Ink Pack Adhesive Boundary for Strong Bonding and Recycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink containers face challenges in recyclability due to unclear boundaries between the ink supply unit and internal pack, leading to mixed materials during separation, which reduces recyclable components.
Innovation Solution
The ink container design includes specific adhesion regions and adhesive configurations that enhance the clarity of material boundaries and facilitate easy separation, using thermosetting epoxy resin adhesives and other adhesives with controlled application to improve adhesion strength and separability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If welding is used to connect the internal pack to the ink supply unit, then the connection strength is improved, but the separability and recyclability deteriorate due to material mixing at the boundary
Solution Approach 1:
The connection structure is divided into distinct segments: the ink supply unit, the adhesive layer, and the internal pack. This segmentation allows each component to be separated cleanly during recycling, with the adhesive layer acting as a defined boundary that prevents material mixing while maintaining connection strength during use.
Solution Approach 2:
An adhesive layer is introduced as an intermediary substance between the ink supply unit and the internal pack. This adhesive mediator provides strong bonding during use but allows for clean separation during recycling, as it forms a distinct layer that prevents direct material mixing between the connected components.
2Ease of manufacture
If adhesive is used to connect the internal pack to the ink supply unit, then the separability is improved, but the connection strength may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive properties are optimized by controlling specific parameters such as adhesive thickness (0.1-1.0 mm), adhesive type (thermosetting epoxy resin or hot melt adhesive), and application method. These parameter changes enable the adhesive to provide sufficient connection strength during use while maintaining clean separability during recycling.
3Ease of manufacture
If the boundary between ink supply unit and internal pack is unclear, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the recyclability deteriorates due to material mixing during separation
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive layer serves as a visible and tangible intermediary that creates a clear boundary between the ink supply unit and internal pack. This intermediary layer is easily identifiable during recycling processes, enabling workers to separate components cleanly without material mixing, thus maintaining high recyclable material purity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive layer can be formulated with specific colors or visual characteristics that make it distinctly visible against the ink supply unit and internal pack materials. This visual differentiation creates a clear boundary that simplifies both manufacturing identification and recycling separation processes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design allows for stable ink containment with improved adhesion strength and easy separation of materials, enhancing the recyclability of the ink container components.
Implementation Method 1
an ink container formed by adhering a film of an ink containing unit to an ink supply unit
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a technique of disassembling an ink pack into a single material and improving the recyclability. That is, the technique may contribute to realization of a sustainable society such as a decarbonized/recycling society. To this end, an ink container configured to contain an ink includes: a first container configured to contain the ink; and an ink supply unit joined to the first container and configured to supply the ink in the first container to outside of the ink container, in which the first container and the ink supply unit are adhered to each other via an adhesive in each adhesion region.