Liquid storage unit and liquid ejection apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to a liquid storage unit and a liquid ejection apparatus. An object is to provide a liquid storage unit capable of suppressing damage of a gusset portion. The liquid storage unit has a liquid storage portion that stores a liquid inside, a gusset portion that is formed along the liquid storage portion and at which a side surface portion of the liquid storage portion is folded toward an inside of the liquid storage portion, and a stopper portion that is arranged to suppress bending that occurs at the gusset portion by coming into contact with another portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to liquid storage units and liquid injection equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Patent Publication 2020-066137 discloses a housing unit configured to store a liquid storage unit internally and protect the liquid storage unit from external impacts, etc. Furthermore, Japanese Patent Publication 2020-066137 discloses a liquid storage unit configured to bend the corner bracket toward the inside of the liquid storage unit via a pressing unit, while simultaneously storing the liquid within the housing unit.

[0003] According to the structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication 2020-066137, a structure is proposed in which a dedicated housing unit is prepared to store a liquid storage unit, and the liquid storage unit is housed in the housing unit by pressing the corner bracket of the housing unit with a pressing unit, thereby suppressing damage to the corner bracket.

[0004] Therefore, the objective of the present disclosure is to provide a liquid storage unit that can suppress damage to the diagonal brace without the use of special products. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the liquid storage unit according to this disclosure includes: a liquid storage section that stores liquid therein; a gusseted section formed along the liquid storage section, wherein a side unit of the liquid storage section is folded toward the inside of the liquid storage section at the gusseted section; and a stop unit configured to suppress bending that occurs at the gusseted section by contacting other components.

[0006] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view showing the external structure of the liquid jetting device;

[0008] Figure 2 This is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the assembly stages of the housing and liquid storage unit;

[0009] Figure 3 This is a schematic perspective view showing the structure of a liquid storage unit;

[0010] Figure 4A This is a cross-sectional view showing the construction of an existing liquid storage unit. Figure 4B It is shown Figure 4A A magnified schematic diagram illustrating the curvature of region c, indicated by the midpoint line. Figure 4C It is shown Figure 4A A schematic enlarged view of the stretching method in the area c indicated by the midpoint line;

[0011] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating an example of how an existing gusseted bracket contacts other components;

[0012] Figure 6A This is a diagram illustrating the construction of the liquid storage unit according to this embodiment, along... Figure 2 A sectional view along line VI-VI; Figure 6B It is shown Figure 6A A schematic enlarged view of the curvature of region c, indicated by the midpoint line; Figure 6C It is shown Figure 6A A schematic enlarged view of the stretching method in the area c indicated by the midpoint line;

[0013] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing how the stop unit protects the corner brace;

[0014] Figure 8 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the liquid storage unit according to the second embodiment; and

[0015] Figure 9 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a liquid storage unit according to a third embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0016] [First Embodiment]

[0017] <Liquid jetting equipment>

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view showing the external structure of the liquid injection device 10 that constitutes the liquid injection system. Figure 1 In the diagram, arrows X, Y, and Z are schematically shown to represent three directions perpendicular to each other. Arrows X, Y, and Z are also shown in each of the other figures referenced in this specification. Figure 1 The manner is appropriately illustrated.

[0019] The directions indicated by arrows X, Y, and Z correspond to the arrangement and orientation of the liquid jetting device 10 and the liquid storage unit 100 in their normal operating state. The normal operating state of the liquid jetting device 10 is the state in which it is arranged on a horizontal plane and used. In the following text, the directions indicated by arrows X, Y, and Z are referred to as the "X direction," "Y direction," and "Z direction," respectively. In each X direction, one direction is called the "+X direction," and the opposite direction is called the "-X direction." In each Y direction, one direction is called the "+Y direction," and the opposite direction is called the "-Y direction." In each Z direction, one direction is called the "+Z direction," and the opposite direction is called the "-Z direction."

[0020] The X, Y, and Z directions will be described in the order of Z, Y, and X. The Z direction is parallel to the direction of gravity. The -Z direction is the direction of gravity, and the +Z direction is the opposite direction of gravity. The Z direction is consistent with the vertical (height) direction of the liquid jetting device 10. In the following description, when "up" or "down" is mentioned for the liquid jetting device 10 and the liquid storage unit 100, unless otherwise specified, it refers to the vertical direction based on the arrow Z direction; "up" refers to the +Z direction, and "down" refers to the -Z direction. Furthermore, "horizontal direction" refers to the direction perpendicular to the Z direction.

[0021] The Y direction indicates the loading / unloading direction of the liquid storage unit 100 in the liquid jetting device 10, and is consistent with the direction parallel to the front-to-back direction (depth direction) of the liquid jetting device 10. The +Y direction indicates the mounting direction of the mounting unit 105, including the liquid storage unit 100, relative to the liquid jetting device 10, and is consistent with the direction from the front side to the rear side of the liquid jetting device 10. The -Y direction indicates the disassembly direction of the mounting unit 105 from the liquid jetting device 10, and is consistent with the direction from the rear side to the front side of the liquid jetting device 10. In the following description, when "front" or "rear" is mentioned for the liquid jetting device 10 and the liquid storage unit 100, unless otherwise specified, it refers to the front-to-back direction based on the arrow Y direction, where "front" refers to the +Y direction and "rear" refers to the -Y direction.

[0022] The X direction indicates a direction parallel to the left-right (width) direction of the liquid injection device 10. When directly facing the front of the liquid injection device 10, the -X direction is consistent with the direction from right to left, and conversely, the +X direction is consistent with the direction from left to right. In the following description, when "right" or "left" is mentioned for the liquid injection device 10 and the liquid storage unit 100, unless otherwise specified, it refers to the left-right direction based on the arrow X direction, where "right" refers to the +X direction and "left" refers to the -X direction.

[0023] In this embodiment, the liquid jetting device 10 is an inkjet printer, and the liquid jetting system is an inkjet printing system. In this embodiment, the liquid consumed by jetting in the liquid jetting device 10 is ink. The ink can be, for example, pigment ink. The liquid jetting device 10 forms an image by jetting ink droplets and printing ink dots on a target printing medium. The target medium is, for example, a printing sheet.

[0024] In this embodiment, the liquid storage unit 100 is configured to store ink to be ejected in the liquid ejection device 10. By installing the liquid storage unit 100 into the liquid ejection device 10, the liquid storage unit 100 is connected to a liquid inlet unit inside the liquid ejection device 10, and ink is supplied to the ejection execution unit by a pump.

[0025] <Assembly state of housing 61 and liquid storage unit 100>

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the assembly stage of the housing 61 and the liquid storage unit 100. In the following description, the schematic structure of the housing 61 will be described first, followed by the schematic structure of the liquid storage unit 100.

[0027] <Shell 61>

[0028] During transportation of the liquid storage unit 100, the housing 61 stores the liquid storage unit 100 inside and protects the liquid storage unit 100 from impacts applied from the outside.

[0029] The housing 61 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape with the Y direction as its longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the housing 61 includes a housing body 61a and a housing cover 61b, the housing body being formed as a hollow box with openings in the +Z and +Y directions. The housing is made of a resin component (e.g., polypropylene).

[0030] Taking into account logistics efficiency and the size of the liquid injection device 10, it is preferable that the internal dimensions of the housing 61 and the liquid storage unit 100 are approximately the same. However, manufacturing tolerances for each of them, gaps when the liquid storage unit 100 is inserted into the housing 61, etc., must be considered.

