JP4321118B2

JP4321118B2 - Applicator

Info

Publication number: JP4321118B2
Application number: JP2003151845A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 矩生山田; 隆介大田
Original assignee: Pentel Co Ltd
Current assignee: Pentel Co Ltd
Priority date: 2002-05-31
Filing date: 2003-05-29
Publication date: 2009-08-26
Anticipated expiration: 2023-05-29
Also published as: JP2004142413A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、水性・油性の筆記具用インキ類、ジェットプリンタ用インキ類、アイライナー等の化粧液、塗料や薬剤などの塗布液といった液料（以下インキという）の収容用生インキタンクを備え、塗布或いは筆記、記録に呼応し、インキが自動的に吐出制御される機構を備えた塗布具に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、軸筒内にインキ収容部を備え、収容したインキが、筆記又は塗布で使用消耗されるに従って塗布体（ペン体）に順次補給され、連続的に筆記又は塗布ができるようにした生インキ自動吐出制御の筆記具が知られている。例えば、実公昭６０−６９６９０号公報に、軸内のインキ収容部と塗布体先端との間のインキ流通経路にインキ吸収体を配置し、筆記に呼応する塗布体の毛管内インキ移動圧力（毛管浸透圧）によって、インキを流通させ、連続的に筆記ができる生インキ吐出制御機構が記載されている。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
従来の生インキを収容する塗布具の吐出制御機構においては、インキ吸収体を用いるのは、生インキ収容部からインキが溢出した場合に、インキを吸収して塗布体部などよりボタ落ちをしないように制御することを主な目的としている。
この種のインキ吸収体の従来一般的な用い方は、断面中空型形状（ドーナツ形）などのインキ吸収体をインキ収容部から塗布体に至るインキ流通路に対して並列状又は直列状に配置し、インキ吸収体をインキ流通路の上方から下方側に沿って接触させる、又は、上方部のみ接触させる構造での用い方が多い。
この配置状態では、インキ収容部から塗布体先端に至るインキ流通路の長手寸法と、インキ吸収体の長手寸法を対比すると、当然インキ流通路の距離が長い。この様な場合、一定内径値の軸内に同材質のインキ吸収体を設置する条件でインキ吸収体の容積・容量を増やしたい時には、長手側の寸法を長くするしかなく、そのためにはインキ流通路の長さも合わせて長くしなければならない関係にある。
ここで、一般的な物理的現象として、径の細いインキ流通路部分が長くなると、内部を通過するインキの粘度抵抗が増すから、インキ収容部から塗布体に供給するインキの流通が鈍くなりやすい問題がある。そして、その改善のためにインキ流通路の径を太くしようとすると、軸内径・横断面内でのインキ吸収体の取付け面積が小さくなり、相対的にインキ吸収容量が少なくなる、或いはインキ吸収体の断面形状が製造しにくくなるなどの弊害が起こり、設定が一定太さの生インキ入りの塗布具で、インキ吸収体の容積を増やしたり、インキ容量の多い塗布具を製造するには、インキ吸収体の構成に多くの難点があった。
更に、この様なインキ吸収体を用いた構造では、ボタ落ち防止性能などもまだ十分でなく、多くの問題が認められていた。
主たる不具合現象として次のような問題があり、解消が望まれる課題になっていた。
（１）一般的にインキ吸収体は、インキ流通経路のインキと接触状態に取付けるため、通常の保管状態でもインキ収容部のインキを自然に吸収し、吸収飽和量に近く充満してしまい易い。この様な場合に環境変化で軸内に気体膨張が起こり、インキ収容部よりインキが押し出されると、インキ吸収体は溢出するインキを吸収する能力が不足しており、ボタ落ちとなる問題がある。
（２）使用環境では気圧や温度変化が繰り返し起きているため、この変化でインキ収容部内の気体などが、膨張・収縮を繰り返している。
従って、膨張時に押し出されたインキを、インキ吸収体が吸収することができても、収縮の場合に吸収したインキが残留して残り吸収前の状態に復元できない場合には、上記（１）と同様の問題が起こる。
（３）インキ収容量の多い製品、又は油性インキなどで蒸気圧が高いインキの充填製品を作る場合などでは、インキ収容部内の気体膨張変化量も増大する。この様な時、例えば、軸に嵌合して密閉していたキャップを取ると一気に軸内部が膨張してインキ溢出が起こり、吸収体がインキを吸収捕捉できず、ボタ落ちが発生する問題がある。
本発明は、上述した従来の問題点を鑑みて、水性インキは勿論、油性インキを使用する場合であっても、保存中や使用上の諸々の使用環境条件下で、ボタ落ちなどインキ漏洩をしにくく、特に、速い筆記速度にも適切なインキ吐出を維持する品質を備えた塗布具を提供することを課題としたものである。
上記課題の追求上、連続筆記をするときなどに、インキ容器内のインキが、一時的に塗布体（ペン体）に供給されずカスレる不具合が発生することもあり、この不具合を合わせて解消することを課題とした。
【０００４】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は、充填したインキが内部流動可能な生インキ収容部と、このインキ収容部内のインキが過剰流出するのを制御するためのインキ吸収体と、インキを塗布するための塗布体とを有し、インキ収容部のインキを導くインキ流通路が、塗布体側インキ流通路と、インキ吸収体側流通路に分岐されている自動吐出型の塗布具において、塗布体を下向きにした状態で、前記インキ収容部のインキ流通路出口であるインキ接続口より下方側に内部を塗布体側インキ流通路とした塗布体流通管を配置し、上側に内部をインキ吸収体側流通路とした内管と通気用の外管とからなる二重管を配置すると共に、前記塗布体流通管に塗布体の後部を挿入し、中間部を塗布体流通管の下方に形成した外気口に位置させ、また、前記インキ吸収体と内管を後部が閉じられた吸収体保護管に収容し、その吸収体保護管の内壁であって前記インキ吸収体との間に吸排気間隙を前記吸収体保護管の開口部分に至るまで形成し、さらに、前記内管には、その内部にインキ吸収体を配置すると共に、前記吸排気隙間及びその吸排気隙間と連通するインキ吸収体と内管との間に形成された吸排気間隙と、前記吸収体保護管と外気口を連通せしめる通気間隙孔が形成されており、前記吸排気間隙は、通気用の外管を介して塗布体外周部に接続している外気口に迂回接続され、また、前記インキ吸収体は吸収体保護管よって前記インキ収容部内のインキとはインキ接続口のみで連通するよう区画されており、更に、インキの流通路において、インキ吸収体側流通路後部である内管大径部内のインキ吸収体の密度（又は毛管力）をＡ、インキ吸収体側流通路前部である内管小径部内に配置した毛管部材の密度（又は毛管力）をＢ、塗布体側インキ流通路である塗布体流通管内に配置した毛管部材の密度（又は毛管力）をＣとしたとき、Ａ＜Ｂ＜Ｃの関係を有している塗布具を要旨とする。
【０００５】
【作用】
本発明に係る塗布具は、（１）インキ吸収体がインキ収容部のインキを自然吸収して、飽和吸収状態に至る現象を防止し、（２）インキ収容部内の膨張・収縮変化において、インキ吸収体が一旦吸収したインキを再びインキ収容部内に戻す作用が繰り返し得られることを可能としたことにより、上記、課題を達成した。即ち、本発明に係る塗布具の作用は、以下の通りである。
前述した従来のインキ吸収体の用い方に対して、本発明のインキ吸収体の用い方（インキ吸収体側流通路）は、インキ溢出の発生時、インキ接続口を介して、インキ吸収体の下方側から上方側に向かって、インキが吸収されるよう工夫しているので、前述の好ましい機能・作用を得たものであるが、その主な理由は以下の通りである。
（１）本発明に係る塗布具の構造は、塗布体側インキ流通路としている塗布体流通管部をインキ吸収体が同一断面に存在しない前方側に設けている。そのため、塗布体先端に至るインキ流通路の形成は、インキ吸収体の影響を受けず、短く、太い流通路にすることが可能であり、インキ収容部のインキが塗布体先端に至る抵抗が少なく吐出量を多くすることができる。
（２）本発明に係る塗布具の構造は、インキ接続口の上方側の内管内をインキ吸収体側インキ流通路とし、その内部にインキ吸収体を配置すると共に吸排気空隙が形成された構造であるので、インキが溢出するときには、インキ吸収体中に速やかに浸透し吸収されるようにインキ吸収体内の空気排出をし易くしたものである。このことによって、インキ収容部内の膨張溢出が終わり再び気体が収縮し減圧状態に変わってくる時に、インキ吸収体が、一旦吸収した溢出インキを再びインキ接続口を介して、インキ収容部に戻りやすくする作用を向上することができる。
