An applicator

Abstract: An applicator includes: a barrel body (2); a holder (4) having a ball house (4a) with an ejecting opening (4a1) at front end for allowing the liquid from the barrel body to flow out; a ball (6) held in the ball house, as being partially exposed to the outside through the ejecting opening; a spherical evading member (10) disposed on the rear side of the ball and having a smaller diameter than that of the ball; a ball seat disposed in the rear part of the ball house, for receiving the rear side of the evading member; a liquid conduit provided in an approximately central part of the ball seat; longitudinal grooves formed on the inside wall of the liquid conduit; and a pressing means (12) disposed through the liquid conduit for urging the evading member forward.

Description: The present invention relates to an applicator of a liquid, and particularly relates to an applicator which stores an applying liquid such as a correcting liquid, water-color or oil-based ink, a cosmetic etc., to apply the liquid onto to an applied surface such as a sheet of paper. Conventionally, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open Hei 5 No.51,480 has disclosed an applicator which includes: a barrel member (applying liquid container) storing a liquid such as a correcting liquid as an applying liquid; a holder (tip) having a ball house with an ejecting opening at the front end thereof through which the liquid is ejected; and a ball (spherical applying member) which is held in the ball house and urged forward so that part of the ball projects outside from the ejecting opening. The ball is held in the ball house in such a manner that it abuts an inward edge at the front part of the ball house while being movable in a separating direction from the edge. As the ball abuts against or separates from the edge, the ejecting opening is closed or opened. Formed at the rear part of the ball house is a ball seat which supports the rear side of the ball when the ball is pressed against an applied surface and moved rearward. A liquid conduit for conducting the liquid from the barrel body to the ball house is formed in a substantially center on the cross-section of the ball seat. A moving piece (pressing means) which, as urged by a spring, abuts the rear side of the ball at its front end to elastically press the ball forward, is disposed through the liquid conduit. When a user uses a conventional applicator thus configurated and causes the ball to press an applied surface, the ejecting opening is released while the rear side of the ball is brought into contact with the ball seat. In this condition, as the ball is made to roll, it is possible to apply the liquid in desired places on the applied surface. Meanwhile, in the aforementioned conventional applicator, when the ball is pressed against the applied surface and forced to move backward, the rear side of the ball blocks the liquid conduit, therefore it cannot be expected that the liquid is well supplied through the liquid conduit. Accordingly, some or several longitudinal grooves are formed on the inner wall of the liquid conduit, along the conducting direction, so that small clearances formed between the longitudinal grooves and the ball may allow the liquid to enter the ball house. However, when the user performs application with the device by rolling the ball over the applied surface, the ball will rotate with the rear side thereof pressed against the ball seat. Therefore, as the applicator is repeatedly used, the ball seat wears out and consequently the longitudinal grooves which are the only supplying channel of the liquid could be blocked, which means no supplying of the liquid into the ball house. The above problems stand out especially when the viscosity of the liquid used is low or when the liquid contains pigments. That is, when the liquid has high viscosity, the liquid itself effectively functions as a lubricant for alleviating the abrasion of the ball seat. On the other hand, if the viscosity of a liquid used is low, the lubricating power is ineffective. Therefore, the ball seat is very liable to wear down. Specifically, if the viscosity of a liquid is less than 30cps, the abrasion of the ball seat becomes an outstanding factor to cause deficiencies. When the applying liquid is a correcting liquid containing organic and/or inorganic pigments or an ink containing pigments etc., presenting opacity, the liquid must contain titanium oxide and the like, which behaves as a polishing agent in the aforementioned process of wearing down, thus further promoting the ball seat to be worn out. Since some liquids used for devices of this kind contain pigments which are susceptible to sedimentation, an agitating member such as balls, rods etc., for agitating the liquid inside the barrel body should be provided. If such an applicator is stored for a prolonged period of time, the sediment adheres to the ball seat and thereabout to thereby block the channels formed by the aforementioned grooves. When the applicator is repeatedly used in this condition, reduction of the ejecting amount of the liquid will be accelerated by the combination of the wearing down and the blockage by the sediment. To solve these problems, the inner diameter of the ball house may be enlarged in order to increase the clearance between the ball and the inner wall of the ball house. This configuration assures large opening sections of the longitudinal grooves, making it possible to prevent the passage of the liquid from being clogged even if the ball seat has been worn out. In this case, however, the outside dimension of the holder must become large as the inner diameter of the ball house is made large. Therefore, the size of the holder becomes large relative to the ball size, and consequently the device becomes difficult to handle when characters etc., are to be written or small parts are to be applied. Further, there is a fear that the clearance between the ball and the ball house becomes greater than needed. In such a case, the liquid flows out excessively, so that it is impossible to eject the liquid in a proper amount. The above problems occur in the same way as to the applicator disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open Sho 57 No.193,578. A ball-point pen disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open Sho 52 No.39,228 has a pair of balls arranged in the length-wise direction inside a ball holding portion (corresponding to the aforementioned ball house) in order to reduce the abrasion of a ball receiving portion (corresponding to the aforementioned ball seat). In this configuration, however, the balls are held in close contact with projections formed on the inner wall of the ball holding portion, so that when the two balls are pressed backward at writing, the inner ball completely blocks the liquid conduit formed in the center of the ball receiving portion. As a result, the only passage of supplying ink (corresponding to the aforementioned liquid) assured is ink conducting grooves (corresponding to the aforementioned longitudinal grooves), which cannot allow sufficient supplying of ink. Further, in the configuration disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open Sho 52 No.39,228, the sealing performance at the tip opening portion (corresponding to the ejecting opening) is dependent upon the clearance between the ball and the opening portion. That is, for some types of liquids, closing and opening of the opening portion cannot be effected well enough, possibly causing deficiencies such as liquid leaking. FR-A-461 361 discloses a dispenser for ink of low viscosity utilizing capillarity having a couple