Tail plug and writing instrument

Abstract

To provide a tail plug capable of ensuring ventilation and preventing suffocation even when it is stuck in the throat due to accidental ingestion, and a writing instrument provided with the tail plug.SOLUTION: The tail plug attached to the end of the barrel of a writing instrument includes an inner plug fitted into the barrel, and an outer plug coupled to the inner plug. The inner plug has a first opening through which fluid can flow in the axial direction of the barrel. The outer plug has a second opening through which fluid can flow in the axial direction of the barrel. At least one of the first opening and the second opening is closed when the outer plug and the inner plug are coupled.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tail plug attached to the end of a writing instrument and a writing instrument equipped with the tail plug.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, a tail plug provided at the end of a writing instrument is sold in a state attached to the writing instrument. However, in the case of a writing instrument of a type that is not filled with ink and the user fills the ink, this tail plug may be sold in a removed state. Since the tail plug is a very small part, there is a possibility that an accident such as a child accidentally swallowing the tail plug may occur, and if the tail plug gets stuck in the throat, there is a risk of suffocation. Also, in the case of a writing instrument of a type that removes the tail plug and replenishes ink from the end of the writing instrument, there is a similar risk in the state where the tail plug is removed.

[0003] Conventionally, as tail plugs aimed at ensuring ventilation even when the tail plug is accidentally swallowed and stuck in the throat, the tail plugs described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 below are known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the plugs described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the plug end has a size that at least closes the end of the barrel of the writing instrument. When such a plug gets stuck in the throat, there is a risk that sufficient ventilation cannot be ensured. On the other hand, in the plug described in Patent Document 3, since the plug is configured to be divided into a plurality of parts along the axial direction of the writing instrument, although the plug end is small, it is necessary to closely adhere the divided plugs to each other over the entire radial direction. If the adhesion is insufficient, there is a risk that ink will leak from the end of the writing instrument.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a plug that can ensure ventilation and prevent asphyxiation even when it gets stuck in the throat due to accidental ingestion, and a writing instrument equipped with such a plug.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A plug according to an embodiment of the present invention is a plug attached to the end of the body axis of a writing instrument, comprising an inner plug fitted into the body axis portion and an outer plug coupled to the inner plug, the inner plug having a first opening through which fluid can flow in the axial direction of the body axis portion, the outer plug having a second opening through which fluid can flow in the axial direction of the body axis portion, when the outer plug and the inner plug are coupled, at least one of the first opening or the second opening is closed.

[0008] According to the plug having such a configuration, since each of the inner plug and the outer plug has an opening through which fluid can flow in the axial direction of the barrel, even if the inner plug or the outer plug is accidentally ingested and stuck in the throat, the opening ensures axial ventilation, so that asphyxiation can be avoided.

[0009] In the plug, preferably, the outer plug has a closing convex portion that closes the first opening of the inner plug.

[0010] With such a configuration, since the first opening of the inner plug is closed by the closing convex portion of the outer plug, the sealing performance of the writing instrument can be enhanced.

[0011] In the tail plug, preferably, the inner plug has a bottomed cylindrical shape having a bottom portion and a cylindrical portion, the first opening is provided in the bottom portion, the closing convex portion of the outer plug extends along the axial direction of the body shaft portion, and when the outer plug and the inner plug are coupled, the tip of the closing convex portion is configured to close the first opening of the inner plug.

[0012] According to the tail plug having such a configuration, since the ink is sealed at the bottom of the inner plug, the ink does not flow into the space between the inner plug and the outer plug, and it is possible to prevent the user's hand from being soiled with ink even when the outer plug is removed from the inner plug.

[0013] In the tail plug, preferably, the outer plug includes a head portion located at the rear end of the tail plug and having the second opening, and a fitting portion fitted into the cylindrical portion of the inner plug, and a gap that is fluidly communicable with the second opening is formed between the fitting portion and the closing convex portion.

[0014] According to the tail plug having such a configuration, the gap that is fluidly communicable with the second opening formed between the fitting portion and the closing convex portion makes it more certain to secure the airway in case of accidental ingestion.

