CA1158603A - Ball-point pen tip and ball-point pen provided with the same - Google Patents
Ball-point pen tip and ball-point pen provided with the sameInfo
- Publication number
- CA1158603A CA1158603A CA000342799A CA342799A CA1158603A CA 1158603 A CA1158603 A CA 1158603A CA 000342799 A CA000342799 A CA 000342799A CA 342799 A CA342799 A CA 342799A CA 1158603 A CA1158603 A CA 1158603A
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- ink
- ball
- ink guide
- stem
- guide portion
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Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A ball-point pen tip provided with a tubular ink guide portion formed of metal. The ink guide portion is formed with radial projections extending radially inwardly produced by the pressing deformation of the metal tube. These projections define capillary channels between neighbouring projections and a ball seat at their radially oriented surfaces. An ink guide stem disposed in the tubular ink guide portion has one end in contact with at least one of the projections, and has the other end con-fronting with an ink supply stem inserted in a holder. The holder and the link guide portion provide a socket of the pen tip. Such pen tip is applied to a ball-point pen which includes an ink reservoir adapted to be connected to said ink supply stem. Such ball-point pen employs an aqueous solution based low viscosity ink.
A ball-point pen tip provided with a tubular ink guide portion formed of metal. The ink guide portion is formed with radial projections extending radially inwardly produced by the pressing deformation of the metal tube. These projections define capillary channels between neighbouring projections and a ball seat at their radially oriented surfaces. An ink guide stem disposed in the tubular ink guide portion has one end in contact with at least one of the projections, and has the other end con-fronting with an ink supply stem inserted in a holder. The holder and the link guide portion provide a socket of the pen tip. Such pen tip is applied to a ball-point pen which includes an ink reservoir adapted to be connected to said ink supply stem. Such ball-point pen employs an aqueous solution based low viscosity ink.
Description
This invention relates to a ball-point pen tip and a ball-point pen provided with the same, and more particularly, to a type thereof which uses an aqueous solution based low viscosity ink.
According to the conventional ball-point pen, a tip portion includes a socket formed of plastic material or metal such as brass and nickel silver, and a steel or rubby-ball rota-tably disposed in the tip portion of the socket. Further, an ink guide stem is inserted in the rear portion of the socket, and an ink passage is formed between a ball seat and the ink guide stem.
In this type of the pen tip, the socket must stably hold the ball, even when large writing force is applied to the pen t;p. Further, in order to provide comfortable writing for long duration, the ball seat must sustain frictional wear due to the rotational surface contact with the rigid ball. Furthermore, ink must be constantly supplied into the ball seat and the ink -passage in conformity with consumption amount of the ink, so that the ink passage must provide sufficient cross-sectional area so as to permit the ink to pass therethrough and must create capillary acti.on for retaining the low viscosity ink therein so as to prevent the ball-point pen from failing to write or skip-ping.
In case the socket made. of plastic material is used, it i.s possible to produce axial channels, as the ink passages, hav-ing compl~cated cross sectional shape by molding in order to create s.u~ficient capillary actIon. However, the ball seat is extremely worn due to rotati.onal contact with the ball, to thus degrade writing performance for long duration. Further, the 1 plastic socket does not provide sufficient force for holding the ball therein ln comparison with the metal socket, so that ball may be accidentally released or disengaged from the ball seat during writing.
On the other hand, in case the socket made of metal is used, it would be difficult to produce a plurality of axial channels, as the ink passages, to create capillary action.
Generally used are copper alloys such as brass and nickel silver those being easily subject to machining or cutting. However, it is yet difficult to produce axial capillary channels by machining, and resultant socket is costly with low productivity. Further, since brass and nickel silver are apt to be corroded by the aqueous solution ink, the ink to be used must be selected in light of its characteristics such as pH and Cl-ion content, resulting in reducing variety of the aqueous solution ink.
Another type of socket of ball-point pen is proposed in U.S. patent 3,781,123, wherein a central axial bore having simplified circular cross-section is formed instead of the plurality of axial channels for capillary action. The central bore has one end in communication with radial grooves each having capillary dimension and radially spreading in the surface of the ball seat. However, according to this type, in case the central bore.has relat~.vely large diameter so as to supply large amount of ink., reduced is the capillarity for maintaining capillary acti`.on of the a~ueous solution based lo~ viscosity ink, and there-fore., such.socket may not be appreciated as a ball-point pen tip which.use.s aqueous solution ink.
