Liquid storage tube with supplied liquid

Abstract

To provide a new liquid storage tube with supplied liquid having impact resistance, which can suppress adhesion of a following body to the liquid storage tube involved in consumption of the supplied liquid and suppress leakage of the following body when the body is arranged upside down.SOLUTION: A liquid storage tube 100 with supplied liquid comprises a liquid supply part 10 and a liquid storage part 20. In the liquid storage part 20 are stored supplied liquid 30 contacting the liquid supply part 10 and a multi-layered following body 40 constituted of a plurality of layers, in this order, from the liquid supply part 10 side. The multi-layered following body 40 includes at least a first following body 42 and a second following body 44. The first following body 42 is arranged closer to the liquid supply part 10 than the second following body 44, where a phase angle of the first following body 42 is over 45° and a phase angle of the second following body 44 is equal to 45° or less.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid containing tube containing a supply liquid. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in a storage tube for supplying and storing a supply liquid such as ink for writing instruments, liquid cosmetics, liquid fuel, etc., a follower has been used to suppress evaporation of the supply liquid and adhesion to the inner wall of the storage tube, etc. This follower moves toward the supply part of the supply liquid by following the decrease due to consumption of the supply liquid.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an ink follower that uses two types of gel-like materials with different viscosity characteristics due to the different viscosities of the base oil in a water-based ballpoint pen having a cylindrical ink reservoir tube with an inner diameter of 3 mm or more or a similar shape.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a writing instrument in which an oil-based ink for a writing instrument is contained in an ink reservoir, a pen tip is attached to an ink outlet portion at one end of the ink reservoir, and an ink follower is contained in the ink reservoir so as to be in contact with the oil-based ink. This ink follower is composed of at least a first layer in contact with the oil-based ink and a second layer in contact with the first layer, the first layer being an aqueous gel-like substance, and the second layer being a hardly volatile or non-volatile organic liquid.

[0005] Patent Document 3 discloses an ink follower composition comprising at least one or a mixture of two or more selected from hydrocarbon organic solvents having a specific gravity in the range of 0.8 to 0.9, a gelling agent, and particles that are not substantially dissolved or swelled in the hydrocarbon organic solvent and have a specific gravity smaller than that of the hydrocarbon organic solvent.

[0006] Patent Document 4 discloses a follower composition for a cosmetic applicator, which is characterized by containing at least a base oil and 3.5 to 8% by mass of an elastomer containing a styrene structure.

[0007] Patent Document 5 discloses a cosmetic applicator comprising a cylindrical filling chamber, an application part attached to the tip of the cylindrical filling chamber, a liquid cosmetic directly filled into the cylindrical filling chamber which is in communication with the application part either directly or via an intervening member, and a follower of a liquid different in hue from the liquid cosmetic which comes into contact with the liquid cosmetic and moves in response to the reduction in the liquid cosmetic due to consumption, wherein the volume of the follower is 0.5 or more relative to the volume of the liquid cosmetic in units of one.

