Liquid container and method for manufacturing a liquid container

Abstract

Achieving a configuration that prevents ultraviolet light from entering the liquid container holding the UV-curing ink may complicate the manufacturing process. [Solution] The liquid container 100 comprises an inner bag 110 capable of containing ink, an outer bag 210 that covers the inner bag 110 and has light-shielding properties against ultraviolet rays, and an outlet portion 120 that allows ink to be discharged from the inner bag 110 covered by the outer bag 210.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid container and a method for manufacturing the liquid container.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an ink pack in which films are joined to form a bag shape, and an ultraviolet-curable ink is enclosed therein. The film has a multilayer structure including a base material layer made of resin and a light-shielding layer laminated on the base material layer, and the films are joined at the ends of the respective base material layers to form a bag shape. The ink pack is disclosed to have a configuration for preventing the entry of ultraviolet rays from the end face of the joint portion at this end.

[0003] For example, this configuration provides an extension portion in which the light-shielding layer extends from the base material layer on one film, and this extension portion is folded back to cover the end face of the joint portion at the end. Alternatively, this configuration provides extension portions in which the light-shielding layer extends from the base material layer on each film, and these extension portions are joined to each other. Alternatively, this configuration forms a covering layer made of an ultraviolet-ray shielding resin that covers the end face of the joint portion at the end, including the end face, on the extension portion. Alternatively, this configuration covers the end face of the joint portion at the end with a tape-shaped sealing piece including a light-shielding layer.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in order to realize a configuration for preventing the entry of ultraviolet rays from the end face of the joint portion at the end of the ink pack of Patent Document 1, there is a risk that the manufacturing process of the ink pack becomes complicated.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The liquid container comprises an inner bag capable of containing liquid, an outer bag that covers the inner bag and has light-shielding properties against ultraviolet rays, and a discharge portion that allows the liquid to be discharged from the inner bag covered by the outer bag.

[0007] A method for manufacturing a liquid container includes placing an inner bag, which has a liquid discharge portion that can discharge through an opening in the film member, inside a film member that is formed in the shape of a sleeve and has light-shielding properties against ultraviolet rays, and forming an outer bag by sealing the opening in the film member with the discharge portion exposed from the film member. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A perspective view of the printing apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] A schematic diagram of the printing apparatus as seen from the front. [Figure 3] A schematic plan view of the liquid supply unit from above. [Figure 4] A schematic perspective view of the liquid supply section. [Figure 5] A schematic exploded perspective view showing the liquid container removed from the case. [Figure 6] Perspective view of the inner bag in a liquid container. [Figure 7] A perspective view of the liquid container with the adapter removed. [Figure 8] Perspective view of the film component. [Figure 9] A perspective view showing the state in which the opening at one end of the film member is sealed. [Figure 10] A diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a liquid container. [Figure 11] A diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a liquid container. [Figure 12] A diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a liquid container. [Figure 13] A flowchart illustrating the manufacturing method of a liquid container. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The present disclosure will be described below based on embodiments. In each figure, the same reference numerals are used for the same components, and redundant descriptions may be omitted. As used herein, "same," "identical," "simultaneous," and "similar" do not necessarily mean exactly the same.

[0010] For example, in this specification, when "same," "identical," or "simultaneous" is used, it includes cases where measurement errors are taken into consideration. Also, for example, when "same," "identical," or "simultaneous" is used, it includes cases where manufacturing variations of the components are taken into consideration.

[0011] In this specification, the terms "same," "identical," and "simultaneous" include cases where they are the same to the extent that their function is not impaired. Therefore, for example, "the dimensions of both are the same" means that, taking into account measurement errors and manufacturing variations of the components, the difference between the two dimensions is within ±5 percent of the dimension of one, and particularly preferably within ±3 percent.

[0012] In each figure, X, Y, and Z represent three mutually orthogonal spatial axes. In this specification, the directions along these axes are referred to as the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction. When specifying directions, a positive direction is denoted as "+" and a negative direction as "-", and positive and negative signs are used in the direction notation. In each figure, the direction pointed to by the arrow is described as the + direction, and the opposite direction of the arrow is described as the - direction.

