Patent Description:
Printing devices may include a supply of a print materials located in a reservoir. As used herein, the term "print materials" refers to a substance which, when applied to a medium, can form representation(s) on the medium during a print job. In some examples, the print materials can be deposited in successive layers to create three-dimensional (3D) objects. For example, print materials can include print material particles, a toner material, a powdered semi-crystalline thermoplastic material, a powdered metal material, a powdered plastic material, a powdered composite material, a powdered ceramic material, a powdered glass material, a powdered resin material, and/or a powdered polymer material, among other types of powdered or particulate material. The print materials can be particles with an average diameter of less than one hundred microns. For example, the print materials can be particles with an average diameter of between <NUM>-<NUM> microns. However, examples of the disclosure are not so limited. For example, print materials can be particles with an average diameter of between <NUM>-<NUM> microns, <NUM>-<NUM> microns, or any other range between <NUM>-<NUM> microns. The print materials can be fused when deposited to create 3D objects.

The print materials can be deposited onto a physical medium. As used herein, the term "printing device" refers to any hardware device with functionalities to physically produce representation(s) on the medium. In some examples, the printing device can be a 3D printer. For example, the 3D printer can create a representation (e.g., a 3D object) by depositing print materials in successive layers to create the 3D object.

The reservoir including the print materials may be inside of the printing device and include a supply of the print materials such that the printing device may draw the print materials from the reservoir as the printing device creates the images on the print medium. As used herein, the term "reservoir" refers to a container, a tank, and/or a similar vessel to store a supply of the print materials for use by the printing device.

As the printing device draws the print materials from the reservoir, the amount of print materials in the reservoir may deplete. As a result, the amount of print materials in the reservoir of the printing device may have to be replenished.

A print materials container may be utilized to replenish and/or refill the reservoir of the printing device with print materials. For instance, the print materials container can be a print materials replenishment device. During an initial fill or replenishment operation, the print materials container can transfer print materials from the print materials container to the reservoir of the printing device.

Some approaches to initially filling or replenishing a reservoir of printing device include replacing a print materials reservoir. In such approaches, a printing device is opened, a print materials reservoir is removed from the printing device, and a new print materials reservoir is installed. In some approaches, the printing device may have more than one print materials reservoir, meaning a user is required to know which print materials reservoir to remove and replace.

In other approaches, the print materials reservoir is removed, replenished outside of the printing device, and returned to the printing device. This can be a messy process that can result in spills and/or environment contamination. Over- or under-filling of a print materials reservoir may also occur due to user error or inefficient fill methods.

In contrast, examples of the present disclosure include a print materials container that allows for replenishment of a print materials reservoir in-situ. For instance, the print materials reservoir can be coupled to a fill port of the print materials reservoir that can receive the print materials reservoir container. The print materials container can fill and/or replenish the print materials reservoir in-situ such that the print materials reservoir remains within a printing device during filling/replenishing. For instance, some examples of the present disclosure allow for filling/replenishing of print materials in a manner that may be more convenient, faster, and simpler for a user as compared to other approaches. For instance, a plurality of mechanisms can be used in the print materials container to make a filling/replenishing process easier and cleaner.

In some instances, by filling/replenishing the print materials reservoir in-situ using the print materials container, printing and/or operating costs (e.g., costs-per-page) can be reduced because a print materials container is sufficient for refilling a print materials reservoir. Because the print materials container may include limited or no gears, motors, electronics, etc., the cost to make and distribute the print materials container may be reduced. This reduction can result in cost savings for a user.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a print materials container <NUM> consistent with the disclosure. Print materials container <NUM> can include a dispense mechanism <NUM> and a valve <NUM>. Dispense mechanism <NUM> can dispense print materials directly to an in-situ reservoir of a printing device. Valve <NUM> can be integrated with dispense mechanism <NUM>, in some examples, and can facilitate connection of dispense mechanism to a fill port <NUM> of the reservoir. Valve <NUM>, in some examples, can include an output opening, as will be described further herein, that is offset from a center axis of a tip of dispense mechanism <NUM>. Valve <NUM> can open responsive to rotation of the valve opening with respect to a lock feature such that opposite openings align. The open valve can facilitate a plunger of dispense mechanism <NUM> (not pictured in <FIG>) to push the print materials through the aligned openings into the reservoir. The lock feature (not illustrated in <FIG>) can engage fill port <NUM> during connection of dispense mechanism <NUM> to fill port <NUM>.

