Fluid container

Abstract

To provide a fluid container capable of being easily attached to a liquid supply device.SOLUTION: A fluid container is used in a liquid supply device comprising: a housing; and a rotor that is provided in the housing, presses a tube through which fluid flows and sends the fluid from a primary side to a secondary side by moving a site of the tube that is pressed. The fluid container comprises: a tube which is connected to a deformable packaging body where the fluid is packaged, through which the fluid passes, which is elastically deformable when pressed by the rotor, and which has a part arranged in the housing between one end of the primary side and the other end of the secondary side; and a fixture which is adjacent to the housing, is fixed to a part of tube on the primary side of the housing, and can be in contact with the housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fluid container that contains a fluid to be delivered by a fluid delivery device. [Background technology]

[0002] There are known liquid delivery devices called roller pumps, tube pumps, peristaltic pumps, peristaltic pumps, etc., which supply the fluid in a tube to the secondary side by a rotor that presses the tube. In such liquid delivery devices, a roller presses the tube and rotates the roller, thereby continuously generating a low pressure or vacuum portion in the tube, thereby delivering the fluid.

[0003] Recently, a technique for forming liquid food using a three-dimensional modeling device has also been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Such a three-dimensional modeling device has a structure in which ingredients are stored in a cylinder and pushed out by a piston, or a nozzle device that pushes out the liquid food directly fills and stores ingredients. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 203765 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The above-mentioned three-dimensional modeling device may cause hygiene problems because the liquid food as an ingredient is exposed to the outside air during filling, etc. For this reason, it is possible to use the above-mentioned liquid delivery device as a method for supplying liquid food in a closed and hygienic manner. For example, as a three-dimensional modeling device using a liquid delivery device, a technology is conceivable in which a tube of the liquid delivery device is arranged between a package containing the liquid food and a nozzle device that discharges the liquid food in order to fluidly connect the package and the nozzle device, and the tube of the liquid delivery device and the nozzle device are each connected by a separate tube, and the liquid food is supplied from the package to the nozzle device by the liquid delivery device.

[0006] Here, the tube of the liquid delivery device is provided in the housing of the liquid delivery device, and is connected to the package and the nozzle device by another tube via a joint. Therefore, when cleaning the inside of the tube in the liquid delivery device, work such as connecting a cleaning tube via a joint and washing is required. In addition, when changing the liquid food to be supplied, it is necessary to wash the tube in the liquid delivery device or to discharge the liquid food in the tube at the initial operation after changing the liquid food.

[0007] For example, it is possible to connect the packaging body and the nozzle device with a single tube, but since the liquid delivery device is configured to deliver liquid by rotating a roller, tension in the liquid delivery direction is generated in the tube, which may cause the tube to move. This may cause the tube to come off the packaging body, or the packaging body and the liquid delivery device to move relative to each other. For this reason, it is possible to fix the tube to the packaging body and the liquid delivery device, but this makes the tube installation work complicated.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide a fluid container that can be easily attached to a fluid delivery device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A fluid container according to one aspect of the present invention is a fluid container for use in a liquid delivery device comprising a housing and a rotor provided within the housing for pressing a tube through which the fluid flows and moving the portion of the tube that is pressed to send the fluid from a primary side to a secondary side, the fluid container comprising: a tube connected to a deformable packaging body in which the fluid is packaged and through which the fluid passes, which is elastically deformable when pressed by the rotor, and which has a portion located within the housing between one end of the primary side and the other end of the secondary side; and a fixing device adjacent to the housing and fixed to at least a portion of the primary side of the housing of the tube, which can abut against the housing. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a fluid container that can be easily attached to a fluid delivery device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram that illustrates a fluid container used in an embodiment of the present invention and a food three-dimensional modeling apparatus that uses the fluid container. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a main part of the fluid container and a main part of the fluid delivery device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a tube connector used in the fluid container. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a fixing device used in the fluid container. [Figure 6] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, a fluid container 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0013] Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram that shows a schematic configuration of a fluid container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a food three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 that uses the fluid container 1. Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram that shows a schematic configuration of a tube 13 and a fixture 14 of the fluid container 1, and a pump device 110 as a liquid delivery device used in the food three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a tube connector 12 used in the fluid container 1, and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the tube connector 12. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a fixture 14 used in the fluid container 1, and Fig. 6 is a plan view showing the configuration of the fixture 14.

