Removable Accumulator Bag Attachment for Printer Cartridge Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing accumulator bags for printer cartridges lack efficient methods for secure, removable attachment to carrier sheets during manufacturing, which can lead to damage or improper pressure regulation in ink reservoirs.
Innovation Solution
The development of accumulator bags with a first and second polymer film panel welded together to form a pressurizable chamber, secured to a carrier sheet using upper and lower adhesive stripes and an annular adhesive element, allowing for removable attachment without damaging the polymer material and ensuring consistent pressure regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If accumulator bags are permanently attached to carrier sheets using strong adhesives, then attachment security is improved, but the polymer material is damaged during removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of adhesive strength by using a removable adhesive that provides sufficient attachment security during manufacturing while allowing damage-free removal. The adhesive is formulated to have controlled bonding characteristics that prevent polymer material damage upon detachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier sheet with adhesive stripes serves as a disposable manufacturing aid that is used temporarily during the manufacturing process and then discarded. This allows the use of strong attachment during manufacturing without concern for permanent retention, as the carrier sheet is not intended for long-term use.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If accumulator bags are loosely attached to carrier sheets, then polymer material damage is prevented, but attachment security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive strength parameter is precisely controlled to fall within an optimal range that provides both secure attachment during manufacturing and damage-free removal. The removable adhesive is engineered to have just the right bonding characteristics to satisfy both requirements simultaneously.
3Strength
If complex adhesive application methods are used, then attachment security is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive stripes are pre-applied to the carrier sheet before the accumulator bags are attached. This preliminary action simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating the need for complex adhesive application equipment and procedures during the bag attachment step.
Solution Approach 2:
The accumulator bags are designed with self-adhering characteristics that allow them to be directly attached to the pre-adhered carrier sheet without requiring additional adhesive application steps. The bags essentially attach themselves through simple contact and pressure.
4Device complexity
If simple adhesive methods are used, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but attachment security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The removable adhesive serves multiple functions: it provides secure attachment during manufacturing, allows damage-free removal, and maintains bag positioning stability throughout the manufacturing process. This multi-functionality achieves strong attachment security through a relatively simple adhesive application method.
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
This solution enables secure, removable attachment of accumulator bags to carrier sheets, facilitating efficient manufacturing and preventing damage during handling, while ensuring consistent pressure regulation for ink reservoirs in printer cartridges.
Implementation Method 1
Each accumulator bag includes a first polymer film panel and a second polymer film panel welded together along the perimeters of the first and second panels to form a pressurizable chamber within the accumulator bag
Implementation Method 2
The upper and lower adhesive stripes are arranged so that the adhering strength of the adhesive stripes allows for polymer materials to be adhered to the upper and lower adhesive stripes and subsequently removed from the stripes without damaging the polymer material
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus useful in the assembly of printer cartridges includes a plurality of accumulator bags removeably secured to a carrier sheet. Each accumulator bag includes a first polymer film panel and a second polymer film panel welded together to form a pressurizable chamber with an aperture formed in the bag to provide access to the pressurizable chamber. An annular adhesive element is secured to each bag such that an aperture of the annular adhesive element is generally concentric with the aperture of the accumulator bag. The carrier sheet includes an upper adhesive stripe, a lower adhesive stripe, and a silicone stripe. The plurality of accumulator bags is removeably secured to the carrier sheet by adhering an upper portion of each bag to the upper adhesive stripe, adhering a lower portion of each bag to the lower adhesive stripe, and positioning the annular adhesive element in contact with the silicone stripe.