Applicator for leather

Abstract

To provide an applicator for leather that does not generate liquid dripping or blurred at the time of applying coating liquid for caring leather.SOLUTION: An applicator 10 for leather includes: a liquid storage part that stores coating liquid for caring leather; and a liquid application part 14a that applies the coating liquid for caring leather. A first porous body provided in the liquid storage part and a second porous body provided in the liquid application part 14a have different capillary forces from each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a leather applicator for applying a leather coating liquid for treating leather products. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, shoe applicators for applying shoe care liquid to leather shoes (including synthetic leather) have included shoe polishers that apply a fixed amount of ink when polishing shoes and prevent the ink from seeping into the applicator at times other than when polishing shoes (see, for example, Patent Document 1), and bottled edge shoe ink with a sponge attached as an applicator. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 6-46666 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned shoe applicator has the problem that the liquid drips or smudges when applying the shoe care liquid to leather shoes.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a leather applicator that does not cause dripping or smearing when applying a leather care liquid to a leather product. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] As a result of extensive research into achieving this object, the inventors discovered that providing a liquid storage section and a liquid application section with porous bodies having different capillary forces was effective, and thus completed the present invention.

[0007] The present invention provides the following: (1) A leather applicator comprising a liquid storage section for storing a leather care liquid and a liquid application section for applying the leather care liquid, characterized in that a first porous body provided in the liquid storage section and a second porous body provided in the liquid application section have different capillary forces. (2) The applicator for leather according to (1), wherein the pore diameter A of the first porous body and the pore diameter B of the second porous body satisfy the following condition: A>B Moreover, it is preferable that the pore diameter A and the pore diameter B satisfy the following conditions. A>2B (3) The applicator for leather according to (2), wherein the pore size A and the pore size B are the pore sizes most frequently found in a pore size distribution measurement. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a leather applicator that does not cause dripping or smearing when applying a leather care liquid to a leather product. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an applicator for shoes according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1A is a front longitudinal cross-sectional view of an applicator for shoes according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a plan cross-sectional view thereof. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an applicator for shoes according to a second embodiment. [Figure 4] (a) is a front view of the shoe applicator according to the second embodiment with the cap removed (valve closed), and (b) is a front longitudinal cross-sectional view of the shoe applicator with the cap removed (valve closed). [Figure 5] (a) is a front view of the shoe applicator according to the second embodiment with the cap removed (valve open state), and (b) is a front longitudinal cross-sectional view of the shoe applicator with the cap removed (valve open state). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An applicator for shoes, which is an applicator for leather according to an embodiment, will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an applicator for shoes 10 according to a first embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the applicator for shoes 10, with Fig. 2(a) being a front longitudinal cross-sectional view and Fig. 2(b) being a plan cross-sectional view.

[0011] 1, the shoe applicator 10 comprises a shoe applicator body 12, a flat-shaped pen tip 14 with a visible portion provided at one end of the shoe applicator body 12, and a rod-shaped pen tip 16 provided at the other end of the shoe applicator body 12. The shoe applicator 10 also comprises a removable cap 18 that protects the pen tip 14, and a removable stand-type cap 20 that protects the pen tip 16. The shoe applicator body 12, cap 18, and stand-type cap 20 that constitute the shoe applicator 10 are made of metal, melamine resin, or the like.

[0012] Here, the cap 18 is a cylindrical body with one end open and the other end closed, and the tip of the closed end is equipped with a polishing tool 18a that can be used to wipe the shoe after application.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), the stand-type cap 20 is composed of a cap body 20a and a stand portion 20b integrally connected to the outer surface of the cap body 20a. The cap body 20a is a cylindrical body with one open end and the other closed end. The stand portion 20b is a cylindrical body with one open end and an outer diameter that increases from the other end to the first end. The opening at one end of the cap body 20a is connected to the other end of the stand portion 20b, and the other closed end of the cap body 20a is located within one end of the stand portion 20b. Therefore, the stand-type cap 20 functions as a stand by placing one end of the stand portion 20b on an installation surface.

[0014] The shoe applicator body 12 is constructed in a cylindrical shape, and on the outer wall on the pen tip 14 side is formed a gripping indication surface 12a for making it easier to see the orientation of the flat pen tip 14.

[0015] The shoe applicator main body 12 contains a porous body 22 (first porous body) as a liquid storage section for storing shoe ink, which is a shoe care liquid. Examples of fibers that can be used for the porous body 22 include natural fibers, animal hair fibers, polyacetal resins, acrylic resins, polyester resins, polyamide resins, polyurethane resins, polyolefin resins, polyvinyl resins, polycarbonate resins, polyether resins, and polyphenylene resins, and combinations of two or more of these resins. The composition of the shoe ink, which is the shoe care liquid stored in the porous body 22, is not particularly limited, and can be a suitable blend of oil-based ink, water-based ink, or the like, depending on the part of the shoe to be coated.

[0016] A tip barrel 13 for fixing the pen tip 14 is attached to the pen tip 14 side of the shoe applicator body 12. The pen tip 14 fixed to the tip barrel 13 is equipped with a liquid application part 14a including a part 14a1 for applying shoe ink and a part 14a2 for guiding the shoe ink stored in the porous body 22 to the application part 14a1, and a holder 14b having a visible part.

[0017] The rear end of holder 14b is fixed within the opening of tip barrel 13 of shoe applicator main body 12, and has visible portion 14b1 that allows the application direction to be visually confirmed. Also, portion 14a1 for applying shoe ink is fixed to the tip of visible portion 14b1, and portion 14a2 for guiding shoe ink to the application portion is fixed along the lower side of visible portion 14b1 (the lower side in FIG. 2(b)). Holder 14b is made of a hard material, such as a visible hard material such as glass or a resin without rubber elasticity.

[0018] The portion 14a1 of the liquid applicator 14a where the shoe ink is applied is formed in an inclined shape (knife cut shape) so that the inclination is easy to apply. The inclination of this portion 14a1 is appropriately set according to the ease of use when applying the ink.

[0019] The shoe ink guide portion 14a2 of the liquid application portion 14a is thin and has a sloped portion on the porous body 22 side, and its cross section is preferably rectangular or elliptical in order to maximize (widen) the area of the visible portion. In this embodiment, the cross section is rectangular. The sloped portion on the porous body 22 side of the shoe ink guide portion 14a2 is inserted into the porous body 22 that stores the shoe ink, and its tip is connected to the application portion 14a1 via the holder 14b. With this configuration, the shoe ink in the porous body 22 is efficiently supplied to the liquid application portion 14a in an appropriate amount by capillary force.

[0020] The liquid application portion 14a is formed of a porous body (second porous body), and specific examples thereof include a sponge body, a sintered body, a fiber bundle body, a foam body, a spongy body, a felt body, a porous body, etc. Examples of materials for forming these porous bodies include natural fibers, animal hair fibers, polyacetal resins, polyethylene resins, acrylic resins, polyester resins, polyamide resins, polyurethane resins, polyolefin resins, polyvinyl resins, polycarbonate resins, polyether resins, and polyphenylene resins.

[0021] The liquid application unit 14a may be configured such that the portion 14a1 that applies shoe ink and the portion 14a2 that guides the shoe ink stored in the porous body 22 are separate bodies made of the same porous body, the portions 14a1 and 14a2 are attached to the holder 14b, and the tip of the portion 14a2 abuts against the portion 14a1. With this configuration, the shoe ink in the porous body 22 is efficiently supplied in an appropriate amount to the portion 14a1 by capillary force via the portion 14a2.

[0022] The pen tip 16 of the shoe applicator body 12 comprises a rod-shaped thin-line liquid applicator part 16a and a holder 16b that holds the liquid applicator part 16a, and the holder 16b that holds the pen tip 16 is fitted onto the pen tip 16 side of the shoe applicator body 12. The liquid applicator part 16a is formed from a porous body (second porous body), and the end of the rod-shaped liquid applicator part 16a on the porous body 22 side is inserted into the porous body 22.

