Ink container

Abstract

To provide a technology of decomposing an ink pack into a single raw material and improving recyclability, namely, capable of contributing to realization of a sustainable society such as a decarbonized / circular society.SOLUTION: An ink container for storing ink includes: a first container for storing ink; and an ink supply part joined to the first container to supply ink from the first container to the outside of the ink container, wherein the first container and the ink supply part are bonded via an adhesive agent in respective adhesion areas.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ink container, and more particularly to an ink container constructed by adhering a film of an ink storage portion to an ink supply portion. [Background technology]

[0002] An ink pack is known as one type of ink container. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an ink pack that includes an inner pack for storing ink, an ink supply unit welded to the inner pack, and an outer pack capable of storing the inner pack. Such an ink pack can be reused by separating the ink supply unit, inner pack, and outer pack after use. This is desirable for reusing (recycling) recycled plastic materials in response to demands for realizing a sustainable society, such as a carbon-free / circular economy. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-20182 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, because the ink pack described above is constructed by welding the inner pack to the ink supply unit, the ink supply unit material and the inner pack material are compatible at the welded portion. This makes the boundary between the ink supply unit and the inner pack unclear, making it difficult to separate them at the boundary (interface). Furthermore, the ink supply unit material and the pack material tend to be mixed at the adhesive portion during separation. This results in a problem of reduced recyclability of the ink pack. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink container that is highly recyclable and allows the ink supply section and the ink container constituent materials to be separated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The ink container for storing ink comprises a first container for storing ink, and an ink supply part joined to the first container for supplying ink in the first container to the outside of the ink container, and is characterized in that the first container and the ink supply part are bonded via adhesive in their respective bonding areas. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, in an ink container, it is possible to separate the ink supply portion and the ink container constituent materials, which is highly recyclable. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ink ejection device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the ink pack according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the ink pack according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing adhesive regions of the ink pack according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 5(a) to 5(c) are a top view, a cross-sectional view of the adhesive region, and a cross-sectional view of the ink pack according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an ink pack according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] 7(a) and (b) are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of the adhesive region of an ink pack according to the third embodiment. [Figure 8] 8(a) to 8(c) are detailed views of the ink pack according to the third embodiment. [Figure 9] 9(a) to 9(c) are a cross-sectional view of the adhesive region, a top cross-sectional view, and a detailed view of the ink pack according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 10]10(a) and 10(b) are detailed views of an ink pack according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (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.

[0009] 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.

[0010] 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.

[0011] 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.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the configuration of an ink pack 1 (ink container) according to this embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, the ink pack 1 includes a flexible ink storage section 10 that stores ink and an ink supply section 20 that supplies the stored ink to the exterior of the container. In this embodiment, the ink supply section 20 supplies ink to the inkjet recording device 100 and is provided with a check valve to prevent backflow of liquid from the exterior to the interior of the ink supply section 20. The ink storage section 10 includes an end 10a on the ink supply section 20 side, side ends 10b and 10c, and an end 10d opposite end 10a. The ink storage section 10 may be a pillow-type bag formed by joining two films together, or a gusset-type bag with gussets on the sides formed by folding and joining a single film. This embodiment relates to a pillow-type bag.

[0015] 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 this 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.

[0016] 3 is an exploded perspective view of the ink pack 1 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the ink storage section 10 is formed from a rectangular first film 11 and a second film 12. The first film 11 and the second film 12 are made of a flexible material. The first film 11 is a film with water vapor barrier properties and gas barrier properties, such as nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, etc. The second film 12 is a film with impact resistance and durability, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, etc.

[0017] In this embodiment, the first film 11 is a film containing polyethylene, which has water vapor barrier properties, and the second film 12 is a film containing polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which has impact resistance. This configuration ensures the gas barrier properties of the ink pack 1 and makes it possible to maintain the concentration and quality of the ink.

[0018] The first film 11 and the second film 12 may be composite films made of multiple materials, but from the perspective of recycling, they are preferably made of a single material. A single material refers to a film in which the content of a single resin is 90% or more of the film's components. To ensure gas barrier properties, an aluminum vapor deposition layer may be disposed on the surface of the first film 11 facing the second film 12, or on the surface of the second film 12 facing the first film 11.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the adhesive regions of the ink pack 1. The first adhesive region 13 is an adhesive region located between the first film 11 and the ink supply section 20. That is, in this embodiment, the ink supply section 20 and the first film 11 on the inside of the container are bonded with an adhesive. The second adhesive region 14 is located on the outer periphery between the two first films 11, and is an adhesive region excluding the first adhesive region 13 from the outer periphery between the two first films 11. Therefore, the first adhesive region 13 and the second adhesive region 14 are located on the outer periphery between the two first films 11. The third adhesive region 15 is an adhesive region located on the outer periphery between the first film 11 and the second film 12.

