JP2017094510A - Liquid storage body and printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid storage body that can further improve visibility for a fluid volume of fluid stored in a liquid storage body, and to provide a printing device including the same.SOLUTION: The liquid storage body 40 includes: a liquid storage part 44 capable of storing ink; a visible surface 41 which is a surface constituting part of an exterior in the liquid storage part, through which an inside of the liquid storage part is visible from the outside of the liquid storage part; and a wall member 49 provided so as to be visible via the visible surface and providing a color of a color tone different from a color of the ink stored in the liquid storage part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus such as an ink jet printer that performs printing using a liquid, for example, and a liquid container that contains a liquid supplied to the printing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ink jet printer that performs printing using ink, which is an example of a liquid for a medium, and a liquid container such as an ink cartridge or an ink tank that stores ink supplied to the printer are known. . Patent Document 1 describes a printer including an ink tank that makes it possible to visually recognize the amount of ink stored in a liquid container by providing a part of the exterior in a transparent manner.

JP 2004-142325 A

In recent years, there has been a demand for a liquid container that makes it easier to visually recognize the amount of liquid contained.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a liquid container that can further improve the visibility of the amount of liquid contained in the liquid container, and a printing apparatus including the liquid container. It is in.

Hereinafter, means for solving the above-described problems and the effects thereof will be described.
The liquid container that solves the above problems is a surface that constitutes a part of the exterior of the liquid container and the liquid container that can store the liquid, and the inside of the liquid container can be visually recognized from outside the liquid container And a different color member which is provided so as to be visible through the visual recognition surface and has a hue different from the color of the liquid accommodated in the liquid accommodation portion.

  According to this configuration, when confirming the liquid amount of the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit via the visual recognition surface, the liquid level position of the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit is determined by the contrast between the liquid and the different color member. Easy to see. Therefore, the visibility with respect to the liquid amount of the liquid stored in the liquid container can be further improved.

In the liquid container, it is preferable that the different color member has a gloss on at least a surface facing the viewing surface.
According to this configuration, since the different color member having gloss reflects light well as compared with the configuration in which the different color member having no gloss is provided, it is easy to confirm the liquid level position of the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit. it can.

In the liquid container, it is preferable that at least a surface of the different color member facing the viewing surface is curved.
According to this configuration, the liquid level position of the liquid is confirmed by the different color member having a curved surface even when the inside of the liquid container is viewed at a position deviated from the front surface of the viewing surface as compared with the configuration in which the different color member is flat. Easy to do.

The said liquid container WHEREIN: It is preferable that the said different color member has a surface extended so that it may cross | intersect with respect to the said visual recognition surface.
According to this configuration, since the different color member has a surface inclined with respect to the viewing surface, the liquid level position of the liquid is confirmed by the different color member even when the inside of the liquid container is viewed at a position shifted from the front surface of the viewing surface. Easy to do.

The said liquid container WHEREIN: It is preferable that the said different color member is provided in parallel with the said visual recognition surface.
According to this configuration, when the inside of the liquid container is viewed from the front of the viewing surface, the liquid level position of the liquid can be easily confirmed by the different color member.

The said liquid container WHEREIN: It is preferable that the said different color member is provided in the said liquid storage part.
According to this structure, the visibility of the different color member visually recognized via a visual recognition surface can be improved compared with the structure which provides a different color member outside a liquid storage part.

In the liquid container, the different color member is preferably provided outside the liquid container.
According to this structure, compared with the structure which provides a different color member in a liquid storage part, since it is not limited to the magnitude | size and shape of the space in a liquid storage part, a different color member with a high freedom degree can be provided.

In the liquid container, the different color member is preferably provided separately from the liquid container.
According to this structure, compared with the structure provided integrally, a different color member with a high freedom degree in a shape, a color, etc. can be provided.

In the liquid container, it is preferable that the liquid container has an attachment part to which the different color member is attached.
According to this configuration, the different color member can be easily attached.

In the liquid container, the different color member is preferably provided integrally with the liquid container.
According to this configuration, the manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with a configuration provided separately.