即ち、インキ収容部が減圧状態になった時に、前記塗布体外周部に接続している外気口よりインキ吸収体側周部の吸排気間隙を経てインキ接続口に向かう外部空気の流れができる。この時、インキ吸収体内は押し出されたインキを多く吸収した状態にあるので、この吸収されたインキが外部空気よりも先にインキ収容部に吸い戻されていく必要がある。このような作用を得るために、インキ吸収体をインキ接続口の上方に配置している。
つまり、塗布体が下向き姿勢の保管状態では、インキ吸収体が吸収したインキはその自重によって、下方のインキ接続口部に集まる傾向にあるため、集まったインキよりも軽い空気が先にインキ収容部の中に吸入されるような現象が少なくなり、インキ収容部にインキが吸い戻される作用の効率が良い状態が作り出されている。
（３）本発明に係る塗布具の構造において、溢出するインキは、インキ吸収体側と塗布体側に分岐して出て行くが、インキ収容部内が著しく膨張した場合に、インキ吸収体側で吸収しきれなかった溢出インキはオーバーフローし、前記迂回した通気間隙を経由して、塗布体側周部の空間を経て、最終的に塗布体先端に合流することができるようになっている。
本構造は、塗布具内外を連通する外気口を、前軸先端の塗布体側周部のみに形成しているので、前軸にキャップを取付けて外気口を密閉することで、外部に出て行くインキと空気の流れを簡単に止めることができるとともに、オーバーフローしたインキが塗布体側周部に溜まるようなことがあっても、インキ収容部の膨張がおさまって減圧に向かうときには、溜まったインキが塗布体を通じて、インキ収容部に吸い戻される作用が得られる。
【０００６】
上記したように、本発明に係る塗布具の構造は、上述の如き好ましい作用効果が得られるが、インキ吸収体が長期の自然放置環境などで、インキ収容部のインキを吸収して充満していく傾向には、まだ十分でないため、インキの流通路において、インキ吸収体側流通路後部である内管大径部内のインキ吸収体の密度（又は毛管力）をＡ、インキ吸収体側流通路前部である内管小径部内に配置した毛管部材の密度（又は毛管力）をＢ、塗布体側インキ流通路である塗布体流通管内に配置した毛管部材の密度（又は毛管力）をＣとしたとき、Ａ＜Ｂ＜Ｃの関係を有しているという構成を採用した。
その作用を説明する。まず、インキ吸収体が接続口を介して接続したインキ収容部内のインキを自然吸収する状態にあるのは、そのインキ吸収分量に見合う外部空気が、インキ収容部内に吸入される（空気交換される）状態の時であるから、逆にこのような空気移動を抑制し、インキがインキ吸収体の全体に自然吸収され、充満しないように上記関係とした。
即ち、内管大径部内（内管後方部）のインキ吸収体の密度（又は毛管力）Ａより、内管小径部（内管前方部）の毛管部材であるインキ吸収体密度（又は毛管力）Ｂを高くしたことで、密度Ｂ部近傍は、局部的に強い毛管力が働き、常にインキを貯めた液密状態を保つ。このため、毛管作用が相対的に弱いインキ吸収体部がインキ収容部内のインキを吸収しようとしても、この液密状態がインキ収容部内に入ろうとする外部空気の吸入を抑制するので、インキ吸収体内はインキが充満せず未吸収状態を保ち続ける。
このような液密状態による空気吸入の遮断作用は、毛管作用が更に強い塗布体がインキを消費して密度Ｃの塗布体にインキが吸収移動されるのに連動し、インキ収容部内が減圧化することによって解消され、外部の空気が通過できるようになるので、連続的に筆記が可能である。
以上の作用により、インキ吸収体はインキ吸収可能な未吸収状態を長期に維持し、保存中や使用中の諸々の使用環境条件下で不定状なインキ溢出があるときに備えることができる。
【０００７】
即ち、本発明に係る塗布具において、使用中などにインキ収容部内の空気が膨張してインキ収容部よりインキが強制的に溢出した場合、溢出インキは、インキ接続口を介して、塗布体側インキ流通路とインキ吸収体側流通路の両方向に向かおうとするが、塗布体側インキ流通路は最も密度が高い（Ｃ）ためにインキの通過抵抗が大きく流出しにくく、一方、インキ吸収体内にはインキの未吸収スペースがあり、側周部は外気に繋がる吸排気間隙があって空気排出もスムーズにできるので、インキが優先的に流入し、塗布体部側よりのボタ落ちを防ぐことができる。
再びインキ収容部内の空気が膨張状態から元の状態に収縮復帰する場合、塗布体側インキ流通路は密度が高く、毛管力が強いので、この方向から外部空気がインキ収容部内に吸入されるのを阻止し、従って、インキ吸収体内に吸収されたインキがインキ吸収体側流通路からインキ収容部内に吸い戻されるので、インキ吸収体は、再びインキを吸収する能力を回復し、繰り返される膨張・収縮環境でもインキ漏洩が起きないものである。
【０００８】
【実施例】
以下、本発明の実施例を添付図面を参照しながら、詳細に説明する。
実施例１
図１、図２、図３、図４に本発明の実施例１を示す。図１は本実施例の縦断面図であり、図２は図１を軸芯に沿って９０度回転させた図、３図は１図Ａ−Ａ断面拡大図で、図４は、本実施例の継手部材の斜視図である。参照符号１は後軸で、後部を閉じ内部をインキ収容室１ａとしてインキを充填し、前端部に前軸２の外径部２ａを密閉に嵌合している。
この前軸２は、内径部に詳細を後述する継手管３の仕切鍔部３ａを密閉に嵌合して、後軸部をインキ収容部とし、前軸部を塗布体４の取付部として区画している。前軸２内の塗布体４の取付けは、内周に縦リブ２ｂを設けて、塗布体の側周部を圧入して固定しており、このため外気口２ｃが形成され、軸内は外気と連通している。
【０００９】
前記継手管３は、次ぎの構成部材としている。仕切鍔部３ａの前部側に単管の塗布体流通管３ｂを連設して、管内に塗布体後部４ａを圧入し、塗布体側インキ流通路としている。後部側は、通気用の外管３ｃと内管３ｄとよりなる二重管を連設しており、内管３ｄにインキ吸収体６を配置してインキ吸収体側流通路としている。外管３ｃと内管３ｄとの間を通気間隙３ｅとしている。この外管３ｃの内周部には、後部を閉じた吸収体保護管５の前部外径５ａを密閉に取付けて、内管３ｄに配置したインキ吸収体６を収納し、インキ収容部１ａの充填生インキと区画している。
軸内と外気を繋げる通気路の形成として、吸収体保護管５の内部には、管内壁にインキ吸収体６の側周部を固定する複数の縦リブ５ｂを設けて、インキ吸収体６側周部との間に吸排気間隙５ｃを形成し、この吸排気間隙５ｃは前記外管３ｃと内管３ｄとの間の通気間隙３ｅに連通し、この通気間隙３ｅは仕切鍔部３ａの横断面部に貫通形成した通気間隙孔３ｆより、前軸２内の塗布体流通管３ｂの外側に連通しており、更に前軸２内は、前記外気口２ｃによって、外気に連通している。
【００１０】
塗布体流通管３ｂ管内は、インキ吸収体側流通路の内管３ｄの前部管内に連通されている。内管３ｄは、軸長方向に径を変化し前部近傍は小径部３ｄ１、後部は大径部３ｄ２としており、内壁に後端に届く縦リブ３ｉを形成している。このため内管に配置したインキ吸収体６は、小径部３ｄ１で径を圧縮されている。また、大径部３ｄ２では、縦リブ３ｉの間の内管内壁とインキ吸収体６外壁に囲まれた吸排気間隙３ｇが形成されている。この吸排気間隙３ｇは、吸収体保護管５内部に連通しており、前記通気間隙３ｅに迂回状に接続連通されている。
また、前記仕切鍔部３ａの後部側に繋げた外管３ｃには、外周部から内管３ｄ内部に通じるインキ接続口３ｈを開口形成している。
このインキ接続口３ｈは、通気間隙３ｅ断面の一部を遮る隔壁３ｊにより、外管３ｃの外周部と内管３ｄとを径方向に繋げた貫通開口である。外管３ｃに接した生インキは、このインキ接続口３ｈ開口部により、通気間隙３ｅには接さず、内管３ｄ内部に連通している。従って、インキ収容部１ａ内に充填された生インキは、外管３ｃのインキ接続口３ｈの開口内部のみを通って、内管３ｄ内部と連通している。
【００１１】
この内管３ｄ内部において、インキ吸収体６前部が、小径部３ｄ１に圧縮して装入され、前記インキ接続口３ｈに届いてインキに接している。一方、インキ接続口３ｈには、塗布体流通管３ｄに挿入した塗布体後部４ａも届いている。このため、後軸１内に充填した生インキは、インキ流動路２ｄから流動し、インキ接続口３ｈ内部において、前方の塗布体後部４ａと後方のインキ吸収体６の両側に分岐して接触する。
【００１２】
上述のインキ吸収体６は、従来一般公知の筆記具などに採用しているものが使用可能であるが、前記内管３ｄに挿入して外径を適宜に圧縮して密度を高く変更できる材質が好ましい。この様なものとして、ポリエステル、アクリル、ポリオレフィン、アセテート、ナイロン、ポリウレタンなどの合成繊維を収束したいわゆる中綿や燒結体や発泡スポンジ等の多孔質材・発泡材を用いることができる。
また本実施例は、従来一般の生インキ筆記具に用いている断面が中空（ドーナツ形）のものでなく、断面が丸や多角形のインキ吸収体を用いることができるので、製作加工が簡単で、コストも安いものが使用できる。塗布体４も従来一般の筆記具に採用している毛管作用のあるペン体類を適用ができる。即ち、繊維を収束した繊維芯、フェルト、焼結体・発泡体などの多孔質ペン材、断面に毛管溝部を形成した成形芯材、ボールペンチップ、断面に毛管スリットを形成した金属ペンなどを使用し、製品を完成することができる。
【００１３】
なお更に、本実施例におけるインキの流通路において、インキ吸収体側流通路後部である内管大径部３ｄ２内のインキ吸収体６の密度（又は毛管力）をＡ、インキ吸収体側流通路前部である内管小径部３ｄ１内のインキ吸収体圧縮部６ａの密度（又は毛管力）をＢ、塗布体側インキ流通路である塗布体流通管内の塗布体後部４ａの密度（又は毛管力）をＣとしたとき、Ａ＜Ｂ＜Ｃの関係を有していることが必要である。
このような構造構成とした本実施例は、次の様な機能・作用を示した。後軸１内部に充填した生インキは、インキ流動路２ｄを流動して流れ、インキ接続口３ｈ開口内部を介して、塗布体流通管３ｂに圧入固定した塗布体後部４ａ、及び内管３ｄの前部小径部３ｄ１に装入し圧縮されたインキ吸収体圧縮部６ａに接触している。このため、インキ接続口３ｈから塗布体４先端に直結してインキが供給でき、太い塗布体後部４ａも取付けられてインキ吐出性が良好である。
インキ吸収体６内部に存在する空気は、外周部の吸排気間隙３ｇから迂回し、通気間隙３ｅに連通し、更に通気間隙孔３ｆによって前軸内に繋ながり、外気口２ｃで外気と通気しているので、スムースに吸排気ができ、インキ吸収体６は、インキの吸収捕捉性がよい。
ここで、インキ吸収体６がインキ接続口３ｈよりインキを自然吸収してしまうと、インキ吸収体６内にインキが充満してしまうが、本実施例は、インキ吸収体６が、内管前方小径部３ｄ１で圧縮されて密度が高く（Ｂ）、後方は圧縮してないので相対的に密度が低い（Ａ）となっており、密度の高い小径部３ｄ１内は、局部的に強い毛管力が働きインキが浸透し充満するが、密度が低い後方部はインキが浸透しにくい状態が作られている。即ち、インキ吸収体６が、インキ接続口３ｈ内に接したインキを吸収しようとしても、インキ収容部１ａ内のインキを吸い出すためには、吸収するインキ分量と同量の外部空気がインキ収容部１ａに吸入されないかぎりインキを吸収することができない。即ち、小径部３ｄ１内部は強い毛管力（Ｂ）でインキを吸収しており、相対的に毛管力の弱い（Ａ）状態にある大径部３ｄ２内のインキ吸収体６が、インキを吸収しようとしても、小径部３ｄ１内で外部空気の通過が阻まれるので、大径部３ｄ２内部にインキが吸収されにくい状態にある。このためインキ吸収体６内に分布する多くの毛管空隙は、吸収能力を保有した状態ではあっても、インキが吸収されにくいものになっている。
一方、塗布体後部４ａの毛管力（Ｃ）は、小径部３ｄ１内部で圧縮されたインキ吸収体部分の毛管力（Ｂ）より、更に強い関係の状態にしているので、塗布体４で筆記する場合は、インキ接続口３ｈからインキがスムースに供給される。このインキ消費に対応してインキ収容部１ａ内部が減圧するので、小径部３ｄ１内にも吸排気間隙３ｇを通じて外部空気が吸入され、自動制御された連続的な筆記が可能となるものである。筆記が進みインキが消費され、インキ収容部１ａに吸入された外部空気の量が増し、このとき温度変化などが起こると、物理的に気体膨張量が増大する。
本実施例は、インキ収容部１ａ内の気体膨張によって、インキが押し出されるときは、溢出インキがインキ接続口３ｈ開口内を介して、インキ吸収体側（内管の小径部）と塗布体側（塗布体流通管内）の両方に分岐して出て行く。
このとき、塗布体側（塗布体流通管３ｂ内）は、密度が高く、吸収体側（小径部３ｄ１内）より流路が狭いため、インキ通過抵抗が大きい。一方、吸収体側は、大径部３ｄ２に未吸収の毛管部が多く、空気排出性もよいので通過抵抗も塗布体側より少なく、溢出インキが吸収されやすい状態に維持されているので、インキ吸収体が速やかにインキを吸収し、塗布先側からのインキのボタ落ちを機能性良く防ぐことができる。
【００１４】
温度変化がおさまり、インキ収容部１ａ内で膨張していた気体が収縮を始めるとき、塗布体側流通路は、毛管作用が強く、このインキ流通路を外部空気は通りにくく、一方、インキ吸収体側流通路は、相対的に毛管作用が弱いので、インキ吸収体内に吸収されたインキが、内管小径部３ｄ１に集まっていき、インキ接続口３ｈ開口内を介してインキ収容部１ａに吸引されて戻るので、インキ吸収体６内には、再び未吸収の毛管部が増し、次ぎの膨張に備えることができる。即ち、連続的な膨張、収縮に対しても対応できる塗布具の構造として好ましい作用を示す。なお、インキ収容部の気体膨張が過激に起こる場合など、インキ吸収体６に吸収できないときは、オーバーフローし、前軸２内の塗布体４にも流出することになるが、本実施例は、外部に出て行く通路が塗布体側周部だけにしてあるので、前軸外周部だけをキャップで密閉するなどの通常の手段で、ボタ落ちを防止することができる。
また、前軸２内に一時的にインキが溜まった場合も、塗布体４に接触したインキは、インキ収容部１ａ内の気体が収縮し減圧状態になる時には、塗布体４からインキが吸引されやすいインキ流通路になっているので、ボタ落ち防止の信頼性も高く、インキ吐出性がよく、大容量のインキを充填しても大きなインキ吸収体の取付け設計が容易なため、極めて好ましい塗布具を提供できる。
【００１５】
実施例２
本発明の実施例２を図５に示す。図５は本実施例の縦断面図である。この実施例２は、実施例１に関わるインキ流通路の使用部材を一部変更したものである。得られる機能・作用は実施例１と同様であるが、使用する部品部材の加工寸法精度と毛管力（又は密度）の精度向上など、製造上の選択肢を広くできる事例として示したものである。なお、実施例１と同じ部分には同じ符号を付与した。
後軸１は、後部を閉じ内部をインキ収容室１ａとしてインキを充填し、前端部に前軸２を密閉に嵌合している。この前軸２は、内径部に継手管３の仕切鍔部３ａを密閉に嵌合して、後軸部をインキ収容部とし、前軸部を塗布体４の取付部として区画している。前軸２内の塗布体４の取付けは、内周に縦リブ２ｂを設けて、塗布体の側周部を圧入して固定しており、このため外気口２ｃが形成され、軸内は外気と連通している。
前記継手管３は、仕切鍔部３ａの前部側に単管の塗布体流通管３ｂを連設して、管内に中継毛管体４ａｘを挿入し、塗布体側インキ流通路とし、前記塗布体４の後部を当接している。後部側は、外管３ｃと内管３ｄとよりなる二重管を連設しており、内管３ｄの前部開口部に浸透体６ａｘを挿入固定し、インキ吸収体側流通路としている。外管３ｃと内管３ｄとの間を通気間隙３ｅとしている。この外管３ｃの内周部には、後部を閉じた吸収体保護管５の前部外径５ａを密閉に取付けて、内管３ｄに配置したインキ吸収体６を収納し、インキ収容部１ａの充填生インキと区画している。軸内外を通気する通気路の構成は実施例１と同様である。
【００１６】
塗布体流通管３ｂの管内は、内管３ｄの前部管内と連通しており、小径開口３ｄ１にインキ吸収体より毛管力が強い前記浸透体６ａｘを装入固定している。内管３ｄは、軸長方向に径を変化し前部近傍は小径部３ｄ１、後部は大径部３ｄ２としており、内壁に後端に届く縦リブ３ｉを形成している。このため内管３ｄ内の前部小径部３ｄ１を除く後方の大径部３ｄ２内は、縦リブ３ｉの間の内管内壁とインキ吸収体６外壁に囲まれた吸排気間隙３ｇが形成されている。この吸排気間隙３ｇは、吸収体保護管５内部に連通しており、前記通気間隙３ｅに迂回状に接続連通されている。
また、前記外管３ｃには、外周部から内管３ｄ内部に通じるインキ接続口３ｈを形成している。このインキ接続口３ｈは、通気間隙３ｅの断面の一部を遮る隔壁３ｊにより、通気用の外管３ｃの外周部と内管３ｄとを径方向に繋げた貫通開口としている。従って、このインキ接続口３ｈにより、外管３ｃに接した生インキが、通気間隙３ｅには接さず、内管３ｄ内部に連通している。
ここで、インキ収容部１ａ内に充填された生インキは、外管３ｃに開口したインキ接続口３ｈ内部のみを通って、内管３ｄ内部と連通している。この内管３ｄ内部には、前部の小径部３ｄ１に挿入固定した浸透体６ａｘの前部が、前記インキ接続口３ｈに届いてインキに接すると共に後部は後方のインキ吸収体に接続されている。
一方、インキ接続口３ｈには前方の塗布体流通管３ｂに挿入した中継毛管体４ａｘも届いている。従って、後軸内に充填した生インキは、インキ流動路２ｄから流れて、このインキ接続口３ｈ内部において、後軸内に充填した生インキは、前方の中継毛管体４ａｘと、後方の浸透体６ａｘの両側に分岐して接触している。
使用するインキ吸収体６の材質、及び塗布体４の材質は、実施例１と同様なものを採用することができる。中継毛管体４ａｘ、及び浸透体６ａｘの材質としては、一般公知の合成繊維などを収束し、樹脂硬化剤で固めた繊維芯、フェルト、多孔質材（発泡体、焼結体など）、断面に毛管溝を設けた成形芯体など各種、毛管空隙の形成にバラツキが少なく、加工寸法精度がよく弾性などのよいものを適宜に選択し採用することができる。
【００１７】
更に、本実施例におけるインキの流通路において、インキ吸収体側流通路後部である内管大径部３ｄ２内のインキ吸収体６の密度（又は毛管力）をＡ、インキ吸収体側流通路前部である内管小径部３ｄ１内の浸透体６ａｘの密度（又は毛管力）をＢ、塗布体側インキ流通路である塗布体流通管内の中継毛管体４ａｘの密度（又は毛管力）をＣとしたとき、Ａ＜Ｂ＜Ｃの関係を有していることが必要である。このような構造構成にした本実施例は、実施例１に示した内容と同様な機能・作用が得られる。