SU~AR~ OF THE INVENTION
-I:t i.s therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the above-nlentioned draw~acks and to provide an improved 1 ball-point pen tip and the ball point pen provided with the tip which uses an aqueous solution based low viscosity ink, wherein a socket provides excellent ball retainability and su~tains frictional wear due to rotational contact between the ball seat and the ball, yet providing smooth introduction of the ink into the ball seat by the axial capillary channels, to thereby prevent the ball-point pen from failing to write or skipping.
These and other objects are attained in accordance with the present invention by providing a socket comprising a holder formed with openings and a tubular ink guide portion made of metal whose hollow space is in communication with one of the openings of the holder. The tubular ink guide portion is formed with a plurality of protrusions radially inwardly bent toward the central axis of the tube at the same circumferential position thereof by the pressing deformation of the metal tube. Between the neighbouring protrusions, ink passages are radially-provided for capillary action. The ball is rotatably supported between the walls of the inwardly bent protrusions and tip end of the tubular ink guide portion with a part of the ball surface ~eing exposed to the atmosphere. Further, the other opening of the holder allows insertion of an ink supply stem therethrough. The ink supply stem is in contact with one end of an ink guide stem disposed in the tubular ink guide portion. The other end of the ink guide stem is in contact with at least one of the protrusions radially inwardly extended.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings;
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a ball-point pen tip according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
I Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a ball-point pen tip according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a ball-point pen tip according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of Fig. l;
Fig. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V of Fig. 2;
Figs. 6 through 10 are longitudinal cross-sectional view of various examples of protrusions extending radially inwardly according to the present invention;
Fig. 11 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI of Fig. 2;
Figs. 12 and 13 are transverse cross-sectional view showing another embodiments of ink guide stems, and Fig. 1~ shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view show-ing a ball-point pen provided with a ball-point pen tip according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED E~ODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings, and initially to Fig. 1, an ink guide portion 2 is integrally formed with a holder portion 3 to define a metal socket 1. An ink supply stem 7 is inserted into a rear opening of the holder 3 and is contacted with an ink guide stem 6 disposed in the ink guide portion 2. The tubular ink guide portion 2 made of metal is formed with a plurality- of projections 5 extending radially inwardly. These projections 5 are lormed by radially inwardly bending the metal tube 2 at the same circumferential position thereof. A ball 4 is rotatably 1 supported between a ball seat 9 defined by side walls of the pro-trusions S and a tip end of the tubular ink guide portion 2. The tip end is radially inwardly bent.
As shown in Fig. 4, three radially inwardly bent pro-jections 5 define ink passages 8 (capillary channel) therebetween for capillary action.
A second embodiment according to the present invention is shown in Fig. 2, wherein like parts and components are desig-nated by the same reference numerals as those shown in the first embodiment. According to the second embodiment, a tubular ink guide portion 2' made of metal is independently formed w;th respect to a holder 3' to provide a socket 1' by the combination thereof. A plurality of projections 5 are formed which radially extend into the central axis of the tube 2'. As shown in Fig. 5 the projections 5' are defined by four radially inwardly bent portions between which ink passages 8 are provided. Further, in the tubular ink yuide portion 2, a rod having complicated cross-section as sho~n in Figs. 11 through 13 is disposed as an ink guide stem 6'~6",6"'2. The rod is formed with axial clearances to permit ink for creating capillary action.
A third embodiment of this invention is shown in Fig.
3, wherein a tubular ink guide portion 2 is formed integral with a holder 3 to provide an integral socket 1, and further, the ink suppl~ stem is integral with the ink guide stem to provide an integral ink supply stem 7'.
As mentioned above, the socket 1 or 1' of the present invention can be provided in integral structure, or by connecting the tubular ink guide portion to the holder independ-ently formed relative to the tubular ink guide portion. However, in both cases, at least the tubular ink guide portion should be 1 formed of metal, while the holder is formed of either synthetic resin or metal. Since ink guide portion of the socket is formed in the metal pipe, the ball 4 is sufficiently supported therein, and the ball seat 9 has sufficient wear resistance against rotational contact of the ball for long duration. Further, capillary channels 8 in fluid communication with the ball seat 9 are easily provided by pressing deformation of the metal tube
According to the conventional ball-point pen, a tip portion includes a socket formed of plastic material or metal such as brass and nickel silver, and a steel or rubby-ball rota-tably disposed in the tip portion of the socket. Further, an ink guide stem is inserted in the rear portion of the socket, and an ink passage is formed between a ball seat and the ink guide stem.