of serial balls. From the title and text, it is clear that it is directed to a dispenser for an optional liquid. The liquid flows out via capillary around the balls. The applicator of the present invention is not an ink-dispenser which utilizes ink-flow via capillary but the ink stored in the applicator is a ink containing pigments. In the present invention, in order to allow a flow of the ink with pigments, a substantial clearance or gap between the ball and ball house is formed much larger than a gap considered to be a sort of capillary. The reason for forming a large gap is to let the evading member shift laterally so as to create larger in passage by opening the conduit, besides a purpose of ink-flow adjustment. The dimension of ink passage thus varies dynamically. Even for ink with much pigments which are susceptible to sedimentation (in such case, agitating means is provided inside barrel body to agitate and re-disperse the pigments in the ink before use), it is possible to secure the ink-passage. FR-A-2 665 649 discloses a marker pen for paint. This configuration of the marker pen is not provided with liquid conduits or an evading member for maintaining initial performance of liquid conduits as in the present invention. In Fig. 2, for example, the ball is disposed alone, that is to say, the ball is standing by itself without any contact with other balls. This is due to the configuration of the marker pen, wherein the ball is confined within a ball house in which the space for the ball is closed axial direction-wise at the front and rear end thereof. The present invention has been achieved in view of what is discussed above as to the conventional applicators, and it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an applicator which is able to prevent reduction of the ejecting amount of the liquid due to repeated use of the applicator and which is able to eject a proper amount of the applying liquid smoothly and reliably effect opening and closing of the ejecting opening. The above object is achieved with the features of the claims. It is effective for each of the above applicators of the present invention to satisfy at least one of the following conditions: the liquid has viscosity of less than 30 cps; the liquid contains pigments while an agitating means for agitating the liquid is provided inside the barrel body; and the barrel body is a flexible tank for storing an applying liquid. In accordance with the present invention, when part of the ball is pressed onto an applied surface, the evading member of the smaller diameter moves rearward together with the ball and abuts the ball seat. Therefore, it is possible to establish a greater area of opening sections of the longitudinal grooves in the ball house as compared to the conventional applicator in which a ball of the greater diameter is made to directly abut the ball seat. Further, since the use of the evading member of the smaller diameter creates a greater clearance between the evading member and the inner wall of the ball house, the liquid having passed through the longitudinal grooves flows well through the clearance to the ball. Since the evading member of the smaller diameter than the ball abuts the ball seat, the reduction of the area of the opening sections of the longitudinal grooves due to the wear of the ball seat caused by repeated applications is smaller than that in the aforementioned conventional applicator. Accordingly, without modifying the diameter of the ball and the inside diameter of the ball house, therefore without increasing the outside dimension of the holder, it is possible to improve the flow of the liquid and to prevent the reduction of the ejecting amount of the liquid due to the abrasion of the ball seat. It should be noted that the clearance between the ball and the inner wall of the ball house can be set up adaptively in conformity with the fluidity of a liquid used, so that the liquid can be ejected in an proper amount. Further, the flow of the liquid around the evading member can be improved by both the liquid conduit and the plurality of longitudinal grooves formed on the inner wall of the liquid conduit as well as the inner wall of the small-diameter ball house. Since the evading member is held in the small-diameter ball house, the evading member will substantially at any time be aligned with the center of the ball on the center axis of the barrel body. Accordingly, the evading member will not largely deviate one-sidedly from the center axis at the time of applying, so that it is possible for the user to apply the liquid with good feeling. Since the ball is not pressed one-sidedly, but moved rightly forward to abut the inner wall of the ejecting opening, it is possible to reliably confine the ejecting opening. In contrast, in a case where, for example, a ball and an evading member are held in a ball house having a constant inner diameter associated with the diameter of the ball, the evading member is likely to be displaced in a radial direction in the ball house. Accordingly, there is a fear that feeling in applying might be degraded or the sealing performance at the ejecting opening might be deteriorated. As stated previously, in accordance with the invention, since the evading member of the smaller diameter than the ball abuts the ball seat, the reduction of the area of the opening sections of the longitudinal grooves due to the wear of the ball seat caused by repeated applications is smaller than that in the aforementioned conventional applicator. Accordingly, without modifying the diameter of the ball and the inside diameter of the ball house, therefore without increasing the outside dimension of the holder, it is possible to improve the flow of the liquid and to prevent the reduction of the ejecting amount of the liquid due to the abrasion of the ball seat. Further, it is possible to secure the closing and opening of the ejecting opening with the ball. It should be noted that the clearance between the ball and the inner wall of the large-diameter ball house can be set up adaptively in conformity with the fluidity of a liquid used, so that the liquid can be ejected in an proper amount. In accordance with the invention, when part of the ball is pressed onto an applied surface at the time of applying, the evading member together with the ball moves rearward and abuts the ball seat. In this condition, as the ball is moved while pressed against the applied surface, the ball rotates but the evading member does hardly rotate due to the following reasons 1) to 3): 1) Since the liquid exists between the ball and the evading member , this liquid serves as a lubricant, to thereby reduce the frictional force at the contact between the two. 2) The spherical evading member comes in contact with the ball at a single point. 