JP2005103863A - Applicator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an applicator which has a better reliability regarding an anti-ink leakage performance, in a fresh ink discharge-type applicator. <P>SOLUTION: This applicator shows the relationship: A<B<C, when the density (or the capillary potential) of an ink absorber inside a large diametral part, of an inner tube, which is a rear part of a flow path of the ink absorber side is given as A; the density (or the capillary potential) of a capillary member arranged inside a small diametral part, of the inner tube, which is the forward part of the flow path of the ink absorber side as B; and the density (or the capillary potential) of the capillary member arranged inside the flow tube, of a coating point, which is the ink flow path of the coating point side as C. In addition, in the inner tube wherein the ink absorber is arranged, a valve mechanism which makes the inside of the inner tube communicate with an ink storage part or interrupts the communication. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention includes an ink tank for containing a liquid material (hereinafter referred to as ink) such as water-based / oil-based inks for writing instruments, inks for jet printers, cosmetic liquids such as eyeliners, and coating liquids such as paints and drugs. Alternatively, the present invention relates to an applicator provided with a mechanism that controls ink ejection in response to writing and recording.

  Conventionally, in a raw ink type discharge type applicator, an applicator-side ink flow passage is disposed below the ink connection port of the ink storage portion, and an ink absorber-side flow passage and a ventilation gap are disposed on the upper side in the downward state of the applicator. In addition, the ink absorber is partitioned so as to communicate with the ink in the ink receiving section only by opening the ink connection port. In the ink flow path, the density of the rear part of the ink absorber side flow path is A, the ink absorber side circulation There is known an applicator having a relationship of A <B <C, where B is the density at the front of the path and C is the density of the ink flow path on the application side.

However, with the applicator having the above structure, when the ink overflowing from the ink storage portion is absorbed by the batting in response to changes in the environmental temperature and pressure, the change from the ink storage portion is particularly rapid. The ink overflow also became abrupt, and the overflowing ink could not absorb the overflowed ink, resulting in a risk of ink leaking from the coated body.
In particular, when using a raw ink type discharge applicator at high altitude, the pressure inside the applicator is relatively higher than the atmospheric pressure in the external environment. Therefore, as soon as the cap of the applicator is removed, the pressure is released to the outside, and there is a risk that the ink leaks due to the pressure release. Even when used in a high temperature environment, the pressure inside the applicator increases due to the expansion of the air inside the applicator and the volatilization of the solvent used in the ink. There was also sex.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-226091

As an improvement measure, there is a method in which the increased pressure inside the ink containing portion is blocked by a valve and is not released to the outside. However, in this method, when the valve is released for the operation using the applicator, the pressure is released as soon as possible, and there is a risk that ink leakage will occur.
In addition, there is a method to prevent ink leakage by storing overflow ink in the ink storage part such as batting without using a valve, but if the pressure difference inside and outside the applicator is too large, the amount of ink exceeding the storage capacity of the ink storage part will be exceeded. Ink may leak even when the ink overflows or the ink overflow rate is too high and exceeds the absorption rate of the ink reservoir.

  The present invention has an ink container capable of internally flowing filled ink, an ink absorber for controlling excessive outflow of ink in the ink container, and an application body for applying ink. The ink flow passage for guiding the ink in the ink containing portion is an applicator branched to the ink flow passage on the application body side and the flow passage on the ink absorber side, with the application body facing downward, An applicator flow pipe having an inner side as an ink flow path on the application body is arranged below the ink connection port which is an outlet of the ink flow path, and an inner pipe having an inner side as an ink absorber side flow path on the upper side and an outer pipe for ventilation. The inner pipe has an ink absorber disposed therein and an intake / exhaust gap formed therein, and the intake / exhaust gap is formed on the outer periphery of the application body via the outer pipe. Connect to the connected outdoor vent Further, the ink absorber is partitioned so as to communicate with the ink in the ink containing portion only at the ink connection port, and further, the inner diameter of the inner pipe which is the rear portion of the ink absorber side flow passage in the ink flow passage. The density (or capillary force) of the ink absorber in the part is A, the density (or capillary force) of the capillary member disposed in the small diameter part of the inner tube, which is the front part of the ink absorber side flow path, is B, and the application side ink flow path. In the applicator having a relationship of A <B <C, where C is the density (or capillary force) of the capillary member arranged in the applicator circulation pipe, the inner pipe in which the ink absorber is arranged The gist of the invention is that a valve mechanism for communicating between the inner side of the inner tube and the ink container is provided.

