Cap seal and valve sequencing

A method, comprising:

• unlatching a cap assembly of an ink tank, the cap assembly rotatably attached to the ink tank and comprising a cap housing, a bung rotatably retained within the cap housing, a spring disposed between the cap housing and the bung, and a pre-loaded hinge between the cap housing and the ink tank;
• applying, with the spring, a sealing force to the bung to provide a seal between the bung and the ink tank when the cap assembly is latched;
• rotating the cap housing to a transient partially opened position while maintaining the seal between the bung and the ink tank when the cap assembly is unlatched;
• and
• sequencing a closing of an internal valve of the ink tank and a breaking of the seal between the bung and the ink tank after the closing of the internal valve when the cap assembly is unlatched and rotated to a fully opened position.

A system, comprising:

• an ink tank bay;
• at least one ink tank installed in the ink tank bay, each ink tank comprising a cap assembly rotatably attached to the ink tank by a preloaded hinge, wherein the cap assembly comprises:
• a cap housing;
• a bung rotatably retained within the cap housing, the bung to provide a seal with the ink tank;
• a spring disposed between the cap housing and the bung;
• an elastic band to pre-load the hinge to apply an opening force to the cap assembly;
• a latch to hold the cap assembly in a closed position, wherein in the closed position the spring applies a force to the bung to provide the seal between the bung and the ink tank;
• and
• an effector extended from the cap assembly, operative when the cap assembly is unlatched and rotated to a fully opened position, to sequence a closing of an internal valve of the ink tank and a breaking of the seal between the bung and the ink tank thereafter.