Ink container

Abstract

To provide an ink container that includes a recycled plastic material and is excellent in ink resistance, by which the present disclosure can contribute to realization of a sustainable society such as a decarbonized / circular society.SOLUTION: An ink container accommodating an ink to be supplied to an inkjet printing apparatus includes an ink accommodating unit formed of a plurality of layers and configured to accommodate the ink and an ink supply unit configured to supply the ink in the ink accommodating unit to the outside of the ink accommodating unit. Further, at least one layer not in contact with the ink among the plurality of layers includes a recycled plastic material.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an ink container, and more particularly to an ink container having an ink storage section formed by a member in which multiple film sheets are stacked. [Background technology]

[0002] An ink pack is known as this type of ink container. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an ink pack that includes an aluminum alloy layer, with an adhesive layer and a nylon layer (outer surface layer) laminated on one side of the aluminum alloy layer. Furthermore, an adhesive layer, a polyethylene terephthalate layer, another adhesive layer, and a polypropylene layer (inner surface layer) are laminated in that order on the other side of the aluminum alloy layer. This type of ink pack has improved ink resistance due to the polypropylene inner surface layer, a barrier against gas permeation due to the aluminum alloy intermediate layer, and tear resistance due to the nylon outer surface layer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-148705 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, demand for products made from recycled plastics has grown due to demands for a sustainable society, including decarbonization and recycling. However, recycled plastics generally exhibit lower ink resistance than virgin materials due to thermal history during molding and stress, heat, light, and solvents during use. Materials that are susceptible to degradation by solvents contained in inks are also considered to have lower ink resistance. For example, polyethylene deteriorates not only from sunlight but also from ultraviolet light emitted by fluorescent lamps. When energy such as heat or ultraviolet light acts on a polymer, radicals are generated, which combine with oxygen in the air to form peroxides. The peroxides sever the polymer's molecular chains, reducing its molecular weight. Generally, ink resistance deteriorates (decreases) as the molecular weight decreases. For this reason, there is concern that recycled plastics with extensive thermal history during molding or a history of exposure to ultraviolet light may exhibit reduced ink resistance.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an ink container that is excellent in ink resistance even when it is made from recycled plastic material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The ink container contains ink to be supplied, and is formed of multiple layers. The ink container comprises an ink storage section for storing the ink, and an ink supply section for supplying the ink in the ink storage section to the outside of the ink storage section. At least one of the multiple layers that does not come into contact with the ink contains recycled plastic material. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an ink container that is excellent in ink resistance even when it is made from recycled plastic material. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of the disclosure, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an inkjet recording apparatus equipped with an ink pack according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 2(a) and 2(b) are a schematic perspective view of the ink pack of the first embodiment and a cross-sectional view of the film. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a film used in the ink pack of the second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a film used in the ink pack of the third embodiment. [Figure 5] 5(a) to 5(c) are a schematic perspective view, a top view, and an AA cross-sectional view of the ink supply section of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a film used in an ink pack according to the fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (First embodiment) Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the technology of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0010] 1 is a schematic perspective view of an inkjet recording apparatus 100 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet recording apparatus 100 includes an ink ejection head 101, a recording sheet 102, a carriage 103, a transport roller 104, an ink supply unit 105, an ink supply tube 106, and a recovery unit 107.

[0011] The inkjet recording device 100 repeats reciprocating movement (main scanning) of an ink ejection head 101 and conveyance (sub-scanning) of a recording medium, i.e., a recording sheet 102, in predetermined increments. Synchronizing with these movements, inks of multiple colors are selectively ejected from the ink ejection head 101 and landed on the recording medium, i.e., the recording sheet 102, thereby recording characters, symbols, images, etc. An example of the inkjet recording device 100 is an inkjet printer. The recording medium can be made of various materials and in various forms, such as paper, cloth, an optical disc label surface, a plastic sheet, an OHP sheet, and an envelope.

[0012] The ink ejection head 101 is slidably supported on two guide rails and mounted on a carriage 103 that moves back and forth in a straight line along the guide rails by a driving means (not shown) such as a motor. A recording sheet 102 is conveyed by a conveying roller 104, which serves as a conveying means, in a direction that intersects with the movement direction of the carriage 103, facing the ink ejection surface of the ink ejection head 101. The ink ejection head 101 has a plurality of nozzle rows as a plurality of ink ejection sections, each of which ejects a different color of ink. A plurality of independent ink packs 1 (see FIG. 2) having ink outlet members for guiding ink corresponding to the colors of ink ejected from the ink ejection head 101 are mounted on the ink supply unit 105. In this embodiment, four ink packs 1, each containing cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) ink, are mounted on the ink supply unit 105. The four ink packs 1 are the same size, although, for example, the ink pack 1 for black ink may be larger than the ink packs 1 for the other colors of ink. The ink ejection head 101 may be mounted on the carriage 103 in a manner that allows it to be easily attached and detached, or in a fixed arrangement.

[0013] The ink supply unit 105 and the ink ejection head 101 are connected by a plurality of ink supply tubes 106, each corresponding to a different ink color. By installing the ink pack 1 (see FIG. 2) inside the ink supply unit 105, it becomes possible to independently supply each color of ink contained in the ink pack 1 to each nozzle row of the ink ejection head 101. In a non-printing area, which is within the reciprocating movement range of the ink ejection head 101 but outside the range through which the recording sheet 102 passes, a recovery unit 107 is arranged so as to face the ink ejection surface of the ink ejection head 101.

[0014] The recovery unit 107 includes a cap portion for capping the ink ejection surface of the ink ejection head 101, a suction mechanism for forcibly sucking ink while the ink ejection surface is capped, and a cleaning blade for wiping dirt off the ink ejection surface. The suction operation described above is performed by the recovery unit 107 prior to the inkjet recording apparatus 100 starting a recording operation. As a result, even if the inkjet recording apparatus 100 is operated after being left unused for a long period of time, the recovery process performed by the recovery unit 107 can remove residual air bubbles in the ink ejection head 101 and / or thickened ink near the ejection orifices. This maintains the ejection characteristics of the ink ejection head 101. As described above, the inkjet recording apparatus 100 has the function of introducing ink from the ink pack 1 and ejecting the ink.

[0015] FIG. 2(a) is a perspective view schematically illustrating an ink pack 1 according to one embodiment, and FIG. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view of the film of the ink storage section 2 constituting the ink pack 1. Referring to FIG. 2(a), the ink pack 1 is configured with the ink storage section 2 having a film including multiple resin layers and the ink supply section 3 that supplies ink to the inkjet recording device 100. The ink supply section 3 supplies ink to the inkjet recording device 100 and is provided with a check valve to prevent ink from flowing back from the outside to the inside of the ink supply section 3. In the ink pack 1, the outer periphery of the film of the ink storage section 2 is heat-sealed, and the interface between the film and the ink supply section 3 is also heat-sealed to form the ink pack 1. The ink storage section 2 is flexible. The ink storage section 2 may be shaped as a pillow-type bag formed by joining two sheets of film together, or as a gusset-type bag with gusseted sides formed by folding and joining a single sheet of film together. In this embodiment, a pillow-type bag shape will be described.

[0016] The directions shown in the drawings will now be explained. In this specification, the longitudinal direction of the ink pack 1 is called the X direction (length direction), the planar direction perpendicular to the length direction is called the Y direction (width direction), and the direction perpendicular to the X and Y directions is called the Z direction (thickness direction). With respect to the X direction, the direction toward the side where the ink pack 1 is attached to the ink supply unit 105 is called the +X direction. With respect to the Y direction, the direction to the left when viewed from the side where the ink pack 1 is attached to the ink supply unit 105 is called the -Y direction.

[0017] Referring to FIG. 2(b), the film of the ink storage section 2 comprises an outer layer 4, an intermediate layer 5, and an inner layer 6. The layer configuration of the film is not limited to this, and can be configured to a total thickness in the range of 0.1-0.5 mm, taking into consideration the strength and flexibility of the ink pack 1, the characteristics of the ink to be stored, and the use of recycled plastics as described below. In this embodiment, the outer layer 4 is formed from polyethylene terephthalate (PET film; thickness 0.03 mm), which has excellent mechanical strength and heat resistance. The intermediate layer 5 is formed from tear-resistant nylon (thickness 0.03 mm). The inner layer 6 is formed from polyethylene (thickness 0.08 mm), which has excellent ink resistance, a low melting temperature, and is easy to heat-seal.

