GB882559A - Ball-point pens - Google Patents

Abstract

882,559. Reservoir pens. CIEREMANS, M. July 9, 1958 [July 13, 1957], No. 22083/58. Class 146(3) A ball-point pen of the kind having a reservoir 1 wherein the ink 2 cannot form a stable meniscus, a follower member 4 which follows the ink as it is consumed and acts as a closure member, and a liquid cleaner 5 between the ink and the follower which clings to the wall of the reservoir with a greater force than that of the ink, is characterized in that the lower surface of the follower is provided with ribs, a tubular skirting, or other projections which subdivide the space adjacent the follower such that the liquid cleaner 5 is always held by capillary attraction to the follower. The ink 2 is based on the ethyl ether of diethylene glycol. The liquid cleaner 5 does not mix with the ink, is almost non-volatile, and may comprise paraffin oil, or more viscous hydrocarbon oils of the paraffin series. The follower 4 has a solid body of aluminium or plastic material, and is a sliding fit in the bore of the reservoir 1. As shown in Fig. 7, the follower 4 is a dish-shaped piston with a projecting spigot 9, the liquid 5 resting on the ink column 2 and being held by capillary forces around the piston, and between the spigot and the wall of the reservoir. A modified follower 4 has a piston-like body with a downwardly projecting portion of smaller diameter than the piston and provided with a conical nose. The follower piston 4, Fig. 8, has a number of ribs 6 on its upper and lower surfaces, so that liquid cleaner 5 can be retained above and below the follower. In another form, the follower 4 is provided with an annular skirt of reduced diameter, and the liquid 5 is retained between the skirt and the wall of the reservoir. Specification 766,695 is referred to.