Removable Ink Container with Integrated Heating for Screen Printing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for providing printing ink on printing units, particularly in screen printing processes, face challenges in efficiently changing ink types and maintaining ink properties, with complex heating and pumping systems that complicate cleaning and require significant effort and resources.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring an interchangeable container system with a separate heating and pumping mechanism, allowing for quick ink changes and continuous refilling without altering the ink's properties, where the heating and pumping functions are structurally distinct to facilitate easy cleaning and efficient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a complex heating and pumping system is integrated into the ink container, then ink can be continuously supplied and heated, but the device becomes difficult to clean and requires significant effort to change ink types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous ink supplyVSAvoidheating and pumping system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate functional modules: a removable ink container (31) that can be independently detached from the holder (33), separating the storage function from the heating and pumping functions. This segmentation allows the container to be quickly replaced for ink changes without cleaning the heating system, while the holder retains the heating device (39) and pump (48) for continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ink container (31) is extracted as a separate, removable component from the holder (33). The container can be detached without tools and replaced quickly, allowing ink changes to be performed in seconds. The heating device (39) and pump (48) remain in the holder, continuing to maintain ink temperature and supply functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the ink container is fixed and integrated into the holder, then heating and pumping functions are maintained, but ink changes require significant effort and time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating and pumping functionVSAvoidink change time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The ink container (31) is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to be easily inserted into and removed from the holder (33). The container can be quickly detached and replaced without tools, enabling rapid ink changes. The holder (33) maintains the heating device (39) and pump (48) to ensure continuous and reliable ink supply and temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Temperature

If a separate heating device is used for the container, then ink temperature is controlled, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveink temperature controlVSAvoidheating device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating device (39) is merged with the holder (33) structure, where the holder serves dual purposes: supporting the removable ink container (31) and providing heating functionality through an integrated heating element. This combination eliminates the need for a separate heating device attached to the container, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables rapid ink changes within seconds, is cost-effective, and simplifies the cleaning process, ensuring continuous operation with minimal disruption, while maintaining ink quality through controlled heating and metering.

Implementation Method 1

at least part of a quantity of printing ink arranged in the container (31) in the region of its outlet (32) is liquefied or at least liquefiable by a first quantity of heat generated by a first heating device (39) of the holder (33) and introduced into the container (31)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

an outlet pipe (41) with a second heating device (44), by which at least part of a quantity of printing ink conducted through the outlet pipe (41) is replaced by a second quantity of heat generated by the second heating device (44) and introduced into this quantity of printing ink in its liquefied or liquid state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2995454B1Device for providing printing ink to a printing form of a printing unit
Publication Date: 2017.05.10 KBA KAMMANN
  • EP2995454B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2995454B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2995454B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for supplying printing ink to a printing form of a printing unit, wherein the printing ink is arranged in a container (31) having an outlet (32) for the printing ink, wherein the container (31) containing the printing ink is arranged or at least arable to be arranged on the printing unit in or on a holder (33), wherein the holder (33) has a first heating device (39), wherein a first elongated hollow body (41) made of a flexible or inflexible material is arranged on the container (31), wherein the first elongated hollow body (41) is connected to the outlet (32) of the container (31), wherein a second elongated hollow body (57) made of a flexible or inflexible material is arranged on the holder (33), wherein the second elongated hollow body (57) has a second heating device (44), and wherein the first elongated hollow body (41) is arranged or at least arable to be arranged inside the second elongated hollow body (57). is,when the container (31) is arranged in or on the holder (33).