JPH04119897A - Marker - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To ensure that writing is performed stably by providing an energization device for energizing a pen member in a protruding direction and a check valve mechanism for allowing only an ink flow in a direction to a pen member side between a pump chamber and the pen member. CONSTITUTION:An adequate amount of ink is always loaded in a pen member 10 by supplying the amount of ink suited to an ink consumption with the proper settings of the energization force of an energization device 19 for energizing the pen member 10 in a protruding direction and the capability of an ink pressurizing device 13. In addition, a check valve mechanism 25 is provided between a pump chamber 12 and the pen member 10 so that the ink squeezed out into the pen member 10 is fully kept in the latter without being squeezed back to the pump chamber 12 side. Thus the pen member 10 no longer becomes dry and stable writing is ensured.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to whiteboard markers and other markers.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, in a whiteboard marker, an ink storage chamber in the marker body is filled with a porous material such as batting, the batting is impregnated with ink, and the ink is transferred to a felt tip or the like by capillary action. It was used to supply pen bodies.

By the way, unlike paper or the like, the surface of this whiteboard does not have water absorbency. Because of this, less ink is transferred from this felt tip to the whiteboard surface.
Generally speaking, it is not possible to write in very deep writing. Furthermore, when writing on a whiteboard, large letters are written quickly, resulting in a shortage of ink and the problem of blurred handwriting.

In order to prevent such problems, in conventional whiteboard markers, the batting is soaked with a large amount of ink so that a large amount of ink can be supplied to the felt tip or the like. However, when a large amount of ink is added like this,
A problem arises in that the soaked ink concentrates downward due to gravity. Furthermore, whiteboard markers use quick-drying ink that uses alcohol or the like as a solvent. For this reason, if you hold a traditional whiteboard marker with the body facing upward, gravity will move the ink from the body to the bottom of the padding, reducing the amount of ink in the body and allowing the ink to dry quickly. This causes the problem that the pen body dries out. Once the pen body dries, it becomes difficult to supply ink, causing a problem that it becomes impossible to write again.

As mentioned above, with conventional markers, the ink supply is unstable when writing, and the pen body tends to dry out easily.For this reason, with conventional markers, when not writing, the marker is turned horizontally and the pen is always You need to make sure your body has enough ink.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and provides a marker that can sufficiently and stably supply ink during writing and can prevent the pen body from drying out. It provides:

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention forms a cylindrical ink storage chamber in a main body, stores liquid ink in this ink storage chamber, and maintains liquid tightness in this ink storage chamber. A slide stopper is provided that can slide freely, and the slide stopper separates the ink from the air.A pen body is provided at one end of the main body so as to be freely protrusive and retractable, and a pump chamber is provided in the main body. Further, an ink pressurizing means is provided to reduce the volume inside the pump chamber when the pen body is retracted, and a biasing means is provided to bias the pen body in the projecting direction. A resistance passage is formed between the chamber and the pump chamber that provides resistance to the flow of ink between them, and a reverse passage is formed between the pump chamber and the pen body that allows flow only in the direction toward the pen body. It is equipped with a stop valve mechanism.

[Operation] In such a marker, when writing, the pen body is immersed by the pressure of the writing, and the ink in the pump chamber is pushed out into the pen body by the ink pressurizing means. In this case, when writing quickly or writing in bold letters, the writing pressure naturally increases, so the amount of ink pushed from the pump chamber to the pen body by the ink pressurizing means increases. Therefore, as mentioned above,
The greater the amount of ink consumed, the greater the amount of ink that is pushed out. Therefore, by appropriately setting the biasing force of the biasing means that biases the pen body in the protruding direction and the capacity of the ink pressurizing means, the pen body can receive as much ink as the amount of ink consumed. This allows the pen body to always contain a sufficient amount of ink. Therefore, it is possible to write darkly and stably. In addition, a check valve mechanism is installed between the pump chamber and the pen body, so if the pen body is turned upward, the air inside the cap expands, or the atmospheric pressure changes, the inside of this marker Even if there is a difference in pressure with the outside, the ink pushed into the pen body will not be pushed back into the pump chamber, and the pen body can be kept fully saturated with ink. , this pen body never dries out.