In this type of the pen tip, the socket must stably hold the ball, even when large writing force is applied to the pen t;p. Further, in order to provide comfortable writing for long duration, the ball seat must sustain frictional wear due to the rotational surface contact with the rigid ball. Furthermore, ink must be constantly supplied into the ball seat and the ink -passage in conformity with consumption amount of the ink, so that the ink passage must provide sufficient cross-sectional area so as to permit the ink to pass therethrough and must create capillary acti.on for retaining the low viscosity ink therein so as to prevent the ball-point pen from failing to write or skip-ping.
In case the socket made. of plastic material is used, it i.s possible to produce axial channels, as the ink passages, hav-ing compl~cated cross sectional shape by molding in order to create s.u~ficient capillary actIon. However, the ball seat is extremely worn due to rotati.onal contact with the ball, to thus degrade writing performance for long duration. Further, the 1 plastic socket does not provide sufficient force for holding the ball therein ln comparison with the metal socket, so that ball may be accidentally released or disengaged from the ball seat during writing.
On the other hand, in case the socket made of metal is used, it would be difficult to produce a plurality of axial channels, as the ink passages, to create capillary action.
Generally used are copper alloys such as brass and nickel silver those being easily subject to machining or cutting. However, it is yet difficult to produce axial capillary channels by machining, and resultant socket is costly with low productivity. Further, since brass and nickel silver are apt to be corroded by the aqueous solution ink, the ink to be used must be selected in light of its characteristics such as pH and Cl-ion content, resulting in reducing variety of the aqueous solution ink.
Another type of socket of ball-point pen is proposed in U.S. patent 3,781,123, wherein a central axial bore having simplified circular cross-section is formed instead of the plurality of axial channels for capillary action. The central bore has one end in communication with radial grooves each having capillary dimension and radially spreading in the surface of the ball seat. However, according to this type, in case the central bore.has relat~.vely large diameter so as to supply large amount of ink., reduced is the capillarity for maintaining capillary acti`.on of the a~ueous solution based lo~ viscosity ink, and there-fore., such.socket may not be appreciated as a ball-point pen tip which.use.s aqueous solution ink.
SU~AR~ OF THE INVENTION
-I:t i.s therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the above-nlentioned draw~acks and to provide an improved 1 ball-point pen tip and the ball point pen provided with the tip which uses an aqueous solution based low viscosity ink, wherein a socket provides excellent ball retainability and su~tains frictional wear due to rotational contact between the ball seat and the ball, yet providing smooth introduction of the ink into the ball seat by the axial capillary channels, to thereby prevent the ball-point pen from failing to write or skipping.
These and other objects are attained in accordance with the present invention by providing a socket comprising a holder formed with openings and a tubular ink guide portion made of metal whose hollow space is in communication with one of the openings of the holder. The tubular ink guide portion is formed with a plurality of protrusions radially inwardly bent toward the central axis of the tube at the same circumferential position thereof by the pressing deformation of the metal tube. Between the neighbouring protrusions, ink passages are radially-provided for capillary action. The ball is rotatably supported between the walls of the inwardly bent protrusions and tip end of the tubular ink guide portion with a part of the ball surface ~eing exposed to the atmosphere. Further, the other opening of the holder allows insertion of an ink supply stem therethrough. The ink supply stem is in contact with one end of an ink guide stem disposed in the tubular ink guide portion. The other end of the ink guide stem is in contact with at least one of the protrusions radially inwardly extended.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings;
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a ball-point pen tip according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
I Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a ball-point pen tip according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a ball-point pen tip according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of Fig. l;
Fig. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V of Fig. 2;
Figs. 6 through 10 are longitudinal cross-sectional view of various examples of protrusions extending radially inwardly according to the present invention;
Fig. 11 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI of Fig. 2;
Figs. 12 and 13 are transverse cross-sectional view showing another embodiments of ink guide stems, and Fig. 1~ shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view show-ing a ball-point pen provided with a ball-point pen tip according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED E~ODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings, and initially to Fig. 1, an ink guide portion 2 is integrally formed with a holder portion 3 to define a metal socket 1. An ink supply stem 7 is inserted into a rear opening of the holder 3 and is contacted with an ink guide stem 6 disposed in the ink guide portion 2. The tubular ink guide portion 2 made of metal is formed with a plurality- of projections 5 extending radially inwardly. These projections 5 are lormed by radially inwardly bending the metal tube 2 at the same circumferential position thereof. A ball 4 is rotatably 1 supported between a ball seat 9 defined by side walls of the pro-trusions S and a tip end of the tubular ink guide portion 2. The tip end is radially inwardly bent.
