JP2024007697A - cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve at least one of defects of a cartridge.

SOLUTION: A cartridge comprises: a liquid storage body that can store liquid; an adaptor having an insertion-opening part into which a liquid introduction part of a cartridge attachment part is inserted, which can store liquid, and whose dimension along a direction in which the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge attachment part is smaller than a dimension of the liquid storage body; and a liquid supply part. The adaptor has a liquid-remaining region where the adaptor is brought into a state in which the adaptor is not communicated with the liquid supply part, in an attachment state where the adaptor is attached to the cartridge attachment part. Liquid in the liquid-remaining region flows into the liquid supply part when the cartridge changes in attitude, in a course of a connection-releasing operation of releasing the connection of the liquid supply part to the liquid introduction part, by moving the cartridge in a direction opposite to a rotating/attaching direction.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

COPYRIGHT: (C)2024,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present disclosure relates to cartridge technology.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a cartridge is known that includes a liquid container for storing a liquid and an adapter that is fitted and attached to the liquid container (Patent Document 1). Conventional cartridges are installed by being inserted into the cartridge installation section of a printing device in a horizontal insertion direction and then moving in a rotational installation direction that has a gravitational component using the back side of the insertion direction as a fulcrum. Ru.

JP2022-053794A

In the conventional technology, liquid is stored only in the liquid container of the cartridge, so in order to store more liquid in the cartridge, it is necessary to increase the size of the liquid container. Further, even when a large amount of liquid is stored in the cartridge, there are cases where a large amount of liquid remains without being supplied to the printing apparatus. The present disclosure aims to solve at least one of the above cartridge problems.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a cartridge is provided that is removably mounted on a cartridge mounting section of a printing device. After the cartridge has been inserted into the cartridge mounting portion in a horizontal insertion direction, the front portion of the cartridge in the insertion direction is rotated in the direction of gravity, using the back side in the insertion direction as a rotational fulcrum. The cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting section by moving in a rotational mounting direction having a component, and the cartridge has a liquid container capable of containing a liquid, and an insertion opening into which a liquid introduction section of the cartridge mounting section is inserted. an adapter capable of accommodating the liquid, the adapter having a smaller dimension along the direction of insertion of the cartridge into the cartridge mounting section than the liquid container; a liquid supply section that is connected to a liquid introduction section and supplies the liquid contained in the cartridge to the liquid introduction section; The liquid in the liquid residual area is transferred between the liquid supply unit and the liquid supply unit by moving the cartridge in a direction opposite to the rotational mounting direction. In the process of a disconnection operation for disconnecting the liquid from the liquid introduction section, the liquid flows into the liquid supply section due to a change in the attitude of the cartridge.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a cartridge is provided that is removably mounted in a cartridge mounting section of a printing device. After the cartridge has been inserted into the cartridge mounting portion in a horizontal insertion direction, the front portion of the cartridge in the insertion direction is rotated in the direction of gravity, using the back side in the insertion direction as a rotational fulcrum. The cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting part by moving in a rotational mounting direction having a component, and the cartridge has a liquid storage part for storing liquid and an insertion opening into which a liquid introduction part of the cartridge mounting part is inserted. a bottom surface, and a second sloped top surface located on the opposite side of the bottom surface with the liquid storage section in between, the second end being in the opposite direction to the insertion direction from the first end on the insertion direction side. an upper inclined surface whose end portion is located on the side closer to the bottom surface; and a rear surface located on the near side in the insertion direction;
A connection hole for connecting a container separate from the cartridge, the connection hole communicating with the liquid storage section, the connection hole being connected to at least one of the upper inclined surface and the rear surface. formed on one side.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a printing system as a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a first perspective view of the cartridge mounting section. FIG. 3 is a second perspective view of the cartridge mounting section. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first type cartridge. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the first type cartridge. A sectional view of a first type cartridge. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a cartridge in an installed state. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a liquid storage section of a liquid supply section. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining consumption of liquid in a liquid residual area. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a cartridge according to a second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the cartridge in an attached state with a separate container connected thereto. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining another embodiment 1. FIG.

A. First embodiment:
A-1. Printing system configuration:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a printing system 1 as a first embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 1, three mutually orthogonal spatial axes, ie, XYZ axes, are depicted. The directions in which the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis arrows are pointing indicate positive directions along the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, respectively. Positive directions along the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are defined as +X direction, +Y direction, and +Z direction, respectively. The direction opposite to the direction in which the arrows of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are facing is the negative direction along the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, respectively. Negative directions along the X, Y, and Z axes are defined as -X direction, -Y direction, and -Z direction, respectively. Directions along the X, Y, and Z axes, whether positive or negative, are referred to as the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction, respectively. The same applies to the figures and explanations shown below.

The printing system 1 includes a printing device 10 and a cartridge 4 that supplies liquid ink to the printing device 10.

The printing device 10 of this embodiment is an inkjet printer that ejects ink as a liquid from an ejection head 22. This printing device 10 is a large-sized printer that prints on large-sized paper such as posters. The printing device 10 includes a cartridge mounting section 6, a control section 31, a carriage 20, an ejection head 22, and a drive mechanism 30. The printing device 10 also includes operation buttons 15 for a user to operate the printing device 10 .

The cartridge mounting section 6 has a first device wall 67 located on the +Y direction side. The first device wall 67 has an insertion/extraction opening 674 that is an entrance/exit for the cartridge 4 into the housing chamber 61 . The cartridge 4 is accommodated in the accommodation chamber 61 of the cartridge mounting section 6 through this insertion/extraction opening 674, and the cartridge 4 is removed from the accommodation chamber 61. A plurality of cartridges 4 are each removably mounted on the cartridge mounting section 6 . In this embodiment, four types of cartridges 4 are installed in the cartridge mounting section 6, one each corresponding to four colors of ink: black, yellow, magenta, and cyan, that is, a total of four cartridges 4. The cartridge 4 that accommodates black ink is also called cartridge 4K, the cartridge 4 that accommodates yellow ink is also called cartridge 4Y, the cartridge 4 that accommodates magenta ink is also called cartridge 4M, and the cartridge 4 that accommodates cyan ink is also called cartridge 4. is also called cartridge 4C. In this embodiment, the cartridge 4K is configured to be able to accommodate more liquid than the cartridges 4C, 4M, and 4Y. Therefore, the cartridge 4K is also called a first type cartridge 4A, and the cartridges 4C, 4M, and 4Y are also called a second type cartridge 4B.

