Liquid Replenishment Container Spout Absorber Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid replenishment containers for inkjet recording apparatuses face issues with liquid leakage and splashing during the replenishment process, particularly when the container is frequently fitted to and removed from the apparatus, leading to economic losses and contamination.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a spout with a liquid absorber positioned on the front end surface, rather than the lid member, to minimize leakage and splashing, with embodiments incorporating various absorber configurations and droplet collection mechanisms to efficiently recover and reuse the absorbed liquid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the liquid absorber is arranged on the lid member to reduce liquid leakage from the container, then liquid leakage when the lid is fitted is reduced, but spillage during the replenishment operation remains significant
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid absorber is repositioned from the horizontal lid member to the vertical spout surface, changing the spatial dimension of absorption. This allows the absorber to contact liquid that splashes along the spout during insertion/removal operations, rather than only liquid leaking from the container cap.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid absorber is pre-positioned on the spout surface at the area where liquid splashing is most likely to occur during replenishment operations. This preliminary placement ensures immediate absorption of splashed liquid before it can spread to contaminate the inlet flow path member or surrounding areas.
2Reliability
If the liquid outlet is kept upward in storage position to prevent leakage, then sealing is improved, but reliable upright positioning during storage cannot always be assured
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid absorber acts as an intermediary safety mechanism between the liquid outlet and the external environment. Even if the container is stored in an unintended orientation causing liquid to reach the spout, the absorber intercepts the liquid and prevents it from leaking outward, providing passive protection without requiring precise positioning.
3Productivity
If the container is frequently fitted to and removed from the apparatus, then replenishment operations can be performed multiple times, but liquid splashing around the inlet flow path member increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid absorber converts the harmful effect of liquid splashing during frequent replenishment operations into a beneficial containment mechanism. The absorber material is designed to capture and hold splashed liquid, preventing it from contaminating the inlet flow path member while allowing the frequent replenishment operations to continue.
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 container effectively reduces liquid loss and contamination by absorbing and recovering splashed ink, minimizing economic waste and ensuring reliable liquid replenishment in inkjet recording apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid absorber arranged on the spout; the liquid outlet being open in the front end surface of the spout; the liquid absorber being arranged at least on an area of the front end surface not occupied by the liquid outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A container for liquid replenishment for replenishing liquid in a liquid ejection apparatus comprises a container body capable of containing the liquid, a spout fitted to the container body and having a front end section including a front end surface and a liquid outlet for allowing the liquid to flow out therefrom, a lid member removably attached to the spout to cover the spout and a liquid absorber arranged on the spout. The liquid outlet is open in the front end surface of the spout and the liquid absorber is arranged at least on an area of the front end surface not occupied by the liquid outlet.