ここで、インキの塗布体側流通路である塗布体流通管３ｂ内に使用する中継毛管体４ａｘに関して、材質上、表面が固く、内部が軟質の樹脂硬化繊維収束芯材など、内部と外部の毛管形成状態が異なるなど、塗布体内の毛管力が不均一な材質を使用する場合などでは、実施例１のように塗布体後部を直接使用するより、本実施例の方が好ましいものである。また、インキ吸収体の材質についても、実施例１のように、インキ吸収体を圧縮して用いるときに、品質上、バラツキが起こりやすい材質の場合などでは、この実施例のほうが、好ましいものである。
【００１８】
実施例３
本発明の実施例３を図６に示す。図６は実施例３における継手管の要部拡大図である。インキ接続口３ｈは、通気間隙３ｅ断面の一部を遮る隔壁３ｊにより、外管３ｃの外周部と内管３ｄとを径方向に繋げた貫通開口であり、この開口形状は、図６、図７に示した如く、開口壁中央上部に凹凸リブを形成し、凸部３ｈ１は間隙が狭く、凹部３ｈ２は間隙を広くして、凸部３ｈ１は毛管作用が強く、凹部３ｈ２は毛管作用が弱い状態にしていて、更に、インキ接続口３ｈの外周は開口の巾が広く、インキ接続口３ｈの内部（奥部）は徐々に狭くなる形状にしている。インキ接続口３ｈをこのような形状にすることによって、以下のような効果が得られる。
連続筆記中に吸入された外部空気の気泡粒がインキ接続口３ｈなどに溜まってしまうと、インキ収容部のインキと塗布体後部の流通が阻害されてしまいカスレることになるが、本実施例のインキ接続口３ｈ内の形状は、開口間隙の広い凹部３ｈ２（毛管作用の弱い部分）と狭い凸部３ｈ１（毛管作用の強い部分）が形成してあるので、毛管部の強い部分には空気が溜まりにくく、常に塗布体後部にインキを供給することができ、連続筆記の吐出性が安定する。
【００１９】
実施例４
本発明の実施例４を図８に示す。図８は本実施例のインキ接続口の開口形状の正面拡大図である。この実施例４は実施例３に示したインキ接続口の開口形状を異なる形状に変更した事例である。このように、インキ接続口の開口形状を変更したとき、インキ接続口の外周部と内周部を連通する開口内に、毛管作用が強く働く間隙の狭い部分（幅狭部３ｈ１）と毛管作用が弱い間隙の広い部分（幅広部３ｈ２）を形成すれば、連続筆記中などに気泡粒が開口内に溜まりにくく、実施例３と同様の作用・機能を得ることが出来るものであり、本実施例は、開口部に関わる部品製造上の選択肢を広くするものとして例示したものである。
尚、必要により横断面３６０度の複数箇所にインキ接続口を設けても本発明の作用・機能を同様に得ることができるものであった。
【００２０】
実施例５
本発明の実施例５を図９に示す。図９は本実施例に示す塗布具の縦断面図である。本実施例はこれまでに示した構造を用いて、後軸１の上部にも上側前軸２ｅ、上側継手管３ｋ、上側塗布体４ｂを配置してツインタイプの塗布具としたものである。インキ吸収体保護管５ｄを上側と下側をつなぐ１本の管とし、その中に下側インキ吸収体６と上側インキ吸収体６ｂを配置し、インキ吸収体仕切７を両インキ吸収体の間に配置している。このインキ吸収体仕切７を配置することで、両インキ吸収体への塗布体４・４ｂより離れた側からの空気の進入が容易となり、両インキ吸収体内でのインキの移動をスムースに行うことができる。
図９には吸収体保護管５を上下に貫通させて１部品としたものを示したが、実施例１〜４のような吸収体保護管５を上下別々に独立したものとしてもよい。また、インキ吸収体６としてスポンジや、あるいはフィルム等でコートしていない繊維束など、側面からも空気の進入が可能なものを用いた場合、上側と下側のインキ吸収体を共通として１本のインキ吸収体としてもインキ吸収体の中に空気の進入が可能なため、インキ吸収体仕切７を用いてインキ吸収体を分ける必要がなくなる。
【００２１】
【発明の効果】
本発明は以上に示した構造及びその作用によって、上述した課題を解消し、十分なインキ吐出性を有し、ボタ落ちに対する信頼性が高く、コストも安い部材を用いて生インキ塗布具の製品を提供することができるものである。
なお、本発明は、製品組立時に、インキ収容部にインキを満杯近くに充填しておき、同時にインキ吸収体にもインキを予め充填しておくことが可能である。この様にインキ収容部とインキ吸収体の両方にインキを充填することで、従来のものよりインキ充填量の多い製品を提供することが可能となった。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】実施例１の縦断面図である。
【図２】実施例１の図１の９０度回転方向の縦断面図である。
【図３】実施例１のＡ−Ａ線縦断面図である。
【図４】実施例１要部の斜視図図である。
【図５】実施例２の縦断面図である。
【図６】実施例３における継手管の要部拡大図である。
【図７】実施例３の図６の正面拡大図である。
【図８】実施例４のインキ接続口の開口形状の正面拡大図である。
【図９】実施例５の縦断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１後軸
１ａインキ収容部
２前軸
２ａ前軸外径部
２ｂ縦リブ
２ｃ外気口
２ｄインキ流動路
２ｅ上側前軸
３継手管
３ａ仕切鍔部
３ｂ塗布体流通管（ｃ密度部）
３ｃ外管
３ｄ内管
３ｄ１小径部（ｂ密度部）
３ｄ２大径部（ａ密度部）
３ｅ通気間隙
３ｆ通気間隙孔
３ｇ吸排気間隙（リブ３ｇで形成した間隙）
３ｈインキ接続口・開口
３ｈ１凸部、幅狭部
３ｈ２凹部、幅広部
３ｉ縦リブ
３ｊ開口隔壁
３ｋ上側継手管
４塗布体
４ａ塗布体後部
４ｂ上側塗布体
５吸収体保護管
５ａ前部外径
５ｂ縦リブ
５ｃ吸排気間隙
５ｄ吸収体保護管（ツインタイプ型）
６インキ吸収体
６ａインキ吸収体圧縮部
６ｂ上側インキ吸収体
７インキ吸収体仕切[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a raw ink tank for storing liquid materials (hereinafter referred to as inks) such as water-based and oil-based inks for writing instruments, inks for jet printers, cosmetic liquids such as eyeliners, coating liquids such as paints and drugs, The present invention relates to an applicator provided with a mechanism that automatically controls ejection of ink in response to application, writing, and recording.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, raw ink has been provided with an ink storage part in the shaft cylinder, and the stored ink is replenished sequentially to the application body (pen body) as it is consumed and consumed in writing or application, so that it can be continuously written or applied A writing instrument with automatic discharge control is known. For example, in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 60-69690, an ink absorber is disposed in an ink flow path between an ink containing portion in a shaft and the tip of a coated body, and the ink transfer pressure (capillary in the capillary) of the coated body corresponding to writing is described. A raw ink discharge control mechanism is described in which ink can be circulated and written continuously by osmotic pressure.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the discharge control mechanism of the conventional applicator that stores raw ink, the ink absorber is used because when ink overflows from the raw ink storage part, it absorbs the ink and does not fall off from the application part. The main purpose is to control.