[0008] Patent Document 6 discloses a fuel container characterized by having a container body having an outlet, fuel provided within the container body, and a highly viscous liquid provided within the container body so as to be in contact with the fuel on the side opposite the outlet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-328890 [Patent Document 2] JP 2001-158869 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2005-239918 A [Patent Document 4] JP 2017-165670 A [Patent Document 5] JP 2016-198395 A [Patent Document 6] JP 2004-281340 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] The present invention provides a novel liquid containing tube filled with a supply liquid, which is impact resistant and can suppress adhesion of a follower to the liquid containing tube as the supply liquid is consumed, and suppress leakage of the follower when placed upside down. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] As a result of intensive research, the present inventors have found that the above problems can be solved by the following means, and have completed the present invention. That is, the present invention is as follows: Aspect 1: A liquid supply unit and a liquid storage unit are included, the liquid storage portion accommodates, in this order from the liquid supply portion side, a supply liquid in contact with the liquid supply portion and a multi-layer follower constituted by a plurality of layers; the multi-layer follower includes at least a first follower and a second follower, the first follower being located closer to the liquid supply part than the second follower; The phase angle of the first follower, as measured in accordance with JIS K 7244, is greater than 45°; and The phase angle of the second follower, measured in accordance with JIS K 7244, is 45° or less. A liquid receiving tube containing the liquid to be supplied. Aspect 2: The liquid containing tube containing the supply liquid according to aspect 1, wherein the first follower is in contact with the supply liquid. <Aspect 3> The liquid containing tube containing the supply liquid according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein the second follower is in contact with the first follower. <Aspect 4> The liquid containing tube containing the supply liquid according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3, wherein the multi-layer follower is composed of the first follower and the second follower. <Aspect 5> The liquid containing tube containing the supply liquid according to any one of Aspects 1 to 4, wherein the interface between each of the follower members constituting the multi-layer follower is visible. Aspect 6: The liquid containing tube according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein the difference between the phase angle of the first follower and the phase angle of the second follower is 10° or more. <Aspect 7> The liquid containing tube according to any one of Aspects 1 to 6, wherein the first follower contains a first base oil and a first thickener. <Aspect 8> A liquid containing tube containing a supply liquid as described in Aspect 7, wherein the first base oil is at least one selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, liquid paraffin, and mineral oil. <Aspect 9> A liquid containing tube containing a supply liquid as described in aspect 7 or 8, wherein the first thickener is at least one selected from the group consisting of silica and inorganic salt particles. <Aspect 10> The liquid containing tube according to any one of Aspects 1 to 9, wherein the second follower contains a second base oil and a second thickener. <Aspect 11> A liquid containing tube containing a supply liquid as described in Aspect 10, wherein the second base oil is at least one selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, liquid paraffin, and mineral oils. <Aspect 12> A liquid containing tube containing a supply liquid as described in aspect 10 or 11, wherein the second thickener is an elastomer. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a novel liquid containing a supply liquid which is impact resistant and can suppress adhesion of the follower to the liquid containing tube as the supply liquid is consumed, and suppress leakage of the follower when placed upside down. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a liquid containing tube containing a supply liquid according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] <Liquid containing tube containing supplied liquid> As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid containing tube 100 of the present invention is The liquid supply unit 10 and the liquid storage unit 20 are included. The liquid storage section 20 accommodates, in this order from the liquid supply section 10 side, a supply liquid 30 in contact with the liquid supply section 10, and a multi-layer follower 40 composed of a plurality of layers; the multi-layer follower 40 includes at least a first follower 42 and a second follower 44, the first follower 42 is located closer to the liquid supply unit 10 than the second follower 44; The phase angle of the first follower 42 measured in accordance with JIS K 7244-10 is greater than 45°; and The phase angle of the second follower 44 measured in accordance with JIS K 7244-10 is 45° or less.

[0015] In the present invention, the "phase angle" is measured in accordance with JIS K 7244-10. Specifically, it can be measured by a strain control method under conditions of a temperature of 25°C, a shear strain of 1%, and a frequency of 1 Hz.

[0016] A follower having a phase angle of more than 45° generally has properties closer to that of a viscous material, whereas a follower having a phase angle of 45° or less generally has properties closer to that of an elastic material.

[0017] A follower closer to a viscous body has the advantage of being excellent in impact resistance. More specifically, when an impact is applied to a liquid containing tube containing the supply liquid and having this follower, the impact is absorbed, and as a result, it is possible to prevent the supply liquid from penetrating the follower and leaking to the outside. On the other hand, when the follower moves due to consumption of the supply liquid, it may adhere to the wall of the liquid containing tube, and as a result, the follower may not be able to protect the supply liquid. In addition, when the follower is placed upside down, specifically when it is left in a state where the follower is positioned under the supply liquid, the shape of the follower may change due to the influence of gravity, and the liquid may leak through the wall of the liquid containing tube.

[0018] Furthermore, although a follower that is closer to an elastic body reduces the problem of adhesion to the wall of the liquid containing tube, it does not have sufficient impact resistance, and when an impact is applied to a liquid containing tube containing the supply liquid and which has this follower, the force of the impact can cause the supply liquid to pass through the follower, resulting in a leakage of the supply liquid.

[0019] In response to this, the inventors discovered that by combining followers having such properties, it is possible to provide impact resistance and prevent the follower from adhering to the liquid containing tube as the supplied liquid is consumed, and to prevent the follower from leaking when placed upside down.

[0020] From the viewpoint of obtaining the above-mentioned effect well, the difference between the phase angle of the first follower and the phase angle of the second follower is preferably 10° or more. This difference may be 15° or more, 20° or more, 25° or more, or 30° or more.

[0021] Each component of the present invention will now be described.

[0022] Liquid Supply Unit and Liquid Storage Unit The liquid supply section is a member for supplying the supply liquid to the outside of the liquid containing tube. The liquid containing section is a member for containing the supply liquid. The liquid supply section and the liquid containing section may be connected to each other.

[0023] The material constituting the liquid storage section is not particularly limited, and may be a resin such as polypropylene, paper, metal, etc. Furthermore, the material may be a biomass plastic using biological resources such as corn or sugar cane, or a biodegradable plastic using soil biodegradable resin or marine biodegradable resin.

[0024] For example, when the liquid containing tube containing the supply liquid of the present invention is a refill for a writing instrument, the liquid supply section and the liquid containing section of the present invention may be a writing section and an ink containing section.

[0025] <Supplied liquid> The supply liquid may be any supply liquid, for example, ink, liquid fuel, liquid cosmetics, etc.

[0026] The ink may be a water-based ink, an oil-based ink, or a gel ink.

[0027] Here, water-based ink generally refers to ink that contains at least water and a colorant, oil-based ink refers to ink that contains at least an organic solvent and a colorant, and gel ink refers to water-based ink that further contains a viscosity adjuster.

[0028] <Multi-layered follower> The multi-layer follower is a follower that is composed of multiple layers. The multi-layer follower includes at least a first follower and a second follower.

[0029] In the present invention, it is preferable that the first follower be in contact with the supply liquid from the viewpoint of obtaining good impact resistance.

[0030] In the present invention, it is preferable that the second follower be in contact with the first follower from the viewpoint of preventing the follower from adhering to the liquid containing tube as the supplied liquid is consumed, and preventing the follower from leaking when placed upside down.

[0031] In particular, the multi-layer follower may be comprised of a first follower and a second follower.

[0032] The interface between each follower constituting the multi-layer follower may not be clearly visible like a gradation, but may be clearly visible. At least one follower may be colored with a coloring material that does not dissolve or dissolve in the supply liquid. When multiple followers are colored, it is preferable from the viewpoint of design and visibility to color each of them with a different color. A clearly visible interface can be obtained, for example, by increasing the difference between the phase angle of the first follower and the phase angle of the second follower, for example, by making the difference 10° or more.

[0033] (First Follower) The first follower is located closer to the liquid supply unit than the second follower.

[0034] The phase angle of the first follower, measured in accordance with JIS K 7244, is greater than 45°. This phase angle may be 47° or more, 50° or more, 52° or more, 55° or more, or 60° or more.

[0035] The first follower may include a first base oil and a first thickener.

[0036] The first base oil may be a mineral oil, a synthetic hydrocarbon oil, an ester oil, a polyglycol oil, etc. These may be used alone or in combination.

[0037] As the mineral oil, spindle oil, Vaseline, etc. can be used.

[0038] As the synthetic hydrocarbon oil, polyolefins such as polybutene, olefin oligomers, aromatic hydrocarbons, liquid paraffin, and the like can be used.

[0039] As the ester oil and polyglycol oil, those generally used as followers can be used.

[0040] From the viewpoint of obtaining the above-mentioned phase angle, it is preferable that the first thickener is at least one thickener selected from the group consisting of silica and inorganic salt particles. These may be used alone or in combination.

[0041] Examples of inorganic salt particles that can be used include clay minerals such as kaolinite, smectite, sericite, illite, glauconite, chlorite, talc, and zeolite, and water-insoluble metal soaps such as lithium stearate, aluminum stearate, and sodium stearate.

[0042] The content of the first thickener may be 1% by weight or more, 2% by weight or more, 3% by weight or more, or 4% by weight or more, and may be 10% by weight or less, 9% by weight or less, 8% by weight or less, 7% by weight or less, or 6% by weight or less, based on the weight of the first follower.

[0043] The first follower can be obtained by kneading the constituent materials with a kneading means such as a planetary mixer or a roll mill while heating, and then cooling.

[0044] In this case, the phase angle can be increased by changing the compositional blending ratio of the follower, the manufacturing conditions, etc. Specifically, the phase angle can be increased by increasing the cooling rate or the stirring strength.

[0045] The Second Follower The second follower is a layer that is on the opposite side of the liquid supply portion from the first follower.

[0046] The phase angle of the first follower is 45° or less, as measured in accordance with JIS K 7244. This phase angle may be 42° or less, 40° or less, 37° or less, 35° or less, 33° or less, or 30° or less.