The printing device 10 has a replacement cover 13 on the front surface in the +Y direction. The replacement cover 13 is configured to be openable and closable. By opening the replacement cover 13, the opening of the cartridge mounting portion 6 is exposed, and the cartridge 4 can be mounted or removed. When the cartridge 4 is installed in the cartridge installation section 6, ink can be supplied to the ejection head 22 provided on the carriage 20 via the tube 24 as a liquid distribution pipe. In this embodiment, ink is supplied from the cartridge 4 to the ejection head 22 using the water head difference. Specifically, ink is supplied to the ejection head 22 based on the difference in water head between the liquid level of the ink in the cartridge mounting portion 6 and the ejection head 22 . Note that in other embodiments, ink may be supplied to the ejection head 22 by sucking ink in the cartridge 4 by a pump mechanism (not shown) of the printing device 10. Note that the tube 24 is provided for each type of ink.

The ejection head 22 is provided with nozzles for each type of ink. The ejection head 22 ejects ink from nozzles toward the printing paper 2 to print data such as characters and images. In this embodiment, the printing device 10 is a so-called "off-carriage type" printer in which the cartridge mounting section 6 does not move in conjunction with the movement of the carriage 20. The technology of the present disclosure can also be applied to a so-called "on-carriage type" printer in which the cartridge mounting section 6 is provided on the carriage 20 and the cartridge mounting section 6 moves together with the carriage 20.

The control section 31 controls each section of the printing apparatus 10 and sends and receives signals to and from the cartridge 4 . The carriage 20 moves the ejection head 22 relative to the printing paper 2.

The drive mechanism 30 reciprocates the carriage 20 based on a control signal from the control section 31. The drive mechanism 30 includes a timing belt 32 and a drive motor 34. By transmitting the power of the drive motor 34 to the carriage 20 via the timing belt 32, the carriage 20 reciprocates in the main scanning direction, which is a direction along the X direction. The printing device 10 also includes a transport mechanism for moving the printing paper 2 in the sub-scanning direction, which is the +Y direction. When printing is performed, the printing paper 2 is moved in the sub-scanning direction by the transport mechanism, and the printing paper 2 after printing is output onto the front cover 11.

Further, an area called a home position is provided at a position outside the printing area where the carriage 20 is moved in the main scanning direction, and a maintenance mechanism that performs maintenance to ensure normal printing is installed at the home position. It is installed. The maintenance mechanism includes a cap member 8 that is pressed against a surface on which a nozzle is formed on the bottom side of the ejection head 22 to form a closed space surrounding the nozzle, and a cap member 8 that is pressed against the nozzle surface of the ejection head 22. 8 and a suction pump (not shown) that introduces negative pressure into the closed space formed when the cap member 8 is pressed against the nozzle surface of the ejection head 22.

In this embodiment, when the printing system 1 is in use, the axis along the sub-scanning direction in which the printing paper 2 is conveyed is defined as the Y axis, the axis along the direction of gravity is defined as the Z axis, and the axis along the moving direction of the carriage 20 is defined as the Y axis. Let the axis be the X axis. Here, the "usage state of the printing system 1" refers to a state in which the printing system 1 is installed on a horizontal surface. Further, in this embodiment, the sub-scanning direction is the +Y direction, the opposite direction is the -Y direction, the gravitational direction is the -Z direction, and the anti-gravity direction is the +Z direction. The X direction and the Y direction are directions along the horizontal direction. Furthermore, when the printing system 1 is viewed from the front side, the direction from the right side to the left side is defined as the +X direction, and the opposite direction is defined as the -X direction. Further, in this embodiment, the insertion direction D1 in which the cartridge 4 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 6 for mounting is the −Y direction, and the removal direction D4 in which the cartridge 4 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 6 is the +Y direction. Therefore, in the cartridge mounting portion 6, the −Y direction side is also called the back side, and the +Y direction side is also called the front side. Further, in this embodiment, the arrangement direction of the plurality of cartridges 4 is the X direction. The constituent members of the cartridge 4 are a liquid container and an adapter, which will be described later.

A-2. Detailed configuration of cartridge mounting section:
FIG. 2 is a first perspective view of the cartridge mounting section 6. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a second perspective view of the cartridge mounting section 6. As shown in FIG. FIG. 2 shows a cartridge mounting section 6 into which a plurality of cartridges 4 are inserted or mounted. FIG. 3 is a diagram in which the cartridge 4 is omitted from the state shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, the cartridges 4K, 4C, and 4Y are in a mounted state in which they are mounted on the cartridge mounting section 6. The mounted state is a state in which a cartridge terminal (described later) of the cartridge 4 is in contact with a device terminal (described later) of the cartridge mounting section 6, and a liquid introduction section (described below) of the cartridge mounting section 6 is connected to a liquid supply section of the cartridge 4. . The fully inserted state is a state in which the cartridge 4 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 6 in the horizontal insertion direction D1. When the insertion is completed, the cartridge terminal of the cartridge 4, which will be described later, is in contact with the device terminal, which will be described later, of the cartridge mounting section 6, but the liquid supply section of the cartridge 4 is not connected to the liquid introduction section of the cartridge mounting section 6. From the fully inserted state, the cartridge 4 is brought into the mounted state by rotationally moving the front side portion of the cartridge 4 in the insertion direction D1 in the rotational mounting direction D2 having a gravitational direction component. As described above, after the cartridge 4 is completely inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 6 in the insertion direction D1, which is a horizontal direction, the cartridge 4 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 6 by moving the front side portion in the insertion direction D1 in the rotational mounting direction D2. It will be installed.

Regarding the cartridge mounting portion 6, the X direction is also called the width direction, the Y direction is also called the depth direction, and the Z direction is also called the height direction. In the following, each element will be explained assuming that the cartridge mounting section 6 is in the insertion completion state unless there is a particular description of the state. In the cartridge mounting section 6, the insertion completion state is the same as the initial state in which the cartridge 4 and the adapter for the cartridge 4 are not mounted.

