Patent Publication Number: US-6659672-B1

Title: Writing implement

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a writing implement or the like which has a pen element that feeds and retains ink from the writing implement body, and more detailedly, the present invention is generally directed to liquid writing implements and the like of types which are referred to as paint markers, oil-based markers, water-based markers and high lighter pens. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Conventionally known liquid writing implements and the like in which ink is fed from the writing implement body to the pen element as a pen point, include: for example,  1 ) writing implement having an ink absorbing element for retaining ink, connected to the rear end of the pen point;  2 ) writing implement in which a valve structure is provided between the pen point and the ink chamber and the valve structure is released when the pen point is moved whilst being pressed;  3 ) writing implement having a valve structure which is released by clicking the rear end;  4 ) writing implement in which a plug element and valve element advancing fluid-tightly is arranged in the ink chamber and ink is fed when the valve element is slightly released by negative pressure arising during writing; and  5 ) writing implement having ink retainer (collector member) with many fins provided between the pen point and the ink chamber. 
     Nevertheless, when a line having a large line width is drawn from the left to right by the right hand using any of these liquid writing implements and others, the pen element as the pen point is thick so that the right side of the pen element is kept out of view, causing inconvenience in distinguishing the right end of the drawn line. 
     This is quite true when a table is drawn by ruling on simili paper etc., or when characters of a horizontally written article are traced by a highlighter pen etc. In order to deal with this inconvenience, some may draw a line from the right to left others may draw lines holding the writing implement in an awkward manner, as shown in FIG.  22 ( a ). However, since these are not the natural way of using a writing implement, the user will feel uncomfortableness and will receive an oppressive burden on the fingers. FIG.  22 ( b ) shows the natural way of gripping a pen while writing. 
     The problem of inconvenience arising when designating the right end of a line is liable to occur more markedly with a pen having a writing point that produces drawn lines of 2 mm wide or more. Though the above problem is unlikely to occur when drawing at a writing angle of 45 degrees or smaller, writing at a small writing angle will cause difficulties when writing near the user&#39;s body. This difficulty is more marked especially when the pen is used in a relatively narrow space such as in the train, airplane and the like. The above difficulties cannot be simply attributed to the shape of the writing point. 
     The similar problems occur with a pen of a type shown in FIG. 23 (e.g., Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open Sho 56 No. 140485) where a writing implement  3  has a pen tip  1  bent with respect to a barrel  2 . That is, with a large writing angle, the opposite side of the pen cannot be seen, whereas with a small writing angle, writing is difficult in some configurations near the user&#39;s body through the other side can be seen. 
     With a calligraphic-brush pen as well as a writing implement having a flexible pen tip with its thickness variable as shown in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid Open Sho 54 No. 33731, if more than a certain degree of writing load is applied, the other side of the pen can be seen, but there is a drawback in that lines with a constant drawn line width cannot be obtained. 
     Further, among the writing implements having a split pen point with an ink guide slit such as fountain pens, various types of pens having a bent pen point have been known as in disclosed by Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open Sho 48 No. 51427, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open Sho 49 No. 15023, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open Hei 3 No. 29390 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Hei 9 No. 52486. However, the main object of these writing implements is to vary the width of drawn lines like the aforementioned calligraphic-brush pen. A writing implement of an open-V shape has the same drawbacks as writing implement  3  with pen tip  1  and barrel  2  bent, shown in FIG.  23 . Since the writing angle of the split pen point is constrained not only with respect to the pen tip direction but also to the lateral direction, a pen of this type is not suitable for drawing lines. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a writing implement which has a pen element that feeds and retains ink from the writing implement body and allows easy observation of the view of the opposite side of the pen element as the pen point and easy distinction of the end point of a drawn line. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the above conventional problems and in order to solve these problems, the present inventors have found that the aimed writing implement having a pen element that feeds and retains ink from the writing implement body can be obtained by configuring the pen element with a specific structure, thus completing the present invention. 
     Specifically, the present invention has the following features ( 1 ) to ( 8 ). 
     A (1) writing implement having a pen element that feeds and retains ink from the writing implement body, characterized in that the pen element comprises: an ink leader portion; a writing part delivering ink from the ink leader portion; and a viewer portion disposed directly above with respect to the axial direction of the writing part allowing observation of the view in the writing direction. 
     (2) The writing implement defined as above in (1), wherein the writing part of the pen element renders drawn lines of 2 mm or wider. 
     (4) The writing implement defined as above in (1) or (2), wherein the ink leader portion and writing part of the pen element is formed of a one-piece porous member. 
