Printing Fluid Container Sealing Membrane Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current printing fluid containers for printer systems lack an efficient and secure mechanism for filling and refilling, as existing solutions often result in contamination, fluid loss, and unreliable sealing methods.
Innovation Solution
A printing fluid container with a closure device featuring a sealing material layer that can be pierced by a fluidic interconnect device for filling and re-sealed, ensuring a secure fluid path and minimizing contamination, utilizing a removable neck seal and a closure device with a thread or form-fit connection for easy access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a puncturable diaphragm is used for filling the printing fluid container, then the filling process becomes simpler, but the sealing reliability deteriorates leading to contamination and fluid loss
Solution Approach 1:
The closure device is divided into multiple functional components: a closure device main body with outlet passage, a separate sealing material layer (membrane) with puncture opening, and a puncture member. This segmentation allows the sealing function to be isolated in the replaceable sealing material layer, which can be easily exchanged without affecting the main closure structure, thus maintaining both ease of operation and sealing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing material layer is designed as a disposable component that is replaced after use rather than repaired. This allows the system to maintain high sealing reliability by always using a fresh, intact sealing layer, while the filling operation remains simple through the standardized puncture interface. The used sealing layer is discarded and a new one is installed in the closure device
2Ease of operation
If a removable seal is used for the neck opening, then access for filling is improved, but contamination risk increases due to exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing material layer is pre-installed in the closure device main body before the filling operation. The neck seal is removed only when needed, and the closure device with its integrated sealing layer is immediately placed back on the neck after filling. This preliminary preparation of the sealing mechanism minimizes the time the opening is exposed and reduces contamination risk while maintaining easy access
Solution Approach 2:
The closure device main body acts as an intermediary between the neck opening and the external environment. It provides a controlled interface through the outlet passage and puncture opening, allowing filling operations while the sealing material layer maintains the barrier function. This intermediary structure enables access without direct exposure of the fluid container to contamination
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple opening is provided for fluid outlet, then manufacturing is easier, but fluid loss occurs due to unreliable sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing material layer is implemented as a flexible membrane or thin film that can be easily formed and integrated into the closure device. This flexible sealing layer conformally seals around the outlet passage and puncture opening, preventing fluid loss while allowing simple manufacturing through standard membrane forming techniques. The flexibility of the thin film allows it to adapt to the outlet geometry without complex machining
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 provides a reliable and contamination-free filling process, ensuring the printing fluid container can be efficiently filled and refilled without fluid loss, maintaining the integrity of the printing fluid during storage and usage.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing material layer being arranged in the closure device printing fluid outlet opening, the sealing material layer having an initial condition, in which the closure device printing fluid outlet opening is sealed, a fluid outlet condition, in which the sealing material layer is pierced by engagement of a fluidic interconnect device of the printing fluid source, which fluidic interconnect device provides a printing fluid inlet passage towards an inner space of the printing fluid source, and the closure device printing fluid outlet opening establishing a fluid path through the closure device printing fluid outlet opening, and re-sealing condition, in which the sealing material layer re-seals the closure device printing fluid outlet opening upon removal of the fluidic interconnect device
Data Source
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Figure 6a~7
AI summary
A printing fluid container (2) for a printing fluid source for a printer system, wherein the printing fluid container comprises a sealing material layer (64) being arranged in a closure device printing fluid outlet opening, the sealing material layer (64) having a fluid outlet condition, in which the sealing material layer is pierced by engagement of a fluidic interconnect device (82) of the printing fluid source and the closure device printing fluid outlet opening, as well as a printing fluid source, a printer system, a printer system arrangement and a method of filling a printing fluid source.