Fluid supply adapters

Abstract

In some examples, the disclosure describes an adapter, comprising a first section comprising a first inner diameter, a transitional section coupled to an end of the first section, a divider coupled to the first section and the transitional section, the divider to traverse a length of the adapter to separate a fluid supply path of the adapter from an air path of the adapter, a tip coupled to the first section, the tip including a fluid supply ingress into the adapter and an air egress out of the adapter, and a base coupled to the transitional section and comprising a second inner diameter greater than the first inner diameter, the base including a fluid supply egress out of the adapter and an air ingress into the adapter.

Description

86305354 1 / 26 FLUID SUPPLY ADAPTERS Background

[0001] Printing fluid tank printing devices, such as printers, photocopiers, and plotters, may be used to print on a variety of print targets, including papers, films, and fabrics. And in some cases, printing fluid tank printing devices may be capable of forming three-dimensional (3D) objects, such as using a build material, a printing fluid, or a combination thereof. In order to enable printing, a printing fluid tank printing device may include a cartridge, having a printing substance reservoir, and a tank including an additional reservoir for holding additional print substance supplied to the printing substance reservoir of the cartridge. The printing substance reservoir and additional reservoir may hold a printing substance, such as a printing fluid for forming markings, for example text and images, on a print target, an agent for solidification of a build material for forming a 3D object, etc. In some cases, the cartridge may be integrated with a printhead having nozzles to dispense the printing substance from the printing substance reservoir. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0002] FIG.1 is a block diagram of an example fluid supply adapter.

[0003] FIG.2 illustrates a schematic view of a printing fluid tank printing device.

[0004] FIG.3 illustrates a top-down view of an example of a fluid supply adapter.

[0005] FIG.4A-4C illustrate examples of a fluid supply adapter.

[0006] FIG.5 illustrates an interaction between an example fluid supply adapter coupled to an example fluid supply container.

[0007] FIGs.6A-6G illustrate examples of different implementation of a transitional section of a fluid supply adapter.86305354 2 / 26

[0008] FIG.7A illustrates an example of a fluid supply adapter coupled to a printing fluid tank printing device.

[0009] FIG.7B illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example of a fluid supply adapter coupled to a printing fluid tank printing device.

[0010] FIG.7C illustrates an example of a fluid supply adapter coupled to a printing fluid tank printing device.86305354 3 / 26 Detailed Description

[0011] Printing fluid tank printing devices may be used for various purposes, such as for printing, scanning, copying, and / or faxing. In some examples, a printing fluid tank printing device can print or create physical representations, patterns, objects, or images by depositing a print substance on a print target in a desired pattern during a print process.

[0012] For example, printing fluid tank printing devices may use a marking technology, such as ink jetting or bubble jetting technology, though examples are not so limited. Such printing fluid tank printing devices may include a fluid ejection device comprising a fluid drop jetting printhead that ejects droplets of a printing substance through a plurality of orifices or nozzles toward a print target to form patterns, objects, or images on the print target. A print target may be a type of suitable sheet or roll material, such as paper, card stock, transparencies, polyester, plywood, foam board, fabric, canvas, photopolymers, plastics, composite, metal, wood, build material for additive printing, print target, and the like. The fluid ejection device may supply a printing substance, such as a printing fluid (e.g., ink), to the printhead from a reservoir that stores the printing substance.

[0013] A printing system of the printing fluid tank printing device can be provided as a continuous source of a print substance for printing operations. Print substance may be supplied from a reservoir that holds a volume of print substance to a printhead to be ejected onto a surface during printing operations. In some examples, such as a continuous print substance system, the reservoir is internal to the printing fluid tank printing device. In some examples, more than one reservoir is arranged within the printing device. For example, each of a quantity of reservoirs arranged in the printing device can contain a different type or color of printing fluid (e.g., ink) useful during the printing process (e.g., red, green, blue, black). Large two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) printers can use significant amounts of print substance when performing print jobs. Including large reservoir(s) to maintain large volume(s) of print substance within the reservoir(s) of the printing device can be useful to minimize the fill / refill operations. Stored volumes of print substance can be depleted from the reservoir through use during the print process. Refilling or topping off the volume of the depleted print substance volume in the reservoir can be useful.86305354 4 / 26

[0014] A print substance can be supplied to the reservoir by a supply source such as a fluid supply container. The reservoir(s) can be filled and refilled with print substance from replaceable supply sources (e.g., containers) that can be fluidically coupled to the desired reservoir during a fill / refill operation and removed, or uncoupled, from the reservoir subsequent to the fill / refill operation. The fluid supply container can be removably connected to the reservoir through a fluid inlet port. In some examples, a fluid supply adapter may be utilized to couple the fluid supply container to the fluid inlet port. For example, one end of the fluid supply adapter may couple to the fluid inlet port and another end of the fluid supply adapter may be inserted into the fluid supply container (e.g., into a hermetically sealed cap coupled to a neck of the fluid supply container). As such, the fluid supply adapter size may be limited based upon dimensions of the fluid supply container (e.g., size of the cap, internal diameter of the neck of the fluid supply container, etc.).

[0015] In some examples, due to the limited size of the fluid supply adapter, an inner diameter of a cavity or a set of cavities of the fluid supply adapter may also be limited. The cavity or set of cavities may be utilized to supply the print substance to and receive air from the reservoir. The limited inner diameter may inhibit a start of flow and / or continuous flow of the print substance into the reservoir. For example, properties of the print substances such as surface tension, density, temperature, etc., may not be conducive with the limited diameter of the cavity or cavities. As such, in previous designs, the fluid supply adapter may be inserted and reinserted into the fluid supply container multiple times during a fill / refill operation due to intermittent print substance flow. Such practices can add to fill / refill operations and out of box start up times. Additionally, in some examples, due to the inner diameter of the fluid supply adapter having a limited size or diameter, glass fiber may be added to previous designs of the fluid supply adapter to aid in enabling wetting of the fluid supply adapter and promote the start of flow and / or continuous flow of the print substance.

