WO2002016146A1 - Pen-shaped applicator for applying liquid, particularly for an ink writing device or cosmetic applicator - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a pen-shaped applicator for applying liquids, comprising a liquid reservoir (3), an applicating tip (13) for controlling the application of liquid, a liquid conductor (13) between the applicating tip (13) and the liquid reservoir (3), and a valve arrangement (V) between the liquid reservoir (3) and the applicating tip (13) for controlling the transportation of the liquid to the applicating tip (13). A spring (11) coiled around a block is used as a control element in the valve arrangement (V) and can be placed between an open and a closed position when the applicating tip (13) is actuated whereby the spring coils move apart from each other in the open position and lie tightly close to each other in the closed position.

Description

Pen-like applicator for applying liquids, in particular an ink pen or cosmetic applicator

The invention relates to a pen-like applicator for applying liquids and, in particular, to an ink writing instrument or a cosmetic applicator. Ink pens are understood to mean all types of pens that work with a liquid to pasty writing fluid. Examples include highlighters, touch-up pens, ballpoint pens, crayons or rollerball pens. The cosmetic applicators include, for example, eyeshadow pencils, eyeliner, nail polish, mascara applicators, hair coloring, perfume, lip, lip contour pencils and the like. The like. Pen-like applicators can also be stippling pens for therapeutically active liquids, such as applicators for insect repellants or for soothing liquids for insect bites. Finally, as further application examples are glue sticks, correction sticks for lacquers (e.g. automotive lacquers), plastic parts, textiles, furniture or for paper (for correcting spelling mistakes) as well as care products applicators for lubricating oils (e.g. for hinge care), for shoe, furniture, lacquer and for to call the plastic care.

Such pen-like applicators are known to have a liquid reservoir for the liquid to be applied, an application tip for the controlled application of the liquid and a liquid conductor between the application tip and the liquid reservoir.

A particular problem with such applicators lies in the contradicting requirements, namely that, on the one hand, when the applicator is used to apply the liquid, a controlled liquid exit is required to B. to be able to put a clean line on the paper. On the other hand, when the applicator is not in use, an undesirable leakage of liquid must be reliably prevented. In addition, drying out the tip of the application, lousing the liquid conductor and evaporation of the liquid - if it is volatile - must be avoided.

In many cases, removable caps are used to meet the latter requirements, which are then placed airtight on the applicator tip. Furthermore, as is known, for example, from ballpoint pens, the application tips have to be pushed back into the handle part of the applicator by retractable leads.

Based on this problem, the invention is based on the object of designing a pen-like applicator for applying liquids in such a way that a clean, defined liquid outlet is possible in a structurally simple manner when the applicator is used, but an outflow of liquid or when not in use the evaporation and drying of the tip of the order are largely avoided.

This object is achieved in that a valve arrangement is provided between the liquid reservoir and the application tip for controlling the liquid transport, said valve arrangement having a spring wound on a block as an actuating part. This can be moved between its closed and open positions by actuating the tip of the order. The windings of the spring are spread out in the open position. In the closed position they are close together. The construction according to the invention has the advantage that the control of the liquid transport to the tip of the order is controlled directly by the use of the applicator itself. In this respect, a liquid flow is usually only possible when the applicator tip is in use. For a writing instrument, this means that the ink flow only takes place when the writing tip is placed on a sheet of paper and passed over it. When not in use, the previously spread spring is relieved and closes automatically. The valve arrangement thus blocks the further flow of ink to the tip of the order. Due to the design of the actuating part of the valve arrangement as a block spring, the smallest actuation paths and forces are sufficient to transfer the actuating menu from the closed to the open position. By spreading the spring windings, a comparatively large opening cross-section is created despite the short actuation travel, which is permeable to liquid over the entire circumference of the spring. This means that even the slightest spreading of the spring windings is sufficient for sufficient liquid transport.

Preferred embodiments of the subject matter of the invention are otherwise specified in the subclaims. Further details on this and further features, details and advantages of the invention can be found in the following description, in which exemplary embodiments are explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

1 and 2 longitudinal sections through a highlighter with closed and open valve arrangement in a first embodiment, 3 shows a detailed side view of the application tip with a bearing body for it,

4 shows a view of the application tip with the bearing body from the direction of arrow IV according to FIG. 3,

Fig. 5 is a view of the highlighter from arrow direction V according to

Fig. 1

6 and 7 longitudinal sections of an application tip with a bearing body in a second embodiment of the valve arrangement, each with different stroke characteristics,

8 shows a longitudinal section through a rollerball pen,

9 and 10 enlarged partial longitudinal sections of the writing tip of the rollerball pen according to detail IX of FIG. 8 in the closed and open position of the valve arrangement,

11 and 12 are longitudinal sections of an eyeliner cosmetic stick in a rest and ready-to-use configuration, and

13 and 14 are enlarged partial longitudinal sections of the details XIII and XIV according to FIGS. 11 and 12 respectively.

