JP4230562B2 - Writing instrument - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a writing instrument such as a ballpoint pen or a sign pen, which has a pen tip serving as a writing part at the tip, and an ink tank for directly storing ink, and a plurality of wing-like adjusters utilizing a capillary phenomenon for adjusting internal pressure. It is related with improvement of the direct liquid type collector type writing instrument provided with the collector which is these, and the means to guide ink from an ink tank to a pen tip.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventional oil ballpoint pens prevent ink movement to reduce the incidence of backflow problems that cause ink smearing from the nib and directing the ink up and the ink falling down and smearing clothes and making writing impossible. In general, high viscosity ink of about 10,000 mPa · S is used for the purpose, and the ink tank is made finer to prevent capillary force. Have problems such as unevenness of density and thinness of density.
[0003]
In addition, a so-called batting type pen is known in which a low-viscosity ink of several mPa · S is impregnated into the batting of the fiber bundle and the ink is guided to the pen tip through the ink guiding core, but the ink consumption is known. I don't know, there is a problem that the ink flow rate gradually decreases with writing from the beginning, resulting in a thin writing line. In order to improve the derivation of the ink from the batting, it may be set to weaken the capillary force of the batting, but the ink leaks from the batting due to the impact of dropping etc. In addition, when the capillary force of the batting is increased, the ink flow rate is drastically reduced according to the writing, and the writing line becomes considerably thin in the latter half of the life even though the ink remains sufficiently.
[0004]
For the purpose of solving the disadvantages of the oil-based ballpoint pen and the batting type writing instrument described above, a fountain pen that adjusts the air displacement internal pressure at the time of writing by arranging an ink tank that stores ink directly in the rear and a collector having many wing-like grooves A so-called collector-type ink direct storage type writing instrument (hereinafter referred to as a collector-type writing instrument) using the mechanism that has been used is known. However, the collector writing instrument has the feature that the flow rate of ink is as high as or more than the batting type writing instrument, and it is possible to write with a dark line without decreasing the ink outflow amount until the final writing without applying pressure. Since it is necessary to increase the amount of ink loaded in comparison with the oil-based ballpoint pen, the ink tank has a large diameter, and generally has a capacity of about 1 to 3 cc.
[0005]
In the conventional collector writing instrument, when the atmospheric pressure changes in the outside air, the ink is moved into the collector and the internal pressure is adjusted to prevent the ink from leaking from the tip of the pen tip. In order to prevent ink volatilization, it is common to provide a cap that seals and seals the air hole and the nib at the same time. However, the internal pressure of the cap changes as the cap is inserted and removed, and the collector fills with ink. In the end, there is a pumping phenomenon in which ink is discharged from the air holes beyond the limit that can be retained.
[0006]
In addition, the same mechanism as described above also causes a defect that blowout phenomenon occurs when pressure reduction and high pressure are repeated, such as heating and cooling, in an airplane, high and low pressure, and altitude difference. The pumping phenomenon can be solved by devising a cap, but in order to solve the problem of repeated blowing of atmospheric pressure, the maximum ink retention in the collector is increased (diameter and length are increased), Solutions such as making the ink tank smaller are also seen, but the shaft size increases, causing appearance problems, reducing the ink amount and shortening the service life and reducing cost performance, making the collector too long Only products of such a level that have drawbacks such as the fact that the ink head to the pen tip becomes high and it becomes easy to direct current or that the writing performance is somewhat sacrificed by solving with ink have been put into practical use.
[0007]
In addition, the collector-type writing instrument can maintain a dark line until all the ink is consumed, so if you run out of ink and run out of ink during use, you will not be able to write at all, which is inconvenient. There is also a problem. When there is almost no ink in the tank, it can be visually recognized from the outside, and from this point on, the ink flow rate decreases for a while, and the writing state where the writing line can be visually recognized even if the density is low, that is, almost the entire pen life is straight. There is also a demand for improvement of the final writing property, which ensures that the performance close to the end of the batting type can only be secured from 100 to 200 m from the time when the ink is exhausted in the tank while ensuring good writing properties in the liquid state. .
