Patent Publication Number: US-11022911-B2

Title: Print substance valves

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Imaging systems such as printers, copiers, etc. may be used to form markings on a print medium, such as text, images, etc. Imaging systems may form markings on the print medium and/or form a three-dimensional object by employing a print substance such as an ink, toner, and/or a three-dimensional printing substance such as three-dimensional printing powders, etc. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a system consistent with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example of a print substance plug valve consistent with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an example of system consistent with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example of a print substance plug valve consistent with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an example of a system consistent with the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Printing devices may form markings on a print medium (e.g., paper, photopolymers, plastics, composite, metal, wood, etc.) by transferring a print substance (e.g., ink, toner, etc.) from a print substance container to print medium. A system including a print substance valve may be used to refill a print substance container when the amount of print substance in the print substance container is not at capacity. The system may include a valve body to connect with the print substance container to initiate a refill process. 
     However, print substance residue may remain on the surface of the system after the transfer of print substance is complete. Print substance residue remaining on the surface of the system may cause the print substance residue to transfer onto the user as well as other non-intended surfaces. In addition, print substance residue remaining on the surface of the system and/or other components of the system may contaminate the print substance entering the print substance container. 
     As such, print substance valves, as described herein, may include a valve body, a print substance valve, and a liner to limit the amount of print substance remaining on the components and/or surface of the system. Limiting the amount of print substance remaining in the system may reduce the amount of contaminated print substance entering the print substance container. Accordingly, this disclosure describes systems including print substance valves disposed inside of a valve body and a liner coupled to the print substance valve to clean print substance, when present, from the system and the surfaces it comes in contact with. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a system  100  consistent with the disclosure. The system  100  may be implemented in a variety of imaging systems, such as printers, copiers, etc., for example. In some examples, the system  100  may include a valve body  102 . In some examples, the valve body  102  may connect to a print substance container. As used herein, “print substance container” refers to a vessel, box, carton, or other suitable receptacle for the containment of a print substance for use during the printing process. The valve body  102  may connect with a print substance container to transfer print substance into the print substance container. The valve body  102  may include a first opening  104 . As used herein, “opening” refers to an aperture or gap allowing access though an object. In some examples, the first opening  104  of the valve body  102  may assist in the communication of print substance into a print substance container. That is, print substance may travel through the first opening  104  to refill a print substance container when the valve body  102  is connected to the print substance container. It should be understood that when an element is referred to as being “in contact,” “connected to”, or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly in contact, connected, or coupled with the other element or intervening elements may be present. 
     In some examples, the system  100  may include a print substance valve  106  disposed inside of the valve body  102 . The print substance valve  106  may assist in the transferring of print substance into a print substance container. In addition, the print substance valve  106  may include a second opening  108  to communicate print substance into the print substance container. That is, print substance may travel through the second opening  108  and through the first opening  104  as print substance transitions into the print substance container. As used herein, “transition” refers to the process of changing from one state and/or position to another. In some examples, the first opening  104  of the valve body  102  may be substantially larger than the second opening  108  of the print substance valve  106  to prevent print substance residue from remaining on the valve body  102 . That is, as print substance transitions through the second opening  108  of the print substance valve  106  into the first opening  104  the print substance may not come in contact with the sides of the valve body  102  that make up the first opening  104 . 
     As used herein, the term substantially intends that the characteristic does not have to be absolute but is close enough so as to achieve the characteristic. For example, “substantially larger” is not limited to absolutely larger. For example, “substantially the same size” is not limited to exactly the same size. For example, “substantially aligned” is not limited to absolutely aligned. For example, “substantially offset” is not limited to absolutely offset. 
     In some examples, the system  100  may include a liner  110 . The liner  110  may be coupled to the print substance valve  106 . In addition, the liner  110  may be disposed inside of the valve body  102 . The liner  110  may assist in the transferring of print substance into a print substance container. That is, the liner  110  may include a third opening  112  to allow print substance transition into the print substance container. For instance, print substance may travel through the first opening  104 , the second opening  108 , and the third opening  112  as print substance transitions into the print substance container. 
