EP1549508B1 - Ballpoint for writing instrument and method for making same - Google Patents

Ballpoint for writing instrument and method for making same Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1549508B1
EP1549508B1 EP03761609.1A EP03761609A EP1549508B1 EP 1549508 B1 EP1549508 B1 EP 1549508B1 EP 03761609 A EP03761609 A EP 03761609A EP 1549508 B1 EP1549508 B1 EP 1549508B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ball
opening
tip
flared portion
housing
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EP03761609.1A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1549508A1 (en
Inventor
Alain Rosenzweig
Kurt Rath
André DEHAUDT
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BIC SA
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BIC SA
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
    • B43K—IMPLEMENTS FOR WRITING OR DRAWING
    • B43K1/00—Nibs; Writing-points
    • B43K1/08—Nibs; Writing-points with ball points; Balls or ball beds

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a ballpoint for a writing instrument according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • the ball points of the aforementioned type are used for pen-type writing instruments, but also for writing instruments used to deposit on the paper a line of correction fluid or glue. However, when they are used, a fluid accumulation is obtained on the front face, and sometimes even on the lateral face of the tip body, which can cause soiling.
  • the ink accumulated on the tip can also become detached during the writing movement which causes the deposition of a burr on the paper.
  • the present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above, by proposing a ball tip offering perfect cleanliness of use, without deteriorating the feeling of slippage of the tip on the paper or require an ink of particular composition s' it is a ballpoint pen.
  • a further object of the invention is to avoid the blocking of the ball after a prolonged period of non-use.
  • the subject of the invention is a ball point according to claim 1.
  • the combination of the circumferential portion and the flared portion makes it possible to reduce in an entirely unexpected proportion the burrs and the accumulation of ink on the tip. Indeed, the tests carried out with ballpoint pens equipped with a tip according to the invention, no longer show smudges, even using a greasy ink which has the advantage of providing a good sensation of sliding of the tip. In the case of corrective fluid applicator type instruments or glue, the risk of blocking the ball is greatly reduced.
  • the first points of ballpoint pens produced industrially had a front face of flared shape due to the crimping of the ball by a rolling operation of the tip body, operation in which the metal located at the periphery of the tip body was pushed forward more significantly than the metal adjacent to the ball.
  • the major flaw of these first ball points was to cause many burrs.
  • a ballpoint 1 for a writing instrument and more particularly for a ballpoint pen, comprising a tip body 2.
  • the left half-view of the figure 2 represents a raw tip body, while the right half-view shows the tip body after mounting a ball 3.
  • the tip body 2 has a front face 4 and a shoulder 5 on which can be fitted a reservoir of ink not shown.
  • the tip body 2 comprises a housing 6 which opens into an opening 7 formed in the front face 4.
  • the housing 6 is substantially cylindrical and the opening 7 has a symmetry of revolution about a central axis Z which coincides with the axis of symmetry of the tip body.
  • a passage 8 for supplying a fluid ensures communication between the ink reservoir and the housing 6.
  • the ball 3 is freely rotatably mounted in the housing 6 and emerges through the opening 7.
  • the ball 3 is retained by a seat 9 formed at the bottom of the housing 6 and the front end 10 of the wall of the tip body 2 which follows the contour of the ball.
  • the tip body 2 is metallic in the embodiment shown, which makes it possible to obtain the bracing of the ball 3 by a crimping operation of the front end 10.
  • the ball can not perform translational movement in the housing 6.
  • the invention is also applicable to ball points comprising a spring disposed along the central axis Z which holds the ball against the front end 10 of the body peak.
  • the seat 9 may comprise channels or fins that improve the passage of the ink from the supply passage 8 to the space 17, located between the ball and the seat, to ensure a uniform deposit of the ink on the ball.
  • the front face 4 of the tip body has a peripheral portion 11 and, around the periphery of the opening 7, a flared portion 12.
  • the peripheral portion 11 extends towards the central axis Z from the outer periphery of the front face 4, to the flared portion 12.
  • the peripheral portion 11 is substantially parallel to the mean plane of the opening 7; in the embodiment shown, substantially perpendicular to the central axis Z.
  • the flared portion is arranged so as to form, at the point of contact 13 of the ball 3 with the periphery of the opening 7, an acute angle ⁇ with the emergent part of the plane tangential to the ball at said contact point 13 and of which the trace T is visible on the figure 2 .
  • peripheral portion 11 and the flared portion 12 makes it possible to significantly reduce the accumulation of ink on the front face 4, and the appearance of burrs on the paper.
  • the tests show that with the ball tip having a flared portion according to the invention, there is no more burr deposit and this even with an ink containing no additives to limit the appearance of burrs. It is therefore possible to use a traditional fatty ink whose viscosity is greater than 40 poises. In addition, the other characteristics of the tip, such as writing comfort, are not degraded.
  • the inventors filmed at high magnification the rolling of the ball 3 on a paper-like surface.
  • the films show a progressive accumulation of the ink at a point of contact 13 between the ball and the front face 4, which is opposite to the driving direction.
  • the accumulation of ink eventually forms a drop 18, as shown schematically on the figure 3 .
  • this drop does not extend beyond the peripheral portion 11 and therefore, there is no ink deposit on the radially outer face of the tip body 2. It is also noted that the drop of does not detach from the front face 4 during a reversal of the direction of rotation of the ball, which explains the disappearance of the burrs. It is assumed that these phenomena are obtained by a slight drying of the portion 18a of the drop, which is located outwardly and therefore in contact with the air.
