US20140332558A1

US20140332558A1 - Liquid container

Info

Publication number: US20140332558A1
Application number: US14/272,083
Authority: US
Inventors: Yutaka Takagiwa
Original assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2013-05-13
Filing date: 2014-05-07
Publication date: 2014-11-13
Also published as: JP2014221525A

Abstract

A liquid container includes a container member including two layers of sheets at least, a spout and an elastic body provided on the container member. The two layers of sheets are flexible and disposed opposite one another. The container member has a sealed space. The elastic body is capable of elastic recovery from a first state in which the elastic body is extended along a direction of an axial line of the spout to a second state in which the elastic body is in a coiled shape as seen in an intersecting direction, which intersects the direction of the axial line and which is generally parallel to the two layers of sheets. A width of the elastic body on a virtual straight line is less than a width of the sealed space on the virtual straight line, which extends in the intersecting direction.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-101523, filed May 13, 2013, the content of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a liquid container that is configured to contain a liquid in its interior.
An inkjet printer (hereinafter simply called the printer) that is configured to inject ink from a print head is known, as a liquid injection device that is configured to inject a liquid from an injector nozzle. The printer is configured such that an ink container for supplying the ink to the print head can be mounted and removed. Generally, the ink container includes a flexible container member that contains the ink in its interior and a spout for extracting the ink, the spout being connected to the container member. The container member can contain the ink within a scaled space that is formed in its interior by bending of the container member.
For example, an ink bag is known on which an urging member is mounted. The urging member may collect the remaining ink towards the spout by rolling up the ink bag as the ink is consumed.

SUMMARY

The urging member is mounted on the container member of the ink bag that is described above. In a case where the urging member is mounted on the container member, deformation of a sheet from which the container member is formed can be restricted, depending on the size of the urging member in relation to the surface on which the urging member is mounted and on the area where the urging member is mounted. In a case where the deformation is restricted, it may become difficult to form the sealed space for containing the ink in the interior of the container member. Consequently, there is a possibility that the ink bag will not be able to contain a sufficient amount of the ink.
Various embodiments of the broad principles derived herein provide a liquid container that is capable of containing a sufficient amount of liquid and that is capable of collecting the remaining liquid towards a spout, even in a case where the amount of the remaining liquid within the container member is small.
Various embodiments herein provide a liquid container that includes a container member, a spout, and an elastic body. The container member includes two layers of sheets at least. The two layers of sheets are flexible and disposed opposite one another. The container member has a scaled space sealed in a portion sandwiched between the two layers of sheets. The spout has a hollow portion communicatively connected to the sealed space. The elastic body is provided on the container member. The elastic body is capable of elastic recovery from a first state in which the elastic body is extended along a direction of an axial line of the spout to a second state in which the elastic body is in a coiled shape as seen in an intersecting direction. The intersecting direction intersects the direction of the axial line and is generally parallel to the two layers of sheets. A width of the elastic body on a virtual straight line is less than a width of the sealed space on the virtual straight line. The virtual straight line extends in the intersecting direction.
Various embodiments also provide a liquid container that includes a container member, a joined portion, a spout, and an elastic body. The container member includes two layers of sheets at least. The two layers of sheets are flexible and disposed opposite one another. The container member has a sealed space sealed in a portion sandwiched between the two layers of sheets. The joined portion is a portion where the two layers of sheets are joined to one another. The spout has a hollow portion communicatively connected to the scaled space. The elastic body is provided on the container member. The elastic body is capable of elastic recovery from a first state in which the elastic body is extended along a direction of an axial line of the spout to a second state in which the elastic body is in a coiled shape as seen in an intersecting direction. The intersecting direction intersects the direction of the axial line and is generally parallel to the two layers of sheets. The elastic body is provided in a part of the joined portion extending along the direction of the axial line.
Various embodiments further provide a liquid container that includes a container member, a spout, and a pouch portion. The container member includes two layers of sheets at least. The two layers of sheets are flexible and disposed opposite one another. The container member has a scaled space scaled in a portion sandwiched between the two layers of sheets. The spout has a hollow portion communicatively connected to the scaled space. The pouch portion is provided on the container member. The pouch portion is in a shape of a pouch and extends along a direction of an axial line of the spout. A width of the pouch portion on a virtual straight line is less than a width of the sealed space on the virtual straight line. The virtual straight line extends in an intersecting direction. The intersecting direction intersects the direction of the axial line and is generally parallel to the two layers of sheets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of an overall configuration of an inkjet printer;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an extended ink bag;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the extended ink bag;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view as seen from the direction of arrows on a line IV-IV in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the ink bag in a coiled state;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the ink bag in the coiled state;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a spout;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view as seen from the direction of the arrows on a line IV-IV in FIG. 2 in a modified example;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of an extended ink bag; and

FIG. 10 is a side view of the ink bag placed on a horizontal surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments will be explained with reference to the drawings. Specifically, embodiments of an ink bag that may be used in an inkjet printer 100 that is configured to perform printing on a cloth such as a T-shirt or the like will be explained.

First Embodiment

The inkjet printer 100 will be explained with reference to FIG. 1. The inkjet printer 100 is a known printer that is capable of performing printing by a print head 114 on a cloth that is a printing medium, using ink that is supplied from an ink bag 1. Thus the configuration of the inkjet printer 100 will be explained briefly. Note that the up-down direction, the left-right direction, and the lower left direction in FIG. 1 respectively correspond to the up-down direction, the left-right direction, and the front side of the inkjet printer 100 and to the up-down direction, the left-right direction, and the front side of the ink bag 1.
The inkjet printer 100 has a rectangular box-shaped housing 101. In a lower part of the interior of the housing 101, a pair of guide rails 102 extend in the front-rear direction in an area that is approximately in the center of the left-right direction of the housing 101. A platen support base 103 is supported by the guide rails 102 such that it can move along the guide rails 102 in the front-rear direction. A replaceable platen 104 is affixed to the platen support base 103 in a position that is approximately in the center of the left-right direction of the top face of the platen support base 103. The platen 104 is a plate body that is generally pentagonal in a plan view. A cloth such as a T-shirt or the like, for example may be placed on the top face of the platen 104. The platen support base 103 to which the platen 104 may be affixed is moved along the guide rails 102 in the front-rear direction by a platen moving mechanism that includes a platen drive motor and a belt transmission mechanism, although this is not shown in detail in the drawings.
A pair of guide rails 112 extend in the left-right direction above the platen 104 and approximately in the center of the front-rear direction of the housing 101. A carriage 113 is supported by the guide rails 112 such that it can move along the guide rails 112 in the left-right direction. The print head 114 is affixed to the bottom of the carriage 113. The carriage 113 on which the print head 114 is provided may be moved along the guide rails 112 in the left-right direction by a carriage moving mechanism that includes a carriage drive motor and a belt transmission mechanism, although this is not shown in detail in the drawings. The ink may be supplied to the print head 114 from the ink bag 1, which is set in an ink bag mounting portion (not shown in the drawings) that is provided inside the housing 101. A plurality of tiny nozzles are provided on the bottom face of the print head 114. The printing may be performed on the cloth that has been placed on the platen 104 by driving piezoelectric elements to cause ink droplets to be discharged downward from the nozzles.
A plurality of the ink bags 1 can be set in the ink bag mounting portion inside the housing 101. A plurality of openings 120, through which trays (not shown in the drawings) can be respectively inserted and removed, are provided in the lower right part of the front face of the housing 101. The ink bag 1 may be placed on the tray, which is pulled out from the openings 120. When the tray onto which the ink bag 1 is placed is pushed into the housing 101, a hollow needle for drawing the ink out of the ink bag 1 pierces a rubber plug of the ink bag 1. The ink bag 1 can be set in the ink bag mounting portion in this manner.
The ink bag 1 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7. As shown in FIG. 2, the ink bag 1 includes a container member 13, a spout 14, and elastic bodies 15A and 15B. Hereinafter, the elastic bodies 15A and 15B will be collectively called elastic bodies 15, and any one of the elastic bodies 15A and 15B will be called an elastic body 15. The spout 14 and the elastic bodies 15 are provided on the container member 13. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the container member 13 is a bag-shaped container that is formed by superposing two flexible, rectangular, plastic sheets 130A and 130B such that one face of one of the sheets is opposite one face of the other sheet, then thermally welding (heat sealing) the peripheral edges of the sheets. Hereinafter, the sheets 130A and 130B will be collectively called sheets 130, and any one of the sheets 130 A and 130B will be called a sheet 130. Each of the thermally welded portions of the sheets 130 will be called a joined portion 136. The ink may be contained inside a sealed space 137 that is sandwiched between the sheets 130 and surrounded by the joined portions 136. As shown in FIG. 2, the sealed space 137 is generally rectangular as seen in a direction that is generally orthogonal to the surfaces of the sheets 130, that is, generally orthogonal to the portion of the container member 13 with the greatest surface area (the largest surface among the surfaces that are shown in FIG. 2). When a large amount of the ink that is contained in the sealed space 137 is remaining, the sheets 130A and 130B are curved in directions in which the sheets 130A and 130B are separated from one another, as shown in FIG. 3. On the other hand, when the amount of the remaining ink is small, the sheets 130A and 130B may bend in the direction in which the distance between the sheets 130A and 130B narrows and the sheets 130A and 130B come into contact with one another.
As shown in FIG. 2, the spout 14 includes a main body portion 141. The main body portion 141 has a hollow portion 140 (refer to FIG. 7), which will be described later, in its interior. The spout 14 is provided on the container member 13 in a state in which an axial line X of the hollow portion 140 is generally parallel to the direction in the long dimension of the container member 13. The spout 14 is positioned in a central portion of the container member 13 in a direction that is orthogonal to the axial line X and generally parallel to the surfaces of the sheets 130, that is, in a direction in the short dimension of the container member 13. As the sheets 130 are flexible, the sheets 130 may curve in accordance with the remaining amount of the ink that is contained in the sealed space 137. In other words, the sheets 130 are not fixed flat surfaces. Accordingly, the expression “generally parallel to the surfaces of the sheets 130” refers not only to a strictly parallel relationship between the two flat surfaces, but also to a nearly parallel state in which curvature of the sheets 130 is allowed.
Hereinafter, the direction that is parallel to the axial line X will be called an X axis direction. The direction that is orthogonal to the X axis direction and generally parallel to the surfaces of the sheets 130 will be called a Y axis direction. The edges of the container member 13 that are opposite one another in the Y axis direction, that is, the edges of the container member 13 that extend in the X axis direction, parallel to the axial line X, will be called a first edge 131 and a second edge 132. Of the two edges of the container member 13 that are opposite one another in the X axis direction, that is, the edges of the container member 13 that extend in the Y axis direction, the edge where the spout 14 is provided will be called a third edge 133, and the opposite edge will be called a fourth edge 134. The joined portions 136 of the sheets 130 that are provided on the first edge 131, the second edge 132, the third edge 133, and the fourth edge 134 will respectively be called a first joined portion 136A, a second joined portion 136B, a third joined portion 136C, and a fourth joined portion 136D.
The joined portions 136 will be explained in detail. The widths of the first joined portion 136A and the second joined portion 136B in the Y axis direction are constant over the entire lengths of the first joined portion 136A and the second joined portion 136B in the X axis direction. The widths of the first joined portion 136A and the second joined portion 136B in the Y axis direction are both less than the width of the sealed space 137 in the Y axis direction. The elastic body 15A, which will be described later, is provided in the first joined portion 136A. The elastic body 15B, which will be described later, is provided in the second joined portion 136B. The widths of the third joined portion 136C and the fourth joined portion 136D in the X axis direction are constant over the entire lengths of the third joined portion 136C and the fourth joined portion 136D in the Y axis direction. The width of the third joined portion 136C in the X axis direction is greater than the width of the fourth joined portion 136D in the X axis direction and less than the length of the scaled space 137 in the X axis direction.