[0015] Further, a writing instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the tail plug described in any of the above.

[0016] According to the writing instrument having the above configuration, when the tail plug is removed from the writing instrument, it is possible to prevent suffocation caused by accidentally ingesting the tail plug.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] As described above, according to the tail plug and the writing instrument including the tail plug according to the present invention, even when the tail plug gets stuck in the throat due to accidental ingestion, ventilation can be ensured to prevent suffocation, and a safe tail plug and writing instrument can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

[0019] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the writing instrument 1 according to the present embodiment includes a pen tip portion 2 for applying ink to an ink application target, a writing instrument body portion (hereinafter simply referred to as the body portion) 3 that holds the pen tip portion and supplies ink to the pen tip portion 2, and a tail plug 4 attached to the opposite side of the body portion 3 from the pen tip portion 2.

[0021] Specifically, the body portion 3 includes an ink storage portion 31 for storing ink, an ink guiding portion 32 for guiding ink from the ink storage portion 31 to the pen tip portion 2, and a cylindrical body shaft portion 33 for housing the ink storage portion 31. The tail plug 4 is fitted into the end of the body shaft portion 33, and the end opening of the body shaft portion 33 is closed in a sealed state by the tail plug 4.

[0022] In this specification, the direction in which the body shaft portion 33 extends is referred to as the axial direction, the direction perpendicular to the axial direction is referred to as the radial direction, and the direction around the central axis of the body shaft portion 33 is referred to as the circumferential direction. Also, the pen tip portion side in the axial direction is also referred to as the tip side, and the side opposite to the pen tip portion side is also referred to as the rear end side. Note that the same expression will be used to describe only the tail plug.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 2, the tail plug 4 of this embodiment includes an inner plug 41 disposed on the pen tip side of the writing instrument and an outer plug 42 disposed on the side opposite to the pen tip. The outer plug 42 is fitted into the inner plug 41 to be integrated, thereby constituting the tail plug 4.

[0024] As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the inner plug 41 has a bottomed cylindrical shape having a bottom portion 411 and a cylindrical portion 412. The cylindrical portion 412 is fitted into the body shaft portion 33 of the writing instrument so that the contact surfaces of both are in close contact. Further, the cylindrical portion 412 has an annular protrusion 413 on the outer peripheral surface 412a thereof, and the body shaft portion 33 has an annular recess (not shown) on the inner peripheral surface thereof, and the cylindrical portion 412 and the body shaft portion 33 are locked by engaging with each other.

[0025] The bottom portion 411 of the inner plug 41 is located on the tip side in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 412 and is formed radially inward from the cylindrical portion 412. A first opening 415 that enables fluid flow in the axial direction is formed at the center of the bottom portion 411. In this embodiment, the first opening 415 is an opening having a circular cross section in the radial direction. Further, in this embodiment, the bottom portion 411 includes an annular extending portion 414 that extends from the center of the bottom portion 411 toward the pen tip direction. The inner peripheral surface of the annular extending portion 414 has the same radial cross-sectional shape as the first opening 415 of the bottom portion 411, whereby the first opening 415 extends to the pen tip side end of the extending portion 414.

[0026] An annular flange portion 416 that extends radially outward from the cylindrical portion 412 is formed at the end of the inner plug 41 on the side opposite to the bottom portion 411 in the axial direction. The flange portion 416 abuts against the end of the body shaft portion 33 when the inner plug 41 is fitted into the body shaft portion 33, and restricts the movement of the inner plug 41 in the direction of the pen tip portion side.

[0027] On the one hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the outer plug 42 includes a head 421 located on the rear end side, a closing convex portion 422 that extends from the head 421 toward the front end side and closes the first opening 415 of the inner plug 41, and a peripheral wall portion 423 that extends from the head 421 toward the front end side and is fitted into the cylindrical portion 412 of the inner plug 41. The head 421 is configured to have a diameter larger than that of the peripheral wall portion 423, and when the outer plug 42 is fitted into the inner plug 41, it abuts against the flange portion 416 of the inner plug 41. That is, when the head 421 abuts against the flange portion 416 of the inner plug 41, the movement of the outer plug 42 toward the pen tip side in the axial direction with respect to the inner plug 41 is restricted.

