EP2184180B1 - Pen with closing cap - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a pen with a cap.

Such pens include a reservoir for storing an application fluid and an applicator tip for applying the fluid to a surface. The coating fluid contains a volatile solvent at room temperature, which evaporates after application, thereby allowing the coating fluid to dry or film. The pins include a closure cap which is detachable therefrom for use with the pin and which has a cavity for receiving the applicator tip.

Such pins are today known in various embodiments, e.g. in the form of writing instruments such as fillers, paint or Multimarkerstiften for applying ink or paint, but recently also in the form of cosmetic equipment such as nail polish or mascara applicators for applying about a paste. The applicator is e.g. a brush, a sponge, a brush or a fiber or sinter tip. For the solvent, for example, water, but also solvents such as ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, propyl acetate, ethanol, isopropanol, butyl alcohol or diacetone alcohol, for example, for nail polishes conceivable.

Solvents are classified according to volatility or volatility, which describes the tendency of a solvent to evaporate. Volatile solvents are those with an evaporation number of less than 10, medium volatile ones with an evaporation number of 10 to less than 35 and low volatility ones with 35 or more. In the context of the present patent application, solvents with evaporation numbers below 35, in particular below 10 are considered.

A problem with the described pins is that despite the attached cap drying the applicator tip is observed. This is partly due to the fact that a completely gas-tight fit of the cap on the pen with reasonable effort can not be achieved. On the other hand, solvent can also diffuse through the material of the cap especially in plastic caps.

From the US-A-6102602 a pen according to the preamble of claim 1 is known.

From the DE 19 01 668 U a ink stick is known which has a water-filled storage element in the cap area for protection against drying.

From the DD 206 548 it is known to close this storage element with the cap removed by a valve which is actuated by the Tuschespitze.

The object of the present invention is to provide an o.g. Pen to improve.

The invention is based on the general idea that in a pen of the type mentioned, the closure cap contains a storage space and a connecting channel fluidically connecting the storage space with the cavity, wherein the storage space serves to receive a volatile at room temperature sacrificial liquid. The sacrificial fluid contains this at least one solvent that evaporates from the liquid phase to the gaseous phase. The gaseous phase of the sacrificial liquid is hereinafter referred to as sacrificial solvent.

The sacrificial liquid thus volatilizes to a sacrificial solvent and passes through the connecting channel into the cavity, where the latter surrounds the applicator tip when the cap is attached or soaks the cavity. In other words, instead of the solvent of the application fluid, the sacrificial liquid evaporates to a sacrificial solvent. This embodiment of the closure cap prevents the applicator tip or the application fluid from drying on it.

In the cavity, therefore, add the vapor pressures of the solvent of the coating liquid and the vapor pressure of the sacrificial liquid. The gas or vapor phase in the cavity of the closure cap is thus supplied both from the sacrificial liquid and from the solvent of the application liquid. Accordingly, leakage due to leakage between the cap and pen shank is at the expense of the solvent of the application liquid and the sacrificial liquid. In this way it is achieved that the applicator tip itself can not dry or the drying is delayed in time. On the other hand, thickening of the application liquid due to solvent loss is prevented or delayed.

The sacrificial liquid may be or contain the solvent of the application fluid. In the plugged state of the cap so that the order fluid is surrounded with its own solvent, which, however, comes partly from the storage space.

Evaporation of solvent from the coating fluid or drying of the applicator tip is thus particularly effectively avoided.

In general, the vapor pressure of the sacrificial liquid or of the sacrificial solvent should be comparable or higher than the corresponding value of the application fluid or its components, ie the boiling point should be lower.

According to the invention, the closure cap contains a sealing element which is movable between a sealing position closing the connecting channel and an opening position releasing the connecting channel. The sealing element is in this case movement-coupled to its movement between the opening and sealing position with a protruding into the cavity of the closure cap portion of the shaft of the pin. In other words, when the cover cap is put on or removed by the movement coupling, this shaft section moves the sealing element and releases or closes the connecting channel. Thus, in the attached state of the closure cap, the connection channel is opened, so that - as described above - the sacrificial liquid can volatilize and reach the tip of the applicator. When the cap is removed, the cavity communicates with the environment. But then no sacrificial solvent passes through the closed connection channel to the cavity and from there into the environment. An unnecessary release of volatilizing sacrificial fluid into the environment is therefore prevented. This or the victim solvent remains in the now closed from the outside environment storage space. Since the actuation is done by the pen shaft, the pen tip remains mechanically unloaded. This is important, for example, for fine fiber tips that must not be deformed.

