US20150217928A1 - Collapsible Fluid Cartridge With Elastic Membrane - Google Patents
Collapsible Fluid Cartridge With Elastic Membrane Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20150217928A1 US20150217928A1 US14/174,597 US201414174597A US2015217928A1 US 20150217928 A1 US20150217928 A1 US 20150217928A1 US 201414174597 A US201414174597 A US 201414174597A US 2015217928 A1 US2015217928 A1 US 2015217928A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- fluid cartridge
- membrane
- fluid
- bag body
- cartridge
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 46
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 29
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000805 composite resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000151 deposition Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000013013 elastic material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000005001 laminate film Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037303 wrinkles Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
- B65D83/0055—Containers or packages provided with a flexible bag or a deformable membrane or diaphragm for expelling the contents
- B65D83/0061—Containers or packages provided with a flexible bag or a deformable membrane or diaphragm for expelling the contents the contents of a flexible bag being expelled by the contracting forces inherent in the bag or a sleeve fitting snugly around the bag
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
- B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
- B65D47/06—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2231/00—Means for facilitating the complete expelling of the contents
- B65D2231/001—Means for facilitating the complete expelling of the contents the container being a bag
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
- B65D75/52—Details
- B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
- B65D75/5861—Spouts
- B65D75/5872—Non-integral spouts
- B65D75/5883—Non-integral spouts connected to the package at the sealed junction of two package walls
Definitions
- the invention relates to an ink cartridge used in an ink jet printer.
- High speed production ink jet printers typically implement a fluid cartridge (or ink bag).
- a fluid cartridge or ink bag
- Such a cartridge employs a flexible casing that is deformable in accordance with consumption of ink therein.
- fluid cartridges tend not to empty fully when external air pressure is applied. This is mainly due to wrinkles forming on the creases of the side walls that do not flatten out as the bag empties, thus trapping fluid when emptying.
- a fluid cartridge in one embodiment, includes a flexible bag body to store a fluid, a nozzle to discharge the fluid and a membrane inside the bag body to assist in the collapse of the bag body during discharging of the fluid.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of a fluid cartridge
- FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of one embodiment of a fluid cartridge
- FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate embodiments of a permeable membrane
- FIGS. 4A-4C further illustrate rear view embodiments of a fluid cartridge.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of a fluid cartridge 100 .
- fluid cartridge 100 includes a bag body 102 formed by flexible sheet members and configured in a manner, for example, that flexible sheet members such as gas-barrier laminate films each formed by depositing aluminum on a polyethylene film are overlapped, and heat welding seal is performed along the outer periphery of the overlapped sheet members to form a welded portion.
- Fluid e.g., ink used for printing
- nozzle 105 is formed by a hard material, such as composite resin.
- Body 102 includes sidewalls 107 , sidewall creases 110 and a membrane 120 attached to sidewall creases 110 .
- membrane 120 is an elastic permeable membrane that is implemented to pull in the sidewalls 107 such that the side walls 107 fold and collapse along respective creases 110 to aid in the collapse of cartridge 100 .
- membrane 120 may be comprised of any elastic material that does not interact with the ink within cartridge 100 .
- FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of one embodiment of fluid cartridge 100 in which membrane 120 is attached to creases 110 .
- sidewalls 107 are folded, and the cartridge 100 material is fused with membrane 120 inserted in between.
- membrane 120 is comprised of material that is able to withstand fusing temperatures.
- FIG. 3A illustrates one embodiment of a membrane 120 used to pull in side walls 107 .
- vertical bands 310 are elastic, while horizontal bands 320 are not.
- horizontal bands 320 are implemented to hold vertical bands 310 in place, with the gap between bands 310 enabling the cartridge 100 material to come together to provide a better fuse at crease 110 .
- vertical bands 310 are fused perpendicular to the crease 110 line to permit crease 110 to fold properly.
- the angle ( ⁇ ) between bands 310 and 320 is 90°. However in other embodiment, ⁇ may vary between 0° and 90°.
- FIG. 3B illustrates another embodiment of a membrane 120 having circular cutouts 330 .
- cutouts 330 have a horizontal orientation to enable membrane 120 to stretch.
- membrane 120 exerts an elastic force in a perpendicular direction to that of the crease 110 to aid in collapsing of the bag.
- FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate embodiments of a rear view of fluid cartridge 100 during various stages of ink fill.
- FIGS. 4A-4C elastic membrane 120 pull together sidewalls 107 at crease 110 , aiding in the collapse of fluid cartridge 100 .
- the membrane is exerting a maximum elastic force on the side wall creases 110 .
- FIG. 4A shows cartridge 100 at the fullest position, with the elastic force being measured at X.
- membrane 120 exerts a force in the collapsing direction to assist in the draining.
- FIG. 4B illustrates a further embodiment of cartridge 100 after fluid has been discharged.
- the dimensions of bag body 102 are unchanged.
- the elastic force of membrane 120 is measured at Y, where X>Y. has moved in a perpendicular direction marked by a location at a distance Y.
