EP1896267A2 - Writing implement for painting, drawing and marking - Google Patents

Abstract

A writing utensil for a free-flowing writing fluid, comprising a closed reservoir with the writing fluid therein that has an outlet aperture for the writing fluid and a further aperture, an elongate writing tip which communicates with the outlet aperture of the reservoir and is slidably supported, and a valve which is disposed inside a communicating path between the writing tip and reservoir and interacts with the writing tip so as to cause the valve to open the communicating path if a force acts onto the writing tip, wherein the further aperture connects the reservoir to the surroundings via an air line.

Description

 writing implement

The present invention relates to a writing instrument for free writing fluid. In the following text is placed on a writing instrument, which is also suitable for painting, drawing and marking. In particular, writing instruments in the sense of the application also include markers, high-lighters, felt-tip pens and the like.

From GB 2 310 592 a marker is known which has a valve for controlling the flow from a reservoir into a feed channel. The delivery channel extends through a delivery member to a marker tip. The delivery member is retractable to open the valve when the marker tip is pressed against a surface. An auxiliary chamber is provided between the ball valve member and the feeding member. The pre-chamber is sealed with an elastic membrane so that upon release of pressure on the writing tip, the membrane returns to its original position and pulls the valve member back into the valve seat.

From DE 40 15 586 C3 a device for applying writing, drawing, printing or painting liquid and the like is known which has a liquid container, a writing tip and a Luftzuführohr which connects the container interior with the external atmosphere. In addition, a designed as a liquid conveyor capillary liquid storage is provided. The liquid delivery device extends in the known device completely through the container interior. The air supply tube is additionally filled with capillary material to prevent leakage of liquid through the tube. From US 6,575,650 Bl a pen is known in which the ink discharge takes place via a valve. A writing tip is arranged longitudinally displaceable in the front part of the pen. During writing, the writing tip is pushed back and the valve opens so that ink can be supplied to the writing tip. At the same time, a head of the retracted writing tip closes the flow of ink to the valve so that only a predetermined amount of ink is supplied to the writing tip. If this amount of ink is used up, the pen must be discontinued, so that the valve is closed again and ink can flow up to the valve.

From WO 93/05966 a writing instrument is known, the reservoir communicates via a through hole with the environment. The writing fluid is sealed with a movable plug opposite the through-hole.

The present invention has for its object to provide a leak-proof writing instrument that creates a simple Schreibfluß with simple means.

According to the invention the object is achieved by a writing instrument having the features according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments form the subject of the dependent claims.

The writing instrument according to the invention is suitable for inks. However, the invention is by no means limited to the use of inks, but can be used for any writing fluids, especially for paints, as well as writing fluids with and without pigments. The writing instrument has a closed reservoir for the writing fluid, which is provided with a discharge opening for the writing fluid and another opening. In the reservoir the ink is available as a free liquid, so-called free ink system. Further, the writing instrument has an elongated writing or marking tip, which is connected via a connecting path with the reservoir and is displaceably mounted along its longitudinal axis. The designed as a writing and / or marking tip of the writing instrument is referred to as a writing tip for simplicity. The connection path connects via the outlet opening the reservoir with the writing tip. Further, a valve is provided in the writing instrument, which is arranged in the liquid channel. The valve cooperates with the writing tip such that upon a force in the direction of the reservoir on the writing tip, the valve opens the fluid channel. When the valve is open, the connection path is free and writing fluid enters the writing tip from the reservoir. The further opening in the reservoir is connected via an air line with the environment. The open valve in the communication path ensures a continuous flow of writing fluid into the writing tip. The air line for connection to the environment avoids that the write flow ceases because a negative pressure in the reservoir has formed by the exiting writing fluid. Furthermore, the air line also serves to equalize the pressure when, for example, changes in temperature lead to a change in volume in the reservoir. As a result, the writing instrument is leak-proof to a high degree. The force required to open the valve is 0.05 N to 5 N, preferably 0.1 N to 0.4 N. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the force that is necessary to open the valve already corresponds to that by placing it on a Underground caused weight of the writing instrument.

In a preferred embodiment, a flow restrictor is provided between the reservoir and the writing tip. The flow restrictor is dimensioned such that a continuous write flow for the intended writing fluid is formed. Since the writing fluid in the reservoir always exhausts atmospheric pressure. is set, the flow restrictor can be dimensioned much more accurate than writing instruments in which the writing fluid is exposed to different pressures. The flow restrictor is designed, for example, as a small-diameter passage section. The valve may preferably have a bendable valve plate, which bears sealingly against a holder. The writing tip is attached to the valve plate, wherein the valve plate is pressed out of the sealing position by the pressure on the writing tip and writing fluid can flow from the reservoir via the flow restrictor.