The conventional general usage of this type of ink absorber is to arrange the ink absorber, such as a hollow cross-sectional shape (doughnut shape), in parallel or in series with respect to the ink flow path from the ink container to the coated body. However, the ink absorber is often used in a structure in which the ink absorber is brought into contact along the lower side from the upper side of the ink flow path, or only in the upper part.
In this arrangement state, when the longitudinal dimension of the ink flow path from the ink containing portion to the tip of the application body is compared with the longitudinal dimension of the ink absorber, the distance of the ink flow path is naturally long. In such a case, if you want to increase the volume / capacity of the ink absorber under the condition that the ink absorber of the same material is installed in the shaft with a constant inner diameter value, you have to lengthen the dimension on the long side. The length of the road must be increased accordingly.
Here, as a general physical phenomenon, if the ink flow passage portion with a small diameter becomes long, the viscosity resistance of the ink passing through the inside increases, so that the circulation of the ink supplied from the ink containing portion to the coated body tends to be slow. There's a problem. If an attempt is made to increase the diameter of the ink flow passage for the purpose of improvement, the mounting area of the ink absorber in the shaft inner diameter / cross section is reduced, and the ink absorption capacity is relatively reduced, or the ink absorber. In order to increase the volume of the ink absorber or to manufacture an applicator with a large ink capacity, it is necessary to use an ink applicator containing raw ink with a constant thickness. There were many difficulties in the construction of the absorber.
Furthermore, in such a structure using an ink absorber, the anti-fogging performance and the like are still not sufficient, and many problems have been recognized.
There are the following problems as the main malfunction phenomenon, which has been a problem that is desired to be solved.
(1) Generally, since the ink absorber is attached in contact with the ink in the ink distribution path, it naturally absorbs the ink in the ink containing portion even in a normal storage state, and easily fills up near the absorption saturation amount. In such a case, when the environment changes, gas expansion occurs in the shaft, and when the ink is pushed out from the ink container, the ink absorber is insufficient in the ability to absorb the overflowing ink, and there is a problem that the ink drops. .
(2) Since changes in atmospheric pressure and temperature occur repeatedly in the usage environment, the gas and the like in the ink container repeatedly expands and contracts due to this change.
Therefore, even if the ink absorbed by the ink absorber can be absorbed by the ink absorber, the ink absorbed in the case of shrinkage remains and cannot be restored to the state before absorption. A similar problem occurs.
(3) In the case of making a product with a large amount of ink accommodated or a product filled with ink having a high vapor pressure with oil-based ink or the like, the amount of change in gas expansion in the ink reservoir is also increased. In such a case, for example, if the cap that was fitted and sealed with the shaft is taken out, the inside of the shaft expands at a stretch and ink overflows, the absorber cannot absorb and capture ink, and there is a problem that ink drops occur. is there.
In view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention is free from ink leakage such as dropping off under various usage environment conditions during storage and use even when using oil-based ink as well as water-based ink. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an applicator having a quality capable of maintaining appropriate ink discharge even at a high writing speed.
