Ink Refilling Container Valve Creep Deformation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ink refilling containers face issues with creep deformation of slit valves, leading to unintended opening and potential dripping when the container is tilted, and risk of spouting due to increased pressure and liquid head pressure.

Innovation Solution

The ink refilling container features a cap with a protruding portion that pushes the middle portion of the valve segments, reducing creep deformation and preventing slits from remaining open. The cap also includes small protrusions that push and release the valve segments during cap detachment, facilitating pressure release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the dome-shaped convex portion pushes the outer-circumference-side end of the slit valve, then the valve is pushed open to prevent adhesion, but creep deformation occurs causing the slit to remain open and leading to dripping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve sealing reliabilityVSAvoidvalve shape stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by changing the pushing position from the outer-circumference-side end to the middle portion of the valve segments. This localized change in pushing position prevents creep deformation while still maintaining the valve open during use, resolving the contradiction between preventing adhesion and maintaining shape stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates small protrusions that preliminarily push the valve segments during cap detachment to release pressure before the valve is fully closed. This preliminary action prevents pressure buildup that could cause spouting, while the main pushing action during normal use prevents adhesion without causing creep deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the convex portion pushes the slit valve to prevent adhesion, then the valve opens slightly, but pressure cannot be released sufficiently when internal pressure increases, leading to spouting risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve sealing reliabilityVSAvoidinternal pressure release
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The small protrusions on the cap perform a preliminary pushing action on the valve segments during cap detachment. This preliminary action creates pressure release pathways before the valve is fully closed, allowing internal pressure to be released gradually and preventing spouting while maintaining reliable sealing during normal use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the pushing function into two parts: the main dome-shaped convex portion that pushes the middle of valve segments during normal use, and small protrusions that push during cap detachment. This segmentation allows different pushing actions at different stages to simultaneously prevent adhesion and release pressure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the amount of pushing the slit valve is decreased to suppress creep deformation, then valve shape stability is maintained, but pressure release becomes insufficient, increasing spouting risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve shape stabilityVSAvoidinternal pressure release
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The small protrusions perform a preliminary pushing action during cap detachment to release pressure before the valve is fully closed. This preliminary action provides sufficient pressure release without requiring strong pushing during normal use, thus maintaining valve shape stability while preventing spouting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pushing function is segmented into the dome-shaped convex portion for maintaining shape stability during normal use and small protrusions for pressure release during cap detachment. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This design effectively prevents staining due to spilling and reduces the risk of spouting by minimizing creep deformation and allowing gradual pressure release, ensuring reliable ink refilling and storage.

Implementation Method 1

the creep deformation of the valve occurs in a state of receiving a force toward the outer circumference

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCreep deformation: Creep

Implementation Method 2

facilitating pressure release

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure release: Depressurisation

Implementation Method 3

the valve is made of an elastic material and includes valve segments segmented by at least one slit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 4

the spouting of the content of the container might occur due to the exceeding of the sum of the increased pressure and the liquid head pressure of the content over the pressure resistance of the valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3988316B1Ink refilling container
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP3988316B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3988316B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3988316B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An ink refilling container includes a bottle and a cap. The bottle includes an ink outlet (65) forming portion including an ink outlet and a valve (74). The valve has valve segments segmented by slits (75). The cap includes a top portion (683), which faces the ink outlet when the cap is put on the bottle. A protruding portion (684) extending in the central axis direction is provided at the center of the top portion. An annular-shaped sealing portion (687) is provided on the top portion radially outside the protruding portion. The radius of the protruding portion is less than the length of the slit. In a sealed state wherein the cap is in thread engagement with the bottle and wherein the sealing portion seals the ink outlet, the tip end of the protruding portion is inserted in the inside of the bottle through the slits at the center region of the ink outlet.