Further, the pump chamber and the ink storage chamber are communicated with each other by a resistance passage that provides a predetermined resistance to the flow of ink. Therefore, when ink is forced out of the pump chamber, a portion of the ink is returned to the ink reservoir through the resistance passage. Therefore, if the above-mentioned pen body is pressed against the whiteboard many times without writing, or if the writing pressure is high and the writing speed is slow, if too much ink is pushed into the pen body, When the pen body contains too much ink, the ink pressure inside the pen body becomes high, and the amount of ink returned to the ink storage chamber through the resistance passage is increased.

Therefore, even in such a case, ink exceeding a certain limit will not be extruded into the pen body, thereby preventing ink from dripping from the pen body in such a case.

[Example] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention. This example is a whiteboard marker with a felt tip pen body.

Reference numeral 1 in the figure indicates the main body of this marker, which has a cylindrical shape, and a cylindrical ink storage chamber 2 is formed inside thereof. The ink storage chamber 2 is filled with ink, for example, quick-drying ink using alcohol as a solvent. Further, a slide plug 3 is provided within the ink storage chamber 2. The slide plug 3 is made of an elastic material such as silicone rubber, and is slidably inserted while maintaining liquid tightness, and the slide plug 3 separates the ink from the air. The tail plug 3 slides to compensate for ink consumption, expansion and contraction due to temperature changes, etc.

Further, a tail plug 4 is attached to the tail end of the main body 1, and an air communication hole 5 is formed in the tail plug 4.

Further, a pen body 10 is provided at the tip of the main body 1. In this embodiment, the pen body 10 is a felt tip made of hardened fibers.

The tip of this pen body 10 is formed into a tapered shape, for example, a substantially spherical shape, and the thickness of a written line changes by adjusting the writing pressure.

This pen body 10 is held in a holder 11. The holder 11 is slidably provided in the axial direction of the main body 1, and the holder 11 is configured to be able to protrude and retract together with the pen body 10.

Furthermore, a pump chamber 12 is formed within this main body 1. This pump chamber 12 is communicated with the ink storage chamber 2 and the pen body 10 described above.

Further, an ink pressurizing means, that is, a plunger portion 13 is provided protruding from the rear end of the holder 11 . The plunger portion 13 is inserted into the pump chamber 12 through the elastic seam member 19. When writing, the pen body 10 and the holder 11 are retracted by the pressure of the writing, and the plunger portion 13 is pushed into the pump chamber 12, reducing the volume inside the pump chamber 12. . Therefore, the ink in the pump chamber 12 is pressurized, and the pressurized ink flows through the ink passage 14 formed in the holder 11 and the plunger portion 13.
15 and is pushed out to the pen body 10. The extruded ink is contained between the fibers of the pen body 10, that is, the felt tip, by capillary action.

The elastic sealing member 19 described above serves both as a sealing material and as a biasing means. That is, this elastic seal member 1
9 is made of an elastic material such as synthetic rubber and has a cylindrical shape. The elastic sealing member 19 is press-fitted into the inner circumferential surface of the main body 1, and the plunger portion 13 is press-fitted inside, so that the ink in the pump chamber 12 flows between the holder 11 and the main body 1. This prevents it from leaking through. Further, when the holder 11 is retracted, the elastic seal member 19 is compressed in the axial direction, and when the writing pressure is removed, the holder 11 is pushed out by the elastic force of the elastic seal member 19. Therefore, this elastic seal member 19 also serves as a biasing means for biasing this holder 11 and pen body 10 in the projecting direction.

Further, the ink storage chamber 2 and the pump chamber 12 are communicated with each other by a resistance passage 24. This resistance path 24
is a narrow groove-shaped passage formed in a part of the outer peripheral surface of the partition member 22 that partitions the pump chamber 12 and the ink storage chamber 2, and is designed to provide a predetermined resistance to the ink flowing through this passage. It is configured.

