CN113844178A

CN113844178A - Liquid cartridge and liquid consuming system

Info

Publication number: CN113844178A
Application number: CN202110936331.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 大野彰人; 石部阳雅
Original assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2017-07-31
Filing date: 2017-07-31
Publication date: 2021-12-28
Anticipated expiration: 2037-07-31
Also published as: CN113844178B; CN110546006B; EP3500432B1; CN110546006A; EP3500432A1; ES2771525T3; ES2889783T3; EP3623161B1; EP3623161A1; WO2019026100A1

Abstract

The invention provides a liquid cartridge and a liquid consuming system. The cartridge includes: a box body; a liquid supply section. The supply section includes: a front end face; an outer peripheral surface; at least one guide at the outer peripheral surface. Each guide is guided by the corresponding at least one protrusion of the cartridge attachment portion during attachment of the liquid supply tube of the cartridge attachment portion to the liquid supply portion. Each guide includes first and second guide portions. The at least one guide includes first to fourth guide grooves, the first guide portion includes a first guide surface extending in the front-rear direction, the second guide portion includes a second guide surface extending in the front-rear direction and intersecting the first guide surface, the first guide groove is positioned opposite to the fourth guide groove in a first direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction with respect to the liquid channel in the liquid supply portion in the upright posture of the cartridge, and the second guide groove is positioned opposite to the third guide groove in a second direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the first direction with respect to the liquid channel.

Description

Liquid cartridge and liquid consuming system

The present application is a divisional application of the chinese invention patent application having an application date of 2017, 7, 31, entitled "liquid cartridge and system for liquid cartridge", and an application number of 201780087450.0.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a liquid cartridge including: a housing having a liquid storage chamber; and a liquid supply portion configured to supply the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber to the outside. The present disclosure also relates to a system constituted by the liquid cartridge and a liquid consuming apparatus.

Background

Printers including a recording head configured to eject ink supplied from an ink cartridge through nozzles are known in the art. For example, japanese patent application laid-open 2016-185650 discloses an ink cartridge configured to be attached to a cartridge attachment portion provided at a main body of a printer. In a state where the ink cartridge is attached to the cartridge attachment portion, the ink needle provided at the cartridge attachment portion is inserted into the tubular ink supply portion provided at the ink cartridge. Therefore, ink can be supplied from the ink cartridge to the recording head through the ink needle. The cartridge attachment portion is provided with a hollow cylindrical guide portion at a position around the ink needle. During the process of attaching the ink cartridge to the cartridge attaching portion, the tubular ink supply portion is guided by the hollow cylindrical guide portion. Thus, the ink needle is introduced into the internal space of the ink supply portion.

Reference list

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent application laid-open No. 2016-

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

When the tubular ink supply portion is guided by the hollow cylindrical guide portion, the outer peripheral surface of the ink supply portion contacts the inner peripheral surface of the guide portion. By this contact, the ink supply portion is fixed in position relative to the guide portion. However, if the positioning of the ink supply portion is performed by contact between the outer circumferential surface of the ink supply portion and the inner circumferential surface of the guide portion, the ink supply portion may shake with respect to the guide portion because the area of the circumferential surface for positioning the ink supply portion is large. If the ink supply portion shakes with respect to the guide portion during attachment of the ink cartridge to the cartridge attachment portion, the ink needle may collide with the ink supply portion, so that ink adhering to the tip of the ink needle may adhere to the outer circumferential surface of the ink supply portion. In this case, when the ink cartridge is detached from the cartridge attachment portion, the ink adhering to the ink supply portion may contaminate the hand of the user.

In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a liquid cartridge capable of suppressing shaking of a liquid supply part with respect to a liquid supply tube when the liquid supply part is guided to a guide part of a cartridge attachment part.

Solution to the problem

(1) To achieve the above and other objects, according to one aspect, the present disclosure provides a liquid cartridge configured to be inserted into a cartridge attachment portion in a forward direction perpendicular to a direction of gravity in an upright posture. The cartridge attachment portion has a liquid supply tube extending in a front-rear direction. The liquid cartridge includes: in the upright posture of the liquid cartridge, a cartridge body and a liquid supply portion. The cartridge has a liquid storage chamber configured to store liquid therein. The liquid supply portion defines a liquid passage in the liquid supply portion. The liquid supply portion is configured to supply the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber to the outside in the forward direction through the liquid passage. The liquid supply unit includes: a front end face, an outer peripheral surface, and at least one guide. The front face faces forward. The liquid passage extends in the front-rear direction and opens forward on the front end face. The outer peripheral surface extends rearwardly from the front end face. The at least one guide is provided at the outer peripheral surface of the liquid supply portion and extends in the front-rear direction. Each of the at least one guide is configured to: when the liquid cartridge is attached to the cartridge attachment portion, during attachment of the liquid supply tube to the liquid supply portion, each of the guides is guided by a corresponding at least one projection that is provided at the cartridge attachment portion and extends in the front-rear direction. The projection has one surface and the other surface intersecting the one surface. Each of the at least one guide comprises: a first guide portion and a second guide portion. The first guide portion extends in the front-rear direction and is configured to contact the one surface. The second guide portion extends in the front-rear direction and is configured to contact the other surface.

According to the above structure, the at least one guide is guided by the corresponding projection during insertion of the liquid supply pipe into the liquid supply portion. That is, the guide provided at the liquid supply portion serves as a reference surface for positioning the liquid supply portion. In this case, the area of the reference surface for positioning the liquid supply portion can be smaller than that in the case where the outer peripheral surface of the liquid supply portion is used as the reference surface. Therefore, the liquid supply portion can be guided definitely toward the liquid supply tube to allow the liquid supply tube to be inserted into the liquid passage without any collision of the liquid supply portion with the liquid supply tube.

(2) Preferably, the at least one guide comprises at least one guide groove. The first guide portion includes a first guide surface extending in the front-rear direction. The second guide portion includes a second guide surface extending in the front-rear direction and intersecting the first guide surface.

(3) Preferably, the at least one guide groove includes a plurality of guide grooves. The plurality of guide grooves includes a first guide groove, a second guide groove, a third guide groove, and a fourth guide groove. In the upright posture of the liquid cartridge, the first guide groove is positioned opposite to the fourth guide groove in a first direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction with respect to the liquid passage. In the upright posture of the liquid cartridge, the second guide groove is positioned opposite to the third guide groove with respect to the liquid channel in a second direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the first direction.

According to the above configuration, the liquid supply portion is formed with four guide grooves. Therefore, the liquid supply portion can be guided to the liquid supply pipe with certainty.

(4) Preferably, each of the at least one guide member is opened in a direction perpendicular to the first guide portion and a direction perpendicular to the second guide portion.

According to the above structure, each of the first guide portion and the second guide portion is open. That is, the guide member does not have a surface facing the first guide portion and the second guide portion. Therefore, even if the liquid cartridge enters or is drawn out from the cartridge attachment portion in a case where the liquid cartridge is inclined with respect to the cartridge attachment portion, interference between the liquid supply portion and the projection can be suppressed.

(5) Preferably, the at least one guide comprises four guide grooves. Each of the four guide grooves has a front edge that is open on the front end face of the liquid supply portion. The front edge of each of the four guide grooves forms a substantially L-shape on the front end face of the liquid supply portion in a front view. The front end face has a generally rectangular shape when in the front view. The front edges of the four guide grooves are provided in respective four corner portions of the rectangular-shaped front end face of the liquid supply portion.

According to the above structure, each guide groove is formed at each corner of the cap. Therefore, the outer shape of the cap can be simplified as compared with the case where the guide groove is provided at the central portion of each of the upper surface, the lower surface, the left surface, and the right surface of the cap.

(6) Preferably, in the upright posture of the liquid cartridge, the liquid supply part includes a protrusion protruding in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction. The protrusion has an upper end surface and a lower end surface. At least one of the upper end surface and the lower end surface of the protrusion serves as one of the at least one guide.

(7) Preferably, the liquid supply part includes a sealing part formed with a through hole configured to communicate the liquid passage with an outside of the liquid supply part and to allow the liquid supply tube to extend through the through hole. The sealing portion is configured to seal a gap provided between the liquid supply pipe extending through the through hole and the liquid passage. The sealing portion has a leading end. In the upright posture of the liquid cartridge, the first guide portion has a rear end located rearward of the front end of the sealing portion.

Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the rear end of the first guide portion is located rearward of the front end of the seal portion. Since the first guide portion is guided by the projection during attachment of the liquid cartridge to the cartridge attachment portion, the position of the seal portion can be stabilized. Therefore, the liquid supply tube can be surely introduced into the liquid passage.

(8) Preferably, the at least one guide groove includes a specific guide groove. The specific guide groove further has a third guide surface positioned rearward with respect to the first guide surface and inclined with respect to the front-rear direction in the upright posture of the liquid cartridge.

According to the above configuration, since the third guide surface is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction, a space is provided between the third guide surface and the cartridge attachment portion. Therefore, even if the liquid cartridge enters or is drawn out from the cartridge attachment portion in a case where the liquid cartridge is inclined with respect to the cartridge attachment portion, interference between the liquid supply portion and the projection can be suppressed.

(9) Preferably, the third guide surface is continuous with the first guide surface of the specific guide groove.

According to the above configuration, the guide of the liquid supply portion toward the liquid supply pipe can be smoothly performed.

(10) Preferably, the cartridge comprises: a first bottom wall in the upright posture of the liquid cartridge; and a second bottom wall. The second bottom wall is positioned rearwardly and downwardly relative to the first bottom wall. The second bottom wall has a bottom surface that is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction such that a rear end of the bottom surface is positioned upward with respect to a front end of the bottom surface. The bottom surface of the second bottom wall and the front-to-rear direction define an angle. In the upright posture of the liquid cartridge, the liquid supply portion is positioned downward with respect to the first bottom wall and is positioned forward with respect to the second bottom wall. In the upright posture of the liquid cartridge, the specific guide groove is open in a direction perpendicular to the third guide surface. The third guide surface is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction such that a rear end of the third guide surface is positioned upward with respect to a front end of the third guide surface. The third guide surface and the front-rear direction define an angle larger than the angle defined by the bottom surface of the second bottom wall and the front-rear direction.

According to the above structure, even if the liquid cartridge is attached to and detached from the cartridge attachment portion in the inclined posture of the liquid cartridge, interference between the third guide surface and the projection can be prevented so that the bottom surface of the second bottom wall abuts against the cartridge attachment portion.

(11) Preferably, the cartridge body is pivotally movable relative to the cartridge attachment portion. The cartridge body includes an engagement portion configured to engage with the cartridge attachment portion by pivotal movement of the cartridge body relative to the cartridge attachment portion.

According to the above structure, during attachment and detachment of the liquid cartridge to and from the cartridge attachment portion, the cartridge body is pivotally moved to be inclined. However, even if the cartridge is tilted by the pivotal movement as described above, the interference of the liquid supply portion with the projection can be suppressed.

(12) Preferably, the liquid supply part includes: a sleeve, a seal, and a cap. The sleeve extends from the cartridge body. The sleeve has a hollow configuration defining an interior space for the passage of the liquid. The sealing part is formed with a through hole configured to communicate the liquid passage with an outside of the liquid supply part and to allow the liquid supply pipe to extend through the through hole. The cap is configured to cover the sleeve with the seal interposed therebetween to fix the seal. An outer peripheral surface of the cap serves as the outer peripheral surface of the liquid supply portion where the at least one guide is provided.

(13) Preferably, the cartridge comprises: a circuit board; and a top wall at which the circuit board is disposed. In the upright posture of the liquid cartridge, the at least one guide includes one guide and the other guide. Each of the one guide and the other guide is provided at a position on an outer side of the circuit board in a width direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the front-rear direction. The one guide member and the other guide member are disposed on two opposite sides in the width direction with respect to the circuit board.

According to the above-described structure, during attachment and detachment of the liquid cartridge to and from the cartridge attachment portion, each of the one guide and the other guide contacts the corresponding protrusion at a position on the outer side of the circuit board in the left-right direction. Therefore, during attachment or detachment of the liquid cartridge, inclination of the circuit board in the width direction can be suppressed.

(14) Preferably, the liquid supply includes a cap and an absorber. The cap has an interior space. The absorber is disposed in the interior space of the cap, and the absorber is configured to absorb a liquid.

According to the above configuration, the absorber can absorb the liquid leaked from the liquid supply portion. Therefore, the flow of the liquid leaking from the liquid supply portion to the outside of the liquid cartridge can be reduced.

(15) Preferably, the cap has a peripheral portion defining an opening configured to communicate the interior space of the cap with an exterior of the cap. The absorber includes a first absorber disposed adjacent the peripheral portion defining the opening.

The liquid leaked from the liquid supply portion flows to the outside of the liquid cartridge through the opening. According to the above structure, the first absorber can absorb the liquid passing through the opening.

(16) Preferably, the absorber includes a second absorber, the second absorber being located below the liquid channel in the upright posture of the liquid cartridge.

Most of the liquid leaking from the liquid supply portion flows downward due to gravity. According to the above structure, the second absorber is provided at the inner space of the cap and at a position downward with respect to the liquid passage. Therefore, the liquid leaking from the liquid supply portion and flowing downward can be absorbed by the second absorber.

(17) Preferably, the cap has an inner peripheral surface defining the inner space and a peripheral portion defining an opening configured to communicate the inner space of the cap with an outside of the cap. The inner peripheral surface of the cap is formed with a groove extending from the peripheral edge portion defining the opening to the second absorber.

Further, according to the above configuration, the liquid leaking from the liquid supply portion can be guided to the second absorber through the groove.

(18) According to another aspect, the present disclosure provides a system constructed from a liquid cartridge and a liquid consuming device. The liquid consuming apparatus includes the cartridge attachment portion. The cartridge attachment portion includes: the liquid supply tube and the at least one projection. The liquid supply tube is connected to the liquid supply portion of the liquid cartridge in a state where the liquid cartridge is attached to the cartridge attachment portion. The at least one projection has the one surface and the other surface perpendicular to the one surface. The at least one protrusion is configured to: the at least one protrusion guides the at least one guide of the liquid cartridge during attachment of the liquid cartridge to the cartridge attachment portion.

Advantageous effects of the invention

The liquid cartridge according to the present disclosure can suppress shaking of the liquid supply part with respect to the liquid supply tube when guiding the liquid supply part to the guide part of the cartridge attachment part.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing an internal structure of a printer 10, the printer 10 being provided with a cartridge attaching portion 110 to which an ink cartridge 30 according to an embodiment is detachably attached;

fig. 2 is a sectional view of the cartridge attaching part 110 according to the embodiment as viewed from the rear side thereof;

fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the cartridge attaching part 110 and the ink cartridge 30 according to the embodiment, showing a state where the ink cartridge 30 has been completely attached to the cartridge attaching part 110;

fig. 4 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge 30 according to the embodiment viewed from the front side thereof;

fig. 5 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge 30 according to the embodiment, viewed from the rear side thereof;

FIG. 6 is a left side view of an ink cartridge 30 according to an embodiment;

fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the ink cartridge 30 according to the embodiment;

fig. 8A is a perspective view of the first inner cover 131 of the ink cartridge 30 according to the embodiment, viewed from the bottom side thereof;

fig. 8B is a perspective view of the first inner lid 131 as viewed from a top side thereof;

fig. 9A is a perspective view of the second inner lid 132 of the ink cartridge 30 according to the embodiment, viewed from the bottom side thereof;

fig. 9B is a perspective view of the second inner lid 132 as viewed from a top side thereof;

fig. 9C is a sectional view of the labyrinth path 143 formed in the second inner lid 132, taken along the line C-C in fig. 9B;

fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view of the ink cartridge 30 according to the embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the ink cartridge 30 according to the embodiment taken along line XI-XI in FIG. 6;

fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the ink supply portion 34 of the ink cartridge 30 according to the embodiment as viewed from the front side thereof;

fig. 13A is a perspective view of the cap 79 of the ink cartridge 30 according to the embodiment, viewed from the rear side thereof;

fig. 13B is a perspective view of the cap 79 viewed from the front side thereof;

fig. 14 is a sectional view of ink cartridge 30 according to the embodiment taken along line XIV-XIV in fig. 6;

fig. 15 is a vertical sectional view of the cartridge attaching part 110 and a left side view of the ink cartridge 30 during a process in which the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attaching part 110 according to the embodiment;

fig. 16 is a vertical sectional view of the cartridge attachment portion 110 and the ink cartridge 30 during a process of attaching the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge attachment portion 110 according to the embodiment;

fig. 17 is a vertical sectional view of the cartridge attachment portion 110 and the ink cartridge 30 during the process of attaching the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge attachment portion 110, showing a state in which the ink supply portion 34 has been connected to the ink needle 102 but the valve body 161 has not moved to its open position, according to the embodiment;

fig. 18 is a vertical sectional view of the cartridge attaching part 110 and a left side view of the ink cartridge 30 during a process in which the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attaching part 110, showing a state in which the ink cartridge 30 has been pivotally moved within the cartridge attaching part 110, according to the embodiment;

fig. 19 is a vertical sectional view of the cartridge attaching part 110 and the ink cartridge 30 during a process in which the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attaching part 110 according to the embodiment, showing a state in which the ink cartridge 30 has been pivotally moved within the cartridge attaching part 110 according to the embodiment;

fig. 20 is a vertical sectional view of the cartridge attaching part 110 and a left side view of the ink cartridge 30 according to the embodiment, showing a state where the ink cartridge 30 has been completely attached to the cartridge attaching part 110;

fig. 21 is a vertical sectional view of the ink cartridge 30, showing a variation of the cartridge case 130;

fig. 22 is a left side view of the ink cartridge 30, showing a variation of the light-blocking plate 67;

fig. 23 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge 30K according to a variation of the ink cartridge 30, as viewed from a front side thereof, in which the ink cartridge 30K stores black ink;

fig. 24 is a sectional view of an ink cartridge 30K according to this variation, taken along line XXIV-XXIV in fig. 23;

fig. 25 is a sectional view of an ink cartridge 30K according to this variation, taken along line XXV-XXV in fig. 23;

fig. 26A is a bottom view of first inner lid 1131 according to a first variation of first inner lid 131;

fig. 26B is a bottom view of the first inner cap 2131 according to the second variation of the first inner cap 131;

fig. 26C is a bottom view of the first inner lid 3131 according to the third variation of the first inner lid 131;

fig. 27A is a perspective view of an ink cartridge 230 according to a first modification of the ink cartridge 30, viewed from the front side thereof;

fig. 27B is a perspective view of an ink cartridge 430 according to a second modification of the ink cartridge 30, viewed from the front side thereof; and is

Fig. 28 is a view for description showing a state where the guide portions 575 are guided by the corresponding projections 105.

List of reference numerals

10: printer with a movable platen

30: ink box

32: a first storage chamber

33: second storage chamber

34: ink supply part

35: ink valve chamber

79: cap (hat)

102: ink needle

105: projection

110: cartridge attachment part

130: shell body

134: outer cover

175: guide groove

176: first guide surface

177: second guide surface

Detailed Description

An ink cartridge 30 and a printer 10 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 22, the ink cartridge 30 being detachably attachable to the printer 10, wherein like parts and components are denoted by like reference numerals to avoid repetitive description. In the embodiment, the combination of the ink cartridge 30 and the printer 10 constitutes the system 1.

In the following description, the direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge attachment portion 110 of the printer 10 is defined as the "forward direction 51", and the direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge attachment portion 110 is defined as the "rearward direction 52". The forward direction 51 and the rearward direction 52 are opposite to each other. As will be described later, the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge attaching portion 110 and removed from the cartridge attaching portion 110 in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the forward direction 51 and the backward direction 52 are considered to be directions parallel to a horizontal plane perpendicular to the direction of gravity. Further, a direction perpendicular to the forward direction 51 or the backward direction 52 is defined as a "downward direction 53". A direction opposite to the downward direction 53 is defined as an "upward direction 54". A direction perpendicular to the forward direction 51 and the downward direction 53 is defined as a "rightward direction 55". A direction opposite to the rightward direction 55 is defined as "leftward direction 56". The right direction 55 and the left direction 56 are also parallel to the horizontal plane.

Therefore, in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110, that is, in a state where the ink cartridge 30 can be used or operated by the printer 10, the downward direction 53 coincides with a direction in which gravity acts on the ink cartridge 30 (i.e., a direction of gravity), and the upward direction 54 coincides with a direction opposite to the direction of gravity. Therefore, in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110 and can be used by the printer 10, an outer surface of a main bottom wall portion 42 (described later) of a cartridge case 130 (described later) faces downward, that is, faces the direction of gravity. Further, in this state, the forward direction 51 and the backward direction 52 are perpendicular to the gravitational direction.

Further, the rightward direction 55 and the leftward direction 56 are defined as directions perpendicular to the forward direction 51 and the downward direction 53. More specifically, in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110 and can be used by the printer 10, when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed from the rear side of the ink cartridge 30, the rightward direction 55 is a rightward direction, and the leftward direction 56 is a leftward direction.

Note that the state in which the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110 or the state in which the ink cartridge 30 can be operated by the printer 10 means the state of the ink cartridge 30 when the ink cartridge 30 has been fully inserted into the attachment position in the cartridge attachment portion 110. At the attachment position, the ink needle 102 provided at the cartridge attachment portion 110 is inserted into the ink supply portion 34 of the ink cartridge 30 to be coupled to the ink supply portion 34, and the IC board 64 (described later) provided at the ink cartridge 30 is brought into contact with a contact portion 106 (described later) provided at the cartridge attachment portion 110. Hereinafter, the posture of the ink cartridge 30 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110 or in a state where the ink cartridge 30 can be operated by the printer 10 is referred to as an "operation posture". The operation posture of the ink cartridge 30 will also be referred to as "upright posture".

Further, the forward direction 51 and the backward direction 52 may be collectively referred to as "front-rear direction". The upward direction 54 and the downward direction 53 may be collectively referred to as "up-down directions". The right direction 55 and the left direction 56 may be collectively referred to as "left-right direction".

Further, in the following description, the expression "facing forward" means "facing in a direction including a forward component", and the expression "facing rearward" means "facing in a direction including a rearward component". Further, the expression "face downward" means "facing a direction containing a downward component", and the expression "face upward" means "facing a direction containing an upward component". For example, the phrase "the front surface faces forward" means that the front surface may face in a forward direction, or the front surface may face in a direction that is oblique relative to the forward direction, as long as the direction contains a forward component.

