EP0808717A2 - Verriegelungssteckeranordnung - Google Patents

Verriegelungssteckeranordnung Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0808717A2
EP0808717A2 EP97303108A EP97303108A EP0808717A2 EP 0808717 A2 EP0808717 A2 EP 0808717A2 EP 97303108 A EP97303108 A EP 97303108A EP 97303108 A EP97303108 A EP 97303108A EP 0808717 A2 EP0808717 A2 EP 0808717A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
outlet
inlet
ink
valve
assembly
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP97303108A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0808717B1 (de
EP0808717A3 (de
Inventor
Norman Pawlowski, Jr.
Ronald W. Hall
Bruce Cowger
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
HP Inc
Original Assignee
Hewlett Packard Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hewlett Packard Co filed Critical Hewlett Packard Co
Publication of EP0808717A2 publication Critical patent/EP0808717A2/de
Publication of EP0808717A3 publication Critical patent/EP0808717A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0808717B1 publication Critical patent/EP0808717B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/1752—Mounting within the printer
    • B41J2/17523—Ink connection

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an interlocking connector that can be used to connect an ink supply container to an ink-jet printer.
  • Ink-jet printers typically have pens that traverse a sheet of paper or other material.
  • the pen has a print head that selectively ejects tiny droplets of ink to form desired characters or images.
  • a supply of ink is contained in a reservoir at the pen. This type of ink supply allows for the simple delivery of ink from the reservoir to the print head. The size and weight of the reservoir, however, may adversely affect printer speed because the entire ink supply is moved with the print head.
  • the ink supply is contained and located elsewhere on the printer, allowing the pen to traverse the paper at a greater speed.
  • a flexible ink delivery tube connects the pen and a supply container.
  • the supply container is occasionally replaced.
  • ink-jet printers are generally provided with docking stations.
  • the docking station houses the supply container.
  • the supply container can be easily plugged into and uncoupled from the docking station.
  • the docking station includes a fluid interconnect to connect the supply container to the delivery tube.
  • a well-sealed fluid interconnect between the docking station and the supply container is necessary. Otherwise, ink may leak from the supply container and damage the printer.
  • the fluid interconnect should prevent ink from escaping when the supply container is uncoupled from the docking station so no ink comes in contact with the user.
  • the components of an ink supply system be as easy to recycle as possible.
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention provides an interlocking connector assembly for a well-sealed fluid interconnect between an ink supply container and an ink delivery tube.
  • the connector assembly includes an outlet valve carried on the ink supply container and an inlet valve carried on the docking station.
  • the outlet and inlet valves resist being opened while they are uncoupled.
  • the outlet and inlet valves are simultaneously movable into an open position once coupled.
  • the outlet and inlet valves cannot be uncoupled until the outlet and inlet valves are simultaneously closed, so that ink cannot escape from the ink supply container or the station.
  • the connector assembly ink supply container has few parts, and the parts are made from similar materials, thus making the ink supply easy to recycle.
  • Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a connector assembly of the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the connector assembly of Fig. 1 in an open, coupled position.
  • Fig. 3 is a section view of the connector assembly of Fig. 1 in an closed, uncoupled position.
  • Fig. 4 is a section view of the connector assembly of Fig. 1 in a open, coupled position.
  • FIG. 1 An interlocking connector assembly 10 in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 1.
  • the connector assembly 10 connects an ink supply container 16 to a docking station 33 on an ink-jet printer (not shown).
  • the illustrated connector assembly 10 has an outlet assembly 12 on the ink container 16 and an inlet assembly 14 connected to the docking station 33.
  • the supply container 16 has a container base 54, a flexible ink bag 52, and a hard shell 50.
  • the container base 54 is rectangular with rounded corners and has a thickened mid-section 112, as seen in Fig. 3.
  • the thickened mid-section 112 has a frustum-shaped indentation 62.
  • a bore 42 extends between the wall of the frustum-shaped indentation 62 and the inner edge 120 of the thickened mid-section 112 to open into the bag 52 that is attached at one end to the mid-section 112.
  • the container base 54 is made from polyethylene.
  • the edge 114 of the container base 54 has an inwardly protruding skirt 110 over which snap-fits the open end 118 of the shell 50.
  • the hard shell 50 is made from a low-cost material such as polyethylene and has an inwardly facing annular groove 116.
  • the shell 50 is snapped onto the container base 54 such that a ridge on the skirt 110 fits snugly into the groove 116 on the shell 50.
  • the shell 50 protects the ink bag 52.
  • the ink bag 52 is attached to the thickened mid-section 112 of the container base 54 by, for example, heat-staking. Fluid can flow from the interior of the ink bag 52 through the bore 42 in the mid-section 112. The ink bag 52 is otherwise enclosed.
  • the outlet assembly 12 includes a valve holder 36, an outlet valve 20, and a keeper member 18.
  • the valve holder 36 is a projecting tube that is either integrally formed with or attached to the container base 54 by, for example, heat-staking or ultrasonic welding.
  • the valve holder 36 is preferably made from polyethylene.
  • the outlet valve 20 is cylindrical with a frustum-shaped protrusion 56 at the center of the inward end 64.
  • the outlet valve 20 has an "L" shaped passageway 44 extending from the outward end 66 of the outlet valve 20, along the axis of the outlet valve 20, and radially to the side of the frustum-shaped protrusion 56.
  • the outward end of the passageway 44 is countersunk, and the passageway 44 tapers slightly before extending radially.
  • the outlet valve 20 is injection molded from polyethylene and formed with a void 126 therein to facilitate even cooling of the polyethylene and to reduce material.
  • the outlet valve 20 fits tightly within the valve holder 36 and is recessed therein so as to resist rotation by hand.
  • the frustum-shaped protrusion 56 of the outlet valve 20 fits tightly within the frustum-shaped indentation 62 in the container base 54.
  • the outlet valve 20 When the outlet assembly 12 is not coupled to the inlet assembly 14, the outlet valve 20 is in a closed position, in which the passageway 44 is not aligned with or intersecting the bore 42.
  • the walls of the frustum-shaped protrusion 56 block fluid flow from the bore 42 of the supply container 16, as shown in Fig. 3.
  • the outlet valve 20 is rotatable into an open position, in which the passageway 44 is aligned with the bore 42 to allow fluid flow from the supply container 16, as shown in Fig. 4 and as will be described in greater detail below.
  • the outlet valve 20 also has keyways 28, of which there are three in the preferred embodiment (Fig. 1). Each keyway 28 is a "V"-shaped notch that extends axially along the edge of the outlet valve 20. The keyways 28 are equally spaced around the perimeter of the outlet valve 20.
  • the outlet valve 20 is held in the valve holder 36 by the stationary keeper member 18.
  • the keeper member 18 is ring-shaped and its inner diameter fits snugly around the outer diameter of the valve holder 36.
  • the keeper member 18 has legs 68, as best seen in Fig. 1, extending from the outward edge 72 of the keeper member 18 inwardly to the interior of the ring.
  • the legs 68 have feet 70 extending radially inward and perpendicular to the legs 68. The undersides of the feet 70 abut the outward end 66 of the outlet valve 20, thereby to hold the outlet valve 20 tightly against the frustum-shaped indentation 62 in the container base 54.
  • the keeper member 18 also has two hooks 24.
  • the hooks 24 extend radially outward from diametrically opposed parts of the outer walls 122 and form a right angle before extending tangential to the keeper member 18.
  • the inlet assembly 14 has an inlet valve 22 and a valve retainer 94.
  • the inlet valve 22 is cylindrical with an outward flange 74 and an inward flange 76.
  • the inward flange 76 has a frustum-shaped projection 82 centered about the axis of the inlet valve 22.
  • the outward flange 74 has three keys 30 extending outward therefrom and evenly spaced about the center of the inlet valve 22. In the preferred embodiment the keys 30 are hexagonal-shaped, although any shape that fits within the keyways 28 could be used.
  • the keys 30 fit into the keyways 28 on the outlet valve 20.
  • Rotating the inlet valve 22 causes the keys 30 to press on the walls of the keyways 28, thereby to rotate the outlet valve 20.
  • the outlet and inlet valves 20 and 22 can be simultaneously rotated into their open positions, as will be discussed in greater detail below.
  • the inlet valve 22 also has a tapered nozzle 80 extending outwardly from the outward flange 74 along the axis of the inlet valve 22.
  • the tip 84 of the nozzle 80 is rounded.
  • the inlet valve 22 also has a channel 48 extending from the tip 84 of the nozzle 80 along the axis of the inlet valve 22 to the inward flange 76 as best seen in Fig. 4.
  • the channel 48 widens at the outward edge 86 of the outward flange 76 and tapers until near the end 88 of the frustum-shaped projection 82.
  • the channel 48 forms a right angle and extends perpendicular to the axis of the inlet valve 22 and opens through the side of the frustum-shaped projection 82.
  • two elongated latches 26 extend from diametrically opposed sides 124 of the outward flange 74, parallel to the axis of the inlet valve 22.
  • the outermost ends of the latches 26 form a right angle to extend radially from the inlet valve 22.
  • the latches 26 engage the hooks 24 when the inlet valve 22 and outlet valve 20 are rotated into the open position and prevent the outlet and inlet assemblies 12 and 14 from being uncoupled while the outlet and inlet valves 20 and 22 are open.
  • the inlet valve 22 also has an arm 78 extending radially from the exterior wall 90 of the inlet valve 22 as shown in Fig. 2.
  • the perimeter 92 of the arm 78 has teeth 38 formed therein.
  • the teeth 38 mesh with a gear 40 that is mounted to the docking station 33.
  • the gear 40 is driven to rotate the teeth 38, which rotate the inlet valve 22.
  • a rack of teeth could be used instead of the gear 40 to rotate the inlet and outlet valves on all the ink containers at the same time.
  • a bar linkage could do the same.
  • the inlet valve 22 is mounted to the docking station 33, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
  • the docking station 33 includes the valve retainer 94 and an ink delivery tube 34.
  • the valve retainer 94 is rectangular with a semi-circular protuberance 100.
  • a frustum-shaped valve seat 96 protrudes from near the center of the semi-circular protuberance 100.
  • the valve seat 96 has a protruding duct 98 attached thereto that extends outwardly, parallel to the axis of the valve seat 96.
  • the duct 98 is hollow and extends from an opening 46 on the interior surface 102 of the valve seat 96 to a distal end 104.
  • the distal end 104 of the duct 98 is connected to the ink delivery tube 34.
  • the inlet valve 22 is rotatable relative to the valve seat 96 from a closed position, in which the channel 48 is not aligned with the opening 46 of the duct 98, as shown in Fig. 3, to an open position, in which the channel 48 is aligned with the opening 46 to allow fluid flow through the inlet assembly 14, as shown in Fig. 4.
  • the inlet assembly 14 is recessed within the docking station 33 so that a user cannot reach the inlet valve 22 and thus cannot manually turn the inlet valve 22 from the closed to the open position.
  • the ink container 16 protrudes only approximately one inch beyond the docking station when coupled into the inlet assembly 14.
  • the connector assembly 10 could include an electrical or mechanical switch at the docking station 33 that is triggered upon full insertion of the supply container 16 to actuate a motor (not shown) to drive the gear 40 to rotate the inlet and outlet valves 22 and 20 into the open position.
  • the interlocking connector assembly 10 could be made suitable for use in ink-jet printers using various colors or types of ink by keying the latches 26 and hooks 24 to allow insertion only of an ink container with the appropriate color or ink.
  • both the outlet and inlet valves 20 and 22 are in the closed position to occlude fluid flow through the outlet and inlet valves 20 and 22 as shown in Fig. 3.
  • the tight fit and recession of the outlet valve 20 in the valve body 36 prevent the outlet valve 20 from being rotated by hand into the open position.
  • the recession of the inlet valve 22 in the docking station 33 prevents the inlet valve 22 from being rotated by hand into the open position. Therefore, neither the outlet valve 20 nor the inlet valve 22 can be rotated inadvertently into the open position when the outlet and inlet assemblies 12 and 14 are uncoupled.
  • the nozzle 80 extends into the passageway 44 in the outlet valve 20, creating a path through the channel 48 for fluid flow between the outlet and inlet valves 20 and 22, but not between the supply container 16 and the tube 34 because the outlet and inlet valves 20 and 22 are still in the closed position. Also, as the outlet assembly 12 is inserted into the inlet assembly 14, the keys 30 on the inlet valve 22 engage the keyways 28 on the outlet valve 20. The tapered outer walls of the nozzle 80 form a seal with the passageway 44 to prevent fluid leakage.
  • the outlet and inlet valves 20 and 22 are rotated into the open positions, as shown in Fig. 4. This is accomplished by rotating the gear 40, which engages the teeth 38 on the arm 78 to thereby rotate the inlet valve 22 into the open position.
  • the rotation of the inlet valve 22, and thereby the keys 30, causes the simultaneous rotation of the outlet valve 20 into the open position.
  • the latch 26 rotates through the same angle.
  • the keeper member 18 on the outlet assembly 12, and thereby the hooks 24, remains stationary.
  • the latches 26 engage the hooks 24 so that the inside edges 106 of the latches 26 abut the side edges 108 of the hooks 24, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4.
  • the outlet assembly 12 cannot be uncoupled from the inlet assembly 14. Rather, the outlet and inlet valves 20 and 22 must be rotated to disengage the hooks 24 and latches 26. Rotating the outlet and inlet valves 20 and 22 through an angle sufficient to disengage them will close the outlet and inlet valves 20 and 22.
  • the hooks 24 and latches 26 prevent the outlet and inlet assemblies 12 and 14 from being uncoupled whenever the outlet and inlet valves 20 and 22 are in the open position. This ensures that ink is not released from the ink container 16 or from the tube 34 during uncoupling and thus prevents ink from contacting the user. This also prevents a user from carelessly extracting the ink container 16 when either the ink container 16 or the tube 34 has a path open for fluid flow.
  • this invention provides an ink container that is easy to recycle. This invention also prevents the ink from drying out because the inlet and outlet valves are always closed when the inlet and outlet valves are uncoupled, and thus the ink is never exposed to ambient air. This invention allows multiple couplings and uncouplings.

Landscapes

  • Ink Jet (AREA)
EP19970303108 1996-05-20 1997-05-07 Verriegelungssteckeranordnung Expired - Lifetime EP0808717B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US65056996A 1996-05-20 1996-05-20
US650569 1996-05-20

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0808717A2 true EP0808717A2 (de) 1997-11-26
EP0808717A3 EP0808717A3 (de) 1998-07-08
EP0808717B1 EP0808717B1 (de) 2001-12-05

Family

ID=24609435

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19970303108 Expired - Lifetime EP0808717B1 (de) 1996-05-20 1997-05-07 Verriegelungssteckeranordnung

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0808717B1 (de)
JP (1) JPH1044462A (de)
KR (1) KR970073982A (de)
CA (1) CA2191636A1 (de)
DE (1) DE69708749T2 (de)
ES (1) ES2164302T3 (de)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0928693A1 (de) * 1998-01-09 1999-07-14 Domino Printing Sciences Plc Verbindung für Auswechselflüssigkeitsbehälter in Tintenstrahldruckern
WO2006050960A1 (en) * 2004-11-13 2006-05-18 Videojet Technologies Inc A tool for assisting the removal from an ink jet printer of a container used to supply fluid to the printer
WO2020046308A1 (en) * 2018-08-30 2020-03-05 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Mating interface gaskets
WO2020046321A1 (en) * 2018-08-30 2020-03-05 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Print materials replenishment
RU2774044C1 (ru) * 2018-08-30 2022-06-14 Хьюлетт-Паккард Дивелопмент Компани, Л.П. Пополнение материалов для печати

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7874660B2 (en) * 2007-10-10 2011-01-25 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Closure and connector for a supply container

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB482293A (en) * 1935-09-28 1938-03-25 Rotadisk App Bau G M B H Improvements in and relating to pipe-couplings
US3217746A (en) * 1962-10-30 1965-11-16 Brock Ind Inc Fluid valve coupling with interlocking lugs
JPS59156756A (ja) * 1983-02-25 1984-09-06 Ricoh Co Ltd インクカ−トリツジ装填装置
US5009393A (en) * 1990-06-13 1991-04-23 Harper-Wyman Company Linear flow turn down valve
US5606988A (en) * 1994-02-04 1997-03-04 Hewlett -Packard Company Connector assembly for ink cartridge
EP0704309A3 (de) * 1994-09-29 1998-01-07 Hewlett-Packard Company Verfahren und Einrichtung zur Tintenwiederauffüllung einer Tintenpatrone

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0928693A1 (de) * 1998-01-09 1999-07-14 Domino Printing Sciences Plc Verbindung für Auswechselflüssigkeitsbehälter in Tintenstrahldruckern
WO2006050960A1 (en) * 2004-11-13 2006-05-18 Videojet Technologies Inc A tool for assisting the removal from an ink jet printer of a container used to supply fluid to the printer
WO2020046308A1 (en) * 2018-08-30 2020-03-05 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Mating interface gaskets
WO2020046321A1 (en) * 2018-08-30 2020-03-05 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Print materials replenishment
CN112512818A (zh) * 2018-08-30 2021-03-16 惠普发展公司有限责任合伙企业 打印材料补充
RU2774044C1 (ru) * 2018-08-30 2022-06-14 Хьюлетт-Паккард Дивелопмент Компани, Л.П. Пополнение материалов для печати
US11491797B2 (en) 2018-08-30 2022-11-08 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Print materials replenishment
US11865845B2 (en) 2018-08-30 2024-01-09 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Print material refill device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0808717B1 (de) 2001-12-05
ES2164302T3 (es) 2002-02-16
DE69708749T2 (de) 2002-05-23
DE69708749D1 (de) 2002-01-17
KR970073982A (ko) 1997-12-10
CA2191636A1 (en) 1997-11-21
EP0808717A3 (de) 1998-07-08
JPH1044462A (ja) 1998-02-17

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