  • the drop when the drop reaches a certain size, it collapses and disappears almost from the front face 4. This phenomenon can be explained by the presence of the flared portion 12 which forms with the wall of the ball 3 a funnel facilitating the return of the ink accumulated during the rotation of the ball.
  • the portion 18b of the drop in contact with the ball 3 remains fluid due to the addition of fresh ink. The fluidity of the portion 18b certainly makes it possible to initiate the return of the ink.
  • the ball tip according to the invention therefore makes it possible to confine an accumulation of ink and then to ensure its return to the tip body, unlike the ball points of the prior art, such as that shown on the half-view right of the figure 1 .
  • the opening 7 of these anterior tips has a periphery 14 which forms an obtuse angle with the wall of the ball 3, which instead has the effect of scraping the ink present on the ball during its rotation and to retain the accumulation This ink accumulation can then be deposited on the paper, in particular during a change in the direction of rotation of the ball, and create a burr.
  • the flared portion 12 is formed by a frustoconical surface coaxial with the central axis Z of the opening 7.
  • This particular shape of the flared portion has the advantage of being able to be achieved with great precision, in particular with the manufacturing process described below.
  • the angle ⁇ formed between the flared portion 12 and the emergent part of the tangent plane T is approximately 45 ° in the embodiment shown, but the flared portion 12 retains its role with an angle ⁇ varying between 30 ° and 70 ° .
  • the tests show that with a ball of large diameter, for example 1.6 millimeters, it is sufficient that the axial height h of the frustoconical surface 12 is between 0.01 and 0.08 millimeters to prevent the appearance of burrs.
  • the diameter of the ball may be smaller, up to 0.5 millimeters, or larger.
  • the axial height h can then be varied proportionally so as to be between 0.6% and 5% of the diameter of the ball.
  • the peripheral portion 11 has the shape of a circular ring due to the symmetry of revolution about the central axis Z of the tip body 2. This ring is flat before the production of the flared portion 12 by machining and the crimping of the ball 3, but it may be slightly deformed during these operations, and therefore the peripheral portion 11 may be only substantially flat when the ball point is complete.
  • the peripheral portion 11 has a width l measured in a radial direction of the opening 7, that is to say along a perpendicular to the central axis Z.
  • the width l must be sufficient to retain a drop of ink 18 without it reaching the outer periphery of the front face 4 and flowing on the radially outer wall of the tip body 2.
  • the width 1 can be between 0.02 millimeter and 0.08 millimeter, that is to say between 1.2% and 5%. % of the diameter of the ball.
  • a larger width of the peripheral portion 11 is of course conceivable, but it would increase the size of the tip body 2.
  • the width l can be varied proportionally so as to be between 1.2% and 5% of the diameter of the ball. However, it is preferable that the width l be at least 0.01 millimeters to ensure the retention of an accumulation of ink.
  • the axial height h of the flared portion 12 is substantially equal to the width 1 of the peripheral portion 11, which offers a good compromise between the cleanliness of the ball tip and the outside diameter of the face before 4.
  • the ball point according to the invention can be made from a raw tip body identical to those used to manufacture the ball points of the prior art and shown on the left half view of the figure 1 .
  • the housing 6 of this raw point body has a cylindrical front portion 15 which opens into an opening 7 at a right angle 16 with the front face 4 of the tip body 2.
  • the periphery of the opening 7 is chamfered so as to eliminate the right angle 16, then the ball 3 is inserted into the housing 6 through the opening 7.
  • the diameter of the ball 3 is more or less equal to the diameter of the cylindrical portion 15 of the housing 6 according to whether it is desired to obtain an insertion by force or soft friction and a more or less important space between the ball and the wall of the housing.
  • the front end 10 of the tip body 2 is crimped against the ball so as to retain it in the housing 6. Thanks to the crimping, the inner wall of the front end 10 matches the wall of the ball leaving a determined space between these two walls.
  • This manufacturing method has the advantage of being able to use the raw peak bodies of the prior art and requires only one additional step, the chamfering step, the other manufacturing steps being unchanged.
  • the ball tip according to the invention can be produced in large series without profoundly modifying the production tool.
  • peripheral portion and the flared portion may be adapted depending on the diameter of the ball or the thickness of the film present on the emergent portion of the ball, in particular in the case of a ball point for an applicator correction fluid or glue whose ball diameter can reach 3 millimeters.

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  • Pens And Brushes (AREA)
  • Cosmetics (AREA)
  • Coating Apparatus (AREA)

Description

La présente invention concerne une pointe à bille pour instrument d'écriture selon le préambule de la revendication 1.The present invention relates to a ballpoint for a writing instrument according to the preamble of claim 1.

Les pointes à bille du type précité sont utilisées pour les instruments d'écriture de type stylo à bille, mais aussi pour les instruments d'écriture servant à déposer sur le papier un trait de fluide correcteur ou de colle. Toutefois, lors de leur utilisation on obtient une accumulation du fluide sur la face avant, et parfois même sur la face latérale du corps de pointe, qui peut provoquer des salissures.The ball points of the aforementioned type are used for pen-type writing instruments, but also for writing instruments used to deposit on the paper a line of correction fluid or glue. However, when they are used, a fluid accumulation is obtained on the front face, and sometimes even on the lateral face of the tip body, which can cause soiling.

