Liquid storage body and liquid jet device
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023002383
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-04-06
- Filing Date
- 2023-01-11
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-26
AI Technical Summary
Existing liquid containers with spacer members may not fully utilize the liquid due to improper bag crushing, leading to incomplete usage.
A liquid container design with a flexible bag and a flow path section inside, where both ends of the flow path are connected to a liquid outlet, featuring water intake ports oriented towards the bag's corners and corners, ensuring liquid is drawn into the path even as the bag collapses, maintaining tension and preventing leakage.
The design enhances liquid usability by ensuring complete utilization and resistance to leakage and impact, maintaining functionality until the bag collapses completely.
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Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid container and a liquid ejection device. [Background technology]
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid container having, inside a flexible bag, a spacer member and two liquid outlet tubes connected to the spacer member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-65373 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] In the liquid container of Patent Document 1, even if a spacer member is provided to use up all the liquid inside the bag, depending on how the bag is crushed, it may not be possible to use up all the liquid inside the bag.
[0005] In order to solve the above problem, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique that can improve the ease of using up the liquid contained in a liquid container. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] In order to achieve this object, the liquid container of the present disclosure comprises a flexible bag portion that contains liquid therein, a liquid outlet portion attached to a first end of the bag portion for guiding the liquid contained in the bag portion to a liquid injection device, and a flow path portion that is arranged inside the bag portion and causes the liquid to flow to the liquid outlet portion, wherein both ends of the flow path portion are connected to the liquid outlet portion, a first region of the flow path portion is located near a second end that is located farthest from the first end, and the flow path portion has a water intake portion that takes in the liquid inside the bag portion into the flow path portion. [Effects of the Invention]
[0007] According to the liquid container according to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the ease of using up the liquid contained in the liquid container. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic diagram of a liquid container according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] 2(a) sectional view taken along line III-III [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view schematically showing a part of the water intake section in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a verification experiment. [Figure 6] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a liquid outlet portion in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. [Figure 8] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state of a liquid outlet portion connected to a liquid ejecting device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 6(a) is a view of the liquid outlet portion in the first embodiment as viewed from the direction of IX in FIG. 6(a). [Figure 10]10 is a view of a liquid container according to a second embodiment, viewed from the +Z direction with the upper sheet of the two sheets that make up the bag peeled off. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view schematically showing a part of a water intake according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of a liquid container according to a third embodiment, as viewed from the +Z direction. FIG. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a liquid container having a gusset portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0010] [First embodiment] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid ejection device 100 equipped with a liquid container 1 according to this embodiment. The coordinate axes used in the figure will be explained. The Y direction is the direction in which a storage tray 101 provided in the liquid ejection device 100 advances and retreats relative to the liquid ejection device 100. The +Y direction is the direction in which the storage tray 101 advances relative to the liquid ejection device 100. The -Y direction is the direction in which the storage tray 101 retreats relative to the liquid ejection device 100. The X direction indicates the width direction of the liquid container 1. The Z direction indicates the height direction of the liquid container 1. The X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are perpendicular to one another.
[0011] The liquid container 1 is detachably mounted to the liquid ejection device 100 and moves back and forth in the Y direction. The liquid ejection device 100 includes a recording head (not shown), a recording medium storage unit (not shown), a recording medium transport mechanism (not shown), and a storage tray 101 that stores the liquid container 1. The liquid ejection device 100 ejects liquid from the recording head onto the recording medium to perform recording. The liquid container 1 stores therein the liquid to be ejected from the recording head of the liquid ejection device 100. In the present invention, the liquid is supplied from the liquid container 1 to the recording head by a pump means provided in the liquid ejection device 100, which transfers the liquid under predetermined suction conditions. The configuration of the present invention can also be applied to a liquid ejection device that supplies liquid by a head difference or the like.
[0012] (Configuration of liquid container 1) The configuration of the liquid container 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a liquid container 1. FIG. 2(a) shows an external perspective view of the liquid container 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 2(a) shows the liquid container 1 in a state where all the liquid contained therein has been consumed. FIG. 2(b) is a schematic side view of the liquid container 1 according to this embodiment. Note that FIG. 2(b) shows the liquid container 1 in a state where the liquid contained therein has not been consumed.
[0014] Figure 2(c) is a schematic diagram showing the liquid container 1 shown in Figure 2(a) viewed from the +Z direction after the upper side (+Z direction side) of the two sheets that make up the bag 2 has been peeled off, or showing the internal structure of the liquid container when Figure 2(a) is viewed from the +Z direction.
[0015] As shown in Figure 2(c), the liquid container 1 has a flexible bag 2 (i.e., bag portion) that contains liquid, and a flow path portion 3 that is contained inside the bag 2 and takes in the liquid contained inside the bag 2 and flows it to the liquid outlet portion 4.
[0016] In this embodiment, bag 2 is a pillow type bag made by stacking two rectangular (e.g., rectangular) films and joining the edges of the films by a method such as welding. Specifically, bag 2 is made of a laminate consisting of multiple layers such as a polyester layer, an aluminum layer, a nylon layer, or a polyethylene layer. For example, other materials and configurations may be used depending on the properties of the liquid and the desired quality, such as providing a vapor-deposited silica layer or an EVOH (ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer) layer.
[0017] When the bag 2 is viewed from the +Z direction, each end of the film in the bag 2 forms a side having one end and the other end. Here, the one end is, for example, the -X direction side in the figure. On the other hand, the other end is, for example, the +X direction side in the figure.
[0018] The first end 2a of the bag 2 has a liquid outlet portion 4. The second end 2b faces the first end 2a. In this embodiment, the first end 2a and the second end 2b form the short sides (i.e., X-direction sides) of the rectangular bag 2. The length of each side (X-direction) of the first end 2a and the second end 2b is 120 mm. The bag 2 also has a third end 2c connecting one end of the first end 2a to one end of the second end 2b, and a fourth end 2d connecting the other end of the first end 2a to the other end of the second end 2b. In this embodiment, the third end 2c and the fourth end 2d form the long sides (i.e., Y-direction sides) of the rectangular bag 2. The length of each side (Y-direction) of the third end 2c and the fourth end 2d is 220 mm.
[0019] The bag 2 also has a first corner 2e where the first end 2a and the third end 2c intersect, and a second corner 2f where the third end 2c and the second end 2b intersect. The bag 2 also has a third corner 2g where the second end 2b and the fourth end 2d intersect, and a fourth corner 2h where the fourth end 2d and the first end 2a intersect. (Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the corners, they will be referred to as "corners" as appropriate.)
[0020] In addition, in this embodiment, the flow path section 3 has a plurality of water intakes that take in the liquid inside the bag 2 into the flow path section 3. In this embodiment, the flow path section 3 has a first water intake 5, a second water intake 6, a third water intake 7, a fourth water intake 8, and a fifth water intake 9 (hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the individual water intakes, they will simply be referred to as "water intake section").
[0021] 2(b), before the liquid is supplied to the liquid ejection device 100, the liquid container 1 contains liquid (ink), and therefore the bag 2 is in a bulged state. The liquid outlet 4 is attached to a first end 2a of the bag 2. When the liquid container 1 is connected to the liquid ejection device 100, the liquid outlet 4 has the function of guiding the liquid contained in the bag 2 to a liquid ejection unit provided in the liquid ejection device 100.
[0022] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 2(a). To make it easier to understand that the bag 2 collapses when the liquid contained in the liquid container 1 is consumed, the position of the bag 2 before it collapses is shown by a two-dot chain line. As shown in Figure 3, when all of the liquid contained in the liquid container 1 has been supplied to the liquid ejection device 100, the portion of the bag 2 that accommodates the flow path portion 3 becomes convex.
[0023] (Configuration of bag 2 and flow path section 3) Next, the flow path section 3 will be described. The flow path section 3 is a hollow tube containing resin as its material. In this embodiment, the flow path section 3 is composed of a single flexible tube. Both ends of the single tube are connected to the liquid outlet section 4. Of course, the flow path section 3 may be composed of a plurality of tubes connected together. The plurality of tubes may be connected together using a connector or the like. Even in this case, when the flow path section 3 composed of a plurality of tubes is viewed as a whole, both ends of the flow path section 3 are connected to the liquid outlet section 4.
[0024] In this embodiment, the liquid contained inside the bag 2 is taken into the flow path section 3 from the water intake section and supplied to the liquid ejection device 100. The outer diameter of the flow path section 3 is 4 mm. The inner diameter of the flow path section 3 is 3 mm. Furthermore, the material of the flow path section 3 includes PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene). The outer and inner diameters and material are determined taking into consideration the liquid contact and elasticity. Of course, a material or diameter other than PTFE may be selected depending on the size or rigidity of the bag 2 to be used. However, the bag 2 needs to be deformable (i.e., crushable) when the liquid is suctioned, and also needs to have rigidity.
[0025] In addition, the flow path section 3 has a rigidity that suppresses bending of the bag 2. For this reason, the materials of the bag 2 and the flow path section 3 must be selected so that the following relationship holds between the bag 2, the flow path section 3, and the suction force of the liquid. Rigidity of bag 2 < liquid suction force < rigidity of flow path section 3 (Equation 1)
[0026] Next, the positional relationship between the bag 2 and the flow path section 3 will be described with reference to Figure 2(c). As shown in Figure 2(c), one end of the flow path section 3 is connected to a first connection hole 22a (see Figure 9) of the liquid outlet section 4. Meanwhile, the other end of the flow path section 3 is connected to a second connection hole 22b (see Figure 9). Because the flow path section 3 is flexible, when both ends of the flow path section 3 are connected to the liquid outlet section 4, the shape of the flow path section 3 becomes approximately U-shaped. Therefore, the combined shape of the liquid outlet section 4 and the flow path section 3 becomes a ring (for example, a substantially elliptical ring).
[0027] In this embodiment, the flow path section 3 has elasticity and rigidity greater than that of the bag 2. The first region A1 in the flow path section 3 is located near the second end 2b, which is located most distally from the first end 2a of the bag 2. For this reason, the characteristics of the flow path section 3 are utilized to generate tension in the bag 2 that pushes it apart in a first direction (e.g., the longitudinal direction) from the first end 2a toward the second end 2b, and in a second direction (e.g., the lateral direction) that intersects with the first direction.
[0028] In this specification, the term "near the end" refers to a region within the diameter of the flow path section 3 from each end of the bag 2. In this embodiment, a portion of the flow path section 3 is located within approximately 4 mm of the ends 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d of the bag 2 inside the bag 2. Therefore, even if the liquid inside the bag 2 is consumed and the bag 2 is crushed, tension is generated in the first and second directions in the bag 2. This prevents the bag 2 from bending. In other words, the bag 2 can be maintained in a state where it is less likely to wrinkle or sag. The term "near the end" does not exclude contact with the ends 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d of the bag 2. If the flow path section 3 is in contact with the ends of the bag 2, the tension of the flow path section 3 functions more reliably.
[0029] (Configuration of water intake section) The configuration of the water intake portion of the flow path portion 3 according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 2(c), when the shape of the liquid container 1 is substantially rectangular, the corners of the bag 2 are located distal to the flow path portion 3. Therefore, even if the flow path portion 3 has a water intake portion, liquid is likely to remain inside the bag 2 near the corners of the bag 2. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to actively take in liquid remaining in the corners of the bag 2, the openings of each water intake are oriented in the direction of the corners. Specifically, the opening of the first water intake 5 faces the direction in which the first corner 2e is located. The opening of the second water intake 6 faces the direction in which the second corner 2f is located. The opening of the third water intake 7 faces the direction in which the third corner 2g is located. The opening of the fourth water intake 8 faces the direction in which the fourth corner 2h is located.
