Ink replenishment container, method for manufacturing the same, and method for re-manufacturing the same

The ink supply container's recessed design facilitates easy peeling of the ink bag from the container body, enhancing reuse and reducing waste through multiple refills and remanufacturing.

JP2025169597APending Publication Date: 2025-11-14CANON KK
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024074435
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-05-01
Publication Date
2025-11-14

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The existing ink supply containers require significant force to peel off the ink bag, and there is a risk of partial film remaining on the container body, hindering reuse.

Method used

The ink supply container design includes a recess on the outer peripheral surface of the ink bag that does not contact the inner peripheral surface of the container body, facilitating easy peeling of the ink bag by using air pressure.

Benefits of technology

The design allows for easy removal of the ink bag from the container body, promoting reuse and reducing waste, contributing to a sustainable society by enabling multiple refills and remanufacturing.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To facilitate peeling of an ink bag from a container body and thus recycling of an ink replenishment container in the ink replenishment container which enables recycling of the container body by removing the ink bag stored in the container body from the container body.SOLUTION: This ink replenishment container comprises: an ink storage member having an opening through which an ink can be poured out; a container body that can store the ink storage member; and a cap detachable from the container body and capable of sealing the opening of the ink storage member stored in the container body. A recess recessed inside the ink storage member more than the outer peripheral surface is provided in a most proximate region of the outer peripheral surface of the ink storage member closest to at least the inner peripheral surface of the container body, and the recess does not come into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the container body. Thus, since recycling of the container body can be promoted, this technique can contribute to realization of a sustainable society such as a decarbonization / recycling-oriented society.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ink supply container, a method for manufacturing an ink supply container, and a method for remanufacturing an ink supply container. [Background technology]

[0002] Some inkjet printers, which perform printing on a recording medium such as paper by ejecting ink from an ink-ejecting head onto the recording medium, are capable of refilling ink from an ink supply container into the ink tank of the device body. In recent years, technologies for reusing used products and their parts, recycling waste materials as raw materials or energy sources, and reducing waste have been required to realize a sustainable society, such as a carbon-free / circular economy. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technology for easily reusing parts of used ink supply containers to reduce the volume of discarded materials. The ink supply container in Patent Document 1 has a film attached to the inner surface of the container body, and ink is stored in an ink bag made of the film. After the ink in the ink supply container is used up, air is blown between the inner surface of the container body and the film to peel the film from the inner surface of the container body and remove it from the container body. A new film is attached to the inner surface of the used container body from which the used film has been removed, forming an ink bag, and the new ink bag is filled with ink. This method aims to reuse the container body of a used ink supply container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-14549 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the ink supply container of Patent Document 1, the film forming the ink bag is attached to almost the entire inside surface of the container body, and a large force is required to peel the film from the inside surface of the container body. In addition, there is a possibility that part of the film will not peel off and will remain on the inside surface of the container body.

[0005] To provide an ink supply container in which the container body can be reused by removing the ink bag housed in the container body from the container body, by making it easy to peel the ink bag from the container body, thereby facilitating the reuse of the ink supply container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides an ink supply container for supplying ink to a recording device that performs recording by ejecting ink onto a recording medium, a bag-shaped ink containing member capable of containing ink, the ink containing member having an opening through which the contained ink can be poured out; a container body capable of accommodating the ink accommodating member; a cap that is detachable from the container body and that can seal the opening of the ink containing member contained in the container body; and a recess recessed from the outer peripheral surface toward the inside of the ink accommodating member is provided in at least a region of the outer peripheral surface of the ink accommodating member that is closest to the inner peripheral surface of the container body; The ink supply container is characterized in that the recess does not contact the inner peripheral surface of the container body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, in an ink supply container in which the container body can be reused by removing the ink bag contained in the container body from the container body, the ink bag can be easily peeled off from the container body, thereby making it easier to reuse the ink supply container. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an inkjet printer. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing how ink is replenished to an inkjet printer using an ink supply container. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the inside of an inkjet printer. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of an ink supply container. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an ink supply container. [Figure 6] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating a manufacturing method of an ink bag. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the state of peeling off the ink bag. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the ink bag and the container body removed from the container body. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how a new ink bag is attached. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a top view showing the ink supply container of the second embodiment with the cap removed. [Figure 11] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating a method for manufacturing an ink bag according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An embodiment of an ink supply container according to the present invention will be described. However, the components described in the embodiment are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. In this specification, "ink" is used as a general term for liquids such as recording liquid.