Dans le cas particulier des stylos à bille, l'encre accumulée sur la pointe peut aussi se détacher au cours du mouvement d'écriture ce qui provoque le dépôt d'une bavure sur le papier. Pour éviter ce problème rencontré avec les stylos à bille, il a été proposé de modifier les caractéristiques mécaniques de l'encre, et notamment sa fluidité. Mais la modification de l'encre a généralement une influence dommageable sur la sensation d'écriture perçue par l'utilisateur et sur la qualité du trait inscrit sur le papier.In the particular case of ballpoint pens, the ink accumulated on the tip can also become detached during the writing movement which causes the deposition of a burr on the paper. To avoid this problem with ballpoint pens, it has been proposed to modify the mechanical characteristics of the ink, and especially its fluidity. But the modification of the ink generally has a detrimental influence on the sensation of writing perceived by the user and on the quality of the line written on the paper.

Dans le cas des instruments d'écriture du type applicateur de fluide correcteur ou de colle, il est très difficile de modifier les caractéristiques du fluide. De plus le séchage de l'accumulation de tels fluides peut provoquer le bocage de la bille et rendre l'instrument d'écriture inutilisable.In the case of writing instruments of corrective fluid applicator type or glue, it is very difficult to change the characteristics of the fluid. In addition, the drying of the accumulation of such fluids can cause the groove of the ball and make the writing instrument unusable.

Par ailleurs le document GB-A-624,366 divulgue une pointe à bille présentant une portion évasée adjacente au pourtour de l'ouverture qui évite un raclage de l'encre. Néanmoins cette disposition ne s'est pas avérée suffisante. Plus récemment on a cherché à éviter la formation d'une telle portion évasée lors du sertissage.In addition, the document GB-A-624.366 discloses a ball point having a flared portion adjacent to the periphery of the opening which prevents scraping of the ink. Nevertheless this provision did not prove sufficient. More recently, it has been sought to avoid the formation of such a flared portion during crimping.

La présente invention a pour but de pallier les inconvénients mentionnés ci-dessus, en proposant une pointe à bille offrant une parfaite propreté d'utilisation, sans détériorer la sensation de glissement de la pointe sur le papier ou nécessiter une encre de composition particulière s'il s'agit d'un stylo à bille. Dans le cas des instruments d'écriture de type applicateur de liquide correcteur ou de colle, un but supplémentaire de l'invention est d'éviter le blocage de la bille après une période d'inutilisation prolongée.The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above, by proposing a ball tip offering perfect cleanliness of use, without deteriorating the feeling of slippage of the tip on the paper or require an ink of particular composition s' it is a ballpoint pen. In the case of corrective liquid applicator type writing instruments or glue, a further object of the invention is to avoid the blocking of the ball after a prolonged period of non-use.

A cet effet, l'invention a pour objet une pointe à bille selon la revendication 1.For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a ball point according to claim 1.

La combinaison de la portion périphérique et de la portion évasée permet de réduire dans une proportion tout à fait inattendue les bavures et l'accumulation d'encre sur la pointe. En effet, les tests effectués avec des stylos à bille munis d'une pointe selon l'invention, ne font plus apparaître de bavures, même en utilisant une encre grasse qui a l'avantage de procurer une bonne sensation de glissement de la pointe. Dans le cas des instruments de type applicateur de fluide correcteur ou de colle, le risque de blocage de la bille est fortement diminué.The combination of the circumferential portion and the flared portion makes it possible to reduce in an entirely unexpected proportion the burrs and the accumulation of ink on the tip. Indeed, the tests carried out with ballpoint pens equipped with a tip according to the invention, no longer show smudges, even using a greasy ink which has the advantage of providing a good sensation of sliding of the tip. In the case of corrective fluid applicator type instruments or glue, the risk of blocking the ball is greatly reduced.

Ce résultat est d'autant plus surprenant que l'on cherche depuis longtemps à éviter la formation d'une portion évasée présentant un angle aigu avec la pointe.This result is all the more surprising as it has long been sought to avoid the formation of a flared portion having an acute angle with the tip.

En effet, les premières pointes de stylos bille produites industriellement, telles que décrites dans le document GB-A-624366 , présentaient une face avant de forme évasée du fait du sertissage de la bille par une opération de roulage du corps de pointe, opération au cours de laquelle le métal situé à la périphérie du corps de pointe était repoussé vers l'avant de manière plus importante que le métal adjacent à la bille. Toutefois, le défaut majeur de ces premières pointes à bille était de provoquer de nombreuses bavures.Indeed, the first points of ballpoint pens produced industrially, as described in the document GB-A-624366 , had a front face of flared shape due to the crimping of the ball by a rolling operation of the tip body, operation in which the metal located at the periphery of the tip body was pushed forward more significantly than the metal adjacent to the ball. However, the major flaw of these first ball points was to cause many burrs.

