JP2016141126A - Liquid storing body - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid storing body that can reduce a risk that liquid may leak out.SOLUTION: A liquid storing body 16, which can be mounted on a printing device that performs printing by discharging liquid and can store liquid which is supplied in a pressurized state, comprises: a tank 38 that is formed to have flexibility; and a suppressing member 83 that suppresses inflation of the tank 38 when the tank 38 is inflated by storing the liquid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention is a liquid container mounted on a printing apparatus such as an ink jet printer, for example, and a liquid supplied to a printing unit that performs printing by discharging a liquid such as ink from a liquid supply source such as an ink cartridge. The present invention relates to a liquid container that can be temporarily stored.

  Conventionally, there is a liquid channel unit (liquid container) that constitutes a part of a channel for supplying ink (liquid) from a cartridge (liquid supply source) to a head body (for example, Patent Document 1). The liquid flow path unit has a fixed container having an opening on one side, and the opening of the container is covered with a film member to form a pressure chamber (tank) that can temporarily store ink.

  That is, the pressure chamber has suppressed the pulsation of the ink accommodated inside, for example, when a film member bends when receiving a vibration from the outside.

JP 2010-228206 A

  By the way, the pressure chamber of such a liquid flow path unit is formed by fixing or sticking a film member to the opening edge of the container. Therefore, for example, if ink is supplied from a cartridge in a pressurized state, the film member will swell too much, and the film member may be peeled off or torn and ink may leak.

  Such a problem is not limited to the liquid flow path unit provided in the printer, but is generally common in liquid containers that temporarily store the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source to the printing unit. .

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a situation, The objective is to provide the liquid container which can reduce the possibility that a liquid will leak.

Hereinafter, means for solving the above-described problems and the effects thereof will be described.
A liquid container that solves the above-described problem is a liquid container that can be mounted on a printing apparatus that discharges and prints liquid, and that can store liquid supplied in a pressurized state, and is flexible. And a suppressing member that suppresses swelling of the tank when the tank is expanded by containing the liquid.

  According to this structure, since the tank has flexibility, it will expand | swell when it accommodates the pressurized liquid. However, the swelling of the tank in that case is suppressed by the suppressing member. Therefore, the possibility that the liquid leaks can be reduced by reducing the possibility that the tank will swell too much.

  In the liquid container, when the tank is crushed as the liquid to be stored is reduced, the width in the first direction is reduced while the width in the second direction intersecting the first direction is increased. Preferably, the restraining member has an opening that allows passage of a part of the tank in the second direction.

  According to this configuration, the suppressing member has an opening that allows a part of the tank to pass in the second direction in which the tank is deformed so that the width of the tank increases when the liquid stored in the tank decreases. Yes. Therefore, when the liquid accommodated in the tank decreases, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the suppressing member inhibits the deformation of the tank.

In the liquid container, it is preferable that the tank has an opening and a bottom facing the opening, and the bottom is covered with the suppressing member.
When the pressurized liquid is stored in the tank, the bottom may also expand. In this respect, according to this configuration, when the tank is expanded, deformation of the bottom can be suppressed by covering the bottom with the suppressing member.

The liquid container preferably further includes a cover that covers the suppressing member.
According to this configuration, the tank and the suppression member are further covered with the cover, so that even if liquid leaks from the tank, the risk of liquid leaking from the liquid container to the outside is reduced. be able to.

  In the liquid container, in the tank, a stirring member for stirring the liquid in the tank, a tube capable of introducing the liquid to the inside of the tank, and a coil wound around the tube Are preferably provided.

  According to this configuration, for example, by removing the liquid container from the printing apparatus and shaking it, the liquid in the tank can be efficiently stirred by moving the stirring member. Further, when the liquid in the tank flows, the tube may be deformed. However, since the coil is wound around the tube, the possibility of the tube being deformed can be reduced.

The schematic diagram which shows the state with which the printing apparatus was mounted | worn about one Embodiment of a liquid container. The perspective view of a liquid container. The perspective sectional view of a liquid container. The perspective view of a tank unit. Sectional drawing of a suppression member and a tank unit. The disassembled perspective view of a cover part. The exploded perspective view of a tank unit and a control member.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a liquid container will be described with reference to the drawings. The liquid container is mounted on a printing apparatus such as an ink jet printer that prints (records) ink, which is an example of liquid, on a medium such as paper, and is supplied from a cartridge, which is an example of a liquid supply source. Is a sub-tank that temporarily accommodates

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 11 according to the present embodiment includes a printing unit 13 having a plurality of nozzles 12 that discharge liquid toward the medium P, and a support base 14 that supports the medium P. Furthermore, the printing apparatus 11 includes a liquid supply path 15 that supplies a liquid toward the printing unit 13 and a mounting unit 17 on which the liquid container 16 is mounted. A supply pump 18 is provided in the middle of the liquid supply path 15, and a supply needle 19 is provided at the upstream end of the liquid supply path 15 located in the mounting portion 17.

