Plug structure, liquid cartridge and writing implement

Abstract

To provide a plug structure, a liquid cartridge, and a writing instrument.SOLUTION: Provided is a writing instrument provided with: a pen tube; a liquid guide housed in the pen tube; a tail sleeve removably connected to the pen tube; and a liquid cartridge including a container having an opening, and a plug structure provided in the container, housed in the tail sleeve and extending into the pen tube. The plug structure includes: a lid body portion; an elastic connecting portion connected to the lid body portion on a side away from the opening of the lid body portion and having at least one cut-out portion; and an annular wall portion connected to the elastic connection portion and surrounding the lid body portion, in which a ring-shaped gap communicating with the cut-out portion is formed between the side surface of the lid body portion and the annular wall portion, and the liquid guide is pressed against the lid body portion to open the ring-shaped gap.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a plug structure, a liquid cartridge, and a direct-fill writing instrument. [Background technology]

[0002] A direct-fill writing instrument has a liquid cartridge for storing ink. When writing, the refill is pressed to open a valve, allowing the ink in the liquid cartridge to pass through the valve and be guided into the water supply body to be supplied to the refill, thereby providing writing with the refill. Known water supply bodies are usually sponge sleeves that are fitted to the exterior of the refill. The sponge sleeve communicates with the ink chamber via the ink valve and absorbs ink from the ink chamber, which is then supplied to the refill for writing.

[0003] However, when the ink runs out and the liquid cartridge needs to be replaced, the opening of the existing liquid cartridge does not have a sealed structure, which makes it easy for the problem of liquid leakage to occur when removing the liquid cartridge. If liquid leakage is to be prevented, the liquid cartridge must be removed with the opening facing upward, which only increases the inconvenience for the user when replacing the liquid cartridge.

[0004] Therefore, how to propose a plug structure, a liquid cartridge and a direct-fill writing implement that can solve the above problems is one of the problems that the industry is currently investing research and development resources to solve. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In view of this, an object of the present disclosure is to propose a plug structure, a liquid cartridge, and a writing instrument that can solve the above problems.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a plug structure including a cover body portion, an elastic connecting portion connected to the cover body portion and having at least one cutout portion, and an annular wall portion connected to the elastic connecting portion and surrounding the cover body portion, forming an annular gap communicating with the cutout portion between the elastic connecting portion and a side surface of the cover body portion, and configured to abut against the side surface to seal the annular gap.

[0007] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the annular wall portion has at least one annular flange located on the inner wall surface of the annular wall portion, and is configured to abut against the side surface of the lid body portion at the annular flange.

[0008] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the lid body is configured to be pressed to deform the resilient connection and further separate the annular flange from the side of the lid body to open the annular gap.

[0009] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, there are multiple cutout portions, and the elastic connecting portion includes multiple connecting posts, each of which is connected at both ends to the cover body portion and the annular wall portion, and which are arranged in a circular pattern alternating with the cutout portions.

[0010] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the elastic connection portion includes an engagement sheet that is engaged with the bottom surface of the lid body portion.

[0011] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the resilient connector and the annular wall comprise a unitary structure.

[0012] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the hardness of the lid body is greater than the hardness of the annular wall.

[0013] In order to achieve the above object, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a liquid cartridge comprising: a container having an opening; a lid body portion; an elastic connecting portion connected to the lid body portion on the side away from the opening of the lid body portion and having at least one cutout portion; an annular wall portion connected to the elastic connecting portion and surrounding the lid body portion, which forms an annular gap communicating with the cutout portion between the side of the lid body portion and the side of the lid body portion, and which is sandwiched between the inner tube surface of the container and the side of the lid body portion to seal the annular gap; and a plug structure provided within the container.

[0014] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the annular wall has at least one annular flange located on an outer wall surface of the annular wall and abutting an inner tubular surface of the container.

[0015] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the inner tube surface of the container has a waisted step portion, and the plug structure is engaged with the waisted step portion.

[0016] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the diameter of the container tapers from the opening to the waisted step.

