BACKGROUND

[0001] Printing device such as printers, copiers, etc. may be used to form markings on a print medium, such as text, images, etc. Printing device may form markings on the print medium and/or form a three-dimensional object by employing a print substance such as an ink, toner, and/or a three-dimensional (3D) printing substance such as three-dimensional printing powders, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.

[0002] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a supply valve consistent with the disclosure.

[0003] Figure 2 illustrates an example of a print particle refill bottle consistent with the disclosure.

[0004] Figure 3 illustrates an example of a system consistent with the disclosure.

[0005] Figure 4 illustrates an example of a system in a closed position consistent with the disclosure.

[0006] Figure 5 illustrates an example of a system in an open position consistent with the disclosure.

[0007] Figure 6 illustrates an example of a system including a print partide refill bottle consistent with the disdosure.

Detailed Description

[0008] Printing devices may form markings on a print medium (e.g., paper, photopolymers, plastics, composite, metal, wood, etc.) by transferring a print particle (e.g., ink, toner, 3D printing powder, etc.) from a reservoir to print medium. A print particle refill bottle may be used to refill a reservoir when the amount of print particles in the reservoir is not at capacity. That is, as the printing device draws the print particles from the reservoir, the amount of print particles in the reservoir may deplete. As a result, the amount of print particles in the reservoir of the printing device may have to be replenished.

[0009] However, print particle residue may remain on the surface of a receptacle or the supply valve after the transfer of print particles into the reservoir is complete.

Print particle residue remaining on the surface of the receptacle or the supply valve may cause the print particle residue to transfer onto the user as well as other non-intended surfaces. In addition, print particle residue remaining on the surface of the supply valve and/or the receptacle may contaminate the print particles entering the reservoir.

[0010] As such, print particle supply valves, as described herein, may include a print particle entrance, a print particle exit, and a liner to limit the amount of print particle remaining on the surface of the receptacle and/or supply valve by wiping print particles as the supply valve transitions. Limiting the amount of print particle remaining on the receptacle and/or supply valve may reduce the amount of contaminated print particle entering the reservoir. Accordingly, this disclosure describes supply valve that wipe print particles remaining on the surface of a receptacle and/or on the supply valve after a refill process thereby reducing the amount of contaminated print particles that enter the reservoir and reducing the amount of transferable print particles remaining after a refill process.

[0011] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a supply valve 102 consistent with the disclosure. The supply valve 102 may be used with a variety of printing devices, such as printers, copiers, etc., for example. As used herein,“supply valve” refers to a device that communicates print particles into a receptacle. As used herein,“receptacle” refers to a device that communicates print particles from a supply valve into a reservoir. In some examples, the supply valve 102 may assist in the transfer of print particles into a reservoir. As used herein,“reservoir” refers to a vessel, box, carton, or other suitable repository for the containment of a print particles for use by the printing device. The supply valve 102 may come in contact with a receptacle to transfer print particles into a reservoir. For instance, print particles may travel through the supply valve and through a receptacle to enter the reservoir. As used herein,“print particles” refers to a substance which, when applied to a medium, may form representation(s) on the medium during a print job. In some examples, the print particles may be deposited in successive layers to create three-dimensional (3D) objects. However, this disclosure is not so limited. In some examples, print particles may be deposited on a print medium such as paper to form representation(s).

[0012] In some examples, the supply valve 102 may include a print particle entrance 110. Print particles may enter into the supply valve 102 by traveling through the print particle entrance 110. In addition, the supply valve 102 may include a print particle exit 104 positioned perpendicular to the print particle entrance 110. In some examples, having the print particle entrance 110 perpendicular to the print particle exit 104 may reduce the size of the supply valve 102. That is, positioning the print particle entrance 110 perpendicular to the print particle exit 104 allows the print particle entrance and exit to be in the same line of axis thereby reducing the amount of space to communicate print particle through the supply valve 102. In some examples, reducing the size of the supply valve 102 may reduce the cost of producing the supply valve 102. In addition, reducing the size of the supply valve 102 may reduce the size of the receptacle. As used herein,“print particle exit” refers to an opening of the supply valve through which material (e.g., print particles) may be moved. As used herein,“print particle entrance” refers to an opening of the supply valve through which material (e.g., print particles) may enter.

[0013] In some examples, as print particles exits the supply valve 102 through the print particle exit 104 residual print particles may remain on the mouth of the print particle exit 104. As such, the supply valve 102 may include a liner 106 adjacent to the print particle exit 104. It should be understood that when an element is referred to as being“adjacent” to another element, it may be on, in contact, connected, next to, or coupled with the other element. The liner 106 may dean print partides from the print particle exit 104 after a refill process is completed. For instance, after the refill process is completed and the liner 106 may wipe the print partide exit 104 removing residual print partides from the mouth of the print partide exit 104 and/or the surface of the supply valve 102. As used herein,“refill process” refers to the act of adding print partides to the reservoir. The liner 106 may limit the amount of print partides that are present on the print partide exit 104 after the transfer of print partides. That is, the liner 106 may wipe excess print partides from the print partide exit 104 after the transfer of print partides to limit the amount of print partides present on the surface of the supply valve 102 after the transfer of print partides. As used herein,“wipe” refers to the act of deaning by rubbing.

[0014] Figure 2 illustrates an example of a print partide refill bottle 200 consistent with the disdosure. Supply valve 202 is analogous or similar to supply valve 102 of Figure 1. Print partide exit 204 is analogous or similar to print partide exit 104 of Figure 1. Liner 206 is analogous or similar to liner 106 of Figure 1.

[0015] The print partide refill bottle 200 may be used with a variety of printing devices, such as printers, copiers, etc., for example. As used herein,“printing device” refers to a hardware device with funtiionalities to physically produce representation(s) of text, images, models, etc. on a print medium and/or produce a three-dimensional object. Examples of printing devices indude ink/toner printers and/or three-dimensional printers, among other types of printing devices.

[0016] In some examples, the print partide refill bottle 200 may have a syringe like strudure to transfer print partides into a reservoir. As used herein,“syringe” refers to a reciprocating pump including a plunger and a tube, where the plunger may be linearly moved to allow the syringe to take in and/or expel liquid, powder, or gas through an orifice at the end of the tube. As used herein,“plunger” refers to a piston to take in and/or expel liquid, powder, or gas through an orifice at the end of a syringe. In some examples, the print particle refill bottle 200 may indude a supply valve 202. The supply valve 202 may enter a receptade conneded to a reservoir to transfer print partides into the reservoir. For instance, print partides may travel through the supply valve 202 and through a receptade to replenish the amount of print partides in the reservoir. It should be understood that when an element is referred to as being“in contact,” "connected to", or“coupled to” another element, it may be directly in contact, connected, or coupled with the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an object is“directly in contact with” another element it is understood that are no

intervening elements etc.

[0017] In some examples, the print partide refill bottle 200 may indude a body 208 to store print partide. The body 208 may store print partides of varying types and forms. For example, the body 208 may store print partides made of a powdered semicrystalline 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 particles may be partides with an average diameter of less than one hundred microns. For example, the print material partides may be partides with an average diameter of between 0-100 microns. However, examples of the disdosure are not so limited. For example, print partides may be partides with an average diameter of between 20-50 microns, 5-10 microns, or any other range between 0-100 microns.

[0018] In some examples, print partides may travel from the body 208 and through a print partide entrance (e.g., print partide entrance 110 of Figure 1) into the supply valve 202 to replenish a reservoir. That is, the body 208 may be a collapsible body that allows print partides to travel from the body 208 to the supply valve 202 by collapsing or squeezing the body 208. However, examples of the disdosure are not so limited. In some examples, the body 208 may indude a plunger that causes the print partides stored in the body 208 to travel from the body 208 into the supply valve 202. That is, the plunger may be pushed to cause print partides to move towards a print partide exit 204 of the supply valve 202.

[0019] In some examples, the print particle refill bottle 200 may indude a liner

206 connetied to the print partide exit 204. The liner 206 may dean the surface of the supply valve 202 after a refill process. In some examples, the liner 206 may dean the surface of the supply valve 202 before the transition of print partides to the reservoir. That is, the liner 206 may wipe the surface of the supply valve 202 as the print partide refill bottle 200 transitions into an open position. Similarly, the liner 206 may wipe residual print particles from the surface of the supply valve 202 after a refill process is complete. For instance, after the refill process is completed the liner 206 may wipe the print particle exit 204 limiting the amount of residual print particles on the surface of the supply valve 202. As used herein,“open position” refers to a position of a supply valve, print particle refill bottle, or receptacle that allows the communication of print particles into a reservoir. As used herein,“closed position” refers to a position of a supply valve, print particle refill bottle, or receptacle that prevents the communication of print particles into a reservoir.

[0020] Figure 3 illustrates an example of a system 303 consistent with the disclosure. Supply valve 302 is analogous or similar to supply valve 102 and 202 of Figures 1 and 2, respectively. Print particle exit 304 is analogous or similar to print particle exit 104 and 204 of Figures 1 and 2, respectively. Liner 306 is analogous or similar to liner 106 and 206 of Figures 1 and 2, respectively. Body 308 is analogous or similar to body 208 of Figure 2.

[0021] In some examples, the system 303 may include a print particle refill bottle 300. The print particle refill bottle may include a body 308. The body 308 may store print particles and supply print particles to the reservoir by transitioning the print particles through the supply valve 302. For instance, print particles may travel from the body 308 through a print particle entrance (e.g., print particle entrance 110 of Figure 1 ) and through a print particle exit 304 perpendicular to the print particle entrance to replenish the reservoir.

[0022] In some examples, the supply valve 302 may include a cover 312 to prevent print particles from exiting the supply valve 302 when the supply valve 302 is in a closed position. That is, the cover 312 may be adjacent to the print particle exit 304 when the supply valve 302 is in a closed position. For instance, when the supply valve 302 is in a closed position the cover 312 may be substantially aligned with the print particle exit 304. In contrast, when the supply valve 302 is in an open position the cover 312 may be substantially offset with the print particle exit 304. In some examples, the cover 312 may ensure that the user does not come in contact with the print particle exit 304. That is, the cover 312 may block the print particle exit 304 until the supply valve 302 transition into an open position. However, the supply valve 302 may not transition into an open position until it is inserted into the receptacle 314 and rotated thereby limiting the amount of print particles that come in contact with the user and other surfaces.

[0023] As used herein, the term substantially intends that the characteristic does not have to be absolute but is dose enough so as to achieve the characteristic. For example,“substantially aligned” is not limited to absolutely aligned. For example, “substantially offset” is not limited to absolutely offset.

[0024] In some examples, the supply valve 302 may enter a receptade 314 to transfer print partides into a reservoir. In some examples, the supply valve 302 may enter the receptade 314 if the supply valve 302 is in a dosed position. That is, if the supply valve 302 is in an open position (e.g., the cover 312 is substantially offset with the print partide exit 304) the supply valve 302 cannot enter the receptade 314. In various examples, the supply valve 302 may not transition into an open position unless it has entered the receptade 314 and has been authenticated.

[0025] In some examples, the receptade 314 may indude a receptade body 314 having an opening 324 to receive a supply valve 302. In addition, the receptade 314 may indude a receptade exit 318. The receptade exit 318 may allow print partides to enter a reservoir. That is, after the supply valve 302 enters the receptade 314 and transitions into an open position, print partides may travel from the body 308 through a print partide entrance into the supply valve 302. The print partides may then travel through a print partide exit 304 perpendicular to the print partide entrance. In some examples, when the system 303 is in an open position the print partide exit 304 may be substantially aligned with the receptade exit 318 allowing the print partides to travel through the receptade exit 318. As used herein,“receptade exit" refers to an opening of the receptade through which material (e.g., print partides) may be moved.

[0026] In some examples, the receptade 314 may indude a receptade cover 320. The receptade cover 320 may prevent print partides from exiting the supply valve 302 and/or the receptade 314 when the system 303 is in a dosed position. That is, the receptade cover 320 may be adjacent to the receptade exit 318 when the system 303 is in a dosed position. For instance, when the system 303 is in a dosed position the receptacle cover 320 may be substantially aligned with the receptacle exit 318. In contrast, when the system 303 is in an open position the receptacle cover 320 may be substantially offset with the receptacle exit 318.

[0027] In some examples, the receptacle 314 may include a receptacle liner 322 coupled to the receptacle cover 320. The receptacle liner 322 may clean print particles from the receptacle exit 318 when the system 303 transitions into a closed position.