The said liquid container WHEREIN: It is preferable that the said different color member is provided in elongate from the upper end of the said visual recognition surface to the lower end in the perpendicular direction.
According to this configuration, in the vertical direction, when the viewing surface is viewed from the front, the liquid surface position at the maximum liquid amount and the minimum liquid amount of the liquid visually recognized through the viewing surface can be confirmed.

  A printing apparatus that solves the above problems includes a printing unit that performs printing on a medium using a liquid, a liquid storage unit that can store a liquid supplied to the printing unit, and a part of an exterior of the liquid storage unit And a liquid container having a visual recognition surface that allows the inside of the liquid storage part to be visually recognized from outside the liquid storage part, and a liquid that is provided so as to be visible through the visual recognition surface and is stored in the liquid storage part And a different color member exhibiting a color of a hue different from the color of.

  According to this configuration, when the amount of the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit is confirmed via the visual recognition unit, the liquid level position of the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit is determined by the contrast between the liquid and the different color member. Easy to see. Therefore, the visibility with respect to the liquid amount of the liquid stored in the liquid container can be further improved.

In the above-described printing apparatus, it is preferable that the different color member is formed of a housing that houses the printing unit.
According to this configuration, the different color member can also be used as the casing, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

In the printing apparatus, it is preferable that the different color member is configured by a liquid container holding unit that holds the liquid container.
According to this configuration, since the different color member can also serve as the liquid container holding portion, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a multifunction machine including the printing apparatus according to the embodiment. The perspective view of a liquid container. The perspective sectional view of a liquid container. The perspective view of the liquid container which has stored the liquid. The perspective view of the liquid container which shows the modification of a wall member. The perspective view of the liquid container which shows the modification of a wall member. The perspective view of the liquid container which shows the modification of a wall member. The perspective view of the liquid container which shows the modification of a wall member. The perspective sectional view of the liquid container showing a modification of the wall member. The perspective sectional view of the liquid container showing a modification of the wall member. The perspective view which shows the modification of a liquid container. The perspective view of the liquid container which shows the modification of a different color member. The perspective view of the liquid container which shows the modification of a different color member. The perspective view which shows the modification of a liquid container. The perspective view which shows the modification of a liquid container. The perspective view of the printing apparatus which shows the modification of a different color member, and a liquid container. The perspective view of the printing apparatus which shows the modification of a different color member, and a liquid container. FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a multifunction machine including a printing apparatus according to a modification. The perspective view which shows schematically the inside of the housing | casing of the printing apparatus in FIG.

Hereinafter, a multifunction machine including an ink jet printer which is a kind of printing apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 11 includes a printing device 12 that performs printing on paper P, which is an example of a medium, and an image reading device 13 that is provided above the printing device 12 in the vertical direction. Yes. The image reading device 13 is provided so as to be able to read an image recorded on a document placed on the placing table 14. The printing apparatus 12 includes a rectangular parallelepiped housing 16 having an opening 15 formed on one side surface (a surface facing the front left side in FIG. 1). A printing unit 17 that prints images such as characters and photographs by ejecting ink, which is an example, is provided. In addition, let the side in which the opening part 15 is formed in the housing | casing 16 be the front side of the printing apparatus 12, and let the opposite side be a back side.

  The printing unit 17 includes a carriage 18 that can reciprocate along a scanning direction that coincides with the longitudinal direction of the housing 16 (a direction that intersects the direction from the back surface to the front surface of the printing device 12), and a lower surface of the carriage 18 in the vertical direction. And a head 19 attached to the head. The head 19 is provided with a plurality of nozzles (not shown), and corresponding ink is ejected from the nozzles. That is, the printing unit 17 performs printing in the scanning direction by moving the head 19 that ejects ink onto the paper P along the scanning direction by the carriage 18.

