The present invention relates to a writing instrument cap.
Generally, for writing instruments such as oil-based ball-point pens, water-based ball-point pens, a removable cap for protecting the front end of the writing part by enclosing it when unused is provided.
Particularly, in some kinds of writing instruments, in order to avoid the writing part drying, the tip part is hermetically enclosed by the cap so that the part can be isolated from the outside air.
However, there is a hazard risk such as from choking if an infant accidentally swallows the cap which is of a hermetic type with no ventilation.
To avoid this, various cap configurations have been known: for example, a cap is composed of outer and inner sleeves with a vent hole for ventilation provided in their connecting portion; and the external form of a cap body is shaped with projections and indentations so as to form gaps for ventilation.
Specifically, there is a configuration in which a vent hole is formed at the front end of the cap, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Hei 8 No. 197889 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Hei 9 No. 169196. There is another proposal in which a vent hole is formed on the cap's outer periphery so as to establish communication for ventilation between the interior and exterior of the cap, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.2000-43477.
Further, Japanese Registered Utility Model No.2579697 has disclosed a configuration in which a cap having an integral clip is formed so that the sectional shape of the clip attachment is constricted in the middle, whereby the constricted part would create air channels in case an infant accidentally swallowed the cap.
However, the above configurations suffer difficulties in the forming process because of their cap shape complexity and difficulties in assembly because of their structure complexity. In addition, formation of a vent hole in the outer periphery spoils the outside appearance.
The present invention has been devised in view of the above conventional problems, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a writing instrument cap which is simple in structure and can assure air passage in case of an accidental swallowing, without any loss of external appearance.
In order to attain the above object, the present invention has the following configurations.
The present invention relates to a writing instrument cap, which has a clip as a separate part, and is characterized in that a clip attachment to which the clip is fitted is projectively formed on the outer periphery of the cap, the clip attachment is formed with a vent hole penetrating between the interior and exterior of the cap and raised portions for attachment of the clip, on both sides, with respect to the circumference, of the vent hole, and in the state where the clip is set to the clip attachment, the clip covers the clip attachment and the vent hole and creates a clearance between the clip interior and the clip attachment so as to establish an air passage that communicates between the vent hole and the outside.
It is preferred that the cap is composed of a cap body and a crown portion which are separable one from the other, and the clip attachment is formed in the crown portion.
It is also preferred that the cap has a depressed portion formed along the contour of the clip attachment.
It is also preferred that the cap includes an inner cap disposed therein for sealing the vicinity of the point assembly of the writing instrument body, wherein an air channel that communicates between the spaces being separated by the inner cap, or the front end side space and the writing instrument body side space, inside the cap, is formed around the outer periphery of the inner cap when the cap is fitted to the writing instrument body.
Further, it is preferred that the clip has an attachment portion at one end thereof to be attached to the cap and the attachment portion is arranged on the outer periphery of the cap so as not to extend beyond the front end of the cap while the other clip end is formed to be a free end, which is arranged on the periphery of the cap so as not to extend beyond the writing instrument body side end of the cap.
Still, it is preferred that the vent hole formed in the cap is configured so as not to be visible.
According to the present invention, the clip attachment to which the clip is fitted is protectively formed on the outer periphery of the cap and the clip attachment is formed with the vent hole penetrating between the interior and exterior of the cap. When the clip is set to the clip attachment, the vent hole is covered by the clip, hence cannot be externally seen. As a result, it is possible to create an air path for protection against choking without any loss of appearance.
Further, since the cap is constructed of a cap body and crown portion which can be separated and put together, the complex cap configuration can be divided into simple components and partially modified. In addition, cap assembly can be simplified.
Since the depressed portion is formed along the contour of the clip attachment, the depressed portion secures an air path in a case where the cap is accidentally swallowed. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the ventilation together with the vent hole formed on the outer periphery of the cap.
Even in the case where the cap incorporates the inner cap for sealing the vicinity of the point assembly of the writing instrument body, provision of the air channel around the periphery of the inner cap makes it possible to secure an air passage for protection from choking while keeping correct sealing around the point assembly.
Since the clip length is specified so as not to exceed the cap length so that the clip does not project beyond the cap end, this arrangement provides the function without snagging and makes itself stylish in appearance.