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention is mainly aimed at improving a popular collector-type writing instrument, and does not impede smooth writing at the time of writing, and ink leakage due to the effect of atmospheric pressure increase / decrease during transportation or cap insertion / removal. Satisfying the desire to improve the accident prevention performance of writing instruments, such as the prevention performance of balloons and the prevention of blowout when stored for a long period of time at stores, etc. In addition to simultaneously solving the problem of preventing serious defects such as smudges, the demand for a slim appearance with a collector type that tends to be thick, and the problem of final writing that becomes impossible to write rapidly when the ink runs out The purpose is to satisfy the excellent writing properties of conventional collector writing instruments.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the writing instrument of the present invention flows from an ink tank to a writing part ball on a pen tip having a holder holding a ball serving as a writing part at the tip and a receiving seat for receiving writing pressure at the time of writing. It has a guide hole and a plurality of channel grooves to secure the path, and a ballpoint pen with a core that is a means for guiding ink from the ink tank to the ball by a capillary force or an ink guide core itself is provided in the guide hole. Sign pens and markers. A collector is provided between the bottomed cup-shaped ink tank and the pen tip, and the internal pressure adjustment function inside the pen body is achieved by arranging multiple air communication sections, narrow ink grooves, and wing-shaped groove sections to allow ink to enter and exit. Have.
[0010]
As a means for making the present invention effective, the ink tank is provided with an ink retaining batting or the like connected to the ink guide core. The ink is a low (or medium) viscosity ink having a viscosity of 2 to 100 mPa · S at room temperature (around 23 degrees). Applying a pseudo plastic ink (also called gel ink) that prevents the direct current that the ink oozes out from the tip in the stationary state, prevents the direct current from leaking from the tip, and reduces the viscosity when shearing or movement occurs by writing. Ink may be used. The solvent used as the base of the ink is not limited to general water, and various inks that can be used as writing instruments such as organic solvents such as lower alcohols, higher alcohols, and xylene, glycols such as ethylene glycol, and esters thereof are used as appropriate. Is possible.
[0011]
As for the batting used in the present invention, the batting used in the conventional batting type writing instrument can be stored in the ink tank, and it has a sufficient space between the inner wall of the ink tank and is made into a thin or small size. In order to reduce the expansion of air due to pressurization and decompression when the ink is consumed and the amount of air is increased without obstructing the advantageous features of the direct liquid type of This is a means that occupies the padding in the ink-held state, and as a result can be in a state where there is no blowing even under pressure and pressure reduction.
[0012]
As a further means, the volume of filling inside the tank is set to 10 to 60% (preferably 20 to 50%) of the volume of the ink tank. As another effective means, (i × 70) is provided between the maximum ink holding volume s of the batting incorporated in the ink tank and the maximum ink holding space c which is the entire space of the collector wing and the ink tank volume i. %)> (S + c)> i × 20%.
[0013]
If the batting volume of the present invention is large, the safety is increased, but the period during which the writing property as a direct liquid type can be maintained is shortened, the difference from the batting type is reduced, and the ink flow rate is temporarily reduced together with the writing. In addition, in the case of a design with a high collector retention rate (that is, a large collector), the padding may be a small space. By satisfying the above conditions, the air volume of the ink tank is reduced, the safety of writing is ensured such as ink flow rate, the appearance and visibility of ink remaining amount confirmation, etc. It is possible to balance the performance that tends to become contradictory performance, such as the problem of end-of-stroke characteristics that end suddenly.
[0014]
The batting used here is a product in which short fiber or long fiber yarn is softly fixed in the outer skin as in the conventional batting type, and the shape of the long fiber yarn is maintained by adhesive or heat welding without the outer skin. So-called fiber bundles, so-called plastic cores formed by extruding snow crystal-like cross sections, sintered cores in which small particles are fixed while maintaining space with heat or adhesive, and sponge, etc. If there is.
[0015]
【Example】
The illustrated embodiment will be described in detail below. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 shows a conventional example. As shown in the drawing, the writing instrument of the present invention guides ink 12 from the ink tank 7 to the ball by the inner core 3 from the ink tip 7 to the pen tip 2 in which the writing ball can be freely rotated and pulled out at the tip. The middle core 3 may be a combination of a long object up to the ink tank 7, a middle core 3 of a fiber bundle, and a plastic core 4 which is an extruded tube having a snow crystal-like cross section having a capillary force inside.
[0016]
The ink tank 7 made of a transparent or translucent synthetic resin directly storing the ink 12 containing 40% or more based on water having a relatively low viscosity of 2 to 100 mPa · s at room temperature is free from ink leakage . The collector 6 is press-fitted and fixed in this state. Colorants that are superior in water resistance and light resistance include direct dyes, pigments such as carbon black, and pseudo organic pigments such as dyed resin powder, but inks similar to conventional collector-type writing instruments can be used. In the present invention, there is no particular limitation.
[0017]
In particular, when the amount of air in the ink tank 7 is filled from 60% to 70% of the tank volume due to ink consumption during writing, if there is a change in internal pressure from the external pressure or a temperature change due to atmospheric pressure increase or decrease, In order to prevent ink from leaking from the nib where the ink flow path for the ink is secured and air from entering from the tip, the inside and outside of the shaft communicate with the thin ink groove 10 The portion 9 communicates with a collector 6 having a plurality of wing-like grooves. The collector 6 has a function of balancing the internal volume of the pen body by adjusting the volume of the pen body by allowing ink to enter and exit the wing-like groove of the collector 6 when a pressure difference between outside air and inside occurs.
[0018]
The total volume that can be filled with ink in the space of the wing-like groove of the collector 6 was set to a retention rate c (preferably 15% to 30%) of 12% or more of the volume of the ink tank 7. The volume by adjusting the internal pressure because the atmospheric pressure changes in the atmosphere, the water vapor pressure rises when the temperature is raised from room temperature to around 45 ° C, which is the maximum temperature, and the volume expansion of the air is within about 12%. In general, no problem will occur if the maximum change of is absorbed by the collector 6 by about 12%.
[0019]
As a means for making the present invention effective, a slightly thin batting 1 is fixed inside the ink tank 7 while being connected to the plastic core 4. The pad side of the collector and the inside of the ink tank are configured with ribs and grooves so that the ink can freely enter the batting 1. Further, the batting may move to some extent, but the plastic core 4 and the batting 1 are kept connected so that the ink 12 can conduct even when dropped.
[0020]
The thickness of the batting 1 was made thin so that there was a sufficient space between the inner wall of the ink tank 7 and the outer skin of the batting 1, and the length was approximately equal to the length inside the ink tank 7. Here, it is possible to mount a thick and short batting 1 close to the size of the inner wall of the ink tank 7, but if the movement of the ink 12 to the front side and the rear end side of the batting 1 is restricted, the ink 12 is transferred from the rear end of the ink tank. When the user has the remaining amount of ink even though the ink 12 has actually been consumed because the phenomenon that it does not fall to the front end side or the ink adhering to the periphery of the batting 1 remains forever. Since a problem of visibility from the outside that may be mistaken is likely to occur, it is desirable that there is sufficient space particularly in the vicinity of the front of the ink tank on the collector side.
[0021]
As a second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, the pen tip is a line marker formed by solidifying a fiber bundle core and molding and polishing it into an arbitrary shape, but the same effect as the first embodiment is obtained. Have. The difference from the first embodiment is that the batting 1 is thick and short and arranged behind the ink tank. Specifically, a medium-sized plastic core 4 in a state where ink can be communicated behind the pen tip 2 and a thick batting 1 further provided behind the pen core 2 in an ink communication state. In other words, by providing a large volume batting 1 on the rear end side hidden behind the opaque tail plug 11, a high effect can be obtained without worrying about appearance problems, and the portion visible to the user is considerably thinner than the batting 1. Since only the plastic core 4 is visible, there is no problem of visibility or ink mobility.
[0022]
As a result of an investigation experiment by the present inventor, it was found that there is a close relationship between the volume i of the ink tank, the ink retention volume c of the collector, and the volume s of the batting. In other words, since the size of the collector 6 cannot be increased to a certain extent due to the appearance size in the radial direction and the direct current in the length direction, the design is made with an emphasis on the collector volume c. Should be larger. However, even if the collector volume c is slightly small, safety can be ensured with a large batting volume s. Conversely, if the collector volume c is large, the batting volume s may be small. Conventionally, it has been known that the collector volume c has to be increased in proportion to the ink tank volume i. However, the following two findings have been obtained with the addition of batting.
[0023]
One of the optimum ranges in which the present invention is effective is that the ink holding volume s of the batting is in the range of 10 to 60%, preferably 20 to 50% of the ink tank volume i.
[0024]
Satisfying that the sum (s + c) of the batting volume s and the collector volume c is in the range of 20% to 70% of the ink tank volume i is one of the other optimum ranges in which the present invention is effective.
[0025]
Specific implementation experiment results are described below. The samples used here were basically inks and other members of a collector-type water-based ballpoint pen UB-150 made by Mitsubishi Pencil, and various types of batting, collectors, and ink tanks were prototyped for comparative experiments. Moreover, although the same experiment was conducted with PUS-150 made by Mitsubishi Pencil with a pen tip as shown in FIG. 5, the results were exactly the same, so only the results for UB-150 are shown here. Moreover, since the direct current | flow generate | occur | produced the thing which increased the collector length in order to increase the collector volume c, the result was abbreviate | omitted.
