Waste liquid storage body and liquid discharge device

Abstract

To provide a waste liquid storage body which enables improvement of recovery efficiency of a waste liquid, and to provide a liquid discharge device.SOLUTION: A waste liquid storage body 100 recovers a waste liquid discharged from a liquid discharge head 3 which discharges a liquid. The waste liquid storage body 100 includes: a receiving part 110 having a bottom surface 111 on which the waste liquid is dropped, and side surfaces 113a, 113b, 113g, 113d intersecting with the bottom surface 111; and a fixation agent 123 which is disposed on the bottom surface 111 and solidifies the dropped waste liquid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a waste liquid container and a liquid ejection device. [Background technology]

[0002] In the past, waste liquid containers for storing waste liquid generated during head cleaning in liquid ejection devices such as inkjet printers have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a waste ink tank equipped with a waste ink absorber having a laminated structure. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-176994 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the waste ink tank described in Patent Document 1 had a problem in that it was difficult to improve the efficiency of waste liquid recovery. Specifically, the absorber absorbs ink by capillary action. Depending on the type and physical properties of ink, it may be affected by solidification or thickening, making it difficult for the absorber to absorb all of the waste ink. In other words, there was a possibility that the amount of waste ink that could be stored in the waste ink tank would be small. In other words, there was a need for a waste liquid container that could improve the efficiency of waste liquid recovery. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The waste liquid container is a waste liquid container that collects waste liquid discharged from a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid, and is characterized by comprising a receiving portion having a bottom surface onto which the waste liquid is dripped and a side surface that intersects with the bottom surface, and a solidifying agent that is placed on the bottom surface and solidifies the dripped waste liquid.

[0006] The liquid ejection device comprises a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid, and a waste liquid container that collects waste liquid discharged from the liquid ejection head, and the waste liquid container is characterized in that it has a receiving portion having a bottom surface onto which the waste liquid is dripped and a side surface that intersects with the bottom surface, and a solidifying agent that is placed on the bottom surface and solidifies the dripped waste liquid. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a liquid ejection apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a waste liquid container. [Figure 3] 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams showing the behavior of waste liquid in a waste liquid container. [Figure 4] 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams showing the behavior of waste liquid in a waste liquid container. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration of the waste liquid container. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration of the waste liquid container. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In the embodiment described below, a liquid ejecting device 1 that is an inkjet printer for consumers and a waste liquid container 100 provided in the liquid ejecting device 1 will be exemplified and explained with reference to the drawings.

[0009] In the following figures, X, Y, and Z axes are used as mutually orthogonal coordinate axes, with the direction indicated by each arrow being the + direction and the direction opposite the + direction being the - direction. The Z axis is an imaginary axis that runs vertically, with the +Z direction sometimes referred to as upward and the -Z direction sometimes referred to as downward. Note that in the following figures, the size of each component has been made different from its actual size for the sake of illustration.

[0010] In the following description, for example, the expression "on the surface" in reference to a certain surface means that something is placed in contact with the surface, that something is placed on the surface via another structure, or that a portion of something is placed in contact with the surface and a portion of something is placed via another structure.

[0011] The liquid ejection device 1 according to this embodiment is a so-called serial type printer. In a serial type printer, a liquid ejection head is mounted on a carriage that moves in a predetermined direction, and printing is performed while the liquid ejection head moves in conjunction with the movement of the carriage.

[0012] 1, the liquid ejection device 1 includes a control unit 2, a liquid ejection head 3, a carriage 4, a main scanning mechanism 5, a platen roller 6, a maintenance unit 13, and a waste liquid container 100. The liquid ejection device 1 prints on paper M, which is a recording medium.

[0013] The control unit 2 comprehensively controls the operation of each component of the liquid ejection device 1. The control unit 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a system bus, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The CPU is responsible for the overall control of the liquid ejection device 1. The CPU is electrically connected to the ROM, RAM, and each component of the liquid ejection device 1 via the system bus. The ROM stores various control programs executed by the CPU, maintenance sequences, etc. The RAM temporarily stores data.

[0014] Four ink cartridges 7 are detachably mounted on the carriage 4. The four ink cartridges 7 are attached to the upper part of the carriage 4. Below the carriage 4, the liquid ejection head 3 is disposed.

[0015] The main scanning mechanism 5 reciprocates the carriage 4 in a direction along the X axis, which is the main scanning direction. The main scanning mechanism 5 includes a timing belt 8, an electric motor 9, and a guide shaft 10.

[0016] The timing belt 8 is stretched along the X-axis. The side of the carriage 4 facing the -Y direction is fixed to the timing belt 8. An electric motor 9 drives the timing belt 8 to move the carriage 4 back and forth along the X-axis. A guide shaft 10 is installed in a direction along the X-axis and guides the reciprocating movement of the carriage 4 along the X-axis.

[0017] The platen roller 6 is driven by a transport motor 15 and rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the -X direction. The rotation of the platen roller 6 transports the paper M in the +Y direction, which is the sub-scanning direction.

[0018] The main scanning mechanism 5 and the platen roller 6 enable the carriage 4 to scan relative to the paper M in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction.

[0019] The ink cartridge 7 contains ink as a liquid. Examples of ink include water-based inks that use water as the main solvent, solvent inks that use a solvent other than water as the main solvent, and reactive inks that contain reactive monomers such as UV-curable monomers. In addition to solvents, inks contain coloring materials and various additives. The ink may also be a clear ink or treatment liquid that does not contain coloring materials. In this embodiment, water-based ink is used as the ink.

[0020] The four ink cartridges 7 individually contain four types of ink, for example, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. When the four ink cartridges 7 are mounted on the carriage 4, the four types of ink are individually supplied to the liquid ejection head 3 via pipes (not shown). Note that the number of ink cartridges 7 mounted on the carriage 4 is not limited to four.

[0021] The liquid ejection head 3 ejects ink onto the paper M to cause it to adhere. Although not shown in the figure, the liquid ejection head 3 has a nozzle surface facing downward. Nozzle rows made up of multiple nozzles that eject ink are formed on the nozzle surface. The nozzle rows are individually arranged to correspond to the four types of ink. The four types of ink are ejected as ink droplets from the multiple nozzles by an actuator (not shown) inside the liquid ejection head 3. The ejected ink droplets land on and adhere to the paper M.

[0022] In this embodiment, a piezoelectric element is used as the actuator, which is the driving means, but the driving means is not limited to this. For example, an electromechanical transducer that displaces a vibration plate as an actuator by electrostatic adsorption, or an electrothermal transducer that ejects ink as droplets by generating bubbles when heated, may also be used as the driving means.

[0023] By moving the carriage 4 back and forth in the main scanning direction while transporting the paper M in the +Y direction, and applying ink of any color to the paper M at any timing, images such as letters, patterns, pictures, and photographs are printed on the paper M.

[0024] The maintenance unit 13 performs head cleaning and preliminary ejection to maintain the condition of the liquid ejection head 3. The maintenance unit 13 includes a cap member 13a and a wiper member 13b.

[0025] Head cleaning is performed automatically when the liquid ejection head 3 has not been operated for a certain period of time, and is also performed at any timing in response to a user instruction. Preliminary ejection is performed after head cleaning, before printing begins, or after a certain period of time has elapsed during printing.

[0026] The position to which the carriage 4 has moved the furthest in the -X direction is called the home position. When the carriage 4 and the liquid ejection head 3 are at the home position, the liquid ejection head 3 and the cap member 13a face each other in the vertical direction. Head cleaning and preliminary ejection are performed at the home position.

[0027] Head cleaning involves ink suction and wiping. During ink suction, the cap member 13a rises and comes into close contact with the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head 3. Then, a suction pump (not shown) that communicates with the inside of the cap member 13a sucks ink from the multiple nozzles of the liquid ejection head 3. The ink sucked out of the liquid ejection head 3 becomes waste liquid and flows out into the waste liquid container 100 via a pipe (not shown).

[0028] Wiping is performed after ink suction. During wiping, ink droplets remaining on the nozzle surface are wiped off with the wiper member 13b. At this time, the carriage 4 is moved in the +X direction from the home position, and the nozzle surface is slid against the wiper member 13b.

[0029] In the preliminary ejection, ink is ejected from the plurality of nozzles of the liquid ejection head 3 to the inside of the cap member 13a at the home position. The ink ejected to the cap member 13a in the preliminary ejection also flows into the waste liquid container 100.

[0030] Inkjet printers generally use either an absorbent system that absorbs waste ink or a tank that stores the waste ink. Consumer printers tend to be moved and transported more frequently than large industrial or commercial printers. To prevent waste ink from leaking during transportation and because it is difficult to secure space to install a tank within the printer's housing, consumer printers tend to use an absorbent system.

[0031] However, in this type of waste liquid absorption, depending on the composition and characteristics of the ink, there is a possibility that the absorber may not be able to absorb all of the waste liquid. Specifically, for example, with inks with a relatively high solids concentration, the ink dries and solidifies relatively quickly. This makes it difficult to ensure that the waste liquid is absorbed into every corner of the absorber, which can make it difficult to improve the waste liquid recovery efficiency.

[0032] In contrast, the liquid ejection device 1 is provided with a waste liquid container 100, which will be described later, to improve the efficiency of collecting waste liquid. The waste liquid container of the present invention is not only suitable for consumer printers, but is also effective when applied to industrial or commercial printers.

[0033] In this embodiment, an on-carriage type inkjet printer has been exemplified as the liquid ejection device 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. The liquid ejection device of the present invention may also be an off-carriage type found in large format printers, for example. Furthermore, the liquid ejection device of the present invention is not limited to a serial printer, but may also be a line head printer in which the liquid ejection head is arranged to be as wide as or wider than the width of the recording medium and printing is performed without moving the liquid ejection head.

[0034] 2, the waste liquid container 100 includes a receiving portion 110 and a solidifying agent 123. The waste liquid container 100 collects the waste liquid discharged from the liquid ejection head 3. The receiving portion 110 is a rectangular, tray-shaped member when viewed from above. The receiving portion 110 has a bottom surface 111, which is the surface facing upward, side surfaces 113a, 113b, 113c, and 113d, a sheet material 121, and a sensor 131.

[0035] Waste liquid flowing out from the maintenance unit 13 drips from above onto the bottom surface 111 in the form of droplets D into an area 111A. The bottom surface 111 is a rectangular surface when viewed from above, and is aligned with the XY plane.

[0036] The side surfaces 113a, 113b, 113c, and 113d are surfaces that each intersect with the bottom surface 111 and are arranged to surround the bottom surface 111 in a frame-like shape when viewed from above. The side surfaces 113a and 113b are aligned along the XZ plane and face each other in the direction along the Y axis. The side surfaces 113c and 113d are aligned along the YZ plane and face each other in the direction along the X axis. The side surfaces 113a, 113b, 113c, and 113d function as edges in the receiving portion 110 that prevent the outflow of waste liquid. Of the receiving portion 110, the bottom surface 111 and the side surfaces 113a, 113b, 113c, and 113d are formed from resin or metal.

[0037] The sheet material 121 has a rectangular shape when viewed from above, and is disposed so as to cover the top of the bottom surface 111. The sheet material 121 is formed of a material that does not absorb waste liquid, such as resin. The sheet material 121 is detachable from the bottom surface 111. The thickness of the sheet material 121 in the direction along the Z axis is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 1 mm to 10 mm.

[0038] The solidifying agent 123 comes into contact with the dripped droplets D of the waste liquid and solidifies the waste liquid. The solidifying agent 123 is placed on the sheet material 121 on the bottom surface 111. More specifically, the solidifying agent 123 is in powder or granular form, and is kneaded into the sheet material 121 during the manufacturing of the sheet material 121 and is contained in the sheet material 121. Therefore, the solidifying agent 123 is exposed on the surface of the sheet material 121. As a result, the dripped waste liquid comes into contact with the solidifying agent 123 exposed on the surface of the sheet material 121 and solidifies on the sheet material 121.

[0039] In the waste liquid storage body 100, the sheet material 121 may be omitted. In this case, the solidifying agent 123 is sprayed and disposed above the bottom surface 111. As a result, the dropped waste liquid comes into contact with the solidifying agent 123 on the bottom surface 111 and solidifies. Furthermore, the solidifying agent 123 is not limited to being contained in the sheet material 121. The solidifying agent 123 may be sprayed and disposed on the upper surface of the sheet material 121 that does not contain the solidifying agent 123. In this case, the dropped waste liquid comes into contact with the solidifying agent 123 on the sheet material 121 and solidifies.

[0040] When solidified waste liquid has accumulated over substantially the entire bottom surface 111, the waste liquid container 100 is removed from the liquid ejection device 1 and replaced with a new receiving part 110, or the solidified waste liquid is removed and the receiving part 110 is reused. When the sheet material 121 is used, the solidified waste liquid can be removed together with the sheet material 121, which improves the convenience of reusing the receiving part 110.

[0041] The solidifying agent 123 is selected according to the type and characteristics of the ink used in the liquid ejection device 1. The solidifying agent 123 is not particularly limited as long as it has the property of solidifying the ink, and known substances can be used.

[0042] As described above, the liquid ejection device 1 uses water-based ink. Therefore, for example, a substance that inhibits the dispersion stability of coloring materials such as pigments in the ink is used as the solidifying agent 123. To disperse particulate coloring materials such as pigments in the ink, methods such as using a dispersant having a functional group such as a sulfo group, introducing the functional group onto the pigment surface, or encapsulating the pigment in a resin having the functional group are used. In any of these cases, a substance that reacts with the functional group can inhibit the dispersion stability of the pigment and cause the pigment to aggregate.

[0043] Substances that inhibit dispersion stability include aluminum nitrate, polyferric sulfate, sodium alginate, and polyacrylamide. Therefore, it is preferable that the solidifying agent 123 contain one or more of aluminum nitrate, polyferric sulfate, sodium alginate, and polyacrylamide. This allows the solidifying agent 123 to aggregate coloring materials such as pigments and solidify the waste liquid. A similar method to the above can also be applied to water-based inks that use disperse dyes as coloring materials, for example.

[0044] Furthermore, when non-aqueous ink is used instead of aqueous ink, a compound with relatively high hygroscopicity, such as polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or glycerin, is used as the solidifying agent 123. When these compounds come into contact with the non-aqueous ink in a hygroscopic state, the dispersion stability of the coloring material in the non-aqueous ink is impaired. Liquid compounds among the above compounds are used by applying them to the sheet material 121 or the bottom surface 111.

[0045] The sensor 131 detects waste liquid that has been dropped onto the sheet material 121, spread, and reached a predetermined area. In this embodiment, the sheet material 121 is placed on the bottom surface 111, and therefore the sensor 131 is placed on the sheet material 121. The sensor 131 is installed at a position away from the area 111A, and detects the arrival of waste liquid in an area away from the area 111A.

[0046] Known sensors can be used as the sensor 131. Specifically, examples of the sensor 131 include a conductivity meter that detects a state of conduction due to the arrival of waste liquid, an imaging element that captures an image of the sheet material 121 and detects the arrival of waste liquid through image processing, and an optical sensor that detects the arrival of waste liquid based on optical changes in reflectance or the like on the sheet material 121. In this embodiment, a conductivity meter is used as the sensor 131. The conductivity meter detects an increase in conductivity due to water in the waste liquid.

[0047] The waste liquid container 100 includes a notifying unit (not shown). The notifying unit notifies information urging replacement of the waste liquid container 100 or the sheet material 121 based on the detection result of the sensor 131. When the sheet material 121 is not used in the waste liquid container 100, the sensor 131 is disposed on the bottom surface 111. The function of the notifying unit will be described in detail later.

[0048] When the liquid discharger 1 begins to be used, as shown in Fig. 3, a droplet D of waste liquid is dropped into the region 111A and solidified by the solidifying agent 123 to form a solidified material S. At this time, the solidified material S is formed in the region 111A and its vicinity. Even if a new droplet D is dropped thereafter, the solidified material S formed at this time will not move.

[0049] As the droplets D continue to drip, the solidified material S continues to be generated while spreading on the sheet material 121, as shown in FIG. 4. More specifically, the droplets D flow over the solidified material S that was generated earlier, move to a region where the sheet material 121 is exposed, and become a new solidified material S in that region. In this way, the droplets D flow and spread over the solidified material S, and reach a location away from the region 111A. Note that, although the solidified material S is generated only in the -X direction of the region 111A in FIG. 3, as the droplets D continue to drip, a solidified material S is also generated in the +X direction of the region 111A.

[0050] The sensor 131 detects a change in the electrical conductivity in the detection area 131A. When the droplets D flow over the solidified material S and reach the detection area 131A, the sensor 131 detects an increase in the electrical conductivity. The sensor 131 detects a short-term increase in the electrical conductivity in the detection area 131A before the droplets D solidify and the electrical conductivity decreases.

[0051] By installing the sensor 131 near one or more of the side surfaces 113a, 113b, 113c, and 113d, it becomes possible to grasp the extent to which the waste liquid has spread on the sheet material 121. When the sensor 131 detects that the waste liquid has reached the above-mentioned vicinity, a notification unit (not shown) notifies the user of the arrival of the waste liquid. This clarifies the time to replace the waste liquid container 100 or the sheet material 121, improving convenience for the user.

[0052] The above-mentioned notification unit may be installed in the receiving unit 110, or may be installed outside the housing of the liquid ejection device 1. The notification unit may be a known notification device such as a lamp such as a light-emitting diode, a buzzer, or a voice alarm. The function of analyzing the detection results of the sensor 131 may be assigned to the control unit 2 of the liquid ejection device 1. The function of the notification unit may also be assigned to an information terminal such as a personal computer that operates the liquid ejection device 1.

[0053] In the above-described configuration, the bottom surface 111 of the receiving portion 110 is configured to be along the XY plane, but is not limited to this. The bottom surface 111 may have an inclination that increases from the end of the bottom surface 111, in other words, the position where the side surfaces 113a, 113b, 113c, and 113d intersect with the bottom surface 111, toward the region 111A where the droplets D, which is waste liquid, are dropped.

[0054] 5, the height of the −X direction end and the +X direction end of bottom surface 111 in the direction along the Z axis is made lower than that of region 111A. In this case, sensors 131 are disposed at the −X direction end and the +X direction end of bottom surface 111, respectively.

[0055] 6, for example, area 111A may be disposed near the end of bottom surface 111 in the +X direction. In this case, the height of the end of bottom surface 111 in the -X direction in the direction along the Z axis is made lower than that of area 111A. Sensor 131 is also disposed at the end of bottom surface 111 in the -X direction.

[0056] 5 and 6, the droplets D can easily flow from the region 111A to the edge of the bottom surface 111, further improving the efficiency of collecting waste liquid. Note that the sheet material 121 may be omitted from the configurations shown in FIGS.

[0057] According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0058] The efficiency of waste liquid collection can be improved. Specifically, the waste liquid droplets D do not penetrate and are stored, but rather spread along the bottom surface 111, solidify, and are stored in the waste liquid storage body 100. This makes it easier for the waste liquid to reach the entire area of ​​the bottom surface 111, reducing the area that does not contribute to waste liquid collection. In addition, the side surfaces 113a, 113b, 113c, and 113d prevent the waste liquid from flowing out of the receiving portion 110. This makes it possible to provide a waste liquid storage body 100 and a liquid discharger 1 that improve the efficiency of waste liquid collection.

[0059] Since the sheet material 121 is provided, the sheet material 121 can be removed from the receiving portion 110 and the solidified material S can be easily taken out together with the sheet material 121. Furthermore, the sheet material 121 can be replaced, and the waste liquid container 100 can be used repeatedly.

[0060] The following describes the results derived from the embodiments.

[0061] The waste liquid container is a waste liquid container that collects waste liquid discharged from a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid, and is characterized by comprising a receiving portion having a bottom surface onto which the waste liquid is dripped and a side surface that intersects with the bottom surface, and a solidifying agent that is arranged on the bottom surface and solidifies the dripped waste liquid.

[0062] This configuration improves the efficiency of waste liquid collection. Specifically, the waste liquid does not penetrate and be stored, but spreads along the bottom surface, solidifies, and is stored. This makes it easier for the waste liquid to reach the entire bottom surface, reducing areas that do not contribute to waste liquid collection. In addition, the side surfaces prevent the waste liquid from flowing out of the receiving portion. Therefore, it is possible to provide a waste liquid storage body that improves the efficiency of waste liquid collection.

[0063] In the waste liquid container, the receiving section has a sheet material covering the bottom surface, the solidifying agent is disposed on the sheet material, and the dripped waste liquid solidifies on the sheet material.

[0064] According to this configuration, the solidified waste liquid can be easily removed together with the sheet material by removing the sheet material from the receiving portion. Also, the sheet material can be replaced and the waste liquid container can be used repeatedly.

[0065] In the waste liquid container, the receiving portion has a sensor for detecting the waste liquid, and the sensor is disposed on the sheet material.

[0066] This configuration makes it possible to grasp the extent to which the waste liquid has spread in the receiving section.

[0067] The waste liquid container includes a notification unit that notifies the user of information to prompt replacement of the waste liquid container or the sheet material based on the detection result of the sensor.

[0068] This configuration makes it possible to prevent waste liquid from overflowing from the receiving section, thereby improving convenience for the user.

[0069] In the waste liquid container, the bottom surface has an inclination that increases from the end of the bottom surface toward the area where the waste liquid is dropped.

[0070] This configuration allows the waste liquid to easily spread to the edge of the bottom surface, further improving the efficiency of collecting the waste liquid.

[0071] In the waste liquid container, the liquid is a water-based ink, and the solidifying agent includes one or more of aluminum nitrate, ferric polysulfate, sodium alginate, and polyacrylamide.

[0072] According to this configuration, the coloring material in the water-based ink can be aggregated and solidified by the solidifying agent.

[0073] The liquid ejection device comprises a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid, and a waste liquid container that collects waste liquid discharged from the liquid ejection head, and the waste liquid container is characterized by having a receiving portion having a bottom surface onto which the waste liquid is dripped and a side surface that intersects with the bottom surface, and a solidifying agent that is arranged on the bottom surface and solidifies the dripped waste liquid.

[0074] This configuration improves the efficiency of waste liquid collection. Specifically, the waste liquid does not penetrate and be stored, but rather spreads along the bottom surface, solidifies, and is stored. This makes it easier for the waste liquid to reach the entire bottom surface, reducing areas that do not contribute to waste liquid collection. In addition, the side surfaces prevent the waste liquid from flowing out of the receiving portion. Therefore, it is possible to provide a liquid ejection device that improves the efficiency of waste liquid collection. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1...liquid ejection device, 3...liquid ejection head, 100...waste liquid container, 110...receiving portion, 111...bottom surface, 111A...area, 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d...side surfaces, 121...sheet material, 123...solidifying agent, 131...sensor.

Claims

1. A waste liquid container that collects waste liquid discharged from a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid, a receiving portion having a bottom surface onto which the waste liquid is dripped and a side surface intersecting the bottom surface; a solidifying agent disposed on the bottom surface for solidifying the dripped waste liquid.

2. The receiving portion has a sheet material covering the bottom surface, the solidifying agent is disposed on the sheet material; The waste liquid container according to claim 1 , wherein the dropped waste liquid solidifies on the sheet material.

3. The receiving section has a sensor that detects the waste liquid, The waste liquid container according to claim 2 , wherein the sensor is disposed on the sheet material.

4. The waste liquid container according to claim 3 , further comprising a notification unit that notifies information urging replacement of the waste liquid container or the sheet material based on a detection result of the sensor.

5. The waste liquid container according to claim 1 , wherein the bottom surface has an inclination that increases from an end portion of the bottom surface toward a region where the waste liquid is dropped.

6. the liquid is a water-based ink, The waste liquid container according to claim 1 , wherein the solidifying agent includes at least one of aluminum nitrate, polyferric sulfate, sodium alginate, and polyacrylamide.

7. a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid; a waste liquid container that collects waste liquid discharged from the liquid ejection head, The waste liquid container is a receiving portion having a bottom surface onto which the waste liquid is dripped and a side surface intersecting the bottom surface; a solidifying agent disposed on the bottom surface, for solidifying the dropped waste liquid.

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