Par la suite, on a constaté qu'avec une face avant formant au point de contact avec la bille un angle droit, et même de préférence obtus, avec la partie émergente du plan tangent à la bille, on réduisait le phénomène de bavures. Depuis, on cherche toujours à éviter, lors du sertissage de la bille, la formation d'une portion évasée présentant un angle aigu.Subsequently, it has been found that with a front face forming at the point of contact with the ball a right angle, and even preferably obtuse, with the emergent part of the plane tangent to the ball, the phenomenon of burrs was reduced. Since then, we always try to avoid, when crimping the ball, the formation of a flared portion having an acute angle.

Dans des formes de réalisations préférées de l'invention, on a recours, en outre, à l'une et ou à l'autre des dispositions des revendications dépendantes 2 à 8.In preferred embodiments of the invention, use is additionally made to one or the other of the provisions of dependent claims 2 to 8.

Par ailleurs, l'invention à également pour objet :

  • un stylo à bille comprenant une pointe à bille telle que définie précédemment dans lequel le diamètre de la bille est compris entre 0,5 et 1,6 millimètre, et l'encre présente une viscosité supérieure à 40 poises ; ainsi qu'
  • un procédé de fabrication d'une telle pointe à bille, à partir d'un corps de pointe brute présentant une face avant et comportant un logement dont une partie avant cylindrique débouche dans une ouverture ménagée sur ladite face avant, dans lequel :
    • une portion évasée est réalisée en chanfreinant sur le pourtour de l'ouverture une partie d'une portion périphérique ayant la forme d'un anneau circulaire plat ;
    • une bille, de diamètre sensiblement égal au diamètre de la partie avant cylindrique du logement, est insérée par l'ouverture ;
    • le corps de pointe présente une extrémité avant qui est sertie contre la bille de manière à retenir celle-ci dans le logement.
Moreover, the invention also relates to:
  • a ballpoint pen comprising a ballpoint as defined above in which the diameter of the ball is between 0.5 and 1.6 millimeters, and the ink has a viscosity greater than 40 poises; as well as'
  • a method of manufacturing such a ball point, from a raw tip body having a front face and having a housing having a cylindrical front portion opens into an opening on said front face, wherein:
    • a flared portion is made by chamfering on the periphery of the opening part of a peripheral portion having the shape of a flat circular ring;
    • a ball, of diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the cylindrical front portion of the housing, is inserted through the opening;
    • the tip body has a front end which is crimped against the ball so as to retain it in the housing.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront au cours de la description qui va suivre, donnée à titre d'exemple non limitatif, en référence aux dessins annexés dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue simplifié en coupe longitudinale d'une pointe à bille existante ;
  • la figure 2 est une vue simplifiée en coupe longitudinale d'une pointe à bille selon l'invention ;
  • la figure 3 représente une vue agrandie de la portion III de la figure 2,
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the description which will follow, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:
  • the figure 1 is a simplified view in longitudinal section of an existing ball point;
  • the figure 2 is a simplified view in longitudinal section of a ball point according to the invention;
  • the figure 3 represents an enlarged view of portion III of the figure 2 ,

Sur les différentes figures, on a conservé les mêmes références pour désigner des éléments identiques ou similaires.In the various figures, the same references have been retained to designate identical or similar elements.

A la figure 2 est représentée une pointe à bille 1 pour instrument d'écriture, et plus particulièrement pour stylo à bille, comprenant un corps de pointe 2.To the figure 2 is represented a ballpoint 1 for a writing instrument, and more particularly for a ballpoint pen, comprising a tip body 2.

La demi-vue gauche de la figure 2 représente un corps de pointe brute, tandis que la demi-vue droite représente le corps de pointe après montage d'une bille 3. Le corps de pointe 2 présente une face avant 4 et un épaulement 5 sur lequel peut être emmanché un réservoir d'encre non représenté.The left half-view of the figure 2 represents a raw tip body, while the right half-view shows the tip body after mounting a ball 3. The tip body 2 has a front face 4 and a shoulder 5 on which can be fitted a reservoir of ink not shown.

Le corps de pointe 2 comporte un logement 6 qui débouche dans une ouverture 7 ménagée dans la face avant 4.The tip body 2 comprises a housing 6 which opens into an opening 7 formed in the front face 4.

Dans le mode de réalisation représenté, le logement 6 est sensiblement cylindrique et l'ouverture 7 présente une symétrie de révolution autour d'un axe central Z qui coïncide avec l'axe de symétrie du corps de pointe.In the embodiment shown, the housing 6 is substantially cylindrical and the opening 7 has a symmetry of revolution about a central axis Z which coincides with the axis of symmetry of the tip body.

Un passage 8 d'amenée d'un fluide assure une communication entre le réservoir d'encre et le logement 6.A passage 8 for supplying a fluid ensures communication between the ink reservoir and the housing 6.

La bille 3 est montée librement rotative dans le logement 6 et émerge par l'ouverture 7.The ball 3 is freely rotatably mounted in the housing 6 and emerges through the opening 7.

Dans le mode de réalisation représenté, la bille 3 est retenue par un siège 9 formé au fond du logement 6 et par l'extrémité avant 10 de la paroi du corps de pointe 2 qui épouse le contour de la bille. Le corps de pointe 2 est métallique dans le mode de réalisation représenté, ce qui permet d'obtenir l'épousement de la bille 3 par une opération de sertissage de l'extrémité avant 10.In the embodiment shown, the ball 3 is retained by a seat 9 formed at the bottom of the housing 6 and the front end 10 of the wall of the tip body 2 which follows the contour of the ball. The tip body 2 is metallic in the embodiment shown, which makes it possible to obtain the bracing of the ball 3 by a crimping operation of the front end 10.