[0028] Further, the head 421 is provided with a second opening 425 that enables fluid flow in the axial direction. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of second openings 425 are provided at positions radially outward from the central axis of the outer plug 42. More specifically, on the head 421 of the outer plug 42, four second openings 425 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction with an interval of 90° on concentric circles with the central axis as a reference.

[0029] In addition, a plurality of convex ridges 424 extending in the axial direction are provided on the peripheral surface of the head 421.

[0030] The closing convex portion 422 provided on the outer plug 42 has a cross-sectional shape at the tip end portion (i.e., the end portion on the pen tip side) of the closing convex portion 422 that corresponds to the shape of the first opening 415 of the inner plug 41. In the present embodiment, the radial cross-section of the first opening 415 is circular, and the cross-sectional shape of the tip end portion of the closing convex portion 422 is also circular corresponding thereto. Thereby, when the outer plug 42 is fitted into the inner plug 41, the tip end portion of the closing convex portion 422 fits into the first opening 415, and thereby the first opening 415 is closed.

[0031] When the outer plug 42 is fitted into the inner plug 41, that is, when the peripheral wall portion 423 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 412, the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 423 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 412 are in sliding contact to guide the outer plug 42 in the axial direction of the inner plug 41. Specifically, before the tip of the closing convex portion 422 reaches the opening of the first opening 415, the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 423 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 412 are in sliding contact to guide the outer plug 42, and the central axis of the closing convex portion 422 and the center of the first opening 415 are configured to be aligned. Thereby, the tip portion of the closing convex portion 422 can be easily fitted into the first opening 415.

[0032] The peripheral wall portion 423 is formed in a donut shape in the radial cross section. Further, the peripheral wall portion 423 and the closing convex portion 422 are formed concentrically. Thereby, an annular gap 426 is formed between the peripheral wall portion 423 and the closing convex portion 422, and the gap 426 extends along the axial direction. The gap 426 is in fluid communication with the second opening 425. In other words, in the outer plug 42 of the present embodiment, air can flow axially inside the peripheral wall portion 423.

[0033] In the writing instrument 1 of the present embodiment, when the tail plug 4 is inserted into the body shaft portion 33 of the writing instrument, the tip-side end portion of the inner plug 41 and the tip-side end portion of the outer plug 42 are configured to press the rear-end side end portion of the ink storage portion 31. More specifically, in the inner plug 41 of the present embodiment, since the annular extending portion 414 extending from the bottom portion 411 toward the tip side is provided, the tip surface of the extending portion 414 presses the rear-end side end surface of the ink storage portion 31. Further, when the tip portion of the closing convex portion 422 of the outer plug 42 is inserted into the first opening 415, the tip surface of the closing convex portion 422 is configured to press the rear-end side end surface of the ink storage portion 31.

[0034] Here, in the writing instrument 1 of the present embodiment, the ink storage unit 31 includes a cylindrical portion extending along the axial direction and a columnar ink absorption portion accommodated in the cylindrical portion and absorbing and holding ink. By pressing the tip-side end portions of the inner plug 41 and the outer plug 42 against the rear-end side end portion of the ink storage unit 31, the tip-side end portion of the ink storage unit 31 (specifically, the ink absorption portion) is pressed against the ink guiding portion 32, and the ink stored in the ink storage unit 31 is smoothly supplied to the pen tip portion 2 via the ink guiding portion 32.

[0035] According to the writing instrument 1 having such a configuration, since the inner plug 41 and the outer plug 42 constituting the tail plug 4 are each provided with openings through which fluid can flow in the axial direction, that is, the first opening 415 and the second opening 425, even when an infant or the like accidentally swallows the inner plug or the outer plug and chokes in the throat, air can flow in the direction along the airway through the openings, so that asphyxiation can be prevented.

