CN117754983A - Liquid container - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a liquid container capable of reducing liquid remaining without being consumed. The liquid storage body is provided with: a bag having flexibility and containing a liquid therein; a liquid delivery member that is attached to one end of the bag and has a liquid delivery portion for delivering liquid to the liquid ejecting apparatus; a filter chamber member which is disposed in the bag and has a filter chamber in which a filter for filtering the liquid is disposed; a liquid delivery tube which is disposed in the bag, is connected to the filter chamber and the liquid delivery member, and flows the liquid filtered by the filter to the liquid delivery portion; a spacer member connected to the filter chamber member and extending from the filter chamber member toward the other end of the bag.

Description

Liquid container

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a liquid container.

Background

The liquid storage body disclosed in patent document 1 includes a liquid delivery pipe having a partition member attached to a distal end thereof, the partition member having a filter for filtering liquid.

In the liquid container of patent document 1, there is a possibility that liquid remains without being consumed.

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2021-84352

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a liquid receiver is provided. The liquid container is provided with: a bag having flexibility and being used for containing liquid inside; a liquid discharge member that is attached to one end of the bag and has a liquid discharge portion for discharging the liquid to a liquid ejecting apparatus; a filter chamber member which is disposed in the bag and has a filter chamber in which a filter for filtering the liquid is disposed; a liquid delivery tube which is disposed in the bag, is connected to the filter chamber and the liquid delivery member, and is configured to flow the liquid filtered by the filter to the liquid delivery portion; a spacer member connected to the filter chamber member and extending from the filter chamber member toward the other end of the bag.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid ejecting apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the liquid ejecting apparatus as viewed from the front.

Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view of the liquid supply unit as viewed from above.

Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the liquid supply unit.

Fig. 5 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the liquid container removed from the housing.

Fig. 6 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the adapter portion removed from the liquid guide member.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the liquid guiding-out member to which the adapter portion is attached.

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the internal structure.

Fig. 9 is a top view of the first liquid container.

Fig. 10 is a side view of the first liquid containing body.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a filter chamber component.

Fig. 12 is a top view of a filter chamber component.

Fig. 13 is a side view of a filter chamber component shown partially cut away.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the liquid container in which the liquid contained therein is reduced.

Detailed Description

A. Embodiments are described below:

A1. the structure of the liquid ejecting apparatus:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid ejecting apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. In fig. 1, arrow marks X, Y, Z indicating three directions orthogonal to each other are illustrated. The arrow X, Y, Z is also appropriately shown in other figures in correspondence with fig. 1.

The direction indicated by the arrow X, Y, Z corresponds to the orientation of the liquid ejecting apparatus 10 when in the normal use state. The normal use state of the liquid ejecting apparatus 10 is a state when the liquid ejecting apparatus 10 is used while being arranged on a horizontal plane. Hereinafter, directions indicated by arrow marks X, Y, Z are referred to as "X direction", "Y direction", and "Z direction", respectively. The Z direction is the gravitational direction. One direction of the X directions is referred to as "+x direction", and the other direction is referred to as "—x direction". In the Y, Z direction, one direction is referred to as "+y direction" and "+z direction", and the other direction is referred to as "—y direction" and "—z direction". In the following description, the-Y direction is also referred to as "front", and the +y direction is also referred to as "rear". the-X direction is also referred to as "right", and the +x direction is also referred to as "left". the-Z direction is also referred to as "upper", and the +z direction is also referred to as "lower".

The liquid ejecting apparatus 10 is an inkjet printer. In the liquid ejecting apparatus 10, the liquid consumed by the ejection is ink. The liquid ejecting apparatus 10 ejects ink droplets to form a printed image on the medium MP. The medium MP is, for example, fabric or printing paper. The liquid ejecting apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a housing 10c, which is a hollow resin case that constitutes the exterior of the liquid ejecting apparatus 10. The housing 10c has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. An operation portion 13, a medium discharge port 14, a medium receiving portion 15, and a cover member 18 are provided on the front surface portion 12 of the cover 10c.

The operation unit 13 includes a display unit that displays information for a user, and a plurality of operation buttons that accept operations by the user. The medium discharge port 14 is an outlet of the medium MP unwound from the inside of the liquid ejecting apparatus 10. The medium discharge port 14 is a slit-shaped opening that is wide in the X direction. The medium receiving portion 15 extends in an eave shape in the-Y direction at the lower side of the medium discharge port 14, and receives the medium MP discharged from the medium discharge port 14.

The cover member 18 is a resin plate-like member that constitutes a part of the exterior of the liquid ejecting apparatus 10. The cover member 18 is detachably attached to the housing 10c. The cover member 18 covers and protects the mounting body 105 shown in fig. 2 housed inside the liquid ejecting apparatus 10.

Fig. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the liquid ejecting apparatus 10 viewed from the front. As shown in fig. 2, the liquid ejecting apparatus 10 includes a control unit 20, an ejection execution unit 30, a conveying roller 36, a liquid supply unit 40, and a housing storage unit 60.

The housing storage portion 60 is disposed inside the cover member 18 shown in fig. 1, and is disposed at the lowermost portion of the liquid ejecting apparatus 10. In the case housing portion 60, four mounting bodies 105 are housed. Specifically, the four mounting bodies 105 include three first mounting bodies 105a and one second mounting body 105b. The first mounting body 105a and the second mounting body 105b are different in size from each other. The second mounting body 105b is larger than the first mounting body 105a. The mounting body 105 is constituted by a housing 61 and a liquid storage body 100 stored in the housing 61. Like the mounting body 105, the four housings 61 include three first housings 61a and one second housing 61b. The four liquid containing bodies 100 include three first liquid containing bodies 100a and one second liquid containing body 100b. The first mounting body 105a is configured by housing the first liquid housing body 100a in the first housing 61 a. The second mounting body 105b is configured by housing the second liquid housing body 100b in the second housing 61b. The second liquid container 100b is larger than the first liquid container 100a. For example, cyan, magenta, and yellow inks may be stored in the three first liquid storage bodies 100a, respectively, and black ink may be stored in the second liquid storage body 100b.

