Writing implement and method for producing a cap for a writing implement of this type

Abstract

A writing implement comprises a pen (12) and a cap (16) for receiving a writing end (14) of the pen (12), wherein an insert element (34) having a permanent application element receiving recess (36) therein is provided in a cap body (30) of the cap (16), wherein the application element receiving recess (36) is adapted to a shape and a size of the application element (18) in such a way that, when the writing end (14) is received in the cap (16), an application element (18) of the pen (12) is in contact with the insert element (34) at least in some regions in the region of an inner surface (37) of the application element receiving recess (36), and wherein the insert element (34) is porous at least in a region providing the inner surface of the application element receiving recess (36), in such a way that the insert element has capillarity for the fluid.

Description

[0001] STAEDTLER SE / TFP P 388

[0002] - 1 -

[0003] Writing instrument and method for manufacturing a cap for such a writing instrument

[0004] Description

[0005] The present invention relates to a writing instrument comprising a pen and a cap for receiving a writing end of the pen. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a cap for such a writing instrument.

[0006] Pens designed to apply a fluid to a surface, such as paper, whiteboard or the like, generally have a porous application element which draws the fluid to be applied to the surface from a fluid reservoir by capillary action, distributes it within its internal volume and then, when an application end of the application element is brought into contact with the surface intended to receive the fluid, transfers the fluid to the surface.

[0007] To prevent the application element from drying out, especially when such a pen is not used for extended periods, or, in the case of pens using a pigment-containing fluid, to prevent the accumulation of particulate components of the fluid in the near-surface area of ​​the pen's application element, writing instruments marketed by STAEDTLER SE under the name "Lumocolor® whiteboard pen 301" incorporate an insert element, also known as a writing aid, in the cap designed to hold the pen's writing end. This insert element is generally made of a soft, deformable material, such as fiber material, and is therefore, like the application element itself, essentially porous and exhibits capillarity for the fluid contained in the pen.The porosity of the insert element is selected such that, due to its capillary action, fluid and, in particular, particulate matter contained in the fluid can accumulate in the insert element upon contact between the applicator element and the insert element. STAEDTLER SE / TFP P 388.

[0008] - 2 -

[0009] When the writing end of a pen is inserted into such a cap, the applicator element, penetrating the insert element (which is, for example, made of fiber material), forms an applicator-receiving recess in the insert element. In this recess, the applicator element contacts the fiber material of the insert element. When the pen is removed from the cap, the inherently deformable insert element can approximately return to its original shape, so that when the pen is reinserted into the cap, it can again be deformed to form an applicator-receiving recess.

[0010] This ensures that when the pen's writing end is inserted into the cap, the applicator is surrounded by the fluid-filled insert and cannot dry out on its outer surface. Furthermore, it prevents particulate components of the fluid present on the outer surface of the applicator from accumulating within the applicator. When a pen is stored with the applicator facing downwards, the fluid's particulate components, such as pigments or resin particles, can migrate from the surface area of ​​the applicator into the insert under the influence of gravity, thus preventing the pore structure of the applicator from becoming clogged in the surface area.Immediately after removing a cap equipped with such an insert element from the pen contained therein, the pen is sufficiently saturated with fluid even in a near-surface area of ​​the application element, so that it can be used without delay to apply the fluid to a surface.

[0011] Since the insert element is deformed with each insertion of a pen tip into such a cap, thus adapting to the shape of the applicator element, a large-area contact is ensured, reliably preventing the applicator element from drying out. Because such an insert element can be used in conjunction with applicator elements of various shapes and sizes, it can be used for writing instruments of different designs without altering its structure. STAEDTLER SE / TFP P 388

[0012] - 3 -

[0013] US Patent 3,502,417 discloses a writing instrument in which a hard material insert, such as plastic or metal, is housed in a cap designed to receive the writing end of a pen. The insert has a recess for receiving an applicator element, into which an applicator element made of fibrous material is received when the writing end of the pen is inserted into the cap. By receiving the applicator element in the recess of the hard material insert, an applicator element that becomes deformed during an application process is restored to its original shape, corresponding to the shape of the recess.