[0030] Additionally, the fifth water intake 9 provided in the first region A1 of the flow path section 3 opens toward the inside of the bag 2. This is because liquid can also be taken in from near the center of the bag 2. Furthermore, it is necessary to consider the positions and opening directions of the first to fourth water intakes 5 to 8 and strike a balance.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a schematic enlarged view partially showing a part of the water intake section of the flow path section 3. Here, the first water intake 5 is shown as an example of a water intake section. The shape of the first water intake 5 is rectangular (e.g., oblong). The vertical width 10 of the first water intake 5 extends along the Z direction. The horizontal width 11 of the first water intake 5 extends along the Y direction. The length of the vertical width 10 is 1 mm. On the other hand, the length of the horizontal width 11 is 3 mm. It goes without saying that the shape of the opening of the water intake section is not limited to rectangular, and may be any shape that can take in liquid and that can perform the function of "water intake" in the present invention, such as a polygon, circle, or ellipse.
[0032] (Verification experiment) Even when the flow path section 3 has multiple water intake sections, experiments were conducted to confirm that liquid is taken in not only from the water intake section located proximal to the liquid discharge section 4, but also from the water intake section located distal to the liquid discharge section 4.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a verification experiment. In the experiment, ink was poured into a container. One end of the second flow path section 14, which had the sixth water intake port 12 and the seventh water intake port 13, was sealed. The other end of the second flow path section 14 was connected to a syringe 15 that sucked the ink from the container. The ink was then sucked from the container under the same suction conditions as those of the liquid ejection device 100. The outer diameter of the second flow path section 14 was 8 mm. The inner diameter of the second flow path section 14 was 5 mm. The horizontal width of the sixth water intake port 12 and the horizontal width of the seventh water intake port 13 were both 4 mm. The vertical width of the sixth water intake port 12 and the vertical width of the seventh water intake port 13 were both 1 mm. The distance between the sixth water intake port 12 and the seventh water intake port 13 was 50 mm. As a result of the experiment, it was confirmed that ink was taken in not only from the seventh water intake 13, which is located closer to the syringe 15 than the sixth water intake 12, but also from the sixth water intake 12, which is located farther from the syringe 15 than the seventh water intake 13.
[0034] (Liquid outlet part 4) FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the liquid outlet portion 4. FIG. 6(a) is a schematic diagram of the liquid outlet portion 4. As shown in FIG. 6(a), the liquid outlet portion 4 includes a first half body 16, a second half body 17, and a rubber packing 18. The materials constituting the first half body 16 and the second half body 17 include resin. Furthermore, the first half body 16 and the second half body 17 have the same shape. FIG. 6(b) is a perspective view of the first half body 16. FIG. 6(c) is a perspective view of the second half body 17.
[0035] The liquid outlet portion 4 is produced by fixing a first bonding surface 19 of the first half-body 16 to a second bonding surface 20 of the second half-body 17. Examples of a method for fixing the first bonding surface 19 to the second bonding surface 20 include adhesion and welding.
[0036] Further, a rubber packing 18 is sandwiched between the first groove 61a of the first half body 16 and the second groove 61b of the second half body 17. The rubber packing 18 is fixed using an adhesive or the like.
[0037] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in Figure 6(a). As shown in Figure 7, liquid outlet section 4 has confluence section 23 that stores the liquid taken in through flow path section 3. At confluence section 23, the liquid taken in from the water intake section of flow path section 3 is mixed. By mixing the liquid at confluence section 23, even if the liquid components inside bag 2 become unevenly distributed, the liquid can be supplied to liquid ejection device 100 with the uneven distribution of the components reduced.
[0038] 8 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid outlet portion 4 when connected to the liquid ejection device 100. When connecting the liquid container 1 to the liquid ejection device 100, the rubber packing 18 is pierced by a hollow needle 21 of the liquid ejection device 100. Then, the liquid inside the bag 2 is supplied to the liquid ejection device 100 via the flow path portion 3 and the liquid outlet portion 4.