[0026]
Since the basic writing members such as ink, nib, and ink guide core are the same as those on the market and there is no problem at all, the following three items were evaluated. 1 Writability: Written flow rate and written line visual judgment result in ISO standard automatic spiral machine writing. 2 stroke ending with: display at a distance that is gradually thinner from the normal value. Around 200m is optimal. 3 Low-pressure repetitive blowing: Presence / absence of blowing at 0.8 atmospheric pressure and 1 atmospheric pressure repetition. Evaluation was evaluated with the following three scores together with comments. ○: No problem △: There is some problem, but actual use is possible × : Attention is necessary in actual use, or the problem is large [0027]
Conventional example: Commercially available UB-150, collector volume c = 0.3 cc (i × 15%), ink tank volume i = 2.0 cc, batting volume s = 0 cc (none). Results: Writability is not a problem at all: ○ The final writing performance is 50 m or less, and the writing is abruptly finished: × Low-pressure repeated blowing is blown out at the first time: ×
[0028]
Example 1: c = i × 15%, i = 2.0 cc, s = i × 10% Result: Writability is not a problem at all: ○ The final writing performance is slightly lowered in the final 100 m to be the final writing Yes: ○ Low pressure repeated blowouts were cleared 3 times, but after 4th blowout: △
[0029]
Example 2: c = i × 15%, i = 2.0 cc, s = i × 50% Result: Writability is slightly decreasing in flow rate: Δ The final writing performance is down in the final 300 m. △ No low pressure repeated blowout even after the fifth time: ○
[0030]
Example 3: c = i × 8%, i = 2.0 cc, s = i × 60% Result: Writability is slightly decreasing in flow rate: Δ Final writing performance is down in the final 300 m. △ The low pressure repeated blowout is the second clear and the third and subsequent blowouts: △
[0031]
Example 4: c = i × 30% , i = 1.0cc, s = i × 10% Result: writability problem of bur life short: ○ stroke ending resistance slightly down during the final 100m Final writing: ○ No low pressure repeated blowout even after the fifth time: ○
[0032]
Example 5: c = i × 15% , i = 1.0cc, s = i × 50% Result: flow faction somewhat暫減tendency, life is shorter: △ stroke ending resistance down between final 300m The final writing: △ Low pressure repeated blowout, no blowout: ○
[0033]
Example 6: c = i × 8%, i = 3.0 cc, s = i × 60% Result: Writability is slightly reduced: Δ The final writing performance is down to the final writing in the final 300 m. Yes: △ Low pressure repeated blowout at the fourth time: △
[0034]
Example 7: c = i × 8%, i = 3.0 cc, s = i × 20% Result: Writability is not a problem: ○ The final writing performance is slightly down between the final 200 m and is the final writing Yes: ○ Low pressure repeated blowout for the second time: △
[0035]
Comparative Example 1: c = i × 15%, i = 2.0 cc, s = i × 5% Result: Writability is not a problem: ○ The final writing property is abruptly down at the final 100 m or less, and the final writing is: × Low pressure repetitive blowout is blown out for the second time: △ to ×
[0036]
Comparative example 2: c = i × 15%, i = 2.0 cc, s = i × 70% Result: Writability is considerably reduced from the latter half: × The final writing property is gently lowered at the final 400 m and finished. Brush: x Low pressure repeated blowout, no blowout: ○
[0037]
Comparative Example 3: c = i × 24%, i = 1.0 cc, s = i × 70% Result: Writability is like a batting type, the flow rate is slightly reduced, and the life is short: × The final writing property is gradually at the final 800 m Continued down: × Low pressure repeated blowout, no blowout: ○
[0038]
Comparative Example 4: c = i × 15%, i = 3.0 cc, s = i × 5% Result: Writability is no problem: ○ The final writing property is a little less than 100 m in the final stroke, and the final writing is: Low pressure repetitive blowout is blown out for the second time: △ to ×
[0039]
Comparative Example 5 : c = i × 5%, i = 3.0 cc, s = i × 10% Result: Writability is no problem: ○ The final writing property is slightly less than the final 100 m and the final writing is: Δ Low pressure repetition Return balloon is the first time: ×
[Action]
[0040]
In the conventional collector writing instrument, as described above, the internal pressure is adjusted to about 12% only by the collector. However, the pressure change in an aircraft or the like is reduced to about 0.8 atm, and temperature changes such as body temperature and outside air temperature are also added. In other words, the conventional collector-type writing instrument does not take into account the decompression of the aircraft, and a blowout accident occurs because the pressure changes beyond the maximum hold of the collector.