[0017] In order to achieve the above object, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a writing instrument comprising: a pen tube; a liquid guide housed in the pen tube; a tail sleeve detachably connected to the pen tube; a container having an opening; a lid; an elastic connecting part connected to the lid on the side away from the opening and having at least one cutout; an annular gap connected to the elastic connecting part and surrounding the lid, the annular gap being formed between the elastic connecting part and the side of the lid, the annular wall part being pressed against the lid to open the annular gap; and a plug structure provided in the container; and a liquid cartridge housed in the tail sleeve and extending into the pen tube.

[0018] As described above, in the plug structure disclosed herein, the lid and the annular wall are connected via an elastic connecting portion. When the plug structure is attached to a liquid cartridge container, the annular gap formed between the side surface of the lid and the annular wall is sandwiched between the inner tubular surface of the container and the side surface of the lid, sealing the annular gap. When the liquid cartridge is attached to a writing instrument, the liquid guide of the writing instrument is pressed against the lid and elastically deforms the elastic connecting portion, opening the annular gap and allowing liquid in the liquid cartridge to flow through the plug structure to the pen tip for writing. When the liquid cartridge is removed from the writing instrument, the liquid guide is separated from the lid, causing the elastic connecting portion to elastically recover and sealing the annular gap. This effectively avoids the problem of liquid leakage when replacing the liquid cartridge.

[0019] The above is merely intended to describe the problems that the present disclosure aims to solve, the technical solutions to the problems, and the effects that are achieved, and specific details of the present disclosure will be described in detail in the following embodiments and related drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] To make the above and other objects, features, advantages and embodiments of the present disclosure more clearly and comprehensibly, reference is made to the accompanying drawings as follows: [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a direct ink type writing instrument according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the direct ink type writing instrument in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the plug structure in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the liquid cartridge in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the direct ink type writing instrument in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is another enlarged partial view of FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, several embodiments of the present disclosure will be disclosed in the drawings, and for the sake of clarity, many practical details will be described in conjunction with the following description. However, it should be understood that these practical details should not be used to limit the present disclosure. That is, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, these practical details are not necessary. Also, in order to simplify the drawings, some well-known and commonly used structures and elements are simply and diagrammatically shown in the drawings.

[0022] Reference is made to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a direct ink writing instrument 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the direct ink writing instrument 100 in FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the direct ink writing instrument 100 includes a pen tube 110, a liquid guide 120, a tail sleeve 130, a liquid cartridge 200, a water supply body 140, a pen tip 150, and a pen cap 160. The liquid guide 120 is housed in the pen tube 110. The tail sleeve 130 is detachably connected to the pen tube 110. The liquid cartridge 200 is housed in the tail sleeve 130 and extends into the pen tube 110. The liquid cartridge 200 is configured to contain liquid (e.g., ink, pigment, etc.). The water supply body 140 is housed in the pen tube 110 and is located on the side of the liquid guide 120 away from the liquid cartridge 200. The liquid guide 120 is configured to guide the liquid in the liquid cartridge 200 to the water supply body 140. The pen tip 150 is provided at the end of the pen tube 110 remote from the tail sleeve 130 and penetrates into the pen tube 110 to be in fluid communication with the water supply body 140. The water supply body 140 is configured to absorb the liquid in the liquid cartridge 200 and distribute the liquid evenly therein, thereby enabling the liquid to be provided evenly to the pen tip 150. The pen cap 160 is removably connected to the end of the pen tube 110 remote from the tail sleeve 130 and is configured to cover the pen tip 150 so as not to expose it.

[0023] In some embodiments, the water supply body 140 is a foam, although the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0024] Please refer to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the plug structure 220 in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the liquid cartridge 200 in Figure 2. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, in this embodiment, the liquid cartridge 200 includes a container 210 and a plug structure 220. The container 210 has an opening 211. The opening 211 faces the liquid guide 120. The plug structure 220 is provided in the container 210 and includes a cover body portion 221, an elastic connecting portion 222, and an annular wall portion 223. The elastic connecting portion 222 is connected to the cover body portion 221 on the side of the cover body portion 221 away from the opening 211, and has at least one cutout portion 222a. The annular wall portion 223 is connected to the elastic connecting portion 222 and surrounds the cover body portion 221. The annular gap G is formed between the side surface 221a of the cover body portion 221 and the annular wall portion 223, and is in communication with the cutout portion 222a of the elastic connecting portion 222. The annular wall portion 223 is configured to abut against the side surface 221a of the cover body portion 221 to seal the annular gap G.