- FIG. 4C illustrates yet another embodiment of cartridge 100 after fluid has been completely drained.
- bag body 102 is at its flattest position with the dimensions remaining unchanged.
- membrane 120 is exerting a minimal elastic force measured at Z, where X>Y>Z.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Ink Jet (AREA)
Abstract
A fluid cartridge is disclosed. The fluid cartridge includes a flexible bag body to store a fluid, a nozzle to discharge the fluid and a membrane inside the bag body to assist in the collapse of the bag body during discharging of the fluid.
Description
- The invention relates to an ink cartridge used in an ink jet printer.
- High speed production ink jet printers typically implement a fluid cartridge (or ink bag). Such a cartridge employs a flexible casing that is deformable in accordance with consumption of ink therein. However, fluid cartridges tend not to empty fully when external air pressure is applied. This is mainly due to wrinkles forming on the creases of the side walls that do not flatten out as the bag empties, thus trapping fluid when emptying.
- Accordingly, a mechanism to enable full emptying of a fluid cartridge is desired.
- In one embodiment, a fluid cartridge is disclosed. The fluid cartridge includes a flexible bag body to store a fluid, a nozzle to discharge the fluid and a membrane inside the bag body to assist in the collapse of the bag body during discharging of the fluid.
- A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained from the following detailed description in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of a fluid cartridge; -
FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of one embodiment of a fluid cartridge; -
FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate embodiments of a permeable membrane; and -
FIGS. 4A-4C further illustrate rear view embodiments of a fluid cartridge. - A mechanism to enable full emptying of a fluid cartridge is described. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the underlying principles of the present invention.
- Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
-
FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of afluid cartridge 100. In one embodiment,fluid cartridge 100 includes abag body 102 formed by flexible sheet members and configured in a manner, for example, that flexible sheet members such as gas-barrier laminate films each formed by depositing aluminum on a polyethylene film are overlapped, and heat welding seal is performed along the outer periphery of the overlapped sheet members to form a welded portion. - Fluid (e.g., ink used for printing) is stored within
cartridge 100 and is discharged via anozzle 105 at one end edge ofbody 102. In one embodiment,nozzle 105 is formed by a hard material, such as composite resin.Body 102 includessidewalls 107,sidewall creases 110 and amembrane 120 attached tosidewall creases 110. In one embodiment,membrane 120 is an elastic permeable membrane that is implemented to pull in thesidewalls 107 such that theside walls 107 fold and collapse alongrespective creases 110 to aid in the collapse ofcartridge 100. In other embodiments,membrane 120 may be comprised of any elastic material that does not interact with the ink withincartridge 100. -
FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of one embodiment offluid cartridge 100 in whichmembrane 120 is attached to creases 110. As shown inFIG. 2 ,sidewalls 107 are folded, and thecartridge 100 material is fused withmembrane 120 inserted in between. Accordingly,membrane 120 is comprised of material that is able to withstand fusing temperatures. -
FIG. 3A illustrates one embodiment of amembrane 120 used to pull inside walls 107. In this embodiment,vertical bands 310 are elastic, whilehorizontal bands 320 are not. In such an embodiment,horizontal bands 320 are implemented to holdvertical bands 310 in place, with the gap betweenbands 310 enabling thecartridge 100 material to come together to provide a better fuse atcrease 110. In a further embodiment,vertical bands 310 are fused perpendicular to thecrease 110 line to permitcrease 110 to fold properly. In still a further embodiment, the angle (σ) betweenbands -
FIG. 3B illustrates another embodiment of amembrane 120 havingcircular cutouts 330. In this embodiment,cutouts 330 have a horizontal orientation to enablemembrane 120 to stretch. In one embodiment,membrane 120 exerts an elastic force in a perpendicular direction to that of thecrease 110 to aid in collapsing of the bag.FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate embodiments of a rear view offluid cartridge 100 during various stages of ink fill. - As shown in
FIGS. 4A-4C elastic membrane 120 pull togethersidewalls 107 atcrease 110, aiding in the collapse offluid cartridge 100. For instance, whenbag body 102 is at the fullest position, the membrane is exerting a maximum elastic force on the side wall creases 110.FIG. 4A showscartridge 100 at the fullest position, with the elastic force being measured at X. As ink is drained frombag body 102,membrane 120 exerts a force in the collapsing direction to assist in the draining. -
FIG. 4B illustrates a further embodiment ofcartridge 100 after fluid has been discharged. As shown inFIG. 4B , the dimensions ofbag body 102 are unchanged. However, the elastic force ofmembrane 120 is measured at Y, where X>Y. has moved in a perpendicular direction marked by a location at a distance Y.FIG. 4C illustrates yet another embodiment ofcartridge 100 after fluid has been completely drained. In this embodiment,bag body 102 is at its flattest position with the dimensions remaining unchanged. However,membrane 120 is exerting a minimal elastic force measured at Z, where X>Y>Z. - Whereas many alterations and modifications of the present invention will no doubt become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art after having read the foregoing description, it is to be understood that any particular embodiment shown and described by way of illustration is in no way intended to be considered limiting. Therefore, references to details of various embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which in themselves recite only those features regarded as essential to the invention.
