Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
  • B43K—IMPLEMENTS FOR WRITING OR DRAWING
  • B43K8/00—Pens with writing-points other than nibs or balls
  • B43K8/02—Pens with writing-points other than nibs or balls with writing-points comprising fibres, felt, or similar porous or capillary material
  • B43K8/04—Arrangements for feeding ink to writing-points
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
  • B43K—IMPLEMENTS FOR WRITING OR DRAWING
  • B43K5/00—Pens with ink reservoirs in holders, e.g. fountain-pens
  • B43K5/02—Ink reservoirs
  • B43K5/04—Ink reservoirs flexible
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
  • B43K—IMPLEMENTS FOR WRITING OR DRAWING
  • B43K5/00—Pens with ink reservoirs in holders, e.g. fountain-pens
  • B43K5/02—Ink reservoirs
  • B43K5/14—Exchangeable ink cartridges
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
  • B43K—IMPLEMENTS FOR WRITING OR DRAWING
  • B43K5/00—Pens with ink reservoirs in holders, e.g. fountain-pens
  • B43K5/18—Arrangements for feeding the ink to the nibs
  • B43K5/1818—Mechanical feeding means, e.g. valves; Pumps
  • B43K5/1827—Valves
  • B43K5/1836—Valves automatically closing
  • B43K5/1863—Valves automatically closing opened by actuation of the rear-side of the pen
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
  • B43K—IMPLEMENTS FOR WRITING OR DRAWING
  • B43K8/00—Pens with writing-points other than nibs or balls
  • B43K8/02—Pens with writing-points other than nibs or balls with writing-points comprising fibres, felt, or similar porous or capillary material
  • B43K8/03—Ink reservoirs; Ink cartridges