Ainsi, la bille ne peut pas effectuer de mouvement de translation dans le logement 6. Mais l'invention est aussi applicable aux pointes à bille comprenant un ressort disposé selon l'axe central Z qui maintient la bille contre l'extrémité avant 10 du corps de pointe.Thus, the ball can not perform translational movement in the housing 6. But the invention is also applicable to ball points comprising a spring disposed along the central axis Z which holds the ball against the front end 10 of the body peak.

Le siège 9 peut comporter des canaux ou des ailettes qui améliorent le passage de l'encre depuis le passage d'amenée 8 jusqu'à l'espace 17, situé entre la bille et le siège, afin d'assurer un dépôt uniforme de l'encre sur de la bille.The seat 9 may comprise channels or fins that improve the passage of the ink from the supply passage 8 to the space 17, located between the ball and the seat, to ensure a uniform deposit of the ink on the ball.

Selon l'invention, la face avant 4 du corps de pointe présente une portion périphérique 11 et, sur le pourtour de l'ouverture 7, une portion évasée 12.According to the invention, the front face 4 of the tip body has a peripheral portion 11 and, around the periphery of the opening 7, a flared portion 12.

La portion périphérique 11 s'étend vers l'axe central Z depuis le pourtour extérieur de la face avant 4, jusqu'à la portion évasée 12. La portion périphérique 11 est sensiblement parallèle au plan moyen de l'ouverture 7, c'est-à-dire dans le mode de réalisation représenté, sensiblement perpendiculaire à l'axe central Z.The peripheral portion 11 extends towards the central axis Z from the outer periphery of the front face 4, to the flared portion 12. The peripheral portion 11 is substantially parallel to the mean plane of the opening 7; in the embodiment shown, substantially perpendicular to the central axis Z.

La portion évasée est agencée de manière à former, au point de contact 13 de la bille 3 avec le pourtour de l'ouverture 7, un angle aigu α avec la partie émergente du plan tangent à la bille au dit point de contact 13 et dont la trace T est visible sur la figure 2.The flared portion is arranged so as to form, at the point of contact 13 of the ball 3 with the periphery of the opening 7, an acute angle α with the emergent part of the plane tangential to the ball at said contact point 13 and of which the trace T is visible on the figure 2 .

La combinaison de la portion périphérique 11 et de la portion évasée 12 permet de réduire de manière très importante l'accumulation d'encre sur la face avant 4, et l'apparition de bavures sur le papier.The combination of the peripheral portion 11 and the flared portion 12 makes it possible to significantly reduce the accumulation of ink on the front face 4, and the appearance of burrs on the paper.

En effet, les essais montrent qu'avec la pointe à bille comportant une portion évasée selon l'invention, il n'y a plus de dépôt de bavure et ceci même avec une encre ne contenant pas d'additifs destinés à limiter l'apparition de bavures. On peut donc utiliser une encre grasse traditionnelle dont la viscosité est supérieure à 40 poises. De plus, les autres caractéristiques de la pointe, comme par exemple le confort d'écriture, ne sont pas dégradées.Indeed, the tests show that with the ball tip having a flared portion according to the invention, there is no more burr deposit and this even with an ink containing no additives to limit the appearance of burrs. It is therefore possible to use a traditional fatty ink whose viscosity is greater than 40 poises. In addition, the other characteristics of the tip, such as writing comfort, are not degraded.

Les inventeurs ont filmé à fort grossissement le roulage de la bille 3 sur une surface de type papier. Les films montrent une accumulation progressive de l'encre en un point de contact 13 entre la bille et la face avant 4, qui est situé de manière opposée à la direction de roulage. L'accumulation d'encre finit par former une goutte 18, comme représenté schématiquement sur la figure 3.The inventors filmed at high magnification the rolling of the ball 3 on a paper-like surface. The films show a progressive accumulation of the ink at a point of contact 13 between the ball and the front face 4, which is opposite to the driving direction. The accumulation of ink eventually forms a drop 18, as shown schematically on the figure 3 .

Toutefois, cette goutte ne s'étend pas au-delà de la portion périphérique 11 et par conséquent, il n'y a pas de dépôt d'encre sur la face radialement extérieure du corps de pointe 2. On note également que la goutte de se détache pas de la face avant 4 lors d'une inversion du sens de rotation de la bille, ce qui explique la disparition des bavures. Il est supposé que ces phénomènes sont obtenus grâce à un léger séchage de la portion 18a de la goutte, qui est située vers l'extérieur et donc au contact de l'air.However, this drop does not extend beyond the peripheral portion 11 and therefore, there is no ink deposit on the radially outer face of the tip body 2. It is also noted that the drop of does not detach from the front face 4 during a reversal of the direction of rotation of the ball, which explains the disappearance of the burrs. It is assumed that these phenomena are obtained by a slight drying of the portion 18a of the drop, which is located outwardly and therefore in contact with the air.