  In the housing 16, a paper cassette 20 placed in a state where the paper P is stacked is provided below the opening 15 so that the paper cassette 20 can be inserted into and removed from the housing 16. The opening 15 is provided with a discharge tray 21 that can be pulled out from the opening 15 toward the front of the printing apparatus 12. That is, the printing apparatus 12 conveys the paper P placed on the paper cassette 20 one by one from the back to the front of the printing apparatus 12, and after the printing unit 17 prints an image on the paper P, the discharge tray 21 is printed. The paper P is discharged from the opening 15 toward the outside of the housing 16. Here, the transport direction in which the paper P is transported coincides with the direction from the back surface to the front surface of the printing apparatus 12 and intersects the scanning direction that is the moving direction of the carriage 18. The multifunction device 11 is provided with an operation unit 22 used to operate the printing device 12 and the image reading device 13 at a position above the opening 15 so as to protrude forward. . Note that the scanning direction, the transport direction, and the vertical direction intersect each other.

  A liquid container holding unit 30 is attached to one side surface (the right side surface in FIG. 1) of the casing 16 of the printing apparatus 12 in the scanning direction. The liquid container holding unit 30 holds a plurality of liquid containers 40 that store ink that the printing unit 17 discharges onto the paper P. The plurality of liquid containers 40 held by the liquid container holding unit 30 are arranged so as to be aligned in the transport direction, and each store ink of different colors. In the present embodiment, four liquid containers 40 are held by the liquid container holding part 30, and the liquid container 40 located on the most downstream side in the transport direction is larger than the other three. It is of capacity. These four liquid containers 40 contain, for example, four colors of ink of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, and have a large volume of liquid containers 40 located on the most downstream side in the transport direction. Contains black ink which is frequently used.

  Further, the liquid container holding part 30 is provided with an exposed part 31 that exposes a part of the liquid container 40 being held. The exposed portion 31 opens in a rectangular shape in the exterior of the liquid container holding unit 30 and exposes a part of the liquid container 40 so that it can be visually recognized from the outside of the liquid container holding unit 30. On the other hand, the liquid container 40 is provided with a viewing surface 41 that constitutes one surface of the liquid container 40 and enables the amount of ink stored in the liquid container 40 to be visually recognized. The liquid container 40 is held by the liquid container holding part 30 in such a manner that the visual recognition surface 41 is exposed from the exposed part 31. That is, the exposed portion 31 and the viewing surface 41 make it possible to visually recognize the amount of ink stored in the liquid container 40 from the outside of the liquid container holder 30. The liquid container 40 includes an injection port 42 that allows ink to be injected into the liquid container 40. The inlet 42 protrudes upward in the vertical direction and is exposed from the liquid container holder 30. The inlet 42 is provided with a stopper 42 a that can close the inlet 42, and the stopper 42 a is removed from the inlet 42 when the ink is injected into the liquid container 40.

  A supply tube 23 through which ink flows is connected to the liquid container 40 held by the liquid container holding unit 30. The supply tube 23 has one end connected to the liquid container 40 and the other end connected to the printing unit 17. That is, the ink stored in the liquid container 40 is supplied to the corresponding nozzles through the head 19 by the supply tubes 23 extending from the liquid container holding part 30 into the housing 16. One supply tube 23 is connected to each liquid container 40, but only one supply tube 23 is shown in FIG. 1 for simplification of the drawing.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the liquid container 40 is a resin container having a box shape, and is configured as a so-called ink tank that can store ink therein. In other words, the liquid container 40 includes a liquid container 44 that includes a liquid container chamber 43 in which ink is stored. The liquid container 40 communicates with the inside and outside of the liquid container 44 through an inlet 42 provided so as to extend upward from the upper surface of the liquid container 44 in the vertical direction. That is, the ink is injected into the liquid storage chamber 43 through the injection port 42.

  In addition, a viewing surface 41 is provided on a part of the surface (the left surface in FIG. 2) constituting the exterior of the liquid storage unit 44 by using a transparent member such as transparent plastic. That is, the liquid container 40 is provided so that the inside of the liquid container 44 (the liquid container chamber 43) can be visually recognized from the outside of the liquid container 44 through the visual recognition surface 41 formed of a transparent member. Further, an upper limit scale 45 indicating a preferable upper limit amount of ink stored in the liquid storage chamber 43 is formed on the visual recognition surface 41. Here, for convenience of explanation, the side on which the viewing surface 41 is provided is referred to as the front side of the liquid container 40, and the opposite side is referred to as the back side of the liquid container 40. The direction intersecting both the vertical directions is referred to as the left-right direction of the liquid container 40.