According to the invention, the sealing element is mounted axially displaceably in the cap. The axial movement is a generally occurring when putting on or removing the pen cap basic movement. If the sealing element in the cap is also mounted axially displaceable, the Aufsteck- or Abziehbewegung or relative movement between the pin shaft and cap can be easily implemented by a simple movement coupling in the axial movement of the sealing element in the cap.

According to the invention, the sealing element comprises a wall space delimiting the storage space from the cavity. In this case, the wall segment only leaves at least one longitudinal section of the connection channel free, so that it can extend through the wall segment or past it. The sealing member also includes a driver element cooperating with the shaft portion facing the cap opening to engage the shaft portion there. In other words, therefore, during the attachment or removal operation of the closure cap, the carrier element is moved by the shaft section, which in turn moves the closing mechanism of the sealing element, e.g. operated in the form of a movement of the wall segment. The wall segment as part of the sealing element can also be mounted axially displaceable in the closure cap.

According to the invention, a gap is present between the inside of the closure cap and the wall segment, which forms at least one longitudinal section of the connection channel. In this case, the gap may in particular be an annular gap surrounding the wall segment. The annular gap can then be so small interpreted in terms of its width that, for example, liquid sacrificial liquid is retained by the annular gap in the storage space and only vaporous medium, so vaporized sacrificial liquid or sacrificial solvent can pass through the annular gap to the cavity. The annular gap then forms a diffusion path.

In particular, the flow cross section of the gap can be smaller than that of the remaining connection channel. The gap then essentially determines the flow behavior of the connection channel. Thus, e.g. Sizing the gap ensures that the right amount of sacrificial solvent enters the cavity just enough to protect the applicator tip from drying out.

The gap may be an annular gap in a preferred embodiment. This is easy to accomplish in particular for rotationally symmetric pins.

In the presence of a corresponding gap, in a further preferred embodiment, a closure element is arranged on the inside of the closure cap, which closes the gap in the closed position of the sealing element. In other words, the sealing element moves sealingly against the closure element during its movement.

This closure element may be a circumferential annular projection in a particularly preferred embodiment. Such acts, for example, particularly easy with an annular gap surrounding the wall segment together by the wall segment in the manner of a piston, leaving the annular gap in the cylindrical Cover cap slides until it reaches the ring projection, which then closes the ring gap.

A particularly compact design of the pin results when the sealing element is at least part of an inner cap disposed within the cap. A corresponding inner cap can be produced, for example, by injection molding in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner, is stable and forms the cavity on its inside, and in particular can be easily axially displaceably mounted in the closure cap. The connecting channel or at least a part thereof can then be formed particularly easily as an opening in the inner cap.

The inner cap can then according to a development of the above embodiment with wall segment and driver element comprise these two components. The remote from the cap opening bottom of the inner cap can in this case represent the wall segment. In this area can then be formed between inner cap and cap of the annular gap. The extending away from the ground wall of the inner cap can then form the driver element or include this.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the pin comprises a first axially effective positive locking, which limits the relative movement of the sealing element and the closure cap when removing it from the shaft. A second, the movement coupling between the sealing element and shaft portion when removing the cap causing positive engagement is formed between these two elements. The first form-fitting has in this case in the axial direction seen a higher strength than the second.

By a corresponding design of the pin, the following sequence of movements can be realized when removing the pin cap: A user grips the cap and begins to unscrew it from the pin or subtract it. In this case, the sealing element is further held firmly on the shaft via the second positive connection, as a result of which the removal movement of the closure cap initially leads to a relative movement of the closure cap and sealing element. Only when the closure cap is pulled off far enough from the pin or sealing element that the first positive locking engages, a further relative movement between the closure cap and sealing element is prevented. However, by further applying force in the peel-off motion on the closure cap, the second form closure is first triggered, i. the sealing element releases its movement coupling to the shaft. In other words, the cap is thereby released as a whole from the shaft.

By the corresponding relative movement between the closure cap and the sealing element, the connecting channel is first closed in this case, so that it is already closed during the detachment of the sealing element from the shaft. When attaching the cap on the pin, the sealing element is first pushed back into the cap and finally locked the sealing element on the shaft.

