JP2014019130A - Cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique capable of suppressing deformation of a lid member of a cartridge.SOLUTION: A cartridge comprises: an outer shell that has a recess-shaped container main body member having an opening and a lid member attached thereto so as to cover the opening of the container main body member; and a printing material accommodation chamber provided inside the outer shell for accommodating a printing material. The printing material accommodation chamber has a main chamber and a buffer chamber having a volume smaller than that of the main chamber. The container main body member has a partition wall partitioning the main chamber from the buffer chamber. A protrusion portion opposite to at least a part of the partition wall is provided on a surface of the lid member at a printing material accommodation chamber side.

Description

  The present invention relates to a cartridge technology.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a technique for supplying ink to a printer that is an example of a printing apparatus, a technique that uses an ink cartridge (also simply referred to as “cartridge”) that contains ink is known. The cartridge includes a printing material storage chamber for storing ink, and a printing material supply port for supplying the printing material to the printer. In addition, as a cartridge for appropriately adjusting the negative pressure in the printing material accommodation chamber, a cartridge using a force of a biasing member such as a spring (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2), or a cartridge using an ink absorbing member ( For example, Patent Document 3) is known.

  In addition, the cartridge may be packaged for the purpose of protecting the cartridge in an unused initial state. As a specific aspect of the packaging, for example, a technique is known in which the cartridge is accommodated in the packaging in a state where the pressure in the packaging is reduced (for example, Patent Document 4).

JP 2003-191488 A US Patent Publication No. 2012/0133713 JP 2007-230249 A JP 2006-212883 A

  In a cartridge that uses the force of a biasing member such as a spring or a cartridge that uses an ink absorbing member in order to appropriately adjust the negative pressure in the printing material storage chamber, the large biasing member or the ink absorbing member has a relatively large volume. Placed in a large printing material storage chamber. For this reason, it is difficult to provide a large number of structures such as ribs in the printing material accommodation chamber. Therefore, the lid member bonded to the end portion of the outer peripheral wall of the container main body member may be deformed by receiving an external force without being supported at a portion other than the outer peripheral wall. For example, when another object is placed on the lid member of the cartridge, or when the cartridge is packaged in a decompressed state, an external force may be applied to the lid member and the lid member may be deformed (bent). When the lid member is deformed, various problems occur. For example, the aesthetics of the cartridge may be impaired. Further, for example, deformation of the lid member may damage components inside the cartridge, and ink in the printing material storage chamber may leak out.

  As described above, a technique for suppressing deformation of the lid member by an external force is desired for the cartridge. Such a demand is common not only to cartridges that contain ink but also to other printing materials and cartridges that contain printing materials other than liquid. In addition, in such a cartridge, it is possible to reduce the size, reduce costs, save resources, facilitate manufacturing, improve usability, hold the cartridge in a stable posture when used in a printing apparatus, etc. It is desired.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms.

(1) According to one aspect of the present invention, a cartridge for containing a printing material to be supplied to a printing apparatus is provided. The cartridge includes an outer shell having a concave container body member having an opening, a lid member attached to close the opening of the container body member, and a printing material provided inside the outer shell. And a printing material storage chamber for storing. The printing material storage chamber includes a main chamber and a buffer chamber having a smaller volume than the main chamber, and the container body member includes a partition wall that partitions the main chamber and the buffer chamber. A convex portion facing at least a part of the partition wall is provided on the surface of the lid member on the printing material accommodation chamber side.
According to the cartridge of this aspect, even when the lid member tries to deform inward of the cartridge by an external force, the deformation of the lid member can be suppressed by the convex portion hitting the partition wall.

(2) In the cartridge of the above aspect, the container body member further includes a peripheral wall for partitioning the printing material accommodation chamber, and the surface of the lid member on the printing material accommodation chamber side further includes A groove for forming a part of an air introduction path for introducing air into the cartridge, and a bank formed around the groove, and a part of the bank is provided in the printing material storage chamber. You may oppose the surrounding wall which divides and forms.
According to the cartridge of this aspect, even when the lid member is to be deformed inward by the external force, the deformation of the lid member can be further suppressed by a part of the bank hitting the peripheral wall of the printing material accommodation chamber.

  A plurality of constituent elements of each aspect of the present invention described above are not indispensable, and some or all of the effects described in the present specification are to be solved to solve part or all of the above-described problems. In order to achieve the above, it is possible to appropriately change, delete, replace with another new component, and partially delete the limited contents of some of the plurality of components. In order to solve part or all of the above-described problems or to achieve part or all of the effects described in this specification, technical features included in one embodiment of the present invention described above. A part or all of the technical features included in the other aspects of the present invention described above may be combined to form an independent form of the present invention.

  For example, one embodiment of the present invention can be realized as an object including one or more elements of an outer shell and a printing material accommodation chamber. That is, this thing may have an outer shell and does not need to have it. Moreover, this thing may have the printing material accommodation chamber, and does not need to have it. Such a thing can be realized, for example, as a cartridge, but can also be realized as a thing other than the cartridge. According to such a form, it is possible to solve at least one of various problems such as downsizing, cost reduction, resource saving, ease of manufacture, and improvement in usability of the product. Any or all of the above-described technical characteristics of the cartridge can be applied to this product.

  The present invention can be realized in various forms. For example, a cartridge, a manufacturing method of the cartridge, a printing material system including the cartridge and the printing device, and a liquid (printing material) is distributed to the cartridge and the printing device. It can implement | achieve in aspects, such as a printing material supply unit provided with the distribution pipe | tube made to carry out.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a printing material supply system 10. FIG. FIG. 6 is a first perspective view showing a holder 60 to which a cartridge 20 is mounted. It is a 2nd perspective view which shows the holder 60 with which the cartridge 20 was mounted | worn. 3 is a first external perspective view of a cartridge 20. FIG. FIG. 10 is a second external perspective view of the cartridge 20. 3 is a left side view of the cartridge 20. FIG. 4 is a right side view of the cartridge 20. FIG. 4 is a rear view of the cartridge 20. FIG. 3 is a front view of the cartridge 20. FIG. 3 is a top view of the cartridge 20. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the cartridge 20. FIG. FIG. 3 is a first diagram for explaining a cartridge 20. FIG. 10 is a second diagram for explaining the cartridge 20. FIG. 10 is a third diagram for describing the cartridge 20. 3 is a first exploded perspective view of the cartridge 20. FIG. FIG. 6 is a second exploded perspective view of the cartridge 20. FIG. 6 is a third exploded perspective view of the cartridge 20. FIG. 10 is a fourth exploded perspective view of the cartridge 20. It is a figure which shows the opposing surface 23fb of the cover member 23. FIG. It is a figure which shows the container main body member. It is a figure which shows the cartridge 20 before attaching the cover member 23. FIG. It is F10-F10 partial sectional drawing of FIG. It is a flow of an ink injection method. It is a 1st figure for demonstrating the ink injection | pouring method. It is a 2nd figure for demonstrating the ink injection | pouring method. It is a 1st figure for demonstrating an effect. It is a 2nd figure for demonstrating an effect. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect of the convex part 266,268. It is a perspective view of the cartridge 13 with a cap. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a packaged cartridge 14. It is a figure for demonstrating the cartridge 20a of the 1st modification. It is a figure for demonstrating the cartridge 20c. It is a figure for demonstrating the cartridge 20f.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.
A, B, C.I. Various embodiments:
D. Variations:

A. First embodiment:
A-1: Configuration of printing material system:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the printing material supply system 10. In FIG. 1, XYZ axes orthogonal to each other are drawn. The XYZ axes in FIG. 1 also correspond to the XYZ axes in other figures. The printing material supply system 10 includes a cartridge 20 and a printer 50 as a printing apparatus. In the printing material supply system 10, the cartridge 20 is detachably mounted on the holder 60 of the printer 50 by the user.

  The cartridge 20 of the printing material supply system 10 contains ink as a printing material (liquid) inside. The ink stored in the cartridge 20 is supplied to the head 540 via a printing material supply port and a printing material supply pipe, which will be described later. In the present embodiment, a plurality of cartridges 20 are detachably mounted on the holder 60 of the printer 50. In this embodiment, six types of cartridges 20 are attached to the holder 60 corresponding to six colors (black, yellow, magenta, light magenta, cyan, and light cyan), that is, a total of six cartridges 20 are mounted on the holder 60. .

  In other embodiments, the number of cartridges attached to the holder 60 may be six or less, or may be six or more. In other embodiments, the type of ink in the cartridge 20 may be 6 colors or less, or 6 colors or more. In another embodiment, two or more cartridges 20 may be mounted on the holder 60 corresponding to one color ink. Detailed configurations of the cartridge 20 and the holder 60 will be described later.

