Print materials replenishment
In some examples, a print materials container can include a dispense mechanism to dispense print materials directly to an in-situ reservoir of a printing device, a lock feature to engage a fill port during connection of the dispense mechanism to the fill port, and a valve integrated with the dispense mechanism for connecting the dispense mechanism to the fill port of the reservoir and comprising an output opening offset from a center axis of a tip of the dispense mechanism. The valve can open responsive to rotation of the valve opening with respect to the lock feature such that opposite openings align.
1. A print materials container, comprising:
a dispense mechanism to dispense print materials directly to an in-situ reservoir of a printing device;
a lock feature to engage a fill port during connection of the dispense mechanism to the fill port; and
a valve integrated with the dispense mechanism for connecting the dispense mechanism to the fill port of the reservoir and comprising an output opening offset from a center axis of a tip of the dispense mechanism,
wherein the valve opens responsive to rotation of the valve opening with respect to the lock feature such that opposite openings align.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the dispense mechanism comprises a compression mechanism.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the dispense mechanism comprises a squeeze bottle mechanism comprising a one-way valve to dispense the print materials.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the dispense mechanism comprises a print materials bag mechanism comprising a one-way valve to dispense the print materials.
5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the dispense mechanism comprises a bulb pump coupled to a canister storing print materials to dispense the print materials.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the dispense mechanism comprises an accordion-shaped collapsible container storing print materials.
7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the open valve facilitates a plunger of the dispense mechanism to push the print materials through the aligned openings into the reservoir.
8. A print materials container, comprising:
a dispense mechanism to dispense print materials to an in-situ reservoir of a printing device, the dispense mechanism comprising:
a compress storing the print materials and having a plunger to dispense the print materials responsive to a force applied at an end of the plunger; and
a tip of the compress including a lock feature to lock to a fill port of the reservoir; and
a rotating valve integrated with the tip of the compress to open responsive to rotation of the valve with respect to the lock feature and connection and rotation of the tip with respect to the fill port.
9. The print materials container of claim 8 , further comprising:
the valve comprising an output opening offset from a center axis of the tip;
the lock feature to engage the fill port during connection of the tip to the fill port; and
the valve to open responsive to rotation of the valve opening with respect to the lock feature such that opposite openings align,
wherein the open valve facilitates the plunger to push the print materials through the aligned openings into the reservoir.
10. The print materials container of claim 8 , further comprising a seal coupled to the plunger to protect the plunger from the print materials and sweep the print materials within the compress.
11. The print materials container of claim 10 , wherein the seal comprises a felt material wipe seal.
12. The print materials container of claim 10 , wherein the seal comprises a synthetic material wipe seal.
13. The print materials container of claim 8 , wherein the plunger is removable from the dispense mechanism.
14. A method for refilling an in-situ reservoir of a printing device, comprising:
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, the locking and sealing comprising:
the lock feature engaging the fill port during connection of a tip of the dispense mechanism to the fill port; and
the valve opening responsive to rotation of an opening of the valve with respect to the lock feature such that opposite openings align; and
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.
15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising mechanically locking the dispense mechanism to the fill port responsive to a turn of the dispense mechanism.
16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising a plunger of the dispense mechanism releasing a seal sealing the print materials and dispensing the print materials in response.