Liquid container

Abstract

The invention provides a liquid container. The present invention addresses the problem of providing a technique which can contribute to the reduction of environmental load by configuring a main part of a liquid container so as to be reusable and configuring a lid member from a material containing a recycled material. A liquid container for supplying a liquid to a printer includes: a main portion having an opening and capable of accommodating the liquid; and a lid member that is detachably attached to the main part and that closes the opening so as to be openable and closable, the lid member being made of a material containing a recycled material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid container. Background Art

[0002] A liquid container having a main part capable of containing ink has been known. The main part of the liquid container in Patent Document 1 has two openings, and a nozzle having an ink outlet and a cap covering the ink outlet are installed on one opening. The other opening is closed by a film and further covered by a cover member. The main part of the liquid container in Patent Document 2 is made of reusable metal. In addition, in the liquid container in Patent Document 2, a nozzle having an ink outlet and a cap covering the ink outlet are installed on the opening of the main part.

[0003] The liquid container in Patent Document 1 is difficult to reuse because the nozzle and the cap are easily damaged or broken during transportation, which may cause problems related to environmental load. The liquid container in Patent Document 2 may cause problems such as it is difficult to form the main part with metal when the nozzle or the cap has a complex shape. Therefore, it is required to provide a liquid container that can help reduce the environmental load.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 7247606

[0005] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-129862 Summary of the invention

[0006] The present disclosure can be implemented as the following aspects.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a liquid container for supplying liquid to a printer is provided. The liquid container comprises: a main part having an opening and capable of containing liquid; and a cover member detachably mounted on the main part and closing the opening in an openable and closable manner, wherein the cover member is made of a material containing recycled material. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the printer in the first embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing a state where ink is supplied to an ink tank using a liquid container.

[0010] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view of the liquid container in the first embodiment.

[0011] Figure 4This is an enlarged view of the top end side of the liquid container.

[0012] Figure 5 This is an enlarged view of the end side of the liquid container.

[0013] Figure 6 It is an exploded perspective view of the liquid container in the first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 7 A perspective view of the outlet valve unit.

[0015] Figure 8 It is a perspective view showing a state where the flow channel component is inserted into the outlet valve unit.

[0016] Fig. 9 It is a diagram showing the structure of a liquid container in the second embodiment.

[0017] Fig.10 It is a diagram showing the structure of a liquid container in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] A. First Implementation Method:

[0019] Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of a printer in the first embodiment. The printer 100 is an inkjet printer that ejects ink onto a printing medium to perform printing. Figure 1 , mutually orthogonal XYZ axes are depicted. The X-axis corresponds to the width direction of the printer 100, the Y-axis corresponds to the depth direction of the printer 100, and the Z-axis corresponds to the height direction of the printer 100. The printer 100 is set on a horizontal setting surface defined by the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. In addition, the "X-axis direction" refers to the concept of combining the +X direction and the -X direction. Similarly, the "Y-axis direction" refers to the concept of combining the +Y direction and the -Y direction, and the "Z-axis direction" refers to the concept of combining the +Z direction and the -Z direction.

[0020] The printer 100 has a frame 110. Inside the frame 110, a carriage (not shown) is provided that can move in the main scanning direction, which is the X-axis direction. On the carriage, a print head that ejects ink to a printing medium is provided. At one end of the front surface of the frame 110, an ink tank storage unit 160 that stores a plurality of ink tanks 700S and 700L is provided. The ink tank storage unit 160 has an openable and closable cover 162 at its upper portion. In addition, the ink tank 700S is a small-capacity tank, and the ink tank 700L is a large-capacity tank. However, in the following description, the two are not distinguished and are simply referred to as "ink tanks 700". Each ink tank 700 is connected to the print head of the carriage through a hose (not shown). That is, the ink tank 700 is a fixed-type ink tank that is not mounted on the carriage of the printer 100. In addition, each ink tank 700 is an ink replenishment type ink tank that replenishes ink from a liquid container when the remaining amount of ink decreases. In addition, although the ink tank 700 is a stationary type ink tank in the present embodiment, it may be an ink tank mounted on the carriage of the printer 100 .

[0021] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing a state where ink is supplied to the ink tank 700 using the liquid container 200. The front surface of each ink tank 700 is formed of a transparent member, so that the remaining amount of ink in each ink tank 700 can be visually observed from the outside. When the remaining amount of ink becomes small, the cover 162 is opened, and the ink can be replenished from the flow path member 710 of the ink tank 700.

[0022] On the upper surface of each ink tank 700, a cylindrical flow channel member 710 communicating with the ink tank 700 is provided. The ink tank storage unit 160 is provided with a closing cap member 164. The closing cap member 164 has a closing cap 165 for closing the top end of the flow channel member 710. When the ink tank 700 is not replenished with ink, the top end of the flow channel member 710 is closed by the closing cap 165 of the closing cap member 164. When the ink is replenished with ink to the ink tank 700, the closing cap member 164 is removed from the flow channel member 710, and the top end of the liquid container 200 is inserted into the position of the flow channel member 710 to replenish the ink. Two recesses 750 are provided around the flow channel member 710 to fit into the wall portion of the liquid container 200 described later. These recesses 750 have a shape that is rotationally symmetrical by 180 degrees with the flow channel member 710 as the center.

[0023] Figure 32 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid container 200 in the first embodiment. The liquid container 200 includes a main part 300 and a cover member 900. The main part 300 is configured to accommodate liquid. In the present embodiment, the main part 300 is a hollow cylindrical container. The main part 300 has two openings 320 and 340 formed at the upper part and the bottom of the cylinder. The two openings include a first opening 320 for supplying liquid to the printer 100, and a second opening 340 arranged at a position different from the first opening 320. In the present embodiment, the first opening 320 is formed at the upper part 330 of the main part 300. In addition, the second opening 340 is formed at the bottom 350 of the main part 300. In addition, the liquid container 200 may not include the first opening 320 and the second opening 340, and for example, only the first opening 320 is required.

[0024] In this embodiment, the cover member 900 has an outlet member 550, a first cover member 600, and a second cover member 800. The outlet member 550 has a liquid outlet forming portion 400 and an outlet valve unit 500. The liquid outlet forming portion 400 has a barrel 420 forming a liquid outlet portion 460. In addition, the liquid outlet portion 460 is a liquid outlet for supplying the liquid flowing through the first opening 320 to the printer 100. The outlet valve unit 500 is installed in the barrel 420. Therefore, the outlet valve unit 500 can also be regarded as a component constituting a part of the liquid outlet forming portion 400. In addition, the details of the liquid outlet forming portion 400 and the outlet valve unit 500 will be described later. In addition, the cover member 900 may not include all of the outlet member 550, the first cover member 600, and the second cover member 800, but only needs to include at least any one of the outlet member 550, the first cover member 600, and the second cover member 800.

[0025] In the present embodiment, the first cover member 600 is a cap, and the second cover member 800 is a bottom cap. The first cover member 600 is detachably mounted on the main part 300 via the liquid outlet forming portion 400, and closes the first opening 320 in an openable and closable manner. In the present embodiment, the first cover member 600 is set in a shape that covers the liquid outlet portion 460 of the outlet member 550. The second cover member 800 is detachably mounted on the main part 300, and closes the second opening 340 in an openable and closable manner.

[0026] exist Figure 3, the central axis C of the liquid container 200 is described. In the present disclosure, the direction parallel to the central axis C of the liquid container 200 is referred to as the "axial direction", and the direction orthogonal to the central axis C is referred to as the "radial direction". In addition, the first cover member 600 side of the liquid container 200, that is, the upper end side is referred to as the "top end side", and the second cover member 800 side of the liquid container 200, that is, the lower end side is referred to as the "tip end side".

[0027] Figure 4 For Figure 3 5 is an enlarged view of the top end side of the liquid container 200 in FIG. The outlet valve unit 500 constituting the outlet component 550 has a valve body 520. In addition, the outlet valve unit 500 has a sealing component 510 at the top end side of the valve body 520. In addition, the details of the valve body 520 and the sealing component 510 will be described later. In addition, in the present embodiment, an internal threaded portion not shown is formed on the inner periphery of the first cover member 600 at the end portion of the terminal side. The internal threaded portion of the first cover member 600 is threadedly engaged with the first external threaded portion 455 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the liquid outlet forming portion 400. Therefore, the first cover member 600 is detachable relative to the liquid outlet forming portion 400.

[0028] Figure 5 For Figure 3 FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the end side of the liquid container 200 in FIG. A second external thread portion 335 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the end side of the main part 300. On the other hand, a second internal thread portion 835 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the top end side of the second cover member 800. Therefore, the second cover member 800 is detachable relative to the main part 300.