Dispense mechanism <NUM> can include plurality of mechanisms, as will be discussed further herein, including a compression mechanism, a squeeze bottle mechanism, a print materials bag mechanism, a bulb pump mechanism, and/or an accordion-shaped collapsible container, among others. In some instances, dispense mechanism <NUM> can include a print material reservoir to store a supply of print materials. The print material reservoir can supply/resupply a printing device (e.g., a host print system) with print materials, as is further described herein.

In some examples, print materials container <NUM> can be prepared for dispensing print materials by agitating print materials container <NUM> and inserting print materials container <NUM> into fill port <NUM>. Docking of print materials container <NUM> can include locking print materials container <NUM> to fill port <NUM>, allowing print materials container <NUM> to open along with an opening in the reservoir. This can allow transfer of print materials to the reservoir. Responsive to an indication that transfer is complete, print materials container <NUM> can be unlocked and undocked, which closes openings in print materials container <NUM> and the reservoir. Print materials container <NUM> can be removed from fill port <NUM>, completing the print materials transfer.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a print materials container <NUM> and a printing device <NUM> consistent with the disclosure. Print materials container <NUM> can be coupled to printing device <NUM> via valve <NUM> and fill port <NUM>. While one fill port <NUM> on top of printing device <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>, more than one fill port may be present on printing device <NUM> in some examples and/or a fill port may be located elsewhere on printing device <NUM>. For instance, a fill port may be present on a side of printing device <NUM> or on a plurality of sides of printing device <NUM>, a plurality of fill ports may be present on a side of printing device <NUM> or on a plurality of sides of printing device <NUM>, and/or a plurality of fill ports may be present on top of printing device <NUM>, among other options.

Printing device <NUM> can house a reservoir for receiving print materials from print materials container <NUM>. The reservoir may remain in printing device <NUM> during filling/replenishing of the reservoir. Upon completion of the fill/refill, print materials container <NUM> can be removed from printing device <NUM> (e.g., valve <NUM> removed from fill port <NUM>) and a print job can resume/commence.

<FIG> an example of a print materials container <NUM> having a compression mechanism in a first position <NUM> and a second position <NUM> consistent with the disclosure. As used herein, the terms "compress" or "compression mechanism" refers to a reciprocating pump including a plunger and a tube, where the plunger can be linearly moved to allow the compress to take in and/or expel liquid, gas, or other material through an orifice at the end of the tube. A compress, in some examples, can include a syringe, and a compression mechanism in some examples can include a syringe mechanism. Print materials container <NUM> can include outer compress body <NUM> and a plunger <NUM>. Outer compress body <NUM> can include an outer structure of the compression mechanism. For example, outer compress body <NUM> can be an outer structure of print materials container <NUM> and can include plunger <NUM> a base <NUM>, and/or an inner compress body discussed further herein.

As used herein, the term "plunger" refers to a piston to take in and/or expel liquid, gas, or other material through an orifice at the end of print materials container <NUM>. For example, print materials container <NUM> can include an inner compress body (not illustrated in <FIG>) that can be a print materials reservoir. For example, the print materials reservoir can store a supply of print materials. The print materials reservoir can supply/resupply a printing device (e.g., a host print system). Plunger <NUM> can take in and/or expel the print materials from the print materials reservoir, and plunger <NUM> can be a structure to adapt a volume of the print materials reservoir. For example, plunger <NUM> can increase or decrease a volume of the print materials reservoir based on movement of plunger <NUM> in the print materials reservoir.

Plunger <NUM> can have a base <NUM>, which can be a rubber material or other material for moving print materials. Base <NUM>, in some examples, can include a seal <NUM> coupled to plunger <NUM> via base <NUM> to protect plunger <NUM> from print materials and sweep the print materials within the compression mechanism. Seal <NUM> can be a felt material wipe seal or a synthetic material wipe seal, among other seals that prevent air from escaping around base <NUM>. Seal <NUM> can allow for a more constant pressure on print materials as compared to a plunger <NUM> and base <NUM> without a seal, in some instances. In some examples, plunger <NUM> and/or base <NUM> may be removed from the compression mechanism (e.g., for cleaning, replacement of components, etc.).

Print materials container <NUM> can include a valve <NUM>, in some examples. The valve can be an opening through which material can be moved. For example, valve <NUM> can be an opening through which print materials can be moved in response to plunger <NUM> decreasing the volume of the print materials reservoir based on movement of plunger <NUM> from position <NUM> to position <NUM>.

While in position <NUM>, print materials container <NUM> is not depressed. In such an example, a print materials reservoir within print materials container <NUM> can contain print materials. While in position <NUM>, print materials container <NUM> and it's print materials reservoir are void of print materials (e.g., having filled/refilled a printing device).

Although not illustrated in <FIG> for clarity and so as not to obscure examples of the disclosure, the print materials container <NUM> can be coupled to a printing device via valve <NUM> and a fill port of the printing device. For example, the print materials container <NUM> can be connected to a printing device so that print materials may be supplied to the printing device so that the printing device can perform print jobs. Plunger <NUM> can be depressed to expel print materials from print materials container <NUM> to the printing device. For instance, plunger <NUM> can be depressed from first position <NUM> to second position <NUM>. For example, print materials container <NUM> can be connected to the printing device such that, during a fill and/or refill operation, plunger <NUM> can be moved from first position <NUM> to second position <NUM> to expel print materials from the print materials reservoir to the printing device. The print materials can fill/refill the printing device such that the printing device can continue to perform print jobs.

In some examples, print materials container <NUM> can be a toner materials container, and can include a dispense mechanism (e.g., a compression mechanism) to dispense toner materials to an in-situ reservoir of a printing device. In such an example, the dispense mechanism can include compress storing the toner materials and having plunger <NUM> to dispense the toner materials responsive to a force applied at an end of the plunger. For instance, a force can be applied at the end of the plunger which creates pressure to drive air and print materials out of the compression mechanism. The compress can include a tip (not illustrated here), as will be discussed further herein with respect to <FIG>, that includes a lock feature to lock to a fill port of the reservoir. In some instances, valve <NUM> can be a rotating value integrated with the tip of the compress. In such an example, valve <NUM> can open responsive to rotation of valve <NUM> with respect to the lock feature and connection and rotation of the tip with respect to the fill port. While a toner materials container is described in this example, other material particles containers may be used.

For instance, <FIG> illustrates an example of a valve <NUM> locked to a fill port <NUM> of a reservoir of a printing device consistent with the disclosure. Valve <NUM>, in some examples can be integrated with a tip <NUM> of a compress <NUM>. The compress tip <NUM> can include a lock feature to lock to fill port <NUM> of a print materials reservoir. Valve <NUM> can be a rotating valve that opens responsive to rotation of valve <NUM> (e.g., about axis <NUM>) with respect to the lock feature, as well as connection and rotation of the compress tip <NUM> with respect to fill port <NUM>.

Valve <NUM> can prevent exposure of a compress tip <NUM> or fill port entrance <NUM> to a user. For instance, during docking and undocking, compress tip <NUM> swaps places with a cover <NUM> of fill port <NUM>. This can result in compress tip <NUM> and an entrance <NUM> to fill port <NUM> in direct contact with each other. This can prevent residual print materials from falling out of the compress during removal by allowing fill port <NUM> to cleanly shear (e.g., at shear plane <NUM>) a print materials column <NUM> between wipe seals <NUM>.

In some examples, valve <NUM> can include an output opening, for instance at an end of print materials column <NUM>, that is offset from a center axis of tip <NUM>. During locking, a lock feature can engage fill port <NUM> during connection of tip <NUM> to fill port <NUM>. Valve <NUM> can open responsive to rotation of an opening of valve <NUM> with respect to the lock feature such that opposite openings align. The open valve <NUM>, in some instances can facilitate a plunger to push toner materials through aligned openings into the reservoir.

In the example illustrated in <FIG>, compress <NUM> is locked to fill port <NUM>, such that print materials may pass through print materials column <NUM>. While not illustrated here, prior to rotation of valve <NUM>, valve <NUM> may not be locked with fill port <NUM>, meaning print materials column <NUM> would be closed off and print materials would be unable to pass.

<FIG> illustrates another example of a valve <NUM> locked to a fill port <NUM> of a reservoir of a printing device consistent with the disclosure. Valve <NUM>, in some examples can be integrated with a tip <NUM> of a compress <NUM>. The compress tip <NUM> can include a lock feature to lock to fill port <NUM> of a print materials reservoir. Valve <NUM> can be a rotating valve that opens responsive to rotation of valve <NUM> (e.g., about axis <NUM>) with respect to the lock feature, as well as connection and rotation of the compress tip <NUM> with respect to fill port <NUM>.

Valve <NUM> can prevent exposure of a compress tip <NUM> or fill port <NUM> entrance to a user. For instance, during docking and undocking, compress tip <NUM> swaps places with a cover of fill port <NUM>. This can result in compress tip <NUM> and an entrance to fill port <NUM> in direct contact with each other. This can prevent residual print materials from falling out of the compress during removal by allowing fill port <NUM> to cleanly shear (e.g., at shear plane <NUM>) a print materials column <NUM> between seal wipes.

<FIG> illustrates yet another example of a valve <NUM> locked to a fill port <NUM> of a reservoir of a printing device consistent with the disclosure. Valve <NUM>, in some examples can be integrated with a tip <NUM> of a compress <NUM>. The compress tip <NUM> can include a lock feature to lock to fill port <NUM> of a print materials reservoir. Valve <NUM> can be a rotating valve that opens responsive to rotation of valve <NUM> with respect to the lock feature, as well as connection and rotation of the compress tip <NUM> with respect to fill port <NUM>.

In the example illustrated in <FIG>, compress <NUM> is locked to fill port <NUM>, such that print materials may pass through print materials column <NUM>. While not illustrated here, prior to rotation of valve <NUM>, valve <NUM> may unlock from fill port <NUM>, meaning print materials column <NUM> would be closed off and print materials would be unable to pass.

<FIG> illustrates another example of a valve <NUM> locked to a fill port <NUM> of a reservoir of a printing device consistent with the disclosure. Valve <NUM>, in some examples can be integrated with a tip <NUM> of a compress <NUM>. The compress tip <NUM> can include a lock feature to lock to fill port <NUM> of a print materials reservoir. Valve <NUM> can be a rotating valve that opens responsive to rotation of valve <NUM> with respect to the lock feature, as well as connection and rotation of the compress tip <NUM> with respect to fill port <NUM>.

Valve <NUM> can prevent exposure of a compress tip <NUM> or fill port <NUM> entrance to a user. For instance, during docking and undocking, compress tip <NUM> swaps places with a cover of fill port <NUM>. This can result in compress tip <NUM> and an entrance to fill port <NUM> in direct contact with each other. An axis of valve <NUM>, print materials column <NUM>, and compress <NUM> can be in line such that compress time <NUM> uncovers fill port <NUM> while docking, creating a seal and allowing print materials to pass through print materials column <NUM>.

In the example illustrated in <FIG>, compress <NUM> is not connected to fill port <NUM>. While not illustrated here, compress <NUM> can be docked and locked to fill port <NUM> to allow print materials to pass through print materials column <NUM>. Prior to rotation of valve <NUM>, valve <NUM> may be unlocked from fill port <NUM>, meaning print materials column <NUM> would be closed off and print materials would be unable to pass.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a print materials container <NUM> having a squeeze bottle mechanism <NUM> consistent with the disclosure. In some examples, squeeze bottle mechanism <NUM> can include valve <NUM> to facilitate transfer of print materials to a reservoir of a printing device. For instance, squeeze bottle mechanism <NUM> can house print materials that can be released through valve <NUM>, which can be a one-way valve, to dispense the print materials.

Squeeze bottle mechanism <NUM> can be squeezed a plurality of times using a pumping action to dispense the print materials. This pumping action can aerate the print materials during dispensing in some instances. The pumping action can be repeated until the desired amount of print materials (e.g., all the print materials) have been dispensed through valve <NUM> into the reservoir of the printing device. Valve <NUM> can be received by a fill port of the printing device to facilitate the transfer of print materials, in some examples.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a print materials container <NUM> having a bag mechanism <NUM> consistent with the disclosure. In some examples, bag mechanism <NUM> can include valve <NUM> to facilitate transfer of print materials to a reservoir of a printing device. For instance, bag mechanism <NUM> can house print materials that can be released through valve <NUM>, which can be a one-way valve, to dispense the print materials.

For example, bag mechanism <NUM> can be squeezed a plurality of times using a pumping action to dispense the print materials. This pumping action can aerate the print materials during dispensing in some instances. The pumping action can be repeated until the desired amount of print materials (e.g., all the print materials) have been dispensed through valve <NUM> into the reservoir of the printing device. Valve <NUM> can be received by a fill port of the printing device to facilitate the transfer of print materials, in some examples. In some instances, compressed air can be used to dispense the print materials alternatively or in addition to the pumping action.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a print materials container <NUM> having a bulb pump mechanism consistent with the disclosure. For instance, the bulb pump mechanism can include a bulb pump <NUM> coupled to a canister <NUM> via tube <NUM>. In some examples, the bulb pump mechanism can include valve <NUM> to facilitate transfer of print materials to a reservoir of a printing device. For instance, cannister <NUM> can house print materials that can be released through valve <NUM>, which can be a one-way valve, to dispense the print materials.

Bulb pump <NUM> can be squeezed a plurality of times using a pumping action to dispense the print materials. This pumping action can aerate the print materials during dispensing in some instances. The pumping action can be repeated until the desired amount of print materials (e.g., all the print materials) have been dispensed from cannister <NUM> through valve <NUM> into the reservoir of the printing device. Valve <NUM> can be received by a fill port of the printing device to facilitate the transfer of print materials, in some examples.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a print materials container <NUM> having a smooth container <NUM> within a compression mechanism <NUM> consistent with the disclosure. Smooth container <NUM> can be a bag or other container that can receive a force. Compression mechanism <NUM> can house smooth container <NUM> storing print materials. In such an example, smooth container <NUM> can be inside compression mechanism <NUM> such that when a force is applied to plunger <NUM>, print materials are dispensed via valve <NUM> to a printing device reservoir as smooth container <NUM> is compressed. Valve <NUM> can be received by a fill port of the printing device to facilitate the transfer of print materials, in some examples.

Smooth container <NUM> can be removable from compression mechanism <NUM>, in some instances. For instance, smooth container <NUM> can be a container that can be placed in compression mechanism <NUM> for filling/replenishing of a printing device reservoir. Smooth container <NUM> can be removed from compression mechanism <NUM> upon completion of filling/replenishing of the printing device reservoir.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a print materials container <NUM> having an accordion-shaped collapsible container <NUM> within a mechanism <NUM> consistent with the disclosure. Accordion-shaped collapsible container <NUM> can be a bag or other container that can receive a force. Mechanism <NUM> can house accordion-shaped collapsible container <NUM> storing print materials. In such an example, accordion-shaped collapsible container <NUM> can be inside mechanism <NUM> such that when a force is applied to plunger <NUM>, print materials are dispensed via valve <NUM> to a printing device reservoir as accordion-shaped collapsible container <NUM> is compressed. Valve <NUM> can be received by a fill port of the printing device to facilitate the transfer of print materials, in some examples.

Accordion-shaped collapsible container <NUM> can be removable from mechanism <NUM>, in some instances. For instance, accordion-shaped collapsible container <NUM> can be a container that can be placed in mechanism <NUM> for filling/replenishing of a printing device reservoir. Accordion-shaped collapsible container <NUM> can be removed from mechanism <NUM> upon completion of filling/replenishing of the printing device reservoir. In some instances, accordion-shaped collapsible container <NUM> can collapse on itself and remain collapsed upon completion of filling/replenishing of the printing device reservoir. Accordion-shaped collapsible container <NUM>, in some examples, can have a valve as described in <FIG> for connection to and filling/replenishing of the printing device reservoir.

<FIG> illustrates a diagram of an example method <NUM> for refilling an in-situ reservoir of a printing device consistent with the disclosure. At <NUM>, method <NUM> includes mechanically locking and sealing a dispense mechanism of a print materials container to a fill port of the in-situ reservoir via a lock feature and a valve integrated with the dispense mechanism. For instance, a dispense mechanism such as a compression mechanism, squeeze bottle mechanism, print material particle bag mechanism, or bulb pump mechanism, among others, can house print materials particles for supplying the reservoir. The reservoir can be in-situ such that it remains within a printing device during filling/replenishing.

In some examples, the dispense mechanism can be mechanically locked to the fill port responsive to a turn of the dispense mechanism. The turn can include sufficient rotation to enable connection of the fill port. For instance, the dispense mechanism can be coupled, or "locked" to a fill port by connecting the dispense mechanism to the fill port and turning and/or twisting the dispense mechanism. In some examples, the dispense mechanism may be turned and/or twisted a particular amount, for instance, <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees, or <NUM> degrees, among others. Other degree amounts or directions may be used, for instance a range of degrees or different coupling approaches. The interlocking connection can include the opening of valve doors on the dispense mechanism and/or the fill port to allow for transfer of print materials while avoiding spillage or spraying of print materials. Other interlocking connections and/or other coupling techniques may be used to couple the dispense mechanism to the fill port, for instance as described with respect to <FIG>.

Locking and sealing of the dispense mechanism can include the lock feature engaging the fill port during connection of a tip of the dispense mechanism to the fill port at <NUM> and the valve opening responsive to rotation of an opening of the valve with respect to the lock feature such that opposite openings align at <NUM>. For instance, an opening created by the aligned openings can appear such that dispensing of print materials occurs when the dispense mechanism is locked to the fill port, but not when unlocked.

At <NUM>, method <NUM> includes dispensing print materials directly to the in-situ reservoir, via the dispense mechanism, the fill port, and the aligned openings, responsive to an outside force applied to the dispense mechanism. For example, a plunger of the dispense mechanism can release a seal, which in turn can seal the print materials and dispense the print materials in response.

In the foregoing detailed description of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration how examples of the disclosure may be practiced. These examples are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice the examples of this disclosure, and it is to be understood that other examples may be utilized and that process, electrical, and/or structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Further, as used herein, "a" can refer to one such thing or more than one such thing.

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. For example, reference numeral <NUM> may refer to element <NUM> in <FIG> and an analogous element may be identified by reference numeral <NUM> in <FIG>. Elements shown in the various figures herein can be added, exchanged, and/or eliminated to provide 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.

Claim 1:
A print materials container (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), comprising:
a dispense mechanism (<NUM>) to dispense print materials directly to an in-situ reservoir of a printing device;
a lock feature to engage a fill port (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of said printing device during connection of the dispense mechanism (<NUM>) to the fill port (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); and
a valve (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) integrated with the dispense mechanism (<NUM>) for connecting the dispense mechanism (<NUM>) to the fill port (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the reservoir and characterised in that the print materials container further comprises an output opening offset from a center longitudinal axis of a tip of the dispense mechanism (<NUM>),
and in that in response to the valve (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) rotation of the valve opening with respect to the lock feature and connection and rotation of the tip with respect to the fill port (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), the output opening of the dispense mechanism is configured to align with an opposite opening of said printing device.