[0041]
Even now, the collector-type writing instrument is slightly thicker, and if it is thicker than this, problems will occur in the thickness and appearance of the grip part, and if the collector is made longer than the conventional product, the length of the collector inside will be ink on the pen tip Since the head h is applied, a problem of direct current that ink leaks from the pen tip occurs. If the volume of the ink tank is reduced, the retention rate is increased and safety is improved even if the collector size is the same, but the problem of writing life occurs. In particular, since the flow rate of a direct liquid writing instrument is stable from the initial stage to the vicinity of the final writing brush, the same life cannot be achieved unless the ink loading amount is considerably increased as compared with the batting type in which the ink consumption is reduced for a while.
[0042]
By installing the slightly thinner batting of the present invention, it is not necessary to reduce the initial ink loading amount, and even if the space inside the tank is increased due to consumption of ink, the batting sufficiently supplies ink in the tank space. Holds in a sucked-up state. Ink that can be written on is kept in the padding while the space of the tank itself is reduced, and ink that has been sucked up by the padding at a certain amount of ink consumption up to the final writing as the amount of air expanding and contracting in the tank decreases However, there is no ink in the direct liquid state, but there is a period in which writing can be performed in the vicinity of the end, which may be slightly thinner than a memo.
[0043]
In the batting type, the volume expansion due to pressure change and temperature change is not affected by the communication from the air hole to the atmosphere. That is, during the period when the above-mentioned direct liquid does not exist, the pressurization and temperature change and the temperature change are not affected in the same manner as in the batting type, and the safety can be significantly improved as compared with the conventional collector type writing instrument having the same life. Compared to the conventional batting type, the duration of functioning as a direct liquid is sufficiently long, and the amount of ink held by the batting is much less, and even if there is an impact such as dropping , ink is discharged outside the writing instrument by the ink tank and collector. During the period when the flow rate decreases for a while, for example, by setting the capillary force of the batting slightly weaker due to the fact that it does not leak out, it is possible to set almost the same as the conventional direct liquid type.
[0044]
In the present invention, the above-described useful effects are compensated for the disadvantages of the batting type and the collector type. Furthermore, by setting the numerical value range of the present invention, it is possible not only to complement each of the disadvantages of the batting type and the collector type, but also to take advantage of the respective advantages.
[00 45 ]
【The invention's effect】
The configuration and action of the writing instrument of the present invention are as described above, and it can be a slim writing instrument with good appearance and excellent cost performance. Safe and stable writing performance can be ensured because the pumping phenomenon due to pressure and pressure reduction by an aircraft, temperature change and cap is less likely to occur, and a complicated anti-pumping mechanism is unnecessary. As described above, there is an effect that it is possible to provide an inexpensive collector writing instrument having a simple structure and easy to manufacture and having a good appearance. Furthermore, for the problem that ink suddenly runs out at the final stage of writing, the ink flow gradually decreases in a moderate period that is not too long, so the degree of memo writing can be written for the time being, and the vicinity of the final writing Then, there is an effect that it becomes unnecessary to prepare a second writing instrument.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an entire writing instrument according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the tip side of the writing instrument according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a rear end side of the writing instrument according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a writing instrument as a conventional example.
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an entire writing instrument according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Filling 2 Pen tip 3 Medium core 4 Plastic core 5 Port plastic 6 Collector 7 Ink tank 8 Cap 9 Air groove 10 Ink groove (narrow groove)
11 Tail plug 12 Ink

Claims (1)

A pen tip with a writing part at the tip, an ink tank that directly stores a relatively low viscosity ink having a viscosity of 2 to 100 mPa · S at room temperature, and a plurality of feathers using a capillary phenomenon that adjusts internal pressure In a so-called collector-type writing instrument comprising a collector that is a state adjusting body and a guiding means such as a core that guides ink from the ink tank to the writing portion, an ink holding pad is placed in the ink tank by the ink guiding means. Built in connected to a certain core,
The padding built in the ink tank has a size in which the maximum ink holding volume s of the padding is in the range of 20 to 50% of the ink tank internal volume i, and there is a direct liquid state between the periphery of the padding and the inner wall of the ink tank. A writing instrument characterized in that the ink has a movable gap.

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