Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
  • B43K—IMPLEMENTS FOR WRITING OR DRAWING
  • B43K11/00—Filling devices
• • 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
  • B43K5/189—Pumps

Definitions

• the invention relates to a filling system for a fountain pen, a writing instrument system with a filling system and a fountain pen, and a method for filling a fountain pen.
• Fountain pens with an integrated ink tank having a piston are known, which are filled by dipping a writing tip into an ink tank and sucking in ink by moving the piston.
• the writing tip is wetted with ink as a result of the immersion, so that the filling process always leads to the writing tip being soiled with ink.
• the writing tip must therefore be cleaned again and again.
• a filling system for a fountain pen comprising a pump unit, an air channel connected to the pump unit and a first connection for connection to the fountain pen, and an ink channel which is separate from the air channel and has an immersion end for immersion in ink and which is connected to a second connection for connecting to the fountain pen, wherein the pump unit is designed to introduce a predetermined volume of air with an overpressure into the air channel for flushing ink out of the fountain pen, and then to apply a negative pressure to the air channel, so that a predetermined volume of ink from the ink channel in the fountain pen is sucked.
• the pump unit is to be understood as a device which is designed to convey a fluid. As explained above, this can be air in particular. It makes sense to design the pump unit in such a way that it can be placed on an ink container.
• the pump unit could consequently be realized in the form of an ink container attachment.
• other implementations are also conceivable, which can be integrated directly into an ink container or a closure thereof.
• the pump unit could only be connectable to an ink container and be designed separately from it.
• An ink container could, for example, be an ink bottle, which is usually used to fill fountain pens. It could be made of glass and have an opening that can be closed with a screw cap.
• the pump unit could be adapted to be placed on such an inkwell with the lid unscrewed. You could be screwed to an external thread of the ink tank so that it is securely attached to the ink tank for the duration of the filling. Alternatively, it would also be conceivable to equip an ink tank directly with the pump unit, which is then permanently attached to the ink tank and, if necessary, can be closed with a lid. The pump unit could be pressed or latched into the ink glass opening.
• the fountain pen is connected to the air passage such that a first end or a first portion of an ink tank located in the fountain pen is in fluid communication with the first port.
• a second end or section of the ink tank opposite the first end may be in fluid communication with the ink channel.
• the ink channel has the immersion end, which is intended for immersion in ink.
• connection for connecting to the fountain pen it is advisable to make the connections for connecting to the fountain pen as simple as possible. It may be advisable to design these, for example, as small tubes or tube ends, onto which only corresponding connections of the fountain pen have to be plugged for connection. Consequently, it is sufficient Fountain pen, for example after opening a cap or a part of the housing, to be placed on the connections and pulled off in the opposite direction after the filling process.
• the air volume and the ink volume are match to the filling volume of the ink tank, so that the ink tank is completely filled.
• the filling system is therefore a very convenient and clean way of refilling an ink tank of a fountain pen adapted for use with the filling system, without having to dip the writing tip into an ink container.
• the pump unit can be mechanical or electrical.
• a mechanical version could have a piston that is moved to pump.
• An electrical version could be in the form of an electrical metering pump.
• the pump unit has a cylinder with a bottom section and an opening opposite the bottom section, a piston arranged in the cylinder so that it can move axially, and a spring element that drives the piston in the direction of the opening, with the air duct extending from a between the piston and the air chamber formed by the bottom portion extends through the piston, wherein the ink channel extends through the bottom portion and the piston, the piston being sealed radially with respect to the cylinder such that by pushing the piston in the direction of the bottom portion an overpressure acting on the first connection and at the Releasing the piston creates a negative pressure acting on the first connection.
• Moving the piston within the cylinder directs air into the air passage. This can be done, for example, by pressing the piston in the direction of the base section, so that the air chamber there is reduced.