[0014] 1, the fluid container 1 is used, for example, in a device that discharges a fluid, such as a food three-dimensional modeling device 100. When the fluid container 1 is used in the food three-dimensional modeling device 100, the fluid container 1 contains a liquid food as the fluid, and forms a flow path to the secondary side, or is configured to be able to form the flow path. Note that the fluid is not limited to food, and the device that discharges the fluid is not limited to the food three-dimensional modeling device 100, and may be, for example, a device that extrudes a fluid.

[0015] First, the food 3D printing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. As shown in Figure 1, the food 3D printing apparatus 100 includes a pump device 110, a modeling device 120 including a nozzle device 121, a holding device 130, and a control device 150. The food 3D printing apparatus 100 also includes a heater provided in the modeling device 120 and / or the holding device 130, various sensors such as a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a rotation speed sensor, and a fluid remaining amount detection sensor, a frame, and the like. The food 3D printing apparatus 100 includes, for example, one or more pump devices 110, nozzle devices 121, and holding devices 130.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the pump device 110 supplies the fluid in the tube to the secondary side by pressing the tube and moving the pressing position. The pump device 110 is a liquid delivery device called a roller pump, a tube pump, a peristaltic pump, a peristaltic pump, or the like. As shown in FIG. 2, the pump device 110 includes a housing 111, a rotor 112 provided in the housing 111, and a motor 113 for rotating the rotor 112. As a specific example, the pump device 110 rotates the rotor 112, so that rollers 112a (described later) provided on the rotor 112 press the tube, and negative pressure is generated on the primary side of the tube. The pump device 110 rotates the rotor 112 to continuously generate negative pressure in the tube, and as shown by the arrows in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, sucks in the fluid from the primary side of the tube and sends the fluid to the secondary side.

[0017] The housing 111 has a holding portion 111a that holds the tube in a state where it is bent at a predetermined radius of curvature, and the housing 111 is also formed with two holes 111b in which the tubes are disposed.

[0018] For example, holding portion 111a holds the outer peripheral surface side of a tube curved in an arc shape with a predetermined radius of curvature. By arranging the tube in hole 111b, a part of the tube is arranged inside housing 111, and the primary side and secondary side of the part of the tube arranged inside housing 111 are arranged outside housing 111. Rotor 112 is a rotating body that rotates by being driven by motor 113. Rotor 112 has a plurality of projections and recesses on its outer peripheral surface or a plurality of rollers 112a arranged in the circumferential direction, thereby partially pressing against the tube facing rotor 112, and rotates in the fluid sending direction while pressing the tube.

[0019] Such pump device 110 is formed, for example, such that holding portion 111a of housing 111 and rotor 112 are relatively movable in a direction (radial direction) perpendicular to the rotation axis of rotor 112. In other words, pump device 110 is formed such that the gap between holding portion 111a and rotor 112 (roller 112a) is adjustable, and is formed such that the gap between holding portion 111a and rotor 112 is widened when the tube is attached, and then the gap between holding portion 111a and rotor 112 is narrowed after the tube is placed, thereby allowing rotor 112 to press the tube. That is, the tube is fixed to rotor 112 and pressed by rotor 112.

[0020] The modeling apparatus 120 includes a nozzle device 121, a table 122, a first moving mechanism 123, a second moving mechanism 124, a third moving mechanism 125, and the like.

[0021] The nozzle device 121 discharges the fluid from the nozzle by rotating an internal screw using a driving source such as a motor. The nozzle device 121 discharges the fluid from the nozzle at a predetermined discharge rate. The shape of the nozzle hole diameter and other discharge performance of the nozzle device 121 are appropriately set depending on the application. The nozzle device 121 may be provided with a heater for heating the fluid, and may be configured to be able to heat the fluid being supplied.

[0022] The table 122 is formed so that it can receive the fluid discharged from the nozzle device 121 on its upper portion, or so that a member for receiving the fluid discharged from the nozzle device 121 can be placed or fixed thereon.