< overview of Printer 10>

As shown in fig. 1, the printer 10 is an image recording device configured to selectively eject ink droplets onto a recording sheet based on an inkjet recording system to record an image on the recording sheet. The printer 10 is, for example, an inkjet printer. The printer 10 includes a recording head 21, an ink supply device 100, and an ink tube 20, the ink tube 20 connecting the recording head 21 to the ink supply device 100. The ink supply device 100 includes a cartridge attaching portion 110. The cartridge attaching portion 110 can detachably accommodate a plurality of ink cartridges 30. The cartridge attaching portion 110 has an opening 112 at one side thereof. Through the opening 112, each ink cartridge 30 can be inserted into the cartridge attachment portion 110 in the forward direction 51 and removed from the cartridge attachment portion 110 in the rearward direction 52. In the embodiment, four ink cartridges 30 corresponding to the four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, respectively, can be accommodated in the cartridge attaching portion 110 of the ink supply device 100. For the purpose of explanation, unless otherwise specified, in the following description and the drawings, it is assumed that only one ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attaching portion 110.

The ink cartridge 30 stores liquid therein. Specifically, the ink cartridge 30 stores therein ink that can be used for a printing operation performed in the printer 10. When the ink cartridges 30 have been completely attached to the cartridge attaching portion 110, the ink cartridges 30 are connected to the recording head 21 through the corresponding ink tubes 20. The recording head 21 has a plurality of (four in this embodiment) damper chambers 28, and the plurality of damper chambers 28 correspond to the plurality of ink cartridges 30. Each damping chamber 28 is adapted to temporarily store ink supplied from a corresponding ink cartridge 30 through a corresponding ink tube 20. The recording head 21 further includes a plurality of nozzles 29, and the ink supplied from the respective damping chambers 28 is selectively ejected through the plurality of nozzles 29. More specifically, the recording head 21 is provided with a head control board (not shown) and a plurality of piezoelectric elements 29A, the plurality of piezoelectric elements 29A corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of nozzles 29. The head control board is configured to selectively apply a driving voltage to the plurality of piezoelectric elements 29A to selectively eject ink from the nozzles 29. In this way, the recording head 21 is configured to consume the ink stored in each ink cartridge 30 that has been attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110.

The printer 10 includes a sheet feeding tray 15, a sheet feeding roller 23, a pair of conveying rollers 25, a platen 26, a pair of discharge rollers 27, and a sheet discharge tray 16. The sheet feeding roller 23 feeds the recording sheet from the sheet feeding tray 15 onto the conveying path 24. Then, the recording sheet conveyed to the conveyance path 24 is received by a pair of conveyance rollers 25. A pair of conveying rollers 25 conveys the recording sheet above a platen 26. As the recording sheet passes the platen 26, the recording head 21 selectively ejects ink onto the recording sheet, thereby recording an image on the recording sheet. A pair of discharge rollers 27 receives the recording sheet that has passed the platen 26, and discharges the recording sheet onto a sheet discharge tray 16, the sheet discharge tray 16 being disposed at the most downstream position in the conveying path 24.

< ink supply apparatus 100>

As shown in fig. 1, an ink supply apparatus 100 is provided in a printer 10. The ink supply device 100 is configured to supply ink to the recording head 21. The ink supply device 100 includes a cartridge attaching portion 110, a plurality of (four in the present embodiment) tanks 103, and a plurality of (four in the present embodiment) ink tubes 20. The ink cartridge 30 can be detachably attached to the cartridge attaching portion 110. Note that fig. 1 shows a state in which the ink cartridge 30 has been completely attached to the cartridge attaching portion 110. That is, in fig. 1, the ink cartridge 30 is in its attached state in which the ink cartridge 30 has been completely attached to the cartridge attaching part 110. In other words, the ink cartridge 30 shown in fig. 1 is in its above-described operating posture.

< Cartridge attaching part 110>

As shown in fig. 1 to 3, the cartridge attaching portion 110 includes a housing 101, a plurality of (four in the present embodiment) ink needles 102, a plurality of (four in the present embodiment) projection plates 111, a plurality of (four in the present embodiment) optical sensors 113, and a plurality of sets (four sets in the present embodiment) of contacts 106. As described above, the four types of ink cartridges 30 corresponding to the four colors of ink (i.e., cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) can be detachably mounted in the cartridge attaching portion 110. Four ink needles 102, four projection plates 111, and four optical sensors 113 are provided in one-to-one correspondence with the four ink cartridges 30. Four contact portions 106 are provided for one ink cartridge 30. Therefore, four sets of four contacts 106, i.e., a total of 16 (sixteen) contacts 106, are provided for the four ink cartridges 30. Four tanks 103 and four ink tubes 20 are provided in one-to-one correspondence with the four ink cartridges 30.

< case 101>

As shown in fig. 2, the case 101 constitutes an outer shell of the cartridge attaching portion 110. The housing 101 has a generally box-like shape defining an interior space. The housing 101 has an inner top surface 57, an inner bottom surface, an inner right side surface 107, an inner left side surface 108, an inner end surface 59, and an opening 112. The inner top surface 57 defines the top of the interior space of the housing 101. The inner bottom surface defines the bottom of the inner space of the housing 101. The inner right side surface 107 defines a right portion of the inner space of the housing 101. The inner left side surface 108 defines a left portion of the inner space of the housing 101. The inner end surface 59 connects the inner top surface 57, the inner bottom surface, the inner right side surface 107, and the inner left side surface 108. An opening 112 is formed in the housing 101 at a position facing the inner end face 59 in the front-rear direction. The opening 112 can be exposed to a user interface surface of the printer 10 that a user can face when operating the printer 10.

Each ink cartridge 30 can be inserted into the casing 101 through the opening 112 and removed from the casing 101. The case 101 has a bottom portion formed with a plurality of (four in the present embodiment) guide grooves 109, the plurality of guide grooves 109 being used to guide insertion and removal of the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the case 101. As the lower end portions of the ink cartridges 30 are inserted into the corresponding guide grooves 109, the movement of the respective ink cartridges 30 in the front-rear direction (i.e., the direction perpendicular to the sheet surface in fig. 2) is guided by the corresponding guide grooves 109. The housing 101 has three plates 104 (fig. 2), and the three plates 104 divide the internal space into four separate spaces, each of which is elongated in the up-down direction. Each of the four spaces partitioned by the plate 104 is capable of receiving a corresponding one of the four ink cartridges 30.

< ink needle 102>

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, each ink needle 102 has a hollow tubular shape and is provided at a lower end portion of an end wall (i.e., a wall having an inner end surface 59) of the casing 101. At the end wall of the casing 101, the ink needles 102 are arranged at positions corresponding to the corresponding ink supply portions 34 of the ink cartridges 30 accommodated in the cartridge attaching portions 110. Each ink needle 102 protrudes rearward from the inner end surface 59 of the housing 101 and is open at its distal end (i.e., rear end). Incidentally, each ink needle 102 may have a flat-shaped tip or a pointed tip.

As shown in fig. 2, a plurality of projections 105 are formed on the inner right side surface 107, the inner left side surface 108, and the plate 104 of the housing 101. The projection 105 is provided at the case 101 and in the vicinity of the ink needle 102. In this embodiment, four projections 105 are provided for each ink needle 102. More specifically, the four projections 105 are located at the upper right side, the upper left side, the lower right side, and the lower left side with respect to each ink needle 102, respectively, when viewed in the insertion direction (i.e., the forward direction 51) in which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge attaching portion 110. Specifically, the four projections 105 include a projection 105A, a projection 105B, a projection 105C, and a projection 105D. The projection 105A is provided at the upper right side with respect to the ink needle 102. The projection 105B is provided at the upper left side with respect to the ink needle 102. The projection 105C is provided at the lower right side with respect to the ink needle 102. The projection 105D is provided at the lower left side with respect to the ink needle 102. Hereinafter, the four

protrusions

105A, 105B, 105C, and 105D will also be collectively referred to as "protrusions 105". As shown in fig. 15, the projection 105 extends in the front-rear direction.

Each projection 105 has a first guide surface 196 and a second guide surface 197. In fig. 2, for the sake of simplicity,

reference numerals

196 and 197 appear only on the first guide surface 196 and the second guide surface 197 of the

projections

105A, 105B, 105C, and 105D located in the rightmost space of the casing 101.

The first guide surface 196 is a plane extending in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The second guide surface 197 is a plane extending in the front-rear direction and in the up-down direction. The second guide surface 197 is connected to the first guide surface 196. Incidentally, the first guide surface 196 and the second guide surface 197 do not necessarily need to be connected to each other.

The first guide surface 196 of the projection 105A and the first guide surface 196 of the projection 105C are opposed to and spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction. The first guide surface 196 of the projection 105B and the first guide surface 196 of the projection 105D are opposed to and spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction. The second guide surface 197 of the projection 105A and the second guide surface 197 of the projection 105B are opposed to and spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The second guide surface 197 of the projection 105C and the second guide surface 197 of the projection 105D are opposed to and spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction.

Note that the projections 105 are not necessarily located at the upper right side, the upper left side, the lower right side, and the lower left side with respect to each ink needle 102. The projections 105 may be located at the left side, the right side, the upper side, and the lower side with respect to each ink needle 102. Further, three or less projections 105, or five or more projections 105 may be provided for each ink needle 102.

< projection plate 111>

As shown in fig. 3, a projection plate 111 is provided in each of four spaces of the casing 101 in which one of the four ink cartridges 30 can be accommodated. Therefore, the four projection plates 111 are provided at the casing 101 with one projection plate in each of the four cartridge accommodating spaces. Specifically, each projection plate 111 projects downward from the inner top surface 57 of the casing 101 at a position near the opening 112 in the corresponding cartridge accommodating space. The dimension of each projection plate 111 in the left-right direction is smaller than a gap distance between a pair of walls 114, the pair of walls 114 constituting the protruding portion 43 of the ink cartridge 30 (see fig. 4, described later). Further, when the ink cartridge 30 has been inserted into the cartridge attaching portion 110, the projection plate 111 is located between the pair of walls 114 in the left-right direction. During the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge attaching part 110, the projection plate 111 advances into a space between the pair of walls 114 of the projection 43 of the ink cartridge 30. As shown in fig. 3, when the ink cartridge 30 has been completely attached to the cartridge attaching part 110, the projection plate 111 is located between the pair of walls 114 in the left-right direction. The projection plate 111 has a bottom surface 111A capable of abutting on a lever 163 of a valve mechanism 135 (see fig. 3, described later).

< contact part 106>

As shown in fig. 3, a set of four contact portions 106 (only one contact portion is shown in fig. 3) is provided in each of the four cartridge accommodating spaces of the casing 101. Specifically, in each cartridge accommodating space of the casing 101, a set of four contact portions 106 is provided on the inner top surface 57 at a forward position of the projection plate 111. A set of four contact portions 106 project downward from the inner top surface 57 into the cartridge accommodating space of the housing 101. Although not shown in detail in the drawings, the four contact portions 106 are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The four contact portions 106 in each group are arranged at positions corresponding to the four electrodes 65 (described later, see fig. 4) provided at each ink cartridge 30, respectively. Each contact 106 is formed of a material having conductivity and elasticity. Therefore, the contact portion 106 can be elastically deformed upward. In the embodiment, one of four sets of four contact portions 106 is provided for each of the four ink cartridges 30 that can be accommodated in the casing 101. Therefore, a total of 16 (sixteen) contacts 106 are provided at the housing 101. However, the contacts 106 and the electrodes 65 may be provided in any desired number.

Each of the contact portions 106 is electrically connected to an arithmetic unit (not shown) of the printer 10 via a circuit. The arithmetic unit may include, for example, a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like. The arithmetic unit may be used as, for example, a controller of the printer 10. When the four contact portions 106 contact the corresponding four electrodes 65, the four contact portions 106 are electrically connected thereto, respectively. As a result, the voltage Vc is applied to one of the four electrodes 65; the other of the four electrodes 65 is grounded; a signal indicating data is sent to the other electrode of the four electrodes 65; and a synchronization signal is sent from the arithmetic unit to the other electrode of the four electrodes 65. Once the contacts 106 have been electrically connected to the corresponding electrodes 65, respectively, the arithmetic unit is able to access the data stored in the IC of the ink cartridge 30. The output from each contact 106 is input into the arithmetic unit via a circuit.

< optical sensor 113>

As shown in fig. 2, four optical sensors 113 are disposed on the inner top surface 57 of the housing 101. Specifically, in each cartridge accommodating space of the casing 101, each optical sensor 113 is disposed at a forward position of a set of four contact portions 106. Each optical sensor 113 includes a light emitter and a light receiver. The optical transmitter and the optical receiver are opposed to each other in the left-right direction. Specifically, in the case where there is a space between the light emitter and the light receiver, the light emitter is located on the left or right side of the light receiver. When the ink cartridges 30 have been attached to the cartridge attachment portions 110, the light-blocking plates 67 (described later, see fig. 2 and 4) of the attached ink cartridges 30 are located between the light emitters and the light receivers of the corresponding optical sensors 113. In other words, the light emitter and the light receiver of the optical sensor 113 are arranged at positions opposite to each other such that the light blocking plate 67 of the ink cartridge 30 attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110 is located between the light emitter and the light receiver.

Each of the optical sensors 113 is adapted to output a different detection signal depending on whether or not the light receiver has received the light emitted in the left-right direction from the light emitter. For example, when the light receiver fails to receive the light emitted from the light emitter (i.e., when the intensity of the light received by the light receiver is less than a prescribed value), the optical sensor 113 outputs a low-level signal. On the other hand, when the light receiver receives the light emitted from the light emitter (i.e., when the intensity of the received light is equal to or greater than a prescribed value), the optical sensor 113 outputs a high-level signal.

< locking shaft 145>

As shown in fig. 3, the locking shaft 145 is provided at the housing 101. The lock shaft 145 extends in the left-right direction near the inner top surface 57 and the opening 112 of the housing 101. The lock shaft 145 is a rod-shaped member extending in the left-right direction. The locking shaft 145 is formed of metal and has, for example, a cylindrical shape. The lock shaft 145 has left and right end portions fixed to walls defining left and right ends of the housing 101. Thus, the lock shaft 145 is immovable, e.g., non-pivotable, relative to the housing 101. The lock shaft 145 extends in the left-right direction so as to straddle four cartridge accommodating spaces of the casing 101, each of which can accommodate the ink cartridge 30 therein. In each cartridge accommodating space, there is a space around the lock shaft 145. Accordingly, a locking surface 151 (described later) of each ink cartridge 30 can access (access) the locking shaft 145 by moving upward or rearward.

Here, the term "access" may mean physical access or contact (e.g., contact in which the locking shaft 145 contacts the locking surface 151) or optical access (e.g., exposure of a light barrier 67 (described later) to light emitted from the optical sensor 113). Alternatively, the term "access" may mean electrical access (e.g., establishing an electrical connection between an electrode 65 of an IC board 64 (described later) and a contact 106 to allow current to flow therebetween when the contact 106 contacts the electrode 65). In addition, access may be achieved in the up-down direction or the left-right direction. Alternatively, access may be achieved in the front-to-back direction.

The lock shaft 145 is adapted to hold the ink cartridge 30 attached to the cartridge attaching part 110 at the attachment position. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge attaching portion 110 and pivotally moved to the operating posture, the ink cartridge 30 is engaged with the lock shaft 145. Further, the locking shaft 145 holds the ink cartridge 30 at the attachment position in the cartridge attachment portion 110 against the urging force of the coil spring 78 (see fig. 3) of the ink cartridge 30, which urges the ink cartridge 30 rearward.

< tank 103>

As shown in fig. 1, each of the canisters 103 is disposed at a forward position of the housing 101. The tank 103 has a box-like shape that allows ink to be stored therein. The tank 103 has an atmospheric communication port 124 at its top. The tank 103 is opened to the outside through the atmosphere communication port 124. That is, the internal space of the tank 103 is opened to the atmosphere through the atmosphere communication port 124. At the rear of the tank 103, the internal space of the tank 103 communicates with the internal space of the ink needle 102. Therefore, the ink flowing out of the ink cartridge 30 through the corresponding ink needle 102 is stored in the corresponding tank 103. Four ink tubes 20 are connected to the four tanks 103, respectively. Accordingly, the ink stored in the internal space of each tank 103 is supplied to the recording head 21 through the corresponding ink tube 20.

< integral Structure of ink Cartridge 30>

The ink cartridge 30 is a container for storing liquid (such as ink) therein. As described above, in the embodiment, four ink cartridges 30 corresponding to the respective four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black can be attached to the cartridge attaching portion 110. As shown in fig. 4, among the four ink cartridges 30, the three ink cartridges 30 corresponding to the three colors of cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively, are identical in structure. The ink cartridge 30 corresponding to the color of black is structurally different from the other three ink cartridges 30 in that the size of the ink cartridge 30 corresponding to the color of black in the left-right direction is larger than the size of the ink cartridges 30 corresponding to the colors of cyan, magenta, and yellow in the left-right direction. Except for this difference, the ink cartridge 30 corresponding to the color of black is substantially the same as the other three ink cartridges 30 corresponding to the colors of cyan, magenta, and yellow. The composition of the ink stored in the ink cartridge 30 is not particularly limited, but the ink may be, for example, a pigment ink having a deposition component. Alternatively, the ink may be a dye ink.

First, the structure of the ink cartridges 30 corresponding to the colors of cyan, magenta, and yellow will be described in detail. As for the configuration of the ink cartridge 30 corresponding to the color of black, only portions different from the ink cartridges 30 corresponding to the colors of cyan, magenta, and yellow will be described later as a variation of the ink cartridge 30. Note that, hereinafter, when it is necessary to distinguish the ink cartridges 30 corresponding to the colors of cyan, magenta, and yellow from the ink cartridge 30 corresponding to the color of black, the ink cartridge 30 corresponding to the color of black will also be referred to as an ink cartridge 30K.

The posture of the ink cartridge 30 shown in fig. 4 to 6 is a posture of the ink cartridge 30 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the operation posture, that is, a posture of the ink cartridge 30 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 can be used in the printer 10. The posture of the ink cartridge 30 shown in fig. 4 to 6 is also referred to as "upright posture". The ink cartridge 30 includes

front walls

40, 82,

rear walls

41, 83, a top wall 39,

bottom walls

42, 48,

right side walls

37, 84, and left

side walls

38, 85.

In the operational attitude of the ink cartridge 30, the

front walls

40, 82 face forward. In an embodiment, as shown in fig. 11, front wall 40 includes an inner curved surface 117A and an outer curved surface 117B opposite inner curved surface 117A, and an inner curved surface 118A and an outer curved surface 118B opposite inner curved surface 118A.

In the operational posture of the ink cartridge 30, the

rear walls

41, 83 face rearward. In the operating posture of the ink cartridge 30, the top wall 39 faces upward. Further, in the operation posture of the ink cartridge 30, the front end of the top wall 39 is connected to the upper end of the front wall 82, and the rear end of the top wall 39 is connected to the upper end of the rear wall 83. That is, the top wall 39 extends in the front-rear direction between the

front walls

40, 82 of the ink cartridge 30 and the

rear walls

41, 83 of the ink cartridge 30.

In the operational attitude of the ink cartridge 30, the

bottom walls

42, 48 face downward. The

bottom walls

42, 48 extend in the front-rear direction between the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41. In an embodiment, the

bottom walls

42, 48 include a major bottom wall portion 42 and a minor bottom wall portion 48. The connecting wall 49 connects the main bottom wall portion 42 to the sub-bottom wall 48. In the operating position, the connecting wall 49 faces forward. In the operational posture of the ink cartridge 30, the front ends of the bottom walls 42, 48 (i.e., the front ends of the sub-bottom wall portions 48) are connected to the lower end of the front wall 40. The rear ends of the bottom walls 42, 48 (i.e., the rear ends of the main bottom wall portions 42) are connected to the lower end of the rear wall 41. The main bottom wall portion 42 connects the lower end of the rear wall 41 to the lower end of the connecting wall 49. A minor bottom wall portion 48 connects the lower end of the front wall 40 to the upper end of a connecting wall 49. In an embodiment, as shown in fig. 10 and 14, the sub bottom wall portion 48 includes an inner curved surface 115A and an outer curved surface 115B opposite to the inner curved surface 115A, an inner curved surface 116A and an outer curved surface 116B opposite to the inner curved surface 116A, and an inner curved surface 119A and an outer curved surface 119B opposite to the inner curved surface 119A.

When the ink cartridge 30 is in the operating posture, the

right side walls

37, 84 face rightward. Further, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the operating posture, the

left side walls

38, 85 face leftward.

When the ink cartridge 30 is in the operation posture, the direction from the rear wall 41 toward the front wall 40 coincides with the forward direction 51, and the direction from the front wall 40 toward the rear wall 41 coincides with the backward direction 52. Further, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the operation posture, the direction from the top wall 39 toward the

bottom walls

42, 48 coincides with the downward direction 53 (i.e., the direction of gravity), and the direction from the

bottom walls

42, 48 toward the top wall 39 coincides with the upward direction 54. Further, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the operation posture, the direction from the left side wall 38 toward the right side wall 37 coincides with the rightward direction 55, and the direction from the right side wall 37 toward the left side wall 38 coincides with the leftward direction 56. When the ink cartridge 30 is in the operation posture, the forward direction 51, the backward direction 52, and the front-rear direction coincide with the longitudinal direction of the ink cartridge 30; the downward direction 53, the upward direction 54, and the up-down direction coincide with the height direction of the ink cartridge 30; and the right direction 55, the left direction 56, and the left-right direction coincide with the width direction of the ink cartridge 30.

Further, when the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110, the outer surfaces (i.e., front surfaces) of the

front walls

40, 82 face forward, the outer surfaces (i.e., rear surfaces) of the

rear walls

41, 83 face rearward, the outer surfaces (i.e., bottom surfaces) of the

bottom walls

42, 48 face downward, the outer surfaces (i.e., top surfaces) of the top wall 39 face upward, the outer surfaces (i.e., right surfaces) of the

right side walls

37, 84 face rightward, and the outer surfaces (i.e., left surfaces) of the

left side walls

38, 85 face leftward.

