Apparatus, method and system for carrying and dispensing an ink useful in printing

An apparatus, method and system are provided for carrying and dispensing an ink into a printing system. A system configured to dispense an ink comprises an ink carrying apparatus having a container, a movable cover, a unit monitor, a film, and a locking tab. The system also comprises a docking station configured to accept the ink carrying apparatus and engage the locking tab when the movable cover is in an open position. The system further comprises a processor configured to communicate with the unit monitor to facilitate a movement of the movable cover from a closed position to the open position. Based on a detection of a type of ink in the container, the movable cover is allowed to be moved from the closed position to the open position so as to facilitate removal of the film and cause the ink to be dispensed.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The disclosure relates to an apparatus, method and system for carrying and dispensing an ink useful in printing.

BACKGROUND

Conventional high volume print systems often have large barrels for storing inks that are to be used in various printing processes. These barrels typically are specific with regard to the types or colors of inks that are contained within them. Operator errors may occur such as dispensing an incorrect ink type and/or color into a particular barrel because conventional containers for various inks are simple in design and do not communicate with the print system to prevent such operator errors.

SUMMARY

Therefore, there is a need for an ink carrier configured to communicate with a print system to control whether an ink contained by the ink carrier is dispensed into the print system.

According to one embodiment, an apparatus configured to carry and dispense an ink useful in printing comprises a container that comprises a bottom surface, an opening distal the bottom surface, and one or more sidewalls proximate the bottom surface, the one or more sidewalls being configured to form a neck portion positioned between the bottom surface, and a flange arranged about the opening. The apparatus also comprises a movable cover configured to mate with the flange so as to cover the opening in a closed position. The apparatus further comprises a unit monitor configured to facilitate a movement of the movable cover from the closed position to an open position. The apparatus additionally comprises a film positioned between one or more surfaces of the movable cover and one or more surfaces of the flange to seal the opening, the film being removable when the movable cover is in the open position. The apparatus also comprises a locking tab configured to restrict movement of the container when the movable cover is in the open position.

According to another embodiment, a method for dispensing an ink into a printing system comprises determining an installation of an ink carrying apparatus at a docking station. The ink carrying apparatus comprises a container that comprises a bottom surface, an opening distal the bottom surface, and one or more sidewalls proximate the bottom surface, the one or more sidewalls being configured to form a neck portion positioned between the bottom surface, and a flange arranged about the opening. The ink carrying apparatus also comprises a movable cover configured to mate with the flange so as to cover the opening in a closed position. The ink carrying apparatus further comprises a unit monitor configured to facilitate a movement of the movable cover from the closed position to an open position. The ink carrying apparatus additionally comprises a film positioned between one or more surfaces of the movable cover and one or more surfaces of the flange to seal the opening, the film being removable when the movable cover is in the open position. The ink carrying apparatus further comprises a locking tab configured to restrict movement of the container when the movable cover is in the open position.

The method also comprises causing, at least in part, a detection of a type of ink in the container based, at least in part, on a communication between a printing system affiliated with the docking station and the unit monitor. The method further comprises processing the detection of the type of ink to cause, at least in part, a permission to dispense the ink into the printing system. The method additionally comprises causing, at least in part, the movable cover to be moved from the closed position to the open position based, at least in part, on the permission. The method also comprises causing, at least in part, the container to be fixed to the docking station when the movable cover is in the open position by way of an interaction between the locking tab and the docking station. The method further comprises causing, at least in part, the film to be removed when the movable cover is in the open position to cause the ink to be dispensed into the printing system.

According to another embodiment, a system useful in printing configured to dispense an ink comprises an ink carrying apparatus. The ink carrying apparatus comprises a container that comprises a bottom surface, an opening distal the bottom surface, and one or more sidewalls proximate the bottom surface, the one or more sidewalls being configured to form a neck portion positioned between the bottom surface, and a flange arranged about the opening. The ink carrying apparatus also comprises a movable cover configured to mate with the flange so as to cover the opening in a closed position. The ink carrying apparatus further comprises a unit monitor configured to facilitate a movement of the movable cover from the closed position to an open position. The ink carrying apparatus additionally comprises a film positioned between one or more surfaces of the movable cover and one or more surfaces of the flange to seal the opening, the film being removable when the movable cover is in the open position. The ink carrying apparatus further comprises a locking tab configured to restrict movement of the container when the movable cover is in the open position.