     In some examples, the third opening  112  of the liner  110  may be substantially the same size as the second opening  108  of the print substance valve  106 . In contrast, the first opening  104  of the valve body  102  may be substantially larger than the third opening  112  of the liner  110  to prevent the transfer of print substance from remaining on the valve body  102  after the transfer of print substance is complete. That is, as print substance transitions through the second opening  108  and the third opening  112  into the first opening  104  the print substance may not come in contact with the sides of the valve body  102  that make up the first opening  104 . 
     In some examples, the print substance valve  106  may transition the system  100  between an open position and a closed position. That is, as the print substance valve  106  transitions the system  100  moves between an open state and a closed state. System  100  of  FIG. 1  illustrates the print substance valve  106  in a closed position. In some examples, the system  100  is in a closed position when the print substance valve  106  is in a closed position. 
     The print substance valve  106  transitions the liner  110  may transition with the print substance valve  106 . For instance, the liner  110  may transition in the same direction as the print substance valve  106  as the print substance valve  106  transitions into a closed position or an open position. In some examples, the system  100  may be in a closed position if the second opening  108  of the print substance valve  106  is substantially offset with the first opening  104  of the valve body  102 . That is, if the first opening  104  and the second opening  108  are not substantially aligned the system  100  may be in a closed position. As used herein, “offset” refers to an object and/or feature being out of line with another object and/or feature. Likewise, the system  100  may be in a closed position if the third opening  112  of the liner  110  is not substantially aligned and/or substantially offset with the first opening  104  of the valve body  102 . As used herein, “aligned” refers to an object and/or feature being placed or arranged in a substantially straight line with another object and/or feature. 
     In addition, the system  100  may be in an open position if the second opening  108  of the print substance valve  106  is substantially aligned with the first opening  104  of the valve body  102 . That is, if the first opening  104  and the second opening  108  are substantially aligned the system  100  may be in an open position. Likewise, the system  100  may be in an open position if the third opening  112  of the liner  110  is substantially aligned with the first opening  104  of the valve body  102 . In some examples, the second opening  108  and the third opening  112  may be substantially aligned when the system  100  is in an open position and a closed position. In addition, the second opening  108  and the third opening  112  may be substantially aligned as the system transition between an open position and a closed position. For example, the print substance valve  106  and the liner  110  may move together as the system transitions between an open position and a closed position. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an example of a print substance plug valve  220  consistent with the disclosure. Valve body  202  is analogous or similar to valve body  102  of  FIG. 1 . Print substance valve  206  is analogous or similar to print substance valve  106  of  FIG. 1 . Liner  210  is analogous or similar to liner  110  of  FIG. 1 . First opening  204  is analogous or similar to first opening  104  of  FIG. 1 . Second opening  208  is analogous or similar to second opening  108  of  FIG. 1 . Third opening  212  is analogous or similar to third opening  112  of  FIG. 1 . 
     In some examples, the print substance plug valve  220  may include a valve body  202 , a first opening  204 , print substance valve  206 , a second opening  208 , a liner  210 , and a third opening  212 . In addition, the print substance plug valve  220  may include a plug output seat  214 . The plug output seat  214  may assist in the transferring of print substance into a print substance container. The plug output seat  214  may include a fourth opening  216  to assist in the transferring and/or communication of print substance into a print substance container. For instance, print substance may travel through the first opening  204 , the second opening  208 , the third opening  212 , and the fourth opening  216  as print substance is transferred into the print substance container. 
     In some examples, the fourth opening  216  of the plug output seat  214  may be substantially larger than the second opening  208  of the print substance valve  206 . In addition, the fourth opening  216  of the plug output seat  214  may be substantially larger than the third opening  212  of the liner  210 . In contrast, the fourth opening  216  of the plug output seat  214  may be substantially smaller than the first opening  204  of the valve body  202  to limit the amount of print substance remaining on the valve body  202  after the transfer of print substance. 
     In some examples, the plug output seat  214  may limit the amount of print substance residue remaining on the print substance plug valve  220  after the transfer or print substance. For instance, the plug output seat  214  may form a barrier that limits the amount of print substance left on the valve body  202  after the transfer of print substance into a print substance container. That is, as print substance is transferred through the second opening  208  of the print substance valve  206  into a print substance container the fourth opening  216  of the plug output seat  214  may confine the print substance to a set location limiting the amount of print substance residue left on the valve body  202 . In some examples, print substance may cling to the plug output seat  214  and no other surface of the print substance plug valve  220 . 
