Ink storage container

Abstract

To provide an ink storage container using recycled plastic.SOLUTION: An ink storage container includes: a liquid contact part that is formed of a virgin plastic material and contacts ink to be stored; and a non-liquid-contact part that is formed of a material containing recycled plastic and does not contact with the ink.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to ink containing container technology. [Background technology]

[0002] Ink refill type inkjet printers that are used by refilling an ink tank with ink are known. Patent Document 1 discloses an ink storage container that is used to refill an ink refill type ink tank with ink. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-18712 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, from the viewpoint of a recycling-oriented society, it is desirable to use recycled plastics as materials for ink containers. However, it is difficult to grasp the components of recycled plastics made from waste plastics that are a mixture of multiple types. Therefore, the inventors have found a problem that ink containers made of recycled plastics may dissolve in the ink contained therein, affecting the ink. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an ink containing container, the ink containing container including: a liquid-contacting portion that is made of virgin plastic material and that comes into contact with the contained ink; and a non-liquid-contacting portion that is made of a material that contains recycled plastic and that does not come into contact with the ink. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which ink is replenished into an ink tank using an ink containing container. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of the ink containing container in a normal position. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of the cap. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an ink outlet portion in a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an ink outlet portion in a third embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the inside of a cap in a third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a front view showing a main body in a fourth embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the inside of an ink outlet portion in a fourth embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a main body portion in a fifth embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a main body portion in a sixth embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an ink outlet portion in a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] A. First embodiment: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printer 200 in this embodiment. The printer 200 is an inkjet printer that prints by ejecting ink onto a print medium. FIG. 1 depicts X, Y and Z axes that are perpendicular to each other. The X axis corresponds to the width direction of the printer 200, the Y axis corresponds to the depth direction of the printer 200, and the Z axis corresponds to the height direction of the printer 200. The printer 200 is installed on a horizontal installation surface defined by the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. These axes correspond to the axes shown in FIG. 1 and subsequent figures.

[0008] The printer 200 has a housing 210. A carriage (not shown) that is movable in the main scanning direction (X-axis direction) is provided inside the housing 210. A print head that ejects ink onto a print medium is mounted on the carriage. An ink tank housing unit 220 that houses multiple ink tanks 300 is provided at one end of the front of the housing 210. An openable and closable lid 221 is disposed on the top of the ink tank housing unit 220. Each ink tank 300 is an ink refill type ink tank that is replenished with ink from the ink storage container 100 when the remaining ink level becomes low.

[0009] 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which ink is refilled into the ink tank 300 using the ink containing container 100. The front surface of each ink tank 300 is made of a transparent material, and the amount of ink remaining in each ink tank 300 can be visually observed from the outside. When the amount of ink remaining becomes low, as shown in FIG. 2, it is possible to open the lid 221 and refill ink through the ink inlet flow path member 310 of the ink tank 300.

[0010] Fig. 3 is a front view of the ink containing container 100 in a normal position. The normal position of the ink containing container 100 means a state in which the ink containing container 100 is placed on a horizontal surface such as a desk with the bottom surface 13 of the main body 10 facing down. As shown in Fig. 2 above, ink is replenished to the ink tank 300 in an inverted position with the tip side of the ink containing container 100 facing downward. The ink containing container 100 contains the ink to be replenished to the ink tank 300.

[0011] The ink container 100 has a liquid contact portion that contacts the ink contained therein and a non-liquid contact portion that does not contact the ink. The liquid contact portion is made of virgin plastic material. The virgin plastic material is a new plastic material that is produced without adding any additives. The liquid contact portion is made of virgin plastic material that is not dissolved by the ink contained therein. The non-liquid contact portion is made of a material that contains recycled plastic. Recycled plastic is a plastic that is produced from waste plastic and is a mixture of multiple plastics. The material that contains recycled plastic includes not only a material that is made of recycled plastic only, but also a material that is made of a mixture of virgin plastic and recycled plastic. In this embodiment, the liquid contact portion is a part of the main body portion 10, the ink outlet portion 20, and the cap 30, which will be described later. The non-liquid contact portion is another part of the cap 30, which will be described later.

[0012] In this embodiment, the ink containing container 100 is composed of a main body 10, an ink outlet 20, and a cap 30. The main body 10 is a member capable of containing ink. The main body 10 is a member having a cylindrical bottle shape, and has an opening 11 communicating with the ink outlet 20, a bottom 13, and a side surface 12 connecting the opening 11 and the bottom 13.

[0013] The ink outlet portion 20 is a member connected to the main body portion 10 and allows ink to flow out of the ink storage container 100, and includes a tube portion 21 having an ink outflow path therein. An ink inlet flow path member 310 is inserted into the tube portion 21 when refilling the ink tank 300 with ink. A valve (not shown) is attached to the inside of the tube portion 21, and opens when the ink inlet flow path member 310 is inserted into the tube portion 21, and closes when the ink inlet flow path member 310 is removed from the tube portion 21. In this embodiment, the ink outlet portion 20 is a member separate from the main body portion 10. The ink outlet portion 20 is attached to the main body portion 10. The cap 30 is a member attached to the ink outlet portion 20. In this embodiment, the cap 30 is attached so as to cover the ink outlet portion 20.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the inside of the cap 30. The cap 30 is a member having a first seal portion 31 that seals the ink outlet. When the cap 30 is attached to the ink outlet portion 20, the ink outlet portion 20 and the first seal portion 31 abut against each other, and the first seal portion 31 prevents ink from leaking out. The first seal portion 31 constitutes a part of the liquid contact portion. In other words, the first seal portion 31 is made of virgin plastic material. In addition, the portion of the cap 30 other than the first seal portion 31 constitutes a non-liquid contact portion. In other words, the portion of the cap 30 other than the first seal portion 31 is made of a material containing recycled plastic.

[0015] According to the ink containing container 100 of the present embodiment described above, materials including recycled plastics that may be dissolved by ink are not in contact with the ink, so that it is possible to prevent the ink containing container 100 from being dissolved by the ink. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ink contained therein from being adversely affected.

[0016] In addition, in the ink containing container 100, the first seal portion 31 constitutes a part of the liquid contact portion, and the portion of the cap 30 other than the first seal portion 31 constitutes a non-liquid contact portion. This prevents the material containing recycled plastic from coming into contact with the ink, thereby preventing the cap 30 from being dissolved by the ink. This prevents the ink contained therein from being adversely affected.

[0017] B. Second embodiment: 5 is a perspective view showing an ink outlet portion 20B in the second embodiment. The ink containing container 100 in the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the ink outlet portion 20B has an identification portion 40, but the other configurations are the same.

[0018] The identification portion 40 is provided on the outer periphery of the ink outlet portion 20, and is a portion for making it possible to identify the type of ink. In this embodiment, the identification portion 40 has a different shape depending on the type of ink. The difference in shape of the identification portion 40 depending on the type of ink is not limited to a difference that can be easily recognized by visual inspection. For example, when the identification portion 40 has a shape that fits into a recess provided around the ink inlet flow path member 310 of the corresponding ink tank 300, the difference in shape of the identification portion 40 depending on the type of ink may be a difference that cannot be fitted into a recess provided around the ink inlet flow path member 310 of an incompatible ink tank 300. More specifically, the identification portion 40 has a shape such that an ink storage container 100 for replenishing yellow ink fits into a recess corresponding to the ink tank 300 that contains yellow ink, but an ink storage container 100 for replenishing ink of other colors such as magenta ink or cyan ink cannot fit into the recess. In addition, the identification portion 40 constitutes a non-liquid-contacting portion. That is, the identification portion 40 is formed of a material including recycled plastic.

[0019] In the ink containing container 100 of the second embodiment described above, the identification unit 40 that does not come into contact with the ink is made of a material containing recycled plastic. This makes it possible to prevent the material containing recycled plastic from coming into contact with the ink and dissolving, thereby making it possible to prevent the material from affecting the ink contained therein.

[0020] C. Third embodiment: Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing an ink outlet portion 20C in the third embodiment. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the inside of a cap 30C in the third embodiment. The ink containing container 100 in the third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the ink outlet portion 20C has a first engagement portion 22 and the cap 30C has a second engagement portion 32, but the other configurations are the same.

[0021] The first engagement portion 22 is provided on the outer periphery of the ink outlet portion 20C. The first engagement portion 22 is a portion that engages with the second engagement portion 32. That is, the ink outlet portion 20C engages with the cap 30C via the first engagement portion 22 and the second engagement portion 32. In this application, "engagement" is a concept that includes not only engagement of a certain member with another member, but also fitting together by, for example, a screw. In this embodiment, the ink outlet portion 20C engages with the cap 30C by screwing the first engagement portion 22 and the second engagement portion 32 together. In addition, the first engagement portion 22 and the second engagement portion 32 constitute a non-liquid-contacting portion. That is, the first engagement portion 22 and the second engagement portion 32 are formed of a material including recycled plastic.

[0022] In this embodiment, the wall portion 23 at the portion where the first engagement portion 22 is formed in the ink outlet portion 20C is also part of the first engagement portion 22 and configures a non-liquid-contacting portion. The outer peripheral surface of the wall portion 23 is the cross-hatched portion in FIG.

[0023] In this embodiment, the cap wall portion 33 where the second engagement portion 32 of the cap 30C is formed is also part of the second engagement portion 32 and constitutes a non-liquid-contacting portion. The inner circumferential surface of the cap wall portion 33 is the cross-hatched portion in Fig. 7. Furthermore, the threads of the second engagement portion 32 are formed intermittently in the circumferential direction, but may be formed continuously in the circumferential direction.

[0024] In the ink containing container 100 of the third embodiment described above, the first engaging portion 22 and the second engaging portion 32 that do not come into contact with the ink are made of a material containing recycled plastic. This makes it possible to prevent the material containing recycled plastic from coming into contact with the ink and dissolving, thereby making it possible to prevent the material from affecting the ink contained therein.

[0025] D. Fourth embodiment: Fig. 8 is a front view showing a main body portion 10D in the fourth embodiment. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the inside of an ink outlet portion 20D in the fourth embodiment. The ink containing container 100 in the fourth embodiment differs from the third embodiment in that it is provided with a fixing mechanism 50, and that the main body portion 10D has a third engagement portion 14, and the ink outlet portion 20D has a fourth engagement portion 24 and a second seal portion 26, but the other configurations are the same.

[0026] In this embodiment, the third engagement portion 14 is provided at a position between the opening 11 and the first locking portion 51 on the outer periphery of the main body portion 10D. The fourth engagement portion 24 is provided at a position between the tube portion 21 and the second locking portion 52 on the inner periphery of the ink outlet portion 20D. The third engagement portion 14 is a portion that engages with the fourth engagement portion 24. That is, the main body portion 10D engages with the ink outlet portion 20D via the third engagement portion 14 and the fourth engagement portion 24. In this embodiment, the third engagement portion 14 and the fourth engagement portion 24 are screw-engaged with each other, so that the main body portion 10D engages with the ink outlet portion 20. The third engagement portion 14 and the fourth engagement portion 24 constitute non-liquid-contacting portions. That is, the third engagement portion 14 and the fourth engagement portion 24 are formed of a material containing recycled plastic.

[0027] In this embodiment, the tubular wall portion 25 at the portion of the inner circumferential surface of the ink outlet portion 20D where the fourth engagement portion 24 is formed is also part of the fourth engagement portion 24 and constitutes a non-liquid-contacting portion. The inner circumferential surface of the tubular wall portion 25 is the cross-hatched portion in Fig. 9. The outer circumferential surface of the tubular wall portion 25 in this embodiment is the same as the wall portion 23 which is part of the first engagement portion 22 shown in Fig. 6, and both the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface of the tubular wall portion 25 constitute non-liquid-contacting portions.

[0028] The second seal portion 26 seals the opening 11 when the third engagement portion 14 and the fourth engagement portion 24 are engaged. The second seal portion 26 is an annular convex portion that seals the opening 11 by contacting the inner peripheral surface of the opening 11. Therefore, the second seal portion 26 can suppress ink leakage, and the third engagement portion 14 and the fourth engagement portion 24 can be prevented from contacting the ink. Note that the second seal portion 26 may be in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the opening 11 instead of in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the opening 11, or may sandwich the tip of the opening 11 to seal the opening 11 by contacting the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the opening 11. The second seal portion 26 may be a packing that contacts the tip surface of the opening 11 instead of the annular convex portion.

[0029] The fixing mechanism 50 is a mechanism for fixing the ink outlet 20 to the main body 10D. The fixing mechanism 50 has a first locking portion 51 disposed on the outside of the main body 10D and a second locking portion 52 disposed on the ink outlet 20. In this embodiment, a ratchet mechanism is used as the fixing mechanism 50. The first locking portion 51 is a claw portion in the ratchet mechanism. The second locking portion 52 is a tooth portion in the ratchet mechanism. When the outlet opening side of the tube portion 21 of the ink outlet 20 is facing upward, the second locking portion 52 is located below the second seal portion 26 and the fourth engagement portion 24, and is formed on the entire inner circumference of the ink outlet 20. The second locking portion 52 includes the peripheral wall on which the tooth portion is formed, and may include not only the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall but also the outer peripheral surface.

[0030] In this embodiment, when the third engaging portion 14 and the fourth engaging portion 24 are engaged by screwing, the ink outlet portion 20D is engaged with the main body portion 10D. As a result, the first locking portion 51 and the second locking portion 52 mesh with each other, and rotation in the reverse direction that loosens the screw is restricted, so that the ink outlet portion 20 is fixed to the main body portion 10D. In this fixed state, the first locking portion 51 and the second locking portion 52 are located outside the main body portion 10D. That is, in a state in which the ink outlet portion 20 is fixed to the main body portion 10D by the fixing mechanism 50, the fixing mechanism 50 is located outside the main body portion 10D. Therefore, the fixing mechanism 50 constitutes a non-liquid-contacting portion. Therefore, the fixing mechanism 50 is formed of a material containing recycled plastic. The fixing mechanism 50 is not limited to a ratchet mechanism, and may be a snap fit.

[0031] In the ink containing container 100 of the fourth embodiment described above, the fixing mechanism 50 that does not come into contact with the ink is made of a material containing recycled plastic. This makes it possible to prevent the material containing recycled plastic from coming into contact with the ink and dissolving, thereby making it possible to prevent the material from affecting the ink contained therein.

[0032] In addition, the third engagement portion 14 and the fourth engagement portion 24, which do not come into contact with the ink, are made of a material containing recycled plastic. This prevents the material containing recycled plastic from coming into contact with the ink and dissolving, thereby preventing the material from affecting the ink contained therein.

[0033] E. Fifth embodiment: 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a main body portion 10E in the fifth embodiment. The ink containing container 100 in the fifth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the surface layer 12b of the side portion 12 constitutes a non-liquid-contacting portion, but the other configurations are the same. The "surface layer" is the outer layer facing the outside. The "inner layer" is the layer facing the inside of the ink containing container 100.

[0034] In this embodiment, the side portion 12 has a two-layer structure in which the inner layer 12a is made of virgin plastic material and the surface layer 12b is made of a material containing recycled plastic.

[0035] According to the ink storage container 100 of the fifth embodiment described above, the side surface portion 12 has a two-layer structure, and therefore is stronger than when the side surface portion 12 has a single-layer structure. Therefore, when the ink container is held by a user, deformation of the ink container and ejection of ink due to the force applied to the side surface portion 12 can be suppressed. Also, it is possible to use more materials including recycled plastics than when a multiple-layer structure is made of only virgin plastic material.

[0036] F. Sixth embodiment: 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a main body 10F in the sixth embodiment. The ink containing container 100 in the sixth embodiment is different from that in the fifth embodiment in that a surface layer 13b of a bottom portion 13 constitutes a non-liquid-contacting portion, but the other configurations are the same.

[0037] In this embodiment, the bottom portion 13 has a two-layer structure in which the inner layer 13a is made of virgin plastic material and the surface layer 13b is made of a material containing recycled plastic. The surface layer 13b of the bottom portion 13 and the surface layer 13b of the side portion 12 are continuous.

[0038] According to the ink containing container 100 of the sixth embodiment described above, the bottom portion 13 has a two-layer structure, and therefore is stronger than when the bottom portion 13 has a single-layer structure. In addition, it is possible to reinforce the corners of the main body portion 10, which are the connection portions between the bottom portion 13 and the side portions 12 and which tend to become thin, particularly when the main body portion 10 is formed by blow molding. In addition, it is possible to use more materials containing recycled plastics than when a multiple-layer structure is formed using only virgin plastic materials.

[0039] G. Other embodiments: (G1) In the above-described embodiment, the ink containing container 100 may be provided with a label on the outer periphery of the main body 10 that constitutes part of the non-liquid contact portion.

[0040] (G2) In the above-mentioned embodiment, the liquid-contacting portion and the non-liquid-contacting portion may be integrally formed, or may be formed by combining separate members. In addition, when the liquid-contacting portion and the non-liquid-contacting portion are formed by combining separate members, it is preferable that they are combined without using an adhesive.

[0041] (G3) In the above-mentioned first, second, third, fifth and sixth embodiments, the main body portion 10 and the ink outlet portion 20 may be integral with each other.

[0042] (G4) In the second, fourth, fifth and sixth embodiments described above, the ink containing container 100 does not have to be provided with the cap 30.

[0043] (G5) In the second embodiment described above, the identification portion 40 has a different shape depending on the type of ink. This is not limiting, and the identification portion 40 may be colored differently depending on the type of ink. For example, the identification portion 40 is colored the same color as the ink contained therein. In this case, the color of the ink contained therein can be easily visually recognized.

[0044] (G6) In the second embodiment described above, the indicator 40G may be provided along a portion or the entire circumference of the ink outlet 20G, as shown in Fig. 12. The indicator 40G may also have a fifth engagement portion 41 that engages with the cap 30. Furthermore, the fifth engagement portion 41 corresponds to the first engagement portion 22 shown in Fig. 6.

[0045] (G7) In the above-described fourth embodiment, the ink containing container 100 includes the fixing mechanism 50, the third engagement portion 14, the fourth engagement portion 24, and the second seal portion 26. However, the ink containing container 100 may include only the fixing mechanism 50, and may not include the third engagement portion 14 and the fourth engagement portion 24. In addition, the ink containing container 100 may not include the fixing mechanism 50.

[0046] (G8) In the fifth and sixth embodiments described above, the side surface portion 12 has a two-layer structure. Not limited to this, the side surface portion 12 may have a multi-layer structure of three or more layers. Also, in the sixth embodiment described above, the bottom surface portion 13 has a two-layer structure. Not limited to this, the bottom surface portion 13 may have a multi-layer structure of three or more layers. Also, only the bottom surface portion 13 may have a multi-layer structure.

[0047] (G9) In the fifth and sixth embodiments described above, the entire surface layer 12b of the side surface portion 12 constitutes a non-liquid-contacting portion. However, this is not limited thereto, and at least a part of the surface layer 12b of the side surface portion 12 may constitute a non-liquid-contacting portion.

[0048] (G10) In the above-mentioned first, second, third, fifth and sixth embodiments, the wall of the entire ink outlet portion 20 may have a multi-layer structure having an inner layer and a surface layer. In addition, a part of the ink outlet portion 20, for example, the wall of the tube portion 21 having an ink outflow path inside, may have a multi-layer structure having an inner layer and a surface layer. In these cases, it is possible to create them using different materials by two-color molding or the like. The inner layer constituting the liquid-contacting portion may be made of virgin polypropylene material, and the surface layer constituting the non-liquid-contacting portion may be made of recycled plastic material other than polypropylene. In the fifth and sixth embodiments, it is also possible to create the main body portions 10E and 10F by using virgin polypropylene material for the inner layer and a material containing recycled plastic material other than polypropylene for the surface layer, by two-color molding or the like. Furthermore, it is also possible to create the ink outlet portion 20 and the main body portion 10 in a similar manner when they are integrally formed.

[0049] H. Other forms: The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the technical features of the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each aspect described in the Summary of the Invention can be appropriately replaced or combined to solve some or all of the above-mentioned problems or to achieve some or all of the above-mentioned effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0050] (1) According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an ink containing container. The ink containing container includes a liquid-contacting portion made of virgin plastic material and in contact with the contained ink, and a non-liquid-contacting portion made of a material containing recycled plastic and not in contact with the ink. According to this aspect, since the material containing recycled plastic, which may be dissolved by the ink, does not come into contact with the ink, it is possible to prevent the ink containing container from being dissolved by the ink.

[0051] (2) In the above embodiment, the ink container may include a main body capable of containing ink, an ink outlet communicating with the main body and allowing the ink to flow out of the ink container, and a cap having a first seal for sealing the ink outlet, the first seal forming a part of the liquid contact portion, and the part of the cap other than the first seal forming a part or the whole of the non-liquid contact portion. According to this embodiment of the ink container, the first seal forming a part of the liquid contact portion and the part of the cap other than the first seal forming a non-liquid contact portion prevent the material containing recycled plastic from coming into contact with the ink, thereby preventing the cap from being dissolved by the ink. This prevents the ink contained therein from being adversely affected.

[0052] (3) In the above embodiment, the ink container may include a main body capable of containing ink, an ink outlet communicating with the main body and allowing the ink to flow out of the ink container, and an identification portion provided on at least a portion of the outer periphery of the ink outlet for identifying the type of ink, the identification portion constituting a part or all of the non-wetted portion. According to the ink container of this embodiment, the identification portion that does not come into contact with the ink is made of a material containing recycled plastic. This makes it possible to prevent the material containing recycled plastic from coming into contact with the ink and dissolving it. This makes it possible to prevent the material from affecting the ink contained therein.

[0053] (4) In the above embodiment, the ink container includes a main body capable of containing ink, an ink outlet communicating with the main body and allowing the ink to flow out of the ink container, and a cap attached to the ink outlet, the ink outlet having a first engaging portion disposed on at least a portion of the outer periphery of the ink outlet and constituting a part or all of the non-contacting portion, and the cap may have a second engaging portion that engages with the first engaging portion and constitutes a part or all of the non-contacting portion. According to the ink container of this embodiment, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion that do not come into contact with the ink are made of a material containing recycled plastic. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the material containing recycled plastic from coming into contact with the ink and dissolving. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the material containing recycled plastic from affecting the ink contained therein.

[0054] (5) In the above embodiment, the ink container includes a main body capable of containing ink, an ink outlet separate from the main body, communicating with the main body and allowing ink to flow out of the ink container, and a fixing mechanism for fixing the ink outlet to the main body, the fixing mechanism having a first locking portion disposed on the outside of the main body and a second locking portion disposed on the ink outlet and engageable with the first locking portion, the second locking portion being located on the outside of the main body in a fixed state in which the ink outlet is fixed to the main body by engaging with the first locking portion, and the fixing mechanism may constitute a part or the whole of the non-liquid contact portion. According to the ink container of this embodiment, the fixing mechanism that does not come into contact with the ink is made of a material containing recycled plastic. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the material containing recycled plastic from coming into contact with the ink and dissolving. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the material containing recycled plastic from affecting the ink contained therein.

[0055] (6) In the above embodiment, the ink container may include a main body capable of containing ink, and a separate ink outlet detachably attached to the main body, communicating with the main body and allowing ink to flow out of the ink container. The main body may have an opening communicating with the ink outlet, and a third engagement portion located outside the main body and constituting a part or all of the non-contacting portion, and the ink outlet may have a fourth engagement portion engaging with the third engagement portion and constituting a part or all of the non-contacting portion, and a second seal portion sealing the opening when the third engagement portion and the fourth engagement portion are engaged. According to the ink container of this embodiment, the third engagement portion and the fourth engagement portion that do not come into contact with the ink are made of a material containing recycled plastic. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the material containing recycled plastic from coming into contact with the ink and dissolving. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the material containing recycled plastic from affecting the ink contained therein.

[0056] (7) In the above embodiment, the ink container may include a main body capable of containing ink, and an ink outlet connected to the main body and allowing ink to flow out of the ink container, the main body having a bottom and a side connecting the ink outlet and the bottom, and at least a portion of the surface layer of the bottom and the side may constitute a part or all of the non-liquid-contacting portion. With this embodiment, at least a portion of the bottom and the side has a two-layer structure, which makes the ink container stronger than a single-layer structure.

[0057] (8) In the above embodiment, the surface layer of the bottom portion and at least a part of the surface layer of the side portion continuous with the surface layer of the bottom portion may constitute a part or all of the non-liquid-contacting portion. With this embodiment of the ink container, the bottom portion has a two-layer structure, which makes it stronger than a single-layer structure.

[0058] (9) In the above embodiment, the ink containing container may be formed such that the liquid contact portion and the non-liquid contact portion are integrally formed, or may be formed by combining separate members. According to this embodiment of the ink containing container, the liquid contact portion and the non-liquid contact portion can be integrally formed, or can be formed by combining separate members. When integrally formed, they can be formed, for example, by two-color molding. When they are separate members, the members can be combined by means of adhesion, crimping, fitting, or the like. When they are separate members, if a separable means such as crimping or fitting is used, the members can be replaced and reused. When replacing the members, for example, it is possible to restore the fixing function by replacing a deteriorated member of the fixing mechanism.

[0059] Not all of the multiple components of each embodiment of the present disclosure described above are essential, and in order to solve some or all of the above problems or to achieve some or all of the effects described in this specification, some of the multiple components may be modified, deleted, replaced with new other components, or some of the limitations may be deleted as appropriate. In addition, in order to solve some or all of the above problems or to achieve some or all of the effects described in this specification, some or all of the technical features included in one embodiment of the present disclosure described above may be combined with some or all of the technical features included in the other embodiments of the present disclosure described above to form an independent embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0060] In addition to the above aspects, the present disclosure can be realized in other aspects such as a method for manufacturing an ink storage container. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 10, 10D, 10E, 10F... main body portion, 11... opening, 12... side portion, 12a, 13a... inner layer, 12b, 13b... surface layer, 13... bottom portion, 14... third engagement portion, 20, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20G... ink outlet portion, 21... tube portion, 22... first engagement portion, 23... wall portion, 24... fourth engagement portion, 25... tubular wall portion, 26... second seal portion, 30, 30C... cap cap, 31...first seal portion, 32...second engagement portion, 33...cap wall portion, 40, 40G...identification portion, 41...fifth engagement portion, 50...fixing mechanism, 51...first locking portion, 52...second locking portion, 100...ink storage container, 200...printer, 210...casing, 220...ink tank storage unit, 221...lid, 300...ink tank, 310...ink inlet flow path member

Claims

1. An ink containing container, A liquid contact part made of virgin plastic material that comes into contact with the ink contained therein; An ink container comprising: a non-liquid contact portion that is made of a material containing recycled plastic and does not come into contact with the ink.

2. 2. The ink container according to claim 1, a main body portion capable of containing the ink; an ink outlet portion that communicates with the main body portion and allows the ink to flow out of the ink containing container; a cap having a first seal portion that seals the ink outlet portion, The first seal portion constitutes a part of the liquid contact portion, an ink containing container, wherein a portion of the cap other than the first seal portion constitutes a part or the whole of the non-liquid contact portion;

3. 2. The ink container according to claim 1, a main body portion capable of containing the ink; an ink outlet portion that communicates with the main body portion and allows the ink to flow out of the ink containing container; An ink container comprising: an identification portion provided on at least a portion of the outer periphery of the ink outlet portion for enabling identification of the type of ink, the identification portion constituting a part or all of the non-liquid contact portion.

4. 2. The ink container according to claim 1, a main body portion capable of containing the ink; an ink outlet portion that communicates with the main body portion and allows the ink to flow out of the ink containing container; a cap attached to the ink outlet portion, the ink outlet portion has a first engagement portion disposed on at least a portion of an outer periphery of the ink outlet portion and constituting a part or the whole of the non-liquid contact portion; The cap has a second engagement portion that engages with the first engagement portion, the second engagement portion constituting a part or the whole of the non-liquid contact portion.

5. 2. The ink container according to claim 1, a main body portion capable of containing the ink; an ink outlet portion separate from the main body portion, the ink outlet portion communicating with the main body portion and allowing the ink to flow out of the ink containing container; a fixing mechanism for fixing the ink outlet portion to the main body portion, The fixing mechanism includes: A first engaging portion disposed on the outer side of the main body portion; a second locking portion that is disposed in the ink outlet portion and is engageable with the first locking portion, the second locking portion being positioned outside the main body portion when the second locking portion is engaged with the first locking portion and fixed to the main body portion; The fixing mechanism constitutes a part or the whole of the non-liquid contact portion of the ink containing container.

6. 2. The ink container according to claim 1, a main body portion capable of containing the ink; a separate ink outlet portion that is detachable from the main body portion, the ink outlet portion communicating with the main body portion and allowing the ink to flow out of the ink containing container, The main body portion is an opening communicating with the ink outlet; a third engagement portion that is located outside the main body portion and that constitutes a part or the whole of the non-liquid-contact portion, The ink outlet portion is a fourth engagement portion that engages with the third engagement portion and constitutes a part or the whole of the non-liquid contact portion; a second seal portion that seals the opening when the third engagement portion and the fourth engagement portion are engaged with each other.

7. 2. The ink container according to claim 1, a main body portion capable of containing the ink; an ink outlet portion that is in communication with the main body portion and allows the ink to flow out of the ink containing container, The main body portion is A bottom portion and a side surface portion connecting the ink outlet portion and the bottom surface portion, An ink containing container, wherein at least a portion of the surface layer of the bottom surface portion and the side surface portion constitutes a part or the whole of the non-liquid contact portion.

8. 8. The ink container according to claim 7, An ink containing container, wherein a surface layer of the bottom portion and at least a portion of a surface layer of the side portion continuous with the surface layer of the bottom portion constitute a part or all of the non-liquid contact portion.

9. 9. The ink container according to claim 1, The ink containing container, wherein the liquid contact portion and the liquid non-contact portion are integrally formed or formed by combining separate members.

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