[0014] US patent 5,176,460 discloses a writing instrument comprising a pen and a cap designed to receive the pen's writing tip. The cap, formed in one piece from a low-porosity plastic material, has a recess for receiving the pen's application element that is adapted to its shape and size. When the pen's writing tip is inserted into the cap, its application element fits snugly in the recess, thus preventing fluid from being released from the application element.

[0015] The object of the present invention is to provide a writing instrument and a method for manufacturing a cap for such a writing instrument, with which improved application quality is achieved while maintaining a long service life of the writing instrument.

[0016] According to a first aspect of the present invention, this problem is solved by a writing instrument comprising a pen and a cap for receiving a writing end of the pen, wherein the pen comprises: a pen body elongated in the direction of a pen longitudinal axis, a fluid reservoir arranged in the pen body for fluid to be applied by means of the pen, a porous application element projecting beyond the pen body in the direction of the pen longitudinal axis at the writing end of the pen, wherein the application element- STAEDTLER SE / TFP P 388

[0017] - 4 - ment in conjunction with the fluid reservoir is for the absorption of fluid from the fluid reservoir by capillary action.

[0018] The cap comprises: a cap body with a receiving end open for receiving the writing end of the pen, an insert element received in the cap body, wherein an application element receiving recess is permanently formed in the insert element for receiving the application element when the writing end of the pen is received in the cap, so that when the application element is inserted into the application element receiving recess and when the application element is removed from the application element receiving recess, the shape and dimensions of the application element receiving recess do not change substantially.

[0019] The applicator element receptacle is adapted to the shape and size of the applicator element such that, when the writing end is received in the cap, the applicator element is at least partially in contact with the insert element in the area of ​​an inner surface of the applicator element receptacle. The insert element is porous, at least in the area providing the inner surface of the applicator element receptacle, such that it exhibits capillarity for the fluid.

[0020] In the writing instrument constructed according to the invention, the porous insert element is designed to adapt to the shape and dimensions of an application element to be received in the application element receptacle. This means that the insert element does not need to be deformed to fit the shape and size of the application element every time a pen tip is inserted into a cap containing such an insert element. Instead, the application element receptacle already has the shape and size suitable for receiving the application element of this pen when or even before the pen is inserted into such a cap. STAEDTLER SE / TFP P 388

[0021] - 5 -

[0022] This results in essentially no or only minimal forces acting between the application element and the insert element when the applicator enters the applicator element's receiving recess, thus largely preventing deformation of the application element by the insert element. Furthermore, the defined shape of the insert element prevents the wetting of surface areas of the pen outside the application element with fluid. This makes the inventive design of a writing instrument particularly suitable for pens with application elements of comparatively low dimensional stability, such as pens with a brush-like application element, commonly referred to as a brush tip, or pens with a very thin application element, commonly referred to as a fineliner tip.

[0023] Nevertheless, in the writing instrument constructed according to the invention, the insert element, which is housed in the cap body and thus provided as a component separately from the cap body, is designed with such porosity that fluid can transfer from the application element to the insert element when the writing end of the pen is inserted into the cap. This ensures that, when the writing end is in the cap, the application element is surrounded by a fluid-filled body. The risk of the application element drying out or of particulate components of the fluid accumulating in the near-surface area of ​​the application element is thus eliminated.

[0024] It should be noted that, for the purposes of the present invention, a writing instrument comprises any device or pen capable of transferring fluid onto a surface in the form of writing or a drawing. If a body, such as the insert element, exhibits capillarity, this means, for the purposes of the present invention, that the body has a non-zero capillarity.

[0025] To protect the area of ​​the application element, which is generally used to apply fluid to a surface, from drying out or from the accumulation of particulate components of the fluid, the following can be done in STAEDTLER SE / TFP P 388

[0026] - 6 -

[0027] The cap, when the writing element is taken up, must be in contact with the insertion element at least in the area of ​​one application end of the application element.