[0039] (Joining of the liquid outlet portion 4 and the flow path portion 3) 9 is a view of the liquid outlet portion 4 as viewed from the direction IX in FIG. 6(a). The liquid outlet portion 4 has a first connection hole 22a to which one end of the flow path portion 3 can be connected, and a second connection hole 22b to which the other end of the flow path portion 3 can be connected. One end of the flow path portion 3 is connected to the first connection hole 22a, and the other end of the flow path portion 3 is connected to the second connection hole 22b, whereby both ends of the flow path portion 3 are connected to the liquid outlet portion 4. The flow path portion 3 connected to the liquid outlet portion 4 may be fixed by adhesive or by fitting.
[0040] (summary) In the liquid container 1 according to this embodiment, the flow path section 3 is provided in a generally U-shape inside the bag 2. In this case, a portion of the flow path section 3 is located near the second end 2b, which is located farthest from the liquid outlet section 4 to which both ends of the flow path section 3 are connected. The flow path section 3 also has a water intake section. Therefore, by using the rigidity of the flow path section 3, it is possible to continue to take in liquid while maintaining tension in the bag 2 until the bag 2 is completely crushed along the flow path section 3. Therefore, the liquid container according to this embodiment can improve the ease of using up the stored liquid.
[0041] Furthermore, the liquid container 1 according to this embodiment is resistant to liquid leakage when dropped. When a conventional liquid container is accidentally dropped, there is a risk that the ends of the flow path portion will break through the bag, causing liquid to leak from inside the bag. However, in the liquid container 1 according to this embodiment, both ends of the flow path portion 3 are connected to the inside of the liquid lead-out portion 4. Therefore, even if the liquid container 1 is dropped, there is a reduced risk that the ends of the flow path portion 3 will break through the bag 2. In other words, it can be said that the liquid container 1 according to this embodiment is resistant to liquid leakage when dropped.
[0042] Furthermore, the liquid container 1 according to this embodiment is resistant to shocks when dropped. In this embodiment, the flow path section 3 is arranged in a substantially U-shape inside the bag 2. Therefore, even if the liquid container 1 is dropped, if any one of the sides of the bag 2 hits the ground first, the impact of the drop can be absorbed using the elasticity of the flow path section 3. In other words, it can be said that the liquid container 1 according to this embodiment is resistant to shocks when dropped.
[0043] [Second embodiment] The present embodiment aims to provide a liquid container that can further improve the ease of using up the liquid. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals will be used to designate the same components as those in the first embodiment, and the description will be centered on the differences from the first embodiment.
[0044] 10 is a view of the liquid container 1 of this embodiment, with the upper sheet of the two sheets constituting the bag 2 peeled off, as viewed from the +Z direction, or a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the liquid container as viewed from the +Z direction. As shown in FIG. 10, the flow path section 3 according to this embodiment has an eighth water intake port 24.
[0045] FIG. 11 is a schematic enlarged view of the eighth water intake 24. As shown in FIG. 11 , in this embodiment, the eighth water intake 24 is a slit cut obliquely into the flow path section 3. That is, the eighth water intake 24 has a spiral shape. Therefore, the flow path section 3 can take in liquid from all directions in the circumferential direction. For example, it can also take in liquid from the -Z direction, where liquid tends to accumulate. If the use of the eighth water intake 24 reduces the rigidity of the flow path section 3, the material or the thickness of the pipe can be changed. This ensures the rigidity of the flow path section 3. The interval between the cuts in the eighth water intake 24 is 1 mm. In this embodiment, the eighth water intake 24 is cut into the flow path section 3 two times around the circumference, but this is not limited to this. For example, the cut does not need to be cut all the way around the flow path section 3. Furthermore, as long as the flow path section 3 is not cut, a cut may be made in a direction perpendicular to the flow path section 3. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the eighth water intakes 24 are provided in four locations so that the openings face the corners of the bag 2, but this is not limited to this. The number of slits or the locations of the slits in the eighth water intakes 24 may be changed as appropriate depending on the amount of liquid to be taken in, etc.