1 and 2 using the example of a highlighter 1 to explain the basic structure of a writing instrument according to the invention. Thus, an elongated cylindrical container 2 is provided, which contains a liquid bounded servoir 3 for the marking liquid 4. The container 2 has a closed end 5 and an open end 6, on which a threaded collar 7 is formed. In this, a bearing body 8 with its plug part 9 is inserted in a liquid-tight manner. A through bore 10 is provided centrally in the plug part 9, in which a helical spring 11 wound on a block is arranged. Compared to the bore 10, this has a slightly smaller outer diameter and is fixed with its end facing away from the liquid reservoir 3 in a liquid-tight manner in an inwardly projecting ring edge 12 of the bearing body 8. In the further section of the bore 10, an application tip 13 formed from capillary-effective fiber material is guided so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction, the application tip 13 simultaneously forming the liquid conductor for the marking liquid 4. The application tip and the liquid conductor are thus formed in one piece as a capillary tip. Towards its inner end, the applicator tip 13 is made smaller in diameter and, with this pin-shaped extension 14, projects through the inner opening of the helical spring 11. The inner end of the extension 14 is on the end face of an abutment insert 15 on which the reservoir-side end of the coil spring 11 is screwed on in a liquid-tight manner.

In the guide area 16 for the application tip 13, the bearing body 8 is provided in its sleeve-like wall with radially continuous ventilation channels 17 (FIGS. 3 and 4).

The bearing body 8 seated like a stopper in the outlet opening 18 of the container 2 is fixed by a sleeve cap 19 designed in the manner of a union nut, in that an annular shoulder 20 of the sleeve cap 19 acts on the ring edge 12 'of the bearing body 8 and by screwing it on the sleeve cap 19 holds on the threaded collar 7 of the container. The actual writing tip 21 of the application tip 13 protrudes beyond the lower end of the sleeve cap 19.

From a functional point of view, the helical spring 11 now forms a valve arrangement V, wherein in the inactive state of the highlighter shown in FIG. 1, the helical spring 10 is closed due to the inherent spring force and its windings sit tightly against one another. As a result, the application tip 13 is seated in the bearing body 8 in a position in which the shoulder 22 forming the extension is positioned a small distance in front of stop projections 23 that protrude into the bore 10 from the side. A liquid passage through the coil spring 10 is not possible because of the wound windings.

When the highlighter 1 is placed on a sheet of paper 24, the application tip 13 is displaced inward by the stroke H against the spring force of the helical spring 11 by the pressure force. This movement is transmitted via the abutment insert 15 to the helical spring 11, the spring windings of which spread apart. The valve arrangement V is thus moved into the open position. Marking fluid 4 can then flow past the outside of the helical spring 11 in the bore 10 and enter the interior of the helical spring 11 through the opened spring windings, where it is passed on to the writing tip 21 by the capillary action of the application tip 13. A pressure equalization takes place in the container 2 via the ventilation channels 17. This is otherwise occupied with mixed weights 25. If the highlighter 1 is lifted off the paper sheet 24 again, the coil spring 11 closes and the container 2 is again sealed.

Regarding the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2, it should be mentioned that a protective cap that can be placed on the sleeve cap 19 is not specifically shown. 5 that in the sleeve section 26 of the sleeve cap 19 projecting over the bearing body 8 towards the writing tip 21, guide noses 27 are integrally formed on the inside, which ensure clean guidance of the application tip 13 in the longitudinal direction.

6 and 7 show an alternative embodiment of the valve arrangement V. The bearing body 8 and the helical spring 11 are identical to the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4. In contrast to this, however, the abutment insert 15 'at the reservoir-side end of the helical spring is provided with an adjusting thread 28 designed as an internally threaded bore, the extension 14' being provided at its free end with an outside thread matching the adjusting thread 28. By screwing the extension 14 ′ into the adjusting thread 28 at different depths, the maximum stroke H of the application tip 13 can be changed. Thus, a smaller screw-in depth is shown in FIG. 6, which leads to a large stroke H, while in FIG. 7, a smaller stroke H occurs with a larger screw-in depth. The dispensing characteristic of the application tip 13 can thus be adapted to the liquid present in each case, since with a larger stroke H there is also a larger opening cross section between the spread spring coils.

