Paper Ink Container Geometry for Smooth Refill Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink containers made from plastic materials pose environmental burdens, and substituting them with paper materials necessitates effective ink utilization to facilitate reuse or disposal, as the known fiber laminate structures hinder smooth ink flow.
Innovation Solution
An ink container and refill system utilizing a paper material body with an impermeable coating and a specific geometric shape that ensures smooth ink flow towards the outlet, maximizing ink usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If plastic materials are substituted with paper materials to alleviate environmental burdens, then environmental friendliness is improved, but ink flow smoothness deteriorates due to fiber laminate structure
Solution Approach 1:
A smooth inner coating layer is applied to the paper container body to act as an intermediary between the ink and the fiber laminate structure. This coating layer prevents the fiber structure from obstructing ink flow while maintaining the environmental benefits of paper material usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner surface parameters of the paper container are modified by applying a smooth coating that changes the surface texture and reduces friction. This allows ink to flow smoothly over the coated surface despite the underlying fiber laminate structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If paper materials are used for ink containers, then recyclability is improved, but ink utilization efficiency deteriorates due to obstructed ink flow
Solution Approach 1:
The smooth inner coating serves as a mediator that enables complete ink extraction from the container while maintaining paper material recyclability. The coating prevents ink from being trapped in fiber structures, allowing thorough utilization of ink supply.
3Strength
If fiber laminate structure is used for paper containers, then structural strength is improved, but ink flow performance deteriorates due to fiber obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The container structure is segmented into two functional layers: an outer fiber laminate layer for structural strength and an inner smooth coating layer for ink flow performance. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner coating layer acts as an intermediary that separates the ink from the fiber structure, allowing the fiber laminate to provide strength while the coating ensures smooth ink flow.
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 system allows for thorough utilization of ink, reducing environmental impact by ensuring efficient refilling and minimizing ink scattering, thus contributing to a sustainable society.
Implementation Method 1
The ink container body (101) is made from a paper material, and the inner surface of the ink container body is covered with an impermeable coating
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An ink container (100) for supplying ink into a receptacle of an ink ejector, the ink container including an ink container body (101) configured to hold the ink and a spout (102) having an outlet (103) through which the ink held inside the ink container body is dispensed to outside, in which the ink container body is formed of a paper material internal of which is covered by a material that is impermeable to ink, and the ink container body has a shape becoming narrower toward the spout.