GB761030A - Improvements in liquid flow-control - Google Patents

Abstract

761,030. Reservoir pens. NICHOLS, E. B. Nov. 15, 1954 [Nov. 24, 1953], No. 32997/54. Class 146(3). In a reservoir pen the feedbar is formed with a flow conduit extending from a point underlying the nib to the ink reservoir, such conduit including a straight portion underlying the nib and a circuitous portion around the wall of the feed-bar, the latter portion having one or more capillary channels in its bottom surface for the downflow of ink and an overlying open portion for the ingress of air. In one form, Figs. 2, 4, the feed-bar has at its inner end a helical capillary groove 24 which connects with a longitudinal groove 23 underlying the nib 19. Fins 25 forming capillary channels are provided in the base of the groove 24. The length of the helical groove 24 is about the same as that of the straight groove 23. In a modification, Fig. 8, the upper parts 28 of the walls of the groove 24 are flared outwardly from a bottom capillary channel, and the fins 25 are omitted. The straight groove 23 beneath the nib may be similarly shaped. As shown in Fig. 11, the helical groove 17a, with one capillary bottom channel, is connected to the longitudinal groove by a diagonal bore 31 whereby, during filling of the pen by expanding the sac 15 in the normal way, only the nib and lower end of the feed-bar need be immersed in the ink. The bore 31 may be cylindrical with a tube of elliptical cross-section therein, so that the space outside the tube constitutes a capillary passage for the ink and the space inside forms an air passage. According to a modification, the bore 31 is triangular with narrow passages at the corners to provide capillary ink channels ; the air passes along the centre of the bore. The helix 34, Fig. 11, by which the groove 17a is formed has diametrically-opposite portions which are perpendicular to the pen axis to facilitate moulding of the feed-bar in a two-part mould.