As shown in Fig. 4, three radially inwardly bent pro-jections 5 define ink passages 8 (capillary channel) therebetween for capillary action.
A second embodiment according to the present invention is shown in Fig. 2, wherein like parts and components are desig-nated by the same reference numerals as those shown in the first embodiment. According to the second embodiment, a tubular ink guide portion 2' made of metal is independently formed w;th respect to a holder 3' to provide a socket 1' by the combination thereof. A plurality of projections 5 are formed which radially extend into the central axis of the tube 2'. As shown in Fig. 5 the projections 5' are defined by four radially inwardly bent portions between which ink passages 8 are provided. Further, in the tubular ink yuide portion 2, a rod having complicated cross-section as sho~n in Figs. 11 through 13 is disposed as an ink guide stem 6'~6",6"'2. The rod is formed with axial clearances to permit ink for creating capillary action.
A third embodiment of this invention is shown in Fig.
3, wherein a tubular ink guide portion 2 is formed integral with a holder 3 to provide an integral socket 1, and further, the ink suppl~ stem is integral with the ink guide stem to provide an integral ink supply stem 7'.
As mentioned above, the socket 1 or 1' of the present invention can be provided in integral structure, or by connecting the tubular ink guide portion to the holder independ-ently formed relative to the tubular ink guide portion. However, in both cases, at least the tubular ink guide portion should be 1 formed of metal, while the holder is formed of either synthetic resin or metal. Since ink guide portion of the socket is formed in the metal pipe, the ball 4 is sufficiently supported therein, and the ball seat 9 has sufficient wear resistance against rotational contact of the ball for long duration. Further, capillary channels 8 in fluid communication with the ball seat 9 are easily provided by pressing deformation of the metal tube
2 radially inwardly at.the same circumferential portion thereof to provide projections 5 extending radially inwardly. The metal for use in the tube 2 is for example, copper alloy such as brass and nickel silver, those being subject to easy machining, or stainless steel which has been considered to be difficult to use due to dificulty in machining By the formation of the radial projections 5, radial ink pass.ages 8 (capillary passages 8) are defined, so that ink supply amount can be increased, and ink retainability is enhanced to th.us provide uniform ink supplying function into the ball seat wi.thout causing any disadvantages such as skipping.
The size and numbers of the protrusions 5 are determin-~ ed b.y th.e dia.meter of the metal pipe 2, the diameter beingdetermi.nati.ve by the diameter of the ball 4. Specifically, in order to create capillary action conducted in the spaces between . the projecti.ons 5, three to six projections are formed, pre-ferrab.ly, three to four projections. The. distance between the - projecti.ons (~i.dth.of the pas-sages 8~. is in a range o~ about Q.Qlmm to Q.6mm, pre~errably O..Q2mm to Q.4mm.
Further, the ball 4 i.s an ordinary steel ball o~ rubby ball. The diameter of the ball 4 i5 in a range of Q~5mm to 1.5mm. A~on~ these, widely-used are.t~e balls having diameters of Q.Smm, Q.7mm, Q.8mm and l.O~m. The ball 4 is rotatabl~
1 supported between the ball seats 9 defined by the projections 5 and a tip end of the metal tube 2 radially inwardly bent.
The ink guide stem 6(6') which serves to supply ink into the capillary channels 8 is formed of resin finished fascicular synthetic fibers, or foamed plastic stem or synthetic resin stem. The ink guide stem is preferrably formed of plastic stem in light of easiness of molding. In this case, since the ink is flown through the spaces defined be~ween the inner peri-pheral surface of the metal tube 2' and the ink guide stem 6' as shown in Fig. 2, the plastic ink guide stem 6' is formed with capillary grooves as at 10 (Figs. 11 to 13~ along the axial direction of the stem 6' in order to ensure introduction of the ink into the capillary passage 8. These grooves 10 are provided by forming the outer surface of the stem 6' in complicated con-figuration. Such plastic stem 6' is produced by extruding plast;c materials such as polyacetal, nylon and cellulose derivat;ves.