As shown in FIG. 3, the cartridge mounting portion 6 forms a housing chamber 61 in which the cartridge 4 is housed. The storage chamber 61 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The accommodation chamber 61 has slots that accommodate the cartridges 4C, 4M, 4Y, and 4K. Each slot roughly corresponds to the external shape of each cartridge 4C, 4M, 4Y, and 4K.

As shown in FIG. 3, the cartridge mounting section 6 has six device walls 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, and 67 that form a housing chamber 61. As shown in FIG. In the present disclosure, a "wall" is a concept that includes not only a single wall but also a wall constituted by a plurality of walls. The first device wall 67 forms an insertion/extraction opening 674 through which the cartridge 4 is inserted into or removed from the housing chamber 61 . The second device wall 62 forms a wall on the -Y direction side of the storage chamber 61. The second device wall 62 faces the first device wall 67 in the Y direction. The second device wall 62 is a generally vertical wall when the printing device 10 is in use.

The device upper wall 63 forms a wall on the +Z direction side of the storage chamber 61. The device bottom wall 64 faces the device top wall 63 in the Z direction and forms a wall of the storage chamber 61 on the −Z direction side. The device bottom wall 64 is formed by a support member 610. The device bottom wall 64 has a plurality of first device openings 614. In this embodiment, four first device openings 614 are formed depending on the number of adapters 402 to be attached. The device top wall 63 and the device bottom wall 64 intersect the second device wall 62 and the first device wall 67. In this disclosure, "intersect" and "intersect" refer to (i) a state in which two elements intersect each other and actually intersect, (ii) a state in which one element intersects with the other element when extended, and , (iii) a state in which the mutual elements intersect when each of the mutual elements is extended.

The first device side wall 65 forms a wall on the +X direction side of the storage chamber 61. The second device side wall 66 faces the first device side wall 65 in the X direction, and forms a wall of the storage chamber 61 on the −X direction side. The first device side wall 65 and the second device side wall 66 intersect with the second device wall 62 , the first device wall 67 , the device top wall 63 , and the device bottom wall 64 .

As shown in FIG. 3, the cartridge mounting section 6 further includes a device-side terminal section 70, a device guide section 602, a support member 610, a liquid introduction section 642, a device-side positioning section 644, and a fixing member 677. and a protruding member 628.

A plurality of supporting members 610 are provided depending on the number of cartridges 4 to be mounted. In this embodiment, four supporting members 610 are provided. A device bottom wall 64 on the gravity direction side of the storage chamber 61 is formed. The support member 610 supports the cartridge 4 from the −Z direction side, which is the gravity direction side. Support member 610 is a member extending along the Y direction. Support member 610 has a concave shape. The support member 610 has a main wall 613 forming the device bottom wall 64, a first support side wall 611, and a second support side wall 612. The support member 610 rotates in a rotational mounting direction D2 having a component in the direction of gravity and a component in the anti-gravity direction, using a rotational fulcrum 698 located on the back side of the insertion direction D1 and on the gravity direction side in the cartridge mounting portion 6 as a fulcrum. It can be rotated in the release direction D3. The release direction D3 is a direction opposite to the rotational mounting direction D2.

The main wall 613 forms a concave bottom portion located on the gravity direction side. A first device opening 614 and a second device opening 626 are formed in the main wall 613 . The first device opening 614 and the second device opening 626 each penetrate the main wall 613 in the thickness direction of the main wall 613.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first support side wall 611 rises from the +X direction side end of the main wall 613 in the +Z direction, which is the anti-gravity direction. The second support side wall 612 rises in the +Z direction from the -X-axis direction side end of the main wall 613. The first support side wall 611 and the second support side wall 612 face each other in the X direction.

The device guide section 602 guides the cartridge 4 or the adapter of the cartridge 4 in the insertion direction D1 and the removal direction D4. A device guide section 602 is provided for each support member 610. The device guide portion 602 is provided on each of the first support side wall 611 and the second support side wall 612. The device guide portion 602 is a protrusion provided on the first support side wall 611 and the second support side wall 612. A plurality of these protrusions are arranged at intervals along the insertion direction D1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid introduction section 642 receives the liquid from the cartridge 4. The liquid introduction part 642 has a central axis CA1. In this embodiment, the central axis CA1 is inclined by 4 degrees in the +Y direction with respect to the Z direction. In the fully inserted state, the liquid introduction part 642 is not located within the storage chamber 61 but is located on the −Z direction side with respect to the storage chamber 61. That is, the liquid introduction part 642 is located on the opposite side of the support member 610 with the storage chamber 61 interposed therebetween. The distal end side of the liquid introduction part 642 is arranged in the storage chamber 61 by rotating the support member 610 in the rotation mounting direction D2 about the rotation fulcrum 698, thereby pushing down the first device opening 614.

The device-side positioning section 644 is received by a cartridge positioning section (described later) of the cartridge 4, thereby regulating the movement of an adapter (described later) of the cartridge 4 with respect to the liquid introduction section 642. In the fully inserted state, the device-side positioning portion 644 is not located within the storage chamber 61 but is located on the -Z direction side of the storage chamber 61. In other words, the device-side positioning section 644 is located on the opposite side of the support member 610 with the accommodation chamber 61 in between. The distal end side of the device-side positioning portion 644 is placed in the storage chamber 61 by rotating the support member 610 in the rotation mounting direction D2 about the rotational fulcrum 698 and pushing down the first device opening 614. .

The device-side terminal section 70 has a plurality of device terminals 721 that come into contact with cartridge terminals of the cartridge 4. The device-side terminal portion 70 is provided on the −Y direction side of the support member 610, which is the back side in the insertion direction D1.

The fixed formation body 677 is formed closer to the +Y direction than the support member 610. Further, the fixed formation body 677 is located on the −Z direction side with respect to the insertion/extraction opening 674. Four device fixing parts, which will be described later, are arranged in the fixing member 677 in correspondence with each slot of the storage chamber 61. The mounting fixing portion is a protrusion, and by engaging with the adapter of the cartridge 4, the movement of the cartridge 4 is fixed and the mounting state is maintained. As shown in FIG. 3, the fixing formation 677 has a release portion 666 that displaces the attachment fixing portion and releases the engagement with the adapter of the cartridge 4 according to each attachment fixing portion. The release part 666 is a plate-like member and is connected to the device fixing part. By pushing down the release portion 666 in the direction of gravity, the device fixing portion is displaced in the release direction.

The protruding member 628 is located between the liquid introduction part 642 and the device-side terminal part 70 in the direction along the insertion direction D1. The protruding member 628 is a component of an external force mechanism that applies an external force in the anti-gravity direction to the support member 610 in the attached state. In the fully inserted state, the protruding member 628 is not located within the storage chamber 61 but is located on the −Z direction side with respect to the storage chamber 61. That is, the protruding member 628 is located on the opposite side of the supporting member 610 with the storage chamber 61 interposed therebetween. The +Z direction side portion of the protrusion member 628 is arranged in the storage chamber 61 by rotating the support member 610 in the rotation mounting direction D2 about the rotation fulcrum 698, thereby pushing down the second device opening 626.

A-3. Detailed configuration of cartridge:
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first type cartridge 4A. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the first type cartridge 4A. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the first type cartridge 4A. The XYZ axes shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 are based on a state in which the cartridge 4 has been completely inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 6. The difference between the first type cartridge 4A and the second type cartridge 4B is the width of the liquid container 401. The liquid container 401 of the first type cartridge 4A is wider than the liquid container 401 of the second type cartridge 4B. As a result, the volume of the first type cartridge 4A is larger than the volume of the second type cartridge 4B. Other configurations are similar between the first type cartridge 4A and the second type cartridge 4B, so the configuration of the cartridge 4 will be described below by illustrating the first type cartridge 4A.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the outer shape of the cartridge 4 is approximately a rectangular parallelepiped. In the cartridge 4, the direction along the −Y direction, which is the insertion direction D1 into the cartridge mounting portion 6, is the longitudinal direction, the X direction is the width direction, and the Z direction is the direction along the gravity direction. , that is, in the height direction. In the cartridge 4, the dimension in the longitudinal direction is the largest and the dimension in the lateral direction is the smallest. In the insertion posture, the width direction is a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction D1 and the −Z direction, which is the direction of gravity.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the cartridge 4 includes a liquid container 401 that can contain liquid, an adapter 402 that is formed closer to the bottom surface 44 than the liquid container 401, and that can contain liquid. A liquid supply section 442 that supplies the contained liquid to the liquid introduction section 642 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the adapter 402, a dimension L402 along the insertion direction D1 of the cartridge 4 into the cartridge mounting portion 6 is smaller than a dimension L401 along the insertion direction D1 of the liquid container 401. In the cartridge 4 of this embodiment, the liquid container 401 and the adapter 402 are integrally molded. For example, the liquid container 401 and the adapter 402 are integrally molded by blow molding. The cartridge 4 can be easily formed by integrally molding the liquid container 401 and the adapter 402 by blow molding or the like. Note that in other embodiments, the liquid container 401 and the adapter 402 may be formed separately and attached to each other by fitting or the like.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cartridge 4 has a front surface 42, a rear surface 47, a top surface 43, a bottom surface 44, a first side surface 45, a second side surface 46, and a corner portion 89. Each surface 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47 is also referred to as each wall 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47.

As shown in FIG. 4, the front surface 42 and the rear surface 47 face each other in the Y direction along the insertion direction D1 in the posture in the insertion completion state. The front surface 42 forms a distal end surface on the −Y direction side that is the back side in the insertion direction D1, that is, the distal end side in the insertion direction D1 in the insertion posture. The rear surface 47 forms a surface located on the front side in the insertion direction D1 in the insertion posture, that is, on the +Y direction side which is the removal direction D4 in which the cartridge 4 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 6.

As shown in FIG. 6, the top surface 43 and the bottom surface 44 face each other in the Z direction, which is the central axis direction of the central axis CA2 of the liquid supply section 442. As shown in FIG. The bottom surface 44 is a surface that constitutes the adapter 402. The bottom surface 44 is formed with an insertion opening 446 into which the liquid introduction section 642 of the cartridge mounting section 6 is inserted. That is, the adapter 402 has an insertion opening 446. The bottom surface 44 is a surface of the cartridge mounting portion 6 located on the back side in the rotational mounting direction D2 with the back side in the insertion direction D1 as the rotation fulcrum 698, that is, on the front end side in the rotational mounting direction D2.

As shown in FIG. 6, the top surface 43 faces the bottom surface 44 in the Z direction, which is the central axis direction. That is, the upper surface 43 including the upper inclined surface 433 described later is located on the opposite side of the bottom surface 44 with the liquid storage section 450 interposed therebetween. The upper surface 43 connects the front surface 42 and the rear surface 47. The upper surface 43 has a main surface 432 , an upper inclined surface 433 , and a connecting surface 435 connected to the rear surface 47 .

The main surface 432 is the largest surface among the three surfaces 432, 433, and 435. The main surface 432 extends from the front surface 42 along a removal direction D4 opposite to the insertion direction D1. The main surface 432 is parallel to the insertion direction D1. The upper inclined surface 433 extends from the main surface 432 in the removal direction D4. The upper inclined surface 433 is arranged in the insertion direction D1 such that the second end 433t in the removal direction D4 opposite to the insertion direction D1 is located closer to the bottom surface 44 than the first end 433p in the insertion direction D1. tilted against. The connecting surface 435 connects the upper inclined surface 433 and the rear surface 47. The connecting surface 435 functions as a front side portion that is pushed toward the direction of gravity by the user in order to rotationally move the cartridge 4 in the rotational mounting direction D2.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first side surface 45 and the second side surface 46 face each other in the X direction, which is the width direction. The first side surface 45 and the second side surface 46 are parallel to the Y direction and the Z direction, respectively, in the insertion posture. The first side surface 45 is a surface located on the −X direction side. The second side surface 46 is a surface located on the +X direction side. The corner portion 89 is provided at a corner portion where the front surface 42 and the bottom surface 44 intersect. The corner portion 89 has a concave shape recessed inward. A corner portion 89 is formed in the adapter 402. A circuit board 50 having a plurality of cartridge terminals 521 is arranged in the corner portion 89 .