In addition, in a preferred embodiment, a capillary compensation reservoir can be provided between valve and writing tip. The capillary compensation memory serves to absorb and store excess ink, which has still been passed, for example, before the valve is closed, but is no longer needed. The capillary balance memory is arranged such that ink from the air line is also received by the balance memory.

The leading into the interior of the reservoir air duct is preferably formed as a rigid tubular element. Wherein the air duct preferably opens in a volume center of the container. The volume center is at rotationally symmetrical ink reservoir, for example, on the axis of symmetry at half height, wherein the reservoir is filled less than half.

In order to exclude the exit of writing fluid via the air line as far as possible, the mouth of the air line is arranged in the reservoir so that it is always connected to a predetermined amount of the reservoir in all positions with the environment. In order for such a position for the airline to exist animals, the reservoir must not be filled more than half with writing fluid, it is preferred less than half filled with writing fluid.

In a particularly expedient embodiment, the reservoir has an approximately cylindrical shape, wherein the outlet opening of the reservoir and the further opening are preferably provided at the bottom of the reservoir.

In an expedient embodiment, the valve is biased into its closing position and opens as soon as a predetermined force is transmitted from the writing tip to the valve member. The valve can also serve as a flow restrictor. But it is also conceivable to form the valve and flow restrictor as separate parts, wherein the flow restrictor can also be designed as a channel with a reduced diameter and corresponding length.

To ensure a continuous flow of writing fluid, the flow restrictor is dimensioned such that, with a downwardly pointing tip, the writing fluid passes in an amount as required for a regular writing flow. The flow restrictor is thus designed for the regular writing, painting, drawing and marking functions. In contrast to other free-ink systems, the writing fluid is not sucked out of the reservoir via the adhesive force of the writing pad, but flows essentially to the writing tip under the influence of gravity.

The stroke range in which the writing tip is limited by additional means is preferred. Preferably, the stroke is limited to 0.01 to 0.4 mm, preferably to 0.05 to 0.25 mm. The stroke should be as small as the force required to open the valve so low that a user does not notice the opening of the valve. Several exemplary embodiments of the writing instrument according to the invention are explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment. It shows:

1 shows a cross section through a first exemplary embodiment,

2 shows a cross section through a second exemplary embodiment,

3 shows an alternative exemplary embodiment of the valve in a cross-sectional drawing,

4 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the valve, in a cross-sectional drawing,

Fig. 5 shows another exemplary embodiment of the writing instrument according to the invention and

Fig. 6 shows another embodiment with a bendable valve plate.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a writing instrument designed as a marker. The writing instrument may, for example, be a paint marker. The writing instrument has a reservoir 10 containing an ink 12. The reservoir 10 does not necessarily form the body of the pen. Rather, it is also conceivable to provide a pen body in which the reservoir 10 is arranged. The reservoir 10 is limited in the illustrated embodiment by a bottom plate 14, while the outer wall of the reservoir 10 extends beyond the bottom plate 14 also to the writing tip. The bottom plate 14 has an eccentrically arranged air opening 16, on which an air line 18 is placed. The air duct 18 extends in a first section parallel to the longitudinal axis of the reservoir 10. In the region of its mouth 20, the air duct 18 kinks and ends in the volume center of the reservoir 10. The volume center here denotes the point that at a slightly less than half-filled reservoir is always exposed and is not covered in any position of the reservoir with liquid. For example, in a cylinder, the volume center is the center of the cylinder so that a cylinder less than half full does not cover the center of mass in any position.

The bottom plate 14 also has a central opening 22, which opens into a fluid channel. The liquid channel 24 as a communication path between the reservoir and writing tip runs in the illustrated example centrally through the writing instrument. Immediately to the bottom plate 14, a flow restrictor 26 connects. The Durchflußbegrenzer 26 narrows the passageway to a cross section such that a flow of writing fluid is formed, which corresponds to the regular Schreibfluß. The flow restrictor is arranged in the manner of a throttle from the writing tip and limits the volume flow of writing fluid from the reservoir. The further determining factor for the flow rate is the length of the capillary, which is also tuned to the desired flow rate.