[0046] As described above, the liquid container according to this embodiment can further improve the ease of using up the liquid compared to the liquid container according to the first embodiment.
[0047] [Third embodiment] The present embodiment aims to provide a liquid container that can further improve the ease of using up the liquid. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals will be used to designate the same components as those in the first embodiment, and the description will be centered on the differences from the first embodiment.
[0048] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the liquid container 1 in this embodiment when the upper sheet of the two sheets that make up the bag 2 is peeled off and viewed from the +Z direction, or when Figure 2(a) is viewed from the +Z direction.
[0049] In this embodiment, the second region A2, which is located approximately midway between the first region A1 in the flow path section 3 and one end of the flow path section 3 (the end connected to the first connection hole 22a (see FIG. 9) of the liquid outlet section 4), is located near the third end 2c. Similarly, the third region A3, which is located approximately midway between the first region A1 in the flow path section 3 and the other end of the flow path section 3 (the end connected to the second connection hole 22b (see FIG. 9) of the liquid outlet section 4), is located near the fourth end 2d. As a result, a tension is generated in the bag 2 according to this embodiment that is stronger than that in the first embodiment, pushing and expanding the bag 2 in a first direction (e.g., the longitudinal direction) from the first end 2a to the second end 2b and in a second direction (e.g., the lateral direction) intersecting the first direction.
[0050] Furthermore, when providing the flow path portion 3 so that it widens in the second direction more than in the first embodiment, the distance between the first connection hole 22a and the second connection hole 22b shown in Fig. 9 may be widened. Alternatively, the angle at which the first connection hole 22a and the second connection hole 22b are formed may be formed closer to horizontal.
[0051] If the liquid container 1 has a substantially rectangular shape, there is a risk that the bag 2 will also bend in the first direction as the liquid inside the bag 2 is consumed. However, in this embodiment, it is possible to generate a stronger tension than in the first embodiment.
[0052] This makes it possible to prevent the occurrence of suffocation areas that are unable to take in liquid inside the bag 2. In other words, the liquid container according to this embodiment can further improve the ease of using up the liquid.
[0053] [Other embodiments] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a liquid container 1 having a gusset portion. In the first embodiment, the liquid container 1 did not have a gusset portion, but it may have a gusset portion. As shown in Fig. 13, a gusset bag 130 having gussets formed on both ends in the X direction may be used. As another example, instead of forming the bag 2 from two sheets, a bag 2 formed by folding a single sheet into a cylindrical shape and welding it may be used.
[0054] In the first embodiment, the openings of the water intake sections are the same size. However, the openings of the water intake sections may be different in size. The size of the opening of each water intake section may be determined after adjusting the balance based on the amount of liquid taken in from each water intake section. For example, the openings of the first water intake 5 and the fifth water intake 9 may be different in size. Specifically, the opening size of the first water intake 5, which is located closer to the liquid outlet section 4 than the fifth water intake 9, may be smaller than the opening size of the fifth water intake 9. This is because the area closer to the liquid outlet section 4 is less susceptible to flow resistance in the flow path section 3 and is easier to draw in liquid. Preferably, the size of the opening of each water intake section is adjusted while ensuring as much rigidity as possible in the flow path section 3.
[0055] In the first embodiment, the flow path section 3 is provided in a substantially elliptical ring shape, but may be provided in a polygonal shape.
[0056] Any or all of the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment may be combined.
[0057] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration.
[0058] <Configuration 1> a flexible bag portion that contains a liquid therein; a liquid outlet portion attached to a first end portion of the bag portion for guiding the liquid contained in the bag portion to a liquid ejection device; a flow path portion disposed inside the bag portion and configured to allow the liquid to flow to the liquid outlet portion, Both ends of the flow path portion are connected to the liquid outlet portion, the first region of the flow path portion is located near a second end portion located farthest from the first end portion; The liquid container, wherein the flow path portion has a water intake portion that takes in the liquid inside the bag portion into the flow path portion.