  Further, the liquid container 40 includes an air communication path 46 that communicates the inside of the liquid container 44 with the outside of the liquid container 44 (atmosphere) separately from the inlet 42. The air communication path 46 includes a plurality of air chambers 47 provided in the liquid storage unit 44, a meandering path 48, and an air communication hole (not shown) that opens to the exterior of the liquid storage unit 44. That is, the plurality of air chambers 47 and the meandering path 48 communicate with each other in the liquid storage portion 44. The atmosphere communication path 46 suppresses the liquid storage chamber 43 from becoming a negative pressure as the ink stored in the liquid storage chamber 43 is supplied to the printing unit 17. If the liquid storage chamber 43 has a negative pressure, the supply of ink to the printing unit 17 may be delayed. However, if the liquid storage chamber 43 is configured to communicate with the atmosphere, such a risk is reduced. Note that a sheet member (not shown) is heated on one side surface of the liquid container 40 where the insides of the liquid chamber 43 and the atmosphere communication path 46 are exposed (that is, the right side surface in the left-right direction when the viewing surface 41 is viewed from the front). It is sealed by being attached by welding. Further, the bottom surface of the liquid storage chamber 43 is an inclined surface that is inclined downward as it goes from the front side to the back side of the liquid container 40.

  In addition, the liquid container 40 includes a plate-like wall member 49 provided so as to face the viewing surface 41 (in parallel in the present embodiment) in the liquid container 44 (liquid container 43). Yes. The wall member 49 is provided in the liquid storage portion 44 at a position closer to the back side of the liquid storage body 40 than the inlet 42, and extends downward from the upper portion of the liquid storage portion 44. That is, the wall member 49 is provided integrally with the liquid storage portion 44. Further, the wall member 49 is provided in a long length so that the upper end of the wall member 49 is located above the upper end of the viewing surface 41 and the lower end of the wall member 49 is located below the lower end of the viewing surface 41 in the vertical direction. Yes. The wall member 49 is opposite to the bottom surface of the liquid storage chamber 43 and the side on which the sheet member is thermally welded in the liquid storage portion 44 so as not to divide the liquid storage portion 44 into two regions. It is provided in such a manner that the side surface (that is, the left side surface in the left-right direction when the viewing surface 41 is viewed from the front) is not short. That is, the wall member 49 is provided such that the dimensions in the vertical direction and the left-right direction are slightly smaller than the inner dimension of the liquid storage chamber 43.

  The wall member 49 is glossy on the surface facing the viewing surface 41 and has a hue different from the color of the ink scheduled to be stored in the liquid container 40. That is, the wall member 49 is made of a glossy resin and functions as a different color member that exhibits a color of a hue different from the color of the ink stored in the liquid container 40. In the present embodiment, since the colors of the ink stored in the four liquid containers 40 are cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, respectively, for example, if the wall member 49 is configured to exhibit white (white), The wall member 49 can function as a different color member in any liquid container 40.

  Here, in the printing apparatus 12, the color of the ink ejected by the printing unit 17 is exclusively determined in advance for each nozzle of the head 19. Therefore, the color of the ink stored in the liquid container 40 connected to the printing unit 17 by the supply tube 23 is generally determined in advance so that each nozzle corresponds to the color of the ink to be ejected. is there. That is, the wall member 49 exhibiting a color having a different hue from the color of the ink to be stored in the liquid container 40 can be provided in the liquid container 44 in advance.