[0023] Examples of the porous body that constitutes the liquid application section 16a include parallel fiber bundles made of one or a combination of two or more types of natural fibers, animal hair fibers, polyacetal resins, polyethylene resins, acrylic resins, polyester resins, polyamide resins, polyurethane resins, polyolefin resins, polyvinyl resins, polycarbonate resins, polyether resins, and polyphenylene resins; fiber cores made by processing fiber bundles such as felt or resin-processing these fiber bundles; and porous bodies (sintered cores) made by sintering plastic powders of thermoplastic resins such as polyolefin resins, acrylic resins, polyester resins, polyamide resins, and polyurethane resins.

[0024] Here, the first porous body (porous body 22) and the second porous body (liquid application portions 14a, 16a) have different pore sizes and different capillary forces, i.e., the second porous body has a stronger capillary force than the first porous body.

[0025] Here, the pore diameter A of the first porous body and the pore diameter B of the second porous body satisfy the following conditions. A>B Furthermore, it is preferable that the pore diameter A of the first porous body and the pore diameter B of the second porous body satisfy the following condition. A>2B The pore diameters A and B are the most frequently observed pore diameters in the pore diameter distribution measurement shown below.

[0026] In this embodiment, the pore size of the first porous body is 180 μm, and the pore size of the second porous body is 50 μm. Preferably, the pore size of the first porous body is 30 to 200 μm, and the pore size of the second porous body is selected from the range of 15 to 180 μm, which is 50 to 90% of the first pore size.

[0027] The pore size distribution of porous bodies can be measured by (1) measurement using a mercury porosimeter, (2) measurement of the inscribed circle diameter distribution by cross-sectional image analysis, or (3) measurement of the equivalent pore diameter distribution by cross-sectional image analysis.

[0028] (1) Measurement using a mercury porosimeter can be performed by measuring the pores of a porous body with a mercury porosimeter and determining the distribution of the pore sizes. In the measurement using a mercury porosimeter, the pore size distribution of the porous body can be measured by calculating the number of peaks in the pore size distribution.

[0029] (2) Measurement of the inscribed circle diameter distribution by cross-sectional image analysis can be performed by observing the cross section of a porous body and determining the pore diameter (inscribed circle diameter distribution) by image analysis.

[0030] (3) Measurement of the distribution of equivalent pore diameters by image analysis of a cross section can be carried out by observing the cross section of a porous body and determining the distribution of equivalent pore diameters by image analysis.

[0031] According to the shoe applicator of the first embodiment, the shoe ink in the porous body 22 is efficiently supplied to the liquid application parts 14a and 16a in an appropriate amount by capillary force. That is, because the capillary force of the liquid application parts 14a and 16a is stronger than the capillary force of the porous body 22, the shoe ink is efficiently supplied to the liquid application parts 14a and 16a in an appropriate amount, and no dripping or smearing occurs when applying the shoe care liquid to leather shoes.

[0032] Although the shoe applicator 10 according to the first embodiment is a twin-type shoe applicator, it may be a single-type shoe applicator provided with the pen tip 14, omitting the pen tip 16. It may also be an applicator in which the pen tip 14 is retracted by a knock mechanism.

[0033] Next, a shoe applicator according to a second embodiment will be described. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the shoe applicator according to the second embodiment, Fig. 4(a) is a front view of the shoe applicator with the cap removed (valve closed), Fig. 4(b) is a front vertical cross-sectional view of the shoe applicator with the cap removed (valve closed), Fig. 5(a) is a front view of the shoe applicator with the cap removed (valve open), and Fig. 5(b) is a front vertical cross-sectional view of the shoe applicator with the cap removed (valve open).

[0034] The shoe applicator 30 comprises a barrel 32 that contains shoe ink, a shoe care liquid, a valve mechanism 34 attached to the tip 32a of the barrel 32, a tip barrel 38 that is attached to the outer periphery of the tip 32a of the barrel 32 and holds a flat-shaped pen tip 36 to guide the pen tip 36 as it moves back and forth, and a cap 40 that covers the pen tip 36 and fits onto the tip barrel 38. The barrel 32 and cap 40 that make up the shoe applicator 30 are made of metal, melamine resin, or the like.