[0025] 4, the annular wall portion 223 of the plug structure 220 is sandwiched between the inner tube surface 212 of the container 210 and the side surface 221a of the lid body portion 221, thereby sealing the annular gap G. At this time, the liquid contained in the container 210 cannot pass through the plug structure 220 and flow out of the opening 211 of the container 210. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 3, when the plug structure 220 is not provided in the container 210, the annular wall portion 223 in its natural, unpressured state is separated from the lid body portion 221, thereby opening the annular gap G.

[0026] 3 and 4, in this embodiment, the annular wall portion 223 has an annular flange 223a1. The annular flange 223a1 is located on the inner wall surface 223a of the annular wall portion 223. The annular wall portion 223 is configured to abut against the side surface 221a of the cover body portion 221 at the annular flange 223a1. The design of the annular flange 223a1 reduces and concentrates the abutment area between the annular wall portion 223 and the cover body portion 221, and increases the abutment pressure in this abutment area, thereby improving the airtight effect.

[0027] In some embodiments, in order to further improve the airtight effect between the annular wall portion 223 and the lid portion 221, the hardness of the lid portion 221 is made greater than the hardness of the annular wall portion 223. Since the hard lid portion 221 is less likely to deform when it abuts against the soft annular wall portion 223, incomplete sealing of the annular gap G can be effectively avoided.

[0028] In some embodiments, the lid body 221 is made of a hard material, such as, for example, a metal or a hard plastic material, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the annular wall 223 is made of a soft material, such as, for example, a soft plastic material or rubber, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0029] 3 and 4, in this embodiment, the elastic connecting portion 222 has a plurality of cutout portions 222a. The elastic connecting portion 222 includes a plurality of connecting posts 222b. Both ends of each connecting post 222b are connected to the cover portion 221 and the annular wall portion 223, respectively. The connecting posts 222b and the cutout portions 222a are alternately arranged in an annular shape.

[0030] 3 and 4, in this embodiment, the number of the cutouts 222a and the number of the connecting posts 222b of the elastic connecting part 222 are both three, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In actual application, the number of the cutouts 222a and the number of the connecting posts 222b can be elastically increased or decreased according to the desired elasticity of the elastic connecting part 222.

[0031] 3 and 4, in this embodiment, the elastic connecting portion 222 further includes an engagement seat 222c. The same end of each connecting post 222b is connected to the engagement seat 222c. The engagement seat 222c is engaged with the bottom surface of the cover portion 221. This allows the elastic connecting portion 222 to be more stably connected to the cover portion 221.

[0032] In some embodiments, the elastic connecting portion 222 and the annular wall portion 223 form a single structure. In other words, the elastic connecting portion 222 and the annular wall portion 223 may be made of the same or different materials, for example, by an injection molding process. This allows the assembly of the plug structure 220 to be completed by simply connecting the cover body portion 221 and the elastic connecting portion 222.

[0033] In practical application, the cover body 221, the elastic connecting portion 222, and the annular wall portion 223 may all be formed as a single unit. In other words, the cover body 221, the elastic connecting portion 222, and the annular wall portion 223 may be made of the same or different materials, for example, by an injection molding process. In this case, the engagement seat 222c of the elastic connecting portion 222 may be omitted.

[0034] In some embodiments, the inner tubular surface 212 of the container 210 has a narrowed step portion 212a. The plug structure 220 is engaged with the narrowed step portion 212a. During assembly, the plug structure 220 can be inserted through the opening 211 of the container 210 and continuously moved inward until it engages with the narrowed step portion 212a. As can be seen from the above, the narrowed step portion 212a can fulfill the function of positioning the plug structure 220.