[0029] In this embodiment, if Figure 3 As shown, the liquid container 200 has two openings, the first opening 320 and the second opening 340. Therefore, by using the second opening 340, or by using both the first opening 320 and the second opening 340, the main part 300 can efficiently contain the liquid. In addition, by using the second opening 340, or by using both the first opening 320 and the second opening 340, the residual liquid in the main part 300 can be efficiently discharged, cleaned, and dried.

[0030] In this embodiment, Figure 5 The opening area S2 of the second opening 340 is shown as Figure 4The opening area S1 of the first opening 320 shown in the figure is larger than that of the main part 300. In addition, the opening area S1 is the opening area of ​​the upper part 330 in the main part 300 when the liquid container 200 is observed from the top side in the direction of the central axis C. The opening area S2 is the opening area of ​​the bottom 350 in the main part 300 when the liquid container 200 is observed from the end side in the direction of the central axis C. According to this method, by making the opening area S2 of the second opening 340 larger than the opening area S1 of the first opening 320, the efficiency of receiving the liquid in the main part 300 and performing the cleaning of the main part 300 can be improved by mainly using the second opening 340.

[0031] Figure 6 1 is an exploded perspective view of a liquid container 200 in the first embodiment. As described above, the liquid container 200 includes a main portion 300, a liquid outlet forming portion 400, a first cover member 600, and a second cover member 800. The liquid outlet forming portion 400 includes an outlet valve unit 500 therein. A liquid outlet portion 460 is provided at the top end of the liquid outlet forming portion 400. As described above, the liquid outlet forming portion 400 includes a first external threaded portion 455 formed on the outer peripheral surface.

[0032] The liquid outlet portion 460 is cylindrical, and two protruding wall portions 450 extending in the axial direction are provided in the radially outer region of the liquid outlet portion 460. In the present embodiment, the two wall portions 450 have a 180-degree rotationally symmetrical shape with the central axis C of the liquid container 200 as the center. Figure 2 The wall portion 450 may be configured such that the wall portion 450 of the liquid container 200 for replenishing yellow ink is engaged with the concave portion 750 corresponding to the ink tank 700 for storing yellow ink, while the wall portion 450 of the liquid container 200 for replenishing other colors of ink such as magenta ink and cyan ink cannot be engaged with the concave portion 750. Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 , a cross-sectional view not including the wall portion 450 is shown in FIG. 4 , and therefore the liquid outlet forming portion 400 does not include the wall portion 450 .

[0033] Figure 6 The outlet valve unit 500 shown is constructed so that, in a non-replenishment state where ink is not replenished to the ink tank 700, the liquid outlet portion 460 is closed to prevent ink from leaking to the outside, and is constructed so that, in a replenishment state where ink is replenished to the ink tank 700, the flow channel component 710 is inserted into the interior of the liquid outlet portion 460 to open the valve, thereby allowing ink to flow into the flow channel component 710.

[0034] The outlet valve unit 500 includes a valve frame 517, a sealing member 510, and a spring valve 535. The valve frame 517 is mounted in the cylinder 420 with a gap provided between the valve frame 517 and the cylinder 420 in the radial direction.

[0035] Figure 7 4 is a perspective view of the outlet valve unit 500 . Figure 8 It is a perspective view showing a state where the flow channel member 710 is inserted into the outlet valve unit 500 .

[0036] The valve frame 517 can provide Figure 2 The flow channel component 710 shown in the figure is plugged in and out. Figure 7 As shown, the valve frame 517 has a stopper 517A for the sealing member 510 and an engagement portion 517B for engagement with the cylinder 420 at its top end. Figure 8 As shown, the valve frame 517 has a through hole Ho that penetrates in a direction intersecting the axial direction. The through hole Ho is also a hole that penetrates the side wall of the valve frame 517 in the radial direction centered on the central axis C, and is formed in a manner that also extends in the axial direction. The through hole Ho is connected to the radial gap between the valve frame 517 and the cylinder 420.

[0037] like Figure 6 As shown, the spring valve 535 has a valve body 520 and a spring member 530. Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 8 , the spring member 530 is housed in the valve frame 517. The spring member 530 is housed at the end side in the axial direction in the valve frame 517. The spring member 530 can be formed of metal, for example. In the present embodiment, the spring member 530 is a coil spring. Figure 6 As shown, the spring member 530 urges the valve body 520 toward the distal end side.

[0038] The valve body 520 is installed in the valve frame 517 so as to be movable in the axial direction. Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , the valve body 520 includes a cylindrical portion 524 and a convex portion 526. The convex portion 526 is disposed on the end surface of the cylindrical portion 524, which is a substantially cylindrical member. The cylindrical portion 524 faces the inner side surface of the valve frame 517. The valve body 520 can be formed of a thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene. Figure 7 As shown, the convex portion 526 of the valve body 520 has a top end portion 526A, and the top end portion 526A has a Figure 2 The illustrated flow channel member 710 abuts against a circular end surface. In addition, the tip portion 526A is not limited to having a circular end surface, and may have an end surface of any other shape such as an elliptical end surface.

[0039] The spring valve 535 can take a "valve-closed state" and an "valve-opened state". Specifically, the valve body 520 is urged toward the sealing member 510 by the spring member 530. When the cylindrical portion 524 is brought into contact with the sealing member 510 by the urging, the "valve-closed state" is achieved. In the "valve-closed state", the cylindrical portion 524 contacts the sealing member 510, thereby blocking the opening formed on the sealing member 510 in the axial direction. On the other hand, when the valve body 520 is pressed in a direction opposite to the direction of the urging of the spring member 530 by the flow channel member 710 inserted into the cylinder 420, thereby moving the cylindrical portion 524 away from the sealing member 510, the "valve-opened state" is achieved. In the "valve-opened state", since the cylindrical portion 524 is separated from the sealing member 510, the opening formed on the sealing member 510 in the axial direction is opened. That is, when the ink is replenished, the flow path member 710 is inserted into the cylinder 420 to achieve the “valve open state”, and the flow path member 710 is removed from the cylinder 420 to achieve the “valve closed state”.

[0040] The components of the liquid container 200 other than the outlet valve unit 500 can be formed of a thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

[0041] In the existing liquid container, there is the following problem, that is, compared with the side surface of the main part, the corner of the liquid outlet forming part, the corner of the cover part, etc. are easily damaged or broken when being carried. Therefore, the liquid outlet forming part and the cover part are difficult to be reused, which may cause problems related to environmental load. In addition, although the liquid container whose main part is made of metal is suitable for reuse as in the above-mentioned patent document 2, in the case where the liquid outlet forming part or the cover part has a complex shape, it may cause the problem that it is difficult to form the main part by metal. Therefore, the situation of using plastics to form the main part of the liquid container is considered. However, in this case, it may cause the problem that it is difficult to reuse the main part repeatedly due to the strength of the main part. Therefore, it is required to provide a liquid container that can contribute to the reduction of environmental load. In addition, in the present disclosure, "reuse" means that the empty liquid container is not discarded but cleaned and filled with liquid again.

[0042] In the liquid container 200 of this embodiment, Figure 3The cap member 900 shown is made of a material containing recycled materials. In addition, as described above, the cap member 900 only needs to include at least one of the outlet member 550, the first cap member 600, and the second cap member 800. In this embodiment, the liquid outlet forming portion 400, the first cap member 600, and the second cap member 800 are made of a material containing recycled materials. That is, the outlet valve unit 500 in the outlet member 550 is not made of a material containing recycled materials. In addition, the main part 300 is also not made of a material containing recycled materials. In contrast, in other embodiments, the outlet valve unit 500 and the main part 300 can also be made of a material containing recycled materials. In the present disclosure, "recycled materials" include, for example, recycled plastics or metals such as aluminum. Here, recycled plastics are plastics that are processed in a manner that plastics that have been used once and discarded are recycled by material recovery or chemical recovery to make them reusable. Recycled plastics include, for example, recycled polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene, etc. Recycled metal is metal that has been processed in a manner that metal that has been used once and then discarded is recycled and made reusable. According to this method, since the cover member 900, which is more easily damaged during transportation and difficult to be reused than the main part 300, is made of a material containing recycled materials, it can contribute to reducing the environmental load.

