Liquid container, and liquid ejection device

Abstract

To improve use efficiency of liquid in a liquid storage bag.SOLUTION: A liquid storage body comprises: a liquid storage bag that stores liquid having precipitable components; a liquid introduction pipe arranged in the liquid storage bag; and a liquid derivation part, fixed to one end part of the liquid storage bag, which derives liquid introduced through the liquid introduction pipe to a liquid ejection device. The liquid introduction pipe comprises a spacer part that has at least two liquid introduction ports formed at different positions in a height direction in predetermined postures, a converging part at which liquid introduced through the at least two liquid introduction ports converges, and a flow path through which the converged liquid is introduced to the liquid derivation part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for a liquid container that supplies liquid to a liquid ejection device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, liquid containers have been widely used to supply liquid to liquid ejection devices. Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid container for stably supplying a liquid having a sedimentation component at a stable concentration. Specifically, Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid container having two pipes for leading the liquid in a liquid containing bag to a liquid leading-out member, and capable of introducing the liquid from two locations at different heights within the liquid containing bag. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-65373 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the liquid container of Patent Document 1, some liquid remains in the liquid containing bag after contraction, which is not able to be introduced into the tube, and there is a risk that the liquid may not be supplied sufficiently to the liquid ejection device.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve the efficiency of use of liquid in a liquid containing bag. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A liquid container according to one aspect of the present invention is a liquid container including a liquid containing bag for containing a liquid having a sedimentation component, a liquid introduction pipe disposed in the liquid containing bag, and a liquid outlet portion fixed to one end of the liquid containing bag for guiding the liquid introduced from the liquid introduction pipe to a liquid ejection device, wherein the liquid introduction pipe has a position in a height direction that varies in a predetermined attitude.A first liquid inlet and a second liquid inlet a spacer portion having the first liquid inlet and the second liquid inlet a confluence portion where the liquids introduced from 、 The combined liquid From the confluence a flow path for supplying the liquid to the liquid outlet portion; The flow path is one. It is characterized by the following. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the efficiency of use of the liquid in the liquid containing bag can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a liquid ejection device equipped with a liquid container. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the liquid containing bag with the internal structure removed. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an internal structure of the liquid container. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the internal structure of the liquid container. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an internal structure of the liquid container. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the internal structure of the liquid container. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a connecting liquid introduction pipe. [Figure 8] 10A to 10C are cross-sectional views of a connecting step of the internal structure of the liquid container. [Figure 9] 10A to 10C are cross-sectional views of a connecting step of the internal structure of the liquid container. [Figure 10] 10A to 10C are cross-sectional views of a connecting step of the internal structure of the liquid container. [Figure 11] 10A to 10C are cross-sectional views of a connecting step of the internal structure of the liquid container. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The liquid container is mounted on, for example, a liquid ejection device. The liquid container has a liquid containing bag containing ink and delivers the ink to the liquid ejection device in response to the operation of the liquid ejection device. An internal structure is disposed within the liquid containing bag, and the internal structure functions to eject the ink from the liquid containing bag to the outside. However, in a liquid container having an internal structure including two tubes for delivering the liquid and a connecting member, when the liquid containing bag contracts due to ink consumption, the adhesion between the liquid containing bag, the tubes, and the connecting member is poor, resulting in the formation of a void. If liquid remains in the void, there is a risk that the ink in the liquid containing bag cannot be sufficiently delivered. In the following embodiment, a method for improving the adhesion between the internal structure and the liquid containing bag to improve the ink usage efficiency in the liquid containing bag will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that, although the "liquid" in the following description will be described using an ink having a sedimentary component as an example, it is not limited to ink. Any liquid having a sedimentary component will be acceptable.

[0010] <Embodiment 1> FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid ejection device 1 equipped with a liquid container 3. Here, the direction in which the liquid container 3 moves forward and backward relative to the liquid ejection device 1 when the liquid container 3 is attached to or detached from the liquid ejection device 1 is defined as the X direction. The width direction of the liquid container 3 is defined as the Y direction, and the thickness direction of the liquid container 3 is defined as the Z direction. The X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are perpendicular to one another. A state in which the liquid container 3 is mounted in the liquid ejection device 1 in a predetermined orientation is called a mounted state. The liquid container 3 is mounted in the liquid ejection device 1 with its thickness direction aligned with the vertical direction, and therefore the Z direction aligned with the vertical direction in the mounted state.

[0011] The liquid ejection device 1 is equipped with a liquid ejection unit including a liquid ejection head, a recording medium storage unit, and a recording medium transport mechanism (none of which are shown). A liquid container 3 stored in a cassette 2 is mounted on the liquid ejection device 1. The liquid container 3 stores ink to be ejected from the liquid ejection head of the liquid ejection device 1. In this embodiment, four liquid containers 3, each containing cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) ink, are mounted on the liquid ejection device 1. The four liquid containers 3 have the same size, although, for example, the liquid container 3 for black ink may be larger than the liquid containers 3 for the other colors of ink. The cassette 2 containing the liquid containers 3 is detachable from the liquid ejection device 1 and moves back and forth in the X direction.

[0012] 2 is a perspective view showing the liquid containing bag 10 and internal structure 5 of the liquid container 3. The internal structure 5 has a liquid lead-out member 20 and a liquid introduction pipe 30, and is placed inside the liquid containing bag 10 through a connection port 11 provided in advance at one end of the liquid containing bag 10. A part of the liquid lead-out member 20 and a part of the connection port 11 between the liquid containing bag 10 are then sealed by welding, and the liquid is poured into the liquid containing bag 10. The liquid containing bag 10 is a bag that becomes flat when contracted.

[0013] 3 is a perspective view showing the internal structure 5 removed from the liquid containing bag 10. The liquid introduction pipe 30 is made of a synthetic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The liquid introduction pipe 30 has a hollow structure with one flow path therein, and one end is connected to the liquid lead-out member 20.

[0014] 3, the tip of the liquid introduction pipe 30 is diagonally divided into an upper portion and a lower portion in the Z direction, with an upper first introduction pipe section 31 and a lower second introduction pipe section 32. The first introduction pipe section 31 is provided with a first introduction port 33, and the second introduction pipe section 32 is provided with a second introduction port 34. When the internal structure 5 is placed inside the liquid containing bag 10, the first introduction pipe section 31 and the second introduction pipe section 32 are located in a central portion that is near the center of the liquid containing bag 10 in the X direction.

[0015] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the internal structure 5 taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3. The liquids introduced from the first inlet 33 and the second inlet 34 join at the confluence 37, then flow through the flow path 36 in the inlet pipe 35 and the liquid outlet member 20, and are then discharged to the liquid outlet member 21. Because the liquid contains sedimentary components, the liquid concentration is low in the upper portion of the liquid containing bag 10 and high in the lower portion. Therefore, the first inlet 33 provided on the upper side introduces the low-concentration liquid, and the second inlet 34 introduces the high-concentration liquid. The introduced liquids of the respective concentrations join at the confluence 37 inside the liquid inlet pipe 30, pass through the flow path 36 and the liquid outlet member, and are supplied to the liquid discharger 1. This allows the liquids to join near the inlets and then pass through the flow path 36, rather than joining after the liquid outlet member 20. In other words, by extending the path through which liquids of different concentrations mix, the concentration of the liquid becomes more uniform before it reaches the liquid outlet portion, resulting in improved image quality for the liquid ejection head. The length of the flow path 36 in the Z direction is set to a length that is comparable to the length of the liquid containing bag 10, such that settling of the liquid within the flow path can be ignored. The first and second inlet pipe portions 31 and 32, which are diagonally separated in two directions, one above the other, define a region of a fixed volume within the liquid containing bag 10. This also serves as a spacer that makes it difficult for the liquid flow path within the liquid containing bag 10 to become clogged. In other words, when the liquid containing bag 10 shrinks due to liquid consumption, shrinkage from the center can be prevented.

[0016] Furthermore, a structure in which the flow path 36 is provided inside the liquid introduction tube 30 simplifies the structure of the internal structure compared to a configuration that uses a connecting member for connecting spacer sections and multiple liquid introduction tubes for introducing the liquid. That is, the single liquid introduction tube 30 serves both as a spacer and as a guide for the liquid to the liquid outlet section 21, making the structure more compact. This reduces the contact surface area between the inside of the liquid containing bag 10 and the internal structure 5 when the liquid containing bag 10 contracts as the liquid is consumed. Reducing the contact surface area reduces the gap between the liquid containing bag 10 and the internal structure 5, reducing the volume of unused liquid and improving liquid usage efficiency.

