EP0858401B1 - Pen for applying coloured or correction fluid - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/AT96/00202 Sec. 371 Date Apr. 20, 1998 Sec. 102(e) Date Apr. 20, 1998 PCT Filed Oct. 18, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO97/15460 PCT Pub. Date May 1, 1997A pen for applying a color liquid whose sleeve part (1) includes an outlet port (3) for the color liquid, closable by a valve. The valve comprises a spring means incorporating at least one leaf spring (6, 6') or a disk spring, and a guiding element (4) pressed by the spring means against a sphere (5) which thereby is biased towards the outflow port (3). When the pen tip is pressed against an underlying substrate, the sphere (5) assumes an open position. The leaf or disk springs (6; 6') can be made of plastics and can be produced in one piece with the guiding element (4).

Description

The invention relates to a pen for applying color or Correction fluid, with an outlet for the colored liquid-containing sleeve part, a valve that comprises at least one spring means and a guide element, and one, assigned to the outlet opening, as an order element serving ball. Under "Color or correction fluid", below also briefly "color liquid", should not only be here pigmented liquids, but also correction liquids can be understood without color pigments.

It is with adhesive dispensers or paste applicators known (cf. DE 10 01 624 B or US 2 984 393 A), one as Valve member serving rod via a spring molded onto it to apply the closed position in which he has an outlet opening of the donor or device closes. These donors or application devices, however, are only relative to one wide, imprecise application of the materials contained in them. In contrast, however, would be especially with color or correction liquids an exact, smooth and if necessary thin line application desired.

Subsequently, an adhesive dispenser was also proposed (see EP 331 843 A), in which a ball as an application element and valve member serves. This ball is straight from one Spring element, such as a spring washer or a spiral spring, acted upon; the spring element can, however, when applying Glue when the ball is pushed back from the outlet opening the ball is not or only badly against lateral Keep movements. But this is only a comparative one imprecise material application possible, which is the case with adhesive dispensers may be sufficient for the application of color or correction fluid however is insufficient. This also applies the dispensing mechanism attached to the side of a bottle cap with directly spring-loaded ball according to US 1 378 016 A. to.

In order to apply ink or correction pens, in particular when applying correction fluid, for an exact Apply good mobility of the paint application tip achieve, this is with a rotatably mounted in the sleeve part Bullet trained. For colors that are thin and / or dry out quickly, it is also important that an exit of paint and / or solvent only during the paint application process is possible. To do this sees a solution according to the EP 564 410 A1 defining the state of the art (Comparable solutions are in FR 2 665 649 A, FR 461 361 A, FR 329 628 and DE 43 04 910 A) that the as an order element acting ball by one of a spiral or Coil spring pressed against the ball, especially rod-shaped Guide or transmission element from the inside of the sleeve the edge of the outlet opening is pressed. To at one apply the desired place of color liquid on a paper, is the pen with the ball - which is a small diameter can have - pressed against this point and if necessary moved over the paper so that the ball against the spring force something is pushed away from the outlet opening and paint comes out can.

The spring, the rod, the ball and the sleeve thus form a valve that is closed when the pen tip is not loaded and undesired leakage and / or drying out of the color liquid prevented. The guide element formed by the rod holds and guides the ball in the area between the Closing and opening positions. For the necessary spring properties spiral or coil springs made of metal are used. These springs must each have a bearing on the rod guide element and be stored on the pen itself. For storage on the pen is in the sleeve, e.g. after inserting the ball, the guide element and the spring, a bearing part used. To the To achieve the desired valve properties, the two However, bearings must be exactly spaced and the spring must be the correct one Have spring properties.

The known pens have the disadvantage that different small parts, of which at least the spring is made of metal, must be put together exactly. The practical ones Coil springs are short and therefore difficult to hold and be used. The guide element, the sleeve and that Bearing parts are preferably made of plastic. Since that Separate the metallic coil spring from the other components for the sake of disposal is rather complex, make such Pens represent an undesirable, two-component waste.