• the The spring element is intended to move the piston back in the other direction. Releasing the piston can consequently increase the volume of the air chamber, creating a negative pressure. This causes air to be sucked back into the air chamber via the air duct.
• ink subsequently flows into the ink channel via the ink channel.
• the ink tank is filled with it. In this case, it is preferred to match the stroke of the piston and the difference in volume of the air chamber to the filling volume of the ink tank, so that the ink tank is completely filled.
• the cylinder of the pumping unit could have at least one cylindrical bore extending from the opening towards the bottom section.
• the base section is to be understood as a lower closure of the cylinder that faces away from the opening.
• the base section can only have a flat surface.
• one or more shoulders can also be provided, through which the inner diameter of the cylinder is reduced at least in certain areas.
• the piston has an outside diameter that is matched to the inside diameter of the cylinder.
• a corresponding slip fit for the piston and cylinder may be provided to allow the piston to slide easily within the cylinder.
• An inner wall of the cylinder could also have a lubricious coating.
• the spring element is designed to permanently exert a force on the piston, so that this is pushed in a direction away from the base section.
• This can be a compression spring, for example, which is arranged between the base section and the piston.
• it could also be a tension spring or another device which is arranged in a region of the cylinder which is remote from the bottom section and pulls the piston towards the opening again.
• the material of the spring element can be metallic, comprise a plastic or a material of natural origin, for example rubber.
• a compression spring could in particular be made of a metallic material or a plastic.
• a tension spring could also be made of rubber in the form of one or more tension elements.
• the spring element allows the piston to be positioned in a neutral position, in which a user can connect a fountain pen to the connections mentioned, for example by plugging it on. The user can then push the piston in the direction of the base section by pressing the fountain pen, so that the function of the filling system is initiated and by releasing the fountain pen, the piston returns to its neutral position by the compression spring.
• the two channels are essential for the function.
• the air passage could extend from the first port through the piston into the air chamber.
• an overpressure is created in the air chamber due to the radial sealing between the piston and the cylinder. Since the air duct ends in the air chamber, the overpressure gets through the air duct into the first connection.
• a fountain pen can be connected to the air duct and for this purpose has, for example, a small tube or another line that extends into an ink tank of the fountain pen.
• the ink channel could extend beyond the bottom portion. If the pump unit is arranged on an ink container, for example, this can extend into the latter, for example into the ink volume present there.
• the ink channel can be connected to a second line of the fountain pen. This can preferably be in fluid communication with the first line, for example through an ink tank arranged in the fountain pen. Both For this purpose, connections could be connectable to opposite ends of the ink tank.
• the immersion end is to be provided so that it can protrude into ink in an ink tank.
• it could extend or protrude from the piston through the head portion.
• Other variants could also be considered, in which the immersion end does not protrude through the bottom section, but is routed differently.
• the use of a flexible connecting line can be offered, one end of which runs along with the piston and the other end is at least largely fixed.
• a ventilation opening could be provided between the ink container and the pump unit, for example in the form of one or more openings. These could be implemented as a slit or bore, for example in a shoulder with which the pump unit rests on the ink tank.
• the spring element is a compression spring and is arranged between the base section and the piston.
• the base section can have a depression or a recess into which one end of the compression spring can be introduced.
• the piston may also have a recess, groove or other indentation which could receive the opposite end of the compression spring.
• the compression spring is particularly preferably a helical or conical spring which can move the piston away from the bottom section. Unintentional pushing out of the piston is essentially achieved by a form fit.
• the ends of the compression spring may be exposed and centered such as by being positioned in indentations or other geometric features.
• the compression spring can be glued on both sides. Their spring constant is preferably adjusted in such a way that a user can easily depress the plunger and the compression spring does not oppose excessive resistance. Equally, the compression spring should also be so firm that a user can easily place the fountain pen on the connections without the piston already moving.
• the piston has a first sealing body, which is arranged on a side directed towards the base section.