[0043] In the liquid container 200 of the present embodiment, the outlet member 550, the first cover member 600 and the second cover member 800 are formed using materials having the same degree of physical properties. More specifically, the liquid outlet forming portion 400, the first cover member 600 and the second cover member 800 are formed using materials having the same degree of physical properties. Here, the "physical property" is, for example, viscosity. In addition, the "physical property" is not limited to viscosity. In the present disclosure, for example, the viscosity is "the same degree" means that the viscosity of two different materials is within the range of -20% or more and +20% or less at the same temperature of 200°C or more and the same pressure. In addition, "under the same pressure" also includes atmospheric pressure. In addition, regarding "the same degree", the melt flow rate (Melt Flow Rate), which is an indicator of the fluidity of molten plastic, can also be used, and the weight of the plastic that flows out of the two different materials at the same temperature of 200°C or more and the same pressure within a predetermined time is measured, and the difference between the two is within the range of -20% or more and +20% or less. According to this embodiment, since the liquid outlet forming portion 400, the first cover member 600, and the second cover member 800 have the same physical properties, they do not need to be sorted in the recovery stage before being regenerated. Therefore, the efficiency of regenerating the components can be improved.

[0044] In addition, in the present embodiment, the liquid outlet forming portion 400, the first cover member 600 and the second cover member 800 are formed by the same molding method. The molding method is, for example, injection molding or blow molding. Generally, even when the same material is used to form two parts, if the molding methods are different, the physical properties of the two parts will be different. Therefore, it is necessary to classify the two parts in the recycling stage before being regenerated. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the liquid outlet forming portion 400, the first cover member 600 and the second cover member 800 are formed by the same molding method. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to classify the liquid outlet forming portion 400, the first cover member 600 and the second cover member 800 in the recycling stage before being regenerated. As a result, the efficiency of regenerating the parts can be improved.

[0045] In the present embodiment, the material constituting the main part 300 has a higher strength than the material constituting the cover part 900. The strength is, for example, impact strength. The impact strength is measured, for example, using a simply supported beam impact test specified in JIS7111. In the case where the strength of the material constituting the main part 300 is higher than the strength of the material constituting the cover part 900, the strength of the main part 300 as a component can be improved compared to the case where the strength of the material constituting the main part 300 is equal to or lower than the strength of the material constituting the cover part 900. That is, the main part 300 is formed in a manner that is less likely to be scratched than the cover part 900. Therefore, the main part 300 can be repeatedly reused.

[0046] According to the first embodiment described above, the liquid container 200 includes a main part 300 having a first opening 320 and a second opening 340. In addition, the cover member 900 in the liquid container 200 is detachably mounted relative to the main part 300. Furthermore, the cover member 900 is made of a material containing recycled materials. According to this method, the main part 300 can be reused. In addition, since the cover member 900 that can be removed from the main part 300 is made of a material containing recycled materials, the environmental load can be reduced.

[0047] B. Second Implementation Method:

[0048] Fig. 9 2 is a diagram showing the structure of a liquid container 200a in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the structure of the top end side including the liquid outlet forming portion 400a and the first cover member 600a in the liquid container 200a is different from that in the first embodiment. Fig. 9 In the figure, description of a part of the main portion 300a and the second cover member 800a in the liquid container 200a is omitted.

[0049] In the second embodiment, the liquid outlet forming portion 400a is installed in a detachable manner relative to the main portion 300a. A third internal thread portion 405a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the top end side of the liquid outlet forming portion 400a. On the other hand, a third external thread portion 305a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the top end side of the main portion 300a. The third internal thread portion 405a of the liquid outlet forming portion 400a and the third external thread portion 305a of the main portion 300a are threadedly engaged together.

[0050] The liquid container 200a has a slit valve 515a at one end of the top end side of the main part 300a. The slit valve 515a is detachably mounted to the main part 300a via the liquid outlet forming part 400a. In the second embodiment, the slit valve 515a has a slit passing through the central axis C. In addition, in the second embodiment, the outlet component 550a is composed of the liquid outlet forming part 400a and the slit valve 515a.

[0051] The liquid container 200a has two first cover members 640a and 650a. In addition, the liquid container 200a has a second cover member 800a (not shown) in addition to the first cover members 640a and 650a. In the second embodiment, the first cover member 640a is a cap, and the first cover member 650a is an inner cover. The first cover member 650a is detachably mounted to the main part 300a via the liquid outlet forming portion 400a and the slit valve 515a. In addition, the first cover member 650a is set to a shape that covers the first opening 320a via the slit valve 515a. In addition, when the liquid is supplied from the liquid container 200a to the ink tank (not shown), the first cover member 650a is removed from the liquid container 200a, and the liquid is supplied to the ink tank via the slit valve 515a. In addition, in the following description, the first cover members 640a and 650a may be collectively described as the first cover member 600a.

[0052] The fourth internal thread portion 610a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the end side of the first cover member 640a in the liquid container 200a, similarly to the first embodiment. On the other hand, the fourth external thread portion 310a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the main part 300a. The fourth internal thread portion 610a of the first cover member 640a and the fourth external thread portion 310a of the main part 300a are threadedly engaged with each other.

[0053] In the second embodiment, the first cover member 600a, the liquid outlet forming portion 400a, and the second cover member 800a (not shown) are made of materials containing recycled materials. In addition, the first cover member 600a, the liquid outlet forming portion 400a, and the second cover member 800a (not shown) are formed using materials having the same degree of physical properties and by the same molding method. Thus, a liquid container 200a that can contribute to reducing environmental load can be provided.

[0054] C. Third Implementation Method:

[0055] Fig.10 2 is a diagram showing the structure of a liquid container 200c in the third embodiment. Fig.10 In, include Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the wall portion 450 shown is illustrated. The liquid container 200c in the third embodiment includes a liquid type identification structure 400c arranged at the periphery of the liquid outlet portion 460, and the liquid type identification structure 400c is constructed as a component separate from the outlet component 550 in the first embodiment. The liquid type identification structure 400c has a wall portion 450c. The wall portion 450c can also have different shapes depending on the color of the ink contained in the liquid container 200c, or the distinction between dye ink, pigment ink, etc. In the third embodiment, the liquid type identification structure 400c is composed of a material containing recycled materials. In addition, the liquid type identification structure 400c uses a material having the same degree of physical properties as the first cover component 600 and the second cover component 800, and is formed by the same molding method. Regarding other structures, it is the same as the first embodiment. According to this embodiment, even if the liquid type identification structure 400c is a separate structure, the liquid type identification structure 400c has the same physical properties as the first cover member 600 and the second cover member 800, so that it is not necessary to classify during regeneration. This can improve the efficiency of regenerating components.

[0056] D. Other implementation methods:

[0057] (D1) In the first embodiment described above, the cover member 900 includes the outlet member 550, the first cover member 600, and the second cover member 800. In contrast, the cover member 900 may not include all of the outlet member 550, the first cover member 600, and the second cover member 800. The cover member 900 only needs to include at least one of the outlet member 550, the first cover member 600, and the second cover member 800. For example, the cover member 900 may include only the outlet member 550 and the first cover member 600.

[0058] E.Other methods:

[0059] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but can be implemented in various structures within the scope of its main purpose. For example, in order to solve part or all of the above-mentioned problems, or to achieve part or all of the above-mentioned effects, the technical features of the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each method described in the invention content can be appropriately replaced or combined. In addition, as long as the technical feature is not described as a necessary technical feature in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0060] (1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a liquid container for supplying liquid to a printer. The liquid container comprises: a main portion having an opening and capable of containing liquid; and a cover member detachably mounted on the main portion and closing the opening in an openable and closable manner, wherein the cover member is made of a material containing a recycled material.

[0061] According to this embodiment, the main part of the liquid container can be reused. In addition, the cover member that can be removed from the main part is made of a material containing recycled materials. Therefore, the environmental load can be reduced.

[0062] (2) In the above aspect, the opening may include a first opening and a second opening, the first opening being used to supply liquid to the printer, and the second opening being arranged at a position different from the first opening.

[0063] According to this method, by using the second opening, or by using both the first opening and the second opening, the main part can efficiently receive the liquid. In addition, by using the second opening, or by using both the first opening and the second opening, the residual liquid in the main part can be efficiently discharged, cleaned, and dried.

[0064] (3) In the above aspect, the opening area of ​​the second opening may be larger than the opening area of ​​the first opening.

[0065] According to this aspect, by making the area of ​​the second opening larger than the area of ​​the first opening, it is possible to improve the efficiency when accommodating the liquid in the main part and when performing cleaning inside the main part.

[0066] (4) In the above-mentioned manner, it can also be set that the opening is a first opening for supplying liquid to the printer, the cover member includes an outlet member and a first cover member, the outlet member has a wall portion dividing a liquid outlet portion, the first cover member covers the liquid outlet portion of the outlet member, the liquid outlet portion is a liquid outlet for supplying the liquid flowing through the first opening to the printer, and the outlet member and the first cover member are formed using the material having the same degree of physical properties.

[0067] According to this aspect, since the outlet member and the first cover member have substantially the same physical properties, there is no need to sort them during regeneration, thereby improving the efficiency of regenerating the components.

[0068] (5) In the above aspect, a liquid type identification structure may be provided, the liquid type identification structure being disposed around the liquid outlet portion, and the liquid type identification structure may be configured as a structure separate from the outlet member.

[0069] According to this aspect, even if the liquid type identification structure is a separate structure, since the liquid type identification structure has the same physical properties as the cover member, it is not necessary to perform classification during regeneration. This can improve the efficiency of regenerating the components.

[0070] (6) In the above method, it can also be set that the opening includes a first opening and a second opening, the first opening is used to supply liquid to the printer, and the second opening is arranged at a position different from the first opening, the cover member includes an outlet member, a first cover member and a second cover member, the outlet member has a wall portion that divides a liquid outlet portion, the first cover member covers the liquid outlet portion of the outlet member, and the second cover member closes the second opening in an openable and closable manner, the liquid outlet portion is a liquid outlet for supplying the liquid flowing through the first opening to the printer, and the outlet member, the first cover member and the second cover member are formed using the material having the same degree of physical properties.

[0071] According to this aspect, since the outlet member, the first cover member, and the second cover member have similar physical properties, they do not need to be sorted during regeneration, thereby improving the efficiency of regenerating the components.

[0072] (7) In the above aspect, the material constituting the main portion may be higher in strength than the material constituting the cover member.

[0073] According to this aspect, the main part can be reused repeatedly.

[0074] The present disclosure can be implemented in various forms, and can be implemented in forms such as a method for manufacturing a liquid container in addition to the above-described forms.

[0075] Explanation of symbols

[0076] 100…printer; 110…frame; 160…ink tank storage unit; 162…cover; 164…closing cap member; 165…closing cap; 200, 200a, 200c…liquid container; 300, 300a…main portion; 305a…third external thread portion; 310a…fourth external thread portion; 320…first opening; 330…upper portion; 335…second external thread portion; 340…second opening; 350…bottom portion; 400, 400a…liquid outlet forming portion; 400c…liquid type identification structure; 405a…third internal thread portion; 420…cylinder portion; 450, 450c…wall portion; 455…first external thread portion; 460…liquid outlet portion; 500…outlet Valve unit; 510…sealing component; 515a…slit valve; 517…valve frame; 517A…portion; 517B…engaging portion; 520…valve body; 524…cylindrical portion; 526…convex portion; 526A…top end portion; 530…spring component; 535…spring valve; 550, 550a…outlet component; 600, 600a, 640a, 650a…first cover component; 610a…fourth internal threaded portion; 700, 700L, 700S…ink tank; 710…flow channel component; 730…second internal threaded portion; 750…recessed portion; 800, 800a…second cover component; 835…second internal threaded portion; 900…cover component; C…center axis; S1, S2…opening area.

Claims

1. A liquid container that supplies liquid to a printer and comprises: A main part having an opening and capable of receiving a liquid; a cover member which is detachably mounted on the main portion and is provided in an openable and closable manner relative to the opening, The cover member is made of a material including recycled material.

2. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein The opening includes a first opening for supplying liquid to the printer and a second opening arranged at a position different from the first opening.

3. The liquid container according to claim 2, wherein: An opening area of ​​the second opening is larger than an opening area of ​​the first opening.

4. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein The opening is a first opening for supplying liquid to the printer, The cover member includes an outlet member and a first cover member, the outlet member having a wall portion that divides a liquid outlet portion, and the first cover member covers the liquid outlet portion of the outlet member. The liquid outlet portion is a liquid outlet for supplying the liquid flowing through the first opening to the printer. The outlet member and the first cover member are formed using the material having physical properties of the same degree.

5. The liquid container according to claim 4, wherein: comprising a liquid type identification structure, the liquid type identification structure being arranged at the periphery of the liquid outlet portion, The liquid type identification structure is configured as a structure separate from the outlet member.

6. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein The opening includes a first opening and a second opening, the first opening is used to supply liquid to the printer, and the second opening is arranged at a position different from the first opening. The cover member includes an outlet member, a first cover member, and a second cover member, wherein the outlet member has a wall portion that divides a liquid outlet portion, the first cover member covers the liquid outlet portion of the outlet member, and the second cover member is disposed in an openable and closable manner relative to the second opening. The liquid outlet portion is a liquid outlet for supplying the liquid flowing through the first opening to the printer. The outlet member, the first cover member, and the second cover member are formed using the material having physical properties of the same degree.

7. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein: The material constituting the main portion has higher strength than the material constituting the cover member.

Images