Ink refill container for ink writing instrument

Abstract

To provide an ink refill container for an ink writing instrument which can ensure sufficient sealing properties and is excellent in operability when refilling ink.SOLUTION: The ink refill container includes a cylindrical ink container, an outer cylinder provided above the ink container, and a center cylinder movable up and down within the ink container and the outer cylinder, wherein an outer cylinder lower flange part extending radially inward is provided at a lower part of the outer cylinder. In a standby state, a first seal inner peripheral edge of the outer cylinder lower flange part and a first seal outer peripheral edge of the center cylinder come into airtight contact. When the center cylinder is lowered, the airtight seal between the first seal inner peripheral edge and the first seal outer peripheral edge is released, and when the center cylinder reaches a predetermined airtight depth, a second seal inner peripheral cylinder provided on an inner peripheral side of the ink container and a second seal outer peripheral edge of the center cylinder come into airtight contact.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ink refill container for an ink writing instrument. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an ink bottle that can refill a marker pen with ink by sinking the nib of the marker pen.

[0003] As shown in Figure 13 (which corresponds to Figure 1 of Patent Document 1, but with 100 added to each reference number), the ink bottle of Patent Document 1 has a piston 108 housed in a thick cylinder 101, a small piston 107 housed in a thin cylinder 102, and a valve 103 provided at the lower end of the thin cylinder 102.

[0004] When the nib of the marker pen is inserted into the ink-adhering portion 119 and the nib presses down the ink-adhering portion 119, the piston 108 and the small piston 107 are pressed down. This causes the ink in the cylinder 102 to rise inside the small piston 107 and spurt out from the ink ejection hole 118, filling the nib. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Jikko No. 36-2419 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the configuration of Patent Document 1 is difficult to manufacture due to its complex structure (particularly the shapes of the components).

[0007] Furthermore, according to the configuration of Patent Document 1, the thick cylinder 101 and piston 108 slide against each other on their surfaces, and the thinner cylinder 102 and small piston 107 also slide against each other on their surfaces. This creates a problem in that attempting to ensure sealing between the two increases the sliding resistance.

[0008] Furthermore, since the pen tip directly presses down on the ink-adhered portion, there is also the problem that the pen tip is easily damaged.

[0009] The present invention was made based on the above background, and its object is to provide an ink refill container for an ink writing instrument that can ensure sufficient sealing properties while also being easy to operate when refilling ink (in particular, without feeling excessive sliding resistance). [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention provides an ink container comprising a cylindrical ink container, an outer cylinder provided above the ink container, and a center cylinder movable up and down within the ink container and the outer cylinder, wherein a lower flange portion of the outer cylinder extending radially inward is provided at a lower portion of the outer cylinder, and in a standby state, an inner peripheral edge of a first seal of the outer cylinder lower flange portion and an outer peripheral edge of a first seal of the center cylinder are in airtight contact with each other, and when the center cylinder is lowered within the ink container and the outer cylinder, the airtightness between the inner peripheral edge of the first seal and the outer peripheral edge of the first seal is released, and when the lowering depth reaches a predetermined airtight depth, an inner peripheral cylinder portion of a second seal provided on the inner peripheral side of the ink container and an outer peripheral edge of a second seal of the center cylinder are in airtight contact with each other, and when the lowering depth reaches a predetermined airtight depth, and when the inner peripheral cylinder portion of the second seal provided on the inner peripheral side of the ink container and the outer peripheral edge of the second seal of the center cylinder are raised from a state in which the lowered depth exceeds the predetermined airtight depth and the lowered depth returns to less than the predetermined airtight depth, the airtightness between the inner peripheral cylinder portion of the second seal provided on the inner peripheral side of the ink container and the outer peripheral edge of the second seal of the center cylinder is released, and when the center cylinder is further raised and returns to a state in which the upper flange portion of the center cylinder and the upper flange portion of the outer cylinder are in abutment, the inner peripheral edge of the first seal of the lower flange portion of the outer cylinder and the outer peripheral edge of the first seal of the center cylinder are again in airtight abutment.

[0011] According to the present invention, when the inner circumferential edge of the first seal is lowered, the airtight seal between the inner circumferential edge of the first seal is broken, so that the contact between them is not perceived as excessive sliding resistance. Furthermore, until the inner surface of the inner circumferential edge of the first seal is lowered to a predetermined airtight depth, the outer surface of the inner circumferential edge of the ink container and the outer circumferential edge of the outer circumferential edge of the first seal is not airtight, preventing an increase in internal pressure within the ink container as the inner circumferential edge of the second seal is lowered. On the other hand, after the inner circumferential edge of the second seal is lowered to a predetermined airtight depth, airtightness is maintained between the inner circumferential edge of the second seal and the outer circumferential edge of the second seal, allowing for highly efficient replacement of the ink in the ink container with the air within the ink writing instrument, i.e., highly efficient ink refilling. Furthermore, since the contact area between the inner circumferential edge of the second seal and the outer circumferential edge of the second seal can be a localized annular area, the sliding contact between the two is not perceived as excessive sliding resistance compared to the sliding contact between surfaces as in Patent Document 1.

[0012] In the present invention, the upper part of the middle tube is provided with a middle tube upper flange portion extending radially outward, and the upper part of the outer tube is provided with an outer tube upper flange portion extending radially inward and capable of restricting movement of the upper surface of the middle tube upper flange portion, and it is preferable that an elastic body that can expand and contract in the vertical direction is provided between the middle tube upper flange portion and the outer tube lower flange portion.

[0013] With this, when the inner cylinder is pressed down (more specifically, when the inner cylinder is pressed down via the ink writing instrument), the user manually applies an operating force, while when the inner cylinder is raised, the restoring force of the elastic body can be utilized. Preferably, when the operating force on the inner cylinder by the user is released, the restoring force of the elastic body (automatically) returns the upper flange portion of the inner cylinder and the upper flange portion of the outer cylinder to a state in which they are in contact with each other.

[0014] For example, the elastic body is a coil spring arranged to surround a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the center cylinder.