  The printing unit 13 includes a pressure adjustment mechanism 21 that communicates with the downstream end of the liquid supply path 15 and a communication channel 22 that communicates the pressure adjustment mechanism 21 and the nozzle 12. The pressure adjusting mechanism 21 is configured such that when the pressure of the communication channel 22 becomes a negative pressure lower than a preset threshold value Pm (Pm <0) due to, for example, liquid being discharged from the nozzle 12, the liquid supply channel 15 And the communication channel 22 are communicated with each other. On the other hand, when the pressure in the communication channel 22 is equal to or higher than the threshold value Pm, the pressure adjusting mechanism 21 restricts communication between the liquid supply channel 15 and the communication channel 22. Therefore, even when the pressure in the liquid supply path 15 is increased by driving the supply pump 18, the pressure adjustment mechanism 21 controls the nozzle 12 in a state where the communication between the liquid supply path 15 and the communication flow path 22 is restricted. On the other hand, no liquid is supplied.

  The liquid container 16 is detachably mounted on the mounting portion 17. That is, the liquid container 16 is detachable from the printing apparatus 11. Note that when the printing unit 13 ejects a plurality of types of liquids (for example, inks of a plurality of colors such as cyan, magenta, yellow, and black), the printing apparatus 11 includes a plurality of mounting units 17. Each mounting portion 17 is mounted with a liquid container 16 that stores different types of liquids.

  Further, on the back side of the mounting portion 17 where the supply needle 19 is provided, an alignment pin 23 for aligning the liquid container 16 by engaging with the mounted liquid container 16 is provided with the supply needle 19. Are provided substantially in parallel. Furthermore, a connection terminal 25 and a connection detection unit 26 that can be electrically connected to a terminal part of the circuit board 24 provided in the liquid container 16 are provided at an upper position on the back side of the mounting part 17. Then, when the connection detection unit 26 detects information on the circuit board 24 connected to the connection terminal 25, a control unit (not shown) determines that the liquid container 16 is mounted on the mounting unit 17.

  Further, the mounting portion 17 is provided with a connection needle 28 extending in a direction substantially parallel to the direction in which the supply needle 19 extends. The connecting needle 28 is provided at the downstream end of the supply flow path 29, and a delivery mechanism 30 and a cartridge holder 31 are provided on the upstream side of the supply flow path 29.

  The cartridge holder 31 has a storage chamber 33 for storing a cartridge 32 that stores a liquid. Then, for example, the cartridge 32 is attached to and detached from the cartridge holder 31 by putting it in and out of the storage chamber 33 with the cartridge 32 placed on the tray 34.

  The delivery mechanism 30 includes a pressurized supply unit 35 that delivers pressurized gas, and a pressurized gas supply path 36 for introducing the pressurized gas delivered from the pressurized supply unit 35 into the accommodation chamber 33. The pressurization supply unit 35 pressurizes the cartridge 32 by sending the pressurization gas into the accommodation chamber 33 through the pressurization gas supply path 36. Then, the liquid stored in the cartridge 32 is supplied to the liquid container 16 through the supply flow path 29.

Next, the configuration of the liquid container 16 that can store the liquid supplied in a pressurized state will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid container 16 includes a tank 38 as an example of a liquid container that has liquid tightness and can store a liquid, a filter container 40 that contains a filter 39, a tank 38, A plurality of (three in the present embodiment) supply paths 41 to 43 connected to the filter housing unit 40 are provided.

  That is, a first connection portion 44 that can be connected to the connection needle 28 is provided at the upstream end of the first supply path 41, and the downstream end of the first supply path 41 is connected to the tank 38. In addition, the upstream end of the second supply path 42 is connected to the tank 38, and the downstream end of the second supply path 42 is connected to the filter housing portion 40. The upstream end of the third supply path 43 is connected to the filter housing part 40, and the second connection part 45 that can be connected to the supply needle 19 is provided at the downstream end of the third supply path 43. Yes.

  Therefore, when the liquid container 16 is attached to the attachment portion 17, the connection needle 28 and the first connection portion 44 are connected to communicate the first supply path 41 and the supply flow path 29. Furthermore, the third supply path 43 and the liquid supply path 15 communicate with each other by connecting the supply needle 19 and the second connection portion 45. In the present embodiment, a liquid introduction part 47 into which liquid is introduced is constituted by the first connection part 44 and the first supply path 41. Further, in the present embodiment, the liquid supply unit 48 that supplies the liquid in the tank 38 to the printing apparatus 11 is formed by the filter storage unit 40, the second supply path 42, the third supply path 43, and the second connection part 45. ing. The tank 38, the liquid introduction part 47, and the liquid supply part 48 are accommodated in a synthetic resin cover 49.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cover 49 has a mounting direction X that is a direction in which the liquid container 16 is moved when the liquid container 16 is mounted on the mounting portion 17 as a longitudinal direction, and is short (crossed) with the mounting direction X. It has a certain width in the width direction Y, which is the hand direction. The liquid container 16 is a portion where the first connection portion 44 is provided, and the size in the height direction Z intersecting (orthogonal) with the mounting direction X and the width direction Y is larger than the other portions in the mounting direction X. The first accommodating portion 51 is larger, and the second accommodating portion 52 is smaller in the height direction Z than the first accommodating portion 51.

  Further, of the first housing portion 51 and the second housing portion 52, the first housing portion 51 on the rear side in the mounting direction X has a recessed portion 53 formed on both side surfaces of the cover 49. That is, the liquid container 16 is mounted on the printing apparatus 11 by being inserted into the mounting unit 17 from the second storage unit 52 side (front side in the mounting direction X) in a state where the grip unit 53 is gripped by the user. .