[0036] Further, when the inner plug 41 and the outer plug 42 are attached to the rear end of the body shaft portion 33 of the writing instrument 1, the tip end portion of the closing convex portion 422 of the outer plug 42 is fitted into the first opening 415 of the inner plug 41, and the opening is surely closed. Therefore, according to the tail plug 4 having the above configuration, it is possible to provide a writing instrument having excellent sealing performance and in which the ink in the ink storage unit 31 is less likely to leak.

[0037] When the user attempts to replenish the ink, by removing only the outer plug 42 and keeping the inner plug 41 fitted into the body shaft portion 33 of the writing instrument, the first opening 415 of the inner plug 41 becomes capable of allowing liquid to flow, and the ink can be replenished from the rear end side of the writing instrument 1. In this case, since the ink storage unit 31 is held in the body shaft portion 33 by the inner plug 41, it is possible to prevent the ink storage unit 31 from popping out of the body shaft portion 33 and soiling the user's hand, clothing, etc.

[0038] As an ink replenisher for replenishing ink into the ink reservoir 31, for example, an ink replenisher 10 as shown in FIG. 5 can be used. As the ink replenisher 10, for example, one including an ink tank 101 and a nozzle portion 102 provided at the mouth portion of the ink tank 101 can be used. The nozzle portion 102 is preferably configured to be insertable into the cylindrical portion 412 of the inner plug 41. With such a configuration, by removing only the outer plug 42 from the writing instrument 1 and inserting the nozzle portion 102 of the ink replenisher 10 into the cylindrical portion 412 of the inner plug 41, the ink in the ink tank 101 can be supplied to the ink reservoir 31 of the writing instrument 1 via the nozzle portion 102 and the inner plug 41. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, as the ink replenisher 10, one having a configuration in which the tip of the nozzle portion 102 is inserted into the first opening 415 of the inner plug 41 and further abuts against the ink reservoir 31 can be used. In this case, since the first opening 415 of the inner plug 41 holds and stabilizes the tip of the nozzle portion 102, there is an effect that ink replenishment is easy.

[0039] Next, the tail plug of another embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the second embodiment) will be described. As the tail plug of the second embodiment, a configuration including an inner plug and an outer plug, the inner plug having a closing projection, and the second opening provided in the outer plug being closed by the closing projection provided in the inner plug can be adopted.

[0040] Specifically, the inner plug in the second embodiment is a bottomed cylindrical shape having a bottom portion and a cylindrical portion. The bottom portion is located at the pen tip side end portion in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion and is formed radially inward from the cylindrical portion. At the center of the bottom portion, a closing projection extending axially toward the rear end side, i.e., the side opposite to the pen tip portion, is formed. That is, in the second embodiment, the closing projection is provided on the inner plug instead of the outer plug, and the closing projection extends in the opposite direction to the aforementioned embodiment. Further, a first opening enabling fluid flow in the axial direction is formed between the cylindrical portion and the closing projection in the bottom portion. A plurality of first openings can be formed, for example, at intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0041] Further, an annular flange portion extending radially outward from the cylindrical portion is formed at the end of the inner plug on the side opposite to the bottom in the axial direction. The flange portion abuts against the end of the body axial portion when the inner plug is inserted into the body axial portion, and restricts the movement of the inner plug in the pen tip direction.

[0042] On the other hand, the outer plug in the second embodiment includes a head portion and a peripheral wall portion extending from the head portion toward the tip side and inserted into the cylindrical portion of the inner plug. The head portion is configured to have a diameter larger than that of the peripheral wall portion, and may be configured to abut against the flange portion of the inner plug when fitted with the inner plug. That is, when the head portion abuts against the flange portion of the inner plug, the movement of the outer plug in the axial direction toward the pen tip side with respect to the inner plug is restricted.

[0043] Further, the head portion is provided with a second opening that enables fluid flow in the axial direction. In the outer plug of the second embodiment, a second opening is provided at the center of the head portion. More specifically, a second opening having an opening with a circular radial cross section is provided at the center of the head portion.

[0044] The closing convex portion formed on the inner plug has a cross-sectional shape at the tip portion (i.e., the end portion opposite to the pen tip portion) corresponding to the shape of the second opening. The radial cross section of the second opening is circular, and the cross-sectional shape of the tip portion of the closing convex portion is also circular. Thereby, when the outer plug is fitted to the inner plug, the tip portion of the closing convex portion fits into the second opening, and the second opening is thereby closed.

[0045] Similar to the above-described embodiment, the peripheral wall portion is configured such that when inserted into the cylindrical portion of the inner plug, the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion are in sliding contact to guide the outer plug in the axial direction. Thereby, when the outer plug is inserted into the inner plug, first, the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion, and the outer plug is guided so that the central axes of the outer plug and the inner plug are aligned. Further, by pushing the outer plug deeper into the inner plug, the tip portion of the closing convex portion can be more easily fitted into the second opening.

[0046] Also in the stopper of the second embodiment having such a configuration, since each of the inner stopper and the outer stopper is provided with an opening through which fluid can flow in the axial direction, even if the inner stopper or the outer stopper is accidentally swallowed and blocks the throat, air flow is ensured in the direction along the airway, and there is an effect that suffocation can be prevented.

[0047] Note that the stopper and the writing instrument according to the present invention are not limited to the above embodiments, and it goes without saying that various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0048] For example, although the stopper of the above embodiment has been described for the case of being composed of two members, an inner stopper and an outer stopper, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and either one or both of the inner stopper and the outer stopper may be composed of a plurality of members and may be composed of three or more members as a whole.

[0049] Further, in the above embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the first opening or the second opening is closed by fitting a closing convex portion therein, but the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and when the inner stopper and the outer stopper are coupled, a configuration in which a part of the inner stopper or the outer stopper closes the first opening or the second opening on the other side may be sufficient.

[0050] Further, in the above embodiment, the cross-sectional shapes of the tip portions of the first opening and the closing convex portion have both been described as being circular, but the present invention is not limited thereto and can have any shape.

[0051] Further, in the above embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the outer stopper is provided with a peripheral wall portion and the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion is slidably contacted with the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the inner stopper, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in the first embodiment, a plurality of ribs extending radially outward from the closing convex portion of the outer stopper may be provided radially from the closing convex portion, and the tips of the respective ribs may be slidably contacted with the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the inner stopper.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0052] 1... Writing instrument, 2... Pen tip part, 3... Writing instrument body part, 4... Tail plug, 10... Ink refill, 31... Ink storage part, 32... Ink guiding part, 33... Barrel shaft part, 41... Inner plug, 42... Outer plug, 411... Bottom part, 412... Cylindrical part, 415... First opening, 421... Head part, 422... Closing convex part, 423... Peripheral wall part, 425... Second opening

Claims

1. A tail plug attached to the end of the barrel shaft of a writing instrument, comprising an inner plug fitted into the barrel shaft and an outer plug coupled to the inner plug, The inner plug is a bottomed cylindrical shape having a bottom and a cylindrical portion, and the bottom is located on the tip side in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion, The inner plug has a first opening at the bottom that allows fluid to flow in the axial direction of the barrel shaft, The outer plug has a second opening that allows fluid to flow in the axial direction of the barrel shaft, The outer plug has a closing convex portion extending along the axial direction of the barrel shaft, When the outer plug and the inner plug are coupled, the tip of the closing convex portion is configured to close the first opening of the inner plug A tail plug characterized by the above.

2. The outer plug includes a head portion located at the rear end of the tail plug and having the second opening, and a peripheral wall portion fitted into the cylindrical portion of the inner plug. A gap that allows fluid to flow is formed between the peripheral wall portion and the closing convex portion. The tail plug according to claim 1.

3. A writing instrument characterized by comprising the tail plug according to claim 1 or 2.

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