Liquid storage bottle

Abstract

A liquid storage bottle has a bottle body, a nozzle supplying liquid to the outside, and a cap covering the nozzle. The bottle main body contains a reprocessed plastic material or a resin material obtained by mixing the reprocessed plastic material, and satisfies Agt; 1 mm and A / Bgt; a is the thickness of the center of the bottom surface of the bottle body, and B is the average thickness of the edge of the bottom surface of the bottle body. The invention further provides a method for manufacturing the liquid storage bottle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid storage bottle, in which liquid is stored. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in order to realize a sustainable society (e.g., a decarbonized society / circular society), it is necessary to recycle plastics. From the viewpoint of recycling plastic materials, a method is known in which waste plastic materials are formed into pellets, mixed with virgin material pellets for molding, and molded. International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2006 / 062075 discloses a method of mixing flakes produced from used PET bottles with polyester resin pellets and producing molded articles.

[0003] Some liquid tanks provided in liquid ejection devices (e.g., inkjet printing devices) include an inlet for injecting liquid, so that the liquid can be refilled from a separately prepared liquid storage bottle through the inlet. For example, the liquid storage bottle shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2020-164230 includes: a nozzle for injecting liquid into the inlet of the liquid tank; and a bottle body that stores the liquid.

[0004] In the case where a recycled plastic material is used for a bottle body of a liquid storage bottle, liquid may leak from the bottle body or spray out from a nozzle opening when dropped / collided. Summary of the invention

[0005] A liquid storage bottle according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a liquid storage bottle, which includes: a bottle body; a nozzle, which is configured to supply liquid to the outside; and a cap, which is configured to cover the nozzle, wherein the bottle body contains recycled plastic material or a resin material obtained by mixing recycled plastic materials, and satisfies A>1mm and A / B>1, wherein A is the thickness at the center of the bottom surface of the bottle body, and B is the average thickness of the edge of the bottom surface of the bottle body.

[0006] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a liquid ejection apparatus;

[0008] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a main part of the liquid ejecting apparatus;

[0009] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a liquid tank of a liquid injection device;

[0010] Figure 4 It is a plan view of the liquid storage bottle;

[0011] Figure 5 It is an exploded plan view of the liquid storage bottle;

[0012] Figures 6A to 6C is a view showing direct blow molding;

[0013] Figures 7A to 7C is a view showing the bottom surface of the bottle body;

[0014] Figures 8A to 8D is a view showing the bottom surface of the bottle body;

[0015] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the side surface of the bottle body;

[0016] Fig.10 is a view showing the results of the example and the comparative example;

[0017] Fig.11A and Fig. 11B is a view showing details of an example of components of a liquid storage bottle;

[0018] Figures 12A to 12C is a view showing a sealing unit;

[0019] Fig.13A and 13B is a view showing a slit valve type nozzle;

[0020] Fig.14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the nozzle and cap;

[0021] FIG. 15A to FIG. 15D is a view showing the relationship between the slit valve and the protrusion; and

[0022] Fig.16A and 16B This is a view showing a nozzle having a double-hole structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments do not limit the contents disclosed herein, and not all feature combinations described in the following embodiments are necessary for solving the problems of the present disclosure. The same components are represented by the same reference numerals. As an application of the liquid storage bottle, as an example, the liquid (ink) is refilled into the liquid ejection device (inkjet printing device) in this article. However, the application of the liquid storage bottle is not limited to this.

[0024] <First Embodiment>

[0025] <Problems with recycled plastic materials>

[0026] First, before introducing the specific configuration of the embodiment, the following explanation will be made: In the case where a recycled plastic material is used for a bottle body of a liquid storage bottle, liquid may leak from the bottle body or spray out from a nozzle opening when dropped / collided.

[0027] Generally, molding using recycled plastic materials has problems such as molding defects caused by contaminants contained in the recycled plastic materials and impaired shock absorption of the molded articles when dropped / collided. This influence is great, especially in the case where the recycled plastic materials are used for liquid storage bottles (the liquid storage bottles are used to refill ink for inkjet printing devices (liquid ejection devices)).

[0028] First, the aforementioned molding defects will be described. Recycled plastic materials are reused after being cleaned after being recycled. However, there is a possibility that contaminants are not completely removed and very small amounts of contaminants are contained in the recycled plastic materials (this depends on the cleaning method and the state at the time of recycling). In the case where such recycled plastic materials are used for direct blow molding, which is a common bottle manufacturing method, and the molding of the bottle body is repeated many times, the frequency of molding defects at the center of the bottom surface of the bottle body increases.

[0029] In response to the closure of the mold, the bottom of the parison including the recycled plastic material is repeatedly clamped between the top ends of the pinch-off portion of the blow mold used in the direct blow molding. Therefore, contaminants may accumulate in the portion of the blow mold corresponding to the top end of the pinch-off portion. In the case where the contaminant accumulates more than a certain level, the contaminant at the top end of the pinch-off portion will be transferred to the bottom of the parison as the molding proceeds. Since the bottom of the parison forms the center of the bottom surface of the molded bottle, the contaminant may cause a very small hole to be formed near the center of the bottom surface. In the case where the very small hole establishes the connection between the inside and the outside of the bottle, the ink may leak over time and make the periphery dirty or adhere to the user's fingers, etc. In particular, the liquid storage bottle storing the ink refills the liquid injection device with ink at irregular intervals. Therefore, since the user who thinks that the last refilling is performed without any problems cannot predict the ink leakage, there may be unpredictable contamination. Moreover, even in the case where the very small hole does not establish the connection, the impact or the like may also cause the hole to establish the connection, and the liquid may leak. The above is an example of a molding defect.

[0030] The latter type of impact absorbency impairment will be described below. Recycled plastic materials are made from materials that have been degraded to a considerable degree due to thermal history during the molding process and stress, heat, light, solvents, etc. during use. In view of this situation, it is known that recycled plastic materials differ from virgin materials in physical properties. For example, the impact absorbency of recycled plastic materials tends to be lower (impact absorbency is the ability of the molecular chains in the material to warp and relieve force when an impact is applied). This trend can be confirmed by the Charpy impact test; molded materials containing recycled plastic materials exhibit lower impact strength than virgin materials. This impairment of impact absorbency is caused because the original molecular chains have been destroyed due to the above-mentioned degradation and the impact absorption effect of the molecular chains has been reduced.

[0031] As a result, in the event that the liquid storage bottle is dropped or hit, the impact may not be absorbed by the bottle body, and the liquid in the bottle may be ejected from the nozzle, adhere to the periphery, and adhere to the user during use.

[0032] Hereinafter, an example of reducing the possibility of liquid leaking from the bottle body or spraying out from the nozzle opening when dropped / collided in the case where a recycled plastic material is used for the bottle body of a liquid storage bottle will be described.

[0033] <Liquid Jetting Equipment>

[0034] Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of a liquid ejection device 1 using the liquid storage bottle of the present embodiment. The liquid ejection device 1 is a serial type inkjet printing device and includes a housing 11 and a large-capacity liquid tank 12 arranged inside the housing 11. The liquid tank 12 stores ink, which is liquid ejected to a printing medium (not shown).

[0035] Figure 2 Yes means Figure 1 A perspective view of the internal structure of the main part of the liquid ejection device 1 shown. The liquid ejection device 1 includes: a conveying roller 13 that conveys a printing medium (not shown); a carriage 15 provided with a liquid ejection head 14 that ejects liquid; and a carriage motor 16 that drives the carriage 15. Examples of printing media include paper, but the type of printing media is not particularly limited as long as an image can be formed by the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection head 14. The printing medium is intermittently conveyed by the intermittent rotation drive of the conveying roller 13. The carriage 15 reciprocates in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the printing medium by the rotation drive of the carriage motor 16. During this reciprocating scanning, liquid is ejected from the ejection opening provided in the liquid ejection head 14 to the printing medium, so that an image or the like is printed on the printing medium.

[0036] The liquid is stored in the liquid tank 12 and supplied to the liquid ejection head 14 through the liquid flow path 17. In the present embodiment, inks of four colors (e.g., cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) are used as the liquid, and four liquid tanks 12a to 12d storing the corresponding color inks are provided as the liquid tank 12. The four liquid tanks 12a to 12d are each arranged in the front portion of the liquid ejection apparatus 1 inside the housing 11.

[0037] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of a liquid tank 12 of a liquid ejecting device shown. One liquid tank 12 of four liquid tanks 12a to 12d is shown here. The liquid tank 12 includes: a tank body 121 that stores liquid; an inlet 122 that communicates with a liquid chamber in the tank body 121; and a tank cover 123 that can be mounted on the tank body 121 so as to cover the inlet 122. The liquid tank 12 is refilled with ink by removing the tank cover 123 from the tank body 121 to expose the inlet 122. After the liquid is refilled, the tank cover 123 is attached to the tank body 121 so as to seal the liquid chamber in the tank body 121 so as to suppress the evaporation of ink from the liquid chamber in the tank body 121.

[0038] <Liquid storage bottle>

[0039] Figure 4 is a plan view of the liquid storage bottle 2 according to this embodiment. Figure 5 yes Figure 4 1 is an exploded plan view of a liquid storage bottle 2 shown in FIG. The liquid storage bottle 2 is a container for refilling the liquid tank 12 with liquid, and includes a bottle body 21 for storing liquid, a nozzle 22, and a cap 23. The nozzle 22 is fixed to the bottle body 21, and has a function of injecting the liquid stored in the bottle body 21. The cap 23 can be mounted on the nozzle 22 so as to open and close the inlet 22a of the nozzle 22, and has a function of isolating the interior of the bottle body 21 from the ambient air and sealing the liquid storage bottle 2. In the present embodiment, the bottle body 21 and the nozzle 22 are both resin parts and are fixed by welding. However, the bottle body 21 and the nozzle 22 can be fixed by sealing with a flexible part between them.

[0040] A bottle welding portion 21a is formed at the top of the bottle main body 21, and a nozzle welding portion 22c is formed at the bottom of the nozzle 22. The nozzle 22 is fixed to the bottle main body 21 by welding the inner peripheral surface or bottom surface of the nozzle welding portion 22c to the bottle welding portion 21a. The nozzle 22 has a nozzle threaded portion 22b having an external thread on its outer peripheral surface at the middle portion, and a cap threaded portion 23a having an internal thread on its inner peripheral surface at the bottom of the cap 23. The cap 23 is mounted on the nozzle 22 by screwing the external thread of the nozzle threaded portion 22b into the internal thread of the cap threaded portion 23a.

[0041] <Method of Manufacturing Bottle Body 21>

[0042] Figures 6A to 6C 2 is a view showing direct blow molding which is an example of a method of manufacturing the bottle body 21 . Figures 6A to 6C The three steps of direct blow molding are shown. Fig. 6A This is the parison forming step. In the parison forming step, a tubular hot melt resin parison 4 is extruded from the top of the mold 3. Next, Figure 6B In the pinching step, the molds 3 on both sides of the parison 4 are closed. When the molds 3 are closed, the parison bottom portion 41 is clamped between the pinching portions 31 of the mold, and the end of the tube shape is closed. Figure 6C In the blowing step, compressed air is blown into the parison 4 from the blow pin 32 at the top of the mold 3, and the bottle body 21 is formed. The bottom surface of the bottle body 21 formed by the direct blow molding method has a seam corresponding to the position clamped between the pinch-off parts 31.

[0043] In this embodiment, the material for the parison 4 is virgin resin pellets mixed with pellets made of recycled plastic material. The material is melted, kneaded and extruded into the mold 3 at high temperature. The recycled plastic material used here accounts for 5wt% or more of the entire parison 4.

[0044] The recycled plastic material introduced in this embodiment is used as a broad meaning, including post-consumer materials (PCR materials) and pre-consumer materials. Post-consumer materials (PCR materials) are materials obtained by recycling and reusing plastic products distributed to the market. For example, PCR materials are plastics prepared from clean, crushed waste products. PCR materials can be thermoplastics prepared from industrial plastic waste by a processor different from the first processor. Pre-consumer materials are materials obtained by recycling and reusing plastic waste generated in the manufacturing process before being distributed to the market. For example, pre-consumer materials are thermoplastics prepared from scraps or discarded molded items generated by reprocessing in the same factory after processing (such as molding and extrusion in the processor's factory). In this embodiment, the recycled plastic material can be PCR materials, pre-consumer materials, or mixtures thereof.

[0045] In this embodiment, the recycled plastic material can be used after determining whether it is suitable for use based on the size of the contaminant. For example, a thin sample plate is molded, and in the case where the size of the contaminant on the surface of the plate is smaller than a predetermined value, the material is determined to be a recycled plastic material suitable for use. The predetermined value is related to the thickness of the bottom surface of the bottle body 21, as described later. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the predetermined value is 1 mm. 2 The parison 4 used here is obtained by mixing pellets made of such recycled plastic with virgin resin pellets.

[0046] As the resin material used, resin materials commonly used in blow molding are used together with virgin materials and recycled plastic materials. For example, any one of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polystyrene (PS) can be used. However, the resin material is not limited thereto; resin materials different from the above can also be used, and multiple materials can also be used. That is, the recycled plastic material can use one of PP, PE, PET, PVC, and PS or a mixture of two or more of them.