The elastic body 15 will be explained in detail. In the present embodiment, the elastic body 15 is a flat spring made of metal that is capable of elastic recovery from an extended state to a coiled state in which the elastic body 150 is curved in a coiled shape. When the elastic bodies 15 are extended, the container member 13 is also extended, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. When the elastic bodies 15 are curved into the coiled state, the container member 13 is also curved into a coiled state, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. As shown in FIG. 4, the elastic body 15B is sandwiched between the sheets 130A and 130B and is welded into a single unit with the second joined portion 136B. The elastic body 15A is also sandwiched between the sheets 130A and 130B and is welded into a single unit with the first joined portion 136A, although this is not shown in the drawings. The elastic bodies 15 are fixed to the container member 13 such that the elastic bodies 15 will not come out of the container member 13. The surfaces of the second joined portion 136B project slightly outward in the area where the elastic body ISB is provided.
The state in which the elastic bodies 15 are extended will be explained with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows the state in which the elastic bodies 15 are extended in the X axis direction. The shapes of the elastic bodies 15 when seen from the surfaces of the sheets 130 are generally rectangular, with their long dimension extending in the X axis direction. The lengths of the elastic bodies 15 in the X axis direction are approximately the same as the length of the container member 13 in the X axis direction. The elastic bodies 15 extend over the entire distance between the third edge 133 and the fourth edge 134 of the container member 13. The elastic body 15A is disposed in a central portion of the first joined portion 136A in the Y axis direction. The elastic body 15B is disposed in a central portion of the second joined portion 136B in the Y axis direction. The widths of the elastic bodies 15A and 15B in the Y axis direction are approximately one-third of the respective widths of the first joined portion 136A and the second joined portion 136B in the Y axis direction. Therefore, the width of the elastic body 15A on a virtual straight line Y, which is defined as a virtual straight line that extends in the Y axis direction, is shorter than the width of the first joined portion 136A on the virtual straight line Y. The width of the elastic body 15B on the virtual straight line Y is shorter than the width of the second joined portion 136B on the virtual straight line Y.
This will now be explained in greater detail. The distance between intersection points 161 and 162, where the virtual straight line Y intersects the edges of the elastic body 15A in the Y axis direction, is shorter than the distance between intersection points 163 and 164, where the virtual straight line Y intersects the edges of the first joined portion 136A in the Y axis direction. Furthermore, the distance between intersection points 165 and 166, where the virtual straight line Y intersects the edges of the elastic body 15B in the Y axis direction, is shorter than the distance between intersection points 167 and 168, where the virtual straight line Y intersects the edges of the second joined portion 136B in the Y axis direction.
As explained above, the widths of the first joined portion 136A and the second joined portion 136B in the Y axis direction are each less than the width of the sealed space 137 in the Y axis direction. Therefore, the widths of the elastic bodies 15A and 15B on the virtual straight line Y are each less than the width of the sealed space 137 on the virtual straight line Y. This will now be explained in greater detail. The distance between intersection points 161 and 162, where the virtual straight line Y intersects the edges of the elastic body 15A in the Y axis direction, is shorter than the distance between intersection points 164 and 167, where the virtual straight line Y intersects the edges of the sealed space 137 in the Y axis direction. In the same manner, the distance between intersection points 165 and 166, where the virtual straight line Y intersects the edges of the elastic body 15B in the Y axis direction, is also shorter than the distance between intersection points 164 and 167, where the virtual straight line Y intersects the edges of the sealed space 137 in the Y axis direction.
Note that in FIG. 2, only the one virtual straight line Y is explicitly shown, and the relationships among the intersection points 161 to 168 have been explained so far. In the present embodiment, however, the relationships described above hold true for a plurality of the virtual straight lines Y, not shown in the drawings, that extend across the elastic bodies 15A and 15B, the first joined portion 136A, and the second joined portion 136B.
The state in which the elastic bodies 15 are curved in the coiled state will be explained with reference to FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, the shape of the elastic bodies 15 as seen in the Y axis direction is a coiled shape. The elastic bodies 15 are provided in the vicinities of the edges (the first edge 131 and the second edge 132) of the container member 13 in the Y axis direction. For that reason, when the elastic bodies 15 take on the coiled shape, the container member 13 takes on a coiled shape. The ends of the elastic bodies 15 that are in the vicinity of the fourth edge 134 are positioned the closest to a center 169 of the coil. That is, the elastic bodies 15 are rolled from the fourth edge 134 toward the third edge 133, where the spout 14 is provided. The direction in which the elastic bodies 15 are rolled from the fourth edge 134 toward the third edge 133 is the counterclockwise direction as seen from the side where the elastic body 15B is provided. Therefore, the sheet 130B is disposed on the outermost side of the coil-shaped container member 13. Then, towards the inner side, the sheets 130 are disposed adjacent to one another in the order of the sheet 130A, the sheet 130B, the sheet 130A, and so on. When seen in the Y axis direction, the elastic bodies 15 form a curve that moves away from the center 169 as the curve is traced from the fourth edge 134 toward the third edge 133. Portions of the elastic bodies 15 that are disposed adjacent to one another in the radial direction of the coil are in close contact with no gaps, with the sheets 130A and 130B sandwiched between them. Therefore, the adjacently disposed sheets 130A and 130B are also in close contact to one another, and the sealed space 137 becomes smaller.
When the elastic bodies 15 are extended, the restoring force that acts to restore the elastic bodies 15 to the coiled shape acts along the entire length of the elastic bodies 15 in the direction from the sheet 130B to the sheet 130A. The container member 13 is curved into the coiled shape by the restoring force. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the portion of the container member 13 that is in the vicinity of the third edge 133 is not curved into the coiled shape, but is extended. As shown in FIG. 6, in the portion of the container member 13 that is extended, the sheets 130A and 130B are curved in directions in which the sheets 130A and 130B are separated from one another, and so the sealed space 137 is slightly formed.
The spout 14 will be explained in detail. As shown in FIG. 7, the spout 14 is affixed to the container member 13 by inserting one end of the main body portion 141 between the sheets 130A and 130B and welding it into a single unit with the third joined portion 136C. The shape of the one end of the main body portion 141 is a three-dimensional rectangular shape whose long dimension extends in the Y axis direction, and the shape of the other end on the opposite side of the main body portion 141 is a circular cylindrical shape. Two flanges 147 are provided around the circumference of the other end of the main body portion 141. The main body portion 141 has the hollow portion 140, whose cross sectional shape is circular, in its interior. The hollow portion 140 extends from a first opening 143 that communicatively connects to the scaled space 137 in the container member 13 to a second opening 144 that is open to the outside of the container member 13. The inside diameter of the hollow portion 140 on the second opening 144 side is larger than the inside diameter on the first opening 143 side. The rubber plug, which is not shown in the drawings, can be inserted into the end of the hollow portion 140 on the second opening 144 side.