[0035] The cap 40 has a plurality of grooves 40a formed in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of a generally cylindrical body with one closed end for ventilation. In addition, a plurality of protrusions 40b are formed in the circumferential direction between the grooves 40a. It is desirable to provide the grooves 40a and protrusions 40b in at least two locations to ensure ventilation in the event of accidental ingestion by an infant or the like.

[0036] The barrel 32 has a cylindrical shape with one end open and the other end closed. An ink storage section 32b for storing ink is formed inside the barrel 32. In other words, the barrel 32 functions as a container for storing shoe ink. Here, the ink storage section 32b stores highly volatile (oil-based) shoe ink (ink with a vapor pressure of 5.93 kPa at 25°C) to improve drying properties. A member for stirring the shoe ink may be enclosed inside the ink storage section 32b.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 4(b) and 5(b), the valve mechanism 34 mounted within the distal end 32a of the barrel 32 includes a holder 34a, a valve element 34b, a valve seat 34c, and a spring 34d. The holder 34a is a cylindrical body with a flange 34a1 at its distal end and an ink circulation hole 34a2 at its rear end. The rear portion of the valve element 34b is mounted within the ink circulation hole 34a2 so as to be movable forward and backward. The valve element 34b also has an umbrella-shaped annular protrusion 34b1 formed on the circumferential surface of its central portion. The valve element 34b also has a cylindrical portion 34b2 at its distal end, which protrudes toward the distal end through a circular opening formed in the center of the valve seat 34c. A cylindrical porous body (first porous body) 42 for storing shoe ink is disposed around the cylindrical portion 34b2. The volume of the porous body 42 is set to 1 to 5% of the volume of the ink containing section 32b, thereby preventing the shoe ink from gushing out.

[0038] A cylindrical valve seat 34c is attached to the tip of holder 34a. A flange portion 34c1 around valve seat 34c abuts against the tip surface of flange 34a1 of holder 34a, thereby positioning valve seat 34c on holder 34a. The valve seat 34c is configured to perform its valve function by allowing the peripheral surface of valve element 34b to abut against and separate from the recessed seating surface at the rear of valve seat 34c.

[0039] Furthermore, spring 34d is attached between valve element 34b and holder 34a. When valve element 34b comes off valve seat 34c, spring 34d returns valve element 34b to a state in which valve element 34b abuts against valve seat 34c by the repulsive force of spring 34d.

[0040] Examples of fibers that can be used for the porous body (first porous body) 42 include natural fibers, animal hair fibers, polyacetal resins, acrylic resins, polyester resins, polyamide resins, polyurethane resins, polyolefin resins, polyvinyl resins, polycarbonate resins, polyether resins, polyphenylene resins, and the like, and a combination of two or more types thereof.

[0041] As shown in Figures 4(b) and 5(b), the flat-shaped pen tip 36 has a liquid application section 36a which is integrally formed with a section 36a1 for applying shoe ink and a section 36a2 for guiding the shoe ink stored in the porous body 42 to section 36a1, and a holder 36b which holds the liquid application section 36a, and the rear end of holder 36b is positioned within the opening of the tip barrel 38.

[0042] Here, the portion 36a1 of the liquid application unit 36a is formed in an inclined shape (knife cut shape) so that the inclination makes application easy. The inclination of this portion 36a1 is set appropriately according to the ease of use when applying the liquid.

[0043] The portion 36a2 of the liquid application portion 36a that guides the shoe ink has a cylindrical shape and is held in a state where it is inserted into a through hole formed in the center of the holder 36b, and the rear end of the portion 36a2 is exposed from the rear end of the holder and inserted into the cylindrical portion 34b2 of the valve body 34b.