As shown in fig. 4 to 6, the ink cartridge 30 has a substantially flat rectangular parallelepiped shape such that the dimension of the ink cartridge 30 in the left-right direction is small, and the dimension of the ink cartridge 30 in the up-down direction and the dimension of the ink cartridge 30 in the front-rear direction are larger than the dimension of the ink cartridge 30 in the left-right direction.

As shown in fig. 7, the ink cartridge 30 includes a cartridge case 130, a first inner lid 131, a second inner lid 132, a semipermeable membrane 141, a membrane 133, a membrane 146, an outer lid 134, a valve mechanism 135, a support member 150, and an ink supply portion 34.

< Cartridge case 130>

As shown in fig. 7, the cartridge case 130 has a substantially box-like shape that is open upward. That is, the cartridge case 130 has an opening 95 at its top end. In this embodiment, the cartridge case 130 is a container formed of resin. As shown in fig. 10, the first storage chamber 32 and the second storage chamber 33 are formed inside the cartridge case 130.

As shown in fig. 4 to 7, the cartridge case 130 includes a front wall 40, a rear wall 41, a right side wall 37, a left side wall 38, a main bottom wall portion 42, a sub bottom wall portion 48, and a connecting wall 49. The front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the right side wall 37, the left side wall 38, the main bottom wall portion 42, the sub bottom wall 48, and the connecting wall 49 constitute the outer wall of the cartridge case 130. The rear wall 41 is spaced apart from the front wall 40 in the front-rear direction. The left side wall 38 faces the right side wall 37 in the left-right direction. The gap distance between the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41 is greater than the gap distance between the right side wall 37 and the left side wall 38. The front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the right side wall 37, the left side wall 38, the sub-bottom wall portion 48, and the inner bottom wall portion 45 (fig. 10, described later) define the first reservoir chamber 32.

The connecting wall 49 and the front wall 40 constitute a front wall of the cartridge case 130.

In the operation posture of the ink cartridge 30, the front surface of the front wall 40 is a forward-facing surface of the cartridge case 130, and the rear surface of the rear wall 41 is a rearward-facing surface of the cartridge case 130. The front surface of the connecting wall 49 is also the forward facing surface of the cartridge housing 130. The right and left

side walls

37, 38 extend in directions intersecting the front and

rear walls

40, 41, respectively. The right side wall 37 connects the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the main bottom wall portion 42, the sub bottom wall portion 48, and the connecting wall 49. Similarly, the left side wall 38 connects the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the main bottom wall portion 42, the sub bottom wall portion 48, and the connecting wall 49. In the operational posture of the ink cartridge 30, the outer surface of the right side wall 37 faces rightward, and the outer surface of the left side wall 38 faces leftward.

Of the outer walls of the cartridge case 130, at least the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the right side wall 37, and the left side wall 38 are formed of a light-transmissive material, thereby allowing the ink stored in the first storage chamber 32 and the second storage chamber 33 to be visually recognized from the outside of the cartridge case 130. For example, at least the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the right side wall 37 and the left side wall 38 are made of a resin substantially free of a colorant (such as an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin, polypropylene, or the like). More specifically, the color of the ink stored in the first storage chamber 32, the color of the ink stored in the second storage chamber 33, and the surface level of the ink stored in the first storage chamber 32 can be visually recognized through at least the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the right side wall 37, and the left side wall 38. When no or almost no ink remains in the first storage chamber 32, an upper surface 45A (fig. 10) of an inner bottom wall portion 45 (described later) can be visually recognized from the outside of the ink cartridge 30 through the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the right side wall 37, and the left side wall 38. The major and minor

bottom wall portions

42, 48 may also be formed of a light transmissive material. In other words, the cartridge case 130 may be made of transparent or translucent resin. In the embodiment, two storage chambers (i.e., the first storage chamber 32 and the second storage chamber 33) constitute a liquid storage chamber of the ink cartridge 30. Alternatively, the ink cartridge 30 may have a liquid storage chamber constituted by one storage chamber. In this case, the inner bottom wall portion 45 may be omitted.

The right and left

side walls

37, 38 extend in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction. As shown in fig. 14, the right side wall 37 is inclined with respect to the up-down direction such that the lower end thereof is positioned to the left of the upper end thereof. Therefore, the inner surface 37A of the right sidewall 37 is also inclined with respect to the up-down direction such that the lower end thereof is positioned to the left of the upper end thereof. The left side wall 38 is inclined with respect to the up-down direction such that its lower end is positioned to the right of its upper end. Therefore, the inner surface 38A of the left side wall 38 is also inclined with respect to the up-down direction such that the lower end thereof is positioned to the right of the upper end thereof. Therefore, the gap distance between the inner surface 37A and the inner surface 38A in the left-right direction gradually decreases in the downward direction 53. In other words, the gap distance in the left-right direction between the inner surface 37A of the right side wall 37 and the inner surface 38A of the left side wall 38 at the lower end thereof is smaller than the gap distance in the left-right direction between the inner surface 37A of the right side wall 37 and the inner surface 38A of the left side wall 38 at the upper end thereof. The right and left

side walls

37 and 38 may not be inclined and extend in the up-down direction as long as the

inner surfaces

37A and 38A are inclined with respect to the up-down direction. Alternatively, the right side wall 37, the left side wall 38, the inner surface 37A, and the inner surface 38A do not necessarily have to be inclined with respect to the up-down direction.

As shown in fig. 6, the main bottom wall portion 42 is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction. Specifically, the bottom surface of the main bottom wall portion 42 is an inclined surface inclined with respect to the front-rear direction such that the rear end thereof is positioned higher than the front end thereof. The front end of the main bottom wall portion 42 is positioned forward relative to a locking surface 151 (described later). The rear end of the main bottom wall portion 42 is connected to the lower end of the rear wall 41. That is, the main bottom wall portion 42 extends forward from the lower end of the rear wall 41. The minor bottom wall portion 48 is positioned upwardly and forwardly relative to the major bottom wall portion 42.

As shown in fig. 4 to 7, the upper end portion of each of the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the right side wall 37, and the left side wall 38 has an engagement claw 88, and the engagement claw 88 protrudes outward from the cartridge case 130. Each engagement claw 88 is engageable with an opening 86 formed in the outer lid 134. In the embodiment, each engagement claw 88 is provided at each of the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the right side wall 37, and the left side wall 38. That is, one engaging claw 88 is provided at each of the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the right side wall 37, and the left side wall 38. However, more than one engaging claw 88 may be provided at each of the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the right side wall 37, and the left side wall 38.

< first inner lid 131>

The first inner lid 131 shown in fig. 8A and 8B is adapted to close the opening 95 formed in the top end of the cartridge case 130. As shown in fig. 8A and 8B, the first inner lid 131 has a substantially box-like shape that is open upward. The first inner lid 131 includes: a bottom wall 136; a peripheral wall 137, the peripheral wall 137 standing from the peripheral edge of the bottom wall 136; and a flange wall 138, the flange wall 138 projecting outwardly from the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 137.

The bottom wall 136 has a through hole 46, and the through hole 46 penetrates the thickness of the bottom wall 136 in the up-down direction. As shown in fig. 10, the through hole 46 is formed at a position rearward with respect to the front-rear center in the air chamber 36 of an air communication passage 72 (described later). The upper surface 136A of the bottom wall 136 slopes downwardly toward the through hole 46.

The through-holes 46 need not be formed at the positions specified in fig. 3 and 10. The through hole 46 may be formed at a position forward with respect to the front-rear center in the air chamber 36. Further, the upper surface 136A need not be inclined as described above.

As shown in fig. 10, the first inner lid 131 is attached to the cartridge case 130 from above through an opening 95 formed at the top end of the cartridge case 130 and is disposed in the inner space of the cartridge case 130. The first inner lid 131 is supported by the cartridge case 130 in the inner space of the cartridge case 130. More specifically, in a state where the first inner lid 131 is disposed in the inner space of the cartridge case 130, a lower surface 138A of the flange wall 138 at a front end portion of the first inner lid 131 is supported by the stepped surface 40B of the front wall 40 of the cartridge case 130. A stepped surface 40B is formed at an upper end portion of an inner surface (i.e., a rear surface) of the front wall 40. Further, a lower surface 138B of the flange wall 138 at the rear end portion of the first inner lid 131 is supported by the stepped surface 41B of the rear wall 41 of the cartridge case 130. A stepped surface 41B is formed at an upper end portion of an inner surface (i.e., a front surface) of the rear wall 41. In a state where the first inner lid 131 is supported to the cartridge case 130, the tip end surface 137A of the peripheral wall 137 of the first inner lid 131 and the tip end surface 130A of the cartridge case 130 are positioned on the same imaginary plane that expands in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction.

As shown in fig. 8A and 8B, the first inner lid 131 further includes two first ribs 185 and two second ribs 186. The first rib 185 and the second rib 186 are formed at the lower surface 136B of the bottom wall 136. In other words, two sets of first and

second ribs

185 and 186 are provided at the lower surface 136B. The first and

second ribs

185 and 186 function as guides when attaching the first inner cover 131 to the cartridge housing 130. Further, the first ribs 185 and the second ribs 186 provide rigidity to the cartridge case 130 when the first inner lid 131 is attached to the cartridge case 130.

First ribs 185 and second ribs 186 project downwardly from lower surface 136B. The first rib 185 and the second rib 186 each have the same protruding length from the lower surface 136B as each other. In other words, each of the two first ribs 185 and the two second ribs 186 has lower ends at the same position as each other with respect to the up-down direction.

First rib 185 and second rib 186 extend along lower surface 136B. The two first ribs 185 are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction. The two second ribs 186 are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction. The first rib 185 and the second rib 186 are positioned forward with respect to the through hole 46. Each of the first ribs 185 and a corresponding one of the second ribs 186 are arranged to be opposite to and spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. When the ink cartridge 30 is filled with ink, the gap formed between the first rib 185 and the corresponding second rib 186 can promote the flow of ink.

Each of the first ribs 185 has an extension portion 185A and an inclined portion 185B. Similarly, each of the second ribs 186 has an extended portion 186A and an inclined portion 186B.

In a state where the first inner lid 131 is supported to the cartridge case 130, the extension portion 185A of each first rib 185 is in contact with the inner surface 37A of the right side wall 37, and the extension portion 186A of each second rib 186 is in contact with the inner surface 38A of the left side wall 38. Each of the extended portions 185A extends leftward from a base end thereof, which contacts the inner surface 37A of the right side wall 37. Each of the extended portions 186A extends rightward from a base end thereof, which contacts the inner surface 38A of the left side wall 38.

The inclined portion 185B extends from a distal end (i.e., a left end) of the extending portion 185A and is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction such that the left end of the inclined portion 185B is positioned rearward of the right end of the inclined portion 185B. The inclined portion 186B extends from a distal end (i.e., right end) of the extending portion 186A and is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction such that the right end of the inclined portion 186B is positioned rearward of the left end of the inclined portion 186B. That is, the inclined portion 185B extends from the extended portion 185A toward the through hole 46 and is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction such that a distal end of the inclined portion 185B farthest from the extended portion 185A is positioned closer to the through hole 46 in the left-right direction than a base end of the inclined portion 185B connected to the extended portion 185A is to the through hole 46. Similarly, the inclined portion 186B extends from the extending portion 186A toward the through-hole 46 and is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction such that a distal end of the inclined portion 186B farthest from the extending portion 186A is positioned closer to the through-hole 46 in the left-right direction than a base end of the inclined portion 186B connected to the extending portion 186A is.

A distal end (i.e., a rear end) of the inclined portion 185B of one of the first ribs 185 is positioned rearward of a distal end (i.e., a rear end) of the inclined portion 186B of a corresponding one of the second ribs 186, the corresponding one of the second ribs 186 being opposed to the one of the first ribs 185 in the left-right direction. Also, a distal end (i.e., a rear end) of the inclined portion 185B of another one of the first ribs 185 is positioned rearward of a distal end (i.e., a rear end) of the inclined portion 186B of a corresponding one of the second ribs 186, the corresponding second rib 186 being opposed to the another one of the first ribs 185 in the left-right direction. Therefore, the distal end of the inclined portion 185B of each first rib 185 is positioned closer to the through hole 46 than the distal end of the inclined portion 186B of the corresponding second rib 186.

Incidentally, neither the number of the first ribs 185 nor the number of the second ribs 186 is limited to two. Further, the first rib 185 and the second rib 186 may be formed rearward with respect to the through hole 46. Further, the distal end of the inclined portion 186B of the second rib 186 may be positioned rearward with respect to the distal end of the corresponding inclined portion 185B of the first rib 185.

< second inner lid 132>

As shown in fig. 9A and 9B, the second inner lid 132 has a plate-like shape.

The second inner lid 132 is attached to the first inner lid 131 from above through the top opening of the first inner lid 131 and is disposed in the inner space of the first inner lid 131 defined by the bottom wall 136 and the peripheral wall 137. The second inner lid 132 is supported by the first inner lid 131 in an inner space of the first inner lid 131. Specifically, in a state where the second inner lid 132 is disposed in the inner space of the first inner lid 131, the lower surface 132B of the second inner lid 132 is in contact with the stepped surface 137B (see fig. 8B) of the peripheral wall 137 of the first inner lid 131. The stepped surface 137B is formed at the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 137 and faces upward. Therefore, the lower surface 132B contacts the stepped surface 137B from above.

The second inner lid 132 is provided at the upper surface 132A thereof with ribs 149. The rib 149 protrudes upward from the peripheral edge portion of the upper surface 132A. As shown in fig. 10, the second inner lid 132 is supported by the first inner lid 131, and the first inner lid 131 is supported by the cartridge housing 130. In this state, the tip end faces 149A of the ribs 149 of the second inner lid 132, the tip end face 137A of the peripheral wall 137 of the first inner lid 131, and the tip end face 130A of the cartridge case 130 are positioned on the same imaginary plane that expands in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction.

As shown in fig. 9, the second inner lid 132 has a through hole 139. In a state where the second inner lid 132 is supported to the first inner lid 131, the through hole 139 is opposed to the through hole 46 of the first inner lid 131 in the up-down direction, and the through hole 139 is located above the through hole 46. In other words, the through hole 139 is aligned with the through hole 46 with respect to the up-down direction in a state where the second inner lid 132 is supported to the first inner lid 131.

The second inner lid 132 further includes ribs 140 at the lower surface 132B. Ribs 140 project downwardly from lower surface 132B. The rib 140 is positioned forward relative to the through hole 139. The ribs 140 have a rectangular frame-like shape when the second inner lid 132 is viewed from the bottom side of the second inner lid 132. When the second inner lid 132 is viewed from the bottom side of the second inner lid 132, the shape of the ribs 140 is not limited to a rectangular frame-like shape as long as the ribs 140 have a closed shape. For example, the ribs 140 may have a circular shape when the second inner lid 132 is viewed from the bottom side of the second inner lid 132.

The semipermeable membrane 141 (see fig. 7) is welded or fused to the lower end surface of the rib 140. The semipermeable membrane 141 is a porous membrane having micropores, which blocks the passage of ink but allows the passage of air. The semipermeable membrane 141 is made of a fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, a tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer, a tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ethyl copolymer, or a tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer.

Since the semi-permeable membrane 141 is welded to the lower end surfaces of the ribs 140, the lower surface 132B of the second inner lid 132, and the semi-permeable membrane 141 define the spaces 89.

The second inner lid 132 also has a through hole 142. When the second inner lid 132 is viewed from the bottom side of the second inner lid 132, the through hole 142 has one open end (i.e., a lower open end) formed in the lower surface 132B at a position inside the rib 140. In other words, the through hole 142 is formed in the second inner lid 132 such that the one open end of the through hole 142 is positioned in the portion of the lower surface 132B that provides the space 89. That is, the through hole 142 communicates with the space 89. Therefore, in the case where the space 89 is interposed between the through hole 142 and the semipermeable membrane 141 in the up-down direction, the through hole 142 and the semipermeable membrane 141 are opposed to each other in the up-down direction. The through hole 142 is formed at a position forward with respect to the front-rear center of the air chamber 36 of the air communication passage 72. The through hole 142 is located at the right front end portion in the area surrounded by the rib 140.

Incidentally, the through-hole 142 need not necessarily be formed at the position specified in fig. 9. For example, the through hole 142 may be formed at a position rearward with respect to the front-rear center of the air chamber 36. Alternatively, the through hole 142 may be located at the left front end or the rear end in the region surrounded by the rib 140.

As shown in fig. 9B and 9C, the second inner cover 132 also has a labyrinth path 143 at the upper surface 132A. The labyrinth path 143 is defined by the upper surface 132A, a plurality of ribs 144 provided at the upper surface 132A, and a film 146 (see fig. 7) welded to the upper end surface of the ribs 144.

The plurality of ribs 144 extend in the front-rear direction and are juxtaposed to each other in the left-right direction. Thus, the labyrinth path 143 is a continuous passage extending from the right to the left and repeatedly U-turned in the front-rear direction. The labyrinth path 143 may not have a shape as shown in fig. 9B. For example, the labyrinth path 143 may be a continuous passage extending in the front-rear direction and repeating a U-turn in the left-right direction.

The labyrinth path 143 has one end communicating with the through hole 142 and the other end communicating with the communication hole 147.

The communication hole 147 is a circular hole opened upward. The communication hole 147 is defined by the upper surface 132A and the rib 148. The rib 148 has a hollow cylindrical shape and protrudes upward from the upper surface 132A. The rib 148 is connected to the rib 144. Thus, the rib 148 is connected to the labyrinth path 143. In other words, the communication hole 147 communicates with the labyrinth path 143. The

membranes

133 and 146 are formed of a liquid and air impermeable material. Neither the film 146 nor the film 133 (see fig. 7) is welded to the upper end face of the rib 148. Therefore, the communication hole 147 is opened upward and communicates with the atmosphere. The communication hole 147 constitutes an end of the air communication passage 72.

When the communication hole 147 is viewed from above, the communication hole 147 has a certain area. This area of the communication hole 147 is larger than the sectional area of the labyrinth path 143 taken along a plane perpendicular to the air flow direction, that is, the sectional area of the labyrinth path 143 taken along a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction as shown in fig. 9C. In the embodiment, for example, the area of the communication hole 147 is in the range of 3.1 to 23.7 square millimeters, and the sectional area of the labyrinth path 143 is in the range of 0.8 to 1.0 square millimeters.

Incidentally, the communication hole 147 is not limited to a circular hole. Further, the communication hole 147 may face any direction other than the upward direction 54.

Further, the second inner lid 132 has a rib 156, a pair of ribs 157, and a pair of ribs 158 at the upper surface 132A around the through hole 139.

The rib 156 protrudes from the upper surface 132A along the periphery of the through hole 139. The rib 156 has a hollow cylindrical shape. The rib 156 is adapted to fix the position of a stem 165 of the valve body 161 of the valve mechanism 135 (see fig. 7 and 10) with respect to the left-right direction and the front-rear direction, the stem 165 being inserted into the through hole 139.

A pair of ribs 157 is provided such that the rib 156 is interposed between the ribs 157 in the front-rear direction. Each rib 157 is U-shaped when viewed from above, with the opening of the "U" facing the rib 156. The rib 157 is adapted to fix the position of the rod 165 of the valve body 161 of the valve mechanism 135 (see fig. 7) with respect to the left-right direction and the front-rear direction.

A pair of ribs 158 is provided such that the

ribs

156 and 157 are interposed between the ribs 158 in the front-rear direction. Each rib 158 flexes at its distal end. A bent portion of each rib 158 at the distal end is engageable with the engaging portion 152 of the support member 150 (see fig. 10).

< film 133>

As shown in fig. 7, the film 133 has a rectangular shape. As shown in fig. 10, the film 133 is welded to the top end face 130A of the cartridge case 130, the top end face 137A of the peripheral wall 137 of the first inner lid 131, and the top end face 149A of the rib 149 of the second inner lid. The membrane 133 need not have a rectangular shape. The film 133 may have any shape other than the rectangular shape as long as the film 133 can be welded to the top end face 130A, the top end face 137A, and the top end face 149A as described above.

As shown in fig. 7, the film 133 has an opening 159 and an opening 160. The opening 159 is formed at a position corresponding to the rib 144 in a state where the film 133 is welded to the top end face 130A, the top end face 137A, and the top end face 149A. Therefore, in a state where the film 133 is welded to the top end face 130A, the top end face 137A, and the top end face 149A, the film 146 welded to the rib 144 is exposed to the outside through the opening 159. In a state where the film 133 is welded to the top end face 130A, the top end face 137A, and the top end face 149A, the opening 160 is formed at a position corresponding to the rib 156, the rib 157, the rib 158, and the valve mechanism 135. Therefore, in a state where the film 133 is welded to the top end face 130A, the top end face 137A, and the top end face 149A, the rib 156, the rib 157, the rib 158, and the valve mechanism 135 are exposed to the outside through the opening 160.

< outer lid 134>

As shown in fig. 7, the outer lid 134 has a substantially box-like shape that opens downward. The outer lid 134 includes a top wall 39, a front wall 82, a rear wall 83, a right side wall 84, and a left side wall 85. A front wall 82 extends downwardly from the front end of the top wall 39. The front wall 82 has a lower end connected to the front wall 40 of the cartridge housing 130. The front wall 82 of the outer cover 134 and the front wall 40 and the connection wall 49 of the cartridge case 130 constitute the front wall of the ink cartridge 30. A rear wall 83 extends downwardly from the rear end of the top wall 39. The rear wall 83 has a lower end connected to the rear wall 41 of the cartridge case 130. The rear wall 83 of the outer cover 134 and the rear wall 41 of the cartridge case 130 constitute a rear wall of the ink cartridge 30. A right side wall 84 extends downwardly from the right end of the top wall 39 and connects the front wall 82 to the rear wall 83. The right side wall 84 has a lower end connected to the right side wall 37 of the cartridge case 130. The right side wall 84 of the outer cover 134 and the right side wall 37 of the cartridge case 130 constitute a right side wall of the ink cartridge 30. A left side wall 85 extends downwardly from the left end of the top wall 39 and connects the front wall 82 to the rear wall 83. The left side wall 85 has a lower end connected to the left side wall 38 of the cartridge case 130. The left side wall 85 of the outer cover 134 and the left side wall 38 of the cartridge case 130 constitute a left side wall of the ink cartridge 30.

Each of the front wall 82, rear wall 83, right side wall 84 and left side wall 85 has an opening 86. The engagement claws 88 of the cartridge case 130 can be engaged with the openings 86, respectively. By engaging the engaging claws 88 with the openings 86, the outer lid 134 covers the cartridge case 130 from above. In the embodiment, the opening 86 is formed in the outer lid 134, and the engaging claw 88 is provided at the cartridge case 130. However, the engagement claw 88 may be provided at the outer lid 134, and the opening 86 may be formed in the cartridge case 130.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the top wall 39 has an opening 44, and the opening 44 extends in the front-rear direction. The opening 44 is formed at a position above the

ribs

156, 157 and 158 of the second inner lid 132.

The outer cover 134 includes a tab 43, the tab 43 projecting upwardly from the top wall 39. The protruding portions 43 are provided on the top wall 39 so as to surround the opening 44 from the right, left, and rear sides of the opening 44. The locking shaft 145 (fig. 3) is able to access the projection 43 from the outside.

As shown in fig. 6, the projection 43 has a rear end, a rear surface of which faces rearward. The rear surface of the projection 43 serves as a locking surface 151. The locking surface 151 is positioned upwardly relative to the top surface of the top wall 39. The locking surface 151 extends in the up-down direction and the left-right direction. In a state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attaching part 110, the lock surface 151 facing rearward is in contact with the lock shaft 145. Since the rearward facing lock surface 151 abuts on the lock shaft 145, the ink cartridge 30 is held in the cartridge attaching part 110 against the urging force of the coil spring 78. In a state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attaching part 110, an accessed part or member (such as the protruding part 43) can be accessed from the outside of the ink cartridge 30.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the projection 43 includes a pair of walls 114. With the opening 44 interposed between the pair of walls 114, the pair of walls 114 is located forward of the locking surface 151. Each wall 114 has an upper end surface that includes a horizontal surface 154 and an inclined surface 155. The horizontal surface 154 has a rear end continuous with the locking surface 151. The inclined surface 155 is positioned forward relative to the horizontal surface 154. The inclined surface 155 is continuous with the front end of the horizontal surface 154. The inclined surface 155 faces upward and forward. The inclined surface 155 is inclined such that the front end thereof is positioned lower than the rear end thereof. Since the horizontal surface 154 connects the locking surface 151 to the inclined surface 155, the locking surface 151 and the inclined surface 155 do not provide a ridged shape. Therefore, during the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge attaching part 110, the locking shaft 145 is smoothly guided to the position rearward of the locking surface 151 by the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154 while contacting the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154.

The outer cover 134 further includes an operating portion 90. The operating portion 90 is provided on the top wall 39 at a position rearward relative to the locking surface 151. The operation portion 90 can be manipulated by a user. The top wall 39 has a secondary upper surface 91 at its rear end. The operating portion 90 is disposed above the secondary upper surface 91 and spaced apart from the secondary upper surface 91. The operation portion 90 has a substantially flat plate shape. Specifically, the operating portion 90 protrudes upward from the boundary area between the secondary upper surface 91 and the remaining upper surface of the top wall 39 to the same height as the protruding portion 43. The upper end of the operating portion 90 is positioned forward of the lower end of the operating portion 90. As shown in fig. 5 and 6, a rib 94 is provided between the operating portion 90 and the secondary upper surface 91. The rib 94 connects the operating portion 90 to the secondary upper surface 91. The rib 94 extends rearward from a boundary region between the secondary upper surface 91 and the remaining upper surface. The dimension of the rib 94 in the left-right direction is smaller than the dimension of the operating portion 90 in the left-right direction, and is also smaller than the dimension of the sub-upper surface 91 in the left-right direction. The rib 94 can suppress deformation of the rear portion of the operation portion 90 in the up-down direction.

The operating portion 90 has an upwardly facing and rearwardly facing surface. This surface serves as an operative surface 92. The rear portion of the operation surface 92 and the secondary upper surface 91 are positioned to overlap each other in the front-rear direction. In other words, when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed from above, the rear portion of the operation surface 92 overlaps the secondary upper surface 91. On the operation surface 92, a plurality of projections (e.g., a plurality of projecting ribs 93) extending in the left-right direction are formed. The projecting ribs 93 are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction. The projecting ribs 93 as a plurality of projections allow the user to physically recognize the operation surface 92. The projecting rib 93 can also serve to prevent a user's finger from sliding over the operating surface 92 when the user manipulates the operating surface 92. As described above, in the state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attaching portion 110, the accessed component or member can be accessed from the outside of the ink cartridge 30. However, in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attaching part 110, the accessed part may be a part to be accessed by a user to manipulate it.

The operation surface 92 can be visually recognized when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed from the upper side of the ink cartridge 30. The operation surface 92 can also be visually recognized when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed from the rear side of the ink cartridge 30. The user manipulates the operation surface 92 to remove the ink cartridge 30 attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110 from the operation surface 92. Incidentally, in the embodiment, the operation portion 90 is formed integrally with the outer cover 134. Therefore, the operating portion 90 is fixed to the outer cover 134 and cannot move relative to the outer cover 134. Therefore, the operating portion 90 cannot pivotally move relative to the outer cover 134. Thus, the force applied by the user to the operating surface 92 is directly transferred to the outer cover 134 without changing the direction of the force.

The outer surface of each of the

front walls

40, 82, the

rear walls

41, 83, the top wall 39, the

bottom walls

42, 48, the

right side walls

37, 84, and the

left side walls

38, 85 constituting the ink cartridge 30 does not necessarily have to be configured as one flat surface. That is, the front surface (i.e., the outer surface of the front wall) of the ink cartridge 30 may be any surface(s) that is visible when the ink cartridge 30 in its operating posture is viewed from the front side of the ink cartridge 30 and is positioned forward with respect to the front-rear center of the ink cartridge 30 in its operating posture. Therefore, the front surface of the connection wall 49 may constitute a part of the front surface of the front wall of the ink cartridge 30. The rear surface of the ink cartridge 30 (i.e., the outer surface of the rear wall) may be any surface(s) that is visible when the ink cartridge 30 in its operating posture is viewed from the rear side of the ink cartridge 30 and is positioned rearward with respect to the front-rear center of the ink cartridge 30. The top surface of the ink cartridge 30 (i.e., the outer surface of the top wall) may be any surface(s) that is visible when the ink cartridge 30 in its operating posture is viewed from above and is positioned upward with respect to the upper-lower (vertical) center of the ink cartridge 30. The bottom surface of the ink cartridge 30 (i.e., the outer surface of the bottom wall) may be any surface(s) that is visible when the ink cartridge 30 in its operating posture is viewed from below and is positioned downward with respect to the upper and lower centers of the ink cartridge 30. The same applies to the right surface (i.e., the outer surface of the right sidewall) of the ink cartridge 30 and the left surface (i.e., the outer surface of the left sidewall) of the ink cartridge 30. The right surface of the ink cartridge 30 may be any surface(s) that is visible when the ink cartridge 30 in its operating posture is viewed from the right side of the ink cartridge 30 and is positioned to the right with respect to the left-right center of the ink cartridge 30. The left surface of the ink cartridge 30 may be any surface(s) that is visible when the ink cartridge 30 in its operating posture is viewed from the left side of the ink cartridge 30 and is positioned leftward with respect to the left-right center of the ink cartridge 30.

As shown in fig. 4-6, the outer cover 134 further includes a light barrier 67. The light blocking plate 67 is provided on the top surface (outer surface) of the top wall 39. A light barrier 67 projects upwardly from the top surface of the top wall 39. The light-blocking plate 67 has a flat plate-like shape extending in the front-rear direction. The light barrier 67 is integral with the top wall 39. The light barrier 67 may not be integral with the top wall 39. The light barrier 67 is positioned forward relative to the projection 43. The light barrier 67 is also positioned forward relative to the IC board 64 (described later). In the embodiment, the light-blocking plate 67 is a resin plate containing a coloring material (for example, a black pigment, a carbon black pigment, or a black dye) capable of absorbing light. Alternatively, the light-blocking plate 67 may be constructed by attaching a material that does not transmit light (e.g., aluminum) to the side surface of the plate that transmits light.

As shown in fig. 6, the light barrier 67 has a cutout 66. The cutout 66 is recessed downward from an upper edge 67C of the light-blocking panel 67 and extends in the front-rear direction. When the ink cartridge 30 is completely attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110, the cutout 66 is formed in the light-blocking plate 67 at a position aligned with the optical sensor 113 in the left-right direction. The light-blocking panel 67 has left and right surfaces serving as light-blocking surfaces 67A. Light emitted from the outside of the ink cartridge 30 and traveling in the left-right direction can be coupled into the light blocking surface 67A. Specifically, the light blocking surface 67A includes a light blocking portion 68, and the light blocking portion 68 is adapted to block light emitted from the optical sensor 113 and traveling in the left-right direction during the process of attaching and removing the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the cartridge attaching portion 110 (see fig. 2 and 6). In other words, the light blocking portion 68 is configured to: when the light blocking portion 68 receives light, the light blocking portion 68 prevents the light from passing through the light blocking portion 68 or changes the path of the light. The light blocking portion 68 is provided at a region of the light blocking surface 67A from the front edge 67B of the light blocking plate 67 to the front edge of the cutout 66. During the process of attaching and removing the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the cartridge attaching portion 110, light emitted from the light emitter of the optical sensor 113 is incident on the light blocking portion 68 before the light reaches the light receiver of the optical sensor 113. At this time, the light intensity of the light received at the light receiver is less than a predetermined intensity, for example, zero. Note that the light blocking portion 68 may completely block light traveling in the left-right direction or may partially attenuate the light. Alternatively, the light-blocking section 68 may refract light to change its traveling direction, or may reflect light entirely. The phrase "blocking light" herein means preventing light emitted from the light emitter from reaching the light receiver in an amount that the light receiver can detect the light barrier 67. When the ink cartridge 30 is completely attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110, the cutout 66 is opposed to the optical sensor 113 so that light emitted from the light emitter of the optical sensor 113 can pass through the cutout 66 to reach the light receiver of the optical sensor 113.

The light blocking plate 67 may not be formed with the cutout 66. The light-blocking plate 67 may or may not have the cutout 66 depending on the type of the ink cartridge 30. In other words, depending on the type of the ink cartridge 30, the light-blocking panel 67 may or may not be detected by the optical sensor 113 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110. Specifically, the type of the ink cartridge 30 means, for example, the color of the ink stored in the ink cartridge 30, the type of the ink stored in the ink cartridge 30 (pigment ink or dye ink), and the initial amount (large amount or small amount) of the ink stored in the ink cartridge 30.

As shown in fig. 22, the light blocking plate 267 has a flat plate-like shape extending in the front-rear direction. No cut-outs are formed in the light barrier 267. The light blocking panel 267 has the same configuration as the light blocking panel 67 except that the cutout 66 is not formed. The light blocking panel 267 has a light blocking surface 267A, and the light blocking surface 267A includes a light blocking portion 268. The light blocking portion 268 is provided in an area of the light blocking surface 267A from the front edge 267B of the light blocking panel 267 to a position where the optical sensor 113 is aligned when the ink cartridge 30 is completely attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110. In this case, during the process of attaching and removing the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the cartridge attaching portion 110, the light emitted from the light emitter of the optical sensor 113 is blocked, attenuated, refracted, or reflected by the light blocking portion 268. Further, since the light blocking portion 268 has a portion 268A opposite to the optical sensor 113 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110, when the ink cartridge 30 is fully attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110, light emitted from the light emitter of the optical sensor 113 is blocked, attenuated, refracted, or reflected by the light blocking portion 268.

During the process of attaching and removing the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the cartridge attaching portion 110, the printer 10 can determine whether the ink cartridge 30 has been attached to the cartridge attaching portion 110 based on the intensity of light received by the light receiver of the optical sensor 113, for example, using the light blocking plate 67. For the ink cartridge 30 having the light blocking plate 267, the printer 10 may determine whether the ink cartridge 30 has been attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110 based on whether the light emitted from the light emitter of the optical sensor 113 is blocked by the light blocking plate 267, that is, when the ink cartridge 30 has been attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110, the light blocking plate 267 is detected.

Further, the printer 10 can determine the type of the ink cartridge 30 attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110 based on the presence or absence of the cutout 66, that is, based on whether light to be received by the light receiver of the optical sensor 113, which is emitted from the light emitter of the optical sensor 113, passes through the cutout 66. The user can also visually determine the type of ink cartridge 30 based on the presence or absence of the cutout 66. Further, during the process in which the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110 and when the ink cartridge 30 has been attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110, the printer 10 may determine information about the ink cartridge 30 attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110 based on a change in the detection signal output from the optical sensor 113.

As shown in fig. 4 to 6, an IC board 64 is provided at the top surface of the top wall 39. The IC board 64 is located between the light blocking plate 67 and the protruding portion 43 in the front-rear direction. The IC board 64 is positioned closer to the ink supply portion 34 than the protruding portion 43 is to the ink supply portion 34 in the front-rear direction. In other words, at the top wall 39, the light-blocking panel 67, the IC board 64, and the protruding portion 43 are arranged in this order from the front side to the rear side of the top wall 39. Specifically, at the top wall 39, the upper surfaces of the electrodes 65 of the light blocking surfaces 67A, IC of the light blocking plate 67 and the locking surfaces 151 of the projections 43 are arranged in this order from the front side to the rear side of the top wall 39. During the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge attaching portion 110, the IC board 64 is electrically connected to the four contact portions 106. In a state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attaching portion 110, the electrical connection between the IC board 64 and the four contact portions 106 is maintained.

The IC board 64 includes a substrate, an IC (not shown), and four electrodes 65. The substrate supports the IC. Four electrodes 65 are mounted on the substrate. Four electrodes 65 are electrically connected to the IC. The four electrodes 65 extend in the front-rear direction and are arranged in the left-right direction. Four electrodes 65 are provided on the upper surface of the substrate and exposed to the outside to allow electrical access to the four electrodes 65 from above. When the ink cartridge 30 has been attached to the cartridge attaching portion 110, the upper surfaces of the four electrodes 65 can directly contact the four contact portions 106 of the casing 101, respectively. The IC is a semiconductor integrated circuit. The IC readably stores data indicating information about the ink cartridge 30, such as a lot number, a date of manufacture, a color of ink, the number of printable sheets of sheet, and the like. Incidentally, the substrate may be a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate having flexibility.

< internal Structure of ink Cartridge 30>

As shown in fig. 10, the ink cartridge 30 includes a first storage chamber 32, a second storage chamber 33, an ink valve chamber 35, and an air communication passage 72. The first storage chamber 32, the second storage chamber 33, the ink valve chamber 35, and the air communication passage 72 are provided inside the ink cartridge 30.

The inner bottom wall portion 45 is provided inside the ink cartridge 30. More specifically, the cartridge case 130 has an inner bottom wall portion 45. The inner bottom wall portion 45 extends in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The inner bottom wall portion 45 is opposed to the bottom wall 136 of the first inner lid 131 in the up-down direction in a state where the first inner lid 131 is supported by the cartridge case 130. The upper surface 45A of the inner bottom wall portion 45 is continuous with the upper surface 48A of the sub-bottom wall portion 48.

The upper end of the first storage chamber 32 is defined by the lower surface 136B of the bottom wall 136 of the first inner lid 131. The lower end of the first reservoir chamber 32 is defined by the upper surface 45A of the inner bottom wall portion 45 and the upper surface 48A of the sub-bottom wall portion 48. The front end of the first reservoir chamber 32 is defined by an inner surface 40A of the front wall 40. The rear end of the first storage chamber 32 is defined by the inner surface 41A of the rear wall 41. The left end of the first reservoir chamber 32 is defined by the inner surface 38A of the left sidewall 38. The right end of the first storage chamber 32 is defined by the inner surface 37A of the right sidewall 37. Thus, the first storage chamber 32 is a space defined by the lower surface 136B of the bottom wall 136 of the first inner lid 131, the upper surface 45A of the inner bottom wall portion 45, the upper surface 48A of the sub-bottom wall portion 48, the inner surface 40A of the front wall 40, the inner surface 41A of the rear wall 41, the inner surface 37A of the right side wall 37, and the inner surface 38A of the left side wall 38. The dimension of the first reservoir chamber 32 in the front-rear direction is larger than the dimension of the first reservoir chamber 32 in the left-right direction. The gaps between the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the right and left

side walls

37, 38 and the first inner lid 131 are liquid-tightly sealed by the film 133.

The first and

second ribs

185 and 186 protrude from the lower surface 136B of the bottom wall 136 of the first inner lid 131 into the first storage chamber 32. The lower surface 136B is one of the surfaces defining the first reservoir chamber 32.

Ribs

185, 186 project from lower surface 136B. However, no rib protrudes from the surface defining the first storage chamber 32 except for the lower surface 136B. That is, the upper surface 45A of the inner bottom wall portion 45, the upper surface 48A of the sub-bottom wall portion 48, the inner surface 40A of the front wall 40, the inner surface 41A of the rear wall 41, the inner surface 37A of the right side wall 37, and the inner surface 38A of the left side wall 38 do not have inwardly projecting portions (such as ribs) projecting or extending therefrom toward the first storage chamber 32. Preferably, no inwardly projecting portions should be formed on the upper surface 45A of the inner bottom wall portion 45, the upper surface 48A of the sub bottom wall portion 48, the inner surface 40A of the front wall 40, the inner surface 41A of the rear wall 41, the inner surface 37A of the right side wall 37, and the inner surface 38A of the left side wall 38. However, inwardly projecting portions may be formed on these surfaces.

When the ink cartridge 30 is manufactured, the ink stored in the first storage chamber 32 is in contact with the upper surface 45A of the inner bottom wall portion 45, the upper surface 48A of the sub-bottom wall portion 48, the inner surface 40A of the front wall 40, the inner surface 41A of the rear wall 41, the inner surface 37A of the right side wall 37, and the inner surface 38A of the left side wall 38.

As described above, the through-hole 46 is formed in the bottom wall 136 of the first inner cover 131. The first reservoir chamber 32 communicates with the air chamber 36 of the air communication passage 72 through the through hole 46.

When the ink cartridge 30 is in its operating posture, the second storage chamber 33 is disposed in the inner space of the cartridge case 130 at a position downward with respect to the first storage chamber 32. The second storage chamber 33 is adapted to store ink therein. The volume of the second reservoir chamber 33 is smaller than the volume of the first reservoir chamber 32. Therefore, a smaller amount of ink can be stored in the second storage chamber 33 than in the first storage chamber 32.

The upper end of the second storage chamber 33 is defined by the lower surface 45B of the inner bottom wall portion 45. The lower end of the second reservoir chamber 33 is defined by the upper surface 42A of the main bottom wall portion 42. The rear end of the second storage chamber 33 is defined by the inner surface 41A of the rear wall 41. The left end of the second storage chamber 33 is defined by the inner surface 38A of the left side wall 38, and the right end of the second storage chamber 33 is defined by the inner surface 37A of the right side wall 37. The second reservoir chamber 33 and the ink valve chamber 35 are partitioned by a partition wall 50. The front end of the second reservoir chamber 33 is defined by the surface 50A of the partition wall 50. The surface 50A is a rear surface of the partition wall 50, and the surface 50A is closer to the second storage chamber 33 than to a front surface of the partition wall 50. The second storage chamber 33 is a space defined by the lower surface 45B of the inner bottom wall portion 45, the upper surface 42A of the main bottom wall portion 42, the inner surface 41A of the rear wall 41, the inner surface 37A of the right side wall 37, the inner surface 38A of the left side wall 38, and the surface 50A of the partition wall 50.

When the ink cartridge 30 is manufactured, the ink stored in the second storage chamber 33 contacts the lower surface 45B of the inner bottom wall portion 45, the upper surface 42A of the main bottom wall portion 42, the inner surface 41A of the rear wall 41, the inner surface 37A of the right side wall 37, the inner surface 38A of the left side wall 38, and the surface 50A of the partition wall 50.

The second reservoir chamber 33 communicates with the first reservoir chamber 32 through a communication hole 47 (fig. 10 and 11) formed in the inner bottom wall portion 45. As shown in fig. 11, a communication hole 47 is formed at the right rear end portion of the inner bottom wall portion 45. In other words, the opening end of the communication hole 47 is opened to the upper surface 45A of the inner bottom wall portion 45. As shown in fig. 10, the second storage chamber 33 also communicates with the ink valve chamber 35 through a through hole 99 formed in the partition wall 50. The ink valve chamber 35 extends from the second storage chamber 33 in the forward direction 51.

As shown in fig. 10, the upper surface 45A of the inner bottom wall portion 45 and the upper surface 48A of the sub-bottom wall portion 48 are inclined. The upper surface 45A of the inner bottom wall portion 45 and the upper surface 48A of the sub bottom wall portion 48 are inclined with respect to the front-rear direction such that the front end of the upper surface 48A of the sub bottom wall portion 48 is positioned higher than the rear end of the upper surface 45A of the inner bottom wall portion 45. That is, the upper surface 45A of the inner bottom wall portion 45 and the upper surface 48A of the sub-bottom wall portion 48 are inclined downward toward the communication hole 47.

The communication hole 47 need not necessarily be formed in the right rear end portion of the inner bottom wall portion 45. The communication hole 47 may be formed in the front and rear central portions of the inner bottom wall portion 45, for example. Alternatively, the communication hole 47 may be formed in the inner bottom wall portion 45 across the entire area in the left-right direction, or may be formed in the sub bottom wall portion 48.

In the embodiment, the upper surface 45A of the inner bottom wall portion 45 is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction, that is, the upper surface 45A of the inner bottom wall portion 45 is inclined downward toward the communication hole 47. However, the upper surface 45A of the inner bottom wall portion 45 does not necessarily have to be inclined as described above.

As shown in fig. 10 and 14, the upper surface 48A includes a curved surface 115A, a curved surface 116A, and a curved surface 119A.