The system also comprises a docking station configured to accept the ink carrying apparatus and engage the locking tab when the movable cover is in the open position. The system further comprises a processor configured to communicate with the unit monitor to facilitate the movement of the movable cover from the closed position to the open position. Based on a detection of a type of ink in the container that is based, at least in part, on a communication between the processor and the unit monitor, the movable cover is allowed to be moved from the closed position to the open position to facilitate removal of the film and cause the ink to be dispensed.

According to one example embodiment, An apparatus configured to carry and dispense an ink useful in printing comprises a container comprising a bottom surface, an opening distal the bottom surface, and one or more sidewalls proximate the bottom surface, the one or more sidewalls being configured to form a neck portion positioned between the bottom surface, and a flange arranged about the opening. The apparatus also comprises a cover configured to cover the opening in a closed position. The apparatus further comprises a unit monitor configured to facilitate a dispensing of the ink from the container.

Exemplary embodiments are described herein. It is envisioned, however, that any system that incorporates features of any apparatus, method and/or system described herein are encompassed by the scope and spirit of the exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments are intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the apparatuses, methods and systems as described herein.

Reference is made to the drawings to accommodate understanding of disclosed apparatuses, methods and systems useful in printing. In the drawings, like reference numerals are used throughout to designate similar or identical elements. The drawings depict various embodiments related to embodiments of illustrative apparatuses, methods and systems for selectively dispensing an ink useful in printing.

As used herein, the term “facilitating,” or any variation thereof refers to any processing, action, and/or provision of data, for example, that causes, enables or helps an action to occur.

Conventional high volume print systems often have large barrels for storing inks that are to be used in various printing processes. These print systems often have numerous barrels that are specific with regard to the types or colors of inks that are contained within them. For example, one barrel may be designated to be a magenta ink source for the print system while another barrel may be a black ink source. Operator errors may occur such as dispensing an incorrect ink type and/or color into a particular barrel because conventional containers for various inks are simple in design and do not communicate with the print system to prevent such operator errors.

To address this problem, a system100ofFIG. 1introduces the capability to selectively dispense an ink useful in printing. Inks that may be dispensed into a printing system may include, for example, ink pellets, fluids, etc. Regardless of type, inks may need to be protected from moisture and other environmental affects until the ink is needed to replenish the barrel or other reservoir.

The system100comprises an ink carrier101, a docking station103, and a barrel105. The ink carrier101has a container107, a film seal109, a slide cover111(slide cover111is not visible inFIG. 1, but is positioned beneath the film seal109and a lockable handle131that is part of the docking station103), a unit monitor113, and a plug115. The docking station103includes the lockable handle131, a receiving portion123, and an antenna135.

According to various embodiments, the system100is a green concept in that it enables commonality of ink carriers101between colors. Once used, the ink carrier101may be recycled so that it can be refilled and reused using the same or different type and/or color ink. As will be discussed in more detail below, the ink carrier101is a “smart bottle” that will only dispense its contents into a barrel105that has a corresponding type and/or color ink requirement. Additionally, the system100provides for selective distribution of ink, for example, at a determined time when it is needed.

According to various embodiments, the components of the ink carrier101such as the container107may, for example, comprise any lightweight polymer, metal, other material, or any combination thereof, and a static-resistant resin to facilitate as near complete dispensing of the ink contained within the ink carrier101as possible. Additionally, the ink carrier101is lightweight, on the order of about 10 kg when loaded with ink, for example, but depending on size and materials, the weight of the ink carrier101may vary.

In one or more embodiments, the container107may be blow molded, compression molded, injection molded, or any combination thereof in one or more steps to form the container107which may or may not have one or more handles108for ergonomic handling, and a flange (illustrated inFIG. 2) for mating with the docking station103and/or the slide cover111. In one or more embodiments, the handle108may be positioned to balance a full load, near loaded container107's center of gravity.