[0023] The first moving mechanism 123, the second moving mechanism 124, and the third moving mechanism 125 are formed to be able to move the nozzle device 121 and / or the table 122 in three orthogonal axial directions. Here, the X-axis and the Y-axis are two axes extending in a horizontal direction that are orthogonal to each other, and the Z-axis is one axis extending in a vertical direction that is orthogonal to the X-axis and the Y-axis. The first moving mechanism 123 moves the table 122 in the Y-axis direction, for example. The second moving mechanism 124 moves the nozzle device 121 in the Z-axis direction, for example. The third moving mechanism 125 moves the second moving mechanism 124 in the X-axis direction, thereby moving the nozzle device 121 in the X-axis direction via the second moving mechanism 124.

[0024] The objects and directions moved by the first moving mechanism 123 to the third moving mechanism 125 are not limited to this example. That is, as long as the nozzle device 121 and the table 122 are relatively movable in three axial directions, the objects moved by the first moving mechanism 123 to the third moving mechanism 125 can be appropriately set, such as making the table 122 movable in the Z direction and moving the nozzle device 121 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. Similarly, the first moving mechanism 123 to the third moving mechanism 125 may be configured to move one of the nozzle device 121 and the table 122 in the three axial directions. Also, a pair of the first moving mechanism 123 to the third moving mechanism 125 may be provided to move the nozzle device 121 and the table 122 in the three axial directions, respectively.

[0025] The holding device 130 holds a packaging body 11 of the fluid container 1, which will be described later, and presses a part of the packaging body 11 to apply an external force to the packaging body 11. The holding device 130 may be provided with a heater and configured to heat a part of the fluid container 1.

[0026] In the food three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 configured in this manner, the holding device 130 presses the packaging body 11 of the fluid container 1 to pump the fluid to the secondary side, and the pump device 110 pumps the fluid that has been pumped to the nozzle device 121 on the secondary side, and the fluid is discharged from the nozzle device 121. The food three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 then moves the nozzle of the nozzle device 121 and the discharge target relatively to form the fluid discharged onto the discharge target into a predetermined shape.

[0027] The control device 150 controls various components of the food 3D modeling device 100 or acquires information from the various components. For example, the control device 150 controls the driving of the pump device 110, the nozzle device 121, the moving mechanisms 123 to 125, the heater, etc., based on information acquired from various sensors.

[0028] Next, a fluid container 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, a fluid container 1 includes a packaging body 11, a tube connector 12, a tube 13, and a fixing device 14.

[0029] The packaging body 11 is a container that can be deformed by an external or internal force. The packaging body 11 is, for example, a pouch container. As a specific example, as shown in FIG. 1, the packaging body 11 includes a pouch body 21 and a spout 22. Furthermore, the packaging body 11 is sealed by a lid body such as a screw cap provided on the spout 22 before the tube connector 12 and the tube 13 are connected. The pouch body 21 is formed into a bag shape with the spout 22 integrally attached to one side. As a specific example, the pouch body 21 is formed by heat welding one or two resin films into a bag shape.

[0030] The pouch body 21 is filled with a fluid. The fluid is, for example, a fluid food. A fluid food is a food having a predetermined viscosity, and it is preferable to use, for example, a soft food as disclosed in International Publication No. 2020 / 203765. As a specific example, the soft food has a viscosity of 6×10 5 N / m 2It is a food product having a hardness of less than 1500. When it reaches or exceeds its solidification temperature, it becomes fluid, and at this point, its viscosity is preferably 1500 to 50000 mPa·s.

[0031] The hardness of soft foods is measured, for example, by the following method. The measuring device used is one capable of measuring the compressive stress of a substance by linear motion. A container with a diameter of 40 mm is filled with a sample to a height of 15 mm, which is then compressed with a plunger with a diameter of 20 mm to measure the compressive stress. This measurement is performed at a temperature of 20±2°C, with a compression speed of 10 mm / sec, until the clearance between the bottom of the container and the plunger is 5 mm. In cases such as when the sample is of an irregular shape, the clearance may be measured as 30% of the thickness of the sample. This measurement is performed five times, and the average of the three values ​​excluding the maximum and minimum values ​​is taken as the measured value.

[0032] Examples of such foods include mousse and surimi. Examples of foods manufactured using the liquid food include nursing care foods (universal design foods), pseudo foods, and confectioneries. Liquid foods include foods whose physical properties change between when they are discharged and after they are discharged (modeled objects), and foods whose physical properties do not change between when they are discharged and after they are discharged (modeled objects). Foods whose physical properties change between when they are discharged and after they are discharged are foods that have fluidity when they are discharged, but solidify (gel) after they are discharged, such as nursing care mousse foods and chocolate. Such foods have fluidity at temperatures higher than the solidification temperature, and solidify when they are below the solidification temperature. It is preferable to use liquid foods whose solidification temperature is 20 to 90°C. When multiple liquid foods are used at the same time, it is also possible to use liquid foods whose solidification temperatures are different from each other. As foods whose physical properties do not change between when they are discharged and after they are discharged (modeled objects), colored ones may be used when the liquid foods are used for decoration, such as materials used in cookie dough and Japanese sweets. The fluid is not limited to liquid foods. That is, the fluid may be any fluid as long as it has a predetermined viscosity, is flowable, and can be supplied from the package 11 to the nozzle device 121 by the pump device 110.

[0033] The spout 22 forms a discharge outlet of the pouch body 21. The spout 22 includes a flange 22a to which the resin film of the pouch body 21 is welded, and a discharge outlet 22b formed integrally with the flange 22a. The discharge outlet 22b is formed in a cylindrical shape. In addition, a male screw 22c is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the discharge outlet 22b.

[0034] When the spout 22 is filled with fluid, a screw cap is screwed onto the male thread 22c of the outlet 22b to seal the outlet 22b. When the spout 22 is attached to the holder 130, the screw cap is opened and the tube 13 is indirectly connected to the outlet 22b via the tube connector 12 fixed to the outlet 22b, or the tube 13 is directly connected to the outlet 22b.

[0035] 3 and 4, the tube connector 12 is attached to the discharge port 22b and is formed to be able to fix the tube 13. As a specific example, the tube connector 12 includes a base portion 12a formed at one end in the axial direction, a nozzle portion 12b formed at the other end in the axial direction, a protrusion portion 12c, and a seal portion 12d.

[0036] The base 12a is formed in a cylindrical shape. One end of the base 12a is closed, a nozzle portion 12b is formed in the center of the closed end, and the other end is open. In other words, the base 12a has a top plate portion formed at one end, and the nozzle portion 12b is provided in the center of the top plate portion. In addition, a female screw 12e that can be screwed with a male screw 22c formed on the outer peripheral surface of the discharge port 22b of the spout 22 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base 12a.

[0037] Nozzle portion 12b is formed in a cylindrical shape with a smaller diameter than base portion 12a. Nozzle portion 12b has an outer diameter that gradually decreases from base portion 12a toward the tip so that it can be inserted into tubes 13 of different diameters. Nozzle portion 12b forms a supply line therein for moving the fluid in package 11 into tube 13.

[0038] The protrusion 12c is a single or multiple annular protrusions formed on the outer circumferential surface of the nozzle portion 12b. The protrusion 12c fits into the tube 13 to fix the tube 13. For example, multiple protrusions 12c with different outer diameters are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the nozzle portion 12b so that tubes 13 with different tube diameters can be fixed to the nozzle portion 12b. For example, the multiple protrusions 12c have gradually smaller outer diameters from the base 12a side of the nozzle portion 12b toward the tip of the nozzle portion 12b.

[0039] The seal portion 12d is provided on the inner surface of the portion of the base portion 12a where the nozzle portion 12b is provided, and abuts against the discharge port 22b to seal the space between the discharge port 22b and the seal portion 12d. For example, the seal portion 12d is an annular protrusion that abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the discharge port 22b.

[0040] The tube 13 is formed to be elastically deformable. The tube is not particularly limited, but for example, a silicon tube, a flurane tube, a norprene tube, a tygon tube, or a pharmamed tube can be used. The tube is preferably a silicon tube. The silicon tube is preferable because it has low hardness and can easily attach a fixing device. As shown in FIG. 1, one end of the tube 13 is connected to the packaging body 11, and the other end is connected to the nozzle device 121. Also, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a part between one end and the other end of the tube 13 is arranged in the housing 111 of the pump device 110, and is clamped between the holding part 111a and the rotor 112, so that the rotor 112 presses the tube 13 radially toward the holding part 111a. As a result, the tube 13 is fixed by the holding part 111a and the rotor 112 in the housing 111. The tube 13 forms a supply line that moves the fluid in the packaging body 11 or the tube connector 12 to the nozzle device 121 provided at the end of the secondary side.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the fixture 14 is formed so as to be fixed to the tube 13. One or more fixtures 14 are provided on the tube 13. The fixture 14 has a circular inner circumferential surface whose inner diameter can be changed. Here, the circular shape may be a circular shape having a different curvature, or may be an elliptical shape. The fixture 14 is formed so as to be fixed to the tube 13 by making the inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface smaller than the outer diameter of the tube 13. In addition, the outer shape of the fixture 14 is formed larger than the opening shape of the hole 111b of the housing 111. The fixture 14 is formed so as to be able to abut against the periphery of the hole 111b of the housing 111 when fixed to the tube 13, and by abutting against the periphery of the hole 111b of the housing 111, the fixture 14 restricts the movement of the tube 13.

[0042] As a specific example, the fixing device 14 includes an annular ring portion 14a with a portion cut out, a pair of operating portions 14b provided at both ends of the ring portion 14a, a pair of teeth portions 14c provided on each of the pair of operating portions 14b and engaging with each other, and a stack portion 14d provided at one end of the ring portion 14a and capable of overlapping with the inner surface of the other end of the ring portion 14a. The ring portion 14a has an inner peripheral surface formed in a partially cut-out arc shape with a predetermined curvature. The ring portion 14a becomes circular when the pair of teeth portions 14c engage with each other and the stack portion 14d overlaps with the other end of the ring portion 14a.

[0043] The pair of operation parts 14b are formed to be operable by fingers so as to move in a direction approaching each other, for example, in a circumferential direction. As a specific example, when the pair of operation parts 14b are operated by fingers in a direction approaching each other, both ends of the ring part 14a approach each other, the stack part 14d overlaps with the other end of the ring part 14a, and the ring part 14a is deformed in a direction in which the inner diameter of the ring part 14a becomes smaller.

[0044] The toothed portion 14c is formed by a combination of a plurality of teeth. The pair of toothed portions 14c engage with each other when the pair of operating portions 14b are operated in a direction in which the stack portion 14d provided at one end of the ring portion 14a overlaps with the other end of the ring portion 14a. For example, the pair of toothed portions 14c are formed in a shape in which one toothed portion 14c rides on the other toothed portion 14c when the pair of operating portions 14b move in a direction in which the pair of operating portions 14b approach each other, and when the pair of operating portions 14b move in a direction in which the pair of operating portions 14b move away from each other, the pair of toothed portions 14c engage with each other to restrict the movement of the pair of operating portions 14b (ring portion 14a) in the direction in which the pair of operating portions 14b move away from each other. As a specific example, the teeth of the pair of toothed portions 14c are inclined at a predetermined inclination angle on the surfaces facing each other with respect to the moving direction of the pair of operating portions 14b, and the surfaces on the opposite sides to the facing sides extend in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the pair of operating portions 14b.

[0045] For example, opposing portions of the pair of operating parts 14b are recessed in an arc shape along the moving direction of the pair of operating parts 14b, and teeth 14c are provided in each of these recesses. The pair of teeth 14c are provided on different surfaces in the radial direction of the inner surface forming the recess of the pair of operating parts 14b. In other words, the pair of teeth 14c are provided at positions facing each other in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the pair of operating parts 14b, i.e., in the radial direction of the ring part 14a. Also, a stack part 14d is formed by the recess of one of the operating parts 14b.

[0046] The inner diameter of the ring portion 14a of the fixture 14 configured in this manner when fixed to the tube 13 is set to be equal to or larger than the inner diameter of the open tip of the nozzle portion 12b of the tube connector 12. In other words, the inner diameter of the tube 13 at the portion to which the fixture 14 is fixed is equal to or larger than the inner diameter of the opening of the nozzle portion 12b.

[0047] Furthermore, in a state in which the tube 13 is held by the holding portion 111a and the rotor 112 of the pump device 110, the fixing device 14 is provided adjacent to the housing 111 at least in a portion extending from the hole 111b of the housing 111 of the tube 13 to the outside on the primary side of the housing 111 in the flow direction of the fluid flowing through the tube 13. Here, adjacent to the housing 111 means that the fixing device 14 abuts against the housing 111 on the outside of the housing 111 or is adjacent to the housing 111 with a predetermined gap therebetween.