In a preferred embodiment, both form-fit connections are formed in each case by radially overlapping projections on closure element and sealing element on the one hand and / or sealing element and shaft section on the other hand.

It is conceivable, e.g. as the first positive locking a stop element, which limits the relative movement of the sealing element and the cap when removing the cap from the pin and as a second positive locking a locking element, which initially holds the sealing element when removing the cap on the shaft. The latching force of the locking element is smaller than the abutment force of the stop element, which is why only the second positive locking dissolves when removing the cap when the first strikes.

The first positive connection can be formed in particular by a stop arranged on the closure cap and a projection arranged on the sealing element. The second positive connection can be formed by a latching lug on the shaft portion and a latching projection on the sealing element. Such a solution is e.g. injection molding technically easy to implement.

In a further preferred embodiment, the closure cap has a cover which is coupled with the sealing element in a manner which, in the released state of the closure cap, conceals a section of the closure cap adjoining the opening. As a rule, the closure cap in this section has a holding element that locks it to the shaft, eg a screw thread, a bayonet catch or a friction or snap connection. The cover then covers this holding element in the released state of the cap. In other words, when the cap is removed from the pin, as explained above, the sealing element is moved, which in turn, via a movement coupling, guides the cover into a position concealing the retaining element. During subsequent placement of the cap on the pin so the holding element is initially hidden, which is why this, so for example the Thread, can not be contaminated with application fluid. By Aufsteckbewegung and the corresponding movement coupling with the sealing element, the cover is moved during the attachment of the cap from the holding element, so that the holding element can finally engage the pin to lock the cap on this.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the storage space contains a storage element for the sacrificial liquid. This can e.g. be a fiber or sintered element. Within the storage space then the sacrificial liquid is stored in the storage element.

It is also conceivable to close the storage space by a semi-permeable membrane in order to create a retention volume for the sacrificial liquid. The membrane could also be e.g. the o.g. Fill or form the diffusion gap or channel. The membrane can then also serve for metering the amount of solvent delivered per time or be designed accordingly.

In a preferred embodiment, the storage element may be a cartridge, that is to say a container filled with sacrificial liquid. Thus, not the entire cap, but only the cartridge for storing the sacrificial liquid suitable, eg designed to be compatible with materials. In addition, there is the advantage that the cartridge can be filled before the production of the entire pen and can be used in the filled state during assembly in the cap or the storage space. The cartridge is eg a liquid cartridge with wick.

The organic solvents which are suitable as sacrificial liquid have a high vapor pressure, are often harmful to health and, above all, highly flammable. When handling such substances appropriate protective measures, in particular fire or explosion protection measures must be provided. Advantage of using a cartridge is that the filling of the cartridge can be done in a separate process step. Only in the cartridge production and only then there are the protective measures to take, which is easier to accomplish than protective measures for the entire pin production. In the actual pin assembly then no protective measures are required because the cartridge can be delivered to the assembly line in the closed state. The pin assembly is therefore still easy and inexpensive to perform. The cartridge must be closed in such a way that the victim's solvent can reach the cap in a controlled manner. Conceivable here is e.g. a membrane or a sintered disc.

The cartridge should therefore be closed when delivered to the assembly line. Either you choose the wall thickness of the cartridge at least at one point so thin that it can then be pierced during assembly in the pen and thus creates a small opening. Although sacrificial liquid can not escape through this in the flowable state, liquid vapor can escape through it. It is alternatively conceivable that in the cartridge wall, an opening is present, which is closed after filling, such as a plastic film or the like. The closure element can then also be pierced or pulled off later. Another possibility is to close the opening of the cartridge with a material that is permeable to the liquid vapor.

Such an opening must of course also be closed, such as with a glued foil or otherwise.

Another advantage of a cartridge is that it allows a larger amount of sacrificial liquid to be accommodated in the cap. Within the cartridge, namely - e.g. in contrast to the use of a storage element - no kappilar effective storage material be present, since the sacrificial liquid is already held by the cartridge.

The cartridge can be inserted into the cap or its storage space through the conventional single opening of the cap, which also serves to place these on the pin. However, it is also conceivable in an alternative embodiment that the closure cap in the region of the storage space has an opening in which the cartridge rests sealingly. In other words, the cartridge thus forms part of the closure cap or continues it in the region of the opening. The cartridge can then be easily inserted from the inside or outside into the cap when mounting the pin. Also, it is e.g. possible to install in the cartridge itself a viewing window, which is then visible as part of the cap and allows control of the amount of sacrificial liquid still present.