[0016] The present disclosure relates to a fluid supply adapter including a first section sized to be inserted into a fluid supply container and a second larger section that includes an inner cavity diameter larger than an inner cavity diameter of the first section. The larger inner cavity diameter of the second section being designed to allow the fluid supply adapter to exhibit fluid flow and static fluid properties similar to an adapter with an overall larger inner cavity diameter. As a larger inner diameter86305354 5 / 26 cavity design may be more conducive with properties of the print substance being supplied, the fluid supply adapter design may exhibit overall improved print substance flow start and continuous flow, reducing occasions of intermittent print substance flow and reinsertions of the fluid supply adapter into the fluid supply container. Additionally, the fluid flow and static fluid properties experienced with a larger inner cavity diameter allow for removal of the glass fiber from the design of the fluid supply adapter, enabling the fluid supply adapter to be comprised of plastics (e.g., polyethylene and / or polypropylene plastic, etc.), metal, resin, or other compatible materials. In some examples, the fluid supply adapter may be compatible with recycling. As such, the fluid supply adapter of the present disclosure provides for a reduction in fill / refill operation time and out of box start up time. In addition, the fluid supply adapter of the present disclosure allows for removal of glass fiber from the design to allow the fluid supply adapter to be a recyclable product.

[0017] FIG.1 is a block diagram of an example fluid supply adapter 102. It should be understood that the example fluid supply adapter 102 in FIG.1 may include additional features and that some of the features described herein may be removed and / or modified without departing from the scope of the fluid supply adapter 102.

[0018] The fluid supply adapter 102 may include a first section 106 that includes a cavity with a first inner diameter. As used herein, the term “inner diameter” refers to a straight line distance from one point of an inner wall of a hollow circular object, through the object’s center, to an opposite point on the inner wall of the hollow circular object. The fluid supply adapter 102 may also include a tip 104 coupled to a first end of the first section 106 and a transitional section 108 coupled to a second end of the first section 106, the second end of the first section 106 being opposite the first end of the first section 106. As will be described further herein, the transitional section 108 may comprise a cavity with a varying inner diameter. For example, the width of the varying inner diameter of the transitional section 108 may increase from the end of the first section 106 and / or a first end of the transitional section 108 of the fluid supply adapter 102 to a second end of the transitional section 108. In this example, the second end of the transitional section 108 is opposite to the first end of the transitional section 108. Further, the fluid supply adapter 102 may include a base 110. The base 110 may be coupled to the second end of the86305354 6 / 26 transitional section 108 and may include a second inner diameter. The second inner diameter of the base 110 may be greater than the first inner diameter of the first section 106.

[0019] As noted above, there may be a desire to achieve a fluid start and flow characteristic similar to that of the greater second inner diameter. As such, a fluid supply adapter 102 including the first section 106 with the first inner diameter, tip 104, transitional section 108, and base 110 with the second inner diameter, as described, may enable such operation.

[0020] FIG.2 illustrates a schematic view of a printing fluid tank printing device 200. The printing fluid tank printing device 200 may include a printhead 218 and a fluid reservoir 212 for holding a print substance (e.g., printing fluid such as ink). The fluid reservoir 212 may be arranged within the printing fluid tank printing device 200. The printing fluid tank printing device 200 may further include a fluid outlet port 216 to fluidically couple the printhead 218 to the fluid reservoir 212. Print substance may be extracted from the fluid reservoir 212 via the fluid outlet port 216 in response to printing operations of the printing fluid tank printing device 200 to form markings on a medium by utilizing the printhead 218.

[0021] During an initial start-up of the print fluid tank printing device 200, the fluid reservoir 212 may be empty, and as such, may be fillable. Additionally, the fluid reservoir 212 may run low on print substance due to continued use of the printing fluid tank printing device 200, and as such, the fluid reservoir 212 may be refillable. For example, the printing fluid tank printing device 200 may include a fluid inlet port 214 coupled to the fluid reservoir 212. A fluid supply adapter 202 may be coupled to the fluid inlet port 214 of the printing fluid tank printing device 200. As is described in further detail herein, the fluid supply adapter 202 may be separate from the printing fluid tank printing device 200 or may be a component of the printing fluid tank printing device 200.

[0022] In some examples, a fluid supply container 220 may be coupled to the fluid supply adapter 202 during a print substance or fluid fill / refill operation of the printing fluid tank printing device 200. For example, the fluid supply adapter 202 may be inserted into the fluid supply container 220. Print substance may flow from the fluid supply container 220, through the fluid inlet port 214 of the fluid reservoir 212 via a cavity of the fluid supply adapter 202, while the fluid supply container 220 is coupled to the fluid supply adapter 202. In some examples, the print substance is86305354 7 / 26 gravity fed into the fluid reservoir 212 during the fluid fill / refill operation. Additionally, air (e.g., gasses within the fluid reservoir 212) may flow from the fluid reservoir 212 through the fluid inlet port 214 to the fluid supply container 220 via the cavity of the fluid supply adapter 202.

[0023] As the fluid supply adapter 202 inserts into the fluid supply container 220 for the fluid fill / refill operation, an inner diameter of the portion of the fluid supply adapter 202 inserted into the fluid supply container 220 may be limited to the design of the fluid supply container 220. With the limited width of this inner diameter, intermittent print substance start and flow may be exhibited as the properties of the print substance being supplied may not be conducive with the limited width of the inner diameter. As such, and as is illustrated in greater detail herein, the portion of the fluid supply adapter 202 not inserted into the fluid supply container 220 may include an increasing inner diameter of the cavity up to an inner diameter more conducive to print substance start and flow properties, reducing occasions of intermittent print substance flow and reinsertions of the fluid supply adapter 202 into the fluid supply container 220.

[0024] FIG.3 illustrates a top-down view of an example of a fluid supply adapter 302. In some examples, the fluid supply adapter 302 includes the same or similar elements as the fluid supply adapter 102 as referenced in FIG.1. For example, the fluid supply adapter 302 may include a tip 304, a first section 306 coupled to the tip 304, a transitional section 308 coupled to the first section 306, and a base 310 coupled to the transitional section 308.