[0010] Example 1 A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an inkjet printer 200 of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view showing how ink is replenished to the inkjet printer using an ink supply container. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the inside of the inkjet printer. The inkjet printer 200 of the first embodiment is a recording device that records an image on a recording medium by ejecting liquid ink from a liquid ejection head (hereinafter referred to as a head) onto the recording medium, and is an example of a liquid ejection device that ejects liquid. Although an inkjet printer will be described as an example in the first embodiment, the liquid ejection device according to the present invention is not limited to an inkjet printer as long as it has a configuration that allows liquid to be replenished from a supply container to a tank in the device main body.

[0011] The inkjet printer 200 comprises a feeding unit 1, a transport unit 2, a discharge unit 3, a supply unit 4, and a display unit 5. The feeding unit 1 separates recording media one by one from a stack of recording media using a feeding roller 10 and supplies the recording media to the transport unit 2. The transport unit 2 is provided downstream in the transport direction of the feeding unit 1, and comprises a platen 13 for holding the recording media, between a transport roller 11 and a paper discharge roller 12. The transport unit 2 transports the recording media fed from the feeding roller 10 using the transport roller 11, paper discharge roller 12, etc.

[0012] The ejection unit 3 ejects ink onto the recording medium using a head 15 mounted on a carriage 14. The recording medium transported by the transport unit 2 is supported vertically from below by a platen 13. An image is formed based on image information by ejecting ink from the head 15 located vertically above. The ink tank 16 is a liquid storage container capable of storing ink within a container. The supply unit 4 is configured to be able to supply ink from a storage chamber 100 (storage chamber) of the ink tank 16 to the head 15 via a flow path 101 and a flexible supply tube 17. The inkjet printer 200 of the first embodiment performs recording using ink of multiple colors, namely black, magenta, cyan, and yellow. Four supply tubes 17, through which ink of each color flows, extend from the ink tank 16 and are connected to the head 15 in a bundled state.

[0013] When the ink supplied to the head 15 is ejected from the ejection ports of the head 15, the same amount of ink as that ejected is supplied to the head 15 from the ink tank 16. Then, the same amount of air as that of the ink supplied to the head 15 flows into the ink tank 16 from the air communication port 102 provided vertically above the ink tank 16. The display unit 5 is used to inform the user of the status of the device during operation and to display information when the user selects an operation.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the process of replenishing (replenishing) ink from an ink supply container 201 into the ink tank 16 of the inkjet printer 200. When replenishing ink, the cover 7 is opened, and ink is poured from the ink supply container 201 into the interior of the storage chamber 100 through an inlet 106 provided in the ink tank 16. A plug member 105 is a detachable cap for the inlet 106, and after removing the plug member 105 from the inlet 106, ink can be replenished using the ink supply container 201. Note that the ink tank 16 is not limited to being incorporated into the main body of the inkjet printer 200 as in the first embodiment. Any configuration is possible as long as ink can be supplied from the ink tank 16 to the head 15. For example, the ink tank 16 may be provided outside the main body of the inkjet printer 200.

[0015] 4 is a front view of the ink supply container 201 in a normal position. The normal position is a state in which the bottom of the ink supply container 201 is placed on a horizontal surface. The ink supply container 201 has a container body 202 that stores ink, a dispensing part 203 connected to the container body 202, and a cap 204 that is attached to the dispensing part 203, and has an overall bottle shape.

[0016] The container body 202 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and the extending direction of the cylindrical shape is the axial direction of the container body 202 and the axial direction of the ink supply container 201. The direction perpendicular to the axial direction is the radial direction. The axial direction is parallel to the vertical direction when the container is placed upright. The shape of the bottom can be circular, rectangular, polygonal, etc., and is not particularly limited. Ink is stored in the container body 202.

[0017] The outlet 203 is provided on the opposite side of the container body 202 from the bottom. The outlet 213 (see FIG. 5) is an opening that serves as an outlet for pouring out (discharging) the ink contained in the container body 202. The ink inside the container body 202 can be poured out from the outlet of the outlet 203. The cap 204 is detachable from the outlet 203, and when the cap 204 is attached to the outlet 203, the outlet is sealed, sealing off the inside of the container body 202 from the outside air. When the cap 204 is removed from the outlet 203, the outlet is opened, allowing the ink to be extracted.

[0018] When replenishing ink in the inkjet printer 200 using the ink supply container 201 with ink contained in the container body 202, the user opens the cover 7 shown in FIG. 1 to expose the ink tank 16. The user removes the cap 204 of the ink supply container 201, turns the ink supply container 201 upside down, i.e., with the outlet port 203 facing downwards and the container body 202 facing upwards, and replenishing ink into the ink tank 16. In the first embodiment, the maximum amount of ink that can be contained in the container body 202 of the ink supply container 201 is greater than the maximum amount of ink that can be contained in the ink tank 16. Therefore, the ink tank 16 can be refilled with ink two or more times before the ink in the ink supply container 201 is used up. When the ink in the ink supply container 201 is used up, the container body 202 of the ink supply container 201 There is almost no ink in 02. This state of the ink supply container 201 is called the state after use of the ink supply container 201.

[0019] 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the ink supply container 201 when no ink is contained in the container body 202. The ink supply container 201 has the container body 202, a spout 203 provided at the end opposite the bottom of the container body 202, a cap 204 that is detachable from the container body 202, and an ink bag 212 contained in the container body 202.

[0020] The container body 202 is capable of accommodating an ink bag 212. The spout 203 is provided at the end of the container body 202 on the opposite side in the axial direction from the bottom of the container body 202, has a smaller diameter than the container body 202, and has an opening 213. An ink bag 212 capable of accommodating ink is provided inside the container body 202. The ink bag 212 is a bag-shaped ink containing member capable of containing ink, and has an opening 213 through which the contained ink can be poured out. The cap 204 is capable of sealing the opening 213 of the ink bag 212 contained in the container body 202.

[0021] The ink bag 212 is formed so that its outer peripheral surface 223 adheres to the inner peripheral surface 224 of the container body 202. By storing ink inside the ink bag 212, the container body 202 is configured to be able to store ink. In the first embodiment, the ink bag 212 is formed from an acrylic synthetic resin. The ink bag 212 is not limited to an acrylic synthetic resin, and may be formed from synthetic resins such as soluble nitrocellulose, polyamide, cyclized rubber, chlorinated rubber, urethane, and poval, or may be formed from a synthetic resin formed by mixing two or more of these synthetic resins.

[0022] A recess 222 is provided on the outer peripheral surface 223 of the ink bag 212. The recess 222 is provided in at least a region of the outer peripheral surface of the ink bag 212 that is closest to the inner peripheral surface 224 of the container body 202 (hereinafter referred to as the closest region), and is recessed from the outer peripheral surface 223 toward the inside of the ink bag 212, so that it does not come into contact with the inner peripheral surface 224 of the container body 202. Note that the recess 222 may be provided in a position on the outer peripheral surface 223 of the ink bag 212 other than the closest region. In the first embodiment, a portion of the closest region of the outer circumferential surface 223 of the ink bag 212 where the recess 222 is not provided comes into contact with and adheres to the inner circumferential surface 224 of the container body 202 when the ink bag 212 is housed in the container body 202. FIG. 5 shows an example in which almost the entire outer circumferential surface 223 of the ink bag 212 comes into contact with and adheres to the inner circumferential surface 224 when the ink bag 212 is housed in the container body 202. In this configuration, the entire outer circumferential surface 223 of the ink bag 212 can be said to be the closest region, so the recess 222 may be provided at any position on the outer circumferential surface 223. In this case, the outer circumferential surface 223 of the ink bag 212 comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface 224 of the container body 202, but the recess 222 does not come into contact with the inner circumferential surface 224 of the container body 202.

[0023] When the ink bag 212, which will be described later, is peeled off from the container body 202, the peeling process is promoted starting from the recessed portion 222. If at least one recessed portion 222 is provided, the effect of promoting the peeling process can be obtained.

[0024] 5, a plurality of recesses 222 are provided at intervals along the axial direction of the container body 202. Each recess 222 is provided in a ring shape around the axial direction of the container body 202. The shape of the recess 222 is not limited to this. It is sufficient that the recess 222 is formed on the outer peripheral surface 223 of the ink bag 212 and has a shape that does not contact the inner peripheral surface 224 of the container body 202.

[0025] 6A and 6B are diagrams showing a manufacturing method of the ink bag 212. As shown in FIG. 6A, a cylindrical preform 212a having a thick portion 301 and a thin portion 310 on the outer periphery and an opening 311 is produced by injection molding or the like, heated by a heater, and set in a mold 601. Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, the preform 212a is stretched by a stretching rod 602 while being arrow-shaped. Gas (high-pressure air) is blown into the preform 212a as shown by the arrow R. The preform 212a is stretched vertically by the stretching rod 602 and is also stretched horizontally by the high-pressure air, thereby expanding it. By this stretch-blow molding, an ink bag 212 having a recess 222 is obtained, as shown in FIG. 6(c).