  The printer 50 of the printing material supply system 10 is a small inkjet printer for individuals. In addition to the holder 60, the printer 50 includes a control unit 510 and a carriage 520 having the holder 60. The carriage 520 includes a head 540. The printer 50 circulates ink from the cartridge 20 mounted in the holder 60 to the head 540 via a printing material supply pipe described later, and discharges (supplies) ink from the head 540 to a printing medium 90 such as paper or a label. To do. As a result, data such as characters, graphics, and images is printed on the print medium 90 using the head 540.

  The control unit 510 of the printer 50 controls each unit of the printer 50. The carriage 520 of the printer 50 is configured to be able to move the head 540 relative to the print medium 90. The head 540 of the printer 50 includes an ink ejection mechanism that ejects ink contained in the cartridge 20 onto the print medium 90. The controller 510 and the carriage 520 are electrically connected via a flexible cable 517, and the ink ejection mechanism of the head 540 operates based on a control signal from the controller 510.

  A detection unit 57 for optically detecting the remaining amount of ink in the cartridge 20 is provided at a position outside the printing area of the printer 50. Inside the detection unit 57, a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit are provided. The control unit 51 emits light using the light emitting unit of the detection unit 57 when the cartridge 20 passes over the detection unit 57 as the carriage 52 moves, and whether the light receiving unit of the detection unit 57 receives the light. The presence / absence of ink in the cartridge 20 is detected depending on whether or not it is present. Note that “no ink” includes a state where ink is low.

  In the present embodiment, the carriage 520 includes a holder 60 together with the head 540. As described above, the type of the printer 50 in which the cartridge 20 is mounted in the holder 60 on the carriage 520 that moves the head 540 is also referred to as an “on-carriage type”. In another embodiment, the immovable holder 60 is configured in a different part from the carriage 520, and the ink from the cartridge 20 mounted on the holder 60 is supplied to the head 540 of the carriage 520 via the flexible tube. good. Such a printer type is also called an “off-carriage type”.

  In the present embodiment, the printer 50 includes a main scan feed mechanism and a sub scan feed mechanism for realizing printing on the print medium 90 by relatively moving the carriage 520 and the print medium 90. The main scanning feed mechanism of the printer 50 includes a carriage motor 522 and a driving belt 524, and transmits the power of the carriage motor 522 to the carriage 520 via the driving belt 524, thereby reciprocating the carriage 520 in the main scanning direction. The sub-scan feed mechanism of the printer 50 includes a transport motor 532 and a platen 534, and transmits the power of the transport motor 532 to the platen 534, thereby transporting the print medium 90 in the sub-scan direction orthogonal to the main scan direction. The carriage motor 522 of the main scan feed mechanism and the transport motor 532 of the sub scan feed mechanism operate based on a control signal from the control unit 510.

  In the present embodiment, in the use state (also referred to as “use posture”) of the printing material supply system 10, the axis along the sub-scanning direction (front-rear direction) for transporting the print medium 90 is the X axis, and the carriage 520 is reciprocated. An axis along the main scanning direction (left-right direction) to be moved is a Y-axis, and an axis along the gravity direction (up-down direction) is a Z-axis. The usage state of the printing material supply system 10 is the state of the printing material supply system 10 installed on a horizontal surface. In this embodiment, the horizontal surface is a surface parallel to the X axis and the Y axis (XY). Plane).

  In this embodiment, the sub-scanning direction (front direction) is the + X-axis direction, the opposite direction (rear direction) is the -X-axis direction, the direction from the lower side to the upper side of the gravity direction (upward direction) is the + Z-axis direction, The reverse direction (downward) is taken as the −Z-axis direction. In the present embodiment, the + X axis direction side (front side) is the front surface of the printing material supply system 10. In the present embodiment, the direction from the right side surface to the left side surface of the printing material supply system 10 is defined as + Y axis direction (left direction), and the opposite direction is defined as −Y axis direction (right direction). In the present embodiment, the arrangement direction of the plurality of cartridges 20 attached to the holder 60 is a direction along the Y axis (left and right direction, also simply referred to as “Y axis direction”). The direction along the X axis (front-rear direction) is also referred to as the “X-axis direction”, and the direction along the Z axis (up-down direction) is also referred to as the “Z-axis direction”.

A-2. Holder configuration:
FIG. 2 is a first perspective view showing the holder 60 to which the cartridge 20 is mounted. FIG. 3 is a second perspective view showing the holder 60 to which the cartridge 20 is mounted. 2 and 3 illustrate a state in which one cartridge 20 is mounted on the holder 60. FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the holder 60 of the printer 50 has five walls 601, 603, 604, 605, and 606. A concave portion formed by these five wall portions becomes a cartridge housing chamber 602 (also referred to as “cartridge mounting portion 602”). The cartridge housing chamber 602 is divided by a partition wall 607 into a plurality of slots (mounting spaces) that can receive the cartridges 20. The partition wall 607 functions as a guide when the cartridge 20 is inserted into the slot. Each slot is provided with a printing material supply pipe 640, a contact mechanism 61, a lever 80, and a second device-side regulating unit 620 (FIG. 3). One side surface (+ Z-axis side surface; upper surface) of each slot is opened, and the cartridge 20 is attached to and detached from the holder 60 through the opened one side surface (upper surface). The printing material supply pipe 640 is provided so as to be sandwiched between two partition walls 607.

  The cartridge 20 is locked by the lever 80 and the second apparatus-side restricting portion 620, and a printing material supply port, which will be described later, is connected to the printing material supply pipe 640, so that the cartridge 20 is mounted. This state is also referred to as “a state where the cartridge 20 is attached to the holder 60” or “an attached state”. The printing material supply pipe 640 is connected to the printing material supply port of the cartridge 20, and thereby distributes the ink stored in the cartridge 20 to the head 540. The printing material supply pipe 640 has a distal end portion (also referred to as “connection end portion”) 642 positioned on the + Z axis side and a proximal end portion 645 positioned on the −Z axis side. The base end portion 645 is provided on the bottom wall portion 601. The leading end 642 is connected to the printing material supply port of the cartridge 20. The central axis C of the printing material supply pipe 640 is parallel to the Z axis. The direction from the base end 645 toward the tip end 642 along the central axis C is the + Z axis direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an elastic member 648 is provided around the printing material supply pipe 640. The elastic member 648 seals the periphery of the printing material supply port of the cartridge 20 in the mounted state. Accordingly, the elastic member 648 prevents ink from leaking out from the printing material supply port. In the mounted state, the elastic member 648 applies a biasing force including a component in the + Z-axis direction to the cartridge 20.

  Further, in the mounted state, various information is transmitted between the cartridge 20 and the printer 50 by electrically connecting a terminal group provided on a circuit board (to be described later) of the cartridge 20 and the contact mechanism 61.

  Although not shown, a through hole is formed in the wall portion 601 so that light can pass through in order to optically detect the presence or absence of ink using the detection portion 57.

A-3. Appearance configuration of cartridge:
FIG. 4 is a first external perspective view of the cartridge 20. FIG. 5 is a second external perspective view of the cartridge 20. FIG. 6 is a left side view of the cartridge 20. FIG. 7 is a right side view of the cartridge 20. FIG. 8 is a rear view of the cartridge 20. FIG. 9 is a front view of the cartridge 20. FIG. 10 is a top view of the cartridge 20. FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the cartridge 20. The cartridge 20 of the present embodiment is a so-called semi-sealed type cartridge 20 that intermittently introduces external air into the printing material accommodation chamber 200 as ink is consumed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the cartridge 20 includes a printing material storage chamber 200 for storing ink therein, a printing material supply port 280 for distributing ink in the printing material storage chamber 200 to the external printer 50, Is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cartridge 20 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shell 22. The cartridge 20 has six surfaces 201 to 206 as six walls constituting the outer shell 22. The six surfaces are a first surface 201 (bottom surface 201), a second surface 202 (top surface 202), a third surface 203 (front surface 203), a fourth surface 204 (back surface 204), and a fifth surface 205 ( The left side surface 205) and the sixth surface 206 (right side surface 206). As shown in FIG. 5, the cartridge 20 has a seventh surface 207 and an eighth surface 208 in addition to the six surfaces. Each surface 201-208 is a substantially flat surface. A substantially flat surface includes a case where the entire surface is completely flat and a case where a part of the surface is uneven. That is, it includes a case where the surface or wall constituting the outer shell 22 of the cartridge 20 can be grasped even if there is some unevenness on a part of the surface. The outer shapes of the first to eighth surfaces 201 to 208 in plan view are all rectangular. In the present embodiment, the first surface 201 to the eighth surface 208 may be outer surfaces of an assembly in which a plurality of members are assembled. In the present embodiment, the first surface 201 to the eighth surface 208 are formed of plate-like members. In another embodiment, a part of the first surface 201 to the eighth surface 208 may be formed of a film-like (thin film-like) member. The first surface 201 to the eighth surface 208 are made of, for example, a synthetic resin such as polyacetal (POM).