As shown in FIG. 5, the liquid supply section 442 is a cylindrical member. As shown in FIG. 4, the tip opening 447 of the liquid supply section 442 is arranged at a position overlapping the insertion opening 446 when the cartridge 4 is viewed from the bottom surface 44 side. The liquid supply section 442 is connected to the liquid introduction section 642 by inserting the liquid introduction section 642 into the insertion opening 446 . As shown in FIG. 5, a notch 449 is formed in the side wall of the liquid supply section 442 to allow the liquid to flow into the internal channel.

As shown in FIG. 6, the liquid supply section 442 has a supply section valve mechanism 481 that opens and closes an internal flow path. The supply valve mechanism 481 includes a seal portion 487, a valve body 485, and a biasing member 483. The seal portion 487 is an annular elastic member disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the supply channel. The seal portion 487 functions as a valve seat against which the valve body 485 comes into contact and moves away from it. The valve body 485 is located on the opposite side of the tip opening 447 with the seal portion 487 interposed therebetween. The biasing member 483 biases the valve body 485 toward the seal portion 487 . The biasing member 483 is a compression coil spring. When the liquid introduction part 642 is not inserted into the liquid supply part 442, the valve body 485 contacts the seal part 487 and closes the opening of the seal part 487, so that the internal flow path becomes non-communicating. On the other hand, when the liquid introduction part 642 is inserted into the liquid supply part 442, the valve body 485 is pushed in the direction away from the seal part 487 by the liquid introduction part 642 against the urging force of the urging member 483. As a result, the valve body 485 separates from the seal portion 487, so that the internal flow path is in a communicating state, that is, the supply valve mechanism 481 is in an open state.

As shown in FIG. 5, the cartridge 4 further includes a supply section positioning section 448, a recess 582, a cartridge guide section 462, and a cartridge fixing section 497 shown in FIG. The supply section positioning section 448 is a recess formed in the bottom surface 44. The supply section positioning section 448 is formed at a position adjacent to the insertion opening 446 on the bottom surface 44 . The insertion opening 446 receives the device-side positioning portion 644 during the cartridge 4 installation process. This restricts the movement of the supply section positioning section 448 in the direction intersecting the rotation mounting direction D2, thereby positioning the liquid supply section 442 with respect to the liquid introduction section 642.

The recess 582 is formed closer to the insertion direction D1 than the insertion opening 446. The recess 582 receives the protruding member 628 shown in FIG. 3, which is a member of the cartridge mounting section 6, when the cartridge 4 is mounted.

The cartridge fixing portion 497 shown in FIG. 6 is a recess provided in the portion of the rear surface 47 formed by the adapter 402. The cartridge fixing section 497 removably fixes the cartridge 4 to the cartridge mounting section 6 to maintain the mounted state. Specifically, when the cartridge 4 is installed, the device fixing section enters and engages the cartridge fixing section 497, thereby fixing the cartridge 4 to the cartridge mounting section 6.

The cartridge guide portion 462 shown in FIG. 4 is formed on each of the first side surface 45 and the second side surface 46. As shown in FIG. The cartridge guide portion 462 is a step provided at a portion of the first side surface 45 or the second side surface 46 that forms the adapter 402. The cartridge guide portion 462 extends along the insertion direction D1. As the cartridge 4 moves within the cartridge mounting section 6 while the cartridge guide section 462 contacts the surface of the device guide section 602 shown in FIG. 3 on the +Z direction side, the adapter 402 is inserted in the horizontal direction. Guides movement in D1 and removal direction D4.

As shown in FIG. 6, a liquid storage section 450 for storing liquid is formed inside the cartridge 4. In the liquid storage section 450, a region inside the liquid storage body 401 is also called a first liquid storage section 451, and a region inside the adapter 402 is also called a second liquid storage section 452.

The liquid storage section 450 is located on the bottom surface 44 side and has a storage section bottom surface 456 that is the bottom surface of the liquid storage section 450 . A housing bottom surface 456 is formed on the adapter 402. The storage section bottom surface 456 includes a first bottom surface 457 located between the liquid supply section 442 and the front surface 42 and a second bottom surface located between the liquid supply section 442 and the rear surface 47 in the direction along the insertion direction D1. 458. The liquid supply section 442 is inserted into the bottom surface 456 of the storage section, and the liquid on the bottom surface 456 of the storage section can flow into the internal channel from the cutout section 449 shown in FIG. 5 of the liquid supply section 442.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the cartridge 4 in a mounted state. FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing the liquid storage section 450 near the liquid supply section 442 of the cartridge 4 in the installed state. After the insertion of the cartridge 4 into the cartridge mounting portion 6 is completed, as shown in FIG. A spatial region SP is formed.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the mounted state, the liquid supplied from the liquid supply section 442 of the cartridge 4 to the liquid introduction section 642 is stored in the liquid storage section 699 of the cartridge mounting section 6. As shown in FIG. The liquid reservoir 699 is maintained at a predetermined pressure. In this embodiment, the predetermined pressure is negative pressure. Further, in this embodiment, ink is supplied from the cartridge 4 to the ejection head 22 using the difference in water head. Specifically, ink is supplied to the ejection head 22 based on the difference in water head between the liquid level of the ink in the liquid storage portion 699 and the ejection head 22 . As the liquid level in the liquid storage section 699 decreases, the liquid in the liquid storage section 450 is replenished via the liquid introduction section 642. Thereby, the liquid level in the liquid storage section 699 is maintained constant.

An introduction valve mechanism that opens and closes a flow path within the liquid introduction section 642 is disposed within the liquid introduction section 642 . The introduction part valve mechanism is in a closed state when the liquid introduction part 642 and the liquid supply part 442 are not connected. When the liquid introduction part 642 is inserted into the liquid supply part 442, the valve element of the introduction part valve mechanism is pushed down by the valve body 485 of the liquid supply part 442, and is separated from the valve seat of the introduction part valve mechanism. As a result, the introduction valve mechanism becomes open.

In the mounted state of the cartridge 4, the support member 610 shown in FIG. 3 is urged in the anti-gravity direction by the mounting part urging member 629 of the cartridge mounting part 6, so that the cartridge 4 is rotated in the opposite direction to the rotational mounting direction D2. It attempts to move in the release direction D3. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, when the cartridge 4 is in the installed state, the cartridge fixing part 497 and the device fixing part 697 engage with each other, thereby restricting the movement of the cartridge 4 in the release direction D3, and thereby fixing the cartridge 4 in the installed state. is maintained. Further, when the cartridge 4 is installed, the rear surface 47 side of the cartridge 4 is pushed down compared to the inserted position.