[0015] According to this feature, the space required for arranging the elastic body is small, and the design and adjustment of the restoring force (and / or the resistance force during the lowering operation) is relatively easy.

[0016] Furthermore, it is preferable that the ink refill container of the present invention further comprises a cap that is removably provided within the middle cylinder, and that when the cap is attached to the middle cylinder, the cap airtightly closes the middle cylinder.

[0017] This feature makes it possible to suppress evaporation of ink from the ink container, and also to prevent ink leakage even if the ink container is tilted.

[0018] In this case, when the cap is attached to the middle cylinder, the cap is adapted to lower the middle cylinder to a predetermined capping depth, and at that time, it is preferable that the inner peripheral edge of the first seal of the lower flange portion of the outer cylinder and the outer peripheral edge of the third seal of the middle cylinder are in airtight contact with each other.

[0019] According to this, when the cap is raised from the capping depth to remove it from the inner cylinder, the airtight seal between the inner peripheral edge of the first seal and the outer peripheral edge of the third seal is released, and for a short period of time until the inner peripheral edge of the first seal and the outer peripheral edge of the first seal come into airtight contact, the outer surface of the inner cylinder and the inner surfaces of the ink container and the outer cylinder are not airtight. This makes the internal pressure in the ink container equal to atmospheric pressure, effectively preventing changes in the internal pressure in the ink container during storage (when the ink refill container is not in use) from adversely affecting the force required to lower the inner cylinder.

[0020] Preferably, the center cylinder is provided with an inner peripheral edge of a fourth seal that can come into airtight contact with an outer peripheral edge of a fourth seal that is part of the outer peripheral surface of the ink writing implement to be refilled with ink.

[0021] According to this feature, the ink in the ink container can be replaced with the air in the ink writing implement with high efficiency, that is, ink refilling can be carried out with high efficiency.

[0022] The present invention also provides an ink writing implement system comprising an ink refill container having any of the above characteristics and an ink writing implement removably inserted into the inner cylinder.

[0023] In this case, it is preferable that the ink writing instrument is adapted to airtightly close the inner cylinder when inserted into the inner cylinder. This feature can suppress evaporation of ink during refilling and also prevent ink leakage even when the ink container is tilted. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to the present invention, when the inner circumferential edge of the first seal is lowered, the airtight seal between the inner circumferential edge of the first seal is broken, so that the contact between them is not perceived as excessive sliding resistance. Furthermore, until the inner surface of the inner circumferential edge of the first seal is lowered to a predetermined airtight depth, the outer surface of the inner circumferential edge of the ink container and the outer circumferential edge of the outer circumferential edge of the first seal is not airtight, preventing an increase in internal pressure within the ink container as the inner circumferential edge of the second seal is lowered. On the other hand, after the inner circumferential edge of the second seal is lowered to a predetermined airtight depth, airtightness is maintained between the inner circumferential edge of the second seal and the outer circumferential edge of the second seal, allowing for highly efficient replacement of the ink in the ink container with the air within the ink writing instrument, i.e., highly efficient ink refilling. Furthermore, since the contact area between the inner circumferential edge of the second seal and the outer circumferential edge of the second seal can be a localized annular area, the sliding contact between the two is not perceived as excessive sliding resistance compared to the sliding contact between surfaces as in Patent Document 1. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing an ink refill container according to one embodiment of the present invention with the cap removed, in which FIG. 1A is a front view and FIG. 1B is a vertical cross-sectional view. [Figure 2] 2A and 2B are diagrams showing the ink refill container of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with an ink writing implement inserted therein, with FIG. 2A being a front view and FIG. 2B being a vertical cross-sectional view. [Figure 3]3A and 3B are diagrams showing the ink refill container of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a state where the ink writing implement has started to descend, with FIG. 3A being a front view and FIG. 3B being a vertical cross-sectional view. [Figure 4] This figure shows the ink refill container of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3 in a state where airtight contact has begun between the inner cylindrical portion of the second seal of the ink container and the outer peripheral edge of the second seal of the middle cylinder, where Figure 4(a) is a front view and Figure 4(b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view. [Figure 5] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing the ink refill container of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4 in a state where the ink writing implement is lowered to the lowest limit, where FIG. 5A is a front view and FIG. 5B is a vertical cross-sectional view. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the ink refill container of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5 in a state where the ink writing implement has risen and is returning to the starting position for descent (the same view as FIG. 4(b) except for the amount of ink). [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the ink refill container of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6 in a state where the ink writing implement has risen and is returning to the starting position for descent (this is the same as FIG. 3(b) except for the amount of ink). [Figure 8] 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink refill container of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 7 with the ink writing implement returned to the inserted position (same view as FIG. 2(b) except for the ink amount). FIG. [Figure 9] 9A and 9B are diagrams showing the ink refill container of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 8 with the cap attached, with FIG. 9A being a front view and FIG. 9B being a vertical cross-sectional view. [Figure 10] 10(a) is a front view, FIG. 10(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 10(a), FIG. 10(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 10(b), and FIG. 10(d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 10(b). [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2(b) of Modification 1. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2(b) of Modification 2. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 corresponds to FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] (composition) FIG. 1 shows an ink refill container 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention with the cap removed, with FIG. 1(a) being a front view and FIG. 1(b) being a vertical cross-sectional view.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1, the ink refill container 1 of this embodiment comprises an ink container 10 that is approximately cylindrical (an example of a cylindrical shape), an approximately cylindrical outer tube 20 provided above the ink container 10, and an inner tube 30 that can move up and down within the ink container 10 and the outer tube 20.

[0028] (ink container) The ink container 10 has a cylindrical shape, for example, with an outer diameter of 35 mm and a height of 50 mm (of course, any cylindrical shape other than cylindrical may be adopted, for example, a cylindrical shape with a polygonal horizontal cross section may be used). Inside the ink container 10, a cylindrical lower space 11 with a diameter of 18.5 mm and a depth of 21 mm, a cylindrical upper space 13 with a diameter of 33 mm and a depth of 24 mm, and a truncated conical space 12 with a depth of 4 mm are defined. Each of these spaces 11-13 functions as an ink storage space. The ink container 10 is made of, for example, a resin that can be integrally molded. The cylindrical shapes of the cylindrical spaces 11-13 are not limited to being cylindrical and may be, for example, elliptical cylindrical spaces, but a cylindrical shape is preferable from the viewpoint of manufacturability.