[0017] As described above, this embodiment can improve the efficiency of liquid usage in the liquid containing bag. Specifically, by providing the liquid inlet tube with a spacer function, it is possible to prevent the inlet port from becoming clogged due to contraction of the liquid containing bag, making it difficult to introduce liquid. Furthermore, by merging liquids of different concentrations at a junction and then passing them through a flow path, it is possible to deliver liquid of a more uniform concentration to the liquid ejection device.

[0018] <Embodiment 2> In the first embodiment, the liquid introduction pipe 30 functions as a spacer and also as a liquid introduction pipe, but in the second embodiment, an internal structure in which the liquid introduction pipe and the spacer member are separate will be described. Note that a description of the members that perform the same functions as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0019] 5 is a perspective view showing the internal structure 6 removed from the liquid containing bag 10. The connecting liquid inlet pipe 50 is formed of a synthetic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The connecting liquid inlet pipe 50 has a flow path therein, and one end is connected to the liquid lead-out member 20 and the other end is connected to the spacer member 40.

[0020] 3, the spacer member 40 is a structure for partitioning an area of ​​a certain volume within the liquid containing bag 10. The spacer member 40 is formed from a synthetic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

[0021] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the internal structure 6 taken along line VIa-VIa in FIG. 5. FIG. 6(a) is a cross-sectional view of the liquid outlet member 20, the connecting liquid introduction pipe 50, and the spacer member 40 in a connected state. FIG. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view of the liquid outlet member 20, the connecting liquid introduction pipe 50, and the spacer member 40 before they are connected. The connecting liquid introduction pipe 50 has a flow path therein. The connecting liquid introduction pipe 50 functions to fix the spacer member 40 in a fixed position and to connect the spacer member 40 to the liquid outlet portion 21, thereby simplifying the overall structure. As a result, when the liquid containing bag 10 contracts as the liquid is consumed, the gap between the liquid containing bag 10 and the internal structure 6 is reduced, reducing the volume of unused liquid and improving liquid usage efficiency.

[0022] The spacer member 40 is provided with a first inlet 43 and a second inlet 44 in the vertical direction. The liquids introduced from the first inlet and the second inlet join at a joining section 45 inside the spacer member 40 and communicate with a joining flow path port 46. The joining flow path port 46 is connected so as to communicate with one end of a flow path 51 of a connecting liquid introduction pipe 50.

[0023] The liquid in the liquid containing bag 10 has a low concentration at the top and a high concentration at the bottom due to sedimentation components. Therefore, a low-concentration liquid is introduced through a first inlet 43 provided at the top, and a high-concentration liquid is introduced through a second inlet 44 provided at the bottom. The introduced liquids of different concentrations join at a junction 45 provided inside the spacer member 40 and are supplied to the liquid ejection device 1 via a flow path 51 inside the connecting liquid introduction pipe 50 and the inside of the liquid lead-out member 20. Therefore, similar to the internal structure 5 in Figure 4, the path for mixing liquids of different concentrations is extended, making the liquid concentrations more uniform and ultimately improving the image quality of the liquid ejection head.

[0024] In this embodiment, the spacer member 40 has a generally square pyramid shape in both the up and down directions, with the base of the square pyramid parallel to the XY plane. Note that in this embodiment, the generally square pyramid includes a square pyramid with rounded vertices 48 and 49 in the Z direction, or a truncated square pyramid on which the XY plane is formed. Furthermore, the generally square pyramid is not limited to a generally square pyramid, and may be a polygonal pyramid such as a generally triangular pyramid or a generally pentagonal pyramid.

[0025] The generally quadrangular pyramid shape of the spacer member 40 makes it easier for the inside of the liquid storage bag 10, which has shrunk due to consumption of liquid, to adhere tightly to the internal structure 6, compared to the shapes of the first introduction pipe portion 31 and the second introduction pipe portion 32, which function as spacers in the first embodiment. Because the spacer member 40 is generally quadrangular pyramid-shaped, the apex 48 or 49 of the pyramid first comes into contact with the liquid storage bag 10, and the liquid storage bag 10 adheres tightly to the internal structure 6 from the contact point. Furthermore, the inclined surfaces of the spacer member 40 in all directions make it easier for the liquid storage bag 10 to shrink along the inclination of the spacer member 40, which more effectively prevents blockage of the liquid flow path inside the liquid container 3. Furthermore, the improved adhesion between the shrunk liquid storage bag 10 and the spacer member 40 reduces the gap between the liquid storage bag 10 and the internal structure 6, reducing the amount of unused liquid remaining in the liquid storage bag 10 and improving liquid usage efficiency. In addition, a groove is formed in a part of the spacer member, and this groove serves as a guide portion that guides the liquid to the first inlet 43 and the second inlet 44 even when the liquid containing bag 10 is covered with the spacer member 40.

