JP2017007303A - Liquid storage body - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the workability when a liquid is injected into a liquid storage body including an agitation member which agitates the liquid.SOLUTION: An ink cartridge 1 (a liquid storage body) includes: a cartridge body 21; and an agitation member 70 having an operation part 71 which is inserted into the cartridge body 21 through an ink injection port 6 provided at an upper portion of the cartridge body 21, and an agitating part 72 arranged in the cartridge body 21. The operation part 71 has an engagement protruding part 76 which engages with a peripheral edge of the ink injection port 6. The structure allows the operation part 71 of the agitation member 70 to engage with the peripheral edge of the ink injection port 6 and thus allows the agitation member 70 to be held located close to the peripheral edge of the ink injection port 6. Therefore, the ink cartridge 1 facilitates work of injecting the ink from the ink injection port 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid container that contains a liquid having a sedimenting component such as a pigment.

  An ink cartridge (liquid container) that is mounted on a cartridge mounting portion of an ink jet printer and supplies ink (liquid) to a print head is known. The cartridge mounting portion includes an ink introduction needle communicating with the print head, and the ink cartridge has an ink supply port on the front surface in the mounting direction to the cartridge mounting portion. When the ink cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion, an ink introduction needle is inserted into the ink supply port, and ink can be supplied from the ink cartridge to the print head.

  The ink cartridge described in Patent Document 1 includes an ink injection port (opening) for refilling ink in a rear portion in the mounting direction. The ink inlet is formed in the upper part of the ink cartridge. The refilling ink is contained in an ink pack made of a flexible film in a bag shape. When refilling the ink, the user places the ink pack behind the ink cartridge and tilts the ink pack toward the ink injection port to pour ink.

JP 2014-46624 A

  If an ink cartridge containing ink (liquid) in which pigment is dispersed in a solvent as particles is left for a long period of time, the pigment in the ink settles, and as a result, high-density ink with a high pigment concentration is supplied to the print head. There is a risk. When high-density ink is supplied to an ink jet printer, printing becomes dark and image quality defects may occur. Further, since the increase in the pigment concentration increases the viscosity of the ink, when a high concentration ink is supplied to the ink jet printer, the ink nozzles of the ink jet head are likely to be clogged.

  In order to eliminate the uneven density of the ink due to the sedimentation of the pigment, it is necessary to stir the ink in the ink cartridge. For example, if a stirring member for stirring the ink is inserted into the ink cartridge from the ink injection port, the user can appropriately perform the stirring operation of the ink. However, when such a stirring member is provided, when the ink is injected from the ink injection port, the stirring member becomes an obstacle, so that it is difficult to inject the ink (liquid) into the ink cartridge (liquid container) without spilling the ink (liquid). .

  The subject of this invention is improving the workability | operativity at the time of inject | pouring a liquid into a liquid container provided with the stirring member which stirs a liquid in view of such a point.

  In order to solve the above problems, a liquid container according to the present invention includes a liquid container that can contain a liquid having a sediment component, and an opening provided in an upper part of the liquid container. And an agitation member having an agitation part disposed in the liquid storage part, and the operation part has an engagement part that engages with a peripheral edge of the opening. Features.

  According to the present invention, since the stirrer is inserted into the liquid container through the opening, the liquid is stirred by the stirrer, causing convection in the liquid and eliminating the uneven concentration of the liquid in the liquid container. it can. Furthermore, in this invention, since the operation part of a stirring member can be engaged with the periphery of an opening part, a stirring member can be brought close to the periphery of an opening part, and can be hold | maintained. Therefore, the operation | work which inject | pours a liquid from an opening part is easy.

  In the present invention, the engaging part is a convex part protruding in a crossing direction intersecting a sliding direction in which the operation part and the liquid storage part slide during stirring, or a concave part recessed in the crossing direction. Is desirable. If it does in this way, an operation part can be easily engaged with the periphery of an opening part by simple structure.

  In the present invention, it is desirable that an engaged portion that engages with the engaging portion is provided on the periphery of the opening. If it does in this way, it will be hard to remove a stirring member from the periphery of an opening. Therefore, there is little possibility that the stirring member falls during the injection of the liquid, closes the opening, and the liquid is scattered around.

  In the present invention, a restriction part for restricting movement of the stirring part in the liquid storage part is provided, and the restriction part has a flow path opening that opens in a crossing direction that intersects the moving direction of the stirring part at the time of stirring. Is desirable. In this way, when the liquid passes through the flow path opening, the flow of the liquid generated in the sliding direction can be changed to the cross direction. Therefore, the liquid can be efficiently stirred.

  In the present invention, the restricting portion has a restricting convex portion that restricts movement of the stirring portion toward the opening, and the restricting convex portion is closer to the opening than the bottom of the liquid storage portion. It is desirable to be arranged in. If it does in this way, the movement of a stirring part can be stopped near an opening part at the time of stirring. Therefore, the liquid can be prevented from jumping out from the opening during stirring.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the restricting portion includes a thick portion that becomes thicker from the opening side toward the restricting convex portion. If it does in this way, there is little possibility that the engaging part provided in the operation part will be caught in a regulation convex part, and will be damaged.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that a flexible member that constitutes a part of the liquid storage portion is provided, and the restricting portion includes a protective portion that prevents contact between the flexible member and the stirring member. If it does in this way, there is little possibility that a flexible member will be torn and a liquid will flow out.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the restricting portion is fixed to the liquid storage portion. If it does in this way, a regulation part will move by stirring operation of a stirring member, will contact a flexible member, and there is little possibility that a flexible member will be torn and a liquid will flow out.

  In the present invention, the restricting portion includes a through hole and a rim portion surrounding the through hole, and the liquid storage portion includes a fixed convex portion that is engaged with the through hole and integrated with the rim portion. Is desirable. If it does in this way, since a fixed convex part and a rim | limb part are integrated, it can prevent that a control part remove | deviates from a liquid storage part, and can improve the impact resistance with respect to fall.

  In the present invention, it is desirable that a cross-sectional shape of the operation portion that intersects an insertion direction inserted into the liquid storage portion is a cross shape. If it does in this way, since the intensity | strength of an operation part will go up, it will become difficult to break an operation part.

It is a perspective view of an ink cartridge. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view and a partial cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge. It is the perspective view and sectional drawing of a stirring member. It is the perspective view of a control member, and the fragmentary sectional view of the junction part of a control member and a case main body. It is a perspective view of the stirring member of a modification. It is explanatory drawing of the ink cartridge of a modification.

  Hereinafter, an ink cartridge as an embodiment of a liquid container according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Overall structure)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge to which the present invention is applied. The ink cartridge 1 (liquid container) of this example is detachably mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 3 of the ink jet printer 2 and supplies the ink stored therein to the print head. The posture of the ink cartridge 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a mounting posture when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 3.

  The ink cartridge 1 has an ink supply port 5 on the front surface in the mounting direction to the cartridge mounting portion 3. The cartridge mounting unit 3 has an ink introduction needle (not shown) communicating with the print head. When the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 3, the ink supply needle is inserted into the ink supply port 5. Thereby, ink can be supplied from the ink cartridge 1 to the print head. The ink cartridge 1 also includes an ink inlet 6 (opening) for filling ink at the rear end portion in the mounting direction. The ink cartridge 1 can be refilled with ink via the ink inlet 6.

  The ink cartridge 1 has a long shape in the mounting direction to the cartridge mounting portion 3. In the mounting posture of the ink cartridge 1 shown in FIG. 1, the ink inlet 6 is provided on the upper surface of the ink cartridge 1. In the present specification, the longitudinal direction of the ink cartridge 1 in the posture mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 3 is the front-rear direction X, the vertical direction is the upper-lower direction Z, and the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction X and the upper-lower direction Z is the width. The direction is Y. In the ink cartridge 1, the side where the ink supply port 5 is provided is defined as front + X, and the opposite side is defined as rear -X. Front + X is a mounting direction to the cartridge mounting portion 3. Further, when the ink cartridge 1 is viewed from the rear -X to the front + X, the right side is defined as one side + Y in the width direction Y, and the left side is defined as the other side -Y in the width direction Y. Further, the upper side in the vertical direction is + Z, and the lower side in the vertical direction is -Z.

(Internal structure)
FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 1 (a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1). 2B is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view showing a region D of FIG. 2A, and FIG. 2C is a partial cross-sectional view showing an enlarged region E of FIG. 2A. is there. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the ink cartridge 1 includes a cartridge body 21 (liquid container) and a slider 22 supported above the cartridge body 21. The slider 22 is movable in the front-rear direction X along the upper surface of the cartridge body 21.