[0018] The intermediate layer 5 is a nylon film containing recycled plastic material. The intermediate layer 5 is a mixture of recycled plastic material and virgin material, and contains 50% recycled plastic material. This content can be selected preferably from the range of 25% to 80% depending on the specifications of the ink container to be formed.

[0019] As described above, according to this embodiment, the layers of the ink storage section 2 are formed with the intermediate layer 5 sandwiched between the outer layer 4 and the inner layer 6. This allows the intermediate layer 5, which contains recycled plastic material, to be a layer that does not come into contact with ink or come into direct contact with the outside, resulting in an ink container that has excellent ink resistance despite using recycled plastic material. Note that although nylon film has been exemplified as a material containing recycled plastic material for the intermediate layer 5 containing recycled plastic material, this is not limited to this and other materials may be used.

[0020] In this embodiment, the recycled plastic material may be post-consumer material (PCR material) or pre-consumer material, or a mixture of both. Post-consumer material (PCR material) is a material obtained by recovering and reusing plastic products, such as waste products, after they have been distributed to the market. PCR material may be a thermoplastic prepared from waste industrial plastic. Pre-consumer material is a material obtained by recovering and reusing waste plastic generated in the manufacturing process before distribution to the market. For example, pre-consumer material may be a thermoplastic prepared from off-cuts or rejected molded products that have been previously processed by molding, extrusion, etc. at a processor's factory and then reprocessed within the same factory.

[0021] In this embodiment, the intermediate layer 5 is configured as a single layer, but the intermediate layer 5 may be configured as a multiple layer of different materials, a multiple layer of the same material, or a configuration in which recycled plastic material is partially contained. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of strength, it is preferable to bond the intermediate layer 5 and the outer layer 4, and the intermediate layer 5 and the inner layer 6 with an adhesive, but a configuration in which some or all of the layers are not bonded may also be used.

[0022] (Second embodiment) 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the layer structure of the film of the ink storage section 2 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the outer layer 4 is formed from a polyethylene terephthalate film containing recycled plastic material. The recycled plastic material content is 50%. The middle layer 5 is formed from nylon (thickness 0.03 mm), and the inner layer 6 is formed from polyethylene (thickness 0.08 mm).

[0023] According to this embodiment, by forming the outer layer 4 from a mixture of recycled plastic and virgin material, recycled plastic can be used for layers that do not directly come into contact with ink, and it is also possible to easily inspect for appearance defects such as whitening that may occur when molding the recycled material. This makes it possible to produce an ink container with excellent ink resistance, even if recycled plastic is used for the film of the ink container. Note that the outer layer 4 containing recycled plastic material is not limited to polyethylene terephthalate film, and other materials may be used.

[0024] (Third embodiment) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the layer structure of an ink reservoir 2 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the inner layer 6 is made of recycled plastic material. Specifically, the inner layer 6 is formed of a polyethylene film containing recycled plastic material. A protective layer 7 made of the same virgin material as the inner layer 6, i.e., polyethylene, is provided on the inside (the ink-contacting side) of the inner layer 6. The outer layer 4 is formed of a polyethylene terephthalate film, and the intermediate layer 5 is formed of nylon. The thickness of the protective layer 7 is determined so that the amount of virgin material used is less than the amount of virgin material lost by using recycled plastic material in the inner layer 6. Specifically, if the inner layer 6 is 0.08 mm thick and the recycled plastic content is 50%, the protective layer 7 should be 0.04 mm or less. In this embodiment, the protective layer 7 is 0.01 mm thick to minimize the amount of virgin material used. The recycled plastic material used in the inner layer 6 is not limited to polyethylene and may be other materials.

[0025] According to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, the inner layer 6 contains recycled plastic material, but the presence of the protective layer 7 prevents ink from coming into direct contact with the inner layer 6. This makes it possible to obtain an ink container with excellent ink resistance, even when recycled plastic material is used for the film of the ink container.

[0026] (Fourth embodiment) 5(a) to 5(c) are schematic diagrams illustrating an ink supply unit 3 of an ink pack 1 according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5(a) is a perspective view of the ink supply unit 3, FIG. 5(b) is a plan view of the ink supply unit 3, and FIG. 5(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 5(b). In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5(c), the supply tube of the ink supply unit 3 has a three-layer structure. Specifically, the inner layer, which directly contacts the ink passing through the supply tube, and the outer layer, which forms the exterior of the tube, are called protective layers 12. This protective layer 12 is formed by coating the surface of the tube with a highly ink-resistant silicone-based liquid (e.g., oregano-modified silicone) and then heating and drying the coating. The middle layer 14 is molded from a resin containing recycled plastic material. Since the ink supply unit 3 uses a larger amount of plastic than the ink storage unit 2, the amount of recycled plastic material used can be increased. This embodiment also enables the creation of an ink container with excellent ink resistance while using recycled plastic material.

[0027] (Fifth embodiment) 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the film configuration of the ink storage section 2 in an ink pack according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. In the fifth embodiment, the intermediate layer 5 of the ink storage section 2 comprises multiple layers. The multiple layers are a combination of a polyethylene terephthalate layer, a printing layer (ink-receiving layer), a silica vapor deposition layer, a nylon layer, a polyethylene layer, and an EVOH (ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin) layer, although the order and combination of the layers are not limited to this.

[0028] In the fifth embodiment, the outer layer 4 may be a PET film containing recycled plastic material with a thickness of 25 μm or more. The outermost layer of the intermediate layer 5 may be a PET film containing recycled plastic material, and may be 25 μm or more thick to maintain durability. The inner layer 6 may be a PE film containing recycled plastic material with a thickness of 48 μm or more. The inner layer 6 may also be a film containing recycled plastic material that has been treated with a water-repellent finish, which is effective in using up all the ink. Furthermore, a fluorine sealant may be applied to the surface of the inner layer 6 to improve ink resistance.

[0029] Therefore, any one of the outer layer 4, the multiple layers of the intermediate layer 5, and the inner layer 6 can be a nylon film containing recycled plastic material. Furthermore, the nylon film used in any one of the outer layer 4, the multiple layers of the intermediate layer 5, and the inner layer 6 can be 15 μm or more. Furthermore, to increase the strength of the ink pack, any one of the outer layer 4, the multiple layers of the intermediate layer 5, and the inner layer 6 can be a film made by biaxial stretching. The technology described herein can contribute to the realization of a sustainable society, such as a carbon-free / recycling-based society.

[0030] (Other embodiments) In the above-described embodiments, the ink container is described in the form of an ink pack, but the application of the present disclosure is not limited to this form. For example, the ink container may be an ink container whose case has a surface formed of a film having the configuration described in each of the above-described embodiments, and which maintains a constant shape without deforming as ink is consumed.

[0031] Furthermore, layers containing the aforementioned recycled plastic materials have lower transparency than their virgin counterparts. For example, a layer of virgin PET film containing recycled plastic materials has a haze value approximately three times higher than a layer of PET film alone. Haze is a measure of an object's transparency; the higher the haze value, the more opaque the object. For example, transparent glass has a haze value of 0%, while plastic film has a haze value of 4%.

[0032] The present disclosure includes configurations typified by the following examples of a recording apparatus and a control method for a recording apparatus. <Configuration 1> An ink container containing ink to be supplied to an inkjet recording device, an ink storage section formed of a plurality of layers and configured to store ink; an ink supply unit for supplying ink from the ink storage unit to the outside of the ink storage unit, An ink container, wherein at least one layer of the plurality of layers that does not come into contact with ink contains recycled plastic material. <Configuration 2> 2. The ink container of claim 1, wherein the ink supply section is formed of a plurality of layers, and at least one layer of the ink supply section that does not come into contact with ink contains recycled plastic material. <Configuration 3> 3. An ink container according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the layers of the ink storage section include an outer layer, an intermediate layer, and an inner layer, the intermediate layer being between the outer layer and the inner layer, and the intermediate layer including recycled plastic material. <Configuration 4> The ink container according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the layers of the ink storage section include an outer layer, an intermediate layer, and an inner layer, the intermediate layer being between the outer layer and the inner layer, and the outer layer including recycled plastic material. <Configuration 5> the ink storage portion includes an outer layer, an intermediate layer, and an inner layer, the intermediate layer being located between the outer layer and the inner layer, and the inner layer including recycled plastic material; 5. The ink container according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the inner layer has a protective layer on a surface that comes into contact with the ink, and the protective layer is made of the same virgin material as the inner layer. <Configuration 6> 6. The ink container according to claim 5, wherein the thickness of the protective layer is a thickness that is made of virgin material in an amount less than the amount of virgin material reduced by using recycled plastic material for the inner layer. <Configuration 7> 7. The ink container according to any one of configurations 3 to 6, wherein the intermediate layer is made up of a plurality of layers, and any one of the plurality of layers contains recycled plastic material. <Configuration 8> The ink container according to Configuration 7, wherein the plurality of layers of the intermediate layer are at least one selected from the group consisting of a polyethylene terephthalate layer, a printing layer (ink-receiving layer), a silica vapor deposition layer, a nylon layer, a polyethylene layer, and an EVOH (ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin) layer. <Configuration 9> 9. The ink container according to any one of configurations 2 to 8, wherein the ink supply unit has a protective layer on a surface that comes into contact with ink. <Configuration 10> 10. The ink container of claim 9, wherein the protective layer comprises silicone. <Configuration 11> 11. The ink container of claim 10, wherein the protective layer comprises oregano-modified silicone. <Configuration 12> 12. The ink container according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, wherein the layer containing recycled plastic material has a higher haze value than a layer containing only virgin material. <Configuration 13> 2. The ink container according to claim 1, wherein the ink container is a pillow-type or gusset-type ink pack. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 1 ink pack 2 Ink storage compartment 3 Ink supply unit 4 Outer layer 5. Middle class 6 Inner layer 7, 12 Protective layer 100 Inkjet recording device

Claims

1. An ink container containing ink to be supplied to an inkjet recording device, an ink storage section formed of a plurality of layers and configured to store ink; an ink supply unit for supplying ink from the ink storage unit to the outside of the ink storage unit, An ink container, wherein at least one layer of the plurality of layers that does not come into contact with ink contains recycled plastic material.

2. 2. The ink container according to claim 1, wherein the ink supply section is formed of a plurality of layers, and at least one layer of the plurality of layers of the ink supply section that does not come into contact with ink contains recycled plastic material.

3. 2. The ink container of claim 1, wherein the layers of the ink containing portion comprise an outer layer, a middle layer, and an inner layer, the middle layer being between the outer layer and the inner layer, and the middle layer comprising recycled plastic material.

4. 2. The ink container of claim 1, wherein the layers of the ink containing portion comprise an outer layer, an intermediate layer, and an inner layer, the intermediate layer being between the outer layer and the inner layer, and the outer layer comprising recycled plastic material.

5. the ink storage portion includes an outer layer, an intermediate layer, and an inner layer, the intermediate layer being located between the outer layer and the inner layer, and the inner layer including recycled plastic material; 2. The ink container according to claim 1, wherein the inner layer has a protective layer on a surface that comes into contact with the ink, the protective layer being made of the same virgin material as the inner layer.

6. 6. The ink container according to claim 5, wherein the protective layer has a thickness that is made of virgin material in an amount less than the amount of virgin material reduced by using recycled plastic material for the inner layer.

7. The ink container according to claim 3 , wherein the intermediate layer is made up of a plurality of layers, and any one of the plurality of layers contains recycled plastic material.

8. 8. The ink container according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of layers of the intermediate layer are at least one selected from the group consisting of a polyethylene terephthalate layer, a printing layer (ink-receiving layer), a silica vapor deposition layer, a nylon layer, a polyethylene layer, and an EVOH (ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin) layer.

9. The ink container of claim 2 , wherein the ink supply section has a protective layer on a surface that comes into contact with the ink.

10. The ink container of claim 9 , wherein the protective layer comprises silicone.

11. The ink container of claim 10 , wherein the protective layer comprises oregano-modified silicone.

12. The ink container according to claim 1 , wherein the layer containing recycled plastic material has a higher haze value than a layer containing only virgin material.

13. 2. The ink container according to claim 1, wherein the ink container is a pillow-type or gusset-type ink pack.

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