The curved surface 115A extends downward from the lower end of the inner surface 37A of the right side wall 37. That is, the curved surface 115A is continuously connected to the lower end of the inner surface 37A of the right sidewall 37. The curved surface 116A extends downward from the lower end of the inner surface 38A of the left side wall 38. That is, the curved surface 116A is continuously connected to the lower end of the inner surface 38A of the left side wall 38. The curved surface 115A and the curved surface 116A are provided by the upper surface 48A of the sub-bottom wall portion 48. Although not shown in the drawings, the upper surface 45A includes a curved region continuously connected to the inner surface 37A of the right side wall 37 and another curved region continuously connected to the inner surface 38A of the left side wall 38. The radius of curvature of each of the

curved surfaces

115A and 116A is greater than the radius of curvature of the curved region of the upper surface 45A. The curved surface 115A is curved such that its lower end is positioned to the left of its upper end. The curved surface 116A is curved such that its lower end is positioned to the right of its upper end. The curved surface 115A and the curved surface 116A are curved to expand outward from the cartridge case 130. The lower end of the curved surface 115A is connected to the lower end of the curved surface 116A. Here, the lower end of the curved surface 115A and the lower end of the curved surface 116A provide the lowermost portion of the first storage chamber 32 at the front thereof, i.e., the lowermost portion of the upper surface 48A. In other words, the lower end of the curved surface 115A is connected to the lower end of the curved surface 116A (i.e., to the lowermost portion of the upper surface 48A and the lowermost portion of the first storage chamber 32 at the front thereof), and the lower end of the curved surface 116A is connected to the lower end of the curved surface 115A (i.e., to the lowermost portion of the upper surface 48A and the lowermost portion of the first storage chamber 32 at the front thereof). Thus, at the front portion of the first reservoir chamber 32, a curved inner surface having a U-shaped cross section is formed by the upper surface 48A, and the U-shaped curved inner surface (i.e., the upper surface 48A) connects the inner surface 37A of the right side wall 37 to the inner surface 38A of the left side wall 38.

The outer curved surface 115B of the sub-bottom wall portion 48 is curved in a direction substantially parallel to the direction in which the inner curved surface 115A is curved. In other words, the outer curved surface 115B is curved in the same direction as the inner curved surface 115A is curved. The outer curved surface 116B of the sub-bottom wall portion 48 is curved in a direction substantially parallel to the direction in which the inner curved surface 116A is curved. In other words, the outer curved surface 116B is curved in the same direction as the inner curved surface 116A is curved. Incidentally, the outer

curved surfaces

115B and 116B are not necessarily curved. For example, the outer

curved surfaces

115B and 116B may be flexed.

As shown in fig. 10, a curved surface 119A extends downward from the lower end of the inner surface 40A of the front wall 40. That is, the curved surface 119A is continuously connected to the lower end of the inner surface 40A of the front wall 40. The curved surface 119A is provided by the upper surface 48A of the minor bottom wall portion 48. The curved surface 119A is curved such that its lower end is positioned rearward of its upper end. The curved surface 119A is curved to expand outwardly from the cartridge housing 130. The outer curved surface 119B of the sub-bottom wall portion 48 is curved in a direction substantially parallel to the direction in which the inner curved surface 119A is curved. In other words, the outer curved surface 119B is curved in the same direction as the inner curved surface 119A is curved. Incidentally, the outer curved surface 119B need not necessarily be curved. For example, the outer curved surface 119B may be flexed.

As shown in fig. 11, the inner surface 40A includes a curved surface 117A, a curved surface 118A, and an intermediate surface 121A between the curved surface 117A and the curved surface 118A. The curved surface 117A extends forward from the front end of the inner surface 37A of the right side wall 37. That is, the curved surface 117A is continuously connected to the front end of the inner surface 37A of the right side wall 37. The curved surface 118A extends forward from the front end of the inner surface 38A of the left side wall 38. That is, the curved surface 118A is continuously connected to the front end of the inner surface 38A of the left side wall 38. The curved surface 117A has a front end continuously connected to a right end of the intermediate surface 121A of the inner surface 40A. The curved surface 118A has a front end continuously connected to the left end of the intermediate surface 121A of the inner surface 40A.

Curved surfaces

117A and 118A are provided by inner surface 40A of front wall 40. The curved surface 117A is curved such that its front end is positioned to the left than its rear end. The curved surface 118A is curved such that its front end is positioned to the right of its rear end. The curved surface 117A and the curved surface 118A are curved to expand outward from the cartridge case 130. The inner surface 40A of the front wall 40 has left and right central portions that constitute the foremost part of the first storage chamber 32. That is, the intermediate surface 121A includes the foremost part of the first storage chamber 32. The front end of the curved surface 117A and the front end of the curved surface 118A are connected to the middle surface 121A including the foremost part of the first storage chamber 32.

The outer curved surface 117B of the front wall 40 is curved in a direction substantially parallel to the direction in which the inner curved surface 117A is curved. In other words, the outer curved surface 117B is curved in the same direction as the inner curved surface 117A is curved. The outer curved surface 118B of the front wall 40 curves in a direction generally parallel to the direction in which the inner curved surface 118A curves. In other words, the outer curved surface 118B curves in the same direction as the inner curved surface 118A curves. Incidentally, the outer

curved surfaces

117B and 118B do not necessarily have to be curved. For example, the outer

curved surfaces

117B and 118B may be flexed.

Inner curved surface 115A, inner curved surface 117A, and inner curved surface 119A are smoothly and continuously connected to each other to provide a boundary region formed with a substantially spherical surface. Similarly, inner curved surface 116A, inner curved surface 118A, and inner curved surface 119A are smoothly and continuously connected to one another to provide a boundary region formed with a substantially spherical surface. Further, the outer curved surface 115B, the outer curved surface 117B, and the outer curved surface 119B are smoothly and continuously connected to each other to provide a boundary region formed with a spherical surface. Further, the outer curved surface 116B, the outer curved surface 118B, and the outer curved surface 119B are smoothly and continuously connected to each other to provide a boundary region formed with a substantially spherical surface. In fig. 7, the spherical surface of the boundary region between the outer curved surface 116B, the outer curved surface 118B, and the outer curved surface 119B is denoted by reference numeral 200.

In the embodiment, the curved surface 115A and the curved surface 116A are continuously connected to each other at lower ends thereof. However, as will be described later in the ink cartridge 30K according to a variation of the embodiment, the lower end of the curved surface 115A and the lower end of the curved surface 116A may not be continuously connected to each other.

Further, in the embodiment, the front end of the curved surface 117A and the front end of the curved surface 118A are connected to the intermediate surface 121A. However, the front end of the curved surface 117A and the front end of the curved surface 118A may be continuously connected to each other. In this case, the connection between the curved surface 117A and the curved surface 118A constitutes the foremost part of the first storage chamber 32.

Further, in the embodiment, the upper surface 48A of the sub bottom wall portion 48 includes: a curved surface 115A, the curved surface 115A being connected to a lower end of the inner surface 37A of the right side wall 37; a curved surface 116A, the curved surface 116A being connected to a lower end of the inner surface 38A of the left side wall 38; and a curved surface 119A, the curved surface 119A being connected to a lower end of the inner surface 40A of the front wall 40. Further, in an embodiment, the inner surface 40A of the front wall 40 comprises: a curved surface 117A, the curved surface 117A being connected to a front end of the inner surface 37A of the right side wall 37; and a curved surface 118A, the curved surface 118A being connected to a front end of the inner surface 38A of the left side wall 38. However, the inner curved surface(s) may be provided so as to be connected to the rear end of the inner surface 37A of the right side wall 37, the rear end of the inner surface 38A of the left side wall 38, the inner surface 40A of the front wall 40, the inner surface 41A of the rear wall 41, the upper surface 42A of the main bottom wall portion 42, the upper surface 45A of the inner bottom wall portion 45, and the upper surface 48A of the sub bottom wall portion 48. For example, as shown in fig. 21, the upper surface 45A may include a curved surface 122A, the curved surface 122A being continuously connected to the inner surface 41A of the rear wall 41. Further, the curved surface may extend from one end of the inner surface of at least one of the right side wall 37, the left side wall 38, the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the main bottom wall portion 42, the sub bottom wall portion 48, and the inner bottom wall portion 45.

Further, the inner curved surface 115A and the inner curved surface 116A each have a radius of curvature of, for example, not less than 1 mm. More specifically, the inner curved surface 115A and the inner curved surface 116A each have a radius of curvature in the range of 1mm to 3 mm. The outer curved surface 115B and the outer curved surface 116B each have a radius of curvature of, for example, not less than 7 mm.

< air communication passage 72>

The air communication passage 72 is a space that provides communication between the first storage chamber 32 and the outside of the ink cartridge 30. The air communication passage 72 is located above the cartridge case 130. As shown in fig. 10, as described above, the air communication passage 72 includes the air chamber 36, the through hole 142 (see fig. 9A and 9B), and the labyrinth path 143.

The air chamber 36 is a space formed in the air communication passage 72. The air chamber 36 communicates with the first reservoir chamber 32 at one end and communicates with the labyrinth path 143 at the other end. The air chamber 36 has a portion located above the first storage chamber 32 and below the labyrinth path 143. The air chamber 36 has a lower end defined by an upper surface 136A of the bottom wall 136 of the first inner cover 131 and an upper end defined by a lower surface 132B of the second inner cover 132. The air chamber 36 has a front end, a rear end, a right end, and a left end defined by an inner peripheral surface of a peripheral wall 137 (see fig. 8A and 8B) of the first inner lid 131. A gap between the second inner lid 132 and the peripheral wall 137 of the first inner lid 131 is liquid-tightly sealed by the film 133.

As described above, the upper end of the first storage chamber 32 is defined by the lower surface 136B of the bottom wall 136 of the first inner lid 131. That is, the first reservoir chamber 32 and the air chamber 36 are separated by the bottom wall 136.

The air chamber 36 communicates with the first reservoir chamber 32 through a through hole 46 that penetrates the bottom wall 136 in the up-down direction. Further, the air chamber 36 communicates with the labyrinth path 143 through a through hole 142 (see fig. 9A and 9B) formed in the second inner cover 132. As described above, the semi-permeable membrane 141 (see fig. 7) is welded to the lower end surfaces of the ribs 140 of the second inner lid 132. With this structure, the ink flowing from the first reservoir chamber 32 through the through-hole 46 is blocked by the semipermeable membrane 141 and does not reach the through-hole 142. Thus, the semi-permeable membrane 141 prevents ink from flowing into the labyrinth path 143.

As described above, the labyrinth path 143 is defined by the upper surface 132A, the plurality of ribs 144 (see fig. 9B), and the film 146 (see fig. 7). The labyrinth path 143 is a continuous passage extending in the left-right direction and repeating a U-turn in the up-down direction. The labyrinth path 143 is provided in the form of a groove which is covered at its tip with a membrane 146. The labyrinth path 143 has one end communicating with the through hole 142 and the other end communicating with the communication hole 147. The labyrinth path 143 communicates with the air chamber 36 through a through hole 142 formed in the second inner cover. The labyrinth path 143 is provided at a surface (i.e., the upper surface 132A) of the second inner cover 132 opposite to a surface (i.e., the lower surface 132B) of the second inner cover 132 defining the upper end of the air chamber 36. In an embodiment, the surface defining the upper end of the air chamber 36 is the inner surface of the second inner lid 132. The labyrinth path 143 is positioned upward relative to the air chamber 36. The labyrinth path 143 communicates with the inner space 134A (see fig. 10) of the outer cover 134 through the communication hole 147 (see fig. 7). The internal space 134A communicates with the outside of the ink cartridge 30 through the opening 44 (see fig. 4) formed in the top wall 39 of the outer cover 134 and through the gap between the outer cover 134 and the cartridge case 130. That is, the labyrinth path 143 can communicate with the atmosphere through the communication hole 147.

< valve mechanism 135 and support member 150>

The valve mechanism 135 has a function for interrupting and establishing communication between the first storage chamber 32 and the atmosphere. The configuration of the valve mechanism 135 according to the embodiment will be described in detail below. The valve mechanism 135 may have different configurations as long as the valve mechanism 135 can perform the function for interrupting and establishing communication between the first storage chamber 32 and the atmosphere. For example, the valve mechanism 135 may be configured such that the valve body 161 (described later) can move in a direction other than the up-down direction.

As shown in fig. 7 and 10, the valve mechanism 135 includes a valve body 161, a coil spring 162, and a lever 163. The valve body 161 includes a stem 165 and a seal 166 fitted on the stem 165. As shown in fig. 10, a part of the rod 165 and the seal member 166 are disposed in the air communication passage 72. The remaining portion of the rod 165 and the coil spring 162 are disposed in the inner space 134A of the outer cover 134. Incidentally, the arrangement of the components in the valve mechanism 135 is not limited to the above. For example, all the components of the valve mechanism 135 may be disposed in the air communication passage 72.

The support member 150 shown in fig. 7 is adapted to pivotally movably support the valve mechanism 135, more specifically, a lever 163 (described later) of the valve mechanism 135. The support member 150 has an internal space in which a portion of the valve mechanism 135 can be disposed. As shown in fig. 10, the support member 150 includes two engaging portions 152, one of which is at the front end and the other of which is at the rear end. After the engaging portions 152 are engaged with the bent portions of the distal ends of the ribs 158 of the second inner lid 132, the support member 150 is supported to the second inner lid 132.

The lever 165 is disposed between a pair of ribs 157 (see fig. 9B) of the second inner lid 132. The lever 165 has an upper surface that includes a front portion 165A, a rear portion 165B, and an inclined portion 165C, the inclined portion 165C connecting the front portion 165A to the rear portion 165B. The inclined portion 165C is inclined downward from its front end to its rear end such that the front portion 165A is positioned higher than the rear portion 165B.

The rod 165 extends in the up-down direction. The stem 165 is inserted into a through hole 139 (see fig. 9A) formed in the second inner lid 132. The sealing member 166 is formed of an elastic material such as rubber. The sealing member 166 is in pressure contact with the rod 165 without a gap between the sealing member 166 and the rod 165. With this structure, no gap is formed between the seal member 166 and the rod 165.

The valve body 161 is movable in the up-down direction from the closed position shown in fig. 10 and 16 to the open position shown in fig. 3. The movement of the valve body 161 in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction is restricted by the ribs 156 and 157 (see fig. 9B) of the second inner lid 132.

The lever 165 has projections projecting forward and backward, respectively. As shown in fig. 10 and 16, in a state where the valve body 161 is in the closed position, the rod 165 is supported by the second inner lid 132 such that the lower surface of the projection of the valve body 161 contacts the upper surface 132A of the second inner surface 132A. Further, in a state where the valve body 161 is in the closed position, the sealing member 166 covers the peripheral edge portion of the through hole 46. Thus, the gap between the through hole 46 and the seal member 166 is closed. That is, the through hole 46 is hermetically and liquid-tightly closed by the rod 165 and the sealing member 166. Therefore, the communication between the first storage chamber 32 and the outside (i.e., the atmosphere) of the ink cartridge 30 is interrupted.

As shown in fig. 3, the valve body 161 in the open position is positioned higher than the valve body 161 in the closed position (see fig. 10 and 16). In a state where the valve body 161 is in the open position, the lower surface of the protrusion of the rod 165 is spaced upward from the upper surface 132A of the second inner lid 132. Further, the sealing member 166 is spaced upward from the peripheral edge portion of the through hole 46. Thus, the through hole 46 is opened. As a result, communication between the first storage chamber 32 and the outside (i.e., the atmosphere) of the ink cartridge 30 through the through hole 46 is established. At this time, the sealing member 166 pressingly contacts the through hole 139 from below and covers the peripheral edge portion of the through hole 139. Thus, the gap between the sealing member 166 and the through hole 139 is closed. That is, the through hole 139 is hermetically and liquid-tightly closed by the rod 165 and the sealing member 166.

As shown in fig. 10, a coil spring 162 is fitted around the rod 165. The coil spring 162 has an upper end contacting the rod 165 of the valve body 161 and a lower end contacting the upper surface 132A of the second inner lid 132. In a state where the valve body 161 is in the closed position, the coil spring 162 has a length shorter than its inherent length. Therefore, when the valve body 161 is in the closed position, the coil spring 162 urges the valve body 161 upward, that is, urges the valve body 161 in a direction from the closed position to the open position. Incidentally, the member for urging the valve body 161 is not limited to the coil spring 162. Instead of the coil spring 162, the valve body 161 may be urged by a plate spring or an elastic member such as rubber.

As shown in fig. 7 and 10, the lever 163 has a through hole serving as the pivot portion 167. The lever 163 includes a first projection 168 and a second projection 169. A first projection 168 and a second projection 169 extend outwardly from the pivot portion 167.

As shown in fig. 10, the support member 150 is provided with a pair of protrusions 170. One projection 170 of the pair of projections 170 projects from an inner right surface of the support member 150, which defines the right end of the inner space of the support member 150. The other projection 170 of the pair of projections 170 projects from an inner left surface of the support member 150, which defines a left end of the inner space of the support member 150. The protrusion 170 is inserted into the pivot portion 167. More specifically, the protrusion 170 protruding from the inner right surface of the support member 150 is inserted into the pivot portion 167 from the right, and the protrusion 170 protruding from the inner left surface of the support member 150 is inserted into the pivot portion 167 from the left. With this structure, the lever 163 is supported by the support member 150 to be pivotally movable relative to the support member 150 about the axis of the pivot portion 167. Incidentally, the pivot portion 167 may be a protrusion protruding rightward and leftward from the lever 163. In this case, the inner left and right surfaces of the support member 150 have openings, respectively, and the protrusion as the pivot portion 167 is inserted into the openings.

As shown in fig. 7 and 10, the first projection 168 and the second projection 169 extend in opposite directions relative to the pivot portion 167. The first projection 168 and the second projection 169 are generally positioned on opposite sides of the pivot portion 167. The first protrusion 168 extends in a direction away from the pivot portion 167, and the second protrusion 169 extends in a direction generally opposite to the direction in which the first protrusion 168 extends.

The lever 163 is pivotally movable from a first position shown in fig. 10 and 16 to a second position shown in fig. 3. The axis of the pivot portion 167 serves as a pivot center when the lever 163 pivotally moves between the first position and the second position.

When the lever 163 is in the first position, the first projection 168 extends downward. The rear edge of the distal end (i.e., the lower end) of the first projection 168 is positioned rearward relative to the axis of the pivot portion 167. More specifically, as shown in fig. 10, an imaginary line 172 is inclined rearward at a prescribed angle θ 3 with respect to an imaginary line 173, the imaginary line 172 connecting the axis of the pivot portion 167 with the rear edge of the distal end of the first projection 168, the imaginary line 173 extending in the direction of gravity from the axis of the pivot portion 167. In the embodiment, the prescribed angle θ 3 is 5 degrees. The lower end of the first protrusion 168 contacts the rear portion 165B at the upper surface of the stem 165 of the valve body 161 to press the valve body 161 downward. Thus, the valve body 161 is placed in the closed position. Further, when the lever 163 is in the first position, the second projection 169 extends upward, more specifically, the second projection 169 extends obliquely upward and rearward. The second projection 169 is positioned between the pair of walls 114 of the projection 43. The second protrusion 169 does not extend upwardly beyond the pair of walls 114. That is, the upper end of the second projection 169 is positioned downward with respect to the upper ends of the pair of walls 114.

When the lever 163 is in the first position, the pivotal forward movement of the first projection 168 (i.e., the clockwise pivotal movement of the lever 163 toward the second position in fig. 10) is restricted by the inclined portion 165C of the rod 165 of the valve body 161 and also restricted by the distal end of the first projection 168 positioned rearward of the axis of the pivot portion 167. Note that, in order to restrict the pivotal forward movement of the first projection 168, the coil spring 162 is designed to have an upward urging force that is larger than a force required to move the first projection 168 from the rear portion 165B of the upper surface of the rod 165 of the valve body 161 to the front portion 165A thereof. Incidentally, the inclined portion 165C may or may not be provided at the upper surface of the lever 165. Even if the inclined portion 165C is not provided and the lever 165 has a flat upper surface, the pivotal clockwise movement of the lever 163 toward the second position in fig. 10 can be restricted as long as the distal end of the first projection 168 is positioned rearward with respect to the axis of the pivot portion 167.

The pivotal rearward movement of the first projection 168 (i.e., the pivotal counterclockwise movement of the lever 163 in fig. 10) is restricted when the lever 163 abuts on the projection 171 provided on the inner right surface of the support member 150. The lever 163 is thus maintained in the first position. The lever 163 in the first position restricts the movement of the valve body 161 to the open position against the urging force of the coil spring 162, and maintains the valve body 161 at the closed position.

As shown in fig. 3, when the lever 163 is in the second position, the lever 163 is spaced apart from the boss plate 111. The first projection 168 extends forward. The second protrusion 169 extends downward, and more specifically, the second protrusion 169 extends downward and rearward in an angled manner. Further, the valve body 161 is in the open position.

< ink supply portion 34>

As shown in fig. 6, the ink supply portion 34 extends forward from the connecting wall 49 at a position below the sub bottom wall portion 48 and in front of the main bottom wall portion 42. As shown in fig. 10, the ink supply portion 34 is located below the inner bottom wall portion 45. Further, the ink supply portion 34 is located below and behind the front wall 40.

As shown in fig. 12, ink supply 34 includes a barrel 75, an enclosure 76, a valve 77, a coil spring 78, a cap 79, and a snap mechanism 74.

The barrel 75 has a generally tubular or hollow cylindrical shape. The shape of the barrel 75 is not limited to a cylindrical shape. The cartridge 75 may have any shape as long as the cartridge 75 is hollow. The barrel 75 has a forward directed distal end (i.e., a front end). The distal end of the barrel 75 is located below and rearward of the front wall 40. The barrel 75 has an opening at its front end. The cartridge 75 defines an internal space that serves as the ink valve chamber 35. The ink valve chamber 35 extends from the second storage chamber 33 in the forward direction 51.

The enclosing member 76 is a disc-shaped member and has a through-hole 73 at a central region thereof. The envelope 76 is made of a resilient material such as rubber or an elastomer. As shown in fig. 10, an enclosing member 76 is provided at the front end of the barrel 75 to cover the front opening of the barrel 75. A through hole 73 penetrates a central region of the enclosing member 76 in the front-rear direction to provide a tubular inner peripheral surface. The through-hole 73 has an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the ink needle 102.

As shown in fig. 10, a valve 77 and a coil spring 78 are accommodated in the ink valve chamber 35. The valve 77 can be brought into contact with and separated from the enclosing member 76 by being moved in the front-rear direction. When the valve 77 contacts the enclosing member 76, the through-hole 73 formed in the central region of the enclosing member 76 is closed. When the valve 77 is separated from the enclosure 76, the through-hole 73 is opened. The coil spring 78 pushes the valve 77 forward. Therefore, the valve 77 closes the through hole 73 of the enclosing member 76, and no external force is applied to the valve 77.

As shown in fig. 13A and 13B, the cap 79 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. The cap 79 has a hollow configuration. Incidentally, the cap 79 may have an outer shape other than a rectangular parallelepiped as long as the cap 79 is a hollow member whose front and rear ends are open.

The cap 79 has a rear end formed with an opening 87. The cartridge 75 and the enclosing member 76 are inserted into the inner space of the cap 79 through the opening 87. Thus, the cap 79 covers the tube 75 and the enclosing member 76 from the front side of the tube 75 and the enclosing member 76. As shown in fig. 10, in a state where the cap 79 covers the cartridge 75, the lower end of the cap 79 is disposed at substantially the same position as the lower end of the cartridge case 130 with respect to the up-down direction.

The cap 79 has a front end wall with a front surface 79A. The front end wall of the cap 79 is formed with an ink supply port 71. In a state where the cap 79 covers the cartridge 75 and the enclosure member 76, the ink valve chamber 35 communicates with the outside of the ink cartridge 30 through the through hole 73 of the enclosure member 76 and the ink supply port 71 of the cap 79.

The ink supply portion 34 further includes a first absorbing member 182 and a second absorbing member 183. As shown in fig. 10, the first and

second absorption members

182 and 183 are disposed in the inner space of the cap 79. The first and

second absorption members

182 and 183 are formed of a porous material such as polyurethane foam. The first and second

absorbent members

182 and 183 have micropores provided by a porous material. The ink enters the micro pores so that the ink is absorbed by the first and

second absorption members

182 and 183. Therefore, the first and second absorbing

members

182 and 183 are adapted to absorb ink.

As shown in fig. 12, the first absorption member 182 has a ring shape. The first absorbing member 182 is disposed along a periphery defining the ink supply port 71. That is, the first absorbing member 182 is provided adjacent to the peripheral edge portion of the ink supply port 71. Incidentally, the first absorbing member 182 may not have a ring shape. For example, the first absorption member 182 may have a rectangular shape. In this case, the first absorbing member 182 may be provided only at a position below the peripheral edge defining the ink supply port 71.

The second absorption member 183 has a plate-like shape. The second absorbent member 183 is positioned rearward with respect to the first absorbent member 182. The second absorbing member 183 is supported by the inner lower surface of the cap 79 to be disposed in a lower portion of the inner space of the cap 79, that is, at a position downward with respect to the ink valve chamber 35. The inner lower surface of the cap 79 is a surface defining the lower end of the inner space of the cap 79. Incidentally, the second absorbing member 183 need not necessarily have a plate-like shape. Further, the second absorption member 183 may be provided on the entire inner circumferential surface of the cap 79 defining the inner space of the cap 79.

As shown in fig. 10 and 13B, at least one groove 184 extending in the front-rear direction is formed at the inner peripheral surface of the cap 79, more specifically, at the inner lower surface of the cap 79. The groove 184 has a front end connected to the first absorption member 182. The front end of the groove 184 may be located near the first absorption member 182. The groove 184 has a rear end connected to the second absorbing member 183. The rear end of the groove 184 may be located near the second absorbent member 183. That is, the groove 184 is formed in the cap 79 at a region from the peripheral edge portion of the ink supply port 71 to the second absorbing member 183. With this configuration, even if ink leaks from the cartridge 75 to the inner space of the cap 79, the ink can be guided to the second absorbing member 183 by the grooves 184 to be absorbed by the second absorbing member 183.

Note that the first and

second absorption members

182 and 183 may not be provided in the inner space of the cap 79. Further, the groove 184 may not be formed at the inner lower surface of the cap 79. In a state where the cap 79 covers the tube 75 and the enclosing member 76, the inner peripheral surface of the cap 79 and the outer peripheral surface of the tube 75 provide a gap therebetween. Even if the groove 184 is not formed at the inner lower surface of the cap 79, ink leaking from the cartridge 75 is introduced to the second absorbing member 183 via the gap.

As shown in fig. 13A and 13B, the cap 79 has an outer peripheral surface extending rearward from the front surface 79A. The outer peripheral surface of the cap 79 is formed with four

guide grooves

175A, 175B, 175C, and 175D. Each of the four

grooves

175A, 175B, 175C, and 175D has a front edge that is open on the front surface 79A. The guide groove 175A is provided at the right upper end portion of the cap 79. The guide groove 175B is provided at the left upper end portion of the cap 79. The guide groove 175C is provided at the right lower end portion of the cap 79. The guide groove 175D is provided at the left lower end portion of the cap 79. In other words, the guide grooves 175A and the guide grooves 175D are provided on opposite sides of the ink valve chamber 35 in a first vertical direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. Further, the

guide grooves

175B and 175C are provided on opposite sides of the ink valve chamber 35 in a second vertical direction that is perpendicular to the front-rear direction and perpendicular to the first vertical direction. Specifically, in the embodiment, the first vertical direction is a direction connecting from the upper right side of the cap 79 to the lower left side of the cap 79, and the second vertical direction is a direction connecting from the upper left side of the cap 79 to the lower right side of the cap 79. As described above, the outer shape of the cap 79 is substantially rectangular parallelepiped. That is, when projected in the front-rear direction, the cap 79 has a projection plane having a substantially rectangular shape defined by four sides and four corners connecting two adjacent sides. Four

guide grooves

175A, 175B, 175C, and 175D are formed at four corners, respectively. Specifically, the front surface 79A of the cap 79 has a generally rectangular shape in front view, and more specifically, when the front surface 79A is viewed from the front side thereof, the front edges of the four

guide grooves

175A, 175B, 175C, and 175D are formed at the respective corners of the front surface 79A. In other words, the

guide grooves

175A, 175B, 175C, and 175D are each defined by two protrusions formed at the outer peripheral surface of the cap 79. Specifically, the cap 79 has four protrusions at its outer peripheral surface. Of the four protrusions, two protrusions protrude rightward and leftward, respectively, so that the ink supply port 71 is disposed between the two protrusions in the rightward and leftward direction. The two protrusions have respective upper end surfaces that serve as the first guide surface 176 of the guide groove 175A and the first guide surface 176 of the guide groove 175B, respectively. The two protrusions have respective lower end surfaces that serve as the first guide surface 176 of the guide groove 175C and the first guide surface 176 of the guide groove 175D, respectively.

Hereinafter, the four

guide grooves

175A, 175B, 175C, and 175D will be collectively referred to as "guide groove 175". The guide groove 175 is elongated in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the longitudinal direction of the guide groove 175 is aligned with the front-rear direction.

The

guide grooves

175A and 175C are positioned rightward with respect to the IC board 64. The

guide grooves

175B and 175D are positioned leftward with respect to the IC board 64. That is, of the four guide grooves 175, two guide grooves 175 are located on the outer side of the IC board 64 in one of the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, and the remaining two guide grooves 175 are located on the outer side of the IC board 64 in the other of the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. Incidentally, each of the four guide grooves 175 is not necessarily located outside the IC board 64 in the left-right direction.

The guide groove 175A has a shape and arrangement symmetrical to the guide groove 175B with respect to the left-right direction. Each of the

guide grooves

175A and 175B has a first guide surface 176 and a second guide surface 177. The guide groove 175C has a shape and an arrangement symmetrical to the guide groove 175D with respect to the left-right direction. Each of the

guide grooves

175C and 175D has a first guide surface 176, a second guide surface 177, and a third guide surface 178. Note that the third guide surface 178 of the guide groove 175C is not present in fig. 13B. However, the third guide surface 178 of the guide groove 175C is the same as the third guide surface 178 of the guide groove 175D.

The first guide surface 176 extends in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The third guide surface 178 extends in the left-right direction and in a direction inclined with respect to the front-rear direction such that the rear end thereof is positioned higher than the front end thereof. That is, the third guide surface 178 is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction. In each of the

guide grooves

175C and 175D, the third guide surface 178 is positioned rearward relative to the first guide surface 176. Further, in each of the

guide grooves

175C and 175D, the first guide surface 176 has a rear end continuous with a front end of the third guide surface 178. The second guide surface 177 extends in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction. In each of the

guide grooves

175A and 175B, the second guide surface 177 is connected to the first guide surface 176. In each of the

guide grooves

175C and 175D, the second guide surface 177 is connected to the first guide surface 176 and the third guide surface 178. However, the first guide surface 176, the second guide surface 177, and the third guide surface 178 do not necessarily need to be connected to each other.

As shown in fig. 6, the third guide surface 178 is inclined at an angle θ 1 with respect to the front-rear direction, and the bottom surface of the main bottom wall portion 42 is inclined at an angle θ 2 with respect to the front-rear direction. The angle θ 1 is greater than the angle θ 2.

The rear end of the first guide surface 176 of each guide channel 175 is positioned rearwardly relative to the front end of the enclosure 76.

The first guide surface 176 of each of the

guide grooves

175A and 175B faces upward. The first guide surface 176 of each of the

guide grooves

175C and 175D faces downward. The third guide surface 178 of each of the

guide grooves

175C and 175D faces downward. The second guide surface 177 of each of the

guide grooves

175A and 175C faces rightward. The second guide surface 177 of each of the

guide grooves

175B and 175D faces leftward.

Each of the

guide grooves

175A, 175B, 175C, and 175D is provided in the form of an L-shaped recess constituted by the first guide surface 176 and the second guide surface 177, as viewed in the front-rear direction. That is, in a front view, more specifically, when the front surface 79A is viewed from the front side thereof, the front edge of each of the

guide grooves

175A, 175B, 175C, and 175D forms an L-shape on the front surface 79A. In the cap 79, no surface is formed at a position facing each of the first guide surfaces 176, each of the second guide surfaces 177, and each of the third guide surfaces 178. That is, each of the

guide grooves

175A, 175B, 175C, and 175D is open in a direction perpendicular to the first guide surface 176. Further, each of the

guide grooves

175A, 175B, 175C, and 175D is open in a direction perpendicular to the second guide surface 177. Further, each of the

guide grooves

175A, 175B, 175C, and 175D is open in a direction perpendicular to the third guide surface 178. That is, each of the first guide surfaces 176 is opened in a direction perpendicular thereto. Further, each of the second guide surfaces 177 is opened in a direction perpendicular thereto. Further, each of the third guide surfaces 178 is opened in a direction perpendicular thereto. More specifically, the first guide surface 176 of each of the

guide grooves

175A and 175B is opened upward, and the first guide surface 176 of each of the

guide grooves

175C and 175D is opened downward. Further, the second guide surface 177 of each of the

guide grooves

175A and 175C is opened to the right, and the second guide surface 177 of each of the

guide grooves

175B and 175D is opened to the left. Further, the third guide surface 178 of each of the

guide grooves

175C and 175D is open downward. In each of the

guide grooves

175A, 175B, 175C, and 175D, the first guide surface 176 forms a prescribed angle with the second guide surface 177. For example, the angle formed by the first and second guide surfaces 176 and 177 is 90 degrees. In each of the

guide grooves

175A, 175B, 175C, and 175D, the dimension of the second guide surface 177 in the up-down direction is larger than the dimension of the first guide surface 176 in the left-right direction.

During the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge attachment portion 110, the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge attachment portion 110 in the forward direction 51. At this time, the projection 105A provided at the upper right side with respect to the ink needle 102 enters the guide groove 175A, the projection 105B provided at the upper left side with respect to the ink needle 102 enters the guide groove 175B, the projection 105C provided at the lower right side with respect to the ink needle 102 enters the guide groove 175C, and the projection 105D provided at the lower left side with respect to the ink needle 102 enters the guide groove 175D. In this way, the

guide grooves

175A, 175B, 175C, and 175D are guided by the

projections

105A, 105B, 105C, and 105D, respectively.

More specifically, the first guide surface 176 of the guide groove 175A is guided by the first guide surface 196 of the projection 105A, and the second guide surface 177 of the guide groove 175A is guided by the second guide surface 197 of the projection 105A. Further, the first guide surface 176 of the guide groove 175B is guided by the first guide surface 196 of the projection 105B, and the second guide surface 177 of the guide groove 175B is guided by the second guide surface 197 of the projection 105B. Further, the first guide surface 176 of the guide groove 175C is guided by the first guide surface 196 of the projection 105C, and the second guide surface 177 of the guide groove 175C is guided by the second guide surface 197 of the projection 105C. Further, the first guide surface 176 of the guide groove 175D is guided by the first guide surface 196 of the protrusion 105D, and the second guide surface 177 of the guide groove 175D is guided by the second guide surface 197 of the protrusion 105D.

As the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted forward into the cartridge attaching portion 110, the third guide surface 178 of the guide groove 175C is positioned above the projection 105C provided at the lower right side with respect to the ink needle 102, and the third guide surface 178 of the guide groove 175D is positioned above the projection 105D provided at the lower left side with respect to the ink needle 102. As a result, a space is formed between the first guide surface 196 of the projection 105C and the third guide surface 178 of the projection 105C in the up-down direction. A space is also formed between the first guide surface 196 of the projection 105D and the third guide surface 178 of the projection 105D in the up-down direction. The space formed between the first guide surface 196 and the third guide surface 178 allows the ink cartridge 30 to be pivotally movable in the housing 101.

The guide grooves 175 need not be formed at the right upper end, the left upper end, the right lower end, and the left lower end of the cap 79 as long as the guide grooves 175 are formed in the cap 79 at positions corresponding to the protrusions 105 of the cartridge attachment portion 110, respectively. For example, the guide grooves 175 may be formed at left and right central portions of an upper surface of the cap 79, left and right central portions of a lower surface of the cap 79, vertical (up and down) central portions of a right surface of the cap 79, and vertical (up and down) central portions of a left surface of the cap 79, respectively. Further, three or less guide grooves 175, or five or more guide grooves 175 may be formed at the cap 79. That is, the cap 79 may be formed with at least one guide groove 175.

That is, the cap 79 may be formed with two guide grooves 175 instead of four guide grooves 175. In this case, the two guide grooves 175 may be formed to be arranged in the up-down direction or the left-right direction. In the case where two guide grooves 175 are arranged in the up-down direction, the

guide grooves

175A and 175C may be formed in the cap 79; or the

guide grooves

175B and 175D may be formed in the cap 79. Alternatively, in the case where two guide grooves 175 are arranged in the left-right direction, the

guide grooves

175A and 175B may be formed at the cap 79; or the

guide grooves

175C and 175D may be formed at the cap 79.

Each guide groove 175 may have a surface opposite the first guide surface 176. In this case, the guide groove 175 is defined by at least a surface opposite to the first guide surface 176, and the second guide surface 177. In this case, the first guide surface 176 is not opened in a direction perpendicular to the first guide surface 176. In addition, each guide groove 175 may have a surface opposite to the second guide surface 177. In this case, the guide groove 175 is defined by at least a surface opposite to the second guide surface 177, the first guide surface 176, and the second guide surface 177. In this case, the second guide surface 177 is not opened in a direction perpendicular to the second guide surface 177.

Further, each of the

guide grooves

175C and 175D does not necessarily have the third guide surface 178. In this case, each of the

guide grooves

175C and 175D is defined only by the first guide surface 176 and the second guide surface 177, similar to the

guide grooves

175A and 175B.

The snap-fit mechanism 74 shown in fig. 12 is configured to engage the cap 79 with one of the cartridge housing 130 and the cartridge 75. In an embodiment, the snap-fit mechanism 74 engages the cap 79 with the cartridge housing 130.

The snap-fit mechanism 74 includes four projections 179 and two projections 180. Two of the four projections 179 are provided at the right side wall 37 of the cartridge case 130, and the remaining two projections 179 of the four projections 179 are provided at the left side wall 38 of the cartridge case 130. Thus, in an embodiment, four protrusions 179 are provided at the cartridge housing 130. Two protrusions 180 are provided at the cap 79.

Specifically, two projections 179 project rightward from the right side wall 37 and are spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction. Two projections 179 projecting from the right side wall 37 are not present in fig. 12. As shown in fig. 12, the remaining two projections 179 project leftward from the left side wall 38 and are spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction. Note that the two sets of projecting portions 179 provided at the right side wall 37 have a shape and an arrangement symmetrical to the remaining two sets of projecting portions 179 with respect to the left-right direction. In other words, each of the left and

right side walls

38 and 37 is formed with a recess recessed rearward. Each recess is adapted to receive a corresponding projection 180. That is, the snap-fit mechanism 74 includes two protrusions 180 and two recesses adapted to receive the corresponding protrusions 180. As will be described below, the projection 179 may protrude from the barrel 75 of the ink supply 34. As shown in fig. 6, each projection 179 has a rearwardly facing engagement surface 179A.

As shown in fig. 13A, each of the two protrusions 180 protrudes in the axial direction of the cap 79 from an edge portion defining the opening 87 of the cap 79. In the operation posture of the ink cartridge 30, the axial direction of the cap 79 coincides with the front-rear direction, and the projection 180 protrudes rearward from the cap 79. Incidentally, the projection 180 may protrude in a direction other than the rearward direction 52 as long as the cap 79 can be engaged with the housing 130 by snap-fitting.

One projection 180 of the two projections 180 projects rearward from the cap 79 at a position to the right of the opening 87. The remaining one 180 of the two protrusions 180 protrudes rearward from the cap 79 at a position to the left of the opening 87. That is, the two projections 180 are arranged to be opposed to each other in the left-right direction such that the opening 87 is interposed between the two projections 180. In a state where the cap 79 covers the cartridge 75, one protrusion 180 of the two protrusions 180 faces the right sidewall 37 in the left-right direction, and the remaining one protrusion 180 of the two protrusions 180 faces the left sidewall 38 in the left-right direction. In other words, in a state where the cap 79 covers the cartridge 75, the two projections 180 are arranged to be opposed to each other in the left-right direction with the cartridge case 130 interposed between the two projections 180.

Each of the two protrusions 180 has an upper end positioned downward with respect to the upper end of the cap 79 and a lower end positioned upward with respect to the lower end of the cap 79. When the cap 79 is viewed from the rear side thereof, the two protrusions 180 do not protrude outward from the outer periphery of the cap 79. In other words, when the cap 79 is viewed from the rear side thereof, the two protrusions 180 are located inside the outer periphery of the cap 79.

Incidentally, each of the projections 180 may have a portion located outside the outer periphery of the cap 79 when the cap 79 is viewed from the rear side thereof. For example, the upper end of each projection 180 may be positioned upward relative to the upper end of the cap 79. Alternatively, the lower end of each projection 180 may be positioned downwardly relative to the lower end of the cap 79.

Each of the protrusions 180 has a length in the up-down direction such that the length in the up-down direction at the rear end thereof is smaller than the length in the up-down direction at the front end thereof. That is, each protrusion 180 has a tapered shape such that its length in the up-down direction gradually decreases toward its distal end (i.e., rear end). Incidentally, each of the protrusions 180 may not have the above-described tapered shape.

Each projection 180 has a distal end portion 180A and a pair of engagement claws 181. One of a pair of engagement claws 181 protrudes upward (more specifically, obliquely upward and forward) from the upper surface of the distal end portion 180A. The remaining one of the pair of engagement claws 181 protrudes downward (more specifically, obliquely downward and forward) from the lower surface of the distal end portion 180A. Each of the engagement claws 181 has a shape narrower than that of the distal end portion 180A. In other words, the length of each engagement claw 181 in the up-down direction is smaller than the length of the remaining portion of the projection 180 in the up-down direction. With this configuration, each engagement claw 181 is elastically deformable to be movable relative to the distal end portion 180A of the projection 180. More specifically, each of the engaging claws 181 is configured to be elastically deformed so as to be pivotally movable in the up-down direction about its base end (i.e., a portion connected to the distal end portion 180A).

In a state where the cap 79 covers the drum 75 and the enclosing member 76 from the front side of the drum 75 and the enclosing member 76, each projection 180 is received in a corresponding recess provided at the housing 130, and each engagement claw 181 is engaged with the engagement surface 179A of a corresponding projection 179 (see fig. 6). More specifically, the pair of engagement claws 181 of the projection 180 provided on the right of the opening 87 are engaged with the engagement surfaces 179A of the two projections 179 projecting rightward from the right side wall 37, while the pair of engagement claws 181 of the projection 180 provided on the left of the opening 87 are engaged with the engagement surfaces 179A of the two projections 179 projecting leftward from the left side wall 38. By means of these engagements, the cap 79 is held in a state of being attached to the cartridge case 130.

As shown in fig. 10, in a state where the cap 79 covers the drum 75 and the enclosing member 76 from the front side of the drum 75 and the enclosing member 76, an inner surface 79B (i.e., a surface opposite to the front surface 79A) of the front end wall of the cap 79 is positioned forward relative to the enclosing member 76 and in pressure contact with the enclosing member 76. Further, in a state where the cap 79 covers the tube 75 and the enclosing member 76 from the front side of the tube 75 and the enclosing member 76, the front end of the tube 75 is positioned rearward relative to the enclosing member 76 and in pressure contact with the enclosing member 76. Thus, the enclosing member 76 is fixed between the cap 79 and the cartridge 75 while being interposed between the cap 79 and the cartridge 75. The gap between the enclosing member 76 and the barrel 75 and the gap between the enclosing member 76 and the cap 79 are sealed liquid-tightly.

In a state where the cap 79 covers the drum 75 and the enclosing member 76 from the front side of the drum 75 and the enclosing member 76, the cap 79 is positioned downward and rearward with respect to the front wall 40.

In an embodiment, the snap-fit mechanism 74 engages the cap 79 with the cartridge housing 130. However, as described above, the snap-fit mechanism 74 may engage the cap 79 with the barrel 75 of the ink supply 34. In this case, the projection 179 may protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the barrel 75. Further, in a state where the cap 79 covers the cartridge 75, the two projections 180 are arranged to be opposed to each other such that the cartridge 75 is interposed between the two projections 180.

< operation for attaching and removing ink cartridge 30 with respect to cartridge attaching part 110>

Next, an operation for attaching the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge attaching portion 110 will be described with reference to fig. 3, 10, and 15 to 20.

As shown in fig. 10, before the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attaching portion 110, in the ink cartridge 30, the valve 77 is in contact with the packing 76 to close the through hole 73. Therefore, at this time, the flow of ink from the ink valve chamber 35 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 is interrupted. Further, the lever 163 is in the first position. As the first protrusion 168 of the lever 163 in the first position presses the rod 165 of the valve body 161 downward, the valve body 161 is in the closed position. In this state, the through hole 46 is closed by the rod 165 and the seal member 166 of the valve body 161. Therefore, the first storage chamber 32 is not open to the atmosphere. That is, the communication between the first storage chamber 32 and the outside of the ink cartridge 30 is interrupted.

As shown in fig. 15 and 16, the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the casing 101 through the opening 112 of the cartridge attachment portion 110 with the

front walls

40, 82 facing forward and the top wall 39 facing upward. That is, the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the casing 101 while moving in the forward direction 51 (i.e., the attaching direction). The user inserts the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge attaching portion 110 while pushing the

rear walls

41, 83 forward. The lower end of the ink cartridge 30 enters a guide groove 109 formed in the bottom wall of the casing 101.

As shown in fig. 15, as the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the housing 101, the projections 105 advance into the corresponding guide grooves 175 of the ink supply portion 34. Therefore, the guide grooves 175 are respectively guided by the protrusions 105.

As the projections 105 advance into the guide grooves 175, respectively, the first guide surfaces 176 of the

guide grooves

175C and 176 of the guide grooves 175D are supported by the projections 105C provided at the lower right side with respect to the ink needle 102 and the projections 105D provided at the lower left side with respect to the ink needle 102, respectively. Further, the projection 105A provided at the upper right side with respect to the ink needle 102 and the projection 105B provided at the upper left side with respect to the ink needle 102 are located in the vicinity of and above the first guide surface 176 of the guide groove 175A and in the vicinity of and above the first guide surface 176 of the guide groove 175B, respectively. As a result, the ink supply portion 34 is fixed in position with respect to the housing 101 with respect to the up-down direction.

As the projection 105 advances into the guide groove 175, the projection 105A provided at the upper right side with respect to the ink needle 102 and the projection 105C provided at the lower right side with respect to the ink needle 102 are located in the vicinity of and to the right of the second guide surface 177 of the guide groove 175A and in the vicinity of and to the right of the second guide surface 177 of the guide groove 175C, respectively. Further, the projection 105B provided at the upper left side with respect to the ink needle 102 and the projection 105D provided at the lower left side with respect to the ink needle 102 are located in the vicinity of and to the left of the second guide surface 177 of the guide groove 175B and in the vicinity of and to the left of the second guide surface 177 of the guide groove 175D, respectively. As a result, the ink supply portion 34 is fixed in position with respect to the housing 101 with respect to the left-right direction.

As the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted into the casing 101, the ink needle 102 advances into the inner space of the cap 79 through the ink supply port 71 to be press-fitted into the through hole 73 of the enclosing member 76. As described above, at this time, the ink supply portion 34 is fixed in position relative to the housing 101 in the up-down direction and the left-right direction. Therefore, the ink needle 102 can pass through the central portion of the ink supply port 71 without abutting against the cap 79.

As the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted into the housing 101, the ink needle 102 enters the ink valve chamber 35 and moves the valve 77 away from the enclosing member 76 against the urging force of the coil spring 78 (see fig. 19). The ink needles 102 are thus connected to the ink supply portion 34 to allow communication with each other. Therefore, the ink is allowed to flow from the first storage chamber 32 and the second storage chamber 33 into the internal space of the ink needle 102 through the ink valve chamber 35. In this state, the urging force of the coil spring 78 is exerted on the ink cartridge 30 to urge the ink cartridge 30 rearward.

Thereafter, when the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted into the housing 101, the rear ends of the

projections

105C, 105D move past the first guide surfaces 176 of the

guide grooves

175C, 175D and are located below the third guide surfaces 178 of the

guide grooves

175C, 175D, respectively. Spaces are formed between the third guide surfaces 178 of the

guide grooves

175C, 175D and the

protrusions

105C, 105D, respectively, in the up-down direction. Further, as described above, the main bottom wall portion 42 of the cartridge case 130 is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction such that the bottom end at the front end portion of the main bottom wall portion 42 is positioned downward with respect to the bottom end at the rear end portion of the main bottom wall portion 42. Therefore, a space is formed between the main bottom wall portion 42 and the bottom of the housing 101 in the up-down direction. These spaces allow the ink cartridge 30 to pivotally move about the through-hole 73 of the enclosure 76, so that the rear portion of the ink cartridge 30 moves downward in a state where the ink needle 102 is press-fitted into the through-hole 73 and is in contact with the through-hole 73. At this time, the through hole 73 serves as a pivot center of such pivotal movement of the ink cartridge 30.

After the ink cartridge 30 is placed in a pivotally movable state, when the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted into the casing 101, the lock shaft 145 of the cartridge attaching portion 110 contacts the inclined surfaces 155 of the pair of walls 114 and is guided along the inclined surfaces 155 (see fig. 15). At this time, the inclined surface 155 receives a downward reaction force from the lock shaft 145. As a result, the ink cartridge 30 is pivotally moved with the rear portion of the ink cartridge 30 moved downward (see fig. 18 and 19).

As shown in fig. 19, as the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted into the housing 101 and the

front walls

40, 82 of the ink cartridge 30 approach a position near the inner end surface 59 of the housing 101, the projection plate 111 of the housing 101 enters a space between the pair of walls 114. However, since the rear portion of the ink cartridge 30 has moved downward due to the pivotal movement of the ink cartridge 30, the lever 163 has also moved downward. In this state, although the bottom surface 111A is located above the lever 163, the bottom surface 111A of the projection plate 111 has not yet contacted the lever 163.

Further, as shown in fig. 19, when the

front walls

40, 82 of the ink cartridge 30 approach a position near the inner end surface 59 of the casing 101, the locking shaft 145 moves past the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154 and is positioned rearward of the locking surface 151. In other words, the locking shaft 145 is slightly spaced apart from the ink cartridge 30. Further, at this time, a space is formed below the lock shaft 145. Therefore, the ink cartridge 30 does not receive a reaction force from the lock shaft 145. As a result, the ink cartridge 30 is pivotally moved about the through hole 73 of the enclosure 76, so that the rear portion of the ink cartridge 30 is moved upward (see fig. 3 and 20). Note that the posture of the ink cartridge 30 shown in fig. 3 and 20 is an operation posture, i.e., an upright posture.

As the rear portion of the ink cartridge 30 moves upward due to the pivotal movement of the ink cartridge 30, the lever 163 also moves upward. Therefore, the surface 169A at the distal end (i.e., the upper end) of the second projection 169 of the lever 163 contacts the bottom surface 111A of the projection plate 111 from below. In other words, the lever 163 can be engaged with the projection plate 111 while moving upward. Note that after the ink needle 102 enters the ink valve chamber 35, i.e., after the ink needle 102 is connected to the ink supply portion 34, the lever 163 is brought into contact with the bottom surface 111A of the projection plate 111 (see fig. 3, 17, and 19).

When the surface 169A at the upper end of the second projection 169 of the lever 163 contacts the bottom surface 111A of the projection plate 111, the second projection 169 receives a downward reaction force from the projection plate 111. In other words, the lever 163 receives a force to pivotally move in the clockwise direction in fig. 19. This force is greater than the force required to move the first projection 168 from the rear 165B to the front 165A of the valve body 161 at the upper surface of the stem 165. Therefore, the lever 163 is pivotally movable in the clockwise direction in fig. 19 from the first position toward the second position (see also fig. 3). At this time, the first projection 168 of the lever 163 moves on the inclined portion 165C at the upper surface of the rod 165 of the valve body 161, and thus moves from the rear portion 165B thereof to the front portion 165A thereof. Meanwhile, as the rod 165 is pushed down by the lever 163, the valve body 161 is slightly moved down. As a result, the first projection 168 of the lever 163 stops pushing the valve body 161 downward. Thus, the lever 163 no longer maintains the valve body 161 in the closed position. That is, the lever 163 in the second position releases the restriction of the movement of the valve body 161 to the open position. In this state, the valve body 161 is moved upward from the closed position to the open position by the urging force of the coil spring 162 (see fig. 3), thereby opening the through hole 46. Therefore, the first reservoir chamber 32 is opened to the atmosphere through the through hole 46, the air chamber 36, the labyrinth path 143, and the communication hole 147. That is, the valve body 161 in the open position allows communication between the first reservoir chamber 32 and the air communication passage 72.

As described above, the lever 163 in the second position is spaced apart from the boss plate 111. Further, the sealing member 166 is in pressure contact with the through hole 139 from below, thereby covering the peripheral edge portion of the through hole 139. The gap between the sealing member 166 and the through hole 139 is closed air-tightly and liquid-tightly.

As described above, in order to allow the first storage chamber 32 to be opened to the atmosphere, the valve body 161 needs to be first pushed down and then moved up. This configuration can suppress the valve body 161 from being unintentionally moved to the open position. Note that the movement of the lever 163 is irreversible. That is, the lever 163 can move from the first position to the second position by abutting against the projection plate 111. However, once the lever 163 is moved to the second position, the lever 163 cannot be returned to the first position even if the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the casing 101. Therefore, the movement of the valve body 161 is also irreversible.

Further, after the pivotal movement of the ink cartridge 30, when the ink cartridge 30 is placed in the state shown in fig. 3 and 20, the light-blocking plate 67 (specifically, the portion of the light-blocking plate 67 where the cutout 66 is formed) is located between the light emitter and the light receiver of the optical sensor 113 (see fig. 2). Thus, the printer 10 can determine that the ink cartridge 30 has been attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110. Incidentally, in fig. 3 and fig. 15 to 20, the optical sensor 113 is not shown.

Further, after the pivotal movement of the ink cartridge 30, when the ink cartridge 30 is placed in the state shown in fig. 3 and 20, each electrode 65 of the IC board 64 is electrically contacted to the corresponding contact portion 106 while elastically deforming the contact portion 106 upward.

When the ink cartridge 30 is pivotally moved such that the rear portion of the ink cartridge 30 moves upward, the locking surface 151 also moves upward. Then, when the ink cartridge 30 is placed in the state shown in fig. 3 and 20, the locking surface 151 faces rearward and is opposed to the locking shaft 145. When the user stops pushing the ink cartridge 30 forward in this state, the ink cartridge 30 moves backward due to the urging force of the coil spring 78. Since the locking surface 151 faces rearward and is opposite to the locking shaft 145, when the ink cartridge 30 moves rearward, the locking shaft 145 abuts on the locking surface 151 and engages with the locking surface 151. This engagement between the locking shaft 145 and the locking surface 151 restricts further rearward movement of the ink cartridge 30. In this way, the ink cartridge 30 is held in the attached position by the engagement between the locking shaft 145 and the locking surface 151. Therefore, since the lock surface 151 (ink cartridge 30) is caught to the lock shaft 145 (more specifically, the surface at the front end of the lock shaft 145) in the upward direction 54, the ink cartridge 30 can take the operation posture.

In other words, when the ink cartridge 30 has been attached to the cartridge attaching part 110 due to the insertion of the ink needle 102 into the ink supply part 34 in the forward direction 51 and due to the engagement of the locking surface 151 with the locking shaft 145, the ink cartridge 30 takes the attaching posture. When the ink cartridge 30 takes the attachment posture, the ink cartridge 30 can supply ink to the recording head 21 and can be operated by the printer 10 for recording an image.

To remove the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge attaching portion 110, the user pushes the operating surface 92 downward in the state shown in fig. 3 and 20. As the operation surface 92 is pushed down, the ink cartridge 30 pivotally moves about the through hole 73 of the enclosing member 76 as the pivot center with its rear portion moving down (see fig. 18 and 19). Thus, the locking surface 151 moves to a downward position with respect to the locking shaft 145. As a result, the ink cartridge 30 is no longer restricted from moving backward. Therefore, the ink cartridge 30 is moved rearward relative to the cartridge attaching portion 110 by the urging force of the coil spring 78. Therefore, the user can take out the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge attaching part 110 while holding the cartridge case 130. Note that, since the valve body 161 is held in the open position, the first storage chamber 32 remains open to the atmosphere even after the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge attachment portion 110.

< variants and modifications >

< ink Cartridge 30K >

Next, the ink cartridge 30K corresponding to the black color will be described with reference to fig. 23 to 25. As shown in fig. 23, the ink cartridge 30K includes

front walls

240, 282,

rear walls

241, 283, a top wall 239,

bottom walls

242, 248,

right side walls

37, 84, and left

side walls

38, 85. The

front walls

240, 282 and the

rear walls

241, 283 of the ink cartridge 30K are larger in the left-right direction than the

front walls

40, 82 and the

rear walls

41, 83 of the three ink cartridges 30 (see fig. 4) corresponding to the three colors of cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively. In other words, the

front walls

240, 282 and the

rear walls

241, 283 of the ink cartridge 30K expand rightward as compared with the ink cartridges 30 corresponding to the cyan, magenta, and yellow colors. Therefore, the ink supply portion 34, the IC board 64, the protruding portion 43, and the operation portion 90 of the ink cartridge 30K are positioned leftward with respect to the left-right center of the ink cartridge 30K. However, the light-blocking panel 67 of the ink cartridge 30K is located at the left and right center of the ink cartridge 30K.

As described above, the ink cartridge 30K corresponding to the black color is different from the ink cartridges 30 corresponding to the respective colors of cyan, magenta, and yellow in that the

front walls

240, 282 and the

rear walls

241, 283 of the ink cartridge 30K are expanded rightward. Hereinafter, the structure of the ink cartridge 30K different from the ink cartridges 30 corresponding to the cyan, magenta, and yellow colors will be described in detail.

As shown in fig. 24, the ink cartridge 30K has a sub-bottom wall portion 248, the sub-bottom wall portion 248 having an upper surface 248A. As shown in fig. 25, the upper surface 248A is continuous with the upper surface 245A of the inner bottom wall portion 245. Upper surface 248A includes curved surface 115A, curved surface 116A, and intermediate surface 120A. The intermediate surface 120A is a flat surface, and the intermediate surface 120A is connected to the curved surface 115A at its right end and to the curved surface 116A at its left end. The middle surface 120A of the upper surface 248A is inclined with respect to the left-right direction such that the left end thereof is positioned lower than the right end thereof. Thus, the left end of the middle surface 120A of the upper surface 248A is the lowermost portion of the upper surface 248A. That is, the left end of the middle surface 120A of the upper surface 248A is the lowermost portion of the first storage chamber 32 at the front thereof. Incidentally, the intermediate surface 120A of the upper surface 248A may be inclined with respect to the left-right direction such that the right end thereof is positioned lower than the left end thereof. Alternatively, the intermediate surface 120A of the upper surface 248A may not be inclined with respect to the left-right direction, that is, the intermediate surface 120A may be a non-inclined flat surface parallel to the horizontal direction. The middle surface 120A of the upper surface 248A is made flat and connected to the inner surface 38A of the left sidewall 38 via the curved surface 116A, thereby enlarging the size of the first storage chamber 32 of the ink cartridge 30K in the width direction (i.e., the left-right direction). Therefore, a larger amount of ink can be stored in the first storage chamber 32 of the ink cartridge 30K than in the first storage chamber 32 of the ink cartridge 30 shown in fig. 14.

As shown in fig. 24, the curved surface 115A extends downward from the lower end of the inner surface 37A of the right side wall 37, and the curved surface 116A extends downward from the lower end of the inner surface 38A of the left side wall 38. In other words, the curved surface 115A is continuously connected to the lower end of the inner surface 37A of the right side wall 37, and the curved surface 116A is continuously connected to the lower end of the inner surface 38A of the left side wall 38. The curved surface 115A has a lower end connected to the right end of the intermediate surface 120A. The curved surface 116A has a lower end connected to the left end of the intermediate surface 120A. Here, the left end of the intermediate surface 120A of the sub bottom wall portion 248 constitutes the lowermost portion of the front portion of the first storage chamber 32 of the ink cartridge 30K. That is, the lower end of the curved surface 115A and the lower end of the curved surface 116A are connected to the intermediate surface 120A of the upper surface 248A of the sub-bottom wall portion 248, the intermediate surface 120A including the lowermost portion of the front portion of the first storage chamber 32.

The upper surface 248A further includes a curved surface 119A (see fig. 10), the curved surface 119A being continuously connected to a lower end of the inner surface 241A of the rear wall 241.

The inner curved surface 117A, the inner curved surface 118A, and the inner curved surface 119A of the ink cartridge 30K each have the same configuration as in the above-described embodiment, except that the dimension of the inner surface 240A of the front wall 240 in the left-right direction is larger than the dimension of the inner surface 40A of the front wall 40 of the ink cartridge 30 in the left-right direction (see fig. 25).

In the ink cartridge 30K, the lower end of the curved surface 115A and the lower end of the curved surface 116A are connected to the intermediate surface 120A of the upper surface 248A of the sub-bottom wall portion 248. However, the lower end of the curved surface 115A and the lower end of the curved surface 116A may be continuously connected to each other.

Incidentally, as in the embodiment, the upper surface 245A may include a curved surface continuously connected to the lower end of the inner surface 241A of the rear wall 241.

< other modifications >

In the above-described embodiment, the first rib 185 and the second rib 186 have the shapes as shown in fig. 8A and 8B. However, the first rib 185 and the second rib 186 may not have the shapes as shown in fig. 8A and 8B as long as each of the first rib 185 and the corresponding second rib 186 is spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction and has at least the inclined portion 185B and the inclined portion 186B, respectively.

Fig. 26A shows first inner cover 1131 according to a first variation of embodiment, first inner cover 1131 including first rib 1185 and second rib 1186. Each of the first ribs 1185 includes an extension 1185A and an inclined portion 1185B. Each of the second ribs 1186 includes an extension 1186A and an inclined portion 1186B. Each of the first ribs 1185 is opposed to a corresponding one of the second ribs 1186 in the left-right direction. A distal end (i.e., a rear end) of the inclined portion 1185B of each first rib 1185 may be disposed at the same position in the front-rear direction as a distal end (i.e., a rear end) of the inclined portion 1186B of the corresponding second rib 1186.

Fig. 26B shows the first inner cap 2131 according to the second variation of the embodiment, the first inner cap 2131 including a first rib 2185 and a second rib 2186. Each of the first ribs 2185 includes a slanted portion 2185B. Each of the second ribs 2186 includes a slanted portion 2186B. Further, fig. 26C illustrates a first inner lid 3131 according to a third variation of the embodiment, the first inner lid 3131 including a first rib 3185 and a second rib 3186. Each first rib 3185 includes an inclined portion 3185B. Each second rib 3186 includes an inclined portion 3186B.

As shown in fig. 26B, at least one of the first and

second ribs

2185 and 2186 need not have an extension. Also, as shown in fig. 26C, at least one of the first rib 3185 and the second rib 3186 need not have an extension. Note that fig. 26B and 26C show a configuration in which each of the

first ribs

2185, 3185 has no extension and each of the

second ribs

2186, 3186 has no extension.

In the above-described embodiment, the lower end of the first rib 185 and the lower end of the second rib 186 are disposed at the same height as each other. However, the lower end of the first rib 185 and the lower end of the second rib 186 may be disposed at different heights from each other. For example, among the plurality of first and

second ribs

185, 186, the

ribs

185, 186 positioned closer to the front-rear center of the

side walls

37, 38 may further protrude downward.

The protruding length of the first rib 185 may be non-uniform over the entire area thereof. Also, the protruding length of the second rib 186 may be non-uniform over the entire area thereof. For example, in the first rib 185 and the second rib 186, the base ends of the

extended portions

185A, 186A contact the

inner surfaces

37A, 38A of the

side walls

37, 38, respectively, and a portion in the vicinity of the distal ends of the

extended portions

185A, 186A (i.e., the base end portion) may protrude further downward than any other portion except the base end portion.

In the above-described embodiment, the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the right side wall 37, and the left side wall 38 of the cartridge case 130 have light transmissivity so that the surface level of the ink stored in the first storage chamber 32 and the surface level of the ink stored in the second storage chamber 33 can be visually recognized from the outside of the ink cartridge 30. Further, the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, and the right and left

side walls

37 and 38 are exposed to the outside and constitute the outer surface of the cartridge case 130, except for the upper end portions of the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, and the right and left

side walls

37 and 38, which are engaged with the outer lid 134.

However, each of the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the right side wall 37, and the left side wall 38 may have at least a portion of an outer wall forming the cartridge case 130 (i.e., a wall of the cartridge case 130 whose outer surface is exposed to the outside).

For example, a label may be adhered to a portion of the outer surface of one of the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the right side wall 37, and the left side wall 38, and the portion to which the label is adhered may dispense with visual recognition of the surface level of the ink stored in each of the first storage chamber 32 and the second storage chamber 33 from the outside of the ink cartridge 30. In this case, the portion of each of the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the right side wall 37, and the left side wall 38 other than the portion to which the label is adhered constitutes the outer wall of the cartridge case 130. Therefore, it is not necessary to visually recognize the liquid storage chambers (e.g., the first storage chamber 32 and the second storage chamber 33) in the ink cartridge 30 from the outside of the ink cartridge 30 in any direction. However, it is preferred that: the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the right side wall 37, and the left side wall 38 each have a surface liquid level area through which the ink stored in the first storage chamber 32 can be identified.

Further, the cartridge case 130 may be covered by, for example, a cover. In this case, however, the cover needs to be configured to expose a portion of the front wall 40, a portion of the rear wall 41, a portion of the right side wall 37, and a portion of the left side wall 38 to the outside. For example, the cover may have four openings at positions opposite to the portion of the front wall 40, the portion of the rear wall 41, the portion of the right side wall 37, and the portion of the left side wall 38, respectively. If this is the case, the portion of the front wall 40, the portion of the rear wall 41, the portion of the right side wall 37, and the portion of the left side wall 38 exposed to the outside through these openings form the outer wall of the cartridge case 130.

Incidentally, in the case where only a part of the front wall 40, a part of the rear wall 41, a part of the right side wall 37, and a part of the left side wall 38 constitute the outer wall of the cartridge case 130, it is preferable that: a lower portion of each of the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the right side wall 37, and the left side wall 38 is exposed to the outside.

In the above-described embodiment, the cartridge case 130, the first inner lid 131, the second inner lid 132, the outer lid 134, and the support member 150 are assembled to provide the ink cartridge 30. However, at least some of the cartridge case 130, the first and second

inner lids

131 and 132, the outer lid 134, and the support member 150 may be integrally formed. For example, the cartridge housing 130 and the outer lid 134 may be integrally formed. Alternatively, the second inner lid 132 and the support member 150 may be integrally formed.

In the above embodiment, the contact between the locking shaft 145 and the locking surface 151 holds the ink cartridge 30 in the attached position. However, the ink cartridge 30 may not be held in the attached position by the contact between the locking shaft 145 and the locking surface 151. Any other known configuration may be employed to hold the ink cartridge 30 in the attachment position.

In the above embodiment, the semi-permeable membrane 141 is welded to the lower end surface of the rib 140. However, the semipermeable membrane 141 may be welded at any other portion as long as the semipermeable membrane 141 is welded to the following portion: this portion can prevent the ink sucked into the air chamber 36 through the through hole 46 from flowing into the labyrinth path 143. Further, in the above embodiment, the semipermeable membrane 141 is welded. However, the semipermeable membrane 141 need not be welded.

In the above embodiment, the two protrusions 180 provided at the cap 79 are opposite to each other in the left-right direction. However, the protrusions 180 may be opposite to each other in any direction other than the left-right direction. For example, the protrusions 180 may be opposite to each other in the up-down direction.

In the above-described embodiment, the valve mechanism 135 is configured to interrupt communication between the first storage chamber 32 and the atmosphere by closing the through hole 46 and to provide communication between the first storage chamber 32 and the atmosphere by opening the through hole 46. However, the valve mechanism 135 may be configured to open and close a portion of the air communication passage 72 other than the through hole 46.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the valve mechanism 135 moves away from the through-hole 46 in the process of moving the ink cartridge 30 upward (i.e., in the direction opposite to the direction of gravity) to engage the locking surface 151 with the locking shaft 145. However, the valve mechanism 135 may move along with the progress of the movement of the ink cartridge 30 in the attachment direction to the cartridge attachment portion 110 (i.e., in the direction intersecting the direction of gravity).

In the above embodiment, the ink supply portion 34 is provided with the barrel 75 and the cap 79, and the cap 79 covers the barrel 75. However, the ink supply portion 34 need not be provided with the cap 79. In the case where the ink supply portion 34 does not include the cap 79, the guide groove 175 may be formed in the outer circumferential surface of the barrel 75.

In the above-described embodiment, the communication between the inside and the outside of the ink supply portion 34 is interrupted by the valve 77 and is provided by the valve 77. However, the opening in the front end of the barrel 75 may be formed by piercing a sealing member formed of an elastic resin and having no through hole with a needle or the like, and the opening may be closed by the elasticity of the sealing member as the needle is retracted from the sealing member.

In the above embodiment, the dimension of the main bottom wall portion 42 in the front-rear direction is larger than the dimension of the sub bottom wall portion 48 in the front-rear direction. However, the dimension of the main bottom wall portion 42 in the front-rear direction may be shorter than the dimension of the sub bottom wall portion 48 in the front-rear direction. The connection wall 49 may be provided at the front-rear central portion of the ink cartridge 30. Alternatively, the connecting wall 49 may be provided at a position closer to the rear wall 41 than to the front wall 40.

In the above embodiment, the ink cartridge 30 has the outer shape as shown in fig. 4 and 5. Further, the ink supply portion 34 extends forward from the connecting wall 49 and is located below and behind the front wall 40. However, the ink cartridge 30 does not necessarily need to be shaped as such, and the ink supply portion 34 does not necessarily need to be positioned as shown in fig. 4 and 5.

For example, the clearance distance between the right and left

side walls

37, 38 may be greater than the clearance distance between the front and

rear walls

40, 41. Further, the ink cartridge 30 may have a simple rectangular shape. Further, the ink supply 34 may extend forward from the front wall 40. Alternatively, the ink supply portion 34 may extend downward from the main bottom wall portion 42, and may have a distal end bent or curved to allow the ink supply port 71 to open forward.

Fig. 27A shows an ink cartridge 230 according to a first modification of the embodiment. The ink cartridge 230 has an outer shape defined by a cartridge case 330. The cartridge case 330 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The ink cartridge 230 does not include the first inner lid 131, the second inner lid 132, or the outer lid 134. That is, the cartridge case 330 of the ink cartridge 230 has a top wall 188, a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall, a right side wall 191, and a left side wall 192. The top wall 188 is connected to the front, rear, right side and left

side walls

191, 192. The top wall 188 forms a portion of the cartridge housing 330. The cartridge housing 330 has a storage chamber 190. The storage compartment 190 is defined by front, rear, bottom, top, right and left

side walls

191, 192 of the cartridge housing 330. The cartridge case 330 is not necessarily formed by integral molding of resin. For example, the right and left

side walls

191, 192 may be constructed of a film welded to the front, rear, bottom and top walls 188.

In this modification, the ink supply portion 34 does not protrude from any wall defining the outer shape of the ink cartridge 230. In this case, a protrusion 193 protruding in the left-right direction is provided at each of the right and left

side walls

191 and 192 such that the ink supply port 71 is interposed between the two protrusions 193. Each projection 193 extends in the front-rear direction along the liquid passage 194. At least one of the upper and lower ends of each protrusion 193 may serve as a guide groove 175.

Furthermore, in this variation, ink supply 34 does not include a cartridge 75, an enclosure 76, a valve 77, a coil spring 78, a cap 79, or a snap mechanism 74. A film (not shown) is adhered to the opening of the ink supply port 71. The film provides a liquid-tight seal for the opening of the ink supply port 71, thereby blocking communication between the storage chamber 190 and the outside of the ink cartridge 230. When the ink cartridge 230 is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110, the ink needle 102 pierces the membrane, thereby allowing the ink stored in the storage chamber 190 to flow into the ink needle 102.

Further, in this case, the accessed member (e.g., the protrusion 43, the operation portion 90, the light-blocking plate 67, or the electrode 65 of the IC board 64) is provided at the top wall 188 of the cartridge case 330. Incidentally, the accessed member is a member that is accessible from the outside in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attaching portion 110. In fig. 27A, the IC board 64 as an accessed member is provided at the top wall 188 of the cartridge case 330. The projection 43 or the light-blocking panel 67 as the accessed member may be provided at the top wall 188 of the cartridge case 330. Alternatively, the protrusion 43 and the light-blocking plate 67 may be provided at the top wall 188 together with the IC board 64.

Fig. 27B shows an ink cartridge 430 according to a second modification of the embodiment. The ink cartridge 430 has an outer shape defined by a cartridge case 530. In the above-described first modification shown in fig. 27A, the ink supply portion 34 does not protrude forward, and the cap 79 is not provided. Then, as shown in fig. 27B, the ink supply portion 34 protrudes from the connection wall 49, but the cap 79 may not be provided. In the latter case, the tubular ink supply portion 34 projects forward from the connecting wall 49, and a pair of projections 193 projects in the left-right direction from the outer surface of the ink supply portion 34. At least one of the upper and lower ends of each protrusion 193 may serve as a guide groove 175.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, each guide groove 175 includes a portion extending in the front-rear direction (i.e., the first guide surface 176) and a portion inclined with respect to the front-rear direction (i.e., the third guide surface 178). However, as in the modification shown in fig. 27A and 27B, the guide groove 175 may include only a portion extending in the front-rear direction.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the first guide surface 176 of the guide groove 175 and the second guide surface 177 of the guide groove 175 intersect with each other. However, the first and second guide surfaces 176 and 177 need not necessarily intersect each other.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the cap 79 has four guide grooves 175 that are guided by the corresponding protrusions 105. However, a different configuration can be employed to guide the ink supply portion 34 to the ink needle 102. In the variation shown in fig. 28, the cap 579 has four guide portions 575 instead of the four guide grooves 175. A respective guide 575 is provided at each corner portion of the cap 579. Each guide 575 has two protrusions adapted to contact a corresponding protrusion 105. One of the two protrusions extends in the up-down direction, and the remaining one of the two protrusions extends in the left-right direction. During the process of attaching the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge attaching part 110, the two protrusions of each guide part 575 contact the first guide surface 196 and the second guide surface 197, respectively, whereby the ink supply part 34 is guided to the ink needle 102. Incidentally, each of the two protrusions may have a flat-shaped tip or a pointed tip. In the case where each of the two protrusions has a flat-shaped tip, the two protrusions may contact the projection 105 at their flat-shaped tips (surface contact). In the case where each of the two protrusions has a pointed tip, the two protrusions may contact the projection 105 at the pointed tips thereof (point contact).

In the above-described embodiments, the ink is an example of the liquid. However, the pretreatment liquid ejected onto the sheet before the ink during the printing operation may be stored in the liquid cartridge. Alternatively, cleaning water for cleaning the recording head 21 may be stored in the liquid cartridge. That is, the ink cartridge 30 according to the present disclosure is not necessarily a cartridge for storing ink, but may be a cartridge for storing liquid consumed by the printer 10.

< operational advantages >

According to the above-described embodiment, the guide grooves 175 are respectively guided by the projections 105 during the insertion of the ink needle 102 into the ink supply portion 34. That is, each guide groove 175 provided at the ink supply portion 34 serves as a reference surface for positioning the ink supply portion 34. In this case, the area of the reference surface for positioning the ink supply portion 34 in place can be smaller than in the case where the outer peripheral surface of the ink supply portion 34 is used as the reference surface. Therefore, the ink supply portion 34 can be definitely guided toward the ink needle 102, thereby allowing the ink needle 102 to be inserted into the ink valve chamber 35 without any collision of the ink supply portion 34 with the ink needle 102.

Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the ink supply portion 34 is formed with the four guide grooves 175. Therefore, the ink supply portion 34 can be guided toward the ink needle 102 with certainty.

Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the first guide surface 176 and the second guide surface 177 are open. That is, the guide groove 175 does not have a surface facing the first guide surface 176 and the second guide surface 177. Therefore, even if the ink cartridge 30 enters the cartridge attaching portion 110 or is drawn out from the cartridge attaching portion 110 in a case where the ink cartridge 30 is inclined with respect to the cartridge attaching portion 110, interference between the ink supply portion 34 and the projection 105 can be suppressed.

Further, according to the above-described embodiment, each of the four guide grooves 175 is formed at each corner of the cap 79. Therefore, the outer shape of the cap 79 can be simplified as compared with the case where the guide groove 175 is provided at the central portion of each of the upper surface, the lower surface, the left surface, and the right surface of the cap 79.

Further, according to the above embodiment, the rear end of the first guide surface 176 is located rearward of the front end of the enclosing member 76. Since the first guide surface 176 is guided by the projection 105 during attachment of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge attaching portion 110, the position of the enclosing member 76 can be stabilized. Therefore, the ink needle 102 can be surely introduced into the ink valve chamber 35.

Further, according to the above-described embodiment, since the third guide surface 178 is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction, a space is provided between the third guide surface 178 and the cartridge attachment portion 110. Therefore, even if the ink cartridge 30 enters the cartridge attaching portion 110 or is drawn out from the cartridge attaching portion 110 in a case where the ink cartridge 30 is inclined with respect to the cartridge attaching portion 110, interference between the ink supply portion 34 and the projection 105 can be suppressed.

Further, according to the above-described embodiment, since the first guide surface 176 is continuous with the third guide surface 178, the guide of the ink supply portion 34 toward the ink needle 102 can be smoothly performed.

Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the angle defined between the third guide surface 178 and the front-rear direction is larger than the angle defined between the bottom surface of the main bottom wall portion 42 and the front-rear direction. This structure can prevent interference between the third guide surface 178 and the projection 105 so that the bottom surface of the main bottom wall portion 42 abuts against the cartridge attachment portion 110 even if the ink cartridge 30 is attached to and detached from the cartridge attachment portion 110 in the inclined posture of the ink cartridge 30.

Further, according to the above-described embodiment, during attachment of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge attachment portion 110 and detachment of the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge attachment portion 110, the cartridge case 130 and the outer cover 134 are pivotally moved to be inclined by the pivotal movement thereof. However, even if the cartridge case 130 and the outer cover 134 are inclined by the pivotal movement as described above, the interference of the ink supply portion 34 with the projection 105 can be suppressed.

Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the guide groove 175 is located outside the IC board 64 in the left-right direction. Therefore, during attachment of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge attachment portion 110 and detachment of the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge attachment portion 110, the respective guide grooves 175 contact the corresponding projections 105 at positions outside the IC board 64 in the left-right direction. Therefore, during attachment or detachment of the ink cartridge 30, the inclination of the IC board 64 in the left-right direction can be suppressed.

Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the first absorbing member 182 and the second absorbing member 183 can absorb ink leaking from the ink supply portion 34. Therefore, the flow of ink leaking from the ink supply portion 34 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 can be reduced.

Further, the ink leaking from the ink supply portion 34 flows to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 through the ink supply port 71. According to the above-described embodiment, the first absorbing member 182 can absorb the ink passing through the ink supply port 71.

Further, most of the ink leaking from the ink supply portion 34 flows downward due to gravity. According to the above embodiment, the second absorption member 183 is provided at the lower portion of the inner space of the cap 79. Therefore, the ink leaking from the ink supply portion 34 and flowing downward can be absorbed by the second absorbing member 183.

Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the groove 184 is formed at the inner peripheral surface of the cap 79 (which defines the inner space of the cap 79) to extend from the portion adjacent to the peripheral edge portion of the ink supply port 71 toward the second absorbing member 183. Therefore, the ink leaking from the ink supply portion 34 can be guided to the second absorption member 183 by the grooves 184.

< remarks >

The ink cartridge 30 is an example of a liquid cartridge. The ink cartridge 30K is also an example of a liquid cartridge. The ink cartridge 230 is also an example of a liquid cartridge. The ink cartridge 430 is also an example of a liquid cartridge. The ink tubes 102 are examples of liquid supply tubes. The cartridge case 130 and the outer cover 134 are examples of a cartridge body. The cartridge case 330 is also an example of a cartridge body. The cartridge case 530 is also an example of a cartridge body. The first reservoir chamber 32 and the second reservoir chamber 33 are examples of liquid reservoir chambers. The ink storage chamber 190 is also an example of a liquid storage chamber. The ink supply portion 34 is an example of a liquid supply portion. The ink valve chamber 35 is an example of a liquid passage. The front surface 79A is an example of a front end surface. The guide groove 175 is an example of a guide. The guide portion 575 is also an example of a guide. The first guide surface 196 of the projection 105 is an example of one surface. The second guide surface 197 of the protrusion 105 is an example of another surface. The first guide surface 176 of the guide groove 175 is an example of a first guide portion. The second guide surface 177 of the guide groove 175 is an example of a second guide portion. The guide groove 175A is an example of a first guide groove. The guide groove 175B is an example of a second guide groove. The guide groove 175C is an example of a third guide groove. The guide groove 175D is an example of a fourth guide groove. The first vertical direction is an example of the first direction. The second vertical direction is an example of the second direction. The enclosure 76 is an example of a seal. The guide groove 175C and the guide groove 175D are examples of a specific guide groove. The sub bottom wall portion 48 is an example of a first bottom wall. The main bottom wall portion 42 is an example of a second bottom wall. The locking surface 151 is an example of an engagement portion. The cartridge 75 is an example of a sleeve. The IC board 64 is an example of a circuit board. The guide groove 175A and the guide groove 175C are examples of the guide. The guide groove 175B and the guide groove 175D are another example of the guide. The left-right direction is an example of the width direction. The first absorption member 182 and the second absorption member 183 are examples of absorbers. The ink supply port 71 is an example of an opening. The first absorbing member 182 is an example of a first absorber. The second absorption member 183 is an example of a second absorber. The printer 10 is an example of a liquid consuming apparatus.

While the present invention has been described in detail and with reference to the embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the embodiments described above.

Claims

1. A liquid cartridge configured to be inserted into a cartridge attachment portion in a forward direction perpendicular to a direction of gravity in an upright posture, the cartridge attachment portion having a liquid supply tube extending in a front-rear direction, the liquid cartridge comprising:

in the upright posture of the liquid cartridge,

a cartridge having a liquid storage chamber configured to store liquid therein; and

a liquid supply portion that defines therein a liquid passage, the liquid supply portion being configured to supply the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber to the outside in the forward direction through the liquid passage, the liquid supply portion including:

a front end face facing forward, the liquid passage extending in the front-rear direction and opening forward on the front end face;

an outer peripheral surface extending rearwardly from the front end face; and

at least one guide provided at the outer circumferential surface of the liquid supply portion and extending in the front-rear direction, each of the at least one guide being configured to: at the time of attaching the liquid cartridge to the cartridge attaching portion, during the attachment of the liquid supply tube to the liquid supply portion, each of the guides is guided by a corresponding at least one protrusion provided at the cartridge attaching portion and extending in the front-rear direction, each of the at least one protrusion having one surface and another surface intersecting the one surface, each of the at least one guides including:

a first guide portion extending in the front-rear direction and configured to contact the one surface; and

a second guide portion extending in the front-rear direction and configured to be in contact with the other surface,

wherein the at least one guide comprises at least one guide groove,

wherein the first guide portion includes a first guide surface extending in the front-rear direction, and

wherein the second guide portion includes a second guide surface extending in the front-rear direction and intersecting the first guide surface,

wherein the at least one guide groove comprises a plurality of guide grooves including a first guide groove, a second guide groove, a third guide groove, and a fourth guide groove,

wherein in the upright posture of the liquid cartridge, the first guide groove is positioned opposite to the fourth guide groove in a first direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction with respect to the liquid passage, and

wherein, in the upright posture of the liquid cartridge, the second guide groove is positioned opposite to the third guide groove with respect to the liquid channel in a second direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the first direction.

2. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least one guide member is opened in a direction perpendicular to the first guide portion and a direction perpendicular to the second guide portion.

3. The liquid cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the at least one guide member includes four guide grooves, each of the four guide grooves has a front edge that is open on the front end face of the liquid supply portion, the front edge of each of the four guide grooves forms a substantially L-shape on the front end face of the liquid supply portion in a front view, and

wherein the front end face has a substantially rectangular shape when in the front view, the front edges of the four guide grooves being provided in respective four corner portions of the rectangular-shaped front end face of the liquid supply portion.

4. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein in the upright posture of the liquid cartridge, the liquid supply portion includes a protrusion that protrudes in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction, the protrusion having an upper end surface and a lower end surface, at least one of the upper end surface and the lower end surface of the protrusion serving as one of the at least one guide.

5. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the liquid supply portion includes a seal portion formed with a through hole configured to communicate the liquid passage with an outside of the liquid supply portion and to allow the liquid supply tube to extend through the through hole, the seal portion configured to seal a gap provided between the liquid supply tube extending through the through hole and the liquid passage, the seal portion having a leading end, and

wherein, in the upright posture of the liquid cartridge, the first guide portion has a rear end located rearward of the front end of the sealing portion.

6. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the at least one guide groove includes a specific guide groove further having a third guide surface positioned rearward with respect to the first guide surface and inclined with respect to the front-rear direction in the upright posture of the liquid cartridge.

7. The liquid cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the third guide surface is continuous with the first guide surface of the specific guide groove.

8. The liquid cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the cartridge body comprises:

in the upright posture of the liquid cartridge,

a first bottom wall; and

a second bottom wall positioned rearwardly and downwardly relative to the first bottom wall, the second bottom wall having a bottom surface that is inclined relative to the fore-aft direction such that a rear end of the bottom surface is positioned upwardly relative to a front end of the bottom surface, the bottom surface and the fore-aft direction of the second bottom wall defining an angle,

wherein in the upright posture of the liquid cartridge, the liquid supply part is positioned downward with respect to the first bottom wall and forward with respect to the second bottom wall, and

wherein, in the upright posture of the liquid cartridge, the specific guide groove is open in a direction perpendicular to the third guide surface, the third guide surface is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction such that a rear end of the third guide surface is positioned upward with respect to a front end of the third guide surface, the third guide surface and the front-rear direction defining an angle larger than the angle defined by the bottom surface of the second bottom wall and the front-rear direction.

9. The liquid cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the cartridge body is pivotally movable relative to the cartridge attachment portion, the cartridge body including an engagement portion configured to engage with the cartridge attachment portion by pivotal movement of the cartridge body relative to the cartridge attachment portion.

10. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the liquid supply portion includes:

a sleeve extending from the cartridge body, the sleeve having a hollow configuration defining an interior space for the liquid passage;

a sealing part formed with a through-hole configured to communicate the liquid passage with an outside of the liquid supply part and to allow the liquid supply pipe to extend therethrough; and

a cap configured to cover the sleeve with the seal portion interposed therebetween to fix the seal portion, an outer peripheral surface of the cap serving as the outer peripheral surface of the liquid supply portion provided with the at least one guide.

11. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge body comprises:

a circuit board; and

a top wall at which the circuit board is disposed, an

Wherein, in the upright posture of the liquid cartridge, the at least one guide includes one guide and another guide, each of the one guide and the another guide being provided at a position on an outer side of the circuit board in a width direction perpendicular to an up-down direction and the front-rear direction, the one guide and the another guide being provided on two opposite sides in the width direction with respect to the circuit board.

12. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the liquid supply portion includes:

a cap having an interior space; and

an absorber disposed in the interior space of the cap and configured to absorb a liquid.

13. The liquid cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the cap has a peripheral portion defining an opening configured to communicate the inner space of the cap with an outside of the cap, and

wherein the absorber comprises a first absorber disposed adjacent to the peripheral portion defining the opening.

14. The liquid cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the absorber includes a second absorber, the second absorber being located below the liquid channel in the upright posture of the liquid cartridge.

15. The liquid cartridge according to claim 14, wherein the cap has an inner peripheral surface that defines the internal space and a peripheral portion that defines an opening configured to communicate the internal space of the cap with an outside of the cap, the inner peripheral surface of the cap being formed with a groove that extends from the peripheral portion that defines the opening to the second absorber.

16. A liquid consuming system comprising:

a liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 15; and

a liquid consuming apparatus including the cartridge attachment portion, the cartridge attachment portion including:

the liquid supply tube connected to the liquid supply portion of the liquid cartridge in a state in which the liquid cartridge is attached to the cartridge attachment portion; and

the at least one protrusion having the one surface and the other surface perpendicular to the one surface, the at least one protrusion configured to: the at least one protrusion guides the at least one guide of the liquid cartridge during attachment of the liquid cartridge to the cartridge attachment portion.