[0029] The inner wall surface defining the cylindrical lower space 11 functions as a second seal inner cylindrical portion against which a second seal outer peripheral edge 39 of the middle cylinder 30 (described later) abuts in an airtight manner. Liquid ink is contained in the ink container 10. For example, in a standby state, the ink fills at least the cylindrical lower space 11. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the ink liquid level is located in the cylindrical upper space 13.

[0030] (Outer cylinder) The outer cylinder 20 also has a cylindrical outer shape with the same outer diameter (35 mm) as the ink container 10, but in its upper region (a height region of 1 mm to 13.7 mm downward from the upper end) is formed a male thread portion 92 for threading onto the cap 80 (described later) (the threads of the male thread portion 92 protrude radially outward compared to other regions). The height of the outer cylinder 20 is, for example, 32.5 mm. The outer cylinder 20 is made of, for example, two parts, an upper part and an lower part, each of which is made of resin that can be molded integrally.

[0031] A cylindrical space 22 having a diameter of 28.2 mm and a depth of 27.3 mm is formed inside the outer cylinder 20, and an outer cylinder upper flange portion 21 extending radially inward is provided above the cylindrical space 22. The outer cylinder upper flange portion 21 has a height (thickness) of 2 mm and an inner diameter of 22 mm, for example. Also below the cylindrical space 22, an outer cylinder lower flange portion 23 extending radially inward is provided. The outer cylinder lower flange portion 23 has a height (thickness) of 3.2 mm and an inner diameter of 18.5 mm, for example.

[0032] The inner peripheral end surface (cylindrical surface) of the outer tube lower flange portion 23 functions as a first seal inner peripheral edge 28 that can airtightly abut against a first seal outer peripheral edge 38 of the inner tube 30, which will be described later. That is, the inner diameter of the first seal inner peripheral edge 28 is 18.5 mm. The first seal inner peripheral edge 28 may be the entire inner peripheral end surface (cylindrical surface) of the outer tube lower flange portion 23, or it may be an annular protrusion that protrudes inward from a portion of the inner peripheral end surface of the outer tube lower flange portion 23. In this embodiment, the former configuration is adopted, and guide portions (transition portions) are provided at the upper and lower ends of the outer tube lower flange portion 23, facilitating assembly and operation.

[0033] The outer cylinder 20 has a small diameter portion 24 formed at the bottom of its circumferential surface, which can fit into the upper fitting portion 14 of the ink container 10. The small diameter portion 24 has a height of 4.5 mm and an outer diameter of 33.2 mm. As a result, the height of the ink container 10 and outer cylinder 20 when fitted together is 50 mm + 32.5 mm - 4.5 mm = 78 mm.

[0034] (middle tube) The inner tube 30 has a cylindrical outer diameter of 18.1 mm (excluding the seal outer edges 38, 39, and 93 described below) and a height of 50.3 mm so that it can move up and down within the region of the outer tube 20 that is radially inward of the outer tube lower flange portion 23 and within the cylindrical lower space 11 of the ink container 10. The inner tube 30 is made of, for example, a resin that can be molded as a single unit. The lower end of the inner tube 30 may be submerged in the ink. In other words, the ink liquid surface may be located above the lower end of the inner tube 30. In the standby state (FIG. 1), the first seal portion is in contact, and the ink container 10 is airtight, so ink does not flow into the inner tube 30. This prevents the writing instrument from becoming soiled.

[0035] Inside the middle cylinder 30, an upper cylindrical space 33 with a diameter of 15.7 mm and a depth of 36.5 mm is formed, and below this cylindrical space 33, via a step portion 37, an intermediate cylindrical space 34 with a diameter of 12.2 mm and a depth of 8.8 mm is formed, and further via a step portion, a lower cylindrical space 35 with a diameter of 7.7 mm and a depth of 5 mm is formed.

[0036] A center cylinder upper flange portion 31 is provided radially outward from the upper end of the upper cylindrical space 33, and the center cylinder upper flange portion 31 has a height (thickness) of 2 mm and an outer diameter of 27.7 mm, for example. A sliding cylindrical portion 32 hangs down from the outer peripheral edge region of the center cylinder upper flange portion 31, and the sliding cylindrical portion 32 has a height of 12 mm, an inner diameter of 23 mm, and an outer diameter of 27.7 mm, for example. The sliding cylindrical portion 32 slides smoothly within the cylindrical space 22. In this embodiment, in the state shown in FIG. 1 (standby state), the upper surface of the center cylinder upper flange portion 31 abuts against the lower surface of the outer cylinder upper flange portion 21 (thereby restricting their movement relative to each other).

[0037] Furthermore, a partial annular region of the inner peripheral end face (cylindrical surface) of the lower cylindrical space 35 is slightly raised inward, and functions as the fourth seal inner peripheral edge 36 that can come into airtight contact with the tip tube portion 63 (which functions as the fourth seal outer peripheral edge) of the ink writing implement 60, which will be described later. For example, the inner diameter of the annular peak of the fourth seal inner peripheral edge 36 (the annular region that is slightly raised inward) is 7.4 mm, and the height position of the annular peak of the fourth seal inner peripheral edge 36 is 1.5 mm from the bottom surface of the middle tube 30.

[0038] Meanwhile, a first seal outer peripheral edge 38 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the middle cylinder 30, which can hermetically abut against the first seal inner peripheral edge 28 (inner diameter 18.5 mm), which is the inner peripheral end face (cylindrical surface) of the outer cylinder lower flange portion 23 in the state shown in Figure 1. For example, the first seal outer peripheral edge 38 is an annular region that is slightly raised outward. For example, the outer diameter of the annular peak of the first seal outer peripheral edge 38 is 18.6 mm, and the height position of the annular peak of the first seal outer peripheral edge 38 is 21.3 mm from the bottom surface of the middle cylinder 30.