     (5) The writing implement defined as above in (1) or (2), wherein the pen element further comprises a support member for supporting the ink leader portion and writing part, and at least part of the support member allows observation of the view in the writing direction, providing the function of the viewer portion. 
     (7) The writing implement defined as above in (1), wherein the viewer portion is formed of a lens member. 
     (8) The writing implement defined as above in (1), wherein the ink contains a fluorescent color additive. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing an embodiment A of a writing implement of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing an embodiment B of a writing implement of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view showing an embodiment C of a writing implement of the present invention when it is unused; and 
     FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view showing writing implement C of FIG. 3 when it is being used. 
     FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view showing an embodiment D of a writing implement of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view showing an embodiment E of a writing implement of the present invention; and 
     FIGS.  7 ( a ) and  7 ( b ) are a vertical sectional view and sectional side view, respectively, showing an embodiment F of a writing implement of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the first embodiment of a pen element as an essential feature of the present invention; 
     FIG.  9 ( a ) is a sectional view showing the second embodiment of a pen element as an essential feature of the present invention, 
     FIG.  9 ( b ) is a sectional view of a variational example of (a). 
     FIG.  10 ( a ) is a front view showing the third embodiment of a pen element as an essential feature of the present invention, 
     FIG.  10 ( b ) is a sectional view of (a); and 
     FIG. 11 is a front view showing the fourth embodiment of a pen element as an essential feature of the present invention. 
     FIG. 12 is a front view showing the fifth embodiment of a pen element as an essential feature of the present invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a front view showing the sixth embodiment of a pen element as an essential feature of the present invention. 
     FIG. 14 is a front view showing the seventh embodiment of a pen element as an essential feature of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 15 is a front view showing the eighth embodiment of a pen element as an essential feature of the present invention. 
     FIG. 16 is a front view showing the ninth embodiment of a pen element as an essential feature of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 17 is a front view showing the tenth embodiment of a pen element as an essential feature of the present invention. 
     FIG.  18 ( a ) is a front view showing the eleventh embodiment of a pen element as an essential feature of the present invention, 
     FIG.  18 ( b ) is a sectional view of (a) cut along I—I line; and 
     FIG.  18 ( c ) is a sectional view when a cover is attached. 
     FIG. 19 is a front view showing the twelfth embodiment of a pen element as an essential feature of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 20 is a front view showing an integral configuration of an ink leader portion and a writing part used for the pen element of the twelfth embodiment. 
     FIGS.  21 ( a ) to ( d ) are plan, front, left-side and right-side views, respectively, showing a support member used for the pen element of the twelfth embodiment. 
     FIG.  22 ( a ) is a perspective view showing a case where a pen is held in an unnatural manner; and FIG.  2 ( b ) is a perspective view showing a case where a pen is held in a normal manner. 
     FIG. 23 is a drawing showing an example where a conventional writing implement is being used. 
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     In order to describe the present invention more detailedly, the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Modes for carrying out the present invention are described detailedly with reference to the accompanying drawings as follows. FIGS. 1 and 7 show a variety of embodiments of writing implements having a pen element as an essential feature of the present invention. These embodiments are basically usual writing implements except in their pen elements and will be described briefly. 
     FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a writing implement A wherein a barrel cylinder  100  as the writing implement body incorporates an ink absorbing element  101  for absorbing ink. This writing implement A has an ink absorbing element  101  connected to the rear end of a pen element  10  so as to supply ink element  10  with ink from ink absorbing element  101 . In this figure, a reference numeral  102  designates a tail plug. 
     FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a writing implement B of a type having a valve mechanism. This writing implement B has a valve mechanism  112  between a pen element  10  and an ink chamber  111  of a barrel cylinder  110  forming the writing implement body. As the pen tip is moved by pressing, a valve rod  114  is moved rearwards against the urging force of a spring  113  so as to release a valve  115  and deliver the ink out. When ink has a high viscosity or when ink contains sedimentous components, an agitation ball (not shown) may be provided inside ink chamber  111 . In this figure, a reference numeral  116  designates a valve seat. 
     FIGS. 3 and 4 show an embodiment of a writing implement C of a type having another valve mechanism. Writing implement C has a valve rod  121  urged by a spring  122  inside a barrel cylinder  120  forming the writing implement body with its valve  123  placed in hermetic contact with a valve seat  124  while ink  126  fills an ink chamber  125  in the rear of valve  123 . Further, disposed at the rear end of ink  126  is a follower  127  of a greasy material for preventing evaporation and back leakage of ink as well as moving along with the consumption of ink, with a resin-made plug element  128  having almost the same specific weight as the follower, immersed in follower  127 . Valve rod  121  is arranged passing through follower  127  while a tail plug  129  is fixed to the rear end of valve rod  121 . 