8 to 10, a rollerball pen 29 is shown as a further exemplary embodiment for a pen-like applicator. This shows one at the rear Ren end 31 open, at the front end 32 tapered tube 30 as a container for ee ink 33. In the rear end 31 of the tube 30, a cap 34 is inserted which is fixed by clamping or welding and has a ventilation opening 35 on the side. An airbag 36, shown schematically, is clamped with its open edge between the cap and the tube 30. The dimensions of the airbag 36 essentially correspond to those of the liquid reservoir formed by the tube 30. Its function will be explained in more detail later.

In the front end 32 of the tube 30, an application tip designed as a conventional RoUerball tip part 38 is seated in an axial bore 37. The front end 32 thus represents a bearing body for the stroke movement (stroke H) of the tip part 38. Accordingly, a writing ball 40 is rotatably mounted at the end of a tapered shaft 39. The rollerball tip part 38 is seated with its central longitudinal bore 41 by a clamp fit on the bolt-shaped liquid conductor 42, the rear end of which, as in the embodiment according to FIG. 1, engages through a coil spring 11 'serving as an actuating part of the valve arrangement V " a plastic plug or an adhesive drop, the liquid conductor 42 is connected to the coil spring 11 '. Its tip-side end is fixed in a central region 43 of the bore 37 with a reduced diameter by gluing or forming a thread. Due to the reduction in diameter of the central region 43, a stop projection 23 ′ is again formed at its front end, which limits the stroke movement of the RoUerball tip part and the liquid line 42. In the stop position shown in FIG. 9, the RoUerball tip part 38 rests on the stop projection 23 'with a sealing lug 44 running around on its rear cover surface, so that by the spring penetrating ink 33 can not emerge through the bore 37 forward.

The liquid conductor 42 is otherwise designed as a plastic injection molded part with a capillary channel or as a conventional compact capillary fiber conductor.

For the function of the rollerball pen 29 shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, it should be noted that starting from the inactive position shown in FIG. 9, by placing the writing ball 40 on a sheet of paper 24, the rollerball tip part 38 with the liquid conductor 42 is pressed inwards becomes. As a result, the helical spring 11 'is again spread and writing ink 33 can reach the writing ball 40 from the reservoir 3' between the windings of the spring 11 'and the liquid conductor 42. As the ink 33 emerges from the reservoir 3 ', the air bag 36 gradually folds out to compensate for pressure so that no vacuum is formed in the tube 30. The air supply to the airbag 36 takes place via the ventilation opening 35, as indicated by the double arrow 45 in FIG. 8.

An applicator device which differs somewhat from the previously explained exemplary embodiments is shown in FIGS. 11 to 14. An eyeliner pen E is shown there, which consists of two main parts, namely on the one hand a tube 47 forming the liquid reservoir 3 "for the cosmetic liquid 46 and a cover part designated as a whole by 48. The tube 47 is closed at its lower end, into its opening an elongated, rotationally symmetrical insert part 49 is inserted, which on the one hand serves to hold the cover part 48. Furthermore, the valve arrangement, designated as a whole with V "for closing the liquid container, is in the insert part 49. servoirs 3 "in the tube 47. In this regard, a central bore 50 is provided as a liquid conductor in the insert part 49, into which a conically widening coil spring 51 wound on a block is inserted. The tip end 52 of this conical spring 51 is the liquid reservoir 3 "facing and closed there by a plug 53, for example in the form of a drop of adhesive. This closure can be omitted in the case of highly viscous cosmetic liquids, since no cosmetic liquid 46 escapes through the tip end 52 due to its small diameter.

The wide end 54 of the spring 51 faces the insertion opening 55 formed in the insert part 49 for the application tip 13 ′ of the eyeliner pin E and, for assembly, engages in a circumferential undercut 56 in the bore 50.

The cover part 48 has a cylindrical handle 57, the outer diameter of which corresponds to that of the tube 47, the intermediate wall 58 of which carries a coaxial holding shaft 59 projecting therefrom. The application tip 13 'is inserted at the free end of this holding shaft 59. With the annular channel 60 formed by the handle 57 and the holding shaft 59, the cover part 48 is pushed onto an annular shoulder 61 on the insert part 49 and locked there. Alternatively (not shown), a thread can be provided between the handle 57 and the ring shoulder 61. In addition, a closure cover 62 is snapped into the opening of the handle 57 facing away from the holding shaft 59.