[0035] In some embodiments, the diameter of the container 210 gradually decreases from the opening 211 toward the constricted step portion 212a. Therefore, while the plug structure 220 continuously moves inward from the opening 211 to the constricted step portion 212a of the container 210, the annular wall portion 223 is gradually pressed toward the lid body portion 221 by the inner tubular surface 212 of the container 210, further continuously improving the airtightness of the annular gap G.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 3, please also refer to Fig. 4. In this embodiment, the annular wall 223 of the plug structure 220 further has at least one annular flange 223b1. The annular flange 223b1 is located on the outer wall surface 223b of the annular wall 223 and abuts against the inner tubular surface 212 of the container 210. The annular wall 223 is configured to abut against the inner tubular surface 212 of the container 210 at the annular flange 223b1. The design of the annular flange 223b1 can reduce and concentrate the abutment area between the annular wall 223 and the container 210 and increase the abutment pressure in this abutment area, thereby improving the airtight effect. Furthermore, the annular wall portion 223 abuts against the inner pipe surface 212 of the container 210 mainly at the annular flange 223b1 (not the entire outer wall surface 223b), so resistance is reduced while the plug structure 220 continues to move inward from the opening 211 of the container 210 to the constricted step portion 212a. In other words, the design of the annular flange 223b1 has the advantages of facilitating attachment of the plug structure 220 to the container 210 and improving airtightness between the plug structure 220 and the container 210.

[0037] 3, in this embodiment, the number of annular flanges 223b1 is three, one annular flange 223b1 is close to the top of the outer wall surface 223b and faces the annular flange 223a1 from the inside and outside, and the other two annular flanges 223b1 are adjacent to each other and close to the bottom of the outer wall surface 223b. However, the number of annular flanges 223b1 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 3. In actual applications, the number of annular flanges 223b1 can be flexibly increased or decreased depending on the desired airtightness.

[0038] Please refer to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the direct ink type writing instrument 100 in Figure 1. Figure 6 is a partially enlarged view of Figure 5. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, in this embodiment, the tail sleeve 130 is not completely assembled with the pen tube 110. Specifically, the tail sleeve 130 and the pen tube 110 are screwed together using a threaded structure. At this time, the liquid guide 120 is not in contact with the plug structure 220, so the annular wall portion 223 sandwiched between the inner tube surface 212 of the container 210 and the side surface 221a of the cover body portion 221 stably abuts against the cover body portion 221, thereby sealing the annular gap G.

[0039] Please refer to Figure 7, which is another enlarged partial view of Figure 5. As shown in Figure 7, in this embodiment, when the tail sleeve 130 and the pen tube 110 are continuously screwed toward each other and completely assembled, the liquid guide 120 presses the cover body portion 221 of the plug structure 220. The pressed cover body portion 221 deforms the elastic connecting portion 222 and further separates the annular flange 223a1 of the annular wall portion 223 from the side surface 221a of the cover body portion 221, opening the annular gap G. At this time, the liquid contained in the container 210 can flow into the liquid guide 120 (the path indicated by the thick arrow in Figure 7) through the cutout portion 222a of the elastic connecting portion 222 and the annular gap G in this order. As can be seen from the above, when the liquid cartridge 200 is installed in the direct liquid writing instrument 100, the liquid guide 120 of the direct liquid writing instrument 100 is pressed against the cover body portion 221 and elastically deforms the elastic connecting portion 222, thereby opening the annular gap G and allowing the liquid in the liquid cartridge 200 to flow through the plug structure 220 to the pen tip 150 for writing.

[0040] On the other hand, when the liquid in the container 210 runs out and a new liquid cartridge 200 needs to be replaced, the tail sleeve 130 and the pen tube 110 can be moved in the opposite direction to separate them. During this time, the liquid guide 120 gradually moves away from the plug structure 220 and is separated from the cover body part 221, causing the elastic connecting part 222 to elastically recover and the cover body part 221 to return to a state in which it abuts against the annular flange 223a1 of the annular wall part 223, thereby sealing the annular gap G. As a result, when the liquid cartridge 200 is removed from the direct-fill writing instrument 100, any liquid remaining in the liquid cartridge 200 will not leak through the plug structure 220.

[0041] As can be seen from the above detailed description of specific embodiments of the present disclosure, in the plug structure of the present disclosure, the cover and the annular wall are connected via an elastic connecting portion. When the plug structure is installed in a liquid cartridge container, an annular gap formed between the side surface of the cover and the annular wall is sandwiched between the inner tube surface of the container and the side surface of the cover, thereby sealing the annular gap. When the liquid cartridge is installed in a writing instrument, the liquid guide of the writing instrument is pressed against the cover and elastically deforms the elastic connecting portion, opening the annular gap and allowing liquid in the liquid cartridge to flow through the plug structure to the pen tip for writing. When the liquid cartridge is removed from the writing instrument, the liquid guide is separated from the cover, causing the elastic connecting portion to elastically recover and seal the annular gap. This effectively avoids the problem of liquid leakage when replacing the liquid cartridge.

[0042] Although the present disclosure has been disclosed above in the embodiments, the embodiments are not intended to limit the present disclosure, and any person skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present disclosure should be based on what is defined by the claims attached below. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 100:Direct liquid writing utensils 110: Pen tube 120: Liquid guide 130: Tail sleeve 140: Water supply body 150: Pen tip 160: Pen cap 200: Liquid cartridge 210: Container 211: Opening 212: Inner tube surface 212a: Narrowed step 220:Plug structure 221: Lid body 221a: Side 222: Elastic connection part 222a: Hollowed out section 222b: Connecting pillar 222c: Engagement seat 223: Annular wall 223a: Inner wall surface 223a1, 223b1: Annular flange 223b: External wall surface G: Annular gap

Claims

1. A lid body portion, an elastic connection part connected to the lid body part and having at least one recessed part; an annular wall portion connected to the elastic connecting portion, surrounding the lid body portion, forming an annular gap communicating with the cutout portion between the annular wall portion and a side surface of the lid body portion, and configured to abut against the side surface to seal the annular gap; Including, the elastic connecting portion and the annular wall portion form a unitary structure; The cover body is pressed to deform the elastic connecting portion, and further, the annular wall portion is separated from the side surface of the cover body and opened, thereby forming the annular gap. Plug structure.

2. The plug structure according to claim 1 , wherein the annular wall portion has at least one annular flange located on an inner wall surface of the annular wall portion, and the at least one annular flange is configured to abut against the side surface of the lid body portion.

3. 3. The plug structure according to claim 2, wherein the cover body is configured to be pressed to deform the elastic connection portion and further separate the at least one annular flange from the side surface of the cover body to open the annular gap.

4. 2. The plug structure according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cutout portion is plural, the elastic connection portion includes a plurality of connection posts, each of which has both ends connected to the cover body portion and the annular wall portion, and which is arranged in a circular pattern alternating with the cutout portions.

5. The plug structure according to claim 1 , wherein the elastic connecting portion includes an engagement seat that is engaged with the bottom surface of the lid portion.

6. The plug structure according to claim 1 , wherein the hardness of the lid portion is greater than the hardness of the annular wall portion.

7. a container having an opening; a plug structure provided in the container, the plug structure including: a lid body part; an elastic connecting part connected to the lid body part on a side of the lid body part away from the opening and having at least one cutout part; and an annular wall part connected to the elastic connecting part and surrounding the lid body part, wherein an annular gap communicating with the cutout part is formed between the lid body part and a side surface thereof, and the annular gap is sealed by being sandwiched between an inner tube surface of the container and the side surface of the lid body part, the elastic connecting part and the annular wall part constituting a single unit structure, and the lid body part is pressed to deform the elastic connecting part, and further the annular wall part is separated and opened from the side surface of the lid body part, thereby forming the annular gap; A liquid cartridge comprising:

8. 8. The liquid cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the annular wall portion has at least one annular flange located on an outer wall surface of the annular wall portion and abutting against the inner tubular surface of the container.

9. 8. The liquid cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the inner tubular surface of the container has a narrowed step portion, and the plug structure is engaged with the narrowed step portion.

10. The liquid cartridge according to claim 9 , wherein the diameter of the container gradually decreases from the opening toward the constricted step portion.

11. Pen tube and a liquid guide housed within the pen tube; a tail sleeve removably connected to the pen tube; a container having an opening; a plug structure provided in the container, the plug structure including: a lid body portion; an elastic connecting portion connected to the lid body portion on a side of the lid body portion away from the opening and having at least one cutout portion; and an annular wall portion connected to the elastic connecting portion and surrounding the lid body portion, the annular gap communicating with the cutout portion being formed between the elastic connecting portion and a side surface of the lid body portion, the annular gap being opened when the liquid guide is pressed against the lid body portion, the elastic connecting portion and the annular wall portion constituting a single structure; Equipped with a liquid cartridge housed within the tail sleeve and extending into the pen tube; A writing implement comprising:

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