Patent Publication Number: US-2006017788-A1

Title: Fluid delivery component

Description:
BACKGROUND  
      Fluid of a fluid delivery system is often securely contained in a bag that allows for introduction of fluid thereinto and extraction of fluid therefrom. Often a significant volume of remnant fluid remains in the discarded bag after maximum extraction. It is difficult to maximize volumetric efficiency of the containment, while maintaining performance. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  illustrates a fluid delivery system in an embodiment.  
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of an embodiment of a fluid delivery component.  
       FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of a bladder taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 .  
       FIG. 3A  is a cross sectional view of a bladder in an embodiment.  
       FIG. 4  is a side view of a bladder inside a fluid delivery component in an embodiment.  
       FIG. 5  is a top view of an embodiment of a fluid delivery component illustrated on a reservoir.  
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a fluid delivery component. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       FIG. 1  illustrates a fluid delivery system  10  in an embodiment. In embodiments, the system  10  is a recording device, a fluid ejection device, or a printer. In the system  10 , media is placed on a media input tray  20  and transported past one or more fluid cartridges  30 , in an embodiment. The fluid cartridges  30  are transported, in an orthogonal direction to the media movement, along rod  40  to deliver fluid to the media, such as printing with fluid in an embodiment. In an embodiment, the system  10  stores one or more fluid delivery components  50  that are fluidically coupled with the fluid cartridges  30 . In an embodiment, after the media is transported past the cartridges  30 , the media is deposited onto a media output tray  60 .  
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of an embodiment of one of the fluid delivery components  50  of  FIG. 1 . In embodiments, the fluid delivery component  50  is a fluid container, a fluid supply, or a fluid delivery apparatus. The component  50  has a housing  100 , such as shell, which contains a flexible fluid reservoir  110 , in an embodiment. In embodiments, the reservoir  110  includes a bladder, and/or may include a bag. The shell  100  is coupled with a chassis  120 , which houses a pump  130 . The chassis  150  includes a fluid outlet  140  fluidically coupled with the reservoir  110 , in an embodiment. A protective cap  150  at least partially encloses the chassis  120 . The shell  100 , the chassis  120 , and the cap  150  are coupled together to form the component  50 . The cap  150  has apertures, which allow access to the pump  130  and to the fluid outlet  140 , in an embodiment.  
      As shown in  FIG. 2 , the chassis  120  has a fin  180  extending therefrom on a bottom side, opposite a pump side, in an embodiment. The fin  180  inserts into an opening  160  of the reservoir  110  along a top side  170  of the reservoir  110 , in an embodiment. In an embodiment, the top side  170  of the reservoir couples about the fin  180  to form a fluidic seal. In an embodiment, the top side  170  is heat staked to the fin  180 . The fin  180  has a port  190  therethrough fluidically coupling the chassis  120  with the reservoir  110 , in an embodiment. In embodiments, the port  190  includes a tunnel, or an opening therein to fluidically couple with the fluid outlet  140 .  
      In an embodiment, the chassis  120  includes a fill port fluidically coupled with port  190  and an exhaust port. Fluid can be added to the component  50  through the fill port of the chassis, while air displaced by the added fluid is exhausted through the exhaust port. As the reservoir  110  is filled, it expands so as to substantially fill the shell  100 . The protective cap  150  is placed on the component after the reservoir is filled.  
      The pump  130  of the illustrated embodiment is actuated by pressing a diaphragm of the pump inward to decrease the volume and increase the pressure within a chamber in the chassis. Fluid forced from the chamber exits through the fluid outlet  140 . When the diaphragm is released, the volume in the chamber increases, thereby decreasing pressure. The decreased pressure within the chamber draws fluid from the reservoir into the chamber. In an embodiment, the diaphragm pump can be reliable and well suited for use in the component. However, other types of pumps may also be used. For example, a piston pump, a bellows pump, or other types of pumps might be adapted for use in embodiments.  