Definitions

• the present invention relates to instruments for applying fluid, and more particularly, to marking instruments for writing, drawing or painting, such as pens, markers or brushes.
• Such instruments may include an absorbent felt in a casing that is loaded with a fluid, for example ink, and this generally finds its way to the tip of the instrument due to capillary action and gravity.
• a marking instrument for applying a fluid
• said instrument comprising:- a main body having a replaceable cartridge receiving location and a cannula for puncturing a cartridge received at said location ; a cartridge having a re-sealable diaphragm, said diaphragm al lowing repeated puncture and seal ing by said cannula, said cartridge further having a deformable wal l portion; wherein said cartridge is biassed away from a puncturing position, movement into the puncturing position causing deformation of the deformable wal l portion to thereby reduce the i nternal volume of the cartridge.
• I n th is regard, the reduction in the internal volume of the cartridge resu lts in the pressure therei n being increased, which wi l l urge fl u id contained in the cartridge to flow through the punctured resealable d iaphragm.
• the movement to the puncturing position can be effected manual ly by a user urging the cartridge downwardly relative to the main body and cannula. Once the user removes their downward force on the cartridge, the cartridge wi l l be biassed away from the puncturi ng position such that the resealable diaphragm once again is sealed, thereby preventing further fluid from passing therethrough.
• the deformable wal l portion may be formed of resi l ient material , having memory, so that it wi l l return to its original shape, once the cartridge moves away from the puncturing position.
• the cannula can communicate with an outlet fluid chamber provided in the main body, whereby fluid contained in the cartridge can be transferred to the outlet fluid chamber on puncturing of the resealable diaphragm.
• the arrangement provides a resealable valve between the cartridge and the outlet fluid chamber.
• the cartridge may. be arranged to be sl idably received with in a cartridge holder provided on the main body and an outer surface of the cartridge can be provided with one or more inwardly movable protrusions which are locatable in one or more apertures provided i n the cartridge holder.
• Such an arrangement provides a conven ient mechan ism for simple and rel iable loading and removal of the cartridge.
• the protrusions and apertures are preferably positioned such that with the cartridge loaded in the holder, the cannu la wi l l at al l times be at least partial ly inserted in the resealable diaphragm, the cannula only ful ly puncturing the resealable diaphragm as a resu lt of movement thereof towards the puncturing position.
• the cartridge holder may have an abutment surface, against which the cartridge abuts when the cannula punctures the diaphragm and a spri ng member can be disposed at or adjacent said abutment surface of the mai n body for biassing the cartridge out of abutment with said abutment surface.
• a spring member provides a convenient biassing means.
• the diaphragm can be mounted on the deformable wall portion of said cartridge and conveniently comprises a substantial ly tubu lar outer casing, said deformable wal l portion being provided in the form of an outwardly directed domed ring, the diaphragm being provided in a central area of the ring.
• the deformable wal l portion is deformed , it deforms to become inwardly directed.
• the cartridge may be provided with a main fl uid chamber for holdi ng fluid , and a secondary fluid chamber connected through a fluid supply tube to said diaphragm, wherein, when the cartridge is in a first orientation, a measured dose of fluid can enter the secondary flu id chamber and wherein, when in a second orientation, no more than the measured dose within the secondary fluid chamber can be del ivered through the supply tube to the diaphragm.
• the outlet fl uid chamber is less l ikely to be overcharged with fl u id, thereby reducing the risk of leakages.
• the cartridge may be provided with a recess into which the second fl uid chamber moves, as the cartridge moves to said puncturi ng position.
• the resealable diaphragm extends i n the d irection of the cannu la to an extent which allows a tip of the cannula to reside sealably there within.
• the tip of the cannula is either sealably located i n the resealable diaphragm or in communication with the cartridge.
• the resealable diaphragm may comprise in this regard a rubber stopper.
• the spring member can be positioned around the cannula and is provided with a resealable cannula seal member which resealably seals the cannula and prevents exposure of a tip of the cannu la unti l the cartridge is moved towards the puncturi ng position .
• the resealable cannula seal member al lows repeated seal ing and penetration by the cannula.
• an instrument for applying fluid comprising: - a main fluid chamber; and a cannula for penetrating a re-sealable diaphragm provided in association with access to a secondary fluid chamber, said diaphragm al lowing repeated puncture and seal i ng by said cannula; wherein the secondary fl uid chamber is in fluid communication with said main fluid chamber, and which, i n a first orientation of the instrument, can be filled to a measured dosage from said mai n fluid chamber; wherein the mai n fluid chamber has a deformable wal l portion to which the secondary fluid chamber is coupled , such that in a deformation of the deformable wal l portion to a deformed position, the secondary fluid chamber and cannu la move relative to one another, whereby the cannula punctures said resealable diaphragm, the said deformation further acting to reduce the combi ne
• the instrument may have biassing means for biassing the deformable wall portion against deformation to the deformed position.
• the cannula may be in fluid communication with an outlet fluid chamber.
• the outlet fluid chamber is provided with an absorbent material such as felt or sponge.
• a nib or tip an be provided in fluid communication with the outlet fluid chamber.
• the instrument can be one of a writing instrument, a drawing instrument, a painting instrument, or a marker.
• a marking instrument for applying a fluid
• said instrument comprising:- a fluid chamber; and a cannula for puncturing said fluid chamber; wherein said fluid chamber has a re-sealable diaphragm which is movable between sealed and punctured positions with respect to said cannula, and further wherein in a sealed position, said cannula partially penetrates said diaphragm, and wherein in a punctured position said cannula fully punctures said diaphragm to thereby communicate with an interior of said chamber, the cannula being biassed away from a punctured position to the sealed position.
• the present invention conveniently in involved in dispensing relatively small quantities of fluid, such as 0.001-5 mill or more, for use e.g. in a marking instrument.
• the fluid is preferably of relatively low viscosity and does not include any large particulates so the ejection of the fluid does not require undue manual pressure and the relevant passages within the instrument are not easily blocked.
• Figure 1 is a part sectioned view of an instrument of a first • embodiment of the present invention
• Figure 2 is a part sectioned view through a first embodiment of the i nstrument of F igure 1 after applying a force X;
• Figure 3 is an enlarged section from the first embodiment of F igure 1 showing a deformable wall portion in a first configuration