[0047] Figures 7A to 7C 2 is a view showing the bottom surface of the bottle main body 21 . Figures 7A to 7C is a cross-sectional view of the bottom surface 21 b in the case where the bottle body has a cylindrical shape. Fig. 7A An XY cross section viewed from above the bottle is shown. Figure 7B A VIIb-VIIb cross section (YZ cross section) is shown. Figure 7C The VIIc-VIIc cross section (XZ cross section) is shown. It is assumed here that the direction in which the parison bottom portion 41 is sandwiched between the pinch-off portions 31 is the Y axis. That is, molding is performed with the parison bottom portion 41 being clamped and pressed to extend in the X direction. Fig. 7AThe area 21 d in FIG. 2 represents the area where the parison bottom portion 41 is directly clamped between the pinch-off portions 31 .

[0048] Here, the thickness at the center of the bottle bottom surface is represented by A1, and the thickness at the edge of the bottle bottom surface is represented by B11 to B14. B11 to B14 are set so that B11 is Fig. 7A The bottom surface of the bottle is located at 12 o'clock on the circumference, and B12 to B14 are arranged every 90° in a clockwise direction. That is, the thickness is defined so that the edge of the bottom surface of the bottle has thicknesses B12 and B14 along the extension direction (X direction) of the region 21d sandwiched between the pinch-off portions 31.

[0049] The thickness A1 at the center of the bottom surface of the bottle is defined as the average thickness in a circular area that is concentric with the bottom surface of the bottle and has a diameter of one-fifth of the bottle diameter. Thickness A1 is the thickness along the Z direction. Thicknesses B11 to B14 at the edge of the bottom surface of the bottle are the thicknesses of the most curved portion of the corner portion formed by the edge of the bottom surface of the bottle and the lower portion of the side surface. In other words, thicknesses B11 to B14 at the edge of the bottom surface of the bottle are the thicknesses of the most curved portion of the corner portion of the cross section (YZ cross section, XZ cross section) along the axis of the Z axis and the bottle diameter direction. Thicknesses B11 to B14 are the thicknesses of the corresponding cross sections in the direction of the radius of curvature. Moreover, thicknesses B11 to B14 at the edge of the bottom surface of the bottle are the average values ​​in the following areas on the circumference of the edge of the bottom surface of the bottle. Take B11 as an example for introduction. As Fig. 7A As shown in the dashed box in , the area used to calculate the average treatment of B11 is a square area observed from the top of the bottle. The center of the area is positioned to have the maximum Y coordinate on the circumference of the edge of the bottom surface of the bottle. The length of one side is one-fifth of the diameter of the bottle. The area is arranged so that two of the four sides of the square are substantially orthogonal to the circumference of the edge of the bottom surface of the bottle. The average thickness in the square area is defined as B11. For B12 to B14, the square area is similarly defined so that their centers are arranged every 90° clockwise around the center of the bottom surface of the bottle in the same way as B11. The center of the square of B12 is positioned to have the maximum X coordinate on the circumference of the edge of the bottom surface of the bottle. The center of the square of B13 is positioned to have the minimum Y coordinate on the circumference of the edge of the bottom surface of the bottle. The center of the square of B14 is positioned to have the minimum X coordinate on the circumference of the edge of the bottom surface of the bottle. However, the above definition of thickness is only an example, and the thickness is not limited to this example. The length of the side of the square can vary, or each thickness can be defined as the thickness in a rectangular area. Moreover, the shape is not limited to a rectangle and can be defined as a circle.

[0050] As a specific example of these values, it is assumed that A1 is greater than 1 mm and greater than the average value of B 11 to B 14. As described above, in the recycled plastic material used in this embodiment, the allowable contaminant size in the sample plate is limited to 1 mm. 2 Therefore, the contaminant thickness is assumed to be 1 mm, and A1 is set to a value larger than 1 mm relative to the allowable contaminant size.

[0051] Among B11 to B14, the thickness of B11 and B13 along the Y axis is smaller than that of B12 and B14 along the X axis. According to this configuration, the bottle body 21 becomes easy to be partially warped when dropped / collided, so that the shock absorption can be improved. Incidentally, the dropped / collided surface may be any surface of the liquid storage bottle 2. Regardless of which surface is the collision surface, the bottle body 21 becomes easy to be partially warped when dropped / collided.

[0052] Direct blow molding is an example of a manufacturing method that can achieve such a difference in thickness. In direct blow molding, the parison bottom portion 41 is sandwiched between the pinch-off portions 31 in the Y direction. In the case of blow molding in this state, the extension amount to the mold wall surface is greater in the Y direction than in the X direction. More specifically, by blow molding, the bottle bottom surface is formed by concentrically expanding from the region 21d sandwiched between the pinch-off portions 31. Assuming that L1 is the distance (B11, B13) in the Y direction between the center of the region 21d sandwiched between the pinch-off portions 31 and the mold wall surface, and L2 is the distance (B12, B14) in the X direction between the end of the region 21d and the mold wall surface, L1 is greater than L2. Therefore, the extension amount in the Y direction is greater than the extension amount in the X direction. As a result, the thickness of the bottom surface edge located in the Y direction is reduced. In this way, the thickness B11 and B13 of the bottle bottom surface edge along the first axis can be smaller than the thickness B12 and B14 of the edge along the second axis. The first axis is an axis parallel to the clamping direction between the pinch-off parts 31, and the second axis is an axis intersecting (substantially orthogonal) the first axis. By the way, from the viewpoint of strength, it is preferred that the minimum thicknesses B11 and B13 are equal to or greater than 0.1 times A1. It is also preferred that the thickness A1 at the center of the bottle bottom surface is greater than the minimum thicknesses B11 and B13 at the edge of the bottle bottom surface. That is, it is preferred that the thickness of the bottom surface of the bottle body satisfies 1

[0053] ​A method of making the thickness A1 at the center of the bottle bottom surface greater than the average value of B11 to B14 will be described below. As described above, by blow molding, the bottle bottom surface is formed by concentrically expanding from the area 21d sandwiched between the pinch-off parts 31. At this time, the area 21d sandwiched between the pinch-off parts 31 (i.e., the center area of ​​the bottle bottom surface) is greater in thickness than the expanded edge area. Because the expansion rates of the center and the edge of the bottle bottom surface are different when the parison 4 is expanded by direct blow molding, the center has a greater thickness. Therefore, by, for example, using a mold 3 that arranges the edge farther, the thickness of the center of the bottle bottom surface can be greater than the edge. Alternatively, by shaping the pinch-off part 31 to perform clamping so that the center of the bottle bottom surface protrudes higher, the amount of the parison 4 can be larger in the center, and the thickness of the center of the bottle bottom surface can be greater than the edge.

[0054] <Recovery Log>

[0055] For example, the recycled plastic material used in the present embodiment is described as having only one recycling record. More specifically, the PCR material recycled for the first time after being manufactured as a new product is described as an example of the recycled plastic material in use. However, the number of recycling records is not limited to one; recycled plastic materials with multiple recycling records can also be used. In this case, the possibility of increased contaminant content and impaired impact absorbency increases with the increase in the number of recycling records. Therefore, it is preferable to change the allowable thickness according to the number of recycling records. Here, in the case where the number of recycling records is n, the thickness at the center of the bottom surface of the bottle is AHn, the average value of the thickness at the edge of the bottom surface is BHn_ave, and the minimum value of the edge of the bottom surface is BHn_min. At this time, AHn is greater than r1^(n-1)mm, and AHn / BHn_ave is greater than r2^(n-1). Moreover, it is preferable to change the thickness according to the number of recycling records so that AHn / BHn_min is within a range less than 10×r2^(n-1). Here, r1 and r2 are constants determined by the material of the recycled plastic material, the contaminant content, and the use rate of the recycled material. It is preferred that both r1 and r2 have values ​​from 1.01 to 2.00.

[0056] For example, assuming that r1 and r2 are both 1.25, when the number of recycling records is 2, AH2 is greater than 1.25 mm, BH2_ave is less than 0.8 times AH2, and BH2_min is greater than 0.08 times AH2. When the number of recycling records is 3, AH3 is greater than 1.56 mm, BH3_ave is less than 0.64 times AH3, and BH3_min is greater than 0.06 times AH3.

[0057] Moreover, although the recycled plastic materials introduced as examples above have the same number of recycling records, such as 1, 2 or 3, recycled plastic materials with different numbers of recycling records can be used together. Materials with different numbers of recycling records can be processed as follows. Assume that a recycled plastic material with n1 recycling records and a recycled plastic material with n2 recycling records are mixed at a ratio of x1 and x2 (satisfying x1+x2=1). In this case, the number of recycling records n can be replaced by x1×n1+x2×n2. It is only necessary that the replacement value satisfies the above relationship. For example, in the case where materials with recycling records of 1 and 2 are mixed in equal proportions, the number of recycling records can be processed as 1.5 (=0.5×1+0.5×2). Similarly, even in the case where three or more materials are used together, assuming that materials with n1, n2, ..., nm recycling records are mixed at a ratio of x1, x2, ..., xm (the sum is 1), it is only necessary to calculate the number of recycling records n=x1×n1+x2×n2+...+xm×nm.

[0058] As described above, the present embodiment can reduce the possibility of liquid leakage from the bottom surface of the bottle body and liquid spraying from the nozzle opening when dropped / collided (caused by contaminants in the recycled plastic material). For example, in the present embodiment, the center of the bottom surface of the bottle body has a large thickness A of 1 mm or more. Therefore, even in the case where contaminants adhere to the center of the bottom surface of the bottle body during molding, the possibility of forming a hole that establishes communication between the inside and the outside can be reduced.

[0059] Since the liquid storage bottle of the present embodiment can reduce the possibility of liquid leakage from the bottom surface of the bottle body and liquid spraying from the nozzle opening when falling / colliding even when using recycled plastic materials, it is convenient to use recycled plastic materials for the liquid storage bottle. Using recycled plastic materials for the liquid storage bottle can reduce the amount of virgin materials used, and thus has the potential to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society (e.g., a decarbonized society / recycling society). That is, the technology described in this specification has the potential to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society (e.g., a decarbonized society / recycling society).

[0060] Moreover, since A / B>1 (the thickness B at the edge of the bottom surface of the bottle body is less than the thickness A at the center of the bottom surface of the bottle body), the bottle is easily deformed from the edge of the bottom surface when dropped / collided, thereby improving the impact absorption.

[0061] As described above, it is possible to provide a liquid storage bottle which reduces the possibility of liquid leaking from the bottle body 21 and liquid spurting out from the nozzle opening (inlet 22 a ) when dropped / collided.

[0062] <Second Embodiment>

[0063] In the first embodiment, the example of the bottle main body 21 having the bottom surface of the circular shape has been described. In the present embodiment, the example of the bottle main body 21 having the bottom surface of the substantially square shape will be described.

[0064] Figures 8A to 8D 2 is a view showing the bottom surface of the bottle body 21 . Figures 8A to 8D It is a cross-sectional view of the bottom surface 21 b in the case where the bottle body has a square shape. Fig. 8A An XY cross section viewed from above the bottle is shown. Figure 8B A VIIIb-VIIIb cross section (YZ cross section) is shown. Figure 8C A VIIIc-VIIIc cross section (XY cross section in a 45° direction) is shown. Fig.8D A VIIId-VIIId cross section (XZ cross section) is shown. Similar to the first embodiment, the direction in which the parison bottom portion 41 is sandwiched between the pinch-off portions 31 is the direction of the Y axis, and the region sandwiched between the pinch-off portions 31 is denoted by 21d.

[0065] exist Figures 8A to 8D In the embodiment of the present invention, the thickness at the center of the bottom surface of the bottle is A2, and the thickness at the edge of the bottom surface of the bottle is B21 to B28. B21 to B28 are set so that B21 is located between Fig. 8A The ridge formed by the bottom surface and the side surface of the bottle is at the 12 o'clock position, and B22 to B28 are arranged every 45° in a clockwise direction. Fig. 8A In the XY cross section (horizontal cross section) shown, the positions of B21 to B28 are set on the ridge formed by the bottom surface and the side surface as described above. In other words, the thickness is defined so that the edge of the bottom surface of the bottle has thicknesses B23 and B27 along the extension direction (X direction) of the region 21d sandwiched between the pinch-off portions 31.

[0066] The thickness A2 at the center of the bottle bottom surface is defined as the average thickness in a circular area concentric with the bottle bottom surface, the diameter of which is one-fifth of the interval between the two opposing surfaces in the surface forming the bottle side surface. The thicknesses B21 to B28 at the edge of the bottle bottom surface are all the thicknesses of the most curved portion of the corner portion (the corner portion of the cross section along the Z axis and the axis in the bottle diameter direction) formed by the edge of the bottle bottom surface and the lower portion of the side surface. The thicknesses B21 to B28 at the edge of the bottle bottom surface are all the average values ​​in the area described below on the ridge line formed by the bottle bottom surface and the bottle side surface. B21 is used as an example for explanation. The area for calculating the average processing of B21 is a square area. The center of the square is at the intersection of a straight line extending from the center of the bottle bottom surface in the positive Y axis direction and a ridge line formed by the bottle side surface and the bottle bottom surface. The length of one side of the square is one-fifth of the interval between the two opposing surfaces in the surface forming the bottle side surface. Moreover, two opposing sides of the four sides of the square are arranged parallel to a straight line extending from the center of the bottle bottom surface in the positive Y axis direction. For B22 to B28, the square area is similarly defined so that, when a straight line extending from the center of the bottle bottom surface in the positive Y-axis direction rotates clockwise around the center of the bottle bottom surface by every 45°, the center of the square area is the intersection of the straight line and the ridge line formed by the bottle side surface and the bottle bottom surface. The other features are the same as those of B 21. By the way, the above definition of thickness is only an example, and the thickness is not limited to this example. The length of one side of the square may vary, or each thickness may be defined as the thickness in the rectangular area. Moreover, the shape is not limited to a rectangle, and may be defined as a circle.