[0026] 6(d) is an enlarged view of the thick portion 301 and the thin portion 310 indicated by the symbol B in FIG. 6(a). The preform 212a has the thick portion 301 and the thin portion 310, and the temperature of the thick portion 301 is relatively lower than that of the thin portion 310 in the heating process before being set in the mold 601. Therefore, the thick portion 301 is less likely to stretch than the thin portion 310 in the stretch blow molding process. The outer peripheral surface 223 of the ink bag 212 is formed by stretching the thick portion 301, and the recess 222 of the ink bag 212 is formed by stretching the thin portion 310. In this manner, the ink bag 212 is produced.

[0027] Thereafter, the ink bag 212 is attached to the container body 202, and the ink bag 212 is filled with ink, thereby completing the manufacture of the ink supply container.

[0028] 7 is a diagram showing how the ink bag 212 is peeled off from the container body 202. The ink bag 212 can be deformed into a shape that allows it to be attached to and detached from the container body 202 when it does not contain ink. When the ink bag 212 is removed from the container body 202, air is blown from the opening 213 toward the bottom of the container body 202 into gaps between the inner circumferential surface 225 of the spout 203 and the inner circumferential surface 224 of the container body 202 and the outer circumferential surface 223 of the ink bag 212, as shown by arrow S. The air pressure peels off the outer circumferential surface 223 of the ink bag 212 that has been attached to the inner circumferential surface 225 of the spout 203 and the inner circumferential surface 224 of the container body 202. Because the recess 222 is formed in the outer circumferential surface 223 of the ink bag 212, the area of ​​attachment is smaller than when the outer circumferential surface of the ink bag is attached to almost the entire inner circumferential surface 224 of the container body 202. Since the adhesion area is small, the adhesion force is also small, and as a result, the ink bag 212 is easily peeled off. As shown in Figure 7, the peeled ink bag 212 gradually bends and its volume decreases. The bent ink bag 212 is pulled out from the opening 213 of the dispensing part 203 to the outside of the container body 202, and the ink bag 212 is separated from the container body 202.

[0029] In the first embodiment, the ink bag 212 is separated from the container body 202 by the wind pressure of the blown air, but other methods may be used for separation.

[0030] 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the ink bag 212 after it has been peeled off and removed from the container body 202, and the remaining container body 202. In the used ink supply container 201, ink adheres only to the inner circumferential surface of the ink bag 212. Therefore, by separating the ink bag 212 from the used container body 202, no residual ink adheres to the used container body 202. Therefore, the used container body 202 can be reused.

[0031] 9 is a diagram illustrating a method for remanufacturing the ink supply container 201. When remanufacturing the ink supply container 201 by reusing a used ink supply container 201, first, in the used ink supply container 201, the outer peripheral surface 223 of the used ink bag 212 is peeled off from the inner peripheral surface 224 of the container body 202 (peeling step, FIG. 7). Next, as described in FIG. 8, the used ink bag 212 is taken out and removed from the container body 202.

[0032] 9, a new ink bag 212 is inserted into the container body 202 through the opening 213 of the outlet 203, and air is blown into the ink bag 212 as shown by the arrow T. The ink bag 212 expands due to the air pressure, and the outer peripheral surface 223 of the ink bag 212 adheres to the inner peripheral surface 224 of the container body 202 and the inner peripheral surface 225 of the outlet 203.

[0033] After a new ink bag 212 is attached to the reused container body 202, ink is filled into the ink bag 212 of the container body 202 via the outlet 203. After filling with ink, a cap 204 is attached to the container body 202, and the remanufacturing of the ink supply container 201 is completed.

[0034] Example 2 Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0035] FIG. 10 is a top view showing an ink supply container 201 in Example 2 with the cap 204 removed. The ink bag 312 in Example 2 has a recess 222 similar to that in Example 1 in a region of its outer circumferential surface 223 that is closest to the inner circumferential surface 224 of the container body 202. Furthermore, the ink bag 312 also has a recess 227 in a region of its outer circumferential surface 226 near the outlet port 203 that is closest to the inner circumferential surface 225 of the outlet port 203. The recess 227 does not contact the inner circumferential surface 225 of the outlet port 203. The recess 227 is formed linearly on the outer circumferential surface 226 along the axial direction of the outlet port 203. A plurality of recesses 227 are provided at intervals around the axial direction of the outlet port 203. The shape of the recess 227 is not limited to this. It is sufficient that the ink supply passage 312 is formed on the outer peripheral surface 226 near the outlet portion 203 and has a shape that does not come into contact with the inner peripheral surface 225 of the outlet portion 203 .

[0036] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a manufacturing method of the ink bag 312. As shown in FIG. 11(a), a preform 312a provided with a thick portion 301 is produced by injection molding or the like, heated with a heater, and set in a mold 601. Next, as shown in FIG. 11(b), the preform 312a is stretched with a stretching rod 602 and blown with air as indicated by arrow R. The preform 312a is stretched vertically with the stretching rod 602 and inflated by stretching it horizontally with high-pressure air. By this stretch-blow molding, an ink bag 312 having a recess 227 is obtained as shown in FIG.

[0037] Preform 312a has thick portion 301 and thin portion 310, and in the heating step before being set in mold 601, thick portion 301 has a relatively lower temperature than thin portion 310. Therefore, thick portion 301 is less likely to stretch than thin portion 310 in the stretch blow molding step, and as a result, recess 227 is formed.

[0038] The ink bag 312 is peeled off in the same manner as in Example 1. Air is blown from the opening 213 toward the bottom of the container body 202 into the gap between the inner circumferential surface 225 of the outlet portion 203, the inner circumferential surface 224 of the container body 202, and the outer circumferential surfaces 226, 223 of the ink bag 312. In Example 2, there is a recess 227 on the outer circumferential surface 226 of the ink bag 312 that is attached to the inner circumferential surface 225 of the outlet portion 203, which serves as the inlet for blowing air, making it easier for peeling to begin. Because it is easier to trigger peeling, peeling of the ink bag 312 is even easier than in Example 1.

[0039] After peeling the ink bag 312 from the container body 202, the ink bag 312 can be separated from the container body 202 and removed from the ink supply container 201 by pulling the ink bag 312 out of the container body 202. After removing the used ink bag 312, a new ink bag 312 is attached to the remaining container body 202, and ink is injected into the ink bag 312 of the container body 202 via the outlet portion 203. After the ink is injected, the cap 204 is attached to the container body 202, and the remanufacturing of the ink supply container 201 is completed.

[0040] According to the ink supply container 201 of the present disclosure described above, the ink bags 212, 312 formed inside the container body 202 can be peeled off and removed from the container body 202, thereby making it possible to reuse the container body 202. Furthermore, the recesses 222, 227 on the outer circumferential surfaces 223, 226 of the ink bags 212, 312 allow the ink bags 212, 312 to be easily removed after use. 2 is easily peeled off from the container body 202. Therefore, the work of removing the used ink bag 212, 312 from the ink supply container 201 after use is easy, which can promote the reuse of the container body 202. Furthermore, the amount of waste can be reduced compared to when the entire ink supply container 201 is discarded after use, which can promote reduction. For these reasons, the technology described in this specification can contribute to the realization of a sustainable society, such as a carbon-free / recycling-based society.

[0041] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration. (Configuration 1) An ink supply container for supplying ink to a recording device that performs recording by ejecting ink onto a recording medium, a bag-shaped ink containing member capable of containing ink, the ink containing member having an opening through which the contained ink can be poured out; a container body capable of accommodating the ink accommodating member; a cap that is detachable from the container body and that can seal the opening of the ink containing member contained in the container body; and a recess recessed from the outer peripheral surface toward the inside of the ink accommodating member is provided in at least a region of the outer peripheral surface of the ink accommodating member that is closest to the inner peripheral surface of the container body; The ink supply container is characterized in that the recess does not contact the inner circumferential surface of the container body (Configuration 2). 2. The ink supply container according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the container body where the recess is not provided in a region closest to the inner circumferential surface is attached to the inner circumferential surface of the container body. (Configuration 3) 3. The ink supply container according to claim 1, wherein the recess provided in the region of the container body closest to the inner circumferential surface is provided in an annular shape around the axial direction of the container body. (Configuration 4) 4. The ink supply container according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein a plurality of the recesses are provided at intervals along the axial direction of the container body. (Configuration 5) the ink supply container has a pouring portion provided at an end portion opposite to a bottom portion of the container body, the pouring portion having an opening and a diameter smaller than that of the container body, 3. The ink supply container according to claim 1, wherein the recess is also provided in a region of the outer circumferential surface of the ink accommodating member that is closest to the inner circumferential surface of the pouring portion. (Configuration 6) 6. The ink supply container according to configuration 5, wherein the recess provided in the region closest to the inner circumferential surface of the pouring portion is provided linearly along the axial direction of the pouring portion. (Configuration 7) 7. The ink supply container according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of the recesses are provided at intervals around the axial direction of the dispensing portion. (Configuration 8) 8. The ink supply container according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the ink containing member is deformable into a shape that allows it to be attached to and detached from the container body when no ink is contained therein. (Method 1) A method for manufacturing the ink supply container according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, comprising: A step of preparing a cylindrical preform having an opening and a thick-walled portion and a thin-walled portion on an outer peripheral surface thereof; a step of heating the preform and setting it in a mold; The outer peripheral surface is formed by expanding the thick portion by blowing gas into the preform, and the thin portion is formed by expanding the thin portion. creating the ink containing member having the recess; attaching the ink containing member to the container body; filling the ink containing member with ink; A method for manufacturing an ink supply container having the ink supply container. (Method 2) A method for remanufacturing an ink supply container according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, comprising: a separating step of separating the outer peripheral surface of the used ink accommodating member from the inner peripheral surface of the container body in the used ink supply container; removing the used ink containing member from the container body; attaching a new ink containing member to the container body; filling a new ink containing member with ink; A method for remanufacturing an ink supply container having the above structure. (Method 3) The method for remanufacturing an ink supply container according to Method 2, wherein the peeling step includes a step of blowing air between the inner circumferential surface of the container body and the outer circumferential surface of the used ink accommodating member. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 200: inkjet printer, 201: ink supply container, 202: container body, 204: cap, 212: ink bag, 213: opening, 222: recess, 223: outer peripheral surface, 224: inner peripheral surface

Claims

1. An ink supply container for supplying ink to a recording device that performs recording by ejecting ink onto a recording medium, a bag-shaped ink containing member capable of containing ink, the ink containing member having an opening through which the contained ink can be poured out; a container body capable of accommodating the ink accommodating member; a cap that is detachable from the container body and that can seal the opening of the ink containing member contained in the container body; and a recess recessed from the outer peripheral surface toward the inside of the ink accommodating member is provided in at least a region of the outer peripheral surface of the ink accommodating member that is closest to the inner peripheral surface of the container body; The ink supply container is characterized in that the recess does not contact the inner peripheral surface of the container body.

2. 2. The ink supply container according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the container body where the recess is not provided in a region closest to the inner circumferential surface is attached to the inner circumferential surface of the container body.

3. 3. The ink supply container according to claim 1, wherein the recess provided in the region of the container body closest to the inner circumferential surface is provided in an annular shape around the axial direction of the container body.

4. 3. The ink supply container according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the recesses are provided at intervals along the axial direction of the container body.

5. the ink supply container has a pouring portion provided at an end portion opposite to a bottom portion of the container body, the pouring portion having an opening and a diameter smaller than that of the container body, 3. The ink supply container according to claim 1, wherein the recess is also provided in a region of the outer circumferential surface of the ink containing member that is closest to the inner circumferential surface of the outlet portion.

6. The ink supply container according to claim 5 , wherein the recess provided in the region closest to the inner circumferential surface of the pouring portion is provided linearly along the axial direction of the pouring portion.

7. The ink supply container according to claim 5 , wherein a plurality of the recesses are provided at intervals around the axial direction of the outlet portion.

8. 3. The ink supply container according to claim 1, wherein the ink containing member is deformable into a shape that is detachable from the container body when the ink containing member does not contain ink.

9. 3. A method for manufacturing an ink supply container according to claim 1 or 2, comprising the steps of: A step of preparing a cylindrical preform having an opening and a thick-walled portion and a thin-walled portion on an outer peripheral surface thereof; a step of heating the preform and setting it in a mold; a step of blowing gas into the preform to expand it, thereby creating the ink containing member, the ink containing member having the outer circumferential surface formed by extending the thick-walled portion and the recess formed by extending the thin-walled portion; attaching the ink containing member to the container body; filling the ink containing member with ink; A method for manufacturing an ink supply container having the ink supply container.

10. 3. A method for remanufacturing an ink supply container according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: In the used ink supply container, the used front surface of the container body is a peeling step of peeling off the outer peripheral surface of the ink containing member; removing the used ink containing member from the container body; attaching a new ink containing member to the container body; filling a new ink containing member with ink; A method for remanufacturing an ink supply container having the above structure.

11. The method for remanufacturing an ink supply container according to claim 10, wherein the peeling step includes a step of blowing air into a gap between the inner peripheral surface of the container body and the outer peripheral surface of the used ink accommodating member.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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