3) Since both the ball and the evading member are spherical, it is possible to readily produce these parts with high sphericity. Accordingly, it is possible to achieve improved surface smoothness in producing the both elements, therefore it is possible to further reduce the friction therebetween. Because of the above reasons 1) to 3), the ball rotates skidding relative to the evading member so that the rotation will hardly be transferred to the evading member. As a result, the ball seat is hardly worn down by the evading member, therefore the area of opening sections of the longitudinal grooves formed on the inside wall of the liquid conduit will vary little. Since the ball house is defined by a substantially cylindrical smooth surface having an inside diameter greater than the diameter of the ball, the evading member and the ball will be able to move not only in the aforementioned abutting/separating direction (to be referred to as a longitudinal direction) but also in directions at right angles with the longitudinal direction (to be referred to as a lateral direction). For this reason, when part of the ball is pressed onto an applied surface at the time of applying and therefore the ball is moved backward, the evading member will abut the inside wall of the ball house and the ball seat with its center one-sided off the central axis of the ball house in a lateral direction. As a result, the opening brim of the liquid conduit will not be completely blocked by the rear side of the evading member. Accordingly, the supplying of the liquid to the ball and the ejecting opening can be done not only through the longitudinal-grooves but also through the liquid conduit, whereby a further improved flowing condition of the liquid can be secured. All the effects described above makes it possible for the applicator to maintain an initially designated ejecting flow of the liquid even after the usage of a prolonged period of time. In accordance with the present invention, since a pressing member abutting the rear side of the evading member and urging the evading and the ball forward is disposed through the liquid conduit, the ball as well as the evading member is pressed forward. This improves the sealing performance between the ball and the ejecting opening, thus making it possible to reliably effect the closing and opening of the ejecting opening. Further, since the ball house is composed of a large-diameter ball house for holding a ball and a small-diameter ball house for holding an evading member, it is possible to regulate the moving amount of the deviation of the evading member in the lateral direction by controlling only the inside diameter of the small-diameter ball house and the diameter of the evading member, independently of the ball and the large-diameter ball house. Accordingly, by increasing only the movable amount of the evading member in the lateral direction, regardless of the moving amount of the ball in the lateral direction as to be a factor of affecting the feeling in applying, it is possible to force the evading member farther aside in the lateral direction so as to abut the inner wall of the small-diameter ball house and the ball seat, whereby an increased area of unblocked portion of the liquid conduit or an increased opening portion can be established. On contrary, it is possible to prevent the degradation due to the excessive lateral displacement of the evading member, by decreasing only the moving amount of the evading member in the lateral direction. In each of the features of the invention, when a liquid having viscosity of less than 30 cps is used, the following effect can be expected: That is, in a case where the liquid contains pigments and therefore agitating members for agitating the liquid are needed in the barrel body; even if pigments cause sedimentation and adhere onto the ball seat and thereabout, there is no possibility that the conducting passage of the liquid would be clogged and the flow of the liquid would be blocked because the area of the opening sections of the longitudinal grooves and the flowing passage are taken large. On the other hand, in a case where the liquid contains pigments and therefore agitating members for agitating the liquid are needed in the barrel body; even if the viscosity of a liquid used is less than 30 cps and therefore the liquid can not be expected to serve as a lubricant, it is possible to improve the flow of the liquid and inhibit the lowering of the ejecting mount of liquid by the advantageous effects described above. When, for example, a high-viscosity liquid or a liquid whose viscosity increases remarkably with lowering in temperature is used, it is difficult for the liquid to spontaneously flow out. Even in such a case, by forming the barrel body as a tank of the applying liquid with a flexible material, it is possible to force the liquid to enter the ball house by squeezing the barrel body. Accordingly, it is possible for the applicator using such a high-viscosity liquid to inhibit the degradation of the ejecting amount of the liquid due to the wear of the ball seat as well as to easily eject the liquid. In the present invention having features described above, as to the depth of the longitudinal grooves, the bottoms of longitudinal grooves are preferably formed outside the edge of the geometric projection of the evading member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig.1 is a vertical section showing an applicator of a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig.2 is an enlarged vertical section of a tip portion of the applicator of the first embodiment, with an ejecting opening closed; Fig.3 is an enlarged vertical section of the tip portion of the applicator of the first embodiment, with the ejecting opening opened; Fig.4 is a vertical section showing an applicator of a second embodiment; Fig.5 is an enlarged vertical section of a tip portion of the applicator of the second embodiment, with an ejecting opening closed; Fig.6 is an enlarged vertical section of the tip portion of the applicator of the second embodiment, with the ejecting opening opened; Fig.7 is an enlarged vertical section of a tip portion of an applicator of a third embodiment, with an ejecting opening opened; Fig.8 is an enlarged vertical section of a tip portion of an applicator of a fourth embodiment, with an ejecting opening closed; and Fig.9 is an enlarged vertical section of the tip portion of the applicator of the fourth embodiment, with the ejecting opening opened. An embodiment of an applicator of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Applicators termed in the present invention include correcting pens for applying a correcting liquid on an applied surface, writing implements such as a ball-point pen etc., for writing on an applied surface with water-color or oil-based ink, and other -applicators which use a liquid such as a cosmetic and the like as an applying liquid. Now, an applicator of a first embodiment will be described. Fig.1 is a vertical section showing an applicator of the first embodiment. Figs.2 and 3 are enlarged vertical sections showing a tip portion of the same applicator; Fig.2 is a view showing a state in which an ejecting opening is closed, whereas Fig.3 is a view showing a state in which the ejecting opening is opened. As shown in Figs.1 to 3, an applicator 8 of the first embodiment has a barrel body 2 having a liquid therein; a mouthpiece 14 attached to the front end of the barrel body 2; and a ball holder 4 which has a ball house 4a with an ejecting opening 4a1 at its front end through which the liquid flows out from the barrel body 2 and is fitted in the mouthpiece 14. Inside the ball house 4a, a ball 6, as partially exposed to the outside through the ejecting opening 4a1, is rotatably held forming an applying point or surface. This ball 6 is held so as to abut the inner wall around the ejecting opening 4a1 and can be moved in such a direction as to be separated from the abutting position, thus the ejecting opening 4a1 is closed and opened. That is, when part of the ball 6 is pressed against an applied surface, the clearance is created at the ejecting opening 4a1 and allows the liquid to eject out onto the applied surface. Provided on the rear side of the ball 6 in the ball house 4a of this applicator 8 is a spherical evading member 10. This evading member 10 has a diameter D1 smaller than a diameter D2 of the ball 6, is in contact with the rear side of the ball 6 and is able to move together with the ball 6. Formed