As shown in FIG. 8, the second bottom surface 458 has a first adapter bottom surface 458a, a stepped surface 458c, and a second adapter bottom surface 458b. The first adapter bottom surface 458a is a plane that extends from the portion of the storage section bottom surface 456 where the liquid supply section 442 is located toward the rear surface 47 side. The stepped surface 458c is a plane extending from the end of the first adapter bottom surface 458a opposite to the side where the liquid supply section 442 is located toward the anti-gravity direction side, that is, toward the upper surface 43 side. The second adapter bottom surface 458b is a plane extending from the upper end of the stepped surface 458c toward the rear surface 47 side.

When the cartridge 4 is installed, the first bottom surface 457, the first adapter bottom surface 458a, and the second adapter bottom surface 458b are arranged in a horizontal direction such that they are located closer to the gravity direction toward the rear surface 47 side, that is, toward the removal direction D4. tilt.

When the cartridge 4 is installed, the liquid in the liquid storage section 450 is consumed and the liquid level is lowered. On the other hand, the first adapter bottom surface 458a and the second adapter bottom surface 458b are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction as described above. Therefore, when the liquid level in the liquid storage section 450 decreases, a liquid residual area 454 is generated in the adapter 402, as shown by single hatching in FIG. 8, indicating the liquid. That is, the adapter 402 has a liquid residual area 454. The liquid residual area 454 is an area that holds liquid when the liquid level of the liquid storage part 450 decreases. This is a region that is out of communication with the liquid supply section 442. In other words, the liquid remaining area 454 is an area where liquid remains without being consumed in the attached state. Of the liquid residual area 454, the area on the first adapter bottom surface 458a is also referred to as the first liquid residual area 454a, and the area on the second adapter bottom surface 458b is also referred to as the second liquid residual area 454b.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining consumption of liquid in the liquid residual area 454. A disconnection operation in which the cartridge 4 is moved from the installed state of the cartridge 4 shown in FIG. 8 in the release direction D3, which is the opposite direction to the rotational installation direction D2, to disconnect the liquid supply section 442 and the liquid introduction section 642. In the process, the remaining liquid flows into the liquid supply section 442 as follows. In other words, by moving the rear surface 47 side of the cartridge 4 in a direction including an anti-gravity direction component, the first adapter bottom surface 458a and the second adapter bottom surface 458b change from a state of being inclined with respect to the horizontal direction to a state of being parallel to the horizontal direction. The attitude of the cartridge 4 changes so that it returns to its original position. In response to the external force generated due to the change in the posture of the cartridge 4, the liquid residual area 454 increases during the period from the start of the disconnection operation to the end of the disconnection operation when the liquid introduction section 642 comes out from the liquid supply section 442. The liquid flows into the liquid supply section 442 in the direction of arrow YR. In other words, the liquid in the liquid residual area 454 is in the process of disconnection operation in which the installed cartridge 4 is moved in the release direction D3 and the connection between the liquid supply section 442 and the liquid introduction section 642 is disconnected, and the position of the cartridge 4 is The liquid flows into the liquid supply section 442 due to the change in the liquid. The liquid that has flowed into the liquid supply section 442 flows into the liquid introduction section 642 and then the liquid storage section 699 of the cartridge mounting section 6 in this order.

According to the first embodiment, since the adapter 402 can accommodate liquid in addition to the liquid container 401, a larger amount of liquid can be accommodated in the cartridge 4. Further, in the process of the disconnection operation, the liquid in the liquid residual area 454 flows into the liquid supply part 442, so that the liquid in the liquid residual area 454 can be introduced into the liquid introduction part 642 via the liquid supply part 442. Thereby, the amount of liquid remaining in the cartridge 4 can be reduced.

B. Second embodiment:
FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the cartridge 4a of the second embodiment. The difference from the cartridge 4 of the first embodiment is that the upper inclined surface 433a has a connection hole 439 for connecting a separate container 7, which will be described later. The other configurations are the same between the cartridge 4a and the cartridge 4, so similar configurations will be given the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment and will not be described again as appropriate.

The connection hole 439 communicates with the liquid storage section 450. A plug member 438 is disposed within the connection hole 439 to keep the inside of the liquid storage portion 450 airtight. The plug member 438 is, for example, an elastic member, and has a cut formed therein. Note that in other embodiments, the connection hole 439 may be formed on the rear surface 47 or on both the rear surface 47 and the upper inclined surface 433. Since the connection hole 439 is formed in at least one of the upper inclined surface 433a and the rear surface 47, even when the cartridge 4a is inserted or mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 6, the separate container 7 can be easily inserted. can be connected to the connection hole 439.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the cartridge 4a in a mounted state with a separate container 7 connected thereto. Separate container 7 has a main chamber 750 for containing liquid and a cylindrical injection part 72 communicating with main chamber 750. The periphery of the injection portion 72 is a surface having an inclination corresponding to the upper inclined surface 433. The injection part 72 is inserted into the connection hole 439. As a result, the cut in the stopper member 438 is expanded, and the distal end opening of the injection part 72 is disposed within the liquid storage part 450. The liquid in the main chamber 750 is supplied to the liquid storage section 450 via the injection section 72.

The space area SP accommodates a part of the separate container 7. Thereby, the separate container 7 can be arranged by effectively utilizing the space area SP.

When the cartridge 4a is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 6 and the insertion is completed, the separate container 7 is moved in the insertion direction D1 in order to connect the injection part 72 of the separate container 7 to the connection hole 439 of the cartridge 4a. let Due to this connecting operation, the upper inclined surface 433 receives an external force having a component in the direction of gravity from the separate container 7. The cartridge 4 is moved in the rotational mounting direction D2 by an external force having a component in the direction of gravity generated by the connecting operation, and thereby enters the mounted state. For example, as the connection operation of the separate container 7 progresses, the external force having a component in the gravitational direction may cause the separate container 7 to hit the top wall 63 of the device, causing the separate container 7 to press against the top inclined surface 433 of the cartridge 4. It is the force that pushes down. In this way, the upper inclined surface 433a receives an external force having a component in the direction of gravity due to the connecting operation of the separate container 7, and the connecting operation moves the cartridge 4a in the rotational mounting direction D2 and attaches it to the cartridge mounting portion 6. Installation can be completed.