Further, a check valve mechanism 25 as described below is provided between the pump chamber 12 and the pen body 10. That is,
A conical valve seat 16 is formed between the ink passages 14,15. In addition, in the passage 15,
A valve body 17 is inserted. The valve body 17 is made of an elastic material such as synthetic rubber and has a rod shape. The outer diameter of the valve body 17 is smaller than the inner diameter of the ink passage 15, and a gap is formed between them for the flow of ink. Further, the end of the valve body 17 on the pump chamber side is formed into a conical shape, and this portion is formed as the valve body portion 18 . This valve body portion 18 is connected to the valve seat 16 described above.
is seated. Further, the end of the valve body 17 on the pen body side comes into contact with the pen body 10, and the valve body 17 is slightly compressed in the axial direction, and due to this elastic force, the above-mentioned valve body portion 18
is pressed against the valve seat 16 mentioned above.

In the check valve mechanism 25 having such a configuration, when the pressure inside the pump chamber 12 is high, the valve body 17 is compressed in the axial direction and the valve body portion 18 is separated from the valve seat 16. Pump chamber 12
When the pressure inside the pump chamber 12 is low, the valve body 18 is brought into close contact with the valve seat 16 to block the flow of ink toward the pump chamber.

Next, the function of such a marker will be explained.

When the pen body 10 of this marker is pressed against the surface of the whiteboard during writing, the pen body 10 retreats or retracts together with the holder 11, the elastic sealing member 19 is compressed in the axial direction, and the plunger flange 14 is compressed. or pump room 12
go inside. Therefore, the volume within this pump chamber 12 is reduced and the ink is pressurized. Then, the check valve mechanism 25 described above opens. Therefore, this pump chamber 12
The ink inside is pushed out to the pen body 10. The extruded ink is held and contained within the fibers of the pen body 10, that is, the felt tip, by capillary action. In this case, a portion of the ink within the pump chamber 12 is returned into the ink reservoir chamber 2 through the resistance passage 24 described above. Further, when writing is finished and the pen body 10 leaves the surface of the whiteboard, the holder 11 and the pen body 10 move forward or protrude due to the elastic biasing force of the elastic seal member 19, and the plunger part 13 moves from the inside of the pump chamber 12. The pump chamber 12 is drawn out, the volume within the pump chamber 12 increases, and the pressure within the pump chamber 12 decreases. In this case, the check valve mechanism 25 closes,
Backflow of ink from the pen body 10 to the pump chamber 12 is prevented, and ink in the ink storage chamber 2 flows into the pump chamber 12 via the resistance passage 24. Also, in this case,
The slide stopper 3 slides in response to the consumption of ink in the ink storage chamber 12 to compensate for the decrease in the amount of ink.

From now on, each time you write, use ink or pen 1.
0. Therefore, this pen body always contains a predetermined amount of ink.

In the case of this writing, the thicker the line to be written and the faster the writing is done, that is, the greater the amount of ink consumed, the greater the writing pressure. Therefore, the amount of penetration of the plunger portion 13 is large, and the amount of ink pushed out to the pen body 10 is also large. Therefore, the amount of ink contained in the pen body 10 can be maintained at an appropriate amount that allows sufficiently dark writing and does not cause any drop-off, and stable writing can be achieved.

Furthermore, the sliding of the slide stopper 3 compensates for the consumption of ink in the ink storage chamber 2, as well as engraving and shrinkage of ink due to temperature changes and the like.

Further, the ink contained in the pen body 10 is prevented from flowing back toward the pump chamber 12 by the check valve mechanism 25. Even if this pen body is left facing upward, or if a pressure difference is created between the inside of this marker and the outside due to a change in atmospheric pressure, the ink contained in this pen body 10 or the pump chamber 12 This ensures that no backflow occurs. Therefore, the pen body 10 is maintained in a state containing sufficient ink under any circumstances, and the pen body 10 will not dry out even if the pen body 10 is left for a considerable period of time with the cap removed. In addition, even if the pen body 10 dries out after being left with the cap removed for a long time, the ink can be forcibly removed by pressing the pen body 10 strongly against the surface of the whiteboard several times. It is extruded into the pen body 10 and can be written on.