Further, configuration of the vent hole in the cap so as not to be visible provides a stylish appearance.
a) is an illustrative view showing an overall configuration of a writing instrument to which a writing instrument cap according to the embodiment of the present invention is fitted, (b) is an illustrative view showing the state where the writing instrument is being used;
a) is a side view showing the configuration of a crown portion of the writing instrument cap, (b) is a sectional view cut along a plane A1–A2 in (a), and (c) is a sectional view cut along a plane B1–B2 in (a);
a) is a plan view showing a state where a clip of the present embodiment is attached, (b) is a plan view showing a state where the clip has been assembled;
The embodiments of the present invention will herein below be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
The present embodiment is a writing instrument 1 including a writing instrument body 2 and a separate writing instrument cap 3, as shown in
The writing instrument body 2 is comprised of an ink tank portion 4 filled up with ink therein and a rear barrel covering the outer periphery of the rear part of the ink tank portion 4.
In a point assembly 8 in front of the ink tank portion 4, a writing point 8a is assembled by means of tip supports 6 and 7. An ink collector 10 is disposed inside ink tank portion 4 in the rear of the point assembly 8 so as to retain ink and prevent ink leakage.
The ink collector 10 has many annular grooves or retaining grooves 10a formed on the outer periphery with a longitudinal groove (not shown) formed to connect the retaining grooves 10a. This longitudinal groove is connected to an ink chamber 11. When air inside ink chamber 11 expands due to change in temperature or the like and pushes out ink from ink chamber 11, the ink passes through the longitudinal groove and is temporarily stored in retaining grooves 10a so that ink will not blot from point assembly 8. Further, when air inside the ink chamber contracts and reverts back to the original state, ink in retaining grooves 10a returns to ink chamber 11.
An ink feed insert hole 12 is axially formed in the center of ink collector 10. An ink feed 13 is inserted into this ink feed insert hole 12 and press fitted or loosely fitted in the rear part (the ink chamber side) of the ink feed insert hole 12 while the front end of the ink feed 13 is connected to point assembly 8 so that ink from ink chamber 11 can be supplied to point assembly 8.
Formed on the side surface of ink collector 10, through which ink feed insert hole 12 for attachment of ink feed 13 that feeds ink from ink chamber 11 to point assembly 8 is formed, is a vent hole (not shown) connected to the ink feed insert hole 12.
A thread portion 4a is formed on the outer periphery of the ink tank portion 4, in the approximate center with respect to the longitudinal direction so that it can be screwed into rear barrel 5. The external shape of the ink tank portion 4 is constructed so that the front part 4c, separated by the thread portion 4a from the rear part 4d, forms a so-called stepped structure shown generally as stepped portion 4b. Part A portion of the ink tank 4, from this stepped portion 4b toward the front part 4c, is made narrower forming a tapered shape. Rear part 4d is made slightly narrower from the thread portion 4a to the rear, forming a tapered shape.
The rear barrel 5 is made of transparent resin, and one end, designated at 5a, is formed to be open. A thread portion 5b is formed on the inside surface in the position corresponding to the thread portion 4a. In addition, the rear barrel has a cylindrical external shape slightly tapered from the one end 5a to the rear end 5c, accommodating the rear part 4d of the ink tank portion 4 therein and totally and circumferentially covering the rear part 4d.
The one end 5a is formed to have a greater diameter than the outside diameter of the stepped portion 4b so that the stepped portion 4b abuts thereon when the ink tank portion 4 is screw fitted and so that it serves as a so-called stopper when the writing instrument cap 3 is fitted.
The rear end 5c forms the rearmost part of the rear barrel 5, having a closed, approximate semi-spherical shape with a vent hole 15 formed at the approximate center so as to connect the interior of the rear barrel 5 and the outside.
The writing instrument cap 3 is comprised of a separate cap body 20 and a crown portion 21. The cap body 20 and crown portion 21 are constructed removably one from the other. An inner cap 22 (
The cap body 20 is made of transparent resin and approximately cylindrical, having a front opening 20a at one end to which crown portion 21 is fitted and a rear opening 20b (
As shown in
The inside diameter of the rear opening 20b (
The crown portion 21 (
A guide portion 21j for guiding the inner cap 22 is projected rearwards in the direction of an axis AX (
The outside diameter of the cylinder at the other end 21b (
Further, an attachment surface 21c (
The clip attachment 21e, as shown in
Further, as shown in
The aforementioned two guide grooves 21f are formed so that they become more distant from each other (forming a wide, approximately rectangular, wedge-like shape) from the front end 21a side toward the other end 21b side, in the sectional horizontal view (
A depressed portion 21h, depressed with respect to the external form of the front end 21a is formed as shown in
Depressed portion 21h provides direct communication between the front end 21a side and the other end 21b and/or communication between the front end 21a side and the interior of crown portion 21 by way of vent hole 25 when crown portion 21 is accidentally swallowed.