C. Other embodiments:
C-1. Other embodiment 1:
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining another embodiment 1. FIG. The difference from the second embodiment is that the separate container 7a has a liquid inlet 738. Liquid inlet 738 can inject liquid into main chamber 750 . For example, an elastic member such as a rubber member is disposed within the liquid inlet 738. A needle member can be inserted into the liquid inlet 738 and the liquid can be injected into the main chamber 750 from the tip of the needle member. The liquid inlet 738 is formed at a position on the front side rather than the rear side in the insertion direction D1. In other embodiment 1, the liquid inlet 738 is formed in a portion of the upper surface 752 of the separate container 7a that is exposed in the removal direction D4 side with respect to the device upper wall 63 of the cartridge mounting portion 6. According to this first embodiment, since the liquid inlet 738 is formed closer to the front side than the back side in the insertion direction D1, the separate container 7a can be easily refilled with liquid, and the cartridge 4a can be refilled with a sufficient amount of liquid.

C-2. Other embodiment 2:
In the second embodiment, the cartridge 4a can also accommodate liquid in the adapter 402, similar to the cartridge 4 of the first embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this. The adapter 402 of the cartridge 4a may have a configuration in which no liquid can be accommodated.

C-3. Other embodiment 3:
In each of the above embodiments, the cartridges 4 and 4a contain ink, but may contain other liquids. For example, liquids can be used as coloring materials for manufacturing color filters for image display devices such as liquid crystal displays, or for forming electrodes in organic EL (Electro Luminescence) displays, field emission displays (FEDs), etc. Examples include the electrode material used.

D. Other forms:
The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be realized in various forms without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the present disclosure can also be realized in the following aspects. The technical features in the above embodiments that correspond to the technical features in each form described below are used to solve some or all of the problems of the present disclosure, or to achieve some or all of the effects of the present disclosure. In order to achieve this, it is possible to replace or combine them as appropriate. Further, unless the technical feature is described as essential in this specification, it can be deleted as appropriate.

(1) According to the first aspect of the present disclosure, a cartridge is provided that is removably mounted on a cartridge mounting section of a printing device. After the cartridge has been inserted into the cartridge mounting portion in a horizontal insertion direction, the front portion of the cartridge in the insertion direction is rotated in the direction of gravity, using the back side in the insertion direction as a rotational fulcrum. The cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting section by moving in a rotational mounting direction having a component, and the cartridge has a liquid container capable of containing a liquid, and an insertion opening into which a liquid introduction section of the cartridge mounting section is inserted. an adapter capable of accommodating the liquid, the adapter having a smaller dimension along the direction of insertion of the cartridge into the cartridge mounting section than the liquid container; a liquid supply section that is connected to a liquid introduction section and supplies the liquid contained in the cartridge to the liquid introduction section; The liquid in the liquid residual area is transferred between the liquid supply unit and the liquid supply unit by moving the cartridge in a direction opposite to the rotational mounting direction. In the process of a disconnection operation for disconnecting the liquid from the liquid introduction section, the liquid flows into the liquid supply section due to a change in the attitude of the cartridge. According to this embodiment, since the adapter can accommodate liquid in addition to the liquid container, a larger amount of liquid can be accommodated in the cartridge. Further, in the process of the disconnection operation, the liquid in the liquid residual area flows into the liquid supply part, so that the liquid in the liquid residual area can be introduced into the liquid introduction part via the liquid supply part. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of liquid remaining in the cartridge.

(2) In the above embodiment, the liquid container and the adapter may be integrally molded. According to this form, a cartridge having a liquid container and an adapter can be easily formed.

(3) In the above embodiment, the liquid container and the adapter may be integrally formed by blow molding. According to this embodiment, a cartridge having a liquid container and an adapter can be easily integrally molded by blow molding.

(4) According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, a cartridge is provided that is removably installed in a cartridge installation section of a printing device. In this cartridge, after the cartridge has been inserted into the cartridge mounting portion in a horizontal insertion direction, the front side portion of the cartridge in the insertion direction is rotated with the back side in the insertion direction as a rotation fulcrum. is mounted in the cartridge mounting section by moving the cartridge in a rotational mounting direction having a gravitational direction component, and the cartridge is inserted into a liquid storage section for storing liquid and a liquid introduction section of the cartridge mounting section. a bottom surface in which an insertion opening is formed, and an upper inclined surface located on the opposite side of the bottom surface with the liquid storage section in between, the first end being opposite to the insertion direction from the first end on the insertion direction side. an upper inclined surface whose second end in the direction is located on the side closer to the bottom surface, a rear surface located on the near side in the insertion direction, and a connection hole for connecting a container separate from the cartridge; , a connection hole communicating with the liquid storage portion, and the connection hole is formed on at least one of the upper inclined surface and the rear surface. According to this form, since the connection hole is formed on at least one of the upper inclined surface and the front surface, it is easy to connect a separate container even when the cartridge is inserted or mounted in the cartridge mounting section. can be connected to the connection hole.

(5) In the above embodiment, after the completion of the insertion, the space region is formed between the cartridge mounting section and the upper wall of the device when the cartridge moves in the rotational mounting direction, The container may have a top surface forming a spatial region that accommodates at least a portion of the container, and the top surface may include the top slope. According to this aspect, the separate container can be placed by effectively utilizing the space area formed between the top surface of the cartridge and the top wall of the cartridge mounting portion by movement in the rotational mounting direction.

(6) In the above embodiment, the connection hole is formed in the upper inclined surface,
The upper inclined surface may receive an external force having a component in the direction of gravity due to a connecting operation of moving the separate container in the insertion direction in order to connect the separate container to the connection hole when the insertion is completed. . According to this form, when the upper inclined surface receives an external force having a component in the direction of gravity due to the connecting operation of the separate container, the cartridge is moved in the rotational mounting direction by the connecting operation, and the mounting in the cartridge mounting portion is completed. can.