• the first sealing body can, for example, be ring-shaped and surround part of the piston. For example, it can be positively connected to the piston. However, gluing or some other connection could also be possible.
• the first sealing body can have outer, radial projections which come into surface contact with an inner wall of the cylinder. Instead of one or more projections, the entire first sealing body can also come into flush contact with the inner wall of the cylinder. This reliably prevents air from escaping from the air chamber via the piston and out of the filling system.
• the sealing body could be made of natural or synthetic rubber or a similar rubbery material.
• the immersion end is guided in an axially sliding manner through a second sealing body arranged in the base section.
• the air chamber can be sealed in the area of the base section without dispensing with a fluid connection with an ink volume and the ink channel.
• the second sealing body can be a sealing ring which has an angular, round or X-shaped profile cross section. There are other profile cross-sections conceivable.
• a sealing section of the immersion end can sit in the second sealing body, the immersion end having an overflow section that extends in the direction of the piston adjacent to the Sealing section is arranged and at least partially has a taper for the passage of ink from the air chamber through the bottom portion.
• the overflow portion is in the neutral position within the second sealing body and consequently no seal can be made to the immersion end when the piston is in its neutral position. In this he is pressed by the spring element in the direction of the opening. Ink in the air chamber is then allowed to flow out of the bottom portion into the ink tank via the overflow portion.
• the volume of the air chamber could be larger than the volume of the ink tank to be filled.
• the first connection and the second connection can be configured concentrically to one another. With this, a user cannot incorrectly attach the fountain pen to the first and second connections, since each rotational position is suitable for making the connection.
• the first port could be located within the second port and extend beyond the second port. This can make it easier to put on the fountain pen and achieve sufficient segregation of the two ports.
• the first connection and the second connection are arranged in an insertion sleeve, which is arranged on a side of the piston facing away from the air chamber.
• the introducer sheath could protrude from or be formed in a top of the plunger.
• the upper side is to be regarded as the side of the cylinder which is opposite to the bottom section.
• the insertion sleeve allows a fountain pen to be easily and intuitively inserted into the filling system.
• At least one third sealing body could be arranged between the insertion sleeve and the piston.
• the third sealing body allows the sealing of corresponding lines of the fountain pen to the two connections.
• the third sealing body can also be part of the fountain pen.
• a first section of the immersion end which is arranged on a side of the bottom section facing away from the air chamber, has a larger outside diameter than a second section, which is arranged in the air chamber when the piston is in a neutral position. Due to the larger outer diameter, a shoulder can be formed, which can cling to the bottom section, for example from below, i.e. from a side facing away from the air chamber.
• an additional body for example a sealing body or a spacer, can also be located between the bottom section and the first section of the immersion end. Both the inadvertent withdrawal of the piston is made possible, as well as a flush termination of the piston with the opening if the piston and the immersion end are dimensioned and adapted accordingly.
• the air channel and the ink channel could be arranged radially offset from one another in the piston, at least in some areas.
• the guidance of air and ink within the piston can thus be simplified somewhat. It is advantageous if the cylinder has a shoulder on its outside for placing the cylinder flush on an opening edge of an ink tank. Especially with high-quality ink tanks, a harmonious unity between the cylinder and the ink tank can be achieved. It is conceivable that the cylinder is adapted to be fixed directly onto the ink container with a ring nut. Then the filling system and the ink tank would be a coherent unit. An additional cover could then be screwed onto the opening.
• the invention also relates to a writing instrument system, having a filling system according to the preceding description and a fountain pen, the fountain pen having a coupling arrangement and an ink tank with a first cutout and a second cutout, the coupling arrangement being connected to the first cutout and the second cutout and is connectable to the first port and the second port, so that a fluid connection can be established between the first port and the first cutout and between the second port and the second cutout.
• the invention relates to a method for filling a fountain pen, comprising the steps of connecting a first connection of a pump unit to a first section of at least one ink tank in the fountain pen, connecting a second connection of the pump unit to a second section of the at least one ink tank in the fountain pen , immersing the second connection in ink of an ink tank, introducing air with an overpressure into the first connection for emptying the residue of ink in the at least one ink tank via the second connection into the ink tank, and generating a negative pressure at the first connection for Drawing ink into the at least one ink tank via the second port.
• a complete filling of an ink tank in a fountain pen can be achieved in this way.
• the first connection can be connected to a pump unit, which is designed to provide air with an overpressure and then a negative pressure.
• the first cutout and the second cutout are at opposite ends of the ink tank, the entire volume of the ink tank located therebetween can be filled with ink.
• the at least one ink tank also has more than just one ink tank that can be connected to one another.
• the first cutout and the second cutout may be arranged at opposite ends of the entire array of ink tanks, so that the entire array of ink tanks is filled with ink by the above method.
• air can be introduced and a vacuum generated by means of a pump unit which has a cylinder with a spring-loaded piston arranged so as to be axially movable in it and which is pressed by a user to introduce air and released to generate the vacuum .
• FIG. 1 shows a filling system in a sectional representation.
• Fig. 2 and 3a show an ink container with a filling system without (Fig. 2) and with (Fig. 3a) attached fountain pen.
• 3b schematically shows the configuration of a fountain pen for use of the filling system.
• 4 and 5 show the process of placing a fountain pen on the filling system.
• FIG. 6 shows an overflow in the filling system in a detailed section.
• the filling system 2 has a pump unit 6 which can be placed on an ink tank 8.
• the pump unit 6 has a cylinder 10 which has a bottom section 12 and an opening 14 opposite the bottom section 12 .
• the cylinder 10 there is an axially movably arranged piston 16 .
• a first sealing body 24 is arranged on an underside 22 of the piston 16 . This is positively connected to the piston 16 .
• the first sealing body 24 has a circumferential radial groove 26 into which a circumferential radial projection 28 of the piston 16 extends.
• the first sealing body 24 has two ring-shaped, spaced-apart, radially encircling sealing lips 30 which bring about surface contact with an inner wall 32 of the cylinder 10 . This forms an air chamber 34 between the bottom portion 12 and the underside of the piston 16 in which air is pressurized by moving the piston 16 .
• FIG. 1 the piston 16 is in a neutral position in which it is essentially flush with the opening 14 of the cylinder 10 .
• a compression spring 36 between the bottom section 12 and the piston 16, which always pushes the piston 16 back into the neutral position. It is designed as a coil spring, for example.
• An air passage 38 extends from the air chamber 34 through the piston to a first port 40.
• This may be in the form of a small tube.
• a separate ink channel 42 extends through base portion 12 and piston 16 to a second port 44.
• the second port is preferably concentric with first port 40, with the openings of both ports being spaced apart. The opening of the first port 40 protrudes beyond the opening of the second port 44 . However, this can also be the other way around.
• the ink channel 42 has an immersion end 46 that protrudes from the piston 16 .
• the immersion end 46 is intended to protrude into the ink container 8 in which a volume of ink is located. If the piston 16 is pushed in the direction of the bottom section 12 by a user, the volume of the air chamber 34 decreases.
• There is one Air line 46 of the fountain pen 4 is provided, which is brought into fluid communication with the air duct 38 here, so that air flows out of the air duct 38 there.
• An ink tank of the fountain pen 4 is connected to the air line 46 and is also in fluid communication with an ink line 48. This is used to convey the remaining ink from the ink tank of the fountain pen 4 into the second connection 44 and thus into the ink channel 42. It then flows into the ink tank 8.
• the piston 16 When the piston 16 is released, the piston 16 being pushed back into the neutral position creates a negative pressure in the air channel 38, so that ink is sucked into the ink tank through the fluid connection with the ink line 48 and the ink channel 42. Consequently, the fountain pen 4 can be filled by simply slipping it onto the filling system 2, pressing in and releasing the piston 16.
• the immersion end 46 is guided in an axially sliding manner through a second sealing body 50 integrated into the base section 12 .
• a sealing of the air chamber 34 to the ink container 8 can thus be achieved.
• the immersion end in the first section 52 of the immersion end 46 has a larger outside diameter than a second section 54 which is arranged on a side of the immersion end 46 which faces the piston 16 .
• a kind of shoulder 56 is formed, through which the plunging end 46 can nestle flush against the second sealing body 50 or an additional stop 58 .
• the cylinder 10 On an outer side 60 , the cylinder 10 has a shoulder 62 for placing the cylinder 10 flush on an opening edge 64 of the ink container 8 .
• a part of the cylinder 10 protruding into the ink container 8 has an outer diameter which is adapted to an inner diameter of the ink container 8 so that the cylinder 10 sits in the ink container 8 with as little play as possible.
• the fountain pen 4 has an example of two third sealing body 66 through which the first connector 40 and the second connector 44 extend when the fountain pen 4 is attached to the new system 2. These sealing bodies can also be part of the filling system 2 .
• FIG. 2 shows the filling system 2 on the ink tank 8.
• a screw ring 68 is provided in order to attach the filling system 2 to the ink tank 8.
• FIG. the ink tank 8 has a thread 70 (see also FIG. 1).
• the fountain pen 4 has an insertion sleeve 72 which protrudes over the opening 14 . If the fountain pen 4 is attached, a connection can be established with the connections 40 and 44.
• FIG. 3a it can be seen how the process of connecting the fountain pen 4 to the filling system 2 takes place.
• the fountain pen 4 has the two third sealing bodies 66 there, which are not yet connected to the two connections 40 and 44 in the position in FIG.
• the fountain pen 4 is placed flush onto the filling system 2, so that a lower edge 74 of the fountain pen 4 comes into contact with a receiving surface 76 of the filling system. Then the plunger 16 can be depressed to initiate the filling process.
• Fig. 3b shows very schematically an ink tank 82 with a first cutout 84 and a second cutout 86 which are arranged at opposite ends of the ink tank 82 in this example.
• the first cutout 84 can be connected to an air line 88 and the second cutout 86 can be connected to an ink line 90 .
• the air line 88 and the ink line 90 can be brought together in a coupling arrangement 92 which can be coupled to the first connection 40 and the second connection 44 .
• the coupling arrangement 92 can also provide for a concentric arrangement of the two lines 88 and 90 .
• FIG. 6 shows that the immersion end 46 has an overflow section 78 .
• This is arranged adjacent to the sealing section 54 in the direction of the piston 16 and is located in the second sealing body 50 so that when the piston 16 is in the neutral position a gap is open. If the piston 16 is actuated, the sealing section 54 moves into the second sealing body 50 and thus seals off the air chamber 34 .
• the overflow section 78 has a narrowing at least in some areas, so that ink can get from the air chamber 34 through the base section 12 via the overflow section 78 into the ink tank. If, when filling the fountain pen 4, an excessive amount of ink is sucked out of the ink container 8 into the ink line 48, it can get into the air chamber 34 and drain off again if the piston 16 has not yet returned to its neutral position.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Pens And Brushes (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)
• Details Of Reciprocating Pumps (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=77821731

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Family Cites Families (3)

• 2020
  • 2020-09-02 DE DE102020122967.4A patent/DE102020122967A1/de active Pending
• 2021
  • 2021-09-01 US US18/043,362 patent/US20240025202A1/en active Pending
  • 2021-09-01 JP JP2023537721A patent/JP2023541076A/ja active Pending
  • 2021-09-01 WO PCT/EP2021/074137 patent/WO2022049127A1/de active Application Filing
  • 2021-09-01 CN CN202180052745.0A patent/CN115956029A/zh active Pending
  • 2021-09-01 EP EP21773025.8A patent/EP4208351A1/de active Pending

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