[0047] The second follower may include a second base oil and a second thickener.

[0048] As the second base oil, those mentioned with respect to the first base oil can be used.

[0049] As the second thickener, it is preferable to use an elastomer from the viewpoint of obtaining the above phase angle.

[0050] Examples of the elastomer that can be used include olefin-based thermoplastic elastomers such as ethylene-ethylenebutylene-ethylene block copolymers, styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers such as styrene-ethylenebutylene-styrene block copolymers, vinyl chloride-based thermoplastic elastomers, polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomers, polyester-based thermoplastic elastomers, and polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomers. These may be used alone or in combination.

[0051] The content of the second thickener may be 1 mass% or more, 2 mass% or more, 3 mass% or more, or 4 mass% or more, and may be 10 mass% or less, 9 mass% or less, 8 mass% or less, 7 mass% or less, or 6 mass% or less, based on the mass of the second follower. In particular, when the second thickener is an elastomer, the content of the elastomer is preferably 2 mass% or more, from the viewpoint of obtaining the above phase angle.

[0052] The second follower can be made by the methods listed for the first follower.

[0053] In this case, the phase angle can be increased by changing the compositional blending ratio of the follower, the manufacturing conditions, etc., and the phase angle can be decreased by the opposite method to the change that increased the phase angle, specifically, by slowing down the cooling rate or decreasing the stirring intensity.

[0054] <Other configurations> The liquid containing tube containing the supply liquid of the present invention may have any other configuration. As another configuration, for example, a solid body embedded in the follower, such as a follower rod, may be used. The follower rod may be present so as to be embedded in the multi-layer follower. More specifically, a plurality of follower rods may be present so as to be embedded in each follower constituting the multi-layer follower, or one follower rod may be embedded so as to penetrate the multi-layer follower. EXAMPLES

[0055] The present invention will be specifically described with reference to examples and comparative examples, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[0056] <<Preparation of Liquid Storage Tube Containing Supply Liquid>> The first base oil and the first thickener of the types and amounts shown in Table 1 were kneaded using a planetary mixer, and then further kneaded using a roll mill to prepare a first follower.

[0057] Also, the second base oil and the second thickener of the types and amounts shown in Table 1 were kneaded using a planetary mixer, and then further kneaded using a roll mill to prepare a second follower.

[0058] The details of the base oils shown in Table 2 are as follows: Polybutene A: Polybutene 015N, NOF Corporation Polybutene B: Polybutene 30N, NOF Corporation Mineral oil A: Diana Process Oil PW-90, Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. Mineral oil B: Diana Process Oil PW-90, Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. Aromatics: Barrel Process Oil B-05, Matsumura Oil Co., Ltd. Paraffin: Barrel Process Oil P-2200, Matsumura Oil Co., Ltd.

[0059] The details of the thickeners shown in Table 1 are as follows: Elastomer A: DYNARON 6200P, JSR Corporation Elastomer B: DYNARON 8300P, JSR Corporation Inorganic salts: Lithium stearate Silica A: AEROSIL R202, Evonik Silica B: AEROSIL NY50L, Evonik

[0060] The ink shown in the "Supplied liquid (ink)" column of Table 1 was filled into the liquid containing tube shown in Table 1 as the supplied liquid, and then the first follower and the second follower were filled in this order to prepare an ink-filled refill.

[0061] In addition, the phase angle of each of the obtained followers was measured by a strain control method in accordance with JIS K 7244-10 under conditions of a temperature of 25° C., a shear strain of 1%, and a frequency of 1 Hz.

[0062] Aqueous ink refers to ink that uses water as a main solvent and contains at least a colorant, and in the "Supplied liquid (ink)" column of Table 1, it is referred to as "aqueous."

[0063] In the "Supplied Liquid (Ink)" column of Table 1, the term "gel" refers to an ink that uses water as the main solvent and contains at least a colorant and a viscosity modifier.

[0064] In the "supplied liquid (ink)" column of Table 1, the term "oil-based" refers to ink that uses an organic solvent as the main solvent and contains at least a colorant.

[0065] In the "Containing Tube" column of Table 1, "PP" refers to a refill (inner diameter 5 mm) with an ink containing section made of polypropylene.

[0066] In the "Containing Tube" column of Table 1, the reference to "Paper" indicates a refill (inner diameter 5 mm) having an ink containing section with a paper layer as a base layer.