[0025] The fluid supply adapter 302 may be coupled to a printing fluid tank printing device 300. The fluid supply adapter 302 may be utilized to connect a fluid supply container to a fluid inlet port of a fluid reservoir of the printing fluid tank printing device 300 (as illustrated in FIG.2). The fluid supply adapter 302 may include a cavity that traverses the length of the fluid supply adapter 302. That is, the fluid supply adapter 302 may include a cavity that fluidically connects the fluid supply container to the fluid inlet port of the printing fluid tank printing device 300 fluid reservoir for a fluid fill / refill operation. In some examples, the cavity may be hollow. In one non-limiting example, the fluid supply adapter 302 may further comprise a divider 322. The divider 322 may traverse the length of the fluid supply adapter 302 and may separate a fluid supply path 328 of the cavity from an air path 330 of the cavity. Though examples are not so limited and the cavity of the fluid supply adapter86305354 8 / 26 302 may be an undivided cavity (e.g., hollow) or may include a divider that separates the cavity into multiple sections (e.g., two or more sections such as the fluid supply path 328 and the air path 330 illustrated in FIG.3).

[0026] In some examples, the cavity may be divided into equal sized paths. In one example, the cavity may be divided into two equally sized paths (e.g., the fluid supply path 328 may be the same size as the air path 330). However, in some examples, the fluid supply path 328 may be larger than the air path 330 (e.g., the fluid supply path 328 may comprise approximately 70% of the cavity). Further, the divider 322 may be a chevron shape, though examples are not so limited and the divider 322 may be any shape conducive of fluid flow and air flow.

[0027] As shown in FIG.3, the first section 306 of the fluid supply adapter 302 may be a first size and thus may have a first inner diameter. The transitional section 308 may expand in width from the first section 306 to the base 310 of the fluid supply adapter 302. The base 310 may be a second size, larger than the first size, and thus may have a second inner diameter greater than the first inner diameter. As previously described, the first inner diameter may be limited in size and as such, the second inner diameter may be sized to be greater than the first inner diameter to allow the fluid supply adapter 302 to exhibit fluid flow and static fluid properties similar to a fluid supply adapter with an overall larger second inner diameter.

[0028] FIGs.4A-4C illustrate examples of a fluid supply adapter 402. The fluid supply adapter 402 in FIGs.4A-4C may be similar in structure and / or function to fluid supply adapters discussed above (e.g., fluid supply adapter 102 as referenced in FIG.1 and the fluid supply adapter 302 as referenced in FIG.3). For example, the fluid supply adapter 402 may include a tip 404, a first section 406 coupled to the tip 404, a transitional section 408 coupled to an end of the first section 406, and a base 410 coupled to the transitional section 408.

[0029] As shown in FIG.4A, the fluid supply adapter 402 may further include a divider 422 to separate a fluid supply path from an air path of the fluid supply adapter 402 (as further described in reference to FIG.3, FIG.4C, FIG.7B, and FIG. 7C by way of non-limiting example). The divider 422 may be coupled to the first section 406 and the transitional section 408. For example, the fluid supply adapter 402 may include an inner cavity that traverses the length of the fluid supply adapter 402. The divider 422 may be coupled to inner surfaces of the first section 406 and the transitional section 408 and thus reside within the inner cavity of the fluid supply86305354 9 / 26 adapter 402. As such, the divider 422 may traverse the length of the fluid supply adapter 402 and may separate the fluid supply path of the fluid supply adapter 402 from the air path of the fluid supply adapter 402. Though examples herein depict the divider 422 traversing the entire length of the fluid supply adapter 402, examples are not so limited and the divider 422 may traverse a portion of the fluid supply adapter 402.

[0030] As the divider 422 traverses the length of the fluid supply adapter 402, the divider 422 may also couple to the tip 404 and the base 410 of the fluid supply adapter 402. As such, the tip 404 may include a fluid supply ingress 432 into the fluid supply adapter 402, or the cavity of the fluid supply adapter 402, and an air egress 436 out of the fluid supply adapter 402, or the cavity of the fluid supply adapter 402. Additionally, the base 410 may include a fluid supply egress 434 out of the fluid supply adapter 402 and an air ingress 438 into the fluid supply adapter 402. Accordingly, the tip 404 may include the fluid supply ingress 432 and the base 410 may include the fluid supply egress 434 to enable print substance to flow from a fluid supply container, through the fluid supply path of the fluid supply adapter 402, to a fluid reservoir for a fluid fill / refill operation on a printing fluid tank printing device. Further, the tip 404 may include the air egress 436 and the base 410 may include the air ingress 438 to enable air and / or gasses within the fluid reservoir of the printing fluid tank printing device to flow from the fluid reservoir, through the air path of the fluid supply adapter 402, to the fluid supply container during the fluid fill / refill operation.

[0031] In some examples, the divider 422 may lie substantially perpendicular to the base 410 of the fluid supply adapter 402, though examples are not so limited. As such, the fluid supply egress 434 out of the fluid supply adapter 402 may be larger than the fluid supply ingress 432 into the fluid supply adapter 402 and the air ingress 438 into the fluid supply adapter 402 may be larger than the air egress 436 out of the fluid supply adapter 402. As used herein, the term “substantially” intends that the characteristic does not have to be absolute but is close enough so as to achieve the characteristic. For example, “substantially perpendicular” is not limited to absolute perpendicular. For instance, the divider 422 can be within 0.5°, 1°, 2°, 5°, etc. of absolutely perpendicular to the base 410.

[0032] In some examples, the first section 406 of the fluid supply adapter 402 may comprise a first inner diameter 424. That is, the first section 406 may comprise86305354 10 / 26 a first portion of the cavity that traverses the length of the fluid supply adapter 402 and may have the first inner diameter 424. As the first section 406 of the fluid supply adapter 402 may be inserted into the fluid supply container during the fluid fill / refill operation to extract print substance from the fluid supply container, the first section 406 may be limited in size based on the design and / or dimensions of the fluid supply container. For example, the first section 406 may be inserted into a cap of the fluid supply container. Accordingly, the first section 406 of the fluid supply adapter 402 may be limited in size due to properties of the cap design and / or a neck of the fluid supply container.