at the rear part of the ball house 4a is a ball seat 4a2 which receives the rear side of the evading member 10 when part of the ball 6 is pressed against an applied surface so that the ball is moved backward. A liquid conduit 4b for conducting the liquid from the barrel body 2 into the ball house 4a is formed in the central portion on the cross-section of the ball seat 4a2. A plurality of longitudinal grooves 4c radially arranged about the liquid conduit 4b as a center, are formed on the inner wall of the liquid conduit 4b along the conducting direction of the liquid while a pressing means 12 is disposed through the liquid conduit 4b. This pressing means 12 abuts the rear side of the evading member 10 so as to urge the ball 6 and the evading member 10 forward. Now, configurations of the components will be explained in detail. The barrel body 2 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a tapered portion 2a which is made narrower toward the forward end of the barrel body 2 and a cylinder portion 2b which is continuously formed from the front end of the tapered portion 2a and opened at the other end. This barrel body 2 serves as a tank for an applying liquid. Since the barrel body 2 has flexibility, when it is squeezed and flexed, the liquid therein can be supplied to the ball house 4a. The mouthpiece 14 is composed of a tapered portion 14a in its forward part and a cylindrical portion 14c in its rear part; the tapered portion 14a has a peripheral side which is made narrower toward the front end while the cylindrical portion 14c has a smaller diameter than that at the rear end of the tapered portion 14a and is jointed to rear side of the tapered portion, forming a stepped portion 14b between the two parts. A plurality of longitudinal ribs 14c1 are formed on the inner wall of the rear part of the cylindrical portion 14c in parallel with the central axis of the mouthpiece 14. The thus formed mouthpiece 14 is squeezed into the barrel body 2 until the stepped portion 14b abuts the front face of the cylindrical portion 2b of the barrel body 2. The holder 4 has openings at both front and rear ends and takes a form of a cylinder with a tapered part at the front end. This holder 4 is joined to the mouthpiece 14 by squeezing it into the mouthpiece 14 until the rear end of the holder abuts the front ends of the longitudinal ribs 14c1 while the front half part of the holder is exposed to the outside. The ball house 4a is a hollow having a circular cross-section and holds the ball 6 so as to form a clearance that allows the liquid to pass through. An forward opening of the ball house 4a or ejecting opening 4a1 is generally called a press-fitting portion. This part will be press-fitted to be smaller than the diameter D2 of the ball 6 after the evading member 10 and the ball 6 are inserted into the ball house 4a. That is, the ball 6 and the evading member 10 can be held and confined inside the ball house 4a but are rotatable and movable therein. Here, the clearance between the ball 6 and the inside wall of the ball house 4a can adaptively be modified depending upon the type of a liquid used. The ball seat 4a2 is formed by the inner wall of the holder 4 projecting so that the inner diameter of the ball seat becomes smaller toward the rearward, that is, the ball seat is formed of a conically slanting surface. The liquid conduit 4b is a hollow having a circular cross-section and has a plurality of longitudinal grooves 4c, e.g., six grooves, each depressed below the level of the inner wall of the liquid conduit 4b and disposed at intervals of a predetermined distance in the peripheral direction of the liquid conduit 4b. The pressing means 12 is composed of: a pressing rod 12a whose front end comes through the liquid conduit 4b from the rearward and abuts the rear side of the evading member 10 and which has a large diameter portion 12a1 in a substantially central portion in its length-wise direction; and a compressing coil spring 12b whose front part is fitted on the rear part of the pressing rod 12a with its front end abutting a stepped face of the large diameter portion 12a1 and whose rear end is caught by the aforementioned ribs 14c1. The evading member 10 is held between the ball 6 and the pressing rod 12a with the help of a desired elastic force of the compressing coil spring 12b, whereby the center of the ball 6, the center of the evading member 10 and the axis of the pressing rod 12a are arranged in a line. The diameter D1 of the evading member 10 is smaller than that of the ball 6 and set up to be smaller than that of a circle (on the cross-sectional view) which circumscribes the bottoms of the aforementioned six longitudinal grooves 4c. With the applicator 8 of the first embodiment having components thus configurated, the liquid will be applied onto an applied surface such as a paper surface, as follows: At first, when the user holds the barrel body 2 with the holder 4 down and presses part of the ball 6 onto a paper surface etc., the ball 6 together with the evading member 10 moves rearward opposing the elastic force of the compressing coil spring 12b until the evading member 10 abuts the ball seat 4a2. In this condition, the liquid inside the barrel body 2 flows down through the passage of the mouthpiece 14 and the space between the inner wall of the holder 4 and the pressing rod 12a into the liquid conduit 4b. It is also possible to construct the barrel body 2 so that the liquid inside the barrel body 2 may be pushed out into the ball house 4a by squeezing the barrel body, as required. Although the opening of the liquid conduit 4b is blocked by the evading member 10, the liquid reaching the liquid conduit 4b flows into the ball house 4a through channels of the longitudinal grooves 4c and advances through the clearance S between the evading member 10 and the ball house 4a to the ball 6. The liquid arriving around the ball 6 is ejected out through the clearance between the ejecting opening 4a1 and the ball 6 as the ball 6 rolls. At that time, the front end of the holder 4 together with a small part of the ball 6 which comes out through the ejecting opening 4a1 and in contact with a paper surface etc., serves as an applying point and the ejected liquid is applied onto the paper surface and the like. In accordance with the applicator 8 of the first embodiment thus configurated and used, when part of the ball 6 is pressed onto the applied surface, the evading member 10 of the smaller diameter moves rearward and abuts the ball seat 4a2. Therefore, it is possible to establish a greater area of opening sections of longitudinal grooves 4c in the ball house 4a as compared to the conventional applicator in which a ball of the greater diameter is made to directly abut the ball seat. Since the longitudinal grooves 4c are formed so that the bottom portions of the grooves are positioned outside the edge of the geometric projection of the evading member 10, this makes large the area of opening sections of the longitudinal grooves 4c, whereby it is possible to supply a great amount of the liquid to the ball house 4a. Further, since the use of the evading member 10 of the smaller diameter creates a greater clearance S between the evading member 10 and the inner wall of the ball house 4a, the liquid having passed through the longitudinal grooves 4c flows well through the clearance S to the ball 6. Moreover, since the evading member 10 of the smaller diameter abuts the ball seat 4a2, the reduction of the area of the opening sections of the longitudinal grooves 4c due to the wear of the ball seat 4a2 caused by repeated applications is smaller than that in the aforementioned conventional applicator. Accordingly, without modifying the diameter D2 of the ball 6 and the inside diameter of the ball house 4a, therefore without increasing the outside dimension of the holder 4, it is possible to improve the flow of the liquid and to prevent the reduction of the ejecting amount of the liquid due to the abrasion of the ball seat 4a2. In a case where the liquid contains pigments and therefore agitating balls 16 (as an example of agitating members) for agitating the liquid are needed in the barrel body 2 (see Fig. 1) even if sedimentation of pigments takes place and adheres onto the ball seat 4a2 and thereabout, there is no possibility that the longitudinal grooves 4c would be totally clogged with the built up pigments to thereby block the flow of the liquid because the space around the ball seat 4a2 is taken roomy and the area of the opening sections of the longitudinal grooves 4c is taken large. Even when the viscosity of a liquid used is less than 30 cps and therefore the liquid can not be expected to serve as a lubricant since the reduction of the area of the opening sections of the longitudinal grooves 4c due to the wear of the ball seat 4a2 is small as mentioned above, it is possible to secure a good flow of the liquid and therefore it is possible to inhibit the lowering of ejecting amount of the liquid. When, for example, a high-viscosity liquid or a liquid whose viscosity increases remarkably with lowering in temperature is used, it is difficult for the liquid to spontaneously flow out through the liquid conduit 4b, longitudinal grooves 4c and the clearance between the ball 6 and the inner wall of the ball house 4. Even in such a case, it is possible for the above configuration to force the liquid to enter the ball house 4a by squeezing the barrel body 2. Accordingly, it is possible for the applicator using such a high-viscosity liquid to inhibit the degradation of the ejecting amount of the liquid due to the wear of the ball seat 4a2 as well as to easily eject the liquid. Next, Fig.4 is a vertical sectional view showing an applicator of a second embodiment. Figs.5 and 6 are enlarged vertical sections showing the tip portion of the applicator; Fig.5 shows a state in which an ejecting opening is closed and Fig.6 shows a state in which the ejecting opening is opened. An applicator 8 of the second embodiment basically has the same configuration with that already described as to the first embodiment with reference to Figs.1 to 3. Therefore, the description of the same components will be omitted. A main difference of this applicator 8 of the second embodiment from the applicator 8 of the first embodiment is that a ball house 4a of this embodiment is composed of at least two, larger and smaller chambers. That is, the ball house 4a comprises: a large-diameter ball house 4a3 having a greater inside diameter than a diameter D2 of a ball 6, for holding the ball 6; and a small-diameter ball house 4a4, which holds an evading member 10, is continuously joined from the rear end of the large-diameter ball house 4a3 and has an inside diameter smaller than that of the larger-diameter ball house 4a3 and greater than an outside diameter D1 of the evading member 10. Formed on the rear part of the small-diameter ball house 4a4 is a ball seat 4a2 for receiving the rear side of the evading member 10 when part of the ball 6 is pressed against an applied surface so that the ball is moved backward. A liquid conduit 4b for conducting the liquid from the barrel body 2 into the ball house 4a is formed in a central portion on the cross-section of the ball seat 4a2. A plurality of longitudinal grooves 4c radially arranged about the liquid conduit 4b as a center, are formed on the inner wall of the liquid conduit 4b as well as the inner wall of the small-diameter ball house 4a4, along the conducting direction of the liquid while a pressing means 12 is disposed through the liquid conduit 4b. This pressing means 12 abuts the rear side of the evading member 10 so as to urge the ball 6 and the evading member 10 forward. Now, configurations of the components will be explained in detail. As mentioned above, the same configurations already described as to the first embodiment will not be repeated. Initially, the ball house 4a is formed of two chambers having large and small circular cross-sections. That is, the ball house 4a is composed of: the large-diameter ball house 4a3 which creates a clearance between the ball 6 and the wall thereof to allow the liquid to flow around the ball 6; and the small-diameter ball house 4a4 which creates a clearance between the evading member 10 and the wall thereof, to allow the evading member 10 to move forward and backward or to allow the liquid to flow around the evading member 10. An forward opening of the ball house 4a or ejecting opening 4a1 is generally called a press-fitting portion. This part will be press-fitted to be smaller than the diameter D2 of the ball 6 after the evading member 10 and the ball 6 are inserted into the ball house 4a. That is, the ball 6 and the evading member 10 can be held and confined inside the ball house 4a but are rotatable and movable therein. Here, the clearance between the ball 6 and the inside wall of the large-diameter ball house 4a3 can adaptively be modified depending upon the type of a liquid used. The ball seat 4a2 is formed by the inner wall of the holder 4 projecting so that the inner diameter of the ball seat becomes smaller toward the rearward, that is, the ball seat is formed of a conically slanting surface. A liquid conduit 4b is a hollow having a circular cross-section. Provided on the inner walls of the liquid conduit 4b and the small-diameter ball house 4a4 are a plurality of longitudinal grooves 4c, e.g., five grooves, each depressed below the level of the inner walls and disposed at intervals of a predetermined distance in the peripheral direction of the liquid conduit 4b. A pressing means 12 is composed of: a pressing rod 12a whose front end comes through the liquid conduit 4b from the rearward and abuts the rear side of the evading member 10; and a compressing coil spring 12b whose front end abuts the rear side face of the pressing rod 12a and whose rear end is caught by ribs 14c1. As the operation of applying the liquid onto an applied surface with the applicator 8 of the second embodiment having components thus configurated is almost similar to that described in the first- embodiment, this operation will hereinafter be described omitting the common actions. That is, when the user holds the barrel body 2 with the holder 4 down and presses part of the ball 6 onto a paper surface etc., the liquid goes down. By this operation, the opening of the liquid conduit 4b is blocked by the evading member 10, in same manner as stated above, but the liquid reaching the liquid conduit 4b flows into the large-diameter ball house 4a3 through channels of the longitudinal grooves 4c and reaches the ball 6. The liquid arriving around the ball 6 is ejected out through the clearance between the ejecting opening 4a1 and the ball 6 as the ball 6 rolls. At that time, the front end of the holder 4 together with a small part of the ball 6 which comes out through the ejecting opening 4a1 and in contact with a paper surface etc., serves as an applying point and the ejected liquid is applied onto the paper surface and the like. When the user quits applying and separates the ball 6 from the paper surface or the like, the evading member 10 is moved forward by the pressing rod 12a which is urged by the compressing coil spring 12b and consequently the ball 6 returns to abut the inner wall of the ejecting opening 4a1. At that time, since the evading member 10 moves inside the small-diameter ball house 4a4 which permits a small margin or clearance for the evading member 10, the evading member 10, not deviating from the center, will press a substantially rearmost part of the ball 6. Therefore, the ball 6, not being pressed one-sidedly, moves rightly forward to abut the inner wall of the ejecting opening 4a1, thus making it possible to reliably confine the ejecting opening 4a1. Further, since depressed longitudinal grooves are formed on the inside wall of the small-diameter ball house 4a4 in which the evading member 10 is held, the liquid can satisfactorily be supplied around the ball 6. Moreover, without modifying the diameter D2 of the ball 6 and the inside diameter of the ball house 4a, therefore without increasing the outside dimension of the holder 4, it is possible to improve the flow of the liquid and to prevent the reduction of the ejecting amount of the liquid due to the abrasion of the ball seat 4a2. Since the evading member 10 is held in the smalldiameter ball house 4a4, the evading member 10 will substantially at any time be aligned with the center of the ball 6 on a center axis C of the barrel body 2. Accordingly, since the evading member 10 will not largely deviate one-sidedly from the center axis C at the time of applying, it is possible for the user to apply the liquid with good feeling. Since the ball 6 is not pressed one-sidedly, the ejecting opening 4a1 can be reliably confined therefore there is no fear that a leakage of the liquid or any other defect would occur at the time of non-applying. When, for example, a high-viscosity liquid or a liquid whose viscosity increases remarkably with reduction in temperature is used, it is difficult for the liquid to spontaneously flow out through the liquid conduit 4b, longitudinal grooves 4c and the clearance between the ball 6 and the inner wall of the large-diameter ball house 4a3. Even in such a case, it is possible for the above configuration to force the liquid to enter the ball house 4a by squeezing the barrel body 2. Accordingly, it is possible for the applicator using such a high-viscosity liquid to inhibit the degradation of the ejecting amount of the liquid due to the wear of the ball seat 4a2 as well as to easily eject the liquid. Next, third and fourth embodiments of the present invention will be described. An applicator of the third embodiment basically has the same configuration with that already described as to the first embodiment with reference to Figs.1 to 2. Therefore, the description of the same components will be omitted. Fig.7 shows an enlarged vertical view of a tip portion of the applicator of the third embodiment for illustrating dimensional relations of components such as an inside diameter of a ball house, a diameter of ball and the like. Figs.8 and 9 are illustrative views for the fourth embodiment. That is, Figs.8 and 9 are enlarged vertical sections showing a tip portion of the applicator in accordance with fourth embodiment. Fig.8 shows a state in which an ejecting opening is closed whereas Fig.9 shows a state in which the ejecting opening is opened. At first, the third embodiment will be explained. In the applicator 8, a ball house 4a is defined, as shown in Fig.7, by a substantially cylindrical smooth surface having a greater inside-diameter D than a diameter D2 of a ball 6. Provided on the rear side of the ball 6 in the ball house 4a is a ball or an evading member 10 having a diameter D1 which is approximately equal to the diameter D2 of the ball 6. This evading member 10 is arranged in such a manner as to abut the rear side of the ball 6 and be movable together with the ball 6. The ball house 4a is a hollow having a circular cross-section with a smooth inner surface, as shown in Fig.7 and has a clearance between the ball 6 and the inside wall thereof for allowing the liquid to flow around the ball. An forward opening of the ball house 4a or ejecting opening 4a1 is generally called a press-fitting portion. This part will be press-fitted to be smaller than the diameter D2 of the ball 6 after the evading member 10 and the ball 6 are inserted into the ball house 4a. That is, the ball 6 and the evading member 10 can be held and confined inside the ball house 4a but are rotatable and movable therein. A pressing means 12 is composed of: a pressing rod 12a whose front end comes through the liquid conduit 4b from the rearward and abuts the rear side of the evading member 10 and which has a large diameter portion 12a1 in a substantially central portion in its length-wise direction; and a compressing coil spring 12b whose front part is fitted on the rear part of the pressing rod 12a with its front end abutting a stepped face of the large diameter portion 12a1 and whose rear end is caught by ribs 14c1. Here, the pressing means should not limited to the pressing means 12. For example, a spring member such as a leaf spring, or a compressing coil spring tapered toward forward may directly be abutted against the rear side of the evading member 10. The evading member 10 is held between the ball 6 and the pressing rod 12a with the help of a desired elastic force of the compressing coil spring 12b, whereby the center of the ball 6, the center of the evading member 10 and the axis of the pressing rod 12a are arranged in a line. In the third embodiment, the diameter D2 of the ball 6 and the diameter D1 of the evading member 10 are set to be 1.0 mm while the inside diameter D of the ball house 4a is 1.1 mm. A movable distance of the ball 6 and the evading member along the length-wise direction L is 0.1 mm; a movable distance of the ball 6 in the lateral direction W at right angles to the axis is about 0.04 mm from the center; and a movable distance of the evading member 10 in the lateral direction W at right angles to the axis is about 0.05 mm from the center. An inside-diameter A1 of the liquid conduit 4b is 0.7 mm; and a distance B1 between bottoms of opposing longitudinal grooves 4c is 1.0 mm. Here, the aforementioned movable distance of the ball 6 in the lateral direction W at right angles to the axis is determined by the clearance which is created between the ball 6 and the brim of the ejecting opening 4a1 at the time of applying or in a condition where the evading member 10 is moved backward and abuts the ball seat 4a2. In this third embodiment, the movable distance of the ball 6 along the length-wise direction is 0.1 mm and an inside diameter d3 of the ejecting opening 4a1 is set to be 0.955 mm. In this arrangement, when the ball 6 is in a rearmost position, a diameter D2a (see Fig. 7) of an intersecting circle between the ball 6 and a plane including the edge of the ejecting opening 4a1 is 0.866 mm. Accordingly, the movable distance of the ball 6 in the lateral direction W at right angles to the axis is 0.089 mm from one extreme to the other extreme, or 0.044 mm ≡ 0.04 mm from the center. The movable distance of the evading member 10 in the lateral direction is calculated by the inside diameter D of the ball house 4a and the diameter D1 of the evading member 10, regardless of the inside diameter d3 of the ejecting opening 4a1. Here, the above-mentioned numerals can adaptively be modified depending upon the type of a liquid used and the diameters of the ball and evading member used. The ball 6 and the evading member 10 are most preferably composed of a cemented carbide or may be formed of a stainless steel. A hard plastic may be used only for the evading member 10. When the liquid is applied on an applied surface such as a paper surface by using the applicator 8 of the third embodiment thus configurated, the following effects can be obtained. At first, when the user holds the barrel body 2 with the holder 4 down and presses part of the ball 6 onto a paper surface etc., the ball 6 together with the evading member 10 moves rearward opposing the elastic force of the compressing coil spring 12b until the evading member 10 abuts the ball seat 4a2. In this condition, as the ball 6 is moved while pressed against the applied surface, the ball 6 rotates but the evading member does hardly rotate in the following reasons 1) to 3): 1) Since a liquid exists between the ball 6 and the evading member 10, this liquid serves as a lubricant, to thereby reduce the frictional force at the contact between the two. 2) The spherical evading member 10 comes in contact with the ball 6 at a single point. 