  The cartridge body 21 has a shape that is constant in the width direction Y and is long in the front-rear direction X. The cartridge body 21 includes a rear housing portion 23 having a substantially square shape when viewed from the width direction Y, and a front housing portion 24 extending forward + X from the upper end portion of the rear housing portion 23. The front housing portion 24 is a rectangle whose shape viewed from the width direction Y is long in the front-rear direction X. As shown in FIG. 2A, the interiors of the rear side accommodating part 23 and the front side accommodating part 24 are in communication with each other, and the inside is an ink chamber 25.

  The front housing part 24 includes an ink supply port 5 on the front end surface thereof. The rear housing portion 23 includes an ink injection port 6 at the rear end portion of the upper surface thereof. The ink injection port 6 can be sealed with a plug member 7 attached to the upper end portion of the stirring member 70. The plug member 7 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer. When the stopper member 7 is removed from the ink inlet 6 and the stopper member 7 is lifted together with the stirring member 70, the ink inlet 6 is opened as shown in FIGS. In this state, ink can be injected into the ink chamber 25 from the ink injection port 6.

  A recording chip 27 is mounted on the front end portion of the slider 22 via a chip holder 26. The recording chip 27 records and holds information related to the ink stored in the ink cartridge 1. When the slider 22 is moved forward + X after the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 3, the recording chip 27 and the recording chip reading unit (not shown) of the inkjet printer 2 are electrically connected. As a result, the ink jet printer 2 can read information about ink from the ink cartridge 1.

  The rear end portion of the slider 22 is an opening / closing cover 31. The opening / closing cover 31 can rotate 180 degrees around an axis extending in the width direction Y. As shown in FIG. 1, the opening / closing cover 31 is between a first position 31A extending in the backward −X in a flat lying posture and a second position 31B extending in the forward + X in an inverted posture in which the flat posture is inverted. Moving. With the ink injection port 6 sealed by the plug member 7, the opening / closing cover 31 is moved to the first position 31 </ b> A, and the opening / closing cover 31 moves the ink supply port 5 and the plug member 7 upward, rearward-X, and in the width direction Y. Can be covered from both sides.

  Next, the cartridge main body 21 is welded to the box-shaped case main body 42 having an opening 41 facing the one side + Y in the width direction Y and the opening 41 of the case main body 42 to partition the ink chamber 25 together with the case main body 42. And a lid 44 that covers the film 43 by covering the case main body 42 from one side + Y. The case main body 42 and the lid body 44 are resin molded products.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the case main body 42 includes a bottom 45 constituting the side surface of the other side −Y in the width direction Y of the cartridge main body 21, and one side + Y in the width direction Y from the outer peripheral edge portion of the bottom 45. A frame portion 46 is provided. The frame portion 46 includes a first wall portion 47 extending in the up-down direction Z, a second wall portion 48 extending from the upper end edge of the first wall portion 47 to the front + X perpendicular to the first wall portion 47, and the first wall portion 47. A third wall portion 49 extending from the lower end edge to the front + X perpendicular to the first wall portion 47 is provided. Further, the frame portion 46 extends from the front end edge of the third wall portion 49 and then refracts and extends forward + X, and the frame portion 46 is orthogonal to the fourth wall portion 50 from the front end edge of the fourth wall portion 50. The fifth wall 51 extending upward, the sixth wall 52 extending from the upper edge of the fifth wall 51 to the front + X perpendicular to the fifth wall 51, the second wall 48 and the sixth wall 52 Ink supply port forming portion 53 for connecting the front end portion of the ink supply port. The ink supply port configuration unit 53 includes an ink supply port 5.

  The space inside the bottom 45 and the frame 46 is the ink chamber 25. A partition wall 55 that extends downward from the second wall portion 48 and partially partitions the ink chamber 25 is provided in the ink chamber 25. The partition wall 55 extends downward from the front edge portion of the ink injection port 6 in the second wall portion 48. A float valve 57 is arranged in the front + X front ink chamber 56 in front of the partition wall 55 in the ink chamber 25. An ink outlet channel 58 is provided at the bottom of the front ink chamber 56. The ink outlet channel 58 includes an ink outlet port 59 serving as an upstream end opening between the partition wall 55 and the float valve 57 in the bottom portion of the front ink chamber 56. The ink outlet flow path 58 extends forward + X along the third wall portion 49, the fourth wall portion 50, the fifth wall portion 51, and the sixth wall portion 52 and communicates with the ink supply port 5. Here, the float valve 57 is displaced following the change in the amount of ink accommodated in the ink chamber 25. The float valve 57 closes the valve port 60 provided in the middle of the ink outlet channel 58 to stop the flow of ink in the ink outlet channel 58 when the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber 25 becomes a predetermined amount or less. .

  The front ink chamber 56 is provided with a plurality of ribs 61. Here, the film 43 (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 4A) includes one end + Y end face of the partition wall 55, one end + Y end face of the rib 61, and an edge (frame) of the opening 41 of the case main body 42. It is thermally welded to one side of the portion 46 + the end face of Y). The ink injected from the ink injection port 6 flows through an opening 62 (see FIG. 4A) provided in the partition wall 55 and a notch (not shown) provided in the rib 61. The ink chamber 25 is filled.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the second wall 48 includes a liquid receiving surface 65 that surrounds the ink inlet 6 and a peripheral wall 66 that surrounds the ink inlet 6 and the liquid receiving surface 65. At the center of the portion extending in the width direction Y at the rear end of the peripheral wall portion 66, a groove 67 cut into a V shape is formed. When the ink cartridge 1 is refilled with ink, the groove 67 is engaged with the edge of the ink pack containing the refilling ink, and the ink pack is tilted to pour the ink into the ink inlet 6. The liquid receiving surface 65 is formed with a rib-like protrusion 68 extending along the front + X peripheral portion of the ink inlet 6. As will be described later, the protrusion 68 functions as an engaged portion for bringing the stirring member 70 closer to the front + X peripheral portion of the ink injection port 6 and engaging it.

(Stirring member)
The ink cartridge 1 includes a stirring member 70 that stirs the ink in the ink chamber 25 and a regulating member 80 (regulating portion) that regulates the movement of the stirring member 70 in the ink chamber 25. FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the stirring member 70, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the stirring member 70 (cross-sectional view at the position BB in FIG. 3A). 4A is a perspective view of the regulating member 80, and FIG. 4B is a partial cross-sectional view of a joint portion between the regulating member 80 and the case main body 42 (cross section taken along the line CC in FIG. 4A). Figure). In FIG. 4A, the configuration of the cartridge main body 21 around the regulating member 80 is indicated by a broken line. As shown in FIG. 3A, the stirring member 70 includes a rod-shaped operation unit 71 extending linearly, a rectangular plate-shaped stirring unit 72 provided at the lower end of the operation unit 71, and the operation unit 71. A gripping portion 73 protruding upward from the plug member 7 attached to the upper end portion is provided. The gripping portion 73 is bent at a right angle after protruding upward from the plug member 7.

  As described above, the ink chamber 25 in the cartridge body 21 is partitioned in the front-rear direction X by the partition wall 55. The rear-X rear ink chamber 8 behind the partition wall 55 communicates with the front ink chamber 56 via an opening 62 provided in the partition wall 55. As will be described later, the openings 62 are provided at two locations, a position close to the upper end of the partition wall 55 and a position close to the lower end (see FIG. 4A). The ink injection port 6 of the cartridge main body 21 opens at the upper part of the rear ink chamber 8 (see FIG. 2A). The operation portion 71 of the stirring member 70 is inserted into the rear ink chamber 8 in the cartridge main body 21 through the ink injection port 6. The rear ink chamber 8 is a space that is long in the vertical direction Z, and the stirring unit 72 is movable in the vertical direction in the rear ink chamber 8. When the stirring member 70 is moved in the vertical direction Z, the stirring unit 72 moves up and down in the rear ink chamber 8 and the ink in the rear ink chamber 8 is stirred.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a regulating member 80 is disposed in the rear ink chamber 8. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4A, the rear ink chamber 8 is rearward by the first wall portion 47, the second wall portion 48, and the third wall portion 49 of the case main body 42 constituting the cartridge main body 21. X, upper + Z, and lower −Z are defined, the other side −Y in the width direction Y is defined by the bottom 45 of the case body 42, and the one side + Y in the width direction Y is defined by the film 43. The front + X of the rear ink chamber 8 is partitioned by the partition wall 55 as described above.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4A, the regulating member 80 includes a first regulating wall 81 extending in the direction along the YZ plane inside the second wall portion 48 of the case body 42, and the inside of the film 43. The second regulating wall 82 extending in the direction along the XZ plane is provided. The second restriction wall 82 functions as a protection unit that prevents the stirring member 70 that moves in the vertical direction Z in the rear ink chamber 8 from contacting the film 43.

  The first restriction wall 81 and the second restriction wall 82 are connected at a right angle. The lower end of the first regulating wall 81 reaches the bottom surface of the rear ink chamber 8 and is in contact with the third wall portion 49. The lower end portion of the restriction member 80 includes a lower fixed wall 83 that is bent and extends forward + X from an edge of the other side −Y in the width direction Y of the first restriction wall 81, and a front end of the lower fixed wall 83. A lower connection wall 84 that is bent in the width direction Y and is connected to the lower end of the second restriction wall 82 is provided. The upper end of the first restricting wall 81 includes an upper fixed wall 85 extending from the edge of the other side −Y of the first restricting wall 81 in the width direction Y to the front + X and an upper fixed wall 85. An upper connection wall 86 that is bent in the width direction Y from the front end and is connected to the upper end portion of the second restriction wall 82 is provided.

  The upper fixed wall 85 and the lower fixed wall 83 extend in parallel with the bottom 45 of the case main body 42 and abut against the bottom 45 from the inside. Each of the upper fixed wall 85 and the lower fixed wall 83 is formed with a cylindrical rim portion 87 that protrudes to one side + Y in the width direction Y. A through hole 87 a is formed at the center of the rim portion 87. On the bottom 45 of the case main body 42, fixed convex portions 87b are formed at positions corresponding to the two rim portions 87. When the restriction member 80 is incorporated into the cartridge main body 21, as shown in FIG. 4B, the fixed convex portion 87 b is engaged with the through hole 87 a of the rim portion 87. Thereafter, both the fixed convex portion 87b and the rim portion 87 are heated and welded together. Thereby, the regulating member 80 is fixed to the case main body 42.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the lower connection wall 84 and the upper connection wall 86 extend in parallel with the first restriction wall 81 and abut against the partition wall 55 from the rear side -X. The lower connection wall 84 and the upper connection wall 86 are arranged far apart in the vertical direction Z. Between the lower connection wall 84 and the upper connection wall 86, a flow path opening 82a in which the second restriction wall 82 is cut out to the rear -X is located. The openings 62 formed in the partition wall 55 are formed at two locations: a position overlapping the flow path opening 82 a and a position overlapping the gap 82 b between the bottom of the rear ink chamber 8 and the lower end of the second restriction wall 82. ing. The channel opening 82a opens in a direction that intersects the moving direction of the stirring unit 72 when the stirring operation by the stirring member 70 is performed. That is, since the stirring operation is an operation in which the stirring unit 72 moves in the vertical direction Z, the flow path opening 82a opens in the width direction Y and the front-rear direction X intersecting the vertical direction Z.

  The upper end portion of the restriction member 80 is connected so that the first restriction wall 81, the upper fixed wall 85, and the upper connection wall 86 surround the rear ink chamber 8 from three directions. The restriction member 80 includes a first restriction protrusion 89a that protrudes forward X from the first restriction wall 81, and a second restriction protrusion 89b that protrudes from the second restriction wall 82 to the other side -Y in the width direction Y. The second restriction convex portion 89 b extends in the front-rear direction X along the upper end of the second restriction wall 82. The first restriction convex part 89a is connected to the second restriction convex part 89b at a right angle and extends in the width direction Y. The first restriction convex part 89a and the second restriction convex part 89b restrict the movement of the stirring part 72 toward the ink inlet 6 when the stirring member 70 is moved in the vertical direction Z.

  The upper connecting wall 86 is a wall portion extending in the up-down direction Z, and a third restricting convex portion 89 c for restricting the movement of the stirring portion 72 toward the ink injection port 6 is formed at the lower end portion thereof. The third restricting convex portion 89c protrudes downward. The upper connecting wall 86 includes a thick portion 88 formed at a position + Z above the third restricting convex portion 89c (see FIG. 2B). The thick wall portion 88 has a shape protruding from the upper connecting wall 86 to the rear -X, and is connected to the upper inclined surface 88a projecting to the rear -X toward the lower -Z and the lower end of the upper inclined surface 88a. A lower inclined surface 88b inclined in the direction opposite to the surface 88a is provided. The third restricting convex portion 89 c is disposed at a position closer to the ink injection port 6 than the bottom portion (third wall 49) of the rear ink chamber 8.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the stirring member 70 has four ribs 74 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the operation portion 71 at equal angular intervals. Therefore, the operation unit 71 has a cross-sectional shape in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the operation unit 71 (that is, a direction intersecting the insertion direction when the operation unit 71 is inserted into the cartridge main body 21 from the ink injection port 6). It is a cross shape as shown in 3 (b). An engagement convex portion 76 (engagement portion) that can be engaged with the peripheral edge of the ink injection port 6 is formed in the central portion of the operation portion 71 in the longitudinal direction. The engaging convex portion 76 is formed on one of the four ribs 74, and the extending direction of the operating portion 71 from the grip portion 73 toward the stirring portion 72, that is, the center line L of the operating portion 71. Projects in a direction that intersects the direction. Here, at the time of stirring, the operation unit 71 is moved in the direction along the center line L in the vertical direction Z. Accordingly, the direction in which the engagement convex portion 76 protrudes is a direction that intersects the sliding direction when the operation portion 71 slides on the periphery of the ink injection port 6.

  More specifically, the engagement convex portion 76 is a substantially triangular projecting piece in which the projecting height of the rib 74 is only partially higher than the other portions. The outer peripheral edge of the engaging convex portion 76 has a hypotenuse 76a that inclines in a direction away from the center line L of the operation unit 71 toward the lower end side (the side on which the stirring unit 72 is provided) of the operation unit 71, and a lower end of the hypotenuse 76a To the center line L of the operation unit 71 is provided. A concave portion 76c is formed on the bottom side 76b. The concave portion 76c is recessed on the upper end side of the operation portion 71. A convex portion 76d is formed on the corner portion where the bottom side 76b and the oblique side 76a are connected. Also, a notch 77 is formed on the lower side of the engaging protrusion 76 by notching the rib 74 by a certain length.

  As shown in FIG. 3C, when the engaging convex portion 76 is lifted above the ink injection port 6 and the agitating member 70 is moved to the front + X periphery of the ink injection port 6, the engaging convex portion 76 is injected with ink. Engage with the periphery of the inlet 6. More specifically, the stirring member 70 is moved forward + X until the peripheral edge of the ink injection port 6 enters the notch 77 on the lower side of the engaging convex portion 76, and is provided on the bottom side 76 b of the engaging convex portion 76. The convex portion 76d is arranged in front + X with respect to the protrusion 68 provided on the peripheral edge of the ink inlet 6. Accordingly, the convex portion 76 d of the engaging convex portion 76 is engaged with the protrusion 68 provided on the peripheral edge of the ink injection port 6, and the engaging convex portion 76 is prevented from sliding off from the peripheral portion of the ink injection port 6. The

(Function and effect)
As described above, the ink cartridge 1 of the present embodiment includes the cartridge main body 21, the operation unit 71 inserted into the cartridge main body 21 via the ink injection port 6 provided on the upper portion of the cartridge main body 21, and the cartridge main body. The operation member 71 includes an engagement protrusion 76 that engages with the peripheral edge of the ink injection port 6. In this way, the ink is stirred by the stirring portion 72 of the stirring member 70, and convection is caused in the ink, so that the uneven density of the ink in the cartridge body 21 can be eliminated. Furthermore, since the operation portion 71 of the stirring member 70 can be engaged with the periphery of the ink injection port 6, the stirring member 70 can be held near the periphery of the ink injection port 6. Therefore, the operation of injecting ink from the ink injection port 6 is easy.

  In this embodiment, the engaging convex portion 76 provided on the stirring member 70 intersects the sliding direction (direction of the center line L of the operating portion 71) in which the operating portion 71 and the cartridge body 21 slide during stirring. Protrude in the direction. Therefore, the operation unit 71 can be easily engaged with the peripheral edge of the ink injection port 6 with a simple structure. In addition, the engaging convex portion 76 is not formed, but instead a concave portion that is recessed in the intersecting direction intersecting the sliding direction is formed in the operation portion 71 so that the peripheral edge of the ink injection port 6 and the concave portion are engaged. May be.

  In the present embodiment, since the protrusion 68 (engaged portion) that engages with the engagement convex portion 76 (engagement portion) is provided at the periphery of the ink injection port 6, the stirring member 70 serves as the ink injection port 6. It is hard to come off from the periphery. Therefore, there is little possibility that the stirring member 70 falls during the ink injection, the plug member 7 closes the ink injection port 6, and the ink poured on the plug member 7 is scattered around.

  In this embodiment, a regulating member 80 that regulates the moving range of the stirring unit 72 in the cartridge main body 21 is provided, and the regulating member 80 intersects with the moving direction (vertical direction Z) of the stirring unit 72 during stirring. A flow path opening 82a that opens in the direction Y and the front-rear direction X) is provided. Therefore, when the ink passes through the flow path opening 82a, the ink flow in the vertical direction Z generated by the vertical movement of the stirring unit 72 can be changed to the crossing direction. Therefore, the ink can be efficiently stirred.

  In this embodiment, the restricting member 80 has a first restricting convex portion 89a, a second restricting convex portion 89b, and a third restricting convex portion 89c that restrict the movement of the stirring portion 72 toward the ink injection port 6 side. The first restriction convex part 89a, the second restriction convex part 89b, and the third restriction convex part 89c are arranged at a position closer to the ink injection port 6 than the bottom part of the cartridge body 21 (the bottom part of the rear ink chamber 8). Accordingly, the movement of the stirring unit 72 can be stopped near the ink injection port 6 during stirring. Accordingly, it is possible to restrict ink from ejecting from the ink inlet 6 during stirring.

  In this embodiment, the restricting member 80 includes an upper connecting wall 86 extending in a direction from the ink injection port 6 toward the bottom of the cartridge main body 21, and a third restricting convex portion 89 c is provided at the lower end of the upper connecting wall 86. Yes. The third restriction convex part 89c includes a thick part 88 that becomes thicker from the ink injection port 6 side toward the third restriction convex part 89c side. For this reason, when the engagement convex part 76 provided in the operation part 71 performs stirring operation, it can reduce a possibility that it may catch on the 3rd control convex part 89c, and may be damaged.

  In this embodiment, one side + Y surface in the width direction Y of the cartridge body 21 is constituted by the film 43, but the second regulating wall 82 of the regulating member 80 is disposed inside the film 43, and the film 43 and the stirring member It functions as a protection unit that prevents contact with the 70. Therefore, there is little possibility that the film 43 is broken and the ink flows out.

  In this embodiment, the regulating member 80 is fixed to the cartridge main body 21. Specifically, in the regulating member 80, a through hole 87a and a rim portion 87 surrounding the through hole 87a are formed in the upper fixing wall 85 and the lower fixing wall 83, respectively, and the cartridge body 21 is engaged with the through hole 87a. The fixed convex part 87b united with the rim | limb part 87 is provided. And both the fixed convex part 87b and the rim | limb part 87 are heated, and it welds integrally. In such a joining method, the fixed convex portion 87b and the rim portion 87 can be integrated, so that the regulating member 80 is unlikely to come off from the case main body 42. Therefore, the regulating member 80 moves and contacts the film 43 by the stirring operation of the stirring member 70, and there is little possibility that the film 43 is broken and the ink flows out. Therefore, the impact resistance of the cartridge body 21 can be improved.

  In this embodiment, the operation unit 71 includes a plurality of ribs 74, and the cross-sectional shape that intersects the sliding direction during stirring (that is, the direction of the center line L) is a cross shape. Therefore, there is an advantage that the strength of the operation unit 71 is high and the operation unit 71 is not easily broken.

(Modification)
(1) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a stirring member according to a modification. As shown in this figure, a member having a shape different from that of the stirring member 70 of the above-described form can be used. Stirring members 70A to 70C shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C are easy to attach and detach the plug member because the plug member is provided with a gripping portion.

(2) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a modified ink cartridge. Each of the ink cartridges 1A to 1C shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C includes a liquid container having a shape different from that of the above embodiment. Ink cartridges 1 </ b> A to 1 </ b> C are different from the above in the position and orientation of the ink inlet 6. 6A, the stirring member 70 is inserted in a direction inclined with respect to the vertical direction. Further, in the embodiment of FIG. 6C, stirring is performed by sliding a bending-shaped stirring member 70D in the front-rear direction.

(Other embodiments)
In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the ink cartridge 1 that stores ink. However, the present invention is applicable to a liquid container that stores various liquids having a sedimentation component.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A-1C ... Ink cartridge (liquid container), 2 ... Inkjet printer, 3 ... Cartridge mounting part, 5 ... Ink supply port, 6 ... Ink injection port (opening part), 7 ... Plug member, 8 ... Rear side Ink chamber, 21 ... cartridge main body (liquid container), 22 ... slider, 23 ... rear container, 24 ... front container, 25 ... ink chamber, 26 ... chip holder, 27 ... recording chip, 31 ... open / close cover, 31A ... first position, 31B ... second position, 41 ... opening, 42 ... case body, 43 ... film (flexible member), 44 ... lid, 45 ... bottom, 46 ... frame, 47 ... first Wall part 48 ... 2nd wall part 49 ... 3rd wall part 50 ... 4th wall part 51 ... 5th wall part 52 ... 6th wall part 53 ... Ink supply port constituting part 55 ... Partition wall 56 ... Front ink chamber, 57 ... Float valve, 58 ... In Lead channel, 59 ... Ink outlet port, 60 ... Valve port, 61 ... Rib, 62 ... Opening, 65 ... Liquid receiving surface, 66 ... Peripheral wall part, 67 ... Groove, 68 ... Projection (engaged part), 70, 70A to 70D ... stirring member, 71 ... operation part, 72 ... stirring part, 73 ... gripping part, 74 ... rib, 76 ... engagement convex part (engagement part), 76a ... oblique side, 76b ... bottom side, 76c ... Concave part, 76d ... convex part, 77 ... notch part, 80 ... regulating member (regulating part), 81 ... first regulating wall, 82 ... second regulating wall (protecting part), 82a ... channel opening, 82b ... gap, 83 ... Lower fixed wall, 84 ... Lower connection wall, 85 ... Upper fixed wall, 86 ... Upper connection wall, 87 ... Rim part, 87a ... Through hole, 87b ... Fixed convex part, 88 ... Thick part, 88a ... Upper inclined surface, 88b ... lower inclined surface, 89a ... first regulating convex portion, 89b ... second regulating convex portion, 89c ... third regulating convex portion, L ... Cord, X ... front-rear direction, Y ... width direction, Z ... vertically

Claims (10)

A liquid container capable of containing a liquid having a sedimented component;
An operation unit that is inserted into the liquid storage unit through an opening provided in an upper portion of the liquid storage unit, and a stirring member that has a stirring unit disposed in the liquid storage unit,
The liquid container is characterized in that the operation portion has an engaging portion that engages with a peripheral edge of the opening. In claim 1,
The engaging part is a convex part protruding in a crossing direction intersecting a sliding direction in which the operation part and the liquid storage part slide during stirring, or a concave part recessed in the crossing direction. Liquid container. In claim 1 or 2,
An engagement portion that engages with the engagement portion is provided at a peripheral edge of the opening. In claim 1,
A regulation unit that regulates movement of the stirring unit in the liquid storage unit;
The liquid container is characterized in that the restricting portion includes a channel opening that opens in a crossing direction that intersects a moving direction of the stirring portion during stirring. In claim 4,
The restricting portion has a restricting convex portion that restricts movement of the stirring portion toward the opening,
The restricting convex portion is disposed at a position closer to the opening portion than a bottom portion of the liquid containing portion. In claim 5,
The liquid regulating body is characterized in that the regulating portion includes a thick portion that becomes thicker from the opening side toward the regulating convex side. In claim 4,
Comprising a flexible member constituting a part of the liquid container;
The liquid regulating body, wherein the restricting portion includes a protection portion that prevents contact between the flexible member and the stirring member. In any one of claims 4 to 7,
The liquid container is characterized in that the regulating part is fixed to the liquid container. In claim 8,
The restricting portion includes a through hole and a rim portion surrounding the through hole,
The liquid container includes a fixed convex portion that is engaged with the through hole and integrated with the rim portion. In claim 1,
The liquid container is characterized in that the operation section has a cross-shaped cross section that intersects with an insertion direction to be inserted into the liquid container.

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