JP2016022626A - Storage container, connection device, and connection method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a storage container which connects a container with an external device with high accuracy.SOLUTION: A storage container comprises: a first housing (24a) and a second housing (24b) which house a liquid pack (22) therein. The housings (24a, 24b) include a recessed part (55) for holding a liquid supply port (23) of the liquid pack (22) and walls (21) which hold a connection tool (25) for closing the liquid supply port (23). The walls (21) are fixed by the connection tool (25) being sandwiched between joint parts of the respective housings (24a, 24b).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a connection tool and a connection method for connecting a container that houses a liquid pack and an external device.

  In general, in an ink jet recording apparatus, a container in which a liquid pack storing ink liquid is stored is set in a cartridge mounting portion. The liquid pack is, for example, a bag-shaped pack formed by welding a plurality of flexible film-like members, and the container functions as a holder that holds the liquid pack (see Patent Document 1).

  The container is provided with a supply port for supplying the ink liquid of the liquid pack to the outside, and the ink liquid of the liquid pack is sent to the inkjet head through the supply port and discharged toward the recording medium. Is done.

JP 2011-224871 A

  In the conventional container, the insertion member provided in the cartridge mounting portion of the ink jet recording apparatus is inserted into the liquid supply port of the liquid pack through the supply port, thereby supplying the ink liquid of the liquid pack to the ink jet recording apparatus. Yes. However, the liquid pack may shift inside the container, and the supply port of the container and the liquid supply port of the liquid pack may shift. In this case, the insertion member cannot be inserted well into the liquid supply port of the liquid pack.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a storage container, a connection tool, and a connection method capable of connecting a liquid pack and an external device with high accuracy.

  In order to solve the above problems, a storage container according to an aspect of the present invention includes a pair of storage members that store a liquid pack therein, and a fluid flow path is provided at a supply port provided in the liquid pack. In the storage container in which the formed supply protrusion is inserted to supply the liquid in the liquid pack to the outside, the storage member includes a supply port holding portion that holds the supply port, and a closure for closing the supply port. A valve body holding portion that holds the valve body, and when the supply protrusion is inserted into the supply port, the valve body opens the supply protrusion into the supply port in an allowable manner, and When removing the supply protrusion from the supply port, the supply port is closed so that the outflow of the liquid from the supply port can be suppressed, and the valve body holding portion holds the valve body between the joint portions of the pair of storage members. It is fixed by doing.

  According to the above configuration, the liquid pack and the supply protrusion can be connected with high accuracy. Moreover, if the insertion port for inserting the supply protrusion is directly provided in the storage container, the strength of the storage container is weakened. However, in the storage container according to one aspect of the present invention, the valve body holding portion that holds the valve body is formed, and the supply protrusion is inserted through the valve body held by the valve body holding portion. Therefore, the storage container can maintain high strength.

  Further, in the storage container according to one aspect of the present invention, the supply port holding portion and the valve body holding portion are arranged in the axial direction with the supply port holding portion inside, and the supply protrusion is And inserted through the valve body and the supply port to be inserted into the supply port, and the supply port holding portion and the valve body holding portion are connected to the pair of storage members. The valve body and the supply port held in the valve body holding part and the supply port holding part are positioned by joining the pair of storage members.

  According to said structure, since the positioning accuracy of a valve body and a supply port can be made favorable, when inserting a supply protrusion in a supply port, it cannot interfere and insert (that is, it contacts with a valve body). Can be prevented.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a connection device according to an aspect of the present invention is for housing a liquid pack in which liquid is stored, and supplies the liquid in the liquid pack to an external device. Is a connecting device for connecting the container having the wall formed with the external device, and includes a valve member and a fixing portion that is fixed to a part of the wall.

  According to said structure, since a connection tool is fixed to the wall of a container, the relative position of the valve member of a connection tool with respect to a container is pinpointed. When the container and the external device are accurately aligned, the relative position between the external device and the valve member is specified. Since the insertion member of the external device communicates with the liquid pack through the valve member, the liquid pack and the external device can be connected with high accuracy.

  The connecting device can be retrofitted to the container. That is, the connection device according to one aspect of the present invention can be fixed to an existing container. Therefore, there is also an advantage that it is not necessary to newly manufacture a container that can fix the connecting device.

  In the connection device according to one aspect of the present invention, the wall includes at least two separation walls, and at least one of the two separation walls has a recess in a side portion, and the separation wall By aligning the side portions, the concave portion is formed as the supply port, and the fixing portion is fitted to one of the two separation walls.

  According to said structure, a connection tool is fixed by either of two separation walls. Since the supply port is formed on the combined surface of the separation walls, the valve member and the supply port can be positioned at a position closer to the supply port. Therefore, the connection between the liquid pack and the external device can be performed with higher accuracy.

  Moreover, in the connection tool which concerns on 1 aspect of this invention, the said valve member is formed from the elastic body.

  In the connecting device according to one aspect of the present invention, the valve member has a cylindrical structure, and a bottom surface of the cylindrical structure is formed to be openable and closable.

  According to the above configuration, the bottom surface of the valve member is opened while the insertion member is inserted into the container, and the bottom surface of the valve member is closed while the insertion member is not inserted from the container. By doing so, ink leakage from the liquid pack can be reduced when the insertion member is removed from the container.

  Moreover, in the connection tool which concerns on 1 aspect of this invention, it can open and close because the notch is formed in the bottom face of the said cylindrical structure.

  According to the above configuration, when the insertion member is inserted into the container, by being inserted into the cut on the bottom surface of the valve member, the cut opens and the bottom surface is opened, and by removing the insertion member from the cut, The cut is closed and the bottom surface is closed.

  Moreover, in the connection tool which concerns on 1 aspect of this invention, the cut | incision is formed also in the outer side of the position opened by the said cut | notch which can be opened and closed.

  According to said structure, the stress concerning the opening part at the time of inserting an insertion member in a valve member becomes small by forming incision also in the bottom face of a valve member outside the position to open. Therefore, after the insertion member is removed from the valve member, the bottom surface of the valve member easily returns to the original shape (closed shape). That is, it is possible to prevent the bottom surface of the valve member from being deformed into an open shape due to stress when the insertion member is inserted into the valve member. As a result, ink leakage from the liquid pack can be further reduced.

  Further, in the connection device according to one aspect of the present invention, the height of the valve member that undulates when the insertion member for insertion into the supply port is provided in the external device in the notch that can be opened and closed. Is lower than the depth of the cylindrical structure.

  If the height of the portion that undulates when the insertion member is inserted into the bottom surface of the valve member is higher than the depth of the cylindrical structure, the tip of the undulated portion may be damaged when the insertion member is inserted. . So, according to said structure, damage to a valve member can be prevented.

  Moreover, in the connection tool which concerns on 1 aspect of this invention, the said valve member is supported by the support part which has an elastic shape, and the said fixing | fixed part is connected with the said support part.

  When the liquid supply port of the liquid pack is disposed at the end opposite to the bottom surface of the valve member, there may be a gap between the valve member and the liquid supply port of the liquid pack. However, according to the above configuration, when the insertion member is inserted into the valve member, the insertion member pushes up the valve member toward the liquid supply port, thereby utilizing the elastic force of the support portion to supply the liquid to the valve member. The mouth can be brought into close contact.

  Further, the container and the external device are provided with fitting portions that are fitted to each other, and the connection method for connecting the container to which any of the above-described connecting devices is attached to the external device is also included in the present invention. This is a category.

  According to the present invention, the container and the ink jet recording apparatus can be connected with high accuracy.

1 is a perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) in the figure is an upper perspective view showing a state where the container is opened, (b) is an upper perspective view showing a state where the liquid pack is accommodated in the container, and (c) is a state where the container is closed. FIG. (A) in a figure is an upper perspective view of the bottom face part of a 1st housing | casing, (b) is a lower perspective view of the bottom face part of a 1st housing | casing. (A) in a figure is an exploded perspective view of the connecting fixture concerning one embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a perspective view showing the state where the connecting fixture concerning one embodiment of the present invention was assembled. . (A) in a figure is an upper perspective view of the connection tool concerning one embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a lower perspective view of the connection tool concerning one embodiment of the present invention. (A) in a figure is an upper perspective view of the state which fixed the connecting device concerning one embodiment of the present invention to the wall, and (b) fixed the connecting device concerning one embodiment of the present invention to the wall. FIG. (A)-(h) in a figure is a figure which shows each process until it mounts | wears with a cartridge mounting part. (A) in a figure is sectional drawing which shows the state before inserting an insertion member, (b) is sectional drawing which shows the state after inserting an insertion member. It is a figure which shows the suitable structural example of the valve member which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a shape in case the bottom face of the valve member which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention has a valve.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus (external apparatus) according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is configured such that the ink cartridge 10 can be mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 40. Each of the plurality of containers 20 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 40 as an ink cartridge 10 in a state where the liquid pack 22 storing ink (liquid) is accommodated. The connection tool according to the present embodiment is for connecting each container 20 and the cartridge mounting portion 40 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1.

(Configuration of container 20)
Hereinafter, the configuration of the container 20 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 2A is an upper perspective view showing a state in which the container 20 is opened, FIG. 2B is an upper perspective view showing a state in which the liquid pack 22 is accommodated in the container 20, and FIG. It is a downward perspective view which shows the state which closed the container 20. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the container 20 includes a first housing 24 a and a second housing 24 b that are overlapped with each other so as to be rotatable by a hinge portion 50. The first housing 24 a and the second housing 24 b overlap with each other to form a space for storing the liquid pack 22.