[0067] Assume that the thickness A2 at the center of the bottle bottom surface is greater than 1 mm and is greater than the average value of the thicknesses B21 to B28 at the edge of the bottle bottom surface. Moreover, a thickness difference is set for B21 to B28 on the same basis as in the first embodiment. More specifically, the thicknesses B22, B24, B26, and B28 near the corners of the bottom surface are set to minimum values. Then, the remaining thicknesses are set so that B23 and B27 are greater than B21 and B25. As described in the first embodiment, an example of a manufacturing method that can achieve such thickness is direct blow molding. As described in the first embodiment, by direct blow molding, the thickness is set so that it decreases with the distance from the area 21d sandwiched between the pinch-off portions 31. In this case, from the viewpoint of strength, it is preferred that the minimum thicknesses B22, B24, B26, and B28 are equal to or greater than 0.1 times the thickness A2 at the center of the bottle bottom surface.

[0068] Although this embodiment describes an example of the bottle body 21 having a square bottom surface, the shape of the bottom surface of the bottle body 21 is not limited thereto and may be a rectangular shape or any other polygonal shape. In this case, the thickness at the center of the bottle bottom surface only needs to be greater than 1 mm and greater than the average value of the thicknesses at the edges of the bottle bottom surface. Incidentally, as described above, a thickness difference can be provided for the thickness of the bottle bottom surface edge according to the distance from the region 21d sandwiched between the pinch-off portions 31.

[0069] <Third Embodiment>

[0070] In the first and second embodiments, the relationship between the thickness at the center of the bottle bottom surface and the thickness at the edge of the bottle bottom surface has been described. In this embodiment, the relationship between the thickness at the center of the bottle side surface in the height direction and the thickness at the edge of the bottle bottom surface will be described. The bottle bottom surface can have any shape, but here the shape is described as a circular shape, similar to the first embodiment.

[0071] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the side surface 21c of the bottle body. Fig. 9 The cross-section shown is the YZ cross-section. Similar to the example described in the first embodiment, the Y-axis represents the direction in which the bottom portion 41 of the preform is sandwiched between the pinch-off portions 31. The thickness of the bottle bottom surface edge is denoted by B31, and the thickness of the center of the bottle side surface in the height direction is denoted by C31. As described in the first embodiment, the thickness B31 of the bottle bottom surface edge along the Y-axis is the minimum thickness among the bottle bottom surface edges. The definition of the thickness B31 of the bottle bottom surface edge is the same as that of the example described in the first or second embodiment. The definition of the thickness C31 of the center of the bottle side surface in the height direction is also consistent with the definition described in the first or second embodiment. That is to say, it can be the average value of the thicknesses of a predetermined square shape in the vertical cross-section (XZ cross-section), similar to the example described in the first or second embodiment.

[0072] In this embodiment, the thickness B31 of the bottle bottom surface edge is set to be 0.2 to 1.0 times the thickness C31 of the center of the bottle side surface in the height direction. That is to say, the side surface of the bottle body is arranged to satisfy 1 < C / Bmin < 5, where Bmin is the minimum thickness of the bottom surface edge, and C is the thickness of the center of the side surface of the bottle body in the height direction (above the bottom surface edge in the height direction). Preferably, the thickness B31 of the bottle bottom surface edge is 0.4 to 1.0 times the thickness C31 of the center of the bottle side surface in the height direction. Such a thickness range makes it easy for the bottle side surface to deform starting from the bottle bottom surface edge 21e when dropped / collided. Therefore, the bottle body 21 is more likely to absorb the impact of the collision. Moreover, since the thickness C31 of the center of the bottle side surface in the height direction is greater than the thickness B31 of the bottle bottom surface edge, the bottle can have sufficient strength to resist buckling deformation under the load in the vertical direction of the bottle.

[0073] <Example>

[0074] Fig.10 is a view showing the results of examples and comparative examples. The examples are described below. Fig.10 Thickness measurement results, thickness ratios, and evaluation results of leakage and drop / collision in Examples 1 to 4 having bottle bodies 21 of different volumes corresponding to the first embodiment and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 irrelevant to the embodiment are shown.

[0075] Except in Figures 7A to 7C In addition to the bottom surface center A1 and the bottom surface edges B11 to B14 shown in the figure, the thickness is also measured at the side surface centers C11 and C13. The thicknesses at the side surface centers C11 and C13 are the thicknesses at the center in the height direction of the side surface of the bottle located above the bottom surface edges B11 and B13, respectively. Bave is the average value of B11 to B14, and Bmin is the minimum value of B11 to B14.

[0076] A predetermined amount of liquid stored in the liquid storage bottle 2 was evaluated for leakage and drop / collision using each bottle body 21. In the leakage evaluation, the bottle was stored in a high temperature environment for a period of time, and if even a small amount of liquid oozed out from the center of the bottom surface of the bottle after storage, the bottle was rated as NG (not good). In the drop / collision evaluation, the bottle was dropped from a height of 160 cm so as to collide, and then the cap was opened, and if even a small amount of internal liquid adhered to the periphery of the nozzle tip, the bottle was rated as NG.

[0077] In Examples 1 to 4, the results of the leakage and drop / collision evaluations were all OK. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1, in which the thickness A1 at the center of the bottle bottom surface was 1 mm or less and A / Bave was 1 or less, the results of the leakage and drop / collision evaluations were all NG. Moreover, in Comparative Example 2, in which the thickness A1 at the center of the bottle bottom surface was greater than 1 mm and A / Bave was 1 or less, the leakage evaluation result was OK and the drop / collision evaluation result was NG. Moreover, in Comparative Example 3, in which the thickness A1 at the center of the bottle bottom surface was 1 mm or less and A / Bave was greater than 1, the leakage evaluation result was NG and the drop / collision evaluation result was OK.

[0078] <Other embodiments>

[0079] <Structure of Liquid Supply Unit (Nozzle)>

[0080] In the first to third embodiments, the configuration of the bottle main body 21 is described mainly focusing on the thickness. The following description will explain a configuration example of the nozzle 22 which is a liquid supply unit in the liquid storage bottle 2.

[0081] <Valve spring structure>

[0082] Fig.11A and 11B 2 is a diagram showing more details of an example of components of the liquid storage bottle 2 . Fig.11A Yes means Figure 4 The illustrated diagram is a view of an example of a component configuration diagram of the liquid storage bottle 2 . Fig. 11B yes Fig.11A The cross-sectional view of the connected state of the component structure diagram of the liquid storage bottle 2 shown. The nozzle 22 includes: a sealing member 24 with an opening; a valve 25, which opens and closes the opening of the sealing member 24; a spring 26, which biases the valve 25; and a retainer 27, which fixes the spring 26.

[0083] In the case where liquid is supplied from the liquid storage bottle 2 to the liquid tank 12, the inlet 122 of the liquid tank 12 is inserted into the opening of the nozzle 22 of the liquid storage bottle 2. The nozzle 22 of the liquid storage bottle 2 has a concave portion so as to engage with a convex portion provided in the liquid ejecting device 1, and the position of the liquid storage bottle 2 is determined by inserting the inlet 122 into the opening of the nozzle 22. The liquid inside the liquid storage bottle 2 is supplied to the chamber of the tank body 121 through the inlet 122 by the water head difference.

[0084] The liquid storage bottle 2 has two sealable positions (hereinafter referred to as sealing units). Figures 12A to 12C is a view showing a sealing unit. In the first sealing unit, as Fig. 12A As shown, the bottle is sealed by the engagement between the cap 23 and the nozzle 22. In the second sealing unit, as shown in FIG. Fig. 12B As shown, the bottle is sealed by a valve arrangement in the nozzle 22. The individual sealing units will now be described.

[0085] Will refer to Fig. 12A Let's introduce the first sealing unit. Fig. 12A 2 is a cross-sectional view of the top of the liquid storage bottle 2 with the cap 23 mounted on the nozzle 22, and an enlarged view thereof is shown together. The first sealing unit is a position where the cap sealing portion 23b of the cap 23 is engaged with the nozzle sealing portion 22d (the nozzle sealing portion 22d is a part of the inlet 22a of the nozzle 22) by mounting the cap 23 on the nozzle 22. As an example of a method of mounting the cap 23 on the nozzle 22, the cap 23 may be screwed into the nozzle 22. More specifically, as Fig.11A , 11B As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12A , the screwing method may use a nozzle thread portion 22b having an external thread structure on the outer surface of the nozzle 22 and a cap thread portion 23a having an internal thread structure on the inner surface of the bottom of the cap 23. However, the method may alternatively use a cap 23 having an external thread portion and a nozzle 22 having an internal thread portion.

[0086] Moreover, as a method of mounting the cap 23 on the nozzle 22, a different engagement position from the sealing unit may be provided instead of screwing. For example, an external fitting cap may be provided so that the cap 23 is fitted on the outer surface of the nozzle 22, or an internal fitting cap may be provided so that the cap 23 is fitted on the inner surface of the nozzle 22.

[0087] Reference Fig. 12B Now let us introduce the second sealing unit. Fig. 12B 2 is a cross-sectional view of the top of the liquid storage bottle 2 without the cap 23 installed, and an enlarged view thereof is also shown. The second sealing unit is used to position the liquid stop valve structure (valve structure) inside the nozzle 22 of the liquid storage bottle 2. Fig. 12B As shown, the top end (upper end) of the nozzle 22 is provided with a seal 24 which is a hole portion having an opening for inserting the inlet 122. The valve 25 (which is a valve element of a liquid shutoff valve) is biased toward the opening by a spring 26, thereby closing the gap between the seal 24 and the valve 25 and sealing the liquid storage bottle 2. In this example, the spring 26 serves as a biasing mechanism, and a retainer 27 fixed in the internal space of the nozzle 22 retains the spring 26. The seal 24 is formed of a flexible member such as rubber or an elastomer.

[0088] By the above-mentioned liquid shutoff valve structure, the valve 25 is biased against the opening of the seal 24 by the spring 26. Therefore, even in the case where the cap 23 is removed from the nozzle 22, the interior of the liquid storage bottle 2 can be kept sealed. In the case where liquid is supplied from the liquid storage bottle 2 to the liquid tank 12, the valve 25 is opened by inserting the inlet 122 into the nozzle 22 through the opening of the seal 24. As described above, the liquid inside the liquid storage bottle 2 is supplied to the chamber of the tank body 121 through the inlet 122 by the water head difference.

[0089] In this example, the two sealing units are configured to be temporarily opened simultaneously when the cap 23 is opened by being removed from the nozzle 22 and when the cap 23 is closed by being mounted on the nozzle. Therefore, the interior of the liquid storage bottle 2 can be communicated with the atmosphere, and the internal pressure of the liquid storage bottle 2 can be equal to the ambient pressure. This will be described in detail below.

[0090] First, when the cap 23 is closed, the first sealing unit is sealed, such as Fig. 12A On the other hand, in the second sealing unit, the protrusion 23f provided in the cap 23 is pressed in the direction opposite to the direction of the bias applied to the valve 25 by closing the cap 23, thereby forming a gap between the seal 24 and the valve 25. Fig. 12A In short, when the cap 23 is closed, the first sealing unit is sealed and the second sealing unit is opened.

[0091] Fig. 12C is in cap 23 from Fig. 12A The top of the liquid storage bottle 2 is shown in a cross-sectional view when the nozzle 22 is installed and opened, and an enlarged view thereof is also shown. Fig. 12A In the closed state shown, the cap 23 moves upward as the cap is opened, as shown in FIG. Fig. 12C By this movement of the cap 23, the cap sealing portion 23b is separated from the nozzle sealing portion 22d, and the first sealing unit is opened. When the first sealing unit is opened, the protrusion 23f provided in the cap 23 is still positioned to press the valve 25, as shown in FIG. Fig. 12C That is, the second sealing unit remains open. Fig. 12C As shown, the second sealing unit can be opened simultaneously with the opening of the first sealing unit. Afterwards, the cap 23 moves further upward, and through this movement of the cap 23, the protrusion 23f is completely separated from the valve 25, and the second sealing unit is sealed, as shown in FIG. Fig. 12B As shown. By the way, when the opened cap 23 is closed, the valve 25 is pressed by the protrusion 23f of the cap 23 as the cap 23 moves, so that the second sealing unit is opened. At this time, the first sealing unit still needs to be sealed, so it remains open. After that, the first sealing unit is sealed by closing the cap 23. By the way, the simultaneous opening of the first sealing unit and the second sealing unit means that they are basically opened at the same time. In the case where the second sealing unit is opened in conjunction with the opening of the first sealing unit, it can be said that they are opened at the same time.

[0092] By the above-mentioned configuration, in the case where the cap 23 is opened, the first sealing unit and the second sealing unit are temporarily opened simultaneously. Therefore, the interior of the liquid storage bottle 2 can be communicated with the atmosphere, and the internal pressure of the liquid storage bottle 2 can be equal to the ambient pressure. As a result, in the case where the cap 23 is opened to refill the tank body 121 with the liquid from the liquid storage bottle 2, liquid ejection due to the increase in the internal pressure of the liquid storage bottle 2 can be suppressed. Moreover, overflow of the liquid from the tank body 121 can be suppressed. Moreover, since the second sealing unit maintains the sealed state of the interior of the liquid storage bottle 2 even when the cap 23 is opened, liquid leakage can be suppressed even when the liquid storage bottle 2 is inverted.

[0093] <Slit valve structure>

[0094] Fig.13A and 13B is a view showing a nozzle 22 of a slit valve type. Fig.13A is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle of this example, Fig. 13B is a plan view of a slit valve provided in the nozzle of this example. Fig.14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the nozzle 22 and the cap of this example.

[0095] The nozzle 22 includes an inlet 122c for injecting liquid and a nozzle sealing portion 122d formed by an annular rib, which is arranged along the circumference of the inlet 122c. The inlet 122c is provided with a slit valve 124, which is opened and closed according to the internal pressure of the liquid storage bottle 2. The slit valve 124 includes a valve element 124a made of a flexible material and three slits 124b formed in the valve element 124a so as to intersect with each other, and can seal the inlet 122c in a closed state. In the valve element 124a, six partitions 124c are formed by three slits 124b. By the way, the number of slits 124b is not limited to this, and can be two or four or more. In this case, assuming that the number of slits 124b is n, it is preferred that the slits 124b are formed to be 2n times rotationally symmetrical with respect to the center of the circular valve element 124a, as shown in the figure. This allows the partitions 124c to be opened equally, and the liquid inside the liquid storage bottle 2 can be injected smoothly.

[0096] The bottom surface of the cap 23 (the surface facing the inlet 122c) is provided with a cap sealing portion 123b formed of an annular rib and a protrusion 123c protruding toward the slit valve 124. The cap sealing portion 123b serves as a sealing device that seals the inlet 122c together with the nozzle sealing portion 122d by fitting into the nozzle sealing portion 122d when the cap 23 is mounted on the nozzle 22. When the inlet 122c is sealed using the cap sealing portion 123b and the nozzle sealing portion 122d, the top end of the protrusion 123c faces the valve element 124a of the slit valve 124 at a position away from the intersection 124d of the slit 124b in the lateral direction. The lateral direction corresponds to the radial direction of the nozzle 22. According to such a configuration of the protrusion 123c, in the case where the internal pressure of the liquid storage bottle 2 is higher than the ambient pressure when the cap 23 is opened (as will be described later), the internal pressure can be released. In this example, the protrusion 123c is provided integrally with the cap 23, but may be provided separately from the cap 23.

[0097] Figures 15A to 15D 12 is a view showing the relationship between the slit valve 124 and the protrusion 123c. Fig.15A and 15B is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the slit valve and the protrusion when the cap is open. When the cap 23 is mounted on the nozzle 22 and the inlet 122c is sealed, as described above, the protrusion 123c faces the valve element 124a at a position laterally away from the intersection 124d of the slit 124b and does not contact the valve element 124a. Here, in the case where the cap 23 begins to open, the cap sealing portion 123b and the nozzle sealing portion 122d are disengaged, and the inlet 122c is opened. At this time, in the case where the internal pressure of the liquid storage bottle 2 is higher than the ambient pressure, the valve element 124a of the slit valve 124 is deformed so as to expand outwardly under the internal pressure of the liquid storage bottle 2, as shown in FIG. Fig.15AAs shown. When the expanded valve element 124a contacts the protrusion 123c, the slit 124b opens, the internal pressure of the liquid storage bottle 2 is released, and the expansion of the valve element 124a is eliminated. Thereafter, when the cap 23 is removed, the slit 124b is closed, and the inlet 122c is sealed again, as shown. Fig. 15B As shown. In the case where liquid is injected from the liquid storage bottle 2 into the liquid tank 12, the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the liquid storage bottle 2 has been removed, and the inlet 122c is sealed. Therefore, even when the bottle body 21 is just inverted, the pressure required to open the slit 124b can be suppressed from acting on the slit valve 124, and the liquid can be suppressed from leaking from the inlet 122c.

[0098] on the other hand, Fig. 15C and 15D 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the slit valve and the protrusion when the cap is closed. When the internal pressure of the liquid storage bottle 2 increases while the cap 23 is not mounted on the nozzle 22, the valve element 124a of the slit valve 124 is deformed so as to expand outward, as shown in FIG. Fig. 15C Here, when the cap 23 starts to close, Fig.15D As shown, before the cap sealing portion 123b is assembled into the nozzle sealing portion 122d, the projection 123c contacts the expanded valve element 124a. Therefore, the slit 124b is opened, and the internal pressure of the liquid storage bottle 2 is released. After the expansion of the valve element 124a is eliminated, the slit 124b is closed and the inlet 122c is sealed. In the case of further continuing to close the cap 23, the cap sealing portion 123b is assembled into the nozzle sealing portion 122d, and the inlet 122c is sealed. At this time, since the expansion of the valve element 124a is eliminated, the projection 123c faces the valve element 124a at a position away from the intersection 124d of the slit 124b in the transverse direction, and does not contact the valve element 124a.

[0099] According to the above configuration, even in the case where the internal pressure of the liquid storage bottle 2 increases, the projection 123c contacts the slit valve 124 when the cap 23 is opened / closed, which allows the internal pressure to escape to the outside. Incidentally, the length of the projection 123c is not particularly limited, and can be set at an optimal length according to the actual deformation amount of the valve element 124a caused by the increase in the internal pressure of the liquid storage bottle 2. For example, in the case where the deformation amount of the valve element 124a is relatively small, the top end of the projection 123c can contact the valve element 124a to such an extent that the valve element 124a is not deformed when the inlet 122c is sealed with the cap sealing portion 123b and the nozzle sealing portion 122d.

[0100] Incidentally, in order to make the protrusion 123c just contact with the extended valve element 124a, it is also considered Fig.14The configuration shown. That is, it is also considered that when the cap 23 is mounted on the nozzle 22 (when the inlet 122c is sealed), the top end of the projection 123c faces the intersection 124d of the slit 124b. However, in this case, depending on the thickness of the projection 123c, the projection 123c can be inserted into the slit 124b near the intersection 124d when the valve element 124a is expanded. Moreover, even in the case where the projection 123c is inserted in this way, the slit 124b can be kept closed. As a result, even in the case where the projection 123c contacts the expanded valve element 124a, there is a possibility that the internal pressure of the liquid storage bottle 2 is not released. From this point of view, it is preferred that when the inlet 122c is sealed, the top end of the projection 123c faces the valve element 124a of the slit valve 124 at a position away from the intersection 124d of the slit 124b in the lateral direction.

[0101] <Double hole structure>

[0102] Fig.16A and 16B This is a view showing a nozzle having a double-hole structure. Fig.16A and 16B is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle 22. Fig.16A As shown, the nozzle portion 110 protrudes from the outer surface of the bottom wall 111 of the nozzle 22 along the first orientation 134. That is, when the nozzle 22 is mounted on the bottle body 21, the nozzle portion 110 protrudes from the bottle body 21 along the first orientation 134 through the nozzle 22. The nozzle portion 110 may protrude from the bottom wall 111 along the second orientation 135 as well as the first orientation 134. In this case, the nozzle is configured to penetrate the bottom wall 111.

[0103] The nozzle portion 110 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The nozzle portion 110 has an outer peripheral surface 112 having a circular cross section. The outer peripheral surface 113 (which is a portion of the outer peripheral surface 112) has a tapered shape and is inclined so that the diameter of the outer circle decreases from the bottom wall 111 along the first orientation 134. This shape enables smooth operation when the nozzle portion 110 is inserted into the can from the far end away from the bottle body 21. However, the diameter of the outer circle of the nozzle portion 110 may be the same from the bottom wall 111 to the top end, and the outer peripheral surface may extend in the vertical direction. Moreover, the shape may be a shape different from a cylinder, such as a quadrilateral prism.

[0104] The nozzle portion 110 includes a flow path 90 for ink or gas flow. The flow path 90 penetrates the nozzle 22 along the first orientation 134. The flow path 90 extends along the first orientation 134, but is not limited thereto, and may be curved. The cross-sectional shape of the flow path 90 may be circular or a shape different from a circular shape. When the nozzle 22 is mounted on the bottle body 21, one end of the flow path 90 communicates with the bottle body 21 through the opening 93. The other end of the flow path communicates with the outside of the nozzle 22 through the opening 94 at the distal end of the nozzle. The opening 93 has a circular shape. However, the opening 93 may have a shape different from a circular shape. Moreover, the opening 93 may be formed at any position at the proximal portion of the nozzle portion 110, and the position is not limited to the proximal surface 114. The opening 94 is formed in the distal surface 115, which forms the end of the nozzle portion 110 along the first orientation 134. The opening 94 has a circular shape. However, the opening 94 may have a shape different from a circular shape.

[0105] like Fig. 16B As shown, the nozzle portion 110 may include two flow paths 190, namely a first flow path 191 and a second flow path 192. The lengths of the first flow path 191 and the second flow path 192 along the ink flow direction may be equal or different. Moreover, the cross-sectional shapes and areas of the first flow path 191 and the second flow path 192 may be the same or different. Moreover, the number of flow paths 190 may be more than two. In the case where a plurality of flow paths 190 are provided, the lengths and shapes of the flow paths 190 may be the same or different. In the case where the nozzle portion 110 includes two flow paths 190, the openings 193 and 195 at the proximal portion are formed on the same plane. However, the openings may be formed on different planes. The first opening 194 and the second opening 196 are formed in the distal surface 115, which forms the end of the nozzle portion 110 along the first orientation 134. However, the first opening 194 and the second opening 196 may be formed at any position at the distal portion of the nozzle portion 110, and the position is not limited to the distal surface 115. The first opening 194 and the second opening 196 have a circular shape. However, the shapes of the first opening 194 and the second opening 196 may be shapes other than a circle.

[0106] The distal end portion of the nozzle portion 110 is a portion of the nozzle portion 110 formed by, for example, a distal surface 115 and an outer peripheral surface 112. The nozzle portion 110 has a recessed portion 116 on its outer peripheral surface 112. The recessed portion 116 is defined by the distal surface 115 and an inner peripheral surface 118 (one surface of the side surface) of an annular rib 117 that protrudes from the outer edge of the distal surface 115 along the first orientation 134. That is, the distal surface 115 is recessed from the distal end of the nozzle portion 110 (the distal end of the annular rib 117). The inner peripheral surface 118 extends from the distal surface 115 to the outer edge of the distal surface 115 along the first orientation 134. That is, the inner peripheral surface 118 extends along the first orientation 134 while being inclined so as to expand the diameter of the recessed portion 116. However, the inner peripheral surface 118 may extend along the first orientation 134 without being inclined. Moreover, the nozzle portion 110 does not necessarily include the recessed portion 116. In other words, the distal end portion of the nozzle portion 110 does not necessarily have to be concave.

[0107] <Other embodiments>

[0108] In the examples described in the above embodiments, a serial type liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid from a liquid ejecting head according to the reciprocating motion of a carriage is introduced as an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus using a liquid storage bottle. However, the use is not limited thereto, and the liquid storage bottle can be used for a so-called full-line type liquid ejecting apparatus that includes a liquid ejecting head in which ejection openings are formed along the width direction of a printing medium.

[0109] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A liquid storage bottle, comprising a bottle body, a nozzle configured to supply liquid outwardly, and a cap configured to cover the nozzle, wherein the bottle body contains a recycled plastic material or a resin material obtained by mixing recycled plastic materials, and Satisfying A>1mm and A / B>1, where: A is the thickness at the center of the bottom surface of the bottle body, and B is the average thickness at the edge of the bottom surface of the bottle body.

2. The liquid storage bottle according to claim 1, wherein: The recycled plastic material is one of PP, PE, PET, PVC, and PS or a mixture of two or more of PP, PE, PET, PVC, and PS.

3. The liquid storage bottle according to claim 1, wherein: A seam is formed on the bottom surface of the bottle body.

4. The liquid storage bottle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The thickness of the bottom surface of the bottle body satisfies 1 < A / Bmin < 10, where Bmin is the minimum thickness at the edge of the bottom surface.

5. The liquid storage bottle according to claim 4, wherein: The side surface of the bottle body satisfies 1 < C / Bmin < 5, where C is the thickness at the center in the height direction of the side surface of the bottle body above the bottom surface edge with the minimum thickness in the height direction.

6. The liquid storage bottle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The cross-section parallel to the bottom surface of the bottle body is circular.

7. The liquid storage bottle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The cross-section parallel to the bottom surface of the bottle body has a polygonal shape.

8. The liquid storage bottle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The bottle body contains 5 wt% or more of the recycled plastic material.

9. The liquid storage bottle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The recycled plastic material is a post-consumer material.

10. The liquid storage bottle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The recycled plastic material is a pre-consumer material.

11. A method of manufacturing a liquid storage bottle, the liquid storage bottle comprising a bottle body, a nozzle configured to supply liquid outwardly, and a cap configured to cover the nozzle, the method comprising: clamping a preform, the preform containing a recycled plastic material or a resin material obtained by mixing recycled plastic materials; and forming the bottle body by blowing air into the preform, wherein A > 1 mm and A / B > 1 are satisfied, where A is the thickness at the center of the bottom surface of the formed bottle body and B is the average thickness at the edge of the bottom surface of the bottle body.

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