Next, the operation of the printing apparatus 12 included in the multifunction machine 11 configured as described above will be described with particular attention to the liquid container 40.
As shown in FIG. 4, when ink is injected into the liquid container 40 through the injection port 42, the ink is stored in the liquid storage chamber 43. The stored ink forms a liquid surface of the ink along the horizontal plane in the liquid storage chamber 43. When the amount of ink stored in the liquid storage chamber 43 is confirmed, the amount of ink stored in the liquid storage chamber 43 is confirmed via the visual recognition surface 41. That is, the liquid level position of the ink in the vertical direction serves as an index indicating the amount of ink stored in the liquid storage chamber 43. At this time, depending on the transparency of the viewing surface 41 of the liquid container 40 and the usage environment of the multifunction machine 11 (for example, use in a dark place where the surrounding brightness is not sufficient), the ink contained in the liquid container 40 The liquid surface position may be difficult to see from the viewing surface 41. When it is difficult to see the position of the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid storage chamber 43, the user may not be able to check the ink amount correctly. Therefore, the liquid container 40 in the present embodiment includes a wall member 49 as a different color member that has a hue different from the color of the ink to be stored.

  In a state where the liquid container 40 stores ink, the wall member 49 disposed in the liquid storage portion 44 is in a state where the lower portion thereof is immersed in the ink. When the user confirms the amount of ink stored in the liquid container 40, the ink and the wall member 49 are visually recognized through the viewing surface 41. Here, since the wall member 49 exhibits a color of a hue different from the color of the ink, the wall member 49 is easily visually recognized by the user due to the contrast. That is, when the amount of ink stored in the liquid container 40 is confirmed via the visual recognition surface 41, the wall member 49 having a color different from the color of the stored ink functions as the background. The surface position is easy to confirm.

  Further, since the wall member 49 has gloss on the surface facing the viewing surface 41, the light incident on the liquid storage chamber 43 is easily reflected and is more easily viewed. Further, since the wall member 49 is provided in a long length from the upper end to the lower end of the viewing surface 41 in the vertical direction, the liquid surface position of the ink stored in the liquid storage chamber 43 is the upper end of the viewing surface 41. As long as the wall member 49 is located in a range between the lower ends, the wall member 49 is kept immersed in the ink. Therefore, the liquid container 40 in the present embodiment can confirm the liquid surface position at the maximum liquid amount and the liquid surface position at the minimum liquid amount visually recognized when the visual recognition surface 41 is viewed from the front. Further, since the wall member 49 does not divide the region in the liquid storage portion 44, the ink flow does not stagnate between the front side and the back side of the wall member 49 in the liquid storage chamber 43. There is no possibility that the liquid level position of the ink differs between the area on the front side and the area on the back side.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) When the amount of ink stored in the liquid storage unit 44 is confirmed via the visual recognition surface 41, the ink is stored in the liquid storage unit 44 due to the contrast between the ink and the different color member (wall member 49). It is easy to see the level of the ink level. Therefore, the visibility with respect to the amount of ink stored in the liquid container 40 can be further improved.

  (2) Compared with a configuration in which a different color member (wall member 49) having no gloss is provided, the different color member (wall member 49) having a glossy is stored in the liquid storage portion 44 because it reflects light well. It is easy to check the liquid level position of the ink.

  (3) By providing a different-colored member (wall member 49) facing the viewing surface 41 in parallel with the viewing surface 41, the different-colored member (wall member 49) when the interior of the liquid container 44 is viewed from the front of the viewing surface 41. ) Makes it easy to confirm the position of the liquid surface.

  (4) By providing the different color member (wall member 49) in the liquid storage portion 44, the different color member (wall member 49) visually recognized through the viewing surface 41 as compared with the configuration provided outside the liquid storage portion 44. Visibility can be improved.

(5) By providing the different-colored member (wall member 49) integrally with the liquid storage portion 44, the manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with a configuration provided separately.
(6) In the vertical direction, when the visual recognition surface 41 is viewed from the front, the liquid surface position at the maximum liquid amount and the minimum liquid amount of the ink visually recognized through the visual recognition surface 41 can be confirmed.

(7) By providing the upper limit scale 45 on the visual recognition surface 41, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the ink will be excessively injected when the ink is injected into the liquid storage chamber 43 through the injection port.
In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows. Moreover, you may combine suitably the following modified examples with respect to the said embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the above-described embodiment, the wall member 49 that functions as a different-colored member has a surface on the side facing the viewing surface 41 curved in the vertical direction toward the front surface of the liquid container 40. The structure provided may be sufficient. Moreover, the structure curved over the left-right direction may be sufficient, and the structure curved toward the back surface of the liquid container 40 may be sufficient.