     In some examples, the plug output seat  214  may be a thin material with a thickness ranging from about 0.15 millimeters to about 0.25 millimeters (mm). For instance, in some examples, the thickness of the plug output seat  214  may ranging from about 0.15 mm to about 0.17 mm, 0.15 mm to about 0.18 mm, 0.15 mm to about 0.19 mm, 0.15 mm to about 0.20 mm, 0.15 mm to about 0.22 mm, 0.15 mm to about 0.23 mm, 0.15 mm to about 0.24 mm, 0.23 mm to about 0.25 mm, 0.21 mm to about 0.25 mm, 0.19 mm to about 0.25 mm, 0.18 mm to about 0.25 mm, 0.17 mm to about 0.25 mm, 0.16 mm to about 0.25 mm. 
     In some examples, the plug output seat  214  may be comprised of a thin stiff plastic. For example, the plug output seat  214  may be comprised of polyoxy methylene (POM), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, carbon fiber, carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), glass-reinforced plastic (GRP), or a combination thereof, amongst other possibilities. However, this disclosure is not so limited. That is, in some examples, the plug output seat  214  may be comprised of a thin stiff metal. For instance, the plug output seat  214  may be comprised of steel, stainless steel, brass, aluminum, or a combination thereof, amongst other possibilities. In some examples, using a stiff material to form the plug output seat  214  may allow the other components (e.g., valve body  202 , print substance valve  206 , etc.) of the print substance plug valve  220  to be made of cheaper less expensive material. 
     In some examples, the plug output seat  214  may adjacent to the valve body  202 . In addition, the plug output seat  214  may adjacent to the liner  210 . That is, the plug output seat  214  may be positioned between the valve body  202  and the liner  210  to limit the amount of print substance left on the valve body  202  after the transfer of print substance into a print substance container. The plug output seat  214  may limit the amount of print substance residue on the valve body  202  as print substance is transferred through the print substance valve  206  into the print substance container. It should be understood that when an element is referred to as being “adjacent” to another element, it may be on, in contact, connected, next to, or coupled with the other element. 
     In some examples, the print substance valve  206  may transition the print substance plug valve  220  between an open position and a closed position. Print substance plug valve  220  of  FIG. 2  illustrates the print substance valve  206  in an open position. In some examples, the print substance plug valve  220  is in an open position when the print substance valve  206  is in an open position. The plug output seat  214  may be stationary as the print substance valve  206  transitions between an open position and a closed position. Similarly, the valve body may be stationary as the print substance valve  206  transitions between an open position and a closed position. 
     In some examples, the fourth opening  216  of the plug output seat  214  may be substantially aligned with the first opening  204  of the valve body  202  when the print substance plug valve  220  is in an open position or a closed position. Further, the print substance plug valve  220  may be in a closed position if the fourth opening  216  of the plug output seat  214  is substantially offset with the second opening  208  of the print substance valve  206 . In addition, the print substance plug valve  220  may be in a closed position if the fourth opening  216  of the plug output seat  214  is substantially offset with the third opening  212  of the liner  210 . In contrast, the print substance plug valve  220  may be in an open position if the fourth opening  216  of the plug output seat  214  is substantially aligned with the first opening  204  of the valve body  202  and the second opening  208  of the print substance valve  206 . In addition, the print substance plug valve  220  may be in an open position if the fourth opening  216  of the plug output seat  214  is substantially aligned with the third opening  212  of the liner  210 . 
     In some examples, the liner  210  may clean the plug output seat  214  as the print substance plug valve  220  transitions between an open position and a closed position. For instance, as the print substance valve  206  and the liner  210  transition from an open position to a closed position the liner  210  may wipe the surface of the plug output seat  214  to clean the print substance remaining on the plug output seat  214  after the transfer of print substance is complete. Similarly, the liner  210  may wipe the plug output seat  214  cleaning the print substance residue as the print substance valve  206  transitions from a closed position to an open position. The liner  210  may limit the amount of print substance that is present on the print substance plug valve  220  after the transfer of print substance. That is, the liner  210  may wipe excess print substance from the print substance plug valve  220  after the transfer of print substance to limit the amount of print substance present on the print substance plug valve  220  after the transfer of print substance. 
