Writing tool

A writing tool for use with a solid-liquid separation-type ink having at least one solid component, said tool comprising:

• a first hollow cylindrical member generally extending in a longitudinal direction;
• a second hollow cylindrical member disposed within said first hollow cylindrical member, said second member defining an inner cavity adapted to hold said ink;
• an ink flow-out control mechanism disposed adjacent said second cylindrical member, said mechanism including:
• a hollow valve main body having an inner surface, an outer surface, a valve supporting end portion and a peripheral sidewall, said sidewall being provided with an ink introducing port disposed therethrough;
• a valve slidably contained within said valve main body, wherein said valve is capable of longitudinally advancing and retreating with respect to said valve main body;
• and
• a spring disposed within said valve main body for contacting said valve supporting end portion and said valve for outwardly biasing said valve;
• a writing tip mounted to said ink flow-out control mechanism opposite said valve supporting end portion, said writing tip being capable of extending out of said first hollow cylindrical member;
• ink delivery means for delivering said ink from said second hollow cylindrical member to said ink introducing port and for substantially confining any buildup of said solid component of said ink to said inner cavity of said second hollow cylindrical member, said ink delivery means including an ink flow-out port axially disposed through said valve supporting end portion of said valve main body for allowing said ink to flow therethrough from said inner cavity to said ink introducing port;
• and
• an elongated stirring piece axially movably disposed within said inner cavity, said elongated stirring piece having an enlarged head portion disposed at an end facing said ink flow-out port, said head portion being sized and shaped to cover said ink flow-out port when said elongated stirring piece abuts said ink delivery means, said head portion being wider than the diameter of said ink flow-out port;
• wherein said elongated stirring piece seals said ink flow-out port when said writing tool is oriented such that said valve main body lies generally below said inner cavity;
• whereby said enlarged head portion substantially prevents the solid component of the ink from entering said valve main body.