~ s shown in Fig. 14, a ball-point pen includes a tip portion 11, a pen shaft 12 and an ink reservoir 13. When the ball-point pen tip of the present invention is accommodated in the ball-point pen which uses aqueous solution ink, the ink supply stem 7 serves to introduce the ink from the ink reservoir 13 to the ink guide stem 6, so that the ink supply stem is re-quired to provide sufficient function for supplying sufficient amount of ink in accordance with writing speed. In view of the above, the diameter of the ink supply stem 7 is larger than that of the ink guide stem 6, and the ink supply stem 7 is rod shape, and is formed of resin finished fascicular fibers or formed of plastic molded articles having continuous bubbles therein, or plastic molded article formed with a plurality of axial bores ~S~ 3 therein. Since the ink guide stem 7 is formed with a plurality of generally straight axial bores from one end to the other, the stem of the resin-finished fascicular fibers is the most advan-tageous in terms of the ink transferring speed and supply amount thereof. Such resin finished fascicular fibers is produced by partially bonding fibers with resins, those fibers being nylon or acrylic or polyester synthetic fibers having denier number of
The size and numbers of the protrusions 5 are determin-~ ed b.y th.e dia.meter of the metal pipe 2, the diameter beingdetermi.nati.ve by the diameter of the ball 4. Specifically, in order to create capillary action conducted in the spaces between . the projecti.ons 5, three to six projections are formed, pre-ferrab.ly, three to four projections. The. distance between the - projecti.ons (~i.dth.of the pas-sages 8~. is in a range o~ about Q.Qlmm to Q.6mm, pre~errably O..Q2mm to Q.4mm.
Further, the ball 4 i.s an ordinary steel ball o~ rubby ball. The diameter of the ball 4 i5 in a range of Q~5mm to 1.5mm. A~on~ these, widely-used are.t~e balls having diameters of Q.Smm, Q.7mm, Q.8mm and l.O~m. The ball 4 is rotatabl~
1 supported between the ball seats 9 defined by the projections 5 and a tip end of the metal tube 2 radially inwardly bent.
The ink guide stem 6(6') which serves to supply ink into the capillary channels 8 is formed of resin finished fascicular synthetic fibers, or foamed plastic stem or synthetic resin stem. The ink guide stem is preferrably formed of plastic stem in light of easiness of molding. In this case, since the ink is flown through the spaces defined be~ween the inner peri-pheral surface of the metal tube 2' and the ink guide stem 6' as shown in Fig. 2, the plastic ink guide stem 6' is formed with capillary grooves as at 10 (Figs. 11 to 13~ along the axial direction of the stem 6' in order to ensure introduction of the ink into the capillary passage 8. These grooves 10 are provided by forming the outer surface of the stem 6' in complicated con-figuration. Such plastic stem 6' is produced by extruding plast;c materials such as polyacetal, nylon and cellulose derivat;ves.
~ s shown in Fig. 14, a ball-point pen includes a tip portion 11, a pen shaft 12 and an ink reservoir 13. When the ball-point pen tip of the present invention is accommodated in the ball-point pen which uses aqueous solution ink, the ink supply stem 7 serves to introduce the ink from the ink reservoir 13 to the ink guide stem 6, so that the ink supply stem is re-quired to provide sufficient function for supplying sufficient amount of ink in accordance with writing speed. In view of the above, the diameter of the ink supply stem 7 is larger than that of the ink guide stem 6, and the ink supply stem 7 is rod shape, and is formed of resin finished fascicular fibers or formed of plastic molded articles having continuous bubbles therein, or plastic molded article formed with a plurality of axial bores ~S~ 3 therein. Since the ink guide stem 7 is formed with a plurality of generally straight axial bores from one end to the other, the stem of the resin-finished fascicular fibers is the most advan-tageous in terms of the ink transferring speed and supply amount thereof. Such resin finished fascicular fibers is produced by partially bonding fibers with resins, those fibers being nylon or acrylic or polyester synthetic fibers having denier number of
3 to lOd. These fibers are in the form of fascicular oriented along axial direction of the stem 7.
Such ink supply stem has one end inserted into the rear opening of the socket l in order to provide surface contact with the ink guide stem 6. Alternatively, the rear end portion of the ink guide stem 6 is thrusted into the ink supply stem 7, or minute clearance is provided between the ink supply stem and the ink guide stem 6.