     In some examples, the plug output seat  214  may mitigate the potential for trapped volume of print substance. For instance, the print substance may adhere to the plug output seat  214  as print substance is transferred to the print substance container and the liner  210  may wipe the print substance from the plug output seat  214  as the print substance valve  206  transitions into a closed position. 
     In some examples, the liner  210  may be comprised of a densely compacted fabric to wipe the print substance plug valve  220  as the print substance plug valve  220  transitions between an open position and a closed position. For example, the liner  210  may be comprised of cloth, felt, a variety of different textiles, or a combination thereof. However, this disclosure is not so limited. In some examples, the liner  210  may be comprised of a foam material to wipe the print substance plug valve  220  as the print substance plug valve  220  transitions between an open position and a closed position. 
     In some examples, the liner  210  may be a thin material with a thickness ranging from about 0.25 millimeters to about 3 millimeters (mm). For instance, in some examples, the thickness of the liner  210  may ranging from about 0.25 mm to about 0.5 mm, 0.25 mm to about 0.75 mm, 0.25 mm to about 1.0 mm, 0.25 mm to about 1.25 mm, 0.25 mm to about 1.5 mm, 0.25 mm to about 2.0 mm, 0.25 mm to about 2.5 mm, 0.3 mm to about 3.0 mm, 0.7 mm to about 3.0 mm, 0.9 mm to about 3.0 mm, 1.1 mm to about 3.0 mm, 1.3 mm to about 3.0 mm, 1.7 mm to about 3.0 mm, 1.9 mm to about 3.0 mm, 2.1 mm to about 3.0 mm, 2.3 mm to about 3.0 mm, and 2.7 mm to about 3.0 mm. 
     In some examples, the liner  210  may form a seal between the print substance valve  206  and the plug output seat  214 . That is, the liner  210  may prevent print substance from entering other components of the print substance plug valve  220 . The liner  210  may reduce the amount of print substance contamination during the transfer of print substance into the print substance container. For instance, the liner  210  may wipe from the plug output seat  214  as the print substance plug valve  220  transitions into a closed position. In some examples, wiping the plug output seat  214  and/or the print substance plug valve  220  may ensure that print substance left on the plug output seat  214  and/or the print substance plug valve  220  does not enter the print substance container. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an example of system  300  consistent with the disclosure. System  300  is analogous or similar to system  100  of  FIG. 1 . Valve body  302  is analogous or similar to valve body  102  and  202  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , respectively. Print substance valve  306  is analogous or similar to print substance valve  106  and  206  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , respectively. Liner  310  is analogous or similar to liner  110  and  210  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , respectively. First opening  304  is analogous or similar to first opening  104  and  204  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , respectively. Second opening  308  is analogous or similar to second opening  108  and  208  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , respectively. Third opening  312  is analogous or similar to third opening  112  and  212  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , respectively. 
     In some examples, the system  300  may include a valve body  302 , a first opening  304 , print substance valve  306 , a second opening  308 . In addition, the system  300  may include refill container  318 . The refill container  318  may contain print substance to assist in the transfer of print substance into a print substance container. 
     For examples, the refill container  318  may be connected to the print substance valve  306 . In some examples, the refill container  318  may be permanently connected to the print substance valve  306 . That it, once the print substance in the refill container  318  is finished the system  300  may not be used to refill the print substance cartridge. The refill container  318  may be used a limited number of times. However, this disclosure is not so limited. In some examples, the refill container  318  may be removably connected to the print substance valve  306 . That it, once the print substance in the refill container  318  is finished the refill container  318  may be removed and a new unused refill container  318  may be added to the system  300 . The system  300  may be continuously used to refill the print substance cartridge as long as the refill container  318  is replaced. 
     In some examples, the system may include a liner  310  including a third opening  312 . In some examples, the liner  310  may clean the valve body  302  as the system  300  transitions between an open position and a closed position. For instance, as the print substance valve  306  and the liner  310  transition from an open position to a closed position the liner  310  may wipe the surface of the valve body  302  to clean the print substance remaining on the valve body  302  after the transfer of print substance is complete. Similarly, the liner  310  may wipe the valve body  302  cleaning the print substance residue as the print substance valve  306  transitions from a closed position to an open position. The liner  310  may limit the amount of print substance present in the system  300  after the transfer of print substance. For instance, the liner  310  may wipe excess print substance from the system  300  after the transfer of print substance to reduce the amount of print substance present in the system  300  after the transfer of print substance. In addition, the liner  310  may reduce the amount of contaminated print substance in the system  300  by cleaning the valve body  302  as the system  300  transitions between an open position and a closed position. 