De plus, lorsque la goutte atteint une certaine taille, elle s'effondre et disparaît quasiment de la face avant 4. Ce phénomène peut s'expliquer par la présence de la portion évasée 12 qui forme avec la paroi de la bille 3 un entonnoir facilitant le retour de l'encre accumulée lors de la rotation de la bille. La portion 18b de la goutte au contact de la bille 3 reste fluide du fait de l'apport d'encre fraîche. La fluidité de la portion 18b permet certainement d'amorcer le retour de l'encre.In addition, when the drop reaches a certain size, it collapses and disappears almost from the front face 4. This phenomenon can be explained by the presence of the flared portion 12 which forms with the wall of the ball 3 a funnel facilitating the return of the ink accumulated during the rotation of the ball. The portion 18b of the drop in contact with the ball 3 remains fluid due to the addition of fresh ink. The fluidity of the portion 18b certainly makes it possible to initiate the return of the ink.

La pointe à bille selon l'invention permet donc de confiner une accumulation d'encre puis d'assurer son retour dans le corps de pointe, et ce contrairement aux pointes à bille de l'art antérieur, telles que celle représentée sur la demi vue droite de la figure 1.The ball tip according to the invention therefore makes it possible to confine an accumulation of ink and then to ensure its return to the tip body, unlike the ball points of the prior art, such as that shown on the half-view right of the figure 1 .

L'ouverture 7 de ces pointes antérieures présente un pourtour 14 qui forme un angle obtus avec la paroi de la bille 3, ce qui a plutôt pour effet de racler l'encre présente sur la bille lors de sa rotation et de retenir l'accumulation d'encre formée sur la face avant 4. Une telle accumulation d'encre peut être ensuite déposée sur le papier, notamment lors d'un changement du sens de rotation de la bille, et créer une bavure.The opening 7 of these anterior tips has a periphery 14 which forms an obtuse angle with the wall of the ball 3, which instead has the effect of scraping the ink present on the ball during its rotation and to retain the accumulation This ink accumulation can then be deposited on the paper, in particular during a change in the direction of rotation of the ball, and create a burr.

De manière préférentielle, la portion évasée 12 est formée par une surface tronconique coaxiale avec l'axe central Z de l'ouverture 7. Cette forme particulière de la portion évasée a l'avantage de pouvoir être réalisée avec une grande précision, notamment avec le procédé de fabrication décrit ci-après.Preferably, the flared portion 12 is formed by a frustoconical surface coaxial with the central axis Z of the opening 7. This particular shape of the flared portion has the advantage of being able to be achieved with great precision, in particular with the manufacturing process described below.

L'angle α formé entre la portion évasée 12 et la partie émergente du plan tangent T est d'environ 45° dans le mode de réalisation représenté, mais la portion évasée 12 conserve son rôle avec un angle α variant entre 30° et 70°.The angle α formed between the flared portion 12 and the emergent part of the tangent plane T is approximately 45 ° in the embodiment shown, but the flared portion 12 retains its role with an angle α varying between 30 ° and 70 ° .

Les essais montrent qu'avec une bille de diamètre important, par exemple 1,6 millimètre, il suffit que la hauteur axiale h de la surface tronconique 12 soit comprise entre 0,01 et 0,08 millimètre pour éviter l'apparition de bavures. Toutefois le diamètre de la bille peut être inférieur, jusqu'à 0,5 millimètre, ou supérieur. La hauteur axiale h pourra alors être modifiée proportionnellement de manière à être comprise entre 0,6 % et 5 % du diamètre de la bille.The tests show that with a ball of large diameter, for example 1.6 millimeters, it is sufficient that the axial height h of the frustoconical surface 12 is between 0.01 and 0.08 millimeters to prevent the appearance of burrs. However, the diameter of the ball may be smaller, up to 0.5 millimeters, or larger. The axial height h can then be varied proportionally so as to be between 0.6% and 5% of the diameter of the ball.

La portion périphérique 11 a la forme d'un anneau circulaire du fait de la symétrie de révolution autour de l'axe central Z du corps de pointe 2. Cet anneau est plat avant la réalisation de la portion évasée 12 par usinage et le sertissage de la bille 3, mais il peut être légèrement déformé au cours de ces opérations, et par conséquent la portion périphérique 11 peut n'être que sensiblement plane lorsque la pointe à bille est terminée.The peripheral portion 11 has the shape of a circular ring due to the symmetry of revolution about the central axis Z of the tip body 2. This ring is flat before the production of the flared portion 12 by machining and the crimping of the ball 3, but it may be slightly deformed during these operations, and therefore the peripheral portion 11 may be only substantially flat when the ball point is complete.

La portion périphérique 11 présente une largeur l mesurée selon une direction radiale de l'ouverture 7, c'est-à-dire selon une perpendiculaire à l'axe central Z. La largeur l doit être suffisante pour retenir une goutte d'encre 18 sans que celle-ci n'atteigne le pourtour extérieur de la face avant 4 et ne coule sur la paroi radialement extérieure du corps de pointe 2.The peripheral portion 11 has a width l measured in a radial direction of the opening 7, that is to say along a perpendicular to the central axis Z. The width l must be sufficient to retain a drop of ink 18 without it reaching the outer periphery of the front face 4 and flowing on the radially outer wall of the tip body 2.