In an alternative embodiment, at least a part of the cartridge is made in one piece with the above-mentioned inner cap. For example, this is simply possible with injection molding technology, for which the cartridge does not then have to be made a separate component.

In an alternative embodiment, at least a part of the connecting channel is formed as a capillary channel. A closure of the channel by a sealing element is then not necessary. A seal between inner and outer cap can then be used e.g. firmly mounted, so not be displaced. The inner cap must also e.g. not be slidably mounted in the cap. Capillary channels which open into the storage space are then located between the inner and closure cap or a gasket and the cap which is inserted between them. The capillary channels simultaneously open into the cavity so that sacrificial solvent can evaporate from the storage space through the channels into the cavity.

The capillary channels can also narrow in the direction of the storage space. Sacrificial liquid can then not leak from the storage space because of the directed capillary force.

The capillary channels may be formed by grooves or flats on the outside of the seal or the inside of the closure cap or the outside of the inside cap.

Fig. 1

einen Stift mit aufgesetzter Verschlusskappe,

Fig. 2

das Detail II aus Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

das Detail III aus Fig. 1

Fig. 4

den Stift aus Fig. 1 beim Abziehen der Verschlusskappe,

Fig. 5

das Detail V aus Fig. 4,

Fig. 6

die vollständig vom Stift abgezogene Verschlusskappe aus Fig. 1,

Fig. 7

das Detail VII aus Fig. 6,

Fig. 8-10

Schnitte durch die Positionen VIII, XI und X in Fig. 4,

Fig. 11

einen Stift mit Kartusche als Speicherelement,

Fig. 12

eine an der Innenkappe angeformte Kartusche,

Fig. 13

eine durchbrochene Verschlusskappe mit von außen eingesetzter Kartusche,

Fig. 14

eine von innen eingesetzte Kartusche.

For a further description of the invention reference is made to the embodiments of the drawings. They show, in each case in a schematic outline sketch:

Fig. 1

a pin with attached cap,

Fig. 2

the detail II off Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3

the detail III off Fig. 1

Fig. 4

the pen off Fig. 1 when removing the cap,

Fig. 5

the detail V off Fig. 4 .

Fig. 6

the cap completely removed from the pen Fig. 1 .

Fig. 7

the detail VII off Fig. 6 .

Fig. 8-10

Sections through positions VIII, XI and X in Fig. 4 .

Fig. 11

a pen with cartridge as storage element,

Fig. 12

a molded on the inner cap cartridge,

Fig. 13

a perforated cap with cartridge inserted from the outside,

Fig. 14

a cartridge inserted from the inside.

Fig. 1 shows a pin 2 with a shaft 4, of which only the front part is shown. On the shaft 4, a cap 6 is placed with its opening 24, since the pin is currently not used, that is in a closed or storage position. The shaft 4 in this case closes the opening 24. The shaft 4 essentially comprises a base 8 or grip body of the pin 2 forming container 8 with a reservoir 10 for a Auftragfluid 12 with a solvent 13. The shaft also comprises a container 8 on the end face mounted shaft portion 14, which acts as an adapter and an applicator tip 16 carries. The applicator tip 16 is connected via a transport channel 18 to the reservoir 10 in connection, and is used in the use of the pin 2 for application of the application fluid 12. The pin is constructed substantially rotationally symmetrical about a central longitudinal axis 20.

In the exemplary embodiment, the cap 6 is designed as an outer cap 30 and includes an inner cap 32 which is inserted in the latter. In the axial direction of the central longitudinal axis 20 of the pin 2, the inner cap 32 is shorter by about one third than the outer cap 30 Fig. 1 is the inner cap 32 in the front end 34 of the outer cap 30 maximum advanced position. Between the bottom 36 of the outer cap and the bottom 38 of the inner cap then remains a storage space 40, in which a storage element 42 rests. The storage element 42 is impregnated with a sacrificial liquid 44, from which at room temperature a sacrificial solvent 45 evaporates, which is distributed in the storage space 40. The inner cap 32 is essentially formed by a wall section in the form of a bottom 38 and a sleeve-shaped wall adjoining the wall section, which in turn constitutes a driver element 39 for the bottom 38.