[0031] <Liquid Storage Unit 100>

[0032] In this embodiment, the liquid storage unit 100 is an ink cartridge. The liquid storage unit 100 has a pouch unit 110 and a connecting member 120. Furthermore, the liquid storage unit 100 is a gusseted ink cartridge comprising multiple membranes. The pouch unit 110 is a storage unit with an internally configured liquid storage section for storing liquid. The pouch unit 110 is flexible. The degree of flexibility of the pouch unit 110 can be the degree to which the pouch unit 110 bends due to its own weight, or the degree to which the pouch unit 110 maintains its shape against its own weight but bends when a load greater than its own weight is applied. When viewed from the Z direction, the shape of the pouch unit 110 is approximately rectangular with the Y direction as its longitudinal direction. The pouch unit 110 is formed by overlapping at least four sheet members and welding or bonding the outer peripheral ends of each sheet member.

[0033] The sheet component is made of a material that is flexible, gas-barrier, and liquid-impermeable. Each sheet component may include a membrane component, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, polyethylene, etc. Each sheet component may include multiple laminated films, the films including the aforementioned materials. In this case, an outer layer may be formed by a PET or nylon film with excellent impact resistance, and an inner layer may be formed by a polyethylene film with excellent ink resistance. Furthermore, layers deposited with aluminum or the like may be added to the laminated structure.

[0034] The connecting member 120 is attached to the end of the bag unit 110 on the +Y direction side. The connecting member 120 is fixed to the end of the mounting unit 105 on the front end side (+Y direction side) in the mounting direction. The connecting member 120 has the function of connecting to the connection receiving unit of the corresponding liquid injection device 10 and fixing the liquid storage unit 100 to the housing 61. A general description of the appearance of the connecting member 120 is provided. The shape of the connecting member 120 is approximately a cuboid with the X direction as its longitudinal direction. The width of the connecting member 120 in the X direction is smaller than the width of the bag unit 110 in the X direction. The main body of the connecting member 120 is manufactured by molding a resin component (e.g., polypropylene).

[0035] <Liquid Storage Unit 100>

[0036] Figure 3 This is a schematic perspective view showing the structure of the liquid storage unit 100 according to this embodiment.

[0037] The bag unit 110 has a bottom portion 201, a top portion 202, a first side member 503a, a second side member 503b, a first stop member 505a, a third side member 504a, a fourth side member 504b, and a second stop member 505. The longitudinal +X direction end of the first stop member 505a is clamped and engaged between the first side member 503a and the second side member 503b. The longitudinal -X direction end of the second stop member 505b is clamped and engaged between the third side member 504a and the fourth side member 504b.

[0038] The bottom surface 201 is a bottom surface member arranged in the -Z direction (i.e., the bottom surface position). The top surface 202 faces the bottom surface 201. The top surface 202 is a top surface member arranged in the +Z direction (i.e., at a position higher than the bottom surface 201) of the bottom surface 201. The first side surface member 503a is a side surface member connecting one end of the top surface 202 and one end of the first stop member 505a. The second side surface member 503b is a side surface member connecting one end of the first stop member 505a and one end of the bottom surface 201. The third side surface member 504a is a side surface member connecting the other end of the top surface 202 and one end of the second stop member 505b. The fourth side surface member 504b is a side surface member connecting one end of the second stop member 505b and the other end of the bottom surface 201. In the following text, unless there is a specific need to distinguish between the first side surface member 503a, the second side surface member 503b, the third side surface member 504a, and the fourth side surface member 504b, they are all simply referred to as "side surface units". Furthermore, unless there is a specific distinction between the first stop member 505a and the second stop member 505, they are both simply referred to as "stop units". The side units bend according to changes in the amount of liquid within the liquid storage unit 100. The liquid storage unit 100 has a gusseted portion formed along the bag unit 110, at which the side units of the bag unit 110 fold toward the bag unit 110 side. The stop units suppress bending that may occur at the gusseted portion (i.e., the side units) by contacting other components (e.g., the housing body 61a).

[0039] When liquid is stored in the liquid storage unit 100 from the housing 61 (see) Figure 2 When an external impact is applied to the liquid storage unit 100, liquid may sometimes slosh within the liquid storage unit 100. This sloshing of liquid within the liquid storage unit 100 causes the side units to bend. With repeated bending of the side units, fatigue accumulates at the side units. For this reason, the side units may be damaged.

[0040] Furthermore, when the liquid oscillates within the liquid storage unit 100 (especially in the X direction), the inner wall surface of the housing 61 and the side unit may sometimes come into contact with each other. In this case, the surface of the side unit may be scratched or cracks may appear on the surface of the side unit. That is, when the inner wall surface of the housing 61 and the side unit come into contact with each other, the side unit (i.e., the gusset portion) may be damaged.

[0041] Therefore, the liquid storage unit 100 according to this embodiment has a stop unit 505 configured to suppress bending of the side unit.

[0042] <Regarding damage to the corner brace>

[0043] To facilitate understanding of the stop unit according to this embodiment, a conventional liquid storage unit 100 will first be described. Constructions identical or corresponding to those of the liquid storage unit 100 according to this embodiment will be described using the same names and reference numerals.

[0044] Figure 4A and Figure 4B These are diagrams illustrating the structure of an existing liquid storage unit 100. Figure 4A This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an existing bag unit 110. (See attached image.) Figure 4A As shown, the existing bag unit 110 has a bottom portion 201 and a top portion 202. The existing bag unit 110 has a side member 203 configured to connect one end of the bottom portion 201 and one end of the top portion 202, and a side member 204 configured to connect the other end of the bottom portion 201 and the other end of the top portion 202. The various parts of the existing bag unit 110 are joined by means of heat welding or the like. Furthermore, the existing side members can also be used as corner braces. Figure 4B It is shown Figure 4A A schematic enlarged view of the curvature of region c, indicated by the midpoint line. Figure 4C It is shown Figure 4A A schematic enlarged view of the stretching method in region c, indicated by the midpoint line.

[0045] At the existing side members, in cases where, for some reason, the liquid oscillates within the bag unit 110, for example, in Figure 4B The angles θb and θb shown Figure 4C The angle θb' shown repeatedly undergoes bending and stretching. As a result, the side member may be damaged, and the bent portions of the side member unit may also be damaged.

[0046] Figure 5This diagram illustrates an example of the contact method between the existing gusset and the inner sidewall of the housing 61. With the liquid storage unit 100 housed within the housing 61, the liquid within the liquid storage unit 100 oscillates under an external impact. The side members 203 and 204 are configured such that, in their normal state... Figure 4A As shown, it bends inward. However, due to fluid swaying caused by external impacts, there is a situation where the side members of the bag unit 110 ( Figure 5 In the example, side member 203 becomes bent outwards in the opposite direction. When side member 203 is bent outwards, the apex of the gusset at side member 203 may sometimes come into contact with the inner wall of the housing body 61a. When the gusset contacts the inner wall of the housing body 61a, scratches, cracks, etc., may occur on the apex surface of the gusset. In other words, the gusset may be damaged when it comes into contact with the inner wall of the housing body 61a. While the above explanation uses side member 203, the same condition may occur at side member 204, and there are cases where the same condition occurs at both side members.

[0047] <Regarding the protection of the corner brace>

[0048] Figures 6A to 6C These are figures illustrating the structure of the liquid storage unit 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 6A It is along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view along line VI-VI. In this embodiment, the other end of the first side member 503a, one end of the first stop member 505a, and the other end of the second side member 503b are pre-joined. That is, the first stop member 505a is clamped and joined between the first side member 503a and the second side member 503b. Then, one end of the top surface 202, one end of the first side member 503a, one end of the bottom surface 201, and one end of the second side member 503b are joined. On the other hand, similarly, at the opposite side unit, the other end of the third side member 504a, one end of the second stop member 505b, and the other end of the fourth side member 504b are pre-joined. Then, the other end of the top surface 202, one end of the third side member 504a, the other end of the bottom surface 201, and one end of the fourth side member 504b are joined. As an example of the method of performing the above-described joining, methods such as thermal welding can be cited. In this embodiment, the first side member 503a and the second side member 503b serve as corner supports on one end of the bag unit 110. Similarly, the third side member 504a and the fourth side member 504b serve as corner supports on the other end.

[0049] Figure 6B It is shown Figure 6A A schematic enlarged view of the curvature of region c, indicated by the midpoint line. Figure 6C It is shown Figure 6A A schematic enlarged view of the stretching method in region c, indicated by the midpoint line.

[0050] Reference Figures 4A to 6C By comparing the angle changes of the existing corner brace with the angle changes of the corner brace in this embodiment, the relationship between the angle changes can be expressed by the following formula.

[0051] (θb'-θb) / 2=θc'-θc··(Formula 1)

[0052] However, this is on the premise that the relationship expressed in the following formula holds true.

[0053] θx=θy··(Equation 2)

[0054] θx'=θy'··(Equation 3)

[0055] As described above, along with the corner brace Figure 5 Compared to the existing corner brace that bends in the opposite direction, the angle change of the corner brace in this embodiment is reduced (Equation (1) indicates that the angle change is halved). That is to say, compared to the past, it can be said that the damage to the corner brace is reduced. One end of the first stop member 505a (the end on the +X direction side) is clamped and joined between the other end of the first side member 503a (the end on the +X direction side) and the other end of the second side member 503b (the end on the +X direction side). The area of ​​the first stop member 505a and the first side member 503a joined is the same as the area of ​​the first stop member 505a and the second side member 503b joined. The other end of the first stop member 505a (the end on the -X direction side) protrudes outward (to the -X direction side) from the joint surface of the first side member 503a, the first stop member 505a and the second side member 503b. The upper limit of the protruding length of the first stop member 505a is set to the length from the joint surface of the first side member 503a, the first stop member 505a, and the second side member 503b to one end (the end on the -X direction side) of the top part 202 and the bottom part 201. Preferably, the lower limit of the protruding length of the first stop member 505a is set to be equal to the width at the joint surface of the bottom part 201 and the second side member 503b. Figure 6A The length L in the middle. The length of the joint surface between the top surface 202 and the first side component 503a is also the same (length L).

[0056] One end of the second stop member 505b (the end on the -X direction side) is clamped and engaged between the other end of the third side member 504a (the end on the -X direction side) and the other end of the fourth side member 504b (the end on the -X direction side). The area where the second stop member 505b and the third side member 504a engage is the same as the area where the second stop member 505b and the fourth side member 504b engage. The other end of the second stop member 505b (the end on the +X direction side) protrudes outward (toward the +X direction side) from the engagement surface of the third side member 504a, the second stop member 505b, and the fourth side member 504b. The upper limit of the protruding length of the second stop member 505b is set to the length from the engagement surface of the third side member 504a, the second stop member 505b, and the fourth side member 504b to the other end (the end on the +X direction side) of the top surface 202 and the bottom surface 201. Preferably, the lower limit of the protruding length of the second stop member 505b is set to be equal to the width of the joint surface between the bottom part 201 and the fourth side member 504b. Figure 6A The length L in the middle. The length of the joint surface between the top surface 202 and the third side component 504a is also the same (length L).

[0057] <The effect of making the stop unit protrude from the inside to the outside of the bag unit 110>

[0058] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing how the stop unit protects the corner brace.

[0059] like Figure 7 As shown, when the liquid storage unit 100 is housed in the housing 61 and an impact is applied from the outside, the liquid oscillates within the bag portion 110. In this embodiment, even if the liquid oscillates within the bag unit 110, if one gusset bends, the stop member of the other gusset also acts as a stop, and prevents the other gusset from contacting the inner wall of the housing body 61a. Figure 7 In the example shown, when one of the gussets (third side member 504a and fourth side member 504b) is bent, the first stop member 505a of the other gusset (first side member 503a and second side member 503b) acts as a stop. By contacting the inner wall of the housing body 61a with the first stop member 505a, contact between the first side member 503a and the second side member 503b and the inner wall of the housing body 61 is prevented. That is, the first side member 503a and the second side member 503b are protected by the first stop member 505a. The stop unit can be made of the same material as the material constituting the side member (e.g., a membrane).

[0060] <Conclusion>

[0061] As described above, in this embodiment, when one gusset bends, the stop unit of the other gusset contacts the inner wall of the housing body 61a. This reduces fatigue accumulated from repeated bending of the gusset and damage caused by direct contact between the gusset and the inner wall of the housing body 61a. Therefore, the liquid storage unit 100 according to this embodiment can suppress damage to the gusset without the use of special materials. Furthermore, by using the same material for the stop unit as for the bag unit 110, a low-cost liquid storage unit 100 can be provided. Moreover, when the stop unit is made of a material with a higher hardness than the bag unit, rigidity increases compared to when the stop unit and bag unit 110 are made of the same material, thus increasing reliability.

[0062] [Second Embodiment]

[0063] The purpose of this embodiment is to provide a liquid storage unit 100 with higher reliability and lower cost. In the following description, descriptions of structures identical to those in the first embodiment are omitted by using the same reference numerals, and the differences from the first embodiment are mainly described.

[0064] Figure 8 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the liquid storage unit 100 according to this embodiment. In the following, it is assumed that along the... Figure 2 The liquid storage unit 100 is described by cutting along the section line corresponding to line VI-VI. For example... Figure 8 As shown, the bag unit 110 according to this embodiment has a fifth side member 803 and a sixth side member 804.

[0065] The fifth side member 803 has a third stop member 805a. The sixth side member 804 has a fourth stop member 805b. Similarly, in this embodiment, unless there is a specific need to distinguish between the fifth side member 803 and the sixth side member 804, they are both simply referred to as side members. Likewise, unless there is a specific need to distinguish between the third stop member 805a and the fourth stop member 805b, they are both simply referred to as stop members.

[0066] In this embodiment, a joining surplus is created by folding back the side member. Then, a stop member is clamped inside the joining surplus. By engaging the stop member clamped inside the joining surplus, the stop member is secured to the side member. Afterward, the top surface 202 and the bottom surface 201 are joined to the side member. Specifically, the joining surplus is created by folding back the fifth side member 803. Then, the third stop member 805a is clamped inside the joining surplus. The portion of the fifth side member 803 that clamps and covers the third stop member 805a is called the first cover portion 806a. Similarly, the joining surplus is created by folding back the sixth side member 804. Then, the fourth stop member 805b is clamped inside the joining surplus. The portion of the sixth side member 804 that clamps and covers the fourth stop member 805b is called the second cover portion 806b. In the following text, unless there is a specific distinction between the first cover portion 806a and the second cover portion 806b, they will both be referred to simply as "cover portion".

[0067] With this configuration, even if cracks occur due to adverse conditions when the side member and the stop member are joined, the stop member is covered from the inside by the cover. Therefore, leakage of liquid through the gap in the joint surface between the side member and the stop member can be suppressed. Furthermore, even if the joint between the side member and the stop member is damaged due to repeated bending of the side member, leakage of liquid through the gap in the joint surface between the side member and the stop member can be similarly suppressed. Therefore, reliability is further improved compared to the first embodiment. Furthermore, each side member is constructed from a single component, thus reducing cost. As described above, in this embodiment, by clamping the stop member with the side member and covering it from the inside, the possibility of liquid leakage from the joint surface between the side member and the stop member can be reduced. Therefore, according to the configuration of this embodiment, a liquid storage unit 100 with higher reliability and lower cost can be provided.

[0068] [Third Embodiment]

[0069] The purpose of this embodiment is to provide a liquid storage unit 100 with higher reliability and lower cost. In the following description, descriptions of the same construction as in the first embodiment are omitted by using the same reference numerals, and the differences from the first embodiment are mainly described.

[0070] Figure 9 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the liquid storage unit 100 according to this embodiment. In the following, it is assumed that... Figure 2 The liquid storage unit 100 is sectioned using the section line corresponding to line VI-VI. For example... Figure 9As shown, the bag unit 110 according to this embodiment has a seventh side member 903, an eighth side member 904, a first stop portion 905a, and a second stop portion 905b. The first stop portion 905a is formed by folding back the seventh side member 903. The second stop portion 905b is formed by folding back the eighth side member 904.

[0071] In forming the stop portion, firstly, a joining surplus is created by folding the side member from the inside to the outside of the pocket unit 110 (referred to as the "first fold"). Next, after further protruding the side member outwards from the pocket unit 110, the side member is folded back from the outside of the pocket unit 110 inwards. Then, at the same position as the first fold, the side member is folded back again from the inside to the outside of the pocket unit 110. In this embodiment, the stop portion is formed by folding the side member from the inside to the outside of the pocket unit 110 at least twice and folding the side member from the outside of the pocket unit 110 inwards at least once. That is, in this embodiment, the side member is folded back at least three times.

[0072] Therefore, a four-layer structure can be achieved on the inner side of the stop by using a single side member. As in the embodiments described above, the parts to be joined of the side member are joined by heat welding or the like. Then, the bottom part 201, the top part 202, and the side member are joined.

[0073] In this embodiment, the number of components can be reduced by folding back one side member to form a stop. As described above, by using one side member to create a four-layer structure inside the stop, a liquid storage unit 100 with higher reliability and lower cost than the first embodiment can be provided.

[0074] [Other Embodiments]

[0075] In the first embodiment, the inner wall of the housing body 61a does not have a cushioning material, but a cushioning material (e.g., a sponge member) may be provided to the inner wall of the housing body 61b to reduce impact when the stop unit comes into contact with the inner wall of the housing body 61c.

[0076] In the first embodiment, the material constituting the stop unit is the same as the material constituting the side unit, but the material constituting the stop unit may include a different material than that of the side unit. Specifically, the material constituting the stop unit may include a resin component (e.g., polypropylene) with a hardness higher than that of the film. This configuration increases the strength of the stop unit 505.

[0077] According to the liquid storage unit disclosed herein, damage to the diagonal bracing can be suppressed without the use of special products.

[0078] Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the appended claims should be given the broadest interpretation to cover all variations and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A liquid storage unit, comprising: Liquid storage section, which stores liquid; A gusset is formed along the liquid storage section, and at the gusset, the side unit of the liquid storage section is folded toward the inside of the liquid storage section; and The stop unit is configured to suppress bending at the gusset by contacting other components; The side unit is composed of a first side member and a second side member that is different from the first side member; The stop unit is clamped and engaged between the first side member and the second side member.

2. The liquid storage unit according to claim 1, wherein: The liquid storage section has a bottom surface and a top surface facing the bottom surface; The side unit connects the bottom and top surfaces.

3. The liquid storage unit according to claim 1, wherein: The stop unit protrudes outward from the corner brace.

4. The liquid storage unit according to claim 1, comprising: The stop unit is formed by folding the side unit from the inside to the outside of the liquid storage section at least twice and folding the side unit from the outside to the inside of the liquid storage section at least once.

5. The liquid storage unit according to claim 1, wherein: The materials constituting the stop unit include materials different from those of the side unit.

6. The liquid storage unit according to claim 5, wherein: The stop unit is made of a material with higher rigidity than the side unit.

7. The liquid storage unit according to claim 1, wherein: The stop unit is fixed by being clamped using the side unit.

8. The liquid storage unit according to claim 1, wherein: The liquid storage section is made of a flexible membrane.

9. The liquid storage unit according to claim 1, wherein: The stop unit contacts the inside of the housing of the liquid storage unit.

10. A liquid jetting device, comprising: The liquid storage unit according to claim 1, and A housing that accommodates the liquid storage unit according to claim 1.

Images