Print Refill Device Cap Disk and Actuating Liner for Residue Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Print particle residue left on the surface of refill devices and receptacles during the refilling process contaminates the print particles and can transfer to users and other surfaces, leading to inefficiencies in printing devices.

Innovation Solution

The print particle refill device incorporates a cap disk, a first liner, and an actuating liner to seal and clean the surface, preventing residual particles from entering the reservoir and minimizing contamination by wiping and absorbing excess particles after the refill process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If print particles are transferred from the refill device to the reservoir, then the reservoir is refilled, but print particle residue remains on the surface of the refill device and receptacle causing contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamount of print particles in reservoirVSAvoidprint particle residue contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful residue from the system by introducing a liner that collects and contains print particle residue on the surface of the receptacle and refill device, separating it from the clean print particles in the reservoir

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a liner as an intermediary component between the refill device and the reservoir. This liner acts as a mediator that wipes and absorbs residual print particles, preventing direct contact between contaminated surfaces and clean print particles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the refill device contacts the receptacle surface during refilling, then print particles can be transferred, but residue transfers to users and other surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefill processVSAvoidresidue transfer to users

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The liner serves as an intermediary that contacts the receptacle surface during refilling, performing the necessary wiping action while containing the residue, thus protecting users from direct exposure to contaminated surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The liner is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after use, providing a low-cost solution to prevent residue transfer to users by containing contamination in a single-use element

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS11803133B2Print refill devices

Publication Date: 2023.10.31 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

Examples described herein relate to a print particle refill device consistent with the disclosure. For instance, a print particle refill device may comprise a cap disk to form a barrier between the print particle refill device and a receptacle, a first liner adjacent to the cap disk to seal print particles in the print particle refill device, and an actuating liner to wipe print particles, when present, from the receptacle.