Nested UV Ink Containing Body with Light Shielding

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid containing bodies, particularly those storing ultraviolet curable ink, face issues such as premature hardening due to exposure to light and inadequate user safety during handling, with a need for miniaturization, resource efficiency, and enhanced usability.

Innovation Solution

A liquid containing body design featuring a flexible member and supply member sealed within a first bag, which is partially enclosed in a second bag providing light shielding properties, preventing UV and visible light exposure and allowing for easy identification of leaks, thus preventing user contact and hardening of the ink.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the UV ink is stored in a transparent or light-permeable container, then the container material and design freedom are enhanced, but the UV ink hardens prematurely due to light exposure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign freedomVSAvoidpremature hardening prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into two distinct layers: an inner container made of transparent or light-permeable material for storing UV ink, and an outer container made of light-shielding material. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specialized function - the inner container provides design freedom and visibility, while the outer container prevents light exposure and premature hardening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner container is nested within the outer container, with the inner container holding the UV ink and the outer container providing light shielding. This nested structure enables the transparent inner container to maintain its optical properties for design freedom while the opaque outer container protects against light exposure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If the outer bag is sealed completely, then light shielding is improved, but the bag is damaged during opening process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight shielding propertyVSAvoidopening ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing structure is segmented into two stages: the inner bag is sealed to protect the UV ink, while the outer bag remains partially open or has a tear-resistant opening mechanism. This allows the light-shielding outer bag to maintain its protective function while enabling safe opening without damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The outer bag is designed with prior cushioning features such as tear-resistant materials or pre-scored opening lines that allow controlled opening. This prevents accidental damage during the opening process while maintaining complete light shielding when closed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the inner bag is made transparent for visibility, then leak detection is improved, but UV light passes through causing hardening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleak detectionVSAvoidhardening prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The container system is segmented into two functional layers: the inner transparent bag enables visual inspection for leaks, while the outer opaque bag blocks UV light. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning different optical properties to different layers based on their specific functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transparent inner bag is nested within the opaque outer bag, creating a layered structure where the inner bag's transparency enables leak detection while the outer bag's opacity prevents UV light transmission and hardening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Loss of substance

If miniaturization is pursued, then resource saving is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource savingVSAvoidmanufacturing facilitation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The inner and outer containers are designed to be combined in a single packaging process, where the inner container is placed within the outer container and both are sealed together. This merging approach enables miniaturization and resource efficiency while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through integrated packaging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The nested structure of the inner container within the outer container enables compact miniaturization of the overall package, reducing material usage and improving resource efficiency while maintaining ease of manufacture through a straightforward nested assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 effectively shields the ink from UV and visible light, preventing premature hardening and ensuring user safety by allowing easy opening and closure of the bags, while enhancing design freedom and material quality without compromising light shielding properties.

Implementation Method 1

the second bag is configured to block the ultraviolet light and the visible light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

the supply member is configure to block the ultraviolet light and the visible light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

the housing...is configured to block the ultraviolet light and the visible light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP2845736B1Liquid containing body
Publication Date: 2018.07.11 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP2845736B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2845736B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP2845736B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The liquid containing body includes a flexible member configured to contain liquid which is hardened by irradiation of ultraviolet light, a supply member that is connected to the flexible member and includes a supply port configured to supply the liquid to a liquid ejecting device from the flexible member, a first containing body that houses the flexible member and the supply member, and is transparent or translucent to allow the ultraviolet light to pass through, and a second containing body that houses the first containing body and is configured to block the ultraviolet light and visible light.