The ejection execution portion 30 includes a liquid ejection portion 31, a plurality of tubes 32, and a carriage 34. A nozzle 33 is provided on the bottom surface of the liquid discharge portion 31 so as to be opened downward. The liquid ejecting section 31 ejects liquid from the nozzles 33 by applying pressure or the like to the ink by using a piezoelectric element, for example. The liquid ejecting section 31 is mounted on the carriage 34. The carriage 34 linearly reciprocates in the X direction. The conveying roller 36 is stretched in the X direction below the liquid ejecting portion 31. The conveying roller 36 conveys the medium MP. The plurality of tubes 32 are arranged in the Y direction and connected to the liquid ejecting section 31.

The liquid supply portion 40 has four supply pipes 42, a joint portion 43, and a suction portion 45. The four supply pipes 42 are connected to the four liquid storage bodies 100, respectively. The joint 43 connects the four supply pipes 42 and the plurality of pipes 32. The ink stored in the liquid storage body 100 is supplied to the liquid ejection portion 31 through the four supply pipes 42, the joint portion 43, and the plurality of tubes 32. The suction portion 45 generates pressure for sending out ink from the liquid container 100 to the supply pipe 42.

The control unit 20 controls driving of each unit in the liquid ejecting apparatus 10. The control unit 20 is constituted by a microcomputer including at least a central processing unit and a main storage unit, and the central processing unit performs various functions by reading and executing various programs stored in the main storage unit.

Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view of the liquid supply unit 40 viewed from above. Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the liquid supply unit 40. As shown in fig. 3, the mounting body 105 is inserted into the housing portion 60 from the outside in the +y direction. In the case housing portion 60, four mounting bodies 105 are housed so as to be aligned in the X direction. In fig. 3, an arrangement area LA, which is an arrangement position of the mounting body 105 in the housing portion 60, is shown by a one-dot chain line.

The liquid supply unit 40 has four switching mechanisms 50 and pressure transmission pipes 46 in addition to the above-described configuration. The four switching mechanisms 50 are arranged on the +y direction side of the arrangement area LA. The four switching mechanisms 50 are arranged so as to correspond to the four arrangement regions LA, respectively. Specifically, the four switching mechanisms 50 include three first switching mechanisms 50a and one second switching mechanism 50b. The three first switching mechanisms 50a correspond to the three first liquid storage bodies 100a, respectively. The second switching mechanism 50b corresponds to the second liquid storage body 100 b.

As shown in fig. 4, each switching mechanism 50 has a supply needle 51. The supply needle 51 is detachably attached to the liquid container 100. The supply needle 51 has a tubular shape extending linearly in the-Y direction. The supply needle 51 is connected to the liquid storage body 100 by inserting the tip end 51t thereof into the liquid storage body 100. The liquid stored in the liquid storage body 100 flows through the inside of the supply needle 51. The pressure transmission pipe 46 transmits the pressure generated by the suction unit 45.

A2. The structure of the liquid containing body:

fig. 5 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the first liquid container 100a taken out from the first casing 61 a. Fig. 6 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the adapter 130 detached from the liquid guide member 120. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the liquid guide member 120 with the adapter portion 130 attached thereto, as viewed from below. The second mounting body 105b has the same structure as the first mounting body 105 a. Therefore, hereinafter, the first mounting body 105a will be described as a representative, and the description of the second mounting body 105b will be omitted.

The housing 61 is a tray-like container with an upper portion open. The case 61 is made of a resin material such as polypropylene, for example. The liquid storage body 100 is detachably stored in the case 61 from above. At the +y direction end of the housing 61, two guide portions 62 having a cylindrical shape rising upward from the lower surface of the housing 61 are provided. The two guide portions 62 guide an adapter portion 130 described later when the liquid storage body 100 is stored in the housing 61.

The liquid container 100 includes the bag 110 shown in fig. 5, the adapter 130, the internal structure 200, and the liquid guide member 120 shown in fig. 6. The bag 110 accommodates ink as a liquid therein. The liquid is stored in the liquid storage portion 110a as the internal space of the bag 110. The bag 110 has a substantially flat shape that is long in the-Y direction from one end 621 toward the other end 622. The bag 110 is formed by adhering a plurality of flexible films. Specifically, the bag 110 is formed by overlapping a plurality of films, joining a part of the peripheral edge portions to each other by a method such as thermal welding, and joining the other part of the peripheral edge portions to the adapter portion 130. In the present embodiment, the bag 110 is a so-called side gusset type bag formed of a film of a first bag surface 111, a film of a second bag surface 112, and two films serving as a joint disposed at both ends in the X direction. The bag 110 is not limited to the side gusset type, and may be a so-called pillow type bag formed of two films. The film constituting the bag 110 is formed of a material having flexibility and gas barrier property. Examples of the material of the film include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, and polyethylene. Further, a stacked structure in which a plurality of thin films made of these materials are stacked may be used to form the thin film. In such a laminated structure, for example, the outer layer may be formed of PET or nylon having excellent impact resistance, and the inner layer may be formed of polyethylene having excellent ink resistance. In addition, a film having a layer formed by vapor deposition of aluminum or the like may be used as one of the structural members of the laminated structure.