(7) In the above embodiment, the separate container connected to the connection hole may have a liquid injection port for injecting liquid into a portion closer to the front side than the back side in the insertion direction. According to this form, since the liquid inlet is formed closer to the front side than the back side in the insertion direction, the liquid can be easily refilled in a separate container, so that a sufficient amount of liquid can be filled into the cartridge. Can be replenished.

The present disclosure can also be implemented in various forms other than those described above. For example, the present disclosure can be implemented in the form of a method of manufacturing a cartridge.

1... Printing system, 2... Printing paper, 4, 4C, 4M, 4Y, 4K, 4a... Cartridge, 4A... First type cartridge, 4B... Second type cartridge, 6... Cartridge mounting section, 7, 7a... Container, 8... Cap member, 10... Printing device, 13... Replacement cover, 15... Operation button, 20... Carriage, 22... Discharge head, 24... Tube, 30... Drive mechanism, 31... Control unit, 32... Timing belt, 34 ... Drive motor, 42 ... Front surface, 43 ... Top surface, 44 ... Bottom surface, 45 ... First side surface, 46 ... Second side surface, 47 ... Rear surface, 50 ... Circuit board, 61 ... Accommodation chamber, 62 ... Second device wall, 63 ...Device top wall, 64...Device bottom wall, 65...First device side wall, 66...Second device side wall, 67...First device wall, 70...Device side terminal part, 72...Injection part, 89...Corner part, 401 ...Liquid container, 402...Adapter, 432...Main surface, 433, 433a...Top inclined surface, 433p...First end, 433t...Second end, 435...Connection surface, 438...Plug member, 439...Connection hole , 442...liquid supply part, 446...insertion opening, 447...tip opening, 448...supply part positioning part, 449...notch part, 450...liquid storage part, 451...first liquid storage part, 452...second Liquid storage section, 454...Liquid remaining area, 454a...First liquid remaining area, 454b...Second liquid remaining area, 456...Saccommodating part bottom surface, 457...First bottom surface, 458...Second bottom surface, 458a...First adapter bottom surface , 458b...second adapter bottom surface, 458c...stepped surface, 462...cartridge guide section, 481...supply section valve mechanism, 483...biasing member, 485...valve body, 487...sealing section, 497...cartridge fixing section, 521... Cartridge terminal, 582... recess, 602... device guide section, 610... support member, 611... first support side wall, 612... second support side wall, 613... main wall, 614... first device opening, 626... second device Opening, 628... Projection member, 629... Mounting part biasing member, 642... Liquid introduction part, 644... Device side positioning part, 666... Release part, 674... Insertion/extraction opening, 677... Fixing formation body, 697... Device fixing Part, 698...Rotation fulcrum, 699...Liquid storage part, 721...Device terminal, 738...Liquid inlet, 750...Main chamber, 752...Top surface, CA1, CA2...Central axis, D1...Insertion direction, D2...Rotation mounting direction , D3...Release direction, D4...Removal direction, L401...Dimension, L402...Dimension, SP...Spatial area

Claims (7)

A cartridge that is removably installed in a cartridge installation section of a printing device,
After the cartridge has been inserted into the cartridge mounting portion in a horizontal insertion direction, the front portion of the cartridge in the insertion direction is rotated in the direction of gravity, with the back side in the insertion direction serving as a rotation fulcrum. mounted on the cartridge mounting section by moving it in a rotational mounting direction having a component,
The cartridge is
a liquid container capable of containing liquid;
The adapter has an insertion opening into which a liquid introduction part of the cartridge mounting part is inserted, and is capable of accommodating the liquid, the adapter having a dimension along the direction of insertion of the cartridge into the cartridge mounting part that corresponds to the liquid. an adapter smaller than the container;
a liquid supply section connected to the liquid introduction section inserted into the insertion opening and supplying the liquid contained in the cartridge to the liquid introduction section;
The adapter has a liquid residual area that retains liquid and is out of communication with the liquid supply unit when the adapter is installed in the cartridge installation unit.
The liquid in the liquid residual area is removed from the cartridge during a disconnection operation in which the cartridge is moved in a direction opposite to the rotational mounting direction to disconnect the liquid supply section and the liquid introduction section. A cartridge that flows into the liquid supply section due to a change in posture. The cartridge according to claim 1,
The cartridge, wherein the liquid container and the adapter are integrally molded. The cartridge according to claim 2,
In the cartridge, the liquid container and the adapter are integrally molded by blow molding. A cartridge that is removably installed in a cartridge installation section of a printing device,
After the cartridge has been inserted into the cartridge mounting portion in a horizontal insertion direction, the front portion of the cartridge in the insertion direction is rotated in the direction of gravity, with the back side in the insertion direction serving as a rotation fulcrum. mounted on the cartridge mounting section by moving it in a rotational mounting direction having a component,
The cartridge is
a liquid storage section for storing liquid;
a bottom surface formed with an insertion opening into which the liquid introduction part of the cartridge mounting part is inserted;
an upper inclined surface located on the opposite side of the bottom surface with the liquid storage section in between, the second end of which is opposite to the insertion direction from the first end of which is on the insertion direction side is closer to the bottom surface; an upper inclined surface located on the near side;
a rear surface located on the near side in the insertion direction;
a connection hole for connecting a container separate from the cartridge, the connection hole communicating with the liquid storage section;
In the cartridge, the connection hole is formed in at least one of the upper inclined surface and the rear surface. The cartridge according to claim 4, further comprising:
After the insertion is completed, the cartridge moves in the rotational mounting direction, thereby forming a space area between the cartridge mounting portion and the upper wall of the device, which accommodates at least a portion of the separate container. having an upper surface forming a spatial region where
The cartridge, wherein the upper surface includes the upper sloped surface. The cartridge according to claim 4 or 5,
The connection hole is formed in the upper inclined surface,
In the cartridge, the upper inclined surface receives an external force having a component in the direction of gravity due to a connecting operation of moving the separate container in the insertion direction in order to connect the separate container to the connection hole when the insertion is completed. The cartridge according to claim 4 or 5,
In the cartridge, the separate container connected to the connection hole has a liquid inlet for injecting liquid into a portion closer to the front side than the rear side in the insertion direction.

Images