[0033] As one non-limiting example, the fluid supply container may accept a fluid supply adapter 402 size up to 6.5 millimeters (mm) for insertion into the fluid supply container. Accordingly, the first inner diameter 424 of the portion of the fluid supply adapter 402 that inserts into the fluid supply container may be limited based on the limitations of the fluid supply container and the thickness of the wall of the fluid supply adapter 402. For example, the fluid supply adapter 402 may be comprised of plastic (e.g., polyethylene or polypropylene plastic, etc.) metal, or resin, though examples are not so limited. In one example, the first inner diameter 424 of the first section 406 may be 5.2 mm, though examples are not so limited. In some cases, an inner diameter of 5.2 mm may inhibit the start of flow and / or the continuation of flow of print substance from the fluid supply container as properties of the print substance, such as surface tension, density, temperature, etc., may not be conducive with the limited diameter of the first section 406. That is, the first inner diameter 424, limited based on the design of the fluid supply container, may inhibit the passing of air and / or print substance through the fluid supply adapter 402.

[0034] To improve the flow of or passing of air and / or print substance through the fluid supply adapter 402, the transitional section 408 may include an inner diameter that is gradually increasing, from the first section 406 to the base 410. Further, the base 410 may include a second inner diameter 426 that is larger than the first inner diameter 424. The gradually increasing transitional section 408 inner diameter and the second inner diameter 426 of the base 410 may promote an improved air and print substance flow through the fluid supply adapter 402.

[0035] The second inner diameter 426, may be sized to where the width at the base 410 is sufficient to promote natural air and fluid (e.g., print substance) exchange within the diameter, and thus the fluid supply adapter 402, under the86305354 11 / 26 influence of gravity alone. That is, the second inner diameter 426 may be equal to or greater than a smallest diameter at which air and fluid may start and continue to flow through the fluid supply adapter 402 during the fluid fill / refill operation.

[0036] For example, the smallest diameter at which air and fluid may start and continue to flow and / or exchange through the fluid supply adapter 402, based on gravity, of the second inner diameter 426 may be calculated. The calculation may be based on properties of the fluid supply adapter 402 and the properties of the print substance to flow through the fluid supply adapter 402 during the fluid fill / refill operation according to Expression 1 below, though examples are not so limited. dRT~3.7

[0037] Accordingly, an approximate smallest inner diameter (dRT neck diameter of Rayleigh-Taylor instability for circular interface) of the base 410 of the fluid supply adapter 402 may be calculated by multiplying 3.7 by the square root ofthe surface tension ( ) divided by the square root of fluid density times gravity (pg).The second inner diameter 426 of the fluid supply adapter 402 may be equal to or greater than dRT, improving the start of flow and / or continuous flow of the print substance. It is to be noted that the surface tension and / or the density of the print substance may be affected by the temperature of the print substance.

[0038] In a non-limiting example, the dRT may be calculated as 6 mm – 7 mm depending on the print substance, though examples are not so limited. In this example, the second inner diameter 426 of the fluid supply adapter 402 may be greater than or equal to 6 mm – 7 mm, improving the start of flow and / or continuous flow of the print substance. As such, the second inner diameter 426 may be based on properties (e.g., surface tension, density, temperature, etc.) of the print substance, the print substance to flow through the fluid supply path of the fluid supply adapter 402 during the fluid fill / refill operation. Accordingly, reductions in fluid fill / refill operation times and out of box start up times, increasing efficiency and reducing resources and cost, along with an increase in customer satisfaction may be observed.

[0039] FIG.4B, as previously described, may include the same or similar elements as the fluid supply adapter 102 as referenced in FIG.1, the fluid supply adapter 302 as referenced in FIG.3, and the fluid supply adapter 402 as referenced86305354 12 / 26 in FIG.4A. For example, the fluid supply adapter 402 may include a tip 404, a first section 406 coupled to the tip 404, a transitional section 408 coupled to an end of the first section 406, and a base 410 coupled to the transitional section 408.

[0040] However, the fluid supply adapter 402, as illustrated in FIG.4B, may further include a third section 450. The third section 450 may extend from the base 410 of the fluid supply adapter 402 and, as described herein, may further enable a fluid start and flow characteristic of the fluid supply adapter 402, similar to that which may be desired. A cavity 440 may traverse a length of the fluid supply adapter 402 from the tip 404 through the third section 450. Natural air and fluid (e.g., print substance) may exchange through the cavity 440 of the fluid supply adapter 402 during a fluid fill / refill operation of a print fluid tank printing device.

[0041] For example, the first section 406 of the fluid supply adapter 402, inserted into a fluid supply container during the fluid fill / refill operation, may include a first portion of the cavity 440. The first portion of the cavity 440 may have a first inner diameter (e.g., first inner diameter 424 as illustrated in FIG.4A) limited in width based on a design of the fluid supply container. The limited first inner diameter may exhibit intermittent fluid start and flow during the fluid fill / refill operation as the first inner diameter may not be conducive to properties of the print substance (e.g., may be too small).

[0042] As illustrated in FIG.4B, a first end of the transitional section 446 may be coupled to the first section 406 at a second end of the first section 444. The transitional section 408 of the fluid supply adapter 402 may include a second portion of the cavity 440. The transitional section 408 and thus the second portion of the cavity 440 may not be inserted into the fluid supply container during the fluid fill / refill operation and may not be constrained in width by the design of the fluid supply container. An inner diameter of the second portion of the cavity 440 of the transitional section 408 may gradually increase from the second end of the first section 444 to the base 410 of the fluid supply adapter 402. The base 410 may be coupled to the transitional section 408 at a second end of the transitional section 448. The base 410 may comprise a second inner diameter (e.g., second inner diameter 426 as illustrated in FIG.4A). The second inner diameter may be greater than the first inner diameter and may promote fluid start and continuous flow during fluid fill / refill operations as the second inner diameter may be more conducive to fluid flow and static fluid properties of the print substance.86305354 13 / 26

[0043] The third section 450 may extend from the base 410, opposite the transitional section 408. As such, the third section 450 may comprise a third portion of the cavity 440. The third portion of the cavity may aid in drawing and / or continuous flow of print substance through the fluid supply adapter 402 and may include an inner diameter width equal to the inner diameter of the base 410 (e.g., the third section 450 may share the second inner diameter with the base 410). The fluid supply path and the air path may extend through the third section 450. While coupled to a fluid inlet port (e.g., fluid inlet port 214 as illustrated in FIG.2) of the fluid reservoir of the printing fluid tank printing device, the third section 450 of the fluid supply adapter 402 may extend through the fluid inlet port and into the fluid reservoir of the printing fluid tank printing device. In some examples, once the flow of print substance has started the third section 450 may act as a syphon to promote continuous flow of the print substance through the fluid supply adapter 402.

