Printing Material Container Cap With Non-Rotating Valve Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing systems face inefficiencies in storing and conveying printing materials, particularly in three-dimensional printing systems where unfused build material accumulates, and in two-dimensional systems where toner needs to be removed and reused, requiring a solution for controlled and efficient material handling.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable container with dual rotation directions for supplying and refilling printing materials, equipped with material-conveying and guiding structures to manage the flow and compaction of materials, ensuring efficient delivery and reuse while maintaining material properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a container stores printing material for conveyance to a printing system, then the printing material can be supplied for image formation or three-dimensional object formation, but the container requires complex structures to control material flow and prevent waste
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into separate functional components: a rotatable chamber for storing printing material, a material-conveying member (screw) for controlled dispensing, and a material-guiding structure with channel for directing material flow. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable material conveyance control.
Solution Approach 2:
The container incorporates a rotatable chamber that can rotate in first and second directions to control material flow. The material-conveying member is rotatable within the chamber to dispense material in a controlled manner. This dynamic design replaces complex fixed structures with simpler rotating components that achieve the same material control function.
2Productivity
If printing material is conveyed from the container to the printing system, then the material can be used for printing operations, but material may become compacted or accumulate unwantedly during storage and conveyance
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable chamber can rotate in a first direction to convey material and in a second direction to loosen and redistribute material, preventing compaction. This dynamic bidirectional rotation maintains material properties during storage and conveyance while enabling efficient delivery to the printing system when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The material-conveying member rotates periodically to dispense material in controlled amounts. This periodic rotation ensures consistent material delivery to the printing system while preventing over-accumulation and maintaining material flow properties through regular motion cycles.
3Ease of operation
If the container is designed for easy handling and storage, then the container can be easily installed and removed from the printing system, but the container may require simplified structures that reduce material control capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The container separates the complex material control mechanisms (rotatable chamber, screw conveyor, guiding structure) from the external handling interface. The simple cylindrical exterior with opening allows easy insertion and removal, while the internal segmented components provide reliable material flow control during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable chamber serves multiple functions: it stores printing material, conveys material to the dispensing point, loosens compacted material through reverse rotation, and controls the timing and rate of material delivery. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall container structure while maintaining material control reliability.
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 solution enables efficient and controlled conveyance of printing materials, reducing waste, maintaining material quality, and facilitating easy handling and storage, thereby enhancing the operational efficiency of printing systems.
Implementation Method 1
a material-conveying member configured to convey the printing material through rotation
Implementation Method 2
a material-guiding structure having a helical lower surface that extends from the base into the chamber in an axial direction
Implementation Method 3
A rotatable container with dual rotation directions for supplying and refilling printing materials
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of the present disclosure relate to a container for storing a material for a printing system. The container has a channel structure for conveying the material, the channel structure providing an opening of the container and an axis of the channel structure defining an axial direction. The container also has a valve structure disposed within the channel structure. The valve structure is translatable within the channel structure between a proximal position and a distal position in the axial direction. The valve structure is non-rotatable relative to the channel structure about the axis of the channel structure. The valve structure is arranged to seal the channel structure when the valve structure is in the proximal position.