[0048] As a specific example, two fasteners 14 are provided on the tube 13. The two fasteners 14 are provided at positions adjacent to the hole 111b of the tube 13 extending from the hole 111b of the housing 111 to the primary side and the secondary side. In the following description, the fastener 14 provided on the tube 13 extending from the hole 111b of the housing 111 to the primary side may be described as a first fastener 14A, and the fastener 14 provided on the tube 13 extending from the hole 111b of the housing 111 to the secondary side may be described as a second fastener 14B. For example, the first fixture 14A is a part of the tube 13 disposed on the primary side of the housing 111, and is fixed at a position where no gap is generated between the first fixture 14A and the housing 111, or where a gap of a width such that the tube 13 does not move axially away from the protrusion 12c that fits with the tube 13 of the nozzle portion 12b when the tube 13 moves from the primary side to the secondary side by the rotation of the rotor 112 is generated between the first fixture 14A and the housing 111. The second fixture 14B is a part of the tube 13 disposed on the secondary side of the housing, and is fixed at a position where no gap is generated between the second fixture 14B and the housing 111, or where a slight gap is generated between the second fixture 14B and the housing 111.

[0049] According to the fluid container 1 configured in this manner, a part of the tube 13 connected directly or indirectly to the packaging body 11 is arranged inside the pump device 110. Also, at least the fixing device 14 (first fixing device 14A) is provided on the packaging body 11 side (primary side) of the tube 13 protruding from the hole 111b of the housing 111 of the pump device 110. That is, the tube 13 is configured such that a part of the middle part is arranged inside the pump device 110, and a part of the tube 13 extending from inside the housing 111 of the pump device 110 to the outside has a predetermined length, and the first fixing device 14A is provided at a position abutting or close to the housing 111. As a result, even if a force is applied to the tube 13 to move from the primary side to the secondary side when the fluid in the tube 13 is moved by the rotation of the rotor 112, the first fixing device 14A fixed to the tube 13 abuts against the housing 111, so that the movement of the tube 13 can be restricted. Therefore, the tube 13 can be prevented from falling off the packaging body 11. That is, the first fixture 14A is fixed to the tube 13 adjacent to the housing 111, thereby making it possible to hold the tube 13 relative to the pump device 110.

[0050] In addition, in this embodiment, the fluid container 1 is configured to provide the first fixture 14A and the second fixture 14B on the primary side and the secondary side of the tube 13, which protrude from the hole 111b of the housing 111, respectively. This is because, when the rotor 112 rotates with the first fixture 14A on the primary side located away from the hole 111b of the housing 111, tension in the liquid sending direction is generated in the tube 13, and there is a risk that the tube 13 may fall off the package 11 when the tube 13 moves a distance until the first fixture 14A abuts against the housing 111. However, when the first fixture 14A and the second fixture 14B are provided on the primary side and the secondary side of the tube 13, the relative positional relationship between the package 11 and the tube 13 located in the housing 111 is determined to be a predetermined positional relationship. That is, the first fixing device 14A and the second fixing device 14B are located at two places on the tube 13 that have a predetermined positional relationship with the housing 111, so that the tube 13 in the package 11 and the housing 111 are in suitable relative positions. Therefore, even if tension in the liquid sending direction is generated in the tube 13 with the rotation of the rotor 112, the fluid container 1 does not move the tube 13, and it is possible to prevent the tube 13 from falling off the package 11.

[0051] Further, the tube 13 is configured such that a portion between both ends is provided inside the pump device 110, and one end is connected to the packaging body 11. With this, when changing the fluid to be supplied, the fluid container 1 only needs to replace the tube 13 in addition to the packaging body 11, and there is no need to clean the tube 13. That is, when changing the packaging body 11, the tube 13 can be easily replaced with a new tube 13, so hygiene can be ensured. Furthermore, when different fluids are supplied, by replacing one tube 13, it is possible to prevent the different fluids from mixing.

[0052] Moreover, the fixture 14 is detachable from the tube 13, and since the tube 13 can be held relative to the housing 111 simply by being fixed to the tube 13, the fluid container 1 can be easily attached to the pump device 110. Moreover, the fixture 14 can be easily attached to the tube 13 by simply being fixed to a portion of the tube 13 that is disposed outside the housing 111. Moreover, the fixture 14 can be attached after the tube 13 is disposed in the housing 111, and the position of the fixture 14 can be adjusted after the tube 13 is disposed in the housing 111.

[0053] In addition, since the tube 13 is configured such that a part of the middle part is provided in the pump device 110, it is possible to connect the packaging body 11 and the nozzle device 121 with a single tube 13. This makes it possible to reduce the cost of the tube 13 since it is not necessary to connect a plurality of tubes with joints. In addition, since the tube 13 is capable of connecting the packaging body 11 and the nozzle device 121 and only needs to be long enough to be able to place a part of the middle part in the pump device 110, the length of the tube 13 can be shortened as much as possible. This is because when the fluid in the packaging body 11 is heated by the holding device 130, the travel distance (supply line) of the fluid can be shortened, and therefore a drop in the temperature of the fluid when the heated fluid moves to the nozzle device 121 can be suppressed.

[0054] In addition, the fixture 14 is configured to be detachable from the tube 13. This allows the position of the fixture 14 to be changed depending on the length of the tube 13 arranged in the housing 111 of the pump device 110. That is, when the fluid container 1 is used for the pump device 110 having a different length of the tube 13 arranged in the housing 111, the fixture 14 can be used to adjust the attachment position of the fixture 14 to the tube 13 in accordance with the pump device 110 by using the fixture 14 detachable from the tube 13. In addition, when the pair of operating parts 14b are operated in a direction to approach each other, the pair of teeth 14c of the fixture 14 are engaged with each other, and the movement of the pair of operating parts 14b in a direction to separate from each other can be restricted. Therefore, the engaged pair of teeth 14c can be prevented from being disengaged by the internal pressure of the tube 13. In addition, when the pair of operating parts 14b are moved in a direction to approach each other, the pair of teeth 14c ride up and engage with each other, so that the engagement position of the pair of teeth 14c, i.e., the inner diameter of the ring part 14a, can be easily changed.

[0055] Furthermore, the toothed portion 14c of the fixture 14 is formed by a plurality of teeth. As a result, the pair of toothed portions 14c can adjust the inner diameter of the ring portion 14a depending on the number of teeth that engage with each other, so that the fixing force of the fixture 14 to the tube 13 and the fluid resistance of the tube 13 can be adjusted according to the tube diameter, viscosity, and temperature of the tube 13. Furthermore, the pair of toothed portions 14c changes the engagement position in stages using a plurality of teeth, so that the inner diameter of the ring portion 14a can be easily adjusted.

[0056] Furthermore, by making the inner diameter of the fixture 14 smaller than the outer diameter of the tube 13, the inner surface of the fixture 14 comes into close contact with the outer surface of the tube 13, and the fixture 14 is kept fixed to the tube 13 even if tension in the liquid sending direction is generated in the tube 13 with the fixture abutting against the periphery of the hole 111b of the housing 111 during liquid sending. Therefore, the first fixture 14A can restrict the movement of the tube 13. Note that the method of fixing the fixture 14 to the tube 13 is not limited to the engagement of the teeth 14c, and may be a method of bonding the inner surface of the fixture 14 and the outer surface of the tube 13 with an adhesive or the like.

[0057] Further, the inner diameter of the tube 13 at the location where the fixture 14 is fixed is configured to be equal to or larger than the inner diameter of the nozzle portion 12b of the tube connector 12. As a result, the rate-limiting point when the fluid moves through the tube 13 is the nozzle portion 12b of the tube connector 12. Since the tube connector 12 is formed of a rigid material, by making the nozzle portion 12b of the tube connector 12 the rate-limiting point when the fluid moves through the tube, rather than the location where the fixture 14 is fixed, it is possible to reduce the tension of the tube 13 in the liquid sending direction and to prevent the tube 13 from falling off the package 11.

[0058] In addition, such a fluid container 1 may be distributed in a distribution process in which the discharge outlet 22b of the spout 22 of the package 11 filled with the fluid is sealed with a screw cap or the like, and the package 11, the tube connector 12, the tube 13, and the fastener 14 are distributed separately, i.e., in an unassembled state. The discharge outlet 22b of the spout 22 may be sealed with a material other than a screw cap, and may be sealed with, for example, an easy peel or heat seal formed from a film having a sealing layer made of the same material as the spout 22, or may be sealed with a resin material, for example, a pull-off plug having a fragile part made of a material different from that of the spout 22.

[0059] Furthermore, the fluid container 1 may be distributed in a state in which the packaging 11 filled with the fluid, the tube connector 12, and the tube 13 are integrated, i.e., assembled, and the end of the tube 13 opposite the packaging 11 is sealed with a cap or the like so that it can be opened. The end of the tube 13 may be sealed with something other than a cap, for example, a twist-off connector made of a resin material, such as the same material as the tube, may be provided at the end of the tube 13, an end seal may be formed on the tube 13 by heat sealing, ultrasonic welding, hot air welding, or the like, or the end side of the tube 13 may be closed with a clip for the tube, or the like.

[0060] It should be noted that the tube 13 and the fixture 14 may be in an assembled or unassembled state.

[0061] The fluid container 1 according to the embodiment described above can be easily attached to the pump device 110.

[0062] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist of the present invention. The embodiments may be combined as appropriate, and in that case, the combined effect can be obtained. Furthermore, the above-mentioned embodiment includes various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by combinations selected from the multiple components disclosed. For example, if the problem can be solved and the effect can be obtained even if some components are deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment, the configuration from which the components are deleted can be extracted as an invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1...fluid container, 11...packaging body, 12...tube connector, 12a...base, 12b...nozzle portion, 12c...projection portion, 12d...seal portion, 12e...female thread, 13...tube, 14...fixing device, 14a...ring portion, 14b...operation portion, 14c...tooth portion, 14e...stack portion, 21...pouch body, 22...spout, 22a...flange, 22b...discharge port, 22c...male thread 100...food three-dimensional modeling apparatus, 110...pump device, 111...housing, 111a...holding portion, 111b...hole, 112...rotor, 112a...roller, 113...motor, 120...modeling device, 121...nozzle device, 122...table, 123...first moving mechanism, 124...second moving mechanism, 125...third moving mechanism, 130...holding device, 150...control device.

Claims

1. A fluid container for use in a fluid delivery device, the fluid container comprising: a housing; and a rotor provided in the housing, which presses a tube through which a fluid flows and moves a portion of the tube that is pressed, thereby delivering the fluid from a primary side to a secondary side, a tube that is connected to a deformable packaging body filled with a fluid and through which the fluid passes, the tube being elastically deformable by being pressed by the rotor, and a portion of the tube being disposed within the housing between one end of the primary side and the other end of the secondary side; a fastener that is fixed to a portion of the primary side of the housing of the tube adjacent to the housing and can abut against the housing; A fluid container comprising:

2. The fluid container of claim 1 , wherein the fastener is further secured to a portion of the tube adjacent the housing on the secondary side of the housing.

3. the housing has a holding portion therein facing the rotor with a predetermined gap therebetween, The fluid container according to claim 1 , wherein the holding portion and the rotor sandwich the tube within the housing.

4. The package includes: The fluid container according to claim 1 , wherein the primary end of the tube is connected to the package.

5. The fluid container according to claim 1 , wherein the fixing device is formed so as to have a variable inner diameter, and is fixed to the tube by making the inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the tube.

6. The fluid container according to claim 1 , wherein the packaging body is provided with a spout to which the tube can be fixed.

7. The fluid container according to claim 6, further comprising a tube connector having one end fixed to the spout and the other end inserted into the tube to secure the tube, the tube being formed with a nozzle portion for moving the fluid within the package into the tube.

8. 8. The fluid container according to claim 7, wherein an inner diameter of the tube at a location where the fixture is fixed is equal to or larger than an inner diameter of the nozzle portion of the tube connector.

9. The fluid container according to claim 8 , wherein the tube has the primary side connected to the packaging body and the secondary side releasably sealed.

10. The fluid container of claim 8 , wherein the spout is releasably sealed.

11. The fluid container according to claim 1 , wherein the fluid delivery device is used in a device for three-dimensionally molding or extrusion molding a fluid food product.

12. The fluid container according to claim 1 , further comprising a packaging body that contains the fluid.

13. The fluid container according to claim 12, wherein the fluid is a liquid food product.

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