The invention is therefore based on the object of the generic type ink-applying pens with a ball as ink application element and form a guide member so that its manufacturing and assembly process is simplified; further should disposal is simplified; and yet it should a fine, exact application of the color or correction liquid as well as a secure closing of the valve can be. Furthermore, when applying color or Correction fluid prevents the applicator ball moved too far into the interior of the sleeve part becomes.

The inventive pen of the type mentioned is characterized in that the spring means at least one Includes leaf or plate spring or a section thereof, and that the guide element has a stop surface with which it used to limit its displacement against the spring force of the spring means in the direction away from the outlet opening an opening stop comes into contact.

The present solution therefore provides that this is for the valve required spring means at least one leaf spring, i.e. one elongated, in particular essentially in the direction of the guide element running, transversely to force its longitudinal direction bendable or changing its shape Spring element, includes. With the deformation is thus not, like a spiral or coil spring, the shape of the individual turns essentially maintained and only the distance between the turns changes. The leaf spring has compared to spiral or coil springs with comparable Spring properties a longer length, but required in cross section less space. This is the case with the arrangement in a sleeve interior advantageous because the elongated training Keep easier when inserting or putting together and the small cross-section does not allow the flow of paint impaired.

In the case of valves with paint-applying pens, in particular the spring action of slightly curved leaf springs essentially used along their longitudinal direction. For example one end of the leaf spring with the ink-carrying Sleeve and the other end with the arranged in the sleeve Guide element connected or in contact without displacement held. In one by pressing the ball onto one Document generated displacement of the guide element in the The elongated spring element becomes increasingly sleeve in its transverse direction deformed or bent and thereby in its longitudinal direction shortened. The resulting from the elastic deformation Force in the direction of the guide element closes the valve and so the exit opening is reliable when the pen tip is no longer pressed against the surface. On the other hand the movement of the guide element into the sleeve part limits the opening stop so that it is ensured that not too much liquid escapes when applied.

Since the guide element is usually arranged centrally in the sleeve is and also in its resettable displacement by spring means essentially not in along its longitudinal axis Should come into contact with the sleeve, at least two, but possibly also three or four leaf springs essentially arranged symmetrically to the longitudinal axis of the guide element.

If a lot of the same leaf springs around the Guide element away from this to the sleeve, create this a bell-shaped structure that is essentially a disc spring corresponds. Therefore, it is understandable that disc springs or cutouts of disc springs in the broad sense as "Leaf springs" viewed and used in the context of the invention can be.

The leaf or disc springs used can be made of plastic are produced so that, especially if the Application element ball is made of plastic, one essentially A pen is made from a single material. Such a one-component pen can be used without Separation effort a material recovery (recycling) fed become.

But the provision of balls made of metal is also rather unproblematic, because this - in contrast to clamped metal spiral springs - when pulling out the inner parts of such Pen out of their given by the shape of the outlet opening Bracket fall out or can be easily removed.

The spring means and the guide element made of plastic shaped, there is a possibility of these two parts also form in one piece. According to a preferred embodiment the spring means comprises a connectable to the sleeve part, preferably in this plug-in connector. The Spring means is at one end area with the connecting part connected and on the other with the guide element. The one with the other connected parts can be used as a coherent injection molded part simply manufactured and with minimal effort Sleeve are used. The spring properties only depend on the production, but not on the assembly.

It is also for simple manufacture or assembly favorable if the opening stop with the spring means, in particular with a attachable to the sleeve part of the connector Spring means, is connected, wherein the guide element to one first end portion of the spring means and the opening stop connects a second end region of the spring means.

For the desired spring effect while achieving it a management function has also proven advantageous proven if the spring means with at least one leaf spring a curved, in particular a U or S-shaped section comprises of the movement of the guide element of the outlet opening is so deformable that a restoring force arises.