The receptacle liner 322 may also clean print particles from the receptacles exit 318 when the system 303 transitions into an open position. For instance, as the system transition between positions the receptacle liner 322 may wipe the surface of the receptacle 314 removing residual print particles from the receptacle exit 318 and/or the print particle exit 304. The receptacle liner 322 may limit the amount of print particles present in the system 303 after a refill process is complete. That is, the receptacle liner 322 may wipe excess print particles from the system 303 to reduce the amount of print particles on the surface of the receptacle 314 and the supply valve 302.

[0028] In some examples, the receptacle liner 322 may be comprised of a densely compacted fabric to wipe and clean the receptacle exit 318 and/or the print particle exit 304 as the system 303 transitions between an open position and a closed position. For instance, the receptacle liner 322 may be comprised of doth, felt, a variety of different textiles, or a combination thereof. However, this disdosure is not so limited. In some examples, the receptade liner 322 may be comprised of a foam material to wipe the receptade exit 318 and/or the print partide exit 304 as the system 303 transitions between an open position and a dosed position.

[0029] In some examples, the supply valve 302 may indude a liner 306 to wipe and/or dean the print partide exit 304 and/or the receptade exit 318 after a refill process is complete. For example, the print particle exit 304 may come in direti contact with the receptade exit 318 when the system 303 is in an open position thereby allowing the liner 306 and the receptade liner 322 to wipe the surfaces of the print partide exit 304 and the receptade exit 318 when the system 303 transitions into a dosed position. In some examples, the liner 306 wiping excess print partides from the surface of the supply valve 302 and/or the surface of the receptade 314 may limit the amount of print partides remaining on the surface of the receptade 314 and supply valve 302. Reducing the amount of residual print particles on the system 303 after a refill process may limit the amount of print particles that may transfer onto the user as well as other non-intended surfaces.

[0030] In some examples, the liner 306 may be comprised of a densely compacted fabric to wipe the print particle exit 304 and/or the receptacle exit 318 as the system 303 transitions between an open position and a closed position. For example, the liner 306 may be comprised of cloth, felt, a variety of different textiles, or a combination thereof. However, this disclosure is not so limited. In some examples, the liner 306 may be comprised of a foam material to wipe the print particle exit 304 and/or the receptacle exit 318 as the system 303 transitions between an open position and a closed position.

[0031] Figure 4 illustrates an example of a system 403 in a closed position consistent with the disclosure. Supply valve 402 is analogous or similar to supply valve 102, 202, and 302 of Figures 1 , 2, and 3, respectively. Print particle exit 404 is analogous or similar to print particle exit 104, 204, and 304 of Figures 1 , 2, and 3, respectively. Liner 406 is analogous or similar to liner 106, 206, and 306 of Figures 1 ,

2, and 3, respectively. Print particle entrance 410 is analogous or similar to print particle entrance 110 of Figure 1. Cover 412 is analogous or similar to cover 312 of Figure 3. Receptacle cover 420 is analogous or similar to receptacle cover 320 of Figure 3. Receptacle liner 422 is analogous or similar to receptacle liner 322 of Figure

3. Receptacle exit 418 is analogous or similar to receptacle exit 318 of Figure 3.

Receptacle 414 is analogous or similar to receptacle 314 of Figure 3. System 403 is analogous or similar to system 303 of Figure 3.

[0032] In some examples, the system 403 may include a supply valve 402 and a receptacle 414. System 403 of Figure 4 illustrates the system 403 in a closed position. The system 403 may be in a closed position when the print particle exit 404 and the receptacle exit 418 are substantially offset. Likewise, the system 403 may be in a closed position when the supply valve 402 and the receptacle 414 are in a closed position. The supply valve 402 may be in a closed position when the cover 412 is substantially aligned with the print particle exit 404. The receptacle 414 may be in a dosed position when the receptade cover 420 is substantially aligned with the receptade exit 418.

[0033] In some examples, the supply valve 402 may enter the receptade 414 in a dosed position. That is, the supply valve 402 may be in a dosed position when it enters the opening (e.g., opening 324 of Figure 3) of the receptade 414. In addition, the receptade 414 may be in a dosed position when the supply valve 402 enters the opening of the receptade 414. In some examples, the system 403 may transition into a dosed position by rotating the supply valve 402 in a direction as denoted by arrow 444. That is, after the transfer of print partides into the reservoir is complete the supply valve

402 may rotate to return the system 403 to a dosed position. For instance, the system

403 may transition into a position where the cover 412 and the receptade cover 420 are substantially offset. In addition, the system 403 may transition into a position where the print partide exit 404 and the receptade exit 418 are substantially offset.

[0034] Figure 5 illustrates an example of a system 503 in an open position consistent with the disdosure. Supply valve 502 is analogous or similar to supply valve 102, 202, 302, and 402 of Figures 1 , 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Print partide exit 504 is analogous or similar to print partide exit 104, 204, 304, and 404 of Figures 1 , 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Liner 506 is analogous or similar to liner 106, 206, 306, and 406 of Figures 1 , 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Print partide entrance 510 is analogous or similar to print partide entrance 110 and 410 of Figures 1 and 4, respectively. Cover 512 is analogous or similar to cover 312 and 412 of Figures 3 and 4, respectively. Receptade cover 520 is analogous or similar to receptade cover 320 and 420 of Figures 3 and 4, respectively. Receptade liner 522 is analogous or similar to receptade liner 322 and 422 of Figures 3 and 4, respectively. Receptade exit 518 is analogous or similar to receptade exit 318 and 418 of Figures 3 and 4, respectively. Receptade 514 is analogous or similar to receptade 314 and 414 of Figures 3 and 4, respectively.

System 503 is analogous or similar to system 303 and 403 of Figures 3 and 4, respectively.

[0035] In some examples, the system 503 may indude a supply valve 502 and a receptade 514. System 503 of Figure 5 illustrates the system 503 in an open position. The system 503 may be in an open position when the print partide exit 504 and the receptacle exit 518 are substantially aligned. Likewise, the system 503 may be in an open position when the supply valve 502 and the receptacle 514 are in an open position. The supply valve 502 is in an open position when the cover 512 is

substantially offset with the print particle exit 504. The receptacle 514 may be in an open position when the receptacle cover 520 is substantially offset with the receptacle exit 518.

[0038] In some examples, the system 503 may transition into an open position when the supply valve 502 may enters the receptacle 514 and rotates in a direction denoted by arrow 555. That is, before the print particles travel through the supply valve 502 and the receptacle 514 into the reservoir the supply valve 502 may rotate and cause the receptacle cover 520 to actuate and transition the receptacle 514 into an open position, thereby transitioning the system 503 into an open position. For instance, the system 503 may transition into a position where the print particle exit 504 and the receptacle exit 518 are substantially aligned. In addition, the system 403 may transition into a position where the cover 512 and the receptacle cover 520 are substantially aligned. In some examples, the cover 512 and the receptacle cover 520 may align when the receptacle cover 520 actuates as the supply valve 502 rotates, in addition, the cover 512 may remain in same position as the suppiy vaive 502 rotates into an open position.

[0037] Figure 6 illustrates an example of a system 603 including a print particle refill bottle 600 consistent with the disclosure. Print particle refill bottle 600 is analogous or similar to print particle refill bottle 200 of Figure 2. Receptacle 614 is analogous or similar to receptacle 314, 414, and 514 of Figures 3, 4, and 5, respectively. System 603 is analogous or similar to system 303, 403 and 503 of Figures 3, 4, and 5, respectively.

[0038] In some examples, the supply valve (e.g., supply valve 502 of Figure 5) may be coupled to a print particle refill bottle 600. The print particle refill bottle 600 may house print particles to refill a reservoir 626. In some examples, the reservoir 626 may be removable inserted into a printing device 628. In some examples, the reservoir 626 may be coupled to a receptacle 614. The receptacle 614 may be accessible through the exterior of the printing device 628. [0039] 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 the disclosed examples, 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” may refer to one such thing or more than one such thing.

[0040] 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. Elements shown in the various figures herein may be capable of being added, exchanged, and/or eliminated so as to provide a number of 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.

[0041] It should be understood that the descriptions of various examples may not be drawn to scale and thus, the descriptions may have a different size and/or configuration other than as shown therein.