EP4311684A1 - Schreibinstrumente - Google Patents

Schreibinstrumente Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4311684A1
EP4311684A1 EP22306113.6A EP22306113A EP4311684A1 EP 4311684 A1 EP4311684 A1 EP 4311684A1 EP 22306113 A EP22306113 A EP 22306113A EP 4311684 A1 EP4311684 A1 EP 4311684A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cartridge
barrel
writing instrument
writing
longitudinal axis
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP22306113.6A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Etienne MICHENAUD
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
BIC SA
Original Assignee
BIC SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by BIC SA filed Critical BIC SA
Priority to EP22306113.6A priority Critical patent/EP4311684A1/de
Publication of EP4311684A1 publication Critical patent/EP4311684A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
    • B43K—IMPLEMENTS FOR WRITING OR DRAWING
    • B43K24/00—Mechanisms for selecting, projecting, retracting or locking writing units
    • B43K24/02—Mechanisms for selecting, projecting, retracting or locking writing units for locking a single writing unit in only fully projected or retracted positions
    • B43K24/06—Mechanisms for selecting, projecting, retracting or locking writing units for locking a single writing unit in only fully projected or retracted positions operated by turning means

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to the field of writing instruments. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to writing instruments with a writing tip that can be extended and retracted.
  • the present disclosure relates to writing instruments such as pens, for example ball-point pens markers in general, felt tip markers, highlighter, non-permanent and permanent markers, a stylus and/or the like.
  • such writing instruments comprise a writing tip which may be in the form of a nib and a cap to close off the nib.
  • the nib is typically kept wet by the ink used for writing. Closing of the nib is necessary to prevent the solvents of the ink from evaporating and nib from drying out.
  • a dried out nib may impair the writing quality of the nib or render the entire writing instrument irreversibly useless earlier than expected, thereby shortening the life of the latter.
  • an uncovered nib can lead to unintentional stains on surfaces, e.g. clothes or skin of the user.
  • the present disclosure aims to address one or more problems in the prior art.
  • the writing instrument comprises:
  • the rotation retardant component will automatically produce its effect and cause the cartridge to move back toward its first retracted position.
  • the writing instrument is provided with a cartridge rotation stopper configured to stop the natural movement of the cartridge rearwardly as it would occur under the action of the rotation retardant component if no further human action were taken.
  • the cartridge rotation stopper has to be actuated by a user in a very simple manner, which stops the rearward motion of the cartridge.
  • the user has to apply an external pressure on this stopper if he/she wants to maintain the writing tip outside the barrel for writing with this writing instrument.
  • the user may or not maintain a pressure thereon while writing at the same time.
  • the cartridge rotation stopper is part of the barrel and comprises a deformable area on the barrel which can be deformed until coming into contact with the cartridge under a pressure exerted by a user on the deformable area of the barrel.
  • the barrel comprises a substantially-cylindrical wall surrounding the cartridge and the deformable area on the barrel comprises a portion of the substantially-cylindrical wall that can be deformed inwardly towards the cartridge when submitted to a pressure exerted by a user on the substantially-cylindrical wall portion.
  • the wall portion of the barrel comprises a tab that is attached by a proximal end on the portion wall and that is free at an opposed distal end so as to be displaced inside the barrel toward the cartridge when submitted to a pressure exerted by a user on an outer surface of the tab.
  • the tab is disposed along an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis X when no pressure is exerted by a user on an outer surface of the tab.
  • the tab is provided on its outer surface with an outside projection intended for receiving a finger of a user.
  • the rotation retardant component is arranged between the barrel and the cartridge.
  • the rotation retardant component comprises a rotational spring or helical spring.
  • the rotation retardant component is configured to cause a retardant effect through a fluid (ex: glue or grease) with a suitable viscosity, e.g. in the range from 800 to 4000centipoises, that is present between the cartridge and the rotation retardant component.
  • a fluid ex: glue or grease
  • suitable viscosity e.g. in the range from 800 to 4000centipoises
  • the pusher and the second opposed end of the cartridge are in engagement with each other through a cam arrangement when the cartridge is in its first retracted position such that actuation of the pusher in the first forward direction along the longitudinal axis X under the action of a user causes the cartridge to move from its first retracted position toward its second extended writing position in the first combined rotational and translational movement about the longitudinal axis X.
  • the cam arrangement comprises slanted surfaces on both the pusher and the second opposed end of the cartridge that are facing each other in the first retracted position of the cartridge.
  • the slanted surface on the second opposed end of the cartridge comprises a substantially conical shape.
  • the pusher and the second opposed end of the cartridge are in engagement with each other through flat surfaces perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X when the cartridge is in its second extended writing position.
  • the pusher and the second opposed end of the cartridge are in engagement with each other through a ratchet mechanism that is configured to cause the cartridge to move from the first retracted position toward the second extended writing position in the first combined rotational and translational movement about the longitudinal axis (X) when the pusher is actuated in the first forward direction, and cause the cartridge to move backwards when not pushed by the pusher.
  • a first sealing element is provided at the front end and a second sealing element is provided at the back or rear end of the component.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic overall longitudinal cross section view of a writing instrument oriented horizontally in a retracted or rest position, i.e. when it is not used by a user for writing purpose.
  • the writing instrument at rest may, in examples, be oriented differently, e.g. vertically or in an oblique direction.
  • Figure 2 is a schematic overall longitudinal cross section view of the Figure 1 writing instrument in an extended writing position.
  • the writing instrument is also oriented horizontally for comparison with Figure 1 's position but it is to be understood that the user may handle and orientate it differently when writing, e.g. generally in an oblique direction (at an angle) with respect to horizontal orientation.
  • the writing instrument may be a marker, a felt pen, a highlighter, a ball point pen, a permanent or non-permanent marker or stylus or any other type of writing instrument.
  • the writing instrument 10 may comprise a barrel or tubular body 12 having a longitudinal axis X and on which a user applies his/her fingers when handling the writing instrument.
  • the tubular body may be a unitary body, or may comprise multiple components.
  • Figure 1 only the components of the writing instrument that are involved in the present disclosure have been represented. The other implicit or conventional components are not shown for the sake of clarity.
  • the writing instrument 10 may comprise, at a first forward end 10a of the instrument, a tip component 14 comprising a writing orifice 14a which is located at the distal end of the tip component 14 and traverses axially the tip component along its thickness.
  • the barrel 12 may extend longitudinally along longitudinal axis X through a substantially cylindrical wall 12a from the distal end of the tip component 14 toward the rear end 10b of the instrument where a pusher 16 is arranged.
  • Pusher 16 protrudes axially outwardly with respect to the rear end 10b so that a user can handle it easily.
  • Pusher 16 may have a first outer end 16a available to the user and a second opposed inner end 16b inside the barrel 12. Details concerning the closure of the rear end 10b around the pusher 16 have been omitted for the sake of clarity as such details are conventional for the skilled person.
  • the writing instrument 10 comprises, arranged within the barrel 12, a cartridge 18 filled with ink and known per se, that has a first end 18a and a second opposed end 18b both aligned with each other along the longitudinal axis X.
  • a writing tip 20 is connected to the first end 18a of cartridge 18.
  • the second end 18b of cartridge 18 is configured so as to cooperate with the facing second opposed end 16b of the pusher, as will be explained subsequently.
  • the cartridge 18 is movable along longitudinal axis X under the action of pusher 16 (as will be further explained below) between two positions:
  • a conventional bias member such as a helical spring 22 may be arranged within the tip component 14 around the writing tip 20 in a fixed axial position inside the barrel.
  • a conventional bias member such as a helical spring 22 may be arranged within the tip component 14 around the writing tip 20 in a fixed axial position inside the barrel.
  • Both the second end 16b of the pusher 16 located facing the second opposed end 18b of the cartridge 18 along the longitudinal axis X and the second opposed end 18b are mutually configured so as to mechanically cooperate with each other when the pusher is moved forward axially along direction F1 under the action of a user which presses thereon with one finger, e.g. a thumb ( Fig 1 ).
  • the second end 16b of the pusher 16 and the second opposed end 18b of the cartridge 18 are in mechanical engagement with each other through a cam arrangement 26 when the cartridge is in its first retracted position ( Fig. 1 ) and the user pushes axially the pusher 16 so as to obtain the mechanical engagement.
  • a cam arrangement 26 comprises a cam arrangement portion 26a that is part of the second end 16b of the pusher and a cam arrangement portion 26b that is part of the second end 18b of the cartridge.
  • Actuation of the pusher 16 in the first forward direction F1 along the longitudinal axis X under the action of a user (pressure) on the protruding end 16a causes the cam arrangement portion 26a to further engage with cam arrangement portion 26b, thereby causing the cartridge 18 to move along the first combined rotational and translational movement HI about the longitudinal axis X.
  • cam arrangement portion 26b is no longer in contact with cam arrangement portion 26a which remains in the same angular position as in Figure 1 .
  • the second end 16b of pusher 16 and the second end 18b of the cartridge 18 may further comprise respectively abutment portions 16b1 and 18b1 (ex: flat surfaces perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X) which are facing each other in the Figure 2 position. These facing abutment portions therefore cooperate with each other so as to constitute a mechanical stop and impede any further axial movement from the pusher when the cartridge is in its second extended writing position.
  • the cam arrangement comprises slanted corresponding surfaces on both the end 16b of the pusher 16 and the second opposed end 18b of the cartridge 18 that are facing each other in the first retracted position of the cartridge ( Figure 1 ) and come into contact with each other when the user pushes axially the pusher 16.
  • the cam arrangement portion 26a comprises a first slanted surface as a beveled surface which is inclined with respect to axis X and can be obtained by cutting the end 16b of pusher 16 along a first plane that is inclined to axis X.
  • the cutting plane leaves an uncut portion 16b1 which can appear as a flat abutment surface perpendicular to axis X ( fig. 2 ).
  • the cam arrangement portion 26b of end 18b is partially machined about axis X so as to obtain a 3D-shaped or conical surface (second slanted surface) centered about axis X, while leaving an uncut portion 18b1. Thanks to this mutually slanted configuration the pressure applied by the fixed oriented first slanted surface 26a against the slanted surface 26b will impart a twist or helical motion to the latter.
  • both facing contact portions of the pusher end and the cartridge end may be configured differently, for example each with a mere cylindrical shape, both coming into contact with each other when urged by the user pressing the pusher.
  • the helical motion is here obtained by arranging a protruding member on an outside surface of the cartridge end 18b and that extends radially towards an helical groove provided in an inner surface of the barrel.
  • the writing instrument 10 may further comprise a component 24 located in a fixed axial position inside the barrel 12 and through which the cartridge 18 may slide axially during the first combined rotational and translational movement HI and also during the reverse movement along arrow F2.
  • This component 24 is here a rotation retardant component that is substantially cylindrical in shape and in contact with the cartridge 18 through its internal surface.
  • the external surface of the cartridge 18 is adapted to slide against the internal surface of compoenent 24.
  • the rotation retardant component 24 is configured to bias, with a retardant effect or delay, the cartridge 18 towards its first retracted position of Figure 1 in a second rearward direction F2 ( Fig. 2 ) along the longitudinal axis X. More particularly, rotation retardant component 24 is configured to impart the cartridge 18 a second combined rotational and translational movement, indicated by H2 on Figure 2 , that is inverted with respect to the first combined rotational and translational movement HI.
  • the rotation retardant component 24 causes automatically the cartridge 18 to move back toward its first position of Figure 1 .
  • the writing instrument 10 may further comprise a cartridge rotation stopper 28 that is configured to stop the second combined rotational and translational movement H2 of the cartridge 18 under a further action of a user.
  • the user further exerts an action on the cartridge rotation stopper 28 to prevent any rearward motion of the cartridge 18 back to its first position of Figure 1 under the action of the rotation retardant component 24.
  • the action of the rotation retardant component 24 is therefore compensated by the user further action.
  • the cartridge rotation stopper 28 is part of the barrel 12 and comprises a deformable area which can be deformed inwardly (toward the inner of the barrel) until coming into contact with the cartridge 18 under an external pressure exerted by a user finger on the deformable area of the barrel. More particularly, the actuation of the cartridge rotation stopper 28 takes place when the user holds with his fingers the writing instrument from the front part thereof in a way he will proceed when normally writing or drawing with the writing instrument. Therefore, at least one of his fingers will apply pressure on the cartridge rotation stopper 28 and deform the latter inwardly until it comes into contact with the cartrigdge 18 and blocks its rotation or translation or both of the two movements.
  • the substantially-cylindrical wall 12a of the barrel that surrounds the cartridge 18 and the deformable area of the cartridge rotation stopper 28 comprises a wall portion 12a1 that can be deformed inwardly towards the cartridge (radially relative to axis X) when submitted to a pressure exerted by a user on the wall portion 12a1.
  • the wall portion 12a1 may comprise a tab 28a that is attached by a proximal end 28a1 on the wall portion 12a1 and that is free at an opposed distal end 28a2 so as to be displaced inside the barrel toward the cartridge 18 when submitted to a pressure exerted by a user on an outer surface of the tab 28a.
  • the tab 28a is surrounded on three sides (at its distal end 28a2 and on its both lateral sides) by a traversing aperture 28b which makes it possible for the tab to move perpendicularly to the plane of Figure 3 about its attached proximal end 28a1 as an attached beam. This flexing motion is illustrated in Figure 2 in dotted lines.
  • the tab 28a may be disposed along an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis X and laterally offset with respect to the latter.
  • the tab 28a may be provided on its outer surface with an outside projection 28a1 intended for receiving a finger of a user and making easier handling and deformation of the tab.
  • the rotation retardant component 24 may comprise a rotational spring 24a that is in contact by one end 24a1 with an edge or abutment or shoulder on the outer surface of the cartridge 18 and attached thereto and is axially compressed as the cartridge is moving forwardly.
  • the opposed end 24a2 of the spring 24a remains in a fixed axial position within the rotation retardant component 24 and is attached thereto while the cartridge is sliding inside the component 24.
  • the rotation retardant component 24 may comprise a helical spring.
  • the component 24 may further comprise a retardant material (grease or glue or any fluid with high viscosity or sand and the like) in order to enhance the spring retardant effect. More generally, the fluid has a viscosity that is suitable for causing a retardant effect and may have a viscosity from 800 to 4000centipoises.
  • the component 24' of the writing instrument 10' may comprise a retardant material (grease or glue or any fluid with high viscosity or sand and the like) that may be accommodated inside a casing.
  • a retardant material grey or glue or any fluid with high viscosity or sand and the like
  • the appropriate viscosity may be in the range given above.
  • No spring is present inside the component 24' but any of the other features of the Figures 1 to 3 embodiment may be taken over here.
  • the cartridge 18' may comprise at least one flap 18a', in examples two flaps 18a', 18b', extending inside the component 24'.
  • the component 24' may or may not have an inner wall.
  • the at least one flap 18a', 18b' extends through a helical groove provided on this inner wall.
  • the cartridge 18' will be able to rotate and translate through the component 24'.
  • the flap(s) are slowed down when progressing inside the casing of the component 24' by friction due to the presence of grease or glue or any liquid with high viscosity or sand and the like inside that fills in the casing.
  • first sealing element 24b' at the front end and a second sealing element 24c' at the back or rear end of the component 24' may be provided to keep the retardant material inside the component 24'.
  • Each sealing element may be a flange, a rubber element or the like. It may be shaped as a ring (o-ring).
  • the tubular body 12" of the writing instrument 10 may comprise two protrusions to function as stoppers/shoulders for the component 24".
  • the front stopper 25a" shall have a larger height with respect to the rear or back stopper 25b". This makes it possible for the cartridge 18" with component 24" to be inserted inside the tubular body 12", slides over the rear stopper 25b” and get stopped by the front stopper 25a", whereby it is then fixed between the front and the back stoppers 25a", 25b".
  • the stoppers may have a triangular cross-section shape. The stoppers may be fixed on an inner suface of the barrel.
  • the stoppers will block the component 24" and prevent it from being rotated and/or being translated along the longitudinal axis with respect to the tubular body 12".
  • a further longitudinal protrusion (not represented) provided on the tubular body 12 may interact with a longitudinal groove (not represented) provided on the outer wall of component 24" (or the reverse arrangement) and prevent the latter from getting rotated with respect to the tubular body 12".
  • FIG. 6A-6D Another embodiment of a part of a writing instrument is illustrated in Figures 6A-6D which can take over the features of any of the previous embodiments.
  • a ratchet mechanism is used as a mechanical engagement mechanism between the pusher and the second opposed end of the cartridge instead of the slanted surfaces as described above in relation with Figures 1-5 .
  • the ratchet mechanism takes over a conventional ratchet mechanism used for example in a clicky pen and modifies the latter as will be explained below.
  • Figures 6A-6B illustrate respectively enlarged perspective partial views of a pusher 40 and a cartridge 50 which are configured to engage with each other through respective engagement portions .
  • the modified ratchet mechanism comprises:
  • the cartridge is partially represented since it normally extends on the left side of Figure 6B through an elongated shape towards the retardant material and the writing tip as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 .
  • the ratchet mechanism is modified so that the teeth 52a cannot get blocked rearward.
  • This is achieved, as shown in Figure 6D , by arranging parallel longitudinal channels C in the inner wall of the barrel 60 so that the cam teeth 52a1 can freely be guided and slide into these channels (the longitudinal arrows show the direction the cam teeth can take when moving axially inside these channels). Therefore, every time the user pushes axially the pusher 40 in the forward direction, this causes always translation and rotation of the cartridge 50 (and the part of the cartridge represented in Figures 1 and 2 ) so as to place the writing tip in the extended position.

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  • Mechanical Pencils And Projecting And Retracting Systems Therefor, And Multi-System Writing Instruments (AREA)
EP22306113.6A 2022-07-26 2022-07-26 Schreibinstrumente Withdrawn EP4311684A1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP22306113.6A EP4311684A1 (de) 2022-07-26 2022-07-26 Schreibinstrumente

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP22306113.6A EP4311684A1 (de) 2022-07-26 2022-07-26 Schreibinstrumente

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4311684A1 true EP4311684A1 (de) 2024-01-31

Family

ID=82846407

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP22306113.6A Withdrawn EP4311684A1 (de) 2022-07-26 2022-07-26 Schreibinstrumente

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4311684A1 (de)

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2002307892A (ja) * 2001-04-16 2002-10-23 Suemine Takahashi ボールペン
WO2012013649A1 (en) * 2010-07-30 2012-02-02 Gebr. Schmidt Fabrik für Feinmechanik GmbH & Co. KG Switching mechanism for a writing instrument

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2002307892A (ja) * 2001-04-16 2002-10-23 Suemine Takahashi ボールペン
WO2012013649A1 (en) * 2010-07-30 2012-02-02 Gebr. Schmidt Fabrik für Feinmechanik GmbH & Co. KG Switching mechanism for a writing instrument

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