The storage element 42 is in the interior of the outer cap 30, ie held in the storage space 40 by three - or in an alternative embodiment a plurality - over the circumference of the cap 6 distributed clamping webs 46, of which Fig. 1 only two are visible. The opening 48 toward the ends 48 of the clamping webs 46 simultaneously form a stop for the inner cap 32 in the direction of the arrow 50 in the in Fig. 1 shown relative position of inner 32 and outer cap 30th

The cap 32 is dimensioned slightly smaller than the inner diameter d _{i of} the outer cap 30 on its inner side 51 in a head region acting as a sealing element 52 with respect to its outer diameter d _{a of} its outer side 51. In a longitudinal section 54, an annular gap 56 thus remains between outer cap 30 and inner cap 32 free. Through the annular gap 56, a to this subsequent gap 58 and a - or in an alternative embodiment, a plurality of - holes 60 in the inner cap 32, a channel 72 is formed, which connects the storage space 40 with the cavity 22.

In Fig. 2 the corresponding ratios are shown enlarged. In the illustrated situation of the open position 47 of the channel 72 sacrificial solvent 45 passes from the storage space 40 through the annular gap 56. Victim liquid 44, however, is retained because of the small dimensions of the clear width of the annular gap 56. Sacrificial solvent 45 therefore surrounds applicator tip 16 in cavity 22 to protect it from dehydration.

To maintain the annular gap 56 or for the concentric mounting of the inner cap 32 in the outer cap 30, this is centered over three - or in an alternative embodiment several - distributed around its circumference lugs 62 and attached to the inside 51 of the outer cap 30 ring seal 64. The individual lugs 62 also leave space between them for the formation of the channel 72. The ring seal 64 also limits the gap 58 in the illustrated open position 47 to the opening 24. The cavity 22, in turn, is sealed by a ring seal 66 attached to the inner side 63 of the inner cap 32 and acting on the shaft section 14. In addition, the outer cap 30 is sealed with another annular seal 68 again relative to the shaft 4 and container 8. For secure attachment of the cap 6 on the shaft 4, both components are provided with a portion 70 which is designed in the embodiment as a screw thread.

To use the pin 2, the cap 6 is first released by unscrewing the portion 70. As a result, the annular seal 64 overcomes an inwardly projecting shoulder 69 of the inner cap 32, which is why the frictional resistance between outer cap 30 and inner cap 32 decreases abruptly. The outer cap 30 is then removed further in the direction of the arrow 50. First of all, a relative movement takes place here between the outer cap 30 and the inner cap 32, since the inner cap 32 is initially held on the shaft section 14, ie initially remains in the unchanged position relative to the shaft 4. This is accomplished by locking lugs 80 arranged on the shaft section 14 on the outside, which engage behind a corresponding latching projection 82 on the inner cap 32. Fig. 3 shows the corresponding detail III.

The outer cap 30 thus moves in the direction of the arrow 50 further and further away from the inner cap 32 until the sealing element 52 leaves the longitudinal section 54 and sealingly runs onto a closure element 84 arranged on the inner side 51 of the outer cap 30, which in the exemplary embodiment is designed as a ring seal , The corresponding situation is in Fig. 4 and in detail in Fig. 5 shown. By the closure element 84 of the annular gap 56 and thus the entire channel 72 is closed or the storage space 40 hermetically sealed. Solvent 44 can not evaporate uselessly beyond the now no longer sealed relative to the environment gap 58. In the in Fig. 4 respectively. Fig. 5 As shown, the relative movement between outer cap 30 and inner cap 32 ends, since the nose 62 abuts the ring seal 64. The ring seal 64 thus fulfills a double purpose as a stop 65 in addition to its sealing function. Further pulling on the outer cap 30 in the direction of the arrow 50 overcomes the latching force of the locking lugs 80 out of the Locking projections 82 and thus causes their release and thus a loosening of the entire cap 6 from the shaft 4 and shaft portion 14. The force applied to the outer cap 30 while overcome the cogging force, but not the higher impact force of the nose 62 on the stop 65th Fig. 4 5 therefore shows the channel 72 or the entire cap 6 in the now achieved sealing position 49.