[0013] The Z-axis direction indicates the vertical direction, the +Z direction indicates vertically downward, and the -Z direction indicates vertically upward. A plane containing the X and Y axes is described as the XY plane, a plane containing the X and Z axes is described as the XZ plane, and a plane containing the Y and Z axes is described as the YZ plane. The XY plane is the horizontal plane. The three spatial axes X, Y, and Z, which are not limited to positive and negative directions, are described as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis.

[0014] The X-axis direction is the horizontal direction along the installation surface which is the horizontal plane where the printing device 10 is installed. The Y-axis direction is the horizontal direction along the installation surface where the printing device 10 is installed. The Z-axis direction is the normal direction with respect to the installation surface where the printing device 10 is installed, and it is the height direction of the printing device 10.

[0015] In the following description, the -Y direction may be referred to as the "front direction", and the +Y direction may be referred to as the "rear direction". The -X direction may be referred to as the "right direction", and the +X direction may be referred to as the "left direction". The -Z direction may be referred to as the "up direction", and the +Z direction may be referred to as the "down direction". For the convenience of illustration, the sizes of each member may be different from the actual ones.

[0016] <Embodiment> The schematic configuration of the printing device 10 according to the embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the printing device 10 is configured as an inkjet printer, and ejects ink onto a medium MP (see FIG. 2) to form an image.

[0017] Ink is an example of a liquid. Examples of the medium MP include, for example, printing paper, fabric, resin film, etc. In this case, printing paper, fabric, and resin film are examples of the medium MP.

[0018] The printing device 10 of this embodiment includes a housing 10c which is a resin-made hollow box body constituting the exterior of the printing device 10. The housing 10c has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. On the front surface portion 12 of the housing 10c, an operation unit 13, a medium discharge port 14, a medium receiving portion 15, and a cover member 18 are provided.

[0019] The operation unit 13 has a display unit for displaying information to the user and a plurality of operation buttons for receiving the user's operations. The medium discharge port 14 is an outlet for the medium MP fed out from the inside of the printing device 10. The medium discharge port 14 is a slit-shaped opening wide in the X-axis direction. The medium receiving portion 15 projects in a shield shape in the -Y direction below the medium discharge port 14 and receives the medium MP discharged from the medium discharge port 14.

[0020] The cover member 18 is a resin plate-shaped member that constitutes part of the exterior of the printing device 10. The cover member 18 is detachably attached to the housing 10c. The cover member 18 covers and protects the mounting body 105 shown in Figure 2, which is housed inside the printing device 10.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, the printing apparatus 10 comprises a control unit 20, an ejection unit 30, a transport roller 36, a liquid supply unit 40, and a case storage unit 60.

[0022] The case housing section 60 is located inside the cover member 18 shown in Figure 1 and is positioned at the bottom of the printing device 10. The case housing section 60 houses four mounting units 105. Specifically, the four mounting units 105 include three first mounting units 105a and one second mounting unit 105b.

[0023] The first mounting body 105a and the second mounting body 105b are of different sizes. The second mounting body 105b is larger than the first mounting body 105a. The mounting body 105 consists of a case 61 and a liquid container 100 housed in the case 61.

[0024] Similar to the mounting body 105, the four cases 61 each consist of three first cases 61a and one second case 61b. The four liquid containers 100 each consist of three first liquid containers 100a and one second liquid container 100b.

[0025] The first mounting unit 105a is constructed by housing the first liquid container 100a in the first case 61a. The second mounting unit 105b is constructed by housing the second liquid container 100b in the second case 61b.

[0026] The second liquid container 100b differs from the first liquid container 100a in that the width of the inner bag 110, described later, is larger and the ink capacity is greater than that of the first liquid container 100a. For example, each of the three first liquid containers 100a may contain cyan, magenta, and yellow ink, while the second liquid container 100b may contain black ink. The ink in this embodiment is an ultraviolet-curable ink that hardens when irradiated with ultraviolet light.

[0027] The dispensing unit 30 comprises a liquid dispensing unit 31, a plurality of tubes 32, and a carriage 34. The plurality of tubes 32 are arranged in the Y-axis direction and connected to the liquid dispensing unit 31. A nozzle 33 opening downwards is provided on the bottom surface of the liquid dispensing unit 31. The liquid dispensing unit 31 dispenses ink from the nozzle 33, for example, by applying pressure to the ink using a piezoelectric element.

[0028] The carriage 34 is equipped with a liquid discharge unit 31 and an ultraviolet irradiation unit 35. The carriage 34 moves back and forth along the X-axis. The transport roller 36 is mounted below the liquid discharge unit 31 in the X-axis direction. The transport roller 36 transports the medium MP.

[0029] Ink is dispensed from a liquid dispensing unit 31 mounted on a carriage 34 and reciprocating along the X-axis onto the transported medium MP. Furthermore, ultraviolet light is irradiated onto the ink adhering to the medium MP from an ultraviolet irradiation unit 35 mounted on the carriage 34 and reciprocating along the X-axis, causing the ink adhering to the medium MP to harden. As a result, the ink is fixed to the medium MP, and image formation on the medium MP is completed.

[0030] The liquid supply unit 40 has four supply pipes 42, a joint unit 43, and a suction unit 45. Each of the four supply pipes 42 is connected to each of the four liquid containers 100. The joint unit 43 connects each of the four supply pipes 42 to each of the multiple tubes 32.

[0031] The liquid discharge unit 31 is supplied with ink contained in the liquid container 100 via four supply pipes 42, a joint 43, and multiple tubes 32. The suction unit 45 generates pressure to deliver ink from the liquid container 100 to the supply pipes 42.

[0032] The control unit 20 controls the operation of each part of the printing device 10. The control unit 20 is composed of a microcomputer comprising at least a central processing unit and a main memory. The control unit 20 performs various functions by having the central processing unit read various programs into the main memory and execute them.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, the mounting body 105 is inserted into the case housing 60 from the outside in the +Y direction. Four mounting bodies 105 are housed in the case housing 60, arranged in the X-axis direction. In Figure 3, the arrangement area LA, which is the arrangement position of the mounting bodies 105 in the case housing 60, is shown by a dashed line.

[0034] In addition to the configuration described above, the liquid supply unit 40 includes four switching mechanisms 50 and a pressure transmission pipe 46. The four switching mechanisms 50 are arranged on the +Y direction side of the arrangement area LA. Each of the four switching mechanisms 50 is arranged corresponding to each of the four arrangement areas LA.

[0035] The four switching mechanisms 50 specifically include three first switching mechanisms 50a and one second switching mechanism 50b. Each of the three first switching mechanisms 50a corresponds to each of the three first liquid containers 100a. The second switching mechanism 50b corresponds to the second liquid container 100b.

[0036] As shown in Figure 4, each switching mechanism 50 has a liquid introduction section 51 and a device-side terminal 58. The liquid introduction section 51 is detachably connected to the liquid container 100. The liquid introduction section 51 has a tubular shape that extends linearly in the -Y direction.

[0037] The liquid introduction section 51 is connected to the liquid container 100 by having its tip 51t inserted into the liquid supply section 121 of the liquid container 100, which will be described later. The ink contained in the liquid container 100 then flows through the inside of the liquid introduction section 51. The pressure transmission pipe 46 transmits the pressure generated by the suction section 45.

[0038] The device-side terminal 58 is formed from an elastic plate-like member. The device-side terminal 58 is electrically connected to the control unit 20 shown in Figure 2 via wiring or the like.

[0039] Next, the configuration of the liquid container 100 according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 5 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the first liquid container 100a removed from the first case 61a. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the inner bag 110. Figure 7 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the adapter 130 removed from the outlet 120. The second mounting body 105b has the same configuration as the first mounting body 105a. Therefore, the first mounting body 105a will be described as a representative example below, and the description of the second mounting body 105b will be omitted.

[0040] As shown in Figure 5, the case 61 is a tray-shaped container with an open top. The case 61 is made of a resin material such as polypropylene. The liquid container 100 is removably housed in the case 61 from the top.

[0041] At the +Y end of case 61, two cylindrical guide portions 62 are provided, rising upward from the inner bottom surface of case 61. When the liquid container 100 is placed in case 61, the two guide portions 62 guide the guided portion (not shown) provided on the adapter 130, which will be described later.

[0042] The liquid container 100 comprises an inner bag 110, an outer bag 210, and an adapter 130. As shown in Figure 6, the inner bag 110 is provided with a dispensing section 120. The inner bag 110 is a bag capable of containing ink.

[0043] Although the ink in this embodiment is an ultraviolet-curing ink, the liquid container 100 is equipped with an outer bag 210, making it possible to apply the same specifications to the inner bag 110 as to a bag for general inks.

[0044] The term "general ink" used here refers to inks that, unlike UV-curing inks, solidify and fix to the media MP (media) when the ink adheres to it and the water or solvent in the ink evaporates.

[0045] The inner bag 110 is flexible. The inner bag 110 is formed by laminating multiple films together. The bag-shaped inner bag 110 is formed by overlapping the multiple films that make up the inner bag 110 and joining parts of their peripheral edges together by methods such as heat welding. The outlet portion 120 is joined to the inner bag 110 by overlapping the multiple films that make up the inner bag 110 and joining other parts of their peripheral edges to the outlet portion 120 by methods such as heat welding.

[0046] In this embodiment, the inner bag 110 is a so-called gusset-type bag formed from a first film surface 111, a second film surface 112, and two films that form gussets, each positioned at both ends in the X-axis direction. However, the inner bag 110 is not limited to a gusset type; it may also be a so-called pillow-type bag formed from two films.

[0047] The film constituting the inner bag 110 is made of a material that has flexibility and gas barrier properties. For example, the film material can be polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, polyethylene, etc. Alternatively, the film may be formed using a laminated structure in which multiple films made of these materials are laminated together.

[0048] In such a laminated structure, for example, the outer layer may be formed from PET or nylon, which has excellent impact resistance, and the inner layer may be formed from polyethylene, which has excellent ink resistance. Furthermore, a film having a layer of aluminum or the like, or a thin film of aluminum, may be used as one of the components of the laminated structure.

[0049] The inner bag 110 has a first surface 111 that forms the top surface and a second surface 112 that forms the bottom surface. The first surface 111 and the second surface 112 face each other in the Z-axis direction. The first surface 111 and the second surface 112 form the largest main surface among the surfaces that make up the inner bag 110.

[0050] The inner bag 110 has one end 113 and the other end 114. The one end 113 is the end on the +Y direction side. The other end 114 is the end on the -Y direction side. As the ink inside the inner bag 110 is consumed, the first surface 111 and the second surface 112 deform so that they move closer together, and the volume of the inner bag 110 decreases.

[0051] Here, in the liquid container 100, the Z-axis direction in which the first surface 111 and the second surface 112 of the inner bag 110 face each other is the thickness direction. In the liquid container 100, the Y-axis direction in which one end 113 and the other end 114 of the inner bag 110 are spaced apart is the length direction.

[0052] In the liquid container 100, the X-axis direction, which is perpendicular to the thickness direction and the length direction, is the width direction. In this embodiment, when the liquid container 100 is mounted on the printing device 10 in a normal operating state, the thickness direction is the vertical direction.

[0053] The outlet portion 120 is attached to one end 113 of the inner bag 110. The outlet portion 120 includes a supply passage 123 that communicates with the inside of the inner bag 110, a connecting portion 128, and an engaging member 129.

[0054] The supply channel 123 is a flow path that supplies the ink contained in the inner bag 110 to the printing device 10. In the direction of ink supply from the inner bag 110 to the printing device 10, the upstream end of the supply channel 123 is located inside the inner bag 110, and the downstream end of the supply channel 123 is located outside the inner bag 110.

[0055] The connecting portion 128 is a part that is connected to one end 113 of the inner bag 110 by heat welding. The upstream side of the supply passage 123 is formed inside the connecting portion 128.

[0056] The engaged member 129 is connected to the end of the connecting portion 128 on the +Y direction side. The engaged member 129 comprises a cylindrical liquid supply portion 121 and engagement forming portions 122 located on both sides of the liquid supply portion 121 in the width direction of the liquid container 100.

[0057] The liquid supply unit 121 forms the downstream side of the supply passage 123 and is connected to the liquid introduction unit 51 shown in Figure 4. The tip opening of the liquid supply unit 121 is sealed by film FM in its initial state before being mounted on the printing device 10.

[0058] Each engagement forming portion 122 has a plate-like portion and a positioning hole. Each plate-like portion is arranged on both sides in the width direction of the inner bag 110, flanking the liquid supply portion 121. The two plate-like portions are the parts that engage with the adapter 130.

[0059] Each positioning hole penetrates each plate-like portion in the Z-axis direction. The two positioning holes are used to position the adapter 130 relative to the outlet portion 120 when the adapter 130 is engaged with and attached to the outlet portion 120.

[0060] The adapter 130 shown in Figure 7 comprises a first adapter surface 130fa and a second adapter surface 130fb. The first adapter surface 130fa has a recess 131 formed therein for receiving the liquid supply section 121 of the outlet section 120. The recess 131 opens in the +Y and +Z directions. The second adapter surface 130fb is located on the opposite side from the first adapter surface 130fa.

[0061] The adapter 130 is provided with two positioning protrusions (not shown) and engaging claws (not shown) in the recess 131. When the adapter 130 is attached to the outlet portion 120 of the inner bag 110, the adapter 130 is oriented so that the first surface 130fa of the adapter faces the outlet portion 120.

[0062] Next, the adapter 130 is moved relative to the outlet portion 120 so as to approach it. During the process of the adapter 130 moving towards the outlet portion 120, the position of the adapter 130 relative to the outlet portion 120 is first defined by inserting the two positioning protrusions into the two positioning holes of the engagement forming portion 122.

[0063] Furthermore, the adapter 130 is fixed to the outlet portion 120 by the engagement of the engagement claws of the adapter 130 with the plate-shaped portion of the engagement forming portion 122 of the outlet portion 120. In this embodiment, the adapter 130 is attached to the outlet portion 120 of the inner bag 110, which is exposed from the exposed opening 213 of the outer bag 210, which will be described later.

[0064] A circuit board 132 is attached to the adapter 130. The circuit board 132 is positioned in a recess 89 formed at the corner where the second adapter surface 130fb and the front surface of the adapter 130 intersect.

[0065] On the surface of the circuit board 132, container terminals are arranged that contact the device-side terminals 58 shown in Figure 4 when the liquid container 100 is mounted on the printing device 10. On the back surface of the circuit board 132, a storage device is arranged to store various information about the liquid container 100.

[0066] This storage device is electrically connected to the housing terminals and wiring. The various types of information stored in the storage device include, for example, information representing the type of liquid housing 100, the amount of ink contained, and an identification number. When installed, the storage device and the control unit 20 of the printing device 10 can exchange various types of information.

[0067] As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the outer bag 210 is a bag that surrounds the inner bag 110. The outer bag 210 is flexible. The outer bag 210 is formed into a bag shape by sealing the openings in the +Y direction and the -Y direction of the sleeve-shaped film member 211 shown in Figure 8 by methods such as heat welding.

[0068] Therefore, as shown in Figure 5, the short side of the outer bag 210 in this embodiment is formed by sealing the openings at both ends of the film member 211 by heat welding. In the following description, the end of the film member 211 and the outer bag 210 in the +Y direction will be referred to as one end, and the end in the -Y direction will be referred to as the other end.

[0069] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the outer bag 210, which is made from a sleeve-shaped film member 211, does not have a joint formed by joining the films together on its long side. Therefore, the entry of light such as ultraviolet rays into the outer bag 210 from the end face of the film constituting the joint can be reduced.

[0070] The film member 211 is made of a resin material that has light-shielding properties against ultraviolet rays. As a result, the outer bag 210 has light-shielding properties against ultraviolet rays. The film member 211 is manufactured, for example, by forming a sleeve shape from a resin material that has light-shielding properties against ultraviolet rays by inflation molding or the like.

