Storage container for liquid cartridges

Abstract

To provide a storage container capable of suppressing damage to a liquid cartridge stored in the storage container even if the storage container for the liquid cartridge receives an impact. [Solution] A storage container for storing liquid cartridges, having a storage section consisting of a bottom and at least four side walls, and an opening facing the bottom, wherein in the space formed between the storage section and the liquid cartridge when the liquid cartridge is stored in the storage section, a plurality of ribs are provided that protrude from the inner surface of the side walls of the storage section in a direction toward the inside of the storage section and extend from the bottom toward the opening, and the plurality of ribs include a first rib that is parallel to the bottom and protrudes in a first direction inclined relative to the side walls.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a storage container for a liquid cartridge.

Background Art

[0002] In an inkjet recording apparatus as a liquid ejection apparatus that ejects a liquid such as ink from a liquid ejection head to perform a desired recording, an ink tank for storing ink and a liquid ejection head for ejecting the ink stored in the ink tank are mounted. Here, there is an inkjet recording apparatus of a type in which a liquid cartridge such as an ink cartridge which is a cartridge-type ink tank and a liquid ejection head cartridge which is a cartridge-type liquid ejection head are separately mounted. Further, there is also an inkjet recording apparatus of a type in which an ink cartridge with a liquid ejection head in which an ink tank and a liquid ejection head are integrated and cartridge-formed is mounted.

[0003] During logistics, liquid cartridges are sealed at the ink supply port to the liquid ejection head and then stored in a storage container for liquid cartridges. A blister pack is often used as the storage container for liquid cartridges. Similarly, ink cartridges with liquid ejection heads are sealed at the ejection port of the liquid ejection head and then stored in a storage container for ink cartridges with liquid ejection heads. A blister pack is also often used as the storage container for ink cartridges with liquid ejection heads. Here, the storage container for liquid ejection head cartridges disclosed in Patent Document 1 comprises a body with an opening on the surface facing the bottom and a holding part inside for holding the liquid ejection head cartridge. This storage container also includes a lid that closes the opening of the body. Furthermore, a substantially cylindrical rib extends from the bottom side toward the opening on the side of the body. The storage container for liquid ejection head cartridges disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured to suppress deformation even when the external environment (temperature, pressure, etc.) changes during logistics, thereby protecting the liquid ejection head cartridge from environmental changes. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-10082 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] The substantially cylindrical ribs used in the storage container for the liquid ejection head cartridge disclosed in Patent Document 1 are used to suppress deformation of the entire storage container due to changes in the external environment (pressure and temperature). However, impacts such as those caused by dropping can be transmitted from the storage container to the liquid ejection head cartridge via the ribs, potentially damaging the cartridge. In particular, ink cartridges with a large ink capacity to increase the guaranteed number of printed pages, and ink cartridges with liquid ejection heads, are relatively heavy, posing a challenge as they can withstand greater impacts if dropped.

[0006] This disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a storage container that can suppress damage to liquid cartridges stored in the storage container even if the storage container for liquid cartridges is subjected to impact. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present disclosure, which solves the above problems, is a storage container for housing a liquid cartridge to be attached to a liquid dispensing device, comprising a storage section comprising a bottom and at least four side walls, and having an opening facing the bottom, wherein a plurality of ribs are provided, the ribs protruding from the inner surface of the side walls of the storage section toward the inside of the storage section and extending toward the opening from the bottom, the plurality of ribs including a plurality of first ribs, the first ribs protruding in a direction parallel to the bottom and inclined with respect to the side walls. Furthermore, at least one of the first ribs has a first portion and a second portion whose protruding length is greater than that of the first portion. It is a storage container. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, even if the storage container for the liquid cartridge is subjected to impact, it is possible to suppress damage to the liquid cartridge stored in the storage container. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Side cross-sectional view and perspective view of an ink cartridge with a liquid ejection head. [Figure 2] Side cross-sectional view of a storage container for an ink cartridge with a liquid ejection head. [Figure 3] Storage container for ink cartridge with liquid ejection head and perspective view of ink cartridge with liquid ejection head [Figure 4] Storage container for an ink cartridge with a liquid ejection head and a top view cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge with a liquid ejection head stored therein. [Figure 5] Storage container for an ink cartridge with a liquid ejection head and a front cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge with a liquid ejection head stored therein. [Figure 6] A diagram showing that the ribs of a storage container for an ink cartridge with a liquid ejection head flex and exhibit an elastic effect when dropped. [Figure 7] A storage container for an ink cartridge with a liquid ejection head and a side cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge with a liquid ejection head stored therein. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments for carrying out this invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings, based on examples. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in these embodiments should be appropriately modified depending on the configuration of the device to which the invention is applied and various conditions. In other words, the scope of this invention is not intended to be limited to the following embodiments.

