JP2019189340A - Method for producing storage container and method for peeling inner layer - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a method for producing a storage container, which solves a problem involved in a conventional method of using air for peeling an inner layer of a container having the inner layer and an outer layer from the outer layer, that is, the problem that a form of the inner layer is deformed to a large extent when peeling the inner layer.SOLUTION: A method for peeling an inner layer 11 of a storage container having an outer layer 10 and the inner layer 11 from the outer layer 10, includes: a step of preparing a housing 9 in which the inner layer 11 and the outer layer 10 are brought into close contact with each other and in which an inside of the inner layer 11 is sealed; and an air injection step of injecting air having a higher pressure than that of the inside of the inner layer 11 from an atmosphere communication port 12 disposed at the outer layer 10 of the prepared housing 9 into a space between the inner layer 11 and the outer layer 10 to peel the inner layer 11 from the outer layer 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a container having an inner layer and an outer layer, and a method for peeling the inner layer.

  Storage containers that have an inner layer and an outer layer and in which the inner layer peels off from the outer layer as the contents are supplied to the outside are widespread. In general, in order to easily peel the inner layer from the outer layer, a through-hole is provided in the outer layer so that air can easily enter between the outer layer and the inner layer. However, the inner layer cannot be sufficiently peeled from the outer layer simply by providing a through hole in the outer layer, and the shape of the outer layer may change as the contents are supplied to the outside.

  In view of the above problems, Patent Document 1 describes that the inner layer is peeled off from the outer layer at the stage of the manufacturing process. Specifically, the inner layer is peeled off by blowing air between the outer layer and the inner layer from a through hole provided in the outer layer.

JP-A-8-175568

  In the inner layer peeling method described in Patent Document 1, air inside the inner layer is exhausted to the outside while air is blown between the inner layer and the outer layer. That is, as the inner layer peels from the outer layer and the volume of the space inside the inner layer contracts, the air in the inner space of the inner layer is exhausted to the outside. Excessive deformation of the inner layer may cause deterioration of the inner layer due to the formation of wrinkles and creases in the inner layer, or may cause the inner layer to not fully recover even after undergoing a restoration process that restores deformation of the inner layer. To do.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to peel the inner layer from the outer layer while suppressing excessive deformation of the inner layer.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has an inner layer having an inner layer opening for containing contents therein and supplying the contents to the outside, and an inner surface shape substantially the same as the outer surface shape of the inner layer. In the manufacturing method of a storage container having a housing including a space between the inner layer and an outer layer having an air communication port for communicating the outside, the inner layer and the outer layer are in close contact with each other, and the inner layer A step of preparing a sealed casing, and air having a pressure higher than the pressure inside the inner layer between the inner layer and the outer layer from an air communication port provided in the outer layer of the prepared casing. An air injection step of injecting and separating the inner layer and the outer layer.

  The inner layer has an inner layer opening that stores the contents inside and supplies the contents to the outside, and has an inner surface shape that is substantially the same as the outer surface shape of the inner layer. In a peeling method for peeling the inner layer of the casing including the outer layer having an air communication port for communication from the outer layer, the inner layer and the outer layer are in close contact with each other, and the inside of the inner layer is sealed And air having a pressure higher than the pressure inside the inner layer is injected between the inner layer and the outer layer from the atmosphere communication port provided in the outer layer of the prepared casing, and the inner layer and the And an air injection step for peeling the outer layer.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, an inner layer can be peeled from an outer layer, suppressing the excessive deformation | transformation of an inner layer.

Schematic of an ink cartridge. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the inside of an ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is used. Schematic of preform. Schematic which shows the peeling method of the inner layer which concerns on a comparative example. Schematic which shows the peeling method of the inner layer which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the process flow which concerns on 1st Embodiment. Schematic which shows the apparatus used for peeling of an inner layer. The enlarged view of the flange of a housing | casing. Schematic which shows a joint member and its welding rib. Schematic which shows an air bleeding process. Schematic which shows the peeling method of the inner layer which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a manufacturing method and a peeling method of a storage container according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, after describing the configuration of the storage container, the manufacturing method and the inner layer peeling method will be described. Hereinafter, an ink cartridge having an inner layer and an outer layer will be described as an example of a storage container. Here, the ink cartridge refers to a cartridge that is mounted on a liquid ejecting apparatus that performs printing by ejecting droplets of ink or the like onto a recording medium such as paper and can store a liquid such as ink. The storage container is not limited to the ink cartridge, and may be any container that has at least an inner layer and an outer layer and can store liquids or solids such as food, cosmetics, detergents, chemicals, and toners.

(Description of ink cartridge)
1 and 2 show an ink cartridge 13 having an inner layer and an outer layer. 1A is a perspective view of the ink cartridge, FIG. 1B is an exploded view of the ink cartridge, and FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge at ZZ ′ in FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of ink inside the ink cartridge when ink is supplied from the ink cartridge to a recording apparatus (not shown). In addition, although it demonstrated in the form which supplies ink to the upper direction of the perpendicular direction in FIG. 2, it can supply ink not only in this example but at all attitude | positions.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ink cartridge 13 mainly includes a joint member 1, a cover member 2, a supply port valve 5, a spring 6, an air backflow suppression valve 7, an ink flow path member 8, and a housing 9. Yes. Ink is stored in the housing 9. When the ink cartridge is used, the ink is supplied from the housing 9 to the recording apparatus after passing through the ink flow path member 8 and the joint member 1 in this order.

(Description of joint member)
An insertion portion 4 into which an ink receiving tube 22 (FIG. 2) provided in the recording apparatus is inserted is provided at the tip of the joint member 1. The ink receiving tube has a needle shape with a hole in a part, and is inserted into the insertion portion 4 when the ink cartridge is used. When the ink receiving tube 22 is inserted into the insertion portion 4, the ink receiving tube pushes the supply port valve 5 and moves the supply port valve 5 in the direction in which the spring 6 is compressed. When the ink receiving tube 22 is inserted into the joint member 1 until the hole of the ink receiving tube 22 reaches the ink region that fills the inside of the joint member 1, ink flows into the hole formed in the ink receiving tube 22 and recording is performed. Ink is supplied to the apparatus. When the ink cartridge is not used, the supply port valve 5 is pressed against the seal member 4 a by the spring 6 so that the ink does not leak out from the insertion portion 4.

  After the ink is stored in the housing 9, the joint member 1 is joined to the inner layer flange 20 (FIG. 3) by thermal welding or the like. In order to supply ink into the joint member 1, it is necessary to remove air from the housing 9. The joint member 1 has an air vent 14 as a hole for venting air. After the air is vented from the air vent 14, the air vent 14 is sealed with a film 30 (FIG. 2). Details of the process of drawing air will be described later.

  The insertion portion 4 is provided with a seal member 4a having an opening. When the ink receiving tube 22 is inserted into the insertion portion 4, the ink receiving tube 22 passes through the opening of the sealing member 4a. Examples of the material for forming the seal member 4a include rubber and elastomer. Further, the joint member 1 is provided with an electrode portion 3 that is in contact with and electrically connected to a connector pin or the like on the recording apparatus side.

(Description of cover)
The cover member 2 is attached so as to cover the joint member 1 as shown in FIG. The role of the cover member 2 is to protect the joint member 1, particularly the electrode portion 3, and the role of an insertion guide when the ink cartridge is mounted.

(Description of Air Backflow Suppression Valve 7)
The valve mechanism provided in the joint member 1 will be described. A region of the spring 6 opposite to the supply port valve 5 is in contact with the air backflow suppression valve 7. By providing the air backflow suppression valve 7, in the process of extracting the air in the housing 9, the air is released from the time when the air in the housing 9 is started until the air outlet 14 is sealed with the film 30. It is possible to prevent backflow into the housing 9 through the mouth 14. Examples of the material forming the air backflow suppression valve 7 include polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and elastomer.

(Description of ink flow path member)
The ink flow path member 8 is for supplying the ink stored in the housing 9 into the joint member 1. As shown in FIG. 2, it has two flow paths, an upper flow path 8a and a lower flow path 8b. The upper flow path 8 a is for supplying ink in the vertical direction in the housing 9 into the joint member 1. On the other hand, the lower flow path 8b is for supplying ink into the joint member 1 that is relatively lower in the vertical direction than the ink supplied by the upper flow path 8a. Thus, by supplying ink from two places, it becomes possible to supply ink of a predetermined density to the recording apparatus. In particular, the effect is obtained when pigment ink is used for recording. Examples of the material for forming the ink flow path member 8 include polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP).

(Case description)
The housing 9 is a portion formed by injection blow molding, and is composed of two layers, an outer layer 10 and an inner layer 11. The outer layer 10 is a layer constituting the outer wall of the housing 9 and is a layer indicated by a solid line in FIG. The inner layer 11 is a layer constituting a housing chamber of the housing 9 and is a layer indicated by a broken line in FIG. The outer layer 10 has an inner surface shape that is substantially the same as the outer surface shape of the inner layer 11. The outer layer 10 and the inner layer 11 are in close contact with each other but are in a state of being peelable from each other, and ink is stored inside the inner layer 11 as described above. The outer layer 10 and the inner layer 11 do not need to be in close contact with each other, and there may be a portion where a part of the inner and outer layers are separated from each other. Further, the shape of the housing is preferably cylindrical from the viewpoint of blow molding.

  The outer layer 10 and the inner layer 11 have an outer layer flange 18 and an inner layer flange 20, respectively, and the housing 9 has a flange 31 made of these. The flange is a portion that protrudes and projects in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the housing 9. The reason for providing the flange is mainly for fixing a preform (FIG. 3), which will be described later, at the time of injection blow molding, or for fixing a claw (not shown) of the cover member 2 and a welded portion with the joint member 1. is there.

(Description of outer layer)
The outer layer 10 is the outermost member of the ink cartridge and serves as an exterior. For this reason, the outer layer 10 is preferably higher in rigidity than the inner layer 11, and is preferably formed of a material having high rigidity. Furthermore, it is more preferable that the material has high injection blow suitability. Specifically, it is preferable to use a polyester resin selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate, or polybutylene terephthalate. In particular, it is preferable to use polyethylene terephthalate. This is because polyethylene terephthalate has a property that its viscosity rapidly increases when stretched by air blow during blow molding. Due to this property, thick portions that have not yet been stretched are stretched, but stretched and thin portions are difficult to stretch, and as a result, variations in the thickness of the outer layer can be suppressed.

  At the bottom of the outer layer 10, that is, at a position facing the inner layer opening 21, an air communication port 12 is provided as shown in FIG. The atmosphere communication port 12 has two roles. The first is to inject air into the region between the outer layer 10 and the inner layer 11 from the atmosphere communication port 12 during the peeling process of the inner layer 11 described later. Details will be described when describing the method of manufacturing the ink cartridge. Secondly, when the ink cartridge is used, the deformation of the shape of the outer layer 10 is suppressed when the volume of the ink stored in the inner layer 11 is reduced and the inner layer is recessed. . Since the area between the outer layer 10 and the inner layer 11 is always in communication with the atmosphere by the atmosphere communication port 12, the area between the outer layer 10 and the inner layer 11 is at atmospheric pressure even during use of the ink cartridge. Accordingly, no pressure difference is generated in the region between the outer air and the outer layer and the inner layer across the outer layer 10, so that the dent of the outer layer 10 is suppressed.

  On the other hand, the inner layer 11 has no air communication port and is sealed except for the communication part with the ink receiving tube 22 on the main body side. Therefore, when the ink volume is reduced, the air present in the inner layer 11 is The inner layer 11 is recessed until the pressure is relatively reduced as compared with the atmospheric pressure and the atmospheric pressure is balanced. When the stored ink is used up, the inner layer 11 is substantially completely crushed.

(Description of inner layer)
The inner layer 11 is preferably formed of a flexible material from the viewpoint of improving ink use. Preferable examples of the material forming the inner layer 11 include a polyolefin resin, an olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer, a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, and the like. At least one of them may be used as the material for the inner layer 11. When the inner layer 11 is molded together with the outer layer 10 by injection blow molding, the temperature suitable for air blowing for the material used for the outer layer is close to the temperature suitable for air blowing for the material used for the inner layer. It is preferable to select the material of the layer. Specifically, it is preferable to use polyethylene terephthalate as the material of the outer layer 10 and at least one of polyethylene or polypropylene as the material of the inner layer 11. From the viewpoint of flexibility and injection blow suitability, it is more preferable to use linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) among polypropylenes. The inner layer 11 preferably has a flexural modulus of 1000 MPa or less, and more preferably 300 MPa or less.

(Explanation of ink supply)
When supplying ink from such an ink cartridge 13 to the recording apparatus, first, an ink receiving tube 22 provided in the recording apparatus is inserted into the insertion portion 4 of the ink cartridge 13 to depressurize the inside of the joint member 1 (see FIG. 2 (a)). By this pressure reduction, the air backflow suppression valve 7 is opened, and the ink in the housing 9 moves into the joint member 1 through the ink flow path member 8 (FIG. 2B). Thereafter, after the ink rises to the hole (not shown) of the ink receiving tube 22 (FIG. 2C), the ink is supplied from the joint member 1 to the recording apparatus through the ink receiving tube 22.

(Ink cartridge manufacturing method)
Next, an ink cartridge manufacturing method will be described. The ink cartridge is manufactured by manufacturing a casing in which the inner layer and the outer layer are integrated by injection blow molding, followed by a peeling step for peeling the inner layer from the outer layer, and finally welding the inner layer flange and the joint member of the casing. . Hereinafter, each process will be described in order.

(Preform)
The housing 9 is manufactured by blow-molding the preform 15 manufactured by injection molding. Therefore, first, the preform will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a view showing a laminated preform 15 used for forming the housing 9. 3 (a) and 3 (b) are perspective views of the laminated preform 15 as seen from different angles, and FIG. 3 (c) shows a laminated preform at A-A ′ in FIG. 3 (a). FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the reform 15. The preform is manufactured by injection molding. The laminated preform 15 is a two-layer preform in which an inner layer preform 16 that becomes the inner layer 11 and an outer layer preform 17 that becomes the outer layer 10 are overlapped by blow molding described later. The inner layer preform 16 and the outer layer preform 17 may be formed by injection molding or separately, but it is preferable to perform injection molding collectively. This is because the adhesion between the outer layer flange 18 and the inner layer flange 20 can be increased, and deformation due to post-shrinkage of the inner layer 11 after blow molding can be suppressed.

  As shown in FIG. 3C, the laminated preform 15 includes a non-blow part 24a and a blow part 25a. The non-blow portion 24a is a portion whose shape does not substantially change before and after blow molding. The blow part 25a is a part that is formed into a bottle shape at the time of blow molding, and the shape changes before and after blow molding. Therefore, the non-blowing part 24a of the laminated preform 15 is molded into the housing with substantially no change in shape, and the blow part 25a of the preform 15 is molded into the housing with changing shape.

(Explanation of blow molding)
After producing the laminated preform 15 by injection molding, the laminated preform 15 is set on a blow carrier (not shown). And the blow part 25a of the lamination | stacking preform 15 is heated with a heater, and both the inner layer preform 16 and the blow part of the outer layer preform 17 are heated to the glass transition temperature or higher. Thereafter, the laminated preform 15 is inserted into a mold (not shown), and the inside of the laminated preform 15 is drawn (stretched) in the drawing direction 26 (hereinafter simply referred to as the drawing direction) using a drawing rod (not shown). ) Then, while stretching, air of about 30 atm is introduced into the laminated preform 15 to form a desired casing shape.

  Specifically, injection blow molding was performed with an injection blow molding machine (FRB-1, manufactured by Frontier Corporation). In the injection blow molding, first, the laminated preform was heated from the outside of the laminated preform using a halogen heater while rotating. Specifically, six heaters were arranged at a pitch of 15 mm at a position 20 mm from the surface of the outer layer preform, and heating was performed for 50 seconds. The output value of the heater was adjusted so that the outer layer temperature after the heating step was 70 ° C. or higher and 160 ° C. or lower. The molding temperature was confirmed by measuring the temperature immediately after heating the laminated preform (that is, the outer layer temperature immediately before blowing) using a non-contact temperature sensor. After the heated laminated preform was inserted into the mold, the mold was closed, and a stretching rod was placed inside the laminated preform and extended in the stretching direction. At the same time, air of 30 atm was introduced to form the whole into a bottle shape. In this way, the casing of the ink cartridge was molded.

  In addition, an inner layer and an outer layer can be separately produced by injection blow molding, and the inner layer and the outer layer can be overlapped later. However, if the inner layer and the outer layer are manufactured together by injection blow molding, the number of steps can be reduced and an ink cartridge with high volumetric efficiency can be manufactured.

(About the size of the housing)
The height of the housing 9 is preferably 40 mm or more and 350 mm or less from the viewpoint of a size that can be stretched from the laminated preform 15. Here, the height is the length in the stretching direction of the preform. From the same viewpoint, the width (maximum outer diameter) of the blow part of the housing is preferably 10 mm or more and 130 mm or less. Here, the width is the length in the direction orthogonal to the stretching direction of the preform.

  The thickness (wall thickness) of the blow part of the housing 9 can be determined from the size of the laminated preform and the container after blow molding. Specifically, the thicknesses of the outer layer 10 and the inner layer 11 are preferably 0.05 mm or more and 3.00 mm or less, respectively. Furthermore, when the outer layer 10 and the inner layer 11 are collectively produced by injection blow molding, the thickness of the outer layer 10 is more preferably 0.30 mm or more and 2.00 mm or less from the viewpoint of strength. The thickness of the inner layer 11 is more preferably 0.05 mm or more and 0.20 mm or less from the viewpoint of flexibility.

(About the inner layer peeling method)
After producing the housing 9 by the injection blow molding described above, the inner layer 11 of the housing 9 is peeled from the outer layer 10. Hereinafter, peeling of the inner layer will be described with reference to the drawings. The following pressure values are all expressed in gauge pressure.

(Inner layer peeling method according to comparative example)
Before explaining the peeling method of the inner layer 11 according to the present invention, as a comparison, a comparative example will be explained with reference to FIG. First, the housing 9 manufactured by the injection blow molding described above is mounted on the jigs 34 and 35. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4A, jigs 34 and 35 are attached to the inner layer opening 21 and the atmosphere communication port 12 of the housing 9, respectively. Air supply ports 36 and 37 for supplying air are formed in the jigs 34 and 35, respectively. At this time, the air supply ports 36 and 37 of the jigs 34 and 35 are opened to the atmosphere. That is, at this time, the pressure inside the inner layer is atmospheric pressure (0 MPa). Next, air is injected into a region between the inner layer 11 and the outer layer 10 (hereinafter referred to as region A) using the air pressure source (FIG. 7) communicating with the jig 35 (FIG. 4). (B) Arrow 38), the pressure in region A is about 0.1 MPa. A standard for setting the pressure in the region A to about 0.1 MPa is to inject air for about 2 seconds in a state where the set pressure of the air compressor is about 0.1 MPa. Then, a pressure difference (about 0.1 MPa) is generated between the inner layer 11 and the region A. Due to this pressure difference, the inner layer 11 is pressed toward the inside of the inner layer, so that the inner layer 11 peels from the outer layer 10. While the inner layer 11 is being peeled, a pressure difference of about 0.1 MPa always occurs between the inner layer and the region A, so that the peeling of the inner layer proceeds toward the inner layer opening 21. Eventually, as shown in FIG. 4B, the inner layer is crushed. As a result, the inner layers stick to each other and the shape of the inner layer is significantly impaired. After the inner layer is completely separated from the outer layer, the injection of air from the atmosphere communication port 12 is stopped.

  Next, in order to restore the deformed inner layer 11 to a shape following the outer layer 10, about 0.1 MPa of air is injected into the inner layer from the inner layer opening 21 through the air supply port 36 for about 2 seconds (FIG. 4). (C) Arrow 40). As a result, the inner layer 11 is pressed from the inside toward the outside, and the deformation of the inner layer 11 partially returns. However, the restoration rate of the inner layer 11 is low. This is because the inner layer 11 has a number of folds that are strongly damaged due to the shape of the inner layer 11 being significantly damaged, and a force sufficient to return the inner layer 11 to its original shape against the folds. Because there is no. Therefore, as shown in the comparative example, when the inner layer is excessively deformed in the peeling process of the inner layer 11, the inner layer 11 cannot be sufficiently restored to a shape that follows the shape of the outer layer 10.

(First embodiment)
Next, the peeling method of the inner layer 11 which concerns on this invention is demonstrated, referring FIGS. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an apparatus used for peeling off the inner layer, FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an inner layer peeling method according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a view showing a process flow thereof. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the air from the air pressure source 41 is branched in two directions via the valve 43, and the pressure of each air is reduced to a predetermined pressure using the pressure reducing valve 42. It can be supplied to the housing 9 later.

  Similar to the above-described peeling method according to the comparative example, the housing 9 manufactured by injection blow molding is first mounted on the jigs 34 and 35. The jigs 34 and 35 are connected to the air pressure source 41 via valves 43a and 43b, respectively, and the inside of the inner layer 11 and the region A can be opened to the atmosphere or sealed by opening and closing the valves 43a and 43b. . That is, when the valve is opened, the atmosphere is released, and when the valve is closed, the valve is sealed. Therefore, the jig 34 serves as a sealing means for sealing the inside of the inner layer 11, and the jig 35 serves as a sealing means for sealing the region A. At first, the valves 43a and 43b are opened, and the inside of the inner layer 11 and the area A are opened to the atmosphere. Therefore, at this time, the inside of the inner layer 11 and the region A are both at atmospheric pressure (0 MPa). Next, the valve 43b connected to the jig 34 is closed, and the inside of the inner layer 11 is sealed (hereinafter referred to as a sealing step) (FIG. 6A). It should be noted that the degree of sealing inside the inner layer 11 in the sealing step is only required to be substantially sealed, and is assumed to be in a sealed state as long as the internal pressure gradually increases and decreases over time.

  After the sealing step, about 0.1 MPa of air is injected into the region A using the air pressure source 41 through the air supply port 37 of the jig 35 and the atmosphere communication port 12 of the housing 9 (hereinafter, the air injection step). (FIG. 6 (b)). Then, a pressure difference (the region A is about 0.1 MPa larger than the inside of the inner layer) is generated between the inside of the inner layer 11 and the region A, and the inner layer 11 is pressed toward the inside of the inner layer. Peel off. At this time, separation starts from the inner layer in the vicinity of the atmosphere communication port 12 toward the inner layer opening 21 side. When the inner layer 11 begins to peel, the volume inside the inner layer 11 decreases in proportion to the progress of the peeling, and the inner layer 11 is recessed. However, since the inside of the inner layer 11 is a sealed space, the pressure inside the inner layer 11 increases as the volume inside the inner layer 11 decreases. This pressure increase inside the inner layer 11 continues until it becomes equal to the air injection pressure in the air injection process.

  When the pressure inside the inner layer 11 becomes substantially equal to the air injection pressure in the air injecting step, the pressure difference between the inside of the inner layer 11 and the region A is almost eliminated, so that the volume reduction inside the inner layer 11 is substantially reduced, and the inner layer is further increased. 11 does not dent greatly. Since the gas tends to flow in a region where the pressure is lower, the air then flows in a slight gap between the outer layer 10 and the inner layer 11 (FIG. 6C). As a result, the inner layer 11 peels from the outer layer 10 over almost the entire region. In this state, since there is almost no pressure difference between the inside of the inner layer 11 and the region A, the volume inside the inner layer hardly decreases at the time of peeling. That is, the inner layer 11 can be peeled from the outer layer 10 without greatly denting the inner layer 11.

  After the inner layer 11 is peeled from the outer layer 10 over almost the entire region, the injection of air from the atmosphere communication port 12 is stopped and the atmosphere communication port 12 is opened to the atmosphere (FIG. 6D) (hereinafter referred to as an opening step). Called). Therefore, the pressure in the region A is atmospheric pressure (0 MPa). On the other hand, since the pressure inside the inner layer 11 is about 0.1 MPa, which is the air injection pressure in the air injection process, a pressure difference (about 0.1 MPa) occurs again between the region A and the inner layer 11. A force is applied from the inside to the outside. The inner layer 11 partially returns to its original shape due to the pressure difference. However, in order to return the shape of the inner layer 11 to the original shape over the entire region, air having a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure is supplied from the inner layer opening 21 using the air pressure source 41 connected to the jig 34 that is a sealing means. It is injected into the inner layer 11 (FIG. 6D) (hereinafter referred to as a restoration step). Thereby, the inner layer 11 returns to the original shape as a whole (FIG. 6E).

  In this embodiment, the air injection pressure in the air injection process is set to about 0.1 MPa, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be changed as appropriate. However, if the pressure difference is too small, a pressure difference necessary for peeling the inner layer cannot be obtained, and sufficient peeling cannot be performed. On the other hand, if the pressure difference is too large, the amount of decrease in the volume inside the inner layer required until the pressure inside the inner layer balances with the air injection pressure increases. That is, the inner layer is excessively recessed toward the inside. When the dent amount of the inner layer is too large, as shown in the comparative example, the inner layers tend to stick to each other and the shape of the inner layer is impaired. Therefore, even if a restoration process is performed, the restoration rate of the inner layer will be low.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a process flow of the inner layer peeling method according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the inner layer is peeled and restored through seven steps. When the inner layer peeling method according to the present invention is performed, the inner layer 11 can be peeled from the outer layer 10 while suppressing excessive deformation of the inner layer 11. Therefore, the inner layer 11 can store a necessary amount of liquid. In addition, although this embodiment injected air, it is not restricted to air, The same effect is acquired also with various gases, such as helium. Alternatively, a housing in which the inner layer opening 21 is covered in advance with a sealing member and the inside of the inner layer is sealed may be prepared, and the inner layer peeling step may be started using the prepared housing. After peeling the inner layer 11 from the outer layer 10, ink is injected into the housing 9 from the inner layer opening 21.

(About welding process)
After injecting ink into the housing after the inner layer peeling step, the inner layer flange 20 of the housing 9 and the joint member 1 are welded. First, the flange 31 included in the housing 9 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a dotted area surrounded by A in FIG. The casing flange 31 is composed of an outer layer flange 18 and an inner layer flange 20. The outer layer flange 18 is provided in the outer layer 10, and the inner layer flange 20 is provided in the inner layer 11. Both the outer layer flange 18 and the inner layer flange 20 are provided in the non-blow portion 24 a of the outer layer 10 and the inner layer 11.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the outer layer flange 18 is in contact with the inner layer flange 20 in the contact region 48. As described above, the flange is often provided to fix the preform at the time of injection blow molding.

  Next, welding of the inner layer flange 20 and the joint member 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 shows the joint member 1. FIG. 9B shows a cross-sectional view of the joint member 1 along JJ ′ in FIG. The joint member 1 has a welding rib 47. Welding ribs 19 (FIG. 8) are also formed on the inner layer flange 20, and welding is completed by joining these welding ribs in a heated state. In the case of laser welding or the like, welding can be performed without providing the welding rib on the inner layer flange 20, but it is preferable to provide the welding rib in order to make the welding strength uniform.

  Although various welding methods can be applied as the welding method, an example using infrared welding will be described as an example. Infrared welding can selectively heat the welding ribs by using masking or the like, so that an increase in ambient temperature can be reduced as compared with hot plate welding. In particular, in the ink cartridge 13 as described here, since the functional parts such as the ink flow path member 8 are arranged around the welding rib, it is preferable to use this welding method. On the other hand, since infrared welding requires absorption of infrared rays unlike hot plate welding, it is preferable to black the material for welding in a short time. Further, if the welding ribs are not welded at the correct position, the welding area is reduced, and ink leakage may occur from the welded portion.