When the ink in the pump chamber 12 is pushed out by the pump action as described above, a portion of the ink flows into the resistance passage 24.
The ink is returned to the ink storage chamber 2 through the ink storage chamber 2. By the way, the above-mentioned pen body]O is a felt tip made of hardened fibers, and retains ink inside by capillary phenomenon. in this case,
When the amount of ink contained is small, capillary force acts to suck out the ink from the outer pump chamber 12 side.

Also, as the amount of ink contained increases, this suction force decreases and reaches a saturated state, and when the amount of contained ink becomes excessive, the pressure of the ink contained within the pen body increases. . Therefore, the more the amount of ink contained in the pen body 10, the more the resistance passage 2 increases.
The amount of ink returned to the ink storage chamber 2 through the pen body 12 increases, and the amount of ink pushed out to the pen body 12 decreases.

Therefore, the amount of ink contained in this pen body 10 can be adjusted more reliably. In addition, if the resistance of the resistance passage 24, the opening pressure of the check valve mechanism 25, etc. are appropriately set, when the amount of ink contained in the pen body 10 reaches a certain limit, can be set so that no ink is pushed out to the pen body 10, so that if the pen body 10 is pressed against the whiteboard many times without writing, excessive ink will not be supplied to the pen body 10. You can prevent it from falling off.

Further, FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment has the same structure as the first embodiment described above, except that the structure of the resistance path 24 is different.

That is, in this embodiment, a passage 26 is formed in the bottom wall of the partition member 22, and the passage 26 communicates the pump chamber 12 and the ink storage chamber 2, and the fibers are solidified in the passage 26. A felt-like resistor 27 is provided. The ink flowing through this passage 26 is given a predetermined resistance by this resistor 27.

This embodiment has a resistor 27 that provides resistance to the ink.
Since the pen body 10 and the pen body 12 are made of a porous material made of compacted fibers, the resistance characteristics when ink flows through the resistor 27 and the resistance characteristics of the pen body 12 are almost the same. Therefore, when ink is pushed out from the pump chamber 12, even if the pressure and pushing speed change, the amount of ink pushed out to the pen body 12 side and the amount returned to the ink storage chamber 2 after passing through the resistor 27 are determined. This allows stable control of the amount of ink and the ratio between the amount and amount of ink that is applied.

Further, FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.

This device has the same structure as the first embodiment, except for the structure of the reverse valve mechanism 25.

That is, the check valve mechanism 25' of this embodiment includes a valve body 30 made of a steel ball inserted into the ink passage 15, and a compression coil spring 31. The valve body 30 is pressed against the valve seat 16 by a compression coil spring 31.

Although the structure of this embodiment is more complicated than that of the first embodiment, it has the feature that the opening pressure of the check valve mechanism 25- can be set more accurately. .

Further, FIGS. 4 and 5 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. This fourth embodiment has the same structure as the first embodiment except for the structure of the check valve mechanism 25--. Note that FIGS. 4 and 5 show the pen body and the holder.

This valve seat chamber 40 is formed inside the holder 11, and a valve body 41 made of an elastic material such as silicone rubber is provided inside the valve seat chamber 40. This valve body 41 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and its outer peripheral surface is formed in a tapered shape. and,
The valve body 41 is press-fitted into the valve seat chamber 40 in close contact with the valve body 41 . Further, at the end of the valve body 41 on the pen body 10 side,
A recess 42 having a substantially arcuate cross section is formed in the axial direction, and a part of the outer peripheral surface of the valve body 41 is formed in a thin elastic valve portion 43 by the recess 42 .
is formed to be elastically deformable inward in the radial direction. In addition,
The edge of the elastic valve portion 43 is set back from the end face of the valve body 41 on the pen body side, so that the edge of the elastic valve portion 43 may be caught when press-fitting the valve body 41 into the valve seat chamber 40. is configured to prevent

In such a check valve mechanism 25'', when the pressure on the pump chamber side becomes high, the elastic valve portion 43 is elastically deformed inward in the radial direction, and the elastic valve portion 43 is deformed on the inner periphery of the valve seat chamber 40. The ink separates from the surface and flows from the pump chamber to the pen body side.Also, when the pump chamber side becomes low pressure, the elastic valve part 43 described above
is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the valve seat chamber to prevent ink from flowing back from the pen body side to the pump chamber side.

The fourth embodiment is easy to assemble, and the check valve is reliable in operation.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible.

For example, the check valve mechanism does not necessarily have to have the structure described above.

Further, the mechanism for pressurizing the ink by changing the volume of the pump chamber is not limited to the plunger type as described above, but may be a diaphragm type, a bellows type, or other types.

Further, the pen body is not limited to a felt tip, but may also be a brush or other pen body.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to whiteboard markers, but can also be used for markers such as paint markers for applying paint and nail lacquer for applying manicure to nails.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, in the present invention, a predetermined amount of ink is pushed out into the pen body by the pressure of the pen when writing, so the pen body can always contain a sufficient amount of ink and stable writing can be achieved. be able to. In addition, since a check valve mechanism is installed between the pump chamber and the pen body, the ink contained in the pen body will not flow back into the pump chamber, and the ink will always be kept in the pen body. Since the pen body remains contained, it is prevented from drying out. Furthermore, since the pump chamber and the ink storage chamber are communicated with each other by a resistance passage, a portion of the ink pushed out from the pump chamber is returned to the ink storage chamber, preventing excessive ink from being pushed into the pen body. This stabilizes the supply of ink to the pen body.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The figures show embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the second embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-section of the third embodiment. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the pen body and holder portion of the fourth embodiment, and FIG.
It is a sectional view along the v line.

Claims (7)

[Claims] (1) A main body of the marker, a cylindrical ink storage chamber formed within the main body, and a slideable structure that maintains liquid tightness within the ink storage chamber to keep the ink and air within the ink storage chamber. a partitioning slide stopper; a pen body made of a porous material provided in one end of the body so as to be protruding and retractable; and a pump formed in the body and communicating with the ink storage chamber and the pen body. a chamber, and ink pressurizing means for reducing the volume within the pump chamber by immersion of the pen body;
a biasing means for biasing the pen body in a protruding direction; a resistance passage that communicates with the ink storage chamber and the pump chamber and provides resistance to the flow of ink flowing between them;
A marker comprising: a check valve mechanism that is formed between the pen body and the pump chamber and allows flow only in a direction from the pump chamber toward the pen body. (2) The marker according to claim 1, wherein the resistance passage provides resistance to the flow of ink by a resistor formed of a porous material. (3) The marker according to claim 2, wherein the pen body is a felt tip made of hardened fibers, and the resistor is made of a material made of hardened fibers. (4) The above-mentioned ink pressurizing means includes a plunger protruding from a pen body holder that holds a pen body and protrudes and sinks together with the pen body, and this plunger penetrates an elastic sealing member made of an elastic material and injects liquid. The pen body and the pen body holder are inserted tightly into the pump chamber, and when the pen body and pen body holder are inserted, the elastic sealing member is compressed, and the plunger projects into the pump chamber, thereby increasing the volume of the pump chamber. Further, the elastic seal member biases the pen body and the pen body in the projecting direction by its elastic force, and this elastic seal member also serves as the biasing means. The marker according to claim 1, characterized in that: (5) The check valve mechanism is composed of a valve seat formed in the middle of a passage communicating the pump chamber and the pen body, and a valve body seated on the valve seat. The valve body is shaped like a rod made of an elastic material, has a valve body at its tip, and uses elastic force in the axial direction of the valve body to press the valve body against the valve seat. The marker according to claim 1. (6) The check valve mechanism includes a cylindrical valve seat chamber formed in the middle of a passage communicating the pump chamber and the pen body, and a circular valve seat chamber made of an elastic material press-fitted into the valve seat chamber. A part of the outer periphery of this valve body is formed with an elastic valve part that can be elastically deformed inward in the radial direction. The marker according to claim 1, wherein the marker is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the portion. (7) The above-mentioned pen body side check valve mechanism includes a valve seat formed in the middle of a passage communicating the above-mentioned pump chamber and the pen body, a spherical valve body seated on this valve seat, and this valve body. 2. The marker according to claim 1, further comprising a spring that biases the marker in a direction in which the marker is seated on the valve seat.