Claims (16)
1. A fluid cartridge comprising:
a flexible bag body to store a fluid;
a nozzle to discharge the fluid; and
an elastic membrane inside the bag body to assist in the collapse of the bag body during discharging of the fluid.
2. The fluid cartridge of claim 1 wherein the bag body comprises sidewalls having creases.
3. The fluid cartridge of claim 2 wherein the membrane assists in the collapse of the bag by pulling in the sidewall creases.
4. The fluid cartridge of claim 3 wherein the membrane exerts an elastic force in a perpendicular direction to the sidewall creases to aid in collapsing of the bag.
5. The fluid cartridge of claim 4 wherein the membrane exerts a maximum elastic force when the bag body is full.
6. The fluid cartridge of claim 5 wherein the membrane exerts a minimum elastic force when the bag body is empty.
7. The fluid cartridge of claim 2 wherein the membrane is fused into the sidewall creases.
8. The fluid cartridge of claim 2 wherein the membrane comprises:
a plurality of vertical bands; and
a plurality of horizontal bands.
9. The fluid cartridge of claim 8 wherein the horizontal bands hold the vertical bands in place.
10. The fluid cartridge of claim 8 wherein an angle between horizontal bands and the vertical bands is 90 degrees.
11. The fluid cartridge of claim 8 wherein an angle between horizontal bands and the vertical bands is less than 90 degrees.
12. The fluid cartridge of claim 8 wherein the vertical bands are fused perpendicular to a line of the sidewall creases to permit folding.
13. The fluid cartridge of claim 8 wherein the vertical bands are elastic.
14. The fluid cartridge of claim 2 wherein the membrane comprises circular cutouts.
15. The fluid cartridge of claim 12 wherein the circular cutouts have a horizontal orientation.
16. The fluid cartridge of claim 2 wherein the membrane is comprised of an elastic permeable material.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/174,597 US20150217928A1 (en) | 2014-02-06 | 2014-02-06 | Collapsible Fluid Cartridge With Elastic Membrane |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/174,597 US20150217928A1 (en) | 2014-02-06 | 2014-02-06 | Collapsible Fluid Cartridge With Elastic Membrane |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20150217928A1 true US20150217928A1 (en) | 2015-08-06 |
Family
ID=53754207
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/174,597 Abandoned US20150217928A1 (en) | 2014-02-06 | 2014-02-06 | Collapsible Fluid Cartridge With Elastic Membrane |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20150217928A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20140034671A1 (en) * | 2010-12-10 | 2014-02-06 | Advanced Technology Materials, Inc | Generally cylindrically-shaped liner for use in pressure dispense systems and methods of manufacturing the same |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3065898A (en) * | 1960-10-03 | 1962-11-27 | John M Daugherty | Collapsible tube |
US3395835A (en) * | 1966-10-20 | 1968-08-06 | Phil K. Tarran | Automatic dispensing means |
US5935659A (en) * | 1996-01-11 | 1999-08-10 | Imperial Chemical Industries Plc | Process and apparatus for the roller-application of an aqueous thixotropic coating composition |
US6874879B2 (en) * | 2002-06-28 | 2005-04-05 | Oce-Technologies B.V. | Ink tank |
US20070151983A1 (en) * | 2005-12-30 | 2007-07-05 | Nimesh Patel | Fuel cartridge with a flexible bladder for storing and delivering a vaporizable liquid fuel stream to a fuel cell system |
-
2014
- 2014-02-06 US US14/174,597 patent/US20150217928A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3065898A (en) * | 1960-10-03 | 1962-11-27 | John M Daugherty | Collapsible tube |
US3395835A (en) * | 1966-10-20 | 1968-08-06 | Phil K. Tarran | Automatic dispensing means |
US5935659A (en) * | 1996-01-11 | 1999-08-10 | Imperial Chemical Industries Plc | Process and apparatus for the roller-application of an aqueous thixotropic coating composition |
US6874879B2 (en) * | 2002-06-28 | 2005-04-05 | Oce-Technologies B.V. | Ink tank |
US20070151983A1 (en) * | 2005-12-30 | 2007-07-05 | Nimesh Patel | Fuel cartridge with a flexible bladder for storing and delivering a vaporizable liquid fuel stream to a fuel cell system |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20140034671A1 (en) * | 2010-12-10 | 2014-02-06 | Advanced Technology Materials, Inc | Generally cylindrically-shaped liner for use in pressure dispense systems and methods of manufacturing the same |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: RICOH COMPANY, LTD., JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:FERNANDO, DILAN N.;PRICE, DAVID M.;STEINER, HANNAH E.;REEL/FRAME:035468/0584 Effective date: 20140206 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |