Cartridge package and method for manufacturing cartridge package

Abstract

To provide a cartridge package for protecting a liquid cartridge by relaxing impact on the liquid cartridge to be housed.SOLUTION: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cartridge package including a cartridge mounted on a liquid ejection apparatus and configured to store a liquid, a container including a container main body having a bottom portion, at least four side walls, an accommodation portion configured to accommodate the cartridge, and an opening facing the bottom portion, and a film configured to seal the opening, and a box including a substantially hexahedral accommodation portion configured to accommodate the container.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging body for a cartridge to be mounted in an inkjet recording apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, inkjet printers and other recording devices employ a so-called serial recording method, in which a cartridge scans a recording medium and conveys the recording medium in a predetermined amount in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction, thereby forming an image on the recording medium. A known cartridge for this type of recording method is a head-integrated type, in which a recording element substrate that ejects recording material and an ink storage chamber that stores the recording material (hereinafter referred to as ink) are integrated into one unit. This cartridge is configured such that an ink absorber that holds ink is located inside the main body, and the recording element substrate is attached below the ink absorber in the direction of gravity. The ink held in the ink absorber is guided through a filter and an ink flow path to the recording element substrate, and an image is formed on the recording medium by the ink being ejected from the recording element substrate.

[0003] Inkjet recording devices, which are liquid ejection devices that perform desired recording by ejecting liquid such as ink from a liquid ejection head, are equipped with an ink tank for storing ink and a liquid ejection head that ejects the ink stored in the ink tank. Some inkjet recording devices are equipped with a liquid cartridge, such as an ink cartridge, which is a cartridge-shaped ink tank, and a liquid ejection head cartridge, which is a cartridge-shaped liquid ejection head, separately. Other inkjet recording devices are equipped with an ink cartridge with a liquid ejection head, which is a cartridge-shaped ink tank and liquid ejection head.

[0004] During distribution, liquid cartridges are stored in a storage container for liquid cartridges after a seal or the like is applied to the ink supply port to the liquid ejection head. A so-called blister pack is often used as a storage container for liquid cartridges. Similarly, liquid cartridges with liquid ejection heads are also stored in a storage container for ink cartridges with liquid ejection heads after a seal or the like is applied to the ink ejection ports of the liquid ejection head. A so-called blister pack is also often used as a storage container for ink cartridges with liquid ejection heads.

[0005] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, cartridges are sometimes distributed and sold in a packaged state, in which cartridges housed in a storage container are housed in an individual packaging box, from the perspective of preventing ink evaporation during distribution. A conventional cartridge package will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG. 15 is an exploded schematic view of a package 900 illustrating the storage container and the individual packaging box, and FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the package 900 including the storage container and the individual packaging box. The storage container 910 is composed of a roughly hexahedral, rigid body 911 with one side open, and a film-like lid 914. The cartridge 901 is housed inside the body 911 through its opening, and the opening of the body is sealed with the lid 914 to form the storage container 910. This configuration keeps the cartridge 901 sealed, thereby preventing ink evaporation from the cartridge 901. Furthermore, a user can easily remove the cartridge 901 by peeling off the lid 914.