(About air bleeding process)
Next, the air bleeding process in the housing 9 will be described with reference to FIG. After joining the joint member 1 and the housing 9, the air in the housing is removed from the air vent 14 of the joint member 1. When the inside of the joint member 1 is depressurized from the air vent 14, the air backflow suppression valve 7 is released as shown in FIG. 10A, and the air in the housing 9 is vented through the path shown by the arrow 33. . At that time, the ink interface 32 rises as the air in the housing 9 is discharged. When the ink flows into the upper flow path 8a and the lower flow path 8b of the ink flow path member by removing the air, the discharge of air from the air vent port 14 is stopped. With the stop of the air discharge, the air backflow suppression valve 7 is closed again to close the space between the joint member 1 and the housing 9 (FIG. 10B). Thereafter, the air vent 14 is sealed using the film 30 (FIG. 10C), and the manufacture of the ink cartridge is completed.

(Second Embodiment)
A second embodiment according to the inner layer peeling method will be described with reference to FIG. Since the apparatus configuration is the same as that of FIG. 7, the description of the apparatus configuration is omitted here. FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing an inner layer peeling method according to this embodiment. The characteristic part of this embodiment is that after the pressure inside the inner layer 11 is set to atmospheric pressure or higher, the inside of the inner layer 11 is sealed, and air is injected into the region A from the atmosphere communication port 12. Thereby, the shape of the inner layer can be restored to the original without providing a restoration step after the peeling of the inner layer 11 is completed. Hereinafter, the characteristic part will be described, and the description of the same part as the first embodiment will be omitted.

  First, air is injected from the air pressure source 41 into the inner layer so that the pressure inside the inner layer 11 is about 0.1 MPa (hereinafter referred to as a pressurizing step) (FIG. 11A), and then the valve 43b is closed. The inside of the inner layer 11 is a sealed space. At this time, the atmosphere communication port 12 is open to the atmosphere. Next, air is injected from the atmosphere communication port 12 (air injection step), and the pressure in the region A is set to about 0.12 MPa. Then, since a pressure difference (about 0.02 MPa) is generated between the inner layer and the region A, the inner layer 11 is pressed toward the inner layer, and the inner layer 11 is peeled from the outer layer 10 (FIG. 11B). At this time, as in the case of the first embodiment, the inner layer 11 is separated from the outer layer 10 without the inner layer 11 being greatly recessed. This is because the pressure inside the inner layer increases and becomes almost equal to the air injection pressure (about 0.12 MPa) from the atmosphere communication port 12. When the inner layer 11 peels over almost the entire region, the injection of air from the atmosphere communication port 12 is stopped, the region A is opened to the atmosphere, and the pressure in the region A is set to atmospheric pressure (0 MPa). On the other hand, since the pressure inside the inner layer 11 is about 0.12 MPa, a pressure difference (about 0.12 MPa) occurs between the region A and the inner layer, and the inner layer 11 receives a force from the inside toward the outside (FIG. 11 ( c)). Due to the pressure difference, the inner layer 11 returns to its original shape without a separate restoration step (FIG. 11 (d)). However, according to the restoration state of the inner layer 11, air may be appropriately injected into the inner layer 11 to provide a restoration step.

  The main difference from the first embodiment is that the pressure inside the inner layer 11 is increased before the air injection step. Thereby, when the air injection process is stopped, the pressure difference between the inside of the inner layer and the region A becomes larger than that in the first embodiment, and the shape of the inner layer is restored without providing a separate restoration process. Further, in the air injection step, the pressure difference between the inside of the inner layer 11 and the region A is smaller than that in the first embodiment, so that the deformation of the shape of the inner layer 11 accompanying the peeling of the inner layer 11 is reduced. Moreover, it is preferable to perform the decompression | restoration process in this embodiment at the pressure set by the pressurization process. This is because it is not necessary to change the set pressure of the air pressure source in the pressurizing step and the restoring step, and the number of steps is reduced.

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, the air injection process is started approximately 0.5 seconds after the start of air injection by the pressurization process. If the set pressure of the air pressure source is about 0.1 MPa and the pressurizing step is performed for about 0.5 seconds, the pressure inside the inner layer becomes sufficiently high. When 90% or more of the area on the outer surface of the inner layer 11 is peeled off from the outer layer 10 by the air injection step, the air injection step is stopped and the atmosphere communication port 12 is opened to the atmosphere. The time required for peeling 90% or more of the area of the inner layer 11 from the outer layer 10 is about 2 seconds when the pressure of the present embodiment is used. In the case of providing a restoration step, it is sufficient to inject air for about 1.5 seconds at the pressure of the present embodiment. Further, even if the air injection step is performed while the air is injected by the pressurizing step, the same peeling effect can be obtained. In this case, it is not necessary to close the valve 43b before performing the air injection step, and there is an advantage that the number of steps is reduced.

(Third embodiment)
When the laminated preform 15 is blow-molded, a part of the inner layer 11 may penetrate into the atmosphere communication port 12 of the outer layer 10. Therefore, in the first and second embodiments described above, before the air injection step, a needle or the like is inserted from the atmosphere communication port 12 to pressurize the inner layer near the atmosphere communication port from the outside, and the inner layer 11 near the atmosphere communication port. May be provided from the outer layer 10 (hereinafter referred to as a preliminary peeling step). Since the thickness of the inner layer 11 in the vicinity of the atmosphere communication port 12 is thicker than the inner layers in other regions, the inner layer in the vicinity of the atmosphere communication port may not be easily separated from the outer layer. For this reason, by performing the preliminary peeling process before the air injection process, the subsequent peeling of the inner layer can be carried out stably.

  Further, the preliminary peeling step may be performed by injecting air. In that case, air having a pressure of about 0.5 MPa is blown from the atmosphere communication port 12 for about 1 second. Thereby, the effect similar to the case where a needle | hook etc. are used can be acquired. In the above, the ink cartridge having two layers of the inner layer and the outer layer has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to a storage container having three or more layers. Selection is possible. For example, when the present invention is applied to a storage container having five layers, the second layer may be peeled off from the third layer from the innermost side, or the fourth layer may be peeled off from the fifth layer. Good.

9 Housing 10 Outer layer 11 Inner layer 12 Air communication port 21 Inner layer opening

Claims (16)

The inner layer has an inner layer opening that stores the contents inside and supplies the contents to the outside, and has an inner surface shape substantially the same as the outer surface shape of the inner layer, and communicates the space between the inner layer and the outside. In the manufacturing method of a storage container having a housing including an outer layer having an air communication port for
A step of preparing a housing in which an inner layer and an outer layer are in close contact with each other, and the inside of the inner layer is sealed;
Air that injects air having a pressure higher than the pressure inside the inner layer between the inner layer and the outer layer from the air communication port provided in the outer layer of the prepared casing, and separates the inner layer and the outer layer. And a pouring step.   The method for manufacturing a storage container according to claim 1, further comprising an opening step of opening the atmosphere communication port to the atmosphere after the air injection step.   The method for manufacturing a storage container according to claim 2, further comprising a restoring step of restoring the shape of the inner layer by injecting air into the inner layer from the inner layer opening after the opening step.   2. The inside of the inner layer is sealed by attaching a sealing means connected to an air pressure source for injecting air into the inner layer in the inner layer opening in the preparing step. The manufacturing method of the storage container of any one of thru | or 3 thru | or 3.   The method for manufacturing a storage container according to claim 4, wherein the air injection step is performed while injecting air into the inner layer by the air pressure source.   2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a pre-peeling step of inserting a needle from an atmosphere communication port provided in the outer layer and peeling an inner layer in the vicinity of the air communication port from the outer layer before the air injection step. The manufacturing method of the storage container of any one of thru | or 5 thru | or 5.   2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a pre-peeling step of injecting air from an atmosphere communication port provided in the outer layer and separating an inner layer near the atmosphere communication port from the outer layer before the air injection step. The manufacturing method of the storage container of any one of thru | or 5 thru | or 5.   8. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein an air injection pressure in the air injection step is 0.02 MPa to 0.1 MPa larger than an internal pressure of the inner layer. 9. Production method.   2. The ink container according to claim 1, wherein the storage container is an ink cartridge that is mounted on a liquid discharge device that performs recording by discharging droplets onto a recording medium, and stores ink in the inner layer. The method for producing a storage container according to any one of 8.   The method for manufacturing a storage container according to claim 9, further comprising a step of attaching a joint member including a valve mechanism to the inner layer opening of the storage container after the air injection process.   The method for manufacturing a storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the air communication port is provided in the outer layer at a position facing the opening of the inner layer.   The method for manufacturing a storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the outer layer is made of polyethylene terephthalate, and the inner layer is made of polyethylene or polypropylene.   The prepared casing is formed by blow molding a laminated preform obtained by laminating an inner layer preform formed on the inner layer and an outer layer preform formed on the outer layer. The manufacturing method of the storage container of any one of Claim 1 thru | or 12.   The method for manufacturing a storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the prepared casing is formed by injection blow molding.   The method for manufacturing a storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein a shape of the housing is cylindrical. The inner layer has an inner layer opening that stores the contents inside and supplies the contents to the outside, and has an inner surface shape substantially the same as the outer surface shape of the inner layer, and communicates the space between the inner layer and the outside. In an exfoliation method for exfoliating the inner layer of the casing including the outer layer having an air communication port for the outer layer,
A step of preparing a housing in which an inner layer and an outer layer are in close contact with each other, and the inside of the inner layer is sealed;
Air that injects air having a pressure higher than the pressure inside the inner layer between the inner layer and the outer layer from the air communication port provided in the outer layer of the prepared casing, and separates the inner layer and the outer layer. And an injecting step.

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