As is now clear from a functional point of view in FIGS. 13 and 14, when the eyeliner pen E is closed, the application tip 13 ′ is conical Spring 51 is pushed in and acts on it in the direction of the liquid reservoir 3 ". As a result, the windings of the spring 51 spread apart and cosmetic liquid 46 can approach and soak the application tip 13 '. The application tip 13' is thus perfect for use In the transport state discussed, the front edge 63 of the holding shaft 59 closes with a conically widening sealing seat 64 in the embouch opening 55, so that the eyeliner applicator is secured against the escape of cosmetic liquid 46.

When using the applicator, the cover part 48 is pulled out, so that the conical spring 51 closes and the eyeliner applicator E is protected against the escape of cosmetic liquid 46 from the liquid reservoir 3 ″. The conical spring can be damaged due to the capillary action of the windings 51 already collect cosmetic liquid on the outside thereof, which leads to a quick and effective rewetting of the application tip 13 ′ when the cover part 48 is reinserted and the valve arrangement V ″ is connected therewith.

Another advantage of the illustrated eyeliner applicator E is the fact that the holding shaft 59 is not - as is the case with conventional eyeliner

Applicators - immersed in cosmetic liquid 46. This keeps it permanently clean. Finally, the conically tapering spring 51 in the inactive or transport position shown in FIG. 13 also serves as a tip former for the application tip 13 ', so that permanent make-up results can be achieved with the eyeliner pen E according to the invention.

Claims

claims 1. A pen-like applicator for applying liquids, in particular an ink writing instrument, such as a highlighter (1), touch-up pen, ballpoint pen, or cosmetic applicator (E) - a liquid reservoir (3, 3 ', 3 "), - An application tip (13, 13 ', 38) for the controlled application of the liquid, and - A liquid conductor (13, 42, 50) between the application tip (13, 13 ', 38) and the liquid reservoir (3, 3', 3 "), characterized by a valve arrangement (V, V, V, V ") between the liquid reservoir (3, 3 ', 3") and the application tip (13, 13', 38) for controlling the liquid transport to the application tip (13, 13 ', 38) and - a spring wound on a block (11, 11 ', 51) as an actuating part of the valve arrangement (V, V, V ", V"), which can be moved between its closed and open positions by actuating the tip (13, 13', 38) is, the spring windings being spread apart in the open position and lying close together in the closed position. 2. Applicator according spoke 1, characterized in that the valve arrangement (V, V, V, V ") and the application tip (13, 13 ', 38) are arranged in a bearing body (8, 32) in which the application tip ( 13, 13 ', 38) for actuating the valve arrangement (V, V, V, V "), in particular by means of a stroke movement. 3. Applicator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that Application tip (13) and liquid conductor are integrally formed as a capillary tip. 4. Applicator according spoke 1 or 2, characterized in that the application tip is designed as RoUerball tip part (38) which is placed on the liquid conductor (42). 5. Applicator according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the liquid conductor (13, 13 ', 42) through the inner opening of the The spring (11, 11 ') protrudes and is fixed with its protruding inner end to the tip-side end of the spring (11, 11'), the tip-side end of the spring (11, 11 ') being solid and liquid-tight in the bearing body (8) is fixed. 6. Applicator according spoke 5, characterized in that the inner end of the liquid conductor (13, 42) on the spring (11, 11 ') via an abutment insert (15, 15', 15 ") is fixed in the spring ( 11, 11 ') is anchored. 7. Applicator according spoke 6, characterized in that the abutment insert (15 ') is provided with an adjusting thread (28) into which the inner end of the liquid conductor (13) is adjustably screwed. 8. Applicator according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the bearing body (8) is plug-like in the outlet opening (18) of the liquid reservoir (3, 3 ', 3 ") and by means of a union nut-like cap (19) is fixed. 9. Applicator, in particular make-up pen, according to spoke 1, characterized in that the spring of the valve arrangement (V ") is a conically expanding block spring (51), the tip end (52) of which is liquid-tight and faces the reservoir, and in whose wide end (54) can be inserted with the applicator tip (13 ') attached to a detachable cover (48) of the applicator (E), the applicator (E) closing the applicator (E) in a liquid-tight manner in the inserted position and the applicator tip (13 ') for their wetting with the Liquid (46) spreads the spring (51) into its open position and, in the removed position of the cover (48), the spring (51) closes the reservoir (3 ") in its closed position. 10. Applicator according spoke 9, characterized in that the conical block spring (51) with its wide end (54) for mounting in an undercut (56) in the liquid channel between the reservoir (3 ") and application tip (43 ') acting line channel (50) is engaged.