  In the present embodiment, the length (length in the X-axis direction), width (length in the Y-axis direction), and height (length in the Z-axis direction) of the cartridge 20 are set as follows: The order is height and width. The magnitude relationship of the length, width, and height of the cartridge 20 can be arbitrarily changed. For example, the order of height, length, and width may be changed, and the height, length, and width may be equal to each other. Also good.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first surface 201 and the second surface 202 are surfaces parallel to the X axis and the Y axis. The first surface 201 and the second surface 202 face each other in the Z-axis direction. The first surface 201 is located on the −Z axis direction side, and the second surface 202 is located on the + Z axis direction side. The first surface 201 and the second surface 202 are in a positional relationship with the third surface 203, the fourth surface 204, the fifth surface 205, and the sixth surface 206. The third surface 203 and the fourth surface 204 are surfaces parallel to the Y axis and the Z axis. The third surface 203 and the fourth surface 204 oppose each other in the X-axis direction. The third surface 203 is located on the + X axis direction side, and the fourth surface 204 is located on the −X axis direction side. The fifth surface 205 and the sixth surface 206 are surfaces parallel to the X axis and the Z axis. The fifth surface 205 and the sixth surface 206 face each other in the Y-axis direction. In the present specification, “intersection” of two surfaces means a state in which the two surfaces are connected to each other, a state in which the extension surface of one surface intersects the other surface, and the respective extension surfaces intersect. Means any one of the states. In the present embodiment, the first surface 201 constitutes the bottom surface of the cartridge 20 and the second surface 202 constitutes the upper surface of the cartridge 20 in a mounted state in which the cartridge 20 is mounted in the holder 60. As shown in FIG. 5, the seventh surface 207 and the eighth surface 208 are surfaces that connect the first surface 201 and the third surface 203. The seventh surface 207 is connected to the first surface 201, and the eighth surface 208 is connected to the third surface 203.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the printing material supply port 280 is provided to protrude from the first surface 201. The printing material supply port 280 extends from the first surface 201 along the −Z axis direction. The printing material supply port 280 has an opening end 288 that forms an opening at one end. The opening formed by the opening end 288 is located on a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the printing material supply port 280 protrudes (−Z axis direction). That is, the opening formed by the opening end 288 is formed along a plane parallel to the X axis and the Y axis.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 11, the printing material supply port 280 is provided with a printing material outlet 31 through which ink flowing from the printing material storage chamber 200 into the printing material supply port 280 flows out. The printing material outlet 31 is in contact with the tip 642 side of the printing material supply pipe 640 in the mounted state. As a result, ink flows through the printing material outlet 31 to the printing material supply pipe 640. The printing material outlet 31 is formed of a porous sheet member through which ink can flow.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 11, a communication port 32 is formed in the printing material supply port 280 as an opening for communicating the inside of the printing material supply port 280 with the outside. The communication port 32 is provided downstream of the printing material outlet 31 in the ink flow direction (−Z axis direction) of the printing material supply port 280. The communication port 32 is provided at a position that does not overlap the printing material outlet 31 when the cartridge 20 is vertically projected on the first surface 201. By the communication port 32, the area (internal space) where the air in the printing material supply port 280 exists communicates with the outside (outside air), and the pressure difference between the internal space and the outside can be maintained substantially constant.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 11, a prism unit 270 is disposed on the first surface 201. The prism unit 270 includes a so-called right-angle prism 275. The right-angle prism 275 of the prism unit 270 has two surfaces (not shown) that intersect at substantially right angles. These two surfaces are located in the printing material storage chamber 200. In this embodiment, the control unit 510 of the printer 50 shown in FIG. This determination is made as follows based on the exchange of light between the detection unit 57 of the printer 50 shown in FIG. 1 and the prism 275 of the cartridge 20 shown in FIGS. First, light is emitted from the light emitting unit of the detection unit 57 toward one of the two surfaces of the prism 275. At this time, when the periphery of the prism 275 is filled with ink, most of the light emitted from the light emitting unit of the detecting unit 57 passes through the one surface and does not reach the light receiving unit of the detecting unit 57. . On the other hand, when there is no ink around the prism 275, most of the light emitted from the light emitting portion is reflected by one surface of the prism 275. The reflected light is reflected toward the detection unit 57 by the other surface of the prism 275 and reaches the light receiving unit of the detection unit 57. As described above, when the light receiving unit of the detection unit 57 does not detect light of a certain level or more, the control unit 510 of the printer 50 determines “ink present”, and when it detects it, determines “no ink”. Note that “no ink” includes a state where ink is low.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 11, a sheet member 298 is attached to a position between the printing material supply port 280 and the prism unit 270 in the first surface 201. The sheet member 298 is a member for forming a part 246 (also referred to as “connection path 246”, FIG. 11) of the flow path in the printing material accommodation chamber 200. The connection path 246 is located between the prism unit 270 and the printing material supply port 280 in the flow direction toward the printing material supply port 280 in the printing material storage chamber 200.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, the third surface 203 is formed with a protruding first cartridge side regulating portion 210. The first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is locked to the lever 80 in the mounted state. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the fourth surface 204 is formed with a protruding second cartridge side regulating portion 221. In the mounted state, the second cartridge side regulating portion 221 is inserted and locked into the second device side regulating portion 620 (FIG. 3) which is a through hole formed in the wall portion 604 (FIG. 2). That is, in the mounted state, the cartridge 20 is positioned on both sides in the X-axis direction by the lever 80 of the holder 60 and the second device-side restricting portion 620 so that the cartridge 20 is positioned with respect to the holder 60.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the circuit board 15 is provided on the eighth surface 208. A plurality of terminals that are in contact with the contact mechanism 61 are formed on the surface of the circuit board 15 in the mounted state. Further, a storage device is provided on the back surface of the circuit board 15 for storing various types of information (ink remaining amount status, ink color, etc.) of the cartridge 20.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the fifth surface 205 is formed with a vent 290 for introducing air into the cartridge 20.

A-4. Outline and operation of cartridge internal configuration:
FIG. 12 is a first diagram for explaining the cartridge 20. FIG. 13 is a second diagram for explaining the cartridge 20. FIG. 14 is a third diagram for explaining the cartridge 20. 12 to 14 are schematic diagrams for explaining the internal state of the cartridge 20.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the outer shell 22 of the cartridge 20 includes a container body member 21 and a lid member 23. An internal space is formed by attaching the lid member 23 so as to close the opening of the container body member 21. The cartridge 20 includes a first communication path 315 and a second communication path 310. The first communication path 315 and the second communication path 310 are both flow paths through which the atmosphere communicates. Further, the cartridge 20 includes a printing material accommodation chamber 200. The printing material accommodation chamber 200 is partitioned by the container body member 21 and the first sheet member 291. The sheet member 291 is a flexible member. Air is introduced into the printing material accommodation chamber 200 at a predetermined timing via the first communication path 315. An air inlet 47 is an air inlet to the printing material storage chamber 200. The cartridge 20 includes a valve mechanism 40 for opening and closing the air introduction port 47.

  A pressure receiving plate 293 whose surface (surface on the + Y axis direction side) is in contact with the first sheet member 291 is disposed in the printing material accommodation chamber 200. In addition, the first sheet member 291 is urged into the printing material accommodation chamber 200 in the direction of expanding the volume in the printing material accommodation chamber 200 from the back surface (the surface on the −Y axis direction side) of the pressure receiving plate 293. A coil spring 294 as a first urging member is disposed. Thereby, the pressure in the printing material accommodation chamber 200 is maintained at a pressure (negative pressure) lower than the atmospheric pressure. When the cartridge 20 is vertically projected onto the facing wall 206, the gravity center of the pressure receiving plate 293 is located inside the region where the coil spring 294 contacts the pressure receiving plate 293.

  The printing material accommodation chamber 200 includes a main chamber 242, a detection chamber 244, a first flow path 246, and a buffer chamber 250. The ink flows from the main chamber 242 on the upstream side through the detection chamber 244, the connection path 246, and the buffer chamber 250 in this order, and reaches the printing material supply port 280 on the downstream side. The main chamber 242 is a portion where the coil spring 294 is disposed. The detection chamber 244 is a portion where the prism 275 (FIGS. 5 and 11) is disposed. The connection path 246 is a flow path that connects the buffer chamber 250 and the detection chamber 244. The connection path 246 is a flow path formed by the wall forming the first surface 201 and the sheet member 298 (FIG. 11). The connection path 246 is a flow path for suppressing the ink from flowing backward from the connection path 246 to the upstream flow path (for example, the detection chamber 244). The connection path 246 has holding channels 248 and 249 that can hold ink by forming a meniscus. The holding channels 248 and 249 have a shape that does not have corners on the channel cross section. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the ink in the buffer chamber 250 flows backward to the upstream side due to the capillary force. For example, let us consider a case where the ink in the printing material storage chamber 200 is very small and ink exists only in the buffer chamber 250. In this case, if ink flows backward from the buffer chamber 250 to the detection chamber 244, it may cause erroneous detection of the presence or absence of ink. Further, when ink flows backward from the buffer chamber 250 to the detection chamber 244, bubbles enter the buffer chamber 250 and cause the bubbles to flow into the printer 50 side. However, since the backflow of ink can be prevented by the holding channels 248 and 249, the occurrence of the above-described problems can be reduced. In the present embodiment, the holding channels 248 and 249 are cylindrical channels. The buffer chamber 250 is a flow path connected to the printing material supply port 280.

  The first communication path 315 is an air introduction path for introducing external air into the printing material accommodation chamber 200. The first communication path 315 has a vent 290 (also referred to as “external air inlet 290”) at one end and an air inlet (also referred to as “internal air inlet 47”) at the other end. Is formed. The vent 290 is an opening formed through the lid member 23. The air introduction port 47 is an opening for taking air into the printing material accommodation chamber 200. The air inlet 47 is opened and closed by the valve mechanism 40. Details of the valve mechanism 40 will be described later.

  The first communication path 315 has the vent 290, the internal communication path 262, the connecting portion 264, and the air chamber 241 in order from the upstream side when the vent 290 is the upstream side and the air introduction port 47 is the downstream side. And an air inlet 47. Note that “upstream” and “downstream” used in the description of the configuration of the first communication path 315 are based on the direction of air flow from the vent 290 toward the air inlet 47.

  The internal communication path 262 is a flow path having one end connected to the vent 290 and the other end connected to the connecting portion 264. The internal communication path 262 is a flow path formed on the facing surface 23 fb side facing the first sheet member 291 in the lid member 23. The internal communication path 262 includes a groove formed on the facing surface 23fb and a sheet member 295 (also referred to as “second sheet member 295”) attached to the facing surface 23fb so as to cover the groove. At least a part of the second sheet member 295 is disposed at a position facing the first sheet member 291. The internal communication path 262 is a meandering path.

  The connecting portion 264 is connected to the downstream end portion of the internal communication path 262. The connecting portion 264 introduces air that has passed through the internal communication path 262 into the air chamber 241. The connecting portion 264 is recessed in the facing surface 23 fb of the lid member 23 that faces the first sheet member 291. That is, the connection part 264 is a recessed part formed in the opposing surface 23fb. The air chamber 241 is a space formed between the lid member 23 and the first sheet member 291. In other words, the air chamber 241 is a space sandwiched between the lid member 23 and the first sheet member 291. The air inlet 47 is an opening formed in the cover valve 46 of the valve mechanism 40.

  The second communication path 310 has a space 289 downstream of the printing material outlet 31 in the printing material supply port 280 via the internal space of the cartridge (a space 289 in which the communication port 32 is disposed), and the cartridge 20. Communicate with the outside. When the printing material supply port 280 is closed with a cap or the like, the space 289 is partitioned by the printing material supply port 280 and another member that closes the supply port 280. As described above, when the supply port 280 is blocked by another member, one closed room is formed in the supply port 280, and this space 289 is also referred to as an internal chamber 289. Here, the other member that closes the supply port 280 corresponds to the elastic member 648 (FIG. 3) of the holder 60 that contacts the peripheral edge of the opening end 288 of the supply port 280 in the mounted state, in addition to the cap.

  One end portion of the second communication path 310 is a communication port 32 provided in the internal chamber 289, and the other end portion is a vent port 290 formed through the lid member 23. When the communication port 32 is on the upstream side and the ventilation port 290 is on the downstream side, the second communication path 310 includes the communication port 32, the through path 33, the flow path chamber 252, the air chamber 241, and the connecting portion 264. And an internal communication path 262 and a vent 290. Among these elements, the air chamber 241, the connecting portion 264, the internal communication path 262, and the vent 290 are the same as the elements constituting the first communication path 310. That is, the downstream part of the second communication path 310 and the upstream part of the first communication path 315 are shared. The air chamber 241, the connecting portion 264, the internal communication path 262, and the vent 290 function as a flow path for introducing air from the outside to the inside of the cartridge in the first communication path 310, and the air in the second communication path 320. It functions as a flow path for discharging from the inside of the cartridge to the outside. The terms “upstream” and “downstream” used when describing the configuration of the second communication path 310 are based on the flow direction of the fluid (air) from the communication port 32 toward the vent 290.

  The through path 33 is a flow path that penetrates the wall between the printing material supply port 280 and the flow path chamber 252. An upstream end portion of the through passage 33 forms a communication port 32. The flow path chamber 252 is a space formed in the container body member 21. The flow path chamber 252 has an upstream end connected to the through passage 33 and a downstream end connected to the air chamber 241. The through passage 33 serves as a passage connecting the printing material supply port 280 and the air chamber 241 through the flow passage chamber 252.

  Even when the supply port 280 is blocked by another member by the second communication path 310, the pressure in the space 289 can be maintained substantially constant with the external pressure. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of ink leakage from the printing material supply port 280 caused by the pressure fluctuation in the space 289.

  For example, when the cartridge 20 is mounted on the printer 50 (at the time of mounting operation), the elastic member 648 (FIG. 2) of the holder 60 seals around the opening end 288 of the printing material supply port 280. Here, when sealing the periphery of the opening end 288, a part of the elastic member 648 bites into the printing material supply port 280, so that the volume in the printing material supply port 280 is reduced and the printing material supply port 280 is filled. The pressure increases. Generally, the flow path from the printing material storage chamber 200 to the printing material outlet 31 has a portion with a high flow path resistance so that ink does not leak outside from the printing material outlet 31. In the present embodiment, the flow path resistance is increased by a sheet member or foam provided in a printing material supply port 280 described later. Therefore, in the state immediately after the periphery of the opening end 288 is sealed and the volume in the printing material supply port 280 is reduced, the reduced amount of air does not sufficiently flow into the printing material accommodation chamber 200. However, the amount of air reduced by the second communication passage 310 can be released to the outside, and the pressure inside the printing material supply port 280 can be maintained substantially constant.

  If the second communication path 310 is not provided in the cartridge 20, for example, compressed air in the printing material supply port 280 gradually flows into the printing material storage chamber 200 after the cartridge 20 is mounted. As a result, unexpected air may enter the printing material storage chamber 200, and the printing material storage chamber 200 may not be maintained in an appropriate pressure range. For example, when the air in the printing material supply port 280 flows into the printing material storage chamber 200 until the increased pressure in the printing material supply port 280 and the pressure in the printing material storage chamber 200 are balanced, the printing material storage chamber The pressure in 200 increases as compared to the state before air flows in. When the user removes the cartridge 20 from the holder 60 in this state, the pressure in the printing material supply port 280 becomes atmospheric pressure. That is, the pressure in the printing material supply port 280 decreases, and ink leaks out from the printing material storage chamber 200 having a high pressure through the printing material supply port 280.

  The valve mechanism 40 includes a cover valve 46, a lever valve 44, and a coil spring 42 as an urging member. The lever valve 44 is pressed against the cover valve 46 by the coil spring 42 and closes the air inlet 47 which is a through hole. The lever valve 44 includes a lever portion 49 that contacts when the pressure receiving plate 293 is displaced, and a valve portion 43 for closing the air introduction port 47.