In one or more embodiments, as will be discussed in detail below with regard toFIG. 2, the container107has a bottom surface117and one or more side walls119. For example, the container107may take any general shape so that it may have one side wall119in a case where a cross-section of the container107is rounded, or many side walls119in a case where a cross-section of the container107is polygonal. In the case of a polygonal cross-section, for example, such as that illustrated inFIG. 1, such a cross-section enables efficient pallet loading because multiple ink carriers101may be able to fit well on a conventional shipping/storage pallet.

In one or more embodiments, the container107has an opening (illustrated inFIG. 2) that is distal the bottom surface117through which the ink carrier dispenses its contents. In some embodiments, the opening may be of a size that is lesser in area that the bottom surface117, or any cross-section taken of the container107through any sidewall119. Accordingly, to accommodate the opening, the container107may have a neck portion121positioned between the bottom surface117and the opening. The neck portion121may be linearly sloped, for example, by having two or more asymmetrical sides that reduce the cross-sectional area of the container107as a distance from the bottom surface117increases. Alternatively, the neck portion121may be non-linearly sloped so that it is curved, for example. The sloping sides, whether asymmetrical and linear, or non-linear, enable dispensing the contents of the ink carrier101without plugging.

In one or more embodiments, the neck portion121facilitates an installation of the ink carrier101into the docking station103. For example, docking station103may have a receiving portion123that is configured to receive an ink carrier101having a specific shape such as one having a neck portion121with two asymmetrical sides, one that is rounded to a specific diameter, etc. Accordingly, if an ink carrier101is not of the specific shape, it would be deemed incompatible with the docking station103and not allowed to be installed into the docking station103.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the container107has a docking side wall125that is generally flat from the bottom surface117to the opening and does not slope toward the opening in the same manner as the rest of the neck portion121. However, it should be noted that in other embodiments, the docking side wall125may slope toward the opening, or have any feature, for example, that may act as a key to guide the ink carrier101into position on the docking station103. For example, the neck portion121may have one or more tabs (illustrated inFIG. 2) that mate with one or more receiving features of the receiving portion123to guide the ink carrier101into position.

According to various embodiments, the ink carrier101may have an additional opening127in the neck portion121, for example. The additional opening127may be used to fill the ink carrier101if it is assembled to have the slide cover111and/or the film seal109in place before filling.

In one or more embodiments, the film seal109protects the ink contained in the ink carrier101from environmental factors such as moisture, for example. The film seal109may be heat sealed or adhesively attached, for example, to a surface of the container107around the opening of the container107. The film seal109, which may be attached to the container107before or after filling the container107, is positioned between one or more surfaces around the opening, such as a surface of the flange205(illustrated inFIG. 2) and the slide cover111when it is installed onto the ink carrier101.

According to various embodiments, if the ink carrier101has the additional opening127, the ink carrier101also has a plug115to close the opening127. The plug115may be color coded so that it indicates a type and/or color of ink contained within the ink carrier101. Because the plug115may be removed and replaced, the ink carrier101may be recycled to accommodate any type and/or color of ink, and as such, the plug115may be replaced to indicate the type and/or color of ink contained within the ink carrier101.

In one or more embodiments, the ink carrier101also has a unit monitor113that stores information indicating the type and/or color of ink contained within the ink carrier101. The unit monitor113may be any of a memory, a processor, or any combination thereof. The unit monitor113is configured to communicate with a processor that may be part of the docking station103, or otherwise networked to the docking station103from a remote location. If the processor is remote from the docking station, then the unit monitor113may communicate with the processor by way of antenna135, for example. Like the plug115, the unit monitor113may be updated upon recycling of the ink carrier101to indicate any type and/or color of ink contained within the ink carrier101.

According to various embodiments, the slide cover111is mated to the flange positioned about the opening and is movable between an open position and a closed position so that the ink carrier101retains the ink in the container107until the ink is to be dispensed into the barrel105. The slide cover111is locked or latched in the closed position until the ink is to be dispensed to prevent it from being accidentally opened during transportation. In one or more embodiments, the slide cover111may optionally be moved to the open position by a user without the ink carrier101being mounted into the docking station103. For example, if a user wanted to tamper with the ink, he may be allowed to do so. But, in some embodiments, to ensure security and prevent tampering, the slide cover111may be locked such that it is only movable when the ink carrier101is mounted into the docking station103.