     As shown in FIG. 4, in writing implement C of this embodiment, a cap  130  for sealing a pen element  10  is fitted to tail plug  129 . When the rear end of the cap is clicked, the hermetic contact between valve  123  and valve seat  124  is released so as to allow ink  126  to fill pen element  10 . 
     FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a writing implement D of a type having another valve mechanism. This writing implement D includes a valve element  143  and plug element  142  advancing fluid-tightly with respect to an ink chamber  141  inside a barrel cylinder  140  as a writing implement body. As a negative pressure arises while writing, a valve portion  144  which is formed in valve element  143  and put in hermetic contact with the wall surface of ink chamber  141  slightly deforms to create a gap, whereby ink  146  is fed through a channel  145  to a pen element  10  arranged in the front. Here, the above plug element  142  and valve element  143  are made up of an elastic material such as silicone rubber and the like. In the figure, reference numerals  146  and  147  designate a tail plug and a vent, respectively. 
     FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a writing implement E of a type having an ink retainer (collector element). In this writing implement E, an ink retainer  152  having many fins arranged between a pen element  10  and an ink chamber  151  is disposed inside a barrel cylinder  150  that forms the writing implement body. An ink leader core  153  is disposed in the center of the barrel so that ink  154  will be fed to pen element  10 . 
     FIGS.  7 ( a ) and  7 ( b ) show an embodiment of a writing implement F of a type in which an ink absorbing element  161  filled up with ink is arranged in a barrel cylinder  160  forming the writing implement body while a pen element  162  for this lines and a tip pen element  90  for thick lines (having a different pen element shape from that shown in FIG. 1, etc.) are arranged at both ends. In this writing implement F, the rear ends of pen element  90  for thick lines and pen element  162  for thin lines are joined to ink absorbing element  161  so as to feed pen elements  90  and  162  with ink from ink absorbing element  161 . In this figure, reference numerals  163  and  164  designate caps. Designated at  165  is a rear barrel, to which pen element  90  (pen element  90  shown in detail in FIGS. 19 to  21 ) is attached. 
     FIG. 8 shows the first embodiment of a pen element as an essential feature of the writing implement of the present invention. This pen element is used for the above described writing implements of embodiments A to E. 
     Pen element  10  of the first embodiment is configured so that the outer periphery of a support member  11  is covered with an ink leader portion  12 . Support member  11  is formed of transparent resin, glass or the like that allows observation of the view in the writing direction. Specifically, this support member (this may be also referred to hereinbelow as transparent support member) is made up of transparent resin, glass or the like having a parallel transmittance of 30% or greater, preferably having a parallel transmittance of 50% or greater, more preferably having a parallel transmittance of 70% or greater and is composed of a viewer portion  11   a  having wide smooth surfaces arranged in the front and a shank portion  11   b  in the rear. If this member is made up of resin, glass or the like having a parallel transmittance of not more than 30%, it is not possible to provide a clear view in the writing direction, an undesirable result. Examples of resin and the like having this physical property include styrene-isoprene resin, ionomer resin, SBR-PP blend resin, acrylic resin, nylon resin and polymethyl pentene. 
     Ink leader portion  12  may be of a polymer foamed material such as sponge, porous elastomer used for impregnation stamp etc., non-woven fabric, felt, a bundle of fibers held together by resin, or may be formed of a porous material such as sintered metal, ceramic or polymer. This porous material (all the same in the embodiments hereinbelow) is deposited on the outer peripheral side of support member  11  by fitting, bonding by adhesives, or fusion bonding. In connection with this, in order to make sure deposition of ink leader portion  12  over the outer peripheral side of support member  11 , fitting grooves or the like may be formed. 
     Writing part  13  is formed integrally with ink leader portion  12  covered by the same material as ink leader portion  12  over the lower part of support member  11 . Though this part is inclined with an angle of less than 45 degrees with respect to the axial direction as is shown in FIG. 8, this may be flat, of course. The shape of this part should be designed as appropriate in conformity with the convenience of use for writing. Writing part  13  is one which renders wide lines, preferably having a line width of 2 mm or greater, more preferably having a line width of 3 mm or greater. 
     The aforementioned ink leader portion  12  has an ink leader shank part  12   a  that covers shank portion  11   b  of support member  11  but has the viewer portion  11   a  sides perpendicular to the shank, uncovered. Shank portion  11   b  and ink leader shank part  12   a  may be shaped so as to have a round or square cross section as appropriate. 
     Further, if the above viewer portion  11   a  is formed of a lens member (all the same in the embodiments hereinbelow) presenting a lens effect, it is possible to see magnified field of view through the viewer portion. 
     This pen element  10  of the first embodiment can be preferably applied as the pen elements of the writing implements of embodiments A to E shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, for example. It is of course possible to use the pen element  10  of the first embodiment as the pen element for thick lines of the writing implement F for thin and think lines of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 (though the pen element configuration in FIG. 7 is slightly different from that of the first embodiment). 
     When normal handwriting from the left to right by the right hand is performed using one of writing implements A to F (shown in FIGS. 1 to  7 ) having this pen element  10  for thick lines, of the first embodiment, the right side of the pen point can be readily seen through viewer portion la (and shank portion  11   b ) located directly above writing part  13  with respect to the axial direction since support member  11  is configured of viewer portion  11   a  and shank portion  11   b  formed of transparent resin, glass or the like. Thus, the right end of the line can be distinguished readily. 
     This configuration contributes to remarkable improvement in handling performance when rules of a table are drawn on simili paper, when characters of a horizontally written article are traced by an high lighter pen etc., or when the pen is used in a relatively narrow space such as in the train, airplane and the like. 
     Next, other embodiments of the pen elements as a essential feature of the writing implement of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to  21 . The pen elements of these embodiments shown in FIGS. 9 to  21  can be preferably applied as the pen elements of writing implements A to F shown in FIGS. 1 to  7 , for example. Similarly to the above pen element  10  of the first embodiment, the right side of the pen tip can be readily seen with the help of the viewer portion of each, so as to allow the user to readily distinguish the right end of the drawn line. 
     FIG.  9 ( a ) shows a pen element of the second embodiment. This pen element  15  of the second embodiment has almost the same configuration as the above pen element  10  of the first embodiment except in that the viewer portion of a support member  16  is formed with a hollow of frame-like window  17 . Specifically, support member  16  is pierced forming window  17  which allows for a field of view in the writing direction. 
     The same components as those in the pen element of the first embodiment are allotted with the same reference numerals without any description. In this second embodiment, the view in the writing direction can be seen through the hollow of window  17 , so that supporting member  16  is not necessarily made of a transparent resin. Further, as shown in FIG.  9 ( b ), pen element  15  may be of a thick, one-piece structure of ink leader portion  12  and writing part  13  made up of a porous material without having any support member  16  and be formed with a hollow, frame-like window  17  for the viewer portion. 
     FIGS.  10 ( a ) and  10 ( b ) show a pen element of the third embodiment. In this pen element  20  of the third embodiment, a support member  21  is made up of resin, glass or the like having the same characteristic as that in the first embodiment. An ink leader portion  22  and writing part  23  are made up of a porous material as in the first embodiment. A shank portion  21   a  of support member  21  is fitted into the bore of a shank portion  22   a  of ink leader portion  22  while a rib  24   a  formed on the periphery of a viewer portion  24  is mated with a grooved portion  22   c  formed on the inner side of a frame-like portion  22   b  of ink leader portion  22  so that ink leader portion  22  and writing part  23  is integrally fixed to support member  21 . Here, this configuration can also be formed by double molding. 
     FIG. 11 shows a pen element of the fourth embodiment. This pen element  25  of the third embodiment has the almost the same configuration as that of the fourth embodiment, except in that the viewer portion of a support member  26  is formed with a frame-like window  17  as a hollow, which allows observation of the view in the writing direction. Here, the same components as those of the pen element of the third embodiment are allotted with the same reference numerals without description. 
     FIG. 12 shows a pen element of the fifth embodiment. This pen element  27  of the fifth embodiment comprises a support member  28  and an integral part of an ink leader portion  29   a  and writing part  29   b , covering the outer periphery of support member  28 . In this case, the whole configuration of a viewer portion  28   a  and shank  28   b  has a planiform plate-like shape. 
     FIG. 13 shows a pen element of the sixth embodiment. This pen element  60  of the sixth embodiment has an approximately rectangular structure (without its shape specified). This pen element  60  is formed of a one-piece porous member of an ink leader portion  61  and writing part  62  formed in an approximate L-shape. A transparent support member  63  forming a viewer portion is fixed at the inside corner so as to reinforce ink leader portion  61  and writing part  62 . 
     FIG. 14 shows a pen element of the seventh embodiment. This pen element  65  of seventh embodiment is formed of a one-piece body porous member of an ink leader portion  66  and writing part  67  formed in an approximate U-shape. A transparent support member  68  forming a viewer portion is fixed at the inside hollow so as to reinforce ink leader portion  66  and writing part  67 . 
     FIG. 15 shows a pen element of the eighth embodiment. This pen element  70  of the eighth embodiment comprises an approximately U-shaped support member  71  and an one-piece body porous member of an ink leader portion  72  and writing part  73 , covering the outer periphery of support member  71 . The hollow defined by this approximately U-shaped portion forms a viewer portion  74 . 
     FIG. 16 shows a pen element of the ninth embodiment. This pen element  75  of the ninth embodiment comprises an approximately U-shaped porous member of an ink leader portion  76  and writing part  77  and a cladding  78  of a hard-resin or metal pipe covering its outer periphery with both ends of the porous member uncovered. The hollow defined by this approximately U-shaped portion forms a viewer portion  79 . 
     FIG. 17 shows a pen element of the tenth embodiment. This pen element  80  of the tenth embodiment has the almost the same configuration as that of the ninth embodiment, except in that a transparent support member  81  for observation of the view is integrally formed in the approximately U-shaped hollow in order to reinforce ink leader portion  76  and writing part  77 . Here, the same components as those in the ninth embodiment are allotted with the same reference numerals without any description. 
     FIGS.  18 ( a ) to  18 ( c ) show a pen element of the eleventh embodiment. This pen element  85  of the eleventh embodiment is a porous member which is formed in an approximately rectangular form with a shaft-like ink leader portion  86  and fixed inside outer and inner frames  89   a  and  89   b  of a support member  89  having a window  88  forming an rectangular viewer portion with its writing part  87  exposed. A cover member  94  made up of a transparent material is fixed to support member  89 . Here, cover member  94  may be opaque with a window as a hollow pierced therein. 
     FIGS. 19 to  21  show a pen element of the twelfth embodiment. This pen element of the twelfth embodiment is shown as the pen element of the above-described writing implement of embodiment F (FIG.  7 ). 
     This pen element  90  of the twelfth embodiment comprises a transparent support member  91  and an approximately U-shaped one-piece porous member of an ink leader portion  92  and writing part  93 , covering the outer periphery of support member  91 . 
     As shown in FIGS.  21 ( a ) to  21 ( c ), support member  91  is formed on its outer peripheral side with a fitting groove  91   b  having a stepped portion  91   a  for fitting the approximately U-shaped porous member of ink leader portion  92  and writing part  93 . Formed on both the side faces of the support member are a pair of fitting projections  91   c  and  91   c , to be fitted to a fitting hole  165   a  of a rear barrel  165  of writing implement F shown in FIG.  7 . 
     Since support member  91  of pen element  90  of this embodiment is made of transparent resin etc., support member  91  itself forms a viewer portion allowing observation of the view in the writing direction. 
     Though a variety of embodiments of pen elements have been illustrated as above, the pen element as the essence of the present invention should not be limited to the above embodiments. That is, the features of the above pen elements of the first to twelfth embodiments (FIGS. 8 through 21) may be combined appropriately while the configurations other than the pen elements as the essence of the present invention are not particularly limited. 
     Further, fluorescent color additives such as Basic Violet  11 , Basic Yellow  40  may be blended in the ink for high lighter pens and the like so as to further improve the visibility. It should be noted that the compositions of ink used for the writing implement of the present invention are not particularly limited. 
     Moreover, liquid cosmetics, medical liquids, painting liquids, correction fluid, or the like may be used instead of ink with an applicator suitable for the liquid as the writing part made of the porous member. 
     With the thus configured writing implements of all the embodiments of the present invention, since a viewer portion is provided directly above with resect to the axial direction of the writing part of the pen element, so as to allow observation of the view in the writing direction, the right side of the pen point can be readily seen and hence the right end of the drawn line can be easily distinguished even when a line with a large width is drawn from the left to right by the right hand. Thus, this configuration contributes to remarkable improvement in handling performance when rules of a table are drawn on simili paper, when characters on horizontally written lines of an article are traced by an high lighter pen etc., or when the pen is used in a relatively narrow space such as in the train, airplane and the like. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The configuration and operation of the present invention have been described heretofore. That is, since a viewer portion is provided directly above with resect to the axial direction of the writing part of the pen element, the right side can be readily observed and hence the right end of the drawn line can be easily distinguished when writing is performed from the left to right by the right hand using a writing implement for thick lines. This configuration contributes to remarkable improvement in handling performance, especially when rules of a table are drawn on simili paper, when characters of a horizontally written article are traced by an high lighter pen etc. Further this configuration is effective in use at a relative narrow space such as in the train, airplane and the like.