[0044] As previously described, the tip 404 of the fluid supply adapter 402, coupled to a first end 442 of the first section 406, may include a fluid supply ingress (e.g., fluid supply ingress 432 as illustrated in FIG.4A) into the cavity 440 and an air egress (e.g., air egress 436 as illustrated in FIG.4A) out of the cavity 440. An end of the third section 450 opposite the base 410, or a distal end of the third section 452 may include a fluid supply egress 434 out of the cavity 440 and an air ingress 438 into the cavity 440. As such, during the fluid fill / refill operation print substance may flow from a fluid supply container, into the fluid supply ingress, through a fluid supply path of the fluid supply adapter 402, out the fluid supply egress 434, and into a fluid reservoir of a printing fluid tank printing device. In the reverse direction, during the fluid fill / refill operation air and / or gasses from the fluid reservoir of the printing fluid tank printing device may flow into the air ingress 438, through an air path of the fluid supply adapter 402, out the air egress, and into the fluid supply container.

[0045] In some examples, the cavity of the fluid supply adapter 402 may further comprise a divider 422 to separate the fluid supply path from the air path of the fluid supply adapter 402, though examples are not so limited and the cavity 440 may be a hollow cavity or may include multiple dividers (e.g., two or more). The divider 422 may be coupled to the first section 406, the transitional section 408 and the third section 450, traversing the length of the fluid supply adapter 402. As such, the fluid supply egress 434 out of the fluid supply path of the cavity 440 and the air86305354 14 / 26 ingress 438 into the air path of the cavity 440, at the distal end of the third section 450, may be separated by the divider 422.

[0046] As illustrated in FIG.4B, the cavity 440 may traverse the length of the fluid supply adapter 402 (e.g., from the tip 404 through the third section 450). The cavity within the base 410 and the third section 450 may include the second inner diameter designed / sized to allow a fluid supply adapter 402 with a smaller first inner diameter of the tip 404 and first section 406 to exhibit fluid flow and static fluid properties consistent with fluid supply adapters with an overall larger inner diameter (i.e., similar to having a larger first inner diameter). Further, the third section 450, extending into the fluid reservoir of the print fluid tank may promote further continuous flow of print substance by creating a syphoning of the fluid substance during the fluid fill / refill operation.

[0047] As indicated above, FIG.4C may include the same or similar elements and / or function as the fluid supply adapter 102 as referenced in FIG.1 and the fluid supply adapter 302 as referenced in FIG.3. Further, FIG.4C may be similar to the fluid supply adapter 402, as shown in FIG.4B. For example, the fluid supply adapter 402 may include a third section 450 coupled to and extending from a base 410 of the fluid supply adapter 402.

[0048] However, FIG.4C depicts a fluid supply path 428 traversing a length of the fluid supply adapter 402 through the third section 450 and an air path 430 traversing a length of the fluid supply adapter 402 through the base 410 (e.g., the fluid supply adapter 402 may not comprise an air path 430 that extends beyond the base 410, promoting a greater fluid fill / refill amount as further described herein). In some examples, the fluid supply path 428 may be separated from the air path 430 by a divider 422. As illustrated in FIG.4C, a distal end of the third section 452, opposite the end of the third section 450 coupled to the base 410 of the fluid supply adapter 402, may include a fluid supply egress 434 out of the fluid supply path 428 of a cavity 440 of the fluid supply adapter 402. Accordingly, the third section 450 may comprise the divider 422, the fluid supply path 428, and the fluid supply egress 434. As such, the fluid supply path 428 may extend the full length of the fluid supply adapter 402.

[0049] Further, the base 410 of the fluid supply adapter 402 may include an air ingress 438 into the air path 430 of the cavity 440 of the fluid supply adapter 402. As such, in some examples, the air path 430 may not extend the full length of the fluid supply adapter 402. For example, the fluid supply path 428 and the air path86305354 15 / 26 430, as illustrated in FIG.4C, may both extend through a first section 406 and a transitional section 408; however, the fluid supply path 428 may further extend through the third section 450 of the fluid supply adapter 402.

[0050] During a fluid fill / refill operation, the third section 450 may extend into a fluid reservoir of a printing fluid tank printing device. The first section 406 may be inserted into a fluid supply container and a print substance may flow (e.g., via gravity) from the fluid supply container, through the fluid supply path 428 and into the fluid reservoir. In some examples, once the print substance has started flowing into the fluid reservoir, the third section 450 may act as a syphon, promoting continuous flow of the print substance. An amount or a level of print substance supplied to the fluid reservoir may be dependent upon the location of the air ingress 438. For example, as shown in FIG.4B, the air ingress 438 may be located at a distal end of the third section 452 of the fluid supply adapter 402. As such, during the fluid fill / refill operation, print substance may flow into and fill the fluid reservoir up to the distal end of the third section 452. However, in some examples as shown in FIG.4A and FIG. 4C, the air ingress 438 may be located at a base 410 of the fluid supply adapter 402. As such, during the fluid fill / refill operation, print substance may flow into and fill the fluid reservoir up to the base 410 of the fluid supply adapter 402.

[0051] Though FIG.4A and FIG.4C illustrate the air ingress 438 located at the base 410 of the fluid supply adapter 402, and FIG.4B illustrates the air ingress 438 located at the distal end of the third section 452 of the fluid supply adapter 402, examples are not so limited. For example, the air ingress 438 may be located at the base 410, at the distal end of the third section 452, at any location between the base 410 and the distal end of the third section 452, or the air path 430 may extend beyond the fluid supply path 428 and as such the air ingress 438 may, in some examples, extend further into the fluid reservoir of the printing fluid tank printing device than the fluid supply egress 434. Accordingly, the amount of print substance received by the fluid reservoir and / or a fill limit of the fluid reservoir may be dictated by the location of the air ingress 438 of the fluid supply adapter 402.

[0052] As illustrated in FIG.4C, the fluid supply adapter 402 may include the third section 450 to further promote a continuous flow of print substance during a fluid fill / refill operation while providing for the fluid reservoir to fill up to the base 410 of the fluid supply adapter 402 allowing for fewer fluid refill operations, less down time, and increased efficiency.86305354 16 / 26

[0053] FIG.5 illustrates an interaction between an example fluid supply adapter 502 coupled to an example fluid supply container 520. The fluid supply adapter 502 may be similar in structure and / or function to fluid supply adapters discussed above (e.g., fluid supply adapter 102 in FIG.1, fluid supply adapter 202 in FIG.2, fluid supply adapter 302 in FIG.3, and fluid supply adapter 402 in FIGS.4A- 4C). And the fluid supply container 520 may be similar in structure and / or function to other fluid supply containers discussed above (e.g., fluid supply container 220 in FIG.2).

[0054] As described herein, the fluid supply adapter 502 may include a first section 506 sized to be inserted into a port (e.g., cap 556) of the fluid supply container 520. An outer diameter of the first section 506 of the fluid supply adapter 502, as illustrated in FIG.5, may be limited based on the design of the cap 556 of the fluid supply container 520 or a neck of the fluid supply container 520. As such, the inner diameter of the first section 506 of the fluid supply adapter 502 may also be limited which may cause intermittent fluid start and flow during a fluid fill / refill operation. A transitional section 508 may have an inner diameter that increases in width from the first section 506 to a base 510 of the fluid supply adapter 502. As such, the increasing inner diameter of the transitional section 508 and the larger inner diameter at the base 510 of the fluid supply adapter 502 may allow the fluid supply adapter 502 to exhibit fluid flow and static fluid properties similar to a fluid supply adapter with an overall larger inner cavity diameter.

[0055] Accordingly, during the fluid fill / refill operation, as the fluid supply container 520 is a closed container, a print substance may flow from the fluid supply container 520, through the fluid supply adapter 502, and into the fluid reservoir (e.g., fluid reservoir 212 in FIG.2), reversely, air may flow from the fluid reservoir, through the fluid supply adapter 502, and into the fluid supply container 520, displacing the print substance in the fluid supply container 520.

[0056] FIGs.6A-6G illustrate examples of different implementations of a transitional section 608 of a fluid supply adapter 602. Different implementations of the transitional section 608 may be desirable, such as to correspond to characteristics of a fluid (e.g., viscosity, contact angle, etc.), characteristics of a material of the fluid supply adapter 602, desired fluid flow characteristics, etc. As described herein, the transitional section 608 of the fluid supply adapter 602 may be coupled, at a first end of the transitional section 608, to a first section of the fluid86305354 17 / 26 supply adapter 602 and, at a second end of the transitional section 608, to a base of the fluid supply adapter 602. The fluid supply adapter 602 may comprise a cavity that traverses the length of the fluid supply adapter 602.

[0057] In some examples, the transitional section 608 may comprise a second portion of the cavity. The second portion of the cavity, and thus the transitional section 608, may include a varying inner diameter. For example, the varying inner diameter of the transitional section 608 may increase (may increase in diameter or width) from the end of the first section of the fluid supply adapter 602 to the base of the fluid supply adapter 602. That is, the inner diameter of the transitional section 608 (or second portion of the cavity) may be larger at the second end of the transitional section 608 than at the first end of the transitional section 608.

[0058] Accordingly, the transitional section 608 of the fluid supply adapter 602 may include a gradient inner diameter. As illustrated in FIG.6A, the transitional section 608 may include a straight sloped gradient, though examples are not so limited and the gradient inner diameter of the transitional section 608 may comprise various shapes and / or forms. For example, as illustrated in FIG.6B, the transitional section 608 may include a concave curved gradient inner diameter. Further, as illustrated in FIG.6C, the transitional section 608 may include a convex curved gradient.

[0059] Though FIGs.6A-6C illustrate a single continuous gradient of the transitional section 608, examples are not so limited. For example, the transitional section 608 may comprise a series of two or more subsections 608a, 608b, etc. Each subsection, from the end of the first section of the fluid supply adapter 602 to the base of the fluid supply adapter 602 may have a greater inner diameter. Accordingly, the second portion of the cavity may traverse the series of subsections of the transitional section 608.

[0060] FIG.6D illustrates an example of a series of transitional subsections 608a, 608b where each subsection includes a straight sloped gradient. FIG.6E illustrates an example of a series of transitional subsections 608a, 608b where each subsection includes a concave gradient. Additionally, FIG.6F illustrates an example of a series of transitional subsections 608a, 608b where each subsection includes a convex gradient. Further, FIG.6G illustrates an example of a series of transitional subsections 608a, 608b where each subsection includes a shelf. Though FIGs.6D- 6G illustrate each subsection of the series of transitional subsections 608a, 608b86305354 18 / 26 including a straight slope gradient, a concave gradient, a convex gradient, or a shelf, it is to be understood that the series of transitional subsections 608a, 608b may include any combination thereof.

[0061] Transitional sections 608 of FIGs.6A-6C and transitional subsections 608a, 608b of FIGs.6D-6G illustrate differing shapes (e.g., straight slope, concave, convex, shelf) of the varying inner diameter of the second portion of the fluid supply adapter 602 cavity. As noted, above, these differing shapes may be utilized based on print substance types, properties of the fluid supply adapter, environmental factors (e.g., temperature, etc.) and may promote wetting of the fluid supply adapter 602, flow of the print substance, etc. during a fluid fill / refill operation.

[0062] FIG.7A illustrates an example of a fluid supply adapter 702 coupled to a printing fluid tank printing device 700. In some examples, the fluid supply adapter 702 includes the same or similar elements as the fluid supply adapter 102 as referenced in FIG.1, the fluid supply adapter 302 as referenced in FIG.3, and the fluid supply adapter 402 as referenced in FIG.4A and FIG 4B.

[0063] As illustrated in FIG.7A, the printing fluid tank printing device 700 may include a printing fluid tank 754 comprising a fluid reservoir 712 and a fluid inlet port 714 coupled to the fluid reservoir 712. The fluid supply adapter 702 may couple to the fluid inlet port 714 of the printing fluid tank 754 at a base 710 of the fluid supply adapter 702 for a fluid fill / refill operation.

[0064] In some examples, the fluid supply adapter 702 may snap into or clip or thread onto the fluid inlet port 714. The fluid supply adapter 702 and / or the fluid inlet port 714 may include a device (e.g., a clip, clamp, lock, threads, etc.(not illustrated)) utilized to couple the fluid supply adapter 702 to the fluid inlet port 714. As such, the base 710 of the fluid supply adapter 702 may be removably connected to the fluid inlet port 714 of the printing fluid tank 754. In some examples, the fluid supply adapter 702 may be integrated into the printing fluid tank 754 or may be a component of the printing fluid tank 754. For example, the base 710 of the fluid supply adapter 702 may be plastic welded to the fluid inlet port 714 of the printing fluid tank 754.

[0065] As illustrated in FIG.7A, the fluid supply adapter 702 may include a cavity 740. The cavity 740 may traverse a length of the fluid supply adapter 702. A first section 706 may comprise a first portion of the cavity 740 and may have a first inner diameter and a transitional section 708, coupled at a first end of the transitional86305354 19 / 26 section 708 to a second end of the first section 706, may comprise a second portion of the cavity 740 and may have an inner diameter that gradually increases from the second end of the first section 706 to the base 710. A tip 704 may be coupled to a first end of the first section 706 and may include a fluid supply ingress 732 into the cavity 740 and an air egress 738 out of the cavity 740. The base 710 may be coupled to a second end of the transitional section 708 of the fluid supply adapter 702. The base 710 may comprise a second inner diameter greater than the first inner diameter, and may include a fluid supply egress out of the cavity 740 and an air ingress into the cavity 740 (e.g., fluid supply egress 434 and air ingress 438 as illustrated in FIG.4A). In some examples, as illustrated in FIG.7A, the fluid supply ingress 732 and the air egress 738 may be the same and the fluid supply egress and the air ingress may be the same (e.g., fluid supply adapter 702 may not include a divider separating the fluid supply path from the air path). During a fluid fill / refill operation, pockets or bubbles of air may pass from the fluid reservoir 712 through the print substance as the print substance flows through the cavity 740 of the fluid supply adapter 702. The pockets or bubbles of air may impede the flow of the print substance from the fluid supply container (e.g., the print substance may glug while passing through the fluid supply adapter 702). The second inner diameter may be sized to exhibit characteristic of an overall inner diameter of the fluid supply adapter 702 more conducive with a start and a continuous flow of print substance during the fluid fill / refill operation, than the first inner diameter. Such sizing may reduce the impedance of print substance flow (e.g., reducing glugging) and decrease fluid fill / refill operation times and out of box start up time.

[0066] FIG.7B illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example of a fluid supply adapter 702 coupled to a printing fluid tank printing device 700. In some examples, the fluid supply adapter 702 may be similar in structure and / or function to fluid supply adapters discussed above (e.g., fluid supply adapter 302 as referenced in FIG.3). For example, the fluid supply adapter 702 may include a fluid supply path 728, an air path 730, and a divider 722 to separate the fluid supply path 728 from the air path 730.

[0067] In some examples, as illustrated in FIG.7B, the fluid supply adapter 702 may comprise a first section 706, a transitional section 708, a base 710, and a third section 750 extending from the base 710 into a fluid inlet port 714 of the printing fluid tank printing device 700. As shown in FIG.7B, the divider 722 may reside86305354 20 / 26 within a cavity that traverses the length of the fluid supply adapter 702 and may be coupled to the first section 706, the transitional section 708, the base 710, and the third section 750. Further, as illustrated in FIG.7B, the fluid supply path 728 and the air path 730 may traverse the length of the fluid supply adapter 702 and the divider 722, through the length of the fluid supply adapter 702, may separate the fluid supply path 728 from the air path 730. The divider 722 may provide for a consistent air path 730 for air to flow through the fluid supply adapter 702 and a consistent fluid supply path 728 for print substance to flow through the fluid supply adapter 702 during a fluid fill / refill operation. As such, the print substance may flow through the fluid supply adapter 702 without the impedance of air pockets or bubbles (e.g., without glugging), further promoting fluid start and continuous flow during the fluid fill / refill operation and reducing operation time and out of box start up time.

[0068] FIG.7C illustrates an example of a fluid supply adapter 702 coupled to a printing fluid tank printing device 700. In some examples, the fluid supply adapter 702 includes the same or similar elements as the fluid supply adapter 302 as referenced in FIG.3 and the fluid supply adapter 402 as referenced in FIG.4C. For example, the fluid supply adapter 702 may include a fluid supply path 728, an air path 730, and a divider 722 to separate the fluid supply path 728 from the air path 730.

[0069] A base 710 of the fluid supply adapter 702 may be coupled to a fluid inlet port 714 of the printing fluid tank printing device 700. The base 710 may include an air ingress 736 to allow air and / or gasses to exit out of the printing fluid tank printing device 700 and enter into the fluid supply adapter 702 during a fluid fill / refill operation of the printing fluid tank printing device 700. A third section 750 of the fluid supply adapter 702 may extend from the base 710 into the printing fluid tank printing device 700 through the fluid inlet port 714. As illustrated in FIG.7C, the third section 750 may include a fluid supply egress 734 to allow a print substance to exit out of the fluid supply adapter 702 and into the printing fluid tank printing device 700 during the fluid fill / refill operation. As such, the air path 730 of the fluid supply adapter 702 may traverse a portion of the length of the fluid supply adapter 702 and the fluid supply path 728 may traverse the length of the fluid supply adapter 702. The third section 750 may promote a continuous flow of print substance during a fluid fill / refill operation while providing for the fluid reservoir to fill up to the base 71086305354 21 / 26 of the fluid supply adapter 702 allowing for fewer fluid refill operations, less down time, and increased efficiency.

[0070] In the foregoing detailed description of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration how examples of the disclosure may be practiced. These examples are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice the examples of this disclosure, and it is to be understood that other examples may be utilized and that process, electrical, and / or structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Further, as used herein, “a” refers to one such thing or more than one such thing.

[0071] The figures herein follow a numbering convention in which the first digit corresponds to the drawing figure number and the remaining digits identify an element or component in the drawing. For example, reference numeral 102 may refer to element 102 in Figure 1 and an analogous element may be identified by reference numeral 302 in Figure 3. Elements shown in the various figures herein can be added, exchanged, and / or eliminated to provide additional examples of the disclosure. In addition, the proportion and the relative scale of the elements provided in the figures are intended to illustrate the examples of the disclosure and should not be taken in a limiting sense.

[0072] It can be understood that when an element is referred to as being "on," "connected to", “coupled to”, or "coupled with" another element, it can be directly on, connected, or coupled with the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an object is “directly coupled to” or “directly coupled with” another element it is understood that are no intervening elements (adhesives, screws, other elements) etc.

[0073] The above specification, examples, and data provide a description of the device of the disclosure. Since many examples can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the device of the disclosure, this specification merely sets forth some of the many possible example configurations and implementations.

Claims

86305354 22 / 26 What is claimed is:

1. An adapter, comprising: a first section comprising a first inner diameter; a transitional section coupled to an end of the first section; a divider coupled to the first section and the transitional section, the divider to traverse a length of the adapter to separate a fluid supply path of the adapter from an air path of the adapter; a tip coupled to the first section, the tip including a fluid supply ingress into the adapter and an air egress out of the adapter; and a base coupled to the transitional section and comprising a second inner diameter greater than the first inner diameter, the base including a fluid supply egress out of the adapter and an air ingress into the adapter.

2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the second inner diameter is based on properties of the adapter and properties of a print substance, the print substance to flow through the fluid supply path of the adapter during a fluid fill operation.

3. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the divider is a chevron shape.

4. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the transitional section comprises a varying inner diameter, wherein a width of the varying inner diameter increases from the end of the first section of the adapter to the base of the adapter.

5. The adapter of claim 4, wherein the transitional section includes a straight sloped gradient.

6. The adapter of claim 4, wherein the transitional section includes a concave curved gradient.

7. The adapter of claim 4, wherein the transitional section includes a convex curved gradient.86305354 23 / 26 8. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the transitional section comprises a series of subsections, each subsection, from the end of the first section of the adapter to the base of the adapter, having a greater inner diameter, wherein each subsection includes a shelf, a concave gradient, a convex gradient, a straight slope gradient, or any combination thereof.

9. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the adapter is comprised of plastic, metal, or resin.

10. A fluid supply adapter comprising: a cavity traversing a length of the fluid supply adapter; a first section comprising a first portion of the cavity having a first inner diameter; a tip coupled to a first end of the first section, the tip including a fluid supply ingress into the cavity and an air egress out of the cavity; a transitional section comprising a second portion of the cavity coupled, at a first end of the transitional section, to a second end of the first section, wherein an inner diameter of the second portion of the cavity of the transitional section gradually increases from the second end of the first section to a base of the fluid supply adapter; the base coupled to a second end of the transitional section and comprising a second inner diameter greater than the first inner diameter; and a third section extending from the base, opposite the transitional section, the third section comprising a third portion of the cavity having the second inner diameter.

11. The fluid supply adapter of claim 10, wherein a distal end of the third section includes a fluid supply egress out of the cavity and an air ingress into the cavity.

12. The fluid supply adapter of claim 10, wherein the cavity of the fluid supply adapter further comprises a divider to separate a fluid supply path of the cavity from an air path of the cavity.86305354 24 / 26 13. The fluid supply adapter of claim 12, wherein a distal end of the third section of the fluid supply adapter includes a fluid supply egress out of the fluid supply path of the cavity and an air ingress into the air path of the cavity.

14. The fluid supply adapter of claim 12, wherein the base includes an air ingress into the air path of the cavity and a distal end of the third section includes a fluid supply egress out of the fluid supply path of the cavity.

15. A printing device comprising: a printing fluid tank comprising: a fluid reservoir; and a fluid inlet port coupled to the fluid reservoir; and a fluid supply adapter coupled to the fluid inlet port and comprising: a cavity traversing a length of the fluid supply adapter; a first section comprising a first portion of the cavity having a first inner diameter; a tip coupled to a first end of the first section, the tip including a fluid supply ingress into the cavity and an air egress out of the cavity; a transitional section comprising a second portion of the cavity, the transitional section coupled, at a first end of the transitional section, to a second end of the first section, wherein an inner diameter of the second portion of the cavity of the transitional section gradually increases from the second end of the first section to a base of the fluid supply adapter; and the base coupled to a second end of the transitional section and comprising a second inner diameter greater than the first inner diameter, wherein the fluid supply adapter is coupled to the fluid inlet port at the base of the fluid supply adapter.

16. The printing device of claim 15, wherein the base of the fluid supply adapter is plastic welded to the fluid inlet port of the printing fluid tank.

17. The printing device of claim 15, wherein the base of the fluid supply adapter is removably connected to the fluid inlet port of the printing fluid tank.86305354 25 / 26 18. The printing device of claim 15, wherein the fluid supply adapter further comprises a third section extending from the base into the fluid inlet port, the third section comprising a third portion of the cavity having the second inner diameter.

19. The printing device of claim 15, wherein the fluid supply adapter further comprises a divider to separate a fluid supply path of the cavity from an air path of the cavity.

20. The printing device of claim 19, wherein: the base of the fluid supply adapter further comprises an air ingress into the air path of the cavity; and the fluid supply adapter further comprises a third section extending from the base into the fluid inlet port, the third section comprising a third portion of the cavity and a fluid supply egress out of the fluid supply path.

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