[0071] Examples of resin materials that have light-shielding properties against ultraviolet rays include polyethylene and polypropylene mixed with benzotriazole-based ultraviolet absorbers, triazine-based ultraviolet absorbers, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, etc.

[0072] In this case, the outer bag 210 can be transparent enough to allow visibility of the inside of the outer bag 210. The film member 211 and the outer bag 210 in this embodiment are made of polyethylene that has light-shielding properties against ultraviolet rays and are a translucent orange color that allows visibility of the inside.

[0073] As shown in Figures 5 and 9, by sealing the opening of the film member 211 in the +Y direction, one end portion 212 is formed which defines the shorter side of the outer bag 210 in the +Y direction. As shown in Figure 9, an exposed opening 213 is provided in the center of the one end portion 212 in the X-axis direction. The exposed opening 213 is formed by sealing the opening at one end of the film member 211, leaving the center exposed.

[0074] As shown in Figure 5, by sealing the opening in the -Y direction of the film member 211, the other end portion 214 that defines the shorter side in the -Y direction of the outer bag 210 is formed.

[0075] Next, the assembly procedure for manufacturing the liquid container 100 will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 13. The assembly procedure for manufacturing the liquid container 100 corresponds to the manufacturing method of the liquid container 100.

[0076] First, in step S110, the inner bag 110 is placed inside the film member 211. Specifically, as shown by the arrow in Figure 10, the inner bag 110 is inserted into the film member 211, which has one end 212 formed as shown in Figure 9, through the opening at the other end of the film member 211 that is not sealed.

[0077] The inner bag 110 is inserted through the exposed opening 213 of the film member 211 until the outlet portion 120 is exposed from the film member 211 (see Figure 11). Once the assembly in step S110 is complete, the assembly proceeds to step S120.

[0078] In step S120, the opening of the film member 211 is sealed. Specifically, as shown in Figure 11, with the inner bag 110 inserted into the film member 211 to the point where the outlet portion 120 is exposed from the film member 211, the opening at the other end of the film member 211 is sealed.

[0079] The other end 214 is formed when the opening at the other end of the film member 211 is sealed by heat welding, and a bag-shaped outer bag 210 is formed that covers the inner bag 110. The outer bag 210 covers the inner bag 110 with the outlet portion 120 of the inner bag 110 exposed.

[0080] In other words, the outer bag 210 covers the inner bag 110 in a way that allows the ink from the inner bag 110 to be dispensed through the dispensing section 120. Once the assembly in step S120 is complete, the assembly proceeds to step S130.

[0081] In step S130, the adapter 130 is attached. Specifically, as shown in Figures 7 and 12, the adapter 130 is attached to the outlet portion 120 of the inner bag 110 that is exposed from the outer bag 210. This completes the liquid container 100. Once the assembly in step S130 is complete, the assembly of the liquid container 100 is finished.

[0082] Furthermore, the filling of the inner bag 110 with ink may be performed between steps S120 and S130, or after the assembly in step S130 is completed. Alternatively, the filling of the inner bag 110 with ink may be performed before the assembly in step S110 is carried out.

[0083] As described above, the liquid container 100 and the method for manufacturing the liquid container 100 according to the embodiment can be used to obtain the following effects.

[0084] The liquid container 100 includes an inner bag 110 capable of containing ink. The liquid container 100 includes an outer bag 210 that surrounds the inner bag 110 and has light-shielding properties against ultraviolet rays. The liquid container 100 includes an outlet section 120 that allows ink to be discharged from the inner bag 110, which is covered by the outer bag 210.

[0085] This eliminates the need to provide a structure at the end of the inner bag 110 to prevent ultraviolet light from entering, making it easier to apply the same specifications to the inner bag 110 as to a general ink storage bag. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the entry of ultraviolet light into the inner bag 110 and to reduce the complexity of the manufacturing process for the liquid container 100. This makes it easier to automate the manufacturing process for the liquid container 100 and enables low-cost mass production of the liquid container 100.

[0086] The outer bag 210 is formed into a bag shape by sealing the openings at both ends of the sleeve-shaped film member 211. This allows the outer bag 210 to be manufactured using a simple method.

[0087] The short side of the outer bag 210 is formed by sealing the openings at both ends of the film member 211 by heat welding. This allows the outer bag 210 to be manufactured in a simple manner.

[0088] The outer bag 210 is transparent, allowing the contents to be seen. As a result, the inner bag 110 can be seen from outside the outer bag 210. Therefore, for example, the ink specifications written on a label attached to the inner bag 110 can be seen from outside the outer bag 210, eliminating the need to attach a new label with the ink specifications to the outer bag 210.

[0089] A method for manufacturing the liquid container 100 includes placing an inner bag 110, which has an ink discharge portion 120 that can discharge ink through an opening in the film member 211, inside a film member 211 that is light-shielding against ultraviolet rays and is formed in a sleeve shape. A method for manufacturing the liquid container 100 also includes forming an outer bag 210 by sealing the opening in the film member 211 with the discharge portion 120 exposed from the film member 211.

[0090] According to this, the entry of ultraviolet rays into the inner bag 110 can be suppressed, and the complexity of the manufacturing process for the liquid container 100 can be suppressed. As a result, the automation of the manufacturing process for the liquid container 100 becomes easier, and a method for manufacturing the liquid container 100 that enables low-cost mass production of the liquid container 100 can be realized.

[0091] The method for manufacturing the liquid container 100 further includes attaching an adapter 130 to the outlet portion 120 exposed from the outer bag 210. This allows for the simple production of a liquid container 100 equipped with the adapter 130.

[0092] The lead portion 120 is exposed from the film member 211 through an exposure opening 213 formed by sealing the opening at one end of the film member 211, leaving the center exposed. The outer bag 210 is formed by sealing the opening at the other end of the film member 211 while the lead portion 120 is exposed from the film member 211 through the exposure opening 213.

[0093] According to this method, the inner bag 110 can be positioned relative to the outer bag 210, and the outer bag 210 that covers the inner bag 110 can be manufactured in a simple manner.

[0094] The liquid container 100 according to the above embodiment of this disclosure is based on having the configuration described above, but it is of course possible to make partial changes or omissions to the configuration without departing from the gist of this disclosure.

[0095] The method for manufacturing the liquid container 100 according to the above embodiment of this disclosure is based on having the configuration described above, but it is of course possible to make changes or omissions to the partial configuration without departing from the gist of this disclosure.

[0096] The embodiments described above and other embodiments described below can be combined and implemented to the extent that they do not conflict with each other technically. Other embodiments are described below.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the film member 211 does not have to be formed in a sleeve shape by inflation molding or the like, as long as the inner bag 110 can be placed inside it. For example, the film member 211 may be formed in a sleeve shape by joining films together. The joint formed by joining these films together becomes the end in the X-axis direction that defines the long side of the outer bag 210.

[0098] In this case, the liquid container 100 may be placed in the case 61 with the X-axis end of the outer bag 210 folded back towards the inner bottom surface of the case 61. This prevents ultraviolet light from entering from the end surface of the end that defines the long side of the outer bag 210.

[0099] In the above embodiment, the film member 211 and the outer bag 210 do not need to be transparent enough to allow the inside to be seen. In this case, the outer bag 210 may be provided with a label or the like that indicating the ink specifications, etc. Alternatively, the ink specifications, etc. may be printed on the outer bag 210.

[0100] In the above embodiment, the sealing of the openings at both ends of the film member 211 when forming the outer bag 210 does not have to be done by heat welding. For example, the sealing of the openings at both ends of the film member 211 may be done by adhesive or adhesive tape.

[0101] In the above embodiment, the liquid container 100 may be housed in the case 61 with the other end 214 of the outer bag 210 folded back toward the inner bottom surface of the case 61. This prevents ultraviolet rays from entering from the end face of the other end 214 of the outer bag 210.

[0102] In the above embodiment, the placement of the inner bag 110 inside the film member 211 does not have to be performed with one end 212 formed on the film member 211. For example, the placement of the inner bag 110 inside the film member 211 may be performed by inserting the inner bag 110 into the film member 211, where the other end 214 is formed, through the unsealed opening at one end of the film member 211. In this case, the sealing of the opening at one end of the film member 211 is performed after the inner bag 110 has been placed inside the film member 211.

[0103] Alternatively, the inner bag 110 may be placed inside the film member 211 by inserting it into the film member 211, which has openings at both ends, through one of the openings at both ends of the film member 211. In this case, the openings at both ends of the film member 211 are sealed after the inner bag 110 has been placed inside the film member 211.

[0104] In the above embodiment, the liquid container 100 does not necessarily have to be equipped with an adapter 130. In this case, the circuit board 132 may be attached to the outlet portion 120 of the inner bag 110. Furthermore, the outlet portion 120 may have a configuration similar to the guided portion of the adapter 130. As a result, when the liquid container 100 is placed in the case 61, the guided portion of the outlet portion 120 is guided to the guide portion 62 of the case 61, thereby positioning the liquid container 100 relative to the case 61. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 10…Printing device, 10c…Housing, 12…Front section, 13…Operation section, 14…Media outlet, 15…Media receiving section, 18…Cover member, 20…Control unit, 30…Discharge execution unit, 31…Liquid discharge unit, 32…Tube, 33…Nozzle, 34…Carriage, 35…UV irradiation unit, 36…Transport roller, 40…Liquid supply unit, 42…Supply piping, 43…Joint section, 45…Suction section, 46…Pressure transmission piping, 50…Switching mechanism, 50a…First switching mechanism, 50b…Second switching mechanism, 51…Liquid introduction section, 51t…Tip section, 58…Device side terminal, 60…Case storage section, 61…Case, 61a…First case, 61b…Second case, 62…Guide section, 89…Recess, 100… Liquid container, 100a...First liquid container, 100b...Second liquid container, 105...Mounting body, 105a...First mounting body, 105b...Second mounting body, 110...Inner bag, 111...First surface, 112...Second surface, 113...One end, 114...Other end, 120...Outlet, 121...Liquid supply section, 122...Engagement forming section, 123...Supply path, 128...Connection section, 129...Engaged member, 130...Adapter, 130fa...First surface of adapter, 130fb...Second surface of adapter, 131...Recess, 132...Circuit board, 210...Outer bag, 211...Film member, 212...One end, 213...Exposure opening, 214...Other end, MP...Medium, S110, S120, S130...Step.

Claims

1. An inner bag capable of containing liquid, An outer bag that surrounds the inner bag, the outer bag having light-shielding properties against ultraviolet rays, An outlet portion from which the liquid can be discharged from the inner bag covered by the outer bag, A liquid container characterized by comprising the following features.

2. A liquid container according to claim 1, The outer bag is formed into a bag shape by sealing the openings at both ends of a film member that has been molded into a sleeve shape. A liquid container characterized by the following features.

3. A liquid container according to claim 2, The short side of the outer bag is formed by sealing the openings at both ends of the film member by heat welding. A liquid container characterized by the following features.

4. A liquid container according to claim 1, The outer bag has transparency that allows the contents to be seen. A liquid container characterized by the following features.

5. A film member having light-shielding properties against ultraviolet rays, formed into a sleeve shape, is provided with an inner bag having a discharge section through an opening in the film member from which liquid can be discharged. The outer bag is formed by sealing the opening of the film member while the lead portion is exposed from the film member, including, A method for manufacturing a liquid container, characterized by the above.

6. A method for manufacturing a liquid container according to claim 5, The further includes attaching an adapter to the outlet portion exposed from the outer bag, A method for manufacturing a liquid container, characterized by the above.

7. A method for manufacturing a liquid container according to claim 5, The aforementioned outlet portion is exposed from the film member through an exposure opening formed by sealing the opening at one end of the film member, leaving the center exposed. The outer bag is formed by sealing the opening at the other end of the film member while the outlet portion is exposed from the film member through the exposure opening. A method for manufacturing a liquid container, characterized by the above.

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