[0067] In the "Containing Tube" column of Table 1, the reference to "Metal" indicates a refill (inner diameter 5 mm) with a metal ink containing section.

[0068] "evaluation" Impact resistance A 10g weight was attached to the rear end of the resulting ink-filled refill, and it was dropped from a height of 1m with the pen tip facing upwards, and the refill was observed from the outside, or disassembled in the longitudinal direction with a cutter and observed, and the condition of the ink and follower was visually confirmed to confirm the condition of the follower. The evaluation criteria are as follows. A: No ink contamination was found in the follower. B: The shape of the interface between the ink and the follower was distorted. C: The ink had penetrated through the inside of the follower.

[0069] <Follower body attaching to wall> Using the prepared ink-filled refill, writing was carried out until the ink filling amount was between 5-10% of the initial amount, and the refill was observed from the outside or disassembled in the longitudinal direction with a cutter and observed, and the condition of the ink and follower was visually confirmed to confirm whether the follower adhered to the wall surface. The evaluation criteria are as follows. A: No adhesion of the follower to the wall was observed. B: Adhesion of the follower to the wall surface was observed, but the filling length of the follower after writing was 70% or more of the initial filling length. C: Adhesion of the follower to the wall surface was observed, and the filling length of the follower of the writing implement was less than 70% of the initial filling length.

[0070] <Leakage resistance> The ink-containing refill thus prepared was placed so that the follower was located under the ink, and this was left for 90 days, and the refill was observed from the outside or disassembled in the longitudinal direction with a cutter and observed, and the state of the ink and the follower was visually confirmed to confirm the dripping of the follower onto the wall surface. The evaluation criteria are as follows. A: No change in condition was observed from before it was left alone. B: The sagging of the follower was clearly visible. C: The dripping of the follower reached near the entrance of the refill.

[0071] Table 1 shows the configurations and evaluation results of the examples and comparative examples.

[0072] [Table 1]

[0073] From Table 1, it can be seen that the ink-containing refill of the embodiment in which the phase angle of the first follower is greater than 45° and the phase angle of the second follower is 45° or less has impact resistance and can suppress adhesion of the follower to the wall surface due to consumption of the supplied liquid, and leakage of the follower when placed upside down. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 100 Liquid receiving tube containing liquid to be supplied 10 Liquid supply section 20 Liquid storage section 30 Supply liquid 40 Multi-layered follower 42 First Follower 44 Second Follower

Claims

1. The liquid supply unit and the liquid storage unit are included. the liquid storage portion accommodates, in this order from the liquid supply portion side, a supply liquid in contact with the liquid supply portion and a multi-layer follower constituted by a plurality of layers; the multi-layer follower includes at least a first follower and a second follower, the first follower being located closer to the liquid supply unit than the second follower; The phase angle of the first follower, measured in accordance with JIS K 7244, is greater than 45°; and The phase angle of the second follower, measured in accordance with JIS K 7244, is 45° or less. A liquid receiving tube containing the liquid to be supplied.

2. 2. The liquid containing tube according to claim 1, wherein the first follower is in contact with the supply liquid.

3. 3. The liquid containing tube according to claim 1, wherein the second follower is in contact with the first follower.

4. 3. The liquid containing pipe according to claim 1, wherein the multi-layer follower is composed of the first follower and the second follower.

5. 3. The liquid containing tube according to claim 1, wherein the interfaces between the follower members constituting the multi-layer follower are visible.

6. 3. The liquid containing pipe according to claim 1, wherein a difference between the phase angle of the first follower and the phase angle of the second follower is 10 degrees or more.

7. 3. The liquid containing pipe according to claim 1, wherein the first follower contains a first base oil and a first thickener.

8. 8. The liquid-containing pipe containing the supply liquid according to claim 7, wherein the first base oil is at least one selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, liquid paraffin, and mineral oil.

9. 8. The liquid-containing tube containing the supply liquid according to claim 7, wherein the first thickener is at least one selected from the group consisting of silica and inorganic salt particles.

10. 3. The liquid-containing pipe containing the supply liquid according to claim 1, wherein the second follower contains a second base oil and a second thickener.

11. 11. The liquid containing tube according to claim 10, wherein the second base oil is at least one selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, liquid paraffin, and mineral oil.

12. The liquid-containing tube containing the liquid to be supplied according to claim 10, wherein the second thickener is an elastomer.

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