  Here, the enlarged view of the bottom face part of the 1st housing | casing 24a is shown in FIG. The bottom surface portion is a portion having a surface (bottom surface) connected to the cartridge mounting portion 40. FIG. 3A is an upper perspective view of the bottom surface portion of the first housing 24a, and FIG. 3B is a lower perspective view of the bottom surface portion of the first housing 24a. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the first housing 24 a has a wall 21 (separation wall) having a recess 55 on the side portion on the bottom surface portion. Although not shown, the recess 55 is not formed in the side portion of the wall 21 (separation wall) of the bottom surface portion of the second housing 24b, and the first housing 24a and the second housing 24b overlap each other. The concave portion of the wall 21 of the first housing 24a and the side portion of the wall 21 of the second housing 24b overlap each other. As a result, one wall 51 formed by overlapping the walls 21 of the first casing 24a and the second casing 24b includes the recess 55 of the wall 21 of the first casing 24a and the wall of the second casing 24b. The side part of 21 overlaps and an opening part is formed. This opening serves as a supply port for supplying the ink of the liquid pack 22 to the inkjet recording apparatus 1. A recess 55 is also formed on the side of the wall 21 of the bottom surface of the second housing 24b so that the recess 55 of the wall 21 of the first housing 24a and the recess 55 of the wall 21 of the second housing 24b overlap. An opening (supply port) may be formed.

  Although the details will be described later, the connection tool 25 is fitted to the side portion of the wall 21 of either the first housing 24a or the second housing 24b. In this state, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the liquid supply port 23 of the liquid pack 22 is overlaid on the connection device 25, and the first housing 24a and the second housing 24b are overlaid. (C), the recess 55 fixes (holds) the liquid pack 22 and is stored in the container 20 in a state where the liquid pack 22 is connected to the connection device 25.

(Configuration of connecting device 25)
Next, the configuration of the connection tool 25 will be described. 4A is an exploded perspective view of the connection tool 25, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing a state in which the connection tool 25 is assembled.

  As shown in (a) of FIG. 4, the connection device 25 is composed of a fixing member 26 and a valve member 27. The fixing member 26 has an opening, and, as shown in FIG. 4B, the valve member 27 is fixed (held) by fitting the valve member 27 into the opening. It is configured.

  Each member will be described in more detail. 5A is an upper perspective view of the connection tool 25, and FIG. 5B is a lower perspective view of the connection tool 25. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the fixing member 26 includes two fixing portions 28a and 28b and a support portion 29 that connects the two fixing portions 28a and 28b. Each fixing part 28a, 28b has a shape in which the end part is folded in two. The opening 29 is formed in the support portion 29, and the valve member 27 is fitted therein. Moreover, the connection parts 29a and 29b with the fixing | fixed part 28a and 28b in the support part 29 are elastic shapes. For example, the connection parts 29a and 29b are formed by leaf springs or the like. The fixing member 26 can be formed of, for example, stainless steel (SUS).

  As shown to (a) and (b) of FIG. 5, the valve member 27 is a member of a cylindrical structure, and the bottom face of the cylindrical structure is formed so that opening and closing is possible. In FIG. 5, the four valves 31 are formed by forming cuts in the bottom surface of the cylindrical structure, and can be opened and closed. The bottom surface of the cylindrical structure is a surface that closes one end of the cylindrical structure. Hereinafter, the bottom surface of the tubular structure of the valve member 27 is simply referred to as the bottom surface of the valve member 27.

  The valve member 27 has a first claw portion 30a and a second claw portion 30b on the side wall of the cylindrical structure. The first claw portion 30a is formed on one side of the support portion 29, the second claw portion 30b is formed on the other side of the support portion 29, and the first claw portion 30a and the second claw portion 30b are staggered. It is arranged to be. Thereby, the valve member 27 is prevented from coming off from the opening of the support portion 29. The valve member 27 is preferably formed from an elastic body. For example, it is preferably formed of rubber such as ethylene / propylene diene rubber (EPDM).

  FIG. 6 shows a state in which the connection tool 25 is fixed to the wall 21 of the first housing 24a or the second housing 24b. 6A is an upper perspective view of the state in which the connection tool 25 is fixed to the wall 21, and FIG. 6B is a lower perspective view of the state in which the connection tool 25 is fixed to the wall 21.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the connecting device 25 is fixed to a part of the wall 21 by sandwiching the wall 21 between the folded ends of the fixing portions 28a and 28b. . At this time, the connecting device 25 is fixed to a part of the wall 21 so that the positions of the concave portion 55 of the wall 21 and the valve member 27 coincide with each other. The liquid supply port 23 of the liquid pack 22 is overlaid on the end opposite to the bottom surface of the valve member 27, and the first housing 24a and the second housing 24b are overlaid, so that the valve member 27 is connected to the supply port of the container 20. Thus, the liquid supply port 23 of the liquid pack 22 is disposed.

(Connection method using the connection device 25)
As shown in FIG. 2C, the container 20 in which the liquid pack 22 is accommodated and the connection device 25 is fixed is connected to the cartridge mounting portion 40 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 via the connection device 25. Below, the connection method by the connection instrument 25 is demonstrated with reference to FIG. FIGS. 7A to 7H are diagrams showing each process until the container 20 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 40. FIG.

  First, the container 20 is placed on the cartridge mounting portion 40 (FIG. 7A). The end of the bottom surface of the container 20 (the first housing 24a and the second housing 24b) and the end of the top surface of the cartridge mounting portion 40 are coupled to each other so as to be slidable in the horizontal direction. A fitting portion is formed. The bottom surface of the container 20 is a surface connected to the cartridge mounting unit 40, and the top surface of the cartridge mounting unit 40 is a surface connected to the container 20. Therefore, when the container 20 is placed on the cartridge mounting portion 40, the fitting portion between the end portion of the bottom surface of the container 20 and the end portion of the top surface of the cartridge mounting portion 40 is fitted to each other, thereby Can be slid horizontally ((b) of FIG. 7).

  The cartridge mounting portion 40 is provided with an insertion member 42 for supplying the ink of the liquid pack 22 to the ink jet head (not shown) of the ink jet recording apparatus 1. The insertion member 42 is inserted into the liquid supply port 23 of the liquid pack 22 by being inserted into the supply unit of the container 20 through the valve member 27 of the connection tool 25.

  When the container 20 is slid in the horizontal direction and reaches a position where the valve member 27 and the insertion member 42 of the connecting device 25 face each other, the container 20 starts to slide vertically downward. Specifically, a fitting portion that is slidable in the vertical direction by being fitted to the side surface of the container 20 (the first housing 24a and the second housing 24b) and the side surface of the cartridge mounting portion 40. Is formed. In FIG. 7, convex portions 54a and convex portions 54b are formed as fitting portions on the side surface of the container 20, and concave portions 44a that fit into the convex portions 54a and convex portions 54b are fitted on the side surface of the cartridge mounting portion 40. The mating recess 54b is formed as a fitting portion. As described above, a connection method for connecting the container 20 to which the connecting device 25 of the present invention is attached and the cartridge mounting portion 40 using the container 20 and the cartridge mounting portion 40 provided with fitting portions to be fitted to each other is also provided. This is within the scope of the present invention.

  The fitting portion formed on the side surface of the container 20 and the side surface of the cartridge mounting portion 40 is formed at a position where the valve member 27 and the insertion member 42 of the connection device 25 are fitted to each other when they face each other. Yes. Here, since the connection instrument 25 is fixed to the wall 21 of the first casing 24a or the second casing 24b of the container 20, the relative position of the valve member 27 of the connection instrument 25 with respect to the container 20 is specified. The Therefore, the position where the valve member 27 and the insertion member 42 of the connection device 25 are opposed is easily specified.

  When the container 20 is slid in the horizontal direction and reaches the position where the fitting portions formed on the side surface of the container 20 and the side surface of the cartridge mounting portion 40 are fitted, the container 20 can slide in the vertical direction. It descends vertically downward by its own weight ((c) in FIG. 7). However, since the cartridge mounting portion 40 is provided with a support member 41 that supports the container 20 from below at a predetermined position, the drop of the container 20 is stopped at the predetermined position by the support member 41.

  The support member 41 is configured such that the position of supporting the container 20 varies by raising and lowering the lever 43. By raising the lever 43 from the state where the lever 43 of the support member 41 is lowered (the state shown in FIG. 7C), the position at which the support member 41 supports the container 20 is lowered vertically (FIG. 7D). ). As a result, the container 20 slides vertically downward, and the insertion member 42 of the cartridge mounting portion 40 is inserted into the supply port of the container 20 via the valve member 27. An enlarged view of a portion into which the insertion member 42 is inserted is shown in FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view showing a state before the insertion member 42 is inserted, and FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view showing a state after the insertion member 42 is inserted.

  FIG. 8A shows a state where the container 20 has arrived at a position where the valve member 27 and the insertion member 42 of the connection instrument 25 face each other. At this time, the cut on the bottom surface of the valve member 27 is closed, and the valve 31 is in a closed state. In this state, when the lever 43 of the support member 41 is raised and the container 20 is slid vertically downward, the insertion member 42 is inserted from the bottom surface of the valve member 27 (specifically, the bottom surface is cut). The insertion member 42 inserted from the bottom surface pushes up (raises) the valve 31 on the bottom surface, thereby opening the bottom surface and opening the valve 31. As described above, the liquid supply port 23 of the liquid pack 22 overlaps the end of the valve member 27 opposite to the bottom surface. For this reason, the insertion member 42 inserted from the bottom surface of the valve member 27 is inserted into the liquid supply port 23 superimposed on the end opposite to the bottom surface, as shown in FIG. become. In this manner, the container 20 and the cartridge mounting portion 40 are connected by the connecting device 25, and the ink of the liquid pack 22 is supplied from the insertion member 42 to the inkjet head.

(Function and effect)
Since the connection device 25 according to the present embodiment is fixed to the wall 21 of the first housing 24a or the second housing 24b of the container 20, the relative position of the valve member 27 of the connection device 25 with respect to the container 20 is specified. Is done. The container 20 and the cartridge mounting part 40 are provided with a fitting part that fits to each other, and the container 20 and the cartridge mounting part 40 are accurately aligned by the fitting part. Therefore, the relative position between the cartridge mounting portion 40 and the valve member 27 can be specified. Therefore, the insertion member 42 of the cartridge mounting portion 40 can be accurately inserted into the valve member 27 based on the specified position. Since the insertion member 42 communicates with the liquid pack 22 via the valve member 27, the liquid pack 22 and the cartridge mounting portion 40 can be connected with high accuracy.

  Here, the connection tool 25 can be retrofitted to the container 20. That is, the connection tool 25 according to the present embodiment can be fixed to an existing container. Therefore, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to newly manufacture a container to which the connection device 25 can be fixed.

  The connection tool 25 is fixed by either the first housing 24a or the second housing 24b of the container 20. Since the supply port is formed on the combined surface of the separation walls, the valve member 27 and the supply port can be positioned at a position closer to the supply port. Therefore, the connection between the liquid pack 22 and the cartridge mounting portion 40 can be performed with higher accuracy.

  Further, there may be a gap between the valve member 27 and the liquid supply port 23 of the liquid pack 22. In this case, when the insertion member 42 of the cartridge mounting portion 40 is inserted into the valve member 27, the insertion member 42 pushes the valve member 27 toward the liquid supply port 23, thereby connecting the connection portions 29 a and 29 b of the support portion 29. The valve member 27 and the liquid supply port 23 can be brought into close contact with each other using the elastic force.

  From the above, it can be said that the container 20 according to the present embodiment has the following configuration. The container 20 includes a pair of storage members (first housing 24 a and second housing 24 b) that store the liquid pack 22, and fluid flows into a supply port (liquid supply port 23) provided in the liquid pack 22. In a storage container in which a supply protrusion (insertion member 42) in which a passage is formed is inserted to supply the liquid in the liquid pack 22 to the outside, the storage member has a supply port holding portion (recessed portion) that holds the supply port. 55) and a valve body holding portion (wall 21) for holding a valve body (connecting device 25) for closing the supply port, and the valve body inserts the supply protrusion into the supply port. When opening the supply protrusion into the supply port in an allowable manner, and closing the supply protrusion from the supply port, the liquid protrusion from the supply port is closed so as to be suppressed, The valve body holding portion is a joint between the pair of storage members. It is fixed by sandwiching the valve body.

  Thereby, the liquid pack 22 and the supply protrusion can be connected with high accuracy. Moreover, if the insertion port for inserting the supply protrusion is directly provided in the container, the strength of the container becomes weak. However, in the container 20 according to the present embodiment, the valve body holding portion that holds the valve body is formed, and the supply protrusion is inserted through the valve body held by the valve body holding portion. The storage container can maintain high strength.

  In the container 20 according to this embodiment, the supply port holding portion and the valve body holding portion are arranged in the axial direction (direction in which the supply protrusion is inserted) with the supply port holding portion inside. The supply protrusion is inserted from the axial direction and penetrates the valve body and the supply port to be inserted into the supply port. The supply port holding portion and the valve body holding portion are The valve body and the supply port held by the valve body holding portion and the supply port holding portion are positioned by being provided at the joint portion of the pair of storage members and joining the pair of storage members. It can also be said.

  As a result, the positioning accuracy of the valve body and the supply port can be improved, thus preventing the supply protrusion from interfering (that is, contacting the valve body) when being inserted into the supply port. can do.

  In addition, the supply port holding part (concave part 55) and the valve body holding part (wall 21) may be arranged in a horizontal direction (a direction perpendicular to the axial direction) as shown in the drawing.

(Preferable structure example of the valve member 27)
FIG. 9 shows a preferred structure example of the valve member 27. As shown in FIG. 9, the height H of the valve 31 that rises and falls when the insertion member 42 is inserted into the bottom surface of the valve member 27 is preferably lower than the depth D of the cylindrical structure. This is because, when the height H of the valve 31 that rises and falls when the insertion member is inserted into the bottom surface of the valve member 27 is higher than the depth D of the cylindrical structure, the tip of the raised and lowered valve 31 moves the liquid in the liquid pack 22. This is because the valve 31 may be damaged due to being sandwiched between the supply port 23 and the insertion member 42. Therefore, the height 31 of the valve 31 that rises and falls when the insertion member 42 is inserted into the bottom surface of the valve member 27 is lower than the depth D of the cylindrical structure, so that the valve 31 can be prevented from being damaged.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 9, it is preferable that the protrusion 32 is formed in the edge part on the opposite side to the bottom face of the valve member 27. As shown in FIG. This is because the adhesion between the valve member 27 and the liquid supply port 23 of the liquid pack 22 can be improved by forming the protrusion 32 at the end edge opposite to the bottom surface of the valve member 27. Moreover, it is preferable that the protrusion 32 provided on the end edge portion of the valve member 27 has a smooth surface such as a curved surface. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the valve member 27 from being damaged by the liquid supply port 23 of the liquid pack 22.

(Prevention of ink leakage)
In operation, the ink jet recording apparatus may remove the container from the cartridge mounting portion while the ink is stored in the liquid pack. In this case, there is a problem that a large amount of ink in the liquid pack leaks from the supply port of the container. Ink leakage from the liquid pack leads to contamination due to ink adhering to an operator or an ink jet apparatus, waste of ink, and the like.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, since the connection tool 25 is attached to the liquid supply port 23 of the liquid pack 22, ink leakage from the liquid pack 22 is reduced. This is a state in which the bottom surface of the valve member 27 is open while the insertion member 42 is inserted into the container 20. However, when the insertion member 42 is removed from the container 20, the bottom surface of the valve member 27 is closed. This is because ink leakage from the liquid pack 22 is reduced.

  The shape of the bottom surface of the valve member 27 is not limited as long as it can be opened and closed, but it is preferable that the bottom can be opened and closed by a valve. An example of the shape when the bottom surface of the valve member 27 has a valve is shown in FIG.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, a single-letter cut 33 may be formed on the bottom surface of the valve member 27 to have a shape having two valves 31. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10B, a cross-shaped cut 33a, 33b may be formed on the bottom surface of the valve member 27 to form a shape having four valves 31.

  Here, when the insertion member 42 inserted from the bottom surface of the valve member 27 pushes up (raises) the valve 31 on the bottom surface, the valve 31 on the bottom surface is opened. Therefore, due to the stress when inserting the insertion member 42 into the valve member 27, each valve 31 is easily deformed into an open shape (that is, a shape bent (undulated) to the end side opposite to the bottom surface). In this case, since a gap is generated on the bottom surface of the valve member 27, the ink in the liquid pack 22 may leak out of the gap.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10C, cross-shaped cuts 33a and 33b are formed on the bottom surface of the valve member, and cuts 34 are also formed on the outer side (outer periphery) of the position opened by the cuts 33a and 33b. It is preferable to do. By forming the cut 34, the stress applied to each valve 31 when the insertion member 42 is inserted into the valve member 27 is reduced. Therefore, after the insertion member 42 is removed from the valve member 27, the valve member 27 is likely to return to the original shape (the shape in which each valve 31 is closed). That is, it is possible to prevent each valve 31 from being deformed into an open shape due to stress when the insertion member 42 is inserted into the valve member 27. As a result, ink leakage from the liquid pack 22 can be further reduced.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the bottom surface of the valve member 27 has a convex shape that protrudes inwardly (on the end portion side opposite to the bottom surface). Thereby, ink leakage from the liquid pack 22 can be more effectively suppressed.

  The hardness of the valve member 27 is preferably as low as 40 to 60 degrees. This is because the deformation of the valve 31 is smaller when the hardness of the valve member 27 is lower. The valve 31 is preferably as thin as 0.4 to 0.6 mm. This is because the thinner the valve 31 is, the smaller the gap generated on the bottom surface of the tubular structure of the valve member 27 can be suppressed over time.

(Summary)
The storage container (container 20) according to an aspect of the present invention includes a pair of storage members (first housing 24a and second housing 24b) that store the liquid pack 22 therein, and is provided in the liquid pack 22. In a storage container in which a supply projection (insertion member 42) in which a fluid flow path is formed is inserted into the supply port (liquid supply port 23) to supply the liquid in the liquid pack 22 to the outside, the storage member Has a supply port holding part (concave portion 55) for holding the supply port, and a valve body holding part (wall 21) for holding a valve body (connecting device 25) for closing the supply port, When the supply protrusion is inserted into the supply port, the valve body opens the supply protrusion into the supply port in an allowable manner, and the supply protrusion is removed when the supply protrusion is removed from the supply port. Closes the liquid outflow from the mouth so that it can be suppressed. The valve body holding portion is fixed by sandwiching the valve body at the junction of the pair of housing members.

  According to the above configuration, the liquid pack and the supply protrusion can be connected with high accuracy. Moreover, if the insertion port for inserting the supply protrusion is directly provided in the storage container, the strength of the storage container is weakened. However, in the storage container according to one aspect of the present invention, the valve body holding portion that holds the valve body is formed, and the supply protrusion is inserted through the valve body held by the valve body holding portion. Therefore, the storage container can maintain high strength.

  Further, in the storage container according to one aspect of the present invention, the supply port holding portion and the valve body holding portion are arranged in the axial direction with the supply port holding portion inside, and the supply protrusion is And inserted through the valve body and the supply port to be inserted into the supply port, and the supply port holding portion and the valve body holding portion are connected to the pair of storage members. The valve body and the supply port held in the valve body holding part and the supply port holding part are positioned by joining the pair of storage members.

  According to said structure, since the positioning accuracy of a valve body and a supply port can be made favorable, when inserting a supply protrusion in a supply port, it cannot interfere and insert (that is, it contacts with a valve body). Can be prevented.

  The connection device 25 according to one aspect of the present invention is for housing the liquid pack 22 in which liquid is stored, and supplies the liquid in the liquid pack 22 to an external device (inkjet recording apparatus 1). The connecting device 25 that connects the container 20 having the wall 51 formed with the external device and the external device, and includes a valve member 27 and fixing portions 28 a and 28 b that are fixed to a part of the wall 51.

  According to said structure, since the connection tool 25 is fixed to the wall 51 of the container 20, the relative position of the valve member 27 of the connection tool 25 with respect to the container 20 is specified. If the container 20 and the external device are accurately aligned, the relative position between the external device and the valve member 27 is specified. Since the insertion member 42 of the external device communicates with the liquid pack 22 via the valve member 27, the liquid pack 22 and the external device can be connected with high accuracy.

  The connecting device 25 can be retrofitted to the container 20. That is, the connection device 25 according to one aspect of the present invention can be fixed to an existing container. Therefore, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to newly manufacture a container to which the connection device 25 can be fixed.

  In the connection device 25 according to one aspect of the present invention, the wall 51 includes at least two separation walls (walls 21), and at least one of the two separation walls has a recess 55 on a side portion. The side portions of the separation wall are aligned with each other so that the concave portion 55 is formed as the supply port, and the fixing portions 28a and 28b are either one of the two separation walls. It fits to the side.

  According to said structure, the connection instrument 25 is fixed by either of two separation walls. Since the supply port is formed on the combined surface of the separation walls, the valve member 27 and the supply port can be positioned at a position closer to the supply port. Therefore, the liquid pack 22 and the external device can be connected with higher accuracy.

  Moreover, in the connection tool 25 which concerns on 1 aspect of this invention, the said valve member 27 is formed from the elastic body.

  Further, in the connection device 25 according to one aspect of the present invention, the valve member has a cylindrical structure, and the bottom surface of the cylindrical structure is formed to be openable and closable.

  According to the above configuration, the bottom surface of the valve member 27 is opened while the insertion member 42 is inserted into the container 20, and the valve member 27 is not inserted from the container 20 while the insertion member 42 is not inserted. By making the bottom face closed, ink leakage from the liquid pack 22 can be reduced when the insertion member 42 is pulled out of the container 20.

  Moreover, in the connection tool 25 which concerns on 1 aspect of this invention, it can be opened and closed because a notch is formed in the bottom face of the said cylindrical structure.

  According to the above configuration, when the insertion member 42 is inserted into the container 20, the insertion is inserted into the cut in the bottom surface of the valve member 27, so that the cut is opened and the bottom surface is opened. By removing, the cut is closed and the bottom surface is closed.

  Moreover, in the connection tool 25 which concerns on 1 aspect of this invention, the notch is formed also in the outer side of the position opened by the said notch which can be opened and closed.

  According to said structure, the stress concerning the opening part at the time of inserting the insertion member 42 in the valve member 27 becomes small by forming incision also in the bottom face of the valve member 27 outside the position to open. Therefore, after the insertion member 42 is removed from the valve member 27, the bottom surface of the valve member 27 is likely to return to the original shape (closed shape). That is, it is possible to prevent the bottom surface of the valve member 27 from being deformed into an open shape due to stress when the insertion member 42 is inserted into the valve member 27. As a result, ink leakage from the liquid pack 22 can be further reduced.

  Moreover, in the connection tool 25 which concerns on 1 aspect of this invention, the said valve member which undulates when the insertion member 42 for inserting in the said supply port with which the said external apparatus is equipped is inserted in the said notch which can be opened and closed The height of 27 is lower than the depth of the cylindrical structure.

  If the height of the portion that undulates when the insertion member 42 is inserted into the bottom surface of the valve member 27 is higher than the depth of the cylindrical structure, the tip of the undulated portion is damaged when the insertion member 42 is inserted. There is a fear. So, according to said structure, damage to the valve member 27 can be prevented.

  In the connection device 25 according to one aspect of the present invention, the valve member 27 is supported by a support portion 29 having an elastic shape, and the fixing portions 28a and 28b are coupled to the support portion 29. .

  When the liquid supply port 23 of the liquid pack 22 is disposed at the end opposite to the bottom surface of the valve member 27, there may be a gap between the valve member 27 and the liquid supply port 23 of the liquid pack 22. . However, according to the above configuration, when the insertion member 42 is inserted into the valve member 27, the insertion member 42 pushes up the valve member 27 to the liquid supply port 23 side, thereby utilizing the elastic force of the support portion 29. Thus, the valve member 27 and the liquid supply port 23 can be brought into close contact with each other.

  In addition, the container 20 and the external device are provided with fitting portions that are fitted to each other, and the connection method for connecting the container 20 to which any of the connection devices 25 described above is attached to the external device. Is also within the scope of the present invention.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The ink leakage from the liquid pack when the container and the cartridge mounting portion were connected using the connection tool according to the embodiment described above was verified. Specifically, ink leakage was verified for five valve members having different hardnesses, valve thicknesses, and numbers (shapes) of cuts formed on the bottom surface.

  Table 1 shows the hardness of each of the five valve members, the thickness of the valve, the number of cuts (shape) formed on the bottom surface, and the verification results of ink leakage. The “initial leakage amount” shown in Table 1 means the initial ink leakage amount when the container and the cartridge mounting portion are connected using the connecting device having the corresponding valve member. The “leakage amount” means the amount of ink leakage when 6 months have passed with the container and the cartridge mounting portion connected using the connecting device having the corresponding valve member. The five valve members were made of EPDM (ethylene / propylene diene rubber).

  From the results of the valve member a and the valve member e, it was confirmed that the initial ink leakage amount did not vary depending on the number of cuts formed on the bottom surface.

  Further, from the results of the valve member b and the valve member d, it was found that the lower the hardness of the valve member, the smaller the amount of ink leakage. Further, from the results of the valve member b and the valve member c, the initial leakage amount was smaller in the valve member c having a thick valve thickness, but the leakage amount corresponding to 6 months was less in the valve member b having a thin valve thickness. Was less. This is presumably because the valve member c is deformed into a shape in which the valve is opened as the usage period elapses. From this, it was found that when the valve member was used over a long period of time, the thinner the valve, the smaller the amount of ink leakage.

  From the above, it has been found that it is preferable to use a valve member having a low hardness and a thin valve thickness. In particular, under the condition of the valve member e, since the amount of ink leakage was the smallest, the valve member has a low hardness and a thin valve thickness, and a cross-shaped cut is formed on the bottom surface of the valve member. It turned out that it is preferable to use the valve member which formed the cut also in the outer side of the position opened by the said cut.

  The present invention can be suitably used when a liquid pack storing ink and a cartridge mounting portion of an ink jet recording apparatus are connected.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet recording device 10 Ink cartridge 20 Container 22 Liquid pack 23 Liquid supply port 24a 1st housing | casing 24b 2nd housing | casing 25 Connection tool 26 Fixing member 27 Valve member 28a, 28b Fixing part 29 Support part 29a, 29b Connection part 30a 1st 1 claw portion 30b second claw portion 31 valve 32 protrusion 40 cartridge mounting portion 41 support member 42 insertion member 43 lever 50 hinge portion 55 recess

Claims (11)

It is composed of a pair of storage members for storing the liquid pack therein, and a supply protrusion having a fluid flow path is inserted into a supply port provided in the liquid pack to supply the liquid in the liquid pack to the outside. In the storage container,
The storage member includes a supply port holding unit that holds the supply port;
A valve body holding part for holding a valve body for closing the supply port,
The valve body is
When inserting the supply protrusion into the supply port, while allowing the supply protrusion to be inserted into the supply port, and allowing the insertion,
When removing the supply protrusion from the supply port, the liquid projection from the supply port is closed so as to be suppressed,
The said container holding | maintenance part is fixing by clamping the said valve body to the junction part of said pair of storage member, The storage container characterized by the above-mentioned. The supply port holding part and the valve body holding part are arranged in the axial direction with the supply port holding part inside,
The supply protrusion is inserted into the supply port by being inserted from the axial direction and penetrating the valve body and the supply port.
The supply port holding portion and the valve body holding portion are provided at the joint portion of the pair of storage members, and the pair of storage members are joined to each of the valve body holding portion and the supply port holding portion. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein the held valve body and the supply port are positioned. A connecting device for connecting a liquid pack storing liquid and having a wall having a supply port for supplying the liquid of the liquid pack to an external device and the external device. There,
A valve member;
And a fixing part for fixing to a part of the wall. The wall is composed of at least two separation walls, and at least one of the two separation walls has a concave portion on a side portion, and the concave portion is supplied to the side portion by aligning the side portions of the separation wall. It is formed as a mouth,
The connecting device according to claim 3, wherein the fixing portion is fitted to any one of the two separation walls.   The connecting device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the valve member is formed of an elastic body.   The connecting device according to claim 5, wherein the valve member has a cylindrical structure, and a bottom surface of the cylindrical structure is formed to be openable and closable.   The connection device according to claim 6, wherein the connection device can be opened and closed by forming a cut in a bottom surface of the cylindrical structure.   8. The connection device according to claim 7, wherein a cut is also formed outside the position opened by the cut that can be opened and closed.   The height of the valve member that rises and falls when the insertion member for insertion into the supply port provided in the external device is inserted into the notch that can be opened and closed is lower than the depth of the cylindrical structure. The connection device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the connection device is characterized. The valve member is supported by a support portion having an elastic shape,
The connection device according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the fixing portion is coupled to the support portion. The container and the external device are provided with fitting portions that fit together,
A connection method comprising connecting a container to which the connection tool according to claim 3 is attached to the external device.

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