Regardless of whether the slide cover is movable only by way of the docking station103or by way of a user without the docking station, the slide cover111is allowed to be moved to the open position when the ink carrier101is installed into the docking station103and the unit monitor113facilitates a permission for the slide cover111to be moved to the open position. Permission for moving the slide cover111from the closed position to the open position may be granted based on a communication between the unit monitor113and the processor. For example, a printing system may have multiple system100's affiliated with it. Each system100may be designated to distribute a particular type and/or color of ink to the printing system. Accordingly, if the barrel105, for example, is designated to distribute magenta ink to the printing system, the processor would have knowledge of this information. Then, if an ink carrier101having a unit monitor113programmed to indicate that the content of the ink carrier101is magenta ink, a communication between the unit monitor113and the processor would take place granting permission for the ink carrier101to dispense its contents into the barrel105. However, if the information provided by the unit monitor113is not a match for the type and/or color of ink expected to be dispensed into the barrel105, then the contents are not allowed, or in other words, forbidden to be dispensed into the barrel105.

According to various embodiments, the docking station103has a lockable handle131that may be manipulated by an operator or moved by a motor, for example, to move the slide cover111from its closed position to an open position. For example, once the ink carrier101is installed into the docking station103, and permission is granted to dispense the ink into the barrel105, the handle131is unlocked and allowed to move to cause the slide cover111to slide to the open position. In one or more embodiments, for example, the handle131may be in a locked state, and only allowed to be moved when permission is granted so as to cause the slide cover111to be moved from the closed position to the open position.

According to various embodiments, the slide cover111may optionally be replaced by a stationary cover. The stationary cover may be configured to be pierced by a piercing mechanism associated with the docking station103when the lockable handle131is granted permission to move from its locked position to another position to dispense ink into the barrel105. In one or more embodiments, the cover, if pierceable, may comprise any material that may be permanently pierced, such as a polymer, metal or foil, for example. Or, the cover may comprise a material that is self healing such that when the ink carrier101is removed from the docking station103, the cover may re-seal the opening to avoid spilling any remnant ink that has not been fully dispensed.

According to various embodiments, the unit monitor113and the processor may also facilitate a smart delivery of the ink contained in the ink carrier101on demand. For example, if the ink carrier101is installed into the docking station103when the barrel105is full, or un-needed, permission may not be granted to dispense the ink into the barrel105until the opportune time. For instance, it may be beneficial to keep the ink in the ink carrier101until it is necessary to fill the barrel105to avoid unnecessary introduction of moisture to the ink. Or, for example, an amount of ink that is dispensed may be controlled by the system100if, for example, the system100is configured to cause the slide cover111to move from the open position to the closed position before the contents of the ink carrier101are completely dispensed. In one or more embodiments, the system100may have a sensor associated with the barrel105to indicate an ink level in the barrel to ascertain whether ink is needed.

According to various embodiments, if the film seal109is present and fixed to the container107, the film seal109may need to be removed from the ink carrier101to enable the ink to be dispensed into the barrel105. The film seal, because it is heat sealed or adhesively attached to the container107may be easily removed when the slide cover111is in the open position. In one or more embodiments, the film seal109may have a tab or handle portion133that may be easily engaged by an operator for removal from the ink carrier101to cause the contents of the ink carrier101to empty into the barrel105. Alternatively, the tab or handle portion133may be engaged by the handle131so that the film seal is pulled from the container107causing the contents of the ink carrier101to be emptied into the barrel105when the handle131causes the slide cover111to be moved from the closed position to the open position. In one or more embodiments, whether the film seal109has the tab or handle portion, the film seal may partially be removed from the container107when the slide cover111moves from the closed position to the open position, allowing or enabling the ink to be dispensed into the barrel105.

In one or more embodiments, the film seal109may not be easily removable, or may be permanently sealed to the container107. In one or more embodiments, the film seal109may be configured to be pierced by a piercing mechanism associated with the docking station103when the lockable handle131is granted permission to move from its locked position to another position to dispense ink into the barrel105. The film seal109, if pierceable, may comprise any material that may be permanently pierced, such as a polymer, metal or foil, for example. Or, the cover may comprise a material that is self healing such that when the ink carrier101is removed from the docking station103, the cover may re-seal the opening to avoid spilling any remnant ink that has not been fully dispensed.

In one or more embodiments, after the ink is dispensed into the barrel105, the slide cover111may be returned by the handle131to its closed position, where it is locked in place, so that any remnant ink that may still be in the ink carrier101, for example, are not spilled when the ink carrier101is removed from the docking station103.

In one or more embodiments, as discussed above, the container107may have one or more tabs209(illustrated inFIG. 2) that may serve as guides for positioning the ink carrier101into the docking station103. The tabs may also be configured to engage features of the docking station103that interlock with the tabs to prevent the bottle from being removed while the system100is in the process of dispensing the ink contained in the ink carrier101and the slide cover111is in the open position. Alternatively, or in addition to the one or more tabs, the flange may be configured to mate with the docking station103by interlocking in place to prevent removal of the ink carrier101while the system100is in the process of dispensing the ink contained in the ink carrier101.

FIG. 2is a perspective exploded view of the ink carrier101, according to one example embodiment.

The ink carrier101, as discussed above, includes a container107, a film seal109, a slide cover111, a unit monitor113, and a plug115. The ink carrier101, according to this example embodiment, also has a label201that indicates the type and/or color of ink contained in the ink carrier. The unit monitor113is positioned on the container107such that it is on the dispensing side wall125beneath the label201.

The container107, in this embodiment, has a handle108, a bottom surface117, one or more side walls119, a neck portion121, the dispensing side wall125, and another opening127within which the plug115may be installed. The opening127may be a filler opening should the ink carrier require filling following assembly.

The container107also has an opening203through which the contents of the ink carrier101may be dispensed. The overall size of the opening enables easy flow of the contents of the ink carrier101for fast dispensing into the barrel105.

According to various embodiments, the container107has a flange205that surrounds the opening203. The flange205, though illustrated as being polygonal, may take any shape or form such as a circle, oval, triangle, or any other shape. The flange205has a flange surface207on which the film seal109may be attached. The flange surface207may be rough or smooth, and may be flat, curved, undulating, or any other topography. The flange205, as discussed above, may be configured to mate with the slide cover111. When the slide cover111is in a closed position over the opening203, the slide cover111is locked or latched in place. The slide cover111may be moved to an open position, and the film seal109removed, when the unit monitor113enables the slide cover to be moved by facilitating an unlocking of the handle131. Or, the slide cover111may be movable when the ink carrier101is not installed into the docking station103. When the slide cover111is moved, the film seal109may be removed from the ink carrier101by an operator, for example, that may grab the handle portion133of the film seal109. Upon removal of the film seal109, and after the contents of the ink carrier101have been dispensed, the slide cover111may be moved back to the closed and locked/latched position so that any remnant contents of the ink carrier101do not spill during removal from the docking station103, discussed above.

In one or more embodiments, as discussed above, the container107may have a locking tab209that may be integrally formed with the container107, or separately attached. The locking tab209may interlock with a locking feature of the docking station103so that the ink carrier101may not be removed from the docking station103while the ink carrier101is in the process of dispensing its contents. The flange205may also be configured to mate with the docking station103to prevent movement of the ink carrier101during the dispensing process.

FIG. 3is a flowchart of a process for selectively dispensing an ink useful in printing, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the processor discussed above performs the process300and is implemented in, for instance, a chip set including a processor and a memory as shown inFIG. 4. In step301, the processor determines an installation of the ink carrier101discussed above at the docking station103. Then, in step303, the processor causes, at least in part, a detection of a type of ink in the ink carrier101based, at least in part, on a communication between the processor and the unit monitor113. Next, in step305, the processor processes the detection of the type of ink to cause, at least in part, a permission to dispense the ink into the barrel105discussed above.