[0006] Storage container 910 is sold in stores in the form of package 900, housed in individual packaging box 800. This individual packaging box 800 has a hanging hole 802 so that it can be hung on a hook on a shelf in a store for display and sale. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-29848 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, when the conventional package 900 is dropped from its left side 812 during display or removal, i.e., when the package is dropped in a position where the lid 914 side strikes the floor as seen from the internal storage container 910, the cartridge 901 may be damaged. When dropped in this position, only the film lid 914 and the paper packaging box 800 are interposed between the cartridge 901 and the floor. Because both the lid 914 and the packaging box 800 are made of soft packaging materials, the impact of the drop from the floor is directly transmitted to the cartridge 901. This impact could damage the cartridge 901 and cause serious damage, such as ink leakage. In contrast, when the lid 914 is dropped in a position other than downward, the hard packaging material of the main body 911 is interposed between the cartridge 901 and the floor. With this hard main body interposed, the outer wall and ribs of the main body 911 deform in response to the impact, cushioning the impact and protecting the cartridge 901. Compared to other positions, the above-described position of dropping from the lid surface is a severe position in which the cartridge 901 is subjected to more impact, and it is likely to be difficult to ensure drop reliability. While it is possible to take measures by inserting a separate cushioning material between the lid 914 and the individual packaging box 800, this has the disadvantage of increasing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the cartridge packaging of the present invention comprises: a cartridge for storing liquid to be mounted on a liquid ejection device; a storage container having a storage section for storing the cartridge, the storage container being composed of a bottom and at least four side walls, a container body having an opening facing the bottom, and a film sealing the opening; and a box having an approximately hexahedral storage section for storing the storage container, wherein the surface of the storage section facing the film comprises an outer wall and an inner wall separated by a space from the outer wall. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the above configuration, a cartridge package is provided that absorbs impacts on the housed liquid cartridge and protects the liquid cartridge. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] A side cross-sectional view and a perspective view of an ink cartridge with a liquid ejection head [Figure 2] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a storage container according to a first embodiment; [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of a storage container and an ink cartridge with a liquid ejection head according to a first embodiment; [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a top surface of a container and an ink cartridge with a liquid ejection head housed therein according to a first embodiment; [Figure 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a container according to a first embodiment and an ink cartridge with a liquid ejection head housed therein; [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing that the ribs bend and have an elastic effect when the storage container of the first embodiment and the ink cartridge with a liquid ejection head stored therein are dropped. [Figure 7] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a storage container according to a first embodiment and an ink cartridge with a liquid ejection head stored therein; [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a packaging body according to a first embodiment; [Figure 9] 1 is a perspective view of a packaging body according to a first embodiment; [Figure 10] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a package according to a first embodiment; [Figure 11] Exploded view of the individual packaging box of the first embodiment [Figure 12] 1 is a schematic top view of an individual packaging box according to a first embodiment; [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an individual packaging box according to a first embodiment; [Figure 14] Schematic diagram showing the state of inserting a storage container into an individual packaging box [Figure 15]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a cushioning function when a package falls in the first embodiment. [Figure 16] 1 is a perspective view showing a storage container and a cartridge according to a second embodiment, and a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the storage container according to the first embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the cushioning function when a package falls in the second embodiment. [Figure 18] Exploded view of a conventional packaging body [Figure 19] 1 is a perspective view of a conventional packaging body; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The following describes in detail exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the embodiments may be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the device to which the invention is applied and various conditions. In other words, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0013] Furthermore, the storage container of this embodiment is a storage container for a liquid ejection head in which the liquid ejection head is housed when the liquid ejection head is distributed on the market. Furthermore, the packaging of this embodiment is a packaging for a liquid ejection head, and is a cartridge packaging. Note that although this embodiment describes a storage container for a liquid ejection head, the object housed in the storage container is not limited to a liquid ejection head. For example, the storage container may be a storage container that houses a liquid cartridge for refilling liquid into a liquid ejection head (inkjet head) installed in an inkjet printer, or a liquid cartridge having a liquid ejection head.

[0014] (First embodiment) <Ink cartridges> In the following description, when the liquid cartridge is attached to the liquid ejection device, the height direction of the liquid cartridge is defined as the Z direction, the width direction of the liquid cartridge, which is perpendicular to the Z direction, is defined as the X direction, and the depth direction of the liquid cartridge, which is perpendicular to the X and Z directions, is defined as the Y direction.

[0015] FIG. 1(a) shows a cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge with a liquid ejection head taken from the side. FIG. 1(b) and FIG. 1(c) show perspective views of the ink cartridge with a liquid ejection head. The ink cartridge 100 with a liquid ejection head (hereinafter referred to as the "ink cartridge") has a tank case 101, a tank lid 102, and a ribbed plate 103. Here, the tank case 101 has an ink storage chamber (storage section) 104, a head section 105, and a discharge substrate 106 equipped with discharge ports. The top of the cartridge 100 (tank lid 102) is provided with protrusions such as an engagement section 1021 for identifying the liquid contained therein by matching it with the structure of the liquid ejection device.

[0016] An absorber 107 that holds ink is packed inside the ink storage chamber 104. An air vent 108 is formed in the tank lid 102. The above-mentioned rib plate 103 is disposed between the absorber 107 and the tank lid 102.

[0017] The head portion 105 is provided so as to be connected to the bottom of the ink storage chamber 104. The width of the head portion 105 is narrower than the width of the ink storage chamber 104, and therefore a bottom portion 104a is formed near the portion of the ink storage chamber 104 where the head portion 105 is connected to the bottom of the ink storage chamber 104. An ejection substrate 106 is connected to the lower tip of the head portion 105. A head fixing surface 1014 on which the ejection substrate 106 is provided has head fixing portion side surfaces 1015 on both ends. The head fixing portion side surfaces 1015 are positioned inward (on the ink storage chamber 104 side in the X direction) from the first and second side surfaces (1011, 1012) of the ink cartridge.

[0018] Even if the ink cartridge 100 falls over, the ink is retained by the absorber 107. During printing, the ink in the ink storage chamber 104 is ejected from the ejection opening.

[0019] Before the ink cartridge 100 is stored in a storage container 110 (described later), a protective seal 109 is attached so as to straddle the ejection substrate 106 and the lower end of the ink storage chamber 104, as shown in FIG. 1(c).

[0020] <Storage container for ink cartridge with liquid ejection head> Next, the storage container 110 (hereinafter referred to as "storage container") that stores the ink cartridge 100 of the present disclosure will be described in detail.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the storage container 110. FIG. 3(a) is a perspective view of the storage container 110 and the ink cartridge 100. FIG. 3(b) is a perspective view of the storage container 110 seen from a different angle than FIG. 3(a). FIG. 3(c) is a perspective view of the storage container 110 seen from a different angle than FIG. 3(a) and FIG. 3(b). FIG. 4(a) is a top cross-sectional view of the storage container 110 and the ink cartridge 100 stored in the storage container 110, taken along line IVa-IVa in FIG. 5(a) described below. FIG. 4(b) is a top cross-sectional view of the storage container 110 and the ink cartridge 100 stored in the storage container 110, taken along line IVa-IVb in FIG. 5(a). FIG. 4(c) is a top cross-sectional view of the storage container 110, taken along line IVb-IVb in FIG. 5(a). FIG. 5(a) is a front cross-sectional view of the storage container 110, taken along line IVc-IVc in FIG. 4(a). FIG. 5(a) is a front cross-sectional view of the storage container 110, taken along line Vb-Vb in FIG. 4(a).

[0022] Referring to Figure 2, the storage container 110 comprises a main body (container main body) 111 and a lid 114. The main body 111 comprises a storage section 112 that forms a storage space 112a for storing the ink cartridge 100 therein, and a flange section 113 that extends outward from the opening of the storage section 112. The ink cartridge 100 can be stored in the storage section 112 from the top surface direction of the storage section 112 through the opening of the storage section 112. The storage section 112 of the main body 111 can also be said to be composed of a bottom and at least four side walls. When the ink cartridge 100 is stored inside the storage container 110, an ink cartridge storage body 1000 is formed.

[0023] After the ink cartridge 100 is stored in the storage section 112, the lid 114 is joined to the flange section 113 to form a sealed space. In this embodiment, the lid 114 is a film, and the joint between the storage container 110 and the lid 114 is sealed by heat sealing (thermal welding), but other joining methods may be used. In this embodiment, as an example, the material for the lid 114 is a laminate film of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) resin and PP (polypropylene). Furthermore, the material for the storage container 110 is PP (polypropylene). The materials for the lid 114 and the storage container 110 are not limited to those mentioned above.

[0024] Recycled plastics can also be used as the material for the lid 114 and the main body 111. In this disclosure, recycled plastics are used in a broad sense to encompass both post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials and pre-consumer recycled materials. In this disclosure, recycled plastics may be PCR materials or pre-consumer recycled materials. They may also be a mixture of both. Recycled plastics are made from materials that have undergone significant degradation due to thermal history during molding, stress during use, heat, light, and solvents. For these reasons, recycled plastics are known to have different physical properties from virgin materials. For example, their shock absorption, in which the molecular chains themselves flex to absorb force upon impact, tends to deteriorate. This tendency can be confirmed by Charpy impact testing, and molded materials containing recycled plastics exhibit lower impact strength than virgin materials. This deterioration in shock absorption is due to the original molecular chains being severed due to the aforementioned deterioration, reducing the impact-absorbing effect of the molecular chains themselves.

[0025] The ribs of the main body 111 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3(a) to 3(c), 4(a), 4(b), 4(c), 5(a), and 5(b). A second rib 118 and a first rib 115 are provided on the inner side surface ( ) of the storage section 112 of the main body 111. Hereinafter, the second rib 118 and the first rib 115 will be collectively referred to as "ribs." In this embodiment, the ribs are integrally molded with the main body 111. The ribs extend inward from the inner side surface of the storage section 112. In other words, the ribs protrude from the inner side surface of the storage section 112 toward the storage space 112a. In other words, the ribs protrude in a first direction parallel to the bottom of the storage section 112 and inclined relative to the side wall of the storage section 112.

[0026] The second rib 118 has a substantially constant protruding length in the protruding direction (XY plane direction). On the other hand, the first rib 115 has two portions with different protruding lengths in the protruding direction (XY plane direction). The first rib 115 has a first portion 1151 with a protruding length substantially the same as that of the second rib 118, and a second portion 1152 with a protruding length longer than that of the first portion 1151.

[0027] Additionally, both the second rib 118 and the first rib 115 are inclined and are provided in proximity to the first and second side surfaces (1011, 1012) of the cartridge 100.

[0028] When the ink cartridge 100 is housed in the housing 112, a gap g2 of distance G2 exists on the XY plane between the second rib 118 and the first portion 1151 of the first rib 115 and the side surface of the ink cartridge 100. The second portion 1152 of the first rib 115 is located close to the head fixing portion side surface 1015, and a gap g1 of distance G1 exists on the XY plane between the second portion 1152 and the head fixing portion side surface 1015. A gap g3 of distance G3 (see FIG. 5 ) exists between the second rib 118 and the head fixing portion side surface 1015. G2 is smaller than G3 and G1, and when the ink cartridge 100 is housed in the main body 111, the position of the ink cartridge 100 within the housing 112 is restricted by the second rib 118 and the first portion 1151. In other words, the second rib 118 and the first portion 1151 act as position restricting portions for the ink cartridge 100.

[0029] As shown in Figures 4(a), 4(b), 4(c), 5(a) and 5(b), when the ink cartridge 100 is stored in the storage section 112, the cartridge 100 occupies most of the storage space 112a. A gap space 112s is formed between the storage section 112 and the ink cartridge 100. The gap space 112s is the space remaining in the storage space 112a excluding the portion occupied by the cartridge 100.

[0030] 4(a), the second ribs 118 and the first ribs 115 are inclined with respect to both the inner lateral surface of the storage section 112 and the outer lateral surface of the ink cartridge 100. In other words, the direction in which each of the second ribs 118 and the first ribs 115 extends inward includes a component inclined with respect to the outer surface of the ink cartridge 100 when the ink cartridge 100 is stored in the storage section 112, over the entire range of the second ribs 118 and the first ribs 115 extending in the Z direction.

[0031] 4(a), the ink cartridge 100 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape, the storage section 112 also has a rectangular cross-sectional shape, and each side of the ink cartridge 100 is parallel to each side of the storage section 112. Therefore, it can be said that the direction in which the second ribs 118 and the first ribs 115 extend inward in the XY plane includes a component inclined with respect to the inner surface of the storage section 112 when the ink cartridge 100 is stored in the storage section 112, in the entire second ribs 118 and the entire first ribs 115. However, a single rib may have a mixture of a portion that has a component inclined with respect to the inner surface of the storage section 112 and a portion that does not have a component inclined with respect to the inner surface of the storage section 112.

[0032] 4(a) and 5(a), when the ink cartridge 100 is stored in the storage section 112, the head section 105 is stored in a head storage area R that is to the left of line L1 in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) when viewed from above and below line L2 when viewed from the front. When viewed in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4(a), the head storage area R is provided with six second ribs 115 above the ink cartridge 100, two first ribs 118 to the left of the ink cartridge 100, and six second ribs 118 and one second rib 115 below the ink cartridge 100. Furthermore, as shown in the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 4(b) and 4(c), a total of six first ribs 115 are provided on both sides of the head fixing section in the head storage area R.

[0033] 4(a) and 4(b), the second rib 118 and the first rib 115 preferably have a thickness T (length in a direction perpendicular to the inward extension direction in the XY plane) of 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less. The first rib 115 preferably has a length L of 2.0 mm or more along its inward extension direction (inward extension direction in the XY plane), and in this embodiment, the length L is set to 2.8 mm, for example. As shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), the length of the first rib 115 along the vertical extension direction (Z direction) is longer than the height of the head unit 105. This allows a gap g4 to be provided between the storage unit 112 and the discharge substrate 106 at the lower end of the head unit 105, as will be described later.

[0034] 4(a) and (b), the angle θ1 between the extension direction (inward extension direction in the XY plane) of the second rib 118 and the first rib 115 and the lateral inner surface of the storage section 112 is preferably 30 degrees or more and 45 degrees or less. More preferably, the angle θ1 is 45 degrees. Furthermore, if the lateral outer surface of the ink cartridge 100 is parallel to the lateral inner surface of the storage section 112, the angle θ2 between the extension direction of the second rib 118 and the first rib 115 and the lateral outer surface of the ink cartridge 100 is preferably 30 degrees or more and 45 degrees or less. More preferably, the angle θ2 is 45 degrees.

[0035] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the elastic effect of the first rib 115 when the storage container 110 is dropped. When the storage container 110 containing the ink cartridge 100 is dropped onto the ground or the like, the impact causes the second portion 1152 of the first rib 115 to come into contact with the head portion 105 as shown in FIGS. 6(a) to 6(d). Because multiple first ribs 115 are provided, the impact of the drop is dispersed to multiple locations, and the impact is received at multiple points, preventing large localized deformation of the head portion 105. Furthermore, because the first ribs 115 are inclined relative to the cartridge and the inner surface of the storage container, they are flexible against external forces applied to the head portion 105 and the like, and can cushion the drop impact through deformation. When an impact is received due to a drop or the like, the head portion 105 abuts against the second portion 1152 of the first rib 115 as shown in FIG. 6(b). When the head portion 105 is further displaced relative to the storage portion 112 due to an impact, the first rib 115 bends while retaining its elasticity, as shown in Figure 6(c). The more the first rib 115 bends, the greater the elastic force of the first rib 115. Therefore, even if an external impact occurs, the first rib 115 absorbs the impact, and the impact on the head portion 105 can be alleviated. By providing multiple first ribs 115, the impact applied to each rib is reduced, reducing the amount of deformation. This cushions the impact of a fall and prevents the ink cartridge 100 from coming into direct contact with the storage portion 112 (the inner wall of the storage container) and receiving an impact.

[0036] In addition, the first rib 118 and the first portion 1151 of the first rib are arranged to avoid the head fixing surface 1014 and the head fixing portion side surface 1015. This prevents the impact of a drop from being applied directly to the head portion 105, making the head portion less likely to be damaged.

[0037] 4(c), the first rib 115, which is provided so as to face the side surface of the ink cartridge 100, is disposed over almost the entire area of ​​the ejection substrate 106 on which the ejection ports are provided. In this way, it is preferable that the first rib 115 is disposed over an area of ​​at least two-thirds of the length of the ejection substrate 106 in the direction of the side surface of the ink cartridge 100. This makes it possible to disperse the impact of a fall along the length of the ejection substrate 106, and to prevent the head unit 105 or the ejection substrate 106 from being significantly deformed and damaged by a localized impact.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), the height of the second portion 1152 of the first rib 115 is adjusted so that, when the ink cartridge 100 is housed in the housing portion 112, the top portion 1152a of the second portion 1152 of the first rib supports the bottom portion 104a of the ink storage chamber 104 from below. In other words, the top portion 1152a is configured to support the bottom portion 104a of the ink storage chamber 104 from the head portion side. FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the housing container 110 and the ink cartridge 100 housed in the housing container 110. When the ink cartridge 100 is housed in the housing portion 112, a gap g4 (see FIGS. 5(a), 5(b), and 7) exists between the ejection substrate 106 and the bottom of the housing portion 112. This prevents the ejection substrate 106 from contacting the bottom of the housing portion 112.

[0039] As described above, when an external impact of a certain magnitude or greater is applied, such as when dropped, second rib 118 and the second rib distribute the impact to multiple locations on the side of the cartridge, preventing the impact from being applied directly to head portion 105. In particular, first rib 115 regulates the position of ink cartridge 100 with first portion 1151 facing the side of ink cartridge 100, while second portion 1152 facing head portion 105 cushions the impact to head portion 105.

[0040] Furthermore, even if the weight of the ink cartridge 100 increases, the second rib 118 and the first portion 1151 of the first rib 115 distribute the impact to multiple locations on the cartridge side, preventing a strong impact from being directly applied to the head portion. Furthermore, by providing the second portion 1152 of the first rib 115 next to the head portion 105, the first rib 115 can bend and absorb the impact when dropped. Therefore, damage to the ink cartridge 100 can be prevented inexpensively without adding a new shock-absorbing member. In particular, the first rib 115 serves both to regulate the position of the ink cartridge 100 within the storage container 110 and to absorb impact to the head portion 105. To effectively utilize the above-described functions of the first rib 115, it is desirable for the storage container 110 to have multiple first ribs 115. Originally, the hard main body 111 has a certain degree of cushioning function because the side walls and the like deform when dropped, but as explained above, by providing flexible ribs 115, the drop resistance performance can be further improved and the internal cartridge 100 can be reliably protected.

[0041] <Package> Next, an overview of the cartridge packaging 500 will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of each member of the packaging 500, and Figure 9 is an external perspective view of the packaging 500. In Figure 9, the cartridge 100 stored inside is indicated by a dotted line. The cartridge packaging 500 is composed of a storage container 110 including the cartridge 100, a main body 111, and a lid 114, and an individual box 600, with the storage container 110 contained within the individual box 600. The storage container 110 is stored in the individual box 600 with the surface of the lid 114 oriented perpendicular to the direction of gravity and perpendicular to the surface of the hanging flap 601.

[0042] When the packaging body 500 is displayed and sold in a store, the hanging flap 601 is positioned upward in the direction of gravity. In this position, the size of the packaging body 500 (individual packaging box 600) in this embodiment is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped with height 100 mm, width 70 mm, and depth 48 mm, excluding the hanging flap 601. The size of the storage container 110 in the above position is also set to height 92 mm, width 64 mm, and depth 42 mm.

[0043] <Individual box> Next, the individual box 600 will be described. As shown in Fig. 3, the individual box 600 has a roughly hexahedral, approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape, and its appearance is composed of a front surface 611, a back surface 612, a left side surface 613, a right side surface 614, a top surface 615, and a bottom surface 616. A hanging flap 601 is provided so as to protrude from the ridge formed by the top surface 615 and the back surface 612. A hanging hole 602 is provided in the approximate center of the hanging flap 601. The package 500 is intended to be hung for display in a retail store or the like, and by inserting a hook from a shelf in the retail store into the hanging hole 602, the package 500 can be hung for display.

[0044] Next, the internal structure of the packaging box 600 will be described. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the package 500 in the YZ plane. FIG. 11 is a development view of the packaging box 600. FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the packaging box 600 as seen from the opening 603, with the flap 601 and top surface 615 omitted to illustrate the inner wall 620. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the packaging box 600 with the opening 603 open. Note that the cartridge 100 shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 7 has three ink storage chambers 104, but FIG. 10 shows a cartridge 100 with one ink storage chamber 104. In this way, the storage container 110 of the present disclosure can be applied regardless of the structure of the cartridge 100 stored therein.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 10, the inside of the individual packaging box 600 has an inner wall 620 that is spaced apart from the left side surface 613 only on the left side surface 613. The storage container 110 is stored in a space (storage section) defined by a top surface 615, a bottom surface 616, a front surface 611, a rear surface 612, a left side surface 613, and the inner wall 620. In this embodiment, a clearance 605 between the left side surface 613 and the inner wall 620 is set to 6 mm. The inner wall 620 and the clearance 605 function to cushion the storage container 110, and in turn the cartridge 100, from a drop impact. Details will be described later.

[0046] 11, the individual box 600 is assembled from a single sheet of paper. In this embodiment, the material of the individual box 600 is coated cardboard with a thickness of about 0.4 mm, which is a relatively rigid paper material.

[0047] First, as shown in FIG. 12 , this single sheet of paper is folded in a rolling manner to form a front surface 611, a back surface 612, a left side surface 613, a right side surface 614, and an inner wall 620 of the individual packaging box 600. The folded paper is fixed with adhesive 604. Here, adhesive 604a is applied to bond front surfaces 611a and 611b together to maintain and fix the individual packaging box 600 in a cylindrical shape. Adhesives 604b and 604c are also disposed near the inner wall 620 to ensure a predetermined amount of clearance 605 (6 mm in this embodiment) between the left side surface 613, which is the outer wall, and the inner wall 620. As described above, the individual packaging box 600 is a rigid paper box. Therefore, by providing adhesives 604b and 604c near the inner wall 620, the front surface 611 and the back surface 612 that define the clearance 605 do not buckle significantly, and the clearance 605 can be maintained even when a slight impact is applied. That is, it is preferable that inner wall 620 is bonded to at least two surfaces of the packaging box that are perpendicular to inner wall 620. It is preferable that the size of clearance 605 in the direction perpendicular to the surface of inner wall 620 that faces lid 114 is 3 mm or more.

[0048] Next, bottom surfaces 616a, 616b, 616c, and 616d are sequentially folded inward into a cylindrical shape and fixed with adhesive to form bottom surface 616, and individual box 600 can be assembled with opening 603 formed on the top surface as shown in Fig. 8. Then, storage container 110 is inserted through opening 603. Opening 603 is located outside the maximum area surface of individual box 600's approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0049] 11 and 13, notches 606 are provided near inner wall 620 and adhesive 604b to improve ease of insertion of storage container 110 into individual packaging box 600. Lid 114 of storage container 110 has protruding portion 1143 that partially protrudes from the outer shape of main body 111, and protruding portion 1143 serves as a grip that can be held when lid 114 is peeled off.

[0050] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the storage container 110 is inserted into the packaging box 600. FIG. 14(a) shows the case in which the packaging box 600 does not have the notch 606, and FIG. 14(b) shows the case in which the packaging box 600 has the notch 606. When the protruding portion 1141 is inserted into the packaging box 600, it is bent as shown in FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b). Without the notch 606 as shown in FIG. 14(a), the end of the protruding portion 1143 and the end of the front surface 611b would come into contact and get caught, potentially resulting in incomplete insertion (dotted circle). On the other hand, with the notch 606 as shown in FIG. 12(b), the end of the protruding portion 1143 would come into contact with the slope 6061 of the notch 606 during insertion. At this time, the surface of the end of protruding portion 1143 abuts against inclined surface 6061 at a point, thereby preventing the surfaces of the ends of front surface 611b from getting caught. After the end of protruding portion 1143 passes through inclined cutout surface 6061, the end of protruding portion 1143 is already inside front surface 611b, so that insertion of storage container 110 into individual box 600 is completed without any problems.

[0051] After the storage container 110 is inserted into the individual packaging box 600, the top surfaces 615a, 615b, 615c, and 615d are each folded inward to form the top surface 615. Thereafter, the hanging flaps 601a, 601b, and 601c are adhered to form the hanging flap 601, and the opening 603 on the top surface is fixed in a closed state, completing the package 500 as shown in FIG.

[0052] <Function of the inner wall when dropped> Next, the function of the inner wall 620 when dropped will be described with reference to Figure 15. Figure 15(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the state before the package 500 hits the floor 800 when dropped from the left side surface 613, and Figure 15(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the state after hitting the floor 800 as shown in Figure 15(a). As described above, when the storage container 110 is dropped from the lid 114 side (left side surface 613 of the package), the cartridge 100 is more likely to receive impact than when dropped from other positions. When dropped from the lid 114 side (left side surface 613 of the package), the inner wall 620 functions to cushion the impact of the drop.

[0053] The posture in which left side surface 613 of the package collides with floor surface 800 corresponds to the posture in which lid 114 of storage container 110 collides with floor surface 800. Inner wall 620 of individual box 600 is located in the vicinity of lid 114, and left side surface 613 is located across clearance 605.

[0054] The moment the left side surface 613 of the package 500 collides with the floor surface 800, the falling speed of the package 500 suddenly decelerates and approaches zero. At this time, the inertial force causes the storage container 110 to move further in the direction of gravity, but as shown in Figure 15(b), the inner wall 620 of the individual packaging box 600 receives the storage container 110. As described above, the inner wall 620 is adhered to the front surface 611 and the back surface 612, and therefore the storage container 110 can be held without slipping down toward the left side surface 613.

[0055] Next, the cartridge 100 attempts to move in the direction of gravity due to the inertial force. At this time, as described above, protrusions such as the engaging portion 1021 of the tank lid 102 that protrude furthest toward the lid 114 (film side) press against the lid 114 of the storage container 110. Because the cartridge 100 holds a large amount of ink, it is the heaviest unit in the package 50, and the pressing force exerted by the inertial force on the lid 114 is also very large. When this large pressing force is applied to the lid 114, the lid 114 deforms to become significantly convex in the direction of gravity. Furthermore, the inner wall 620 adjacent to the lid 114 also deforms to become convex in the direction of gravity. It is preferable to set the size of the clearance 605 between the inner wall 620 and the left side surface 613 so that the clearance 605 is maintained even when such a convex deformation occurs. Because the inner wall 620 and the left side surface 613 do not come into contact, the cartridge 100 does not collide directly with the floor surface 800, and therefore a strong impact from the floor surface 800 when dropped is not transmitted, thereby protecting the cartridge 100. Furthermore, as described above, the packaging box 600 is made of a relatively thick, highly rigid paper material, which makes it possible to minimize the amount of convex deformation of the inner wall 620. By using a highly rigid paper material, even if convex deformation occurs, it is possible to minimize the clearance 605 that ensures the space between the inner wall 620 and the left side surface 613, and it is also possible to minimize the increase in size of the packaging box in the left and right direction.

[0056] As described above, when package 500 is dropped in a position where hard main body 111 collides with floor surface 800, flexible rib 115 of main body 111 can absorb the impact of the fall, protecting cartridge 100. Even when package 500 collides with floor surface 800 from the side where lid 114, which does not have hard main body 111, is dropped in a position where left side surface 613 falls, clearance 605 between inner wall 620 and left side surface 613 of individual packaging box 600 absorbs the impact of the fall, so cartridge 100 can be protected from the impact from floor surface 800.

[0057] With the above configuration, if the package is dropped with the hard body colliding with the floor, the side walls and flexible ribs of the body absorb the impact of the fall, protecting the cartridge. Even if the package is dropped with the lid, which does not have a hard body, colliding with the floor, there is clearance between the inner wall and the left side of the individual packaging box, so even if the lid and inner wall deform, the cartridge will not hit the left side. Therefore, even a strong drop impact from the floor is not transmitted, making it possible to protect the cartridge.

[0058] (Second embodiment) A second embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment described above, and omitting a description of the same parts as in the first embodiment.

[0059] FIG. 16(a) is a perspective view showing the main body 111 and the cartridge 100 housed therein in this embodiment. FIG. 16(b) is a cross-sectional view of the flange portion 113 of the main body 111 corresponding to XIVb-XIVb in FIG. 16(a). FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the package 500 after it has fallen from the left side surface 613 and hit the floor 800. The cartridge 100 shown in FIG. 16 has, on its upper portion (tank lid 102), protrusions such as an engagement portion 1021 for identifying the housed liquid by matching it with the structure of the liquid ejection device, and a pin 1022 for positioning the cartridge 100 relative to the liquid ejection device and supplying liquid from the liquid ejection device. In this way, the storage container 110 of the present disclosure can also be applied to a liquid ejection head, such as the cartridge 100 shown in FIG. 16, that is configured to receive liquid from a liquid tank of the liquid ejection device.

[0060] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in the welding rib 1131 of the main body 111 of the storage container 110. In this embodiment, a welding inner rib 1132 is provided on the flange portion 113 closer to the storage portion 112 than the welding rib 1131. The welding inner rib 1132 is provided to reduce the amount of convex deformation of the lid 114 and the inner wall 620 in the direction of gravity when the lid 114 side impacts the floor 800. As shown in FIG. 15 , when two welding inner ribs 1132 are provided at positions facing each other across the storage portion 112, the distance between the welding inner ribs 1132 is X-1132 shown in FIG. 15 . In other words, X-1132 is a region where the lid 114 is not constrained and can freely deform, and can be shorter than X-1131 when the welding inner rib 1132 is not provided. By reducing the area in which the lid 114 can freely deform, the amount of convex deformation of the lid 114 and the inner wall 620 when dropped can be reduced. Therefore, the clearance 605 between the left side surface 613 can also be narrowed, allowing the left-right size of the package 500 to be smaller than in the first embodiment. Note that the sealing of the storage section 112 of the storage container 110 is maintained by welding of the welding rib 1131, as in the first embodiment. On the other hand, the welding inner rib 1132 does not need to be provided around the entire circumference of the flange portion 113, and may be provided locally on the flange portion 113 as shown in FIG. 16(a) as long as it can function to reduce the amount of convex deformation of the lid 114.

[0061] (Technical Features of the Present Disclosure) The present disclosure includes the following configurations and methods.

[0062] [Configuration 1] a cartridge for storing liquid, which is mounted on the liquid ejection device; a container having a storage section for storing the cartridge, the storage section being composed of a bottom and at least four side walls, a container body having an opening facing the bottom, and a film for sealing the opening; a box having a substantially hexahedral storage portion for storing the storage container; A cartridge package having: A cartridge package, wherein the surface of the storage portion facing the film has an outer wall and an inner wall provided with a space between the outer wall and the inner wall.

[0063] [Configuration 2] The cartridge packaging according to configuration 1, wherein the surface has the inner wall at a position facing the cartridge.

[0064] [Configuration 3] 3. The cartridge packaging of claim 1 or 2, wherein the box is made of paper.

[0065] [Configuration 4] 4. The cartridge packaging according to claim 3, wherein the box is formed by folding a single sheet of paper.

[0066] [Configuration 5] 5. The cartridge packaging according to claim 4, wherein the inner wall is bonded to a surface of the storage portion that is perpendicular to the inner wall.

[0067] [Configuration 6] The cartridge packaging according to configuration 4, wherein the inner wall is bonded to each of two surfaces of the storage portion that are perpendicular to the inner wall.