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a first insertion hole 55 into which the connection needle 28 is inserted is formed in the first front surface 49 a of the cover 49 in the first housing portion 51. Further, an introduction port 56 that opens toward the front in the mounting direction X is formed in the first connection portion 44 in alignment with the first insertion hole 55. That is, the introduction port 56 in the liquid introduction part 47 is formed so as to open outward.

  In addition, a second insertion hole 57 into which the supply needle 19 is inserted and a third insertion hole 58 into which the alignment pin 23 is inserted are formed in the second front surface 49b of the cover 49 in the second housing portion 52. . Furthermore, a supply port 59 that opens toward the front in the mounting direction X is formed in the second connection portion 45 in alignment with the second insertion hole 57. That is, the supply port 59 in the liquid supply unit 48 is formed so as to open outward.

  The first central axis A1 passing through the center of the introduction port 56 and the second central axis A2 passing through the center of the supply port 59 are substantially parallel, and when the liquid container 16 is mounted on the printing apparatus 11. Is formed so as to extend along the mounting direction X.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the tank 38 is integrally molded so as to have flexibility by blow molding. That is, the tank 38 is a hollow tube container formed by heating a resinous parison such as low-density polyethylene and inflating it by injecting air into the inside.

  The tank 38 includes a cylindrical wall portion 62 as an example of a wall portion having an opening 61 to which the liquid introduction portion 47 and the liquid supply portion 48 are connected, and a main body that has flexibility and can store a liquid. The part 63 is integrally molded. And the main-body part 63 of the tank 38 is formed in the thickness of the grade which is flexible according to the quantity of the liquid to accommodate. The liquid container 16 further includes a lid portion 64 that covers the opening 61 of the tank 38 and a sealing member 65 that seals the opening 61. The tank 38, the lid portion 64, and the sealing member 65 constitute a tank unit 66 as an example of a liquid storage unit.

  In the tank 38, the cylindrical wall portion 62 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, whereas the main body portion 63 is formed in a substantially elliptical cylindrical shape having a bottom portion 63a. That is, the main body 63 has a flat shape in which the size (width) in the height direction Z is larger than the size (width) in the width direction Y. In the tank 38, the cross-sectional area of the cylindrical wall portion 62 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the main body portion 63, and a portion of the main body portion 63 close to the cylindrical wall portion 62 gradually approaches the cylindrical wall portion 62. This is a narrow tube container with a small cross-sectional area. A male screw to which the lid portion 64 can be screwed is formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical wall portion 62.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the tank 38, the bottom 63 a located at a position away from the opening 61 and facing the opening 61 has a thickness compared to the body 63 b other than the bottom 63 a in the main body 63. ing. Therefore, the flexibility of the body part 63b in the main body part 63 is superior to the bottom part 63a. The bottom 63a is recessed so that the central portion of the bottom 63a is located in the tank 38 as compared to the periphery.

  When the tank 38 is crushed as the amount of liquid to be stored decreases, the size (width) of the width direction Y as an example of the first direction in the body portion 63b decreases, while crossing the first direction. The size (width) in the height direction Z as an example of the second direction is increased, that is, deformed so as to have a thinner flat shape. On the other hand, when the amount of liquid introduced into the tank 38 in the collapsed state and stored therein increases, the size (width) of the body portion 63b in the width direction Y increases, while the tank 38 increases in the height direction Z. Inflates so that the size (width) becomes smaller. When liquid is further introduced, the center portion of the bottom 63a is deformed outward and swells.

  Further, in the tank 38, there are a stirring member 68 for stirring the liquid in the tank 38, a tube 69 that can introduce liquid into the inside of the tank 38, and a coil 70 wound around the tube 69. Is provided. The specific gravity of the stirring member 68 is larger than the specific gravity of the liquid stored in the tank 38, and the stirring member 68 is located at a lower position in the tank 38 when it is quiet.

  In addition, a liquid inflow path 71 to which the downstream end of the first supply path 41 is connected is formed in the lid portion 64, and an upstream end of the second supply path 42 is connected to allow the liquid to flow out from the tank 38. A liquid outflow path 72 as an example of the liquid outflow portion is formed. The tube 69 has a base end connected to the liquid inflow passage 71, and the tube 69 and the liquid inflow passage 71 function as an example of a liquid inflow portion that allows liquid to flow into the tank 38. That is, in the tank 38, the distal end portion of the tube 69 serving as the end portion of the liquid inflow portion is located farther from the lid portion 64 than the end portion of the liquid outflow path 72 serving as the end portion of the liquid outflow portion.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the lid 64 has a first lid member 74 and a second lid member 75. The first lid member 74 is formed with a substantially cylindrical first convex portion 76 that can be inserted into the opening 61 of the cylindrical wall portion 62 of the tank 38, and the second lid member 75 has a cylindrical shape of the tank 38. A cylindrical second convex portion 77 through which the wall portion 62 can be inserted is formed. The first convex portion 76 and the second convex portion 77 are cylinders of the tank 38 in a direction intersecting (orthogonal) with a virtual central axis A3 passing through the center of the opening 61 in a state where the lid portion 64 is attached to the tank 38. The wall portion 62 is sandwiched. Specifically, the first convex portion 76, the sealing member 65, the cylindrical wall portion 62, and the second convex portion 77 are arranged in this order from the virtual central axis A3 toward the outside, and the virtual central axis A3. It is arranged on a line intersecting (orthogonal) with. Further, the first convex portion 76 is formed in a taper whose cross-sectional shape tapers from the opening 61 side toward the main body portion 63 side.