  Next, the operation of the cartridge 20 will be described. In the initial state (unused state) of the cartridge 20, the printing material storage chamber 200 is filled with ink as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 13, when the ink in the printing material storage chamber 200 is consumed and the pressure receiving plate 293 approaches the sixth surface 206 side, the pressure receiving plate 293 pushes the lever portion 49 toward the sixth surface 206 side. Thereby, the valve part 43 leaves | separates from the air inlet 47, and external air and the printing material storage chamber 200 are connected temporarily. That is, the lever valve 44 is opened. Then, external air flows into the printing material accommodation chamber 200 through the first communication path 315. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 14, the volume of the printing material accommodation chamber 200 is increased by the amount of air introduced. At the same time, the negative pressure in the printing material accommodation chamber 200 is slightly reduced (approaches atmospheric pressure). Then, as shown in FIG. 14, when a certain amount of air is introduced into the printing material accommodation chamber 200, the pressure receiving plate 293 is separated from the lever portion 49. Thereby, the valve part 43 closes the air inlet 47 again. That is, the lever valve 44 is closed. As described above, when the negative pressure in the printing material storage chamber 200 increases with the consumption of ink in the printing material storage chamber 200, the lever valve 44 is temporarily opened, so that the inside of the printing material storage chamber 200 is increased. It becomes possible to maintain the pressure within an appropriate pressure range.

A-5. Detailed cartridge configuration:
FIG. 15 is a first exploded perspective view of the cartridge 20. FIG. 16 is a second exploded perspective view of the cartridge 20. FIG. 17 is a third exploded perspective view of the cartridge 20. FIG. 18 is a fourth exploded perspective view of the cartridge 20. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the facing surface 23 fb of the lid member 23. FIG. 20 is a view showing the container main body member 21. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating the cartridge 20 before the lid member 23 is attached. In FIG. 20, the state in which the ink in the printing material storage chamber 200 circulates outside through the printing material supply port 280 is indicated by arrows. In FIG. 20, the surface 271 of the prism 275 is indicated by a dotted line. In FIG. 21, the groove portion 261 and the second sheet member 295 of the lid member 23 are indicated by dotted lines.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the cartridge 20 includes a container body member 21, a lid member 23, and a first sheet member 291. The container main body member 21 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The container main body member 21 has a concave shape having an opening 222 on one side wall (+ Y-axis direction side wall). The first sheet member 291 is adhered or welded to the container main body member 21 to form the printing material accommodation chamber 200 together with the container main body member 21. The first sheet member 291 has flexibility. That is, a part of the outer peripheral wall of the printing material accommodation chamber 200 is formed by the first sheet member 291. The first sheet member 291 has a through hole 292 that allows the air chamber 241 and the air inlet 47 to communicate with each other.

  The lid member 23 is attached to the container main body member 21 so as to cover the first sheet member 291. The container body member 21 and the lid member 23 are made of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene. The first sheet member 291 is made of a synthetic resin such as a material containing nylon and polypropylene. The plate-like lid member 23 has a facing surface 23fb that faces the first sheet member 291 and a surface 23fa that is a surface opposite to the facing surface 23fb. The facing surface 23fb is the inner surface of the cartridge 20, and the surface 23fa is the outer surface of the cartridge 20.

  The pressure receiving plate 293 is formed of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene or a metal such as stainless steel. The pressure receiving plate 293 is disposed in contact with the first sheet member 291. The coil spring 294 is disposed in the main chamber 242 in the printing material accommodation chamber 200. The coil spring 294 contacts the pressure receiving plate 293 and a surface (opposing surface) facing the pressure receiving plate 293 among the surfaces of the container body member 21. The pressure receiving plate 293 moves in the printing material storage chamber 200 as the ink in the printing material storage chamber 200 is consumed. The moving direction of the pressure receiving plate 293 is the Y-axis direction (direction perpendicular to the facing surface 23fb and the surface 23fa).

  As shown in FIG. 15, the valve mechanism 40 includes a spring member 42, a lever valve 44, and a cover valve 46. The cover valve 46 is accommodated in a corner portion 240 (FIG. 20) where the second surface 202 and the fourth surface 204 of the container main body member 21 intersect, and is attached to the container main body member 21. The cover valve 46 is made of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the cover valve 46 has a concave shape, and the first sheet member 291 is airtightly attached to the end surface 41 that forms the opening. The concave portion of the cover valve 46 communicates with the through hole 292 of the first seat member 291. Further, an air introduction port 47 penetrating to the back side of the cover valve 46 is formed at the bottom of the concave portion of the cover valve 46.

  The lever valve 44 is pressed against the cover valve 46 by the spring member 42 and closes the air introduction port 47. The lever valve 44 has a lever portion 49 (FIG. 16) that abuts when the pressure receiving plate 293 is displaced. The lever valve 44 may be formed of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene, for example. The lever valve 44 may be formed by two-color molding using an elastic member such as an elastomer and a synthetic resin such as polypropylene.

  The printing material supply port 280 communicates with the printing material storage chamber 200. As shown in FIG. 16, the printing material storage chamber 200 and the printing material supply port 280 communicate with each other through a printing material communication hole 277. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the printing material supply port 280 includes a supply member 30 inside. The supply member 30 includes a foam (porous member) 34 and a sheet member (filter member) 36. The sheet member 36 and the foam 34 are arranged in the order closer to the opening end 288 of the printing material supply port 280. The foam 34 and the sheet member 36 are made of, for example, a synthetic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate. In the mounted state, the sheet member 36 contacts the printing material supply pipe 640 (FIG. 2), and distributes ink to the printer 50 side. That is, the sheet member 36 forms the printing material outlet 31.

  As shown in FIG. 16, an opening 278 that penetrates the first surface 201 is formed in the first surface 201. By connecting the sheet member 298 to the first surface 201 so as to cover the opening 278, the connection path 246 is formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the outer edge portion 23 p of the lid member 23 is bonded to the container-side outer edge portion 21 p with single hatching in the end portion on the opening side (+ Y-axis direction side) of the container body member 21. Joined by welding. The first sheet member 291 has inner end portions 21t and 22rp positioned on the inner side of the container-side outer edge portion 21p among the end portions (end surfaces) on the opening side (+ Y-axis direction side) of the container main body member 21. It is stuck airtight. A channel chamber 252 is formed outside the region of the container body member 21 where the first sheet member 291 is attached (FIG. 20). The inner end portions 21t and 22rp are cross-hatched for easy understanding. Further, in FIG. 20, a region with dots is the printing material accommodation chamber 200.

As shown in FIGS. 15, 20, and 21, the printing material accommodation chamber 200 includes a partition wall 22 r that extends from the facing wall 206 (sixth surface 206) facing the opening 222 toward the opening 222. The partition wall 22r partitions the main chamber 242 and the buffer chamber 250. In FIGS. 12 to 14, the detection chamber 244 is shown as one room independent of the main chamber 242, but in actuality, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the detection chamber 244 is the main chamber 242. Configured as part. The printing material storage chamber 200 is partitioned by a partition wall 22r into a main chamber 242 having a large capacity and a buffer chamber 250 having a small capacity. In the present embodiment, the volume of the main chamber 242 is approximately 10 times the volume of the buffer chamber 250. As shown by the arrow in FIG. 20, the ink in the main chamber 242 flows into the printing material supply port 280 through the detection chamber 244, the connection path 246, and the buffer chamber 250. 20 and 21, a dotted line is attached to the boundary portion between the main chamber 242 and the detection chamber 244.
Here, the relationship between the main chamber 242 and the volume of the buffer chamber 250 will be described. In the present embodiment, printing is not stopped immediately after it is determined that there is no ink by optical detection using the prism 250 in the detection chamber 244. When it is determined that there is no ink by optical detection, only the ink in the main chamber 242 (including the detection chamber 244) has run out, and ink remains in the buffer chamber 250. Therefore, at this point, the printer 50 first displays a message prompting the user to prepare a new cartridge 20. After that, printing is continued using the ink in the buffer chamber 250. The timing of finally stopping printing is determined based on the management information based on predetermined data by the control unit 510 of the printer 50 and how much ink in the buffer chamber 250 is consumed. Management of ink consumption based on such management information is performed based on ink consumption data set in advance for each of various operations of the printer 50, and by measuring the actual ink consumption. It is not done. It is more accurate to detect the presence or absence of actual ink using the prism 250 than to manage ink consumption based on data. Therefore, the volume of the buffer chamber 250 in which the ink consumption is managed based on the data is made as small as possible with respect to the volume of the main chamber 242 in which the ink consumption state is managed by detecting the actual presence or absence of ink. It can be said that the management accuracy of the entire ink amount is higher when the above is set. If the management accuracy of the total ink amount is increased, it is possible to reduce the amount of ink remaining in the cartridge 20 when printing is finally stopped. Therefore, the volume of the main chamber 242 is preferably set to 3 times or more, preferably 5 times or more, the volume of the buffer chamber 250. On the other hand, if the volume of the buffer chamber 250 is made too small relative to the volume of the main chamber 242, there will be a sufficient period until the printing is finally stopped after the main chamber 242 (including the detection chamber 244) has run out of ink. It will not be possible to secure. Therefore, the volume of the main chamber 242 is preferably set to 20 times or less, preferably 15 times or less, of the volume of the buffer chamber 250. In summary, the volume of the main chamber 242 is preferably set to be not less than 3 times and not more than 20 times the volume of the buffer chamber 250, more preferably not less than 5 times and not more than 15 times.

  As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, a groove portion 261, a connecting portion 264, and convex portions 266 and 268 are formed on the facing surface 23 fb of the lid member 23. The groove part 261, the connecting part 264, and the convex parts 266 and 268 are formed inside the outer edge part 23p. As described above, the outer extension 23p is a joint with the container body member 21.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 19, the lid member 23 has a portion 267 having a larger thickness than the other portion 269. The other portion 269 is referred to as a “thin portion 269”, and the thick portion 267 is referred to as a “thick portion 267”. The thick part 267 protrudes to the first sheet member 291 side than the thin part 269. The groove portion 261, the vent 290, the connecting portion 264, and the convex portion 268 are formed in the thick portion 267.

  The groove part 261 has a meandering shape. The groove portion 261 has a portion bent by 180 ° at least at one place. The upstream end of the groove 261 is connected to the vent 290. Further, the downstream end portion of the groove portion 261 is connected to the connecting portion 264. The connecting portion 264 is provided as a recess in the facing surface 23fb. As shown in FIG. 18, the second sheet member 295 is attached to the facing surface 23fb so as to cover the vent 290 and the groove 261. The second sheet member 295 is attached to the vent 290 and the bank 261a around the groove portion 261 indicated by hatching in FIG. 19 on the opposing surface 23fb by adhesion or welding. As a result, an internal communication path 262 including the groove portion 261 and the second sheet member 295 is formed. The internal communication path 262 is a meandering path that is at least partially bent by 180 °, corresponding to the shape of the groove 261. As shown in FIG. 18, the second sheet member 295 includes a portion 295 a (also referred to as “extension portion 295 a”) extended to a position where it overlaps with the connecting portion 264 (a position facing it). The extended portion 295a is opposed to cover the entire connecting portion 264. The extension portion 295a is not attached to the facing surface 23fb. As can be seen from FIG. 19, the second sheet member 295 is welded or bonded to the bank 261 a around the vent 290 and the groove portion 261 (the portion shown by the oblique lines in FIG. 19). The surrounding bank 264a is neither welded nor bonded. That is, the extension portion 295 a of the second sheet member 295 only covers the connecting portion 264. The connecting portion 264 is not blocked by the sheet member 295. In FIG. 18, for easy understanding, a dotted line is attached to the boundary between the extended portion 295 a and the other portion of the second sheet member 295. Here, the flow path cross-sectional area of the connecting portion 264 is larger than the flow path cross-sectional area of the internal communication path 262. Further, the flow passage cross-sectional area of the internal communication passage 262 is smaller than the flow passage cross-sectional areas of the flow passage chamber 252 and the air chamber 241. The channel cross-sectional area is an area of a surface perpendicular to the fluid flow direction in the channel.

  The convex portions 266 and 261 each extend linearly. The convex portions 266 and 261 are located on the same straight line. The convex portions 266 and 268 protrude from the facing surface 23fb toward the inside of the cartridge 20, that is, toward the printing material accommodation chamber 200 side. The convex portions 266 and 268 face the partition wall 22r (FIGS. 20 and 21) that partitions the main chamber 242 and the buffer chamber 250. The convex portions 266 and 268 oppose the end 22rp (end surface 22rp) on the opening 222 side of the partition wall 22r.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 21, a part of the bank 261 a (FIG. 19) of the groove part 261 faces a part of the surrounding wall that defines the printing material accommodation chamber 200. Specifically, a part of the bank 261a (see FIG. 19) of the groove portion 261 is opposed to the inner end portion 21t of the surrounding wall that defines the printing material accommodation chamber 200. The inner end portion 21t is an end portion (end surface) located on the opening 222 side of the peripheral wall that defines the printing material accommodation chamber 200.

  22 is a partial cross-sectional view of F10-F10 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 22, the printing material supply port 280 has a through passage 33 that forms the communication port 32 at one end. The through path 33 passes through a member that forms the printing material supply port 280 and communicates with the flow path chamber 252. The through passage 33 extends along the Z-axis direction.

A-6. Ink injection method:
Next, a method for injecting ink into the printing material storage chamber 200 will be described. FIG. 23 is a flow of the ink injection method. FIG. 24 is a first diagram for explaining the ink injection method. FIG. 25 is a second diagram for explaining the ink injection method.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, ink is injected into the printing material accommodation chamber 200 with the lid member 23 removed. In the present embodiment, ink is injected into the printing material accommodation chamber 200 in a state where the through passage 33 does not penetrate the flow passage chamber 252. That is, before the ink is injected, the penetration path 33 and the flow path chamber 252 shown in FIG. 22 do not penetrate and are partitioned by the wall, and the ink is injected in this state. . In this way, when ink is injected into the printing material storage chamber 200, it is possible to reduce the possibility of ink leaking outside through the second communication path 310. In addition, when ink is injected in a state where the through passage 33 and the flow passage chamber 252 penetrate, the communication port 32 may be closed with a stopper or a seal.

  As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the air in the printing material storage chamber 200 is sucked from the printing material supply port 280 in a state where the air introduction port 47 is closed with the sealing member 560, and the inside of the printing material storage chamber 200 is decompressed. (Step S10). For example, a suction device (not shown) is disposed so as to close the opening end 288, and the inside of the printing material storage chamber 200 is sucked from the printing material supply port 280.

  After step S10, a predetermined amount of ink is injected from the printing material supply port 280 into the printing material storage chamber 200 (step S20). Step S20 is performed, for example, by connecting a tank for storing ink and the printing material supply port 280, and causing the ink to flow from the tank to the printing material supply port 280 using a pump or the like. The ink injection device and the suction device may be used as an integrated unit device.

  As shown in FIG. 23, after step S20, the second communication path 310 is formed (step S30). The second communication path 310 can be created, for example, by breaking through a wall that partitions the through passage 33 and the flow path chamber 252 with a needle-like member. After step S20 or step S30, the sealing member 560 is removed and the lid member 23 is attached to the container body member 21. Thereby, the cartridge 20 in which the ink is accommodated in the printing material accommodation chamber 200 can be manufactured.

A-7. effect:
In the above-described embodiment, the second sheet member 295 is disposed between the first sheet member 291 and the lid member 23 for forming the printing material accommodation chamber 200 (FIGS. 15 and 16). In other words, at least a part of the second sheet member 295 is provided at a position facing the first sheet member 291. Thereby, even when the first sheet member 291 moves to the lid member 23 side by an external force together with the pressure receiving plate 293, the possibility that the first sheet member 291 directly contacts the lid member 23 can be reduced. Thereby, the possibility that the first sheet member 291 is torn can be reduced. Further, even when the first sheet member 291 contacts the lid member 23, the second sheet member 295 serves as a cushioning material, and the possibility that the first sheet member 291 is broken can be reduced. Further, by providing a part of the first communication path 315 for introducing air into the printing material accommodation chamber 200 at a position facing the first sheet member 291 in the lid member 23, the second sheet member is provided. 295 can also serve two roles. That is, the second sheet member 295 has two roles as a cushioning material for preventing the first sheet member 291 from being torn and a member as a member for forming the first communication path 315. I also serve. Thereby, it is not necessary to provide a sheet member separately.

  Here, the groove part 261 is formed in the part where the 2nd sheet | seat member 295 was affixed among the opposing surfaces 23fb of the cover member 23 (FIG. 18). Of the facing surface 23fb, the portion where the groove 261 is formed has an uneven shape. For this reason, in particular, when the first sheet member 291 comes into contact with the region where the groove portion 261 is formed, the first sheet member 291 is easily broken by the corners of the groove portion 261. However, in this embodiment, since the 2nd sheet member is affixed so that the groove part 261 may be covered, possibility that the 1st sheet member 291 will hit the groove part 261 and torn can be reduced.

  Here, the first sheet member 291 tends to move in conjunction with the movement of the pressure receiving plate 293. Therefore, the portion of the first sheet member 291 located at the peripheral edge of the pressure receiving plate 293 is displaced greatly and hits the lid member 23 and is easily broken. Therefore, it is preferable that the second sheet member 295 is disposed at a position facing at least a part of the peripheral edge portion of the pressure receiving plate 293. Furthermore, it is preferable that the second sheet member 295 is disposed at a position facing all the peripheral portions of the pressure receiving plate 293.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the thick part 267 in which the groove part 261 is located among the cover members 23 is thicker than the other part (thin part) 269 (FIG. 18). By doing so, it is possible to suppress the moisture and solvent in the ink that has entered the groove 261 (hereinafter referred to as “moisture”) from flowing out through the lid member in the thickness direction. The reason for this will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 26 is a first diagram for explaining the effect. FIG. 27 is a second diagram for explaining the effect. FIG. 26 is a comparative example, and is a mode in which the second sheet member 295 is attached to the surface 23fa, unlike the present embodiment. FIG. 27 shows a mode in which the second sheet member 295 is attached to the back surface 23fb, as in the present embodiment. Further, the thickness of the lid member 23 shown in FIG. 26 is constant and has a thickness A. In addition, the cover member 23 illustrated in FIG. The distance from the bottom of the groove 261 of the lid member 23 to the surface of the facing lid member 23 is a distance B1.

  As shown by an arrow YP in FIG. 26 and FIG. 27, moisture or the like that has become vapor due to evaporation of the ink in the printing material storage chamber 200 passes through the first sheet member 295 from the storage chamber 200, Alternatively, it diffuses into the air chamber 241 through the air inlet 47. The steam diffused into the air chamber 241 may not only exit from the vent 291 through the internal communication path 262 but also pass through the lid member 23 from the internal communication path 262 in the thickness direction. Here, when the second sheet member 295 is attached to the surface 23fa, the second sheet member 295 is obstructed even if steam tries to pass through the lid member 23 from the internal communication path 262 in the thickness direction.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 27, when the second sheet member 295 is attached to the facing surface 23fb, steam can pass through the lid member 23 from the internal communication path 262 in the thickness direction as it is. Therefore, in the present embodiment, by making the thickness of the lid member 23 where the groove portion 261 is located larger than the thickness of the thin portion 269, it is difficult for steam to pass through the lid member 23 from the internal communication path 262 in the thickness direction. Yes. For example, in FIG. 27, the thickness of the thick portion 267 is the thickness C, and the distance from the bottom of the groove 261 to the opposing surface (surface 23fa) is the distance B2. Here, the relationship of B2> B1 is satisfied. By doing so, it is possible to suppress the outflow of vapor to the outside, and it is possible to suppress evaporation of moisture and the like in the ink. Thereby, the ink density fluctuation in the printing material storage chamber 200 can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, the extended portion 295a of the second sheet member 295 is disposed at a position overlapping the connecting portion 264 (FIG. 18). That is, the extended portion 295a faces the connecting portion 264 so as to cover the connecting portion 264. The extension portion 295a is not attached to the facing surface 23fb. Accordingly, air can be smoothly introduced through the connecting portion 264, while the possibility that ink flows out from the connecting portion 264 through the internal communication path 262 can be reduced.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the flow path cross-sectional area of the connection part 264 is larger than the flow path cross-sectional area of the internal communication path 262 (FIG. 18). Thereby, the introduction of air from the outside can be performed more smoothly.

  In the present embodiment, the internal communication path 262 is a meandering path having a portion bent by 180 ° (FIG. 18). Thereby, the distance of the internal communication path 262 can be lengthened within a narrow region. Therefore, the ink can be prevented from flowing out through the internal communication path 262.

  In the present embodiment, the facing surface 23fb of the lid member 23 is provided with convex portions 266 and 268 facing the partition wall 22r disposed in the printing material accommodation chamber 200 (FIG. 19). Thereby, even when the lid member 23 is going to deform inward of the cartridge 20 by an external force, the deformation of the lid member 23 can be suppressed by the convex portions 266 and 268 hitting the end portion 22rp of the partition wall 22r.

  FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining the effects of the convex portions 266 and 268. The container side outer edge portion 21p of the container main body member 21 to which the outer edge portion 23p of the lid member 23 is bonded is more in the + Y-axis direction than the inner end portion 21t to which the first sheet member 291 is bonded and the end portion 22rp of the partition wall 22r. Located on the side. This is because a predetermined distance is provided between the first sheet member 291 and the lid member 23 in order to prevent the lid member 23 and the first sheet member 291 from rubbing and the first sheet member 291 from being broken. It is for opening. In particular, if a portion of the first sheet member 291 bonded to the inner end 21t is torn, there is a high possibility that ink leaks from the torn portion to the outside of the printing material storage chamber 200.

  Here, when another object is placed on the lid member 23 of the cartridge 20 or when the cartridge 20 is accommodated in a decompressed packaging material, an external force that deforms the lid member 23 inward of the cartridge 20 is used. F is added. In the present embodiment, the lid member 23 has convex portions 266 and 268 that are located on the inner side of the outer edge portion 23p of the lid member 23 and face the partition wall 22r. Accordingly, even when an external force F is applied to the lid member 23, the deformation of the lid member 23 can be suppressed by the convex portions 266 and 268 coming into contact with the end portion 22rp.

  In this embodiment, as can be understood from FIGS. 19 and 21, a part of the bank 261 a of the groove part 261 of the lid member 23 faces a part of the peripheral wall that defines the printing material accommodation chamber 200. Yes. Specifically, a part of the bank 261a (see FIG. 19) of the groove portion 261 is opposed to the inner end portion 21t of the surrounding wall that defines the printing material accommodation chamber 200. That is, it is possible to increase the number of places where the lid member 23 can be supported in the portion inside the outer edge portion 23p of the lid member 23. As a result, even when an external force F that deforms the lid member 23 inward of the cartridge 20 is applied to the lid member 23, the bank 261 a of the groove portion 261 hits the inner end 21 t of the peripheral wall of the printing material accommodation chamber 200, thereby closing the lid. The deformation of the member 23 can be further suppressed.

  Further, an internal communication path 262 is formed on the facing surface 23 fb side of the lid member 23. Thereby, it can suppress that the beauty | look of the external appearance of the cartridge 20 is impaired. In particular, the second sheet member 295 need not be attached to the outer surface of the cartridge 20. Thereby, it can further suppress that the aesthetics of the cartridge 20 are impaired.

B. Cartridge with cap attached to printing material supply port:
FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the cartridge 13 with a cap. FIG. 29 includes a cartridge 20 and a cap 71. The cartridge 20 has the same configuration as the cartridge 20 of the first embodiment. The cap 71 is detachably attached to the cartridge 20 (also referred to as “cartridge body 20” when the cap is attached). The cap 71 is attached so as to close the opening of the opening end 288. When the cartridge 20 is not attached to the printer 50, for example, when the cartridge 20 is temporarily removed from the holder 60 during transportation, sale, or the like, the cap 71 is used for ink from the printing material supply port 280 (FIG. 4, etc.). Is to prevent leakage. The cap 71 is removed by the user when the cartridge 20 is attached to the printer 50. The cap 71 includes a lever 72 and a cap body 74. The lever 72 is used when the cap 71 is removed from the cartridge body 20. That is, the user can pick the lever 72 and remove the cap. The cap body 74 accommodates an elastic member (not shown) inside and closes the opening of the opening end 288 by the elastic member.

  According to the cap-equipped cartridge 13, it is possible to reduce the possibility of ink leaking from the open end 288 when the cartridge 20 is not attached to the printer 50.

C. Packaged cartridge:
FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cap-equipped cartridge 13 of FIG. The pressure inside the packaging material 8 is in a state where the pressure is reduced to a pressure considerably lower than the atmospheric pressure. In other words, the cap-equipped cartridge 13 is packed under reduced pressure by the packaging material 8. In such a decompression pack, after the cartridge 100 is disposed in the packaging material 8 partially opened, the pressure is reduced by extracting air inside the packaging material 8 from the opening, and the packaging material 8 is maintained while the state is maintained. It can be formed by closing the opening. The packaging material 8 is made of a synthetic resin such as polyethylene or nylon.

  As described above, the packaged cartridge 14 of the present embodiment is designed to reduce the amount of dissolved gas in the ink inside the cartridge 20 because the inside of the packaging material 8 is depressurized to a pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure. Can do.

D. Variations:
In addition, elements other than the elements described in the independent claims of the claims in the constituent elements in the embodiment are additional elements and can be omitted as appropriate. Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.

D-1. First modification:
FIG. 31 is a view for explaining the cartridge 20a of the first modified example. The difference from the cartridge 20 (FIG. 20) of the first embodiment is that the volume of the buffer chamber 250a is reduced and a partition wall 251 is newly provided to provide the buffer chamber 250a. Since the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same configuration is denoted by the same reference numeral and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 31, by providing the partition wall 251, the size of the buffer chamber 250a can be easily changed. That is, by combining the mold for forming the container main body member 21 of the cartridge 20 of the first embodiment with the insert for forming the partition wall 251, the buffer chamber 250 a having a volume different from that of the first embodiment can be obtained. The container main body member 21a can be easily formed integrally. As described above with reference to FIGS. 29 and 30, the cartridge 20 a of the first modified example can also be attached with the cap 71 and further packed under reduced pressure with the packaging material 8.

D-2. Second modification:
32A and 32B are conceptual diagrams showing various modifications of the shape of the cartridge. 32A and 32B show the fifth surface 205 side of the cartridges 20c and 20f.

  The outer shell 22c of the cartridge 20c shown in FIG. 32A has an oval or oval side surface. Further, the cartridge 20c has a first cartridge side regulating portion 210 and a circuit board 15 on the front side thereof. Further, a printing material supply port 280 is formed on the bottom surface side of the cartridge 20c, and a second cartridge side regulating portion 220 is formed on the back surface side. Even in the cartridge 20c, if the first and second cartridge side regulating portions 210 and 220, the circuit board 15, and the printing material supply port 280 are configured to be connected to corresponding members of the printer 50, Compatibility with the cartridges 20 and 20a can be ensured.

  The cartridge 20f shown in FIG. 32B is different from the cartridges 20 and 20a in that the cartridge 20f does not have a seventh surface and has a shape in which a corner portion where the second surface and the third surface intersect is cut off. These cartridges 20c and 20f are also configured such that the first and second cartridge side regulating portions 210 and 220, the circuit board 15, and the printing material supply port 280 are connected to corresponding members of the printer 50. Therefore, it is possible to ensure compatibility with the cartridges 20 and 20a.

  As can be understood from the examples shown in FIGS. 32A and 32B, various modifications can be considered for the outer shape of the cartridge. Even when the outer shape of the cartridge has a shape other than a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, for example, as shown by dotted lines in FIGS. 32A and 32B, six surfaces of the substantially rectangular parallelepiped, that is, shown in FIGS. Bottom surface 201 (first surface 201), upper surface 202 (second surface 202), front surface 203 (third surface 203), back surface 204 (fourth surface 204), left side surface 205 (fifth surface 205), and right side surface 206 (sixth surface 206) can be virtually considered. In this specification, the term “plane” refers to such a virtual plane (also called a virtual plane or a non-existing plane) and a real plane as described in FIGS. It can be used in the meaning including both. Further, the term “surface” is used to include both a flat surface and a curved surface.

D-3. Third modification:
The present invention can be applied not only to an ink jet printer and its ink cartridge, but also to any liquid ejecting apparatus that consumes liquid other than ink and cartridges (liquid storage containers) used in those liquid ejecting apparatuses. . For example, the present invention can be applied as a cartridge used in the following various liquid ejecting apparatuses.
(1) Image recording device such as a facsimile machine (2) Color material injection device used for manufacturing a color filter for an image display device such as a liquid crystal display (3) Organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, surface emitting display (Field Electrode material injection device used for electrode formation such as Emission Display (FED), etc. (4) Liquid injection device for injecting liquid containing biological organic material used for biochip manufacturing (5) Sample injection device as a precision pipette (6) Lubrication Oil injection device (7) Resin liquid injection device (8) Liquid injection device for injecting lubricating oil pinpoint to precision machines such as watches and cameras (9) Micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements, etc. ), Etc., to inject a transparent resin liquid such as an ultraviolet curable resin liquid onto the substrate (10) Acid or to etch the substrate A liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects alkaline of the etching solution (11) any other liquid ejecting apparatus comprising a liquid consumption head for discharging minute liquid droplets

  The “droplet” refers to the state of the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting apparatus, and includes those that have tails in the form of particles, tears, and threads. The “liquid” here may be any material that can be consumed by the liquid ejecting apparatus. For example, the “liquid” may be a material in a state in which the substance is in a liquid phase, such as a material in a liquid state having high or low viscosity, and sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, Liquid materials such as liquid resins and liquid metals (metal melts) are also included in the “liquid”. Further, “liquid” includes not only a liquid as one state of a substance but also a liquid obtained by dissolving, dispersing or mixing particles of a functional material made of a solid such as a pigment or metal particles in a solvent. Further, representative examples of the liquid include ink and liquid crystal as described in the above embodiment. Here, the ink includes various liquid compositions such as general water-based ink and oil-based ink, gel ink, and hot-melt ink.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printing material supply system 13 ... Cartridge with cap 14 ... Packaged cartridge 15 ... Circuit board 20 ... Cartridge (cartridge main body)
20a to 20h ... cartridge 21, 21a ... container body member 21p ... container side outer edge 21t ... inner end 22 ... outer shell 22c ... outer shell 22r ... partition wall 22rp ... end (end face)
23 ... Lid member 23p ... Outer edge portion 23fa ... Front surface 23fb ... Back surface (opposing surface)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Supply member 31 ... Printing material exit 32 ... Communication port 33 ... Through-passage 34 ... Form 36 ... Sheet member 40 ... Valve mechanism 41 ... End surface 42 ... Coil spring (spring member)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 43 ... Valve part 44 ... Lever valve 46 ... Cover valve 47 ... Internal air introduction port 49 ... Lever part 50 ... Printer 51 ... Control part 52 ... Carriage 57 ... Detection part 60 ... Holder 61 ... Contact mechanism 71 ... Cap 72 ... Lever 74 ... Cap body 75 ... Prism 80 ... Lever 90 ... Print medium 200 ... Printing material accommodation chamber 201 ... First surface (bottom surface)
202 ... 2nd surface (upper surface)
203 ... Third surface (front)
204 ... 4th surface (back)
205 ... Fifth surface (left side)
206 ... 6th surface (right side, opposite wall)
207: Seventh surface 208: Eighth surface 210: First cartridge side regulating portion 221: Second cartridge side regulating portion 222 ... Opening 240 ... Corner portion 241 ... Air chamber 242 ... Main chamber 244 ... Detection chamber 246 ... Connection Path 248 ... Holding channel 250 ... Buffer chamber 250a ... Buffer chamber 251 ... Partition wall 252 ... Channel chamber 261 ... Groove 262 ... Internal communication channel 264 ... Connection portion 266 ... Convex portion 267 ... Thick portion 268 ... Convex portion 269 ... Thin portion 270 ... Prism unit 271 ... Surface 277 ... Printing material communication hole 278 ... Opening portion 280 ... Printing material supply port 288 ... Open end 289 ... Internal chamber (space)
290 ... Vent 291 ... First sheet member 292 ... Through hole 293 ... Pressure receiving plate 294 ... Coil spring 295 ... Second sheet member 295a ... Extension part 298 ... Sheet member 310 ... First communication path 315 ... Second Communication path 510 ... Control unit 517 ... Flexible cable 520 ... Carriage 522 ... Carriage motor 524 ... Drive belt 532 ... Conveyance motor 534 ... Platen 540 ... Head 560 ... Sealing member 601 ... Wall part 602 ... Cartridge mounting part 604 ... Wall part 607 ... partition wall 620 ... second apparatus side regulating part 640 ... printing material supply pipe 642 ... distal end part 645 ... base end part 648 ... elastic member C ... central axis F ... external force

Claims (2)

A cartridge for storing a printing material to be supplied to a printing apparatus,
An outer shell having a concave container body member having an opening, and a lid member attached to close the opening of the container body member;
A printing material storage chamber for storing a printing material provided inside the outer shell;
With
The printing material storage chamber has a main chamber and a buffer chamber having a smaller volume than the main chamber,
The container body member has a partition wall that partitions the main chamber and the buffer chamber,
A cartridge in which a convex portion facing at least a part of the partition wall is provided on a surface of the lid member on the printing material accommodation chamber side. The cartridge according to claim 1,
The container body member further includes a peripheral wall for defining the printing material accommodation chamber,
A groove portion for forming a part of an air introduction path for introducing air into the cartridge and a bank formed around the groove portion are further formed on the surface of the lid member on the printing material accommodation chamber side. Provided,
A cartridge in which a part of the bank is opposed to a peripheral wall that defines the printing material accommodation chamber.

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