US20140332558A1 - Liquid container - Google Patents

Liquid container Download PDF

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Publication number
US20140332558A1
US20140332558A1 US14/272,083 US201414272083A US2014332558A1 US 20140332558 A1 US20140332558 A1 US 20140332558A1 US 201414272083 A US201414272083 A US 201414272083A US 2014332558 A1 US2014332558 A1 US 2014332558A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
sheets
elastic body
layers
virtual straight
straight line
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US14/272,083
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English (en)
Inventor
Yutaka Takagiwa
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Brother Industries Ltd
Original Assignee
Brother Industries Ltd
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Brother Industries Ltd filed Critical Brother Industries Ltd
Assigned to BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA reassignment BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: TAKAGIWA, YUTAKA
Publication of US20140332558A1 publication Critical patent/US20140332558A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/17513—Inner structure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D35/00—Pliable tubular containers adapted to be permanently or temporarily deformed to expel contents, e.g. collapsible tubes for toothpaste or other plastic or semi-liquid material; Holders therefor
    • B65D35/02—Body construction
    • B65D35/10—Body construction made by uniting or interconnecting two or more components
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/1752—Mounting within the printer
    • B41J2/17523—Ink connection
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D35/00—Pliable tubular containers adapted to be permanently or temporarily deformed to expel contents, e.g. collapsible tubes for toothpaste or other plastic or semi-liquid material; Holders therefor
    • B65D35/24—Pliable tubular containers adapted to be permanently or temporarily deformed to expel contents, e.g. collapsible tubes for toothpaste or other plastic or semi-liquid material; Holders therefor with auxiliary devices
    • B65D35/36—Pliable tubular containers adapted to be permanently or temporarily deformed to expel contents, e.g. collapsible tubes for toothpaste or other plastic or semi-liquid material; Holders therefor with auxiliary devices for applying contents to surfaces
    • B65D35/38—Nozzles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/17513—Inner structure
    • B41J2002/17516—Inner structure comprising a collapsible ink holder, e.g. a flexible bag

Definitions

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • an ink bag 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.
  • the urging member is mounted on the container member of the ink bag that is described above.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • FIG. 10 is a side view of the ink bag placed on a horizontal surface.
  • 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 .
  • the configuration of the inkjet printer 100 will be explained briefly.
  • 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 .
  • 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 .
  • 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 .
  • the ink bag 1 includes a container member 13 , a spout 14 , and elastic bodies 15 A and 15 B.
  • the elastic bodies 15 A and 15 B will be collectively called elastic bodies 15
  • any one of the elastic bodies 15 A and 15 B 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.
  • the container member 13 is a bag-shaped container that is formed by superposing two flexible, rectangular, plastic sheets 130 A and 130 B 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.
  • the sheets 130 A and 130 B will be collectively called sheets 130
  • any one of the sheets 130 A and 130 B 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.
  • 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 ).
  • the sheets 130 A and 130 B are curved in directions in which the sheets 130 A and 130 B are separated from one another, as shown in FIG. 3 .
  • the sheets 130 A and 130 B may bend in the direction in which the distance between the sheets 130 A and 130 B narrows and the sheets 130 A and 130 B come into contact with one another.
  • 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 .
  • the sheets 130 may curve in accordance with the remaining amount of the ink that is contained in the sealed space 137 .
  • 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.
  • 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 .
  • the edge where the spout 14 is provided will be called a third edge 133
  • 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 136 A, a second joined portion 136 B, a third joined portion 136 C, and a fourth joined portion 136 D.
  • the joined portions 136 will be explained in detail.
  • the widths of the first joined portion 136 A and the second joined portion 136 B in the Y axis direction are constant over the entire lengths of the first joined portion 136 A and the second joined portion 136 B in the X axis direction.
  • the widths of the first joined portion 136 A and the second joined portion 136 B in the Y axis direction are both less than the width of the sealed space 137 in the Y axis direction.
  • the elastic body 15 A which will be described later, is provided in the first joined portion 136 A.
  • the elastic body 15 B, which will be described later, is provided in the second joined portion 136 B.
  • the widths of the third joined portion 136 C and the fourth joined portion 136 D in the X axis direction are constant over the entire lengths of the third joined portion 136 C and the fourth joined portion 136 D in the Y axis direction.
  • the width of the third joined portion 136 C in the X axis direction is greater than the width of the fourth joined portion 136 D in the X axis direction and less than the length of the scaled space 137 in the X axis direction.
  • 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.
  • the container member 13 is also extended, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 .
  • 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 .