  The first lid member 74 includes a liquid inflow channel 71 and a liquid that are two parallel channels that penetrate the entire first lid member 74 including the first convex portion 76 along the axial direction of the first convex portion 76. An outflow passage 72 is formed. Note that two protrusions having different lengths are formed to protrude in parallel on the outer end surface of the first lid member 74 (the end surface opposite to the side from which the first convex portion 76 projects), while the first lid member 74 is formed. A projection that is coaxial with the longer projection on the outer end surface side is formed on the inner end surface (the front end surface of the first convex portion 76). The liquid inflow passage 71 passing through the first lid member 74 has one end opened at the tip of the longer projection on the outer end surface side, and the other end opened at the tip of the projection on the inner end surface side. Yes. On the other hand, the liquid outflow path 72 penetrating the first lid member 74 in parallel with the liquid inflow path 71 has one end opening at the tip of the shorter projection on the outer end surface side, and the other end at the first convex portion. An opening is made in the inner end surface which is the front end surface of 76. Further, the inner diameter of the second convex portion 77 is larger than the outer diameter of the first convex portion 76. Furthermore, on the inner side surface of the second convex portion 77, a female screw that can be screwed with a male screw formed on the cylindrical wall portion 62 is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 6, at least one (four in this embodiment) first openings 78 are formed in the first lid member 74, and at least one ( In the present embodiment, four second openings 79 having the same number as the first openings 78 are formed. The first lid member 74 and the second lid member 75 are fastened by screwing a nut 81 to a bolt 80 inserted through the first opening 78 and the second opening 79. In the present embodiment, the bolt 80 and the nut 81 function as an example of a fastening member.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the sealing member 65 is formed of, for example, an elastomer having elasticity. The sealing member 65 includes an annular flange portion 65a having a substantially constant thickness and two torus-shaped ring portions 65b. Note that the inner diameter of the flange portion 65 a is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the first convex portion 76 and smaller than the inner diameter of the opening 61. Further, the outer diameter of the flange portion 65 a is larger than the inner diameter of the opening portion 61 and smaller than the inner diameter of the second convex portion 77. Further, the inner diameter of the ring portion 65 b is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the first convex portion 76, and the outer diameter of the ring portion 65 b is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the opening portion 61. Therefore, the sealing member 65 is located between the first convex portion 76 and the second convex portion 77, the ring portion 65 b is press-fitted from the opening portion 61, and the flange portion 65 a is the end of the cylindrical wall portion 62. Engage with.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the liquid container 16 includes a suppressing member 83 that suppresses the swelling of the tank 38 when the tank 38 is expanded by storing the liquid. That is, the liquid container 16 is configured by housing the tank unit 66 covered with the suppressing member 83 in the cover 49, and the suppressing member 83 is covered with the cover 49. The restraining member 83 is configured by engaging the first restraining portion 84 and the second restraining portion 85. In addition, the 1st suppression part 84 and the 2nd suppression part 85 are each formed by bending a sheet metal.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the first suppressing portion 84 includes a front plate portion 86, and an upper plate portion 87 and a lower plate portion 88 that are bent substantially perpendicular to the front plate portion 86. The front plate portion 86 is formed with a through hole 86a through which a long projection through which the liquid inflow passage 71 is formed and a short projection through which the liquid outflow passage 72 is formed, and a tank unit. In order to fix 66, a pair of long holes 86b through which screws (not shown) are inserted are formed.

  Further, the upper plate portion 87 and the lower plate portion 88 are provided with an interval in the height direction Z, and have substantially rectangular openings 87 a and 88 a that allow a part of the tank 38 to pass in the height direction Z. . Further, in the upper plate portion 87 and the lower plate portion 88, an engagement portion 91 that engages with the engaged portion 90 of the second suppression portion 85 is formed at the rear end opposite to the front plate portion 86. ing. On both sides of the engaging portion 91 in the width direction Y, cuts are formed along the mounting direction X, and the engaging portion 91 has a cantilever shape. And when the 1st suppression part 84 and the 2nd suppression part 85 engage, the engaging part 91 engages with the to-be-engaged part 90 of the 2nd suppression part 85, bending.

  The second suppression portion 85 includes a rear plate portion 92 having engaged portions 90 formed at both ends in the height direction Z, and a pair of side plates that are substantially perpendicular to the rear plate portion 92 and face each other. Parts 93 and 94. The upper and lower ends of the side plate portions 93 and 94 are bent to form projections 93a and 94a. The protrusions 93a and 94a are located in the openings 87a and 88a of the first suppression unit 84 when the first suppression unit 84 and the second suppression unit 85 are engaged, and the first suppression unit 84 and the second suppression unit 84a. Positioning of the portion 85 in the width direction Y is performed. Therefore, in the tank 38, the body portion 63 b of the main body portion 63 is covered with the upper plate portion 87, the lower plate portion 88, and the side plate portions 93 and 94 of the suppressing member 83, and the bottom portion 63 a is covered with the rear plate portion 92 of the suppressing member 83. Covered.

Next, how to assemble the tank unit 66 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5, first, the female screw of the second lid member 75 is screwed into the male screw formed on the cylindrical wall portion 62 of the tank 38. That is, the second lid member 75 is attached to the cylindrical wall portion 62 before the first lid member 74 is attached to the cylindrical wall portion 62. Subsequently, the stirring member 68 is placed in the tank 38, and the sealing member 65 is attached to the opening 61. The sealing member 65 is pushed through the opening 61 in a state where the inner wall of the cylindrical wall portion 62 and the ring portion 65b are in close contact with each other.

  Next, the first lid member 74 attached by inserting the protrusion on the inner end face side into the tube 69 around which the coil 70 is wound is attached to the cylindrical wall portion 62. Specifically, the first lid member 74 is attached such that the first convex portion 76 is pushed into the sealing member 65. In addition, since the 1st convex part 76 is formed in the taper which becomes a taper, it will closely_contact | adhere to the sealing member 65, so that it may be pushed into the sealing member 65. FIG.

  By the way, since the tank 38 integrally forms the cylindrical wall part 62 and the main body part 63 by blow molding, the cylindrical wall part 62 also has flexibility. However, since the second lid member 75 is attached before the first lid member 74, the deformation of the cylindrical wall portion 62 is suppressed even when pressed by the first lid member 74. In this state, the first lid member 74 and the second lid member 75 are fastened with bolts 80 and nuts 81.

Next, the operation of the printing apparatus 11 to which the liquid container 16 is attached will be described. The liquid container 16 is mounted on the mounting portion 17 in a state where the liquid is stored in the tank 38.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, when the pressurized supply unit 35 sends pressurized air into the storage chamber 33 through the pressurized gas supply path 36, the liquid stored in the cartridge 32 is supplied to the supply flow path 29 and the connection needle. 28, the liquid introduction part 47, the liquid inflow path 71, and the tube 69 are supplied to the tank 38.

  Then, the tank 38 supplied with the liquid expands. That is, in the tank 38, the body part 63b that is easily deformed extends in the width direction Y. In addition, since the tank 38 is covered with the suppressing member 83, when the bulging body part 63b contacts the side plate parts 93 and 94, further bulging of the body part 63b is suppressed. When liquid is further introduced from this state, the bottom portion 63a of the tank 38 also expands. When the bulging bottom 63a comes into contact with the rear plate portion 92, further bulging of the bottom 63a is suppressed.

  Further, when the supply pump 18 is driven, the liquid in the liquid supply path 15 is pressurized. When the liquid is discharged from the nozzle 12, the discharged liquid is supplied to the printing unit 13. That is, the liquid stored in the tank 38 passes through the filter 39 through the liquid outflow path 72, the liquid supply unit 48, the supply needle 19, and the liquid supply path 15, and is supplied with liquid in which bubbles and foreign matters are reduced. Is done. In addition, since the tank 38 has flexibility, the liquid that is contained in the tank 38 and whose pulsation is suppressed is supplied to the printing unit 13. At this time, in the tank 38, the liquid that flows into the vicinity of the bottom 63 a through the tube 69 is supplied from the lid 64 side, so that the liquid flows in a wide range in the tank 38.

  In addition, even when the ink in the cartridge 32 becomes empty and no liquid is supplied from the cartridge 32 to the tank 38, it is possible to continue printing by supplying the liquid stored in the tank 38 to the printing unit 13. When the liquid is supplied from the tank 38 to the printing unit 13 and the liquid in the tank 38 is reduced, the tank 38 is deformed so as to be crushed. That is, the tank 38 has a body portion 63b having a thinner flat shape and is reduced in the width direction Y, and is increased in the height direction Z as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Since the openings 87a and 88a are formed in the upper plate portion 87 and the lower plate portion 88, respectively, the tank 38 that is enlarged in the height direction Z has a part (the body portion 63b of the main body portion 63). Passing through the openings 87a and 88a, the deformation is allowed.

Next, an operation when the liquid container 16 stores a liquid that may cause sedimentation such as pigment ink will be described.
The printing apparatus 11 notifies the user of the necessity of stirring the liquid container 16 by a not-illustrated notification unit when printing is not performed for a time during which the liquid stored in the tank 38 may sink. .

  That is, the printing apparatus 11 instructs the user to pull out the liquid container 16 from the mounting portion 17 and shake the liquid container 16. In the shaken liquid container 16, the stirring member 68 moves in the tank 38, and the sedimentation of the liquid in the tank 38 is reduced. Then, the printing apparatus 11 mounts the liquid container 16 on the mounting unit 17 again. That is, when the liquid container 16 is inserted into the mounting portion 17 along the mounting direction X, the supply needle 19 is inserted into the supply port 59 and the connection needle 28 is inserted into the introduction port 56.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since the tank 38 is formed so as to have flexibility, for example, as compared with the case where a tank is formed by fixing or sticking a different member such as a film member to the opening edge of the container. Excellent robustness. Therefore, for example, even when the liquid supplied under pressure is stored, the possibility of the liquid leaking can be reduced.