Further, as shown in Fig. 3, the ink supply stem 7 can be formed integral with the ink guide stem 6 so as to gradually reduce the diameter toward the pen tip. The integral materiaL
is, for example/ resin finished fascicular fibers or plastic molded article formed with continuous bubbles.
Figs~. 6 through lQ show embodiments showing the various shape of the projections 5 and the ball seat 9. According to the em~odiment shown in Fig. 6, the ball seat 9 provides point contact with the ball 4, whereas according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 7 the ball seat 9' provides line contact therewith.
Further, according to the embodiment of Fig. 9, the ball seat ~"' provldes surface contact with the hall 4, as in the case of the embodiment shown in Fig. 8 wherein a ball seat 9" provide surface contact with the ball 4. In case light or smooth writing performance is required, the contacting area between the ball 1 and the ball seat should be minimized. On the other hand, if the ball-point pen is put much weight on continuous ink lay-down, contacting area between the ball and the ball seat should be large.
Fig. 10 shows still another embodiment of the protru-sions 5, wherein axial length of one of the projections 5' is longer than that of the remaining projections 5 with respect to their rear faces. In this case, since the ink guide stem 6 is contacted with the side face of the longer projections 5', clearance space is formed between the ink guide stem 6 and non-contacting projections 5, so that ink is accumulated in the space.. This ink accumulation provi.des smooth ink supplying action to the ball, to thus avoid ink separation in the ink passages.
~ hile the invention has been described in detail and with.reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appar-ent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifica-t;ons can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.
Such ink supply stem has one end inserted into the rear opening of the socket l in order to provide surface contact with the ink guide stem 6. Alternatively, the rear end portion of the ink guide stem 6 is thrusted into the ink supply stem 7, or minute clearance is provided between the ink supply stem and the ink guide stem 6.
Further, as shown in Fig. 3, the ink supply stem 7 can be formed integral with the ink guide stem 6 so as to gradually reduce the diameter toward the pen tip. The integral materiaL
is, for example/ resin finished fascicular fibers or plastic molded article formed with continuous bubbles.
Figs~. 6 through lQ show embodiments showing the various shape of the projections 5 and the ball seat 9. According to the em~odiment shown in Fig. 6, the ball seat 9 provides point contact with the ball 4, whereas according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 7 the ball seat 9' provides line contact therewith.
Further, according to the embodiment of Fig. 9, the ball seat ~"' provldes surface contact with the hall 4, as in the case of the embodiment shown in Fig. 8 wherein a ball seat 9" provide surface contact with the ball 4. In case light or smooth writing performance is required, the contacting area between the ball 1 and the ball seat should be minimized. On the other hand, if the ball-point pen is put much weight on continuous ink lay-down, contacting area between the ball and the ball seat should be large.
Fig. 10 shows still another embodiment of the protru-sions 5, wherein axial length of one of the projections 5' is longer than that of the remaining projections 5 with respect to their rear faces. In this case, since the ink guide stem 6 is contacted with the side face of the longer projections 5', clearance space is formed between the ink guide stem 6 and non-contacting projections 5, so that ink is accumulated in the space.. This ink accumulation provi.des smooth ink supplying action to the ball, to thus avoid ink separation in the ink passages.
~ hile the invention has been described in detail and with.reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appar-ent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifica-t;ons can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.
Claims (10)
1. A ball-point pen tip using low viscosity aqueous ink comprising:
a socket comprising a tubular ink guide portion formed of metal and a holder having both ends formed with openings, said ink guide portion being in fluid communication with one of said openings, the ink guide portion being formed with a plurality of radially inwardly extending projections formed by the radially inward deformation of the ink guide portion at corresponding circumferentially displaced locations to provide a ball seat shaped in such a manner providing line contact with a ball at their radially directed walls and to provide a plurality of ink capillary passages between neighbouring projections, a ball rotatably secured with part of its surface being exposed to the atmosphere, said ball being secured between said ball seat and a tip end of said ink guide portion, an ink supply stem inserted into the other of said openings of said holder, and an elongate ink guide stem disposed in and projecting through said ink guide portion, said ink guide stem having one end in contact with at least one of said projections to supply low viscosity aqueous ink from said ink supply stem into said ink capillary passages.