[0020] Fig. 5(a) is a top view of the ink pack 1, Fig. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 5(a), and Fig. 5(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 5(a). As shown in Fig. 5(b), a first adhesive 16 is applied to the first adhesive region 13, and the ink supply unit 20 and the first film 11 are bonded together. This first adhesive region 13 has an outer adhesive region 13a on the outer side in the ink supply direction and an inner adhesive region 13b on the inner side. In this configuration, the application position and / or amount of the first adhesive 16 is determined so that it extends from the inner adhesive region 13b, which is between the ink supply unit 20 and the first film 11, into the inside of the ink containing section.

[0021] As a result of first adhesive 16 protruding from inner adhesive region 13b in this manner, a layer of first adhesive 16 is also formed on surface 202 of ink supply unit 20 and surface 112 of first film 11, and first film 11 and ink supply unit 20 are bonded together via surfaces 202 and 112. As a result, ink supply unit 20 and first film 11 are bonded together via surfaces 202 and 112 in addition to first adhesive region 13, improving adhesive strength.

[0022] Furthermore, when the first adhesive 16 protrudes from the inner adhesive region 13b, the surface area of ​​the first adhesive 16 that comes into contact with the ink increases. This distributes the force applied by the ink to the first adhesive 16, reducing the applied pressure. For these reasons, when the first adhesive 16 protrudes from the inner adhesive region 13b, the adhesive strength between the ink supply section 20 and the first film 11 is improved, enabling stable ink retention. The first adhesive 16 is an ink-resistant adhesive, such as a thermosetting epoxy resin adhesive.

[0023] A first adhesive 16 is placed in a second adhesive region 14 on the outer periphery between the two first films 11, and the outer periphery between the two first films 11 is bonded to form a bag-shaped first pack 30 (first container) for containing ink.

[0024] A second adhesive 17 is disposed in the third adhesive region 15, and the first film 11 and the second film 12 are adhered to each other. The third adhesive region 15 may be the entire opposing surface between the first film 11 and the second film 12, but by providing the third adhesive region 15 only in a portion between the first film 11 and the second film 12 or only in the outer periphery, the first film 11 and the second film 12 can be easily separated.

[0025] According to the ink pack 1 of the present embodiment described above, the bonded boundaries (interfaces) between the ink supply section 20 and the first film 11 and between the first film 11 and the second film 12 are clearly defined, and separation is facilitated by applying force to these interfaces during separation. Furthermore, this separation prevents the materials of the ink supply section 20 and the first film 11 from mixing with each other. As a result, an ink pack with high recyclability can be obtained.

[0026] Furthermore, since the first adhesive 16 protrudes onto the inner adhesive region 13b side, it is possible to improve the strength against ink pressure while maintaining the separability from the outer adhesive region 13a side.

[0027] The first adhesive 16 and the second adhesive 17 are made of a thermosetting epoxy resin adhesive or a moisture-curing silicone adhesive, which have a viscosity of 200 Pa·s or less and a contact angle of 45° or more, making them easy to apply. The first adhesive 16 and the second adhesive 17 may have a melting point of 200°C or less, in which case the first adhesive 16 and the second adhesive 17 can be decomposed by heating the adhesive area while peeling them off. Even if an aluminum vapor deposition layer is formed on the first film 11 or the second film 12, the vapor deposition layer can be removed by performing alkaline cleaning after decomposing the film, improving the recyclability of the film.

[0028] (Second embodiment) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an ink pack 1 in the second embodiment, and shows a cross section similar to the cross-sectional view along line BB shown in FIG. 5(c) in the first embodiment. What differs from the first embodiment is that two second films 12 form a second pack 31 (second container), and the first pack 30 is placed inside the second pack 31. At this time, in the third adhesive region 15 between the first film 11 and the second film 12, only the end 10a side of the ink containing section 10 shown in FIG. 2 is adhered. With this configuration, the adhesive region between the first film 11 and the second film 12 is small, making separation easy.

[0029] (Third embodiment) Fig. 7(a) is a perspective view of an ink pack according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Fig. 7(a). In the third embodiment, an uneven portion 32 is provided in the adhesive region 13 of the ink supply part 20. The uneven portion 32 has an undulating shape that combines rectangular and arc shapes. This uneven portion 32 increases the contact area of ​​the adhesive on the ink supply part 20, thereby improving the adhesive strength and adhesion between the first film 11 and the ink supply part 20.

[0030] 7(b), the first film 11 is extended toward the outer adhesive region 13a, and a gripping portion 33 is provided. The gripping portion 33 has a length of approximately 5 mm to 30 mm in the X direction from the end of the outer adhesive region 13a. With this configuration, when disassembling the ink pack 1, the gripping portion 33 is grasped and a force is applied in the +Z direction or the -X direction, so that the first film 11 and the second film 12 can be separated with a stronger force. With this configuration, it is possible to improve both adhesion and separability.

[0031] 8(a) to 8(c) are diagrams showing various configurations of the uneven portion 32. In the configuration shown in FIG. 8(a), the recesses of the uneven portion 32 extend as grooves in the Y direction on the adhesive surface 13, and a plurality of these extending grooves are arranged in the ink supply direction (X direction). In the configuration shown in FIG. 8(b), the recesses of the uneven portion 32 are formed as grooves extending in the X direction on the adhesive region 13, and a plurality of these grooves are arranged in the Y direction. In the configuration shown in FIG. 8(c), the recesses of the uneven portion 32 are formed as square-shaped grooves arranged in the X and Y directions. The configuration of the uneven portion 32 shown in FIG. 8(c) can increase the adhesive surface area within the same area compared to FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b).

[0032] (Fourth embodiment) Fig. 9(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the adhesive bonding between the ink supply part 20 and the first film 11 of an ink pack 1 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in Fig. 9(a), and Fig. 9(c) is a top view of the ink supply part 20 and a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in the top view. In the fourth embodiment, an escape groove 36 is provided in the first adhesive region 13 of the ink supply part 20. As shown in Fig. 9(c), the width of the escape groove 36 narrows in the -X direction, and the depth of the escape groove is constant.

[0033] In this embodiment, the first adhesive 16 is applied to the ink supply portion 20, which has an escape groove 36. By bonding the first film 11 and the ink supply portion 20, a large amount of adhesive enters the escape groove 36 on the outer adhesive region 13a side, suppressing the spread of the adhesive between the ink supply portion 20 and the first film 11. On the other hand, a small amount of adhesive enters the escape groove 36 on the inner adhesive region 13b side, preventing the spread of the adhesive between the ink supply portion 20 and the first film 11. As a result, the adhesive area on the outer adhesive region 13a side is smaller than that on the inner adhesive region 13b side, resulting in a difference in adhesive strength. As a result, the adhesive strength between the inner adhesive region 13b side and the outer adhesive region 13a side is maintained at a good level. Furthermore, the adhesive strength on the outer adhesive region 13a side can be made smaller than that on the inner adhesive region 13b side, improving the separability when the first film 11 is pulled to separate it from the outer adhesive region 13a side.

[0034] 10(a) and 10(b) show other shapes of the relief groove 36. The relief groove shown in Fig. 10(a) has a shape in which the depth (Z direction) of the relief groove 36 continuously decreases from the outer adhesive region 13a side toward the inner adhesive region 13b side. The relief groove shown in Fig. 10(b) has a shape in which the depth of the relief groove 36 arranged two-dimensionally in the adhesive region 13 decreases from the outer adhesive region 13a side toward the inner adhesive region 13b side.

[0035] 10(a) has a constant area along the X direction on the XY plane, so it is possible to control the amount of overflow even when a small amount of first adhesive 16 is used. The amount of escape groove 36 shown in Fig. 10(b) can be easily increased within the same area, so it is possible for it to also function as uneven portion 32, which increases the contact area between first adhesive 16 and ink supply portion 20 and improves adhesion.

[0036] Both of the first film 11 and the second film 12 may be made of a single material, or only one of them may be made of a single material. To improve the adhesion between the first film 11, the second film 12, and the ink supply section 20, a primer may be applied to the first adhesive region 13, the second adhesive region 14, and the third adhesive region 15. Furthermore, the surface roughness of the first film 11, the second film 12, and the ink supply section 20 may be increased. The technology described in this specification can contribute to the realization of a sustainable society, such as a decarbonized / recycling-based society.

[0037] (Other embodiments) <Configuration 1> An ink container for storing ink, a first container for containing ink; an ink supply unit joined to the first container for supplying ink in the first container to the outside of the ink container, The ink container is characterized in that the first container and the ink supply part are bonded to each other via an adhesive in their respective bonding regions. <Configuration 2> 2. The ink container according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive extends from an adhesive region between the first container and the ink supply part to an inside of the first container. <Configuration 3> An ink container according to any one of configurations 1 and 2, further comprising a second container, the first container being disposed inside the second container, and a portion between the first container and the second container being bonded with an adhesive. <Configuration 4> 4. The ink container of claim 3, wherein the first container or the second container is a first pack and a second pack, respectively, formed from a film of a single material. <Configuration 5> 5. The ink container according to any one of configurations 3 and 4, further comprising an aluminum vapor deposition layer on either the outside of the first pack or the inside of the second pack. <Configuration 6> 5. The ink container of claim 3, wherein the first pack includes a gripping portion extending outward from an adhesive region between the first pack and the ink supply portion. <Configuration 7> 7. The ink container according to claim 6, wherein the grip portion has a length of 5 to 30 mm. <Configuration 8> 8. The ink container according to claim 4, wherein the ink supply section has an uneven portion in an area where the ink supply section is bonded to the first pack. <Configuration 9> 9. The ink container according to claim 8, wherein the concave and convex portions are arranged along a direction from the ink-containing side to the ink-supplying side. <Configuration 10> 10. The ink container according to claim 8, wherein the concave and convex portions are arranged perpendicular to a direction from the ink-containing side to the ink-supplying side. <Configuration 11> 11. The ink container according to any one of configurations 4 to 10, wherein the ink supply unit has a relief groove in an area where the ink supply unit is attached to the first pack. <Configuration 12> 12. The ink container according to claim 11, wherein the width of the relief groove portion on the side that stores the ink is narrower than the width of the side that supplies the ink. <Configuration 13> 12. The ink container according to claim 11, wherein the depth of the relief groove portion on the side where the ink is stored is shallower than the depth of the side where the ink is supplied. <Configuration 14> 14. The ink container according to any one of configurations 1 to 13, wherein the adhesive has a melting point of 200° C. or less. <Configuration 15> 15. An inkjet recording apparatus that performs recording using the ink contained in the ink container according to claim 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1 ink pack 10 Ink storage section 11 Film 1 12 Second Film 13 1st adhesive area 14 Second adhesive area 15 Third adhesive area 16 First Adhesive 17 Second adhesive 20 Ink supply unit

Claims

1. An ink container for storing ink, a first container for containing ink; an ink supply unit joined to the first container for supplying ink in the first container to the outside of the ink container, The ink container according to claim 1, wherein the first container and the ink supply part are bonded to each other via an adhesive in their respective bonding regions.

2. The ink container according to claim 1 , wherein the adhesive extends from an adhesive region between the first container and the ink supply part to an inside of the first container.

3. 3. The ink container according to claim 1, further comprising a second container, wherein the first container is disposed inside the second container, and a portion between the first container and the second container is bonded with an adhesive.

4. 4. The ink container of claim 3, wherein the first container or the second container is a first pack and a second pack, respectively, in the form of a pack formed from a film of a single material.

5. 5. The ink container according to claim 4, wherein either the outside of the first pack or the inside of the second pack is provided with a vapor-deposited layer of aluminum.

6. The ink container according to claim 4 , wherein the first pack includes a grip portion extending outward from an adhesive region between the first pack and the ink supply portion.

7. 7. The ink container according to claim 6, wherein the grip portion has a length of 5 to 30 mm.

8. The ink container according to claim 4 , wherein the ink supply section has an uneven portion in an area where the ink supply section is bonded to the first pack.

9. The ink container according to claim 8 , wherein the uneven portion is arranged along a direction from the ink-containing side to the ink-supply side.

10. The ink container according to claim 8 , wherein the concave and convex portions are arranged perpendicular to a direction from the ink-containing side to the ink-supplying side.

11. The ink container according to claim 4 , wherein the ink supply portion has a relief groove in an area where the ink supply portion is bonded to the first pack.

12. 12. The ink container according to claim 11, wherein the width of the relief groove portion on the side where the ink is stored is narrower than the width of the side where the ink is supplied.

13. The ink container according to claim 11, wherein the depth of the relief groove portion on the side where the ink is stored is shallower than the depth of the side where the ink is supplied.

14. 2. The ink container according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive has a melting point of 200° C. or less.

15. An inkjet recording apparatus that performs recording using the ink contained in the ink container according to claim 1 .

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