[0039] 4 to 6, which will be described later. The outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 30 is provided with a second seal outer peripheral edge 39 that can abut and slide airtightly against the inner wall surface (inner cylindrical portion of the second seal) that defines the cylindrical lower space 11 of the ink container 10. For example, the second seal outer peripheral edge 39 is also an annular region that is slightly raised outward. For example, the outer diameter of the annular peak of the second seal outer peripheral edge 39 is also 18.6 mm, and the height position of the annular peak of the second seal outer peripheral edge 39 is 2.5 mm from the bottom surface of the inner cylinder 30.

[0040] Furthermore, a third seal outer peripheral edge 93 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the middle cylinder 30. The third seal outer peripheral edge 93 can airtightly contact the first seal inner peripheral edge 28 (inner diameter 18.5 mm), which is the inner peripheral end face (cylindrical surface) of the outer cylinder lower flange portion 23 in the state shown in Figures 4 and 9 (described later). For example, the third seal outer peripheral edge 93 is also an annular region that is slightly raised outward. For example, the outer diameter of the annular peak of the third seal outer peripheral edge 93 is also 18.6 mm, and the height position of the annular peak of the third seal outer peripheral edge 93 is 27.5 mm from the bottom surface of the middle cylinder 30.

[0041] (coil spring) In this embodiment, a coil spring 40 is provided between the middle tube upper flange portion 31 and the outer tube lower flange portion 23 as an elastic body that can expand and contract in the vertical direction, and is arranged to surround a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the middle tube 30.

[0042] The coil spring 40 has, for example, a wire diameter of 1.2 mm, a coil outer diameter of 22 mm, a coil pitch of 9.5 mm, a natural length of 73 mm, a tight length of 12 mm, a spring constant of 0.28 N / mm, a compressed length (deformed length) of 44.7 mm in the state shown in Figure 1, and a compressed length of 53.7 mm in the state shown in Figure 9 described below.

[0043] (Action: Transition of airtight contact relationship) 2A and 2B are diagrams showing the ink refill container 1 of this embodiment with an ink writing implement 60 inserted therein, with FIG. 2A being a front view and FIG. 2B being a vertical cross-sectional view.

[0044] As shown in Figure 2, the ink writing instrument 60 of this embodiment has a pen tip 61, a tip tube portion 63 that surrounds the pen tip 61, and a shoulder portion 67 that is located rearward of the tip tube portion 63.

[0045] As an example of dimensions, the protruding height (length) of the pen tip 61 is 6.8 mm, the tip tube portion 63 has an outer diameter of 7.5 mm and a height (length) of 6.3 mm, and the shoulder portion 67 has an outer diameter of 14.3 mm.

[0046] 2, the nib 61 and tip tube portion 63 of the ink writing instrument 60 are sequentially inserted into the lower cylindrical space 35 of the middle tube 30, and the tip tube portion 63 airtightly contacts the inner peripheral edge 36 of the fourth seal of the middle tube 30 and then slides further downward while maintaining this airtight state, until the shoulder portion 67 of the ink writing instrument 60 contacts the step portion 37. With the shoulder portion 67 of the ink writing instrument 60 in contact with the step portion 37, the nib 61 of the ink writing instrument 60 protrudes downward from the lower end of the middle tube 30. That is, in this embodiment, the nib 61 is immersed in the ink.

[0047] Here, the sliding resistance between the tip tube portion 63 and the inner peripheral edge 36 of the fourth seal is set to be smaller than the force required to compress the coil spring 40. Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 2, the coil spring 40 is not yet compressed.

[0048] In the standby state (FIG. 1) and the ink writing instrument inserted state (FIG. 2), the inner peripheral edge 28 of the first seal of the outer tube 20 and the outer peripheral edge 38 of the first seal of the inner tube 30 are in airtight contact, and the inner peripheral edge 36 of the fourth seal and the pen tip 63 are also in airtight contact. As a result, in the ink writing instrument inserted state (FIG. 2), even if the ink container 10 falls over, there is no risk of ink spilling out of the ink container 10. In addition, in the standby state (FIG. 1) and the ink writing instrument inserted state (FIG. 2), a gap is formed between the inner peripheral cylinder portion of the second seal and the outer peripheral edge 39 of the second seal.

[0049] Next, Figure 3 shows the ink refill container 1 of this embodiment when the ink writing implement 60 starts to descend, with Figure 3(a) being a front view and Figure 3(b) being a vertical cross-sectional view.

[0050] When the ink writing instrument 60 is further depressed (usually manually) from the state shown in Fig. 2, the inner cylinder 30 is depressed via the abutment between the shoulder portion 67 and the stepped portion 37. At this time, the coil spring 40 is compressed, as shown in Fig. 3. Then, as shown in Fig. 3, the airtight seal between the outer peripheral edge 38 of the first seal and the inner peripheral edge 28 of the inner end face (cylindrical surface) of the outer cylinder lower flange portion 23 is broken.

[0051] In this way, when the middle cylinder 30 is lowered, the airtight seal between the inner peripheral edge 28 of the first seal and the outer peripheral edge 38 of the first seal is broken, and the inner peripheral edge 28 of the first seal and the outer surface of the middle cylinder 30 are no longer in contact with each other, so that the contact state between the two is not perceived as excessive sliding resistance.

[0052] Furthermore, until the descent depth reaches a predetermined airtight depth (the state shown in Figure 4), the gap between the outer surface of the inner cylinder 30 and the inner surfaces of the ink container 10 and the outer cylinder 20 is not airtight, so the internal pressure inside the ink container 10 is prevented from increasing as the inner cylinder 30 descends.

[0053] Next, Figure 4 shows the ink refill container 1 of this embodiment in a state where airtight contact has begun between the inner wall surface (inner cylindrical portion of the second seal) that defines the cylindrical lower space 11 of the ink container 10 and the outer peripheral edge 39 of the second seal of the middle cylinder 30, where Figure 4(a) is a front view and Figure 4(b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view.

[0054] When the ink writing instrument 60 is further depressed (usually manually) from the state shown in Fig. 3, the shoulder 67 and the stepped portion 37 abut against each other, causing the inner cylinder 30 to be further depressed. At this time, the coil spring 40 is further compressed, as shown in Fig. 4. Then, as shown in Fig. 4, the inner wall surface (inner cylindrical portion of the second seal) that defines the cylindrical lower space 11 abuts against the outer peripheral edge 39 of the second seal in an airtight manner. This blocks (confines) the ink in the cylindrical lower space 11 from the surroundings.

[0055] In this embodiment, in the state shown in FIG. 4, the third seal outer peripheral edge 93 and the inner peripheral end face (cylindrical surface) of the outer cylinder lower flange portion 23 (first seal outer peripheral edge) are in airtight contact.

[0056] Next, Figure 5 shows the ink refill container 1 of this embodiment in a state where the ink writing instrument 60 has been lowered to its lowest limit, Figure 5(a) being a front view and Figure 5(b) being a vertical cross-sectional view.

[0057] When the ink writing instrument 60 is further depressed (usually manually) from the state shown in Fig. 4, the inner tube 30 is further depressed via the abutment relationship between the shoulder portion 67 and the step portion 37. When the lower end face of the sliding cylindrical portion 32 abuts against the upper surface of the outer tube lower flange portion 23, the descent of the inner tube 30 ends (Fig. 5). During this time, the inner circumferential cylindrical portion of the second seal and the outer circumferential edge 39 of the second seal slide against each other while maintaining their airtight state. Furthermore, at the lowest limit (Fig. 5), the lower end face of the cylindrical lower space 11 is located below the pen tip 61, so there is no risk of the pen tip 61 being damaged.

[0058] During the transition from the state shown in FIG. 4 to the state shown in FIG. 5, the ink in the cylindrical lower space 11 is isolated from the surroundings. At this time, the ink in the cylindrical lower space 11 is forced outward, and the forced ink is replenished into the ink reservoir in the ink writing instrument 60 from the pen tip 61 side of the ink writing instrument 60. As the ink is replenished into the ink writing instrument 60, the air in the ink writing instrument 60 is discharged into the cylindrical lower space 11. This allows the ink in the ink container 10 to be replaced with the air in the ink writing instrument 60 with high efficiency, i.e., ink refilling can be performed with high efficiency. Furthermore, in the state shown in FIG. 4, it is preferable that there is no air in the cylindrical lower space 11, and that the space is filled with ink. In this case, ink refilling can be performed more efficiently.

[0059] Furthermore, since the contact area between the inner cylindrical portion of the second seal and the outer peripheral edge 39 of the second seal is a localized annular area, the sliding state between the two is not perceived as excessive sliding resistance compared to the sliding state between surfaces as in Patent Document 1.

[0060] 6 and 7 are vertical cross-sectional views showing the ink refill container 1 of this embodiment when the ink writing implement 60 has risen and is returning to the starting position for descent. Fig. 6 is the same as Fig. 4(b) except for the amount of ink, and Fig. 7 is the same as Fig. 3(b) except for the amount of ink.

[0061] For example, when the manual downward force of the ink writing implement 60 is released or relaxed, the restoring force of the coil spring 40 automatically causes the inner cylinder 30 to rise. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , when the inner cylinder 30 descends from a position exceeding a predetermined airtight depth (the depth shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 ) to a position below the predetermined airtight depth, the airtight seal between the inner circumferential cylindrical portion of the second seal and the outer circumferential edge 39 of the second seal is broken. The sliding resistance between the inner circumferential cylindrical portion of the second seal and the outer circumferential edge 39 of the second seal is set smaller than the restoring force of the coil spring 40 at that position, and does not impede the rising of the inner cylinder 30 due to the restoring force of the coil spring 40. At this time, air expelled from the ink writing implement 60 and accumulated in the lower cylindrical space 11 moves to the upper cylindrical space 13. Furthermore, the airtight seal between the inner circumferential edge 28 of the first seal and the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 30 is broken. These factors prevent an increase in the internal pressure within the ink container 10 during the rising process.

[0062] Next, Figure 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the ink refill container 1 of this embodiment in a state where the ink writing implement has returned to the insertion position. Figure 8 is the same as Figure 2(b) except for the amount of ink.

[0063] As shown in Figure 8, when the middle tube 30 is further raised and returns to the state in which the middle tube upper flange portion 31 and the outer tube upper flange portion 21 are in contact (the state shown in Figures 1 and 2), the first seal inner peripheral edge 28 of the outer tube lower flange portion 23 and the first seal outer peripheral edge 38 of the middle tube 30 again come into airtight contact.

[0064] (cap) Although not an essential component at least at the time of filing the present application, the ink refill container 1 of this embodiment further includes a cap 80 that is removably provided inside the inner cylinder 30. When attached to the inner cylinder 30, the cap 80 closes the inner cylinder 30 in an airtight manner.

[0065] 9A and 9B are diagrams showing the ink refill container 1 of this embodiment with the cap 80 attached, with FIG. 9A being a front view and FIG. 9B being a vertical cross-sectional view.

[0066] As shown in Figure 9, when the cap 80 of this embodiment is attached to the inner tube 30, the cap 80 lowers the inner tube 30 to a predetermined capping depth (which in this embodiment is the same as the predetermined airtight depth (Figure 4)).

[0067] More specifically, the cap 80 of this embodiment has a female thread portion 82, and from a state in which a part of the cap 80 (for example, a lower cylindrical portion 85 described below) and the inner peripheral edge 36 of the fourth seal of the inner cylinder 30 begin to abut in an airtight manner, the female thread portion 82 threadably engages with the male thread portion 92 of the outer cylinder 20 and the cap 80 is lowered. In this way, the cap 80 is attached (inserted) into the inner cylinder 30. Then, during this threading process, as shown in FIG. 9(b), the stepped portion 87 of the cap 80 presses down the inner cylinder upper flange portion 31 of the inner cylinder 30, thereby lowering the inner cylinder 30 to a predetermined capping depth.

