DE1511380A1 - Follow-up component for ink in a writing cartridge - Google Patents

Description

! 511380

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Paper Mate Manufacturing Company, Santa Monica, California,

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Follow-up component for ink in a writing cartridge

This invention relates to follower components for the ink body in a tubular writing cartridge,

Normal ball-point writing instruments generally contain a tubular faione or a container whose ¥ the end of the order is associated with a writing tip or is at least attached to it, this writing tip a So disgusting contains, in which a ball is rotatably held. the Cartridge is filled with a suitable ink, and the rear end the cartridge is generally in communication with the atmosphere, although in some cases a pressurized gas is above it Surface of the ink in which the cartridge can be contained. if the rear end of the cartridge with the atmosphere or with a When gas is in contact, the ink may stick to the surface of the Ti-ntenkörper.s,, either oxidize, or dry up on others Way adversely affected by the air or gas

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will. Since ballpoint pens of this type are often used in to be carried tip up or in the bag in a horizontal position for a long time, there is a tendency * that the ink oozes out from the open end (what should be referred to as "Rüekauslauf"). Even when the rear end of the cartridge is closed and with a source of pressurized gas connected, the ink can move backwards to the closed end and entrap gas bubbles in the ink body, so that subsequent use of the pen is not very satisfactory, since gas bubbles in the. Channels very small diameter that lead to the ball socket, interrupt the flow of ink to the socket and an interrupted writing of the pen. The return flow is undesirable since he, among other things, stain clothes and the ability to write can decrease. The above difficulties were encountered in the. Past to a certain extent by applying a A viscous follower, like a body of fat, on the rear Surface of the ink in the cartridge surmounted, being the viscous Follow the surface against the action of air or des Gas protects and the ink follows by touching the surface remains in contact when the ink level drops to the tip due to the decrease in the supply of ink during writing. It should be remembered that ballpoint pens are characterized by the Drawing ink from a channel leading to the base and writing by depositing the ink on the writing surface.

However, if the volume of ink in the ink tank is the

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Writing cartridge borrowed to a small percentage of the original Filling is reduced, especially with cartridges a main container part whose cross-sectional area has a diameter of more than 2.5 mm, and in which this main container part is then connected to the writing tip by a smaller container section of approximately 2.5 to 2.25 mm inside diameter then the writing function of the pen is interrupted when the torture causes the constriction between the container sections reached or tried to get into the smaller diameter section or even into the even smaller channels Penetrate the writing base itself. As a result, a considerable amount of ink remains unused in the cartridge and can cannot be written out. The interruption continues the writing function does not have a clear end, but is often caused by a decrease in the amount of ink available to the writing ball accompanied, which makes the traces of friction indefinite or partial interrupted so that the person writing has the impression that the instrument is bad or the ink has run out.

The present invention relates to devices for disposal this Px'oblems.

The invention relates to a fol ^ building part for the ink body in an ink container which is in communication with the writing base tip at one end of a tubular writing cartridge

I ^ c '* i and is characterized by a longitudinal ssi * made of solid material existing element that opens at both ends and is in the Container is movably arranged, the lower end face

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of the tubular member in contact with the surface part of the ink body and a space between the egg

be ment and the inner wall of the container / stands, and by a Body of viscous follower material in contact with the upper surface of the ink body, with the body in the space and inside. Space of the tubular element extends.

Generally speaking, the invention differs from the

knew practices that instead of using a unitary follower, such as a body of fat, now use one viscous or viscoplastic follower in contact with the container walls and with an elongated, actually rigid element is used, which ensures the previously continuous contact between the fat and the upper surface of the ink interrupts. In addition, the central element preferably also extends through the upper surface of the body * of the viscous follower and interrupts its continuity, although the presence of a thin film over the element is permissible is. The component made up of the viscous follower and the element is referred to below as the follower component because it is related to the Surface of the ink body moves down when this is used up while writing. The element can be cylindrical be or have an axial bore. If it is so pierced, the axial opening can be an additional viscous Follower or a loosely fitting pin with grease between the pin and the wall of the bore contained in the element. By doing -

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Ink, element (or elements) and viscous follower with increasing lower specific weight are used, the operation of the component is facilitated in achieving the objectives of this invention *

With the help of the present invention, therefore, practically that total volume of ink, which was initially filled into the cartridge or the container of the writing instrument, when writing ^ ben can be exploited with such an instrument, and no substantial amount of ink is wasted or left unused for use Interruption of normal writing functions when the Ink filling is reduced to a small percentage of the original filling »It is ensured that a termination The writing function only occurs when the body of the originally filled ink in the writing instrument has been used up is, causing false interruptions in the visual writing function premature obstruction of the ink movement to the ball point are closed, this hindrance generally occurs in known Sähreibinstrumenten of this type and a The source of anger.

Although the present invention is applicable to various pens, both of the retractable type and the of the non-retractable type ', and also used with cartridges which are either of practically uniform inside diameter or a main container with a diameter which exceeds 2.5 mrn, refer to the following

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Drawings used for illustration and explanation to the use of the invention in cartridges that are replaceable and have an enlarged main ink reservoir.

In the drawings is:

Pig "1 is a representation of a known writing instrument with a known cartridge shape (part of the body of which is broken away), thereby reducing the relationship of the cartridge to the Pen body and retraction mechanism are easy to understand, and

Pig »Figure 2 is an enlarged side view of part of the cartridge, with the cartridge wall partially broken away and one Shape of the assembled follower component is shown according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 shows the position of the follower component of FIG. 2 briefly after reaching the constriction in the cartridge.

Figure h is an enlarged axial section of a portion of a cartridge showing another modified form of the follower component according to the present invention, the follower component having reached a constriction in the container *

Figure 5 is a cross section through the cartridge with a follower according to Fig. 4, which shows a top view of the follower component »

Fig. 1 shows, rather schematically, a complete writing instrument dejr.-it ballpoint pen style with a larger

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Housing which is composed of a front housing section 1 and a removable cap 2, which normally contains a retracting mechanism 3, which is often operated by a plug 4 extending backwards. Since various back pull mechanisms are known, details are not shown. In the writing pen body housing or a cartridge or an ink container 10 is removably arranged, which is provided with a Sehreibspitze 11, the protruded from the direct un- M end of the housing or may be retracted into said housing by the Rüekziehmechanismus. 3 In most cases, the retraction is supported by a spring 5, which strikes against a stop part on the inner surface of the housing and against an enlargement or shoulder on the cartridge 10 *

The cartridge 10 of FIG. 1 includes an upper Denälterabschnitt 12 of relatively grossern diameter and a tubular auxiliary reservoir 13 with a smaller inner throughput M

«Knife into which the tip 11 extends. The tip 11 (which shows Pi ~. 3 more clearly) contains very small ink channels l4, which lead to a base containing a rotatable ball 15. "The rear end of the cartridge can be fitted with a plug which is a rearward extension 16 has an axial bore to allow air to enter the rear portion of the cartridge. The bullet contains an ink body that continuously enlarges the Main tank section 12, the smaller tank

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15 and the channel 14 fills, creating an uninterrupted, continuous Ink delivery to the writing ball 15 is ensured. Above the top surface of the body of ink in the cartridge lies a viscous follower or a small body of fat, generally indicated at 18.

During writing, the ink body in the container is used up, and the grease follower 18, which is in contact with the upper surface of the ink as well as with the cartridge walls, follows the ink as the level falls. The fat body 18 retains its coherence and integrity and is preferably insoluble in and immiscible with ink. Furthermore, it is also preferably not drying out. To prevent backflow, it has proven to be useful to use viscous follower materials with a gel strength or tensile strength of about 800 to 1100 dynes per cm, in order to prevent the material from shearing off or from being excessively deformed when a writing instrument of this type is used is stored in an inverted or horizontal position for a long period of time. However, when the ink body is partially used up so that the ink level now falls to the tapered portion 17 connecting the large-diameter container to the auxiliary container Ij5, it has been found that the grease does not shear off and settles under the. existing forces are not deformed to successfully follow the ink down through the smaller diameter container IJ. Instead, the fat body will occupy a position 18, corresponding to the _t at LSSB dashed position shown.

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and he will act as a darning hurry The writing ability of the instrument will no longer be satisfactory and the ink delivery to the writing ball is under broke. The user is upset at the interruption can be momentary or the one written by the ball Trace becomes visually awake for a short period of time, then for for a short time an additional amount of ink somehow through the Channels back through to the writing for an or Allow two more minutes to then be interrupted again to become. Occasionally, the writing ability decreases to zero and the remaining ink in the auxiliary tank portion 1-3 and the canals of the tip are not used and wasted.

Pig. Figure 2 is an enlarged side view, partly in section, of the same general type of cartridge as used in Pig. 1, which, however, is equipped with a pole component which provides a solution to the above-mentioned problem. In the form shown in Fig. 2, the Poigerbauteii consists of a relatively rigid or solid, tubular element 20 with a smooth surface, which is arranged in a body of fat 2'8 and the continuity of this body to the extent that the fat interrupts the tubular Element 20 surrounds, as a result of which it is kept at a distance from the inner walls of the container section 12, and also fills the central or axial bore 21 in the tubular element 20. Under preferred conditions this extends

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Grease 28 does not go all the way from wall to wall in the cartridge because the upper end of the element 20 is not covered by fat, but look over it extends. Extends in a similar manner the lower and conical end 22 of the element 20 is preferably up under the fat in the ink shown at j50 is. In the embodiment shown, the outside diameter is of the element 20 larger than the inner diameter of the portion IjJ of the cartridge, but physically smaller than that Main tank inner diameter 12.

The element 20 can be made of any thermoplastic or in consist of the thermosetting resinous composition, which can contain any desired polymer or copolymer, which is a relatively solid or rigid, preferably can produce a smooth-surfaced element whose specific gravity is lower than that of the ink and greater than that of fat. To illustrate this, it should be mentioned that inks commonly used in ballpoint pens have a specific gravity of about 1.1 to 1.185, and that the material of the viscous follower has a specific weight of can have about 0> 9 to about 0.95. As a result, a polyethylene ,, Polyvinyl, polyamide, or polystyrene follower element 20 having a specific gravity of about 0.97 to about 1.09 can be used.

Fig. J shows the position of such a follower shortly after it has reached the conical or tapered recess 17 of the cartridge and has fallen 30 years ago

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is until the surface has arrived at or below the top of the auxiliary tubular container section 13, or where this section in the conical constriction 1? transforms. As in shown in the drawings is the lower annular edge of the element 20 conical, co that it is the conical wall touches and the element has its smooth axial bore practically brings into alignment with the axis of the smaller tubular container 13. When the ink level is in the tubular ab- ^ cut 13 falls, then the fat body is in the hole 21 of the element 20 emerge from this bore and the

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Ink 30 follow as shown at 28 * in Fig. 3 /. It should be noted that this fat section 2δ ^! although it may have a high shear strength, is not subject to shear or deformation, and slides easily along the surfaces of the bore 21 in member 20 so as to easily follow the ink body down through the smaller diameter container 13. A boundary layer flow appears to take place when the fat core is the solid element ^ | • leaves in order to follow the ink body into the container section 13, the visual writing quickly ceasing when the fat reaches the tip, in particular when the bore "21 is smaller than the inner diameter of the section 13. ■

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Due to the construction, the arrangement and the means described a completely new result is achieved, and the entire lsi Small auxiliary container 13 contained ink can be effective for the scream ben exploited «ground · This novel and useful result is achieved by the new follow-up component and its different mode of operation

Figures 4 and 5 relate to a modified form of a Follower component into which the ring-shaped or hollow, cylindrical # e- ί

plastic element 20 now loosely and slidably formed another Plastic element 23 in the form of a solid cylinder or pin with a smooth surface. The fat 28 surrounds the element 20 and is also between the pin 23 and the inner bore 21 of the ■ Element 20 included. In Figure 4 the follower member is shown as it reaches the constriction, the conical walls of the section 17 touches the cartridge and the ink level now begins to run through the Auxiliary container 13 to sink down »The diameter of the inner bore 21 of element 20 is slightly larger than the diameter of element 23 and not considerably smaller than the inner diameter of the section I3 of the cartridge * The diameter of the pin 23 is i smaller than the inner diameter of section 15 · A radical one!

Gap of about 0.25 to 0.75 mm between the inner bore 21 |

"" ■ _. ■. ■ j

and the outer surface of the pin 25 provides sufficient space .;

for fat in between and proper functioning · If now ^!

the ink level falls, the grease-covered pen 25 slides out of the hole |

tion 21 of the element 20 (which by the conical constriction 17: the cartridge is held up) and follows the ink until this pen

25 reaches the position 23 'shown in dashed lines, whereby not only ''

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ORIGINAL INSPECTED

the ink contained in the help container can be fully used for continuous writing, but also finally, clearly and sharply, the writing process is ended by the passage or channel 14 is touched and in fact occluded, which does not look through the writing tip 11 to any writing ball 15 first october

The follower of this invention is (in its various [M shapes) in position and in cooperative contact with the top surface of the ink in a cartridge or loading! The container is preferably arranged after the ink has been filled into a container, and preferably after the container has been filled with ink.

filled the container to a first treatment with centrifugal force: what was exposed to what all channels and ink passages to the ball ^!

; base filled with ink and any air bubbles removed '

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In many cases, prior treatment with centrifugal

■ fugal force not necessary · a measured amount of viscous follow-up

materials and the fixed follower or elements become ^

then inserted into the rear end of the cartridge, and the cartridge is Centrifugal force exposed to ensure good contact between the Subsequent component and the ink surface to ensure pie amount of the viscous material used is preferably not enough to form a physically thick layer that extends over the upper end of the solid follower component extends after this centrifugal treatment.

Different fats can be used, which are generally made up

an oily ingredient (non-drying viscous oil or silicone)

ORlGiNAHNSPECTEO

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with or without a soap or thickener such as a colloidal one A fatty acid material or salt (such as alumina stearate, zinc stearate, etc.) may be present Other additives such as antioxidants, colloidal fillers and gel formers The plastic, viscous or viscoelastic follower used should preferably have no noticeable ability to spread on the inner surface of the Any such inclination can be reduced by appropriately changing the composition or pretreatment of the cartridge surfaces.

Although, as stated above, the fat used heretofore has a gel strength or tensile strength between 800 to 1100 or even

1250 dynes per cm, the grease used in the subsequent components of this invention can have a lower yield strength (up to 250 Dyn per cm), even if the component is used in writing instruments with a main container with an inner diameter of 5 mm. Usually, however, the inside diameter of large capacity containers in these ballpoint pens is about 4 "25 mm" and normal ones Containers it is on the order of 2.5 mm · Of course, if it is appropriate, the subsequent components of this invention can be used in normal containers · In addition, can the gel strength of the viscous follower materials suitable for use in the method and follower component of this invention are also much higher, i.e. a gel permeability of 2200 up to 25OO dynes per cm can be achieved in a follow-up component of this invention can be used, whereas a follower material with such high gel strength alone would be useless.

ORlGlNALtHSPECTEO

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j The gel strength of a fat can be determined in different ways

be correct, one of which includes the breaking strength of a column of fat · For example, a syringe is to be tested

* Filled with fat and equipped with a 13 mm needle, the needle . filled with fat from the syringe. It is useful if that Fat can age for a period of time to recover from the softening caused by the machining that sometimes occurs when filling the The needle enters the syringe is then set up vertically with the needle pointing downwards over a weighing bowl. Fat is squeezed out in 10 mg increments at intervals of one minute until the hanging column of fat breaks or indicates that it will break. In the latter case

j one lets the column of fat break under its own weight, itself

if it takes several minutes. The fat is in the

j Weighing bowl is caught and weighed to relieve tension in the fat

to determine column at break. From this tension and the inner

2; diameter of the needle is the breaking strength in dynes per cm

calculate.

; The relative gel strength can also be determined by the , Grease is squeezed out of a drill hole with a larger diameter than that of the needle, e.g. from a brass tube with an inner diameter of 4.762 mm, whereby the squeezing out proceeds slowly, until the weight of the pressed fat exceeds its gel strength and a drop breaks off

Based on the disclosures made herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes can be made using this operating principle and the components of this invention ->**> 0 B 8 1 1/0 0 7 5 ORIGINAL INSPECTED

Claims (1)

can to the new vwä. to achieve useful results, Claims 1. Follower component for the ink body in an ink container that With the writing base tip at one end of a tubular Writing cartridge is in connection, characterized by an elongate, consisting of solid material element that on both Ends open and movably arranged in the container, the lower end face of the tubular element in contact with the surface part of the ink body stands and a space exists between the element and the inner wall of the container, and in contact by a body of viscous follower material with the top surface of the ink body, the body being in extends the space and into the inner space of the tubular member. 2. follower component according to claim 1, characterized in that a Part of the interior of the tubular element through a pin of solid material, which is taken up loosely and slidably along the axis of the tubular element with a gap is arranged to the inner wall of the tubular element, this gap being the further extending body of the contains viscous follow-up material. 3 follow-up component according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that that the end of the container remote from the nib is part of a container length with an enlarged diameter, which corresponds to the 00 9811/0075 ORIGINAL INSPECTED Writing tip communicates through a container channel with a reduced diameter, and that the tubular / shaped element has a size that prevents it from entering the channel, but the element allows the viscous material in the interior, the
Follow ink in the canal 4 · follow-up component according to claims 2 and 3 »characterized in that that the pin made of solid material in the container channel with reduced Diameter can occur, being surrounded by the viscous material follows the ink and finally closes an ink channel in the writing base tip 5. follower component according to one of claims 1 to 4 »characterized in that the viscous follower material is fat with a gel strength - 2 from 250 to 2200 dynes per cm. 6ο follower component according to one of claims 1 to 5> characterized in that the body made of viscous follower material is an axial
Has a length which is shorter than that of the tubular member. 7ο follow-up component according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the solid material of the tubular element is a
has a specific gravity which is greater than that of the viscous
Follower material and is smaller than that of the ink HF / G / k- Ό09 8 1 1/0075 BATH ORIGINAL Blank page