JP3833376B2 - Writing instrument caps - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cap such as a writing instrument. More specifically, the present invention relates to a cap such as a writing instrument that allows air to flow even if an infant or the like accidentally swallows it and avoids suffocation.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, with regard to a cap of this type of writing instrument, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-39479 (A) discloses a writing instrument that does not cause sink marks in the seal portion and can breathe even if it clogs in the throat. As a cap for the use, “a seal portion is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the opening of the cap body of the bottomed cylindrical body so as to be in close contact with the writing instrument main body and seal the pen body, and a plurality of vertical ribs are formed on the outer periphery. Acts as a ventilation groove, and the tail end of the skirt cylinder whose outer diameter is the same diameter as the writing instrument body is connected to the cap body by a connecting rib in the vicinity of the opening of the cap body avoiding the seal part. A writing instrument cap characterized in that a ventilation window communicating with the ventilation groove is formed between the ribs. "
[0003]
However, in the cap of the publication (A), the outer surface of the cap body and the inner surface of the skirt cylinder (corresponding to the outer cylinder of the present application) are connected by a plurality of connecting ribs. Therefore, when the cap is formed by injection molding of synthetic resin, it is necessary to provide a slit penetrating in the radial direction at the end of the molding die (core pin) for molding the connecting rib, and the strength of the die (That is, the durability of the mold) is reduced.
[0004]
The conventional cap (A) has not only increased air flow resistance due to the presence of the connecting rib between the cap body and the skirt tube (that is, the presence of the ventilation window), but also the vertical rib and the connecting rib have one. Since this is not done, the air flow passage becomes narrow at the connection point between the ventilation groove between the vertical ribs and the ventilation window between the connecting ribs, and smoother air flow is impaired.
[0005]
Further, in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-46486 (B), “a cap such as a sign pen, a marker, etc., which is fitted to the writing tip portion to prevent ink evaporation, a plurality of pieces in the axial direction from the cap closing end portion”. There is disclosed a writing instrument cap in which a longitudinal groove is provided, and an outer cylinder whose one end is provided on the outer side of the cap opening through a plurality of ribs is integrally provided.
[0006]
However, in the cap of the above publication (B), the cap body (corresponding to the cap main body of the present application) having a longitudinal groove and the outer cylinder are not smoothly connected, and a large outer space is formed between the cap body and the outer cylinder. Due to the difference in diameter, there are restrictions on the design, and it is forced to have an unpleasant appearance. Further, the cap of the publication (B), like the publication (A), is provided with an outer cylinder integrally formed on the outer surface of the cap via a plurality of ribs, so that the end of the mold (core pin) is formed. It is necessary to pierce the slit in the radial direction, which reduces the strength of the mold.
[0007]
Further, in the caps of the above publications (A) and (B), the vertical rib exposed on the outer peripheral surface of the cap body has a small plate thickness (that is, the thickness in the circumferential direction). If the outer peripheral surface of this is strongly clamped, the top of the vertical rib may bite into the user's fingertips, possibly causing pain to the user.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, not to cause sink marks in the seal part, but also to improve the durability of the mold and at the connection part between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder. An object of the present invention is to provide a cap for a writing instrument or the like that enables smooth air circulation and has a smart appearance and that does not cause pain to be felt at the fingertips when held between the fingertips. In the present invention, “upper” indicates the cap closing side, and “lower” indicates the cap opening side.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A cap 1 such as a writing instrument according to the present invention includes a cap body 2 made of a bottomed cylinder that is open at one end and closed at the other, and an outer cylinder that is open at both ends that are integrally connected to the outer peripheral surface of the cap body 2. A plurality of vertical ribs 4 extending in the axial direction from the closed end to the opening side on the outer peripheral surface of the cap body 2. Provided, an outer cylinder 3 is provided on the outer periphery of the cap body 2 below the vertical rib 4, and an annular seal portion 7 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cap body 2 covered with the outer cylinder 3. And the outer cylinder 3 are connected only to the lower end of the vertical rib 4 and the upper end of the outer cylinder 3, and between the outer peripheral surface of the cap body 2 and the entire inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 3. It is a requirement that the cylindrical gap 6 is formed in (Claim 1).
[0010]
The connecting portion 8 between the cap body 2 and the outer cylinder 3 is only the lower end of the vertical rib 4 and the upper end of the outer cylinder 3 (that is, only the lower end of the vertical rib 4 and only the upper end of the outer cylinder 3). Due to the configuration in which the cylindrical gap 6 is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the cap body 2 and all the inner peripheral surfaces of the outer cylinder 3, there is no conventional connecting rib on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 3. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a slit penetrating in the radial direction at the end of the core pin of the mold, the mold structure can be simplified, the strength and durability of the mold is improved, and the cap body 2 and the outer cylinder 3 Can be connected smoothly, design freedom is increased, and a smart appearance can be obtained.
[0011]
Further, with the above configuration, the cylindrical gap 6 and the air flow passage (that is, the vertical groove 5) between the vertical ribs 4 can be directly communicated with each other. Therefore, smooth air circulation between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder 3 is possible.
[0012]
In addition, the annular seal portion 7 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cap body 2 covered with the outer cylinder 3 so that the annular seal portion 7 does not have an irregular cross section and has a uniform wall thickness. No sink marks occur during molding.
[0013]
The lower end portion of the outer cylinder 3 may be located below the lower end portion of the cap body 2, but there is a risk that the connecting portion 8 will buckle due to strong contact with the shoulder portion 92 of the writing instrument body 9 when the cap is mounted. In order to prevent this, the lower end portion of the outer cylinder 3 is made to coincide with the lower end of the cap body 2 or slightly above the lower end of the cap body 2 as shown in FIGS. It is preferable to make it.
[0014]
Moreover, in the cap of a writing instrument or the like according to claim 1, it is preferable that the thickness T in the circumferential direction of the vertical rib 4 is in the range of 1 mm to 5 mm (claim 2). When the circumferential thickness T of the vertical rib 4 is smaller than 1 mm, the top of the vertical rib 4 bites into the fingertip, causing pain to the user's fingertip, while the circumferential thickness T of the vertical rib 4 is 5 mm. If it is larger, the air flow passage formed between the vertical ribs 4 becomes smaller, and a sufficient amount of air flow cannot be secured. That is, by setting the circumferential thickness T of the vertical rib 4 in the range of 1 mm to 5 mm, it is possible to avoid the fingertip from feeling pain when the cap 1 is held between fingers, and at the same time, between the vertical ribs 4. Sufficient air flow passages can be formed.
[0015]
In addition, in the cap of the writing instrument or the like according to claim 1 or 2, it is preferable that the corner portion 41 at the top portion extending in the axial direction of the vertical rib 4 has a curved shape (claim 3). Thereby, when pinching the cap 1, it can suppress that the top part of the vertical rib 4 bites into a fingertip deeply, and it can avoid making a fingertip feel pain much more.
[0016]
Furthermore, the configuration of claim 2 and the configuration of claim 3 can prevent the inner surface of the throat from being damaged when the cap is swallowed.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (See FIGS. 1-6)
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 1, a cap 1 such as a writing instrument of the present invention is a synthetic resin (for example, polypropylene) injection-molded body, and a cap body 2 made of a bottomed cylindrical body having one open and the other closed; The outer cylinder 3 made of a cylindrical body having both ends opened is integrally connected.
[0019]
On the outer peripheral surface of the cap body 2, a plurality (six in this case) of longitudinal ribs 4 extending in the axial direction from the closed end of the cap body 2 to the opening side are formed. The vertical ribs 4 are arranged at equal intervals, and a plurality of vertical grooves 5 (here, six) are formed between adjacent vertical ribs 4. (See Figs. 2 and 3)
[0020]
A lower end portion of the vertical rib 4 is integrally connected to an upper end portion of the outer cylinder 3 to constitute a connecting portion 8. That is, the connecting portion 8 that connects the cap body 2 and the outer cylinder 3 is only the lower end portion of the vertical rib 4 and the upper end portion of the outer cylinder 3. The outer cylinder 3 covers the lower outer peripheral surface of the cap body 2, and a cylindrical cylindrical gap 6 is formed between the entire inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 3 and the outer peripheral surface of the cap body 2. Yes. The cylindrical gap 6 is opened at both ends of the outer cylinder 3 and penetrates in the axial direction.
[0021]
The cylindrical gap 6 and the vertical groove 5 are in direct communication with the vertical rib 4 and the connecting portion 8 of the outer cylinder 3. That is, since the air flow passage penetrating both ends of the cap 1 in the axial direction is constituted by the vertical groove 5 and the cylindrical gap 6, a smooth air flow with a small flow resistance can be achieved, and at the same time This eliminates the need to pierce the end of the core pin in the radial direction, improving the strength of the mold and the durability of the mold.
[0022]
An annular seal portion 7 (specifically, an annular protrusion) is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cap body 2 covered by the outer cylinder 3 (that is, the inner peripheral surface of the cap body 2 provided with the cylindrical gap 6 on the outer surface). ) Are integrally formed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the annular seal portion 7 can have a uniform thickness without an irregular shape on its outer surface, and sink marks (molding defects) during molding can occur on the inner surface. Absent. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, when the cap 1 is attached to the writing instrument main body 9, the annular seal portion 7 is appropriately in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the writing instrument main body 9, and the pen tip 91 can be reliably sealed. It is.
[0023]
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the top outer diameter of the lower end portion of the vertical rib 4 and the outer diameter of the outer cylinder 3 are substantially the same outer diameter, and the vertical rib 4 and the outer cylinder 3 are smoothly connected by the connecting portion 8. Has been. Therefore, no step is formed between the vertical rib 4 and the outer cylinder 3, and a smart appearance can be exhibited. Furthermore, the top outer diameter above the lower end of the vertical rib 4 is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer cylinder 3. Thereby, a smarter appearance shape can be obtained.
[0024]
The longitudinal rib 4 of the present embodiment has a circumferential thickness T of 1.2 mm to 1.8 mm (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Thereby, when the cap 1 is clamped with a finger, the vertical rib 4 does not dig deeply into the fingertip, and it is possible to avoid making the fingertip feel pain, and at the same time, a sufficient air flow path is formed between the vertical ribs 4. be able to. Further, the corner portion 41 at the top portion extending in the axial direction of the longitudinal rib 4 is formed into a curved surface shape, and the corner portion 41 is rounded so that the fingertip is more painful when the cap 1 is clamped. Can be prevented. In addition, the plurality of vertical ribs 4 are provided at equal intervals, thereby forming a uniform air flow passage on the peripheral surface of the cap 1 without deviation.
[0025]
Further, four planar projections 21 are integrally formed at a position below the seal portion 7 on the inner peripheral surface of the cap body 2. When the cap 1 is mounted on the writing instrument body 9, the support protrusion 21 is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the writing instrument body 9 to prevent the cap 1 from wobbling.
[0026]
In addition, as a synthetic resin material which comprises the cap 1 of this invention, a polypropylene, polyethylene, a polycarbonate, a polyethylene terephthalate etc. are mentioned, for example.
[0027]
The cap 1 of the present invention can be applied to, for example, a writing instrument such as a marking pen, a sign pen, a ballpoint pen, a pipe pen, and a fountain pen, or an applicator such as a correction liquid, a cosmetic liquid, and an adhesive.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
The cap of the writing instrument and the like according to the present invention improves the durability of the mold by the configuration of claim 1 and enables smooth air circulation at the connecting portion between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder, and obtains a smart appearance. be able to.
[0029]
The cap of the writing instrument or the like according to the present invention can prevent the fingertip from feeling pain when the cap is picked with a finger, and at the same time, form a sufficient air flow passage between the longitudinal ribs. Can do.
[0030]
According to the configuration of the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the fingertip from feeling more painful.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of a cap of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.
3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG.
4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG.
5 is an external view of the cap of FIG. 1. FIG.
6 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the cap of FIG. 1 is mounted on the writing instrument body. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cap 2 Cap main body 21 Support protrusion 3 Outer cylinder 4 Vertical rib 41 Top corner | angular part 5 Vertical groove 6 Cylindrical gap 7 Seal part 8 Connecting part 9 Writing instrument main body 91 Nib 92 Shoulder part T Thickness of the circumferential direction of a vertical rib

Claims (3)

A cap main body (2) made of a bottomed cylinder whose one is open and the other is closed, and an outer cylinder (3) whose both ends are integrally connected to the outer peripheral surface of the cap main body (2). A plurality of vertical ribs (4) extending in the axial direction from the end on the closed side to the opening side on the outer peripheral surface of the cap body (2). An outer cylinder (3) is provided on the outer periphery of the cap body (2) below the vertical rib (4), and an annular seal is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cap body (2) covered with the outer cylinder (3). A portion (7) is provided, and the connecting portion (8) between the cap body (2) and the outer cylinder (3) is only the lower end of the vertical rib (4) and the upper end of the outer cylinder (3). A cylindrical gap (6) is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the cap body (2) and the entire inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder (3). Cap, such as a writing instrument and butterflies. The cap for a writing instrument or the like according to claim 1, wherein the circumferential thickness (T) of the longitudinal rib (4) is in the range of 1 mm to 5 mm. The cap of a writing instrument or the like according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the top corner (41) extending in the axial direction of the longitudinal rib (4) has a curved surface.

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