Ink Storage Bag Spout Assembly for Leak-Safe Refilling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for manufacturing liquid storage bags, such as ink storage bags, do not effectively prevent liquid leakage and often require cutting and welding to refill, which can lead to inefficiencies and environmental waste.
Innovation Solution
A method for manufacturing ink storage bags that includes forming a refill port and flow path without cutting and welding, using a spout with a sealable refill port and filter to prevent liquid leakage and contamination, and a process to discharge residual liquid and gas before refilling, allowing for recyclable and reliable liquid storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If cutting and welding methods are used to refill ink storage bags, then refilling can be achieved, but liquid leakage and contamination occur
Solution Approach 1:
The spout is divided into separate components: a refill port assembly with a cap, a filter element, and the main spout body. This segmentation allows the refill port to be sealed independently without cutting or welding the entire spout, preventing liquid leakage while enabling refilling.
Solution Approach 2:
A filter element is introduced as an intermediary component between the refill port and the bag interior. The filter prevents contamination during refilling while allowing liquid passage, and the cap provides an additional sealing intermediary that eliminates the need for cutting and welding operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cutting and welding are used to form openings, then refilling is enabled, but manufacturing complexity and waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The refill port, cap, and filter are pre-assembled as an integrated unit during manufacturing. This preliminary assembly eliminates the need for complex cutting and welding operations at the refilling stage, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining adaptability for refilling.
Solution Approach 2:
The spout assembly serves multiple functions: it provides the original dispensing function, enables refilling through the capged refill port, and incorporates filtration. This multi-functionality is achieved through a unified design rather than through cutting and welding separate components, reducing overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If seal members are inserted into refill ports, then sealing is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is merged with the cap to form an integrated sealing assembly. The cap itself acts as the seal member, eliminating the need for separate seal components and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining reliable sealing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap is designed to self-seal the refill port through its inherent structure when closed. The cap's geometry and material properties provide automatic sealing without requiring additional seal members or complex assembly procedures, simplifying the overall assembly process.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An ink storage bag (101) includes a bag body (201) configured to store an ink, and a spout (202) fixed to the bag body (201). The spout (202) includes a first opening (302) configured to discharge the ink from an inside of the bag body (201) to an outside, a second opening (203) configured to refill the inside of the bag body (201) with the ink from the outside and formed at a fixing portion (W) at which the spout (202) and the bag body (201) are fixed to each other, and a seal member (204) configured to seal the second opening (203) in an openable and closable manner