The pouch 110 has a first pouch face 111 forming a lower surface and a second pouch face 112 forming an upper surface. The first pocket face 111 and the second pocket face 112 are each formed of one sheet of film. The liquid storage portion 110a is formed by sealing the circumferences of the overlapped first bag surface 111 and second bag surface 112. The bag 110 has one end 621 and another end 622 opposite the one end 621. One end 621 is an end on the +y direction side. The other end 622 is the end on the-Y direction side.

The liquid container 100 is used in an installation posture in which a first direction from the one end 621 toward the other end 622 is orthogonal to a gravitational direction. In the mounted position, the first pocket surface 111 is orthogonal to the gravitational direction. "orthogonal" corresponds to a case where the angle of the normal vector of the first pocket surface 111 with respect to the gravitational direction is within a range of 0±10 degrees. In the mounted position, the second pocket surface 112 is opposite to the first pocket surface 111.

As shown in fig. 6, the adapter 130 is attached to the liquid guide member 120 so as to cover from above. As shown in fig. 7, on the upper surface of the adapter portion 130, two positioning projections 133 protruding in the Z direction are provided. The liquid guide member 120 is provided with two positioning holes 122 penetrating in the Z direction through which the two positioning protrusions 133 are inserted, respectively. The adapter portion 130 is mounted on the liquid lead-out member 120 by inserting the two positioning projections 133 into the two positioning holes 122, respectively.

As shown in fig. 6, the adapter portion 130 is located on the one end 621 side of the bag 110. The adapter portion 130 has a blocking portion 134. The adapter portion 130 is detachably attached to the liquid lead-out member 120 welded to the bag 110. The adapter 130 is connected to the switching mechanism 50 of the liquid ejecting apparatus 10 in a state where the liquid container 100 is attached to the liquid ejecting apparatus 10. As shown in fig. 7, in a state where the adapter portion 130 has been mounted, the blocking portion 134 is located at the rear of the liquid lead-out member 120. As shown in fig. 6, the adapter portion 130 has a through hole portion 131 that opens in the +y direction. The through hole 131 is a hole penetrating in the Y direction through which the liquid lead-out portion 121 described later is inserted. The adapter portion 130 has a connection terminal 132. The connection terminal 132 is provided, for example, on a surface of a circuit board including a storage portion that stores various information about the liquid storage body 100. The information about the liquid container 100 includes, for example, information indicating the type of the liquid container 100, the amount of liquid stored, and the like.

As shown in fig. 7, the liquid delivery member 120 includes a liquid delivery portion 121 for delivering liquid to the liquid ejecting apparatus 10, two delivery member cylindrical portions 123, and a welding portion 124, in addition to the above-described configuration. The liquid guiding-out member 120 is mounted on an end 621 of the bag 110.

As shown in fig. 6, one end 621 of the bag 110 is welded to the welded portion 124. As shown in fig. 7, in the Y direction, the liquid lead-out portion 121 and the two lead-out member cylindrical portions 123 are arranged with the welding portion 124 interposed therebetween. In a state where the bag 110 is welded to the welding portion 124, the two lead-out member cylindrical portions 123 are positioned inside the bag 110, and the liquid lead-out portion 121 is positioned outside the bag 110. The liquid lead-out portion 121 and the two lead-out member cylindrical portions 123 each have a cylindrical shape with an axial direction parallel to the Y direction. The two lead-out member cylindrical portions 123 are aligned in the X direction. The inner space of each guide member cylindrical portion 123 communicates with the inner space of the liquid guide portion 121. The two guide member cylindrical portions 123 are connected to two liquid guide pipes 140 described later with reference to fig. 5. In a state where the liquid container 100 is new, a thin film is welded to the tip of the liquid lead-out portion 121. When the liquid container 100 is mounted in the liquid ejecting apparatus 10, the film welded to the liquid delivery portion 121 is pierced by the supply needle 51.

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the internal structure 200. Fig. 9 is a plan view of the first liquid container 100 a. Fig. 10 is a side view of the first liquid container 100 a. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the filter chamber component 160. Fig. 12 is a top view of the filter chamber component 160. Fig. 13 is a side view of the filter chamber component 160 shown partially cut away.

As shown in fig. 5, the internal structure 200 is disposed in the liquid storage portion 110a, which is the inside of the bag 110. The internal structure 200 includes a plurality of liquid delivery tubes 140, a spacer member 150, a filter chamber member 160, and a filter 171. Each liquid delivery tube 140 is connected to the filter chamber member 160 and the liquid delivery member 120. The spacer member 150 is connected to the filter chamber member 160. The spacer member 150 extends from the filter chamber member 160 toward the other end 622 of the bag 110. The filter 171 is installed in the filter chamber part 160.

The plurality of liquid delivery tubes 140 includes a first liquid delivery tube 141 and a second liquid delivery tube 142. Each of the liquid delivery pipes 140 is a flexible pipe. As a material of each liquid delivery tube 140, for example, synthetic resin such as synthetic rubber or polypropylene can be used. The material of each liquid delivery tube 140 is preferably a material that is not reactive with the ink in the bag 110. In the present embodiment, the material of each liquid delivery tube 140 is synthetic rubber. As shown in fig. 8, the first liquid delivery tube 141 includes an internal space 141a extending in the central axis direction of the first liquid delivery tube 141, and an opening 141b communicating with the internal space 141 a. Similarly, the second liquid delivery tube 142 includes an inner space 142a extending in the central axis direction of the second liquid delivery tube 142, and an opening 142b communicating with the inner space 142 a.

As shown in fig. 8, in the present embodiment, the spacer 150 is a tube. As a material of the spacer member 150, for example, synthetic resin such as synthetic rubber or polypropylene can be used. The material of the spacer 150 is preferably a material that is not reactive with the ink in the pouch 110. In the present embodiment, the material of the spacer member 150 is synthetic rubber. The spacer 150 has an inner space 150a extending in the central axis direction of the spacer 150, and an opening 150b communicating with the inner space 150 a. In another embodiment of the spacer 150, the spacer may have an opening 150b recessed along the central axis direction from the end in the central axis direction of the spacer 150 without the internal space 150 a.

The filter chamber component 160 has a flat shape. As a material of the filter chamber member 160, for example, a synthetic resin such as polypropylene or polyethylene can be used. In the present embodiment, the filter chamber member 160 is made of polypropylene.

The filter chamber member 160 has a base 610, a filter chamber 620, a first cylindrical portion 631 and a second cylindrical portion 632 as cylindrical portions, and a convex portion 640. The base 610 has a flat plate shape having a substantially rectangular planar shape. The base 610 has a first face 611 and a second face 612 shown in fig. 10, and a third face 613 shown in fig. 11. The first surface 611 faces the gravity direction, that is, the +z direction in the mounting posture of the liquid storage body 100. The second surface 612 is a surface facing the direction opposite to the gravitational direction, i.e., the-Z direction in the mounted posture of the liquid container 100. The third surface 613 is a surface connecting the first surface 611 and the second surface 612. Here, regarding the first surface 611, "surface facing the +z direction" means that the normal vector of the first surface 611 is parallel to the +z direction. With respect to the second face 612, "face oriented in the-Z direction" means that the normal vector of the second face 612 is parallel to the-Z direction. The term "the normal vector is parallel to the +z direction" corresponds to a case where an angle formed by the normal vector and the +z direction is within a range of 0±10 degrees. Similarly, "the normal vector is parallel to the-Z direction" corresponds to a case where an angle formed by the normal vector and the-Z direction is within a range of 0±10 degrees.

As shown in fig. 8 and 11, the filter chamber 620 is a portion recessed in the +z direction from the base 610. The filter chamber 620 opens toward the-Z direction. Further, the filter 171 shown in fig. 8 for filtering the liquid is disposed so as to block the opening of the filter chamber 620. An inner peripheral edge 606 for welding the filter 171 is provided around the opening of the filter chamber 620. The filter 171 is welded to the inner peripheral edge 606. As shown in fig. 13, in the present embodiment, the filter 171 is mounted so as to be parallel to the XY plane.

In the present embodiment, the filter 171 for filtering the liquid is formed of a metal mesh made of SUS. The filter 171 may be formed of a metal nonwoven fabric. The filter 171 removes foreign matters mixed into the bag 110 or foreign matters generated in the bag 110.

As shown in fig. 8, a first cylindrical portion 631 and a second cylindrical portion 632 are arranged side by side in the X direction at the end of the base 610 in the +y direction. The first cylindrical portion 631 and the second cylindrical portion 632 protrude from the side surface 614 of the filter chamber member 160 opposite to the one end 621 of the bag 110 toward the one end 621. The first cylindrical portion 631 and the second cylindrical portion 632 have a cylindrical shape. As shown in fig. 13, the inner space of the first cylindrical portion 631 communicates with the filter chamber 620. Similarly, the inner space of the second cylindrical portion 632 communicates with the filter chamber 620.

As shown in fig. 8, the first cylinder portion 631 and the second cylinder portion 632 are connected to the first liquid delivery pipe 141 and the second liquid delivery pipe 142, respectively. Specifically, the first cylindrical portion 631 is inserted into the opening 141b, whereby the filter chamber member 160 and the first liquid delivery pipe 141 are connected. Similarly, the second cylindrical portion 632 is inserted into the opening portion 142b, whereby the filter chamber member 160 and the second liquid delivery tube 142 are connected.

As shown in fig. 8, the first cylindrical portion 631 includes an outer peripheral surface 631a and a plurality of cylindrical protruding portions 631b protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface 631 a. The plurality of cylindrical protruding portions 631b are respectively arranged at different positions in the +y direction, which is the protruding direction, of the first cylindrical portion 631.

In the present embodiment, the first cylindrical portion 631 has two cylindrical protruding portions 631b. Each of the cylindrical protruding portions 631b protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface 631a parallel to the central axis direction of the first cylindrical portion 631. In the present embodiment, each cylindrical protruding portion 631b is formed across the circumferential direction of the first cylindrical portion 631. Each of the cylindrical protruding portions 631b has an inclined surface inclined so as to approach the central axis of the first cylindrical portion 631 as going toward the tip in the central axis direction of the first cylindrical portion 631. Further, a step is formed at an end portion of the cylindrical protruding portion 631b close to the filter chamber 620 and the outer circumferential surface 631 a.

By providing the first cylindrical portion 631 with the cylindrical protruding portion 631b, the connected first liquid delivery tube 141 can be made difficult to separate. This is because, when a force is applied to the first liquid delivery tube 141 in the +y direction, which is the direction in which the first liquid delivery tube 141 is separated from the first cylindrical portion 631, a frictional force is generated between the inner peripheral surface of the inner space 141a defining the first liquid delivery tube 141 and the cylindrical protruding portion 631 b. In the present embodiment, the plurality of cylindrical protruding portions 631b are arranged at different positions in the +y direction. This makes it possible to make the first liquid delivery pipe 141 more difficult to separate than in the case where one of the cylindrical protruding portions 631b is arranged in the +y direction. The second cylindrical portion 632 similarly has an outer circumferential surface 632a and two cylindrical protruding portions 632b. Since the second cylindrical portion 632 has the same structure as the first cylindrical portion 631, a description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in fig. 8, a convex portion 640 is arranged at an end of the base portion 610 in the-Y direction. The convex portion 640 protrudes from the third face 613 of the base 610 toward the-Y direction as the first direction. The spacer 150 is connected to the convex portion 640. Specifically, the protrusion 640 is inserted into the opening 150b of the spacer 150, whereby the filter chamber member 160 and the spacer 150 are connected.

The convex portion 640 has an outer peripheral surface 641 and an outer peripheral projection 642 projecting outward from the outer peripheral surface 641. Specifically, the outer peripheral projection 642 projects outward from the outer peripheral surface 641 parallel to the central axis direction of the convex portion 640. In the present embodiment, the outer peripheral protruding portion 642 is disposed on a surface of the outer peripheral surface 641 facing a first end portion 651 described later and a surface facing a second end portion 652 described later, respectively. The outer peripheral projection 642 has an inclined surface inclined so as to approach the central axis of the outer peripheral projection 642 toward the tip in the central axis direction of the convex portion 640. Further, a step is formed at an end portion of the outer peripheral protrusion 642 close to the filter chamber 620 and the outer peripheral surface 641. The convex portion 640 has the outer peripheral protruding portion 642, so that the connected spacer member 150 can be made difficult to separate. This is because, when a force is applied to the spacer member 150 in the-Y direction, which is the direction in which the spacer member 150 is separated from the convex portion 640, a frictional force is generated between the outer peripheral protrusion 642 and the inner peripheral surface of the opening 150b that defines the spacer member 150.

As shown in fig. 8, the base 610 also has a first end 651 and a second end 652 on the ends in the-Y direction. As shown in fig. 12, the first end 651 and the second end 652 are arranged in the X direction, which is the second direction, with the convex portion 640 interposed therebetween. The tip in the-Y direction of the first end 651 and the tip in the-Y direction of the second end 652 are on the-Y direction side of the tip in the-Y direction of the convex portion 640. Here, "on the-Y direction side" means a case where the tip of the convex portion 640 is located at the same position as the tip of the first end 651 and the tip of the second end 652 in the Y direction and a case where the tip of the convex portion 640 is located on the-Y direction side as in the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the convex portion 640 is arranged at the center of the filter chamber member 160 in the X direction. The first end 651 and the second end 652 have a shape substantially symmetrical about the central axis of the convex portion 640. That is, in the Y direction, the tip of the first end 651 and the tip of the second end 652 are at the same position. In fig. 12, for convenience of explanation, a reference line RL passing through the tip of the convex portion 640 and parallel to the X direction is drawn. In the present embodiment, the tip of the first end 651 and the tip of the second end 652 are located on the reference line RL. As described above, as another embodiment, the tip of the first end 651 and the tip of the second end 652 may be located on the-Y direction side of the reference line RL.

As described above, the tip in the-Y direction of the first end 651 and the tip in the-Y direction of the second end 652 are located on the-Y direction side of the tip in the-Y direction of the convex portion 640. Thus, for example, when an impact is applied due to a drop, damage to the convex portion 640 can be suppressed. This is because, since the convex portion 640 is located further to the inner side than the first end portion 651 and the second end portion 652, when an impact is applied to the filter chamber member 160 from a direction intersecting the Y direction, the first end portion 651 or the second end portion 652 receives an impact earlier than the convex portion 640, and the external force received by the convex portion 640 can be reduced.

As shown in fig. 5, the liquid stored in the liquid storage portion 110a passes through the filter 171 arranged on the filter chamber member 160, and flows into the liquid delivery pipe 140. Specifically, as indicated by the arrow mark in fig. 13, the liquid flows into the filter chamber 620 from the opening of the filter chamber 620. During inflow to the filter chamber 620, the liquid is filtered by the filter 171. The liquid filtered by the filter 171 sequentially passes through the first cylindrical portion 631 or the second cylindrical portion 632 which communicate with the filter chamber 620, the liquid delivery pipes 140 shown in fig. 5, and the flow passages in the respective delivery member cylindrical portions 123, merges in the liquid delivery member 120, and is then delivered to the outside from the liquid delivery portion 121. Therefore, the liquid from which the foreign matter has been removed can be supplied to the liquid ejecting apparatus 10.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing the liquid container 100 in which the liquid to be contained is less than the initial state due to consumption. As the liquid is consumed, the liquid container 100 deforms so that the first bag surface 111 and the second bag surface 112 approach each other. The first pocket surface 111 and the second pocket surface 112 shown by solid lines in fig. 10 are each pocket surface in the initial state. The first pocket surface 111 and the second pocket surface 112 shown by two-dot chain lines in fig. 10 are pocket surfaces in a state in which the liquid to be stored is smaller than the initial state.

Since the first liquid container 100a according to the present embodiment has the spacer 150, liquid remaining without being consumed can be reduced. The liquid flow path FP shown by hatching in fig. 9 is a flow path formed by the spacer member 150. As shown in fig. 14, when the liquid in the bag 110 is reduced due to consumption, the first bag surface 111 and the second bag surface 112 deform so as to approach each other, a liquid flow path FP, which is a space in which the spacer 150 serves as a support, is formed in the bag 110. The liquid flow path FP is formed at the periphery of the spacer member 150. Thus, the formation of the blocking portion between the other end 622 and the filter chamber member 160 in the Y direction due to the close contact between the first pocket surface 111 and the second pocket surface 112 in the X direction can be suppressed. If the blocking portion is formed in the liquid storage body 100, the liquid whose flow path to the filter chamber member 160 is blocked is not consumed and remains in the liquid storage body 100. In this regard, in the present embodiment, since the liquid flow path FP leading to the filter chamber member 160 is formed by the partition member 150, it is possible to reduce liquid that remains without being consumed.

Further, as shown in fig. 10, the filter chamber part 160 has a flat shape. Specifically, the thickness of the filter chamber member 160 in the Z direction is 1/4 or less of the thickness of the bag 110 in the Z direction in the initial state. The thickness in the Z direction, i.e., the diameter of each of the liquid delivery tube 140 and the spacer 150 is equal to the thickness in the Z direction of the filter chamber member 160. Therefore, when the liquid in the liquid container 100 is reduced due to consumption, the space between the first pocket surface 111 and the second pocket surface 112 formed around the inner structure 200 is relatively small. Therefore, the liquid remaining without being consumed can be reduced.

As shown in fig. 9, in the present embodiment, the distance D between the distal end of the spacer 150 close to the other end 622 and the other end 622 is about 5 cm. As described above, the spacer 150 extends to the vicinity of the other end 622, thereby further reducing the possibility of forming a clogged portion in which the flow path to the filter chamber 160 is cut off.

As shown in fig. 9, the spacing member 150 is at the center in the X direction, which is the second direction of the pouch 110. The "at the center in the X direction" corresponds to a case where the center of gravity of the spacer 150 is within 10% of the length L of the bag 110 in the X direction in each of the +x direction and the-X direction with reference to the intermediate position of the bag 110 in the X direction. By the spacer 150 being located at the center of the bag 110 in the X-direction, liquid remaining without being consumed can be reduced. This is because the liquid can be guided to the filter chamber member 160 uniformly from the +x direction side and the-X direction side of the spacer member 150.

As shown in fig. 10, at least in the initial state, the spacer member 150 is located at a position separated from both the first pocket surface 111 and the second pocket surface 112 in the Z-direction. In the present embodiment, the spacing member 150 is at the center of the pocket 110 in the Z-direction. The "initial state" refers to a state after the liquid storage body 100 is filled with the liquid and before the liquid supply to the liquid ejecting apparatus 10 is started. The "at the center in the Z direction" corresponds to a case where the center of gravity of the spacer 150 is within 10% of the distance between the first pocket surface 111 and the second pocket surface 112 in each of the +z direction and the-Z direction with reference to the intermediate position between the first pocket surface 111 and the second pocket surface 112.

The filter chamber member 160 is positioned at the center of the bag 110 in the Z direction, so that the concentration of the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting apparatus 10 can be stabilized. In this embodiment, the liquid has a sedimentation component. Since the sedimentation component moves in the +z direction due to gravity, a concentration gradient is generated in the Z direction in the liquid in the bag 110. Here, by positioning the filter chamber member 160 at the center, it becomes difficult to supply a liquid having a higher concentration or a lower concentration than the average concentration of the liquid in the bag 110, and thus the concentration can be stabilized.

The Z-direction position of the filter chamber member 160 in the bag 110 is mainly determined by the gravity of the filter chamber member 160, the buoyancy of the filter chamber member 160, and the reaction force of the liquid delivery tube 140. In the present embodiment, the filter chamber member 160 is made of resin, so that gravity is reduced as compared with the case of being made of metal, and further, the filter chamber member 160 is positioned at the center of the bag 110 by buoyancy.

According to the embodiment described above, the liquid container 100 has the spacer member 150, and the spacer member 150 is connected to the filter chamber member 160 and extends from the filter chamber member 160 toward the other end 622 of the bag 110. Thus, even in a state where the liquid in the bag 110 is reduced, the liquid flow path FP can be formed around the spacer 150. Accordingly, the liquid remaining in the bag 110 without being consumed can be reduced.

Further, the convex portion 640 has an outer peripheral surface 641 and an outer peripheral projection 642 projecting outward from the outer peripheral surface 641. Thus, by inserting the convex portion 640 into the opening 150b, the connected spacer 150 can be made difficult to separate.

Further, the convex portion 640 protrudes from the third face 613 of the filter chamber part 160 toward the-Y direction. Thus, the convex portion 640 does not protrude outward from either the first surface 611 or the second surface 612 of the filter chamber member 160. Therefore, even when an impact in the X direction is applied to the liquid storage body 100, the protrusion 640 can be prevented from sticking to the bag 110 from the inside.

Further, filter chamber component 160 has a first end 651 and a second end 652. Also, the tip in the-Y direction of the first end 651 and the tip in the-Y direction of the second end 652 are at the-Y direction side of the tip in the-Y direction of the convex portion 640. Thus, even when an impact is applied to the liquid storage body 100 in a direction intersecting the Y direction, damage to the convex portion 640 can be suppressed.

Further, the spacer member 150 is at the center in the X direction of the pouch 110 in the mounting posture. This can guide the liquid from the +x direction side and the-X direction side of the spacer 150 to the filter chamber member 160 uniformly, and can reduce the liquid remaining without being consumed.

The filter chamber member 160 is located at a position separated from both the first pocket surface 111 and the second pocket surface 112 at least in the initial state. This stabilizes the concentration of the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting apparatus 10. Further, the filter chamber member 160 is at the center of the bag 110 in the Y direction at least in the initial state. This can further stabilize the concentration of the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting apparatus 10. The filter chamber member 160 is made of resin. As a result, the weight acting on the filter chamber member 160 can be reduced, and the filter chamber member 160 can be floated in the liquid, as compared with the case where the filter chamber member 160 is made of metal.

Further, the first cylindrical portion 631 has a plurality of cylindrical protruding portions 631b. Further, the plurality of cylindrical protruding portions 631b are arranged at different positions in the protruding direction of the first cylindrical portion 631, respectively. Thus, the first cylindrical portion 631 is inserted into the internal space 141a of the first liquid delivery tube 141, whereby the connected first liquid delivery tube 141 can be made difficult to separate.

B. Other embodiments

(B1) In the above embodiment, the length of the spacer 150 is the same as the length of each liquid delivery tube 140. The length of the spacing member 150 may be adjusted according to the size of the pouch 110. By adjusting the length of the spacer 150 according to the size of the bag 110 in the Y direction, the same specification of the liquid delivery tube 140 and the spacer 150 can be used for the liquid storage bodies 100 of various sizes. Therefore, an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed. In addition, in the case where the size of the bag 110 in the Y direction is smaller than that of the above embodiment, the spacer 150 may not be installed. In this case, for example, when the bag 110 is crushed from the inside by the tip of the convex portion 640 when the bag is impacted by the drop. This is because the tip in the-Y direction of the first end 651 and the tip in the-Y direction of the second end 652 are at the-Y direction side of the tip in the-Y direction of the convex portion 640.

(B2) Although the liquid container 100 contains ink in the above embodiment, other liquids may be contained. Examples of the liquid include a color material used for manufacturing a color filter for an image display device such as a liquid crystal display, an electrode material used for forming an electrode for an organic EL (Electro Luminescence: electroluminescence) display, a field emission display (Field Emission Display, FED), and the like.

C. Other ways:

the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various configurations within a scope not departing from the gist thereof. For example, the technical features of the embodiments corresponding to the technical features of the respective embodiments described below may be replaced or combined as appropriate in order to solve part or all of the above-described problems or in order to achieve part or all of the above-described effects. Note that this feature can be appropriately deleted unless described as an essential feature in the present specification.

(1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a liquid container is provided. The liquid container is provided with: a bag having flexibility and containing a liquid therein; a liquid discharge member that is attached to one end of the bag and has a liquid discharge portion for discharging the liquid to a liquid ejecting apparatus; a filter chamber member which is disposed in the bag and has a filter chamber in which a filter for filtering the liquid is disposed; a liquid delivery tube which is disposed in the bag, is connected to the filter chamber and the liquid delivery member, and flows the liquid filtered by the filter to the liquid delivery portion; a spacer member connected to the filter chamber member and extending from the filter chamber member toward the other end of the bag. According to this aspect, even in a state where the liquid in the bag is reduced, the liquid flow path can be formed around the spacer member. Therefore, the liquid remaining in the bag without being consumed can be reduced.

(2) In the liquid container according to the above aspect, the filter chamber member may have a convex portion, the spacer member may have an opening, the convex portion may be inserted into the opening to connect the filter chamber member and the spacer member, and the convex portion may have an outer peripheral surface and an outer peripheral protruding portion protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface. According to this aspect, the spacer member can be connected by inserting the protruding portion into the opening portion of the spacer member. Further, since the convex portion has the outer peripheral protruding portion, the spacer member connected to the convex portion can be made difficult to separate.

(3) In the liquid storage body according to the above aspect, the liquid storage body may be used in an installation posture in which a first direction from the one end portion toward the other end portion is orthogonal to a gravitational direction, and the filter chamber member may have a first surface facing the gravitational direction, a second surface facing a direction opposite to the gravitational direction, and a third surface connecting the first surface and the second surface and facing the other end portion, and the convex portion may protrude from the third surface toward the first direction in the installation posture. According to this aspect, since the protruding portion does not protrude from either the first surface or the second surface, even when the liquid container is impacted in the direction parallel to the gravity direction, the protruding portion can be prevented from sticking to the bag from the inside of the bag.

(4) In the liquid container according to the above aspect, in the attached posture, the filter chamber member may have a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion and the second end portion may be arranged with the convex portion interposed therebetween in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and the gravitational direction, and a tip end of the first end portion in the first direction and a tip end of the second end portion in the first direction may be located on the first direction side of the tip end of the convex portion in the first direction. According to this aspect, when the liquid container is impacted in the direction intersecting the first direction, damage to the protruding portion can be suppressed.

(5) In the liquid storage body according to the above aspect, the liquid storage body may be used in an installation posture in which a first direction from the one end portion toward the other end portion is orthogonal to a gravitational direction, and the spacer may be located at a center of the bag in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and the gravitational direction in the installation posture. According to this aspect, the liquid can be guided to the filter chamber member from both sides of the spacer member in the second direction, and therefore, the liquid remaining without being consumed can be reduced.

(6) In the liquid storage body according to the above aspect, the liquid storage body may be used in an installation posture in which a first direction from the one end portion toward the other end portion is orthogonal to a gravitational direction, the bag may have a first bag surface orthogonal to the gravitational direction and a second bag surface opposing the first bag surface in the installation posture, and the filter chamber member may be located at a position apart from both the first bag surface and the second bag surface at least in an initial state in which the liquid is filled. According to this aspect, the concentration of the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting apparatus can be stabilized.

(7) In the liquid container according to the above aspect, the filter chamber member may be located at a center of the bag in the gravity direction at least in the initial state in the attached posture. According to this aspect, the concentration of the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting apparatus can be further stabilized.

(8) In the liquid container according to the above aspect, the filter chamber member may be made of resin. According to this aspect, the weight acting on the filter chamber member can be reduced as compared with the case where the filter chamber member is made of metal, and the filter chamber member can be floated in the liquid.

(9) In the liquid container according to the above aspect, the filter chamber member may have a side surface facing the one end portion, and a cylindrical portion protruding from the side surface toward the one end portion, and the cylindrical portion may be inserted into the opening of the liquid lead-out portion to connect the filter chamber member and the liquid lead-out portion, and the cylindrical portion may have an outer peripheral surface and a plurality of cylindrical protruding portions protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface, and the plurality of cylindrical protruding portions may be disposed at different positions in a protruding direction of the cylindrical portion. According to this aspect, the liquid lead-out portion connected to the cylindrical portion can be made difficult to separate.

The present disclosure can be realized by a method of manufacturing a liquid container, a liquid ejecting system including a liquid ejecting apparatus and a liquid container, and the like, in addition to the above-described modes.

Symbol description

10 … liquid spraying device; 10c … casing; 12 … front surface portion; 13 … operation part; 14 … media discharge; 15 … media receiving portion; 18 … cover member; 20 … control part; 30 … ejection execution unit; 31 … liquid discharge portion; 32 … tube; 33 … nozzle; 34 … carriage; 36 … conveying rollers; 40 … liquid supply; 42 … supply piping; 43 … joint; 45 … suction parts; 46 … pressure transfer tubing; 50 … switching mechanism; 50a … first switching mechanism; 50b … second switching mechanism; 51 … feed needle; a 51t … tip portion; 60 … housing portion; 61 … casing; 61a … first casing; 61b … second casing; 62 … guide; a 100 … liquid receiver; 100a … first liquid receptacle; 100b … second liquid container; 105 … mount; 105a … first mounting body; 105b … second mount; 110 … bag; 110a … liquid receptacle; 111 … first pocket side; 112 … second pocket side; 120 … liquid outlet member; 121 … liquid discharge portion; 122 … locating holes; 123 … lead-out member cylindrical portion; 124 … weld; 130 … adaptor portion; 131 … through hole portions; 132 … connection terminals; 133 … locating projections; 134 … plugs; 140 … liquid delivery tube; 141 … first liquid delivery tube; 142 … second liquid delivery tube; 150 … spacer members; 141a, 142a, 150a …;141b, 142b, 150b … opening portions; 160 … filter chamber component; 171 … filter; 200 … inner structure; 606 … inner peripheral edge portion; 610 … base; 611 … first face; 612 … second side; 613 … third face; 614 … sides; 620 … filter chamber; 621 … at one end; 622 …, the other end; 631 … a first cylindrical portion; 632 … a second cylindrical portion; 631a, 632a … outer peripheral surfaces; 631b, 632b … cylindrical projections; 640 … convex portions; 641 … outer circumferential surfaces; 642 … peripheral projection; 651 … first end; 652 … second end; d … distance; FP … liquid flow path; l … length; LA … deployment area; MP … medium; RL … refers to line.

Claims (9)

1. A liquid container is provided with:

a bag having flexibility and containing a liquid therein;

a liquid discharge member that is attached to one end of the bag and has a liquid discharge portion for discharging the liquid to a liquid ejecting apparatus;

a filter chamber member which is disposed in the bag and has a filter chamber in which a filter for filtering the liquid is disposed;

a liquid delivery tube which is disposed in the bag, is connected to the filter chamber and the liquid delivery member, and causes the liquid filtered by the filter to flow into the liquid delivery portion;

a spacer member connected to the filter chamber member and extending from the filter chamber member toward the other end of the bag.

2. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein,

the filter chamber component has a protrusion that,

the spacer member has an opening portion,

by the protrusion being inserted into the opening portion, the filter chamber member and the spacer member are connected,

the convex portion has an outer peripheral surface and an outer peripheral protruding portion protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface.

3. The liquid container according to claim 2, wherein,

The liquid container is used in a mounting posture in which a first direction from the one end portion toward the other end portion is orthogonal to a gravitational direction,

in the mounted posture of the device, in the mounted posture,

the filter chamber member has a first surface facing the gravitational direction, a second surface facing the gravitational direction, and a third surface connecting the first surface and the second surface and facing the other end portion,

the convex portion protrudes from the third face toward the first direction.

4. The liquid container according to claim 3, wherein,

in the mounted posture of the device, in the mounted posture,

the filter chamber member has a first end portion and a second end portion arranged across the convex portion in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and the gravitational direction,

the tip in the first direction of the first end portion and the tip in the first direction of the second end portion are located on the first direction side of the tip in the first direction of the convex portion.

5. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein,

the liquid container is used in a mounting posture in which a first direction from the one end portion toward the other end portion is orthogonal to a gravitational direction,

In the mounting posture, the spacer member is at a center of the bag in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and the gravitational direction.

6. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein,

the liquid container is used in a mounting posture in which a first direction from the one end portion toward the other end portion is orthogonal to a gravitational direction,

in the mounted posture of the device, in the mounted posture,

the bag has a first bag face orthogonal to the direction of gravity and a second bag face opposite to the first bag face,

the filter chamber member is located at a position separated from both the first pocket surface and the second pocket surface at least in an initial state of being filled with the liquid.

7. The liquid container according to claim 6, wherein,

in the installed posture, the filter chamber component is at the center of the bag in the gravity direction at least in the initial state.

8. The liquid container according to claim 6 or 7, wherein,

the filter chamber member is made of resin.

9. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein,

the filter chamber component has sides and a cylindrical portion,

the side surface is opposite to the one end portion,

The cylindrical portion protrudes from the side face toward the one end portion,

the filter chamber member and the liquid lead-out portion are connected by the cylindrical portion being inserted into the opening portion of the liquid lead-out portion,

the cylindrical portion has an outer peripheral surface and a plurality of cylindrical protruding portions protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface,

the plurality of cylindrical protruding portions are arranged at different positions in the protruding direction of the cylindrical portion, respectively.