JP2005246606A - Writing utensil of ink exhaustion detection type - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a writing utensil of ink exhaustion detection type which can certainly display the exhaustion sign of an ink, allows a user to visually recognize the part becoming a shady side in a writing direction of a barrel or a writing section, and is visually intriguing and presentable in appearance. <P>SOLUTION: This writing utensil of ink exhaustion sensing type is of such a type that the ink saturated in an ink occlusion element inside the barrel is supplied to a pen point serving as a writing part, that is, the ink saturated in the ink occlusion element is supplied to the pen point through an transparent ink guide tube; and the ink exhaustion sign of the ink occlusion element is detected by visually recognizing the ink guide tube. The slitted ink flow path practically shaped like a plate is internally provided to solve the above problem. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a writing instrument that supplies ink impregnated in an ink occlusion body in a shaft cylinder to a pen tip serving as a writing portion, and more specifically, the end signature of the ink can be reliably detected in this structure, The present invention relates to an ink end detection type writing instrument capable of visually recognizing a portion in a writing direction which is a shade of a shaft tube or writing portion.

  A writing instrument that supplies ink impregnated in an ink occlusion body in a shaft cylinder to a pen tip serving as a writing unit, a so-called batting type writing instrument, has a drawback that it is difficult to determine the end time of ink.

  The present applicant has invented and proposed a new and effective mechanism to solve this drawback. (For example, Patent Document 1)

For Patent Document 1, the end of ink is connected between the pen core and the ink occlusion body via a visible ink guide tube, and the ink end sign from the ink occlusion body is displayed via the visual recognition part of the shaft cylinder. Although it is an excellent mechanism to detect by visual inspection, it is detected from the visual recognition part of the shaft tube that the ink guide tube becomes transparent because the ink stops flowing in the ink flow path inside the ink guide tube. Since the end sign of the printer is sober, the user may notice that the end sign is not used without being noticed and cannot be written even though the ink is finished.

In addition, the ink end detection type writing instrument of Patent Document 1 does not flow through the ink flow path inside the ink guide tube when the ink in the ink occlusion body is finished, and the ink guide tube becomes transparent, but before the ink is finished, the ink guide tube becomes transparent. The direction of writing cannot be visually recognized through the ink guide tube, especially when used as a marking pen. It cannot be seen.

In a normal marking pen, the present applicant has already developed and proposed a mechanism for marking while visually confirming the writing direction via the writing unit. (For example, Patent Document 2)

However, the marking pen of Patent Document 2 does not have a function that can detect the end of ink, and can perform marking while visually observing the portion in the writing direction that is behind the shaft cylinder or writing portion, and that the ink has ended. There has been a demand for a writing instrument that can be easily detected visually and can be detected with a simple structure.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-341279, Japanese Patent No. 3447476 (claims, etc.) JP 2000-52682 (Claims etc.)

  The present invention improves the mechanism as described in Patent Document 1 above, and at the time when the ink in the ink occlusion body is completed, the ink end sign can be reliably detected, and the mechanism of Patent Document 2 is also improved. In addition, it is possible to visually recognize the portion of the writing direction which is the shade of the shaft cylinder or writing part, and it is intended to provide an ink end detection type writing instrument which is visually interesting and aesthetically excellent. To do.

In view of the above-mentioned problems and the like, the present inventors have attempted to solve this problem, and by making the shape of the ink guide tube into a substantially plate shape having slit-like ink flow paths therein, the present invention. Has been completed.
That is, the ink end detection type writing instrument of the present invention exists in the following (1) to (10).
(1) A writing instrument that supplies the ink impregnated in the ink occlusion body in the shaft cylinder to the pen tip serving as the writing portion, and the ink impregnated in the ink occlusion body is supplied to the pen tip via the ink guiding portion. In the ink end detection type writing instrument that detects the end of the ink of the ink occlusion body by visually recognizing the ink guiding part, the writing instrument has at least a part of the shaft tube or a visible part that can visually recognize the writing direction. An ink end detection type writing instrument.
(2) The ink end detection type writing instrument according to (1), wherein the visible portion has an ink guide portion, and the ink end of the ink occlusion body is detected by visually recognizing the ink guide portion. .
(3) The ink end detection type writing instrument according to (1) or (2), wherein the ink guiding portion is substantially plate-shaped provided with a slit-shaped ink flow path.
(4) A writing part for deriving ink from the ink guiding part is provided at least at a lower part of the ink guiding part, and the ink guiding part and the writing part are integrally formed. Ink end detection type writing instrument.
(5) The maximum width of the slit of the slit-shaped ink flow path in the ink guiding portion is 0.01 mm or more and 1 mm or less, and the slit width is 40% or more and less than 100% of the long axis length of the pen body. The ink end detection type writing instrument according to any one of (1) to (4).
(6) The ink end detection type writing instrument according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the ink guiding portion is formed of a transparent or translucent member that transmits visible light of 30% or more.
(7) The ink end-detecting writing instrument according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the member that transmits visible light of 30% or more of the ink guiding portion is a thermoplastic resin.
(8) The oxygen permeation coefficient of the member that transmits visible light of 30% or more of the ink guiding portion is 3000 cc · 25 μm / m ² · 24 hr · atm (25 ° C., 65% RH) or less (1) -Ink end detection type writing instrument as described in (7).
(9) The ink end detection type writing instrument according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the surface free energy of at least a portion of the ink guiding portion in contact with the ink is smaller than the surface free energy of the ink.
(10) The ink end-detection type writing instrument according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein a contact angle between the inner wall surface of the ink guiding portion and the ink is 30 ° or more.
(11) The ink end detection type writing instrument according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein an inner wall surface of the ink guiding portion is water-repellent.
(12) The ink end detection type writing instrument according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein characters and figures are formed by providing minute irregularities on a part of the inner wall surface of the ink guiding portion.
(13) The ink end detection type writing instrument according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein the uneven portion provided on the inner wall surface of the ink guiding portion is subjected to a hydrophilic treatment with ink.

  The present invention is configured as described above, and at the time when the ink in the ink occlusion body is finished, it is possible to reliably detect the end of the ink, and writing that is behind the shaft cylinder or writing part. It is designed to be able to visually recognize the directional part, which is visually interesting and aesthetically pleasing.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail below. First, the structure of the ink end detection type writing instrument of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the ink end detection type writing instrument of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. . In the present embodiment, a marking pen having a flat oval shape is shown, but it can be suitably used for a sign pen, a whiteboard marker, and the like. Although not shown, there is no problem even if it is a writing instrument such as a ballpoint pen having a structure in which the pen tip holds the ball.
As shown in FIG. 1, the writing instrument of this embodiment is an ink guide tube that serves as a writing tube body 10, an ink occlusion body 20, an ink guiding part that detects the end of ink, and a visible part that can visually recognize the writing direction. 30, a nib 40, and a tail plug 60.
The shaft tube 10 is formed of, for example, a thermoplastic resin, a thermosetting resin, glass, or the like, and a small-diameter portion 10a having a tapered portion on the tip side and a large-diameter portion 10b are integrated. The small-diameter portion 10a has the fitting portion 11 for fitting the pen tip 40, and the large-diameter portion 10b accommodates the ink occlusion body 20 impregnated with the ink for the writing instrument connected by the ink guide tube 30. It has a structure.

Further, a part or all of the shaft cylinder 10 is a portion corresponding to the position of the ink guide tube 30 which becomes an ink guiding portion for detecting the end of the ink accommodated in the shaft tube 10 and becomes a visible portion where the writing direction can be visually recognized. The visual recognition part 12 is made of a transparent body or a translucent body so that the ink guide tube 30 in the shaft cylinder can be visually recognized.
The entire shaft tube 10 may be made of a transparent or translucent material having visibility so that the entire shaft tube 10 can be viewed inside the shaft tube, and the entire shaft tube 10 is transparent with visibility. Alternatively, it may be made of a translucent material, and the portion other than the viewing portion 12 may be used as a non-viewing portion as a colored portion or a decorative portion.

  The ink occlusion body 20 is impregnated with ink for writing instruments such as water-based ink and oil-based ink. For example, natural fibers, animal hair fibers, polyacetal resins, acrylic resins, polyester resins, polyamide resins, polyurethane resins. Processed fiber bundles such as resin, polyolefin resin, polyvinyl resin, polycarbonate resin, polyether resin, polyphenylene resin, or a combination of two or more, fiber bundles such as felt, and sponge And a porous body such as a sintered body of resin particles.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ink guide tube 30 serves as an ink distribution member that becomes an ink guide portion that detects the end of ink and a visible portion that can visually recognize the writing direction, and has a substantially plate-like shape having visibility. A slit-like ink flow path 31 is provided inside. Although not shown, the slit-like ink flow path may be a slit constituted by a combination of a curved plate shape as well as a flat plate shape.

The maximum width of the slit of the slit-like ink flow path 31 provided in the ink guide tube 30 is preferably 0.01 mm or more and 1 mm or less. If it is less than 0.01 mm, capillary force is generated, and the ink does not run out well. If it exceeds 1 mm, the ink absorbs light and the other side (writing surface) cannot be seen.
The slit width is the width of the slit in the ink guide tube 30 that forms the ink flow path 31. If the slit width is less than 40% of the long axis length of the pen body, the window is narrow and the writing surface is difficult to see. If it is 100% or more, the structure of the entire pen body is impossible.

  The ink guide tube 30 is formed of a material that transmits visible light of 30% or more, desirably 60% or more, and more desirably 80% or more. If a material that transmits 30% of visible light is used, the other side can be seen thin, but it can be used. However, to make it visible, a material that transmits 60% or more is desirable, and 80% or more is desirable. Is perfect. Specific materials include PP, PE, PET, PEN, nylon (including amorphous nylon in addition to general materials such as 6 nylon and 12 nylon), polymethylpentene, polystyrene, ABS and the like. it can.

The oxygen permeability coefficient of the above material is desirably 3000 cc · 25 μm / m ² · 24 hr · atm (25 ° C., 65% RH) or less. If this value is exceeded, bubbles may be generated in the ink guide tube, and the ink in the ink guide tube may run out before the end of ink, making it impossible to accurately detect the end of ink.

Further, in order to smoothly perform the ink end detection display in the ink guide tube 30 from the ink occlusion body 20, a surface treatment that lowers the surface free energy of the ink on at least the wall surface in contact with the ink in the ink guide tube 30 is performed. You may give it. Specifically, a fluorine coating, a fluorine resin coating, a silicone resin coating treatment using dimethyl silicone as a skeleton, or the like can be given.

  The contact angle between the inner wall surface of the ink guide tube 30 and the ink is desirably 30 ° or more. If it is less than 30 °, the ink in the ink flow path in the ink guide tube may not be cut off well.

  With this configuration, the visual end of the ink can be detected by visually recognizing the ink guide tube 30 that is the ink guiding portion that detects the end of the ink through the visual recognition portion 12 of the shaft tube 10, and the visible portion that can visually recognize the writing direction; Through the ink guide tube 30, it is possible to see characters in the writing direction that are behind the writing instrument.

Further, in the present embodiment, the writing instrument has a flat oval shape, and the ink guide tube is also widely formed in a substantially plate shape, so that it is possible to reliably detect the end of the ink, and it is visually interesting, and Excellent aesthetic sense.

  The nib 40 includes, for example, natural fibers, animal hair fibers, polyacetal resins, acrylic resins, polyester resins, polyamide resins, polyurethane resins, polyolefin resins, polyvinyl resins, polycarbonate resins, and polyether resins. , Parallel fiber bundles made of one or two or more combinations of polyphenylene resins, fiber bundles such as felt, or fiber cores made by resin processing of these fiber bundles, or various plastic powders, etc. It is composed of a nib made of a porous body, and the shape of each pen is selected according to the form of the writing instrument, for example, a marking pen, a sign pen, or the like.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in which the shape of the long axis surface of the ink guide tube 30 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is expanded so that the outer surface of the ink guide tube is in contact with the inner wall surface of the shaft cylinder. Because of the lens effect, there is an effect that characters and figures viewed through the visible portion of the shaft tube are enlarged.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the second embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C. In this embodiment, a substantially plate-shaped ink guide tube 30 is projected from the tip of the shaft tube, and a writing portion 41 formed by sintering plastic powder, metal powder, or the like at the tip of the ink guide tube 30 is provided. Thus, it is possible to visually recognize the portion directly above the writing portion, which is optimal as an underline marking pen and can accurately detect the end of ink.

  7 and 8 are schematic views showing a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows a state where ink is present in the ink guide tube 30, and FIG. The state when the ink in the ink guide tube 30 runs out is described. In this case, the ink guide tube 30 is provided with a small convex portion or a concave portion on one or both of the wall surfaces in contact with the ink of the ink flow path 31 in the ink guide tube 30 formed in a slit shape, and characters (examples). Then, “end”) or a figure is formed, and the minute convex portion or the concave portion is subjected to a hydrophilic treatment with ink. As a result, characters and figures are not displayed in the state where the ink before the ink is filled, but when the ink is finished and the ink in the ink guide tube 30 formed of a transparent or translucent material is used up, Ink remains only on the minute convex portions or concave portions of the figure, so that characters and figures can be clearly seen. This makes it possible to reliably detect the end of the ink, and can also be used for advertising purposes, making it visually interesting.

  The present invention is configured as described above, but the embodiments may be combined with the above-described embodiments in addition to the above, and are not limited to the above embodiments, and various effects can be expected. In any case, it is possible to provide an ink end detection type writing instrument capable of reliably detecting the ink end sign and visually recognizing a portion in the writing direction which is behind the shaft cylinder or writing portion.

It is a schematic sectional drawing of the writing instrument which shows the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is AA sectional drawing of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is BB sectional drawing of FIG. 1 of this invention. It is BB sectional drawing which shows other embodiment of the ink guide tube of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is CC sectional drawing of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram in the state with the ink of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram when the ink of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention is complete | finished.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Shaft cylinder 12 Visual recognition part 20 Ink occlusion body 30 Ink guide pipe 31 Slit-like ink flow path 40 Pen tip 41 Sintered nib part 50 Ink reservoir 60 Tail plug

Claims (13)

A writing instrument that supplies ink impregnated in the ink occlusion body in the shaft cylinder to a pen tip serving as a writing portion, and the ink impregnated in the ink occlusion body is supplied to the pen tip via an ink guiding portion, In the ink end detection type writing instrument for detecting the end of the ink of the occlusion body by visually recognizing the ink guiding part, the writing instrument has at least a part of the shaft tube or a visible part capable of visually recognizing the writing direction. Ink end detection type writing instrument.   The ink end detection type writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein the visible portion has an ink guiding portion, and the end of the ink of the ink occlusion body is detected by visually recognizing the ink guiding portion. The ink end detection type writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein the ink guiding portion is substantially plate-shaped with a slit-shaped ink flow path.   The ink end detection type according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a writing part for deriving ink from the ink guiding part at least at a lower part of the ink guiding part, and the ink guiding part and the writing part are integrally formed. Writing instrument.   The maximum width of the slit of the slit-shaped ink flow path in the ink guiding portion is 0.01 mm or more and 1 mm or less, and the slit width is 40% or more and less than 100% of the major axis length of the pen body. The ink end detection type writing instrument according to claim 1.   The ink end detection type writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein the ink guiding portion is formed of a transparent or translucent member that transmits visible light by 30% or more.   The ink completion detecting type writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein the member that transmits visible light of 30% or more of the ink guiding portion is a thermoplastic resin. 8. The oxygen permeation coefficient of a member that transmits 30% or more of visible light of the ink guiding portion is 3000 cc · 25 μm / m ² · 24 hr · atm (25 ° C., 65% RH) or less. The ink end detection type writing instrument as described.   The ink end-detection type writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein the surface free energy of at least a portion of the ink guiding portion in contact with ink is smaller than the surface free energy of ink.   The ink end detection type writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein a contact angle between the inner wall surface of the ink guiding portion and the ink is 30 ° or more.   The ink end detection type writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein an inner wall surface of the ink guiding portion is water-repellent.   The ink end detection type writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein characters and figures are formed by providing minute irregularities on a part of the inner wall surface of the ink guiding portion. The ink end detection type writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein the uneven portion provided on the inner wall surface of the ink guiding portion is subjected to a hydrophilic treatment with ink.

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