According to this configuration, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the above embodiment.
(8) Compared with the flat structure of the different color member (wall member 49), even when the interior of the liquid storage unit 44 is viewed at a position shifted from the front surface of the viewing surface 41, for example, at a diagonally upward or diagonally downward position, The liquid surface position of the ink can be easily confirmed by the different color member (wall member 49) having a curved surface.

  -As shown in FIG. 6, in the said embodiment, the wall member 49 which functions as a different color member may be provided with two or more. Further, the wall member 49 is not limited to a configuration provided in parallel to the viewing surface 41, and may have a configuration having a surface extending so as to intersect the viewing surface 41.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the wall member 49 is configured to have a bellows shape so that the surface facing the viewing surface 41 has a plurality of surfaces extending so as to intersect the viewing surface 41. Also good.
According to this configuration, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the above embodiment.

  (9) Since the different-colored member (wall member 49) has a surface inclined with respect to the viewing surface 41, the inside of the liquid storage unit 44 is viewed at a position shifted from the front of the viewing surface 41, for example, a position shifted in the left-right direction. Even in this case, the liquid level position of the ink can be easily confirmed by the different color member (wall member 49).

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the above-described embodiment, the wall member 49 functioning as a different color member may have a bent portion 51 in which a part of the wall member 49 is bent toward the front surface of the liquid container 40. Good. The wall member 49 having the bent portion 51 is disposed so that the bent portion 51 is located immediately below the injection port 42. That is, when ink is injected into the liquid container 40, the ink injected from the inlet 42 first contacts the bent portion 51, and then is stored in the liquid storage chamber 43 along the back side of the wall member 49. .

According to this configuration, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the above embodiment.
(10) When ink is injected into the liquid container 40, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the ink scatters and adheres to the viewing surface 41, making it difficult to see the ink liquid surface position. In addition, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the liquid level will wave when the ink is injected, making it difficult to check the amount of liquid.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the above embodiment, the wall member 49 that functions as a different color member may have an upper limit scale 45 instead of the visual recognition surface 41. The wall member 49 may also include a type display unit 52 that displays the type (model number) of the ink that the liquid container 40 is to store.

According to this configuration, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the above embodiment.
(11) By configuring the viewing surface 41 without the upper limit scale 45, the viewing surface 41 can be configured to have higher transparency.

(12) The type display unit 52 can reduce the risk of injecting different types of ink when injecting ink into the liquid container 40.
As shown in FIG. 10, in the above-described embodiment, the wall member 49 that functions as a different color member may be configured to taper downward in the vertical direction, that is, to be inclined so that the width in the left-right direction gradually decreases. Moreover, the scale 53 which shows the liquid amount of the ink accommodated may be provided in steps, and the color display part 54 which displays the color of the ink which is due to be accommodated may be provided. Note that the color display unit 54 in FIG. 10 displays “M” which is an initial of magenta.

According to this configuration, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the above embodiment.
(13) By making the wall member 49 taper downward in the vertical direction, it is possible to visually grasp the amount of ink.

(14) Since the wall member 49 has the scale 53, the amount of ink can be confirmed more accurately.
(15) When the ink is injected into the liquid container 40 by the color display unit 54, it is possible to reduce the possibility of mixing different color inks.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the above embodiment, the wall member 49 that functions as a different color member may be provided separately from the liquid container 40. In this case, it is preferable that an attachment portion 55 to which the wall member 49 can be attached is provided in the liquid storage portion 44. In the modification shown in FIG. 11, the attachment part 55 which has the slit groove | channel which can engage the wall member 49 is provided. Further, the attachment portion 55 may be provided outside the liquid storage portion 44, and the wall member 49 may be replaced in accordance with the color of the ink stored.

According to this configuration, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the above embodiment.
(16) It is possible to provide a different-colored member (wall member 49) having a high degree of freedom in terms of shape, color, and the like as compared with the configuration provided integrally.

(17) The attachment member 55 can easily attach the different color member (wall member 49) as compared with the case where the attachment member 55 is attached to the liquid storage part 44 with an adhesive or the like.
As shown in FIG. 12, in the above embodiment, the different color member is not limited to the wall member 49, and may be a pole 56 having a columnar shape, for example. A plurality of the poles 56 are provided side by side so as to extend in the vertical direction. The columnar shape is not limited to the columnar shape, and the liquid storage chamber 43 may be provided in a disorderly and random manner. The shape of the different color member is not particularly limited.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the above embodiment, the liquid container 40 may not include the wall member 49, and the interior surface 57 that forms the back surface of the liquid container 44 may function as a different color member. According to this configuration, the visibility with respect to the amount of ink can be improved without providing a separate wall member 49.

  As shown in FIG. 14, in the above embodiment, the wall member 49 that functions as a different color member may be provided outside the liquid storage portion 44. In such a configuration, the viewing surface 41 is provided by forming a part of the back surface of the liquid storage portion 44 from a transparent member. A wall member 49 is provided outside the liquid container 44 so as to be visible through the two viewing surfaces 41 on the front side and the back side of the liquid container 44.

According to this configuration, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the above embodiment.
(16) Compared to the configuration in which the different color member (wall member 49) is provided in the liquid storage portion 44, the size and shape of the space in the liquid storage portion 44 are not limited, and therefore the different color member (wall member 49) having a high degree of freedom. ) Can be provided.

  -As shown in FIG.15 and FIG.16, in the said embodiment, the structure which makes one surface of the liquid container holding | maintenance part 30 function as a different color member may be sufficient. As shown in FIG. 15, the liquid container 40 is provided with a visual recognition surface 41 by forming a part of the back surface of the liquid container 44 from a transparent member. Then, as shown in FIG. 16, such a liquid container holding unit 30 that holds the liquid container 40 is attached to the casing 16 of the printing apparatus 12 and constitutes the back surface of the liquid container holding unit 30. The surface 32 is configured as a different color member. That is, the mounting surface 32 of the liquid container holding unit 30 that functions as a different color member is provided so as to be visible through the two viewing surfaces 41 on the front side and the back side of the liquid storage unit 44.

According to this configuration, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the above embodiment.
(17) Since the different color member can also serve as the liquid container holding unit 30, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 17, in the above embodiment, a part of the casing 16 of the printing apparatus 12 may be a different color member. On the side surface 25 of the housing 16 in the printing apparatus 12, a liquid container 40 having a visual recognition surface 41 provided on the back surface of the liquid housing portion 44 is arranged along the side surface 25 of the housing 16. The liquid container 40 is disposed in such a manner that the side surface 25 of the housing 16 is visible through the two viewing surfaces 41. And the side surface 25 of this housing | casing 16 is comprised as a different color member which exhibits the color different from the ink which the liquid container 40 accommodates.

According to this configuration, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the above embodiment.
(18) Since the different color member can also serve as the housing 16, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
As shown in FIGS. 15, 18, and 19, in the above-described embodiment, the liquid container 40 may be arranged in the casing 16 of the printing apparatus 12. The liquid container 40 whose front and back surfaces of the liquid container 44 are the viewing surfaces 41 is disposed in the housing 16 at a position adjacent to the opening 15. In other words, the liquid container 40 is disposed at a position on the downstream side in the transport direction of the printing apparatus 12 and at the corner of the housing 16 on one end side (right side in FIGS. 18 and 19) in the scanning direction. Yes. The casing 16 is provided with a cover 61 that is a part of the exterior and covers the front surface of the liquid container 40 so as to be openable and closable. That is, when the cover 61 is opened, the visual recognition surface 41 provided on the front surface of the liquid container 40 is exposed. A plate member 62 fixed to the casing 16 is provided on the back side of the liquid container 40 disposed in the casing 16. That is, the plate member 62 functions as a different color member.

  In the above embodiment, the wall member 49 that functions as a different color member may be made of a material other than resin, such as metal. By comprising metal, the wall member 49 can be given metallic luster.

In the above-described embodiment, the wall member 49 functioning as a different color member may be configured to give gloss by embedding glitter or performing a surface treatment, for example.
In the above embodiment, the wall member 49 functioning as a different color member may have a configuration in which the color differs for each liquid container 40.

In the above embodiment, the viewing surface 41 is not limited to plastic, and may be made of glass, for example.
In the above embodiment, in the liquid container 40, the entire front surface of the liquid container 44 may be configured with a transparent member, or the entire liquid container 44 may be configured with a transparent member. According to this configuration, light can easily enter the liquid container 44 from the outside of the liquid container 44, so that the liquid level position can be more easily confirmed.

In the above embodiment, it is not necessary to provide the upper limit scale 45 for both the viewing surface 41 and the wall member 49.
In the above embodiment, the liquid container 40 is not limited to the ink tank having the inlet 42 through which ink can be injected, and may be, for example, a replaceable ink cartridge.

-In the said embodiment, the structure attached to the sheet | seat member attached to the liquid storage part 44 is not restricted to heat welding, for example through an adhesive agent etc.
In the above embodiment, the printing unit 17 is not limited to the serial head method that moves in the scanning direction, but may be a line head method that is provided in a long direction in a direction that intersects the conveyance direction of the paper P.

  In the above embodiment, the printing apparatus ejects fluids other than ink (including liquids, liquid materials in which particles of functional materials are dispersed or mixed in the liquid, and fluids such as gels) It may be a fluid ejecting apparatus that discharges. For example, a liquid material ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid material that is dispersed or dissolved in materials such as electrode materials and color materials (pixel materials) used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, EL (electroluminescence) displays, and surface-emitting displays. It may be. Moreover, the fluid body injection apparatus which injects fluid bodies, such as a gel (for example, physical gel), may be sufficient. The present invention can be applied to any one of these fluid ejecting apparatuses. In the present specification, the term “fluid” is a concept that does not include a fluid consisting only of gas. Examples of the fluid include liquid (inorganic solvent, organic solvent, solution, liquid resin, liquid metal (metal melt), etc. ), Liquids, fluids, and the like.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Printing apparatus, 16 ... Housing | casing, 17 ... Printing part, 30 ... Liquid container holding | maintenance part, 40 ... Liquid container, 41 ... Viewing surface, 42 ... Injection port, 43 ... Liquid storage chamber, 44 ... Liquid storage part 45 ... upper limit scale, 46 ... air communication path, 47 ... air chamber, 48 ... meandering path, 49 ... wall member (different colored member), 55 ... mounting portion, P ... paper.

Claims (14)

A liquid container capable of containing a liquid;
A surface that constitutes a part of the exterior of the liquid container, and a viewing surface that allows the inside of the liquid container to be visually recognized from outside the liquid container;
A liquid container, comprising: a different-colored member that is provided so as to be visible through the visual recognition surface and has a hue different from the color of the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit.   The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the different color member has a gloss on at least a surface facing the viewing surface.   The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein at least the surface of the different color member facing the viewing surface is curved.   The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the different color member has a surface extending so as to intersect the visual recognition surface.   The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the different color member is provided in parallel to the visual recognition surface.   The liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the different color member is provided in the liquid container.   The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the different color member is provided outside the liquid container.   The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the different color member is provided separately from the liquid container.   The liquid container according to claim 8, wherein the liquid container includes an attachment part to which the different color member is attached.   The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the different color member is provided integrally with the liquid container.   11. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the different-colored member is provided in a long length in the vertical direction from at least an upper end to a lower end of the viewing surface. body. A printing unit for printing on a medium using a liquid;
A liquid storage unit capable of storing the liquid supplied to the printing unit, and a surface constituting a part of the exterior of the liquid storage unit, the viewing surface being visible from outside the liquid storage unit A liquid container having:
And a different color member that is provided so as to be visible through the visual recognition surface and has a hue different from the color of the liquid accommodated in the liquid accommodating portion.   The printing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the different color member is configured by a housing that accommodates the printing unit.   The printing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the different color member includes a liquid container holding portion that holds the liquid container.

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