      In an embodiment, slow ingress of air is allowed into the shell  100  as fluid is depleted from the reservoir  110  to maintain the pressure inside the shell as generally the same as an ambient pressure. Otherwise, a negative pressure may develop inside the shell and inhibit the flow of fluid from the reservoir. In an embodiment, the ingress of air is limited, in order to maintain a high humidity within the shell and minimize water loss from the fluid.  
      In an embodiment, the chassis  120  is molded of an easily heat-stakeable material that may be recyclable. The chassis may be molded of high-density polyethylene. The material of the chassis may vary in embodiments. In an embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the shell  100  includes a material made of polypropylene. In an embodiment, the shell has a thickness of about one millimeter. The shell  100  may provide substantially robust protection for the reservoir  110 . The material and thickness of the shell may vary in embodiments.  
      In an embodiment, the reservoir  110  is formed of at least one folded substrate. The folded substrate forms two sidewalls of the reservoir. The sidewalls are sealed around a periphery  200  of the reservoir  110  at two opposing sides of the folded substrate. In the embodiment, heat staking can be used to seal at least part of the perimeter of the sidewalls to form the reservoir bag.  
      In another embodiment, the reservoir is formed of at least two substrates. One substrate is placed over another substrate to form two sidewalls of the reservoir. Three (3) edge regions of the respective sidewalls are sealed together along the periphery  200  of the reservoir to form the opening  160  along a fourth edge region or top side  170  of the reservoir. In the embodiment, heat staking can be used to seal at least part of the edges of the sidewalls to form the reservoir bag. The top side  170  may be sealed with the fin  180  of the chassis  120  to fluidically seal the flexible fluid reservoir  110 .  
      In the embodiment shown in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 3 , the reservoir  110  includes a plurality of nested bags  210 ,  220 . In a particular embodiment, the reservoir  110  includes a first bag  210  and a second bag  220  enclosed by the first bag  210 . In this embodiment, the reservoir includes a double-walled bladder to contain fluid.  
      In an embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the nested bags  210 ,  220  each have a pillow shape. The pillow shaped bag may be a rectangular bag made of flexible material and may have an opening at one end along a transverse side. The pillow shaped bag may be filled with fluid, such as ink.  
      The first bag  210  includes first and second sidewalls  212 ,  214  joined at two of their respective edge regions directly to one another to form a pillow shape and to form the at least partially sealed periphery  200  of the reservoir. The second bag  220  has third and fourth sidewalls  216 ,  218  joined at two of their respective edge regions, or selvages, directly to one another to form a pillow shape and the at least partially sealed periphery  200  of the reservoir. In another embodiment described and shown in  FIG. 5 , the reservoir is shaped as a gusset bag.  
      In an embodiment, the nested bags are each formed from a large substrate that is folded and sealed along two opposing edge regions. The first and second sidewalls  212 ,  214  of the first bag  210  are formed from folding over a large substrate, and are sealed at least along two edge regions respectively, as described above. The third and fourth sidewalls  216 ,  218  of the second bag  220  may also be formed from folding over a large substrate.  
      In another embodiment, the nested bags are each formed from separate substrates that are sealed along three edge regions. The sidewalls  212 ,  214  are separate substrates, and are sealed together along three (3) edge regions, respectively, including a bottom edge region. In another embodiment, the sidewalls  216 ,  218  of the second bag  220  are sealed together along three (3) edge regions.  
      At least two opposing edge regions of the first bag sidewalls  212 ,  214  are sealed together. Separately, at least two opposing edge regions of the second bag sidewalls  216 ,  218  are sealed together, as shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 3 . In this embodiment, the nested bags  210 ,  220  may move independently of each other in the shell  100 .  
      In an additional embodiment, edge regions of the sidewalls  216 ,  218  are sealed in between edge regions of the sidewalls  212 ,  214 , as shown in a reservoir  110 A of  FIG. 3A . The edge regions of the first and second bags  210 ,  220  are all sealed together in this embodiment of  FIG. 3A . In an embodiment, the edge regions of the bags are heat-staked together to form the sealed periphery  200  of the reservoir  110 . In this embodiment, the first and second bags  210 ,  220  share edge regions and are less likely to move substantially independently of each other in the shell  100 .  