[0044] The liquid application portion 36a is formed of a porous body (second porous body), and specific examples thereof include a sponge body, a sintered body, a fiber bundle body, a foam body, a spongy body, a felt body, a porous body, etc. Examples of materials for forming these porous bodies include natural fibers, animal hair fibers, polyacetal resins, polyethylene resins, acrylic resins, polyester resins, polyamide resins, polyurethane resins, polyolefin resins, polyvinyl resins, polycarbonate resins, polyether resins, and polyphenylene resins.

[0045] In this shoe applicator, as shown in Figure 5(b), when the pen tip 36 is pressed against the paper surface against the repulsive force of the spring 34d, the pen tip 36 moves backward relative to the tip barrel 38, pushing the tip of the cylindrical portion 34b2 of the valve body 34b backward. The pushed valve body 34b then disengages from the valve seat 34c, opening the valve and supplying the shoe ink contained in the barrel 32 to the liquid applicator portion 36a. This causes the shoe ink to accumulate in the porous material. Meanwhile, when the pen tip 36 is released from the paper surface, the repulsive force of the spring 34d causes the valve body 34b to abut against the valve seat 34c, closing the valve and cutting off the supply of ink.

[0046] The liquid application section 36a may be configured such that the section 36a1 for applying shoe ink and the section 36a2 for guiding the shoe ink stored in the porous body 42 are separate bodies made of the same porous body, and the sections 36a1 and 36a2 are attached to the holder 36b, with the tip of the section 36a2 abutting against the section 36a1.

[0047] Here, the first porous body (porous body 42) and the second porous body (liquid application portion 36a) have different pore sizes and therefore different capillary forces, i.e., the second porous body has a stronger capillary force than the first porous body.

[0048] Here, the pore diameter A of the first porous body and the pore diameter B of the second porous body satisfy the following conditions. A>B Furthermore, it is preferable that the pore diameter A of the first porous body and the pore diameter B of the second porous body satisfy the following condition. A>2B The pore diameter A and the pore diameter B were measured in the pore diameter distribution measurement described in the first embodiment, and are the most frequent pore diameters, respectively.

[0049] In this embodiment, the pore diameter of the first porous body is 180 μm, and the pore diameter of the second porous body is 50 μm.

[0050] With the shoe applicator according to the second embodiment, the shoe ink in the porous body 42 is efficiently supplied in an appropriate amount to the portion 36a1 by capillary force via the portion 36a2, so that no dripping or smearing occurs when applying the shoe care liquid to leather shoes. In addition, excess shoe ink is absorbed by the porous body 42, preventing ink leakage.

[0051] In the above-described embodiment, a shoe applicator is described that applies shoe ink to leather shoes as leather products, but the leather cloth tool according to the above-described embodiment may also be used to apply maintenance ink to leather products other than leather shoes. [Industrial Applicability]

[0052] The present invention can be used for the care of leather shoes, which are leather products, and can also be used for other leather products. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 10...shoe applicator, 12...shoe applicator body, 12a...gripping indication surface, 13...tip barrel, 14...pen tip, 14a...liquid application portion, 14a1...application portion, 14a2...guiding portion, 14b...holding body, 16...pen tip, 18...cap, 18a...polishing tool, 20...stand-type cap, 20a...cap body, 20b...stand portion, 22...porous body, 30...shoe applicator, 32...barrel, 34...bubble mechanism, 36...pen tip, 36a...liquid application portion, 36a1...application portion, 36a2...guiding portion, 36b...holding portion, 38...tip barrel, 40...cap, 42...porous body

Claims

1. A leather applicator comprising a liquid storage section for storing a leather care liquid and a liquid applicator section for applying the leather care liquid, A leather applicator, characterized in that the first porous body provided in the liquid storage section and the second porous body provided in the liquid application section have different capillary forces.

2. 2. The applicator for leather according to claim 1, wherein the pore diameter A of the first porous body and the pore diameter B of the second porous body satisfy the following condition: A>B

3. 3. The applicator for leather according to claim 2, wherein the pore diameter A and the pore diameter B are the pore diameters that are most frequently found in a pore diameter distribution measurement.

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