  The present invention has an ink container capable of internally flowing filled ink, an ink absorber for controlling excessive outflow of ink in the ink container, and an application body for applying ink. The ink flow passage for guiding the ink in the ink containing portion is an applicator branched to the ink flow passage on the application body side and the flow passage on the ink absorber side, with the application body facing downward, An applicator flow pipe having an inner side as an ink flow path on the application body is arranged below the ink connection port which is an outlet of the ink flow path, and an inner pipe having an inner side as an ink absorber side flow path on the upper side and an outer pipe for ventilation. The inner pipe has an ink absorber disposed therein and an intake / exhaust gap formed therein, and the intake / exhaust gap is formed on the outer periphery of the application body via the outer pipe. Connect to the connected outdoor vent Further, the ink absorber is partitioned so as to communicate with the ink in the ink containing portion only at the ink connection port, and further, the inner diameter of the inner pipe which is the rear portion of the ink absorber side flow passage in the ink flow passage. The density (or capillary force) of the ink absorber in the part is A, the density (or capillary force) of the capillary member arranged in the small diameter part of the inner tube, which is the front part of the ink absorber side flow passage, is B, and the application side ink flow passage. In the applicator having a relationship of A <B <C, where C is the density (or capillary force) of the capillary member arranged in the applicator circulation pipe, the inner pipe in which the ink absorber is arranged In addition, since a valve mechanism that allows the inside of the inner tube and the ink storage portion to communicate with each other is disposed, ink leakage due to changes in atmospheric pressure or the like can be prevented as much as possible. This allows the user to use the applicator with peace of mind without worrying about ink leakage even in high altitude environments or in environments with severe temperature changes.

  FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of this embodiment. Reference numeral 1 denotes a rear shaft, the rear portion is closed, the inside is filled with ink as an ink storage chamber 1a, and the outer diameter portion 2a of the front shaft 2 is fitted in a sealed manner at the front end portion. The front shaft 2 is formed by sealingly fitting a partition rod portion 3a of a joint pipe 3 (to be described later in detail) into an inner diameter portion, with the rear shaft portion serving as an ink storage portion and the front shaft portion serving as an attachment portion for the application body 4. doing. The application body 4 in the front shaft 2 is attached by providing vertical ribs 2b on the inner periphery and press-fitting and fixing the side periphery of the application body. Therefore, an outside air port 2c is formed, and the inside of the shaft is outside air. Communicated with.

The joint pipe 3 is the next constituent member. A single-pipe application body flow pipe 3b is connected to the front side of the partition rod section 3a, and the application body rear part 4a is press-fitted into the pipe to form an application body-side ink flow path. On the rear side, a double pipe composed of an outer pipe 3c and an inner pipe 3d for ventilation is continuously provided, and an ink absorber 6 is disposed in the inner pipe 3d to form an ink absorber side flow passage. A ventilation gap 3e is provided between the outer tube 3c and the inner tube 3d. A front outer diameter 5a of the absorber protective tube 5 is hermetically attached to the inner peripheral portion of the outer tube 3c, and the ink absorber 6 disposed in the inner tube 3d is stored. A slit valve 7 that opens and closes according to the pressure difference with the absorber protection tube 5 is arranged to partition the raw ink from the ink storage portion 1a. That is, the slit valve 7 serves as a valve mechanism that allows the inside of the inner tube to communicate with the ink storage portion. The slit valve 7 is formed by forming a slit 7a in soft silicone rubber, but is not limited to the above material, and for example, elastic such as nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, fluorine rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, etc. It may be a synthetic resin such as rubber, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, or thermoplastic elastomer.
In order to form a ventilation path connecting the inside of the shaft and the outside air, a plurality of vertical ribs 5b for fixing the side peripheral portion of the ink absorber 6 to the inner wall of the absorber protective tube 5 are provided, and the side of the ink absorber 6 is provided. An intake / exhaust gap 5c is formed between the peripheral portion, and the intake / exhaust gap 5c communicates with the vent gap 3e between the outer tube 3c and the inner tube 3d. Is communicated with the outside of the applicator flow pipe 3b in the front shaft 2 through the ventilation gap hole 3f formed through the cross section of the front shaft 2, and the inside of the front shaft 2 communicates with the outside air through the outside air port 2c. .