The clip 23 is formed of metal so that the length of the clip 23 is shorter than the length of writing instrument cap 3, as shown in
To cover the clip attachment 21e, the attachment portion 23a is formed, as shown in
Therefore, the opposing part of attachment portion 23a to the clip attachment 21e has an approximate C-shaped section (bottom-opening C) when viewed from the side, as shown in
Each edge of attachment portion 23a opposing to the guide groove 21f is bent and projected in the depth direction of the guide groove, as shown in
As shown in
When clip 23 is attached in place to the clip attachment 21e, a clearance is formed between the clip attachment 21e and attachment portion 23a, forming an air passage 24, as shown in
The inner cap 22, as shown in
The air passage 27 is connected to the outside of writing instrument cap 3 by way of the vent hole 25.
The inner cap 22 has a guide hole 22a at one end, into which guide portion 21j of crown portion 21 is inserted. A coil spring 26 is arranged in the guide hole 22a. The other end of inner hollow cap 22 is formed with a hollow 22b in which point assembly 8 is accommodated so that writing point 8a is kept out of contact with the inner wall of inner cap 22 while part of the outer periphery of the point assembly 8 abuts the opening rim 22c.
Projected from the bottom of the guide hole 22a toward the opening side is a stopper portion 22f, which is positioned so as not to abut the guide portion 21j when point assembly 8 is accommodated in place in the writing instrument cap 3.
Inner hollow cap 22 has a plurality of guide vanes 22d projectively formed on its outer periphery closer to the other end 22c and arranged circumferentially. These guide vanes guide the inner peripheral wall of cap body 20, so that the outer peripheral wall of inner cap 22 will be kept out of contact with the inner peripheral wall of cap body 20 and so that inner cap 22 can be slid. Air channels 22e are defined between adjoining guide vanes 22d so as to establish communication between the cap's front end 21a side and the writing element 1 side inside the inner cap 22. Thereby the space on the writing element 1 side is adapted to communicate with the front space of cap 3 by way of air channels 22e, air passage 27, vent hole 25, air passage 24 and depressed portion 21h.
Next, attachment of the writing instrument cap of the present embodiment will be described.
When writing instrument 1 is unused, writing instrument cap 3 is fitted on point assembly 8 of writing instrument 1 so as to avoid exposure of point assembly 8 or its accidental staining, as well as to avoid drying of the writing point.
In this state, writing instrument cap 3, as shown in
The inner cap 22 is urged against point assembly 8 by means of coil spring 26 while guide portion 21j of crown portion 21 is kept out of contact with stopper portion 22f of the inner cap 22 (
On the other hand, when writing instrument 1 is used, writing instrument cap 3 is removed from the front end of writing instrument body 2 and attached to the rear end of the writing instrument body 2.
In this situation, writing instrument cap 3 is attached to rear barrel 5 in a manner that inner cap hold 20d and ink tank hold 20e tightly fit rear end 5c of rear barrel 5 while inner cap 22 is thrust, as shown in
In this case, rear end 5c presses coil spring 26 so as to push inner cap 22 in to writing instrument cap 3 until stopper portion 22f abuts guide portion 21j of crown portion 21, whereby the cap is attached in the predetermined position in the rear end of rear barrel 5 (
According to the present embodiment thus configured, since separate inner cap 22 is arranged inside writing instrument cap 3, it is possible for writing instrument cap 3 to protect writing point 8a and prevent writing point 8a from drying when the writing instrument is unused. Since a plurality of guide vanes 22d are formed on the outer periphery of the inner cap 22, it is possible to make communication between the spaces before and behind inner cap 22 in cap 3. As a result, the spaces before and behind inner cap 22 are connected to the spaces before and behind cap 3, whereby it is possible to avoid a choking hazard by air channels 22e created by guide vanes 22d in case writing instrument cap 3 is accidentally swallowed.
Further, since depressed portion 21h is formed along the contour of the clip attachment 21e of the crown portion 21 so that the depressed portion 21h creates air passages 28 in the front end 21a-to-rear end 21b direction and in the front end 21a-to-vent hole 25 direction as shown in
Since clip 23 is constructed so that it can slide from the front end 21a side to the other end 21b side along guide grooves 21f formed on the flank portions of clip attachment 21e that is projected on the outer side of writing instrument cap 3, and fits into the guide grooves 21f, this makes clip attachment work easy.