  • the elastic body 15 B is sandwiched between the sheets 130 A and 130 B and is welded into a single unit with the second joined portion 136 B.
  • the elastic body 15 A is also sandwiched between the sheets 130 A and 130 B and is welded into a single unit with the first joined portion 136 A, 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 136 B project slightly outward in the area where the elastic body ISB is provided.
  • 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 15 A is disposed in a central portion of the first joined portion 136 A in the Y axis direction.
  • the elastic body 15 B is disposed in a central portion of the second joined portion 136 B in the Y axis direction.
  • the widths of the elastic bodies 15 A and 15 B in the Y axis direction are approximately one-third of the respective widths of the first joined portion 136 A and the second joined portion 136 B in the Y axis direction. Therefore, the width of the elastic body 15 A 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 136 A on the virtual straight line Y.
  • the width of the elastic body 15 B on the virtual straight line Y is shorter than the width of the second joined portion 136 B on the virtual straight line Y.
  • intersection points 161 and 162 where the virtual straight line Y intersects the edges of the elastic body 15 A 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 136 A 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 15 B 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 136 B in the Y axis direction.
  • the widths of the first joined portion 136 A and the second joined portion 136 B 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 15 A and 15 B 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 15 A 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.
  • the distance between intersection points 165 and 166 , where the virtual straight line Y intersects the edges of the elastic body 15 B 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 15 B is provided. Therefore, the sheet 130 B 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 130 A, the sheet 130 B, the sheet 130 A, and so on.
  • 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 130 A and 130 B sandwiched between them. Therefore, the adjacently disposed sheets 130 A and 130 B are also in close contact to one another, and the sealed space 137 becomes smaller.
  • 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 130 B to the sheet 130 A.
  • the container member 13 is curved into the coiled shape by the restoring force.
  • 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.
  • the sheets 130 A and 130 B are curved in directions in which the sheets 130 A and 130 B 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 130 A and 130 B and welding it into a single unit with the third joined portion 136 C.
  • 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 ink bag 1 may be supplied to a user in a state in which the ink is contained in the sealed space 137 .
  • the sheets 130 A and 130 B are curved in the directions in which the sheets 130 A and 130 B are separated from one another, and the scaled space 137 for containing the ink is formed in the container member 13 .
  • the elastic bodies 15 A and 15 B are respectively provided in the first joined portion 136 A and the second joined portion 136 B of the sheets 130 .
  • 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 130 A and 130 B 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 .
  • the container member 13 tends to be extended.
  • the force that extends the container member 13 acts on the elastic bodies 15 .
  • 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 elastic bodies 15 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.
  • 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 .
  • 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 130 B 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.
  • the ink 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.
  • the elastic bodies 15 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 .
  • the sheets 130 A and 130 B 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.
  • 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 130 A and 130 B 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.
  • 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.
  • the container member 13 is extended in the direction of the axial line of the spout 14 , that is, in the X axis direction.
  • the elastic bodies 15 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 .
  • the elastic body 15 A is provided in the first joined portion 136 A and the elastic body 15 B is provided in the second joined portion 136 B, 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 .
  • each of the sheets 130 A and 130 B 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 15 A and 15 B are respectively provided in the first joined portion 136 A and the second joined portion 136 B, 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 15 A in the Y axis direction is shorter than the width in the Y axis direction of the first joined portion 136 A in which the elastic body 15 A is provided.
  • the width of the elastic body 15 B in the Y axis direction is shorter than the width in the Y axis direction of the second joined portion 136 B in which the elastic body 15 B is provided.
  • the joined portions 136 are provided on the peripheral edges of the respective sheets 130 A and 130 B.
  • the ink bag 1 can form the scaled space 137 that contains the ink on the inner sides of the joined portions 136 .
  • the elastic body 15 A is provided in the first joined portion 136 A and the elastic body 15 B is provided in the second joined portion 136 B 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 15 A is sandwiched between the sheets 130 A and 130 B in the first joined portion 136 A and is welded into a single unit with the first joined portion 136 A.
  • the elastic body 15 B is also sandwiched between the sheets 130 A and 130 B in the second joined portion 136 B and is welded into a single unit with the second joined portion 136 B.
  • the elastic bodies 15 A and 15 B 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 .
  • the widths of the elastic bodies 15 on the virtual straight line Y are less than the widths of the first joined portion 136 A and the second joined portion 136 B 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 .
  • 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.
  • 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 130 A and 130 B that are disposed opposite one another, and in which a space that can contain the ink is formed between the sheets 130 A and 130 B. Accordingly, the container member 13 may be a member in which the four sides of the sheets 130 A and 130 B 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 136 A and the second joined portion 136 B. 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 15 A on the virtual straight line Y may be the same as the width of the first joined portion 136 A on the virtual straight line Y, for example.