In pursuit of the above problems, there may be a problem that the ink in the ink container is temporarily not supplied to the application body (pen body) when writing continuously, etc. This problem is also solved. The task was to do.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has a raw ink containing portion in which filled ink can flow, an ink absorber for controlling excessive outflow of ink in the ink containing portion, and an applying body for applying ink. In the automatic discharge type applicator in which the ink flow path for guiding the ink in the ink containing portion is branched into the application body side ink flow path and the ink absorber side flow path, the ink is placed with the application body facing downward. An applicator distribution pipe with the inside as the application body side ink flow path is arranged below the ink connection port, which is the outlet of the ink flow path of the container, and the inner pipe with the inside as the ink absorber side flow path and the ventilation duct on the upper side. While arranging a double pipe consisting of an outer pipe, Application body distribution pipe Insert the rear part of the coated body into the middle part Application body distribution pipe The ink absorber and the inner tube are accommodated in an absorber protective tube whose rear portion is closed, and is an inner wall of the absorber protective tube, which is located between the ink absorber and the inner tube. Intake and exhaust gap in between Up to the opening of the absorber protective tube And further, an ink absorber is disposed inside the inner tube, , Communicating with the intake / exhaust clearance and the intake / exhaust clearance An intake / exhaust gap formed between the ink absorber and the inner pipe, and a ventilation gap hole for connecting the absorber protective pipe and the outside air port are formed, and the intake / exhaust gap includes an outer pipe for ventilation. The ink absorber is demarcated through an absorber protective tube and communicated with the ink in the ink container only through the ink connection port. Furthermore, in the ink flow path, the density (or capillary force) of the ink absorber in the large diameter portion of the inner tube, which is the rear portion of the ink absorber side flow passage, is set to A, and the small diameter portion of the inner tube, which is the front portion of the ink absorber side flow passage. When the density (or capillary force) of the arranged capillary member is B and the density (or capillary force) of the capillary member arranged in the application body flow pipe which is the ink flow passage on the application body is C, the relationship of A <B <C The gist is an applicator having
[0005]
[Action]
The applicator according to the present invention (1) prevents the phenomenon that the ink absorber naturally absorbs the ink in the ink containing part and reaches the saturated absorption state, and (2) the ink in the expansion / contraction change in the ink containing part The above-described problems have been achieved by enabling the action of returning the ink once absorbed by the absorber into the ink containing portion repeatedly. That is, the action of the applicator according to the present invention is as follows.
In contrast to the conventional method of using the ink absorber, the method of using the ink absorber of the present invention (ink absorber side flow passage) is located below the ink absorber via the ink connection port when ink overflow occurs. Since the ink is absorbed from the side toward the upper side, the above-mentioned preferable functions and actions are obtained. The main reason is as follows.
(1) In the structure of the applicator according to the present invention, the applicator flow pipe portion serving as the applicator-side ink flow passage is provided on the front side where the ink absorber does not exist in the same cross section. Therefore, the formation of the ink flow path leading to the tip of the application body is not affected by the ink absorber, and it can be made a short and thick flow path, and the resistance of the ink in the ink container to the tip of the coating body is small. The discharge amount can be increased.
(2) The structure of the applicator according to the present invention is a structure in which the inside of the inner pipe on the upper side of the ink connection port is an ink absorber side ink flow passage, the ink absorber is disposed therein, and an intake / exhaust gap is formed. Therefore, when the ink overflows, the air is easily discharged from the ink absorber so that the ink can quickly penetrate into the ink absorber and be absorbed. As a result, when the expansion overflow in the ink storage unit ends and the gas contracts again and changes to a reduced pressure state, the ink absorber can easily return the overflow ink once absorbed to the ink storage unit again via the ink connection port. The effect | action which performs can be improved.
That is, when the ink containing part is in a reduced pressure state, the external air can flow from the outside air port connected to the outer peripheral part of the application body to the ink connecting port through the suction / exhaust gap of the peripheral part of the ink absorber. At this time, since the ink absorbing body is in a state of absorbing a large amount of the extruded ink, it is necessary that the absorbed ink is sucked back into the ink containing portion before the external air. In order to obtain such an action, the ink absorber is disposed above the ink connection port.
In other words, when the coated body is stored in a downward position, the ink absorbed by the ink absorber tends to collect at the lower ink connection port due to its own weight. The phenomenon that the ink is sucked into the ink is reduced, and a state in which the ink is efficiently sucked back into the ink storage portion is created.
(3) In the structure of the applicator according to the present invention, the overflowing ink branches out to the ink absorber side and the applicator side, but can be completely absorbed by the ink absorber side when the inside of the ink container is significantly expanded. The overflow ink that did not exist overflows, and can finally join the tip of the application body through the bypassed air gap and through the space on the periphery of the application body.
In this structure, the outside air port that communicates the inside and outside of the applicator is formed only in the peripheral part of the applicator at the front end of the front shaft, so it goes out by attaching a cap to the front shaft and sealing the outside air port. The flow of ink and air can be easily stopped, and even if overflowed ink accumulates on the periphery of the coated body, the accumulated ink is applied when the expansion of the ink storage section stops and the pressure decreases. The action of being sucked back into the ink container through the body is obtained.
[0006]
As described above, the structure of the applicator according to the present invention can obtain the preferable effects as described above. However, the ink absorber absorbs and fills the ink in the ink containing portion in a long-term natural standing environment or the like. Since the ink flow path is still not enough, the density (or capillary force) of the ink absorber in the large diameter portion of the inner pipe, which is the rear part of the ink absorber side flow path, is A, the front part of the ink absorber side flow path. When the density (or capillary force) of the capillary member arranged in the inner tube small-diameter portion is B, and the density (or capillary force) of the capillary member arranged in the application body flow pipe which is the application body side ink flow path is C, A configuration in which a relationship of A <B <C was adopted.
The operation will be described. First, the reason that the ink absorber is in a state of naturally absorbing ink in the ink container connected through the connection port is that external air corresponding to the amount of ink absorbed is sucked into the ink container (air exchange is performed). ) State, on the other hand, such air movement is suppressed, and the above relationship is established so that the ink is naturally absorbed by the entire ink absorber and does not fill.
That is, from the density (or capillary force) A of the ink absorber in the inner tube large-diameter portion (back portion of the inner tube) A, the density of the ink absorber (or capillary force) that is the capillary member of the inner tube small-diameter portion (inner tube front portion). ) By increasing B, a strong capillary force acts locally in the vicinity of the density B portion, and always maintains a liquid-tight state in which ink is stored. For this reason, even if the ink absorber portion having a relatively weak capillary action tries to absorb ink in the ink containing portion, this liquid-tight state suppresses the inhalation of external air that enters the ink containing portion. Will not fill with ink and will remain unabsorbed.
The blocking action of air inhalation due to such a liquid-tight state is linked to the fact that the coated body with stronger capillary action consumes ink and the ink is absorbed and transferred to the coated body of density C, and the inside of the ink containing portion is depressurized. This eliminates the problem and allows the outside air to pass through, so that continuous writing is possible.
With the above-described action, the ink absorber can maintain an unabsorbable state capable of absorbing ink for a long period of time, and can be provided when there is irregular ink overflow under various usage environment conditions during storage or use.
[0007]
That is, in the applicator according to the present invention, when the air in the ink containing portion expands during use and the ink forcibly overflows from the ink containing portion, the overflow ink is applied to the coated body side ink via the ink connection port. The ink flow passage on the coated body side has the highest density (C), so that the ink passage resistance is large and difficult to flow out. Since there is an unabsorbed space and the side peripheral portion has an intake / exhaust gap that leads to the outside air and air can be discharged smoothly, ink preferentially flows in, and it is possible to prevent dripping from the application body portion side.
When the air in the ink containing portion returns to its original state from the expanded state again, the ink flow passage on the application side has a high density and a strong capillary force, so that external air is sucked into the ink containing portion from this direction. Since the ink absorbed in the ink absorber is sucked back into the ink container from the ink absorber side flow passage, the ink absorber recovers its ability to absorb ink again and is repeatedly expanded and contracted. However, ink leakage does not occur.
[0008]
【Example】
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Example 1
FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a view obtained by rotating FIG. 1 by 90 degrees along the axis, FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of FIG. 1 AA, and FIG. It is a perspective view of the joint member of an example. 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. is 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.
[0009]
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. In the inner peripheral portion of the outer tube 3c, the front outer diameter 5a of the absorber protective tube 5 whose rear portion is closed is hermetically attached, and the ink absorber 6 disposed in the inner tube 3d is accommodated, and the ink accommodating portion 1a. It is compartmentalized with filled raw ink.
In order to form an air passage 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 ink absorber 6 side 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 pipe 3c and the inner pipe 3d. The vent gap 3e crosses the partition wall 3a. A ventilation gap hole 3f formed through the surface portion communicates with the outside of the application body circulation pipe 3b in the front shaft 2, and further, the inside of the front shaft 2 communicates with the outside air through the outside air port 2c.