Subsequent to the flow restrictor 26, a valve 28 is provided which blocks the flow of writing fluid in its closed position. The valve 28 is designed as a valve with valve member and valve seat, wherein the valve member is connected to the marker tip 30. The marker tip 30 moves the valve member out of the valve seat and thus releases the flow of writing fluid from the flow restrictor into the writing tip 30. Furthermore, the valve is elastic Return means (not shown) equipped, which exert a restoring force on the valve member and thus the writing tip.

The writing tip 30 protrudes from the housing 32 at its distal end. At the inner end of the writing tip 30, a compensation memory 34 is provided which receives excess writing fluid. The stroke h, which is necessary for the complete actuation of the valve, is preferably 0.2 mm or less. The necessary force is 0.2 N.

Fig. 2 shows a cross section through a second embodiment of a writing instrument according to the invention. A wall 36 defines a reservoir 38 in which a writing fluid 40 is provided. The bottom of the reservoir 38 is bounded by a bottom member 42 having a central vent 44. The ventilation opening 44 is located in a ventilation channel 46, which is delimited by a vent pipe 48. The vent tube 48 projects centrally into the reservoir 38 and has at its free end an opening 50 which connects the reservoir interior 38 with the ventilation duct 46. Below the bottom plate 42, the vent channel 44 extends at an angle and leads into the region of the writing tip, where an annular gap 52 is provided for connection to the environment. The annular gap 52 is formed by a gap between the writing tip 54 and the associated wall portion 56 of the writing instrument. About the ventilation duct 46 of the reservoir interior 38 is in communication with the environment and there is a pressure compensation.

The bottom element 42 has a second opening 58, which connects the reservoir 38 for the writing fluid 40 with an antechamber 60. The pre-chamber 60 has an outlet opening 61, which is formed in a holding element 62. At the outlet opening 61, a flow restrictor 64 formed as a tube closes acting tube through which the writing fluid 40 is passed from the prechamber 60. The flow restrictor 64 limits the flow rate that flows through the smaller cross section of the opening and the length of the tube.

Downstream of the flow restrictor, the valve with valve member 66 and annular valve seat 68 is provided. The valve member 66 has on its side facing away from the valve side recesses 67 which allow a flow of the writing fluid with the valve open. A coil spring 70 is disposed about the flow restrictor 64 and is supported on the bottom member 42.

The valve seat 68 is formed as a circumferential projection formed on a separate component 72. The member 72 for the valve seat 68 is inserted into a central recess of a lug 74, wherein the lug may be formed integrally with the bottom plate 42.

The marking tip 54 is connected to the valve member 66 designed as a valve tappet. Around the marking tip 54, a capillary balance memory 76 is disposed.

The marker tip 54 protrudes centrally from the tip of the writing instrument. Any writing fluid that has entered the venting channel 46 is supplied in the region of the wall 56 via the capillary storage of the marking tip, so that leakage is effectively prevented.

Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the flow restriction. Here, a bottom element 78 is provided, in which a helical outlet channel 80 is formed. The exit channel 80 extends in the element 78 along the outside, so that this outwardly from the inner wall 82 of the receiving opening for the element 78 is limited. A spring 84 presses in the position shown, the valve stem 86 and the writing tip in the closed position. The valve stem 86 is provided with recesses 87, allow a flow of writing fluid even when pushed back valve lifter.

Fig. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the valve, wherein the valve member is formed by a rollerball 88. The rollerball 88 is seated in a point 90 which has a central guide channel 92 for the rollerball 88. By a narrowing of the cross section in the free end of the guide channel of the rollerball 88 is held in this. A coil spring 94 pushes the rollerball into its closed position. The movement of the roller ball 88 in the guide channel 92 is limited in the opposite direction by a stop 96. The distance between roller ball 88 and stop 96 in the closed position of the roller ball defines the maximum stroke of the roller ball. About a wick 98 the rollerball 88, the writing fluid is supplied.

Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment in which the order of valve and Durchflußbegrenzer is reversed. A spring 100 is fixedly arranged in a base plate 101 of the reservoir 103. The spring 100 abuts against a valve lifter 102, which cooperates sealingly with a valve seat 104. The side facing away from the valve seat 104 side is provided with recess 103, which keep the communication path for the writing fluid free. Valve seat 104 is also stationarily positioned relative to bottom member 101 and has an annular bead 105. Via a bellows 108, a flow restrictor 110 is slidably retained in stationary valve seat 104. The bladder 108 seals the transition into the flow restrictor by collecting ink in the bladder and from there into the flow restrictor. The flow restrictor 110 has a flow channel 1 12, which is dimensioned for the passage of writing fluid. The marker tip 114 attaches directly to the flow channel 112 of the flow restrictor 110.