[0011] Furthermore, the storage container of this embodiment is a storage container for liquid ejection heads that houses the liquid ejection head when the liquid ejection head is distributed in the market. Although this embodiment describes a storage container for liquid ejection heads, the items to be stored in the storage container are not limited to liquid ejection heads. For example, it may be a storage container that houses a liquid cartridge for replenishing liquid to the liquid ejection head (inkjet head) of an inkjet printer, or it may be a liquid cartridge that has a liquid ejection head. In addition, an ink cartridge that stores ink as a liquid will be used as an example in the following description.

[0012] [First Embodiment] <Liquid cartridge with liquid dispensing head> In the following explanation, the height direction of the liquid cartridge when it is mounted on the liquid dispensing device is defined as the Z direction. The width direction of the liquid cartridge, perpendicular to the Z direction, is defined as the X direction. The depth direction of the liquid cartridge, perpendicular to both the X and Z directions, is defined as the Y direction.

[0013] Figure 1(a) shows a cross-sectional view of the side of an ink cartridge with a liquid ejection head. Figures 1(b) and 1(c) show perspective views of the ink cartridge with a liquid ejection head. The ink cartridge with a liquid ejection head 100 (hereinafter referred to as "ink cartridge") has a tank case 101, a tank lid 102, and a rib plate 103. Here, the tank case 101 has an ink storage chamber (storage section) 104, a head section 105, and an ejection substrate 106 equipped with an ejection port.

[0014] The ink storage chamber 104 is filled with an absorbent material 107 that holds the ink. An atmospheric communication port 108 is formed in the tank lid 102. The rib plate 103 is positioned between the absorbent material 107 and the tank lid 102.

[0015] 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. Therefore, a bottom portion 104a is formed near the portion where the head portion 105 at the bottom of the ink storage chamber 104 is connected. A discharge substrate 106 is connected to the lower tip of the head portion 105. The head fixing surface 1014 provided with the discharge substrate 106 has head fixing portion side surfaces 1015 at both ends. The head fixing portion side surfaces 1015 are arranged inside (on the ink storage chamber 104 side in the X direction) of the first and second side surfaces (1011, 1012) of the ink cartridge.

[0016] Even when the ink cartridge 100 is overturned, the absorber 107 holds the ink. Even when ink overflows from the absorber 107, the rib plate 103 prevents the ink from reaching the atmosphere communication port 108. Therefore, even when the ink cartridge 100 is overturned, ink leakage can be suppressed.

[0017] During printing, the ink in the ink storage chamber 104 is discharged from the discharge port. As the ink in the ink storage chamber 104 decreases due to the discharge, air is introduced into the ink storage chamber 104 from the atmosphere communication port 108.

[0018] Before the ink cartridge 100 is stored in a storage container 110 described later, as shown in Fig. 1(c), a protective seal 109 is attached so as to straddle the discharge substrate 106 and the lower end portion of the ink storage chamber 104.

[0019] <Storage Container for Ink Cartridge with Liquid Discharge Head> Next, a storage container 110 (hereinafter referred to as "storage container") for storing the ink cartridge 100 of the present disclosure will be described in detail.