[0010]
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 changes its diameter in the axial length direction, has a small-diameter portion 3d1 in the vicinity of the front portion and a large-diameter portion 3d2 in the rear portion, and forms a vertical rib 3i that reaches the rear end 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 the ventilation gap 3e in a detour manner.
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. 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. Accordingly, the raw ink filled in the ink containing portion 1a passes through only the inside of the ink connection port 3h of the outer tube 3c and communicates with the inside of the inner tube 3d.
[0011]
Inside the inner tube 3d, the front portion of the ink absorber 6 is compressed and inserted into the small diameter portion 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 also reaches 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 and contacts both sides of the front application body rear portion 4a and the rear ink absorber 6 inside the ink connection port 3h. .
[0012]
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 porous material / foaming material such as a 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, the present embodiment is not a hollow (doughnut-shaped) cross section used for conventional raw ink writing instruments, and can use a round or polygonal cross section of the ink absorber. A cheaper one can be used. As the application body 4, pen bodies having a capillary action which are employed in conventional writing instruments can be applied. In other words, fiber cores with converged fibers, felt, porous pen materials such as sintered bodies and foams, molded core materials with capillary grooves formed in the cross section, ballpoint pen tips, metal pens with capillary slits in the cross section, etc. are used. And the product can be completed.
[0013]
Furthermore, 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 circulation pipe which is the application body side ink flow path is C. , It is necessary to have a relationship of A <B <C.
The present embodiment having such a structure showed 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 ejection property is good.
The air existing inside the ink absorber 6 bypasses the outer peripheral intake / exhaust gap 3g, communicates with the ventilation gap 3e, and further connects to the front shaft through 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. It is compressed by the small diameter part 3d1 and has a high density (B), and the rear part is not compressed, so the density is relatively low (A). The high density small diameter part 3d1 has a locally strong capillary force. The ink penetrates and fills, but the rear part with low density is in a state where the ink is difficult to penetrate. 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. 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 in response 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. As writing proceeds and ink is consumed, the amount of external air sucked into the ink containing portion 1a increases. If a temperature change occurs at this time, the amount of gas expansion physically increases.
In this embodiment, when ink is pushed out by gas expansion in the ink containing portion 1a, the overflow ink passes through the opening of the ink connection port 3h and the ink absorber side (small diameter portion of the inner tube) and the application body side (application). Branch off both in the body distribution pipe) 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 the ink from dropping from the coating destination side with good functionality.
[0014]
When the temperature change has subsided and the gas that has been expanded in the ink containing portion 1a starts to contract, the application side flow passage has a strong capillary action, and external air does not easily pass through the ink flow passage. Since the path has a relatively weak capillary action, the ink absorbed in the ink absorbing body gathers in the inner tube small-diameter portion 3d1, and is sucked back into the ink containing portion 1a through the opening of the ink connection port 3h. Therefore, the non-absorbed capillary portion is increased again in the ink absorber 6 to prepare for the next expansion. That is, it exhibits a preferable effect as a structure of the applicator that can cope with continuous expansion and contraction. In addition, when gas expansion of the ink storage portion occurs drastically, when the ink absorber 6 cannot absorb, it overflows and flows out to the application body 4 in the front shaft 2. Since the passage going out to the outside is only the peripheral part of the application body, it is possible to prevent the dropping of the cover by a normal means such as sealing only the outer peripheral part of the front shaft with a cap.
Even when ink temporarily accumulates in the front shaft 2, the ink that has contacted the application body 4 is sucked from the application body 4 when the gas in the ink containing portion 1 a contracts and is in a reduced pressure state. Easy ink flow path, highly reliable prevention of dripping, good ink ejection, and easy installation design for large ink absorbers even when filled with large volumes of ink. Can provide.
[0015]
Example 2
A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of this embodiment. In the second embodiment, a part of a member used for the ink flow path according to the first embodiment is changed. The functions and actions obtained are the same as in Example 1, but are shown as examples in which a wide range of manufacturing options are available, such as improved processing dimensional accuracy and capillary force (or density) accuracy of the component members used. In addition, the same code | symbol was provided to the same part as Example 1. FIG.
The rear shaft 1 closes the rear portion and fills the interior with the ink storage chamber 1a, and the front shaft 2 is hermetically fitted to the front end portion. The front shaft 2 has a partition rod portion 3a of the joint pipe 3 fitted tightly to the inner diameter portion, and the rear shaft portion serves as an ink storage portion and the front shaft portion serves as an attachment portion for the application body 4. 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 provided with a single pipe application body flow pipe 3b connected to the front side of the partition wall 3a, and a relay capillary body 4ax is inserted into the pipe to form an application body side ink flow path. The rear part is in contact. On the rear side, a double pipe composed of an outer pipe 3c and an inner pipe 3d is connected, and a penetrating body 6ax is inserted and fixed in the front opening of 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. In the inner peripheral portion of the outer tube 3c, the front outer diameter 5a of the absorber protective tube 5 whose rear portion is closed is hermetically attached, and the ink absorber 6 disposed in the inner tube 3d is accommodated, and the ink accommodating portion 1a. It is compartmentalized with filled raw ink. The configuration of the air passage that ventilates the inside and outside of the shaft is the same as in the first embodiment.
[0016]
The inside of the applicator circulation pipe 3b communicates with the inside of the front pipe of the inner pipe 3d, and the penetrating body 6ax having a capillary force stronger than that of the ink absorber is inserted and fixed in the small diameter opening 3d1. The inner tube 3d changes its diameter in the axial length direction, has a small-diameter portion 3d1 in the vicinity of the front portion and a large-diameter portion 3d2 in the rear portion, and forms a vertical rib 3i that reaches the rear end on the inner wall. For this reason, an intake / exhaust gap 3g surrounded by the inner wall of the inner tube between the longitudinal ribs 3i and the outer wall of the ink absorber 6 is formed in the rear large-diameter portion 3d2 except for the front small-diameter portion 3d1 in the inner tube 3d. Yes. The intake / exhaust gap 3g communicates with the inside of the absorber protective tube 5 and is connected to the ventilation gap 3e in a detour manner.
The outer tube 3c is formed with an ink connection port 3h that communicates from the outer peripheral portion to the inside of the inner tube 3d. The ink connection port 3h is a through-opening that connects the outer peripheral portion of the outer tube 3c for ventilation and the inner tube 3d in the radial direction by a partition wall 3j that blocks a part of the cross section of the ventilation gap 3e. Accordingly, the ink connection port 3h allows the raw ink in contact with the outer tube 3c to communicate with the inside of the inner tube 3d without contacting the ventilation gap 3e.
Here, the raw ink filled in the ink storage portion 1a passes through only the inside of the ink connection port 3h opened in the outer tube 3c and communicates with the inside of the inner tube 3d. Inside the inner tube 3d, the front part of the penetrating body 6ax inserted and fixed to the small-diameter part 3d1 at the front part reaches the ink connection port 3h and comes into contact with the ink, and the rear part is connected to the rear ink absorber. .
On the other hand, the relay capillary body 4ax inserted into the front application body circulation pipe 3b also reaches the ink connection port 3h. Accordingly, the raw ink filled in the rear shaft flows from the ink flow path 2d, and in this ink connection port 3h, the raw ink filled in the rear shaft is separated from the front relay capillary body 4ax and the rear penetrant. It is branched and contacted on both sides of 6ax.
As the material of the ink absorber 6 to be used and the material of the application body 4, the same materials as those in Example 1 can be adopted. The material of the relay capillary body 4ax and the penetrating body 6ax is a fiber core, felt, porous material (foamed body, sintered body, etc.), which is formed by converging generally known synthetic fibers and hardened with a resin hardener, Various types such as a molded core body provided with a capillary groove, which has little variation in the formation of capillary voids, can be appropriately selected and used with good processing dimensional accuracy and good elasticity.