a socket comprising a tubular ink guide portion formed of metal and a holder having both ends formed with openings, said ink guide portion being in fluid communication with one of said openings, the ink guide portion being formed with a plurality of radially inwardly extending projections formed by the radially inward deformation of the ink guide portion at corresponding circumferentially displaced locations to provide a ball seat shaped in such a manner providing line contact with a ball at their radially directed walls and to provide a plurality of ink capillary passages between neighbouring projections, a ball rotatably secured with part of its surface being exposed to the atmosphere, said ball being secured between said ball seat and a tip end of said ink guide portion, an ink supply stem inserted into the other of said openings of said holder, and an elongate ink guide stem disposed in and projecting through said ink guide portion, said ink guide stem having one end in contact with at least one of said projections to supply low viscosity aqueous ink from said ink supply stem into said ink capillary passages.
2. A ball-point pen tip according to claim 1, wherein the axial length of said projections are equal wherein said ink guide stem is in contact with all of said projections.
3. A ball-point pen tip according to claim 1, wherein the axial length of one of said projections is longer than that of the remaining projections in the direction towards said ink guide stem, so that said ink guide stem is in contact with said longer projection, to thus provide a space between said ink guide stem and said remaining projections for accumulation of ink.
4. A ball-point pen tip according to claim 1, wherein said ink guide stem is formed independently of the ink supply stem.
5. A ball-point pen tip according to claim 1 wherein said ink guide stem is formed integrally with the ink supply stem.
6. A ball-point pen tip according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said ink supply stem is formed from a bundle of axially oriented fibers partially bonded together with resin so as to provide axial ink channels in the stem for passage of ink.
7. A ball-point pen tip as defined in claim 4, wherein said ink guide stem is formed of plastic materials and is formed in rod shape having irregular cross-sectional shape to provide capillary channels extending along axial direction thereof, said channels being defined between said plastic rod and an inner peripheral surface of said tubular ink guide portion.
8. A ball-point pen comprising:
a pen shaft, an ink reservoir containing a supply of low viscosity aqueous ink and ball-point pen tip, said ball-point pen tip including a socket comprising a tubular ink guide portion formed of metal and a holder having both ends formed with openings, said ink guide portion being
8. A ball-point pen comprising:
a pen shaft, an ink reservoir containing a supply of low viscosity aqueous ink and ball-point pen tip, said ball-point pen tip including a socket comprising a tubular ink guide portion formed of metal and a holder having both ends formed with openings, said ink guide portion being
Claim 8 continued ...
in fluid communication with one of said openings, the ink guide portion being formed with a plurality of radially inwardly extending projections formed by the radially inward deformation of the ink guide portion at corresponding circumferentially displaced locations to provide a ball seat shaped in such a manner providing line contact with a ball at their radially directed walls and to provide a plurality of ink capillary passages between neighbouring projections, a ball rotatably secured with part of its surface being exposed to the atmosphere, said ball being secured between said ball seat and a tip end of said ink guide portion, an ink supply stem inserted into the other of said openings of said holder and, an elongate ink guide stem disposed in and projecting through said ink guide portion, said ink guide stem having one end in contact with at least one of said projections, said ink supply stem having one end confronting with said ink guide stem and having the other end confronting with said ink reservoir to supply low viscosity aqueous ink from said ink reservoir into said capillary passages.
9. A ball-point pen tip using low viscosity aqueous ink comprising:
a socket comprising a tubular ink guide portion formed of metal and a holder having both ends formed with openings, said ink guide portion being in fluid communication with one of said openings,
in fluid communication with one of said openings, the ink guide portion being formed with a plurality of radially inwardly extending projections formed by the radially inward deformation of the ink guide portion at corresponding circumferentially displaced locations to provide a ball seat shaped in such a manner providing line contact with a ball at their radially directed walls and to provide a plurality of ink capillary passages between neighbouring projections, a ball rotatably secured with part of its surface being exposed to the atmosphere, said ball being secured between said ball seat and a tip end of said ink guide portion, an ink supply stem inserted into the other of said openings of said holder and, an elongate ink guide stem disposed in and projecting through said ink guide portion, said ink guide stem having one end in contact with at least one of said projections, said ink supply stem having one end confronting with said ink guide stem and having the other end confronting with said ink reservoir to supply low viscosity aqueous ink from said ink reservoir into said capillary passages.
9. A ball-point pen tip using low viscosity aqueous ink comprising:
a socket comprising a tubular ink guide portion formed of metal and a holder having both ends formed with openings, said ink guide portion being in fluid communication with one of said openings,
Claim 9 continued ...
the ink guide portion being formed with a plurality of radially inwardly extending projections formed by the radially inward deformation of the ink guide portion at corresponding circumferentially displaced locations to provide a ball seat shaped in such a manner providing point contact with a ball at their radially directed walls and to provide a plurality of ink capillary passages between neighbouring projections, a ball rotatably secured with part of its surface being exposed to the atmosphere, said ball being secured between said ball seat and a tip end of said ink guide portion, an ink supply stem inserted into the other of said.
openings of said holder, and an elongate ink guide stem disposed in and pro-jecting through said ink guide portion, said ink guide stem having one end in contact with at least one of said projections to supply low viscosity aqueous ink from said ink supply stem into said ink capillary passages.
10. A ball-point pen comprising:
a pen shaft, an ink reservoir containing a supply of low viscosity aqueous ink and ball-point pen tip, said ball-point pen tip including a socket comprising a tubular ink guide portion formed of metal and a holder having both ends formed with openings, said ink guide portion being in fluid communication with one of said openings, the ink guide portion being formed with a plurality of radially inwardly extending projections formed by the radially inward deformation of the ink guide portion at corresponding
the ink guide portion being formed with a plurality of radially inwardly extending projections formed by the radially inward deformation of the ink guide portion at corresponding circumferentially displaced locations to provide a ball seat shaped in such a manner providing point contact with a ball at their radially directed walls and to provide a plurality of ink capillary passages between neighbouring projections, a ball rotatably secured with part of its surface being exposed to the atmosphere, said ball being secured between said ball seat and a tip end of said ink guide portion, an ink supply stem inserted into the other of said.
openings of said holder, and an elongate ink guide stem disposed in and pro-jecting through said ink guide portion, said ink guide stem having one end in contact with at least one of said projections to supply low viscosity aqueous ink from said ink supply stem into said ink capillary passages.
10. A ball-point pen comprising:
a pen shaft, an ink reservoir containing a supply of low viscosity aqueous ink and ball-point pen tip, said ball-point pen tip including a socket comprising a tubular ink guide portion formed of metal and a holder having both ends formed with openings, said ink guide portion being in fluid communication with one of said openings, the ink guide portion being formed with a plurality of radially inwardly extending projections formed by the radially inward deformation of the ink guide portion at corresponding
Claim 10 continued ...
circumferentially displaced locations to provide a ball seat shaped in such a manner providing point contact with a ball at their radially directed walls and to provide a plurality of ink capillary passages between neighbouring projections, a ball rotatably secured with part of its surface being exposed to the atmosphere, said ball being secured between said ball seat and a tip end of said ink guide portion, an ink supply stem inserted into the other of said openings of said holder and, an elongate ink guide stem disposed in and projecting through said ink guide portion, said ink guide stem having one end in contact with at least one of said projections, said ink supply stem having one end confronting with said ink guide stem and having the other end confronting with said ink reservoir to supply low viscosity aqueous ink from said ink reservoir into said capillary passages.
circumferentially displaced locations to provide a ball seat shaped in such a manner providing point contact with a ball at their radially directed walls and to provide a plurality of ink capillary passages between neighbouring projections, a ball rotatably secured with part of its surface being exposed to the atmosphere, said ball being secured between said ball seat and a tip end of said ink guide portion, an ink supply stem inserted into the other of said openings of said holder and, an elongate ink guide stem disposed in and projecting through said ink guide portion, said ink guide stem having one end in contact with at least one of said projections, said ink supply stem having one end confronting with said ink guide stem and having the other end confronting with said ink reservoir to supply low viscosity aqueous ink from said ink reservoir into said capillary passages.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000342799A CA1158603A (en) | 1979-12-28 | 1979-12-28 | Ball-point pen tip and ball-point pen provided with the same |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000342799A CA1158603A (en) | 1979-12-28 | 1979-12-28 | Ball-point pen tip and ball-point pen provided with the same |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1158603A true CA1158603A (en) | 1983-12-13 |
Family
ID=4115927
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000342799A Expired CA1158603A (en) | 1979-12-28 | 1979-12-28 | Ball-point pen tip and ball-point pen provided with the same |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1158603A (en) |
-
1979
- 1979-12-28 CA CA000342799A patent/CA1158603A/en not_active Expired
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |