Polyolefin Laminated Ink Container for Easier Recycling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ink containers for inkjet recording apparatuses made of laminated sheets with different resin materials like polyethylene and PET are difficult to recycle due to strong adhesion, requiring costly separation of layers.

Innovation Solution

An ink container with a laminated sheet composed of 90% or more polyolefin resin, allowing for recyclability without separating layers, utilizing polyolefin's durability and barrier properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple types of resin materials (polyethylene and PET) are used in the laminated sheet, then the ink container achieves high functionality and reliability, but the layers cannot be easily separated for recycling, resulting in high separation cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctionality and reliability of ink containerVSAvoidrecyclability and separation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies homogeneity by using polyolefin resin as the common base material for all layers in the laminated sheet. This ensures that all layers are made of the same resin type, enabling easy separation and recycling while maintaining the functional requirements of the ink container through proper layer composition and adhesive bonding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameter by specifying that the laminated sheet must contain 90 mass% or more of polyolefin resin. This parameter change ensures recyclability while maintaining functionality, as the high polyolefin content allows for easy separation during recycling processes while still providing the necessary barrier properties and structural integrity for ink storage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If the sheets are strongly bonded with adhesive, then the laminated sheet maintains structural integrity, but the layers cannot be easily separated for recycling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrity of laminated sheetVSAvoidease of separation for recycling

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By using polyolefin resin as the common base material across all layers, the patent enables selective separation of specific layers (such as barrier layers or adhesive layers) while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the laminated sheet during normal use. The homogeneous material base allows for controlled separation processes that preserve strength where needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies segmentation by allowing the laminated sheet to be divided into distinct functional layers (protective layer, barrier layer, adhesive layer, sealing layer) that can be separately separated and recycled. This segmentation enables selective removal and recycling of specific layers while maintaining the structural integrity of the remaining components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250346041A1Ink container

Publication Date: 2025.11.13 CANON KK

AI summary

An ink container that stores ink to be ejected by an ink ejection apparatus includes an ink storage bag made of a laminated sheet and storing the ink therein, and an ink supply member having an ink supply portion for supplying the ink inside the ink storage bag to the ink ejection apparatus. A resin material constituting the laminated sheet contains 90 mass % or more of polyolefin resin.