[0068] When a predetermined capping depth is reached (for example, when the screwing limit of the cap 80 is reached), as shown in Figure 9(b), the first seal inner peripheral edge 28 of the outer tube lower flange portion 23 and the third seal outer peripheral edge 93 of the middle tube 30 may be in airtight contact, and a part of the cap 80 (for example, the lower tube portion 85 described below) and the fourth seal inner peripheral edge 36 of the middle tube 30 may maintain airtight contact.

[0069] According to this, when the cap 80 is attached to the inner cylinder 30, evaporation of ink is prevented by the airtight seal between a part of the cap 80 and the inner peripheral edge 36 of the fourth seal of the inner cylinder 30. On the other hand, when the cap 80 is raised to remove it from the inner cylinder 30 (when the cap 80 is released from the screw engagement with the outer cylinder 20), the inner cylinder 30 is raised by the restoring force of the coil spring 40, the airtight seal between the inner peripheral edge 28 of the first seal and the outer peripheral edge 93 of the third seal is released, and for a short period of time until the inner peripheral edge 28 of the first seal and the outer peripheral edge 38 come into airtight contact with each other (the state shown in FIG. 1), the outer surface of the inner cylinder 30 and the inner surfaces of the ink container 10 and the outer cylinder 20 are not airtight. This makes the internal pressure inside the ink container 10 equal to atmospheric pressure, effectively preventing changes in the internal pressure inside the ink container 10 during storage (when the ink refill container 1 is not in use) from adversely affecting the force required to lower the middle cylinder 30, and also prevents ink from flowing into the middle cylinder 30.

[0070] As a specific example of the shape, for example, as shown in FIG. 9(b), the cap 80 has a bottomed inner small-diameter cylindrical portion (83, 84, 85) inserted into the middle cylinder 30, an inner large-diameter cylindrical portion 88 connected to the inner small-diameter cylindrical portion (83, 84, 85) via a step portion 87, an outer cylindrical portion having a female thread portion 82, and an annular upper wall portion 81 extending between the upper end of the inner large-diameter cylindrical portion 88 and the upper end of the outer cylindrical portion. In the example of FIG. 9(b), the inner small-diameter cylindrical portion has an upper cylindrical portion 83 inserted into the upper cylindrical space 33, an intermediate cylindrical portion 84 inserted into the intermediate cylindrical space 34, and a lower cylindrical portion 85 inserted into the lower cylindrical space 35. Such a cap 80 is made of, for example, resin that can be integrally molded.

[0071] As examples of dimensions of the main parts, the outer cylindrical part having the female threaded part 82 has an outer diameter of 40 mm and a height of 17 mm, the inner large diameter cylindrical part 88 has an outer diameter of 20 mm, an inner diameter of 18 mm, and a height of 8.3 mm, the upper cylindrical part 83 has an outer diameter of 15.5 mm, the middle cylindrical part 84 has an outer diameter of 11.2 mm, and the lower cylindrical part 85 has an outer diameter of 7.5 mm.

[0072] (Summary of effects) As described above, according to the ink refill container 1 of this embodiment, when the inner cylinder 30 is lowered, the airtight seal between the inner peripheral edge 28 of the first seal and the outer peripheral edge 38 of the first seal is broken, so that the contact state between them is not perceived as excessive sliding resistance. Furthermore, until the inner cylinder 30 reaches a predetermined airtight depth (the state shown in FIG. 4 ), the outer surface of the inner cylinder 30 is not airtight with the inner surfaces of the ink container 10 and the outer cylinder 20, so that an increase in internal pressure within the ink container 10 as the inner cylinder 30 is lowered is prevented. On the other hand, after the inner cylinder 30 reaches the predetermined airtight depth, airtightness is maintained between the inner peripheral portion of the second seal and the outer peripheral edge 39 of the second seal, so that the ink in the ink container 10 can be replaced with the air in the ink writing instrument 60 with high efficiency, i.e., ink refilling can be performed with high efficiency. Furthermore, since the contact area between the inner cylindrical portion of the second seal and the outer peripheral edge 39 of the second seal can be made into a localized annular area, the sliding state between the two is not perceived as excessive sliding resistance compared to the sliding state between surfaces as in Patent Document 1.

[0073] Furthermore, according to the ink refill container 1 of this embodiment, a coil spring 40 that can expand and contract in the vertical direction is provided between the upper flange portion 31 of the center cylinder and the lower flange portion 23 of the outer cylinder. This allows the user to manually apply an operating force when pushing down the center cylinder 30 (more specifically, pushing down the center cylinder 30 via the ink writing implement 60), while the restoring force of the coil spring 40 can be used when lifting the center cylinder 30. In particular, according to the ink refill container 1 of this embodiment, when the user releases the operating force on the center cylinder 30, the restoring force of the coil spring 40 (automatically) returns the center cylinder upper flange portion 31 and the outer cylinder upper flange portion 21 to the abutting state (the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), resulting in good operability.

[0074] Furthermore, since the coil spring 40 of this embodiment is disposed inside the outer cylinder 20 so as to surround part of the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 30, its presence does not adversely affect the size of the ink refill container 1. Another advantage of the coil spring 40 is that it is relatively easy to design or adjust the restoring force (and / or resistance force during the lowering operation).

[0075] Furthermore, according to the ink refill container 1 of this embodiment, the cap 80 is removably provided inside the inner cylinder 30, and when the cap 80 is attached to the inner cylinder 30, the cap 80 airtightly closes the inner cylinder 30. This makes it possible to suppress evaporation of ink from the ink container 10. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent ink leakage even if the ink container 10 is tilted.

[0076] In particular, according to the ink refill container 1 of this embodiment, with the cap 80 attached to the inner cylinder 30, the cap 80 lowers the inner cylinder 30 to a predetermined capping depth (the state shown in FIG. 9), and at that time, the first seal inner peripheral edge 28 of the outer cylinder lower flange portion 23 and the third seal outer peripheral edge 93 of the inner cylinder 30 come into airtight contact. Therefore, when the cap 80 is raised from the capping depth (the state shown in FIG. 9) to remove the cap 80 from the inner cylinder 30, the airtight seal between the first seal inner peripheral edge 28 and the third seal outer peripheral edge 93 is released, and the outer surface of the inner cylinder 30 and the inner surfaces of the ink container 10 and the outer cylinder 20 are not airtight for a short period of time until the first seal inner peripheral edge 28 and the first seal outer peripheral edge 38 come into airtight contact (the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). This makes the internal pressure inside the ink container 10 equal to atmospheric pressure, effectively preventing changes in the internal pressure inside the ink container 10 during storage (when the ink refill container 1 is not in use) from adversely affecting the force required to lower the middle cylinder 30.

[0077] Furthermore, according to the ink refill container 1 of this embodiment, the middle tube 30 is provided with a fourth seal inner peripheral edge 36 that can come into airtight contact with the tip tube portion 63 (which functions as the fourth seal outer peripheral edge), which is part of the outer peripheral surface of the ink writing instrument 60 that is the target of ink refilling. This allows the ink in the ink container 10 to be replaced with the air inside the ink writing instrument 60 with high efficiency, meaning that ink refilling can be carried out with high efficiency.

[0078] In addition, according to the ink refill container 1 of this embodiment, the ink writing instrument 60 can be used repeatedly by refilling it with ink, which is preferable because it is environmentally friendly.

[0079] (Specific examples of ink writing implements) Figure 10 shows a specific example of an ink writing implement 60. Figure 10(a) is a front view, Figure 10(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Figure 10(a), Figure 10(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Figure 10(b), and Figure 10(d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in Figure 10(b).

[0080] In the example shown in FIG. 10 , the ink writing instrument 60 also includes a nib 61, a tip tube portion 63 surrounding the nib 61, and a shoulder portion 67 located rearward of the tip tube portion 63. Dimensional examples are also as shown in paragraph 0043. The nib 61 is made of a fiber-processed material (e.g., a resin-processed material made of polyester or acrylic fibers) or a porous material. The rear end of the nib 61 is inserted into and connected to the front end of an ink occlusion body (e.g., a fiber bundle). The ink writing instrument 60 is a writing instrument in which an air hole is formed by a rib 63r between the outer surface of the nib 61 and the inner surface of the tip tube portion 63. During use, outside air is drawn into the ink writing instrument 60 through the air hole as ink is consumed from the nib 61.

[0081] 10(d), the pen tip 61 is held by six ribs 63r that protrude inward from the inner peripheral surface of the tip tube portion 63. The six ribs 63r are arranged at equal intervals (every 60°), and each has a width of about 0.6 mm, a radial height of about 0.5 mm, and an axial length of about 14 mm, for example, and the spaces 63c between adjacent ribs 63r function as air passages (channels).

[0082] In the ink writing instrument 60 having the space 63c that functions as an air passage (channel) in this way, when refilling ink using the ink refill container 1, ink is refilled not only through the pen tip 61 itself but also through the space 63c, thereby enabling faster ink refilling.

[0083] (Variation 1) The above-described embodiment can be modified by providing the first seal portion in a different position. For example, as shown in Figure 11, a first seal protrusion 38' as the first seal portion can be disposed above the container. In this case, the first seal protrusion 38' does not generate sliding resistance, making it easier to move the inner cylinder 30.

[0084] Furthermore, the configuration of Variation 1 in Fig. 11 can further simplify the molding process when the center cylinder 30 is molded by resin injection molding. Specifically, when an annular protrusion for airtightness (such as the outer peripheral edge of the first seal) is provided on the outer surface of the center cylinder 30, the outer surface of the center cylinder 30 is preferably molded by "punching," and therefore, it is preferable that the number of the annular protrusion is singular. However, if the outer peripheral edge of the first seal is positioned above the outer cylinder 20 as shown in Fig. 11, the annular protrusion on the outer surface of the center cylinder 30 can be the only annular protrusion on the outer surface of the second seal. In other words, the number of annular protrusions on the outer surface of the center cylinder 30 can be singular, further simplifying the molding process.

[0085] 11, the first seal protrusion 38' is provided on the outer cylinder 20 side, and the area of ​​the inner cylinder 30 that the first seal protrusion 38' abuts against is flat, but the relationship between the two may be reversed. That is, the first seal protrusion may be provided on the inner cylinder 30 side, and the area of ​​the outer cylinder 30 that the first seal protrusion abuts against may be flat. Furthermore, it is also possible to adopt an embodiment in which the corresponding (facing) areas of the outer cylinder 20 and inner cylinder 30 are both flat, and a separate member such as an O-ring is interposed as a protrusion.

[0086] (Variation 2) Furthermore, at least at the time of filing this application, an embodiment that does not have the first seal portion and the third seal portion is also within the scope of one embodiment of the present invention. For example, as shown in Fig. 12, even if the first seal portion and the third seal portion are not provided, by making the contact area between the inner cylindrical portion of the second seal and the outer peripheral edge 39 of the second seal a localized annular area, an excellent effect can be obtained in that the sliding state between the two is not perceived as excessive sliding resistance, compared to the sliding state between surfaces as in Patent Document 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1 ink refill container 10 Ink container 11 Cylindrical lower space 12 Truncated cone-shaped space 13 Cylindrical upper space 14 Upper fitting part 20 outer cylinder 21 Upper flange of outer cylinder 22 Cylindrical Space 23 Lower flange of outer cylinder 24 Small diameter section 28 Inner edge of first seal 30 Middle tube 31 Upper flange of middle cylinder 32 Sliding cylindrical part 33 Upper cylindrical space 34 Intermediate cylindrical space 35 Lower cylindrical space 36 Inner edge of fourth seal 37 Step 38 Outer edge of first seal 38' First seal protrusion 39 Second seal outer periphery 40 Coil spring 60 Ink writing implements 61 Pen Tip 63 Tip tube part 67 Shoulder 80 Cap 81 Upper wall section 82 Female thread 83 Upper cylinder part 84 Intermediate cylinder part 85 Lower cylinder part 87 Step 88 Inner large diameter cylinder 92 Male thread 93 Third seal outer edge 101 cylinder 102 cylinders 103 Valve 107 Small Piston 108 Piston 118 Ink ejection hole 119 Ink adhesion part

