23d), the longitudinal ribs (23a, 23b, 23c, 23d) being arranged opposite each other in pairs, each longitudinal rib (23a, 23b, 23c, 23d) being configured to fit between the spacers (21a, 21b) of the support (11) of one of the four writing cores (4) advanced into the writing position, the two longitudinal ribs of the outlet (6), adjacent to the longitudinal rib located between the spacers (21a, 21b) of the support (10) of the writing core (4) advanced in writing position, forming a guide rail for at least one internal protrusion (22) of said support (10).

7. Writing instrument (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (10) includes a cap (13) at a rear end, comprising a guide tail (14) offset from the axis of the writing core (4) and cooperating with a respective guide rod (15) of the body (2) to guide the movement of the writing core (4) between the writing position and the retracted position.

8. Writing instrument (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a spring (16) per writing core (4) arranged on the guide rod (15) between the guide tail (14) and the body (2) and exerting pressure on the writing core (4) in the retracted position.

9. Writing instrument (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotating element (5) comprises a selector (19) and a cylinder (25) assembled together, the writing instrument (1) comprising a first sealing device (27) interposed between the cylinder (25) and the selector (19) made by an annular bulge formed from material with the cylinder (25) or the selector (19) and a second sealing device (28) made by an O-ring interposed between an annular seating surface of the cylinder (25) and a shoulder of the rear end of the body (2), the first and second sealing devices (27, 28) being spaced longitudinally apart from each other.

10. Writing instrument (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the additional guiding elements are formed by a cam profile (17) carried by the rotating element (5) cooperating with complementary indexing fingers (18) carried by the respective supports (10) of the at least two writing cores (4), the cam profile (17) comprising a deployment ramp (17a) whose cooperation with the indexing finger (18) during the rotation of the rotating element (5) progressively deploys the writing core (4) from the retracted position to the writing position, a shoulder (17b) and a protrusion (17c) resulting from the deployment ramp (17a) and whose cooperation with the indexing finger (18) stops and holds the writing core (4) in the writing position, and a notch (17d) resulting from the protrusion (17c) and whose cooperation with the indexing finger (18) during the rotation of the rotating element (5) causes a release of the writing core (4) from the writing position to the retracted position.

Images