     In some examples, the liner  310  may form a seal between the print substance valve  306  and the valve body  302 . That is, the liner  310  may prevent print substance from entering other components of the system  300 . In addition, the liner  310  may prevent excess print substance from leaving the system  300 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an example of a print substance plug valve  420  consistent with the disclosure. Print substance plug valve  420  is analogous or similar to print substance plug valve  220  of  FIG. 2 . Valve body  402  is analogous or similar to valve body  102 ,  202  and  302  of  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 , respectively. Print substance valve  406  is analogous or similar to print substance valve  106 ,  206 , and  306  of  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  3 , respectively. Refill container  418  is analogous or similar to refill container  318  of  FIG. 3 . 
     In some examples, the print substance plug valve  420  may include a valve body  402 , print substance valve  406 , and a refill container  418 . In addition, the print substance plug valve  420  may include an axis pin  422  coupled to the valve body  402 . The axis pin  422  may connect to the print substance valve  406  to allow the print substance to rotate about the axis pin  422  and transition the print substance plug valve  420  between an open position. For example, the print substance valve  406  may rotate in a direction as denoted by arrow  444  to transition the print substance plug valve  420  into an open position. In some examples, the print substance plug valve  420  is in an open position when the openings (e.g., first opening  204 , second opening  208 , third opening  212 , and/or fourth opening  216  of  FIG. 2 ) of the print substance plug valve  420  are substantially aligned. 
     In some examples, the print substance valve  406  may be adjacent to a liner (e.g., liner  210  of  FIG. 2 ). The liner adjacent to the print substance valve  406  may rotate in the same direction (e.g., a direction denoted by the arrows  433  and  444 ) and the same distance as the print substance valve  406  to transition the print substance plug valve  420  into an open position or a closed position. 
     In addition, the axis pin  422  may connect to the print substance valve  406  to allow the print substance valve  406  to rotate about the axis pin  422  and transition the print substance plug valve  420  between a closed position. For example, the print substance valve  406  may rotate in a direction as denoted by arrow  433  to transition the print substance plug valve  420  into a closed position. In some examples, the print substance plug valve  420  is in a closed position when the first opening and the second opening of the print substance plug valve  420  are substantially offset. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an example of a system  500  consistent with the disclosure. System  500  is analogous or similar to system  100  and  300  of  FIGS. 1 and 3 , respectively. Valve body  502  is analogous or similar to valve body  102 ,  202 ,  302 , and  402  of  FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 , respectively. Plug output seat  414  is analogous or similar to plug output seat  214  of  FIG. 2 . First opening  504  is analogous or similar to first opening  104 ,  204 , and  304  of  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 , respectively. Fourth opening  516  is analogous or similar to second opening  216  of  FIG. 2 . 
     In some examples, the system  500  may include a valve body  502  including a first opening  504 . The valve body  502  may house a print substance valve (e.g., print substance valve  406  of  FIG. 4 ), a liner (e.g., liner  310  of  FIG. 3 ), and a plug output seat  514  including a fourth opening  516 . In some examples, the valve body  502  may include a retention mechanism  524  to hold the plug output seat  514  in place. In some examples, the valve body  502  may include a plurality of retention mechanism. That is, the plug output seat  514  may be fixed into a set position of the valve body  502 . For instance, the plug output seat  514  may be stationary as the system  500  rotates between an open position and a closed position. In some examples, the plug output seat  514  may be curved to allow the print substance valve to rotate between an open position and a closed position. 
     The figures herein follow a numbering convention in which the first digit corresponds to the drawing figure number and the remaining digits identify an element or component in the drawing. Elements shown in the various figures herein may be capable of being added, exchanged, and/or eliminated so as to provide a number of additional examples of the disclosure. In addition, the proportion and the relative scale of the elements provided in the figures are intended to illustrate the examples of the disclosure and should not be taken in a limiting sense. 
     It should be understood that the descriptions of various examples may not be drawn to scale and thus, the descriptions may have a different size and/or configuration other than as shown therein.