With regard to this, particularly fine-line orders or orders with comparatively strongly inclined pens, it is also beneficial if between the as an order item serving ball and the guide element at least one further ball is provided, this further ball or at least one of these additional balls from the guide element below the effect of the spring means against a closing stop of the Sleeve part can be put on. The application element ball be small and provided with a weak bracket because the Closing forces absorbed by the other ball (s) and be transferred. In particular, it is possible that the as Application element serving ball through the on the closing stop additional ball in contact essentially without pressure in the closing contact can be brought with the outlet opening. It is also here advantageous if the diameter of the as an application element serving ball is smaller than the diameter of the other Ball (s).

Finally, it is beneficial if the further bullet goes through Rotational movements of the ball serving as the order element in Rotation is displaceable and by the rotation of the other Ball a scooping effect or a promotion of color liquid in a space between the two balls is achievable.

Fig.1 einen Schnitt durch eine Auftragsspitze eines Stifts mit einer Kugel und einem Führungselement, das über zwei Blattfedern mit einem Anschlußteil verbunden ist;

Fig.2 ein Detail eines Schnittes durch eine Stift-Auftragsspitze mit schwach gebogenen Blattfedern;

Fig.3 einen Schnitt durch eine Auftragsspitze eines Stifts ähnlich Fig.1, jedoch mit zwei Kugeln, gemäß einer besonders bevorzugten, zumindest derzeit als beste Ausführungsform angesehenen Ausführung, und mit einem Führungselement, das über zwei Blattfedern mit einem Anschlußteil verbunden ist;

Fig.4 einen Schnitt durch den Endbereich einer solchen Auftragsspitze mit zwei Kugeln in gegenüber Fig.3 vergrößertem Maßstab; und

Fig.5 einen Schnitt durch den Endbereich einer Auftragsspitze ähnlich Fig.4, nun jedoch mit drei Kugeln.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing, to which the invention is, however, not to be restricted. Show it:

1 shows a section through an application tip of a pin with a ball and a guide element which is connected to a connecting part via two leaf springs;

2 shows a detail of a section through a pen application tip with weakly bent leaf springs;

3 shows a section through an application tip of a pen similar to FIG. 1, but with two balls, according to a particularly preferred embodiment, at least currently regarded as the best embodiment, and with a guide element which is connected to a connecting part via two leaf springs;

4 shows a section through the end region of such an application tip with two balls on an enlarged scale compared to FIG. 3; and

5 shows a section through the end region of an application tip similar to FIG. 4, but now with three balls.

1 shows a sleeve part 1 of the pen tip of a pen for applying color liquid. Encloses the sleeve part 1 a color space 2 and has an outlet opening at an outlet end 3 for the color liquid. To feed the color space 2 a connection opening 12 is provided with colored liquid. The Port opening 12 is from a port area, in particular a thread 13, so that the sleeve part 1 to one Paint container is connectable. At the outlet opening 3 from the color space 2 by means of a rod-shaped guide element 4 an application ball 5 pressed. The guide element 4 will in addition by at least one leaf spring, in the present example of two, possibly also of several, with respect to one Axis 4a of the guide element 4 is essentially symmetrical arranged leaf springs 6, against the outlet opening 3 pressed. There is a first end region 6a of the leaf springs 6 created without displacement on the guide element 4 or in particular associated with this. A second end region 6b of the Leaf springs 6 is optionally applied to the sleeve part 1 or associated with this. In the present embodiment to connect the end regions 6b of the leaf springs 6 with the Sleeve part 1, in particular an annular connecting part 7 provided that sits in a clamp seat in the sleeve part 1. A inner insertion limit 8a in the form of a shoulder and a Outer bead 8b limit the clamping fit in the sleeve part 1. The Connection part 7 has a central guide area 7a for the Guide element 4. This guide area 7a is shown in FIG formed by radially inward extensions 9. Between the extensions 9 there is a sufficiently large flow opening area intended for the color liquid.

The leaf springs 6 shown are preferably made of plastic made and S-shaped, with two opposite Areas of curvature. When the guide element moves 4 away from the outlet opening 3 at least Radius of curvature of a curvature area reduced. This elastic deformation causes a corresponding restoring force.

The extensions 9 of the connector 7 have in addition to (or possibly instead of) the management function a stop to limit the movement of the guide element 4 in the direction away from the outlet opening 3. To this The purpose of the rod-shaped guide element 4 is one of the kind a collar radially outwardly projecting stop surface 10, which at the maximum displacement of the guide element 4 rests on the underside of the extensions 9, which thus defined an opening stop 11. In itself, one can such an opening stop 11 but also separately from the Extensions 9 with the sleeve part 1 and / or with the connecting part 7 be connected. The length of the opening stop 11 becomes so chosen that the application element ball 5 is always sufficiently wide protrudes through the outlet opening 3 in order to apply the paint guarantee.

It goes without saying that the training, number and Arrangement of the leaf springs 6 according to the respective need can be chosen. Optionally, the guide element is 4th sufficiently well guided by the leaf springs 6 so that no guide area 7a is to be provided. The opening stop 11 causes that the application element ball 5 is not completely in the sleeve part 1 can be pressed in.

Fig.2 shows an embodiment in which leaf springs 6 'with only slightly pronounced areas of curvature the guide element 4 Connect to the connector 7. The shape of a functional Leaf spring should be in the closed position (when closed Exit opening 3) so that the first end portion 6a Leaf spring 6 is displaceable away from the opening 3 and the displacement of the end region 6a to produce a restoring force Deformation of the leaf spring 6 leads. The leaf springs can thus be trained differently. If necessary, you can Leaf springs are provided which are more or less radial and thus essentially do not run along the guide element 4. In such an embodiment, the guide element is 4th axially relatively little deflectable, so that on a guide area can optionally be dispensed with.

The guide and stop area for the guide element 4 2 can also run around the guide element 4 according to FIG Ring 14 may be formed. To connect the ring 14 with the Connecting part 7, spoke-like radial connections 15 are provided. The stop surface is to form an opening stop 10 of the guide element 4 an opposite Associated side surface 14a of the ring 14. Because the radial connections 15 and the ring 14 are narrow, the free cross-section of color space 2 is only slightly smaller. Training the leaf springs 6 'hinder the flow of the color liquid only marginally due to color space 2.

3 shows a pen tip of a pen for applying Color liquid, which essentially the pen tip according to Fig.1 is trained accordingly. The training according to Fig.3 and in an enlarged view according to Figure 4 includes a second Ball 16, which is between the application element ball 5c and this facing end of the guide element 4 is provided. Inside the sleeve part 1 is a for the second ball 16 this customized locking seat or locking stop 17th provided so that the guide element 4 against the seat 17th pressed second ball 16 closes the color space 2 tightly. By the second ball 16 abutting the closing stop 17 becomes the Application ball 5c essentially without pressure in closing contact with the outlet opening 3 held.

The present pens are quite general in the area a valve is provided at the tip of the pen which prevents the outlet of Color liquid only allows if the pen tip against a Base, or the application ball 5, 5c somewhat against the color space 2 is pressed. The valve comprises at least one spring means 6, 6 'and a guide element 4. The outlet closure is through closing contact between at least one area the inner edge of the sleeve part and the guide element and / or scored at least one ball.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, the application element ball is used 5 as a closing element, and it is in the closed position close to the outlet opening 3 from the inside. To do that To prevent leakage of this application ball 5, the edge of the Outlet opening 3 is sufficiently firm and of sufficient size Enclosure of the application ball 5 are formed. this leads to to the fact that the application ball 5 only a little over the relatively wide Edge of the outlet opening 3 protrudes and the critical inclination of the pin, in which the valve is pressed against the Document can no longer be opened or where the Paint application is no longer possible, is relatively small.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 3, the second ball 16 is used as a closing element, which the closing forces of the valve on Breech seat 17 transmits. This is also the possibility given to provide a more compact valve design. Also must the application ball 5c thus not be held so that the Closing forces must absorb. This allows the edge of the Exit opening 3 thin and the application ball 5c only a little more to be half-encompassing. The pen can thus by a large opening angle 19 (Fig.4), up to 70 °, the but will be between 25 ° and 45 ° for reasons of stability, be inclined until the edge of the outlet opening 3 at the Pad is present and prevents the valve from being pressed open.

When the slightly pressed pen tip moves over a pad rolls the application ball 5c on the pad and the second ball 16 in Set rotary motion. By rotating the second ball 16 is a good scooping effect, i.e. a transport of Color liquid from color space 2 into one between the two Balls 5c, 16 lying space 18, achievable. Through this On the one hand, arrangement is applied only as much color mass as is really necessary, and on the other hand, a sticking of the Application ball 5c avoided.

The diameter of the first ball 5c is - corresponding to that Formation of the sleeve cavity in the area of the outlet opening - If necessary, slightly smaller than the diameter of the second Ball 16.

5 shows a further possibility of color transfer Application ball 5d. There are two more balls 16a, 16b for this purpose provided the one hand the transport of color liquid take over and on the other hand act as a closing element. The Diameters of these two balls 16a, 16b are - accordingly the inner dimensions of the sleeve cavity - possibly different his; to be expanded against the color space 2 Sleeve cavity are also the diameters of these balls 16a, 16b must be chosen larger.

If necessary - could increase the amount of paint applied increase - also several balls in one level above the application ball be arranged, possibly three balls. A such an arrangement would then be generally tetrahedral, the Tip of the tetrahedron is formed by the application ball.

For example, for pens or touch-up pens Embodiments that have at least two of the outlet opening 3 have assigned balls, and possibly other or also none of the configurations described above Spring means may be of interest.

Of course, all the features of the described Embodiments can be combined as desired. For example further balls 16 and 16a, 16b also with a pin be provided with leaf springs 6 'according to Figure 2, and / or a Ring 14 on spokes 15 can be in the pin according to Fig.1 (or Fig.3) be provided.

Claims (9)

1. A pen for applying a colour or correction liquid comprising a sleeve part (1) including an outlet port (3) for the colour liquid, a valve incorporating at least one spring means and a guide element (4), and a sphere (5, 5c) associated to the outlet port (3) and serving as applicator element, characterized in that the spring means comprises at least one leaf spring or disk spring (6, 6'), or a section thereof, and that the guiding element (4) comprises an abutment surface (10), by which it comes to rest against an opening abutment (11, 14a) so as to delimit its displacement against the spring force of the spring means in the direction away from the outlet port.
2. A pen according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring means comprises a joining part (7) connectable with the sleeve part (1), preferably pluggingly insertable thereinto.
3. A pen according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the spring means and the guiding element (4) are designed as a one-piece pressing means, in particular made of plastics.
4. A pen according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the opening abutment (11, 14a) is connected with the spring means, in particular with a joining part (7) of the spring means capable of being attached to the sleeve part (1), the guiding element (4) following upon a first end region of the spring means, and the opening abutment (11, 14a) following upon a second end region of the spring means.
5. A pen according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the spring means comprises at least one leaf spring (6, 6') with a curved, in particular U- or S-shaped section, which, when the guiding element (4) is moved away from the outlet port (3) is capable of being deformed such that a restoring force is created.
6. A pen according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that between the sphere (5c) serving as applicator element and the guiding element (4), at least one further sphere (16; 16a, 16b) is provided, wherein this further sphere or at least one of these further spheres (16; 16a) is capable of resting against a closing abutment (17) of the sleeve part (1) by the guiding element (4) under the action of the spring means.
7. A pen according to claim 6, characterized in that the sphere (5c) serving as applicator element is capable of being brought into closing contact with the outlet port (3) substantially free from pressure by means of the further sphere (16; 16a) which contacts the closure abutment (17).
8. A pen according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the further sphere (16; 16a) is capable of being set into rotation by rotational movements of the sphere (5c) serving as an applicator element, and that by the rotational movement of the further sphere (16; 16a) a drawing action or conveyance of the colour liquid into a space (18) present between the two spheres can be attained.
9. A pen according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the diameter of the sphere (5c) serving as applicator element is smaller than the diameter of the further sphere(s) (16; 16a, 16b).

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