[0020] Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the storage container 110. Figure 3(a) is a perspective view of the storage container 110 and the ink cartridge 100. Figure 3(b) is a perspective view of the storage container 110 from a different angle than Figure 3(a). Figure 3(c) is a perspective view of the storage container 110 from a different angle than Figures 3(a) and 3(b). Figure 4(a) is a top cross-sectional view of the storage container 110 and the ink cartridge 100 stored in the storage container 110, along line IVa-IVa in Figure 5(a), which will be described later. Figure 4(b) is a top cross-sectional view along line IVb-IVb in Figure 5(a). Figure 4(c) is a top cross-sectional view along line IVc-IVc in Figure 5(a). Figure 5(a) is a front cross-sectional view along line Va-Va in Figure 4(a). Figure 5(b) is a front cross-sectional view along the cross-sectional line Vb-Vb in Figure 4(a).

[0021] Referring to Figure 2, the storage container 110 comprises a 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 inside, 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 through the opening of the storage section 112. The storage section 112 of the main body 111 can also be said to consist of a bottom and at least four side walls. When the ink cartridge 100 is stored inside the storage container 110, the ink cartridge storage body 1000 is formed.

[0022] A sealed space is formed by placing the ink cartridge 100 in the storage section 112 and then joining the lid 114 to the flange section 113. 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, but other joining methods may be used. As an example of the material for the lid 114 in this embodiment, a laminate film of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) resin and PP (polypropylene) is used. Also, PP (polypropylene) is used as the material for the storage container 110. The materials for the lid 114 and the storage container 110 are not limited to those described above.

[0023] Furthermore, recycled plastic can be used as the material for the lid 114 and the body 111. The recycled plastic material described in this disclosure is used in a broad sense, including post-consumer materials (PCR materials) and pre-consumer materials. It should be noted that recycled plastic materials are made from materials that have undergone some degree of degradation due to thermal history during molding, stress during use, heat, light, and solvents. For these reasons, it is known that they have different physical properties than virgin materials. For example, the shock absorption property, in which the molecular chains inside the material bend to mitigate force when impact is applied, tends to deteriorate. This tendency can be confirmed by Charpy impact tests, and molded materials containing recycled plastic material show lower impact strength than virgin materials. This deterioration in shock absorption property stems from the fact that the original molecular chains have been broken due to the aforementioned degradation, thus reducing the shock mitigation effect of the molecular chains themselves.

[0024] The ribs of the main body 111 will be described with reference to Figures 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 surface of the side of the storage section 112 of the main body 111 (the inner surface of the side wall). 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 surface of the side of the storage section 112. In other words, the ribs protrude from the inner surface of the side of the storage section 112 toward the storage space 112a. To put it another way, the ribs protrude in a first direction that is parallel to the bottom of the storage section 112 and inclined with respect to the side wall of the storage section 112.

[0025] 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 parts with different protruding lengths in the protruding direction (XY plane direction): a first part 1151 whose protruding length is substantially the same as that of the second rib 118, and a second part 1152 whose protruding length is longer than that of the first part 1151.

[0026] Furthermore, both the second rib 118 and the first rib 115 are inclined and are positioned close to the first and second sides (1011, 1012) of the cartridge 100.

[0027] In the position where the ink cartridge 100 is stored in the storage section 112, there is a gap g2 of distance G2 in 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. Also, the second portion 1152 of the first rib 115 is positioned close to the side surface 1015 of the head fixing section, and there is a gap g1 of distance G1 in the XY plane between the second portion 1152 and the side surface 1015 of the head fixing section. Furthermore, there is a gap g3 of distance G3 (see Figure 5) between the second rib 118 and the side surface 1015 of the head fixing section. G2 is smaller than G3 and G1, and with the ink cartridge 100 stored in the main body 111, the position of the ink cartridge 100 within the storage section 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 restrictors for the ink cartridge 100.

[0028] 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 compartment 112, the cartridge 100 occupies most of the storage space 112a. A gap space 112s is then formed between the storage compartment 112 and the ink cartridge 100. The gap space 112s is the space remaining after removing the portion occupied by the cartridge 100 from the storage space 112a.

[0029] Here, as seen in the top cross-sectional view of Figure 4(a), the second rib 118 and the first rib 115 are inclined with respect to both the lateral inner surface of the storage section 112 and the lateral outer surface of the ink cartridge 100. In other words, the direction in which each of the second rib 118 and the first rib 115 extends inward includes the 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, across the entire range extending in the Z direction of the second rib 118 and the first rib 115.

[0030] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 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 rib 118 and the first rib 115 extend inward in the XY plane includes a component that is 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 entirety of the second rib 118 and the first rib 115. However, a configuration in which a single rib has a portion that is inclined with respect to the inner surface of the storage section 112 and a portion that does not have a component that is inclined with respect to the inner surface of the storage section 112 may be present.

[0031] Referring to Figures 4(a) and 5(a), when the ink cartridge 100 is stored in the storage section 112, the head section 105 is stored in the head storage area R, which is to the left of line L1 in Figures 4(a) and 4(b) when viewed from above, and below line L2 when viewed from the front. In the cross-sectional view of Figure 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 Figures 4(b) and 4(c), the head storage area R is provided with a total of six first ribs 115 on both sides of the head fixing section.

[0032] Referring to Figures 4(a) and 4(b), it is preferable that the second rib 118 and the first rib 115 have a thickness T of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm (length in the direction perpendicular to the inward extension direction in the XY plane). Furthermore, it is preferable that the first rib 115 has a length L of 2.0 mm or more along the inward extension direction (inward extension direction in the XY plane), and in this embodiment, as an example, the length L is set to 2.8 mm. As shown in Figures 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 portion 105. This makes it possible to provide a gap g4 between the storage portion 112 and the discharge substrate 106 at the lower tip of the head portion 105, as will be described later.

[0033] Referring to Figures 4(a) and 4(b), the angle θ1 in which the extension direction of the second rib 118 and the first rib 115 (the inward extension direction in the XY plane) intersects 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 in which the extension direction of the second rib 118 and the first rib 115 intersects 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.

[0034] Figure 6 illustrates how the first rib 115 bends and exhibits an elastic effect when the storage container 110 is dropped. When the storage container 110 containing the ink cartridge 100 is dropped to the ground or other surface, the impact causes the second portion 1152 of the first rib 115 to come into contact with the print head 105, as shown in Figures 6(a) to 6(d). Since there are multiple first ribs 115, the impact of the fall is distributed to multiple points, and by receiving the impact at multiple points, it is possible to prevent the print head 105 from deforming significantly in one localized area. In addition, since the first rib 115 is inclined with respect to the cartridge and the inner surface of the storage container, it has flexibility against external forces applied to the print head 105, etc., and can cushion the impact of the fall by deforming. When subjected to an impact such as a fall, the print head 105 comes into contact with the second portion 1152 of the first rib 115, as shown in Figure 6(b). When the head portion 105 is further displaced relative to the storage portion 112 due to impact, the first rib 115 bends while maintaining its elasticity, as shown in Figure 6(c). The elastic force of the first rib 115 increases as the first rib 115 bends more. Therefore, even if an impact occurs from the outside, the impact is absorbed by the first rib 115, thus mitigating the impact on the head portion 105. Since multiple first ribs 115 are provided, the impact applied to each rib is reduced, thus reducing the amount of deformation. This allows for buffering of the impact of a fall, while simultaneously preventing the ink cartridge 100 from directly contacting the storage portion 112 (inner wall of the storage container) and receiving impact.

[0035] In addition, the first rib 118 and the first portion 1151 of the first rib are positioned to avoid the head fixing surface 1014 and the head fixing side surface 1015. As a result, the impact of a fall does not directly apply to the head portion 105, making the head portion less susceptible to damage.

[0036] Furthermore, as seen in the cross-sectional view of Figure 4(c), the first rib 115, which is positioned opposite the side surface of the ink cartridge 100, is arranged over almost the entire area of ​​the ejection substrate 106 where the ejection port is located. It is preferable that the first rib 115 is arranged over an area of ​​at least two-thirds of the length of the ejection substrate 106 in the lateral direction of the ink cartridge 100. This allows the impact of a fall to be dispersed along the length of the ejection substrate 106, preventing localized impact on the head portion 105 and the ejection substrate 106, which would otherwise cause significant deformation and damage.

[0037] As shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), when the ink cartridge 100 is stored in the storage section 112, the height of the second portion 1152 of the first rib is adjusted so that 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. Here, Figure 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the storage container 110 and the ink cartridge 100 stored in the storage container 110. When the ink cartridge 100 is stored in the storage section 112, a gap g4 (see Figures 5(a), 5(b), and 7) exists between the ejection substrate 106 and the bottom of the storage section 112. This prevents the ejection substrate 106 from coming into contact with the bottom of the storage section 112.

[0038] As described above, when an impact exceeding a certain level is applied from the outside, such as during a fall, the second rib 118 and the second rib distribute the impact to multiple points on the side of the cartridge, preventing the impact from being directly applied to the print head 105. In particular, the first rib 115 restricts the position of the ink cartridge 100 with the first portion 1151 facing the side of the ink cartridge 100, while the second portion 1152 facing the print head 105 cushions the impact on the print head 105.

[0039] 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 points on the side of the cartridge, preventing a strong impact from being directly applied to the print head. In addition, by providing the second portion 1152 of the first rib 115 next to the print head 105, the first rib 115 can bend when dropped, absorbing the impact. Therefore, it is possible to prevent damage to the ink cartridge 100 inexpensively without adding any new impact-absorbing members. In particular, the first rib 115 serves both to restrict the position of the ink cartridge 100 within the storage container 110 and to absorb impact to the print head 105. To effectively obtain the above functions of the first rib 115, it is desirable that the storage container 110 be equipped with multiple first ribs 115.

[0040] [Other embodiments] In the cross-sectional view of the storage compartment 112 in Figure 4(b), only one first rib 115 is provided on the lower side surface. This is to prevent the second portion 1152 of the first rib 115 from interfering with the protective seal 109. If the protective seal 109 is not attached to the ink cartridge 100, then multiple first ribs 115 may be arranged on the lower side surface, similar to the upper side surface in the cross-sectional view of Figure 4(b).

[0041] In the above embodiment, an ink cartridge and a storage container were used as examples for explanation. However, the configuration of the above embodiment can also be applied to liquid cartridges that use liquids other than ink as a substitute for ink, and to storage containers corresponding to them.

[0042] In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the head portion 105 is protected by the second rib 118 and the first rib 115 has been described. However, the portion of the ink cartridge other than the head portion 105 may also be protected by the second rib 118 and the first rib 115. Furthermore, the present invention can be suitably used even in a storage container for an ink cartridge that does not have a head portion 105.

[0043] Furthermore, if a new lid 114 is prepared after the lid 114 has been detached from the main body 111 and the ink cartridge 100 has been removed, it is possible to manufacture a storage unit 1000 that reuses the main body 111. In this case, the storage unit 1000 that reuses the main body 111 can be manufactured by a recovery step of recovering the main body 111, a storage step of storing a new ink cartridge 100 in the recovered main body 111, and a welding step of welding a new lid 114 to the main body 111. In addition, if the used ink cartridge 100 is recovered in the main body 111 while it is stored in the main body 111, it becomes possible to regenerate or reuse the ink cartridge. In particular, when recovering an ink cartridge 100 with an ejection board 106, using the main body 111 of the storage container of the present invention makes it easier to reduce damage to the head 105 and ejection board 106 during recovery.

[0044] [Technical Features of This Disclosure] This disclosure includes the following configuration and method:

[0045] [Configuration 1] A storage container for storing liquid cartridges, having a storage section composed of a bottom and at least four side walls, and an opening facing the bottom, When the liquid cartridge is stored in the storage compartment, a plurality of ribs are provided in the space formed between the storage compartment and the liquid cartridge, the ribs protruding from the inner surface of the side wall of the storage compartment toward the inside of the storage compartment and extending toward the opening from the bottom. The plurality of ribs include a plurality of first ribs, the first ribs protruding in a first direction parallel to the bottom and inclined with respect to the side wall. Storage container.

[0046] [Configuration 2] The storage container according to configuration 1, wherein the first rib has a first portion and a second portion whose protruding length in the first direction is different from that of the first portion.

[0047] [Configuration 3] The aforementioned liquid cartridge is A head unit connected to a discharge substrate equipped with a discharge port for dispensing liquid, A storage section connected to the head section for storing liquid, It has, When the liquid cartridge is stored in the storage compartment... The first rib is provided so as to face the head portion. A storage container as described in configuration 1 or 2.

[0048] [Structure 4] When the liquid cartridge is stored in the storage compartment, The storage container according to configuration 3, wherein the first portion of the first rib faces the head portion, and the second portion faces the side surface of the liquid cartridge corresponding to the storage portion.

[0049] [Composition 5] When the liquid cartridge is stored in the storage compartment, The storage container according to configuration 3, wherein the distance between the first portion and the head portion in a direction parallel to the protruding direction is greater than the distance between the second portion and the side surface.

[0050] [Composition 6] In the position in which the liquid cartridge is stored in the storage section, the width of the storage section is greater than the width of the head section. When the liquid cartridge is stored in the storage compartment, The top of the second portion supports the storage portion from the head portion side, as described in any one of configurations 3 to 5.

[0051] [Composition 7] The storage container according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the first rib is inclined with respect to the side wall at an angle of 30 degrees or more and 45 degrees or less.

[0052] [Structure 8] The storage container according to any one of configurations 2 to 7, wherein the first rib has a protruding length of 2.0 mm or more in the second portion.

[0053] [Composition 9] A storage container according to any one of configurations 2 to 8, wherein the plurality of ribs project inclined toward the side wall and include a second rib whose projection length is shorter than the projection length of the second portion.

[0054] [Configuration 10] A storage container according to any one of configurations 3 to 9, for storing the liquid cartridge equipped with the discharge substrate.

[0055] [Composition 11] When the liquid cartridge is stored in the storage compartment, The storage container according to configuration 10, wherein the liquid cartridge has a plurality of first ribs extending over a region of 2 / 3 or more of the length of the discharge substrate in the lateral direction.

[0056] [Composition 12] The storage container described in any one of configurations 1 to 11, wherein the storage container is made of plastic.

[0057] [Composition 13] The storage container described in configuration 12 includes recycled plastic material.

[0058] [Composition 14] The liquid cartridge is a storage container according to any one of configurations 1 to 13, which contains ink.

[0059] [Composition 15] The aforementioned liquid cartridge, A storage container for storing the aforementioned liquid cartridge, as described in one of configurations 1 to 14, A lid welded to the aforementioned storage container, A liquid cartridge housing equipped with [a specific feature / feature].

[0060] [Method 1] A method for recovering a used liquid cartridge, comprising recovering the used liquid cartridge by storing it in a storage container described in any one of items 1 to 14 of the configuration. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0061] 100 ink cartridges 101 Tank Case 102 Tank lid 103 Rib plate 104 Ink Storage Chamber 105 Head section 106 Discharge substrate 110 Storage containers 111 Main unit 112 Storage compartment 114 Lid 115 First rib 118 Second Rib

Claims

1. A storage container for housing a liquid cartridge that is attached to a liquid dispensing device, A storage compartment comprising a bottom and at least four side walls, and having an opening opposite the bottom, Multiple ribs are provided that protrude from the inner surface of the side wall of the storage section toward the inside of the storage section and extend toward the opening from the bottom. The plurality of ribs include a plurality of first ribs, the first ribs projecting in a direction parallel to the bottom and inclined with respect to the side wall, A storage container having at least one of the first ribs, comprising a first portion and a second portion having a protruding length greater than that of the first portion.

2. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein the first rib is inclined at an angle of 30 degrees or more and 45 degrees or less with respect to the side wall.

3. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein the first rib has a protruding length of 2.0 mm or more in the second portion.

4. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of ribs project inclined relative to the side wall and include a second rib whose projection length is shorter than the projection length of the second portion.

5. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein the first rib is provided on both of the two opposing side walls among the four side walls.

6. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein the first rib is elastically deformable.

7. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein the storage container is made of plastic.

8. The storage container according to claim 7, wherein the storage container includes recycled plastic material.

9. The aforementioned liquid cartridge, A storage container according to claim 1 for storing the liquid cartridge, A liquid cartridge housing equipped with [a specific feature / feature].

10. The aforementioned liquid cartridge is A head unit connected to a discharge substrate equipped with a discharge port for dispensing liquid, A storage section connected to the head section for storing liquid, It has, When the liquid cartridge is stored in the storage compartment... The first rib is provided so as to face the head portion in a direction intersecting the side wall. The storage unit according to claim 9.

11. The storage body according to claim 10, wherein, in a direction intersecting the side wall, the first portion of the first rib faces the head portion, and the second portion faces the side surface of the liquid cartridge corresponding to the storage portion.

12. The housing according to claim 11, wherein the distance between the first portion and the head portion in a direction parallel to the direction in which the first rib protrudes is greater than the distance between the second portion and the side surface.

13. In the position in which the liquid cartridge is stored in the storage section, the width of the storage section is greater than the width of the head section. When the liquid cartridge is stored in the storage compartment, The top of the second portion supports the storage portion from the head portion side, as described in claim 11.

14. The storage body according to claim 10, wherein the storage container is provided with a plurality of first ribs corresponding to an area in the lateral direction of the liquid cartridge that extends over a region of 2 / 3 or more of the length of the discharge substrate.

15. The storage body according to claim 9, wherein the liquid cartridge contains ink.

16. The storage body according to claim 9, further comprising a lid welded to the storage container.

17. A method for recovering liquid cartridges, which are attached to a liquid dispensing device and used, by storing them in a storage container. As the aforementioned storage container, A storage compartment comprising a bottom and at least four side walls, and having an opening opposite the bottom, Multiple ribs are provided that protrude from the inner surface of the side wall of the storage section toward the inside of the storage section and extend toward the opening from the bottom. The plurality of ribs include a plurality of first ribs, each first rib projecting in a direction parallel to the bottom and inclined with respect to the side wall, A method for recovering a liquid cartridge, wherein at least one of the first ribs is a storage container having a first portion and a second portion having a protruding length greater than that of the first portion.

18. A storage container for housing a liquid dispensing head that is attached to a liquid dispensing device, A storage compartment comprising a bottom and at least four side walls, and having an opening opposite the bottom, Multiple ribs are provided that protrude from the inner surface of the side wall of the storage section toward the inside of the storage section and extend toward the opening from the bottom. The plurality of ribs include a plurality of first ribs, the first ribs projecting in a direction parallel to the bottom and inclined with respect to the side wall, A storage container having at least one of the first ribs, comprising a first portion and a second portion having a protruding length greater than that of the first portion.

19. The storage container according to claim 18, wherein the first rib is inclined at an angle of 30 degrees or more and 45 degrees or less with respect to the side wall.

20. The storage container according to claim 18, wherein the first rib has a protruding length of 2.0 mm or more in the second portion.

Images