Further, since writing instrument cap 3 is constructed of cap body 20 and crown portion 21 which can be separated and put together, complex writing instrument cap 3 can be designed and manufactured from separate parts. As a result, the configurations of the parts of cap 3 can be simplified, and partial modifications can be added. Furthermore, since the cap can be assembled easily, it is possible to improve assembly performance.
Since the length of clip 23 is specified so as not to exceed the length of cap body 20, the clip does not project beyond the end of cap 20, hence provides its function without snagging and makes itself stylish in appearance.
In the present embodiment, guide vanes 22d for creating an up-and-down configuration on the outer periphery of inner cap 22 are provided so as to define air channels 22e that extend in the longitudinal direction of inner cap 22, in cooperation with cap body 20. However, the shape of the inner cap should not be limited to this, and any configuration can be used as long as it will create air channels extending in the longitudinal direction around the outer periphery of the inner cap. For example, ventilation grooves may be provided in the outer periphery of the inner cap. Alternatively, the inner cap may be formed with a tubular vent hole so that the inner cap by itself can create an air channel.
In the present embodiment, gripping portion 23c formed in clip 23 is attached to clip attachment 21e, but the method of attachment of the clip should not be limited thereto. This means that any configuration can be used as long as vent hole 25 formed in the clip attachment can be covered by a separate clip so that the vent hole 25 cannot be externally seen and air passage 24 can be formed between clip attachment 21e and clip 23.
Further, in the present embodiment, the constituent parts of the writing instrument are formed of transparent resin so that the interior structure is visible. But the present invention should not be limited to this, the parts may be formed of opaque material, and should not be limited to particular colors.
Next, the second embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
In the drawings, parts with the same reference numerals as those in
As shown in
The cap body 120 is made of transparent resin, having the overall shape of an approximate cylinder, with a front end 120a of an approximate semispherical shape or approximate bullet shape.
The front end 120a is formed with a guide portion 121j which is projected rearwards in the direction of the axis from the interior thereof so as to guide the inner cap 122.
Formed at the opening rear end 120b of cap body 120 is an opening 120c to which point assembly 8 is fitted.
As shown in
The inside diameter of the opening 120c is formed to be slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the stepped portion 4b (
Formed projectively and integrally with cap body 120 on its outer periphery 120f, on the front end 121a side with respect to the longitudinal center of the cap body 120, is a clip attachment 121, as shown in
A top surface 121c of the clip attachment 121 has an approximately rectangular, wedge-like shape in the side view (see
The clip attachment 121, as shown in
Further, as shown in
The aforementioned guide grooves 121f are formed so that they form a wide, approximate rectangular wedge-like shape from the front end 121a side toward the other end 121b side, in the horizontal view (
The clip 123 is formed of metal so that the length of the clip 123 is shorter than the length of cap body 120, as shown in
The attachment portion 123a covers the upper part of clip attachment 121, as shown in
The opposing part of attachment portion 123a to the clip attachment 121 is bent in an approximate C-shaped section (bottom-opening C) when viewed from the side, as shown in
Each end 123f of the gripping portion 123e located on the other end 121b side abuts stopper portion 121g of the guide groove 121f so as to position the clip 23 when clip 123 is fitted into guide grooves 121f of clip attachment portion 121.
When clip 123 is attached in place to the clip attachment 121, a clearance is formed between the clip attachment 121 and attachment portion 123a, forming an air passage 124, as shown in
Air passage 124 establishes communication between vent hole 125 and the outside of cap body 120 and also makes communication between vent hole 125 and the outside of the front end 120a of the cap body 120 by way of hollowed portion 123d.
The inner cap 122 (
The air passage 127 is connected to the outside of cap body 120 by way of the vent hole 125 and air passage 124.
The inner cap 122 has a guide hole 122a at one end, into which guide portion 121j of front end 120a of cap body 120 is inserted. A coil spring 126 is arranged in the guide hole 122a. The other end is formed with a hollow 122b in which point assembly 8 (
Projected from the bottom of the guide hole 122a toward the opening side is a stopper portion 122f, which is positioned so that the stopper portion 122f will not abut guide portion 121j when point assembly 8 is accommodated in place in cap body 120.
Inner cap 122 has a plurality of guide vanes 122d projectively formed on its outer periphery closer to the opening rim 122c and arranged circumferentially. These guide vanes 122d guide the inner peripheral wall of cap body 120, so that the outer peripheral wall of inner cap 122 will be kept out of contact with the inner peripheral wall of cap body 120 and so that inner cap 122 can be slid. Air channels 122e are defined between adjoining guide vanes 122d so as to establish communication between the cap's front end side and the writing element side inside the inner cap 122.
Next, attachment of the writing instrument cap of the second embodiment will be described.
Handling of writing instrument cap 100 (
That is, when the writing instrument is unused, writing instrument cap 100 is fitted on point assembly 8 (
In this state, writing instrument cap 100, as shown in
The inner cap 122 is urged against point assembly 8 by means of coil spring 126 while guide portion 121j of cap body 120 is kept out of contact with stopper portion 122f of the inner cap 122. By this arrangement, opening rim 122c seals point assembly 8 so as to hermetically keep the point assembly inside the hollow 122b.
On the other hand, when the writing instrument is used, writing instrument cap 100 is removed from the front end of writing instrument body 2 and attached to the rear end of the writing instrument body 2.
In this situation, writing instrument cap 100 is attached to rear barrel 5 in the same manner as shown in
The cap body 120 is attached in the predetermined position of the rear end of rear barrel 5, in such a manner that rear end 5c (
According to the second embodiment thus configured, since inner cap 122 is arranged inside cap body 120 and the plurality of guide vanes 122d are formed on the outer periphery of the inner cap 122 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, it is possible for writing instrument cap 100 to protect writing point 8a and prevent writing point 8a from drying when the writing instrument is unused and air channels 122e formed by guide vanes 122d secure communication between air passage 127 connected to the outer space on the writing tip 120a side and opening 120c in case the writing instrument cap 100 is accidentally swallowed, whereby it possible to avoid a choking hazard.
Since clip 123 is constructed so that it is attached to guide grooves 121f formed on the flank portions of clip attachment 121 that is projected on the outer periphery 120f of cap body 120, this makes clip attachment work easy.
Since the length of clip 123 is specified so as not to exceed the length of cap body 120 as in the first embodiment, the clip does not project beyond the cap end, this arrangement hence provides the function without snagging and makes itself stylish in appearance.
Further, since, in writing instrument cap 100, cap body 120 is configured integrally with clip attachment 121, differing from the configuration of the first embodiment, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and simplify assembly of writing instrument cap 100. Thus, assembly work performance can be improved.
In the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, guide vanes are provided on the outer periphery of inner cap 122 so as to create air channels. However, the shape of inner cap 122 should not be limited to this, and any configuration can be used as long as it will create air passage 127 around the outer periphery of inner cap 122. For example, ventilation grooves or vent holes may be provided in the outer periphery of inner cap 122.
In the second embodiment, gripping portion 123e is formed in clip 123 and is attached to clip attachment 121 as in the first embodiment, but the method of attachment of the clip should not be limited thereto. This means that any configuration can be used as long as vent hole 125 formed in clip attachment 121 can be covered by separate clip 123 so that the vent hole 125 cannot be externally seen and air passage 124 can be formed between clip attachment 121 and clip 123.
Further, in the second embodiment, the constituent parts of the writing instrument are formed of transparent resin so that the interior structure can be seen. But the present invention should not be limited to this, the parts may be formed of opaque material, and should not be limited to particular colors.
Next, a variational example of writing instrument cap 100 of the second embodiment will be described.
As shown in
According to this variational example, provision of depressed portion 121h along the contour of clip attachment 121, makes it possible to create a greater air passage 128 with depressed portion 121h as shown in
As has been described, according to the writing instrument caps defined in claims 1 to 6 of the present invention, a vent hole communicating with the interior of the cap is formed in the clip attachment projectively formed on the outer periphery of the cap, and a clip as a separate part is attached to the clip attachment. In this way, with the simple structure, it is possible to cover the clip attachment and the vent hole and create an air passage between the clip and clip attachment. As a result, it is possible to highly effectively realize a safe structure which can secure an air passage even in a case where the cap is accidentally swallowed, without degrading any stylishness in appearance.
The writing instrument cap according to the present invention is suitable for a writing instrument cap which can secure ventilation passage when accidentally swallowed.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2001-002006 | Jan 2001 | JP | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/JP02/00086 | 1/10/2002 | WO | 00 | 6/9/2003 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO02/055316 | 7/18/2002 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4990015 | Perrin | Feb 1991 | A |
5427464 | Nakagawa | Jun 1995 | A |
5601376 | Badr et al. | Feb 1997 | A |
Number | Date | Country |
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197889 | Aug 1996 | JP |
169196 | Jun 1997 | JP |
22579697 | Jun 1998 | JP |
2000-043477 | Feb 2000 | JP |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20040028465 A1 | Feb 2004 | US |