[0026] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting liquid introduction pipe 50 taken along the line VIIa-VIIa in FIG. 5. The tightness of contact between the liquid containing bag 10 and the connecting liquid introduction pipe 50 varies depending on the shape of the connecting liquid introduction pipe 50. For example, in the case of a rectangular shape such as that shown in FIG. 7(a), the bag contracts flat, resulting in poor contact between the liquid containing bag 10 and the connecting liquid introduction pipe 50 and a gap easily forming between the liquid containing bag 10 and the internal structure 6. In contrast, as shown in FIGS. 7(b), (c), and (d), the corners of the rectangle in FIG. 7(a) can be rounded, sloped, or curved to improve the tightness of contact between the liquid containing bag 10 and the connecting liquid introduction pipe 50. The closer the shape is to the contracted shape of the liquid containing bag 10, the better the tightness of contact. Note that the cross-sectional shape of the connecting liquid introduction pipe 50 is not limited to that shown in the figure. As described above, by improving the adhesion between the liquid containing bag 10 and the spacer member 40 when the liquid containing bag 10 is contracted, it is possible to reduce the amount of liquid remaining unused in the liquid containing bag 10, thereby improving the efficiency of liquid use. Furthermore, the shape of the connecting liquid introduction pipe 50 shown in Figure 7 may be applied to the shape of the liquid introduction pipe 30 in embodiment 1.

[0027] In this embodiment, the connecting liquid introduction pipe 50 connects the liquid lead-out member 20 and the spacer member 40. When connecting, the members are connected to each other and the flow paths inside the members are connected at the same time.

[0028] 8 is a diagram showing a method of connecting members in the VIa-VIa cross section of FIG. 5. In this embodiment, ribbed tips 52 and 53 are provided at both ends of the connecting liquid inlet pipe 50 shown in FIG. 8(a). A connecting portion 22 having a smaller outer diameter than the tip 53 is prepared on the liquid outlet member 20 side, and the tip 53 is press-fitted to connect. Similarly, a connecting portion 47 having a smaller outer diameter than the tip 52 is prepared on the spacer member 40, and the tip 52 is press-fitted to connect. FIG. 8(b) shows the connecting liquid inlet pipe 50 already connected to the liquid outlet member 20 and the spacer member 40.

[0029] Figure 9 is a diagram showing a method of press-fitting when using the screw fastening method in the B-B cross section of Figure 5. Tips 52 and 53 of connecting liquid inlet pipe 50 have a tapped external thread, while connecting portion 22 of liquid lead-out member 20 and connecting portion 47 of spacer member 40 have an internal thread. These shapes enable the components to be connected and the internal flow paths to be communicated by the screw fastening method.

[0030] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10( a), the liquid outlet member 20, the spacer member 40, and the connecting liquid inlet pipe 50 may be connected by thermal welding, in which a heater 100 is used to heat the components above their melting points. FIG. 10( b) shows the liquid outlet member 20, the spacer member 40, and the connecting liquid inlet pipe 50 connected by thermal welding. Note that the method of connecting the liquid outlet member 20, the spacer member 40, and the connecting liquid inlet pipe 50 is not limited to the above. For example, they may be connected by a welding method using ultrasonic welding or vibration welding at the same welding positions as shown in FIG. 10( a) (not shown). Alternatively, the liquid outlet member 20, the connecting liquid inlet pipe 50, and the spacer member 40 may be connected as a single unit by molding (not shown).

[0031] As described above, according to this embodiment, by separating the liquid outlet member, the connecting liquid introduction pipe, and the spacer member, it is possible to manufacture each component so as to improve the adhesion between each component and the liquid containing bag. By connecting these components, it is possible to further reduce the amount of liquid remaining unused in the liquid containing bag, thereby improving the efficiency of liquid use.

[0032] <Embodiment 3> In embodiment 3, a configuration will be described in which a spacer member provided with a guide portion is connected to a connecting liquid inlet pipe provided with a first inlet and a second inlet. Note that the connection between the liquid outlet member and the connecting liquid inlet pipe is the same as in embodiment 2, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0033] FIG. 11 shows the state before the connecting liquid inlet pipe 300 and the spacer member 400 are connected. As shown in FIG. 11, in this embodiment, the connecting liquid inlet pipe 300, which is provided with a first inlet 303 and a second inlet 304, is connected to the spacer member 400. The connecting liquid inlet pipe 300 merges the liquids introduced by the first inlet 303 and the second inlet 304 inside the connecting liquid inlet pipe 300. The spacer member 400 functions as a spacer without being provided with a liquid inlet or flow path. The spacer member 400 has the same shape as a portion of the spacer member 40 and plays the same role as that portion of the spacer member 40.

[0034] The shape of the connecting liquid introduction pipe 300 and the spacer member 400 when connected is similar to that of the internal structure 6 of embodiment 2 shown in Fig. 5, and therefore similar effects can be obtained. Methods for connecting the connecting liquid introduction pipe 300 and the spacer member 400 include, but are not limited to, press-fit connection as described in embodiment 2 (Fig. 8), screw-fastening connection (Fig. 9), thermal welding connection (Fig. 10), or fitting connection (not shown).

[0035] As described above, according to this embodiment, when connecting the connecting liquid introduction pipe 300 and the spacer member 400, it is only necessary to connect the members, and it is not necessary to connect the internal flow paths, because a flow path is formed in the connecting liquid introduction pipe 300. Therefore, compared to embodiment 2, there is no need to consider the sealing property between the flow paths to be connected, and a variety of fixing methods can be selected.

[0036] <Other embodiments> In the first embodiment, the first and second inlet pipes for introducing the liquid in the liquid containing bag into the liquid outlet member are provided in pairs, one above the other, but this is not limiting. For example, a total of three inlet pipes may be provided, in the upper, middle, and lower directions. Furthermore, while the first and second inlet pipes each have one liquid inlet, this is not limiting. To change the suction efficiency or suction rate, multiple liquid inlet ports may be provided in one of the inlet pipes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1 Liquid discharge device 3 Liquid container 10 Liquid storage bag 20 Liquid outlet member 30 Liquid introduction tube 36 Flow path 37 Junction

Claims

1. A liquid container comprising a liquid storage bag for storing a liquid having a sediment component, a liquid introduction pipe disposed within the liquid storage bag, and a liquid discharge part fixed to one end of the liquid storage bag for discharging the liquid introduced from the liquid introduction pipe to a liquid discharge device, wherein the liquid introduction pipe has a spacer part having a first liquid inlet and a second liquid inlet with different positions in the height direction in a predetermined posture, a confluence part where the liquid introduced from the first liquid inlet and the second liquid inlet converges, and a flow path for supplying the converged liquid from the confluence part to the liquid discharge part, and is provided with, the liquid container, characterized in that there is one such flow path.

2. The first liquid inlet and the second liquid inlet are different in position in the height direction in the use posture of the liquid container, and the first liquid inlet is located above the confluence part of the liquid introduction pipe in the height direction, and the second liquid inlet is disposed at a lower position. The liquid container according to Claim 1, characterized in that it is arranged.

3. The liquid introduction pipe, wherein the spacer part and the flow path are constituted by an integral member. The liquid container according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is configured.

4. The liquid introduction pipe, wherein the spacer part and the flow path are constituted by separate members, and are configured by connecting these members. The liquid container according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is configured.

5. The spacer part has a conical shape having vertices facing one flat surface and the other flat surface of the liquid storage bag respectively, and the first liquid inlet and the second liquid inlet for introducing the liquid into each of the vertices, a guide part for guiding the liquid to the first liquid inlet and the second liquid inlet, a confluence part where the liquid introduced from the first liquid inlet and the second liquid inlet converges, and one confluence flow port for discharging the converged liquid from the spacer part. The liquid container according to Claim 1, characterized in that it includes.

6. The spacer part is configured as a separate member from a member including the first liquid inlet, the second liquid inlet, the confluence part, and the confluence flow port, and a member constituting the guide part, and the spacer part is configured by connecting these members. The liquid container according to Claim 5, characterized in that it is configured.

7. The liquid introduction tube has a length from one end of the liquid storage bag to the central portion of the liquid storage bag, and the liquid storage body according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A liquid storage body according to any one of claims 1 to 7, A liquid discharge unit that discharges the liquid supplied from the liquid storage body, A liquid discharge device characterized by comprising.

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