The form in which the ink bag 1 is used will be explained. For example, the ink bag 1 may be supplied to a user in a state in which the ink is contained in the sealed space 137. As shown in FIG. 3, the sheets 130A and 130B are curved in the directions in which the sheets 130A and 130B are separated from one another, and the scaled space 137 for containing the ink is formed in the container member 13. In the ink bag 1, as described previously, the elastic bodies 15A and 15B are respectively provided in the first joined portion 136A and the second joined portion 136B of the sheets 130. In contrast, the elastic bodies 15 are not provided in the portions of the sheets 130 where the sealed space 137 is formed, that is, the portions of the sheets 130 that are enclosed by the joined portions 136. Therefore, the flexibility of the sheets 130 can be maintained in the portions of the sheets 130 where the sealed space 137 is formed. The sheets 130A and 130B therefore may curve sufficiently to form the scaled space 137 that is sufficiently large. Therefore, a sufficient amount of the ink can be contained in the container member 13.
The force of gravity acting on the ink inside the sealed space 137 and pressure of the contained ink is generated in the direction that extends the sheets 130. As a result, the container member 13 tends to be extended. The force that extends the container member 13 acts on the elastic bodies 15. As described previously, the restoring force that acts to restore the elastic bodies 15 to the coiled shape acts on the elastic bodies 15. The force of gravity acting on the ink and the pressure of the contained ink acts on the elastic bodies 15 against the restoring force of the elastic bodies 15. The greater the amount of ink that is contained in the container member 13 becomes, the greater becomes the force of gravity acting on the ink and the pressure of the contained ink. Consequently, the elastic bodies 15 are extended in accordance with the greater amount of ink. When a sufficient amount of the ink is contained in the container member 13 for the force of gravity acting on the ink and the pressure of the contained ink to be greater than the restoring force of the elastic bodies 15, the elastic bodies 15 are extended to their full lengths in their long dimension direction, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The container member 13 is thus extended in the X axis direction.
An example of a case in which the ink bag 1 is filled with ink will be explained, starting from a state in which the ink bag 1 is not filled with ink and the container member 13 is curved in the coiled shape by the elastic bodies 15. As the ink is injected gradually into the container member 13 through the spout 14, the ink accumulates gradually between the sheets 130, from the side of the third edge 133, which is close to the spout 14, toward the fourth edge 134. The sheets 130A and 130B gradually curve in the directions in which the sheets 130A and 130B separate from one another, starting from the third edge 133 side and moving toward the fourth edge 134. Along this process, forces act on each of the sheets 130A and 130B such that the sheets 130A and 130B are deformed from the coiled state to the extended state. The forces that act to deform the sheets 130 to the extended state are transmitted from the sheets 130 to the elastic bodies 15. Therefore, the elastic bodies 15 ultimately enter a state in which the elastic bodies 15 are extended along their entire lengths in their long dimension direction, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In the present embodiment, as the elastic bodies 15 are provided in the joined portions 136, the elastic bodies 15 may not impair the flexibility of the container member 13 that forms the sealed space 137. Accordingly, the container member 13 can bend and deform in accordance with the amount of the ink that is contained in the sealed space 137, so a sufficient amount of the ink can be contained in the sealed space 137.
The ink bag 1, in which the container member 13 is extended by the presence of the ink inside the sealed space 137, is placed on the tray (not shown in the drawings) in a state in which the sheet 130B faces downward. The ink bag 1 is set in the ink bag mounting portion by the pushing of the tray into the housing 101 (refer to FIG. 1) of the inkjet printer 100 (refer to FIG. 1). The hollow needle pierces a central portion of the rubber plug that is inserted into the second opening 144 of the spout 14. The hollow needle passes through the rubber plug, and the tip of the hollow needle is positioned inside the hollow portion 140. A hole through which the ink flows is provided in the tip of the hollow needle. The ink inside the scaled space 137 is supplied to the print head 114 (refer to FIG. 1) through the hollow needle.
As the ink is supplied to the print head 114, the amount of the ink that remains inside the container member 13 is gradually reduced, the weight of the ink gradually decreases, and the force of gravity acting on the ink and the pressure of the contained ink gradually diminishes. As the force that acts against the restoring force of the elastic bodies 15 (the force of gravity acting on the ink and the pressure of the contained ink) gradually diminishes, the elastic bodies 15 gradually curve into the coiled shape, starting from the fourth edge 134. In the portions of the elastic bodies 15 that are curved into the coiled shape, the sheets 130A and 130B that are disposed adjacent to one another in the radial direction of the coil are in close contact, and the sealed space 137 becomes smaller. As the ink is supplied to the print head 114, the sealed space 137 gradually becomes smaller, starting from the fourth edge 134 side. Consequently, the ink that remains inside the sealed space 137 is gradually collected toward the third edge 133. Then the elastic bodies 15 enter the state in which the elastic bodies 15 are curved into the coiled shape, except for a portion on the third edge 133 side, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. When more of the ink is supplied to the print head 114, the elastic bodies 15 are curved farther into the coiled shape. Ultimately, the elastic bodies 15 enter a state in which the elastic bodies 15 are curved into the coiled shape over their entire lengths in their long dimension direction. The sheets 130A and 130B are almost entirely in close contact. Because the entire sealed space 137 becomes smaller, the amount of the ink that remains inside the sealed space 137 can be reduced.
As described previously, the restoring force acts on the elastic bodies 15 of the ink bag 1 such that the shape of the ink bag 1 is restored to the coiled shape as seen in the Y axis direction. However, in a state in which the ink is contained inside the sealed space 137 of the container member 13 and the force of gravity acting on the ink and the pressure of the contained ink is greater than the restoring force of the elastic bodies 15, the container member 13 is extended in the direction of the axial line of the spout 14, that is, in the X axis direction. When the amount of the ink that remains inside the sealed space 137 is gradually reduced, and the restoring force of the elastic bodies 15 gradually becomes greater than the force of gravity acting on the ink and the pressure of the contained ink, the elastic bodies 15 gradually deforms, such that the shapes of the elastic bodies 15 gradually approach the coiled shape as seen in the Y axis direction. As the elastic bodies 15 deform, the container member 13 also deforms, and the ink that remains inside the scaled space 137 is collected toward the spout 14. Therefore, when the amount of the ink that remains inside the sealed space 137 becomes smaller, the ink bag 1 is able to collect the remaining ink toward the spout 14. Furthermore, because the elastic body 15A is provided in the first joined portion 136A and the elastic body 15B is provided in the second joined portion 136B, the flexibility of the portions of the sheets 130 that form the scaled space 137 can be maintained. The deformation of the sheets 130 due to the ink that is contained in the sealed space 137 may not be inhibited by the elastic bodies 15. Because each of the sheets 130A and 130B deforms as each of the sheets 130 bends in accordance with the amount of the ink that is contained, the sufficiently large sealed space 137 may be formed. Therefore, the ink bag 1 is able to contain a sufficient amount of the ink inside the scaled space 137. Because the elastic bodies 15A and 15B are respectively provided in the first joined portion 136A and the second joined portion 136B, which extend in the X axis direction, the ink bag 1 may allow the container member 13 to easily deform into the coiled shape.
