US2758568A

US2758568A - Ink wells

Info

Publication number: US2758568A
Application number: US379652A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harold E Steinberg; Henry C Klagges
Original assignee: Esterbrook Pen Co
Current assignee: Esterbrook Pen Co
Priority date: 1953-09-11
Filing date: 1953-09-11
Publication date: 1956-08-14
Anticipated expiration: 1973-08-14

Description

Aug. 14, 1956 H. E. STEINBERG ET AL 2,758,558

INK WELLS Filed Sept. l1, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet l HAROLD E. STEINBERG H EN RY C. KLAGGES INVENTURS Aug- 14, 195.6 H. E. STEINBERG ETAL 2,758,568

Filed sept. 11, 1953 2 sheets-sheet 2 United States Patent O INK WELLS Application September 11, 1953, Serial No. 379,652

' s Claims. (ci. 12o- 57) vThis `application is a continuation-impart of our application for patent for Improvements in Ink Wells, filed December 31, 1948, Serial No. 68,485. v

Our invention relates to ink wells, and one object of our invention is to provide a simple and eflicient structure, which may be circular in contour, having a broad base which renders the structure non-tippable in ordinary use and provides for a relatively large ink-receiving space.

A further object of our invention is to provide means whereby -a writing assembly comprising a pen point or nib and a fountain feed-bar may be kept supplied with ink while being supported in a dipping opening provided in a cover or closure for the ink well. v

' A further object of our invention is to provide an ink well comprising a receptacle for containing a supply of ink, a covertherefor having a dipping opening constructed to receive the point of a writing assembly, carrier means depending from said cover into the ink space of the receptacle and being disposed below the dipping opening and in liquid communication with the ink space, a unitary mass of multi-cellular elastic material disposed in said carrier; the cells of said material presenting a multiplicity of voids into which ink may ow by capillary action from said ink space and said material being of a nature such that it is readily penetrable by fa writing point; said carrier means positioning said mass of material at a level such that a writing point received in said dipping opening penetrates and dips into at least the upper'portion of said material and thereby is supplied with the ink stored in the cells f said material.

A further object of our invention is to employ as the multi-cellular elastic material a form of sponge rubber or similar elastic having communicating cells or interstices which will automatically lill with ink from the supply in the well for subsequent distribution to the pen point and feed-bar of the writing assembly when the latter is brought into contact with and enters at least the upper portion of said multi-cellular capillary'material.

' These fand other features of our invention are more fully set forth hereinafter; reference being had to the accompanying drawings, more or less diagrammatic in character, inwhich:

Figure l isa plan view, partly broken away, illustrating one form of ink well within the scope of our invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional View on the line II-II, Fig. 1.

Figs. 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views on the lines III-V-III and lV-IV, respectively, Fig. 2.

Fig.4 -5 is a fragmentary View, similar to part of Fig. 2; showing `another form 'of cover within the scope of our invention.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view on the line VI--VL Fig. 5.,- p

Fig. 7 is a greatly enlarged view of a piece of sponge rubber as it comes from the mill; partly in section to represent its multi-cellular character.

Fig. 8 is a View similar to Fig. 7; showing the condition of the sponge rubber afterit has been subjected to severe pressureto fracture or rupture its walls or septa whereby IHC@ the several cells may be in capillary communication with each other; such view being largely diagrammatic.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion of the structure illustrated in Fig. 2; showing penetration of the pen point or nib into the multi-cellular mass supported in the ink space of the ink well.

Fig. l() is a View in perspective, showing a small piece of the prepared sponge rubber shaped for insertion in the detachable carrier depending from the cover.

Fig. l1 is a view similar to Fig. l0, showing a section of foam rubber as prepared for insertion in the detachable carrier depending from the cover; such view being lightly stippled to indicate its initial porosity throughout.

The primary object of our invention is to provide a sim-I ple and eicient form of ink well with which a writing assembly comprising a pen point and a fountain feed-bar is associated `and in which provision is made for supplying the storage space of the feed-bar with ink from a supply in the well by capillary action and wherein the pen point does not dip directly into the body of ink.

In the drawings, the ink well is indicated generally atv The cover or closure for the well, indicated generally at" l1, is provided with an annular depending portion 11a to lit into the upper part of the ink-receiving space, and this depending portion is annul-arly grooved at 11b for the reception of a washer or gasket 12 which, when the cover is tted inplace, engages the inner sloping wall of the opening and, in addition to functioning as the means for retaining the cover in tight engagement with the wall, prevents evaporation and/or leakage of ink. The upper and lower wall surfaces of the annular groove 11b may be outwardly beveled or flared, as shown.

Depending from the cover 11, which may have a domed portion 11e, is an annular wall portion or flange 11 eccentrically disposed with respect to the depending portion 11a, upon which is detachably mounted in any suitable manner-preferably by a friction t-a cup-shaped shell or hollow receptacle 13, which may be circular in cross section. The cover is also provided with a depending tubular portion 11X ldisposed centrally of the depending annular wall portion or flange 11f, and which defines a dipping opening 11g for the reception of a writing assembly including a pen point 14 and a fountain feed-bar 15 carried by a penholder or pen staff 16; such dipping opening being axially aligned with the shell 13. The feed-bar is provided with a comb 15a with spaces 15b of capillary d1- mensions for the reception and storage of a supply of init sufficient for the writing of fa great many words from a' dimensions so that ink entering the shell 13 through its' apertures 13a will fill the cells of this material by capillary action. The ends of tbefpen point and/or the feedbar engage and enter the capillary material, and from this contact the capillary'spaces 15b of the feed-bar will lll l with ink by capillary action; such ink remaining therein until the writing assembly is put into use, and feeding to the pen point during a writing operation. The shell 13, having the bottom perforations indicated at 13a, may contact with the bottom of the well or with thebottomof the sump.

In order that the. mass of multi-cellular material may be maintained against displacement in the form of our improved ink well illustrated in Fig, 2, and for the further purpose of trapping a portion of any loose ink that may be present initially adjacent the upper surface of such mul'- ti-cellular material, we provide the shell 13 with a liner 20; the latter fittingclosely within the shell and having a lower inturned flangeV 29a which,` in addition to engaging the multi-cellular material and preventing displacement thereof, defines a small. annular space` 21 above such material and between shell `and liner. Any ink entrapped in this space is prevented from spilling should the well upset.

In the form of our improved ink well illustrated in Fig. 5, the cover 111 is shown as provided with domed portion 111e having with a depending portion 25, integral therewith and axially aligned with a dipping opening 111g receiving the writing assembly. The unitary mass of multi-cellular material indicated at A is disposed in the lower portion of this depending member 25 which dips into the ink supply within the well to the full extent; touching the bottom of the same, or the sump shown centrally of such bottom. In order that ink may reach the interstices or cells of the mass of capillary material, the lower end of the depending portion 25 is slotted or apertured as indicated at 25a. Otherwise, the cover with the form of well shown in Fig. 5 is of the same character as that shown in Fig. 2 and lits the receptacle` in the same manner; being retained in place by a similar sealing washer or gasket.

To prevent the ink surging when the cover is applied to the well after a filling operation, which condition might arise by reason of the air pressure developed in such replacement, provision is made for escape of air beneath the cover which nds its way out through the dipping opening. For this purpose the depending portion 11i of the cover may have a slot 11h adjacent its point of attachment to the cover, as shown in Fig. 2. In like manner, the tubular portion 25, integral with the form of cover shown in Fig. 5, is slotted at 25h.

It is essential that the cover be held in tight engagement with the well, and for this purpose we have provided the washer 12, mounted in the annular groove 11b. The upper and lower surfaces of the groove are ared or beveled in opposite directions, as indicated at 11c and 11d, and these surfaces cooperate with the washer or gasket when the cover is set in place. The Washer is purposely made of such size that its inside diameter is slightly less than the diameter of the groove 11b at its root so that when the washer is set in place, its upper surface 12a will hug the upper beveled surface 11" of the groove. The effort to remove the cover from the well is relatively slight.`

The ink well is preferably provided with a wall- 35 of slight elevation projecting above the plane of the upper surface thereof adjacent its inner marginal edge b, and the cover rests on this wall when in final position. This arrangement provides a narrow space between the underside of the cover and the topl of the well, and removal ofthe cover may be readily eifected by a small prya thin coin-inserted in this space, and slight pressure is imparted thereto when it is desired to remove the cover for a fresh ink supply.

In all instances, by preference, the end of the pen point aud/or the end of the feed-bar engages and enters the unitary mass of multi-cellular material carried bythe cover of the ink well and the ink, which rises by capillary action and' fills the interstices or cells of such mass, will rise further and till the capillary spaces 15b of the feedbar of the writingk assembly by capillary action so thatthepenpoint thereof 'is ready' at all' times for writing purposes. This supply is suicient for the writing of several pages of manuscript without replenishment; further supply of ink being effected by capillary action as soon as the writing assembly is returned to the dipping opening.

The multi-cellular elastic material placed in the chamber or housed space communicating with the ink supply and the dipping opening of our improved ink well for the conveyance of ink from the supply to the pen point and feed-bar of the writing assembly may be of varied character; its function being to hold ink in its interstces or cells by capillary tension for transfer to the. pen point and feed-bar. We have successfully used a form of sponge rubber.

Sponge rubber per se as it comes from the mold or other instrumentality in which it is made is usually in the form of a relatively thick mass or sheet having a multitude of more or less minute cells individually complete and` separated from each other by a septum whereby the contained gas is locked therein. This condition is highly desirable when the sponge rubber is to be used in the form of a cushion or pad. For the purpose of carryingY out our invention, however, it is necessary, in the use of this form of sponge rubber, to rupture or fracture the septa enclosing the individual cells. For such purpose,`

sheets or other masses ofthe sponge rubber are subjected to heavy pressure and they may be successively passed between calendering or other rolls whereby the Walls dividing` the cells are broken so that the unitary mass becomes wholly porous and capable of receiving and retaining in the cells or interstices, entirely by capillary action and/ or tension, any liquid in which such porous mass may be placed.

Whilewe have referred to sponge rubber which we have used-a chemically blown mass the walls of whose cells must be ruptured or fractured-it is within the scope of our invention to use other forms of more or less similar material such as latex rubber foam sponge which breathes and does. not require rupturing; being initially porous. It is` to be understood therefore that the term sponge rubber wherever used in the specification and claims is that form of such material which is entirely porous; whether made. so by rupturing the walls dividing the initially separate cells, or that form which is initially porous. In each instance, the sponge rubber contains deinte and distinct cells,V each receiving a small quantity of ink and in communication with adjacent cells.

In practice. it has been desirable to treat the sponge rubber with a wetting` agent for the purpose of promoting the adsorptive properties thereof. Any suitable wetting.

agent inan aqueous solution may be employed as long as it is ofa typev not affected by nor affecting the ink and/or the multi-cellular material such as sponge rubber, or the like.

In Fig. 7 we have a unitary piece of multi-cellular material-sponge rubberas it comes from the mill; such view being very` much enlarged and partly in section to illustrate; the separate cells` divided by solidA walls` or septa. In Fig. 8 we have shown a similar section of multicellular'rnaterial-sponge rubber-after the walls or septa have been ruptured or fractured. Both views are largely diagrammatic.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the lower part of the receptacle 13 which contains the mass of multi-cellular material, and the liner 20 which prevents displacementV of the same; such view also showing the end of the pen point and the end of the feed-bar entering the upper part of the multi-cellular material.

In Figs. 10 and 11 we have shown views illustrating the general shape of the pieces of'multi-cellular as prepared for placement in the receptacle 13; Fig. 1l being lightly stippled to indicate its initial porosity throughout its extent.

The base portion ofour improved ink well is preferably made of' a vitreous material-glass orthe likeof the appended claims.

which may be molded in any usual manner. It may be made of other materials such as any of the metals unaected by ink acids; earihenware, thermoplastic n or thermosetting resins, and/or the like. The inner wall surface of the portion receiving ink is slightly tapered; a necessity in an article made in a mold, and such inner wall may be slightly offset to provide an annular shoulder. By preference we place upon this shoulder an annular ring 36 displaying instructions for filling such as: Do not fill above this level, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. l.

The dipping opening is preferably provided with longitudinal ribs and the grooves between these ribs form air passages. It will be understood therefore that any pressure of air that might build up as the cover is applied will escape through these passages-via the slot 11h in the depending portion 11f of the type iof structure illustrated in Fig. 2, or the slot 25b of the depending portion 25 of the type of structure shown in Fig. 5.

While it is desirable to provide a circular ink receptacle, the outer contour of the well may be of any other shape, oval, square, or the like.

It will be understood that the constructional details illustrated `and hereinbefore described are for illustrative purposes only and not as limitations, since modifications may be made Without departing from the spirit of our invention; all of which is deemed to be within the scope We claim: 1. The combination, in an ink well structure, of a holthe bottomv of the ink space and said receptacle being apertured in its lower wall portion' for the passage of ink from said space, a unitary mass of ruptured multi-cellular elastic material disposed in said hollow receptacle; the ruptured cells of such material presenting a multiplicity of inter-communicating voids into which the ink may ow by capillary action from said ink space and said material being readily penetrable by a writing point; said hollow recepi tacle positioning said mass of material at a level such low base having an ink-receiving space with a supply of ink therein, a cover for said well having a depending flange disposed substantially centrally of the underside thereof, a hollow receptacle having a perforated bottom tting over said depending flange and dipping to the bottom of the ink-receiving space; said receptacle receiving ink from the supply in the well, a tubular element concentrically arranged with respect to said depending ange and carried by said cover; the bore of said tubular element defining a dipping opening, a seat at the upper and outer end of said dipping opening, a mass of multi-cellular maten'al disposed in the lower part of said hollow receptacle and receiving ink by capillary attraction from the supply within` the well, and an internal liner frictionally fitting the wall of the hollow receptacle and confining the multicellular material in place; said dipping opening being adapted to receive a pen point and a fountain feed-bar having capillary ink storage spaces extending from the end of a penholder restingv upon its lseat and said feed-bar and pen point engaging the capillary material and receiving ink therefrom in its capillary storage spaces.

2. An ink Well comprising a receptacle for containing a supply of ink, a cover therefor having a depending tubular portion defining a dipping opening adapted to receive the pen point and fountain feed-bar of a writing assembly; said feed-bar having a plurality of ink-storage spaces, a

depending annular portion or flange integral with and underlying said cover and concentrically disposed with respect to the tubular portion dening the dipping opening, a detachable hollow receptacle or shell frictionally supported on said annular portion or ange and extending to that a writing point and feed received in said dipping opening penetrates and dips into at least the upper portion of said material and whose capillary spaces are supplied with inkL stored in the communicating cells of said material, and tubular means frictionally supported within the hollow receptacle for preventing displacement of the multi-cellular elastic material therein; said tubulary means having an inturned lower edge. y

3. An ink well comprising a receptacle for containing a supply of ink, a cover therefor having a depending tubular portion deining a dipping opening, a depending annular portion or ange integral with and underlying said cover and concentrically disposed with respect to the tubular portion dening the dipping opening, a detachable hollow receptacle or shell circular in cross section depending from-said cover and frictionally supported on said depending flange and extending to the bottom of theink spacev and said receptacle being apertured in its lower wall portion for the passage of ink from said space and said material being readily penetrable by a writing point; said hollow receptacle positioning said mass of material at a level such that a writing point and feed received in said dipping opening penetrates and dips into at least the upper portion of said material and Whose capillary spaces are supplied Vwith ink stored in the communicating cells of said material, and tubular means frictionally held within the hollow receptacle for preventing displacement of the multi-cellular elastic material therein; `said tubular means having an inturned lower edge overlying said material, and said dipping opening being adapted to receive the pen point and feedbar of a uniting assembly; lsuch feed-bar having capillary ink storage spaces and extending from the end of a penholder resting in the dipping opening and said feed-bar engaging the'multi-cellular capillary material and receiving ink therefrom in its capillary storage spaces.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS