MXPA98005557A - Containment device and liquid assortment with better flow control valve - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a liquid containment and assortment device, having an external envelope in general cup-shaped, rigid, with an open end, a molded plastic chassis secured to the open end of the casing, the chassis has a pumping mechanism with an outlet for the liquid thereof, a flexible bag having an open end and a closed end, the closed end is positioned within the envelope and the open end is in liquid communication with the pumping mechanism, A unidirectional valve separates the flexible bag from the pumping mechanism and allows liquid to flow from the flexible bag to the pumping mechanism while preventing liquid from flowing from the pumping mechanism to the flexible bag to supply fluid from the pumping mechanism through the pump. the outlet for the liquid, is characterized in that no portion of the unidirectional valve is thermally bonded to the chas

Description

CONTAINMENT DEVICE AND ASSORTMENT OF LIQUID WITH IMPROVED FLOW CONTROL VALVE Field of the Invention This invention relates to a liquid containment device with a self-contained pump for supplying liquid in small doses of a predetermined volume. More particularly, this invention relates to a replaceable containment device of the above character which is useful in an ink jet printer for containing a supply of printing ink and for the assortment of the printing ink to a print head. after driving the self-contained pump.

BACKGROUND AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A pending US patent application, filed by Bruce Cowger and Norman Pa lo ski, Jr., for an invention entitled "Ink Supply for An Ink-Jet Printer", describes an ink supply for a printer The ink jet is separated from the ink pen of the printer and can be replaced after emptying the ink supply without the need to replace the ink pen of the printer. The ink jet of the aforesaid US patent application incorporates a self-contained pumping device for dispensing REF. 27888 ink from a pumping chamber and describes, as a mode of such pumping device, a bellows pump. However, a bellows pump requires a relatively large extended surface of a semi-rigid material, such as a polymeric material and is subject to a relatively high proportion of oxygen and moisture transfer through the bellows material. This transfer of oxygen and / or moisture can result in degradation of the ink within the ink supply, especially in a printer that is used only infrequently. In addition, the bellows is prone to leakage at the site of its attachment to another portion of the ink supply or spout. According to the aforementioned pending US patent application Serial No. 08 / 429,987, these and other problems associated with the use of a bellows can be avoided by the use of a pumping device having a rigid perimeter wall, formed of preferably integrally with the associated chassis structure of the ink supply, with a linearly acting pump element, which is movable within a pumping chamber defined by the rigid wall, to pressurize the ink into the pumping chamber and a film of barrier to moisture and oxygen, flexible, thermally sealed to an edge of the perimeter wall in a continuous configuration and superimposed on the pump element. An ink supply according to the aforementioned US patent application Serial No. 08 / 429,987, incorporates a unidirectional valve in the form of a flexible, thin finned valve, thermally bonded to the chassis to prevent the return of the ink from the ink. pumping chamber to the bag or bag after the pressurization of the ink during an assortment cycle. However, the heating of the finned valve necessary to thermally attach the finned valve to the chassis may result in permanent distortion of the finned valve, with a resultant loss in the effectiveness of its flow which retards the qualities during the cycles. of ink assortment. However, it has now been found according to certain embodiments of the present invention, that an appropriate unidirectional valve in the form of a finned valve can be provided without the need to thermally attach the finned valve to the chassis by providing a spring to drive the finned valve against the chassis, either in the form of a spring that is aligned with the opening of the chassis, which is to be closed by the flap valve or a spring that is offset with respect to such an opening. It has also been found in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, that an appropriate unidirectional valve can be provided in the form of a freely floating or spring-loaded unidirectional ball that selectively sits against a fixed seat to block the return of the ink from the pump chamber to the bag during a pumping cycle, in so much that it allows ink to flow from the bag into the pump chamber at the end of a pump cycle. Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved liquid containment and containment device. It is also a corollary object of the present invention to provide an improved device of the above character which is useful for containing and supplying ink in an ink jet printer. More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid containment and assortment device, with an improved unidirectional valve, to prevent the return of liquid from a pump element of the device to a liquid containment bag, during a pumping cycle and it is a corollary object of the present invention to provide a device of the above character which is useful for containing and supplying ink in an inkjet printer. For a further understanding of the present invention and the objects thereof, attention is drawn to the drawings and the following brief description thereof, to the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and to the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a side view of a liquid containment and assortment device, according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of the device of Figures 1 and 2, taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a plan view of a component of the device of Figures 1-3, taken on line 4-4 of Figure 5; Figure 5 is a side view of the component of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a plan view of the component of Figures 4 and 5 taken on line 6-6 of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 7-7 of Figure 3 and on an enlarged scale; Figure 8 is a fragmentary exploded view of a portion of the device of Figures 1-7; Figure 9 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 8, showing the elements of Figure 8 in assembled relation to each other; Fig. 10 is a fragmentary plan view of an alternative embodiment of a portion of the liquid containment and assortment device of Figs. 1-9; Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 11-11 of Figure 10; Figure 12 is a fragmentary elevation view, partially in section, of another alternative embodiment of a portion of the liquid containment and assortment device of Figures 1-9; and Figures 13-18 are views similar to the figure 12 of further alternative embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An ink containment and assortment device according to the embodiment of the invention described in the aforementioned US patent application Serial No. 08 / 429,987 is identified in FIG. 1 by reference numeral 10. The device 10 has a hard protective shell 12, which contains a flexible bag 14 for containing ink. The casing 12 is attached to a chassis 16, which houses a pump 18 and an outlet 20 for the fluid. A protective cap 22 is attached to the chassis 16 and a label 24 is glued or adhered to the exterior of the casing 12 and to the lid elements 22 of the device 10 to secure the casing 12, the chassis 16 and the lid 22 together firmly. The cover 22 is provided with holes or openings which allow access to the pump and to the outlet for the fluid. The device 10 is adapted to be removably inserted into a coupling compartment (not shown) within an inkjet printer. When the device 10 is inserted into the printer, an inlet for the fluid in the coupling compartment is adapted to mate with the fluid outlet 20 to allow the ink to flow from the device 10 to the printer. An actuator (not shown) in the coupling compartment is adapted to be coupled with the pump 18. The operation of the actuator causes the pump 18 to provide ink in a series of small doses of a predetermined volume from the flexible bag 14, through the outlet 20 for the fluid, at the fluid inlet of the coupling compartment and then to the printer. The chassis 16 is provided with a fill gate or port 32 at one end and an exhaust port 34 at the other end. Ink can be added to the ink supply by means of the filling orifice 32 while the air displaced by the added ink is ejected through the exhaust port 34. After the ink supply is filled, the filling orifice 32 it is sealed with a press fit of ball 35 to fill hole 32. A pumping chamber 36, having an open bottom, is formed on the bottom or bottom of the chassis 16 within a rigid perimeter wall 37, which is preferably integrally formed with the chassis 16. As described in more detail in FIG. continued in this, the chamber 36 can be pressurized to supply ink to the printer without pressurizing the inside of the bag 14. The upper part of the chamber 36 is provided with an inlet orifice 38 through which the ink can enter the chamber 36 from the bag 14 by the force of gravity and / or by a negative pressure generated within the chamber 36. An outlet port or hole 40 is also provided through which the ink can be ejected from the chamber 36. A flap valve 42 Unidirectional, located at the bottom of the inlet orifice 38, serves to limit the return of the ink from the chamber 36 to the sack 14. The vane valve 42 consists of a rectangular piece of flexible material. In the illustrated embodiment, the valve 42 is positioned on the bottom of the inlet orifice 38 and is thermally bonded to the chassis 16 at the midpoints of its short sides. When the pressure inside the chamber 36 falls to a lower level than in the bag 14, the non-adhered sides of the valve 42 are each flexed to allow the flow of the ink through the inlet 38 and the chamber 36. By thermally joining the valve 42 to the chassis 16 along an opposite pair of sides, less or less bending of the valve 42 is required or allowed than would be the case if the valve 42 were joined only along only one side, to ensure by this that it closes more safely and this effect is improved by thermally bonding at the midpoints of the shorter sides, as opposed to the longer sides. In the illustrated embodiment, the fin valve 42 is made of a two-leaf material. The outer sheet consists of a layer of low density polyethylene 0.00381 cm (0.0015 inches) thick. The inner sheet consists of a layer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) 0.00127 cm (0.0005 inches) thick. Finned valve 42 illustrated is approximately 5.5 millimeters wide and 8.7 millimeters long. Such material is impervious to the flow of ink therethrough when the valve 42 is in its closed position.

The bottom of the chamber 36 is covered with a flexible diaphragm 44. The diaphragm 44 is slightly larger than the opening at the bottom of the chamber and is sealed around the free edge of the perimeter wall 37 defining the chamber 36. The material in excess in the oversized diaphragm 44 allows the diaphragm to flex up and down to vary the volume of the chamber 36. In the illustrated device, the displacement of the diaphragm 44 allows the volume of the chamber 36 to be varied by approximately 0.7 cubic centimeters. The fully expanded volume of the illustrated chamber 36 is between about 2.2 and 2.5 cubic centimeters. In the illustrated embodiment, the diaphragm 44 is made of a multi-sheet material, having a layer of low density polyethylene 0.00127 cm (0.0005 inch) thick, a layer of adhesive, a layer of metallized polyethylene terephthalate (PET) of 0.00122 cm (0.00048 inches) thick, one layer of adhesive and one layer of low density polyethylene 0.00127 cm (0.0005 inches) thick. Of course, other suitable materials can also be used to form the diaphragm 44. The diaphragm 44 in the illustrated embodiment is thermally bonded using conventional methods, to the free edge of the wall 37 of the chamber 36. During the thermal bonding process, the Low density polyethylene in the diaphragm will be sealed to any crease or crease in the diaphragm 44. Thus, the diaphragm 44 is impermeable to the transmission of oxygen and moisture therethrough, thereby safeguarding the ink in the chamber 36 of degradation by exposure to any such substances. Inside the chamber 36, a pressure plate 46 is positioned adjacent the diaphragm 44, the pressure plate 46 serves as a piston with respect to the chamber 36. A pump spring 48, made of stainless steel in the illustrated embodiment, urges or predisposes the pressure plate 46 against the diaphragm 44, to urge the diaphragm outward, to expand the size of the chamber 36. One end of the pump spring 48 is received on a pin 50 formed on the upper part of the diaphragm. the chamber 36 and the other end of the pump spring 48 is received on a pin 52 formed on the pressure plate 46 in order to retain the pump spring 48 in its position. The pressure plate 46 in the illustrated embodiment is molded of high density polyethylene. A hollow cylindrical protrusion 54 extends downwardly from the chassis 16, to form the housing of the outlet 20 for the fluid, the protrusion 54 integrally formed with the chassis 16. A bore 56 of the hollow protrusion 54 has a narrow throat 54a in its lower end. A sealing ball 58, made of stainless steel in the illustrated embodiment, is positioned within the bore 56. The sealing ball 58 is dimensioned such that it can move freely within the bore 56, but in such a way that it does not can pass through the narrow throat portion 54a thereof. A sealing spring 60 is positioned within the bore 56 to urge the sealing ball 58 against the narrow throat 54a to form a seal and prevent the flow of ink through the fluid outlet. A retaining ball 62, made of stainless steel in the illustrated embodiment, snaps to the top of the bore to retain the sealing spring 60 in place. The perforation 56 is configured to allow free flow of ink past the retention ball 62 and the perforation 56. A raised manifold 64 is formed in the upper part of the chassis 16. The manifold 64 forms a cylindrical protrusion around the part top of the filling hole 32 and a similar protrusion around the top of the inlet orifice 38, such that each of these holes is insulated. The manifold 64 extends around the base of the outlet 20 for the fluid and the outlet orifice 40 to form an open top conduit 66 joining the two outlets.

The flexible ink bag 14 is attached to the upper part of the manifold 64 to form an upper cover for the conduit 66. In the illustrated embodiment, this is accomplished by thermally bonding a rectangular plastic sheet 68 to the upper surface of the manifold. 64, for enclosing the conduit 66. In the illustrated embodiment, the chassis 16 is molded of high density polyethylene and the plastic sheet consists of low density polyethylene, 0.0058 cm (0.002 inches) thick. These two materials can be thermally bonded together easily using conventional methods and are also easily recyclable. After the plastic sheet 68 is attached to the chassis 16, the sheet is folded and sealed around its two sides and its upper part, to form the flexible ink bag 14. Again, in the illustrated embodiment, the thermal bond can be used to seal the perimeter of the flexible bag 14. The plastic sheet, which is located on the filling orifice 32 and on the inlet orifice 38, can be pierced or otherwise separated so as not to block the flow of ink through these orifices. Although the flexible bag 14 provides an ideal way to contain the ink, it can easily be punctured or broken and allow a relatively high amount of water loss from the ink. Thus, to protect the sack 14 and limit the loss of water, the sack 14 is enclosed within a protective shell 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the shell 12 is made of clear polypropylene, which is sufficiently translucent to allow inspection of the ink that is inside the bag 14, to determine that there is still an adequate volume of ink, for the proper operation of the printer. It has been found that a thickness of about one millimeter provides robust protection and also prevents unacceptable water loss from the ink. However, the material and the thickness of the envelope may vary in other embodiments. The upper part of the casing 12 has a plurality of raised ribs 70 to facilitate the clamping of the casing 12, as it is inserted or removed from the coupling compartment. A vertical rib 72 projects laterally from each side of the housing 12. The vertical rib 72 can be received within a slit (not shown) in the coupling compartment to provide lateral support and stability to the ink supply when positioned within the printer. The bottom of the casing 12 is provided with two circumferential grooves or recesses 76, which are coupled with two circumferential ribs or cords 78 formed on a dependent peripheral wall 79 of the chassis 16, for attaching the casing 12 to the chassis 16 in an adjustment to Pressure. The junction between the casing 12 and the chassis 16 must be at a pressure sufficient to prevent accidental separation of the casing from the casing and to resist the flow of ink from the casing, if the flexible casing develops leaks. However, it is also desirable that the joint does not form an airtight seal, to allow slow entry of air into the enclosure, as the ink runs out of the container 14, to keep the pressure inside the enclosure in general equal. to the environmental pressure. Otherwise, a negative pressure may develop inside the envelope and inhibit the flow of ink from the container. However, the air intake must be limited, in order to maintain a high humidity inside the envelope and minimize the loss of water from the ink. In the illustrated embodiment, the envelope 12 and the flexible pouch 14 it contains have the capacity to retain approximately 30 cubic centimeters of ink. The envelope is approximately 67 millimeters wide, 15 millimeters thick, and 60 millimeters high. The flexible bag 14 is sized to fill the envelope without undue excess material. Of course, other dimensions and shapes can also be used, depending on the particular needs of a given printer. To fill the device 10, the ink can be injected through the filling port 32. As it is filled, the flexible bag 14 expands to substantially fill the casing 12. As the ink is introduced into the bag, the ball 58 can be pressed to open the outlet for the fluid and a partial vacuum can be applied to the outlet 20 of the fluid. The partial vacuum at the outlet for the fluid causes the ink in the bag 14 to fill the chamber 36, the duct 66 and the perforation 56 of the cylindrical protrusion 54, so that little air, if any, remains in contact with the ink. The partial vacuum applied to the fluid outlet 20 also accelerates the filling process. To further facilitate rapid filling of the bag 14, an exhaust port 34 is provided to allow air to escape from the envelope as the container expands. Once the ink supply is filled, a ball 35 snaps to filling hole 32 to prevent ink leakage or air ingress. Of course, there are a variety of other ways, which can also be used to fill the present ink containment and assortment device. In some instances, it may be desirable to wash the entire device with carbon dioxide before filling it with ink. In this way, any gas trapped inside the device during the filling process will consist of carbon dioxide, not air. This may be preferable because carbon dioxide can dissolve in some inks, while air can not. In general, it is preferable to separate as much gas from the device as possible, so that bubbles and the like do not enter the printhead or back tube. The protective cap 22 is placed on the device 10 after the container is filled. The protective cap is provided with a slit 80, which receives a rib 82 on the chassis to attach the cover to the chassis. The cap carries a protrusion or ear 84 which plugs the outlet orifice 34 to limit the flow of air to the chassis and reduce the loss of water from the ink. A rod 86 extends from each end of the chassis 16 and is received within an opening in the lid 22 to assist in the alignment of the lid and to reinforce the connection between the lid and the chassis. The free ends of the rods 86, which extend beyond the openings of the cover 22, are preferably deformed after the cover 22 is in place, for example, by contacting them with a heated tool, to provide an inviolable connection of the lid 22 to the chassis 16. In addition, the label 24 adheres to the sides of the device 10 to retain the casing 12, the chassis 16 and the lid 22 together firmly. In the illustrated embodiment, a pressure sensitive adhesive, thermal melt adhesive or other adhesive is used to adhere the label in a manner that allows the label to be peeled off and inhibit tampering with the ink supply. The lid 22 in the illustrated embodiment is provided with a vertical rib 90 protruding from each side. The rib 90 is an extension of the vertical rib 72 on the shell and is received within the groove provided in the coupling compartment in a manner similar to the vertical rib 72. In addition to the rib 90, the cap 22 has protruding keys 92. located on each side of the rib 90. One or more of the keys 92 may optionally be canceled or altered to provide a unique identification of the particular ink supply by color or type. Coupling keys (not shown), which identify a particular type or color of the ink supply may be formed in the coupling compartment. In this way, a user can not inadvertently insert an ink supply of the wrong type or color into a coupling compartment. This arrangement is particularly advantageous for a multi-color printer, where there are adjacent coupling compartments for ink jets of various colors. In the embodiment of FIGS. 10-11, the elements corresponding to the elements of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-9 are identified by a serial number 100, the last two digits of which correspond to the two digits of the corresponding element of FIG. the modality of figures 1-9. The finned valve of the embodiment of Figures 10-11 is identified by the reference numeral 142. The finned valve 142, which is formed of a thin flexible sheet or lamination, serves to allow the flow of ink through the an inlet opening 138 in a plastic chassis 116 molded to a pump chamber 136 which is defined by the peripheral wall 137. The flow of ink through the inlet 138 to the pump chamber 136 occurs when the the pumping chamber 136 is smaller than the pressure in the inlet orifice 138. In this respect, the flap valve 142 is not thermally bonded to the adjacent structure of a chassis 116, it is resiliently disposed against it by a spring 148 of the pump. The opposite end of the pump spring 148, not shown, is coupled with a pressure plate, also not shown, which corresponds in construction and function to the pressure plate 46 of the embodiment of Figures 1-9. In any case, when the pressure in the pumping chamber 138 is less than the pressure in the inlet 138, the flap valve 142 will separate from the adjacent structure of the chassis 116, which will allow the ink to flow through the orifice 138 inlet to the pumping chamber 136 by gravity and / or pressure. When the pressure in the pumping chamber 136 is greater than the pressure in the inlet 138, however, which will be the case during a pumping cycle of a containment device and ink jet assortment incorporating the fin 142, the pump spring 148 will expand to securely predispose the flap valve 142 against the opening of the inlet 138 to the pump chamber 136, thereby blocking the reverse flow of the ink from the chamber pumping 136 to the inlet 138. As is clear from Figures 10-11 of the drawings, the spring 148 of the pump is axially aligned with the inlet 138. In the embodiment of Figure 12, the elements corresponding to the elements of the embodiment of Figures 1-9 are identified by a serial number 200, the last two digits of which correspond to the corresponding element of the embodiment of Figures 1-9. The finned valve of the embodiment of Figure 12 is identified by the reference numeral 242. The finned valve 242, which is formed of a thin flexible sheet or lamination, serves to allow the flow of ink through an orifice. inlet 238 in a molded plastic chassis 216 to a pump chamber 236 which is defined by a perimeter wall, not shown, which corresponds to the perimeter wall 37 of the embodiment of Figures 1-9, when the pressure in the pump chamber 236 is smaller than the pressure in the inlet orifice 238. In this regard, the finned valve 242 is not thermally bonded to the adjacent structure of a chassis 216, it is resiliently biased against it by a spring 248 of the bomb. The opposite end of the pump spring 248, not shown, engages a pressure plate, also not shown to correspond in construction and function to the pressure plate 46 of the embodiment of Figures 1-9. In any case, when the pressure in the pump chamber 236 is less than the pressure in the inlet orifice 238, the flap valve 242 will be predisposed upwardly to separate from the adjacent structure of the chassis 216, which will allow the ink to flow through. from the inlet hole 238 to the pump chamber 236 by gravity and / or pressure. When the pressure in the pump chamber 236 is greater than the pressure in the inlet orifice 238, however, which will be the case during a pumping cycle of a containment device and ink jet assortment incorporating the fins 242, the finned valve 242 will be predisposed downward to settle against the opening of the inlet hole 238 in the pump chamber 236 to thereby block the reverse flow of ink from the pump chamber 236 to the inlet 238. As is clear from Figures 12 of the drawings, the spring 248 of the pump is displaced axially with respect to the inlet orifice 238. Thus, the flap valve 242 should preferably have some inherent spring-like qualities and valve settling of fins 242 against the opening of the inlet opening 238 to the pump chamber 236 is preferably increased by requiring that the free end of the finned valve 242 that is, the ext. oar that sits against the opening of the inlet hole 238 in the pump chamber 236, is bent upwards, as shown in figure 12. In the embodiment of figure 13, the elements corresponding to the elements of the mode of Figures 1-9 are identified by a serial number 300, the last two digits of which correspond to the last two digits of the corresponding element of the embodiment of Figures 1-9. A molded plastic chassis 316 incorporates an inlet hole 338 to allow ink to flow into a pump chamber 336, which is circumscribed by a perimeter wall, not shown, which corresponds to the perimeter wall 37 of the embodiment of the figures 1-9. The chassis 316 incorporates a conical, annular trunk seat, 316a within the inlet hole 338 and a unidirectional flow of ink through the inlet port 338 to the pump chamber 336 is provided by a floating unidirectional ball 342, which settles against the seat 316a in the blocking position of the ball 342 flow. The ball 342 is normally urged against the seat 316a by a sealing spring 342a, one end of which abuts against the ball 342 and an opposite end of which is retained by one end of a spring 348 of the pump. In this regard, the illustrated end of the spring 348 of the pump is received on a pin 350, which is integrally formed with the chassis 316, the opposite end of the spring 348 of the pump not shown, engages with a pressure plate, also not shown, which corresponds in construction and function to the pressure plate 46 of the embodiment of Figures 1-9. In the embodiment of figure 14, the elements corresponding to the elements of the embodiment of figures 1-9 are identified by a serial number 400, the last two digits of which correspond to the last two digits of the corresponding element of the modality of figures 1-9.

An ink jet containing and containing device, according to the embodiment of Figure 14, has a molded plastic chassis 416 with an inlet port 438 therein, the chassis 416 has a conical, annular trunk seat 416a in the inlet 438. The flow of ink through the inlet 438 to the pumping chamber 436, which is circumscribed by a perimeter wall, not shown, which corresponds to the perimeter wall 37 of the embodiment of the figures 1-9, selectively allowed or prevented by a freely floating unidirectional ball 442 positioned within the inlet port 438 and adapted to block flow through the inlet port 438 when the ball 442 engages the seat 416a. The ball 442 is free to travel within the inlet 438, within limits, which are defined by the seat 416a and a spring 448 of the pump, the illustrated end of which limits the travel of the ball 442 away from the seat 416a. The spring 448 of the pump, which is positioned securely with respect to the ball 442 by a spigot 450, which is integrally formed with the chassis 416, has an opposite end, not shown, which engages with a plate of pressure, also not shown, which corresponds in construction and function to the pressure plate 46 of the embodiment of figures 1-9. Thus, the ball 442 is not mechanically driven positively against the seat 416a, such as in the manner of the ball 342 of the embodiment of Figure 13, which is mechanically driven positively against the seat 316a by the spring 342a . However, a higher pressure inside the pump chamber 436 and the pressure inside the inlet 438 will hydraulically push the ball 442 against the seat 416a, thereby blocking the reverse flow of ink from the pump chamber 436 back to the inlet 438 during a pumping cycle of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in figure 14. In the embodiment of figure 15, the elements corresponding to the elements of the embodiment of figures 1-9 are identified by a number of series 500, the last two digits of which correspond to the last two digits of the corresponding element of the modality of figures 1-9. The embodiment of Fig. 15 is a variation of the embodiment of Fig. 14 and the variation lies in the configuration of a portion of the inlet hole 538 that is downstream of a conical, annular, trunk seat portion 516a in an undercarriage. molded plastic 516, such a downstream portion is identified by reference numeral 538a. The downstream portion 538a of the inlet 538 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending and spaced apart circumferentially spaced ribs 538b to guide the travel of the ball 542 as it rises from the seat 516a under the influence of a pressure greater in a portion upstream of the inlet 538 than in the downstream portion 538a, which leads to a pumping chamber 536 which is defined by a perimeter wall, not shown, which corresponds to the perimeter wall 37 of the embodiment of figures 1-9. Due to the presence of the ribs 538b, the cross-sectional area of the downstream portion 538a of the inlet 538 is larger than the corresponding portion of the inlet 438 of the embodiment of Figure 14, to thereby increase the speed of flow of ink through the inlet 538 for a small lifting distance of the ball 542 of the seat 516a. In addition, the ball 542 will seat against the seat 516a more quickly when the chamber 536 is pressurized due to the greater area of the downstream portion 538a of the entry hole 538. In any case, the travel of the ball 542 within the orifice entrance 538 is limited by the presence of a pump spring 548, which is similar to pump spring 448 of the embodiment of Figure 14 and is retained by a tang 550 which is integrally formed with the chassis 516, in the manner in which the spring 448 of the pump of the embodiment of Figure 14 is retained in place by the spigot 450.

In the embodiment of figure 16, the elements corresponding to the elements of the embodiment of figures 1-9 are identified by a serial number 600, the last two digits of which correspond to the last two digits of the corresponding element of the modality of figures 1-9. It can be considered that the embodiment of Figure 16 is a variation of the embodiment of Figures 10 and 11. In this regard, in the embodiment of Figure 16, a molded plastic chassis 616 has an inlet 638 to allow the ink flows therethrough to a pumping chamber 636, which is defined by a perimeter wall, not shown, which corresponds to the perimeter wall 37 of the embodiment shown in Figures 1-9. The unidirectional flow of the ink through the inlet orifice 638 into the pump chamber 636 is ensured by a flat valve 642, which sits against an annular seat 616a of the chassis 616, when the pressure in the pump chamber 636 is greater than the pressure in the inlet 638, for example, during a pumping cycle of the containment device and ink assortment that incorporates the chassis 616. As long as a pump spring 648 is provided in alignment with the orifice of the pump. inlet 638, the chassis 616 is provided with ribs 616b which limit the contact between the pump spring 648 and the flat valve 642 so that they come into contact after the flat valve 642 has been lifted from the seat 616a by a predetermined distance. The axial extension of the ribs 616b can be varied to provide an adjustable float of the flat valve 642, as required to optimize its response time to changes in the pressure difference between the pressure in the inlet port 638 and the pressure in the pumping chamber 636. In the embodiment of figure 17, the elements corresponding to the elements of the embodiment of figures 1-9, are identified by a serial number 700, the last two digits of which correspond to the last two digits of the corresponding element of the modality of figures 1-9. In the embodiment of Figure 17, the unidirectional flow of the ink through an inlet 738 of a molded plastic chassis 716 to a pumping chamber 736, which is defined by a perimeter wall, not shown, corresponding to the perimetric wall 37 of the embodiment of figures 1-9, is secured by a flexible, molded plastic element 742. The element 742 has a conical, annular, trunk surface 742a, which engages a conical, annular trunk seat , 716a of the chassis 716 when the pressure in the pumping chamber 736 is greater than the pressure in the inlet 738, for example, during a pumping cycle of the containment device and ink assortment incorporating the chassis 716. However , when the pressure in the inlet 738 is greater than the pressure in the pump chamber 736, the element 742 can be flexed to the pump chamber 736, to raise its surface 742a from the surface 716a and thereby allow The ink flows into the pumping chamber 736. The element 742 is positively positioned with respect to the chassis 716 when inserted on a peg 750, which is formed integrally with the chassis 716 and resiliently predisposing the element 742 against the chassis 716 by a spring 748 of the pump, which is also retained on the shank 750. The element 742 has a cutting or guiding notch portion 742b, which serves as a hinge for flexing the element 742 inwardly and outwardly. pumping chamber 736 and the thickness and width of the guiding notch portion 742b can be adjusted to optimize the proportion of the spring to which the element 742 settles and separates due to changes in the pressure difference between the pumping chamber 736 and the entrance hole 738. In the embodiment of figure 18, the elements corresponding to the elements of the embodiment of figures 1-9, the last two digits of which correspond to the last two digits of the corresponding element of the modality of figures 1-9 are identified by a serial number 800. In the embodiment of Figure 18, a ball 842 is positioned within an inlet port 838 of a molded plastic chassis 816 to limit the flow of ink through the inlet port 838 to flow into a pump chamber 836, the which is defined by a perimeter wall, not shown, which corresponds to the perimeter wall 37 of the embodiment of figures 1-9. The chassis 816 has a conical, annular trunk surface 816a against which the ball 842 sits when the pressure in the chamber 836 is greater than the pressure in the inlet hole 838, to prevent the flow of the pump chamber 836 from return through the inlet port 838. When the pressure in the inlet 838 is greater than the pressure in the pump chamber 836, the ball 842 will separate from the surface 816a, to allow ink flow from the inlet orifice 838 to the pump chamber 836. The movement of the ball 842 within the inlet hole 838 is limited by a series spaced apart circumferentially from inwardly projecting tabs 816b of the chassis 816, the ball 842 is insertable into the orifice 838 inlet by snap fit. The tabs 816b of the chassis 816 are formed in a conical, annular, vertical trunk portion 816c of the chassis 816. Due to the conical trunk configuration of the portion 816c of the chassis 816, the outer surface of the portion 816c has a taper that facilitates the separation of the chassis 816 from the mold and center used in the molding of the chassis 816. The liquid containment and assortment device of the various embodiments of the present invention has been specifically described as a device for containing and supplying a supply of printing ink in an ink jet printer as the preferred embodiment of the invention. However, it is also contemplated that the present invention can easily be adapted to the containment and assortment of other non-Newtonian (low viscosity) liquids. Although the best mode contemplated by the applicant to carry out the present invention with respect to the date of presentation thereof has been shown and described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that appropriate modifications, variations and equivalents are they can be made without deviating from the scope of the invention, such scope will be limited only by the terms of the following claims and the legal equivalents thereof.

It is noted that, with regard to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention is that which is clear from the present description of the invention. Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following

Claims (10)

1. Claims 1. A liquid containment and assortment device, having an outer, generally cup-shaped, rigid shell, with an open end, a molded plastic chassis secured to the open end of the shell, the chassis has a mechanism of pumping with an outlet for the liquid thereof, a flexible bag having an open end and a closed end, the closed end is positioned inside the envelope and the open end is in liquid communication with the pumping mechanism, a unidirectional valve separates the flexible bag from the pumping mechanism and allows liquid to flow from the flexible bag to the pumping mechanism while preventing liquid from flowing from the pumping mechanism to the flexible bag to supply fluid from the pumping mechanism through the outlet to The liquid is characterized in that no portion of the unidirectional valve is thermally bonded to the chassis.
2. 2. The liquid containment and assortment device according to claim 1, characterized in that the unidirectional valve is in the form of a flat element formed of a flexible material with spring-like qualities.
3. The liquid containment and assortment device according to claim 2, characterized in that the flat element has a portion that overlaps an opening in the chassis.
4. The liquid containment and assortment device according to claim 3, characterized in that it further comprises: spring means for driving a portion of the flat element against the chassis.
5. The liquid containment and assortment device according to claim 4, characterized in that the spring means act against the flat element in alignment with the opening in the chassis.
6. The liquid containment and assortment device according to claim 4, characterized in that the spring element acts against the flat element out of alignment with the opening.
7. The liquid containment and assortment device according to claim 1, characterized in that the unidirectional valve is in the form of a ball that sits against an annular seat that surrounds an entrance opening in the chassis that leads to the mechanism of pumping.
8. The liquid containment and assortment device according to claim 7, characterized in that it further comprises: spring means that resiliently drive the ball into a coupling with the annular seat.
9. 9. The liquid containment and assortment device according to claim 1, characterized in that the unidirectional valve is a flexible molded plastic element, the molded plastic element has a portion with an annular conical trunk surface which engages a surface of annular conical trunk of the chassis when the molded plastic element is positioned to block the flow of ink from the pumping mechanism to the flexible bag; and further comprising: spring means engaging the molded plastic element at a site remote from the annular conical trunk surface site of the molded plastic member and resiliently urging the molded plastic element to a coupling with the chassis .
10. 10. A method for providing a unidirectional flow of liquid from a bag through a pumping mechanism of a chassis of a liquid containment and assortment device, the chassis has an inlet in fluid communication with the bag and the mechanism of pumping, the method is characterized in that it comprises: providing a flat valve element inside the chassis, in alignment with the inlet hole to block the flow of the pumping device to the bag, when the pressure in the pumping element is greater than the pressure inside the bag, no portion of the flat valve is thermally bonded to the chassis.