[0017]
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. When the density (or capillary force) of the penetrating body 6ax in a certain inner pipe small-diameter portion 3d1 is B, and the density (or capillary force) of the relay capillary body 4ax in the application body circulation pipe which is the application body side ink flow path is C, It is necessary to have a relationship of A <B <C. In this embodiment having such a structure, the same functions and operations as the contents shown in the first embodiment can be obtained.
Here, the internal and external capillaries such as a resin-cured fiber converging core material having a hard surface and a soft interior are used for the relay capillary body 4ax used in the application body flow pipe 3b which is a side flow passage for the ink application body. In the case where a material having a non-uniform capillary force in the application body is used, such as in a different formation state, this embodiment is preferable to using the rear portion of the application body directly as in the first embodiment. As for the material of the ink absorber, this example is more preferable in the case of a material that tends to vary in quality when the ink absorber is compressed and used as in Example 1. is there.
[0018]
Example 3
A third embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a main part of the joint pipe in the third embodiment. 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 FIG. 7, 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 widens the gap, the convex portion 3h1 has a strong capillary action, and the concave portion 3h2 has a weak capillary action. Further, 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. By forming the ink connection port 3h in such a shape, the following effects can be obtained.
When bubbles of external air sucked during continuous writing are collected in the ink connection port 3h, the flow of the ink in the ink containing portion and the rear portion of the coated body is hindered, but this is a problem. In the ink connection port 3h, the concave portion 3h2 having a wide opening gap (a portion having a weak capillary action) and the narrow convex portion 3h1 having a strong capillary action are formed. Is less likely to accumulate, the ink can always be supplied to the rear part of the coated body, and the ejection property of continuous writing is stabilized.
[0019]
Example 4
A fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is an enlarged front view of the opening shape of the ink connection port of this embodiment. Example 4 is an example in which the opening shape of the ink connection port shown in Example 3 is changed to a different shape. As described above, when the opening shape of the ink connection port is changed, the narrow gap portion (narrow portion 3h1) and the capillary action in which the capillary action strongly acts in the opening communicating the outer peripheral portion and the inner peripheral portion of the ink connection port. If a wide part (wide part 3h2) having a weak gap is formed, bubble particles are less likely to accumulate in the opening during continuous writing, and the same function and function as in Example 3 can be obtained. The example is given as an example of widening the part manufacturing options related to the opening.
In addition, even if an ink connection port is provided at a plurality of locations having a cross section of 360 degrees as necessary, the function and function of the present invention can be obtained in the same manner.
[0020]
Example 5
A fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the applicator shown in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, a twin type applicator is formed by using the structure shown so far and arranging the upper front shaft 2e, the upper joint pipe 3k, and the upper application body 4b on the rear shaft 1 as well. The ink absorber protective tube 5d is formed as one tube connecting the upper side and the lower side, and the lower ink absorber 6 and the upper ink absorber 6b are disposed therein, and the ink absorber partition 7 is disposed between the two ink absorbers. Is arranged. By disposing the ink absorber partition 7, air can easily enter the both ink absorbers from the side away from the coated bodies 4 and 4 b, and the ink can be moved smoothly in both ink absorbers. Can do.
Although FIG. 9 shows the absorber protective tube 5 that vertically penetrates into one component, the absorber protective tube 5 as in Examples 1 to 4 may be independent of the upper and lower sides. In addition, when the ink absorber 6 is a sponge or a fiber bundle that is not coated with a film or the like that allows air to enter from the side, one ink absorber on the upper side and one on the lower side are used in common. As an ink absorber, air can enter the ink absorber, so that it is not necessary to separate the ink absorber using the ink absorber partition 7.
[0021]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention eliminates the above-described problems by the structure and operation described above, has a sufficient ink discharge property, is highly reliable against dropping off, and is a product of raw ink applicator using a member with low cost. Can be provided.
According to the present invention, when the product is assembled, the ink container can be filled with ink almost full, and at the same time, the ink absorber can be filled with ink in advance. In this way, it is possible to provide a product having a larger ink filling amount than the conventional one by filling the ink in both the ink containing portion and the ink absorber.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1 is a longitudinal sectional view of Example 1. FIG.
2 is a longitudinal sectional view in the 90-degree rotation direction of FIG.
3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line AA of Example 1. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main part of the first embodiment.
5 is a longitudinal sectional view of Example 2. FIG.
6 is an enlarged view of a main part of a joint pipe in Example 3. FIG.
7 is an enlarged front view of FIG. 6 of Example 3. FIG.
8 is an enlarged front view of the opening shape of the ink connection port of Example 4. FIG.
9 is a longitudinal sectional view of Example 5. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Rear axle
1a Ink container
2 Front shaft
2a Front shaft outer diameter
2b Vertical rib
2c Open air mouth
2d ink flow path
2e Upper front shaft
3 Joint pipe
3a Divider
3b Application body distribution pipe (c density part)
3c outer pipe
3d inner pipe
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 3g ribs)
3h Ink connection port / opening
3h1 Convex part, narrow part
3h2 Concave part, wide part
3i vertical rib
3j Opening partition
3k upper joint pipe
4 Application body
4a Rear part of application body
4b Upper application body
5 Absorber protective tube
5a Front outer diameter
5b Vertical rib
5c Intake and exhaust gap
5d Absorber protection tube (twin type)
6 Ink absorber
6a Ink absorber compression section
6b Upper ink absorber
7 Ink absorber partition

Claims

It has a raw ink containing part in which the filled ink can flow internally, an ink absorber for controlling excessive outflow of the ink in the ink containing part, and a coating body for applying ink, and contains ink. In the automatic discharge type applicator in which the ink flow path for guiding the ink in the portion branches to the application body side ink flow path and the ink absorber side flow path, the ink in the ink storage section is placed with the application body facing downward. An applicator flow pipe with the inside as the application body side ink flow path is arranged below the ink connection port which is the outlet of the flow path, and an inner pipe with the inside as the ink absorber side flow path and an outer pipe for ventilation on the upper side with placing becomes double tube, and insert the rear of the applicator to the applicator body flow pipe, the intermediate portion is positioned to the outside air port formed below the applicator flow tube, also the ink absorbing body and the inner tube The rear was closed Housed in absorbent body protective tube, formed up to the opening portion of the absorbent body protection tube intake and exhaust gap between the ink absorbing body a inner wall of the absorber protective tube further into the inner tube Has an ink absorber disposed therein, an intake / exhaust gap formed between the intake / exhaust gap, an ink absorber communicating with the intake / exhaust gap, and an inner tube, and the absorber protective tube and the outside air. A ventilation gap hole is formed to connect the mouth, and the intake / exhaust gap is detoured to an outside air port connected to the outer periphery of the application body through an outer pipe for ventilation, and the ink absorber is The absorber protective tube is partitioned so that the ink in the ink containing portion communicates only with the ink connection port. Further, in the ink flow path, the ink absorption in the large diameter portion of the inner tube, which is the rear portion of the ink absorber side flow path. The density (or capillary force) of the body is A B is the density (or capillary force) of the capillary member arranged in the inner tube small diameter part which is the front part of the ink absorber side flow passage, and the density (or capillary force) of the capillary member arranged in the application body flow pipe which is the application body side ink flow path. ) Is an applicator having a relationship of A <B <C.

An ink in which an upper part made of a double pipe of an inner pipe and an outer pipe for ventilation and a lower part made of an application body circulation pipe are integrally formed and opened from the outer circumference of the outer pipe for ventilation toward the inside of the inner pipe A joint pipe provided with a connection port, and a ventilation gap formed by the inner wall of the outer pipe for ventilation and the outer wall of the inner pipe is provided so as to allow communication between the inside of the outer pipe and the outer periphery of the application body circulation pipe except for the ink connection port. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein said applicator is used.

In the joint pipe, the opening of the ink connection port has an opening shape in which the opening area is reduced from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral side of the axial cross section, or a portion having a wide gap on the inner peripheral wall portion of the opening The applicator according to claim 2, wherein a joint tube is formed by forming a concave and convex portion forming a narrow portion and forming a portion having a strong capillary action and a weak portion in the opening.