      In an embodiment, the reservoir  110  includes a polymer layer. The first bag  210  may include at least one of a barrier layer and a metallic layer. In an embodiment, the second bag  220  includes at least one of a polymer layer and a translucent layer. In an embodiment, the first bag  210  may include a substantially impact-resistant material. In an embodiment, the second bag  220  includes a substantially fluid-impervious material. In an embodiment, the reservoir is substantially collapsible and flexible. In an embodiment, the reservoir includes bags that together have a substantially low stiffness, which may be due at least in part to the bags  210  and  220  being substantially separate, and the bags each being relatively thin, as discussed below in more detail.  
      In an embodiment, the material from which is formed the second bag  220  may include at least one of the following properties: provides substantially effective moisture-barrier, provides substantially enough strength to substantially resist rupture, substantially flexible enough to stretch without substantially breaking, and substantially able to seal to a polymer (FIN), including, for example high-density polyethylene (HDPE).  
      In an embodiment, the fluid-impervious material is chosen from a group including (1) low-density, linear low-density or ultra-low-density or single-site catalyst polyethylene (LDPE, LLDPE, ULDPE or SSCPE) or (2) co-extrusions thereof with core materials of bi-axially oriented nylon (BON) or ethyl vinyl alcohol (EVOH), e.g. co-extruded LLDPE/BON/LLDPE or LLPDE/EVOH/LLDPE, or polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). In an embodiment, the second, inner bag  220  is approximately between 1 and 3 mils (0.001 inches to 0.003 inches) thick.  
      In an embodiment, the first, outer bag  210  may exhibit at least one of the following properties: provide a substantial moisture and air barrier, add substantial strength to substantially resist rupture and to substantially protect the inner bag, act as a redundant seal should the inner bag break, and having capability of sealing to a polymer and to the inner second bag  220 . In accordance with an embodiment, the impact-resistant material includes a polymer/thin-metal laminate of bonded layers wherein the polymers are chosen from a group including linear (the linear orientation may positively affect impact strength), low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), polyester (PET), biaxially-oriented nylon (BON), and oriented polypropylene (OPP), and wherein the metals are chosen from a group including aluminum (Al) and silver (Ag). One such workable embodiment of a laminar structure (from innermost to outermost laminate) is LLDPE/PET-MET/MET-PET/LLDPE. Another embodiment (also from innermost to outermost laminate) is LLDPE/PET-NET/BON. In one embodiment, the metallized polyester layers are formed by vapor or sputter deposition of metal particles onto thin films of polyester, and act as substantial barriers to air and moisture. The layers of the laminar structure that form the outer films of the sidewalls may be bonded by any suitable adhesive. In an embodiment, the first bag  210  has a thickness approximately between 1 and 3 mils.  
      It will also be appreciated that the choice of materials for the inner and outer films render the inner films flexible and substantially impervious to penetration by fluid or liquid toner, and render the outer films flexible and substantially impervious to penetration by air or moisture, in an embodiment.  
      In an embodiment, the first bag  210  includes about a 0.6 mil thick (10.8 lbs/rm) biaxially oriented nylon  6  layer coupled with about a 0.02 mil thick (1.8 lbs/rm) adhesive to about a 500 angstrom thick (2.5 O.D.) silver metallization layer coupled with about a 0.48 mil thick (10.7 lbs/rm) oriented polyester coupled with about a 0.02 mil (1.8 lbs/rm) adhesive to about a 0.5 mil thick (7.2 lbs/rm) linear low density polyethylene film. However, the first bag  210  may include less or more layers, and different materials in the layers.  
      In an embodiment, the second bag  220  includes about a 0.6 mil thick (8.6 lbs/rm) linear low density polyethylene layer coupled with a 0.2 mil thick (2.8 lbs/rm) modified LLD (Tie) layer coupled with about a 0.4 mil thick (7.5 lbs/rm) nylon  6  layer coupled with a second about 0.2 mil thick (2.8 lbs/rm) modified LLD (Tie) layer coupled with a second about a 0.6 mil thick (8.6 lbs/rm) linear low density polyethylene layer. However, the second bag  220  may include less or more layers, and different materials in the layers.  
      In between the first and second bags  210 ,  220 , respectively, is an air gap, in an embodiment. The air gap may be in between one of the polyethylene layers of the second bag  220  and the polyethylene film layer of the first bag  210 . Between the inner and outer film layers is about a 1 atmosphere volume of air that acts as a shock absorber to reduce the possibility of rupturing the inner film layer (the second bag  220 ) that contains fluid, in an embodiment. In an embodiment, the fluid container  50  resists leakage in normal use, and when accidentally dropped.  
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the reservoir  110  inside the fluid delivery component  50  just behind a sidewall of the shell  100  in an embodiment. The shell  100  has an interior bottom wall  230 . The outer layer of the reservoir, or the first bag  210 , substantially contacts the interior bottom wall  230  of the shell when the reservoir is substantially full, in an embodiment. The first bag  210  may substantially contact the interior, including interior sidewalls of the shell, when full of fluid, to a maximum efficiency and fluid capacity. The second bag  220  may also be substantially pressed against the first bag  210 , when the reservoir is full of fluid.  
      In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , where the reservoir  110 , including the first and second bags  210 ,  220 , has larger dimensions than the shell  100 , the reservoir  110  is folded before inserted into the shell  100 . The reservoir  110  may be folded up along a bottom to form a bottom fold  240 , and the sides of the reservoir  110  may be folded over to form side folds  245 . In an additional embodiment, the reservoir  110  is inserted into the shell  100  without folding over the bottom and sides.  
      In an embodiment, the shell  100  and the flexible reservoir  110 , which the shell contains, have the capacity to hold up to about two hundred (200) cubic centimeters (cc) of fluid. In an embodiment, the reservoir  110  holds 69 cc of fluid. In an embodiment, the shell  100  is approximately 50-100 millimeters wide, about 10-20 millimeters deep and about 50-150 millimeters high. In a particular embodiment, the shell is about 75 millimeters wide, 15 millimeters deep and 115 millimeters high. Other dimensions are within the scope of embodiments for the shell. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the fluid delivery component, including the shell  100 , the chassis  120 , and the cap  150 , is positioned over the reservoir  110  to illustrate the dimensions of the reservoir with respect to the housing/shell  100 . In operation, however, the reservoir  110  is inside the housing  100  of the fluid delivery component  50  as shown in  FIG. 4 .  
      As shown in an embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the reservoir  110  is sized to have at least one dimension greater than a corresponding dimension of the shell  100 . In an embodiment, a length Z of the reservoir is greater than a length B of the shell, for example, by about half a width A of the shell. In an embodiment, a width Y of the reservoir is greater than the width A of the shell. The reservoir may be flexible to substantially fit within the shell. In an embodiment, at least one dimension (Y or Z) of the reservoir is about 25% to about 35% greater than the corresponding dimension (A or B, respectively) of the shell, and the reservoir is flexible to substantially fit within the shell.  
      In an embodiment, the flexible reservoir  110  is in a range of 50 to 150 millimeters wide in the “Y” direction, and about 100 to 200 millimeters long in the “Z” direction. In a particular embodiment, the flexible reservoir  110  is approximately 95 millimeters wide in the “Y” direction, and 140 millimeters long in the “Z” direction.  
      In an embodiment, along the top side  170  of the reservoir, the sidewalls of the bags  210  and  220  are sealed to each other along periphery  200 A, leaving reservoir opening  160  between the sidewalls of the bag  220  opened to receive the fin  180  of the chassis  120  (shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). In a particular embodiment, the sidewall  212  of bag  210  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) and sidewall  218  of bag  220  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) are sealed along periphery  200 A of the reservoir shown in  FIG. 5 . In an embodiment, the sidewall  214  of bag  210  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) and sidewall  216  of bag  220  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) are sealed along periphery  200 A of the reservoir  110 .  
      In an additional particular embodiment, along the top side  170  of the reservoir  110 , a certain length “T” of the top side  170  is not sealed with the sealed periphery  200 A in an embodiment. In an embodiment, length T of the top side  170  is adjacent each reservoir corner of the top side  170 . In an embodiment, the periphery is not sealed along T to aid in inserting the chassis  120  into the reservoir opening  160  along the top side  170 . After the fin  180  of the chassis  120  is inserted, the reservoir opening  160  between sidewalls of the second bag is sealed about the chassis  120 , and each length T along the top side  170  is sealed as well. In another embodiment, the sidewalls of the bags  210  and  220  are not sealed to each other along the entire length of its top side  170  until the fin  180  is inserted between sidewalls of the second bag.  
      In an embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the sidewall edge regions along two sides of the periphery  200  of the reservoir  110  are not sealed along the entire length of the reservoir  110 . In particular, near the top side  170  of the reservoir  110 , a certain length S of each periphery  200  is not sealed in an embodiment. In an embodiment, length S is adjacent each reservoir corner where length T is similarly not sealed. In an embodiment, the periphery is not sealed along S to aid in inserting the chassis  120  into the reservoir opening  160  along the top side  170 . After the chassis  120  is inserted into the reservoir opening  160 , each length S is sealed with the sealing of the opening  160  about the chassis  120 .  
      In an embodiment, length S may be about 10 millimeters to about 20 millimeters. In a particular embodiment, length S may be about 15 millimeters. The length S may be within  1  millimeter of the edge of the sidewalls. The sealed periphery  200  may be about 1 millimeter to about 5 millimeters in width. In a particular embodiment, the sealed periphery  200  may be about 3 millimeters in width.  
      In an embodiment, length T may be about 1 millimeter to about 10 millimeters. In a particular embodiment, length T may be about 6 millimeters. The entire length of length T may be within 1 millimeter of the edge of the sidewalls. The sealed periphery  200 A may be about 1 millimeter to about 5 millimeters in width. In a particular embodiment, the sealed periphery  200 A may be about 2 millimeters in width.  
       FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment of the reservoir. In the embodiment, the reservoir is a gusset bag  250  having pleats  260 . In an embodiment, the gusset bag  250  includes a plurality of nested bags. The nested bags are configured at least in a base region thereof as a generally right parallelepiped, wherein the right parallelepiped configuration is nominally maintained at least in part by one or more pleats  260  formed in the base region of the nested bags. Other pleating arrangements and configurations are contemplated, as are alternative methods of forming approximately right angles and corners, in the double-walled bladder, and all are within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. In an embodiment, the nested bags have at least one dimension greater than a corresponding dimension of the shell  100 .  
      The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments, and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use of the structures described herein. Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronic and fluidic systems. In embodiments, the broad applicability includes fluid- or liquid-toner-containment, and has more particular applicability to fluid-jet or laser systems having replaceable fluid supplies. In an embodiment, fluid-containment systems contain fluid or liquid toner and yield more than approximately 90% of the fluid contained therein, thus greatly increasing containment and extraction efficiency and reducing waste.  
      FIGS.  1  to  6  are merely representational and are not drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Parts of some embodiments may be included in, or substituted for, those of other embodiments. While the foregoing examples of dimensions and ranges are considered typical, the various embodiments are not limited to such dimensions or ranges.  
      The accompanying drawings that form a part hereof show by way of illustration, and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. Embodiments illustrated are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed herein. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This Detailed Description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.  
      The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b) to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.  
      In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments have more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.  
      It will be readily understood to those skilled in the art that various other changes in the details, material, and arrangements of the parts and method stages, which have been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of embodiments herein may be made without departing from the principles and scope of embodiments as expressed in the subjoined claims.