The width of the elastic body 15A in the Y axis direction is shorter than the width in the Y axis direction of the first joined portion 136A in which the elastic body 15A is provided. The width of the elastic body 15B in the Y axis direction is shorter than the width in the Y axis direction of the second joined portion 136B in which the elastic body 15B is provided. Thus, the elastic bodies 15 do not protrude from the first joined portion 136A and the second joined portion 136B into the portions of the sheets 130 that form the sealed space 137. Therefore the flexibility of the portions of the sheets 130A and 130B that form the sealed space 137 may not be impaired by the elastic bodies 15. The ink bag 1 can therefore contain a greater amount of the ink inside the sealed space 137.
In the ink bag 1, the joined portions 136 are provided on the peripheral edges of the respective sheets 130A and 130B. Thus, the ink bag 1 can form the scaled space 137 that contains the ink on the inner sides of the joined portions 136. Furthermore, because the elastic body 15A is provided in the first joined portion 136A and the elastic body 15B is provided in the second joined portion 136B on the peripheral edges of the sheets 130, the flexibility of the portions of the sheets 130 that form the scaled space 137 is maintained in the portions of the sheets 130 that are not the joined portions 136. Therefore, because each of the sheets 130 deforms as each sheet 130 bends in accordance with the amount of the ink that is contained, the sufficiently large sealed space 137 can be formed. Therefore, the ink bag 1 is able to contain a sufficient amount of the ink inside the scaled space 137.
The elastic body 15A is sandwiched between the sheets 130A and 130B in the first joined portion 136A and is welded into a single unit with the first joined portion 136A. The elastic body 15B is also sandwiched between the sheets 130A and 130B in the second joined portion 136B and is welded into a single unit with the second joined portion 136B. In other words, the elastic bodies 15A and 15B are fixed in place such that the elastic bodies 15 do not come out of the container member 13. Therefore, the ink bag 1 can prevent the elastic bodies 15 from coming out of the container member 13. Furthermore, the widths of the elastic bodies 15 on the virtual straight line Y are less than the widths of the first joined portion 136A and the second joined portion 136B on the virtual straight line Y, so the areas around the elastic bodies 15 can be covered by the joined portions 136. Therefore, the elastic bodies 15 can easily be fixed in place in the container member 13.
Hereinafter, examples of modifications that can be made to the ink bag 1 in the first embodiment will be described. A liquid other than ink may also be contained in the container member 13 of the ink bag 1. The ink bag 1 may also be mounted and used in a device other than the inkjet printer 100. The ink bag 1 may also be used alone, without being mounted in the inkjet printer 100 or any other device.
The shape of the sealed space 137 as seen in the direction that is generally orthogonal to the surfaces of the sheets 130 is not limited to a generally rectangular shape, and may also be another shape. For example, the shape of the sealed space 137 may also be polygonal other than rectangular, circular, or elliptical. The elastic bodies 15 are not limited to flat springs and may also be other elastic members, such as wire springs with circular cross sections or the like. The shape of the elastic bodies 15 as seen in the direction that is generally orthogonal to the surfaces of the sheets 130 is not limited to a generally rectangular shape, and may also be another shape.
The container member 13 may be any bag-shaped container that includes the two layers of flexible sheets 130A and 130B that are disposed opposite one another, and in which a space that can contain the ink is formed between the sheets 130A and 130B. Accordingly, the container member 13 may be a member in which the four sides of the sheets 130A and 130B are each joined to a separate sheet that serves as a gusset, for example. The container member 13 may be formed by folding a single rectangular sheet into two layers, then joining the two layers along the three open sides, for example. The method for joining the sheets is not limited to welding, and another method, such as adhesion or the like, for example, may also be used.
One elastic body 15 may be provided in only one of the first joined portion 136A and the second joined portion 136B. It is also acceptable for the elastic bodies 15 not to be provided over the entire distance between the third edge 133 and the fourth edge 134. For example, the elastic bodies 15 may be shorter than the length of the container member 13 in the X axis direction.
The width of the elastic body 15A on the virtual straight line Y may be the same as the width of the first joined portion 136A on the virtual straight line Y, for example. In the same manner, the width of the elastic body 15B on the virtual straight line Y may be the same as the width of the second joined portion 136B on the virtual straight line Y. The width of the elastic body 15A on the virtual straight line Y may be greater than the width of the first joined portion 136A on the virtual straight line Y. In the same manner, the width of the elastic body 15B on the virtual straight line Y may be greater than the width of the second joined portion 136B on the virtual straight line Y.
The relationship of the lengths of the first joined portion 136A and the second joined portion 136B in the X axis direction to the lengths of the third joined portion 136C and the fourth joined portion 136D in the Y axis direction is not limited to the example in the first embodiment. For example, the lengths of the third joined portion 136C and the fourth joined portion 136D in the Y axis direction may be greater than the lengths of the first joined portion 136A and the second joined portion 136B in the X axis direction. The widths of the elastic bodies 15A and 15B, the first joined portion 136A, and the second joined portion 136B on the virtual straight line Y may vary from one portion to another in the X axis direction.
It is acceptable for the Y axis direction and the X axis direction not to be orthogonal to one another, as long as these directions intersect one another. The virtual straight line Y may be defined as a virtual straight line that extends in the Y axis direction, that is, a virtual straight line that extends in a direction that intersects the X axis direction. Note that a case in which the direction that is orthogonal to the X axis direction is defined as the Y axis direction, as it is in the first embodiment, is preferable, because that makes it possible for the ink to be collected toward the spout 14 most efficiently by the deformation of the elastic bodies 15 to the coiled shape. In a case where some of a plurality of the virtual straight lines Y are defined as virtual straight lines Ya, the widths of the elastic bodies 15 on the virtual straight lines Ya may be not less than the width of the scaled space 137 on the virtual straight lines Ya, depending on the shapes of the elastic bodies 15.
The elastic body 15 may be a contact type of elastic member, in which portions of the elastic body 15 that are adjacent to one another in the radial direction of the coil are in contact when the elastic body 15 alone is rolled into the coiled shape. The elastic body 15 may also be a non-contact type of elastic member, in which portions of the elastic body 15 that are adjacent to one another in the radial direction of the coil are not in contact when the elastic body 15 alone is rolled into the coiled shape. The respective elastic forces of the elastic bodies 15A and 15B may be the same and may also be different.
For example, the portions of the sheets 130A and 130B that are disposed adjacent to one another in the radial direction of the coil may be separated from one another when the elastic bodies 15 are deformed to the coiled shape, instead of being in close contact. In that case, the small sealed space 137 is formed, and the ink remains in the sealed space 137. However, because the sealed space 137 is made smaller due to the deformation of the elastic bodies 15, the greater part of the ink can be collected toward the spout 14.
When the elastic bodies 15 that are curved into the coiled shape are seen in the Y axis direction, the amount of the winding of the curved line from the fourth edge 134 side toward the third edge 133 side may be less than one full revolution. In that case, the fourth edge 134 is separated from the sheet 130A. Even in that case, as long as the elastic bodies 15 are curved even a little from the fourth edge 134 side toward the third edge 133 side, the scaled space 137 becomes smaller to that extent, so the ink within the sealed space 137 can be collected toward the spout 14.
In the first embodiment, it is sufficient for the spout 14 to be provided on the container member 13 such that the sealed space 137 is continuous with the outside through the hollow portion 140. The method for fixing the spout 14 is not limited to welding. Accordingly, the spout 14 may also be formed as a single unit with the container member 13, for example.
In the first embodiment, it is also acceptable for the elastic bodies 15 not to be provided. Instead, pouch-shaped pouch portions 138 that is configured to fix the elastic bodies 15 inside may be provided, as in an ink bag 11 that is shown in FIG. 8. Hereinafter, the ink bag 11 according to a modified example will be explained with reference to FIG. 8. Note that, except for the pouch portions 138, the configuration of the ink bag 11 is the same as that of the ink bag 1 in the first embodiment, so explanations will be omitted for the portions that are the same.
As shown in FIG. 8, the ink bag 11 includes a pouch portion 138B in the second joined portion 136B. The pouch portion 138B is a pouch-shaped member for containing the elastic body 15B. The pouch portion 138B is provided in a central portion of the second joined portion 136B in the Y axis direction, and extends in the X axis direction from the third edge 133 to the fourth edge 134. The pouch portion 138B is formed in a space that is sandwiched between the sheets 130A and 130B. Both sides of the pouch portion 138B in the Y axis direction are sealed by the welded portions of the sheets 130A and 130B. The ends of the pouch portion 138B on the third edge 133 side and the fourth edge 134 side are open. Note that the ink bag 11 also includes a pouch portion of the same shape as the pouch portion 138B in the first joined portion 136A, although this is not shown in the drawings. Hereinafter, the pouch portion 138B and the pouch portion that is provided in the first joined portion 136A will be collectively called pouch portions 138, and any one of these pouch portions will be called a pouch portion 138. The cross-sectional sizes of the pouch portions 138 are the substantially same as the cross-sectional sizes of the elastic bodies 15.
The shape of the pouch portion 138 as seen in a direction that is generally orthogonal to the surfaces of the sheets 130 is generally rectangular, with its long dimension extending in the X axis direction, and the shape of the pouch portion 138 is substantially the same as the shape of the elastic body 15 in the first embodiment as seen from the surfaces of the sheets 130. Therefore, the width of the pouch portion 138B on the virtual straight line Y is less than the width of the second joined portion 136B on the virtual straight line Y. The width on the virtual straight line Y of the pouch portion that is provided in the first joined portion 136A is also less than the width of the first joined portion 136A on the virtual straight line Y. Furthermore, the widths of the first joined portion 136A and the second joined portion 136B in the Y axis direction are less than the width of the scaled space 137 in the Y axis direction, so the widths of the pouch portions 138 on the virtual straight line Y are less than the width of the sealed space 137 on the virtual straight line Y.
When the elastic bodies 15 are inserted into the pouch portions 138, the sheets 130A and 130B adhere closely to the elastic bodies 15, fixing the elastic bodies 15 in place inside the pouch portions 138. Thus the elastic bodies 15 do not readily come out of the container member 13.
The form in which the ink bag 11 in the modified example is used will be explained. The ink bag 11 is supplied to the user in a state in which the ink is contained in the container member 13. The sheets 130A and 130B are curved in the directions in which the sheets 130A and 130B are separated from one another, and the sealed space 137 is formed. The container member 13 is extended in the X axis direction. The user inserts the elastic body 15B into the opening in the pouch portion 138B and inserts the elastic body 15A into the pouch portion that is provided in the first joined portion 136A and is not shown in the drawings. Before being inserted into the pouch portions 138, the elastic bodies 15A and 15B are in the coiled shape. In contrast, when the elastic bodies 15A and 15B are inserted into the pouch portions 138, the force of gravity acting on the ink that is contained inside the sealed space 137 and the pressure of the contained ink acts in the direction that extends the sheets 130. The container member 13 thus tends to be extended, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The force that extends the container member 13 puts the elastic bodies 15A and 15B into the extended state over their entire lengths in their long dimension direction. Therefore, in the state in which the elastic bodies 15 are fixed in place in the pouch portions 138, the ink bag 11 can exhibit the same sort of effects as the ink bag 1 in the first embodiment.
The pouch portions 138 are formed in spaces that are sandwiched between the sheets 130A and 130B. Both sides of the pouch portions 138 in the Y axis direction are sealed by the welded portions of the sheets 130A and 130B. Therefore, when the sheets 130A and 130B are welded, not welding parts of the portions where the first joined portion 136A and the second joined portion 136B are formed makes it possible to form the pouch portions 138 in the parts that are not welded, for example. The pouch portions 138 can thus be formed in the ink bag 11 at the same time that the sheets 130A and 130B are welded in the first joined portion 136A and the second joined portion 136B. Therefore, the pouch portions 138 can be formed easily.
The width of the pouch portion 138B on the virtual straight line Y is less than the width of the second joined portion 136B on the virtual straight line Y, and the width of the pouch portion that is provided in the first joined portion 136A is less than the width of the first joined portion 136A on the virtual straight line Y. Therefore, forming the pouch portions 138 in the spaces that are sandwiched between the sheets 130A and 130B makes it possible for the elastic bodies 15 that are inserted into the pouch portions 138 to be covered from four sides by the sheets 130A and 130B. The ink bag 11 can therefore easily fix the elastic bodies 15 in place in the container member 13.
Note that in the modified example, one pouch portion 138 may be provided in only one of the first joined portion 136A and the second joined portion 136B. It is also acceptable for the pouch portions 138 not to be provided over the entire distance between the third edge 133 and the fourth edge 134, and the pouch portions 138 may also be shorter than the length of the container member 13 in the X axis direction, for example.
It is also acceptable not to form the pouch portions 138 in spaces that are sandwiched between the sheets 130A and 130B. For example, the pouch portions 138 may be provided on one of the surfaces (the outer faces) of the sheets 130A and 130B, such that the pouch portions 138 are respectively superposed on portions of the first joined portion 136A and the second joined portion 136B. In that case, the width on the virtual straight line Y of at least one of the pouch portions 138 may also be the same as the width on the virtual straight line Y of at least one of the first joined portion 136A and the second joined portion 136B. Furthermore, the width on the virtual straight line Y of at least one of the pouch portions 138 may also be greater than the width on the virtual straight line Y of at least one of the first joined portion 136A and the second joined portion 136B.
The pouch portion 138 may also be sealed on one of the third edge 133 side and the fourth edge 134 side. It is also acceptable for both ends of the pouch portion 138 to be sealed, on both the third edge 133 side and the fourth edge 134 side, and for an opening to be cut in a portion of the pouch portion 138. The elastic body 15 can then be inserted into the pouch portions 138 through the opening.

Second Embodiment

An ink bag 3 in a second embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. As shown in FIG. 9, the ink bag 3 includes the container member 13, the spout 14, and an elastic body 15F. The shape of the spout 14 is identical to that in the first embodiment. The container member 13 is also identical to that in the first embodiment, except for the fact that the widths of the first joined portion 136A and the second joined portion 136B are less than in the first embodiment and the elastic bodies 15A and 15B are not provided in the first joined portion 136A and the second joined portion 136B. Hereinafter, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the direction that is parallel to the axial line X of the spout 14 will be called the X axis direction, and the direction that is orthogonal to the X axis direction and generally parallel to the surfaces of the sheets 130 will be called the Y axis direction. The edges of the container member 13 that are opposite one another in the X axis direction and the Y axis direction will be called the first edge 131, the second edge 132, the third edge 133, and the fourth edge 134, respectively.
The ink bag 3 has the elastic body 15F that is provided on the surface of the sheet 130A. In the same manner as the elastic bodies 15 in the first embodiment, the elastic body 15F is a flat spring that is capable of elastic recovery from an extended state to a coiled state in which the elastic body 15F is curved into a coiled shape. When the elastic body 15F is extended, the container member 13 is also extended. When the elastic body 15F is curved into the coiled state, the container member 13 is also curved into the coiled state. The elastic body 15F is affixed to the surface of the sheet 130A by an adhesive.
In the state in which the elastic body 15F is extended, the shape of the elastic body 15F when seen from the surfaces of the sheets 130 is generally rectangular, with its long dimension extending in the X axis direction. The length of the elastic body 15F in the X axis direction is slightly less than the length of the container member 13 in the X axis direction. The width of the elastic body 15F in the Y axis direction is less than the width of the sealed space 137 in the Y axis direction and greater than the widths of the first joined portion 136A and the second joined portion 136B in the Y axis direction. Therefore, the width of the elastic body 15F on the virtual straight line Y is less than the width of the sealed space 137 on the virtual straight line Y and greater than the widths of the first joined portion 136A and the second joined portion 136B on the virtual straight line Y. This will now be explained in greater detail. The distance between intersection points 181 and 182, where the virtual straight line Y intersects the edges of the elastic body 15F in the Y axis direction, is shorter than the distance between intersection points 184 and 185, where the virtual straight line Y intersects the edges of the scaled space 137 in the Y axis direction. Furthermore, the distance between the intersection points 181 and 182, where the virtual straight line Y intersects the edges of the elastic body 15F in the Y axis direction, is longer than the distance between an intersection point 183 and the intersection point 184, where the virtual straight line Y intersects the edges of the first joined portion 136A in the Y axis direction, and is longer than the distance between the intersection point 185 and an intersection point 186, where the virtual straight line Y intersects the edges of the second joined portion 136B in the Y axis direction.
The elastic body 15F is provided in a central portion of the sealed space 137 in the Y axis direction. The definition of the central portion in the Y axis direction in the present embodiment will now be explained. As shown in FIG. 10, when the ink bag 3 in which the ink is contained inside the sealed space 137 of the container member 13 is placed on a horizontal surface 5 in an orientation in which the sheet 130B is disposed on the upper side and the sheet 130A is disposed on the lower side, the sheets 130A and 130B are aligned in the up-down direction. The sheets 130A and 130B are curved in the directions in which the sheets 130A and 130B are separated from one another, and a portion of the sheet 130A is in contact with the horizontal surface 5. Specifically, the portion of the sheet 130A that is in contact with the horizontal surface 5 is the portion that is at least a specified distance S inward in the Y axis direction from both the edge of the sealed space 137 that is closer to the first edge 131 and the edge of the sealed space 137 that is closer to the second edge 132. Hereinafter, the portion of the sheet 130A that comes into contact with the horizontal surface 5 in this manner will be called the contact portion 139. It is sufficient for the central portion of the sealed space 137 in the Y axis direction to be defined as the contact portion 139 of the sheet 130A that forms the sealed space 137. It is sufficient for the elastic body 15F to be provided on the surface of the sheet 130A anywhere within the contact portion 139.
Because the form in which the ink bag 3 is used is almost the same as that for the ink bag 1 in the first embodiment, an explanation will be simplified. As shown in FIG. 10, in the ink bag 3, the sealed space 137 is formed in the container member 13 by the curving of the sheets 130A and 130B in the directions in which the sheets 130A and 130B are separated from one another, and the ink is contained in the sealed space 137. Note that, as described above, the elastic body 15F is provided in the central portion of the sealed space 137 in the Y axis direction. The width of the elastic body 15F in the Y axis direction, however, is less than the width of the sealed space 137 in the Y axis direction. Therefore, the flexibility of the sheet 130A may be maintained in the portions of the sheet 130A on which the elastic body 15F is not provided. The sheet 130A therefore may curves sufficiently to form the sealed space 137 that is sufficiently large, and so a sufficient amount of the ink can be contained in the container member 13.
Furthermore, when the ink bag 3 is mounted in the inkjet printer 100) (refer to FIG. 1) and the ink within the container member 13 is supplied to the print head 114 (refer to FIG. 1), the elastic body 15F gradually curves into a coiled shape, starting from the fourth edge 134 side. The ink that remains inside the scaled space 137 is gradually collected toward the third edge 133. In the second embodiment, the elastic body 15F is provided in the central portion of the sealed space 137 in the Y axis direction. Therefore, when the elastic body 15F is curved into the coiled shape, the sheets 130A and 130B that are adjacently disposed in the radial direction of the coil are in close contact with one another. It therefore becomes difficult to form the scaled space 137. Therefore, when the elastic body 15F is curved into the coiled shape along the entire length in its long dimension direction, the sealed space 137 becomes smaller, and so the amount of the ink that remains inside the sealed space 137 can be reduced.
In the ink bag 3, the elastic body 15F is disposed in the contact portion 139, which is the central portion of the scaled space 137 in the Y axis direction. Accordingly, the container member 13 deforms into the coiled shape well when the elastic body 15F deforms into the coiled shape. The reasons for this will now be explained. Specifically, because the container member 13 is deformed into the coiled shape by the one elastic body 15F, the direction in which the container member 13 curves is not likely to become oblique in relation to the X axis direction, as it would in a case where the container member 13 is deformed into the coiled shape by a plurality of elastic bodies, due to the differences in the recovery forces of the plurality of the elastic bodies. Furthermore, the portions of the container member 13 that are disposed on both sides of the elastic body 15F tend to deform uniformly into the coiled shape along the X axis direction. The sheets 130A and 130B therefore tend to come into close contact with one another. Therefore, when only a small amount of the ink remains inside the container member 13, the ink bag 3 is able to collect the remaining ink efficiently toward the spout 14.
Examples of modifications that can be made to the ink bag 3 in the second embodiment will be described. For example, it is acceptable for the width of the elastic body 15F on the virtual straight line Y not to be greater than the widths of the first joined portion 136A and the second joined portion 136B on the virtual straight line Y.
The position in which the elastic body 15F is provided on the sheet 130A may be any position within the contact portion 139. For example, the position where the elastic body 15F is provided may be precisely in the center in the Y axis direction of the sealed space 137, that is, a position on a line that is equidistant from the edge of the sealed space 137 that is closer to the first edge 131 and from the edge of the sealed space 137 that is closer to the second edge 132. The position where the elastic body 15F is provided may also be closer to one of the first edge 131 and the second edge 132 than is the line that is equidistant from these edges.
In the second embodiment, it is also acceptable for the elastic body 15F not to be provided. Instead, a pouch-shaped pouch portion that is configured to fix the elastic body 15F inside, may be provided on the surface of the sheet 130A. For example, the pouch portion, which has the same shape as the elastic body 15F in FIG. 9 when seen from the surfaces of the sheets 130, may be provided on the surface of the sheet 130A, instead of the elastic body 15F. The pouch portion may be formed by superposing a separate sheet onto the surface of the sheet 130A, for example, then thermally welding the edges of the sheet to the surface of the sheet 130A such that a space into which the elastic body 15F can be inserted is left open. The pouch portion may be provided in the central portion of the sealed space 137 in the Y axis direction, in the same manner as the elastic body 15F. The central portion in the Y axis direction may be defined as the contact portion 139 that is shown in FIG. 10. In that case, the pouch portion may be provided on the sheet 130A approximately in the center of the sealed space 137 in the Y axis direction. Therefore, in the ink bag of this modified example, the elastic body 15F can be fixed in place approximately in the center of the sealed space 137 in the Y axis direction by inserting the elastic body 15F into the pouch portion. In the state in which the elastic body 15F is fixed in place in the pouch portion, the ink bag of this modified example can exhibit the same sort of effects as the ink bag 3 in the second embodiment.
The apparatus and methods described above with reference to the various embodiments are merely examples. It goes without saying that they are not confined to the depicted embodiments. While various features have been described in conjunction with the examples outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, and/or improvements of those features and/or examples may be possible. Accordingly, the examples, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative. Various changes may be made without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the underlying principles.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A liquid container, comprising:

a container member including two layers of sheets at least, the two layers of sheets being flexible and disposed opposite one another, the container member having a sealed space scaled in a portion sandwiched between the two layers of sheets;

a spout having a hollow portion communicatively connected to the sealed space; and

an elastic body provided on the container member, the elastic body being capable of elastic recovery from a first state in which the elastic body is extended along a direction of an axial line of the spout to a second state in which the elastic body is in a coiled shape as seen in an intersecting direction, the intersecting direction intersecting the direction of the axial line and being generally parallel to the two layers of sheets, a width of the elastic body on a virtual straight line being less than a width of the sealed space on the virtual straight line, the virtual straight line extending in the intersecting direction.

2. The liquid container according to claim 1,

wherein the elastic body is provided on one of the two layers of sheets, in a central portion of the sealed space in the intersecting direction.

3. The liquid container according to claim 1,

wherein the elastic body is provided in a portion of one of the two layers of sheets, the portion being configured to contact a horizontal surface when a liquid is contained in the sealed space and the liquid container is placed on the horizontal surface in an orientation in which one of the two layers of sheets is disposed above the other.

4. A liquid container, comprising:

a container member including two layers of sheets at least, the two layers of sheets being flexible and disposed opposite one another, the container member having a sealed space sealed in a portion sandwiched between the two layers of sheets;

a joined portion where the two layers of sheets are joined to one another;

an elastic body provided on the container member, the elastic body being capable of elastic recovery from a first state in which the elastic body is extended along a direction of an axial line of the spout to a second state in which the elastic body is in a coiled shape as seen in an intersecting direction, the intersecting direction intersecting the direction of the axial line and being generally parallel to the two layers of sheets, the elastic body being provided in a part of the joined portion extending along the direction of the axial line.

5. The liquid container according to claim 4,

wherein a width of the elastic body on a virtual straight line is less than a width of the scaled space on the virtual straight line, the virtual straight line extending in the intersecting direction.

6. The liquid container according to claim 5,

wherein the two layers of sheets are formed by two sheets disposed opposite one another, and

wherein the joined portion is a portion where peripheral edges of the two sheets are joined to one another.

7. The liquid container according to claim 6, wherein

the elastic body is sandwiched between the two sheets in the joined portion.

8. The liquid container according to claim 5,

wherein a width of the elastic body on the virtual straight line is less than a width of the joined portion, on the virtual straight line, in which the elastic body is provided.

9. A liquid container, comprising:

a pouch portion provided on the container member, the pouch portion being in a shape of a pouch and extending along a direction of an axial line of the spout, a width of the pouch portion on a virtual straight line being less than a width of the scaled space on the virtual straight line, the virtual straight line extending in an intersecting direction, the intersecting direction intersecting the direction of the axial line and being generally parallel to the two layers of sheets.

10. The liquid container, according to claim 9, further comprising:

a joined portion where the two layers of sheets are joined to one another,

wherein the pouch portion is provided in a part of the joined portion extending along the direction of the axial line.

11. The liquid container according to claim 10,

12. The liquid container according to claim 11, wherein

the pouch portion is formed in a portion sandwiched between the two sheets in the joined portion.

13. The liquid container according to claim 9,

wherein the pouch portion is provided on one of the two layers of sheets, in a central portion of the sealed space in the intersecting direction.

14. The liquid container according to claim 10,

wherein a width of the pouch portion on the virtual straight line is less than a width of the joined portion, on the virtual straight line, in which the pouch portion is provided.

15. The liquid container according to claim 9,

wherein the pouch portion is provided in a portion of one of the two layers of sheets, the portion being configured to contact a horizontal surface when a liquid is contained in the sealed space and the liquid container is placed on the horizontal surface in an orientation in which one of the two layers of sheets is disposed above the other.