Avec une bille de 1,6 millimètre de diamètre et une encre grasse, les essais montrent que la largeur 1 peut être comprise entre 0,02 millimètre et 0,08 millimètre, c'est-à-dire entre 1,2 % et 5 % du diamètre de la bille. Une largeur plus importante de la portion périphérique 11 est bien entendu envisageable, mais elle augmenterait l'encombrement du corps de pointe 2. Dans le cas d'une bille de diamètre différent, la largeur l pourra être modifiée proportionnellement de manière à être comprise entre 1,2 % et 5 % du diamètre de la bille. Toutefois, il est préférable que la largeur l soit au moins de 0,01 millimètres pour assurer la retenue d'une accumulation d'encre.With a 1.6 millimeter diameter ball and a greasy ink, the tests show that the width 1 can be between 0.02 millimeter and 0.08 millimeter, that is to say between 1.2% and 5%. % of the diameter of the ball. A larger width of the peripheral portion 11 is of course conceivable, but it would increase the size of the tip body 2. In the case of a ball of different diameter, the width l can be varied proportionally so as to be between 1.2% and 5% of the diameter of the ball. However, it is preferable that the width l be at least 0.01 millimeters to ensure the retention of an accumulation of ink.

Dans le mode de réalisation représenté, la hauteur axiale h de la portion évasée 12 est sensiblement égale à la largeur l de la portion périphérique 11, ce qui offre un bon compromis entre la propreté de la pointe à bille et le diamètre extérieur de la face avant 4.In the embodiment shown, the axial height h of the flared portion 12 is substantially equal to the width 1 of the peripheral portion 11, which offers a good compromise between the cleanliness of the ball tip and the outside diameter of the face before 4.

Là pointe à bille selon l'invention peut être fabriquée à partir d'un corps de pointe brut identique à ceux utilisés pour fabriquer les pointes à bille de l'art antérieur et représentés sur la demi vue gauche de la figure 1. Le logement 6 de ce corps de pointe brut présente une partie avant cylindrique 15 qui débouche dans une ouverture 7 en formant un angle droit 16 avec la face avant 4 du corps de pointe 2.The ball point according to the invention can be made from a raw tip body identical to those used to manufacture the ball points of the prior art and shown on the left half view of the figure 1 . The housing 6 of this raw point body has a cylindrical front portion 15 which opens into an opening 7 at a right angle 16 with the front face 4 of the tip body 2.

Pour réaliser la portion évasée 12, on chanfreine le pourtour de l'ouverture 7 de manière à éliminer l'angle droit 16, ensuite on insère la bille 3 dans le logement 6 par l'ouverture 7.To produce the flared portion 12, the periphery of the opening 7 is chamfered so as to eliminate the right angle 16, then the ball 3 is inserted into the housing 6 through the opening 7.

Le diamètre de la bille 3 est plus ou moins égal au diamètre de la partie cylindrique 15 du logement 6 selon que l'on désire obtenir une insertion à force ou à frottement doux et un espace plus au moins important entre la bille et la paroi du logement.The diameter of the ball 3 is more or less equal to the diameter of the cylindrical portion 15 of the housing 6 according to whether it is desired to obtain an insertion by force or soft friction and a more or less important space between the ball and the wall of the housing.

Puis, l'extrémité avant 10 du corps de pointe 2 est sertie contre la bille de manière à retenir celle-ci dans le logement 6. Grâce au sertissage, la paroi intérieure de l'extrémité avant 10 épouse la paroi de la bille en laissant un espace déterminé entre ces deux parois.Then, the front end 10 of the tip body 2 is crimped against the ball so as to retain it in the housing 6. Thanks to the crimping, the inner wall of the front end 10 matches the wall of the ball leaving a determined space between these two walls.

Ce procédé de fabrication présente l'avantage de pouvoir utiliser les corps de pointe bruts de l'art antérieur et ne nécessite qu'une étape supplémentaire, l'étape de chanfreinage, les autres étapes de fabrication étant inchangées. Ainsi, la pointe à bille selon l'invention peut être produite en grande série sans modifier profondément l'outil de production.This manufacturing method has the advantage of being able to use the raw peak bodies of the prior art and requires only one additional step, the chamfering step, the other manufacturing steps being unchanged. Thus, the ball tip according to the invention can be produced in large series without profoundly modifying the production tool.

Bien entendu, ce mode de réalisation décrivant une pointe à bille plus spécifiquement destinée à un stylo à bille n'est nullement limitatif. Les dimensions de la portion périphérique et de la portion évasée peuvent être adaptées en fonction du diamètre de la bille ou de l'épaisseur du film présent sur la partie émergente de la bille, notamment dans le cas d'une pointe à bille pour un applicateur de liquide correcteur ou de colle dont le diamètre de la bille peut atteindre 3 millimètres.Of course, this embodiment describing a ballpoint more specifically for a ballpoint pen is not limiting. The dimensions of the peripheral portion and the flared portion may be adapted depending on the diameter of the ball or the thickness of the film present on the emergent portion of the ball, in particular in the case of a ball point for an applicator correction fluid or glue whose ball diameter can reach 3 millimeters.

Claims (9)

  1. A ball tip for a writing instrument, comprising:
    - a tip body (2) having a front face (4), said tip body including a housing (6) which terminates in an opening (7) made in said front face (4) and which communicates with a fluid supply passage (8);
    - a flared portion (12) adjacent to the perimeter of the opening; and
    - a ball (3) mounted free to rotate in the housing (6) and emerging from said opening (7),
    characterized in that the front face (4) of the tip body (2) has a peripheral portion (11) extending to the flared portion (12), which has the form of a substantially planar circular ring and is substantially parallel to the average plane of the opening, said peripheral portion having a width l, measured in a radial direction of the opening (7), of at least 0.01 millimeter and of at least 1.2% of the diameter of the ball (3),
    and in that the flared portion (12) forms, at the point of contact (13) of the ball (3) with the perimeter of the opening, an acute angle α of less than 70 degrees with the emergent part of the plane (T) tangent to the ball at said point of contact, said flared portion (12) having a height h, measured in a direction perpendicular to the average plane of the opening (7), of between 0.6% and 5% of the diameter of the ball (3).
  2. The ball tip as claimed in claim 1, in which the angle α formed by the flared portion (12) and the emergent part of the plane (T) tangent to the ball (3) at the contact point (13) with the perimeter of the opening is between 30 and 70 degrees, preferably substantially equal to 45 degrees.
  3. The ball tip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 2, in which width l is between 1.2% and 5% of the diameter of the ball (3).
  4. The ball tip as claimed in claim 3, in which the axial height h of the flared portion (12) is substantially equal to the width l of the peripheral portion (11).
  5. The ball tip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the opening (7) in the tip body (2) has symmetry of revolution about a central axis (Z).
  6. The ball tip as claimed in claim 5, in which the flared portion (12) is formed by a frustoconical surface coaxial with the central axis (Z) of the opening (7).
  7. The ball tip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the tip body (2) is made of metal, and in which the ball (3) is retained in the housing (6) by crimping the tip body.
  8. A ballpoint pen comprising a ball tip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the diameter of the ball (3) is between 0.5 and 1.6 millimeters, and in which the ink has a viscosity of greater than 40 poises.
  9. A method of manufacturing a ball tip, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, from a blank tip body (2) having a front face (4) and including a housing (6) of which a cylindrical front part (15) terminates in an opening (7) made in said front face (4), in which:
    - a flared portion (12) is made by chamfering on the perimeter of the opening (7) a part of the peripheral portion having the form of a planar circular ring;
    - a ball (3) having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the cylindrical front part (15) of the housing is inserted through the opening (7) ;
    - the tip body (2) has a front end (10) which is crimped against the ball (3) so as to retain the latter in the housing (6).
EP03761609.1A 2002-07-01 2003-05-28 Ballpoint for writing instrument and method for making same Expired - Lifetime EP1549508B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0208189 2002-07-01
FR0208189A FR2841497B1 (en) 2002-07-01 2002-07-01 BALLPOINT FOR WRITING INSTRUMENT AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF
PCT/FR2003/001618 WO2004002750A1 (en) 2002-07-01 2003-05-28 Ballpoint for writing instrument and method for making same

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EP1549508A1 EP1549508A1 (en) 2005-07-06
EP1549508B1 true EP1549508B1 (en) 2013-07-31

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US (1) US6971814B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1549508B1 (en)
JP (1) JP4468168B2 (en)
CN (1) CN100402312C (en)
AU (1) AU2003249425C1 (en)
BR (1) BR0312192B1 (en)
CA (1) CA2488282C (en)
FR (1) FR2841497B1 (en)
MX (1) MXPA05000230A (en)
WO (1) WO2004002750A1 (en)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102005054383B4 (en) 2005-11-15 2013-10-31 Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma Gmbh & Co. Kg Needle for punching powder capsules for inhalation
US8261424B1 (en) * 2006-08-31 2012-09-11 Northwestern Tools, Inc. Press-thru plunger and methods of manufacture and use
KR200470085Y1 (en) * 2008-01-31 2013-11-26 동아연필 주식회사 Tip for Writing Instrument

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL68018C (en) * 1945-01-19
GB892624A (en) * 1958-08-20 1962-03-28 Hans Reinhard Fehling Improvements in or relating to ballpointed writing instruments
US3380152A (en) * 1965-10-18 1968-04-30 Textron Inc Writing implement
FR1576412A (en) 1968-04-08 1969-08-01
DE2647225C3 (en) * 1976-10-20 1981-12-10 Fa. J.S. Staedtler, 8500 Nürnberg Writing tip for ink ballpoint pens
JP3865788B2 (en) * 1997-01-07 2007-01-10 三菱鉛筆株式会社 Ballpoint pen
AU3530499A (en) * 1999-05-12 2000-12-05 Premec Sa Writing instrument
JP4363539B2 (en) * 1999-06-04 2009-11-11 諏訪熱工業株式会社 Ball for ballpoint pen

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MXPA05000230A (en) 2005-04-11
JP4468168B2 (en) 2010-05-26
WO2004002750A1 (en) 2004-01-08
AU2003249425C1 (en) 2008-09-18
AU2003249425A1 (en) 2004-01-19
CN100402312C (en) 2008-07-16
BR0312192B1 (en) 2014-09-30
AU2003249425B2 (en) 2008-02-28
CA2488282A1 (en) 2004-01-08
FR2841497B1 (en) 2004-12-10
CN1665688A (en) 2005-09-07
US20050117961A1 (en) 2005-06-02
JP2005531437A (en) 2005-10-20
FR2841497A1 (en) 2004-01-02
BR0312192A (en) 2005-04-26
CA2488282C (en) 2011-12-06
US6971814B2 (en) 2005-12-06
EP1549508A1 (en) 2005-07-06

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