(2) Since the tank 38 is formed by blow molding, the tank 38 can be easily formed.
(3) The liquid container 16 attached to the printing apparatus 11 can be easily detached from the printing apparatus 11. Therefore, for example, even when a liquid having sedimentation properties is stored, the sedimentation can be easily reduced by removing the liquid container 16 from the printing apparatus 11 and stirring.

  (4) By the operation of mounting the liquid container 16 on the printing apparatus 11, the introduction port 56 of the liquid introduction unit 47 and the supply port 59 of the liquid supply unit 48 can be connected to the printing apparatus 11 side. That is, since a plurality of locations can be connected with one operation, the liquid container 16 can be attached and detached quickly.

(5) Since the opening and the main body are integrally formed, the risk of liquid leakage can be further reduced.
(6) Since the tank 38 has flexibility, it expands when it contains pressurized liquid. However, the swelling of the tank in that case is suppressed by the suppression member 83. Therefore, the risk of the liquid leaking can be reduced by reducing the risk that the tank 38 will swell too much.

  (7) The suppression member 83 has openings 87a and 88a that allow a part of the tank 38 to pass in the width direction Y that deforms such that the width of the tank 38 increases when the liquid stored in the tank 38 decreases. have. Therefore, when the liquid accommodated in the tank 38 decreases, the possibility that the suppressing member 83 inhibits the deformation of the tank 38 can be reduced.

  (8) When the pressurized liquid is stored in the tank 38, the bottom 63a may also expand. In that respect, by covering the bottom 63a with the suppressing member 83, the deformation of the bottom 63a can be suppressed when the tank 38 is expanded.

  (9) By further covering the tank 38 and the suppressing member 83 with the cover 49, there is a possibility that the liquid may leak from the liquid container 16 to the outside even if the liquid leaks from the tank 38. Can be reduced.

  (10) For example, by removing the liquid container 16 from the printing apparatus 11 and shaking, the stirring member 68 can be moved to efficiently stir the liquid in the tank 38. Further, when the liquid in the tank 38 flows, the tube 69 may be deformed. However, since the coil 70 is wound around the tube 69, the possibility of the tube 69 being deformed can be reduced.

  (11) The sealing member 65 and the cylindrical wall portion 62 can be sandwiched between the first convex portion 76 and the second convex portion 77 formed on the lid portion 64. That is, the cylindrical wall portion 62 pressed outward by the first convex portion 76 and the sealing member 65 is prevented from being deformed outward by the second convex portion 77. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the risk of liquid leaking from between the first convex portion 76 and the cylindrical wall portion 62.

  (12) Since the first convex portion 76 is tapered, as the engagement between the first convex portion 76 and the cylindrical wall portion 62 proceeds, the first convex portion 76 moves the cylindrical wall portion 62 from the inside to the outside. The pressing force gradually increases toward the surface, and the adhesion between the first convex portion 76 and the cylindrical wall portion 62 via the sealing member 65 increases. Therefore, the possibility that the liquid leaks can be further reduced.

  (13) The second lid member 75 is first attached to the cylindrical wall portion 62. For this reason, when the first lid member 74 is attached to the cylindrical wall portion 62, the deformation of the cylindrical wall portion 62 is suppressed by the second lid member 75. Therefore, the adhesion between the lid portion 64 and the cylindrical wall portion 62 can be improved.

  (14) Since the first lid member 74 and the second lid member 75 are fastened by the bolts 80 and the nuts 81, the possibility that the first lid member 74 and the second lid member 75 are detached can be reduced. Therefore, for example, when the tank unit 66 is removed from the printing apparatus 11 and stirred or dropped, the possibility that the lid 64 may be removed even when an impact is applied can be reduced.

  (15) When the liquid is introduced into the tank 38 by the liquid inflow path 71 and the tube 69, the liquid can be flowed to a position further away from the lid portion 64, whereas the liquid is discharged by the liquid outflow path 72. When flowing out from the tank 38, the liquid is discharged from a position close to the lid portion 64. Therefore, compared to the case where the end of the tube 69 and the end of the liquid outflow path 72 are in the same position in the tank 38, the liquid can flow in a wider range in the tank 38, so that the liquid stays. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of foreign matter and deterioration that occur in

  (16) The cylindrical wall portion 62 and the lid portion 64 sandwich the sealing member 65 in a direction intersecting (orthogonal) with the virtual central axis A3. Therefore, the area where the sealing member 65, the cylindrical wall portion 62, and the lid portion 64 are in close contact with each other as compared with the case where the cylindrical wall portion 62 and the lid portion 64 sandwich the sealing member 65 in the direction along the virtual central axis A3. Can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the risk of liquid leaking from between the cylindrical wall portion 62 and the lid portion 64.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
In the above-described embodiment, the liquid container 16 may be configured such that a part of the cover 49 can be opened and closed or attached and the filter container 40 can be replaced. Further, a part of the filter housing portion 40 may be opened / closed or detachable, and the filter 39 may be replaceable. Furthermore, the liquid container 16 may be configured not to include the filter 39 and the filter container 40.

  In the above embodiment, the shape of the tank 38 can be arbitrarily changed. For example, it may be a polyhedron, a sphere, a cone, a column, an ellipsoid, or a shape formed by combining these shapes. The tank 38 (liquid storage unit) is a container that can store liquid, and includes a narrow bottle, a wide-mouth jar, a bag made of a flexible material, and the like. And the opening part 61 can be formed in these arbitrary positions. Moreover, the cross-sectional shape of the opening part 61 and the cylindrical wall part 62 can also be changed into arbitrary shapes. In this case, the cover part 64 has the 1st convex part 76 and the 2nd convex part 77 matched with the shape of the opening part 61 and the cylindrical wall part 62, and fastening with a fastening member with respect to the cylindrical wall part 62, You may attach by the engagement by an engaging part.

  In the above embodiment, the tank 38 can be formed using any material. For example, resin, metal, glass, elastomer or the like may be used as the material. Further, as the resin, polyethylene terephthalate, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide or the like may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the suppressing member 83 can be formed into an arbitrary shape using an arbitrary material as long as the suppressing member 83 has a rigidity that can suppress the swelling of the tank 38. For example, the lattice-shaped suppression member may be formed of resin or metal. Moreover, the suppressing member 83 may be curved. In addition, when curving the suppressing member 83, it is preferable to follow the shape when the tank 38 is swollen.

  In the above embodiment, the tank 38 does not have the opening 61 to which the liquid introduction part 47 and the liquid supply part 48 are connected, and the liquid introduction part 47 and the liquid supply part 48 are individually connected to the main body part 63. May be. That is, for example, a tank having an external shape such as two tanks 38 attached to each other at the bottom 63a is formed by blow molding, and the liquid introduction part 47 is connected to one opening and the liquid supply part 48 is connected to the other opening. You may connect.

  In the above embodiment, the introduction port 56 and the supply port 59 may be opened in any direction. For example, the supply needle 19 and the connection needle 28 may be movably provided, and the supply needle 19 and the connection needle 28 may be inserted into the introduction port 56 and the supply port 59 of the liquid container 16 mounted on the mounting unit 17. Further, the introduction port 56 and the supply port 59 may be opened in different directions. For example, one of the introduction port 56 and the supply port 59 may open toward the front in the mounting direction X, and the other may open toward the rear in the mounting direction X.

  In the above embodiment, the liquid introduction part 47 and the liquid supply part 48 may be provided so that the first central axis A1 passing through the center of the introduction port 56 and the second central axis A2 passing through the center of the supply port 59 intersect. Good. That is, the liquid introduction part 47 and the liquid supply part 48 are arranged such that at least one of the first central axis A1 and the second central axis A2 intersects the mounting direction when the liquid container 16 is mounted on the printing apparatus 11. You may provide so that it may extend along.

  In the above embodiment, the liquid container 16 may be fixed with respect to the printing apparatus 11. That is, the liquid container 16 may be detachably attached to the printing apparatus 11.

  -In above-mentioned embodiment, it is good also as a structure which does not provide the stirring member 68. FIG. The shape of the stirring member 68 is not limited to a sphere, and may be an arbitrary shape such as a column or a polyhedron. Further, the number of stirring members 68 can be arbitrarily changed.

  In the above embodiment, the coil 69 may not be wound around the tube 69. Further, for example, a straight hard member may be attached to the tube 69 instead of the coil 70. Further, a hard pipe having no flexibility may be used instead of the tube 69. And it is good also as a structure which does not provide the tube 69. FIG.

In the above embodiment, the liquid container 16 may be configured without the cover 49.
In the above embodiment, the suppressing member 83 may be configured not to include the rear plate portion 92. That is, for example, since the bottom portion 63a of the tank 38 is thicker than the body portion 63b and is not easily deformed, the bulge toward the bottom portion 63a may be suppressed by the rigidity of the tank 38 itself.

In the embodiment described above, the tank 38 may not have the opening 61 and the bottom 63a facing each other.
In the above embodiment, the bottom 63a may be as flexible as the body 63b. That is, for example, the deformation of the bottom 63a that swells similarly to the body 63b may be suppressed by the suppressing member 83.

  In the above embodiment, the openings 87a and 88a may not be formed in the upper plate portion 87 and the lower plate portion 88. Moreover, you may provide the flexible part which has flexibility and deform | transforms when the tank 38 contacts instead of opening 87a, 88a. Furthermore, the upper plate portion 87 and the lower plate portion 88 may be arranged apart from the tank 38 in consideration of deformation when the tank 38 is crushed as the liquid stored in the tank 38 decreases. Further, at least one of the upper plate portion 87 and the lower plate portion 88 may not be provided.

In the above embodiment, the liquid inflow path 71 and the liquid outflow path 72 may be formed at positions different from the lid portion 64.
In the above embodiment, the tube 69 may not be provided, and the end portion of the liquid inflow passage 71 and the end portion of the liquid outflow passage 72 may be located at a position away from the lid portion 64 by the same distance. Further, the end portion of the liquid inflow passage 71 may be located closer to the lid portion 64 than the end portion of the liquid outflow passage 72. That is, the tube 69 may be connected not to the liquid inflow path 71 but to the liquid outflow path 72 so that the liquid can be led out from the inside of the tank 38. Further, the tube 69 may be connected to both the liquid inflow path 71 and the liquid outflow path 72. The shape of the tube 69 is not limited to a straight shape and may be bent, and the length of the tube 69 can be arbitrarily changed.

  In the above embodiment, the first opening 78 of the first lid member 74 and the second opening 79 of the second lid member 75 may not be formed. For example, a flange may be formed in the first lid member 74 and the second lid member 75, and the first lid member 74 and the second lid member 75 may be fastened by a fastening member that sandwiches the flange. Further, the first lid member 74 and the second lid member 75 may be fastened without using a fastening member. For example, the first lid member 74 and the second lid member 75 may be screwed together. Further, an engaging portion and an engaged portion may be formed on the first lid member 74 and the second lid member 75 and engaged.

In the above embodiment, the lid portion 64 may be formed integrally with the first lid member 74 and the second lid member 75.
In the above-described embodiment, the lid portion 64 has the lid member formed with the first convex portion 76 attached to the cylindrical wall portion 62 first, and then the lid member formed with the second convex portion 77 is tubular. It may be attached to the wall 62. For example, a columnar first lid member in which the first convex portion 76 is formed is pushed into the sealing member 65, and a bottomed cylindrical second lid member in which the second convex portion 77 is further formed is a cylindrical wall portion. You may make it hold | suppress a 1st cover member by mounting | wearing.

  -In above-mentioned embodiment, the 1st convex part 76 does not need to be formed in the cross-sectional shape in the taper. That is, the diameter of the first protrusion 76 may be constant from the opening 61 side to the main body 63 side.

  In the above embodiment, the tank 38 is not limited to blow molding (blow molding, hollow molding) in which air is blown into a pipe-shaped or substantially test tube-shaped material and may be molded by other methods. For example, the tank 38 may be formed by inflation molding in which air is blown while the material extruded from the extruder is soft. Alternatively, the tank 38 may be formed by injection molding (injection molding) or transfer molding (press-in molding or transfer molding) in which a material is pressed into a mold while applying pressure. Furthermore, the tank 38 may be formed by compression molding (compression molding) in which a material placed in a mold is pressed and molded. The tank 38 is formed by vacuum forming in which the material is pressed against the mold by sucking air between the heated material and the mold, or by pressure forming by injecting compressed air to the material side at the same time as reducing the pressure between the material and the mold. May be formed. Alternatively, the tank 38 may be formed by pouring molten material into a mold.

  The liquid can be arbitrarily selected as long as it can be printed on the medium P by adhering to the medium P. The liquid may be in a state in which the substance is in a liquid phase, and is a liquid with high or low viscosity, sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals. A fluid such as (metal melt) shall be included. Further, not only a liquid as one state of a substance but also a substance in which particles of a functional material made of a solid such as a pigment or a metal particle are dissolved, dispersed or mixed in a solvent is included. A typical example of the liquid is ink. The ink includes general water-based inks and oil-based inks, and various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot melt inks.

  Medium P is paper, resin film, resin sheet, paper-resin composite film (resin-impregnated paper, resin-coated paper, etc.), metal foil, metal plate, metal film, resin-metal composite film (Laminate film), woven fabric, non-woven fabric, ceramic sheet, disk and the like may be used.

  The printing apparatus 11 is an apparatus that prints images such as characters, pictures, and photographs by attaching a liquid to a medium, and may be a serial printer, a lateral printer, a line printer, a page printer, or the like. Further, an offset printing apparatus, a textile printing apparatus, or the like may be used. Further, the printing apparatus only needs to have at least a printing function for printing on a medium, and may be a multifunction machine having functions other than the printing function. Furthermore, the printing apparatus may be an apparatus that prints on a medium having a three-dimensional curved surface that is limited to a two-dimensional medium.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Printing apparatus, 16 ... Liquid container, 38 ... Tank (an example of a liquid storage part), 47 ... Liquid introduction part, 48 ... Liquid supply part, 49 ... Cover, 56 ... Introduction port, 59 ... Supply port, 61 ... Opening 62, cylindrical wall (an example of wall), 63 ... main body, 63a ... bottom, 64 ... lid, 65 ... sealing member, 66 ... tank unit (an example of liquid storage unit), 68 ... Stirring member, 69 ... tube (an example of liquid inflow part), 70 ... coil, 71 ... liquid inflow path (an example of liquid inflow part), 72 ... liquid outflow path (an example of liquid outflow part), 74 ... first lid member 75 ... second lid member, 76 ... first convex portion, 77 ... second convex portion, 78 ... first opening, 79 ... second opening, 80 ... bolt (an example of a fastening member), 81 ... nut (fastening member) Example), 83 ... suppression member, 87a, 88a ... opening, A1 ... first central axis, A2 ... second. Mandrel, A3 ... virtual center axis (an example of a first direction) X ... mounting direction, Y ... width direction, Z ... height direction (an example of a second direction).

Claims (5)

A liquid container that can be mounted on a printing apparatus that discharges and prints liquid, and that can store liquid supplied in a pressurized state,
A tank shaped to be flexible;
A liquid container comprising: a suppressing member that suppresses swelling of the tank when the tank is expanded by containing the liquid. When the tank collapses as the liquid to be stored decreases, the tank is deformed so that the width in the first direction is reduced while the width in the second direction intersecting the first direction is increased.
The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the suppressing member has an opening that allows a part of the tank to pass in the second direction. The tank has an opening and a bottom facing the opening,
The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the bottom portion is covered with the suppressing member.   The liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a cover that covers the suppressing member. In the tank,
A stirring member for stirring the liquid in the tank;
A tube that allows the liquid to be introduced into the interior of the tank;
The liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a coil wound around the tube.