The bellows 108 is arranged with its ends in each case in a circumferential groove of the valve seat 104 and the flow restrictor 110. Preferably, the ends of the bellows 108 are clamped in the groove.

Fig. 6 shows a further embodiment of the writing instrument according to the invention in cross section. The writing instrument has a liquid reservoir 112 which is less than half filled with a writing fluid 114. Central to the reservoir 112 is an air duct 116, which communicates with the environment via an air duct 118. The air line 116 protrudes from the lower end into the reservoir 112. The air channel 118 is connected via an annular gap 120 with the environment. The annular gap is bounded outwardly by an annular housing portion 122. Inwardly, the annular gap 120 is bounded by the fiber tip 124. The particular advantage here is to be seen in the fact that any reaching into the air line and the air channel 118 writing fluid can be absorbed by the marker tip 120 as it passes through the air gap. This avoids unnecessary leakage of ink.

The writing fluid 114 passes through an opening 126 in the channel-shaped Durchflußbegrenzer 128. The flow restrictor 128 has a length and a diameter which are selected such that the flow of writing fluid corresponds to the desired write flow at the writing tip. The flow restrictor 128 extends into an annular valve space 130. The valve space 130 is sealed by an elastic valve plate 132. The valve plate 132 has a central holding portion 134 into which the fiber tip 124 is inserted. The elastic valve plate 132 cooperates with a bead 136. The bead is annular around a guide channel 138 is formed on a valve seat plate 140. The guide channel 138 also serves as a guide for the fiber tip 124. In the open position, ie the position in which an inwardly directed force acts on the fiber tip 124, the valve plate 132 is bent back and it forms an annular gap between the bead 136 and the plate 132.

In addition to the flow limitation by the interaction of the bead lip 136 and the elastic valve plate 132 is, as already mentioned, also a flow restriction through the channel portion 128 instead. As can be seen clearly in FIG. 6, the diameter of the outlet channel decreases so that the flow is limited.

Claims

Claims: 1. Writing device for free writing fluid, with a closed reservoir (10; 38; 103) comprising writing fluid (12; 40) having a writing fluid outlet opening (22; 58) and a further opening (16; 44), an elongated writing tip (30; 54; 114 and a valve (28, 66, 68, 86, 88, 90) disposed in a communication path of writing tip and Reservoir is arranged and cooperates with the writing tip such that when a force on the writing tip, the valve opens the connection path, wherein the further opening via an air line (18; 48) connects the reservoir with the environment. 2. Writing implement according to claim 1, characterized in that the minimum force required to open the valve is 0.05 N to 5 N. 3. Writing implement according to claim 3, characterized in that the minimum force required to open the valve is 0.1 to 0.3 N, preferably 0.2 N. 4. Writing implement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a flow restrictor (26) is provided in the connecting path between the reservoir and writing tip. 5. Writing implement according to one of claims 1 or 4, characterized in that between the valve (28) and writing tip (30) a capillary compensating memory (34) is provided. 6. Writing implement according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the air duct has a substantially rigid tubular element. 7. Writing implement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the air line opens in the volume center of the reservoir. 8. Writing implement according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the air line is arranged in the reservoir, that up to a predetermined filling quantity, the air in the reservoir in all positions is always connected via the air line with the environment. 9. Writing implement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the reservoir has an approximately cylindrical shape. 10. Writing implement according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the reservoir has a reason in which the outlet opening and the further opening are provided. 1 1. Writing implement according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the valve (28) is biased in the closed position and opens from a minimum force on the writing tip. 12. Writing implement according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the Durchflußbegrenzer (26) is dimensioned so that in a downward pointing- the writing tip (30) passes writing fluid (12) in a flow rate, which is required for a write flow. 13. Writing implement according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the writing tip is mounted displaceably in a stroke range for actuating the valve. 14. Writing implement according to claim 13, characterized in that the writing tip (30) has a stroke of 0.01 to 0.4 mm, preferably from 0.05 to 0.2 mm. 15. Writing implement according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that in the connecting path between the reservoir and writing tip a rohrfbrmiger Durchflußbegrenzer (128) is provided. 16. Writing implement according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that an elastic valve plate (132) centrally carries a writing tip which presses the valve plate from the valve seat to a writing pressure.