The process continues to step307in which the processor causes, at least in part, the slide cover111to be moved from a closed position to an open position based, at least in part, on the permission. In one or more embodiments, the movement is by way of handle131. Then, in step309, the processor causes, at least in part, the ink carrier101to be fixed to the docking station103when the slide cover111is in the open position by way of an interaction between the locking tab209and the docking station103. Next, in step311, the processor facilitates the film seal109to be removed when the slide cover111is in the open position by allowing the slide cover111to be moved to the open position. The film seal109, as discussed above, may be removed by an operator, for example, or by the movement of the slide cover111. The process continues to step313in which the ink is caused to be dispensed into the barrel105through the opening203when the slide cover111is in the open position and film seal109is removed. Then, in step315, the slide cover111is moved to the closed position, the ink carrier101is unlocked from the docking station103and the ink carrier101is removed from the docking station103with the slide cover111in the closed position.

The processes described herein for selectively dispensing an ink useful in printing may be advantageously implemented via software, hardware, firmware or a combination of software and/or firmware and/or hardware. For example, the processes described herein, may be advantageously implemented via processor(s), Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chip, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), etc. Such exemplary hardware for performing the described functions is detailed below.

FIG. 4illustrates a chip set or chip400upon which an embodiment may be implemented. Chip set400is programmed to selectively dispense an ink useful in printing as described herein may include, for example, bus401, processor403, memory405, DSP407and ASIC409components.

The processor403and memory405may be incorporated in one or more physical packages (e.g., chips). By way of example, a physical package includes an arrangement of one or more materials, components, and/or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard) to provide one or more characteristics such as physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of electrical interaction. It is contemplated that in certain embodiments the chip set400can be implemented in a single chip. It is further contemplated that in certain embodiments the chip set or chip400can be implemented as a single “system on a chip.” It is further contemplated that in certain embodiments a separate ASIC would not be used, for example, and that all relevant functions as disclosed herein would be performed by a processor or processors. Chip set or chip400, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of selectively dispensing an ink useful in printing.

In one or more embodiments, the chip set or chip400includes a communication mechanism such as bus401for passing information among the components of the chip set400. Processor403has connectivity to the bus401to execute instructions and process information stored in, for example, a memory405. The processor403may include one or more processing cores with each core configured to perform independently. A multi-core processor enables multiprocessing within a single physical package. Examples of a multi-core processor include two, four, eight, or greater numbers of processing cores. Alternatively or in addition, the processor403may include one or more microprocessors configured in tandem via the bus401to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining, and multithreading. The processor403may also be accompanied with one or more specialized components to perform certain processing functions and tasks such as one or more digital signal processors (DSP)407, or one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC)409. A DSP407typically is configured to process real-world signals (e.g., sound) in real time independently of the processor403. Similarly, an ASIC409can be configured to performed specialized functions not easily performed by a more general purpose processor. Other specialized components to aid in performing the inventive functions described herein may include one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), one or more controllers, or one or more other special-purpose computer chips.

The processor403and accompanying components have connectivity to the memory405via the bus401. The memory405may include one or more of dynamic memory (e.g., RAM, magnetic disk, writable optical disk, etc.) and static memory (e.g., ROM, CD-ROM, etc.) for storing executable instructions that when executed perform the inventive steps described herein to selectively dispense an ink useful in printing. The memory405also stores the data associated with or generated by the execution of the inventive steps.

In one or more embodiments, the memory405, such as a random access memory (RAM) or any other dynamic storage device, stores information including processor instructions for selectively dispensing an ink useful in printing. Dynamic memory allows information stored therein to be changed by system100. RAM allows a unit of information stored at a location called a memory address to be stored and retrieved independently of information at neighboring addresses. The memory405is also used by the processor403to store temporary values during execution of processor instructions. The memory405may also be a read only memory (ROM) or any other static storage device coupled to the bus401for storing static information, including instructions, that is not changed by the system100. Some memory is composed of volatile storage that loses the information stored thereon when power is lost. The memory405may also be a non-volatile (persistent) storage device, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk or flash card, for storing information, including instructions, that persists even when the system100is turned off or otherwise loses power.

While a number of embodiments and implementations have been described, the invention is not so limited but covers various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of the appended claims. Although features of various embodiments are expressed in certain combinations among the claims, it is contemplated that these features can be arranged in any combination and order.