The inside of the application body circulation pipe 3b communicates with the front pipe of the inner pipe 3d of the ink absorber side flow passage. The inner tube 3d has an inner diameter that changes in the axial direction, a small-diameter portion 3d1 in the vicinity of the front portion and a large-diameter portion 3d2 in the rear portion, and a vertical rib 3i that reaches the rear end is formed on the inner wall. For this reason, the diameter of the ink absorber 6 disposed in the inner tube is compressed by the small diameter portion 3d1. In the large-diameter portion 3d2, an intake / exhaust gap 3g surrounded by the inner wall of the inner tube between the vertical ribs 3i and the outer wall of the ink absorber 6 is formed.
The intake / exhaust gap 3g communicates with the inside of the absorber protective tube 5, and is connected to and communicated with the vent gap 3e.
The outer tube 3c connected to the rear side of the partition 3a is formed with an ink connection port 3h that communicates from the outer periphery to the inside of the inner tube 3d. The ink connection port 3h is a through-opening in which the outer peripheral portion of the outer tube 3c and the inner tube 3d are connected in the radial direction by a partition wall 3j that blocks a part of the cross section of the ventilation gap 3e. As shown in the figure, an uneven rib is formed at the upper center of the opening wall, the convex portion 3h1 has a narrow gap, the concave portion 3h2 has a wide gap, the convex portion 3h1 has a strong capillary action, and the concave portion 3h2 has a weak capillary action. Furthermore, the outer periphery of the ink connection port 3h has a wide opening, and the inside (back part) of the ink connection port 3h is gradually narrowed.
The raw ink in contact with the outer tube 3c communicates with the inside of the inner tube 3d without contacting the ventilation gap 3e through the opening of the ink connection port 3h. Therefore, the raw ink filled in the ink containing portion 1a is always in communication with the inside of the inner tube 3d through the inside of the ink connection port 3h of the outer tube 3c.

  Inside the inner tube 3d, the front part of the ink absorber 6 is compressed and inserted into the small diameter part 3d1, reaches the ink connection port 3h, and comes into contact with the ink. On the other hand, the application body rear portion 4a inserted into the application body distribution pipe 3d is located at the ink connection port 3h. For this reason, the raw ink filled in the rear shaft 1 flows from the ink flow path 2d and branches into contact with both sides of the front application body rear portion 4a and the rear ink absorber 6 inside the ink connection port 3h. To do.

The above-described ink absorber 6 can be one that has been conventionally used for generally known writing instruments, but is made of a material that can be inserted into the inner tube 3d and the outer diameter thereof is appropriately compressed to change the density to a high level. preferable. As such a material, for example, a porous material / foaming material such as so-called batting, sintered body, foamed sponge or the like in which synthetic fibers such as polyester, acrylic, polyolefin, acetate, nylon, and polyurethane are converged can be used.
In addition, this form is not a hollow (doughnut-shaped) cross section used for conventional raw ink writing instruments, and an ink absorber having a round or polygonal cross section can be used. A cheaper one can be used. The application body 4 can also be applied to a pen body having a capillary action which is employed in a conventional writing instrument. That is, use of fiber cores and felts with converged fibers, porous pen materials such as sintered bodies and foams, molded core materials with capillary grooves in the cross section, ballpoint pen tips, metal pens with capillary slits in the cross section, etc. Is also possible.

  Further, in the ink flow path in this embodiment, the density (or capillary force) of the ink absorber 6 in the inner pipe large diameter portion 3d2 which is the rear part of the ink absorber side flow path is A, and the ink absorber side flow path front part. The density (or capillary force) of the ink absorber compression part 6a in the inner tube small diameter part 3d1 is B, and the density (or capillary force) of the application body rear part 4a in the application body flow pipe which is the application body side ink flow path is C. At this time, A <B <C.

The present embodiment having such a structural configuration has the following functions and operations. The raw ink filled in the rear shaft 1 flows through the ink flow path 2d and flows through the ink connection port 3h and is pressed into and fixed to the application body circulation pipe 3b. It is in contact with the ink absorber compression portion 6a that has been inserted into the front small diameter portion 3d1 and compressed. For this reason, the ink can be supplied directly from the ink connection port 3h to the tip of the application body 4, and the thick application body rear portion 4a is also attached, so that the ink discharge performance is improved. Further, the air existing inside the ink absorber 6 bypasses the outer peripheral intake / exhaust gap 3g, communicates with the ventilation gap 3e, and is further connected to the front shaft by the ventilation gap hole 3f. Therefore, the air can be smoothly sucked and exhausted, and the ink absorber 6 has good ink absorption and capture.
Here, when the ink absorber 6 naturally absorbs the ink from the ink connection port 3h, the ink is filled in the ink absorber 6, but in this embodiment, the ink absorber 6 is disposed in front of the inner tube. Since it is compressed by the small diameter portion 3d1 and has a high density (B) and is not compressed at the rear, the density is relatively low (A). Therefore, the small diameter portion 3d1 having a high density has a locally strong capillary force. The ink penetrates and fills, but the back part where the density is low is made difficult to penetrate the ink. That is, even if the ink absorber 6 tries to absorb the ink in contact with the ink connection port 3h, in order to suck out the ink in the ink containing portion 1a, the same amount of external air as the amount of ink to be absorbed is used in the ink containing portion. The ink cannot be absorbed unless inhaled into la.
That is, the inside of the small-diameter portion 3d1 absorbs ink with a strong capillary force (B), and the ink absorber 6 in the large-diameter portion 3d2 in a relatively weak capillary force (A) state absorbs ink. However, since the passage of external air is prevented in the small diameter portion 3d1, the ink is hardly absorbed in the large diameter portion 3d2. For this reason, many capillary voids distributed in the ink absorber 6 are difficult to absorb ink even if they have the absorption capability. On the other hand, the capillary force (C) of the application body rear portion 4a is in a stronger relationship than the capillary force (B) of the ink absorber portion compressed inside the small diameter portion 3d1, and thus is written with the application body 4. In this case, the ink is smoothly supplied from the ink connection port 3h. Since the inside of the ink containing portion 1a is depressurized corresponding to this ink consumption, external air is also drawn into the small diameter portion 3d1 through the intake / exhaust gap 3g, and automatic writing can be performed continuously.

Here, if bubbles of external air sucked during continuous writing are accumulated in the ink connection port 3h or the like, the distribution of the ink in the ink containing portion and the rear portion of the application body 4 is hindered, which may cause blurring. The shape of the ink connection port 3h in this embodiment is such that a concave portion 3h2 having a wide opening gap (a portion having a weak capillary action) and a narrow convex portion 3h1 having a strong capillary action are formed. Air does not easily accumulate in the portion, and ink can always be supplied to the rear portion of the application body 4, so that the ejection performance of continuous writing is stable.
As writing progresses and ink is consumed, the amount of external air sucked into the ink containing portion 1a increases, and when a temperature change occurs at this time, the amount of gas expansion physically increases. When ink is pushed out by gas expansion in the part 1a, the overflow ink passes through the ink connection port 3h opening to both the ink absorber side (small diameter part of the inner pipe) and the application body side (in the application body circulation pipe). Branch off and go out. At this time, since the density is high on the application body side (inside the application body circulation pipe 3b) and the flow path is narrower than that on the absorber side (inside the small diameter portion 3d1), the ink passage resistance is large. On the other hand, the absorber side has many unabsorbed capillaries in the large-diameter portion 3d2 and air dischargeability is good, so that the passage resistance is less than that of the application body side and the overflow ink is maintained in a state that is easily absorbed. Can quickly absorb ink and prevent leakage of ink from the application side.

When the temperature change has subsided and the gas that has been expanded in the ink containing portion 1a starts to shrink, the application body side flow passage (inside the application body flow tube 3b) has a strong capillary action, so this ink flow passage (small diameter portion 3d1). Inner) is difficult for external air to pass through. On the other hand, the ink absorber side flow passage has a relatively weak capillary action, so that the ink absorbed in the ink absorber is concentrated on the inner tube small-diameter portion 3d1 and the ink connection port. Since it is sucked and returned to the ink containing portion 1a through the opening of 3h, the unabsorbed capillary portion increases again in the ink absorber 6 and can be prepared for the next expansion. That is, it has a preferable effect as a structure of the applicator that can cope with continuous expansion and contraction.
In addition, when the gas expansion of the ink containing portion 1a occurs drastically, the ink overflow rate may be larger than the absorption rate of the ink absorber 6. However, the slit valve 7 arranged at the rear part of the absorber protective tube 5 is opened by the pressure difference generated between the ink containing portion 1a and the ink absorber protective tube 5, and as a result, the ink absorber protective tube 5 And the inside of the ink containing portion 1a can be communicated with each other, whereby the pressure inside the ink containing portion 1a can be sent out to the inside of the ink absorber protective tube 5, and a sudden ink overflow from the ink containing portion 1a can be caused. Can be prevented. Ink absorption even if ink enters the ink absorber protective tube 5 from the slit 7a of the slit valve 7 when the pressure in the ink containing portion 1a is sent to the inside of the ink absorber protective tube 5. Since it is absorbed by the ink absorber 6 inside the body protection tube 5, there is no problem.

Further, the opening / closing strength of the slit valve 7 needs to be selected in accordance with the permeation speed of the ink to be used with respect to the ink absorber. Incidentally, the open strength is set to be high for ink that penetrates quickly, and the open strength is set to be low for ink that penetrates slowly.
Furthermore, the opening amount of the slit valve 7 is designed according to the viscosity of the ink. For the ink with high viscosity, the opening amount of the slit valve 7 is set large so that the ink can pass through the slit valve.

FIG. 7 shows a conical valve 9 that is opened and closed by the force of an elastic member 8 such as a coil spring at the rear of the ink absorber protective tube 5. Since the spring 8 is used, the design of the opening strength by pressure is easy and the reliability is high. The elastic member 8 may be a rubber-like elastic body made of a sponge or a cylindrical body instead of a coil spring. Reference numeral 10 denotes a valve presser for stably positioning the elastic member 8 and the valve 9.
FIG. 8 shows a modification of the above example, in which the slit valve 7 is arranged on the side wall of the ink absorber protective tube 5. In this example, although it has arrange | positioned in 2 places which oppose, it is not limited to this, You may form in 3 places and 4 places, but it is preferable to form radially at equal intervals. Reference numeral 5e denotes a through hole formed at a position where the slit valve 7 is disposed.

Here, the resistance when ink passes through the ink circulation port (inside the small diameter portion 3d1), the pressure necessary for opening the valve, and the pressure inside the ink container when ink overflows (ink leakage) to the outside of the applicator occurs. A preferable relationship will be described. Temporarily, the resistance when ink passes through the ink circulation port is P ₁ , the pressure required to open the valve is P ₂ , and the pressure in the ink container when ink overflow (ink leakage) to the outside of the applicator occurs. Assuming that P ₃ is satisfied, it is preferable to satisfy the relationship of “P ₁ <P ₂ <P ₃ ”. This relationship does not depend on the structure of the valve, and is the same regardless of whether the valve is a slit valve or a coil spring.
Incidentally, if the opening strength P ₂ of the valve becomes weaker than the resistance P ₁ when the ink flow port is ink passes, i.e. among the ink does not pass through the ink flow passage when a P ₁ ≧ P ₂ Since the valve is opened to release the pressure, the ink cannot pass through the ink flow path, and the ink is not supplied to the application body. Further, if the opening strength P ₂ of the valve was stronger than the pressure P ₃ in the ink accommodating portion when the ink spillover into applicator outside (ink leakage) occurs, that is, when a P ₂ ≧ P ₃ is Ink leakage occurs before the valve opens, and the valve does not perform its function. Therefore, it is preferable to satisfy the above relationship, that is, the relationship of “P ₁ <P ₂ <P ₃ ”.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the applicator by this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the position rotated 90 degrees with respect to FIG. 1 of the applicator according to the present invention. It is an AA line longitudinal cross-sectional view of the applicator by this invention. It is a principal part perspective view of the applicator by this invention. It is a principal part perspective view of the applicator by this invention. It is a principal part longitudinal cross-sectional view in the slit valve open state of the applicator by this invention. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a valve portion in the applicator according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a principal part longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows a modification.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Rear shaft 1a Ink accommodating part 2 Front shaft 2a Front shaft outer diameter part 2b Vertical rib 2c Outside air port 3 Joint pipe
3a Partitioning part 3b Application body distribution pipe (c density part)
3c Outer tube 3d Inner tube 3d1 Small diameter part (b density part)
3d2 Large diameter part (a density part)
3e Ventilation gap 3f Ventilation gap hole 3g Intake / exhaust gap (gap formed by rib 3g)
3h Ink connection port / opening 3h1 Convex part, narrow part 3h2 Concave part, wide part 3j Opening partition 3i Vertical rib 4 Application body 4a Application body rear part 5 Absorber protection tube 5a Front outer diameter 5b Vertical rib 5c Intake and exhaust gap 5d Through Hole 5e Through-hole 6 Ink absorber 6a Ink absorber compression part 7 Slit valve 7a Slit 8 Spring 9 Valve 10 Valve retainer

Claims (3)

An ink container having an ink container capable of internally flowing filled ink, an ink absorber for controlling excessive outflow of ink in the ink container, and an application body for applying ink. The ink flow passage for guiding the ink is an applicator branched to the ink-passage-side ink flow passage and the ink-absorber-side flow passage, and in the state where the applicator is faced down, the ink flow passage outlet of the ink containing portion A joint pipe composed of an inner pipe having an inner side of the ink absorber and an inner pipe having an inner side of the ink absorber and an outer pipe for ventilation on the upper side. In the inner pipe, an ink absorber is arranged therein and an intake / exhaust gap is formed, and the intake / exhaust gap is connected to the outer periphery of the application body via the outer pipe. Communicated to the outside The ink absorber is partitioned so as to communicate with the ink in the ink container only through the ink connection port, and in the ink flow path, the ink in the inner pipe large-diameter part which is the rear part of the ink absorber side flow path The density (or capillary force) of the absorber is A, the density (or capillary force) of the capillary member disposed in the small diameter portion of the inner tube, which is the front part of the ink absorber side flow passage, is B, and the application body circulation is the application body side ink flow passage. When the density (or capillary force) of the capillary member disposed in the tube is C, in the applicator having a relationship of A <B <C, the inner tube in which the ink absorber is disposed is included in the inner tube. An applicator characterized in that a valve mechanism is provided for communicating between the inside of the tube and the ink containing portion, and for communicating with the non-communication portion. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the applicator has the valve mechanism in which an openable / closable slit is formed in an elastic body. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the applicator has the valve mechanism that is opened only in one direction.

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