• Figure 4 is an enlarged section from the fi rst embodiment of F igure 1 showing the deformable wall portion in a second configuration
• Figure 5 is a section of a fluid cartridge of the instrument of Figure 1 ;
• Figure 6 is side view of the fluid cartridge of the instrument of Figure 1 ;
• Figure 7 is a part sectioned side view of an instrument of the present invention.
• F igure 8 is a part sectioned side view of the instrument of Figure 7 after a force X has been applied;
• Figure 9 shows a part sectioned view of an instrument of the present invention
• Figure 1 0 is a part sectioned view through the instrument of Figure 9 after a force X has been applied;
• F igure 1 1 shows a part sectional view of an i nstrument according to a further embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 12 shows a part sectional view of the instrument of Figure 1 1 after a force X has been applied.
• Figures 1 to 6 show an instrument for applyi ng fl uid.
• the instrument takes the form of a pen.
• the instrument may alternatively any one of a writing instrument, a drawing instrument, a painting i nstrument, or a marking instrument.
• the pen 1 comprises an elongate, substantially cylindrical holder 2, which forms the outer casi ng of the pen.
• the holder 2 forms cartridge receiving location in which is further provided a cannu la 4 havi ng a sharpened tip 5.
• the cannula is used for puncturi ng a replaceable cartridge 6 received in the holder 2.
• the cartridge 6 has a re-sealable diaphragm 7 in the form of a resi l ient stopper (shown enlarged in Figure 4) .
• the diaphragm 7 al lows repeated puncture and seal ing by said cannula.
• the cartridge is provided with a deformable wall portion 8, which is configured as an outwardly directed domed ring .
• a spri ng 9 biasses the cartridge 6 away from a puncturing position, movement i nto the puncturing position causing a deformation of the deformable wal l portion to thereby reduce the i nternal vol ume of the cartridge 6.
• the reduction in the internal volume of the cartridge results in the pressure therein being increased, which wi l l urge fl u id contained i n the cartridge 6 to flow through the punctured resealable diaphragm 7.
• the movement to the puncturing position can be effected manual ly by a user urgi ng the cartridge downwardly relative to the main body and cannula, as shown in Figure 2.
• the deformable wall portion 8 is formed of resi l ient material , having memory, so that it wi l l return to its original shape, once the cartridge moves away from the puncturing position.
• the cannula 4 communicates with an outlet fluid chamber 1 1 provided in a main body 2 of the instrument, whereby flu id contai ned in the cartridge 6 can be transferred to the outlet fluid chamber 1 1 on puncturing of the re-sealable diaphragm 7.
• the arrangement provides a resealable valve between the cartridge and the outlet fluid chamber.
• the cartridge 6 is arranged to be sl idably received within a cartridge holder provided on the main body and an outer surface of the cartridge can be provided with one or more inwardly movable protrusions 12 which are locatable in one or more slots 1 3 provided in the cartridge holder 2.
• the protrusions 12 and slots 1 3 are positioned such that with the cartridge 6 loaded i n the holder 2 , the tip 5 of the cannula 4 will at all times be at least partial ly inserted in the stopper 7 , the cannula 4 only fully puncturing the resealable diaphragm as a result of movement thereof towards the puncturing position.
• the resealable diaphragm 7 is mounted central ly on the deformable wal l portion 8 of said cartridge 6 and comprises a substantial ly tubular outer casing 14.
• the deformable wal l portion When the deformable wal l portion is deformed, it deforms to become inwardly directed, i . e it projects into the i nterior of the cartridge, as shown in Figure 4.
• the cartridge is provided with a main fluid chamber 1 5 for holding fluid, and a secondary fluid chamber 16 connected through a flu id supply tube 1 7 to said diaphragm 7, wherein, when the cartridge is in a first orientation, a measured dose of fluid can enter the secondary fluid chamber and wherein, when in a second orientation, no more than the measured dose within the secondary fluid chamber can be del ivered through the supply tube to the diaphragm.
• a measured dose of fluid can enter the secondary fluid chamber and wherein, when in a second orientation, no more than the measured dose within the secondary fluid chamber can be del ivered through the supply tube to the diaphragm.
• the cartridge is provided with a recess 1 8 into which the second fluid chamber moves, as the cartridge moves to said puncturing position.
• the cap 30 may be attached to the top of the recess during use of the instrument.
• the stopper that forms the resealable d iaphragm 7 extends in the direction of the cannula to an extent which al lows a tip of the cannula to reside sealably there within. Hence the tip of the cannula is either sealably located in the resealable diaphragm or in communication with the cartridge.
• a pen nib or tip 29 is mounted in a housing 31 , the housing contai ni ng a cyl indrical block of felt 1 0,28 to act as a reservoir for marking i nk for the nib or tip.
• An initial usage of the pen 1 may require several operations of the pressing on the cartridge so as completely to load the felt 1 0, 28 so that the n i b or ti p 29 is suppl ied with sufficient ink for writing.
• the spring 9 can be positioned around the cannula 4 and is provided with a resealable cannula seal member 19 which resealably seals the cannula and prevents exposure of a tip of the cannula unti l the cartridge is moved towards the puncturing position.
• the resealable cannula seal member al lows repeated seal ing and penetration by the cannula. Operation of the modified i nstrument incl uding the resealable cannula seal member 1 9 together with a cartridge 6 is shown in Figures 9 and' 1 0.
• Figures 1 1 and 12 show a further * embodi ment, where a mai n fl u id chamber 20 is provided integrally in the instrument, rather than being provided separately as a cartridge.
• a secondary fluid chamber 21 is provided i n an upper portion of the instrument within the main fluid chamber 20, the secondary fluid chamber being movable, by virtue of its mounting on deformable wal l portion 22, relative to a cannula 23 having a tip.24.
• the secondary fluid chamber 21 is biassed through spring 25 outwardly of the main fluid chamber, and abuts an inner surface of - li ⁇
• This flow loads the felt 28 or similar material held within the outlet fl uid chamber, this chamber being in communication with a n ib 29 or si mi lar pen tip .
• a cap 30 is used to protect the nib and to prevent its drying out when not in use.
• the present invention conveniently in involved in dispensing relatively smal l quantities of fluid, such as 0.001 -5 mi l l or more, for use e.-g. in a marking instrument.
• the fluid is preferably of relatively low viscosity and does not include any large particulates so the ejection of the fluid does not require undue manual pressure and the relevant passages within the i nstrument are not easi ly blocked.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=29226575

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

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Family Cites Families (4)

• 2003
  • 2003-09-05 GB GB0320843A patent/GB2405615B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2004
  • 2004-08-31 WO PCT/GB2004/003723 patent/WO2005023558A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2004-08-31 EP EP04768272A patent/EP1720716A2/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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