  • the width of the elastic body 15 B on the virtual straight line Y may be the same as the width of the second joined portion 136 B on the virtual straight line Y.
  • the width of the elastic body 15 A on the virtual straight line Y may be greater than the width of the first joined portion 136 A on the virtual straight line Y.
  • the width of the elastic body 15 B on the virtual straight line Y may be greater than the width of the second joined portion 136 B on the virtual straight line Y.
  • the relationship of the lengths of the first joined portion 136 A and the second joined portion 136 B in the X axis direction to the lengths of the third joined portion 136 C and the fourth joined portion 136 D in the Y axis direction is not limited to the example in the first embodiment.
  • the lengths of the third joined portion 136 C and the fourth joined portion 136 D in the Y axis direction may be greater than the lengths of the first joined portion 136 A and the second joined portion 136 B in the X axis direction.
  • the widths of the elastic bodies 15 A and 15 B, the first joined portion 136 A, and the second joined portion 136 B on the virtual straight line Y may vary from one portion to another in the X axis direction.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 15 A and 15 B may be the same and may also be different.
  • the portions of the sheets 130 A and 130 B 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.
  • the small sealed space 137 is formed, and the ink remains in the sealed space 137 .
  • 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 .
  • 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.
  • the fourth edge 134 is separated from the sheet 130 A. 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 .
  • the spout 14 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.
  • the elastic bodies 15 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 .
  • 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.
  • the ink bag 11 includes a pouch portion 138 B in the second joined portion 136 B.
  • the pouch portion 138 B is a pouch-shaped member for containing the elastic body 15 B.
  • the pouch portion 138 B is provided in a central portion of the second joined portion 136 B 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 138 B is formed in a space that is sandwiched between the sheets 130 A and 130 B. Both sides of the pouch portion 138 B in the Y axis direction are sealed by the welded portions of the sheets 130 A and 130 B.
  • the ends of the pouch portion 138 B on the third edge 133 side and the fourth edge 134 side are open.
  • the ink bag 11 also includes a pouch portion of the same shape as the pouch portion 138 B in the first joined portion 136 A, although this is not shown in the drawings.
  • the pouch portion 138 B and the pouch portion that is provided in the first joined portion 136 A 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 138 B on the virtual straight line Y is less than the width of the second joined portion 136 B 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 136 A is also less than the width of the first joined portion 136 A on the virtual straight line Y.
  • the widths of the first joined portion 136 A and the second joined portion 136 B 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.
  • the elastic bodies 15 When the elastic bodies 15 are inserted into the pouch portions 138 , the sheets 130 A and 130 B 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 ink bag 11 in the modified example is used.
  • 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 130 A and 130 B are curved in the directions in which the sheets 130 A and 130 B 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 15 B into the opening in the pouch portion 138 B and inserts the elastic body 15 A into the pouch portion that is provided in the first joined portion 136 A and is not shown in the drawings.
  • the elastic bodies 15 A and 15 B are in the coiled shape.
  • 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 130 A and 130 B. Both sides of the pouch portions 138 in the Y axis direction are sealed by the welded portions of the sheets 130 A and 130 B. Therefore, when the sheets 130 A and 130 B are welded, not welding parts of the portions where the first joined portion 136 A and the second joined portion 136 B 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 130 A and 130 B are welded in the first joined portion 136 A and the second joined portion 136 B. Therefore, the pouch portions 138 can be formed easily.
  • the width of the pouch portion 138 B on the virtual straight line Y is less than the width of the second joined portion 136 B on the virtual straight line Y, and the width of the pouch portion that is provided in the first joined portion 136 A is less than the width of the first joined portion 136 A on the virtual straight line Y. Therefore, forming the pouch portions 138 in the spaces that are sandwiched between the sheets 130 A and 130 B 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 130 A and 130 B. The ink bag 11 can therefore easily fix the elastic bodies 15 in place in the container member 13 .
  • one pouch portion 138 may be provided in only one of the first joined portion 136 A and the second joined portion 136 B. 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.
  • the pouch portions 138 may be provided on one of the surfaces (the outer faces) of the sheets 130 A and 130 B, such that the pouch portions 138 are respectively superposed on portions of the first joined portion 136 A and the second joined portion 136 B.
  • 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 136 A and the second joined portion 136 B.
  • 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 136 A and the second joined portion 136 B.
  • 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.
  • the ink bag 3 in a second embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 .
  • the ink bag 3 includes the container member 13 , the spout 14 , and an elastic body 15 F.
  • 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 136 A and the second joined portion 136 B are less than in the first embodiment and the elastic bodies 15 A and 15 B are not provided in the first joined portion 136 A and the second joined portion 136 B.
  • the direction that is parallel to the axial line X of the spout 14 will be called the 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 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 15 F that is provided on the surface of the sheet 130 A.
  • the elastic body 15 F is a flat spring that is capable of elastic recovery from an extended state to a coiled state in which the elastic body 15 F is curved into a coiled shape.
  • the container member 13 is also extended.
  • the elastic body 15 F is curved into the coiled state, the container member 13 is also curved into the coiled state.
  • the elastic body 15 F is affixed to the surface of the sheet 130 A by an adhesive.
  • the shape of the elastic body 15 F 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 15 F 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 15 F 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 136 A and the second joined portion 136 B in the Y axis direction.
  • the width of the elastic body 15 F 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 136 A and the second joined portion 136 B 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 15 F 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.
  • the distance between the intersection points 181 and 182 , where the virtual straight line Y intersects the edges of the elastic body 15 F 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 136 A 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 136 B in the Y axis direction.
  • the elastic body 15 F 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.
  • 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 130 B is disposed on the upper side and the sheet 130 A is disposed on the lower side, the sheets 130 A and 130 B are aligned in the up-down direction.
  • the sheets 130 A and 130 B are curved in the directions in which the sheets 130 A and 130 B are separated from one another, and a portion of the sheet 130 A is in contact with the horizontal surface 5 .
  • the portion of the sheet 130 A 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 .
  • the portion of the sheet 130 A that comes into contact with the horizontal surface 5 in this manner will be called the contact portion 139 .
  • the central portion of the sealed space 137 in the Y axis direction to be defined as the contact portion 139 of the sheet 130 A that forms the sealed space 137 .
  • the elastic body 15 F to be provided on the surface of the sheet 130 A anywhere within the contact portion 139 .
  • the sealed space 137 is formed in the container member 13 by the curving of the sheets 130 A and 130 B in the directions in which the sheets 130 A and 130 B are separated from one another, and the ink is contained in the sealed space 137 .
  • the elastic body 15 F is provided in the central portion of the sealed space 137 in the Y axis direction.
  • the width of the elastic body 15 F in the Y axis direction is less than the width of the sealed space 137 in the Y axis direction.
  • the flexibility of the sheet 130 A may be maintained in the portions of the sheet 130 A on which the elastic body 15 F is not provided.
  • the sheet 130 A 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 .
  • the elastic body 15 F 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 .
  • the elastic body 15 F is provided in the central portion of the sealed space 137 in the Y axis direction. Therefore, when the elastic body 15 F is curved into the coiled shape, the sheets 130 A and 130 B that are adjacently disposed in the radial direction of the coil are in close contact with one another.
  • the sealed space 137 becomes smaller, and so the amount of the ink that remains inside the sealed space 137 can be reduced.
  • the elastic body 15 F 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 15 F deforms into the coiled shape.
  • 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.
  • the portions of the container member 13 that are disposed on both sides of the elastic body 15 F tend to deform uniformly into the coiled shape along the X axis direction.
  • the width of the elastic body 15 F on the virtual straight line Y not to be greater than the widths of the first joined portion 136 A and the second joined portion 136 B on the virtual straight line Y.
  • the position in which the elastic body 15 F is provided on the sheet 130 A may be any position within the contact portion 139 .
  • the position where the elastic body 15 F 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 15 F 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.
  • the elastic body 15 F it is also acceptable for the elastic body 15 F not to be provided.
  • a pouch-shaped pouch portion that is configured to fix the elastic body 15 F inside, may be provided on the surface of the sheet 130 A.
  • the pouch portion which has the same shape as the elastic body 15 F in FIG. 9 when seen from the surfaces of the sheets 130 , may be provided on the surface of the sheet 130 A, instead of the elastic body 15 F.
  • the pouch portion may be formed by superposing a separate sheet onto the surface of the sheet 130 A, for example, then thermally welding the edges of the sheet to the surface of the sheet 130 A such that a space into which the elastic body 15 F 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 15 F.
  • the central portion in the Y axis direction may be defined as the contact portion 139 that is shown in FIG. 10 .
  • the pouch portion may be provided on the sheet 130 A 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 15 F can be fixed in place approximately in the center of the sealed space 137 in the Y axis direction by inserting the elastic body 15 F into the pouch portion. In the state in which the elastic body 15 F 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.

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  • Ink Jet (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
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