[0068] [Configuration 7] 7. The cartridge packaging of any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the inner wall has a rib that projects in a first direction parallel to the bottom and inclined relative to the side wall.

[0069] [Configuration 8] 8. The cartridge packaging of claim 7, wherein the rib has a first portion and a second portion whose protruding length in the first direction is different from that of the first portion.

[0070] [Configuration 9] The cartridge package according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein the approximately hexahedron of the storage container is an approximately rectangular parallelepiped, and the opening is located outside the largest area surface of the approximately rectangular parallelepiped.

[0071] [Configuration 10] 10. The cartridge package of any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein the film is heat-sealed to the container body.

[0072] [Configuration 11] 11. The cartridge package of any one of configurations 1 to 10, wherein the size of the space in a direction perpendicular to the surface facing the film is 3 mm or more.

[0073] [Configuration 12] 12. The cartridge package of any one of configurations 1 to 11, wherein the container body is made of plastic.

[0074] [Configuration 13] 13. The cartridge packaging of claim 12, wherein the container body comprises recycled plastic material.

[0075] [Configuration 14] 14. The cartridge package according to any one of configurations 1 to 13, wherein the cartridge has a protrusion that protrudes toward the film when the cartridge is housed in the housing portion.

[0076] [Configuration 15] 15. The cartridge package of any one of configurations 1 to 14, wherein the cartridge has a discharge substrate provided with a discharge port for discharging liquid.

[0077] [Configuration 16] 16. The cartridge packaging of any one of configurations 1 to 15, wherein the cartridge stores ink.

[0078] [Method 1] a cartridge for storing liquid, which is mounted on the liquid ejection device; a container having a storage section for storing the cartridge, the storage section being composed of a bottom and at least four side walls, a container body having an opening facing the bottom, and a film for sealing the opening; a box having a substantially hexahedral storage section for storing the storage container, the storage section having a surface including an outer wall and an inner wall provided with a space between the outer wall and the storage section; A method for manufacturing a cartridge package having A method for manufacturing a cartridge package, comprising: a housing step of housing the housing container for housing the cartridge in the box so that the film faces the surface. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 100 cartridges 110 Containment Container 111 Main Unit 114 Lid 500 packaging 600 Storage Container 601 Hanging flap 604 Adhesive 605 Clearance 606 Notch

Claims

1. a cartridge for storing liquid, which is mounted on the liquid ejection device; a container having a storage section for storing the cartridge, the storage section being composed of a bottom and at least four side walls, a container body having an opening facing the bottom, and a film for sealing the opening; a box having a substantially hexahedral storage portion for storing the storage container; A cartridge package having: A cartridge package, wherein the surface of the storage portion facing the film has an outer wall and an inner wall provided with a space between the outer wall and the inner wall.

2. The cartridge package according to claim 1 , wherein the surface has the inner wall at a position facing the cartridge.

3. The cartridge packaging of claim 1 , wherein the box is made of paper.

4. 4. The cartridge packaging according to claim 3, wherein the box is formed by folding a single sheet of paper.

5. The cartridge package according to claim 4 , wherein the inner wall is bonded to a surface of the storage portion that is perpendicular to the inner wall.

6. The cartridge package according to claim 4 , wherein the inner wall is bonded to each of two surfaces of the storage portion that are perpendicular to the inner wall.

7. The cartridge packaging of claim 1 , wherein the inner wall has a rib that projects in a first direction parallel to the bottom and inclined relative to the side wall.

8. The cartridge packaging according to claim 7 , wherein the rib has a first portion and a second portion having a protruding length in the first direction different from that of the first portion.

9. 2. The cartridge package according to claim 1, wherein the substantially hexahedron of the storage container is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and the opening is located on a surface other than the surface with the largest area of ​​the substantially rectangular parallelepiped.

10. The cartridge package according to claim 1 , wherein the film is heat-sealed to the container body.

11. The cartridge package according to claim 1 , wherein the size of the space in a direction perpendicular to the surface facing the film is 3 mm or more.

12. The cartridge package according to claim 1 , wherein the container body is made of plastic.

13. The cartridge packaging of claim 12 , wherein the container body comprises recycled plastic material.

14. The cartridge package according to claim 1 , wherein the cartridge has a protrusion that protrudes toward the film when the cartridge is housed in the housing portion.

15. The cartridge package according to claim 1 , wherein the cartridge has a discharge substrate provided with a discharge port for discharging liquid.

16. The cartridge packaging according to claim 1 , wherein the cartridge stores ink.

17. a cartridge for storing liquid, which is mounted on the liquid ejection device; a container having a storage section for storing the cartridge, the storage section being composed of a bottom and at least four side walls, a container body having an opening facing the bottom, and a film for sealing the opening; a box having a substantially hexahedral storage section for storing the storage container, the storage section having a surface including an outer wall and an inner wall provided with a space between the outer wall and the storage section; A method for manufacturing a cartridge package having A method for manufacturing a cartridge package, comprising: a housing step of housing the housing container for housing the cartridge in the box so that the film faces the surface.

Images