[0028] Protection against drying out or the accumulation of particulate components of the fluid is particularly efficient when, with the writing end held in the cap, the application element is in contact with the insert element essentially over the area of ​​an entire application section of the application element extending outside the pen body.

[0029] To avoid contamination of the pen body in the writing area by fluid contained in the insert element, it is proposed that when the writing end is held in the cap, there be a gap-like space between the insert element and the pen body.

[0030] To prevent excessive fluid transfer into the insert element, it is proposed that the capillarity of the insert element for the fluid be smaller than the capillarity of the application element for the fluid.

[0031] If the fluid reservoir includes a porous reservoir body, it is advantageous for sufficient impregnation of the insert element if the capillarity of the insert element for the fluid is greater than the capillarity of the reservoir body for the fluid.

[0032] A sufficiently large capacity for fluid absorption in the insert element can be achieved by making the entire insert element porous in such a way that it exhibits capillarity for the fluid.

[0033] To achieve the porosity required to provide capillarity, the insert element can be designed as a foam body, sintered body or fiber composite body.

[0034] The insert element can be made of polymer material such as polyurethane, polyolefin, melamine resin, polyester, polyamide or polyacetate, STAEDTLER SE / TFP P 388

[0035] - 7 - be constructed. For the sustainable production of writing instruments, it is particularly advantageous in an alternative design if the insert element is made of renewable material, for example, plant fibers such as cotton, hemp, sisal, wood, peat, or fungal mycelium, or animal fibers such as wool or felt, or cellulose or cellulose products such as cellulose acetate, viscose, or paper. In another alternative design, the insert element can be made of inorganic material, for example, glass or glass wool, stone or rock wool, clay, or concrete.

[0036] To ensure a stable connection between the insert element, designed as a separate component, and the cap body, the insert element can be held in the cap body by force-fit, form-fit, or material-fit.

[0037] According to a further aspect, the problem mentioned at the outset is solved by a method for manufacturing a cap for a writing instrument constructed according to the invention, in which the insert element is provided with a porous material having capillarity for the fluid, at least in its volume area intended for providing the application element receiving recess.

[0038] In the method according to the invention, the application element receiving recess is formed in the insert element: before arranging the insert element in the cap body, or / and when arranging the insert element in the cap body, or / and after arranging the insert element in the cap body and before the first insertion of a writing end of a pen into the cap.

[0039] Since this process produces a cap or an insert element for such a cap in such a way that this application element receiving recess is already present before the first insertion of a pin into the cap, nevertheless STAEDTLER SE / TFP P 388

[0040] - 8 - However, since it is ensured that, when the pen is inserted into the cap, the capillary action of the insert element creates or maintains a fluidic atmosphere surrounding the surface of the application element, even with pens that have comparatively finely dimensioned or less dimensionally stable application elements, it is ensured that an interaction between the application element and the insert element leading to excessively rapid aging of the pen does not occur, while still preventing the application element from drying out. Thus, immediately after removing the pen from the cap, the pen or its application element, with its intended shape, can be used to apply fluid to a surface.

[0041] Advantageously, in the method according to the invention, essentially the entire insert element is provided with the porous material exhibiting capillarity for the fluid.

[0042] To create the porosity required for the capillary action of the insert element, the insert element can be provided as a foam body, sintered body, or fiber composite body. For this purpose, the aforementioned materials used in the insert element can be employed as starting materials in its manufacture, either as fibrous materials or as granular or foamable materials.

[0043] In the method according to the invention, in order to achieve a sufficient but not excessive transfer of fluid into the insert element, the insert element can be provided in such a way that the capillarity of the insert element for the fluid is smaller than a capillarity of the application element of the pin to be received in the cap for the fluid and / or is larger than a capillarity of a reservoir body of the fluid reservoir of the pin to be received in the cap for the fluid.

[0044] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. Figure 388 shows: STAEDTLER SE / TFP P 388

[0045] - 9 -

[0046] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a writing instrument comprising a pen and an associated cap;

[0047] Fig. 2 shows the writing end of the pen held in the cap;

[0048] Fig. 3 shows an alternative design of a writing instrument corresponding to Fig. 1;

[0049] Fig. 4 shows another representation corresponding to Fig. 1 of an alternative design of a writing instrument;

[0050] Fig. 5 shows another representation corresponding to Fig. 1 of an alternative design of a writing instrument.

[0051] In Fig. 1, a writing instrument for applying a fluid to a surface is generally designated by 10. Using the writing instrument 10, one can, for example, write on the surface or create a drawing.

[0052] The writing instrument 10 comprises a pen 12 for applying the fluid and a cap 16 to be placed on a writing end 14 of the pen 12, which protects an application element 18 of the pen 12 against physical impact and any damage that may result from it, and ensures that the pen 12 can be used to apply the fluid immediately after the cap 16 has been removed from the writing end 14.

[0053] The pin 12 comprises a tubular pin body 20 elongated in the direction of a pin longitudinal axis S. A fluid reservoir 22 is arranged inside the pin body 20, in which the fluid to be applied by the pin 12 is stored. The fluid reservoir 22 comprises a porous reservoir body 23, which exhibits capillarity for the fluid to be stored in the pin, i.e., it absorbs the fluid, distributes it within its internal volume by capillary action, and thus stores it. STAEDTLER SE / TFP P 388

[0054] - 10 -

[0055] The application element 18, located at the writing end 14 of the pen 12, extends with a transmission section 24 in the pen body 20 in the region of the writing end 14 into the region of the reservoir body 23 and can, for example, be positioned to engage with it section by section. Since the application element 18 is also fundamentally designed with a porous structure exhibiting capillarity for the fluid stored in the pen 12, the application element 18 absorbs fluid from the reservoir body 23 through contact with it and distributes the fluid within its internal volume, so that the fluid also reaches the area of ​​an application section 26 of the application element 18 projecting beyond the pen body 20 at the writing end 14 of the pen 12, and thus in particular also the area of ​​an application end 28 of the application element 18. Through contact of the application section 26, orFluid can thus be transferred from the application end 28 to a surface, for example, a paper or whiteboard. To ensure reliable delivery of fluid from the reservoir body 23 to the application element 18, it is advantageous if the application element 18 has a greater capillarity for the fluid, i.e., a stronger tendency to absorb the fluid, than the reservoir body 23.

[0056] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the application element 18 is designed as a so-called brush tip, i.e. as an application element which, at least in its application section 26, is comparatively soft and not very dimensionally stable and is therefore particularly suitable for creating drawings.

[0057] The cap 16 comprises a cap body 30 constructed of a fluid-impermeable material, for example, plastic, which is open at a receiving end 32 to receive the writing end 14 of the pen 12. An insert element, generally designated 34, is arranged in the cap body 30. The insert element 34 is essentially porous throughout its entire volume and exhibits capillarity for the fluid contained in the pen 12, so that the insert element 34, particularly through contact with the application element 18, can absorb fluid and distribute and thus store it within its internal volume by capillary action. Advantageous - STAEDTLER SE / TFP P 388

[0058] - 11 - In this respect, the capillarity of the insertion element 34 is smaller than the capillarity of the application element 18 and larger than the capillarity of the reservoir body 23.

[0059] On the side of the insert element 34 facing the receiving end 32, an application element receiving recess 36, open towards the writing end 32, is formed in the insert element 34. The application element receiving recess 36 is shaped and dimensioned such that it essentially corresponds to the shape and dimensions of the application element 18. This means, in particular, that a length Li of the application element receiving recess in the direction of the stylus longitudinal axis S essentially corresponds to a length L2 of the application section 26 of the application element 18 projecting beyond the stylus body 20 in the direction of the stylus longitudinal axis S.

[0060] When the writing end 14 of the pen 12 is inserted into the cap 16, the application element 18, with its application section 26, enters the application element receiving recess 36. Since the shape and dimensions of the application element receiving recess 36 essentially correspond to the shape and dimensions of the application element 18 in the area of ​​its application section 26, a surface contact is indeed created between the application element 18 and the insert element 34 in the area of ​​an inner surface 37 of the application element receiving recess 36 when the application section 26 is inserted into the receiving recess 36. However, essentially no forces that would cause deformation of the insert element 34 are transmitted between the application element 18 and the insert element 34. As a result, even undesired deformation of the comparatively soft, dimensionally unstable application element 18 does not occur.

[0061] Fig. 2 shows the writing end 14 of the pen 12, which is received in the cap 16. The applicator element 18, with its applicator section 26, is essentially completely received in the applicator element receiving recess 36, so that essentially the entire outer surface of the applicator section 26 is in contact with the insert element 34. Since the insert element 34 also has capillary action for the fluid contained in the pen 20 or in the applicator element 18, fluid from STAEDTLER SE / TFP P 388

[0062] - 12 - the application section 26 is transferred into the area surrounding it of the insert element 34 and is distributed within the inner volume of the insert element 34 by capillary action. This ensures that when the writing end 14 of the pen 12 is received in the cap 16, the application element 18 is surrounded by a fluid-containing atmosphere essentially over the entire surface area of ​​the application section 26, or at least at the application end 28 used for applying fluid to a surface. The risk of the application element 18 drying out in the area of ​​its application section 26, and especially in the area of ​​its application end 28, even if the pen 12 is not used for an extended period, is therefore eliminated. When the writing instrument 10 is stored with its application end 14 oriented downwards, coarser, particulate components contained in the fluid, such as...Pigments or resin particles move into the area of ​​the insertion element 34, so that clogging of the surface pores of the application element 18 by such coarser or particle-like components of the fluid is also avoided.

[0063] Fig. 2 shows that when the writing end 14 of the pen 12 is completely enclosed in the cap 16, an axial gap 38 can exist between the insert element 34 and the pen body 20 or an axially oriented end face 40 thereof. By maintaining this gap-like space 38, which is relatively small compared to the length L2 of the application section 26, contact between the pen body 20 and the insert element 34 is avoided, thus preventing contamination of the pen body 20, for example, in the area of ​​its end face 40 or the end section surrounding the application element 18.

[0064] It should be noted that the defined positioning of the pin 12 in the cap 16 shown in Fig. 2 can be achieved by stop formations acting between the pin body 20 and the cap body 30, which define the maximum immersion depth of the pin 12 in the cap 16 such that, on the one hand, the application element 18 is in the planar contact with the insert element 34 visible in Fig. 2, but on the other hand, the gap-like space 38 is also maintained, without a force effecting this defined positioning between STAEDTLER SE / TFP P 388

[0065] - 13 - is transferred to the insert element 34 and the application element 18. In an alternative embodiment, in which the gap-like space 38 is omitted and the pin body 20 can rest with its end face 40 against the application aid element 34, the defined positioning of the pin 12 in the cap 16 can be generated by an axial contact interaction between the pin body 20 and the insert element 34, so that in this case too an axial load on the application element 18 can be avoided.

[0066] The insert element 34, which is dimensionally stable and permanently features the application element receiving recess 36, yet is porous and thus exhibits capillarity for the fluid, can be constructed, for example, as a foam body, sintered body, or composite fiber body made of polymer materials such as polyurethane, polyolefins, melamine resin, polyester, polyamide, or polyacetate. Alternatively, the insert element 34 can be constructed from renewable, natural materials, in particular fiber materials for the production of a fiber composite body. For this purpose, plant-based natural fibers such as cotton, hemp, sisal, peat, or fungal mycelium can be used. Alternatively, animal fibers such as wool or felt, or cellulose or cellulose products such as cellulose acetate, viscose, paper, and the like can be used. The use of inorganic or mineral materials such as glass, stone, clay, or concrete is also possible.

[0067] For the production of the insert element 34 as a sintered body, for example, glass granules with spherical glass particles can be baked together under pressure and temperature, so that a self-contained, porous structure is obtained, the porosity of which is designed in such a way that the required capillarity for the absorption of the fluid from the application section 26 of the application element 18 is achieved.

[0068] The application element receiving recess 36 can, for example, be molded into the insert element 34 with the desired shape and size by using appropriate molds during its manufacture. Alternatively, the insert element 34, with its inherently porous structure, can be manufactured without the application element receiving recess 36 or with a recess that is modified accordingly. STAEDTLER SE / TFP P 388

[0069] - 14 - The recess can be produced in a smaller dimensioned shape and / or size. The application element receiving recess 36 can then be produced with the desired shape and size, for example, using a suitable mandrel tool, when the insert element 34 is inserted into the cap body 30 or is already contained therein.

[0070] Since the subsequent introduction or widening of such a recess affects the porosity in the near-surface area of ​​the application element receiving recess 36, manufacturing the insert element 34 with the application element receiving recess 36 molded into it is particularly advantageous. The subsequent introduction or final shaping of the application element receiving recess 36 can be especially advantageous if one and the same insert element or base body is to be used in conjunction with different writing instruments or pens. The shape and size of the application element receiving recess 36 of the insert element 34, which, for example, has standardized external dimensions, can then be produced by a suitable mandrel tool if the insert element 34 is received, or already received, in a cap body 30 associated with a defined pen 12.

[0071] For stable positioning of the insert element 34 in the cap body 30, it can, for example, be held in place by frictional engagement within the cap body 30 by being pressed into it. Alternatively or additionally, protruding formations can be formed on the cap body 30, which, through positive locking interaction with the insert element 34 received in the cap body 30, reliably hold the insert element 34 in the cap body 30. Furthermore, it is also possible, alternatively or additionally, to position the insert element 34 stably in the cap body 30 by material bonding, for example, by adhesive bonding.

[0072] Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a writing instrument 10, the pen of which has a very finely structured application element 18. Such pens are generally referred to as fineliners. In order to ensure that the application element 18 is sufficiently

[0073] - 15 - support, the pen body 13 can be designed at its writing end 14 with a support sleeve 42, for example made of metal material.

[0074] In association with this very finely structured application element 18, a correspondingly shaped and dimensioned application element receiving recess 36 is formed in the insert element 34 arranged in the cap body 30 of the cap 16. This recess is also shaped and dimensioned such that, when the writing end 14 of the pen 12 is received in the cap 16, there is as full a contact area as possible between the insert element 34 and the application section 26 of the application element 18, but the latter rests at least in the area of ​​its application end 28 against the inner surface of the application element receiving recess 36.

[0075] In this configuration as well, the interaction between the stylus 12 and the cap 16 can be such that, when the writing end 14 is completely enclosed in the cap 16, the stylus body 20, in particular the support sleeve 42, does not touch the insert element 34, thus preventing any transfer of fluid contained therein to the stylus body 20. Alternatively, for example, if the consistency of the fluid prevents any risk of fluid transfer back to the stylus body 20 or of clearly recognizable contamination of the stylus body 20, the writing end 14 can be enclosed in the cap 16 in such a way that the stylus body 20, with its end face 40 formed in this case on the support sleeve 42, is in contact with the insert element 34.

[0076] Fig. 4 shows another alternative embodiment of a writing instrument 10, in which the pen 12 corresponds, for example, to the pen 12 shown in Fig. 3. Complementing the very finely dimensioned application element 18, the application element receiving recess 36 is formed in the insert element 34.

[0077] While in the previously described embodiments the insert element 34 is essentially cylindrical in its outer circumference, adapted to the shape of the cap body 30, the insert element 34 shown in Fig. 4 is spherical, making it particularly suitable for mounting by pressing it into the cap body 30. Since during insertion- STAEDTLER SE / TFP P 388

[0078] - 16 - Since it is difficult to achieve an exact axial alignment of an application element receiving recess 36 already formed in the application element 34 in the cap body 30, it is particularly advantageous in this case if the application element receiving recess 36 is created or provided with its final shape and size during or after the insertion of the application element 34 into the cap body 30.

[0079] In the writing instruments 10 described above with reference to Figs. 1 to 4, the application element 18 is essentially rotationally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis S of the pen, at least in its application section 26 projecting beyond the pen body 20, so that the application element receiving recess 36 can also be correspondingly rotationally symmetrical.

[0080] Fig. 5 shows an embodiment in which the application element 18, in its application section 26 projecting beyond the pin body 20, similar to the embodiments shown in Figs. 3 and 4, has a cylindrical outer circumferential contour, for example with a substantially circular cross-section, but is formed with a wedge tip in the area of ​​which a structure deviating from rotational symmetry is present.

[0081] To accommodate the non-rotationally symmetric shape of the application element 18, at least in its outermost end region of the application section 26, the application element receiving recess 36 could also be non-rotationally symmetric, at least in its base region, and have a shape complementary to that of the application section 26. This also ensures that there is essentially full-surface contact between the application element 18, or its application section 26, and the insert element 34 in the area of ​​the inner surface of the application element receiving recess 36.

[0082] However, since such a design requires the pin 12 to be positioned in a defined rotational position relative to the cap 16 in order to ensure that when the application element 18 enters the application element- STAEDTLER SE / TFP P 388

[0083] - 17 -

[0084] To prevent significant deformation and thus damage to the application element 18 in the receiving recess 36, it is necessary, for example by appropriate shaping of the pin body 20 and / or the cap body 30, to ensure that the pin 12 can only be inserted into the cap 16 in a defined rotational position relative to it.

[0085] In an alternative embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5, a pointed or conical projection 44 of the insert element 34 can be provided on a base region of the application element receiving recess 36, the angle of inclination of which is complementary to the wedge angle of the application element 18. Since the application element receiving recess 36 can thus be designed to be rotationally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis S of the pin, the pin 12 can be inserted into the cap 16 with its writing end 14 in any rotational position. This also ensures that the application element 18 is in contact with the surface of the insert element 34, particularly in the region of its application end 28. While essentially the entire outer circumferential surface of the application section 26 is or can be in contact with the insert element 34, a portion of a wedge surface 46 formed on the application section 26 is not in contact with the insert element 34.However, since this is a surface area which, with such a wedge-shaped design of the application element 18, is generally not used for applying fluid to a surface, the functionality of the insert element 34 for ensuring that the pin 12 can be used for applying fluid, in particular with its application end 28, immediately after being removed from the cap 16, is not impaired.

[0086] The design of a writing instrument constructed according to the invention, with a receiving recess for the application element permanently formed in an insert element and not created by an application element of a pen in a cap, ensures, on the one hand, that the interaction of the application element with the insert element, particularly in the case of a very fine design of the application element, does not impair its shape. On the other hand, the porous structure of the insert element, which thus exhibits capillary action, ensures that it absorbs fluid from the pen and STAEDTLER SE / TFP P 388

[0087] - 18 - can store fluid within its internal volume, thus preventing the writing element from drying out, especially when the pen is held in the cap and the writing tip is oriented upwards. Conversely, a clogging of the pore structure caused by the accumulation of particulate fluid components can be avoided if the writing instrument is stored with the writing element oriented primarily downwards, as particulate fluid components can enter the pore structure of the insert element under the influence of gravity and also due to capillary action.

Claims

STAEDTLER SE / TFP P 388 - 19 - Claims 1. Writing instrument comprising a pen (12) and a cap (16) for receiving a writing end (14) of the pen (12), wherein the pen (12) comprises: a pen body (20) elongated in the direction of a pen longitudinal axis (S), a fluid reservoir (22) arranged in the pen body (20) for fluid to be applied by means of the pen (12), a porous application element (18) projecting from the writing end (14) of the pen (12) in the direction of the pen longitudinal axis (S) beyond the pen body (20), wherein the application element (18) is in contact with the fluid reservoir (22) for receiving fluid from the fluid reservoir (22) by capillary action, wherein the cap (16) comprises: a cap body (30) with a receiving end (32) open for receiving the writing end (14) of the pen (12), a (30) recorded deployment element (34),wherein the insert element (34) has a permanently formed applicator element receiving recess (36) for receiving the applicator element (18) when the writing end (14) of the pen (12) is received in the cap (16), such that the shape and dimensions of the applicator element receiving recess (36) do not change substantially when the applicator element (18) is inserted into and removed from the applicator element receiving recess (36), wherein the applicator element receiving recess (36) is adapted to the shape and size of the applicator element (18) such that, when the writing end (14) is received in the cap (16), the applicator element (18) is at least partially in contact with the insert element (34) in the area of ​​an inner surface (37) of the applicator element receiving recess (36), and wherein the insert element (34) at least in one the inner surface (37), STAEDTLER SE / TFP P 388 - 20 - the area providing the application element receiving recess (36) is designed to be so porous that it has capillarity for the fluid.

2. Writing instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the writing end (24) is received in the cap (16), the application element (18) is in contact with the insert element (34) at least in the area of ​​an application end (28) of the application element (18).

3. Writing instrument according to claim 2, characterized in that, when the writing end (14) is received in the cap (16), the application element (18) is in contact with the insertion element (34) substantially in the area of ​​an entire application section (26) of the application element (18) extending outside the pen body (20).

4. Writing instrument according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that when the writing end (14) is received in the cap (16) there is a gap-like space (38) between the insert element (34) and the pen body (20).

5. Writing instrument according to one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the capillarity of the insert element (34) for the fluid is smaller than the capillarity of the application element (18) for the fluid.

6. Writing instrument according to one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the fluid reservoir (22) comprises a porous reservoir body (23), and that the capillarity of the insert element (18) for the fluid is greater than the capillarity of the reservoir body (23) for the fluid.

7. Writing instrument according to one of claims 1-6, STAEDTLER SE / TFP P 388 - 21 - characterized in that essentially the entire insert element (34) is designed to be porous in such a way that it has the capillarity for the fluid.

8. Writing instrument according to one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the insert element (34) is designed as a foam body, sintered body or fiber composite body.

9. Writing instrument according to one of claims 1-8, characterized in that the insert element (34) is constructed with: Polymer material, preferably polyurethane, polyolefin, melamine resin, polyester, polyamide or polyacetate, or renewable material, preferably plant fibers, animal fibers or cellulose, or inorganic material, preferably glass, stone, clay or concrete.

10. Writing instrument according to one of claims 1-9, characterized in that the insert element (34) is held in the cap body (30) by force fit or / and form fit or / and material fit.

11. Method for manufacturing a cap (16) for a writing instrument (10) according to one of claims 1-10, in which the insert element (34) is provided with a porous material having capillarity for the fluid, at least in its volume area intended for providing the application element receiving recess (36), and the application element receiving recess (36) is formed in the insert element (34): before arranging the insert element (34) in the cap body (30), or / and during the arranging of the insert element (34) in the cap body (30), STAEDTLER SE / TFP P 388 - 22 - or / and after arranging the insert element (34) in the cap body (30) and before the first insertion of a writing end (14) of a pen (12) into the cap (16).

12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that substantially the entire insert element (34) is provided with the porous material having the capillarity for the fluid.

13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the insert element (34) is provided as a foam body, sintered body or fiber composite body.

14. Method according to one of claims 11-13, characterized in that the insert element (34) is provided such that the capillarity of the insert element (34) for the fluid is smaller than a capillarity of the application element (18) of the pin (12) to be received in the cap (30) for the fluid and / or is larger than a capillarity of a reservoir body (23) of the fluid reservoir (22) of the pin (12) to be received in the cap (30) for the fluid.

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