3) Since both the ball 6 and the evading member 10 are spherical, it is possible to readily produce these parts with high sphericity. Accordingly, it is possible to achieve improved surface smoothness in producing the both elements, therefore it is possible to further reduce the friction therebetween. Because of the above reasons 1) to 3), the ball 6 rotates skidding relative to the evading member 10 so that the rotation will hardly be transferred to the evading member 10, as shown in Fig.7. As a result, the ball seat 4a2 is hardly worn down by the evading member 10, therefore the area of opening sections of longitudinal grooves 4c formed on the inside wall of the liquid conduit 4b will vary little. Further, since, as shown in Fig.7, the evading member 10 and the ball 6 are able to move both in the length-wise direction L and the lateral direction W inside the ball house 4a when the ball 6 is pressed against an applied surface and moved backward at the time of applying, the evading member 10 will abut the inside wall of the ball house 4a and the ball seat 4a2 with its center one-sided off the central axis C of the ball house 4a in the lateral direction (to the upper side in Fig.7). As a result, the opening brim designated at 4b1 of the liquid conduit 4b will not be completely blocked by the rear side of the evading member 10. That is, a gap S1 will be formed between the opening brim 4b1 and the evading member 10, as shown in Fig.7. The gap S1 is about 0.07 mm in the third embodiment. In this arrangement, the liquid stored in the barrel body 2, flowing through the passage of the mouthpiece 14 and the channel between the inside wall of the holder 4 and the pressing rod 12a, advances into the ball house 4a both through the longitudinal grooves 4c and the liquid conduit 4b. In other words, the supplying of the liquid to the ball 6 and the ejecting opening 4a1 can be done not only through the longitudinal grooves 4c but also through the liquid conduit 4b, whereby a further improved flowing condition of the liquid can be secured. Then, the liquid, passing through the clearance between the evading member 10 and the inner wall of the ball house 4, reaches the ball 6, and is ejected through the gap between the ejecting opening 4a1 and the ball 6 as the ball rolls. At that time, the front end of the holder 4 together with a small part of the ball 6 which comes out through the ejecting opening 4a1 and in contact with a paper surface etc., serves as an applying point and the ejected liquid is applied onto the paper surface and the like. It is also possible to construct the barrel body 2 so that the liquid inside the barrel body 2 may be pushed out into the ball house 4a by squeezing the barrel body, as required. In accordance with the third embodiment thus configurated, it is possible for the applicator 8 to maintain an initially designated ejecting flow of the liquid even after the usage of a prolonged period of time. The pressing means 12 urges the evading member 10 and the ball 6 forward. This enhances the sealing performance between the ball 6 and the ejecting opening 4a1 so as to reliably confine and open the ejecting opening 4a1. Consequently, it is also possible to prevent liquid leakage and other deficiencies. Next, an applicator of a fourth embodiment will be explained with reference to Figs.8 and 9. The embodiment basically has a similar configuration to that of the third embodiment and is an improved variation of the third embodiment. The improved point is that an evading member 10A having a smaller diameter D1a than the diameter D2 of the ball 6 is disposed rear side of the ball 6 inside the ball house 4a so that the evading member 10A is in contact with the rear side of the ball 6 and movable together with the ball 6. The ball house 4a is composed: a large-diameter ball house 4a3 having a greater inside diameter d2 than the diameter D2 of the ball 6 and holding the ball 6; and a small-diameter ball house 4a4 which holds the evading member 10, is continuously joined from the rear end of the large-diameter ball house 4a3 and has an inside diameter d1 smaller than the inside diameter d2 of the large-diameter ball house 4a3 and greater than the diameter D1a of the evading member 10. Each of the large-diameter ball house 4a3 and the small-diameter ball house 4a4 is formed of an approximately cylindrical smooth surface. Formed in the rear part of the small-diameter ball house 4a4 is a ball seat 4a2 for receiving the rear part of the evading member 10A when part of the ball 6 is pressed on an applied surface so that the ball is moved backward. A liquid conduit 4b for conducting the liquid from the barrel body 2 into the ball house 4a is provided in an approximately central part of the ball seat 4a2. A plurality of longitudinal grooves 4c radially arranged about the liquid conduit 4b as a center, are formed on the inner wall of the liquid conduit 4b, along the conducting direction of the liquid. In this fourth embodiment, the diameter D2 of the ball 6 is 1.0 mm while the diameter D1a of the evading member 10A is 0.7 mm. The inside diameter d2 of the large-diameter ball house 4a3 is 1.1 mm while the inside diameter d1 of the small-diameter ball house 4a4 is 0.85 mm. A movable distance of the ball 6 and the evading member along the length-wise direction L is 0.1 mm. A movable distance of the ball 6 in the lateral direction W at right angles to the axis is, similarly to the first embodiment, about 0.04 mm from the center and a movable distance of the evading member 10A in the lateral direction W at right angles to the axis is about 0.075 mm from the center. An inside-diameter A2 of the liquid conduit 4b is 0.42 mm; and a distance B2 between bottoms of opposing longitudinal grooves 4c is 0.75 mm. The same material represented in the aforementioned third embodiment can be used for forming the ball 6 and the evading member 10A. In accordance with the applicator of the fourth embodiment thus configurated, since the ball house 4a is constructed of the large-diameter ball house 4a3 and the small-diameter ball house 4a4, it is possible to adjust the moving amount of the evading member 10A in the lateral direction W by controlling only the inside diameter d1 of the small-diameter ball house 4a4 and the diameter D1a of the evading member 10A. Needless to say, the same effects as stated in the third embodiment can be expected. In the fourth embodiment, regardless of the movable amount of the ball 6 in the lateral direction as to be a factor of affecting the feeling in applying , only the movable amount of the evading member 10A in the lateral direction W is set up to be 0.075 mm from the center, as stated above. In this setup condition, when the applicator is used for applying and the evading member 10A is made to abut the inner wall of the small-diameter ball house 4a4 and the ball seat 4a2, it is possible to establish a greater displacement of the evading member 10A in the lateral direction to one side (to the upper side in Fig.9). Specifically, a more increased gap S2 of about 0.09 mm can be secured. Accordingly, the opening portion of the liquid conduit 4b (a substantially crescent-shaped opening if it is viewed from the front) can be further increased, whereby it is possible to achieve an improved ejection of the liquid. Although the fourth embodiment was constructed such that improved ejection of the liquid would be obtained by increasing the movable amount of the evading member 10A in the lateral direction W, it is also possible to set up the inside diameter d1 of the small-diameter ball house 4a4 and the diameter D1a of the evading member 10A so that the movable amount of the evading member 10A in the lateral direction W may be small. By this setup condition, it is also possible to prevent the degradation due to the excessive displacement of the evading member 10A in the lateral direction W. As to the applicators of the second through fourth embodiments, in a case where the liquid contains pigments and therefore agitating balls 16 (as an example of agitating members) for agitating the liquid are needed in the barrel body 2 (see Fig.1), similarly to the first embodiment even if pigments cause sedimentation and adhere onto the ball seat 4a2 and thereabout, the area of opening sections of the longitudinal grooves 4c will not vary very much by virtue of the operation described above while the liquid can be supplied through the liquid conduit 4b as stated above. Accordingly, adhered material, if any, can be removed quickly. Consequently, there is no possibility that the conducting passage of the liquid would be clogged thereby the flow of the liquid would be blocked. Even when the viscosity of a liquid used is less than 30 cps and therefore the liquid can not be expected to serve as a lubricant; since the reduction of the area of the opening sections of the longitudinal grooves 4c due to the wear of the ball seat 4a2 is small as mentioned above, it is possible to secure a good flow of the liquid and therefore it is possible to inhibit the lowering of ejecting amount of the liquid. When, for example, a high-viscosity liquid or a liquid whose viscosity increases remarkably with lowering in temperature is used, it is difficult for the liquid to spontaneously flow out through the liquid conduit 4b, longitudinal grooves 4c and the clearance between the ball 6 and the inner wall of the ball house 4. Even in such a case, it is possible for the above configuration to force the liquid to enter the ball house 4a by squeezing the barrel body 2. Accordingly, it is possible for the applicator using such a high-viscosity liquid to inhibit the degradation of the ejecting amount of the liquid due to the wear of the ball seat 4a2 as well as to easily eject the liquid. In accordance with the above embodiments, even when the liquid is of low-viscosity or contains pigments, it is possible to prevent the lowering of the ejecting amount of the liquid which would be caused by repeated applications, and to maintain good ejection of the liquid, without needing to enlarge the outside diameter of the holder 4. When a liquid which is hard to spontaneously flow out is used, it is possible to readily eject such a liquid as well as to prevent the lowering of the ejecting amount of the liquid, to thereby maintain good ejection of the liquid. Further, it is possible to reliably confine and open the ejecting opening 4a1 and achieve an improved feeling in applying. While the applicators of the present invention have been described in its preferred embodiments, these embodiments are not intended to limit the technological scope of the present invention. As has been stated heretofore, in accordance with the applicators of the present invention, even when the liquid is of low-viscosity or contains pigments, it is possible to inhibit the lowering of the ejecting amount of the liquid which would be caused by repeated applications and it is also possible to eject a proper amount of the liquid fairly well, without needing to enlarge the outside diameter of the holder. When a liquid which is hard to spontaneously flow out is used, it is possible to readily eject such a liquid as well as to inhibit the lowering of the ejecting amount of the liquid, to thereby eject the liquid at a good condition. Further, reliable opening and closing of the ejecting opening can be secured and consequently, the applicator of the present invention becomes free from liquid leakage and other deficiencies and is able to provide improved feeling in applying for users.

Claims: An applicator (8) comprising: a barrel body (2) storing a liquid therein, said liquid containing pigments; a holder (4) having a ball house (4a) with an ejecting opening (4a1) at front end for allowing the liquid from said barrel body (2) to flow out; a ball (6) rotatably held in said ball house (4a), as being partially exposed to the outside through said ejecting opening (4a1), so as to serve as an applying point, said ball (6) being held movably in such directions as to abut the inner wall around said ejecting opening (4a1) and be separated from the abutting position, whereby said ejecting opening (4a1) is closed and opened, wherein, when part of said ball (6) is pressed on an applied surface, the liquid is ejected from a gap between said ejecting opening (4a1) and said ball (6) to thereby apply the liquid on the applied surface; said ball house (4a) being defined by a smooth, cylindrical surface having an inside diameter of greater than the diameter (D2) of said ball (6); a spherical evading member (10) disposed on the rear side of said ball (6) inside said ball house (4a), said evading member (10) having a diameter (D1) approximately equal to or smaller than, that of said ball (6) and being in contact with the rear side of said ball (6) and movable together with said ball (6); a ball seat (4a2) disposed in the rear part of said ball house (4a), for receiving the rear side of said evading member (10) when part of said ball (6) is pressed against an applied surface so that said ball (6) is moved backward; said ball seat (4a2) being formed by an inner wall of said holder (4) projecting so that the inner diameter of said ball seat (4a2) becomes smaller toward the rearward in order to provide a conically slanting surface; a liquid conduit (4b) provided in an approximately central part of said ball seat (4a2), for conducting the liquid from said barrel body (2) into said ball house (4a); a plurality of longitudinal grooves (4c) radially arranged about said liquid conduit (4b) as a center, being formed on the inner wall of said liquid conduit (4b) along the conducting direction of the liquid; and a pressing means (12) disposed through said liquid conduit (4b) and abutting the rear side of said evading member (10) so as to urge said ball (6) and said evading member (10) forward. An applicator (8) according Claim 1 having at least one of the following characteristics (a) to (c): (a) said licuid has viscosity of less than 30 cps; (b) said liquid contains pigments while an agitating means for agitating the liquid is provided inside said barrel body (2); and (c) said barrel body (2) is a flexible tank for storing an applying liquid.

Inventors: HASHI MASAO, IWASE YASUYUKI, KORIKI TADASHI, MORITA MASAAKI, SATAKE ATSUNORI, HASHI, MASAO, IWASE, YASUYUKI, KORIKI, TADASHI, MORITA, MASAAKI, SATAKE, ATSUNORI
Applicants: MITSUBISHI PENCIL CO, MITSUBISHI PENCIL KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1995
Main classification: B43K1
IPC codes: B43M11, A45D34, B43K1