Claims

1. a cylindrical ink container; an outer cylinder provided above the ink container; a middle cylinder that is movable up and down within the ink container and the outer cylinder; Equipped with An outer cylinder lower flange portion extending radially inward is provided at a lower portion of the outer cylinder, In a standby state, an inner peripheral edge of a first seal of the lower flange portion of the outer cylinder and an outer peripheral edge of a first seal of the middle cylinder are in airtight contact with each other, When the middle cylinder is lowered in the ink container and the outer cylinder, the airtight seal between the inner peripheral edge of the first seal and the outer peripheral edge of the first seal is released, When the descending depth reaches a predetermined airtight depth, an inner peripheral cylindrical portion of a second seal provided on the inner peripheral side of the ink container and an outer peripheral edge of a second seal of the middle cylinder come into airtight contact with each other, Even while the descending depth exceeds the predetermined airtight depth, airtightness is maintained between the second seal inner cylindrical portion provided on the inner peripheral side of the ink container and the second seal outer peripheral edge of the middle cylinder, When the intermediate cylinder is raised from a state in which the descending depth exceeds the predetermined airtight depth to a state in which the descending depth returns to less than the predetermined airtight depth, the airtight seal between the second seal inner cylindrical portion provided on the inner peripheral side of the ink container and the second seal outer peripheral edge of the intermediate cylinder is released, When the center cylinder is further raised and the center cylinder upper flange portion and the outer cylinder upper flange portion return to abutting contact, the inner peripheral edge of the first seal of the outer cylinder lower flange portion and the outer peripheral edge of the first seal of the center cylinder come into airtight contact again. An ink refill container characterized by:

2. A center cylinder upper flange portion extending radially outward is provided at an upper portion of the center cylinder, an upper flange portion of the outer cylinder extending radially inward is provided at an upper portion of the outer cylinder and capable of restricting movement of an upper surface of the upper flange portion of the middle cylinder; An elastic body that is expandable and contractible in the vertical direction is provided between the upper flange portion of the middle cylinder and the lower flange portion of the outer cylinder.

2. The ink refill container according to claim 1.

3. The elastic body is a coil spring disposed so as to surround a part of the outer circumferential surface of the center cylinder.

3. The ink refill container according to claim 2.

4. a cap removably provided in the inner cylinder; Further provided with When the cap is attached to the inner cylinder, the cap airtightly closes the inner cylinder.

2. The ink refill container according to claim 1.

5. With the cap attached to the intermediate cylinder, the cap lowers the intermediate cylinder to a predetermined capping depth, and at this time, the inner peripheral edge of the first seal of the lower flange portion of the outer cylinder and the outer peripheral edge of the third seal of the intermediate cylinder come into airtight contact with each other.

5. The ink refill container according to claim 4.

6. The inner cylinder is provided with a fourth seal inner periphery that can be brought into airtight contact with a fourth seal outer periphery that is a part of the outer periphery of the ink writing implement to be refilled with ink.

6. The ink refill container according to claim 1, wherein the ink refill container is a container for ink.

7. An ink refill container according to any one of claims 1 to 6; an ink writing implement removably inserted into the inner cylinder; An ink writing system comprising:

8. When the ink writing tool is inserted into the inner cylinder, the ink writing tool seals the inner cylinder airtightly.

8. The ink writing instrument system according to claim 7.

9. a cylindrical ink container; an outer cylinder provided above the ink container; a middle cylinder that is movable up and down within the ink container and the outer cylinder; Equipped with An outer cylinder lower flange portion extending radially inward is provided at a lower portion of the outer cylinder, In a standby state, an inner peripheral edge of the first seal of the outer cylinder and an outer peripheral edge of the first seal of the middle cylinder are in airtight contact with each other, When the middle cylinder is lowered in the ink container and the outer cylinder, the airtight seal between the inner peripheral edge of the first seal and the outer peripheral edge of the first seal is released, When the descending depth reaches a predetermined airtight depth, an inner peripheral cylindrical portion of a second seal provided on the inner peripheral side of the ink container and an outer peripheral edge of a second seal of the middle cylinder come into airtight contact with each other, Even while the descending depth exceeds the predetermined airtight depth, airtightness is maintained between the second seal inner cylindrical portion provided on the inner peripheral side of the ink container and the second seal outer peripheral edge of the middle cylinder, When the intermediate cylinder is raised from a state in which the descending depth exceeds the predetermined airtight depth to a state in which the descending depth returns to less than the predetermined airtight depth, the airtight seal between the second seal inner cylindrical portion provided on the inner peripheral side of the ink container and the second seal outer peripheral edge of the intermediate cylinder is released, When the center cylinder is further raised and the center cylinder upper flange portion and the outer cylinder upper flange portion return to abutting contact with each other, the inner peripheral edge of the first seal of the outer cylinder and the outer peripheral edge of the first seal of the center cylinder come into airtight contact with each other again. An ink refill container characterized by:

10. a cylindrical ink container; an outer cylinder provided above the ink container; a middle cylinder that is movable up and down within the ink container and the outer cylinder; Equipped with An outer cylinder lower flange portion extending radially inward is provided at a lower portion of the outer cylinder, When the depth of descent of the intermediate cylinder reaches a predetermined airtight depth, an inner peripheral cylindrical portion of a second seal provided on the inner peripheral side of the ink container and an outer peripheral edge of the second seal of the intermediate cylinder come into airtight contact with each other, Even while the descending depth exceeds the predetermined airtight depth, airtightness is maintained between the second seal inner cylindrical portion provided on the inner peripheral side of the ink container and the second seal outer peripheral edge of the middle cylinder, When the inner cylinder is raised from a state in which the descending depth exceeds the predetermined airtight depth and the descending depth returns to a depth less than the predetermined airtight depth, the airtight seal between the inner cylindrical portion of the second seal provided on the inner periphery of the ink container and the outer peripheral edge of the second seal of the inner cylinder is released. An ink refill container characterized by:

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