Fig. 6 shows the completely dissolved cap 6. In Fig. 6 It can again be clearly seen that the storage space 40 is closed by the annular seal 84 in cooperation with the sealing element 52 of the inner cap 32 tightly opposite the now communicating with the environment cavity 22 and the gap 58 to prevent unnecessary evaporation of the sacrificial liquid 44 , At the opening 24, the end portion of the inner sleeve 32 forms an apron 86. This pushes when loosening the cap 6 by the relative movement of the outer sleeve 30 and inner sleeve 32 on the inside of the portion 70 of the outer sleeve 30. Thus, the screw thread, for example, before contact with the Applicator tip 16 and thus protected from contamination, for example with the order fluid 12.

Fig. 7 shows again in detail VII the stop of the nose 62 on the ring seal 64th

Fig. 8 shows a cross section through the cap 6 and in particular the concentric engagement of the storage element 42 in the clamping webs 46 of the outer cap 30th

Fig. 9 shows in opposite to the direction of the arrow 50 pulled out inner cap 32 of the outer cap 30 whose sealing engagement in the closure element 84th

Fig. 10 shows the distributed over the circumference of the inner cap 32 lugs 62, which serve to engage behind the annular seal 64.

When placing the cap 6 on the shaft 4, the shaft portion 14 first comes into contact with the inner cap 32 and exerts a force in the direction of the arrow 50, which is why a relative movement between the inner cap 32 and the outer cap 30 takes place in this direction. The sealing element 52 slides off the closure element 84 and releases the annular gap 56 or the channel 72. The relative movement is continued until the now released by the skirt 86 thread in section 70 engages. By screwing the cap 6 on the shaft 4, finally, the inner cap 32 slides further into the outer cap 30 until it reaches the ends 48 of the clamping webs 46 with its bottom 38 and abuts there. Finally, then snap the locking lugs 80 behind the locking projections 82, wherein at the same time the cap 6 by means of the screw thread finally and under engagement of all seals 64,66 and 68 sealingly on the shaft 4 passes.

Since the driver element 39 of the inner sleeve 32 carries both the latching lugs 62 used during the removal process and the latching projections 82, this causes the movement of the base 38.

Fig. 11 shows a section of an alternative cap 6. Instead of the memory element 42, a cartridge 90 is clamped at the bottom 36 in the storage space 40 with the aid of the clamping webs 46. The cartridge 90 encloses with a diffusion-tight wall 94 a reservoir 92 for sacrificial liquid 44. On the side facing away from the bottom 36, the reservoir 92 of a Membrane 96 - or alternatively a sintered disc - sealed. This allows the passage of sacrificial solvent 45 but retains the sacrificial liquid 44. The membrane or sintered disc is sealed, for example, with the wall 94 sealing. When mounting the pin 2, the cartridge is inserted in the direction of the arrow 50 in the cap 6.

In an alternative embodiment of a cap 6, this contains no cartridge 90. The storage space 40 is then filled with sacrificial liquid 44 alone. In this embodiment, the inner cap 32 is fixed, so not slidably disposed in the outer cap 30. This is e.g. accomplished by a suitable, not shown clamping device between the two partial caps. The channel 72 then exerts a capillary force on the sacrificial liquid 44 and tapers in the direction of the arrow 50. This prevents leakage of sacrificial liquid 44 from the storage space 40, but ensures its evaporation.

Fig. 12 shows an alternative embodiment of a cartridge 90, wherein the wall 94 is integral with the inner cap 32 and its bottom 38 is executed. The membrane 96 is opposite Fig. 11 here the floor 36 faces. Because like in Fig. 11 also in Fig. 12 the cartridge 90 does not completely fill the storage space 40, in turn sacrificial solvent 45 may pass through the channel 72 into the cavity 22 in a known manner.

Also according to Fig. 12 an alternative embodiment of the cap 6 is conceivable in which the inner cap 32 fixed, so not slidably mounted in the outer cap 30. Here, however, in contrast to the corresponding embodiment according to Fig. 11 - Both partial caps in the region of the sealing element 52nd sealed against each other. There, therefore, no sacrificial solvent 45 or no sacrificial liquid 44 can pass through. A channel 72 is no longer there. Instead, a capillary channel 106 is embedded in the bottom 38, which forms the channel 72 for the diffusion of sacrificial solvent 45 and sacrificial liquid 44, respectively. This then passes through the channel 106 directly from the storage space 40 into the cavity 22. In this embodiment, the no longer required membrane 96 is replaced by a sealing wall section 108.

Fig. 13 shows a further alternative embodiment of a cartridge 90. Here, the bottom 38 of the cap 6 is provided with an opening 98, which, however, is closed by the cartridge 90 again. The cartridge 90 is pressed here in the assembly of the pin 2 against the direction of the arrow 50 in the outer cap 30 until it abuts sealingly with a projection 100 on a stop 102.

In an alternative embodiment, the wall 94 is broken in the region of the bottom 38 and at this point a transparent window 104 is inserted. This allows an optical level control of the cartridge 90 with respect to the sacrificial liquid 44. It is also conceivable to make the entire container, ie in particular the entire wall 94, transparent.

Fig. 14 shows an alternative embodiment of the cartridge 90 to Fig. 13 , wherein here only projection 100 and stop 102 are executed in the opposite direction, so that during assembly of the pin 2, the cartridge 90 is inserted in the direction of the arrow 50 in the outer cap 3.

Claims (16)

1. Pen (2) having a shaft (4) comprising a reservoir (10) and an applicator tip (16) for an application fluid (12), having the application fluid (12), which contains a solvent (13) which is volatile at room temperature, and having a closing cap (6) which is set on the shaft (4) and which has a cavity (22) which receives the applicator tip (16), wherein this contains a storage space (40) to receive a fugitive liquid (44) which is volatile at room temperature and a connection channel (72) which fluidically connects the storage space (40) to the cavity (22), wherein the closing cap (6) contains a sealing element (52) which is able to be displaced axially between a sealing position which closes the connection channel (72) and an open position which releases the connection channel (72), wherein the sealing element (52) is moveably coupled to a shaft section (14) of the shaft (4) which projects into the cavity (22) of the closing cap (6) for its movement in the opening and/or closing direction, characterised in that the sealing element (52) comprises a wall segment (38), which delimits the storage space (40) of the cavity (22), whilst leaving free at least one longitudinal section of the connection channel (72), and a carrier element (39) which interacts with the shaft section (14) and is facing towards the cap opening (24), wherein a gap (56) is present between the closing cap (6) and the wall segment (38), said gap (56) forming at least one longitudinal section of the connection channel (72) and wherein the gap (56) is closed by a closing element (84) arranged on the inner side (51) of the closing cap (6) in the closed position of the sealing element (52).
2. Pen (2) according to claim 1, in which the gap (56) has a lower flow cross-section than the remaining connection channel (72).
3. Pen (2) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the gap (56) is an annular gap.
4. Pen (2) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the closing element (84) is a circumferential annular projection.
5. Pen (2) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the sealing element (52) is part of an inner cap (32) arranged inside the closing cap (6).
6. Pen (2) according to claim 5, in which the wall segment (38) forms the base and the carrier element (39) forms the inner cap (32).
7. Pen (2) according to one of the preceding claims, having a first positive locking which limits the relative movement (50) of the sealing element (52) and closing cap (6) when removing the closing cap (6) and acts axially, and having a second positive locking which causes the moveable coupling between sealing element (52) and the shaft section (14) when removing the closing cap (6), wherein the first positive locking, seen in the axial direction, has a greater strength than the second positive locking.
8. Pen (2) according to claim 7, in which first or second positive locking is formed by radially overlapping projections on the closing cap (6) and sealing element (52) or sealing element (52) and shaft section (14).
9. Pen (2) according to claim 8, in which the first positive locking is formed by a stop (65) of the closing cap (6) and a projection (62) of the sealing element (52), and the second positive locking is formed by a locking catch (80) on the shaft section (14) and a locking projection (82) on the sealing element (52).
10. Pen (2) according to one of the preceding claims, having a cover element (86) which is moveably coupled to the sealing element (52) and which covers a section (70) of the closing cap (6) which connects to the opening (24), in the released state thereof.
11. Pen (2) according to claim 10 in connection with claim 5, in which the cover element (86) is the end section of the inner cap (32) which faces towards the opening (24).
12. Pen (2) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the storage space (40) contains a storage element (42) for the fugitive liquid (44).
13. Pen (2) according to claim 12, in which the storage element (42) is a cartridge (90).
14. Pen (2) according to claim 13, in which the closing cap (6) has a perforation (98) in the region of the storage space (40), in which the cartridge (90) is enclosed.
15. Pen (2) according to claim 13 in connection with claim 5, in which at least one part of the cartridge (90) is designed in one piece with the inner cap (32).
16. Pen (2) according to one of the preceding claims, in which at least one part of the connection channel (72) is formed as a capillary channel (106).

Images