[0059] <Configuration 2> The flow path portion is arranged so as to push and expand the bag portion from the inside. The liquid container according to configuration 1.
[0060] <Configuration 3> The flow path portion generates tension that expands the bag portion in a first direction from the first end portion toward the second end portion and in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The liquid container according to the first or second aspect.
[0061] <Configuration 4> The bag portion has a corner portion, The water intake section has a water intake port whose opening is provided toward the corner portion. The liquid container according to any one of the first to third aspects.
[0062] <Configuration 5> The shape of the water intake is selected from the group consisting of a rectangle, a polygon, a circle, and an ellipse. The liquid container according to configuration 4.
[0063] <Configuration 6> The water intake portion is a slit cut obliquely with respect to the flow path portion. 6. The liquid container according to any one of the first to fifth aspects.
[0064] <Configuration 7> The shape of the water intake portion is a spiral shape. 7. The liquid container according to claim 6.
[0065] <Configuration 8> The water intake section A first water intake and a second water intake provided at a different position from the first water intake, The first water intake and the second water intake are different in size. The liquid container according to any one of the first to seventh aspects.
[0066] <Configuration 9> the first water intake is located closer to the liquid outlet than the second water intake, the first intake is smaller than the second intake; The liquid container according to aspect 8.
[0067] <Configuration 10> The second water intake is The liquid outlet is located most distally from the liquid outlet and opens toward the inside of the bag. The liquid container according to aspect 8 or 9.
[0068] <Configuration 11> The flow path portion is composed of one pipe. 11. The liquid container according to any one of the first to tenth aspects.
[0069] <Configuration 12> The flow path portion is composed of a plurality of pipes. 11. The liquid container according to any one of the first to tenth aspects.
[0070] <Configuration 13> The shape of the flow path portion is U-shaped. 13. The liquid container according to any one of the first to second aspects.
[0071] <Configuration 14> A container tray for accommodating the liquid container according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects of the present invention is provided. A liquid ejection device characterized by:
Claims
1. a flexible bag portion that contains a liquid therein; a liquid outlet portion attached to a first end portion of the bag portion for guiding the liquid contained in the bag portion to a liquid ejection device; a flow path portion disposed inside the bag portion and configured to allow the liquid to flow to the liquid outlet portion, Both ends of the flow path portion are connected to the liquid outlet portion, the first region of the flow path portion is located near a second end portion located farthest from the first end portion, The flow path portion is composed of a single pipe and has a water intake portion that takes in the liquid inside the bag portion into the flow path portion. A liquid container characterized by:
2. The flow path portion is arranged so as to push and expand the bag portion from the inside. The liquid container according to claim 1 .
3. the flow path portion generates tension that expands the bag portion in a first direction from the first end portion toward the second end portion of the bag portion and in a second direction intersecting the first direction; The liquid container according to claim 2 .
4. The bag portion has a corner portion, The water intake section has a water intake port whose opening is provided toward the corner portion. The liquid container according to claim 1 .
5. The shape of the water intake is selected from the group consisting of a rectangle, a polygon, a circle, and an ellipse. The liquid container according to claim 4 .
6. The water intake portion is a slit cut obliquely with respect to the flow path portion. The liquid container according to claim 1 .
7. The shape of the water intake portion is a spiral shape. The liquid container according to claim 6 .
8. The water intake section A first water intake and a second water intake provided at a different position from the first water intake, The first water intake and the second water intake are different in size. The liquid container according to claim 1 .
9. the first water intake is located closer to the liquid outlet than the second water intake; the first intake is smaller than the second intake; The liquid container according to claim 8 .
10. The second water intake includes: The liquid outlet is located most distally from the liquid outlet and opens toward the inside of the bag. The liquid container according to claim 8 .
11. The shape of the flow path portion is U-shaped. The liquid container according to claim 1 .
12. a container tray for accommodating the liquid container according to claim 1; A liquid ejection device characterized by: